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Short filmTranscript
00:00Today was supposed to be my mating day, the day a Hearn bloodclaw would mark me as his Luna, in
00:05front of the whole Asheville pack.
00:08We'd trained together since we were pups. Everyone said we were the perfect match.
00:14Future Alpha and Luna, balanced, predictable, safe.
00:18I smoothed down the front of my cloak for the hundredth time and glanced toward the entrance again.
00:23Still no one, not a single soul had shown up, not my parents, not my brother Andrew, not even a
00:29Hearn.
00:29Just me, standing alone in the silence. I pulled out my phone and checked it for the fifth time.
00:35No new messages. My thumb hovered over a Hearn's name before I called again.
00:40It rang twice then went to voicemail. I stared at the screen, unsure whether to laugh or throw it against
00:45the stone wall.
00:46Then the package announcement flashed across it.
00:49Welcome home Bernice Thorns. A video autoplayed. There they were my family.
00:54All of them gathered at the arrival gates of the Northern Ridge, where the Skycrafts landed.
01:01My father beamed, my mother teared up, and Andrew lifted Bernice into an aspiring hug.
01:06Even a Hearn was there. Standing just behind her, Bernice's golden hair glinted under the lantern lights.
01:12Her arm curled tightly around a Hearn's like she belonged there. She always did.
01:17My chest burned. A moment later my phone buzzed again. This time it was a Hearn.
01:22Stop being dramatic, Anastasia.
01:24He said, his voice dry like I called to complain about the weather.
01:29We'll do the ceremony later. Bernice just got back from alpha training at Wolfsbane Academy Dash.
01:33The line cut. I stared at the screen, my claws itching to come out. Around me, the ceremonial hall remained
01:39silent, filled only with the soft rustle of moonflower petals falling to the floor.
01:44I looked down at the cloak I'd spent hours sewing silver threads into. It pulled around me now like shed
01:50fur. Like something I didn't deserve to wear.
01:53I slipped it off and left it there. The storm veil packed buzzed with noise when I returned. Someone had
01:58roasted meat on. The back grill. Bernice's perfume floated through the hall's rose and sweet leaf, strong enough to push
02:06every other scent away.
02:08Laughter echoed from the main room. Celebration loud and thoughtless. No one noticed when I slipped inside through the kitchen
02:15door.
02:16I went straight to my room, sat on the edge of my bed, and stared at the list I'd written
02:21in my journal. A simple list. Every time I'd been forgotten. Overlooked. Passed over. I added another entry at the
02:29bottom. Mating ceremony no one came. A knock slammed against the door. It creaked open and Andrew stepped inside like
02:36he owned the place. His boots heavy on the floor.
02:39There you are. He looked me over taking in. The fur cloak now folded by. My desk and the. Half
02:45written letter to the. Council.
02:48Bernice wants your meatloaf. Make it spicy she says she missed the way you cook it. I stared at him
02:53hands resting on my lap. You missed my mating ceremony. Andrew blinked. Then shrugged like it didn't matter.
02:59It's just a ritual. You and her can do it next moon or the one after. Bernice is back. Anastasia.
03:06We haven't seen her in a year.
03:07He picked up my journal from the desk. Flipped through it without asking. You still writing this stuff down? His
03:14eyes landed on the fresh page. At the top in bold letters. Final warning. He snorted.
03:20What's that supposed to mean? You gonna run away? To be a rogue? He tossed the journal back onto the
03:26bed. Just make the meatloaf. Anastasia.
03:29I stood slowly and walked. Passed him toward the kitchen. My hand stung as I pulled. Out the meat from
03:35the cold. Box. The new soap they dee. Brought back for me to. Use Bernice as favorite.
03:41Brand had left red blotches. On my skin. Andrew leaned against the wall behind me watching too closely.
03:47Why are you so quiet? He asked. Planning to poison her or something?
03:51Before I could answer, her voice rang out from the main room.
03:55Andrew. The chestnuts.
03:57He rolled his eyes and muttered.
03:59Coming.
04:00Before turning and leaving without a second glance, I washed my hands under cold water, watching the red fade into
04:06pale pink.
04:07My eyes drifted to the counter. There sat the ceremonial cake I'd ordered still untouched.
04:13The bonding rings lay beside it, sealed in their velvet box.
04:16I didn't cry. I just stood there for a long time, staring at all the things that were supposed to
04:21matter.
04:22My wolf had been quiet all day. But now her voice was sharp in my head.
04:26Arlene, my wolf, growled low in my chest.
04:29They've made their choice.
04:30She said.
04:31So will we.
04:32I looked toward the window. Beyond it, the dark trees of the northern woods swayed gently in the night wind.
04:39Bernice was back. She had everything. And me?
04:42I was done waiting.
04:43I set the meatloaf down on the long oak dining table. The scent wafting through the air like a forgotten
04:49promise.
04:50Laughter echoed from the living room.
04:52Father, usually buried in Alpha Council meetings and Asheville PAC's logistics, sat comfortably, listening intently as Bernice gushed about her
05:01time at Wolfsbane Academy.
05:03We practiced under the PAC Elder Archibald.
05:05She said, eyes shining.
05:08He said I had the instincts of a born Alpha strong enough to lead any PAC.
05:11Mother clutched Bernice's hand. Eyes shimmering with emotion.
05:16My sweet girl. You've lost weight, haven't you?
05:19You need more rest. Too much time in training will weaken your wolf and dull your senses.
05:23Andrew sat beside them, still dutifully peeling chestnuts like some beta servant.
05:28I stood quietly at the threshold between the kitchen and living room watching.
05:32Never invited. That room was warm, bright, full of voices and attention.
05:37This room mine was quiet, dim, forgotten.
05:41Bernice's voice rose with performative sweetness.
05:44Anastasia, why are you just standing there, still mad at me for ruining your ceremony?
05:49The conversation screeched to a halt.
05:51Three pairs of eyes turned toward me like I was a problem that had just come back.
05:56Father's brow furrowed.
05:58Anastasia, come here. Don't salt.
06:00Mother gave me that impatient look, the one that always followed whenever Bernice cried.
06:05You're the one who picked that unfortunate date.
06:08Bernice had just landed. We were all exhausted from the airport run.
06:11You know that, don't you?
06:13Then came the dagger.
06:14If you're going to be petty with your sister, then you're no daughter of mine.
06:18Bernice gasped, wide-eyed and full of faux concern.
06:21Mom, don't be so harsh.
06:24Anastasia will feel hurt.
06:25But her smirk said otherwise.
06:27She knew my ceremony date.
06:29I told her a week in advance.
06:31She even replied,
06:33Can't wait.
06:34Got a surprise planned for you.
06:36Surprise indeed.
06:37Since we were pups, Bernice had always managed to turn every situation into a test one where the pack had
06:43to choose.
06:44They always picked her.
06:45Even my mate chose her.
06:47I should have felt something anger, betrayal, sadness.
06:50But there was only stillness.
06:52I'm not angry.
06:53Those three words sliced through the tension like claws through bark.
06:57Everyone stared.
06:58Father blinked.
07:00Mother narrowed her eyes.
07:01Bernice tilted her head with a mock-confused pout.
07:04They had expected a tantrum, not serenity.
07:07Which meant.
07:09They knew what they did would hurt me.
07:11They just didn't care enough to stop.
07:13Father exhaled and forced a smile.
07:16Good.
07:16That's good.
07:17We're a pack.
07:18We don't hold grudges.
07:19Of course.
07:20Of course.
07:20I said, nodding with perfect obedience.
07:23It was the same voice I used to speak to the elder wolves during full moon rituals.
07:28The relief in their eyes was instant.
07:30They turned their attention back to Bernice.
07:33Dinner began.
07:34The maid had added a C. Anastasial dishes besides my meatloaf crab legs.
07:38Lemon garlic scallops.
07:40All Bernice's favorites.
07:42You're too thin.
07:43Father murmured, piling food onto her plate.
07:46Eat more.
07:47You'll need your strength before the orchestral trial.
07:50Mother added, dabbing her eyes again.
07:52Andrew chimed in with a grin.
07:55Don't worry.
07:56If any of those city wolves give you trouble, I'll rip their throats out.
08:00Bernice laughed, her silver hair gleaming in the light.
08:03No need.
08:04I've got this.
08:05They all chuckled.
08:07I ate in silence, the warmth of the meatloaf doing little to thaw the cold within me.
08:12Then, for the first time that evening, Mother glanced at me.
08:15She hesitated, picked up a spoonful of meatloaf and placed it on my plate.
08:20Try it.
08:21Don't think we don't care about you just because we fuss over Bernice.
08:24I care about you too.
08:26The words felt rehearsed, like a line from a script she'd use too often.
08:31I looked down at the food, then slowly set my utensils down.
08:36No, I'm full.
08:38Her expression shifted first startled, then irritated.
08:41What's wrong with you lately?
08:43She started to say more, but Bernice suddenly clutched her throat eyes wide.
08:48Mom, I can't breathe.
08:51Her voice cracked.
09:24thought it was between me.
09:31Or maybe...
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