Chapter 5

Veronica's POV

The 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 many members. It was overwhelming at first but soon, I managed to make out some of the conversations.

“We need to have a Luna by the next full moon.”

“When will it be?”

“The 31st, by the end of this month.”

“Do you think Alpha Sebastian would finally choose one?”

“Well, everyone is hoping he will. You know what will happen if he doesn’t.”

“Is the curse real?”

“We might just find out.”

Alpha Sebastian. Infamous in the North and probably across other continents too. I have heard of him. I have never met the man but as a former Luna, I am very aware of who he is.

Sebastian is known to be psychotic but strong. Really strong. Might even be the strongest in this continent. The other packs call him the demon wolf because that is just how he is. A prodigy and a monster, even amongst our kind. Everyone is scared of him.

Luna, huh? I guess the rumors about him refusing marriage are true. They said that he is a mad man, so crazy that he had no mate. From what I could understand, it poses a problem for their pack. After all, no matter how powerful a pack is, it will be vulnerable without a Luna or a mateless leader.

They are probably keeping it in the wraps because if other packs find out about how true it is, they might instigate something.

I don’t really care but I could use this information. I don’t know how yet but I must figure something out. So I stay awake contemplating about it at night.

Another thing is, I am trying to catch someone.

During my first night, I could remember a figure of someone who entered the room and had watched over me as I fell into unconsciousness. I had no strength left so I just passed out.

For the second and third night, I was in deep slumber every night that I don’t really have a recollection of it but during my fourth night, I woke up a little to someone combing my hair. I jolted up but I wasn’t able to see anyone.

I thought that I was making it up but last night, it happened again. I didn’t fully wake up on time again but this time, I was more certain.

I have a visitor every night.

This time, I will catch them.

Laying on the bed, turned on my left side as I hugged a pillow, my eyes were closed and I remained quiet, unmoving. Anytime now. They will appear.

And a few minutes later, it did happen. I felt the bed dipping, a hand reaching towards me but before they could touch my head, I firmly grabbed their arm and turned to face them.

It wasn’t supposed to be dark. My night vision should be working. My senses are normal now. Yet the air is different around us. I could barely see them. It was like something was intervening.

“Who are you?” I gritted, my eyes glowing purple as I tried my best to see among this fog-like effect.

“You pretended you were asleep?” There was amusement in the voice of the man. He didn't try to get out of my hold. His voice was deep. Deeper than the Beta who escorted me last time. They were different people.

“You’re watching me sleep?” I spat back bravely, trying my best to sound normal and confident. I swatted his arm from my hold and mumbled, “Creep.”

Weirdly enough, I could feel him smiling a little in the dark. “I was just checking on you.”

My brows furrowed. Checking on me? “Why so?”

His smile grew wider, you could hear it in his voice, even without seeing his face. “You could say that I am quite hospitable.”

I rolled my eyes even though I am not sure if he can see me. “Like I’m buying that nonsense,” I told him and looked straight at him again, still not able to make out a face or an image of him but to no avail.

“Does your Alpha know your foolish actions?” I added.

“Hm,” he sounded like he genuinely considered the thought for a split moment. Then with a teasing tone, he continued, “Does it matter?”

“He’s the Alpha,” I said as a matter of fact. Like it is the most obvious thing because it is!

He just laughed a little at me. It made my stomach flip but I ignored that. He moved a bit and playfully responded, “Yeah, he is.”

“He could kill you,” I didn't mean to say that and yet it slipped out.

“He can try,” I could hear his smirk.

“You do know your Alpha, right?” I asked in disbelief. He cannot be here in their territory if he is not one of them, that's for sure.

“Do you know him?” He just asked me back.

I sighed exasperatedly. In a duh tone, I answered, “I should know my jailor at least, shouldn’t I?”

I could feel his smile again. A grin, most likely. I wish I could see it.

“You're right,” he paused and reached for my face, tucking a strand behind my ear that I flinched and slapped his hand away easily. He just chuckled before dismissing that and added, “Are you scared of him?”

I paused shortly. Then, in the same tone as his, “Does it matter?”

He laughed. Again. A bit too heartily that it was contrasting from his deep voice. “I guess not,” he simply said.

Suddenly, he stood up. I still couldn't see him but I knew he took a few steps towards the big window in which I realized he enters through every night.

“You should sleep now, Veronica,” he said. I could now make out his back at least, even blurry.

“Wai—”

“Sweet dreams,” he said and turned his head sideways but I failed to see his profile as I heard a snap.

And before I could pass out, I think I saw red eyes once more.

**

Third Person’s POV

“You know you could just meet her and stop sneaking to her room, right?” Eamon, the Beta, was leaning on a tree in front of Veronica’s window. He was in the shadows and staring at the man who just climbed out of her room.

“Shut up,” he said dismissively, though his tone was light.

“So…” Eamon smiled as he watched the man in front of him seem to be in high spirits. “How is she? Did she pass your taste?”

For a moment, the other didn't answer. However, as his red eyes looked up at the moon above, he uttered,

“Well, she’s interesting. I’d give her that.”

Sebastian couldn’t wait for the full moon to come soon.