Veronica’s POV“That shouldn’t be possible! Being soulless is unheard of!” Soren exclaimed, hysterical as he lunged at the sorcerer. “You’re probably mistaken, maybe you can cast the incantation again!”“Soren, calm down—” I tried to approach him and pull him from the poor sorcerer who he had been gripping tightly by the shoulders. “We can investigate this in a pro—”Soren shoved me harshly in the middle of his fit and I stumbled a bit from the force. Sebastian easily caught me by the arm and all of us watched Soren spiral. “It can’t be true! It can’t! Because if then… If then… Having no soul is basically…” Soren has let go of the sorcerer and is now pulling his hair with his widened crazed eyes.He faced us with a horrified expression as he mumbled,“Dead.”I couldn’t help but pity him so I walked to Soren and yanked to hug him, burying his head by the crook of my neck to release a calming scent. The moment I did, he started crying and sobbing. His hands unconsciously hugged me.Ome
Soren’s POV“You should’ve been the one who died instead.”These were the last words I said to my brother. The twin I would never get to talk to ever again.It’s the same words that’s been eating me up from the inside. I will never forget the memory of that night when it started to fall apart. It’s etched in my entire being since then and it’s worse now.“Come on, Soren.” Aren tried pulling me from where I was kneeling on my knees. I couldn’t shed a tear anymore, I cried it all out, “We need to leave. They’re here…”“No,” I mumbled, still lost in haze. I cannot take my eyes away from the lifeless body in front of me. Blood is everywhere. I feel like throwing up and gauging my own eyes out.“I’m not gonna leave—we can’t leave…” My cold, shaking hands tried to hug the corpse to myself, trying to convince myself that I can still hear a heartbeat.Aren was looking outside the cottage, senses heightened as he was scanning for the people who were coming after us. But I couldn’t care less.A
Veronica’s POVThe spy is a dead end.“Aren wouldn’t be able to give us any information about Jadeline like we expected,” Nolan addressed the elephant in the room.We were all stuck in utter silence for our set meeting today. All the Rozeiros siblings are present with Eamon as an addition to us. We’re still yet to arrive on a decision of how we will move from here.“Shouldn’t we give him a proper funeral and find out how he truly died?” I asked them, the unsettling feeling never left me since yesterday.“I have talked with Soren,” Sebastian responded to me, “He said he wants to keep this private for a longer time, especially to their family and he asked if he could be the one assigned to pursue his brother’s case.”I bit my nail and asked, “Does he know about Aren being used by Jadeline?”“He got the whole picture after some time,” he paused and sighed, “When the two of us went to talk with the sorcerer last night, he revealed to us that Aren was long dead before he was used as a pupp
Veronica’s POVFor the first time in a very long time, Helios is empty of its people.It was still dark and the sky was gloomy, as if sympathizing with the ominous events that are about to come later in the day. The bitter wind howled through the trees and vacant buildings within the territory. It almost sounded like a creepy crying gust of air. I watched the cloudless ether. The snow was falling on my skin but I was too numbed to feel any coldness. Ironically, I feel calmer than I expected. My heart was not hammering like how it usually is already. There was not even a tangible form of anger in my chest. It was just void and in peace. It makes me feel more eerie.“The kingdom has never been this quiet,” Nolan spoke from near me, his tone languid as he clasped his hands on top of his head, tilting his gaze and watching the same scenery as me.“Yes,” a voice responded. It was Rowan who was leaning on a nearby tree, his hands crossed over his chest while maintaining his impassive demea
Veronica’s POV“This dagger is the best weapon that suits you.”Jadeline opened the lid of the carved wooden box to reveal a dagger with a golden hilt. It was my eleventh birthday.Father threw me a big birthday party in place of his absence, something that slowly became a staple from then on. I received presents from some pack members but I’m not really close with them. I think even the Alpha of that time, Colton’s dad, dropped by to give his present.For my young self, however, the best gift she received was the dagger.“Thank you, Mother! I will take care of this!” I happily hugged the weapon to my chest as if it was a normal thing to give to a child, like a toy or a dress that she gives Ruby.Jadeline patted my head with a smile that made me feel validated, “I’m sure you will, dear.”I stared at the silver hilted dagger in my hands today. It never felt like it fits in my hold but my own dagger was back at Eviera—I never got my things back from my previous kingdom.“Ah, you’re a cl
Veronica’s POV“I am not your daughter.”I was finally able to say it out loud laced with all the fury I have against her.Jadeline laughed, finding it amusing for her. My misery always seemed like her entertainment. She tilted her head and grinned, “Ah, too high and mighty now for mommy, eh?”“Bullshit,” I glared at her and snarled, “I am not as desperate and weak to still keep my previous devotion that you manipulated me into and fall for your words after I find out the things you did to me, how you ruined my life!”She stared at me, her grin turning into a soft smile that made me want to vomit, “I gotta say I miss my sweet little Veronica who was obedient and starry-eyed for my affection,” she lamented with the old gentleness that I almost mistook hearing a bit of sadness—but that can’t be. She’s a conniving monster.I cannot trust anything about her.I gave her a steely gaze and answered, “You’re the one who killed her.”I might’ve imagined because of the distance between us how s
Veronica’s POVWe managed to crack the best plan to defeat Jadeline.It took five Rozeiroses and me, brainstorming for days before the day of the eclipse, just to stand against her. But then I guess she has lived for a very long time. She wouldn't have lasted this long if she's easy to take down.“That demon would be trouble if we were to try and kill her,” Rowan ponders while holding his chin. “That's our biggest problem.”“Don't you know any binding spell, Luciana?” Declan turns to their sister to ask.She sighed, “I’m sure that dark entity is some sort of high-end demon.” She looked at each one of us, “I don't think I know a seal that could handle it.”“Even the kind of spell you use to seal and bind me?” Sebastian interjected.Tension instantly filled the chamber. We stared at him with unease.It was kind of morbid for Sebastian to speak about it so casually, as if it's a normal thing to do.With what I witnessed last time, he was treated almost as low as a mindless beast. I know
Jadeline’s POVI once had everything and I lost it.Veronica’s hands feel cold from where she was holding my temple. I knew her well enough to understand that it's not because of the winter storm tonight.It’s because despite all the horrible things I did to her, she still doesn’t want to hurt me.It’s this side of her that I detest.It’s that heart of hers that I abhor. But it's what allowed me to reach here so really, I have her to thank for it.“Who's there?!” I faintly heard her yell towards someone.Not even in my lowest point or desperation that I’d think someone has arrived for me. So I knew it must be part of her spell.I could barely see it from my peripheral vision—an image of a girl passing through like some sort of ghost.I saw that strawberry-blonde locks and wanted to kill myself right then and there have it not been for the ritual.My body couldn't move, paralyzed by the pain and because of the heavy shackles she put on me.Ah, I think I understand what she's trying to
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
Veronica’s POVNothing happened.Or at least, that’s what we told the rest of Helios when they started coming back to the territory. We spent the last few days cleaning the traces of the ritual and the chaos that happened while also recovering from our wounds and letting reality sink in.Tonight was a starless evening. The moon was hiding behind the clouds and the storm has calmed down into a soft chilly winter. The wind stirred my clothes, carrying a refreshing breath of air. The sound of the nearby falls could be heard.I was standing by the river’s edge, somewhere near the altar from nights before. I watched the raft float away from me, in the center of the stream, the crackle of the flames consumed the wrapped body that lay atop of it. There were no flowers, no offerings, no runes etched into the wood. Just the body—hers— and the silence on an ordinary wooden plank.It had been five days. Five days since I killed her with my own hands, with the blade she gifted me, because of the