- 4 hours ago
- #asm
Ashes of the Dark Moon #ASM
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Short filmTranscript
00:01I lay on the busting bed, pain tore through me in waves, my vision went black, but my maids was
00:08right there, Callan, alpha, of the dark moon pack, he gripped my hand, sweat soaked my skin, I forced a
00:18smile, the painkiller walked in, holding a syringe, I thought it was a painkiller, but Callan let go, he stepped
00:25back, the needle pierced my skin, cold liquid, hit my veins,
00:29check the dois, hold it off until tomorrow, I promised Regina, her child comes first, I stared at him, he
00:37didn't look at me, he just watched the clock, tears fell, I tried to scream, I tried to fight, but
00:44the drugs hit, my contractions stopped cold, then everything stopped,
00:49When I opened my eyes, I was on stone, the holding cells beneath the pack infirmary, dark moon's punishment cells,
00:57his sister, Serafina, stood at the door, a silver dagger in her hand,
01:02Don't blame Callan, Regina's pup is the only blood my dead brother left behind, he's the rightful heir to dark
01:09moon, I never wanted to fight her for it, save the act, you pushed a pregnant widow down the stairs,
01:15you tried to kill her so your bastard could claim the alpha title, I didn't,
01:19Another conjecture ripped through me, I stopped breathing, Serafina squatted down, tapped my cheek with her blade,
01:26Pack law is clear, the first recognized heir inherits the alpha title, when an alpha dies without a born heir,
01:32his unborn bloodline comes first, Marcus is dead, but his pup lives, and Callan is only a regent,
01:37So you and your bastard pup, you were finished, the second Regina conceived, I clutched my belly, my vision blurred,
01:45Please, get the healer, my pup is coming, the drug lasts three more hours, sit tight, once Regina delivers, you
01:56can push all you want,
01:57She turned to the guards, watch her, she screams, gagger, the steel door slammed shut, one flickering bob, blood soaked
02:06my gown, wolf's bang in the wars, no my link, no way out,
02:11Callan took my phone this morning, said he wanted me to focus on the birth, it was a trap, seven
02:17months ago, Marcus, the former alpha, died in an ambush,
02:21At his funeral, Regina threw up, she was pregnant, her unborn pup became the pack's obsession, I told the elders,
02:29not to worry, Callan and I would still give dark moon and air,
02:33They just stared at my belly, silent, now I understood, my pup never mattered from the start, the drugs were
02:41wearing off, the contractions hit harder,
02:44I crawled to the door, leaving a trail of blood, I pounded on the steel,
02:49Please, my pup is dying,
02:52A guard laughed,
02:54Save your breath, Regina's close to delivering, you'll get out when she's done,
03:00But my baby,
03:02You deserve it, after what you did to her,
03:06I collapsed, then I heard Serafina in the hall, on the call,
03:10Callan,
03:11How is she doing? Regina's contractions started, she's fine, is Alexia under control?
03:17Under control? She's screaming, what an actress, don't tell me you feel bad, she stole birth herbs,
03:25Stole herbs? I never did that,
03:28I haven't forgotten, she nearly killed Marcus's pup on those stairs, I will never let her ruin that bloodline,
03:35The healer swore the injection was safe, let her suffer,
03:39Maybe she'll learn,
03:40I'll send the healer down when Regina is stable,
03:42The call ended, my mate chose her,
03:47I lost track of time in that cell, the blood kept pooling, soaking my gown, just as my vision faded,
03:54Goddess!
03:54It was Orist, the pack's chief healer, my only real friend here, he dropped to his knees in the blood,
04:01Alexia, why are you down here? The alpha said you were in the private birthing suite,
04:06Serafina,
04:06Save your breath,
04:07He chucked me, his face draining of color,
04:10Your water broke, you're fully dilated, your pup is coming right now,
04:13He tried to mind-link the others, but the wolf's being was, blocked the signal,
04:17He scooped me into his arms, we burst out of the cell, two guards stepped in our way,
04:21Stop, Miss Serafina said,
04:23Said what? To let a pregnant woman bleed to death? Get out of my way!
04:27The guards flinched and stepped back,
04:29Oris cured me up the stone stairs, leaving a thick trail of blood,
04:33We hit the third floor, the main birthing chamber, the doors were wide open,
04:38It was completely empty, no birthing bed, no monitors, no supplies, nothing, just bare walls,
04:45This is impossible, where is the equipment?
04:48Footsteps clicked down the hole, Serafina,
04:51Oh, the equipment? We moved everything to Regina's private birthing suite,
04:55To protect Darkmoon's rightful ear, just as a precaution,
04:58Are you insane? The Luna's baby is crowning! She needs a bed right now!
05:04Drop the act, Alessia, Callan already told me the delay drug is harmless,
05:08You're just throwing a tantrum, trying to pull focus from the true pren,
05:13I stared at her perfectly powdered face,
05:15Six months ago, I spent three nights making her a moonstone pack necklace,
05:19She had hugged my arm, so while we were sisters for life, what an absolute joke,
05:26Aurest sprinted to the pharmacy wing,
05:28Two minutes later, he ran back, empty-handed,
05:31They gutted the pharmacy, no supplies, no blood,
05:36The guards took everything to Regina's private birthing suite, Alpha's orders,
05:39This is murder! She's going to die! The pup is going to die!
05:43The pack comes first, if she dies, she dies,
05:46Aurest collapsed in front of me, right in the puddle of my blood,
05:49Alexia, I'm so sorry, I have no tools, no supplies, I can't do anything,
05:56I am so sick of this! Guards! Get him out of here!
06:00Two massive enforcers grabbed Aurest,
06:02Aurest, the pup is crowning! Remember where to press? Press it now! Bring on the contraction!
06:08They hauled him into the hall! Push on the next one! Don't give up! Save the pup!
06:13The door slammed shut, Serafina pulled out her phone, she started a video call,
06:18Callan, you need to see your maid's latest performance.
06:22She flicked the camera toward me, I saw Callan on the screen,
06:25Standing outside Regina's breathing suite.
06:27When he saw the blood pooled around me, he froze, real shock flashed in his eyes.
06:33But he masked it instantly.
06:35What's wrong with her?
06:37She's faking, she bled a little, Aurest is just being dramatic.
06:41Callan? Is that Alexia? Is he blaming me again?
06:45Serafina, keep her locked down. I'm not leaving this floor.
06:50Hear that? You and your bastard pup mean nothing. Regina comes first.
06:56You thought marrying the Alpha made you untouchable? Consider this a reality check.
07:00I closed my eyes. I tuned her out completely.
07:04My shaking fingers reached for my neck, for the crescent distress pendant at my throat.
07:09My dad gave it to me on my wedding day.
07:11Before I left my home pack, he had ruled, they're too long and too fiercely for anyone to refuse his
07:17call.
07:18If you are ever trapped, if you are ever dying, crush it.
07:22My phone found the hidden ledge on the back.
07:25Serafina was still pacing, still running her mouth.
07:28Some nobody from a weak pack?
07:30You married into this pack for power.
07:32I almost laughed.
07:34Callan had assumed my home pack was weak, because I had never bothered to correct him.
07:38I squeezed the pendant.
07:39I pressed the latch with everything I had left.
07:41No sound, no flashing light, but I knew, the signal went out.
07:46My dad promised help would come in 30 minutes.
07:48I clutched my belly.
07:5030 minutes.
07:50Could my baby survive 30 minutes?
07:53I was fading fast.
07:55Serafina stood over me, still running her mouth.
07:58He marked you for the baby.
08:00Nothing more.
08:00That doesn't make you lunar.
08:02I didn't answer.
08:03I just dug my thumb into the spot he'd show me.
08:06Pushing as hard as I could, praying for America.
08:09The drugs had completely worn off.
08:10The pup was coming.
08:12A scream ripped from my throat.
08:14Serafina stepped back in disgust.
08:16God, you're annoying!
08:18Leah!
08:19Get in here and deal with her!
08:24The pup is crowning!
08:25Then get it out.
08:27But I'm not a healer.
08:30She's hemorrhaging.
08:32We have nothing.
08:34They're both going to die.
08:36Then that's her fate.
08:38I'm going to watch the true heir be born.
08:42Keep an eye on her.
08:43Don't let her bleed out too fast.
08:45That child still carries alpha blood.
08:48The door slammed shut, leaving me alone with a terrified girl.
08:52Another contraction tore through me, but I couldn't push.
08:55I had lost way too much blood.
08:57My body was shutting down.
08:58The baby was stuck.
08:59The clock kept ticking.
09:01Every single second was pure agony.
09:03And then, a deafening crash.
09:07The steel door was kicked right off its hinges.
09:10A squad of pack warriors stormed in, clad in peach black combat gear.
09:14Leading them was Luca.
09:16Massive.
09:16Deadly.
09:17My father's war commander from Silvermoon.
09:19The largest pack in the south.
09:21Goddess.
09:22I am so sorry we're late.
09:24Luca.
09:25Don't speak.
09:26Save your strength.
09:27He spun back to his men.
09:28Marco.
09:29Get the trauma team up here.
09:31Now.
09:31Giuseppe.
09:32Lock down every exit in this building.
09:34Leia tried to make a run for it.
09:36A guard slammed her heart against the floor.
09:38Let me go.
09:39This is dark moon territory.
09:40You can't just barge in here.
09:42Luca slowly rose to his full height.
09:44His pupils were wide, shifting into pure, predatory gold.
09:48He stared down at her.
09:49Dark moon territory?
09:52By tomorrow morning, there won't be a dark moon pack.
09:58One minute later, the trauma team rushed in.
10:01They loaded me onto a mobile gurney.
10:03Pushed me into a concealed medical transport.
10:06Inside was a full surgical unit.
10:08Monitors.
10:09Ventilators.
10:10High-end equipment.
10:11Blood pressure dropping.
10:13She's in hemorrhagic shock.
10:14Fetal distress.
10:15We need an emergency C-section right now.
10:18But her vitals are crashing.
10:20The surgery is too risky.
10:22Luca jumping into the transport.
10:24Do it.
10:24I take full responsibility.
10:26I grabbed his wrist with my last hands of strength.
10:29Save my baby.
10:31Please.
10:31Save him first.
10:34Don't speak, miss.
10:35Save your strength.
10:36Your father is on his way.
10:38You just have to hold on.
10:39You and the pup are going to make it.
10:42Cardiac arrest.
10:43Paddles.
10:44Now.
10:45The fetal trace is crashing.
10:46We're losing the pup's heartbeat.
10:47No.
10:48Keep trying.
10:48Keep trying.
10:49It's too late.
10:50The pup.
10:51There's no heartbeat.
10:53The baby is gone.
10:54And then, everything went black.
10:56Darkness.
10:57I don't know how much time passed.
10:59But finally, my eyes flattered open.
11:02I stared up at a strange ceiling.
11:04The sharp smell of bleach filled air.
11:06Alexia.
11:12Where is my baby?
11:13The entire room went dead silent.
11:15A few seconds later, a man turned around, standing at the foot of my bed.
11:21It was my father.
11:23Deep lines of grief etched into his face.
11:26Dad.
11:30Alexia.
11:32He's gone, isn't he?
11:34The blood loss.
11:37The pup was deprived of oxygen for too long.
11:40Our healers tried everything.
11:47Where is Callan?
11:49He's with Regina.
11:51She had a boy.
11:53They've already forgotten you.
11:55A bitter, hollow laugh escaped my lips.
11:57The sound even scared me.
11:59Dad.
12:00I need a favor.
12:02I want a corpse that looks like me.
12:04I want Dark Moon to believe I died that night.
12:08We can do it.
12:09A substituted body.
12:11Scent masking.
12:12By the time they see her, even a mate won't smell past death.
12:15Wolf laid and your blood.
12:25I stood in the center of the great hall, holding a newborn pup in my arms.
12:30Just hours old, but already Dark Moon's greatest hope.
12:34Alpha, Oris needs to see you.
12:36It's about Alessia.
12:37It's an emergency.
12:37The sheer terror in his eyes sent a chill down my spine.
12:41A sick feeling twisted in my gut.
12:44I grabbed Serafina and dragged her with me.
12:46The path to the infirmary was dead quiet.
12:49A thick trail of blood led down to the holding cells.
12:52My heart skipped a beat.
12:54Why the underground cells?
12:57Alpha Callan, I am so sorry.
13:01Massive hemorrhage.
13:02Hyperbluemic shock.
13:04We lost them both.
13:05Drained of all blood.
13:06Eyes shut.
13:07Chest perfectly still.
13:09It was my Alessia.
13:10My mate.
13:13Why didn't anyone tell me?
13:14Why didn't anyone tell me she was bleeding out?
13:19Alpha, I tried everything.
13:21But Miss Serafina said she was faking.
13:24She wouldn't let me treat her.
13:28Callan, I thought it was an act.
13:29She was just putting on a show again.
13:35You hit me?
13:37So you locked her in a holding cell?
13:40Like a rogue?
13:41Like she was nothing?
13:43I just told her to wait.
13:45She is your mate!
13:46Two lives, Serafina!
13:48I told you to watch over her and this is what you do?
13:52I did it for the pack!
13:54For the air!
13:56The air.
13:57Deep inside the moonshine, I carried her casket to myself.
14:01Placed it right before the moon goddess statue.
14:04I knelt by the wood, staring down at Alessia's face.
14:09Callan, you haven't eaten in a week.
14:12Alexia is gone.
14:13Why are you doing this to yourself?
14:14Do you know how terrified she must have been?
14:16Lying alone in that freezing cell.
14:18Waiting to die.
14:19It was to make sure the air was born safely.
14:21You made the right choice as an alpha.
14:22So you think your pup's life was worth more than hers?
14:25Of course!
14:26This is Marcus' child, the only legitimate heir to Dark Moon.
14:29Callan, stop obsessing over a dead woman.
14:31I gave this pack its heir.
14:33I'm the one Dark Moon needs.
14:34Get out.
14:36Take your pup and get out of my sight.
14:40I slumped down against the casket and buried my face in my hands.
14:44Through the hidden camera feed, I watched his shoulders shake.
14:47What an absolute joke.
14:49He threw me away like garbage when I was alive.
14:52Now he wants to play the grieving mate.
14:58Heavy footsteps pounded down the hall.
15:00Tony burst into the room.
15:01Alpha, it's a disaster.
15:03Our border patrols were completely wiped up.
15:06The Silver Moon pack hit our eastern and southern territories.
15:09Every single guard is dead.
15:10I froze.
15:11Our iron and medical supply lines are cut.
15:13Three allied packs broke their treaties on the spot.
15:16Even the pack council froze our credit line.
15:18And worse, Silver Moon has moved against us.
15:22No pack will stand with us now.
15:23The bad news just kept coming.
15:25Generations built Dark Moon.
15:27Now it was falling apart.
15:28Who was doing this?
15:29How did they know exactly where to hit us?
15:31Tony, find out who is pulling the strings.
15:35I want a name.
15:37Three days later, the two encrypted phones on my desk wouldn't stop ringing.
15:41Another territory lost.
15:42Alpha, we haven't tracked down the mastermind yet.
15:46But we found something else.
15:48Those birth herbs.
15:50It was Regina who stole them.
15:52He slid a photo across my desk.
15:54It was Regina.
15:55Clutching a small glass vial.
15:57My hands started to shake.
15:59And there's this.
16:00You need to brace yourself, Alpha.
16:02He handed me a sealed bloodline test report.
16:04I ripped it open.
16:05My eyes scanned the bottom line.
16:07The air.
16:08He wasn't Marcus's.
16:09Then whose child is it?
16:11Roberto Santini.
16:12The beta of the Santini pack.
16:16Our deadliest rival.
16:17Now it all made sense.
16:19Regina betrayed Marcus.
16:20Got pregnant by the enemy.
16:22Then framed Alessia to cover it up.
16:23And I...
16:25I believed every lie she told me.
16:28Tony.
16:29Get every elder to the council chamber.
16:31Now!
16:32One hour later, the chamber was full.
16:34Regina walked in, holding the pup.
16:37Smiling.
16:37She thought this was another celebration for her.
16:40Then she saw my face.
16:41The smile vanished.
16:42I turned on the screen.
16:44First image.
16:45Regina in a motel room.
16:47Kissing a man.
16:48Regina shot to her feet.
16:49Her face went white.
16:51Callan!
16:52They're fake!
16:53That baby is Marcus's and mine!
16:55Someone's framing me!
16:57Then I pulled up the second image.
16:58The bloodline report filled the screen.
17:01Match probability.
17:02That child is not of Dark Moon blood.
17:04His father is Roberto Santini.
17:06Second in command of the Santini pack.
17:09Our sworn enemy.
17:10You betrayed my dead brother.
17:12You slept with the enemy.
17:13Got pregnant with his bastard.
17:14Then tried to pass him off as Dark Moon's heir.
17:16Marcus found out, didn't he?
17:18That's why you sold out his location.
17:19You're the one who got him killed.
17:21Yes!
17:21Marcus found out about me and Roberto.
17:23He said he'd expose me.
17:25I couldn't let that happen.
17:29Now you know the truth.
17:31Now you know who you helped kill Alessia for.
17:35I know I was wrong.
17:36But I thought I was protecting the pack.
17:38I thought I was protecting Marcus's bloodline.
17:41For what?
17:42For an enemy's pup?
17:43You locked Alessia in that underground cell.
17:46You let her bleed out to protect our enemy's child.
17:49Lock her in that same stone cell.
17:51No food.
17:52No water.
17:52Let her feel what Alessia felt.
17:54Let her wait for death the way Alessia did.
17:57When it was over, I walked to the moon trine.
18:00I dropped to my knees beside the casket.
18:02I found the truth, Alessia.
18:04But it doesn't change what I did to you.
18:09I'm sorry.
18:10I'm so damn sorry.
18:14Three months passed.
18:16I looked around my empty office.
18:18The portraits of past Alphas were still on the walls.
18:21The moon goddess relics still sat on the desk.
18:23My great-grandfather's ritual blade, too.
18:26Everything else was gone.
18:27Sold.
18:28Most of the money went to debt.
18:29What was left, I gave to the pack members before they left.
18:32A final settlement.
18:33Enough for them to leave Darkmoon behind.
18:35One week later, I moved into a run-down apartment in the southern quarter.
18:40Not because I was broke.
18:42Because I didn't deserve anything better.
18:44I killed my mate.
18:46My wolf howled inside me.
18:47Day and night.
18:48Every night, I called Alessia's number.
18:51Every night, I left another voicemail.
18:54Alexia.
18:55I know you can't hear this, but I need to say it.
18:58This was my fault.
19:00I killed you.
19:02I killed our baby.
19:03I drove Regina out.
19:06Serafina was punished, too.
19:07But none of that brings you back.
19:10Brings you back.
19:11I sold everything.
19:12The land.
19:13The businesses.
19:14All of it.
19:15But I kept one thing.
19:16Enough to buy a burial plot.
19:17Right beside yours.
19:19Maybe I can spend eternity trying to earn your forgiveness.
19:22Every afternoon, I went to the cemetery.
19:25I sat by her headstone for hours.
19:28I'm scared I'm going to forget your voice.
19:30Your smile.
19:32The way you smelled.
19:33Camellias.
19:35Cold night air.
19:36My wolf is dying, Alessia.
19:39It doesn't eat.
19:40It doesn't drink.
19:41It doesn't move.
19:43It just lies there.
19:44Waiting to be with you again.
19:47Truth is.
19:49So am I.
19:51Sells.
19:53Silver moon pack.
19:54My phone kept buzzing.
19:55On the table.
19:56Just like always.
19:57I didn't answer.
19:58The call died on its own.
20:01Then Callan's broken voice filled the room.
20:03This was my fault.
20:04I killed you.
20:06By now, I felt nothing.
20:08At first, I listened to every message.
20:10His apologies.
20:11His pain.
20:12The way he tore himself apart.
20:14I listened with no expression at all.
20:16Then my dad walked in.
20:17He looked at the phone.
20:19Said nothing.
20:20He just handed me a file.
20:22Dark moon is gone for good.
20:24And Callan's in bad shape.
20:26I took the file.
20:27Flipped through it.
20:28Faster than I expected.
20:31Alessia.
20:32Are you really gonna watch him die?
20:34I looked up.
20:36What else would I do?
20:37Dad, do you think I should forgive him?
20:40He deserves to die.
20:42I'm just scared you'll get trapped in this.
20:44I closed the file.
20:45Smiled a little.
20:47Don't worry.
20:48The moment my baby died, I was done.
20:52Now I'm just here to collect.
20:54You've changed.
20:56You used to laugh all the time.
20:58Now even your smile doesn't look real.
21:00People grow up.
21:02Some people need time.
21:04For them, one betrayal and one death are enough.
21:07My dad didn't say anything else.
21:09He just stood there with me a while.
21:10Then he left.
21:12Three years later, I took my father's seat.
21:14A billion dollar deal signed.
21:16Alessia Silvermane.
21:17Silver moon swept the east coast.
21:19All under my rule.
21:20Alpha.
21:21The report you asked for.
21:22About the north.
21:24It's all in here.
21:25Luca handed me a folder.
21:26Callan of Dark Moon.
21:28Less than six months left.
21:29His wolf was close to going dark.
21:31I closed the folder.
21:32I closed the folder.
21:34Get the car ready.
21:36Now, the forecast says a blizzard is coming tonight.
21:40Now.
21:43North.
21:44Ashen Cemetery.
21:45Snow was coming down hard.
21:47The moon was gone.
21:48Buried behind thick clouds.
21:50I stood in front of a new headstone.
21:52My son's white marble.
21:54Carved into it was a tiny wolf pup.
21:57Curled in the arms of the moon.
21:58I sat a white rose on the stone.
22:01Mom's here.
22:02Through the wind, I heard footsteps.
22:05Heavy.
22:05Dragging.
22:06Like an old wolf.
22:07About to fall.
22:08I turned around.
22:10A figure staggered through the blizzard.
22:12Callan.
22:13His hair was completely white.
22:14His cheeks were hollow.
22:16Those golden alpha eyes that once shook the whole north.
22:18Were dim now.
22:19Clouded.
22:20Like dying embers.
22:21He barely even smelled like a wolf anymore.
22:23Just a dying man in the snow.
22:25No.
22:27No, that's not possible.
22:29Another hallucination.
22:31The healer said it's all in my head.
22:33My wolf's gone mad.
22:35I said nothing.
22:36He dragged himself closer.
22:37Shock.
22:38Wild joy.
22:39Then fear.
22:40Alexia.
22:41He reached for me.
22:42You're alive?
22:43I step back.
22:46Don't touch me.
22:47But I saw your body.
22:49I smelled you.
22:51Your scent was gone.
22:52That body was fake.
22:53I'm Alessia Silverhone.
22:54My father is the alpha of Silvermoon.
22:56I'm his only heir.
22:58It was you?
22:59The territories?
23:00The businesses?
23:01The ambushes on our patrols?
23:03All of it?
23:04Yes.
23:05Why didn't you tell me who you were?
23:07Because my father would have never approved.
23:09So I hid it.
23:10I married you behind his back.
23:11If I had known who you were, I never would have-
23:14Never would have what?
23:15Treated me like that?
23:17Let me die.
23:18Callan, stop lying to yourself.
23:21You never loved me.
23:22You loved a version of me you thought you could control.
23:24A woman you thought had no pack.
23:26No power in coming for her.
23:27Someone easy to discard.
23:28So why are you here?
23:31To watch me fall apart?
23:35No.
23:36You're not worth that.
23:37I came to see my son.
23:42Our baby.
23:43My son.
23:46You don't have the right.
23:49I think about him every day.
23:51What he would have looked like.
23:53What color his eyes would have been if he'd be scared the first time he shifted.
23:57But he died because of me.
23:59I know.
24:00I pay for it every day.
24:02My wolf mourned him every night until it couldn't mourn anymore.
24:05You think that's enough?
24:06Alexia.
24:07Please.
24:09Forgive me.
24:10I never got you, Callan.
24:11But I never forgave you either.
24:15Please.
24:16I can make it up to you.
24:18With what?
24:19Your life?
24:20He reached for his own throat.
24:22Under wolf law, that was total surrender.
24:25Lower than kneeling.
24:26Worse than death.
24:27I give you my throat.
24:28You can tear it out.
24:29I won't fight back.
24:31I don't need your life.
24:32Watching you suffer is enough.
24:34Please don't leave me again.
24:36Alessia.
24:37I love you.
24:38I always loved you.
24:39From the first time I caught your scent, my wolf chose you.
24:43It was always you.
24:45You loved a ghost.
24:46A version of me you thought you could own.
24:49No.
24:50No.
24:51But the real me?
24:53You never knew her.
24:55I had my own pack.
24:57My own power.
24:58My own fangs.
25:04Behind me, Calla let out one last howl.
25:07Not human.
25:08Weak.
25:09Broken.
25:10Then gone.
25:11Swallowed by the storm.
25:12I never turned back.
25:14The blizzard was shut out.
25:16Luca glanced at me through the rearview mirror.
25:18He didn't say a word.
25:19I closed my eyes.
25:21In the dark, I let myself feel it.
25:23For three seconds.
25:24Only three.
25:25Then I opened my eyes.
25:27Let's go.
25:27The engine started.
25:29The car pulled away from the cemetery.
25:32Snow kept falling.
25:33Soon, it covered the blood.
25:36Everything he left behind.
25:38As if none of it had ever happened.
25:40Six months later, spring had reached the south.
25:43New bots covered the park outside.
25:45Alpha.
25:46We got word from the north.
25:48I didn't look up.
25:49I just kept signing the papers in front of me.
25:51What is it?
25:53Alpha Canaan is dead.
25:54My pain stopped for one second.
25:56A tiny dot of ink bled onto the page.
25:59Then I kept writing.
26:00How did he die?
26:02Froze to death in an alley behind the market.
26:04He lost his ability to shift.
26:06His wolf was gone a month earlier.
26:08What else?
26:09Luca pulled a clear evidence bag from his coat.
26:12He sighted on my desk.
26:14He was holding a photo.
26:16The patrol team had to pry it out of his frozen...
26:18I looked down.
26:19It was an old photo.
26:20The corners were worn soft.
26:22In the picture, I was standing in Docmo Manor's garden.
26:25Sun on my face.
26:26Smiling.
26:27I remembered that day.
26:28The first spring after our mating ceremony.
26:31You smell like home.
26:32I turned the photo over.
26:34There was writing on the back.
26:36Crooked.
26:37Shaky.
26:38Handle the funeral.
26:39Bury him in Ashton Cemetery.
26:41Near your son's grave.
26:43No.
26:44Further away.
26:46Yes, Alpha.
26:47Luca.
26:48Put one white rose there.
26:50Just one.
26:51Yes, Alpha.
26:52He left.
26:53The office went quiet.
26:54Sunlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
26:57Landing on my left hand.
26:58My ring finger was bare.
27:00The only sound in the room was a scratch of ink across paper.
27:04Far outside, wind moved between the towers, was a low moan.
27:09Maybe it was a wolf howl.
27:11Maybe it was the wind.
27:13Maybe it was nothing at all.
27:15I never looked up.
27:17I'll see you next time.
27:19Sometimes, you can look at your parents here.
27:20If you like me.
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