- 3 hours ago
Hot drama 2026
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:09A deep, masculine voice right next to my ear, low, dangerous, it made my stomach clench,
00:17my head was fuzzy, three scents wrapped around me, familiar and not, one cold against my lips,
00:24one burning at my waist, one rough between my thighs, their hands, their mouths, I couldn't stop trembling,
00:32three golden bombs coiled tight around our wrists so hot they burned, three wolf shadows tangled on
00:38the wall above us, I jolted awake, gasping, cold sweat ran down my temple, my back was soaked through,
00:51my name is Freya Ashwood, orphan, omega, nobody, I don't remember my parents, don't remember where
00:59I came from, omegas like me were fair game in the pack, the ones everyone mocked, nobody noticed,
01:06but I had Kylan, my mate, the new alpha of the pack, strong, loyal, everything I'd ever hoped
01:19for, tomorrow at his coronation, he was going to propose to me in front of the whole pack
01:24and name me his Luna, my heart was racing just thinking about it, I picked up the laced Freya
01:38box I'd spent weeks preparing, today I would finally become his Luna, at the ceremony I tucked
01:47the box against my side and kept my eyes locked on Kylan, he stood on the stage in full ceremonial
01:58dress, my alpha, my future, his father announced him as the new alpha, Kieran took the microphone,
02:13my heart kicked, my foot was already moving forward, but his eyes slid past me straight
02:20to my adoptive sister Mia, Mia Ashwood, my sister, I understood everything in a single second,
02:26this was a setup, it had always been a setup, the whole hall burst into laughter, every alpha,
02:32every beta, every omega who'd ever looked down on me, now feasting on my humiliation, something
02:37inside me snapped, I ran up the steps and grabbed Kieran by the collar, screaming at me, he shoved
02:44me off like garbage, then he looked me dead in the eye and said the words that would end
02:51him, the golden bond between us snapped with a sickening crack, in the chaos my lingerie box
02:57fell, the lace spilled across the floor, my handwritten love note fluttered out, and the pack, my pack,
03:03picked them up, passing them around, laughing, I begged for them back, all I got was more laughter,
03:10I grabbed a shard of broken glass off the floor, climbed to my feet, and dragged it across Kieran's
03:14face, he struck me down with one swing, my head hit the marble, and then, in front of the entire
03:18pack,
03:19he publicly sentenced me to the werewolf information school, congratulations little sister,
03:24there are three alphas at that place, Alex is the worst of them, a monster, an absolute devil,
03:44when I opened my eyes again, I was standing at the gates of the Lycan Reform Academy, a roar of
03:49voices,
03:50a crowd surging toward the training grounds, screams everywhere, I was swept along with them,
03:57shoved all the way to the front before I could fight it, in the center of the arena, a man
04:05was tied
04:05to a wooden board lined with small blades, blood everywhere, still breathing, three massive werewolves
04:12stride slowly forward, their fur glistens brightly, exuding an overpowering, commanding aural,
04:19in an instant, a burst of harsh light flares up, and they shift from beast to human all at once,
04:26revealing stunning, almost impossibly perfect physiques, leading them is Alex, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted,
04:37his sharp, cold features carry a menacing edge, an eye patch covers his eyes, and a violent, dangerous
04:43awarma clings to him, warning everyone to stay away, right beside him is Griffin, his rich burgundy shirt
04:49hangs open wide, putting his defined six-pad on full display, bold and devilishly charming, he always wears
04:56a teasing, playful smirk on his lips, on the far side stands Jasper, holding a crisp white shirt in his
05:01hand,
05:02he has a gentle, pure aura with soft, relaxed features, like a quiet, elegant gentleman bathed in moonlight,
05:06he is the only one of the three who seems entirely harmless, wait, the demons Mia warned me about,
05:12the three men from my dreams, Alex pulled a knife from his belt and flicked it, it whistled past the
05:19bound man's ear
05:20and buried itself in the wood, the crowd erupted in cheer, something inside me broke open,
05:26every moment of the ceremony came rushing back, Kieran's face, Mia's whisper, the laughter, I stopped thinking,
05:35I ran out into the center of the ring and planted myself in front of the bound man,
05:39screaming up at Alex, a blade whistled past my ear, so close it grazed my lobe, and buried itself in
05:50the board
05:50right between the bound man's legs, one inch higher and it would have ended him, Alex was already walking toward
05:56me,
05:57slow, predatory, the crowd stared at me like I was insane, I forced myself to meet his eyes through the
06:05blindfold,
06:06tried to keep my breathing steady, it only made him angrier, he closed the distance, I thought I was dead,
06:12then Jaster caught his arm, I stepped back on instinct, and hit something warm, a chest, Griffins, he tipped my
06:22Chima up with one finger and smirked down at me,
06:25all three of them, all three men from my dreams, who the hell are you?
06:31My name is Freya Ashwith.
06:41What the fuck are you?
06:46Alex's fingers tightened around my neck, his eyes burned, before I could answer he turned away and spit a mouthful
06:51of blood onto the ground,
06:52his face was white as death, I stumbled back, lungs heaving, one word in my head, run.
06:57I didn't stop until my back hit a cold stone wall, only then did I let myself breathe.
07:01That dream, the faces, the bonds, all three of them, the same three men from my bed at night.
07:08How could any of it be real?
07:10Mates?
07:12Three mates?
07:13A wolf couldn't have three mates.
07:15It wasn't possible, I was losing my mind.
07:18I forced my feet to move, toward the dormitory, the only place that was mine.
07:23I pushed the door open, and a hand sped out of the dark and yanked me inside,
07:26my back slammed against the wood.
07:28I looked up into Alex's blood-red eyes.
07:31His breath was scorching.
07:32He didn't give me a second to speak.
07:34His mouth crashed down on mine, hard, devouring, like he was trying to break me open and crawl inside.
07:41I shoved him off with everything I had, and he let me.
07:44He just stood there, chest heaving.
07:46His eyes were still red, but underneath the violence I saw something else, pain.
07:50He was fighting something I couldn't see.
07:51I looked down.
07:53The three golden bonds on my wrist were wriggling, burning gold.
07:57A horrible thought crossed my mind.
08:01You're in rut, aren't you?
08:05The words lit him up like a match.
08:07He slammed my wrists above my head, his other hand locking around my waist.
08:10His palm burned through my dress.
08:12His lips grazed down my throat, biting, tasting, possessive, and every touch turned my knees to water.
08:16I mustered the last of my strength and slapped him across the face.
08:19He froze, stared at me.
08:20The red in his eyes flickered, and under it I saw raw desire and raw self-hatred.
08:24But his alpha scent kept rolling off him, thick, overwhelming, pulling me under.
08:29I knew if I stayed one more second I was going down with him.
08:31I tore out of that room on shaking legs and fled into the hall.
08:35Griffin and Jasper were standing there, frozen, their eyes locked on mine, pure shock on both their faces.
08:46Deep in the night I lay there staring at the ceiling.
08:58I threw off my jacket, stripped down to my tank top, and padded out to the kitchen for ice water.
09:02Jasper's voice comes from behind.
09:03I jumped.
09:04My foot slipped on something soft, his towel, and I stumbled back, bare skin against bare skin.
09:09His chest was right behind me, warm, solid, damp.
09:12My face went scarred.
09:13He caught me gently, retied his towel, and rested a calming hand on my shoulder.
09:17And that's when my wrist lit up.
09:19The golden bond between me and Jasper shimmered softly into view.
09:22The air changed.
09:23A soft smile on his face, he said something had gotten in my eye, lifting my wrist and bringing his
09:27face close to mine.
09:29The living room door slammed open.
09:31Griffin walked in, saw us, froze mid-step.
09:35The playful smirk dropped off his face.
09:37Why do you always run the second you see me, sweetheart? Playing hard to get?
09:50Deep in the night, I lay there staring at the ceiling.
09:54Alex's kiss.
09:55Jasper's warmth.
09:56Griffin's hand on my skin.
09:58My whole body was wired.
10:00My heart would not slow down.
10:01I reached for the vibrator in my drawer.
10:04A soft moan slipped out of me.
10:05And then I froze.
10:07All three of them were on my bed.
10:09Alex, Jasper, Griffin, watching me.
10:13Looks like someone needs it too.
10:19But, I can't take all three of you at once.
10:28And my body, traitor that it was, screamed yes.
10:36I was on fire.
10:37Their scents filled every inch of the room until I couldn't tell one from another.
10:42Jasper, gentle, gentle Jasper, was the first to move.
10:46His lips traced up the inside of my thigh, cool and precise.
10:49Every kiss sent a fresh shiver through me.
10:51Griffin wasn't gentle at all.
10:52His mouth went straight to my chest.
10:54Teeth, tongue, hot breath fanning across my skin.
10:56He wanted me trapped in his heat.
10:58And Alex leaned over me and swallowed every sound I tried to make.
11:01His kiss was punishment.
11:03Ownership.
11:03Mine, his mouth told me.
11:05Mine, mine, mine.
11:08Three different heats.
11:11Three different kinds of hunger.
11:13I stopped fighting.
11:15My eyes went glassy.
11:17My body gave up all its weight to them.
11:19The three golden bonds flared on my wrist.
11:21Braided together now.
11:23White hot.
11:24Binding the four of us like fate itself had reached down and tied the knot.
11:28I bolted up braid in bed.
11:30Soaped in cold sweat.
11:32Alone.
11:32The golden bonds on my wrist still pulsed softly with echoes of what wasn't real.
11:38Heat curled low in my belly.
11:41Unease right next to it.
11:42I needed a shower.
11:44I needed to wash them off me.
11:46I needed to think.
11:47The second I stepped in the bathroom, a cough tore through me.
11:50I tasted copper.
11:51Blood hit the white porcelain sink.
11:53Bright.
11:54Shockling.
11:55Wrong.
11:55And then a voice, soft, powerful, full of light, spoke behind me.
11:59I looked up into the mirror.
12:00A woman in white stood behind me, glowing faintly, her face full of quiet sorrow.
12:05The moon goddess.
12:06My child.
12:06You must sever two of the bonds and complete the mating with your true fated mate.
12:11Otherwise, you will die.
12:15Damn.
12:16Which one am I supposed to pick?
12:18Alex?
12:19Alex.
12:20You want me that bad?
12:21I went rigid.
12:22Blood hammered up into my face.
12:24Slowly, slowly, I turned around.
12:26Alex.
12:27Fresh out of the shower.
12:28Bare chest.
12:29Water tracking down every ridge of muscle.
12:31Black boxer briefs.
12:33Nothing else.
12:33The scent of alpha poured off him in waves.
12:36He walked toward me.
12:37One step.
12:38Another.
12:39Caged me against the wall.
12:40I could feel his breath on my mouth.
12:42I squeezed my eyes shut.
12:43And he laughed.
12:44A short, remarking breath.
12:46The humiliation hit like a fist.
12:47Without thinking, I snapped at him every cruel thing I could think of.
12:51His head dropped.
12:51And for half a second, I saw something in his eyes I wasn't expecting.
12:55Pain.
12:56Raw and real.
12:57He warned me to stay away from him.
13:01The training hall stank of sweat and testosterone.
13:04Wolves everywhere.
13:05Sparring, shouting, showing off.
13:07And then the instructor called my name.
13:08Paired with Alex.
13:09Every head in the room turned to stare.
13:12Curious.
13:13Mocking.
13:13I balled my hands into fists.
13:15Ignored all of them.
13:16And walked straight up to the coldest man in the room.
13:19I knew he'd turn me down.
13:20But I never expected him to grab my wrist harshly.
13:23Slam me hard onto the mat.
13:25Then walk away without a single shred of mercy.
13:28I lay there on the mat.
13:30My chest full of a bitter, ugly ache.
13:31This was my fated mate?
13:33This man?
13:34A shadow fell over me.
13:35Warm.
13:36Gentle.
13:36I looked up into Jasper's soft eyes.
13:38His hand was outstretched.
13:40He saw the way my ankle was already starting to swell.
13:42Something passed across his face.
13:44Worried he couldn't quite hide.
13:46Before I could speak, he bent down.
13:48Slid one arm under my knees, the other behind my back.
13:51And lifted me clean off the floor.
13:52I noticed the girl who's always hanging around Jasper glaring at me with pure malice.
13:57As Jasper carried me toward the infirmary, something made me glance out.
14:01Alex was in the far corner.
14:02Half hidden in shadow.
14:04His eyes were blood red.
14:05He was looking at me like he wanted to tear me apart.
14:08Wanted to take a bite and keep it.
14:10I shrunk against Jasper's chest.
14:11But even through the crowd, I could feel Alex's gaze.
14:14Cold and unblinking, still pinned on me.
14:16What a strange, terrifying man.
14:18I had to stay away from him.
14:20Jasper set me down carefully on the bed.
14:22Knelt on one knee.
14:24And started cleaning the swelling.
14:26Eighteen years of life.
14:28And this was the first time anyone had ever been that gentle with me.
14:31His breathing got heavier.
14:33His eyes lingered on my ankle longer than they should have.
14:36Then, just lightly, he squeezed.
14:38A tingling heat spread through my whole body.
14:44Shit.
14:46I can actually feel you.
14:48Don't be scared.
14:51That girl who's always watching you.
14:54Are you two together?
14:55Thea?
14:57No.
14:58My wolf only wants one thing.
15:01My fated mate.
15:02A reckless, dangerous thought blossomed in my chest.
15:05What if Jasper is my fated mate?
15:09I drifted out of the infirmary in a fog.
15:11Jasper's words kept cycling in my head.
15:13My wolf only wants my fated mate.
15:16An engine roared behind me.
15:17I turned.
15:19A black sports car was barreling straight at me.
15:22I couldn't move in time.
15:23The bumper clipped me and I went down hard.
15:25Textbooks scattering across the pavement.
15:27Thea climbed out of the car with two of her pack friends.
15:30She didn't waste time.
15:31A bucket of ice water hit me square in the face.
15:34The cold tore through my skin.
15:36The whistles and laughter from the crowd cut deeper than the cold.
15:39I scrambled up and ran.
15:41Didn't look where I was going.
15:43Just ran.
15:44I slammed through a door and stumbled inside.
15:46I was three steps in before I registered the urinals against the wall.
15:49Men's locker room.
15:51I turned my back to the door.
15:52Shaking.
15:53Peeled off my soaked shirt.
15:54And stood there in just my bra.
15:56Trying to stop shivering.
15:57A low whistle behind me.
15:59I whirled around.
16:00Griffin was leaning against the doorway.
16:03Arms crossed.
16:04Cocky grin.
16:04Eyes all over me.
16:06Get out you pervert!
16:08Pervert?
16:09Princess.
16:10This is the men's locker room.
16:12Who's the pervert here?
16:18Go back to the dorm.
16:19Change.
16:20Now.
16:30In the hallway, I buttoned Alex's shirt over my wet clothes.
16:33It was enormous.
16:34The sleeves swallowed my hands.
16:36It smelled like him.
16:37Cold.
16:38Clean.
16:38Like mountain air.
16:39A poster on the wall caught my eye.
16:41Couples.
16:42Spinning.
16:43Laughing.
16:43Dressed in silk.
16:44My chest twisted.
16:46Someone like me.
16:47Rejected.
16:48Humiliated.
16:48An omega nobody wanted.
16:50How could I ever belong on a dance floor like that?
16:52Two girls walked past.
16:54Whispering loudly enough for me to catch every word.
16:56Each word hit like a punch.
16:58My eyes stung.
16:59I ducked my head, pulled Alex's shirt tighter around me and ran.
17:02Away from the poster.
17:03Away from their voices.
17:04Away from everyone.
17:05A stray dog.
17:07That's what I was.
17:08With nowhere to go.
17:12When I got back to the dorm, Jasper was waiting in the living room.
17:15A bouquet in his hand.
17:17A tailored suit.
17:18A smile like crushed spring light.
17:20He held the flowers out to me.
17:21I took them with both hands.
17:23The scent rose up and made my breath catch.
17:25My heart was doing something stupid.
17:27It would be my honor if you'd be my partner at the dance next Friday.
17:33I've loved you for a very long time, Freya.
17:36Since we were children.
17:39So, will you be my partner?
17:46Don't be in such a rush, princess.
17:48You've got more than one mate, remember?
18:01What are you doing here if you're in my way?
18:04He turned around and went back up the stairs.
18:06Closed his door.
18:07Like he didn't care at all.
18:09Griffin shoved his invitation into my hand and grabbed my arm.
18:12Jasper stepped between us immediately, shielding me from him.
18:15I took a long breath and looked at both of them.
18:17But I already knew.
18:19Only one of them had ever been gentle with me.
18:21Only one of them had ever saved me without asking for anything.
18:24Only one of them had given me an actual memory of being loved.
18:28I hold out Griffin's invitation and hand it back.
18:30Then accept Jasper's offer instead.
18:32Griffin growls in pure fury and storms out, slamming the door.
18:36I stood in the empty living room.
18:37My chest ached in a slow, dull way.
18:40Was it the bonds?
18:41Or did I actually feel something for the others too?
18:44The thought took hold like a weed.
18:45The invitation Alex had in his hand that he never gave me.
18:48The way Griffin had stormed out.
18:50Guilt pressed down on me from both sides.
18:52But then I looked at Jasper's clear, open face.
18:55And I reminded myself, Freya, you swore you'd never pick another Chiron.
18:59Jasper is the opposite of Chiron.
19:00This is the right choice.
19:02Right?
19:05The night of the dance, I stood in front of the mirror a long time.
19:08My best gown.
19:09A little makeup.
19:11A deep breath.
19:12Then into the glittering ballroom.
19:14I scanned the crowd until I found him.
19:17Tall, broad-shouldered.
19:18That gentle energy.
19:20It had to be him.
19:22I gathered every ounce of courage in my body.
19:24Walked over.
19:25And tapped his shoulder.
19:28Then I ducked my head.
19:29Cheeks burning.
19:31And said it before I could chicken out.
19:32I waited.
19:33Head down.
19:34Heart going a hundred miles an hour.
19:36A familiar, shocked voice spoke.
19:38From behind me.
19:39I whipped around.
19:40Jasper was standing there.
19:42Behind me.
19:43Then...
19:44Who had I just confessed to?
19:46Slowly, slowly.
19:47I turned back.
19:48Alex.
19:49Not Jasper.
19:50Alex.
19:52He let out a low, dark chuckle and stepped closer.
19:55His eyes pinned me in place.
19:57I wanted the floor to open and swallow me.
19:59My face was on fire.
20:01Alex grabs a glass of champagne.
20:03Nods briefly at Jasper.
20:05Then turns and leaves.
20:08Jasper hurried over.
20:10And his hand came up to smooth my hair.
20:12That one small gesture cut through the humiliation.
20:15Tonight I told myself.
20:17Tonight I would find out for sure.
20:20I took his hand and squeezed it.
20:22Hard.
20:23I leaned up on my toes.
20:25Closed my eyes.
20:27Tilted my face up.
20:29Waited for the kiss.
20:31And right as his lips brushed mine.
20:33A frantic call rings out right behind him.
20:37He pulled back.
20:38Torn.
20:40Apologetic.
20:42Whispered he'd be right back.
20:43And was gone.
20:45But the next second.
20:46Thea swarms over with her crew.
20:48Warning me to stay away from Jasper.
20:50I didn't get two seconds to recover before Thea and her pack descended on me.
20:54Some half-hearted threat about staying away from Jasper.
20:57I'd had enough of her games.
20:59I turned to walk away.
21:01That was when she lost it.
21:03Her two friends grabbed my arms.
21:06She pulled a lit cigarette from behind her back.
21:08And brought it slowly towards my face.
21:11I flinched back.
21:12The cherry of the cigarette was a centimeter from my eye.
21:15A silver cuff click whipped past my ear.
21:18Slammed into the cigarette.
21:19And went straight on to graze Thea's cheek.
21:24I spun around.
21:26Alex was standing in the far corner of the ballroom.
21:29He clapped his hands once.
21:31Lazily.
21:32Like he was applauding his own throw.
21:34And walked away without a backward glance.
21:39Thea was shrieking.
21:40Looking for whoever had thrown it.
21:42She couldn't find him.
21:43So she took her rage out on me.
21:46She lunged.
21:47I stepped out of the way.
21:48She kept going.
21:50Straight into a three tiered cake.
21:52Face first.
21:53The ballroom exploded in laughter.
22:06Freya is my hand.
22:07No one touches her.
22:11Thea covered her face and fled the ballroom.
22:13Frosting still dripping off her hair.
22:15I let out a shaky breath.
22:16Looked up at Jasper.
22:17Full of gratitude.
22:19The music swelled.
22:19I put my hand in his.
22:21And we moved.
22:21I could have stayed in that spin forever.
22:23It was warm.
22:24It was safe.
22:24It was everything I'd wanted my whole life.
22:26Then mid turn another hand caught my wrist and pulled me off balance.
22:30It fell into a different chest.
22:31Hotter.
22:32More aggressive.
22:33Griffin.
22:34He locked an arm around my waist.
22:36His smile was sharp.
22:37A little wounded.
22:38It twisted in his grip.
22:39Furious.
22:40Tried to stome on his foot.
22:41He dodged with a grin and pulled me closer.
22:43His mouth grew near mine.
22:44He was going to kiss me.
22:46Right there.
22:47In front of everyone.
22:48I shoved him off and stumbled backward.
22:49My heel slipped on the polished floor.
22:51Strong arms caught me before I hit the ground.
22:53A cold, clean scent.
22:54I knew it before I looked it up.
22:56Alex.
23:00Looking down at me with the strangest expression.
23:03Something complicated.
23:04Something almost amused.
23:06The blood in my face.
23:07I tried to pull away.
23:09He pulled me back into his chest and held me there.
23:11His eyes locking with mine.
23:12I put my hands against his chest.
23:14Push.
23:15I was going to push, but I didn't.
23:17He caught one of my hands.
23:19Brought my fingertips to his mouth.
23:22Pressed a slow kiss to it.
23:23Then ran his tongue across it, just once.
23:27This was Alex?
23:28This was Alex doing this?
23:31My brain went white.
23:32I closed my eyes.
23:34I leaned in.
23:35He turned his head away and smiled.
23:38Shame detonated in my chest.
23:40I shoved him off and ran out of the ballroom, cursing him the whole way.
23:44Bastard.
23:45Fucking bastard.
23:46I stormed down the corridor with my head full of fire and walked straight into a solid body.
23:51I looked up.
23:52And my blood turned to ice.
23:55Kyren.
23:56Well, well.
23:58The little Omega I kicked out of my pack.
24:01Nice dress.
24:02Who are you trying to seduce tonight?
24:06Kyren stepped toward me.
24:08Closer.
24:09Closer.
24:09His alpha pressure made my whole body shake.
24:12My back hit the cold wall.
24:14Nowhere left to go.
24:15Rage and terror exploded in me at the same time.
24:17I shoved him with everything I had.
24:19He threw me to the ground like I weighed nothing.
24:22My forehead cracked against a stone pillar.
24:24Blood ran down into my eyebrow.
24:26He loomed over me.
24:28Reached down.
24:29Ripped the slit of my ground wide open.
24:32Before his hand could touch my skin.
24:34Blue light flared in my eyes.
24:36Something took over my body.
24:38My fist moved without me.
24:40It slammed into his face hard enough to break bone.
24:43All the strength drained out of me in an instant.
24:45Black spots.
24:46And then nothing.
24:48When I woke up, I was in my room.
24:50The air smelled like antiseptic.
24:52Alex was sitting on the edge of the bed with a cotton ball.
24:55Carefully dabbing at the cut on my forehead.
24:57His touch was unbelievably gentle.
25:00Nothing like the man who had pushed me off on the training mat.
25:03I ask softly if he's the one who saved me.
25:05He immediately snaps back with sharp harsh words to lecture me.
25:08I shoved him and turned my face to the wall.
25:11The air went dangerous.
25:12I could feel the pressure drop in the room.
25:14But he didn't come after me.
25:15He just sat back down.
25:16His eyes dropped to my leg.
25:18And then his hand closed around my ankle.
25:20The heat of his fingertips made me jump.
25:22The whole room went quiet.
25:23Just our breathing.
25:24His thumb moved slowly across my skin.
25:26So gentle it was almost worse.
25:28My hands fisted in the sheets.
25:30He brought out a tube of salad.
25:32Lifted my leg with both hands.
25:34And applied it around the bruise.
25:35Careful not to press down.
25:37He was barely breathing.
25:39This place is dangerous Freya.
25:41Every year wolves die here.
25:43Omgas disappear.
25:45I don't want it to happen to you.
25:47So you came here for me?
25:48Malfa's saliva heals faster than medicine.
25:51Close your eyes.
25:52I closed them.
25:53His hands lifted my calf.
25:55His lips pressed gently against the cut.
25:57His tongue traced the sore, swollen skin around it.
26:01And a shock of heat ran all the way up my body.
26:04I stopped breathing.
26:21You're not actually that bad, you know?
26:26I stared into his eyes.
26:28Something swirled in them I couldn't name.
26:31My throat closed.
26:32I couldn't speak.
26:33He leaned in.
26:35His breath fared across my lips.
26:37We were close enough to feel each other trembling.
26:40The air between us was going to burn.
26:42Bang!
26:42The door flew open.
26:44Griffin.
26:45Two ice cream cones in his hands.
26:47A big stupid grin on his face.
26:49The grin froze the second he saw us.
26:52I panicked.
26:54Shoved Alex away.
26:55Snatched the salve tube out of his hand.
26:57I bolted into the bathroom and slammed the door.
26:59Leaned back against it.
27:01My heart was trying to punch through my chest.
27:04Inside, I sat down on the tile.
27:06Shaking.
27:07And tried to put Sam on my own leg.
27:09My mind kept replaying it.
27:11His mouth.
27:12His eyes.
27:13The tremor in his fingers.
27:15The fact that I wanted him to keep going.
27:17I decided on Jasper.
27:19I was going to sever the other two bonds.
27:22So why had my body lit up at Alex's touch?
27:24Why was I suddenly doubting everything?
27:27Was I...falling for him?
27:29No.
27:30Absolutely not.
27:31I knew what Kieran had looked like before he destroyed me.
27:34Cold.
27:35Distant.
27:36Impossible to reach.
27:37Alex was the same type.
27:39My type.
27:39The type I was going to die reaching for.
27:42No.
27:42I wanted a real relationship this time.
27:45Respect.
27:45Honesty.
27:46Not being played with until I broke.
27:49Another cough racked my chest.
27:50Copper in my mouth.
27:51Blood in the sink.
27:52I looked up at the mirror.
27:54Pale.
27:55Bloody lip.
27:56Hollow eyes.
27:57I couldn't let Alex confuse me anymore.
28:00I had to complete the bond with Jasper.
28:03Soon.
28:04Before I died.
28:07In the training hall, I kept glancing toward the door.
28:11Waiting for Jasper to come back so I could tell him what I'd decided.
28:15Thea appeared in front of me instead.
28:17Holding a training ball.
28:19Her eyes narrow.
28:21She threw it at me.
28:23I took it on the shoulder.
28:25She threw another.
28:27I took it on the ribs.
28:29On the third one, something in me snapped.
28:33I grabbed the ball and hurled it back.
28:35It hit her in the forehead and put her flat on her back.
28:38Blood bloomed from her hairline.
28:39The whole hall went dead silent.
28:41Every teacher, every student, staring at me.
28:43The instructor told Jasper to take Thea to the infirmary.
28:46Then he told me to stay after class and clean the entire training hall.
28:48My punishment.
28:49And Freya, you can stay behind and clean this entire jam.
28:54I swallowed the injustice the way I'd swallowed every other injustice.
28:58Nobody cared about One Omega's side of the story.
29:02After class, it was just me in the echoing, empty hall.
29:05Dragging a mope across the floor.
29:07Cold condensation pressed against my cheek.
29:10I looked up.
29:11Alex.
29:14He says he'll train me personally and teach me how to control my inner power.
29:19I stare at him, half believe and half doubtful.
29:22We squared off with wooden stahls.
29:26Old school, bare bones combat.
29:29He was an alpha, and a top one.
29:32His speed and strength were a different species from mine.
29:35I could only fall back, block, stumble.
29:38Keep breathing.
29:41But I didn't notice it at first.
29:43Last time we'd trained, I couldn't block a single one of his strikes.
29:48Tonight, I was holding my own for rounds at a time.
29:51Watching Alex's figure walking toward me from afar.
29:54I realized for the first time that he might not be as brutal and bloodthirsty as everyone claims.
29:59He hands me a bottle of water thoughtfully and asks why I keep putting up with unfair treatment when I
30:04possess such great power.
30:05Truth is, I never even knew I had that much strength inside me.
30:09I tightened my grip on the water bottle.
30:12And for the first time, I told somebody.
30:16No father. No mother.
30:19From the moment I had memory, I was just the adopted girl in the Ashwood house.
30:24The Ashwoods were old Ridge Pack nobility.
30:28They didn't mistreat me.
30:29They just didn't see me.
30:32I existed to make Mia look better.
30:34Even when the moon goddess picked Kieran for me.
30:37Even when I had a mate, nothing changed.
30:40Mia only got worse.
30:42And then I got discarded.
30:44And ended up here.
30:46Alex listened.
30:47The whole time.
30:49Not once did his face flicker with pity or contempt.
30:52Just a quiet, aching softness.
30:54He wasn't used to comforting anyone.
30:56His ears went pink.
30:57When I looked at him with tears in my eyes, he looked away.
31:01Flustered.
31:03I couldn't help it.
31:04I started laughing.
31:06Time for the next train.
31:08He came at me.
31:10I took a breath and swung at him hard.
31:13He slipped to the side.
31:14I overcommitted.
31:15I was going to fall.
31:17He spun and caught me.
31:19His arm around my waist.
31:21His chest against my back.
31:22His breath at my neck.
31:24Our heart beats in the same too fast rhythm.
31:26Out of the corner of my eye, a flash of color.
31:29Griffin had come in with a broom.
31:31He'd stopped dead.
31:32His face twisted.
31:34He threw the broom down so hard it bounced.
31:37Turned around.
31:38And stormed out of the hall.
31:40That night, I bought a milkshake.
31:42His favorite flavor.
31:44And stood outside Alex's door.
31:46Working up the courage to knock.
31:50Asper.
31:51Do you have Mia's number?
31:53Freya's sister.
31:54I want to take her out for coffee.
31:56The milkshake almost slipped out of my hand.
31:58All of it.
31:59The training.
32:00The listening.
32:01The gentleness.
32:02All of it was a lie.
32:04He'd been getting close to me so he could get to my sister.
32:07I bit down on my lip and forced the tears back.
32:10Threw the milkshake in the nearest trash cans.
32:13I was there maybe two minutes before there was a knock.
32:17I yanked the door open.
32:19Griffin was leaning against the frame.
32:22Hands in his pockets.
32:24That cocky grin that always drove me insane.
32:27I shoved him, but he was built like a wall.
32:30And I couldn't move him an inch.
32:32The tears finally spilled over and I couldn't stop them.
32:36Don't hate. Don't do that.
32:37Come on.
32:39Tell me what you want and I'll get it for you.
32:41Anything.
32:42I want someone honest.
32:44Someone who respects me.
32:46Someone who won't lie to me.
32:48Not someone who says pretty things he doesn't know.
33:10Is this obvious enough?
33:11I'm flirting with you Freya.
33:14I want to be your mate.
33:16For real.
33:22Bang.
33:23The door flew open.
33:25Cold air rushed in.
33:27I panicked.
33:28Shoved Griffin back and fumbled to straighten my clothes.
33:31I looked up.
33:32Alec.
33:32His face was like carved stone.
33:34His eyes were burning.
33:36Everything I'd been holding back all night.
33:38The hurt, the betrayal, the mortication came out as a sneer.
33:41What are you even doing here?
33:43Aren't you supposed to be on your date with my sister?
33:44His eyes swept over Griffin's bare chest.
33:47The wolf inside him rumbered.
33:49A sound I could feel in my ribs.
33:51Griffin had it by the collar.
33:52Alex wrenched Griffin's hand off and walked out into the living room straight into Jasper.
33:56Jasper smiled at him and held out an invitation.
33:59Alex exploded.
34:00The door slammed hard enough to rattle the frames on the walls.
34:02Jasper stood there blinking.
34:04Me and Griffin stared at the floor.
34:05Jasper's birthday party was bright and loud, full of laughing wolves and formal clothes.
34:09I found a corner and started drinking.
34:11Alex's betrayal.
34:12Griffin's confession.
34:14Jasper's steady kindness.
34:16The moon goddess's warning.
34:18All of it tangled together in my head like a net pulling tight.
34:21The more I drank, the fuzzier things got.
34:23Griffin rushed over and tried to take my glass.
34:26I slapped his hand away.
34:27A harsh cough tore through me.
34:29I tasted copper.
34:30Blood dripped onto my dress bright red against the pale silk.
34:34I pushed through the crowd and locked myself in the bathroom.
34:37Leaned on the sink.
34:38The woman in the mirror was pale.
34:40I know I can't hold on any longer.
34:42I have to pick one to bond with tonight or I'm really gonna die.
34:45Pounding on the door.
34:47Griffin's worried voice.
34:49I shouted back at him to leave me alone.
34:51I stared at myself in the mirror.
34:52The decision clicked into place.
34:53I wasn't going to die.
34:55Not like this.
34:55I straightened my dress.
34:56Pulled that thing out of my clutch and gripped it.
34:58Harden of them was outside this door.
34:59That was who I was choosing.
35:00And it was final.
35:03I pulled the bathroom door open.
35:05Alex.
35:05He was carrying the cold in with him.
35:07His face was dark.
35:08His eyes were scorching.
35:09I stepped back without meaning to.
35:10The thing slipped out of my hand and hit the floor between us.
35:12He saw it.
35:13He walked me backward until I was pinned between the vanity and his body.
35:18Lifted me onto the counter like I weighed nothing.
35:22His thumb brushed the corner of my mouth.
35:24He forced my face up to his.
35:26His voice was low and thick with rage barely held back.
35:28Then he kissed me.
35:29It was a punishing kiss.
35:30Teeth and tongue and discipline and desperation all at once.
35:33He left a mark on my neck.
35:34His arms caged me against the mirror.
35:35Through the door, Jasper called my name.
35:37A wave of cold water down my spine.
35:39And then a wave of something hotter right behind it.
35:42I hooked my arm around Alex's neck.
35:43Pulled him into the nearest dot and slammed the door.
35:46Through the lock, pressed him against the partition and kissed him with everything I had.
35:49My hand went straight for his belt.
35:50The knocking got closer.
35:51It stopped right outside the stall.
35:53Jasper's voice, gentle and anxious, came through the metal.
35:55Alex went rogered.
35:56The heat drained out of his eyes and was replaced with something worse.
35:59Betrayal.
36:00He slammed his fist into the stall door.
36:02The whole cubicle shook.
36:03The knocking outside went silent.
36:05A long pause.
36:06Then Jasper's quiet, awkward apology.
36:08Footsteps receding.
36:09Are you out of your fucking mind?
36:11Freya, would you spread your legs for anyone with a cock?
36:14Are you that cheap?
36:15Like you're any different.
36:16You trained with me.
36:17You listened to me.
36:18And then you turned around and called my sister.
36:20You're no better than every other person who's ever looked down on me and used me.
36:24Were you jealous?
36:25Did you actually care?
36:26Why would I be jealous of you?
36:28You're a self-absorbed asshole.
36:30You mean nothing to me.
36:31Nothing.
36:32Absolutely nothing.
36:39In class the next morning, the fight kept replaying in my head.
36:42Nora's voice kept pushing through.
36:43Weaker.
36:44The dull ache in my chest was a clock ticking down.
36:46A folded note slid onto my desk.
36:49Jasper's handwriting.
36:50Something gentle and careful.
36:53My eyes burned.
36:54I looked up and found him watching me.
36:57His eyes full of quiet worry.
36:59Thea saw it.
37:00Her face contorted.
37:01A paper ball thumbed against my back.
37:03I opened it.
37:04Seven words.
37:05Rooftop.
37:06Eight tonight.
37:07Come alone.
37:09The wind was cold on the rooftop.
37:11My skirt snapped around my legs.
37:12I gripped the note and walked to the center.
37:14My heart full of hope.
37:15Jasper was finally going to let me tell them.
37:16A sneer cut through the wind.
37:17Thea was at the stairway door.
37:19Flanked by her two friends.
37:20Blocking the only exit.
37:21Their faces were pure malice.
37:22They closed in on me.
37:23Her friends grabbed my arms and slammed me onto the concrete.
37:25The cold of the rooftop cut through my dress.
37:27I kicked.
37:28I twisted.
37:29They pinned my shoulder.
37:30Thea crouched over me.
37:31Caught my chin in her hand.
37:32Pulled a small bottle out of her pocket.
37:34Dark liquid.
37:35Sharp chemical smell.
37:36Her friends forced my jaw open.
37:38She poured it down my throat.
37:39It tasted like rot and acid.
37:41Heat tore through my body instantly.
37:43My vision warped.
37:44My muscles went slack.
37:46I couldn't fight anymore.
37:47I tried to scream.
37:49The wind swallowed it.
37:50And just as I was about to go under.
37:51The rooftop door exploded inward.
37:53Alex.
37:54His eyes blood red.
37:55A killing aura coming off him in waves.
37:56He didn't say a word.
37:57He knocked Thea and her friends flat.
37:59Grabbed him like he was the last solid thing in the world.
38:01I threw myself at him.
38:03Babbling.
38:03Begging.
38:03He stiffened.
38:04I could see him trying to be responsible.
38:07Trying to push me off so he could find the antidote.
38:09But my flushed face.
38:10My desperate eyes.
38:11My tears.
38:12The wall inside him cracked.
38:14He whispered against my ear.
38:15Gragged and rough.
38:16The heat in my body and the front of my chest round tight around each other.
38:18He kept holding me.
38:19Kissing me.
38:20Kissing me.
38:20He was hiding to darkness.
38:22Safe.
38:22When I woke up I was in my own bed.
38:24His coat was draped over me.
38:25I could smell him on it.
38:26That cool mountain scent cut through with a thin thread of blood.
38:28A knock.
38:28Jasper.
38:29He came in with a glass of warm water.
38:30His eyes full of water.
38:31The door suddenly bursts open.
38:32Griffin storms in.
38:32Clearly furious.
38:33And urgently asks where Alex is.
38:35Saying he's gone missing.
38:35What Alex had brought me back.
38:37It's the full moon.
38:38What?
38:38Alex could lose control at any time.
38:40If we don't find him Enzo his wolf will swallow him whole.
38:42He'll die.
38:43We have to find him before sunrise.
38:44So Alex has been fighting the wolf this whole time?
38:47That was why he kept shoving me away?
38:56In the dream I was in a wasted forest.
39:00Moonlight.
39:01Alex slumped against a tree.
39:03Shirt soaked with blood.
39:05Cuts everywhere.
39:05I grabbed his hand and sobbed that I wasn't angry anymore.
39:09That every misunderstanding was gone.
39:12Pain ripped through my head and I snapped awake.
39:15Cold sweat on my forehead.
39:16The full moon still hung outside the window.
39:19One thought in my whole body.
39:21Find him.
39:25I threw on a coat and ran.
39:27Straight for the forbidden forest.
39:28I knew where he was.
39:29He was in the most dangerous place there was.
39:31And the place he needed me most.
39:32The night was like ink.
39:33The branches twisted overhead like claws.
39:35The wind howled through dead leaves cutting at my face.
39:37I stumbled forward.
39:38My dress tore on every other branch.
39:40My bare feet bled on the rocks.
39:41None of it mattered.
39:42Under an old tree I found him.
39:44Collapsed.
39:44Soaked in blood.
39:45New wounds still bleeding.
39:46Mud and dead leaves clung to him.
39:48His breathing was so shallow I could barely see it.
39:51Alex!
39:53Alex stay with me.
40:04I wasn't contentacting Mia for a date.
40:06I believe you.
40:09There's someone inside the academy.
40:10They're working with the hunters.
40:12They want me dead.
40:13Protecting you.
40:14The man he tied up at the start of term.
40:15It had to be.
40:16They've been after Alex from the beginning.
40:17I'm sorry.
40:18I'm so sorry for every time I misunderstood you.
40:20From now on I'm going to be the one protecting you.
40:23The kitchen was warm and full of steam in the morning light.
40:26Milk bubbling on the stove.
40:28Eggs crisping gold at the edges.
40:30A bowl of healing broth I'd spent an hour on waiting to bring him.
40:33I adjusted the flame for the fifth time.
40:36All I could think about was him.
40:38The whole night I'd dreamed of him.
40:40The way he'd leaned against me.
40:42That fragile, unberservable vulnerability.
40:45How every breath had pained him.
40:46I just wanted him to wake up to something warm.
40:49Something to make him heal faster.
40:51Every guilt.
40:53Every missed chance.
40:55Every ounce of doubt of Fint I'd carried.
40:58I was going to pack it into this one meal.
41:00And give it to him.
41:02A gentle voice came from the doorway.
41:04Jasper.
41:04In loose clothes.
41:06Hair still damp.
41:07I saw him reaching for the tray and stopped him at once.
41:10Telling him it was a special nutritious meal prepared for Alex.
41:13But he told me Alex had already left.
41:15The spoon fell out of my hand and hit the plate with a sharp ring.
41:19Where was he?
41:20Who was going to take care of him?
41:22What if someone found him again?
41:24I got two steps before Jasper was in front of me.
41:27His body warm against the cold wall behind me.
41:30His breath on my forehead.
41:32He was close enough to kiss.
41:34If I tilted up one inch I could.
41:36I'm not going to let you go.
41:37Come back to my territory with me.
41:40If you choose me I'll announce you as my Luna in front of my whole pack.
41:45I'll protect you for the rest of my life.
41:48No more misunderstandings.
41:50No more hurt.
41:51I looked into his sunlit face.
41:53At the warmth in his eyes.
41:54At the sincerity of everything he was.
41:56And my mind kept dragging up another face.
41:59Another man.
42:00An Alex.
42:01Alex against my chest in the forest.
42:03Vulnerable and bleeding.
42:04Alex biting back his wolf so he wouldn't hurt me.
42:07Alex.
42:07Broken.
42:08Aping.
42:09Terrified.
42:10Still somehow trying to keep me safe.
42:12It hit me in waves.
42:14Every moment of him.
42:15It drowned out the gentle warmth standing right in front of me.
42:19Wait.
42:22The silence cracked everything.
42:25Jasper froze.
42:26The hope in his eyes faded slowly.
42:28Replaced by something softer.
42:30Understanding.
42:31He stepped back.
42:32He ran his hand over my hair once.
42:34Gently.
42:35And smiled.
42:36No blame.
42:37Only release.
42:38He helped me get to Alex's packed territory.
42:41At the border he solemnly severed our bond.
42:44The pain was shattering.
42:46Like something tearing out of my lips.
42:48I looked up into Jasper's tired, quiet eyes.
42:51The guilt was a knife.
42:53But I had no other choice.
42:55The car drove away.
42:57The bond backlash turned into me.
42:59I doubled over and coughed up blood onto the gravel.
43:01I used the last of my strength to stagger into Alex's wing of the estate.
43:05He was sitting on the edge of the bed drinking coffee.
43:08Sunlight on his face.
43:09He looked up.
43:10Saw me.
43:11Bloody.
43:12Dirty.
43:12Barely standing.
43:14And his face went white.
43:15I didn't hesitate it.
43:16I walked across the room of the moth into a flame.
43:19I shoved him down onto the bed and straddled him.
43:23My hands pinned his shoulders.
43:25My knuckles white.
43:27My whole body shaking from the backlash and the hunger.
43:32This cold, cruel looking man was what I wanted.
43:35I fumbled with the buttons on his shirt.
43:38The more I hurried, the clumsier I got.
43:41All I could feel, horror was him getting harder against me burning through two layers of fabric.
43:46The howls of both our wolves.
43:48The ones we've been suppressing for so long.
43:51Are you sure?
43:54I'm not where the hell works.
43:57Clean.
43:59Twisted around each other.
44:00The fated mucon locked into place.
44:03Wrapping around our bones, deep and unbreakable.
44:05It drove out every shadow.
44:07Every fear.
44:09Every old wound.
44:10This is happiness.
44:13Oh, please.
44:15I woke up the next morning and in his bed.
44:19Sunlight everywhere.
44:22I kissed his cheek while he slept.
44:24And padded into the bathroom.
44:30Day by day, you'll get alone.
44:32Thank you, Moon Goddess.
44:34I'm so relieved.
44:35The bond was completed in time and I finally survived.
44:43I grabbed his arm and tried to explain.
44:45He pulled away from me.
44:46Hard.
44:47His wolf was coming back up.
44:48I could see the panic and the shame on his face as plain as I saw my own guilt.
44:52And I could see him making a decision.
44:54He turned and walked out.
44:56Without one look back.
44:59I watched him go.
45:01Every step he took crushed something inside me.
45:03Dull pain.
45:04Silent tears.
45:05I knew this was a misunderstanding.
45:07I knew he was leaving because he was afraid of what his wolf would do to me.
45:10I went to his office.
45:11He had his back to me the whole time.
45:12A wall of cold shoulder that wouldn't turn around.
45:15The beta told me, helplessly, that Alex was only afraid of hurting me.
45:19Not intentionally pushing me away.
45:21I knew.
45:23I'd known the whole time.
45:25But what was I supposed to do as his mate if he wouldn't even look at me?
45:32His coldness is scaring me.
45:35Maybe I should just give up.
45:39No.
45:40I'm never giving up.
45:42I love him.
45:43That's enough.
45:43I walked to his office door and raised my fist.
45:46Every knock was the sound of me burning my last bridge.
45:50No answer.
45:51I shoved the door open.
45:52The room was empty.
45:54Only the beta standing by the desk.
45:59His face was cold.
46:00His voice was colder.
46:02He told me Alex was gone.
46:03And even if he weren't, he would refuse to see me.
46:06He said we were never meant to be.
46:08And we ought to stop torturing each other.
46:10Every ounce of strength drained out of me.
46:13I tasted copper from where I'd bitten my lip.
46:15I turned and walked out with my back straight.
46:18Tears blurring my vision.
46:19Every step heavy.
46:21But the thought in my head was getting clearer.
46:23I'm not leaving, Alex.
46:25No matter how you hide.
46:27No matter how hard you push.
46:29I'm never giving up on you.
46:34The room was dark.
46:36Only moonlight.
46:37I was on the floor again.
46:39My back against the wall.
46:40A half-finished glass of something next to me.
46:46I dreamed.
46:47I was back in the forest.
46:48Darkness so thick I couldn't see my own hand.
46:51Wind cutting through me.
46:52Despair pressing in on all sides.
46:54Alex was on the ground.
46:57Pale.
46:57Bloody.
46:58His breath almost gone.
46:59I ran.
47:02Dropped to my knees.
47:03Reached for him.
47:04His eyes abstoked him.
47:06The gentleness was gone.
47:07What looked back at me was pure, hungry violence.
47:10His pupils blazed red.
47:12A roar tore out of his throat, echoing through the trees.
47:16You're just using me!
47:18No!
47:19No!
47:19I truly love you!
47:25Tears ran down my face.
47:27I screamed it at him over and over.
47:30The red in his eyes dimmed.
47:32His hand closed around my throat.
47:34I couldn't breathe.
47:36Death crept in at the edges of my vision.
47:38No!
47:39No!
47:40No!
47:41No!
47:41No!
47:41No!
47:42No!
47:42No!
47:43No!
47:44No!
47:48No!
47:52No!
47:56No!
47:57Jolt awake. Tears still wet on my face. My chest heaving. Cold sweat soaking my hair. And just as
48:05the cold and the hopelessness were about to swallow me whole, a soft, holy voice spoke into my ear.
48:11The chill vanished. In the moonlight, the moon goddess appeared. Her face full of sorrow and
48:16love. I wiped my face and stumbled toward her, my voice shaking. I had to know. How did I save
48:22him?
48:23I couldn't stand watching him be torn apart from the inside while I could do nothing.
48:41Peace, child. I've come to tell you this. You are the answer. Freda, you are the one who
48:54can save him. And yourself.
48:59The moon goddess's words hit me like a bolt of lightning. I froze. My whole body shook.
49:07My lips trembled so hard I couldn't make a sound. I clenched the necklace at my throat. My father
49:14had been a feared and powerful alpha. My mother had been a white witch, born with pure healing
49:19power. Condemned by every pack as a heretic. They had fallen in love across a line that
49:24wasn't supposed to be crossed. And they had been slaughtered for it. Murdered on a stone
49:28altar. Every unexplained moment fell into place at once. Every strange pull I'd felt towards
49:33Alex. Every time his eyes had languored on mine. Every coincidence that hadn't been a coincidence.
49:37All the confusion. All the fear. All the self-doubt I'd been carrying. It shattered. I can save
49:42him. I really can save him. Before I could fully take it in, the door crashed open. Jasper and
49:48Griffin, pale, frantic. Forbidden forest from my dream flashed through my head. I know how
49:54to save him. He must be in the forbidden forest. You're the white witch's daughter?
50:08Griffin grew gentle and relieved. He raised his hand toward the cold moonlight. His voice
50:12was low and solemn. He swore to release me as his mate. From this night on, he would guard
50:17me only as a friend for the rest of his life. A soft white light flared. The bond between
50:22us broke without pain. No regret. Only release. And deep, deep gratitude.
50:29I was almost at the edge of the forbidden forest when a dark shape dropped out of the shadows
50:33behind me. Before I could react, something slammed into the back of my skull. White hot pain rolled
50:42over me like a wave. The dull throb at the back of my head. A sharp cramp in my stomach.
50:50I forced my eyes open in the dim light of a warehouse. Kian and Mia, standing over me,
50:55smiling like snakes. I tried to pull on the power inside me. Nothing. My body wouldn't respond.
51:01Nora didn't answer. Panic. Mia stepped forward and slapped me across the face. Then drove her
51:07fist into my stomach. Pain flooded everything. Blood in my mouth. I forced myself to glare up
51:13at them. Told them Alex would never let them get away with this. Kieran scoffed, unconvinced.
51:18I snarled at him. Called him a traitor. A coward. Mia lost it completely. She slapped me again and
51:24screamed that she was going to destroy me. She turned to the fire pit in the middle of the warehouse
51:29and
51:29pulled a glowing red poker out of the coals. The heat rolled off her. She stepped toward me. She was
51:37closer. I shut my eyes. All I could see was him. All I could think was that I couldn't die
51:43like this. I hadn't saved him yet. I hadn't told him the truth. Let her go!
51:50How the hell are you here? You were supposed to be trapped by the hunters. You're just a monster
51:54who can't control his wolf. You're going to end up killing the people who love you.
52:13That's right. Just like this. Next, you'll strangle the girl you love with your own hands.
52:28I leaned back against the wall. I didn't flinch. I didn't step back. I called his name
52:33through my tears. His body shook. His right hand was holding a dagger, lifting it toward
52:37me. His left hand was clamped around his own right wrist, nails digging into skin, trying
52:42to hold the right hand back. Then he twisted the blade, turned it away from me, toward himself.
52:47I screamed and threw myself at him, grabbed the blade in both hands. The edge cut deep into
52:52my palms. Blood ran down the steel. I didn't feel it. The power sleeping inside me for 18
52:58years woke up. Warmth flooded every cell in my body. My chestnut hair shimmered and shifted
53:03down the length of it, strand by strand, turning pure silver white. The soft, powerful white
53:07light burst out of me. It filled every corner of the warehouse. Every shadow retreated from
53:12it. Every trace of violence dissolved. My palm was still bleeding, but the white light flowing
53:16through me grew warmer and warmer. The ancient, born-in power of a white witch wrapped around me and wrapped
53:21my walls. Strange and familiar all at once. By the lead's my guide. By the blood as my bond,
53:27I banish the darkness. I restore the true heart. By the moon's power, may the shadow lift.
53:35By my blood, may the one I love be saved.
53:51Kieran and Mia were screaming for mercy somewhere behind us. I didn't have any attention left for
53:55them. I could hear Griffin and Jasper bittering near the door, and even that felt warm. Like surviving.
54:01Like coming home. I started to smile. Alex's arm tightened around my waist. He lowered his head
54:07and kissed me. Deep. Urgent. Full of everything we'd almost lost. Everything we'd finally found.
54:13When the kiss ended, he pressed his forehead to mine. The tenderness in his eyes almost undid me.
54:17And I understood completely that we had finally walked out of the dark together.
Comments