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00:00I was six months pregnant when I found torn lace underwear stuffed under the mattress.
00:04I went to confront my mate, but overheard him talking to another man instead.
00:08Kale, the prince's bonding ceremony with Ivy is in seven days.
00:11You already marked her, what's your plan?
00:13If anyone finds out she's already been marked, she's dead.
00:16I won't let her face it alone.
00:20Selene's father and brother died defending the kingdom.
00:22The Lyman King promised her family could be pardoned for any crime.
00:26Have Ivy accuse Rayan publicly.
00:28I bit my lip until I tasted blood.
00:31In my previous life, at the Luna Queen celebration,
00:34Kale's childhood sweetheart stumbled out half-naked,
00:37sobbing that my brother had forced his mark on her.
00:40The noble she-wolves whispered and sneered.
00:42Ivy is the prince's chosen mate, that Blackwood boy dare mark her?
00:45Beat him to death!
00:46I invoked the pardon, the one my father and brother earned with their lives, and begged.
00:51The king honored his promise and spared Rayan, ordering him to mate Ivy instead.
00:55Then Kale shattered both my brother's legs in front of everyone.
00:59If the king doesn't vent now, he'll kill your brother later.
01:02We swallowed it.
01:03But seven months later, that she-wolf birthed a nine-pound pup.
01:07I never touched her!
01:09He'd screamed it a thousand times.
01:10No one believed him.
01:11He grabbed the pup and crawled toward the king's hall to prove his innocence.
01:14Kale knocked him out from behind.
01:17I tried to scream.
01:18His hand closed around my throat.
01:20Make a scene, and Ivy and the child are ruined.
01:22His eyes were murderous as he strangled me to death.
01:25His own Luna, days from giving birth.
01:28I woke up.
01:29The moon goddess sent me back to the night of the celebration.
01:32This time, I tied Rayan with silver chains and locked him in the east wing.
01:37Ivy still claimed someone had raped her.
01:39Ivy smashed her forehead against the hall's stone pillar, bleeding, shaking, sobbing in the women's arms.
01:46I bear another's mark.
01:47I've betrayed the prince.
01:49I've shamed the Ashburts.
01:51Let me die!
01:52Everyone glared at me like I was filth.
01:54The Blackwood family is feral.
01:55They think killing a few rogues at the border gives them the right to ravage the prince's future mate.
01:59Riding on daddy's war glory to do whatever the fuck they want.
02:02It's pure lawlessness.
02:03My goddess.
02:05If they're this bold in the capital, imagine how many helpless she-wolves they've forced themselves on at the border.
02:11I looked at the man shielding Ivy, my mate, Alpha Kale.
02:15Ivy, are you sure it was my brother?
02:19I'm already marked by him.
02:22Why humiliate me?
02:23She lunged for the pillar.
02:25Let me die!
02:26The women dragged her back.
02:27Kale wrenched me aside, his face twisted with fury.
02:30Your brother acts worse than a rogue, and you bully the victim?
02:33Your father bled for the Blackwood name.
02:35You two destroyed it.
02:36His grip bruised bone.
02:38I let out a cold laugh.
02:39Half an hour ago, I'd chained Rianne up myself.
02:43How the hell could he have gotten out to mark Ivy?
02:45Are you sure it was my brother?
02:47I knocked the bastard out and tied him up myself.
02:50I pulled him off Ivy.
02:51You think I can't recognize my own brother-in-law?
02:53My stomach dropped.
02:54His certainty unsettled me.
02:56Did Rianne have somehow broken free?
02:58Selene!
02:59How long will you keep bullying this poor girl?
03:01You're Kale's mate!
03:03Instead of standing by your mate, you shield your worthless brother!
03:05You even slander this poor girl!
03:09So no matter what, whether Ivy actually lost her purity or not, my brother takes the blame?
03:14You!
03:15Ivy looked like I'd slapped her, tears rolling down.
03:18I was a pure, unmarried she-wolf!
03:21Am I some cheap bitch who'd lie about this?
03:23She pulled a blood-stained cloth from her dress and hurled it at my feet.
03:27If the Blackwoods won't take responsibility, I'll die right here!
03:31I'd rather be dead than tied to your filthy name!
03:34She spun and lunged for the pillar.
03:37The Luna scrambled to hold her back.
03:39Stupid girl, don't!
03:41It's that Blackwoods scum's fault, not yours!
03:43You've suffered enough!
03:45Don't throw your life away for that bastard!
03:47They comforted Ivy while glaring daggers at me.
03:50Ivy is the prince's future mate!
03:52Your little pack thinks it's something special?
03:54Why would she ruin herself to frame you?
03:56Selene, enough!
03:57Just accept it.
03:58Prepare the mating gifts, go to the Ashfords, propose on Ryan's behalf, and beg the king for mercy.
04:03The king might still spare his life.
04:05Otherwise, marking the prince's chosen mate, your brother will be killed by king's anger.
04:09Last life, I believed his words.
04:11I believed Rian had lost control.
04:13So I handed over half the Blackwood fortune as a mating gift, and treated Ivy like a queen.
04:19Then, she birthed a bastard at seven months, and destroyed my entire family.
04:23My stomach turned.
04:26The Blacklands will never rye into that woman.
04:30Not in this life.
04:32Kale's face went cold, his eyes turning savage.
04:35Before he could speak, the crowd parted.
04:37Ivy's father, Elder Ashford, stormed in.
04:39His face was purple with rage, body shaking.
04:42He walked straight to Ivy and cracked her across the face.
04:44She hit the ground hard, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.
04:48Shameless bitch!
04:49You still have the nerve to breathe?
04:51Servants, drag this filthy thing out and snap her neck!
04:54She's disgraced the Ashford name!
04:56Don't bother.
04:58I'll do it myself.
05:01Selene, are you just gonna stand there and watch?
05:03If your brother hadn't done this, Ivy wouldn't be trying to kill herself.
05:06Your brother ruined a girl's life.
05:07Can you live with that?
05:08I watched the whole show in silence.
05:11Ivy's eyes flashed with something vicious.
05:13She gripped the pin and stabbed it into her neck.
05:16Blood gushed instantly.
05:18She's dead!
05:19The Blackwoods killed her!
05:21He tore a strip from his sleeve and pressed it against her throat.
05:24Healer!
05:25Get the healer!
05:26Now!
05:26Ivy lay in their arms, weak, blinking.
05:29Her eyes drifted to me.
05:30No death wish in them.
05:31Just a flicker of victory.
05:33Once Ivy was carried away, Kale stormed toward me.
05:36Bitch!
05:37He snarled and backhanded me across the face.
05:39I stumbled and hit the ground.
05:41My palms scraped the cold stone, skin splitting open.
05:44The left side of my face burned, my ear ringing.
05:47You heartless cunt.
05:48You wanted her dead, didn't you?
05:50I won't share my life with a cold-blooded she-wolf like you.
05:54I'm rejecting you today.
05:55About time!
05:56A bitch like her deserves to be rejected.
05:58Her brother's a rapist.
06:00What does that make her?
06:01Probably spread her legs for half the pack before the mating.
06:04Kale and Ivy are the real victims here.
06:05I swallowed the blood in my mouth, forced myself up on shaking arms despite my swollen
06:11face and bleeding palms.
06:12Did any of you actually see my brother rape Ivy?
06:16Any of you?
06:17With your own eyes?
06:18You won't believe it until you see the proof.
06:20Kale strode to the dark corner of the hall, kicked a burlap sack guarded by two warriors,
06:25and yanked it open.
06:26He reached inside and pulled out an alpha crest pendant, the one only a blackwood heir
06:31could wear.
06:31He held it high, turning to the crowd.
06:34See this?
06:34The blackwood alpha crest.
06:36Only pack heirs wear this.
06:38Every other alpha hare is in this hall tonight, except Ryan Blackwood.
06:43He threw the pendant at me.
06:45Strands of brown hair still tangled in the chain.
06:48Selina, what else do you have to say?
06:50My blood ran cold.
06:51A chill crawled up my spine.
06:54That crest, it was the one Rian wore tonight.
06:56Did someone free him after I left?
06:58No.
06:58Something was wrong.
06:59Elder Ashford spat at my feet.
07:01The proof is right there.
07:03Still going to lie?
07:04I clenched my jaw, stared Kale dead in the eyes, and left.
07:09Funny how this works.
07:11Ryan and I just got back from the border.
07:13We've barely been to any gatherings, never caused trouble.
07:15But tonight, the one night I told my brother to stick close to his brother-in-law and learn
07:19some manners, this happens?
07:21Someone raped Ivy and pinned it on Ryan.
07:24Who's really behind this?
07:26Bullshit!
07:28You've lost your mind accusing your own mate to protect that bastard.
07:33She'd burn her whole family down before admitting the truth!
07:36The Blackwoods are cursed.
07:38Marrying into that family is a death sentence.
07:40A few older Lunas pulled me aside.
07:43Selene, stop this.
07:46Your father and brothers are dead.
07:48Ryan is the last Blackwood male.
07:51Push this any further, and the king gets involved.
07:54Ryan is done for.
07:55I thought about my last life.
07:57After Kale broke his legs, Rian lay rotting on a bed for months.
08:00His wounds festered.
08:02The smell never left the room.
08:03He was once the youngest warrior commander at the border.
08:06He ended up unable to walk.
08:07The despair in his eyes as he wasted away, I'd carry it with me forever.
08:11I shook them off.
08:12I raised my voice for the whole hall to hear.
08:14If neither side will back down, let's take it to the king.
08:17Let the Lycan king decide.
08:19If Rian really did this, kill him.
08:22Skin him.
08:23Tear him apart.
08:23He deserves it.
08:24The Blackwoods don't protect scum.
08:27Ivy flinched.
08:27She looked at Kale, eyes flickering with panic.
08:31Kale gave her a steady look, then turned on me without hesitation.
08:34You're out of the finder.
08:37You're out of your mind.
08:38Why drag the king into this?
08:40You're going to destroy both packs.
08:42She's lost it.
08:44She wants to take everyone down with her.
08:45Kale's father, Elder Marcus Thornwell, finally spoke.
08:49The Thornwells are an old and noble blood time.
08:52We mated you in because your father and brother gave their lives for the kingdom.
08:55But you've proven yourself unworthy.
08:57Riskrespecting your mates, slandering Ivy, disrupting the celebration.
09:00She's nothing but trouble.
09:00Get rid of her, Kale.
09:01Reject her.
09:02Reject the bond, then let her go cry to the king.
09:04The Thornwells want nothing to do with her.
09:05Kale's jaw tightened.
09:07This wasn't what he wanted.
09:08But there was no turning back.
09:09He looked me dead in the eyes and said,
09:12Selina Blackwood, you are jealous, vicious, and cruel.
09:15You disrespect your mate and slander the innocent.
09:18I, Kale Thornwell, reject you as my mate.
09:21From this day, we are nothing.
09:24I, Selene Blackwood, accept the rejection.
09:27The mate bond snapped.
09:28A sharp sting ripped through my chest.
09:30But all I felt was relief.
09:32Kale saw no tears, no begging, no heartbreak, only calm.
09:36The whole crowd reached the Alpha King's palace.
09:40The Lycan King and the Luna Queen heard both sides, faces grim.
09:47Selene, if Rian truly has feelings for Ivy, I could cancel the mating.
09:52My father taught us loyalty and honor from the day we were born.
09:57I believe my brother he would never do something this disgusting.
10:00There are too many holes in this story.
10:02I beg the king to investigate.
10:04If Rian is guilty, the Blacklands will accept any punishment.
10:10Fine. Bring the evidence.
10:15I stepped forward to open the burlap sack myself.
10:18My palms were slick with cold sweat.
10:21My hands wouldn't stop trembling.
10:23The first thing I saw was the Blackwood crest pendant around the neck.
10:27My heart sank.
10:28Could it be that even with a second chance, I still couldn't change a damn thing?
10:33Then the sack came off completely.
10:34And a face I didn't expect stared back at me.
10:38Sis!
10:39Before he could even clear his throat, Ivy's wail tore through the entire hall.
10:45My king!
10:47My queen!
10:48My purity is gone.
10:50The Blackwoods won't take responsibility.
10:52I have no reason to live.
10:55Please, just let me die!
10:56She sobbed like her soul was being ripped out.
10:59Elder Ashford pounded his chest, tears streaming, crashing his head against the floor over and over.
11:04My king!
11:05I failed as a father!
11:06My daughter is ruined!
11:07She was the prince's chosen mate!
11:08Her name is on the royal list!
11:10Now she's been defiled and humiliated!
11:12I can't face anyone!
11:13Just let me die with her!
11:15My king!
11:15My queen!
11:16The evidence is here!
11:18Ryan Blackwood did something worse than a devil!
11:20If he walks free, what's stopping the next sick bastard?
11:22I beg the king to deliver justice for Ivy!
11:25Every word was perfect.
11:26The loyal, upstanding alpha defending a helpless she-wolf.
11:30The hall went dead silent, but the crowd stared at the three of them with strange, uneasy expressions.
11:35Ivy, I'll ask you one more time.
11:37This male truly violated you?
11:39Yes.
11:40Every word is true.
11:41If I'm lying, may the moon goddess punish me.
11:43My king!
11:44I walked in on it myself!
11:45I saw Ryan forcing himself on her!
11:47I swear on my life!
11:48I only wish I'd gotten there sooner!
11:49Good.
11:50Very good.
11:51You're still lying to my face.
11:52Wonderful performance, Ivy.
11:53And you, Kale!
11:55Now lift your heads and look at who exactly violated her!
11:58This wasn't Ryan Blackwood.
12:00It was Princess Lyra, the king's youngest daughter, the most beloved wolf in the kingdom.
12:05Ivy's face went bone white.
12:06Her lips shook, but no sound came out.
12:08She collapsed to the ground like her bones had dissolved.
12:11Kyle looked like he'd been struck by lightning.
12:13Every carefully crafted expression froze.
12:15Nothing left but raw terror.
12:17His hands shook so hard, the blood-stained cloth in his hand suddenly felt like a hot iron.
12:21Father, mother, what's going on?
12:23I just snuck out to wish mom a happy birthday, and now I'm being accused of violating some girl?
12:29Hey, you were just crying about how I ruined your purity, right?
12:33I'm a she-wolf.
12:35How exactly did I violate you?
12:37Princess, why are you wearing my brother's clothes?
12:41I passed the East Wing and found your little brother chained up and unconscious.
12:45Someone had the nerve to do that right under the king's roof during a royal celebration.
12:50I had to investigate, so I borrow his clothes and pendant to disguise myself.
12:54Figured I could catch whoever did it, but the second I turned the corner into some dark hallway,
12:59something hit the back of my head and everything went black.
13:03Next thing I know, I wake up here being called a rapist.
13:08You said you saw it with your own eyes.
13:09What exactly did you see?
13:10Me forcing myself on her?
13:12Kale's forehead was drenched in cold sweat.
13:13Every scheme, every performance.
13:15The second Lyra appeared, it was all over.
13:17The Lunas and Alphas who had screamed for Blackwood Blood minutes ago
13:20now stood with their mouths hanging open,
13:22faces flushed with the humiliation of being played.
13:24What a beautiful little scheme,
13:27framing the loyal deceiving the crown.
13:29If Selina hadn't fought for the truth today,
13:32the last Blackwood heir would have been destroyed at my own celebration by these two pieces of filth!
13:37My queen, please, I must ask.
13:40The Blackwoods are a small pack.
13:43Ivy was the prince's chosen mate.
13:45Her future was bright.
13:46My brother didn't have any relationship with her.
13:49Why would Ivy destroy her own reputation to trap him?
13:52It makes no sense.
13:53Why would the prince's chosen mate risk everything to frame a young alpha heir?
13:56It made no sense, unless...
13:58Unless she already has a mating mark.
14:00In three days, the royal healers will inspect the prince's chosen mate.
14:06Only a pure, unclaimed she-wolf is fit for the prince.
14:10This she-wolf has already been marked and mated.
14:13Once the healers find out, that's treason.
14:16Her whole family dies.
14:17So she panicked.
14:19Used tonight to frame Rianne, cover her own filth,
14:21and trap her pack-air into mating her.
14:23One move, two kills.
14:24No, no, I didn't, I...
14:26So that's what this is, scheming bitch.
14:28She played every single one of us.
14:30You shameless whore!
14:32Tell me!
14:33Who's the male?
14:34Ivy crumpled, clutching her face, whimpering.
14:37I watched the whole thing.
14:39Cold.
14:40Still.
14:41Two lifetimes of rage finally loosening its crip.
14:44Elder Ashford, isn't it obvious?
14:46Who was screaming the loudest tonight?
14:49Elder Ashford's body seized.
14:51His bloodshot eyes locked onto Kale.
14:52He threw himself at Kale and grabbed him by the-
14:55You grew up with my daughter.
14:56If you wanted her, you could have come to me.
14:58I might have said yes, but you waited until she was chosen for the prince,
15:02and then you did this?
15:03Elder Ashford, wake up.
15:05Your daughter is a nobody to Kale.
15:07With Ryan out of the way, Kale takes over the Blackwood pack without lifting a finger.
15:11Why would he throw that away for an elder's girl?
15:13Fuck your daughter in secret, knock her up, then stick the pup on Ryan.
15:18He gets his bloodline on the throne and keeps his hands clean.
15:22Kale, you bastard!
15:23You absolute bastard!
15:25Ivy just sat on the ground, clutching her face, silent.
15:29Healer, drag this bitch out.
15:31Inspect her.
15:31Check for a mating mark.
15:32They dragged Ivy out of the hall like a dead dog.
15:35Her screams echoing off the walls.
15:37Kale saw it was over.
15:38He dropped to his knees and slammed his head on the floor.
15:41My queen!
15:41I'm guilty!
15:42A month ago, I was drunk.
15:44I lost control and mated Ivy.
15:46It wasn't planned.
15:48I swear I never meant to disrespect the crown.
15:50I was wrong!
15:50Please, have mercy!
15:52Bullshit!
15:53Drunk and lost control?
15:55You fucked the prince's chosen mate, then schemed to frame your own brother-in-law!
15:59If you had any balls, you'd have claimed her yourself, taken her as a second mate, anything!
16:04But no, you wanted your reputation clean.
16:07Ryan Blackherd worshipped you as a brother, and you planned to ruin his life and pin your
16:13bastard on him!
16:14You're not even human!
16:16The crowd had fully turned.
16:17Every ounce of sympathy that had been on Kale's side now burned as pure hatred.
16:24My king.
16:25My queen.
16:26Ivy Asheville bears a mating mark, and she is pregnant.
16:29Pregnant?
16:33How vicious!
16:35So that's his plan.
16:36Get rid of Ryan, the last Blackwood heir.
16:39Once the boy's reputation is destroyed, who takes over the Blackwood pack?
16:43Kale fucking Thornwell.
16:45The alpha title Blackwood's earned with their blood for generations.
16:48Blackwood warriors died for that pack, and this bastard tried to steal it with a scheme
16:52and a she-wolf.
16:53Elder Marcus Thornwell, Kale's father, couldn't hold it together anymore.
16:57He stormed forward and kicked his kneeling son square between the legs.
17:00Kale flew back several feet and crashed to the ground, curling into a ball, both hands
17:05clutching his crotch.
17:06His face went white as paper, veins popping on his forehead.
17:09He rolled and convulsed on the floor.
17:12Everyone winced, but no one felt sorry for him.
17:14My king.
17:16Upon further examination, Ivy's pregnancy is two months along.
17:20Kale froze mid-writhe.
17:21He forced his head up, face twisted with agony and disbelief, and stared at Ivy as she
17:26was dragged back in.
17:27Two months?
17:29You lying bitch!
17:30You told me it was mine!
17:32We only made it a month ago!
17:35Whose pup is it?
17:36Tell me!
17:38Tell me!
17:40You have the nerve to ask me?
17:42You men are all the same.
17:44Every last one of you!
17:46Prince Declan swore I was the only one.
17:48Then I told him I was pregnant.
17:50And that same night he was in bed with another she-wolf!
17:54So why the fuck can't I find someone else too?
17:57You fucked me and said you'd reject Salone and mate me.
18:00But you wouldn't claim me either.
18:02You wanted to dump me on Rian, that clueless kid!
18:06You're all cowards!
18:08You spineless pieces of shit!
18:10No one expected the prince to be involved.
18:12Prince Declan's reputation as a man-whore was an open secret, so this wasn't exactly
18:17shocking.
18:18But hearing it out loud, in front of the king, at the Luna Queen's celebration, the entire
18:24hall sucked in a breath.
18:25The prince Declan's shot at the throne was done, finished.
18:29The king's face was dark enough to kill.
18:32He didn't bother watching them tear each other apart.
18:36He gave the orders.
18:38Ivy Ashford, deceiving the crown, framing Rianne Blackwood, defiling the prince's mate
18:43bond.
18:4499 lashes, thrown in the dungeon, awaiting execution.
18:48Elder Ashford, failed to discipline his daughter.
18:51The entire Ashford family, expiled to the Deadlands, never to return.
18:58Cale Thornwell, betrayal, treason, defiling the prince's chosen mate, conspiring to frame
19:04a loyal heir.
19:0599 lashes, thrown in the dungeon, awaiting execution.
19:08Elder Marcus Thornwell, failed to raise his son, confined to his territory until further
19:14notice.
19:15Locked in your quarters, no one in or out, without my order.
19:20Every sentence hit like thunder, no room for appeal.
19:24The guards dragged Cale away, still screaming.
19:28Ivy was hauled out laughing like she'd lost her mind.
19:32The show was over.
19:33I took Rianne home.
19:35He'd finally been unchained.
19:37Once we were alone, he rubbed his raw wrists, looking half confused, half hurt.
19:43Sis, why did you chain me up today?
19:47You tied those knots so tight I thought you'd gone crazy.
19:50I looked at him.
19:51Alive.
19:52Whole.
19:53Eyes still bright.
19:55I thought of last life.
19:56His rotting legs.
19:58His hollow face.
19:59The light draining out of him day by day.
20:02My eyes burned.
20:04I sat him down and told him everything.
20:07The last life.
20:08What Cale did.
20:09What Ivy did.
20:10How he died.
20:11How I died.
20:12How close we came tonight.
20:15Rianne didn't speak for a long time.
20:17His face went white.
20:19Then gray.
20:20Then white again.
20:21Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
20:24I held his freezing hand.
20:25Ryan, I already died once.
20:28I will never let anyone hurt you or this family again.
20:34Sis.
20:36From now on, I do whatever you say.
20:40It should have been over.
20:41But two weeks later, news came that made my blood run cold.
20:46Cale was out of the dungeon.
20:49After everything he'd done, he walked free.
20:52He wasn't executed.
20:53Wasn't even maimed.
20:55Stripped of his titles, yes.
20:56A nobody now.
20:58But alive.
21:00My warrior reported back.
21:02That kick Elder Marcus landed between his leads.
21:05It destroyed him.
21:06Plus 99 lashes.
21:08The healers confirmed he's permanently damaged.
21:10He'll never mate again.
21:12The king figured that was punishment enough.
21:14Let Elder Marcus take him home to him.
21:15I almost laughed.
21:17But Cale didn't rot quietly.
21:19Days after he was carried back to the Thornwell estate,
21:22he showed up at the Blackwood border.
21:24Pale, thin, hunched over like a broken old man.
21:29Nothing left of the strong werewolf he used to be.
21:32Selene.
21:33I was wrong.
21:34I know I was wrong.
21:35Please, take me back.
21:37We can start over.
21:38I was blind.
21:39I was stupid.
21:40I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.
21:42Only you.
21:43No one else.
21:44We have a pup.
21:45You can't let our child grow up without a father.
21:47My eyes narrowed.
21:48I stepped back.
21:49How did Cale know I was pregnant?
21:52I was barely a month along.
21:54Last life, I didn't even find out until the second month.
21:58Unless he'd been reborn, too.
22:01I stared at his pathetic, begging face.
22:04I thought of his hands around my throat.
22:06The life draining out of me.
22:10The way he planned Rianne's destruction without blinking.
22:14I wanted to vomit.
22:16I smiled, cold as ice.
22:19Cale, since you've been reborn, too,
22:23you should know exactly what happened to this pup.
22:27Last life, you strangled me to death before I could give birth.
22:31This pup never got the chance to exist.
22:34This time, I already took abortion pill.
22:38It's gone.
22:40You.
22:41What did you say?
22:42Selene.
22:43That's our pup.
22:44You can't-
22:45Funny how you didn't think about our pup when your hands were around my throat.
22:48His eyes went blood red.
22:50Jaw clenched so hard his teeth cracked.
22:53Then he doubled over and coughed up a mouthful of blood.
22:57He collapsed.
22:58The Thornwell servants panicked and carried him away.
23:02I heard later that Cale didn't get back up after that.
23:05Bedridden, coughing blood day and night.
23:08Elder Marcus watched his son waste away.
23:11A cripple.
23:12A disgrace.
23:13A ticking bomb that could blow up the Thornwell name any day.
23:17He also feared the king might remember the whole mess and come after the family again.
23:21So, not long after, the Thornwells announced that Cale had died from his injuries.
23:28Complications from illness.
23:29Beyond medical help.
23:31What really happened behind those walls, nobody cared to ask.
23:35Everyone knew Elder Marcus was a cold, practical man.
23:40Cale was like his father.
23:42Both willing to cut deep when it mattered.
23:49As for Prince Declan, after six months locked in his quarters, the king stripped his title
23:55and exiled him to the borderlands.
23:57No summons.
23:59No return.
24:00Ever.
24:01His shot at the throne.
24:03His ambition.
24:04His name.
24:05All gone.
24:05I wrapped up everything in the capital and took Rianne home to the Blackwood Territory
24:10in the west.
24:11Open sky.
24:12Clean air.
24:13Honest people.
24:15This was the land our family had bled for.
24:18Generation after generation.
24:20Rianne trained under the old warriors, learning combat and strategy.
24:25Day by day, he started to look like our father.
24:28The same steady eyes.
24:30The same iron spine.
24:31The border winds blew away the stench of the capital.
24:35The schemes.
24:36The perfume.
24:37The lies.
24:38All replaced by grass and dirt and simple truth.
24:42Life stretched ahead of us, long and wide.
24:46I knew, finally, that my family would be safe.
24:50That we could live in peace.
24:53And no one would ever use us again.
24:57The western winds always carried a raw, clean bite, sweeping across the grasslands,
25:02bending the wildflowers like waves.
25:05I stood on the watchtower of the Blackwood stronghold, watching Rianne lead his patrol
25:09back.
25:10A line of wolves cutting across the plains, his silver coat blazing under the sun.
25:15He was stronger than before.
25:17No trace of the boy he used to be.
25:19Three years since we came home, Rianne was now the Pax Alpha, training under the old warriors,
25:24racking up kills and honors along the border.
25:27The Lycan king offered him a position at the royal court twice.
25:31He turned it down both times.
25:33This is Blackwood land.
25:35Father and our brothers died for it.
25:37I'm staying.
25:38For the people.
25:40And for you.
25:45Sis.
25:47You're standing in the wind again.
25:49It's getting cold.
25:51Don't freeze yourself.
25:53I turned.
25:55Dust on his face.
25:56Tired eyes.
25:57But alive.
25:59So alive.
26:00Just got back.
26:02Everything smooth.
26:03Easy.
26:04Those rogue bands are nothing.
26:08The border's quiet.
26:10Harvest season, the stores are about to burst.
26:13I smile.
26:15These three years, we'd built irrigation, cleared new farmland, opened trade routes with neighboring
26:22packs.
26:23The territory was thriving.
26:26Nothing like the barren outpost it used to be.
26:31Alpha Ryan, someone from the capital, says he's from the Thornwell household.
26:35Brought a letter and gifts, requesting an audience.
26:38The Thornwells had gone silent after Kale died.
26:42Not a word in three years.
26:44Why now?
26:45No.
26:45After what Kale did to us, they have the nerve to show their faces?
26:49Send them away.
26:50Now.
26:51Let's hear what they want.
26:52The Thornwests are finished.
26:54They can't pull anything.
26:55I knew what this was.
26:57Elder Marcus had lost his power.
26:59Lost the king's trust.
27:02Spent three years under suspicion.
27:05They were drowning.
27:07The Thornwell steward was shown in.
27:09Half-worn robes.
27:11Nervous hands.
27:13He bowed low.
27:15Lady Selina, Alpha Ryan.
27:16Skip the pleasantities.
27:19What does Elder Marcus want?
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