SeraphinaI was completely focused on safeguarding Alexander's legacy. Amidst the hardships imposed by Luca, it was the one thing that brought me a sliver of joy. "Given the absence of our soldiers, it seems like the only viable choice.""That's not possible!" Alaya shouted, yanking her arm away from my grasp as if I had injured her. Her outburst stung. "After everything, you're going to become Luca's partner, or perhaps something even less respectable?""I have no choice!" I snapped, the frustration evident in my voice. "The only remnants of Alexander's presence are his loyal followers, and their safety is precarious until Jamie returns to take on the role of alpha. I won’t let Luca destroy what remains! I entered Alexander's life and shattered it from within. If I can salvage what's left, maybe it’ll serve as redemption for all my past mistakes.""Surrendering to a creature of darkness is not a preferable choice!" Alaya exclaimed, her voice laced with agitation. "The deceased Alpha
Alexander “There was no way to avoid it; unfortunately, you could have lost your life,” Luca said, his voice steady but carrying an undertone of frustration.I clenched my jaw, trying to rein in the anger bubbling inside me. Luca had reached out to Claudius to facilitate the union between himself and Seraphina. This was exactly what Winona had hoped for him to achieve. As I seethed with rage, my concern for the wolf emerging on this cramped jet grew. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy watching Hayes and Malia’s touching reunion. But my joy at the incredible miracle we’d just witnessed quickly overshadowed any lingering jealousy. The very thought of Seraphina being with someone else, whether intimately or otherwise, was like a fire burning through me. It was a raw, overwhelming surge of emotions that left me feeling overheated and on edge. I’d never felt such intense anger before, and I worried about keeping it under control. A heavy sense of darkness consumed me, a deep-seated
SeraphinaI had a singular focus: I couldn’t continue living like this any longer. The thought of being a victim once more was unbearable. Weeks had passed, and I had endured Luca’s torment for as long as my body would allow.I’d had enough. I’d made up my mind.I lay on my side, Luca nestled right behind me, holding me close. His arm draped casually over my chest, his hand gripping my arm tightly to keep me secured. His arm rested comfortably under my neck, stretching across the mattress. I had surrendered to him without a fight, and I despised myself for it.Luca’s breathing was steady, indicating he was still fast asleep. We had spent hardly any time apart, and he made sure of that. I didn’t want to move; I was focused on trying to control my breathing. I saw no other option but to end his life or my own.I wasn’t sure if I had the strength to do either. I shut my eyes and then opened them again. In the corner, the chair was completely engulfed in darkness, the silhouette of a woma
Seraphina“I’m not him, but I can figure it out. It doesn’t have to be like this. You could be like you were last night.” His voice softened. “Darius just wanted to make sure you were all good. You stood your ground; it’s your responsibility now.”“Did Winona put you up to this?” I moved away from his body and rolled over to face him. “Screw them and screw you.” I rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom, feeling a surge of frustration. Luckily, Luca stayed put. His hearty laugh echoed in the bedroom, only fueling my irritation. I flicked on the faucet, staring at my reflection as my hands rested on the edges of the sink.“You already did, and it wouldn’t be surprising if you’ve been intimate with either of those men.” I could hear him shifting in the bed, so I took advantage of the noise and opened the medicine cabinet.“You just don’t get it, Strega! There are some dangerous individuals out there who would harm you if given the chance. They’d just use you for information, and th
“She’s not gonna make it,” Hayes said grimly. “She decided to take some pills that weren’t prescribed to her. Unfortunately, those pills could have serious consequences for her health.” Luca, spitting blood and teeth, spoke through his pain. I immediately dropped everything and rushed to his bedside. Hayes and Percival had Luca in a firm grip while he groaned and breathed erratically. I gently held Seraphina’s face in my hands. “It’s been a couple of minutes, not much longer.” In my haste, I accidentally broke the belt, releasing her hands from the leather. The eyeholes of the belt left small circles on her skin.“Hey there!” I shouted, quickly removing the blindfold from her eyes. They were closed, and her body remained still. I gave her cheeks a light tap and gently shook her face, but she didn’t reply. A growing sense of unease filled my thoughts and emotions. “Seraphina!” I clasped my hands together and gently applied pressure to her chest. My vision blurred with tears, and the
Seraphina“Hey, you’re here! It’s good to be with you again,” I grinned, feeling the shower water blend with my tears. Tentatively, I extended my hand, trembling with disbelief that this might be real. I gently touched his face, wiping away the water droplets. He closed his eyes, a tear rolling down his cheek as his chest rose and fell beneath me. “I knew this is what heaven would be.”“Nah, you’re still kickin’, babe. Hey, I’m alive!” Alexander’s hands softly cradled my face, tucking my wet hair behind my ears. Tears streamed down his face, more than I had ever seen before. His emotions were a mix of relief, anger, and love all at once. “Hey, we’re back together!”“But,” I held onto his wrists tightly, feeling their strength and comfort. I sat on top of him, pressing our bodies close together. Looking over, I saw Jamie avoiding eye contact, staring at the floor. I trembled, trying to ward off the coldness of the water as I clutched him tightly, afraid he might vanish before my eyes.
Seraphina“It’s not as painful as it seems,” Alexander whispered, gently taking my hand and placing it against his chest. I could feel his racing pulse beneath his flesh. “I swear, it’s actually hurting you more than it’s hurting me.” His lips curled into a faint smile, seemingly unaffected by my words. I knew he wouldn’t delve into the topic of war or give specifics, but the guilt gnawing at me wouldn’t fade.He let his pants fall to the floor, the jingling sound of his belt sending shivers down my spine. I shut my eyes, trying to calm the anxiety stirred by that noise. Memories of Luca’s loud voice and my own frantic cries echoed in my mind.I needed to heal, but I had no idea how long it would take. I took a deep breath, slowly removing my tank top and stepping out of my sleep shorts. I noticed him watching me before I crossed my arms over my chest, aware of his gaze. I could tell he was taking in the cuts, bruises, and hickeys on my body.“Wow, you look absolutely stunning, even m
Seraphina“You need to heal, my love, as much as I want you to,” he whispered, his smile half-hearted. He entwined my hand with his and idly swirled a curl around his finger. “I’ll hurt you if I do this now; I can’t cause you any more pain.”“I want you now,” I said, pressing my forehead to his and adjusting myself on his lap, feeling him beneath me.“Your body may heal faster because of my bite, but it’s not that fast.” Alexander pulled back, his hand moving from my cheek to my neck, his fingers tracing over the bloody bite from Luca. He took the sponge again, dabbing gently over the wound.“What happened while you were away?” I asked, frowning as disappointment bubbled within me. My thoughts wandered to insecurities: Did he not want me because of what I looked like? Because I’d been with another man? Or because he had his needs met by someone else? “It felt like an eternity.” Why was I thinking like this?“I spent all that time trying to get back to you, and none of it matters.” Wit
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