V E R O N I C A
"Stop, Veronica,"
"Stop walking. Why aren't you listening to me?"
"Veronica. Veronica," the voice of my wolf , Lottie called out once more, but I ignored it, my focus fixed on the enormous doors ahead.
I halted in front of the entrance, and Lottie, who had been twirling restlessly within me, finally fell still. I hated how she was so chatty, always talking and hopping around whenever I was near that human boy. It was as if she had a mind of her own, which was incredibly annoying.
I couldn't help but recall that I'd never had problems before, or at least, not ones that I couldn't fix immediately. It was always easy when I held the remedy in my own hands. But now, someone else had the solution to my problem, and it was infuriating. To make matters worse, that someone was also the one who had caused the problem in the first place.
One thing was certain, though: I was going to fix it today. The warm sensation I felt when I met his gaze, the shiver that ran down my spine when he touched me, the thrill of excitement I experienced when I heard his voice or caught his scent – all of it had to go. And the gut-wrenching hurt I felt when he was in pain? That was the worst part of all. I had to sever this bond, no matter what it took.
As I stood there, I observed the intricate designs of ancient werewolf symbols etched into the doors. Two burly werewolves guarded the gates, their gaze fixed intently on the hallway. I paid them no mind, my focus solely on the door and what lay beyond. My hand closed around the doorknob, and as I did, a speck of dust clung to my palm, causing my forehead to crease in distaste.
I pushed open the door and stepped into the throne room, the bright lighting and clicking of my heels on the floor the only sounds that broke the silence. My gaze locked onto the pale-skinned, middle-aged woman seated at the tea table, laughing heartily alongside her maids. She was dressed in a large, flowing white gown which blended well with the white furniture.
As I approached the table, the woman turned to me with a bright smile. "Veronica, my dear child, welcome," she said, her voice warm and inviting.
I slid into the chair opposite hers, my eyes never leaving hers as I ran my finger along the edge of the table. A faint smudge of dust clung to my finger, and I made a mental note to wash my hands thoroughly later. "This environment is quite dirty for an ancient goddess, isn't it?" I remarked, watching as her smile began to fade.
The woman's eyes narrowed slightly, but she said nothing, simply motioning to her maids to pour me a cup of the green tea she was drinking. "Just as dirty as your taste in men," I added, my voice laced with a hint of venom.
The Moon Goddess – Seraphis, as I knew her – raised an eyebrow. "What do you want, Veronica?" she asked, her tone neutral.
I wiped my hands with the tablecloth, feeling a sense of satisfaction as I watched her reaction. "My wolf was killed by obsidian," I began, my voice steady. "I felt her leave me, but why did she come back the day that wretched boy was brought to my Inn?"
Seraphis's expression softened, and she took a sip of her tea before responding. "Wretched boy? That's not a nice way to address your mate, Veronica."
The word "mate" made my blood boil, and I felt my teeth grit in response. "I do not need a mate," I spat. "Take that human elsewhere."
Seraphis's grin returned, and she leaned back in her chair, a glint in her eye. "It's your destiny, Veronica. I'm afraid I can't just change it."
"Then learn to," I snapped, my patience wearing thin. "You did this in the first place with your horrible matchmaking skills."
The room fell silent, the only sound the soft clinking of teacups and the faint gasp from the goddess and her maids. I didn't bother to acknowledge their shock, my focus solely on Seraphis. "I don't need a fetish display of shock; I need a stupid mate bond severed."
Just then, Lottie's voice echoed in my mind. "You shouldn't do this, Veronica."
I sent her a mental warning, my tone icy. "Give me an order again, and I'll drown you in obsidian and wolfbane." Lottie fell silent, and I felt a surge of satisfaction. We hadn't spoken in a century, and now, she was reawakening, no doubt due to that boy's presence. Shameless, treacherous wolf.
Seraphis's voice broke the silence, her tone measured. "Horrible matchmaking skills? The mate bond has been a tradition for years, to ensure the continuation of the werewolf bloodline while granting each and every wolf pure love. It's finding your missing piece –"
I cut her off, my voice rising. "I'm not incomplete, Seraphis. I don't seek a missing piece. Everything about this system is flawed. Do you know how much trouble your matchmaking ceremony has brought to the Inn? We deal with Alphas in their runts, lusting over their so-called fated mates with their chosen mates tossed to the side. You're breeding pigs."
Seraphis's eyes flashed with anger, but she maintained her composure. "You called me by my name?" she mused, a hint of surprise in her voice.
"I didn't address you with the name of someone else, did I?" I replied, my tone dripping with sarcasm.
The Moon Goddess's expression turned cold. "You're arrogant and disrespectful, Veronica."
I raised an eyebrow, "You called me by my name?"
Seraphis's face twisted in frustration. "Ugh! Fight it all you want, but you can never outrun destiny. After all, your own choice brought you into this horrible life you live now."
My patience snapped, and I swiftly grabbed the tea cup, still brewing with hot tea, and emptied its contents onto Seraphis's face. She let out a loud cry as her maids rushed to her aid.
"Get out!" she yelled, but I remained seated, my eyes locked onto hers.
"Not until you fix the mess you made," I said, my voice firm.
Seraphis grabbed a towel from her maid and pressed it to her wounded face, which began to heal rapidly. "I'll make that bond so tight that you won't be able to reject him," she threatened, her eyes flashing with anger.
My gaze darkened, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "You wouldn't dare," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Seraphis held my gaze, a slow smile spreading across her face as the last of the burns healed. "Try me," she said, her voice dripping with malice.