SERAPHINA’S POVIn a trance, I find my way back to my dorm and don’t realize I have arrived until I'm standing just outside the door. The 15-minute walk here was engulfed with thoughts of the vision, the story of what was, and the premonition of what will be — what I won’t let happen, regardless of what she says. Hatred cannot be passed through generations; I don’t hate the wolves. I could never hate Artemis.I push the door open, filled with exhaustion, expecting to be greeted with an empty bed. Instead, when I walk in, there's Olivia talking with the same person who was just on my mind a second ago. “Artemis?”“Hey,” he smiles, immediately getting up from my bed and coming over to me. He wraps me up in a bear-tight hug, his wide arms encircling me in mere seconds. At first, the sudden embrace catches me off guard, but then his familiar scent envelops me, tenderly drawing me closer. In that moment, I melt into his arms, letting his warmth caress my soul and melt away the frost o
SERAPHINA’S POVWARNING: CHAPTER CONTAINS SCENES OF SELF-HARMI’m petrified for the first few seconds, unable to say or do anything but stand and be horrified by the sight of what I’ve done to him. I swore over and over again that this wouldn’t happen, that no one else would get hurt, and yet I did it. He groans painfully, pulling himself out of the indentation in the wall and dusting off the bits of wall debris clinging to his clothes before he looks at me again, more confused and shocked than ever. I can see the wheels in his head turning, the questions brewing in his mind about what's going on, how and why I suddenly threw him off like that. Questions I have no answer to, and worse, I don't think I can offer any because of the fear of what he might think of me. I’m scared. I’m so scared, Artemis.Hands rest on my shoulders from behind me now, and I freeze in place, feeling the instant chill of her presence, this lady, the guardian of my destiny. "He's judging you right now,"
ARTEMIS’ POV:She pushed me away. Words can’t describe the anguish I’m in, the pain ripping through my chest as I unwillingly relive those seconds again. The look on her face, the fear, the terror I couldn’t understand. And then that whiplash of energy, like a whirlwind. Nothing makes sense anymore, but what I fear the most is the subtle feeling of her withdrawal. I’m losing her bit by bit, and this overwhelming feeling of helplessness chokes me even more. The seconds I’m away from her are like torture; I can’t imagine not being able to hold her ever again. The more I find a way out of this, the more walls I run into, all because of a prophecy that might hold no truth behind it and my father’s overwhelming desire to control me. In a final attempt to salvage something, to reach an agreement, I find myself seeking him first, walking towards his office. Desperation oozes off every hurried step that draws me closer to my destination until I’m standing right in front of it. I kick
SERAPHINA’S POVThe next time I’m conscious, I’m waking up in a room similar to mine but different in so many ways. The amount of pink lights and glitter and paint is enough to make anyone barf their breakfast out, and yet it’s recognizable. But how did I get here? Memories of the last few seconds before I passed out fill my mind, and I sit up too fast, being hit with so much realization at once. The pain in my back stabs the second I stand faster than I should have, and I suck in my breath before the throbbing in my head makes itself known. I feel like utter shit and like I could actually barf right now.“Sera?” I look up and meet familiar faces, Alice and Juliet. It hits me that it was Alice who opened the door before I passed out, and she had probably dragged me back here with all the blood. Both of them run to me, forcing me to lay back down together, and I don’t fight it. I’m too weak or numb to do anything. And when I’m down, they’re both silent, looking at me with pitifu
SERAPHINA’S POVI'm outside, near the bushes and trees surrounding the school, staring at an open flame that burns brightly. The yellow light flickers with vibrant life, and in the center, a small blue flame burns. I imagine the fire would feel warm, as opposed to the much colder evening, and that the wind moving through the leaves would bring a chill with it, but I feel nothing. My heart is frozen over like pure ice. Everything hurts, and yet I feel nothing. I’m numb to the world and all that it offers; my only company is the reverberating darkness in my chest, the hollow feeling of loss.“This is the eighth time… it’s not going to burn; you can’t change what you are,” the spirit appears to me again, referring to the book I stole from The Obsidian Library now beneath the flames. Again, she appears behind me, out of thin air, putting in her opinion without being asked. I kind of preferred the times when she was just a figment of my imagination, hovering around and only being able
SERAPHINA’S POVI look away too fast, forcing air into my lungs and panting hard from not breathing in the last five seconds. I’m not ready to face him, for him to look at me like that while standing next to her. I thought I was, but I’m not. The reality of it hits me too hard, and the pain in my chest becomes more and more unbearable.“Are you okay?” Jasper asks, holding me up so I don’t fall forward, while Juliet pats my back silently, all while I catch my breath. I take a second before I can stand on my own again, and when I do, they're already on the same level with us, talking with some people on the other end of the hall next to King Silvan. His laughter is the loudest, the rest of them just smile, including Artemis. Did he notice me, or was it my imagination?“Maybe we should leave now,” Jasper suggests, but I stop him. “No, I’m seeing this through. I want to be here.” He looks at me, worried and reluctant to give in, but I plead with him with my eyes until he sighs. “Fi
SERAPHINA’S POVThe music stops abruptly in a messy way, and all eyes instantly turn to the brawl happening right on the dance floor in front of me. Faces display shock, horror, and confusion. No one knows what happened, except me. I'm petrified as I watch Artemis attack Lucian like a rabid dog, seemingly out of control. I hadn't thought he was watching, hadn't thought he'd notice or care. But he did.After a few blows straight to Lucian's face, which explodes with vibrant red liquid, I snap out of my reverie, realizing I need to stop him before it gets worse, before he kills Lucian. It looks like he wants to. The look in his eyes, the way he pulls his fist all the way back and swings so violently, seems feral. He's unleashing everything he's felt over the past couple of days on Lucian and more."Artemis..." I take a cautious step forward, but he doesn’t respond, breathing hard like something not human. I catch a glimpse of his eyes, now shifted to bright gold with thin slit iri
ARTEMIS’ POVThe plan for tonight was to play the part of the perfect son.The perfect prince.The perfect fiancé. To deceive the crowd long enough to think that I’d finally given in, that the marriage was really happening, and then not go along with it in the end. It was all to buy more time, to convince Sera to run away with me. Everything was going perfectly well until I saw her.Descending the stairs with Kamila on my arm like a bedazzled accessory, I felt her presence long before our eyes met. I felt it from the fire in my heart, from the wild flames that always came to life whenever she was present. I knew she was there instinctively, and our eyes met easily amidst the thousands of people waiting for us. She shone the brightest, like a dazzling star. The world paused for a moment, and I longed to be where she was, standing right next to her instead of her friends, holding her in my arms so no one else could see her perfection the way I did.I had to hold onto the reigns of c
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