Veronica's POV It is nice to be back home. That was the thought ringing in my brain. I looked around to see the familiar surrounding. Then I realized. This isn't Helios. It's a different home. One that has been long gone. The inside of the house was old but homey. From the window, I saw the raging snowstorm outside. I felt like a ghost in my own body. It's like I am here but also not quite; like I was watching it in third person. The feeling was weird. I remember the fireplace, warm and burning. I remember seeing that one picture frame. A mother, a father, and a child barely two years old photographed and hung up on the wall. Those faces were very familiar. My heart ached. “She will get better, right?” Said a small voice before my perspective changed to looking up at the person I was with. The scenery also shifted, flashing like some vision. Suddenly I am in the bedroom, gone was the living room and fireplace earlier. I finally saw the face of the man with me. It was som
Veronica’s POV“Jadeline had a bigger plan than just having me exiled,” I told Sebastian.We are currently awake at dawn. He was on the couch in our chambers, yawning and watching me pace around the room.“And that plan includes the moonstone?” he asks, trying to think with his hand on his creased forehead and sleepy eyes glaring into space trying to not fall into slumber, “I thought they took it from you after you were caught during the frame up? “Yeah, they took the moonstone from me. It was their strongest evidence,” I answered, still walking back and forth. My mind is very alive right now. The adrenaline and the rush of my theories sending off any hint of grogginess away. Then, I slowed down and halted on my feet.I stared at the night outside where the moon was hiding behind the cloudy sky. I noticed that it has been cloudy lately, even when we were traveling back from Metropolis to Helios.The clouds make the ether look like a painting, like it wasn’t—“Real,” I whispered the
Veronica's POVThings have become weirder after my dream.I started seeing visions.I haven't told anyone about this. Not even Sebastian. Although I will tell him, just when I have this figured out.It's kind of scary and strange. My visions are the opposite of prophetic or foretelling. I don't see the future… I see the past.And it's not looking back through a memory sort of thing. It was way different.“You have beautiful eyes, Veronica,” Jadeline said as she brushed my hair gently and looked at me through the mirror.The child me was sitting on the chair, swinging her feet that were hanging from the height of her seat. Little Veronica gave her a toothy grin, “Thank you! I share the same eyes as Mommy!”Jadeline smiled to herself at my response and stared at the hair she was brushing. Then she placed the brush on the table in front and held the kid me by the shoulders.“Did your mommy ever tell you more about your pretty eyes?” She said with a light tone and a warm smile.I watched
Veronica's POV“Can I borrow Eamon?” I asked Sebastian as I took a bite of my food.We're having lunch together today. He's strictly joining me during lunch time to watch what I eat or if I eat, like I’m some child to babysit just because he found out I skipped lunch researching the other day.He's so unhinged. I can't believe he has actual people to monitor me and report it all to him.Now I don't know which servants are under his order… it must be all of them, huh?I didn't make a fuss about it. I think he's been pretty worried and bothered by my behavior lately and I have yet to say anything to him so he resorted to that.But still. I feel like a child.Sebastian stopped slicing his steak and looked up at me with a soft glare, unserious although half-meant, I bet, “I thought you're already aware that I'm a jealous man?”I rolled my eyes at him, “Don't be dramatic,” I decided to inform him; after all, Eamon is his Beta, “I have a task I want him to do for me.”“I can do it,” he abru
Veronica's POV “We're going out on a date,” Sebastian declares out of nowhere, arms caging me from where I was sitting on the couch and reading a book. I looked at him from behind the book with a raised brow and teased, “A decision set in stone without me declining yet?” He let out a dramatic grown and flopped down beside me, “It's been days since Eamon was out to his task and you're not gonna hear from Keldor soon so it's a break for you,” he said, “Besides, I don't have a lot of work today too.” “And the date, where off to?” I questioned and slammed the book close loudly in front of him, he remained unblinking. Ugh. He's a tough one to crack and tease. He just lazily moved his head to look at me, “Have you even explored Helios entirely?” “I have seen most of the territory,” I answered, “Especially the most important ones in the area.” He frowned at my stubbornness, “I bet you haven't seen the place I will show you to.” I decided to annoy him a little more before I agreed, “Wh
Sebastian's POV I have been living my best life these days. And I kind of made it everyone’s business. “Gods, you’re insufferable,” Nolan complains from across me, “Wipe that stupid smile of yours! The longer I look at it, the creepier it gets,” he glared at my direction and said, “I prefer your grumpy face.” “Like I care what you want,” I retorted uncaringly and my smile became wider, teasing while he let out a grunt from his seat. “It is uncanny to look at, I gotta say,” Declan lazily chimed in, elbow propped up on the round table, chin on his hand as he observed me closely. Just like that, these dipshits ruined my mood, “Then look away,” I snapped back with a frown. Someone spoke, passing from behind me, “I’m glad you’re happy, Sebastian,” his hand clasped my shoulder firmly and gave me a tight smile, “You deserve that.” I nodded at Rowan. This is why he's my favorite brother. We're not too sentimental though. This is the sweetest we can be. He sat beside me and a second
Veronica’s POV Too much peacefulness is a myth. I think most people believe that and so do I. Perhaps it's my paranoid nature but I don't actually feel peaceful when everything's peaceful. It's a bit complicated. I just had this fear that this is just the eye of the hurricane and things will turn for the worse soon enough. So I always need to feel prepared and alert to be ready when everything goes to south. It's a miserable way to live but I cannot unlearn it. I need something to focus on. Today is when Eamon will finally report on the things he was tasked to dug out about Jadeline. It's morning. I was in our chambers, at the balcony sitting and drinking my tea. I needed the open fresh air to ease my nerves and tension. Isolde and Soren were standing by the door, giving me my space. Moments later, Eamon entered the room. He headed towards me and I gestured my personal guards to give us some privacy. Once they were outside, I placed my teacup down and looked at the Beta. “So wh
Veronica’s POV“Basti!” The girl whose name is apparently Drisella jumped to hug high around the neck in a high-pitched excitement.I couldn't help but raise a brow at what I was witnessing.Basti? Is she referring to Sebastian?Huh. Interesting. For all his supposed out of this world reflexes and instincts, he didn't dodge that sudden hug. Sebastian pulled away from the hug while I remained on the side because I had to step back when she suddenly threw herself to him.That hug lasted a second longer than my liking, too.And maybe I became invisible at some point of this unexpected encounter. Because the woman, definitely around our age, just started yapping.“It's been a while! Did you get taller when I wasn't here? Also you look thinner, have you been eating? You know I’ve always said you should eat—”“Yeah, yeah,” Sebastian surprisingly managed to get a word in despite her continuous remarks that no one asked about. He glanced at me and I only met his eyes with a blank face.He tu
Veronica's POVNolan terrifies me a bit.I have come to this realization recently. At first, I thought he was the easiest Rozeiros to read and get close to. After all, compared to his siblings, he's more cheery and outgoing at first glance, even welcoming and chill.However, getting to know them more, he's actually the most mysterious out of the five. And this is coming from someone like me who is usually adept at observing people.While Rowan is stoic, Declan is apathetic, Luciana is intimidating, and Sebastian is aggressive— Nolan is fickle. You cannot fully predict him.One moment he's nice and laughing, then suddenly he's menacing and scary. He seems to know a lot of things and hide many secrets too.“What do you want?” I asked, a bit more vigilant than I wanted to protray and stepped back, making sure there is distance between us. Nolan smiled wider, as if he noticed my intention and thoughts.“Can't I just drop by to check on my favorite sister-in-law and catch up?” He tilted h
Veronica’s POVEamon is the last person I’d suspect of being the traitor.Sebastian seems to think the same, probably with more conviction than me. After all, Eamon is his Beta and best friend. They go way back, even before I entered the picture. Also, as the Alpha, he's the one who chose his right hand man and if he picked Eamon, that speaks on how much trust he has on him. Especially for someone like Sebastian who is distant with most people.“What do you mean he's missing?” There was a snap in his voice as he asked Declan, “How can that happen? Where did you go?”“He said he had a lead,” Declan glanced at me and I was reminded why Eamon was not in Helios in the first place.Right. I was the one who gave him that task.“So naturally, as he briefed me during our journey, I followed his plans,” Declan continued, “We traveled to the West to meet a witch.”“A witch?” Sebastian’s eyebrow raised and you couldn't paint the anger in his face, “You knew better than to trust a witch!”A witc
Veronica's POVI didn't sleep a wink and I haven't talked to Sebastian since yesterday.He also didn't attempt to initiate any conversation. I'm not sure whether I like that I had the space I needed or dwell on the fact that he didn't reach out. I can't even understand my emotions anymore.“The investigation will commence in the chambers of the Sun Council later this day, Luna,” Isolde spoke with more formality than usual behind me.I remained staring at myself in front of the mirror while Analynn silently brushed my hair. I have very evident dark circles under my eyes. We slept in separate rooms last night. One of the perks of this big palace.“Your presence is being asked by both the officials of Helios and the Holy Parliament for the upcoming interrogation,” Isolde continued, “But this morning, they want to have a meeting about the events with your required attendance.I didn't respond right away. I knew I couldn't avoid this, though.This is a grave matter and as the queen, as mu
Veronica's POV“Is it true?” I asked Sebastian once we closed the doors of our chambers as he paced inside the room in silence.The representatives of the Holy Parliament agreed to remain waiting at the great hall but they did not retreat their soldiers and insisted on staying until we cooperate.I watched him, his back was on me and he stood by the big windows of our bedroom, staring outside in deep thoughts.I had a hunch since he stormed out without outright denying it.From what I know about him, he would've been firm in sending the officials out and chastising them if those accusations are indeed baseless. Also, I don't think they would've risked pointing fingers at someone with his political power if they don't have a strong evidence.But I would prefer he tell me that I'm wrong.“I'm asking you, Sebastian,” I spoke again when he still did not respond and stopped just a few steps behind him, observing his actions.Then I asked once more, my tone sharp and demanding, “Is it true
Note: This chapter contains flashback with some violent scenes.**Sebastian’s POVThe murder at the Culling Tournament— I still remember that night vividly. ‘Should’ve killed the bastard’My wolf told me in grit as we left Colton unconscious behind us. I ignored his provocations and just continued walking away.It was getting late in the evening and it took everything in me to not end that loser’s life right then and there. It's honestly a miracle.‘Teach him a lesson! He was messing with what’s ours!’I clenched my jaw and closed my eyes to heave a deep breath before I shook my head off to tune out my protesting inner wolf.Keeping him at bay is challenging when I could barely hold my normal self back. We desire for the same thing.I wanted to do it. I really do. But Veronica might hate me after. That's something I cannot live with.We're already fighting right now and it's pissing me off how Colton is the reason for our first fight. The idea that she still cared enough for him to
Veronica’s POVThe moment I opened my eyes, I felt empty inside.“Are you okay? What ha—” I pulled Sebastian by the neck and hugged him tight. His hand automatically wrapped around my waist as he settled on the mattress while I cling to him.It feels as if I am in mourning all over again. The emotions are complicated, of being able to finally talk to my mother after years of her death but only the woman that she was before I was in her life. She felt so close and so distant from my grasps all at the same time.Also, finding out that I have been used my entire life by the person I have loved, and still somehow do, is overwhelming.I feel so lost and tired.
Veronica's POV“What do you mean about being the chosen one?” I stared at her dumbfoundedly as my heartbeat started to quicken.This is among my worst fears. The weight of the responsibility of being a Crysmorra.Victoria stared at me for a long minute, as if trying to gauge me. I must've looked very shaken right now.She sighed and gave me a sympathetic smile. Something tells me that she understands how overwhelming this feels, for someone to be told about being the chosen one. After all, she preceded me.“The Nine Servants of the Moon Goddess were maidens selected to be conduits of her holy presence to our world,” she explained, “By time, they were considered as saints in other scriptures too.”Victoria paused, as if recollecting her own knowledge, “We’re supposed to be sacred servants and not meant to join lycan packs but the initial pledge was broken and thus, during the course of centuries, the Nine Servants became unknown to most, remaining as stories barely passed on through do
Veronica’s POV “I'll be here when you wake up,” Sebastian squeezed my hand while assuring me and I squeezed it right back. “Thank you,” I told him with relief in my voice. For some reason, I feel a little bit scared. My emotions have been quite unsteady lately. I think all the overwhelming events are taking its toll on me now. “Sure,” he gave a tight smile and his voice dropped low as he uttered, “Just come back to me, okay?” I have no other place aside from the one that belongs with him— is what I wanted to say. But I simply nodded, “Yeah.” After that, I closed my eyes and started forcing myself into a deep slumber. After our late talk last night, we have decided that I should give a try to contacting my mother. It has never crossed my mind. Maybe because she has turned into more of a figure in my past life, the younger years that seem so distant to me, than an actual person. She has become something unreal. Victoria seemed so much like a figment of my fantasy. But she is
Veronica’s POV “I think Jadeline was a rogue from the Helios pack,” our chambers fell silent and Sebastian slowly looked up to me from where he was kissing my chest and shoulders. We locked eyes with one another and broke the trance we were at. Okay, I could've dropped this to him in a better way. He slowly pulled back from how he was hovering on top of me and I remained laying on the bed, fixing my slipping top while he had a scowl on his face. “This is not what I had in mind for a pillow talk,” he grunted in evident frustration. “I'm sorry,” I bit my lower lip and sat up too. My eyes glanced at the clock inside our room. It's late in the evening already. I stared at Sebastian who was annoyed that I interrupted our time together. However, I have racked my brain for any other possible conclusion and it always comes circling back to that outcome. It's bothering me and I unknowingly blurted it out. “Gods, Veronica,” he looked at me in disbelief, “We were just making out and you