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The Alpha's Regret - Her New Hero - FULL | DramaReel
#shortdrama
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#shortdrama
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00:01To let my mate focus on his position, I stayed behind in the old estate, caring for his ailing
00:06mother. In this 10 years, Kalen returned once a year. He never touched me. He said that if I were
00:12to carry a pup while he was away, there would be no one to look after me, and that would
00:16break his
00:16heart. Every time he left, he cursed himself for his failings, swore on the moon he would come for
00:21me once he had made something of himself. In the 11th winter, heavy snow blocked the roads. Kalen
00:27sent word that he would be delayed. I was about to bring the news to Lady Maren when I heard
00:31her
00:31speaking with my sister-in-law. Mother, you've been faking this illness for over 10 years. How much
00:37longer? What else can be done? Kalen's heart has always belonged to that sworn sister of his. They
00:42bonded in secret, behind the pack's back. Their pups are nearly grown. If we don't keep Elena here,
00:46she'll go to the city and destroy everything. Kalen's rank as Alpha of the Eastern Pack would
00:50be finished. Let it be. Keep quiet. Kalen said once his position is secure, he will make it right with
00:56Elena. My eyes burned. Kalen wasn't struggling. He was Alpha of the Eastern Pack, and he hadn't
01:01been keeping his distance to protect me. He had someone else. I went to the training grounds and
01:06found the low-ranking warrior who had watched me for years. Do you still want me as your mate?
01:12Elena, I will treat you well. Forgive me one month. I march out tonight. This time I'll return
01:17with a deed worth claiming you. I don't need glory. Just come back safe. I watched him leave,
01:25then walked home. The estate should have been dark. Mother, you should have gone to bed by now.
01:32A tall figure stood against the candlelight. A familiar voice cut through the wind and snow.
01:37Elena, I'm home.
01:42A year had passed. Kalen carried himself differently now, steadier, with the quiet authority that comes
01:48with rank. He opened his arms, waiting for me to go to him the way I always had. I didn't.
01:55You haven't eaten, have you? Let me make you something.
01:58What's wrong? A year apart and you're not glad to see me? Are you angry with me?
02:04Go sit with Mother. I'll call you when the food is ready.
02:07Before I'd learned the truth, I had missed him. Had been a little cross with him, too. No mate wants
02:12to be kept so far away, for so long. But once I understood everything, I stopped wanting anything.
02:17Things became simpler. Better to part quietly than to rage and stay. I remained silent and cooked in the
02:22kitchen. Kalen followed.
02:24Elena, what's happened? Have you heard something?
02:26Out here in the backwoods, we barely see a stranger from one season to the next. What
02:29would I have heard? Don't worry yourself, Kalen.
02:32Elena, I came back to bring you all to the city. But there's something I need to tell you first.
02:36My chest tightened. I already knew what was coming. After ten years, he had finally run
02:41out of patience. You must be Elena. I'm Sarith, Kalen's sworn sister, and his mate. These are
02:49mine and Kalen's. Go on, call her Auntie Elena. Auntie Elena. Elena, let me explain.
02:57Elena, let me explain. I was ambushed by rogue wolves on the road to the city. Sarith saved my life.
03:02I only meant to take her in as a sworn sister. But she had no one, no pack, nowhere to
03:06go. I wanted
03:07to give her a home. It was gratitude, nothing more. If you're hurt, curse me, strike me,
03:11I'll bear it. I only ask that once you come to the city, you and she can find some people.
03:15Going to the city is a good thing. I'm not upset. Mother hasn't recovered in all this time. Perhaps
03:21the city healers will do what ours couldn't. Really? You forgive me? Elena, start packing
03:27tonight. We leave in two days and we'll make it back for Christmas. Mother doesn't have much.
03:33Packing her things won't take long. I'll sort her medicines for the road.
03:37You can all leave at first light. What do you mean? You're not coming with us?
03:43I met his gaze. My voice stayed level. Kaelin, if we leave for good, I need to settle the land
03:49and the estate first. Leaving it empty still means taxes to the pack. That's wasteful.
03:56Go ahead and take everyone home for Christmas. Once I've handled things here, I'll come to you
04:01in the spring. When I had first come to this estate, we lived in a borrowed den with walls that
04:06let the
04:06wind through, funding his studies, saving coin, until I had bought this house and these two fields.
04:11It had ended the family's hunger. It had given Kaelin a place to become what he was.
04:16Elena, I'm Alpha of the Eastern Pack now. Silver is not the problem. Give the land to whoever needs
04:21it. Save yourself the trouble. I earned it with my own hands. I'm not ready to let go.
04:28Trust me. Once it's done, I'll come to you. I won't be long.
04:31Kaelin hesitated. Kaelin, don't waver. The council's watching you. You leave her here and they dig into it
04:37and she says the wrong thing. Your seed is gone. I wasn't slow. I heard exactly what Kareth had just
04:43said. So it wasn't a change of heart that had brought Kaelin back. If the pack council confirmed
04:48it, they would report it to the High Alpha. The High Alpha was a man who mated once and meant
04:53it.
04:54If Kaelin wanted to keep his rank, the most important thing was keeping me quiet.
04:59It would be a lie to say that didn't hurt. 13 years. I had given this mating everything.
05:04Kaelin was pack born but useless with his hands. Lady Maren was old and couldn't help. His brother
05:09was worse than useless. The whole family ran on my back. I never complained. I nursed Lady Maren.
05:13I had believed that kind of devotion would hold a mate for life. I had overestimated what I was
05:18worth to him. I finally understood what they say. A man who climbs always drops what carried him.
05:24I held back the burn in my eyes. Kept it from spilling. So that's what you're worried about.
05:31I can put it in writing. Whoever asks, I'll say I'm Kaelin's pack sister, his adopted blood kin.
05:38Nothing more. Lady Maren and Kareth both stared. After a long silence,
05:43Kaelin said, half believing. You would really do that for me?
05:47I smiled and nodded. For you, I would do anything. But to be safe,
05:54there's something you need to destroy first. Kaelin was cautious.
05:58What? I answered without flinching. The mating scroll.
06:02Yours and mine.
06:05Out here in the back territories, we hadn't stood on ceremony when we bonded.
06:09A mating scroll. A shared cup. That was all it had taken. No pack record. No council seal. So if
06:17the scroll was gone, I was no longer Kaelin's mate. I only had to wait for the warrior to come
06:21home. Then I could be claimed properly. I expected Kaelin to want this without hesitation.
06:27Instead, he went quiet. Elena, you once told me that scroll was the most precious thing you owned.
06:34You've given so much for this pack. For me. If you burned the last thing you held on to,
06:40how much would that cost you? Let's leave the scroll as it is.
06:45He had seen everything I'd sacrificed. He had remembered all of it. And still, year after year,
06:51he had left me here while he built a life with someone else. If he could watch out all of
06:55that
06:56and stay, then I had no reason left to hold on to one sheet of parchment. But I knew him.
07:01He
07:02wouldn't simply let me go.
07:05Kaelin, you know how much that scroll means to me. But for your future, I have to let it go.
07:13Once you take me to the city properly, you can make me a new one. Wouldn't that be enough?
07:20She's right. Your position can't afford loose threads.
07:25Burn it. Elena has done this for you. Make it up to her later.
07:32Elena, hiding this from you, that was wrong. But trust me, I will make this right.
07:40Wait for me. I will come for you myself with the best claiming gifts I can find.
07:44I'll take you as Kaelin again, properly this time.
07:47In that moment, he looked entirely sincere. I chose not to believe it. I decided it was
07:54only something I was imagining. I lit both scrolls myself. The fire took them. That absurd
07:59mating those wasted years. And with them, the last of what I had held on to for over a decade.
08:09After Kaelin had gone in with Kareth and the children, she dropped the act entirely and sank to her knees
08:14in front of me.
08:18Elena, I failed you.
08:21I hid it from you all these years.
08:25You must hate me.
08:27Her hair had gone fully white. She was crying without restraint. I couldn't bring myself to leave her there. I
08:33helped her up.
08:36Mother, I know you love your son too much. I don't blame you.
08:51Elena, how can you be so good? When I'm gone, who will ever look after me the way you have?
08:58No matter what Kaelin does to you, I will always count you as my own daughter. I will never let
09:05anyone mistreat you.
09:08I understood her helplessness. I had never held it against her. But I was done trusting her too.
09:12She was still a mother. No matter what she said, her heart would always tilt toward her son.
09:17If the day came when she had to choose between Kaelin and me, she would choose him without a second
09:21thought.
09:22Mother, it's fine. Whoever Kaelin takes as his mate, she'll be half a daughter to you.
09:27You don't owe me anything.
09:31I had barely stepped out of Lady Meryn's room when Kareth was waiting in the yard.
09:35Elena, don't take anything Kaelin says at face value. The truth is, he never rescued me.
09:42I had thought that Lady Meryn's decade of deception and Kaelin's betrayal were already the worst of it.
09:47I was wrong. There was still more they had kept from me.
09:50Sareth had never saved Kaelin's life. It was the other way around.
09:53Kaelin had seen her, wanted her, used the blood sister bond as a way in, and destroyed the claiming she
09:58already had.
09:59Calling her his rescuer was Kaelin's strategy.
10:01He knew I was soft, that I always repaid what was owed.
10:04He had spoken to Lady Meryn first and built the story together.
10:07Something designed to make me accept it. To make me give in.
10:10So everything he said about claiming you properly, it's nothing.
10:13Go to the city and you'll be a lesser mate, that's all.
10:16Oh, and his mother. All that talk about treating you like a daughter. Do you believe it?
10:21When it comes down to you or her own grandchildren, who do you think she picks?
10:25Are you done?
10:27The morning they left, I walked the family to the edge of the settlement.
10:31I unclasped the only thing of value I still wore, the Luna Elder's silver clasp, and placed it in Sareth's
10:35hand.
10:36That's yours, Elena. Keep it.
10:38I shook my head and pinned it to Kareth's collar myself.
10:41I said,
10:42Everyone in the settlement knows this clasp is the Luna Elder's piece, passed to the maid of the pack's heir.
10:47If I keep wearing it, it draws questions. Better that Sareth has it.
10:50Mother, Elena is right. When we're together again, I'll give it back.
10:52Elena, what I give you belongs to you. In my heart, you are the only true mate this family has
10:57had.
10:58When you come to the city, I will get it back for you.
11:01Foster brother, that pendant was my grandmother's. The only thing she left me. Could you return it?
11:07Elena, I'm not used to you calling me that. When there's no one listening, call me what you always have.
11:16Better to be careful. We can't hand anyone a thread to pull.
11:19Fine. Once I've claimed you properly, you can go back to it.
11:24Let me keep the pendant for now. It was your gift to me. It's what we have between us.
11:29I never understood that.
11:30He used to resent the pendant, said a grown male wearing something like that looked ridiculous.
11:34Now that I was willing to take it back, he had found reasons to keep it.
11:37Foster brother, Christmas is almost here. I'll be alone, and I'd like something to hold on to.
11:42When I come to the city, I'll make you another.
11:45Kaelin gave it up without warmth, pressing the pendant and a folded stack of silver notes into my hands.
11:50At the last moment, he turned back. He gripped my hand once.
11:53Stay home and wait. When spring opens the roads, I'll come for you myself.
11:57There's one more thing I haven't told you yet.
11:59Alright.
11:59I watched them go, then walked back inside.
12:02I reached to the top of the cabinet and took down the pack I had already prepared.
12:07I left the silver notes on the table. Then I turned north and didn't look back.
12:11The warrior I had promised myself to was somewhere in that direction.
12:14I meant to be claimed before Kaelin ever came to collect me.
12:17When that day came, I would be someone else's.
12:20There would be nothing left to untangle. Nothing left to demand of me.
12:23Winter roads are slow. I had little silver, and I was too careful with it to hire a cart.
12:27I walked when I could, stopped to take work in whatever town would have me, and moved on again when
12:31I'd saved enough.
12:32By the time the cold began to ease, I was close to the northern border.
12:36Elena, the border war is over. The northern campaign won.
12:39Once they've processed the captured forces, they'll be heading back through the territory.
12:42You'll see your promised mate before long. Your mate is a hero of this pack.
12:45Call it a gift from me. Hire a cart. Go meet him at the border city.
12:49Hired a cart, and arrived before the soldiers did.
12:52With what little silver I had left, I found the city watch captain and pressed it into his hand.
12:58Captain, my promised mate's name is Aldrich.
13:00Aldrich, when he arrives, please tell him I'm waiting in the second house east of the city gate.
13:06You're Aldrich's promised mate?
13:11He smiled a little awkwardly.
13:13Keep it. Just put in a word for me if you ever get the chance.
13:17I had no idea what he meant. Aldrich was a low-ranking warrior.
13:20What good would a word from him do? The captain had probably mistaken him for someone else.
13:25Still, silver saved was silver saved. Waiting wasn't easy.
13:28I knew what Aldrich felt for me. He had shown it for years.
13:31But I had been made it before.
13:33I wasn't sure whether he had said yes out of true wanting, or out of something that would fade.
13:38Then again, I thought it through, and it settled.
13:40If he had changed his mind, I would manage on my own.
13:43I had two hands and enough stubbornness.
13:45I wouldn't starve.
13:46Once I was at peace with that, everything felt lighter.
13:50I started cutting fabric for a claiming dress.
13:53The best material I could find.
13:54Useful if things went well.
13:56A small pleasure for myself if they didn't.
13:57The first time I was claimed, there had been no wedding at all.
14:00The pack had nothing.
14:01No wedding dress.
14:02No feast.
14:03When I'd finally had coin to spare, the first thing I did was return two full jugs to that neighbor.
14:07She had held my hands and cried.
14:08Elena, a girl like you?
14:09Why did you stay in that pack?
14:10You've suffered so much.
14:12You're strong and you're lovely.
14:13You could have had an elder son and it wouldn't have been reaching.
14:15Why tie yourself to a scholar who can't lift his own pack and grind your life away?
14:19That's your bias speaking.
14:20I trust him.
14:21He won't fail me.
14:22You are such a fool.
14:23Now I understood.
14:24She was the one who had seen clearly.
14:27The day I slipped away from the settlement, I had nearly walked into Kaylin's sister-in-law.
14:33It was that neighbor who spotted her first.
14:35She held the woman back, then sent her husband to pass me word.
14:38Move.
14:39Now.
14:40Elena, that pack was never worthy of you.
14:43Go.
14:44Live freely.
14:45Stop letting them keep you caged.
14:49I'll deal with your sister-in-law.
14:50They won't know you're gone for a while.
14:53I never found out what she said to buy me the time, but it had worked.
14:57For an entire month, no one had come looking.
14:59People, though, have a way of undoing themselves.
15:01On the third day, a cart stopped outside my door.
15:04I thought it was Aldrich.
15:06I ran out.
15:07It wasn't.
15:08Kaylin stood there, dust on his shoulders.
15:10Elena.
15:10His voice worn down to gravel.
15:14Kaylin said, Elena, you have no idea how long I've been looking for you.
15:18He was across the yard in a few strides, his hand locking around my wrist hard enough to grind.
15:23Kaylin said, Elena, you promised me.
15:25Why did you leave?
15:26Why come all the way out here?
15:28I spent half a month preparing.
15:29I rode to the settlement myself to bring you home, and the house was empty.
15:33I said, do you know how frightened I was?
15:35I stopped pulling against his grip.
15:37Alpha Kaylin, why waste your concern on me?
15:39The mating scroll is ash.
15:41I'm not your pack anymore.
15:42Where I go, whether I live or die, none of that is your matter.
15:46Kaylin's jaw tightened.
15:48Elena, I know you're hurting, but this kind of recklessness doesn't suit you.
15:51You told me you would come to the city.
15:53You gave me your word.
15:54How can you break it like this?
15:56Something in me gave up trying to stay composed.
15:58I said, when we were claimed, you gave me your word too.
16:02You swore on the moon you would never take another mate.
16:05You broke that one first.
16:06So, between the two of us, I'd say we're even.
16:12Kaylin saw that I meant it.
16:14His eyes went red at the edges.
16:16He pulled me close until there was almost no space between us.
16:19Thirteen years.
16:21You think that just...
16:22cancels?
16:23Elena, I know I've wronged you.
16:25Let me make it right.
16:26Come back with me.
16:27I'll give you equal standing.
16:29You won't be beneath Kareth in anything.
16:31I promise.
16:32I couldn't stop a short, dry sound from escaping.
16:35Kaylin took it for pride over the title and frowned.
16:38Elena, equal standing is the best I can do right now.
16:41Sereth, what she did for me, what she did for you.
16:45Are you still going to use that story?
16:47I cut him off.
16:48Kaylin, your apology has no effort in it at all.
16:51Kaylin went still.
16:52His eyes shifted.
16:53What do you mean by that?
16:57I watched the change move across his face and I took it apart, piece by piece.
17:01Tarith already told me everything.
17:03There were no rogue wolves.
17:05There was no rescue.
17:06You saw her.
17:07Wanted her.
17:08And used the sworn sister bond to get close.
17:10You destroyed the claiming she already had and took her for yourself.
17:14Calling her your rescuer.
17:15That was cover.
17:16Nothing more.
17:17Kaylin's face went pale.
17:18He opened his mouth.
17:19Nothing came out.
17:20I was done wasting time.
17:21I moved to see him out.
17:23He found his voice.
17:24Elena, listen to me.
17:25Karith is possessive.
17:27She said all of that to drive a wedge between us.
17:29You know how it is.
17:30No mate wants to share.
17:32I cut him off.
17:33I felt nothing in my chest anymore.
17:35It had all gone numb.
17:36You understand that.
17:37Which is why you kept me out here for 10 years.
17:40Alone.
17:40While your mother faked an illness to hold me in place.
17:43Isn't that right?
17:47I said, if you care about her so much, stop chasing me.
17:50You'll hurt me and you'll hurt her.
17:52I wrenched my wrist free and stepped back.
17:54The Elena who existed before is gone.
17:56She died the day she found out the truth.
17:58Who I am now has no connection to you.
18:01To Kaylin.
18:01To your pack.
18:02Out of whatever feeling I once had, I won't say a single word against you.
18:06I'm only asking you to leave.
18:08My promised mate is returning with the army.
18:11I don't want him to misread this.
18:13Kaylin's spine went rigid.
18:14He looked up at me.
18:15He said, promised mate?
18:17Who?
18:17What's his name?
18:18I said, a low-ranking warrior.
18:20No one you'd know.
18:22Please go.
18:23Kaylin's expression curdled.
18:24Elena.
18:25Have you lost your mind?
18:26You'd pass up an alpha of the eastern pack for some common soldier with a border stipend?
18:34He said, he could be dead by next season.
18:37And even if he's not, what does he earn?
18:39You'd go back to going hungry.
18:41You're not young anymore.
18:43Do you really want that kind of life again?
18:45I looked at him steadily.
18:47I wasn't afraid of hardship when I chose you.
18:50I'm not afraid of it now.
18:52Don't speak about my promised mate like that.
18:55He may not have your rank, but what he feels for me is real.
18:59Unlike you.
19:00Kaylin opened his mouth, then stopped.
19:02A long pause, then more controlled.
19:05Elena.
19:06You've misread all of this.
19:07I never stopped carrying you.
19:09He seemed to decide that words weren't enough, and cut himself off.
19:12Come back with me.
19:13I'll show you.
19:14Give me the chance.
19:15The border campaign's war alpha, General Vane.
19:19He and I go back.
19:20I'll speak to him.
19:21As long as that warrior is reasonable, I'll find him a proper match myself.
19:24I'll cover the claiming gifts.
19:29I had always been slow to anger.
19:32This was one of the few times I wasn't.
19:35Staring at Kaylin, I struggled to contain my fury as I questioned him, asking if he had
19:40lost his mind.
19:41He didn't put it plainly, but I understood perfectly.
19:44He intended to use his status as the alpha of the Eastern Pack to pressure Aldrick into
19:49stepping aside.
19:50Aldrick was just a foot soldier, with no standing to resist an alpha of the Eastern Pack.
19:55In desperation, I grabbed the sword from Kaylin's side.
19:59I pressed the blade firmly against my own throat, warning him that if he dared to go
20:03near Aldrick, I would end my life right then and there.
20:09I told Kaylin that my life was not worth much, but if a pack alpha drove a free woman to
20:13her
20:13death, his own fate would not be better.
20:15Kaylin had always thought of me as cautious, and someone who valued her own life.
20:20He had never imagined I would resort to threatening my own life.
20:24He froze instantly, his voice dropping low as he urged me to put down the sword, saying
20:29we could talk things through.
20:30I didn't move an inch, firmly telling him there was nothing to talk about.
20:34If he didn't want me dead, he had to write down his promise immediately.
20:38The promise was simple.
20:40From that day on, if anything happened to me or my betrothed, Aldrick, he would be held
20:46fully responsible.
20:51Kaylin had spent years in pack politics, and would never willingly leave evidence that
20:55could be used against him.
20:56But as he looked at the sword pressed to my throat, his tone remained steady.
21:00He agreed to write it down, but said he had come in a hurry and had nothing to write with,
21:05asking me to go inside to find him ink and parchment.
21:08I didn't think ahead, turning toward the house at once.
21:11But the moment my back was to him, he moved.
21:15He snatched the sword from my hand, didn't even glance at me.
21:18He ordered his escort to hold me while he went to find General Vane.
21:22His men reacted quickly, seizing me before I could respond.
21:26I couldn't even utter a curse.
21:28Just then, a deep, calm, and resonant voice came from beyond the gate.
21:34The voice asked Alpha Kaylin why he was there, and mentioned that he had heard his name, wondering
21:39if something was wrong.
21:43I didn't recognize that voice, but moments later, I heard Kaylin's tone shift to one of deference
21:48as he greeted the man, addressing him as General Vane and saying what perfect timing his arrival was.
21:54He added that it was nothing urgent, just a small favor he wanted to ask of General Vane.
21:59Only then did I realize that the man before me was General Vane, the War Alpha of the Northern Territory.
22:05General Vane smiled and readily agreed to help, but asked Alpha Kaylin to wait a moment while
22:10he finished a piece of business first.
22:12Kaylin stepped back toward the gate quickly, respectfully saying he was willing to wait
22:16and telling General Vane to take his time.
22:19General Vane then dismounted from his horse and pointed directly at my door.
22:23He said that as it happened, his business was right there.
22:29Kaylin stopped abruptly, looking stunned.
22:32General Vane looked at him without further explanation.
22:34Only stating that he had come to negotiate a claiming.
22:38Kaylin froze completely, unconsciously stepping in front of the gate.
22:42He tried to persuade General Vane, saying that his mate bond was well known,
22:47his children were nearly grown, and such a thing would be inappropriate.
22:51General Vane laughed heartily, shook his head, and told Kaylin he had misunderstood.
22:57This claiming was not for himself, but on behalf of his sworn son,
23:01who had been injured and couldn't come in person.
23:05I was just as confused as Kaylin, even starting to wonder if General Vane had come to the wrong house.
23:11General Vane himself looked a little uncertain as he walked past Kaylin into the yard.
23:16His escort, not wanting to get into trouble, let me go.
23:20Born in the north, General Vane was straightforward and didn't notice anything amiss.
23:25He looked straight at me and asked if I was Elena.
23:28I nodded slowly.
23:30He immediately looked satisfied, confirming he had come to the right place.
23:34He told me that his sworn son was my betrothed, Aldrich.
23:42Upon hearing General Vane's words, my thoughts went sideways.
23:46Aldrich was just a low-ranking soldier.
23:48How had he ended up as General Vane's sworn son?
23:51I rubbed the back of my neck and explained to General Vane that I thought there must be a mistake.
23:56My betrothed was indeed named Aldrich, but he could never be General Vane's sworn son.
24:02I even wondered if there might be two people with the same name.
24:06General Vane seemed less confident as he described his sworn son's features.
24:10Born in the eastern settlement of the southern territory, with a small mark near the corner of his left eye.
24:15He asked if these features matched my betrothed.
24:18He added that if it would help, he would have his sworn son carried over for me to confirm in
24:23person.
24:24I stopped him quickly, telling him there was no need, that every detail he described matched Aldrich perfectly.
24:30I begged him not to move the injured Aldrich, saying that since he was hurt, I would go to see
24:35him myself.
24:36With that, I walked toward the gate, distracted.
24:40But Kalen, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly reached out and grabbed my arm, stopping me in
24:45my tracks.
24:49Kalen stood in front of me, turning to General Vane and saying there was something he should know first.
24:54He told General Vane that I was his pack sister, that he had raised me, and that he had never
25:00heard me mention the name Aldrich once.
25:02He added that if Aldrich and I had made promises to each other without the family's knowledge, their bond could
25:08not be recognized.
25:10Then he lowered his voice, leaned close to me, and warned me not to say anything foolish.
25:15He said that Aldrich was now General Vane's sworn son, and if General Vane found out I had been mated
25:21before, I would not only lose this claiming, but also ruin Aldrich's reputation.
25:27Those words hit home.
25:31Aldrich had only just found his footing in the north.
25:33If I cost him everything because of my past, I would never forgive myself.
25:37I was still trying to figure out how to respond, when General Vane's expression shifted.
25:42He told Kalen firmly that his approval no longer mattered, because it was not I who had come to them,
25:48but they who had sought me out.
25:50General Vane then spoke of Aldrich's deeds, saying that in this campaign, Aldrich had charged into the thickest of the
25:57fighting.
25:57He had taken out the enemy's left flank and brought back the enemy commander's banner, earning the first honor of
26:03the war.
26:04Yet he had refused all rewards from the High Alpha, every single coin.
26:09Instead, he used his achievement to petition the Moon Council for a decree, a recognized claiming with me.
26:17General Vane finally warned Kalen that if his family dared to object, they would be opposing the High Alpha's own
26:23ruling.
26:24I stood there for a long time.
26:26Never having imagined that Aldrich would fight so fiercely, for me.
26:33I had certainly never imagined he would spend everything he had earned, not on land or rank, but on a
26:39piece of paper that made me his.
26:40In that moment, the last of what I'd been holding dissolved.
26:44How is this possible?
26:46Alpha Salem? Isn't this a good thing?
26:49You don't seem pleased.
26:53I am. Of course I am.
26:55Vane had brought the Moon Council's decree with him.
26:57Whatever Kalen wanted, there was nothing left to argue.
27:00With the claim already spoken aloud, he had no choice but to play the part of a foster brother and
27:04see me through the preparations.
27:06He brought me to the city under that pretense, and the whole pack household set about getting ready.
27:10The estate was bright with it.
27:11Kareth was loudest of all, running back and forth, eager to see me gone.
27:15Only Kalen and Lady Maren moved through the days with their faces set.
27:19When Aldrich was well enough to travel, he came to the house himself and asked for me again.
27:24You've gone too far.
27:26Doing this shows that I'm sincere.
27:29I asked my sworn father to speak for me because I had no other choice.
27:34I was afraid that if I stayed unconscious too long, someone would take you.
27:37Kalen's expression darkened another shade.
27:39After Aldrich left, Lady Maren turned on her son.
27:42It was the angriest I had ever seen her.
27:46I was bringing tea in by custom when I heard the sound of something shattering inside the room.
27:50Then Lady Maren's voice, thick with weeping.
27:54I told you, Elena was worth keeping.
27:57Let her go and someone else would see it.
27:59And they did.
28:00And you didn't listen.
28:02Now look.
28:03Mother, what are you saying?
28:05Serial is your daughter-in-law too.
28:06She?
28:07When have I ever been sick?
28:09And she came to check on me.
28:11Said a single word.
28:12And you, up through the night, working.
28:16Did she ever sit with you?
28:17Make you anything?
28:19Think back.
28:20When you were up studying in the old estate, who never left your side?
28:23Who made sure you never went hungry?
28:25Not once.
28:26Kalen.
28:27I don't care what reason you give.
28:29What you did is something a good mate doesn't do.
28:31Do you think I don't know that?
28:32But what can be done?
28:34Elena and Aldrich have the High Alphas decree.
28:36Even if I wanted to fight it, I can't.
28:38Mother, we make do.
28:40Serith gave the pack airs.
28:41That's something.
28:42We both just live with it.
28:44I had no interest in making trouble for myself.
28:46I started to slip away.
28:48Footsteps came up fast behind me.
28:49Before I could react, Karith had swept past me and pushed through the door.
28:53Kalen, what does make do mean exactly?
28:55Now that you know what Elena was worth, I'm the one you're settling for?
28:57Is that what this is?
28:58I'm telling you both.
28:59I don't care.
29:00Once Elena is gone, I'm the one who runs this household.
29:02That doesn't change.
29:03Don't.
29:03You hit a first mate.
29:04I know everything.
29:05If you want to spend the rest of your life without that coming out, you will fall in line.
29:08Both of you.
29:09And you.
29:09You were the one who came up with this plan.
29:11You offered to keep Elena tied to that estate.
29:12Now she slipped the knot and you want to cry about it?
29:14That's what you earned.
29:15If you don't want your son destroyed, keep quiet.
29:17Stop using your age to give me orders.
29:18I stood in the hallway and watched.
29:20There was nothing in me left that felt sorry for any of them.
29:23This was what they had made.
29:24I turned and walked away without letting the door creak.
29:29Three days later, I left the pack estate.
29:31I was claimed in a house the High Alpha had given Aldrick.
29:34Aldrick had put every coin of his reward into the claiming gifts.
29:37His savings ran thin.
29:39I had been satisfied before the day arrived.
29:42At least this time, unlike with Kaylin, I had a dress.
29:46When I first came to that estate, there had been nothing.
29:49No dress, no gifts.
29:51Even the shared cup had been borrowed from next door.
29:54The first time I had real money, I gave that neighbor back two full jugs.
29:59She had held my hands and wept.
30:02In the second year, I went with Aldrick to the northern border post where he was stationed.
30:07Contact with the old pack dwindled to almost nothing.
30:10Only bits reached me through rumor.
30:12That the estate was not a peaceful place.
30:15That Kareth had taken hold of everything inside it.
30:18That nothing moved without her approval.
30:20That Kaylin had grown worn.
30:22His work had grown careless.
30:24He had been called before the council more than once.
30:27His rank held, but there was nowhere left for him to rise.
30:31Lady Meryn's health had turned real.
30:34She spent her remaining years in bed.
30:36When I heard it, I felt nothing.
30:38I was sitting quietly, focused on the new boots I was making for Aldrick.
30:43He trained hard.
30:44He went through seven or eight pairs a month.
30:46It wore on my heart to think of it.
30:48Lena, the healer said you're carrying twins.
30:51That's harder on the body.
30:53Stop worrying about my boots.
30:58I'm your mate.
30:59If I don't worry about it, who will?
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