SERAPHINA’S POVArtemis pauses seconds before whoever it is knocks, sensing the approaching presence. He pulls away instinctively, standing between me and the door with an annoyed scowl on his face, and I have to look over his shoulder to see who it is.Standing there is a student I haven't seen around, with thick-rimmed glasses, obviously cowering at the doorway and fiddling with the tips of his oversized sleeves. The fear in his eyes is mostly from the way Artemis glares at him for interrupting the moment, and I have to wrap my hand around his to remind him to stay calm."What is it?" he snaps coldly at the innocent guy who flinches by the door, closing his eyes and hiding his face."A-An urgent matter has arisen. The second batch of drinks has gone missing and no one knows where they went, the event has even started and everyone's panicking," he explains in a shaking voice.Basically, someone's fucked up and they need Artemis to step in and fix it.He sighs with frustration, rubb
SERAPHINA’S POVHe has that look on his face, similar to Artemis when he doesn't get what he wants as soon as he asks for it; confused by my rejection of an offer that probably sounded great to him and baffled that I'd have the courage to even refuse at all."I beg your pardon?""I'm grateful for the offer, that you saw something in me to bring that up, but I'm afraid that I'll have to decline, your majesty," I repeat again, clearer than the first time.He's still bewildered, getting a bit ticked off by my response, but he remains silent for a while, deep in thought, staring me down and trying to figure me out."Might I ask why?""Though I want all those things for myself, I'd rather do them my own way without having to answer to anyone I can't disobey. I want freedom and autonomy to do what I have to do for the human race, even when it doesn't benefit the werewolves," I respond curtly.His frown cracks with a small smile of amusement."It's not wise to refuse an offer, especially one
ARTEMIS’ POVI've wasted more time than necessary dealing with accidents that keep occurring since the banquet began. I've managed to find a solution for each of them with haste so I can finally get back to Sera and continue from where we left off, assuming she's still waiting for me after taking so much time. I adjust the neckline of my shirt, already feeling uncomfortable from the tie that feels as though it's choking me. I can't wait to ditch this place with Sera. I don't care if the entire building burns down while I'm away; all that matters right now is finding her and leaving this place.However, once I make a turn, my path is suddenly blocked by the last people I'm expecting to see tonight: Kamila and Alpha Gideon of Wildheart. He smiles widely the moment he sees me, turning fully toward my direction, almost as if he was waiting for me here."Good evening, Prince Artemis," he greets formally, taking a slight bow with just his head."Hello, Alpha Wildheart," I nod at him, ab
SERAPHINA’S POVThe sounds around me muffle out, leaving only the beating of my heart, pulsing erratically in my chest, faster than it's ever done.Then my own breath huffs and puffs with my mouth, desperate for air - air that still doesn't fill my lungs regardless.My head spins, just like the room around me. Suddenly, the lights are too bright, blinding me. There are too many people around, and I'm being suffocated by every single sensation.Artemis is engaged.I need to get out, leave this place. I need to breathe, or I might pass out.I might die. My brain panics, my entire body goes into shock mode, and I really think that I'm dying.Olivia and Jasper are saying something to me, screaming, but I can't hear anything amidst the crowd's noise. I push past them, running out of the wide space and shoving through the crowd. They are now on their feet, clapping and clamoring to get closer to the Alpha to congratulate him.Artemis is engaged.I run against the flow of it, just barely m
SERAPHINA’S POVI walk on my two feet out of the woods on my own. The injury on one ankle surprisingly healed on its own, but I don't focus on that, or the pain in my chest, or the fact that there's a body potentially not breathing deep in the woods. I can't think of any of that; I choose not to. I feel myself on the edge of shattering into a million pieces, being held together by nothing more than a single flimsy strand.I'm counting every breath I take while walking closer to school again."Sera!" a voice calls my name, footsteps rushing closer to where I am."Seraphina?"It takes a few more seconds before someone finds me—Lucian. He runs out from a corner, spotting me in my disheveled form: a ripped dress with its fabric dyed dark brown from the mud, hair messed up with dirt and twigs sticking out. He pauses, looking at me with surprise and then relief.I don't know what exactly it is, but seeing him is enough for me to shatter. My legs, which held me up firmly, suddenly grow
SERAPHINA’S POVJasper carries me in his arms quietly until we're right in front of the girls' dorm. He drops me gently on my feet and pulls apart, far enough to look at me with pitiful eyes. I hate it. I don't want to be pitied like some sad, pathetic girl who is helpless and weak, bending to the will of the wind tossing her wherever it sees fit."Are you okay, Sera?" he asks, only now when I'm about to go to my room. He hadn't said anything at all until now. I know his intentions are innocent and he's genuinely worried about me, but I can't help but be annoyed by the gentle tone he uses, the way he looks at me like a brittle egg that will break. Yes, I guess I am fragile right now, but I'm not so weak that such news would ruin me completely."I’m fine, Jasper. Don’t worry about it," I say coldly, though unintentionally. He recoils from my tone, his features turning wounded, but he doesn’t say anything. I regret it. But I'm too hurt to be any other way. I can’t seem to utter an
ARTEMIS’ POVI wake up with a start, suddenly jolting upright, fists clenched tight, ready to defend myself against anyone trying to take me away. But I’m not in front of the banquet hall anymore; I’m in a dimly lit room with stuffy air. Then the pain in my head hits, stabbing like needles from every angle, and I groan, massaging my temples.What happened to me?I try to force my brain to recall the last moments before I passed out, and the memory comes rushing back. I remember seeing Sera in pain, crying, and it hurt me deeply. My wolf felt her agony; we needed to get to her, to console her, but then someone grabbed me, dragged me back, knocked me out with a drug that felt too potent to be legal.Anger flares within me as I remember wanting to kill the person responsible for this. The pain intensifies as I furrow my brows, and I wince.“You shouldn’t strain yourself, Artemis,” a voice says, seeping into my consciousness.I open my eyes, looking towards the voice, and see her sittin
ARTEMIS’ POVUnlike Kamila, I don’t follow his instructions to head back to the dorm. Instead, I decide to find my father because I need answers. He’s the kind of man who makes major decisions for me, whether I like them or not, but forcing an engagement on me seems too extreme, even for him. It cements the feeling that something is seriously wrong.I need to find out what's pushing him to make such drastic decisions, to fix whatever it is, and then find Sera.I get to his office, barging in, ready to demand answers, but it's empty. I must have just missed him. I step forward, scanning the papers on his desk, and I see he's already planning the wedding, preparing a special guest list. Frustrated, I crumple the list in my hand and throw it in the trash.As I dig through his things, trying to discern what he’s been up to, I come across a well-drafted document listing rituals, curses, and spells of resurrection, things that seem like forbidden magic, practices of the once-revered Astr
SERAPHINA’S POVThe doors to the throne room on the west side of the castle finally pull open, revealing Artemis and me to the entire congregation gathered to celebrate our crowning and witness the beginning of a new era of peace. Our hands are intertwined, our traditional garments matching, with long flowing capes that trail a few feet behind us. A wave of anxiety and excitement hits all at once, but I know I’m not alone. Never again.The congregation stands, applauding endlessly as we walk down the aisle, side by side, hand in hand, waving at all of them. I spot Olivia and Jasper, hand in hand, seeing them for the first time in three years, waving harder and growing excited to tell them all about my tales. Ace and Gabe sit in the next row, clapping along with the crowd, smiles on their faces as well. Of course, Alice is nowhere to be seen. It’s been years, and she has never shown her face to me again.Olivia had said that she moved to a different country, one that’s far a
ARTEMIS’ POV ( 3YEARS LATER)I'm completely stacked with work, towers of paperwork almost reaching the ceilings for the changes I've tried desperately to implement for the past four years since becoming the Alpha King. Laws newly implemented seem to have more backlash than initially anticipated, yet I’m committed to see them to the end, all to make some time for the coming weekend. A knock echoes from my door before Jasper walks in, still rocking that god-awful goatee Olivia hasn't succeeded in getting him to chop off. "Beta reporting for duty, Your Majesty," he bows. "Any news from the delegation you sent out to the human population?" He now turns serious once he sees all the papers.I instantly appreciate the new version of him that's capable of taking things seriously while still retaining his joyful side. I've tried to continue my father's works, improving the mission to unite all races as one to prevent things like war from ever happening again, to form a union o
ARTEMIS’ POVWeeks pass since Sera’s eyes open, and like a sick twist of fate, I find myself unable to see her as much now, with doctors being around her and more work piling on my desk. Yet, I remind myself to be patient while she gets the treatment and therapy she needs. The times I do stay by her side, I hold her in my arms, slowly filling her in on everything she’s missed in the past year. Her greatest hurdle with everything is accepting how much time has passed, how long she’s been unconscious, the time she’s lost. Processing it has not been easy and simply adds to her stress. Thankfully, Olivia stayed back for a few weeks to help her readjust to it all while I’m away and has only just left a few days ago.Tonight, as always, I’m in my office completely swamped with work, trying to achieve most of what I planned to do before Sera is completely better and on her feet again. Because I want to show her the world and more, and before I can get anywhere, I have to fix it.
ARTEMIS’ POV(ONE YEAR LATER)"In light of all the allegations brought forth, not only by students but also by teachers, I hereby strip you of your position as school Administrator," I declare before the newly appointed school board gathered before me. The now former Administrator, Mr. Andrew, stares at me with wet, red eyes on the brink of breaking into tears. He trembles, looking at me with pleading eyes for mercy, but I feel nothing close to remorse, especially with proof of years of his embezzlement sitting right in front of me on my desk. The fact that he also played a huge part in the school's segregation alone tempts me to strangle him with my bare hands every time I remember what Seraphina had to go through - but then, even I had a hand in this.My eyes shift to the other man in his late thirties standing on the other side of the room among the council, nodding in his direction. "In replacement, I appoint Mr. Jermaine for the new position of school Administrator."
ACE’S POVAs the doctor announces the outcomes of the surgery, I slowly detach from the group, watching their faces light up for only a moment before something even darker takes over. But I don’t stay long. I don’t dare stay with them in their moments of grief or offer words of encouragement, not when I haven’t been there for everything they’ve had to face. I don’t deserve to sit in their presence of lament with any of them, not especially Artemis or Jasper. I was a shitty friend, I probably still am. I haven’t gotten over my jealousy or my issues. I couldn’t be there for them even if I wanted to, but I at least wanted to show up and apologize, at least to Sera, for everything I did. I wish I could do more, be better. Perhaps in the future, when so much isn’t happening, perhaps one day I could have the courage to face each of them and apologize properly.I walk to a corner, resting against the wall, wanting to be alone before I read the letter from Kamila. She’s neve
ARTEMIS’ POVI grab her before her body can hit the ground, pressing down on her neck that gushes more blood than I can bear to see. “Sera!” I yell her name, my voice laden with begging and pleading for her to wake up, to look at me, to say something—anything at all. Even if it means her hating me for forcing her into this situation, for not being strong enough, I would gladly take it; she need only say anything.The blood doesn’t stop, and she doesn’t move either; her eyes remain unfocused, staring at nothing without the usual glint of light in them. “Sera, please…” I break into a sob, holding her against me, pressing my cheek against her forehead as a wave of agony overwhelms me. She can’t leave me. I won’t let her."Moon Goddess!" I scream, my voice reaching the sky with tears in my eyes, Sera clutched tightly in my arms. Rage burns like fire in my blood. "You said you chose me to make a difference, you said you wanted the circle to end. None of it would make any s
SERAPHINA’S POVHer hands stretch out, and numerous black hands spring forth from the shadows of everyone else, every person that still remains on the school premises, grabbing onto whomever it comes from and pinning them to the ground, myself included. "I only spared you for a moment because you meant something to her, but if you force my hand, I will find joy in crushing you with my bare hands," she seethes, trembling with anger. The shadow holding me down doubles in pressure, and I feel a few of my ribs breaking under it. It’s only a matter of time before she kills me along with everyone else here, and if she does that, there would be no one else to stop her."Sera, don't!" the scream of a female voice pulls both our attention to the far left. It's Olivia, tied down by her own shadow, trembling and in tears, next to an equally captured Jasper... I thought they had escaped. "Don’t do this, Sera. This isn’t you." Her surprise turns into disgust while facing Olivia now.
ARTEMIS’ POVI'm violently shaken awake by someone, and my eyes open, staring at the gruff, manly face looking down at me with concern—a face I recognize as one of the soldiers on my side. "Your majesty," he cries the second my eyes are open, giving me enough space to sit up. I feel as though I've only woken up from a deep, restful sleep, my body relaxed and fully energized once more, which is confusing for an entity claiming to save me for last after wiping an entire race out.I look around the room, everything being the same aside from Sera’s presence. She’s really gone. I look at the large hole in the wall, at the sky that suddenly seems like a darker red shade with clouds hanging around. It really does look like the end of the world. "Report," I say to the soldier, getting to my feet again. "The witch..." He begins, pausing the second I cast a deathly glare his way. "...I mean the princess managed to change the color of the sky as soon as she left the building, casti
SERAPHINA’S POVI blink my eyes for only a second, and suddenly I'm in a garden with the sun setting, showing that half the day has passed. Half the day just breezed past me without being present, almost as if I’m running through today. I'm startled for a second, not remembering coming here at all. I could have sworn that I was back in the hall accepting my new title just a second ago. Yet, I'm sitting on a bench holding the book in my hands, its skin feeling and looking awfully familiar, as if I’ve had it long before now.“How does it feel being Queen now?” A voice cuts through my train of thought from behind me. I pause and look around, meeting my mother walking towards me in her always slowly paced walks. I’d never seen her run, even in times of distress and emergency, and always wished I could be half as regal and calm as she is. “Mother,” I say, standing to my feet and hugging her for a while. Somehow calling her my mother leaves a feeling of yearning in my heart, des