Colton’s POVI knew there was always something wrong with her. I was trying to fix her for the longest time but this—well, “This is just madness!”“Why is no one seeing how suspicious these accusations thrown to our pack are?!” I couldn't help but raise my voice as I faced the Parliament official together with his people that are now investigating the site.I glanced at my unhinged wife. Veronica continued to act unfazed and neutral. I know she could feel my gaze on her but she ignores me.Rage seeps through my veins and it took everything in me to gather my composure.I cannot let her get to me and lash out like what the foolish Ruby did. I must think this through even if my patience is hard to keep with the continuous attacks Veronica was sending my way.“Please, Your Excellency, hear me out.” I approached the Parliament representative. “We’ve shown you how we’re also lost with Lady Jadeline's disappearance. Our kingdom is going through a tough time right now—we wouldn’t have any r
Veronica’s POV“Do you know when I realized I married the wrong man?” I asked out loud.I felt Sebastian's eyes on me with that question while my gaze remained staring at the man in the middle of the nearby square, overlooking from the balcony.“I’ve never truly liked Colton,” I added. “However, I knew he was gonna be the pack’s leader and Jadeline wanted me to become his wife so I have no choice but to tolerate him.”“I believed we’d be civil enough. That’s all our interactions have been back then. If I won’t be able to learn how to like him, I want companionship at least. We’re partners, we were leaders. We're supposed to be equal.”I watch how Colton talks to one of the Five Elders while the servants rush to finish preparing the carriage for the trip.Today, we’ll all be going to the site where Jadeline supposedly “conducted” her dark magic ritual. It was all set up for my plan and the people of Eviera below have no idea what they’re walking into.“It was a time when I tried to con
Veronica’s POV“She has become a demon, just like her new husband.”Word around the territory of Eviera is that I have sold my soul to the devil.But they never knew about one thing—of how the monster I once married before is worse than the demon wolf in their bedtime stories.Guess I have a thing for beasts of a kind. I thought as I peacefully flipped the next page of the book I am reading.“It feels like we’ve been going around in circles,” Sebastian suddenly spoke and I turned to look at him climbing to sit beside me on the bed.His hair was wet. He just got out of a quick bath. We’re still at Eviera, just two days after the last supposed public trial for Ruby.The poor kingdom didn’t know what hit them—and what’s still about to come. Meanwhile, I’ve just recovered from insanely stabbing myself and enjoying a cup of tea while reading on the bed and room they provide.Perhaps that’s why this drink tastes more divine.I put the book on my lap and placed the cup on the coaster by the
Veronica’s POVThe view from being on the platform to be crucified by everyone and the view from where I am standing right now as an audience… are very different.It was pretty jarring. I could almost taste the irony on my tongue.She glared at me from where she was kneeling and wounded. I returned her gaze, standing directly across her in the front.At that moment, I remember when I was in Ruby’s place.It was around the time when I was under a very short investigation… if you can call it like that because truthfully, they didn’t even give me a proper trial. Everything was decided back then and they were just holding a public condemnation of me. As an example for everyone. For people to feel pity or satisfaction about my downfall. It was just formality and mocking.“Who would have expected her to betray us?”“She always acted like she’s doing what’s right only for this to happen.”“I guess power really corrupts people.”“What a shame, she was a great queen.”“Don't say that. She's a
Veronica’s POVI woke up squinting from the light as my vision adjusted. A second later, a figure blocked the light from the windows. I met Sebastian's gaze.“Morning, beautiful,” he greeted and tucked a strand behind my ear.I couldn't help but smile at his sweet gesture and jested, “Not mad at me anymore?”Sebastian looked serious when he said, “I can never be mad at you.” Then he titled his head and pondered sarcastically, “Frustrated with your stubbornness would be the better term.”I laughed and nodded. “Okay, I deserve that.”“True,” he quickly responded.I gave him a playful soft glare. “Well don't get too comfortable about it,” I told him and dropped a light punch on his chest.Sebastian only chuckled in amusement and helped me sit up properly on the bed.The room was quiet save for the sound of winter outside. I could sense guards by the doors. A day has passed since the incident I stirred up.My wounds quickly recovered because of being treated and thanks to my lycan regener
Third Person’s POVIn the dead of the night, the halls were silent as the moon casted its light through the windows, barely reaching the darkened corners of the corridors.Inside Ruby’s old room before she got married, a hunched figure of an older woman moved in hurry and searched. She was rummaging through a hidden compartment tucked behind the tapestries in the lady’s private quarters.“An orb, a crystal that carries a swirling light,” she repeats as she searches through the stuff in the compartment.Her wrinkled fingers, still surprisingly quick, pulled the last clothing squeezed in the small compartment. There was no orb in this.Was Ruby mistaken? No, she couldn't be.Miranda—who was Ruby’s nanny since she was young and arrived at Eviera, was the person that the young Luna called for while she was locked in the pack’s basement.“She needs me to come through for her. I'm all she has,” she mumbles to herself and desperately scans the compartment again.Ruby was like the child she n