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