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00:04The forefather left to join the army, he made a promise.
00:10If I die on the battlefield, you can find another man to marry, like the hunter on the edge of
00:15the village.
00:16But that huntsman, Vance, had a crippled leg and a scar that split his face in two.
00:22One punch, they said, could drop a full grown tiger.
00:25They also said he'd already beaten his first wife to death.
00:29Marrying Mama to him was the same as sending her to die.
00:33Three years later, word came that father was dead.
00:38Grandma and the village elders collected 20 silver coins from Vance.
00:41They sold Mama off.
00:43The news arrived on the day Mama was washing clothes by the river.
00:47Deep winter, the water was thick with floating ice, cold enough to cut bone.
00:52Grandma wouldn't allow her to use hot water.
00:54She said firewood was precious, not for a worthless brat who couldn't produce sons.
01:02I'd haul extra firewood down from the mountain, but it always went straight to Uncle Dale's fire pit.
01:08If Mama or I used so much as one extra stick, Grandma beat us and cursed us for three days
01:15straight.
01:17I tried to help with the washing.
01:20Mama waved me off.
01:21The river's cold, little one.
01:23Go play over there where the sun hits.
01:25It's warmer.
01:26In the dead of winter, midday sun was the only warmth we ever had.
01:31When the laundry was done and we walked home, Grandma and the village elders were already waiting.
01:37We'd been in such a rush, but not enough to walk down to the river and find us.
01:42You take this long, wandering off who knows where, worthless brat.
01:47Roy's barely gone and already your heart's drifting.
01:55The soldiers sent word.
01:57Roy's dead.
01:58You killed him.
01:59Every bit of bad luck he had started when he married you.
02:02He's gone now, so hurry up and remarry.
02:04Don't stay here dragging our family down.
02:06The bundle was small.
02:07Two of Mama's worn out dresses.
02:10Grandma didn't look like she was grieving her own son.
02:12She looked the same as always.
02:14Like someone had told me the village dog had died.
02:17Mama said nothing.
02:18She just held my hand tighter.
02:22Grandma, can I bring my daughter with me?
02:25Mama wasn't crying much.
02:27She was only worried about me.
02:29See if the huntsman's willing to pay for her.
02:33A girl this size.
02:35Sell her to a broker and you'd get ten silver easy.
02:39Mama's grip went tighter around my hand.
02:41We both knew.
02:42The moment she left, Grandma would sell me.
02:45She wouldn't keep me a single day longer than she had to.
02:50Mama shouldered her bundle and held my hand.
02:52Grandma and the village elders herded us to Vance's house.
02:55He was inside sharpening a blade.
02:57The scraping sound never stopped.
02:59His bad leg jutted stiffly to one side.
03:02It couldn't bend.
03:03A scar ran from below his left eye all the way to the right corner of his mouth.
03:07Like something had tried to split his face in half.
03:10I stepped behind Mama.
03:13Vance looked us over.
03:15You people forced this woman on me.
03:17Twenty silver is already too much.
03:20Don't push it further.
03:21He clearly hadn't wanted to take Mama.
03:23Let alone me.
03:24Dead weight she'd dragged along.
03:26My Roy saved your life once.
03:28Now he's dead.
03:29And we're delivering this woman straight to your door.
03:31You should be on your knees thanking us.
03:33She wants to bring the girl along as your daughter.
03:35You get a wife and a child all at once.
03:38I'm not asking for much.
03:40Another ten silver and we're done.
03:42Most families earned two or three silver in a year.
03:45Ten silver could buy a full acre of good farmland.
03:48I was not worth that much.
03:52People in the village said he was a silent man.
03:55But when he opened his eyes and looked at you.
03:57Really looked.
03:58It could stop your heart cold.
04:00Grandma shoved Mama hard.
04:02Mama's thin frame nearly went down.
04:04Mr. Heart.
04:06My daughter eats very little.
04:08She can work.
04:09Please.
04:10Could you give us somewhere to go?
04:12Vance finally looked at me.
04:14A long, unreadable frown.
04:16Mama tugged at my hand.
04:17I dropped to my knees beside her with a thumb.
04:21Call him something.
04:22I stared up at Vance.
04:24At the scar.
04:26My lips shook.
04:27Papa.
04:28Vance went still.
04:29The scar looked even more ferocious when his face froze like that.
04:33Grandma's foot completely with my back.
04:36Your real father's barely cold and you're already calling some stranger Papa.
04:41Worthless brat.
04:42Just like your harlot mother, heart already belongs to someone else.
04:46She kept kicking.
04:48I lay flat and didn't move.
04:50Didn't make a sound.
04:51That was how it worked.
04:53Stay still.
04:54Let her finish.
04:55And she'd stop.
04:56Mama tried to crawl to me.
04:58One of the village elders kicked her back.
05:00It was always like this in Roy's household.
05:03Mama couldn't save me.
05:04She couldn't save herself.
05:06Enough!
05:07Vance stood.
05:08He went inside.
05:10He came back and threw ten silver coins onto the ground.
05:13This girl is my child now.
05:17I looked up at Vance.
05:19Mama hadn't caught what he said.
05:21I had.
05:22Grandma grabbed the silver and turned to leave.
05:24Vance blocked her.
05:26He demanded a written contract.
05:28Grandma refused.
05:30Vance snatched the silver right back.
05:32No contract.
05:33No silver.
05:35In the end, with the village elders and the village head as witnesses, the contract was signed.
05:41Both Mama and I became part of Vance's household.
05:44Mama put down her bundle and started working immediately.
05:48If she stayed busy enough, maybe Vance would let me eat more.
05:51Maybe he wouldn't hit me.
05:53Vance's house was plain.
05:55Three main rooms.
05:56A hall in the center.
05:58A bedroom on each side.
05:59Only one bedroom had a bed.
06:01The other was empty.
06:03Mama led me to the woodshed.
06:04The firewood was stacked clean.
06:07The floor was tidy.
06:08Mama shifted some wood and found a board.
06:11She built me a rough bed out of it.
06:14Don't be afraid, little one.
06:21Mama.
06:22I'm not afraid.
06:23At Roy's house, it had always been the same.
06:26When father was home, he'd say I was in the way, always getting between him and Mama when they were
06:31trying for a son.
06:32He'd chase me to the woodshed.
06:34Roy's woodshed was filthier than this.
06:37Rats.
06:38Snakes.
06:38Frozen solid in winter.
06:40A furnace in summer.
06:42I'd survived all of it.
06:44Mama held me against her chest.
06:45Maybe, once I give him a son, things will ease up.
06:49I said nothing.
06:50I'd long suspected father's cruelty toward Mama had nothing to do with sons.
06:56Mama, why did father want you to remarry Vance?
07:00Before he left, father had kept Mama on a tight leash.
07:04Wouldn't let her leave the village.
07:05Wouldn't let her look up when she passed a man.
07:08Grandma would curse her for it too.
07:11Said she was out there tempting people.
07:13Mama's bitter laugh stayed locked in her throat.
07:18Because Vance was the only one who could pay that much.
07:23She didn't finish.
07:24She didn't need to.
07:26Father had sent Mama here to die.
07:30Father had been planning to sell Mama even before he left.
07:33He knew he wasn't coming back.
07:35He made sure Mama would have nowhere left to go.
07:38I'd worked this out some time ago.
07:40Not because I was clever.
07:41They'd been obvious about it.
07:43The whole village talked.
07:45Not long after we arrived, Vance came back carrying armfuls of thick wooden boards.
07:50He disappeared into the empty west bedroom.
07:53Steady hammering rang out, one blow after another.
07:56Mama stood outside the door.
07:58She wanted to ask where the food stores were so she could start dinner.
08:01But she didn't dare.
08:03After a while, Vance came back out.
08:05He saw us both still standing there.
08:07He frowned.
08:09Something you need?
08:10His voice was rough.
08:11I flinched and nearly stepped back.
08:14But we were alone here, Mama and me.
08:16If I stepped back, she'd be standing by herself.
08:19I held my ground.
08:21I took Mama's hand and stood beside her.
08:23Vance noticed.
08:25Something shifted in his brow.
08:26Mama asked carefully,
08:28I want to ask.
08:30It's nearly dinner time.
08:32If you get the grain out, I can cook.
08:34You've worked hard all day.
08:35You should eat.
08:36Vance frowned harder.
08:38He looked us up and down like we'd said something strange.
08:41Then he pointed at the kitchen.
08:42In there.
08:47The key.
08:49Vance's frown deepened.
08:50He walked over and kicked the kitchen door open.
08:53He looked back at us.
08:55I had the feeling he was asking with his eyes whether we were simple.
08:59No lock.
09:00No key.
09:02Roy's kitchen was always locked.
09:03The grain.
09:04The oil.
09:05The salt.
09:06The eggs.
09:07Everything in locked cabinets.
09:08Grandma would measure out exactly what was needed for each meal.
09:12Set it on the counter.
09:13Then stand there watching Mama cook.
09:15Drop a single grain of rice.
09:17Get a lecture that lasted half a day.
09:19She called us starving ghosts.
09:21Said we never worked.
09:22Only ate.
09:23She was afraid we'd steal food.
09:25Mama and I stepped into the kitchen.
09:27Grain.
09:28Oil.
09:28Salt.
09:29All of it just sitting out in the open.
09:32Mama stood there for a long moment.
09:34She glanced toward Vance.
09:36He'd already gone back out.
09:37She was almost afraid to touch anything.
09:40She was afraid she'd cook it long.
09:42And he'd come back angry.
09:43Beat her.
09:44Like grandma.
09:45She was afraid of being accused of stealing.
09:49Eventually, Mama cooked.
09:51The food sat on the table.
09:53The two of us stood in the courtyard.
09:54Neither of us moved toward it.
09:56Vance came back carrying two large wicker baskets.
09:59He saw the food on the table.
10:01He saw us standing there.
10:03His frown deepened.
10:04He washed his hands.
10:05Sat down.
10:06Saw us still standing.
10:07He told us gruffly to sit.
10:09He scooped himself less than half a bowl of rice.
10:13Not enough food.
10:14Cook more tomorrow.
10:16He ate fast.
10:18Loud and efficient.
10:19Finished in minutes.
10:21But barely ate half of what was there.
10:23Done.
10:24He sat sharpening his wood cutting knife.
10:26Watching us eat.
10:27Mama hesitantly filled my bowl.
10:29We ate.
10:30Both keeping our eyes on him.
10:31I noticed it quickly.
10:33When I ate fast, he looked away.
10:34When I slowed down and tried to set my chopsticks down, he frowned.
10:38He was telling me to keep eating.
10:40Mama and I finished every last bite.
10:42Then we sat waiting to be scolded.
10:45Or hit.
10:46Vance put the knife down.
10:48Wash up and get some sleep.
10:49You've worked enough today.
10:53Mama hurried to heat the water.
10:54She waited for Vance to finish washing.
10:57Then, after a moment, washed her own face and hands and feet.
11:02It's the first day.
11:04If I'm clean, he'll find less to resent.
11:07She muttered it while she scrubbed, eyes dim.
11:10I used her leftover warm water.
11:12The heat spread up through my hands and feet all at once.
11:15So this was what it felt like to wash with hot water.
11:18No wonder Grandma and Uncle Dale always demanded extra buckets in winter.
11:23I went to the woodshed for the night.
11:25Mama stopped me at the door.
11:27Cover your ears.
11:28No matter what you hear tonight, don't come out.
11:32Pretend you heard nothing, you understand?
11:34I nodded hard.
11:36I knew.
11:37Once, when Father was hurting Mama, I'd run in crying and begged him to stop.
11:42He'd kicked me so hard I ached for half a year.
11:45This time I wouldn't make a sound.
11:46We both had to survive.
11:48Stay alive.
11:49And there was still hope.
11:50Even if I didn't yet know what that hope looked like.
11:55Then the woodshed door was kicked open.
11:57Vance stood in the doorway holding a lantern, staring at me where I lay in the straw.
12:02I shrank back.
12:04Cold sweat poured down my neck.
12:06Once, Father had come home half drunk in the middle of the night and walked into the woodshed.
12:11He beat me nearly to death.
12:13He said I was a burden.
12:14My fault he had no son.
12:16My fault he lost money gambling.
12:17That night, Mama grabbed the woodcutting knife and told him she'd take his life.
12:22That was the only thing that saved me.
12:24Vance was stronger.
12:26Could he put me down in three kicks?
12:28But he wasn't drunk.
12:30He wasn't angry.
12:31He reached down and grabbed me under the arms like he was picking up a stray chick.
12:35He carried me into the west bedroom.
12:37Mama was already standing there quietly.
12:40The empty room wasn't empty anymore.
12:42A wide wooden bed stood against the wall.
12:44Worn, but tidy.
12:46Vance set me down.
12:48He turned and walked back to his own east bedroom.
12:50The door closed.
12:52Within minutes, his snoring came through the wall.
12:54Mama and I stared at each other.
12:58That night we slept restlessly.
13:00But we slept warm.
13:01I burrowed into the quilt and said quietly,
13:04Mama, it's so warm.
13:06I had never been this warm in winter.
13:08Not once.
13:09And I'd eaten dinner.
13:10My stomach was full.
13:12This, I thought, was what being alive was actually supposed to feel like.
13:16Mama stroked my hair.
13:17Little one.
13:18You called him Papa today.
13:20Do it again tomorrow.
13:22Keep calling him that.
13:24Okay.
13:25Vance was already a better father than Roy had ever been.
13:29The meals got bigger after that.
13:31And slowly, Mama didn't dare increase the amount all at once.
13:34She added a little each day until she finally understood his appetite.
13:38He ate a great deal.
13:40Roughly as much as Mama and I put together.
13:42But he never once stopped us from eating.
13:44If we ate too little, he'd frown.
13:47He hunted.
13:48Large catches, he sold.
13:50Sometimes he'd bring back a rabbit or a wild chicken.
13:52And he'd have Mama stew it.
13:54He ate half.
13:55The rest went to us.
13:57I had eaten meat three times in my life before that.
14:00This was the fourth.
14:01It was so good.
14:03No wonder Grandma and Uncle Dale had always been so desperate.
14:06I ate without thinking.
14:07Too happy to pace myself.
14:09That night, I woke in the dark with my stomach seizing up in cramps.
14:12I rolled across the bed in pain.
14:15Mama rubbed my belly.
14:17It didn't help.
14:18She ran outside and scraped ash from the bottom of the cooking cup,
14:22stirred it into water, and brought it to me.
14:24I took one sip and vomited everything up.
14:29Vance burst through the door.
14:30One look at me.
14:31He wrapped me in the quilt, hoisted me onto his shoulder, and ran.
14:34Mama stumbled after him.
14:35She didn't say a word.
14:37He ran all the way to the village doctor's house at the edge of the road and kicked the door
14:40in.
14:40The whole household lurched awake.
14:42They started to complain.
14:44Then they saw his face and went quiet.
14:46The doctor checked my pulse, then asked what I'd been eating.
14:49What did she eat?
14:51Over-aid.
14:52Indigestion.
14:52Nell's been underfed all her life.
14:54Eat this much meat at once and her stomach can't manage it.
14:57She'll be fine.
14:58I'll give her something to bring it up.
15:00Keep her warm, light food for a few days, she'll recover.
15:03She gave me something.
15:04I vomited, loudly, and at length.
15:07The smell filled the whole room.
15:09The doctor's husband muttered from the corner.
15:11Never had good food her whole life.
15:13Body can't handle it when she finally does.
15:15Vance looked at him.
15:16One hard stare.
15:18He retreated to the back room.
15:20I was humiliated, getting sick from eating too much meat.
15:23Just like grandma had always said, I was a bottomless pit with no sense.
15:30Vance carried me home over his shoulder.
15:32On the way back, he said gruffly,
15:34You've really never had meat before?
15:36I thought he was scolding me.
15:39This was only the fourth time before we only ever got a piece or two.
15:45Grandma had never let us have even the broth.
15:48He made a low sound.
15:50Eat more often enough, and this stops happening.
15:53I was wrapped too tight in the quilt and didn't quite catch it.
15:56The next few days, I could only drink porridge.
15:59Vance brought back millet.
16:01He brought back brown sugar.
16:03Millet and brown sugar were things only new mothers got after childbirth.
16:07A bowl or two, a little sweetness stirred in.
16:11I was getting a full bowl at every single meal.
16:14I was eating better than mama had after giving birth to me.
16:18Vance watched me eat every morning until the color came back to my face.
16:22When it did, something in his own expression finally loosened.
16:28He fixed the village doctor's front gate as payment for the house call.
16:31Then he pulled the doctor back to check my pulse again.
16:35Only when she said I was fully recovered did he walk her out.
16:39He said he was going up the mountain to track a big animal.
16:42Might be gone several days.
16:43He told mama to bake a stack of flatbreads for the road.
16:47Mama kneaded the dough with lard and mixed in brown sugar.
16:50The flatbreads came out golden and fragrant.
16:53She pressed into his hands the thick insoles and padded cap she'd sewn over the past few days.
16:59Vance took the flatbreads.
17:00He looked at the insoles and the cap.
17:02He looked up at mama.
17:03Something in his eyes went soft.
17:05New year's coming.
17:06When I sell what I catch we'll go buy supplies.
17:09Think about what you want.
17:11Mama held my hand as we stood at the door to see him off.
17:15His figure moved away from us, uneven but steady.
17:18I couldn't help shouting after him.
17:21Papa!
17:22Come home soon!
17:23Vance stopped.
17:24He didn't look back.
17:26He lifted a hand in our direction.
17:28Go inside.
17:28It's cold.
17:31We waited five days.
17:33He didn't come back.
17:34The cold deepened.
17:36On the fifth day snow began to fall.
17:38Mama watched the sky go dark.
17:40She looked at me.
17:42She pointed to the food stores and told me to mind myself.
17:45Cook my own meals if I got hungry.
17:47Mama's going to find him.
17:49I'll be back soon.
17:51Take care of yourself.
17:53She changed her clothes and strapped the wood cutting knife to her body.
17:57She found the oil lamp.
17:58I tucked a small sickle under my clothes and followed her out.
18:02Wherever you go, I go.
18:04We'll bring Papa home together.
18:07Vance was my Papa now.
18:08He was a better Papa than Roy had ever been.
18:11I was never going to have a different one.
18:13Mama let out a long breath.
18:15If something goes wrong out there,
18:17you standing alone in this house isn't any safer.
18:20Alright?
18:21Together.
18:22We held hands and went up the mountain.
18:24We'd only ever been to the edges gathering firewood.
18:27We almost never went deeper in.
18:30Wolves in the air.
18:31Wild boars.
18:32Tigers.
18:33Though with Mama beside me,
18:34and the thought of Papa waiting somewhere in that cold,
18:37I wasn't afraid.
18:39The snow came down harder.
18:41It was barely past midday, but the sky had gone dark.
18:45Moving through the forest was difficult.
18:47Every step was uncertain.
18:49You'd break through a soft patch and sink to the knee.
18:51Mama pulled me out each time and prodded the ground ahead with a stick.
18:55We hadn't gone far when we heard heavy footsteps in the trees.
18:59Mama raised the wood cutting knife.
19:00I raised the sickle.
19:02We stared into the dark ahead, both terrified.
19:04If we were going to die out here, at least we'd die together.
19:08The footsteps came closer.
19:10A large figure emerged from between the trees.
19:12A tall man with a stiff, lopsided gait dragging something massive behind him.
19:17A tiger.
19:18We stared.
19:19He stared back.
19:20I let go of Mama's hand and ran.
19:22Papa!
19:24I threw my arms around his leg and looked up.
19:27The tiger dropped from his grip and hit the snow.
19:30He looked down at me, then up at Mama.
19:32What are the two of you doing up here?
19:33He reached down and grabbed me under the arms, trying to lift me.
19:38His hands had nothing left.
19:39He couldn't manage it.
19:41I held onto his leg.
19:42He came to find you.
19:43You've been gone five days.
19:45The snow started.
19:47I was afraid.
19:50The last time she'd gone out searching for a man who hadn't come home,
19:54she'd told Roy she was worried he'd been hurt.
19:56He'd slapped her across the face, said she was cursing him,
20:00said her worrying was the reason all his bad luck found him.
20:03After that, she stopped saying she worried about Roy.
20:06She stopped worrying about Roy at all.
20:08Vance looked at her.
20:09The corner of his mouth moved.
20:11He wanted to smile.
20:12Years of not smiling seemed to have made him forget how.
20:15But he explained.
20:16This one was big.
20:17It took longer than I thought.
20:19Get the fire going.
20:21Start dinner.
20:22A tiger that size.
20:24He must have been dragging it for hours.
20:26He was running on empty.
20:28But he didn't ask for help.
20:29He would get it home himself.
20:31Mama stood watching him torn.
20:33She didn't dare disobey.
20:34But she wanted to help.
20:36I ran forward and grabbed one of the tiger's hind legs.
20:41Papa, we'll all go back together.
20:44I wasn't very strong.
20:45And touching that leg, even a dead leg, sent a chill through me that had nothing to do with the
20:51snow.
20:51The tiger was enormous.
20:53Dead as it was, it still looked vicious.
20:56Mama hesitated.
20:57Then she stepped up beside us.
21:00Vance's mouth twitched.
21:02He agreed.
21:05The three of us dragged the tiger back home.
21:08By the time we reached the village, the snow lay thick on the ground.
21:12The whole village was dark.
21:14The lanes empty.
21:15We made it inside at last.
21:17The tiger lay in the yard, half buried in white, still looking dangerous.
21:22I wasn't afraid of it anymore.
21:24I circled it a few times just to prove it.
21:26Then ran back and pressed myself against Papa's leg.
21:29Papa's so strong.
21:31He killed a tiger all by himself.
21:34Vance was too exhausted to move.
21:36But he reached down and rested his hand on top of my head.
21:41His hand was huge and rough and heavy.
21:44But when it rested on my head, it was light.
21:47It was warm.
21:48Roy had large hands too.
21:50They'd never been rough.
21:51He rarely did anything that required effort.
21:54He wasn't very strong either.
21:57Every time he'd picked a fight and come out worse,
21:59he'd curled up on the ground and hadn't even tried to fight back.
22:03But when he hit Mama and me, he hit hard.
22:06In this village, most men were like that.
22:08Hands that fell hard on their wives and children.
22:11I had always thought all fathers were the same.
22:14Turns out some of them were different.
22:19The next morning before dawn, Vance fetched an ox cart.
22:23He woke us up and we rode into town together to sell the tiger.
22:26In the county seat, he went straight to a large estate he clearly knew well.
22:31He called someone out.
22:32Fletcher!
22:32Fletcher came to the door.
22:34His face lit up when he saw Vance.
22:36The two men grabbed each other by the shoulders, talking like old friends.
22:40So Papa could be like this, animated, warm, full of words.
22:45Mama and I hung back, staring at the tall, heavy doors, the high threshold,
22:50the stone lions flanking the gate.
22:52We didn't dare step forward.
22:54Vance looked back at us and said something to Fletcher.
22:57Fletcher studied us, then reached into his coat and pulled out a small cloth pouch.
23:01Here, child. Take it.
23:04I didn't dare.
23:05He pressed it into my hands.
23:07Papa nodded.
23:08I took it.
23:12Thank you, Uncle Fletcher.
23:14Inside the pouch was a small piece of silver.
23:17I walked it over to Papa.
23:18Papa.
23:19And tucked it into his hands.
23:21For you.
23:21Fletcher blinked.
23:22Then he laughed, loud and warm.
23:24Well, old Vance, you've got yourself a devoted little girl.
23:28You're a lucky man.
23:29That one's for your Papa.
23:32This one's yours.
23:33Keep it.
23:34Fletcher bought the tiger and invited Vance to stay for drinks.
23:37Vance shook his head.
23:39Nothing at home.
23:40Need to stock up for New Year.
23:42Next time, then.
23:43And you'd better actually show up.
23:46The tiger had sold for a good sum.
23:48Vance walked us through the market.
23:50First, a wonton stall for breakfast.
23:52A big bowl each.
23:54Thin wrappers, fat filling.
23:55Floating in rich broth that steamed in the cold air.
23:58Mama was afraid to eat.
24:00But Vance had already paid.
24:01Wasting it was worse.
24:03She tried to give me her bowl.
24:04Vance stopped her.
24:05Children who overeat end up with stomach aches.
24:08Mama thought of my illness immediately.
24:10She stopped.
24:11After the wontons, her face had some color in it.
24:14Vance took us to buy pork, grain, flour, oil, dried spices for cooking.
24:19Then to the cloth shop.
24:21New quilts and padded coats.
24:23Mama waved her hands.
24:24The ones we have are perfectly fine.
24:26I said the same.
24:28When we'd first arrived, the quilts and padded clothes Vance gave us had been second hand.
24:32But they were clean and warm.
24:34That was already more than I'd ever had.
24:37Before, I had no silver.
24:40I bought used.
24:42Now I have silver.
24:43We buy new.
24:45In the end, they didn't buy ready made.
24:47They bought fabric and cotton batting.
24:49Mama still didn't want to spend too freely.
24:51I can sew.
24:52My hands are fast.
24:54Done before new year, I promise.
24:56She found a length of dark blue cloth and held it up beside Vance.
24:59This one suits you.
25:01It was the closest they'd ever stood.
25:03I was almost sure I saw Vance's face go red.
25:09His face went red and he looked happier.
25:11He lifted me up and set me on his shoulders so I could see all the way down the market
25:15road.
25:16I laughed so hard I could barely breathe.
25:18It was the highest I'd ever been.
25:20I could see everything.
25:22Mama walked carefully beside us, glancing again and again at his leg, afraid he'd tire himself out.
25:28Further along, Vance bought sesame candy and sugar figurines.
25:33He bought hair ribbons and flowers for Mama and me both.
25:36The stall woman smiled at them.
25:38Your wife and daughter are lovely.
25:40These flowers suit them perfectly.
25:42City made, you know?
25:43Vance and Mama both went red at exactly the same moment.
25:46On the way home, I sat in the ox cart holding my sugar figurine and refused to eat it.
25:51It was a general in full armor.
25:54Fierce looking, just like Papa.
25:56We passed Roy's old house on the road through the village.
25:59Grandma was in the yard washing clothes, in hot water, so she'd always known about hot water.
26:04Uncle Dale sat slumped under the eaves doing nothing.
26:08They'd sold Mama and me for 30 silver.
26:10Dale still hadn't found himself a wife with that money.
26:13He just sat around and called it waiting for a good match.
26:17Grandma looked up.
26:18Uncle Dale looked up.
26:19They stared at us, slack-jawed.
26:22Then their faces turned ugly.
26:24Worthless brat.
26:26Harold it!
26:29The curse had barely left Grandma's mouth when a rock hit Uncle Dale square on the head.
26:34Who threw?
26:35Vance threw a second rock.
26:36It landed straight in Grandma's washtub and sent water splashing in all directions.
26:40These are my wife and daughter.
26:42Open your mouths against them again and you've got me to answer to.
26:45He stood at the gate in the fading light.
26:47Even with the bad leg, he was a wall.
26:50Grandma and Uncle Dale, bullies who ran at the first sign of real resistance, went completely silent.
26:55Mama's hand found mine.
26:57Her eyes had gone red.
26:59We rode on.
27:00When I looked back, I could still see the venom in their faces.
27:03Then I found my nerve.
27:05I raised my sugar figurine at them and made the ugliest face I could manage.
27:10I had a real papa now.
27:11They couldn't touch us anymore.
27:15I lost my sugar figurine and my new hair ribbon.
27:19I was too ashamed to go home.
27:21I hovered near our gate, going back and forth, not able to make myself walk in.
27:27Papa came down from the mountain.
27:29He saw me, coat torn, face bleeding, covered in mud.
27:34He dropped his firewood, dropped the wild chickens he'd been carrying.
27:39Who did this?
27:40I'd never seen him this frightened.
27:42It scared me more than the beating.
27:44I started shaking.
27:45I'm sorry.
27:47I'm sorry.
27:48I'm sorry.
27:48He crouched down.
27:49He wiped the mud off my face with his rough hands.
27:52His hands weren't steady.
27:53Tell Papa who did it.
27:57His voice steadied me.
27:58I told him everything, halting, stumbling over the words.
28:02With every sentence, his expression darkened.
28:05He took me inside and handed me to Mama.
28:07Then he picked up his walking stick and walked back out.
28:10Mama grabbed his arm.
28:12She shook her head.
28:13Papa thought about it.
28:14He picked up the thick wooden post that braced the door shut.
28:18That afternoon, the fathers of every boy who'd hit me got beaten.
28:22I won't hit a child.
28:23I'll hit you.
28:24One more incident and I'll break your legs.
28:29Every one of them was a grown, able-bodied man.
28:33Papa had one good leg.
28:34He chased them through the village anyway, one methodical blow at a time.
28:39Then Papa went to Roy's old house and beat Uncle Dale in front of the whole street.
28:44You people forced Ivy and this girl on me.
28:46I painted the silver.
28:47I signed the contract.
28:48They're mine.
28:49If I hear any more talk from your side of the village, Dale should stop walking alone after dark.
28:52Uncle Dale howled and promised over and over that it would never happen again.
28:59Anyone with something to say, say it to me directly.
29:02Not one person stepped forward.
29:05Several hurried to point out that Grandma's family had always treated Ivy and me badly.
29:10It's true.
29:11Ivy and little Nell are well off with you, old Vanch.
29:14You know how to take care of people.
29:15Those two are lucky they ended up with you.
29:17Papa walked home carrying the door post.
29:20He stopped in front of me and rested his hand on my head.
29:22What?
29:23He held my hand and walked me inside.
29:25In the lane, he said quietly.
29:27Who gave you that name anyway?
29:30Nell.
29:31It was Grandma's choice.
29:33Half the girls in the village had names like it.
29:35Nell.
29:35For invite a brother.
29:37Hope.
29:37For wish for a son.
29:38Bless.
29:39For pray he comes.
29:40Papa didn't like it.
29:42How about Clara from now on?
29:43Bright as the sun and moon, that's what Clara means.
29:46A name for someone with a future ahead of her.
29:50I was six years old and had my first real name.
29:53Clara.
29:54Clara Hart.
29:56A heart now?
29:57I told Mama, grinning.
29:59She laughed through red eyes, pressing the tears back.
30:02Papa said it twice, softly to himself.
30:04Clara Hart.
30:05Clara Hart.
30:07That night, Mama finished sewing the new quilts.
30:09She came to me with them folded in her arms.
30:13Clara.
30:14You're a big girl now.
30:16Time to sleep in your own room.
30:18Alright?
30:19Her own room.
30:20If I moved out, where would Mama sleep?
30:22I thought about it for one second.
30:23Yes.
30:24Mama, you and Papa should hurry up and have a little brother or sister for me.
30:29I'll take care of them.
30:31I meant it.
30:32A little brother or sister who had Papa.
30:34They'd be wonderful.
30:35I already wanted to meet them.
30:37The next morning, Papa woke me at dawn.
30:39Clara, yesterday, was Papa impressive?
30:42Very impressive.
30:43You can't rely on me your whole life.
30:45You need to protect yourself.
30:46Do you want to be as strong as Papa?
30:47Yes.
30:50I wanted to be strong enough to protect Papa and Mama, the future little ones, to hunt
30:55on the mountain and earn enough silver to take care of all of them.
30:58Papa was pleased.
30:59He pointed at the yard.
31:00Run 50 laps to start.
31:0350 laps.
31:04By the end, I could barely stand.
31:06He didn't let me stop.
31:08Mama watched with pained eyes.
31:10She said nothing.
31:12After running, came stances.
31:14And lifting the stone block, Papa had brought back from the mountain.
31:17It was just heavy enough that I could manage it on a good day.
31:21By evening, my hands and feet were covered in blisters.
31:24Train hard.
31:25Your Papa means it for your good.
31:28I know, Mama.
31:29I understood what Papa's care looked like.
31:31That night, Mama carried her new quilt into Papa's bedroom.
31:35They talked quietly for a while.
31:37The lamp went out.
31:38The night was noisy for a bit.
31:40I slept soundly in my new quilts anyway.
31:43The next day, Papa woke up late.
31:45I'd already run 30 laps around the yard by the time he appeared at the door.
31:49All day, he and Mama kept catching each other's eyes and looking away fast.
31:54Both of them red-faced.
31:55Both of them smiling at nothing.
31:58If you want to look, just look.
32:00Why the sneaking?
32:01Adults were very strange.
32:06After New Year, Papa bought several acres of good farmland with the tiger money.
32:11He farmed in the busy seasons and hunted in the quiet ones.
32:14He was teaching me how to track animals.
32:17How to read droppings and prints.
32:19Which sounds meant danger.
32:20Taught me the knife and the bow.
32:22How to put a person down using as little force as possible.
32:25My strength was still limited.
32:27Progress was slow.
32:29The village gossiped.
32:31Most of it came from Roy's old household.
32:33That cripple got a wife and a daughter handed to him for nothing.
32:36Doesn't matter how smug Ivy acts.
32:39She still ended up with a cripple.
32:41Roy was twice as handsome.
32:42Roy had been handsome.
32:44Much good it had done anyone.
32:46He couldn't carry a load or plant a field.
32:48He was a farmer who refused to farm.
32:51His greatest skill was hitting the people who lived in his house.
32:55I glanced at Papa's leg.
32:57He noticed.
32:58He adjusted his gait and walked more carefully than before.
33:02Mama caught me looking.
33:03She smacked the back of my head the moment we were alone.
33:06Your Papa has been nothing but good to us, Clara.
33:09Don't you dare look at him the way this village does.
33:11Don't you dare.
33:11Mama.
33:13I want to study medicine.
33:15If I'm good enough someday, maybe I can fix Papa's leg.
33:18I didn't care about the limp.
33:19I didn't care about the scar.
33:21I just didn't want him to hurt on rainy days.
33:23I didn't want him working through the pain and never saying a word about it.
33:27Mama's expression shifted.
33:28She worried.
33:30Female apprentices were hard to place.
33:32Most healers wouldn't take them, but Papa had been standing just outside the door.
33:36He went quiet for two days.
33:38Then he took me back into town to Fletcher at the large estate.
33:42Fletcher looked me over for a long moment.
33:45Medicine is hard work, Clara.
33:47An apprentice life is harder.
33:48Can you take it?
33:49I can.
33:49And when I've learned enough, I'll fix Papa's leg.
33:52Then I'll earn enough silver to take care of all of them.
33:54Papa and Mama and my little brothers and sisters.
33:57Brothers and sisters?
33:58Is there news already?
33:59Papa went scarlet and said it was far too early for that.
34:02Far too early.
34:05I moved into the county seat and began my apprenticeship at the clinic.
34:09I only asked to bring one thing from home.
34:12My stone lifting block for training.
34:15Mama couldn't make herself leave.
34:17She stood at the clinic door and wouldn't move.
34:19I waved her off.
34:21Mama, come back when I've made something of myself.
34:26She laughed despite herself.
34:28Alright, Mama's waiting.
34:30The clinic's doctor was warm and patient with patience.
34:34With her apprentices, she was merciless.
34:36Too slow to learn.
34:38She scolded you.
34:39Made an error.
34:40She scolded you.
34:42Sometimes she hit.
34:44Some of the younger apprentices cried and went home within weeks.
34:47I wasn't troubled by any of it.
34:49She only ever struck the padded parts of the body.
34:52The force was calibrated.
34:53Sharp on impact.
34:54No lasting harm.
34:56Compared to Roy's household, this was nothing.
34:58And when the doctor scolded us, I recognized that look.
35:01It wasn't hatred.
35:02It was impatience born from caring.
35:04She also made sure we ate.
35:06Every meal.
35:08Every day.
35:08Without exception.
35:09She never once stinted on food or clothing.
35:13I could tell the difference between people who meant you harm
35:17and people who were hard on you for a reason.
35:20I kept lifting my stone block.
35:22I kept practicing the fighting forms Papa had taught me.
35:25My grip got stronger.
35:26When I started learning massage and manipulation from the doctor,
35:30I was already ahead of the others.
35:32I could feel exactly where the tension sat under the skin.
35:35I worked on her shoulders when she'd had a long day.
35:38She started looking less grim.
35:41Every two weeks I went home.
35:42First thing.
35:43Papa's bad leg.
35:44He refused at first.
35:46Twisted around in his seat like I'd suggested something embarrassing.
35:49A few minutes in, his eyes went red.
35:52When he stood up afterward, he walked without catching himself on the door frame.
35:56Clara's gotten good.
35:58Learning fast.
35:59Mama asked me to teach her.
36:00When you're in the city, I can work on it for him.
36:03He pushes himself too hard.
36:04I walked them both through it side by side.
36:07When I'm not here, you can do it for each other.
36:10They both turned red at exactly the same time.
36:12Adults, truly inexplicable.
36:43I'm about to get
36:44coming out of the Türs-y of it.
36:44These stairs are in the distance.
38:44The pack priest walked in carrying a silver tray.
38:46I offered my arm for the pain relief.
38:48The needle pierced my skin, but it wasn't medicine.
38:51The pungent scent hit my nose.
38:53Wolfsbane.
38:54I looked at Dominic.
38:55He wasn't surprised.
38:57He was checking his watch.
38:58Vivian's water just broke.
39:00Delay her for two hours.
39:02Our true heir needs to be born first.
39:04He turned and walked away.
39:05Didn't look back.
39:06I tried to scream.
39:08I wanted my wolf to tear free and lunge after him.
39:11But the wolfsbane was already working.
39:13My wolf was dragged under.
39:14My voice died in my throat.
39:16And my pup halfway into the world stopped moving.
39:19Frozen inside me by her own father's command.
39:21Two pack guards dragged me down into the dungeon beneath the temple.
39:24A place for rogues, war prisoners, and wolves sentenced to death.
39:28Now it held the alpha's fated mate and his unborn child.
39:33A single rune lamp flickered on the wall.
39:36Straw on the floor.
39:37No bed.
39:38I slid down the freezing stone wall, hands clutching my belly.
39:41She was still kicking, faint, frantic.
39:44Mummy's here.
39:46Mummy's here.
39:47Three months ago, Dominic's older brother, Marcus, died in a territorial dispute.
39:58His mate Vivienne was carrying a boy.
40:01A pure-blood alpha heir.
40:02The only pup who could inherit.
40:05Mine was a girl.
40:06Girls couldn't inherit.
40:08The moment the ultrasound confirmed it, the entire Blackwood pack abandoned us both.
40:13Heels clicked down the corridor.
40:15Cassandra Blackwood.
40:16Dominic's sister.
40:17The pack beta.
40:22She stood outside the iron bars, twirling a silver dagger.
40:26The blade dragged along the bars, metal screeching.
40:28Selene, don't blame my brother.
40:31Vivienne is carrying Marcus's posthumous son.
40:34A pure-blood alpha heir.
40:36The only pup in our generation who can inherit the alpha title.
40:39It doesn't matter how early you give birth.
40:42You're carrying a girl.
40:43Girls can't inherit.
40:45You know that.
40:46A contraction slammed into me.
40:48The wolf's pain pushed the labor down.
40:50My body fought back.
40:51Two forces tore me apart from the inside.
40:54Get the priest.
40:55The baby is coming.
40:57Please.
40:59The wolf bane will last another three hours.
41:02Vivienne has already been taken to the birthing altar.
41:05You'll stay here and wait.
41:07If she starts howling, gag her.
41:10Don't let the noise reach upstairs.
41:12Don't scare Vivienne.
41:14Vivienne.
41:20I looked down.
41:21My dress was soaked in blood.
41:22All I could see was Dominic's face.
41:24When he turned away, his eyes held no guilt.
41:26Just cold calculation.
41:28I dragged myself to the cell door.
41:29Then I punched the cell door hard.
41:31Again and again.
41:32Until my skin split open.
41:34Somebody!
41:35Help!
41:36I'm in labor!
41:37Save my baby!
41:38Shut up.
41:38If it dies, that's its fate.
41:40A girl with no inheritance rights.
41:42Her death won't affect the pack.
41:45My blood-stained hands slid off the cell door.
41:48I collapsed into a pool of my own blood.
41:51This wasn't fate.
41:52Someone was murdering my child.
41:54Just as my vision began to blur, the heavy door crashed open.
41:58Dr. Holden, the pack doctor.
42:00The moment he saw me, all the colors drained from his face.
42:04Luna?
42:05What are you doing here?
42:06Dominic said you were resting in the Moonstone Lounge.
42:09Fully dilated.
42:10Water broke.
42:11You're losing too much blood.
42:12The wolf of Spain is still suppressing your healing.
42:16Guards!
42:17The Luna is hemorrhaging!
42:19Only echoes answered.
42:20No one came.
42:21He tried his comm stone.
42:23Nothing.
42:23The dungeon's warding runes blocked all signals.
42:26Gritting his teeth, he scooped me up and ran.
42:29An aging beta carrying a bleeding woman up three flights of stone stairs.
42:33Every jolt sending agony through my pelvis.
42:36He burst onto the ground floor.
42:38Ran for the medical wing.
42:39Kicked open the door.
42:40And froze.
42:42He kicked open the door.
42:43And froze.
42:44Everything was gone.
42:45Stripped bare.
42:46Every Moonstone crystal.
42:48Runestone.
42:48Potion.
42:49Gone.
42:49How?
42:51I checked inventory this afternoon.
42:53Cassandra strolled down the hall.
42:55Two Omega attendants followed behind her.
42:58We moved to the third floor.
43:00Vivian's C-section is high risk.
43:02She needs the best resources.
43:03Her gaze drifted to me, drenched in blood, half dead in Dr. Holden's arms.
43:07She smiled.
43:08I knew that smile.
43:10Six months ago, she'd worn it downtown, linking her arm through mine.
43:13Selena, you're the best Luna I've ever met.
43:16You're more like a real sister to me.
43:18The antique Moonstone necklace I gave her still rested against her collarbone.
43:22It glowed softly in the dim hallway, and made her smile look monstrous.
43:26Dr. Holden laid me on a bare stone cot.
43:29He tore open every cabinet and drawer.
43:32Empty.
43:32Not a single herb.
43:33I'm sorry, Luna.
43:35I have nothing.
43:37Relax.
43:38Once Vivian is done, the supplies will be returned.
43:41What's the rush?
43:42Her gaze dropped to my belly.
43:44Besides, you were nothing but a breeding machine from the beginning.
43:49And you couldn't even produce the right product.
43:52Dr. Holden stepped in front of me.
43:53This is murder, Cassandra.
43:55Two lives.
43:56Her smile vanished.
43:58Mothers and pups die in childbirth every day.
44:00Dystedia, hemorrhage, healing failure, perfectly natural causes of death.
44:05No one will say a damn thing.
44:07And this is Blackwood family business!
44:09You're a contract beta doctor!
44:11Know your place!
44:12She snapped at the guards.
44:13Drag him to the third floor.
44:15Vivian needs him.
44:16I'll handle her.
44:17Two guards grabbed Dr. Holden.
44:19He thrashed against them, screaming over his shoulder.
44:22Luna!
44:22Press your stomach!
44:24Shard the wolf hard!
44:25Fight the wolf bond!
44:26The baby still has a heartbeat!
44:28You can still save her!
44:30Cassandra slammed the door, then pulled out a comb.
44:33Stone, Dominic's face appeared in the holographic screen.
44:36Behind him, the birthing altar blazed with light.
44:38Priests moved in and out.
44:40Nurses swarmed around Vivian.
44:42Dominic?
44:43Selina looks like she's about to deliver.
44:46Want to see?
44:47Dominic's eyes shifted to me, one glance, like I was trashed by the roadside.
44:52Stop messing around, Savina.
44:54Vivian isn't doing well.
44:55The baby's heart rate dropped twice.
44:57Cassandra moved the stone closer, making sure the screen clearly showed my dying form.
45:01But look, she's bleeding a lot.
45:03Doesn't she look like she's dying?
45:05Tell her to wait.
45:06Once Vivian is done, I'll send a priest down.
45:08Cassandra pocketed the stone.
45:09You heard him?
45:10Vivian is the priority.
45:12Marcus's son is the priority.
45:14You were nothing.
45:15I closed my eyes, stopped looking at her.
45:18My hand crept behind my back, fingers finding the tiny raised bump on my left hip.
45:22It looked like a mole.
45:23It wasn't.
45:24A blood seal rune.
45:25My father had carved it into my skin on my wedding day with his own alpha blood.
45:29His voice echoed in my head.
45:31Selena, the waters in the Blackwood family may run deeper than you know.
45:34If the day ever comes when you need help, bite your finger and let one drop of blood fall on
45:39this rune.
45:40No matter where you are, someone will reach you within 30 minutes.
45:43I had laughed and pushed his hand away.
45:45Dad, you're being dramatic.
45:47Dominic treats me so well.
45:49I'm his mate.
45:50The moon goddess chose him for me.
45:52How could he ever hurt me?
45:54My father had been silent for a long time.
45:56Then he only said one thing.
45:58The moon goddess binds the souls, Selena.
46:00But she doesn't bind the heart.
46:02I was such a fool.
46:03Blood welled on my fingertip.
46:05I let it fall on the rune.
46:0930 minutes.
46:10I looked at the blood pooling beneath me.
46:12My baby's heartbeat was still there.
46:14Hold on.
46:15Please hold on.
46:16The wolf's bane suppression broke.
46:17Every contraction that had been held back for hours hit at once.
46:20Like a damn collapsing wave.
46:22After wave.
46:23Faster.
46:24Harder.
46:24I screamed.
46:25The sound ricocheted off stone walls.
46:27An omega attendant rushed in, checked me, and went white.
46:31Fully dilated.
46:32The head's crowning.
46:33Hemorrhage.
46:33We need moonstone crystals, healing rooms, anything.
46:35Cassandra didn't even step into the room.
46:37Then let them die.
46:39It's just a girl.
46:41Completely useless.
46:43Alive.
46:44She's a waste of space.
46:46Dead.
46:47Changes nothing.
46:48She turned and walked away.
46:50The attendant tried.
46:51But I had no blood left.
46:52No strength.
46:53No wolf.
46:53My muscles wouldn't obey me.
46:55The baby was stuck in the birth canal.
46:57I could feel her heartbeat getting weaker.
46:59Slower fading.
47:00My vision went black.
47:01I am sorry baby.
47:02Mommy tried.
47:03A deafening wolf howl tore through the night.
47:06The entire Blackwood territory shook.
47:08The protective wards flared violently across the walls.
47:11Then shattered.
47:12A booming blast rocked the building.
47:15Centuries of Blackwood enchantments.
47:16Destroyed in seconds.
47:18Moonlight flooded the room.
47:19In that silver light stood a massive man in tactical combat gear.
47:26He ripped off his helmet.
47:27Battle scarred face.
47:29Cold silver eyes.
47:30Eyes that had witnessed countless massacres and never flinched.
47:33But the moment they found me, they turned bloodshot.
47:36Garrett.
47:37My father's head better.
47:38The man who caught me every time I fell learning to walk.
47:41Who shifted into wolf form and slept beside my bed when I was afraid of the dark.
47:45Who stood at the very back of my wedding, silent, jaw locked, eyes red.
47:50Because he already knew.
47:51He crossed the room in one stride and dropped to one knee.
47:54The stone floor cracked under the impact.
47:56Princess.
47:58I am late.
48:00Behind him stood 12 heavily armored warriors.
48:02Silver eyes.
48:03Weapons drawn.
48:04The elite shadow fanguard.
48:06Blackwood guards lay unconscious in the hall.
48:08The Omega attendants screamed.
48:10This is Blackwood territory!
48:12Who are you?
48:13How did you get in?
48:13Garrett didn't look at her.
48:14He was already lifting me off the cot, one arm beneath my knees.
48:18The other cradling my head, as gently as if I were made of glass.
48:21Blackwood?
48:23Soon, there won't be a Blackwood.
48:26The shadow fang warriors moved with terrifying efficiency.
48:29From the moment the captain picked me up to the second,
48:31I was loaded into an armored pack ambulance waiting just outside the borders.
48:35Barely four minutes had passed.
48:37Four minutes I had bled in that dungeon for hours, begging for help and no one came.
48:41Shadow fang shattered the territory's defenses
48:43and extracted me in four minutes.
48:45Inside the medical transport, emergency moonstone arrays flared to life, bathing my body in pure silver light.
48:52Blood pressure critically low.
48:53Blood loss exceeds the lethal threshold by three times.
48:56Fetal distress is severe.
48:58Heart rate is under 60 and dropping.
49:00We must perform an emergency C-section right now!
49:02But her vitals can't handle surgery!
49:04Do it!
49:05The captain's roar rattled the walls of the ambulance.
49:08Every medic flinched.
49:09He gripped my hand, his knuckles white, veins bulging up his forearms.
49:13I'll take full responsibility!
49:15Cut her open!
49:16I squeezed his fingers back, using the absolute last shred of my strength.
49:23Garret, Garret, save the baby!
49:25Save the baby first!
49:27Garret, my father's headbeater, the man who had guarded me since the day I was born.
49:32When I was learning to walk and fell, he was the one who picked me up.
49:34When I was terrified of the dark, he shifted into his wolf form and slept beside my bed the entire
49:39night.
49:39On the day I got married, he stood at the very back of the crowd, completely silent, his eyes red.
49:44Now he was kneeling beside my stretcher, his combat armor stained with blackwood blood, his silver eyes completely bloodshot.
49:51Princess, don't speak.
49:53Save your strength.
49:54His voice trembled, but he gritted out every word like a blood oath.
49:58The Alpha is on his way.
49:59He'll be here soon.
50:01You and the pup will be fine.
50:02I swear it on my life.
50:03Before he could finish, the moonstone array above the operating table violently flickered.
50:08The vital sign monitors erupted into a shrill, piercing, uninterrupted scream.
50:14Cardiac arrest.
50:16The Luna's heart has stopped.
50:18Push the moonlight essence.
50:19Start the recitation, Ronins.
50:21Fetal heart rate is plummeting.
50:2370, 50, 30.
50:25Scalpel, now.
50:26The medics shoved Garrett out of the way.
50:28He stumbled back into the corner of the ambulance, clenching his fists so hard his claws tore through his own
50:34palms, blood dripping onto the metal floor.
50:36The surgeon sliced open my abdomen with a room-carved scalpel.
50:39Silver energy flooded the incision, forcibly cauterizing the bleeding.
50:43They were draining the absolute limits of their healing stones just to keep my soul tethered to my body.
50:48Essence injected.
50:49Heartbeat is faint but back.
50:51Where's the pup?
50:52Found her!
50:53Extract!
50:54Pull her out!
50:55The umbilical cape is wrapped around her neck.
50:57Damn it!
50:58The wolfsbane choked off her oxygen in the womb for too long.
51:00She's out!
51:01She's out!
51:02They pulled a baby from my womb.
51:04But she didn't cry.
51:05In the final second, before the darkness swallowed me entirely, I forced my eyes open.
51:10My vision was a massive blur of blinding silver light.
51:13But I saw it.
51:14Through the haze, the doctor held a tiny blood-covered infant in his hands.
51:18She wasn't moving.
51:20She wasn't breathing.
51:21She didn't cry.
51:22The voices faded.
51:23Faded into an abyss of static.
51:25The last thing I heard was Garrett.
51:26A battle-hardened warrior in his forties.
51:29Covered in 37 scars.
51:30A man who had ripped the throats out of hundreds of rogues.
51:33Collapsing into the corner of the ambulance.
51:35And silently weeping.
51:36I woke up to the harsh smell of medical bleach.
51:39Mixed with the crisp, ozone scent of moonstone crystals.
51:42The princess is awake!
51:44Someone shouted in relief.
51:46Several faces crowded my vision.
51:48Familiar faces.
51:50My father's personal elite guards.
51:52Uncles who had watched me grow up.
51:54Garrett stood closest to the bed.
51:55His jaw was clenched so tight a muscle ticked in his cheek.
51:59His eyes rimmed with red.
52:00Seeing me open my eyes, his lips parted.
52:02But no words came out.
52:04He just gave me one stiff, trembling,
52:06and nod.
52:07Where is she?
52:09A figure standing at the foot of my bed slowly turned around.
52:12My father.
52:13My father.
52:13The current alpha of the Shadow Fang Pack.
52:15The absolute ruler of the oldest,
52:17most lethal werewolf bloodline on the North American continent.
52:20In the entire werewolf world.
52:22His name alone made other alphas bow their heads in submission.
52:26He was 54.
52:27His posture as straight as a spear.
52:29I had never seen him slouch.
52:31But right now, his hair was completely white.
52:33Overnight he had gone totally grey.
52:35He walked over and sat on the edge of my bed.
52:38He took my hand in his.
52:39His hands were massive, calloused, scarred from decades of war.
52:42These hands had snapped the necks of his enemies and signed treaties that dictated the fates of millions of wolves.
52:48Right now, they were shaking.
52:50Selina.
52:50He choked on my name.
52:52He bowed his head.
52:52In my entire life, I had never seen this man bow his head.
52:56Not when facing the interrogations of the Seven Alpha Council.
52:59Not when executing traitors with his bare hands.
53:02Not even when he stood before my mother's grave for an entire night.
53:06But now, looking at me, he bowed his head.
53:09She's gone, isn't she?
53:12I looked at him, and I knew the answer.
53:14My father nodded.
53:16A single, scalding tear fell from his face onto the back of my hand.
53:21The hemorrhage, placental abtruction, the wolf bait in her bloodstream.
53:25She was deprived of oxygen for too long.
53:27The doctors did everything.
53:29The moonlight essence, the healing stones, the ancient bloodline resurrection rituals.
53:34We couldn't bring her back.
53:35The room fell dead silent.
53:37The only sound was the low, steady hum of the medical crystals.
53:40I closed my eyes.
53:42That tiny life that had lived inside me for nine months.
53:45The pup that kicked my ribs.
53:46The pup that made me run to the bathroom three times a night.
53:49The little wolf who would instantly calm down the second I rubbed my belly and whispered,
53:54Mommy's here, gone.
53:56Where is Dominic?
53:57My father lifted his head and wiped his face.
53:59Who?
54:00At the Blackwood Pack.
54:01By Vivian's side.
54:02She gave birth.
54:03A boy.
54:04Pure Blood Alpha Lineage.
54:06The entire Blackwood Pack is throwing a massive celebration for their new heir.
54:10They held the Moonlight Recognition Ceremony.
54:12The old alpha hosted it himself, right before he died.
54:15Not a single person thought of you.
54:17Not a single person asked if you were dead or alive.
54:20I laughed.
54:21My chest heaved as a broken, hysterical laugh tore out of my throat.
54:25The mate bond was still pulsing faintly in my chest.
54:28I could feel Dominic's heartbeat.
54:30Steady, joyful, untroubled.
54:33He was smiling.
54:34He was celebrating.
54:36His fated mate had nearly bled to death in a dungeon.
54:38And his daughter was a corpse.
54:40And he was celebrating.
54:42Good.
54:43That's good.
54:43My father tightened his grip on my hand.
54:46Selina.
54:47Come home with me.
54:48Blackwood Pack doesn't deserve you.
54:53Dad.
54:54I need you to do something for me.
54:57Anything.
54:58Perform a soul-severing ritual on me.
55:01My father froze the soul-severing ritual.
55:03One of the darkest, most ancient forbidden arts of the Shadowfang bloodline.
55:07It artificially severed a mate bond, forcing the other party to experience the exact physical sensation of their mate dying.
55:14The stopping of the heart.
55:15The shredding of the soul.
55:16The permanent snapping of the bond.
55:18To the person on the receiving end, it felt exactly like their mate had perished.
55:23You want him to think you're dead?
55:24Yes.
55:25The soul-severing ritual took place on the obsidian altar, deep within the Shadowfang's ancestral lands.
55:30Midnight.
55:31A new moon.
55:32Pitch black.
55:33It was the only time we could deceive the moon goddess's gaze.
55:37I lay on the cold stone, surrounded by four of our oldest priests.
55:41Their chanting was deep, guttural, vibrating with the ancient, lost tongue of the first wolves.
55:46My chest pounded violently.
55:48It was Dominic's heart beat, beating inside me, clear across a thousand miles.
55:52The high priest pressed his palm against my sternum.
55:56The runes flared blinding white.
55:57And then, an invisible silver spike was viciously ripped out of my heart.
56:01The mate bond is a tether woven into the soul.
56:04Severing it felt like two deeply intertwined trees being violently ripped apart by their roots.
56:09I clamped my teeth together, refusing to scream.
56:11In my mind's eye, I saw glowing golden threads.
56:14The physical manifestation of our bond snapping one by one, turning into ash.
56:18When the final thread broke.
56:20My chest went completely hollow.
56:21A terrifying, absolute emptiness.
56:24Like someone had reached into my ribcage and carved out my heart.
56:27Leaving nothing but a gaping void.
56:29The ritual was complete.
56:31From this second onward, in Dominic's mind and soul, I was dead.
56:34Meanwhile, a thousand miles away, in the heart of Blackwood Territory,
56:38Dominic stood proudly at the main altar, accepting the congratulatory toasts from his pack members.
56:44Without warning, it felt as if an invisible claw had just plunged into his chest and ripped it open.
56:49The bond snapped.
56:51The bond snapped.
56:51He crashed to his knees.
56:52His hands desperately clawed at his own chest, his nails digging so deep into his own flesh that blood poured
56:57out over his shirt.
56:59A primal, guttural roar of pure agony exploded from his throat.
57:03Cassandra shoved through the panicked crowd.
57:06Brother!
57:08What's wrong?
57:09Dominic convulsed on the marble floor, his claws scraping sickeningly against the stone.
57:13Selena.
57:14She's dead.
57:16The bond just broke.
57:18She's dead.
57:19Cassandra's face drained of color for a split second, but only a second.
57:23Brother!
57:23Calm down!
57:24She was always going to-
57:26Get the fuck away from me!
57:28Dominic backhanded her so hard she went backward, crashing violently into the altar pillars.
57:32He scrambled to his feet, stumbling and sprinting wildly out of the temple.
57:37The dungeon was empty.
57:38There was nothing left but a massive coagulated pool of blood and a soaked pile of straw,
57:43and the rapidly fading scent of Selene lingering in the damp air.
57:46Dominic stood frozen in the center of the blood pool.
57:49He stood there for a very, very long time, long enough for Cassandra to finally creep
57:54into the room and gingerly touch his arm.
57:57Brother.
58:00You locked her in here?
58:03I just told her to wait.
58:06Wait for what?
58:08Wait to die?
58:09Those were two lives!
58:11My mate!
58:12My pup!
58:13Cassandra took a step back.
58:15But she was having a girl!
58:16She was useless to the pack!
58:19The sharp crack of flesh meeting flesh echoed through the dungeon.
58:23Cassandra's head whipped to the side, a bright red handprint instantly welling up on her cheek.
58:28She clutched her face, staring at Dominic in total disbelief.
58:31Dominic glared at her.
58:33If I had been by her side, she wouldn't have died!
58:35If you hadn't taken all the medical supplies, she wouldn't have died!
58:40If I hadn't ordered them to inject her with wolf bait.
58:43He couldn't finish the sentence.
58:45Because the subject of that sentence was pre-sinduine, from start to finish, he made every single
58:50decision.
58:51Cassandra was just the executioner, the person who murdered Selene and their child was him.
58:55I spent the next few weeks recovering in the Shadowfang estate.
58:58My body healed agonizingly slowly.
59:01The wolf's vein residue severely crippled my cellular regeneration, and the pack doctor
59:04estimated it would take three months to completely purge it from my system.
59:08But I wasn't in a hurry.
59:09I had all the time in the world.
59:11My father ate with me and walked with me every day, treating me exactly like he did when
59:15I was a little girl.
59:16He never brought up the Blackwoods, but I knew his intelligence network never stopped spinning.
59:22Shadowfang's eyes and ears were buried in every major pack in North America.
59:26That was the terrifying power of an ancient bloodline.
59:29Every meeting, every decision.
59:30Every hushed conversation the Blackwoods had was transcribed and placed on my desk.
59:35Dominic had brought my corpse, a flawlessly forged illusion created by the soul-severing
59:40ritual back to the Blackwood Manor.
59:42He didn't place the casket in the main hall.
59:44It was shoved into a side morning room.
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