Note: The following chapter is entirely a flashback**Veronica’s POV“I did not gatecrash this stupid party,” the boy around my age answered with a bite in his words, “I had an invite,” he gritted.“Hm,” I met his vicious stares and stared him down intently as I emphasized, “Clearly what you don’t have is manners.”The stranger didn’t like what I said. He instantly snarled at me.I raised my brow. The audacity of this one.With the way he is acting pissed off with just that, I had the urge to annoy him more. A great way to entertain myself amidst this night. It’s always funnier to tease people who are easily irritated.“Oh don’t snarl at me, boy,” I told him and gave the same energy back, “You aren’t supposed to be here yet you’re the one who’s acting like this,” I squinted my eyes at his direction, “If you did not gatecrash the ball, what are you doing here?”There was a long silence between us. He was looking at me like I am the odd one here. It was obvious that there was something
Note: The following chapter is entirely a flashback**Third Person’s POV“Veronica! Where have you been?” Jadeline asked the girl who just got back from the back of the mansion to the ballroom. Her voice was raised but hushed as she reprimands the younger one, “I’ve been looking for you!” The debutante responded in her soft voice right away, “I’m sorry, mother. I had to go to the bathroom and fix my gown.”At the back of Veronica’s mind that evening, she feels odd and uneasy. Her answer was like an automated reply she didn’t exactly decide on and even if she says it, there was this inkling inside of her that it does not feel right. It seems like there is a lapse for her.Which years later, she’d find out why. It’s the memories compelled for her to forget.“You should’ve asked for permission first or let me know,” Jadeline remarked in a scolding tone that made her focus on the present, “Where is your manners, dear? Have you not learned that?” Her stepmother continued, the words sting
Veronica’s POV“Why did you have to erase my memories?” I asked him the moment I opened my eyes from the slumber of recollecting my memory.I feel light-headed and a bit dizzy as it dawns on me. It came flooding back in, and it was an odd feeling for me. But I know it was real. I turned to Sebastian who was sitting directly in front of me.“You didn’t want me to know you? You never planned on ever telling me?” I bombarded him with questions while trying to not explode.Honestly, I am a bit mad at him. I didn’t like his actions and the way I discovered everything but I am trying to understand his perspective. Still, I can’t deny that I am currently displeased even if I want to avoid a fight.“I did not want our first meeting to be like that,” Sebastian said intently and admitted to me, “Besides, I think it would be useless to let you know now.”“It’s not useless,” I gritted out, almost instantaneously, that he got how irked I am, “It’s my memory that you erased. You have no right to ma
Keldor’s POVFor the first time since I was born, my life had purpose.It was something that I never expected I’d find when I was given this mission. It was simply an obligation to which I don’t really have much choice too. I didn’t care about its dangers, I didn't have much will in the first place. However, after more than a month of going undercover, I’ve learned some appreciation for this. It gave me a sense of shapeshifting into a persona far from my reality and it leaves me with relief. I can forget my awful life for a bit.There was still no permanence in this lifestyle, which is for the better because that gets overwhelming and suffocating so fast, but at least impermanence is my choice this time.“Good work on the recent hunt, kid,” General Rio slapped me on my shoulder encouragingly. He gave me an impressed smile while looking at the list of resources for this winter.The Luna instructed me to earn his favor. It wasn’t that hard. I just had to excel in my duties even if I ear
Veronica’s POV“Jadeline discovered that Keldor is a spy,” I placed my hands on the round table where I gathered everyone who was part of the plan.It is past midnight. Sebastian and I rushed to meet with everyone after the crystal received the distress signal. Eamon, Soren, Isolde, and Analynn are here with us in the dead of the night.Eamon asked intently, “Are we sure that it’s her?”“That’s the worst thing we have to assume,” I responded to him, glancing for a second before my eyes drop on the stone table once again, “The pendant wouldn’t simply send off a distress signal with just minimal harm,” I uttered, wrapping my arms around myself and biting my thumb, “It was curated to warn us of the most dangerous situation.”“That situation is if Jadeline discovers him,” I added as I looked up to them with a frantic gaze, “We have to save Keldor.”Tension is thick in the air and everyone knows the gravity of this matter. We have gone through all of this before but it is an entirely diffe
Veronica’s POV“What is the Crysmorra bloodline?” Sebastian asked from where he was sitting on the couch near me, “What even makes your mother’s family blood so special? Jadeline’s so weirdly obsessed about it.”“If I knew, I wouldn’t have been buried in these books,” I responded with a snap in my tone.Instantly, I felt guilty at the remark that slipped out from me. I faced him, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m just so stressed out,” I explained to him.He sighed and stood up, “I understand. You barely slept in days,” he walked towards me and pushed the books on my table to sit on it while staring at me, “I’m just trying to m
Veronica’s POVI woke up with a pounding headache. I was a mess.What was that? It’s unlike any other dream I had before! It’s not my memory and it was creepy. I remembered the feeling more than the actual vision. Who owns that memory? Is it mom’s? Victoria’s? I’m sure that was her. I recognize her. I definitely also did not hallucinate that dream. It felt real. I know it is real. One thing about my abilities that has been already proven, I could go back to the past to some extent.This is too much. The toll of everything lately is much too exhausting.I glanced at the large windows of our chambers. I watched the snow pouring hard like a storm outside. It was already late evening. From last I remember, I slept before the sunset. Just how many hours was I in slumber? The dream felt so short but it seems like time has passed by quickly in my reality. It was jarring to travel back and forth. I don’t know what’s real anymore.Instinctively, I looked around for Sebastian.Because in the
Sebastian’s POVLately, I want to bite Veronica.A mating bite. A bond. After all, it's what will make us official mates. It was ironic to be married to each other but not bonded as mates.Traditionally, it should've occurred during our first night together. However, I still can't bite her. Even though her previous bond with her fucking bastard of an ex-husband has been rejected and gone, it takes half a year before she can have another mating bite.It's been more than four months. Just a bit more… and yet I can't calm down.It is a growing urge, every time I am around Veronica. Especially these days, when the curse seems to be igniting.I know this would sound bad if I say I was thankful because of the continuous dilemma we are having lately, but it served as a good distraction.Because if I wasn't busy with all this, I would've done something drastic.The itch of the killing spree deep inside me still sits on the pit of my stomach. But at least it can be contained. I barely managed
Veronica's POVNolan terrifies me a bit.I have come to this realization recently. At first, I thought he was the easiest Rozeiros to read and get close to. After all, compared to his siblings, he's more cheery and outgoing at first glance, even welcoming and chill.However, getting to know them more, he's actually the most mysterious out of the five. And this is coming from someone like me who is usually adept at observing people.While Rowan is stoic, Declan is apathetic, Luciana is intimidating, and Sebastian is aggressive— Nolan is fickle. You cannot fully predict him.One moment he's nice and laughing, then suddenly he's menacing and scary. He seems to know a lot of things and hide many secrets too.“What do you want?” I asked, a bit more vigilant than I wanted to protray and stepped back, making sure there is distance between us. Nolan smiled wider, as if he noticed my intention and thoughts.“Can't I just drop by to check on my favorite sister-in-law and catch up?” He tilted h
Veronica’s POVEamon is the last person I’d suspect of being the traitor.Sebastian seems to think the same, probably with more conviction than me. After all, Eamon is his Beta and best friend. They go way back, even before I entered the picture. Also, as the Alpha, he's the one who chose his right hand man and if he picked Eamon, that speaks on how much trust he has on him. Especially for someone like Sebastian who is distant with most people.“What do you mean he's missing?” There was a snap in his voice as he asked Declan, “How can that happen? Where did you go?”“He said he had a lead,” Declan glanced at me and I was reminded why Eamon was not in Helios in the first place.Right. I was the one who gave him that task.“So naturally, as he briefed me during our journey, I followed his plans,” Declan continued, “We traveled to the West to meet a witch.”“A witch?” Sebastian’s eyebrow raised and you couldn't paint the anger in his face, “You knew better than to trust a witch!”A witc
Veronica's POVI didn't sleep a wink and I haven't talked to Sebastian since yesterday.He also didn't attempt to initiate any conversation. I'm not sure whether I like that I had the space I needed or dwell on the fact that he didn't reach out. I can't even understand my emotions anymore.“The investigation will commence in the chambers of the Sun Council later this day, Luna,” Isolde spoke with more formality than usual behind me.I remained staring at myself in front of the mirror while Analynn silently brushed my hair. I have very evident dark circles under my eyes. We slept in separate rooms last night. One of the perks of this big palace.“Your presence is being asked by both the officials of Helios and the Holy Parliament for the upcoming interrogation,” Isolde continued, “But this morning, they want to have a meeting about the events with your required attendance.I didn't respond right away. I knew I couldn't avoid this, though.This is a grave matter and as the queen, as mu
Veronica's POV“Is it true?” I asked Sebastian once we closed the doors of our chambers as he paced inside the room in silence.The representatives of the Holy Parliament agreed to remain waiting at the great hall but they did not retreat their soldiers and insisted on staying until we cooperate.I watched him, his back was on me and he stood by the big windows of our bedroom, staring outside in deep thoughts.I had a hunch since he stormed out without outright denying it.From what I know about him, he would've been firm in sending the officials out and chastising them if those accusations are indeed baseless. Also, I don't think they would've risked pointing fingers at someone with his political power if they don't have a strong evidence.But I would prefer he tell me that I'm wrong.“I'm asking you, Sebastian,” I spoke again when he still did not respond and stopped just a few steps behind him, observing his actions.Then I asked once more, my tone sharp and demanding, “Is it true
Note: This chapter contains flashback with some violent scenes.**Sebastian’s POVThe murder at the Culling Tournament— I still remember that night vividly. ‘Should’ve killed the bastard’My wolf told me in grit as we left Colton unconscious behind us. I ignored his provocations and just continued walking away.It was getting late in the evening and it took everything in me to not end that loser’s life right then and there. It's honestly a miracle.‘Teach him a lesson! He was messing with what’s ours!’I clenched my jaw and closed my eyes to heave a deep breath before I shook my head off to tune out my protesting inner wolf.Keeping him at bay is challenging when I could barely hold my normal self back. We desire for the same thing.I wanted to do it. I really do. But Veronica might hate me after. That's something I cannot live with.We're already fighting right now and it's pissing me off how Colton is the reason for our first fight. The idea that she still cared enough for him to
Veronica’s POVThe moment I opened my eyes, I felt empty inside.“Are you okay? What ha—” I pulled Sebastian by the neck and hugged him tight. His hand automatically wrapped around my waist as he settled on the mattress while I cling to him.It feels as if I am in mourning all over again. The emotions are complicated, of being able to finally talk to my mother after years of her death but only the woman that she was before I was in her life. She felt so close and so distant from my grasps all at the same time.Also, finding out that I have been used my entire life by the person I have loved, and still somehow do, is overwhelming.I feel so lost and tired.
Veronica's POV“What do you mean about being the chosen one?” I stared at her dumbfoundedly as my heartbeat started to quicken.This is among my worst fears. The weight of the responsibility of being a Crysmorra.Victoria stared at me for a long minute, as if trying to gauge me. I must've looked very shaken right now.She sighed and gave me a sympathetic smile. Something tells me that she understands how overwhelming this feels, for someone to be told about being the chosen one. After all, she preceded me.“The Nine Servants of the Moon Goddess were maidens selected to be conduits of her holy presence to our world,” she explained, “By time, they were considered as saints in other scriptures too.”Victoria paused, as if recollecting her own knowledge, “We’re supposed to be sacred servants and not meant to join lycan packs but the initial pledge was broken and thus, during the course of centuries, the Nine Servants became unknown to most, remaining as stories barely passed on through do
Veronica’s POV “I'll be here when you wake up,” Sebastian squeezed my hand while assuring me and I squeezed it right back. “Thank you,” I told him with relief in my voice. For some reason, I feel a little bit scared. My emotions have been quite unsteady lately. I think all the overwhelming events are taking its toll on me now. “Sure,” he gave a tight smile and his voice dropped low as he uttered, “Just come back to me, okay?” I have no other place aside from the one that belongs with him— is what I wanted to say. But I simply nodded, “Yeah.” After that, I closed my eyes and started forcing myself into a deep slumber. After our late talk last night, we have decided that I should give a try to contacting my mother. It has never crossed my mind. Maybe because she has turned into more of a figure in my past life, the younger years that seem so distant to me, than an actual person. She has become something unreal. Victoria seemed so much like a figment of my fantasy. But she is
Veronica’s POV “I think Jadeline was a rogue from the Helios pack,” our chambers fell silent and Sebastian slowly looked up to me from where he was kissing my chest and shoulders. We locked eyes with one another and broke the trance we were at. Okay, I could've dropped this to him in a better way. He slowly pulled back from how he was hovering on top of me and I remained laying on the bed, fixing my slipping top while he had a scowl on his face. “This is not what I had in mind for a pillow talk,” he grunted in evident frustration. “I'm sorry,” I bit my lower lip and sat up too. My eyes glanced at the clock inside our room. It's late in the evening already. I stared at Sebastian who was annoyed that I interrupted our time together. However, I have racked my brain for any other possible conclusion and it always comes circling back to that outcome. It's bothering me and I unknowingly blurted it out. “Gods, Veronica,” he looked at me in disbelief, “We were just making out and you