XANDER ALVERIUS’S POVI drained the thick green liquid from the glass, identifying its thick consistency, and it slid down my throat in a sensation like swallowing a lump of mud. I placed the glass clinking softly on the table, then I sensed Stuart’s arrival, who soon appeared at the doorway. I noticed the pile of reports in his hands."Just put them there. I'll finish them tonight," I ordered.My throat was numb from Azalea's potion, which seemed to be more potent than before. While my Luna was busy handling my daughters' education, I was also immersed in a mountain of work. It should have been over quickly, except my mind was distracted by a certain figure who was living in a cottage at the east end of the packhouse."I just saw those girls with Luna. Don't you want to meet them first?" asked Stuart, "I heard they came to see some flowers."I just remembered that at dinner, Azalea had mentioned it.“Leave."Stuart nodded briefly, spun on his heel, and headed for the door.I leaned a
PEONY CRIMSON'S POV"Tell the Alpha that my daughters and I will not attend, no matter if he drags his dining table before this cottage."I gave that fine guard a dreary smile yet balmy enough to show politeness.He had dutifully come to my door to inform me of the breakfast invitation with Xander. After what happened last night? No, thank you.The guard replied with a disappointed look, but he only nodded briefly."Thanks, and sorry," I said as I closed the door.I returned to the kitchen, where Rose, Jasmine, and Violet were already sitting neatly on the kitchen island chairs. They helped each other pour cereal into bowls and also pour milk without spilling it. Day by day, I watched them grow up; it was unimaginable. They must stay healthy and strong to achieve the future of their dreams."Who was that?"Gloria sidestepped me toward the island. Even though she said she wasn't coming home last night, I heard her quietly returning through the back door at three in the morning. Her att
PEONY CRIMSON'S POV"MAMA! Jasmine’s drowning!"Rose's frantic screams tore through the air. I caught her hand, wrapping my arms around her swiftly before she intended to plunge into the tributary as well."I know, my dear, I know," I whispered, trying to calm Rose. She started sobbing, while I had to hold myself together as best I could to keep from drowning in panic.Xander stopped next to me. His red eyes widened. Because instead of me or him, it was Azalea who was now swimming in the current.The moment that separated life and death was brief, yet Azalea's hand managed to reach Jasmine's. The swift water carried their forms away."Mrs. Azalea!" Violet shouted."Will they both be alright?" asked Rose through her tears."Let's hope so."Just one second after that, Azalea had reached the tributary's edge, and Jasmine was droopy in her arms. As soon as she hit the ground, Xander sprang into action to assist her.The Alpha himself laid Jasmine down on the grass as he kneeled next to he
PEONY CRIMSON'S POVI purposely placed the phone on the kitchen island, turning on the loudspeaker so his voice would fill the cottage’s silence."Gloria said there was wolf energy mixed in, so she couldn’t be sure if it was caused by Violet's emotional outburst or other magical phenomenon. Either way, it's still unexplainable."My best friend passed out on the floor, holding two whiskey bottles. I took a quick look at her. Two hours ago, Gloria started crying about her failed date while she opened any booze she could find in the cellar.My loneliness and the hope that Violet would open the door led me to make the decision to call Xavier as midnight drew near. From the faint squeak, I could tell he was sitting behind his desk. It wasn't long for me to fill him in on everything that happened."This is the first time I've heard this, so I think you should always keep an eye on her. Does anyone else know?" Xavier asked.I knew this because, under the influence of wine, my mind started pl
PEONY CRIMSON’S POVIt was like stepping into a dense, ominous fog when I charged into Killian's shadows. That mage arrived in front of the timber door, and I could barely reach him."Leave them alone," I hissed, grabbing his hand and forcing him to stop.Killian showed off his maddening smirk. My warning only fueled him as he approached Rose, Violet, and the young mage, who immediately bowed their heads respectfully. Azalea arrived a second after us.Killian put both hands on his waist, bending his body over. He scanned Rose and Violet in turn. I wrapped an arm around both girls' shoulders protectively, hissing in annoyance at him.His seaweed-green eyes gleamed, narrowing in delight. "Wow, you guys look like mini-Peony," he complimented. "One, two, huh? Where's the other one?"“Back off!"I glared at Azalea, indirectly telling her to put shackles on him before he did whatever he had-in-mind and threatened my babies."It looks like Jasmine still needs to rest today." Instead of pulli
XANDER ALVERIUS'S POVKillian pulled his hand back from Peony's chin. She immediately turned her head in the other direction, out of sight of both me and the mage. I saw her shoulders stiffen. Along with the faint scent of anger among her floral scent, my hands clenched into fists.Killian held up a hand. "Oh, calm down, Xander. I was just joking."My jaw hardened. "I don't hear anyone laughing in here.""Easy, big boss." Killian laughed. "She's not harmed, just a little upset."In the back of my mind, Felion growled low and bared his teeth, all canines flashing white. "This is not about being upset!" The beast barked. Grasping Peony's right arm, I coerced her into looking directly at me. As a result, she scowled at me furrowing her brow. . "What did he do to you?" I demanded sternly.She gritted her teeth, shaking off my hand. "Nothing.""Tell me, Peony," I insisted.Peony gulped, her breath catching as she answered heavily, "He asked me to sleep with him."Something erupted behi
XANDER ALVERIUS'S POV "Ugh, this won't fade away," I muttered. Looking into the mirror, I could see that my wounded arm was still visible. This wound ought to have left no visible mark, as a result of regeneration. On top of that, stitches had helped it. However, what I observed was a hideous scar that looked like a birthmark.The door to the room opened, Azalea entered. Her eyes immediately fixated on my arm."Husband, what happened to you?" she asked as she carefully held my arm."Just finished disciplining your damn brother." I growled. Azalea let out a short breath, bored and not at all surprised. "What did he do?""Ignoring my orders."Her green orbs continued to observe the ugly scar. Her forehead wrinkled as her thumb rubbed gently over the stitches."The wound is stitched up. Who—""Peony helped." I cut her in, then lowered my sleeves. "Tell Stuart to clear my schedule for today. Your brother is in the infirmary, go check on him if you want."The Archmage froze in her pos
PEONY CRIMSON'S POVI shifted the phone from left to right, sandwiching it between my ear and shoulder. The bowl and mixer made use of both of my hands. I was in the middle of making lemon crinkle cookies when the call from Xavier came. "Tomorrow?""Yes, the Alphas' Conference usually lasts for two days. However, I intend to stay longer to visit the Academy library."Xavier's voice was like a pleasant melody."And I think it would be great if you could come along too. We can go to the library together."I turned off the mixer, put it down, and then held the phone properly. We were talking about finding information about the Mystwolf and going to the Academy library was the most appropriate choice. Not only that, I might also find a thing or two about my triplets' curse. My smile widened. "My pleasure." But it also immediately vanished. "But is that possible?"The Moonshadow Forest wasn’t located somewhere in this world. It was the territory within the Moon Goddess' own embrace. To