ARTEMIS’ POVAgain and again, they try to convince me, showering me with words of praise for my performance, showing their gratitude for the presence I’ve graced them with, and ending every sentence with 'reconsider.'It makes me wonder if this approach has always worked with my father. A few words of praise, some flattery, and he would simply cave to their demands.I wouldn't be surprised.He’s always been the type to go soft over vain things that tickle his fancy, as long as he receives the reverence he desires from his subjects.But I don't give in, choosing not to ignore the clear discrimination just to please them. I ponder how this case would have ended if Sera and I hadn't intervened when we did.Finally, they give up, walking away and grumbling silently.Mr. Franklin steps forward towards me once the path is clear, a look of gratitude on his face.“I want to give my thanks again. You have no idea what you've done for my family and people. We've faced years of biased treatment
SERAPHINA’S POVI stare down at Artemis's sleeping face, resting on my thighs, running my fingers through his soft and silky black hair. It feels impossibly light and soft as I trace my fingers gently across the lines of his face.I can’t help but feel bad for him, having to hear about his mother’s condition from someone else, and from none other than Kamila’s father, no less, while his own father kept such important news from him.In the end, we made a call to find out she’s stable now, but he still seemed to be in a state of shock. The look of pain on his face tortured me.I wish I could take away a portion of it or perhaps understand even a fraction of it.Having a mother and watching her remain in a vegetative state all your life – in a way, it sounds more torturous than not having one or knowing yours didn’t want you.I guess there's a sense of certainty in knowing, rather than wondering if your mother loved you.He, however, is forced to watch on, forever hoping, wondering what
SERAPHINA’S POVI reach out and knock three times on the familiar door that has been my home for the majority of my life, pulling away and nervously tucking my hands back into my pockets.Everything at the orphanage remains almost as it always was; the shape and size of it, the smell of wet sand, the never-ceasing breeze, the rustling of the willow trees around.I do notice some subtle changes, like the tiled roads leading up to the building, which used to be a muddy path dotted with puddles where children would play during rainy days.There’s the entirely new roof, replacing the old one we kept patching up with leftover wood from the furniture shops down the road, and the newly planted flower beds surrounding the house.It’s home, but a newly improved version of the home I grew up in.I’m grateful for these changes, more so knowing the smile they must have put on Miss Lucy’s face as she watched them come together, easing years of worry about the house falling apart or flooding.I’m e
SERAPHINA’S POVMy heart pounds with emotions, staring at what's in front of me: this little box that holds the potential secrets to who I am and where I come from.Answers I’ve always been desperate to run away from, that I’m now forced to face. I'm filled with anxiety, yet there's a bit of trepidation about the varying possibilities of what I could find here.Taking a deep breath, I begin to dig into it.First, there's my mint-green blanket with fraying ends, the fabric showing its age. Clearly, it was knitted by someone with menial handiwork, yet I imagine a family member, perhaps.I drop it aside, revealing everything else.The dress I wore the day I was left behind, accompanied by bright red, sewn-up shoes. A little brown teddy bear, covered with a layer of filth that makes it seem a deeper shade of gray.A storybook with the last five pages ripped out, and stacks and stacks of old newspapers added to give it bulk.My heart sinks instantly. There’s not even a single keepsake or
SERAPHINA’S POV“I can’t get my hands off you.” He confesses.“Then don’t.”His knee goes up to spread my legs apart and press against my aching core, tempting me to grind against him.And I do, like a sex-crazed whore.I grind my hips back and forth, scratching at the itch between my thighs that pushes me to the brink of insanity.He kisses my neck, then stops at my mark, grazing his teeth while flicking my nipples at the same time.The combination hits too hard.A low, animalistic growl escapes his lips, and suddenly, he lifts me, his hands wrapping around my ass and squeezing firmly, pulling a moan from me.Then, he gently places me on the creaky old furniture stored among the brooms. I whimper from fright, confused by the new position, until I feel something hard poking at my belly, subtly grinding against me.Artemis presses his hard length against me, then continues tracing, sucking, with his wet tongue over my chest, picking up from where he stopped.As he unclasps my bra, free
ARTEMIS’ POVHer body flops in my hands after another orgasm erupts out of her, and she thrashes around. For a moment, I panic, scared that I've hurt her in some way.The light rise and fall of her chest lets me know that she's fallen asleep, likely from exhaustion. I pushed her too hard on her first time, indulging myself repeatedly to satisfy my own desire when I should have been more considerate.Despite her insistent demands, I should have controlled myself, eased her into the pace and frequency gradually, not acted like some sex-deprived nymphomaniac.Guilt washes over me as I gaze at her, peacefully asleep with her lips slightly ajar and the bite marks scattered across her neck. Yet, even now, a new desire swells within me, a yearning to devour her completely.I can never get enough of her; mere sex will never suffice.I desire her to the point of madness, straining my self-control as I stare at her. It takes everything in me to stop here, to dress her again and step out of the
SERAPHINA’S POVMy eyes fly open suddenly, and I'm breathing hard and fast, as if I hadn't been breathing just a few seconds ago. I sit up too quickly, immediately regretting the abrupt movement.My body feels both heavy and light simultaneously.Every joint, where bones meet tendons and ligaments, aches terribly, pulsing with pain. I'm left wondering how I managed to fall asleep so soundly, given the discomfort.The sheer weight of exhaustion answers that question perfectly.I groan, the remnants of sleep slowly leaving my eyes as I toss and turn on a bed that seems less comfortable today. It feels almost like I'm lying on a hard floor.Then, I turn onto a surface that's warmer, that feels like skin — smooth, soft, and so comforting. It carries an addictive scent that drives me insane yet feels strangely consoling, making me want to sink into it, maybe even live in it forever, if possible.Gradually, my mind begins piecing together the fragmented memories.I don't recall falling asle
Artemis laughs, a low sexy chuckle. “Let’s have this conversation another morning when you hadn’t just passed out the night before. Now...” His eyes go back to the Astria book, and his expression turns curious. “I’ve always wondered, since I knew. What does it feel like being one? A witch. How did you find out?"I pull back and pause, hating that he’s not having it right now, but also considering his question."I don't know... It doesn't really feel different, well, unless I'm using my powers. Then it feels like a surge of energy rushing through my blood. In those moments, I feel lighter, freer, in my element.""That sounds similar to what it feels like to shift into a wolf. I feel stronger and more in tune with myself than ever. Almost like it's what I'm supposed to be most time," he reflects."Yeah, it's a rush of euphoria."If shifting was normal for wolves, then using power and magic must be normal for an Astria — a way to express and be what they were born to be. And I haven’t be
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