PEONY CRIMSON'S POVThe airway to my lungs closed up. I had a momentary lapse in breathing technique. It seemed like a tube in my arm was sucking my blood away from my body rather than delivering it.At the moment when my eyes locked on the pair of blood-red eyes in the doorway, I felt every single bullet of terror flying back at me. Xavier caught a glimpse of me to understand and he was quick to shield me from his brother's gaze. As the door slammed shut, they vanished.I put a hand on my chest, feeling every pulse racing as if it were about to explode. My eyes didn’t deceive me. Xander's figure was real, and he stared at me with a faint smirk at the corner of his lips.He was here.He was here. In a place I thought was safe.He was freaking here. Ready to throw me into nightmares I'd never want to experience again. I felt a dull ache in my brain all of a sudden.The door opened once more before the confusion and panic whipped up into a maelstrom that sucked me under. My heart skippe

PEONY CRIMSON’S POV"Does Xavier have breakfast here, or does he eat in the dining room with the others?" I asked Fey when she entered the room carrying the trolley with the breakfast menu.As she placed all the food on the table in front of me, she shook her head in confusion."It's been a while since I saw the Alpha. Would you like me to tell him you want him here?” She offered.I glanced at the empty side of the sofa, then made a fake smile. "No, I'm fine. Thank you."I had two major things on my mind, pulling me in different directions. They completely consumed me and threw my senses out of whack. The toast I ate was as bland as cardboard. The cranberry juice has also turned sour.The clock on the wall struck nine, but Xavier was nowhere to be seen. He might have been sleeping in the next room, and I could have gone to check on him. That's all it was... There was a voice inside me that prevented me from moving forward. Especially after dropping a bomb last night.I had lied to Xav

PEONY CRIMSON’S POVAfter taking some time to think, I finally left the room and made my way to Xavier's room in order to meet him, at the very least. However, it was merely a lackluster wish that remained unfulfilled. In the midst of the uncertainty in White Moon, I found myself at a loss for what to do."Can I help you, Miss Peony?" Chadwick startled me when I closed the door to Xavier's room.I fumbled and smiled, "No, I'm just out for a walk. To clear my head." I cleared my throat. "Um, where's Xavier?""Meeting with the team commanders."Chadwick gazed at me. His words were left hanging without any follow-up, which made me wonder if Xavier had instructed him not to talk to me like he did.I made a conscious effort to not let the thoughts in my head affect me and came to a positive conclusion: "He's occupied, then. Something bad is going on?""No, it's just the monthly meeting."Oh, come on."What about, uh, his brother?" I asked again."So far, he hasn't done anything suspicious.

PEONY CRIMSON'S POVI tried so hard to ignore Xavier's silent treatment and decided to shake things off because I had a crucial task ahead of me.In the morning, Rose, Jasmine, and Violet emerged from their room for the very first time. Gloria and Alana both confirmed that they were in perfect health. As a result, I decided to take them for a leisurely walk around the vast grounds of the packmansion.I couldn't tell whether it was their adorable innocence or their carefree nature, but the staff who walked by us didn't display any negative reaction whatsoever. I noticed Mrs. Gillian blushing as she handed Jasmine a packet of chocolate cookies.We went to the garden before the sun rose too high. Rose, Jasmine, and Violet have only been able to play in the cramped apartment area, the dry backyard, and the school. They were only familiar with the city, whereas White Moon was the complete opposite. So, they were completely unfamiliar with everything here.The world seemed to smile at me w

PEONY CRIMSON'S POV"Your visit has already ended. Now you're trespassing," Xavier scolded as he stood up straight. He exuded an intense, icy rage, causing me to shudder once again.Gloria gave me a questioning look, but I shook my head. I hadn't expected Xander to actually return to White Moon this soon, and at such an inopportune time, either.I turned my attention from Xander to the slender woman standing beside him. Her long platinum blonde hair cascaded freely down her shoulders and back, resembling threads of gold. She looked around the dining hall with kindness and grace, her eyes shining like emeralds. She had a graceful smile that didn't exaggerate her rosy lips.Here she was: Archmage Azalea Crescent of the Raven, the second Luna of Blue Moon, the strongest witch in three generations.I felt a sharp pain that radiated from my chest and traveled through my veins. Despite Azalea's outstanding display as Xander's ideal partner, she still looked like the woman who took everythin