SERAPHINA’S POVI scrub every inch of my body the second I get back to my dorm. Every bit of me they had seen; washing the marks left on my skin from their leering eyes.Artemis’s words replay in my mind over and over again as I scrub, leaving red sore marks that complement the already darkening bruises.My first day and I’m already a walking rainbow.“I hate it here.” I admit to myself for the first time, feeling more tears gathering in my eyes.Miss Lucy had been so happy that I finally got into this school but being here now, I have to ask what’s so special about it anyway, just another place where I can’t fit in no matter how hard I try.Yet I can’t let everyone back home down, not now. They have so much hope for me, and I’m already losing faith in myself.The next day in school, it’s mostly quiet around me, besides the obvious hateful staring from everyone else in school.And there hasn’t been a prank too serious. There’s another stick ball in my locker, but it’s still an okay da
SERAPHINA’S POV“Here.” I say, dropping the flash drive in my hand right onto the Administrator’s desk early enough before school commences.He looks at the incriminating material containing evidence against Artemis and stares back at me with a bored expression.“And what is this, Miss Hawthrone?”“Evidence against your precious prized student. You might want a look at it and prepare yourself for what you’re about to see.”“Right.” He says sarcastically with an especially dry tone before tuning to every other thing on his desk, ignoring me.Today, I don’t take it to heart because I don’t care, I can only imagine the shock on his face once he sees it and finds out Artemis isn’t what he thinks him to be finally.I giggle, skipping out of the office, humming a song to myself. By now, most of the students will be walking right into school and the whole gist would have already spread.I spent the entirety of last night figuring out how the online school gist board worked before creating a
SERAPHINA’S POVSo this is the ‘Kamila’ Olivia constantly talks about, the other person that has this entire school on a chokehold simply because of who her mate is and the privileges that follow.I always wondered what kind of person would willing mate with someone like Artemis. Why am I not surprised?“So, what do you want from me?” I manage to spit out, taking a bit of blood in my mouth.“I ask the questions, sweetheart.” She snarls at me, drawing closer. Even with my attempt at acting tough and not scared, I shut up.“You’ve been a bad girl, Seraphina, starting up trouble from your very first day here. At first, I thought it was cute; a little human running around our school halls, trying to act all tough and unbothered. I thought of having you as a pet at some point.”“What?”She chuckles at my confused expression, finding it cute in a deplorable way.“Yes, but I see you have more than just a death wish. The video, you’re the one that posted it, weren’t you?”Her foot finds it
SERAPHINA’S POVIt’s the second time in less than a week of school that I find myself stepping out of the nurse’s office.The first, getting ointment for the bruises my sparring partner had left, and now, for the bruises on the back of my palm.Thisas time, I needed a bandaged for the broken skin that had bled a bit and my lungs still hurt a bit from the continuous torture I had endured in the female lavatoryNot once did the nurse bother about what happened and why I keep coming back.No one in this school cares as long as you’re not important, I guess.I find my way to class right after - the third time I’m being late for a class already, making a name for myself as an irresponsible student.The only reason I’m able to attend this one is the fact that I had a spare shirt in my locker to change into from the previously soaked one.I stumble right into class, opening the door and the minute I walk in, the entire class grows silent with the teacher turning to look at me. There’s an imm
SERAPHINA’S POV“My fingers feel numb.” I whine, rubbing the sore red tips against each other.“That’s because you don’t know how to use a bow properly; everything about your stance and form was off.” Olivia explains, stepping out of archery class with me, one of the few classes we actually have together.And while I whine about never possibly getting an A in that class, she constantly assures me that it’s something even a human could do. “I wish you were in all of my classes, maybe school won’t feel so terrible.” I lament, and I mean every single word.Scared of encountering Kamila and her band of evil witches, I’ve done everything possible to stay away from Artemis. Luckily enough for me, I haven’t even had the chance to see him as well for a few days.So, my days have been…less eventful. The teasing from other students haven’t stopped, I’m still a target and a human, but it’s as though the death treats my way have significantly dropped. “Maybe I’d be able to keep you out of troub
SERAPHINA’S POVAn hour passes by pretty quickly and I use that time reading of course, before the school bell rings, singling lunch break.I pack up my things, getting up and walking all the way over to the cafeteria, feeling famished already and in the mood for what’s on today’s menu.From where I am, I feel a certain pair of eyes digging right at me more intensely and mercilessly than everyone else’s, and on instinct, I turn and meet Artemis staring at me from the other end of the hall.Harsh deep blue eyes like a predator watching its prey.I’m almost captivated by them, until I remember what type of monster they belong to. Shivers crawl down my spine as I immediately turn away, feeling a sense of panic washing over me. My heart clenches in dread.It’s been almost a week of him acting like I don’t exist, why stare at me now? What if he really is plotting something like Olivia said? Chills break out goosebumps to my skin and I consider just skipping lunch in general.However, just
SERAPHINA’S POVIt begins to slowly descend on me as the weakness spreads to the rest of my body.I’ve been betrayed.My body loses control over itself and I tumble backwards off my seat and onto the hard-tiled floors of the cafeteria, feeling the entirety of me quake in anaphylactic shock.Still, all I hear is only an increased tempo in their murmuring.There is curiosity but no concern or gasps of horror, no one rushing to my aid to help - no one caring.It’s like they’ve all been brainwashed to see someone shivering in pain and not give a shit, especially when that someone is me. The pain only grows increasingly unbearable, like molten lava spreading to every bit of me though my veins.“I did just like you asked me to, Alpha.” I hear Gabe speak now, but to someone else.All sounds seem faded but I hear the conversation clearly.And from nowhere, that demon, Artemis, pops into my vision, a sly smirk on his lips while Gabe bows to him with respect over and over again, accompanied wit
SERAPHINA’S POVI suddenly find myself laying down and staring right at the white ceiling of the infirmary I’ve visited more than a few times in two weeks.The golden light of the setting sun seeps into the room through the window in front of me and lands right on my face, almost blinding me the second my eyes open properly.I groan from the brightness, slowly sitting up and rubbing my eyes.How did I get here?I don’t remember coming in, or even thinking of coming in here.The brief memory of the previous events that followed right before I passed out rushes into my mind suddenly, hitting me hard like a tidal wave and I freeze in place.That’s right. I was choking on the spiked food Gabe had given me.Pain shoots up my chest, pain that isn’t physical. His betrayal hurts, but not as bad as my own self-disappointment.I should have seen it coming. The signs were there, constantly in my face like an obvious reminder.He was too eager to be friends but never showed genuine interest in an
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