PEONY CRIMSON’S POV"Who told you so?"Zedd’s eyes narrowed as he placed a sack of potatoes next to a pile of wooden boxes. This afternoon, I helped in the kitchen, and Gloria was in the medical tent. Who would have thought that the beta himself would catch up with me and lend his hand voluntarily?I noticed a subtle difference in his demeanor and the way he stared at me. His cold, uncomfortable gaze was gone. I sensed that he was trying to be a little more friendly. Maybe he felt guilty, or Xavier just told him to be nice.To gain his trust more, I told one of his little secrets to break the ice."I saw it myself. When you drove me back to Blue Moon, you took a moment to pick some wild apples at the border because you really liked their astringent and bitter taste," I replied lightly.Zedd grinned, on the verge of disbelief and being impressed. "We were really close before, then."“Yeah, we're so close that you once told me that you were looking forward to meeting your mate. Because
PEONY CRIMSON’S POVThe unexpected sunlight that flooded the room stings my eyelids. Like an animal that had just startled out of hibernation too soon, I hissed. My eyelids fluttered open as I gathered consciousness.Someone stood next to the bed with an innocent smile, welcoming me. I blinked."Fey?"The girl pulled back the blanket, revealing my bare thighs and messy nightgown. I had been sleeping like a log since yesterday afternoon because I was swept in my own panic. I didn’t even know whether Xavier slept next to me last night—the other side of the bed was empty."Good morning, Miss. I came to help you get ready." Fey greeted her in a friendly, lilting voice. Her smile was also so formal that I cringed at it. "The bathtub is already filled with warm water. Is there a special fragrance you prefer?""Huh?" My brain was still processing her presence and everything she said."Or do you prefer to have breakfast first?" Fey asked, still looking at me, frozen on the bed. Just a few day
XAVIER ASHERIUS’S POVShock crossed Peony's face as her feet stepped back, out of my reach. Her eyes widened."No, I can't be a Luna!"Peony shouted. For the first time, she raised her voice at me. Instead of being offended, I just didn't get why she was being so hysterical when this had been confirmed since she told me about the triplets.Peony struggled to control her breathing, avoiding my hand that was about to grab her. She shook her head repeatedly. Seeing her overcome with shock made me want to hold her even more. But I let her absorb the situation, so I just leaned against the table and remained calm."After all these years, we have a chance to set things straight and return everything I should have given you long ago. With you here, plus the triplets coming soon—""I can't, Xavier!" Another shout. An octave higher.Her clear eyes displayed devastation. My hands gripped the edge of the table, along with a strange sting in my ribs.My lips voluntarily formed a wry smile, like m
XAVIER ASHERIUS’S POVThe witch stood still, her green eyes glaring straight at me. I responded with a threatening growl at her disobedience. She let out a faint gasp but then displayed a haughty expression. I was about to push her aside when she opened her arms. She blatantly prevented me from reaching for the doorknob.She was a witch and took orders from no one, but I was the owner of the place she stood on."I don't think now is a good time for you to bother Peony," Gloria hissed as venomously as a snake."I'm not bothering her."Gloria snapped her fingers. In an instant, we were transported to the private living room. Short-range teleportation, apparently. I had no time to lose in this witch's stupid game, but invisible chains restrained my legs so I could stay put."You asked her to be your Luna; that's a hell way to hit her panic button."Gloria's words discouraged me from destroying her magic. In her place, Gloria stood as still as a statue. I sensed a mixture of anger and fru
XAVIER ASHERIUS’S POVIn my arms, Peony slept as calm as a baby. Her breathing was smooth; it tickled my chest and arms. Her eyelids were tightly closed, the reddish puffiness from tears almost completely gone. A heart-of-gold woman with an innocent, relaxed sleep face.Half an hour ago, Theo sent a report via mind-link. He informed us that Lazarus had narrowed down the suspected culprits who wiped out mortals' memories of Peony and our triplets. Meanwhile, the search team expanded the area and managed to find two pearl bracelets in the border forest between the mortal and the supernatural regions.At least, there was a possibility that the triplets were still on this continent. If the culprit had been human, I would’ve crushed them and scattered their body parts into the sea.If it was indeed a vampire, oh, I'm sure Lazarus had some interesting ideas for punishment. Imagine how humiliated the vampire clan would be to find their members' lives crushed in an Alpha wolf’s grasp. If the
PEONY CRIMSON’S POVFor the rest of lunch, Xavier spent it doing his best to convince me that Elenor Garnet was nothing to him.I tried to conceal the surprise. It wasn’t plausible if Xavier hadn’t been set up with someone during his years of solitude. No matter what the Moon Goddess had planned, Xavier still hasn’t yet found his fated mate. Then he asked me to choose him. It seemed impetuous.Or maybe I was hesitant to break the mate bond with Xander. He had already made me a rogue after completely cutting me off from Blue Moon. But deep inside me, that bond was still there, tucked away and suppressed. Even if I cut it out, Xander would find out immediately.Because it would hurt me and both of us, and I didn’t know if I was ready for more pain."Fey, I have a question," I requested as I watched her reflection in the mirror. The girl was standing behind me, busy doing her best to style my hair.Since he openly declared his intention to make me a Luna, Xavier has invited me to join di
PEONY CRIMSON'S POV"Then Aunt Eve said she wanted me to get married. But I only told her to wait. I still need a lot of experience to jump into a serious relationship." Elenor's crisp laughter filled the air, followed by laughter from the other witches next to her.I behaved as instructed, or at least, in a way that wouldn't shame myself. Still, I had a hard time enjoying the moment as I sat across from a stunning Elenor, who was clinging to Xavier for her dear life.Well, I didn’t blame her. She was young, bubbly, and soulful. Whenever she laughed, everyone beamed. Her radiance illuminated every inch of the hall, as the center of attention should be.I nibbled a tiny piece of butter-seared lobster, struggling to finish the rest of the dinner in such an awkward atmosphere. Ever since the priestess's speechless stare earlier, she gave me the cold shoulder. So did the other witches.I didn't want to get my hopes up. In fact, it was good that I didn't have to beat around the bush with p
Elenor's morning tantrum was soon forgotten as Xavier explained the news Lazarus sent over a few minutes ago."This search’s starting to find some light," Xavier said, linking his fingers with mine.He rested his forehead on my shoulder and inhaled my scent deeply. A growl rumbled in his throat. "I’ve fought the urge to rush over to the mortal world and beat that vampire myself. But for the little deal I made, Lazarus already took care of it."Rose, Jasmine, and Violet were still alive. They were somewhere, either locked up or caged—both horrible—but unharmed. Lazarus just needed to draw their location from the suspected vampire he was trying to capture."They’re Children of the Moon. They’ll survive because they’re stronger than you know. The Alpha blood runs through them," Emily whispered in the back of my mind.After showering me with kisses on my cheeks and neck, Xavier left the room. My chest was a little lighter, and my breathing was much easier.But the relief didn't last long.