- 4 hours ago
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🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Childhood sweethearts. This, I mate Alpha Kale and Luna Queen Seraphina were childhood sweethearts.
00:06This was a thorn in the Alpha King's heart. After Kale mated me, the two remained as close as ever.
00:12When Seraphina was punished to kneel, Kale held an umbrella over her for a day and night.
00:17When Kale was injured, Seraphina knelt to dress his wounds herself.
00:21I knew well that an Alpha King's rage could destroy thousands.
00:25I warned him many times, but Kale thought I was petty and jealous.
00:28Every time he visited the palace, he'd lock me in the shed.
00:33Later, the Alpha King favored the second mate and demoted Seraphina.
00:37Seraphina refused to eat or drink. She even requested to be sent to the outer pack.
00:41At the council meeting, Kale publicly denounced the Alpha King for abandoning his first mate.
00:46The Alpha King was enraged. He ordered our entire pack executed.
00:50On the execution platform, I begged Kale to apologize to the king and save our pup's life.
00:55Kale ignored me. He continued his defiance until death.
00:59Your Majesty! My pack's death means nothing!
01:02I only beg you treat Lunar Queen Seraphina well!
01:06Seraphina is delicate. She's cried since childhood.
01:09Please, please take care of her, Your Majesty.
01:14I die without regret.
01:16I watched helplessly as my eight-year-old pup was ripped apart.
01:19Then, I was torn apart too.
01:21When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Seraphina was punished.
01:30Alara, don't stop me!
01:33Seraphina is being punished.
01:34The king must have misunderstood her.
01:37You know her personality. She'd rather die than defend herself.
01:42If I don't help her, who will stand by her side?
01:45Kale shoved me hard. I fell to the ground, my forehead hitting the stone steps.
01:50Blood everywhere.
01:51I was dazed for a moment, then realized I'd been reborn.
01:55The Moon Goddess must have seen how unjustly I died, and given me another chance.
02:00Before I could get up, Kale looked at me strangely.
02:02Alara, even if you fake unconsciousness, I won't stay.
02:08A little bump. What's the big deal?
02:11Seraphina would never be so dramatic.
02:14Thinking of Seraphina, Kale's eyes softened.
02:17She was stubborn since childhood.
02:19Right now, suffering punishment.
02:21She must be gritting her teeth to hold back tears.
02:24His heart ached at the thought.
02:26He mounted his motorcycle.
02:28I scrambled up and blocked his path, blood covering my face, looking ghastly.
02:33Kale, Seraphina is the Alpha King's mate now.
02:36Their relationship is none of your business.
02:38At the execution ground in my past life, I'd knelt to him.
02:42I'd even smashed my forehead bloody, just begging him to submit to the Alpha King.
02:46The King was merciful.
02:48If Kale had just backed down, he would have spared our young pup.
02:51But Kale ignored me.
02:53He kept provoking the King's authority.
02:55To him, our pup and I weren't worth a single strand of Seraphina's hair.
02:59I could never forget Ash's screams and pain before death.
03:02This time, I would protect Ash.
03:04As for Kale, if he wanted death, I'd help him get there.
03:10Kale, I know you and Seraphina were childhood sweethearts.
03:14After all these years, you still haven't let her go?
03:18Seraphina is the country's lunar queen now.
03:20Your obsession with her, where does that leave the Alpha King?
03:24Pack members watching nearby began whispering.
03:27Alara, how dare you slander Seraphina?
03:30His hand gripped the handlebars, veins bulging.
03:33I saw the murderous intent in his eyes.
03:35If we weren't in front of so many witnesses, his wheels would have already crushed me into pulp.
03:41Ten years as mates.
03:42He'd never once truly seen me as his mate.
03:45The pain spread through my chest.
03:47Tears blurred my vision.
03:50Heartbreak and hatred intertwined.
03:52If you must go, then drive over my corpse.
03:58Mom!
03:59Ash ran out too, kneeling beside me, looking at Kale with tearful eyes.
04:03Dad, don't you love me and mom anymore?
04:06Ash's small body curled into my arms.
04:08My nose stung.
04:09Tears I'd held back finally fell.
04:12Ash.
04:13Dad loves you and your mom, of course.
04:15But right now, Aunt Seraphina is in trouble.
04:18Dad has to help her.
04:19But Dad, doesn't Aunt Seraphina have her own mate?
04:22Why does she need mom's mate to help her?
04:24The surrounding pack members echoed the sentiment.
04:27Alpha Kale, you have a devoted mate and smart pup.
04:30What more could you want?
04:31The king is merciful and treats Luna Queen Seraphina well.
04:34This is probably just a small punishment.
04:37You don't need to worry so much.
04:38What do you know?
04:40Kale suddenly exploded with rage, glaring at the well-meaning pack members.
04:44What about Seraphina's pain?
04:46I laughed coldly.
04:47All these years, Seraphina's act of being gentle and yielding, only Kale believed it.
04:52Elara, I've been mated to you for ten years.
04:55Is this how you raised our pup?
04:57I'll settle this with you when I return.
05:02The motorcycle roared and leaped directly over me and Ash's heads.
05:06For that instant, I truly thought I'd die under his wheels.
05:09Ash fainted from shock in my arms.
05:11The engine noise faded into the distance.
05:14From start to finish, Kale never looked back once.
05:19The last thread of hope in my heart died with that engine sound.
05:23Only hatred remained.
05:25Kale, since you're seeking death, this time, my pup and I won't accompany you.
05:29Rain poured down, washing away the blood on my forehead.
05:32I looked up at the foggy sky.
05:33Right now, Kale was probably holding an umbrella over Seraphina, shielding her from the storm.
05:39His umbrella had never once tilted toward me and our pup.
05:42I sighed softly.
05:44My handmaid Ember ran out with an umbrella, covering me from the rain.
05:47Madam, you're weak.
05:48Please take the young master inside.
05:51I'll notify you the moment the alpha returns.
05:53I shook my head.
05:54I only handed Ash to Ember and had her taken back.
05:57I continued kneeling at the gate.
06:00After today, everyone in the territory would know.
06:03The silver moon Luna knelt in the rain all day to stop her mate from going to the palace.
06:08This time, I'd make Kale the target of everyone's scorn.
06:12I don't know how long passed.
06:13A sliver of light broke through the eastern sky.
06:17The rain gradually stopped.
06:19Kale's figure appeared in my view.
06:21He glanced at me once.
06:22His tired face showed impatience, slowly covered by guilt.
06:26He bent down, pulling my arm to help me up.
06:28Alar, I was too impulsive today.
06:30I didn't consider you an Ash.
06:32Don't be angry, okay?
06:35Kale.
06:38Let's reject the bond.
06:44When I opened my eyes again, Kale was beside me.
06:48Allura, you're finally awake.
06:50Don't be so wilfit again.
06:51Do you know you had a fever all day?
06:53I was worried sick.
06:54He gripped my hand and brought over a bowl of medicine, gently feeding it to me.
06:57You know Seraphina's father saved my life.
07:00Before he died, he made me promise to take care of Seraphina.
07:03She's alone in the palace, struggling at every turn.
07:06If I don't help her, she'll truly have no one.
07:09You've always been kind and understanding.
07:11Why are you so stubborn about this?
07:13He frowned slightly, as if every word was sincere.
07:16If I hadn't lived through this once, I might have believed him.
07:19Seraphina asked me to thank you yesterday.
07:21She praised your generosity.
07:23Those words stabbed into my heart like a sharp needle.
07:26Could Kale really not hear that this was a challenge?
07:28After that, I stayed home to recover while secretly tallying my dowry and assets, transferring them out of the pack.
07:35A few days later, Kale was sent to the southern border to fight rogues.
07:39The house was quiet for over a month before Kyle returned injured.
07:42At that time, I was having tea with several pack officials' mates.
07:45The moment I heard the news, I brought everyone to his study to check on him.
07:49Quickly, get the premium healing herbs from my vault!
07:52He's not badly hurt, and everything is fine.
07:56Otherwise, I don't know how I'll go on.
07:59My expression was anxious.
08:00Reaching the study door, I took a deep breath and pushed it open.
08:05Kale, are you alright?
08:07My voice stopped abruptly.
08:11In the study, on the couch, Kale wore only underclothes, half reclining.
08:15Luna Serafina, dressed in men's clothes, knelt at the couch examining his leg wound, carefully applying medicine.
08:22Her eyes were red with distress.
08:26Serafina, it's just a minor injury.
08:28Nothing serious.
08:29Kale held Serafina's hand tenderly.
08:31The two gazed at each other deeply, as if no one else existed.
08:34All of this fell into my and the official's mate's eyes.
08:38The Lunar Queen and a pack commander?
08:40So improperly dressed.
08:41What a scandal!
08:43Serafina looked mortified.
08:45Kale's gaze cut toward us like a knife.
08:47Get out!
08:49I turned hurriedly and closed the study door.
08:52Tears streamed down my face.
08:54My lips trembled.
08:56Sisters, today isn't convenient.
08:59Please go home.
09:00I'll visit to apologize another day.
09:02Everyone consoled me briefly before leaving.
09:05After they left, the tears on my face vanished instantly.
09:08Everyone I'd invited today was a notorious gossip.
09:11And several had mates who worked in the council.
09:13Upright officials who spoke truth to power.
09:15Rumors on one side, petitions on the other.
09:18Let's see if Kale could withstand both attacks for Serafina's sake.
09:22Back in my room, I told Ember to fetch a silver blade.
09:25Ember looked terrified.
09:26Don't worry.
09:27I survived this far.
09:29I won't die easily.
09:31Ember brought the blade.
09:32I dismissed everyone and held it to my throat.
09:34Timing it carefully, I pressed the blade against my neck.
09:39When Kale entered, he saw me nearly dead.
09:42He rushed to save me.
09:44Elara, how could you be so foolish?
09:47What woman in the world could endure such humiliation?
09:50Kale, I beg you to reject our bond.
09:53Outside the door, servants and maids peeked in at the commotion.
09:56I knew the rumor that the Silvermoon Luna was driven to suicide would soon spread throughout the country.
10:02Just as I predicted.
10:04Rumors spread through the country.
10:07PAC members gossiped endlessly, calling Kale and Serafina cheating scum who drove Silvermoon Luna to death.
10:14Council officials submitted mountains of petitions against Kale.
10:17The Alpha King was furious.
10:19He berated Serafina and confined her.
10:22Serafina slit her wrists to prove her innocence.
10:25I laughed coldly.
10:26Even if you're acting, at least make it convincing.
10:29The next moment, my girl burst open.
10:32Where's the key to the vault?
10:40Serafina is suffering from emotional trauma and blood loss.
10:42She needs the Bloodmoon Herb.
10:44I remember you have one in your vault.
10:45Kale, after last time, my body is weak.
10:47I also need the Bloodmoon Herb.
10:49Besides, my grandfather picked it from a cliff.
10:52It was his birthday gift to me.
10:53Extremely precious.
10:54How could I give it to an outsider?
10:55Serafina isn't an outsider.
10:57She's the Silvermoon Pax benefactor.
10:59I grip my clothes tightly, reminding him coldly.
11:01She's your benefactor, not mine.
11:03Kale was frantic as a cat on hot bricks.
11:05What will it take for you to give me the Bloodmoon Herb?
11:08Anything I have, even if I hand over the entire pack, I'm willing.
11:11I smiled bitterly and shook my head.
11:14If that's the case, please give me rejection papers.
11:17Once I have the papers, the Bloodmoon Herb is yours.
11:20Kale froze, thinking he'd heard wrong.
11:23Made it for ten years, I'd managed the household.
11:26Born him a pup.
11:27Put my whole heart into him.
11:28I treated him like my god, putting him first in everything.
11:32How could someone like me bear to leave him?
11:35This was just a bluff to threaten him into staying.
11:38Thinking this, Kale's worried heart settled.
11:41This petty, jealous trick couldn't fool him.
11:44At worst, he'd buy precious things later to appease her.
11:48Fine.
11:49I'll write the rejection papers.
11:51Kale didn't hesitate.
11:52He wrote the papers and handed them to me.
11:54I gave him the Bloodmoon Herb.
11:56He clutched the herb joyfully and left.
11:59If he'd looked back, he would have seen me sign my name on the rejection papers.
12:04But he didn't.
12:05Kale risked defying royal orders to deliver the medicine.
12:09The Alpha King was completely enraged.
12:11The king favored his new mate even more and even granted Seraphina's request to go to the outer territories.
12:18The next day, at council, Kale publicly denounced the Alpha King, just like in my past life.
12:23The king lost all patience.
12:26He ordered the entire Silvermoon Pack executed.
12:29The captain of the Royal Elite Guard arrived at our estate.
12:32Luna, Elora, my apologies.
12:34All Silvermoon Pack members, arrest them!
12:36Take them to the dungeons!
12:37Other warriors sighed, looking at me with sympathy.
12:40A perfectly good woman, ruined because she mated the wrong man.
12:43Poor girl.
12:44Next life.
12:45Please open your eyes before choosing a mate.
12:47I clenched my fists and gripped Ash's hand tightly.
12:49The Royal Guard's blade pressed against my throat.
12:52Stop!
12:54I'm no longer part of the Silvermoon Pack.
12:56Who dares touch me?
12:59I pulled out the rejection papers.
13:02The captain glanced at them and smiled meaningfully.
13:05Luna, Elora, you're clever.
13:07My heart pounded.
13:08I looked at him.
13:10Captain, please look carefully.
13:11These papers were written yesterday.
13:13Yesterday, the king hadn't ordered the execution yet.
13:15I didn't know about today.
13:17Kale stole my dowry Bloodmoon Herb.
13:19My heart turned cold.
13:21That's why we severed the bond.
13:22I'm no longer Kale's mate.
13:24His life or death has nothing to do with me.
13:26My pup belongs to me now.
13:28He's not Silvermoon members anymore.
13:30We're leaving the pack to return to my family.
13:32I pulled Ash's hand and walked out nervously.
13:36Wait!
13:37The captain stopped us.
13:38My heart lurched.
13:40Cold sweat broke out on my back.
13:42Luna, Elora.
13:44This matter is too important for me to decide alone.
13:46You must come to the palace and let the king decide.
13:49Ash and I were brought to the palace.
13:51The council meeting hadn't ended yet.
13:53The scene was even more chaotic than I'd imagined.
13:55Learning Kale was sentenced to execution, Seraphina rushed from the palace and knelt before the throne, begging the king to
14:02reverse his decision.
14:03The new Luna also came out to watch, pretending to plead for Seraphina while actually adding fuel to the fire.
14:09The king's face was full of irritation.
14:12Your majesty.
14:14Elora says she severed her bond with Alpha Kyle yesterday.
14:17Here are the papers.
14:18Please review them.
14:19The captain presented the papers.
14:21The king examined them.
14:22They were indeed signed yesterday.
14:24He looked up at me, his eyes full of suspicion and testing.
14:31Elora, how convenient.
14:33I order executions today and you severed your bond yesterday.
14:36Are you two worms in my gut able to guess my thoughts and sever the bond in advance?
14:41Or did someone leak information to you?
14:43As he spoke, the king's gaze fell on Seraphina.
14:47Seraphina kept her head down, kneeling beside Kyle.
14:50She didn't explain.
14:51Clearly, she didn't want to let me off easily.
14:53Even if Kyle was truly executed and she couldn't save him, she wanted me and my pup to die with
14:59him.
15:00Too bad I wouldn't let her succeed this time.
15:02Your majesty.
15:03Truthfully, wanting to sever my bond with...
15:06Kyle wasn't just a day or two in the making.
15:08From the day Luna Queen Seraphina was punished and Kyle ignored my warnings to go to the palace,
15:14I decided to sever the bond.
15:16That day, in front of many pack members, Kyle's wheels nearly ran over me and my pup.
15:20I said if he insisted we'd sever the bond.
15:22Pack members heard it all.
15:23Your majesty can send people to verify.
15:25The groundwork I'd laid over a month ago finally paid off.
15:29The Alpha King was merciful, but deeply suspicious.
15:32Without convincing evidence, he wouldn't believe me.
15:34Also, when Kyle returned from the border injured,
15:37Queen Luna Seraphina went to his study to tend to his wounds,
15:40an act that violated social decorum given their respective status.
15:43Their interaction lacked proper boundaries,
15:45and many officials' mates happened to witness this incident.
15:48My heart broke.
15:49I returned to my room and tried to end my life with a silver blade.
15:53Kyle saved me.
15:54Then I begged Kyle to sever our bond.
15:56Household servants heard it all.
15:58Word even spread outside.
16:01The king frowned slightly.
16:03The more he heard, the more his rage burned.
16:06Council officials had already petitioned about this.
16:08He'd been furious and reprimanded Kyle.
16:11Seeing this, the new Luna sighed softly.
16:15Your Majesty, listening to Alara, I believe it's true.
16:18Women have never had it easy.
16:20Alara suffered so much pain.
16:22What woman could endure it?
16:23No wonder she insisted on severing her bond with Kale.
16:26Hearing the Luna's words, the king's eyes flickered.
16:29Your Majesty, I successfully severed the bond
16:30because Kale wanted my grandfather's Blood Moon herb for Seraphina.
16:34I refused, and he wouldn't back down.
16:36I demanded rejection papers in exchange for the herb.
16:39Kale got the herb and immediately brought it to Seraphina.
16:41That's how I got the papers.
16:43Officials murmured in shock.
16:45Your Majesty, Alpha Kale's actions are unexunitious
16:47and violates all decency.
16:49Please punish him severely.
16:51Seraphina knelt on the ground, her face deathly pale.
16:54Your Majesty, there's a reason for this.
16:56Please let me explain.
16:57Before my father died, he entrusted Kale to protect me.
17:01That's why he's looked after me so much.
17:02I never imagined it would cause problems in his mating.
17:05If so, I'm willing to apologize to Alara.
17:08Seraphina looked up at the king, tears streaming.
17:10Your Majesty, I've been mated to you for years.
17:14We've shared deep feelings.
17:16I've been devoted to you.
17:18Can't you see my heart?
17:19In this world besides you, my scene has no room for another male.
17:25In this world besides you, my scene has no room for another male.
17:29Seraphina's vehement promises now were only because she realized
17:32she'd lost her place in the king's heart.
17:34The deep love from early in their mating had faded
17:37with years of her overstepping boundaries.
17:40Plus, the new Luna, beautiful and understanding,
17:45quickly captured the king's heart.
17:46The king's dissatisfaction with Seraphina would only grow.
17:50This dissatisfaction kept accumulating.
17:53Eventually, it would explode completely.
17:56Now, what Kale and Seraphina had done
17:59finally made the king unable to tolerate it anymore.
18:02Your Majesty, please understand.
18:04I and Luna Queen Seraphina only shared childhood friendship, nothing more.
18:09Elara and I didn't truly sever our bond.
18:11My mate refused to give up the Blood Moon herb
18:13and threatened severance.
18:15Out of desperation, I first wrote the papers to get the herb.
18:18I planned that after Seraphina got the herb,
18:20I'd buy more precious things to compensate my mate later.
18:24Your Majesty, please investigate.
18:26I glared coldly at Kale.
18:28I never expected him to be so ruthless.
18:30At this point, he still wanted to drag me and Ash down with him.
18:34Kale, you wrote the rejection papers yourself.
18:36There's no question of real or fake.
18:39We've severed our bond.
18:40My pup and I have nothing to do with you.
18:44Your Majesty, right now both officials and PAC members are discussing this.
18:48PAC members are very sympathetic to Lara's situation.
18:52Moreover, the rejection papers are written.
18:54Alpha Kale admits he wrote them himself,
18:56so Elora has no connection to him.
18:59The Speaker was Council Official Zane.
19:01I hadn't expected anyone on the Council to stand up for me.
19:04Exactly, Your Majesty.
19:05The new Luna added her support.
19:07Your Majesty, look.
19:09Alara still has marks on her neck from the silver blade.
19:12She's raising a young pup.
19:14It's so difficult.
19:16Your Majesty is merciful.
19:18Please show them grace and forgive them.
19:21With Official Zane's petition plus the new Luna Queen's plea,
19:25the King's expression gradually softened.
19:27Fine.
19:28If the rejection papers are real,
19:30then Alara has no connection to Kale.
19:33As for Kale's pup,
19:34the pup is innocent.
19:36Now,
19:37he's with his mother.
19:39He'll surely appreciate his mother's suffering
19:42and become a filial son in the future.
19:45Hearing the King say this,
19:46I finally exhaled in relief
19:48and quickly knelt.
19:50Thank you for your mercy,
19:52Your Majesty.
19:53Ash cried and hugged me,
19:55his little face wrinkled from crying,
19:57looking pitiful.
20:01Kyle collapsed on the ground,
20:03not expecting things to reach this irreversible point.
20:06Alara,
20:06I didn't think you'd truly sever our bond.
20:09I thought you were just saying it in anger.
20:12We've been mates for years.
20:14Don't you know how I've treated you?
20:16I shook my head and frowned at Kale.
20:18Kale,
20:19you're wrong.
20:20Mated to you for ten years,
20:21I deceived myself.
20:23Even though you never had me in your heart,
20:25I kept thinking maybe you'd reform
20:27and return to me in ash someday.
20:29You never once saw me as your mate.
20:33You imprisoned me,
20:35berated me,
20:36even nearly ran over me.
20:38Ten years.
20:40Even stone should warm up.
20:43But I never warmed your heart.
20:45Before doing these things,
20:47didn't you consider that me and Ash might die with you?
20:51Now we've severed our bond.
20:53Do whatever you want.
20:54My pup and I won't stop you anymore.
20:56From now on,
20:58you go your way.
21:00I'll go mine.
21:03Kale sat slumped on the ground.
21:05He seemed confused
21:06why his usually gentle,
21:08obedient mate had become like this.
21:10But I'd simply stopped tolerating him.
21:13Guards,
21:14take Kale away.
21:16Execute him this autumn.
21:17Kale was dragged away,
21:18dejected.
21:20Serafina still knelt in the hall,
21:21pleading for him.
21:23Your Majesty,
21:24Alpha Kale was momentarily angry.
21:27He didn't truly mean to offend you.
21:29Please spare his life.
21:31But the King only looked at her coldly.
21:34Serafina, I'm tired.
21:35Serafina froze,
21:36tears hanging in her eyes,
21:38looking dazed at the King.
21:39I won't tolerate your petty temper anymore.
21:42And I won't tolerate your boundaryless relationship
21:45with others anymore.
21:48I'm the Alpha King.
21:50I won't be the world's laughingstock.
21:57Serafina looked up at the King,
21:58tears streaming.
21:59Your Majesty,
22:01I did it all because I love you.
22:02When they first mated,
22:04they'd been happy.
22:05Serafina came from a noble pack.
22:07She mated the King
22:08when he'd just claimed the throne.
22:10Back then,
22:11pack politics were chaos.
22:12The King worked endlessly,
22:14stressed over the unstable alliances.
22:16Serafina stayed by his side,
22:18comforting him,
22:18supporting him.
22:20The young mates spent years in love,
22:21but new females entered the palace.
22:24To balance pack politics,
22:26the King had to favor others.
22:27Their bond cracked from there.
22:29One concubine challenged Serafina's position.
22:32Serafina retaliated,
22:33but the concubine lost her three-month pregnancy.
22:36The King was furious.
22:37He didn't severely punish Serafina,
22:39but their bond cooled.
22:41Serafina felt abandoned.
22:43Kale,
22:43her childhood friend,
22:44found out.
22:45Unable to comfort her openly,
22:46he left messages in the moonlight.
22:49Always the same words,
22:50peace and joy.
22:52Serafina knew.
22:53This was Kale's way of reaching out.
22:54They'd done this as pups.
22:56He'd asked what she wanted.
22:57She'd said,
22:58peace and joy.
23:00Later,
23:00to spite the King's harem
23:01and ease her loneliness,
23:03Serafina's contact with Kale grew.
23:05The King saw it all.
23:07Displeased,
23:07but silent.
23:09Things spiraled under the King's tolerance.
23:13Then the new Luna arrived.
23:15She was sharp,
23:16charming,
23:16gentle,
23:17beautiful.
23:18She understood the King completely.
23:20When he frowned,
23:21she made him smile.
23:22The King's heart shifted.
23:24Serafina never thought
23:24she'd lose him completely.
23:26Your Majesty,
23:27my heart has only you.
23:30I was jealous.
23:31You have so many,
23:33but I only have you.
23:35The King sighed.
23:38Take her away.
23:39I don't want to see her.
23:40Serafina was dragged out,
23:41crying.
23:43I left with Ash safely.
23:45Outside the palace walls,
23:46I breathed free air.
23:47After so much planning and sacrifice,
23:50finally,
23:51Ash and I were safe.
23:52From now on,
23:53we'd thrive together.
23:54Leaving,
23:55I glanced back.
23:56The new Luna Queen caught my eye.
23:58She smiled.
23:58Nodded.
23:59I smiled back.
24:01This was understanding between females.
24:03She'd sensed my plan.
24:04I'd sensed her ambition.
24:06We'd never met,
24:07never spoken,
24:08yet we'd cooperated perfectly.
24:10Successfully.
24:11At the gates,
24:12Zane approached.
24:13Alara,
24:14my sister runs the sanctuary.
24:17If you need help,
24:18come find us.
24:24Thank you for speaking up today,
24:25Zane.
24:26I won't forget.
24:28I bowed and left.
24:33Soon after,
24:34I met Zane again.
24:35Autumn arrived.
24:36Ash and I settled into our new home.
24:38I kept the sanctuary in mind.
24:40After asking around,
24:42I learned it was a refuge
24:43for rejected mates
24:44and abused females.
24:46I never knew such places existed.
24:48I had resources.
24:49My mother was coming.
24:50I had ember and servants.
24:52Raising Ash wasn't hard,
24:54but I wanted to see the sanctuary.
24:56Having survived hell,
24:57I wanted to help others escape it.
24:59So I joined.
25:00Met Zane's sister,
25:01Zara.
25:02Zara was older,
25:03experienced,
25:04warm.
25:05Her pup was grown.
25:06She came daily.
25:07We became fast friends.
25:09Together we helped dozens
25:10of broken females find strength.
25:12When free,
25:13we drank tea
25:14and talked.
25:15It's fate,
25:16Zara said.
25:17When you severed your bond,
25:19everyone talked.
25:21Zane came home
25:22and mentioned you.
25:23He said you were strong,
25:25but admirable.
25:27I pitied you.
25:29Wanted to help.
25:32But you didn't need it.
25:34You joined us.
25:36Now we're friends.
25:40Fate.
25:41I smiled.
25:42The last time I cried
25:43was in the King's Hall.
25:44Not long ago.
25:45But life was unrecognizable now.
25:47Leave the wrong person.
25:49Even through mud,
25:51life improves.
25:53The Sanctuary needs wolves like you.
25:57I nodded.
25:58If I hadn't refused that life,
26:00I'd still be drowning.
26:02Footsteps.
26:03Zane walked in carrying food.
26:05I didn't know Alara was here.
26:07Hope I brought enough.
26:09He was bringing lunch for Zara.
26:11Stay and eat.
26:13You're busy.
26:15Don't waste time traveling.
26:16Before I finished,
26:18Ash sprinted in.
26:19Mom!
26:20I brought you lunch!
26:22Ember followed with a basket.
26:23Sister, what timing?
26:25I have lunch too.
26:26Zara laughed.
26:28We ate together.
26:29Ember watched Ash play nearby.
26:31Within minutes,
26:32Ash latched onto Zane.
26:34Ash was eight,
26:35ready to train.
26:37Hearing Zane was the Alpha King's
26:38top elite warrior before,
26:40after one demonstration move,
26:42Ash stared with stars in his eyes.
26:44Can you train me?
26:46After lunch,
26:47Zara and I stepped out.
26:50Ash clung to Zane's arm.
26:51Zane smiled,
26:53picked up Ash,
26:54ruffled his hair.
26:56You're sharp,
26:57obedient,
26:58and loyal to your mother.
27:01Where would I find a better student?
27:05Zane,
27:06thank you for accepting me!
27:08I panicked.
27:11Ash!
27:15Zara held me back.
27:17It's fine.
27:19This might be their bond.
27:21I stood awkwardly.
27:22Ash was young.
27:23Training under Zane was an honor.
27:26Later,
27:26Zane came often to train Ash.
27:29Sometimes after lessons,
27:31Ash carried his training gear
27:32to Zane's place for extra drills.
27:34Then came Kale's execution day.
27:36Early morning,
27:37I sent Ash to Zane's.
27:39I went to the execution grounds.
27:41Kale knelt on the silver platform.
27:44Months in the dungeons left him skeletal.
27:47Serafina,
27:47who'd always called him her soulmate,
27:50didn't come.
27:50He didn't shout about saving Serafina like before.
27:54He found me in the crowd.
27:55His broken face showed a hint of peace.
27:58He spoke softly.
28:00Alara, I'm sorry.
28:03Take care of Ash.
28:05If there's another life,
28:07I'll make it right.
28:08The blade fell.
28:10Kale was beheaded.
28:11Living again,
28:12this was what I'd wanted.
28:14But watching it happen,
28:15I felt nothing.
28:16I turned and left.
28:18No bitterness remained.
28:20My new life was starting.
28:22Later,
28:22I heard Serafina learned of Kale's death.
28:25She broke,
28:26cried until her eyes damaged.
28:28Nearly ended herself.
28:29She screamed at the king,
28:31blaming him when Kale
28:32did nothing wrong.
28:34She went mad,
28:35attacked the king with a blade,
28:37cut his arm.
28:38The king imprisoned her forever.
28:42Years passed.
28:43Under Zane's training,
28:45Ash excelled rapidly.
28:46He entered the elite warrior trials that year.
28:49Before leaving,
28:50Ash gripped my hand.
28:51Mom,
28:53I'll definitely win.
28:54Ash avoided my eyes,
28:56guilty,
28:57stammering.
28:58I made a bet with mentor Zane.
29:00If I don't win,
29:02I give you to him as his mate.
29:04I froze,
29:05grabbed a training staff,
29:07chased him.
29:08You naughty thing!
29:10Acting out against your mom like that?
29:11I'll teach you to be more sensible.
29:14Mom, I'm sorry.
29:15I swear I'll win.
29:16Ash dodged,
29:17still talking.
29:18But even if I don't,
29:19it's fine.
29:20Zane is honorable.
29:21Every female in the country wants him.
29:23You'd be lucky.
29:24Plus,
29:25Zane looked really happy about the bet.
29:27I chased him down,
29:28landed a few hits,
29:29then sent him off.
29:31After trials,
29:32Ash won the first place.
29:34The king appointed him to the elite guard.
29:36Zara and I shared a look,
29:38smiled knowingly.
29:39Too bad.
29:41Now Zane must regret it.
29:43Taught Ash everything.
29:45Otherwise,
29:45he'd have won his prize.
29:47Zane swept the training yard,
29:49ears red,
29:50smiling awkwardly.
29:51Actually,
29:52this was perfect.
29:53End quote.
29:54Take care.
29:56gotta take care.
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