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Short filmTranscript
00:08You're wet.
00:09A deep, masculine voice right next to my ear.
00:12Low.
00:13Dangerous.
00:14It made my stomach clench.
00:17My head was fuzzy.
00:19Three scents wrapped around me.
00:21Familiar and not.
00:22One cold against my lips.
00:24One burning at my waist.
00:26One rough between my thighs.
00:28Their hands.
00:29Their mouths.
00:30I couldn't stop trembling.
00:32Three golden bonds coiled tight around our wrists so hot they burned.
00:36Three wolf shadows tangled on the wall above us.
00:39I jolted awake, gasping.
00:44Cold sweat ran down my temple.
00:46My back was soaked through.
00:50My name is Freya Ashwood.
00:53Orphan.
00:54Omega.
00:55Nobody.
00:56I don't remember my parents.
00:58Don't remember where I came from.
01:00Omegas like me were fair game in the pack.
01:03The ones everyone mocked.
01:05Nobody noticed.
01:06But I had Kylan.
01:08My mate.
01:09The new alpha of the pack.
01:16Strong, loyal, everything I'd ever hoped for.
01:19Tomorrow at his coronation, he was going to propose to me in front of the whole pack and name me
01:24his Luna.
01:33My heart was racing just thinking about it.
01:36I picked up the laced Reya box I'd spent weeks preparing.
01:40Today, I would finally become his Luna.
01:45At the ceremony, I tucked the box against my side and kept my eyes locked on Kylan.
01:55He stood on the stage in full ceremonial dress.
01:59My alpha.
02:00My future.
02:01His father announced him as the new alpha.
02:10Kieran took the microphone.
02:13My heart kicked.
02:14My foot was already moving forward.
02:17But his eyes slid past me straight to my adoptive sister Mia.
02:21Mia Ashwood?
02:22My sister?
02:23I understood everything in a single second.
02:26This was a setup.
02:27It had always been a setup.
02:29The whole hall burst into laughter.
02:30Every alpha, every beta, every omega who'd ever looked down on me, now feasting on my humiliation.
02:36Something inside me snapped.
02:38I ran up the steps and grabbed Kieran by the collar, screaming.
02:43He shoved me off like garbage.
02:47Then he looked me dead in the eye and said the words that would end him.
02:51The golden bond between us snapped with a sickening crack.
02:55In the chaos, my lingerie box fell.
02:57The lace spilled across the floor.
02:59My handwritten love note fluttered out.
03:02And the pack, my pack, picked them up, passing them around, laughing.
03:06I begged for them back.
03:08All I got was more laughter.
03:09I grabbed a shard of broken glass off the floor, climbed to my feet, and dragged it across Kieran's face.
03:14He struck me down with one swing.
03:16My head hit the marble.
03:17And then, in front of the entire pack, he publicly sentenced me to the werewolf information school.
03:23Congratulations, little sister.
03:24There are three alphas at that place.
03:27Alex is the worst of them.
03:28A monster.
03:31An absolute devil.
03:44When I opened my eyes again, I was standing at the gates of the Lycan Reform Academy.
03:48A roar of voices.
03:50A crowd surging toward the training grounds.
03:53Screams everywhere.
03:54I was swept along with them, shoved all the way to the front before I could fight it.
04:02In the center of the arena, a man was tied to a wooden board lined with small blades.
04:08Blood everywhere.
04:09Still breathing.
04:10Three massive werewolves stride slowly forward.
04:14Their fur glistens brightly, exuding an overpowering, commanding aura.
04:18In an instant, a burst of harsh light flares up.
04:22And they shift from beast to human all at once.
04:26Revealing stunning, almost impossibly perfect physiques.
04:34Leading them is Alex.
04:35Broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, his sharp, cold features carry a menacing edge.
04:40An eye patch covers his eyes, and a violent, dangerous awarma clings to him, warning everyone to stay away.
04:46Right beside him is Griffin.
04:48His rich, burgundy shirt hangs open wide, putting his defined six-pad on full display.
04:53Bold and devilishly charming, he always wears a teasing, playful smirk on his lips.
04:58On the far side stands Jasper.
05:00Holding a crisp white shirt in his hand, he has a gentle, pure aura with soft, relaxed features.
05:04Like a quiet, elegant gentleman bathed in moonlight, he is the only one of the three who seems entirely harmless.
05:09Wait.
05:10The demons Mia warned me about?
05:12The three men from my dreams?
05:14Alex pulled a knife from his belt and flicked it.
05:18It whistled past the bound man's ear and buried itself in the wood.
05:21The crowd erupted in cheer.
05:24Something inside me broke open.
05:26Every moment of the ceremony came rushing back.
05:29Kieran's face.
05:30Mia's whisper.
05:32The laughter.
05:33I stopped thinking.
05:34I ran out into the center of the ring and planted myself in front of the bound man, screaming up
05:40at Alex.
05:45A blade whistled past my ear.
05:47So close it grazed my lobe and buried itself in the board right between the bound man's legs.
05:52One inch higher and it would have ended him.
05:55Alex was already walking toward me.
05:57Slow.
05:58Predatory.
05:59The crowd stared at me like I was insane.
06:02I forced myself to meet his eyes through the blindfold.
06:06Tried to keep my breathing steady.
06:08It only made him angrier.
06:10He closed the distance.
06:11I thought I was dead.
06:12Then Jaster caught his arm.
06:14I stepped back on instinct.
06:16And hit something warm.
06:18A chest.
06:20Griffins.
06:21He tipped my Chima up with one finger and smirked down at me.
06:25All three of them.
06:26All three men from my dreams.
06:29Who the hell are you?
06:31My name is Freya Ashwith.
06:41What the fuck are you?
06:46Alex's fingers tightened around my neck.
06:48His eyes burned.
06:49Before I could answer, he turned away and spit a mouthful of blood onto the ground.
06:52His face was white as death.
06:54I stumbled back, lungs heaving.
06:55One word in my head.
06:56Run.
06:57I didn't stop until my back hit a cold stone wall.
07:00Only then did I let myself breathe.
07:01That dream.
07:02The faces.
07:03The bonds.
07:05All three of them.
07:06The 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.
07:16I was losing my mind.
07:18I forced my feet to move.
07:20Toward the dormitory.
07:21The 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.
07:30His breath was scorching.
07:32He didn't give me a second to speak.
07:34His mouth crashed down on mine.
07:36Hard.
07:37Devouring.
07:38Like he was trying to break me open and crawl inside.
07:41I shoved him off with everything I had.
07:43And he let me.
07:44He just stood there.
07:45Chest heaving.
07:46His eyes were still red.
07:47But underneath the violence I saw something else.
07:49Pain.
07:50He was fighting something I couldn't see.
07:51I looked down.
07:53The three golden bonds on my wrist were wriggling.
07:55Burning gold.
07:57A horrible thought crossed my mind.
08:01You're...
08:02In 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.
08:11His 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.
08:20Stared at me.
08:20The red in his eyes flickered, and under it I saw raw desire and rower self-hatred.
08:24But his alpha scent kept rolling off him.
08:26Thick, 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.
08:37Frozen.
08:38Their eyes locked on mine.
08:39Pure 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.
09:04I 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.
09:10Warm.
09:11Solid.
09:11Damp.
09:12My face went scar-red.
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.
09:18The 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.
09:32Saw us.
09:33Froze mid-step.
09:35The playful smirk dropped off his face.
09:37Why do you always run the second you see me, sweetheart?
09:39Playing 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.
09:59My 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.
10:57He 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.
11:22Braided together now, white hot.
11:24Binding the four of us like fate itself had reached down and tied the knot.
11:27I bolted up right 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, you 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?
12:19You want me that bad?
12:20I 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.
12:44And he laughed.
12:44A short, remarking breath.
12:46The humiliation hit like a fist.
12:48Without 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.
13:10Every 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.
13:21But I never expected him to grab my wrist harshly.
13:23Slam me hard onto the mat.
13:26Then 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.
13:39His 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 back.
14:00Alex was in the far corner, half 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.
14:12But even through the crowd, I could feel Alex's gaze, cold and unblinking, still pinned on me.
14:17What a strange, terrifying man.
14:19I 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.
14:2618 years of life.
14:27And this was the first time anyone had ever been that gentle with me.
14:32His 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?
14:56Thea?
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.
15:14My wolf only wants my fated mate.
15:16An engine roared behind me.
15:18I 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.
15:25Textbook 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.
15:43I slammed through a door and stumbled inside.
15:46I was three steps in before I registered the urinals against the wall.
15:50Men's locker room.
15:51I turned my back to the door, shaking, peeled off my soaked shirt, and stood there in just
15:56my bra, trying to stop shivering.
15:58A low whistle behind me.
15:59I whirled around.
16:00Griffin was leaning against the doorway.
16:03Arms crossed.
16:04Cocky grin.
16:05Eyes 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.
16:20Change.
16:20Now.
16:30In the hallway, I buttoned Alex's shirt over my wet clothes.
16:33It was enormous.
16:35The sleeves swallowed my hands.
16:36It smelled like him.
16:37Cold, clean, like mountain air.
16:39A poster on the wall caught my eye.
16:41Couples, spinning, laughing, dressed in silk.
16:44My chest twisted.
16:46Someone like me, rejected, humiliated, an Omega nobody wanted.
16:50How could I ever belong on a dance floor like that?
16:53Two girls walked past, whispering 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.
17:05Away from everyone.
17:06A 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.
17:22I took them with both hands.
17:23The scent rose up and made my breath catch.
17:25My heart was doing something stupid.
17:28It 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?
18:03You'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.
18:38My 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,
18:56Freya, you swore you'd never pick another Chiron.
18:59Jasper is the opposite of Chiron.
19:01This is the right choice.
19:02Right?
19:05The night of the dance, I stood in front of the mirror a long time.
19:09My best gown.
19:10A 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.
19:19That gentle energy.
19:21It had to be him.
19:22I gathered every ounce of courage in my body, walked over, and tapped his shoulder.
19:28Then I ducked my head, cheeks burning, and said it before I could chicken out.
19:33I waited, head down, heart going a hundred miles an hour.
19:36A familiar, shocked voice spoke.
19:38From behind me.
19:39I whipped around.
19:41Jasper was standing there.
19:42Behind me.
19:43Then, who had I just confessed to?
19:46Slowly, slowly, slowly, I turned back.
19:48Alex.
19:49Not Jasper.
19:51Alex.
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.
20:13That one small gesture cut through the humiliation.
20:16Tonight, I told myself.
20:18Tonight, I would find out for sure.
20:20I took his hand and squeezed it.
20:23Hard.
20:23I leaned up on my toes.
20:26Closed my eyes.
20:27Tilted my face up.
20:29Waited for the kiss.
20:31And right as his lips brushed mine,
20:34A frantic call rings out right behind him.
20:37He pulled back.
20:38Torn.
20:40Apologetic.
20:42Whispered he'd be right back.
20:44And 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
20:52before 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.
21:04Her 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.
21:13The cherry of the cigarette was a centimeter from my eye.
21:16A 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.
21:32Lazily, like he was applauding his own throw,
21:34and walked away without a backward glance.
21:39Thea was shrieking, looking 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.
21:49She kept going,
21:50straight into a three-tiered cake,
21:52face first.
21:53The ballroom exploded in laughter.
22:06Freya is my mate.
22:08No 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,
22:18full of gratitude.
22:19The music swelled.
22:20I put my hand in his,
22:21and we moved.
22:22I could have stayed in that spin forever.
22:23It was warm.
22:24It was safe.
22:25It was everything I'd wanted my whole life.
22:26Then mid-turn,
22:27another hand caught my wrist
22:28and pulled me off balance.
22:30It fell into a different chest,
22:32hotter,
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
22:42and pulled me closer.
22:43His mouth grew near mine.
22:45He was going to kiss me,
22:46right there,
22:47in front of everyone.
22:48I shoved him off
22:48and stumbled backward.
22:50My heel slipped on the polished floor.
22:51Strong arms caught me
22:52before I hit the ground.
22:53A cold, clean scent.
22:55I knew it before I looked it up.
22:56Alex.
23:01Looking down at me
23:02with the strangest expression.
23:03Something complicated.
23:05Something almost amused.
23:06The blood in my face.
23:07I tried to pull away.
23:09He pulled me back
23:10into his chest
23:10and held me there,
23:11his eyes locking with mine.
23:13I put my hands
23:13against his chest.
23:14Push.
23:15I was going to push,
23:16but I didn't.
23:17He caught one of my hands,
23:19brought my fingertips
23:21to his mouth,
23:22pressed a slow kiss to it,
23:24then ran his tongue
23:25across it
23:26just once.
23:27This was Alex?
23:29This was Alex doing this?
23:31My brain went white.
23:32I closed my eyes.
23:34I leaned in.
23:36He turned his head away
23:37and smiled.
23:38Shame decadated in my chest.
23:40I shoved him off
23:41and ran out of the ballroom,
23:43cursing him the whole way.
23:44Bastard.
23:45Fucking bastard.
23:46I stormed down the corridor
23:47with my head full of fire
23:49and walked straight
23:50into a solid body.
23:51I looked up
23:52and my blood turned to ice.
23:55Kyron.
23:57Well, well.
23:58The little Omega
23:59I kicked out of my pack.
24:01Nice dress.
24:03Who are you trying
24:03to seduce tonight?
24:06Kyron stepped toward me.
24:08Closer.
24:09Closer.
24:09His alpha pressure
24:11made my whole body shake.
24:12My back hit the cold wall.
24:14Nowhere left to go.
24:15Rage and terror
24:16exploded in me
24:17at the same time.
24:18I shoved him
24:18with everything I had.
24:19He threw me to the ground
24:20like I weighed nothing.
24:22My forehead cracked
24:23against a stone pillar.
24:24Blood ran down
24:25into my eyebrow.
24:27He loomed over me.
24:28Reached down.
24:30Ripped the slit
24:30of my ground wide open.
24:32Before his hand
24:33could touch my skin,
24:34blue light flared
24:35in my eyes.
24:36Something took over my body.
24:38My fist moved without me.
24:40It slammed into his face
24:41hard enough to break bone.
24:43All the strength
24:44drained out of me
24:45in an instant.
24:46Black spots
24:46and then nothing.
24:48When I woke up,
24:49I was in my room.
24:50The air smelled
24:51like antiseptic.
24:52Alex was sitting
24:53on the edge of the bed
24:54with a cotton ball,
24:55carefully dabbing
24:56at the cut on my forehead.
24:57His touch was
24:58unbelievably gentle.
25:00Nothing like the man
25:01who had pushed me off
25:02on the training mat.
25:03I ask softly
25:04if he's the one
25:05who saved me.
25:05He immediately snaps back
25:07with sharp, harsh words
25:08to lecture me.
25:09I shoved him
25:09and turned my face
25:10to the wall.
25:11The air went dangerous.
25:12I could feel the pressure
25:13drop in the room.
25:14But he didn't come after me.
25:15He just sat back down.
25:17His eyes dropped to my leg.
25:18And then his hand
25:19closed around my ankle.
25:20The heat of his fingertips
25:21made me jump.
25:22The whole room went quiet,
25:24just our breathing.
25:25His thumb moved slowly
25:26across my skin,
25:27so gentle it was almost worse.
25:28My hands fisted
25:30in the sheets.
25:31He brought out
25:31a tube of salive,
25:32lifted my leg
25:33with both hands,
25:34and applied it
25:35around the bruise,
25:36careful not to press down.
25:37He was barely breathing.
25:39This place is dangerous, Freya.
25:41Every year,
25:42wolves die here.
25:43Omgas disappear.
25:45I don't want it
25:46to happen to you.
25:47So you came here
25:48for me?
25:48Alpha's saliva heals
25:50faster than medicine.
25:51Close your eyes.
25:52I closed them.
25:53His hands lifted my calf.
25:55His lips pressed gently
25:56against the cut.
25:58His tongue traced
25:59the sore, swollen skin
26:01around it.
26:01And a shock of heat
26:03ran all the way
26:04up my body.
26:04I stopped breathing.
26:21You're not actually
26:23that bad, you know?
26:27I stared into his eyes.
26:29Something swirled in them
26:30I couldn't name.
26:31My throat closed.
26:33I couldn't speak.
26:34He leaned in.
26:35His breath fared
26:36across my lips.
26:37We were close enough
26:38to feel each other trembling.
26:40The air between us
26:41was going to burn.
26:42Bang.
26:42The door flew open.
26:45Griffin.
26:45Two ice cream cones
26:47in his hands.
26:48A big stupid grin
26:49on his face.
26:50The grin froze
26:51the second he saw us.
26:52I panicked.
26:54Shoved Alex away.
26:55Snatched the salve tube
26:56out of his hand.
26:57I bolted into the bathroom
26:58and slammed the door.
27:00Leaned back against it.
27:01My heart was trying
27:02to punch through my chest.
27:04Inside,
27:05I sat down on the tile.
27:06Shaking.
27:07And tried to put Sam
27:08on my own leg.
27:09My mind kept replaying it.
27:11His mouth.
27:13His eyes.
27:14The tremor in his fingers.
27:15The fact that I wanted him
27:17to keep going.
27:18I decided on Jasper.
27:20I was going to sever
27:21the other two bonds.
27:22So why had my body
27:23lit up at Alex's touch?
27:25Why was I suddenly
27:26doubting everything?
27:27Was I...
27:28falling for him?
27:29No.
27:30Absolutely not.
27:31I knew what Kieran
27:32had looked like
27:33before he destroyed me.
27:34Cold.
27:35Distant.
27:36Impossible to reach.
27:37Alex was the same type.
27:39My type.
27:40The type I was going
27:40to die reaching for.
27:42No.
27:43I wanted a real relationship
27:44this time.
27:45Respect.
27:46Honesty.
27:46Not being played with
27:47until I broke.
27:49Another cough racked my chest.
27:50Copper in my mouth.
27:52Blood in the sink.
27:53I looked up at the mirror.
27:54Pale.
27:55Bloody lip.
27:56Hollow eyes.
27:57I couldn't let Alex
27:59confuse me anymore.
28:00I had to complete
28:02the bond with Jasper.
28:03Soon.
28:04Before I died.
28:08In the training hall,
28:09I kept glancing
28:10toward the door,
28:11waiting for Jasper
28:12to come back
28:13so I could tell him
28:14what I'd decided.
28:15Thea appeared
28:16in front of me instead,
28:18holding a training ball,
28:19her eyes narrow.
28:21She threw it at me.
28:24I took it on the shoulder.
28:26She threw another.
28:27I took it on the ribs.
28:29On the third one,
28:31something in me snapped.
28:33I grabbed the ball
28:34and hurled it back.
28:35It hit her in the forehead
28:36and put her flat on her back.
28:38Blood bloomed from her hairline.
28:40The whole hall went dead silent.
28:41Every teacher,
28:42every student,
28:43staring at me.
28:43The instructor told Jasper
28:45to take Thea to the infirmary.
28:46Then he told me to stay after class
28:47and clean the entire training hall.
28:49My punishment.
28:50And Freya,
28:51you can stay behind
28:52and clean this entire jam.
28:54I swallowed the injustice
28:56the way I'd swallowed
28:57every other injustice.
28:59Nobody cared about
29:00One Omega's side of the story.
29:02After class,
29:03it was just me
29:04in the echoing,
29:05empty hall,
29:06dragging a mope
29:07across the floor.
29:08Cold condensation
29:09pressed against my cheek.
29:10I looked up.
29:12Alex.
29:14He says he'll train me personally
29:16and teach me how to control
29:18my inner power.
29:19I stare at him,
29:21half believe
29:21and half doubtful.
29:23We squared off
29:24with wooden stahls.
29:27Old school,
29:28bare bones combat.
29:30He was an alpha
29:31and a top one.
29:32His speed and strength
29:33were a different species
29:34from mine.
29:35I could only fall back,
29:37block, stumble,
29:39keep breathing.
29:41But I didn't notice it at first.
29:43Last time we'd trained,
29:45I couldn't block
29:46a single one of his strikes.
29:48Tonight,
29:49I was holding my own
29:50for rounds at a time.
29:51Watching Alex's figure
29:52walking toward me
29:53from afar,
29:54I realized for the first time
29:55that he might not be
29:56as brutal and bloodthirsty
29:58as everyone claims.
29:59He hands me a bottle
30:00of water thoughtfully
30:01and asks why I keep
30:02putting up with
30:03unfair treatment
30:04when I possess
30:04such great power.
30:06Truth is,
30:07who even knew
30:07I had that much
30:08strength inside me.
30:10I tighten my grip
30:11on the water bottle
30:12and for the first time,
30:14I told someone,
30:16no father,
30:18no mother.
30:19From the moment
30:20I had memory,
30:21I was just the adopted girl
30:22in the Ashwood house.
30:25The Ashwoods
30:26were old Ridgepack nobility.
30:28They didn't mistreat me.
30:30They just didn't see me.
30:32I existed to make
30:34Mia look better.
30:35Even when the moon goddess
30:36picked Kiran for me,
30:37even when I had a mate,
30:39nothing changed.
30:40Mia only got worse.
30:42And then I got discarded
30:44and ended up here.
30:46Alex listened.
30:48The whole time.
30:49Not once did his face
30:51flicker with pity or contempt.
30:52Just a quiet,
30:53aching softness.
30:54He wasn't used
30:55to comforting anyone.
30:56His ears went pink.
30:58When I looked at him
30:58with tears in my eyes,
31:00he looked away,
31:01flustered.
31:03I couldn't help it.
31:05I started laughing.
31:07Time for the next train.
31:08He came at me.
31:11I took a breath
31:12and swung at him hard.
31:13He slipped to the side.
31:14I overcommitted.
31:16I was going to fall.
31:18He spun and caught me.
31:19His arm around my waist.
31:21His chest against my back.
31:23His breath at my neck.
31:24Our heart beats
31:25in the same too-fast rhythm.
31:27Out of the corner of my eye,
31:28a flash of color.
31:29Griffin had come in
31:30with a broom.
31:31He'd stopped dead.
31:33His face twisted.
31:34He threw the broom down
31:36so hard it bounced.
31:37Turned around.
31:39And stormed out of the hall.
31:40That night,
31:41I bought a milkshake.
31:43His favorite flavor.
31:44And stood outside Alex's door.
31:46Working up the courage to knock.
31:51Asper.
31:52Do 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.
32:01The listening.
32:02The gentleness.
32:03All of it was a lie.
32:04He'd been getting close to me
32:05so he could get to my sister.
32:07I bit down on my lip
32:09and forced the tears back.
32:10Threw the milkshake
32:11in the nearest trash cans.
32:14I was there maybe two minutes
32:16before 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
32:25that always drove me insane.
32:27I shoved him
32:29but he was built like a wall
32:30and I couldn't move him an inch.
32:32The tears finally spilled over
32:34and I couldn't stop them.
32:36Don't hate.
32:37Don't do that.
32:38Come on.
32:40Tell me what you want
32:41and I'll get it for you.
32:42Anything.
32:43I want someone honest.
32:45Someone who respects me.
32:46Someone who won't lie to me.
32:48Not someone who says
32:49pretty things he doesn't mean.
33:10Is this obvious enough?
33:12I'm flirting with you, Freya.
33:14I want to be your mate.
33:16For real.
33:23Bang.
33:24The door flew open.
33:25Cold air rushed in.
33:27I panicked,
33:28shoved Griffin back
33:29and fumbled to straighten my clothes.
33:31I looked up.
33:32Alec.
33:33His face was like carved stone.
33:35His eyes were burning.
33:37Everything I'd been holding back all night,
33:39the hurt, the betrayal,
33:40the mortication,
33:41came out as a sneer.
33:42What are you even doing here?
33:43Aren't you supposed to be
33:44on your date with my sister?
33:45His eyes swept over Griffin's bare chest.
33:48The wolf inside him rumbered.
33:49A sound I could feel in my ribs.
33:51Griffin had it by the collar.
33:53Alec wrenched Griffin's hand off
33:54and walked out into the living room
33:55straight into Jasper.
33:57Jasper smiled at him
33:58and held out an invitation.
33:59Alec exploded.
34:00The door slammed hard enough
34:01to rattle the frames on the walls.
34:03Jasper stood there blinking.
34:04Me and Griffin stared at the floor.
34:06Jasper's birthday party was bright and loud,
34:08full of laughing wolves and formal clothes.
34:09I found a corner and started drinking.
34:11Alec's betrayal.
34:13Griffin's confession.
34:15Jasper's steady kindness.
34:16The moon goddess's warning.
34:18All of it tangled together in my head
34:20like a net pulling tight.
34:22The more I drank,
34:23the fuzzier things got.
34:24Griffin rushed over
34:25and tried to take my glass.
34:26I slapped his hand away.
34:28A harsh cough tore through me.
34:29I tasted copper.
34:31Blood dripped onto my dress,
34:32bright red against the pale silk.
34:34I pushed through the crowd
34:36and locked myself in the bathroom.
34:38Leaned on the sink.
34:39The 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
34:44or I'm really gonna die.
34:45Pounding on the door.
34:48Griffin's worried voice.
34:49I shouted back at him to leave me alone.
34:51I stared at myself in the mirror.
34:53The decision clicked into place.
34:54I wasn't going to die.
34:55Not like this.
34:56I straightened my dress,
34:57pulled that thing out of my clutch
34:58and gripped it hard enough
34:58that 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.
35:06He 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
35:12and hit the floor between us.
35:13He saw it.
35:14He walked me backward
35:15until I was pinned
35:16between the vanity and his body.
35:19Lifted me onto the counter
35:20like I weighed nothing.
35:23His thumb brushed the corner of my mouth.
35:25He forced my face up to his.
35:26His voice was low
35:27and thick with rage,
35:28barely held back.
35:29Then he kissed me.
35:29It was a punishing kiss.
35:31Teeth and tongue
35:31and discipline and desperation
35:32all at once.
35:33He left a mark on my neck.
35:34His arms caged me against the mirror.
35:36Through the door,
35:37Jasper called my name.
35:38A wave of cold water down my spine.
35:40And then a wave of something hotter
35:41right behind it.
35:42I hooked my arm around Alex's neck,
35:44pulled him into the nearest stot
35:45and slammed the door.
35:46Through the lock,
35:47pressed him against the partition
35:48and kissed him with everything I had.
35:49My hand went straight for his belt.
35:51The knocking got closer.
35:52It stopped right outside the stall.
35:53Jasper's voice,
35:54gentle and anxious,
35:55came through the metal.
35:56Alex went rogered.
35:57The heat drained out of his eyes
35:58and was replaced with something worse.
36:00Betrayal.
36:00He slammed his fist into the stall door.
36:02The whole cubicle shook.
36:04The 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?
36:12Freya, would you spread your legs
36:13for 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.
36:19And then you turned around
36:20and called my sister.
36:21You're no better than every other person
36:22who's ever looked down on me
36:24and used me.
36:25Were you jealous?
36:25Did you actually care?
36:27Why would I be jealous of you?
36:28You're a self-absorbed asshole.
36:31You mean nothing to me.
36:32Nothing.
36:33Absolutely nothing.
36:34Nothing.
36:35Nothing.
36:35Nothing.
36:37Nothing.
36:38Nothing.
36:38Nothing.
36:39Nothing.
36:40In class the next morning,
36:41the fight kept replaying in my head.
36:42Nora's voice kept pushing through.
36:44Weaker.
36:44The dull ache in my chest
36:46was a clock ticking down.
36:47A folded note slid onto my desk.
36:49Jasper's handwriting.
36:51Something gentle and careful.
36:53My eyes burned.
36:55I looked up and found him watching me.
36:57His eyes full of quiet worry.
37:00Thea saw it.
37:00Her face contorted.
37:02A paper ball thumbed against my back.
37:03I opened it.
37:05Seven words.
37:06Rooftop.
37:06Eight tonight.
37:07Come alone.
37:10The wind was cold on the rooftop.
37:12My skirt snapped around my legs.
37:13I gripped the note and walked to the center.
37:14My heart full of hope.
37:15Jasper was finally going to let me tell him.
37:17A sneer cut through the wind.
37:18Thea 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
37:24and slammed me onto the concrete.
37:26The cold of the rooftop cut through my dress.
37:28I kicked.
37:29I 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 draw 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.
37:45My muscles went slack.
37:46I couldn't fight anymore.
37:48I tried to scream.
37:49The wind swallowed it.
37:50And just as I was about to go under,
37:52the rooftop door exploded inward.
37:54Alex.
37:54His eyes blood red.
37:55A killing aura coming off him in waves.
37:57He didn't say a word.
37:58He knocked Thea and her friends flat.
37:59Grabbed him like he was the last solid thing in the world.
38:02I threw myself at him, babbling, begging.
38:04He stiffened.
38:05I could see him trying to be responsible.
38:07Trying to push me off so he could find the antidote.
38:09But my flushed face.
38:11My desperate eyes.
38:12My tears.
38:13The wall inside him cracked.
38:14He whispered against my ear, gragged and rough.
38:17The heat in my body and the panic of my chest round tied around each other.
38:19He kept holding me, kissing me, kissing me with five minutes.
38:21He was heightened in darkness.
38:22Safe.
38:23When 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.
38:29Jasper.
38:29He came in with a glass of warm water, his eyes full of water.
38:31The door suddenly bursts open.
38:32Griffin storms in, clearly furious, and urgently asks where Alex is, saying he's gone missing.
38:36What 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.
38:43He'll die.
38:43We have to find him before sunrise.
38:45So Alex has been fighting the wolf this whole time?
38:47That was why he kept shoving me away?
38:57In the dream, I was in a wasted forest.
39:00Moonlight.
39:01Alex slumped against a tree.
39:03Shirt soaked with blood.
39:05Cuts everywhere.
39:06I grabbed his hand and sobbed that I wasn't angry anymore.
39:10That every misunderstanding was gone.
39:12Pain ripped through my head and I snapped awake.
39:15Cold sweat on my forehead.
39:17The full moon still hung outside the window.
39:20One thought in my whole body.
39:22Find him.
39:26I threw on a coat and ran.
39:27Straight for the forbidden forest.
39:29I knew where he was.
39:29He was in the most dangerous place there was and the place he needed me most.
39:33The night was like ink.
39:34The branches twisted overhead like claws.
39:36The wind howled through dead leaves, cutting at my face.
39:38I stumbled forward.
39:39My dress tore on every other branch.
39:40My bare feet bled on the rocks.
39:42None of it mattered.
39:43Under an old tree, I found him.
39:44Collapsed.
39:45Soaked in blood.
39:46New wounds still bleeding.
39:47Mud and dead leaves clung to him.
39:48His breathing was so shallow, I could barely see it.
39:51Alex!
39:54Alex, stay with me.
39:59Gun!
40:04I wasn't contentacting Mia for a date.
40:07I believe you.
40:09There's someone inside the academy.
40:11They're working with the hunters.
40:13They want me dead.
40:14Protecting you.
40:14The man he tied up at the start of term.
40:16It had to be.
40:16They'd been after Alex from the beginning.
40:18I'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.
40:34I adjusted the flame for the fifth time.
40:36All I could think about was him.
40:38The whole night, I'd dreamed of him.
40:41The way he'd leaned against me.
40:42That fragile, unberservable vulnerability.
40:45How every breath had pained him.
40:47I just wanted him to wake up to something warm.
40:50Something to make him heal faster.
40:52Every 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.
41:01And give it to him.
41:02A gentle voice came from the doorway.
41:05Jasper.
41:05In loose clothes, hair 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.
41:16The spoon fell out of my hand and hit the plate with a sharp ring.
41:19Where was he?
41:21Who was going to take care of him?
41:23What if someone found him again?
41:25I got two steps before Jasper was in front of me.
41:28His body warm against the cold wall behind me.
41:31His breath on my forehead.
41:33He was close enough to kiss.
41:34If I tilted up one inch, I could.
41:36I'm not going to let you go.
41:38Come back to my territory with me.
41:41If you choose me, I'll announce you as my Luna in front of my whole pack.
41:46I'll protect you for the rest of my life.
41:49No more misunderstandings.
41:51No more hurt.
41:52I looked into his sunlit face.
41:54At the warmth in his eyes.
41:55At the sincerity of everything he was.
41:57And my mind kept dragging up another face.
41:59Another man.
42:00A Alex.
42:01Alex against my chest in the forest.
42:03Vulnerable and bleeding.
42:05Alex biting back his wolf so he wouldn't hurt me.
42:07Alex, broken, aching, terrified.
42:10Still somehow trying to keep me safe.
42:13It hit me in waves.
42:14Every moment of him.
42:16It drowned out the gentle warmth standing right in front of me.
42:20Wait.
42:23The silence cracked everything.
42:26Jasper froze.
42:27The hope in his eyes faded slowly.
42:29Replaced by something softer.
42:31Understanding.
42:32He stepped back.
42:33He ran his hand over my hair once.
42:35Gently.
42:35And smiled.
42:37No blame.
42:38Only release.
42:39He helped me get to Alex's packed territory.
42:41At the border.
42:42He solemnly severed our bond.
42:45The pain was shattering.
42:47Like something tearing out of my lips.
42:49I looked up into Jasper's tired, quiet eyes.
42:52The guilt was a knife.
42:54But I had no other choice.
42:56The cards overwashed.
42:57The bond backlash slammed into me.
42:59I doubled over and coughed up blood onto the gravel.
43:02I used the last of my strength to stagger into Alex's wing of the estate.
43:06He was sitting on the edge of the bed drinking coffee.
43:08Sunlight on his face.
43:10He looked up.
43:11Saw me.
43:12Bloody.
43:13Dirty.
43:13Barely standing.
43:14And his face went white.
43:16I didn't hesitate it.
43:17I launched across the wing of the moth into a flame.
43:20I 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, cool-looking man was what I wanted.
43:36I fumbled with the buttons on his shirt.
43:39The more I hurried, the clumsier I got.
43:42All I could feel, horror was him getting harder against me burning through two layers of fabric.
43:47The howls of both our wolves.
43:49The ones we've been suppressing for so long.
43:54You sure?
43:55I'm not willing to relax.
43:57And I'm thinking, and this is what I'm doing.
43:59Twisted around each other.
44:01The faded macron locked into press, wrapping around our bones, deep and unbreakable.
44:06It drove out every shadow, every fear, every old wound.
44:16I woke up the next morning and in his bed.
44:20Sunlight everywhere.
44:22I kissed his cheek while he slept.
44:25And patted into the bathroom.
44:30Day by day, you'll get along.
44:33Thank you, moon goddess.
44:35I'm so relieved.
44:36The bond was completed in time, and I finally survived.
44:43I grabbed his arm and tried to explain.
44:46He pulled away from me.
44:47Hard.
44:48His wolf was coming back up.
44:49I could see the panic and the shame on his face as plain as I saw my own guilt.
44:53And I could see him making a decision.
44:55He turned and walked out, without one look back.
45:00I watched him go.
45:01Every step he took crushed something inside me.
45:04Dull pain.
45:05Silent 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.
45:12He had his back to me the whole time.
45:13A wall of cold shoulder that wouldn't turn around.
45:16The beta told me, helplessly, that Alex was only afraid of hurting me.
45:20Not intentionally pushing me away.
45:23I knew.
45:23I'd known the whole time.
45:26But what was I supposed to do as his mate if he wouldn't even look at me?
45:33His coldness is scaring me.
45:36Maybe I should just give up.
45:40No.
45:41I'm never giving up.
45:42I love him.
45:43That's enough.
45:44I walked to his office door and raised my fist.
45:47Every knock was the sound of me burning my last bridge.
45:50No answer.
45:51I shoved the door open.
45:53The room was empty.
45:55Only the beta, standing by the desk.
45:59His face was cold.
46:01His voice was colder.
46:02He told me Alex was gone.
46:04And even if he weren't, he would refuse to see me.
46:07He said we were never meant to be.
46:09And we ought to stop torturing each other.
46:11Every ounce of strength drained out of me.
46:13I tasted copper from where I'd bitten my lip.
46:16I turned and walked out with my back straight.
46:18Tears blurring my vision.
46:20Every step heavy.
46:21But the thought in my head was getting clearer.
46:24I'm not leaving, Alex.
46:26No matter how you hide.
46:28No matter how hard you push.
46:30I'm never giving up on you.
46:35The room was dark.
46:36Only moonlight.
46:38I was on the floor again.
46:40My back against the wall.
46:41A half-finished glass of something next to me.
46:46I dreamed.
46:48I was back in the forest.
46:49Darkness so thick I couldn't see my own hand.
46:52Wind cutting through me.
46:53Despair pressing in on all sides.
46:55Alex was on the ground.
46:57Pale.
46:58Bloody.
46:59His breath almost gone.
47:00I ran.
47:03Dropped to my knees.
47:04Reached for him.
47:05His eyes have stoked him.
47:07The gentleness was gone.
47:08What looked back at me was pure, hungry violence.
47:11His pupils blazed red.
47:13A roar tore out of his throat, echoing through the trees.
47:17You're just using me!
47:19No!
47:20I truly love you!
47:26Tears running down my face.
47:28I screamed it at him over and over.
47:31The red in his eyes deepened.
47:33His hand closed around my throat.
47:35I couldn't breathe.
47:37Death crept in at the edges of my vision.
47:42And then, just as I was about to lose everything,
47:45the red in his eyes deepened.
47:47His hand flew off my neck.
47:49A single tear dropped onto my face.
47:51I stared up at him.
47:53The violent version of him.
47:54The one that had almost killed me.
47:56He was crying.
47:57I jolt awake.
47:59Tears still wet on my face.
48:01My chest heaving.
48:03Cold sweat soaking my hair.
48:05And just as the cold and the hopelessness were about to swallow me whole,
48:09a soft, holy voice spoke into my ear.
48:12The chill vanished.
48:14In the moonlight, the moon goddess appeared.
48:16Her face full of sorrow and love.
48:18I wiped my face and stumbled toward her,
48:20my voice shaking.
48:21I had to know.
48:22How did I save him?
48:24I couldn't stand watching him be torn apart from the inside while I could do nothing.
48:38I couldn't stand watching him be torn apart from the inside while I could do nothing.
48:42Peace, child.
48:44I've come to tell you this.
48:46You are the answer.
48:50Freda.
48:53You are the one who can save him.
48:56And yourself.
48:59The moon goddess's words hit me like a bolt of lightning.
49:04I froze.
49:05My whole body shook.
49:08My lips trembled so hard I couldn't make a sound.
49:12I clenched the necklace at my throat.
49:14My father had been a feared and powerful alpha.
49:17My mother had been a white witch, born with pure healing power, condemned by every pack as a heretic.
49:23They had fallen in love across a line that wasn't supposed to be crossed, and they had been slaughtered for
49:27it.
49:28Murdered on a stone altar.
49:30Every unexplained moment fell into place at once.
49:32Every strange pull I'd felt towards Alex.
49:34Every time his eyes had languished on mine.
49:36Every coincidence that hadn't been a coincidence.
49:38All the confusion, all the fear, all the self-doubt I'd been carrying.
49:41It shattered.
49:42I can save him.
49:43I really can save him.
49:45Before I could fully take it in, the door crashed open.
49:49Jasper and Griffin, pale, frantic.
49:51Forbidden forest from my dream flashed through my head.
49:55I know how to save him.
49:56He must be in the forbidden forest.
50:05You're the white witch's daughter?
50:08Griffin grew gentle and relieved.
50:10He raised his hand toward the cold moonlight.
50:13His voice was low and solemn.
50:14He swore to release me as his mate.
50:16From this night on, he would guard me only as a friend for the rest of his life.
50:20A soft white light flared.
50:22The bond between us broke without pain.
50:24No regret.
50:25Only release.
50:27And deep, deep gratitude.
50:30I was almost at the edge of the forbidden forest when a dark shape dropped out of the shadow behind
50:35me.
50:37Before I could react, something slammed into the back of my skull.
50:41White hot pain rolled over me like a wave.
50:47The dull throb at the back of my head.
50:49A sharp cramp in my stomach.
50:51I forced my eyes open in the dim light of a warehouse.
50:54Kian and Mia, standing over me, smiling like snakes.
50:58I tried to pull on the power inside me.
51:00Nothing.
51:01My body wouldn't respond.
51:02Nora didn't answer.
51:04Panic.
51:04Mia stepped forward and slapped me across the face.
51:07Then drove her fist into my stomach.
51:09Pain flooded everything.
51:11Blood in my mouth.
51:12I forced myself to glare up at them.
51:15Told them Alex would never let them get away with this.
51:17Kieran scoffed, unconvinced.
51:19I snarled at him.
51:20Called him a traitor.
51:21A coward.
51:22Mia lost it completely.
51:24She slapped me again and screamed that she was going to destroy me.
51:27She turned to the fire pit in the middle of the warehouse and pulled a glowing red poker out of
51:31the coals.
51:32The heat rolled off her.
51:33She stepped toward me.
51:35She was going to burn out my eyes.
51:37The heat got closer.
51:38I shut my eyes.
51:40All I could see was him.
51:42All I could think was that I couldn't die like this.
51:44I hadn't saved him yet.
51:46I hadn't told him the truth.
51:48Let her go!
51:50How the hell are you here?
51:52You were supposed to be trapped by the hunters.
51:54You're just a monster who can't control his wolf.
51:57You're going to end up killing the people who love you.
52:05Wait!
52:06Wait!
52:06Wait!
52:07Wait!
52:07Wait!
52:08Wait!
52:09Wait!
52:09Wait!
52:14That's right!
52:15Just like this.
52:17Next, you'll strangle the girl you love with your own hands.
52:29i leaned back against the wall i didn't flinch i didn't step back i called his name through my
52:34tears his body shook his right hand was holding a dagger lifting it toward me his left hand was
52:40clamped around his own right wrist nails digging into skin trying to hold the right hand back
52:44then he twisted the blade turned it away from me toward himself i screamed and threw myself at him
52:50grabbed the blade in both hands the edge cut deep into my palms blood ran down the steel i didn't
52:56feel
52:56it the power sleeping inside me for 18 years woke up warmth flooded every cell in my body my chestnut
53:02hair shimmered and shifted down the length of it strand by strand turning pure silver white a soft
53:08powerful white light burst out of it it filled every corner of the warehouse every shadow retreated
53:12from it every trace of violence dissolved my palm was still bleeding but the white light flowing
53:17through me grew warmer and warmer the ancient born in power of a white witch wrapped around me and
53:22wrapped around me strange and familiar all at once by the light my guide by the blood as my bond
53:28i 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
53:52kieran and mia were screaming for mercy somewhere behind us i didn't have any attention left for them
53:57i could hear griffin and jasper bittering near the door and even that felt warm
54:01like surviving like coming home i started to smile alex's arm tightened around my waist
54:07he lowered his head and kissed me deep urgent full of everything we'd almost lost everything we'd
54:13finally found when the kiss ended he pressed his forehead to mine the tenderness in his eyes almost
54:18undid me and i understood completely that we had finally walked out of the dark together
54:22but i'm funny
54:22so
54:22you
54:23you
54:24you
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