SERAPHINA’S POV:(TRIGGER WARNING: GRAPHIC VIOLENCE)I take deep breaths after letting all those words out without pause.Numerous eyes peer at me silently, watching me, and for a second, I feel as though I’ve blown my chance with that cheesy speech, but the two that argued against me before begin clapping.Soon, the small crowd joins in as well, clapping and applauding for the speech I half-assed on the spot.Relief feels me, and my tensed shoulders finally slump.Somehow, I did it.“You did it.” Juliet squeals from behind me, clapping and jumping as well, all excited and pleased by the outcome of everything. I can’t help but laugh.“That was a close call.” Juliet comments now.“You think? Next time, I prefer to be warned prior before I have to make a speech in front of so many students.”“Does this mean you accept us as your campaign team?”“Do I have a choice?”“Yay!” They exclaim with joy, again showing how much the decision pleases them.I chuckle at their victory dance. Holding
ARTEMIS’ POV:The usual vibrant lunchtime atmosphere around the table has grown dull and cold. Jasper and Ace remain unnaturally silent, not daring to utter a single word. With Kamila's arrival, the tension seems to have heightened even further.But she behaves herself this time, simply sitting between Seraphina and I, wrapping her arm around mine silently until our food gets delivered to us by lower grade students.We dig into lunch, but my eyes remain fixated on Sera, passing glances at her from where I am.She tosses her food around with a fork while a frown remains etched between her eyebrows.Is she still mad at me from yesterday? All because I told her not to speak to Lucian?The more she reacts this way toward me, the more it irks me, wondering just what kind of relationship they have for her to be so affected.I bent over backward to give her the space she needed, and what do I get in return? A cold attitude the moment we cross paths again.I treat her in ways I wouldn’t with
SERAPHINA’S POV:Finally, I have a peaceful moment to myself after running into countless unavoidable and dramatic situations all week.The library is the perfect place to spend free periods, and on days like this, I’m grateful for the gaps in my schedule, especially when they fall on days when I really need them.I haven’t been able to read that mysterious book I swiped from Artemis’ room - a chance hasn’t presented itself. From the moment I took it, I was attacked, partially traumatized and thrown into election activities before being threatened and subjected to those assholes at lunch. Not a moment was given to even wonder about its contents, but now I can.I find the perfect and least populated area far in the back, behind heaps of shelves in a section least explored. The thick red book weighs heavily in my hands while I sit on the floor, folding my legs to myself and rubbing my palms together with anticipation.I either realize there’s nothing special about it, or that the words
SERAPHINA’S POV“It was at a party with some of my…other friends – well, we’re not friends anymore but back then, we were. Judith made us all go together and an hour in, we were separated. I didn’t know anyone there, so I went outside for some cold air and that where I met them – Morgan and his friends. I’d already heard the rumors of how he was sadistic, how he’d always force girls into doing…depraving things for his sick entertainment, and he just…watches. He never touches them though, but his friends…” She pauses, taking deep labored breaths now.I can already sense the dark turn her story is about to take, but I say nothing, not wanting to interrupt her. I try to offer her a small sense of comfort by gently patting on her back as she speaks.“T-They cornered me, all half drunk and slurring on their words, but they wanted to have some fun, and I declined, already terrified. T-They forced me to do all sorts of things while they videoed. I begged them to delete it but for weeks, they
SERAPHINA’S POVRaising a brow, I watch as he waves the movie in his hands, a smile plastered on his face. He looks like an excited kid, trying to hold back the underlying urge to chuckle. “A horror movie? That’s your punishment?”“Why? You scared of a little horror?” He asks, walking over to his laptop and putting the flash drive in, setting everything up and pausing to look at me.“Or were you expecting something riskier and more devious?” He winks at me mischievously, and I roll my eyes, ignoring the second statement.“I eat and breathe horror. It’s the best genre in my opinion.” I say as a fact, walking closer to the stack of duvet and sitting on it.It’s surprisingly comfortable.“Oh, wow. The human girl isn’t scared of demons and zombies. I’m impressed.” He comments with a light chuckle, turning to me, actually surprised by my answer.A little bit of pride washes through me before I shake it off. Not like I need his praise to feel like a big shot.Who cares if he thinks it’s co
SERAPHINA’S POVI can’t believe I let it get that far, succumbing to desires of the flesh. I blame it all on my lack of a dating history.Yeah, that’s probably why my body reacts that way just from his touch. I’m a horny 18-year-old virgin. Sue me.My own heart pounds faster, and the room feels too hot that I fan myself with my hand, just to feel a little bit of breeze.The next time I turn to Artemis, he’s holding a broom brush, pounding at the floor with a frown on his face.“Hey! Would you keep it down there? We’re trying to watch a movie.” He yells to whoever it is blasting the earsplitting music.My eyes fall to the said movie with the credits already rolling in, but I make no comments on that.“Who is it?” I ask now when my voice doesn’t feel shaky.“That bastard; Jasper. Ace is probably out fucking some chick somewhere else, leaving the entire room to him, so he can do shit like this.” He fumes, running his fingers through his hair in a frenzy.I guess that means that the night
SERAPHINA’S POV“Sera? What are you doing here?”I freeze on the spot, words not coming out of my lips.Reality hits me hard, fast, as the answer to that question comes into my mind automatically. It’s like a wakeup call, reminding me where I am and who I’m with.I look away from him, not offering an answer because, ultimately, I don’t owe him one. Still, there’s a bit of embarrassment inside me while being here right now with Artemis.He looks at me, then to Artemis. His eyes shifting between the both of us with more confusion.Artemis’s hand reaches to me and grabs my hips out of nowhere, taking me off-guard. He pulls me to his side with ease while glaring at the guy.“I should be asking you that, don’t you think?” He throws the question back stubbornly.The look of confusion washes off him instantly, replaced with annoyance.“Your friend, Jasper, ran into me in the hall way, screaming about there being a ghost in his room. I came to check it out.”“How benevolent of you.” He quips
SERAPHINA’S POVThe entire crowd mutters endlessly after the shocking news is dropped on every one of us.People's attention is fixed on the surprising revelation that they are mates, yet they fail to realize the most important issue at hand - the reason behind Artemis's earlier assault on Trevor.“What does he mean when he said that you should have confronted him head-on instead, Artemis?” I ask him now, already getting a sense as to where all of this is going - but I don’t want to believe it.He doesn’t look me in the eyes though, avoiding my gaze and the question all together, but Morgan does.He shifts his sinister gaze to me as though just noticing my presence, and a paralyzing fear grips my spine at the sheer madness in his eyes.“Oh…” He chuckles bitterly. “You didn’t tell your little pet what you did, did you?” He breaks into a manic laugh that echoes through the halls. Artemis takes a threatening stance closer to him now, warning him with those cutting blue eyes to shut the f
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