Constance's POV:
I escaped to the lakeside behind the temple.
I would come here every time I was in a bad mood. Moon Goddess Lake had a special power that could calm me down.
"Constance!"
It was Declan.
He walked toward the sunlight. His red hair was incomparably brilliant. His entire body was glowing. He was like the most handsome god of war, mesmerizing me.
I turned around to look at him and smiled at him.
"Please, Constance. Don't do this. Don't force yourself to smile." Declan sat down beside me. "Don't be sad about what happened today. You don't have to pander to anyone. Just be yourself."
I nodded. I wanted to cry a little. Instead, I said, "Today's event is very grand. Why aren't you by Baron's side?"
Declan shrugged. He looked at me intensely. "I think you need protection more."
"You're Baron's Beta, not mine," I said in a slightly angry tone.
"I can protect Baron, and I can protect you." Declan reached out and ruffled my hair.
"Declan, I'm terrible, right? I mean, I don't have the abilities of a werewolf or a saintess. So many people in the pack are mocking me. You want to protect me because you feel sorry for me, right?"
"Constance, I swear to the Moon Goddess! I don't have any sympathy for you!" Declan hurriedly explained, "You're the only person I want to protect other than Baron."
Facing Declan's burning gaze, I understood his thoughts, but I couldn't assure him.
"I'm sorry. You know a saintess has to remain a virgin for the rest of her life." When I said this, I felt very sad, too.
I liked Declan very much, but my identity was an obstacle between us.
Declan's eyes flashed with a hint of discomfort. He smiled with difficulty and then held me in his arms. "Of course, I know. But it doesn't affect me liking you."
I hugged him back and stroked his neck intimately.
Declan felt my affection. He held my face and kissed my lips.
His kiss was soft, like a feather in the air.
I reached down his neck and slowly caressed his body.
His muscles were firm and toned and seemed to burn under my touch, which confused me.
Declan took off my moon-white dress bit by bit.
My white body seemed to glow in the sun, seemingly crystal clear.
Declan caressed my delicate skin with his rough hands. His hands were like flames, teasing my withered, prairie-like body. The touch of his hands made my body shudder.
I felt a primal desire—I wanted to have sex with him. But my subconscious told me I was a saintess and that I couldn't indulge in carnal pleasures.
Declan seemed to sense my struggle. He nibbled on my earlobe and said, "Relax, Constance. I won't go in."
I lay down slowly on the grass, and Declan pressed against me and kissed me. His kiss grew more intense from its initial softness. His breathing grew heavier, and his eyes sparkled with desire.
He kissed me all the way down to my chest, where he held my nipples with his lips.
My body was so messed up by Declan that I stuck my hands in his hair and hugged him tightly, responding to him.
Just as I was getting my fill of lust, I felt a piercing gaze filled with anger and malice jolting me awake.
I instinctively pushed Declan away and clutched my chest in panic. The gaze was so domineering that I felt as if something had pierced my body when it looked at me, making my heart ache for no reason.
Declan looked at me with an injured expression, thinking I was resisting being so close to him.
However, he quickly realized that something was wrong.
He grabbed my shoulders nervously and asked worriedly, "Constance, what's wrong? Where are you feeling unwell? Why are you so pale?"
"I... It hurts." I felt like something was breaking apart in my chest bit by bit—this feeling of something in there breaking apart made my entire body hurt. I couldn't help but curl up in a fetal position.
Declan was very nervous. He helped me get dressed and said, "I'll take you to Jack!"
I looked past Declan and at the bushes on the other side of the lake.
In the bushes on the other side were a pair of eyes staring at me. It was the same gaze as the one from last night!
That gaze was like hundreds of sharp claws clawing at my heart. It made me feel a sense of urgency and fear!
That line of sight was like a dense net, trapping me firmly within, making me unable to move!
"What's over there?" Declan stood up alertly. He instantly shifted into his wolf form and pulled me behind him.
His red fur stood up high like a ball of flame.
He howled softly—this was a warning to the intruders. This was his territory.
I felt a moment of peace because of Declan.
Declan looked around vigilantly but found nothing.
Declan didn't seem to sense that other person's presence. I endured the pain and said weakly, "Someone's watching us."
Declan didn't seem to sense it. His reddish-brown eyes seemed confused.
I clutched my chest, finding it increasingly difficult to breathe.
I was 100% sure there was someone behind the trees, and that person was very powerful!
I wanted to say something else, but the stuffiness in my chest made my vision go black.
Then, I fell into a deep coma.