- 12 hours ago
- #mystery
A trial of blood and tears that uncovers a secret buried for years. #Mystery
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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
00:16had already carried my sister out the door.
00:19The packlands 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 silverback pack 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.
00:48His 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.
01:04I'll calm her 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.
01:12I promised Brianna a safe life. She's my priority.
01:16I heard every word from behind the door. I didn't howl. I didn't shift. I simply stepped back into the
01:23shadows.
01:24They'd expected me to fight. To claw apart anyone who'd tried to take me.
01:27Instead, 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'd 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.
02:44By 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.
03:03Allara, stay in Brianna's room tonight.
03:07Yours is too far back, too quiet.
03:09They'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.
03:24By 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?
03:49He'll find you faster.
03:50Back 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!
04:05The she-wolf is ours!
04:07Howls tore through the night sky, one after another, spreading 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.
04:17His wolves flanking them as pack members lunged and blocked their path.
04:21Brianna would hide her face against his back, pretending 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, eyes 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, the more the pack valued the bride.
04:45I let them drag me from my chair toward the door, their 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, fangs snapping inches from my throat.
05:00This was intentional.
05:02The pain was excruciating, but I didn't make a sound.
05:04I finally understood what my stepmother had meant by calling me tough.
05:08Just when I thought it would never end, a body slammed between us, throwing the attackers off me.
05:14Enough!
05:14It was a stranger's voice, sharp with fury.
05:17He stood over me, claws out, and shoved the other's back with a snarl.
05:22That's the rule.
05:23The harder we hit, the more she's worth.
05:26What rule?
05:27His voice dropped to a dangerous growl, canines lengthening.
05:31This isn't your mate!
05:32If someone was tearing into your she-wolf like prey, would you just stand there and watch?
05:37The room went silent.
05:38He glanced back at me.
05:40In the shadows, I could only make out the sharp line of his jaw and the amber flash of his
05:44eyes.
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, snapping and lunging, but his grip on my legs never wavered.
05:58When he finally carried me out of the packhouse, he paused to catch his breath.
06:02In the distance, the faint glow of ritual torches moved.
06:05That was the other group.
06:08Crossing the corridor, I heard their laughter.
06:11Silas was at the front, sweat-soaked, but wearing a triumphant smile.
06:15Brianna was on his back, her arms wrapped tight around his neck.
06:18His wolves were cheering.
06:21I lay silent on the stranger's back as they drew near.
06:25Torchlight flickered across my face.
06:27Silas' eyes flicked over me for a split second.
06:30Then his gaze moved on, turning back to his wolves as he joked and laughed.
06:35He didn't recognize me.
06:36Brianna whispered something in his ear, and 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 to visit my father and stayed for a while.
06:47The first time Silas came to find me there, he'd worn that exact same smile.
06:54That day, my father's warriors put him to the test.
06:57My father sent a dozen warriors to block him at the gates.
07:00Claws out, fangs bared, they told him to turn back.
07:03He fought through every single one of them and showed up at my door.
07:07Bruised, bloodied, barely standing.
07:09I asked if it hurt.
07:11He grinned through the blood.
07:12For my mate, I'd take a lot worse.
07:14He was of the proud alpha heir, yet he'd taken a beating from my father's warriors, just for me.
07:20He always acted like it was nothing, but I knew the truth.
07:24My father's wolves didn't go easy on outsiders.
07:29Another time, it poured rain.
07:31He showed up soaked to the bone, his shirt torn.
07:34But the pastries tucked inside his jacket were still dry.
07:37He pushed the pastries into my hands, smiling.
07:42Didn't want you to wait too long.
07:43I held those pastries, staring at the cut on his cheek, and thought,
07:47This is the wolf I'll spend my life with.
07:49But now, he carried Brianna with that exact same smile.
07:53My vision blurred for a second, then sharpened again.
07:56When did it all start to change?
08:00Probably three years ago, when my father died, I felt completely hollow inside.
08:06Silas cancelled everything to stay at the Thorn Hollow Pack with me for two weeks.
08:11The day he had to leave, he took my hand and spoke softly.
08:15Alara, you just got through the funeral and you look awful.
08:18If my mother sees you like this, she'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 the pack's affairs, right?
08:28I'll go wake and smooth thing for at home, then come get you.
08:32I looked at him and nodded.
08:33I was truly exhausted from the constant fighting with his mother.
08:36Back then, I believed he was looking out for me.
08:39That he didn't want me to go back and face those cold stares.
08:42Only later did I realize, distance doesn't create beauty.
08:46It just makes it easier for him to love someone else.
08:50Last year, when his mother turned 60, Silas came to bring me back.
08:54The moment I stepped inside, I saw my stepsister Brianna.
08:58She was supposed to be in another pack for work.
09:00But there she was in the main hall, arranging things, her movements smooth and familiar.
09:06Silas paused while taking off his coat and explained,
09:09Brianna's assignment is near our territory.
09:11She's staying here temporarily.
09:12There wasn't a trace of guilt in his voice, and I didn't push for more.
09:20My father didn't take a second mate until I was already grown.
09:24Brianna was stepmother's daughter.
09:25We'd never been close.
09:27Over the years, we'd only seen each other during gatherings.
09:30I couldn't quite put into words how I felt about her staying there.
09:34When Brianna saw me walk in, she called out warmly,
09:37Hey, sis.
09:38Don't worry, I'm just crashing here for a bit.
09:40I'll move out once I find a place.
09:43I nodded, but said nothing.
09:45Back then, I never could have imagined.
09:47For three years, I waited alone in the Thorn Hollow pack.
09:50And all that time, my little sister had been working in the Crescent pack,
09:54now watching Brianna on Silas' back.
09:57It all suddenly clicked.
09:58I hadn't been waiting for him to bring me home at all.
10:01I'd been waiting for my heart to die.
10:03Brianna's voice drifted closer on the wind.
10:07What about Alara?
10:08If she finds out, she'll lose it.
10:10She's all bark and no bite.
10:12She'll get over it after throwing a fit.
10:16It's pitch black during the blood claiming I just made a mistake.
10:20She'll feel sorry for me before she even gets angry.
10:24Once she finds out, I'll just smooth it over.
10:28Brianna laughed softly.
10:30My knuckles whitened.
10:31One of his wolves spoke up suddenly.
10:33Alpha, what if someone else claimed Alara?
10:37The group fell quiet.
10:38You think she'd let anyone take her without a fight?
10:41Then Silas laughed.
10:42With that temper of hers, she'll tear the place apart tonight.
10:46True.
10:47No way Alama goes quietly.
10:50Feel sorry for that poor 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 I'd rip someone's throat out.
11:05But he said nothing.
11:06He just kept walking.
11:10At the edge of the Thorn Hollow territory, we ran straight into them.
11:14Someone from the other side called out.
11:16Kelvin?
11:17His steps halted.
11:18A quiet...
11:18Yeah.
11:19Silas moved closer with Brianna on his back, grinning.
11:24It really is you.
11:25You claiming someone tonight too?
11:28Yeah.
11:29Who?
11:30I buried my face in Killian's shoulder, showing only the back of my head.
11:34A neighboring family.
11:36Silas stared at me a moment longer, then laughed.
11:39Damn, man.
11:40Always figured you'd stay unmade forever.
11:43Congrats.
11:44Killian just grunted.
11:46Silas took a step forward.
11:47I felt his gaze linger on my back.
11:49That look lasted too long.
11:51Long enough I almost thought he'd recognized me.
11:54Let's go.
11:56Wait!
11:58Silas frowned.
11:59He was about to speak.
12:01Brianna's voice cut in, soft and pained.
12:03Simus, my ankle hurts.
12:05What's wrong?
12:06Did you twist it earlier?
12:07I don't know.
12:07It just aches.
12:08Her voice dropped.
12:09Let's go.
12:10We need to get to your territory before sunrise.
12:13Silas didn't waste another second.
12:15He nodded at Killian.
12:16Gotta run.
12:17I'll buy you a drink next time.
12:19Their footsteps faded into the distance.
12:21Killian spoke quietly.
12:23He really didn't recognize you.
12:24I rested my face against his shoulder and said nothing.
12:27My eyes stung, but I didn't cry.
12:30He seemed to sense it.
12:31His pace slowed, steps gentle and steady.
12:34The moon was bright.
12:35The road stretched on.
12:36I had no idea where he was taking me.
12:38But in that moment, I thought anywhere was better than going back.
13:10Music filled the crescent pack's great hall.
13:12He already had his 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 to blow up over the phone, then talk her down gently.
13:23She'd hurl some threat, and he'd smooth it over.
13:26Done.
13:27She never stayed mad at him for long.
13:29But this time, no call, no text, no yelling.
13:33One of his wolves wandered over with a drink.
13:36Alpha, still staring at your phone?
13:37Waiting on Allura?
13:38Don't bother.
13:39Signal's dead out here.
13:41Her area gets fine signal.
13:42Then her phone's probably dead.
13:44Or she didn't see it.
13:46Another wolf chimed in.
13:47She's probably off tearing someone apart right now.
13:51Everyone laughed.
13:52Silas stayed quiet.
13:54Allura had once told him,
13:55I set a special ringtone for your messages.
13:58Don't want to miss them.
13:59She'd sit out in the courtyard till midnight, just waiting for him to call.
14:04He didn't believe she didn't see it.
14:07But he had no better explanation.
14:10All right, quit 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, you stay with her all night.
14:17Finish the ritual.
14:18Silas's frown deepened.
14:21I told Brianna this 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, frustrated.
14:30Alpha, this is the blood claiming.
14:32Not a game.
14:33You took her, you finish it.
14:34Otherwise, you insult her whole pack.
14:36Besides, you and Allura have been together for years.
14:38She won't care about formalities.
14:39Just get through tonight.
14:40Silas opened his mouth to argue.
14:42Brianna appeared beside him.
14:44What are you guys talking about?
14:45Silas froze.
14:46About to explain.
14:48Brianna's voice softened.
14:49Simus.
14:50In our tradition, the blood claiming only happens once in a lifetime.
14:55I know this one's fake, but can we at least finish the ritual?
15:00She looked up at him, her eyes glistening.
15:03I know you love Allura, but just for tonight.
15:06Can you pretend I'm your Luna just tonight?
15:11Silas said nothing.
15:12Brianna bowed her head, her lashes fluttering.
15:15The crowd started chanting,
15:19Silas picked up his glass, linking arms with Brianna.
15:22Firelight danced across both their faces.
15:25Cheers and laughter erupted around them, loud enough to rattle the walls.
15:29He drank, but his eyes kept straying to the dark road beyond the territory.
15:33The same road he'd carried Brianna down tonight.
15:36At the gate, he'd run into Killian.
15:39They'd met years ago at annual meetup.
15:41They'd had a few drinks together.
15:43Acquaintances, at best.
15:45Tonight, Killian had been carrying someone too.
15:47Said she was from another family.
15:49She'd been thin, lying quietly on Killian's back.
15:52Only a glimpse of her neck was visible.
15:54The line of that neck, the curve of her bowed head.
15:57It had felt strangely familiar, but Brianna had cried out in pain, so he hadn't looked again.
16:04Now, thinking back, that silhouette.
16:07Silas?
16:08Brianna's voice pulled him back to the present.
16:10Is that okay?
16:12He nodded, distracted.
16:14Yeah.
16:14Then he stepped aside, pulled out his phone, and dialed Ilara's number.
16:18He needed to explain.
16:20He needed to make sure she didn't misunderstand.
16:22Finally, someone picked up.
16:25Hello?
16:26A middle-aged woman's voice.
16:30Silas blinked.
16:31Let me talk to Ilara.
16:33Ilara?
16:34The woman paused.
16:36She's not here.
16:37We're packing up her stuff to send over.
16:40Send over?
16:40Send where?
16:43Ilara never lets her phone leave her her hand.
16:46Where are you sending her things?
16:48The woman on the other end hesitated, not expecting the question.
16:52I'm Ilara's aunt.
16:54We have to pack her things and send them to her mate's pack.
16:57Mate's pack?
16:58He paused.
16:59So Ilara was preparing to move back in with him.
17:02That made sense.
17:03He'd always planned to bring her back after the blood claiming.
17:06Stopped leaving her at the Thorn Hollow pack alone.
17:10Auntie, about the blood claiming tonight, there was a bit of a mix-up.
17:15Ilara say anything?
17:17No.
17:18Several packs did blood claimings tonight.
17:20What would Ilara?
17:22Despite the words, a sense of unease surged in him.
17:25Just as he was about to ask more, the aunt interrupted him hurriedly.
17:29Oh, I can't talk anymore.
17:30We're busy packing.
17:32Both Eloda and Brianna were taken tonight.
17:35We have to get their things ready.
17:38Silas froze.
17:39What did she mean, both were taken?
17:41Didn't he only take Brianna?
17:43As for Ilara, she would never go with someone she didn't love.
17:47He gripped the phone.
17:48Auntie, you said Elara was taken?
17:51Yes, by the Ironclaw pack.
17:53Silas' throat tightened.
17:54He couldn't speak.
17:55He suddenly remembered something, and his mind exploded.
17:59Ironclaw.
18:00Killian, the wolf he met at the gate, the one carrying a girl, saying she was his mate.
18:05That silhouette that looked so 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, shouldn't she have clawed the 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, no snarl, no resistance?
18:32No, that wasn't Elara.
18:34That wasn't the Elara he knew.
18:37He remembered talking to Elara about blood claimings before.
18:41She had been perched on the big tree, swinging her legs, speaking excitedly.
18:45The she-wolves in the Thorn Hollow pack, if they're claimed by someone they don't want,
18:49they don't just let them.
18:51They claw, bite, and snarl.
18:54They fight until the wolf gives up himself.
18:56He had teased her then.
18:58You're so wild.
18:59Who would dare claim you?
19:01She had rolled her eyes, her chin held high.
19:04Well, it depends on who's coming.
19:06If it's you...
19:08She had stopped suddenly, her face flushing as she turned away.
19:11Anyway, if it's you, I'd just put on a show of struggling a little, for appearances.
19:16He teased her.
19:17Just a little?
19:19Three times at most.
19:20She glared at him, then laughed, her eyes bright like mountain stars.
19:25If you came to claim me, I'd probably be the first to jump on your back so you wouldn't
19:28have to take those hits.
19:32He had thought then, this girl is so foolish.
19:36Auntie.
19:37His voice barely controlled.
19:38Alara, when was she taken?
19:41When?
19:42The aunt thought for a moment.
19:44Tonight, right after you left.
19:47Silas opened his mouth, but not a single word came out.
19:50Hello?
19:51Hello?
19:52Simus?
19:53Are you still there?
19:54I'm here.
19:55Why are you asking so much?
19:57Alara's mate will take care of her.
19:59You claimed Brianna tonight, didn't you?
20:01That poor girl's had it rough.
20:03Take good care of her.
20:04Silas said nothing.
20:06All right, I have to go.
20:08We're still packing.
20:09Alara left in such a hurry she 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, white-knuckling his phone.
20:20Around him were songs, laughter, music, all the noise of celebration.
20:27Congratulations, man.
20:29Someone shoved a drink into his hand, tugging him toward the dance floor.
20:34Brianna waved at him from across the fire, but he couldn't hear a thing.
20:39While he'd been carrying Brianna away, Alara had been lying on another wolf's back.
20:44They had passed each other in the dark.
20:46He thought she would fight, snarl, resist, but she did nothing.
20:50We're still fighting.
20:51We're still fighting.
20:52We're still fighting.
20:52We're still fighting.
20:52We're still fighting.
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