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