ARTEMIS’ POVFor once, the boys’ dorm is dead quiet, and the only sounds that fill the night are from my footsteps echoing across the empty hallways and the relentless pounding of my heart. It’s been minutes since I’d left Kamila in my room, and although I’d convinced myself that a breath of fresh air was what I needed, I’ve soon realized that the choked-up atmosphere follows me wherever I go, eating up my sanity.Being in that room with Kam or standing out here makes no difference, because the one thing I need to get away from is myself. The storm lies within me, so does the darkness and the rage. For once, I wonder if the goddess is the ironic villain in our story – maybe she’s having the time of her life just watching us fight and hurt each other. I bet she had her popcorn out just few minutes ago. That’s the most logical concept as to why we’re mates. Many times, I’d doubted if the bond actually existed but trust me, I’d felt it. It came to be from the first time I’d met Kamila
SERAPHINA POVArtemis should know better than to keep his enemy close – close enough to see all his weaknesses, his blind spots, and knowing exactly where to strike. 31 days is more than enough to give that jerk what he deserves.I just need to let him ‘own’ me, or better yet, make him think he does.Just before I head to school this morning, I branch to the boy’s dormitory, standing just outside the door that leads in, waiting for Artemis.It’s the last thing I want to do, and I never imagined I would be in this situation, waiting for my bully and the bane of my existence like this.Sadly, it’s all possible due to the stupid rules in school – but this time, it just might work in my favor.Even the fact that I have to wear this dog chain in the form of a pretty necklace with his initials makes it worse, reminding me every moment that I’m bound to him for a month.It’s just for one month, Sera – one month that I could make the most of.Minutes pass and a few other guys walk by, headed
SERAPHINA’S POV“On a second thought, it’s not free.” I say, pointing to the chair he’s on.The last thing I need is another over-entitled asshole taking up the only few hours I get away from the other asshole that keeps taking me wherever he is.“Really? I didn’t see anyone on it, and you said it was free a second ago.”He smiles softly, tilting his head to the side. His eyes simply say I know what you’re playing at and I’m not buying it.I scoff, turning away from him If he’s going to insist on sitting right beside me, then fine. I’ll just completely ignore him for the rest of the class.That is what I think until class finally begins.A student model from another class volunteers to be drawn by everyone, and he wastes no time taking off his shirt and flexing his muscles. A few girls swoon instantly at his exposed abs, rating his looks while immediately get into it.I select my base color first, dipping my brush in a mixture of red and off-white paint before pressing it against my
ARTEMIS’ POVThe sight of this bastard touching Seraphina, touching something of mine, sets me off and I didn’t realize when I’d acted on my own. Now, he dares to taunt me with such a brazen look on his face.Someone as two-faced as him is only able to look me squarely in the eyes because of the pity my family has had for him and the rank my own father had bestowed. He’s as deceptive as they come, and yet no one can see it. I know his true colors better than anyone else, even if he tries to paint the whole school white with his disgusting righteous act, I know Lucian. The real Lucian.My irritation boils over and my fist clenches, going straight to smack him square in the face rightfully. I don’t care about the possible consequences from Father once he finds out I struck my own Beta. His beloved replacement for me.I’m just about to wipe that annoying grin off his face, and maybe break a tooth while I’m at it, when Sera jumps right in front of me with both her hands stretched out and
SERAPHINA’S POVI arrive at the cafeteria just minutes after the bell has rang, joining the line leading up to the various options of meals splayed out like a buffet, while dragging my feet on the ground.My mood is still sour from both encounters with Lucian and Artemis.Lucian treating me like a hopeless and helpless cause, and Artemis thinking he can dictate every part of my life, even down to who I talk to. What is even wrong with him?Without his threat, I doubt I would have considered even talking to Lucian ever again, but he didn’t have to say it that way, bossing me around, making me really feel like I am a slave.That’s what the agreement entails though; me having to answer to him even if I don’t like it, or I leave school like a coward.I angrily scoop the rice into my plate, taking three full scoops and filling a section before moving ahead again for some sauce to go with it, slamming it onto my plate roughly.My entire day just keeps getting messier, just like this plate o
SERAPHINA’S POVMy mind still lingers on Olivia even while I leave her for the office.I can’t help but worry, feeling guilty for leaving her alone when she clearly shouldn’t have been left by herself even though she insisted it.Her reaction seemed too strong just for finding out I am nominated, which leads me to think there’s something else that she doesn’t want to say.Arriving at the office, there’s already a small crowd waiting just outside and ready to be addressed. I assume that they’re nominated candidates just like I am and go closer to join them, just in time for the door to open and who I assume is the secretary steps out.“Good afternoon, I’m sure you all know why you’ve been summoned here.”A hearty mumbling from the small crowd confirms her statement before she sighs, continuing and reading each word from a note in her hands.“You’ve each been nominated by your fellow students as possible candidates for special seats in the Black Wolf Student Council and will be asked to
SERAPHINA’S POV:At the end of my final class, I walk out the door just after the final bell and find Artemis standing there, waiting for me.The usual grin on his face is absent, replaced by a depressing straight-look, like something is wrong…but I’m uninterested by itI’m still mad at him for being an asshole earlier.“Hey.” He says, and I only respond with a nod. I would ignore him, but I’m not in a position to.This time around, humpty and dumpty aren’t tagging along with him, and it seems to just be him and I.“We had an agreement. You don’t leave my side unless it’s important.” He points out.The truth is that I did try to avoid him when there was no class to hold me back in, dodged him the rest of the day because I couldn’t stand it for a second longer. Plus, the insane amount of attention he draws just by being around me is insane.I say nothing after his accusation, not even meeting his eyes.He sighs, finally running his fingers though his hair.“I’ll let it slide for today,
SERAPHINA’S POV“Olive!” I cry out with relief, never being so happy to see her in my life.She drops the lamp in her hands quickly, rushing to pull this sack of bones and meat off me. In a few seconds, she’s successful in rolling him off and I can sit up again.I waste no time hugging her, and she does the same thing too, engulfing me in a tight embrace.I don’t know what to feel right now. I’ve been assaulted countless times, but I can’t seem to shake off the fact that if she wasn’t outside, something terrible could have happened to me.The thought pushes me to hold her tighter, and I finally notice how badly her body trembles in mine as well.The hands clutching me tightly with warmth and comfort shake and tremble, and it’s not from the cold. I hear her breaths coming in shaky while she breathes deeply.I pull away to look at her, noticing the tears gathering in her eyes now.“Are you okay? Why were you outside?” I whisper to her.There’s no response on her end, only silence and s