Veronica’s POV“Have him treated by the healers immediately,” I hop off the back of Sebastian’s wolf and aided Soren in taking Keldor away.We arrived at the back of the palace to avoid making a commotion in the kingdom. It’s where we initially agreed to meet after. It’s already morning, as I estimate, because the sun is already up in the blue sky.Isolde and the others welcomed us. She followed along Soren and Analynn to attend to Keldor.Eamon stayed behind to check Sebastian and I. He tried to approach me as I wobbled in my place. I'm a bit dizzy due to exhaustion.We traveled nonstop for hours in the middle of a snowstorm. My injuries are
Veronica’s POV“How did you get this spellbook?” I asked both in awe and bafflement while I looked at Keldor with utter surprise.I have given up the thought of ever getting my hands on it because of what happened. I was just hoping that it was so lost even Jadeline herself wouldn’t find it. This is an unforeseen outcome. But a good one at that.“The book showed itself to me,” Keldor answered while he sat on the edge of our bed as per my instruction because he was still gravely injured.Sebastian and I stared at each other because of his reply, confused and clueless.Keldor noticed it and elaborated, “I found it among the piles of
Veronica’s POV“This is Lady Jadeline’s brooch that you have asked for, Your Highness,” Eamon slid the small brooch across the table and I grabbed the golden thing to inspect.The task I have given them during the Winter Trade Summit was to steal something she owns and has worn. Basically, a piece of clothing that can go unnoticed. After our debacle that same night, something as small as a brooch in her dress won’t be that suspicious to lose. We can’t take something that she will spot missing.I’m glad they managed to work out and sneaked one.“Thank you,” I told him and added, “Also Eamon…”&ld
Veronica’s POVI didn’t know when the word mother became a blurry line for me.When I close my eyes and try to picture her, it’s two faces I see. One of a woman I can’t remember, and one of a woman I have learned to hate.“You have been awfully quiet since the last time you dreamwalked,” Sebastian suddenly broke the ice in our dining table. I looked up from where he was sitting across from me. His gaze didn’t leave me while I torture the meat on my plate with a fork as he asked, “Are you okay?”It’s a question I have been asking myself too.Honestly, I don’t know how I feel anymore.
Veronica’s POV“Tonight, we share not only our bountiful resources and hunt but also the strength that binds us as a kingdom and as a pack,” I begin as I stand at the head of the hall. All eyes were on me and my voice echoed for everyone to hear.“Please feel free to come to the palace if you ever face hardship during these times, the castle doors are open and will welcome you,” I continued while looking around the gathered pack members, officials, and common folk seated with their goblets at the tables.The room was filled with eager and appreciative energy which only pushed me to become more confident in my words, as I assure each person, eyes scanning and holding eye contact to some, “No one among Helios will face the winter alone and we will weather t
Veronica’s POV“The saintess tears necklace,” I read from the page of the archived books, “It is said to carry the souls of each generation of the servants.”I looked at Sebastian who was staring at the illustration I was pointing at. It was the exact copy of the necklace he had gifted to me.“You have great luck. I can't believe you found this!” I exclaimed in astonishment, holding the necklace up and examining it.This just answered why I seemed to have a fascination about this particular jewelry. I wasn't imagining the way it felt so right and closer to me.Sebastian stood straighter and put his hands on his hips before staring at me, “I won't call it luck,” he mutters.I tilted my head in confusion at his response.He gave me a serious expression and elaborated, “I think the necklace found its way back to you,” he turned the book around and pushed it to me, tapping on the excerpt from a page.It reads:‘The pendant, a manifestation of the muses’s souls, seeks its next owner— one wi
Veronica’s POV “I think Jadeline was a rogue from the Helios pack,” our chambers fell silent and Sebastian slowly looked up to me from where he was kissing my chest and shoulders. We locked eyes with one another and broke the trance we were at. Okay, I could've dropped this to him in a better way. He slowly pulled back from how he was hovering on top of me and I remained laying on the bed, fixing my slipping top while he had a scowl on his face. “This is not what I had in mind for a pillow talk,” he grunted in evident frustration. “I'm sorry,” I bit my lower lip and sat up too. My eyes glanced at the clock inside our room. It's late in the evening already. I stared at Sebastian who was annoyed that I interrupted our time together. However, I have racked my brain for any other possible conclusion and it always comes circling back to that outcome. It's bothering me and I unknowingly blurted it out. “Gods, Veronica,” he looked at me in disbelief, “We were just making out and you
Veronica’s POV “I'll be here when you wake up,” Sebastian squeezed my hand while assuring me and I squeezed it right back. “Thank you,” I told him with relief in my voice. For some reason, I feel a little bit scared. My emotions have been quite unsteady lately. I think all the overwhelming events are taking its toll on me now. “Sure,” he gave a tight smile and his voice dropped low as he uttered, “Just come back to me, okay?” I have no other place aside from the one that belongs with him— is what I wanted to say. But I simply nodded, “Yeah.” After that, I closed my eyes and started forcing myself into a deep slumber. After our late talk last night, we have decided that I should give a try to contacting my mother. It has never crossed my mind. Maybe because she has turned into more of a figure in my past life, the younger years that seem so distant to me, than an actual person. She has become something unreal. Victoria seemed so much like a figment of my fantasy. But she is
Veronica’s POVWe blended in the chaos.“Stay close to me,” Sebastian whispered as he looked back over his shoulder and pull me behind him.The hired rogues are not to spare us. They just know someone paid them for this ambush but not really who it is; so that when things ever gets revealed, it would be hard for them to point at us. It was a clever detail that Sebastian came up with, clearly has experience with this.“Where are the guards?!” I heard Ruby’s voice among the chaos, clutching her gown. “Why didn’t we see them coming?!”Colton growled low, frustrated.With a low horn—one stolen from the old pack's own armory, the sound echoed in the territory. Flames erupted at the eastern barricade first, catching the guards unaware. Screams pierced the air, and mayhem broke loose in Eviera. “They’re using our own signals—someone had to give them that knowledge. Maybe a traitor,” Colton gritted out as he tried fighting off some of the attackers in the chambers.Sebastian and I, together
Third Person’s POVTwo sides were holding knives hidden behind their back, waiting for their opportunity to strike.Helios and Eviera meet to settle their accusations with each other. They were convening and presenting their side at Eviera’s territory.Alpha Sebastian, Luna Veronica, and their Beta, Eamon together with a few of their aides accompanied them to the gathering. The officials from the Parliament arrived earlier than them.Naturally, murmurs from the crowd of spectators filled the tense air at Eviera.“Luna Veronica really is targeting Eviera, doesn't she?”“She's going against the mother who loved her so dearly.”“Oh it's because she's married to the Alpha of Helios—that’s why she has the guts.”“Clearly Alpha Colton and Luna Ruby are failing as our leaders though.”“We are just getting caught in their personal mess.”Veronica was used to such comments. She knows how fickle the adoration and respect from her former pack members are. She has been a subject of it on lots of
Veronica’s POVNews spreads fast in the Northern continent. The whisper of scandal had grown into a storm.Controversies are a big deal especially for packs who aim to climb to the top. It opens opportunities to sneak in and ally with the stronger clans. If you pick the right side, it might just do you great favors in the future.Helios is power; thus, it is always the right side.“There are two more packs who have sent a letter stating their cooperation in allowing the investigation for the missing Lady Jadeline of Eviera around their borders,” Isolde reports to me. “They’d be informing us as soon as they find any clues.”I nodded in satisfaction as I sip my tea, looking out at the view of my garden. I’m not able to visit it a lot until recently and it has been blooming now more than ever.I placed down my cup on the table and smiled towards Analynn who took the empty cup from the table. “Is Luciana and Rowan back? Are they in the meeting chambers already?” I asked.Keldor, who's ve
Ruby’s POV“This is all your fault!” I flinched at Colton’s voice booming inside our bedroom chambers. He was pacing back and forth in anger.I squirmed where I was standing. It's been hours since Veronica and her husband, the Alpha of Helios, paid us a visit just this afternoon.Eviera had been in chaos since then. Colton, especially, couldn't contain his anger. I didn't like it when he's like this.All that wrath has to land somewhere… and I’m always at its receiving end. Just like right now.“How can you be so useless and not know anything about your mother's whereabouts, huh? You should at least know that!” He was flailing his hands while glaring at me.“But of course, you don't know anything else! Like always!” His veins were showing in his face, his canines bared now as he growled at me.I cowered in fear and his dominance. I felt so small as he continued chastising me.“It's just your mother and your stepsister’s reputation that even made you a Luna of this pack,” he gritted o
Veronica’s POVI remembered in Eviera, back when I was still the pack’s Luna… even after being crowned, I still felt the need to prove myself and earn the throne. I cannot afford to tarnish my name. All I focused on were my duties; I’m not exactly an outgoing person. They used to say that I’m too stoic or serious. Perhaps because I cannot afford failure. It’s instilled in me while growing up.Colton hated that. And it was Ruby’s edge over me. It was one thing she was better at—being pleasant, warm, and bubbly.“You instructed the general to stop the scouting outside our borders?” Colton yanked me after the meal. I could feel the heavy eyes of the servants around us sneak glances.I’m not sure if it was a good thing that he dragged me to the more isolated part of the hallway.“You're gripping me too tight,” I gritted out and tried to shrug his hand off me until he was the one to harshly let go of me. “It wasn't me,” I added and looked at him while rubbing my arms from the pain of his
Trigger warning: This chapter containers implied harassment. Read at your discretion.**Veronica’s POVThe chamber was immediately in chaos. The atmosphere inside was filled with their panic.I remained beside Sebastian, poised and composed, while the elders of the pack—the ones who once easily discarded me despite all the work I did for them—watched from their carved wooden chairs.Colton sat at the head. His lips were curled in a neutral line, but his eyes flickered with disdain. At his side, Ruby, looked as fragile and sweet as ever amidst her obvious alarm and confusion.I don't know if it's because I've seen her true colors now but it was easier to see through her acting. Either that, or she's losing her only talent.Sebastian told them in detail, “During our kingdom’s recent investigations, we discovered remnants of dark magic—traces that led us to a disturbing truth.”I continued his explanation, “We discovered planted obsidian shards: enchanted, corrupted, and powerful—was fo
Veronica’s POVIt feels like I have lived a hundred lifetimes since I last stepped in Eviera.My previous visit was during Colton and Ruby’s wedding, which was cathartic when I look back at it. It's also when I first made my move against them.Time passes by so quickly. A lot of things happened.“Eviera is not expecting and accepting any guests—” the guard of the borders didn't finish his words when he realized the crest of our carriage.Then, we pushed the curtains of our window away to speak with him.“Alpha Sebastian of Helios,” he greets and then locks eyes with me. I think I’ve seen him around before, when I was still queen of Eviera so I understood the shock of his reaction, gulping in my presence.I guess my bad reputation in the pack remains.“L-luna Veronica of Helios,” he greets me too.The other guard beside him moved so that they could bow together to us. I assumed this second guy was a superior of his.He then tells us, “I apologize for the rudeness Your Highnesses but ha
Veronica’s POVRevenge won’t give me peace but it will give me satisfaction.I killed Jadeline with my own two hands. If I wasn't that corrupted before, I'm forever tainted now. So I chose to see it through to the end.At least then, I’d have my conclusion. I could really shed the skin of my past without any attachments. I’ve done the worst anyway, might as well finish the job.“Remind me to not make an enemy out of you,” Sebastian gave me an amused smirk as he leaned on his chair.I raised a brow at him and grinned. “Like you’re not as diabolical.” He only responded with a hearty laugh.Perhaps the reason why we belong together is we accept the darkest, ugliest parts of one another.Today, I’ve made up my mind on how we can close this chapter of our lives—the ritual, the demon, the curse, and Jadeline. It took me some time before I could come up with something that covers all the tangled webs left behind. It's not wise for the truth to leak. A lot of people, even other packs and t
Sebastian’s POV“Veronica?” I called out in the darkness of the night. I patted her side of the bed and it was empty.I got up in haste, eyes glowing to check the surroundings and instantly stepped out to look around. Then, I remembered our mating bond.With that, I sensed her presence easier than before and I knew exactly where she was. What she's feeling and if she's okay. My feet brought me to the open balcony of our chambers.“There you are,” I murmured, only feeling relief when I really saw her in the flesh, despite the bond we share.Lately, I’ve known fear. Perhaps this is the result of recent events. I don’t think I’d ever forget what fear is anymore. She was wrapped in a silk robe, the breeze brushing her skin as she stared over the moonlit horizon. Her scent was carried by the wind, calming me in a way no other ever could.Her silhouette looked breathtaking. “Ah, yes. Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up,” Veronica answered, looking at me over her shoulder with a smile.I’v