Chapter 4

Delia stood under the terrace lights. Her white dress swayed softly in the wind.

The necklace on her shimmered under the moonlight.

It was something my mother, Wanda Graham, had left behind.

The moonstone had been carved into the shape of a wolf's fang, and it hung from a delicate platinum chain. My mom used to wear it all the time while holding me close.

Later, when she fell ill, my dad emptied her jewelry box piece by piece.

In the end, that necklace ended up around Delia's neck.

"I'm not here to show off," she said. "I just suddenly realized my mother was right. Not everyone who's born with good blood and a pretty face deserves to enter the royal family. A shewolf like you, one who can't even control her own emotions, will only bring shame to Graham Pack if you marry into the royal family."

I stared at the necklace around her neck and took a step forward.

"Are you done?"

Her smile widened. "What? Did I say something wrong? If your mom hadn't–"

She didn't get to finish.

I reached out, grabbed the necklace, and yanked hard.

The sharp snap of the chain echoed clearly in the night.

Delia let out a scream. Her foot caught on her dress, and she lost her balance instantly.

The next second, she tumbled down the steps at the edge of the terrace.

"Delia!"

Lucian ran over immediately and pulled her into his arms.

"I just came to check on my sister, but the moment she saw me–" Delia's eyes filled with tears as she clutched his arm and trembled. "She said I didn't deserve to wear this necklace, and that I shouldn't stand by your side–"

Lucian looked up at me.

First, he saw the broken chain in my hand. He then saw the wound on Delia's forehead. His expression turned ice-cold.

"Sylvia, apologize."

"First of all, I didn't push her. She lost her balance. Second of all, I'm not apologizing to an illegitimate daughter who stole my mom's necklace."

"That's enough." His voice grew even colder. "She's your sister."

Sister?

How could the daughter of a mistress be my sister?

Looking at his expression, which was very similar to my dad's, I inhaled deeply.

"Lucian, do you even know who your fiancee is?"

His gaze faltered for a split second. It then turned gloomy.

"Precisely because you are my fiancee, the future Luna Queen of the torthern territory, you should know how to take responsibility for your lack of control."

He then gave an order. "Take her to the pool outside."

Two guards stepped forward immediately.

I shook them off. My voice had turned hoarse. "How dare you?"

Lucian didn't change his mind.

Everyone ran out from the main hall after hearing the commotion.

Torches were lit up one by one as everyone watched me being forced to the decorative pool in the courtyard.

It was an ordinary pool that wasn't deep, but the night breeze was cold. Cold mist formed just above the water's surface.

"Sylvia, apologize." Lucian stood a few steps away and gave me one last chance.

"I won't."

I saw the last trace of patience in his eyes disappear.

The next second, the guards grabbed my wrists and shoved me into the water.

Ice-cold water flooded my nose and ears. I lost my breath almost instantly.

When I struggled back up, a pair of silver cuffs snapped around my wrists. I was locked to the iron ring at the pool's edge.

"Lucian!" My whole body trembled. "You're insane!"

"Once you realize you're wrong, I'll let you out," he said by the pool with a blank expression. "The future Luna Queen cannot be someone who lacks even basic restraint."

I looked at him and felt like something had been torn open in my chest.

So this was what he meant when he said it was for my own good.

He made me suffer in front of everyone.

He locked me in freezing water like a criminal.

He forced me to apologize to Delia when I had done nothing wrong.

I struggled, but I ended up tearing the skin around my wrists. The silver burned against the wounds.

Injuries caused by contact with silver didn't heal quickly. Blood seeped out, only to be washed away by the water.

Not a single person spoke up for me.

Lucian didn't either.

He just stood there and watched. It looked like he was waiting for me to give in, but I didn't.

Again and again, I forced myself up, only to be dragged back under by the cold and dizziness.

Eventually, my vision blurred. All I could hear was the water and my weakening heartbeat.

The last time I sank, I saw the tall black figure on the shore sway slightly.

Then everything went dark.