SERAPHINA’S POVAfter a few more days of handling affairs in place of King Silvan, who was missing in action, our one-week honeymoon was finally over.It meant returning to our mundane lives at school.Part of me feels sad about leaving the large, extravagant house, yet I also miss everyone else: Jasper, Alice, Juliet, Gabe, and especially Olivia.It feels like ages since we last spoke, and the circumstances of our parting were so different from now.Back then, I was resigned, ready to flee, dragging myself to an engagement party, resigned to my fate. Now, I'm Artemis' mate, a proud Astria witch still figuring out who she is but no longer scared of her fate.There's been so much growth and acceptance these past few days. I feel like a completely new person.Another new aspect of my life is our living arrangement.Courtesy of King Silvan, Artemis and I will be staying together—roommates, technically. It's a statement to those against our union, showing our connection. So now, I'm suppo
SERAPHINA’S POV What was Olivia's brother like? What were his hopes and dreams? What did he sound like when he laughed or when he was angry? Was he kind or distant? These are things that, had I known them, might have made me feel more, be as broken as she is in front of me. But I don’t. Rather, I wasn’t interested in knowing. I swallow hard, unable to speak, defend myself, or argue why I care about her, and how she might have misunderstood the entire situation. What could I possibly say after hearing such news? Her tears, long held back, break free, and she crumbles into a sob that shakes her entire body. I want to take her pain away, or at least share in her grief, but I can't. I will never truly understand. “He died two nights after you were gone, while I was waiting for a message or call from you, worrying about if you were safe and okay,” she says bitterly. “I wanted to tell you—I would have if you'd even bothered to see if I was okay.” “I’m so sorry.” More tears spill from
SERAPHINA’S POVLying in bed at 3 AM, I find myself thinking, "Well, this escalated quickly."One moment, I'm just your average student navigating the life of the only human in a werewolf high school, and the next, I'm in this grand suite that screams luxury, mated to no other but the same asshole Alpha prince I hated and swore to kill.Do you know a few of the lower school staff had called me Princess Seraphina yesterday? It's almost like we've been whisked away to an exclusive side of the school that I'm pretty sure was marked 'For Royal Use Only' or 'In Case Artemis Gets Mated'.And here we are, thanks to King Silvan's grand plan, probably living in what was the backup lounge for Artemis and Kamila.I glance at Artemis, sleeping next to me, oblivious to my wide-eyed wonder at our surroundings.We moved into this opulent world with the help of Jasper, but really, it was the King's team that had set up everything. They've decked out this place with everything but a throne room.Hone
SERAPHINA’S POVI leave his office feeling so many things: confused, furious, apprehensive.The negative thoughts running around my head aren't making things better for me.This school was always famed for its traditions, its standing, and all that bull crap, but coming here, meeting people, having my life threatened severally without the school really doing much about it or offering compensation... all of it has led me to believe that it's all been just a ruse.This place isn't perfect, not at all, and worse, the people running it—King Silvan and the Administrator—it's all their fault.They’re the root of this evil.I'm distraught as I walk down the hallway, clenching my fists on both my sides, filled with anger and wishing I could bury my face in Artemis’ chest to feel less pained about everything.“Seraphina?” I pause in my steps, turning around to whoever called out my name, hoping it's not another new admirer trying to be friends, thinking because I am with Artemis, I could repla
SERAPHINA’S POV"Artemis?" I say, my voice laced with rushed, strained breaths, looking at him like he's a ghost materialized in front of me.Could this be another hallucination, designed to mess with my mind, to tip me over the edge, to expose my identity and ruin me? But the feeling of his presence, so close, so real, quickly dispels those fears.The negativity that had clouded my mind melts away like butter in a hot pan, and suddenly, I can breathe more easily.Without hesitation, I rush to him, wrapping my arms around him, grateful for his solid, reassuring presence - like a lifeline."Are you okay? You look tired and stressed, you're sweating," he observes, his arms wrapping me the moment I embrace him, his hand rising to feel my forehead, checking for a fever.The cool touch of his hand is soothing."I felt that you were in distress," he says softly."I'm fine," I mutter, holding onto him for support, for grounding. "Better now that you're here."He's silent for a moment, visibl
SERAPHINA’S POVI collapse into his arms the moment the energy ceases, a wave of exhaustion washing over me, weighing down my aching muscles. He immediately wraps his warm jacket around me, holding me close.I lean into him, and he supports me until I can steady myself on my own two feet."How do you feel?" he asks, concern etching his features.I groan, looking up into his worried face."Better?"He frowns, worry clear in his expression."It was her, wasn't it? The strange entity pushing you to fulfill the prophecy and end my race, the one creeping into your mind.""Yeah, it was her," I admit, and his frown deepens."I thought my being around you was keeping her at bay, at least to an extent. You almost lost control just now.""Yeah, for the most part," I agree, equally confused by her sudden violent appearance. Thinking back, I realize, "When we talked about Cyrus, everything went haywire, almost as if she's infuriated."She’s always angry, always thirsting for vengeance.The animos
SERAPHINA’S POVWe ride into school just as it's ending, minutes after the final bell. I watch the crowd slowly disperse, like ants returning to their nest after scavenging for food.A twinge of guilt mixes with relief that it's over and I've missed every bit of it.Attending school feels like a more serious challenge when your life is falling apart.Thankfully, we're almost there.I can sense it's nearly over, this quest for knowledge of my history and where I come from. It's almost within reach.My life will finally return to the mundane, typical life of a teenage girl once I find my mother and put the prophecy behind us.Yet, amidst that excitement, I feel something else.Artemis steps out and reaches for my hand, opening my door. Lost in thought, I take it and step out.“I need to do something first before we go back,” I say to him, offering a small smile.He gazes into my eyes, nods, and lets me go.I quickly walk to the school grounds, covering the distance in a few minutes, and
SERAPHINA’S POVThe streets are rougher and busier as we move through them, dust rising from the roads and filling the air. Shoulders constantly bump into me in this thick crowd.I get it, though; I'm small compared to them, so I'm not easily noticed unless brushed against. Yet, no one stops to apologize, like uncivilized apes.I try not to let it get to me, focusing on the mission, until I almost topple over. Artemis grabs my hand to hold me up."Are you okay?""Yeah," I reply, dusting my shoulder and glaring at the person who just walks by.Artemis's eyes follow, probably calculating how long it would take to rough him up in a corner.I see it and hold onto his arm, repeating with a softer look on my face, "I’m fine."He lets it go."Stay close, we could get separated," he warns, facing forward again.Almost as if on cue, like some sick, twisted joke by the universe, I'm brushed against again, twice, stumbling forward and falling on my butt.Scrambling to my feet, I dodge through a