Veronica’s POV“S-sebastian… please—please let me go.”I couldn't breathe. I tried hitting his arm to make him loosen his grip but he wasn't budging. I felt the shackles still pulling me with every movement.Everything happened so fast.When he arrived, I was almost relieved. But I knew the moment he stepped forward to the light, that something wasn't right.Sebastian's not in his right mind.It must be the curse.“It’s Veronica… I’m Veronica—” I gasped and attempted to pry his hand away only to no avail. “Sev—w-wake up… C'mon… snap… out o-of i—”I started choking more, making it hard to say a word.He was strong since the day I met him but I was never on the receiving end of his violence. At this moment, I realized just how much fear this strength of his brings to someone he is targeting.I looked into his eyes.Red eyes.But they seemed so different.It was a brighter shade of red with black veins rooting from his irises. His eyes were glowing. It looked way too horrifying.Tears st
Veronica’s POV“I won’t let you use him for your own gain!” I said out loud and glared at the looming shadow.In a rush, I attempted to stand up but the shackles on me pulled me down to remain on the ground. My legs are still very weak, how I manage to remain conscious is probably just because of sheer will and adrenaline.“Hm, that is very thoughtful of you, Your Highness,” the dark entity mocked me with a chuckle. “But you can’t even save yourself,” it said. “You’re not one to talk about being a savior. You have been failing at it the entire night.”“If you weren’t able to beat Jadeline on your own, do you think you can stand against me?” It laughed loudly. I followed its movement, circling me before going towards Sebastian’s direction, who looks like in an inner turmoil from where he stands.I snarled at the entity not taking me seriously. My eyes darted back at Sebastian. He kept on flinching and I squinted at his current state.Is it possible that he’s fighting to take back contr
Sebastian’s POVI know darkness like the back of my hand.It has accompanied me since I was born. I haven’t drowned before but perhaps this is how it feels like—drowning in darkness. It takes me into a whirlwind of memories and emotions.“You’ll have to marry anyway, Sebastian! Can't you take the prophecy seriously?” Luciana’s voice sounded so real in my head as if taking me back to that actual day.I saw myself from a third person point of view. My frown deepened as I remained looking outside, observing the members who are out and about their daily life in the square.Meanwhile, Luciana continued reprimanding me. “You know a pack without a Luna is weak, no matter how strong you are as an Alpha. Stop being so hard-headed and arrogant just this once!”I still didn't respond. My attention was barely on her lectures. Besides, I don't like her suggestions. I hated how all of them are making a big deal out of such vague premonitions. I’m not really much of a believer in anything spiritual.
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
Sebastian’s POVI know darkness like the back of my hand.It has accompanied me since I was born. I haven’t drowned before but perhaps this is how it feels like—drowning in darkness. It takes me into a whirlwind of memories and emotions.“You’ll have to marry anyway, Sebastian! Can't you take the prophecy seriously?” Luciana’s voice sounded so real in my head as if taking me back to that actual day.I saw myself from a third person point of view. My frown deepened as I remained looking outside, observing the members who are out and about their daily life in the square.Meanwhile, Luciana continued reprimanding me. “You know a pack without a Luna is weak, no matter how strong you are as an Alpha. Stop being so hard-headed and arrogant just this once!”I still didn't respond. My attention was barely on her lectures. Besides, I don't like her suggestions. I hated how all of them are making a big deal out of such vague premonitions. I’m not really much of a believer in anything spiritual.
Veronica’s POV“I won’t let you use him for your own gain!” I said out loud and glared at the looming shadow.In a rush, I attempted to stand up but the shackles on me pulled me down to remain on the ground. My legs are still very weak, how I manage to remain conscious is probably just because of sheer will and adrenaline.“Hm, that is very thoughtful of you, Your Highness,” the dark entity mocked me with a chuckle. “But you can’t even save yourself,” it said. “You’re not one to talk about being a savior. You have been failing at it the entire night.”“If you weren’t able to beat Jadeline on your own, do you think you can stand against me?” It laughed loudly. I followed its movement, circling me before going towards Sebastian’s direction, who looks like in an inner turmoil from where he stands.I snarled at the entity not taking me seriously. My eyes darted back at Sebastian. He kept on flinching and I squinted at his current state.Is it possible that he’s fighting to take back contr
Veronica’s POV“S-sebastian… please—please let me go.”I couldn't breathe. I tried hitting his arm to make him loosen his grip but he wasn't budging. I felt the shackles still pulling me with every movement.Everything happened so fast.When he arrived, I was almost relieved. But I knew the moment he stepped forward to the light, that something wasn't right.Sebastian's not in his right mind.It must be the curse.“It’s Veronica… I’m Veronica—” I gasped and attempted to pry his hand away only to no avail. “Sev—w-wake up… C'mon… snap… out o-of i—”I started choking more, making it hard to say a word.He was strong since the day I met him but I was never on the receiving end of his violence. At this moment, I realized just how much fear this strength of his brings to someone he is targeting.I looked into his eyes.Red eyes.But they seemed so different.It was a brighter shade of red with black veins rooting from his irises. His eyes were glowing. It looked way too horrifying.Tears st
Third Person’s POVSebastian lay unconscious on the cold ground.The dark entity managed to subdue him and knocked him out with a surprise attack. He slammed him to the snow covered ground, creating a crater around him—he wasn't really supposed to wake up for a while… at least a day or more.But his finger started flinching.And soon enough, he started to move.Darkness clung to the forest as the moonlight continued to be eaten by the sky.The freezing air was razor-sharp and would've rendered most normal people paralyzed, slicing through the pines as the blood moon loomed above the world, halfway veiled by shadow. At this time, the eclipse was reaching its peak, and the wind howled with a low, haunting song—like the woods themselves were warning of something ancient stirring.He opened his red eyes. They were glowing especially in the night.Sebastian lay sprawled on the forest floor, body twitching as the snow soaked into his cloak and the blood crusting his side began to dry. For
Veronica’s POV The truth is often cruel and bitter. I’ve been seeking the love of a mother who’s chasing the ghost of her real child. And this is why she will never look at me—why she didn’t love me this whole time. I’m not the daughter she wants. I could live a hundred lifetimes and I’ll never be the child she loves. I’m nothing but a lonely orphan, a key for her real desires. Jadeline smiled viciously and added to her revelations that continued to wreck me, “It sure took a very long time to get here though.” She paused. “The shadow needed to regain its strength because of the first ritual taking its toll even if it’s not completed and well… your bloodline was very secretive, sweetheart. It was a long journey just to gather the elements I needed,” she sighed. “But I never gave up on my daughter,” she said. “Finally, everything started to fall into place and here we are today.” “Daughter…” I looked up at where she's standing. “Your real daughter back when you were still Jaedeli
Third Person’s POVNothing is scarier than a grieving mother.Jaedelinne changed along with the passing of time. There was a time when she was selfless, loving, caring for everyone—only for the same people to betray her in the end and take everything she had without remorse.“The great eclipse that we need to harness the power of my dark magic only happens every century,” the dark entity told her. “Do you think you can hold your end of the bargain that long?”“Not like you can break off the contract after you have agreed to tether your soul to me.” It smirks.She simply pursed her lips. “I can wait,” she muttered monotonously. “You just have to ensure I live that long then there's no problem.”“Ah, that won't be hard,” the entity’s voice was playful, almost close to mocking. “Your reckless husband managed to succeed on one thing.”“Before he was interrupted, the ritual at least made you immortal because he prioritized saving your life first. Unfortunately, it wasn't completed so your
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