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
Veronica’s POV“This is Lady Jadeline’s brooch that you have asked for, Your Highness,” Eamon slid the small brooch across the table and I grabbed the golden thing to inspect.The task I have given them during the Winter Trade Summit was to steal something she owns and has worn. Basically, a piece of clothing that can go unnoticed. After our debacle that same night, something as small as a brooch in her dress won’t be that suspicious to lose. We can’t take something that she will spot missing.I’m glad they managed to work out and sneaked one.“Thank you,” I told him and added, “Also Eamon…”&ld
Veronica’s POVI didn’t know when the word mother became a blurry line for me.When I close my eyes and try to picture her, it’s two faces I see. One of a woman I can’t remember, and one of a woman I have learned to hate.“You have been awfully quiet since the last time you dreamwalked,” Sebastian suddenly broke the ice in our dining table. I looked up from where he was sitting across from me. His gaze didn’t leave me while I torture the meat on my plate with a fork as he asked, “Are you okay?”It’s a question I have been asking myself too.Honestly, I don’t know how I feel anymore.
Veronica’s POV“Tonight, we share not only our bountiful resources and hunt but also the strength that binds us as a kingdom and as a pack,” I begin as I stand at the head of the hall. All eyes were on me and my voice echoed for everyone to hear.“Please feel free to come to the palace if you ever face hardship during these times, the castle doors are open and will welcome you,” I continued while looking around the gathered pack members, officials, and common folk seated with their goblets at the tables.The room was filled with eager and appreciative energy which only pushed me to become more confident in my words, as I assure each person, eyes scanning and holding eye contact to some, “No one among Helios will face the winter alone and we will weather t
Veronica’s POV“The saintess tears necklace,” I read from the page of the archived books, “It is said to carry the souls of each generation of the servants.”I looked at Sebastian who was staring at the illustration I was pointing at. It was the exact copy of the necklace he had gifted to me.“You have great luck. I can't believe you found this!” I exclaimed in astonishment, holding the necklace up and examining it.This just answered why I seemed to have a fascination about this particular jewelry. I wasn't imagining the way it felt so right and closer to me.Sebastian stood straighter and put his hands on his hips before staring at me, “I won't call it luck,” he mutters.I tilted my head in confusion at his response.He gave me a serious expression and elaborated, “I think the necklace found its way back to you,” he turned the book around and pushed it to me, tapping on the excerpt from a page.It reads:‘The pendant, a manifestation of the muses’s souls, seeks its next owner— one wi
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
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“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 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.
Trigger warning: This chapter containers implied harassment. Read at your discretion.**Veronica’s POVThe chamber was immediately in chaos. The atmosphere inside was filled with their panic.I remained beside Sebastian, poised and composed, while the elders of the pack—the ones who once easily discarded me despite all the work I did for them—watched from their carved wooden chairs.Colton sat at the head. His lips were curled in a neutral line, but his eyes flickered with disdain. At his side, Ruby, looked as fragile and sweet as ever amidst her obvious alarm and confusion.I don't know if it's because I've seen her true colors now but it was easier to see through her acting. Either that, or she's losing her only talent.Sebastian told them in detail, “During our kingdom’s recent investigations, we discovered remnants of dark magic—traces that led us to a disturbing truth.”I continued his explanation, “We discovered planted obsidian shards: enchanted, corrupted, and powerful—was fo
Veronica’s POVIt feels like I have lived a hundred lifetimes since I last stepped in Eviera.My previous visit was during Colton and Ruby’s wedding, which was cathartic when I look back at it. It's also when I first made my move against them.Time passes by so quickly. A lot of things happened.“Eviera is not expecting and accepting any guests—” the guard of the borders didn't finish his words when he realized the crest of our carriage.Then, we pushed the curtains of our window away to speak with him.“Alpha Sebastian of Helios,” he greets and then locks eyes with me. I think I’ve seen him around before, when I was still queen of Eviera so I understood the shock of his reaction, gulping in my presence.I guess my bad reputation in the pack remains.“L-luna Veronica of Helios,” he greets me too.The other guard beside him moved so that they could bow together to us. I assumed this second guy was a superior of his.He then tells us, “I apologize for the rudeness Your Highnesses but ha
Veronica’s POVRevenge won’t give me peace but it will give me satisfaction.I killed Jadeline with my own two hands. If I wasn't that corrupted before, I'm forever tainted now. So I chose to see it through to the end.At least then, I’d have my conclusion. I could really shed the skin of my past without any attachments. I’ve done the worst anyway, might as well finish the job.“Remind me to not make an enemy out of you,” Sebastian gave me an amused smirk as he leaned on his chair.I raised a brow at him and grinned. “Like you’re not as diabolical.” He only responded with a hearty laugh.Perhaps the reason why we belong together is we accept the darkest, ugliest parts of one another.Today, I’ve made up my mind on how we can close this chapter of our lives—the ritual, the demon, the curse, and Jadeline. It took me some time before I could come up with something that covers all the tangled webs left behind. It's not wise for the truth to leak. A lot of people, even other packs and t
Sebastian’s POV“Veronica?” I called out in the darkness of the night. I patted her side of the bed and it was empty.I got up in haste, eyes glowing to check the surroundings and instantly stepped out to look around. Then, I remembered our mating bond.With that, I sensed her presence easier than before and I knew exactly where she was. What she's feeling and if she's okay. My feet brought me to the open balcony of our chambers.“There you are,” I murmured, only feeling relief when I really saw her in the flesh, despite the bond we share.Lately, I’ve known fear. Perhaps this is the result of recent events. I don’t think I’d ever forget what fear is anymore. She was wrapped in a silk robe, the breeze brushing her skin as she stared over the moonlit horizon. Her scent was carried by the wind, calming me in a way no other ever could.Her silhouette looked breathtaking. “Ah, yes. Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up,” Veronica answered, looking at me over her shoulder with a smile.I’v
Veronica’s POVNothing happened.Or at least, that’s what we told the rest of Helios when they started coming back to the territory. We spent the last few days cleaning the traces of the ritual and the chaos that happened while also recovering from our wounds and letting reality sink in.Tonight was a starless evening. The moon was hiding behind the clouds and the storm has calmed down into a soft chilly winter. The wind stirred my clothes, carrying a refreshing breath of air. The sound of the nearby falls could be heard.I was standing by the river’s edge, somewhere near the altar from nights before. I watched the raft float away from me, in the center of the stream, the crackle of the flames consumed the wrapped body that lay atop of it. There were no flowers, no offerings, no runes etched into the wood. Just the body—hers— and the silence on an ordinary wooden plank.It had been five days. Five days since I killed her with my own hands, with the blade she gifted me, because of the
Veronica’s POV “What’s the point of breaking the curse if I lost him?” The three siblings were standing around me as I knelt beside Sebastian’s body. Nolan said that from what he read, if the obsidian crystal reacts to him, that means that the demon’s host still lives—and yet minutes dragged on with no signs of him waking up. Luciana said it was time to accept it. But I can’t. How could I? I looked at the dagger I was still holding. My vision became blurry thinking about the life I took with it. I’m still soaked in their blood. His blood… At that moment, I was seriously thinking of ending my life, to follow him—to feel the pain I’ve caused him. But isn't that an easy way out for my sin? The punishment best suited for me is to live with the guilt and loss forever. “Veronica, you did what you had to do,” Luciana told me, hand on my shoulder. “Sebastian asked for it. There was no other way.” I replied with nothing. My grip on the hilt tightened. I felt another taste of anger in
Third Person’s POVUnder the red moonlight, is the sight of the tragedy.Three figures emerged from the woods, all with barely healing injuries. Snow crunched beneath muddied boots, the sound cutting through the strange stillness that hung tensed over the clearing.The moonlight has returned, seeping little by little through the clouds, no longer veiled by the eclipse. Midnight has passed. The moon’s soft glow fell upon the ruined ritual circle—blood-soaked stones, broken altar, and the scent of black magic long burnt out. In the center of it all, slumped on the ashen ground, the Alpha—Sebastian lay unmoving. And beside him, his queen, Veronica, knelt, her trembling hands covered in blood… of not just his and her own.She wasn’t crying. Not anymore.Not after she has already poured all of her tears out.A sharp whistle broke the air.Veronica looked up sharply, eyes narrowing—guarded.From the edge of the forest, cloaked in shadow and exhaustion, the Rozeiros siblings came to light
Warning: Graphic depiction of violence.**Veronica’s POV“You think I can’t do it?” All I was seeing was blood and darkness as I stared at her. I didn’t have anything to direct the angry emotions I have but I remembered that if I trace the root of every problem I had, it would lead back to her… and I was reminded, woken up from drowning through the pain, to see my wrath again—the reason why I went through everything.Revenge. Revenge on Jadeline.The one who has wronged me most.“If there’s one thing I’d do tonight… I will kill you!”I lunged. A single, brutal movement.The dagger pierced Jadeline’s side.Jadeline gasped softly, her mouth curling into something between surprise and peace. She didn’t dodge even if I knew she could’ve, regardless if she was shocked or not.She just—laughed. And smiled at me, “There she is…”“My golden child.” Her hand reached to touch my face. “My dearest Veronica.”Her words made me angrier. I felt disgust crawl through my skin. I grabbed her arm an
Veronica’s POVThe searing pain of Sebastian's mark settling on my skin was the most warmth I felt since this all began.I was silently crying—mating bonds may sting at first but it should be pleasurable after it seals. However, because Sebastian was stabbed and losing his life, I had to feel that same sensation too due to our new connection. I stared at him lying in front of me. As if just in slumber. Or perhaps that was just denial.“No… please,” I whispered, brushing strands of matted hair from his blood-slick face. “Didn’t you feel the black smoke leaving your body? I—I saw it… That’s the shadow right? It's gone so… you can come back. You wanted to stop it from taking you as a vessel and becoming too powerful, right? It’s gone now… you should come back too…”I choked up a sob and shook his body, “There is no way you die like this! With just a dagger! That dagger wasn’t for you! It shouldn’t be for you—no… I… how do I live with your death?” There was still no response. He remained