ARTEMIS’ POV(HOURS EARLIER)A hard pang shoots through my chest, momentarily rattling my wolf. It puts me on the edge instantly, and I’m forced to sit upright, eyes scanning the vicinity for any signs of danger.However, I see nothing except a class of bored students, then I relax into my seat once more. Weird.The teacher standing in front continues to drone on about the biology of the werewolf, explaining how the larger organs shift along with the rest of the body during a turn. However, I'm too bored to pay attention.Having already studied far beyond the current stage in class, school seems pointless to me.If it wasn’t for father’s demand of an above average attendance record, most of my time won’t be wasted in conventional classrooms, learning things one can easily find in textbooks.I tap on my table, counting every second until the school bell rings again, freeing me from this torturous hell. Thankfully, it’s not long until the familiar ringing sound echoes from the hallway,
KAMILA’S POVIt's morning when I finally open my eyes, the sun's rays slipping into the tiny cave.Now awake, I'm instantly met with intense discomfort in my neck and lower back, a jarring contrast to the plush, high-quality mattress I'm accustomed to.The light snoring at my side pulls my attention to the human girl.Somehow, she manages to sleep peacefully despite the hard, roughened floor, which makes her seem even more weird. What has she been sleeping on all her life? Spikes?It’s bewildering, absolutely dumbfounding, how this human – the very one I’d despised and attacked endless times – had summoned the courage to get us out of the most threatening situation. And she does this even after I’d selfishly sold her out, time and time again. Is she really that weak? That naïve? My weakness was her one chance to ruin me, and yet…Yet she saved me – her enemy.She put her own life on the line for my sake.I…don’t get it.Father never taught me to be selfless. Take what needs to be tak
KAMILA’S POVI’ve never truly understood Artemis’ friend, Ace.He was a philanderer, even worse than my mate, willing to sleep with anyone in a skirt who succumbed to his good looks and irresistible charm, and yet...Yet, during moments like this, when it's just him and me, he shows a side of himself that I still find hard to believe. He becomes so sweet and kind, even going so far as to do me favors, almost like a little boy nursing the biggest crush. Despite his excessive gestures, I continually turn him down, hoping he'll realize how stupid it is and kill this silliness himself. He picks me up in his arms with ease, and I let him for once. Being a future pack warrior, he's stronger than most wolves of his rank. I have to commend him for that; it makes him worthy enough to stand by Artemis' side.The moment we start moving, I'm forced to hold onto him. He briskly walks towards the nurse's office, carrying me silently in his armsFrom the corner of my eyes, I spot Artemis again, a
SERAPHINA’S POVI'm left stunned, a deer caught in headlights—confused, wide-eyed, and paralyzed in place.The ground beneath me seems to crumble as I fall into a sinking pit of despair, engulfed in darkness. All the while, I'm denying it over and over again in my head.There’s no way Olivia would be in a coma. The school is safe. Despite the segregations, there’s no way a student could get badly hurt like that, and no one would know the culprit.But why would he lie to me about Olivia? He has no reason to - nothing to gain. She really is unconscious.‘It’s all your fault. You promised you wouldn’t let anything happen to her.’No, I-I did my best. I left her out of everything dangerous.‘She’s your friend; she’s bound to get wound up in the threats that come after you at some point.’But I didn’t mean for any of this.‘You let her down, and now she’s hurt.’I-I…I did this.The realization hits me, and my inner thoughts harp on my own role in all of this. The ringing in my ears intensi
SERAPHINA’S POV“There is no fucking way that I will move into your room with you.”“I wasn’t asking you, Sera.” He says sternly, tuning away to leave while I stand there, still flabbergasted by his suggestion.Imagine waking up every single day to see the face of the literal bane of my existence. As if the school hours I've already been forced to spend with him weren't enough.“Wait.” I call out to him before he can leave, stopping him just at the door.He halts in his tracks to look at me.“I can’t possibly move in with you - that’s insane. T-that’s the boys’ dorm.”“I will request for permission from the administrator. I bet he will understand if I mention that Father’s precious human could be at risk of dying if not.”"What about Kamila, your mate?" I can't help the incredulous tone that seeps into my voice.He freezes on the spot momentarily, a look flashing in his eyes before he shrugs it off. "Kamila should be the least of your worries. Being the Alpha princess, there'd be co
SERAPHINA’S POVAs expected, the room is empty when I arrive - colder than usual, and perfectly spotless as it would be just before we left for school.Her lavender scent still lingers in the air, stronger on her side of the room, hurting my already aching heart even more.Instead of falling on my bed as usual, I move over to her side, seating first on her soft mattress and gently feeling the fabric of her sheath beneath my fingers. That is before falling back and fully lying on it.I turn, pressing my face into it just as tears fall down my eyes again.If it weren't for me, she'd be here by now, back from school, sighing away the stress of the day. She'd toss her bag aside, climb into bed for a 15-minute power nap, and then dive into her thick books.But instead, she's trapped in a vegetative state, all because I was so desperate to change this school. Regretting it now won't change anything. Like Lucian said, all I can do is sit and wait, praying they find the evidence they need—an
ARTEMIS’ POVI can't help but stare at her smaller frame as she walks in front of me, moving out of the girls' dormitory.From the moment I spotted her riding the wolf back to school, I've had to agonizingly restrain myself. The constant urge to rush up to her and pull her close—until my racing heart steadies—has been almost unbearable. Turns out that one hug didn't even begin to quench my yearning for more. Now, as we walk, it's a battle of wills not to slide my hand into hers, not to seek out that singular warmth her touch bestows. This unexplainable pull defies all logic.It makes absolutely no sense.It’s like my body is short-circuiting, reacting in impossible ways, all because of this anomaly of a girl. I'm wanting, craving even the slightest contact from her until I can truly convince myself that no harm could come her way.I really meant what I said earlier.Her absence for 24 hours did something to me; it sent me into a temporary fit of madness that logic couldn't explain.
SERAPHINA’S POV I have no recollection of how I got here, but suddenly I'm in the woods again, stranded in the middle of nowhere surrounded by towering trees. The howling wind rustles the leaves, shaking the branches, and the moon shines brighter than I've ever seen, appearing twice its usual size.Before I can ponder my whereabouts, I hear whispering in the shadows. It's almost inaudible, but my curiosity leads me closer, making the voice clearer. "Sera," it says, yet I can't pinpoint its origin."Who are you?" I ask cautiously, hoping for some sort of clarification, but it only gets worse. The whispers multiply, turning into a cacophony that feels like a thousand needles piercing through my mind excruciatingly—each strangled utterance resembling cries for help.'Save me, please.''Help me.''Sera!'I cover my ears to shield them from the sound, but it intensifies. "What do you want from me?" I shout at the gathering voices that taunt me. "Stop it!" I scream louder, u
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