- 6 hours ago
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00:02I bound Silas Sterling to my bed with a blood curse for five brutal years.
00:07Every night was a war of feral snarls and desperate skin-on-skin heat.
00:12He hated me with every fiber of his wool, yet his body craved mine like an addiction.
00:17When I was dying in labor, the curse drained him dry as he gave his alpha heart blood to save
00:22me.
00:22Our pup's first cry echoed through the room, but Silas never heard it.
00:27This nightmare ends now.
00:29In the next life, let me find Chloe.
00:33Please.
00:34He begged for my half-sister, the one who had never spared him a single glance.
00:38My heart shattered as the mate bond tore itself apart inside my chest.
00:43The sterling pack threw me out like garbage the second his pulse stopped.
00:47They stripped me of everything.
00:48Driven mad by the severed bond, I let the curse worms devour me from the inside.
00:53I followed Silas into the darkness, praying the moon goddess would grant me oblivion.
00:58But when I opened my eyes, the world was bright and violent.
01:02Silas had me pinned against the wall.
01:05You toxic bitch!
01:09You cursed me just to keep me from Chloe?
01:12This was the past.
01:14I had been given a second chance.
01:15I won't let her marry Alpha Case.
01:17Last life, while I married Silas as I wanted, my sister Chloe was forced to marry Alpha Case and ended
01:23up dying within three days.
01:25This time, Silas, I'll give you exactly what you want.
01:29I will marry Alpha Case myself.
01:32Silas scoffed, razor sharp.
01:34Big words.
01:34Do you even believe them yourself?
01:36I mean every word, Silas.
01:38Then break the curse.
01:40Now.
01:41Chloe's safety is none of your concern.
01:43I'll break it.
01:45And I'll take Chloe's place as Case's mate.
01:50You?
01:51Playing the mortal now?
01:53What's the scheme this time?
01:55No scheme.
01:56I'm giving you what you want.
01:58What I want is for you to disappear from my life.
02:02Alpha Case ruled the Northern Territories with an iron claw.
02:06A warlord who'd buried three mates already.
02:09Every pack with an unwed daughter trembled at his name.
02:13Days ago, Case had demanded a sterling daughter.
02:16My parents couldn't refuse.
02:18In my last life, I'd bound Silas with the blood curse,
02:21leaving only Chloe to be dragged to Case's bed.
02:24This time, I would set Silas free.
02:27I tracked down the rogue witch who'd sold me the curse.
02:30Can it be broken?
02:32The Oblivion Worm can break it.
02:35But the cost is steep.
02:37Tell me.
02:39Heart blood.
02:39Heart blood from the one each of you truly loves.
02:43Feed the worm until it turns crimson.
02:46Then swallow it whole.
02:49I rode through the night and burst into the estate
02:51with the lacquered box clutched against my chest.
02:55Silas, I found the cure!
02:56We need your heart blood and Chloe's...
02:58He struck my hand away before I could finish.
03:01The box hit the stone floor,
03:03and the worm vanished into the night-blooming roses.
03:06Heart blood?
03:07Only you could dream up something so monstrous.
03:09It's not what you think!
03:10The curse is between us.
03:12Why does Chloe's blood have anything to do with it?
03:14Because the worm needs blood from the one each of us loves.
03:17I love you.
03:18You love Chloe.
03:20What an absurd excuse.
03:22Silas, please!
03:23Stop talking.
03:24I dove into the rose bushes,
03:26thorns shredding my arms.
03:27Have you lost your mind?
03:31Get out of there!
03:32For one breath,
03:33his hold felt like it used to.
03:35Let go of me.
03:36I thrashed free and hit the ground.
03:39My palm landed squarely on the fleeing worm.
03:42You're broken.
03:43Utterly broken.
03:44He turned on his heel and stormed off into the dark.
03:47So I had no choice but to go find Chloe myself.
03:50I'll take your place and mate with Alpha Case.
03:53But I need your heart blood.
03:55You might as well ask me to slit my own throat.
03:57Silas and I are poisoned by the blood curse.
04:00Break it,
04:00and the two of you can finally be together.
04:02And you'd really throw yourself into Case's bed just for that?
04:05Yes.
04:06Please.
04:09Fine.
04:10I'll summon the healer.
04:12Shockingly cooperative.
04:13I should have known better.
04:14The moment the healer raised the silver needle to her chest-
04:17Get away from her!
04:18Silas,
04:19his face drained of every drop of color,
04:21he hurled the healer aside
04:23and wrapped his coat around Chloe's trembling shoulders.
04:25Chloe?
04:26Are you alright?
04:27What did she do to you?
04:29You shouldn't have come.
04:31You actually believed her?
04:33Do you want to die-
04:34If it means being with you,
04:37even death is worth it.
04:39A single tear slid down her cheek.
04:41It landed squarely on the soft spot of Silas' heart.
04:44Before I could draw a breath,
04:46Silas was on me,
04:47slamming me against the stone pillar.
04:48Listen to me carefully.
04:50If you have a problem,
04:51you bring it to me.
04:53Don't you dare touch Chloe again.
04:57Silas, I wasn't-
04:58I don't want your excuses.
04:59Why can't you trust me?
05:01Just once!
05:03The witch told me-
05:04Trust you?
05:05After everything you've done?
05:07Over his shoulder,
05:08I caught Chloe watching me,
05:10with the faintest, smug smile curving her lips.
05:13She'd brought him here on purpose.
05:14I didn't have time to play her games.
05:18Just put it down!
05:19She's your sister!
05:20Do you have no fear of the moon goddess' wrath?
05:23Please.
05:25I don't.
05:26Have you truly lost every shred of humanity?
05:29Maybe I have.
05:31I want your heart blood, Silas.
05:33Give it to me,
05:33and I'll release her.
05:35Fine.
05:36Remember what you promised.
05:37For Chloe's sake,
05:38he didn't hesitate for a breath.
05:40The healer drove the hollow needle into Silas' chest,
05:43and the memory surged up without warning.
05:45The night he saved me in my last life,
05:48he had given heart blood too,
05:49until his skin turned ashen.
05:51It's enough.
05:53Let Chloe go now.
05:54The bowl of heart blood was placed before me.
05:58Have you lost your mind?
05:59I'm your sister!
06:01Silas!
06:02Save me!
06:03Stop!
06:04If you hurt her,
06:05I will never take you as my mate,
06:07not even in death!
06:08The needles barely threw the skin.
06:10Let the healer finish,
06:11or I'll do it myself.
06:13He shoved the healer toward me at once.
06:16The moment the blood was drawn,
06:17I released Chloe,
06:18and dropped the worm into the mingled heart blood.
06:21Silas had already dashed back to her.
06:23Why is she still bleeding?
06:24This is your doing!
06:28Silas!
06:29Don't speak my name.
06:32You don't understand what I just did for you!
06:34You attacked her!
06:35She did nothing to deserve this!
06:37Chloe sobbed prettily against his shoulder.
06:40Sister,
06:41what did I ever do to you?
06:44You've been given more love than I ever had.
06:47I held out the worm,
06:49now glowing a deep, pulsing crimson.
06:51This really is the cure.
06:52Taste it and you'll see.
06:55And what if it's some new curse you've cooked up?
06:57Silas,
06:58it isn't-
06:58I don't have time for your games!
07:00Then take my life too,
07:01if that's what you want.
07:04Leah!
07:07To break the blood curse,
07:09you need the heart blood of the one each of us loves.
07:11I love you.
07:12You love Chloe.
07:13Direct enough for you now?
07:15Sterling,
07:16take it.
07:18Swallow it.
07:19I can't!
07:20Do it, Silas!
07:22Don't come any closer!
07:24Just take it!
07:25This time, he obeyed.
07:26He placed it on his tongue and swallowed.
07:29Relief crashed over me.
07:30The debt I had owed him from my last life,
07:33I had finally repaid it.
07:35It's done, we're done.
07:37But the moment I exhaled,
07:38my body gave out.
07:40A searing pain tore through my chest,
07:42as if something inside was devouring me alive.
07:45Leah!
07:46Leah, look at me!
07:47I'm sorry.
07:51Finally awake.
07:52Do you have any idea, child?
07:54You had one foot through death's door.
07:57Is that sterling boy truly worth this?
08:00Father, mother,
08:02I want to mate with Alpha Case.
08:04What?
08:06Listen to me.
08:07I had a dream.
08:08A long, terrible dream of another life.
08:11A dream?
08:12In that dream,
08:13Silas died for me.
08:14And Chloe was sent to Case.
08:15She lasted only seven days before she tried to flee.
08:18She scaled the fortress for a ship to the wall.
08:20She died the moment she hit the rocks.
08:22Daughter, that was only a dream.
08:23It doesn't change the truth.
08:26Silas doesn't love me.
08:28He loves Chloe.
08:29Let me be the one to go to Case.
08:31Case is a death sentence!
08:33And if none of us answer his summons,
08:35do you think an Alpha like him will let our pack survive?
08:40Trust me.
08:41I won't walk Chloe's path.
08:43A distant, respectful union will be enough.
08:46Not long after they left,
08:48Silas appeared in my chambers carrying a small lacquered dish.
08:51Honey glazed meat dumplings.
08:53My favorite.
08:54He picked up the spoon to feed me.
08:55But this time, I didn't open my mouth.
08:57The curse is broken.
08:59Thank you, Sterling.
09:01You're welcome.
09:02But I truly cannot take you as my mate.
09:05I cannot stand by and watch Chloe be thrown into the fire.
09:09Then what do you intend to do, Silas?
09:16Are you going to stop the ceremony?
09:19Whatever you're planning?
09:21Don't.
09:22I'm sorry.
09:23I have to.
09:24He set the bowl aside and left without another word.
09:27Living this second life,
09:28I had finally seen the difference between me and Chloe with bone-deep clarity.
09:32How starkly obvious it truly was.
09:35There was nothing left in me now that could ache.
09:37Three days later, I would mate with the monster.
09:40You don't have to do this, daughter.
09:42I do, mother.
09:44This is the only way.
09:45Then at least let your father send an escort.
09:48No.
09:49It must be me.
09:50Alone.
09:51Alpha case didn't come for me himself.
09:53He sent a warband of elite warriors armed to the teeth.
09:57It wasn't a mating escort.
09:58It was a hunting party.
10:00The carriage jolted violently.
10:02Steel screamed against Steel outside.
10:06Chloe!
10:06Come with me now!
10:09Silas, what are you doing?
10:11Saving you.
10:12Hold on to me.
10:14Let me go!
10:15Don't fight me.
10:16I have this under control.
10:17His arm locked around my waist and ripped me from the carriage.
10:21The instant my feet hit the ground,
10:23a hundred silver-tipped arrows drew taut on us.
10:25The warband parted like a tide.
10:28Young Sterling,
10:29you mean to steal my mate?
10:31Alpha case!
10:33Chloe doesn't want this yun.
10:34Release her.
10:35Is that so?
10:36Whether she wants it or not?
10:37I don't believe that's your call, pup.
10:39I'm not leaving without her.
10:40Then you'll die here.
10:42Chloe, don't be afraid.
10:44Say it out loud.
10:45Whatever comes after, I'll bear it.
10:47Simus.
10:48Say it.
10:48I'm right here.
10:49I raised my hand to the crimson veil
10:51and lifted it.
10:53Leah?
10:54Not Chloe, Simus.
10:55Me.
10:56What the hell?
10:59I am willing to mate with Alpha Kess.
11:01Leah!
11:02Silas made a sound like I'd stabbed him.
11:04How can you say that?
11:06You know what he is!
11:08I know exactly what he is,
11:10I said quietly.
11:11Do you?
11:12Kess's lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile.
11:16Come, bride.
11:17Let's not keep the guests waiting.
11:19He extended one clawed hand toward me.
11:21I placed my hand in his,
11:23feeling the controlled strength there.
11:25He pulled me close,
11:27lifting me onto his massive black stallion.
11:29I ended up in his lap,
11:31his arm like an iron band around my waist.
11:34He murmured against my ear,
11:36his breath hot.
11:37Comfortable?
11:39Not even a little.
11:40I admitted.
11:41He laughed.
11:42A sound like distant thunder.
11:46Good.
11:47Honesty is refreshing.
11:49You're welcome to attend the ceremony, Sterling.
11:53Watch me claim what's mine.
11:55He looked down at Silas,
11:56who was still kneeling in the dirt.
11:58Then we rode away,
11:59leaving Silas and his failed rescue behind.
12:02The Valerius Estate was a fortress carved from black stone.
12:06Towers pierced the sky like claws,
12:09and gargoyles leered from every corner.
12:11It should have been terrifying.
12:13Instead,
12:14I felt a strange sense of coming home.
12:17Case carried me over the threshold himself.
12:20Eager?
12:22Strategic.
12:22If I put you down, you might bolt.
12:24He corrected.
12:25I gave my word.
12:26I don't bolt.
12:27We'll see.
12:28He set me down in a chamber that was clearly meant for me.
12:31Silk curtains,
12:32plush furs,
12:33a bed the size of a small battlefield.
12:36Rest.
12:37He commanded.
12:38The ceremony is in two hours.
12:40What if I don't want to rest?
12:42Then don't.
12:44But you'll need your strength for tonight.
12:46Heat flooded my cheeks,
12:47and he laughed again.
12:50Such an innocent reaction for someone who spent five years cursing her lover's bed.
12:54I looked away,
12:55embarrassed and angry.
12:57How do you know about that?
12:58I know everything about you,
13:00Leah Blackwood.
13:01He crossed to a desk,
13:02the ones I'd written to Silas during his training.
13:05How did you get those?
13:06Your messenger ravens were intercepted.
13:09A clerical error, really.
13:11I've been reading about you for months,
13:13little wolf.
13:14Your favorite foods,
13:15your fears,
13:16your dreams.
13:16That's why I sent the blood price.
13:18I wanted the girl who wrote these letters.
13:20I didn't know whether to be flattered or horrified.
13:22Those letters weren't for you.
13:25They are now.
13:25He said, simply.
13:27Just like you are.
13:27Before I could respond,
13:28he was gone,
13:29leaving me alone with my racing thoughts.
13:32The ceremony was held in the estate's great hall.
13:34Poor thing.
13:35She'll be dead within the month.
13:37I heard the last one jumped from the tower.
13:39No, she was pushed.
13:41By him.
13:42I could hear their whispers.
13:44I kept my head high,
13:45refusing to show weakness.
13:46Case was waiting for me at the altar,
13:48dressed in black and silver.
13:50When I reached him,
13:51he took my hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckle.
13:53Brave little wolf.
13:54The ceremony began.
13:56Traditional words about bonds and blood and forever.
13:59I repeated my vows mechanically,
14:01my mind elsewhere.
14:02Then I heard a commotion at the back of the hall.
14:04Stop!
14:05She can't marry you!
14:07This is becoming tiresome.
14:10Leah is mine.
14:11Sterling, accept it.
14:12Not if she doesn't want to be!
14:15Tell him, Leah!
14:16Tell him you'd rather be with me!
14:18I look between them.
14:19Let go, Silen.
14:20No, I love you.
14:22I finally understand that I love you!
14:24You love the idea of me.
14:25You love what you can't have.
14:27That's not-
14:28Let her go, or I'll make you.
14:31She's made her choice, boy.
14:32Honor it.
14:34I turn back to Case,
14:36ignoring the tears threatening to fall.
14:38I'm ready to finish the ceremony.
14:39No, you're not.
14:43What are you doing?
14:44Taking my bride to bed.
14:45The ceremony can wait.
14:48This was really happening.
14:50I was about to become his in every way that mattered.
14:54Case carried me to his private chambers.
14:56He set me down carefully like I was something precious.
15:00You're shaking.
15:01I'm fine.
15:03Liar.
15:04He circled me slowly,
15:06a wolf appraising his prey.
15:07Tell me the truth, little wolf.
15:09Are you afraid of me?
15:11Yes, but not the way you think.
15:14Then how?
15:15I'm afraid of wanting this.
15:17Of wanting you.
15:19Good.
15:21Fear is honest.
15:22His fingers traced the line of my jaw,
15:25my throat,
15:25the curve of my shoulder.
15:27Last chance.
15:28Say the word,
15:29and I'll let you go.
15:30Where would I go?
15:32Anywhere.
15:33Back to the Blackwood estate.
15:34To Sterling, if you want him.
15:38I could never hold you here against your will,
15:40Liar.
15:40That's not who I am.
15:42I want to stay.
15:44Why?
15:46Because you read my letters and still wanted me.
15:49Because you gave me a choice when no one else would.
15:52Because I'm tired of loving someone who can't love me back.
15:55But I didn't say any of that.
16:03Still afraid?
16:04Terrified.
16:06Perfect.
16:07Then he showed me exactly what it meant to be claimed by an alpha.
16:13I woke to sunlight streaming through massive windows.
16:15My body ached in unfamiliar ways,
16:17and my skin was marked with bites and scratches.
16:20Evidence of a very thorough claiming.
16:26Morning, Luna.
16:28He said, his tone lazy and satisfied.
16:33Don't hide.
16:34I like looking at you.
16:38You're shameless.
16:40Absolutely.
16:47Does it hurt?
16:48A little.
16:50Good.
16:51That means you'll remember who you belong to.
16:54I should have been offended by his possessiveness.
16:57Instead, something warm unfurled in my chest.
17:01Alpha, there's a situation.
17:03What kind of situation?
17:05The sterling boy is at the gate.
17:07He says he won't leave until he speaks with Lady Lea.
17:10Tell him to go away.
17:12You heard her.
17:13She's busy being thoroughly deba-raged.
17:17Don't say that!
17:18Why not?
17:19It's true.
17:21He's causing quite a scene, Alpha.
17:23Should we remove him by force?
17:24Your call, little wolf.
17:26Want me to break his legs or just scare him off?
17:28Let me talk to him.
17:30One last time.
17:31You're too kind.
17:32Bring him to the garden.
17:34Under guard.
17:34If he tries anything, kill him.
17:36I dress quickly in a simple gown,
17:38wincing at the soreness in my muscles.
17:41I don't trust him.
17:42Neither do I.
17:43That's why you're here.
17:45Silas was waiting by the fountain,
17:47flanked by four Valerius guards.
17:49Lea, thank the goddess.
17:54What do you want, Silas?
17:56He took a step forward,
17:57and the guards immediately drew their weapons.
18:00Easy.
18:01Let him speak.
18:03It'll be his last chance.
18:05I made a mistake.
18:06The biggest mistake of my life.
18:07You've made several.
18:09I know, but this is different.
18:11I remember everything now.
18:12How we were before the curse.
18:14How much I loved you,
18:15even if I was too stupid to admit it.
18:16Careful, Sterling.
18:18You're confessing love to another man's mate.
18:20She's not your mate.
18:22Not really.
18:22You forced this marriage.
18:24I gave her a choice.
18:25Something you never did.
18:27That hit home.
18:28I saw it in the way Silas flinched.
18:30Lea, please.
18:31Come home with me.
18:32I'll spend the rest of my life making this up to you.
18:35But I'd learned my lesson about Silas Sterling.
18:39No.
18:40No?
18:45I'm staying with Case.
18:47This is where I belong now.
18:48You don't mean that.
18:50He's a monster, Lea.
18:51Everyone knows what he's done.
18:54If I'm such a monster, why did she scream my name last night?
19:01If I'm such a monster, why did she scream my name last night?
19:05I turned bright red, mortified.
19:10You bastard!
19:15Lea is mine.
19:16My wife, my mate, my property by law and bond.
19:19If you come near her again, I will remove your head and mount it on my wall.
19:23Do we understand each other?
19:25Silas gasped for air.
19:27Let him go.
19:28Case glanced at me, then back at Silas.
19:31You're lucky she's merciful.
19:33Go home, Sterling.
19:34Forget about her.
19:35Or don't.
19:36I don't actually care.
19:37But if I see you on my sland again, you're dead.
19:41Get off me!
19:41When we were alone, Case turned to me.
19:45You're angry with me.
19:47You could have killed him.
19:48I could have.
19:49I didn't.
19:50You're welcome.
19:52You're impossible.
19:53Yes.
19:55But I'm yours.
19:56Don't leave me for him, little wolf.
19:58I'm not good at sharing.
20:00I won't.
20:01If you want to know me, come on, boy, just show me what it is I'm missing.
20:09And for the first time in a long time, I meant it.
20:13Three months passed in relative peace.
20:15Case was demanding, possessive, and utterly uncompromising.
20:19He was also surprisingly gentle, attentive to my needs in ways Silas had never been.
20:24I found myself falling into the rhythm of life as his mate.
20:28Then, one morning, everything shattered.
20:31I woke to find Case standing by the window, a letter in his hand.
20:35His expression was carved from ice.
20:44What's wrong?
20:46I asked, sitting up.
20:47He turned to me, his mismatched eyes blazing.
20:51How long have you been fucking Silas straffling?
20:54What?
20:55I haven't-
20:55Don't lie to me!
20:57I picked it up with shaking hands.
20:59This isn't real.
21:02Someone drew these.
21:04They're not real.
21:05They look pretty fucking real to me.
21:07Case, I swear to you, I haven't seen Simas since that day in the garden.
21:10Then explain the drawings.
21:12His voice was deadly calm.
21:13I can't!
21:14Because I didn't do this!
21:16I warned you, Leah.
21:18I told you what would happen if you betrayed me.
21:21Terror and rage warred in my chest.
21:23You don't actually believe this, do you?
21:25For a long moment, he just stared at me.
21:27Get dressed.
21:27First, we're going to your father's estate.
21:30Why?
21:31Because we're gonna find out who did this.
21:34And if I find proof you've been unfaithful,
21:37I will rain holy hell on everyone you've ever loved.
21:41His tone promised violence, but his eyes-
21:43His eyes held a flicker of doubt.
21:45He didn't want to believe it either.
21:47That gave me hope.
21:50We rode to the Blackwood estate in intense silence.
21:53Case was a coiled spring beside me,
21:55ready to explode at the slightest provocation.
21:57My father met us at the door, his expression worried.
22:01Leah?
22:03Alpha Case?
22:04What brings you here?
22:10Where did you get these?
22:11They were delivered to my estate this morning.
22:15Do you recognize the artist?
22:17Ah, the style.
22:21It's similar to Chloe's work.
22:23She used to draw constantly.
22:26Where is she?
22:27In her chambers, I think.
22:29Why would she-
22:29But I was already running.
22:36Going somewhere?
22:39Leah.
22:41I was just-
22:42Cut the shit, Chloe.
22:43You drew those pictures, didn't you?
22:46So what if I did?
22:48You deserve it after stealing Silas from me.
22:50I didn't steal anyone.
22:52He chose you.
22:54I gave him to you.
22:55By trapping yourself with that monster instead?
22:58How noble.
23:03That monster is my husband.
23:07And you just tried to get me killed.
23:10I-
23:11I just wanted you to hurt the way you hurt me.
23:14By accusing me of adultery?
23:16Do you have any idea what he could do to me for that?
23:18Oh, I have several ideas.
23:20Want to hear them?
23:23I'm sorry.
23:25I didn't think-
23:26No, you didn't.
23:28You never do.
23:32Did you create those drawings?
23:36I just wanted her to know what it felt like.
23:39She gets everything.
23:40Your love.
23:41Your attention.
23:42What do I have?
23:43Nothing.
23:43I'm nothing.
23:46You have nothing because you've earned nothing.
23:50We gave you our home.
23:51Our love.
23:52And you repay us with lies and cruelty.
23:55Send her away.
23:57To the border territories where she can't hurt anyone else.
24:08No.
24:13She stays here.
24:15Under guard, under watch, but here.
24:18Why?
24:20Because you'll regret it if I send her away.
24:22She's still your sister, even if she's a venomous little snake.
24:26This way you can decide what happens to her when you're ready.
24:35Don't thank me yet.
24:37I'm still furious about the whole thing.
24:39I know.
24:40You can punish me later.
24:42Oh, I will.
24:45Two weeks after the incident with Chloe, I woke up violently ill.
24:55What's wrong?
24:57I don't know.
24:59Bad meat, maybe?
25:00But it happened again the next morning.
25:02And the next.
25:05Finally, Case summoned the pack physician.
25:08She examined me thoroughly, then smiled.
25:13Congratulations, Alpha.
25:14Your mate is with child.
25:18What?
25:19About six weeks along, I'd estimate.
25:21The pup is healthy and strong.
25:26A pup.
25:28We're having a pup.
25:30He looked at me like I'd just handed him the moon.
25:33Are you happy?
25:37Happy?
25:38Leah, I'm terrified.
25:41What if I'm like my father?
25:42What if I hurt it?
25:44Or you, or...
25:45You won't.
25:46You're nothing like him.
25:48How do you know?
25:50Because you're here.
25:52Panicking about being a good father.
25:54That alone makes you better than him.
25:58I'm going to keep you safe.
26:00Both of you.
26:01Nothing will touch you while I draw breath.
26:04Case became impossibly more protective after learning about the pregnancy.
26:09He barely let me out of his sight, hovering like an anxious shadow.
26:15I can walk to the garden by myself.
26:19No.
26:21Case, I'm pregnant, not dying.
26:25Same thing to me.
26:27I rolled my eyes, but secretly, I loved his attention.
26:31After years of being ignored by Silas, Case's devotion was intoxicating.
26:36Then, one night, I was woken by a sharp pain in my stomach.
26:39I gasped, clutching my belly.
26:41Case was awake instantly.
26:43What's wrong?
26:44Is it the pup?
26:46I don't know.
26:47It hurts.
26:50He carried me to the physician himself.
26:52Refusing to let anyone else touch me.
26:54The examinations seemed to take hours.
26:57Doctor?
26:57The pup is fine.
26:58Just some cramping from growth.
26:59Perfectly normal.
27:01But Lady Leah needs to rest.
27:03No stress, no exertion.
27:05For how long?
27:06At least a month.
27:07Maybe more.
27:08I groaned, already imagining Case's reaction.
27:12He didn't disappoint.
27:13A month?
27:14She's confined to bed for a month?
27:19At minimum.
27:20Case looked at me.
27:21His expression feared.
27:22Then that's what we'll do.
27:24True to his word, he took a full month away from his duties.
27:28He spent every day with me.
27:30Reading to me.
27:31Talking to me.
27:32Just being present.
27:33It was the happiest month of my life.
27:35At eight months pregnant, I was enormous and uncomfortable.
27:40You're glowing.
27:41He said one morning.
27:42I'm sweating.
27:43It's not the same thing.
27:45He laughed.
27:46Pressing a kiss to my stomach.
27:47The pup kicked in response.
27:49She knows my voice.
27:51How do you know it's a she?
27:54Father's intuition.
27:55That night was the full moon gathering.
27:57You can't avoid your duties because I'm pregnant.
27:59Case didn't want to go, but I insisted.
28:02Case.
28:03Go.
28:05I'll be fine for a few hours.
28:07A mandatory event for all pack alphas.
28:10Reluctantly, he agreed, but he left me surrounded by guards with strict orders to summon him if
28:15anything happened.
28:16I settled in with a book, enjoying the rare moment of solitude.
28:20Then I heard a commotion in the hallway.
28:22Voices raised in anger, the sound of a scuffle.
28:25Before I could call for help, my chamber door broke open.
28:29Silas was there, wild-eyed and desperate.
28:32Leah, thank the goddess.
28:34We have to go now.
28:35I stared at Silas.
28:37How did you get in here?
28:38I bribed a guard.
28:39Doesn't matter.
28:40Leah, you're in danger.
28:41From what?
28:41From him.
28:42Don't you see?
28:43He's going to kill you just like he killed the others.
28:45I laughed.
28:47Simus, I'm eight months pregnant with his child.
28:49If he wanted me dead, he's had plenty of opportunities.
28:51No, you don't understand.
28:52The full moon gathering, it's a trap.
28:56While he's gone, assassins are coming for you.
28:59To destroy his bloodline.
29:01That gave me pause.
29:03How do you know this?
29:04I have sources in the pack.
29:07People who hate him as much as I do.
29:12He reached for me, but I backed away.
29:15Come with me.
29:18Don't touch me.
29:20Leah, please.
29:21I know you don't trust me, but I'm trying to save your life.
29:24At that moment, one of the guards appeared behind Silas.
29:27My lady.
29:28Should we?
29:29Silas spun, drawing the blade and slashing the guard's throat in one smooth motion.
29:35I'm sorry.
29:36He advanced on me.
29:38But you're not leaving me a choice.
29:39And I realized with horror what he intended.
29:42You're going to kill me yourself, aren't you?
29:44No.
29:45Never.
29:46His expression crumbled.
29:47But I will take you away from here.
29:50Even if I have to drag you.
29:51Before he could reach me, a massive black wolf crashed through the window.
29:56Get.
29:57Away.
29:58From.
30:00My mate.
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