Chapter 5:

Dane's POV:

My clothes were a mess, my hair undone and wild, my face burning re, but not from shame, but from pure fury. I stormed out of Vincent's room, my chest heaving, humiliation clawing at every inch of my pride.

Never in my life had I been treated like this.

From the time I was a child, I'd had everything: status, beauty, admiration. Men lined up for a mere glance from me and I'd laugh whenever one of them dared to confess their love. None of them were ever good enough. The only man worthy of me was him, Vincent, the Lycan King.

He had always been my goal. My dream. My *rightful match.*

From the moment my father died, I've seen Vincent as the only family I have left. He came to me when I was at my lowest, reached out his hand, and showed me what it meant to be reborn.

I once stood before my parents' graves and told them not to worry, that I had Vincent now. I decided then that my life belonged to him. I gave him everything I had, everything I was.

So why won't he look back at me, even once?

That woman, the one who abandoned him, who trampled on his heart like it was nothing, what could possibly be so good about her?

Majori.

I could still hear it, his voice, hoarse and broken, filled not with affection, but longing for her.

My hands trembled as I stormed into my private bath, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My makeup was smeared, my hair disheveled, but what I hated most was the look in my own eyes—defeat. I slammed my hand on the marble counter, the sharp sound echoing through the room.

No. I would not let that woman take what was mine.

I threw on my coat and strode out, my heels striking hard against the floor. Every step fueled my anger further until I found myself standing before her hospital room.

Majori. The pitiful little thing the king had brought home and guarded like a priceless treasure. The guards posted outside her door were almost as many as those around her own mansion proof enough of how much he cared for her.

I clenched my fists, jaw tightening.

Without hesitation, I reached for the door. But before I could push it open, two guards stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

"No one is allowed to enter or leave this room without the king's direct order," one of them said, his tone rigid.

I smiled coldly. The next moment, my hand swung, the sharp crack of my slap echoing in the hallway.

"I am the king's future wife," I hissed, my voice dripping with venom. "I am Vincent's Luna, open the door immediately."

They didn't move. Not a single one.

Their silence burned hotter than fire. My face went pale with fury. I could feel eyes watching from nearby corridors, servants, soldiers, guards, all seeing me, Dane, the future queen, being denied entry like some unimportant stranger.

I glared past them, toward the closed door, my hatred simmering.

That woman, that filthy stray was being protected like a Luna, while I, the true heir to the throne beside him was left outside like a fool.

I wanted to tear that door apart to drag her out and show her exactly who she was dealing with.

Then, suddenly, a hand rested on my shoulder. I turned sharply, ready to lash out again only to meet Ryder's calm, familiar face.

"Miss Dane," he said softly, his eyes holding a quiet warning. "You should go back your room."

I clenched my teeth, barely containing the scream that threatened to escape. "I can't just stand by and let that bitch steal His Majesty's attention!"

Ryder's gaze softened, though I saw something flicker behind it, pity, maybe. Unlike Vincent, I've known Ryder since we were children, ever since the day I saved him from a slave beating. I know he has feelings for me, but I don't care.

More importantly, he knows exactly what I'm capable of when I'm cornered.

He smiled faintly, that calm, infuriating smile of his. "Miss, trust me and go back your room. Leave the rest to me."

I hesitated, biting my lip hard enough to taste blood. The guards wouldn't let me through. I had no choice but to trust Ryder for now.

I straightened, glaring once more at the door that hid that wretched woman and turned on my heel. My heels clicked sharply against the floor as I walked away, my fury trailing behind me like perfume.

If Vincent wanted to protect her this badly… then he could.

But he wouldn't be able to protect her forever.

***

Majori's POV:

I looked at Doctor Ryder, forcing myself to muster a tired smile as a greeting.

He stepped closer, asking the usual questions:

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm still in a lot of pain and can't move much."

"Don't rush. It's only been a day. Your body isn't a machine that can be repaired overnight. You've survived a major catastrophe—already a miracle in itself."

I nodded. He was right, but if this life was saved only to be imprisoned by Vincent, it seemed hardly worth it.

Ryder picked up a bottle of medication, deftly removing it along with the intravenous needle in my arm. As if speaking casually, he commented:

"I've never seen the king treat another woman with such care. Not even his fiancée receives this level of attention."

My mind went blank. I stared at him for a moment before whispering:

"Vincent has a fiancée?"

Ryder frowned slightly. Indeed, these two had a complicated relationship. Addressing the king by his given name wasn't something just anyone could do—not even his closest aides dared to.

It could only be a name used before he ascended to the throne.

In that case, they must have known each other for a very long time.

Ryder couldn't quite grasp my emotions at this moment. Upon learning that Vincent had a fiancée, it seemed I felt both relieved and… strangely empty. My eyes, usually so calm, suddenly lost their focus. Ryder grew even more curious about the history between us, but knowing his place, he refrained from prying.

He pulled another vial from his coat pocket and inserted it into the IV stand. I paid no mind to what he was doing. He adjusted the equipment, took my hand gently, and inserted the new IV needle.

"Did I upset Vincent's fiancée?" I asked softly.

All I received was a soft hum in response from the young doctor.

This woman was truly perceptive.

If she weren't so close to the king, if she weren't a potential threat to Miss Dane, perhaps she wouldn't have ended up like this. Ryder mused.

By coincidence, the person responsible for her treatment was someone who had always been secretly in love with the emperor's fiancée.

No one could be blamed for this situation; it was simply fate weaving a twisted play. Ryder wasn't sure if, after tonight, he would still be alive. This might be the most foolish decision he had ever made, or perhaps it would be the last thing he did for Miss Dane.

"Thank you, Doctor."

The unexpected gratitude startled Ryder, causing his hand to pause momentarily. He had known she was clever, but he hadn't expected her to figure it out so soon.

Indeed, the substance he had just administered was poison.

This toxin wouldn't produce any immediate reaction. It would silently constrict her blood vessels, causing blood to clot and preventing circulation. In a few hours, her body would slowly suffocate, her brain would cease to function, and her heart would stop beating.

A silent death in her sleep, without causing much commotion. Mixed within the poison was a suitable dose of tranquilizer to ensure she would drift off peacefully.

Ryder looked at me, his gaze meeting my tranquil eyes. She knew she was going to die, yet she still thanked the one who would kill her?

The countless scars on her body told him that she hadn't lived an easy life. Even after being saved by the king, she showed no signs of harboring any selfish desires.

Majori was the strangest person he had ever met.

But that wasn't his concern.

Ryder glanced at me and gave a faint smile:

"Goodbye."

He turned and walked out without a backward glance, leaving the girl behind with her serene smile.

...

The sedative acted quickly—royal-quality medication was indeed effective. I mused, feeling my eyelids grow heavy. I didn't want to fall asleep so soon. If only I had tried bargaining with the doctor earlier.

I cast one last lingering look at the scene outside the window. The night was dark, the maple leaves rustling softly in the wind. The breeze was cold and mournful. It was a pity I wouldn't get to see the bright sun tomorrow.

Perhaps I would leave this world in the same gloom that had defined my existence.

Dying was a release. I had already died once in those woods; this broken life wasn't worth holding onto. A painless departure was perhaps the best gift I could receive.

I closed my eyes, a single tear rolling down my cheek.

Slowly, I drifted away.