I was awakened when someone threw a basin of water all over me. I opened my eyes to the sight of Selena's triumphant expression and noticed the Moonlight Bangle she was holding between her fingers, swinging it mockingly in my view.

I narrowed my eyes as I gained immediate clarity, realizing that it was a keepsake that belonged to Mom. I lunged forward to seize it, only to be held firmly by Selena's maids. I raised my head in fury, my voice shaking while asking, "What exactly do you want from me, Selena?"

Selena stifled a delicate laugh behind her hand. "You want it, right? I'd like to propose a wager with you, then—if we both happened to fall into the water, who would Carl choose to rescue first? If the outcome favors you, I'll return this bangle to you, Aria."

I followed Selena to Frost Flow, where vapor was curling above the water's surface; any average werewolf would certainly succumb to the cold within ten minutes. I was already shaking all over at that moment.

Selena, noticing my hesitation, challenged me mockingly, "You're frightened, huh? Have you given up on the bangle, Aria?"

I gritted my teeth as I recalled Mom's brutal death before plunging into the water.

Selena remained unmoving, smiling at me from the edge of Frost Flow. She then drew her cloak around herself and turned, her voice dripping with mockery while hissing, "I never would have guessed that you'd still be so naive, Aria!"

…

Third-person's POV:

It was then that someone outside suddenly yelled, "Alpha Carl has arrived!"

Selena quickly tossed the Moonlight Bangle into the water, and the moment Carl appeared, she pointed anxiously toward the water, exclaiming, "Aria threw the bangle you gave me into the water and is searching for it now, Carl."

Carl immediately rushed to the edge of Frost Flow and stared intently at the water, catching sight of a faint shadow below. He immediately bellowed, "You'd better come up this instant, Aria! It's merely a bangle—losing it isn't the end of the world!"

It had been quite a while, and the water remained completely still.

Carl was seized by panic. He quickly took off his cloak, preparing to descend into the water himself.

Yet, at this moment, Selena suddenly let out a series of loud sneezes. She called out to Carl, then rubbed her hands together and whined pitifully, "It's freezing out here, Carl; our pup must be cold right now. I'm sure Aria will be able to handle it just fine since she's such an excellent swimmer."

Carl, with an expression of deep concern, gently draped his cloak over Selena. He then turned to the maids and said, "You guys should wait here while I take Selena back and ensure that Aria is brought back immediately the moment she surfaces."

…

Having sent Selena back to her room, Carl instantly turned and rushed away. He felt his heart hammering in his chest as he told himself that Aria should have recovered the bangle by now. He then instructed the guard standing nearby, "Go bring Aria to me at once."

It wasn't long before the guard returned after being briefly away. He fell instantly to his knees before Carl, unable to control the trembling in his lips as he stammered, "A-Alpha Carl, A-Aria…"

"What happened to Aria?" Carl demanded, sounding irritated.

"Aria is dead."

"W-What!" Carl exclaimed.