- 7 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.
00:48His 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. 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.
01:27Instead, 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,
01:51that girl. At 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. I waited. For three years, I'd held my
02:15tongue,
02:15longing for this night. But he'd come for another woman. He'd kept me deceived for years with a forged decree.
02:20All 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. Wolf 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. Another group of wolves had come from the silver backpack.
02:43They'd originally come for Brianna. By the rules of the ritual, if a she-wolf didn't want to be taken,
02:47she could hide and send them away empty-handed. But Brianna didn't hide. She waited in her room
02:52to be taken. And the wolf she waited for was my mate. The room I was in wasn't mine. It
02:57was Brianna's.
02:59That afternoon, my stepmother pulled me aside. For once, her voice was gentle.
03:03Allara, stay in Brianna's room tonight. Yours is too far back, too quiet. They'll never find you. The
03:10wolves coming for Brianna are savages. You've always been tough. You can handle the blood trial.
03:16Brianna is fragile. If she gets caught in the crossfire, it'll be a disaster.
03:21I said nothing. I knew exactly what she meant. By the rules of the blood claiming, the alpha's wolves
03:27would storm in. The she-wolf was expected to fight back with everything she had. It was called the blood
03:33trial. The harder she fought, the more valuable she was considered. The alpha had to prove he could pin
03:39her down and force her submission. Those claws drew real blood. My stepmother studied my face, testing me.
03:46Besides, Simus has never been here at night. The front room? He'll find you faster.
03:50Back then, I'd only wanted to make things easier for Silas. I agreed. I even sent him my room
03:55location through the mind link. But they'd been planning this switch all along.
04:02A roar of celebration erupted outside. We got her! The 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. I knew exactly who they'd taken. I could picture Silas carrying Brianna
04:17through the crowd, his wolves flanking them, as pack members lunged and blocked their path. Brianna
04:21would hide her face against his back, pretending to struggle. How perfect! I lowered my gaze.
04:27Moments later, my door was kicked in. A group of wolves flooded into the dark room,
04:32eyes glowing amber in the black. Then the blood trial began. Someone seized my arm,
04:36claws biting into skin. Fists cracked against my spine. Claws raked across my shoulders and back.
04:42The harder the beating, the more the pack valued the bride. I let them drag me from my chair toward
04:47the door, their claws leaving red trails down my arms. At first, it felt like a formality. But the
04:52violence quickly turned savage. Someone slammed me into the stone wall, fangs snapping inches from my
04:58throat. This was intentional. The pain was excruciating, but I didn't make a sound. I finally
05:05understood what my stepmother had meant by calling me tough. Just when I thought it would never end,
05:10a body slammed between us, throwing the attackers off me. Enough! It was a stranger's voice,
05:16sharp with fury. He stood over me, claws out, and shoved the other's back with a snarl.
05:22That's the rule. The harder we hit, the more she's worth. What rule? His voice dropped to a
05:28dangerous growl, canines lengthening. This isn't your mate! If someone was tearing
05:34into your she-wolf like prey, would you just stand there and watch? The room went silent. He glanced
05:39back at me. In the shadows, I could only make out the sharp line of his jaw and the amber
05:44flash of
05:44his eyes. Then he bent down and hoisted me onto his back. Who is he? He's taking this ritual way
05:50too
05:50seriously. He carried me out in long, steady strides. Wolves chased after us, snapping and
05:55lunging, but his grip on my legs never wavered. When he finally carried me out of the packhouse,
06:00he paused to catch his breath. In the distance, the faint glow of ritual torches moved. That was
06:05the other group. Crossing the corridor, I heard their laughter. Silas was at the front, sweat soaked,
06:13but wearing a triumphant smile. Brianna was on his back, her arms wrapped tight around his neck.
06:18His wolves were cheering. I lay silent on the stranger's back as they drew near.
06:25Torchlight flickered across my face. Silas's 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. Brianna whispered something in his ear, and he leaned in with a soft smile.
06:40I suddenly thought back to three years ago, when I'd returned to the Thorn Hollow pack to visit my
06:45father and stayed for a while. The first time Silas came to find me there, he'd worn that exact same
06:51smile. That day, my father's warriors put him to the test. My father sent a dozen warriors to block
06:59him at the gates. Claws out, fangs bared. They told him to turn back. He fought through every single one
07:05of them and showed up at my door, bruised, bloodied, barely standing. I asked if it hurt.
07:11He grinned through the blood. For my mate, I'd take a lot worse.
07:15He was of the proud alpha heir, yet he'd taken a beating from my father's warriors,
07:19just for me. He 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. He showed up soaked to the bone, his shirt torn, but the pastries tucked
07:36inside his jacket were still dry. He 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. But now, he carried Brianna with that exact same smile.
07:53My vision blurred for a second, then sharpened again. When did it all start to change?
08:01Probably 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. If my mother sees you like this,
08:19she'll start on you again. I don't want you putting up with that.
08:22Just stay here at the room and rest. You'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. I was truly exhausted from the constant fighting with his mother.
08:36Back then, I believed he was looking out for me, that he didn't want me to go back and face
08:41those
08:41cold stares. Only later did I realize, distance doesn't create beauty. It just makes it easier for
08:48him to love someone else. Last year, when his mother turned 60, Silas came to bring me back.
08:54The moment I stepped inside, I saw my stepsister Brianna. She was supposed to be in another pack
09:00for work. But 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. She'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. We'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, don't worry, I'm just crashing here for a bit. I'll move out once I find a place.
09:43I nodded, but said nothing. Back then, I never could have imagined. For three years,
09:48I waited alone in the Thorn Hollow pack. And all that time, my little sister had been working
09:53in the Crescent pack. Now watching Brianna on Silas' back, it all suddenly clicked. I hadn't
09:59been waiting for him to bring me home at all. I'd been waiting for my heart to die.
10:03Brianna's voice drifted closer on the wind.
10:06What about Alara? If she finds out, she'll lose it.
10:10She's all bark and no bite. She'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. Once she finds out, I'll just smooth it over.
10:28Brianna laughed softly. My knuckles whitened. One of his wolves spoke up suddenly.
10:33Alpha, what if someone else claimed Alara?
10:36The 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. No way Alama goes quietly.
10:50Feel sorry for that poor bastard. Wonder what he looks like now.
10:54The laughter swelled. I looked down.
10:57Let's go.
10:59He must have heard everything. Heard them laughing about me.
11:02Heard how they thought I'd rip someone's throat out.
11:05But he said nothing. He 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. A quiet...
11:19Yeah.
11:19Silas moved closer with Brianna on his back, grinning.
11:24It really is you. You claiming someone tonight too?
11:28Yeah. Who?
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. Always figured you'd stay unmade forever.
11:43Congrats.
11:44Killian just grunted. Silas took a step forward.
11:47I felt his gaze linger on my back.
11:49That look lasted too long. Long enough, I almost thought he'd recognized me.
11:54Let's go. Wait.
11:58Silas frowned. He was about to speak. Brianna's voice cut in, soft and pained.
12:03Simus, my ankle hurts.
12:05What's wrong? Did you twist it earlier?
12:07I don't know. It just aches.
12:08Her voice dropped.
12:10Let's go. We need to get to your territory before sunrise.
12:13Silas didn't waste another second. He nodded at Killian.
12:17Gotta run. I'll buy you a drink next time.
12:19Their footsteps faded into the distance. Killian spoke quietly.
12:23He really didn't recognize you.
12:24I rested my face against his shoulder and said nothing. My eyes stung, but I didn't cry.
12:30He seemed to sense it. His pace slowed, steps gentle and steady.
12:34The moon was bright. The road stretched on. I had no idea where he was taking me.
12:38But in that moment, I thought anywhere was better than going back.
12:44Music filled the crescent pack's great hall. The whole place buzzed with celebration.
12:49Wine flowed freely, and wolves danced to old songs.
12:52This was the feast after a successful blood claiming. By tradition, it would last until sunrise.
12:58Silas sat at the edge of the crowd, phone in hand. The screen lit up, went dark, then lit again.
13:03No messages from Alara. That wasn't like her. She never kept things bottled up.
13:08If she'd found out he'd claimed the wrong she-wolf, she would've called screaming by now.
13:12He already had his excuses ready.
13:15It was pitch black. Don't overthink it. You'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. Done.
13:27She never stayed mad at him for long. But 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? Waiting on Alara?
13:38Don't bother. Signal's dead out here.
13:41Her area gets fine signal. Then her phone's probably dead. Or she didn't see it.
13:46Another wolf chimed in. She's probably off tearing someone apart right now.
13:51Everyone laughed. Silas stayed quiet. Alara had once told him.
13:55I set a special ringtone for your messages. Don'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. But he had no better explanation.
14:10All right, quit overthinking. This is your big night. Your mate's waiting for you. What are you
14:14doing sitting here? Once you've claimed her, you stay with her all night. Finish the ritual.
14:18Silas' frown deepened.
14:21I told Brianna this was temporary. He said quietly.
14:25I just got her out of there. I didn't plan on-
14:28Didn't plan on what?
14:29The wolf cut him off, frustrated.
14:30Alpha, this is the blood claiming. Not a game.
14:33You took her, you finish it. Otherwise, you insult her whole pack.
14:35Besides, you and Alara have been together for years. She won't care about formalities.
14:39Just get through tonight.
14:40Silas opened his mouth to argue. Brianna appeared beside him.
14:44What are you guys talking about?
14:45Silas froze. About to explain. Brianna's voice softened.
14:49Simus, in 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.
15:02I know you love Alara, but just for tonight. Can you pretend I'm your Luna, just tonight?
15:11Silas said nothing. Brianna bowed her head, her lashes fluttering. The crowd started chanting.
15:19Silas picked up his glass, linking arms with Brianna. Firelight danced across both their faces.
15:25Cheers and laughter erupted around them, loud enough to rattle the walls. He drank,
15:29but his eyes kept straying to the dark road beyond the territory. The same road he'd carried Brianna
15:36down tonight. At the gate, he'd run into Killian. They'd met years ago at annual meetup. They'd had a
15:42few drinks together. Acquaintances, at best. Tonight, Killian had been carrying someone too. Said she was
15:48from another family. She'd been thin, lying quietly on Killian's back. Only a glimpse of her neck was
15:54visible. The line of that neck, the curve of her bowed head. It had felt strangely familiar, but
15:59Brianna had cried out in pain, so he hadn't looked again. Now, thinking back, that silhouette,
16:07Silas? Brianna's voice pulled him back to the present. Is that okay? He nodded, distracted. Yeah.
16:14Then he stepped aside, pulled out his phone, and dialed Alara's number. He needed to explain. He
16:21needed to make sure she didn't misunderstand. Finally, someone picked up. Hello? A middle-aged
16:26woman's voice. Silas blinked. Let me talk to Alara. Alora? The woman paused. She's not here. We're
16:38packing up her stuff to send over. Send over? Send where? Alara never lets her phone leave her
16:45her hand. Where are you sending her things? The woman on the other end hesitated, not expecting
16:51the question. I'm Alara's aunt. We have to pack her things and send them to her mate's pack.
16:57Mate's pack? He paused. So Alara was preparing to move back in with him. That made sense. He'd always
17:04plan to bring her back after the blood claiming. Stopped leaving her at the Thorn Hollow pack alone.
17:10Auntie, about the blood claiming tonight, there was a bit of a mix-up.
17:15Alara say anything? No. Several packs did blood claimings tonight. What would Alara?
17:22Despite the words, a sense of unease surged in him. Just as he was about to ask more,
17:27the aunt interrupted him hurriedly. Oh, I can't talk anymore. We're busy packing.
17:32Both Alara and Brianna were taken tonight. We have to get their things ready.
17:38Silas froze. What did she mean both were taken? Didn't he only take Brianna?
17:43As for Alara, she would never go with someone she didn't love. He gripped the phone.
17:48Auntie, you said Alara was taken? Yes, by the iron claw pack. Silas's throat tightened. He couldn't
17:55speak. He suddenly remembered something, and his mind exploded. Iron claw. Killian,
18:01the wolf he met at the gate, the one carrying a girl, saying she was his mate. That silhouette
18:06that looked so familiar. His voice was choked. She didn't fight? Fight? Why would she? A blood
18:12claiming isn't a bad thing. She was as quiet as could be. She just went with him. We all thought
18:16it was strange. With her temper, shouldn't she have clawed the wolf to pieces? But nothing happened.
18:21She just let him carry her away. Silas's hand began to shake. Quiet as could be. Just let him
18:28carry her away. No fight. No snarl. No resistance. No, that wasn't Alara. That wasn't the Alara he knew.
18:38He remembered talking to Alara about blood claimings before. She had been perched on the big tree,
18:43swinging her legs, speaking excitedly. The she-wolves in the Thorn Hollow pack, if they're claimed by
18:48someone they don't want, they don't just let them. They claw, bite, and snarl. They fight until the
18:55wolf gives up himself. He had teased her then. You're so wild. Who would dare claim you? She had
19:02rolled her eyes, her chin held high. Well, it depends on who's coming. If it's you... She had
19:09stopped suddenly, her face flushing as she turned away. Anyway, if it's you, I just put on a show of
19:14struggling a little for appearances. He teased her. Just a little? Three times at most. She glared at
19:21him, then laughed, her eyes bright like mountain stars. If you came to claim me, I'd probably be
19:27the first to jump on your back so you wouldn't have to take those hits. He had thought then,
19:33this girl is so foolish. Auntie. His voice barely controlled. Alara, when was she taken?
19:42When? The aunt thought for a moment. Tonight, right after you left.
19:47Silas opened his mouth, but not a single word came out. Hello? Hello? Simus? Are you still there?
19:54I'm here. Why are you asking so much? Alara's mate will take care of her.
19:59You claimed Brianna tonight, didn't you? That poor girl's had it rough. Take good care of her.
20:04Silas said nothing. All right, I have to go. We're still packing. Alara left in such a hurry,
20:10she forgot so many things. We have to get them to her. Bye now. The line went dead. He stood
20:18at
20:18the edge of the crowd, white-knuckling his phone. Around him were songs, laughter, music, all the noise
20:25of celebration. Congratulations, man. Someone shoved a drink into his hand, tugging him toward the dance
20:32floor. Brianna waved at him from across the fire, but he couldn't hear a thing. While he'd been carrying
20:40Brianna away, Alara had been lying on another wolf's back. They had passed each other in the dark. He
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