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.
Third Person’s POVThroughout the major turn of events, there is one thing that is set in stone to happen—a sacrifice will be offered before the eclipse ends.There is only little time left before the eclipse hits its peak.Veronica was on her knees in front of her chained up husband when she sneaked past Jadeline who was fighting the shadow.For now, all her priorities and worries are about him.She was slightly shaking him and tapping his face awake for a couple of minutes now but he remained out of it. “Sebas—”Her attempts were cut short when a strong invisible force suddenly yanked her away from him and threw her to the ground.Veronica groaned when she felt her bones crack, hitting the stone just below the makeshift altar.“What…” Her blurry vision adjusted in the dark and she looked around.The confusion she had was answered when she saw Jadeline instantly defeated, clutching her bleeding side in pain.“Can you two brats stop complicating this?” The shadow said exasperatedly,
Third Person's POVSebastian was running out of time.“Can't do anything now, golden boy,” the dark entity suddenly spoke in his head. “You can watch your little wife die before you pass on too,” it cackled.“I will save her from you and then I will kill you,” he replied inside his head, where his consciousness still lies awake, locked up.“Save her from me?” the shadow replied incredulously. “Please, you're just as much of an evil being like me. What are you saving her for?”“The role of a hero does not suit you Sebastian,” it added with amusement in its voice. “It's the opposite you're born for. You have to learn and accept that.”It laughed loudly inside his head too. Sebastian wanted to rip his ears off to tune it out.“Stop living in delusion of some fairytale of your own,” it said with a smile you can hear from its words.“You are cursed.”He looked at his hands. Bloody, stained. Not from battle, but from clawing at his own skin, trying to rip out the shadow crawling beneath. H
Veronica’s POV“You really are the most selfish man I’ve ever known.”I stared at Sebastian like he was insane—no, he has actually gone mad. “Do you know what you are asking me?”It's like I'm hearing a big joke. I still find it hard to believe that I heard it correctly. It was preposterous. I couldn't understand.I don't want to understand.My emotions were a whirlwind. I feel like I'm being played continuously by everyone. Even him.Sebastian's hands on my shoulder tightened. He looked torn. “Veronica, you don’t understand—”“You’re right,” I cut him off. “I don’t understand!”“It doesn’t make sense!” I pushed his hands off me and stare into his eyes. “Why would you say that? We’ll be able to find a way! Together. Your attacks are working on him and so do mine! We just need to figure it out and we’ll stop the ritual like we planned and the curse… we’ll—”“I told you I don’t have time!” Sebastian yelled making me freeze.His eyes looked guilty and broken.It's like he has made up his
Veronica’s POVI have fallen in love with Sebastian.I’m not sure when it exactly happened or how. But somewhere along the way, during the time when I was convincing myself to carry nothing but hatred, he sneaked his way in.I never recovered.Sebastian’s expression is hard to read, just that it shocked him. It wasn't really a full confession but he understood what it meant for me to say that.Because I never planned on loving someone again. But I did, anyway.“I’m sorry, baby…” he whispered words I hated to hear. An apology is not what I want from him.Sebastian closed his eyes and slowly pulled me to him. He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. His hands were cold and were trying to cling to me tightly.I held back a sob. I knew what his reaction meant. Another apology came after.“I’m sorry,” his voice shook and he pulled me closer. It broke my heart.Because even with all this, he hasn't changed his mind. He refuses to change his mind. He has already made his final decision.I st
Veronica’s POVI have run away many times before but I never thought I’d be running away from him.The forest was a blur of shadows and moonlight as I sprinted between the trees, breath shallow, lungs burning. Behind me, the thunder of heavy paws slammed against the earth, each bound of the feral beast a death sentence inching closer.I didn’t look back.I didn’t have to.I could feel him.Sebastian… though not quite him anymore. The man I love—no, the creature that used to be him—was now fully under the grip of the curse, the shadow’s influence sharpening every growl into a predator’s cry. Branches tore at my skin, and the blood on my hands wasn’t just from battle. It was from trying to hold him back. From trying to hold him.A howl pierced the sky. Low. Broken. Tormented.I stumbled but didn’t fall.Not yet. I need to escape and think about how I could end this. I won’t give up.The clearing was just ahead and I skidded into the end of the path just as the silhouette of a beast bur
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
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
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
Veronica’s POVI have run away many times before but I never thought I’d be running away from him.The forest was a blur of shadows and moonlight as I sprinted between the trees, breath shallow, lungs burning. Behind me, the thunder of heavy paws slammed against the earth, each bound of the feral beast a death sentence inching closer.I didn’t look back.I didn’t have to.I could feel him.Sebastian… though not quite him anymore. The man I love—no, the creature that used to be him—was now fully under the grip of the curse, the shadow’s influence sharpening every growl into a predator’s cry. Branches tore at my skin, and the blood on my hands wasn’t just from battle. It was from trying to hold him back. From trying to hold him.A howl pierced the sky. Low. Broken. Tormented.I stumbled but didn’t fall.Not yet. I need to escape and think about how I could end this. I won’t give up.The clearing was just ahead and I skidded into the end of the path just as the silhouette of a beast bur
Veronica’s POVI have fallen in love with Sebastian.I’m not sure when it exactly happened or how. But somewhere along the way, during the time when I was convincing myself to carry nothing but hatred, he sneaked his way in.I never recovered.Sebastian’s expression is hard to read, just that it shocked him. It wasn't really a full confession but he understood what it meant for me to say that.Because I never planned on loving someone again. But I did, anyway.“I’m sorry, baby…” he whispered words I hated to hear. An apology is not what I want from him.Sebastian closed his eyes and slowly pulled me to him. He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. His hands were cold and were trying to cling to me tightly.I held back a sob. I knew what his reaction meant. Another apology came after.“I’m sorry,” his voice shook and he pulled me closer. It broke my heart.Because even with all this, he hasn't changed his mind. He refuses to change his mind. He has already made his final decision.I st
Veronica’s POV“You really are the most selfish man I’ve ever known.”I stared at Sebastian like he was insane—no, he has actually gone mad. “Do you know what you are asking me?”It's like I'm hearing a big joke. I still find it hard to believe that I heard it correctly. It was preposterous. I couldn't understand.I don't want to understand.My emotions were a whirlwind. I feel like I'm being played continuously by everyone. Even him.Sebastian's hands on my shoulder tightened. He looked torn. “Veronica, you don’t understand—”“You’re right,” I cut him off. “I don’t understand!”“It doesn’t make sense!” I pushed his hands off me and stare into his eyes. “Why would you say that? We’ll be able to find a way! Together. Your attacks are working on him and so do mine! We just need to figure it out and we’ll stop the ritual like we planned and the curse… we’ll—”“I told you I don’t have time!” Sebastian yelled making me freeze.His eyes looked guilty and broken.It's like he has made up his
Third Person's POVSebastian was running out of time.“Can't do anything now, golden boy,” the dark entity suddenly spoke in his head. “You can watch your little wife die before you pass on too,” it cackled.“I will save her from you and then I will kill you,” he replied inside his head, where his consciousness still lies awake, locked up.“Save her from me?” the shadow replied incredulously. “Please, you're just as much of an evil being like me. What are you saving her for?”“The role of a hero does not suit you Sebastian,” it added with amusement in its voice. “It's the opposite you're born for. You have to learn and accept that.”It laughed loudly inside his head too. Sebastian wanted to rip his ears off to tune it out.“Stop living in delusion of some fairytale of your own,” it said with a smile you can hear from its words.“You are cursed.”He looked at his hands. Bloody, stained. Not from battle, but from clawing at his own skin, trying to rip out the shadow crawling beneath. H
Third Person’s POVThroughout the major turn of events, there is one thing that is set in stone to happen—a sacrifice will be offered before the eclipse ends.There is only little time left before the eclipse hits its peak.Veronica was on her knees in front of her chained up husband when she sneaked past Jadeline who was fighting the shadow.For now, all her priorities and worries are about him.She was slightly shaking him and tapping his face awake for a couple of minutes now but he remained out of it. “Sebas—”Her attempts were cut short when a strong invisible force suddenly yanked her away from him and threw her to the ground.Veronica groaned when she felt her bones crack, hitting the stone just below the makeshift altar.“What…” Her blurry vision adjusted in the dark and she looked around.The confusion she had was answered when she saw Jadeline instantly defeated, clutching her bleeding side in pain.“Can you two brats stop complicating this?” The shadow said exasperatedly,
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