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
Veronica's POV The evening banquet of the Helios pack is huge. Apparently, it is a monthly celebration that is a tradition for them. The giant banquet is held to celebrate their good hunts. They also reward their best hunters so the whole pack is always looking forward to this party. It is encouraged to dress up with a big feast prepared. Everyone in Helios will attend, even their officials. I was hit with the realization of how rich and strong the Helios pack is. It is one thing to hear about it but a whole different experience to witness it firsthand. “You look beautiful, Miss,” Analynn my wavy hair on the sides and looked at me in front of the body size mirror. “Thank you. You two were a big help,” I answered and beamed at her. I wore a flowy white fairy dress with long sleeves and a bow ribbon at the front. It was an inch above my knees. I opted for a clean color like white with minimalist designs to make it look effortless and not over the top. I also decided to keep my hai
Veronica’s POV The howl came from the back of the mansion. Eamon was quick in his feet, alerted. A bloom of emotion rose in my chest at that familiar howl. I still remember the first night when I saw those red eyes and the call for the moon that he yelled. There was a foreboding feeling in the back of my mind. Did something happen? I didn't want to worry but I almost stood up from my seat. I need to act normal and it’s not like it is my business yet my eyes still followed where the howl came from and I felt my stomach flip in a surge of emotions. Eamon turned to Isolde, “Take her back to her room,” he commanded her and Isolde quickly nodded. I realized that he was pertaining to me. My brows furrowed in confusion as I protested, “Wait. Wha—” Isolde was already standing up and holding me by my arm, “Let's get you inside, Miss.” She was wearing a serious look and making my intuition go off. “No,” I said with a sharp look at her, “What is happening? Why should I be rushed inside?”
Veronica’s POV“I won’t let you use him for your own gain!” I said out loud and glared at the looming shadow.In a rush, I attempted to stand up but the shackles on me pulled me down to remain on the ground. My legs are still very weak, how I manage to remain conscious is probably just because of sheer will and adrenaline.“Hm, that is very thoughtful of you, Your Highness,” the dark entity mocked me with a chuckle. “But you can’t even save yourself,” it said. “You’re not one to talk about being a savior. You have been failing at it the entire night.”“If you weren’t able to beat Jadeline on your own, do you think you can stand against me?” It laughed loudly. I followed its movement, circling me before going towards Sebastian’s direction, who looks like in an inner turmoil from where he stands.I snarled at the entity not taking me seriously. My eyes darted back at Sebastian. He kept on flinching and I squinted at his current state.Is it possible that he’s fighting to take back contr
Veronica’s POV“S-sebastian… please—please let me go.”I couldn't breathe. I tried hitting his arm to make him loosen his grip but he wasn't budging. I felt the shackles still pulling me with every movement.Everything happened so fast.When he arrived, I was almost relieved. But I knew the moment he stepped forward to the light, that something wasn't right.Sebastian's not in his right mind.It must be the curse.“It’s Veronica… I’m Veronica—” I gasped and attempted to pry his hand away only to no avail. “Sev—w-wake up… C'mon… snap… out o-of i—”I started choking more, making it hard to say a word.He was strong since the day I met him but I was never on the receiving end of his violence. At this moment, I realized just how much fear this strength of his brings to someone he is targeting.I looked into his eyes.Red eyes.But they seemed so different.It was a brighter shade of red with black veins rooting from his irises. His eyes were glowing. It looked way too horrifying.Tears st
Third Person’s POVSebastian lay unconscious on the cold ground.The dark entity managed to subdue him and knocked him out with a surprise attack. He slammed him to the snow covered ground, creating a crater around him—he wasn't really supposed to wake up for a while… at least a day or more.But his finger started flinching.And soon enough, he started to move.Darkness clung to the forest as the moonlight continued to be eaten by the sky.The freezing air was razor-sharp and would've rendered most normal people paralyzed, slicing through the pines as the blood moon loomed above the world, halfway veiled by shadow. At this time, the eclipse was reaching its peak, and the wind howled with a low, haunting song—like the woods themselves were warning of something ancient stirring.He opened his red eyes. They were glowing especially in the night.Sebastian lay sprawled on the forest floor, body twitching as the snow soaked into his cloak and the blood crusting his side began to dry. For
Veronica’s POV The truth is often cruel and bitter. I’ve been seeking the love of a mother who’s chasing the ghost of her real child. And this is why she will never look at me—why she didn’t love me this whole time. I’m not the daughter she wants. I could live a hundred lifetimes and I’ll never be the child she loves. I’m nothing but a lonely orphan, a key for her real desires. Jadeline smiled viciously and added to her revelations that continued to wreck me, “It sure took a very long time to get here though.” She paused. “The shadow needed to regain its strength because of the first ritual taking its toll even if it’s not completed and well… your bloodline was very secretive, sweetheart. It was a long journey just to gather the elements I needed,” she sighed. “But I never gave up on my daughter,” she said. “Finally, everything started to fall into place and here we are today.” “Daughter…” I looked up at where she's standing. “Your real daughter back when you were still Jaedeli
Third Person’s POVNothing is scarier than a grieving mother.Jaedelinne changed along with the passing of time. There was a time when she was selfless, loving, caring for everyone—only for the same people to betray her in the end and take everything she had without remorse.“The great eclipse that we need to harness the power of my dark magic only happens every century,” the dark entity told her. “Do you think you can hold your end of the bargain that long?”“Not like you can break off the contract after you have agreed to tether your soul to me.” It smirks.She simply pursed her lips. “I can wait,” she muttered monotonously. “You just have to ensure I live that long then there's no problem.”“Ah, that won't be hard,” the entity’s voice was playful, almost close to mocking. “Your reckless husband managed to succeed on one thing.”“Before he was interrupted, the ritual at least made you immortal because he prioritized saving your life first. Unfortunately, it wasn't completed so your
Jadeline’s POVDesperation leads to foolishness—gullible to any false hope, starving for something to cling onto as waves upon waves knock you down. Desperation is an unquenchable thirst, clawing in your throat as you drag your feet to an oasis you can see from afar but despite every step, the distance seems to grow farther apart.Desperation is being aware you are getting tricked but still playing your part just for a fraction of the possibility that things could change for the better. Desperation was the only thing keeping me alive.“You have led such a pitiful life, I would almost sympathize with you if I was not the creature that I am,” the grating voice of the shadow said as it circled me.At my lowest, any hint of fear was gone. I felt hollow, my eyes too tired of shedding tears. I just want everything to end. My fingers became tighter around my baby.“Are you happy with what you’ve done?! You ruined my life now!” I snarled and glared at the floating entity. “Go away, leave! I
Note: The following chapter is entirely a flashback**Jadeline’s POV“I did it for the pack,” were the first words from Rozeiros, as if trying to explain what he did to my husband.However, no amount of explanation—whether it may be just or not—could ever take away the pain of losing my mate. The moment Helian’s body turned cold, I already lost my friend and home. I have only one thing left for me. My child.I took a step forward, glaring at him and baring my claws.“That’s not what I’m asking.” I snarled. “Tell me where my daughter is!”I lunged an attack at him.I wasn’t a hunter nor a warrior. I never liked violence. I was just a healer. It was then when I regretted it. There was a big gap in our skills. He was just mostly dodging and defending himself, probably not even taking me seriously.But it works in my favor. It will be his fatal mistake to go easy on me. I have no intentions of letting him off the hook without my daughter.“I thought you were his brother,” I accused him
Jadeline’s POVThe worst thing about betrayal is that it can only be done to you by the people you treasured most.“What are you doing?!” I yell, voice cracking.Rozeiros still could not say a word. I felt my eyes slowly tearing up.“This isn't his fault, Rozeiros! He was doing it for the pack! You're misunderstanding it!” I tried to lunge at him but the pack members continued holding me back tightly.So I just continued shouting, “You know he wouldn't do something like this for no reason! You know Helian!”Rozeiros averted his gaze at me and I couldn't help but burst in betrayal.“How can you do this?!”I saw his jaw clench and hands fist but the coward did not dare meet my eyes.“Jaedelinne…” his voice trailed off. “I don't have any choice.”Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit!His words sounded like excuses. He didn't have a choice? He did! If he truly trusted Helian and what he knew about him, he wouldn't just try and kill him just like this!They knew each other longer. He knew him firs
Note: The following chapter mainly contains flashback**Jadeline’s POVA great sacrifice—is what they called my child.My innocent child. To them, she was nothing but a sacrifice, a collateral damage. Both sides saw a helpless infant and decided that taking her life is not a big deal. As if I didn’t hold her fragile small body in my arms after I birthed her, felt her warmth and the way she lit up my world, forever changing my purpose, my being.It was only days after my marriage with Helian and our coronation when we found out that I was already pregnant for a while.The best moment throughout my entire existence was the first time I held my daughter.“She’s beautiful,” I whispered, eyes tearing up as I stared at my sleeping baby, cradling her to my chest.“She is,” Helian said and leaned closer to us. He rubbed his thumb faintly on our child’s cheek, careful to not wake her up. He dropped a lingering gentle kiss on top of my head and mumbled, “Thank you for bringing her to this wor