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 POVIn front of the grand timber door, Azalea greeted my triplets on the first day of their private class. One leaf of the door was opened to allow a peek inside. But when I thought of The Tower and the Ravens, what I was worried about besides Azalea was:"Where's your brother?""I sent him out of the pack to settle some business for a few days. Why?" Azalea frowned. "Was he bothering you?"She acknowledged that her brother, Killian, was troublesome.I used to doubt that they were siblings. Although they shared the same wickedness sparkling in their green eyes, there was no resemblance in their physique. The darkness of Killian's messy hair was in stark contrast to Azalea's bright platinum blonde. Killian was a street rascal, while Azalea was as graceful as a swan on every step she took. Even though both of them are first-level mages.I cleared my throat. "No. But I don't want Rose, Jasmine, and Violet around him.""Got it."Azalea nodded, then made sure my triplets ha
PEONY CRIMSON’S POV"Come on, one more time, Jasmine!"The loud, stern voice coming from the main training area prompted me to speed up my pace.The dojo structure remained unchanged; they just threw in a few extra training areas or weight rooms. From this building, dozens of warriors or guards built up their strength before moving on to train in the wider open space.When I arrived at the main training area, I spotted my daughters and Gamma Darriel on the left side. My daughters were lined up shoulder-to-shoulder. I took a few seconds to observe their footwork drills. Everything seemed fine and smooth, but suddenly Jasmine deliberately fell on her butt."No, my leg hurts!" She whined as she stretched out her legs. Her face and hair were drenched in sweat, and she was panting. Rose and Violet looked exhausted as well.The Gamma put his hands on the waist, shook his head firmly, and pulled Jasmine back to her feet."Slide step, Jasmine!" Darriel commanded.Despite half-crying and nearl
XANDER ALVERIUS’S POVI drained the thick green liquid from the glass, identifying its thick consistency, and it slid down my throat in a sensation like swallowing a lump of mud. I placed the glass clinking softly on the table, then I sensed Stuart’s arrival, who soon appeared at the doorway. I noticed the pile of reports in his hands."Just put them there. I'll finish them tonight," I ordered.My throat was numb from Azalea's potion, which seemed to be more potent than before. While my Luna was busy handling my daughters' education, I was also immersed in a mountain of work. It should have been over quickly, except my mind was distracted by a certain figure who was living in a cottage at the east end of the packhouse."I just saw those girls with Luna. Don't you want to meet them first?" asked Stuart, "I heard they came to see some flowers."I just remembered that at dinner, Azalea had mentioned it.“Leave."Stuart nodded briefly, spun on his heel, and headed for the door.I leaned a
PEONY CRIMSON'S POV"Tell the Alpha that my daughters and I will not attend, no matter if he drags his dining table before this cottage."I gave that fine guard a dreary smile yet balmy enough to show politeness.He had dutifully come to my door to inform me of the breakfast invitation with Xander. After what happened last night? No, thank you.The guard replied with a disappointed look, but he only nodded briefly."Thanks, and sorry," I said as I closed the door.I returned to the kitchen, where Rose, Jasmine, and Violet were already sitting neatly on the kitchen island chairs. They helped each other pour cereal into bowls and also pour milk without spilling it. Day by day, I watched them grow up; it was unimaginable. They must stay healthy and strong to achieve the future of their dreams."Who was that?"Gloria sidestepped me toward the island. Even though she said she wasn't coming home last night, I heard her quietly returning through the back door at three in the morning. Her att
PEONY CRIMSON'S POV"MAMA! Jasmine’s drowning!"Rose's frantic screams tore through the air. I caught her hand, wrapping my arms around her swiftly before she intended to plunge into the tributary as well."I know, my dear, I know," I whispered, trying to calm Rose. She started sobbing, while I had to hold myself together as best I could to keep from drowning in panic.Xander stopped next to me. His red eyes widened. Because instead of me or him, it was Azalea who was now swimming in the current.The moment that separated life and death was brief, yet Azalea's hand managed to reach Jasmine's. The swift water carried their forms away."Mrs. Azalea!" Violet shouted."Will they both be alright?" asked Rose through her tears."Let's hope so."Just one second after that, Azalea had reached the tributary's edge, and Jasmine was droopy in her arms. As soon as she hit the ground, Xander sprang into action to assist her.The Alpha himself laid Jasmine down on the grass as he kneeled next to he
PEONY CRIMSON'S POVI purposely placed the phone on the kitchen island, turning on the loudspeaker so his voice would fill the cottage’s silence."Gloria said there was wolf energy mixed in, so she couldn’t be sure if it was caused by Violet's emotional outburst or other magical phenomenon. Either way, it's still unexplainable."My best friend passed out on the floor, holding two whiskey bottles. I took a quick look at her. Two hours ago, Gloria started crying about her failed date while she opened any booze she could find in the cellar.My loneliness and the hope that Violet would open the door led me to make the decision to call Xavier as midnight drew near. From the faint squeak, I could tell he was sitting behind his desk. It wasn't long for me to fill him in on everything that happened."This is the first time I've heard this, so I think you should always keep an eye on her. Does anyone else know?" Xavier asked.I knew this because, under the influence of wine, my mind started pl
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