Veronica’s POVEveryone in my life has betrayed me.This realization dawned on me as I felt my numbing wrists from the heavy metal cuffs they put on me, chaining me to the crusty brick wall of the packhouse’s basement prison.My vision is slowly becoming blurry from dehydration and starvation. I can barely see my scarred legs and I couldn’t remember how long I have been locked up in this dark place.Suddenly, as I was on the brink of losing my consciousness, the sound of the cell bars opening and the looming shadow of a person from the light outside woke me up.“Ah, what a sight to behold,” the moment I heard her pesky voice, rage took over my exhausted body. I clenched my fists, the nails digging deep in my palms that I am sure were bleeding. Even with my messy long hair covering my face, I felt her bending down before placing her hand fan below my chin and lifting it for me to see her unsightly face.“Oh how the high and mighty Veronica has fallen,” her mocking tone and grin made m
Veronica’s POV“For the sin of stealing the virren moonstone and attempting to kill the Five Elders by poison, here stands Veronica Crysmorra, former Vameer, and Luna of the pack to receive her divine punishment.”There was utter silence. I thought that my heart would beat fast in fear for my fate but perhaps I am too dead inside to feel any of it. Everyone was looking at me— in disdain, disappointment, anger, and many other things.I stood in the middle of the platform. There were no stars in the sky and the moon is now behind the gray clouds. I tuned out the declaration of the rest of the damnation ritual. I couldn't care less. After all, it will just end up with me getting beheaded or burned alive.Just in time, I heard the footsteps of someone coming towards me. I knew to whom it belonged. My hearing may be weakened in my state right now but I could recognize him. Colton Vameer.My Alpha. My husband. Ex-husband, given that he will now be replacing me. He stared at me for a long
Veronica’s POV“This is for the best. You will be helping the pack and repenting for your mistakes at the same time,” I avoided Jade’s attempt of caressing my face.“Quit pretending to be a good stepmother. There is no audience now,” I told her.“I just wanted to comfort you, dear,” she said and I clenched my fists so that I could ignore her existence inside this closed space.We are in a covered wagon as they escort me, still chained, towards the agreed meeting place. I was told that the exchange would be held there.All I understood was that I would be a peace offering for the treaty. Long ago, Eviera was on par with the Helios pack. But our pack experienced a decline in recent years. We fell off with the Helios pack and with the power that they accumulated now, our pack cannot stand against theirs so we remain in the shadows to avoid conflict given our ugly history. It was not clear what the exact cause of the bad blood was but we were not able to patch up with them for 20 years.
Veronica's POVWhat awaits me on the other side could be hell.I am not sure what to expect when they told me that I will be sacrificed and sent to the Helios pack for the treaty. So far, they have yet to kill me.At first, I thought that we would be treading the cold on foot. Or maybe just me, as a punishment or initiation but I was shocked to see that there was a carriage waiting once we crossed the river. They gestured for me to hop in so I did.“Do not look through the windows,” the gruff voice of one of the three representatives of the Helios clan told me. I still could not make out their faces because my eyes are really blurry now, my headache is becoming worse.I said no complaints and simply followed them. I am still gauging how they act, I don’t want to make a mistake and suddenly anger them. I am on thin ice.For a second, escaping crossed my mind but I knew that it would be too risky. I am not in my best condition and even if I manage to pull it off somehow, I wouldn’t know
Veronica's POVThe days passed by quickly in my new reality. It was the opposite of what I expected.It has been five days and I have recovered somehow. I am still pretty much a prisoner and I have not attempted to escape. I don't think I have the capacity yet. Besides, I have no concrete plan. I do not exactly have allies to lean on so my best option is to stay here for the meantime. Free food, free lounging.They are generous. I had a couple of clothes to change into and the food was good. You could tell that they are abundant in resources that even a prisoner like me gets a quality meal.I don’t really have anything to do around here all day. I can’t exactly roam around outside. So I sit on the bed every day. Stare at the ceiling. Get mad and try to sleep. Wake up to get mad again.A hobby I picked up, however, is eavesdropping. That sounded weird but I had no other entertainment. My heightened hearing came back on the third day and I used it right away.Their pack is loud with so
Veronica's POV It became a habit. The nameless man with red eyes kept visiting me every night from then on. “The mask is stupid,” I glared at him. “You are not a child playing superheroes.” He chuckled. God, I hate his chuckle. “I have to keep the mystery going y’know,” he tilted his head on his hand as he sat on the couch across from me. I don’t need to see past the mask to know the shitty grin he definitely has on. “Didn't know you were so interested in me. I am flattered.” His red eyes were playful and heavy. The weight of his stares could be felt through my bones, like he was staring at my soul yet I cannot read his mind. “Not all interest is a compliment,” I told him with a frown. It has been three days. At first, I tried interrogating him especially when he came back the night after I confronted him with a mask on. He was evasive and he was just dismissing my questions. I had no choice but to let it go. However, I have never stopped speculating who he is. Right now, I
Veronica’s POV Something shifted in the way they treat me. “Anything I request for?” I eyed him with furrowed brows. “Yes,” the pack Beta Eamon, as he finally introduced himself to me earlier, answered in a monotonous voice. “What if I will only eat boiled virgin rabbit soup from the Highlands of the South?” I asked. I bet he is a strict general in their pack because I watched how hard he fought back rolling his eyes. Tough guy. It was quite amusing. “Then we will procure you the boiled virgin rabbit soup from the Highlands of the South,” he answered with an evident grudge. I held back a snicker but grinned widely after successfully messing with him. This is my first genuine big smile since my life went down the drain. I don’t know what changed but I will not poke around a blessing and risk jinxing it. “I would very much like a big bowl of lasagna and a medium-rare ribeye steak with a tub of sundae of all possible ice cream flavors with lots of sprinkles, chocolate syrup and m
Veronica’s POV All eyes were on me. Even without my heightened hearing as a werewolf, I could feel the deafening silence and hear the way everyone held their breath once they realized my presence. There were no announcements. I have a new scent that all of them would pick up quite easily. Because I am an outsider. Because I don't belong here. I stuck out like a sore thumb. The towering figure of a man around 6’3 ft tall approached me. It took me a second before I recognized him. He had a buzzcut with his large body. His steps were heavy. Eamon, the pack’s Beta. The Alpha’s right hand man. He stopped in front of me, his back was on his pack and uttered, “Come follow me.” It almost echoed through the entire hall. That is how unsettling the silence was. I cannot pick up the smell of everyone but again, even without my lycan senses, the air is filled with too much tension. Eamon suddenly turned to face the awaiting crowd of his pack members. He was frowning and in a strict voice,
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
Veronica’s POVMy instincts are telling me that the Celestial Warden is a very dangerous man.Whether he is dangerous for us right now or in the far future, it is still quite uncertain. That is why I can’t fully let my guard down around him. He is mysterious and mischievous— a fact I am sure of. The moment his eyes landed on me, I almost flinched.The Supreme smiled at my direction. However, I still didn’t feel any relief despite his friendly demeanor. All of a sudden, he shifted his attention to me and asked, “Luna Veronica with the Crysmorra blood, right?”It is a bit strange that he knows about my bloodline although not entirely impossible. He probably checked my background, as Sebastian’s wife and Luna from the strongest pack. Having been the Celestial Warden too, he might be the most knowledgeable living individual about the history of my lineage and the Nine Servants.I can’t decide if I feel comfortable with it. Yet I answered politely, “Yes, Your Supremacy.”His eyes were ins
Veronica’s POV“Hail, Supreme,” the entire committee of the Holy Parliament greeted in chorus, bowing to the newly arrived man.I watched how even Sebastian and Gareth followed. It took me and Colton a late second to follow.Having been from two powerful packs that always participates in the Culling Tournament and has connections throughout the upper society of the lycan continent, I assume they know the obviously high-ranking person.Sebastian wouldn't have bowed to someone lower than his status. To think that he's not almost on par with the Holy Parliament with how he interacts with them on the same footing, this means that this stranger surpasses, and probably sits on top of the chain.I tried peeking to see him as he trudged inside the courtroom, past the middle circle where Sebastian was positioned and towards the elevated platform in front, where the committee was.He walked with regality and authority. But I can't sense his second gender, which is normal sometimes especially wh