Chapter 5

Charlotte's POV

I didn't take Layson's words to heart that day.

I simply waited quietly for my documents to be approved so I could leave.

The next day, Grace behaved very differently. She enthusiastically insisted on taking me to the werewolf pack's marketplace.

However, the moment we boarded the carriage, I caught a whiff of something strange. A wave of dizziness rushed through me, and then everything went black.

When I opened my eyes again, icy winds whipped around me, and waves crashed against the jagged rocks nearby. My wrists were chained to a wooden stake. Not far away, Grace was also chained up. I struggled to ask her why, but my mouth was gagged, and all I could produce were muffled whimpers.

Grace seemed to understand my question and smirked coldly.

"Charlotte, I don't want to do this to you. But you've always been a threat. I heard what Layson said that day, and it unsettled me. I need to prove who matters more to him."

I never imagined Grace would go to such extremes.

Before long, I heard the sound of familiar footsteps.

Layson arrived. He wore a black coat, his gaze was cold, and he was followed by several werewolf guards. Yet as he approached, a few shadowy figures emerged from either side of the cliff. They were rogue werewolves.

Exiled from their packs, they roamed the forests and wastelands in a life of looting and banditry. Grace had spent a fortune to bring them here.

Layson directed his guards to place two chests of gold before them.

"Here's your money. Let them go!"

One of the rogue werewolves sneered, glancing at Layson with a mocking grin. His voice was rough as he said, "So, the Alpha of the Black Forest, the Wolf King of the North, really does keep his word. Too bad we're not here for money."

Layson narrowed his eyes, his tone suddenly turning cold. "What do you want?"

The rogue werewolf dug his claws into my shoulder, slicing my flesh and drawing blood.

"I hear these two women are dear to you. One is the daughter of your most loyal ally and dearest friend, and the other is your fiancée. You can only save one. The other will be thrown into the sea for the sharks."

With that, they forced both of us to the cliff edge. The rocks beneath my feet shifted, and the roiling tide below seemed to await my fall.

Grace struggled in terror, her voice trembling. "Layson, save me! I don't want to die!"

Layson's expression changed in an instant. "Don't touch Grace!"

The answer was clear.

Grace, who had been deathly pale only a moment ago, let out a sigh of relief.

When Layson looked at me, I kept my face calm. He probably expected me to feel hopeless and beg for help. But I stayed silent.

I could see his panic. He started toward me, but in the next moment, Grace threw herself into his arms with tearful eyes. "Layson, my dear Majesty, thank goodness you got here just in time..."

He instinctively hugged her.

Right then, the ropes binding me came loose. The rogue werewolves threw me straight into the crashing sea.

"Charlotte!"

His cry for me grew fainter, and the water was so cold it stabbed like knives, dragging me down into the depths. I struggled as hard as I could, but my body was turning rigid, and my mind was slipping away.

In the end, everything went dark...