- 5 hours ago
The Blood Trial: Silent Heartbreak
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00:02The wolves pinned me to the ground, claws tore my dress, fists cracked against my ribs, one after another.
00:08This was the blood trial. The harder they beat you, the more worthy you are as a bride.
00:12I didn't fight back, I didn't make a sound, because the man who was supposed to claim to me tonight
00:17had already carried my sister out the door.
00:19The pack lands have a savage tradition known as the blood claiming.
00:22It demands the alpha steal his mate under the full moon, fighting through the pack's warriors to prove his power
00:27and right to her.
00:28I waited three years for Alpha Silas. Finally, he and his wolves slipped into my pack.
00:33I was ready to run to him, until I heard his hushed order.
00:36Grab Brianna in the chaos, she's fragile. If she's sold off to the alpha of the silverback pack to settle
00:42the debt, she won't survive the night.
00:44As for Alara, she'll fight like hell, she'll keep herself safe.
00:49His warriors hesitated.
00:50Silamus, you and Alara are already mated. If she finds out, she'll rein this pack to ash.
00:56Let her. It's dark enough. A case of mistaken identity during the claiming will be easy to explain. I'll calm
01:05her down later.
01:05He paused, his voice turning icy.
01:08Besides, the mating decree she signed was a forgery. We never held the mating ceremony. I promised Brianna a safe
01:14life. She's my priority.
01:17I heard every word from behind the door. I didn't howl. I didn't shift. I simply stepped back into the
01:23shadows.
01:24They'd expected me to fight. To claw apart anyone who'd tried to take me.
01:28Instead, I silently climbed onto the back of the wolf who'd broken into my room and became his mate.
01:35Alara, my contact at the council checked. You, you aren't actually Silas' bonded mate.
01:41I put down the phone. Something inside my chest shattered. I'd lived as Silas' mate for five years.
01:46All that time, the Crescent pack never accepted me. His mother never used my name, only ever referring to me
01:51as that girl.
01:52At pack gatherings, I was always seated at the farthest table.
01:55In pack portraits, I was placed at the edge so I could be easily cropped out.
01:59Silas said his mother wouldn't let up until I broke, so he sent me back to the Thorn Hollow pack.
02:04He promised he'd follow our traditions and complete the formal blood claiming to bring me back as his Luna.
02:09Then the Crescent pack would have no choice but to accept me.
02:12I waited. For three years, I'd held my tongue, longing for this night.
02:16But he'd come for another woman. He'd kept me deceived for years with a forged decree.
02:21All to hide the truth. The one he'd truly meant to claim was my half-sister, Brianna.
02:25I stared at my reflection. My face was empty. Wolf howl exploded across the grounds. The ritual had begun.
02:33Growls mixed with laughter, claws scraped against stone, and warriors put on a show of resisting.
02:38Ritual torches painted half the sky red. Another group of wolves had come from the silver backpack.
02:43They'd originally come for Brianna. By the rules of the ritual, if a she-wolf didn't want to be taken,
02:48she could hide and send them away empty-handed. But Brianna didn't hide.
02:51She waited in her room to be taken. And the wolf she waited for was my mate.
02:55The room I was in wasn't mine. It was Brianna's.
02:59That afternoon, my stepmother pulled me aside. For once, her voice was gentle.
03:03Allora, stay in Brianna's room tonight. Yours is too far back, too quiet. They'll never find you.
03:10The wolves coming for Brianna are savages. You've always been tough.
03:14You can handle the blood trial. Brianna is fragile.
03:18If she gets caught in the crossfire, it'll be a disaster.
03:21I said nothing. I knew exactly what she meant. By the rules of the blood claiming,
03:27the alpha's wolves would storm in. The she-wolf was expected to fight back with everything she had.
03:32It was called the blood trial. The harder she fought, the more valuable she was considered.
03:38The alpha had to prove he could pin her down and force her submission.
03:41Those claws drew real blood. My stepmother studied my face, testing me.
03:46Besides, Simus has never been here at night. The front room? He'll find you faster.
03:51Back then, I'd only wanted to make things easier for Silas. I agreed.
03:54I even sent him my room location through the mind link.
03:57But they'd been planning this switch all along.
04:02A roar of celebration erupted outside.
04:04We got her! The she-wolf is ours!
04:07Howls tore through the night sky, one after another, spreading across the territory like wildfire.
04:12I listened but didn't move. I knew exactly who they'd taken.
04:15I could picture Silas carrying Brianna through the crowd, his wolves flanking them,
04:19as pack members lunged and blocked their path. Brianna would hide her face against his back,
04:24pretending to struggle. How perfect!
04:26I lowered my gaze. Moments later, my door was kicked in.
04:30A group of wolves flooded into the dark room, eyes glowing amber in the black.
04:34Then the blood trial began. Someone seized my arm, claws biting into skin.
04:38Fists cracked against my spine. Claws raked across my shoulders and back.
04:42The harder the beating, the more the pack valued the bride.
04:45I let them drag me from my chair toward the door, their claws leaving red trails down my arms.
04:50At first, it felt like a formality. But the violence quickly turned savage.
04:54Someone slammed me into the stone wall, fangs snapping inches from my throat.
05:00This was intentional. The pain was excruciating, but I didn't make a sound.
05:04I finally understood what my stepmother had meant by calling me tough.
05:08Just when I thought it would never end, a body slammed between us, throwing the attackers off me.
05:14Enough!
05:15It was a stranger's voice, sharp with fury. He stood over me, claws out,
05:19and shoved the other's back with a snarl.
05:22That's the rule. The harder we hit, the more she's worth.
05:26What rule? His voice dropped to a dangerous growl, canines lengthening.
05:31This isn't your mate! If someone was tearing into your she-wolf like prey,
05:35would you just stand there and watch? The room went silent. He glanced back at me.
05:40In the shadows, I could only make out the sharp line of his jaw and the amber flash of his
05:44eyes.
05:45Then he bent down and hoisted me onto his back. Who is he? He's taking this ritual way too seriously.
05:50He carried me out in long, steady strides. Wolves chased after us, snapping and lunging,
05:55but his grip on my legs never wavered. When he finally carried me out of the pack house,
06:00he paused to catch his breath. In the distance, the faint glow of ritual torches moved. That was the
06:05other group. Crossing the corridor, I heard their laughter. Silas was at the front, sweat soaked,
06:13but wearing a triumphant smile. Brianna was on his back, her arms wrapped tight around his neck.
06:19His wolves were cheering. I lay silent on the stranger's back as they drew near. Torchlight
06:26flickered across my face. Silas's eyes flicked over me for a split second. Then his gaze moved on,
06:32turning back to his wolves as he joked and laughed. He didn't recognize me. Brianna whispered something in
06:38his ear and he leaned in with a soft smile. I suddenly thought back to three years ago,
06:43when I'd returned to the Thorn Hollow pack to visit my father and stayed for a while.
06:47The first time Silas came to find me there, he'd worn that exact same smile.
06:54That day, my father's warriors put him to the test. My father sent a dozen warriors to block him at
06:59the
06:59gates. Claws out, fangs bared. They told him to turn back. He fought through every single one of them
07:05and showed up at my door, bruised, bloodied, barely standing. I asked if it hurt. He grinned
07:11through the blood. For my mate, I'd take a lot worse. He was of the proud alpha heir,
07:17yet he'd taken a beating from my father's warriors just for me. He always acted like it was nothing,
07:23but I knew the truth. My father's wolves didn't go easy on outsiders.
07:29Another time, it poured rain. He showed up soaked to the bone, his shirt torn. But the
07:35pastries tucked inside his jacket were still dry. He pushed the pastries into my hands, smiling.
07:42Didn't want you to wait too long. I held those pastries, staring at the cut on his cheek, and
07:47thought, this is the wolf I'll spend my life with. But now, he carried Brianna with that exact same
07:52smile. My vision blurred for a second, then sharpened again. When did it all start to change?
08:00Probably three years ago, when my father died, I felt completely hollow inside. Silas cancelled
08:07everything to stay at the Thorn Hollow Pack with me for two weeks. The day he had to leave, he
08:13took my
08:13hand and spoke softly. Alara, you just got through the funeral and you look awful. If my mother sees you
08:19like this, she'll start on you again. I don't want you putting up with that. Just stay here at the
08:23room
08:23and rest. You've always wanted to take over the pack's affairs, right? I'll go wake and smooth
08:29thing for at home, then come get you." I looked at him and nodded. I was truly exhausted from the
08:35constant fighting with his mother. Back then, I believed he was looking out for me, that he didn't
08:40want me to go back and face those cold stares. Only later did I realize, distance doesn't create beauty.
08:46It just makes it easier for him to love someone else. Last year, when his mother turned 60,
08:52Silas came to bring me back. The moment I stepped inside, I saw my stepsister Brianna. She was supposed
08:59to be in another pack for work. But there she was in the main hall, arranging things, her movements
09:04smooth and familiar. Silas paused while taking off his coat and explained,
09:09Brianna's assignment is near our territory. She's staying here temporarily. There wasn't a trace of guilt in
09:14his voice, and I didn't push for more. My father didn't take a second mate until I was already grown.
09:24Brianna was stepmother's daughter. We'd never been close. Over the years, we'd only seen each other
09:29during gatherings. I couldn't quite put into words how I felt about her staying there. When Brianna saw
09:35me walk in, she called out warmly, Hey, sis. Don't worry. I'm just crashing here for a bit. I'll move
09:41out once I find a place. I nodded, but said nothing. Back then, I never could have imagined.
09:47For three years, I waited alone in the Thorn Hollow pack. And all that time, my little sister had been
09:53working in the Crescent pack. Now watching Brianna on Silas's back, it all suddenly clicked. I hadn't been
09:59waiting for him to bring me home at all. I'd been waiting for my heart to die. Brianna's voice drifted
10:05closer on the wind. What about Alara? If she finds out, she'll lose it. She's all bark and no bite.
10:12She'll get over it after throwing a fit. It's pitch black during the blood claiming I just made a mistake.
10:21She'll feel sorry for me before she even gets angry. Once she finds out, I'll just smooth it over.
10:28Alara. Brianna laughed softly. My knuckles whitened. One of his wolves spoke up suddenly.
10:33Alpha, what if someone else claimed Alara? The group fell quiet. You think she'd let anyone
10:40take her without a fight? Then Silas laughed. With that temper of hers, she'll tear the place apart
10:44tonight. True. No way a llama goes quietly. Feel sorry for that poor bastard. Wonder what he looks like
10:53now. The laughter swelled. I looked down. Let's go. He must have heard everything. Heard them laughing
11:01about me. Heard how they thought I'd rip someone's throat out. But he said nothing. He just kept walking.
11:10At the edge of the Thorn Hollow territory, we ran straight into them. Someone from the other side
11:15called out. His steps halted. A quiet. Yeah. Silas moved closer with Brianna on his back, grinning.
11:24It really is you. You claiming someone tonight too? Yeah. Who? I buried my face in Killian's shoulder,
11:32showing only the back of my head. A neighboring family. Silas stared at me a moment longer,
11:38then laughed. Damn, man. Always figured you'd stay unmade forever. Congrats.
11:44Killian just grunted. Silas took a step forward. I felt his gaze linger on my back.
11:49That look lasted too long. Long enough I almost thought he'd recognized me. Let's go. Wait.
11:59Silas frowned. He was about to speak. Brianna's voice cut in, soft and pained.
12:03Simus, my ankle hurts. What's wrong? Did you twist it earlier?
12:07I don't know. It just aches. Her voice dropped. Let's go. We need to get to your territory before
12:12sunrise. Silas didn't waste another second. He nodded at Killian. Gotta run. I'll buy you a drink
12:18next time. Their footsteps faded into the distance. Killian spoke quietly. He really didn't recognize
12:24you. I rested my face against his shoulder and said nothing. My eyes stung, but I didn't cry.
12:30He seemed to sense it. His pace slowed. Steps gentle and steady. The moon was bright. The road
12:35stretched on. I had no idea where he was taking me. But in that moment, I thought anywhere was better
12:41than going back. Music filled the crescent pack's great hall. The whole place buzzed with celebration.
12:49Wine flowed freely. And wolves danced to old songs. This was the feast after a successful
12:54blood claiming. By tradition, it would last until sunrise. Silas sat at the edge of the crowd.
12:59Phone in hand. The screen lit up, went dark, then lit again. No messages from Alara. That wasn't like
13:06her. She never kept things bottled up. If she'd found out he'd claimed the wrong she-wolf,
13:11she would've called screaming by now. He already had his excuses ready.
13:15It was pitch black. Don't overthink it. You're the only one I want.
13:19He'd wait for her to blow up over the phone, then talk her down gently. She'd hurl some threat,
13:25and he'd smooth it over. Done. She never stayed mad at him for long. But this time,
13:31no call, no text, no yelling. One of his wolves wandered over with a drink.
13:36Alpha, still staring at your phone? Waiting on Alara? Don't bother. Signal's dead out here.
13:40Her area gets fine signal. Then her phone's probably dead, or she didn't see it. Another
13:46wolf chimed in. She's probably off tearing someone apart right now. Everyone laughed. Silas stayed
13:53quiet. Alara had once told him, I set a special ringtone for your messages. Don't want to miss
13:58them. She'd sit out in the courtyard till midnight, just waiting for him to call.
14:09All right, quit overthinking. This is your big night. Your mate's waiting for you. What are you
14:14doing sitting here? Once you've claimed her, you stay with her all night. Finish the ritual.
14:18Silas' frown deepened. I told Brianna this was temporary. He said quietly. I just got her out of
14:27there. I didn't plan on- Didn't plan on what? The wolf cut him off, frustrated. Alpha, this is the
14:31blood-claiming, not a game. You took her, you finish it. Otherwise, you insult her whole pack.
14:36Besides, you and Alara have been together for years. She won't care about formalities. Just get
14:40through tonight. Silas opened his mouth to argue. Brianna appeared beside him. What are you guys
14:44talking about? Silas froze, about to explain. Brianna's voice softened. Simus, in our tradition,
14:52the blood-claiming only happens once in a lifetime. I know this one's fake, but can we at least finish
14:59the ritual? She looked up at him, her eyes glistening. I know you love Alara, but just for
15:05tonight, can you pretend I'm your Luna, just tonight? Silas said nothing. Brianna bowed her
15:14head, her lashes fluttering. The crowd started chanting. Toast de Luna! Silas picked up his glass,
15:21linking arms with Brianna. Firelight danced across both their faces. Cheers and laughter erupted
15:26around them, loud enough to rattle the walls. He drank, but his eyes kept straying to the
15:32dark road beyond the territory. The same road he'd carried Brianna down tonight. At the gate,
15:37he'd run into Killian. They'd met years ago at annual meetup. They'd had a few drinks together,
15:43acquaintances at best. Tonight, Killian had been carrying someone too. Said she was from another
15:48family. She'd been thin, lying quietly on Killian's back. Only a glimpse of her neck was visible.
15:54The line of that neck, the curve of her bowed head. It had felt strangely familiar,
15:59but Brianna had cried out in pain, so he hadn't looked again.
16:04Now, thinking back, that silhouette. Silas? Brianna's voice pulled him back to the present.
16:10Is that okay? He nodded, distracted. Yeah. Then he stepped aside, pulled out his phone,
16:17and dialed Alara's number. He needed to explain. He needed to make sure she didn't misunderstand.
16:23Finally, someone picked up. Hello? A middle-aged woman's voice.
16:30Silas blinked. Let me talk to Alara. Alara? The woman paused.
16:36She's not here. We're packing up her stuff to send over. Send over? Send where?
16:43Alara never lets her phone leave her her hand. Where are you sending her things?
16:48The woman on the other end hesitated, not expecting the question. I'm Alara's aunt.
16:54We have to pack her things and send them to her mate's pack.
16:57Mate's pack? He paused. So Alara was preparing to move back in with him.
17:02That made sense. He'd always planned to bring her back after the blood claiming.
17:06Stopped leaving her at the Thorn Hollow pack alone.
17:10Auntie, about the blood claiming tonight, there was a bit of a mix-up.
17:15Alara say anything?
17:18No. Several packs did blood claimings tonight. What would Alara?
17:22Despite the words, a sense of unease surged in him. Just as he was about to ask more,
17:27the aunt interrupted him hurriedly. Oh, I can't talk anymore. We're busy packing.
17:32Both Alara and Brianna were taken tonight. We have to get their things ready.
17:38Silas froze. What did she mean, both were taken? Didn't he only take Brianna?
17:43As for Alara, she would never go with someone she didn't love.
17:47He gripped the phone.
17:49Auntie, you said Alara was taken?
17:51Yes, by the Ironclaw pack.
17:53Silas' throat tightened. He couldn't speak. He suddenly remembered something, and his mind exploded.
18:00Ironclaw. Killian, the wolf he met at the gate, the one carrying a girl,
18:04saying she was his mate. That silhouette that looked so familiar. His voice was choked.
18:09She didn't fight?
18:10Fight? Why would she? A blood claiming isn't a bad thing. She was as quiet as could be.
18:15She just went with him. We all thought it was strange. With her temper,
18:18shouldn't she have clawed the wolf to pieces? But nothing happened. She just let him carry her away.
18:24Silas' hand began to shake. Quiet as could be? Just let him carry her away? No fight,
18:30no snarl, no resistance? No, that wasn't Alara. That wasn't the Alara he knew.
18:38He remembered talking to Alara about blood claimings before. She had been perched on the
18:42big tree, swinging her legs, speaking excitedly.
18:45The she-wolves in the Thorn Hollow pack, if they're claimed by someone they don't want,
18:50they don't just let them. They claw, bite, and snarl. They fight until the wolf gives up himself.
18:57He had teased her then. You're so wild. Who would dare claim you?
19:01She had rolled her eyes, her chin held high. Well, it depends on who's coming. If it's you…
19:08She had stopped suddenly, her face flushing as she turned away. Anyway, if it's you,
19:13I just put on a show of struggling a little, for appearances. He teased her. Just a little?
19:19Three times at most. She glared at him, then laughed, her eyes bright like mountain stars.
19:25If you came to claim me, I'd probably be the first to jump on your back so you wouldn't have
19:28to take
19:29those hits. He had thought then. This girl is so foolish.
19:36Auntie. His voice barely controlled. Alara, when was she taken?
19:42When? The aunt thought for a moment. Tonight, right after you left.
19:47Silas opened his mouth, but not a single word came out. Hello? Hello?
19:52Simon? Are you still there? I'm here.
19:56Why are you asking so much? Alara's mate will take care of her.
19:59You claimed Brianna tonight, didn't you? That poor girl's had it rough. Take good care of her.
20:04Silas said nothing.
20:06All right, I have to go. We're still packing. Alara left in such a hurry she forgot so many things.
20:12We have to get them to her. Bye now.
20:15The line went dead. He stood at the edge of the crowd, white-knuckling his phone. Around him were
20:22songs, laughter, music, all the noise of celebration.
20:27Congratulations, man.
20:28Someone shoved a drink into his hand, tugging him toward the dance floor. Brianna waved at him from
20:35across the fire. But he couldn't hear a thing. While he'd been carrying Brianna away, Alara had
20:42been lying on another wolf's back. They had passed each other in the dark. He thought she would fight,
20:47snarl, resist. But she did nothing.
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