Veronica’s POVIt's about time to put an end on this whole fiasco.Things picked up from where they left off. Despite taking a long break due to my incident, I really didn't have much stuff to catch up with. The previous plan was close to fruition last time, anyway.“Who even thought of something this sinister?” Declan exaggeratedly uttered, even mostly monotonous, and his eyes darted to his brother.Sebastian scoffed at him, “Don’t look at me.”Declan squinted his eyes at their youngest, “I didn't say it was you. You’re too impatient and violent for this step by step and thought out plan.”Sebastian mocked him childishly, “Nice insight I didn't ask for,” he bit back before his mood shifted quickly, “But you’re right. All the credits belong to my wife,” Sebastian said with pride in his words that made me blush a little while he smirked at my direction.Declan looked at me. I waved my hand at him and gave a small awkward smile. His sleepy eyes were boring through me with so much intensi
Veronica’s POVDriselle is a less skilled version of Ruby… which is not a good thing because Ruby isn’t that much of a mastermind herself.They are both the sweet girls that everyone loves and adores. I don’t know why I seem to attract such people. The only difference is Ruby can keep the act going better than Driselle. She knows best not to be reckless. I have got to give it to her that she never once slipped and had me fooled myself too. Driselle is mostly overcompensating that if you look closely, you’d sense how ingenuine she actually is.With such parallels, I had a realization. Ruby couldn’t stand on her own which means Driselle is probably not alone in this. I do not mean Nyssael because of how she blindsided her ‘friend’ so there must be someone else in the shadows. Turns out I was right and that is how I traced a loose end in her story.“State your name and introduce yourself to the court,” Sebastian instructs the ginger-haired man who has now replaced Nyssael at the witness
Veronica’s POVMy reputation in Helios has never been better.It has been three days since Driselle’s imprisonment. It became a big shock for the entire pack. She was pretty well-known and they all felt betrayed. From being one of the most loved members, she became the most hated in the kingdom.Word got out about the verdict I have given too. Most of them contradicted my decision, saying I was being too lenient for settling with lifetime imprisonment. Helios is known to be cruel so that makes sense. For them, execution is how they punish the majority of their criminals. They gave me a pass, though, and mostly sympathized with me saying it is probably stressing for me because she harmed my life and that I was just a forgiving person.
Note: The following chapter contains explicit adult content.* * * * *Veronica’s POVI don’t hate the monster in Sebastian because I actually love the idea of keeping it on a leash only I could control.This is something I have just recently come to terms with.The unmatched passion, desire, and hunger he puts in every possessive touch, every domineering grip, and every greedy grasp is a reminder that I am wanted. I am needed. It placates the anxious part of me that always fears unworthiness. “You’re so damn hot, baby,” Sebastian smiled in between our kisses and pulled a bit on my lower lip with his teeth, his hand stroking up and down my spine as I straddle him on the bed, “Fucking love how crazy you get,” he whispered and bent down to lap on the skin of my neck.I whined and looked up at the ceiling, breathless, as my fingers massaged his scalp, pressing him more to myself, the friction sending waves of pleasurable electricity within my nerves. I couldn’t help but grind on his lap
Veronica’s POV “I'll be going now,” Sebastian says as he drops me a kiss on top of my head from where I was sitting on the couch. I hummed in response and stretched my legs, the cloth slipping a little on this cold morning. The weather is slowly showing signs that the heavy winter of the North is just around the corner. “See you at dinner?” He asked and I nodded, giving him a glance and a smile before my attention was back on the envelope I was checking the front and back of. Isolde delivered me this envelope earlier, just in time when we woke up. She said it arrived around dawn. I waved Sebastian goodbye as he headed towards the door. “Try and not give anyone a hard time just because you feel like it, today, alright?” I said, teasing, at the last minute before I looked at him from where I was on the couch. He's back to his daily duties today. Quite busier than usual because of the said upcoming intense winter. He laughed at my remark while he opened the giant doors. He looked
Third Person’s POVKeldor hasn't stayed in one place since he was born.He was an unwanted illegitimate child of an upcoming Alpha from a pack in the West. His mother died giving birth to him. Because of this, he was orphaned at a very young age.Ever since then, he has always been an outcast for his entire life. No one wanted him in their pack. He was shunned and uncared for, loitering at the territory with no house willing to accept him.Despite all this, he survived.It's not like he was particularly trying to live… he just somehow did. He wakes up every morning because his eyes still open. Not like he was looking forward to days to come. He remains breathing and so time passes by.He was born to this world lost and without a place to belong.“Darkness is not your foe,” Luna Veronica says, the first lesson she taught him. It was during the training session when they begin in the evening. “It is your ally,” she adds.“As werewolves, we are servants of the moon,” she surrounded him a
Veronica’s POV “Keldor, I need you to calm down,” I said in a slow pace to get through to him. He looks like he's on the brink of a panic attack from where I was watching him in my crystal, “Breathe,” I coaxed. He seemed to listen and took sharp intakes of air. He gasped for a couple of seconds before I spoke again to keep his mind occupied. “Now, are you okay?” I asked. He was rushing with his words, running, when he made the call to us. I was scared for a moment thinking something bad happened to him then he started rambling. Keldor slowed his breathing and got his composure little by little, “I’m fine,” he said. More to himself than to me. “Did anyone see you? Are you sure no one is looking for you now?” I continued and observed him closely. His eyes were darting around then he seemed to sit down. “Yeah, yeah,” he cleared his throat and wiped a hand over his face. “Okay,” I responded and shifted into my firm voice. I bet he hates to show vulnerability so I would act norm
Veronica’s POVThe scary thing about death is that it continues to take everything from you even as time passes. It is something permanent and irreversible.I know I love my mother dearly. I still mourn for her. Despite this, she has now become nothing but a figment of my memory, a feeling I have known yet cannot fully remember. Her face is long forgotten at the back of my mind. Father burned her photographs years after grieving. I resented him silently for a while because of that. I thought it was him moving on and erasing any trace of my mom. Looking back today, I guess he couldn’t take the pain.I know she has purple eyes because we share the same unique color. I’m not quite sure if she really had long wavy hair just like mine too or I was imagining it. Turning her into a reflection of me, desperately wanting to be connected to her. As years go by, I become less and less certain of what she was like. I just know she loved me. I just know that I will forever yearn for that love. I
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