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00:27¡Suscríbete al canal!
00:30Green light means truth. Red light means you were lying. Emma's choker? Always green. She could shred mom's ceremonial cloak
00:38and blame the cat, and Jem would glow a steady green.
00:41Not me.
00:42Green light. Believed. Me?
00:46Mom, I'm hungry.
00:48Flash! Red light. The choker choked tight. I shifted on instinct. A small white wolf, pawing desperately at the Jem
00:55around my neck, claws scraping against it, unable to get it off.
00:59I'm not lying. Not lying. Please.
01:02But mom's eyes had already gone cold. Instant punishment. Mom's punishment wasn't gentle. No food, locked in my room, no
01:10contact with anyone in the pack.
01:12The truth necklace doesn't lie, Stella. Starve now, study later. I'm doing this for your own good.
01:18After 10 years of this, I started believing it too. Maybe I really was born wrong. New Year's Eve, everything
01:25changed. Mom was getting ready to take Emma to the pack's bonfire celebration.
01:29And that's when the pain hit, like a knife twisting in my gut. I collapsed on the floor, my skeletal
01:35frame curling into itself.
01:36Mom, please.
01:40The choker flashed red and choked tight. She looked down at me, disgusted in her eyes.
01:45In your dreams, Stella? Faking an illness to ruin our night?
01:50She grabbed Emma's hand and headed for the door. I wanted to howl, but my wolf was too weak to
01:55answer.
01:55I shifted anyway. Forced it. A small, white wolf trembling on the floor. Ribs heaving. Maybe in this form, the
02:03pain would hurt less. It didn't.
02:05I couldn't even hold the shift. I slipped back into myself without meaning to.
02:09Sorry, mom.
02:10I won't lie anymore. But the pain got worse. Way worse.
02:14The door handle turned. For one second, I thought, mom's coming back. She came back for me.
02:20Hurry up. The bonfire is starting. Emma's waiting.
02:23Mom?
02:24I reached out with a shaking hand.
02:26Please. Something's really wrong. I feel like I'm dying.
02:30She glanced at my neck. The gem was flashing red over and over.
02:34She crouched down, grabbed my chin.
02:37Stella, how long are you going to keep this up? Can't you just be honest and stay here and think
02:43about what you've done?
02:44Dad appeared in the doorway.
02:46Honey, should we at least leave her some food?
02:50Food? She has a stash of snacks she bought with stolen money.
02:54She won't starve. Lock the door. When that gem turns green, we'll talk.
03:00But...
03:00But what?
03:02It's because you spoil her that she turned out this way.
03:06Look at Emma. Her gem has always been green.
03:09Stella is a liar. An alpha heiress who can't tell the truth. She needs discipline.
03:14But my cabinet was empty. Emma stole that money. Emma ate those snacks. Emma just stood there with her glowing
03:22green gem saying,
03:24Not me.
03:25And mom believed her.
03:26I tried to defend myself. It wasn't me!
03:30Red light. The choker choked tight. I tried to shift. Nothing happened.
03:35Deep inside, my wolf barely stirred. Mom locked me up for three days with nothing but water and stale bread.
03:42Mom turned to leave. Emma peeked through the door, made a face at me.
03:46Bye, sis. We're gonna see the bonfire.
03:50Her gem glowed a steady green. So pretty.
03:53The door locked. The house went silent. I called my wolf. Nothing came back. Not even a whisper. Just me
04:01alone.
04:02The pain was unbearable. But I kept thinking. Mom's right. The gem doesn't lie. It's red. So I must be
04:11lying.
04:12I'm not in pain. I'm not in pain. I'm not in pain.
04:18I kept repeating it like a prayer. Eventually, I almost believed it. The pain dulled. Or maybe I was just
04:27going numb.
04:28I crawled to my desk. I had to write. That was the rule. If the gem glowed red, I had
04:34to pen a thousand word apology.
04:36Or mom would never let me out. I am a liar. Write it down. And maybe mom would forgive me.
04:44Maybe she'd even let me out. I opened my journal. Pages and pages of apologies I'd written over the years.
04:52Sorry I lied. I won't do it again.
04:55But this time, I wanted to write the truth.
04:58My vision blurred. My hand shook as I wrote,
05:02Mom, I really love you. It really hurts. Why won't you believe me?
05:08Please believe me. Just once. The moment I finished the last word, the pain vanished. Just gone.
05:16I felt light. Weightless. I looked down. I was floating. And there, slumped over the desk, was my body. Motionless.
05:27The gem still flashing red around a dead girl's neck. Oh, I'm dead. And then, she came out. My wolf.
05:36Stepping out of my body like she'd been waiting all along. Small. Skinny. Barely holding together.
05:43She looked up at me and, once, soft and low.
05:47In the pack's old stories, they say when a wolf dies young, her spirit doesn't cross over alone.
05:54Her wolf walks beside her, until they find the door together.
05:58I knelt down. She pressed her nose into my ghostly palm.
06:02Finally, we were together now. But I never learned how to be honest.
06:07Sorry, Mom.
06:08I heard laughter. Mom. Dad. Emma. Coming through the front door.
06:14Tonight's bonfire was beautiful. The best one yet. Just like our Emma. Perfect in every way.
06:22I'd never heard her sound like that when she talked about me.
06:25I floated toward them, my wolf patting silently at my side.
06:29Moving on instinct, I wanted to help them take off their cloaks. That's what I always did.
06:34Mom!
06:35My arms passed right through her body. Like wind.
06:39Why is it so cold here? Is the hearthi out?
06:42I stood there, staring at my transparent hands. My wolf pressed against my leg and looked up at me with
06:48sad eyes.
06:49Right. Dead wolves couldn't hug the living.
06:52Shall we go and see Stella? She hasn't eaten yet.
06:55Still the good cop. I looked at Mom, hopefully.
06:59If she found me dead, would she be sad? Would she regret it?
07:04She won't starve. She is a werewolf, not a human pup. This whole fake sick for attention thing is out
07:12of control.
07:13I laughed bitterly. Mom wasn't wrong. Werewolves heal. But I hadn't been able to in a long time.
07:20Last winter, the choker left bruises that stayed for days. That hadn't happened before.
07:25I reached for my wolf. She was still there, but the warmth never came. She was too hungry, just like
07:31me.
07:33Mom never noticed.
07:35She only ever looked at my neck for one thing. The gem. And whether it was red or green.
07:41Mom pushed open my door. Didn't even turn on the light. Just for a second, her eyes flashed gold.
07:47Her wolf might have known. Mom didn't listen. In the dim glow from the hallway, she saw me slumped over
07:53my desk.
07:54I looked like a skeleton. Hadn't moved.
07:58Still putting on an act?
08:00You're ten years old, not five. Grow up.
08:04Mom, I'm not playing! I'm dead! Look at me! Touch me! I'm freezing!
08:10She couldn't hear me. She only believed what she wanted to see.
08:13Emma squeezed past her, held up her choker with that smug little grin.
08:18Look, my gem is green. Stella's is still red. She's lying, even in her sleep.
08:24That's my good girl. Ignore the liar. Let her stay there. Maybe she'll learn how to be honest.
08:31Should we at least put her in bed? It's freezing.
08:35Put her in bed? Look at that red gem, still lying.
08:39Come on, leave her. We have to visit Grandma tomorrow.
08:43The door locked again.
08:45I floated next to my corpse. My wolf curled silently at my feet, staring at that single point of red
08:51light in the darkness.
08:53Mom, if you'd just stepped closer, if you'd just touched my hand, you'd know I was ice cold.
08:59But you didn't. You believed the choker, not the daughter you carried for nine months.
09:03That night, a rat crawled out of my empty cabinet.
09:07I used to scream whenever I saw rats, but now I just floated by the ceiling, watching it scurry across
09:13my dead body.
09:14The rat bit into my toe. I didn't feel anything.
09:18My wolf charged at it anyway, and passed right through, landing on the other side.
09:23She turned back to look at me, confused, lost.
09:26I pulled her close and buried my face in the fur of her back.
09:31It's okay. You can't feel it anymore. It'll be over soon.
09:35She let out one low growl, then went still against me.
09:39Finally, no more pain. For either of us.
09:43The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window.
09:46No warmth reached my body.
09:48In the kitchen, I could hear Mom making breakfast.
09:50The smell of roasted meat crept under my door.
09:54My favorite.
09:55But Mom always said liars don't deserve meat.
09:58So I only ever got steamed vegetables.
10:00She was clanging the pots extra loud on purpose.
10:03Trying to tempt me out.
10:05Trying to make me give in and apologize for things I never did.
10:09In the old days, I might have caved.
10:11I might have confessed to anything for one bite of roasted meat.
10:15But I don't need food anymore.
10:17Stella still hasn't come out yet?
10:19Dad asked, reading the pack notices.
10:22She is so stubborn.
10:23She can eat or not.
10:25I don't care.
10:28Emma walked to my door and made a big show of sniffing the air.
10:32Then she screamed dramatically.
10:35Mom!
10:35Stella's room smells like poop!
10:38Did she poop in there?
10:40I floated by the door, watching my sister with a bitter smile.
10:44My wolf sat beside me, ears flat, eyes low.
10:47The hearth was burning hot.
10:50After just one night, my body started to rot.
10:54Mom stormed over, pounding on the door.
10:57Stella!
10:58Who does that?
10:59The toilet is right there!
11:01Did you shit on the floor to spite me?
11:03I remembered being six.
11:05I had food poisoning.
11:07Couldn't make it to the toilet in time.
11:10Mom didn't help me clean up.
11:11She made me stand outside, pointed at me, and told the neighbors.
11:15Look at this!
11:17She's such a mess!
11:18She can't even use the toilet herself!
11:21Now she thought I was dirty again.
11:22Leave her.
11:23Let her sit in her own stink.
11:26But Dad stood up, frowning.
11:28That smells really bad.
11:30I should check.
11:31Could it be a dead rat or something?
11:34My heart, if I still had one, leapt.
11:37Dad, please, open the door!
11:40I'm right here!
11:41Just turn the handle and you'll see I'm not moving!
11:44I waved my transparent arms frantically.
11:47My wolf ran straight to my bedroom door, willing Dad to open it.
11:52Dad's hand touched the door handle.
11:54His hand froze.
11:55Someone was pounding at the front door.
11:57A pack elder.
11:58Urgent business.
11:59Dad's face went pale.
12:00He grabbed his cloak.
12:02The border.
12:02There's an emergency.
12:04He was already out the door.
12:06I froze.
12:06So close.
12:07One second away.
12:09If that knock had come one second later, I would have been found.
12:12Maybe then, I wouldn't have rotted alone.
12:15That afternoon, Mom took Emma to the pack market.
12:17The house was empty except for my corpse.
12:19When they came back that evening, loaded down with food and gifts from the market, the smell had gotten worse.
12:25Mom gagged the second she walked in.
12:27Stella, are you trying to turn this place into a den of inequity?
12:31She didn't even open my door.
12:33Just grabbed cloth strips and sealed the gap at the bottom.
12:36If you want to stay in there and make disgusting stew zoos, don't stink up my house.
12:40She patted her hands together, satisfied, then went to prepare dinner.
12:44I stared at that sealed door.
12:46My wolf pressed her nose against it and whimpered once.
12:48So that's it.
12:49I'm worth less than a venison dinner.
12:51By day three, even the cloth strips couldn't contain the smell.
12:54Mom was arranging fresh wildflowers, trying to cover it up.
12:57But the stench of death is unmistakable.
13:00Sweet, rotten, oily.
13:02She cut a rose stem too hard.
13:04A thorn pierced her hand.
13:06She snapped.
13:07In her mind, I was doing this on purpose.
13:09Not bathing, poop on the floor, hiding dead rats in my room.
13:13All to piss her off.
13:14All to defy her authority as Luna.
13:17Stella!
13:18She grabbed a rolling pin from the kitchen.
13:20Stormed toward my room.
13:21I'm done with you, you disgusting little brat!
13:24Time you learned what real pain feels like!
13:27I floated in front of her, waving my arms desperately.
13:30Don't come in, Mom!
13:33Please!
13:34Please!
13:35Even though she never loved me, I didn't want her to see me like that.
13:39But she walked right through me, ripped the cloth strips off, jammed the spare key into the lock.
13:45The door flew open.
13:46The smell hit her like a wall.
13:47She stumbled back, retching.
13:49Stella!
13:50What are you doing?
13:52She saw me, still slumped over the desk.
13:54Back turned, not moving.
13:56To her, this was the ultimate rebellion.
13:58I'm talking to you!
14:00She marched over, raised the rolling pin, but stopped.
14:04She wanted to see my face first.
14:06Wanted to see my...
14:08Get up!
14:08She grabbed the back of my shirt, grabbed my skin.
14:11The moment she touched me, she froze.
14:13Through the thin fabric, her hand didn't feel warm flesh.
14:16She felt cold, hard, dead meat.
14:19The kind of cold that seeps into your bones.
14:21What?
14:22But momentum carried her forward.
14:24She yanked.
14:25Crash.
14:26My body, stiff as a board, toppled backward, taking the chair with it.
14:30And there was my face.
14:31Blue-black.
14:32Eyes bulging.
14:33Features twisted in agony.
14:35Dried foam and blood crusted around my mouth.
14:37Around my blackened neck, the Verity choker hung lifeless.
14:41The gem dark.
14:42No red.
14:43No green.
14:44Just silence.
14:45My journal slid off the desk, fell open at mom's feet.
14:49The last page stared up at her.
14:51Mom, my stomach really hurts.
14:53The choker is wrong.
14:54I'm not lying.
14:56Please don't punish me.
14:57Mom screamed.
14:58Not a wolf's howl.
14:59A raw, guttural shriek that tore through her throat.
15:03She stumbled backward, slammed into the bookshelf.
15:06A clay pot shattered.
15:08But she didn't seem to feel the pain.
15:10She just stared at me, eyes wide, unblinking.
15:16No.
15:17No, no, no.
15:18This is not real.
15:19Stella, get up.
15:20Stella, get up.
15:21Get up.
15:22I'm not mad anymore.
15:24Stop scaring me.
15:25Scare me again.
15:26Her hand reached out, trembling, to touch my arm.
15:30The second her skin made contact with my corpse, she recoiled like she'd been burned.
15:35That cold was too real.
15:37Lisa from next door heard the screaming and went straight to the pack healer.
15:41When she saw what was in my room, she collapsed in the gate.
15:45Within the hour, heavy boots on the floorboards.
15:48The pack healer and a handful of pack warriors crowding the entrance.
15:52Mom sat on the floor, a warrior's hand on her shoulder.
15:56She's speaking it.
15:57She's always lying.
16:00It doesn't lie.
16:02I'm just teaching her.
16:03No one responded.
16:05They all looked at her like she was a monster.
16:07The pack healer crouched next to my body.
16:10He muttered under his breath.
16:12Severe malnutrition, organ failure.
16:15This puppy has been starved for at least a month.
16:17He carefully tried to remove the Verity choker, but it had fused.
16:22Years of tightening had pressed the leather deep into the skin of my neck.
16:26Damn it.
16:27He had to use tools to pry it off.
16:58Even dead, my soul flinched.
17:01The warrior pushed her back, wrapped the journal in cloth, and took it.
17:05We'll report it to the council.
17:07That's when dad got home.
17:09He saw the pack healer and the pack warriors crowding the doorway, saw the body wrap being carried out, saw
17:16the long cord that sealed away my entire life.
17:20His legs gave out.
17:22He collapsed on the doorstep.
17:24Emma stood nearby, sobbing in confusion.
17:26She pointed at the discolored Verity choker on the table.
17:30Why does Stella have a black collar?
17:32And I have a green one.
17:34See?
17:35She held up her neck.
17:37The gem blinked its steady green.
17:39It was grotesque.
17:41The council elders arrived before dawn.
17:44Mom straightened when she saw them.
17:46Even now, even with my body three days cold and rotting, her luna instincts kicked in.
17:52She lifted her chin, squared her shoulders.
17:55It didn't work today.
17:57They started questioning mom in the living room.
17:59Mom grabbed the Verity choker off the table like it was a lifeline.
18:03Test it!
18:04That choker proved she was lying.
18:07Red gem means lie.
18:10I never abused her!
18:12The choker told me!
18:14I was just educating her!
18:17The council elders looked at her like she'd lost her mind.
18:21The pup showed signs of extreme malnutrition.
18:24Months of starvation.
18:26Aphelion.
18:28Multiple old injuries consistent with prolonged.
18:31That's dis-discipline!
18:33That's teaching her to be honest!
18:35Then, she did something insane.
18:38You don't believe me?
18:40Fine.
18:41I'll wear it.
18:44Watch.
18:45It'll be green.
18:46The leather pressed against her skin.
18:49Cold.
18:50Sticky.
18:51That was my blood.
18:52She took a deep breath.
18:54Tried to calm herself.
18:55She needed to prove she was innocent.
18:58Needed to prove her way of raising an alpha heir was right.
19:01She held up the gem.
19:03Eyes wild.
19:04Listen.
19:05I'm Rachel.
19:06I'm Stella's mother.
19:08This is the truth.
19:10The absolute truth.
19:11The gem flashed red.
19:13Mom's confident expression shattered.
19:16No.
19:17What?
19:18I said truth!
19:20I am Rachel!
19:21I never abused her!
19:23I did it for her own good!
19:27I love her!
19:29And suddenly, she remembered.
19:31Me.
19:32Ten years old.
19:34Gasping as the choker tightened around my throat.
19:37Biting my lip so I wouldn't make a sound.
19:39Is this what it felt like?
19:42Why is it red?
19:43I am telling the truth!
19:45Turn green!
19:46You're broken!
19:47You're setting me up!
19:48But the gem kept flashing.
19:50Like it was mocking her.
19:52You're a liar.
19:53You're a liar.
19:54You're a liar.
19:56Enough!
19:57This is just a bloodstone.
20:00I've seen it before.
20:01It changes color with body heat.
20:04Fear.
20:05Pain.
20:06Anything that makes your heart race.
20:08Temperature rises.
20:09It burns red.
20:11That's all it does.
20:13No witch magic.
20:14Never was.
20:16Think about your daughter.
20:18Ruptured appendix.
20:19Organ failure.
20:20The pain must have been unbearable.
20:23She was terrified.
20:24And what did you see?
20:25A red gem.
20:27So you punished her more.
20:29Which made her more scared.
20:32Which made her temperature rise.
20:34Which made the stone turn redder.
20:39You are Luna.
20:41You are supposed to protect every wolf in this pack.
20:45You couldn't even protect your own daughter.
20:47You ignored her cries for help.
20:50You starved your daughter to death.
20:53Mom's world collapsed.
20:55She sat there.
20:56Staring at the flashing gem on her own neck.
20:59And finally understood.
21:00For ten years.
21:01Every red light wasn't because I was lying.
21:04It was because I was scared.
21:07Scared of her anger.
21:09Scared of being misunderstood.
21:11Scared of eating food that made me sick.
21:14I was in pain.
21:15Pain that made my heart race.
21:17And cold sweat pour down my face.
21:19I was desperate.
21:21Desperate for a hug.
21:23For her to hold me the way she held Emma.
21:25Every signal from my frightened heart.
21:28She had interpreted as proof of my lies.
21:31No!
21:32Get it off!
21:36I'm not lying!
21:38I'm not!
21:39She tried to shift.
21:40Fur rippling across her skin.
21:42Bones cracking.
21:43But the leather cinched harder around her throat.
21:46The moment her neck began to change.
21:48She snapped back into human form.
21:50Gasping.
21:52I can't get it off!
21:54Stella, take it back!
21:56I'm sorry!
21:57It's all my fault!
21:59This little bit of choking and she was already breaking.
22:03Mom, I suffered for ten years.
22:07The council elders needed evidence for judgment.
22:10So they opened my journal in front of my parents.
22:14February 14th.
22:15Sunny.
22:16Mom put celery on my plate.
22:18I'm allergic.
22:19My throat swells.
22:20I can't breathe.
22:21I said I can't eat it.
22:23But because I was scared of making her angry, my body ran hot.
22:27The gem flashed red.
22:29The choker tightened.
22:32Mom said I was picky.
22:34Lying.
22:34Made me eat the whole plate.
22:36That night, I threw up blood.
22:38My throat felt like it was on fire.
22:41I shifted to ease my pain.
22:43Mom saw it and said I'd snuck berry juice.
22:46That I was faking.
22:47The choker tightened for ten more minutes.
22:52Mom's hand flew to her mouth.
22:54She was shaking violently.
22:56She remembered that.
22:57She really did think it was berry juice.
23:01She didn't even look closely.
23:02Just turned away to read Emma a bedtime story.
23:06That was blood from a swollen, torn throat.
23:10June 1st.
23:11Pup's day.
23:12Emma shredded Mom's ceremonial cloak.
23:15Emma's heart is always calm.
23:17Her gem stays green.
23:19I tried to explain, but I was scared of being hit.
23:23My body ran hot.
23:24Red gem.
23:26Choker tightened for ten minutes.
23:28It hurt so bad.
23:30But I didn't cry.
23:31Because crying makes your body run hotter.
23:34And Mom thinks that means you're not sorry.
23:37So I held my breath.
23:39Pretended it didn't hurt.
23:41Mom said,
23:42See?
23:43She doesn't even blink.
23:45She's definitely faking it.
23:47Dad couldn't take it anymore.
23:48This man, who had always put the pack before his own family,
23:52chose duty over his daughter for ten years.
23:54You monster!
23:57What did you do?
23:58That was your daughter!
24:01You treated her like a stray!
24:03Blood at the corner of her mouth.
24:05Not my fault.
24:06Not my fault.
24:07It's her.
24:08It's Emma.
24:09Emma's gem was always green.
24:12Emma was the good one.
24:13If it wasn't for that green light making me trust her,
24:16I wouldn't have believed the red light so much.
24:19This is Emma's fault.
24:21That little princess everyone protected.
24:23One of the council elders walked over.
24:26Gently removed the green Verity choker from her neck.
24:29Took out a blade.
24:30Pried the gem loose right there.
24:33It rolled onto the table, still glowing green.
24:37Steady.
24:38Unchanged.
24:39The elder picked up the stone.
24:41A glowstone.
24:42That is all.
24:43Your younger daughter's choker was always going to shine green.
24:47No matter what she said, did, or lied about, it would never change.
24:54Your so-called Verity choker was a fraud.
24:58That was her truth for 10 years.
25:00That was the evidence she used to convict me.
25:03A common glowstone that put me in hell while Emma lived in paradise.
25:07So I wasn't a liar.
25:10I laughed.
25:11Laughed until I cried.
25:13Turns out, ghosts could cry too.
25:15The elder turned to the last page of the journal.
25:17His voice broke.
25:19The handwriting was a mess.
25:21Clearly written while dying.
25:22Mom, if I die, will the choker stop glowing red?
25:26Or if it turns green, will you hug me then?
25:29I'm not lying.
25:30I couldn't heal myself anymore.
25:32My stomach hurts so much.
25:35Like knives.
25:37Next life, please don't make me wear the choker.
25:40Please.
25:40I just want to be a normal pup.
25:42I want to eat mom's roasted meat.
25:44Mom stared at the broken glowstone on the table.
25:47That truth magic she trusted without question?
25:50A worthless stone.
25:51Because of that stone, she spoiled Emma for 10 years.
25:55Because of that cursed red light, she tortured me for 10 years.
26:03Mom started laughing.
26:05Her voice cracking at every sound.
26:08Worse than crying.
26:10Fake!
26:11All fake!
26:14I killed my most honest pup.
26:17And I worshipped a liar.
26:20She'd lost her mind.
26:21For real this time.
26:23My death became the talk of the entire pack.
26:26Lisa, the neighbor who had sent for the pack healer, told everyone what she'd seen.
26:31Every wolf knew by morning.
26:32Luna had starved her own daughter to death.
26:36Monster!
26:38Monster!
26:39Murderer!
26:39Murderer!
26:40She doesn't deserve to be Luna!
26:41Stones flew at our door.
26:43The word killer carved into the wall.
27:15The council convened within the day.
27:16And she stomped on it.
27:17Why the hell would you want that piece of trash?
27:20Emma cried as he dragged her away.
27:22Mom got out of the dungeon.
27:24Mom got out of the dungeon.
27:24The healer said she had lost her mind.
27:26The council locked her in the home instead.
27:29The one that still smelled like death.
27:31Her mental state deteriorated fast.
27:34She refused to take off the red choker.
27:36She would tighten it herself whenever the guilt got too heavy.
27:39She said choking was the only thing that eased it.
27:42It was her self-imposed punishment.
27:45I floated in the darkness.
27:47My wolf curled beside me, watching her unravel day after day.
27:51She'd talk to the empty corner where I used to stand.
27:54Stella, I brought you some food.
27:55No celery today.
27:57It's all roast.
27:59Just how you like it.
28:01But there was no food.
28:02There was nothing.
28:03Just her hands, cupped around air.
28:06She'd pretend to set a plate down.
28:08Her hands shook.
28:09The gem flashed red.
28:11She was anxious.
28:12Guilty.
28:13Falling apart.
28:15She smiled, but her eyes were empty.
28:17The gem is red.
28:19Mom is lying.
28:21Liars don't deserve food.
28:22She pulled the choker tight with her own hands.
28:25Let it choke her.
28:26Her body convulsed against the cold floor.
28:29It hurts so much.
28:31Is this how Stella felt?
28:33I'm sorry.
28:35Mom started reenacting my diary entries.
28:37I couldn't eat celery because of my allergy.
28:41So she forced herself to eat spoiled food until she vomited blood, then swallowed it back
28:47down.
28:47I was locked in isolation.
28:50So she locked herself in my old room, lights off, and bowed to my portrait until her forehead
28:56bled.
28:57Over and over.
28:59Blood on the floor.
29:01Late at night, she'd see the red glow of the bloodstone reflected on the wall.
29:06To her, it looked like my bloody eyes were watching.
29:09She kept punishing herself.
29:11The wounds healed slower and slower.
29:14Her wolf, exhausted by months of self-torture, slowly fell into a deep sleep.
29:20Mom didn't care.
29:21She scrawled on the back of my journal.
29:23I'm sorry.
29:24I was wrong.
29:26Red means pain.
29:27Red means love.
29:29Please come back and say it hurts hurts one more time.
29:32I'll save you.
29:34I promise.
29:35Too bad I'm dead.
29:36Dead wolves can't cry for help.
29:38Eventually, the new alpha intervened.
29:41Mom's self-harm had gone too far.
29:43She'd nearly choked herself to death with her own hands.
29:47He ordered her to move to a small hut at the far edge of the village, locked from the
29:51outside.
29:52Someone posted to watch her day and night.
29:55She was the strangest woman they'd ever seen.
29:58Nobody knew where she'd found it.
30:00A frayed red cord, tied around her own neck.
30:03Her homemade choker.
30:05If anyone tried to remove it, she'd snap at them, teeth bared, snarling, wild-eyed.
30:12Don't touch me!
30:14Stella's watching.
30:15She'll be angry if you take it!
30:18Every time the guard called her name and brought her food, Mom would grab the red cord
30:23and pull it tight against her own throat, convulsing, screaming.
30:27Red light!
30:28Red light!
30:29Don't punish!
30:31Punish me!
30:31I'll eat!
30:34Even if the food was scalding hot, she'd gulp it down, burning her throat.
30:39Wouldn't spit it out.
30:40She was reenacting my final moments, living my hell on repeat.
30:45Years later, Emma grew up, without guidance and with a trail of shame behind her.
30:50She drifted from pack to pack, stealing to survive.
30:54No one would take her in.
30:55When she ran out of options, she remembered.
30:59Mom was still alive.
31:01She slipped back into the Silverman pack under the cover of night.
31:04Not for love.
31:05For money.
31:07Hey, crazy lady!
31:09Dad's dead!
31:10Give me whatever you've been hiding!
31:12Emma stood there, face hard, eyes full of contempt.
31:16She looked at Mom's hollow, broken form and spat on the floor.
31:21It's disgusting.
31:22Give me what I want, or I'll send you to meet your daughter.
31:27For a moment, Mom's cloudy eyes cleared.
31:30She looked at Emma, and suddenly remembered.
31:33That choker.
31:34That always green glowstone.
31:37That decade of deception.
31:39It's you!
31:40It's you!
31:41You lie!
31:42You're the green light that wasn't there!
31:44You killed Stella!
31:46Give her back to me!
31:48Give her back to me!
31:49The last shred of maternal love twisted into something feral.
31:54Mom lunged, grabbed Emma by the throat.
31:57You should have died!
31:59Not her!
32:00You!
32:03Emma thrashed, but couldn't break free from a madwoman's grip.
32:06The guards rushed in, pulled her off.
32:09Emma stumbled out of the hut, terrified.
32:12They're all insane!
32:14She bolted into the forest.
32:16She didn't get far.
32:18Rogues.
32:19The kind that haunted the borderlands.
32:21Preying on anyone foolish enough to run through the trees alone at night.
32:25Emma never saw them coming.
32:27By the time she did, it was too late.
32:30She survived.
32:31Barely.
32:32Both legs shattered beyond repair.
32:34She'd never walk again.
32:37Meanwhile, Mom was strapped to her cot, staring at the ceiling.
32:40Tears, streaming.
32:42In her dreams, she finally saw me.
32:44I was ten again.
32:46No choker.
32:47White dress.
32:48Smiling.
32:49Mom!
32:50She reached for me, crying with joy.
32:53Stella!
32:55But the moment her hands touched me, I burst into ash.
32:59No!
32:59She woke up screaming.
33:01If she'd been wearing that choker, it would have been blood red.
33:05Eternal torment.
33:07I stood in the void, watching it all.
33:09Mom strapped to her bed.
33:11Emma in a wheelchair, begging on the market.
33:14Dad, drunk and dead in some gutter.
33:16I felt nothing.
33:18No satisfaction.
33:19Just a flat, dead calm.
33:21My wolf patted over quietly.
33:24She didn't howl.
33:25Didn't nudge.
33:26Just pressed her head against my hand and held it there.
33:29In the distance, a door of light appeared.
33:32Soft.
33:33Steady.
33:34Waiting.
33:35I looked at my wolf.
33:36She looked at me.
33:37Yeah.
33:38Time to leave.
33:39This life was too bitter.
33:41Nothing worth holding onto.
33:42I floated to Mom's hut one final time.
33:46She looked ancient.
33:47Hair completely white.
33:48Frail as paper.
33:49She sensed something.
33:50Her cloudy eyes focused on a point in the air.
33:53Right where I stood.
33:54Stella?
33:55Is that you?
33:56Her trembling hand reached into the emptiness.
33:58Mom destroyed the choker.
34:00I don't believe in it anymore.
34:02Come back.
34:02Please.
34:03I'll cook for you.
34:04No salary.
34:05I'll buy you new dresses.
34:06Not Emma.
34:07Tears rolled down her face.
34:09I looked at the red marks on her neck from the frayed cord.
34:12I...
34:12I reached out.
34:14My cold, ghostly finger touched her forehead.
34:17This was my final mercy.
34:18Sleep, Mom.
34:20In sleep, there's no pain.
34:21Her eyes fluttered shut.
34:23She slumped into a deep, dreamless rest.
34:26A breeze blew through the hut.
34:27The old journal on her cot flipped open.
34:30The last page, my dying words, stared up at the ceiling.
34:33But below it, in shaky handwriting, were new lines.
34:37Written by Mom during a lucid moment.
34:39Next life, let me wear the choker.
34:41Let me be the liar.
34:43Punish me however you want.
34:44Just don't leave me.
34:45I stared at those words.
34:47Felt nothing.
34:48Too late.
34:49Repentance means nothing to the dead.
34:51Mom, I don't hate you anymore.
34:54But I don't love you either.
34:55Let's not meet again.
34:56I turned away.
34:57My wolf was waiting.
34:59In the distance, the door of light still glowed.
35:01Soft.
35:02Steady.
35:02Patient.
35:03I looked at my neck.
35:04The phantom Verity choker.
35:06Still there, even in spirit form.
35:08The nightmare that had changed me for a lifetime.
35:11I grabbed it.
35:12It shattered into nothing.
35:13I felt weightless.
35:15Free.
35:15No red light.
35:16No hunger.
35:17No lies.
35:18Just freedom.
35:19My wolf pressed against my side.
35:21Together, we walked toward the light.
35:23I didn't look back.
35:24Morning came.
35:25A guard pushed open the door.
35:26Rachel!
35:27Time to eat!
35:28No response.
35:28She walked closer.
35:30Mom's hand clutched the torn journal.
35:32A single tear crystallized at the corner of her eye.
35:35She crouched beside her.
35:36Held two fingers beneath her nose.
35:38Nothing.
35:39She was gone.
35:40Passing through the door wasn't violent.
35:42No spinning.
35:43No chaos.
35:44Just warmth.
35:45Like sinking into a spring stream.
35:47I looked to my side.
35:48My wolf was gone.
35:49I didn't panic.
35:50I pressed my hand to my chest.
35:52And there she was.
35:53Steady.
35:54Warm.
35:55Then I heard her voice.
35:56Not a whimper.
35:57Not a whine.
35:57Clear.
35:58And bright.
35:59And full of life.
36:00Like the first time we met.
36:02Run!
36:02I shifted.
36:03Four paws hit the ground and I ran.
36:05Through forests that smelled of pine and rain.
36:08Through cold, shallow streams that splashed silver around my legs.
36:12Through meadows I had never seen but somehow knew.
36:15My white fur caught the light.
36:17My paws were sure.
36:18My lungs were full.
36:19My body was strong.
36:22No choker around my throat.
36:23No red light.
36:24No hunger.
36:25The lingering ache in my soul.
36:27The phantom pain of ten years.
36:30Started to fade with every step.
36:32I ran toward brightness.
36:33Behind me, old life dissolved.
36:35Like a worn photograph left out in the rain.
36:38Mom's final tear.
36:39The red glow of the choker.
36:41Blood on the journal pages.
36:43Gone.
36:44I didn't look back.
36:45That ten year nightmare was finally, truly, over.
36:49When I opened my eyes again, I was tiny, wrapped in soft blankets.
36:54Someone was humming.
36:55Mmm.
36:57A woman's voice.
36:58Gentle.
36:59Off key, but full of love.
37:01Her fingers brushed my cheek.
37:03The scent of wild flowers.
37:05Not the cold, clinical distance of my old mother.
37:08Not the silence of someone who only touched me to punish.
37:12I blinked up at her.
37:14She had kind eyes.
37:15A soft smile.
37:17She cradled me like I was made of glass.
37:20Grace is awake, honey.
37:21Come quick.
37:23Our daughter just opened her eyes.
37:25A man appeared.
37:26Tall.
37:27A little awkward.
37:28But his face lit up when he saw me.
37:31He touched my tiny hand with one finger.
37:33His voice was deep.
37:35Warm.
37:36Hey Grace.
37:37I'm your dad.
37:40Grace.
37:41Not Stella.
37:43No weight.
37:43No chains.
37:45No red light.
37:46Just Grace.
37:47A name that meant something light.
37:49Something cherished.
37:51This house was small.
37:52But warm.
37:53Full of light.
37:54Cartoon painting on the walls.
37:56Flowers by the window.
37:58Sunlight pouring through the windows.
38:00Warm on the floor.
38:01I realized fast.
38:03This family was nothing like the last one.
38:06They never forced me to do anything.
38:08There were no chokers.
38:10No red lights.
38:11No punishments for things I hadn't done.
38:13I grew.
38:15Learned to crawl.
38:16To talk.
38:17And when I was three, mom made a stew with celery.
38:21The green stalks in the bowl triggered me.
38:23I flashed back to choking.
38:25Throat swelling.
38:27Vomiting blood.
38:28I stumbled backwards.
38:29Shaking.
38:30Tears came without permission.
38:32Mom immediately put down her spoon.
38:35Crouched.
38:35Pulled me into a hug.
38:37Grace.
38:38What's wrong?
38:39You don't like celery?
38:40I couldn't speak.
38:41Just shook my head.
38:43Sobbing.
38:44Dad knelt too.
38:45Rubbed my back.
38:46Hey, it's okay.
38:48You don't have to eat it.
38:49Can you tell us why?
38:51Their eyes were patient.
38:52Gentle.
38:53Finally, I choked out.
38:55It hurts my throat.
38:58Makes me bleed.
38:59They didn't say, the Verity choker doesn't lie.
39:03They didn't accuse me of faking.
39:05They took me to the pack healer immediately.
39:07Turns out, I really do have a celery allergy.
39:10After that, celery never appeared in the house again.
39:14Mom added it to her market list.
39:16Grace's allergies.
39:18Celery.
39:19She checked every time she shopped.
39:21I lay in her arms that night, smelling wildflowers.
39:24And realized, this is what it feels like to be believed.
39:28Love isn't measured by a stone.
39:30It's listening.
39:32Even when the story sounds impossible.
39:34When I was four, dad took me to the pack healer for my first health check.
39:38There was a blood draw.
39:39I saw the needle and lost it.
39:42Flashes of the choker tightening around my throat.
39:45Flashes of starvation.
39:46I screamed.
39:48Clung to dad's leg.
39:49The healer sighed.
39:50I couldn't stop shaking.
39:52Don't punish me.
39:54I'm not lying.
39:56Dad immediately scooped me up.
39:58Sorry, she's not ready.
39:59We'll come back another time.
40:00On the walk home, dad didn't scold me for being weak.
40:03He just asked gently.
40:06Grace.
40:07Did someone hurt you before?
40:09I buried my face in his shoulder.
40:11Tears soaking his shirt.
40:13Mom.
40:14Joker.
40:15Red light.
40:16I couldn't explain it clearly.
40:18But he listened.
40:19Nodded.
40:21It's okay.
40:22Dad's here now.
40:24No one's ever hurting you again.
40:26From then on, they took me to the pack healer regularly.
40:30Not for blood draws.
40:31Just to talk.
40:32She has been hurt.
40:34Be patient with her.
40:35My parents never complained.
40:37Never made me feel like a burden.
40:39They bought me a colorful necklace, but never forced me to wear it.
40:42This is just a pretty thing, Grace.
40:44Wear it if you want.
40:46Take it off if you don't.
40:47We'll love you either way.
40:49Slowly, I started to heal.
40:51I could say,
40:52I don't like this.
40:54Without fear.
40:55I could say,
40:56I'm scared.
40:57I could say,
40:58I want that.
40:59I didn't have to worry about my heart racing being proof of a lie.
41:03I started sharing my stories with them.
41:05I cried when I didn't get a toy.
41:07I laughed when I got praise.
41:10I was finally just a pup.
41:12A normal, loved pup.
41:14When I turned seven, I started at the PAC school.
41:17There was a girl in my class, Annie Sullivan.
41:20She looked exactly like Emma.
41:22Same eyes, but her hair was shorter.
41:25And she was timid.
41:28Scared.
41:29The first time I saw her, my heart clenched.
41:32Flashbacks.
41:33Emma's smug grin.
41:34The green light mocking me.
41:36I stepped back instinctively.
41:39Annie noticed.
41:40She looked down, voice barely a whisper.
41:43I'm Annie.
41:46Do you want to be friends?
41:48Her tone was so careful.
41:49So desperate to please.
41:51Just like I used to be.
41:53I glanced at her neck.
41:54She wore a simple choker with green gem.
41:57My stomach turned.
41:59Later, I found out, Annie's mom was strict too.
42:03Demanded honesty.
42:04Locked her in her room without food when she made mistakes.
42:08One day, Annie accidentally knocked over the teacher's ink pot.
42:11She was trembling.
42:13Too scared to admit it.
42:15I saw her face.
42:16Red rimmed eyes.
42:18Barely holding back tears.
42:19I remembered myself at that desk.
42:21Writing, I am a liar.
42:24Over and over.
42:25I walked over.
42:26Took her hand.
42:28Annie, it's okay.
42:31Accidents happen.
42:32Let's tell the teacher together.
42:34She won't be mad.
42:36Annie looked at me, shocked.
42:37But mom says liars are bad wolves.
42:40Being honest isn't about never making mistakes.
42:43It's about owning up when you do.
42:45And even if you tell the truth, you shouldn't be punished for it.
42:49If the teacher gets angry, I'll stand with you.
42:51If your mom gets angry, come to my house.
42:54My parents will help.
42:55I gave her the courage I never had.
42:57She confessed.
42:58The teacher forgave her.
43:00Told her to be more careful next time.
43:02From that day on, we have been best friends.
43:05I brought Annie home to meet my parents.
43:07She saw how warm they were.
43:09How they didn't yell.
43:10Didn't punish little things.
43:12I told her,
43:13You don't have to make everyone happy.
43:16You're allowed to feel things.
43:19Say things.
43:20One day, Annie's mom came to pick her up from school.
43:24She saw us together and her face twisted.
43:27She grabbed Annie's hand.
43:28Did you mess up again?
43:30Is Grace covering for you?
43:32Annie immediately looked down.
43:34Silent.
43:35I stepped in front of her.
43:37Looked at the mom in the eye.
43:39Ma'am, Annie didn't do anything wrong.
43:41She's a good pup.
43:43You shouldn't always assume the worst.
43:48She's scared of you.
43:49The mom froze.
43:51Looked at me.
43:52Then at Annie's tear-filled eyes.
43:54Her expression softened.
43:56That night, she called my mom.
43:58Thanked her.
43:59Said I'd opened her eyes.
44:01Over time, Annie's mom got gentler.
44:03You can tell me what you want to do.
44:04Started listening instead of yelling.
44:06And Annie?
44:07She blossomed.
44:08Confident.
44:09Happy.
44:10I watched her laugh freely one day.
44:12And felt this warmth in my chest.
44:14I didn't get saved in my last life.
44:16I suffered alone in the dark.
44:18But this time, I could save someone else.
44:21I could stop another Stella from happening.
44:24Maybe that's the gift my past life gave me.
44:27The ability to see pain.
44:29And to heal it.
44:30When I was ten, my parents took me to visit grandma.
44:33There was an old oak tree in her yard.
44:35Its branches spread wide, casting shade over the whole garden.
44:38I sat beneath it.
44:40Watching sunlight filter through the leaves.
44:42My wolf dozed inside me.
44:43Warm and content.
44:45Then I saw her.
44:46An old woman.
44:47White hair.
44:48Hunched over a walking stick.
44:50Wearing a faded blue dress.
44:51The second I saw her face, I froze.
44:54She looked exactly like Rachel.
44:57My old mother.
44:58Grandma noticed me too.
44:59Walked over slowly.
45:01Her eyes were hazy.
45:02But there was something familiar in them.
45:04Something heavy.
45:05What's your name, child?
45:06Grace.
45:07She repeated it softly.
45:08Grace.
45:09That's a beautiful name.
45:10She reached out like she wanted to touch my hair.
45:13Then hesitated.
45:14Pulled back.
45:15Like she was afraid of disturbing something sacred.
45:17My mom came over.
45:19Steadied her.
45:19Mom.
45:20This is our daughter.
45:21Grace.
45:22So she was my grandma in this life too.
45:24Over the next few days, grandma watched me constantly.
45:27Her expression was unreadable.
45:29One morning, she brought me a bowl of roasted meat.
45:32Grace.
45:32Eat up.
45:33This used to be your favorite.
45:34I stared at the bowl.
45:35In my last life, I wrote in my dying breath,
45:38I want to eat mom's roasted meat.
45:40And here was grandma.
45:42Saying those exact words.
45:44Tears blurred my vision.
45:45This wasn't some distant wish anymore.
45:47It was real.
45:48Right in front of me.
45:50I picked up a piece.
45:51Bit into it.
45:52Tender.
45:52Sweet.
45:53Perfect.
45:54Grandma smiled.
45:55A tired, guilty smile.
45:57That night, lying in bed with my wolf curled warm inside my chest.
46:01I thought about Rachel's last words.
46:03Next life.
46:04Let me wear the choker.
46:06Let me be the liar.
46:07Punish me however you want.
46:08Just don't leave me.
46:10I thought about her final tear.
46:12The torn journal.
46:13I didn't hate her anymore.
46:14Hating someone is like locking yourself in the past.
46:17Chewing on pain forever.
46:19This life's warmth had already washed away the bitterness.
46:22I just felt sad.
46:23Sad that she only understood too late.
46:26Real love was never about stones or punishment.
46:29We stayed for a month.
46:30Then went back home.
46:31Before I left, she held my hand.
46:33Grace, live well.
46:35Be happy.
46:35Her voice was soft, but heavy with meaning.
46:38I nodded.
46:39You too, grandma.
46:40I watched her walk away.
46:41And I felt nothing.
46:43No anger.
46:44No grief.
46:45The grudges of my past life were like fallen leaves.
46:47Blown away by the wind.
46:49I wasn't Stella anymore.
46:50The girl locked in the dark, choking on a lie.
46:53I was Grace Sterling.
46:54Surrounded by love.
46:56Free.
46:56At 13, I graduated from PAC school.
46:59Got into the best academy in the region.
47:01My parents took me to the lake for a picnic to celebrate.
47:04I stood at the edge of the water.
47:05Wind in my hair.
47:07The scent of pine and cold water on my skin.
47:10I stretched out my arms, feeling the freedom.
47:13For a moment, I saw her.
47:15My ghost self.
47:16Floating.
47:16Desperate to hug someone.
47:18But passing right through.
47:20Ahem.
47:20Grace, what are you thinking?
47:22Dad handed me a drink.
47:23I smiled.
47:24Just, I'm grateful.
47:25To be alive.
47:26To be with you both.
47:27Mom pulled me into a hug.
47:29Silly girl.
47:30We're the lucky ones.
47:32No one said anything.
47:33We all just shifted at the same time.
47:36Like we'd done it a hundred times before.
47:38We ran together through the trees.
47:40Through the shallow edge of the lake.
47:41Water spraying silver around our paws.
47:44Eventually, I slowed down.
47:46Turned.
47:46And threw myself at them.
47:48We tumbled into the grass together.
47:50Mom nuzzled her head against mine.
47:52Dad licked the top of my head with lazy affection.
47:56I pressed into them both and stayed there.
47:58Breathing hard.
47:59Warm.
48:00All the way through.
48:01I looked up at the sky through the canopy of trees.
48:04I didn't need to prove I wasn't a liar anymore.
48:06I didn't need to fear a red light.
48:08I could laugh.
48:09Cry.
48:10Speak freely.
48:11I had parents who loved me.
48:13A best friend.
48:14A healthy body.
48:15A bright future.
48:16This was the life I died wishing for.
48:19That night, I wrote in my journal.
48:21Not the blood-stained confessions of my old life.
48:24This one was full of happiness.
48:26Growth.
48:27Love.
48:27I wrote,
48:28Today, we ran by the lake.
48:30Mom and Dad shifted with me without saying a word.
48:33We tumbled in the grass like pups.
48:35I thought about my past self.
48:37That little girl.
48:38Locked in a room.
48:39Choking in the dark.
48:40Desperate to be loved.
48:42She'd never believed that I could be this happy.
48:44Mom and Dad love me.
48:46They taught me that honesty isn't something you punish out of someone.
48:49It's something you grow.
48:51With patience and warmth.
48:53Annie is my best friend now.
48:55She laughs freely.
48:57She speaks without flinching.
48:58Grandma is getting older.
49:00But her eyes are warm when she looks at me.
49:02My wolf grows stronger every day.
49:05With her beside me, I feel at ease.
49:07I don't hate anyone anymore.
49:09I don't cling to the past.
49:11Those painful memories are like paw prints in the mud.
49:14Washed away by rain.
49:15But they taught me to cherish every step forward.
49:18I know my old mom, sister, and dad got what they deserved.
49:22And I finally broke free.
49:24I found real freedom.
49:26I don't want to see them again.
49:27I don't want to relive that life.
49:29I just want to be grey.
49:31Simple.
49:31Happy.
49:32Loved.
49:33The lake was beautiful.
49:34Life was beautiful.
49:36I closed my journal.
49:37Looked out the window.
49:38Moonlight shimmered on the water through the trees.
49:41My wolf stirred softly inside my chest.
49:43Warm.
49:44Steady.
49:44I smiled.
49:46This life.
49:46I finally became who I wanted to be.
49:49No red light.
49:50No starvation.
49:51No lies.
49:52Just love.
49:53Freedom.
49:54Happiness.
49:55And those scars from my past?
49:56They became part of me.
49:58Proof that I had survived.
49:59Proof that darkness, no matter how long it lasts, cannot swallow you whole.
50:04Not if you keep moving toward the light.
50:06The road ahead is long.
50:07But I will walk it.
50:09With courage.
50:10With joy.
50:11Toward something even brighter.
50:14Let's go ahead.
50:14Right.
50:15I hope that there is my best friend,
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