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08:51No matter what Kaylin does to you
08:53I will always count you as my own daughter
08:56I will never let anyone mistreat you
09:00I understood her helplessness
09:01I had never held it against her
09:03But I was done trusting her too
09:04She was still a mother
09:05No matter what she said
09:06Her heart would always tilt toward her son
09:09If the day came when she had to choose between Kaylin and me
09:11She would choose him without a second thought
09:13Mother, it's fine
09:15Whoever Kaylin takes as his mate
09:17She'll be half a daughter to you
09:19You don't owe me anything
09:22I had barely stepped out of Lady Maren's room
09:25When Kareth was waiting in the yard
09:26Elena, don't take anything Kaylin says at face value
09:30The truth is, he never rescued me
09:33I had thought that Lady Maren's decade of deception
09:36And Kaylin's betrayal were already the worst of it
09:38I was wrong
09:39There was still more they had kept from me
09:41Serith had never saved Kaylin's life
09:43It was the other way around
09:44Kaylin had seen her, wanted her
09:46Used the blood sister bond as a way in
09:48And destroyed the claiming she already had
09:50Calling her his rescuer was Kaylin's strategy
09:52He knew I was soft
09:54That I always repaid what was owed
09:55He had spoken to Lady Maren first
09:57And built the story together
09:58Something designed to make me accept it
10:00To make me give in
10:01So everything he said about claiming you properly
10:03It's nothing
10:04Go to the city and you'll be a lesser mate
10:06That's all
10:08Oh, and his mother
10:09All that talk about treating you like a daughter
10:11Do you believe it?
10:12When it comes down to you or her own grandchildren
10:15Who do you think she picks?
10:16Are you done?
10:18The morning they left
10:19I walked the family to the edge of the settlement
10:21I unclasped the only thing of value I still wore
10:24The Luna Elder's silver clasp
10:25And placed it in Serith's hand
10:27That's yours, Elena
10:28Keep it
10:28I shook my head and pinned it to Kareth's collar myself
10:32I said
10:33Everyone in the settlement knows this clasp is the Luna Elder's piece
10:35Passed to the mate of the pack's heir
10:37If I keep wearing it, it draws questions
10:39Better that Serith has it
10:40Mother, Elena is right
10:41When we're together again, I'll give it back
10:43Elena, what I give you belongs to you
10:45In my heart, you are the only true mate this family has had
10:48When you come to the city, I will get it back for you
10:51Foster brother, that pendant was my grandmother's
10:54The only thing she left me
10:56Could you return it?
10:57Elena, I'm not used to you calling me that
10:59When there's no one listening, call me what you always have
11:06Better to be careful
11:07We can't hand anyone a thread to pull
11:10Fine, once I've claimed you properly, you can go back to it
11:14Let me keep the pendant for now
11:16It was your gift to me
11:17It's what we have between us
11:19I never understood that
11:20He used to resent the pendant
11:21Said a grown male wearing something like that looked ridiculous
11:24Now that I was willing to take it back
11:25He had found reasons to keep it
11:27Foster brother, Christmas is almost here
11:29I'll be alone, and I'd like something to hold on to
11:32When I come to the city, I'll make you another
11:35Kaylin gave it up without warmth, pressing the pendant and a folded stack of silver notes into my hands
11:39At the last moment, he turned back
11:41He gripped my hand once
11:43Stay home and wait
11:44When spring opens the roads, I'll come for you myself
11:46There's one more thing I haven't told you yet
11:48Alright
11:48I watched them go, then walked back inside
11:51I reached to the top of the cabinet and took down the pack I had already prepared
11:57I left the silver notes on the table
11:58Then I turned north and didn't look back
12:00The warrior I had promised myself to was somewhere in that direction
12:03I meant to be claimed before Kaylin ever came to collect me
12:06When that day came, I would be someone else's
12:09There would be nothing left to untangle
12:11Nothing left to demand of me
12:12Winter roads are slow
12:13I had little silver, and I was too careful with it to hire a cart
12:16I walked when I could
12:17Stopped to take work in whatever town would have me
12:19And moved on again when I'd saved enough
12:21By the time the cold began to ease
12:23I was close to the northern border
12:24Elena, the border war is over
12:26The northern campaign won
12:28Once they've processed the captured forces, they'll be heading back through the territory
12:30You'll see your promised mate before long
12:32Your mate is a hero of this pack
12:34Call it a gift from me
12:35Hire a cart
12:36Go meet him at the border city
12:37Thank you
12:38Hired a cart
12:39And arrived before the soldiers did
12:41With what little silver I had left
12:42I found the city watch captain and pressed it into his hand
12:45Captain
12:47My promised mate's name is Aldrich
12:49When he arrives
12:50Please tell him I'm waiting in the second house east of the city gate
12:55You're Aldrich's promised mate?
12:59He smiled a little awkwardly
13:01Keep it, just
13:03Put in a word for me if you ever get the chance
13:05I had no idea what he meant
13:07Aldrich was a low-ranking warrior
13:08What good would a word from him do?
13:10The captain had probably mistaken him for someone else
13:12Still, silver saved was silver saved
13:15Waiting wasn't easy
13:16I knew what Aldrich felt for me
13:18He had shown it for years
13:19But I had been made it before
13:21I wasn't sure whether he had said yes out of true wanting
13:24Or out of something that would fade
13:26Then again, I thought it through
13:27And it settled
13:28If he had changed his mind
13:29I would manage on my own
13:31I had two hands and enough stubbornness
13:33I wouldn't starve
13:34Once I was at peace with that
13:35Everything felt lighter
13:38I started cutting fabric for a claiming dress
13:41The best material I could find
13:42Useful if things went well
13:43A small pleasure for myself if they didn't
13:45The first time I was claimed
13:46There had been no wedding at all
13:48The pack had nothing
13:49No wedding dress
13:50No feast
13:50When I'd finally had coin to spare
13:52The first thing I did was return two full jugs
13:54To that neighbor
13:54She had held my hands and cried
13:56Elena, a girl like you?
13:57Why did you stay in that pack?
13:58You've suffered so much
13:59You're strong and you're lovely
14:01You could have had an elder son
14:02And it wouldn't have been reaching
14:03Why tie yourself to a scholar
14:04Who can't lift his own pack
14:06And grind your life away?
14:07That's your bias speaking
14:07I trust him
14:08He won't fail me
14:09You are such a fool
14:11Now I understood
14:12She was the one who had seen clearly
14:14The day I slipped away from the settlement
14:15I had nearly walked into Kaylin's sister-in-law
14:20It was that neighbor who spotted her first
14:22She held the woman back
14:23Then sent her husband to pass me word
14:25Move
14:26Now
14:27Elena, that pack was never worthy of you
14:30Go
14:31Live freely
14:33Stop letting them keep you caged
14:36I'll deal with your sister-in-law
14:37They won't know you're gone for a while
14:40I never found out what she said to buy me the time
14:42But it had worked
14:43For an entire month
14:44No one had come looking
14:46People, though, have a way of undoing themselves
14:48On the third day
14:48A cart stopped outside my door
14:51I thought it was Aldrich
14:53I ran out
14:53It wasn't
14:54Kaylin stood there
14:55Dust on his shoulders
14:56Elena
14:57His voice worn down to gravel
15:01Kaylin said
15:02Elena
15:02You have no idea how long I've been looking for you
15:05He was across the yard in a few strides
15:06His hand locking around my wrist hard enough to grind
15:09Kaylin said
15:10Elena
15:10You promised me
15:11Why did you leave?
15:12Why come all the way out here?
15:14I spent half a month preparing
15:15I rode to the settlement myself to bring you home
15:18And the house was empty
15:19I said
15:19Do you know how frightened I was?
15:21I stopped pulling against his grip
15:23Alpha Kaylin
15:24Why waste your concern on me?
15:26The mating scroll is ash
15:27I'm not your pack anymore
15:28Where I go
15:29Whether I live or die
15:30None of that is your matter
15:32Kaylin's jaw tightened
15:33Elena
15:34I know you're hurting
15:35But this kind of recklessness doesn't suit you
15:37You told me you would come to the city
15:39You gave me your word
15:40How can you break it like this?
15:42Something in me gave up trying to stay composed
15:44I said
15:45When we were claimed
15:46You gave me your word too
15:47You swore on the moon
15:49You would never take another mate
15:50You broke that one first
15:52So between the two of us
15:54I'd say we're even
15:58Kaylin saw that I meant it
15:59His eyes went red at the edges
16:01He pulled me close until there was almost no space between us
16:05Thirteen years
16:06You think that just
16:08Cancels?
16:09Elena
16:09I know I've wronged you
16:10Let me make it right
16:12Come back with me
16:13I'll give you equal standing
16:14You won't be beneath Carith in anything
16:16I promise
16:17I couldn't stop a short dry sound from escaping
16:20Kaylin took it for pride over the title
16:22And frowned
16:23Elena
16:24Equal standing is the best I can do right now
16:26Sarath
16:27What she did for me
16:28What she did for you
16:30Are you still going to use that story?
16:32I cut him off
16:33Kaylin
16:34Your apology has no effort in it at all
16:36Kaylin went still
16:37His eyes shifted
16:38What do you mean by that?
16:42I watched the change move across his face
16:44And I took it apart
16:45Piece by piece
16:46Tarith already told me everything
16:48There were no rogue wolves
16:49There was no rescue
16:51You saw her
16:52Wanted her
16:53And used the sworn sister bond to get close
16:55You destroyed the claiming she already had
16:57And took her for yourself
16:58Calling her your rescuer
17:00That was cover
17:01Nothing more
17:01Kaylin's face went pale
17:03He opened his mouth
17:03Nothing came out
17:04I was done wasting time
17:06I moved to see him out
17:07He found his voice
17:08Elena
17:09Listen to me
17:10Karith is possessive
17:11She said all of that to drive a wedge between us
17:14You know how it is
17:15No mate wants to share
17:16I cut him off
17:17I felt nothing in my chest anymore
17:19It had all gone numb
17:20You understand that
17:22Which is why you kept me out here for ten years
17:24Alone
17:24While your mother faked an illness to hold me in place
17:27Isn't that right?
17:31I said
17:32If you care about her so much
17:33Stop chasing me
17:34You'll hurt me
17:35And you'll hurt her
17:36I wrenched my wrist free
17:37And stepped back
17:38The Elena who existed before is gone
17:40She died the day she found out the truth
17:42Who I am now has no connection to you
17:44To Kaylin
17:45To your pack
17:46Out of whatever feeling I once had
17:48I won't say a single word against you
17:50I'm only asking you to leave
17:52My promised mate is returning with the army
17:55I don't want him to misread this
17:57Kaylin's spine went rigid
17:58He looked up at me
17:59He said
18:00Promised mate?
18:01Who?
18:01What's his name?
18:02I said
18:03A low-ranking warrior
18:04No one you'd know
18:05Please go
18:06Kaylin's expression curdled
18:08Elena
18:08Have you lost your mind?
18:10You'd pass up an alpha of the eastern pack
18:12For some common soldier
18:14With a border stipend?
18:18He said
18:19He could be dead by next season
18:20And even if he's not
18:22What does he earn?
18:23You'd go back to going hungry
18:25You're not young anymore
18:26Do you really want that kind of life again?
18:28I looked at him steadily
18:30I wasn't afraid of hardship when I chose you
18:33I'm not afraid of it now
18:35Don't speak about my promised mate like that
18:38He may not have your rank
18:40But what he feels for me is real
18:42Unlike you
18:43Kaylin opened his mouth
18:44Then stopped
18:45A long pause
18:47Then more controlled
18:48Elena
18:49You've misread all of this
18:50I never stopped carrying you
18:52He seemed to decide that words weren't enough
18:54And cut himself off
18:55Come back with me
18:56I'll show you
18:57Give me the chance
18:58The border campaign's war alpha
19:00General Vane
19:01He and I go back
19:03I'll speak to him
19:04As long as that warrior is reasonable
19:06I'll find him a proper match myself
19:07I'll cover the claiming gifts
19:12I had always been slow to anger
19:15This was one of the few times I wasn't
19:18Staring at Kaylin
19:19I struggled to contain my fury as I questioned him
19:22Asking if he had lost his mind
19:24He didn't put it plainly
19:25But I understood perfectly
19:27He intended to use his status as the alpha of the eastern pack
19:30To pressure Aldric into stepping aside
19:33Aldric was just a foot soldier
19:34With no standing to resist an alpha of the eastern pack
19:38In desperation I grabbed the sword from Kaylin's side
19:41I pressed the blade firmly against my own throat
19:43Warning him that if he dared to go near Aldric
19:46I would end my life right then and there
19:51I told Kaylin that my life was not worth much
19:53But if a pack alpha drove a free woman to her death
19:55His own fate would not be better
19:58Kaylin had always thought of me as cautious
19:59And someone who valued her own life
20:02He had never imagined I would resort to threatening my own life
20:06He froze instantly
20:07His voice dropping low as he urged me to put down the sword
20:10Saying we could talk things through
20:12I didn't move an inch
20:14Firmly telling him there was nothing to talk about
20:16If he didn't want me dead
20:17He had to write down his promise immediately
20:20The promise was simple
20:21From that day on
20:23If anything happened to me
20:24Or my betrothed
20:25Aldric
20:27He would be held fully responsible
20:29Kaylin had spent years in pack politics
20:31And would never willingly leave evidence
20:33That could be used against him
20:35But as he looked at the sword pressed to my throat
20:37His tone remained steady
20:39He agreed to write it down
20:40But said he had come in a hurry
20:41And had nothing to write with
20:42Asking me to go inside
20:44To find him ink and parchment
20:46I didn't think ahead
20:47Turning toward the house at once
20:50But the moment my back was to him
20:51He moved
20:53He snatched the sword from my hand
20:55Didn't even glance at me
20:56He ordered his escort to hold me
20:58While he went to find General Vane
21:00His men reacted quickly
21:02Seizing me before I could respond
21:04I couldn't even utter a curse
21:06Just then
21:07A deep, calm
21:09And resonant voice
21:10Came from beyond the gate
21:11The voice asked Alpha Kaylin
21:13Why he was there
21:14And mentioned that he had heard his name
21:16Wondering if something was wrong
21:21I didn't recognize that voice
21:22But moments later
21:23I heard Kaylin's tone
21:25Shift to one of deference
21:26As he greeted the man
21:27Addressing him as General Vane
21:28And saying what perfect timing
21:30His arrival was
21:31He added that it was nothing urgent
21:33Just a small favor
21:34He wanted to ask of General Vane
21:36Only then did I realize
21:38That the man before me
21:39Was General Vane
21:39The War Alpha
21:41Of the Northern Territory
21:43General Vane smiled
21:44And readily agreed to help
21:45But asked Alpha Kaylin
21:46To wait a moment
21:47While he finished
21:47A piece of business first
21:49Kaylin stepped back
21:50Toward the gate quickly
21:51Respectfully saying
21:52He was willing to wait
21:53And telling General Vane
21:55To take his time
21:56General Vane
21:57Then dismounted from his horse
21:58And pointed directly at my door
22:00He said that as it happened
22:02His business was right there
22:04Kaylin stopped abruptly
22:05Looking stunned
22:07General Vane looked at him
22:09Without further explanation
22:10Only stating that he had come
22:11To negotiate a claiming
22:13Kaylin froze completely
22:15Unconsciously stepping
22:16In front of the gate
22:17He tried to persuade General Vane
22:19Saying that his mate bond
22:21Was well known
22:22His children were nearly grown
22:23And such a thing
22:25Would be inappropriate
22:26General Vane laughed heartily
22:28Shook his head
22:29And told Kaylin
22:30He had misunderstood
22:32This claiming was not for himself
22:34But on behalf of his sworn son
22:36Who had been injured
22:37And couldn't come in person
22:39I was just as confused
22:40As Kaylin
22:41Even starting to wonder
22:42If General Vane
22:43Had come to the wrong house
22:45General Vane himself
22:46Looked a little uncertain
22:47As he walked past Kaylin
22:48Into the yard
22:49His escort
22:50Not wanting to get into trouble
22:51Let me go
22:53Born in the north
22:54General Vane
22:55Was straightforward
22:56And didn't notice
22:57Anything amiss
22:58He looked straight at me
22:59And asked if I was Elena
23:01I nodded slowly
23:03He immediately looked satisfied
23:04Confirming he had come
23:06To the right place
23:07He told me that his sworn son
23:08Was my betrothed
23:09Aldrich
23:13Upon hearing General Vane's words
23:15My thoughts went sideways
23:17Aldrich was just a low-ranking soldier
23:19How had he ended up
23:20As General Vane's sworn son
23:23I rubbed the back of my neck
23:24And explained to General Vane
23:25That I thought
23:26There must be a mistake
23:27My betrothed was indeed
23:29Named Aldrich
23:29But he could never be
23:31General Vane's sworn son
23:33I even wondered
23:34If there might be
23:34Two people with the same name
23:36General Vane seemed
23:38Less confident
23:38As he described
23:39His sworn son's features
23:41Born in the eastern settlement
23:42Of the southern territory
23:43With a small mark
23:44Near the corner of his left eye
23:46He asked if these features
23:47Matched my betrothed
23:49He added that
23:50If it would help
23:51He would have his sworn son
23:52Carried over for me
23:53To confirm in person
23:55I stopped him quickly
23:56Telling him
23:57There was no need
23:57That every detail
23:58He described
23:59Matched Aldrich perfectly
24:01I begged him
24:02Not to move
24:02The injured Aldrich
24:03Saying that
24:04Since he was hurt
24:04I would go to see him myself
24:07With that
24:08I walked toward the gate
24:09Distracted
24:10But Kalen
24:11Who had been silent
24:12For a long time
24:13Suddenly reached out
24:14And grabbed my arm
24:15Stopping me in my tracks
24:20Kalen stood in front of me
24:21Turning to General Vane
24:22And saying there was
24:23Something he should know first
24:25He told General Vane
24:26That I was his pack sister
24:27That he had raised me
24:29And that he had never heard me mention
24:31The name Aldrich once
24:32He added that
24:33If Aldrich and I
24:34Had made promises to each other
24:35Without the family's knowledge
24:36Their bond
24:38Could not be recognized
24:40Then he lowered his voice
24:41Leaned close to me
24:42And warned me
24:43And warned me not to say
24:44Anything foolish
24:45He said that Aldrich
24:46Was now General Vane's
24:48Sworn son
24:48And if General Vane
24:50Found out I had been
24:51Mated before
24:51I would not only
24:53Lose this claiming
24:54But also ruin
24:55Aldrich's reputation
24:57Those words hit home
24:58Aldrich had only just
25:00Found his footing
25:00In the north
25:01If I cost him everything
25:02Because of my past
25:03I would never forgive myself
25:04I was still trying
25:06To figure out
25:06How to respond
25:07When General Vane's
25:08Expression shifted
25:10He told Kaelin firmly
25:11That his approval
25:12No longer mattered
25:13Because it was not
25:14I who had come to them
25:15But they
25:16Who had sought me out
25:18General Vane
25:19Then spoke of Aldrich's deeds
25:20Saying that
25:21In this campaign
25:22Aldrich had charged
25:23Into the thickest
25:24Of the fighting
25:25He had taken out
25:26The enemy's left flank
25:27And brought back
25:28The enemy commander's banner
25:29Earning the first honor
25:31Of the war
25:31Yet he had refused
25:33All rewards
25:33From the high alpha
25:34Every single coin
25:37Instead
25:37He used his achievement
25:39To petition the moon council
25:40For a decree
25:41A recognized claiming
25:43With me
25:44General Vane
25:45Finally warned Kaelin
25:46That if his family
25:47Dared to object
25:48They would be opposing
25:49The high alpha's
25:50Own ruling
25:51I stood there
25:52For a long time
25:53Never having imagined
25:55That Aldrich would fight
25:56So fiercely
25:56For me
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