- 5 hours ago
Elara’s Vengeance A Luna Reborn - FULL
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Short filmTranscript
00:00On my bonding ceremony with Caleb, his mistress Sarah slipped a sterility potion into my cup.
00:05When it was discovered, she only sobbed.
00:08I didn't mean to hurt Alara. Who knew she would really drink it?
00:12She fell to her knees.
00:13I, Sarah, will pay for my mistake. I'll enter the pack as a lesser mate.
00:18Any pups I bear will be raised by the Luna.
00:21Caleb pulled me aside.
00:23Alara, as the true Luna, you should be generous. Sarah will bear the pups for you.
00:28What more could you want?
00:30From that moment, I became the Luna who could not give birth.
00:34Sarah and Caleb shared a life full of warmth.
00:36Two sons. Two daughters.
00:38After that, everyone in the city knew Sarah.
00:41No one remembered the true Luna existed.
00:44One day, Caleb and Sarah appeared at my bedside, smiling.
00:47Alara, you've held the Luna's seat long enough.
00:50Without your family's support securing Caleb's rise, you wouldn't have sat there at all.
00:56Caleb's face was cold.
00:57Alara, I will be crowned as the new king tomorrow.
01:01The Luna title belongs to Sarah.
01:03If you're still alive, how could that happen?
01:07They poured poison down my throat.
01:09I died the day Caleb was became the king.
01:12When I opened my eyes, I was back.
01:15My bonding day.
01:16The hostess called across the bonding chamber.
01:19Alpha and Luna, drink from the Union Cup.
01:22I stared at the cup in front of me.
01:24Sarah was careless.
01:25The powder she'd used hadn't even been wiped clean off the rim.
01:28A cold calm settled over me.
01:30I reached over and swapped my cup for Caleb's, pushed mine toward him.
01:34I lowered my lashes, let a soft flush color my cheeks.
01:37I'd like us to swap cups, my lord.
01:40I heard it makes the bond last longer.
01:43The hostess clapped.
01:44That's right.
01:45You and me, me and you.
01:47That's how love lasts.
01:50Caleb raised his cup.
01:51We drank.
01:52The guests cheered.
01:53The cups hadn't hit the table before the doors burst open.
01:56A bright laugh filled the room.
01:58Oh my.
02:00You already drank?
02:02That is Sarah, dressed in soft, flattering layers.
02:05When she saw the empty cup in front of me, her hand flew to her mouth.
02:08Her eyes immediately filled with tears.
02:11She turned to Caleb.
02:12My lord, I'm so sorry.
02:14I only wanted to tease the Luna.
02:16I put something in her cup.
02:17I gasped, stumbled back.
02:19Let my face go white.
02:20Who are you?
02:21Why would you drug my drink?
02:23The room went still.
02:24A guest stepped forward.
02:26Miss Sarah, tonight is the Alpha's binding night.
02:30How could you think this was acceptable?
02:32Caleb stood, stepped in front of Sarah, shielded her.
02:36He frowned at me.
02:37Luna, this is Sarah.
02:38We grew up together.
02:40She's always been a little reckless.
02:42Don't make a scene.
02:43Then he turned to Sarah.
02:45His tone firmed.
02:46Miss Sarah, I ignored them both.
02:48What exactly did you put in my cup?
02:50My attendant snapped, too.
02:52Fetch the pack, healer.
02:53Now!
02:54Sarah grabbed Caleb's sleeve, sobbed into it.
02:57My lord, I wasn't trying to hurt anyone.
02:59I passed an apathry in the market and saw someone selling a fertility-blocking potion.
03:05I just wanted to scare her a little, make her more obedient to you.
03:09I planned to rush in before you drank, but I tripped outside, got there a second too late.
03:16I pressed a hand to my chest.
03:18Fertility-blocking potion?
03:21That cup was a gift from the High Council.
03:24You dared to temper with it?
03:26I looked at the guards.
03:27Take her.
03:28Sarah shrieked.
03:29She buried her face in Caleb's chest.
03:31My lord, I swear I didn't mean it.
03:33And besides, who knows if that potion even works?
03:37It could be fake!
03:38Are you going to have me punished for something that might not even be real?
03:42Caleb held her gently, looked at me over her head.
03:44Alara, Sarah's young.
03:47She didn't mean to go this far.
03:50You're my Luna.
03:52Bonded properly.
03:53Even if you drank it, I won't abandon you.
03:55Your place is secure.
03:57Sarah's tear-reddened eyes found mine.
03:59She hit the floor with a thud.
04:01Wept openly.
04:02It's all my fault.
04:03I'm so sorry, Luna.
04:05Since the Luna can no longer carry pups, I'll enter the pack as a lesser mate.
04:09Every pup I carry will be raised under her name.
04:12Same lines word for word.
04:13Just like last time, this time.
04:15I wasn't going to be a fool.
04:16I let my face go cold.
04:18You tampered with the High Council's bonding cup.
04:22To block the Alpha's bloodline.
04:24That's a crime against the pack.
04:27That's a death sentence.
04:29Caleb pulled Sarah upright.
04:30Frowned at me.
04:31She wasn't trying to harm anyone.
04:33Are you really calling for execution over a potion that might not even work?
04:37He said it like I was the one making trouble.
04:39I looked at him.
04:40That face.
04:41That careless, dismissive expression.
04:43He wore it last time too.
04:45Every single time.
04:46Last time I swallowed it.
04:48Thought it meant I was dignified.
04:49It only played into their hands.
04:51I pressed my nails into my palm.
04:53Turned to face Sarah directly.
04:54She poisoned your Luna in front of the whole pack.
04:57And you're defending her.
04:59Remember who I am.
05:00Don't act like what she did means nothing.
05:02The commotion spread.
05:03What's done is done.
05:04What more do you want?
05:05She didn't do it on Intermpus.
05:07The guests outside heard everything.
05:09Alpha's mother personal attendant swept in.
05:12Alpha's mother says this cannot escalate.
05:14Sarah will be punished.
05:16But tonight is the bonding ceremony.
05:18The pack's reputation is at stake.
05:20Of course it didn't matter.
05:21It wasn't happening to them.
05:23I looked up at Caleb.
05:25My lord.
05:26Do you truly think what she did was a small thing?
05:30Caleb was still murmuring to Sarah.
05:32He barely glanced at me.
05:34Fine.
05:34She'll copy the pack conduct codes ten times.
05:37No more disruptions.
05:39Ten times of conduct codes.
05:40For drugging Luna.
05:42I almost laughed.
05:43Good thing.
05:43I wasn't the one who drank the drugged cup.
05:45A female guest nearby winced.
05:47Luna, you should still have the healer check on you.
05:49Yes.
05:50Maybe there's still something that can be done.
05:52No.
05:53Sarah immediately cut in.
05:54Calling a healer on a bonding night is bad luck.
05:57Caleb smiled faintly.
05:58Sarah's right.
05:59Wait until tomorrow.
06:00I looked at Caleb one last time.
06:03Are you truly not going to hold her accountable?
06:05Caleb flicked his sleeve.
06:07She was joking.
06:08It got out of hand.
06:09She's offered to carry pups in your name.
06:11What else do you want?
06:12You're clinging to one cup.
06:15Ruining your own bonding night.
06:16If you don't want to be Luna, step aside.
06:19Plenty of others would take the role without throwing a fit.
06:21I smiled.
06:23I ran one finger along the rim of the cup.
06:25Then I looked at him.
06:26Everything I've done tonight has been for you, my lord.
06:29Because the one who just drank from my cup was you.
06:32The room went dead silent.
06:34Caleb's face turned grey.
06:35What are you saying?
06:37I pointed at the cup in front of him.
06:39Powder still clung to the rim.
06:41Plain as anything.
06:42When we drank the union cup, I suggested we swap.
06:45To seal a longer bond.
06:46You agreed.
06:47Don't you remember?
06:48Sarah went rigid.
06:50She stared at me.
06:51Then at the cups.
06:52She snatched one up.
06:53Shoved it at Caleb.
06:54My lord, is this the cup you drank from?
06:57Caleb said nothing.
06:58The color had left his face.
06:59Sarah screamed.
07:00Spun toward me.
07:01He did this on purpose!
07:03That cup was meant for her!
07:05She switched it deliberately!
07:07She's trying to destroy you!
07:09Yes, that cup had been meant for me.
07:12In my last life, I drank it.
07:14Lost everything.
07:15Spent years watching them build a life together while I faded away.
07:19Watching them raise pups.
07:20Share warmth.
07:21Share a future.
07:22While my family gave everything for Caleb's rise, my father and brothers fought on the frontlines.
07:27Died in Rogue's fight.
07:28All to put him in power.
07:30When he was done with us, he had me poisoned.
07:33His words from my last life still echoed.
07:36Alara, you are the Luna.
07:38Be gracious.
07:39Sarah will carry pups for you.
07:40What more could you want?
07:41This time, Sarah put the potion in the cup.
07:44Caleb drank it.
07:45Let's see if he'd be as gracious as he'd expected me to be.
07:48I turned to Sarah.
07:49Do you understand what this means?
07:51The Alpha just drank a bloodline-blocking potion.
07:54That is a crime against the pack.
07:56Punishable by execution of your entire bloodline, Sarah screamed.
07:59I wasn't trying to hurt him!
08:01That was meant for you!
08:03I stepped forward and slapped her across the face.
08:05The crack rang out sharp and clean.
08:07You dared to bring that potion into this bonding ceremony.
08:10I am the Luna of this pack.
08:11And now that potion is in the Alpha's blood.
08:14Do you have any idea what comes next?
08:16Caleb lurched to his feet.
08:21Get the healer!
08:22Right now!
08:25Now he wanted the healer.
08:27I pressed my fingers to my lips.
08:29But my lord, didn't you say calling a healer on a bonding night was bad luck?
08:35Weren't we supposed to wait until tomorrow?
08:37The senior attendant's face shifted.
08:39Seize Sarah.
08:41Drugging the Alpha's bloodline.
08:43This is grounds for full pack execution.
08:46The main hall collapsed into chaos.
08:49The pack healer arrived at a run.
08:52So did my parents.
08:53And my brother.
08:55I crossed the crowd and pressed my face into my mother's shoulder.
08:59Mom!
08:59Dad!
09:00Stand up for me!
09:01Sarah tried to drug me.
09:03Caleb took her side.
09:05Said I wasn't fit to be Luna.
09:06And now the potion is in the Alpha's blood.
09:09He may never sigh, Pucks.
09:11I cried until my face was soaked.
09:14But inside, something warm bloomed.
09:19My parents were alive.
09:22My brother was standing right next to me.
09:24This time.
09:25I was going to protect them.
09:27I would never let Caleb hurt them.
09:30My brother's jaw went tight.
09:32No grace speech now, Caleb?
09:34Funny.
09:35You had plenty of words when it was my sister's cup.
09:38We don't smile at this kind of disrespect.
09:41Sarah was on her knees, sobbing.
09:43Caleb!
09:44My lord!
09:45I never meant to hurt you!
09:46It was Alara!
09:47She switched the cups!
09:48The healer straightened.
09:49Exhaled slowly.
09:50Maximum dose.
09:52My lord, I'm afraid there's no reversal.
09:55Your bloodline is gone.
09:57That dose was meant for me.
09:59Sarah made sure it would work.
10:03Caleb's vision went black.
10:05He nearly collapsed.
10:07What did it mean for an Alpha to lose his bloodline?
10:10It meant his path to the king was over.
10:13No!
10:14I'll kill her!
10:16Alara, at least I still have you.
10:19Who would stay bonded to an Alpha who couldn't sire heirs?
10:23My lord, you told me I could step aside, so I'm telling you now.
10:27I don't want to be your Luna.
10:29Sarah made this mess.
10:31Not me.
10:32Exactly.
10:33My brother stepped in front of me.
10:34When it was my sister's cup, you took Sarah's side.
10:36Now the poison's in you, suddenly it matters?
10:39My attendant had already told my family everything.
10:41You're an Alpha.
10:42Act like it.
10:44Caleb's face paled.
10:45Then his mother, Isabella, arrived.
10:48My son, what happened?
10:50The attendant stepped forward and laid out every detail.
10:53Her face curdled with fury.
10:55Dare to harm my son.
10:57Have Sarah flogged to death.
10:59Caleb, we grew up together.
11:01I'd never hurt you.
11:03It was Alara.
11:04She did this.
11:05Caleb stood frozen, furious at what Sarah had done.
11:09Unable to stand seeing her in pain, Isabella's voice cut through like a blade.
11:13Drag her out.
11:15What Omega thinks she can claim an Alpha?
11:18The guards moved in.
11:19You can't touch me.
11:20I'm carrying his pup.
11:21Please, let me live.
11:23The room stopped.
11:25Caleb shoved through and grabbed her.
11:27Sarah, what did you say?
11:29I'm carrying your pup.
11:32Two months.
11:33Are you going to let them take us?
11:35She'd committed a capital offense.
11:37But with Caleb unable to sire pups, she was his only chance at being an heir.
11:41No one moved.
11:42Caleb looked at his mother.
11:44She's carrying my only pup.
11:46You can't kill her.
11:48Isabella gestured.
11:49The healer stepped forward.
11:54Confirmed.
11:55Two months pregnant.
11:56Luna.
11:57Let Sarah enter the estate.
11:59Her pup gets registered under your name.
12:02Agreed?
12:02I dropped to my knees.
12:04Caleb and I never completed our bonding.
12:06Let her be Luna.
12:09I'm asking you to dissolve the agreement.
12:12My parents and brother knelt behind me.
12:13Please grant this.
12:15Let her go.
12:16Caleb stared at me like he hadn't understood.
12:20Alara, is this because I can't give you pups?
12:24No.
12:26I'm leaving because of you.
12:28She has your only heir now.
12:31This is what you wanted, isn't it?
12:33You're my Luna.
12:34I won't allow you to leave.
12:36My father stood.
12:37Another woman's pup.
12:38Before the bonding night even ended.
12:41You've shamed my family.
12:42End Sarah's pregnancy.
12:44Or I leave.
12:46That's my heir.
12:48How dare you.
12:50How dare I.
12:51You created this.
12:53Not me.
12:55Caleb finally broke.
12:56He sank down where he stood.
12:59Beta was not a small power.
13:00My father and brother commanded hundreds of thousands of fighters.
13:03Caleb's mother couldn't afford to make them a permanent enemy.
13:06She looked at Caleb with cold contempt.
13:08Then, in front of every witness, she dissolved our bonding agreement.
13:13The news spread throughout the city within hours.
13:15The king was furious.
13:17He summoned Caleb and tore into him.
13:19The Alpha Queen slammed her hand on her desk.
13:21Do you know how much I work to secure Beta's alliance?
13:23And you let an Omega destroy it.
13:25Fix things with Alara.
13:26If you can't have her, make sure no one else does.
13:29If another Alpha takes her, or if Syrah delivers a girl, your path to king ends there.
13:35Caleb returned to his estate.
13:37Syrah rushed at him.
13:38Did I get you in trouble?
13:40Scold me.
13:41I deserve it.
13:42I was jealous.
13:43I was scared you'd choose her over me.
13:47But Alara switched the cups on purpose.
13:50You know I love you.
13:52I'd never hurt you.
13:53A cold flicker moved through Caleb's eyes.
13:55She was right.
13:56If Alara hadn't swapped the cups, none of this would have happened.
14:00He thought of what her mother had said.
14:02If Alara couldn't bond with him, she couldn't bond with anyone else.
14:06Whatever alliance she brought, if it wasn't in his corner, it was a threat.
14:10I went home with my parents and brother.
14:11The moment the doors closed, my father's face was grave.
14:15The dissolved bonding will stir things up fast.
14:18The next king isn't decided yet.
14:21Within days, other Alpha will be sending matchmakers.
14:25My Alorta.
14:26She'll become a piece in their power games.
14:28Whoever bonds her locks Beta Army to their cause.
14:32Then I remembered.
14:33In my last life, my father and brother died in a rogue fight.
14:37Caleb arranged false testimony.
14:38Accused them of treason.
14:39Of conspiring with enemy packs.
14:42Only one person refused to believe it.
14:44Beta Rhett Calloway.
14:46He said openly he would not accept that father and brother had betrayed the pack.
14:49He spent years gathering proof.
14:51Cleared their names.
14:52I had been trapped inside the estate then.
14:54My attendant told me what he'd done.
14:56All I could do was bow my head and prayed for him.
14:58Dad, I want to bond with Beta Rick Calloway.
15:03My father and brother froze.
15:04Then my father burst out laughing.
15:06Rights unbonded, powerful, and no Alpha dares cross him.
15:10You'd be safe.
15:11My brother's eyes went wide.
15:13Wait.
15:14Didn't he ask about you a year ago?
15:16Before Alpha Caleb stepped in.
15:18He wanted you back then.
15:20My father slammed the table.
15:23No time to waste.
15:25I'm going to his estate right now.
15:27Before I could get a word in, he was gone.
15:34Honestly, what family sends the bride's side running over to propose first?
15:39Less than two days after the bonding dissolved, Alpha Dorian showed up at our door with a matchmaker and a
15:44full retinue.
15:44Then Caleb arrived right behind him.
15:46Caleb looked at Dorian and laughed coldly.
15:48Dorian, Alera was my fated mate.
15:52What exactly are you doing here?
15:56Dorian laughed back.
15:57Caleb, your bonding with Alera is dissolved.
16:00The whole city knows.
16:01Why shouldn't I come?
16:04Alera is the finest young lady in this city.
16:07You didn't know what you had.
16:09That doesn't mean the rest of us can't appreciate her.
16:13Caleb's expression turned sharp.
16:17Drop the act, Dorian.
16:19Everyone knows why you want her.
16:22Alara was mine.
16:23Still is.
16:24Back off.
16:25The two of them stood in the courtyard trading barbs.
16:28The noise broke out from the street.
16:30Drums.
16:30A procession.
16:31People outside pushing to see.
16:33What's all the commotion?
16:34Another suitor at the Ironcad state?
16:36Look at that.
16:37How many gifts is that?
16:38That's an enormous dowry procession.
16:40The crowd outside kept growing.
16:42The voices kept rising.
16:43Dorian and Caleb both turned toward the gate.
16:45A matchmaker in formal white robes walked through the entrance.
16:49Behind her came a man in a deep navy coat, tall.
16:52Beta Rude Calloway here to ask for your daughter's hand.
16:56Dorian and Caleb both went still.
16:59The man who had walked in was Beta Rett Calloway.
17:00My parents came out from the inner courtyard.
17:04Please, come in.
17:05Come in.
17:05Then my mother glanced at the two alphas standing there and smiled pleasantly.
17:09My.
17:09Word travels fast.
17:11Did both of you come to celebrate our happy news?
17:15We just agreed on the match.
17:17Caleb stared at Rett.
17:18His brow creased hard.
17:20Since when did Beta Calloway have any connection to Alara?
17:24Her father raised me like his own.
17:26Bonding with his daughter is an honor I don't take lightly.
17:30When I heard the agreement dissolved, I came immediately.
17:33Alara agreed.
17:35That's all that matters.
17:36Caleb's jaw tightened.
17:38She agreed?
17:41Impossible.
17:42Why would she agree to you?
17:44I stepped out of the inner courtyard.
17:46Alpha Caleb, watch your words.
17:49Beta Calloway has defended this pack's borders for years.
17:52In my eyes, he's a hero.
17:55If not for men like him,
17:56where would your comfortable life in this city come from?
17:59Caleb looked at me.
18:01Something shifted in his expression.
18:02Alara,
18:04you pushed to dissolve our bonding.
18:06Was it because of him?
18:09Were you already involved with Riot behind my back?
18:12I felt fury rise in my chest.
18:14I was about to speak.
18:15Rett stepped forward.
18:16He placed himself between me and Caleb.
18:18Watch your words, Alpha Caleb.
18:19Alara is not Syrah.
18:22You may tolerate women who chase taken men and hide pregnancies.
18:25I don't.
18:27And I won't let anyone stole her name.
18:29Push this further.
18:31I have plenty to say to the king myself.
18:33Caleb stepped forward.
18:34His expression darkened.
18:35Is that so?
18:37Let's see whose word the king takes.
18:39The gate erupted.
18:42Imperial decree!
18:44Make way!
18:46Caleb's face broke into relief.
18:48That must be my mother.
18:49She went to my father to reinstate the bonding.
18:52Alara,
18:52I told you.
18:53You can only be my Luna.
18:55I won't let you bond with anyone else.
18:58By the authority of the king,
19:00Alara is hereby bonded by decree to Beta Rith Caligri.
19:04The union shall be completed on the next auspicious date.
19:08Rett and I knelt to receive the decree.
19:12Caleb's voice cracked open.
19:14That's not possible.
19:15The king knew I wanted her.
19:17How could he give her to rate?
19:20Nobody answered him.
19:21Dorian shrugged pleasantly.
19:23Beta Calloway has an outstanding record.
19:25Sounds like a fine match to me.
19:27I'll come by for a drink at the binding celebration.
19:29You and Alara just weren't meant to be.
19:32I hear the new Luna of your estate is an Omega's daughter.
19:36And expecting.
19:37Congratulations on that.
19:38Omega's daughter knew Luna expecting.
19:40Every word landed like a slap.
19:42The whole city knew Caleb had lost his bloodline.
19:45Hearing it said out loud like this, casually, in front of a crowd, was something else entirely.
19:49Though I do wonder, will it be a girl or a boy?
19:54He laughed and walked away.
19:57If Sarah failed to give birth to a girl, Caleb would have nothing left.
20:01I had my father's scouts watching the Kirin estate.
20:03Sarah and her mother were quietly pulling pregnant women into the estate, under the excuse of finding a nursemaid for
20:09the pup.
20:09I sat down with my father, my brother, and Rhett.
20:12It's not just about finding a nursemaid.
20:15I think they're planning to swap the pups.
20:18Right.
20:18If Sarah's pup was a girl and one of those nursemaids had a boy, the swap would be simple.
20:23I'll put people on the estate.
20:25If he actually tries to pass off another bloodline as his own, that's going to be very interesting.
20:30Caleb had the strongest claim to the king.
20:31But if his pup was a girl, that claim was gone.
20:34They would never let that happen without a fight.
20:36The city shifted and churned.
20:38On the day Sarah went into labor, the nursemaids housed inside the estate were quietly given a dose of something
20:43to bring their labor on early.
20:45After a full day and night of pain, Sarah delivered.
20:48She barely had the strength to lift her head.
20:50Boy or girl.
20:52A girl.
20:54Caleb kicked the door open.
20:55Useless.
20:56You already ruined my bloodline.
20:58And now this, I should kill you.
21:02Sarah dropped off the bed and hit her knees.
21:05Wait.
21:06I planned for this.
21:07The nursemaid's all delivered.
21:09We just need the one with the boy.
21:10One cup of poison for the nursemaid after.
21:13Blame complications.
21:14No one will ever know.
21:16Caleb blinked.
21:17Then he understood.
21:18It wasn't a bad solution.
21:20Find out which nursemaid had a boy.
21:23Bring him to me.
21:26Minutes later, a male pup was brought in.
21:28Caleb took him.
21:30Looked at him for a moment.
21:31He picked up the girl.
21:33Pressed his hand over her face.
21:35Held it.
21:36Didn't let go.
21:37One breath.
21:38Two.
21:39The girl was gone.
21:40Take her to the nursemaid's room.
21:42Give the nursemaid a cup of poison.
21:44Tell them it was complications.
21:47Tomorrow morning, box her up and take her out.
21:48The next day, the news reached the palace.
21:51Caleb had a son.
21:52Good.
21:52Now I need to find him a proper Luna.
21:54Once the pup is registered under the new Luna's name, everything falls into place.
21:59Sarah had assumed that carrying the heir would make her untouchable.
22:02That with Caleb unable to sire more pups, the Luna's seat would come to her.
22:07Instead, Caleb and his mother announced a search for a new Luna.
22:10Sarah remained a lesser mate.
22:12Not even a favored one.
22:14Why?
22:15I gave you an heir.
22:16Why are you choosing someone else?
22:18You ruined me.
22:20And you want to be Luna.
22:22Status.
22:24Family.
22:24Power.
22:25You have none of it.
22:26Nothing?
22:27You said you didn't care.
22:28You said I was the only one.
22:29You promise.
22:32That was then.
22:35Behave yourself, Sarah.
22:36You're still the pup's mother.
22:38Be grateful for that.
22:39Caleb's pup was the king's first grandchild.
22:42For the hundredth day celebration, the king and Caleb's mother hosted personally.
22:46Caleb's mother used the occasion to announce the selection.
22:48She had chosen a powerful beta's daughter, Jade Harlow, as the new Luna of Ciaran's estate.
22:53The decree was read aloud at the celebration.
22:56Sarah's face went white.
22:57Jade arrived with her mother.
23:00Accepted the decree and turned to Caleb with a sweet smile.
23:02Sarah just gave birth.
23:03She needs rest.
23:04We have a farmstead with hot springs.
23:07Let her recover there.
23:08She can return when she's ready.
23:10Pretty words.
23:11All of them hollow.
23:12What she meant was, get her out of this estate.
23:14How long she stayed gone would be entirely up to the new Luna.
23:17Sarah's face drained of all color.
23:19She had grown up inside this estate.
23:21She knew exactly what this game looked like.
23:23Keep the air.
23:24Discard the mother.
23:25A trick as old as high-pack politics.
23:28Caleb knew too.
23:29But he agreed without hesitation.
23:32My lord.
23:33I can't leave you and the WUP.
23:37I won't go.
23:39Luna's decision, Sarah.
23:41Go rest.
23:43The pup will be registered under my name.
23:46I'll raise him well.
23:49Sarah's face was ash.
23:51She had given everything for this man and this pup.
23:56The others are coming.
23:57We don't have much time.
23:58My lord.
24:00She's taking my pup from me.
24:01She wants to get rid of me.
24:03You know what this is.
24:04Don't you care about what we had?
24:06Don't you care about our son?
24:08Her voice dropped just slightly on those last words.
24:10A silent warning buried in those last words.
24:13Caleb's eyes went sharp.
24:14Was that a threat?
24:15Was Sarah actually threatening to expose what they'd done with the pup?
24:20Enough.
24:21Someone gag her and get her out of here.
24:23It's the pup's hundredth day.
24:24Stop this scene.
24:25You can't silence me.
24:27I'll talk.
24:28I'll say everything.
24:30Almost.
24:31Then Dorian stepped forward.
24:32Let her go.
24:34Looks to me like Sarah has something she needs to say.
24:36None of your businesses.
24:38I don't think so.
24:40Dorian's men peeled the guards off Sarah and stepped back.
24:44Sarah dropped to her knees.
24:45Her eyes were full of despair and fury both.
24:48That pup isn't mine.
24:49I delivered a girl.
24:50Caleb killed her himself.
24:52That boy belongs to a nursemaid.
24:54He switched them.
24:55The words hit the room like a stone through glass.
24:58Silence.
24:58Then the room cracked open.
25:00Caleb killed his own daughter?
25:02He swapped the pups?
25:03So he mixed another bloodline into Alpha's line?
25:05No wonder.
25:05The day after the pup was born, word came out of the estate that a nursemaid had died of complications.
25:10One coffin carried.
25:11Caleb's foot connected with Sarah's ribs.
25:14Lying woman.
25:15That is my blood.
25:18My son.
25:19Easy, Caleb.
25:21If he's truly your blood, a simple test will confirm it.
25:25No need to get emotional.
25:27Caleb stepped back.
25:28I don't need to confirm anything.
25:30Caleb, this touches the integrity of our bloodline.
25:33A test costs nothing.
25:35Come forward.
25:36Bring the child.
25:37Caleb's mother nearly crumpled where she sat.
25:40Caleb's face was ash.
25:41The pack healer stepped forward with a needle.
25:44Drew blood from Caleb's finger.
25:46Before the pup's blood was even taken, Caleb was already on the ground.
25:50Father, please forgive me.
25:53It wasn't my idea.
25:54It was Sarah.
25:55He pushed every bit of blame onto her.
25:57Wiped his hands clean.
25:58It didn't matter.
26:00The swap was already known.
26:02Caleb had lost the king's trust completely.
26:04The king looked at Caleb with something beyond disappointment.
26:07Caleb.
26:07No bloodline.
26:09No integrity.
26:10Attempting to pass a foreign bloodline off as ours, unforgivable.
26:13Confine him.
26:14He doesn't leave without my word.
26:16Sarah.
26:17For crimes against the pack's bloodline, execute immediately.
26:21She had been spared once because of the pup she carried.
26:24Now the pup was gone.
26:25She had nothing left to offer.
26:28Sarah's eyes rolled back.
26:29She collapsed.
26:30She was dragged to the holding cells to await execution.
26:33Caleb was finished.
26:35An alpha with no bloodline.
26:36No standing.
26:37And no way out.
26:38Confined to his estate with no hope of return.
26:41How Dorian had appeared at exactly the right moment?
26:44I leaked what Caleb did to every alpha who'd listen.
26:46They all wanted something to use against him.
26:48Dadian just got there first.
26:49So Dorian handed Caleb the blow that finished him.
26:52I let out a long breath.
26:54The nightmare of my last life was finally over.
26:57My parents were here.
26:58My brother was here.
26:59And there was someone who had promised to protect me for the rest of my life.
27:07On the day of our bonding,
27:09Raid took my hand and helped me into the ceremonial carriage.
27:12His hands were large and steady.
27:15He held mine without letting go.
27:16Alara, don't be afraid.
27:18I've got you.
27:19I smiled under the ceremonial veil.
27:21I wasn't afraid.
27:23I settled into the carriage.
27:24The celebration music rose outside.
27:27The carriage lifted smoothly
27:28and carried me forward toward everything waiting ahead.
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