Veronica's POV
It became a habit. The nameless man with red eyes kept visiting me every night from then on. “The mask is stupid,” I glared at him. “You are not a child playing superheroes.” He chuckled. God, I hate his chuckle. “I have to keep the mystery going y’know,” he tilted his head on his hand as he sat on the couch across from me. I don’t need to see past the mask to know the shitty grin he definitely has on. “Didn't know you were so interested in me. I am flattered.” His red eyes were playful and heavy. The weight of his stares could be felt through my bones, like he was staring at my soul yet I cannot read his mind. “Not all interest is a compliment,” I told him with a frown. It has been three days. At first, I tried interrogating him especially when he came back the night after I confronted him with a mask on. He was evasive and he was just dismissing my questions. I had no choice but to let it go. However, I have never stopped speculating who he is. Right now, I know three certain things about him. First is that he is part of the Helios clan. No outsider steps in their territory so I can rule that fact out. Second, he is strong and has a high position in the pack hierarchy. For one, he manages to sneak in and out of my room every night and as far as I remember, they have my room guarded. Helios is a clan with strong fighters so he would not just risk going here if he is not at least confident of his skills. Another is the reason why he even meets me in the first place. I assume it is something related to monitoring me closely. Why he hides it though, I still can’t figure out. Third thing, his second gender is most likely an alpha. To clarify, I do not mean the Alpha, as in the actual pack leader, but simply an alpha. Werewolves have two genders. The first one is the sex you are born with, male or female. The second is our wolf genders. A werewolf can be among the following three: alpha, omega, and beta. It is separate from clan positions. In clan positions, the Luna is second in command and is generally the omega mate of the Alpha. The Alpha, with a capital, is the strongest in a pack and the leader of the clan. Others whose second gender is also alpha in name would remain as merely a pack member unless they win a duel to prove their strength in challenging the leader or if they get assigned some other position. Had it not been for being realistic, I would think that this masked man is Alpha Sebastian. But that is just absurd. Surely an Alpha of his caliber would not be fooling around like this. I stared at the masked red eyed man lazily lying on the couch across from my bed. He was staring at the ceiling and whistling to himself without a care in the world with his fingers drumming on his stomach. Like he only has one brain cell or something. So nope! Definitely not. He cannot be the “demon wolf” of the stories. He is probably amongst their officials though, depending on what kind of hierarchy they are following. The pack structures are identical but it can vary to some extent in different clans. Maybe he caught me staring at him because in just one blink, he is right in front of me. The mask is really stupid and he is grinning wide enough for me to notice it even with his face covered. Ugh. “What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?” He tapped my forehead lightly like we are some very close friends. I gave him a sarcastic tight smile, “Thinking of ways on how I could stab you.” He held his chest dramatically with his teasing voice, “Aw, you’re thinking of me?” “Get a life,” I pushed his face away because he is too comfortable leaning into my space. “You’re making my situation here so much worse,” I complained. He paused. “How come?” Under the mask, I suspect that his brows are furrowed in utter confusion. Like he can't comprehend how my place here could be uncomfortable. Although I didn’t actually mean what I just said. “Are they not giving you proper meals?” He asks way too genuine that I almost thought he really cares. “Uh, hello?” I gestured with my hands, “Did you forget the part where I am locked up here for days already?” “Sure I have my room and food and clothes but I am forbidden to go outside! I haven’t stepped out of this room in more than a week!” I continued and then sighed. “I don’t know why I am being kept alive here after being exiled with no other person to talk to except some guy sneaking around with a mask on!” I combed my hair and stared at the ceiling in frustration. It did help a bit to let it out and dump in on someone than just keep the grudges to myself. “Yeah I feel really safe and comfortable here,” I mumbled sarcastically. For a moment, he didn’t say a thing. I thought he just tuned out my rants then he hums in acknowledgement, “Hm, that never occurred to me.” “Yeah, genius,” I squinted my eyes at him. Of course he will not get it because he was not in my position. “Hey,” his voice was reprimanding. “Tone down that attitude.” I sighed. Again. Okay, I am being whiny. But I think it is pretty valid even if I am directing it to the only other person talking to me right now. “Well, sorry,” I told him before brushing my hand over my face. “I am just going crazy here,” I added in a softer voice, afraid of admitting it out loud. I can feel his stares and he probably thinks that I am weak or I am being a loser but I couldn't care less. I tried meeting his eyes and pleaded as I swallow my pride, “Can't you tell me anything?” There was a long quiet between us. He was staring intently at me again that I realized how crimson red his eyes are, you could mistake it for being black orbs. Until he averted his gaze and stood up straight. “You should sleep now,” the words he say before he leaves again. “Wonderful!” I gave him an obvious fake smile. “Keep avoiding me, yeah, sure. That’s what you do,” I grunted. He pat my head lightly. As if I am a kid. What a mockery. “Good night Veronica,” he says with a soft tone that sounds unfit for his deep voice. “Stop thinking too much, you’ll hurt your brain.” “Just leave,” I swatted his hand away and dropped to my bed. I pulled the covers over my head and faced the other side. “I’ll see you again tomorrow,” he uttered before I felt his presence disappearing. Deep down, I would never admit how his stupid mask is slowly becoming staple thing to my lonely nights that I look forward to before my sleep.Veronica’s POV Something shifted in the way they treat me. “Anything I request for?” I eyed him with furrowed brows. “Yes,” the pack Beta Eamon, as he finally introduced himself to me earlier, answered in a monotonous voice. “What if I will only eat boiled virgin rabbit soup from the Highlands of the South?” I asked. I bet he is a strict general in their pack because I watched how hard he fought back rolling his eyes. Tough guy. It was quite amusing. “Then we will procure you the boiled virgin rabbit soup from the Highlands of the South,” he answered with an evident grudge. I held back a snicker but grinned widely after successfully messing with him. This is my first genuine big smile since my life went down the drain. I don’t know what changed but I will not poke around a blessing and risk jinxing it. “I would very much like a big bowl of lasagna and a medium-rare ribeye steak with a tub of sundae of all possible ice cream flavors with lots of sprinkles, chocolate syrup and m
Veronica’s POV All eyes were on me. Even without my heightened hearing as a werewolf, I could feel the deafening silence and hear the way everyone held their breath once they realized my presence. There were no announcements. I have a new scent that all of them would pick up quite easily. Because I am an outsider. Because I don't belong here. I stuck out like a sore thumb. The towering figure of a man around 6’3 ft tall approached me. It took me a second before I recognized him. He had a buzzcut with his large body. His steps were heavy. Eamon, the pack’s Beta. The Alpha’s right hand man. He stopped in front of me, his back was on his pack and uttered, “Come follow me.” It almost echoed through the entire hall. That is how unsettling the silence was. I cannot pick up the smell of everyone but again, even without my lycan senses, the air is filled with too much tension. Eamon suddenly turned to face the awaiting crowd of his pack members. He was frowning and in a strict voice,
Veronica’s POV Time passed and Red Eyes didn’t visit for a while until tonight. I was glaring at him as he stood in front of me. I had my arms crossed over my chest. He stood tall. Probably around a ridiculous height of 6’5 ft. It was an estimate. He was wearing long sleeves that hugged his skin. It was annoying. He knows he has a good figure, broad shoulders, strong biceps, hard muscles— I cleared my throat and rolled my eyes to avoid my gaze. The lamp looks really interesting, I never noticed. And okay, let’s just say he is distracting. Annoyingly. Really annoying. Maybe because I haven't seen him in a while. “Such a warm welcome,” he jests and moves to catch my line of sight. I continued avoiding him. “Why are you here?” I asked in a harsh tone and turned my back on him. For some reason, I started fixing the pillows on the bed. Its pillowcases are creased and I was smoothing them out. He is disturbing me. “You missed me?” I flinched when I felt him standing very close behind
Sebastian’s POV Taking in a rejected Luna from an enemy pack is madness, they told me. I didn't care. “She'll be arriving at our borders today.” I ran through the forest heading to the Grand Border in my shifted wolf form. Her scent was wafting through the air even from a distance. I know she is near our territory. In reality, the scent was barely there, it’s not something that can be picked up easily but I could. After all, even compared to the heightened senses that all werewolves have, mine is more advanced than ordinary so I could pick up her scent from miles away despite the wolfsbane that should’ve hid it. For this treaty, the Helios clan actually has no obligations to meet with the Eviera pack. They are the ones who offered, who needed this. So such trivial matters do not require the Alpha as an established hierarchy between our packs. We are not on the same level. But I couldn't stay in place. She's here. From afar, across the river and under the moonlight, I saw them
Sebastian's POV “Boiled virgin rabbit soup from the Highlands of the South?” I threw my head back laughing. Veronica always keeps on surprising me. I can’t predict her antics. “She's insane,” comments Eamon. “She's lovely,” I said. He looked at me like I just grew two heads. I shook my head with a smile which weirded him out more. I am not a very smiley person by nature. I do smile, just not as easily as lately, not for the small things too. My smile is usually reserved after a good hunt or a winning duel. Yet these days, I keep smiling over mundane things. I stood up, massaging my neck and stretching, “I’d hunt one.” “What?” Eamon exclaimed in bewilderment and protest. “You know she's just messing with us, right? She even changed her request to—” “Watch your words,” I warned with a growl, glaring at him. “Sorry, Alpha,” he bowed his head in submission. “I have matters to tend to anyway,” I responded dismissively, “I’ll bring Aren with me. You told her about the pack dinner a
Veronica's POV It sting me like another betrayal. I was in over my head and forgot why I was exiled here in the first place, forgot that I had no one to trust. “You can never leave here, Veronica.” His words echoed in my mind. I knew that he was probably tasked to oversee me. That it means nothing for him every night he sneaks in my room. I knew that he would side with his pack. That it will be his priority and not me. We were not friends or anything. I just hoped… a little. The random kindness and care seeped into me somewhere along our nights together. I tried to deny it. But the truth is, I have been lonely, empty, and somber for a long time now. The bits of attention somehow became my oasis to quench this unending thirst for someone. Something, anything, I can hold onto. For a second there, it was red eyes that were my anchor. Yet reality is cruel. He is just like them. He does not side with me. I am alone. As always, I am alone. I curled on the bed and squeezed my e
Veronica's POV I will drag them to hell with me. The white invitation card crumpled as I fist my hand so hard. I wanted to scream and break everything around me. My anger was blinding, my vision almost turned black but all I could see was red. I want them to bleed. I want them on their knees. I want to take them apart. I want to destroy their lives. Destroy it even worse than they destroyed mine. And I will. I will destroy them all. Leaving it all behind? Escaping to find my peace away from them? No. Not anymore. That was foolishness once more. I am no longer a fool. I will not become a fool again. I would have my revenge on them. Ripping the invitation I had in hand, I threw it in the trash. I have to come up with a plan to exact my vengeance. My current state is pathetic. A dethroned Luna, rejected, exiled, and was offered to an enemy clan. The Helios pack. The strongest pack in the North. Eviera will never be able to defeat Helios. And that will be my key. I have to
Veronica’s POV There is an upcoming banquet. “Am I allowed to go?” I asked Eamon who I was staring at from the mirror. He was standing straight behind me as I brushed my hair in front of the vanity table. He had his hands clasped together in his back. From his reflection, I saw how he drew an exasperated sigh, like he is tired of his job description. I can’t blame him. I’ve been kinda giving him a hard time after he told me that the Alpha declined to see me. “Yes, you have been invited,” he said. I shrugged then uttered, “Oh I don’t know. I wasn’t sure because the Alpha might not want my nobody presence there.” Eamon was on the brink of exploding. He is a stoic and calm man but his patience is running out on me. I could feel a little bad. Poor him, I had no one to lash out to aside from him. Well, it is his Alpha’s fault for being rude. “You are expected to attend,” he uttered with finality and headed out. I sighed to myself and sinked in the chair once I heard the door closin
Trigger warning: This chapter containers implied harassment. Read at your discretion.**Veronica’s POVThe chamber was immediately in chaos. The atmosphere inside was filled with their panic.I remained beside Sebastian, poised and composed, while the elders of the pack—the ones who once easily discarded me despite all the work I did for them—watched from their carved wooden chairs.Colton sat at the head. His lips were curled in a neutral line, but his eyes flickered with disdain. At his side, Ruby, looked as fragile and sweet as ever amidst her obvious alarm and confusion.I don't know if it's because I've seen her true colors now but it was easier to see through her acting. Either that, or she's losing her only talent.Sebastian told them in detail, “During our kingdom’s recent investigations, we discovered remnants of dark magic—traces that led us to a disturbing truth.”I continued his explanation, “We discovered planted obsidian shards: enchanted, corrupted, and powerful—was fo
Veronica’s POVIt feels like I have lived a hundred lifetimes since I last stepped in Eviera.My previous visit was during Colton and Ruby’s wedding, which was cathartic when I look back at it. It's also when I first made my move against them.Time passes by so quickly. A lot of things happened.“Eviera is not expecting and accepting any guests—” the guard of the borders didn't finish his words when he realized the crest of our carriage.Then, we pushed the curtains of our window away to speak with him.“Alpha Sebastian of Helios,” he greets and then locks eyes with me. I think I’ve seen him around before, when I was still queen of Eviera so I understood the shock of his reaction, gulping in my presence.I guess my bad reputation in the pack remains.“L-luna Veronica of Helios,” he greets me too.The other guard beside him moved so that they could bow together to us. I assumed this second guy was a superior of his.He then tells us, “I apologize for the rudeness Your Highnesses but ha
Veronica’s POVRevenge won’t give me peace but it will give me satisfaction.I killed Jadeline with my own two hands. If I wasn't that corrupted before, I'm forever tainted now. So I chose to see it through to the end.At least then, I’d have my conclusion. I could really shed the skin of my past without any attachments. I’ve done the worst anyway, might as well finish the job.“Remind me to not make an enemy out of you,” Sebastian gave me an amused smirk as he leaned on his chair.I raised a brow at him and grinned. “Like you’re not as diabolical.” He only responded with a hearty laugh.Perhaps the reason why we belong together is we accept the darkest, ugliest parts of one another.Today, I’ve made up my mind on how we can close this chapter of our lives—the ritual, the demon, the curse, and Jadeline. It took me some time before I could come up with something that covers all the tangled webs left behind. It's not wise for the truth to leak. A lot of people, even other packs and t
Sebastian’s POV“Veronica?” I called out in the darkness of the night. I patted her side of the bed and it was empty.I got up in haste, eyes glowing to check the surroundings and instantly stepped out to look around. Then, I remembered our mating bond.With that, I sensed her presence easier than before and I knew exactly where she was. What she's feeling and if she's okay. My feet brought me to the open balcony of our chambers.“There you are,” I murmured, only feeling relief when I really saw her in the flesh, despite the bond we share.Lately, I’ve known fear. Perhaps this is the result of recent events. I don’t think I’d ever forget what fear is anymore. She was wrapped in a silk robe, the breeze brushing her skin as she stared over the moonlit horizon. Her scent was carried by the wind, calming me in a way no other ever could.Her silhouette looked breathtaking. “Ah, yes. Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up,” Veronica answered, looking at me over her shoulder with a smile.I’v
Veronica’s POVNothing happened.Or at least, that’s what we told the rest of Helios when they started coming back to the territory. We spent the last few days cleaning the traces of the ritual and the chaos that happened while also recovering from our wounds and letting reality sink in.Tonight was a starless evening. The moon was hiding behind the clouds and the storm has calmed down into a soft chilly winter. The wind stirred my clothes, carrying a refreshing breath of air. The sound of the nearby falls could be heard.I was standing by the river’s edge, somewhere near the altar from nights before. I watched the raft float away from me, in the center of the stream, the crackle of the flames consumed the wrapped body that lay atop of it. There were no flowers, no offerings, no runes etched into the wood. Just the body—hers— and the silence on an ordinary wooden plank.It had been five days. Five days since I killed her with my own hands, with the blade she gifted me, because of the
Veronica’s POV “What’s the point of breaking the curse if I lost him?” The three siblings were standing around me as I knelt beside Sebastian’s body. Nolan said that from what he read, if the obsidian crystal reacts to him, that means that the demon’s host still lives—and yet minutes dragged on with no signs of him waking up. Luciana said it was time to accept it. But I can’t. How could I? I looked at the dagger I was still holding. My vision became blurry thinking about the life I took with it. I’m still soaked in their blood. His blood… At that moment, I was seriously thinking of ending my life, to follow him—to feel the pain I’ve caused him. But isn't that an easy way out for my sin? The punishment best suited for me is to live with the guilt and loss forever. “Veronica, you did what you had to do,” Luciana told me, hand on my shoulder. “Sebastian asked for it. There was no other way.” I replied with nothing. My grip on the hilt tightened. I felt another taste of anger in
Third Person’s POVUnder the red moonlight, is the sight of the tragedy.Three figures emerged from the woods, all with barely healing injuries. Snow crunched beneath muddied boots, the sound cutting through the strange stillness that hung tensed over the clearing.The moonlight has returned, seeping little by little through the clouds, no longer veiled by the eclipse. Midnight has passed. The moon’s soft glow fell upon the ruined ritual circle—blood-soaked stones, broken altar, and the scent of black magic long burnt out. In the center of it all, slumped on the ashen ground, the Alpha—Sebastian lay unmoving. And beside him, his queen, Veronica, knelt, her trembling hands covered in blood… of not just his and her own.She wasn’t crying. Not anymore.Not after she has already poured all of her tears out.A sharp whistle broke the air.Veronica looked up sharply, eyes narrowing—guarded.From the edge of the forest, cloaked in shadow and exhaustion, the Rozeiros siblings came to light
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