[Seraphine's POV]"Is there anything I can do for you, Miss Seraphine?" I was too focused on trying to find a moment to talk to Veronica without interruption that I forgot Jesse was standing right in front of me.Only when he called my name did I realize we had been standing in the front yard for quite some time? I quickly wiped the sweat from the bottom of my face, feeling nervous, and composed myself to look ready for the conversation."Jesse, do you remember the last moments when you stopped me from pursuing Riana, on the night we stayed at that hotel?" I straightened my face to meet his gaze, waiting for his response with hope in my eyes."Of course, Your Highness," he replied. "I prevented you from chasing after Riana because it was getting late, and the morning was approaching. I didn't do anything to Riana that night."My eyes widened when I realized my previous question might have sounded like I was suspecting Jesse of being involved in Riana's death."No, no, no. That's not w
[Seraphine's POV]Unexpectedly, Jesse nodded easily. "Yes, Miss," he replied calmly, surprising me.'And here I thought he would try to hide the fact that he is a true member of the Cassian family. But it seems he is the type who can cooperate,' I thought to myself."Jesse, can we work together to solve this mysterious case? You know, one of the villages under Prince Maximilian's rule, Silverbook Haven, is experiencing an incredibly terrifying deadly epidemic. I think if we can solve this case, we might find some clues about the deadly plague," I said to him."If that's the case, I must ask for permission from Prince Cassian first, Miss," he answered. His words instantly made me glare at him."No—please! Do not do that!" I whispered urgently. "Cassian must not know about this! Only you and I can conduct this investigation!"Jesse's face showed confusion as he looked at my panic. "But I can't act without Prince Cassian's approval, Miss.""Yes, I know. I will find a way to handle that,"
[Seraphine's POV]Various emotions and protests she directed at me, I could only stare at her face in silence. Today, I don't have enough energy to deal with her fighting, and Cassian's emotions don't make sense to me either."Cassian. Are you jealous?"His eyes widened at my question. I, too, am surprised that I uttered those words that I've been thinking about for a long time. It's as if my brain has become impulsive, and my mouth no longer has any brakes.The question easily escaped my lips and hit Cassian's sensitive spot directly. As a result, his face turned bright red. Either because he's angry or because I managed to guess what's on his mind."Jealous ... you said?" He repeated my words with a tone full of emphasis. "What makes you think I could be jealous of an Omega like you?"Now, it's my turn to roll my eyes at his words. 'Oh. Finally, Cassian's true nature comes out. The selfish and cruel side of him is surfacing again. As soon as I say that, he's already starting to pani
[Seraphine’s POV]*Crash*Cassian collapsed in my arms with just one shot. More precisely, I hypnotized him as I desired, making Cassian forget about this problem.I patted Cassian's back as he fell weakly into my embrace, making sure he was completely unconscious. After making sure there were no witnesses on this floor, I immediately dragged Cassian's body and laid him on the sofa.*Thud!*And finally, I no longer had to carry Cassian's heavy body. Amazing. It was the first time I felt like I was hit by a heavy rock, illustrating just how big Cassian's body was to me."I'm sorry, Cassian. I didn't need to do this if you weren't aware of my meeting with Jesse. My powers should not be used for personal gain. However, you forced me to do it. I'm sure you wouldn't just let me go if you knew what I would do next," I said at length, even though I knew Cassian couldn't hear me.Before leaving, I searched for something to cover Cassian's helpless body. He had fainted on the sofa on the first
[Seraphine's POV]Both of us remained silent, lost in our thoughts. The train door opened without me stepping inside, and Jesse refused to meet my gaze intentionally."Sigh." I finally sighed to let go of my frustration. In front of him, I put on the gloves he had given me. These gloves were too big for an Omega like me. They felt uncomfortable to wear, but the thick and soft material instantly provided a warm sensation, rescuing my almost numb hands from the cold."Please, get inside, Miss," Jesse asked me for the second time. He still kept his eyes down and avoided looking at me.I was slightly annoyed by his indifferent attitude. Nonetheless, I obeyed his request and entered the train.After the door closed, Jesse didn't immediately take his place in the driver's seat. Instead, he walked to the back where the train's pantry was located. I felt a slight jolt and saw the light coming in through the open back door of the train.When I glanced back, I could only see Jesse picking somet
[Seraphine's POV]Jesse really kept his promise. The horse carriage didn't move an inch until I finished filling my stomach. Uniquely, we stopped right next to a vast and beautiful rice paddock. The gentle breeze became a melodious accompaniment to our solitude.Baby birds were starting to learn to speak, mimicking the sounds of their parents. As yellow leaves fell like rain, I could enjoy a tranquility I had never experienced before.The sweet scent of the cool air truly cleared my mind. My stomach was full, and my heart felt so peaceful. I closed my eyes for quite a while, resting my body at the edge of this horse carriage. Unconsciously, Jesse and I both enjoyed the morning view on the horizon."Jesse. Have you found your fated mate?"Somehow, my mind seemed to go haywire, perhaps due to some neural control in the food Jesse made. In the midst of silence, my mouth turned into an unstoppable engine, speaking whatever came to mind.I reflexively covered my mouth when I realized too l
[Seraphine's POV]"Sigh ..." I don't know how many times I've let out a heavy sigh to alleviate the burden. "Forgive me, Miss. Please forgive me," and Jesse, who sat beside me at the edge of the horse carriage, had repeatedly apologized with great remorse.I kept covering my face with both hands as if holding the weight that seemed to be suffocating my consciousness. No, I wasn't angry about what Jesse had done. I was just shocked, extremely shocked.All this time, I had thought that getting pregnant with Cassian's child and mating with him during the full moon was enough to make me his fated mate. "And it turned out that I was wrong," my mind was shaken. I covered my face again to hide my distress.‘So, all this time, what was I to him? If I'm carrying Cassian's child while not being his fated mate, then who is my true fated mate? Who is Cassian's fated mate? What will happen to the baby in my stomach if we both have different fated mates?’Various dark thoughts haunted me. And as I
[Seraphine's POV]I made it seem as though my voice was urging him to turn around and leave. Like a heartbroken youth, Jesse dragged his feet with no enthusiasm. He walked away from me, while I stood here, waiting by my horse-drawn carriage.My position just was far enough from the palace that ordinarily, no one would know about my existence here. Patiently, I waited until he entered the palace, welcomed by several servants.Briefly, I caught Jesse glancing at me while being attended to by many servants. From a distance, I could see the look of concern and confusion in his eyes.In Jesse's eyes, I was just a helpless Omega, incapable of doing anything. There was a tinge of guilt rippling in the depths of me, regarding my past misdeeds of hypnotizing Jesse and deceiving him.‘I'm doing this for the greater good, for all sake,’ I said to myself. Over and over again, each time the guilt resurfaced.My wait finally led to an end when Jesse and some of the servants finally entered the pala
Jesse's eyes glinted with determination as he focused his magical energy. The air around him crackled with frost as he channeled his ice magic, forming intricate patterns with his fingertips. With a swift gesture, he unleashed a powerful surge of icy energy toward Dorian Phoenix, freezing the very air around him."Impossible!" Dorian cried out in shock, his movements slowed by the encroaching ice. "How dare you interfere with my plans!""Now, Miss Seraphine!" Jesse shouted, his voice cutting through the icy wind. "Finish him while he's vulnerable!"I nodded, my determination burning brighter than ever. With newfound strength, I summoned the shadows, melding them into a powerful force. The darkness wrapped around me like a protective cloak as I lunged at Dorian, my movements swift and decisive."You think you can defeat me?" Dorian snarled, trying to break free from the icy prison Jesse had created. "I am invincible!""I won't let your arrogance stand," I replied, my voice steady and u
[Inner Power][Seraphine, there might be another way,] the inner power spoke, its voice calmer now we have cleared this argument.[Instead of stopping time, which would drain a considerable amount of magic, consider manipulating Dorian's memories. If we can alter his perception, we might create an opportunity for Jesse's escape without risking your energy too much]"But how do I manipulate his memories without him noticing?" I asked, intrigued by the new idea yet uncertain of its feasibility.[Focus on a specific memory, something powerful and emotional,] the inner power advised.[It could be a moment of joy or triumph that he experienced. If we can alter that memory slightly, it might create confusion in his mind, giving Jesse the chance to break free.]"I'll need all the concentration I can muster," I replied, my determination renewed. "But if it means keeping both Jesse and our child safe, I'm willing to try."
[POV Seraphine] Heart pounded in my chest as I watched Jesse, the loyal and fierce warrior, standing tall against the onslaught of ten alphas, each driven by a savage determination to end Cassian's life. The clash of steel against steel, the snarls of the alphas, and the resolute determination etched on Jesse's face created a chaotic symphony of battle. Jesse moved with fluid grace, his every movement calculated and precise. His sword danced in the air, deflecting blows, parrying attacks, and striking back with a deadly accuracy that left the alphas on the defensive. Despite the overwhelming odds, Jesse fought with unwavering resolve, a testament to his loyalty and dedication to protecting Cassian. The alphas lunged and snarled, their claws slashing through the air, but Jesse evaded their attacks with a combination of speed and skill. His movements were like a mesmerizing dance, a deadly ballet amidst the chaos of battle. With every strike, he pushed the alphas back, refusing to yi
[Seraphine’s POV] Rage burned within me as I confronted Dorian, the source of my anguish and the architect of our torment. He stood there, his eyes gleaming with malevolence, a cruel reminder of the pain he had inflicted upon us. The scars of his past atrocities marred his features, a testament to the darkness that resided within his soul. "Dorian," I hissed his name, my voice laced with a lethal combination of anger and sorrow. "You think you can destroy us, manipulate time to suit your sinister desires? You've taken Cassian from me twice, but I won't let you succeed again." His laughter echoed through the chaos of battle, a chilling sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Oh, Seraphine, you're as predictable as ever. Your love for Cassian blinds you to the true power I wield. I've seen the depths of your despair, tasted the bitterness of your failures. You're nothing but a pawn in this grand design." The mere mention of my failures fueled the fire within me. Determination replac
A jolt of anticipation and fear gripped my heart as the transferred magic surged within me, its newfound power tingling in my veins. With eyes widened in surprise, I focused my mind, allowing the energy to guide me in my search for Cassian. My heart pounded in my chest as I channeled the newfound magic within me to locate Cassian. The forest around us seemed to blur as my consciousness extended, reaching out like tendrils of ethereal energy. Images and sensations flooded my mind, and then, there he was – Cassian, my beloved, but he was not as I remembered him. Shock washed over me, freezing me in place. Cassian, the epitome of strength and resilience, was now in a dire state. His once vibrant aura was dimmed, surrounded by an ominous darkness that seemed to seep into his very essence. His eyes, once filled with determination, now held a glimmer of desperation. "Jesse," I gasped, my voice barely a whisper. "We need to find him quickly. Cassian is in grave danger." Jesse's eyes wide
[POV Seraphine] Battle had left me drained, my energy reserves depleted, and my magic waning. I stood amidst the aftermath of the fierce conflict, my chest heaving with exhaustion. The tendrils of my spatial and temporal magic slowly dissipated into the night, leaving me feeling vulnerable and exposed. Jesse, too, looked weary, but his presence remained a comforting anchor amidst the chaos. I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for his timely intervention and unwavering support. Together, we had managed to overcome the sorceress's malevolent power, but the cost had been high. I gazed at the sorceress, now defeated and powerless. Her once formidable demeanor had crumbled, and she lay on the ground, breathing heavily, but devoid of the dark energy that had fueled her. The threat she posed had finally been extinguished. However, the victory did little to alleviate the exhaustion that weighed on my shoulders. The relentless battles, the emotional turmoil, and the imm
[POV Seraphine] A sense of reluctant acceptance settled within me as I acknowledged Jesse's presence and the need for an unexpected alliance. We stood together, united by the urgency of our mission. "Alright, Jesse," I said, my voice firm. "Let's work together. But we need a plan, something that can help us defeat the sorceress quickly before she can cause more harm." Jesse nodded in agreement, his eyes sharp with focus. "I have a suggestion," he began, his tone steady. "The sorceress draws her power from darkness and chaos. If we can disrupt her connection to that source, we might weaken her enough to strike a decisive blow." I considered his words, the logic in his strategy apparent. "But how do we disrupt her connection to darkness?" I asked, my mind racing to find a solution. Jesse's lips curved into a thoughtful smile. "I've encountered similar situations in the past. There's a ritual, a powerful one, that can sever a sorcerer's link to their source of power. It requires pre
[POV Seraphine] My breaths came in ragged gasps, the edges of my vision blurring from exhaustion, when an unexpected presence gripped the air. Both the sorceress and I stiffened, our eyes widening in shared astonishment. A powerful aura emanated from the figure approaching, an aura tinged with an ancient, primal energy. "Who ... who are you?" I managed to choke out, my voice barely audible. The words hung heavy in the charged atmosphere, but the mysterious alpha remained silent, their identity shrouded in an enigmatic silence. The sorceress, too, seemed taken aback, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Another interruption?" she sneered, her confidence momentarily shaken. "Do you think a mere alpha can change the course of this battle?" The mysterious alpha's silence was deafening. Their presence alone seemed to shift the very essence of the forest around us, commanding attention and respect without uttering a single word. A profound sense of unease settled over us, like a storm ga
The battle raged on, the clash of magic echoing through the ancient trees like thunder. Every spell I cast, every bolt of energy I conjured, drained me further. The sorceress was a relentless force, her attacks coming like a torrential storm, each one wearing down my defenses.With every passing moment, weariness crept into my bones. My limbs felt like lead, my breaths came in ragged gasps. The relentless assault of the sorceress pushed me to the brink of surrender. Doubt gnawed at my resolve, whispering that perhaps I couldn’t win this battle, that I should yield.The sorceress, sensing my exhaustion, grinned triumphantly."Feeling the weight of your futile resistance, Seraphine?" Her voice dripped with malice. "You can't keep this up. You're just a mere mortal, after all. Give up, and I might spare your pitiful life."Her words struck a chord of fear within me. For a moment, I wavered.Could I continue to fight? Could I protect my family ag