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Short filmTranscript
00:00On my first birthday, Alpha Brune set out all kinds of things for me to pick from as birthday gifts.
00:05Instead, I crawled straight towards six-year-old Alpha Air Cohen and grabbed his crotch.
00:11The hall erupted. The high priest said we were chosen by the moon goddess as mates.
00:15Everyone believed it, including me, but no one could have guessed that we would grow up to be bitter enemies.
00:20At 16, Alpha Brune told me it was time to choose a mate.
00:24Before I could speak, Cohen sneered in front of the whole hall.
00:27I'd rather be torn apart by rogues than mate with her.
00:30At the time, I actually thought he was joking.
00:32It wasn't until our mating day that I realized how horribly wrong I was.
00:36On our mating night, he abandoned me. He never came to my bed.
00:39By morning, I was the silverhoned pack's laughingstock.
00:42After that, he brought others home every night.
00:51He let his lovers boss me around, treating me like the lowest, dirtiest slave.
00:57Numb and broken, I went to him, begging him to break the mating bond.
01:01He refused.
01:02He snatched up a crystal glass and hurled it straight at my face.
01:06It smashed against my forehead, blood pouring down into my eyes.
01:10Consumed by grief and illness, I died alone in the freezing, forgotten dungeons beneath the packhouse.
01:17Then, I opened my eyes.
01:19The chandeliers were bright again.
01:21The hall was loud again.
01:22I was back on the exact day the Alpha was meant to decide my fate.
01:39I parted my lips to speak, but a sudden wave of grief choked me.
01:43My eyes began to burn.
01:45Even facing this a second time, the memory still cut straight through me.
01:49Bloodfang had wanted Silverhorn Land for years.
01:52Last winter, they came for it.
01:54My father and brothers rode north with the pack's best.
01:57Before he left, my father told me to chill the moon wine for their victory feast.
02:00My brothers were loud as ever.
02:03Shoving, laughing, yelling over one another.
02:05At the time, I only thought they were being annoying.
02:07The next time I saw them, they were dead.
02:09Wrapped in torn cloth, laid out on stretchers.
02:12Still.
02:14My mother drowned in grief soon after.
02:16A few months later, she followed them into the grave.
02:19That whole house was wiped clean.
02:21Everyone in that house was gone.
02:22A wolf beside me laughed under her breath.
02:25Oh, come on, Alpha.
02:26Why even ask?
02:27Everyone in Silverhane knows Alera's been obsessed with Cowan for years.
02:31Girl probably whimpered his name into her pillow.
02:33My eyes burned.
02:35But no tears came.
02:36In my last life, I went to him hollowed out.
02:39Begged him to break the mating bond.
02:41He answered by hurling a crystal glass at my face.
02:43It split my forehead open.
02:45He still refused to let me go.
02:47Even while I was dying, Alpha Bruun was about to speak again.
02:50I inhaled hard and cut him off.
02:53Alpha.
02:53Cohen and I grew up together.
02:56I have never loved him.
02:57The chamber went dead quiet.
02:59Even Cohen off to one side looked caught off guard.
03:02Is that true?
03:03Alpha Bruun narrowed his eyes.
03:04I knew the trap.
03:05If I didn't name a wolf, he would name one for me.
03:08So I lowered my head and gave him one.
03:10Yes, Alpha.
03:11There is someone I want.
03:12Varric.
03:13Alpha Varric of the Nightclaw pack.
03:15He is the only one I want.
03:19Varric was Alpha Bruun's younger brother.
03:21The war hero who helped crush Bloodfath and stabilize the northern packs.
03:26Half the north respected him like a living legend.
03:28Then, one year ago, he collapsed on the road back from the border.
03:32He never woke up.
03:33The pack healers said he might spend the rest of his life in that bed.
03:36But I knew better.
03:38In my last life, he woke in the third year of my marriage.
03:41And when I was at the very end, he was the only one who ever tried to help me.
03:47Elara.
03:48That's too hard a road.
03:50Varric may still be Alpha of Nightclaw in name, but he lies unconscious.
03:54His territory is unstable.
03:56You would be walking into a nest of vipers.
03:59Choose someone here instead.
04:00One of my own men.
04:01Alpha.
04:02I already swore before the altar.
04:04On my family's honor.
04:06In this life, I will mate no one but Alpha Varric.
04:09Please, grant me this.
04:13I bent into a full formal bow.
04:15The room held its breath.
04:17Alpha Brun fell silent.
04:19Then Elder Edmund spoke from the corner shadow.
04:21If the girl is this devoted to Varric, let her have him.
04:26Edmund wasn't just an old man with opinions.
04:28He represented the High Northern Council.
04:30Once he spoke, even Alpha Brun couldn't press much farther.
04:33At last, Brund exhaled.
04:35Very well, Elara.
04:37Varric is my brother.
04:38As both his Alpha and his brother, it falls to me to arrange his mating.
04:42If you are willing, this will be a blessing for him.
04:44And for both our packs.
04:45Your parents are gone.
04:46Luma Sigrid will oversee the preparations.
04:51Thank you, Alpha.
04:53Last time, I chose the wrong man.
04:55I would not make that mistake again.
04:58And Varric.
04:59In my last life, Nightclaw tore itself apart while he lay unconscious.
05:04By the time he woke and clawed his way back to power, his legs were ruined for good.
05:09He once showed me kindness when no one else would.
05:12This time, I would be there when he needed someone most.
05:16If the Moon Goddess gave me one more chance, I wouldn't just help Varric stand.
05:20This time, neither of us would kneel.
05:24A few days later, Luna Sigrid's maid, Mara, summoned me to finalize the mating ceremony.
05:29We had barely reached Luna's residence when Mara stopped short and bowed her head.
05:33Alpha hair.
05:34I looked up, and there he was.
05:36Cohen.
05:36He just stared at me with that familiar, cutting look.
05:39Brows drawn, eyes full of suspicion.
05:41I lowered my head and dipped into a polite curdie.
05:44Alpha air.
05:45He frowned immediately.
05:46Of course he did.
05:48He was used to a different version of me.
05:50In my last life, I always found out when he'd be visiting Luna.
05:53I'd bake buttercakes myself.
05:55Time everything perfectly.
05:57Pretend our meetings were accidents, all for the chance to place those sweets in his hands.
06:02He never ate them.
06:03He either threw them away or tossed them to the servants.
06:06Then he finally spoke, and the disgust was exactly where I remembered it.
06:10Alara, enough.
06:11You're marrying my uncle, so stop embarrassing yourself and stop chasing me.
06:15This is pathetic.
06:16And honestly, you make me sick.
06:18For a second, I almost laughed.
06:20Last time, I kept trying to explain.
06:22It only made him despise me more.
06:24You're mistaken, Alpha hair.
06:25I made myself clear in the council hall.
06:27I have no feelings for you.
06:29Really?
06:30So what now?
06:31You just happened to wander in here?
06:33And I'm supposed to believe that?
06:35Luna asked for me.
06:36We're discussing the ceremony.
06:37If you doubt it, ask Mara.
06:39Cohen glanced at her.
06:41Mara nodded.
06:43Varric's half-dead.
06:45Marry him, and you'll waste your whole life beside a body that can't even claim you.
06:49You needn't worry.
06:51I chose Alpha Varric long ago.
06:53If I can stay by his side, that's enough for me.
06:56Awake or asleep, I'd still choose him over you.
07:01Luna Sigrid smiled the second she saw me.
07:04A warm smile, a polished voice, but there was calculation under both.
07:07The moment I sat down, her eyes flicked past me.
07:11That's it?
07:12You came alone?
07:13Ashbrook house is empty.
07:15There's no one left to come with me.
07:17Very well.
07:18Let's settle the ceremony.
07:19She spread two parchment sheets across the table.
07:22Two dates.
07:23June 3rd, October 19th.
07:25The second I saw October 19th, my stomach clenched.
07:28That had been the date of my last wedding.
07:30The day I was mated to Cohen.
07:32The elders had called it blessed.
07:33The sky answered with a storm.
07:36Rain tore the ceremony apart.
07:37After that, the pack began whispering that I was cursed.
07:40That I carried ruin in with me.
07:42The council seems to prefer October 19th.
07:45It's an auspicious date.
07:46Why don't we settle on that?
07:48Luna, I appreciate the care.
07:50Still, I would like the ceremony set for June 3rd.
07:53It's already May.
07:54That's very soon.
07:56Wouldn't that be rushed?
07:57I want to reach Alpha Varric as soon as possible.
08:00If the preparations are hurried, I accept that gladly.
08:03That was the exact moment Conan walked in.
08:05He heard every word.
08:07His steps slowed, only for an instant.
08:09But I caught it, and I saw the way his jaw tightened.
08:12Cohen, perfect timing.
08:14Alara wants the ceremony moved up to June 3rd.
08:16I think it's awfully rushed.
08:18Maybe you can talk some sense into her.
08:20She always listened to you when you were children.
08:24She's that desperate to marry my uncle?
08:28Why stop her?
08:29If we drag this out until October, we'll only look cruel.
08:32He meant that to sting.
08:33He wanted me to feel small.
08:35Instead, I lowered into a graceful curti.
08:38Thank you for understanding, Alpha Hare.
08:42You'll come to the mating ceremony on June 3rd, won't you?
08:47He went rutted.
08:48His face flushed with anger so fast it almost made me smile.
08:52For one second, he looked like he wanted to say something vicious.
08:55Instead, he muttered some excuse and left.
08:57I rose to take my leave.
08:58Oh, one more thing, Alara.
09:00I turned back.
09:02Since you have no family left,
09:04someone close to you should escort you to Nightclaw territory on the day of the ceremony.
09:08What about Conan?
09:10No, that won't be necessary.
09:12Elder Stonehill's son, Reynon, is loyal and dependable.
09:16He can escort me.
09:18Hmm.
09:20Very well.
09:22On the walk home, old memories followed me like ghosts.
09:25My grandfather trained Silverhand's young warriors.
09:28Conan and I grew up under the same roofs, on the same training grounds.
09:31As children, we used to slip away into the woods during drills.
09:34Once, deep in the forest, we crossed paths with a crazed bear.
09:38It charged.
09:39I shoved Cohen aside without thinking.
09:41The bear's paw caught me instead.
09:43It broke nearly half the bones in my body.
09:46I spent 15 days in the healing ward.
09:48Cohen cried so hard he could barely breathe.
09:50He clutched my hand and swore he'd spend his life making it up to me.
09:53Back then, I believed him.
09:55In my last life, all he gave me were tears.
09:57The old injury still arced when the weather turned cold.
10:00My eyesight had worsened too.
10:01Shadows blurred.
10:02This life, I was done bleeding for the same wound.
10:05I wasn't his promise anymore.
10:07I was going to Nightclaw.
10:10The wedding day kept creeping closer.
10:13All across Silverhorn, people talked about nothing else.
10:16The alliance.
10:18The ceremony.
10:19Alara leaving for Nightclaw.
10:21Even in the private wing of the stronghold, Cohen couldn't outrun it.
10:25Every servant.
10:26Same cursed name.
10:27It had been scraping at his nerves for days.
10:29He was just about to step out for air when Rainer, Elder Stonehell's son, walked in.
10:35Cohen flicked him a glance.
10:36What?
10:37Alara's heading to Nightclaw soon, right?
10:39Since she doesn't have any family left, Luna wants somebody to lead the escort to Varric's territory.
10:43Cohen's brow tightened at once.
10:45His first thought hit fast.
10:47Of course, Alara must have asked for him.
10:49All that talk about wanting Varric, wanting the mating, a last little trick to get his attention.
10:54He lifted his glass, swirled the drink once, and took a slow sip.
11:01Then send someone.
11:03I don't have time for it.
11:05And I don't care.
11:07Well, well what?
11:09Luna did suggest you first.
11:12But, Alara said, she didn't want to trouble you.
11:21So, she picked you.
11:23I mean, maybe she just figured you were busy.
11:28I'm not.
11:29I've got nothing to do all day anyway.
11:32Right.
11:33I've got something to do.
11:34I'll go.
11:40Cohen.
11:41About what happened back then.
11:43Alara was innocent.
11:45You know she was.
11:46You've been taking that out on her for years, and it's not right.
11:50And now it's gotten this bad.
11:52You're not happy.
11:54And she...
11:55Rayla.
11:56Aren't you late for something?
11:58Your Majesty.
12:04Cohen rose and walked to the window.
12:06From there, he could just make out the distant silhouette of the old Ashberg house.
12:10His gaze darkened.
12:12At some point, the crystal in his hand had cracked under the force of his grip.
12:16Alara.
12:40Alara.
12:42Word slipped out of the healing ward two days ago.
12:45Cohen collapsed.
12:46He's still unconscious.
12:49Alpha Brun buried the news.
12:50Doesn't want it spreading.
12:52That's why Cohen didn't come.
12:53It has to be...
12:55Rayna.
12:57I don't care about him anymore.
12:59I know you mean well.
13:01But some things are over.
13:03And once they're over, you leave them buried.
13:08Today is my wedding day.
13:10Try looking happy.
13:12And next time you see me, don't forget to call me Lady of Nightclaw.
13:17By the time we reached Nightclaw territory, dusk had fallen.
13:21The entrance was packed.
13:22Torches blazed.
13:24Voices rolled through the air.
13:25The whole place was grander than I'd expected.
13:28In the Moonshadow Grove, the High Priest stood atop the Moonstone Altar.
13:31Elders lined both sides in perfect silence.
13:34I wore white satin, a silver veil covered my hair.
13:37And under every eye in that sacred forest, I walked alone toward the statue of the Moon Goddess.
13:42There was no groom waiting for me.
13:43Only Varuk's wolf fang pendant.
13:45My steps never faltered, and my heart stayed steady.
13:48When I reached the altar, the High Priest raised his voice.
13:51Elara Ashberg.
13:52Do you swear, in health or sickness, in waking or in sleep,
13:57to guard, honor, and stand beside Alpha Varuk of the Nightclaw Pack,
14:03as his mate for the rest of your life?
14:05I do.
14:07Then I bit my fingertip.
14:08Let the blood fall onto the wolf fang.
14:11The pendant flashed silver white.
14:13The wolf spirit had accepted the bond.
14:15The contract was sealed.
14:17Nightclaw erupted.
14:18The cheer that tore from the crowd shook the trees themselves,
14:21as though the whole Nightclaw Pack had been waiting for this day for years.
14:25When the cheers finally eased,
14:27a young man stepped out from the crowd and dropped to one knee before me.
14:33But his eyes were clear, respectful.
14:35My lady, this way, please.
14:37He rose and guided me through the territory, pointing things out as we walked.
14:41He spoke with easy energy, like he was proud to show me all of it.
14:44At last, he brought me to the Alpha's quarters.
14:48The Alpha is resting inside.
14:49The room was simple.
14:51Varuk lay there asleep.
14:52His face was pale, leaner than it should have been.
14:54But his chest still rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm.
14:58Alpha Varuk has been unconscious for more than half a year.
15:01He's lost weight, but otherwise he's held up well.
15:04He gets medicine once a day.
15:06In hot weather, we wash him every other day.
15:09I handle all of that.
15:11You don't need to trouble yourself, my lady.
15:14I've had a separate room prepared for you, just across the hall.
15:17That won't be necessary.
15:18Varuk and I are mated now.
15:19Why would we sleep apart?
15:22Starting tonight, I sleep here.
15:25It's late, my lady.
15:26You should rest.
15:27Then he slipped out and closed the door softly behind him.
15:30Later, after I washed and changed into my night ground,
15:33I climbed carefully into bed beside Varret.
15:35The candlelight trembled over his face.
15:38He was handsome in a dangerous way, only too pale.
15:41From this close, I could smell the faint herbal scent of his medicine.
15:45I looked at Varret's sleeping face for a long moment.
15:47I'm sorry I married you while you couldn't choose for yourself.
15:51But I swear I'll care for you.
15:54And I'll be a good Luna to your pack.
15:56Then I tucked myself against him.
15:58The medicinal scent should have felt cold and sterile.
16:01Instead, somehow, it made me feel safe.
16:03And I never saw it.
16:04Varret's fingers moved.
16:07Meanwhile, in the Silverhorn Healing Ward's private recovery room,
16:11Coen lay flat on his back, dead to the world.
16:14His eyes stayed shut.
16:16In the dream, he was standing before the High Priest.
16:19I stood beside him.
16:20Not his aunt's chosen bride.
16:22Not Varret's mate.
16:24His Luna.
16:25Rain crashed outside.
16:27His clothes were soaked through.
16:28Everything was cold.
16:30Then he stepped into the bridal chamber and saw me.
16:33Coen just stared.
16:34The storm disappeared.
16:36The cold disappeared.
16:37All he could hear was his own heartbeat.
16:40Louder.
16:41Then he jerked awake.
16:42White curtains.
16:43Sweat-sticked sheets.
16:45His whole body sticky and overheated.
16:47For a few long seconds, he could barely breathe.
16:51Alpha here.
16:52You're awake.
16:54What time is it?
16:55Ninth bell.
16:56Around nine.
16:57Alpha and Luna should be back from Nightclaw by now.
16:59What day is it?
17:01June 3rd, sir.
17:02The day Alpha Varney of Nightclaw took Alara Ashwar as his mate.
17:06Coen went silent so fast he looked carved from stone.
17:09All he saw was me in white, looking up, smiling at someone else.
17:14Something tore inside his chest.
17:16Just a slow, jagged ache spreading under his ribs.
17:21I woke before dawn.
17:23The sky outside was still dark.
17:25Liv came in to brush my hair and stop the second she saw my face.
17:28My lady, did you sleep at all last night?
17:31A full-grown man lying beside me the whole night.
17:34I hadn't slept much.
17:35Help me get ready, Liv.
17:37Is the new Luna awake?
17:43Lady Helga sent me.
17:45She expects the new mate to present herself this morning.
17:48I'd already heard enough about Nightclaw to know exactly who that meant.
17:52Years ago, Varuk's uncle died protecting him during a rogue attack.
17:56Varuk repaid that debt by taking the man's widow and children into his territory.
18:00He gave them power and standing.
18:02So much that now, Helga ran half this pack like it belonged to her.
18:06I had also heard she once wanted her youngest daughter mated to Varuk.
18:09Varuk refused.
18:11And now I was the one in his room.
18:13My lady just woke up.
18:14Why the rush?
18:16Well, of course.
18:18The new mate is Silver Homeborn.
18:19Hand-picked by Alpha Brun himself, I can see why she thinks Lady Helga can wait.
18:24I lifted one hand and stopped her.
18:26Then I smiled at the woman.
18:29What's your name?
18:30Inga.
18:31Lady Helga's personal maid.
18:33Inga.
18:33You can go back and tell Lady Helga this.
18:35After I've washed, dressed, and had breakfast, I will go pay my respects.
18:38She is an elder in this territory.
18:40Respect is due.
18:41But when I go, that will be my decision.
18:43Not hers.
18:44And one more thing.
18:46You're a servant.
18:47You entered without knocking, spoke out of line, and forgot your place in my room.
18:52If Lady Helga can't train her own taff, I don't mind doing it for her.
18:58Color flooded Inga's face.
19:00In the end, she gave the barest excuse for a kurtzel and backed out.
19:03Are we really going to see that woman?
19:06Of course we are.
19:08But we go when I say we go.
19:10That mattered.
19:11If you let people shove you around on day one, they never stopped.
19:15By the time I was dressed, I had brought Liv and Astrid with me and headed outside.
19:21I'm not drunk!
19:22I can still drink three more barrels!
19:25Do you idiots know who I am?
19:28Varric's my cousin.
19:30Until he wakes up, this whole damn territory answers to me!
19:36That's Varric's cousin.
19:39Viggo Frostfield.
19:40He's infamous, my lady.
19:42Drinks too much.
19:43Beds anything that moves.
19:46He missed your mating ceremony yesterday.
19:48Passed out in a brothel.
19:49I stared at the mess in front of me.
19:51Varid?
19:52What exactly had they left festering in your house?
19:55I gave no reaction.
19:57I just climbed into my carriage.
19:58What I didn't notice was Viggo watching me through a gap in the hedges.
20:02The second my face came into view, the drunken fog lifted right out of him.
20:07He rubbed his face hard and grabbed one of the tavern workers.
20:13Who the hell was that?
20:14Couldn't see her clearly, but that carriage belongs to the Alpha's house.
20:18Oh, that must be the new lady of Nightclaw, the one who came in yesterday.
20:22Varric's new mate, but Varric's still asleep.
20:25So she's alone.
20:27The thought thrilled him.
20:28A wicked grin stretched from ear to ear.
20:34I timed it carefully.
20:35If I went to greet Luna in Silverhorn late enough,
20:37the visit would end right around the time Alpha Brun finished his council session.
20:40What I hadn't expected was Cohen at the door.
20:43The second he saw me, he stopped short.
20:45Today my hair was braided in a married she-wolf style.
20:48I looked nothing like the girl he used to brush past without seeing.
20:51Something in his expression shifted.
20:53Maybe he was seeing the dream still clinging to me.
20:55The bride in white.
20:59So you're proud of yourself now?
21:02Mating Varric really made your day, huh?
21:04That's not what you got wrong.
21:06You should address me properly.
21:09You call me Lady Alama now.
21:11Or Aunt if you want to get technical.
21:15You don't get to use my name anymore.
21:17It's rude.
21:18Didn't anyone teach you manners, Alpha hair?
21:22You're enjoying this.
21:26This is the match I asked for.
21:28I got what I wanted.
21:30So yes.
21:31I'm very pleased.
21:32That really should have been obvious.
21:38You're still sick.
21:40Try medicine.
21:41Try rest.
21:42Try staying out of other people's business.
21:45Luna asked for me.
21:46I'll leave you to your coughing.
21:53By the time Alpha Brun joined us later, his mood was excellent.
21:57Apparently the council session had gone unusually well.
22:00The elders were praising the alliance.
22:02Even rival faction heads had agreed for once.
22:04No wonder he was smiling.
22:06Luna asked me to stay for a meal.
22:08I accepted.
22:10By the time I returned to Nightcloth territory,
22:13Gale was heading toward the Alpha's chambers with two male servants.
22:16When I spotted him in the corridor.
22:18What are you doing?
22:22He stopped at once.
22:24It's time for Alpha Varic's medicine, my lady.
22:26My gaze dropped to the wooden tray in his hands.
22:29A clay medicine jar sat on it,
22:30giving off the same bitter herbal smelt I had noticed on Varden the night before.
22:35If you'll wait outside, we'll handle it and come right back.
22:40It may take a while.
22:41Feeding him isn't easy in this condition.
22:44I'll come with you.
22:45With us?
22:47I'm his mate now.
22:49Learning how to care for him is part of that.
22:52Let me watch tonight.
22:54From now on, I'll do it.
22:55That hit him harder than I expected.
22:57He couldn't exactly refuse me,
22:58so he led me in.
23:00As we walked, he tried to prepare me.
23:02My lady, he can't swallow on his own.
23:05We have to force it down.
23:07Sometimes it goes in, sometimes it comes right back up.
23:10It's not pleasant.
23:12I listened calmly.
23:14He let out the smallest sigh under his breath,
23:16probably hoping I wouldn't get disgusted and bolt.
23:18Inside, the two servants lifted Varaby into a half-sitting cessation.
23:22Gale poured some of the dark medicine into a smaller bowl,
23:25sat at the bedside, and scooped up half a spoonful.
23:28He tipped it toward Varrican's lips.
23:30Varrican's mouth stayed closed.
23:32One of the servants had to grip his jaw and force it open.
23:35Only then could Gale get the liquid in.
23:37And even then, most of it slid right back out.
23:40The dark broth ran from the corner of Varric's mouth
23:42and soaked into his nightshirt, leaving a wide, ugly stain.
23:46Gale tried again.
23:47Same result.
23:48Half swallowed.
23:49Half wasted.
23:51I watched for a while, then finally turned my head away.
23:54Out of the corner of his eye,
23:55Gale saw that, and immediately misunderstood.
23:58He probably thought I was horrified.
24:00Or disgusted.
24:01Or regretting everything already.
24:03I had no idea what nonsense was running through his head.
24:06I turned away first, then faced him again.
24:09Gale!
24:09You're wasting half the bowl.
24:11Give it to me.
24:16Hand me the medicine.
24:17He rose automatically, still looking shell-shocked.
24:20Then, while I sat down at the bedside,
24:23he glanced at the servants and cleared his bin's throat.
24:26My lady, should we step outside?
24:29Why?
24:30Aren't you going to feed the alpha?
24:31He lowered his voice, serious as a priest.
24:35If we stay, you might feel embarrassed.
24:38It wouldn't be proper.
24:41Embarrassed about what exactly?
24:42Gale scratched the back of his neck.
24:44Then, with complete sincerity...
24:47Weren't you planning to do it mouth to mouth?
24:51I just stared at him.
24:53Mouth to mouth, heat rushed straight into my face.
24:56Who told you that's how you feed medicine to an unconscious man?
25:01Books.
25:02That's how they do it in all the romance stories.
25:05Those are stories.
25:07Stories are stories.
25:08Medicine is medicine.
25:09Go find me a thin wooden slab.
25:12About this long...
25:13And this wide.
25:15Smooth it down.
25:16Wash it clean.
25:17Gale clearly had no clue where this was going.
25:19But he went.
25:21A few minutes later, he came back with the wood.
25:24I had the servants prop another pillow behind Verevan's head.
25:27Then I placed one end of the smooth slat inside his mouth.
25:30After that, I spooned the medicine slowly onto the wood.
25:33The liquid ran down the slat and straight into his throat.
25:37Gale's jaw dropped.
25:38That's it?
25:39It's that easy?
25:43Read fewer novels.
25:46My lady, how did you know that?
25:49My grandfather was a healer.
25:52Pouring another careful spoonful.
25:54This is only a makeshift fix.
25:56There's a proper healer's funnel for patients like this.
25:59Much better than a piece of wood.
26:00Gale looked utterly astonished.
26:02By the time we finished the bowl, Gale turned to refill it.
26:06I looked at Varget's pale face, and something cold tightened in my chest.
26:11Even a pack alpha could have enemies, couldn't he?
26:14My grandfather knew better.
26:15Any trained healer should have known too.
26:17So why had no one used one here?
26:19Why had half his medicine been wasted every day?
26:21This wasn't carelessness.
26:23Someone wanted Varric weak.
26:34Varric on one side, Helga and her children on the other.
26:37That caught him off guard.
26:39Yes.
26:39The divide started when Alpha Varric brought Lady Helga into Nightclo.
26:43Internal matters, resource assignments, staffing, household operations, all of that ended up in her hands.
26:49External dealings, trade, contracts, territory accounts, those stayed under the Alpha.
26:54But after he fell unconscious, I took over what I could.
26:57Poorly, if I'm being honest.
27:00It's been a mess.
27:01Lady Helga has asked more than once to take control of everything.
27:05I refused.
27:06Thank the moon you're here now.
27:08I nodded slowly.
27:10Before I entered Nightclaw, I had no idea the pack was built like this.
27:13But maybe that was a blessing.
27:15If the territory was already split, then no one held absolute control over me either.
27:20That meant I had room to move.
27:22Room to decide things for myself.
27:25So I told Gale to summon the department heads.
27:27All of them.
27:29Soon enough, they stood before me.
27:31Or around a dozen in total.
27:34I had them state their duties one by one.
27:37By the end, I understood the shape of Nightclaw.
27:40Gale stood right behind my chair, his massive frame looming like a stone wall.
27:44Split power.
27:45Hidden loyalties.
27:47Too many guarded voices in one room.
27:49This system had been built for some future lady of Nightclaw, not me.
27:53Fine.
27:54Fate had given me the seat anyway.
27:57I cleared my throat and looked at all of them.
27:59I was raised in silver-haired.
28:01I won't pretend I know every corner of how Nightclaw runs.
28:04But I do know one rule.
28:06Do the job well, and you'll be rewarded.
28:08It's hot today.
28:10You've all been standing in this heat long enough.
28:13After this, go to the dining hall.
28:15Each of you gets a glass of iced honey mint water.
28:18That stunned them into silence.
28:21A few swallowed on reflex.
28:23Their foreheads were already damp from the heat.
28:25And starting today, you'll get it every afternoon until summer ends.
28:29If your teams need something reasonable, tell Liv.
28:31I'll review it.
28:34This time, the thanks came fast.
28:37Louder.
28:37Warmer.
28:38More sincere.
28:39I let them have the moment.
28:40Because I knew exactly what I was doing.
28:43Set the rules first, then offer sweetness.
28:45That was how you got people to work for you willingly.
28:48And once they were on your side, they'd stand by you.
28:51After dealing with the staff, I moved to the territory ledgers.
28:55Gale wasn't lying.
28:56He didn't have a clue what he was doing.
28:59The numbers were a disaster.
29:00The handwriting looked like crawling spiders.
29:03I forced myself to sit there, tracing lines, sorting figures, until the sun finally went down.
29:10Across the estate, in the east wing, Lady Helga slashed her hand onto a heavy harmogony table.
29:16That little bitch!
29:17She didn't even bother showing up!
29:19Relax, mother.
29:20I'll go check on her tonight.
29:22Teach her a little respect.
29:23What are you didn't answer?
29:25Vigor didn't answer.
29:26Because his head was already full of the woman he'd seen from the carriage.
29:29The pale skin.
29:31The sharp eyes.
29:32The itch in his blood was too strong.
29:34He wasn't going to let that slip away.
29:37You wanted her to come groveling, didn't you?
29:40Don't worry.
29:41I guarantee she'll be at your door bright and early tomorrow.
29:46Later that night, I washed up and got ready for bed.
29:50Liv finished turning down the sheets.
29:51But the second she opened the door to leave, a man laughed from the hallway.
29:55Easy.
29:56It's just me, Viggo Frostbark.
29:58I'm not here to bite.
29:59I frowned immediately.
30:01What the hell was he doing here this late?
30:03What do you want?
30:05Got some urgent business to discuss with my lovely new sister-in-law.
30:08My lady's asleep.
30:10Come back in daylight.
30:11It's an emergency.
30:12Go wake her up.
30:13She sleeps heavy.
30:14She won't wake.
30:15Leave.
30:16Fine.
30:16Tomorrow morning then.
30:18Liv let out a long sigh.
30:22Inside the room, I let out a breath of my own.
30:24I turned back toward the bed.
30:26Then I heard it.
30:27I whipped around just as the heavy glass swang open.
30:30A shadow dropped silently into the room, dot my chest heightened.
30:34You lied to me, Alara.
30:36Before I could even scream, he lunged.
30:38His hand clamped hard over my mouth.
30:41Don't make a sound.
30:42If someone catches us like this, they'll think we're sneaking around.
30:45Alpha's mate or not, that'll be the end of you.
30:48And besides, you really want to waste yourself on a half-dead corpse?
30:51I had learned enough combat for my father and brothers to know how to fight.
30:56But against a fully grown male wolf, I couldn't break his grip.
30:59Viggo's breathing grew rougher as I struggled.
31:02He pressed closer.
31:05Alara, you've never been with a real man, have you?
31:08Let me show you once.
31:11After that, you'll come begging.
31:15Look at him.
31:16He's half a corpse.
31:17You think he knows what room he's in?
31:21He's half-dead.
31:24I drove the heel of my foot down as hard as I could.
31:27Viggo grunted in pain.
31:28So I bolted for the far wall, toward the weapons rack.
31:31I was born of the Ashbrook bloodline.
31:33I was not going to let some drunken rat touch me.
31:36You think you can lift that, Alara?
31:39You're shaking.
31:40Just be a good girl.
31:42Come back to the bed.
31:44We can do it right next to him.
31:46He'll never know.
31:48I grabbed the hulp with both hands and heaved.
31:50My arms trembled under the strain, but I gripped it tight,
31:53pointed it straight at Vigrid's chest.
31:56Take one step, and I'll take your hand off.
31:59Viggo was still smiling.
32:00Then, suddenly, his eyes flicked past my shoulder.
32:04His smile vanished.
32:05He stared behind me, backing away in pure, undisguised terror.
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