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00:02I was born with heavy breasts and lush curves my half-sister Chloe was afraid her
00:07mate Brad would go feral over me so she sold me to an impotent alpha she patted
00:13my shoulder who knows maybe he's good at other things three months later I was
00:21begging for mercy every night funny he seemed good at everything
00:28case valerius the blackwood packs alpha the lycan king's most trusted war commander he was carried
00:34back from the battlefield soaked in blood someone suggested a mate bond shares life force if alpha
00:40case was bound to a living healthy mate her strength could flow into him and pull him back
00:45Chloe rushed to play matchmaker and presented me to Martha before I could object I had no way to
00:49refuse if I wouldn't agree she'd transfer me to serve 60 year old elder Kevin I knew she resented
00:55my history with her mate I dropped to my knees and swore to the moon goddess I swear Chloe I
01:02had no
01:02feelings for Brad Chloe jabbed a finger at my forehead fury in her eyes what good is a vow do
01:08you have any idea how distracting you are I hunched my shoulders tears slid down on my cheeks just look
01:15at that ample body and those charming curves parading your body in front of every male in the clan who
01:21among them would not lose their minds at the smell of you I wanted to tell her to bind my
01:26chest I'd
01:27wrapped myself layer after layer in the sweltering heat until I broke out in a rash her expression
01:31softened she wiped my tears it's not that I don't trust you it's that I don't trust males do you
01:39know
01:39how powerful alpha cases if my mother and Martha weren't old friends you wouldn't even have this
01:45opportunity Chloe I don't want to be anyone's offering I'd rather scrub kitchen floors just don't
01:52make me two sharp slaps landed across my face my cheek burned Leah are you out of your mind if
02:01I
02:01hadn't vouched for you Martha wouldn't have given you a second glance you wouldn't even be worthy of
02:06being cases mate the maid burst in breathless miss Chloe word from the valerius estate alpha case has
02:13woken up Chloe dragged me straight to valerius estate enormous I followed her through the main
02:19hall to a set of heavy double doors pulled half shut through the gap I could make out a man's
02:24shape
02:24in the bed thin motionless chest rattling with shallow coughs every few minutes Martha stood on
02:29our side eyes red thank you for everything you've done for case I won't destroy a girl's future over
02:35Chloe's eyes moved quick and calculating it's valerius the bond should still be completed Leah arrived the
02:41same day case woke up that's the moon goddess guiding us seal the bond properly her life force
02:48will keep pulling him back toward health before she could speak the healer Ella stepped out expression
02:52tight alpha case has regained consciousness but an arrow struck his inner thigh during battle
03:00I'm afraid he will no longer be able unable to do what he will no longer be able to get
03:05hard
03:05Martha's knees gave out I caught her before she hit the floor she looked up at me with hollowed eyes
03:11Leah knowing this are you still willing yes she's been looking forward to it Chloe was already
03:18answering for me of course she is she's just an omega with no prospects she should be grateful
03:24I didn't speak right away my mind went to my past there was a young wolf in the poor quarter
03:30behind
03:30our estate I first saw him through the fence gaps thin wrists hollow cheeks hunched over a cracked
03:37bowl with nothing in it I started passing food through the gaps bread first then soup then whatever
03:42I had day after day I watched him change the hollows in his cheeks filled out his shoulders broadened he
03:50started training before dawn running laps around the back wall while I was still half asleep he was going
03:55to enter the warrior trials I knew it before he told me when he passed I went to find him
04:00that same
04:01night I was happy I remember it clearly I was genuinely happy I knocked on the gate he didn't
04:06open it his voice came Leah I'm betrothed now it wouldn't be proper then a soft thud in the dirt
04:11at
04:11my feet a pouch of silver consider my debt repaid I stood there for a moment then I picked it
04:16up and
04:16walked away that wolf became Chloe's mate Brad I acted like I'd never known him Chloe found out anyway
04:24I snapped back to reality I gathered my skirts and knelt in front of Martha my lady I'm willing I'll
04:31complete the bond care for case and serve you as long as you need me Luna Martha kept her word
04:38and
04:38prepared a dignified mating dress for me Chloe deliberately chose a day when Brad was away
04:42on pack business to send me off she walked me to the door guilt on her face even though case
04:47can't get
04:47hard at least you'll be spared the pain of bearing pups don't worry an alpha who can't perform in
04:55that area is probably exceptional in every other honestly none of what Chloe said had even crossed my
05:00mind I told myself I was simply moving to a new household case was too weak to stand through the
05:06full mate blessing ritual I completed the bond rights beside his ceremonial sword instead Martha
05:12watched from the front eyes wet the whole time when it was done I was alpha cases mate the mating
05:19chamber was quiet I pushed the door open carefully case was already inside half reclined against the
05:25headboard in a white bathrobe he turned when he heard me up close he was strikingly handsome sharp jaw
05:32dark eyes the kind of face that didn't need color in it to hold attention I had no intention of
05:38taking a
05:38mate he said with a low voice if it doesn't trouble you we can treat this as a sibling arrangement
05:44he
05:45pointed to the chaise along the far wall tonight the bed is yours I'll take that tomorrow you move to
05:52the guest quarters all right I nodded he had thought of everything it wasn't what I'd expected before the
05:58ritual one of the older maids had pulled me aside and pressed something into my hands a small handbook
06:04worn at the corners she'd whispered with a strange look there are other ways between mates
06:10you might find it useful I had no idea what she meant until I opened it heat pooled in my
06:16core just
06:16from looking at the pages is it too hot case was watching me from the bed eyes direct unblinking
06:24the dress is heavy I'm a little warm then wash up and rest he pulled the blanket over himself and
06:31turned toward the wall within minutes his breathing evened out I set the handbook down on the vanity
06:37and took down my hair then the layered robes piece by piece until I was standing in nothing but my
06:42nightgown I turned to the mirror the thin fabric clung to every curve heavy breasts straining against
06:49the cloth slim waist giving way to the flare of my hips I walked straight into case's gaze he wasn't
06:55asleep his chest rose hard the tips of his ears went red his throat worked as he swallowed
07:01I grabbed my outer robe and pressed it against my chest alpha I thought you were asleep a long
07:08pause I could sleep later my breath hitched he rose slowly to his feet his tall frame casting a shadow
07:27the handbook's images came flooding in my breathing shifted without me meaning it to somehow falling
07:32into the same rhythm as his then case turned and walked to the door the moment cool night air rushed
07:38in I snapped back to my senses he'd already disappeared into the darkness I turned it over
07:43in my mind when he'd looked at me just now his eyes had flashed with something unmistakably like shock
07:50had my figure actually frightened him before I lay down I made a firm decision tomorrow morning I was
07:56binding my chest at least one full loop tighter I was hovering somewhere between sleep and waking when
08:02case slipped back in the tips of his hair still beaded with water he'd apparently gone to shower by
08:07morning he was already gone Ivy came in to help me dress from the corridor outside came the sound of
08:13a man once then again Martha's headmaid's voice carried clearly through the door alpha case why didn't
08:22you call someone to heat the water it's already summer but the nights are still cold of course you've
08:27caught a chill I'll go brew tea right now I glanced at Ivy does the alpha usually take cold showers
08:33I honestly don't know miss I dismissed her and locked the door I wound a strip of cloth tight
08:39over my undergarments then pulled on the most conservative dress I could find in the wardrobe
08:44high neck loose cut heavy fabric then I went to living room case was already there when I arrived
08:51seated beside Martha she lit up the moment she saw me her whole face warm with welcome until case
08:58coughed and the warmth vanished instantly cage I have a few private words for Leah go rest for a
09:05while case rose and left without a word Martha waved me over and took both my hands in hers eyes
09:11glistening sweet girl our case is lucky to have you
09:19the pack healer says the injury drained his life force there's no telling how long he has left
09:25some of the elders suggested I find a child for him to adopt to carry on the bloodline
09:32but if I did that wouldn't I be stealing your whole future from you I'm already grateful you
09:39came into this family to save case I can't let you sacrifice the rest of your life on top of
09:44that
09:44I've thought it through if case's time does come I'll have him issue you a formal mate release
09:49your future stays protected and I'll see to it that you receive property and a place of your
09:55own I reached up and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes chest tight with an ache I
10:00couldn't name Mrs. Valerius thank you for looking out for me I'd come here thinking of myself as
10:05nothing more than a transferred omega servant I never imagined she would think this far ahead on
10:10my behalf my thoughts drifted to the mother I had never known if she had been alive if I had
10:15grown up
10:15under a mother's protection I never would have ended up in any of the situations I'd been through
10:19Martha laughed through her tears look at me I've gone and made you cry too she squeezed my hands
10:26Leah there's no need to be so formal call me mom just like case does she took a breath so
10:32I have a
10:33proposition for you Chloe mentioned you know how to prepare medicinal soups I'd like you to take over
10:38cases daily meals and care I just want him to live a little longer that's my one selfish wish by
10:44the end
10:45her voice had gone rough I nodded I headed to the kitchen to gather ingredients the last time I'd
10:50prepared medicinal soup was several years ago back when Brad was not yet Chloe's mate he'd lost both
10:56parents and lived alone in a rundown unit skipping meals to save every cent for his warrior training
11:02one day I found him collapsed at our back gate and brought him around out of sympathy I dug through
11:07my
11:07mother's old healer journals and prepared medicinal meals for him every day to rebuild his strength
11:13only the two of us ever knew about it from the looks of things he was the one who told
11:17Chloe
11:18just to get me driven out the lengths he had gone to were truly something I carried the steaming soup
11:25to the bedroom and found case directing servants to pack up his belongings alpha what's this about
11:32weren't we agreed that I was moving the guest room his sharply handsome face didn't shift so much as a
11:36fraction I have fewer things it makes more sense for me to move at least eat first I set the
11:42food on the
11:43table he gave it a brief glance and sat down you can leave this kind of thing to the maid
11:50from now on
11:51it's no different coming from me it is different his voice remained flat and cool have ivy bring it from
11:59now on he finished the soup in a few quick swallows said a few words to his servants and swept
12:05past me
12:06in that moment I confirmed one thing alpha case couldn't stand the sight of me I followed his
12:12instructions and had ivy deliver his daily healing meals to the study from then on Martha couldn't stop
12:18singing my praises the pack healer says cases condition has stabilized significantly I can see the
12:24color coming back to his face Leah that's entirely because of you delighted she pressed a gold bracelet
12:30into my hands back in my room I tucked it into my jewelry box which had been slowly filling with
12:36pieces Martha had gifted me since my arrival Leah you never wear any of the of these isn't it a
12:42waste
12:42to just put them away how is it a waste every one of these can be converted to cash that's
12:48my security
12:49fund but lady Martha gave these to you personally are you really going to sell all of them not
12:54right now but if the mate bond is ever severed naturally I'd sell them and keep the money on
12:58hand ivy's expression shifted to pure bewilderment as she turned away she dropped her voice to a murmur
13:08alpha alpha I spun around and met a pair of ink dark eyes Martha's eyesight must truly be failing her
13:15case looked worse than ever case's face was even paler than before his gaze was sharp and cutting
13:21fixed on me with cold precision the look unsettled me completely but I didn't dare let a single trace
13:27of it show alpha is there something you need a journal we looked together I checked the shelves
13:36he checked the writing desk neither of us spoke I spotted the journal pushed to the very back of the
13:41top shelf behind a row of my mother's medical notes I reached up on my toes my fingertips just
13:47grazed the cover case's hand came over mine warm steady he reached past me without effort and closed
13:54his hand around the journal I turned my head his face was right there closer than I'd realized he
14:01was looking down at me then I lost my footing and pitched straight into him my heavy breasts hit his
14:07chest first my waist went straight into his palm his hand catching me before he could react case didn't
14:13step back his ear tips went red his throat worked as he swallowed when he exhaled the breath came out
14:20uneven against the top of my head his eyes flashed gold for a second then green I scrambled upright face
14:27burning your journal he took it without a word and walked out perfect my standing in his eyes had just
14:34sunk even lower after that day I made every effort to avoid crossing paths with case he was injured and
14:40recovering he needed to stay calm but there was one more thing bothering me Brad had been sending
14:45notes three times already I hadn't opened a single one just dropped them in a box then Ivy pressed one
14:51into my hand that morning it's not just a note this time he's here side entrance says he won't leave
14:57until you come out I clenched my fist and walked out I didn't notice the figure that followed from the
15:01far end of the courtyard Brad was standing at the gate Leah you finally came you should be calling me
15:08mrs. Valerius he paused dropped his voice mrs. Valerius do you have any idea how many times you've
15:16put me in an impossible position with these meetings I know I just wanted to tell you I'll be securing
15:23more power in the pack soon I won't need Chloe's father backing me anymore he stepped closer I'll buy
15:29a house Leah come with me anything's better than staying with a dying man he reached for me I stepped
15:36back you want me as your mistress Brad nodded completely serious I laughed why would I give
15:43up being the alpha's mate to be your mistress the whole pack knows case is dying he won't last
15:50and he can't even stand up anymore his eyes dropped deliberately to my chest isn't that a waste
15:58disgust surged through me Brad I will never be anyone's mistress case fought on the front lines
16:05for this pack those injuries are his honor you've benefited from every battle he won and you're
16:12standing here calling him less of a man you're the one who's less come near me again and every note
16:20you've sent goes straight to Chloe how do you think that ends for you his face went white I swung
16:28the
16:28gate shut I turned around and came face to face with case white t-shirt standing less than half a
16:33foot
16:33away his full height bearing down on me alpha I managed a faint edge flickered across his expression
16:38wasn't it my mate just a moment ago why so formal all of a sudden I looked down and started
16:44walking
16:47please don't misunderstand as long as I'm in this estate I honor this bond
16:50completely fast it's getting late I should go make your evening meal I moved to step past him
16:56his hand closed around my arm I lost my footing and pitched straight into him my heavy breasts against
17:01his chest my waist caught in his grip I looked up his face was inches from mine
17:06his eyes were deep and unreadable one tilt forward and our lips would have touched his breath hit my
17:12face warm my breath hitched heat pooled low in my core case swallowed hard as long as I remain in
17:21this
17:21state each word slow deliberate you counting down the days until you can leave
17:27I couldn't exactly tell him I'll leave the day you die no nothing like that I shifted in his grip
17:34alpha you're hurting my arm did you mean every word you said just now I blinked and asked which part
17:40he let out a quiet breath and released me I bolted and I noticed for the first time his face
17:48had actual color in it
17:49his cheeks were just as red as mine that night I had a strange dream case's lips grazed slowly along
17:57my cheek his fingers hooked into the strap of my slip voice dropping to a low murmur does my luna
18:03want
18:03this I nodded like someone completely under a spell then a fierce consuming kiss caught my lips and
18:10wouldn't let go I jolted awake in a tangle of sheets heart still hammering breathless ivy knocked and came
18:18in I asked her to bring a basin of cold water she stared at my sweat damp hair and murmured
18:22it really
18:23is getting hotter I splashed cold water onto my face and then it hit me that first night case cold
18:31shower surely he hadn't also been no impossible he was injured and recovering he was supposed to be
18:39keeping himself calm at midday Martha's attendant arrived Martha would like dinner in the garden
18:44tonight she asks that you be sure to come been making excuses to avoid the main dining hall for
18:49days just to steer clear of case but Martha had gone out of her way to personally extend the invitation
18:54I couldn't say no I stepped into the garden a sprawling rose of Sharon was in full bloom a gust
19:01of
19:01wind shook loose a handful of deep crimson petals drifting down onto the stone table covered with every dish
19:07I loved most Martha smiled and gestured for me to sit case mentioned it's your birthday today he's
19:12the one who asked the kitchen to prepare all of this I looked up and met a pair of burning
19:17intent eyes
19:19heat rushed straight to my face case lit a plate of chestnut cake in front of me without changing his
19:24expression how did you know today was my birthday I'd completely forgotten it myself my birth mother died
19:32bringing me into the world no one had ever once marked the day for me case kept his eyes lowered
19:38and said evenly
19:39it's not difficult to know it something in my chest gave one quiet inexplicable pull
19:46Leah this peach blossom wine is from my private reserve I'm opening it just for you but you two had
19:52better
19:52not drink too much she pushed back her chair said the summer evening breeze was too much for her old
19:57bones and left the garden went quiet
20:01to avoid the silence I put my head down and drank one cup then another then another the wine was
20:08sweet and
20:08dangerously potent before long the edges of everything had gone soft and blurry case watched me but said
20:15nothing by the third glass I'd stopped feeling the awkward silence by the fourth I'd stopped feeling much of
20:22anything I reached across the table toward the last piece of chestnut cake the dish was empty I looked
20:28up where's the last piece I ate it I have absolutely no idea where the boldness came from I leaned
20:35straight
20:36toward his face who told you to eat that spit it back out I pressed against his chest trying to
20:43peer
20:43into his mouth case looked down at me perfectly calm you won't find it that way I straightened up and
20:50stared at him then how am I supposed to find it a faint flush crept across his cheeks try using
20:57your mouse my gaze drifted to his slightly reddened lips I swallowed once and kissed him without
21:03hesitation case went rigid his breathing lurching unsteady then control shifted his hand cupped the back
21:10of my head and he pressed in deeper harder neither of us pulled away until footsteps sounded from behind
21:16the flower bed alpha the night air is cool lady martha asked me to bring you both a wrap I
21:24had no idea
21:25how much ivy'd seen I shot to my feet and the next instant the world tilted everything went dark
21:33when I woke up with a splitting headache it was already morning I suddenly remembered I'd promised
21:39Martha to visit case's father's grave it was late I started rushing around for my things
21:47leah don't worry the driver is still getting the car ready ivy was it you who brought me back last
21:54night
21:55no the alpha carried you back I spun around to check her face she nodded completely serious
22:04I didn't say anything stupid did I ivy bit back a smile the alpha set you down on the bed
22:12and you grabbed his sleeve and wouldn't let go you kept calling him my mate over and over until his
22:19whole face went red ivy don't you dare make things up she covered her mouth laughing and ran out
22:28I met Martha at the front entrance case's father's grave was on a hillside just beyond the pack territory
22:35I sat in the back of the car completely distracted replaying the moment I'd kissed case last night
22:42Martha must have misread my expression because she said leah is there someone you have feelings for
22:52I've noticed you've been avoiding case these past few days please don't be upset with me for
22:58pushing you two together at dinner last night I thought if the two of you couldn't be mates you
23:03could at least be friends but if you're uncomfortable or if you want to leave just say I'll have him
23:09sever
23:09the bond I won't let you be trapped here mom no it's not that I was thinking about something else
23:16what is it I was still figuring out how to answer when the car lurched the engine screamed the car
23:21swung hard tires off the road crashing through brush the whole frame shaking I grabbed Martha and looked
23:26at the driver slumped over the wheel unconscious no one to hit the brakes a cliff straight ahead
23:34Martha grabbed my arm Leah what do we do we jump now we'll be hurt we'll die if we don't
23:42hold on to me
23:43I wrapped myself around her and we threw ourselves clear the instant the wheels left solid ground
23:47we hit the cliff edge and went over my hand shot out and caught a root jutting from the rock
23:52face
23:52my other hand locked around Martha's wrist below her was a straight drop into nothing
23:58mom don't look down don't look down hold on to me
24:02ivy and the others are right behind us behind us in the second car they'll be here soon
24:09the root ground under our weight Martha's voice broke
24:14leah let me go we're too heavy it's going to snap
24:22i'm old i've lived my life you have to keep living yours my chest tightened so hard i could barely
24:32breathe
24:33i couldn't let go she'd been a mother to me from the first day
24:39mom i would rather die with you than watch you fall hold on
24:48they're coming
24:50the truth was i had no idea my arms were going numb the pain had gone so deep it had
24:57stopped feeling
24:57like pain at all then i heard it a wolf's howl split the air deafening and close
25:08leah don't move i'm coming down case's voice he'd called me by my name the first time
25:17a strong arm came under me he'd climbed down the cliff face wolf claws dug into the rock
25:25he untied the rope from his own body and looped it around my waist
25:29then climbed down further and did the same for Martha
25:33the people above pulled together we came up one at a time it wasn't a hallucination
25:40case had saved us he held me brow creased
25:47why is there so much blood martha clutched her face she shielded me when we jumped i didn't get
25:55a scratch it's all hers my eyelids felt like lead leah don't sleep i'm taking you to ella
26:05he lifted me into the car and i stayed curled against his chest his forehead was damp with
26:12sweat he kept one hand on the wheel and kept talking leah leah leah stay awake i'll get you chestnut
26:21cake i'll give you all the jewelry you want to sell you don't have to wait for me to die
26:25i'll write the bond release today you can leave whenever you want
26:29my chest kept clenching something wet hit my face i looked up at the sky through the windshield
26:36it wasn't raining then everything went black when i opened my eyes every part of my body felt like
26:42it had been taken apart and put back wrong my luna the pack healer said you can't move yet ivy
26:47pressed
26:48a bowl of medicine to my lips spooning it in slowly you're lucky nothing's broken her voice was steady
26:54but her eyes were red the scrapes were bad you need to stay flat or they'll scar your shoulder
26:59was dislocated she kept talking my eyes had already drifted to the door after i finished the medicine
27:05i asked where's case investigating someone poisoned the driver with wolf bite and cut the brake lines
27:11it was deliberate who would be bold enough to target the alpha's family directly i was flat on my
27:16back for a full month i didn't see case once martha kept her door shut too still recovering from the
27:22shock
27:22everyone in the estate moved with tight faces and clipped voices like something was being held just
27:27below the surface i asked ivy she said nothing was wrong today i was finally cleared to get out of
27:33bed i opened my door and walked straight into a familiar figure case dark tactical shirt sharper than
27:40i remembered he held out a small wooden box i took it and lifted the lid a land deed a
27:46property contract
27:47a severance letter my body went rigid something locked around my chest and wouldn't let go
27:52case are you throwing me out you've been waiting for this since the day you arrived
27:58you avoided me stayed out of my way you never wanted anything to do with me you were counting down
28:03the
28:03days until i died so you could walk out cleanly i'm just doing it early leah go after today we're
28:10finished something sharp flooded my chest my mouth opened and closed it took a long time to get
28:17anything out so that's what you think of me leave now i don't want to see you anymore case disappeared
28:27around the corner of the yard estate guards all but pushed me out the door ivy fell in to step
28:32beside
28:32me and the alpha said you're used to having me around he told me to go with you
28:38i couldn't speak
28:43we moved into a small house on the edge of the territory
28:47by morning the pack's official announcement had gone up the announcement said case had betrayed
28:51the pack the announcement said he had betrayed the pack that he had leaked the border patrol routes
28:56to a rogue faction by order of the lichen king royal enforcers had been dispatched to seize him
29:03pending investigation case was being held in the dungeons under royal guard the estate was locked
29:10down everyone inside was under scrutiny case would never betray his pack he would die before he did
29:17something like that he rushed to get me out that was why that was the only reason ivy was pacing
29:24circles
29:24around the living room she'd grown up inside the estate she couldn't stand still is there anything
29:30we can do i made myself sit down and think years ago elder reed's youngest child had gotten lost in
29:37the forest and been bitten by a snake i'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 he'd seen my face i was sure he
29:48hadn't
29:48forgotten i tracked him down outside the council building and stepped into elder reed you remember
29:55me i need a favor he looked at me for a long moment then he nodded elder reed led me
30:01into the dungeon
30:0230 minutes no more the door on the case stood up his eyes flashed with surprise how did you get
30:08in
30:09my chest ached as i looked at him through the blur of tears that's why you kicked me out isn't
30:14it
30:14you were framed think carefully is there any evidence to prove your innocence
30:19i will find it i will investigate i swear i will rescue you case's gaze deepened then his arm shot
30:26out and pulled me into his chest leah my heart hammered but time was running out this wasn't the
30:33moment i pushed against him he didn't budge leah you don't need to do anything i can't say much
30:40i promise seven days later i will accompany you to watch the sunrise okay his eyes were steady certain
30:48like he was coaxing a frightened pup i walked out of the dungeon and straight into brad
30:58he stepped into my path slow smile spreading across it's not too late to reconsider
31:04being my mistress beats being alone and disgraced i swung my hand and slapped him across the face
31:10he lunged for me i stepped sideways and put distance between us try that again and every note you sent
31:15me ends up in front of chloe's father every single one you've been whispering in her ear for years
31:20haven't you trying to get me pushed out thinking i'd have nowhere to go and no choice but to run
31:24to you
31:24but you never counted on chloe handing me straight to case a man you can't touch his face changed i
31:30didn't wait for him to recover i walked away and didn't look back a wolf like that the further the
31:35better i didn't sleep well for the next five days case's voice kept coming back to me i promise
31:42seven days later i will accompany you to watch the sunrise okay on the afternoon of the sixth day
31:47the liking king's official decree went up across the territory the leak hadn't come from case
31:52it had come from prince marcus and his allies the truth is finally revealed
31:59the lichen king had not yet named his heir both prince caden and prince marcus were in the running
32:03case was prince caden's most powerful ally the alpha who commanded the most powerful pack taking case
32:09down was the cleanest way to clear the path to the throne prince marcus had planted a spy inside the
32:13blackwood pack used him to steal the border patrol routes then framed case for it so the injury had been
32:18faked all of it a deliberate trap to draw out the spy but why fake being unable to mate i
32:24turned that
32:25over in my mind all night and couldn't land on an answer dawn was just breaking when someone knocked
32:29at the door i didn't think i just ran i threw the door open and walked straight into case's chest
32:34he went completely still then his arms came around me slow and deliberate and pulled me in hard i'd
32:39run out in nothing but a thin sleep shirt no warning through the thin fabric i could feel
32:44everything the hard muscle of his chest his arms locked tight around me i pressed my hands against
32:50his chest and tried to step back leah his voice dropped low i'm back our eyes locked the heat
32:56between us was thick enough to touch then he lifted me off the ground and carried me straight
33:00toward the bedroom i beat a fist against his chest weren't we supposed to watch the sunrise
33:07you first sunrise after we fell onto the bed together
33:14case pinned me beneath him one hand working the buttons of my sleep shirt open eyes never leaving
33:19mine i covered his eyes with both hands don't look it's embarrassing he took my hands down his
33:26breathing had gone ragged it's beautiful his eyes were bright and fixed my skin went hot everywhere he
33:33touched i pressed my palm flat against his chest hard muscle warm skin healer said you couldn't get
33:39hard how is any of this possible lips dragging slowly along my jaw to my ear you want to know
33:44if i can
33:45there's one way to find out he kissed me one hand cupping my face tilting it up toward him
33:51i kissed him back hard my hand slid up his chest over his shoulders gripping his arms he pressed me
33:58further
33:58into the mattress his weight settling over me the heat built fast and took over completely my hands
34:04went slack he caught them laced his fingers through mine and pinned them above my head he loves me very
34:11much and completely occupies me my face gradually became rosy and we could only hear each other's
34:18heartbeats and breathing his lips dragged from my mouth to my jaw down the side of my neck slow and
34:24unhurried
34:25then he stopped his canines pierced my mating gland a second of sharp white hot pain and then it was
34:32done i lay there chest heaving fingers still tangled in his on my neck his mark ached finally we weren't
34:40just mates on paper anymore after the estate lockdown was lifted case took me to meet prince kaden a slow
34:47smile spreading across his face so you're the woman who brought case to his knees i've been wanting to meet
34:52you you flatter me your highness case helped the kingdom take down a real threat you stood by him
34:58through all of it i'll host an official luna ceremony for you and when that day comes i'll have a
35:03gift
35:03ready thank you your highness don't blame case leah faking the injury was always part of the plan
35:13too many enemies wanted him dead the only way to keep him safe was to make them think he was
35:18already
35:18finished part about not being able to get hard that was my idea i gave the pack doctor that order
35:24for
35:24myself we grew up together i know exactly how he is never any interest in women never any weakness
35:33i figured it was time someone did something about that suddenly i understood just two old friends and
35:38one very elaborate prank the car accident that was prince marcus as well they intended it to look like
35:45an accident they didn't expect to hurt you in the process luna leah it's been dealt with you and case
35:51are safe now i took a slow breath knowing it was over didn't make the memory of dangling off that
36:00cliff
36:01any less vivid we got back to the estate to find chloe already inside crying she walked an hour ago
36:06and
36:06hasn't stopped martha is getting a headache from it i told case to go to his study i'd handle it
36:13i sat down next to chloe face red eyes swollen word had already spread brad had been identified as one
36:19of prince marcus's informants chloe's father had been cleared but chloe and brad were finished
36:25still crying i'll have someone throw you out she stopped immediately still shaking but quiet i misjudged
36:32him i thought picking someone from a lower ranked family meant he'd be easy to manage i didn't think
36:39he'd be like this i told you he wasn't a good person you didn't say it clearly enough i rolled
36:45my
36:45eyes i wasn't a powerless omega anymore i didn't have to hold back
36:54were you ever angry at me for how i treated you back then no i cursed you in my head
37:01but i don't hold
37:02grudges you cursed me do you want to punish me for it chloe laughed despite herself then caught
37:08herself and pressed her lips together i'm sorry for the slap did it hurt i already forgot about it
37:13then let me slap you back we'll be even she closed her eyes and braced herself i raised my hand
37:19and let
37:19it land soft against her cheek she opened her eyes i already gave that slap to brad chloe stared at
37:28me
37:28for a second then she laughed really laughed for the first time since she'd walked in don't call me
37:33chloe anymore can we be friends no i don't like friends who cry too much the light was still on
37:42when
37:42i passed case study i pushed the door open before i could say a word an arm shot out from
37:47behind and
37:47wrapped around my waist bold intruder his voice dropped low against my ear you think you can just
37:52walk into the alpha's office the alpha's mate is right here and you still dare make a move case
37:58played it straight his lips found my neck here really right here i kept saying no my hand said something
38:07else entirely finding their way to his back he murmured against my ear you have no idea how many
38:13times i thought about this in this room i wanted to say something back but his hand was already moving
38:19and i couldn't get a single word out he carried me to the table and took off my clothes then
38:24we had a
38:25good time when i woke up it was almost dawn case was already awake sitting up against the headboard
38:37watching me his eyes were soft in a way that made it hard to look back morning i sat up
38:42and rubbed my
38:43eyes then i remembered the sunrise he'd promised the sunrise we still have time he was already up he
38:54picked up my clothes from beside the bed handing them to me he dressed me slowly straightening each
39:00layer with both hands like he'd done it a thousand times before we walked out into the yard cool air
39:05the
39:06smell of pine to the east the sky had just started to lighten at the edges case stood behind me
39:10and
39:11wrapped both arms around me we watched the horizon together the sun came up slowly gold light broke
39:16across the trees spread across the yard and landed on us the clouds caught the color and held it
39:23beautiful close to my ear beautiful he pulled me in tighter and said nothing else he didn't need to
39:30him i'll watch every sunrise and sunset with his voice was quiet against my hair everyone for as long
39:37as we have i turned around and kissed him once quick and light deal the sun came up fully in
39:45the yard
39:45filled with light our shadows stretched long across the ground behind us over the next few days the estate
39:51came back to life servants moved through the halls with easy steps again martha's health improved she called
39:57me in to talk every morning always smiling when i walked through the door one afternoon i was trimming
40:02the plants in the yard when sunny came running over leah chloe is here again she brought a lot of
40:07stuff
40:07with her i set down my shears since the day she'd come in crying chloe had been showing up regularly
40:13she said she was making up for lost time really she just had nothing to do and nowhere to be
40:20let her in i wiped my hands and went to meet her
40:24chloe walked in with two attendants behind her carrying food boxes she changed a lot less
40:29restless she dressed simpler now and moved quieter
40:40i made your favorite chestnut cake i asked the royal kitchen for the recipe this time
40:46better than anything the blackwood kitchen has ever made i took a piece and bit into it sweet
40:52soft better than i expected good thank you so where's case not home he went to the pack training
41:02ground something came up chloe nodded and reached for a piece herself for a while neither of us said
41:07anything just the wind moving through the yard my father wants me to find a new mate i looked up
41:13don't rush for it i know
41:18after brad i don't know how to trust anyone she looked at me something flickering in her eyes
41:23you have a good mate case fights for you protects you and he's the strongest alpha in the kingdom
41:30we just got lucky you can't force these things chloe nodded and didn't say anything else
41:35just ate her chestnut cake the yard went quiet just wind moving through the leaves then she said
41:43that slap do you really not hold it against me really it's in the past no point bringing it up
41:51the truth was i'd already let it go a long time ago she wasn't a bad person just spoiled used
41:57to
41:57getting her way chloe's eyes went red at the edges thank you
42:02when i arranged the mating part of it was because i was scared you and brad would find your way
42:06back
42:06to each other but part of it was genuine i really did think case was a good man that he
42:12wouldn't treat
42:13you badly we looked at each other and smiled all the conflicts were solved i just didn't expect him
42:21to be faking the whole time chloe laughed a little embarrassed it's in the past isn't this better
42:32it is she nodded can we be friends for real i won't be like i was before
42:41sure i nodded something warm moved through my chest
42:44letting go of old grudges and coming out the other side with a friend that wasn't a bad ending we
42:49sat
42:49in the yard for the rest of the afternoon eating and talking pack gossip small things nothing important
42:55the sun came through the leaves and the air was warm and easy when case came back from the training
43:00grounds that evening and saw the two of us surprise crossed his face what are you two happy about
43:06talking about you chloe grinned about what a liar you are faking the whole thing and fooling everyone
43:14case walked over and sat down beside me he reached over and took my hand eyes warm
43:20tricking you into becoming my luna that's the luckiest thing i've ever done my face went red
43:25i gave him a look chloe burst out laughing all right i'm leaving you two alone leah i'll come
43:30by tomorrow sure take care i watched her go case turned to me are you good friend now yes the
43:39past is the
43:40past no point holding on to it he squeezed my hand i'm glad you can think that way he knew
43:46how much i'd
43:47been through watching me let it go and just be happy i could tell it meant something to him
43:52we sat side by side at the stone table and looked out at the sky neither of us said much
43:57we didn't
43:58need to days like this quiet and unhurried became the rhythm of our life case stayed busy with the pack
44:06and with royal matters but he always made time sunrises sunsets he spoiled me until i didn't know what to
44:13do with it martha was healthy and smiling every day the estate was calm and easy again the way it
44:19used to be true to his word prince caden petitioned the lichen king on my behalf at my official luna
44:26ceremony the lichen king's decree was read aloud a formal commendation in front of the entire pack
44:33the estate was lit up and full of noise that day case lifted the veil and placed it over my
44:38head
44:38himself his eyes proud and soft the most beautiful luna then he shifted right there in front of
44:45everyone his wolf was massive dark broad-shouldered still he lowered himself to the ground and waited
44:53i climbed onto his back he 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
45:05one by one the pack answered howl after howl rising into the night sky i thought about everything it
45:12had taken to get here a bastard omega with no wolf no one to speak for her only i knew
45:18how hard the
45:18road had been and all of it every bit of the happiness on the other side of it came from
45:24the
45:24man standing behind me after the ceremony case took me south open land warm air water catching the
45:30afternoon light far from everything that had tried to take us down the rest of our lives stretched
45:36out ahead of us every year every season together after the ceremony life settled into a new rhythm
45:44i stood beside case at every pack meeting every decision every matter that came through the estate
45:49gates his pack was my pack his people were my people but he always made time a weekend drive
45:57with no destination a trail through the forest at dawn wherever he thought i'd want to see
46:02he took me there without being asked the rest of our lives stretched out ahead of us every year every
46:09he took me there without being asked the rest of our lives every season together
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