Seraphina“I just need a bit more time!” His voice rumbled, shaking the room with its intensity. I held my breath, taking a few steps back, silently hoping he’d just leave. The pressure of Xandriel’s looming threat was already weighing heavily on me, and now the thought of him arriving only added to my anxiety. The stress of having Alexander so close to the battle line, endangering our child, was overwhelming. I understood his concerns, but for a moment, I wished he’d drop the tough-guy act and see me as an equal partner in this.“I’d love to have a good time with you, but it’s just not possible right now. We’ll get your stuff packed up, and you’ll be ready to go by morning. No exceptions. Don’t try to change my mind.” His words were firm, and his tone left no room for argument. The finality in his voice made me feel even more helpless.“Hey, Alexander, I’m sorry, but I can’t leave, and I won’t!” Panic surged through me at the thought of him making plans for me to leave, especially to
SeraphinaThis whole war had messed up every aspect of my life. "I heard it might get pretty chilly at night over there.""Alexander won't be there for the birth of his child, and neither will the rest of them," I said, feeling sick at the thought. I knew Alexander would try his best to be there, but the idea of them being involved in such dangerous activities was overwhelming. "I totally brought Xandriel upon us, I did!""He did it all on his own!" Alaya suddenly raised her voice, making me jump. "Xandriel doesn't deserve anything except for Alexander to take care of him.""I'd rather not have that on Alexander!" I blurted out, my heart pounding in my chest. I was really worried he might end up getting himself killed before Xandriel ever walked away. It was a constant fear for me. Alexander had a tendency to lose his cool when dealing with people he didn't like. I was scared he would fight until the very end, even if it meant sacrificing himself."Hey, no need to stress about that, m
SeraphinaI took a deep breath, focusing on counting each one to steady my racing heart. Gradually, a sense of calm began to wash over me. I suddenly became aware of my physical presence and surroundings. I’d swung by Alexander’s place earlier, but when I woke up, he was gone. Xandriel was gone, as if he had never been here. Well, he hadn’t. I took a moment to catch my breath, reminding myself it was all in my head. Even the slightest touch, every gentle scratch, and the warm breath on my neck—I could sense it all, but it was just a memory.I reclined on my damp pillow, feeling the cool, moist fabric against my skin. The clock showed 9 a.m. Alexander hadn’t been around all night; his side of the bed was untouched. I just wanted this to be over. My whole being ached for it. I got comfortable, snuggling up in the blanket, and hoped Alexander had decided to delay the flight. Given that he wasn’t around, I worried he might be busy with arrangements. I gently cradled my belly, which had al
Seraphina I shut my eyes, leaning heavily against the window, trying to push away those unsettling thoughts. I could feel the jet’s steady hum beneath me, but it did little to calm my racing heart. When the wheels finally touched down on the runway, the reality of our arrival in Greece hit me with a jolt. The scenery was absolutely stunning, radiating luxury in every direction. In the distance, a massive castle loomed over the ocean, its dark shadow adding to its grandeur. The waves crashed against the cliffs, shifting from gentle whitecaps to powerful swells that engulfed the massive rocks below. The sun sparkled over the vibrant blue waters, sending shimmering light streaming through the jet’s windows. For a moment, the beauty of it all distracted me from the turmoil inside.…"I don't think there's anything I can say to improve the situation," Jamie sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "Jeremiah had a hunch that this war wouldn't drag on for too long. He estimated it would probably
SeraphinaI couldn't help but admire the castle as we strolled through; it was spotless, not a speck of dust or cobweb in sight. The room had a wall adorned with beautiful stained glass, casting a soft, colorful glow across the floors.Other tapestries, like the ones in Alexander's bedroom, adorned the walls of the hallway across from it. The hallway was also decorated with pots of flowers and statues of unfamiliar individuals. Each one had a nameplate made of solid gold, but the inscriptions were too tiny for me to make out. The floors had a carpet runner down the middle, a deep black that perfectly complemented the contrasting colors of the floor. I felt a bit out of place, like I was wandering through a museum or something."I'm heading to the doctor's office at the moment." I could feel my heart racing in my chest as I thought about that witch doctor. Jordan has been the only doctor since then, and he's always been gentle and kind. I trusted him because Alexander did, and I was in
SeraphinaIt was so quiet, except for those annoying beeps and the sound of his pen scraping. The quiet made me even more anxious, my heart pounding louder in the stillness."Your blood pressure is slightly elevated, but no need to stress about it. It's pretty common for people to experience this when they visit doctors.""Sure," I replied, trying to sound calm, though my voice wavered slightly. I felt my muscles tense up as he gently lifted my gown, applying a cool gel to my belly. The sensation made me shiver, and I clenched my fists to keep from flinching as he dragged the cool metal across my skin, applying gentle pressure.I watched the monitor as he adjusted the scope, my eyes glued to the screen, waiting for any sign of life. My breath hitched when he paused."Um, hey there," Keleen said, taking a moment to look through the scope again. "Hey, guess what? There's a baby in there! Based on what I'm seeing, it looks like this child will inherit some pretty strong genes. I'd estima
Alexander "We haven’t really won until I have his body in a casket, you know?" I tilted my head back, gasping for breath. Each inhale was a struggle, the pain a relentless reminder of how much more I still had to endure. "I couldn’t do it in front of his kid. I just couldn’t bring myself to.""You’re more skilled than I am," Jeremiah said, his voice heavy with concern. "Hey, boss, it looks like we can’t reach Greece anymore. Everything is completely wrecked. I couldn’t help but think about Seraphina and how she might be feeling. I promised her I’d go back. 'Hey, boss, I gotta grab Jordan, alright?' I struggled to focus on him, my thoughts drifting back to her. I imagined her vividly, looking absolutely stunning, bathed in moonlight like a celestial vision. It felt like a dream—so clear, yet so impossibly distant."Hey there—" Seraphina knelt beside me, her cool touch brushing against my cheek. Her presence was a comforting warmth in the midst of my pain, and I let out a groan, strugg
Alexander "She's not here," I murmured, utterly drained. His reaction was far from pleasant, as though I’d shattered a crucial part of his plan."Come on, you wouldn’t just send her away like that." Xandriel yanked my shirt and slammed me against the barn wall with brutal force. His eyes bore into mine, searching for answers, but all I could manage was a defiant smile. His response was a punishing punch to my face. "Where on earth is she?" he demanded, landing another blow. Despite the pain, I couldn’t help but chuckle. "Alright, wise guy, let’s see how much you find this amusing."He delivered a gut-wrenching punch that made my legs buckle. We both tumbled to the ground, and I struggled to get back on my feet. "Nah, I’m not finished yet. Just wanted to say," he continued with a sickeningly casual tone, "it would be great if you could listen. I had a lot of fun with her, spending time together every day. She was special to me; we had a great connection. She did everything I asked, an
As Frederick closed in on Zion, his eyes burned with a fierce desire for revenge. The effects of the sickness still lingered, fueling his rage. “I’ll get you, you traitor!” Frederick roared, his voice echoing with anger.Zion, though fully aware of the gravity of the situation, fought not just for his own survival but for the peace they all desperately sought. “Anastasia only needs you, Frederick!” he pleaded. “Don’t let your anger destroy everything we’ve worked for!”Just as Frederick was about to strike, a voice cut through the chaos. “Hey, hold up!”Anastasia stepped between them, her eyes a mixture of sadness and resolve. “Frederick, come on!” she called out, her voice trembling with a blend of fear and determination. “We need to find another way.”But Frederick, driven by rage, didn’t even glance her way. His focus remained fixed on Zion, and he ignored her plea.Desperate to reach Frederick, Anastasia called out again. “Frederick, it’s me! It’s Anastasia!” Her voice was laced w
“She’s with Zion,” I said casually, watching his face change as fear and anger flashed across his features.“Who is Zion?” His confusion was clear, and I could see that talking about my sister was only making things worse. My hesitation to be completely honest had led us here, but I had to face the consequences.“Xandriel’s kid,” I explained. The fear in Frederick’s eyes was unmistakable. The gravity of the situation was sinking in.Frederick’s frustration flared again. “Are you serious?” he demanded, his voice rising. “Where are they?”“Hey, Frederick, let’s just hang tight,” I said, trying to calm him. “We’ve got a plan, and I’m confident it’s going to work. You’ve got to trust me on this one.” To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I believed myself, but Victor was our last hope. If this plan failed, it would be the end of the line.“I’m here to lend a hand and sort this out,” Frederick pleaded as I removed the final sensors from him, triggering the beeping monitors once more. Despite his
“You’re not feeling well,” I said nonchalantly, not even bothering to look at him. It was like fate had led us to this moment. It was wild to think we’d end up here, but it felt like it was meant to be.Frederick let out an exasperated sigh, clearly uncomfortable. “I’ve never been sick,” he said, sounding both frustrated and bewildered. The bed creaked as he shifted, and the sheets rustled around him.“Hey, there’s a first time for everything. Just chill,” I advised, watching as he struggled to sit up. To my surprise, he actually listened, though it was clear the pain was taking its toll. “You’re not the strongest, but that’s totally fine.”“I can’t be weak,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, as he noticed the IV tubes snaking into his arms. The sight of him, once a formidable Warrior, now so vulnerable, was unsettling.I was still angry as he said, “You would either be this way or dead.” The room fell into a heavy silence as he stared at me, his expression one of confusi
When Darius mentioned dinner plans, Zion grabbed my arm and pulled me away, his urgency almost making me forget we were pretending. As we walked down the hallway, Darius called out, “This party is going to be one for the books!” I clung to Zion, gripping his wrists for support. My mind raced, trying to take in my surroundings in case things went wrong. Zion guided me into a bedroom and closed the door behind us, marking the end of what felt like an interminable journey.“Hugo,” I breathed, my anxiety spiking as I turned to face Zion. Hugo seemed like a real threat to our plans. “Nah, Zion, I just can’t—I really can’t.”Darius’s voice was reassuring as he said, “I won’t let him lay a finger on you, Anastasia. You just have to trust me.” He mentioned a dinner with friends to celebrate Victor, just as Zion had said. “Just gotta get through dinner, and our armies will be here.”I shook my head slightly, grabbing Zion by the shirt. “Can’t stop him. He’s a force to be reckoned with.” Hugo
“Oh, it’s for Frederick,” I said casually. His name stumbled awkwardly off my tongue. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I wished we could just be together as we should be—he was the only one I truly loved. We started this journey together. When Frederick wakes up, I’ll be gone, and I have no clue how he’ll handle that.Zion’s curiosity piqued, “How do you do this? Despite everything that’s happened, you still think it’ll get better?” He seemed to have his own scars, a hint of betrayal in his voice.“One day, there’s gotta be a light in the dark,” I replied, trying to stay hopeful. “I didn’t come all this way just to stop now.”Zion placed his hand over mine on the middle console, a casual gesture but one that held a lot of weight. “You good to go? Can you trust me?”“Yeah, I don’t,” I admitted. Looking back, trusting him seemed like my only option. Tomorrow could be a game-changer for Frederick. It’s funny—never thought I’d be the one to take down Winona. Many had tried before me an
“I’ve got a couple of things to mention,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “My aunt Margo gets away with it. Frederick keeps his distance. I don’t want him anywhere near them.” I gave a nod to indicate that was settled.“Yeah, I agree,” Zion said, casually crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair. “He won’t be waking up for a few days. Diego has enough power to keep him out for a while. Can we wrap this up?” His casual demeanor masked the gravity of the situation as I paced back and forth in front of Nereus, discussing our sneaky plan.“I can work as quickly as you need me to, sweetheart,” Zion assured, though the term of endearment stung. I felt a pang of guilt for going behind Frederick’s back while he lay unconscious, the weight of my actions heavy on my conscience. “This is our only chance. If we mess this up, we’re all going to end up six feet under on that Winona farm. This is our one shot, so we’d better not blow it.”“So, what’s the game plan?” I asked, trying to f
Curiosity nudged me as I trailed behind Diego and the others. “Do you think he’ll remember anything he did while the wolf was in control?” I asked casually, my voice barely above a whisper.“No way,” Jamie replied. That was the answer I’d hoped for. The thought that he wouldn’t remember my lies or the sting of the needle brought a small, bitter relief. Still, the guilt gnawed at me for causing him pain. Cassius stayed close, a quiet presence as we watched Frederick being carried down the hallway.“You did the right thing,” Cassius said softly, as if sensing my turmoil. But something felt off. The pain of betrayal cut deep, a raw ache I had never experienced before. The treachery felt like a knife twisting inside me.“I wish it didn’t hurt so much,” I whispered, trying to shove the painful memory aside. Suddenly, Nereus burst back up the stairs, blocking our path.“Hey, Anastasia, you might want to come downstairs,” Nereus said, his voice tinged with unease. I shot a look at Cassius, w
Eventually, footsteps roused me from my restless sleep, guiding me to the other side of the bedroom door. When Frederick walked in, I let out a sigh of relief. The deep concern I felt for him was overwhelming, and I could barely stand it."I swung by Diego's office first, but you weren’t there," Frederick said casually, loosening his tie. I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the nagging thought of that ring sitting untouched in the desk drawer."I'm feeling much better," I said, forcing a smile. If he’d been paying attention, he’d have seen through the lie."I noticed that," he remarked, unbuttoning his shirt with a relaxed air. I shifted restlessly on the bed, trying to play it cool and hoping he wouldn’t catch on."Where have you been?" Frederick chuckled as if it was the most ridiculous question. "I got a bit concerned when you weren’t around when I woke up.""I left Rollo to take care of you," I said, watching as he turned away. He placed his rings on the desk and reached for two ne
I tread carefully, trying to avoid rushing and risk encountering more trouble at the cellar stairs. The silence around me was eerie, and I kept my eyes sharp, scanning for any sign of danger. My mind flitted to the idea of calling my dad, but I hesitated. I didn’t want him dragged into this mess, fearing he might try to drag me back home. Maybe it was pride, or maybe it was the fear of his interference.Then there was Estelle. I thought about her growing up, reaching her prime, and hoped she’d never have to rely on her body like I had. It was comforting, though, to see her following in her father’s footsteps in her own way, even if it wasn’t ideal."Anastasia?" I heard Nereus’s faint voice. I picked up the pace, jogging towards the sound. As I rounded the corner, I saw the boys restrained in separate corners, but Nereus was the only one awake."Nereus?" I knelt beside him and quickly worked on untying the ropes burning his wrists. They smelled strongly of wolfsbane. "What did those pe