Author's Note: Happy 100 chapters! Thank you for reaching here <3 We're halfway through the story, I hope you'd stay until the end ^^ Thank you again to everyone who supported this, ily ♡
Warning: Graphic descriptions of violence**Veronica’s POVEverything unfolded quickly the moment Sebastian arrived.“Shit! How did they find us?!” I heard a loud voice clamoring to enter the room where they had me locked up. I think it was Gareth yelling.The door slammed open with a loud thud and I blinked my eyes hard because of the sudden harsh light from outside that hit my eye. It has been a while since I was exposed to something other than pitch black darkness. They barely open that door when they enter so my vision needed to adjust at the change.When I opened my eyes, I saw Gareth stomping his way to me angrily. His eyes were dilated in rage as he hastily yanked me from where I was crumpled on the floor. I yelped at the pain that shot through my bones because of his tight grasp on my arms and the chains that pulled against me.“Get up!” He growled at me, “What did you do?!” He shouted at my face, I flinched due to his booming voice.“Let her go!” Colton appeared and tried pu
Third Person’s POVThe moment Sebastian got her intended message, he didn't waste any time to look for Veronica.“There is only one possible altar that they would use,” Declan said, looking up from the piece of paper where the message was written and meeting his brother’s stares as he adds, “The Altar of the Crescere church.”“I think they are using her to lure you there,” he continued, “They are planning to kill you.”Sebastian didn't heed his words and marched to the doors, on his way leaving.Rowan followed right away, “Sebastian!” He calls and stands between the doors and the other alpha, “Don't be hasty! They wouldn't try out this plan if they don't think this could actually work,” he said.The latter just snapped, eyes wide in frantic dilation.“I don't fucking care!” His booming voice bounced through the walls of the chamber, “You want me to sit here and do nothing?! I know where she is now! I will get her back!”“This could be the perfect timing,” Luciana suddenly interjects a
Veronica's POV“The longer you stay, the more dangerous it can get,” Rowan emphasized his words slowly. Declan was just leaning on the nearby wall, watching us silently with arms crossed.Luciana stood in front of me, holding me by my shoulders and looking directly into my eyes, “Are you sure about this, Veronica?”I met her gaze and nodded, “I think he needs me.”The Rozeiros siblings glanced at one another. They have been acting very secretive since I woke up.My body still feels weak. I'm not in my best condition yet but I can stand and walk already so I didn't let it stop me. Besides, it's not like I'd feel any better stuck laying on a bed knowing that my husband is rotting, locked up somewhere.It's almost like we switched places. I know he didn't stay put when it happened to me so I cannot really ignore it. I also don't want to.“We can only let you talk to him for a couple of minutes, Veronica,” Luciana started explaining, “Please understand. This is important. It's taking a lo
Veronica's POV The sun hit my eye and I squinted from the harsh light. It took a second before it registered to me where I was. I couldn't feel my legs, they had become numb, feeling the heavy weight of the man still lying on my lap. We fell asleep last night. Exhaustion caught up to me because I also just recently woke up from my injuries. I still feel a bit queasy but the good thing was Sebastian fell asleep too. He's still deep in slumber right now. My fingers traced the features of his face. I assume that he was awake for days since he was locked up here based on the dark circles under his eyes. He was in solitary. If they don't really open the barriers, he probably must not have eaten too. While unconfirmed, I don't know what to feel when I imagine him suffering like that. I’m not sure how long I spent lost in my thoughts when Sebastian's eyes fluttered open. Our gazes met. “Veronica?” He asked in confusion, still out of it. He stared at me like he was still in a dream an
Veronica's POV“Can you tell me about the curse?”Sebastian flinched at the question.Then he admitted, “I don't want to.”My forehead creased and I turned to look up at him, “What do you mean you don't want to? Don't you think that after all this, I deserve to know? You're leaving me in the dark.”His deep red eyes watched me for a long time before he choked out,“You’ll leave me.”I almost didn't hear it. It almost did not sound like him.Sebastian is sure of himself. He knows that he is in his own league. He never falters. He's solid rock. He knows what he wants and takes what he wants.That is the man I knew.The man in front of me right now, though, sounded like a kid.Someone vulnerable and scared.My heart ached.“But I’m still here, aren’t I?”“For now.”I couldn't say a thing after that.Sebastian added, “You’ll never see me the same.”My chest hurts.“Don’t you think I’d learn to cherish the new side of you too?”“That’s not really a thing.”“Try me.”My words were fast and s
Warning: Graphic depictions of violence**Sebastian’s POVThe harsh winter has come and it will be taking over the entire North for a while.We are back at Main Helios. The entourage with us, however, are traveling separately so it would take a while before they arrive with the majority of the resources. It’s not like they can cross the same portal connecting the North to our extended territory that we used. Only those Rozeiros by blood can.I had to give my blood to Veronica so she could pass through. Even then, she had to cross with me in tow for it to work. We’re married but we’re not officially mated so I had to resort into another method.The reminder soured my mood as I entered her office. She has her own now. It’s been almost a week since the incident and she has been busy with the kingdom’s paperworks and queenly duties. We did have a disagreement at first. I didn’t want her to push herself as she is still recovering but Veronica insisted that if she stayed rotting in bed,
Veronica’s POV“Thank you so much, Luna,” the late middle-aged female omega smiled appreciatively and tried to reach for my hands. The guards behind me moved from my peripheral vision to stop her as it is against the code but I raised my hand to gesture for them to stop.I reached back to her hand and held it together while returning the warm smile, my heart flattered and full from her gratitude. I gently told her, “Don’t worry. We’ll get through this winter together. The palace will give you all the aid needed.”The line of pack members behind her remains quite long even as the distribution has begun for hours now. I waved at the kind lady as the line continued. The entourage arrived earlier today and we instantly began the distribution of resources soon after. It’s almost sunset now. I gave another smile to the woman who was holding a young boy, most likely her son, beside him. I grabbed their package and was handing it to her when the young pup said,“Do you really have magic, Your
Veronica’s POV“We first met at the masquerade ball during your coming of age.”I felt like I didn’t hear his words right.“Wha— no,” I gave him a deep frown, “Stop playing with me,” I glared at him, not liking the idea that he is making a fool out of me, “I’d remember if we'd met back then. You’re not really the forgettable type,” I crossed my arms with a huff and a raised brow.Sebastian chuckled and looked down to pick on his lap, “Yeah, but this one is kind of different,” his voice was almost as if he was spacing out.I gaped at him and asked, “Different how?”“You know how you have that unique ability of yours?” He stared at me intently, “The dream walking thing or something?”“Uhuh,” I said, still unsure of his point while I squinted my eyes at him.Sebastian continued, “I have another ability of sorts.”I felt like I didn’t hear his words right again. This conversation has been messing with my head. “Wait,” I put a hand in front of him and let it sink in, “Another one—” I face
Jadeline’s POVDesperation leads to foolishness—gullible to any false hope, starving for something to cling onto as waves upon waves knock you down. Desperation is an unquenchable thirst, clawing in your throat as you drag your feet to an oasis you can see from afar but despite every step, the distance seems to grow farther apart.Desperation is being aware you are getting tricked but still playing your part just for a fraction of the possibility that things could change for the better. Desperation was the only thing keeping me alive.“You have led such a pitiful life, I would almost sympathize with you if I was not the creature that I am,” the grating voice of the shadow said as it circled me.At my lowest, any hint of fear was gone. I felt hollow, my eyes too tired of shedding tears. I just want everything to end. My fingers became tighter around my baby.“Are you happy with what you’ve done?! You ruined my life now!” I snarled and glared at the floating entity. “Go away, leave! I
Note: The following chapter is entirely a flashback**Jadeline’s POV“I did it for the pack,” were the first words from Rozeiros, as if trying to explain what he did to my husband.However, no amount of explanation—whether it may be just or not—could ever take away the pain of losing my mate. The moment Helian’s body turned cold, I already lost my friend and home. I have only one thing left for me. My child.I took a step forward, glaring at him and baring my claws.“That’s not what I’m asking.” I snarled. “Tell me where my daughter is!”I lunged an attack at him.I wasn’t a hunter nor a warrior. I never liked violence. I was just a healer. It was then when I regretted it. There was a big gap in our skills. He was just mostly dodging and defending himself, probably not even taking me seriously.But it works in my favor. It will be his fatal mistake to go easy on me. I have no intentions of letting him off the hook without my daughter.“I thought you were his brother,” I accused him
Jadeline’s POVThe worst thing about betrayal is that it can only be done to you by the people you treasured most.“What are you doing?!” I yell, voice cracking.Rozeiros still could not say a word. I felt my eyes slowly tearing up.“This isn't his fault, Rozeiros! He was doing it for the pack! You're misunderstanding it!” I tried to lunge at him but the pack members continued holding me back tightly.So I just continued shouting, “You know he wouldn't do something like this for no reason! You know Helian!”Rozeiros averted his gaze at me and I couldn't help but burst in betrayal.“How can you do this?!”I saw his jaw clench and hands fist but the coward did not dare meet my eyes.“Jaedelinne…” his voice trailed off. “I don't have any choice.”Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit!His words sounded like excuses. He didn't have a choice? He did! If he truly trusted Helian and what he knew about him, he wouldn't just try and kill him just like this!They knew each other longer. He knew him firs
Note: The following chapter mainly contains flashback**Jadeline’s POVA great sacrifice—is what they called my child.My innocent child. To them, she was nothing but a sacrifice, a collateral damage. Both sides saw a helpless infant and decided that taking her life is not a big deal. As if I didn’t hold her fragile small body in my arms after I birthed her, felt her warmth and the way she lit up my world, forever changing my purpose, my being.It was only days after my marriage with Helian and our coronation when we found out that I was already pregnant for a while.The best moment throughout my entire existence was the first time I held my daughter.“She’s beautiful,” I whispered, eyes tearing up as I stared at my sleeping baby, cradling her to my chest.“She is,” Helian said and leaned closer to us. He rubbed his thumb faintly on our child’s cheek, careful to not wake her up. He dropped a lingering gentle kiss on top of my head and mumbled, “Thank you for bringing her to this wor
Veronica’s POV“Time to fulfill your purpose, my dear.”Jadeline’s clawed hand shoved me to the ground and I was thrown off balance, crashing onto the snow-covered earth sliding backward, cold seeped into my bones while ice and frozen dirt scraped against my skin. The sting of the impact barely registered to me. I didn’t feel cold, the rage I had burned hotter and I gritted my teeth, pushed myself up to glare at the woman who threw me.I looked around. We were at the entrance towards the clearing of Helios’ waterfalls where the winter doesn’t fall. The place that once looked so magical and majestic in my eyes seemed terrifying in this light.Jadeline walked towards me and picked me up by the wrists again, yanking me forward with force. I gasped as she dragged me across the dirty ground."Let me go!" I snarled with a struggle but her grip was unyielding.Things continued passing in a blur.I couldn’t hold back my cries and sobs as I tried to escape from her grasps. However, what momen
Veronica’s POVThe blood moon is almost devoured in half by the eclipse. Time is running out on me. I’m exhausted. I was losing my will. At some point, anger was just too heavy to carry that it made me hollow inside but this was my fault. I have no one else to blame but myself. I have let my heart lead me here.My entire life, I was just going around in circles, following someone like a pathetic dog trained and tricked to be pulled on a leash—just for a fraction of fake love. I was lonely and I clung to scraps to fill the missing part in my chest. It’s what led me to despair. It’s what led me to vengeance.Now, everything is different. I found someone who’s willing to pour me the affection I’ve been chasing all this time; more than I could take, more than I could handle.In the pits of my hopelessness, his red eyes flashed in my mind.That’s right, I still have Sebastian.I can’t afford to pity myself. He believes I am strong enough to push through this. He trusted me and isn’t that
Veronica’s POV“How did you break free?” I choked out while I tried to remove her grip on my jaw.I need to think fast. I cannot lose the upper hand or everything would go downhill and she would turn the tables on me. Yet I can’t let her predict how I plan on getting away from her.Jadeline let out a hollow, bitter laugh. “Don’t be so full of yourself, Veronica. I would give it to you—it was a nice try but you know better than underestimate me.”“A flimsy spell of illusion won’t keep me for long.” I yelped as her claws dug into my flesh, blood dripped on my chin. I pulled on her wrist but she just gripped me tighter.Perhaps this strength is still part of the perks of her contract with the dark entity. The spell wasn’t fully completed, I wasn’t able to weaken Jadeline to her lowest. “You think I’d agree to let myself be tortured in pain for your satisfaction?” Her frenzied eyes stared into mine. Her words piqued my attention.That’s right, what triggered her sudden will that allowed
Veronica’s POVIt was as if I’m taken back to a century ago.Jadeline’s next memory is the first great eclipse as I realized the surroundings and the sky in her vision.I felt her body freeze from where she was paralyzed in front of me, my gaze briefly checking on her before I looked around to see the memory in detail.It was her and Helian.“They will find out about this,” young Jaedelinne was agitated as she paced back and forth, fumbling with her fingers.“I’m telling you! You should just give this up,” her voice broke and she moved to hold his arm, pulling him.But Helian remained staring at the waterfalls. I wasn't sure if he’s not listening or he just can't hear her.Jaedelinne faced him even as his eyes continued to look past her. There was definitely something wrong with him. He doesn't feel like the same man in her earlier visions. It was as if he’s not in his right mind.“Helian! Helian, listen to me!” Jaedelinne said louder this time. She’s growing more anxious as she fran
Sebastian's POVI didn’t plan on leaving Veronica to herself until I heard the fading voices and tortured sounds of my siblings. At first, I was still conflicted because we have anticipated complications like this but I had a fraction of a second to decide when I felt their fading presence.My body moved on its own and I came rushing to them.It’s as if my entire being is being pulled towards the grave danger that it detected. I felt an ominous disturbance that sent my instincts into alert. I knew this was no regular for, surpassing even what we projected.I have to trust for now that Veronica could handle herself before I go back to her.My strength has never been challenged to the point where I consider the possibility of losing. Hence, I never feared an opponent. I even So this unfamiliar trepidation that flows through my veins right now is not a good sign.It was the same case for my family, my siblings. Being at the top means that there are only a handful that can stand against