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
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 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
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
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
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
Note: The following chapter is entirely a flashback**Third Person’s POV“Veronica! Where have you been?” Jadeline asked the girl who just got back from the back of the mansion to the ballroom. Her voice was raised but hushed as she reprimands the younger one, “I’ve been looking for you!” The debutante responded in her soft voice right away, “I’m sorry, mother. I had to go to the bathroom and fix my gown.”At the back of Veronica’s mind that evening, she feels odd and uneasy. Her answer was like an automated reply she didn’t exactly decide on and even if she says it, there was this inkling inside of her that it does not feel right. It seems like there is a lapse for her.Which years later, she’d find out why. It’s the memories compelled for her to forget.“You should’ve asked for permission first or let me know,” Jadeline remarked in a scolding tone that made her focus on the present, “Where is your manners, dear? Have you not learned that?” Her stepmother continued, the words sting
Note: The following chapter is entirely a flashback**Veronica’s POV“I did not gatecrash this stupid party,” the boy around my age answered with a bite in his words, “I had an invite,” he gritted.“Hm,” I met his vicious stares and stared him down intently as I emphasized, “Clearly what you don’t have is manners.”The stranger didn’t like what I said. He instantly snarled at me.I raised my brow. The audacity of this one.With the way he is acting pissed off with just that, I had the urge to annoy him more. A great way to entertain myself amidst this night. It’s always funnier to tease people who are easily irritated.“Oh don’t snarl at me, boy,” I told him and gave the same energy back, “You aren’t supposed to be here yet you’re the one who’s acting like this,” I squinted my eyes at his direction, “If you did not gatecrash the ball, what are you doing here?”There was a long silence between us. He was looking at me like I am the odd one here. It was obvious that there was something
Veronica’s POV“We first met at the masquerade ball during your coming of age.”I felt like I didn’t hear his words right.“Wha— no,” I gave him a deep frown, “Stop playing with me,” I glared at him, not liking the idea that he is making a fool out of me, “I’d remember if we'd met back then. You’re not really the forgettable type,” I crossed my arms with a huff and a raised brow.Sebastian chuckled and looked down to pick on his lap, “Yeah, but this one is kind of different,” his voice was almost as if he was spacing out.I gaped at him and asked, “Different how?”“You know how you have that unique ability of yours?” He stared at me intently, “The dream walking thing or something?”“Uhuh,” I said, still unsure of his point while I squinted my eyes at him.Sebastian continued, “I have another ability of sorts.”I felt like I didn’t hear his words right again. This conversation has been messing with my head. “Wait,” I put a hand in front of him and let it sink in, “Another one—” I face
Veronica’s POV“Thank you so much, Luna,” the late middle-aged female omega smiled appreciatively and tried to reach for my hands. The guards behind me moved from my peripheral vision to stop her as it is against the code but I raised my hand to gesture for them to stop.I reached back to her hand and held it together while returning the warm smile, my heart flattered and full from her gratitude. I gently told her, “Don’t worry. We’ll get through this winter together. The palace will give you all the aid needed.”The line of pack members behind her remains quite long even as the distribution has begun for hours now. I waved at the kind lady as the line continued. The entourage arrived earlier today and we instantly began the distribution of resources soon after. It’s almost sunset now. I gave another smile to the woman who was holding a young boy, most likely her son, beside him. I grabbed their package and was handing it to her when the young pup said,“Do you really have magic, Your
Warning: Graphic depictions of violence**Sebastian’s POVThe harsh winter has come and it will be taking over the entire North for a while.We are back at Main Helios. The entourage with us, however, are traveling separately so it would take a while before they arrive with the majority of the resources. It’s not like they can cross the same portal connecting the North to our extended territory that we used. Only those Rozeiros by blood can.I had to give my blood to Veronica so she could pass through. Even then, she had to cross with me in tow for it to work. We’re married but we’re not officially mated so I had to resort into another method.The reminder soured my mood as I entered her office. She has her own now. It’s been almost a week since the incident and she has been busy with the kingdom’s paperworks and queenly duties. We did have a disagreement at first. I didn’t want her to push herself as she is still recovering but Veronica insisted that if she stayed rotting in bed,
Veronica's POV“Can you tell me about the curse?”Sebastian flinched at the question.Then he admitted, “I don't want to.”My forehead creased and I turned to look up at him, “What do you mean you don't want to? Don't you think that after all this, I deserve to know? You're leaving me in the dark.”His deep red eyes watched me for a long time before he choked out,“You’ll leave me.”I almost didn't hear it. It almost did not sound like him.Sebastian is sure of himself. He knows that he is in his own league. He never falters. He's solid rock. He knows what he wants and takes what he wants.That is the man I knew.The man in front of me right now, though, sounded like a kid.Someone vulnerable and scared.My heart ached.“But I’m still here, aren’t I?”“For now.”I couldn't say a thing after that.Sebastian added, “You’ll never see me the same.”My chest hurts.“Don’t you think I’d learn to cherish the new side of you too?”“That’s not really a thing.”“Try me.”My words were fast and s
Veronica's POV The sun hit my eye and I squinted from the harsh light. It took a second before it registered to me where I was. I couldn't feel my legs, they had become numb, feeling the heavy weight of the man still lying on my lap. We fell asleep last night. Exhaustion caught up to me because I also just recently woke up from my injuries. I still feel a bit queasy but the good thing was Sebastian fell asleep too. He's still deep in slumber right now. My fingers traced the features of his face. I assume that he was awake for days since he was locked up here based on the dark circles under his eyes. He was in solitary. If they don't really open the barriers, he probably must not have eaten too. While unconfirmed, I don't know what to feel when I imagine him suffering like that. I’m not sure how long I spent lost in my thoughts when Sebastian's eyes fluttered open. Our gazes met. “Veronica?” He asked in confusion, still out of it. He stared at me like he was still in a dream 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