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00:00I was born with heavy breasts and lush curbs.
00:03My half-sister Chloe was afraid her mate Brad would go feral over me,
00:07so she arranged for me to be mate of a dying man Alpha Case.
00:10She walked me to the door, guilt written across her face.
00:14Sure, Case's injury means he can't get hard.
00:17At least you'll be spared the agony of burying pups.
00:20Don't worry.
00:21An Alpha who can't perform there is probably exceptional everywhere else.
00:25Three months later, I was begging for mercy every single night.
00:28And I desperately wanted to ask Chloe what exactly she meant by can't get hard.
00:34Case Valerius, the Blackwood Pax Alpha and the Lycan King's most trusted war commander,
00:40was carried back from the battlefield in blood.
00:42His mother Martha had already lost her mate.
00:44Now she was watching her son die.
00:47Someone suggested a deathbed mating.
00:49Healthy mate's strength could flow into him and pull him back.
00:52Chloe rushed to play matchmaker and presented me to Martha before I could object.
00:55I had no way to refuse.
00:57If I wouldn't agree, she'd transfer me to serve 60-year-old Elder Kevin.
01:00I knew she resented my history with her mate.
01:03I swear, I had no feelings for Brad.
01:06What good is a vow?
01:07Do you have any idea how distracting you are?
01:10I hunched my shoulders.
01:11Tears slid down my cheeks.
01:12Parading your body in front of every male in this pack?
01:15Which one of them wouldn't catch your scent and lose his mind?
01:18It's not that I don't trust you, it's that I don't trust males.
01:21Do you know how powerful Alpha Case is?
01:23If my mother and Martha weren't old friends, you won't have this opportunity.
01:27Chloe, I don't want to be anyone's offering.
01:29I'd rather scrub kitchen floors.
01:30Just-
01:30Leah, are you out of your mind?
01:33If I hadn't vouched for you, Martha wouldn't have given you a second glance.
01:36You wouldn't even be worthy of being in Case's mate.
01:39I was about to tell her I'd been binding my chest as tight as possible.
01:43But the maid burst in breathless.
01:45Miss Chloe, word from the Valerius Estate.
01:48Alpha Case has woken up.
01:50Chloe dragged me straight to Valerius Estate.
01:52I followed her through the main hall to a set of heavy double doors pulled half shut.
01:56Through the gap, I could make out a man's shape in the bed.
01:59Thin, motionless, chest rattling with coughs every few minutes.
02:02Chloe.
02:03She clasped Chloe's hand.
02:04Thank you for everything you've done for Case.
02:06I won't destroy a girl's future over it.
02:09Mrs. Valerius, the bond should still be completed.
02:11Leah arrived the same day Case woke up.
02:13That's the moon goddess guiding us.
02:15Seal the bond properly.
02:16Her life force will keep pulling him back towards health.
02:17Before she could speak, the healer Ella stepped out, expression tight.
02:21You can speak freely.
02:22No one here shouldn't hear it.
02:25Alpha Case has regained consciousness, but an arrow struck his inner thigh during battle.
02:30I'm afraid he will no longer be able to-
02:32Unable to do what?
02:33Chloe looked more desperate than Martha.
02:35He will no longer be able to get hard.
02:37Martha's knees gave out.
02:38I caught her before she did before.
02:40She looked up at me with hollowed eyes.
02:42Leah, knowing this, are you still willing?
02:46Of course she is.
02:48She's just an omega with no prospects.
02:50She should be grateful.
02:51Chloe was already answering for me.
02:53I didn't speak right away.
02:54There had been a young wolf in the poor quarter behind our estate.
02:58I first saw him through the offense gaps, thin wrist hollow cheeks hunched over a cracked
03:02bowl with nothing in it.
03:03I started passing food through the gaps, bread first, then soup, then whatever I had, day
03:08after day.
03:08I watched him change.
03:10The hollows in his cheeks filled out.
03:11His shoulders broadened.
03:12He started training before dawn, running laps around the back wall while I was still half
03:16asleep.
03:17When he passed, I went to find him that same night.
03:19I was happy-
03:20Leah, I'm betrothed now.
03:22It wouldn't be proper.
03:23A pouch of silver dropped over the fence into the dirt.
03:26I picked it up and walked away.
03:28Consider my debt repaid.
03:33I gathered my skirts and knelt in front of Martha.
03:36My lady, I'm willing.
03:39I'll complete the bond, care for Case, and serve you as long as you need me.
03:44Luna Martha kept her word and prepared a dignified mating dress for me.
03:49Chloe deliberately chose a day when Brad was away on pack business to send me off.
03:52She walked me to the door.
03:53Even though Case can't get hard, at least you'll be spared the pain of bearing pups.
03:59Don't worry.
04:00An alpha who can't perform in that area is probably exceptional in every other.
04:04Honestly, none of what Chloe said had even crossed my mind.
04:07I told myself I was simply moving to a new household.
04:10Case was too weak to stand through the full mate blessing ritual.
04:13I completed the bond rites beside a ceremonial sword instead.
04:15Martha watched from the front, eyes wet the whole time.
04:18When it was done, I was alpha Case's mate.
04:20The mating chamber was quiet.
04:21I pushed the door open carefully.
04:23Case was already inside, half reclined against the headboard and a white bathrobe collar open at the throat.
04:28Face pale but composed.
04:29He turned when he heard me.
04:30I had no intention of taking a mate.
04:33If it doesn't trouble you, we can treat this as a sibling arrangement.
04:38Tonight the bed is yours.
04:39I'll take that.
04:41Tomorrow you move to the guest quarters.
04:43He had thought of everything.
04:44It wasn't what I'd expected.
04:45Alright.
04:45Before the ritual, one of the older mates had pulled me aside and pressed something into my hands.
04:50There are other ways between mates.
04:53You might find it useful.
04:54I had no idea what she meant until I opened it.
04:57Heat pooled in my core just from looking at the pages.
04:59Is it too hot?
05:01Case was watching me from the bed, eyes direct, unblinking.
05:04The dress is heavy.
05:06I'm a little warm.
05:09Then wash up and rest.
05:11He pulled the blanket over himself and turned toward the wall.
05:13Within minutes, his breathing evened out.
05:15I set the handbook down on the vanity and took down my hair.
05:18Then the layered robes piece by piece until I was standing in nothing but my nightgown.
05:22I turned to the mirror.
05:23The thin fabric clung to every curve.
05:25Heavy breasts straining against the cloth.
05:27Slim waist giving way to the flare of my hips.
05:29I'd spent years trying to hide this body.
05:31In a nightgown at midnight, there was nothing left to hide behind.
05:34I walked straight into Case's gaze.
05:36He wasn't asleep.
05:37His chest rose hard.
05:38The tips of his ears went red.
05:40His throat worked as he swallowed.
05:41I grabbed my outer robe and pressed it against my chest.
05:45Alpha, I thought you were asleep.
05:47A long pause.
05:48Low, restrained, like he was holding something back.
05:51I could sleep later.
05:52My breath hitched.
05:53He rose slowly to his feet, his tall frame casting a shadow over me.
05:57The handbook's images came flooding in.
05:59My breathing shifted without me meaning it to, somehow falling into the same rhythm as his.
06:04Then Case turned and walked to the door.
06:06The moment cool night air rushed in, I snapped back to my senses.
06:09He'd already disappeared into the darkness.
06:12I turned it over in my mind.
06:13When he looked at me just now, his eyes had flashed with something unmistakably like shock.
06:18Had my figure actually frightened him?
06:20Before I lay down, I made a firm decision.
06:23Tomorrow morning, I was binding my chest at least one full loop tighter.
06:27I was hovering somewhere between sleep and waking when Case slipped back in.
06:31The tips of his hair still beaded with water.
06:33He'd apparently gone to shower.
06:34By morning, he was already gone.
06:37Ivy came in to help me dress.
06:38From the corridor outside came the sound of a man sneezing.
06:41Once, then again, then a third time.
06:44Martha's headmaid's voice carried clearly through the door.
06:47Alpha Case, why didn't you call someone to heat the water?
06:51It's already summer, but the nights are still cold.
06:53Of course you've caught a kill.
06:55I'll go brew tea right now.
06:56I glanced at Ivy.
06:57Does the Alpha usually take cold showers?
07:00I honestly don't know, miss.
07:04I dismissed her and locked the door.
07:06I wound a strip of cloth tied over my undergarments,
07:09then pulled on the most conservative dress I could find in the wardrobe.
07:12High neck, loose cut, heavy fabric.
07:14Then I went to living room.
07:15Case was already there when I arrived, seated beside Martha.
07:17She lit up the moment she saw me, her whole face warm with welcome,
07:21until Case coughed and the warmth vanished instantly.
07:24Case, I have a few private words for Leah.
07:26Go rest for a while.
07:28Case rose and left without a word.
07:30Martha waved me over and took both my hands on hers, eyes glistening.
07:34Sweet girl, our Case is lucky to have you.
07:37The warmth faded from her face.
07:39A quiet bitterness crept into her voice.
07:42The pack healer says the injury drained his life force.
07:44There's no telling how long he has left.
07:47Some of the elders suggested I find a child for him to adopt to carry on the bloodline.
07:54But if I did that, wouldn't I be stealing your whole future from you?
08:00I'm already grateful you came into this family to save Case.
08:03I can't let you sacrifice the rest of your life on top of that.
08:06I've thought it through.
08:07If Keisha's time does come, I'll have him issue you a formal mate release.
08:11Your future stays protected.
08:12I reached up and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, chest tight with an ache
08:16I couldn't name.
08:17Mrs. Valerius, thank you for looking out for me.
08:20I had come here thinking of myself as nothing more than a transferred Omega servant.
08:25I never imagined she would think this far ahead on my behalf.
08:28My thoughts drifted to the mother I had never known.
08:30If she had been alive, if I had grown up under a mother's protection, I never would have
08:35ended up in any of the situations I'd been through.
08:37Look at me.
08:37I've gone and made you cry too.
08:39Leah, there's no need to be so formal.
08:41Call me mom, just like Case does.
08:44She squeezed my hands.
08:45Sweetheart, I have one more thing to ask.
08:48Chloe mentioned you know how to prepare medicinal soups.
08:51I'd like you to take over Case's daily meals and care.
08:55I just want him to live a little longer.
08:57That's my one selfish wish.
08:58By the end, her voice had gone rough.
09:01I nodded.
09:01I headed to the kitchen to gather ingredients.
09:05The last time I'd prepared medicinal soup was several years ago, back when Brad was not
09:09yet Chloe's mate.
09:10One day, I found him collapsed at our back gate and brought him around.
09:13Out of sympathy, I dug through my mother's old healer journals and prepared medicinal
09:17meals for him every day to rebuild his strength.
09:19Only the two of us ever knew about it.
09:21From the looks of things, he was the one who told Chloe, just to get me driven out.
09:24The lengths he had gone to were truly something.
09:26I carried the steaming soup to the bedroom and found Case directing servants to pack up
09:30his belongings.
09:34Alpha, what's this about?
09:36Weren't we agreed that I was moving to the guest room?
09:39I have fewer things.
09:40It makes more sense for me to move.
09:41His sharply handsome face didn't shift so much as a fraction.
09:44At least eat first.
09:49You can leave this kind of thing to the maid from now on.
09:56It's no different coming from me.
09:59It is different.
10:02Have Ivy bring it from now on.
10:04He finished the soup in a few quick swallows, said a few words to the servants, and swept
10:09past me.
10:09In that moment, I confirmed one thing.
10:12Alpha Case couldn't stand the sight of me.
10:14I followed his instructions and had Ivy deliver his daily healing meals to the study from then
10:19on.
10:19The pack healer says Case's condition has stabilized significantly.
10:23I can see the color coming back to his face.
10:26Leah, that's entirely because of you.
10:29Back in my room, I tucked it into my jewelry box, which had been slowly filling with pieces
10:34Martha had gifted me since my arrival.
10:36Leah, you never wear any of these.
10:38Isn't it a waste to just put them away?
10:42How is it a waste?
10:44Every one of these can be converted to cash.
10:46That's my security fund.
10:48But Lady Martha gave these to you personally.
10:50Are you really going to sell all of them?
10:52Not right now.
10:54But if the mate bond is ever severed, naturally I'd sell them and keep the money on hand.
10:59Ivy's expression shifted to pure bewilderment.
11:02As she turned away, she dropped her voice to a murmur.
11:05Alpha.
11:07I spun around and met a pair of ink-dark eyes.
11:10Case looked worse than ever.
11:12Case's face was even paler than before.
11:14His gaze was sharp and cutting, fixed on me with cold precision.
11:17The look unsettled me completely, but I didn't dare let a single trace of it show.
11:20Alpha, is there something you need?
11:22A journal.
11:24We looked together.
11:25I checked the shelves.
11:26He checked the writing desk.
11:27Neither of us spoke.
11:28I spotted the journal pushed to the very back of the top shelf behind a row of my mother's
11:32medical notes.
11:33I reached up on my toes.
11:35My fingertips just grazed the cover.
11:37Case's hand came over mine.
11:38Warm.
11:39Steady.
11:40He reached past me without effort and closed his hand around the journal.
11:43I turned my head.
11:44His face was right there.
11:46Closer than I'd realized.
11:49He was looking down at me.
11:50Then I lost my footing and pitched straight into him.
11:53My heavy breasts hit his chest first.
11:55My waist went straight into his palm, his hand catching me before he could react.
11:59Case didn't step back.
12:00His eartips went red.
12:01His throat worked as he swallowed.
12:03When he exhaled, the breath came out uneven against the top of my head.
12:06I scrambled upright, face burning.
12:08Your journal.
12:09He took it without a word and walked out.
12:11Perfect.
12:11My standing in his eyes had just sunk even lower.
12:14After that day, I made every effort to avoid crossing paths with Case.
12:18He was injured and recovering.
12:20He needed to stay calm.
12:21But there was one more thing bothering me.
12:22Brad had been sending notes three times already.
12:24I hadn't opened a single one.
12:26Just dropped them in a box.
12:27Then Ivy pressed one into my hand that morning and lowered my voice.
12:30Just a note this time.
12:31He's here.
12:32Side entrance.
12:33Says he won't leave until you come out.
12:35I clenched my fist and walked out.
12:36I didn't notice the figure that followed from the far end of the courtyard.
12:39Brad was standing at the gate.
12:41You finally came.
12:42You should be calling me Mrs. Valerius.
12:44I said.
12:44He paused.
12:45Mrs. Valerius.
12:46Do you have any idea how many times you've put me in an impossible position with these meetings?
12:51I just wanted to tell you.
12:53I'll be securing more power in the pack.
12:55Soon, I won't need Chloe's father backing me anymore.
12:58He stepped closer.
12:59I'll buy a house, Leah.
13:00Come with me.
13:01Anything's better than staying with a dying man.
13:03He reached for me.
13:04I stepped back.
13:05You want me as your mistress?
13:06I laughed.
13:08Why would I give up being the Alpha's mate to be your mistress?
13:10The whole pack knows Case is dying.
13:12He won't last.
13:14And he can't even get hard anymore.
13:16His eyes drop deliberately to my chest.
13:18Isn't that a waste?
13:19I will never be anyone's mistress.
13:21Those injuries are his honor.
13:23You've benefited from every battle he won, and you're standing here calling him less of a man?
13:28You're the one who's less.
13:29Come near me again, and every note you've sent goes straight to Chloe.
13:33How do you think that ends for you?
13:36His face went white.
13:37I swung the gate shut.
13:39I turned around and came face to face with Case.
13:42White shirt, standing less than half a foot away, his full height bearing down on me.
13:46I managed.
13:48Alpha.
13:48A faint edge flickered across his expression.
13:51Wasn't it my mate just a moment ago?
13:54Why so formal all of a sudden?
13:56Please don't misunderstand.
13:57As long as I'm in this estate, I honor this bond completely.
14:01I looked down and started walking.
14:04Fast.
14:04It's getting late.
14:05I should go make your evening meal.
14:06I moved to step past him.
14:08His hand closed around my arm.
14:10I lost my footing and put straight into it.
14:12My heavy breath reversed his chest.
14:14My waist caught in his breath.
14:15I looked up.
14:16His face was inches from mine.
14:18His eyes were deep and unreadable.
14:20One tilt forward and our lips would have touched.
14:23His breath hit my face.
14:25Warm.
14:25My breath hitched.
14:27Heat pooled low in my core.
14:29Case swallowed hard.
14:30As long as I remain in this estate.
14:32Each word slow.
14:33Deliberate.
14:34Are you counting down the days until you can leave?
14:38I couldn't exactly tell him I'll leave the day you die.
14:40No.
14:41Nothing like that.
14:43Alpha.
14:44I shifted in his grip.
14:45You're hurting my arm.
14:46Did you mean every word you said just now?
14:49I blinked and asked which part.
14:51Which part?
14:52He let out a quiet breath and released me.
14:54I bolted and I noticed for the first time.
14:57His face had actual color in it.
14:59His cheeks were just as red as mine.
15:01That night I had a strange dream.
15:03Case's lips grazed slowly along my cheek.
15:06His fingers hooked into the strap of my slip.
15:08Voice dropping to a low murmur.
15:09Does my Luna want this?
15:11I nodded like someone completely under a spell.
15:13Then a fierce consuming kiss caught my lips and wouldn't let go.
15:17I jolted awake in a tangle of sheets.
15:18Heart still hammering.
15:20Breathless.
15:20Ivy knocked and came in.
15:22I asked her to bring a basin of cold water.
15:24She stared at my sweat damp hair and murmured.
15:26It really is getting hotter.
15:27I splashed cold water onto my face.
15:29And then it hit me that first night.
15:31Case.
15:31Cold shower.
15:32Surely he hadn't also been, no, impossible.
15:34He was injured and recovering.
15:36He was supposed to be keeping himself calm.
15:37At midday, Martha's attendant arrived.
15:39Martha would like dinner in the garden tonight.
15:42She asks that you be sure to come.
15:43I'd been making excuses to avoid the main dining hall for days just to steer clear of
15:47Case.
15:48But Martha had gone out of her way to personally extend the invitation.
15:51I couldn't say no.
15:52I stepped into the garden.
15:53A sprawling rose of Sharon was in full bloom.
15:55A gust of wind shook loose.
15:56A handful of deep crimson petals drifting down onto the stone table.
16:00Martha smiled and gestured for me to say.
16:02Case mentioned it's your birthday today.
16:05He's the one who asked the kitchen to prepare all of this.
16:08I looked up and met a pair of burning, intent eyes.
16:11Heat rushed straight to my face.
16:14Case slid a plate of chestnut cake in front of me without changing his expression.
16:17My birth mother died bringing me into the world.
16:19How did you know today was my birthday?
16:22I'd completely forgotten it myself.
16:24No one had ever once marked the day for me.
16:26It's not difficult to know it.
16:27Something in my chest gave one quiet, inexplicable pull.
16:31Leah, this peach blossom wine is from my private reserve.
16:35I'm opening it just for you.
16:37But you two had better not drink too much.
16:40She pushed back her chair, said the summer evening breeze was too much for her old bones,
16:44and left.
16:45The garden went quiet.
16:46To avoid the silence, I put my head down and drank.
16:49One cup, then another, then another.
16:51The wine was sweet and dangerously potent.
16:53Before long, the edges of everything had gone soft and blurry.
16:56Case watched me, but said nothing.
16:58By the third glass, I'd stopped feeling the awkward silence.
17:00By the fourth, I'd stopped feeling much of anything.
17:04I reached across the table toward the last piece of chestnut cake.
17:08Where's the last piece?
17:09I looked up.
17:10I ate it.
17:11I have absolutely no idea where the boldness came from.
17:14I leaned straight toward his face.
17:16Who told you to eat that?
17:17Spit it back out?
17:18I pressed against his chest, trying to peer into his mouth.
17:21You won't find it that way.
17:22Case looked down at me, perfectly calm.
17:24Then how am I supposed to find it?
17:26I straightened up and stared at him.
17:27A faint flush crept across his cheek.
17:29Try using your mouth.
17:30My gaze drifted to his slightly reddened lips.
17:33I swallowed once and kissed him without hesitation.
17:36Case went rigid, his breathing lurching unsteady.
17:39Then control shifted.
17:40His hand cupped the back of my head and he pressed in deeper, harder.
17:44Alpha, the night air is cool.
17:47Lady Martha asked me to bring you both a wrap.
17:49Neither of us pulled away until footsteps sounded from behind the flowerbed.
17:53I had no idea how much I'd seen.
17:54I shot to my feet.
17:55In the next instant, the world tilted.
17:57Everything went dark.
17:58When I woke up with a splitting headache, it was already morning.
18:01I suddenly remembered I'd promised Martha to visit Case's father's grave.
18:06It was late.
18:07I started rushing around for my things.
18:09Leah, don't worry.
18:10The driver is still getting the car ready.
18:14Ivy, was it you who brought me back last night?
18:17No.
18:18The Alpha carried you back.
18:19I spun around to check her face.
18:20She nodded, completely serious.
18:22I didn't say anything stupid, did I?
18:24Ivy bit back a smile.
18:26Well, the Alpha set you down on the bed and you grabbed his sleeve and wouldn't let go.
18:30You kept calling my mate over and over until his whole face went red.
18:36Ivy, don't you dare make things up!
18:37She covered her mouth, laughing, and ran out.
18:40I met Martha at the front entrance.
18:42Case's father's grave was on a hillside just beyond the pack territory.
18:46I sat in the back of the car, completely distracted, replaying the moment I'd kissed Case last night.
18:51Martha must have misread my expression.
18:54Leah, is there someone you have feelings for?
18:57I've noticed you've been avoiding Case these past few days.
19:01Please, this Farnas Kissening, please don't be upset with me for pushing you two together
19:05at dinner last night.
19:07I thought if the two of you couldn't be mates, you could at least be friends.
19:11But if you're uncomfortable, or if you want to leave, just say.
19:15I'll have him sever the bond.
19:17I won't let you be trapped here.
19:19Mom, no, it's not that.
19:20I was thinking about something else.
19:22What is it?
19:23I was still figuring out how to answer when the car lurched.
19:26The engine screamed.
19:28The car swung hard, with tires off the road crashing through brush, the whole frame shaking.
19:33I grabbed Martha and looked at the driver.
19:34Leah slumped over the wheel, unconscious.
19:37No one to hit the brakes.
19:38I looked straight ahead.
19:40Martha grabbed my arms.
19:41Leah, what do we do?
19:43We jump now.
19:44Whatever hurt you now will be hurt.
19:47We'll die if we don't.
19:48Hold on to me.
19:49I wrapped myself around her, and we threw ourselves clear the instant the wheels left solid ground.
19:54We hit the cliff edge and went over it.
19:56My hand shut out, and caught a roof shut out from the rock face.
19:59My other hand locked around Martha's wrist.
20:02Below her was a straight drop into nothing.
20:06Mom, don't look down.
20:08Hold on to me.
20:10Ivy and the others are right behind us in the second car.
20:12They'll be here soon.
20:13The root groaned under our weight.
20:16Let me go.
20:17We're too heavy.
20:18It's going to snap.
20:20I'm old.
20:21I've lived my life.
20:23You have to keep living yours.
20:26Mom, I would rather die with you than watch you fall.
20:30Hold on.
20:31They're coming.
20:31My arms are going down.
20:33The pain had gone so deep it had stopped feeling my pain at all.
20:37Leah, don't move.
20:38I'm coming down.
20:39He climbed down the cliff face.
20:40A strong arm came under me.
20:43He'd called me by my name the first time.
20:45He untied the rope from his own body and looped it around my waist.
20:48Then climbed down further and did the same for Martha.
20:51The people above pulled together.
20:53We came up one at a time.
20:55It wasn't a hallucination.
20:56Case had saved us.
20:58He held me, brow creased.
21:00Why is there so much blood?
21:02Martha clutched her face, sobbing.
21:04She shielded me when we jumped.
21:06I didn't get a scratch.
21:09It's all hers.
21:11My eyelids felt like lead.
21:19Leah, don't sleep.
21:20I'm taking you to Ella.
21:22He lifted me into the car and I stayed curled against his chest.
21:24His forehead was damp with sweat.
21:26He kept one hand on the wheel and kept talking.
21:28Leah, stay awake.
21:30I'll get you chestnut cake.
21:32I'll give you all the jewelry you want to sell.
21:34You don't have to wait for me to die.
21:38I'll write the bond release today.
21:40You can leave whenever you want.
21:41My chest kept clenching.
21:43Something wet hit my face.
21:45I looked up at the sky through the windshield.
21:48It wasn't raining.
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