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
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