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