Veronica's POV
The dinner went by with nothing much going on. No conversations or small talk. Sebastian was just silent the whole time.
We separated from his siblings after finishing our meal. I don't think the triplets are leaving Helios soon. I think they still have some matters to attend to here. I stopped asking. I pretty much got the message that I shouldn't meddle on this.
I headed back to my room but I knew Sebastian was also following behind me. I stopped by the doors to enter but he suddenly spoke.
“Aren't you gonna sleep in our chambers?” His tone was serious and his eyes were observing my reactions keenly.
“Your chambers?” I looked at him over
Veronica’s POV“Do you want to join my meeting with the Sun Council next time?” Sebastian asked as I fixed his collar. He was looking at me.“If you need me,” I answered and then smoothed his vest, “And if they will let me,” I added with a snicker before looking at his face.There was an instant scowl on his expression after my last comment. He looked offended and said, “Of course they will. Why would they not let my queen be part of the pack business?”I laughed at the way he was so easily worked up by the mention of it, “Yeah, okay,” I just relented to not have a long conversation about it, “Don’t be too harsh on them, though.”“I’m not hard on them,” he reasons and tilted his head, “They just have to listen to me.”I crossed my arms over my chest and lectured him, “Wolf councils are established for a reason, Sebastian.”“You cannot rule alone,” I poked a finger on his shoulder to emphasize my point, “A king that listens to no one shouldn’t be anyone’s king.”He stared at me with co
Veronica’s POV Virren moonstone is also known as the moonstone of eclipse. According to the book, it is a special jewel that could harness the power of light and darkness during the veiling of Sol and Luna. The sun and the moon. It's a folktale that dates back in olden times. The illustration is exactly how I remember the moonstone that Eviera has. It might really be the real thing, if the pack protects it dearly. “What are you gonna do now?” Sebastian asked as he flopped down to our bed and I remained standing, deep in thoughts. We were back in our chambers after a quick dinner which he insisted and I took the book with me to our room. “I now know what the moonstone is,” I said more to myself than to him, “I might find who did steal it and what is their real purpose. Whether it's just really against me or there's another ulterior motive.” “Wouldn’t it make sense that it’s your stepsister who tried to steal it?” He asked me, “I mean she basically set you up.” “It’s not imposs
Note: The following chapter contains explicit adult content. * * * * * Veronica’s POV Sebastian kisses like he has been stuck in a desert for years and finally found his first drop of water. Thirsty. Rabid. All-consuming. It sends me on a spiral as I try to match his intensity. I was leaning down, holding his face while he remained seated on the bed and reached for our kiss. His tongue was prodding me to let him in and I relented. It alternates from slowing down to taste each other and an overwhelming fervor that makes me lose all coherent thoughts. I was climbing on his lap as we deepened our kiss. His hand found its way under my clothes, skirting higher and higher, from my legs to my thighs. He took his time feeling me, stroking my smooth skin. My breath hitched as he guided one of my legs to the side of his hips. I remained standing on one foot as his other hand pulled on my hair. I can feel his fingers almost digging into my skin as his lips nipped on mine, harder and hung
Veronica’s POV“Are you okay, Luna?” Isolde asked me and I jolted from where I was gently massaging my aching hips, “Are you hurt anywhere?”“Hm?” I snapped back to reality and realized what I unconsciously did. I felt a blush on my cheeks as I cleared my throat and regained my proper posture before answering. “Ah yes, yes. I was just spacing out,” I told her. In my head I left a reminder to strangle Sebastian later. That prick.He may have let go of me in the morning but he did not let me get any sleep all night. He took it quite literally, not stopping until the first ray of sunlight saved me from dying because of his unquenchable libido. Vivid flashes of our endeavors last night filled my brain at the mere thought of that mad man. I can almost feel his possessive touches and hungry caresses ghosting all over my body. I bet if it wasn't for my lycan healing abilities the evidence of our evening together will still be etched on my skin. It made my stomach swirl with stupid butterf
Veronica’s POVThe Rozeiros family is still a mystery to me.Frankly, the house of Rozeiros has always been an enigma for the entirety of the North. All I know is that they are monarchs who have been around since the continent was founded. Their power and influence goes way back. They founded the Helios pack and have been the said leader since. Yet despite all this, people know little of them.I have always thought that it's because I am from a different pack. After all, it's not like each clan shares their history over a cup of tea. Wolf packs are civil at most. Alliances are not that common. There's a reason territories exist. But now that I think about it, even after marrying to the family, I know close to nothing about the Rozeiroses.Sebastian Rozeiros was only the demon wolf to me until recently. The strongest in the North, infamous for being the best and most brutal hunter in the continent. He sits on top of all the Alphas. A king above kings. Feared and respected.I know him
Veronica's POVI have been wrong for quite a number of times in my life.I was wrong when I trusted my stepmother, stepsister, and ex-husband who ruined my life, got me dethroned, and exiled in a blink of an eye.I was wrong when I thought Helios would become my personal hell and that I would die after I was thrown away here.And apparently, I was wrong again now.“This is him when he was five years old and sneaked out for his first hunt,” she pointed to the photograph of a little boy with a scowl on his face and a small rabbit on his lap. He was glaring at the camera, “He wouldn’t kill the bunny because he thought it was cute.”The boy looked grumpy but lacked the bite that is usually present in his current age. He looks like an adorable kid throwing a tantrum and I’m sure he was throwing a tantrum when the photo was taken.I laughed while staring at the image. I would surely use this against Sebastian.“Oh there’s these pictures of a newborn Ian too,” she says with a giggle. Luciana
Warning: Graphic depictions of violence*****Sebastian's POVThe first time I believed in my prophesied curse was the day I lost myself.It happened the night when we were traveling back to Helios from a pack convention. We had prisoners with us that were supposed to be taken back to our territory as we had triumphed over expanding our borders and they were the rogues that were sentenced to punishment as a result.The night was supposed to be yet another ordinary evening. However, things took a twisted turn. I was shifted in my wolf form. My pitch black fur was embraced by the freezing wind as I tore through the dark woods in a blur of motion passing through the tall trees. All my senses are heightened and I feel overstimulated, my red eyes were frantic and wild as I scoped the terrain.My throat was scorching and I needed something to quench this overwhelming thirst that was muddling my brain. An unrelenting hunger sits on the pit of my stomach, I was itching for something I couldn
Veronica’s POV“Is it me or are you sweeter to me lately?” There was amusement in Sebastian’s voice as he combed his fingers through my wavy locks. We were laying together, tangled on the couch inside our bedroom as the sunset hues from the open balcony painted our chambers faded marmalade. I tried not to flinch at his comment and keep down my reaction to it.Luciana’s words about his curse were still fresh in my mind.“Sebastian was prophesied to die.”Even the slight memory of it is enough to fill my body with terror and an ache that I don’t want to acknowledge. It’s been days since that and I have been doing my best to repress it, to not consider its implications. After all, Sebastian doesn’t even show that he thinks about it nor does he have any plans of letting me know.Hence, I keep it to myself. Act like it’s not real, not mention it out loud. Because maybe if I never say it out loud, it will not be manifested to existence— I can still pretend that it is not true.Besides, Luc
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
Note: The following chapter mainly contains flashback**Jadeline’s POVA great sacrifice—is what they called my child.My innocent child. To them, she was nothing but a sacrifice, a collateral damage. Both sides saw a helpless infant and decided that taking her life is not a big deal. As if I didn’t hold her fragile small body in my arms after I birthed her, felt her warmth and the way she lit up my world, forever changing my purpose, my being.It was only days after my marriage with Helian and our coronation when we found out that I was already pregnant for a while.The best moment throughout my entire existence was the first time I held my daughter.“She’s beautiful,” I whispered, eyes tearing up as I stared at my sleeping baby, cradling her to my chest.“She is,” Helian said and leaned closer to us. He rubbed his thumb faintly on our child’s cheek, careful to not wake her up. He dropped a lingering gentle kiss on top of my head and mumbled, “Thank you for bringing her to this wor
Veronica’s POV“Time to fulfill your purpose, my dear.”Jadeline’s clawed hand shoved me to the ground and I was thrown off balance, crashing onto the snow-covered earth sliding backward, cold seeped into my bones while ice and frozen dirt scraped against my skin. The sting of the impact barely registered to me. I didn’t feel cold, the rage I had burned hotter and I gritted my teeth, pushed myself up to glare at the woman who threw me.I looked around. We were at the entrance towards the clearing of Helios’ waterfalls where the winter doesn’t fall. The place that once looked so magical and majestic in my eyes seemed terrifying in this light.Jadeline walked towards me and picked me up by the wrists again, yanking me forward with force. I gasped as she dragged me across the dirty ground."Let me go!" I snarled with a struggle but her grip was unyielding.Things continued passing in a blur.I couldn’t hold back my cries and sobs as I tried to escape from her grasps. However, what momen
Veronica’s POVThe blood moon is almost devoured in half by the eclipse. Time is running out on me. I’m exhausted. I was losing my will. At some point, anger was just too heavy to carry that it made me hollow inside but this was my fault. I have no one else to blame but myself. I have let my heart lead me here.My entire life, I was just going around in circles, following someone like a pathetic dog trained and tricked to be pulled on a leash—just for a fraction of fake love. I was lonely and I clung to scraps to fill the missing part in my chest. It’s what led me to despair. It’s what led me to vengeance.Now, everything is different. I found someone who’s willing to pour me the affection I’ve been chasing all this time; more than I could take, more than I could handle.In the pits of my hopelessness, his red eyes flashed in my mind.That’s right, I still have Sebastian.I can’t afford to pity myself. He believes I am strong enough to push through this. He trusted me and isn’t that
Veronica’s POV“How did you break free?” I choked out while I tried to remove her grip on my jaw.I need to think fast. I cannot lose the upper hand or everything would go downhill and she would turn the tables on me. Yet I can’t let her predict how I plan on getting away from her.Jadeline let out a hollow, bitter laugh. “Don’t be so full of yourself, Veronica. I would give it to you—it was a nice try but you know better than underestimate me.”“A flimsy spell of illusion won’t keep me for long.” I yelped as her claws dug into my flesh, blood dripped on my chin. I pulled on her wrist but she just gripped me tighter.Perhaps this strength is still part of the perks of her contract with the dark entity. The spell wasn’t fully completed, I wasn’t able to weaken Jadeline to her lowest. “You think I’d agree to let myself be tortured in pain for your satisfaction?” Her frenzied eyes stared into mine. Her words piqued my attention.That’s right, what triggered her sudden will that allowed
Veronica’s POVIt was as if I’m taken back to a century ago.Jadeline’s next memory is the first great eclipse as I realized the surroundings and the sky in her vision.I felt her body freeze from where she was paralyzed in front of me, my gaze briefly checking on her before I looked around to see the memory in detail.It was her and Helian.“They will find out about this,” young Jaedelinne was agitated as she paced back and forth, fumbling with her fingers.“I’m telling you! You should just give this up,” her voice broke and she moved to hold his arm, pulling him.But Helian remained staring at the waterfalls. I wasn't sure if he’s not listening or he just can't hear her.Jaedelinne faced him even as his eyes continued to look past her. There was definitely something wrong with him. He doesn't feel like the same man in her earlier visions. It was as if he’s not in his right mind.“Helian! Helian, listen to me!” Jaedelinne said louder this time. She’s growing more anxious as she fran
Sebastian's POVI didn’t plan on leaving Veronica to herself until I heard the fading voices and tortured sounds of my siblings. At first, I was still conflicted because we have anticipated complications like this but I had a fraction of a second to decide when I felt their fading presence.My body moved on its own and I came rushing to them.It’s as if my entire being is being pulled towards the grave danger that it detected. I felt an ominous disturbance that sent my instincts into alert. I knew this was no regular for, surpassing even what we projected.I have to trust for now that Veronica could handle herself before I go back to her.My strength has never been challenged to the point where I consider the possibility of losing. Hence, I never feared an opponent. I even So this unfamiliar trepidation that flows through my veins right now is not a good sign.It was the same case for my family, my siblings. Being at the top means that there are only a handful that can stand against
Third Person’s POVWhile Queen Veronica was extracting the strength and power of her once stepmother Jadeline, on the other side of the kingdom, three figures dashed in full speed within the woods of Helios.They followed the shadow that was ripped out from the body of its host as it soared through the sky with its ominous aura.Within minutes of crossing the woods behind the main castle, faraway from the square where Veronica was at, and the waterfalls that will be the venue of the ritual, the forest finally opened to a clearing.“It’s reaching the seal, brace yourselves,” Rowan says as they draw closer and the shadow starts shooting downwards.There was a giant boulder with the carvings that the Supreme engraved last time he was in the territory. The symbols started glowing as the entity neared. “Stop!” Rowan instructs and halts in his feet with his arm extended to make them cease on their tracks too.Luciana and Nolan slowed down close behind him. They all watched the scene unfol