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00:04I was born with heavy breasts and lush curves.
00:08My half-sister Chloe was afraid her mate Brad would go feral over me,
00:11so she sold me to an impotent alpha.
00:15She patted my shoulder.
00:19Who knows, maybe he's good at other things.
00:23Three months later, I was begging for mercy every night.
00:26Funny, he seemed good at everything.
00:31Case Valerius, the Blackwood Pax Alpha, the Lycan King's most trusted war commander.
00:36He was carried back from the battlefield soaked in blood.
00:38Someone suggested,
00:40A mate bond shares life force.
00:42If Alpha Case was bound to a living, healthy mate,
00:45her strength could flow into him and pull him back.
00:48Chloe rushed to play matchmaker and presented me to Martha before I could object.
00:51I had no way to refuse.
00:53If I wouldn't agree, she'd transfer me to serve 60-year-old Elder Kevin.
00:57I knew she resented my history with her mate.
01:00I dropped to my knees and swore to the moon goddess.
01:03I swear, Chloe, I had no feelings for Brad.
01:06Chloe jabbed a finger at my forehead, fury in her eyes.
01:09What good is a vow?
01:11Do you have any idea how distracting you are?
01:13I hunched my shoulders.
01:15Tears slid down my cheeks.
01:16Just look at that ample body and those charming curves,
01:20parading your body in front of every male in the clan.
01:23Who among them would not lose their minds at the smell of you?
01:26I wanted to tell her.
01:28To bind my chest, I'd wrapped myself layer after layer in the sweltering heat
01:32until I broke out in a rash.
01:33Her expression softened.
01:35She wiped my tears.
01:37It's not that I don't trust you.
01:39It's that I don't trust males.
01:41Do you know how powerful Alpha Case is?
01:43If my mother and Martha weren't old friends,
01:46you wouldn't even have this opportunity.
01:48Chloe, I don't want to be anyone's offering.
01:51I'd rather scrub kitchen floors.
01:54Just don't make me...
01:57Two sharp slaps landed across my face.
02:00My cheek burned.
02:01Leah, are you out of your mind?
02:03If I hadn't vouched for you,
02:05Martha wouldn't have given you a second glance.
02:07You wouldn't even be worthy of being Case's mate.
02:10The maid burst in breathless.
02:12Miss Chloe, word from the Valerius estate.
02:15Alpha Case has woken up.
02:18Chloe dragged me straight to Valerius estate, enormous.
02:21I followed her through the main hall
02:23to a set of heavy double doors pulled half shut.
02:25Through the gap, I could make out a man's shape in the bed.
02:27Thin, motionless,
02:29chest rattling with shallow coughs every few minutes.
02:31Martha stood on our side, eyes red.
02:34Thank you for everything you've done for Case.
02:36I won't destroy a girl's future over it.
02:38Chloe's eyes moved, quick and calculating.
02:40This is Valerius.
02:41The bond should still be completed.
02:43Leah arrived the same day Case woke up.
02:45That's the moon goddess guiding us.
02:48Seal the bond properly.
02:49Her life force will keep pulling him back toward health.
02:52Before she could speak,
02:53the healer Ella stepped out,
02:54expression tight.
02:56Alpha Case has regained consciousness,
02:58but an arrow struck his inner thigh during battle.
03:03I'm afraid he will no longer be able to-
03:05Unable to do what?
03:06He will no longer be able to get hard.
03:08Martha's knees gave out.
03:10I caught her before she hit the floor.
03:12She looked up at me with hollowed eyes.
03:14Leah,
03:15knowing this,
03:17are you still willing?
03:18Yes,
03:19she's been looking forward to it.
03:20Chloe was already answering for me.
03:21Of course she is.
03:23She's just an omega with no prospects.
03:25She should be grateful.
03:27I didn't speak right away.
03:29My mind went to my past.
03:31There was a young wolf in the poor quarter behind our estate.
03:34I first saw him through the fence gaps.
03:36Thin wrists,
03:37hollow cheeks,
03:38hunched over a cracked bowl with nothing in it.
03:40I started passing food through the gaps.
03:43Bread first,
03:44then soup,
03:44then whatever I had.
03:46Day after day,
03:47I watched him change.
03:48The hollows in his cheeks filled out.
03:51His shoulders broadened.
03:53He started training before dawn,
03:55running laps around the back wall while I was still half asleep.
03:57He was going to enter the warrior trials.
04:00I knew it before he told me.
04:01When he passed,
04:02I went to find him that same night.
04:04I was happy.
04:04I remember it clearly.
04:06I was genuinely happy.
04:07I knocked on the gate.
04:08He didn't open it.
04:09His voice came,
04:12Then a soft thud in the dirt at my feet.
04:14A pouch of silver.
04:16I stood there for a moment.
04:18Then I picked it up and walked away.
04:20That wolf became Chloe's mate.
04:22Brad.
04:23I acted like I'd never known him.
04:25Chloe found out anyway.
04:27I snapped back to reality.
04:28I gathered my skirts and knelt in front of Martha.
04:31My lady,
04:32I'm willing.
04:33I'll complete the bond,
04:35care for Case,
04:36and serve you as long as you need me.
04:38Luna.
04:39Martha kept her word
04:40and prepared a dignified mating dress for me.
04:43Chloe deliberately chose a day
04:44when Brad was away on pack business
04:45to send me off.
04:47She walked me to the door,
04:48guilt on her face.
04:49Even though Case can't get hard,
04:51at least you'll be spared
04:53the pain of bearing pups.
04:54Don't worry.
04:56An alpha who can't perform in that area
04:58is probably exceptional in every other.
05:00Honestly,
05:01none of what Chloe said
05:02had even crossed my mind.
05:03I told myself
05:04I was simply moving to a new household.
05:07Case was too weak to stand through
05:08the full mate blessing ritual.
05:10I completed the bond rites
05:12beside his ceremonial sword instead.
05:14Martha watched from the front,
05:16eyes wet the whole time.
05:18When it was done,
05:19I was alpha Case's mate.
05:21The mating chamber was quiet.
05:22I pushed the door open carefully.
05:25Case was already inside,
05:27half reclined against the headboard
05:29in a white bathrobe.
05:30He turned when he heard me.
05:31Up close,
05:32he was strikingly handsome.
05:34Sharp jaw,
05:35dark eyes,
05:36the kind of face
05:37that didn't need color in it
05:38to hold attention.
05:39I had no intention
05:40of taking a mate,
05:41he said with a low voice.
05:43If it doesn't trouble you,
05:45we can treat this
05:46as a sibling arrangement.
05:47He pointed to the chaise
05:48along the far wall.
05:50Tonight the bed is yours.
05:52I'll take that.
05:54Tomorrow you move
05:54to the guest quarters.
05:56All right,
05:56I nodded.
05:57He had thought of everything.
05:59It wasn't what I'd expected.
06:00Before the ritual,
06:02one of the older maids
06:03had pulled me aside
06:04and pressed something
06:04into my hands.
06:05A small handbook,
06:07worn at the corners.
06:08She'd whispered
06:09with a strange look.
06:10There are other ways
06:12between mates.
06:13You might find it useful.
06:15I had no idea
06:15what she meant
06:16until I opened it.
06:17Heat pooled in my core
06:19just from looking
06:19at the pages.
06:21Is it too hot?
06:22Case was watching me
06:23from the bed.
06:24Eyes direct,
06:26unblinking.
06:27The dress is heavy.
06:28I'm a little warm.
06:31Then wash up and rest.
06:32He pulled the blanket
06:33over himself
06:34and turned toward the wall.
06:35Within minutes,
06:36his breathing evened out.
06:37I set the handbook
06:39down on the vanity
06:39and took down my hair.
06:41Then the layered robes,
06:43piece by piece,
06:43until I was standing
06:44in nothing but my nightgown.
06:46I turned to the mirror.
06:47The thin fabric
06:48clung to every curve,
06:50heavy breasts
06:51straining against the cloth,
06:52slim waist giving way
06:53to the flare of my hips.
06:55I walked straight
06:56into Case's gaze.
06:57He wasn't asleep.
06:59His chest rose hard.
07:00The tips of his ears
07:01went red.
07:02His throat worked
07:03as he swallowed.
07:04I grabbed my outer robe
07:05and pressed it
07:06against my chest.
07:08Alpha,
07:08I thought you were asleep.
07:10A long pause.
07:12I could sleep later.
07:14My breath hitched.
07:15He rose slowly
07:16to his feet,
07:17his tall frame
07:18casting a shadow over me.
07:29The handbook's images
07:31came flooding in.
07:32My breathing shifted
07:33without me meaning it to,
07:34somehow falling
07:35into the same rhythm as his.
07:37Then Case turned
07:38and walked to the door.
07:39The moment cool
07:40night air rushed in,
07:41I snapped back to my senses.
07:43He'd already disappeared
07:44into the darkness.
07:45I turned it over
07:46in my mind.
07:47When he'd looked
07:48at me just now,
07:49his eyes had flashed
07:51with something
07:51unmistakably like shock.
07:53Had my figure
07:54actually frightened him?
07:55Before I lay down,
07:57I made a firm decision.
07:58Tomorrow morning,
07:59I was binding my chest
08:00at least one full loop tighter.
08:02I was hovering somewhere
08:03between sleep and waking
08:04when Case slipped back in.
08:06The tips of his hair
08:07still beaded with water.
08:08He'd apparently gone to shower.
08:10By morning,
08:11he was already gone.
08:12Ivy came in
08:13to help me dress.
08:14From the corridor outside
08:15came the sound of a man.
08:17Once.
08:18Then again.
08:20Martha's headmaid's voice
08:21carried clearly
08:22through the door.
08:23Alpha Case?
08:24Why didn't you call someone
08:25to heat the water?
08:26It's already summer
08:27but the nights are still cold.
08:29Of course you've caught a chill.
08:31I'll go brew tea right now.
08:32I glanced at Ivy.
08:34Does the Alpha
08:35usually take cold showers?
08:36I honestly don't know, miss.
08:38I dismissed her
08:39and locked the door.
08:40I wound a strip of cloth
08:42tight over my undergarments
08:43then pulled on
08:44the most conservative dress
08:46I could find in the wardrobe.
08:47High neck,
08:48loose cut,
08:49heavy fabric.
08:50Then I went to living room.
08:52Case was already there
08:53when I arrived,
08:54seated beside Martha.
08:56She lit up
08:56the moment she saw me,
08:57her whole face
08:58warm with welcome.
09:00Until Case coughed
09:01and the warmth
09:02vanished instantly.
09:04Cage,
09:05I have a few private words
09:06for Leah.
09:07Go rest for a while.
09:08Case rose
09:09and left without a word.
09:11Martha waved me over
09:12and took both my hands
09:13in hers,
09:13eyes glistening.
09:15Sweet girl,
09:17our case is lucky
09:18to have you.
09:21The pack healer says
09:23the injury drained
09:24his life force.
09:25There's no telling
09:26how long he has left.
09:28Some of the elders
09:29suggested I find a child
09:30for him to adopt
09:31to carry on the bloodline.
09:35But if I did that,
09:37wouldn't I be stealing
09:38your whole future from you?
09:40I'm already grateful
09:42you came into this family
09:43to save Case.
09:44I can't let you sacrifice
09:45the rest of your life
09:46on top of that.
09:47I've thought it through.
09:48If Case's time does come,
09:50I'll have him issue you
09:51a formal mate release.
09:52Your future stays protected
09:54and I'll see to it
09:55that you receive property
09:56and a place of your own.
09:58I reached up
09:59and wiped the tears
09:59from the corners of her eyes,
10:01chest tight
10:02with an ache
10:02I couldn't name.
10:03Mrs. Valerius,
10:05thank you for looking out for me.
10:07I'd come here
10:07thinking of myself
10:08as nothing more
10:08than a transferred Omega servant.
10:10I never imagined
10:11she would think
10:12this far ahead
10:13on my behalf.
10:14My thoughts drifted
10:14to the mother
10:15I had never known.
10:16If she had been alive,
10:17if I had grown up
10:18under a mother's protection,
10:19I never would have ended up
10:20in any of the situations
10:21I'd been through.
10:23Martha laughed
10:23through her tears.
10:24Look at me,
10:25I've gone and made you cry too.
10:27She squeezed my hands.
10:29Leah,
10:29there's no need
10:30to be so formal.
10:31Call me mom,
10:32just like Case does.
10:34She took a breath.
10:35So,
10:35I have a proposition for you.
10:37Chloe mentioned
10:38you know how to prepare
10:39medicinal soups.
10:40I'd like you to take over
10:41Case's daily meals
10:42and care.
10:43I just want him
10:44to live a little longer.
10:45That's my one selfish wish.
10:47By the end,
10:48her voice had gone rough.
10:49I nodded.
10:50I headed to the kitchen
10:51to gather ingredients.
10:52The last time
10:53I'd prepared medicinal soup
10:54was several years ago,
10:55back when Brad
10:56was not yet Chloe's mate.
10:57He'd lost both parents
10:59and lived alone
11:00in a run-down unit,
11:01skipping meals
11:02to save every cent
11:03for his warrior training.
11:05One day,
11:06I found him collapsed
11:06at our back gate
11:07and brought him around.
11:08Out of sympathy,
11:09I dug through
11:10my mother's
11:10old healer journals
11:11and prepared medicinal meals
11:13for him every day
11:14to rebuild his strength.
11:15Only the two of us
11:17ever knew about it.
11:18From the looks of things,
11:19he was the one
11:20who told Chloe,
11:21just to get me driven out.
11:22The lengths he had gone to
11:24were truly something.
11:26I carried the steaming soup
11:27to the bedroom
11:28and found Case
11:29directing servants
11:29to pack up his belongings.
11:32Alpha,
11:33what's this about?
11:34Weren't we agreed
11:35that I was moving
11:35to the guest room?
11:36His sharply handsome face
11:37didn't shift
11:38so much as a fraction.
11:39I have fewer things.
11:41It makes more sense
11:42for me to move.
11:43At least eat first.
11:45I set the food
11:45on the table.
11:46He gave it a brief glance
11:47and sat down.
11:51You can leave
11:52this kind of thing
11:52to the maid
11:53from now on.
11:54It's no different
11:55coming from me.
11:56It is different.
11:58His voice remained
11:59flat and cool.
12:01Have Ivy bring it
12:02from now on.
12:03He finished the soup
12:04and a few quick swallows,
12:06said a few words
12:07to the servants
12:08and swept past me.
12:09In that moment,
12:10I confirmed one thing.
12:12Alpha Case
12:12couldn't stand
12:13the sight of me.
12:14I followed his instructions
12:15and had Ivy deliver
12:17his daily healing meals
12:18to the study
12:19from then on.
12:20Martha couldn't stop
12:20singing my praises.
12:22The pack healer says
12:23Case's condition
12:24has stabilized significantly.
12:26I can see the color
12:27coming back to his face.
12:28Leah,
12:29that's entirely
12:30because of you.
12:31Delighted,
12:32she pressed a gold bracelet
12:33into my hands.
12:34Back in my room,
12:35I tucked it
12:36into my jewelry box,
12:37which had been
12:38slowly filling
12:39with pieces
12:39Martha had gifted me
12:40since my arrival.
12:42Leah,
12:42you never wear
12:43any of these.
12:44Isn't it a waste
12:45to just put them away?
12:46How is it a waste?
12:47Every one of these
12:48can be converted
12:49to cash.
12:50That's my security fund.
12:52But Lady Martha
12:52gave these to you personally.
12:54Are you really going
12:55to sell all of them?
12:56Not right now,
12:57but if the mate bond
12:58is ever severed,
12:59naturally I'd sell them
13:00and keep the money
13:01on hand.
13:02Ivy's expression
13:02shifted to pure bewilderment.
13:05As she turned away,
13:06she dropped her voice
13:07to a murmur.
13:09Alpha?
13:12Alpha?
13:12I spun around
13:13and met a pair
13:14of ink-dark eyes.
13:15Martha's eyesight
13:16must truly be failing her.
13:18Case looked worse than ever.
13:20Case's face
13:21was even paler than before.
13:22His gaze was sharp
13:24and cutting,
13:24fixed on me
13:25with cold precision.
13:26The look unsettled
13:27me completely,
13:28but I didn't dare
13:29let a single trace
13:30of it show.
13:32Alpha,
13:33is there something
13:34you need?
13:35A journal.
13:36We looked together.
13:37I checked the shelves,
13:39he checked the writing desk.
13:40Neither of us spoke.
13:41I spotted the journal
13:42pushed to the very back
13:43of the top shelf,
13:44behind a row
13:45of my mother's medical notes.
13:47I reached up on my toes.
13:49My fingertips
13:49just grazed the cover.
13:51Case's hand came over mine.
13:53Warm, steady.
13:54He reached past me
13:56without effort
13:56and closed his hand
13:57around the journal.
13:58I turned my head.
14:00His face was right there,
14:01closer than I'd realized.
14:03He was looking down at me.
14:05Then I lost my footing
14:06and pitched straight into him.
14:08My heavy breasts
14:09hit his chest first.
14:10My waist
14:11went straight into his palm,
14:13his hand catching me
14:13before he could react.
14:15Case didn't step back.
14:17His eartips went red.
14:18His throat worked
14:19as he swallowed.
14:20When he exhaled,
14:22the breath came out uneven
14:23against the top of my head.
14:24His eyes flashed gold
14:26for a second,
14:27then green.
14:28I scrambled upright,
14:30face burning.
14:31Your journal.
14:32He took it without a word
14:33and walked out.
14:34Perfect.
14:35My standing in his eyes
14:36had just sunk even lower.
14:38After that day,
14:39I made every effort
14:40to avoid crossing paths
14:41with Case.
14:42He was injured
14:42and recovering.
14:43He needed to stay calm.
14:45But there was one more thing
14:46bothering me.
14:47Brad had been sending notes.
14:48Three times already.
14:50I hadn't opened
14:51a single one,
14:52just dropped them in a box.
14:53Then,
14:54Ivy pressed one
14:54into my hand that morning.
14:55It's not just a note this time.
14:57He's here.
14:58Side entrance.
14:59Says he won't leave
15:00until you come out.
15:00I clenched my fist
15:01and walked out.
15:02I didn't notice the figure
15:03that followed
15:04from the far end
15:04of the courtyard.
15:05Brad was standing
15:06at the gate.
15:08Leah,
15:08you finally came.
15:10You should be calling me
15:11Mrs. Valerius.
15:12He paused,
15:13dropped his voice.
15:15Mrs. Valerius.
15:16Do you have any idea
15:17how many times
15:18you've put me
15:19in an impossible position
15:20with these meetings?
15:21I know.
15:23I just wanted to tell you
15:25I'll be securing
15:26more power in the pack.
15:27Soon I won't need
15:28Chloe's father
15:29backing me anymore.
15:30He stepped closer.
15:31I'll buy a house,
15:32Leah.
15:33Come with me.
15:34Anything's better
15:35than staying
15:35with a dying man.
15:36He reached for me.
15:38I stepped back.
15:40You want me
15:41as your mistress?
15:42Brad nodded,
15:43completely serious.
15:44I laughed.
15:45Why would I give up
15:46being the Alpha's mate
15:47to be your mistress?
15:49The whole pack
15:50knows Case is dying.
15:51He won't last.
15:53And he can't even
15:54stand up anymore.
15:55His eyes dropped
15:56deliberately to my chest.
15:58Isn't that a waste?
16:01Disgust surged
16:02through me.
16:03Brad,
16:04I will never be
16:05anyone's mistress.
16:07Case fought
16:07on the front lines
16:08for this pack.
16:09Those injuries
16:10are his honor.
16:12You've benefited
16:13from every battle
16:14he won
16:14and you're standing here
16:16calling him
16:16less of a man.
16:18You're the one
16:19who's less.
16:21Come near me again
16:22and every note
16:23you've sent
16:23goes straight to Chloe.
16:25How do you think
16:26that ends for you?
16:28His face went white.
16:30I swung the gate shut.
16:31I turned around
16:32and came face to face
16:33with Case.
16:34White t-shirt
16:35standing less than
16:35half a foot away.
16:36His full height
16:37bearing down on me.
16:38Alpha,
16:38I managed.
16:39A faint edge
16:40flickered across
16:40his expression.
16:42Wasn't it my mate
16:43just a moment ago?
16:44Why so formal
16:45all of a sudden?
16:46I looked down
16:47and started walking.
16:50Please don't misunderstand.
16:51As long as I'm in this estate,
16:52I honor this bond.
16:53Completely.
16:54Fast.
16:55It's getting late.
16:56I should go
16:56make your evening meal.
16:57I moved to step past him.
16:59His hand closed
17:00around my arm.
17:00I lost my footing
17:01and pitched straight into him.
17:03My heavy breasts
17:03against his chest.
17:04My waist caught in his grip.
17:06I looked up.
17:07His face was inches from mine.
17:09His eyes were deep
17:10and unreadable.
17:11One tilt forward
17:12and our lips would have touched.
17:14His breath hit my face.
17:15Warm.
17:16My breath hitched.
17:18Heat pooled low
17:19in my core.
17:21Case swallowed hard.
17:22As long as I remain
17:24in this estate.
17:25Each word slow.
17:26Deliberate.
17:27You counting down the days
17:28until you can leave?
17:30I couldn't exactly tell him
17:31I'll leave the day you die.
17:33No.
17:34Nothing like that.
17:35I shifted in his grip.
17:37Alpha, you're hurting my arm.
17:39Did you mean
17:40every word you said just now?
17:41I blinked
17:42and asked which part.
17:44He let out a quiet breath
17:45and released me.
17:46I bolted.
17:48And I noticed
17:49for the first time
17:50his face had actual color in it.
17:53His cheeks were just as red as mine.
17:55That night,
17:56I had a strange dream.
17:58Case's lips grazed slowly
17:59along my cheek.
18:01His fingers hooked
18:02into the strap of my slip,
18:03voice dropping
18:04to a low murmur.
18:05Does my Luna want this?
18:07I nodded like someone
18:08completely under a spell.
18:10Then a fierce,
18:11consuming kiss
18:12caught my lips
18:13and wouldn't let go.
18:14I jolted awake
18:15in a tangle of sheets,
18:16heart still hammering,
18:18breathless.
18:19Ivy knocked and came in.
18:20I asked her to bring
18:21a basin of cold water.
18:22She stared at my sweat,
18:23damp hair and murmured,
18:24It really is getting hotter.
18:27I splashed cold water
18:28onto my face.
18:29And then it hit me.
18:30That first night.
18:32Case.
18:32Cold shower.
18:34Surely he hadn't also been...
18:36No.
18:37Impossible.
18:38He was injured and recovering.
18:40He was supposed to be
18:41keeping himself calm.
18:42At midday,
18:43Martha's attendant arrived.
18:44Martha would like dinner
18:45in the garden tonight.
18:46She asks that you be sure
18:48to come.
18:48I've been making excuses
18:50to avoid the main dining hall
18:51for days,
18:52just to steer clear of Case.
18:53But Martha had gone out of her way
18:55to personally extend the invitation.
18:57I couldn't say no.
18:58I stepped into the garden.
18:59A sprawling rose of Sharon
19:01was in full bloom.
19:02A gust of wind shook loose
19:04a handful of deep crimson petals,
19:06drifting down onto the stone table,
19:08covered with every dish
19:09I loved most.
19:10Martha smiled and gestured
19:11for me to sit.
19:12Case mentioned it's your birthday today.
19:14He's the one who asked the kitchen
19:16to prepare all of this.
19:17I looked up and met a pair
19:18of burning, intent eyes.
19:21Heat rushed straight to my face.
19:23Case lit a plate of chestnut cake
19:25in front of me
19:25without changing his expression.
19:28How did you know today
19:29was my birthday?
19:30I'd completely forgotten it myself.
19:33My birth mother died
19:34bringing me into the world.
19:35No one had ever once
19:36marked the day for me.
19:38Case kept his eyes lowered
19:40and said evenly,
19:41It's not difficult to know it.
19:43Something in my chest
19:44gave one quiet,
19:45inexplicable pull.
19:47Leah,
19:48this peach blossom wine
19:50is from my private reserve.
19:51I'm opening it just for you.
19:53But you two had better
19:55not drink too much.
19:56She pushed back her chair,
19:57said the summer evening breeze
19:58was too much for her old bones,
20:00and left.
20:01The garden went quiet.
20:03To avoid the silence,
20:04I put my head down and drank.
20:06One cup,
20:07then another,
20:08then another.
20:09The wine was sweet
20:10and dangerously potent.
20:12Before long,
20:13the edges of everything
20:14had gone soft and blurry.
20:16Case watched me
20:17but said nothing.
20:18By the third glass,
20:19I'd stopped feeling
20:20the awkward silence.
20:21By the fourth,
20:22I'd stopped feeling
20:23much of anything.
20:25I reached across the table
20:26toward the last piece
20:27of chestnut cake.
20:28The dish was empty.
20:29I looked up.
20:31Where's the last piece?
20:33I ate it.
20:34I have absolutely no idea
20:35where the boldness came from.
20:37I leaned straight
20:38toward his face.
20:40Who told you to eat that?
20:42Spit it back out.
20:44I pressed against his chest,
20:45trying to peer into his mouth.
20:47Case looked down at me,
20:48perfectly calm.
20:49You won't find it that way.
20:51I straightened up
20:52and stared at him.
20:53Then how am I supposed
20:54to find it?
20:55A faint flush
20:56crept across his cheeks.
20:58Try using your mouse.
20:59My gaze drifted
21:01to his slightly reddened lips.
21:02I swallowed once
21:04and kissed him
21:05without hesitation.
21:06Case went rigid,
21:07his breathing lurching unsteady.
21:09Then control shifted.
21:11His hand cupped
21:12the back of my head
21:13and he pressed in deeper,
21:14harder.
21:16Neither of us pulled away
21:17until footsteps sounded
21:18from behind the flower bed.
21:21Alpha,
21:22the night air is cool.
21:23Lady Martha asked me
21:24to bring you both a wrap.
21:26I had no idea
21:27how much Ivy'd seen.
21:28I shot to my feet
21:30and the next instant
21:31the world tilted.
21:32Everything went dark.
21:35When I woke up
21:37with a splitting headache,
21:38it was already morning.
21:39I suddenly remembered.
21:40I'd promised Martha
21:42to visit Case's father's grave.
21:44It was late.
21:45I started rushing around
21:47for my things.
21:49Leah, don't worry.
21:51The driver is still
21:51getting the car ready.
21:53Ivy,
21:54was it you
21:55who brought me back
21:56last night?
21:57No.
21:58The Alpha
21:59carried you back.
22:00I spun around
22:02to check her face.
22:03She nodded,
22:04completely serious.
22:06I didn't say anything stupid,
22:08did I?
22:09Ivy bid back a smile.
22:11The Alpha
22:12set you down on the bed
22:14and you grabbed his sleeve
22:15and wouldn't let go.
22:17You kept calling him
22:18my mate
22:18over and over
22:20until his whole face
22:21went red.
22:23Ivy,
22:24don't you dare
22:24make things up.
22:26She covered her mouth,
22:28laughing,
22:28and ran out.
22:30I met Martha
22:31at the front entrance.
22:33Case's father's grave
22:34was on a hillside
22:35just beyond
22:35the pack territory.
22:37I sat in the back
22:38of the car,
22:39completely distracted,
22:41replaying the moment
22:42I'd kissed Case last night.
22:44Martha must have
22:45misread my expression
22:46because she said,
22:47Leah,
22:49is there someone
22:50you have feelings for?
22:54I've noticed
22:55you've been avoiding Case
22:56these past few days.
22:58Please don't be upset
22:59with me for pushing
23:00you two together
23:01at dinner last night.
23:02I thought if the two of you
23:04couldn't be mates,
23:05you could at least
23:05be friends.
23:06But if you're uncomfortable
23:07or if you want to leave,
23:09just say,
23:10I'll have him
23:11sever the bond.
23:12I won't let you
23:13be trapped here.
23:14Mom, no.
23:15It's not that.
23:16I was thinking
23:17about something else.
23:18What is it?
23:19I was still figuring out
23:20how to answer
23:20when the car lurched.
23:21The engine screamed.
23:23The car swung hard,
23:24tires off the road,
23:26crashing through brush,
23:26the whole frame shaking.
23:28I grabbed Martha
23:28and looked at the driver.
23:30Slumped over the wheel,
23:32unconscious.
23:33No one to hit the brakes.
23:34A cliff,
23:35straight ahead.
23:36Martha grabbed my arm.
23:38Leah,
23:38what do we do?
23:40We jump.
23:40Now.
23:41We'll be hurt.
23:43We'll die if we don't.
23:44Hold on to me.
23:45I wrapped myself around her
23:46and we threw ourselves clear
23:47the instant the wheels
23:48left solid ground.
23:49We hit the cliff edge
23:50and went over.
23:51My hand shot out
23:52and caught a root
23:53jutting from the rock face.
23:54My other hand
23:55locked around Martha's wrist.
23:57Below her was a straight drop
23:58into nothing.
24:00Mom,
24:01don't look down.
24:02Don't look down.
24:03Hold on to me.
24:04Ivy and the others
24:05are right behind us.
24:07Behind us in the second car.
24:09They'll be here soon.
24:11The root ground under our weight.
24:13Martha's voice broke.
24:15Leah,
24:16let me go.
24:18We're too heavy.
24:21It's going to snap.
24:24I'm old.
24:26I've lived my life.
24:28You have to keep living yours.
24:31My chest tightened so hard
24:33I could barely breathe.
24:35I couldn't let go.
24:37She'd been a mother to me
24:38from the first day.
24:40Mom,
24:41I would rather die with you
24:43than watch you fall.
24:45Hold on.
24:50They're coming.
24:51The truth was,
24:53I had no idea.
24:54My arms were going numb.
24:56The pain had gone so deep
24:58it had stopped feeling
24:59like pain at all.
25:01Then I heard it.
25:03A wolf's howl split the air.
25:06Deafening
25:07and close.
25:09Leah,
25:10don't move.
25:12I'm coming down.
25:13Case's voice.
25:15He'd called me by my name.
25:17The first time.
25:19A strong arm came under me.
25:22He'd climbed down the cliff face.
25:24Wolf claws dug into the rock.
25:27He untied the rope from his own body
25:29and looped it around my waist.
25:31Then climbed down further
25:33and did the same for Martha.
25:35The people above pulled together.
25:38We came up one at a time.
25:40It wasn't a hallucination.
25:42Case had saved us.
25:44He held me,
25:45brow creased.
25:48Why is there so much blood?
25:51Martha clutched her face.
25:53She shielded me when we jumped.
25:56I didn't get a scratch.
25:58It's all hers.
26:01My eyelids felt like lead.
26:03Leah,
26:05don't sleep.
26:06I'm taking you to Ella.
26:08He lifted me into the car
26:09and I stayed curled against his chest.
26:12His forehead was damp with sweat.
26:15He kept one hand on the wheel
26:16and kept talking.
26:18Leah,
26:18Leah,
26:20Leah,
26:20stay awake.
26:22I'll get you chestnut cake.
26:24I'll give you all the jewelry
26:25you want to sell.
26:26You don't have to wait for me to die.
26:28I'll write the bond release today.
26:29You can leave whenever you want.
26:31My chest kept clenching.
26:33Something wet hit my face.
26:35I looked up at the sky
26:37through the windshield.
26:38It wasn't raining.
26:40Then everything went black.
26:41When I opened my eyes,
26:42every part of my body
26:43felt like it had been taken apart
26:44and put back wrong.
26:46My Luna,
26:47the pack healer said
26:48you can't move yet.
26:49Ivy pressed a bowl of medicine
26:50to my lips,
26:51spooning it in slowly.
26:53You're lucky nothing's broken.
26:55Her voice was steady,
26:56but her eyes were red.
26:57The scrapes were bad.
26:58You need to stay flat
26:59or they'll scar.
27:01Your shoulder was dislocated too.
27:03She kept talking.
27:04My eyes had already drifted to the door.
27:06After I finished the medicine,
27:07I asked,
27:09Where's Case?
27:10Investigating.
27:11Someone poisoned the driver
27:12with wolf bite
27:12and cut the brake lines.
27:13It was deliberate.
27:14Who would be bold enough
27:15to target the Alpha's family directly?
27:17I was flat on my back
27:19for a full month.
27:20I didn't see Case once.
27:21Martha kept her door shut too,
27:23still recovering from the shock.
27:25Everyone in the estate
27:26moved with tight faces
27:27and clipped voices,
27:28like something was being held
27:29just below the surface.
27:31I asked Ivy.
27:32She said nothing was wrong.
27:34Today,
27:34I was finally cleared
27:35to get out of bed.
27:36I opened my door
27:37and walked straight
27:38into a familiar figure.
27:39Case.
27:40Dark tactic.
27:41A tactical shirt.
27:41Sharper than I remembered.
27:43He held out a small wooden box.
27:45I took it and lifted the lid.
27:47A land deed.
27:48A property contract.
27:50A severance letter.
27:51My body went rigid.
27:52Something locked around my chest
27:54and wouldn't let go.
27:55Case.
27:56Are you throwing me out?
27:58You've been waiting for this
27:59since the day you arrived.
28:01You avoided me,
28:02stayed out of my way.
28:02You never wanted anything
28:03to do with me.
28:04You were counting down the days
28:05until I died
28:06so you could walk out cleanly.
28:07I'm just doing it early.
28:10Leah, go.
28:12After today,
28:12we're finished.
28:13Something sharp flooded my chest.
28:15My mouth opened and closed.
28:18It took a long time
28:19to get anything out.
28:21So that's what you think of me.
28:25Leave now.
28:26I don't want to see you anymore.
28:29Case disappeared around the corner of the yard.
28:31Estate guards all but pushed me out the door.
28:33Ivy fell in to step beside me
28:35and the alpha said you're used to having me around.
28:37He told me to go with you.
28:40I couldn't speak.
28:45We moved into a small house
28:47on the edge of the territory.
28:48By morning,
28:50the PAC's official announcement had gone up.
28:52The announcement said Case had betrayed the PAC.
28:54The announcement said he had betrayed the PAC,
28:56that he had leaked the Border Patrol routes
28:58to a rogue faction.
29:00By order of the Lycan King,
29:02royal enforcers had been dispatched
29:04to seize him, pending investigation.
29:07Case was being held in the dungeons
29:09under royal guard.
29:10The estate was locked down.
29:13Everyone inside was under scrutiny.
29:15Case would never betray his PAC.
29:18He would die before he did something like that.
29:20He rushed to get me out.
29:21That was why.
29:22That was the only reason.
29:25Ivy was pacing circles around the living room.
29:27She'd grown up inside the estate.
29:29She couldn't stand still.
29:31Is there anything we can do?
29:33I made myself sit down and think.
29:36Years ago,
29:37Elder Reed's youngest child
29:38had gotten lost in the forest
29:39and been bitten by a snake.
29:41I'd found him
29:42and used the right herbs
29:43to treat the wound.
29:45Elder Reed had arrived
29:46while I was still crouched over the boy.
29:48He'd seen my face.
29:49I was sure he hadn't forgotten.
29:52I tracked him down
29:53outside the council building
29:54and stepped into the PAC.
29:55Elder Reed.
29:56You remember me.
29:58I need a favor.
29:59He looked at me for a long moment.
30:01Then he nodded.
30:03Elder Reed led me into the dungeon.
30:04Thirty minutes.
30:05No more.
30:06The door unlocked.
30:07Case stood up.
30:08His eyes flashed with surprise.
30:10How did you get in?
30:11My chest ached
30:12as I looked at him
30:12through the blur of tears.
30:14That's why you kicked me out, isn't it?
30:16You were framed.
30:18Think carefully.
30:19Is there any evidence
30:20to prove your innocence?
30:21I will find it.
30:22I will investigate.
30:24I swear I will rescue you.
30:26Case's gaze deepened.
30:27Then his arm shot out
30:28and pulled me into his chest.
30:30Leah.
30:31My heart hammered.
30:32But time was running out.
30:34This wasn't the moment.
30:35I pushed against him.
30:37He didn't budge.
30:38Leah, you don't need to do anything.
30:39I can't say much.
30:42I promise.
30:44Seven days later,
30:45I will accompany you
30:46to watch the sunrise.
30:47Okay?
30:49His eyes were steady.
30:50Certain.
30:51Like he was coaxing
30:52a frightened pup.
30:54I walked out of the dungeon
30:55and straight into Brad.
31:00He stepped into my path.
31:02Slow smile spreading across his face.
31:03It's not too late to reconsider.
31:06Being my mistress
31:07beats being alone and disgraced.
31:10I swung my hand
31:11and slapped him across the face.
31:12He lunged for me.
31:13I stepped sideways
31:14and put distance between us.
31:15Try that again
31:16and every note you sent me
31:17ends up in front of Chloe's father.
31:19Every single one.
31:20You've been whispering
31:21in her ear for years, haven't you?
31:23Trying to get me pushed out
31:24thinking I'd have nowhere to go
31:25and no choice but to run to you.
31:26But you never counted on Chloe
31:27handing me straight to Case.
31:29A man you can't touch.
31:31His face changed.
31:32I didn't wait for him to recover.
31:33I walked away
31:34and didn't look back.
31:35A wolf like that.
31:36The further the better.
31:38I didn't sleep well
31:39for the next five days.
31:40Case's voice kept coming back to me.
31:42I promise.
31:44Seven days later,
31:45I will accompany you
31:45to watch the sunrise.
31:47Okay?
31:47On the afternoon of the sixth day,
31:49the Lichen King's official decree
31:50went up across the territory.
31:52The leak hadn't come from Case.
31:54It had come from Prince Marcus
31:56and his allies.
31:57The truth is finally revealed.
32:01The Lichen King
32:02had not yet named his heir.
32:03Both Prince Caden
32:04and Prince Marcus
32:05were in the running.
32:06Case was Prince Caden's
32:07most powerful ally,
32:08the Alpha
32:08who commanded
32:09the most powerful pack.
32:10Taking Case down
32:11was the cleanest way
32:12to clear the path to the throne.
32:13Prince Marcus
32:14had planted a spy
32:15inside the Blackwood pack,
32:16used him to steal
32:17the border patrol routes,
32:18then framed Case for it.
32:19So the injury had been faked.
32:21All of it.
32:22A deliberate trap
32:23to draw out the spy.
32:24But why fake
32:25being unable to mate?
32:26I turned that over
32:27in my mind all night
32:28and couldn't land on an answer.
32:29Dawn was just breaking
32:30when someone knocked at the door.
32:32I didn't think.
32:33I just ran.
32:33I threw the door open
32:34and walked straight
32:35into Case's chest.
32:36He went completely still.
32:38Then his arms came around me,
32:39slow and deliberate,
32:40and pulled me in hard.
32:41I'd run out
32:42in nothing but a thin sleep shirt.
32:44No warning.
32:45Through the thin fabric
32:46I could feel everything.
32:47The hard muscle of his chest,
32:49his arms locked tight around me.
32:51I pressed my hands
32:52against his chest
32:52and tried to step back.
32:54Leah.
32:54His voice dropped low.
32:56I'm back.
32:57Our eyes locked.
32:58The heat between us
32:59was thick enough to touch.
33:00Then he lifted me off the ground
33:01and carried me straight
33:02toward the bedroom.
33:03I beat a fist
33:03against his chest.
33:05Weren't we supposed
33:06to watch the sunrise?
33:09You first.
33:11Sunrise after.
33:12We fell onto the bed together.
33:16Case pinned me beneath him,
33:18one hand working the buttons
33:19of my sleep shirt open,
33:20eyes never leaving mine.
33:22I covered his eyes
33:23with both hands.
33:24Don't look.
33:25It's embarrassing.
33:26He took my hands down.
33:28His breathing had gone ragged.
33:30It's beautiful.
33:32His eyes were bright and fixed.
33:34My skin went hot
33:35everywhere he touched.
33:36I pressed my palm
33:37flat against his chest.
33:38Hard muscle,
33:39warm skin.
33:39Healer said you couldn't get hard.
33:42How is any of this possible?
33:43Lips dragging slowly
33:44along my jaw to my ear.
33:45You want to know if I can?
33:47There's one way to find out.
33:49He kissed me,
33:50one hand cupping my face,
33:51tilting it up toward him.
33:53I kissed him back hard.
33:54My hands slid up his chest,
33:56over his shoulders,
33:58gripping his arms.
33:59He pressed me further
34:00into the mattress,
34:01his weight settling over me.
34:03The heat built fast
34:04and took over completely.
34:05My hands went slack.
34:07He caught them,
34:08laced his fingers through mine,
34:10and pinned them above my head.
34:12He loves me very much
34:13and completely occupies me.
34:15My face gradually became rosy,
34:18and we could only hear
34:19each other's heartbeats
34:20and breathing.
34:22His lips dragged
34:23from my mouth to my jaw,
34:24down the side of my neck,
34:26slow and unhurried.
34:27Then he stopped.
34:29His canines pierced
34:30my mating gland,
34:31a second of sharp,
34:32white-hot pain,
34:33and then it was done.
34:35I lay there,
34:36chest heaving,
34:37fingers still tangled in his.
34:39On my neck,
34:40his mark ached.
34:41Finally,
34:42we weren't just mates
34:43on paper anymore.
34:45After the estate lockdown
34:46was lifted,
34:47Case took me to meet
34:48Prince Caden,
34:49a slow smile
34:50spreading across his face.
34:51So you're the woman
34:52who brought Case to his knees.
34:53I've been wanting
34:54to meet you.
34:56You flatter me,
34:57your highness.
34:57Case helped the kingdom
34:58take down a real threat.
34:59You stood by him
35:00through all of it.
35:01I'll host an official
35:02Luna ceremony for you,
35:03and when that day comes,
35:05I'll have a gift ready.
35:06Thank you,
35:06your highness.
35:08Don't blame Case,
35:09Leah.
35:10Faking the injury
35:11was always part of the plan.
35:15Too many enemies
35:16wanted him dead.
35:17The only way
35:18to keep him safe
35:18was to make them
35:19think he was already finished.
35:21The part about
35:22not being able
35:22to get hard,
35:23that was my idea.
35:24I gave the pack doctor
35:26that order myself.
35:28We grew up together.
35:30I know exactly
35:31how he is.
35:32Never any interest
35:33in women.
35:34Never any weakness.
35:35I figured it was time
35:36someone did something
35:37about that.
35:37Suddenly,
35:38I understood.
35:39Just two old friends
35:40and one very elaborate prank.
35:42The car accident.
35:44That was Prince Marcus
35:45as well.
35:45They intended it
35:46to look like an accident.
35:47They didn't expect
35:48to hurt you
35:48in the process.
35:50Luna, Leah,
35:51it's been dealt with.
35:52You and Case
35:53are safe now.
35:58I took a slow breath.
36:00Knowing it was over
36:01didn't make the memory
36:01of dangling off that cliff
36:03any less vivid.
36:04We got back to the estate
36:05to find Chloe
36:05already inside,
36:06crying.
36:07She walked an hour ago
36:08and hasn't stopped.
36:10Martha is getting
36:10a headache from it.
36:12I told Case
36:13to go to his study.
36:14I'd handle it.
36:15I sat down
36:16next to Chloe.
36:17Face red,
36:18eyes swollen.
36:19Word had already spread.
36:20Brad had been identified
36:21as one of Prince Marcus's
36:22informants.
36:24Chloe's father
36:24had been cleared,
36:25but Chloe and Brad
36:26were finished.
36:27Still crying?
36:29I'll have someone
36:30throw you out.
36:31She stopped immediately,
36:32still shaking,
36:33but quiet.
36:33I misjudged him.
36:35I thought picking someone
36:36from a lower-ranked family
36:38meant he'd be easy
36:39to manage.
36:40I didn't think
36:41he'd be like this.
36:42I told you
36:43he wasn't a good person.
36:45You didn't say it
36:45clearly enough.
36:46I rolled my eyes.
36:48I wasn't a powerless
36:49Omega anymore.
36:51I didn't have
36:51to hold back.
36:56Were you ever angry
36:57at me
36:58for how I treated
36:59you back then?
37:01No.
37:01I cursed you
37:02in my head,
37:03but I don't hold
37:04grudges.
37:05You cursed me?
37:06Do you want to
37:07punish me for it?
37:08Chloe laughed
37:08despite herself,
37:09then caught herself
37:10and pressed her lips
37:11together.
37:11I'm sorry
37:12for the slap.
37:13Did it hurt?
37:14I already forgot
37:15about it.
37:15Then let me
37:16slap you back.
37:17We'll be even.
37:18She closed her eyes
37:19and braced herself.
37:20I raised my hand
37:21and let it land
37:22soft against her cheek.
37:24She opened her eyes.
37:28I already gave
37:29that slap to Brad.
37:30Chloe stared at me
37:30for a second.
37:31Then she laughed,
37:32really laughed,
37:33for the first time
37:34since she'd walked in.
37:35Don't call me Chloe
37:36anymore.
37:36Can we be friends?
37:38No.
37:41I don't like friends
37:42who cry too much.
37:43The light was still on
37:44when I passed
37:44Case's study.
37:45I pushed the door open.
37:47Before I could say a word,
37:48an arm shot out from behind
37:49and wrapped around my waist.
37:51Bold intruder.
37:52His voice dropped low
37:53against my ear.
37:53You think you can just
37:54walk into the Alpha's office?
37:56The Alpha's mate
37:57is right here
37:58and you still dare
37:59make a move?
38:00Case played it straight.
38:01His lips found my neck.
38:03Here?
38:04Really?
38:06Right here.
38:07I kept saying no.
38:08My hands said
38:09something else entirely,
38:10finding their way
38:11to his back.
38:12He murmured
38:12against my ear.
38:14You have no idea
38:15how many times
38:15I thought about this
38:16in this room.
38:18I wanted to say
38:19something back,
38:20but his hand
38:21was already moving
38:21and I couldn't
38:22get a single word out.
38:23He carried me
38:24to the table
38:24and took off my clothes.
38:26Then we had a good time.
38:34When I woke up,
38:35it was almost dawn.
38:36Case was already awake,
38:37sitting up against
38:38the headboard,
38:39watching me.
38:40His eyes were soft
38:41in a way that made it
38:42hard to look back.
38:43Morning.
38:44I sat up and rubbed my eyes.
38:46Then I remembered.
38:47The sunrise.
38:48He'd promised.
38:49The sunrise.
38:53We still have time.
38:55He was already up.
38:56He picked up my clothes
38:57from beside the bed
38:58and handing them to me.
38:59He dressed me slowly,
39:01straightening each layer
39:02with both hands,
39:03like he'd done it
39:03a thousand times before.
39:04We walked out
39:05into the yard.
39:06Cool air.
39:07The smell of pine.
39:09To the east,
39:10the sky had just started
39:10to lighten at the edges.
39:12Case stood behind me
39:12and wrapped both arms
39:13around me.
39:14We watched the horizon
39:15together.
39:16The sun came up slowly.
39:18Gold light broke
39:18across the trees,
39:20spread across the yard
39:21and landed on us.
39:22The clouds caught
39:23the color and held it.
39:24Beautiful.
39:25Close to my ear.
39:28Beautiful.
39:29Beautiful.
39:30He pulled me in tighter
39:30and said nothing else.
39:31He didn't need to.
39:34I'll watch every sunrise
39:35and sunset with you.
39:36His voice was quiet
39:37against my hair.
39:38Everyone.
39:39For as long as we have.
39:41I turned around
39:42and kissed him once,
39:43quick and light.
39:44Deal.
39:46The sun came up fully
39:47and the yard filled
39:47with light.
39:48Our shadows stretched long
39:50across the ground
39:50behind us.
39:52Over the next few days,
39:53the estate came back
39:53to life.
39:54Servants moved through
39:55the halls with easy steps
39:56again.
39:57Martha's health improved.
39:58She called me in
39:59to talk every morning,
40:00always smiling
40:01when I walked through
40:01the door.
40:03One afternoon,
40:03I was trimming the plants
40:04in the yard
40:05when Sunny came running over.
40:06Leah,
40:07Chloe is here again.
40:08She brought a lot
40:09of stuff with her.
40:10I set down my shears.
40:12Since the day
40:12she'd come in crying,
40:13Chloe had been showing up
40:14regularly.
40:15She said she was making up
40:16for lost time.
40:17Really,
40:18she just had nothing to do
40:19and nowhere to be.
40:22Let her in.
40:23I wiped my hands
40:23and went to meet her.
40:27Chloe walked in
40:27with two attendants
40:28behind her,
40:29carrying food boxes.
40:30She changed a lot.
40:31Less restless.
40:32She dressed simpler now
40:34and moved quieter.
40:42I made your favorite,
40:44chestnut cake.
40:45I asked the Royal Kitchen
40:46for the recipe this time.
40:48Better than anything
40:49the Blackwood Kitchen
40:50has ever made.
40:51I took a piece
40:52and bit into it.
40:53Sweet,
40:54soft,
40:55better than I expected.
40:57Good.
41:00So where's Case?
41:01Not home?
41:02He went to the
41:03PAC training ground.
41:04Something came up.
41:06Chloe nodded
41:06and reached for a piece herself.
41:08For a while,
41:09neither of us said anything.
41:10Just the wind
41:11moving through the yard.
41:12My father wants me
41:13to find a new mate.
41:14I looked up.
41:15Don't rush for it.
41:17I know.
41:20After Brad,
41:21I don't know
41:22how to trust anyone.
41:23She looked at me,
41:24something flickering
41:24in her eyes.
41:25You have a good mate.
41:28Case fights for you,
41:29protects you,
41:30and he's the strongest
41:31alpha in the kingdom.
41:33We just got lucky.
41:34You can't force these things.
41:36Chloe nodded
41:36and didn't say anything else.
41:38Just ate her chestnut cake.
41:39The yard went quiet,
41:41just wind moving
41:42through the leaves.
41:43Then she said,
41:45That slap,
41:46do you really not
41:47hold it against me?
41:49Really.
41:50It's in the past.
41:52No point bringing it up.
41:53The truth was,
41:54I'd already let it go
41:55a long time ago.
41:56She wasn't a bad person,
41:58just spoiled,
41:59used to getting her way.
42:00Chloe's eyes went red
42:01at the edges.
42:04When I arranged the mating,
42:06part of it was because
42:07I was scared you and Brad
42:08would find your way
42:08back to each other,
42:10but part of it
42:11was genuine.
42:12I really did think
42:13Case was a good man,
42:14that he wouldn't
42:15treat you badly.
42:15We looked at each other
42:17and smiled.
42:18All the conflicts
42:18were solved.
42:21I just didn't expect
42:23him to be faking
42:23the whole time.
42:25Chloe laughed,
42:25a little embarrassed.
42:26It's in the past.
42:29Isn't this better?
42:34It is,
42:35she nodded.
42:36Can we be friends?
42:37For real?
42:38I won't be like
42:39I was before.
42:43Sure,
42:43I nodded.
42:44Something warm
42:45moved through my chest.
42:47Letting go of old grudges
42:48and coming out
42:48the other side
42:49with a friend.
42:50That wasn't a bad ending.
42:51We sat in the yard
42:51for the rest of the afternoon,
42:53eating and talking.
42:55Pack gossip,
42:56small things,
42:57nothing important.
42:58The sun came through
42:59the leaves
42:59and the air was warm
43:00and easy.
43:01When Case came back
43:02from the training grounds
43:03that evening
43:03and saw the two of us,
43:04surprise crossed his face.
43:06What are you two
43:07happy about?
43:08Talking about you.
43:10Chloe grinned.
43:11About what a liar
43:12you are,
43:13faking the whole thing
43:14and fooling everyone.
43:16Case walked over
43:17and sat down beside me.
43:19He reached over
43:20and took my hand,
43:21eyes warm.
43:22Tricking you
43:23into becoming my Luna,
43:24that's the luckiest thing
43:25I've ever done.
43:26My face went red.
43:27I gave him a look.
43:29Chloe burst out laughing.
43:30Alright,
43:30I'm leaving you two alone.
43:32Leah,
43:32I'll come by tomorrow.
43:34Sure,
43:34take care.
43:35I watched her go.
43:36Case turned to me.
43:38Are you good friend now?
43:40Yes.
43:41The past is the past.
43:43No point holding on to it.
43:44He squeezed my hand.
43:46I'm glad you can think that way.
43:48He knew how much I'd been through.
43:50Watching me let it go
43:51and just be happy.
43:52I could tell it meant something to him.
43:54We sat side by side
43:55at the stone table
43:56and looked out at the sky.
43:58Neither of us said much.
44:00We didn't need to.
44:01Days like this,
44:02quiet and unhurried,
44:04became the rhythm of our life.
44:06Case stayed busy with the pack
44:08and with royal matters.
44:09But he always made time.
44:11Sunrises,
44:12sunsets,
44:13he spoiled me
44:14until I didn't know
44:14what to do with it.
44:16Martha was healthy
44:17and smiling every day.
44:19The estate was calm
44:20and easy again,
44:21the way it used to be.
44:23True to his word,
44:24Prince Caden petitioned
44:25the Lichen King
44:26on my behalf.
44:27At my official
44:28Luna ceremony,
44:29the Lichen King's decree
44:30was read aloud.
44:31A formal commendation
44:33in front of the entire pack.
44:35The estate was lit up
44:36and full of noise that day.
44:38Case lifted the veil
44:39and placed it over my head himself,
44:41his eyes proud and soft.
44:43The most beautiful Luna.
44:45Then he shifted,
44:46right there in front of everyone.
44:48His wolf was massive,
44:50dark,
44:51broad-shouldered,
44:51still.
44:52He lowered himself
44:53to the ground and waited.
44:55I climbed onto his back.
44:57He rose slowly,
44:58carrying me steady,
44:59and lifted his head
45:00toward the moon.
45:01The howl that came out of him
45:03was long and deep
45:04and carried across
45:05the entire territory.
45:07One by one,
45:08the pack answered,
45:09howl after howl
45:10rising into the night sky.
45:13I thought about everything
45:14it had taken to get here.
45:15A bastard Omega
45:16with no wolf,
45:17no one to speak for her.
45:19Only I knew
45:20how hard the road had been.
45:21And all of it,
45:23every bit of the happiness
45:24on the other side of it,
45:25came from the man
45:26standing behind me.
45:27After the ceremony,
45:28Case took me south.
45:29Open land,
45:30warm air,
45:31water catching
45:32the afternoon light.
45:33Far from everything
45:34that had tried to take us down.
45:36The rest of our lives
45:37stretched out ahead of us.
45:39Every year,
45:40every season,
45:41together.
45:43After the ceremony,
45:44life settled into a new rhythm.
45:46I stood beside Case
45:47at every pack meeting,
45:49every decision,
45:50every matter that came
45:51through the estate gates.
45:52His pack was my pack.
45:54His people were my people.
45:56But he always made time.
45:58A weekend drive
45:59with no destination.
46:00A trail through the forest
46:02at dawn.
46:03Wherever he thought
46:04I'd want to see,
46:05he took me there
46:05without being asked.
46:07The rest of our lives
46:08stretched out ahead of us.
46:10Every year,
46:11every season,
46:12together.
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