Veronica's POV“Can I borrow Eamon?” I asked Sebastian as I took a bite of my food.We're having lunch together today. He's strictly joining me during lunch time to watch what I eat or if I eat, like I’m some child to babysit just because he found out I skipped lunch researching the other day.He's so unhinged. I can't believe he has actual people to monitor me and report it all to him.Now I don't know which servants are under his order… it must be all of them, huh?I didn't make a fuss about it. I think he's been pretty worried and bothered by my behavior lately and I have yet to say anything to him so he resorted to that.But still. I feel like a child.Sebastian stopped slicing his steak and looked up at me with a soft glare, unserious although half-meant, I bet, “I thought you're already aware that I'm a jealous man?”I rolled my eyes at him, “Don't be dramatic,” I decided to inform him; after all, Eamon is his Beta, “I have a task I want him to do for me.”“I can do it,” he abru
Veronica's POV “We're going out on a date,” Sebastian declares out of nowhere, arms caging me from where I was sitting on the couch and reading a book. I looked at him from behind the book with a raised brow and teased, “A decision set in stone without me declining yet?” He let out a dramatic grown and flopped down beside me, “It's been days since Eamon was out to his task and you're not gonna hear from Keldor soon so it's a break for you,” he said, “Besides, I don't have a lot of work today too.” “And the date, where off to?” I questioned and slammed the book close loudly in front of him, he remained unblinking. Ugh. He's a tough one to crack and tease. He just lazily moved his head to look at me, “Have you even explored Helios entirely?” “I have seen most of the territory,” I answered, “Especially the most important ones in the area.” He frowned at my stubbornness, “I bet you haven't seen the place I will show you to.” I decided to annoy him a little more before I agreed, “Wh
Sebastian's POV I have been living my best life these days. And I kind of made it everyone’s business. “Gods, you’re insufferable,” Nolan complains from across me, “Wipe that stupid smile of yours! The longer I look at it, the creepier it gets,” he glared at my direction and said, “I prefer your grumpy face.” “Like I care what you want,” I retorted uncaringly and my smile became wider, teasing while he let out a grunt from his seat. “It is uncanny to look at, I gotta say,” Declan lazily chimed in, elbow propped up on the round table, chin on his hand as he observed me closely. Just like that, these dipshits ruined my mood, “Then look away,” I snapped back with a frown. Someone spoke, passing from behind me, “I’m glad you’re happy, Sebastian,” his hand clasped my shoulder firmly and gave me a tight smile, “You deserve that.” I nodded at Rowan. This is why he's my favorite brother. We're not too sentimental though. This is the sweetest we can be. He sat beside me and a second
Veronica’s POV Too much peacefulness is a myth. I think most people believe that and so do I. Perhaps it's my paranoid nature but I don't actually feel peaceful when everything's peaceful. It's a bit complicated. I just had this fear that this is just the eye of the hurricane and things will turn for the worse soon enough. So I always need to feel prepared and alert to be ready when everything goes to south. It's a miserable way to live but I cannot unlearn it. I need something to focus on. Today is when Eamon will finally report on the things he was tasked to dug out about Jadeline. It's morning. I was in our chambers, at the balcony sitting and drinking my tea. I needed the open fresh air to ease my nerves and tension. Isolde and Soren were standing by the door, giving me my space. Moments later, Eamon entered the room. He headed towards me and I gestured my personal guards to give us some privacy. Once they were outside, I placed my teacup down and looked at the Beta. “So wh
Veronica’s POV“Basti!” The girl whose name is apparently Drisella jumped to hug high around the neck in a high-pitched excitement.I couldn't help but raise a brow at what I was witnessing.Basti? Is she referring to Sebastian?Huh. Interesting. For all his supposed out of this world reflexes and instincts, he didn't dodge that sudden hug. Sebastian pulled away from the hug while I remained on the side because I had to step back when she suddenly threw herself to him.That hug lasted a second longer than my liking, too.And maybe I became invisible at some point of this unexpected encounter. Because the woman, definitely around our age, just started yapping.“It's been a while! Did you get taller when I wasn't here? Also you look thinner, have you been eating? You know I’ve always said you should eat—”“Yeah, yeah,” Sebastian surprisingly managed to get a word in despite her continuous remarks that no one asked about. He glanced at me and I only met his eyes with a blank face.He tu
Veronica's POVEveryone loves Driselle, it's like she's the homecoming queen.It's been two days since she arrived and while I haven't gone out to actually have a chance to interact with her, she's the talk of the entire kingdom so it didn't matter. I hear about her a lot.It was ironic.The Helios people have been barely tolerating me after the coronation. I gained more genuine respect after the small hunting competition last time but that was it.Perhaps I am at fault too. I don't try to be a warmer Luna to them, I was busy with my personal stuff too. Also, it has always been my problem. At Eviera, people saw me as strict and unapproachable. I couldn't shake off that habit even here.Deep down, I know I'm not required to be loved here. That wasn't what I was seeking in the first place. To be honest, all I saw Helios for was an opportunity and power. I shouldn't be so sensitive and hypocritical about this.However, it still left a bitter taste in my mouth.“Be honest,” I said and loo
Veronica’s POV“What is happening here?” Sebastian repeated when no one answered for a long time. It was obvious that he didn't like that, his aura was domineering, everyone flinched under his gaze.He turned to me for a reply, “Veronica?”I was cornered.I knew it would be bad for me to be the one to respond because of how the situation looks like. But Driselle continued her little sorry act.Even if I try to act like I care about Driselle now, it would seem that I was only doing it since Sebastian was here. Ignoring her would mean I was secretly mistreating her and was keeping it from Sebastian but it was the easier choice right now.Going in blind, I’m not sure if she has other aces up her sleeves if I prolong our current encounter. I have to step back first and think about this thoroughly.I gritted my teeth.I guess she won this round.With a neutral dismissive expression, I told Sebastian, “Nothing.”His stare lingered for a second. His reaction is very important too. If he rea
Veronica's POVIn a game of chess, you always have to stay ahead.To predict her every move, I had to get into the mind of my opponent. This wasn't my first rodeo with a person like her so I could read her like a book.It's tricky to pull off though.In a shocking plot twist, however, I had the most unexpected ally to aid me in my plans.“I must say, I like the version of you that's full of grudges,” I smirked at Eamon and gave him a teasing glance. I used to feel awkward and formal with him before, especially when he's so distant but since our conversation the other day, I discovered how much he loves to talk shit about other people.This man, while silent, has a really sharp tongue.Really becoming clear how he managed to become Sebastian's friend. These two definitely agree on a lot of things.“I don't have a grudge against her,” he replied in a monotonous voice that would almost not give away the lengths in which he can run his mouth.“Oh, drop it,” I rolled my eyes at him, arms
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