Chapter 4

Before I could finish my sentence, everything went black, and I completely lost consciousness.

When I woke up again, it was already the next day.

The maid taking care of me informed me that Lucien had been standing guard outside the door the entire time, but I didn't want to see him.

I asked the maid to pass on a message to him: to go back.

I spent a long time in my room, digging out every gift he had given me since we were children.

We had been betrothed at a very young age. We were fated mates, the most important people in each other's lives.

He would carefully select gifts for my birthday every year and take me to play in the forest.

Until one day, Selina joined our games.

At some point, the gifts he chose were no longer to my liking.

Selina would pick first, leaving whatever was left for me. Sometimes, she left nothing at all.

What started as necklaces and rings eventually devolved into grass ropes and stones...

Yet, I had cherished every single gift, treasuring them as our unique memories.

I placed all of them in a box and tossed them into the fireplace.

Then, I sat quietly, watching the wedding dress and necklace resting on the bed, allowing every memory between us to burn to ashes.

I boarded the carriage bound for the Frostlands, drawing the curtains tightly to block out the sunlight.

I had specifically told my father that today was also the day of their Bonding Ceremony, urging them to celebrate properly and not to see me off.

The carriage hadn't gone far before it was brought to a halt.

It was Lucien.

He knocked on the carriage door, but I gave no response.

He assumed the person sitting inside was Selina.

"Selina..." His voice was hoarse. "I was too weak to protect you. I know you hate me."

"But please believe me, I will definitely save you. Give it a year at most, and I will bring you back."

Sitting inside the carriage, I listened to Lucien make promises to another woman, his voice as tender as ever.

Yet, when it came to me, all he had ever offered was blame and disgust.

My wolf throbbed with sharp, stinging waves of pain.

"Selina, I know you're still angry with me and don't want to speak to me."

"But you have to believe me."

I couldn't bear to listen to another word. I knocked twice against the window, signaling the driver to move on.

Lucien chased after the carriage for a few steps, shouting loudly, "Selina, wait for me!"

As the midnight moonlight descended, Lucien stood nervously before the altar, waiting for his mate.

Feeling somewhat out of sorts, his mind was still dwelling on Selina's departure, tormented by the fact that he was powerless to help her.

No matter what, Sylvia is my bride. I don't want to see this little girl crying anymore.

Sylvia had always been so forgiving.

He held the repaired necklace in his hand, expecting to surprise me and apologize.

When the bride, her face veiled, walked up to him, he couldn't help but let out a helpless, resigned smile.

"Don't be angry anymore, Sylvia. Look, I got it fixed..."

But as he lifted the veil and saw the person beneath it, he sucked in a sharp, horrified breath!

He stared at Selina's captivating face.

"Why is it you?!"

Then, a horrifying realization struck him, and his face instantly turned ashen.

"Where is Sylvia?"