Chapter 4 4

Chapter 4

Layla

...

“Save him this time… please…”

“In this life, you have to succeed in saving him…”

“Don’t fail again!”

“This is the last time… the very last…”

“Remember… you’re the one who started all of this, so—”

The voices echoed faintly through my dream, as if I were trapped inside a dark, endless room. Just hearing them made tears stream uncontrollably down my face.

I tried to speak, but no words came. The voices cut into me—sharp and relentless—as though they were tearing my heart apart.

It felt as though someone had ripped something precious away from me, something I couldn't even remember losing.

The grief was so overwhelming that I couldn't stop the tears from falling, even though I didn't understand why I was crying.

Whose dream is this?

Is this mine… or Layla Swan’s?

I didn’t know.

All I knew was that it hurt—so much it was beyond anything I could comprehend. Worse than the vile betrayal of that bastard, Desmon.

“Hah!” I jolted awake, dragging in a sharp breath as I pushed myself upright.

I stared at the familiar ceiling, trying to make sense of the dream as the last traces of it slowly faded.

The same room.

I wasn’t in my luxurious home.

I wasn’t in a hospital.

I was still here, in this grand room filled with elaborate decorations.

Layla Swan’s room.

I let out a slow breath, forcing myself to calm down.

“What was that dream…? Whose voice was that? And who… am I supposed to save?” I murmured under my breath.

Then...

“Mm… Princess, don’t go too far… I can’t leave you when you keep getting hurt… mm…” Rina’s sleepy voice broke through the silence.

She had fallen asleep beside my bed, sitting on the floor with her head resting against the mattress. The soft scent of jasmine filled the room, and I could see traces of herbal liquid nearby, something she must have prepared to treat me.

Seeing her sleeping there despite her exhaustion softened something inside me.

I gently ran my fingers through her hair, my gaze drifting to her hands, marked with countless small scars.

Rina was a single mother.

She was raising two children on her own.

Her husband had died while taking part in a hunting expedition that ventured to the border between this world and the Underworld.

In this world, powerful werewolves led groups of wolves and half-wolves to hunt Titans—massive creatures directly commanded by the Demon King who ruled the Underworld.

Their horns, hides, and thorns were incredibly valuable.

That was why so many weak half-wolves joined those hunts—risking their lives just to earn money for their families.

And Rina’s husband had been one of them.

My fingers continued to stroke her hair gently.

“Thank you, Rina… I’ll protect you and your children. I won’t let you or your children die in this world…” I whispered softly.

My voice seemed to wake her. She startled and immediately pulled back, lowering her head in embarrassment.

“I-I’m sorry, Princess! I was too worried about you, so I fell asleep beside you… I didn’t mean to be disrespectful, but…” she rambled nervously, still as talkative as ever.

And somehow… I liked that.

Her honesty—her sincerity—made it easier to breathe here.

I slipped out of bed and walked toward the large window, where golden sunlight poured into the room. Then I turned back to her, a small smile on my lips.

“It’s alright, Rina. You don’t need to be afraid. I won’t do anything to harm you… Come, help me prepare my dress.”

Tonight was supposed to be the night Alpha Hendry Gargan celebrated Layla Swan’s death and announced his engagement to Nagia Hayys.

But I was still alive.

And since I was living as Layla Swan… I would give them a surprise.

A surprise that would lead me straight to the Lycan King.

Yes.

I had already made up my mind.

No matter how cold or cruel the Lycan King was, he was the only one capable of protecting me from the deaths that kept chasing after me.

I would do whatever it took to stand at his side.

“Hm?” Rina blinked in confusion, but quickly stood and rushed to the wardrobe.

“I’ll choose the most beautiful dress for you, Princess! I won’t let Nagia steal the spotlight tonight!” she declared with determination, carefully searching through the gowns.

I smiled faintly, then turned and headed toward the bathing room, just as grand and spacious as the rest of this place.

Tonight…

In the story I had read, Layla Swan was already dead. Her body had been returned to the human kingdom, and Alpha Hendry Gargan was supposed to propose to Nagia that very night—on her birthday.

Yes.

Tonight was Nagia Hayys's birthday.

I stopped in front of the mirror and studied my reflection, already arranging a plan inside my mind.

A plan to survive in this world of monsters.

...

After a while, I finished bathing, and Rina immediately came to help with my hair. She left it falling freely, soft and flowing down my back in gentle waves.

I was good at doing my own makeup, and thankfully, this place had traditional cosmetics that suited my skin tone perfectly.

Dressed in a maroon off-shoulder gown, with light makeup that subtly highlighted my features, and my long wavy hair cascading over my shoulders…

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I still couldn’t believe it. I had returned to my nineteen-year-old body, the body I remembered so well. This was me—beautiful, healthy, and desired by every man.

That sickly Layla who always smelled of medicine was gone.

“Princess, you look so beautiful… I’m sure Alpha Hendry Gargan will be captivated by you…” Rina said, smiling brightly.

I gave her a small smile before stepping out of the room, with Rina quickly following behind me.

“Alpha Hendry Gargan?” I let out a soft laugh.

It felt ridiculous.

But I couldn't explain that I had no intention of attracting Hendry Gargan at all. Everything I was doing… was for my own purpose.

Rina looked confused, but she continued following me quietly.

As for Shana… I was certain she was already reporting everything to Layla’s father.

I stepped into a luxurious carriage, heading toward the elders’ meeting where my marriage to Alpha Hendry Gargan would be discussed.

During the journey, my gaze drifted outside... Run-down settlements.

Wolves in human form, their bodies thin, their faces hollow with hunger, their clothes worn and filthy…

The sight left me unsettled.

“Princess… it seems you’ve really forgotten quite a lot,” Rina said softly, her hands clenching slightly. It was clear she had noticed my reaction. “They’re refugees… from villages attacked by Titans coming out of the Underworld…”

Her voice trembled faintly.

“The food supply keeps getting worse. That’s why so many wolves have turned against the Lycan King… they’ve started rebelling. Honestly… I’m scared, Princess. If a civil war breaks out… what will happen to my children…?”

Before she seemed to realize it, everything she'd been worrying about came spilling out.

I kept my gaze fixed ahead, turning her words over in my mind.

I knew what I had to do.

The silence that followed made Rina suddenly realize she had spoken too much.

“I-I’m sorry, Princess… I think I’ve been too talkative again, I—”

I turned to her and smiled. “Rina, everything will be alright. Trust me.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the carriage came to a stop.

We had arrived.

I could see Rina fall silent. The tension in her expression eased a little, as though my words had given her something to hold on to.

But I meant what I said.

I would find a way to fix what was wrong in this place.

To survive… and to find the answer to why I woke up in this world.

I would do everything I could.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The large doors of the meeting hall opened.

I stepped inside gracefully, lifting my chin slightly. Everyone who saw me lowered their heads, yet whispers followed behind me.

I didn’t care.

At the far end of the room... Alpha Hendry Gargan was staring at me.

I recognized that look. The look in his eyes told me exactly what he was thinking. He was captivated by what he saw.

The faint smile on his lips told me exactly what Rina had meant earlier.

He thought I had come here to attract his attention.

“Tsk… how ridiculous,” I muttered softly as I continued walking forward.

“Ah!” I stopped short.

A woman had fallen right in front of me—Nagia.

She clutched her hand, looking up at me with tear-filled eyes.

“Princess… I’m sorry… If you hate me that much, you didn’t have to push me like this…”

“Hic… hic…”

Her sobs grew louder, immediately drawing everyone’s attention—the elders… and of course, Alpha Hendry Gargan.

What a cunning woman. She knew exactly how to make herself look helpless, and she was good at it.

She had set this up just to make me look guilty.

“Nagia…” Hendry stepped forward at once, kneeling slightly as he took her hand.

Just as I expected, her sobs grew even more fragile, more pitiful.

“Layla Swan, you’ve gone too far!” Hendry snapped, glaring at me with fury. “How could you push her and try to humiliate her in front of everyone?!”

His voice echoed through the hall, filled with anger as he rebuked me in front of all the wolves and elders present.

I remained calm.

Looking at Hendry Gargan and Nagia felt like looking at Desmon and Cassie all over again... It made my blood boil. But I knew anger and shouting wouldn’t help me at all.

So instead, with a calm expression, I lowered my gaze slightly and grabbed Nagia’s chin.

I forced her to look up at me.

She froze.

Her body trembled, yet she didn’t dare meet my eyes.

“A lowly servant of mine dares to cling to my fiancé in front of everyone…” I said calmly, my voice even but sharp. “How bold of you… you shameless whore.”

Nagia’s head snapped up, fury flashing across her face. Her cheeks turned red as she struggled to hold back her scream.

I smiled.

Yes.

This was entertaining.

I turned my gaze to Alpha Hendry Gargan.

Then I released my grip on Nagia’s chin, letting her jerk back before lowering her head, crying again.

“And an Alpha so powerful and respected… chooses to defend a lowly servant instead of his own fiancée…”

I straightened my posture, standing tall.

Surprise flickered across Hendry’s face. Clearly, he had never expected Layla Swan to challenge him like this.

Before he could argue back, I stepped forward calmly, lifting my eyes to meet the elders—the ones who had gathered here to decide the date of my marriage to Hendry Gargan.

“I cannot accept the affair between Alpha Hendry Gargan and that lowly servant,” I said, my voice steady, unwavering. “I, Layla Swan, formally request the annulment of this engagement.”

The moment those words left my lips... The entire hall erupted.

'What?'

'How could Layla Swan, who had been so obsessively in love with Alpha Hendry Gargan, cancel her own engagement?'

'Is she putting on another act?'

'Yes, she’s always liked creating drama to get Hendry’s attention. This must be another one of her schemes. She’ll take it back any second now.'

The whispers spread like wildfire, filling the room from every corner.

I heard every single one of them, but I didn’t move.

I didn’t waver.

I simply stood there, waiting for the elders’ response—though even they looked stunned by my decision.

“LAYLA SWAN, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?!” Hendry roared, grabbing my wrist.

Hendry stared at me, caught between anger and confusion. He had never imagined Layla Swan would go this far.

I lifted my chin, maintaining my calm expression, then forcefully shook off his grip.

“Wasn’t I clear enough?” I said, my voice cool, edged with quiet finality. “I want this engagement annulled.”

A faint smile curved on my lips as I turned my gaze toward Nagia, who was still crying—though now there was anger hidden beneath her tears.

“Isn’t this what you wanted, Hendry Gargan?” I continued smoothly. “You can be with Nagia, so what’s wrong with ending this engagement?” I tilted my head slightly, my eyes sharpening.

“After all… I have no interest in being with someone who has such low standards.” My words made Hendry’s expression twist—anger and confusion colliding all at once.

“Layla, you~!” he snapped, his voice rising with fury.

But before he could finish...

The doors opened.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the hall.

I saw Hendry Gargan—standing right in front of me—lower his head.

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.

My heart lurched. I knew exactly who had entered, yet I couldn't bring myself to turn around.

Alexander Hagard Raizel. The Lycan King—the cold, distant ruler everyone feared—had entered the elders’ meeting hall.

The moment his footsteps echoed through the hall, everything stopped.

The whispers died instantly. Even the air seemed to grow heavier, as though the presence of someone far more powerful than everyone else had silenced the entire room.

How was this possible…?

In the story I had read, the Lycan King attended this meeting only to investigate Layla Swan’s death—the incident that would ignite the conflict between the Werewolf Kingdom and the Human Kingdom.

But now, Layla Swan was still alive.

I was still alive.

So why was he here?

My throat had gone dry, and I found myself unable to move.

Fear settled over me, pure and instinctive—the kind that made prey freeze before a predator.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

His footsteps drew closer, until he stopped right beside me.

“Hm?”

I felt it—the shift of his gaze as he noticed I hadn’t lowered my head like the others.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the faint curl of a smirk on his lips.

He didn’t speak immediately. His gaze lingered on me, slow and deliberate, as though he were studying every detail of my face.

“Oh… my little bait.” His voice was low, almost amused, as if he had already decided something about me… something I wasn’t aware of yet.

This time, I saw him clearly.

That devastatingly handsome face. Those cold blue eyes. That calm expression that made him look as though devouring me would be the easiest thing in the world.

Alexander Hagard Raizel.

He looked at me as though I were nothing more than a toy—something he could break whenever he pleased.