Chapter 4: Ynez's desperate actions

Ynez's POV

My body was still shaking. Last night's events weren't the only cause of my collapse and death. It's all because of the curse I got seven years ago.

I'm relieved that my son was born healthy and didn't inherit the same curse. I've already died once and I only have two chances. I need to break this curse or my son will suffer after I'm gone.

"We need to get out of here before things get worse," I say.

I head downstairs and hear my son laughing in the garden. I go to the kitchen and thankfully find it empty. I take a knife and hide it behind my back. As I open the main door, they see me approaching.

Raizen smiles and runs to me, hugging me right away. I smile at him. "I'm sorry, son... Forgive me for being selfish," I whisper.

My eyes turn icy blue and my son loses consciousness. I put him down on the bench beside me. "What are you doing?!" dad yells.

I lifted the knife and aimed the blade at my neck, causing them to stand up. "Back off! Stay away from us," I warned, fully aware of their surprise at how much I had changed over time.

"What's going on here? What are you doing, Ynez?!" King Raizel arrived, and I could detect Eleanor's scent on him, which sickened me as memories of the bitter past flooded my mind.

"Don't pretend to be concerned. All you want is for me to be obedient and to use me for your own desires. I refuse to be a puppet! I never wanted the life you all expect from me. I never wanted to be part of this group!" I declared.

I didn't care that tears were streaming down my cheeks. I was determined to express my true feelings. "Please, Ynez, calm down and let's discuss this rationally. Put down that knife!" Yza pleaded.

She took a step closer, but stopped when the blade cut my skin. Yes, I was serious about ending my life. My sister turned pale, and my mom started sobbing.

I know that I'm being selfish and unreasonable but I have reasons. I don't want my son to suffer because of Raizel.

"Dad, why are you doing this? We only want what's best for you, Ynez. This isn't just about you," dad shouts.

I scoff and look at them mockingly. Selfish? Maybe, but someone made me this way. No one was there when I needed protection. I've been living alone, taking care of my son and trying to survive. "Selfish?" I retort. I scoff.

I cut my neck and didn’t care if my blood stained my clothes. I pointed the knife at myself and stabbed. "No one understood what I've been through for the past nine years. Don't push me to the point of killing myself in front of everyone. Back off and let me go with my child," I warned.

I pulled out the knife and after a minute, my wounds were healed. I picked up my son and pointed the knife at them. I threw it away and they moved to the other side as the knife landed on the apple tree.

I looked at Raizen. I knew he would hate me for my decision, but it's okay. He can rebel against me and that's fine with me.

My mother-in-law pleads, "If you're upset about being pressured to marry our son, please let's discuss it. We want to hear you out this time." I scoff and glance at everyone.

"You're all being selfish. I shouldn't have to suffer because of Eleanor. I don't deserve this. Why is everyone making me suffer?" I cried, my tears clouding my vision as all my bottled-up emotions burst out.

I sobbed uncontrollably, feeling as if there's no end to it. I shed my tears despite cutting my cheeks with the knife I was holding, I maintained a brave front.

"I... Ynez Lorenzo of Crimson Twilight rejects you, Raizel Richards, as my destined mate," I remark.

I tugged the ring on my finger and tossed it in front of them, then bowed my head as a sign of respect. Knowing that this would be the last time I'd see them, I accepted the reality that my time was running out.

I was determined to raise Raizen on my own and prepare him for the battles ahead after I was gone. My ultimate wish was for him to embrace self-love and fight for his rights.

As I turned away, I uttered with sadness, "It's my final gift for the king of wolves and his beloved woman."

Suppressing the pain inside me, I held my son close and reminisced about the reasons that kept me holding on to life despite the world's betrayals and mockery.

Just as I was about to leap over the gate, a sharp pain struck my chest, causing me to cough up blood. It felt like my heart was being relentlessly squeezed until it burst.

"Don't be stubborn," a deep baritone voice urged.

Turning around, I found myself unable to resist as he carried me in his arms, despite my feeble attempts to push him away. He is too strong! What the hell!

I yelled at him, "Please let us go! What are you doing?!"

I was startled to see King Raizel standing behind me. "Be quiet!" he shouted.

"Don't provoke me, Ynez. You have no right to threaten us. Remember your place. You can't bring shame to my family." Raizel's eyes glowed in red, paralyzing me.

As he walked towards the mansion, everyone seemed relieved. When I can move, I'll escape with my child. I won't let them use us for the throne.

"Release us! Just accept my rejection and let us go. Please, King Raizel, this is what you want too, right?"

King Raizel pushed open the door to his room and slammed it shut, ignoring my question. He put me down and laid Raizen down. Finally, I could move.

My husband held my hand, as if he knew my plan all along. I was being dragged on the balcony and he slaps me right away. I scoff to mock him.

“What was that?! Why would you make a scene like that?!”

I witnessed his intense anger, and that's exactly what I want him to experience. "You're asking me? Didn't I do you a favor? After all, you and Eleanor had already killed me once. Don't pretend that you care, because I know the fucking truth. Have you forgotten? We're werewolves! I can detect lies," I roared.

I was the one who was being deceitful, and I hoped he wouldn't see through it. I didn't want to get my hopes up. His concern wasn't for me, it was for them.

Raizel knew that his family and mine would abandon him once I died for eternity. "How could you make this worse?! Do you know what happened to me and Eleanor because of the incident last night? And now this?! Give me a break! Because of that kid, my life is now messed up!" Raizel shouted.

I punched him in the face. How could he blame his own son who had done nothing to him? His love and obsession with Eleanor had turned him into a jerk.

"How dare you! You had no idea what happened to me seven years ago. How I dealt with life's challenges after discovering I was pregnant. I was only 16 when this happened! You didn't know how much I—" I paused. I almost say something inappropriate.

I close my eyes and punch the porch. The concrete porch cracked, and some debris fell to the ground. I pointed my finger at his face and resolved to say whatever I wanted. I don't care if he's the Lycan King.

"Do not try to harm my child, Raizel. I swear to kill you and Eleanor if any of you attempt to harm him."