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