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Ashes of the Dark Moon - FULL | DramaReel
#shortdrama
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#shortdrama
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Short filmTranscript
00:02I lay on the busting bed, pain toils through me in waves.
00:06My vision went black, but my mate was right there.
00:09Callan, Alpha, of the Dark Moon pack.
00:12He gripped my hand.
00:14Just hold on, we're going to see our baby.
00:16Sweat soaked my skin.
00:18I forced a smile.
00:19The painkiller walked in, holding a syringe.
00:22I thought it was a painkiller, but Callan let go.
00:25He stepped back.
00:26The needle pierced my skin.
00:28Cold liquid hit my veins.
00:30Check the dois.
00:32Hold it off until tomorrow.
00:34I promised Regina.
00:35Her child comes first.
00:37I stared at him.
00:38He didn't look at me.
00:40He just watched the clock.
00:41Tears fell.
00:42I tried to scream.
00:43I tried to fight.
00:45But the drugs hit.
00:46My contractions stopped cold.
00:48Then everything stopped.
00:50When I opened my eyes, I was on stone.
00:53The holding cells beneath the pack infirmary.
00:56Dark Moon's punishment cells.
00:58His sister, Serafina, stood at the door.
01:01A silver dagger in her hand.
01:03Don't blame Callan.
01:06Regina's pup is the only blood my dead brother left behind.
01:09He's the rightful heir to Dark Moon.
01:11I never wanted to fight her for it.
01:13Save the act.
01:14You pushed a pregnant widow down the stairs.
01:16You tried to kill her so your bastard could claim the alpha title.
01:19I didn't!
01:20Another conjection ripped through me.
01:22I stopped breathing.
01:24Serafina squatted down.
01:25Tapped my cheek with her blade.
01:27Pack law is clear.
01:28The first recognized heir inherits the alpha title.
01:32When an alpha dies without a born heir, his unborn bloodline comes first.
01:35Marcus is dead, but his pup lives.
01:37And Callan is only a regent.
01:39So you and your bastard pup?
01:41You were finished the second Regina conceived.
01:44I clutched my belly.
01:45My vision blurred.
01:46Please, get the healer.
01:49My pup is coming.
01:51The drug lasts three more hours.
01:53Sit tight.
01:55Once Regina delivers, you can push all you want.
01:58She turned to the guards.
02:01Watch her.
02:02She screams, gagger.
02:04The steel door slammed shut.
02:06One flickering bob.
02:07Blood soaked my gown.
02:08Wolf's bang in the wars.
02:10No my link.
02:11No way out.
02:13Callan took my phone this morning.
02:14Said he wanted me to focus on the birth.
02:16It was a trap.
02:18Seven months ago, Marcus, the former alpha, died in an ambush.
02:24At his funeral, Regina threw up.
02:26She was pregnant.
02:27Her unborn pup became the pack's obsession.
02:30I told the elders not to worry.
02:33Callan and I would still give Darkmoon an air.
02:35They just stared at my belly.
02:37Silent.
02:38Now I understood.
02:40My pup never mattered from the start.
02:42The drugs were wearing off.
02:44The contractions hit harder.
02:46I crawled to the door, leaving a trail of blood.
02:49I pounded on the steel.
02:51Please!
02:52My pup is dying!
02:55A guard laughed.
02:56Save your breath.
02:58Regina's close to delivering.
03:00You'll get out when she's done.
03:03But my baby!
03:04You deserve it.
03:06After what you did to her.
03:08I collapsed.
03:09Then I heard Serafina in the hall.
03:12On the call.
03:13Callan?
03:13How is she doing?
03:14Regina's contraction started.
03:16She's fine.
03:17Is Alexia under control?
03:19Under control?
03:21She's screaming.
03:22What an actress.
03:24Don't tell me you feel bad.
03:26She stole birth herbs.
03:28Stole herbs?
03:29I never did that.
03:30I haven't forgotten.
03:32She nearly killed Marcus's pup on those stairs.
03:35I will never let her ruin that bloodline.
03:37The healer swore the injection was safe.
03:40Let her suffer.
03:41Maybe she'll learn.
03:43I'll send the healer down when Regina is stable.
03:46The call ended.
03:47My mate chose her.
03:50I lost track of time in that cell.
03:52The blood kept pooling.
03:53Soaking my gown.
03:55Just as my vision faded.
03:56Goddess!
03:57It was Orist.
03:58The pack's chief healer.
03:59My only real friend here.
04:01He dropped to his knees in the blood.
04:03Alexia?
04:04Why are you down here?
04:06The alpha said you were in the private birthing suite.
04:08Serafina.
04:09Save your breath.
04:10He checked me.
04:11His face draining of color.
04:12Your water broke.
04:13You're fully dilated.
04:14Your pup is coming right now.
04:16He tried to mind-link the others.
04:17But the wolf's being was blocked the signal.
04:20He scooped me into his arms.
04:21We burst out of the cell.
04:23Two guards stepped in our way.
04:24Stop!
04:25Miss Serafina said...
04:26Said what?
04:27To let a pregnant woman bleed to death?
04:29Get out of my way!
04:30The guards flinched and stepped back.
04:32Orist cured me up the stone stairs.
04:34Leaving a thick trail of blood.
04:36We hit the third floor.
04:37The main birthing chamber.
04:39The doors were wide open.
04:41It was completely empty.
04:42No birthing bed.
04:44No monitors.
04:45No supplies.
04:46Nothing.
04:47Just spare walls.
04:48This is impossible.
04:50Where is the equipment?
04:51Footsteps.
04:52Click down the hole.
04:53Serafina.
04:54Oh, the equipment?
04:55We moved everything to Regina's private birthing suite.
04:58To protect Darkmoon's rightful ear.
05:00Just as a precaution.
05:02Are you insane?
05:03The Luna's baby is crowning!
05:05She needs a bed right now!
05:07Drop the act, Alessia.
05:09Callan already told me the delay drug is harmless.
05:12You're just throwing a tantrum.
05:14Trying to pull focus from the true pren.
05:16I stared at her perfectly powdered face.
05:18Six months ago, I spent three nights making her a moonstone pack necklace.
05:23She had hugged my arm so long we were sisters for life.
05:27What an absolute joke.
05:30Orist sprinted to the pharmacy wing.
05:32Two minutes later, he ran back, empty-handed.
05:35They gutted the pharmacy.
05:36No supplies.
05:38No blood.
05:39The guards took everything to Regina's private birthing suite.
05:42Alpha's orders.
05:43This is murder!
05:44She's going to die!
05:45The pup is going to die!
05:47The pack comes first.
05:48If she dies, she dies.
05:50Oris collapsed in front of me.
05:52Right in the puddle of my blood.
05:53Alexia, I'm so sorry.
05:56I have no tools.
05:57No supplies.
05:58I can't do anything.
06:00I am so sick of this.
06:02Guards!
06:03Get him out of here!
06:04Two massive enforcers grabbed Orest.
06:05Alessia!
06:07The pup is crowning!
06:08Remember where to press?
06:10Press it now!
06:11Bring on the contraction!
06:12They hauled him into the hall!
06:14Push on the next one!
06:15Don't give up!
06:16Save the pup!
06:17The door slammed shut.
06:19Serafina pulled out her phone.
06:21She started a video call.
06:22Callan?
06:23You need to see your maid's latest performance.
06:26She flipped the camera toward me.
06:28I saw Callan on the screen.
06:29Standing outside Regina's private suite.
06:31When he saw the blood pooled around me, he froze.
06:34Real shot flashed in his eyes.
06:37But he masked it instantly.
06:39What's wrong with her?
06:41She's faking.
06:42She bled a little.
06:43Orest is just being dramatic.
06:45Callan?
06:46Is that Alexia?
06:48Are you blaming me again?
06:49Serafina, keep her locked down.
06:52I'm not leaving this floor.
06:54Hear that?
06:55You and your bastard pup mean nothing.
06:58Regina comes first.
07:00You thought marrying the Alpha made you untouchable?
07:03Consider this a reality check.
07:05I closed my eyes.
07:06I tuned her out completely.
07:08My shaking fingers reached for my neck, for the crescent distress pendant at my throat.
07:13My dad gave it to me on my wedding day.
07:16Before I left my home pack, he had ruled.
07:18They're too long and too fiercely for anyone to refuse his call.
07:22If you are ever trapped, if you are ever dying, crush it.
07:26My phone found the hidden latch on the back.
07:29Serafina was still pacing, still running her mouth.
07:33Some nobody from a weak pack?
07:35You married into this pack for power.
07:37I almost laughed.
07:38Callan had assumed my home pack was weak, because I had never bothered to correct him.
07:42I squeezed the pendant.
07:44I pressed the latch with everything I had left.
07:46No sound.
07:47No flashing light.
07:48But I knew the signal went out.
07:51My dad promised help would come in 30 minutes.
07:53I clutched my belly.
07:5430 minutes.
07:55Could my baby survive 30 minutes?
07:58I was fading fast.
08:00Serafina stood over me, still running her mouth.
08:02He marked you for the baby.
08:04Nothing more.
08:05That doesn't make you lunar.
08:07I didn't answer.
08:08I just dug my thumb into the spot he'd show me.
08:11Pushing as hard as I could, praying for a miracle.
08:13The drugs had completely worn off.
08:15The pup was coming.
08:17A scream ripped from my throat.
08:19Serafina stepped back in disgust.
08:21God, you're annoying!
08:23Leah!
08:24Get in here and deal with her!
08:29The pup is crowning!
08:30Then get it out.
08:32But I'm not a healer.
08:35She's hemorrhaging.
08:37We have nothing.
08:39They're both going to die.
08:41Then that's her fate.
08:43I'm going to watch the true heir be born.
08:47Keep an eye on her.
08:48Don't let her bleed out too fast.
08:51That child still carries alpha blood.
08:54The door slammed shut, leaving me alone with a terrified girl.
08:57Another contraction tore through me.
08:59But I couldn't push.
09:01I had lost way too much blood.
09:02My body was shutting down.
09:04The baby was stuck.
09:05The clock kept ticking.
09:07Every single second was pure agony.
09:09And then, a deafening crash.
09:13The steel door was kicked right off its hinges.
09:15A squad of pack warriors stormed in, clad in peach black combat gear.
09:20Leading them was Luca.
09:21Massive.
09:22Deadly.
09:22My father's work commander from Silvermoon.
09:25The largest pack in the south.
09:26Goddess.
09:27I am so sorry we're late.
09:29Luca.
09:30Don't speak.
09:31Save your strength.
09:32He spun back to his men.
09:34Marco!
09:34Get the trauma team up here.
09:36Now!
09:37Giuseppe!
09:38Lock down every exit in this building!
09:40Leia tried to make a run for it.
09:42A guide slammed her heart against the floor.
09:43Let me go!
09:44This is dark moon territory!
09:46You can't just barge in here!
09:48Luca slowly rose to his full height.
09:50His pupils flew wide, shifting into pure, predatory gold.
09:54He stared down at her.
09:55Dark moon territory?
09:58By tomorrow morning, there won't be a dark moon pack.
10:04One minute later, the trauma team rushed in.
10:07They loaded me onto a mobile gurney.
10:09Pushed me into a concealed medical transport.
10:12Inside was a full surgical unit.
10:14Monitors.
10:15Ventilators.
10:16High-end equipment.
10:17Blood pressure dropping!
10:19She's in hemorrhagic shock.
10:20Fetal distress.
10:21We need an emergency C-section right now!
10:24But her vitals are crashing!
10:26The surgery is too risky!
10:28Luca jumping into the transport.
10:30Do it!
10:30I take full responsibility!
10:33I grabbed his wrist with my last ounce of strength.
10:35Save my baby.
10:37Please, save him first.
10:40Don't speak, miss.
10:41Save your strength.
10:42Your father is on his way.
10:44You just have to hold on.
10:46You and the pup are going to make it.
10:48Cardiac arrest!
10:49Paddle!
10:50Now!
10:51The fetal trace is crashing!
10:52We're losing the pup's heartbeat!
10:54No!
10:54Keep trying!
10:55Keep trying!
10:56It's too late.
10:57The pup.
10:58There's no heartbeat.
10:59The baby is gone.
11:01And then, everything went black.
11:03Darkness.
11:04I don't know how much time passed, but finally, my eyes flattered open.
11:08I stared up at a strange ceiling.
11:10The sharp smell of bleach filled air.
11:13Alicia!
11:18Where is my baby?
11:19The entire room went dead silent.
11:21A few seconds later, a man turned around, standing at the foot of my bed.
11:28It was my father.
11:29Deep lines of grief etched into his face.
11:32Dad.
11:36Alexia.
11:39He's gone, isn't he?
11:41The blood loss.
11:44The pup was deprived of oxygen for too long.
11:47Our healers tried everything.
11:53Where is Callan?
11:56He's with Regina.
11:58She had a boy.
12:00They've already forgotten you.
12:02A bitter, hollow laugh escaped my lips.
12:05The sound even scared me.
12:06Dad.
12:07I need a favor.
12:09I want a corpse that looks like me.
12:12I want Dark Moon to believe I died that night.
12:15We can do it.
12:16A substituted body.
12:18Scent masking.
12:19By the time they see her, even a mate won't smell past death.
12:22Wolf laid and your blood.
12:26To Alpha Callan and Regina.
12:29We have an heir.
12:33I stood in the center of the Great Hall, holding a newborn pup in my arms.
12:38Just hours old, but already Dark Moon's greatest hope.
12:42Alpha, Oris needs to see you.
12:43It's about Alessia.
12:44It's an emergency.
12:45The sheer terror in his eyes sent a chill down my spine.
12:49A sick feeling twisted in my gut.
12:51I grabbed Serafina and dragged her with me.
12:53The path to the infirmary was dead quiet.
12:56A thick trail of blood led down to the holding cells.
13:00My heart skipped a beat.
13:01Why the underground cells?
13:04Alpha Callan.
13:06I am so sorry.
13:08Massive hemorrhage.
13:10Hyperbluemic shock.
13:11We lost them both.
13:13Drained of all blood.
13:14Eyes shut.
13:15Chest perfectly still.
13:16It was my Alessia.
13:18My mate.
13:20Why didn't anyone tell me?
13:22Why didn't anyone tell me she was bleeding out?
13:27Alpha, I tried everything.
13:29But Miss Serafina said she was faking.
13:32She wouldn't let me treat her.
13:35Callan, I thought it was an act.
13:37She was just putting on a show again.
13:42You hit me?
13:45So you locked her in a holding cell?
13:48Like a rogue?
13:49Like she was nothing?
13:51I just told her to wait.
13:53She is your mate!
13:54Two lives, Serafina!
13:56I told you to watch over her and this is what you do?
14:00I did it for the pack!
14:02For the air!
14:04The air.
14:05Deep inside the moonshine, I carried her casket to myself.
14:09Placed it right before the moon goddess statue.
14:12I knelt by the wood, staring down at Alessia's face.
14:17Callan, you haven't eaten in a week.
14:20Alexia is gone.
14:21Why are you doing this to yourself?
14:22Do you know how terrified she must have been?
14:24Lying alone in that freezing cell.
14:26Waiting to die.
14:27It was to make sure the air was born safely.
14:29You made the right choice as an alpha.
14:31So you think your pup's life was worth more than hers?
14:33Of course!
14:34This is Marcus's child, the only legitimate heir to Dark Moon.
14:38Callan, stop obsessing over a dead woman.
14:40I gave this pack its heir.
14:41I'm the one Dark Moon needs.
14:43Get out.
14:44Take your pup and get out of my sight.
14:49I slumped down against the casket and buried my face in my hands.
14:52Through the hidden camera feed, I watched his shoulders shake.
14:56What an absolute joke.
14:58He threw me away like garbage when I was alive.
15:00Now he wants to play the grieving mate.
15:06Heavy footsteps pounded down the hall.
15:09Tony burst into the room.
15:10Alpha, it's a disaster!
15:12Our border patrols were completely wiped up.
15:15The Silver Moon pack hit our eastern and southern territories.
15:18Every single guard is dead.
15:19I froze.
15:20Our iron and medical supply lines are cut.
15:22Three allied packs broke their treaties on the spot.
15:25Even the pack council froze our credit line.
15:27And worse.
15:29Silver Moon has moved against us.
15:31No pack will stand with us now.
15:32The bad news just kept coming.
15:34Generations built Dark Moon.
15:36Now it was falling apart.
15:37Who was doing this?
15:38How did they know exactly where to hit us?
15:40Tony.
15:41Find out who is pulling the strings.
15:44I want a name.
15:45Three days later, the two encrypted phones on my desk wouldn't stop ringing.
15:50Another territory lost.
15:51Alpha.
15:52We haven't tracked down the mastermind yet.
15:55But we found something else.
15:57Those birth herbs.
15:59It was Regina who stole them.
16:01He slid a photo across my desk.
16:03It was Regina.
16:04Clutching a small glass vial.
16:06My hands started to shake.
16:08And there's this.
16:09You need to brace yourself, Alpha.
16:11He handed me a sealed bloodline test report.
16:13I ripped it open.
16:14My eyes scanned the bottom line.
16:16The air.
16:17He wasn't Marcus's.
16:18Then whose child is it?
16:20Roberto Santini.
16:22The beta of the Santini pack.
16:25Our deadliest rival.
16:27Now it all made sense.
16:28Regina betrayed Marcus.
16:29Got pregnant by the enemy.
16:31Then framed Alessia to cover it up.
16:32And I...
16:34I believed every lie she told me.
16:37Tony.
16:38Get every elder to the council chamber.
16:40Now!
16:41One hour later, the chamber was full.
16:43Regina walked in, holding the pup.
16:46Smiling.
16:46She thought this was another celebration for her.
16:49Then she saw my face.
16:50The smile vanished.
16:52I turned on the screen.
16:53First image.
16:54Regina in a motel room.
16:56Kissing a man.
16:57Regina shot to her feet.
16:59Her face went white.
17:00Callan!
17:01They're fake!
17:02That baby is Marcus's and mine!
17:05Someone's framing me!
17:06Then I pulled up the second image.
17:08The bloodline report filled the screen.
17:10Match probability.
17:11That child is not of dark moon blood.
17:14His father is Roberto Santini.
17:16Second in command of the Santini pack.
17:19Our sworn enemy.
17:20You betrayed my dead brother.
17:21You slept with the enemy.
17:23Got pregnant with his bastard.
17:24Then tried to pass him off as dark moon's heir.
17:26Marcus found out, didn't he?
17:27That's why you sold out his location.
17:29You're the one who got him killed!
17:30Yes!
17:31Marcus found out about me and Roberto!
17:33He said he'd expose me!
17:34I couldn't let that happen!
17:36Ah!
17:39Now you know the truth.
17:41Now you know who you helped kill Alessia for.
17:44I know I was wrong.
17:46But I thought I was protecting the pack.
17:48I thought I was protecting Marcus's bloodline.
17:51For what?
17:51For an enemy's pup?
17:53You locked Alessia in that underground cell.
17:56You let her bleed out to protect our enemy's child.
17:59Lock her in that same stone cell.
18:01No food.
18:01No water.
18:02Let her feel what Alessia felt.
18:04Let her wait for death the way Alessia did.
18:07When it was over, I walked to the moon trying.
18:10I dropped to my knees beside the casket.
18:12I found the truth, Alessia.
18:14But it doesn't change what I did to you.
18:19I'm sorry.
18:20I'm so damn sorry.
18:24Three months passed.
18:26I looked around my empty office.
18:28The portraits of past Alphas were still on the walls.
18:30The moon goddess relics still sat on the desk.
18:33My great-grandfather's ritual blade, too.
18:35Everything else was gone.
18:37Sold.
18:38Most of the money went to debt.
18:39What was left, I gave to the pack members before they left.
18:42A final settlement.
18:43Enough for them to leave Dark Moon behind.
18:46One week later, I moved into a run-down apartment in the southern quarter.
18:50Not because I was broke.
18:52Because I didn't deserve anything better.
18:54I killed my mate.
18:56My wolf howled inside me.
18:57Day and night.
18:59Every night, I called Alessia's number.
19:01Every night, I left another voicemail.
19:05Alexia, I know you can't hear this, but I need to say it.
19:09This was my fault.
19:10I killed you.
19:12I killed our baby.
19:14I drove Regina out.
19:16Serafina was punished, too.
19:18But none of that brings you back.
19:20Brings you back.
19:21I sold everything.
19:23The land.
19:24The businesses.
19:25All of it.
19:25But I kept one thing.
19:27Enough to buy a burial plot.
19:28Right beside yours.
19:29Maybe I can spend eternity trying to earn your forgiveness.
19:33Every afternoon, I went to the cemetery.
19:36I sat by her headstone for hours.
19:39I'm scared I'm going to forget your voice.
19:41Your smile.
19:43The way you smelled.
19:44Camellias.
19:46Cold night air.
19:48My wolf is dying, Alessia.
19:50It doesn't eat.
19:51It doesn't drink.
19:52It doesn't move.
19:54It just lies there.
19:56Waiting to be with you again.
19:57And the truth is, so am I.
20:02Sells.
20:03Sever moon peck.
20:05My phone kept buzzing on the table.
20:07Just like always, I didn't answer.
20:09The call died on its own.
20:11Then Callan's broken voice filled the room.
20:14This was my fault.
20:15I killed you.
20:17By now, I felt nothing.
20:19At first, I listened to every message.
20:21His apologies.
20:22His pain.
20:23The way he tore himself apart.
20:25I listened with no expression at all.
20:27Then my dad walked in.
20:28He looked at the phone.
20:30Said nothing.
20:31He just handed me a file.
20:34Dark moon is gone for good.
20:36And Callan's in bad shape.
20:37I took the file.
20:39Flipped through it.
20:40Faster than I expected.
20:43Alessia.
20:44Are you really going to watch him die?
20:46I looked up.
20:47What else would I do?
20:49Dad, do you think I should forgive him?
20:52He deserves to die.
20:53I'm just scared you'll get trapped in this.
20:56I closed the file.
20:57Smiled a little.
20:59Don't worry.
21:00The moment my baby died, I was done.
21:03Now I'm just here to collect.
21:06You've changed.
21:08You used to laugh all the time.
21:09Now even your smile doesn't look real.
21:12People grow up.
21:14Some people need time.
21:16For them, one betrayal and one death are enough.
21:19My dad didn't say anything else.
21:20He just stood there with me a while.
21:23Then he left.
21:24Three years later, I took my father's seat.
21:26A billion dollar deal signed.
21:28Alessia Silvermane.
21:29Silver moon swept the east coast.
21:31All under my rule.
21:32Alpha.
21:33The report you asked for.
21:34About the north.
21:36It's all in here.
21:37Luca handed me a folder.
21:38Callan of Dark Moon.
21:39Less than six months left.
21:41His wolf was close to going dark.
21:42I closed the folder.
21:44I closed the folder.
21:46Get the car ready.
21:48Now?
21:48The forecast says a blizzard is coming tonight.
21:52Now.
21:55North.
21:56Ashen Cemetery.
21:57Snow was coming down hard.
21:59The moon was gone.
22:00Buried behind thick clouds.
22:02I stood in front of a new headstone.
22:04My son's white marble.
22:06Carved into it was a tiny wolf pup.
22:09Curled in the arms of the moon.
22:10I sat a white rose on the stone.
22:13Mom's here.
22:14Through the wind.
22:15I heard footsteps.
22:17Heavy.
22:18Dragging.
22:18Like an old wolf.
22:20About to fall.
22:21I turned around.
22:22A figure staggered through the blizzard.
22:24Callan.
22:25His hair was completely white.
22:27His cheeks were hollow.
22:28Those golden alpha eyes that once shook the whole north.
22:31Were dim now.
22:32Clouded.
22:32Like dying embers.
22:34He barely even smelt like a wolf anymore.
22:36Just a dying man in the snow.
22:38No.
22:39No, that's not possible.
22:41Another hallucination.
22:43The healer said it's all in my head.
22:46My wolf's gone mad.
22:47I said nothing.
22:49He dragged himself closer.
22:50Shock.
22:51Wild joy.
22:51Then fear.
22:52Alexia.
22:53He reached for me.
22:54You're alive?
22:55I stepped back.
22:58Don't touch me.
22:59But I saw your body.
23:01I smelled you.
23:03Your scent was gone.
23:04That body was fake.
23:05I'm Alessia Silverhone.
23:07My father is the alpha of Silvermoon.
23:09I'm his only heir.
23:10It was you?
23:11The territories?
23:13The businesses?
23:14The ambushes on our patrols?
23:16All of it?
23:17Yes.
23:18Why didn't you tell me who you were?
23:19Because my father would have never approved.
23:21So I hid it.
23:22I married you behind his back.
23:24If I had known who you were, I never would have-
23:26Never would have what?
23:27You treated me like that?
23:29Let me die.
23:31Callan, stop lying to yourself.
23:33You never loved me.
23:34You loved a version of me you thought you could control.
23:36A woman you thought had no pack.
23:38No power in coming for her.
23:40Someone easy to discard.
23:41So why are you here?
23:44To watch me fall apart?
23:48No.
23:48You're not worth that.
23:50I came to see my son.
23:55Our baby.
23:56My son.
23:58You don't have the right.
24:02I think about him every day.
24:04What he would have looked like.
24:06What color his eyes would have been if he'd be scared the first time he shifted.
24:10But he died because of me.
24:12I know.
24:13I pay for it every day.
24:15My wolf mourned him every night until it couldn't mourn anymore.
24:18You think that's enough?
24:19Alexia.
24:21Please.
24:22Forgive me.
24:23I never got you, Callan.
24:24But I never forgave you either.
24:28Please.
24:29I can make it up to you.
24:32With what?
24:33Your life?
24:33He reached for his own throat.
24:35Under wolf law, that was total surrender.
24:38Lower than kneeling.
24:39Worse than death.
24:40I give you my throat.
24:41You can tear it out.
24:43I won't fight back.
24:44I don't need your life.
24:46Watching you suffer is enough.
24:47Please don't leave me again.
24:49Alexia.
24:50I love you.
24:51I always loved you.
24:53From the first time I caught your scent, my wolf chose you.
24:57It was always you.
24:58You loved a ghost.
25:00A version of me you thought you could own.
25:02No.
25:04No.
25:05But the real me?
25:07You never knew her.
25:08I had my own pack.
25:10My own power.
25:12My own fangs.
25:18Behind me, Kala let out one last howl.
25:21Not human.
25:22Weak.
25:23Broken.
25:24Then gone.
25:25Swallowed by the storm.
25:26I never turned back.
25:27The blizzard was shut out.
25:29Luka glanced at me through the rearview mirror.
25:31He didn't say a word.
25:33I closed my eyes.
25:34In the dark, I let myself feel it.
25:36For three seconds.
25:38Only three.
25:39Then I opened my eyes.
25:40Let's go.
25:41The engine started.
25:43The car pulled away from the cemetery.
25:45Snow kept falling.
25:47Soon, it covered the blood.
25:50Everything he left behind.
25:51As if none of it had ever happened.
25:54Six months later, spring had reached the south.
25:57New bots covered the park outside.
25:59Alpha.
25:59We got word from the north.
26:01I didn't look up.
26:02I just kept signing the papers in front of me.
26:05What is it?
26:07Alpha Canaan is dead.
26:08My pain stopped for one second.
26:10A tiny dot of ink bled onto the page.
26:13Then I kept writing.
26:14How did he die?
26:15Froze to death in an alley behind the market.
26:18He lost his ability to shift.
26:20His wolf was gone a month earlier.
26:22What else?
26:23Luka pulled a clear evidence bag from his coat.
26:26He sighted on my desk.
26:28He was holding a photo.
26:29The patrol team had to pry it out of his frozen...
26:32I looked down.
26:33It was an old photo.
26:34The corners were worn soft.
26:36In the picture, I was standing in Docmo Manor's garden.
26:39Sun on my face.
26:40Smiling.
26:41I remembered that day.
26:43The first spring after our mating ceremony.
26:45You smell like home.
26:46I turned the photo over.
26:48There was writing on the back.
26:50Crooked.
26:51Shaky.
26:52Handle the funeral.
26:53Bury him in Ashton Cemetery.
26:55Near your son's grave?
26:57No.
26:58Further away.
26:59Yes, Alpha.
27:01Luca.
27:02Put one white rose there.
27:04Just one.
27:05Yes, Alpha.
27:06He left.
27:07The office went quiet.
27:08Sunlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
27:11Landing on my left hand.
27:13My ring finger was bare.
27:14The only sound in the room was a scratch of ink across paper.
27:19Far outside, wind moved between the towers, with a low moan.
27:23Maybe, it was a wolf howl.
27:25Maybe, it was the wind.
27:27Maybe, it was nothing at all.
27:30I never looked up.
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