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rejecting the phoenix taming the dragon dailymotion #shortfilms #drama
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00:00through me in waves. My vision went black. I lay on the busting bed. Pain toils through me in waves.
00:05My vision went black. But my maids was right there. Callan, alpha of the dark moon pack.
00:11He gripped my hand. Just hold on. We're going to see our baby. Sweat soaked my skin. I forced a
00:18smile. The painkiller walked in, holding a syringe. I thought it was a painkiller. But
00:23Callan let go. He stepped back. 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.
00:36I stared at him. He didn't look at me. He just watched the clock. Tears fell. I tried to scream.
00:42I tried to fight. But the 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
00:55punishment cells. His sister, Seraphina, 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
01:08rightful heir to dark moon. I never wanted to fight her for it. Save the act. You pushed a
01:14pregnant widow down the stairs. You tried to kill her so your bastard could claim the alpha title.
01:18I didn't. Another conjecture ripped through me. I stopped breathing. Seraphina squatted down.
01:24Tapped my cheek with her blade. Pack law is clear. The first recognized heir inherits the alpha title.
01:30When an alpha dies without a born heir, his unborn bloodline comes first. Marcus is dead,
01:35but his pup lives. And Callan is only a regent. So you and your bastard pup, you were finished the
01:40second Regina conceived. I clutched my belly. My vision blurred. Please, get the healer. My pup is
01:48coming. The drug lasts three more hours. Sit tight. Once Regina delivers, you can push all you want.
01:57She turned to the guards. Watch her. She screams. Gagger. The steel door slammed shut. One flickering
02:05bob. Blood soaked my gown. Wolfsbane in the wars. No my link. No way out. Callan took my phone this
02:12morning. Said he wanted me to focus on the birth. It was a trap. Seven months ago, Marcus, the former
02:19alpha, died in an ambush. At his funeral, Regina threw up. She was pregnant. Her unborn pup became the
02:27pack's obsession. I told the elders not 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.
02:40The drugs were wearing off. The contractions hit harder. I crawled to the door, leaving a trail of
02:46blood. I pounded on the steel. Please! My pup is dying! A guard laughed. Save your breath.
02:56Regina's close to delivering. You'll get out when she's done. But my baby! You deserve
03:03it. After what you did to her. I collapsed. Then I heard Serafina in the hall. On the call.
03:10Callan? How is she doing? Regina's contraction 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
03:24herbs. Stole herbs? I never did that. I haven't forgotten. She nearly killed Marcus's pup on those
03:31stairs. I will never let her ruin that bloodline. The healer swore the injection was safe. Let
03:37her suffer. Maybe she'll learn. I'll send the healer down when Regina is stable. The call
03:43ended. My mate chose her. I lost track of time in that cell. The blood kept pooling. Soaking
03:51my gown. Just as my vision faded. Goddess! It was Orist. The pack's chief healer. My
03:57only real friend here. He dropped to his knees in the blood. Alexia? Why are you down here?
04:03The alpha said you were in the private birthing suite. Serafina. Save your breath. He chucked
04:08me. His face draining of color. Your water broke. You're fully dilated. Your pup is coming
04:12right now. He tried to mind-link the others. But the wolf's being walls 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. Said what? To let a pregnant woman bleed to death? Get out of
04:27my way! The guards flinched and stepped back. Orist cured me up the stone stairs, leaving
04:31a thick trail of blood. We hit the third floor. The main birthing chamber. The doors were wide
04:37open. It was completely empty. No birthing bed. No monitors. No supplies. Nothing. Just
04:44bare walls. This is impossible. Where is the equipment? Footsteps. Click down the hole.
04:50Serafina. Oh, the equipment? We moved everything to Regina's private birthing suite to protect
04:55Darkmoon's rightful ear. Just as a precaution. Are you insane? The Luna's baby is crowning!
05:02She needs a bed right now! Drop the act, Alessia. Callan already told
05:07me the delay drug is harmless. You're just throwing a tantrum. Trying to pull focus from
05:11the true pren. I stared at her perfectly powdered face. Six months ago, I spent three nights making
05:18her a moonstone pack necklace. She had hugged my arm so long we were sisters for life. What
05:23an absolute joke. Orist sprinted to the pharmacy wing. Two minutes later, he ran back, empty-handed.
05:31They gutted the pharmacy. No supplies. No blood. The guards took everything to Regina's private
05:37birthing suite. Alpha's orders. This is murder! She's going to die! The pup is going to die!
05:43The pack comes first. If she dies, she dies. Orist collapse in front of me, right in the puddle
05:49of my blood. Alexia, 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! Two massive enforcers grab or rest.
06:02Alessia! The pup is crowning! Remember where to press? Press it now! Bring on the contraction!
06:07They 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.
06:18Carolyn? You need to see your mate's latest performance. She flipped the camera toward me.
06:23I saw Carolyn on the screen, standing outside Regina's breathing suite. When he saw the blood
06:28pooled around me, he froze. Real shock flashed in his eyes. But he masked it instantly.
06:35What's wrong with her? She's faking. She bled a little. Orist is just being dramatic.
06:41Callum? 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. My shaking fingers reached for my neck, for the
07:06crescent distress pendant at my throat. My dad gave it to me on my wedding day. Before I left my
07:12home pack,
07:13he had ruled they're too long and too fiercely for anyone to refuse his call.
07:17If you are ever trapped, if you are ever dying, crush it.
07:22My phone found the hidden latch on the back. Serafina was still pacing, still running her mouth.
07:28Some nobody from a weak pack? You married into this pack for power.
07:32I almost laughed. Kellan had assumed my home pack was weak, because I had never bothered to correct him.
07:38I squeezed the pendant. I pressed the latch with everything I had left. No sound. No flashing light.
07:44But I knew, the signal went out. My dad promised help would come in 30 minutes.
07:48I clutched my belly. 30 minutes. Could my baby survive 30 minutes?
07:53I was fading fast. Serafina stood over me, still running her mouth. He marked you for the baby. Nothing more.
08:00That doesn't make you lunar.
08:02I didn't answer. I just dug my thumb into the spot he'd show me. Pushing as hard as I could,
08:07praying for America. The drugs had completely worn off. The pup was coming. A scream ripped from my throat. Serafina
08:14stepped back in disgust.
08:16God, you're annoying!
08:19Leah! Get 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!
08:33They're both going to die!
08:35Then that's her fate.
08:38I'm going to watch the true heir be born.
08:41Keep an eye on her.
08:43Don't let her bleed out too fast.
08:46That child still carries alpha blood.
08:48The door slammed shut, leaving me alone with the 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.
09:12Clad 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 guy slammed her heart against the floor.
09:37Let me go!
09:38This 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!
10:19The surgery is too risky!
10:22Luca jumping into the transport.
10:23Do it!
10:24I take full responsibility!
10:26I grabbed his wrist with my last ounce of strength.
10:29Save my baby.
10:30Please.
10:31Save him first.
10:33Don'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!
10:43Paddle!
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.
10:52The baby is gone.
10:54And then, everything went black.
10:56Darkness.
10:57I don't know how much time passed, but finally, my eyes flattered open.
11:02I stared up at a strange ceiling.
11:04The sharp smell of bleach filled air.
11:06Alexia!
11:07Alexia!
11:11Where 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.
11:22Deep lines of grief etched into his face.
11:25Dad.
11:29Alexia.
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, scent masking.
12:12By the time they see her, even a mate won't smell past death, wolf laid, and your blood.
12:19To Alpha Callan and Regina!
12:22We have an heir!
12:26I 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.
12:38The 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.
13:03We 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, but 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 and-
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, why 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?
14:24Of course!
14:25This is Marcus's 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.
14:35Take 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.
15:36Three 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.
16:01He handed me a sealed bloodline test report.
16:04I ripped it open.
16:05My eyes scanned the bottom line.
16:07The heir.
16:08He wasn't Marcus's.
16:09Then whose child is it?
16:11Roberto Santini.
16:12The beta of the Santini pack.
16:15Our 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 pub.
16:36Smiling.
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!
16:51They're fake!
16:53That baby is Marcus's and mine!
16:55Someone's framing me!
16:56Then 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!
17:24I 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.
17:48Lock her in that same stone cell.
17:51No food.
17:51No 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.
18:36I'm sorry.
18:39I found the southern corridor.
18:40Not because I was broke.
18:42Because I didn't deserve anything better.
18:44I killed my mate.
18:45My wolf howled inside me.
18:47Day and night.
18:48Every night.
18:49I called Alessia's number.
18:51Every night.
18:52I 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.
19:04I 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.
19:23I 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.
19:42It just lies there.
19:44Waiting to be with you again.
19:47Truth is.
19:49So am I.
19:51Cells.
19:53Sever 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.
20:05No.
20:06By now.
20:06I felt nothing.
20:08At first.
20:09I 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.
21:08He 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.
21:17Silvermoon 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 Darkmoon.
21:27Less 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?
21:36The 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.
22:03I heard footsteps.
22:05Heavy.
22:05Dragging.
22:06Like an old wolf.
22:07About to fall.
22:09I 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 smelt 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 stepped 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?
23:06Because my father would have never approved.
23:08So I hid it.
23:10I married you behind his back.
23:11If I had known who you were,
23:13I never would have-
23:14Never would have what?
23:15Treated me like that?
23:16Let 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.
23:29So 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.
23:55If 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.
24:04You 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.
24:23That was total surrender.
24:25Lower than kneeling.
24:26Worse than death.
24:26I 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.
24:42My 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, Callan 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.
25:20In the dark.
25:21I let myself feel it.
25:23For three seconds.
25:24Only three.
25:25Then I opened my eyes.
25:27Let's go.
25:28The engine started.
25:29The car pulled away from the cemetery.
25:32Snow kept falling.
25:33Soon.
25:34It covered the blood.
25:36Everything he left behind.
25:37As if none of it had ever happened.
25:40Six months later.
25:41Spring 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.
25:55My 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.
26:23I 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.
26:37Handle 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.
27:05Wind moved between the towers.
27:07With a low mung.
27:09Maybe.
27:09It was a wolf howl.
27:11Maybe.
27:11It was the wind.
27:13Maybe.
27:13It was nothing at all.
27:15I never looked up.
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