- 9 hours ago
The 5 Time Rejected Luna🙈🙈
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I lay on the busting bed. Pain tore through me in waves. My vision went black, but my maids was
00:06right there.
00:07Callan, alpha of the dark moon pack. He gripped my hand.
00:11Just hold on. We're going to see our baby.
00:13Sweat soaked my skin. I forced a smile. The painkiller walked in, holding a syringe.
00:19I thought it was a painkiller, but Callan let go. He stepped back. The needle pierced my skin.
00:25Cold liquid hit my veins.
00:27Check the dois. Hold it off until tomorrow. I promised Regina. Her child comes first.
00:34I stared at him. He didn't look at me. He just watched the clock. Tears fell. I tried to scream.
00:40I tried to fight. But the drugs hit. My contractions stopped cold. Then everything stopped.
00:47When I opened my eyes, I was on stone. The holding cells beneath the pack infirmary.
00:52Dark moon's punishment cells. His sister, Serafina, stood at the door. A silver dagger in her hand.
01:00Don't blame Callan. Regina's pup is the only blood my dead brother left behind. He's the rightful heir to dark
01:07moon.
01:07I never wanted to fight her for it. Save the act. You pushed a pregnant widow down the stairs. You
01:13tried to kill her so your bastard could claim the alpha title.
01:15I didn't!
01:17Another conjection ripped through me. I stopped breathing. Serafina squatted down. Tapped my cheek with her blade.
01:23Pack law is clear. The first recognized heir inherits the alpha title. When an alpha dies without a born heir,
01:29his unborn bloodline comes first. Marcus is dead, but his pup lives. And Callan is only a regent.
01:35So you and your bastard pup? You were finished the second Regina conceived. I clutched my belly. My vision blurred.
01:42Please, get the healer. My pup is coming. The drug lasts three more hours. Sit tight. Once Regina delivers, you
01:53can push all you want.
01:54She turned to the guards. Watch her. She screams. Gagger.
01:59The steel door slammed shut. One flickering bob. Blood soaked my gown. Wolfsbane in the wars. No my link. No
02:07way out.
02:08Callan took my phone this morning. Said he wanted me to focus on the birth. It was a trap.
02:14Seven months ago, Marcus, the former alpha, died in an ambush.
02:19At his funeral, Regina threw up. She was pregnant. Her unborn pup became the pack's obsession. I told the elders
02:26not to worry.
02:28Callan and I would still give dark moon and air. They just stared at my belly. Silent.
02:33Now I understood. My pup never mattered from the start. The drugs were wearing off. The contractions hit harder.
02:40I crawled to the door. I crawled to the door, leaving a trail of blood. I pounded on the steel.
02:46Please! My pup is dying!
02:50A guard laughed.
02:51Save your breath. Regina's close to delivering. You'll get out when she's done.
02:57But my baby!
02:59You deserve it. After what you did to her.
03:02I collapsed. Then I heard Serafina in the hall. On the call.
03:07Callan?
03:08How is she doing? Regina's contraction started. She's fine. Is Alexia under control?
03:14Under control? She's screaming. What an actress. Don't tell me you feel bad. She stole birth herbs.
03:22Stole herbs? I never did that.
03:25I haven't forgotten. She nearly killed Marcus's pup on those stairs. I will never let her ruin that bloodline.
03:31The healer swore the injection was safe. Let her suffer.
03:36Maybe she'll learn.
03:37I'll send the healer down when Regina is stable.
03:40The call ended. My mate chose her.
03:44I lost track of time in that cell. The blood kept pooling, soaking my gown, just as my vision faded.
03:50Goddess!
03:51It was Orist, the PAG's chief healer, my only real friend here. He dropped to his knees in the blood.
03:58Alexia? Why are you down here?
04:00The alpha said you were in the private birthing suite.
04:02Serafina?
04:03Save your breath.
04:04He chucked me, his face draining of color.
04:06Your water broke. You're fully dilated. Your pup is coming right now.
04:09He tried to mind-link the others, but the wolf's being walls blocked the signal.
04:14He scooped me into his arms. We burst out of the cell. Two guards stepped in our way.
04:18Stop! Miss Serafina said.
04:20Said what? To let a pregnant woman bleed to death? Get out of my way!
04:24The guards flinched and stepped back.
04:25Oris cured me up the stone stairs, leaving a thick trail of blood.
04:30We hit the third floor, the main birthing chamber. The doors were wide open. It was completely empty.
04:36No birthing bed. No monitors. No supplies. Nothing. Just spare walls.
04:42This is impossible. Where is the equipment?
04:44Footsteps clicked down the hole.
04:46Serafina?
04:47Oh, the equipment? We moved everything to Regina's private birthing suite to protect Dark Moon's rightful ear, just as a
04:54precaution.
04:55Are you insane? The Luna's baby is crowning! She needs a bed right now!
05:00Drop the act, Alessia.
05:02Callan already told me the delay drug is harmless.
05:05You're just throwing a tantrum, trying to pull focus from the true pren.
05:09I stared at her perfectly powdered face.
05:12Six months ago, I spent three nights making her a moonstone pack necklace.
05:16She had hugged my arm so long we were sisters for life.
05:20What an absolute joke.
05:22Oris sprinted to the pharmacy wing.
05:25Two minutes later, he ran back, empty-handed.
05:27They gutted the pharmacy. No supplies. No blood.
05:32The guards took everything to Regina's private birthing suite, Alpha's orders.
05:36This is murder! She's going to die! The pup is going to die!
05:39The pack comes first. If she dies, she dies.
05:42Oris collapsed in front of me, right in the puddle of my blood.
05:46Alexia, I'm so sorry. I have no tools, no supplies. I can't do anything.
05:52I am so sick of this. Guards, get him out of here!
05:56Two massive enforcers grabbed or rest.
05:58Alessia! The pup is crowning! Remember where to press?
06:02Press it now! Bring on the contraction!
06:04They hauled him into the hall! Push on the next one!
06:07Don't give up! Save the pup!
06:09The door slammed shut.
06:11Serafina pulled out her phone.
06:13She started a video call.
06:14Callan? You need to see your maid's latest performance.
06:18She flipped the camera toward me.
06:20I saw Callan on the screen, standing outside Regina's private suite.
06:23When he saw the blood pooled around me, he froze.
06:26The real shot flashed in his eyes.
06:29But he masked it instantly.
06:31What's wrong with her?
06:32She's faking. She bled a little.
06:35Orist is just being dramatic.
06:37Callan? Is that Alexia? Is he blaming me again?
06:41Serafina, keep her locked down.
06:43I'm not leaving this floor.
06:46Hear that?
06:47You and your bastard pup mean nothing.
06:50Regina comes first.
06:51You thought marrying the Alpha made you untouchable?
06:54Consider this a reality check.
06:56I closed my eyes.
06:58I tuned her out completely.
07:00My shaking fingers reached for my neck, for the crescent distress pendant at my throat.
07:05My dad gave it to me on my wedding day.
07:07Before I left my home pack, he had ruled they're too long and too fiercely for anyone to refuse his
07:13call.
07:13If you are ever trapped, if you are ever dying, crush it.
07:18My phone found the hidden ledge on the back.
07:20Serafina was still pacing, still running her mouth.
07:24Some nobody from a weak pack?
07:26You married into this pack for power.
07:28I almost laughed.
07:29Callan had assumed my home pack was weak, because I had never bothered to correct him.
07:34I squeezed the pendant.
07:35I pressed the latch with everything I had left.
07:37No sound.
07:38No flashing light.
07:39But I knew, the signal went out.
07:41My dad promised help would come in 30 minutes.
07:44I clutched my belly.
07:4530 minutes.
07:46Could my baby survive 30 minutes?
07:49I was fading fast.
07:50Serafina stood over me, still running her mouth.
07:53He marked you for the baby.
07:55Nothing more.
07:56That doesn't make you lunar.
07:57I didn't answer.
07:58I just dug my thumb into the spot he'd show me.
08:01Pushing as hard as I could, praying for America.
08:04The drugs had completely worn off.
08:06The pup was coming.
08:07A scream ripped from my throat.
08:09Serafina stepped back in disgust.
08:11God, you're annoying!
08:14Leah!
08:15Get in here and deal with her!
08:19The pup is crowning!
08:21Then get it out!
08:22But I'm not a healer!
08:25She's hemorrhaging!
08:27We have nothing!
08:29They're both going to die!
08:31Then that's her fate.
08:34I'm going to watch the true heir be born.
08:37Keep an eye on her.
08:39Don't let her bleed out too fast.
08:41That child still carries alpha blood.
08:44The door slammed shut, leaving me alone with a terrified girl.
08:47Another contraction tore through me, but I couldn't push.
08:50I had lost way too much blood.
08:52My body was shutting down.
08:53The baby was stuck.
08:55The clock kept ticking.
08:56Every single second was pure agony.
08:58And then, a deafening crash.
09:02The steel door was kicked right off its hinges.
09:05A squad of pack warriors stormed in, clad in peach black combat gear.
09:09Leading them was Luca.
09:11Massive.
09:11Deadly.
09:12My father's war commander from Silvermoon.
09:14The largest pack in the south.
09:16Goddess.
09:17I am so sorry we're late.
09:19Luca.
09:20Don't speak.
09:21Save your strength.
09:21He spun back to his men.
09:23Marco.
09:24Get the trauma team up here.
09:26Now!
09:26Giuseppe!
09:27Lock down every exit in this building!
09:29Leia tried to make a run for it.
09:31A guard named her heart against the floor.
09:32Let me go!
09:33This is dark moon territory!
09:35You can't just barge in here!
09:37Luca slowly rose to his full height.
09:39His pupils were wide, shifting into pure, predatory gold.
09:43He stared down at her.
09:44Dark moon territory?
09:47By tomorrow morning, there won't be a dark moon pack.
09:52One minute later, the trauma team rushed in.
09:56They loaded me onto a mobile gurney.
09:58Pushed me into a concealed medical transport.
10:01Inside was a full surgical unit.
10:03Monitors.
10:04Ventilators.
10:05High-end equipment.
10:06Blood pressure dropping!
10:07She's in hemorrhagic shock.
10:09Fetal distress.
10:10We need an emergency C-section right now!
10:12But her vitals are crashing!
10:14The surgery is too risky!
10:16Luca jumping into the transport.
10:18Do it!
10:19I take full responsibility!
10:21I grabbed his wrist with my last hands of strength.
10:23Save my baby.
10:26Please, save him first.
10:28Don't speak, miss.
10:29Save your strength.
10:31Your father is on his way.
10:32You just have to hold on.
10:34You and the pup are going to make it.
10:36Cardiac arrest!
10:38Paddle!
10:39Now!
10:39The fetal trace is crashing!
10:41We're losing the pup's heartbeat!
10:42No!
10:42Keep trying!
10:43Keep trying!
10:44It's too late.
10:45The pup.
10:46There's no heartbeat.
10:47The baby is gone.
10:49And then, everything went black.
10:51Darkness.
10:52I don't know how much time passed, but finally, my eyes flattered open.
10:57I stared up at a strange ceiling.
10:58The sharp smell of bleach filled the air.
11:01Alexia!
11:06Where is my baby?
11:07The entire room went dead silent.
11:10A few seconds later, a man turned around, standing at the foot of my bed.
11:15It was my father.
11:17Deep lines of grief etched into his face.
11:20Dad.
11:24Alexia.
11:26He's gone, isn't he?
11:29The blood loss.
11:31The pup was deprived of oxygen for too long.
11:34Our healers tried everything.
11:41Where is Callan?
11:43He's with Regina.
11:45She had a boy.
11:47They've already forgotten you.
11:49A bitter, hollow laugh escaped my lips.
11:52The sound even scared me.
11:53Dad.
11:54I need a favor.
11:56I want a corpse that looks like me.
11:59I want Dark Moon to believe I died that night.
12:02We can do it.
12:03A substituted body, scent masking.
12:06By the time they see her, even a mate won't smell past death, wolf laid, and your blood.
12:13To Alpha Callan and Regina, we have an heir!
12:19I stood in the center of the Great Hall, holding a newborn pup in my arms.
12:24Just hours old, but already Dark Moon's greatest hope.
12:28Alpha, Oris needs to see you.
12:30It's about Alessia.
12:31It's an emergency.
12:31The sheer terror in his eyes sent a chill down my spine.
12:35A sick feeling twisted in my gut.
12:37I grabbed Serafina and dragged her with me.
12:40The path to the infirmary was dead quiet.
12:43A thick trail of blood led down to the holding cells.
12:46My heart skipped a beat.
12:48Why the underground cells?
12:50Alpha Callan, I am so sorry.
12:54Massive hemorrhage.
12:56Hyperbluemic shock.
12:57We lost them both.
12:58Drained of all blood.
13:00Eyes shut.
13:01Chest perfectly still.
13:02It was my Alessia.
13:04My mate.
13:06Why didn't anyone tell me?
13:08Why didn't anyone tell me she was bleeding out?
13:13Alpha, I tried everything.
13:15But Miss Serafina said she was faking.
13:17She wouldn't let me treat her.
13:21Callan, I thought it was an act.
13:23She was just putting on a show again.
13:28You hit me?
13:31So you locked her in a holding cell?
13:33Like a rogue?
13:35Like she was nothing?
13:36I just told her to wait and-
13:38She is your mate!
13:39Two lives, Serafina!
13:41I told you to watch over her and this is what you do!
13:45I did it for the pack!
13:47For the air!
13:49The air.
13:50Deeply inside the moonshine, I carried her casket to myself.
13:54Placed it right before the moon goddess statue.
13:57I knelt by the wood, staring down at Alessia's face.
14:03Callan, you haven't eaten in a week.
14:05Alexia is gone, why are you doing this to yourself?
14:07Do you know how terrified she must have been?
14:09Lying alone in that freezing cell, waiting to die-
14:12It was to make sure the air was born safely.
14:14You made the right choice as an alpha.
14:16So you think your pup's life was worth more than hers?
14:18Of course!
14:19This is Marcus's child, the only legitimate heir to Dark Moon.
14:23Callan, stop obsessing over a dead woman.
14:25I gave this pack its heir.
14:26I'm the one Dark Moon needs.
14:28Get out.
14:28Take your pup and get out of my sight.
14:33I slumped down against the casket and buried my face in my hands.
14:37Through the hidden camera feed, I watched his shoulders shake.
14:41What an absolute joke.
14:42He threw me away like garbage when I was alive.
14:45Now he wants to play the grieving mate.
14:51Heavy footsteps pounded down the hall.
14:53Tony burst into the room.
14:55Alpha, it's a disaster!
14:56Our border patrols were completely wiped up!
14:59The Silver Moon pack hit our eastern and southern territories.
15:02Every single guard is dead!
15:03I froze.
15:04Our iron and medical supply lines are cut.
15:06Three allied packs broke their treaties on the spot.
15:09Even the pack council froze our credit line.
15:11And worse, Silver Moon has moved against us.
15:15No pack will stand with us now.
15:16The bad news just kept coming.
15:18Generations built Dark Moon.
15:20Now it was falling apart.
15:21Who was doing this?
15:22How did they know exactly where to hit us?
15:24Tony, find out who is pulling the strings.
15:28I want a name.
15:29Three days later, the two encrypted phones on my desk wouldn't stop ringing.
15:34Another territory lost.
15:35Alpha, we haven't tracked down the mastermind yet.
15:38But we found something else.
15:41Those birth herbs.
15:43It was Regina who stole them.
15:45He slid a photo across my desk.
15:46It was Regina.
15:48Clutching a small glass vial.
15:50My hands started to shake.
15:52And there's this.
15:53You need to brace yourself, Alpha.
15:54He handed me a sealed bloodline test report.
15:57I ripped it open.
15:58My eyes scanned the bottom line.
16:00The air.
16:01He wasn't Marcus's.
16:02Then whose child is it?
16:03Roberto Santini.
16:05The beta of the Santini pack.
16:08Our deadliest rival.
16:10Now it all made sense.
16:11Regina betrayed Marcus.
16:13Got pregnant by the enemy.
16:14Then framed Alessia to cover it up.
16:16And I...
16:17I believed every lie she told me.
16:20Tony.
16:21Get every elder to the council chamber.
16:23Now!
16:24One hour later, the chamber was full.
16:26Regina walked in, holding the pup.
16:29Smiling.
16:30She thought this was another celebration for her.
16:32Then she saw my face.
16:33The smile vanished.
16:35I turned on the screen.
16:36First image.
16:37Regina in a motel room.
16:39Kissing a man.
16:40Regina shot to her feet.
16:42Her face went white.
16:43Callan!
16:44They're fake!
16:45That baby is Marcus's and mine!
16:47Someone's framing me!
16:49Then I pulled up the second image.
16:51The bloodline report filled the screen.
16:53Match probability.
16:54That child is not of dark moon blood.
16:56His father is Roberto Santini.
16:59Second in command of the Santini pack.
17:01Our sworn enemy.
17:02You betrayed my dead brother.
17:04You slept with the enemy.
17:05Got pregnant with his bastard.
17:06Then tried to pass him off as dark moon's heir.
17:08Marcus found out, didn't he?
17:09That's why you sold out his location.
17:11You're the one who got him killed.
17:12Yes!
17:13Marcus found out about me and Roberto.
17:15He said he'd expose me!
17:16I couldn't let that happen!
17:21Now you know the truth.
17:23Now you know who you helped kill Alessia for.
17:26I know I was wrong.
17:28But I thought I was protecting the pack.
17:30I thought I was protecting Marcus's bloodline.
17:33For what?
17:33For an enemy's pup?
17:35You locked Alessia in that underground cell.
17:38You let her bleed out to protect our enemy's child.
17:41Lock her in that same stone cell.
17:42No food.
17:43No water.
17:44Let her feel what Alessia felt.
17:46Let her wait for death the way Alessia did.
17:49When it was over, I walked to the moon trine.
17:52I dropped to my knees beside the casket.
17:54I found the truth, Alessia.
17:56But it doesn't change what I did to you.
18:01I'm sorry.
18:02I'm so damn sorry.
18:06Three months passed.
18:07I looked around my empty office.
18:09The portraits of past alphas were still on the walls.
18:12The moon goddess relics still sat on the desk.
18:15My great-grandfather's ritual blade, too.
18:17Everything else was gone.
18:18Sold.
18:19Most of the money went to debt.
18:20What was left, I gave to the pack members before they left.
18:23A final settlement.
18:24Enough for them to leave Darkmoon behind.
18:27One week later, I moved into a run-down apartment in the southern quarter.
18:31Not because I was broke.
18:33Because I didn't deserve anything better.
18:35I killed my mate.
18:37My wolf howled inside me.
18:39Day and night.
18:40Every night, I called Alessia's number.
18:42Every night, I left another voicemail.
18:46Alexia.
18:47I know you can't hear this, but I need to say it.
18:50This was my fault.
18:51I killed you.
18:53I killed our baby.
18:55I drove Regina out.
18:57Serafina was punished, too.
18:59But none of that brings you back.
19:01Brings you back?
19:02I sold everything.
19:03The land.
19:04The businesses.
19:05All of it.
19:06But I kept one thing.
19:07Enough to buy a burial plot.
19:09Right beside yours.
19:10Maybe I can spend eternity trying to earn your forgiveness.
19:13Every afternoon, I went to the cemetery.
19:16I sat by her headstone for hours.
19:19I'm scared I'm going to forget your voice.
19:21Your smile.
19:23The way you smelled.
19:25Camellias.
19:26Cold night air.
19:28My wolf is dying, Alessia.
19:30It doesn't eat.
19:31It doesn't drink.
19:33It doesn't move.
19:34It just lies there, waiting to be with you again.
19:38Truth is,
19:40so am I.
19:42Cells.
19:43Sever moon pack.
19:45My phone kept buzzing on the table.
19:47Just like always,
19:48I didn't answer.
19:49The call died on its own.
19:51Then Callan's broken voice filled the room.
19:54This was my fault.
19:55I killed you.
19:57By now,
19:57I felt nothing.
19:59At first,
19:59I listened to every message.
20:01His apologies.
20:02His pain.
20:03The way he tore himself apart.
20:05I listened with no expression at all.
20:07Then my dad walked in.
20:08He looked at the phone.
20:10Said nothing.
20:10He just handed me a file.
20:13Dark moon is gone for good.
20:15And Callan's in bad shape.
20:17I took the file.
20:18Flipped through it.
20:19Faster than I expected.
20:22Alessia.
20:23Are you really gonna watch him die?
20:25I looked up.
20:26What else would I do?
20:28Dad, do you think I should forgive him?
20:31He deserves to die.
20:33I'm just scared you'll get trapped in this.
20:35I closed the file.
20:36Smiled a little.
20:38Don't worry.
20:39The moment my baby died,
20:41I was done.
20:43Now I'm just here to collect.
20:45You've changed.
20:47You used to laugh all the time.
20:49Now even your smile doesn't look real.
20:51People grow up.
20:53Some people need time.
20:55For them,
20:56one betrayal and one death are enough.
20:57My dad didn't say anything else.
20:59He just stood there with me a while.
21:02Then he left.
21:03Three years later,
21:03I took my father's seat.
21:05A billion dollar deal signed.
21:06Alessia Silvermane.
21:08Silver moon swept the east coast.
21:09All under my rule.
21:11Alpha,
21:11the report you asked for
21:13about the north.
21:14It's all in here.
21:15Luca handed me a folder.
21:17Callan of Dark Moon.
21:18Less than six months left.
21:20His wolf was close to going dark.
21:21I closed the folder.
21:23I closed the folder.
21:25Get the car ready.
21:26Now?
21:27The forecast says a blizzard is coming tonight.
21:31Now.
21:33North.
21:34Ashen Cemetery.
21:35Snow was coming down hard.
21:37The moon was gone.
21:38Buried behind thick clouds.
21:40I stood in front of a new headstone.
21:43My son's white marble.
21:45Carved into it was a tiny wolf pup
21:47curled in the arms of the moon.
21:48I sat a white rose on the stone.
21:52Mom's here.
21:53Through the wind,
21:53I heard footsteps.
21:55Heavy.
21:56Dragging.
21:57Like an old wolf.
21:58About to fall.
21:59I turned around.
22:00A figure staggered through the blizzard.
22:02Callan.
22:03His hair was completely white.
22:04His cheeks were hollow.
22:06Those golden alpha eyes
22:07that once shook the whole north
22:08were dim now.
22:10Clouded.
22:10Like dying embers.
22:11He barely even smelt like a wolf anymore.
22:14Just a dying man in the snow.
22:15No.
22:17No, that's not possible.
22:19Another hallucination.
22:21The healer said it's all in my head.
22:23My wolf's gone mad.
22:25I said nothing.
22:26He dragged himself closer.
22:28Shock.
22:28Wild joy.
22:29Then fear.
22:30Alexia.
22:31He reached for me.
22:32You're alive?
22:33I stepped back.
22:36Don't touch me.
22:37But I saw your body.
22:39I smelled you.
22:40Your scent was gone.
22:41That body was fake.
22:43I'm Alessia Silverhone.
22:44My father is the Alpha of Silvermoon.
22:46I'm his only heir.
22:48It was you?
22:48The territories?
22:50The businesses?
22:51The ambushes on our patrols?
22:53All of it?
22:54Yes.
22:55Why didn't you tell me who you were?
22:56Because my father would have never approved.
22:58So I hid it.
22:59I married you behind his back.
23:01If I had known who you were,
23:03I never would have-
23:03Never would have what?
23:04Treated me like that?
23:06Let me die.
23:08Callan, stop lying to yourself.
23:10You never loved me.
23:11You loved a version of me
23:12you thought you could control.
23:13A woman you thought had no pack.
23:15No power in coming for her.
23:17Someone easy to discard.
23:18So why are you here?
23:20To watch me fall apart?
23:24No.
23:25You're not worth that.
23:27I came to see my son.
23:32Our baby.
23:33My son.
23:35You don't have the right.
23:39I think about him every day.
23:41What he would have looked like.
23:42What color his eyes would have been
23:44if he'd be scared the first time he shifted.
23:46But he died because of me.
23:48I know.
23:49I pay for it every day.
23:51My wolf mourned him every night
23:52until it couldn't mourn anymore.
23:54You think that's enough?
23:55Alexia.
23:57Please.
23:58Forgive me.
23:59I never got you, Callan.
24:01But I never forgave you either.
24:04Please.
24:05I can make it up to you.
24:08With what?
24:09Your life?
24:10He reached for his own throat.
24:11Under wolf law,
24:12that was total surrender.
24:14Lower than kneeling.
24:15Worse than death.
24:16I give you my throat.
24:17You can tear it out.
24:19I won't fight back.
24:20I don't need your life.
24:21Watching you suffer is enough.
24:23Please don't leave me again.
24:25Alessia.
24:26I love you.
24:27I always loved you.
24:29From the first time I caught your scent,
24:31my wolf chose you.
24:32It was always you.
24:34You loved a ghost.
24:35A version of me you thought you could own.
24:38No.
24:39No.
24:40But the real me?
24:42You never knew her.
24:44I had my own pack.
24:46My own power.
24:47My own fangs.
24:53Behind me,
24:54Cala let out one last howl.
24:56Not human.
24:57Weak.
24:58Broken.
24:59Then gone.
25:00Swallowed by the storm.
25:01I never turned back.
25:03The blizzard was shut out.
25:05Luca glanced at me
25:05through the rearview mirror.
25:07He didn't say a word.
25:08I closed my eyes.
25:09In the dark,
25:10I let myself feel it
25:11for three seconds.
25:13Only three.
25:14Then I opened my eyes.
25:15Let's go.
25:16The engine started.
25:17The car pulled away from the cemetery.
25:20Snow kept falling.
25:22Soon,
25:23it covered the blood.
25:24Everything he left behind.
25:26As if none of it had ever happened.
25:28Six months later,
25:30spring had reached the south.
25:32New bots covered the park outside.
25:33Alpha,
25:34we got word from the north.
25:36I didn't look up.
25:37I just kept signing the papers in front of me.
25:39What is it?
25:41Alpha Canaan is dead.
25:43My pain stopped for one second.
25:45A tiny dot of ink bled onto the page.
25:47Then I kept writing.
25:49How did he die?
25:50Froze to death
25:51in an alley behind the market.
25:52He lost his ability to shift.
25:54His wolf was gone a month earlier.
25:57What else?
25:58Luca pulled a clear evidence bag
25:59from his coat.
26:01He sighted on my desk.
26:02He was holding a photo.
26:04The patrol team
26:05had to pry it out of his frozen face.
26:07I looked down.
26:07It was an old photo.
26:09The corners were worn soft.
26:10In the picture,
26:11I was standing
26:12in Docmo Manor's garden.
26:14Sun on my face.
26:15Smiling.
26:15I remembered that day,
26:17the first spring
26:17after our mating ceremony.
26:19You smell like home.
26:21I turned the photo over.
26:22There was writing on the back.
26:24Crooked.
26:25Shaky.
26:26Handle the funeral.
26:27Bury him in Ashton Cemetery.
26:29Near your son's grave?
26:31No.
26:31Further away.
26:33Yes, Alpha.
26:35Luca.
26:36Put one white rose there.
26:38Just one.
26:39Yes, Alpha.
26:40He left.
26:41The office went quiet.
26:42Sunlight spilled through
26:43the floor-to-ceiling windows.
26:45Landing on my left hand,
26:46my ring finger was bare.
26:48The only sound in the room
26:50was a scratch of ink
26:51across paper.
26:52Far outside,
26:54wind moved between the towers
26:55with a low moan.
26:57Maybe,
26:57it was a wolf howl.
26:59Maybe,
26:59it was the wind.
27:01Maybe,
27:01it was nothing at all.
27:03I never looked up.
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