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