PEONY CRIMSON'S POV "She's having trouble getting it," I reported to Gloria after my deep talk with the triplets ended with Violet asking a question I couldn't answer.Gloria raised her finger, signaling for me to be quiet for a moment, as she quickly finished her smoothie. Usually, she would choose wine, but since it was ten o'clock and my daughters were around, she opted for something else."Well, basically, Violet never hesitates to show her opinion. Just give her time. She'll get over it. No matter how stubborn she is, she's still a kid." Gloria responded lightly.I leaned against the kitchen island, grumbling, "Didn't you think that they would all understand?""Rose and Jasmine did." Gloria shrugged.I took a quick look out the window and saw my triplets playing happily in the backyard. Violet remained present, though she sat quietly on her knees, completely disregarding her two sisters who were running around.I wished I could say something to ease her, but the words were stuck
XANDER ALVERIUS'S POV"You're not going to say anything to the people who saw the fallen Luna return to stay here?"Stuart asked instead of continuing the report. Next to him, Darriel seemed to be swallowing his words as well.On the day of my return from White Moon, I told those who ran the pack with me that I would be bringing back Peony Crimson and her triplets. Except for Stuart, almost all the members of Blue Moon still remembered their fallen Luna."Let them. As long as she and her kids are not bothered by anyone. Tell everyone to respect her," I said flatly, casting a glance out the window.I had a clear view of the cottage where Peony was staying from my office on the third floor. A few hours ago, I saw Peony and her girls playing in the garden. They then disappeared from sight as they made their way to the back of the cottage.She commanded me not to bother her but failed to mention that I shouldn't observe her from a distance."Yes." Stuart nodded. "Then to prepare for the M
XANDER ALVERIUS'S POV When Peony saw Killian approaching, I noticed the trembling in her clear eyes. She froze and tightly gripped the edge of the door, as if she was having an unpleasant flashback.With a calm demeanor, Killian stood beside me."Why should I remember a jerk like you?"Peony barked, her face contorted with intense hatred. After her years of disappearance, one thing I observed about her was how she initially defended herself by responding sharply to others.My hands tightened instinctively. I felt a strong distaste that scratched my skin.She would never have barked like a bitch in the past. She used to wear a kind smile and graciously accept anything with a gentle 'thank you', even when someone tested her patience. The previous version of her wouldn't respond aggressively. Where was she?Killian raised both hands and chuckled. His eyes observed Peony from top to bottom in an impolite manner."Easy, cupcake, motherhood whips you hard?" he snapped as he winked at her.
PEONY CRIMSON'S POV "Remember how Zedd dragged you to jail? I had to search all over the place for you, and the rogue attack arrived." Gloria helped me zip my dress. "You missed the whole festival because of that. I mean, we both were.”I stared at my reflection in the mirror without any expression on my face. Xander gifted me a navy deep v-neck dress that fit my body perfectly. The ankle-length skirt gracefully cascaded to the floor, resembling a flowing waterfall. The pearls that were stitched on its surface seemed to wink at me."There is no need to talk about it. Zedd already apologized and made up for it." I turned away from the mirror. "But I can't stop thanking you for your help that time.""Oh, please." Gloria rolled her eyes and applied maroon lipstick to her lips. She wore a mahogany off-shoulder and maxi long skirt overlaid with a black bustier.I decided to attend the Moon Festival rather late in the game. I had spent the last two days locked away in the cottage, but I kn
PEONY CRIMSON'S POV The Moon Festival, years before.An arm slipped behind me and clung to my waist possessively. I almost flinched. I blinked, only to find Xander frowning at me."You're okay?" Xander asked, "The festival wasn't fun for you?""No way." I let out a short breath, my eyes darting around.The Moon Festival reached its climax with the chanting of hymns dedicated to the Moon Goddess. Each member of the pack had a smile on their face, expressing their joy and celebrating the power and blessings of the goddess that came down through the light of the full moon.Xander and I stood side by side on the dais, displaying ourselves as the perfect leaders of the Blue Moon. I had been here hours before. Only putting on the sweetest smile I could show, no matter if it made my cheeks ache and stiff."Everything is so beautiful, thanks to everyone's hard work. Even Azalea insisted on showing the fireworks from the magic artifacts she developed." I gave Xander that smile."It's their jo
PEONY CRIMSON’S POVOn the dais, Rose, Jasmine, and Violet stood beside Azalea and Xander. All the members gathered in the middle of the village square, muttering and whispering to each other. Their noisy chatter was like a buzzing swarm of bees.My eyes widened in horror to find my triplets at the center of attention. Astonishment and confusion swirled in the air as I pushed my way through the crowd, trying to get a little closer to the dais.“Why on earth are they up there?” Next to me, Gloria murmured.I shot at Xander, my eyes seeing red. “He didn't say he would do this.”My steps halted as Xander spotted me in the crowd. The corners of his lips lifted into a grin that sent an electric shock across my skin. I turned my gaze away and focused on my triplets. To my surprise, they were calm and smiling broadly. Azalea whispered to Violet, and it was enough to fuel the irritation."Blue Moon members that I am proud of," Xander began his speech.“This doesn’t sound good." I swallowed.“
PEONY CRIMSON’S POV"I’m here for the triplets," was all Azalea said as soon as I opened the door for her.It wasn't even eleven in the morning, but she had already appeared at the cottage door with a fake smile on her pretty lips. I didn't see anyone—Xander, to be precise—with her."What now?"Something darker crept into the way she looked at me. Her emerald orbs narrowed as if she hated her here as much as I did. Yet she managed to keep the calm surface on her picture-perfect face. Just as expected of a Luna of the pack, she was kind and well-collected even in the face of foe."I appreciate your protectiveness, Peony, but just hold it for a moment. I came because it's time for the triplets' health check. I understand that you must be administering the potion regularly, but I still need to do a thorough check."I rolled my eyes.Since arriving here a few days ago, I have been turned into another person. The chaos of feelings of anger and frustration kept swirling from my chest up to
PEONY CRIMSON'S POVI hissed, refusing to let her control me. "A home-wrecker bitch like you shouldn't talk about love."I should have known better than to take another glance at Xander and my triplets, but I did just that. As soon as I caught a glimpse of Xander's unusually gentle smile, my heart seemed to pause. Three inquisitive six-year-old girls didn't startle him, instead, his expression softened as if he were in the presence of priceless treasures.I recognized those hopeful, satisfied eyes because I had them too. Something painful squeezed my chest, prompting me to look away. I was met with Azalea's darkened gaze instead. She looked deeply upset. Her magic shimmered around her as if representing the turmoil of her feelings.No lie, though, it gave me uncanny chills. Yet I kept a deadpan, no matter how threatening those magics were."I'll pretend I never heard those words." Azalea raised her chin and replied with the calmness of the ocean surface.I smiled bitterly. The more I
PEONY CRIMSON'S POV Ten years later.His tongue swept across my teeth, claiming every inch of my mouth as his own. I was breathless, but with his hand on my ass, I couldn't help but deepen our kiss. The warm spring sunlight from the window falls on my hand on Xavier's nape. In his office, I was on his lap, pausing the kiss to take a deep breath. Our eyes met, locked, and the explosion of love in my heart grew greater and greater by the second.Xavier's thumb wiped away the saliva on the corner of my lips. His golden eyes glistened with warmth. His hand on my waist gave me a sense of security and comfort that hasn't gotten old at all over the past years.Xavier's hand traveled down my skirt. His touch burned every inch of skin and stung my inner thighs. I bit my lower lip when he rubbed my skin so gently and temptingly. I could see his mischievous grin when his finger slipped under my panties.“AHEM!” I gasped in surprise, almost falling over if Xavier didn't hold my waist. We both
PEONY CRIMSON'S POVThe gravestone bore Xander's name. A sculptor from Blue Moon skillfully carved it in no time. Even the carver was shocked when he was told to write his Alpha's name on it. This was due to the unpredictability of the man's permanent departure from the world.I was still in denial too. Only a few nights ago, Xander and I were finally on the same page, but later, I witnessed his body being placed in a casket and lowered into the grave.My eyes were swollen and my cheeks were puffy. My chest ached and my head was spinning. My energy was so drained that I didn't know how I'd find the strength to stand in front of Xander's grave. I was so mentally and physically exhausted that everything felt numb.My gaze shifted to the dozens of bouquets of flowers piled up on the mound of dirt. All of Blue Moon exploded in grief when the news came, then they flocked to accompany their Alpha to his final resting place. Xander was ruthless, volatile, and as fiery as his blood-red eyes,
PEONY CRIMSON'S POV "N-No, Vi-Violet. She's gonna break her promise again and again!" I cried out, grimacing at the pain wracking my head and body every time I tried to open my mouth. Killian rewarded me with an angry glare, as his hands clenched into fists, the more pain his shadow tormented me with.“Silence!” Azalea gasped, “The first thing I'll do after absorbing her blessing is to kill you!”I laughed like crazy. “You hear that, sweetheart?”Violet pressed Rose even closer in her arms. She had a defensive look in her eyes as she shielded her sister with fierce protectiveness. Azalea seemed weary of this little game. Her steps galloped closer. No matter how loud I screamed, Killian held me down with his magic and Azriel restrained me from getting up. My face repeatedly slammed into the ground, I swallowed dust and grass, but no matter what I had to stop Azalea from touching my daughters.And then, at the promised moment, it was like time stopped and everything went silent. In a
PEONY CRIMSON’S POVMy breathing slowed, stabilized. My rage was transformed by the satisfaction of seeing the Saintess lying on the ground. The corner of my lips lifted bitterly. As I was about to turn around, Elenor's hand suddenly caught my ankle and I almost tripped."You'll never know how powerful Azalea will be." Elenor coughed.I pulled my hand free from her grip. "She will never get the chance."Ignoring her, I strode back to Luna Lucia and Violet. Both were fine, but something sparkled in Violet's eyes when she looked at me. "You're okay?" I cupped my hand to her cheek. "Let's get out."Luna Lucia shook her head. "No, I think this is my limit. I can't walk any further," she breathed tiredly, "Huft... who knows that being pregnant makes my knees weak?"I gave her a sympathetic look, grasping her hand. The baby in her belly was the future of her pack, I couldn't force her to take risks if it endangered them both. "I know. I'm so sorry for dragging you into all of this mess. B
XAVIER ASHERIUS'S POVA tangy metallic blood dripping from Felix's muzzle stung our olfaction. The crimson liquid tainted all over the ground like paint on a canvas, added with corpses with ripped open neck as finishing touch.We changed shifts back into human and walked toward Jasmine on the stone table. Poor girl tied up, eyes closed, a purplish bruise on her neck. I watched Xander loosen the rope, totally self-aware that I couldn't precede him to help the girl."Didn't hold back at all, huh?"My eyes darted to the cave door. A woman with platinum blonde so bright it'd blind others and a pair of wicked green irises. A low growl escaped Xander's throat as he saw her."Take Jasmine back to White Moon. You're needed there more. I got this," Xander growled, patting my shoulder with a straight ahead glare.Giving him a quick nod, I slipped an arm under Jasmine's neck and down her legs, carrying her. Me and Xander were basically on the same boat, with the witches’ betrayal. But as I agree
PEONY CRIMSON'S POV "Seems like there's nothing to worry about so far," Elenor murmured, settling herself in an armchair by the fireplace.So that my two daughters could feel a little more at ease in this climate of caution, the Saintess, Rose, Violet, and Luna Lucia all made their way to the library.I was confused at first; after all, how could the Darkness have known about the Gifted One's return? Luna Lucia explained that they learned a lot from the Mystwolves they killed, and that it was easy to acquire secrets, even if they were based on rumor.The point is that the Darkness had their sights set on Rose. They would reach White Moon at some point. Ha, they wanted to take my daughter? Over my dead body."Is there anything we can do here, Ma?" asked Rose, all anxious but seemingly trying to hide it by fidgeting her fingers. Violet was next to her, tense and alarmed. She kept frequent glances at Elenor. If I showed them mine, it would only worsen their mood. In this uncertain stat
XAVIER ASHERIUS'S POVAll of the trees in the Nameless Forest had leaves that were turning orange and yellow by the time autumn arrived. The dry grass crunched beneath our feet as we came to a quiet stop not far from the cave we were heading to. Other than the wind whistling and the chirping of migrant birds, there was no sound. At that point, the silence in the area made me uneasy.A black wolf next to me pricked up his ears and glared towards the cave entrance. I told the mages to go into the cave and assess the situation first, while the other wolves dispersed behind us.I couldn't help but inwardly hope that at least two or three mages would stand guard there so that I could quickly complete this mission, bring Jasmine home and return to my new life with Peony as a happy, intact family."We must rush in and wipe them out! No time for strategy!" Felion snarled, "I'll behead all of those pesky witches!"Yes, the vicious Felion was hiding behind the irrational Xander. The fury had be
PEONY CRIMSON'S POVI straightened up and sat staring at him with a kind of bitterness filling the roof of my mouth, surprised to be shoved so unkindly. "That he is worthy of forgiveness." I said, no louder than the swish of the night breeze, but as serious as a heart attack. Xavier also sat up, squaring his shoulders. He blinked, then chuckled. His hand tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear."My Queen, your jokes are hilarious," he replied, about to lead me back to bed.I shook my head. "No, I mean it," I emphasized, "The deep regret and despair mixed with anger reflected so brightly in his eyes when he talked to me."A sheen of pain smeared across Xavier's golden eyes, and he squinted. His hands dropped to the mattress and his glare hardened, slashing the air between us with disdain.It felt like a very long time had passed between us at that precise moment. At that moment, he appeared so far away and inaccessible, even though we were sitting across from one other on the same b
PEONY CRIMSON’S POVThe team leaders, gammas, and betas convened in the meeting room. I was treated far more respectfully by the members ever when I was officially introduced as Luna. They were also aware that my girls were the subject of the discussion. I could see their confused glances as they found Xander standing as far away from the table as possible, with all his pent-up anger suppressing the atmosphere. "I sent Stuart and his team to the cave where I found the triplets. When we thought it was just an ordinary one, it turned out to hold something beyond measure." Xander was the first to speak up after Xavier had summarized the problem.Stuart laid out a drawing resembling a beehive on a sheet of watercolor paper on the table. The top left corner features a cardinal arrow. The illustration had numerous tiny squares joining a series of lengthy, twisted tubes that resembled octopus tentacles.Stuart extended his forefinger to the bottom end and divided the space in half by imagin