SERAPHINA’S POVThe doctor checks that I’m completely fine an hour later, confirming that my body has successfully accepted the mark.Apparently, there was a possibility of rejection on my part, a rejection that could have left detrimental damages to Artemis and me, and I was lucky that it was accepted without any hiccups.I wouldn’t call it luck, though.Every single bit of nature was on my side, ensuring that it would happen and that we’d be tied together forever. The prophecy, my Astria bloodline, wouldn’t let me die off so easily.But I doubt Artemis guessed all of that. He knew the repercussions, and yet he did it.I can’t help but be angry when I think of it and the violation of trust on his own part. I can’t help but be enraged that he ignored all the warnings I dropped, all just so he could get what he wanted.It hurts, and it’d be best if we don’t see each other for a few hours, maybe until the ceremony tomorrow.Yet, when the doctor leaves the room, and I’m all alone, I find
KAMILA’S POVTonight was supposed to be perfect—the night I've been preparing for my entire life, the very essence of my existence; to become engaged and married to my mate, Artemis, and ascend the throne, finally winning my father's favor.Yet, she had to show up and ruin everything, as always—intruding where she's not wanted and effortlessly stealing Artemis's attention from me, like the wicked temptress she is.I hated the way he chased after her, leaving me to be ridiculed in the middle of the dance floor—stealing the attention that should have been mine at my own engagement party.I hate it to the point that my blood boils as hot as lava.Regardless, it's already too late; the gears have already been set in motion.She had her chance when Artemis chose her over me, but thankfully, father was able to put some sense back into my head before I lost what was rightfully mine to her for good.I would have never been able to forgive myself.Once again, I'm reminded of the dignity I must
SERAPHINA’S POVI count the hours until the next day arrives, and the sun sets for the evening—the time when everything goes down.It was an impromptu shift from a wedding to a mating ritual, but the preparations made beforehand remain, only simply changing the title of the occasion to a Nova Mating Ball.Everyone will still be there to watch me walk down an aisle and officially bond myself to the future king of their pack, despite a few disapprovals.The Nova Mating Ball itself is something that hasn't occurred in recent times, popularly practiced in earlier generations where two wolves would make their bonding known to the world officially, swearing to be with each other.It's like a wedding in many ways, only the titles of "man and wife" aren't used, and with modernization, it became obsolete.The reason for it, instead of an actual wedding, is Silvan's desire to discard me when I'm done being useful, so someone else more worthy for the position of an actual wife and Luna can easil
SERAPHINA’S POVMiss Lucy leaves to join the rest of the guests waiting in the hall after our little chat, which has strengthened my resolve to fight this curse more than ever.I'm standing just outside the hall now, minutes later, staring at the large double doors separating me from everyone else, breathing nervously with sweating palms.I take my time counting breaths so I don't forget to inhale and exhale.Crippled by fear, trembling slightly from what I'm about to face out there, I let myself replay the words I've been offered: "Face your fears, don't run away from them."I chant it a few more times before footsteps distract my train of thought, and I look around to meet King Silvan, dressed beautifully for the occasion.His garb seems more exquisite and expensive than mine, with real gold lacing the white fabric.He looks almost as radiant as the sun with a regal countenance to back it up.Only once our eyes meet and he smiles at me, I can't help but freeze in place, reminding my
SERAPHINA’S POVI can't help shaking as I take his hand and climb onto the altar, not after what I've just witnessed with so many eyes.I'm more nervous, even terrified, of the man standing behind us and watching us carry out his plans perfectly. A part of me is scared for what else he has in store for tonight, even with him being absent."Are you okay?" Artemis whispers to me, the look of worry in his eyes.I take a deep breath.How can I be, after everything that's just happened? I disliked Kamila and her ideologies. We fought most of the time, but once upon a time, we were somewhat friends, at least for a night.And even with her recent betrayals, I never hated her to the point of wishing for whatever happened to happen right in front of me and everyone else like that.It's not her fault that she was tied into a bond that was fake and grew feelings for Artemis, yet she has to pay the price for it, bearing such inevitable pain.I find myself breathing too hard, blaming myself for it
KAMILA’S POV I wake up on a bed. My entire body hurts as if I've been seared by flames hotter than the sun, coupled with the deafening silence echoing from within me. The place where the bond used to occupy, a space I never noticed before, feels like an empty gash expanding with every second I breathe, consuming me entirely. I feel weak, sickly, tired, with no strength in my body. I'm like a husk of what being a werewolf should feel like, barely able to feel a connection with my wolf and panicking with every sensation coursing through my body, every reminder of what has happened and what I have lost. My bond is broken; I was rejected by my own mate, a fate almost as terrible as death, and yet I had to face it. I had to stare at the man who meant the world to me at some point and watch him rip out a piece of me in front of everyone, in front of her. She's finally won me; she finally has everything I always wanted. She's happy while I suffer the aftermath of losing a mate, of bein
SERAPHINA’S POVI snuggle against the warmth of Artemis' body, inhaling the natural scent that oozes off his skin, an intoxicating and addictive musk.It feels so good to smell him, touch him, drowning in the coziness of his close proximity that fills me with a strong sense of comfort. It’s like my first taste of safety in days, and I never want to let go of it.He's like the wooliest, comfiest sweater personified.It could be the natural pull between us or our strengthened bond; whatever it is, I let the feeling engulf me completely, surrendering to the primal need.His fingers run through my hair, brushing through my scalp in soft, soothing motions that lull me in and out of sleep every few minutes until the car we're in comes to a sudden halt, seizing the vibrations.The car is taking us to Artemis' birth home, the place of our Moon Fête, or however King Silvan put it.It's a honeymoon meant for werewolves, a magical escape from the ordinary, where the newly mated couple can bask i
SERAPHINA’S POVI feel my consciousness jolt back into my body with a sudden start, and I sit up too fast, breathing hard and feeling sweat dripping down my back.I just had a nightmare, the details vague but the symptoms clear: the lingering fear clouding my thoughts, the pounding in my chest, and the rushed breathing that always accompanies nightmares.My panicking eyes search desperately around me, fearing I might still be reliving the moment.Then, I see Artemis crouching over me, holding my arms while searching my face with equal desperation."Are you okay?" he asks, gripping my arm until my eyes focus fully on his face.Worry etches into his features, creasing his brows, and he's breathing just as hard. I can hear his heart pulsing as fast as mine, a shared reaction from our bond.I can sense his frantic thoughts, trying to figure out what's wrong with me.In a way, his touch helps my mind relax, reminding me where I am and who I'm with. Once I'm settled, I can breathe again, pa
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