Veronica's POVThe public deliberation of the reopened case starts today.It's not only the Sun Council that we have to convince, we also need the entire Helios pack to believe us.After all, without the people's favor, even if I manage to throw her in jail, I'd never truly win.In the back of my mind, I have considered that perhaps I was taking things exaggeratedly. Sure, she was rude the first time we met and I know how she schemed to make me look evil for the rest of the kingdom but aside that, there wasn't any life-threatening matter she did to me. I barely even know her.I could argue that it isn't my fault she had some dirt in her that I dig up and it could bring justice to someone else who she wronged but I'm not that much of a hypocrite to pretend I didn't do this for my personal intentions.Some sick and twisted part of me is glad to have this squabble between us like it's just merely a game to me. If it was the Veronica of the past, she wouldn't even act on it and always ch
Veronica's POVI have officially lost my mind.It was a spur of the moment reaction as I took a swan dive off the balcony. My mind was just filled with adrenaline and it's all I could think about at that second.Maybe it was the anger, the frustration, and just wanting to quickly get this over with.Also, I hated that Analynn was involved in this petty squabble for the throne or for a man. I don't want anything to happen towards the people I care about.My schemes and moves are all mine. If I get karma for it, I will take it on my own without letting anyone take a hit for me.On the other hand, while crazy and dangerous, I knew how this would spiral to my favor. It'll be bad but not really life-threatening.“Oh my god!” I heard a voice yell in horror. It was so loud that my head was ringing. Ah, that could also be because I hit the ground.The person, whoever that poor witness is, shrieked so loud once they recognized me, “Luna Veronica?!”My head was spinning. My vision is blurry. I w
Veronica’s POVI was in a deep slumber.It felt like I was drowning. I wasn't really conscious but I have awareness. I saw things in a third person perspective and that's when I knew my little trips during my dreams were happening again.The vision started with a strawberry-blonde girl, probably around my age more or less, running as fast as she could.I looked around and realized that the place is radiating from olden times. Too ancient for my memory and knowledge. I couldn't see her face but I felt her emotions. I felt despair and fear as she ran.There was a connection between us and it's sitting in my gut. Who is she? Who is she running from? I was as lost as she seems to be.Then, a familiar balcony appeared.That balcony.Is this why I am having this vision?As if to prove my words right, it continued.“Don't you dare jump!” A voice yelled, the person who was running after the stranger.She snapped her head towards its direction. However, before I could see her, I felt a strong
Sebastian's POV“Why is it not breathing anymore, Luciana?” a far distant memory of a young version of me asked in plain confusion towards my big sister.“It’s dead, Sebastian,” she answered me, a hand on my shoulder as she stood behind me.My eyes bored into the dead body of my rabbit. The little creature lasted for several months.Every morning, I visit and poke at it for a couple of minutes as part of my daily activity.That day, when I did my usual play with the animal, it didn't move. It didn't respond. I thought it was one of those moments where it just randomly lies lifelessly in the cage so I wasn't bothered.However this time, it has been hours and it still didn't respond. I dragged Luciana to my room to check on it.“But why?” I questioned, frustration present in my whine, “I took care of it,” I gritted my teeth. Sadness for my loss shapeshifting into anger, the emotion I know best, “I gave it everything it needed,” I insisted.Luciana sighed, “Well, it needs more than your
Veronica’s POVIt's about time to put an end on this whole fiasco.Things picked up from where they left off. Despite taking a long break due to my incident, I really didn't have much stuff to catch up with. The previous plan was close to fruition last time, anyway.“Who even thought of something this sinister?” Declan exaggeratedly uttered, even mostly monotonous, and his eyes darted to his brother.Sebastian scoffed at him, “Don’t look at me.”Declan squinted his eyes at their youngest, “I didn't say it was you. You’re too impatient and violent for this step by step and thought out plan.”Sebastian mocked him childishly, “Nice insight I didn't ask for,” he bit back before his mood shifted quickly, “But you’re right. All the credits belong to my wife,” Sebastian said with pride in his words that made me blush a little while he smirked at my direction.Declan looked at me. I waved my hand at him and gave a small awkward smile. His sleepy eyes were boring through me with so much intensi
Veronica’s POVDriselle is a less skilled version of Ruby… which is not a good thing because Ruby isn’t that much of a mastermind herself.They are both the sweet girls that everyone loves and adores. I don’t know why I seem to attract such people. The only difference is Ruby can keep the act going better than Driselle. She knows best not to be reckless. I have got to give it to her that she never once slipped and had me fooled myself too. Driselle is mostly overcompensating that if you look closely, you’d sense how ingenuine she actually is.With such parallels, I had a realization. Ruby couldn’t stand on her own which means Driselle is probably not alone in this. I do not mean Nyssael because of how she blindsided her ‘friend’ so there must be someone else in the shadows. Turns out I was right and that is how I traced a loose end in her story.“State your name and introduce yourself to the court,” Sebastian instructs the ginger-haired man who has now replaced Nyssael at the witness
Veronica’s POVMy reputation in Helios has never been better.It has been three days since Driselle’s imprisonment. It became a big shock for the entire pack. She was pretty well-known and they all felt betrayed. From being one of the most loved members, she became the most hated in the kingdom.Word got out about the verdict I have given too. Most of them contradicted my decision, saying I was being too lenient for settling with lifetime imprisonment. Helios is known to be cruel so that makes sense. For them, execution is how they punish the majority of their criminals. They gave me a pass, though, and mostly sympathized with me saying it is probably stressing for me because she harmed my life and that I was just a forgiving person.
Note: The following chapter contains explicit adult content.* * * * *Veronica’s POVI don’t hate the monster in Sebastian because I actually love the idea of keeping it on a leash only I could control.This is something I have just recently come to terms with.The unmatched passion, desire, and hunger he puts in every possessive touch, every domineering grip, and every greedy grasp is a reminder that I am wanted. I am needed. It placates the anxious part of me that always fears unworthiness. “You’re so damn hot, baby,” Sebastian smiled in between our kisses and pulled a bit on my lower lip with his teeth, his hand stroking up and down my spine as I straddle him on the bed, “Fucking love how crazy you get,” he whispered and bent down to lap on the skin of my neck.I whined and looked up at the ceiling, breathless, as my fingers massaged his scalp, pressing him more to myself, the friction sending waves of pleasurable electricity within my nerves. I couldn’t help but grind on his lap
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