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