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The Alpha King’s Intoxicating Mate | Werewolf Romance, Fated Love & Hidden Truth - Full Drama
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I was born with heavy breasts and lush curves.
00:02My half-sister Chloe was afraid her mate Brad would go feral over me.
00:06So she sold me to an impotent Alpha.
00:10She patted my shoulder.
00:14Who knows, maybe he's good at other things.
00:18Three months later, I was begging for mercy every night.
00:21Funny. He seemed good at everything.
00:25Case Valerius. The Blackwood Pax Alpha.
00:28The Lycan King's most trusted war commander.
00:30He was carried back from the battlefield soaked in blood.
00:33Someone suggested...
00:34A mate bond shares life force.
00:36If Alpha Case was bound to a living, healthy mate,
00:39her strength could flow into him and pull him back.
00:42Chloe rushed to play matchmaker and presented me to Martha before I could object.
00:45I had no way to refuse.
00:47If I wouldn't agree, she'd transfer me to serve 60-year-old Elder Kevin.
00:51I knew she resented my history with her mate.
00:54I dropped to my knees and swore to the Moon Goddess.
00:56I swear, Chloe. I had no feelings for Brad.
01:00Chloe jabbed a finger at my forehead, fury in her eyes.
01:03What good is a vow? Do you have any idea how distracting you are?
01:07I hunched my shoulders. Tears slid down my cheeks.
01:10Just look at that ample body and those charming curves,
01:14parading your body in front of every male in the clan.
01:16Who among them would not lose their minds at the smell of you?
01:20I wanted to tell her.
01:21To bind my chest, I'd wrapped myself layer after layer in the sweltering heat
01:25until I broke out in a rash.
01:27Her expression softened.
01:28She wiped my tears.
01:30It's not that I don't trust you.
01:32It's that I don't trust males.
01:34Do you know how powerful Alpha Case is?
01:37If my mother and Martha weren't old friends,
01:39you wouldn't even have this opportunity.
01:41Chloe, I don't want to be anyone's offering.
01:44I'd rather scrub kitchen floors.
01:47Just don't make me...
01:50Two sharp slaps landed across my face.
01:53My cheek burned.
01:54Leah, are you out of your mind?
01:56If I hadn't vouched for you,
01:58Martha wouldn't have given you a second glance.
02:00You wouldn't even be worthy of being Case's mate.
02:03The maid burst in breathless.
02:05Miss Chloe, word from the Valerius Estate.
02:08Alpha Case has woken up.
02:11Chloe dragged me straight to Valerius Estate,
02:13enormous.
02:14I followed her through the main hall
02:16to a set of heavy double doors pulled half shut.
02:18Through the gap,
02:19I could make out a man's shape in the bed.
02:20Thin, motionless,
02:22chest rattling with shallow coughs every few minutes.
02:24Martha stood on our side, eyes red.
02:27Thank you for everything you've done for Case.
02:29I won't destroy a girl's future over it.
02:31Chloe's eyes moved,
02:32quick and calculating.
02:33Miss Valerius,
02:34the bond should still be completed.
02:36Leah arrived the same day Case woke up.
02:38That's the moon goddess guiding us.
02:40Seal the bond properly.
02:42Her life force will keep pulling him back toward health.
02:45Before she could speak,
02:46the healer Ella stepped out,
02:47expression tight.
02:49Alpha Case has regained consciousness,
02:51but an arrow struck his inner thigh during battle.
02:55I'm afraid he will no longer be able to-
02:58Unable to do what?
02:59He will no longer be able to get hard.
03:01Martha's knees gave out.
03:02I caught her before she hit the floor.
03:04She looked up at me with hollowed eyes.
03:06Leah,
03:08knowing this,
03:09are you still willing?
03:10Yes,
03:11she's been looking forward to it.
03:12Chloe was already answering for me.
03:14Of course she is.
03:15She's just an Omega with no prospects.
03:18She should be grateful.
03:19I didn't speak right away.
03:21My mind went to my past.
03:23There was a young wolf in the poor quarter behind our estate.
03:26I first saw him through the fence gaps.
03:28Thin wrists,
03:29hollow cheeks,
03:30hunched over a cracked bowl with nothing in it.
03:32I started passing food through the gaps.
03:34Bread first,
03:35then soup,
03:36then whatever I had.
03:38Day after day,
03:39I watched him change.
03:40The hollows in his cheeks filled out.
03:42His shoulders broadened.
03:44He started training before dawn,
03:46running laps around the back wall while I was still half asleep.
03:49He was going to enter the warrior trials.
03:51I knew it before he told me.
03:53When he passed,
03:54I went to find him that same night.
03:55I was happy.
03:56I remember it clearly.
03:57I was genuinely happy.
03:59I knocked on the gate.
04:00He didn't open it.
04:00His voice came,
04:01Leah,
04:02I'm betrothed now.
04:03It wouldn't be proper.
04:04Then a soft thud in the dirt at my feet.
04:06A pouch of silver.
04:06Consider my debt repaid.
04:08I stood there for a moment.
04:09Then I picked it up and walked away.
04:11That wolf became Chloe's mate.
04:13Brad.
04:14I acted like I'd never known him.
04:16Chloe found out anyway.
04:18I snapped back to reality.
04:20I gathered my skirts and knelt in front of Martha.
04:23My lady,
04:24I'm willing.
04:25I'll complete the bond,
04:26care for Case,
04:27and serve you as long as you need me.
04:30Luna.
04:30Martha kept her word and prepared a dignified mating dress for me.
04:34Chloe deliberately chose a day when Brad was away on pack business to send me off.
04:37She walked me to the door,
04:39guilt on her face.
04:40Even though Case can't get hard,
04:42at least you'll be spared the pain of bearing pups.
04:45Don't worry.
04:47An alpha who can't perform in that area is probably exceptional in every other.
04:51Honestly,
04:52none of what Chloe said had even crossed my mind.
04:54I told myself I was simply moving to a new household.
04:58Case was too weak to stand through the full mate blessing ritual.
05:01I completed the bond rites beside his ceremonial sword instead.
05:05Martha watched from the front,
05:07eyes wet the whole time.
05:08When it was done,
05:10I was alpha Case's mate.
05:12The mating chamber was quiet.
05:14I pushed the door open carefully.
05:16Case was already inside,
05:18half reclined against the headboard in a white bathrobe.
05:20He turned when he heard me.
05:22Up close,
05:23he was strikingly handsome.
05:24Sharp jaw,
05:25dark eyes,
05:26the kind of face that didn't need color in it to hold attention.
05:30I had no intention of taking a mate,
05:32he said with a low voice.
05:34If it doesn't trouble you,
05:35we can treat this as a sibling arrangement.
05:38He pointed to the chaise along the far wall.
05:40Tonight the bed is yours.
05:42I'll take that.
05:44Tomorrow you move to the guest quarters.
05:46All right,
05:46I nodded.
05:47He had thought of everything.
05:49It wasn't what I'd expected.
05:51Before the ritual,
05:52one of the older maids had pulled me aside
05:54and pressed something into my hands.
05:55A small handbook,
05:57worn at the corners.
05:58She'd whispered with a strange look.
06:00There are other ways between mates.
06:03You might find it useful.
06:05I had no idea what she meant until I opened it.
06:07Heat pooled in my core just from looking at the pages.
06:11Is it too hot?
06:12Case was watching me from the bed,
06:14eyes direct,
06:15unblinking.
06:16The dress is heavy.
06:18I'm a little warm.
06:21Then wash up and rest.
06:22He pulled the blanket over himself and turned toward the wall.
06:25Within minutes,
06:26his breathing evened out.
06:27I set the handbook down on the vanity
06:29and took down my hair.
06:30Then the layered robes,
06:32piece by piece,
06:33until I was standing in nothing but my nightgown.
06:35I turned to the mirror.
06:37The thin fabric clung to every curve,
06:39heavy breasts straining against the cloth,
06:42slim waist giving way to the flare of my hips.
06:44I walked straight into Case's gaze.
06:46He wasn't asleep.
06:48His chest rose hard.
06:50The tips of his ears went red.
06:51His throat worked as he swallowed.
06:53I grabbed my outer robe and pressed it against my chest.
06:57Alpha,
06:58I thought you were asleep.
06:59A long pause.
07:01I could sleep later.
07:03My breath hitched.
07:04He rose slowly to his feet,
07:06his tall frame casting a shadow over me.
07:19The handbook's images came flooding in.
07:21My breathing shifted without me meaning it to,
07:24somehow falling into the same rhythm as his.
07:26Then Case turned and walked to the door.
07:28The moment cool night air rushed in,
07:30I snapped back to my senses.
07:32He'd already disappeared into the darkness.
07:34I turned it over in my mind.
07:36When he'd looked at me just now,
07:38his eyes had flashed with something unmistakably like shock.
07:42Had my figure actually frightened him?
07:44Before I lay down,
07:45I made a firm decision.
07:47Tomorrow morning,
07:48I was binding my chest at least one full loop tighter.
07:51I was hovering somewhere between sleep and waking
07:53when Case slipped back in.
07:55The tips of his hair still beaded with water.
07:57He'd apparently gone to shower.
07:59By morning,
07:59he was already gone.
08:00Ivy came in to help me dress.
08:02From the corridor outside came the sound of a man.
08:05Once.
08:06Then again.
08:08Martha's headmaid's voice carried clearly through the door.
08:11Alpha Case?
08:12Why didn't you call someone to heat the water?
08:15It's already summer,
08:16but the nights are still cold.
08:17Of course you've caught a chill.
08:19I'll go brew tea right now.
08:20I glanced at Ivy.
08:22Does the Alpha usually take cold showers?
08:25I honestly don't know, miss.
08:27I dismissed her and locked the door.
08:28I wound a strip of cloth tight over my undergarments,
08:32then pulled on the most conservative dress I could find in the wardrobe.
08:35High neck, loose cut, heavy fabric.
08:39Then I went to living room.
08:41Case was already there when I arrived,
08:42seated beside Martha.
08:44She lit up the moment she saw me,
08:46her whole face warm with welcome.
08:48Until Case coughed,
08:49and the warmth vanished instantly.
08:52Case, I have a few private words for Leah.
08:55Go rest for a while.
08:56Case rose and left without a word.
08:58Martha waved me over and took both my hands in hers,
09:01eyes glistening.
09:03Sweet girl,
09:05our Case is lucky to have you.
09:09The pack healer says the injury drained his life force.
09:13There's no telling how long he has left.
09:15Some of the elders suggested I find a child for him to adopt,
09:19to carry on the bloodline.
09:23But if I did that,
09:25wouldn't I be stealing your whole future from you?
09:28I'm already grateful you came into this family to save Case.
09:32I can't let you sacrifice the rest of your life on top of that.
09:35I've thought it through.
09:36If Case's time does come,
09:37I'll have him issue you a formal mate release.
09:40Your future stays protected,
09:41and I'll see to it that you receive property,
09:44and a place of your own.
09:45I reached up and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes,
09:48chest tight with an ache I couldn't name.
09:51Mrs. Valerius,
09:52thank you for looking out for me.
09:54I'd come here thinking of myself as nothing more than a transferred Omega servant.
09:58I never imagined she would think this far ahead on my behalf.
10:01My thoughts drifted to the mother I had never known.
10:03If she had been alive,
10:04if I had grown up under a mother's protection,
10:07I never would have ended up in any of the situations I'd been through.
10:10Martha laughed through her tears.
10:11Look at me,
10:12I've gone and made you cry too.
10:14She squeezed my hands.
10:16Leah, there's no need to be so formal.
10:18Call me mom,
10:20just like Case does.
10:21She took a breath.
10:22So, I have a proposition for you.
10:24Chloe mentioned you know how to prepare medicinal soups.
10:27I'd like you to take over Case's daily meals and care.
10:30I just want him to live a little longer.
10:32That's my one selfish wish.
10:34By the end,
10:34her voice had gone rough.
10:36I nodded.
10:37I headed to the kitchen to gather ingredients.
10:39The last time I'd prepared medicinal soup was several years ago,
10:42back when Brad was not yet Chloe's mate.
10:45He'd lost both parents and lived alone in a run-down unit,
10:48skipping meals to save every cent for his warrior training.
10:52One day,
10:53I found him collapsed at our back gate and brought him around.
10:55Out of sympathy,
10:56I dug through my mother's old healer journals
10:58and prepared medicinal meals for him every day to rebuild his strength.
11:02Only the two of us ever knew about it.
11:05From the looks of things,
11:06he was the one who told Chloe,
11:08just to get me driven out.
11:09The lengths he had gone to were truly something.
11:13I carried the steaming soup to the bedroom
11:15and found Case directing servants to pack up his belongings.
11:19Alpha,
11:19what's this about?
11:21Weren't we agreed that I was moving to the guest room?
11:23His sharply handsome face didn't shift so much as a fraction.
11:26I have fewer things.
11:28It makes more sense for me to move.
11:30At least eat first.
11:31I set the food on the table.
11:33He gave it a brief glance and sat down.
11:37You can leave this kind of thing to the maid from now on.
11:40It's no different coming from me.
11:43It is different.
11:45His voice remained flat and cool.
11:47Have Ivy bring it from now on.
11:49He finished the soup and a few quick swallows,
11:52said a few words to his servants,
11:54and swept past me.
11:56In that moment,
11:57I confirmed one thing.
11:58Alpha Case couldn't stand the sight of me.
12:00I followed his instructions
12:02and had Ivy deliver his daily healing meals
12:04to the study from then on.
12:06Martha couldn't stop singing my praises.
12:08The pack healer says Case's condition
12:10has stabilized significantly.
12:12I can see the color coming back to his face.
12:14Leah,
12:15that's entirely because of you.
12:17Delighted,
12:18she pressed a gold bracelet into my hands.
12:20Back in my room,
12:21I tucked it into my jewelry box,
12:23which had been slowly filling with pieces
12:25Martha had gifted me since my arrival.
12:28Leah,
12:28you never wear any of the of these.
12:30Isn't it a waste to just put them away?
12:32How is it a waste?
12:34Every one of these can be converted to cash.
12:36That's my security fund.
12:38But Lady Martha gave these to you personally.
12:40Are you really going to sell all of them?
12:42Not right now,
12:43but if the mate bond is ever severed,
12:45naturally I'd sell them and keep the money on hand.
12:47Ivy's expression shifted to pure bewilderment.
12:51As she turned away,
12:52she dropped her voice to a murmur.
12:54Alpha.
12:57Alpha?
12:58I spun around and met a pair of ink-dark eyes.
13:01Martha's eyesight must truly be failing her.
13:04Case looked worse than ever.
13:06Case's face was even paler than before.
13:08His gaze was sharp and cutting,
13:10fixed on me with cold precision.
13:12The look unsettled me completely,
13:14but I didn't dare let a single trace of it show.
13:17Alpha,
13:19is there something you need?
13:21A journal.
13:22We looked together.
13:23I checked the shelves.
13:24He checked the writing desk.
13:26Neither of us spoke.
13:27I spotted the journal pushed to the very back of the top shelf,
13:30behind a row of my mother's medical notes.
13:32I reached up on my toes.
13:34My fingertips just grazed the cover.
13:36Case's hand came over mine.
13:38Warm.
13:39Steady.
13:40He reached past me without effort
13:41and closed his hand around the journal.
13:44I turned my head.
13:45His face was right there,
13:47closer than I'd realized.
13:48He was looking down at me.
13:50Then, I lost my footing
13:51and pitched straight into him.
13:53My heavy breasts hit his chest first.
13:56My waist went straight into his palm,
13:58his hand catching me before he could react.
14:00Case didn't step back.
14:02His eartips went red.
14:03His throat worked as he swallowed.
14:05When he exhaled,
14:07the breath came out uneven
14:08against the top of my head.
14:09His eyes flashed gold for a second,
14:12then green.
14:13I scrambled upright,
14:15face burning.
14:16Your journal.
14:17He took it without a word
14:19and walked out.
14:19Perfect.
14:20My standing in his eyes
14:21had just sunk even lower.
14:23After that day,
14:24I made every effort
14:25to avoid crossing paths with Case.
14:27He was injured and recovering.
14:28He needed to stay calm.
14:30But there was one more thing bothering me.
14:32Brad had been sending notes.
14:33Three times already.
14:35I hadn't opened a single one,
14:37just dropped them in a box.
14:38Then, Ivy pressed one into my hand that morning.
14:40It's not just a note this time.
14:45I clenched my fist and walked out.
14:47I didn't notice the figure
14:48that followed from the far end of the courtyard.
14:50Brad was standing at the gate.
14:52Leah!
14:53You finally came!
14:55You should be calling me Mrs. Valerius.
14:57He paused,
14:58dropped his voice.
15:00Mrs. Valerius.
15:01Do you have any idea
15:02how many times you've put me
15:03in an impossible position
15:04with these meetings?
15:06I know.
15:07I just wanted to tell you.
15:09I'll be securing more power in the pack.
15:12Soon I won't need Chloe's father
15:14backing me anymore.
15:15He stepped closer.
15:16I'll buy a house, Leah.
15:17Come with me.
15:19Anything's better than staying with a dying man.
15:21He reached for me.
15:22I stepped back.
15:25You want me as your mistress?
15:27Brad nodded,
15:28completely serious.
15:29I laughed.
15:30Why would I give up
15:31being the Alpha's mate
15:32to be your mistress?
15:33The whole pack knows Case is dying.
15:36He won't last.
15:37And he can't even stand up anymore.
15:40His eyes dropped deliberately to my chest.
15:42Isn't that a waste?
15:45Disgust surged through me.
15:47Brad,
15:48I will never be anyone's mistress.
15:51Case fought on the front lines for this pack.
15:53Those injuries are his honor.
15:56You've benefited from every battle he won
15:58and you're standing here
16:00calling him less of a man.
16:02You're the one who's less.
16:05Come near me again
16:06and every note you've sent
16:07goes straight to Chloe.
16:09How do you think that ends for you?
16:12His face went white.
16:13I swung the gate shut.
16:16I turned around and came face to face with Case.
16:18White t-shirt,
16:19standing less than half a foot away,
16:20his full height bearing down on me.
16:22Alpha,
16:22I managed.
16:23A faint edge flickered across his expression.
16:26Wasn't it my mate just a moment ago?
16:28Why so formal all of a sudden?
16:30I looked down and started walking.
16:34Please don't misunderstand.
16:35As long as I'm in this estate,
16:36I honor this bond.
16:37Completely.
16:38Fast.
16:39It's getting late.
16:40I should go make your evening meal.
16:41I moved to step past him.
16:43His hand closed around my arm.
16:44I lost my footing
16:45and pitched straight into him.
16:46My heavy breasts against his chest.
16:48My waist caught in his grip.
16:50I looked up.
16:51His face was inches from mine.
16:53His eyes were deep and unreadable.
16:55One tilt forward
16:56and our lips would have touched.
16:58His breath hit my face.
16:59Warm.
17:00My breath hitched.
17:02Heat pooled low in my core.
17:05Case swallowed hard.
17:06As long as I remain in this estate.
17:09Each word slow.
17:10Deliberate.
17:11You counting down the days
17:12until you can leave?
17:13I couldn't exactly tell him
17:15I'll leave the day you die.
17:17No.
17:18Nothing like that.
17:19I shifted in his grip.
17:20Alpha, you're hurting my arm.
17:22Did you mean every word you said just now?
17:25I blinked and asked which part.
17:27He let out a quiet breath
17:28and released me.
17:30I bolted.
17:31And I noticed,
17:32for the first time,
17:34his face had actual color in it.
17:36His cheeks were just as red as mine.
17:38That night,
17:39I had a strange dream.
17:41Case's lips grazed slowly along my cheek.
17:44His fingers hooked into the strap of my slip,
17:46voice dropping to a low murmur.
17:48Does my Luna want this?
17:50I nodded like someone completely under a spell.
17:53Then a fierce, consuming kiss caught my lips
17:56and wouldn't let go.
17:57I jolted awake in a tangle of sheets,
17:59heart still hammering,
18:01breathless.
18:03Ivy knocked and came in.
18:04I asked her to bring a basin of cold water.
18:06She stared at my sweat damp hair and murmured,
18:09It really is getting hotter.
18:11I splashed cold water onto my face.
18:13And then it hit me.
18:14That first night.
18:15Case.
18:16Cold shower.
18:18Surely he hadn't also been...
18:20No.
18:21Impossible.
18:22He was injured and recovering.
18:24He was supposed to be keeping himself calm.
18:26At midday,
18:26Martha's attendant arrived.
18:28Martha would like dinner in the garden tonight.
18:30She asks that you be sure to come.
18:32Been making excuses to avoid the main dining hall for days,
18:35just to steer clear of Case.
18:37But Martha had gone out of her way
18:38to personally extend the invitation.
18:40I couldn't say no.
18:41I stepped into the garden.
18:43A sprawling rose of Sharon was in full bloom.
18:45A gust of wind shook loose a handful of deep crimson petals,
18:49drifting down onto the stone table,
18:51covered with every dish I loved most.
18:53Martha smiled and gestured for me to sit.
18:55Case mentioned it's your birthday today.
18:57He's the one who asked the kitchen to prepare all of this.
19:01I looked up and met a pair of burning, intent eyes.
19:04Heat rushed straight to my face.
19:07Case lit a plate of chestnut cake in front of me
19:09without changing his expression.
19:11How did you know today was my birthday?
19:13I'd completely forgotten it myself.
19:16My birth mother died bringing me into the world.
19:19No one had ever once marked the day for me.
19:22Case kept his eyes lowered and said evenly,
19:24It's not difficult to know it.
19:26Something in my chest gave one quiet, inexplicable pull.
19:30Leah, this peach blossom wine is from my private reserve.
19:34I'm opening it just for you.
19:36But you two had better not drink too much.
19:39She pushed back her chair, said the summer evening breeze was too much for her old bones,
19:43and left.
19:44The garden went quiet.
19:46To avoid the silence, I put my head down and drank.
19:49One cup, then another, then another.
19:52The wine was sweet and dangerously potent.
19:55Before long, the edges of everything had gone soft and blurry.
19:59Case watched me but said nothing.
20:00By the third glass, I'd stopped feeling the awkward silence.
20:04By the fourth, I'd stopped feeling much of anything.
20:07I reached across the table toward the last piece of chestnut cake.
20:11The dish was empty.
20:12I looked up.
20:14Where's the last piece?
20:15I ate it.
20:16I have absolutely no idea where the boldness came from.
20:19I leaned straight toward his face.
20:23Who told you to eat that?
20:25Spit it back out.
20:26I pressed against his chest, trying to peer into his mouth.
20:29Case looked down at me, perfectly calm.
20:32You won't find it that way.
20:33I straightened up and stared at him.
20:35Then how am I supposed to find it?
20:38A faint flush crept across his cheeks.
20:40Try using your mouse.
20:42My gaze drifted to his slightly reddened lips.
20:45I swallowed once, and kissed him without hesitation.
20:48Case went rigid, his breathing lurching unsteady.
20:52Then control shifted.
20:53His hand cupped the back of my head, and he pressed in deeper.
20:57Harder.
20:58Neither of us pulled away until footsteps sounded from behind the flower bed.
21:03Alpha, the night air is cool.
21:05Lady Martha asked me to bring you both a wrap.
21:08I had no idea how much Ivy'd seen.
21:10I shot to my feet, and the next instant the world tilted.
21:14Everything went dark.
21:18When I woke up with a splitting headache, it was already morning.
21:21I suddenly remembered.
21:23I'd promised Martha to visit Case's father's grave.
21:26It was late.
21:27I started rushing around for my things.
21:31Leah, don't worry.
21:33The driver is still getting the car ready.
21:35Ivy, was it you who brought me back last night?
21:39No.
21:40The Alpha carried you back.
21:42I spun around to check her face.
21:45She nodded, completely serious.
21:48I didn't say anything stupid, did I?
21:51Ivy bid back a smile.
21:53The Alpha set you down on the bed,
21:55and you grabbed his sleeve and wouldn't let go.
21:58You kept calling him my mate, over and over,
22:02until his whole face went red.
22:05Ivy, don't you dare make things up.
22:08She covered her mouth, laughing, and ran out.
22:11I met Martha at the front entrance.
22:14Case's father's grave was on a hillside just beyond the pack territory.
22:18I sat in the back of the car, completely distracted,
22:22replaying the moment I'd kissed Case last night.
22:25Martha must have misread my expression because she said,
22:29Leah, is there someone you have feelings for?
22:35I've noticed you've been avoiding Case these past few days.
22:39Please don't be upset with me for pushing you two together at dinner last night.
22:44I thought if the two of you couldn't be mates,
22:46you could at least be friends.
22:47But if you're uncomfortable, or if you want to leave,
22:51just say, I'll have him sever the bond.
22:53I won't let you be trapped here.
22:55Mom, no.
22:56It's not that.
22:58I was thinking about something else.
23:00What is it?
23:00I was still figuring out how to answer when the car lurched.
23:03The engine screamed.
23:04The car swung hard.
23:06Tires off the road, crashing through brush, the whole frame shaking.
23:09I grabbed Martha and looked at the driver.
23:11Slumped over the wheel.
23:13Unconscious.
23:14No one to hit the brakes.
23:15A cliff, straight ahead.
23:17Martha grabbed my arm.
23:18Leah, what do we do?
23:21We jump.
23:21Now.
23:22We'll be hurt.
23:24We'll die if we don't.
23:25Hold on to me.
23:26I wrapped myself around her, and we threw ourselves clear the instant the wheels left solid ground.
23:30We hit the cliff edge and went over.
23:32My hand shot out and caught a root jutting from the rock face.
23:35My other hand locked around Martha's wrist.
23:37Below her was a straight drop into nothing.
23:41Mom.
23:42Don't look down.
23:43Don't look down.
23:44Hold on to me.
23:45Ivy and the others are right behind us.
23:47Behind us in the second car.
23:50They'll be here soon.
23:51The root ground under our weight.
23:54Martha's voice broke.
23:57Leah.
23:57Let me go.
23:59We're too heavy.
24:01It's going to snap.
24:05I'm old.
24:07I've lived my life.
24:09You have to keep living yours.
24:12My chest tightened so hard I could barely breathe.
24:15I couldn't let go.
24:17She'd been a mother to me from the first day.
24:21Mom.
24:22I would rather die with you than watch you fall.
24:26Hold on.
24:30They're coming.
24:31The truth was, I had no idea.
24:35My arms were going numb.
24:37The pain had gone so deep it had stopped feeling like pain at all.
24:41Then I heard it.
24:44A wolf's howl split the air.
24:47Deafening and close.
24:50Leah.
24:51Don't move.
24:52I'm coming down.
24:53Case's voice.
24:55He'd called me by my name.
24:57The first time.
24:59A strong arm came under me.
25:02He'd climbed down the cliff face.
25:04Wolf claws dug into the rock.
25:06He untied the rope from his own body and looped it around my waist.
25:11Then climbed down further and did the same for Martha.
25:15The people above pulled together.
25:17We came up one at a time.
25:20It wasn't a hallucination.
25:22Case had saved us.
25:24He held me, brow creased.
25:29Why is there so much blood?
25:31Martha clutched her face.
25:33She shielded me when we jumped.
25:35I didn't get a scratch.
25:38It's all hers.
25:41My eyelids felt like lead.
25:43Leah.
25:44Don't sleep.
25:46I'm taking you to Ella.
25:47He lifted me into the car and I stayed curled against his chest.
25:51His forehead was damp with sweat.
25:54He kept one hand on the wheel and kept talking.
25:57Leah.
25:58Leah.
25:59Leah.
26:00Stay awake.
26:01I'll get you chestnut cake.
26:03I'll give you all the jewelry you want to sell.
26:05You don't have to wait for me to die.
26:07I'll write the bond release today.
26:09You can leave whenever you want.
26:11My chest kept clenching.
26:13Something wet hit my face.
26:15I looked up at the sky through the windshield.
26:18It wasn't raining.
26:20Then everything went black.
26:22When I opened my eyes, every part of my body felt like it had been taken apart and put back
26:26wrong.
26:27My Luna.
26:28The pack healer said you can't move yet.
26:30Ivy pressed a bowl of medicine to my lips, spooning it in slowly.
26:34You're lucky nothing's broken.
26:36Her voice was steady, but her eyes were red.
26:38The scrapes were bad.
26:38You need to stay flat or they'll scar.
26:41Your shoulder was dislocated too.
26:43She kept talking.
26:44My eyes had already drifted to the door.
26:46After I finished the medicine, I asked.
26:49Where's Case?
26:50Investigating.
26:51Someone poisoned the driver with wolf bite and cut the brake lines.
26:54It was deliberate.
26:55Who would be bold enough to target the Alpha's family directly?
26:58I was flat on my back for a full month.
27:00I didn't see Case once.
27:02Martha kept her door shut too, still recovering from the shock.
27:05Everyone in the estate moved with tight faces and clipped voices,
27:08like something was being held just below the surface.
27:11I asked Ivy.
27:12She said nothing was wrong.
27:14Today, I was finally cleared to get out of bed.
27:16I opened my door and walked straight into a familiar figure.
27:20Case.
27:20Dark tactical shirt.
27:22Sharper than I remembered.
27:23He held out a small wooden box.
27:25I took it and lifted the lid.
27:27A land deed.
27:28A property contract.
27:30A severance letter.
27:31My body went rigid.
27:32Something locked around my chest and wouldn't let go.
27:35Case!
27:36Are you throwing me out?
27:38You've been waiting for this since the day you arrived.
27:41You avoided me, stayed out of my way.
27:43You never wanted anything to do with me.
27:44You were counting down the days until I died so you could walk out cleanly.
27:48I'm just doing it early.
27:50Leah, go.
27:52After today, we're finished.
27:53Something sharp flooded my chest.
27:56My mouth opened and closed.
27:58It took a long time to get anything out.
28:02So that's what you think of me?
28:06Leave now.
28:07I don't want to see you anymore.
28:09Case disappeared around the corner of the yard.
28:11Estate guards all but pushed me out the door.
28:14Ivy fell in to step beside me and the Alpha said you're used to having me around.
28:17He told me to go with you.
28:20I couldn't speak.
28:25We moved into a small house on the edge of the territory.
28:29By morning, the pack's official announcement had gone up.
28:32The announcement said Case had betrayed the pack.
28:34The announcement said he had betrayed the pack.
28:37That he had leaked the Border Patrol routes to a rogue faction.
28:41By order of the Lycan King, royal enforcers had been dispatched to seize him, pending investigation.
28:47Case was being held in the dungeons under royal guard.
28:50The estate was locked down.
28:53Everyone inside was under scrutiny.
28:56Case would never betray his pack.
28:58He would die before he did something like that.
29:00He rushed to get me out.
29:01That was why.
29:02That was the only reason.
29:05Ivy was pacing circles around the living room.
29:07She'd grown up inside the estate.
29:09She couldn't stand still.
29:11Is there anything we can do?
29:13I made myself sit down and think.
29:16Years ago, Elder Reed's youngest child had gotten lost in the forest and been bitten by a snake.
29:21I'd found him and used the right herbs to treat the wound.
29:25Elder Reed had arrived while I was still crouched over the boy.
29:28He'd seen my face.
29:29I was sure he hadn't forgotten.
29:31I tracked him down outside the council building and stepped into his pack.
29:35Elder Reed, you remember me.
29:37I need a favor.
29:39He looked at me for a long moment.
29:41Then he nodded.
29:42Elder Reed led me into the dungeon.
29:44Thirty minutes.
29:45No more.
29:46The door unlocked.
29:47Case stood up.
29:48His eyes flashed with surprise.
29:49How did you get in?
29:51My chest ached as I looked at him through the blur of tears.
29:54That's why you kicked me out, isn't it?
29:56You were framed.
29:58Think carefully.
29:58Is there any evidence to prove your innocence?
30:01I will find it.
30:02I will investigate.
30:03I swear I will rescue you.
30:06Case's gaze deepened.
30:07Then his arm shot out and pulled me into his chest.
30:09Leah.
30:10My heart hammered.
30:12But time was running out.
30:13This wasn't the moment.
30:15I pushed against him.
30:16He didn't budge.
30:17Leah, you don't need to do anything.
30:18I can't say much.
30:21I promise.
30:23Seven days later, I will accompany you to watch the sunrise.
30:27Okay?
30:28His eyes were steady.
30:29Certain.
30:30Like he was coaxing a frightened pup.
30:33I walked out of the dungeon and straight into Brad.
30:39He stepped into my path.
30:41Slow smile spreading across his face.
30:43It's not too late to reconsider.
30:45Being my mistress beats being alone and disgraced.
30:49I swung my hand and slapped him across the face.
30:51He lunged for me.
30:52I stepped sideways and put distance between us.
30:54Try that again and every note you sent me ends up in front of Chloe's father.
30:58Every single one.
30:59You've been whispering in her ear for years, haven't you?
31:02Trying to get me pushed out, thinking I'd have nowhere to go and no choice but to run to you.
31:05But you never counted on Chloe handing me straight to Case.
31:08A man you can't touch.
31:10His face changed.
31:11I didn't wait for him to recover.
31:12I walked away and didn't look back.
31:14A wolf like that.
31:15The further the better.
31:17I didn't sleep well for the next five days.
31:19Case's voice kept coming back to me.
31:21I promise.
31:23Seven days later, I will accompany you to watch the sunrise.
31:25Okay?
31:26On the afternoon of the sixth day, the Lichen King's official decree went up across the territory.
31:30The leak hadn't come from Case.
31:32It had come from Prince Marcus and his allies.
31:36The truth is finally revealed.
31:40The Lichen King had not yet named his heir.
31:42Both Prince Caden and Prince Marcus were in the running.
31:45Case was Prince Caden's most powerful ally, the Alpha who commanded the most powerful pack.
31:49Taking Case down was the cleanest way to clear the path to the throne.
31:52Prince Marcus had planted a spy inside the Blackwood pack, used him to steal the border patrol routes,
31:57then framed Case for it.
31:58So the injury had been faked.
32:00All of it.
32:00A deliberate trap to draw out the spy.
32:02But why fake being unable to mate?
32:05I turned that over in my mind all night and couldn't land on an answer.
32:08Dawn was just breaking when someone knocked at the door.
32:10I didn't think.
32:11I just ran.
32:12I threw the door open and walked straight into Case's chest.
32:15He went completely still.
32:16Then his arms came around me, slow and deliberate, and pulled me in hard.
32:20I'd run out in nothing but a thin sleep shirt.
32:22No warning.
32:23Through the thin fabric I could feel everything.
32:25The hard muscle of his chest.
32:27His arms locked tight around me.
32:29I pressed my hands against his chest and tried to step back.
32:32Leah.
32:32His voice dropped low.
32:34I'm back.
32:35Our eyes locked.
32:36The heat between us was thick enough to touch.
32:38Then he lifted me off the ground and carried me straight toward the bedroom.
32:41I beat a fist against his chest.
32:43Weren't we supposed to watch the sunrise?
32:47You first.
32:49Sunrise after.
32:50We fell onto the bed together.
32:51We fell onto the bed together.
32:51¡Gracias!
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