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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
00:33back 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
01:02no feelings for Brad Chloe jabbed a finger at my forehead fury in her eyes what good is a vow
01:08do
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
01:20among 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
02:00I
02:01hadn't vouched for you Martha wouldn't have given you a second glance you wouldn't even be worthy of
02:06being case's 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 as valerius the bond should still be completed
02:40Leah arrived the same day case woke up that's the moon goddess guiding us seal the bond properly
02:46her life force will keep pulling him back toward health before she could speak the healer Ella
02:51stepped out expression tight alpha case has regained consciousness but an arrow struck his inner thigh
02:57during battle I'm afraid he will no longer be able to unable to do what he will no longer be
03:04able to get hard Martha's knees gave out I caught her before she hit the floor she looked up at
03:10me
03:10with hollowed eyes Leah knowing this are you still willing yes she's been looking forward to it Chloe
03:17was already answering for me of course she is she's just an omega with no prospects she should be
03:23grateful I didn't speak right away my mind went to my past there was a young wolf in the poor
03:29quarter
03:30behind our estate I first saw him through the fence gaps thin wrists hollow cheeks hunched over a cracked
03:36bowl with nothing in it I started passing food through the gaps bread first then soup then
03:42whatever I had day after day I watched him change the hollows in his cheeks filled out his shoulders
03:49broadened he started training before dawn running laps around the back wall while I was still half
03:54asleep he was going to enter the warrior trials I knew it before he told me when he passed I
04:00went to
04:00find him that same night I was happy I remember it clearly I was genuinely happy I knocked on the
04:05gate
04:05he didn't open it his voice came Leah I'm betrothed now it wouldn't be proper then a soft thud in
04:10the
04:11dirt at my feet a pouch of silver consider my debt repaid I stood there for a moment then I
04:16picked it up
04:16and walked away that wolf became Chloe's mate Brad I acted like I'd never known him Chloe found out
04:23anyway I snapped back to reality I gathered my skirts and knelt in front of Martha my lady I'm willing
04:30I'll complete the bond care for case and serve you as long as you need me
04:35Luna Martha kept her word and prepared a dignified mating dress for me Chloe deliberately chose a day
04:41when Brad was away on pack business to send me off she walked me to the door guilt on her
04:46face
04:46even though case can't get hard at least you'll be spared the pain of bearing pups
04:51don't worry an alpha who can't perform in that area is probably exceptional in every other
04:57honestly none of what Chloe said had even crossed my mind I told myself I was simply moving to a
05:03new
05:03household case was too weak to stand through the full mate blessing ritual I completed the bond
05:08rites beside his ceremonial sword instead Martha watched from the front eyes wet the whole time
05:14when it was done I was alpha cases mate the mating chamber was quiet I pushed the door open carefully
05:23case was already inside half reclined against the headboard in a white bathrobe he turned when
05:27he heard me up close he was strikingly handsome sharp jaw dark eyes the kind of face that didn't
05:34need color in it to hold attention I had no intention of taking a mate he said with a low
05:39voice
05:40if it doesn't trouble you we can treat this as a sibling arrangement he pointed to the chaise along the
05:46far wall tonight the bed is yours I'll take that tomorrow you move to the guest quarters all right
05:53I nodded he had thought of everything it wasn't what I'd expected before the ritual one of the older
06:00maids had pulled me aside and pressed something into my hands a small handbook worn at the corners
06:05she'd whispered with a strange look there are other ways between mates you might find it useful I had no
06:12idea what she meant until I opened it heat pooled in my core just from looking at the pages is
06:19it
06:19too hot case was watching me from the bed eyes direct unblinking the dress is heavy I'm a little warm
06:28then wash up and rest he pulled the blanket over himself and turned toward the wall within minutes
06:33his breathing evened out I set the handbook down on the vanity and took down my hair then the layered
06:39robes piece by piece until I was standing in nothing but my nightgown I turned to the mirror
06:44the thin fabric clung to every curve heavy breasts straining against the cloth slim waist giving way
06:51to the flare of my hips I walked straight into case's gaze he wasn't asleep his chest rose hard
06:57the tips of his ears went red his throat worked as he swallowed I grabbed my outer robe and pressed
07:03it
07:03against my chest alpha I thought you were asleep a long pause I could sleep later my breath hitched
07:12he rose slowly to his feet his tall frame casting a shadow over me
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 in my mind
07:44when 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
07:56I was binding my chest at least one full loop tighter I was hovering somewhere between sleep
08:01and waking when case slipped back in the tips of his hair still beaded with water he'd apparently
08:06gone to shower by morning he was already gone ivy came in to help me dress from the corridor outside
08:12came the sound of a man once then again Martha's headmaid's voice carried clearly through the door
08:20alpha case why didn't you call someone to heat the water it's already summer but the nights are still
08:25cold of course you've caught a chill I'll go brew tea right now I glanced at ivy does the alpha
08:32usually
08:32take cold showers I honestly don't know miss I dismissed her and locked the door I wound a strip
08:39of cloth tight over my undergarments then pulled on the most conservative dress I could find in the
08:44wardrobe high neck loose cut heavy fabric then I went to living room case was already there when I
08:51arrived seated 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 and hers eyes
09:11glistening sweet girl our case is lucky to have you the pack healer says the injury drained his life force
09:22there's no telling how long he has left some of the elders suggested I find a child for him to
09:28adopt
09:28to carry on the bloodline but if I did that wouldn't I be stealing your whole future from you
09:37I'm already grateful you came into this family to save case I can't let you sacrifice the rest of
09:43your life on top of that I've thought it through if case's time does come I'll have him issue you
09:48a formal mate release your future stays protected and I'll see to it that you receive property and
09:54a place of your own I reached up and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes chest tight
09:59with
09:59an ache I couldn't name Mrs. Valerius thank you for looking out for me I'd come here thinking of
10:05myself as nothing more than a transferred omega servant I never imagined she would think this far ahead
10:10on my behalf my thoughts drifted to the mother I had never known if she had been alive if I
10:14had
10:15grown up under a mother's protection I never would have ended up in any of the situations I'd been
10:19through Martha laughed through her tears look at me I've gone and made you cry too she squeezed my
10:25hands Leah there's no need to be so formal call me mom just like case does she took a breath
10:32so I have
10:33a proposition 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
10:44by the end her voice had gone rough I nodded I headed to the kitchen to gather ingredients
10:49the last time I'd prepared medicinal soup was several years ago back when Brad was not yet
10:54Chloe's mate he'd lost both parents and lived alone in a rundown unit skipping meals to save every
11:00cent for his warrior training one day I found him collapsed at our back gate and brought him around
11:05out of sympathy I dug through my mother's old healer journals and prepared medicinal meals for
11:10him every day to rebuild his strength only the two of us ever knew about it from the looks of
11:16things
11:16he was the one who told Chloe just to get me driven out the lengths he had gone to were
11:21truly something
11:23I carried the steaming soup to the bedroom and found case directing servants to pack up his belongings
11:30alpha what's this about weren't we agreed that I was moving the guest room his sharply handsome face
11:34didn't shift so much as a fraction I have fewer things it makes more sense for me to move at
11:41least
11:41eat first I set the food on the table he gave it a brief glance and sat down
11:48you can leave this kind of thing to the maid from now on it's no different coming from me
11:54it is different his voice remained flat and cool have ivy bring it from now on he finished the soup
12:01and a few quick swallows said a few words to the servants and swept past me in that moment I
12:07confirmed
12:08one thing alpha case couldn't stand the sight of me I followed his instructions and had ivy deliver his
12:14daily healing meals to the study from then on Martha couldn't stop singing my praises the pack
12:19healer says cases condition has stabilized significantly I can see the color coming back
12:24to his face Leah that's entirely because of you delighted she pressed a gold bracelet into my hands
12:31back in my room I tucked it into my jewelry box which had been slowly filling with pieces Martha had
12:37gifted me since my arrival Leah you never wear any of the of these isn't it a waste to just
12:43put them
12:43away how is it a waste every one of these can be converted to cash that's my security fund but
12:49lady Martha gave these to you personally are you really going to sell all of them not right now but
12:54if the mate bond is ever severed naturally I'd sell them and keep the money on hand ivy's expression
13:00shifted 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
13:15her case looked worse than ever case's face was even paler than before his gaze was sharp and
13:21cutting fixed on me with cold precision the look unsettled me completely but I didn't dare let a
13:27single trace of a show alpha is there something you need a journal we looked together I checked
13:35the shelves he checked the writing desk neither of us spoke I spotted the journal pushed to the
13:40very back of the top shelf behind a row of my mother's medical notes I reached up on my toes
13:45my fingertips just grazed the cover case's hand came over mine warm steady he reached past me without
13:53effort and closed his hand around the journal I turned my head his face was right there closer
13:59than I'd realized he was looking down at me then I lost my footing and pitched straight into him
14:05my heavy breasts hit his chest first my waist went straight into his palm his hand catching me before
14:11he could react case didn't step back his ear tips went red his throat worked as he swallowed when he
14:18exhaled the breath came out uneven against the top of my head his eyes flashed gold for a second then
14:24green I scrambled upright face burning your journal he took it without a word and walked out perfect my
14:32standing in his eyes had just sunk even lower after that day I made every effort to avoid crossing paths
14:38with case he was injured and recovering he needed to stay calm but there was one more thing bothering me
14:43Brad had been sending notes three times already I hadn't opened a single one just dropped them in a box
14:50then
14:51Ivy pressed one into my hand that morning it's not just a note this time he's here side entrance says
14:56he won't leave until you come out I clenched my fist and walked out I didn't notice the figure that
15:00followed from the far end of the courtyard Brad was standing at the gate
15:05Leah you finally came you should be calling me mrs valerius he paused dropped his voice
15:12mrs valerius do you have any idea how many times you've put me in an impossible position with these
15:17meetings I know I just wanted to tell you I'll be securing more power in the pack soon I won't
15:25need Chloe's father backing me anymore he stepped closer I'll buy a house Leah come with me anything's
15:32better than staying with a dying man he reached for me I stepped back you want me as your mistress
15:39Brad nodded completely serious I laughed why would I give up being the alpha's mate to be your
15:45mistress the whole pack knows case is dying he won't last and he can't even stand up anymore
15:53his 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 for
16:05this 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
17:01against his chest my waist caught in his grip I looked up his face was inches from mine his eyes
17:07were deep and unreadable one tilt forward and our lips would have touched his breath hit my face warm
17:14my breath hitched heat pooled low in my core case swallowed hard as long as I remain in this estate
17:22each 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
17:41he let out a quiet breath and released me I bolted and I noticed for the first time his face
17:48had actual
17:49color in it his cheeks were just as red as mine that night I had a strange dream
17:55case's lips grazed slowly along my cheek his fingers hooked into the strap of my slip voice dropping to
18:01a low murmur does my luna want this I nodded like someone completely under a spell then a fierce
18:08consuming kiss caught my lips and wouldn't let go I jolted awake in a tangle of sheets heart still
18:14hammering breathless ivy knocked and came in I asked her to bring a basin of cold water she stared at
18:21my
18:21sweat damp hair and murmured it really is getting hotter I splashed cold water onto my face and then
18:27it hit me that first night case cold shower surely he hadn't also been no impossible he was injured and
18:37recovering he was supposed to be keeping himself calm at midday martha's attendant arrived martha would
18:43like dinner in the garden tonight she asks that you be sure to come been making excuses to avoid the
18:48main
18:48dining hall for days just to steer clear of case but martha had gone out of her way to personally
18:53extend the invitation I couldn't say no I stepped into the garden a sprawling rose of sharon was in
18:59full bloom a gust of wind shook loose a handful of deep crimson petals drifting down onto the stone table
19:05covered with every dish I loved most martha smiled and gestured for me to sit case mentioned it's your
19:11birthday today he's the one who asked the kitchen to prepare all of this I looked up and met a
19:16pair of
19:16burning intent eyes heat rushed straight to my face case lit a plate of chestnut cake in front of
19:23me without changing his expression how did you know today was my birthday I'd completely forgotten
19:30it myself my birth mother died bringing me into the world no one had ever once marked the day for
19:35me
19:36case kept his eyes lowered and said evenly it's not difficult to know it something in my chest gave one
19:43quiet inexplicable pull Leah this peach blossom wine is from my private reserve I'm opening it just for
19:51you but you two had better not drink too much she pushed back her chair said the summer evening breeze
19:56was too much for her old bones and left the garden went quiet to avoid the silence I put my
20:03head down and
20:03drank one cup then another then another the wine was sweet and dangerously potent before long the edges
20:11of everything had gone soft and blurry case watched me but said nothing by the third glass I'd stopped
20:18feeling the awkward silence by the fourth I'd stopped feeling much of anything I reached across
20:23the table toward the last piece of chestnut cake the dish was empty I looked up where's the last piece
20:31I ate it I have absolutely no idea where the boldness came from I leaned straight toward his face
20:38who told you to eat that spit it back out I pressed against his chest trying to peer into his
20:44mouth
20:44case looked down at me perfectly calm you won't find it that way I straightened up and stared at him
20:51then how am I supposed to find it a faint flush crept across his cheeks try using your mouse
20:58my gaze drifted to his slightly reddened lips I swallowed once and kissed him without hesitation
21:04case went rigid his breathing lurching unsteady then control shifted his hand cupped the back of my
21:10head and he pressed in deeper harder neither of us pulled away until footsteps sounded from behind the
21:16flower bed alpha the night air is cool lady martin asked me to bring you both a wrap
21:24I had no idea how much ivy'd seen I shot to my feet and the next instant the world tilted
21:30everything went dark
21:33when I woke up with a splitting headache it was already morning I suddenly remembered
21:38I'd promised Martha to visit case's father's grave
21:42it was late I started rushing around for my things
21:47leah don't worry the driver is still getting the car ready
21:52ivy was it you who brought me back last night
21:55no the alpha carried you back
21:58I spun around to check her face she nodded completely serious
22:04I didn't say anything stupid did I
22:07ivy bit back a smile the alpha set you down on the bed
22:12and you grabbed his sleeve and wouldn't let go
22:14you kept calling him my mate over and over until his whole face went red
22:21ivy don't you dare make things up
22:24she covered her mouth laughing and ran out
22:28I met Martha at the front entrance
22:31case'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
22:46leah is there someone you have feelings for
22:52I've noticed you've been avoiding case these past few days
22:56please don't be upset with me for pushing you two together at dinner last night
23:00I thought if the two of you couldn't be mates you could at least be friends
23:04but if you're uncomfortable or if you want to leave
23:07just say I'll have him sever the bond I won't let you be trapped here
23:11mom no it's not that
23:14I was thinking about something else
23:16what is it
23:17I was still figuring out how to answer when the car lurched
23:19the engine screamed the car swung hard tires off the road crashing through brush
23:24the whole frame shaking I grabbed Martha and looked at the driver
23:28slumped over the wheel unconscious
23:31no one to hit the brakes
23:32a cliff straight ahead Martha grabbed my arm
23:35Leah what do we do we jump now we'll be hurt we'll die if we don't hold 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
23:51face
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
24:07they'll be here soon
24:09the root ground under our weight
24:11Martha's voice broke
24:14Leah let me go
24:16we're too heavy
24:17we're too heavy it's going to snap
24:22I'm old I've lived my life
24:26you have to keep living yours
24:29my chest tightened so hard I could barely breathe
24:32I couldn't let go
24:35she'd been a mother to me from the first day
24:39mom I would rather die with you than watch you fall hold on
24:48the truth was I had no idea my arms were going numb the pain had gone so deep it had
24:57stopped
24:57feeling like 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
25:11Case's voice
25:13he'd called me by my name the first time
25:17a strong arm came under me
25:20he'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
25:36we came up one at a time
25:38it wasn't a hallucination
25:40Case had saved us
25:42he held me brow creased
25:47why is there so much blood
25:49Martha clutched her face
25:51she shielded me when we jumped
25:54I didn't get a scratch
25:56it's all hers
25:59my eyelids felt like lead
26:01Leah
26:03don't sleep
26:04I'm taking you to Ella
26:06he lifted me into the car and I stayed curled against his chest
26:10his forehead was damp with sweat
26:13he kept one hand on the wheel and kept talking
26:15Leah
26:16Leah
26:17Leah stay awake
26:20I'll get you chestnut cake
26:22I'll give you all the jewelry you want to sell
26:24you don't have to wait for me to die
26:26I'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
26:44my Luna
26:45the pack healer said you can't move yet
26:47Ivy pressed a bowl of medicine to my lips
26:49spooning 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
26:59your shoulder was dislocated too
27:00she kept talking
27:01my eyes had already drifted to the door
27:03after 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
27:21still recovering from the shock
27:22everyone in the estate moved with tight faces and clipped voices
27:25like something was being held just below the surface
27:28I asked Ivy
27:29she 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
27:40he held out a small wooden box
27:43I took it and lifted the lid
27:44a land deed
27:45a property contract
27:47a severance letter
27:49my body went rigid
27:50something locked around my chest and wouldn't let go
27:52case
27:54are you throwing me out
27:55you've been waiting for this since the day you arrived
27:58you avoided me
27:59stayed 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
28:06I'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
28:28estate guards all but pushed me out the door
28:31ivy fell in to step beside me
28:32and the alpha said you're used to having me around
28:34he told me to go with you
28:38I couldn't speak
28:43we moved into a small house on the edge of the territory
28:46by 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
28:58by order of the lichen 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
29:17he rushed to get me out
29:19that was why
29:20that was the only reason
29:23ivy 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
29:34years ago
29:34elder 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
29:50i tracked him down outside the council building and stepped into the pack
29:53elder reed
29:53you remember me
29:56i need a favor
29:57he looked at me for a long moment then he nodded
30:00elder reed led me into the dungeon
30:0230 minutes no more
30:04the door unlocked
30:04case stood up
30:05his eyes flashed with surprise
30:08how did you get in?
30:09my chest ached as i looked at him through the blur of tears
30:11that's why you kicked me out isn't it?
30:14you were framed
30:16think carefully is there any evidence to prove your innocence?
30:19i will find it i will investigate i swear i will rescue you
30:24case's gaze deepened then his arm shot out and pulled me into his chest
30:27leah
30:29my heart hammered but time was running out
30:32this wasn't the moment i pushed against him
30:34he didn't budge
30:35leah you don't need to do anything i 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 certain like 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 the face
31:01it's not too late to reconsider
31:04being my mistress beats being alone and disgraced
31:07i 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
31:16every 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
31:35i didn't sleep well for the next five days
31:38case's voice kept coming back to me
31:40i promise
31:42seven days later i will accompany you to watch the sunrise
31:45okay
31:45on the afternoon of the sixth day
31:47the lichen king's official decree went up across the territory
31:49the leak hadn't come from case
31:52it 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
32:05the 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
32:18all 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 i 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
32:42through 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
32:54i'm back
32:54our 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
33:07you 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
33:22don'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 warm skin
33:37healer 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
33:46there'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
34:00the 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
34:09he 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
34:36on 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 kaden
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
34:54you flatter me your highness
34:55case helped the kingdom take down a real threat
34:57you stood by him through all of it
34:59i'll host an official luna ceremony for you
35:01and when that day comes i'll have a gift ready
35:04thank you your highness
35:05don't blame case leah
35:07faking the injury was always part of the plan
35:13of the plan
35:13too many enemies wanted him dead
35:15the only way to keep him safe
35:16was to make them think he was already finished
35:19part about not being able to get hard
35:21that 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
35:33i 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
35:56i took a slow breath
35:58knowing it was over didn't make the memory of dangling off that cliff
36:01any 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
36:10i told case to go to his study
36:11i'd handle it
36:13i sat down next to chloe
36:15face red eyes swollen
36:17word had already spread
36:18brad had been identified as one of prince marcus's 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
36:34a 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
36:46i wasn't a powerless omega anymore
36:49i didn't have to hold back
36:54were you ever angry at me
36:56for how i treated you back then
36:59no
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 for 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
37:18i raised my hand and let it land soft against her cheek
37:22she opened her eyes
37:26i already gave that slap to brad
37:28chloe 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
37:39i don't like friends who cry too much
37:40the light was still on when i passed case's study
37:43i pushed the door open
37:45before i could say a word
37:46an 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
38:04right here
38:04i kept saying no
38:05my hand said something else entirely
38:07finding 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 word 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
38:44the sunrise
38:45he'd promised
38:47the sunrise
38:51we still have time
38:53he was already up
38:54he picked up my clothes from beside the bed
38:56handing them to me
38:57he dressed me slowly
38:59straightening each layer with both hands
39:00like he'd done it a thousand times 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
39:14the sun came up slowly
39:15gold light broke across the trees
39:17spread across the yard and landed on us
39:20the 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
39:40quick 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
39:58always smiling when i walked through the door
40:00one afternoon i was trimming the plants in the yard when sunny came running over
40:04leah chloe is here again she brought a lot of stuff with her
40:08i 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
40:19let her in i wiped my hands and went to meet her
40:24chloe walked in with two attendants behind her carrying food boxes
40:27she changed a lot less restless she dressed simpler now and moved quieter
40:40i made your favorite chestnut 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 sweet soft better than i expected
40:56good thank you so where's case not home he went to the pack training ground something came up
41:03chloe nodded and reached for a piece herself for a while neither of us said anything just the
41:09wind moving through the yard my father wants me to find a new mate i looked up don't rush for
41:14it
41:15i 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 when i arranged the mating part of it
42:04was
42:04because i was scared you and brad would find your way back to each other but part of it was
42:09genuine
42:10i really did think case was a good man that he wouldn't treat you badly
42:13we looked at each other and smiled all the conflicts were solved
42:19i just didn't expect him to be faking the whole time chloe laughed a little embarrassed it's in the
42:25past 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 letting go of old grudges and coming out
42:46the other side with a friend that wasn't a bad ending we sat in the yard for the rest of
42:50the
42:50afternoon eating and talking pack gossip small things nothing important the sun came through the
42:57leaves and the air was warm and easy when case came back from the training grounds that evening and
43:01saw the two of us surprise crossed his face what are you two happy about talking about you chloe grinned
43:08about what a liar you are faking the whole thing and fooling everyone case walked over and sat down
43:16beside me he reached over and took my hand eyes warm tricking you into becoming my luna that's the
43:23luckiest thing i've ever done my face went red i gave him a look chloe burst out laughing all right
43:28i'm leaving you two alone leah i'll come by tomorrow sure take care i watched her go case turned to
43:35me
43:36are you good friend now yes the past is the past no point holding on to it he squeezed my
43:43hand i'm
43:44glad you can think that way he knew how much i'd been through watching me let it go and just
43:49be happy
43:50i could tell it meant something to him we sat side by side at the stone table and looked out
43:55at the sky
43:56neither of us said much we didn't need to days like this quiet and unhurried became the rhythm of our
44:03life case stayed busy with the pack and with royal matters but he always made time sunrises sunsets
44:11he spoiled me until i didn't know what to do with it martha was healthy and smiling every day the
44:17estate
44:17was calm and easy again the way it used to be true to his word prince caden petitioned the lichen
44:23king on my
44:24behalf at my official luna ceremony the lichen king's decree was read aloud a formal commendation
44:31in front of the entire pack the estate was lit up and full of noise that day case lifted the
44:37veil and
44:37placed it over my head himself his eyes proud and soft the most beautiful luna then he shifted right
44:44there in front of everyone his wolf was massive dark broad-shouldered still he lowered himself to
44:51the ground and waited i climbed onto his back he rose slowly carrying me steady and lifted his head
44:58toward the moon the howl that came out of him was long and deep and carried across the entire territory
45:04one by one the pack answered howl after howl rising into the night sky
45:10i thought about everything it had taken to get here a bastard omega with no wolf no one to speak
45:16for
45:16her only i knew how hard the road had been and all of it every bit of the happiness on
45:22the other side of
45:23it came from the man standing behind me after the ceremony case took me south open land warm air water
45:30catching the afternoon light far from everything that had tried to take us down the rest of our lives
45:35stretched out ahead of us every year every season together after the ceremony life settled
45:43into a new rhythm i stood beside case at every pack meeting every decision every matter that came
45:49through the estate gates his pack was my pack his people were my people but he always made time
45:56a weekend drive with no destination a trail through the forest at dawn wherever he thought i'd want
46:02to see he took me there without being asked the rest of our lives stretched out ahead of us every
46:08year
46:08every season together
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