SERAPHINA’S POV"Ow, easy there!" I wince, shooting Olivia a look through the vanity mirror as she yanks my hair, all in the guise of crafting pigtails.Just minutes before, Olivia had burst into the room, full of the 'brilliant' idea that we could spend some quality time braiding our hair and catching a movie. Instantly, I knew what she was up to—another well-intentioned attempt to pull me out of my emotional black hole. Just like Juliet, Alice, and Lucian, she's been on a mission to brighten my days.What they don't seem to grasp is that their overwhelming kindness feels like suffocation. Every hug, every over-enthusiastic smile, and every forced joke just serve as sharp reminders of the emotions I should be experiencing but can't summon anymore."If you don't sit still, the braid's gonna turn out all wonky," Olivia chides, her fingers busy weaving my hair."Yeah, well, I'd rather have a wonky braid than a bald spot," I retort.Catching her eye in the mirror, I see her hands fumbl
ARTEMIS’ POVHer heart's pounding, a rhythm almost as loud as mine, thumping like it wants to break free from my ribcage. I muster a cool smile to hide my jitters. Words are just too weak to capture the storm of emotions swirling in me from finally seeing her—those hypnotic green eyes, after days locked away in that boring, soul-sucking room. Days without her voice, her laugh, the comfort of her presence. Days that drove me nearly mad, figuring out that nothing—absolutely nothing—mattered more than getting out and getting to her.My wolf is practically buzzing inside me, itching to close the distance between us. It craves the simple comfort of her nearness, aching to breathe in her scent like an addict in withdrawal. I want all of that—Goddess, how I want it. But I hold back, every fiber in me straining to keep control. I don't want to spook her, not when I'm still trying to figure out what I even want.Fuck, I've missed her.Missed her so much that everything else blurred into i
ARTEMIS’ POVWe sprint through the forest for what feels like an eternity, the sheer force of pent-up energy disappearing with every step until we come to a slow, panting halt. We find ourselves beside a secluded pond, its surface reflecting the moon's glow. I kneel down, allowing Sera to dismount."That was amazing!" she bursts out, her feet barely touching the ground before she's marveling at the world around her. The wind has turned her hair into a wild, frizzy masterpiece, and she finds a large rock to sit on.I lean in, my wolf's tongue giving her a parting lick on the cheek before stepping into the water."Where are you going?" she asks, curiosity dancing in her eyes. But I offer no answer.Submerging fully, I let the transformation take hold. As I re-emerge, it's my human eyes that meet Sera's, my lips that curve into a devilish grin. "Don't want you to see my tiny bits unless you're interested," My tone carries a wicked humor.Her cheeks flame up, so red they could rival a
SERAPHINA’S POVMaybe it's because I stayed awake for roughly two days without proper sleep, or the fact that I stayed up most of the night expending energy, but I'm finally able to fall asleep peacefully the second my head crashes into the pillow. The sleep is light and without any of the nightmares, and by the time my alarm rings at its usual time, I feel more refreshed than ever. The dull and sour mood I've been in for days ceases to plague me. Olivia says that there's something different about me when she wakes up minutes later and I'm already fully dressed. I brush it off, telling myself that I've simply decided to let all the feelings of hurt and anger go away. And the fact that today I'm a bit excited for school.The early hours of school run their usual course, and I find myself staring at the clock in intervals, waiting for the bell for the cafeteria to ring. For the first time, I'm looking forward to it for reasons besides food.I'll admit it, a part of me missed Artemis
(TRIGGER WARNING)Of all the crazy shit I’ve let Artemis convince me into doing, this takes the cake, and all just to satisfy that final day wish of his. He's a sick, that's what he is. I rethink all of this while I stare back at myself in the mirror of the girls' bathroom, right after getting changed into this outfit he so desperately wanted to see me in. In my own opinion, I might as well not be wearing any clothes at all. It's the shortest, skin-tight black dress I've ever worn, with spaghetti straps that hold the fabric up. The cowl neckline, on the other hand, dips a little lower than my insecurities allow. Every asset I have is on display, like a hooker on the side of the road waiting to be picked up. No fucking way I'm wearing this outside of here. On cue, my phone begins to ring, and his name comes across my screen."What?""Have you stepped out yet?" Artemis asks through the phone, his tone revealing a grin I'd love to wipe off his face at this very moment."The deal's
SERAPHINA’S POV“YOU FUCKING BASTARD!” Artemis' voice cracks the room, sending chills down my spine. Before Ace can even regain his footing, Artemis lunges at him with ferocious speed.I watch, frozen still and horrified, as Artemis' fists hammer down onto Ace with relentless, blinded fury. Each blow lands with a savage precision, as if his life depended on crushing his friend's skull into unfixable pieces. Ace is down, sprawled on the floor, defenseless—yet that does nothing to stop Artemis' assault.I hear the sickening squelch of battered flesh under Artemis' bloodstained knuckles. Each impact splatters crimson droplets, creating a chilling canvas on the walls around us. And even then, Artemis doesn't stop. No, he doesn't even blink. “Artemis...” My voice is strained and mangled from the choking I endured earlier, still trembling as I watch in horror. Artemis doesn't hear me; he's deaf, too engrossed in dealing blows to Ace, giving in to a bloodthirsty rage that's pulling his
SERAPHINA’S POVI blink three times: the first two to make sure I'm not imagining things, and the third out of sheer shock at the audacity staring me in the face. “Excuse me?” I pull my hands away from hers. I had ignored her first two offensive comments out of a desperate attempt at respect, but there's no way I'm going to sit here and entertain the idea of whoring myself out to get her boyfriend back.“Relax, I can literally see the gears in your head turning,” she says.“This better be some joke, Kamila,” I retort, my voice laced with sternness.Her smile doesn't waver; instead, she chuckles as if I've said something remotely funny, further fueling my irritation. “This is why I like you. You know when to heel and when to bare your fangs. You're not the kind of person who'd just sit still and take bullshit to win my favor - even knowing what I'm capable of with just the snap of my fingers.”Her words are unnerving—part threat, part admiration. I'm unsure how to take it, especiall
SERAPHINA’S POV"Hey.”"Hey," I respond nervously, finding it hard to look into his eyes. When I finally do manage, I can't hold his gaze for long before looking away again.I curse Kamila over and over for having this conversation on school premises. Now I have to face him with so many inappropriate thoughts dancing around in my head. At this point, I’m scared that he might hear them."How are you feeling?" The tone of his voice comes out nervously, and I can immediately hear the weight of guilt hanging on it.His question quickly reminds me of what transpired earlier and why I'm in here in the first place. Suddenly, the discussion with Kamila becomes a distant memory compared to my most recent trauma.Flashes of my encounter with Ace flood my mind. The way he roughly held me down, forced his lips on mine, and stole my first kiss in the worst way possible. It's not something I can easily forget by simply sleeping it off or focusing my attention elsewhere. I can still feel the impr
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