XAVIER ASHERIUS'S POV"Are you sure you don’t need me to accompany you?"Elenor's green eyes twinkled in hopefulness as I stepped into the teleportation circle with Zed and Chadwick. "This is a scheduled meeting, not a date," I responded firmly."But—"Ever since the day Peony left White Moon, I'd be lying if I didn't notice how hard Elenor tried to win my attention. She would be coy and sweet, helpful or offering things while all she had to do was protect the pack with her power. The summer was at our doorstep. The outside temperature was rising. Members were more likely to get into confrontations because tempers erupted more frequently in hotter conditions. Also the monsters lurking outside the fortress were also temperamental enough to cause problems. Adding to the endless list of summertime issues.Elenor's face wilted, sulking. She had the power of the Goddess' extraordinary blessings but it didn't match her childish behavior. It was none of my business how she would feel. "We
PEONY CRIMSON’S POV"It never fails to amaze me how far Xavier would go for you," Gloria said as she turned the next page of the ancient book in her hands. She yawned, then looked at me and propped up her chin. Boredom floated in the library lower level’s air for the last fifteen minutes. To tell you the truth, I had almost forgotten what I was looking for amongst all these musty-smelling old pages. Still I could get ahold of myself and continued to comb through each paragraph with hope in my grasp. "I know. Even after all this, he doesn't demand anything of me, just wants me to go back to him and that's exactly what I'm going to do." I decided to take a break from reading by resting my head on the table."I'm sure Rose, Jasmine and Violet like Xavier more than their real papa."Since I witnessed their interactions and the vibe that existed between them. Compared to how my triplets behaved around Xander, that was a big difference. They knew Xander was their biological father, but
PEONY CRIMSON'S POV"I don't know what you're talking about." I denied with a half-hearted grin, "You know that is impossible. I mean, Violet is a werewolf, there’s no way for her to use magic."Arms crossed over her chest, Azalea smiled. She looked at me, as if she could read the lies smeared on my face, and cocked her head. To add to the countless list of things I didn't like about her, there were moments when I detested how perceptive her green eyes were when talking to me."Really? After you saw that with your own eyes? Didn't know you were THAT ignorant." Her tone was cold as ice. Emily's growl rumbled in my chest, resonating up to my throat."Watch your mouth!" I barked, refusing to give her a real answer. "Maybe there's another explanation you can come up with."She shook her head. "I don't, except she can wield magic. We should talk about this as well as I need to examine her more."I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead, laughing blandly. Never once did I think that she car
PEONY CRIMSON’S POVI closed the book in a muffled 'bam!' sound, then placed it on the table. Though I almost called it off, I forced myself to go back to the library as soon as Rose, Jasmine and Violet recovered."It's as if someone kidnapped Violet's true self and replaced it with her current one. She's so different. What should I do?" I asked Gloria.The spine of the book she was reading stood facing me. Her face was concealed from sight. I massaged the bridge of my nose. I thought back to this morning when Violet reiterated that she wouldn't back out of the magic class Azalea had promised. Despite her persistence, she was still my daughter.I scratched my hair."It's not a good idea to do too many experiments on her, right? I'm sure it's because of how I feel. What other option do I have?"The surroundings fell into silence. At this level, silence was a friend. I frowned. I'd been babbling for the past half hour but hadn't heard Gloria's response at all."Do you hear me?" I ran
PEONY CRIMSON'S POV "Please tell Xander I appreciate all of this," I said, curving a smile at Annabeth.Xander kept his promise, so this morning Annabeth came to the cottage with three bottles of golden-circled wine and two jars of lemon cookies for me. Well, considering he took the wine for no reason last night, it was only fitting that he did this. "Is everything okay?" asked Annabeth, her tone sprinkled with worry. "Why not?" I asked back."I don't know... Between you and the Alpha..." She held back her next words hesitantly.I laughed blandly. Recalled last night's conversation between me and him and how all of a sudden we didn't at each other's throat. I realized that we successfully had a civil talk even for a brief moment. "Oh, no, we're good, I guess. No need to think about it," I assured Annabeth. I wasn't her Luna anymore, so it wasn't her job to worry about me. Though I really appreciated her concern. "Fine, then."After Annabeth returned to the Packhouse, I found Glor
PEONY CRIMSON'S POV "So, you went on a date? How was that?"I was leaning on the edge of the counter when Gloria got into the kitchen at noon, just waking up. My daughters had gone to the Tower, so it was just both of us at the cottage. A perfect timing to brought up this topic.I noticed the color pink blossoming on her cheeks for the first time. She gave a bashful, adolescent-girl smile while twirling her hair. I blinked, fearing I could have seen something else. "Well, it was alright. No, it was wonderful! He took me around the villages, the bars, and certainly we ended up on his bed. He knew what he was doing. So... I'm satisfied." Her eyes lit up, sparkling with joy. I squeezed my arm, feeling a little bad about opposing her choice. For as long as I've known her, I'd never judged who and what kind of man she brought into her bed. Gloria and her free spirit could not be controlled except by her own will. But this time, I really had to stop her."Sounds like he's a nice guy. Do
PEONY CRIMSON'S POVGloria remained absent for the entire day. When I went to the Tower, I couldn't find her anywhere. Azalea claimed to be uninformed about Killian's plan, but just as you'd expect from her, she ended up siding with her motherfucker of a brother.With everything going on, I ended up in the garden next to the cottage at midnight. I sat alone on a long wooden chair facing the fountain. It was pitch black all around me, with only a small lantern I found in the shed to light up the surroundings. The sound of the water gurgling like a classical melody comforted me. That didn't really work so I brought a bottle of wine with me.Oh, Goddess, I wasn’t acting like myself."I wonder who lit the lantern here, it was you."I jumped and almost pulled out my claws in shock. Xander was standing close by me before I even realized it—and I didn't hear a footstep. My nose sniffed the air. At that time his scent was overpowering."Why did you come? And why aren't you in the packhouse?"
XANDER ALVERIUS'S POV She let out a heavy sigh worth of the world's weight. Her eyes closed for a few seconds. When they opened, those clear eyes twinkled softly. She tilted her head, sarcastic as ever, "Who are you and what did you do to Alpha Xander?" "I mean it, Peony!" I couldn't help but get huffy. Those shoulders were initially tense and gradually relaxed. In the soft glow of the garden lamps, her eyes sparkled like stars, reflecting a depth I was once swimming in. The perfect nose I used to pinch because it was so freaking fun to see her pout. Her face was soft against the moonlight. And the rosy pink lips that I once kissed wholeheartedly. I never thought she was unlovely when in fact it was the opposite. She twisted her body from side to side to fix her seat. Her subtle movement put an end to my reverie. She pulled out a mini notepad and pen from her pocket. Shit, why would she bring that? "Let's make a pact. No more arguments or quarrels, and you must support or ac
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