ARTEMIS’ POVThe plan for tonight was to play the part of the perfect son.The perfect prince.The perfect fiancé. To deceive the crowd long enough to think that I’d finally given in, that the marriage was really happening, and then not go along with it in the end. It was all to buy more time, to convince Sera to run away with me. Everything was going perfectly well until I saw her.Descending the stairs with Kamila on my arm like a bedazzled accessory, I felt her presence long before our eyes met. I felt it from the fire in my heart, from the wild flames that always came to life whenever she was present. I knew she was there instinctively, and our eyes met easily amidst the thousands of people waiting for us. She shone the brightest, like a dazzling star. The world paused for a moment, and I longed to be where she was, standing right next to her instead of her friends, holding her in my arms so no one else could see her perfection the way I did.I had to hold onto the reigns of c

SERAPHINA’S POVI feel like I'm floating, suspended in air, with a sense of calmness around me. I open my eyes to find myself in a place that can't be real.A world where everything is white, an endless space with no walls or ceiling, and I can't discern where the floor starts or ends."Where am I?" I ask myself out loud, looking around at the endless white expanse."You're in your subconscious mind," a voice echoes behind me, and I turn to meet her again, hovering like an angel as always.My mood dampens seeing her here."Of course you'd be here. You're always here.""I am your guide. I have nowhere else to be."I decide not to comment on the creepiness of that statement, shifting to what's important right now."Why am I here?" I ask.I try to remember the last thing that happened before waking up here, jogging my memory that has numerous gaps right now. With enough concentration, everything begins to play out in my mind.The engagement party, the reveal, and Artemis running after me

SERAPHINA’S POVThe doctor checks that I’m completely fine an hour later, confirming that my body has successfully accepted the mark.Apparently, there was a possibility of rejection on my part, a rejection that could have left detrimental damages to Artemis and me, and I was lucky that it was accepted without any hiccups.I wouldn’t call it luck, though.Every single bit of nature was on my side, ensuring that it would happen and that we’d be tied together forever. The prophecy, my Astria bloodline, wouldn’t let me die off so easily.But I doubt Artemis guessed all of that. He knew the repercussions, and yet he did it.I can’t help but be angry when I think of it and the violation of trust on his own part. I can’t help but be enraged that he ignored all the warnings I dropped, all just so he could get what he wanted.It hurts, and it’d be best if we don’t see each other for a few hours, maybe until the ceremony tomorrow.Yet, when the doctor leaves the room, and I’m all alone, I find

SERAPHINA’S POVI count the hours until the next day arrives, and the sun sets for the evening—the time when everything goes down.It was an impromptu shift from a wedding to a mating ritual, but the preparations made beforehand remain, only simply changing the title of the occasion to a Nova Mating Ball.Everyone will still be there to watch me walk down an aisle and officially bond myself to the future king of their pack, despite a few disapprovals.The Nova Mating Ball itself is something that hasn't occurred in recent times, popularly practiced in earlier generations where two wolves would make their bonding known to the world officially, swearing to be with each other.It's like a wedding in many ways, only the titles of "man and wife" aren't used, and with modernization, it became obsolete.The reason for it, instead of an actual wedding, is Silvan's desire to discard me when I'm done being useful, so someone else more worthy for the position of an actual wife and Luna can easil

SERAPHINA’S POVI can't help shaking as I take his hand and climb onto the altar, not after what I've just witnessed with so many eyes.I'm more nervous, even terrified, of the man standing behind us and watching us carry out his plans perfectly. A part of me is scared for what else he has in store for tonight, even with him being absent."Are you okay?" Artemis whispers to me, the look of worry in his eyes.I take a deep breath.How can I be, after everything that's just happened? I disliked Kamila and her ideologies. We fought most of the time, but once upon a time, we were somewhat friends, at least for a night.And even with her recent betrayals, I never hated her to the point of wishing for whatever happened to happen right in front of me and everyone else like that.It's not her fault that she was tied into a bond that was fake and grew feelings for Artemis, yet she has to pay the price for it, bearing such inevitable pain.I find myself breathing too hard, blaming myself for it