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🧡🍏 🔥 A Werewolf Song Of Fire And Frost 🔥 Hot Film 2026
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00:00Jill Pack. We D. Trained together since we were pups. Everyone said we were the perfect match.
00:08Future Alpha and Luna. Balanced. Predictable. Safe. I smoothed down the front of my cloak for
00:14the hundredth time and glanced toward the entrance again. Still no one. Not a single soul had shown
00:19up. Not my parents. Not my brother Andrew. Not even a Hearn. Just me standing alone in the silence.
00:25I pulled out my phone and checked it for the fifth time. No new messages. My thumb hovered over a
00:31Hearn's name before I called again. It rang twice then went to voicemail. I stared at the screen,
00:38unsure whether to laugh or throw it against the stone wall. Then the package announcement
00:42flashed across it. Welcome home Bernice Thorns. A video autoplayed. There they were my family.
00:49All of them. Gathered at the arrival gates of the northern ridge. Where the Skycrafts. Landed.
00:55My father beamed. My mother teared up. And Andrew lifted Bernice into an aspiring hug.
01:01Even a Hearn was there. Standing just behind her. Bernice's golden hair glinted under the
01:06lantern lights. Today was supposed to be a Hearn. Her arm curled tightly around a Hearn's like she
01:13belonged there. She always did. My chest burned. A moment later my phone buzzed again. This time it
01:19was a Hearn. Stop being dramatic. Anastasia. He said. His voice dry like I called to complain
01:25about the weather. We'll do the ceremony later. Bernice just got back from alpha training at
01:29Wolfsbane Academy Dash. The line cut. I stared at the screen my claws itching to come out. Around me
01:36the ceremonial hall remained silent. Filled only with the soft rustle of moonflower petals falling to the
01:42floor. I looked down at the cloak I'd spent hours sewing silver threads into. It pooled around me
01:47now like shed fur. Like something I didn't deserve to wear. I slipped it off and left it there. The
01:53storm veil pack buzzed with noise when I returned. Someone had roasted meat on. The back grill.
01:59Bernice's. Perfume floated through the. Hall's rose and sweet leaf. Strong enough to push every.
02:05Others sent away. Laughter. Echoed from the main room. A celebration loud and thoughtless. No one
02:12noticed when I slipped inside through the kitchen door. Her arm. I went straight to my room. Sat on
02:20the edge of my bed. And stared at the list I'd written in my journal. A simple list. Every time
02:26I'd been forgotten. Overlooked. Passed over. I added another entry at the bottom. Mating ceremony no one
02:33came. A knock slammed against the door. It creaked open and Andrew stepped inside like he owned the
02:38place. His boots heavy on the floor. There you are. He. Looked me over taking in. The fur cloak now
02:45folded by. My desk and the. Half written letter to the. Counsel. Bernice wants your meatloaf. Make it
02:52spicy she says she missed the way you cook it. I stared at him hands resting on my lap. You
02:57missed my
02:58mating ceremony. Andrew blinked. Then shrugged like it didn't matter. It's just a ritual. You and her
03:04can do it next moon. Or the one after. Bernice is back. Anastasia. We haven't seen her in a year.
03:10He picked up my journal from the desk. Flipped through it without asking. You still writing this
03:15stuff down? His eyes landed on the fresh page. At the top in bold letters. I went straight.
03:23Final warning. He snorted. What's that supposed to mean? You gonna run away? To be a rogue? He tossed
03:30the journal back onto the bed. Just make the meatloaf. Anastasia. I stood slowly and walked.
03:35Past him toward the kitchen. My hand stung as I pulled. Out the meat from the cold. Box. The new
03:42soap baby. Brought back for me to. Use Bernice as favorite. Brand had left red blotches. On my skin.
03:48Andrew leaned against the wall behind me. Watching too closely. Why are you so quiet?
03:54He asked. Planning to poison her or something? Before I could answer. Her voice rang out from
03:59the main room. Andre. The chestnuts. He rolled his eyes and muttered. Coming. Before turning and
04:06leaving without a second glance. Final warning. I washed my hands under cold water. Watching the
04:13red fade into pale pink. My eyes drifted to the counter. There sat the ceremonial cake I'd ordered
04:19still untouched. The bonding rings lay beside it. Sealed in their velvet box. I didn't cry. I just
04:26stood there for a long time. Staring at all the things that were supposed to matter. My wolf had
04:31been quiet all day. But now her voice was sharp in my head. Arlene my wolf growled low in my
04:36chest.
04:37They've made their choice. She said. So will we. I looked toward the window. Beyond it, the dark trees
04:44of the northern woods swayed gently in the night wind. Bernice was back. She had everything. And me?
04:50I was done waiting. I set the meatloaf down on the long oak dining table. The scent wafting through
04:58the air like a forgotten promise. Laughter echoed from the living room. Father, usually buried in alpha
05:04council meetings and Asheville pack's logistics. Sat comfortably, listening intently as Bernice gushed
05:11about her time at Wolfsbane Academy. We practiced under the pack elder Archibald. She said, eyes
05:17shining. He said I had the instincts of a born alpha strong enough to lead any pack. Mother clutched
05:23Bernice's hand. Eyes shimmering with emotion. My sweet girl. You've lost weight, haven't you? You need
05:30more rest. Too much time in training will weaken your wolf and dull your senses. Andrew sat beside
05:35them, still dutifully peeling chestnuts like some beta servant. I stood quietly at the threshold
05:41between the kitchen and living room watching. Never invited. That room was warm, bright, full of voices
05:47and attention. This room mine was quiet, dim, forgotten. Bernice's voice rose with performative
05:54sweetness. Anastasia, why are you just standing there, still mad at me for ruining your ceremony?
06:00The conversation screeched to a halt. Three pairs of eyes turned toward me like I was a problem that
06:06had just come back. I set the meatloaf down on the lawn. Other's brow furrowed. Anastasia, come here.
06:13Don't salt. Mother gave me that impatient look, the one that always followed whenever Bernice cried.
06:19You're the one who picked that unfortunate date. Bernice had just landed. We were all exhausted
06:24from the airport run. You know that, don't you? Then came the dagger. If you're going to be petty
06:30with your sister, then you're no daughter of mine. Bernice gasped, wide-eyed and full of faux concern.
06:36Mom, don't be so harsh. Anastasia will feel hurt. But her smirk said otherwise. She knew my ceremony
06:43date. I told her a week in advance. She even replied. Can't wait. Got a surprise planned for
06:50you. Surprise indeed. Since we were pups, Bernice had always managed to turn every situation into a
06:56test one where the pack had to choose. They always picked her. Even my mate chose her. I should have
07:02felt something anger, betrayal, sadness. But there was only stillness. I'm not angry. Those three words
07:09slice through the tension like claws through bark. Everyone stared. Father blinked. Mother narrowed
07:15her eyes. Bernice tilted her head with a mock-confused pout. They had expected a tantrum, not serenity.
07:23Father's brow. Which meant. They knew what they did would hurt me. They just didn't care enough to stop.
07:31Father exhaled and forced a smile. Good. That's good. We're a pack. We don't hold grudges.
07:37Of course. I said, nodding with perfect obedience. It was the same voice I used to speak to the elder
07:44wolves during full moon rituals. The relief in their eyes was instant. They turned their attention back
07:50to Bernice. Dinner began. The maid had added S. Anastasial dishes besides my meatloaf crab legs,
07:56lemon garlic scallops, all Bernice's favorites. You're too thin. Father murmured, piling food
08:03onto her plate. Eat more. You'll need your strength before the orchestral trial. Mother added,
08:10dabbing her eyes again. Andrew chimed in with a grin. Don't worry. If any of those city wolves give
08:16you trouble, I'll rip their throats out. Bernice laughed, her silver hair gleaming in the light.
08:22No need. I've got this. They all chuckled. I ate in silence, the warmth of the meatloaf doing little
08:29to thaw the cold within me. Which meant. They knew then for the first time that evening mother glanced
08:36at me. She hesitated. Picked up a spoonful of meatloaf and placed it on my plate. Try it. Don't
08:43think we don't care about you just because we fuss over Bernice. I care about you too. The words felt
08:49rehearsed. Rehearsed. Like a line from a script she'd use too often. I looked down at the food,
08:55then slowly set my utensils down. No. I'm full. Her expression shifted first startled,
09:02then irritated. What's wrong with you lately? She started to say more, but Bernice suddenly
09:08clutched her throat eyes wide. Mom, I, I can't breathe. Then, her voice cracked breath-rasping.
09:17She staggered backward, knocking over her chair. Panic erupted instantly. Bernice.
09:24Mother screamed. What's happening? Father stood so fast the table shook. Andrew was already at her
09:30side, sniffing her neck and face for signs of poison. His beta instincts flaring.
09:35Her sense spiking something's wrong. My heart thudded in my chest, not from fear,
09:41but from the quiet, twisted irony of it all. In the chaos, no one noticed me standing completely
09:47still, just watching. Arlene's voice stirred faintly in my mind. She's not choking, Anastasia.
09:54She's shifting. Something inside her is waking. Her voice cracked breath-rasping. Bernice's rash
10:00loomed across her skin like a warning from the moon goddess. Is this an allergic reaction?
10:06Agh!
10:07Father barked, nostrils flaring as he hovered over her convulsing form.
10:11Why would this happen now? Mother's gaze snapped to me like a dagger drawn under moonlight.
10:16In the next heartbeat, her palm collided with my cheek, sending me sprawling across the tiled floor.
10:22Anastasia! What did you put in the food? Have you forgotten your sister's triggers?
10:27My head ran. The room swam. I could feel Arlene stir within me. A low growl rising in the depths
10:34of
10:34my chest. But I shoved her back, swallowing the heat clawing at my throat. Andrew stepped forward,
10:41eyes flashing in disbelief. You were so quiet, so obedient. And now this? You meant to harm Bernice.
10:48How did I end up with a sister like you? He added his voice heavy with disappointment.
10:54Enough.
10:54Father slammed his fist on the table, a sound reverberating like thunder. Bernice's rash
11:02Give her to the healer now.
11:04The room cleared in a blur my parents and Andrew carrying Bernice out, frantic and breathless,
11:09like she was the moon's own fragile vessel. I was left alone, face throbbing, heart hollow.
11:15It wasn't me. I whispered the words aloud, but they echoed off the silence like lies.
11:22They wouldn't believe me. They never did. Not after everything. I felt something wet and hot on my
11:28palm. The maid had returned, her eyes wide as she caught sight of my hands.
11:33Lady Anastasia, your hands, they're swollen.
11:36I looked down. Red lines bloomed across my skin like fire veins.
11:41I'm fine. I lied, brushing past her. In my room I reached for an old leather-bound notebook.
11:47As I opened its worn cover, the scent of old ink and pine dust rose memories not even the wolf
11:53in
11:53me wanted to recall. Get her to the-
11:56That winter prey was scarce. Rogues pushed at our borders. And the council demanded more from father
12:03than he could give. When resources thinned, when space and safety grew tight, someone had to be
12:08sent away. I volunteered. The obedient daughter. The easy one to forget. The outpost clung to the
12:16cliffs beyond the pack's borders a place carved for old warriors and outcasts. No pack song reached that
12:21far. Only wind and silence. There I learned everything. They visited once a year for solstice
12:28rites. Each time, they stayed less. Brought more gifts for Bernice. Spoke less of me. When I finally
12:35returned, the Stormvale pack had grown stronger courts and galleries echoing with pride. My new
12:42quarters. A forgotten supply room near the rear exit. No windows. No warmth. Just a reminder.
12:49I wasn't part of the vision they built. I packed my things into a worn duffel. The wedding leave I
12:55had once requested felt laughable now. I was reaching for the phone. Ready to send a message
13:01to my superior at outpost requesting return to the outpost. Ahern. My mate. Or at least the one
13:08fate had paired me with. The one who should have stood by me. That winter prey was scarce. What did
13:14you do to Bernice? He demanded, skipping any pretense of concern. She's in the healer's hall.
13:19You poisoned her. It was an allergic reaction. I said simply. Don't lie to me. You've always been
13:26jealous. How could you hurt your own blood like that? His words were fire. Burning through any
13:31remaining illusion I had. Yes. I hurt her. I'll apologize when she recovers. Are we done?
13:39He fell silent for a second, stunned by my calm. We'd argued about Bernice before dozens of times.
13:46He used to flirt with her under the pretense of concern. Ordered her favorite foods during our
13:52dinners. Ignored my needs, my wants. She's your sister. He always said, like that made everything
13:58acceptable. To my family, I was always the overreacting one. The unstable one. When Bernice
14:05went to the alpha training, I felt peace for the first time. Even Arlene had been calmer. Now,
14:10the storm had returned. If anything happens to Bernice again, Ahern warned, his voice cold.
14:16There will be no mating ceremony. Then the line went dead. I pictured him rushing into the healer's den,
14:22brushing hair from Bernice's face, playing the hero to the girl he truly wanted.
14:27My claws threatened to unsheathe. Instead, I smirked, hung up, and called my mentor back in the
14:33outpost. What did you do to Bernice? Later that night, the front door creaked open. Mother and
14:39father returned. Exhaustion painted across their faces. Andrew followed his head low. My duffel sat by
14:46the door. I was ready to leave. From upstairs, I heard them speaking in hushed tones until the silence
14:53cracked open with betrayal. If only Ahern's family had better standing. Mother sighed. He's so good to
15:00Bernice. Bernice likes him. Father added. Had I known, I never would have paired him with Anastasia.
15:06Still, mother continued. Ahern and Anastasia are more suited. Let Bernice chase her dreams. He can
15:13still take care of her, even as Anastasia's mate. The words sank like stones in my gut. Even now,
15:19they plan to keep Bernice close to my mate. To my mate. I descended the stairs, my presence sudden,
15:25cutting off their whispers. Mother flinched as she saw me.
15:29Anastasia, you're still here?
15:31I said nothing. Just grabbed my bag and walked into the night into the cold air and the arms of
15:36the moon. Arlene stirred again. We were never one of them, Anastasia. But we are not alone.
15:42I tilted my face skyward. Letting the night wind carry my scent far from that house. From the pack
15:49that never truly saw me. From the mate who never chose me. Let them keep their false bonds. I would
15:55forge my own. Later the lights were off. Mother assumed I was asleep. She hadn't expected me to
16:03overhear their discussion about giving up my mate. As if I were merely a placeholder in Selene's shadow.
16:09When I walked past her, calm but cold, her face stiffened with fear.
16:14I'm returning to the outpost. I said flatly. Ignoring the faint ache in my chest the burn of
16:19betrayal that still lingered. Mother exhaled sharply. Realizing I wasn't about to explode.
16:26Father gave a curt nod, his approval silent. Good. Less trouble for the pack.
16:31Andrew however stepped forward. His eyes narrowing at the duffel beside me. The lights were off.
16:39You're taking your things? Are you really running away because we're upset about what
16:43happened to Selene? You think that little apology call makes it okay?
16:47Their guilt from earlier so fleeting had already been replaced by righteousness.
16:52It always shifted like that. A second of shame then back to their cold duty.
16:57Your sister was hospitalized, Anastasia.
17:00Father growled.
17:01And you haven't even properly apologized.
17:02The air thickened like wolves closing in on their prey. I could feel Arlene pacing within me.
17:08Her fur bristling, lips curling in mourning. Call her, Arlene urged. Let them hear her lies for
17:14themselves. I took out my phone, dialed Bernice's number, and switched it to speaker.
17:20She picked up quickly her voice soft, syrupy, laced with smugness like a wolf who thought she'd won.
17:25Anastasia? Oh. Is it because you found out Ahern is here with me? Are you angry?
17:32You're taking the silence that followed was immediate. Even Andrew flinched.
17:38My parents exchanged a glance, the perfect image they had of Bernice beginning to crack.
17:44I didn't react. I didn't need to.
17:47It's good he's there.
17:48I said tone neutral.
17:50You'll need someone at your side.
17:52Bernice hesitated.
17:53Do you really mean that?
17:55Of course.
17:56I replied coolly.
17:58I don't know what caused your reaction, but I'm sorry. I apologize.
18:03A pause. Then I ended the call. My family stood still, shocked. Perhaps because I hadn't played
18:09the dramatic, jealous wolf they expected.
18:12Now.
18:12I said, lifting my duffel.
18:14Am I allowed to leave?
18:16Their silence was answer enough. I turned my heart lighter for the first time in days and
18:22walked out the door now. Longer their dutiful Omega. Let them sit with their doubts. Let
18:27Bernice play her little games. I was done begging for scraps of affection from a pack that never
18:33truly wanted me. The silence. This time, no one tried to stop me. Andrew's voice called out behind
18:40me, faint and unsure. Why didn't you make a fuss this time?
18:44I didn't answer. There was nothing left to fight for. Back at the outpost, I shut everything out my
18:51phone on airplane mode. My focus locked on the border. For 13 days, I trained hard and took extra
18:57shifts on patrol. Keeping my head down and my thoughts quiet. The work was brutal but steady. By the end
19:03of
19:04it, something inside me had settled. The next day I turned on my phone. It vibrated nonstop messages
19:10crashing in from the pack from Ahern. From people I'd once thought of as friends. I opened my friends
19:16messages first. Dozens of them. All furious. All aimed squarely at Bernice and Ahern. And then one
19:23photo that made my blood still. A family photo. Everyone was there. My parents, Andrew Bernice and
19:29Ahern. This time, no one tried to stop me. Silence.
19:36We couldn't reach you. We wanted to invite you along. You know, it's not our fault your friend's
19:41comment really upset Bernice. She cried for hours. We had to take her out to cheer her up.
19:47But I already apologized. I said. More silence. Then a weak reply. It's for the best. I guess you've
19:55learned your lesson. He stood. Then Ahern took the phone. His voice was sharp, edged with fury.
20:04Anastasia, did you tell your friend to post that? You re-disgusting. I've said it before Bernice,
20:09your sister. I'm just taking care of her for you. That's what your family does, too. But you,
20:14you always jealous. Always playing the victim. Maybe you should think about why no one chooses you.
20:19The words were cold. Delivered with purpose. But they didn't sting. Not anymore. Because 13 days ago,
20:27I'd heard the truth from the Alpha and Luna of our bloodline. Ahern had never wanted me. He was
20:33playing a part, just like the rest of them. If I'd stayed quiet, he would've kept pretending.
20:39You were never the choice, Anastasia, Arlene murmured. Only the placeholder. A few seconds
20:45passed. His voice softened out. He realized maybe that he'd gone too far. But I was already looking
20:51at the flight details my classmate had sent me. Ahern, I said quietly. We're done. What? I'm not
20:59your shield anymore. Or a substitute. I ended the call before I could say anything else. I wasn't a
21:05pawn in their polished little story. I was a wolf wounded, yes. But no longer theirs. I was leaving.
21:12Then a- The line went quiet after my words. Then came a Hearn's low chuckle. Confident in all the
21:21wrong ways. Anastasia, are you serious? After everything we planned for the mating ceremony?
21:27You're really ending it over a tantrum. I exhaled slowly. So you do remember how long this has
21:34been arranged. He still thought I was bluffing. Come on. You're just upset. I said I'd make it
21:42up to you. Acting cold won't change how I feel. I didn't need to explain anymore. When I heard
21:49Andrew arguing with him in the background, I hung up. Then I blocked every number tied to
21:54the storm veil Packer Hearn included. That night, I slept through the night for the first time in
22:02weeks. And I dreamed. In the dream I saw a young girl curled on the floor of a cold outpost
22:10barack.
22:10Her uniform was too big. Her hands covered in healing scrapes. She scribbled something into a
22:16journal. Half numbers, half thoughts, never full sentences. A quiet record of everything she swallowed
22:22down. The line. Today, I covered someone else's patrol again. No one said thanks, but I didn't
22:30want trouble. Today, I trained with a broken rib. No one noticed. Maybe they wouldn't care even if
22:38they had. Today, I was told to smile more. Be softer. Don't make others uncomfortable with my
22:45silence. The journal wasn't a countdown. It was survival. Note she left herself to remember that it
22:51wasn't her fault. In the last entry, she wasn't wearing a wedding dress or anything dramatic.
22:58Just her worn boots and a cloak that smelled of the wild. Wind in her hair. Her shoulders lighter.
23:05I should have walked away sooner. I stood beside her, older and unflinching. But you're walking now.
23:12I didn't leave the outpost. I stayed through the cold, through the silence, through the rough edges of
23:18pack life on the border. No one held my hand. No one asked if I was okay. But that was
23:24fine.
23:24I didn't need them to. Today, I covered someone else's patrol. While others gathered around bonfires
23:31or joke during downtime, I trained harder. Took extra shifts. Learned everything I could. Territory lines.
23:38Emergency signals. How to hold my ground when no one came to back me up.
23:44I became someone useful. Someone who didn't flinch when things got hard. Not the overlooked daughter.
23:51Not the broken bond. Just a wolf doing her job and doing it well. One night, during a rare chat
23:57with a
23:57friend back in the pack. She messaged with a grin I could almost feel through the screen.
24:03Anastasia, you will believe this. The storm veil pack are losing it without you, even a hurt.
24:10Totally pulled down.
24:12Blinked, then smiled faintly.
24:14Why would they care?
24:16No clue. But they're trying every trick to reach you. Guess they finally noticed the silence.
24:22A moment later, my phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number. I almost declined but something
24:27told me to answer. My mother's voice came through tight with forced warmth.
24:34Anastasia. Thank the moon goddess. We've been trying to reach you. Why did you block us?
24:41We thought something happened. A beat passed.
24:46We, we weren't fair to you. I know that now. Come home. We'll celebrate your birthday properly this time.
24:53I went still. They found it. While others gathered around on my book, but what it meant.
25:01The record of everything I never said out loud. All the moments they ignored. All the wounds they
25:07couldn't see or didn't want to. Too late. I don't like birthdays. I said calmly. There was a long pause
25:14on the other end. A silence that sounded more like guilt than love. She asked again. At least,
25:22come home. I looked around my small dorm room. The scent of coffee clung to my worn blanket that
25:29I'm why boots were muddy from the last field run. A dog-eared book rested beside my pillow.
25:35Oh mine. This was peace. This was mine. I am home. I said and hung up. Not the notebook.
25:44I made my rejection clear. But it didn't matter. They came anyway. I returned from patrol,
25:52boots still caked in dust and ash. Only to find them waiting outside the outpost gates for shadows I
25:58had no use for anymore. My father, my mother, Andrew, and Ahern. The Asheville packs core.
26:05They lit up like they'd found something they'd lost. Anastasia. You're back.
26:10Ahern stepped forward first before Andrew could block him. Long time no see. He said softly. He looked
26:17wrecked. Bloodshot eyes. Shaky hands. The kind of desperation that used to stir something in me.
26:24Now it just made me tired. We're over. I said flatly. Why are you here?
26:31His mouth twitched trying to hold. Something in. I didn't agree to that. It was just a fight.
26:39I don't need your permission to leave. I didn't raise my voice. The truth was enough.
26:45When I looked past him to the others, I saw them flinch small reactions but they were there.
26:51I heard when you said that day. I added. I made my rejection. My mother looked away.
26:58My father's jaw clenched. Even Andrew didn't meet my eyes. Ahern was never meant for me.
27:05I went on. He loved Bernice from the start. But his bloodline wasn't good enough for her.
27:11So you gave him me instead. I was a placeholder. A distraction. A Luna decoy.
27:18That's not Dash. My mother tried. But even she didn't sound convinced.
27:22We didn't know Dash. Andrew muttered. I didn't need to hear the rest.
27:27Ahern's voice cracked next. Yes. I liked Bernice before but that changed.
27:31We were bonded. Of course I cared for you. I nodded once. And his eyes lit up. Until I said.
27:39But you didn't show up for our mating ceremony. That was your last chance. There won't be another.
27:46There can be another. I already ordered your new bonding rope stay maker your favorite fabric.
27:52The ceremony can be redone. It can be better. He reached for me hands desperate.
27:58Please Anastasia. I never stopped caring. I just didn't think you'd really leave. I was stupid. I was scared.
28:09My mother looked away. His touch was warm. Familiar. Once I would've leaned into it.
28:15Now, it only reminded me how much colder he'd made me feel.
28:19You say you love me. I said.
28:22But love doesn't use someone to patch up a broken past.
28:25Love isn't guilt. It's not obligation.
28:28You leaned on my loyalty like it owed you something.
28:32You knew what I wanted. I wanted to be chosen.
28:36I wanted someone who would choose me even if no one else did.
28:39I stepped back. His hands dropped.
28:42His body curled inward like I'd taken something vital.
28:45I didn't reach out.
28:47He wasn't my mate anymore.
28:49And I wasn't his shield.
28:52I turned to go.
28:54Only to be blocked by the rest of them.
28:56Right.
28:57The rest of the story.
28:58I crossed my arms.
29:00He came here for redemption.
29:02What about you three?
29:04My father cleared his throat.
29:06Looked down at the cracked earth.
29:08After reading your journal, we realized the pain you went through.
29:12He tried to explain.
29:14About Bernice's childhood illness.
29:16About how they'd poured all their care into her.
29:19Out of fear.
29:22He said they didn't know how to love me once I came back.
29:26Said they hadn't seen what Bernice was doing.
29:29My mother spoke next.
29:31Barely above a whisper.
29:33The allergic reaction wasn't your fault.
29:35It was the peanuts.
29:36I accused you.
29:38I hit you.
29:39I'm sorry.
29:40Did it hurt?
29:41Her voice cracked like she was the one who'd been wounded.
29:44Once I would have dreamed of this.
29:46Them admitting it.
29:48Seeing me.
29:49Saying the things I needed to hear.
29:52But now?
29:53It was too late.
29:55I wasn't that girl anymore.
29:57Not the one waiting by the door for someone to pick her.
30:00Their faces fell when I didn't answer.
30:03My mother looked like she might cry.
30:06My father tried again.
30:08Andrew hovered like he didn't know where to stand.
30:11But I was done curing their shame for them.
30:14Are you done?
30:15I asked.
30:17Anna, stay here.
30:18Don't be like this, Dad.
30:19Andrew started.
30:20Don't waste my time.
30:22I couldn't.
30:23I've got better things for you than stand out forgiveness just because you feel guilty now.
30:28This isn't a waste of time.
30:30Andrew snapped.
30:32We came all this way to apologize.
30:33I looked at him.
30:36Really looked.
30:37Andrew.
30:38My golden-eyed brother.
30:40Once my favorite person in the world.
30:43He said that was when everything broke.
30:47Finally, my parents wanted to see her for who she really was.
30:51They cut her off.
30:53But Bernice didn't disappear.
30:55She found someone new to feed off.
30:58Ahern.
30:59He took her in.
31:01Despite everything.
31:02Despite what he'd promised me.
31:05But she never told him she'd caught an STD from her reckless flings at Wolfsbane Academy.
31:10And she gave him her disease.
31:13In a fit of rage, Ahern killed her.
31:16Bernice once the darling of the family died in blood.
31:19Andrew was left broken.
31:21And Ahern imprisoned.
31:24Stardustina means in the report.
31:26But I felt nothing.
31:26I closed the file and turned back to my work.
31:30I didn't return to Asheville pack.
31:33I stayed at the outpost where my strength was earned.
31:37Not inherited.
31:38Here I wasn't just a shadow.
31:40I was Anastasia.
31:42The warrior they respected.
31:44The wolf who didn't need to rely on anyone else.
31:47They gave me the space to grow.
31:50To rise as I always should have.
31:53They respected me not because of my bloodline but because of what I could do.
31:58When my name appeared in the trade reports, my family came to find me.
32:03They couldn't even get past the gates.
32:06The guards turned them away.
32:08And so they mourned.
32:09The daughter they had tried to silence.
32:12The sister who had once begged for their love.
32:15The wolf they thought they controlled.
32:17They would mourn me forever.
32:19The one who no longer needed their name to rise.
32:22That was when everything broke.
32:24Do I have to accept your apology?
32:26I met Andrew's eyes.
32:28My voice low but heavy enough to make him flinch.
32:31The courtyard outside my dorm.
32:34Usually alive with the chatter of young wolves.
32:36Had gone eerily quiet.
32:38The tension between us had drawn curious glances.
32:42They couldn't understand our words but the weight of it.
32:45Was palpable something was breaking.
32:48I hated the idea of being on display.
32:51But there was no hiding this.
32:52All those years of silence, of shrinking away from my own emotions, came rushing out.
32:58You say you redirected your love to Bernice.
33:01Like that makes everything okay.
33:02But why?
33:04Did she get your protection while I got nothing but your dismissal?
33:07You hated it when I fought her.
33:10Said I was loud.
33:11Too rebellious.
33:12But if I hadn't fought, you wouldn't have even seen me.
33:16You would have let me fade into the background.
33:18I found something better when I left.
33:20I went to the outpost.
33:22At least here, I earned my place.
33:25There.
33:26I wasn't just some quiet shadow of the golden child.
33:29There, I had power.
33:31I was seen.
33:33Do I?
33:35I felt my mother flinch beside me.
33:38Her breath hitched and she swallowed down the sobs.
33:41Anastasia, you're our daughter.
33:43You can't just cut yourself off from us.
33:45I didn't meet her eyes.
33:47Then I don't want to be your daughter anymore.
33:49The words cut through the air.
33:52And I could see at the crack in their faces.
33:55But I didn't linger.
33:56I turned and walked away.
33:59They didn't follow.
34:01Maybe it was the finality in my voice that froze them.
34:04Or maybe they didn't know what to say when everything they thought they could rely on crumbled in front of
34:09them.
34:10They gave me sprays.
34:12For a while.
34:13But eventually the attempt started again.
34:17Sometimes I found packages outside my door.
34:19Venison stew.
34:21Wild berries.
34:22Bundles of herbs wrapped with care.
34:24There were no notes.
34:25Just their scent.
34:26I never took them.
34:27I passed the food to others in the den.
34:30Those who hadn't yet turned their backs on second chances.
34:33I didn't need to give them a chance.
34:36Not anymore.
34:38I felt my mother fling.
34:40A few months passed and then the rumor started.
34:44A scandal had rocked the international werewolf community.
34:47One of my closest allies from the outpost sent me a report.
34:52I opened it without much thought until I saw her name.
34:57Bernice.
34:58She'd gone back to the Wolfsbane Academy for the alpha training.
35:01But she'd spiraled into a wild existence.
35:04Chasing freedom without care for the consequences.
35:08Her time at Wolfsbane Academy had been nothing but a lie.
35:12All those stories about her having the talent to be a great alpha.
35:16About her powerful wolf that could lead a pack.
35:19They were all part of the farce she'd created.
35:21She even faked a sickness to squeeze more money out of our parents.
35:25When they arrived to check on her.
35:27The storm-veiled pack walked into chaos.
35:30You always loved me.
35:32Bernice had shouted at them.
35:34So why did you send all your money to that bitch Anastasia?
35:38Then she grabbed a blade.
35:40She stabbed Andrew.
35:42He survived but his healing was forever damaged.
35:46His wolf form slowed.
35:47His strength built.
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