Chapter 3

Fury blazed in my chest, and I couldn't stop my hands from shaking.

"The authorities will definitely launch an investigation if someone dies here," I said. "Do you want to get thrown into prison?"

Beatrice sat on the lounge chair while balancing a glass of champagne between her fingers. She swirled it lazily as she said, "Beg me for forgiveness right now if you want to return to the ship. You were so stubborn earlier. Is your courage failing you now that you know that Julian is about to arrive?"

Willow had an old heart condition. Not only had she been humiliated by Beatrice on the deck, but she was also shoved into the icy seawater multiple times.

She had exhausted most of her strength at that point. The color was steadily draining from her face.

I gritted my teeth. I couldn't let anything happen to her no matter what happened—even if I had to temporarily discard my pride to guarantee her safety.

I was just about to open my mouth and beg Beatrice when Willow suddenly grabbed my wrist. Her voice was weak, but her words were still colored with the pride of a Luna who once stood at the very top.

"I've never conceded to anyone in my life," she said. "I most certainly won't beg a shameless she-wolf like her for mercy."

She breathed in deeply before looking at me, saying, "Don't worry about me. We'll settle the score once Julian's here. I've seen many wolves make up excuses for their betrayals in my lifetime. I'll take your side even if he's my son."

Beatrice's gaze turned dark and cold upon hearing how we refused to concede. She turned to look at Gary and said, "Bring a few buckets of ice water. Let's help them clear their minds since they insist on being so stubborn."

A few minutes later, two large buckets of ice water were poured over our heads.

My entire body stiffened in an instant at the bone-chilling cold.

Willow's expression also twisted severely. She curled up into a ball as her consciousness began to fade.

"Mom…" I mumbled as I patted her cheek.

Willow opened her eyes with much difficulty. She didn't even have enough strength left to respond to me.

I threw all caution to the wind. Using all my strength to support her, I tried approaching the ladder on the side of the ship again. However, every time I got close, Gary would use a long rescue pole to push us away.

"Stop struggling," he said. "You're not allowed on the ship unless Ms. Quillo gives you permission to board."

My eyes reddened.

"She can't hold on for much longer!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. "All of you will be labeled as murderers if she dies here! Even Julian won't be able to protect you from being convicted and locked behind bars!"

Fear gripped Gary's heart as he looked at the unconscious Willow.

"Why don't we let them off the hook for now, Ms. Quillo?" he asked. "The old hag won't be able to hold on for much longer. If she dies here, she'll taint this stretch of the sea that was blessed by the Moon Goddess. Imagine how disgusting that would be if you want to visit this place again in the future.

"Julian will also hold me accountable if that happens…"

Beatrice rolled her eyes.

"So, you're just worried about your own skin," she snapped impatiently. "Don't worry. I have no plans to actually kill them. I just want them to understand the consequences of crossing me."

A wave of relief washed over Gary upon hearing her words.

"Let me make this clear to you," he said arrogantly. "Beatrice Quillo is the future Luna who Julian Layton has chosen. Moonshine specially operates for her sake. Everything on this cruise ship exists to ensure that she has a comfortable and pleasant time.

"Beg for her forgiveness properly if you want to live."

I bit my lip harshly. In the end, I discarded all my pride as I looked at Willow, who was getting weaker by the second in my arms.

"I'm begging you… Please let Mom onto the ship. She can't hold on for much longer."

Satisfaction glinted in Beatrice's eyes. She walked over to the edge of the deck and looked down at me from the tip of her nose.

"Finally begging me, are you? Didn't you criticize me for being shameless earlier? Didn't you call me a mistress who's ruining another couple's fated bond?

"I want you to repeat after me. Lily Whitfield is the shameless mistress. Beatrice Quillo is Julian Layton's fated mate."

I dug my nails into my palms, and I nearly suffocated under the massive wave of humiliation that crashed over me.

Beatrice had no idea who I was. She didn't know that the she-wolf whom she was humiliating was none other than the she-wolf she was pretending to be.

But as I looked at Willow, who was barely breathing in my arms, I had no choice but to hang my head and say, "Lily Whitfield is the shameless mistress. Beatrice Quillo is Julian Layton's fated mate. Are you satisfied now? Let Mom onto the ship!"

Beatrice burst out laughing.

I thought that she was finally going to let us onto the ship, but she lightly shook her head the next second.

"When did I ever promise that I was going to let you onto the ship? I only said that I might consider it," she said while absentmindedly twirling a lock of hair around her finger, looking at us mockingly.

"I've made up my mind now. I still don't want to let you onto the ship. What are you going to do about it?"