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