SERAPHINA’S POVMore than five minutes have passed since I’ve been locked inside here and most of my panicking has subsided by now.So, I made a mistake and trusted Lucian, big whoop, life goes on. It still stings a bit in my chest, but I know it’s the last time I’m ever going to let myself be fooled like this.I pace back and forth, biting on my nail and trying to figure out my next line of action because one thing is for sure, I definitely can’t stay here - not while my chance to revolutionize this school is almost at hand.I look to the windows as an option but then, I remember that stepping out through it would mean plummeting from a tall building and meeting my eventual demise from the fall.That’s not an option.I contemplate more, staring all through the room until my eyes make contact with a vent high-up on the walls, on the other side of the room.Only goddess knows where it leads to, but it’s my only option. As long as it leads me out of this room, then I’m fine with it.I d
SERAPHINA’S POV An hour later and Artemis has been announced the winner of today’s section, which was already expected.Despite his cruel personality, he still has many talents to back up his claim to the throne as the next Alpha King.The crowd has long cleared, and I remain back on my own, sitting at the edge of the stage silently with myself.The endpoint of today strangely doesn’t shock me as much as I thought it would. Perhaps a part of me knows I was being delusional when I thought I could really do this.I guess the only part I didn’t anticipate was being locked in a room and having to crawl through a rat-infested vent just to escape.Then there’s that vision I had in the heat of the tournament. The memory of burning buildings and the smell of death still lingers with me like it had been a real experience for me. My hands still tremble when the blazing red eyes of the wolf comes to my mind.It’s like I had actually been there, along with the fear of impending doom inside me,
ARTEMIS’ POV“What was that all about?” Jasper asks, tuning to me once she’s stomped out of the room and slammed the door shut behind him her.“Hell if I know.” I respond, hiding my own annoyance.Just what is it with that human girl?She’s completely weak and helpless, yet she doesn’t know when to just fucking accept the help she can get.She was beaten down and late, yet she climbed onto the stage only to embarrass herself further. Who the fuck does that?Why is she so hell bent on acting tough and unbothered and cries the second things don’t go her way?I will never understand the way she thinks and how she processes what happens around her, and I don’t even want to understand any of it, yet it pisses me the hell off.That girl that has little to no charm whatsoever, yet she plays these games on me – yet she draws out my darkest desires and makes me want to do things I shouldn’t. I bet she’s fully aware of what she’s doing, always feigning innocence instead of owning up to it.“You
SERAPHINA’S POVWith a determination and driven vigor, I tighten the laces on my boots, tying a bow twice and tucking the loose thread into my shoes to avoid any possible mishaps that could arise with them out.With another huff again, I secure my shoulder guards fixed to my outfit.Day 2 of the tournament and I’m completely focused on getting it right this time. No more half-assing or letting anything else get in my way.Unlike the previous competition, today’s event involves mostly survival skills and wits, with each participate kept in a maze with various obstacles.I like to think that my rough upbringing has equipped me for today to an extent.“You sure you’re okay, Sera?” Olivia asks for the third time since she’s come to help me get ready for it.She hands me a metal chest plate for extra protection before it begins. Unlike everyone else partaking, I have to get extra geared up because of my much lesser durability in the face of danger.A gash for a wolf would heal in a day top
SERAPHINA’S POVAt the sound of the buzz, I run right into the maze, picking an entrance the same as everyone else.I’m immediately greeted by high walls that I couldn’t possibly climb onto to see the end of the maze - the walls standing at almost 20 feet high.I run though the path, coming into a two-way path and choosing the left.Honestly, I have no idea what I’m doing but I imagine after trying every possible path, I would happen across the exit.But in the meantime, I have another objective.The sight of a chest sitting against the wall draws my attention and I immediately run for it, pulling it open.Apart from the fundamental rule of the game stating one only wins when they successfully leave, there were other ways to boost your points while in the maze and it was in the form of tokens that gave points.Chests were hidden within the maze with trinkets, raging from bronze, silver and gold - gold having the highest points, three, and bronze having just one.I’ve already flunked a
SERAPHINA’S POVI don’t know how long I’ve been down here, but I can roughly guess it’s been almost thirty minutes by now.Thirty minutes of fading in and out of consciousness while the blazing sun manages to seep into the ditch and burn my skin.At this point, I don’t even know if the tournament is still on but right now, it’s the least of my worries. I may or may not be rescued by anyone anytime soon, meaning I have to figure this shit out.I try again for the third time since falling in here to sit up. My back hurts insanely but I push through it, commanding my muscles to contract and push myself up into a sitting position. I’m successful but that’s how far I can go on my own. Even now, my body still trembles due to how weak my muscles are.I’m tempted to accept to my fate until I hear footsteps again.Could it be the girl from earlier? Or maybe it’s another player walking by. I wonder if it’d be wise to call out for help, not knowing if I’d be helped or ignored.And for the brief
SERAPHINA’S POVFrom what I’ve gathered from the previous tournament, Artemis and I made it to the finals - which is a shocker.Him with 58 points, and I with 27- everyone else was beaten down with their points stolen.The situation perfectly explains the glares I received as soon as it was made known that I would be moving to the next round and while I still don’t want to believe that Artemis had a hand in all of this, it’s highly likely.That boy is an enigma I can’t seem to categorize because of his inconsistencies. Is he an asshole, or a wounded soul?Even now while I stand in front of the last task before a winner is decided, numerous eyes stare at me shamelessly.The pressure in the air around is almost unbreathable.However, I’m used to all of it at this point. Instead of bothering, I sigh, leaning back against Olivia as she massages the knots in my shoulders. She’s been obsessed with my well-being ever since I came back bruised and battered last time.“Yeah, right there.” I s
KAMILA’S POV(FROM A FEW HOURS EARLIER)“Remember, this weekend, my cousin from Starlight pack is visiting and wants to see the both of us.” I say to my mate while we wait for the final event of this tournament to begin.The sun is extremely hot outside today, yet students gather in numbers to watch the game and honestly, I don’t see the point to any of this - the incessant need to engage in pointless activities that adds no value to one’s skills or gains them any type of useful connection in the Wolfdom.Why waste an afternoon riding a boat when you can be studying on important things like pack politics and how each member of the council holds power in what region of the pack?However, my mate seems to enjoy such pointless activities such as this, even going as far as making it an annual thing amongst the boys.Right now, his eyes are directed at me but I can easily tell he’s thinking about something else, even while our hands are intertwined.“We also have that date next week Friday
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