Veronica’s POVThe scary thing about death is that it continues to take everything from you even as time passes. It is something permanent and irreversible.I know I love my mother dearly. I still mourn for her. Despite this, she has now become nothing but a figment of my memory, a feeling I have known yet cannot fully remember. Her face is long forgotten at the back of my mind. Father burned her photographs years after grieving. I resented him silently for a while because of that. I thought it was him moving on and erasing any trace of my mom. Looking back today, I guess he couldn’t take the pain.I know she has purple eyes because we share the same unique color. I’m not quite sure if she really had long wavy hair just like mine too or I was imagining it. Turning her into a reflection of me, desperately wanting to be connected to her. As years go by, I become less and less certain of what she was like. I just know she loved me. I just know that I will forever yearn for that love. I
Veronica’s POVToday, I have decided to take a break on my plans… even as I find myself still busy.I relayed the task of looking for the spellbook to Keldor yesterday. However, I told him not to rush it. I don’t want him to be put into danger and become suspected if he acts too hastily.Eamon is still trying to find out how Jadeline met my father and her time as the infamous rogue. For a while, I considered asking Declan for help again, remembering how good he was at digging things up. However, I decided not to in the end. They don’t exactly know that part of my relationship with Sebastian, the whole revenge thing, and I’m not sure I want them to find out. Besides, we’re not really that close for me to ask another favor.
Sebastian’s POVI miss my wife.It’s literally the only thought I have in my mind right now. I wonder what sneaky naughty thing she is up to at this moment? I’m sure my sweet devious Veronica is up to no good. She cannot stay still and I actually find that cute.I could picture clearly how she would roll her eyes, pretending she hates it, but the light blush on her cheeks and the way her lips would quirk upwards a little is a traitorous habit I don’t think she’s aware of. It’s adorable. I could not stop the way I smiled to myself just thinking of her.“I’m glad you loved it, Alpha Sebastian!” Exclaimed and laughed rowdily by the suck-up king who I forgot was trying to strike a conversation with me about allying with his pack. I can’t even recall his exact name but he must have mistaken my smile as a response for whatever nonsense he was yapping about.“Sure,” I dismissively uttered in a monotonous voice, not even caring enough to correct him, and eye the hand he clasped on my shoulder
Veronica’s POVDays have easily passed by in a blur.“I must say, I enjoy seeing you this enthusiastic,” Sebastian chuckled from behind me.“Well, it is my first time outside of our continent,” I answered, before sparing him a glance over my shoulder as I beamed at him, “Like I really am in a new land right now!”I couldn't control the evident glee in my voice. I know I seem like a child opening her holiday presents with the way I am acting but this does feel like one. Also, I am pretty comfortable gushing this way in front of him.“Oh, it’s so beautiful here Sev!” I jumped a little as I turned to look out the giant windows again and watch the bustling streets below.From where we are, the view shows the entrance and the crowd with their daily activities. I have seen creatures I have only heard about or read in the books. There was a centaur and even dwarves. I never thought I would actually see one.I looked back at Sebastian again who was walking towards me as I asked, “Can we tour
Veronica’s POV“I don’t even know what I’ll do with all this,” I bit my nail as I stared at the stacks of boxes and lines of bags delivered in our room in the hostel, “I knew I shouldn’t have splurged. This is a waste of money,” I sighed.While shopping with Luciana earlier, I was aware that we’re buying almost a bulk per store and gods, did I lose count of how many establishments we visited. Seeing it piled up like this is overwhelming.“Nah,” Sebastian stood a step behind me, hand on the low of my back as he eyed the goods in front of us, “You don’t have enough things of your own as a queen if you ask me. Others of lower names have grander things than you,” he adds, “Honestly, I would’ve bought
Veronica’s POVNew Helios was really almost the exact copy of Main Helios.I stepped out of the carriage and took in my surroundings. It was also a pretty vast territory on its own but it was definitely smaller than Main Helios. We arrived early in the morning and have purposely not announced our advent to the pack members aside from Sebastian’s siblings. Just on cue, the familiar voice called to us, jogging in our direction.“Sister!” Nolan greeted with that wide mischievous smile on his face. It has been a while since I last saw him and I’d say his playful attitude, albeit mostly teasing, is always a breath of fresh air amidst the overwhelming Rozeiros.He opened his arms and tried to lean in for a hug while I laughed a little at his antics, “Welcome to my turf!”“Get your hands off my wife Nolan if you still want to keep them,” Sebastian pushed him away with a frown.Nolan gave him a blank stare, “Is this how you treat the king of this land?”“You are not the king of this land,” S
Veronica’s POV“Are you sure you’re gonna be okay here?” Sebastian asks, holding me by my waist, as I fix the collar of his shirt, “You can come with me if you want. I’d really love you to be with me,” he said and groaned, “I hate going to these things.”I chuckled at his whining, “No, it’s fine,” I smoothed his collar and beamed at its perfect state. Then I looked up to explain to him,“We have a lot of things to do and so little time. The harsh winter is fast approaching so we have to complete all our transactions for the ongoing preparations. We have a large kingdom depending on this. Let’s make use of our time to the fullest.”He sighed but gave me a smile, “You’re wonderful,” he praised and kissed me on my forehead, “I knew you had to be my queen,” he declares with pride, cupping my cheek and making them blush.“Yeah right,” I rolled my eyes playfully, hands on his chest and I teased, “Lucky you, huh?”Sebastian just laughed and buried his head on the crook of my head, breathing
Veronica’s POVI believe I was more of a hunter than a queen.Or at least that was what I thought when I was younger. It’s not like I dreamt of becoming a full-fledged hunter but more so the fact that hunters travel the most in packs. I have always wanted to step out into the world. I wanted that kind of freedom.However, fate has different plans for me.“I think you should take a carriage or even just a steed, Veronica,” Rowan told me with firmness as he followed me, “Also, we have some guards here in addition–”“It’s fine,” I told him with a smile and pointed at my two personal guards that were only a few feet away from us, “I’ll take Isolde and Soren with me.”Rowan sighed, “This is still uncharted territory even for your elite hunters.”“We won’t be long, I promise,” I stopped just before the entrance to the clearing that connects New Helios to the nearby mountain’s vast forests. I look at the large looming trees ahed, just as tall as the ones found in the North. I turned to him a
Veronica's POV“The longer you stay, the more dangerous it can get,” Rowan emphasized his words slowly. Declan was just leaning on the nearby wall, watching us silently with arms crossed.Luciana stood in front of me, holding me by my shoulders and looking directly into my eyes, “Are you sure about this, Veronica?”I met her gaze and nodded, “I think he needs me.”The Rozeiros siblings glanced at one another. They have been acting very secretive since I woke up.My body still feels weak. I'm not in my best condition yet but I can stand and walk already so I didn't let it stop me. Besides, it's not like I'd feel any better stuck laying on a bed knowing that my husband is rotting, locked up somewhere.It's almost like we switched places. I know he didn't stay put when it happened to me so I cannot really ignore it. I also don't want to.“We can only let you talk to him for a couple of minutes, Veronica,” Luciana started explaining, “Please understand. This is important. It's taking a lo
Third Person’s POVThe moment Sebastian got her intended message, he didn't waste any time to look for Veronica.“There is only one possible altar that they would use,” Declan said, looking up from the piece of paper where the message was written and meeting his brother’s stares as he adds, “The Altar of the Crescere church.”“I think they are using her to lure you there,” he continued, “They are planning to kill you.”Sebastian didn't heed his words and marched to the doors, on his way leaving.Rowan followed right away, “Sebastian!” He calls and stands between the doors and the other alpha, “Don't be hasty! They wouldn't try out this plan if they don't think this could actually work,” he said.The latter just snapped, eyes wide in frantic dilation.“I don't fucking care!” His booming voice bounced through the walls of the chamber, “You want me to sit here and do nothing?! I know where she is now! I will get her back!”“This could be the perfect timing,” Luciana suddenly interjects a
Warning: Graphic descriptions of violence**Veronica’s POVEverything unfolded quickly the moment Sebastian arrived.“Shit! How did they find us?!” I heard a loud voice clamoring to enter the room where they had me locked up. I think it was Gareth yelling.The door slammed open with a loud thud and I blinked my eyes hard because of the sudden harsh light from outside that hit my eye. It has been a while since I was exposed to something other than pitch black darkness. They barely open that door when they enter so my vision needed to adjust at the change.When I opened my eyes, I saw Gareth stomping his way to me angrily. His eyes were dilated in rage as he hastily yanked me from where I was crumpled on the floor. I yelped at the pain that shot through my bones because of his tight grasp on my arms and the chains that pulled against me.“Get up!” He growled at me, “What did you do?!” He shouted at my face, I flinched due to his booming voice.“Let her go!” Colton appeared and tried pu
Veronica’s POVI do wonder if my revenge is worth all this.Lying on the cold concrete floor, back to where I was once before, my mind couldn't help but think of everything I have been through.Maybe I really was too self-absorbed lately. I should've seen this coming. I should've predicted this to some extent. I should've known better.I swore I won't find myself in this position and yet here I am again. It took all of what little strength I have left to stop myself from crying. I have to be strong— that's how it's always been. I have been on my own for my entire life so I needed to be resilient. I never had anyone but myself.Somehow, despite doing all I can, I never succeeded in getting what I want.I don't know when it started or how my life regressed into this constant loneliness and suffering, filled with fear of abandonment and exhausting hatred… that even when I thought everything was going to my favor, it still crumbled. The ironic part is it's all I've ever known.“You have b
Third Person’s POV The king has gone mad. Within the hushed concerned whispers that were circulating in New Helios, it was what they had agreed upon. They have witnessed the horrors of the demon wolf’s wrath— stories that were only passed down from one person to another before. It's said that he has been tamed now. Yet the recent abduction of the queen woke up the sleeping beast. “Veronica was taken away.” Those words were the catalyst. In a blink of an eye, Sebastian lost his composure. A loud howl erupted in New Helios that evening. Everything happened so fast. He had Rowan lifted from the ground within a second, hand choking the older man’s neck, so strong that the latter struggled to breathe. Sebastian’s eyes were glowing crimson red, terrifying and angry. “How did you let that happen?” He snarled, face close to biting him, “You better choose your fucking words, Rowan or I would not hesitate to crush your head right now.” “Sebastian!” Luciana gasped scandalously and trie
Veronica’s POV I don’t know how long has passed since they had me locked up. I lost count of the days. All I am sure about is that I have been stuck in this dark place for a long time. There’s nothing to really tell the time. It makes me feel insane. Not to mention, I haven’t eaten since I arrived here. They just give me some water every now and then. One glass. I realized it must be one per day which means that I might have been here for around three days already. They visit and monitor me occasionally; as if I can actually do something in my weakened and shackled state. Gareth was here this time. He had a file as he picked on his nails. He was sitting a couple of feet from me. Then, there was the church bell sound. Again. It rings three times a day from my observation. I assume it was a marker of some sort. Three times. Morning, noon, night. It's most likely for prayers. It has been the second time I have heard it so it must be noon. The church, based on my hunches, is most
Veronica’s POVWhen I opened my eyes, it felt like I had gone back in time.I felt the shackles in my hands and feet. The same familiar wolfsbane coursing through my veins, even with the taste of silver this time. I hyperventilated during the first few minutes of realizing I was back at this very situation.Gasping for air loudly, I did my best so that my mind would not crumble. I cannot lose myself. I tried to breathe slowly.I reminded myself that I have gone through this once. I can survive again.I have to survive. I must survive.This can't be the end for me.If I have to claw my way back up from hell again, I will do so. Not even death can stop me.Calming a little after a long torturous moment, my eyes scanned the place I am at. There are no windows. It wasn't a cell, there weren't bars or anything.I tried recalling what happened. I was in the woods. I separated from Isolde and Soren to take a breather. Someone appeared. A masked man. And then there were others, carrying weap
Sebastian’s POV“It will always point towards the one closest to their heart.”It sounded like just another swindle. I held the compass in my hand, inspecting its intricate carved design. The compass is made of real gold. I can sense that the antique description about it is authentic. The claims of being enchanted, however, I was still contemplating.All I know is that it captured my attention. I remembered Veronica and her dreams of going out into the world. She has a traveler’s heart despite being confined in one place, one duty, all throughout her life. I think she would like this thing.Whether it is truly enchanted or not, it didn't matter. It looks pretty and it works as a normal compass too so she'll have use for it either way.“Alright, I’ll take this one,” I placed the compass on the glass display cabinet and pushed it towards the vendor.The woman smiled as she took it, “You made the right decision, Your Highness.”For a brief second, I squinted at her comment. That was sort
Veronica’s POVI believe I was more of a hunter than a queen.Or at least that was what I thought when I was younger. It’s not like I dreamt of becoming a full-fledged hunter but more so the fact that hunters travel the most in packs. I have always wanted to step out into the world. I wanted that kind of freedom.However, fate has different plans for me.“I think you should take a carriage or even just a steed, Veronica,” Rowan told me with firmness as he followed me, “Also, we have some guards here in addition–”“It’s fine,” I told him with a smile and pointed at my two personal guards that were only a few feet away from us, “I’ll take Isolde and Soren with me.”Rowan sighed, “This is still uncharted territory even for your elite hunters.”“We won’t be long, I promise,” I stopped just before the entrance to the clearing that connects New Helios to the nearby mountain’s vast forests. I look at the large looming trees ahed, just as tall as the ones found in the North. I turned to him a