XANDER ALVERIUS’S POV"I suggest you cancel your meetings with Opal Moon. We should get back to Blue Moon shortly," Azalea said the following morning as I sat half-slouched, clutching my head.Lack of sleep became the gasoline for blazing flames within me, distorting my reality. Concern sparked in Azalea's green eyes as she paced back and forth in the hotel room. I just watched her while fighting the damn headache.Fuck. I was an Alpha, yet this fucking unknown pain nearly knocked my power down every chance it got."You kidding?” I grumbled. "It's no big deal. I’ll manage those bastards.""No, you won’t. I won't let you suffer any worse than this, husband. Given the distance from our pack, we should get going now. You know the best treatment only works there."Azalea was much more stubborn than she looked. She held out a glass of dark brown juice that smelled like spices, but I was used to consuming similar drinks, so I just downed it right away."I knew coming here was a bad idea.” A

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

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 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 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