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
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 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
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
Sebastian’s POV“You share the same strength and violence of the one who’s once Helios’ strongest.”Those are words I remember my father saying, back when I returned home from my first official hunt with some pack members. I never truly understood what he meant by it. He just always regarded me with his observant eyes every time I used my abilities. “I hope you don’t share the same curse.”He mentioned one time.He’s probably disappointed now.“This ledger… it shouldn’t exist,” Rowan’s remark pulled me back from my deep thoughts,, “The information here was supposed to be only known by our family,” he added.After the recent events, my siblings somehow ended up more involved in Veronica’s whole revenge ordeal. I’m not really sure how I feel about it.Back when Nolan was the only one sticking his nose into it, I was already pretty irritated by the fact. Now, all of them are. I want Veronica to share a close bond with my family and I’m glad they are treating her well— there was a time
Veronica’s POVI thought I’ve accepted the fact that I have never truly known the one I considered my mother my entire life. I was aware that Jadeline wasn’t who I thought she was, growing up. But this… What he just said seems impossible.“Eamon,” it was my turn to hold him by his shoulders once I recovered and we managed to force him to sit down on the couch, “Are you sure you’re okay? Maybe you should be taking a rest first before you report. There’s no need to rush, I can wait until you’ve recovered—”“No! No, I’m telling the truth! I’m not hallucinating,” I pursed my lips at his answer. It is proof that he seems to be in a much sober state, if he could understand my implications.However, it was jarring to see him like this. He’s a man who’s calm and collected all the time. Now he’s a mess, out of his mind, my heart clenched at that. He’s probably still barely out of being feral and again, I was the one to drag him in this situation.It took everything for me to not dwell on th
Eamon’s POVI was near getting the truth.“I never expected you’d seek help from a witch,” Master Declan said the moment he arrived in the Northern borders, “I thought you’re too traditional and conservative for it.”I eyed him heavily, “Believe me or not, Your Highness but this is the best out of all the options I have had since I started my investigation.”Master Declan stared at me, “I wasn’t questioning you. I know the quality of your work. You’re not me but you’re not bad,” he stretched lazily and yawned, “So where’s this little witch you had a deal with?”“My lead came from a witch in the West,” I informed him, “Do you think we can cross the borders faster, Your Majesty?”He glared at me and scoffed, “This better be worth my skipping of sleep.” Master Declan waved his hand unenthusiastically and a portal slowly opened. He nodded for me to follow him and I did.The next time we crossed, we were stepping out to the Western territory.“I’ve made the arrangement you asked me so we c
Veronica’s POV“...and that’s why Sebastian would’ve probably been up for imprisonment or execution if the Supreme didn’t arrive on time,” Nolan tilted his head and added an afterthought, “But between you and me, I think they’re aiming for an execution. The imprisonment option won’t really be a thing.”I gawked at Nolan and how he chuckled at that, as if it’s the silliest thing ever. He’s acting like we weren’t clamoring for desperate solutions just days ago. He’s sick in the head but then again, that might just be the Rozeiroses. They have moved on from the matter, acting as if it’s only a small business and not the kingdom almost falling. I should probably adopt that attitude though.Currently, we are now back at Helios. All the siblings will be staying here for a while. I have told them all of our plans and the things that have occurred these past months. It was a whirlwind and I even remember Luciana saying,“All of these happened without us ever fully knowing?” She frowned and j
Veronica’s POV“I guess we’re still pretty lucky, huh?” I smiled to myself while clinging to Sebastian’s arm, feeling better compared to earlier today.Things surprisingly turned out for the best. To think that I was dreading the worst fate for us when we arrived here but we managed to overcome that ordeal.I even got information for the exact date of the eclipse. For me, I take that as a small win, consciously refusing to overthink our interaction with the Supreme and the little time we have left before it comes.“I doubt it’s luck,” Sebastian mumbled, like he was speaking his deep thoughts out loud. He has been silent as we walk back to our room, “That’s just way too convenient.”I furrowed my brows though I understood his point. Sure, the Supreme may have given us his intentions of keeping Sebastian under his thumb but the perfect timing of his arrival to stop the trial definitely can’t be a coincidence.So much for seeing things optimistically. We really don’t have that luxury an
Veronica’s POVMy instincts are telling me that the Celestial Warden is a very dangerous man.Whether he is dangerous for us right now or in the far future, it is still quite uncertain. That is why I can’t fully let my guard down around him. He is mysterious and mischievous— a fact I am sure of. The moment his eyes landed on me, I almost flinched.The Supreme smiled at my direction. However, I still didn’t feel any relief despite his friendly demeanor. All of a sudden, he shifted his attention to me and asked, “Luna Veronica with the Crysmorra blood, right?”It is a bit strange that he knows about my bloodline although not entirely impossible. He probably checked my background, as Sebastian’s wife and Luna from the strongest pack. Having been the Celestial Warden too, he might be the most knowledgeable living individual about the history of my lineage and the Nine Servants.I can’t decide if I feel comfortable with it. Yet I answered politely, “Yes, Your Supremacy.”His eyes were ins
Veronica’s POV“Hail, Supreme,” the entire committee of the Holy Parliament greeted in chorus, bowing to the newly arrived man.I watched how even Sebastian and Gareth followed. It took me and Colton a late second to follow.Having been from two powerful packs that always participates in the Culling Tournament and has connections throughout the upper society of the lycan continent, I assume they know the obviously high-ranking person.Sebastian wouldn't have bowed to someone lower than his status. To think that he's not almost on par with the Holy Parliament with how he interacts with them on the same footing, this means that this stranger surpasses, and probably sits on top of the chain.I tried peeking to see him as he trudged inside the courtroom, past the middle circle where Sebastian was positioned and towards the elevated platform in front, where the committee was.He walked with regality and authority. But I can't sense his second gender, which is normal sometimes especially wh
Veronica’s POVToday is the trial for the final verdict about Sebastian's murder and we have to bail time.“Luna Veronica,” the mocking voice of my boorish, brainless, ex-husband Colton disturbed the peaceful silence I have at where I was by the stands, “Majestic as ever with the way you managed to claw your way up towards another reign despite everything.”I turned to him with a cold, emotionless face.“Colton of Eviera,” I began, refusing to call him by his title as an Alpha, because I despised the time that I was beneath him when I know we're not even in the same league and he was never better than me.I looked directly into his eyes, “I see you're still the same too. Always barking up the wrong tree without a bite, thinking so full of himself but just overcompensating for the many things that you lack.”His fake politeness and confidence easily crumbled. Colton snarled at me, taking a step closer with glowing eyes in anger.“Funny you say that and look down on me. Then I guess you
Veronica’s POVWhen lycans lose their sense of self, they become feral werewolves.It happens in instances that the wolf side of a lycan fully overtakes the consciousness of the individual. If left unchecked and not cured in the right time, the werewolf will just become a mindless wolf, entirely animal; with no humanity left in them.So imagine my shock when I see Eamon in this state.“What happened to him?!” I exclaimed and stepped forward to get a closer look at where he was kneeling on the floor, canines bared, elongated and drooling.His eyes don't recognize anyone. They were wild and dilated, when I moved, he tried lunging at me with a bite and a growl but Declan held his chains, rattling as he was pulled while Sebastian was quick to grab my arm and held me back. I looked at him in panic. He had a blank stoic expression.“Don’t come near him, he’s not himself,” he warns and glances at the writhing Eamon, “It’s almost the same state whenever I lose myself to the curse.”It was har