Chapter 4

Charlotte's POV

After that day, I never spoke to Layson again. I had nothing left to say, but he probably thought I was just playing hard to get.

Things remained tense between us all the way to the Full Moon Celebration hosted by the Black Forest pack.

I still remembered the Full Moon Celebration when I was 18 years old, the night I awakened my wolf for the very first time. Layson had been standing right beside me. When violent power surged through my blood, pushing my sanity to its breaking point, he used his Alpha power to keep me firmly under control.

Layson became my guide. From that time on, he taught me how to control my wolf, how to find the balance between hunting and restraint, and how to become a true warrior. He taught me everything except how to make him love me.

I used to believe that we were a perfect match.

Before I turned 18, he doted on me and indulged me. After I turned 18, he made me endure his wolfish desires under him every night. I thought that was the intimacy between mates, that he needed me, longed for me, and wanted to meld me into his body night after night.

Yet as it turned out, he behaved the same way with Grace.

At tonight's celebration, everything I once had was given to Grace instead.

The nobles of the Black Forest bowed to her, and the elders gathered around her with whispered blessings.

Layson's mother, Margaret Carter, even placed the family's heirloom necklace around Grace's neck.

That necklace had been passed down for generations, worn by each queen before her coronation. In my previous life, I had never even set eyes on it.

At the celebration, I watched Layson and Grace dance together. I slipped away to hide in a quiet room.

"Charlotte, you should leave."

Margaret followed me in, her tone calm but carrying no effort to hide her dislike.

"You know Layson stayed unmarried for so long because of you. But now, he's engaged to Grace, and their wedding is next month. So, tell me, is there any reason for you to stay here besides making trouble and embarrassing yourself?"

She had once treated me kindly, but that warmth disappeared the instant I confessed my feelings to Layson. Everyone regarded me as ridiculous and berated me for having no shame.

I drove my nails into my palms, forcing my emotions down, and spoke slowly.

"Don't worry. I'll be leaving."

I pulled a stack of papers from my bag and handed them to her.

"A few days ago, I called my father and told him I'm willing to study abroad. He has already arranged for me to attend an academy in Silvermoon City and has also set up a marriage with Carlson from the Blazing Sun pack.

"Once my permit is approved, I'll leave immediately. After that, I'll have nothing more to do with His Majesty."

Margaret glanced through the papers. After a moment, a satisfied expression crossed her face. "You'd better do exactly as you said."

"Don't worry. I'll stay far away from him."

She turned and left, and only then did I slowly unclench my fist.

Just as I was putting the papers away and getting ready to go, a tall figure stood silently in the doorway. It was Layson.

"Who are you trying to stay away from?"

"No one. You misheard."

I didn't want him to know I was leaving. As I turned around, his voice reached my ears.

"If you don't want to go abroad, then don't. After I marry Grace, you don't have to move out. I'm your father's good friend, and I've watched you grow up all these years. I can take care of you for the rest of your life."