- 7 weeks ago
the alpha's bride dailymotion
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:00Most people don't even remember the packhouse has a dungeon.
00:00:04I do, though.
00:00:05I have a little room in the back that used to be a solitary confinement cell.
00:00:09I have a cot and an old tattered blanket to keep me warm.
00:00:14I even scored a lamp out of the trash.
00:00:17It still works.
00:00:19So, I have light to do my homework.
00:00:23Oh, yeah, I should introduce myself.
00:00:26My name is Talia, but no one calls me Talia except for teachers on the first day of schooling.
00:00:32I'm more popular as the wolfless freak.
00:00:35I'm a werewolf in the red moon pack.
00:00:39Since I'm an orphan, I'm not completely sure how old I am, but pretty sure I'm 16.
00:00:46Also, I'm an omega, which means I'm a servant.
00:00:50My job is to make the meals for the werewolves who live in the packhouse.
00:00:54Between making breakfast and dinner for over a hundred wolves, cleaning up after them,
00:00:59and restocking the pantries of the ranked members' apartments on the third and fourth floors,
00:01:04I do normal teenager stuff.
00:01:06Except, I don't have a lot of spare time to do so.
00:01:10Homework is the extent of living my teen life.
00:01:14Right now, it's 11.30 in the night.
00:01:16I'm putting the finishing touches on my English essay when I hear the door of the dungeon slam open.
00:01:23Great.
00:01:24Now what did I do?
00:01:26It doesn't take much.
00:01:28Alpha Edward is an alcoholic.
00:01:31It's really difficult for werewolves to get drunk,
00:01:34which means you have to drink heavily to feel the effects.
00:01:37This means he probably had a fight with Luna Layla about his drinking,
00:01:42which means she locked him out of their room,
00:01:45which means he has come down to take out his anger on me.
00:01:49Just an average Tuesday in the packhouse.
00:01:51I know the drill.
00:01:54I'm already on my feet waiting for him.
00:01:57Alpha Edward, what can I do for you?
00:01:59I ask with my eyes looking at the floor.
00:02:01I keep my hands clasped in front of me, trying to look as small as possible.
00:02:07Without a word, a whiskey bottle whizzes past my ear
00:02:10and smashes against the wall above my cot.
00:02:13I flinch and can't help but start to tremble and hug myself.
00:02:17Whatever is about to happen, it's going to be worse than usual.
00:02:21He lunges forward and grabs me by the throat with both hands.
00:02:25I feel tears coming to my eyes as the lack of oxygen turns the edges of my vision dark.
00:02:30I desperately claw at his hands, trying to escape his grip, but it's no use.
00:02:36He picks me up by the neck, so I'm at face level with him.
00:02:40His eyes are pitch, indicating his wolf ruckus is at the surface.
00:02:44His breath stinks because of alcohol.
00:02:47I start gagging and choking from the lack of oxygen.
00:02:50Without warning, he throws me across the room as if I weigh nothing.
00:02:53My back slams against the wall, and I land on my back on the cot.
00:02:57The shards of the broken bottle pierce the skin on my back through my thin t-shirt.
00:03:02The whiskey makes the cuts burn.
00:03:04I try to muffle a scream as the pain sears through me.
00:03:08He comes across the room and picks me up roughly by the hair.
00:03:12I feel the shards of glass cutting deeper as he pulls me up.
00:03:16He throws me to the ground.
00:03:17The glass bits are grinding deeper into my back.
00:03:20I can feel something wet soaking through my shredded shirt.
00:03:25I don't dare move and make him even madder.
00:03:28I feel my ribs snap when his foot makes contact.
00:03:33One of his feet lands on my jaw.
00:03:35I feel a sickening snap rattle in my brain.
00:03:39The metallic taste instantly fills my mouth.
00:03:43Alpha Edward has been using me as his punching bag for years,
00:03:46but this was way more intense than it has ever been before.
00:03:50In the past couple of years, he started dipping the whip in wolfsbane,
00:03:55which makes me heal slower.
00:03:57So now I have gnarly scars across my back and arms.
00:04:00I manage to eke out.
00:04:04My voice is small and garbled.
00:04:07He abruptly stops and walks out of the room.
00:04:09He comes back a moment later with the whip
00:04:11and starts lashing my back relentlessly.
00:04:14The whip is dripping with wolfsbane.
00:04:17The lashes, combined with the glass shards still in my back,
00:04:22combined with the wolfbane, are too much.
00:04:25My vision turns blurry and I pass out.
00:04:27It's peaceful, but a little bit boring.
00:04:40At least I don't have to feed the peck.
00:04:44Oh, dang.
00:04:46I didn't get a chance to turn in that English essay.
00:04:50It was a good one, too.
00:04:51The constant soft beeps are soothing.
00:04:55I don't know how long I've been dead,
00:04:57but I feel like I want to open my eyes,
00:05:00ready to take on the afterlife.
00:05:04After what seems like forever,
00:05:06I'm able to open my eyes and find I'm alone
00:05:09in soft comfort in a brightly lit, clean room.
00:05:13This is the afterlife?
00:05:14Maybe this is some sort of waiting area.
00:05:18But where's the lobby?
00:05:20Is there a receptionist?
00:05:23My mind slowly becomes more clear
00:05:25and I realize I'm not dead.
00:05:27I'm in the pack hospital.
00:05:29I need to leave before the alpha finds me outside the dungeon.
00:05:32I can barely move my body.
00:05:34Every move causes excruciating pain.
00:05:38I start to panic,
00:05:39making the beeps in the room become faster.
00:05:42Oh, I'm hooked up to a bunch of machines.
00:05:45I try to figure out how to unhook them
00:05:46so no one hears the noises.
00:05:48Too late.
00:05:50I hear people in the hallway getting closer.
00:05:53I try to sit up.
00:05:54I need to ignore the pain.
00:05:56I have to escape.
00:05:58I slowly slide off the side of the bed.
00:06:00My legs were wobbly.
00:06:02The tubes and wires sticking out of me
00:06:04prevent me from getting too far.
00:06:06The door opens
00:06:07and the pack doctor comes in with the nurse.
00:06:10The doctor is an older person.
00:06:12Talia, you're awake.
00:06:14Let's get you back on the mat, shall we?
00:06:16The doctor says gently.
00:06:18He and the nurse come to either side of me
00:06:20and reach out to hold my arms.
00:06:22A deep growl escapes my chest.
00:06:25Don't touch me.
00:06:26I snap, shaking them off.
00:06:28My voice is scratchy and raw
00:06:30and my mouth feels like a thousand needles are poking into it.
00:06:33It's all right, Talia.
00:06:35Talia, no one is going to hurt you here.
00:06:38We're trying to help you heal.
00:06:40Let's get you back to it
00:06:41and I'll get you a drink of water.
00:06:44The doctor raises his hands in surrender.
00:06:47I look at him hesitantly
00:06:48before the nurse hands me a cup of water with a straw.
00:06:52The water feels good on my throat.
00:06:55The doctor sits in the chair beside the bed
00:06:57as the nurse checks my vitals
00:06:59and starts messing with the tubes
00:07:01and wires attached to me.
00:07:03Talia, you had surgery
00:07:04to remove hundreds of shards of glass from your back.
00:07:07We also had to reset some ribs,
00:07:09your jaw,
00:07:10and you had a lot of wolfsbane in your blood.
00:07:13We gave you a transfusion
00:07:14to clear it from your system
00:07:16so you could heal.
00:07:18You're lucky your wound isn't so serious.
00:07:20Sure about that last part, doctor?
00:07:23I think to myself.
00:07:24When the pack realized breakfast
00:07:26had not been prepared,
00:07:28Tony went to get you
00:07:29and then found you on the ground
00:07:31in your, uh, room.
00:07:35He looked at me with sympathy.
00:07:37Talia, who did this to you?
00:07:39It's a crime.
00:07:40That could be grounds for banishment from the pack.
00:07:43I can't answer him.
00:07:46I stare at my hands on my lap quietly.
00:07:49How can I tell him
00:07:50Alpha Edward is the one who caused this?
00:07:53There's no way he'd believe me.
00:07:56Even if he did,
00:07:57what are they going to do?
00:07:58Banish the Alpha?
00:07:59Fat chance of that.
00:08:01I decide my best move
00:08:02is to just shake my head no.
00:08:04I don't want to get out of the pack for lying.
00:08:07I have nowhere to go.
00:08:08I would be nothing.
00:08:10Okay.
00:08:11Let's move on to the next question.
00:08:13When do you turn 17?
00:08:15He looks at the papers inside his folder.
00:08:18I don't know exactly, sir.
00:08:20I say honestly.
00:08:21He looks at me with a furrowed brow.
00:08:24He glances at the nurse
00:08:25and asks her to give us privacy for a few minutes.
00:08:28Am I in trouble?
00:08:30I just woke up.
00:08:31I don't know what I could have done.
00:08:33You don't know your birthday, Talia?
00:08:35My father brought me here when I was a baby.
00:08:39He was a bad guy.
00:08:41Alpha Edward.
00:08:42Whoa, he...
00:08:44I feel my face burning with embarrassment.
00:08:47My hands tremble and tears threaten to escape my eyes.
00:08:50I didn't think I would have to tell the story to the doctor.
00:08:54I thought everyone already knew.
00:08:57My father was a bad guy.
00:08:59Alpha Edward ended his life for coming into pack territory without permission.
00:09:04They didn't realize he was carrying a baby until they unzipped his jacket and saw I was tucked inside.
00:09:09It was a miracle I survived.
00:09:13Since I was just a baby, they couldn't just get rid of me, but they didn't know anything about me.
00:09:19I was wrapped in a blanket that had the name Talia embroidered on it.
00:09:25So that is what they called me.
00:09:28My father could have been a kidnapper for all I know.
00:09:31The only reason they gave me the last name Jackman is because after they took down my father,
00:09:37they looked through his wallet to identify him.
00:09:40The only form of ID he had was a library card that said Brian Jackman on it.
00:09:45I've tried an internet search for his name on the computer in the school library before.
00:09:53Nothing comes up in the search.
00:09:55You don't need to finish.
00:09:57I know what happened to your father.
00:10:00Well, after that, it happened.
00:10:04Luna Layla took me in until I was old enough to start school.
00:10:08Then she moved me into the dungeon.
00:10:10I've kind of been on my own since then.
00:10:12I never found out when my actual birthday was.
00:10:17And to be honest, you're the first person who has ever asked.
00:10:21I mean, I guess I'm 16.
00:10:23My wolf hasn't woken up yet.
00:10:26The doctor nods, looking at me with pity.
00:10:29Almost like he cares.
00:10:31He asks me a few more questions about my medical history.
00:10:35There's nothing to speak of.
00:10:37I don't remember ever being treated by a doctor before.
00:10:39He closes the folder and tucks his pen into his shirt pocket.
00:10:44Well, I know you haven't had a chance to look in the mirror yet.
00:10:48But when you do, you may find you look a little different.
00:10:51Don't be alarmed.
00:10:53I've done as many tests as I could think of.
00:10:55And it is not medically related.
00:10:57Yes, sir.
00:11:00I assume he means I'm healing faster, but why did he need me to look in the mirror?
00:11:05Why not just tell me?
00:11:08I look at the nurse who is staring at me.
00:11:10When she realizes I caught her, her eyes dart away.
00:11:14What's that about?
00:11:16Okay, lady.
00:11:18Rude.
00:11:19I'll leave you now.
00:11:20You can go in the bathroom and wash up.
00:11:24Just take that bowl with the IV solution with you.
00:11:27There are lounge shorts and fresh underwear in the bag.
00:11:30You need to leave the hospital gown on until your back heals.
00:11:34All right?
00:11:35Yes, ma'am.
00:11:37Thank you, Diane.
00:11:39She nods and leaves the room.
00:11:41It's the first time in my life people have been kind to me.
00:11:45I mean, I think it's part of their job, but still.
00:11:49All I have known so far were insults, physical misery, and hard work.
00:11:54Never any kindness.
00:11:56Never any.
00:11:57I feel like I can trust the doctor, but I'm still wary of Nurse Diane.
00:12:03The way she stared at me just now makes me uncomfortable.
00:12:06I pick up the duffel bag and go to the bathroom.
00:12:09I avoid looking in the mirror.
00:12:12Everything in the bathroom is fresh.
00:12:13There's a shower, but I'm worried the pressure of the water will hurt my back.
00:12:19I decided to fill the tub halfway and get in.
00:12:22The water is warm and soothing.
00:12:24There's a washcloth and a fresh bar of soap.
00:12:27I clean myself until the water is gross.
00:12:31I drain the tub, wipe out the ring of dirt around the edge, and fill it again.
00:12:35The water is not nearly as dirty as this time when I finish washing.
00:12:39I find it hard to raise my hands, but I don't want to call the nurse to help me.
00:12:44I gently wash my hair, dry off, and wrap the soft towel around my head.
00:12:49There's a toothbrush and a small tube of paste on the shelf by the sink.
00:12:54I'm living in the lap of luxury in the pack hospital.
00:12:58I pick them up and start brushing my teeth.
00:13:01I can't avoid it anymore.
00:13:03I need to look in the mirror.
00:13:07I finally worked up the courage to take a peek.
00:13:09What I see makes me drop the toothbrush.
00:13:14My face is still covered in bruises, but that's not what made me drop the toothbrush.
00:13:19The iris of my left eye is violet, not like a shade of blue that could be a little purple in the right light.
00:13:26No, my right pupil is still the drab gray I'm used to, but my left pupil looks crazy.
00:13:33I blink my eyes hard a few times.
00:13:36Still the same.
00:13:38I tried rubbing my eye, but it doesn't make a difference.
00:13:40There's no mistaking it.
00:13:42My eye is bright, practically glowing.
00:13:46Violet.
00:13:48The two days seem to last forever.
00:13:51I'm not complaining, though.
00:13:53I've never gotten so much in my life, and as a bonus, I get three meals a day.
00:13:58Three.
00:13:59I keep looking in the mirror.
00:14:01I can't get over how weird my purple eye looks.
00:14:05I wake up on the second day and go to the bathroom to freshen up.
00:14:09I stare at myself in the mirror for the millionth time.
00:14:14My left eye is still violet.
00:14:17Now my right eye seems like it's starting to turn violet as well.
00:14:21There was nothing I could do about it, so I decided to try not to worry.
00:14:28Since Red Moon is a pretty big pack, we have a high school on pack territory.
00:14:33The library has a really big werewolf lore research section.
00:14:36I will do some research during lunch.
00:14:39As I tilt my head to the side to brush my hair, I notice a chunk of my hair has changed color.
00:14:45Instead of my normal, mousy brown, it is silvery gray.
00:14:50Okay, seriously now.
00:14:52And what is going on?
00:14:53What is happening to me?
00:14:55Is this a trick?
00:14:56Is there bleach in the shampoo or something?
00:14:58If it is a trick, it isn't funny.
00:15:01I pick up the bottle and smell it.
00:15:04It smells like strawberries.
00:15:06Not bleach.
00:15:08Weird.
00:15:09I have never heard of a wolf's eye or hair color changing when they are coming of age.
00:15:13But that's what the doctor thinks is happening.
00:15:16Diane comes in just after lunch with paperwork and pamphlets for me.
00:15:20She hands me another little bag.
00:15:21Just a little something to help you stay incognito until you are finished healing.
00:15:27Thank you for everything.
00:15:28There is a round hat in the bag.
00:15:31How do I look?
00:15:32I ask as I model them for her.
00:15:35She giggles at my poses.
00:15:37You're a star, darling.
00:15:38Maybe she isn't so bad after all.
00:15:41She gives me a gentle hug and sends me on my way.
00:15:46I have another two hours before I need to start prepping dinner.
00:15:50I decided to take my new clothes to my room and clean up the mess down there before this.
00:15:55Something smells different as I walk down the hallway of the dungeon.
00:16:00Like a cleaning solution.
00:16:02I turn on my lamp to find the room has been transformed.
00:16:05My lamp is not sitting on an old stack of milk crates.
00:16:10It is on a nightstand.
00:16:12There is a new bed, too.
00:16:14My old cot is gone.
00:16:15I have a proper mattress, complete with new sheets and blankets.
00:16:19There is also a small desk and chair with all my school books arranged in a basket next to it.
00:16:26I must be dreaming.
00:16:29That or I walked into someone else's room by accident.
00:16:32Except, no one else lives down here.
00:16:37You can barely tell it was an old dungeon cell.
00:16:40It looks like what I imagine a dorm room would look like.
00:16:43I peek out of the doorway to make sure I am in the right place.
00:16:47I seem to be.
00:16:48I walk over and sit carefully on the bed, as though it will disappear if I move too fast.
00:16:55It is like a cloud.
00:16:57The gray and turquoise linens are fresh and new.
00:17:00There are even two pillows.
00:17:02I never had a proper pillow before, let alone two.
00:17:05As far as I know, Diane is the only one who came down here while I was in the hospital.
00:17:12Could she have had all this done?
00:17:15Surely she will get in trouble when Alpha Edward finds out.
00:17:18Then I remember she doesn't know how much the Alpha hates me.
00:17:22I don't know how I'm going to explain it when he finds out.
00:17:27But I won't tattle on anyone for trying to help me either.
00:17:31I put my new clothes away in the drawers of the nightstand.
00:17:35I stash the duffel bag under the mattress.
00:17:38Once I am 17, I will figure out a way to get out of this place.
00:17:44Find a new pack that will accept a violet-eyed weakling of a wolf.
00:17:48I sit at the desk and write a thank-you letter to the doctor and Nurse Diane.
00:17:54I turn in the chair to look around my new room.
00:17:57I am in awe that someone would do this for me.
00:18:01I must have been daydreaming because I didn't hear the door at the top of the stairs.
00:18:07Instantly, I freeze.
00:18:10I hear two sets of footsteps coming down the hall.
00:18:13I can smell Alpha Edward's scent getting closer.
00:18:15I don't know who the other scent belongs to.
00:18:19Instinctively, I scramble and stand in the middle of the room just as they get to the doorway.
00:18:24He leans against the frame and crosses his arms.
00:18:27I can feel my whole body tremble as he stares.
00:18:30My eyes are glued to the ground.
00:18:32I do not want him to see my new eye color shining through.
00:18:36C-can I help you, Alpha Edward?
00:18:38That little stunt you pulled cost me a lot of money.
00:18:42And when you cost me money, you cost my whole family money.
00:18:47I'm sorry.
00:18:48Sir.
00:18:49I apologize.
00:18:51Although I have no idea what stunt he is talking about.
00:18:53I look up just enough to see Marcy, the Alpha's daughter, is also standing in the doorway.
00:19:01Marcy takes a step closer, and I can feel tears starting to sting the corners of my eyes as my arms shake uncontrollably.
00:19:09How am I going to face her at school?
00:19:12I haven't had a conversation with her since her mom made me live in the dungeon anyway.
00:19:16But as far as I know, she had no idea I live down here now.
00:19:21She is going to tell everyone for sure.
00:19:24And do you know how disgusting the food has been for the past two and a half days?
00:19:29I just nod, still looking at the ground.
00:19:32I'm not trying to argue with a lunatic.
00:19:35It isn't my fault I had to have surgery.
00:19:38He's the one who broke a bottle and threw me into the broken pieces.
00:19:41If he hadn't, I would have been just fine.
00:19:45I would have been able to bounce back the next day and make breakfast like I was supposed to, even if I was banged up.
00:19:52There is a pause and he finally growls.
00:19:56Where did all this furniture come from?
00:19:58Did you steal it?
00:20:00No, sir.
00:20:01It was here when I got back from the hospital wing.
00:20:04I don't know who brought it.
00:20:06You owe me, Talia.
00:20:08You also owe whoever turned your room into this comfortable space.
00:20:11You will work in the packhouse until you pay back every cent for the rest of your life if necessary.
00:20:16No more school.
00:20:18You don't need education to cook and clean.
00:20:20He uses his alpha tone.
00:20:23I cannot disobey.
00:20:25With those words, the small flame of hope in my heart extinguishes.
00:20:29I don't get paid, so I don't know how I could ever pay back any debt.
00:20:35Luna Layla told me years ago that the room in the dungeon was payment enough for my services.
00:20:40I am less than an Omega.
00:20:44Now, I am a slave.
00:20:47Marcy, teach her a lesson for wasting our money.
00:20:51Yes, Alpha.
00:20:52Tears stream down my face as the reality of my fate sets in.
00:20:57Alpha Edward is passing the torch of his cruelty down to his daughter.
00:21:01But I know better than that.
00:21:03He will never stop.
00:21:05Marcy reaches forward and claps the back of my neck.
00:21:08She forces me down into a bowing position and growls deeply.
00:21:12Marcy, you should be grateful my father doesn't banish you.
00:21:16If you were a rogue, I would make sure you never made it to the border of the territory.
00:21:21A squeak escapes my throat.
00:21:23I am so scared I feel like I am going to pass out.
00:21:27Marcy turns to her father.
00:21:29Don't worry, Alpha.
00:21:30I've got this situation covered.
00:21:33I hear Alpha Edward's footsteps walk back down the hallway as he leaves the dungeon.
00:21:37Marcy tightens her grip on my neck, extending her wolf claws, making me yelp.
00:21:43As soon as the door slams, Marcy releases my neck and kneels in front of me.
00:21:48Her face is contorted with anger.
00:21:51She grabs my shoulders, shaking me roughly.
00:21:53What did you do to make him so mad?
00:21:56Why isn't she doing anything to me like she told Alpha Edward she would?
00:22:00I stiffened my whole body, avoiding eye contact with her.
00:22:04I'm shaking.
00:22:05I can't even speak now.
00:22:08The thought of two people doing something bad to me regularly for the rest of my life.
00:22:13It just can't be real.
00:22:15Can it?
00:22:16How can the moon goddess allow this to happen?
00:22:20I want to leave the world.
00:22:21That's not an exaggeration.
00:22:25That's not me being dramatic.
00:22:28Please, moon goddess, don't let this happen.
00:22:30Just let me go.
00:22:32I shake so badly that I fall to my knees.
00:22:35I start to sob hysterically and my brain shuts down from being able to think rationally.
00:22:41Marcy grabs my chin and forces me to look at her in her cold, gray eyes.
00:22:45She looks at me in horror for a moment.
00:22:48What happened to your eyes?
00:22:50She moves her hands up from my chin to just below my eyes.
00:22:54It feels like her hands are trembling against my face.
00:22:58Are you a mixed blood or something?
00:22:59All I can manage is to shake my head no between sobs.
00:23:03As I shake my head, I feel her starting to press her thumbs against my lower eyelids, obstructing my vision.
00:23:11Oh no, she's going to poke my eyes out.
00:23:14She saw the violet color.
00:23:15She was going to blind me.
00:23:17I place my hands on top of her, trying to push her away.
00:23:21I hear myself screaming.
00:23:23No, stop.
00:23:24Don't take my eyes out, please.
00:23:26For just a moment, time freezes.
00:23:29I don't mean like it feels like time is standing still because I'm in the middle of a traumatic situation.
00:23:34No, time is frozen.
00:23:36Well, frozen for everything except for me, I should say.
00:23:41I can feel it in the air.
00:23:43It only lasts for a moment.
00:23:44I pulled Marzi's hands away from my face easily.
00:23:48The look of anger combined with confusion is stuck on her face.
00:23:52Next to her, a fly is suspended in midair.
00:23:54The second hand on the clock has stopped on the wall behind her.
00:23:59Drips of water aren't finished falling, leaving umbrella-shaped splashes in the puddles on the floor.
00:24:06What?
00:24:08Did the moon goddess hear me?
00:24:10Did she have mercy on me?
00:24:12Did she let my dream come true?
00:24:15I look back at Marzi with wide eyes.
00:24:18My hands are glowing purple.
00:24:20As quickly as it stopped, time started again.
00:24:25Marzi starts screaming and pushes herself away from me.
00:24:28The tops of her hands where my hands were touching her were burnt.
00:24:31I look down at my hands.
00:24:33They are normal again, not glowing purple.
00:24:37Seriously though, what happened?
00:24:40I shut my eyes tight, waiting for Marzi to retaliate.
00:24:44If you tell anyone, I will kill you.
00:24:47She says in my ear.
00:24:48Then she punches me in the stomach.
00:24:50Knocking the air out of my lungs.
00:24:52I hear her footsteps running down the hall.
00:24:55Then out the door.
00:24:57I don't know how long I sit like this, but when I finally open my eyes, I breathe a sigh of relief.
00:25:03I lean against my body for a while, longer.
00:25:07Sobbing.
00:25:08Shaking.
00:25:09And trying to catch my breath.
00:25:11She didn't harm me.
00:25:13Surely she was coming back.
00:25:15I sniff the air, but her scent is gone.
00:25:17I listened carefully, but there were no sounds in other parts of the dungeon.
00:25:21I'm alone.
00:25:23Moon Goddess, thank you for saving me.
00:25:27I say out loud, just in case the miracle I just experienced was because of her.
00:25:31I feel exhausted, but starting to feel calmer.
00:25:36Okay, Talia, focus.
00:25:38I need to make dinner for the pack or Alpha Edward will find me and kill me.
00:25:42I don't think it's an exaggeration either.
00:25:44Even if I try to run away, either he or Marcy would find me before I could get off the territory.
00:25:54I take a few deep breaths and make myself go down the hall to wash up at the sink.
00:25:59I splash cold water on my face and look in the grungy mirror.
00:26:02Both of my eyes are pure violet now.
00:26:05The silver streaks are starting to take over my hair now.
00:26:08It isn't like an old person's hair.
00:26:10It is silvery that almost shimmers, even in the low light of the dungeon.
00:26:14So weird.
00:26:17There's no way I'm going to be able to get used to this new look.
00:26:20I go back to my room and get dressed in the loose cotton gown and round hat that Diane gave me,
00:26:26pulling the brim low to hide my eyes.
00:26:28Throughout dinner, I received murderous glares from Alpha Edward.
00:26:32I make sure to keep my eyes to the floor so Alpha Edward would avoid seeing the color.
00:26:36Marcy glares at me every chance she gets.
00:26:39After dinner, it takes longer than usual to stock the pantries
00:26:42because whoever did it while I was in the hospital had no idea what they were doing.
00:26:47It is well after midnight when I flop down on my bed and close my eyes.
00:26:52June 20th, I think to myself.
00:26:55It's the last day of school.
00:26:57Well, for other people anyway, not me.
00:27:02You don't need the education to cook in stock pantries.
00:27:05Alpha Edward's words ring in my ears.
00:27:08Just another day for me, I suppose.
00:27:10I wallow in self-pity for a bit before I roll over and try to fall asleep.
00:27:13I'm almost asleep when I hear a woman's voice.
00:27:19Hello?
00:27:20I quickly scramble to my feet, looking everywhere for who it could be.
00:27:24I'm the only one in the room.
00:27:25I peek into the hallway and look around, but no one is there either.
00:27:29Hello?
00:27:30I whisper loudly down the hallway.
00:27:32Ugh, Talia.
00:27:34This is no way for a warrior to behave.
00:27:37Get yourself together.
00:27:38The voice chides.
00:27:40I realize the voice is coming from inside my head.
00:27:44Who...
00:27:45Who are you?
00:27:47I ask hesitantly, worried that I've gone insane.
00:27:51I am the messenger of the moon goddess.
00:27:54The whisperer to the moon.
00:27:57But I like you, so I'll let you call me Sylvie.
00:28:01Whisperer of the moon?
00:28:03Are you my angel, Sylvie?
00:28:06Maybe.
00:28:06Maybe.
00:28:06Who knows?
00:28:08You came a day too late.
00:28:10Our alpha just turned me into a slave less than 12 hours ago.
00:28:14We have no way to escape now.
00:28:17I feel tears welling up.
00:28:19I explain everything to her.
00:28:22What the alpha did.
00:28:23How the luna made me live in the dungeon.
00:28:25All of it.
00:28:26I sob through the whole thing.
00:28:29I'm here now, Talia.
00:28:30Don't worry.
00:28:31You are a child of the moon goddess.
00:28:35You are a warrior.
00:28:37Which means that you are strong.
00:28:40You will get through this.
00:28:43Sylvie, earlier, when my hands turned purple and burned Marcy, was that you?
00:28:49Sort of.
00:28:51That was you, but I helped a little to activate your power.
00:28:56I can explain more later.
00:28:58The next month and a half are the worst of my life.
00:29:02Thank goddess for Sylvie.
00:29:04She keeps me going.
00:29:06Any motivation I ever had is gone now.
00:29:09Instead of just breakfast and dinner, now I make lunch too and I'm still on pantry duty.
00:29:13Every moment of my day is filled with work.
00:29:17From the time I wake up, Sylvie convinces me to enjoy the time that she and I get to spend together, which is when I'm cooking meals.
00:29:25I find I do enjoy cooking while Sylvie is with me.
00:29:28No one comes to bother me.
00:29:29So, we get to have great conversations without interruptions.
00:29:34In the end, I have created something people will enjoy.
00:29:38I even found a couple of recipe books in the back of one of the kitchen cupboards and taught myself some new techniques and dishes to make.
00:29:45Everything else in my life is complete hell.
00:29:51Alpha Edward allows PAC members to bully me and verbally mock me, and they take full advantage at every opportunity.
00:29:58He comes to my room multiple times a week to harm me and berate me for imaginary offenses I haven't committed.
00:30:06Sometimes Marcy comes and watches.
00:30:08A couple of times, she even gets the whip for her father, but she never actually does anything bad to me.
00:30:13I swear I see her smiling while she watches.
00:30:19Sylvie tries to convince me to fight back, but that would be a death sentence.
00:30:24If I fight back or even worse, if I shift, I'm certain I'd be dead.
00:30:29Sylvie keeps telling me everything will change when I shift.
00:30:33She keeps saying, you are a daughter of the moon goddess, and you are her warrior.
00:30:38She is frustrated that I submit instead of fighting back.
00:30:41She is angry at me for keeping her a secret.
00:30:44She says doing so is making her weaker.
00:30:47Okay, Sylvie, a couple of problems with all of this.
00:30:51I try to tell her for the millionth time after we plop in.
00:30:54First, I have no idea when I'm going to be able to let you help me to shift.
00:30:59I'm up and working every day from 5am until after midnight.
00:31:03Secondly, if the alpha finds out I'm talking to someone in my head, he might think I've gone nuts and he will banish me.
00:31:10Or maybe just skip banishing me and straight out kill me.
00:31:14Lastly, I'm a slave, not a warrior.
00:31:17I am not even an omega.
00:31:19Talia, you are not just a warrior.
00:31:22You are a child of the moon goddess.
00:31:25Yes, she is your mother.
00:31:27Okay, I don't know when I can let you help, but at the first opportunity I will take it, Sylvie.
00:31:33I promise.
00:31:35This seems to satisfy her.
00:31:37We keep having the same argument about werewolves all being children of moon goddess versus being an actual child of the moon goddess.
00:31:45She doesn't understand the difference.
00:31:46I think she believes the moon goddess is my mom, like, in the literal sense of the word mother.
00:31:55Every day I'm completely exhausted by the time I get back to my room.
00:31:59It's an even longer day if I'm visited by Alpha Edward.
00:32:02Sylvie has been the best friend I could ask for, even if she is frustrated and getting weak.
00:32:08She is always supporting me and pushing me to not give up.
00:32:12I feel guilty that I can't support her in return.
00:32:16One day, Alpha Edward's personal Omega comes running up to me while I'm making lunch
00:32:21and tells me the Alpha wants to see me in his office right away.
00:32:26I drop what I'm doing and hurry to his office.
00:32:29I knock on the door quietly in case he's busy.
00:32:32Come in!
00:32:33He calls from inside.
00:32:35I pull open the door and peek inside.
00:32:37You called for me, Alpha.
00:32:39I asked as quietly as possible.
00:32:41The easiest way to get away from him is to use as few words and ask as few questions as possible.
00:32:46Don't just stand there.
00:32:47Come in!
00:32:48He snarls.
00:32:50I rush inside and close the door behind me.
00:32:52I stay as close to the door as possible in case I need to make a run for it.
00:32:56Talia, we have a delegation coming from the Dark Howler's Pack next week.
00:33:01Twenty wolves in total.
00:33:04All of the ranked members, their mates, the heads of their security and guards, and security detail for all of them.
00:33:11If all goes well, we'll be forming a pact with them.
00:33:15They must be treated with the utmost respect and courtesy.
00:33:19Bring lunches to the conference room every day and make a formal dinner every day next week.
00:33:25Keep their pantry stocked and stay out of the way.
00:33:29Got it?
00:33:30I look up from under my hat, still keeping my face low enough that he can't see my eyes.
00:33:36Yes, even after almost two months, he still hasn't noticed that I have purple eyes.
00:33:41Or if he has, he hasn't pointed it out.
00:33:44He also hasn't said anything about my silver hair, which is just fine with me.
00:33:49Yes, sir.
00:33:50Everyone will be here on Monday, except for the Alpha, who's coming Tuesday.
00:33:56We'll be having a party after dinner to welcome him.
00:33:59Make sure there is enough food for the party.
00:34:02Give George the information for the additional food you need to make.
00:34:06Do you understand?
00:34:07Yes, sir.
00:34:08Good.
00:34:09We need to keep the Alpha happy.
00:34:12If not, I won't hesitate to let him harm you.
00:34:15Do you understand?
00:34:16He stands up with his hands on the desk, looking very intimidating.
00:34:21Y-yes, sir.
00:34:23Now get out of my sight.
00:34:25He points to the door behind me.
00:34:27I scramble out of the room as fast as possible to find George.
00:34:31George is in charge of ordering supplies for the packhouse.
00:34:34He should be in his office right now.
00:34:36My mind is already churning through the special foods to make, and the groceries I need for them.
00:34:42I also need extra supplies for the guest suite pantries.
00:34:45I wonder what kind of foods the Dark Howlers pack likes.
00:34:50Dark Howlers is the largest pack in the northern region, with my pack, Red Moon, being the second largest.
00:34:57Alpha Edward says Dark Howlers is vicious and strict.
00:35:01Most of their pack has served in the military at one point or another.
00:35:04They employ dark magicians and witches to help them keep power over neighboring one of packs.
00:35:08I wonder if they are going to bring any dark witches here.
00:35:13I hope not.
00:35:15I also hear their Alpha expels pack members who fail training tests, because he doesn't want weak wolves in his pack.
00:35:21A guy I don't want to cross paths with.
00:35:23I get to George's office and knock on the door.
00:35:27I can hear noises coming from inside, but he doesn't answer.
00:35:31I knock a little louder.
00:35:33What the hell?
00:35:34He has to know I'm here.
00:35:36He knows my scent.
00:35:38Just tell me to come in already.
00:35:40I don't like this guy, Talia.
00:35:42He's creepy.
00:35:43He stares at you.
00:35:44Well, we don't have a choice but to work with him, Sylvie.
00:35:48He's the money.
00:35:50Ugh, fine.
00:35:51But let's make it quick.
00:35:53I knock again.
00:35:54More impatiently this time.
00:35:55What is it?
00:35:56He finally growls from inside.
00:35:59I open the door to find there's a female wolf sitting on his desk.
00:36:02She hides her face in his chest.
00:36:04I can't see who she was, but there is no denying whose scent it is.
00:36:08George is not wearing any pants and he is sweating.
00:36:11Get the hell out, Talia.
00:36:13I'm busy here.
00:36:14I stand there wide-eyed, jaw slack for a moment.
00:36:18I can't be seeing this.
00:36:21George is having a fun time in his office with Luna Layla.
00:36:25Get out, Talia.
00:36:28He yells louder.
00:36:30I come to my senses and slam the door closed.
00:36:33I run back to the kitchen as fast as I can.
00:36:36I can feel the drip of sweat down my face.
00:36:38If anyone finds out what I just saw, I am finished.
00:36:43Sylvie thinks it's hilarious.
00:36:45She laughs in my head throughout lunch preparation.
00:36:49I'm just trying to erase the scene from my mind.
00:36:52I'm about to take the platters out to the dining room when George comes charging into the kitchen.
00:36:57He makes a beeline for me and grabs me by the throat, pinning me against the wall.
00:37:04He hauls back his fist and punches me square in the face.
00:37:10The back of my head slams against the wall so hard I see stars.
00:37:14I can feel my nose snap as I slide down the wall with a groan.
00:37:19You didn't see anything.
00:37:20I can feel his claws extending into my neck, drawing blood.
00:37:25You understand, you little monster.
00:37:28I'm paralyzed with fear.
00:37:30I can't answer.
00:37:32I can't even nod.
00:37:34Suddenly, I feel like I'm falling backwards in my mind.
00:37:38I blink quickly a few times.
00:37:40It feels like I'm looking out of someone else's eyes.
00:37:43Let her go.
00:37:44The voice comes from me, but it isn't my voice.
00:37:47It's Sylvie.
00:37:48Her voice booms and sounds almost ethereal.
00:37:51The dishes on the counter shake as she growls deeply at George.
00:37:54I watch helplessly as my hands glow violet and grab George's wrists.
00:37:58As I grab him, his eyes widen in fear, and he starts howling in pain.
00:38:04A sizzling sound comes from where my hands connect with his skin.
00:38:08He quickly releases my neck, and we both fall to the ground.
00:38:12How are you doing this?
00:38:14What are you, Talia?
00:38:16I stand up, feeling much taller than my five-foot-tall frame.
00:38:20Sylvie's voice booms from me.
00:38:21I am a warrior child of the Moon Goddess, and if you tell anyone what has happened here today,
00:38:28I will make you suffer.
00:38:31George scoots back on his backside away from me, wide-eyed,
00:38:35then clambers up and runs away as fast as he can.
00:38:38Suddenly, I come back into my normal state of mind,
00:38:41and I fall back to the ground, exhausted.
00:38:45My hands are no longer glowing,
00:38:47but they feel like they are on and full of static electricity.
00:38:51Sylvie, what was that?
00:38:52I couldn't help it.
00:38:53He was threatening you.
00:38:54Okay, but what was with the glowy purple burnt hands thing?
00:38:58That's not normal.
00:39:00Talia, we've been through this.
00:39:02You are a child of the Moon Goddess.
00:39:04You are special.
00:39:05There is more, too, you will see, after we shift for the first time.
00:39:10Until then, I'm not strong enough to show you.
00:39:14Besides, it isn't like I hurt him badly.
00:39:17His wolf will heal him before he is back in his office.
00:39:21I-I do.
00:39:22Wait, you mean the Moon Goddess is my actual mom?
00:39:26Like she gave birth to me specifically?
00:39:28Not just, like, mother of all werewolves because she created us a gazillion years ago?
00:39:32Well, that's what I've been saying since I came.
00:39:35It's not my fault.
00:39:36You didn't believe me.
00:39:38I picked up a towel to wipe the stain from my nose.
00:39:41Sylvie is already healing me from the break,
00:39:43but my face is going to be bruised for a couple of days.
00:39:46I pull my hat down low so no one can see the bruises,
00:39:49then pick up the first two platters and rush out to the dining room.
00:39:53Okay.
00:39:54Well, if you're able to do that to George,
00:39:58how come you can't do it to Alpha, Edward, or Marcy?
00:40:00Well, I think it happened one time before,
00:40:05but I wasn't fully in control then.
00:40:08I can't do it now because he's your Alpha.
00:40:11I can't go against what he says.
00:40:14I can't attack your Alpha or his daughter.
00:40:18I concede.
00:40:19I don't want to argue with her.
00:40:21I'm just trying to figure out the rules.
00:40:23I'm in uncharted territory here.
00:40:26I mean, it's cool territory,
00:40:27but I don't know what our limits are.
00:40:29Once all the platters are out,
00:40:32I make a list of all the extra supplies I need
00:40:34and put it in the box hanging outside George's office.
00:40:38That way, I don't have to face him again.
00:40:42I clean up the dining room after lunch
00:40:44and still have about 45 minutes until I have to start dinner.
00:40:48I decide to go to the stock room
00:40:49and put supplies on the pantry cart for later.
00:40:53As I work,
00:40:54I hear someone clear their throat behind me.
00:40:56I look up to find Marcy standing uncomfortably close to me.
00:41:00Can I help you with something, Marcy?
00:41:02I try to swallow the panic that instantly builds in my throat.
00:41:07Talia, I just wanted to say,
00:41:09when I'm in control of the pack,
00:41:11you won't be treated the way you are now.
00:41:14Marcy, please stop.
00:41:16I put my hands up and push lightly against her to get her to move,
00:41:19but she's stronger than me and doesn't budge.
00:41:21I look up at her to see an evil grin distorting her face.
00:41:26I see the way my dad treats you, Talia.
00:41:28You never complain.
00:41:30You just take it.
00:41:32She moves closer,
00:41:33breathing deeply until she's fully pressing herself against me.
00:41:37I bet you like it when he does it, don't you?
00:41:41What?
00:41:42There is no way I heard her right, did I?
00:41:45Marcy, I do not enjoy what your father does to me,
00:41:48and you're no better standing there watching him instead of stopping him.
00:41:52I can feel tears stinging the corners of my eyes
00:41:55as she slips an arm around my waist.
00:41:59I cannot believe this is happening right now.
00:42:01Don't lie to me, Talia.
00:42:04I do like men,
00:42:06but I can't deny your scent is something to me no man ever can.
00:42:11The way you beg before my father turns me on
00:42:13makes me crazy to think about what I'll do to you if I find you alone.
00:42:17I can't wait to get my hands on you.
00:42:20I want to hear you moan with pleasure when I am with you.
00:42:23I want you on your knees so I can whip you instead of him.
00:42:27I want you to be my toy, Talia, not his.
00:42:33We'll turn the dungeon into a playroom just for us,
00:42:36instead of just your bedroom.
00:42:38She's nuzzling against my neck right below my ear, making me cringe,
00:42:42but I don't have anywhere to be able to move to get away from her.
00:42:45I can feel her fingers pressing against me,
00:42:49trying to make their way between my legs.
00:42:51Are you insane?
00:42:53I push hard against her, but she's too strong.
00:42:55She doesn't budge.
00:42:57Get off of me, you sicko.
00:42:59This whole time she's been turned on by watching her dad torture me.
00:43:03What is wrong with this family?
00:43:05The look on her face contorts, from happy evil to disgusted.
00:43:09Without warning, she takes a step back.
00:43:11She elbows me in the back, dropping me onto the table.
00:43:15Then she bends over behind me, and whispers in my ears,
00:43:18I know you want me, Talia.
00:43:20Don't worry, you'll be mine as soon as I convince my father to let me have you.
00:43:26I want to make him proud when I make you squeal in pain,
00:43:30but I don't think I can wait.
00:43:32Her voice is rough and ragged with excitement,
00:43:35and her hands are all over me and groping me.
00:43:37All I can do is sob.
00:43:39I'm afraid to fight back or to even say anything.
00:43:43Sylvie can't help me because she's the Alpha's daughter.
00:43:46Moon Goddess, if you're my mother, please help me, please save me from this.
00:43:53I cry in my mind as Marcy bites my ears,
00:43:56gropes me, and her hand runs all over me under my clothes.
00:43:59She pulls my leggings and underwear down,
00:44:02tearing them both in half with her wolf claws extended.
00:44:04I feel her pressing her fingers against my entrance.
00:44:09I know what was about to happen, and I can't take it anymore.
00:44:14I turn my mind off, just like her father beat me within an inch of my life.
00:44:20My mind cannot be present for what is happening to me.
00:44:23She finally gets off me and I fall to the floor.
00:44:27She tears the back of my shirt open and strikes with her claws on my back
00:44:30as if to mark me as her property.
00:44:32I lay on the floor of the supply room, crying.
00:44:37Get up, Talia.
00:44:38I said get up!
00:44:39You're better than this! You will survive this!
00:44:42I want to leave this world, Sylvie.
00:44:44I can't do this anymore, I can't.
00:44:47You can, and you will.
00:44:49You will find your mate soon enough, and things will change, I promise.
00:44:53How can you be so sure?
00:44:55Glowy, burning hands are not your only gift.
00:44:58I get up, find an old cardigan in the back of the stockroom and put it on.
00:45:03I go back to my room to find new clothes before making dinner.
00:45:08The next four days go without incident.
00:45:11Unless you consider the fact that I have visited the roof, several times, recently.
00:45:16Contemplating my existence.
00:45:21Each time I stand with my toes at the edge and stare down from the four-story building.
00:45:27I can't bring myself to do anything except cry and go back to my room.
00:45:32I can't do it to Sylvie.
00:45:34I can't take her life because I want to take mine.
00:45:39Sunday after dinner service, I see Luna Layla in the hallway while I'm refilling pantries.
00:45:45She quickly approaches me and grabs me by the arm.
00:45:48She extends her claws into my bicep, drawing blood.
00:45:52Talia, if you tell anyone, and I mean anyone, what you saw in George's office, I will make you suffer.
00:46:00She says in a low, threatening tone.
00:46:02You too, lady.
00:46:04I'm fed up.
00:46:05Does she want to bully me?
00:46:06Okay, fine.
00:46:08I lift my hat and let my violet eyes look directly at her.
00:46:11She gasps at the unusual sight.
00:46:14Luna, it would be a relief, and I would welcome it.
00:46:18You, you don't know or care how I'm treated by this pack.
00:46:21Including by your husband, your daughter, and your lover.
00:46:25Tears choke up my throat.
00:46:26I cannot take any more punishment from anyone else.
00:46:29I'm at my wit's end.
00:46:30If she takes my life right here in this hallway, it would be a relief.
00:46:36I'm sorry, Sylvie.
00:46:37I just can't do it anymore.
00:46:39I say to my angel as I stare down Luna Layla.
00:46:42She doesn't respond.
00:46:43She shuts our mind link and crawls into the corner of my mind.
00:46:47Luna Layla pushes me away.
00:46:49Insolent child.
00:46:51You should be grateful for your life.
00:46:53The Alpha will hear about this.
00:46:55I'm not grateful for this life, Luna.
00:46:58And if you think I should be, you are part of the problem.
00:47:02If you want to tell the Alpha about this incident, I'm more than happy to tell him what instigated it.
00:47:07She stares at me with pure anger and hatred before walking away, without a word.
00:47:12I guess fate has other plans for me.
00:47:17I stand in the hall for a few minutes to see if she is coming back, but she doesn't.
00:47:22I'm certain she is going to sabotage me.
00:47:24Maybe she's going to smother me in my sleep or just stab me straight in the back.
00:47:29Either way, I was serious when I told her I welcome her.
00:47:34I finish pantry duty, making sure everything is set in the guest rooms.
00:47:38I had George order bouquets for each of the suites, as an extra touch.
00:47:42In the guest Alpha's suite, I also added a bottle of champagne.
00:47:47If this is the last thing I ever get to do, I want it to be something that makes someone else happy.
00:47:53It is almost 1.30 in the morning before I plop into my bed, totally exhausted.
00:47:58It has been a day.
00:48:02If Luna Layla has anything to say about it, it will probably be my last.
00:48:06Sylvia is exhausted too.
00:48:08She stops sulking long enough to tell me she needs me to shift.
00:48:11But I can't.
00:48:12I have no time or energy.
00:48:15I keep promising her I will, but I feel like I've broken that promise.
00:48:20I float off to the sounds of her whimpering in my head while I cry into my pillow.
00:48:24To my surprise, my alarm wakes me in the morning.
00:48:28Sylvie makes me promise to hang on for one more day.
00:48:32We go through the motions of the life I hate.
00:48:35While I'm getting ready, I look in the mirror to find my hair is completely silvery now.
00:48:40I tuck it into a bun to try to far-eyed people noticing it.
00:48:42The delegation from Dark Howlers arrives in the early afternoon.
00:48:47They are all tall and intimidating, with tattoos and big muscles.
00:48:52Some of them have visible scars on their arms and faces.
00:48:55They wear matching business attire or security uniforms.
00:48:59Luna Layla directs them to the sitting room while I quietly bring in pitchers of water and iced tea for them to drink.
00:49:04I was doing my best, trying not to be noticed.
00:49:07And one of the women calls me out.
00:49:09You there, Omega.
00:49:11She says abruptly.
00:49:12I look around and realize she is speaking to me.
00:49:15For everyone.
00:49:16Maya, of course, right away.
00:49:19Luna Layla says quickly and nods her head to me.
00:49:21I rush to the cellar and pull out two cases of napkins and glasses.
00:49:25I prep the drink service card and head back to the sitting room.
00:49:29I open three bottles, leaving the rest for them to do as they wish.
00:49:33And then I back out of the room so I can start preparing dinner.
00:49:37The rest of the day goes without a hitch.
00:49:40The guests seem pleased with dinner.
00:49:43In the evening, I go to each guest suite to make sure everyone is happy with their accommodations.
00:49:48A couple of people ask for more bags of chips or soda, but on the whole, everyone seems satisfied.
00:49:57The last door is the beta's room.
00:50:00Maya opens the door, looking much more relaxed than earlier.
00:50:04She has a large tattoo of a rose and dagger on her forearm.
00:50:08Her dark hair is still pulled back, but she isn't wearing makeup.
00:50:11I can see now.
00:50:13She looks only a few years older than me.
00:50:16I can hear her mate inside talking on the phone.
00:50:18Thanks for checking on us.
00:50:19Everything is wonderful.
00:50:21The flowers are a beautiful touch.
00:50:24You have good taste.
00:50:25She smiles at me.
00:50:27I bow to her slightly, then turn to leave.
00:50:29Wait, what's under your hat?
00:50:31I stop in my tracks and turn around.
00:50:33I'm sorry, ma'am.
00:50:35I ask.
00:50:36I feel the blood drain from my face.
00:50:38Your hat.
00:50:40Why is it so low?
00:50:40What are you trying to hide?
00:50:42Come closer.
00:50:44I come closer and slowly take off my hat.
00:50:46Keeping my eyes to the ground.
00:50:49My silver hair cascades down my back.
00:50:52It is embarrassingly greasy and visibly dirty.
00:50:55I feel myself blush.
00:50:57Oh, I see.
00:50:59She says with surprise in her voice.
00:51:01Now, don't be disrespectful.
00:51:03Always look me in the eye when I speak to you.
00:51:06I look up at her.
00:51:08The light from her room shines right into my eyes.
00:51:10She looks at me blankly for a moment, trying to process what she's seeing.
00:51:15What are you?
00:51:16A hybrid?
00:51:17No, ma'am.
00:51:18The pack doctor did tests, but he doesn't know why it happened.
00:51:21He thinks it must be a transformation related to my wolf getting ready to wake up.
00:51:26I mean, it's not a lie.
00:51:29It's just not the whole truth, right?
00:51:30How am I supposed to tell a stranger that my wolf says that I'm the moon goddess's actual daughter,
00:51:37and that that is why I have silver hair and violet eyes?
00:51:42She grabs my chin and pulls my face closer to hers, inspecting closely.
00:51:47And does the pack doctor know that someone has broken your nose recently?
00:51:52You still have bruises.
00:51:53I'm not going to elaborate or implicate anyone in this conversation with someone I do not know.
00:51:59Who's at the door, Maya?
00:52:00Just the Omega assigned to us, Caden?
00:52:02What's your name again?
00:52:04It's Talia, ma'am.
00:52:05I'm not an Omega, though.
00:52:07I'm just a servant.
00:52:09Her name is Talia.
00:52:10She picked out my beautiful flowers.
00:52:13She's still talking to her mate, but she hasn't taken her eyes off me as if she's trying to size me up for some reason.
00:52:19Her brow furrows slightly as she stares.
00:52:22She's making me self-conscious.
00:52:25That's nice.
00:52:26Ask her if I can get bubbly water in the refrigerator.
00:52:30No problem, ma'am.
00:52:31She and I share a smile at bubbly water.
00:52:34I will bring it shortly and leave it at the door.
00:52:38Oh, and Talia, if those bruises aren't healed by tomorrow morning, find some powder.
00:52:43Alpha Damon does not tolerate seeing injuries like that.
00:52:46Yep, yes, ma'am.
00:52:47I run to the stockroom, get four bottles of San Pellegrino and put them in front of the door, then run away as fast as I can.
00:52:55One million questions run through my head.
00:52:57Would their Alpha be angry for being weaker than other wolves, even if I was not part of his pack?
00:53:02Was she going to tell Alpha Edward about my unusual features?
00:53:07Was she going to call him out for letting someone break my nose?
00:53:11I mean, lady, if you think that is bad, I got some news you're not gonna like, and that I'm dead meat by your Alpha, for sure.
00:53:20Alpha Edward comes down later and whips me for not having all the items our guests wanted.
00:53:23By morning, Sylvie has still not been able to fully heal me.
00:53:28I'm in so much pain.
00:53:30Everything is a struggle.
00:53:32Cooking, carrying breakfast trays, leaning over to clean tables.
00:53:37Every move causes scabs to open and bleed, making the back of my shirt damp with blood.
00:53:43Maya makes eye contact with me a couple of times.
00:53:46She can tell something was wrong, but doesn't say anything.
00:53:48For some reason she can't explain, Sylvie is bouncing around in my head all morning.
00:53:53The Beta is so nice, I can't wait to meet the Alpha and Luna.
00:53:58Sylvie, come on.
00:54:00We're not going to get to meet the Alpha and Luna.
00:54:02We're going to melt into the wallpaper and pretend we don't exist.
00:54:05I want to meet them.
00:54:07Okay, well I hate to disappoint you, but you're going to be disappointed.
00:54:11Layla comes in, while I'm prepping lunch, to let me know the Alpha has arrived.
00:54:16And I need to make lunch for him as well.
00:54:19There is no Luna.
00:54:21He doesn't have a mate.
00:54:22And according to Layla, he's handsome.
00:54:26Not that it matters to me, because I'm going to be wallpaper.
00:54:31I don't want him to notice me at all.
00:54:35I take the trays to the conference room.
00:54:38Alpha Damon is not there, but there is a spot at the table where he is supposed to sit.
00:54:42I leave his meal at the empty seat.
00:54:44Everyone from the Dark Howlers pack, politely thanks me, as I lay out plates in front of them.
00:54:52Their manners betray their intimidating features.
00:54:55No one from the Red Moon pack says a word to me as I serve them.
00:54:59I collect the trays and walk out quietly.
00:55:02Layla lets me know she will clean the plates so I can focus on dinner and food for the party.
00:55:07I go to the kitchen, but need a minute to collect myself before I get started on dinner.
00:55:13I go out the back door and stand on the stoop.
00:55:17In the distance, I don't recognize him.
00:55:20It must be the Alpha from Dark Howlers.
00:55:23He is too far away from me to see his actual features, though.
00:55:26All I can see is a tall figure with dark hair and a suit.
00:55:30It smells like...
00:55:33I swear, it smells like coffee.
00:55:38Or dark chocolate.
00:55:40This guy was a mocha drinker?
00:55:43I laugh to myself at the thought of the big, bad Alpha of Dark Howlers,
00:55:47sipping on a mocha Chino.
00:55:48I make a four-course meal of Caesar salad,
00:55:51bacon-wrapped shrimp appetizers,
00:55:55beef wellington with braised Brussels sprouts for the main dish,
00:55:58and a key lime pie for dessert.
00:56:01I also make bruschetta, tomato fritters, mini calzones,
00:56:05assorted veggie trays with dip,
00:56:07and chocolate truffles to serve for the party.
00:56:10I finish the desserts and veggie trays between breakfast and lunch,
00:56:14so there was less for me to worry about now.
00:56:17I realize Sylvie's advice of finding happiness in cooking
00:56:21has helped me enjoy making this dinner.
00:56:23Maybe because I'm serving people other than my pack.
00:56:27Or maybe it's because I'm making special food,
00:56:30not just the regular stuff I make for the pack.
00:56:32Either way, I don't mind my work today.
00:56:36I felt a sense of pride in it.
00:56:39There are servers for dinner service since it's a formal event.
00:56:43I stay in the kitchen and make sure everything is plated,
00:56:46and going out the door in perfect condition.
00:56:49I'm in the zone.
00:56:51I peek out from the kitchen after each course is served.
00:56:54People seem to enjoy the food, which is a relief.
00:56:56I notice Alpha Edward is getting pretty drunk.
00:57:00Luna Layla keeps taking his glass away from him,
00:57:02but he keeps ordering the Omegas to give him more.
00:57:06The dining room is extra crowded,
00:57:09so I don't get a better look at Alpha Damon.
00:57:13Maya sees me peeking out from the kitchen
00:57:15and gives me a wink and thumbs up.
00:57:17I smile and give a little wave before pulling my head back.
00:57:22I help the servers take the party food to the tables
00:57:25at the edges of the ballroom.
00:57:28I also make sure the bars in the corners are fully stocked,
00:57:32the DJ is finishing setting up,
00:57:34and colorful lights are sliding across the floor.
00:57:38Party balloons and streamers are hanging all over the place.
00:57:43The first few guests are starting to wander in,
00:57:47which is my cue to duck out the back door.
00:57:50Luckily, the dinner servers will clean up the dinner service tonight,
00:57:54which gives me extra time to restock pantries.
00:57:58I head upstairs to the stockroom and load the cart up.
00:58:02I'm humming to myself as I go from room to room.
00:58:05I feel an odd sense of calm as I go.
00:58:08You're in a good mood.
00:58:10I guess.
00:58:12I'm not sure why, though.
00:58:14My back and feet still hurt.
00:58:16Well, I'm happy that you're happy, for once.
00:58:18This version of you is pretty cool.
00:58:21Thanks, Sylvie.
00:58:22You're not half bad yourself.
00:58:24I finish stocking the ranked pack members' rooms
00:58:26on the fourth and third floors.
00:58:28Then I head to the second floor, where the guest suites are.
00:58:32The cleaning staff has cleaned everything.
00:58:34I just need to restock the toiletries,
00:58:37pantry items, and refrigerators.
00:58:38I make quick work of the rooms.
00:58:41I remember to stock the Beta's room with more bottles of San Pellegrino,
00:58:46refresh the flowers, and leave a little tent card
00:58:48with a handwritten smiley face on the kitchenette counter.
00:58:51It's almost midnight now.
00:58:54Everyone is still in the ballroom partying.
00:58:57I close the door to the Beta's suite and move to the Alpha's suite door.
00:59:01It's the last room left for the night.
00:59:04I know he's at the party, too, but I knock first, just in case.
00:59:09I lean my ear against the door.
00:59:12I don't hear a reply.
00:59:13I slipped the keycard in the slot and opened the door.
00:59:16But the moment I looked inside, my heart stopped.
00:59:20And I froze.
00:59:22Standing there was the most handsome werewolf I've ever seen in my life.
00:59:27Easily six foot, six inches tall.
00:59:30Looked to be about 250 pounds of solid muscle with the broadest shoulders.
00:59:35But he wasn't alone.
00:59:36An icy blonde stood in front of him with her hands undoing his belt.
00:59:40The smell of coffee and dark chocolate filled the air,
00:59:43and my mind went hazy as I froze,
00:59:46seeing two piercing blue eyes staring back at me.
00:59:49Stop!
00:59:50He shouted.
00:59:51Is this it?
00:59:52Is this the day I die?
00:59:54I wondered.
00:59:55I was only doing my job,
00:59:57but that did not change the fact that I had witnessed something
01:00:00that should not have been seen.
01:00:02Before I could move, he lunged forward
01:00:04and roughly pinned me against the floor outside the room with a low growl.
01:00:07He placed both hands on my shoulders,
01:00:10preventing me from escaping,
01:00:12put his face against my neck,
01:00:14and inhaled deeply.
01:00:16My heart was pounding in my chest as overwhelming panic began to set in.
01:00:22Alpha Damon,
01:00:23is this Omega trying to steal something?
01:00:26A guard said,
01:00:27seeing the struggle.
01:00:29Get back!
01:00:30He snarled,
01:00:31flashing his large fangs.
01:00:34Mine!
01:00:34He growled.
01:00:35Over his shoulder,
01:00:37I could faintly see Marcy staring daggers at me,
01:00:40and down the hall,
01:00:41I heard Alpha Edward shouting.
01:00:43What a disaster!
01:00:45I thought.
01:00:46They're all going to kill me.
01:00:49My head started swimming,
01:00:51and I felt even dizzier.
01:00:53Maybe I was finally dying.
01:00:55Look what!
01:00:56You've done, you little bitch!
01:00:58Marcy yelled as she reached out to grab me,
01:01:00but she never touched me.
01:01:01Alpha Damon snarled,
01:01:03snatching her hand out of the air and snapping her wrist.
01:01:07Alpha Edward roared,
01:01:08How dare you!
01:01:09This is war!
01:01:11I watched them fight as if it was a dream.
01:01:14They looked as though they were moving in slow motion.
01:01:17Alpha Edward yanked Marcy,
01:01:19pulling her back as Damon snarled at them.
01:01:21He was vicious.
01:01:23Beautifully vicious.
01:01:24A guard tried to separate them
01:01:26as Beta Caden and Maya
01:01:27took defensive positions around Alpha Damon,
01:01:30and George lunged at Damon,
01:01:32but he was no match for the Alpha.
01:01:34Damon grabbed George by the throat
01:01:36and threw him into the wall
01:01:37as though her were a tiny pup.
01:01:39I almost laughed,
01:01:40but I was shaking all over,
01:01:42barely able to stand.
01:01:44But in the chaos,
01:01:45I managed to crawl away
01:01:47and slink down the stairs.
01:01:49I looked around to see if anyone noticed me,
01:01:52but they were all too busy arguing.
01:01:54I looked down to see blood running down my legs,
01:01:57dripping onto the floor.
01:01:58I started to lose consciousness,
01:02:00and then I heard it.
01:02:02The most guttural,
01:02:03ear-shattering roar.
01:02:05Where is she?
01:02:07Where is who, Alpha Damon?
01:02:08Where is my mate?
01:02:10Is it possible?
01:02:12Is Talia truly Damon's fated mate?
01:02:15What will Damon do to protect her?
01:02:17Will their bond ignite a war
01:02:18between the two most powerful packs in the Order?
01:02:21Will any of them leave Red Moon territory alive?
01:02:23To find out what happens next,
01:02:25listen to every thrilling episode of The Alpha's Bride,
01:02:28available only on the Pocket FM app.
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