Veronica’s POV I wanted to jump off a cliff and hide from the world after I came down from the haze. I swear I am not usually this stupid and impulsive. It’s just that Sebastian has this ability to make the best and worst versions of myself, that I didn't even know existed, come out. I can’t believe we really did it in a moving carriage! I have truly lost my mind, oh god. Just when I have earned some respect in Helios, rumors of me doing their Alpha, in such a scandalous manner, would get out. This is bad. This is so bad— I was breaking down while biting on my nail. “What is it?” Sebastian suddenly asked beside me. We fixed ourselves to the best we could and he grabbed my hand to take it away from my nibbling. “Huh?” I glanced at him, quite disoriented. I couldn’t help but notice his torn up vest from my claws earlier. Another evidence of what we just did. I finally met his searching eyes. “You looked bothered and anxious,” he pointed out with a stern voice. I sighed and replie
Veronica's POV Soon enough, we arrived at Metropolis, the venue of the Culling Tournament, by afternoon as initially estimated. I looked around in amazement as I take the new environment in. I have seen otherworldly things in my life, even familiar to some spells myself, but I have never seen anything as magical as Metropolis. A large arc at the end of the bridge we crossed welcomed us at the entrance of Metropolis. There were soldiers lined up and a crowd of people cheering and greeting newcomers like us. We were led to a higher trek where the tournament and the palaces that will be our place of stay for the week are located. The path going stop was breathtaking with a lush mountain view with different kinds of flowers, trees, living vines, sparkling waters and even magic dust in the air. It was something that was very wonderful to see up close. “Oh my gods,” I gasped out loud and glanced at Sebastian who had his arm snaked around my waist beside me, “This place is out of the wo
Sebastian’s POVI am no saint. I don’t have the longest patience in the world and what little control I have is slipping every second.“You can’t cause trouble here, Sebastian,” Eamon warned as he observed me with keen eyes. He rarely calls me by my name ever since I was crowned as the king but now that he used it, means he is speaking as a friend, not my Beta at this moment, “That is not smart.”I clenched my jaw as I continuously clicked on the fountain pen I was holding. I’m barely keeping it together and had his words pass through one ear to the other. I don’t think I could hear anyone out.I knew she had a husband before me— it was never a deal breaker. Still, it doesn’t mean that I like the idea or the reminder. Especially when she still cares about him. I don’t care if it’s just hatred or abhorrence, I want all of her emotions to be about me. Ugly feelings or not, I don’t want to share it with anyone. She’s mine now, I shouldn’t even be dealing with this.“I’m itching to snap h
Veronica’s POVIt was the first night since our wedding that Sebastian didn’t sleep beside me.It shouldn’t bother me as much. Perhaps I just got used to his presence and how he has always been around. I know I shouldn’t feel anything more than curiosity. After all, we’re not exactly a loving couple who got married because we’re so in love with each other. It’s more of a marriage of convenience. I know that. The rational part of my brain knows that.Yet I still couldn’t ignore the unsettled feeling of the ache in my chest. I lay awake on our bed, tossing and turning. Sleep wasn’t visiting me no matter how many damned sheeps I counted.The thing is, my mind is loud. It’s not really good for me to be left alone with my thoughts. I run miles every second with the worst conclusions and overthinking that clouds my brain when given the chance. This is one of those very annoying instances.He didn’t speak a word to me after our disagreement earlier. I haven't even seen him since then. I was
Warning: Some graphic descriptions*****Veronica’s POVI can’t believe I would say this but— I hope Colton is not dead.The coincidence is too much for my suspicions to be unfounded. Call it instinct but I don’t believe that this is a simple matter. Someone’s dead. No one would randomly kill at a place like Metropolis where people of power have gathered. There’s something more to this. I wish I was really just overthinking. I hope I am wrong.Maybe it was too cruel of a thought but I don’t want Sebastian to be behind something like this more than I actually worry about Colton’s life.“I would like to ask everyone to please calm down and head back to your chambers while we get to the bottom of this,” a lunarian servant said in a loud voice followed by guards lining up to have the crowd step back from peering at the gruesome body.I don’t even want to dwell on what I saw. The body was in pieces, head obviously pulled off the rest of it by the way the skin was torn. Limbs and insides w
Veronica’s POVThe Culling Tournament resumed as planned during the third day.No one was allowed to leave Metropolis despite many objections from different packs. Everyone is a suspect in the crime while an investigation is being conducted. We were all questioned yesterday and the supposed events were halted. Despite this, the Holy Parliament decided to continue with the tournament as a declaration of their confidence in security. Mages arrived last night for added security and they also dispersed their highest ranking individuals to guard the place. Somehow it eased the tension and assured most of the guests.Sebastian said that he was with Eamon last night and they went out for a run after he cooled his head off. He had some preys to show and a testimony of a lunarian guard to back up his alibi. I also had a strong story to back me up with the servants and a few werewolves from other packs as my witness when I had dinner in the common hall yesterday. We were cleared off any suspic
Veronica’s POVContrary to my usual scheming, today I decided to take a break and enjoy being in Metropolis for the mean time.“Sebastian can you help me with the lace? I can’t reach it,” I asked and looked at him from his reflection in the body-sized mirror. He was sitting on the couch behind me, legs spread and leaning his head on his hand as his hawk-like eyes watched me intently.He stood up after I called him and walked towards me. I dropped my hand to my sides as he bend a little to grab the laces of my corset. I watched him furrow his brows and do it.Then I reprimanded, “No, lace it up! Not untie it!” I turned to him with a sharp look and yanked the laces from him.Sebastian’s face broke into a wide smirk, he knows what he was doing. I should’ve known better that this man is not right in the head!His hand held my waist on both sides as I try to tie my lace on my own again. He met my annoyed gaze in the mirror in front of us as he teased, “Aw, but I think this is made to be re
Veronica’s POVToday is our fourth day at the Culling Tournament and they are holding a hunting convention in the afternoon.It has been two days since the incident of the dead body happened. I think more people are becoming less alarmed and worried about it. It's like nothing happened. The restrictions are implemented and that's all there is to it. The glamor of the occasions for everyone is effective in distracting them. They said that the corpse is yet to be identified although rumors say that the Holy Parliament just doesn't wanna reveal it. I’m also very curious about the truth of the crime but I decided I can’t do anything about it nor does it actually concern me.I know it's pretty selfish. But I already have a lot to worry about.The same goes with everyone who is here in Metropolis. They change their attention easily to the next thing when it’s not something personal to them. It’s an innate characteristic that one cares more about their own skin than others.After all, the C