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Engsub The Alpha King's Intoxicating Mate Sm
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Short filmTranscript
00:02I was born with heavy breasts and lush curves my half-sister Chloe was afraid her
00:07mate Brad would go feral over me so she sold me to an impotent alpha she patted
00:13my shoulder who knows maybe he's good at other things three months later I was
00:21begging for mercy every night funny he seemed good at everything
00:28case valerius the blackwood packs alpha the lycan king's most trusted war commander he was carried
00:34back from the battlefield soaked in blood someone suggested a mate bond shares life force if alpha
00:40case was bound to a living healthy mate her strength could flow into him and pull him back
00:45Chloe rushed to play matchmaker and presented me to Martha before I could object I had no way to
00:49refuse if I wouldn't agree she'd transfer me to serve 60 year old elder Kevin I knew she resented
00:55my history with her mate I dropped to my knees and swore to the moon goddess I swear Chloe I
01:02had no
01:02feelings for Brad Chloe jabbed a finger at my forehead fury in her eyes what good is a vow do
01:08you have any idea how distracting you are I hunched my shoulders tears slid down my cheeks just look at
01:15that ample body and those charming curves parading your body in front of every male in the clan who
01:21among them would not lose their minds at the smell of you I wanted to tell her to bind my
01:26chest I'd
01:27wrapped myself layer after layer in the sweltering heat until I broke out in a rash her expression
01:31softened she wiped my tears it's not that I don't trust you it's that I don't trust males do you
01:39know
01:39how powerful alpha cases if my mother and Martha weren't old friends you wouldn't even have this
01:45opportunity Chloe I don't want to be anyone's offering I'd rather scrub kitchen floors just don't
01:52make me two sharp slaps landed across my face my cheek burned Leah are you out of your mind if
02:01I
02:01hadn't vouched for you Martha wouldn't have given you a second glance you wouldn't even be worthy of
02:06being cases mate the maid burst in breathless miss Chloe word from the valerius estate alpha case has
02:13woken up Chloe dragged me straight to valerius estate enormous I followed her through the main
02:20hall to a set of heavy double doors pulled half shut through the gap I could make out a man's
02:24shape
02:24in the bed thin motionless chest rattling with shallow coughs every few minutes Martha stood on
02:29our side eyes red thank you for everything you've done for case I won't destroy a girl's future over
02:35Chloe's eyes moved quick and calculating as valerius the bond should still be completed
02:40Leah arrived the same day case woke up that's the moon goddess guiding us seal the bond properly
02:46her life force will keep pulling him back toward health before she could speak the healer Ella stepped
02:51out expression tight alpha case has regained consciousness but an arrow struck his inner thigh
02:57during battle I'm afraid he will no longer be able to unable to do what he will no longer be
03:04able
03:05to get hard Martha's knees gave out I caught her before she hit the floor she looked up at me
03:10with
03:10hollowed eyes Leah knowing this are you still willing yes she's been looking forward to it Chloe was
03:18already answering for me of course she is she's just an omega with no prospects she should be grateful
03:24I didn't speak right away my mind went to my past there was a young wolf in the poor quarter
03:30behind our estate I first saw him through the fence gaps thin wrists hollow cheeks hunched over a cracked
03:36bowl with nothing in it I started passing food through the gaps bread first then soup then whatever
03:42I had day after day I watched him change the hollows and his cheeks filled out his shoulders broadened
03:49he started training before dawn running laps around the back wall while I was still half asleep he was
04:00to find him that same night I was happy I remember it clearly I was genuinely happy I knocked on
04:05the
04:05gate he didn't open it his voice came Leah I'm betrothed now it wouldn't be proper then a soft thud
04:10in
04:11the dirt at my feet a pouch of silver consider my debt repaid I stood there for a moment then
04:16I picked
04:16it up and walked away that wolf became Chloe's mate Brad I acted like I'd never known him Chloe found
04:23out anyway I snapped back to reality I gathered my skirts and knelt in front of Martha my lady I'm
04:30willing I'll complete the bond care for case and serve you as long as you need me Luna Martha kept
04:37her word and prepared a dignified mating dress for me Chloe deliberately chose a day when Brad was away
04:42on pack business to send me off she walked me to the door guilt on her face even though case
04:47can't get
04:47hard at least you'll be spared the pain of bearing pups don't worry an alpha who can't perform in that
04:55area is probably exceptional in every other honestly none of what Chloe said had even crossed my mind
05:00I told myself I was simply moving to a new household case was too weak to stand through the full
05:06mate
05:06blessing ritual I completed the bond rights beside his ceremonial sword instead Martha watched from the
05:12front eyes wet the whole time when it was done I was alpha cases mate the mating chamber was quiet
05:20I pushed the door open carefully case was already inside half reclined against the headboard in a
05:26white bathrobe he turned when he heard me up close he was strikingly handsome sharp jaw dark eyes the kind
05:34of face that didn't need color in it to hold attention I had no intention of taking a mate he
05:39said with a low
05:39voice if it doesn't trouble you we can treat this as a sibling arrangement he pointed to the chaise
05:45along the far wall tonight the bed is yours I'll take that tomorrow you move to the guest quarters
05:52all right I nodded he had thought of everything it wasn't what I'd expected before the ritual one of
05:59the older maids had pulled me aside and pressed something into my hands a small handbook worn at the
06:05corners she'd whispered with a strange look there are other ways between mates you might
06:11find it useful I had no idea what she meant until I opened it heat pooled in my core just
06:16from looking
06:17at the pages is it too hot case was watching me from the bed eyes direct unblinking the dress is
06:25heavy I'm a little warm then wash up and rest he pulled the blanket over himself and turned toward the
06:32wall within minutes his breathing evened out I set the handbook down on the vanity and took down my
06:38hair then the layered robes piece by piece until I was standing in nothing but my nightgown I turned
06:44to the mirror the thin fabric clung to every curve heavy breasts straining against the cloth slim waist
06:50giving way to the flare of my hips I walked straight into case's gaze he wasn't asleep his chest rose
06:57hard
06:57the tips of his ears went red his throat worked as he swallowed I grabbed my outer robe and pressed
07:03it against my chest alpha I thought you were asleep a long pause I could sleep later my breath hitched
07:12he rose slowly to his feet his tall frame casting a shadow over me
07:27the handbook's images came flooding in my breathing shifted without me meaning it to somehow falling
07:32into the same rhythm as his then case turned and walked to the door the moment cool night air rushed
07:38in I snapped back to my senses he'd already disappeared into the darkness I turned it over in my mind
07:44when he'd
07:45looked at me just now his eyes had flashed with something unmistakably like shock had my figure
07:51actually frightened him before I lay down I made a firm decision tomorrow morning I was binding my
07:57chest at least one full loop tighter I was hovering somewhere between sleep and waking when case slipped
08:03back in the tips of his hair still beaded with water he'd apparently gone to shower by morning he was
08:08already gone ivy came in to help me dress from the corridor outside came the sound of a man
08:14once then again Martha's headmaid's voice carried clearly through the door alpha case why didn't
08:22you call someone to heat the water it's already summer but the nights are still cold of course
08:27you've caught a chill I'll go brew tea right now I glanced at ivy does the alpha usually take cold
08:33showers I honestly don't know miss I dismissed her and locked the door I wound a strip of cloth tight
08:39over my undergarments then pulled on the most conservative dress I could find in the wardrobe
08:44high neck loose cut heavy fabric then I went to living room case was already there when I arrived
08:51seated beside Martha she lit up the moment she saw me her whole face warm with welcome
08:57until case coughed and the warmth vanished instantly cage I have a few private words for Leah go rest for
09:05a
09:05while case rose and left without a word Martha waved me over and took both my hands and hers eyes
09:11glistening sweet girl our case is lucky to have you the pack healer says the injury drained his life
09:22force there's no telling how long he has left some of the elders suggested I find a child for him
09:28to
09:28adopt to carry on the bloodline but if I did that wouldn't I be stealing your whole future from you
09:38I'm already grateful you came into this family to save case I can't let you sacrifice the rest of your
09:43life on top of that I've thought it through if cases time does come I'll have him issue you a
09:48formal
09:48mate release your future stays protected and I'll see to it that you receive property and a place of your
09:55own I reached up and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes chest tight with an ache I
10:00couldn't name Mrs. Valerius thank you for looking out for me I'd come here thinking of myself as
10:05nothing more than a transferred Omega servant I never imagined she would think this far ahead on
10:10my behalf my thoughts drifted to the mother I had never known if she had been alive if I had
10:15grown up
10:15under a mother's protection I never would have ended up in any of the situations I'd been through
10:19Martha laughed through her tears look at me I've gone and made you cry too she squeezed my hands
10:26Leah there's no need to be so formal call me mom just like case does she took a breath so
10:32I have a
10:33proposition for you Chloe mentioned you know how to prepare medicinal soups I'd like you to take over
10:38cases daily meals and care I just want him to live a little longer that's my one selfish wish by
10:44the end
10:45her voice had gone rough I nodded I headed to the kitchen to gather ingredients the last time I'd
10:50prepared medicinal soup was several years ago back when Brad was not yet Chloe's mate he'd lost both
10:56parents and lived alone in a rundown unit skipping meals to save every cent for his warrior training
11:02one day I found him collapsed at our back gate and brought him around out of sympathy I dug through
11:07my mother's old healer journals and prepared medicinal meals for him every day to rebuild his strength
11:13only the two of us ever knew about it from the looks of things he was the one who told
11:17Chloe just
11:19to get me driven out the lengths he had gone to were truly something I carried the steaming soup to
11:25the bedroom and found case directing servants to pack up his belongings alpha what's this about
11:32weren't we agreed that I was moving the guest room his sharply handsome face didn't shift so much as a
11:36fraction I have fewer things it makes more sense for me to move at least eat first I set the
11:42food on the
11:43table he gave it a brief glance and sat down you can leave this kind of thing to the maid
11:50from now on
11:50it's no different coming from me it is different his voice remained flat and cool have ivy bring it from
11:59now on he finished the soup in a few quick swallows said a few words to the servants and swept
12:05past me
12:06in that moment I confirmed one thing alpha case couldn't stand the sight of me I followed his
12:12instructions and had ivy deliver his daily healing meals to the study from then on martha couldn't stop
12:18singing my praises the pack healer says cases condition has stabilized significantly I can see the
12:24color coming back to his face leah that's entirely because of you delighted she pressed a gold bracelet
12:30into my hands back in my room I tucked it into my jewelry box which had been slowly filling with
12:36pieces martha had gifted me since my arrival leah you never wear any of the of these isn't it a
12:42waste
12:42to just put them away how is it a waste every one of these can be converted to cash that's
12:48my security
12:49fund but lady martha gave these to you personally are you really going to sell all of them not
12:54right now but if the mate bond is ever severed naturally I'd sell them and keep the money on
12:58hand ivy's expression shifted to pure bewilderment as she turned away she dropped her voice to a
13:05murmur alpha alpha I spun around and met a pair of ink dark eyes martha's eyesight must truly be failing
13:15her case looked worse than ever case's face was even paler than before his gaze was sharp and cutting
13:21fixed on me with cold precision the look unsettled me completely but I didn't dare let a single trace
13:27of it show alpha is there something you need a journal we looked together I checked the shelves
13:36he checked the writing desk neither of us spoke I spotted the journal pushed to the very back of the
13:41top shelf behind a row of my mother's medical notes I reached up on my toes my fingertips just
13:47grazed the cover case's hand came over mine warm steady he reached past me without effort and closed
13:54his hand around the journal I turned my head his face was right there closer than I'd realized he
14:01was looking down at me then I lost my footing and pitched straight into him my heavy breasts hit his
14:07chest first my waist went straight into his palm his hand catching me before he could react case didn't
14:13step back his ear tips went red his throat worked as he swallowed when he exhaled the breath came out
14:20uneven against the top of my head his eyes flashed gold for a second then green I scrambled upright face
14:27burning your journal he took it without a word and walked out perfect my standing in his eyes had just
14:34sunk even lower after that day I made every effort to avoid crossing paths with case he was injured and
14:40recovering he needed to stay calm but there was one more thing bothering me Brad had been sending
14:45notes three times already I hadn't opened a single one just dropped them in a box then Ivy pressed one
14:51into my hand that morning it's not just a note this time he's here side entrance says he won't leave
14:57until you come out I clenched my fist and walked out I didn't notice the figure that followed from the
15:01far end of the courtyard Brad was standing at the gate Leah you finally came you should be calling me
15:08mrs. Valerius he paused dropped his voice mrs. Valerius do you have any idea how many times you've
15:16put me in an impossible position with these meetings I know I just wanted to tell you I'll be securing
15:23more power in the pack soon I won't need Chloe's father backing me anymore he stepped closer I'll buy
15:29a house Leah come with me anything's better than staying with a dying man he reached for me I stepped
15:36back you want me as your mistress Brad nodded completely serious I laughed why would I give
15:43up being the alpha's mate to be your mistress the whole pack knows case is dying he won't last
15:50and he can't even stand up anymore his eyes dropped deliberately to my chest isn't that a waste
15:58disgust disgust surged through me Brad I will never be anyone's mistress case fought on the front
16:05lines for this pack those injuries are his honor you've benefited from every battle he won and you're
16:12standing here calling him less of a man you're the one who's less come near me again and every note
16:20you've sent goes straight to Chloe how do you think that ends for you his face went white I
16:27swung the gate shut I turned around and came face to face with case white t-shirt standing less than
16:33half a foot away his full height bearing down on me alpha I managed a faint edge flickered across his
16:38expression wasn't it my mate just a moment ago why so formal all of a sudden I looked down and
16:44started
16:46walking please don't misunderstand as long as I'm in this estate I honor this bond completely
16:51fast it's getting late I should go make your evening meal I moved to step past him his hand closed
16:57around
16:57my arm I lost my footing and pitched straight into him my heavy breaths against his chest my waist caught
17:03in his grip I looked up his face was inches from mine his eyes were deep and unreadable one tilt
17:09forward
17:10and our lips would have touched his breath hit my face warm my breath hitched heat pooled low in my
17:17core case swallowed hard as long as I remain in this estate each word slow deliberate you counting down
17:25the days until you can leave I couldn't exactly tell him I'll leave the day you die no nothing like
17:32that I shifted in his grip alpha you're hurting my arm did you mean every word you said just now
17:39I blinked and asked which part he let out a quiet breath and released me I bolted and I noticed
17:46for
17:46the first time his face had actual color in it his cheeks were just as red as mine that night
17:53I had a
17:53strange dream case's lips grazed slowly along my cheek his fingers hooked into the strap of my slip
18:00voice dropping to a low murmur does my luna want this I nodded like someone completely under a spell
18:07then a fierce consuming kiss caught my lips and wouldn't let go I jolted awake in a tangle of sheets
18:13heart still hammering breathless ivy knocked and came in I asked her to bring a basin of cold water
18:20she stared at my sweat damp hair and murmured it really is getting hotter I splashed cold water onto
18:26my face and then it hit me that first night case cold shower surely he hadn't also been no impossible
18:36he was injured and recovering he was supposed to be keeping himself calm at midday Martha's attendant
18:41arrived Martha would like dinner in the garden tonight she asks that you be sure to come been
18:47making excuses to avoid the main dining hall for days just to steer clear of case but Martha had gone
18:52out of her way to personally extend the invitation I couldn't say no I stepped into the garden a
18:57sprawling rose of Sharon was in full bloom a gust of wind shook loose a handful of deep crimson petals
19:03drifting down onto the stone table covered with every dish I loved most Martha smiled and gestured for
19:10me to sit case mentioned it's your birthday today he's the one who asked the kitchen to prepare all of
19:15this I looked up and met a pair of burning intent eyes heat rushed straight to my face case lit
19:22a
19:22plate of chestnut cake in front of me without changing his expression how did you know today
19:27was my birthday I'd completely forgotten it myself my birth mother died bringing me into the world no one
19:34had ever once marked the day for me case kept his eyes lowered and said evenly it's not difficult to
19:40know it something in my chest gave one quiet inexplicable pull Leah this peach blossom wine is from my
19:48private reserve I'm opening it just for you but you two had better not drink too much she pushed back
19:54her
19:54chair said the summer evening breeze was too much for her old bones and left the garden went quiet to
20:01avoid the
20:02silence I put my head down and drank one cup then another then another the wine was sweet and dangerously
20:09potent
20:10before long the edges of everything had gone soft and blurry case watched me but said nothing
20:16by the third glass I'd stopped feeling the awkward silence by the fourth I'd stopped feeling much of
20:22anything I reached across the table toward the last piece of chestnut cake the dish was empty I looked
20:28up where's the last piece I ate it I have absolutely no idea where the boldness came from I leaned
20:35straight
20:36toward his face who told you to eat that spit it back out I pressed against his chest trying to
20:43peer
20:43into his mouth case looked down at me perfectly calm you won't find it that way I straightened up and
20:50stared at him then how am I supposed to find it a faint flush crept across his cheeks try using
20:57your
20:57mouse my gaze drifted to his slightly reddened lips I swallowed once and kissed him without hesitation
21:04case went rigid his breathing lurching unsteady and control shifted his hand cupped the back of my
21:10head and he pressed in deeper harder neither of us pulled away until footsteps sounded from behind the
21:16flower bed alpha the night air is cool lady martha asked me to bring you both a wrap I had
21:25no idea how
21:25much I've seen I shot to my feet and the next instant the world tilted everything went dark when I
21:34woke up
21:34with a splitting headache it was already morning I suddenly remembered I'd promised Martha to visit
21:40cases father's grave it was late I started rushing around for my things Leah don't worry the driver is
21:49still getting the car ready ivy was it you who brought me back last night no the alpha carried you
21:57back I spun around to check her face she nodded completely serious I didn't say anything stupid did
22:06I ivy bid back a smile the alpha set you down on the bed and you grabbed his sleeve and
22:14wouldn't let go
22:14you kept calling him my mate over and over until his whole face went red ivy don't you dare make
22:23things up she covered her mouth laughing and ran out I met Martha at the front entrance case's father's
22:32grave was on a hillside just beyond the pack territory I sat in the back of the car completely
22:37distracted replaying the moment I'd kissed case last night Martha must have misread my expression because
22:44she said Leah is there someone you have feelings for I've noticed you've been avoiding case these
22:54past few days please don't be upset with me for pushing you two together at dinner last night
23:00I thought if the two of you couldn't be mates you could at least be friends but if you're
23:05uncomfortable or if you want to leave just say I'll have him sever the bond I won't let you be
23:11trapped
23:11here mom no it's not that I was thinking about something else what is it I was still figuring
23:17out how to answer when the car lurched the engine screamed the car swung hard tires off the road
23:23crashing through brush the whole frame shaking I grabbed Martha and looked at the driver slumped over
23:29the wheel unconscious no one to hit the brakes a cliff straight ahead Martha grabbed my arm
23:35Leah what do we do we jump now we'll be hurt we'll die if we don't hold on to me
23:43I wrapped
23:43myself around her and we threw ourselves clear the instant the wheels left solid ground we hit
23:47the cliff edge and went over my hand shot out and caught a root jutting from the rock face my
23:52other
23:53hand locked around Martha's wrist below her was a straight drop into nothing mom don't look down don't
24:00look down hold on to me Ivy and the others are right behind us find us in the second car
24:06they'll be
24:07here soon the root ground under our weight Martha's voice broke Leah let me go we're too heavy
24:19it's going to snap
24:22I'm old I've lived my life you have to keep living yours my chest tightened so hard I could barely
24:32breathe I couldn't let go she'd been a mother to me from the first day mom I would rather die
24:41with you
24:41than watch you fall hold on they're coming the truth was I had no idea my arms were going numb
24:54the pain had gone so deep it had stopped feeling like pain at all then I heard it a wolf's
25:02howl split
25:03the air deafening and close Leah don't move I'm coming down case's voice he'd called me by my name
25:14the first time a strong arm came under me he'd climbed down the cliff face wolf claws dug into
25:24the rock he untied the rope from his own body and looped it around my waist then climbed down further
25:31and did the same for Martha the people above pulled together we came up one at a time it wasn't
25:39a
25:39hallucination case had saved us he held me brow creased why is there so much blood Martha clutched her
25:50face she shielded me when we jumped I didn't get a scratch it's all hers my eyelids felt like lead
26:02Leah don't sleep I'm taking you to Ella he lifted me into the car and I stayed curled against
26:08his chest his forehead was damp with sweat he kept one hand on the wheel and kept talking Leah Leah
26:17Leah
26:18stay awake I'll get you chestnut cake I'll give you all the jewelry you want to sell you don't have
26:24to
26:25wait for me to die I'll write the bond release today you can leave whenever you want my chest
26:30kept clenching something wet hit my face I looked up at the sky through the windshield it wasn't
26:37raining then everything went black when I opened my eyes every part of my body felt like it had been
26:42taken apart and put back wrong my Luna the pack healer said you can't move yet Ivy pressed a bowl
26:48of
26:48medicine to my lips spooning it in slowly you're lucky nothing's broken her voice was steady but
26:54her eyes were red the scrapes were bad you need to stay flat or they'll scar your shoulder was
27:00dislocated too she kept talking my eyes had already drifted to the door after I finished the medicine
27:05I asked where's case investigating someone poisoned the driver with wolf bite and cut the brake lines
27:11it was deliberate who would be bold enough to target the alpha's family directly I was flat on my back
27:16for a full month I didn't see case once Martha kept her door shut too still recovering from the shock
27:22everyone in the estate moved with tight faces and clipped voices like something was being held just
27:27below the surface I asked Ivy she said nothing was wrong today I was finally cleared to get out of
27:33bed
27:34I opened my door and walked straight into a familiar figure case dark tactical shirt sharper than I
27:40remembered he held out a small wooden box I took it and lifted the lid a land deed a proper
27:46contract a severance letter my body went rigid something locked around my chest and wouldn't
27:52let go case are you throwing me out you've been waiting for this since the day you arrived
27:58you avoided me stayed out of my way you never wanted anything to do with me you were counting
28:03down the days until I died so you could walk out cleanly I'm just doing it early Leah go after
28:10today
28:10we're finished something sharp flooded my chest my mouth opened and closed it took a long time to get
28:17anything out so that's what you think of me leave now I don't want to see you anymore case disappeared
28:27around the corner of the yard the state guards all but pushed me out the door Ivy fell in to
28:32step
28:32beside me and the alpha said you're used to having me around he told me to go with you
28:38I couldn't speak
28:43we moved into a small house on the edge of the territory by morning the pack's official
28:48announcement had gone up the announcement said case had betrayed the pack the announcement said
28:53he had betrayed the pack that he had leaked the border patrol routes to a rogue faction
28:57by order of the lichen king royal enforcers had been dispatched to seize him pending investigation
29:05case was being held in the dungeons under royal guard the estate was locked down everyone inside
29:11was under scrutiny case would never betray his pack he would die before he did something like that
29:18he rushed to get me out that was why that was the only reason Ivy was pacing circles around the
29:24living room she'd grown up inside the estate she couldn't stand still is there anything we can do
29:31I made myself sit down and think years ago Elder Reed's youngest child had gotten lost in the forest
29:37and been bitten by a snake I'd found him and used the right herbs to treat the wound Elder Reed
29:44had
29:44arrived while I was still crouched over the boy he'd seen my face I was sure he hadn't forgotten
29:50I tracked him down outside the council building and stepped into Elder Reed you remember me I need
29:56a favor he looked at me for a long moment then he nodded Elder Reed led me into the dungeon
30:0230 minutes
30:03no more the door unlocked case stood up his eyes flashed with surprise how did you get in my chest
30:09ached as I looked at him through the blur of tears that's why you kicked me out isn't it you
30:14were
30:15framed think carefully is there any evidence to prove your innocence I will find it I will
30:21investigate I swear I will rescue you case's gaze deepened then his arm shot out and pulled me into
30:27his chest Leah my heart hammered but time was running out this wasn't the moment I pushed against him
30:34he didn't budge Leah you don't need to do anything I can't say much
30:40I promise seven days later I will accompany you to watch the sunrise okay his eyes were steady
30:48certain like he was coaxing a frightened pup I walked out of the dungeon and straight into Brad
30:58he stepped into my path slow smile spreading across it's not too late to reconsider
31:04being my mistress beats being alone and disgraced I swung my hand and slapped him across the face
31:10he lunged for me I stepped sideways and put distance between us try that again and every note you sent
31:15me ends up in front of Chloe's father every single one you've been whispering in her ear for years
31:20haven't you trying to get me pushed out thinking I'd have nowhere to go and no choice but to run
31:24to
31:24you but you never counted on Chloe handing me straight to case a man you can't touch his face changed
31:30I didn't wait for him to recover I walked away and didn't look back a wolf like that the further
31:35the better I didn't sleep well for the next five days case's voice kept coming back to me I promise
31:42seven days later I will accompany you to watch the sunrise okay on the afternoon of the sixth day
31:47the lichen king's official decree went up across the territory the leak hadn't come from case
31:52it had come from prince marcus and his allies the truth is finally revealed
31:59the lichen king had not yet named his heir both prince caden and prince marcus were in the running
32:03case was prince caden's most powerful ally the alpha who commanded the most powerful pack taking
32:08case down was the cleanest way to clear the path to the throne prince marcus had planted a spy inside
32:13the blackwood pack used him to steal the border patrol routes then framed case for it so the injury had
32:18been faked all of it a deliberate trap to draw out the spy but why fake being unable to mate
32:24i turned that over in my mind all night and couldn't land on an answer dawn was just breaking when
32:28someone knocked at the door i didn't think i just ran i threw the door open and walked straight into
32:33case's chest he went completely still then his arms came around me slow and deliberate and pulled
32:39me in hard i'd run out in nothing but a thin sleep shirt no warning through the thin fabric i
32:44could
32:44feel everything the hard muscle of his chest his arms locked tight around me i pressed my hands
32:49against his chest and tried to step back leah his voice dropped low i'm back our eyes locked the heat
32:56between us was thick enough to touch then he lifted me off the ground and carried me straight toward
33:00the bedroom i beat a fist against his chest weren't we supposed to watch the sunrise
33:07you first sunrise after we fell onto the bed together
33:14case pinned me beneath him one hand working the buttons of my sleep shirt open eyes never leaving
33:19mine i covered his eyes with both hands don't look it's embarrassing he took my hands down his
33:26breathing had gone ragged it's beautiful his eyes were bright and fixed my skin went hot everywhere he
33:33touched i pressed my palm flat against his chest hard muscle warm skin healer said you couldn't get
33:39hard how is any of this possible lips dragging slowly along my jaw to my ear you want to know
33:44if i can
33:45there's one way to find out he kissed me one hand cupping my face tilting it up toward him
33:50i kissed him back hard my hand slid up his chest over his shoulders gripping his arms he pressed me
33:58further into the mattress his weight settling over me the heat built fast and took over completely
34:03my hands went slack he caught them laced his fingers through mine and pinned them above my head
34:09he loves me very much and completely occupies me my face gradually became rosy and we could only hear
34:17each other's heartbeats and breathing his lips dragged from my mouth to my jaw down the side of my
34:23neck slow and unhurried then he stopped his canines pierced my mating gland a second of sharp white
34:30hot pain and then it was done i lay there chest heaving fingers still tangled in his on my neck
34:38his
34:38mark ached finally we weren't just mates on paper anymore after the estate lockdown was lifted case took
34:46me to meet prince kaden a slow smile spreading across his face so you're the woman who brought case to
34:50his
34:50knees i've been wanting to meet you you flatter me your highness case helped the kingdom take down
34:56a real threat you stood by him through all of it i'll host an official luna ceremony for you and
35:02when
35:02that day comes i'll have a gift ready thank you your highness don't blame case leah faking the injury
35:09was always part of the plan too many enemies wanted him dead the only way to keep him safe was
35:17to make
35:17them think he was already finished part about not being able to get hard that was my idea i gave
35:23the
35:23pack doctor that order myself we grew up together i know exactly how he is never any interest in women
35:31never any weakness i figured it was time someone did something about that suddenly i understood
35:36just two old friends and one very elaborate prank the car accident that was prince marcus as well they
35:43intended it to look like an accident they didn't expect to hurt you in the process luna leah it's
35:49been dealt with you and case are safe now i took a slow breath knowing it was over didn't make
35:59the
35:59memory of dangling off that cliff any less vivid we got back to the estate to find chloe already inside
36:04crying she walked an hour ago and hasn't stopped martha is getting a headache from it i told case to
36:11go to
36:11his study i'd handle it i sat down next to chloe face red eyes swollen word had already spread brad
36:18had been identified as one of prince marcus's informants chloe's father had been cleared but
36:23chloe and brad were finished still crying i'll have someone throw you out she stopped immediately
36:29still shaking but quiet i misjudged him i thought picking someone from a lower ranked family meant he'd be
36:36easy to manage i didn't think he'd be like this i told you he wasn't a good person you didn't
36:43say
36:43it clearly enough i rolled my eyes i wasn't a powerless omega anymore i didn't have to hold back
36:54were you ever angry at me for how i treated you back then
36:59no i cursed you in my head but i don't hold grudges you cursed me do you want to punish
37:05me
37:05for it chloe laughed despite herself then caught herself and pressed her lips together i'm sorry
37:10for the slap did it hurt i already forgot about it then let me slap you back we'll be even
37:16she
37:16closed her eyes and braced herself i raised my hand and let it land soft against her cheek
37:22she opened her eyes
37:26i already gave that slap to brad chloe stared at me for a second then she laughed really laughed
37:31for the first time since she'd walked in don't call me chloe anymore can we be friends
37:36no
37:39i don't like friends who cry too much the light was still on when i passed case of study
37:43i pushed the door open before i could say a word an arm shot out from behind and wrapped around
37:48my waist
37:48bold intruder his voice dropped low against my ear you think you can just walk into the alpha's
37:53office the alpha's mate is right here and you still dare make a move case played it straight
37:59his lips found my neck here really right here i kept saying no my hand said something else entirely
38:07finding their way to his back he murmured against my ear you have no idea how many times i thought
38:14about this in this room i wanted to say something back but his hand was already moving and i couldn't
38:20get a single word out he carried me to the table and took off my clothes then we had a
38:25good time
38:32when i woke up it was almost dawn case was already awake sitting up against the headboard
38:37watching me his eyes were soft in a way that made it hard to look back morning i sat up
38:42and rubbed my
38:43eyes then i remembered the sunrise he'd promised the sunrise we still have time he was already up he
38:54picked up my clothes from beside the bed handing them to me he dressed me slowly straightening each
39:00layer with both hands like he'd done it a thousand times before we walked out into the yard cool air
39:05the
39:06smell of pine to the east the sky had just started to lighten at the edges case stood behind me
39:10and
39:11wrapped both arms around me we watched the horizon together the sun came up slowly gold light broke
39:16across the trees spread across the yard and landed on us the clouds caught the color and held it
39:23beautiful close to my ear beautiful he pulled me in tighter and said nothing else he didn't need to
39:30him i'll watch every sunrise and sunset with his voice was quiet against my hair everyone for as long
39:37as we have i turned around and kissed him once quick and light deal the sun came up fully in
39:45the yard
39:45filled with light our shadows stretched long across the ground behind us over the next few days the estate
39:51came back to life servants moved through the halls with easy steps again martha's health improved she called
39:57me in to talk every morning always smiling when i walked through the door one afternoon i was trimming
40:02the plants in the yard when sunny came running over leah chloe is here again she brought a lot of
40:07stuff
40:07with her i set down my shears since the day she'd come in crying chloe had been showing up regularly
40:13she said she was making up for lost time really she just had nothing to do and nowhere to be
40:20let her in i wiped my hands and went to meet her chloe walked in with two attendants behind her
40:27carrying food boxes she changed a lot less restless she dressed simpler now and moved quieter
40:40i made your favorite chestnut cake i asked the royal kitchen for the recipe this time
40:46better than anything the blackwood kitchen has ever made i took a piece and bit into it sweet soft
40:52better than i expected
40:56good thank you so where's case not home he went to the pack training ground something came up
41:03chloe nodded and reached for a piece herself for a while neither of us said anything just the wind
41:09moving through the yard my father wants me to find a new mate i looked up don't rush for it
41:15i know
41:18after brad i don't know how to trust anyone she looked at me something flickering in her eyes
41:24you have a good mate case fights for you protects you and he's the strongest alpha in the kingdom
41:31we just got lucky you can't force these things chloe nodded and didn't say anything else just ate her
41:36chestnut cake the yard went quiet just wind moving through the leaves then she said that slap do you
41:45really not hold it against me really it's in the past no point bringing it up the truth was i'd
41:52already let it go a long time ago she wasn't a bad person just spoiled used to getting her way
41:58chloe's
41:59eyes went red at the edges thank you when i arranged the mating part of it was because i was
42:05scared you and brad would find your way back to each other but part of it was genuine i really
42:10did
42:10think case was a good man that he wouldn't treat you badly we looked at each other and smiled all
42:16the
42:16conflicts were solved i just didn't expect him to be faking the whole time chloe laughed a little
42:24embarrassed it's in the past isn't this better
42:32it is she nodded can we be friends for real i won't be like i was before
42:41sure i nodded something warm moved through my chest letting go of old grudges and coming out
42:46the other side with a friend that wasn't a bad ending we sat in the yard for the rest of
42:50the
42:50afternoon eating and talking pack gossip small things nothing important the sun came through the
42:57leaves and the air was warm and easy when case came back from the training grounds that evening and
43:01saw the two of us surprise crossed his face what are you two happy about talking about you
43:07chloe grinned about what a liar you are faking the whole thing and fooling everyone
43:14case walked over and sat down beside me he reached over and took my hand eyes warm
43:20tricking you into becoming my luna that's the luckiest thing i've ever done my face went red
43:25i gave him a look chloe burst out laughing all right i'm leaving you two alone leah i'll come
43:30by tomorrow sure take care i watched her go case turned to me are you good friend now
43:39yes the past is the past no point holding on to it he squeezed my hand i'm glad you can
43:45think that
43:45way he knew how much i'd been through watching me let it go and just be happy i could tell
43:51it meant
43:51something to him we sat side by side at the stone table and looked out at the sky neither of
43:57us said
43:57much we didn't need to days like this quiet and unhurried became the rhythm of our life case stayed
44:05busy with the pack and with royal matters but he always made time sunrises sunsets he spoiled me
44:12until i didn't know what to do with it martha was healthy and smiling every day the estate was calm
44:18and easy again the way it used to be true to his word prince caden petitioned the lichen king on
44:24my
44:24behalf at my official luna ceremony the lichen king's decree was read aloud a formal commendation in front
44:31of the entire pack the estate was lit up and full of noise that day case lifted the veil and
44:37placed it over
44:38my head himself his eyes proud and soft the most beautiful luna then he shifted right there in front
44:45of everyone his wolf was massive dark broad-shouldered still he lowered himself to the ground and waited
44:53i climbed onto his back he rose slowly carrying me steady and lifted his head toward the moon
44:59the howl that came out of him was long and deep and carried across the entire territory
45:05one by one the pack answered howl after howl rising into the night sky i thought about everything it
45:12had taken to get here a bastard omega with no wolf no one to speak for her only i knew
45:18how hard the road
45:19had been and all of it every bit of the happiness on the other side of it came from the
45:24man standing
45:24behind me after the ceremony case took me south open land warm air water catching the afternoon light
45:32far from everything that had tried to take us down the rest of our lives stretched out ahead of us
45:37every year every season together after the ceremony life settled into a new rhythm i stood beside case
45:45at every pack meeting every decision every matter that came through the estate gates his pack was my pack
45:52his people were my people but he always made time a weekend drive with no destination a trail through the
45:59forest at dawn wherever he thought i'd want to see he took me there without being asked
46:05the rest of our lives stretched out ahead of us every year every season together
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