Warning: Graphic depictions of violence*****Colton’s POVI dragged my heavy legs through the deep snow as the winter poured hard. My vision was a blur, barely escaping the scuffle with some of the wolves that chased me. But I saw the large tree from afar.This was uncharted territory. A zone that no pack has yet to mark as their own, mostly just an area where people of the North pass by in between kingdoms.During my last failed alliance with Gareth, this is one of the places where we meet to discuss things in secret. Honestly, with our last attempt, I have little trust in him but what choice do I have left?I have no other allies. Jadeline is gone. Ruby is useless.No one else in Eviera will have my back to stand against Helios.I reached the giant tree, taller than most among these woods. My arm reached to lean on the trunk and keep my balance as I searched for the promised box. Gareth should have dropped it off by now. He’s lying low and would not step into the North again for a
Third Person’s POV“Jadeline of Eviera is dead,” declared the mage as they retrieved the corpse and objects found in the crater. “The body is beyond recognition but the brooch left among other things have traces of her pheromones and energy laced with dark magic.”Colton’s face paled and his gaze didn’t leave the hole in the ground. He cannot wrap his mind around what was just uncovered, tuning out the words of the officials around him.Everything was happening fast as the final piece of Veronica’s plan was placed on the table.“Lady Jadeline of Eveira is posthumously declared guilty of high treason against the sworn loyalty to the lycan lineage.”There is no way this is happening too easily—the only thoughts running in his head. He thought he had a chance to pull out his trump card.Yes, he wouldn't put it past Jadeline to dabble with dark magic given her hidden twisted persona but dead? For good? Is this real? Is this a trick?“Her crimes of dark magic are proven through recent con
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