- 6 hours ago
The Blood Trial - Silent Heartbreak
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Short filmTranscript
00:02The wolves pinned me to the ground, claws tore my dress, fists cracked against my ribs, one after another.
00:08This was the blood trial. The harder they beat you, the more worthy you are as a bride.
00:12I didn't fight back, I didn't make a sound, because the man who was supposed to claim to me tonight
00:17had already carried my sister out the door.
00:19The pack lands have a savage tradition known as the blood claiming.
00:22It demands the alpha steal his mate under the full moon, fighting through the pack's warriors to prove his power
00:27and right to her.
00:28I waited three years for Alpha Silas. Finally, he and his wolves slipped into my pack.
00:33I was ready to run to him, until I heard his hushed order.
00:36Grab Brianna in the chaos, she's fragile. If she's sold off to the alpha of the silver backpack to settle
00:42the debt, she won't survive the night.
00:44As for Alara, she'll fight like hell, she'll keep herself safe.
00:49His warriors hesitated.
00:50Silamus, you and Alara are already mated. If she finds out, she'll rein this pack to ash.
00:56Let her. It's dark enough. A case of mistaken identity during the claiming will be easy to explain. I'll calm
01:05her down later.
01:05He paused, his voice turning icy.
01:08Besides, the mating decree she signed was a forgery. We never held the mating ceremony. I promised Brianna a safe
01:14life. She's my priority.
01:17I heard every word from behind the door. I didn't howl. I didn't shift. I simply stepped back into the
01:23shadows. They'd expected me to fight. To claw apart anyone who'd tried to take me.
01:28Instead, I silently climbed onto the back of the wolf who'd broken into my room and became his mate.
01:35Alara, my contact at the council checked. You, you aren't actually Silas' bonded mate.
01:41I put down the phone. Something inside my chest shattered. I'd lived as Silas' mate for five years.
01:46All that time, the Crescent Pack never accepted me. His mother never used my name, only ever referring to me
01:51as that girl.
01:52At pack gatherings, I was always seated at the farthest table.
01:55In pack portraits, I was placed at the edge so I could be easily cropped out.
02:00Silas said his mother wouldn't let up until I broke, so he sent me back to the Thorn Hollow pack.
02:04He promised he'd follow our traditions and complete the formal blood claiming to bring me back as his Luna.
02:09Then the Crescent Pack would have no choice but to accept me.
02:12I waited. For three years, I'd held my tongue, longing for this night.
02:16But he'd come for another woman. He'd kept me deceived for years with a forged decree.
02:21All to hide the truth. The one he truly meant to claim was my half-sister, Brianna.
02:25I stared at my reflection. My face was empty.
02:28Wolf howl exploded across the grounds. The ritual had begun.
02:33Growls mixed with laughter, claws scraped against stone, and warriors put on a show of resisting.
02:38Ritual torches painted half the sky red.
02:40Another group of wolves had come from the silver backpack.
02:43They'd originally come for Brianna.
02:45By the rules of the ritual, if a she-wolf didn't want to be taken, she could hide and send
02:49them away empty-handed.
02:50But Brianna didn't hide. She waited in her room to be taken.
02:53And the wolf she waited for was my mate.
02:55The room I was in wasn't mine. It was Brianna's.
02:59That afternoon, my stepmother pulled me aside.
03:01For once, her voice was gentle.
03:03Allora, stay in Brianna's room tonight.
03:07Yours is too far back, too quiet. They'll never find you.
03:10The wolves coming for Brianna are savages.
03:13You've always been tough.
03:14You can handle the blood trial.
03:16Brianna is fragile.
03:18If she gets caught in the crossfire, it'll be a disaster.
03:21I said nothing.
03:23I knew exactly what she meant.
03:25By the rules of the blood claiming, the alpha's wolves would storm in.
03:29The she-wolf was expected to fight back with everything she had.
03:32It was called the blood trial.
03:34The harder she fought, the more valuable she was considered.
03:38The alpha had to prove he could pin her down and force her submission.
03:41Those claws drew real blood.
03:43My stepmother studied my face, testing me.
03:46Besides, Simus has never been here at night.
03:48The front room? He'll find you faster.
03:51Back then, I'd only wanted to make things easier for Silas.
03:54I agreed.
03:54I even sent him my room location through the mind link.
03:57But they'd been planning this switch all along.
04:02A roar of celebration erupted outside.
04:04We got her! The she-wolf is ours!
04:07Howls tore through the night sky, one after another,
04:10spreading across the territory like wildfire.
04:12I listened but didn't move.
04:14I knew exactly who they'd taken.
04:15I could picture Silas carrying Brianna through the crowd,
04:18his wolves flanking them,
04:19as pack members lunged and blocked their path.
04:21Brianna would hide her face against his back,
04:24pretending to struggle.
04:25How perfect!
04:26I lowered my gaze.
04:27Moments later, my door was kicked in.
04:30A group of wolves flooded into the dark room,
04:32eyes glowing amber in the black.
04:34Then the blood trial began.
04:35Someone seized my arm, claws biting into skin.
04:38Fists cracked against my spine.
04:39Claws raked across my shoulders and back.
04:42The harder the beating,
04:43the more the pack valued the bride.
04:45I let them drag me from my chair toward the door,
04:47their claws leaving red trails down my arms.
04:50At first it felt like a formality,
04:51but the violence quickly turned savage.
04:54Someone slammed me into the stone wall,
04:56fangs snapping inches from my throat.
05:00This was intentional.
05:02The pain was excruciating,
05:03but I didn't make a sound.
05:04I finally understood what my stepmother had meant
05:07by calling me tough.
05:08Just when I thought it would never end,
05:10a body slammed between us,
05:12throwing the attackers off me.
05:14Enough!
05:15It was a stranger's voice,
05:16sharp with fury.
05:17He stood over me,
05:19claws out,
05:19and shoved the other's back with a snarl.
05:22That's the rule.
05:23The harder we hit,
05:24the more she's worth.
05:26What rule?
05:27His voice dropped to a dangerous growl,
05:29canines lengthening.
05:31This isn't your mate!
05:32If someone was tearing into your she-wolf like prey,
05:35would you just stand there and watch?
05:37The room went silent.
05:38He glanced back at me,
05:39in the shadows.
05:40I could only make out the sharp line of his jaw
05:43and the amber flash of his eyes.
05:45Then he bent down and hoisted me onto his back.
05:47Who is he?
05:48He's taking this ritual way too seriously.
05:50He carried me out in long, steady strides.
05:53Wolves chased after us,
05:54snapping and lunging,
05:55but his grip on my legs never wavered.
05:58When he finally carried me out of the packhouse,
06:00he paused to catch his breath.
06:02In the distance,
06:03the faint glow of ritual torches moved.
06:05That was the other group.
06:08Crossing the corridor,
06:09I heard their laughter.
06:11Silas was at the front,
06:12sweat soaked,
06:13but wearing a triumphant smile.
06:15Brianna was on his back,
06:17her arms wrapped tight around his neck.
06:19His wolves were cheering.
06:21I lay silent on the stranger's back
06:23as they drew near.
06:25Torchlight flickered across my face.
06:27Silas's eyes flicked over me for a split second.
06:30Then his gaze moved on,
06:32turning back to his wolves
06:33as he joked and laughed.
06:35He didn't recognize me.
06:36Brianna whispered something in his ear,
06:38and he leaned in with a soft smile.
06:40I suddenly thought back to three years ago,
06:43when I'd returned to the Thorn Hollow pack
06:45to visit my father and stayed for a while.
06:47The first time Silas came to find me there,
06:50he'd worn that exact same smile.
06:54That day,
06:55my father's warriors put him to the test.
06:57My father sent a dozen warriors
06:58to block him at the gates.
07:00Claws out,
07:00fangs bared,
07:01they told him to turn back.
07:03He fought through every single one of them
07:05and showed up at my door,
07:07bruised,
07:08bloodied,
07:08barely standing.
07:09I asked if it hurt.
07:11He grinned through the blood.
07:12For my mate,
07:13I'd take a lot worse.
07:15He was of the proud alpha heir,
07:17yet he'd taken a beating
07:18from my father's warriors,
07:19just for me.
07:20He always acted like it was nothing,
07:23but I knew the truth.
07:24My father's wolves didn't go easy on outsiders.
07:29Another time,
07:30it poured rain.
07:31He showed up soaked to the bone,
07:33his shirt torn,
07:34but the pastries tucked inside his jacket
07:36were still dry.
07:37He pushed the pastries into my hands,
07:39smiling.
07:42Didn't want you to wait too long.
07:43I held those pastries,
07:45staring at the cut on his cheek,
07:46and thought,
07:47this is the wolf I'll spend my life with.
07:50But now,
07:51he carried Brianna
07:51with that exact same smile.
07:53My vision blurred for a second,
07:55then sharpened again.
07:56When did it all start to change?
08:01Probably three years ago,
08:02when my father died.
08:03I felt completely hollow inside.
08:06Silas cancelled everything
08:07to stay at the Thorn Hollow pack
08:08with me for two weeks.
08:11The day he had to leave,
08:12he took my hand
08:13and spoke softly.
08:15Alara,
08:15you just got through the funeral
08:17and you look awful.
08:18If my mother sees you like this,
08:19she'll start on you again.
08:21I don't want you putting up with that.
08:22Just stay here at the room and rest.
08:25You've always wanted to take over
08:26the pack's affairs, right?
08:28I'll go away
08:29and smooth thing for at home,
08:30then come get you.
08:32I looked at him and nodded.
08:33I was truly exhausted
08:34from the constant fighting
08:36with his mother.
08:36Back then,
08:37I believed he was looking out for me,
08:39that he didn't want me to go back
08:40and face those cold stares.
08:42Only later did I realize,
08:44distance doesn't create beauty.
08:46It just makes it easier
08:47for him to love someone else.
08:50Last year,
08:51when his mother turned 60,
08:52Silas came to bring me back.
08:54The moment I stepped inside,
08:56I saw my stepsister, Brianna.
08:58She was supposed to be
08:59in another pack for work,
09:00but there she was
09:01in the main hall,
09:02arranging things,
09:03her movements smooth
09:04and familiar.
09:06Silas paused
09:07while taking off his coat
09:08and explained,
09:09Brianna's assignment
09:10is near our territory.
09:11She's staying here temporarily.
09:13There wasn't a trace
09:14of guilt in his voice,
09:15and I didn't push for more.
09:20My father didn't take
09:21a second mate
09:22until I was already grown.
09:24Brianna was stepmother's daughter.
09:25We'd never been close.
09:27Over the years,
09:28we'd only seen each other
09:29during gatherings.
09:30I couldn't quite put into words
09:32how I felt about her staying there.
09:34When Brianna saw me walk in,
09:36she called out warmly,
09:37Hey sis,
09:38don't worry,
09:39I'm just crashing here for a bit.
09:40I'll move out once I find a place.
09:43I nodded,
09:44but said nothing.
09:45Back then,
09:46I never could have imagined.
09:47For three years,
09:48I waited alone
09:49in the Thorn Hollow pack.
09:50And all that time,
09:52my little sister
09:52had been working
09:53in the Crescent pack,
09:54now watching Brianna
09:55on Silas's back.
09:57It all suddenly clicked.
09:58I hadn't been waiting
09:59for him to bring me home at all.
10:01I'd been waiting
10:02for my heart to die.
10:03Brianna's voice drifted
10:04closer on the wind.
10:06What about Alara?
10:08If she finds out,
10:09she'll lose it.
10:10She's all bark and no bite.
10:12She'll get over it
10:13after throwing a fit.
10:16It's pitch black
10:17during the blood claiming
10:18I just made a mistake.
10:20She'll feel sorry for me
10:22before she even gets angry.
10:24Once she finds out,
10:26I'll just smooth it over.
10:28Brianna laughed softly.
10:30My knuckles whitened.
10:31One of his wolves
10:32spoke up suddenly.
10:33Alpha,
10:34what if someone else
10:35claimed Alara?
10:36The group fell quiet.
10:38You think she'd let anyone
10:40take her without a fight?
10:41Then Silas laughed.
10:41With that temper of hers,
10:43she'll tear the place
10:44apart tonight.
10:46True.
10:47No way Alama
10:48goes quietly.
10:50Feel sorry for that
10:51poor bastard.
10:52Wonder what he looks like now.
10:54The laughter swelled.
10:56I looked down.
10:57Let's go.
10:59He must have heard everything.
11:01Heard them laughing about me.
11:02Heard how they thought
11:03I'd rip someone's throat out.
11:05But he said nothing.
11:06He just kept walking.
11:10At the edge of the
11:11Thorn Hollow territory,
11:13we ran straight into them.
11:14Someone from the other side
11:15called out.
11:16Kelvin?
11:17His steps halted.
11:18A quiet.
11:19Yeah.
11:19Silas moved closer
11:21with Brianna on his back,
11:22grinning.
11:24It really is you.
11:25You claiming someone
11:27tonight too?
11:28Yeah.
11:29Who?
11:30I buried my face
11:31in Killian's shoulder,
11:33showing only the back
11:33of my head.
11:34A neighboring family.
11:36Silas stared at me
11:37a moment longer,
11:38then laughed.
11:39Damn, man.
11:40Always figured
11:41you'd stay unmade forever.
11:43Congrats.
11:44Killian just grunted.
11:46Silas took a step forward.
11:47I felt his gaze
11:48linger on my back.
11:49That look lasted too long.
11:51Long enough
11:52I almost thought
11:52he'd recognized me.
11:54Let's go.
11:56Wait!
11:58Silas frowned.
12:00He was about to speak.
12:01Brianna's voice cut in,
12:02soft and pained.
12:03Simus, my ankle hurts.
12:05What's wrong?
12:05Did you twist it earlier?
12:07I don't know.
12:07It just aches.
12:08Her voice dropped.
12:10Let's go.
12:10We need to get to your territory
12:11before sunrise.
12:13Silas didn't waste
12:14another second.
12:15He nodded at Killian.
12:17Gotta run.
12:17I'll buy you a drink
12:18next time.
12:19Their footsteps faded
12:20into the distance.
12:21Killian spoke quietly.
12:23He really didn't recognize you.
12:24I rested my face
12:26against his shoulder
12:26and said nothing.
12:28My eyes stung,
12:29but I didn't cry.
12:30He seemed to sense it.
12:31His pace slowed,
12:32steps gentle and steady.
12:34The moon was bright,
12:35the road stretched on.
12:36I had no idea
12:37where he was taking me,
12:38but in that moment,
12:40I thought anywhere
12:40was better than going back.
12:44Music filled
12:45the Crescent Pack's
12:46great hall.
12:46The whole place
12:47buzzed with celebration,
12:49wine flowed freely,
12:50and wolves danced
12:51to old songs.
12:52This was the feast
12:53after a successful
12:54blood claiming.
12:55By tradition,
12:56it would last
12:56until sunrise.
12:58Silas sat at the edge
12:59of the crowd,
12:59phone in hand.
13:00The screen lit up,
13:02went dark,
13:02then lit again.
13:03No messages from Alara.
13:05That wasn't like her.
13:06She never kept
13:07things bottled up.
13:08If she'd found out
13:09he'd claimed the wrong
13:10she-wolf,
13:11she would have called
13:11screaming by now.
13:12He already had
13:13his excuses ready.
13:15It was pitch black.
13:17Don't overthink it.
13:18You're the only one I want.
13:19He'd wait for her
13:20to blow up over the phone,
13:22then talk her down gently.
13:23She'd hurl some threat,
13:24and he'd smooth it over.
13:26Done.
13:27She never stayed
13:28mad at him for long.
13:29But this time,
13:31no call,
13:32no text,
13:32no yelling.
13:33One of his wolves
13:34wandered over
13:35with a drink.
13:36Alpha,
13:36still staring at your phone?
13:37Waiting on Alara?
13:38Don't bother.
13:39Signal's dead out here.
13:41Her area gets
13:41fine signal.
13:42Then her phone's
13:43probably dead,
13:44or she didn't see it.
13:46Another wolf chimed in.
13:47She's probably off
13:48tearing someone apart
13:49right now.
13:51Everyone laughed.
13:52Silas stayed quiet.
13:54Alara had once told him,
13:55I set a special ringtone
13:57for your messages.
13:58Don't want to miss them.
13:59She'd sit out in the courtyard
14:00till midnight,
14:01just waiting for him to call.
14:05He didn't believe
14:06she didn't see it,
14:07but he had no better explanation.
14:10All right,
14:10quit overthinking.
14:11This is your big night.
14:13Your mate's waiting for you.
14:14What are you doing sitting here?
14:15Once you've claimed her,
14:16you stay with her all night.
14:17Finish the ritual.
14:18Silas's frown deepened.
14:21I told Brianna
14:22this was temporary.
14:23He said quietly.
14:25I just got her out of there.
14:27I didn't plan on-
14:28Didn't plan on what?
14:29The wolf cut him off,
14:30frustrated.
14:30Alpha,
14:31this is the blood claiming,
14:32not a game.
14:33You took her,
14:33you finish it.
14:34Otherwise,
14:34you insult her whole pack.
14:36Besides,
14:36you and Alara
14:37have been together for years.
14:38She won't care about formalities.
14:39Just get through tonight.
14:40Silas opened his mouth
14:42to argue.
14:42Brianna appeared beside him.
14:44What are you guys
14:44talking about?
14:45Silas froze,
14:47about to explain.
14:48Brianna's voice softened.
14:49Simus,
14:50in our tradition,
14:52the blood claiming
14:52only happens once in a lifetime.
14:55I know this one's fake,
14:57but
14:58can we at least
14:59finish the ritual?
15:00She looked up at him,
15:02her eyes glistening.
15:03I know you love Alara,
15:04but just for tonight,
15:06can you pretend
15:07I'm your Luna
15:08just tonight?
15:11Silas said nothing.
15:13Brianna bowed her head,
15:14her lashes fluttering.
15:15The crowd started chanting,
15:17Toast the Luna!
15:19Silas picked up his glass,
15:20linking arms with Brianna.
15:22Firelight danced
15:23across both their faces.
15:25Cheers and laughter
15:26erupted around them,
15:27loud enough to rattle the walls.
15:29He drank,
15:30but his eyes kept straying
15:31to the dark road
15:32beyond the territory.
15:34The same road
15:35he'd carried Brianna down tonight.
15:36At the gate,
15:37he'd run into Killian.
15:39They'd met years ago
15:40at annual meetup.
15:41They'd had a few drinks together,
15:43acquaintances,
15:44at best.
15:45Tonight,
15:46Killian had been carrying someone,
15:47said she was from another family.
15:49She'd been thin,
15:50lying quietly on Killian's back.
15:52Only a glimpse of her neck
15:54was visible.
15:54The line of that neck,
15:56the curve of her bowed head,
15:58it had felt strangely familiar,
15:59but Brianna had cried out in pain,
16:01so he hadn't looked again.
16:04Now,
16:05thinking back,
16:06that silhouette,
16:07Silas?
16:08Brianna's voice pulled him back
16:09to the present.
16:10Is that okay?
16:12He nodded,
16:13distracted.
16:14Yeah.
16:14Then he stepped aside,
16:16pulled out his phone,
16:17and dialed Elara's number.
16:18He needed to explain.
16:20He needed to make sure
16:21she didn't misunderstand.
16:23Finally,
16:23someone picked up.
16:25Hello?
16:25A middle-aged woman's voice.
16:30Silas blinked.
16:31Let me talk to Elara.
16:33Elara?
16:34The woman paused.
16:36She's not here.
16:37We're packing up her stuff
16:39to send over.
16:40Send over?
16:40Send where?
16:43Elara never lets her phone
16:45leave her her hand.
16:46Where are you sending her things?
16:48The woman on the other end hesitated,
16:50not expecting the question.
16:52I'm Elara's aunt.
16:54We have to pack her things
16:55and send them to her mate's pack.
16:57Mate's pack?
16:58He paused.
16:59So Elara was preparing
17:00to move back in with him.
17:02That made sense.
17:03He'd always planned to bring her back
17:05after the blood claiming.
17:06Stopped leaving her
17:07at the Thorn Hollow pack alone.
17:10Aunty,
17:11about the blood claiming tonight,
17:13there was a bit of a mix-up.
17:15Elara say anything?
17:17No.
17:18Several packs
17:19did blood claimings tonight.
17:21What would Elara?
17:22Despite the words,
17:23a sense of unease
17:24surged in him.
17:25Just as he was about
17:26to ask more,
17:27the aunt interrupted him hurriedly.
17:29Oh, I can't talk anymore.
17:30We're busy packing.
17:33Both Elota and Brianna
17:34were taken tonight.
17:35We have to get
17:36their things ready.
17:38Silas rose.
17:39What did she mean
17:40both were taken?
17:41Didn't he only take Brianna?
17:43As for Elara,
17:45she would never go
17:45with someone she didn't love.
17:47He gripped the phone.
17:48Aunty,
17:49you said Elara was taken?
17:51Yes,
17:52by the Ironclaw pack.
17:53Silas' throat tightened.
17:55He couldn't speak.
17:55He suddenly remembered something
17:57and his mind exploded.
17:59Ironclaw.
18:00Killian,
18:01the wolf he met at the gate,
18:02the one carrying a girl,
18:03saying she was his mate.
18:05That silhouette that looked
18:06so familiar.
18:07His voice was choked.
18:09She didn't fight?
18:10Fight?
18:11Why would she?
18:12A blood claiming isn't a bad thing.
18:13She was as quiet as could be.
18:15She just went with him.
18:15We all thought it was strange.
18:17With her temper,
18:18shouldn't she have clawed
18:19the wolf to pieces?
18:20But nothing happened.
18:21She just let him carry her away.
18:24Silas' hand began to shake.
18:26Quiet as could be?
18:27Just let him carry her away?
18:30No fight,
18:30no snarl,
18:31no resistance?
18:32No, that wasn't Ilara.
18:34That wasn't the Ilara he knew.
18:38He remembered talking to Ilara
18:39about blood claimings before.
18:41She had been perched on the big tree,
18:43swinging her legs,
18:44speaking excitedly.
18:46The she-wolves in the Thorn Hollow pack,
18:48if they're claimed by someone
18:49they don't want,
18:50they don't just let them.
18:51They claw,
18:52bite,
18:53and snarl.
18:54They fight until the wolf
18:55gives up himself.
18:56He had teased her then.
18:58You're so wild.
19:00Who would dare claim you?
19:01She had rolled her eyes,
19:03her chin held high.
19:04Well,
19:05it depends on who's coming.
19:06If it's you...
19:08She had stopped suddenly,
19:10her face flushing
19:10as she turned away.
19:11Anyway,
19:12if it's you,
19:13I just put on a show
19:14of struggling a little
19:15for appearances.
19:16He teased her.
19:18Just a little?
19:19Three times at most.
19:20She glared at him,
19:21then laughed,
19:22her eyes bright like mountain stars.
19:25If you came to claim me,
19:26I'd probably be the first
19:27to jump on your back
19:28so you wouldn't have to
19:28take those hits.
19:32He had thought then,
19:33this girl is so foolish.
19:36Auntie.
19:37His voice barely controlled.
19:39Alara,
19:39when was she taken?
19:41When?
19:42The aunt thought for a moment.
19:44Tonight,
19:45right after you left.
19:47Silas opened his mouth,
19:48but not a single word came out.
19:50Hello?
19:51Hello?
19:52Simus?
19:52Are you still there?
19:54I'm here.
19:56Why are you asking so much?
19:57Alara's mate will take care of her.
19:59You claimed Brianna tonight,
20:01didn't you?
20:01That poor girl's had it rough.
20:03Take good care of her.
20:04Silas said nothing.
20:06All right,
20:07I have to go.
20:08We're still packing.
20:09Alara left in such a hurry,
20:11she forgot so many things.
20:12We have to get them to her.
20:14Bye now.
20:15The line went dead.
20:17He stood at the edge of the crowd,
20:19white-knuckling his phone.
20:21Around him were songs,
20:23laughter,
20:24music,
20:24all the noise of celebration.
20:27Congratulations, man.
20:29Someone shoved a drink into his hand,
20:31tugging him toward the dance floor.
20:34Brianna waved at him from across the fire,
20:36but he couldn't hear a thing.
20:39While he'd been carrying Brianna away,
20:41Alara had been lying on another wolf's back.
20:43They had passed each other in the dark.
20:46He thought she would fight,
20:48snarl,
20:48resist,
20:49but she did nothing.
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