ARTEMIS’ POVI’m sure as hell that he’s hellbent on making me look bad in front of my father, because there’s no possible way everything in the folder in front of him is part of his report.“Lucian, why don’t you go first since you’re the only one here that seems to understand the importance of these meetings?” There’s an obvious shade in the statement and a sting that comes from it, but I remain silent.I've had years to grow accustomed to it, after all. Since I was twelve years old, Father introduced the blonde-haired, silver-eyed boy to take my place. Years of being treated as nothing more than a means to an end, not a son.Just like that, everything I never received from my father was handed to Lucian without him even needing to ask for it. Things I never got, even when I begged for them.And of course, although he didn't make it so obvious that he preferred the son of a dead man over me, I felt it. With every subtle comparison and critic that came from him, I felt it and learned
SERAPHINA’S POVI have stayed up all through the night, reading my mysterious red book all about the Astria tribe, learning more about a bit of their culture - but it’s still not enough.The knowledge I am able to amass from this book is limited, scrapping just the surface. I can’t quite place my finger on it, but I know for a fact that there’s more to it.My heart pounds faster, and I just know it in my heart that there’s so much that I need to know, more to disprove the rumors about them being evil witches that ate hearts.None of that was in this book, proving the fact that it’s all just bullshit conspiracies made by wolves just to make the history of their Wolfdom sound more noble. But I can smell some serious bullshit going on.The only issue is that I’m just about done with it, and there’s no other info on it I can find. Everything else on the Astria tribe in the school library is the rewritten version of how they were the villains and the wolves were the victims for centuries.
SERAPHINA’S POVI stare at him silently, doubting everything I’ve heard before I decide to carefully place the tray on the counter in front of me and turning to him again.He raises his hand in defense, suddenly anticipating an attack from me.“I know what you’re thinking, okay? What’s my intention? Am I working for the enemy? Or rather, how dare I show my face to you after what I did last time?”I scowl bitterly, old feelings of anger and hurt resurface and bite down hard on my heart. “Oh, you have no idea.” My voice is cold as ice, my gaze locked onto his. If looks could kill, my dear friend, Gabe, would be absolutely dead.He seems to shrink under the intensity of my stare, his eyes flickering with regret and shame. "Look, Sera, I messed up, okay? Big time. I hurt you, and I hate myself for it. I’ve wanted to do this for weeks, but as always, I’ve been a coward. I was a fool to underestimate that a human girl like you could make a difference – I was wrong, so very wrong. You have
SERAPHINA’S POVMy eyes are definitely playing tricks on me. Yeah, most definitely.I’m sure I was back at school selling cookies to get some funds for my campaign, right?Yet, somehow, I’ve been transported to what seems like older times, in the midst of huts on fire, and the strong stench of blood, smoke, and death around me.Then there’s the large, black wolf standing in front of me with blood-red eyes that seem to almost glare. Fear cripples me and freezes me in place, and I’m unable to let out a sound or run away.It slowly draws closer, a menacing aura that even I, a human, can feel. It oozes off the beast that I know for sure is a werewolf and a higher ranking one definitely.His presence is almost as powerful as Artemis’. Almost as superior as the Alpha King’s.He growls now, baring his blood-soaked teeth with chunks of raw flesh hooked between them at me. My heart drops instantly. Unable to scream or run, I brace myself, getting ready to be ripped apart by its jaws.“Sera!”
SERAPHINA’S POVIn the blink of an eye, it’s already Tuesday and the events of Saturday seem to have passed over my head like a fading dream, and once again, I’m thrown deep into school work.The funds have already been submitted to the Administrator’s secretary, and all thoughts about the election wash to the back of my mind until the next event.Now, presently, in the middle of Art class, I let myself get absorbed into my latest art work, dipping my paint brush into the palette and making never ending strokes in corners that call out to me.At the beginning, I'm not quite sure what I'm creating. It takes about 20 minutes of painting in the vivid red eyes before I realize what it truly is.The wolf from my visionNo matter how hard I try to put it behind me, pass it off as just a random flash, the harder it gets for me. Then, there’s the incessant nagging at the back of my mind, telling me that, somehow, it has something to do with the first Alpha King and the Astria tribe. I know i
SERAPHINA’S POVI guess years of dealing with the most conniving and ruthless individuals, both human and wolves, due to my circumstances, I’ve gotten considerably good at spotting someone being blackmailed.She almost begins sobbing again until she takes another deep breath to calm herself.“I can’t say.” She shakes her head.“Why?”She says nothing. No response.Okay, different approach then.“How did you find my phone?”“It came with an envelope with written instructions on what to do the day after our cookie sale. They said if I didn’t follow through, they’d hurt my father’s business. I couldn’t let that happen, or risk it. He’s already struggling so much, coupled with his bad back.” She begins sobbing again while she goes on about how bad her family has it.Apparently, they have a farm that used to be pretty big until her father got sick. I pat her back over and over again while she recounts her story, comforting her until she feels better again and her wailing ceases.When she
SERAPHINA’S POVFive of the feral beasts close in on us slowly; each of them baring their fangs aggressively.I suck in a breath now, feeling fear crippling me on the spot. Even if I’m not part wolf, I feel the animosity oozing off each of them directed at us. I’m stunned, just as I always am when I’m reminded by the fact that this school really is filled with wolves, and it’s not just a name they call themselves.I've seen their beast-like reactions, with the occasional half-transformation here and there, but I rarely ever get to see the fully formed wolves themselves. They tower above like monstrous creatures, dwarfing any regular dog or wolf breed, nearly matching my own height even when they're on all fours.“Stand back.” Kamila speaks now after getting up and dusting herself.In just seconds, her composure shifts back to the usual high-nosed, classy bitch, exuding authority not just in her words but also in her stance – down to the bored expression she wears now.The confidence
SERAPHINA’S POVFalling is anything but how it is depicted in dreams.I've had occasional dreams where I'd become a bird, soaring through the sky and feeling the wind in my feathers. There are also those dreams where I'd fall freely through the air, only to crash into my bed and wake up.I’d guessed that it’d be faintly similar to the real thing - not that I ever thought I’d have to check it myself just to be sure.But boy, was I fucking wrong.It’s terrifying in actuality. The force of the air pushes against you harshly while gravity fights back.It's as if you're caught in a push and pull game between the two, your heart racing, pounding, like you're about to die. You scream so loudly, your mouth wide open, enough to catch a good number of bugs.I black out the moment we fall into the water, recalling nothing else of what happened next. That is until I wake up probably hours later at the bank of a river I’ve been washed onto.I sit up abruptly, breathing fast and looking around, rem
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