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
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 an
Sebastian's POVThe possible traitors have always just been four people—this is a fact I have known since the first time I realized that we have a betrayer in the pack.Eamon. Isolde. Soren. Aren.The traitor has always been just among them and only them. After all, they are the four people who have been consistently present during the incidents and have the skills to pull off the deed. I did not consider Keldor who was stuck in Eviera and held hostage nor Analynn who has limited knowledge about our plans.Eamon’s only incriminating factor is that he is the Beta but I doubted that he would betray me.Isolde seemed attached to Veronica and I couldn’t think of any motive strong enough for her to risk it.Soren may seem a bit carefree but he’s an obedient and devoted warrior I have watched grow.Aren… Now him, I’ve always suspected. “He’s in this prison cell,” Veronica told Soren who was behind her, silent and with unreadable mixed emotions in his face. “We thought you should be here wh
Veronica’s POV “How can you be so sure?” I asked Sebastian as we trudged the hallways, my heart hammering in my chest. I just fixed myself up after venting my anger in the practice field. He came to get me and then filled me in about his plans for the Helios traitor. I couldn't believe it when he first told me. I thought I was just too tired from lashing out at those poor dummies but he told me he’ll show it to me. “He's been working for you for years, right? He’s also a native pack member,” I said, my mind still in denial. A pack traitor is something that is hard to accept for werewolves. After all, we pride ourselves in our bonds with each other, it's what gives us strength. To have one in a kingdom as prosperous as Helios is simply unthinkable. Even as I am aware that there is definitely one for quite some time now. “It's only the fitting answer after we’ve traced the possibilities of how Eamon’s actions and his entire investigation was known to the enemy,” Sebastian respond
Veronica’s POVThe eclipse is more than just a week away.“You’re really obsessing over that bite, huh?” I turned to give Sebastian a smile as I let him rub his thumb over my gland, holding back a shiver from his touch. He shifted in the sheets and moved closer to nuzzle his nose by my neck, inhaling there, “Can you blame me?”“It’s the only thing that keeps us apart,” he mumbled as he dropped his head on my shoulder.Sebastian grabbed my hand and played with our fingers together.“Once we have the bond, we'll become one,” he blurts out, “I would feel your emotions, hear your thoughts… Our wolves would be complete, I’d be able to sense you, you’ll become part of me and—”He looks up to meet my gaze.“I'd always have you.”Sebastian said it so earnestly that I was left unable to say anything back.He sat properly now and reached to hold my cheek, “That’s all I ever wanted.”My heart hammered in my chest, feeling so full and cherished from the affection that he has always given me.I l
Note: The following chapter contains explicit adult content.* * * * *Veronica’s POVThe Veronica, who has heard the rumors of the fearsome king of Helios, and the frightened exiled Luna who first stepped in this territory, would’ve never imagined this even in her wildest dreams.Kissing Sebastian started in a fervent moving of our lips together, savoring each other like we’ve been starved for decades.It did feel like that.“Hmm,” I hummed in delight when he sucked on my tongue and tilted his head to explore the inside of my mouth better.With the continuous assault of problems towards us lately, starting from my abduction to the untangling of Jadeline’s grand plans, we never have time to actually be intimate anymore.Until tonight.Our kiss turned slow, languid, and dizzying. I felt drunk with the way he gently but harshly moved his lips on mine.I’m now kissing the same Alpha I used to only think in fear.Fate really is a funny thing.My wolf was purring inside me, enjoying this t
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