Veronica’s POV“Tomorrow, we will rescue Keldor.”I have gathered my closest aids in our meeting chamber. I have five people with me. Eamon, Soren, Isolde, Analynn and Sebastian. They are currently the only ones I trust about this whole matter. Especially when the suspected traitor in Helios has yet to be discovered. Apparently the triplets are handling that issue.“Jadeline demanded to meet me alone,” I started telling them, “It’s safe for us to follow her demands to ensure that Keldor won’t be harmed.”Sebastian reacted right away beside me. He gave me an incredulous look, “You really think I’d allow you to meet that mad woman on your own?”With a frown and a sigh, I faced him and responded, “I have taken that into consideration already,” I paused while he raise a brow at my claim, “I’ve managed to talk her into allowing you to come with me but you cannot enter the hall where we’ll have our private conversation.”He clicked his tongue and insisted, “I still don’t like that.”“Well,
Veronica’s POVToday is the Winter Trade Summit. Everything must go according to plan.“Lords and ladies, thank you for gathering with us today,” the man, who I remember as also the same guy who made the announcements at Metropolis, greeted the crowd of attendees.He is a representative of the Holy Parliament and we are gathered at their small headquarters in the North. Only officials are invited so the venue is not that big.“We will proceed with the trading deals and transactions facilitated by us to ensure that all packs are involved and aided through the upcoming long harsh winter.”The hall was filled with discussions and negotiations soon after. We were conversing with multiple leaders, especially when they know that Helios has the most abundant resources amongst all the kingdoms.“Your support to our pack will be remembered, Alpha Sebastian and Luna Veronica,” the older man smiled and bowed to us.Sebastian gave a polite nod before going in for a firm handshake, “It's a deal.”
Veronica's POVOn my way to meet Jadeline, I encountered the person I least expected to see tonight.“Going somewhere, sister?” The figure of a woman emerged from the near corner of the hallway.“Ruby, what a surprise,” I greeted her with a sweet smile, “It's been a while.”Her heels clicked on the cobblestones, there was a haste in her steps as she walked towards me with a mad expression.I don't know why but it seems that her saintly facade has been slipping a lot lately. Or perhaps she just doesn't try to pretend in front of me after I've already discovered her true nature.“Sneaking around aren't you, Veronica? How unladylike,” She gritted out and stopped in front of me.I almost rolled my eyes at her statement. She's so childish. I don't have time to waste on her nonsense.“I could say the same thing to you, Ruby,” I said mockingly. I know she hates it when I act high and mighty around her. I plan on getting on her nerves. “Got lost on your own? You know you shouldn't leave your
Veronica’s POV“It’s been a while, dear. It's nice to see you again,” Jadeline greeted with a wide smile on her face. Her voice made my skin crawl.“Let's drop the niceties,” I spat and held my head high, “We’re here for business.”Jadeline laughed, “Ever so serious, Veronica. I like how dutiful and responsible you are,” her eyes scanned me from head to toe, “I see you haven't changed.”“You're not fooling me,” I replied and my hands balled into fists on my side.She gave me a light smile and gestured to follow her as she stepped towards the door, “Alright. Let's head inside if you're so eager to finish this already.”I walked to follow her. Sebastian moved from where he stood in silence, about to trail behind me.Jadeline's attention easily shifted to him. Then back to me, she said, “Leave your guard dog here. I don't enjoy being threatened if we're to negotiate for your little spy later.”Sebastian snarled at her comment, “Watch your words, woman.”I turned to him and spoke, “Sev, w
Veronica’s POV“You dabble with dark magic?” I exclaimed, my voice raising after I recovered from the initial shock and fear.The figure of the shadow merged with the darkness behind her so it was less eerie. However, there is still the obvious aura of the shadow dancing around her.“This is a whole level of low even for you, Jadeline!” I exclaimed and clutched the armrest of where Keldor was still tied.Dark magic is forbidden for all creatures. It corrupts the user and it topples the balance of nature. The user will forever carry its repercussions. This kind of ability always asks for something in return, double of what it has given— that is why it can perform great feats.The consequences are vile and not worth the risk.I knew she was doing something dubious. She has been manipulative from the start so I wouldn't be shocked by the lengths she would go through.Or at least that's what I thought.I didn't see this coming, not even in my wildest imagination.“It’s not dark magic, dea
Warning: Graphic depictions of violence**Sebastian's POVI was no longer half human in the middle of my raging violence.My wolf has been suppressed for a while now. I don’t dare shift because I know that it would be hard to regain control once I do. While it is an extension of myself, under the curse, it brings out the worst in me.I feel like I am sinking in an endless pit. I can see what was happening but I feel distant and out of touch. It’s like watching real time from an outsider point of view.‘More. I want more.’ The wolf in me was filled with these dark intentions.My giant black wolf form pounced on another lycan going after me. There were around a dozen of them attacking me.Just moments ago, I was standing alone waiting for Veronica outside the chapel when I sensed movements.“Who’s there?” I looked around, vision heightened to scout my surroundings.The figures appeared from behind the trees and piles of snow. They look different, is what I first noticed. Their eyes wer
Veronica’s POV“Have him treated by the healers immediately,” I hop off the back of Sebastian’s wolf and aided Soren in taking Keldor away.We arrived at the back of the palace to avoid making a commotion in the kingdom. It’s where we initially agreed to meet after. It’s already morning, as I estimate, because the sun is already up in the blue sky.Isolde and the others welcomed us. She followed along Soren and Analynn to attend to Keldor.Eamon stayed behind to check Sebastian and I. He tried to approach me as I wobbled in my place. I'm a bit dizzy due to exhaustion.We traveled nonstop for hours in the middle of a snowstorm. My injuries are
Veronica’s POV“How did you get this spellbook?” I asked both in awe and bafflement while I looked at Keldor with utter surprise.I have given up the thought of ever getting my hands on it because of what happened. I was just hoping that it was so lost even Jadeline herself wouldn’t find it. This is an unforeseen outcome. But a good one at that.“The book showed itself to me,” Keldor answered while he sat on the edge of our bed as per my instruction because he was still gravely injured.Sebastian and I stared at each other because of his reply, confused and clueless.Keldor noticed it and elaborated, “I found it among the piles of
Sebastian's POVThe possible traitors have always just been four people—this is a fact I have known since the first time I realized that we have a betrayer in the pack.Eamon. Isolde. Soren. Aren.The traitor has always been just among them and only them. After all, they are the four people who have been consistently present during the incidents and have the skills to pull off the deed. I did not consider Keldor who was stuck in Eviera and held hostage nor Analynn who has limited knowledge about our plans.Eamon’s only incriminating factor is that he is the Beta but I doubted that he would betray me.Isolde seemed attached to Veronica and I couldn’t think of any motive strong enough for her to risk it.Soren may seem a bit carefree but he’s an obedient and devoted warrior I have watched grow.Aren… Now him, I’ve always suspected. “He’s in this prison cell,” Veronica told Soren who was behind her, silent and with unreadable mixed emotions in his face. “We thought you should be here wh
Veronica’s POV “How can you be so sure?” I asked Sebastian as we trudged the hallways, my heart hammering in my chest. I just fixed myself up after venting my anger in the practice field. He came to get me and then filled me in about his plans for the Helios traitor. I couldn't believe it when he first told me. I thought I was just too tired from lashing out at those poor dummies but he told me he’ll show it to me. “He's been working for you for years, right? He’s also a native pack member,” I said, my mind still in denial. A pack traitor is something that is hard to accept for werewolves. After all, we pride ourselves in our bonds with each other, it's what gives us strength. To have one in a kingdom as prosperous as Helios is simply unthinkable. Even as I am aware that there is definitely one for quite some time now. “It's only the fitting answer after we’ve traced the possibilities of how Eamon’s actions and his entire investigation was known to the enemy,” Sebastian respond
Veronica’s POVThe eclipse is more than just a week away.“You’re really obsessing over that bite, huh?” I turned to give Sebastian a smile as I let him rub his thumb over my gland, holding back a shiver from his touch. He shifted in the sheets and moved closer to nuzzle his nose by my neck, inhaling there, “Can you blame me?”“It’s the only thing that keeps us apart,” he mumbled as he dropped his head on my shoulder.Sebastian grabbed my hand and played with our fingers together.“Once we have the bond, we'll become one,” he blurts out, “I would feel your emotions, hear your thoughts… Our wolves would be complete, I’d be able to sense you, you’ll become part of me and—”He looks up to meet my gaze.“I'd always have you.”Sebastian said it so earnestly that I was left unable to say anything back.He sat properly now and reached to hold my cheek, “That’s all I ever wanted.”My heart hammered in my chest, feeling so full and cherished from the affection that he has always given me.I l
Note: The following chapter contains explicit adult content.* * * * *Veronica’s POVThe Veronica, who has heard the rumors of the fearsome king of Helios, and the frightened exiled Luna who first stepped in this territory, would’ve never imagined this even in her wildest dreams.Kissing Sebastian started in a fervent moving of our lips together, savoring each other like we’ve been starved for decades.It did feel like that.“Hmm,” I hummed in delight when he sucked on my tongue and tilted his head to explore the inside of my mouth better.With the continuous assault of problems towards us lately, starting from my abduction to the untangling of Jadeline’s grand plans, we never have time to actually be intimate anymore.Until tonight.Our kiss turned slow, languid, and dizzying. I felt drunk with the way he gently but harshly moved his lips on mine.I’m now kissing the same Alpha I used to only think in fear.Fate really is a funny thing.My wolf was purring inside me, enjoying this t
Sebastian’s POV“You share the same strength and violence of the one who’s once Helios’ strongest.”Those are words I remember my father saying, back when I returned home from my first official hunt with some pack members. I never truly understood what he meant by it. He just always regarded me with his observant eyes every time I used my abilities. “I hope you don’t share the same curse.”He mentioned one time.He’s probably disappointed now.“This ledger… it shouldn’t exist,” Rowan’s remark pulled me back from my deep thoughts,, “The information here was supposed to be only known by our family,” he added.After the recent events, my siblings somehow ended up more involved in Veronica’s whole revenge ordeal. I’m not really sure how I feel about it.Back when Nolan was the only one sticking his nose into it, I was already pretty irritated by the fact. Now, all of them are. I want Veronica to share a close bond with my family and I’m glad they are treating her well— there was a time
Veronica’s POVI thought I’ve accepted the fact that I have never truly known the one I considered my mother my entire life. I was aware that Jadeline wasn’t who I thought she was, growing up. But this… What he just said seems impossible.“Eamon,” it was my turn to hold him by his shoulders once I recovered and we managed to force him to sit down on the couch, “Are you sure you’re okay? Maybe you should be taking a rest first before you report. There’s no need to rush, I can wait until you’ve recovered—”“No! No, I’m telling the truth! I’m not hallucinating,” I pursed my lips at his answer. It is proof that he seems to be in a much sober state, if he could understand my implications.However, it was jarring to see him like this. He’s a man who’s calm and collected all the time. Now he’s a mess, out of his mind, my heart clenched at that. He’s probably still barely out of being feral and again, I was the one to drag him in this situation.It took everything for me to not dwell on th
Eamon’s POVI was near getting the truth.“I never expected you’d seek help from a witch,” Master Declan said the moment he arrived in the Northern borders, “I thought you’re too traditional and conservative for it.”I eyed him heavily, “Believe me or not, Your Highness but this is the best out of all the options I have had since I started my investigation.”Master Declan stared at me, “I wasn’t questioning you. I know the quality of your work. You’re not me but you’re not bad,” he stretched lazily and yawned, “So where’s this little witch you had a deal with?”“My lead came from a witch in the West,” I informed him, “Do you think we can cross the borders faster, Your Majesty?”He glared at me and scoffed, “This better be worth my skipping of sleep.” Master Declan waved his hand unenthusiastically and a portal slowly opened. He nodded for me to follow him and I did.The next time we crossed, we were stepping out to the Western territory.“I’ve made the arrangement you asked me so we c
Veronica’s POV“...and that’s why Sebastian would’ve probably been up for imprisonment or execution if the Supreme didn’t arrive on time,” Nolan tilted his head and added an afterthought, “But between you and me, I think they’re aiming for an execution. The imprisonment option won’t really be a thing.”I gawked at Nolan and how he chuckled at that, as if it’s the silliest thing ever. He’s acting like we weren’t clamoring for desperate solutions just days ago. He’s sick in the head but then again, that might just be the Rozeiroses. They have moved on from the matter, acting as if it’s only a small business and not the kingdom almost falling. I should probably adopt that attitude though.Currently, we are now back at Helios. All the siblings will be staying here for a while. I have told them all of our plans and the things that have occurred these past months. It was a whirlwind and I even remember Luciana saying,“All of these happened without us ever fully knowing?” She frowned and j
Veronica’s POV“I guess we’re still pretty lucky, huh?” I smiled to myself while clinging to Sebastian’s arm, feeling better compared to earlier today.Things surprisingly turned out for the best. To think that I was dreading the worst fate for us when we arrived here but we managed to overcome that ordeal.I even got information for the exact date of the eclipse. For me, I take that as a small win, consciously refusing to overthink our interaction with the Supreme and the little time we have left before it comes.“I doubt it’s luck,” Sebastian mumbled, like he was speaking his deep thoughts out loud. He has been silent as we walk back to our room, “That’s just way too convenient.”I furrowed my brows though I understood his point. Sure, the Supreme may have given us his intentions of keeping Sebastian under his thumb but the perfect timing of his arrival to stop the trial definitely can’t be a coincidence.So much for seeing things optimistically. We really don’t have that luxury an