Not Daddy's Anymore

I fall in love with my father's friend, an Alpha 20 years my senior.

I'm only eight when I first meet him. It happens at a banquet for the upper echelons of the werewolf pack. My father brings me with him.

Layson Romanov instantly catches my eye. He stands tall at six feet and two inches, and his toned figure shows through his black suit. He exudes a natural dominance.

My father introduces me to him, and he caresses my hair with a smile. Then, he gives me a pink dress adorned with pearls and pink diamonds. "You'll look beautiful when you're old enough to wear this."

Back then, I didn't understand what he meant.

…

Ten years later, I put on that dress and enter his room. He's drugged after falling into someone's trap, and his wolf is out of control. His usually calm eyes are filled with mania.

I know that he'll go insane—even lose his life—if he doesn't have an antidote. So, I give him my pure, untainted body. I become his antidote.

We later marry, and he loves me as my father would've done. However, when I'm four months pregnant, I discover that his personal secretary, Grace Parker, is also pregnant.

"I'm sorry to have put you through this, Grace. Everyone knows I only married Charlotte out of duty. I'll make sure our child is my only heir," he says.

It all makes sense now—no wonder Layson refused to mark me despite us being married. Grace is the one he loves.

I'm heartbroken. I ingest a large amount of wolfsbane, leading to a miscarriage. I ultimately die of blood loss.

Intense regret washes over me as I breathe my last breath.

When I open my eyes again, I find that I've been reborn. I'm taken back to the day Layson is drugged…

Charlotte's POV

"Come here." Layson Romanov's voice was low and firm, leaving no room for refusal.

In the yacht's luxury suite, the air felt stiflingly hot. Layson's loosened collar looked messy. He had left a few buttons of his shirt undone, revealing his firm chest. His usually deep and calm green eyes now burned with scorching desire.

In my previous life, he had tempted me in this same way.

Right now, I simply stood by and watched this man who was normally so noble and untouchable.

I once believed I could become his greatest love. I paid no heed to the fact that he was my father's friend or that he was 20 years older than me, or even the mockery from my family. I flung myself into becoming his so-called "antidote".

I loved him with all my heart, yet all I got in return was a tragic end—I died along with my unborn baby. Even love became a luxury I could no longer afford.

Right before I died, I found out that Layson had secretly been in love with his personal secretary, Grace Parker.

They had long been fond of each other. I was only an intruder who barged into their romance and took Grace's rightful place, becoming a burden to him.

Perhaps the Moon Goddess pitied me, for she granted me a second chance at life.

In this lifetime, there was only one thing I wanted to do, and that was to let them be together.

Without a moment of hesitation, I took out my phone and dialed Grace's number.

Ten minutes later, Grace arrived in a hurry, her gaze filled with wariness.

"Charlotte, what on earth are you playing at? Don't you like His Majesty? Why call me over instead of seizing the opportunity?"

When I heard her say that, I couldn't help but give a bitter laugh.

In my previous life, everyone knew that I clung to Layson. Wherever he went, I would appear at his side.

Back then, I thought he truly loved me. When my father was away at war for five years, Layson would take me to his castle, look after me with care, and grant me anything I desired.

I was naive enough to think that it was only our differences in status and age that separated us. Otherwise, why would a man as reserved as him indulge all my whims?

But reality made it clear that he didn't love me.

So, I merely shook my head. "I don't like him anymore. I'll never like him again. You and he grew up together and have always liked each other. You only lack a chance to be together. Tonight is the perfect moment."

Just then, a muffled sound came from the room, filled with suppressed pain.

"He's about to be overwhelmed by the drug. If you don't go in, he might not make it."

Grace still hesitated.

I simply stepped aside and pushed her into the room. I gave her no chance to back out and shut the door at once.

Not long after, I heard Layson's ragged breathing and Grace's soft moans. Their sounds of passion grew clearer, one after another, like sharp blades slicing into my heart.

So, this was what heartbreak felt like. It felt as though I had been hollowed out. I crumpled to the floor right by the door.

My tears flowed without my control, yet I felt strangely relieved. I had finally broken free from the fate of my previous life.

I ran back to my own room and spent the whole night sleepless.

At dawn, my father, Arthur Winston, called right on time.

"Charlotte, I've already arranged a spot for you in Silvermoon City. That's where all the young elites from every pack gather. Would you like to go?"

Over the past few years, my father had been busy expanding his territory and hadn't been able to take care of me, so he entrusted me to his good friend, Layson, the ruler of the North. I ended up staying under Layson's care for several years.

I used to foolishly believe that his kindness toward me, his protection, and even his occasional stares were some form of special affection. By now, I finally understood that Grace was the true love he had cherished all along.

"Yes, I'm willing to go," I said.

After I spoke, my father seemed momentarily taken aback on the other end of the line, then his tone turned excited.

"My darling, you've finally come round. In Silvermoon City, you can study and explore, and you can even look for a partner. I've already contacted Carlson Bennett from the Blazing Sun pack. He has a strong bloodline and is about your age, and you'll both attend the same academy.

"Charlotte, it's not wrong to want romance. But the right person matters. Give yourself a new chance."

Hearing my father's words made my tears flow again.

In my past life, he had also tried to persuade me, but I wouldn't listen. In the end, I wasted my life away.

I pinched my palm, letting the dull pain of my nails biting into my skin clear my mind.

In this lifetime, I would never let myself remain trapped in Layson's shadow.

"Dad, I'll do whatever you say. I'm going to Silvermoon City. I'll arrange the entry permit later."