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The Alpha's Regret - Her New Hero Full EP
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00:01To let my mate focus on his position, I stayed behind in the old estate, caring for his ailing
00:06mother. In this 10 years, Kalen returned once a year. He never touched me. He said that if I were
00:12to carry a pup while he was away, there would be no one to look after me, and that would
00:16break his
00:16heart. Every time he left, he cursed himself for his failings, swore on the moon he would come for
00:21me once he had made something of himself. In the 11th winter, heavy snow blocked the roads. Kalen
00:27sent word that he would be delayed. I was about to bring the news to Lady Maren when I heard
00:31her
00:31speaking with my sister-in-law. Mother, you've been faking this illness for over 10 years. How much
00:37longer? What else can be done? Kalen's heart has always belonged to that sworn sister of his. They
00:42bonded in secret, behind the pack's back. Their pups are nearly grown. If we don't keep Elena here,
00:46she'll go to the city and destroy everything. Kalen's rank as alpha of the eastern pack would
00:50be finished. Let it be. Keep quiet. Kalen said once his position is secure, he will make it right with
00:56Elena. My eyes burned. Kalen wasn't struggling. He was alpha of the eastern pack, and he hadn't
01:01been keeping his distance to protect me. He had someone else. I went to the training grounds and
01:06found the low-ranking warrior who had watched me for years. Do you still want me as your mate?
01:12Elena, I will treat you well. Forgive me one month. I march out tonight. This time I'll return
01:17with a deed worth claiming you. I don't need glory. Just come back safe. I watched him leave,
01:25then walked home. The estate should have been dark. Mother, you should have gone to bed by now.
01:32A tall figure stood against the candlelight. A familiar voice cut through the wind and snow.
01:37Elena, I'm home.
01:42A year had passed. Kalen carried himself differently now, steadier, with the quiet authority that comes
01:48with rank. He opened his arms, waiting for me to go to him the way I always had. I didn't.
01:55You haven't eaten, have you? Let me make you something.
01:59What's wrong? A year apart and you're not glad to see me?
02:03Are you angry with me?
02:05Go sit with Mother. I'll call you when the food is ready.
02:07Before I'd learned the truth, I had missed him. Had been a little cross with him, too.
02:11No mate wants to be kept so far away, for so long. But once I understood everything,
02:15I stopped wanting anything. Things became simpler. Better to park quietly than to rage and stay.
02:21I remained silent and cooked in the kitchen. Kalen followed.
02:23Elena, what's happened? Have you heard something?
02:26Out here in the backwoods, we barely see a stranger from one season to the next. What would I have
02:30heard?
02:30Don't worry yourself, Kalen.
02:32Elena, I came back to bring you all to the city. But there's something I need to tell you first.
02:36My chest tightened. I already knew what was coming. After ten years, he had finally run out of patience.
02:42You must be Elena. I'm Sarith. Kalen's sworn sister. And his mate.
02:49These are mine and Kalen's. Go on, call her Auntie Elena.
02:52Auntie Elena.
02:53Elena, let me explain.
02:57Elena, let me explain. I was ambushed by rogue wolves on the road to the city. Sarith saved my life.
03:02I only meant to take her in as a sworn sister. But she had no one, no pack, nowhere to
03:06go.
03:06I wanted to give her a home. It was gratitude, nothing more.
03:09If you're hurt, curse me, strike me, I'll bear it.
03:11I only ask that once you come to the city, you and she can find some people.
03:15Going to the city is a good thing. I'm not upset.
03:19Mother hasn't recovered in all this time. Perhaps the city healers will do what ours couldn't.
03:24Really? You forgive me?
03:26Elena, start packing tonight.
03:28We leave in two days and we'll make it back for Christmas.
03:32Mother doesn't have much. Packing her things won't take long.
03:35I'll sort her medicines for the road. You can all leave at first light.
03:39What do you mean? You're not coming with us?
03:43I met his gaze. My voice stayed level.
03:46Kalen, if we leave for good, I need to settle the land and the estate first.
03:51Leaving it empty still means taxes to the pack. That's wasteful.
03:56Go ahead and take everyone home for Christmas. Once I've handled things here, I'll come to you in
04:01the spring. When I had first come to this estate, we lived in a borrowed den with walls that let
04:06the
04:06wind through, funding his studies, saving coin, until I had bought this house and these two fields.
04:11It had ended the family's hunger. It had given Kalen a place to become what he was.
04:16Elena, I'm Alpha of the Eastern Pack now. Silver is not the problem. Give the land to whoever needs
04:21it. Save yourself the trouble. I earned it with my own hands. I'm not ready to let go.
04:28Trust me. Once it's done, I'll come to you. I won't be long.
04:32Kalen hesitated. Kalen, don't waver. The council's watching you.
04:35You leave her here and they dig into it and she says the wrong thing. Your seat is gone.
04:40I wasn't slow. I heard exactly what Kareth had just said.
04:44So it wasn't a change of heart that had brought Kalen back.
04:47If the pack council confirmed it, they would report it to the High Alpha.
04:50The High Alpha was a man who mated once and meant it.
04:54If Kalen wanted to keep his rank, the most important thing was keeping me quiet.
04:59It would be a lie to say that didn't hurt.
05:0113 years. I had given this mating everything. Kalen was pack-born but useless with his hands.
05:07Lady Maren was old and couldn't help. His brother was worse than useless. The whole family ran on my
05:11back. I never complained. I nursed Lady Maren. I had believed that kind of devotion would hold a mate
05:16for life. I had overestimated what I was worth to him. I finally understood what they say.
05:21A man who climbs always drops what carried him. I held back the burn in my eyes. Kept it from
05:26spilling.
05:27So that's what you're worried about.
05:31I can put it in writing. Whoever asks, I'll say I'm Kalen's pack-sister, his adopted blood kin.
05:38Nothing more. Lady Maren and Kareth both stared.
05:42After a long silence, Kalen said, half-believing,
05:45You would really do that for me? I smiled and nodded. For you, I would do anything. But to be
05:53safe,
05:54there's something you need to destroy first. Kalen was cautious.
05:59What? I answered without flinching. The mating scroll. Yours and mine.
06:05Out here in the back territories, we hadn't stood on ceremony when we bonded.
06:09A mating scroll. A shared cup. That was all it had taken. No pack record. No council seal.
06:16So if the scroll was gone, I was no longer Kalen's mate. I only had to wait for the warrior
06:21to come
06:21home. Then I could be claimed properly. I expected Kalen to want this without hesitation.
06:27Instead, he went quiet.
06:29Elena, you once told me that scroll was the most precious thing you owned.
06:34You've given so much for this pack. For me. If you burned the last thing you held onto,
06:40how much would that cost you? Let's leave the scroll as it is.
06:45He had seen everything I'd sacrificed. He had remembered all of it. And still,
06:50year after year, he had left me here while he built a life with someone else.
06:54If he could watch out all of that and stay, then I had no reason left to hold onto one
06:59sheet of
06:59parchment. But I knew him. He wouldn't simply let me go.
07:05Kalen, you know how much that scroll means to me. But for your future,
07:10I have to let it go. Once you take me to the city properly,
07:15you can make me a new one. Wouldn't that be enough?
07:20She's right. Your position can't afford loose threads.
07:25Burn it. Elena has done this for you. Make it up to her later.
07:32Elena. Hiding this from you. That was wrong. But trust me. I will make this right.
07:40Wait for me. I will come for you myself with the best claiming gifts I can find.
07:44I'll take you as Kalen again. Properly this time.
07:47In that moment, he looked entirely sincere. I chose not to believe it. I decided it was only
07:54something I was imagining. I lit both scrolls myself. The fire took them. That absurd mating
08:00those wasted years. And with them, the last of what I had held onto for over a decade.
08:09After Kalen had gone in with Kareth and the children, she dropped the act entirely and sank to
08:14her knees in front of me. Elena, I failed you. I hid it from you all these years.
08:25You must hate me. Her hair had gone fully white. She was crying without restraint. I couldn't bring
08:31myself to leave her there. I helped her up. Mother, I know you love your son too much.
08:39I don't blame you. The illness was a pretense, but your body has aught its real troubles.
08:48When you reach the city, listen to the healers. Elena, how can you be so good? When I'm gone,
08:55who will ever look after me the way you have? No matter what Kalen does to you,
09:01I will always count you as my own daughter. I will never let anyone mistreat you.
09:08I understood her helplessness. I had never held it against her, but I was done trusting her too.
09:12She was still a mother. No matter what she said, her heart would always tilt
09:16toward her son. If the day came when she had to choose between Kalen and me,
09:20she would choose him without a second thought. Mother, it's fine. Whoever Kalen takes as his
09:25mate, she'll be half a daughter to you. You don't owe me anything.
09:31I had barely stepped out of Lady Meryn's room when Kareth was waiting in the yard.
09:35Elena, don't take anything Kalen says at face value. The truth is, he never rescued me.
09:42I had thought that Lady Meryn's decade of deception and Kalen's betrayal were already
09:46the worst of it. I was wrong. There was still more they had kept from me.
09:50Sarath had never saved Kalen's life. It was the other way around. Kalen had seen her,
09:54wanted her, used the blood sister bond as a way in, and destroyed the claiming she already had.
09:59Calling her his rescuer was Kalen's strategy. He knew I was soft, that I always repaid what was
10:04owed. He had spoken to Lady Meryn first and built the story together. Something designed to make me
10:09accept it, to make me give in. So everything he said about claiming you properly, it's nothing.
10:13Go to the city and you'll be a lesser mate, that's all. Oh, and his mother. All that talk
10:18about treating you like a daughter, do you believe it? When it comes down to you or her
10:23own grandchildren, who do you think she picks? Are you done?
10:27The morning they left, I walked the family to the edge of the settlement. I unclasped the
10:31only thing of value I still wore, the Luna Elder's silver clasp, and placed it in Sarath's hand.
10:36That's yours, Elena. Keep it.
10:38I shook my head and pinned it to Kareth's collar myself. I said,
10:42Everyone in the settlement knows this clasp is the Luna Elder's piece, passed to the
10:45maid of the Pax heir. If I keep wearing it, it draws questions. Better that Sarath has
10:50it. Mother, Elena is right. When we're together again, I'll give it back.
10:53Elena, what I give you belongs to you. In my heart, you are the only true mate this family
10:57has had. When you come to the city, I will get it back for you.
11:01Foster brother, that pendant was my grandmother's, the only thing she left me. Could you return it?
11:07Elena, I'm not used to you calling me that. When there's no one listening, call me what
11:11you always have.
11:16Better to be careful. We can't hand anyone a thread to pull.
11:20Fine. Once I've claimed you properly, you can go back to it.
11:24Let me keep the pendant for now. It was your gift to me. It's what we have between us.
11:29I never understood that. He used to resent the pendant, said a grown male wearing something
11:33like that looked ridiculous. Now that I was willing to take it back, he had found reasons
11:36to keep it. Foster brother, Christmas is almost here. I'll be alone, and I'd like something
11:41to hold on to. When I come to the city, I'll make you another.
11:45Kaelin gave it up without warmth, pressing the pendant and a folded stack of silver notes
11:49into my hands. At the last moment, he turned back. He gripped my hand once.
11:53Stay home and wait. When spring opens the roads, I'll come for you myself. There's one
11:57more thing I haven't told you yet.
11:59All right.
11:59I watched them go, then walked back inside. I reached to the top of the cabinet and took
12:04down the pack I had already prepared.
12:07I left the silver notes on the table. Then I turned north and didn't look back. The warrior
12:12I had promised myself to was somewhere in that direction. I meant to be claimed before
12:15Kaelin ever came to collect me. When that day came, I would be someone else's. There
12:20would be nothing left to untangle, nothing left to demand of me. Winter roads are slow,
12:24I had little silver, and I was too careful with it to hire a cart. I walked when I could,
12:28stopped to take work in whatever town would have me, and moved on again when I'd saved
12:32enough. By the time the cold began to ease, I was close to the northern border.
12:36Elena, the border war is over. The northern campaign won. Once they've processed the captured
12:40forces, they'll be heading back through the territory. You'll see your promised mate before
12:43long. Your mate is a hero of this pack. Call it a gift from me. Hire a cart. Go meet
12:47him
12:47at the border city.
12:48Thank you. Hired a cart, and arrived before the soldiers did. With what little silver I
12:53had left, I found the city watch captain and pressed it into his hand.
12:58Captain, my promised mate's name is Aldrich. When he arrives, please tell him I'm waiting
13:04in the second house east of the city gate.
13:06You're Aldrich's promised mate?
13:11He smiled a little awkwardly.
13:13Keep it, just... put in a word for me if you ever get the chance.
13:17I had no idea what he meant. Aldrich was a low-ranking warrior. What good would a word
13:21from him do? The captain had probably mistaken him for someone else. Still, silver saved was
13:26silver saved. Waiting wasn't easy. I knew what Aldrich felt for me. He had shown it for years,
13:31but I had been made it before. I wasn't sure whether he had said yes out of true wanting,
13:36or out of something that would fade. Then again, I thought it through, and it settled.
13:40If he had changed his mind, I would manage on my own. I had two hands and enough stubbornness.
13:45I wouldn't starve. Once I was at peace with that, everything felt lighter.
13:50I started cutting fabric for a claiming dress, the best material I could find. Useful if things
13:55went well, a small pleasure for myself if they didn't. The first time I was claimed,
13:59there had been no wedding at all. The pack had nothing. No wedding dress, no feast. When I'd
14:03finally had coin to spare, the first thing I did was return two full jugs to that neighbor.
14:07She had held my hands and cried,
14:08Elena, a girl like you? Why did you stay in that pack? You've suffered so much. You're strong and
14:13you're lovely. You could have had an elder son and it wouldn't have been reaching. Why tie yourself
14:16to a scholar who can't lift his own pack and grind your life away?
14:19That's your bias speaking. I trust him. He won't fail me.
14:22You are such a fool.
14:23Now I understood. She was the one who had seen clearly. The day I slipped away from the settlement,
14:28I had nearly walked into Kaylin's sister-in-law. It was that neighbor who spotted her first.
14:35She held the woman back, then sent her husband to pass me word.
14:38Move. Now. Elena, that pack was never worthy of you. Go. Live freely. Stop letting them keep you
14:47caged. I'll deal with your sister-in-law. They won't know you're gone for a while.
14:53I never found out what she said to buy me the time, but it had worked. For an entire month,
14:58no one had come looking. People, though, have a way of undoing themselves. On the third day,
15:02a cart stopped outside my door. I thought it was Aldric. I ran out. It wasn't. Kaylin stood there,
15:09dust on his shoulders. Elena. His voice worn down to gravel.
15:14Kaylin said, Elena, you have no idea how long I've been looking for you. He was across the yard in
15:19a few
15:19strides, his hand locking around my wrist hard enough to grind. Kaylin said, Elena, you promised
15:25me. Why did you leave? Why come all the way out here? I spent half a month preparing. I rode
15:30to
15:30the settlement myself to bring you home, and the house was empty. I said, do you know how frightened
15:34I was? I stopped pulling against his grip. Alpha Kaylin, why waste your concern on me? The mating
15:40scroll is ash. I'm not your pack anymore. Where I go, whether I live or die, none of that is
15:45your
15:46matter. Kaylin's jaw tightened. Elena, I know you're hurting, but this kind of recklessness
15:50doesn't suit you. You told me you would come to the city. You gave me your word. How can you
15:55break
15:55it like this? Something in me gave up trying to stay composed. I said, when we were claimed,
16:00you gave me your word too. You swore on the moon you would never take another mate. You broke that
16:05one first. So between the two of us, I'd say we're even.
16:13Kaylin saw that I meant it. His eyes went red at the edges. He pulled me close until there was
16:18almost no space between us. Thirteen years. You think that just cancels? Elena, I know I've wronged
16:25you. Let me make it right. Come back with me. I'll give you equal standing. You won't be beneath
16:30Carruth in anything. I promise. I couldn't stop a short dry sound from escaping. Kaylin took it for
16:36pride over the title and frowned. Elena, equal standing is the best I can do right now.
16:41Sereth, what she did for me, what she did for you. Are you still going to use that story? I
16:47cut him off.
16:48Kaylin, your apology has no effort in it at all. Kaylin went still. His eyes shifted. What do you mean
16:54by
16:54that? I watched the change move across his face and I took it apart, piece by piece. Tereth already
17:02told me everything. There were no rogue wolves. There was no rescue. You saw her. Wanted her.
17:08And used the sworn sister bond to get close. You destroyed the claiming she already had and took
17:13her for yourself. Calling her your rescuer. That was cover. Nothing more. Kaylin's face went pale.
17:18He opened his mouth. Nothing came out. I was done wasting time. I moved to see him out. He found
17:23his
17:23voice. Elena, listen to me. Carruth is possessive. She said all of that to drive a wedge between us.
17:29You know how it is. No mate wants to share. I cut him off. I felt nothing in my chest
17:34anymore.
17:35It had all gone numb. You understand that. Which is why you kept me out here for 10 years.
17:40Alone. While your mother faked an illness to hold me in place. Isn't that right?
17:47I said, if you care about her so much, stop chasing me. You'll hurt me and you'll hurt her.
17:52I wrenched my wrist free and stepped back. The Elena who existed before is gone. She died the day she
17:57found out the truth. Who I am now has no connection to you. To Kaylin. To your pack.
18:02Out of whatever feeling I once had, I won't say a single word against you. I'm only asking you to
18:07leave. My promised mate is returning with the army. I don't want him to misread this. Kaylin's spine
18:14went rigid. He looked up at me. He said, promised mate? Who? What's his name? I said, a low-ranking
18:20warrior. No one you'd know. Please go. Kaylin's expression curdled. Elena, have you lost your mind?
18:26You'd pass up an alpha of the eastern pack for some common soldier with a border stipend?
18:34He said, he could be dead by next season. And even if he's not, what does he earn? You'd go
18:40back
18:40to going hungry. You're not young anymore. Do you really want that kind of life again? I looked at
18:45him steadily. I wasn't afraid of hardship when I chose you. I'm not afraid of it now. Don't speak about
18:53my promised mate like that. He may not have your rank, but what he feels for me is real. Unlike
18:59you. Kaylin opened his mouth, then stopped. A long pause, then more controlled. Elena, you've
19:06misread all of this. I never stopped carrying you. He seemed to decide that words weren't enough
19:11and cut himself off. Come back with me. I'll show you. Give me the chance. The border campaign's war
19:17alpha, general vain. He and I go back. I'll speak to him. As long as that warrior is reasonable,
19:23I'll find him a proper match myself. I'll cover the claiming gifts.
19:29I had always been slow to anger. This was one of the few times I wasn't. Staring at Kaylin,
19:36I struggled to contain my fury as I questioned him, asking if he had lost his mind. He didn't
19:42put it plainly, but I understood perfectly. He intended to use his status as the alpha of the
19:47eastern pack to pressure Aldrich into stepping aside. Aldrich was just a foot soldier, with
19:53no standing to resist an alpha of the eastern pack. In desperation, I grabbed the sword from
19:58Kaylin's side. I pressed the blade firmly against my own throat, warning him that if he dared to go
20:03near Aldrich, I would end my life right then and there. I told Kaylin that my life was not worth
20:10much, but if a pack alpha drove a free woman to her death, his own fate would not be better.
20:15Kaylin had always thought of me as cautious, and someone who valued her own life. He had never
20:21imagined I would resort to threatening my own life. He froze instantly, his voice dropping low as he
20:27urged me to put down the sword, saying we could talk things through. I didn't move an inch, firmly
20:32telling him there was nothing to talk about. If he didn't want me dead, he had to write down his
20:36promise immediately. The promise was simple. From that day on, if anything happened to me or my
20:43betrothed, Aldrich, he would be held fully responsible.
20:51Kaylin had spent years in pack politics and would never willingly leave evidence that could be used
20:56against him. But as he looked at the sword pressed to my throat, his tone remained steady. He agreed
21:01to write it down, but said he had come in a hurry and had nothing to write with, asking me
21:05to go inside
21:06to find him ink and parchment. I didn't think ahead, turning toward the house at once. But the moment my
21:12back was to him, he moved. He snatched the sword from my hand, didn't even glance at me. He ordered
21:19his escort to hold me while he went to find General Vane. His men reacted quickly, seizing me before I
21:25could respond. I couldn't even utter a curse. Just then, a deep, calm, and resonant voice came from
21:33beyond the gate. The voice asked Alpha Kaylin why he was there, and mentioned that he had heard his
21:38name, wondering if something was wrong. I didn't recognize that voice, but moments later, I heard
21:47Kaylin's tone shift to one of deference as he greeted the man, addressing him as General Vane and saying
21:51what perfect timing his arrival was. He added that it was nothing urgent, just a small favor he wanted
21:57to ask of General Vane. Only then did I realize that the man before me was General Vane,
22:02the War Alpha of the Northern Territory. General Vane smiled and readily agreed to help,
22:08but asked Alpha Kaylin to wait a moment while he finished a piece of business first.
22:12Kaylin stepped back toward the gate quickly, respectfully saying he was willing to wait
22:16and telling General Vane to take his time. General Vane then dismounted from his horse and pointed
22:22directly at my door. He said that as it happened, his business was right there.
22:29Kaylin stopped abruptly, looking stunned.
22:32General Vane looked at him without further explanation, only stating that he had come
22:36to negotiate a claiming.
22:38Kaylin froze completely, unconsciously stepping in front of the gate.
22:42He tried to persuade General Vane, saying that his mate bond was well known, his children
22:47were nearly grown, and such a thing would be inappropriate.
22:51General Vane laughed heartily, shook his head, and told Kaylin he had misunderstood. This
22:57claiming was not for himself, but on behalf of his sworn son, who had been injured and
23:02couldn't come in person.
23:05I was just as confused as Kaylin, even starting to wonder if General Vane had come to the wrong
23:10house. General Vane himself looked a little uncertain as he walked past Kaylin into the
23:15yard. His escort, not wanting to get into trouble, let me go.
23:20Born in the north, General Vane was straightforward and didn't notice anything amiss. He looked straight
23:26at me and asked if I was Elena. I nodded slowly. He immediately looked satisfied, confirming
23:32he had come to the right place. He told me that his sworn son was my betrothed, Aldrich.
23:42Upon hearing General Vane's words, my thoughts went sideways. Aldrich was just a low-ranking
23:47soldier. How had he ended up as General Vane's sworn son? I rubbed the back of my neck and
23:53explained to General Vane that I thought there must be a mistake. My betrothed was indeed
23:58named Aldrich, but he could never be General Vane's sworn son. I even wondered if there
24:03might be two people with the same name. General Vane seemed less confident as he described
24:08his sworn son's features. Born in the eastern settlement of the southern territory, with
24:13a small mark near the corner of his left eye. He asked if these features matched my betrothed.
24:18He added that if it would help, he would have his sworn son carried over for me to confirm
24:23in person. I stopped him quickly, telling him there was no need, that every detail he
24:28described matched Aldrich perfectly. I begged him not to move the injured Aldrich, saying
24:33that since he was hurt, I would go to see him myself. With that, I walked toward the gate,
24:39distracted. But Kaylin, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly reached out and grabbed
24:44my arm, stopping me in my tracks. Kaylin stood in front of me, turning to General Vane and saying
24:52there was something he should know first. He told General Vane that I was his pack sister,
24:57that he had raised me, and that he had never heard me mention the name Aldrich once. He added that
25:03if
25:03Aldrich and I had made promises to each other without the family's knowledge, their bond could
25:08not be recognized. Then he lowered his voice, leaned close to me, and warned me not to say
25:14anything foolish. He said that Aldrich was now General Vane's sworn son, and if General Vane
25:20found out I had been mated before, I would not only lose this claiming, but also ruin Aldrich's
25:26reputation. Those words hit home. Aldrich had only just found his footing in the north. If I cost him
25:34everything because of my past, I would never forgive myself. I was still trying to figure out
25:38how to respond, when General Vane's expression shifted. He told Kaylin firmly that his approval
25:44no longer mattered, because it was not I who had come to them, but they who had sought me out.
25:50General Vane then spoke of Aldrich's deeds, saying that in this campaign, Aldrich had charged into the
25:56thickest of the fighting. He had taken out the enemy's left flank and brought back the enemy
26:01commander's banner, earning the first honor of the war. Yet he had refused all rewards from the High
26:07Alpha, every single coin. Instead, he used his achievement to petition the Moon Council for a
26:13decree, a recognized claiming with me. General Vane finally warned Kaylin that if his family dared to
26:20object, they would be opposing the High Alpha's own ruling. I stood there for a long time, never having
26:27imagined that Aldrich would fight so fiercely. For me. I had certainly never imagined he would spend
26:36everything he had earned, not on land or rank, but on a piece of paper that made me his. In
26:41that
26:41moment, the last of what I'd been holding dissolved. How is this possible? Alpha Salem? Isn't this a good
26:48thing? You don't seem pleased. I am. Of course I am.
26:55Vane had brought the Moon Council's decree with him. Whatever Kaylin wanted, there was nothing left
26:59to argue. With the claim already spoken aloud, he had no choice but to play the part of a foster
27:04brother and see me through the preparations. He brought me to the city under that pretense,
27:08and the whole pack household set about getting ready. The estate was bright with it. Kareth was
27:12loudest of all, running back and forth, eager to see me gone. Only Kaylin and Lady Marin moved through
27:17the days with their faces set. When Aldrich was well enough to travel, he came to the house himself
27:22and asked for me again. You've gone too far. Doing this shows that I'm sincere. I asked my sworn
27:30father to speak for me because I had no other choice. I was afraid that if I stayed unconscious
27:36too long, someone would take you. Kaylin's expression darkened another shade. After Aldrich left,
27:40Lady Marin turned on her son. It was the angriest I had ever seen her.
27:46I was bringing tea in by custom when I heard the sound of something shattering inside the room.
27:50Then Lady Marin's voice, thick with weeping. I told you, Elena was worth keeping. Let her go and
27:58someone else would see it. And they did. And you didn't listen. Now look. Mother, what are you saying?
28:05Serial is your daughter-in-law too. She? When have I ever been sick? And she came to check on
28:10me,
28:10said a single word. And you, up through the night, working. Did she ever sit with you? Make you
28:18anything? Think back. When you were up studying in the old estate, who never left your side? Who
28:24made sure you never went hungry? Not once. Kaylin, I don't care what reason you give. What you did is
28:30something a good mate doesn't do. Do you think I don't know that? But what can be done? Elena and
28:34Aldric have the High Alphas decree. Even if I wanted to fight it, I can't. Mother, we make do.
28:40Serith gave the pack airs. That's something. We both just live with it.
28:44I had no interest in making trouble for myself. I started to slip away. Footsteps came up fast
28:49behind me. Before I could react, Kareth had swept past me and pushed through the door.
28:53Kaylin, what does make do mean exactly? Now that you know what Elena was worth,
28:56I'm the one you're settling for? Is that what this is? I'm telling you both. I don't care.
29:00Once Elena is gone, I'm the one who runs this household. That doesn't change.
29:03Don't. You hit a first mate. I know everything. If you want to spend the rest of your life without
29:06that coming out, you will fall in line. Both of you. And you. You were the one who came up
29:10with
29:10this plan. You offered to keep Elena tied to that estate. Now she slipped the knot and you want to
29:13cry about it? That's what you earned. If you don't want your son destroyed, keep quiet. Stop using
29:17your age to give me orders. I stood in the hallway and watched. There was nothing in me left that
29:21felt
29:22sorry for any of them. This was what they had made. I turned and walked away without letting the door
29:26creek. Three days later, I left the pack estate. I was claimed in a house the high alpha had given
29:33Aldrick. Aldrick had put every coin of his reward into the claiming gifts. His savings ran thin. I had
29:40been satisfied before the day arrived. At least this time, unlike with Kaylin, I had a dress. When I first
29:47came to that estate, there had been nothing. No dress, no gifts. Even the shared cup had been borrowed from
29:53next door. The first time I had real money, I gave that neighbor back two full jugs. She had held
30:00my
30:00hands and wept. In the second year, I went with Aldrick to the northern border post where he was
30:06stationed. Contact with the old pack dwindled to almost nothing. Only bits reached me through rumor
30:12that the estate was not a peaceful place. That Kareth had taken hold of everything inside it. That
30:18nothing moved without her approval. That Kaylin had grown worn. His work had grown
30:23careless. He had been called before the council more than once. His rank held, but there was nowhere
30:29left for him to rise. Lady Maron's health had turned real. She spent her remaining years in bed.
30:36When I heard it, I felt nothing. I was sitting quietly, focused on the new boots I was making
30:42for Aldrick. He trained hard. He went through seven or eight pairs a month. It wore on my heart to
30:48think
30:48of it. Elena, the healer said you're carrying twins. That's harder on the body. Stop worrying about my
30:55boots. I'm your mate. If I don't worry about it, who will?
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