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