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