SERAPHINA’S POVThe place where our connection rests, close to my heart, turns ice cold instantly, and pain suddenly ripples through every bit of my body. I scream in agony, falling forward and onto my knees, trembling from pain that melts everything in my body yet freezes my heart into hard ice, coughing and wheezing for air while vomiting nothing but bile from my stomach. It hurts horribly, feeling something die so gruesomely from within me… until it doesn’t, and then I feel nothing… I don’t feel the mate bond. I don’t feel Artemis. I only feel a void so deep, so devastatingly dark and endless, swirling inside me.“You feel it, don’t you?” Gideon asks, standing over me, staring down with contempt. “…you feel what it is to lose your mate.” Nothing he’s saying makes sense, even while my world spins. I look at Artemis again, not moving. Why isn’t he moving…? This can’t be the end. Isn’t there some kind of werewolf thing that can mend his heart back?Artemis can’t be
ARTEMIS’ POVI'm floating in an abyss of nothingness, my consciousness no more than a stranded soul with nowhere to go and no place to return to, my existence but a distant memory of who and what I was, what I was fighting for. I feel and see nothing except the heavy feeling of regret and loss, like a dark hole inside me that only seems to grow with every moment. I don't remember anything except a desire to fight, to protect something precious, and a single promise to someone I loved.A light appears in front of me, beckoning my spirit to draw closer, to rest and let go of all my worries, of every single one of my desires, and to find peace. The light, emanating nothing but peace and happiness, something I've yearned for more than anything, engulfs me whole as I reach for it, shining as bright as the sun. Blinded by it, I close my eyes until it subsides, and when my eyes open again, a new presence stands in front of me, a woman adorned in white light as if a garment, her eye
ARTEMIS’ POVBoth her hands come up in surrender. “Relax… please,” she says, trembling with a hint of fear in her eyes yet with a little softness. She hangs her head low the next second. “I was trying to save your life; that’s why you’re here. Though I didn’t think it would work. Your heart was gone,” she says, a hint of disbelief in her voice and the way she stares at me like I'm some ghost. Even she wasn’t expecting me to be alive, and truly, all of it feels strange. The sudden energy in my blood, the sensitivity of my eyes and ears picking up the slightest sensations quickly. I can feel the change, doubting if I truly am a Lycan or if I was just dreaming the whole encounter.“I don’t need saving, especially not from you,” I say, rushing to get up before the pain from my wound hits hard. I wince from the pain, unknowingly grabbing too hard at the headrest of the bed frame. It shatters with ease in my grasp from the little force, crumbling like sand. I stare at my han
ARTEMIS’ POVI gently drop her thin, cold, lifeless wrist by her side, brush a lock of hair away from her face, and stare at her for a moment. Long enough to feel too much and to wonder what could have been. If I had been nicer to her, if I had helped her fully escape the influence of her father and realize her own self-worth. If we could have been real actual friends, simply existing side by side as comrades, what would it have been like? I clench my fist, turning away from her. It’s too late now, and there’s no more time to wonder and regret. Sera’s in grave danger, and every moment I spend wallowing in the what-ifs is a moment more she spends in that hellhole. I allow myself to dwell in the pain of her death and my regrets before I move forward, deciding the time to mourn could come once all of this is over. Once I make Gideon pay for all his inhumane crimes. I make a solemn promise to her lifeless form to take him down and bow my head forward before I walk towards the
SERAPHINA’S POVI am nothing… nothing but a pound of flesh, an offering meant to strengthen the enemy and bring more suffering to the remnants of a world that once meant everything to me. I lack the strength and the will to shed even a single tear; I dare not cry for myself, for the end that looms ominously close, nor do I mourn for those I've inadvertently harmed by merely existing, by believing I had any right to the breaths drawn from the universe. I exist in silence, awaiting my tragic conclusion.All I feel is Grendaline, like a restless soul hovering around me, basking me in warmth that desperately tries to reach a heart I no longer possess. Though she does not speak, I feel her—her fretting and sadness, her worry for me when there's no point. I was never a good witch, despising what I was whenever the opportunity presented itself, fleeing from the power in my blood. Then again, I was never a good person either, bringing death wherever I went, ruining the lives of ever
DARK SERAPHINA’S POV .After 500 years of waiting, of anguish and hunger, it has finally come to an end. Now, we possess flesh and power, energy far surpassing that ever wielded by a witch, and flesh to exist in the mortal realm again. As she falls into a deep slumber, tucked away in the back of her subconscious, giving us full reign over her, the body and magic become completely ours. The blade strikes forward but shatters into a hundred pieces before it can break our flesh, and an energy wave pushes the wolf and everything around us backward, blowing out the candles as well. The flimsy trinket on our wrist shatters, unable to contain our power any longer."Impossible!" he stands again, staring back with horror and confusion. "You aren't supposed to be able to do anything. I bound your worthless magic... I killed your mate!" He screams, like a child throwing a tantrum from not having his way.Instead of responding, we display our power, rising from the altar, levitating of
SERAPHINA’S POV "Wake up, princess," a high-pitched feminine voice cuts into my comfortable sleep, tugging me back and forth. Yet, I don't remember falling asleep, and the realization has me waking up with a start, sitting up abruptly and breathing hard. "Good morning, princess. Rise and shine..." greets a woman with the same voice, her short silver hair and green eyes complemented by a wide smile as she moves towards the window. She pulls the curtain open, casting the sun's vibrant light into the entire room—a large, vast space I don't recall entering, furnished with a wonderfully soft bed. My clothes have been replaced with garments of the softest, richest silk. Now, she approaches me, moving to touch me until I recoil, terrified. "Who are you?" I ask, then glance around. "Where am I?" "Who am I?" she echoes, her puzzled look momentarily seeming almost offended, her brow raised. She draws closer, and I instantly panic, pulling back until I hit my back against the grand headbo
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
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