- 8 hours ago
A Werewolf Song Of Fire And Frost 2026
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Short filmTranscript
00:00¡Suscríbete al canal!
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05:02room. Father, usually buried in Alpha Council meetings and Asheville PACs logistics, sat
05:08comfortably, listening intently as Bernice gushed about her time at Wolfsbane Academy.
05:13We practiced under the PAC Elder Archibald, she said, eyes shining. He said I had the
05:19instincts of a born Alpha strong enough to lead any PAC. Mother clutched Bernice's hand,
05:24eyes shimmering with emotion. My sweet girl, you've lost weight, haven't you? You need
05:30more rest too much time and 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. Mother's brow furrowed.
06:11Anastasia, come here, don't salt. Mother gave me that impatient look, the one that always followed
06:17whenever Bernice cried. You're the one who picked that unfortunate date. Bernice had just landed,
06:23we were all exhausted from the airport run. You know that, don't you? Then came the dagger.
06:28If you're going to be petty with your sister, then you're no daughter of mine. Bernice gasped,
06:33wide-eyed and full of faux concern. Mom, don't be so harsh. Anastasia will feel hurt.
06:40But her smirk said otherwise. She knew my ceremony date. I told her a week in advance.
06:46She even replied. Can't wait. Got a surprise planned for you. Surprise indeed. Since we were pups,
06:53Bernice had always managed to turn every situation into a test one where the pack had to choose.
06:59They always picked her. Even my mate chose her. I should have felt something anger, betrayal, sadness.
07:05But there was only stillness. I'm not angry. Those three words sliced through the tension like claws
07:11through bark. Everyone stared. Father blinked. Mother narrowed her eyes. Bernice tilted her head with
07:18a mock-confused pout. They had expected a tantrum, not serenity. Father's brow.
07:25Which 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
07:49back to Bernice. Dinner began. The maid had added S. Anastasial dishes besides my meatloaf crab legs.
07:57Lemon garlic scallops. All Bernice's favorites. You're too thin. Father murmured, piling food onto her plate.
08:04Eat more. You'll need your strength before the orchestral trial. Mother added, dabbing her eyes
08:10again. Andrew chimed in with a grin. Don't worry. If any of those sea wolves give you trouble,
08:17I'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.
08:42Try it. Don't think we don't care about you just because we fuss over Bernice. I care about you too.
08:48The words felt. Rehearsed. Like a line from a script she'd use too often.
08:53I looked down at the food. Then slowly set my utensils down. No. I'm full. Her expression
09:00shifted first startled. Then irritated. What's wrong with you lately? She started
09:06to say more. But Bernice suddenly clutched her throat eyes wide. Mom. I. I can't breathe.
09:14Then. Her voice cracked breath rasping. She staggered backward knocking over her chair.
09:20Panic erupted instantly. Bernice. Mother screamed. What's happening?
09:26Father stood so fast the table shook. Andrew was already at her side. Sniffing her neck and face
09:32for signs of poison. His beta instincts flaring. Percent spiking something's wrong.
09:38My heart thudded in my chest. Not from fear. But from the quiet twisted irony of it all.
09:44In the chaos no one noticed me standing completely still just watching. Arlene's voice stirred faintly
09:50in my mind. She's not choking. Anastasia. She's shifting. Something inside her is waking.
09:57Her voice cracked breath rasping. Bernice's rash bloomed across her skin like a warning from the
10:03moon goddess. Is this an allergic reaction? Father barked. Nostrils flaring as he hovered over her
10:10convulsing form. Why would this happen now? Mother's gaze snapped to me like a dagger drawn
10:15under moonlight. In the next heartbeat her palm collided with my cheek. Sending me sprawling
10:21across the tiled floor. Anastasia. What did you put in the food? Have you forgotten your sister's
10:27triggers? My head ran. The room swam. I could feel Arlene stir within me. A low growl rising in the
10:34depths
10:34of my 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
10:48Bernice. How did I end up with a sister like you? He added his voice heavy with disappointment.
10:54Enough. Father slammed his fist on the table. A sound reverberating like thunder. Bernice's rash.
11:02Get her to the healer now. The room cleared in a blur. My parents and Andrew carrying Bernice out.
11:08Frantic and breathless. Like she was the moon's own fragile vessel. I was left alone. Face throbbing.
11:14Heart hollow. It wasn't me. I whispered the words aloud. But they echoed off the silence like lies.
11:21They wouldn't believe me. They never did. Not after everything. I felt something wet and hot on my palm.
11:29The 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 me wanted to recall.
11:55Get her to the...
11:56That winter prey was scarce. Rogues pushed at our borders.
12:01And the council demanded more from father than he could give.
12:04When resources thinned, when space and safety grew tight, someone had to be sent away.
12:09I volunteered. The obedient daughter. The easy one to forget.
12:14The outpost clung to the cliffs beyond the pack's borders.
12:17A place carved for old warriors and outcasts.
12:20No pack song reached that far. Only wind and silence.
12:24There I learned everything.
12:26They visited once a year for solstice rites.
12:29Each time, they stayed less.
12:31Brought more gifts for Bernice.
12:33Spoke less of me.
12:34When I finally returned, the Stormvale pack had grown stronger.
12:38Quartz and galleries echoing with pride.
12:41My new... quarters.
12:43A forgotten supply room near the rear exit.
12:45No windows.
12:47No warmth.
12:48Just a reminder.
12:49I wasn't part of the vision they built.
12:52I packed my things into a worn duffel.
12:54The wedding leave I had once requested felt laughable now.
12:58I was reaching for the phone.
12:59Ready to send a message to my superior at outpost requesting return to the outpost.
13:05Ahern.
13:06My mate.
13:07Or at least the one fate had paired me with.
13:09The one who should have stood by me.
13:11That winter prey was scarce.
13:14What did you do to Bernice?
13:15He demanded, skipping any pretense of concern.
13:18She's in the healer's hall.
13:19You poisoned her.
13:20It was an allergic reaction.
13:22I said simply.
13:24Don't lie to me.
13:25You've always been jealous.
13:27How could you hurt your own blood like that?
13:29His words were fire.
13:30Burning through any remaining illusion I had.
13:33Yes.
13:34I hurt her.
13:35I'll apologize when she recovers.
13:38Are we done?
13:39He fell silent for a second, stunned by my calm.
13:42We'd argued about Bernice before dozens of times.
13:46He used to flirt with her under the pretense of concern.
13:50Ordered her favorite foods during our dinners.
13:53Ignored my needs, my wants.
13:55She's your sister.
13:56He always said, like that made everything acceptable.
13:59To my family, I was always the overreacting one.
14:02The unstable one.
14:04When Bernice went to the alpha training, I felt peace for the first time.
14:08Even Arlene had been calmer.
14:10Now, the storm had returned.
14:12If anything happens to Bernice again, Ahern warned, his voice cold.
14:16There will be no mating ceremony.
14:18Then the line went dead.
14:19I pictured him rushing into the healer's den.
14:22Brushing hair from Bernice's face.
14:24Playing the hero to the girl he truly wanted.
14:27My claws threatened to unsheathe.
14:29Instead, I smirked, hung up, and called my mentor back in the outpost.
14:33What did you do to Bernice?
14:35Later that night, the front door creaked open.
14:38Mother and father returned.
14:40Exhaustion painted across their faces.
14:43Andrew followed, his head low.
14:45My duffel sat by the door.
14:47I was ready to leave.
14:49From upstairs, I heard them speaking in hushed tones.
14:52Until the silence cracked open with betrayal.
14:55If only Ahern's family had better standing.
14:58Mother sighed.
14:59He's so good to Bernice.
15:01Bernice likes him.
15:02Father added.
15:02Had I known, I never would have paired him with Anastasia.
15:06Still, Mother continued.
15:08Ahern and Anastasia are more suited.
15:11Let Bernice chase her dreams.
15:12He can still take care of her, even as Anastasia's mate.
15:16The words sank like stones in my gut.
15:18Even now, they plan to keep Bernice close to my mate.
15:21To my mate, I descended the stairs, my presence sudden.
15:25Cutting off their whispers.
15:27Mother flinched as she saw me.
15:29Anastasia, you're still here?
15:31I said nothing.
15:32Just grabbed my bag and walked into the night into the cold air and the arms of the moon.
15:37Arlene stirred again.
15:39We were never one of them, Anastasia.
15:41But we are not alone.
15:43I tilted my face skyward.
15:44Letting the night wind carry my scent far from that house.
15:48From the pack that never truly saw me.
15:50From the mate who never chose me.
15:53Let them keep their false bonds.
15:55I would forge my own.
15:56Later, the lights were off.
15:59Mother assumed I was asleep.
16:01She hadn't expected me to overhear their discussion about giving up my mate.
16:06As 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.
16:15I said flatly.
16:17Ignoring the faint ache in my chest, the burn of betrayal that still lingered.
16:21Mother exhaled sharply.
16:22Realizing I wasn't about to explode.
16:25Father gave a curt nod.
16:27His approval silent.
16:29Good.
16:30Less trouble for the pack.
16:31Andrew however stepped forward.
16:34His eyes narrowing at the duffel beside me.
16:36The lights were off.
16:39You're taking your things?
16:40Are you really running away because we're upset about what happened to Selene?
16:44You 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.
16:54A second of shame then back to their cold duty.
16:57Your sister was hospitalized, Anastasia.
17:00Father growled.
17:00And you haven't even properly apologized.
17:03The air thickened like wolves closing in on their prey.
17:06I could feel Arlene pacing within me.
17:08Her fur bristling, lips curling in mourning.
17:11Call her.
17:12Arlene urged.
17:13Let them hear her lies for themselves.
17:15I 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
17:25she'd won.
17:26Anastasia?
17:27Oh.
17:28Is it because you found out a her and is here with me?
17:31Are you angry?
17:32You're taking your...
17:33The silence that followed was immediate.
17:36Even Andrew flinched.
17:38My parents exchanged a glance, the perfect image they had of Bernice beginning to crack.
17:44I didn't react.
17:45I didn't need to.
17:46It'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.
18:01I apologize.
18:03A pause.
18:03Then I ended the call.
18:05My family stood still, shocked.
18:07Perhaps because I hadn't played the 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.
18:18I turned my heart lighter for the first time in days and walked out the door now.
18:23Longer their dutiful Omega.
18:25Let them sit with their doubts.
18:27Let Bernice play her little games.
18:29I was done begging for scraps of affection from a pack that never truly wanted me.
18:34The silence.
18:35This time, no one tried to stop me.
18:38Andrew's voice called out behind me, faint and unsure.
18:42Why didn't you make a fuss this time?
18:44I didn't answer.
18:46There was nothing left to fight for.
18:48Back at the outpost, I shut everything out.
18:51My phone on airplane mode, my focus locked on the border.
18:54For 13 days, I trained hard and took extra shifts on patrol, keeping my head down and my
18:59thoughts quiet.
19:00The work was brutal, but steady.
19:03By the end of it, something inside me had settled.
19:06The next day, I turned on my phone.
19:08It vibrated nonstop messages crashing in from the pack from Ahern, from people I'd once thought
19:14of as friends.
19:15I opened my friends' messages first.
19:18Dozens of them.
19:19All furious.
19:20All aimed squarely at Bernice and Ahern.
19:22And then one photo that made my blood still.
19:25A family photo.
19:26Everyone was there.
19:27My parents, Andrew Bernice and Ahern.
19:31This time, no one tried.
19:34Silence.
19:36We couldn't reach you.
19:37We wanted to invite you along.
19:39You know, it's not our fault your friend's comment really upset Bernice.
19:43She cried for hours.
19:45We had to take her out to cheer her up.
19:47But I already apologized.
19:49I said.
19:50More silence.
19:52Then a weak reply.
19:53It's for the best.
19:54I guess you've learned your lesson.
19:57He stood.
19:59Then Ahern took the phone.
20:01His voice was sharp, edged with fury.
20:04Anastasia.
20:04Did you tell your friend to post that?
20:06You re-disgusting.
20:07I've said it before Bernice, your sister.
20:09I'm just taking care of her for you.
20:12That's what your family does, too.
20:14But you, you always jealous.
20:15Always playing the victim.
20:16Maybe you should think about why no one chooses you.
20:19The words were cold.
20:21Delivered with purpose.
20:23But they didn't sting.
20:24Not anymore.
20:25Because 13 days ago, I'd heard the truth from the Alpha and Luna of our bloodline.
20:31Ahern had never wanted me.
20:33He was playing a part.
20:34Just like the rest of them.
20:36If I'd stayed quiet, he would've kept pretending.
20:39You were never the choice, Anastasia, Arlene murmured.
20:43Only the placeholder.
20:44A few seconds passed.
20:46His voice softened out.
20:47He realized maybe that he'd gone too far.
20:50But I was already looking at the flight details my classmate had sent me.
20:54Ahern.
20:55I said quietly.
20:56We're done.
20:57What?
20:58I'm not your shield anymore.
21:00Or a substitute.
21:01I ended the call before he could say anything else.
21:05I wasn't a pawn in their polished little story.
21:07I was a wolf wounded, yes.
21:09But no longer theirs.
21:11I was leaving.
21:12Then ahern.
21:14The line went quiet after my words.
21:17Then came ahern's low chuckle.
21:20Confident in all the wrong ways.
21:22Anastasia, are you serious?
21:24After everything we planned for the mating ceremony, you're really ending it over a tantrum.
21:30I exhaled slowly.
21:32So you do remember how long this has been arranged?
21:36He still thought I was bluffing.
21:39Come on.
21:40You're just upset.
21:41I said I'd make it up to you.
21:44Acting cold won't change how I feel.
21:46I didn't need to explain anymore.
21:48When I heard Andrew arguing with him in the background, I hung up.
21:52Then I blocked every number tied to the storm veil Pacahern included.
21:58That night, I slept through the night for the first time in weeks.
22:02And I dreamed.
22:05In the dream I saw a young girl curled on the floor of a cold outpost barack.
22:10Her uniform was too big.
22:12Her hands covered in healing scrapes.
22:14She scribbled something into a journal.
22:16Half numbers, half thoughts, never full sentences.
22:19A quiet record of everything she swallowed down.
22:23The line.
22:24Today I covered someone else's patrol again.
22:28No one said thanks, but I didn't want trouble.
22:32Today I trained with a broken rib.
22:34No one noticed.
22:36Maybe they wouldn't care even if they had.
22:39Today I was told to smile more.
22:41Be softer.
22:43Don't make others uncomfortable with my silence.
22:45The journal wasn't a countdown, it was survival.
22:49Note she left herself to remember that it wasn't her fault.
22:53In 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.
23:02Wind in her hair.
23:03Her shoulders lighter.
23:05I should have walked away sooner.
23:07I stood beside her, older and unflinching.
23:11But you're walking now.
23:12I didn't leave the outpost.
23:14I stayed through the cold, through the silence, through the rough edges of pack life on the border.
23:19No one held my hand.
23:21No one asked if I was okay.
23:23But that was fine.
23:24I didn't need them to.
23:27Today I covered someone else's patrol.
23:29While others gathered around bonfires or joked during downtime I trained harder.
23:34Took extra shifts, learned everything I could.
23:36Territory lines.
23:38Emergency signals.
23:39How to hold my ground when no one came to back me up.
23:44I became someone useful.
23:46Someone who didn't flinch when things got hard.
23:49Not the overlooked daughter.
23:51Not the broken bond.
23:52Just a wolf doing her job and doing it well.
23:55One night, during a rare chat with a friend back in the pack.
23:58She messaged with a grin I could almost feel through the screen.
24:03Anastasia, you will believe this.
24:06The 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.
24:17But they're trying every trick to reach you.
24:19Guess they finally noticed the silence.
24:21A moment later, my phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number.
24:26I almost declined but something told me to answer.
24:30My mother's voice came through tight with forced warmth.
24:34Anastasia.
24:35Thank the moon goddess.
24:37We've been trying to reach you.
24:40Why did you block us?
24:41We thought something happened.
24:44A beat passed.
24:46We, we weren't fair to you.
24:47I know that now.
24:48Come home.
24:50We'll celebrate your birthday properly this time.
24:53I went still.
24:55They found it.
24:56While others gathered around on my book, but what it meant.
25:01The record of everything I never said out loud.
25:04All the moments they ignored.
25:06All the wounds they couldn't see or didn't want to.
25:09Too late.
25:10I don't like birthdays.
25:12I said calmly.
25:13There was a long pause on the other end.
25:15A silence that sounded more like guilt than love.
25:19She asked again.
25:21At least, come home.
25:23I looked around my small dorm room.
25:26The scent of coffee clung to my worn blanket.
25:29That am why boots were muddy from the last field run.
25:32A dog-eared book rested beside my pillow.
25:35All mine.
25:36This was peace.
25:37This was mine.
25:38I am home.
25:40I said and hung up.
25:42Not the notebook.
25:44I made my rejection clear.
25:47But it didn't matter.
25:48They came anyway.
25:50I returned from patrol.
25:52Boots still caked in dust and ash.
25:55Only to find them waiting outside the outpost gates foreshadows I had no use for anymore.
26:00My father, my mother, Andrew, and Ahern.
26:03The Asheville Pax Corps.
26:05They lit up like they'd found something they'd lost.
26:08Anastasia.
26:09You're back.
26:10Ahern stepped forward first before Andrew could block him.
26:14Long time no see.
26:15He said softly.
26:16He looked wrecked.
26:18Bloodshot eyes.
26:19Shaky hands.
26:20The kind of desperation that used to stir something in me.
26:24Now it just made me tired.
26:26We're over.
26:27I said flatly.
26:29Why are you here?
26:31His mouth twitched trying to hold.
26:33Something in.
26:35I didn't agree to that.
26:36It was just a fight.
26:39I don't need your permission to leave.
26:42I didn't raise my voice.
26:43The truth was enough.
26:45When I looked past him to the others.
26:48I saw them flinch small reactions but they were there.
26:52I heard when you said that day.
26:54I added.
26:55I made my rejection.
26:56My mother looked away.
26:58My father's jaw clenched.
27:00Even Andrew didn't meet my eyes.
27:03Ahern was never meant for me.
27:05I went on.
27:06He loved Bernice from the start.
27:08But his bloodline wasn't good enough for her.
27:11So you gave him me instead.
27:13I was a placeholder.
27:15A distraction.
27:16A lunatic decoy.
27:18That's not Dash.
27:19My mother tried.
27:20But even she didn't sound convinced.
27:22We didn't know Dash.
27:24Andrew muttered.
27:25I didn't need to hear the rest.
27:27Ahern's voice cracked next.
27:29Yes.
27:29I liked Bernice before but that changed.
27:31We were bonded.
27:33Of course I cared for you.
27:34I nodded once.
27:36And his eyes lit up.
27:38Until I said.
27:39But you didn't show up for our mating ceremony.
27:42That was your last chance.
27:44There won't be another.
27:46There can be another.
27:47I already ordered your new bonding rope stay maker your favorite fabric.
27:52The ceremony can be redone.
27:54It can be better.
27:55He reached for me hands desperate.
27:58Please.
27:59Anastasia.
28:00I never stopped caring.
28:02I just didn't think you'd really leave.
28:05I was stupid.
28:06I was scared.
28:09My mother looked away.
28:11His touch was warm.
28:12Familiar.
28:13Once I would have leaned into it.
28:15Now, it only reminded me how much colder he'd made me feel.
28:19You say you love me.
28:21I said.
28:22But love doesn't use someone to patch up a broken past.
28:25Love isn't guilt.
28:27It's not obligation.
28:28You leaned on my loyalty like it owed you something.
28:32You knew what I wanted.
28:34I wanted to be chosen.
28:36I wanted someone who would choose me even if no one else did.
28:39I stepped back.
28:41His 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.
28:50And 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.
29:10We realized the pain you went through.
29:12He tried to explain.
29:14About Bernice's childhood illness.
29:17About 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.
29:47Them 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.
29:56Not the one waiting by the door for someone to pick her.
30:01Their 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 carrying their shame for them.
30:14Are you done?
30:15I asked.
30:17Hannah, stay here.
30:18Don't be like this, Dad.
30:19Andrew started.
30:20Don't waste my time.
30:22I couldn't.
30:23I got better things for you than to stand out forgiveness just because you feel guilty now.
30:28This isn't a waste of time.
30:31Andrew snapped.
30:32He came all this way to apologize.
30:34I looked at him.
30:36Really looked.
30:37Andrew.
30:38My golden eyed brother.
30:40Once my favorite person in the world.
30:43He said.
30:43That 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.
30:58A hern.
30:59He took her in.
31:01Despite everything.
31:02Despite what he'd promised me.
31:04But 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, a hern killed her.
31:16Bernice once the darling of the family died in blood.
31:19Andrew was left broken.
31:21And a hern imprisoned.
31:24Stardefine isn't the report.
31:26But I felt nothing.
31:27I closed the file and turned back to my work.
31:31I didn't return to Asheville pack.
31:33I stayed at the outpost where my strength was earned.
31:36Not 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.
31:56But because of what I could do.
31:58When my name appeared in the trade reports.
32:01My family came to find me.
32:03They couldn't even get past the gates.
32:05The 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.
32:41They couldn't understand our words.
32:44But 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.
32:54Of shrinking away from my own emotions.
32:56Came 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?
33:05While 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.
33:14You 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.
33:23I earned my place.
33:25There.
33:26I wasn't just some quiet shadow of the golden child.
33:29There.
33:30I 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.
33:42You'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.
33:54But I didn't linger.
33:57I 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.
34:37I felt my mother fluke.
34:40A few months passed and then the rumor started.
34:44A scandal had rocked the international werewolf community.
34:48One 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.
35:02But 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?
35:37Then she grabbed a blade.
35:39She stabbed Andrew.
35:42He survived but his healing was forever damaged.
35:45His wolf form slowed.
35:47His strength fell.
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