XANDER ALVERIUS'S POV The crickets and summer bugs performed a grand orchestra as Violet and I walked toward the cottage. There was no need for concern, as the head nurse stated, because she was injury-free. Violet slipped down from my arms and ran to the door. Before she could turn the knob, the door burst open. Rose petals and confetti burst into the air. Rose and Jasmine jumped up to hug Violet at the same time. "Welcome home!" "Rose! Jasmine!" Violet squealed. "You didn't have to surprise me like this!" "Oh, no." Rose took my hand. "The real surprise is... Papa is going to join us for dinner!" "Really? Then what are we waiting for?" The girls' joyful laughter was heartwarming. It wasn't a bad idea to see them running along the hallways of the Packhouse, hurrying down the stairs, hide-and-seeking in every room and alcove they could find. The rigid and cold atmosphere of the place would be much more lively and warm, just like this cottage. Sweet delicious aromas tickled
PEONY CRIMSON’S POVThe door I pushed open revealed Xander standing on the terrace of the cottage. He wore a sternness mixed with grumpy all over his face but it just flicked the corner of my lips. I grinned."Back for the second dinner already?" I asked, pretending to ignore the intensity of my quickening heartbeat. It was because Emily couldn't stop wagging her tail. "Maybe next time. Just came to drop her off." Xander stepped to the side and Gloria came into view. "Gloria...."My words caught in the back of my throat. She wore a simple blue denim linen long dress and a leather belt pouch where she usually kept her potions and crystals. Not a single wound or scar to be seen on her, she was perfectly fine. I gulped. Since leaving with Killian that time, this was the first time she had shown up at the cottage again.I looked at Xander. Should I ask why and how he brought Gloria back? Suddenly all the questions bubbling up in my mind popped and evaporated."You," Xander called at he
PEONY CRIMSON’S POV"If we rip off those bastards' heads, there will be fewer enemies for White Moon to face. This is our battle." Emily's words rang in my head.Ten minutes ago, I followed the direction of the rising smoke. The stench of the rogues was so strong, my nose couldn't stop wrinkling. I kept myself low, blending in behind the broad leaves of bushes or the stumps of giant trees.Then I found them. The rogues were three males and two females. A small group, indeed, but they wore a savagery and ferocity that mirrored each other. They surrounded something burning, with dark smoke emanating from it. I calculated my distance from them—far enough to not be spotted but near enough to eavesdrop."Yes, but it could be that these rogues are not the ones who will attack White Moon. Shouldn't we at least keep an eye out first?" I whispered to Emily.It was cowardice talking, I admitted. Still, I had to play my cards right. My triplets were waiting at the cottage, and I couldn't go home
PEONY CRIMSON’S POV"Now, now, no need to stick out your lovely sharp talons." A tawny wolf strode forward. At about three feet tall, it was slightly taller than Emily. Its eyes flashed a cunning gaze as it scanned us thoroughly."Back off!" Emily snarled, baring her teeth. Muzzle dripped with blood and she didn't bother to spit it out. "I'm Vukas, she's Erica, and the others are my crew." The rogue introduced, turning a deaf ear to Emily's harsh response.A female stalked from behind him. Her dirty brown fur was toned with Vukas somehow, meaning they were mated. A pair of rogue leaders, what a love story."Why don't we talk like civilized wolves?" Vukas asked again."Civilized, heh," Emily scoffed, rolling her eyes without letting her guard down.Through Emily's eyes, I scanned the surroundings intensely. The eight wolves didn't budge, waiting for their leaders' orders. I narrowed my eyes. They all had a mark on their right forearm that seemed to be stamped using a branding iron.
PEONY CRIMSON'S POVI leaned against a rock, stretching my legs out and releasing a deep sigh. I faked interest in the green leaves gracefully swaying atop the branches. A foot away from my position, Xander glared at me with an intensity I struggled to ignore. It would have been easier to keep talking to Felion. Though, what he’d whispered caused a strange swirl in my blood."You owe me explanations, Peony."Which one? That I was amidst the corpses of rogues in neutral territory or why I got into a fight with them? Either way, I figured there was no point in explaining. My gaze shifted to my arm. Whether it was Felion's saliva or Emily's increased regeneration, the blood was no longer flowing. "I don't owe you anything," I mumbled. I looked at the corpses of ten rogues lying not far from me. One thing to be thankful for was that they were not Lycan-type rogues. Facing a brainless destructive bipedal monster was a nightmare. I choked up. What if the Lycans also attacked White Moon
PEONY CRIMSON’S POVI thought Xander was bluffing, but he continued on without hesitation after navigating through the White Moon's fortress. As the closest line to the neutral forest, obviously the gatehouse was half-destroyed. Most of the injured guards had moved to healers in nearby villages. The further we went in, the rogues that wandered around began to come into view. Three hideous wolves smelling like sewage ran closer. In an instant, Felion stood tall before me. Glossy black fur defied the bright sun. I also let Emily take over."Go hide, Em!" Felion growled, blocking Emily. "I'll take care of all these cockroaches."Emily exclaimed. The rogues had surrounded. "No! Stop yapping, I got your back!"There was no time for arguing. The rogues howled loudly for their group. Felion struck a wolf while sprinting at breakneck speed, severing its neck. Emily kicked the rogue before it could attack from Felion's back, knocking it to the ground. A few more rogues joined the fight, but
PEONY CRIMSON’S POVXavier in his sleep was a peacefulness I never realized I would treasure. His eyelids were closed, and his lashes were bright. His breath was rhythmic and gentle.We chatted for a while, and I told him to go for a nap because he had so much energy and stamina from throwing the rogues out of the pack all night. Even though his wounds healed entirely because of his amazing regeneration, his exhausted appearance and low energy weren't restored. In the silence and quiet of the private room, his heartbeat was clearly audible. Telling me that he was still alive, still able to open his eyes and smile warmly for me. I took his hand, placing it on my cheek without taking my eyes off his face. I looked out the window. The injured were crammed into the infirmary. Together, healers and nurses were providing care for them, focusing on the wounds that regeneration was unable to mend. I said a prayer to the Moon Goddess, hoping that they would all make it through and that Xavi
PEONY CRIMSON’S POVI heard glass breaking in the kitchen and looked up from my phone screen. When I got there, I witnessed Gloria cleaning up the orange juice that had spilled all over the kitchen island. I approached her, shaking my head at the shards of glass scattered across the floor. Gloria glanced at me, then bent down to pick up the shattered glass. "Let me help," I said, kneeling down. We picked up the glass until not a single shard remained in silence. "Thank you. I was clumsy," Gloria murmured.."It's just a glass," I countered as I eyed it, "It feels like ages since we last talked together, doesn't it?""Mmhhm."She didn't walk away, but pulled out a chair and sat there. I took her hand in mine. She looked back at me. "Look, I really appreciate you coming all the way here with me. You've been there in all my troubles and didn't hesitate to do anything to help me. It was wrong of me to micromanage you, Gloria. You deserve to grow and develop as a great witch because that
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