PEONY CRIMSON’S POV
I didn’t get a decent night’s sleep while my daughters were still out there. It wasn't clear how they were doing. Since I gave birth to them six years ago, I never relinquished their hands for more than seven hours.
Every second, I always wanted to see Rose, Jasmine, and Violet. They’re the driving force behind my determination to keep going in this cruel world.
I laid down on my triplet’s big bed. I sniffed their scent heartily, hoping to get a little clue about their whereabouts. I also opened the window wide. It made it easy for me to pray to the Moon Goddess, who I believed was watching me from the sky.
Imperceptibly, tears melted from the end of my eyes. I managed to get the comfort I wanted for Rose, Jasmine, and Violet, but why did the new problem appear? I sobbed alone, hugging my daughters' favorite teddy bears.
Xander shouldn't come into my new life. I was tired of crying, begging, and even fighting for my position just to be seen in his eyes. But everything between us was over. I knew I deserved my happiness.
My tears subsided slowly. I needed more than tears to find Rose, Jasmine, and Violet. I can't just do nothing.
Morning arrived at the same time as I finished the preparations. I contacted the landlord and paid him the rent for two months, as I didn't know how long it would take me during my search.
"What are you gonna do, Peony?"
Gloria squealed in surprise when she saw me appear at her doorstep.
"Where are you going?" asked the witch when she saw the big backpack I was carrying.
"I have to find my triplets, Gloria. Do you still keep some strengthening potions and sharp
weapons? I haven't fought for so long. I’m uneasy that my claws are dull." I asked her a little hastily.
Gloria looked surprised, then took my hand.
"Hold a minute, young lady! Don’t be like that. Please come in and let's talk about it carefully!" she said, pushing me into her apartment.
Then Gloria compelled me to sit on the sofa and poured me a cup of chamomile tea. But I'm not in the mood to drink tea or waste time to chit-chat. So I put the cup on the table and saw the disappointment on Gloria's face.
"I don't have time for this, Gloria. Please give me the items I've mentioned," I pleaded.
Gloria probably didn't take my words seriously.
"But where are you going? What are your plans?" asked Gloria, but I clammed up because I was at a loss for words.
"You don't have any plans, do you?" The witch guessed me precisely.
Indeed, it's because she knows me so well.
Gloria seemed to read my thoughts and added, "Peony, I know you. I hear you. I know the disappearance of Rose, Jasmine, and Violet is a serious issue, but you can't move without knowing where you're going!"
Gloria's remarks were actual. I didn’t deny it. It just irks me that she spoke the truth.
"Then do you have any other solutions? You told me that you can't track them with your magic!" I exclaimed. There was a look of shock and confusion on Gloria's face. I fell silent after realizing my mistake.
I sighed and picked up the teacup. I sipped tea in one so I could calm down. "Sorry, I didn't mean to blame you, Glo. It's just...."
Gloria inched closer, taking my hand. I don't know what magic she released, but I felt a comforting warmth when I looked at her. Gloria rubbed the back of my hand gently and then nodded slightly.
Then the witch stepped towards one of the rooms. Five minutes later, she returned with some daggers and told me to choose. I took a pair of daggers that provided the most comfortable hold. Not only that, but Gloria also took a few bottles of potions for me.
"I said I hear you, right? I hope to help you more than this."
"Please keep Xander away from my apartment. That's all you can do. Thanks for all this."
"Sure. I will." Gloria nodded. "But, are you sure Xander kidnapped your triplets?"
I smiled wryly. "Yes. I knew that Xander demanded an answer. He’s a man who will do anything to get what he wants. I'm sure he took Rose, Jasmine, and Violet away so I could admit that they were his."
"And Xander even appeared on your doorstep after your daughters disappeared. Isn't it weird?"
"He just pretended to be stupid and didn't want to admit his mistake. He hasn't changed at all since long ago."
I exhaled, then put the potions into the bag while I tied the daggers on my thigh and waist.
"I have to go now."
Gloria caught up with me before I reached the door. "Hey, didn't I say you can't leave without a plan?"
"If I find any clues, I can make them," I replied lightly.
"I thought this search would be too strenuous if you had to do it alone. Isn't there someone you can turn to for help?" Gloria asked, "I remember you mentioned that Xander had a brother... He might be able to help you."
I froze in my tracks. Gloria's question threw me into memories of the past, bringing out the stunning face of a man in my memory. I brushed that figure away from my head quickly.
"Ah... Xavier?" I smiled wryly, "No, I thought it was a bad idea. I prefer to keep my distance from both of them."
"Was it a bumpy relationship between the two of you?"
I shook my head. "All I could say more precisely… It wasn’t working."
"But if you come to him and tell him everything, will he help you?"
"I'm not sure."
"Does anyone else know about Xander that you can turn to for help?"
"Ugh, beats me...."
"Then no one knows unless we give it a try."
"There’s a chance that Xavier doesn't want to get involved with his twin anymore."
"Peony... Do we have any other option here?"
"Oh, Gloria... I’m done dealing with people from my past."
Gloria put one hand on her waist. From the look in her eyes, it seemed she took pity on me.
"Huh... I can't leave you alone. I have regarded your cute triplets as my nieces. Give me ten minutes to get ready."
I gasped. "Gloria, you don't have to do this. What about your shop?"
But the witch had already picked up her bag, spilling all kinds of things inside.
"Come on. I’m getting tired of reading the love divination of young mortals. They always want to know who to sleep with and where."
Gloria shrugged and turned to look at me, who didn't get what she meant.
“My point is I'll come with you," she repeated.
Going out with someone is better than being alone. At least if Rose, Jasmine, and Violet are in danger, I have Gloria to help me.
We took trains and planes to arrive at the end of the continent. Then we still had to taxi for three hours to get to the destination area. Although the taxi driver repeatedly asked in worry, I still assured him we were in the right direction.
Gloria stared around. Apart from the long road where we stood, only lush trees were there.
Anyone who comes for the first time may think they are in the wilderness in the middle of nowhere.
"Ugh, werewolves are always conservative when choosing territory," Gloria complained.
"To prevent the curious mortals if they’re investigating immortals like us," I replied nervously.
"Right."
I took a deep breath of air. The fresh air smelled distinctive, the soil was moist, and the wood of the trees filled my lungs. The sunlight didn't sting my skin, nor was an unfamiliar longing that I didn't know.
"This way, Glo."
I cut down a bush and found a rocky path. We walked down that path in silence. The sound of birds tweeting or rustling leaves filled the silence between.
Xander's Pack stretched to the south, while Xavier's was to the north. The territory was separated only by highways. So this trail took us straight deeper into the forest towards the north.
"By the way, you never told me much about your life during your life at Blue Moon. I haven't asked all this time out of respect for your privacy, but you can give me some information to make our trip easier.”
Gloria opened the conversation.
"There's nothing I need to tell you other than what you already know, Glo," I replied curtly.
Every corner of this forest brought the euphoria left behind during my time away. I've had enough of the memories that trigger every time I hear leaves rustling.
"Oh, okay."
After an hour of walking, Gloria and I arrived at a wide clearing area. Stopping under the shadow of a tree, I held my breath. As I gazed ahead, a grand expanse of towering fortress walls came into view, accompanied by a colossal gateway guarded by some men on each side.
"Here we are," I whispered, "This is White Moon."
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