- 20 hours ago
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00I was born with heavy breasts and lush curves my half sister Chloe was afraid her
00:05mate Brad would go feral over me so she sold me to an impotent alpha she patted
00:11my shoulder who knows maybe he's good at other things three months later I was
00:19begging for mercy every night funny he seemed good at everything
00:26case Valerius the Blackwood Pax Alpha the Lycan King's most trusted war commander he
00:31was carried back from the battlefield soaked in blood someone suggested a mate
00:35bond shares life force if alpha case was bound to a living healthy mate her
00:40strength could flow into him and pull him back Chloe rushed to play matchmaker and
00:44presented me to Martha before I could object I had no way to refuse if I
00:48wouldn't agree she'd transfer me to serve 60 year old elder Kevin I knew she
00:52resented my history with her mate I dropped to my knees and swore to the
00:56moon goddess I swear Chloe I had no feelings for Brad Chloe jabbed a finger
01:02at my forehead fury in her eyes what good is a vow do you have any idea how
01:06distracting you are I hunched my shoulders tears slid down my cheeks just look at
01:12that ample body and those charming curves parading your body in front of every
01:16male in the clan who among them would not lose their minds at the smell of you I
01:20wanted to tell her to bind my chest I'd wrapped myself layer after layer in the
01:25sweltering heat until I broke out in a rash her expression softened she wiped my
01:30tears it's not that I don't trust you it's that I don't trust males do you know
01:36how powerful alpha cases if my mother and Martha weren't old friends you
01:40wouldn't even have this opportunity Chloe I don't want to be anyone's
01:44offering I'd rather scrub kitchen floors just don't make me two sharp slaps landed
01:52across my face my cheek burned Leah are you out of your mind if I hadn't vouched
01:58for you Martha wouldn't have given you a second glance you wouldn't even be
02:01worthy of being cases mate the maid burst in breathless miss Chloe word from the
02:07Valerius estate alpha case has woken up Chloe dragged me straight to Valerius
02:13estate enormous I followed her through the main hall to a set of heavy double
02:17doors pulled half shut through the gap I could make out a man's shape in the bed
02:20thin motionless chest rattling with shallow coughs every few minutes
02:24Martha stood on our side eyes red thank you for everything you've done for case I
02:29won't destroy a girl's future over Chloe's eyes moved quick and calculating as
02:33Valerius the bond should still be completed Leah arrived the same day case
02:37woke up that's the moon goddess guiding us seal the bond properly her life
02:43force will keep pulling him back toward health before she could speak the healer
02:46Ella stepped out expression tight alpha case has regained consciousness but an
02:51arrow struck his inner thigh during battle I'm afraid he will no longer be able to
02:57unable to do what he will no longer be able to get hard Martha's knees gave out I
03:02caught her before she hit the floor she looked up at me with hollowed eyes
03:06Leah knowing this are you still willing yes she's been looking forward to it Chloe
03:12was already answering for me of course she is she's just an Omega with no
03:17prospects she should be grateful I didn't speak right away my mind went to my
03:22past there was a young wolf in the poor quarter behind our estate I first saw him
03:27through the fence gaps thin wrists hollow cheeks hunched over a cracked bowl with
03:32nothing in it I started passing food through the gaps bread first then soup then
03:37whatever I had day after day I watched him change the hollows in his cheeks
03:42filled out his shoulders broadened he started training before dawn running laps
03:47around the back wall while I was still half asleep he was going to enter the
03:50warrior trials I knew it before he told me when he passed I went to find him that
03:55same night I was happy I remember it clearly I was genuinely happy I knocked on the
03:59gate he didn't open it his voice came Leah I'm betrothed now it wouldn't be
04:03proper then a soft thud in the dirt at my feet a pouch of silver consider my debt
04:07repaid I stood there for a moment then I picked it up and walked away that wolf
04:11became Chloe's mate Brad I acted like I'd never known him Chloe found out anyway I
04:18snapped back to reality I gathered my skirts and knelt in front of Martha my lady I'm
04:23willing I'll complete the bond care for case and serve you as long as you need
04:29me Luna Martha kept her word and prepared a dignified mating dress for me Chloe
04:34deliberately chose a day when Brad was away on pack business to send me off she
04:38walked me to the door guilt on her face even though case can't get hard at least
04:43you'll be spared the pain of bearing pups don't worry an alpha who can't
04:47perform in that area is probably exceptional in every other honestly none of
04:52what Chloe said had even crossed my mind I told myself I was simply moving to a
04:56new household case was too weak to stand through the full mate blessing ritual I
05:01completed the bond rites beside his ceremonial sword instead Martha watched
05:05from the front eyes wet the whole time when it was done I was alpha cases mate the
05:12mating chamber was quiet I pushed the door open carefully case was already inside
05:17half reclined against the headboard in a white bathrobe he turned when he heard me
05:21up close he was strikingly handsome sharp jaw dark eyes the kind of face that
05:27didn't need color in it to hold attention I had no intention of taking a mate he said
05:32with a low voice if it doesn't trouble you we can treat this as a sibling arrangement
05:37he pointed to the chaise along the far wall tonight the bed is yours I'll take that
05:43tomorrow you move to the guest quarters all right I nodded he had thought of
05:48everything it wasn't what I'd expected before the ritual one of the older maids
05:52had pulled me aside and pressed something into my hands a small handbook
05:56worn at the corners she'd whispered with a strange look there are other ways
06:01between mates might find it useful I had no idea what she meant until I opened it
06:06heat pooled in my core just from looking at the pages is it too hot case was
06:12watching me from the bed eyes direct unblinking the dress is heavy I'm a little warm then wash
06:21up and rest he pulled the blanket over himself and turned toward the wall within minutes his
06:25breathing evened out I set the handbook down on the vanity and took down my hair then the
06:31layered robes piece by piece until I was standing in nothing but my nightgown I turned to the mirror
06:36the thin fabric clung to every curve heavy breasts straining against the cloth slim waist giving way
06:42to the flare of my hips I walked straight into case's gaze he wasn't asleep his chest rose hard
06:49the tips of his ears went red his throat worked as he swallowed I grabbed my outer robe and pressed
06:55it against my chest alpha I thought you were asleep a long pause I could sleep later my breath hitched
07:04he
07:04rose slowly to his feet his tall frame casting a shadow over me the handbook's images came flooding
07:20in my breathing shifted without me meaning it to somehow falling into the same rhythm as his then
07:25case turned and walked to the door the moment cool night air rushed in I snapped back to my senses
07:31he'd already disappeared into the darkness I turned it over in my mind when he'd looked at me
07:36just now his eyes had flashed with something unmistakably like shock had my figure actually
07:42frightened him before I lay down I made a firm decision tomorrow morning I was binding my chest
07:48at least one full loop tighter I was hovering somewhere between sleep and waking when case slipped
07:53back in the tips of his hair still beaded with water he'd apparently gone to shower by morning he was
07:59already gone Ivy came in to help me dress from the corridor outside came the sound of a man once
08:05then
08:06again Martha's headmaid's voice carried clearly through the door alpha case why didn't you call
08:12someone to heat the water it's already summer but the nights are still cold of course you've caught a
08:17chill I'll go brew tea right now I glanced at Ivy does the alpha usually take cold showers I honestly
08:25don't know miss I dismissed her and locked the door I wound a strip of cloth tight over my
08:30undergarments then pulled on the most conservative dress I could find in the wardrobe high neck
08:35loose cut heavy fabric then I went to living room case was already there when I arrived seated beside
08:41Martha she lit up the moment she saw me her whole face warm with welcome until case coughed and the
08:48warmth vanished instantly cage I have a few private words for Leah go rest for a while case rose and
08:56left
08:56without a word Martha waved me over and took both my hands in hers eyes glistening sweet girl our case
09:04is
09:04lucky to have you the pack healer says the injury drained his life force there's no telling how long he
09:13has
09:13left some of the elders suggested I find a child for him to adopt to carry on the bloodline
09:21but if I did that wouldn't I be stealing your whole future from you I'm already grateful you came into
09:28this family to save case I can't let you sacrifice the rest of your life on top of that I've
09:33thought
09:34it through if case's time does come I'll have him issue you a formal mate release your future stays
09:39protected and I'll see to it that you receive property and a place of your own I reached up and
09:45wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes chest tight with an ache I couldn't name Mrs. Valerius
09:50thank you for looking out for me I'd come here thinking of myself as nothing more than a transferred
09:55omega servant I never imagined she would think this far ahead on my behalf my thoughts drifted to
10:00the mother I had never known if she had been alive if I had grown up under a mother's protection
10:04I never would have ended up in any of the situations I'd been through Martha laughed
10:09through her tears look at me I've gone and made you cry too she squeezed my hands Leah there's no
10:15need to be so formal call me mom just like case does she took a breath so I have a
10:21proposition for
10:22you Chloe mentioned you know how to prepare medicinal soups I'd like you to take over cases daily meals
10:28and care I just want him to live a little longer that's my one selfish wish by the end her
10:33voice
10:33had gone rough I nodded I headed to the kitchen to gather ingredients the last time I'd prepared
10:38medicinal soup was several years ago back when Brad was not yet Chloe's mate he'd lost both parents and
10:44lived alone in a rundown unit skipping meals to save every cent for his warrior training one day I found
10:51him collapsed at our back gate and brought him around out of sympathy I dug through my mother's old
10:55healer journals and prepared medicinal meals for him every day to rebuild his strength only the two
11:01of us ever knew about it from the looks of things he was the one who told Chloe just to
11:06get me driven
11:07out the lengths he had gone to were truly something I carried the steaming soup to the bedroom and found
11:13case directing servants to pack up his belongings alpha what's this about weren't we agreed that I was
11:20moving the guest room his sharply handsome face didn't shift so much as a fraction I have fewer things
11:26it makes more sense for me to move at least eat first I set the food on the table he
11:31gave it a
11:31brief glance and sat down you can leave this kind of thing to the maid from now on it's no
11:38different
11:39coming from me it is different his voice remained flat and cool have Ivy bring it from now on he
11:47finished
11:47the soup and a few quick swallows said a few words to the servants and swept past me in that
11:53moment I
11:54confirmed one thing alpha case couldn't stand the sight of me I followed his instructions and had Ivy
12:00deliver his daily healing meals to the study from then on Martha couldn't stop singing my praises the pack
12:06healer says cases condition has stabilized significantly I can see the color coming back to his face Leah that's
12:13entirely because of you delighted she pressed a gold bracelet into my hands back in my room I tucked
12:19it into my jewelry box which had been slowly filling with pieces Martha had gifted me since my arrival
12:25Leah you never wear any of the of these isn't it a waste to just put them away how is
12:30it a waste every
12:31one of these can be converted to cash that's my security fund but lady Martha gave these to you
12:36personally are you really going to sell all of them not right now but if the mate bond is ever
12:41severed
12:42naturally I'd sell them and keep the money on hand Ivy's expression shifted to pure bewilderment
12:47as she turned away she dropped her voice to a murmur alpha alpha I spun around and met a pair
12:57of ink
12:57dark eyes Martha's eyesight must truly be failing her case looked worse than ever case's face was even
13:04paler than before his gaze was sharp and cutting fixed on me with cold precision the look unsettled me
13:10completely but I didn't dare let a single trace of it show alpha is there something you need a journal
13:18we looked together I checked the shelves he checked the writing desk neither of us spoke I spotted the
13:25journal pushed to the very back of the top shelf behind a row of my mother's medical notes I reached
13:30up on my toes my fingertips just grazed the cover case's hand came over mine warm steady he reached past
13:37me
13:38without effort and closed his hand around the journal I turned my head his face was right there closer than
13:44I'd realized he was looking down at me then I lost my footing and pitched straight into him my heavy
13:51breasts hit his chest first my waist went straight into his palm his hand catching me before he could react
13:57case didn't step back his ear tips went red his throat worked as he swallowed when he exhaled the breath
14:04came out uneven against the top of my head his eyes flashed gold for a second then green I scrambled
14:11upright face burning your journal he took it without a word and walked out perfect my standing in his eyes
14:18had just sunk even lower after that day I made every effort to avoid crossing paths with case he was
14:23injured and recovering he needed to stay calm but there was one more thing bothering me Brad had been
14:29sending notes three times already I hadn't opened a single one just dropped them in a box then Ivy
14:35pressed one into my hand that morning it's not just a note this time he's here side entrance says he
14:40won't leave until you come out I clenched my fist and walked out I didn't notice the figure that
14:44followed from the far end of the courtyard Brad was standing at the gate Leah you finally came you
14:51should be calling me Mrs. Valerius he paused dropped his voice Mrs. Valerius do you have any idea how many
14:59times you've put me in an impossible position with these meetings I know I just wanted to tell you
15:06I'll be securing more power in the pack soon I won't need Chloe's father backing me anymore
15:11he stepped closer I'll buy a house Leah come with me anything's better than staying with a dying man
15:17he reached for me I stepped back you want me as your mistress Brad nodded completely serious
15:24I laughed why would I give up being the alpha's mate to be your mistress the whole pack knows case
15:31is dying he won't last and he can't even stand up anymore his eyes dropped deliberately to my chest
15:38isn't that a waste disgust surged through me Brad I will never be anyone's mistress
15:46case fought on the front lines for this pack those injuries are his honor you've benefited from
15:53every battle he won and you're standing here calling him less of a man you're the one who's less
16:01come near me again and every note you've sent goes straight to Chloe how do you think that ends for
16:06you his face went white I swung the gate shut I turned around and came face to face with case
16:13white t-shirt standing less than half a foot away his full height bearing down on me alpha I managed
16:19a faint edge flickered across his expression wasn't it my mate just a moment ago why so formal
16:24all of a sudden I looked down and started walking please don't misunderstand as long as I'm in this
16:31estate I honor this bond completely fast it's getting late I should go make your evening meal I
16:37moved to step past him his hand closed around my arm I lost my footing and pitched straight into him
16:42my heavy breasts against his chest my waist caught in his grip I looked up his face was inches from
16:48mine his eyes were deep and unreadable one tilt forward and our lips would have touched his breath
16:54hit my face warm my breath hitched heat pooled low in my core case swallowed hard as long as I
17:02remain
17:03in this estate each word slow deliberate you counting down the days until you can leave I couldn't
17:09exactly tell him I'll leave the day you die no nothing like that I shifted in his grip alpha you're
17:16hurting my arm did you mean every word you said just now I blinked and asked which part he let
17:23out a
17:23quiet breath and released me I bolted and I noticed for the first time his face had actual color in
17:30it
17:30his cheeks were just as red as mine that night I had a strange dream case's lips grazed slowly along
17:38my cheek his fingers hooked into the strap of my slip voice dropping to a low murmur does my luna
17:44want
17:44this I nodded like someone completely under a spell then a fierce consuming kiss caught my lips and
17:51wouldn't let go I jolted awake in a tangle of sheets heart still hammering breathless ivy knocked and came
17:58in I asked her to bring a basin of cold water she stared at my sweat damp hair and murmured
18:03it really
18:04is getting hotter I splashed cold water onto my face and then it hit me that first night case cold
18:11shower
18:13surely he hadn't also been no impossible he was injured and recovering he was supposed to be
18:19keeping himself calm at midday Martha's attendant arrived Martha would like dinner in the garden
18:24tonight she asks that you be sure to come been making excuses to avoid the main dining hall for
18:29days just to steer clear of case but Martha had gone out of her way to personally extend the invitation
18:34I couldn't say no I stepped into the garden a sprawling rose of Sharon was in full bloom
18:40a gust of wind shook loose a handful of deep crimson petals drifting down onto the stone table
18:45covered with every dish I loved most Martha smiled and gestured for me to sit case mentioned it's
18:51your birthday today he's the one who asked the kitchen to prepare all of this I looked up and
18:56met a pair of burning intent eyes heat rushed straight to my face case lit a plate of chestnut cake
19:02in front of me without changing his expression how did you know today was my birthday I'd completely
19:09forgotten it myself my birth mother died bringing me into the world no one had ever once marked the
19:14day for me case kept his eyes lowered and said evenly it's not difficult to know it something in my
19:21chest
19:22gave one quiet inexplicable pull Leah this peach blossom wine is from my private reserve I'm opening
19:29it just for you but you two had better not drink too much she pushed back her chair said the
19:35summer
19:35evening breeze was too much for her old bones and left the garden went quiet to avoid the silence I
19:42put
19:42my head down and drank one cup then another then another the wine was sweet and dangerously potent
19:49before long the edges of everything had gone soft and blurry case watched me but said nothing by the
19:56third glass I'd stopped feeling the awkward silence by the fourth I'd stopped feeling much of anything I
20:02reached across the table toward the last piece of chestnut cake the dish was empty I looked up
20:08where's the last piece I ate it I have absolutely no idea where the boldness came from I leaned straight
20:14toward his face who told you to eat that spit it back out I pressed against his chest trying to
20:22peer into his
20:22mouth case looked down at me perfectly calm you won't find it that way I straightened up and stared at
20:29him then
20:29how am I supposed to find it a faint flush crept across his cheeks try using your mouse my gaze
20:37drifted to his
20:37slightly reddened lips I swallowed once and kissed him without hesitation case went rigid his breathing
20:44lurching unsteady then control shifted his hand cupped the back of my head and he pressed in deeper harder
20:51neither of us pulled away until footsteps sounded from behind the flower bed alpha the night air is cool
20:59lady martha asked me to bring you both a wrap I had no idea how much ivy'd seen I shot
21:05to my feet and the next
21:06instant the world tilted everything went dark when I woke up with a splitting headache it was already morning I
21:15suddenly remembered I'd promised Martha to visit case's father's grave it was late I started rushing around for my
21:22things Leah don't worry the driver is still getting the car ready Ivy was it you who brought me back
21:31last night no the alpha
21:34carried you back I spun around to check her face she nodded completely serious I didn't say anything
21:42stupid did I Ivy bit back a smile the alpha set you down on the bed and you grabbed his
21:50sleeve and
21:51wouldn't let go you kept calling him my mate over and over until his whole face went red Ivy don't
21:59you dare make
22:00things up she covered her mouth laughing and ran out I met Martha at the front entrance case's father's
22:08grave was on a hillside just beyond the pack territory I sat in the back of the car completely distracted
22:15replaying the moment I'd kissed case last night Martha must have misread my expression because she said
22:23Leah is there someone you have feelings for I've noticed you've been avoiding case these past few
22:31days please don't be upset with me for pushing you two together at dinner last night I thought if the
22:37two of you couldn't be mates you could at least be friends but if you're uncomfortable or if you want
22:42to leave just say I'll have him sever the bond I won't let you be trapped here mom no it's
22:49not that
22:50I was thinking about something else what is it I was still figuring out how to answer when the car
22:55lurched the engine screamed the car swung hard tires off the road crashing through brush the whole frame
23:01shaking I grabbed Martha and looked at the driver slumped over the wheel unconscious no one to hit the
23:07brakes a cliff straight ahead Martha grabbed my arm Leah what do we do we jump now we'll be hurt
23:16we'll die if we don't hold on to me I wrapped myself around her and we threw ourselves clear the
23:21instant the wheels left solid ground we hit the cliff edge and went over my hand shot out and
23:26caught a root jutting from the rock face my other hand locked around Martha's wrist below her was a
23:31straight drop into nothing mom don't look down don't look down hold on to me Ivy and the others are
23:38right behind us behind us in the second car they'll be here soon the root ground under our weight
23:46Martha's voice broke Leah let me go we're too heavy it's going to snap
23:57I'm old I've lived my life you have to keep living yours my chest tightened so hard I could barely
24:07breathe I couldn't let go she'd been a mother to me from the first day mom I would rather die
24:15with you
24:16than watch you fall hold on they're coming the truth was I had no idea my arms were going numb
24:28the pain had
24:30gone so deep it had stopped feeling like pain at all then I heard it a wolf's howl split the
24:38air
24:39deathening and close Leah don't move I'm coming down case's voice he'd called me by my name the first
24:50time a strong arm came under me he'd climbed down the cliff face wolf claws dug into the rock he
24:59untied
25:00the rope from his own body and looped it around my waist then climbed down further and did the same
25:06for
25:06Martha the people above pulled together we came up one at a time it wasn't a hallucination case had
25:14saved us he held me brow creased why is there so much blood Martha clutched her face she shielded me
25:26when we jumped I didn't get a scratch it's all hers my eyelids felt like lead Leah
25:36don't sleep I'm taking you to Ella he lifted me into the car and I stayed curled against his chest
25:42his
25:44forehead was damp with sweat he kept one hand on the wheel and kept talking Leah Leah Leah stay awake
25:53I'll get you chestnut cake I'll give you all the jewelry you want to sell you don't have to wait
25:58for me to die
25:58I'll write the bond release today you can leave whenever you want my chest kept clenching something wet
26:05hit my face I looked up at the sky through the windshield it wasn't raining then everything went black when
26:12I
26:12opened my eyes every part of my body felt like it had been taken apart and put back wrong my
26:17Luna the pack
26:18healer said you can't move yet Ivy pressed a bowl of medicine to my lips spooning it in slowly you're
26:24lucky nothing's
26:25broken her voice was steady but her eyes were red the scrapes were bad you need to stay flat or
26:29they'll
26:30scar your shoulder was dislocated too she kept talking my eyes had already drifted to the door
26:36after I finished the medicine I asked where's case investigating someone poisoned the driver with
26:42wolf bite and cut the brake lines it was deliberate who would be bold enough to target the alpha's family
26:47directly I was flat on my back for a full month I didn't see case once Martha kept her door
26:52shut too
26:53still recovering from the shock everyone in the estate moved with tight faces and clipped voices
26:58like something was being held just below the surface I asked Ivy she said nothing was wrong
27:03today I was finally cleared to get out of bed I opened my door and walked straight into a familiar
27:08figure case dark tactical shirt sharper than I remembered he held out a small wooden box I took
27:15it and lifted the lid a land deed a property contract a severance letter my body went rigid
27:22something locked around my chest and wouldn't let go case are you throwing me out you've been
27:28waiting for this since the day you arrived you avoided me stayed out of my way you never wanted
27:32anything to do with me you were counting down the days until I died so you could walk out cleanly
27:37I'm just doing it early Leah go after today we're finished something sharp flooded my chest my mouth
27:45opened and closed it took a long time to get anything out so that's what you think of me
27:54leave now I don't want to see you anymore case disappeared around the corner of the yard estate
28:00guards all but pushed me out the door Ivy fell into step beside me and the alpha said you're used
28:05to
28:05having me around he told me to go with you I couldn't speak we moved into a small house on
28:16the edge of the
28:16territory by morning the PAC's official announcement had gone up the announcement said case had betrayed
28:22the PAC the announcement said he had betrayed the PAC that he had leaked the border patrol routes to a
28:27rogue faction by order of the lichen king royal enforcers had been dispatched to seize him pending
28:34investigation case was being held in the dungeons under royal guard the estate was locked down everyone
28:41inside was under scrutiny case would never betray his PAC he would die before he did something like that
28:48he rushed to get me out that was why that was the only reason Ivy was pacing circles around the
28:55living room
28:55she'd grown up inside the estate she couldn't stand still is there anything we can do I made myself sit
29:02down and
29:03think years ago Elder Reed's youngest child had gotten lost in the forest and been bitten by a snake
29:09I'd found him and used the right herbs to treat the wound
29:13Elder Reed had arrived while I was still crouched over the boy he'd seen my face
29:17I was sure he hadn't forgotten I tracked him down outside the council building and stepped into
29:22elder Reed you remember me I need a favor he looked at me for a long moment then he nodded
29:30elder Reed led me into the dungeon 30 minutes no more the door unlocked case stood up his eyes flashed
29:36with surprise how did you get in my chest ached as I looked at him through the blur of tears
29:41that's why you kicked me out isn't it you were framed think carefully is there any evidence to prove your
29:48innocence I will find it I will investigate I swear I will rescue you cases gaze deepened then his
29:55arm shot out and pulled me into his chest yeah my heart hammered but time was running out this wasn't
30:02the moment I pushed against him he didn't budge yeah you don't need to do anything I can't say much
30:07I
30:09I promise seven days later I will accompany you to watch the sunrise okay
30:15his eyes were steady certain like he was coaxing a frightened pup I walked out of the dungeon and straight
30:23into brad
30:27he stepped into my path slow smile spreading across it's not too late to reconsider
30:33being my mistress beats being alone and disgraced I swung my hand and slapped him across the face
30:38he lunged for me I stepped sideways and put distance between us try that again and every note you sent
30:44me ends up in front of Chloe's father every single one you've been whispering in her ear for years
30:48haven't you trying to get me pushed out thinking I'd have nowhere to go and no choice but to run
30:52to you
30:52but you never counted on Chloe handing me straight to case a man you can't touch his face changed I
30:58didn't wait for him to recover I walked away and didn't look back a wolf like that the further the
31:03better I didn't sleep well for the next five days case's voice kept coming back to me I promise
31:10seven days later I will accompany you to watch the sunrise okay on the afternoon of the sixth day
31:15the Lichen King's official decree went up across the territory the leak hadn't come from case
31:19it had come from Prince Marcus and his allies the truth is finally revealed
31:27the Lichen King had not yet named his heir both Prince Caden and Prince Marcus were in the running
31:31case was Prince Caden's most powerful ally the alpha who commanded the most powerful pack taking
31:36case down was the cleanest way to clear the path to the throne Prince Marcus had planted a spy inside
31:41the blackwood pack used him to steal the border patrol routes then framed case for it so the injury had
31:46been faked all of it a deliberate trap to draw out the spy but why fake being unable to mate
31:51I turned
31:52that over in my mind all night and couldn't land on an answer dawn was just breaking when someone
31:56knocked at the door I didn't think I just ran I threw the door open and walked straight into case's
32:01chest he went completely still then his arms came around me slow and deliberate and pulled me in hard
32:06I'd run out in nothing but a thin sleep shirt no warning through the thin fabric I could feel
32:11everything the hard muscle of his chest his arms locked tight around me I pressed my hands against
32:17his chest and tried to step back Leah his voice dropped low I'm back our eyes locked the heat
32:23between us was thick enough to touch then he lifted me off the ground and carried me straight toward the
32:27bedroom I beat a fist against his chest weren't we supposed to watch the sunrise you first sunrise after
32:36we fell onto the bed together case pinned me beneath him one hand working the buttons of my sleep shirt
32:44open eyes never leaving mine I covered his eyes with both hands don't look it's embarrassing he took my
32:51hands down his breathing had gone ragged it's beautiful his eyes were bright and fixed my skin went
32:59hot everywhere he touched I pressed my palm flat against his chest hard muscle warm skin healer said you
33:05couldn't get hard how is any of this possible lips dragging slowly along my jaw to my ear you want
33:10to know if I can there's one way to find out he kissed me one hand cupping my face tilting
33:16it up
33:16toward him I kissed him back hard my hands slid up his chest over his shoulders gripping his arms he
33:23pressed me further into the mattress his weight settling over me the heat built fast and took over
33:29completely my hands went slack he caught them laced his fingers through mine and pinned them above my
33:35head he loves me very much and completely occupies me my face gradually became rosy and we could only
33:42hear each other's heartbeats and breathing his lips dragged from my mouth to my jaw down the side of my
33:48neck slow and unhurried then he stopped his canines pierced my mating gland a second of sharp white-hot pain
33:57and then it
33:57was done I lay there chest heaving fingers still tangled in his on my neck his mark ached finally we
34:06weren't just mates on paper anymore after the estate lockdown was lifted case took me to meet Prince
34:11Caden a slow smile spreading across his face so you're the woman who brought case to his knees I've
34:17been wanting to meet you you flatter me your highness case helped the kingdom take down a real threat
34:22you stood by him through all of it I'll host an official luna ceremony for you and when that day
34:27comes I'll have a gift ready thank you your highness don't blame case leah faking the injury was always
34:34part of the plan too many enemies wanted him dead the only way to keep him safe was to make
34:42them think
34:42he was already finished part about not being able to get hard that was my idea I gave the pack
34:48doctor
34:48that order myself we grew up together I know exactly how he is never any interest in women
34:56never any weakness I figured it was time someone did something about that suddenly I understood
35:01just two old friends and one very elaborate prank the car accident that was Prince Marcus as well
35:08they intended it to look like an accident they didn't expect to hurt you in the process
35:12Luna Leah it's been dealt with you and case are safe now
35:20I took a slow breath knowing it was over didn't make the memory of dangling off that cliff any less
35:25vivid we got back to the estate to find Chloe already inside crying she walked an hour ago and hasn't
35:31stopped Martha is getting a headache from it I told case to go to his study I'd handle it I
35:37sat down
35:38next to Chloe face red eyes swollen word had already spread Brad had been identified as one
35:43of Prince Marcus's informants Chloe's father had been cleared but Chloe and Brad were finished
35:49still crying I'll have someone throw you out she stopped immediately still shaking but quiet
35:54I misjudged him I thought picking someone from a lower ranked family meant he'd be easy to manage
36:01I didn't think he'd be like this I told you he wasn't a good person you didn't say it clearly
36:07enough I rolled my eyes I wasn't a powerless Omega anymore I didn't have to hold back
36:17were you ever angry at me for how I treated you back then no I cursed you in my head
36:24but I don't
36:25hold grudges you cursed me do you want to punish me for it Chloe laughed despite herself then caught
36:31herself and pressed her lips together I'm sorry for the slap did it hurt I already forgot about it
36:36then let me slap you back we'll be even she closed her eyes and braced herself I raised my hand
36:42and
36:42let it land soft against her cheek she opened her eyes I already gave that slap to Brad Chloe stared
36:51at me for a second then she laughed really laughed for the first time since she'd walked in don't call
36:56me Chloe anymore can we be friends no I don't like friends who cry too much the light was still
37:04on when I
37:04passed case's study I pushed the door open before I could say a word an arm shot out from behind
37:09and
37:10wrapped around my waist bold intruder his voice dropped low against my ear you think you can just
37:14walk into the alpha's office the alpha's mate is right here and you still dare make a move case played
37:21it straight his lips found my neck here really right here I kept saying no my hand said something else
37:29entirely finding their way to his back he murmured against my ear you have no idea how many times I
37:35thought about this in this room I wanted to say something back but his hand was already moving and
37:41I couldn't get a single word out he carried me to the table and took off my clothes then we
37:46had a good time
37:53when I woke up it was almost dawn case was already awake sitting up against the headboard
37:58watching me his eyes were soft in a way that made it hard to look back morning I sat up
38:04and rubbed my
38:04eyes then I remembered the sunrise he'd promised the sunrise
38:12we still have time he was already up he picked up my clothes from beside the bed handing them to
38:18me he
38:19dressed me slowly straightening each layer with both hands like he'd done it a thousand times before
38:23we walked out into the yard cool air the smell of pine to the east the sky had just started
38:29to
38:29lighten at the edges case stood behind me and wrapped both arms around me we watched the horizon
38:34together the sun came up slowly gold light broke across the trees spread across the yard and landed
38:40on us the clouds caught the color and held it beautiful close to my ear beautiful he pulled me
38:49in tighter and said nothing else he didn't need to I'll watch every sunrise and sunset with his voice
38:55was quiet against my hair everyone for as long as we have I turned around and kissed him once quick
39:01and
39:02light deal the sun came up fully in the yard filled with light our shadows stretched long across the
39:08ground behind us over the next few days the estate came back to life servants moved through the halls
39:14with easy steps again Martha's health improved she called me in to talk every morning always smiling
39:19when I walked through the door one afternoon I was trimming the plants in the yard when sunny came
39:23running over Leah Chloe is here again she brought a lot of stuff with her I set down my shears
39:29since the
39:30day she'd come in crying Chloe had been showing up regularly she said she was making up for lost
39:34time really she just had nothing to do and nowhere to be let her in I wiped my hands and
39:41went to meet
39:42her Chloe walked in with two attendants behind her carrying food boxes she changed a lot less
39:50she dressed simpler now and moved quieter I made your favorite chestnut cake I asked the royal kitchen for the
40:04recipe this time better than anything the blackwood kitchen has ever made I took a piece and bit into it
40:10sweet soft better than I expected
40:15good thank you so where's case not home he went to the pack training ground something came up
40:22Chloe nodded and reached for a piece herself for a while neither of us said anything just the wind
40:28moving through the yard my father wants me to find a new mate I looked up don't rush for it
40:33I know
40:37after Brad I don't know how to trust anyone she looked at me something flickering in her eyes
40:42you have a good mate case fights for you protects you and he's the strongest alpha in the kingdom
40:49we just got lucky you can't force these things Chloe nodded and didn't say anything else just ate her
40:55chestnut cake the yard went quiet just wind moving through the leaves then she said that slap do you
41:03really not hold it against me really it's in the past no point bringing it up the truth was I'd
41:11already
41:11let it go a long time ago she wasn't a bad person just spoiled used to getting her way Chloe's
41:17eyes
41:17went red at the edges thank you when I arranged the mating part of it was because I was scared
41:23you
41:23and Brad would find your way back to each other but part of it was genuine I really did think
41:29case
41:29was a good man that he wouldn't treat you badly we looked at each other and smiled all the conflicts
41:34were solved I just didn't expect him to be faking the whole time Chloe laughed a little embarrassed
41:42it's in the past isn't this better
41:50it is she nodded can we be friends for real I won't be like I was before
41:58sure I nodded something warm moved through my chest letting go of old grudges and coming out
42:04the other side with a friend that wasn't a bad ending we sat in the yard for the rest of
42:08the
42:08afternoon eating and talking pack gossip small things nothing important the Sun came through
42:14the leaves and the air was warm and easy when case came back from the training grounds that evening
42:18and saw the two of us surprise crossed his face what are you two happy about talking about you Chloe
42:25grinned about what a liar you are baking the whole thing and fooling everyone case walked over and sat
42:33down beside me
Comments