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EspañOl La CompañEra Irresistible Del Rey Alfa VersióN Completo - Video
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00:04I was born with heavy breasts and lush curves.
00:08My half-sister Chloe was afraid her mate Brad would go feral over me,
00:12so she sold me to an impotent alpha.
00:15She patted my shoulder.
00:20Who knows, maybe he's good at other things.
00:23Three months later, I was begging for mercy every night.
00:27Funny. He seemed good at everything.
00:31Case Valerius, the Blackwood Pax Alpha, the Lycan King's most trusted war commander.
00:36He was carried back from the battlefield soaked in blood.
00:38Someone suggested,
00:40A mate bond shares life force.
00:42If Alpha Case was bound to a living, healthy mate,
00:45her strength could flow into him and pull him back.
00:48Chloe rushed to play matchmaker and presented me to Martha before I could object.
00:51I had no way to refuse.
00:53If I wouldn't agree, she'd transfer me to serve 60-year-old Elder Kevin.
00:57I knew she resented my history with her mate.
01:00I dropped to my knees and swore to the moon goddess.
01:03I swear, Chloe, I had no feelings for Brad.
01:07Chloe jabbed a finger at my forehead, fury in her eyes.
01:09What good is a vow?
01:11Do you have any idea how distracting you are?
01:13I hunched my shoulders.
01:15Tears slid down my cheeks.
01:17Just look at that ample body and those charming curves,
01:20parading your body in front of every male in the clan.
01:23Who among them would not lose their minds at the smell of you?
01:26I wanted to tell her.
01:28To bind my chest, I'd wrapped myself layer after layer in the sweltering heat
01:32until I broke out in a rash.
01:34Her expression softened.
01:35She wiped my tears.
01:37It's not that I don't trust you.
01:39It's that I don't trust males.
01:41Do you know how powerful Alpha Case is?
01:44If my mother and Martha weren't old friends,
01:46you wouldn't even have this opportunity.
01:48Chloe, I don't want to be anyone's offering.
01:51I'd rather scrub kitchen floors.
01:54Just don't make me...
01:57Two sharp slaps landed across my face.
02:00My cheek burned.
02:01Leah, are you out of your mind?
02:03If I hadn't vouched for you,
02:05Martha wouldn't have given you a second glance.
02:07You wouldn't even be worthy of being Case's mate.
02:10The maid burst in breathless.
02:12Miss Chloe, word from the Valerius Estate.
02:15Alpha Case has woken up.
02:18Chloe dragged me straight to Valerius Estate.
02:21Enormous.
02:21I followed her through the main hall
02:23to a set of heavy double doors pulled half shut.
02:25Through the gap, I could make out a man's shape in the bed.
02:27Thin, motionless.
02:29Chest rattling with shallow coughs every few minutes.
02:32Martha stood on our side, eyes red.
02:34Thank you for everything you've done for Case.
02:36I won't destroy a girl's future over it.
02:38Chloe's eyes moved.
02:39Quick and calculating.
02:40This is Valerius.
02:41The bond should still be completed.
02:43Leah arrived the same day Case woke up.
02:46That's the moon goddess guiding us.
02:48Seal the bond properly.
02:49Her life force will keep pulling him back toward health.
02:52Before she could speak,
02:53the healer Ella stepped out,
02:54expression tight.
02:56Alpha Case has regained consciousness,
02:58but an arrow struck his inner thigh during battle.
03:03I'm afraid he will no longer be able to-
03:05Unable to do what?
03:06He will no longer be able to get hard.
03:09Martha's knees gave out.
03:10I caught her before she hit the floor.
03:12She looked up at me with hollowed eyes.
03:14Leah,
03:16knowing this,
03:17are you still willing?
03:18Yes.
03:19She's been looking forward to it.
03:20Chloe was already answering for me.
03:22Of course she is.
03:23She's just an Omega with no prospects.
03:26She should be grateful.
03:27I didn't speak right away.
03:29My mind went to my past.
03:31There was a young wolf in the poor quarter behind our estate.
03:34I first saw him through the fence gaps.
03:36Thin wrists,
03:37hollow cheeks,
03:38hunched over a cracked bowl with nothing in it.
03:41I started passing food through the gaps.
03:43Bread first,
03:44then soup,
03:45then whatever I had.
03:46Day after day,
03:47I watched him change.
03:49The hollows in his cheeks filled out.
03:51His shoulders broadened.
03:53He started training before dawn,
03:55running laps around the back wall while I was still half asleep.
03:57He was going to enter the warrior trials.
04:00I knew it before he told me.
04:01When he passed,
04:02I went to find him that same night.
04:04I was happy.
04:05I remember it clearly.
04:06I was genuinely happy.
04:07I knocked on the gate.
04:08He didn't open it.
04:09His voice came,
04:10Leah,
04:11I'm betrothed now.
04:12It wouldn't be proper.
04:13Then a soft thud in the dirt at my feet.
04:14A pouch of silver.
04:15Consider my debt repaid.
04:17I stood there for a moment.
04:18Then I picked it up and walked away.
04:20That wolf became Chloe's mate.
04:22Brad.
04:23I acted like I'd never known him.
04:25Chloe found out anyway.
04:27I snapped back to reality.
04:28I gathered my skirts and knelt in front of Martha.
04:32My lady,
04:33I'm willing.
04:34I'll complete the bond,
04:35care for Case,
04:36and serve you as long as you need me.
04:39Luna.
04:39Martha kept her word
04:40and prepared a dignified mating dress for me.
04:43Chloe deliberately chose a day
04:44when Brad was away on pack business
04:46to send me off.
04:47She walked me to the door,
04:48guilt on her face.
04:49Even though Case can't get hard,
04:51at least you'll be spared
04:53the pain of bearing pups.
04:54Don't worry.
04:56An alpha who can't perform in that area
04:58is probably exceptional in every other.
05:00Honestly,
05:01none of what Chloe said
05:02had even crossed my mind.
05:03I told myself
05:04I was simply moving to a new household.
05:07Case was too weak to stand through the full mate blessing ritual.
05:10I completed the bond rites
05:12beside his ceremonial sword instead.
05:14Martha watched from the front,
05:16eyes wet the whole time.
05:18When it was done,
05:19I was alpha Case's mate.
05:21The mating chamber was quiet.
05:23I pushed the door open carefully.
05:25Case was already inside,
05:27half reclined against the headboard
05:29in a white bathrobe.
05:30He turned when he heard me.
05:31Up close,
05:32he was strikingly handsome.
05:34Sharp jaw,
05:35dark eyes,
05:36the kind of face
05:37that didn't need color in it
05:38to hold attention.
05:39I had no intention of taking a mate,
05:42he said with a low voice.
05:43If it doesn't trouble you,
05:45we can treat this
05:46as a sibling arrangement.
05:47He pointed to the chaise
05:48along the far wall.
05:50Tonight the bed is yours.
05:52I'll take that.
05:54Tomorrow you move to the guest quarters.
05:56All right,
05:56I nodded.
05:57He had thought of everything.
05:59It wasn't what I'd expected.
06:01Before the ritual,
06:02one of the older maids
06:03had pulled me aside
06:04and pressed something into my hands.
06:06A small handbook,
06:07worn at the corners.
06:08She'd whispered
06:09with a strange look.
06:10There are other ways
06:12between maids.
06:13You might find it useful.
06:15I had no idea
06:15what she meant
06:16until I opened it.
06:18Heat pooled in my core
06:19just from looking at the pages.
06:21Is it too hot?
06:22Case was watching me
06:23from the bed,
06:24eyes direct,
06:26unblinking.
06:27The dress is heavy.
06:28I'm a little warm.
06:31Then wash up and rest.
06:33He pulled the blanket
06:33over himself
06:34and turned toward the wall.
06:35Within minutes,
06:36his breathing evened out.
06:38I set the handbook down
06:39on the vanity
06:39and took down my hair.
06:41Then the layered robes,
06:43piece by piece,
06:44until I was standing
06:44in nothing but my nightgown.
06:46I turned to the mirror.
06:48The thin fabric
06:49clung to every curve,
06:50heavy breasts
06:51straining against the cloth,
06:52slim waist giving way
06:54to the flare of my hips.
06:55I walked straight
06:56into Case's gaze.
06:57He wasn't asleep.
06:59His chest rose hard.
07:00The tips of his ears
07:01went red.
07:02His throat worked
07:03as he swallowed.
07:04I grabbed my outer robe
07:06and pressed it
07:06against my chest.
07:08Alpha,
07:09I thought you were asleep.
07:10A long pause.
07:12I could sleep later.
07:14My breath hitched.
07:15He rose slowly
07:17to his feet,
07:18his tall frame
07:18casting a shadow
07:19over me.
07:30The handbook's images
07:31came flooding in.
07:32My breathing shifted
07:33without me meaning it to,
07:34somehow falling
07:35into the same rhythm
07:36as his.
07:37Then Case turned
07:38and walked to the door.
07:39The moment cool
07:40night air rushed in,
07:41I snapped back
07:42to my senses.
07:43He'd already disappeared
07:44into the darkness.
07:45I turned it over
07:46in my mind.
07:47When he'd looked
07:48at me just now,
07:49his eyes had flashed
07:51with something
07:51unmistakably like shock.
07:53Had my figure
07:54actually frightened him?
07:55Before I lay down,
07:57I made a firm decision.
07:58Tomorrow morning,
07:59I was binding my chest
08:00at least one full loop tighter.
08:02I was hovering somewhere
08:03between sleep and waking
08:05when Case slipped back in.
08:06The tips of his hair
08:07still beaded with water.
08:09He'd apparently
08:09gone to shower.
08:10By morning,
08:11he was already gone.
08:12Ivy came in
08:13to help me dress.
08:14From the corridor outside
08:15came the sound of a man.
08:17Once.
08:18Then again.
08:20Martha's head maid's voice
08:21carried clearly
08:22through the door.
08:23Alpha Case?
08:24Why didn't you call someone
08:25to heat the water?
08:26It's already summer
08:27but the nights are still cold.
08:29Of course you've caught a chill.
08:31I'll go brew tea right now.
08:32I glanced at Ivy.
08:34Does the Alpha
08:35usually take cold showers?
08:37I honestly don't know, miss.
08:39I dismissed her
08:39and locked the door.
08:40I wound a strip of cloth
08:42tight over my undergarments,
08:43then pulled on
08:45the most conservative dress
08:46I could find in the wardrobe.
08:47High neck,
08:48loose cut,
08:49heavy fabric.
08:50Then I went to living room.
08:52Case was already there
08:53when I arrived,
08:54seated beside Martha.
08:56She lit up
08:56the moment she saw me,
08:58her whole face
08:58warm with welcome.
09:00Until Case coughed
09:01and the warmth
09:02vanished instantly.
09:04Cage,
09:05I have a few private words
09:06for Leah.
09:07Go rest for a while.
09:08Case rose
09:09and left without a word.
09:10Martha waved me over
09:12and took both my hands
09:13in hers,
09:14eyes glistening.
09:16Sweet girl,
09:17our case is lucky
09:18to have you.
09:22The pack healer says
09:23the injury drained
09:24his life force.
09:25There's no telling
09:26how long he has left.
09:28Some of the elders
09:29suggested I find a child
09:30for him to adopt
09:31to carry on the bloodline.
09:35But if I did that,
09:37wouldn't I be stealing
09:38your whole future
09:39from you?
09:40I'm already grateful
09:42you came into this family
09:43to save Case.
09:44I can't let you sacrifice
09:45the rest of your life
09:46on top of that.
09:47I've thought it through.
09:48If Case's time does come,
09:50I'll have him issue you
09:51a formal mate release.
09:52Your future stays protected
09:54and I'll see to it
09:55that you receive property
09:56and a place of your own.
09:58I reached up
09:59and wiped the tears
09:59from the corners of her eyes.
10:01chest tight with an ache
10:02I couldn't name.
10:04Mrs. Valerius,
10:05thank you for looking
10:06out for me.
10:07I'd come here
10:07thinking of myself
10:08as nothing more
10:09than a transferred
10:09Omega servant.
10:10I never imagined
10:11she would think
10:12this far ahead
10:13on my behalf.
10:14My thoughts drifted
10:15to the mother
10:15I had never known.
10:16If she had been alive,
10:17if I had grown up
10:18under a mother's protection,
10:19I never would have
10:20ended up in any
10:21of the situations
10:22I'd been through.
10:23Martha laughed
10:24through her tears.
10:24Look at me,
10:25I've gone and made you
10:26cry too.
10:27She squeezed my hands.
10:29Leah, there's no need
10:30to be so formal.
10:31Call me mom,
10:33just like Case does.
10:34She took a breath.
10:35So, I have a proposition
10:36for you.
10:37Chloe mentioned
10:38you know how to prepare
10:39medicinal soups.
10:40I'd like you to take over
10:41Case's daily meals
10:43and care.
10:43I just want him
10:44to live a little longer.
10:45That's my one selfish wish.
10:47By the end,
10:48her voice had gone rough.
10:49I nodded.
10:50I headed to the kitchen
10:51to gather ingredients.
10:52The last time
10:53I'd prepared medicinal soup
10:54was several years ago,
10:55back when Brad
10:56was not yet Chloe's mate.
10:58He'd lost both parents
10:59and lived alone
11:00in a run-down unit,
11:01skipping meals
11:02to save every cent
11:03for his warrior training.
11:05One day,
11:06I found him collapsed
11:07at our back gate
11:07and brought him around.
11:08Out of sympathy,
11:09I dug through
11:10my mother's
11:11old healer journals
11:11and prepared medicinal meals
11:13for him every day
11:14to rebuild his strength.
11:16Only the two of us
11:17ever knew about it.
11:18From the looks of things,
11:19he was the one
11:20who told Chloe
11:21just to get me driven out.
11:23The lengths he had gone to
11:24were truly something.
11:26I carried the steaming soup
11:27to the bedroom
11:28and found Case
11:29directing servants
11:30to pack up his belongings.
11:32Alpha,
11:33what's this about?
11:34Weren't we agreed
11:35that I was moving
11:36to the guest room?
11:36His sharply handsome face
11:37didn't shift so much
11:38as a fraction.
11:39I have fewer things.
11:42It makes more sense
11:43for me to move.
11:43At least eat first.
11:45I set the food
11:45on the table.
11:46He gave it a brief glance
11:48and sat down.
11:51You can leave this
11:52kind of thing
11:52to the maid
11:53from now on.
11:54It's no different
11:55coming from me.
11:57It is different.
11:59His voice remained
12:00flat and cool.
12:01Have Ivy bring it
12:02from now on.
12:03He finished the soup
12:04in a few quick swallows,
12:06said a few words
12:07to his servants
12:08and swept past me.
12:09In that moment,
12:10I confirmed one thing.
12:12Alpha Case
12:12couldn't stand
12:13the sight of me.
12:14I followed his instructions
12:16and had Ivy deliver
12:17his daily healing meals
12:18to the study
12:19from then on.
12:20Martha couldn't stop
12:21singing my praises.
12:22The pack healer says
12:23Case's condition
12:24has stabilized significantly.
12:26I can see the color
12:27coming back to his face.
12:28Leah,
12:29that's entirely
12:30because of you.
12:31Delighted,
12:32she pressed a gold bracelet
12:33into my hands.
12:34Back in my room,
12:36I tucked it
12:36into my jewelry box,
12:37which had been
12:38slowly filling
12:39with pieces
12:39Martha had gifted me
12:40since my arrival.
12:42Leah,
12:42you never wear
12:43any of these.
12:44Isn't it a waste
12:45to just put them away?
12:46How is it a waste?
12:47Every one of these
12:48can be converted
12:49to cash.
12:50That's my security fund.
12:52But Lady Martha
12:53gave these to you personally.
12:54Are you really going
12:55to sell all of them?
12:56Not right now,
12:57but if the mate bond
12:58is ever severed,
12:59naturally I'd sell them
13:00and keep the money on hand.
13:02Ivy's expression
13:03shifted to pure bewilderment.
13:05As she turned away,
13:06she dropped her voice
13:07to a murmur.
13:09Alpha?
13:12Alpha?
13:12I spun around
13:13and met a pair
13:14of ink-dark eyes.
13:15Martha's eyesight
13:16must truly be failing her.
13:18Case looked worse than ever.
13:20Case's face
13:21was even paler than before.
13:23His gaze was sharp
13:24and cutting,
13:24fixed on me
13:25with cold precision.
13:26The look unsettled
13:28me completely,
13:29but I didn't dare
13:29let a single trace
13:30of a show.
13:32Alpha,
13:33is there something
13:34you need?
13:35A journal.
13:36We looked together.
13:38I checked the shelves,
13:39he checked the writing desk.
13:40Neither of us spoke.
13:42I spotted the journal
13:43pushed to the very back
13:44of the top shelf,
13:45behind a row
13:45of my mother's medical notes.
13:47I reached up on my toes,
13:48my fingertips
13:49just grazed the cover.
13:51Case's hand came over mine,
13:53warm, steady.
13:54He reached past me
13:56without effort
13:56and closed his hand
13:57around the journal.
13:58I turned my head.
14:00His face was right there,
14:02closer than I'd realized.
14:03He was looking down at me.
14:05Then I lost my footing
14:06and pitched straight into him.
14:08My heavy breasts
14:09hit his chest first.
14:10My waist went straight
14:12into his palm,
14:13his hand catching me
14:14before he could react.
14:15Case didn't step back.
14:17His eartips went red.
14:18His throat worked
14:19as he swallowed.
14:20When he exhaled,
14:22the breath came out uneven
14:23against the top of my head.
14:24His eyes flashed gold
14:26for a second,
14:27then green.
14:28I scrambled upright,
14:30face burning.
14:31Your journal.
14:32He took it without a word
14:33and walked out.
14:34Perfect.
14:35My standing in his eyes
14:36had just sunk even lower.
14:38After that day,
14:39I made every effort
14:40to avoid crossing paths
14:41with Case.
14:42He was injured
14:42and recovering.
14:43He needed to stay calm.
14:45But there was one more thing
14:46bothering me.
14:47Brad had been sending notes.
14:49Three times already.
14:50I hadn't opened a single one,
14:52just dropped them in a box.
14:53Then,
14:54Ivy pressed one
14:54into my hand that morning.
14:55It's not just a note this time.
14:57He's here.
14:58Side entrance.
14:59Says he won't leave
15:00until you come out.
15:01I clenched my fist
15:02and walked out.
15:02I didn't notice the figure
15:03that followed
15:04from the far end
15:04of the courtyard.
15:05Brad was standing
15:06at the gate.
15:08Leah,
15:09you finally came.
15:10You should be calling me
15:11Mrs. Valerius.
15:12He paused,
15:14dropped his voice.
15:15Mrs. Valerius.
15:16Do you have any idea
15:17how many times
15:18you've put me
15:19in an impossible position
15:20with these meetings?
15:21I know.
15:23I just wanted to tell you
15:25I'll be securing
15:26more power in the pack.
15:28Soon I won't need
15:28Chloe's father
15:29backing me anymore.
15:30He stepped closer.
15:31I'll buy a house, Leah.
15:33Come with me.
15:34Anything's better
15:35than staying
15:35with a dying man.
15:37He reached for me.
15:38I stepped back.
15:40You want me
15:41as your mistress?
15:42Brad nodded,
15:43completely serious.
15:44I laughed.
15:45Why would I give up
15:46being the Alpha's mate
15:47to be your mistress?
15:49The whole pack
15:50knows Case is dying.
15:51He won't last.
15:53And he can't even
15:54stand up anymore.
15:56His eyes dropped
15:57deliberately to my chest.
15:58Isn't that a waste?
16:01Disgust surged
16:02through me.
16:03Brad,
16:04I will never be
16:05anyone's mistress.
16:07Case fought on the
16:07front lines
16:08for this pack.
16:09Those injuries
16:10are his honor.
16:12You've benefited
16:13from every battle
16:14he won
16:15and you're standing here
16:16calling him
16:16less of a man.
16:18You're the one
16:19who's less.
16:21Come near me again
16:22and every note
16:23you've sent
16:23goes straight to Chloe.
16:25How do you think
16:26that ends for you?
16:28His face went white.
16:30I swung the gate shut.
16:31I turned around
16:32and came face to face
16:33with Case.
16:34White t-shirt
16:35standing less than
16:36half a foot away.
16:36His full height
16:37bearing down on me.
16:38Alpha,
16:38I managed.
16:39A faint edge
16:40flickered across
16:41his expression.
16:42Wasn't it my mate
16:43just a moment ago?
16:44Why so formal
16:45all of a sudden?
16:46I looked down
16:47and started walking.
16:50Please don't misunderstand.
16:51As long as I'm in this estate,
16:52I honor this bond.
16:53Completely.
16:54Fast.
16:55It's getting late.
16:56I should go make
16:57your evening meal.
16:58I moved to step past him.
16:59His hand closed
17:00around my arm.
17:01I lost my footing
17:01and pitched straight
17:02into him.
17:03My heavy breasts
17:03against his chest.
17:05My waist caught
17:05in his grip.
17:06I looked up.
17:07His face was inches
17:09from mine.
17:09His eyes were deep
17:10and unreadable.
17:11One tilt forward
17:12and our lips
17:13would have touched.
17:14His breath hit my face.
17:16Warm.
17:16My breath hitched.
17:18Heat pooled low
17:19in my core.
17:21Case swallowed hard.
17:22As long as I remain
17:24in this estate.
17:25Each word slow,
17:26deliberate.
17:27You counting down the days
17:28until you can leave?
17:30I couldn't exactly tell him
17:31I'll leave the day you die.
17:34No.
17:34Nothing like that.
17:35I shifted in his grip.
17:37Alpha, you're hurting my arm.
17:39Did you mean every word
17:40you said just now?
17:42I blinked
17:42and asked which part.
17:44He let out a quiet breath
17:45and released me.
17:46I bolted.
17:47And I noticed
17:49for the first time
17:50his face had actual
17:51color in it.
17:52His cheeks were
17:53just as red as mine.
17:55That night
17:56I had a strange dream.
17:58Case's lips grazed
17:59slowly along my cheek.
18:01His fingers hooked
18:02into the strap of my slip,
18:03voice dropping
18:04to a low murmur.
18:05Does my Luna want this?
18:07I nodded like someone
18:09completely under a spell.
18:10Then a fierce,
18:11consuming kiss
18:12caught my lips
18:13and wouldn't let go.
18:14I jolted awake
18:15in a tangle of sheets,
18:16heart still hammering,
18:18breathless.
18:19Ivy knocked and came in.
18:20I asked her to bring
18:21a basin of cold water.
18:22She stared at my
18:23sweat damp hair
18:24and murmured,
18:25It really is getting hotter.
18:27I splashed cold water
18:28onto my face.
18:29And then it hit me.
18:30That first night.
18:32Case.
18:32Cold shower.
18:34Surely he hadn't
18:35also been...
18:36No.
18:37Impossible.
18:38He was injured
18:39and recovering.
18:40He was supposed
18:41to be keeping himself calm.
18:42At midday,
18:43Martha's attendant arrived.
18:44Martha would like dinner
18:45in the garden tonight.
18:47She asks that you
18:48be sure to come.
18:49I've been making excuses
18:50to avoid the main
18:51dining hall for days,
18:52just to steer clear
18:53of Case.
18:53But Martha had gone
18:54out of her way
18:55to personally extend
18:56the invitation.
18:57I couldn't say no.
18:58I stepped into the garden.
18:59A sprawling rose of Sharon
19:01was in full bloom.
19:02A gust of wind shook loose
19:04a handful of deep
19:05crimson petals,
19:06drifting down
19:06onto the stone table,
19:08covered with every dish
19:09I loved most.
19:10Martha smiled
19:11and gestured for me to sit.
19:12Case mentioned
19:13it's your birthday today.
19:14He's the one
19:15who asked the kitchen
19:16to prepare all of this.
19:18I looked up
19:18and met a pair
19:19of burning,
19:19intent eyes.
19:21Heat rushed
19:22straight to my face.
19:23Case lit a plate
19:24of chestnut cake
19:25in front of me
19:25without changing
19:26his expression.
19:28How did you know
19:29today was my birthday?
19:31I'd completely
19:31forgotten it myself.
19:33My birth mother died
19:34bringing me into the world.
19:35No one had ever
19:36once marked the day
19:37for me.
19:38Case kept his eyes
19:39lowered and said evenly,
19:42It's not difficult
19:42to know it.
19:43Something in my chest
19:44gave one quiet,
19:46inexplicable pull.
19:47Leah,
19:48this peach blossom wine
19:50is from my private reserve.
19:51I'm opening it
19:52just for you.
19:53But you two
19:54had better not drink
19:55too much.
19:56She pushed back
19:56her chair,
19:57said the summer evening
19:58breeze was too much
19:59for her old bones,
20:00and left.
20:01The garden went quiet.
20:03To avoid the silence,
20:04I put my head down
20:05and drank.
20:06One cup,
20:07then another,
20:08then another.
20:09The wine was sweet
20:10and dangerously potent.
20:12Before long,
20:13the edges of everything
20:14had gone soft
20:15and blurry.
20:16Case watched me
20:17but said nothing.
20:18By the third glass,
20:19I'd stopped feeling
20:20the awkward silence.
20:22By the fourth,
20:23I'd stopped feeling
20:23much of anything.
20:25I reached across the table
20:26toward the last piece
20:27of chestnut cake.
20:28The dish was empty.
20:30I looked up.
20:31Where's the last piece?
20:33I ate it.
20:34I have absolutely
20:35no idea
20:36where the boldness
20:36came from.
20:37I leaned straight
20:38toward his face.
20:40Who told you
20:41to eat that?
20:42Spit it back out.
20:44I pressed against
20:45his chest,
20:45trying to peer
20:46into his mouth.
20:47Case looked down
20:47at me,
20:48perfectly calm.
20:49You won't find it
20:50that way.
20:51I straightened up
20:52and stared at him.
20:53Then how am I
20:54supposed to find it?
20:55A faint flush
20:56crept across his cheeks.
20:58Try using your mouse.
21:00My gaze drifted
21:01to his slightly
21:02reddened lips.
21:03I swallowed once,
21:04and kissed him
21:05without hesitation.
21:06Case went rigid,
21:08his breathing lurching
21:09unsteady.
21:09Then control shifted.
21:11His hand cupped
21:12the back of my head
21:13and he pressed in
21:14deeper,
21:15harder.
21:16Neither of us
21:16pulled away
21:17until footsteps
21:18sounded from behind
21:18the flower bed.
21:21Alpha,
21:22the night air is cool.
21:24Lady Martha asked me
21:25to bring you both a wrap.
21:26I had no idea
21:27how much Ivy'd seen.
21:29I shot to my feet
21:30and the next instant
21:31the world tilted.
21:32Everything went dark.
21:36When I woke up
21:37with a splitting headache,
21:38it was already morning.
21:39I suddenly remembered.
21:41I'd promised Martha
21:42to visit Case's
21:43father's grave.
21:44It was late.
21:45I started rushing around
21:47for my things.
21:49Leah,
21:50don't worry.
21:51The driver is still
21:52getting the car ready.
21:54Ivy,
21:54was it you
21:55who brought me back
21:56last night?
21:57No.
21:58The Alpha
21:59carried you back.
22:01I spun around
22:02to check her face.
22:03She nodded,
22:04completely serious.
22:06I didn't say
22:07anything stupid,
22:08did I?
22:09Ivy bid back
22:10a smile.
22:11The Alpha
22:12set you down
22:13on the bed
22:14and you grabbed
22:15his sleeve
22:15and wouldn't let go.
22:17You kept calling him
22:18my mate
22:19over and over
22:20until his whole face
22:21went red.
22:23Ivy,
22:24don't you dare
22:25make things up.
22:26She covered her mouth,
22:28laughing,
22:28and ran out.
22:30I met Martha
22:31at the front entrance.
22:33Case's father's grave
22:34was on a hillside
22:35just beyond
22:36the pack territory.
22:37I sat in the back
22:38of the car,
22:39completely distracted,
22:41replaying the moment
22:42I'd kissed Case
22:43last night.
22:44Martha must have
22:45misread my expression
22:46because she said,
22:48Leah,
22:49is there someone
22:50you have feelings for?
22:54I've noticed
22:55you've been avoiding Case
22:56these past few days.
22:58Please don't be upset
22:59with me for pushing
23:00you two together
23:01at dinner last night.
23:02I thought if the two of you
23:04couldn't be mates,
23:05you could at least
23:05be friends.
23:06But if you're uncomfortable
23:07or if you want to leave,
23:09just say,
23:10I'll have him sever the bond.
23:12I won't let you
23:13be trapped here.
23:14Mom, no.
23:15It's not that.
23:16I was thinking
23:17about something else.
23:18What is it?
23:19I was still figuring out
23:20how to answer
23:20when the car lurched.
23:22The engine screamed.
23:23The car swung hard,
23:25tires off the road,
23:26crashing through brush,
23:27the whole frame shaking.
23:28I grabbed Martha
23:28and looked at the driver.
23:30Slumped over the wheel,
23:32unconscious.
23:33No one to hit the brakes.
23:34A cliff,
23:35straight ahead.
23:36Martha grabbed my arm.
23:38Leah,
23:39what do we do?
23:40We jump.
23:41Now.
23:41We'll be hurt.
23:43We'll die if we don't.
23:44Hold on to me.
23:45I wrapped myself around her
23:46and we threw ourselves clear
23:47the instant the wheels
23:48left solid ground.
23:49We hit the cliff edge
23:50and went over.
23:51My hand shot out
23:52and caught a root
23:53jutting from the rock face.
23:54My other hand
23:55locked around Martha's wrist.
23:57Below her was a straight drop
23:58into nothing.
24:00Mom,
24:01don't look down.
24:02Don't look down.
24:03Hold on to me.
24:05Ivy and the others
24:05are right behind us.
24:07Behind us in the second car.
24:09They'll be here soon.
24:11The root ground under our weight.
24:13Martha's voice broke.
24:16Leah,
24:17let me go.
24:18We're too heavy.
24:21It's going to snap.
24:24I'm old.
24:26I've lived my life.
24:28You have to keep living yours.
24:31My chest tightened so hard
24:33I could barely breathe.
24:35I couldn't let go.
24:37She'd been a mother to me
24:38from the first day.
24:41Mom,
24:42I would rather die with you
24:43than watch you fall.
24:45Hold on.
24:50They're coming.
24:51The truth was
24:53I had no idea.
24:54My arms were going numb.
24:57The pain had gone so deep
24:59it had stopped feeling
25:00like pain at all.
25:01Then I heard it.
25:03A wolf's howl split the air.
25:07Deafening
25:07and close.
25:09Leah,
25:11don't move.
25:12I'm coming down.
25:13Case's voice.
25:15He'd called me by my name.
25:17The first time.
25:19A strong arm
25:21came under me.
25:22He'd climbed down
25:23the cliff face.
25:24Wolf claws
25:25dug into the rock.
25:27He untied
25:28the rope
25:28from his own body
25:29and looped it
25:30around my waist.
25:31Then climbed down
25:33further
25:33and did the same
25:34for Martha.
25:35The people above
25:36pulled together.
25:38We came up
25:39one at a time.
25:40It wasn't a hallucination.
25:42Case had saved us.
25:44He held me
25:45brow creased.
25:49Why is there
25:50so much blood?
25:51Martha clutched
25:52her face.
25:53She shielded me
25:55when we jumped.
25:56I didn't get
25:57a scratch.
25:58It's all hers.
26:01My eyelids
26:02felt like lead.
26:04Leah,
26:05don't sleep.
26:06I'm taking you
26:07to Ella.
26:08He lifted me
26:09into the car
26:09and I stayed
26:10curled against
26:11his chest.
26:12His forehead
26:13was damp
26:14with sweat.
26:15He kept
26:15one hand
26:16on the wheel
26:17and kept talking.
26:18Leah,
26:18Leah,
26:20Leah,
26:20stay awake.
26:22I'll get you
26:23chestnut cake.
26:24I'll give you
26:24all the jewelry
26:25you want to sell.
26:26You don't have
26:27to wait for me
26:27to die.
26:28I'll write
26:28the bond release
26:29today.
26:30You can leave
26:30whenever you want.
26:31My chest
26:32kept clenching.
26:33Something wet
26:34hit my face.
26:35I looked up
26:36at the sky
26:37through the windshield.
26:38It wasn't raining.
26:40Then everything
26:40went black.
26:41When I opened
26:42my eyes,
26:42every part
26:43of my body
26:43felt like
26:44it had been
26:44taken apart
26:44and put back
26:45wrong.
26:46My Luna,
26:47the pack healer
26:48said you can't
26:49move yet.
26:49Ivy pressed a bowl
26:50of medicine
26:51to my lips,
26:52spooning it in
26:52slowly.
26:53You're lucky
26:54nothing's broken.
26:55Her voice was
26:56steady,
26:56but her eyes
26:56were red.
26:57The scrapes
26:57were bad.
26:58You need to
26:58stay flat
26:59or they'll
26:59scar.
27:01Your shoulder
27:02was dislocated
27:02too.
27:03She kept
27:03talking.
27:04My eyes
27:04had already
27:05drifted to the
27:05door.
27:06After I
27:06finished the
27:07medicine,
27:07I asked,
27:09Where's
27:09Case?
27:10Investigating.
27:11Someone poisoned
27:11the driver with
27:12wolf bite and
27:13cut the brake
27:13lines.
27:14It was deliberate.
27:15Who would be
27:15bold enough to
27:16target the
27:16Alpha's family
27:17directly?
27:17I was flat on
27:18my back for a
27:19full month.
27:20I didn't see
27:20Case once.
27:22Martha kept her
27:22door shut too,
27:23still recovering
27:24from the shock.
27:25Everyone in the
27:25estate moved
27:26with tight faces
27:27and clicked
27:27voices,
27:28like something was
27:29being held just
27:30below the surface.
27:30I asked Ivy.
27:32She said nothing
27:33was wrong.
27:34Today I was
27:34finally cleared
27:35to get out
27:35of bed.
27:36I opened my
27:37door and walked
27:37straight into a
27:38familiar figure.
27:39Case.
27:40Dark tactical
27:41shirt, sharper
27:42than I remembered.
27:43He held out a
27:44small wooden
27:44box.
27:45I took it and
27:46lifted the lid.
27:47A land deed.
27:48A property
27:49contract.
27:50A severance
27:50letter.
27:51My body went
27:52rigid.
27:53Something locked
27:53around my chest
27:54and wouldn't
27:54let go.
27:55Case, are you
27:57throwing me out?
27:58You've been
27:58waiting for this
27:59since the day you
27:59arrived.
28:01You avoided
28:01me, stayed
28:02out of my way.
28:03You never
28:03wanted anything
28:03to do with me.
28:04You were
28:04counting down
28:05the days until
28:05I died so
28:06you could walk
28:06out cleanly.
28:08I'm just doing
28:09it early.
28:10Leah, go.
28:12After today,
28:13we're finished.
28:13Something sharp
28:14flooded my chest.
28:15My mouth
28:16opened and
28:17closed.
28:18It took a long
28:19time to get
28:19anything out.
28:21So that's
28:22what you think
28:23of me.
28:25Leave now.
28:26I don't want
28:27to see you
28:27anymore.
28:29Case disappeared
28:30around the
28:30corner of the
28:30yard.
28:31Estate guards
28:32all but pushed
28:32me out the
28:33door.
28:33Ivy fell in
28:34to step
28:34beside me
28:35and the
28:35alpha said
28:35you're used
28:36to having
28:36me around.
28:37He told
28:37me to go
28:38with you.
28:40I couldn't
28:41speak.
28:45We moved
28:46into a small
28:46house on the
28:47edge of the
28:47territory.
28:49By morning,
28:50the pack's
28:50official announcement
28:51had gone up.
28:52The announcement
28:52said Case had
28:53betrayed the pack.
28:54The announcement
28:55said he had
28:56betrayed the pack,
28:57that he had
28:57leaked the border
28:58patrol routes to
28:59rogue faction.
29:00By order of the
29:01Lycan King,
29:02royal enforcers had
29:03been dispatched to
29:04seize him,
29:05pending investigation.
29:07Case was being
29:08held in the dungeons
29:09under royal guard.
29:10The estate was
29:11locked down.
29:13Everyone inside
29:14was under scrutiny.
29:16Case would never
29:17betray his pack.
29:18He would die
29:18before he did
29:19something like that.
29:20He rushed to
29:21get me out,
29:21that was why.
29:22That was the
29:23only reason.
29:25Ivy was pacing
29:26circles around the
29:27living room.
29:27She'd grown up
29:28inside the estate.
29:29She couldn't
29:30stand still.
29:31Is there anything
29:32we can do?
29:33I made myself
29:34sit down and
29:35think.
29:36Years ago,
29:37Elder Reed's
29:38youngest child
29:38had gotten
29:39lost in the
29:39forest and
29:40been bitten
29:40by a snake.
29:41I'd found him
29:42and used the
29:43right herbs
29:43to treat the
29:44wound.
29:45Elder Reed had
29:46arrived while I
29:47was still crouched
29:47over the boy.
29:48He'd seen my
29:49face.
29:50I was sure he
29:50hadn't forgotten.
29:52I tracked him
29:53down outside the
29:53council building
29:54and stepped
29:55into his pack.
29:55Elder Reed,
29:56you remember me.
29:58I need a favor.
29:59He looked at me
30:00for a long moment,
30:01then he nodded.
30:03Elder Reed led
30:03me into the dungeon.
30:0430 minutes,
30:05no more.
30:06The door unlocked.
30:07Case stood up,
30:08his eyes flashed
30:09with surprise.
30:10How did you
30:10get in?
30:11My chest
30:12ached as I
30:12looked at him
30:13through the
30:13blur of tears.
30:14That's why you
30:15kicked me out,
30:16isn't it?
30:16You were framed.
30:18Think carefully,
30:19is there any
30:19evidence to prove
30:20your innocence?
30:21I will find it.
30:23I will investigate.
30:24I swear I will
30:25rescue you.
30:26Case's gaze
30:27deepened,
30:27then his arm
30:28shot out and
30:29pulled me into
30:29his chest.
30:30Leah.
30:31My heart
30:32hammered,
30:33but time was
30:33running out.
30:34This wasn't the
30:35moment.
30:35I pushed against
30:36him.
30:37He didn't
30:37budge.
30:38Leah, you
30:38don't need to
30:39do anything.
30:39I can't say
30:40much.
30:42I promise.
30:44Seven days
30:45later, I will
30:46accompany you to
30:46watch the sunrise.
30:48Okay?
30:49His eyes were
30:50steady, certain,
30:51like he was
30:51coaxing a
30:52frightened pup.
30:54I walked out of
30:55the dungeon and
30:56straight into Brad.
31:00He stepped into
31:01my path, slow
31:02smile spreading
31:03across his face.
31:03It's not too
31:04late to
31:04reconsider.
31:06Being my
31:07mistress beats
31:08being alone and
31:09disgraced.
31:10I swung my
31:10hand and slapped
31:11him across the
31:12face.
31:12He lunged for
31:13me.
31:13I stepped
31:14sideways and
31:14put distance
31:15between us.
31:16Try that again
31:16and every note
31:17you sent me ends
31:18up in front of
31:18Chloe's father.
31:19Every single
31:20one.
31:20You've been
31:21whispering in
31:21her ear for
31:22years, haven't
31:22you?
31:23Trying to get
31:23me pushed out
31:24thinking I'd
31:24have nowhere to
31:25go and no
31:25choice but to
31:26run to you.
31:26But you never
31:27counted on Chloe
31:28handing me
31:28straight to Case.
31:29A man you
31:30can't touch.
31:31His face
31:31changed.
31:32I didn't wait
31:33for him to
31:33recover.
31:34I walked away
31:34and didn't
31:35look back.
31:35A wolf like
31:36that, the
31:37further the
31:37better.
31:38I didn't sleep
31:39well for the
31:39next five days.
31:41Case's voice
31:41kept coming back
31:42to me.
31:42I promise, seven
31:44days later I will
31:45accompany you to
31:46watch the sunrise.
31:47Okay?
31:47On the afternoon
31:48of the sixth
31:49day, the Lichen
31:49King's official
31:50decree went up
31:51across the
31:51territory.
31:52The leak
31:52hadn't come
31:52from Case.
31:54It had come
31:55from Prince
31:55Marcus and his
31:56allies.
31:57The truth is
31:58finally revealed.
32:01The Lichen
32:02King had not
32:02yet named
32:03his heir.
32:03Both Prince
32:04Caden and
32:04Prince Marcus
32:05were in the
32:05running.
32:06Case was
32:06Prince Caden's
32:07most powerful
32:07ally, the
32:08alpha who
32:09commanded the
32:09most powerful
32:10pack.
32:10Taking Case
32:11down was the
32:11cleanest way to
32:12clear the path
32:13to the throne.
32:14Prince Marcus
32:14had planted a
32:15spy inside the
32:15Blackwood Pack,
32:16used him to
32:17steal the border
32:17patrol routes,
32:18then framed Case
32:19for it.
32:19So the injury
32:20had been faked.
32:21All of it.
32:22A deliberate
32:23trap to draw
32:23out the spy.
32:24But why fake
32:25being unable to
32:25mate?
32:26I turned that
32:27over in my
32:27mind all night
32:28and couldn't
32:28land on an
32:29answer.
32:29Dawn was just
32:30breaking when
32:30someone knocked
32:31at the door.
32:32I didn't think,
32:33I just ran.
32:33I threw the
32:34door open and
32:35walked straight
32:35into Case's
32:36chest.
32:36He went
32:37completely still.
32:38Then his
32:38arms came
32:38around me,
32:39slow and
32:40deliberate,
32:40and pulled
32:41me in hard.
32:41I'd run out
32:42in nothing but
32:43a thin
32:43sleep shirt.
32:44No warning.
32:45Through the
32:45thin fabric I
32:46could feel
32:47everything,
32:47the hard
32:48muscle of
32:48his chest,
32:49his arms
32:50locked tight
32:50around me.
32:51I pressed
32:51my hands
32:52against his
32:52chest and
32:53tried to
32:53step back.
32:54Leah.
32:54His voice
32:55dropped low.
32:56I'm back.
32:57Our eyes
32:57locked.
32:58The heat
32:58between us
32:59was thick
32:59enough to
32:59touch.
33:00Then he
33:00lifted me
33:00off the
33:01ground and
33:01carried me
33:02straight toward
33:02the bedroom.
33:03I beat a
33:03fist against
33:04his chest.
33:05Weren't we
33:06supposed to
33:07watch the
33:07sunrise?
33:09You first.
33:11Sunrise
33:11after.
33:12We fell
33:13onto the
33:13bed together.
33:16Case pinned
33:17me beneath
33:18him, one
33:18hand working
33:19the buttons
33:19of my
33:19sleep shirt
33:20open, eyes
33:21never leaving
33:21mine.
33:22I covered
33:23his eyes
33:23with both
33:23hands.
33:24Don't
33:24look, it's
33:25embarrassing.
33:27He took
33:27my hands
33:27down, his
33:28breathing had
33:29gone ragged.
33:30It's
33:31beautiful.
33:32His eyes
33:32were bright
33:33and fixed.
33:34My skin
33:34went hot
33:35everywhere he
33:35touched.
33:36I pressed
33:36my palm
33:37flat against
33:37his chest.
33:38Hard
33:39muscle, warm
33:39skin.
33:40Healer said
33:41you couldn't
33:41get hard, how
33:42is any of
33:42this possible?
33:43Lips
33:43dragging slowly
33:44along my jaw
33:44to my ear.
33:45You wanna
33:46know if I
33:46can?
33:47There's one
33:48way to find
33:49out.
33:49He kissed
33:49me, one
33:50hand cupping
33:51my face, tilting
33:52it up toward
33:52him.
33:53I kissed
33:54him back
33:54hard.
33:54My hands
33:55slid up his
33:56chest, over
33:57his shoulders,
33:58gripping his
33:58arms.
33:59He pressed me
34:00further into the
34:01mattress, his
34:02weight settling
34:02over me.
34:03The heat
34:04built fast and
34:05took over
34:05completely.
34:06My hands
34:06went slack.
34:07He caught
34:08them, laced
34:09his fingers
34:09through mine, and
34:11pinned them
34:11above my head.
34:12He loves me
34:13very much, and
34:14completely occupies
34:15me.
34:16My face
34:16gradually became
34:17rosy, and we
34:19could only hear each
34:20other's heartbeats
34:20and breathing.
34:22His lips dragged
34:23from my mouth to
34:23my jaw, down the
34:25side of my neck,
34:26slow and unhurried.
34:28Then he stopped.
34:29His canines
34:30pierced my mating
34:31gland, a second of
34:32sharp, white-hot
34:33pain, and then it
34:34was done.
34:35I lay there, chest
34:36heaving, fingers
34:37still tangled in his.
34:39On my neck, his
34:40mark ached.
34:41Finally, we
34:42weren't just mates
34:43on paper anymore.
34:45After the estate
34:46lockdown was
34:47lifted, Case took
34:48me to meet
34:48Prince Kaden, a
34:49slow smile spreading
34:50across his face.
34:51So you're the
34:52woman who brought
34:52Case to his knees.
34:53I've been wanting
34:54to meet you.
34:56You flatter me,
34:57your highness.
34:57Case helped the
34:58kingdom take down
34:59a real threat.
34:59You stood by him
35:00through all of it.
35:01I'll host an
35:02official Luna
35:02ceremony for you,
35:03and when that day
35:04comes, I'll have
35:05a gift ready.
35:06Thank you, your
35:07highness.
35:08Don't blame
35:08Case, Leah.
35:10Faking the injury
35:11was always part of
35:12the plan.
35:15Too many enemies
35:16wanted him dead.
35:17The only way to
35:18keep him safe was
35:19to make them think
35:19he was already
35:20finished.
35:21The part about
35:22not being able to
35:22get hard, that
35:24was my idea.
35:24I gave the pack
35:25doctor that order
35:26myself.
35:28We grew up
35:29together.
35:30I know exactly
35:31how he is.
35:32Never any interest
35:33in women, never
35:34any weakness.
35:35I figured it was
35:36time someone did
35:37something about
35:37that.
35:38Suddenly, I
35:38understood.
35:39Just two old
35:40friends and one
35:41very elaborate
35:42prank.
35:42The car accident.
35:44That was
35:44Prince Marcus
35:45as well.
35:45They intended
35:46it to look
35:47like an accident.
35:47They didn't
35:48expect to hurt
35:48you in the
35:49process.
35:50Luna, Leah,
35:51it's been
35:51dealt with.
35:52You and Case
35:53are safe now.
35:58I took a
35:59slow breath.
36:00Knowing it
36:00was over
36:01didn't make
36:01the memory
36:02of dangling
36:02off that cliff
36:03any less vivid.
36:04We got back
36:04to the estate
36:05to find Chloe
36:05already inside
36:06crying.
36:07She walked
36:08an hour ago
36:08and hasn't
36:09stopped.
36:10Martha is
36:10getting a
36:11headache from
36:11it.
36:12I told Case
36:13to go to
36:13his study.
36:14I'd handle
36:14it.
36:15I sat down
36:16next to
36:16Chloe, face
36:17red, eyes
36:18swollen.
36:19Word had
36:19already spread.
36:20Brad had
36:21been identified
36:21as one of
36:22Prince Marcus's
36:22informants.
36:24Chloe's father
36:24had been cleared,
36:25but Chloe and
36:26Brad were
36:26finished.
36:28Still crying?
36:29I'll have
36:30someone throw
36:30you out.
36:31She stopped
36:31immediately, still
36:32shaking but
36:33quiet.
36:34I misjudged
36:35him.
36:35I thought
36:36picking someone
36:36from a lower
36:37ranked family
36:38meant he'd be
36:38easy to manage.
36:40I didn't
36:41think he'd
36:41be like
36:42this.
36:42I told
36:43you he
36:44wasn't a
36:44good person.
36:45You didn't
36:45say it
36:46clearly enough.
36:46I rolled
36:47my eyes.
36:48I wasn't
36:49a powerless
36:49Omega anymore.
36:51I didn't
36:51have to
36:52hold back.
36:56Were you
36:57ever angry
36:57at me for
36:59how I
36:59treated you
36:59back then?
37:01No.
37:02I cursed
37:02you in my
37:03head, but
37:04I don't
37:04hold grudges.
37:05You cursed
37:06me?
37:06Do you
37:06want to
37:07punish me
37:07for it?
37:08Chloe laughed
37:09despite herself,
37:10then caught
37:10herself and
37:10pressed her
37:11lips together.
37:12I'm sorry
37:12for the slap.
37:13Did it hurt?
37:14I already
37:15forgot about
37:15it.
37:15Then let me
37:16slap you
37:17back.
37:17We'll be
37:18even.
37:18She closed
37:19her eyes and
37:19braced herself.
37:20I raised my
37:21hand and let
37:21it land soft
37:22against her
37:22cheek.
37:24She opened
37:25her eyes.
37:28I already
37:29gave that
37:29slap to
37:29Brad.
37:30Chloe stared
37:30at me for
37:31a second,
37:31then she
37:32laughed,
37:32really laughed,
37:33for the
37:34first time
37:34since she'd
37:34walked in.
37:35Don't call
37:35me Chloe anymore.
37:36Can we be
37:37friends?
37:38No.
37:41I don't
37:41like friends
37:42who cry
37:42too much.
37:43The light
37:43was still
37:44on when I
37:44passed
37:44Case's
37:45study.
37:45I pushed
37:46the door
37:46open.
37:47Before I
37:48could say
37:48a word,
37:48an arm
37:49shot out
37:49from behind
37:49and wrapped
37:50around my
37:50waist.
37:51Bold intruder.
37:52His voice
37:52dropped low
37:53against my
37:53ear.
37:54You think
37:54you can
37:54just walk
37:55into the
37:55Alpha's
37:56office?
37:56The Alpha's
37:57mate is
37:58right here,
37:58and you
37:59still dare
37:59make a
38:00move?
38:00Case
38:01played
38:01it
38:01straight.
38:01His
38:02lips
38:02found
38:02my
38:02neck.
38:03Here?
38:04Really?
38:06Right
38:06here.
38:07I kept
38:07saying no.
38:08My hand
38:09said something
38:09else entirely,
38:10finding their
38:11way to his
38:11back.
38:12He murmured
38:12against my
38:13ear.
38:14You have
38:14no idea
38:15how many
38:15times I
38:16thought about
38:16this in
38:17this room.
38:18I wanted to
38:19say something
38:19back, but his
38:21hand was already
38:21moving, and I
38:22couldn't get a
38:22single word out.
38:23He carried
38:24carried me to
38:24the table
38:24and took
38:25off my
38:25clothes.
38:26Then we
38:27had a
38:27good time.
38:34When I
38:35woke up, it
38:35was almost
38:35dawn.
38:36Case was
38:37already awake,
38:38sitting up
38:38against the
38:38headboard,
38:39watching me.
38:40His eyes
38:41were soft in
38:41a way that
38:42made it hard
38:42to look back.
38:43Morning.
38:44I sat
38:44up and rubbed
38:45my eyes.
38:46Then I
38:46remembered.
38:47The sunrise.
38:48He'd
38:48promised.
38:49The sunrise.
38:50The sunrise.
38:51The sunrise.
38:53We still
38:54have time.
38:55He was
38:56already up.
38:56He picked
38:57up my
38:57clothes from
38:58beside the
38:58bed, handing
38:59them to me.
39:00He dressed
39:00me slowly,
39:01straightening
39:02each layer
39:02with both
39:02hands, like
39:03he'd done
39:04it a thousand
39:04times before.
39:05We walked
39:05out into
39:06the yard.
39:07Cool
39:07air.
39:08The smell
39:08of pine.
39:09To the
39:09east, the
39:10sky had
39:10just started
39:11to lighten
39:11at the
39:11edges.
39:12Case stood
39:12behind me
39:13and wrapped
39:13both arms
39:13around me.
39:14We watched
39:14the horizon
39:15together.
39:16The sun
39:16came up
39:17slowly.
39:18Gold
39:18light broke
39:19across the
39:19trees, spread
39:20across the
39:20yard and landed
39:21on us.
39:22The clouds
39:23caught the
39:23color and
39:23held it.
39:25Beautiful.
39:25Close to
39:26my ear.
39:28Beautiful.
39:29He pulled
39:30me in tighter
39:30and said
39:31nothing else.
39:32He didn't
39:32need to.
39:34I'll watch
39:35every sunrise
39:35and sunset
39:36with you.
39:36His voice
39:37was quiet
39:37against my
39:38hair.
39:38Everyone.
39:39For as
39:39long as
39:39we have.
39:41I turned
39:42around and
39:42kissed him
39:42once, quick
39:43and light.
39:45Deal.
39:46The sun
39:46came up
39:47fully in the
39:47yard filled
39:48with light.
39:48Our shadows
39:49stretched long
39:50across the
39:50ground behind
39:51us.
39:52Over the
39:52next few
39:52days, the
39:53estate came
39:53back to
39:54life.
39:55Servants
39:55moved through
39:55the halls
39:56with easy
39:56steps again.
39:57Martha's
39:58health improved.
39:59She called
39:59me in to
39:59talk every
40:00morning, always
40:01smiling when
40:01I walked
40:01through the
40:02door.
40:03One afternoon, I
40:03was trimming
40:04the plants in
40:04the yard when
40:05Sonny came
40:05running over.
40:06Leah, Chloe
40:08is here again.
40:09She brought a
40:09lot of stuff
40:10with her.
40:10I set down
40:11my shears.
40:12Since the
40:12day she'd
40:13come in crying,
40:13Chloe had
40:14been showing
40:14up regularly.
40:15She said she
40:16was making
40:16up for lost
40:17time.
40:17Really, she
40:18just had nothing
40:18to do and
40:19nowhere to
40:19be.
40:22Let her
40:22in.
40:23I wiped my
40:23hands and
40:24went to
40:24meet her.
40:27Chloe walked
40:27in with two
40:28attendants behind
40:28her, carrying
40:29food boxes.
40:30She changed a
40:31lot, less
40:32restless.
40:32She dressed
40:33simpler now and
40:34moved quieter.
40:42I made your
40:43favorite, chestnut
40:44cake.
40:45I asked the
40:46Royal Kitchen
40:46for the recipe
40:47this time.
40:48Better than
40:49anything the
40:50Blackwood Kitchen
40:50has ever made.
40:51I took a piece
40:52and bit into
40:53it.
40:53Sweet, soft,
40:55better than I
40:55expected.
40:58Good.
41:00So where's
41:01Case?
41:01Not home?
41:02He went to
41:03the PAC training
41:04grounds, something
41:05came up.
41:06Chloe nodded
41:06and reached for
41:07a piece herself.
41:08For a while,
41:09neither of us
41:10said anything,
41:10just the wind
41:11moving through
41:12the yard.
41:12My father
41:13wants me to
41:14find a new
41:14mate.
41:14I looked up.
41:15Don't rush
41:16for it.
41:17I know.
41:21After Brad,
41:21I don't know
41:22how to trust
41:22anyone.
41:23She looked
41:23at me,
41:24something flickering
41:24in her eyes.
41:26You have a
41:26good mate.
41:28Case fights
41:29for you,
41:30protects you,
41:31and he's the
41:31strongest alpha
41:32in the kingdom.
41:33We just got
41:34lucky.
41:34You can't
41:34force these
41:35things.
41:36Chloe nodded
41:36and didn't
41:37say anything
41:37else,
41:38just ate her
41:38chestnut cake.
41:40The yard
41:40went quiet,
41:41just wind
41:42moving through
41:42the leaves.
41:43Then she
41:44said,
41:45That slap,
41:47do you really
41:47not hold it
41:48against me?
41:49Really.
41:50It's in the
41:51past.
41:52No point
41:52bringing it
41:53up.
41:53The truth
41:54was,
41:54I'd already
41:55let it go
41:55a long time
41:56ago.
41:56She wasn't
41:57a bad
41:57person,
41:58just spoiled,
41:59used to
41:59getting her
42:00way.
42:01Chloe's
42:01eyes went
42:01red at
42:02the edges.
42:04When I
42:04arranged the
42:05mating,
42:06part of it
42:06was because
42:07I was scared
42:07you and Brad
42:08would find
42:08your way
42:08back to
42:09each other,
42:10but part
42:10of it was
42:11genuine.
42:12I really
42:12did think
42:13Case was a
42:13good man,
42:14that he
42:14wouldn't treat
42:15you badly.
42:16We looked
42:16at each
42:17other and
42:17smiled.
42:18All the
42:18conflicts
42:18were solved.
42:22I just
42:22didn't expect
42:23him to
42:23be faking
42:24the whole
42:24time.
42:25Chloe laughed,
42:25a little
42:26embarrassed.
42:27It's in
42:27the past.
42:29Isn't
42:29this better?
42:35It is,
42:35she nodded.
42:36Can we
42:37be friends?
42:37For real?
42:38I won't
42:39be like I
42:39was before.
42:43Sure,
42:43I nodded.
42:44Something warm
42:45moved through
42:46my chest.
42:47Letting go
42:47of old
42:48grudges and
42:48coming out
42:49the other
42:49side with
42:49a friend.
42:50That wasn't
42:50a bad
42:50ending.
42:51We sat
42:51in the
42:51yard for
42:52the rest
42:52of the
42:52afternoon,
42:53eating and
42:54talking.
42:55Pack gossip,
42:56small things,
42:57nothing important.
42:58The sun
42:58came through
42:59the leaves
42:59and the
42:59air was
43:00warm and
43:00easy.
43:01When
43:01Case came
43:02back from
43:02the training
43:03grounds that
43:03evening and
43:03saw the
43:04two of
43:04us,
43:05surprise
43:05crossed
43:06his face.
43:07What are
43:07you two
43:07happy about?
43:08Talking
43:09about you.
43:10Chloe grinned.
43:11About what
43:11a liar you
43:12are,
43:13faking the
43:13whole thing
43:14and fooling
43:15everyone.
43:16Case walked
43:17over and
43:18sat down
43:18beside me.
43:20He reached
43:20over and
43:21took my
43:21hand,
43:21eyes warm.
43:23Tricking you
43:23into becoming
43:24my Luna?
43:25That's the
43:25luckiest thing
43:26I've ever
43:26done.
43:26My face
43:27went red.
43:27I gave him
43:28a look.
43:29Chloe burst
43:29out laughing.
43:30All right,
43:30I'm leaving
43:31you two
43:31alone.
43:32Leah,
43:32I'll come
43:33by tomorrow.
43:34Sure,
43:34take care.
43:35I watched
43:35her go.
43:36Case turned
43:37to me.
43:38Are you
43:38a good
43:39friend now?
43:40Yes.
43:41The past
43:42is the
43:42past.
43:43No point
43:44holding on
43:44to it.
43:45He squeezed
43:45my hand.
43:46I'm glad
43:47you can
43:47think that
43:47way.
43:48He knew
43:48how much
43:49I'd been
43:49through.
43:50Watching
43:50me let
43:51it go
43:51and just
43:51be happy.
43:52I could
43:53tell it
43:53meant
43:53something
43:53to him.
43:54We sat
43:55side by
43:55side at
43:56the stone
43:56table and
43:57looked out
43:57at the sky.
43:58Neither of
43:59us said
43:59much.
44:00We didn't
44:00need to.
44:02Days like
44:02this,
44:03quiet and
44:03unhurried,
44:04became the
44:05rhythm of
44:05our life.
44:06Case stayed
44:07busy with
44:07the pack
44:08and with
44:08royal matters,
44:09but he
44:10always made
44:10time.
44:12Sunrises,
44:12sunsets,
44:13he spoiled
44:14me until I
44:14didn't know
44:15what to do
44:15with it.
44:16Martha was
44:17healthy and
44:17smiling every
44:18day.
44:19The estate
44:19was calm
44:20and easy
44:20again,
44:21the way it
44:22used to be.
44:23True to
44:24his word,
44:24Prince Caden
44:25petitioned the
44:25Lichen King
44:26on my behalf.
44:27At my
44:28official Luna
44:28ceremony,
44:29the Lichen
44:29King's decree
44:30was read
44:31aloud.
44:31A formal
44:32commendation in
44:33front of the
44:33entire pack.
44:35The estate
44:36was lit up and
44:36full of noise
44:37that day.
44:38Case lifted the
44:39veil and placed
44:40it over my head
44:40himself, his
44:41eyes proud and
44:42soft.
44:43The most
44:44beautiful Luna.
44:45Then he shifted,
44:46right there in
44:47front of everyone.
44:48His wolf was
44:49massive, dark,
44:51broad-shouldered,
44:52still.
44:53He lowered
44:53himself to the
44:54ground and
44:54waited.
44:54I climbed
44:56onto his
44:56back.
44:57He rose
44:58slowly,
44:58carrying me
44:59steady,
44:59and lifted
45:00his head
45:00toward the
45:01moon.
45:01The howl
45:02that came
45:03out of him
45:03was long
45:04and deep
45:04and carried
45:05across the
45:05entire
45:06territory.
45:07One by
45:07one,
45:08the pack
45:08answered.
45:09Howl
45:10after howl
45:10rising into
45:11the night
45:11sky.
45:13I thought
45:13about
45:13everything
45:14it had
45:14taken to
45:14get here.
45:15A bastard
45:16Omega with
45:16no wolf,
45:17no one to
45:18speak for
45:18her.
45:19Only I
45:20knew how
45:20hard the
45:20road had
45:21been.
45:22And all
45:22of it,
45:23every bit
45:24of the
45:24happiness
45:24on the
45:24other side
45:25of it,
45:25came from
45:26the man
45:26standing
45:27behind me.
45:27After the
45:28ceremony,
45:28Case took
45:29me south.
45:30Open land,
45:31warm air,
45:32water catching
45:32the afternoon
45:33light.
45:34Far from
45:34everything that
45:35had tried
45:35to take
45:35us down.
45:36The rest
45:37of our
45:37lives
45:37stretched
45:38out ahead
45:38of us.
45:39Every year,
45:40every season,
45:41together.
45:43After the
45:44ceremony,
45:45life settled
45:45into a new
45:45rhythm.
45:46I stood
45:47beside Case
45:47at every
45:48pack meeting,
45:49every decision,
45:50every matter
45:51that came
45:51through the
45:51estate gates.
45:52His pack
45:53was my
45:53pack.
45:54His people
45:55were my
45:55people.
45:56But he
45:57always made
45:57time.
45:58A weekend
45:59drive with
45:59no destination.
46:01A trail
46:01through the
46:02forest at
46:02dawn.
46:03Wherever he
46:04thought I'd
46:04want to see,
46:05he took me
46:05there without
46:05being asked.
46:07The rest
46:07of our lives
46:08stretched out
46:09ahead of us.
46:10Every year,
46:11every season,
46:12together.
46:13The rest
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