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  • 7 hours ago
No Longer Yours, My Alpha - Full
Transcript
00:00:00The Alpha Heir could never bond with a human girl.
00:00:02The Northern Pack had one unbreakable rule.
00:00:05The Alpha Heir could never bond with a human girl.
00:00:08Despite that, Alpha Kieran Wolf still formed a mate bond with me.
00:00:11To be with me, he openly defied the Elder's Council.
00:00:15He endured 99 lashes and was forced to kneel at the altar for three days and nights.
00:00:20Even as blood soaked through his shirt, he smiled at me and said,
00:00:24Elise, don't be afraid. I only want you.
00:00:28Eventually, the Elder's Council finally relented and agreed to let Kieran leave with me.
00:00:33However, there was one condition.
00:00:35He had to leave a pure-blood heir behind for the pack.
00:00:38From that moment on, the phrase I heard most from Kieran was,
00:00:42Wait.
00:00:43The first time, Kieran asked me to wait while he got another she-wolf to carry his pup.
00:00:48He slept with Cecilia Donati 33 times until she was carrying his pup.
00:00:53The second time, he told me to wait again because the first pup was a female and the elders wanted
00:00:59a male.
00:00:59So, Kieran slept with Cecilia 99 more times until she was carrying his pup again.
00:01:04Just when I thought our ordeal was finally over,
00:01:07their daughter, Tyra Wolf, accidentally ate Wolfsbane at her Meet the Pup party.
00:01:12Everyone was convinced I had poisoned her.
00:01:14When they threw me into the freezing cold storage room, Kieran stood at the doorway with bloodshot eyes.
00:01:20I told you to wait.
00:01:22You know what wolfpate means to our kind!
00:01:25Why would you hurt my pup?
00:01:27My fingernails dug deep into my palms as the pain tore through me.
00:01:31When the storage room door opened again, I loosened my bloodied hands.
00:01:35This time, I was not going to wait anymore.
00:01:41I pushed open the heavy doors of the Elder's Council, forcing myself to keep my voice steady.
00:01:46I said, I'm willing to leave Kieran Wolfs, but I have one condition.
00:01:51I want you to send me somewhere he'll never find me.
00:01:54Elder Lucian Pierce let out a satisfied laugh.
00:01:57If only you had been this sensible sooner.
00:02:00Spending one night in the cold storage truly showed you your place.
00:02:03A human like you was never worthy of our noble Alpha bloodline.
00:02:08His voice dripped with contempt as he said,
00:02:10On the night of the full moon in ten days, we'll arrange everything to send you away.
00:02:16And when that time comes, you'd better never show your face in front of Kymon again.
00:02:20The heavy doors slammed shut abruptly, and I leaned against the mansion's cold wall.
00:02:25In the main hall, Kieran had shifted into his massive wolf form,
00:02:29and was gently letting his daughter, Tyra Wolf, tug at his thick fur.
00:02:34Cecilia was curled against his warm belly, smiling with tender satisfaction.
00:02:38The perfect family of three looked so blissfully happy together.
00:02:42Cecilia Donati noticed me first, and immediately sat up with alert eyes.
00:02:46She instinctively pulled Tyra behind her protectively.
00:02:50Mrs. George, you're back.
00:02:52Kieran almost reflexively shifted back to human form,
00:02:55and handed Tyra to a servant to take upstairs.
00:02:59Their wary looks cut into me like knives.
00:03:01I'll only acknowledge pups that come from your belly.
00:03:04Now watched me like I was a murderer.
00:03:09After Tyra was taken away, Kieran approached and reached out to check my frostbitten body.
00:03:14You're back.
00:03:15Did you get hurt in the cold storage?
00:03:17As I looked at this man who had once taken 99 lashes for me,
00:03:21my heart ached with bitterness as I turned away from his touch.
00:03:25He frowned slightly.
00:03:26Elise George, given last night's situation,
00:03:29the more I defended you, the harsher the elder's punishment would have been.
00:03:34With your human body, they might have even executed you.
00:03:38We're leaving soon anyway, and I don't want any more complications.
00:03:42Also, Tyra is innocent.
00:03:44Why would you-
00:03:45I told you it wasn't me!
00:03:47I growled, my eyes burning with tears.
00:03:50Wolf bath is a deadly poison.
00:03:52How could I possibly use something like that to hurt anyone?
00:03:55Kieran seemed startled by my intense reaction,
00:03:58and paused before softening his tone.
00:04:00All right, fine.
00:04:01It doesn't matter now.
00:04:04Tyra is fine now.
00:04:05His dismissive words felt like ice picks stabbing into my heart.
00:04:09He still did not believe me.
00:04:11Just as the atmosphere grew tense,
00:04:13Cecilia approached while rubbing her slightly rounded belly.
00:04:15Mrs. George, I owe you an apology too.
00:04:18I was too panicked at the time.
00:04:20You're not a wolf,
00:04:21so you probably don't understand a mother's instinct to protect her pup.
00:04:25She raised her hand to brush her hair back,
00:04:27and the delicate crystal bracelet on her wrist glowed with a soft luster.
00:04:31My eyes widened as I grabbed her wrist.
00:04:33Where did you get this bracelet?
00:04:36I gave it to her.
00:04:38Cecilia likes antique pieces.
00:04:40I looked at Kieran with deep disappointment,
00:04:43my heart aching as if it were being cut by a knife.
00:04:46It was you.
00:04:49Kieran said matter-of-factly as he pulled my hand away.
00:04:53Consider it your apology gift to her.
00:04:55Besides, it's just a bracelet.
00:04:57My voice trembled with rage.
00:04:59This is the only thing my mother left me.
00:05:01How could you give it away?
00:05:03You know how much it means to me.
00:05:05I reached to snatch the bracelet back,
00:05:07but Cecilia suddenly staggered backward
00:05:09and clutched her stomach in apparent pain.
00:05:12She moaned weakly.
00:05:13My belly.
00:05:15Kieran immediately shoved me away roughly,
00:05:17his eyes turning frighteningly cold.
00:05:20Elise!
00:05:21She's carrying my pup!
00:05:23He was so strong that I crashed hard into the bookshelf behind me.
00:05:27Haven't you caused enough trouble?
00:05:28My head struck against it heavily,
00:05:30and warm blood immediately began trickling down my neck.
00:05:33Yet,
00:05:35Kieran did not even look back,
00:05:36as he swept Cecilia into his arms and rushed out.
00:05:40Kieran.
00:05:41Cecilia sobbed weakly against his chest.
00:05:44Will our pup be okay?
00:05:47Don't be afraid.
00:05:49I'm here.
00:05:50He replied,
00:05:51his voice tenderly reassuring,
00:05:53each word piercing my ears.
00:05:55You'll be fine,
00:05:56and so will the pup.
00:05:57When Kieran carried Cecilia out of the mansion,
00:06:00I was still slumped on the floor with blood trickling down my neck from the back of my head.
00:06:04I watched his retreating figure,
00:06:06so urgent,
00:06:07and panicked.
00:06:08Yet,
00:06:09he never looked back once.
00:06:12I looked down at the pool of blood beneath me and suddenly laughed,
00:06:16and the sound was bleak.
00:06:18Later,
00:06:19I took a carriage to the hospital,
00:06:20alone.
00:06:21The doctor saw how severe my injury was,
00:06:23and immediately began stitching and bandaging the wound.
00:06:26By the time they finished treating me,
00:06:28I had lost so much blood that I was dizzy,
00:06:30and could barely stand.
00:06:32I had just stumbled out of the examination room when someone grabbed my wrist roughly.
00:06:36Elise,
00:06:38Cecilia almost miscarried,
00:06:40yet you still wouldn't stop.
00:06:42You followed us to the hospital,
00:06:44to cause more trouble.
00:06:46Kieran's voice was tight with rage.
00:06:48His brow was furrowed deeply,
00:06:49and his eyes held a bone-chilling coldness.
00:06:52He still carried Cecilia's suffocating perfume scent on his clothes.
00:06:56I came to the hospital,
00:06:57but not for her.
00:06:59I pointed to my freshly bandaged forehead.
00:07:01I was injured too,
00:07:03and I couldn't treat it myself.
00:07:04Kieran's expression froze.
00:07:07He finally noticed the strong scent of blood on me,
00:07:10masked by antiseptic,
00:07:11and the thick gore still seeping red.
00:07:16Kieran,
00:07:17you said that once you delivered the pup,
00:07:19you'd take me away.
00:07:20I said,
00:07:21looking at him as my nose began to sting.
00:07:23But now,
00:07:24do you even see me anymore?
00:07:26Kieran's frown deepened,
00:07:27as he reached out tenderly to touch my wound.
00:07:29What happened here?
00:07:31You pushed me.
00:07:32I said calmly,
00:07:33dodging his touch.
00:07:34I hit the bookshelves.
00:07:38To you,
00:07:39it was just a casual shove,
00:07:40wasn't it?
00:07:41Kieran's pupils contracted
00:07:42as he recalled the force he had used
00:07:44in his moment of rage.
00:07:46For a human,
00:07:47it could have been fatal.
00:07:48He pulled me into his arms,
00:07:49guiltily.
00:07:50Elise,
00:07:51I'm sorry.
00:07:52I didn't mean to.
00:07:53I was just afraid something would happen to Cecilia.
00:07:56She's carrying the Pax future.
00:07:57If anything went wrong,
00:07:58the Elder's Council would never forgive us.
00:08:00And our departure would be delayed again.
00:08:02I let him hold me while staring blankly at the sterile white ceiling.
00:08:06I had heard these excuses too many times before.
00:08:09I understand.
00:08:10I said,
00:08:11pushing him away.
00:08:12Go take care of her.
00:08:13I turned to leave,
00:08:14but he grabbed my wrist again.
00:08:16Elise,
00:08:17no matter what,
00:08:18you have to believe
00:08:19that I only love you.
00:08:21Everything I do is to help us escape this prison
00:08:24as quickly as possible.
00:08:26Kieran released my hand
00:08:27and,
00:08:28as he walked away,
00:08:29said,
00:08:29When I get home,
00:08:30I'll bring you your favorite cranberry cupcakes.
00:08:33With that,
00:08:34he headed toward the private healing chamber
00:08:36at the end of the corridor,
00:08:37where Cecilia was being cared for
00:08:39by the Pax finest healers.
00:08:41I stood there,
00:08:42watching him disappear into the distance.
00:08:44Suddenly,
00:08:45I laughed,
00:08:45and tears began streaming down my face.
00:08:48I don't believe you anymore.
00:08:49I whispered to the empty air
00:08:51and to my own dying heart,
00:08:52Kieran,
00:08:53I will never believe
00:08:55any of your promises ever again.
00:09:01Kieran was gone for three days straight.
00:09:03During those three days,
00:09:05Cecilia sent me taunting letters
00:09:06every single day.
00:09:09Cecilia,
00:09:10what the hell do you want from me?
00:09:12My voice shaking with barely contained rage.
00:09:14I could almost hear her soft,
00:09:16mocking laugh through the ink.
00:09:18Oh, nothing much.
00:09:19I just thought you should see
00:09:20how happy your husband is without you.
00:09:22Three days.
00:09:22And he hasn't even mentioned your name once.
00:09:25The letter ended there abruptly.
00:09:26In my mind's eye,
00:09:28I saw Kieran gently coaxing Tyra with toys,
00:09:30while Cecilia leaned intimately against his shoulder,
00:09:34smiling sweetly,
00:09:35as she watched the father-daughter interaction.
00:09:38I endured the heartache,
00:09:39and read every letter she sent.
00:09:41She wrote about him keeping watch
00:09:42by her hospital bed deep into the night,
00:09:45feeding her soup,
00:09:45and holding Tyra with nothing but adoration in his eyes.
00:09:49Each word felt like a needle piercing my heart.
00:09:52The pain kept coming until suddenly,
00:09:54I realized I could not feel it anymore.
00:09:56Perhaps my heart had already died
00:09:58the moment I was locked in that ice cell.
00:10:00I was about to burn her letters
00:10:01when a servant brought another package.
00:10:03Inside was a sketch of my mom's crystal bracelet
00:10:05being toyed with in Cecilia's hands.
00:10:07Want your mother's keepsake?
00:10:09Then come get it.
00:10:12I shot to my feet so fast
00:10:14that my vision went black
00:10:16from the lingering blood loss.
00:10:18Yet, I did not care.
00:10:20I grabbed my coat and rushed out.
00:10:22In the hospital room,
00:10:23Cecilia was holding Tyra
00:10:25and humming a lullaby softly.
00:10:27Daddy loves you the most, doesn't he?
00:10:30Daddy's alpha power
00:10:31will be passed down to you someday.
00:10:34She looked up when she saw me,
00:10:35her smile deepening.
00:10:36You came.
00:10:38Did you know that during my stay here,
00:10:40Ciaran hasn't even gone on his territory patrols.
00:10:42He's been right here
00:10:44using his pheromones to comfort me
00:10:47and our future heir.
00:10:50She deliberately emphasized the word heir.
00:10:52My nails dug deep into my palms
00:10:54as I asked coldly,
00:10:55Where's the bracelet?
00:10:56Cecilia leisurely picked up
00:10:57the antique crystal bracelet
00:10:59from the bedside table
00:11:00and dangled it from her fingertips.
00:11:02You mean this?
00:11:03She flashed a cruel smile.
00:11:05Here's the deal.
00:11:06With your human body.
00:11:08Bow to me,
00:11:09Ciaran's future Luna.
00:11:11And I'll consider giving it back.
00:11:14I trembled with rage.
00:11:15Don't go too far.
00:11:19Cecilia's eyes were full of disdain.
00:11:21Her arrogance on full display.
00:11:23So what if I do?
00:11:25Elise,
00:11:25you're nothing but a fragile,
00:11:27short-lived human.
00:11:28While I possess the purest alpha bloodline,
00:11:31what right do you have to compete with me
00:11:33for Ciaran's affection?
00:11:35Bowing to me is an honor.
00:11:36She pretended to loosen her grip.
00:11:39I'll count to three.
00:11:40If you don't get on your knees,
00:11:42I'll drop it.
00:11:43Two.
00:11:44One.
00:11:45I bit my lips so hard I nearly drew blood.
00:11:47My knees felt like they were filled with lead,
00:11:49but they finally crashed heavily onto the cold floor
00:11:52as I bowed down with my forehead touching the ground.
00:11:56Cecilia burst out laughing.
00:11:58Look at you.
00:11:59You really do look like a pathetic dog.
00:12:03She raised her hand,
00:12:04and I reached out to catch it.
00:12:05However,
00:12:06she released her fingers just half a step away from me.
00:12:10The crystal bracelet shattered on the floor,
00:12:12breaking into several pieces.
00:12:14Cecilia covered her grin with a look of mock surprise.
00:12:17Oh my!
00:12:19How careless of you!
00:12:20You couldn't even catch it!
00:12:21I trembled,
00:12:22and had just lunged forward to gather the pieces,
00:12:25when Cecilia suddenly screamed and fell back
00:12:27backward against the wall.
00:12:29At that moment,
00:12:30the door was violently pushed open.
00:12:32Ciaran and Lucian stood in the doorway,
00:12:34with grim expressions,
00:12:36followed by several other elders.
00:12:38What are you doing?
00:12:42Lucian demanded sternly,
00:12:44his voice carrying alpha authority
00:12:46that made me feel suffocated.
00:12:48Cecilia threw herself into Ciaran's arms, crying.
00:12:51Ciaran!
00:12:52My stomach hurts so much!
00:12:54Oh, and check Tyra quickly!
00:12:56I just saw Elise pinching and hitting her!
00:12:59Ciaran frantically picked up the pup to examine her,
00:13:01lifting her clothes to reveal tender skin
00:13:03covered in purple bruises from pinching.
00:13:06I stared in disbelief.
00:13:08I didn't!
00:13:09I never even touched her!
00:13:12I shook my head desperately,
00:13:13as Lucian glared at me with venom in his eyes.
00:13:16Suddenly,
00:13:17a blow heavy with werewolf strength
00:13:19struck me across the face.
00:13:21My vision went black,
00:13:22my ears rang,
00:13:23and blood dripped from the corner of my mouth.
00:13:25You vile woman!
00:13:27Lucian's voice sounded like an echo.
00:13:29You dare harm a pregnant she-wolf
00:13:32and an innocent pup!
00:13:34Another elder said coldly,
00:13:36The last punishment was too lenient.
00:13:38Guards,
00:13:39drag her to the punishment chamber
00:13:41and give her twenty flaps.
00:13:44Ciaran clenched his fists tightly
00:13:45and stepped forward.
00:13:46Elders,
00:13:47you still want to protect her?
00:13:49Lucian interrupted harshly,
00:13:51She harmed your own bloodline!
00:13:53Even if you plan to run away with her,
00:13:55it doesn't change
00:13:56that this pup carries your blood!
00:14:00I trembled,
00:14:02instinctively looking toward Ciaran.
00:14:04He still stood there
00:14:05with his knuckles white from clenching.
00:14:07In the punishment chamber,
00:14:09wolf guards pinned me down,
00:14:10forcing me to kneel on the stone slab
00:14:12in the center.
00:14:13The first lash came down,
00:14:14and my vision went black.
00:14:16In a daze,
00:14:17I remembered when I had broken up with Ciaran,
00:14:20on the day he decided to rebel against his family,
00:14:22to be with me.
00:14:23That night it poured rain,
00:14:25and he stood outside my window,
00:14:27letting the storm drench him
00:14:28until he burned with a high fever.
00:14:30When I went to see him,
00:14:31he was delirious with fever.
00:14:33Yet,
00:14:34he still grabbed my hand and said,
00:14:36Elise,
00:14:37remember,
00:14:38even if it means fighting the whole world,
00:14:41I want only you as my mate.
00:14:43At the 15th lash,
00:14:44I seemed to hear his gentle voice
00:14:46from years ago,
00:14:47when I was injured.
00:14:48How did you get hurt again?
00:14:50Let me lick it.
00:14:51It won't hurt for much longer.
00:14:54Finally,
00:14:54the last lash struck,
00:14:55and I could not hold on anymore.
00:14:57My vision went black,
00:14:58as I completely passed out.
00:15:00Just before losing consciousness,
00:15:02I saw Ciaran anxiously pulling me into his arms.
00:15:07When I woke up again,
00:15:08I was lying face down on a bed.
00:15:10Even the slightest movement sent searing pain across my back.
00:15:15Elise!
00:15:16Ciaran immediately rushed over,
00:15:18his eyes bloodshot with exhaustion.
00:15:21You're awake.
00:15:22Does it still hurt?
00:15:24I silently pulled my hand away,
00:15:26unwilling to look at him.
00:15:27Ciaran stiffened for a moment
00:15:29before speaking again to explain.
00:15:31Elise,
00:15:31it's not that I didn't want to stop them,
00:15:33but in that situation,
00:15:35the more I resisted,
00:15:36the harsher
00:15:37the Elder's punishment would have been.
00:15:39Elder Lucian even considered executing you.
00:15:41I had to protect your life first.
00:15:44So,
00:15:44I said with a hoarse voice,
00:15:47you also believe I hurt your pup?
00:15:49Ciaran's Adam's apple bobbed once.
00:15:51Ultimately,
00:15:52he chose silence.
00:15:53This moment of silence
00:15:54was like a dull blade,
00:15:56brutally cutting through my last shred of hope.
00:15:59With reddened eyes,
00:16:00I slowly said,
00:16:01I'll ask you just one question.
00:16:03Ciaran Wolf,
00:16:05in the name of the moon
00:16:06and our mate bond,
00:16:08do you believe me?
00:16:11Ciaran frowned,
00:16:12anger creeping into his voice.
00:16:14Elise,
00:16:14there are bruises on Tyra
00:16:16and Cecilia named you herself.
00:16:19There's a witness and evidence.
00:16:21How do you expect me to believe you?
00:16:23Didn't I tell you that everything would be fine
00:16:25once this was all over?
00:16:26Why did you have to provoke Cecilia?
00:16:28My tears suddenly started falling.
00:16:31I thought I would not feel pain anymore,
00:16:33but my chest still felt like
00:16:34it was being viciously torn apart.
00:16:36I hurriedly turned my head away,
00:16:38not wanting him to see me
00:16:39looking so pathetic and weak.
00:16:41Go.
00:16:42I whispered so quietly,
00:16:43it was barely audible.
00:16:45Just wait a little longer, okay?
00:16:47His voice softened
00:16:48as he tried to approach me again.
00:16:50Soon,
00:16:51once Cecilia gives birth to this pup,
00:16:53we'll definitely be able to leave.
00:16:55I swear,
00:16:57I'll take you to see the southern seas
00:16:59that never freeze.
00:17:01We would go back to how things were?
00:17:02I closed my eyes,
00:17:04my throat tightening.
00:17:05I knew well that we could never go back.
00:17:07After all,
00:17:08he had Cecilia now,
00:17:10and two pups.
00:17:11For their sake,
00:17:12he had hurt me again and again,
00:17:14choosing others over me time after time.
00:17:16I slowly turned over
00:17:18to face away from him,
00:17:19not wanting to say another word.
00:17:25Ciaran looked at me,
00:17:26his face twisted with pain.
00:17:27In the end,
00:17:28he only reached out to brush my hair,
00:17:30whispering,
00:17:31Sleep.
00:17:32I'll stay here with you.
00:17:33Before he even finished,
00:17:35the door was violently pushed open,
00:17:37and Ibita stood there frantically.
00:17:39Alpha,
00:17:40Miss Donati has been crying
00:17:41and calling for you.
00:17:42The healer says emotional fluctuations
00:17:44may hurt the pup.
00:17:45Ciaran frowned.
00:17:46He glanced at my turned back
00:17:48and hesitated for a moment.
00:17:49Then he stood up.
00:17:51Elise,
00:17:53I...
00:17:53I let out a self-mocking laugh
00:17:55and murmured,
00:17:57Go.
00:17:58Wait for me.
00:17:59I'll go check on them.
00:18:00Then come right back
00:18:01to take care of you.
00:18:02Watching his retreating figure,
00:18:03I smiled bitterly.
00:18:05You're a liar,
00:18:07Chiron.
00:18:08You won't be coming back.
00:18:10Sure enough,
00:18:11he never returned that night.
00:18:12I was discharged the next day,
00:18:14and it was pouring rain outside.
00:18:16I packed my belongings
00:18:17and stood at the hospital entrance,
00:18:19watching Ciaran's carriage
00:18:21slowly approach.
00:18:22As soon as I opened the carriage door,
00:18:24I saw Cecilia holding Tyra
00:18:26in the passenger seat.
00:18:27Ciaran.
00:18:28Cecilia saw me
00:18:29and immediately shrank closer to him.
00:18:31I...
00:18:33I haven't recovered from the shock yet.
00:18:37She covered her lower abdomen,
00:18:38her voice trembling.
00:18:39She can hurt me if she wants,
00:18:41but she can't hurt Tyra.
00:18:44Can you...
00:18:45give me a little more time?
00:18:47Please don't make me ride
00:18:48in the same carriage with her for now.
00:18:50I froze
00:18:50as I stared at the seat
00:18:52that used to belong to me.
00:18:54Ciaran was silent for a long time,
00:18:55then finally pushed his door open
00:18:57and handed me a large umbrella.
00:18:59Elise,
00:19:00wait here for a while.
00:19:01I'll take Cecilia home first
00:19:03and come right back to pick you up.
00:19:05With that,
00:19:06he closed the window
00:19:07and the black carriage sped away.
00:19:09I stood there motionless,
00:19:10watching the carriage
00:19:12carrying the family of three
00:19:13disappear at the end of the road.
00:19:14I closed my eyes,
00:19:16feeling like there was a huge hole
00:19:17in my chest
00:19:18that could never be filled,
00:19:19with cold wind rushing through it.
00:19:21I waited for a long time,
00:19:23until the rain grew heavier
00:19:24and the sky turned completely dark.
00:19:27Ciaran had promised to come back for me,
00:19:28but he never did.
00:19:29My communication crystal
00:19:31had lost its glow,
00:19:32and I called out to him
00:19:33repeatedly through our mind link.
00:19:35Yet,
00:19:35there was only blocked silence
00:19:37on the other end.
00:19:38Seeing the sky grow darker
00:19:39with no sign of the storm letting up,
00:19:41I had no choice
00:19:42but to open the heavy umbrella
00:19:43and walk home.
00:19:46The fierce wind nearly snapped
00:19:48the umbrella frame
00:19:49as I stumbled forward.
00:19:51Suddenly,
00:19:52my foot slipped,
00:19:53and I fell hard into a mud
00:19:54and I fell hard into a muddy puddle.
00:19:57The umbrella cracked with a sharp sound,
00:20:00and rain instantly soaked
00:20:01through my entire body.
00:20:02By the time I finally made it home
00:20:04in my messy state,
00:20:05it was already deep into the night.
00:20:07As I stood dripping wet
00:20:09in the entryway,
00:20:10I heard Cecilia's tearful voice
00:20:12coming from the living room.
00:20:13Her voice was soft and trembling.
00:20:15Ciaran,
00:20:16I know you only have Elise in your heart,
00:20:20but this really is a special situation.
00:20:22My milk ducts are blocked,
00:20:24and it hurts so much,
00:20:25and Tyara keeps crying for milk.
00:20:27She sobbed.
00:20:29The usual methods don't work,
00:20:30and the healer said,
00:20:32perhaps the pup's father has to.
00:20:42I froze at the doorway,
00:20:44and it felt like all the blood
00:20:45in my body had run cold.
00:20:47In the living room,
00:20:48I could not see his expression,
00:20:50only his tense back.
00:20:51After a long silence,
00:20:52I watched Ciaran's left hand slowly rise,
00:20:55his fingertips parting Cecilia's clothing
00:20:58as his right hand slid over her pale skin.
00:21:01Then, right before my eyes,
00:21:03he lowered his head
00:21:04and pressed his lips against that softness.
00:21:08I was struck motionless,
00:21:10like lightning had hit me directly.
00:21:12Time seemed to stretch endlessly,
00:21:14each second feeling like a knife
00:21:16stabbing into my eyes
00:21:17and carving into my soul.
00:21:19I watched helplessly as Ciaran leaned down.
00:21:22I watched as his lips touched Cecilia's chest,
00:21:25and I certainly watched as he sucked gently,
00:21:28over and over again.
00:21:30Cecilia let out a satisfied moan,
00:21:32threading her fingers through his hair.
00:21:34This side needs attention too.
00:21:36Ciaran frowned slightly.
00:21:38But that side isn't blocked, is it?
00:21:40Cecilia did not answer with words.
00:21:42Instead,
00:21:42she wrapped her arms around his neck
00:21:44and pressed his face against her.
00:21:46After a moment of silence,
00:21:47he lowered his head again.
00:21:49I could not watch anymore,
00:21:50and bolted into the rain.
00:21:52The storm poured down on me,
00:21:54but I felt no cold.
00:21:55My mind was filled with memories
00:21:57of our first time together.
00:21:59How careful Ciaran had been,
00:22:00how he had treasured me,
00:22:02and how he had whispered in my ear
00:22:04with that husky voice.
00:22:05Elise, you're my first,
00:22:07and you'll be my last.
00:22:09Now, those same lips were on another woman.
00:22:11My heart ached,
00:22:12and it hurt worse than the lashes.
00:22:14I bent over and crouched in the rain
00:22:16until my legs went numb,
00:22:18waiting until the mansion's lights
00:22:19finally went out,
00:22:21before stumbling back like a lost soul,
00:22:23and collapsing in an empty room.
00:22:27The fever hit hard and fast
00:22:29in the middle of the night.
00:22:30Half conscious,
00:22:31I heard Ciaran's deep, gentle voice
00:22:33from the master bedroom.
00:22:35He was humming an old werewolf lullaby,
00:22:37one used to soothe their young.
00:22:39Of course,
00:22:40he was doing prenatal bonding
00:22:41with the pup in Cecilia's belly,
00:22:43using a method reserved only
00:22:45for the closest of kin,
00:22:46just like he had once promised me,
00:22:49saying,
00:22:49When we have our pup,
00:22:51I'll sing our ancestors' songs
00:22:53to help him sleep every morning.
00:22:54I did not know how long had passed
00:22:56before I heard someone calling me.
00:22:58Elise.
00:23:00Elise.
00:23:01I struggled to open my eyes
00:23:03and saw Ciaran sitting by the bed
00:23:04with a bowl of medicine.
00:23:06How did you get this sick?
00:23:07He touched my forehead
00:23:09with the same gentle care as before.
00:23:11However,
00:23:12when he got close,
00:23:13all I could see
00:23:14was what I had witnessed in that bedroom.
00:23:16I turned away,
00:23:17refusing his touch.
00:23:19Elise.
00:23:20I'll leave the medicine and water here.
00:23:22He paused,
00:23:23his voice strained.
00:23:25Cecilia is sick
00:23:26and carrying my pup.
00:23:27Plus,
00:23:27she has Tyra to care for,
00:23:29so she'll be staying
00:23:30in our house for now.
00:23:32The master bedroom
00:23:33will be theirs
00:23:34for the time being.
00:23:35You'll stay in this room
00:23:36for the next few days
00:23:37and shouldn't leave
00:23:38in case they catch something from you.
00:23:40I'll have the door
00:23:40locked from the outside
00:23:41and Brad will bring you
00:23:43food and medicine.
00:23:45Without waiting for my response,
00:23:48Ciaran practically fled the room
00:23:49to go care for Cecilia and Tyra.
00:23:51The lock clicked shut
00:23:52and my tears fell instantly.
00:23:55How ridiculous.
00:23:56I had once been the treasure
00:23:58he held in the palm of his hand,
00:23:59but now I had become nothing
00:24:01but a danger
00:24:02that needed to be locked away.
00:24:04Maybe it was Cecilia's doing,
00:24:06but over the next few days,
00:24:07no one brought me water
00:24:08or food on schedule.
00:24:10My fever would not break,
00:24:11leaving me dizzy and lightheaded
00:24:13while I constantly heard
00:24:15laughter and joy from outside.
00:24:17From the living room
00:24:18came the sound
00:24:19of a familiar,
00:24:20magical projection,
00:24:21playing one Ciaran used
00:24:22to watch with me
00:24:23wrapped in his arms.
00:24:25Cecilia's soft voice
00:24:26drifted through the door,
00:24:27sweet and intimate.
00:24:29This scene always makes me cry.
00:24:31Hold me tighter,
00:24:32just like this.
00:24:33Ciaran chuckled warmly.
00:24:35All right, come here.
00:24:38You're such a baby.
00:24:39They shared candlelit dinners
00:24:41in the living room,
00:24:42just like the surprises
00:24:43he used to cook for me
00:24:44every month.
00:24:45The clink of wine glasses
00:24:46and their quiet laughter
00:24:48carried clearly to my room.
00:24:49Later that night,
00:24:50their voices turned softer,
00:24:52more tender,
00:24:53as they talked about the future.
00:24:55It's a boy,
00:24:55I want to name him Fenlaw.
00:24:57Strong,
00:24:58just like his father.
00:24:59What do you think?
00:25:00Fenlaw sounds perfect.
00:25:01And if it's a girl,
00:25:03Serafina,
00:25:04she'll be as beautiful as you.
00:25:06I curled up on the bed,
00:25:07biting the blanket hard,
00:25:08refusing to let myself
00:25:09cry out loud.
00:25:14After three full days of fever,
00:25:16I finally recovered.
00:25:18The day I walked out of my room
00:25:19happened to be Tyra's
00:25:21official pack recognition ceremony,
00:25:23the Moonlight Ritual.
00:25:24The ceremony was held
00:25:25at the pack's sacred ground,
00:25:27a moonlit grove
00:25:28surrounded by ancient oak trees.
00:25:31A bonfire blazed bright
00:25:32while the scent of roasted venison
00:25:34filled the air,
00:25:35and the werewolves
00:25:36drank honeymead
00:25:37as the atmosphere
00:25:38grew festive.
00:25:39Lucian and several elders
00:25:41beamed with joy
00:25:42as they held
00:25:42the swaddled Tyra
00:25:44while she received blessings
00:25:45from the pack members.
00:25:47Exquisite jewelry
00:25:48and precious toys
00:25:49were piled high
00:25:49like a small mountain.
00:25:51Kieran,
00:25:51this is for Cecilia.
00:25:53Lucian smiled
00:25:54as he handed over
00:25:55a wooden box.
00:25:56Inside was a ring set
00:25:58with an enormous
00:25:59milky white gem
00:26:00that seemed to pulse
00:26:01with moonlight.
00:26:02It was the tear
00:26:03of the moon goddess.
00:26:04She has given
00:26:05the wolf family
00:26:07a healthy bloodline!
00:26:09Kieran slipped the ring
00:26:10onto Cecilia's finger
00:26:12and whispered gently.
00:26:13You've done so well.
00:26:14Cecilia blushed
00:26:15and leaned into his arms
00:26:17and the family of three
00:26:18looked blissfully happy.
00:26:22The guests circled Tyra,
00:26:25praising her endlessly.
00:26:26Tyra's cry is so strong!
00:26:27She'll definitely
00:26:28be a powerful warrior.
00:26:30Her eyes are like Cecilia's,
00:26:31with the colour of moonlight.
00:26:33What a union
00:26:33of powerful bloodlines!
00:26:35Long live the Alpha,
00:26:36Chiron and Miss Donati!
00:26:37I stood in the corner
00:26:38watching it all.
00:26:40My nails dug deep
00:26:41into my palms,
00:26:41but I felt no pain.
00:26:43I didn't expect
00:26:44that it would be
00:26:44to pose for a portrait.
00:26:46Cecilia suddenly walked
00:26:47toward me with a wine glass,
00:26:49her smile sweet.
00:26:50The artist carefully prepared
00:26:52his magical recording crystal.
00:26:54Miss George,
00:26:54Mrs. Donati,
00:26:55please stand a little closer.
00:26:56Cecilia looked unbothered though.
00:26:58She directly pulled me
00:26:59towards the artist's easel.
00:27:01Don't worry, Miss George,
00:27:02this magical recording crystal
00:27:03won't harm you.
00:27:04It will just record
00:27:05your current state.
00:27:07Look how good
00:27:07Ciaran is to me now.
00:27:10Every night he stays with me,
00:27:12wrapping me in his alpha aura
00:27:14until I sleep.
00:27:15I closed my eyes wearily,
00:27:17not wanting to listen
00:27:18or argue.
00:27:18We are ready.
00:27:19Just wishing it
00:27:20to end quickly.
00:27:21The moment the magical
00:27:22recording crystal clicked
00:27:23and captured the image,
00:27:24the massive totem pole
00:27:25behind us,
00:27:26a symbol of the pack's history,
00:27:28gave a sharp crack.
00:27:29Watch out!
00:27:32As the totem pole collapsed,
00:27:34Ciaran rushed over
00:27:35and grabbed me.
00:27:36The huge wooden column
00:27:38crashed to the ground,
00:27:39scraping past my back
00:27:41and raising a cloud of dust.
00:27:43Meanwhile,
00:27:43Cecilia was struck
00:27:44by splintered wood
00:27:45and the impact force
00:27:46of the collapse.
00:27:47She screamed as she fell,
00:27:49with a shocking pool
00:27:50of bright red blood
00:27:51spreading beneath her.
00:27:52Cecilia!
00:27:53Ciaran released me
00:27:54and rushed to her
00:27:54like a madman.
00:27:55Outside the operating room,
00:27:57Ciaran paced anxiously.
00:27:59Watching his restless state,
00:28:00I remembered how he had
00:28:01kept watch by my bedside
00:28:03all night when I was injured
00:28:04while gathering herbs
00:28:05in the mountains.
00:28:07Alpha Ciaran!
00:28:08The healer suddenly
00:28:09burst through the curtain.
00:28:10Miss Donati is hemorrhaging badly.
00:28:12The blood reserves
00:28:13don't have her blood type.
00:28:14We need an immediate donation.
00:28:15Take mine.
00:28:16That won't work.
00:28:17Your type A
00:28:18and Miss George's type O.
00:28:20Given her weakened state
00:28:21after the injury,
00:28:22she might not be able
00:28:23to handle the violent energy
00:28:24in an alpha's blood.
00:28:25It has to be human blood.
00:28:26After hearing this,
00:28:28Ciaran's gaze snapped to me.
00:28:30At that moment,
00:28:31I felt like I had been
00:28:32struck by lightning.
00:28:35I stepped back abruptly,
00:28:37my voice trembling.
00:28:38I won't do it.
00:28:40My blood,
00:28:41the one thing they saw
00:28:42as special in this body
00:28:43they deemed a lowly humans,
00:28:45was now supposed to be used
00:28:46as a tool to save his air.
00:28:48Elise!
00:28:49Ciaran grabbed my wrist,
00:28:50his eyes sharp.
00:28:51This isn't the time
00:28:52for your tantrum.
00:28:54She's carrying the pack's air.
00:28:56If something happens,
00:28:57we'll never be able to leave.
00:28:58Do you understand?
00:28:59My heart clenched painfully.
00:29:01I wondered if he was afraid
00:29:02we could not leave,
00:29:03or that something would happen
00:29:04to their pup.
00:29:05What if I refuse?
00:29:05Ciaran's face darkened.
00:29:08I saved you,
00:29:09and that was what caused
00:29:10Cecilia's injury.
00:29:11You owe her this.
00:29:13Is giving a little blood
00:29:14really so hard?
00:29:15He looked at me
00:29:16with disappointment.
00:29:18Ilysses,
00:29:18how did you end up like this?
00:29:20My heart stabbed with pain.
00:29:22Had I changed?
00:29:23He was the one
00:29:24who had pursued me relentlessly,
00:29:26saying I was his only possible mate.
00:29:28He was the one
00:29:29who promised to recognize
00:29:30only me for life,
00:29:32who stood in the rain
00:29:33begging me to trust
00:29:34that he could handle everything.
00:29:35Now he was saying
00:29:36I had changed?
00:29:39My voice shook as I replied.
00:29:41So,
00:29:42you regret saving me.
00:29:44If you could do it over,
00:29:45you'd slave Cecilia
00:29:46and your pup first,
00:29:47wouldn't you?
00:29:48Ciaran froze.
00:29:49What are you talking about?
00:29:50Something's wrong.
00:29:51Miss Donati
00:29:52is in critical condition.
00:29:54The healer urged anxiously.
00:29:55Any more delay
00:29:56and we'll lose
00:29:57both mother and pup.
00:29:58Alpha,
00:29:59make a decision quickly.
00:30:01Ciaran's eyes hardened.
00:30:03Without further hesitation,
00:30:04he ordered the guards
00:30:05at the door.
00:30:06Take her to the blood
00:30:07drawing chamber.
00:30:08I was forced into the chair
00:30:09as a hollow silver needle
00:30:11pierced my vein
00:30:12and my blood flowed out,
00:30:14drop by drop.
00:30:15Throughout it all,
00:30:16Ciaran never once
00:30:17looked back at me.
00:30:18When they had drawn two vials,
00:30:20the healer hesitated.
00:30:21Alpha!
00:30:22Miss George is too weak.
00:30:24If we draw more,
00:30:25I'm afraid.
00:30:26Continue.
00:30:27Ciaran said
00:30:28without turning around.
00:30:29When they reached three vials,
00:30:31in my delirium,
00:30:32I seemed to see Ciaran
00:30:33from when we first met,
00:30:35standing outside the herb shop,
00:30:36smiling at me.
00:30:38I'm Ciaran Wolfe,
00:30:39and I'll be back tomorrow.
00:30:41In the final moment,
00:30:42I completely lost consciousness.
00:30:47When I woke up again,
00:30:48Ciaran was sitting
00:30:49by the hospital bed.
00:30:50I thought he would
00:30:51coax me gently like before,
00:30:53begging for my forgiveness.
00:30:55Yet,
00:30:55when I opened my eyes,
00:30:57I met his cold gaze instead.
00:30:59Did you ruin the totem pole?
00:31:01My mind went completely blank.
00:31:03What are you talking about?
00:31:04Ciaran's eyes were sharp.
00:31:05The elders' council investigated,
00:31:07and found that someone
00:31:08had soared halfway through
00:31:10the totem pole's base.
00:31:11If it wasn't you,
00:31:13who else would be scheming
00:31:14so hard to harm Cecilia?
00:31:16A chill spread through me.
00:31:18I'll say it again.
00:31:20It wasn't me.
00:31:21Not this time.
00:31:22Not this time.
00:31:23Not the last time.
00:31:25Not the time before that.
00:31:26Do you believe me,
00:31:28Ciaran?
00:31:30Swear on your wolf's soul,
00:31:32and tell me if you sense
00:31:34through our bond
00:31:35that I'm lying.
00:31:37My voice rose into a scream
00:31:39with the last words.
00:31:41You're still denying it!
00:31:43Ciaran's eyes turned cold.
00:31:44You always ask me to believe you,
00:31:47but what have you done?
00:31:48Cecilia ends up hurt,
00:31:50while the pups are in danger.
00:31:53I told you.
00:31:54I only treat her well
00:31:56because of the air.
00:31:57Why do you insist on making a scene
00:31:59if she loses the puff?
00:32:02What good does that do for us?
00:32:05My chest heaved violently
00:32:06as countless grievances
00:32:08and anger clogged my throat.
00:32:09I wanted to question him,
00:32:11to argue back,
00:32:12to scream at the top of my lungs
00:32:14that I had never hurt anyone.
00:32:15I wanted to ask
00:32:16if he had forgotten his promise
00:32:17to always believe me unconditionally
00:32:19and never doubt me.
00:32:21In the end,
00:32:22I just looked at him wearily.
00:32:23My voice trembling
00:32:24as I said,
00:32:26Fine.
00:32:27Since you don't trust me,
00:32:29let's end this.
00:32:31You can break the maeton between us.
00:32:33I'll step aside
00:32:34so you can live happily
00:32:35as a family of four.
00:32:37Ciaran froze instantly.
00:32:38His golden pupils
00:32:39contracting sharply.
00:32:41What did you say?
00:32:42An uncontrolled werewolf growl
00:32:44spilled from his throat.
00:32:45I glared at him
00:32:46with bloodshot eyes.
00:32:48Wasn't I clear enough?
00:32:49I renounced the bond between us.
00:32:52I'm willingly stepping aside
00:32:54for you and Cecilia.
00:32:56Ciaran punched the nearby table,
00:32:57shattering it,
00:32:58as wood splinters flew everywhere.
00:33:00He grabbed my wrist,
00:33:02fury rolling in his eyes.
00:33:04Elise!
00:33:06What are you saying?
00:33:08I've always loved you,
00:33:10yet you want me to be
00:33:11with another woman.
00:33:12I stared back at him stubbornly
00:33:14with teary eyes,
00:33:15saying nothing.
00:33:17After a long standoff,
00:33:19Ciaran took a deep breath.
00:33:20He forcibly suppressed his anger
00:33:22and pulled me into his arms,
00:33:24holding me so tight
00:33:25it felt like he wanted
00:33:26to merge me into his bones.
00:33:28This matter ends here.
00:33:30Cecilia has already
00:33:31forgiven you,
00:33:32and I won't hold it
00:33:33against you either.
00:33:35But remember this.
00:33:36He tightened his arms,
00:33:37his voice hoarse as he said,
00:33:39Don't ever mention
00:33:40breaking the bond
00:33:41or leaving again.
00:33:42Never!
00:33:42Everything I'm doing
00:33:43is for our future.
00:33:45I did not tell him that
00:33:46to hell with the future.
00:33:47I had already decided to leave.
00:33:49She forgave me that easily.
00:33:51No conditions.
00:33:52I asked softly,
00:33:54my voice numb.
00:33:55Ciaran's body stiffened,
00:33:56and he was silent for a moment
00:33:58before releasing me.
00:33:59She wants to hold
00:34:00a moonlight vow ceremony.
00:34:02Cecilia says she wants
00:34:03the pups to know
00:34:04their parents once loved each other,
00:34:06are blessed by the moon goddess,
00:34:07to give them
00:34:08a legitimate background.
00:34:09After a pause,
00:34:10he turned to look at me.
00:34:11But this vow is fake.
00:34:13I'm just going through the motions
00:34:15to give the pack
00:34:16and pups an explanation.
00:34:17Don't overthink it.
00:34:20My lips trembled,
00:34:21but I could not say a word.
00:34:23My heart felt like
00:34:24it was being squeezed
00:34:25by an icy hand,
00:34:27each beat bringing
00:34:28tearing pain and absurdity.
00:34:30Ciaran, oh Ciaran,
00:34:31you already have children with her,
00:34:33and now you're even having
00:34:35the pack's most sacred
00:34:36moonlight vound ceremony.
00:34:38What part of this is fake?
00:34:40What am I supposed to be to you?
00:34:42Ciaran kept talking,
00:34:43his voice fading in and out
00:34:45as he explained the necessity
00:34:46of the ceremony
00:34:47and promised we would
00:34:48leave together afterward.
00:34:50I watched his moving lips
00:34:51and suddenly felt
00:34:52utterly exhausted.
00:34:53I slowly closed my eyes,
00:34:55letting those words
00:34:56turn to dust
00:34:57and settle on my
00:34:58already dead heart.
00:35:00I never spoke another word.
00:35:02Ciaran stayed with me
00:35:02at the healer's chamber
00:35:03for three full days,
00:35:05caring for me meticulously.
00:35:07When feeding me medicine,
00:35:09he would always blow on it
00:35:10gently first,
00:35:11then carefully bring it
00:35:12to my lips.
00:35:13At night,
00:35:14if I made the slightest movement,
00:35:16he would wake up startled
00:35:17and frantically grab my hand
00:35:19until he was sure I was okay.
00:35:21When the healer gave me
00:35:22magical healing needles,
00:35:23he would hold me in his arms,
00:35:25his fingers gently covering my eyes
00:35:27while he whispered soothingly,
00:35:29Don't look.
00:35:30It'll be over soon.
00:35:33However,
00:35:35after taking me home
00:35:35from the healer's chamber,
00:35:37he immediately began preparing
00:35:38for the vow ceremony.
00:35:40To prevent me from causing trouble,
00:35:42he even confiscated
00:35:43my communication crystal
00:35:44and posted guards at the door
00:35:46to watch me 24-7.
00:35:47In the huge mansion,
00:35:49only one housekeeper
00:35:50was left to look after me.
00:35:52I did not resist
00:35:53and quietly packed my luggage.
00:35:54On the day of the vow ceremony,
00:35:57my communication crystal
00:35:58was returned to me,
00:36:00filled with magical projections
00:36:01Cecilia had sent.
00:36:03Kiran,
00:36:04in formal attire,
00:36:05tenderly placing a ring
00:36:06on Cecilia's finger,
00:36:07both of them kissing passionately
00:36:09amid everyone's blessings.
00:36:11Their little family
00:36:12happily cutting
00:36:13a ceremonial bread together.
00:36:14Every projection
00:36:15was a blade
00:36:16carving deeper
00:36:17into my already broken heart.
00:36:19Every projection
00:36:20was a blade
00:36:21carving deeper
00:36:22into my already broken heart.
00:36:24Just as I was about
00:36:25to put the crystal away,
00:36:26the door suddenly opened.
00:36:28Lucian stood in the doorway
00:36:29and said,
00:36:30Everything's been arranged.
00:36:32He handed me a ship ticket
00:36:33and said,
00:36:35I guarantee that once you leave,
00:36:36he'll never find you.
00:36:38I silently took the ticket
00:36:39and picked up
00:36:40my packed leather trunk.
00:36:41As I walked out of the mansion,
00:36:43the sun was shining.
00:36:44I did not look back,
00:36:45walking toward the carriage
00:36:46waiting by the roadside.
00:36:47I did not say goodbye to Kiran.
00:36:49For the rest of my life,
00:36:51as long as the mountains rise
00:36:53and the rivers run,
00:36:54we would never meet again.
00:36:57I took a deep breath
00:36:59and forced myself
00:37:00to keep a calm expression.
00:37:01This is only temporary.
00:37:03Everything I'm doing
00:37:04is for Elise.
00:37:05The altar was already crowded
00:37:06with werewolf guests
00:37:07wearing traditional attire,
00:37:09their eyes filled with respect
00:37:11for the ancient ritual.
00:37:12Though this was merely
00:37:13a fake wedding,
00:37:14the elders' council
00:37:15had made it grand and solemn.
00:37:16I knew I should step forward
00:37:18to greet my bride,
00:37:19but my legs felt heavy.
00:37:20The alpha and his mate
00:37:22will swear in blood,
00:37:23nourishing the bond
00:37:24and uniting their honor.
00:37:26I looked down
00:37:27at the cold dagger
00:37:28and reached out,
00:37:28my fingertips trembling slightly.
00:37:30Just as my fingertips
00:37:31were about to touch the dagger,
00:37:33a violent burning pain
00:37:34from deep within my soul
00:37:35suddenly shot up
00:37:36from my heart.
00:37:37The sudden,
00:37:38soul-deep agony
00:37:39made me jerk my hand back,
00:37:40and I seemed to hear
00:37:41Elise's desperate voice
00:37:43in my ears.
00:37:43Kieran,
00:37:44are you really going
00:37:45to take a blood oath
00:37:46with her?
00:37:46What about me?
00:37:48What do our vows mean?
00:37:49The voice was distant,
00:37:50yet unbearably real.
00:37:54I shook my head
00:37:55and forced myself
00:37:56to calm down.
00:37:57Lucian told me,
00:37:58Elise is waiting for me
00:37:59in the mansion,
00:38:00and she won't go anywhere.
00:38:01Don't scare yourself.
00:38:03Throughout the entire process,
00:38:04I was like a puppet.
00:38:06Now the alpha may kiss his mate
00:38:08to complete the final step
00:38:10of the vow.
00:38:11Cheers and wolf howls
00:38:12suddenly erupted
00:38:13like a tidal wave.
00:38:14In the crest of the noise,
00:38:15I stiffly lowered my head,
00:38:17moving closer to Cecilia.
00:38:19The ceremony is complete.
00:38:21Congratulations to both of you
00:38:22for becoming mates
00:38:23under the moon goddess's witness.
00:38:25May your bloodline thrive!
00:38:27Beyond the grove,
00:38:28magical flares
00:38:29shot into the sky,
00:38:31exploding in the shape
00:38:32of wolf nets.
00:38:33The grand ceremony
00:38:34was finally over.
00:38:36After that,
00:38:36I violently tore off
00:38:38the gorgeous ceremonial robes
00:38:39and burst forth
00:38:40with incredible speed,
00:38:42shooting out of the sacred ground
00:38:43at impossible speed.
00:38:45Faster!
00:38:46Faster!
00:38:48Elise!
00:38:49Wait for me!
00:38:50I slammed through the heavy doors
00:38:53in my massive wolf form,
00:38:55charging forward
00:38:55at breakneck speed,
00:38:57leaving destruction in my wake.
00:38:58The moment I shifted back
00:38:59to human form,
00:39:00I sprinted toward Elise's room
00:39:02with desperate urgency.
00:39:04Elise!
00:39:05The ceremony's over!
00:39:06We can leave now!
00:39:07Right now!
00:39:08The next moment,
00:39:09the smile on my face froze.
00:39:10It was empty.
00:39:13The closet hung bare.
00:39:15The vanity sat stripped.
00:39:17Elise!
00:39:19Elise!
00:39:20Panic surged through me.
00:39:21I spun around
00:39:22and tore through the estate,
00:39:23the library,
00:39:24the lounge,
00:39:25even the armor.
00:39:25I grabbed the trembling housekeeper.
00:39:28Where is she?
00:39:29I told you to watch her!
00:39:32I had locked her door,
00:39:33increased the guards,
00:39:34ordered the servants
00:39:35to monitor her every move.
00:39:37A human like Elise
00:39:38couldn't leave
00:39:39packed territory alone.
00:39:40So why was she gone?
00:39:42The housekeeper
00:39:43was too terrified to speak.
00:39:44Lucien emerged
00:39:45from the shadows.
00:39:46Stop looking, Kieran.
00:39:47She's already gone.
00:39:48I whipped around.
00:39:49Gone where?
00:39:50Somewhere you'll never find her.
00:39:52The moonlight vow is done.
00:39:54Focus on being alpha
00:39:55and stay with Cecilia
00:39:56and your pups.
00:39:57Gone?
00:39:58That sounded absurd.
00:39:59Elise would only leave with me
00:40:01just as she'd promised.
00:40:03She loved me.
00:40:04She had waited for everything.
00:40:06If she wanted to leave,
00:40:07she would have done it
00:40:08when I agreed to have pups
00:40:09with Cecilia.
00:40:10Did you force her to leave?
00:40:12My alpha aura burst out,
00:40:13making the walls vibrant.
00:40:17I agreed to have pups
00:40:18with Cecilia.
00:40:19I went through
00:40:20the moonlight vow.
00:40:22I gave you everything!
00:40:23Why did you still
00:40:25drive her away?
00:40:27Lucien stepped forward
00:40:28and handed me a letter.
00:40:29We didn't drive her away.
00:40:31She left on her own.
00:40:33Read this.
00:40:34I looked down.
00:40:35On the parchment,
00:40:36in Elise's handwriting,
00:40:38to Kieran.
00:40:39My fingers trembled
00:40:40as I took the letter.
00:40:41The paper tore.
00:40:43Inside was a letter.
00:40:44Her script beautiful and neat.
00:40:46By the time you read this,
00:40:48I'll be gone.
00:40:49You won't find me.
00:40:51I'm leaving because
00:40:52I don't want to wait anymore.
00:40:54First,
00:40:55you said you just needed an heir.
00:40:56I believed you.
00:40:58Then Tyra was born
00:40:59and you said you needed more time.
00:41:01I believed that too.
00:41:03Then you said you needed a son.
00:41:05I tried to believe.
00:41:08But now you're taking a blood oath
00:41:10with her under the moon goddess witness.
00:41:12Kieran,
00:41:13how much longer was I supposed to wait?
00:41:15I'm human.
00:41:16My life is short.
00:41:17I can't endure endless waiting.
00:41:19When the moonlight vow
00:41:21echoed through the sacred grounds,
00:41:22everything between us ended.
00:41:25The mate bond is severed.
00:41:27We will never see each other again.
00:41:29Elise.
00:41:32Only then did I understand.
00:41:34The pain during the vow.
00:41:35My wolf's restless howling
00:41:37it had come from the mate bond severing.
00:41:39I destroyed our love with my own hands.
00:41:41I read the letter again.
00:41:42The paper shook in my trembling fingers.
00:41:45A metallic taste surged up my throat.
00:41:48The world twisted and spun.
00:41:50Colors bled away.
00:41:51The floor collapsed.
00:41:52My entire world plunged into darkness.
00:41:55Alpha Kieran, get the healer.
00:41:57Now!
00:41:59Overnight,
00:41:59the entire north buzzed with gossip
00:42:01about the wolf family's humiliation.
00:42:03I stood in the destroyed room,
00:42:05glaring at Lucian and at Cecilia,
00:42:07who clutched Tyra while sobbing.
00:42:08I tightened my grip on the knife against my wrist.
00:42:11Let me go find her,
00:42:13or we'll all die together.
00:42:14I still believed Lucian,
00:42:16or Cecilia,
00:42:17had driven Elise away.
00:42:19The moment I woke up,
00:42:20I planned to find her and run away.
00:42:21But the elders drugged me
00:42:22and brought Cecilia and Tyra
00:42:24to convince me to stay.
00:42:25If Elise was still here,
00:42:27I might have hesitated.
00:42:28But now she was gone.
00:42:30So was my weakness.
00:42:31I had nothing to lose.
00:42:35Put the knife down!
00:42:37You're disgracing this pack!
00:42:38Kieran, please,
00:42:40stay for our pups.
00:42:42Everyone pressured me
00:42:43to stay with someone I didn't love.
00:42:45Raised pups born from duty.
00:42:46No one considered my feelings.
00:42:48No one considered Elise's.
00:42:50You've already destroyed me once!
00:42:52I didn't want to sleep with her.
00:42:55You drugged me!
00:42:57I never wanted the pups!
00:42:59My voice trembled with fury.
00:43:02Back then,
00:43:02the elders' council
00:43:03had conspired with Cecilia
00:43:05to drug her.
00:43:05When I woke up,
00:43:06I wanted to strangle her,
00:43:07then kill myself.
00:43:09The elders begged me.
00:43:10We just want an heir.
00:43:12You are the heir
00:43:13we raised for over 20 years!
00:43:16They wouldn't let me run away
00:43:17with Elise
00:43:17without leaving them anything.
00:43:19Even Cecilia
00:43:19knelt in front of me
00:43:20and begged.
00:43:21Kieran,
00:43:22I've loved you
00:43:23for so many years.
00:43:24I've always loved you.
00:43:25Please give me a chance.
00:43:27Her voice trembled
00:43:28as she looked up at him
00:43:29with tear-filled eyes.
00:43:30I'm willing to carry your pup.
00:43:32Once the baby is born,
00:43:33I'll personally help you
00:43:34leave with Elise.
00:43:35I won't stand in your way anymore.
00:43:37Just please accept me.
00:43:39I gave in,
00:43:39but their greed kept growing.
00:43:41After Tyra was born,
00:43:43they demanded a son.
00:43:44They kept forcing me
00:43:45to compromise.
00:43:46Now that I'd finally found freedom,
00:43:48they'd driven Elise away.
00:43:49I couldn't accept it.
00:43:51Suddenly,
00:43:52Cecilia bent over,
00:43:53clutching her stomach.
00:43:55It hurts!
00:43:58Blood stained the white fabric
00:44:00under Cecilia's dress.
00:44:01Quick!
00:44:01Get help!
00:44:02After chaos,
00:44:04the elders rushed
00:44:04the miscarrying Cecilia
00:44:06to the healer's chamber.
00:44:07Cecilia's mother,
00:44:08Helena Graymark,
00:44:09slapped me across the face.
00:44:10Blood trickled
00:44:11from the corner of my mouth,
00:44:12but I stood
00:44:13like a soulless puppet.
00:44:14Mrs. Donati,
00:44:15this was our fault.
00:44:16Once Cecilia recovers,
00:44:18I'll make sure
00:44:18Kian takes care of her.
00:44:20Take care of her.
00:44:21Kian is ready
00:44:21to run off
00:44:22with another woman.
00:44:23Cecilia has sacrificed
00:44:24everything for him,
00:44:25bore him one pup
00:44:26carrying another,
00:44:26and this is how you treat her?
00:44:28Apologize!
00:44:29Now!
00:44:29I didn't move.
00:44:30I hadn't done anything wrong.
00:44:32Screaming,
00:44:33pleading,
00:44:33chaos,
00:44:34all crushing me.
00:44:35Then an angry roar echoed.
00:44:37This is a healer's chamber!
00:44:39Keep it down!
00:44:39The patient is coming out!
00:44:41The healer's chamber doors opened.
00:44:44Cecilia lay on the bed,
00:44:45face pale,
00:44:46magical breathing mask on.
00:44:48She just finished
00:44:49post-partum recovery
00:44:50and is pregnant again.
00:44:51Her body is extremely weak.
00:44:53She needs three months
00:44:54of strict bed rest.
00:44:55If she loses this pup too,
00:44:57it'll be much harder
00:44:57for her to conceive again.
00:44:59The elders' faces fell.
00:45:00They hurried after the healer.
00:45:01The corridor emptied.
00:45:02I snapped back to reality.
00:45:04Police!
00:45:05I have to find her!
00:45:06I wheeled toward the exit,
00:45:08but Lucian's guards
00:45:09blocked my path.
00:45:10Alpha,
00:45:11you should see your Luna first.
00:45:13Get lost!
00:45:14Sorry, Alpha.
00:45:15If you won't go willingly,
00:45:17we'll escort you.
00:45:18She's carrying your pup.
00:45:20At least see the pup.
00:45:21I froze.
00:45:23Even though I couldn't stand Cecilia,
00:45:25she was carrying my child.
00:45:27Soon,
00:45:27I was wheeled to her isolation chamber.
00:45:29Just as the guard was about to knock,
00:45:31voices drifted out.
00:45:32Mom,
00:45:32your fake misbearage plan
00:45:34was brilliant.
00:45:36It worked perfectly
00:45:37to keep Kian here again.
00:45:39Her voice was slick with calculation.
00:45:40I had never heard her speak like that.
00:45:42Do you think if I make the pups
00:45:44have little accidents
00:45:45from time to time,
00:45:46Kieran will eventually
00:45:47stay for good?
00:45:52Those words slithered into my ears like venom.
00:45:55My entire body went rigid.
00:45:56Bone-deep cold shot up from my feet.
00:45:58The guard quickly stepped aside.
00:46:00Helena's smug voice came from inside.
00:46:03Of course,
00:46:04Elise is gone,
00:46:05but these tricks will keep Kian in your hands.
00:46:08My eyelids twitched.
00:46:09But don't go too far.
00:46:11With Tyra,
00:46:12just give her a little fever.
00:46:13Make her cry.
00:46:14Never poison her or drop her again.
00:46:17And the one in your belly,
00:46:19don't risk too much.
00:46:20Don't worry,
00:46:20I know my limits.
00:46:21But I already promised Kylan I'd let him leave after the ceremony.
00:46:24Even with this fake miscarriage,
00:46:26what about later?
00:46:27He'll still want to find Elise.
00:46:28Relax.
00:46:29I've already worked it out with Elder Lucian.
00:46:31We've sent her far, far away.
00:46:33She'll never come back.
00:46:34Focus on your pregnancy.
00:46:36Once this pup is born,
00:46:37all the Wolf family's assets will be yours.
00:46:40Veins bulged on the back of my hands.
00:46:42So that was it.
00:46:43All those times Tyra got sick,
00:46:45I thought it was Elise.
00:46:46It was Cecilia and her mother.
00:46:48They did it themselves.
00:46:49All those nights I abandoned Elise,
00:46:52letting her get punished
00:46:53while I sat by Cecilia's or Tyra's bedside.
00:46:56Every moment had been part of their plan.
00:46:59The world went silent.
00:47:01No potion smell.
00:47:02No distant murmurs.
00:47:04Only the thunderous roar of blood in my ears.
00:47:07A metallic taste surged into my throat.
00:47:10Lucian approached with a bag of herbs.
00:47:13Kieran, why are you standing there?
00:47:14Why haven't you gone in?
00:47:16He moved to open the door.
00:47:18I never expected your dad to give me a name.
00:47:20But you must fight to marry into the Wolf family.
00:47:24Otherwise your pup will be like you.
00:47:26Born a bastard.
00:47:27Forced to live like a rat in the gutter.
00:47:30He never imagined the mother of the heir
00:47:32he'd adored for years
00:47:33was actually an illegitimate daughter with no status.
00:47:35The Wolf family was a century-old dynasty.
00:47:38Every Luna had been born into noble bloodlines.
00:47:41If their Luna was a bastard,
00:47:43they'd be the laughingstock of every pack.
00:47:45Cecilia had been Lucian's carefully chosen candidate
00:47:48from the equally prestigious Donati family.
00:47:50She was beautiful, charming,
00:47:53and had lowered herself to carry my pups before marrying in.
00:47:56Lucian had treasured her.
00:47:57But now?
00:47:58She was worse than Elise's human status.
00:48:03It finally hit us why Cecilia's father,
00:48:06Alpha Orion Donati,
00:48:07hadn't been seen since the ceremony.
00:48:10Lucian burst through the door.
00:48:11You despicable liars!
00:48:14How dare you deceive me!
00:48:16Screams erupted.
00:48:18Things were thrown and smashed.
00:48:20I wheeled inside.
00:48:21Cecilia panicked,
00:48:22tried to get up,
00:48:23collapsed to the floor.
00:48:25She crawled tearfully to my feet.
00:48:26Kieran, let me explain.
00:48:28I never meant to hurt our pups.
00:48:30I did it because I love you.
00:48:32Please don't send me away.
00:48:34Until today,
00:48:35Cecilia had felt blessed.
00:48:36She thought she'd won me over,
00:48:38gotten to bear children for the man she adored.
00:48:40But now,
00:48:41everything was ruined.
00:48:42I knew the truth.
00:48:44Lucian knew.
00:48:45Soon the entire Wolf family would know.
00:48:47Orion had his legitimate wife and daughter.
00:48:49Attending Cecilia's wedding had been his final courtesy.
00:48:52Her only path was to cling to the Wolf family.
00:48:55Pups.
00:48:56My voice was cold.
00:48:58In your eyes,
00:48:59they're just tools.
00:49:00What right do you have to mention them?
00:49:03I'll give you 10 million gold coins.
00:49:06Don't ever appear in front of me again.
00:49:08As I turned to leave,
00:49:10Cecilia tried to chase after me.
00:49:12No!
00:49:14Sharp pain shot through her lower abdomen.
00:49:17She looked down at her dress in disbelief.
00:49:20Warm blood gushed from beneath her gown.
00:49:22No!
00:49:24Another rainy day.
00:49:25After the devastating blow,
00:49:27Lucian was bedridden.
00:49:28I took over the entire Wolf family,
00:49:30both the pack and its estates and businesses.
00:49:33While managing the empire,
00:49:34I kept searching for Elise.
00:49:36After one week,
00:49:37exhaustion was etched across my face.
00:49:39Still nothing.
00:49:40The guard stayed silent,
00:49:42lowering his head.
00:49:44Lucian and the elders had finally agreed to let me bring Elise in as my Luna.
00:49:48Even without their approval,
00:49:49I would have found Elise and overcome every obstacle to be with her.
00:49:53Now I had the pack's blessing,
00:49:54so I increased the search efforts.
00:49:56But a week passed.
00:49:57Nothing.
00:49:58Lucian had bought Elise a ship ticket to Hindland.
00:50:00But when my people tracked her there,
00:50:02she had never arrived.
00:50:04She had changed ships mid-journey.
00:50:06Then she had boarded a local carriage.
00:50:08Where she went from there,
00:50:09no one knew.
00:50:10The trail had gone cold.
00:50:12Then my assistant,
00:50:13Jacob Terrell,
00:50:14entered.
00:50:15Mr. Wolf,
00:50:16Ms. Donati,
00:50:17Cher has returned.
00:50:18Cher refuses to leave.
00:50:21Ever since the falling out,
00:50:23Cecilia had miscarried,
00:50:24and Helena had fallen seriously ill.
00:50:26Both women's status had plummeted.
00:50:29Jacob walked into my office with a troubled expression.
00:50:32Boss,
00:50:32Cecilia,
00:50:33I ask kneeling in the lobby again with the child.
00:50:35Tyra has been crying for Verunhauer.
00:50:37The guards don't dare drag them away because of the pup.
00:50:41What do you want us to do?
00:50:42Cecilia's tearful voice echoed from the doorway
00:50:44as she shouted toward my office.
00:50:46Kieran,
00:50:46please!
00:50:47I know I was wrong.
00:50:49I've learned my lesson.
00:50:50For Tyra's sake,
00:50:51don't abandon us.
00:50:53She's your daughter too.
00:50:54Stay with us.
00:50:56Just come back.
00:50:57I'll be good.
00:50:59I swear I'll never cause trouble again.
00:51:01Tyra needs her father.
00:51:03I looked at the small figure in her arms.
00:51:05Once,
00:51:06I felt some paternal love for Tyra.
00:51:08But now,
00:51:09all I could think about
00:51:10was how she carried
00:51:11half of Cecilia's blood.
00:51:13She might grow up to be just as malicious as her mother.
00:51:15My last trace of pity
00:51:17completely evaporated.
00:51:18I kept scrolling for news about Elise.
00:51:21When Jacob waited too long
00:51:22and was about to take matters into his own hands,
00:51:24I finally spoke.
00:51:25If you ever dare bother me with this again,
00:51:28you can roll out of here with her.
00:51:30Jacob stiffened and hurried out.
00:51:32Downstairs,
00:51:33Cecilia was still on her knees,
00:51:34holding Tyra.
00:51:35Her face was deathly pale.
00:51:37The pup had cried herself hoarse.
00:51:39Cecilia's eyes were fixed desperately
00:51:41on the Lord's private lift platform.
00:51:44Finally,
00:51:44the elevator moved.
00:51:45It descended.
00:51:46The doors opened.
00:51:47Cecilia scrambled to her feet.
00:51:49Karen!
00:51:49Her hand stopped midair.
00:51:51Her smile froze.
00:51:56Why is it you?
00:51:58Where's Karen?
00:52:00Jacob looked at her blankly.
00:52:02Mrs. Donati,
00:52:02Mr. Weil has made everything clear.
00:52:04Since you enjoy tormenting pups so much,
00:52:07you don't need to raise Tyra anymore.
00:52:09Cecilia's expression changed.
00:52:10She hugged Tyra tighter.
00:52:12What do you mean?
00:52:14Heeled leather boots clicked behind her.
00:52:16Her half-sister,
00:52:17Giselle Donati,
00:52:18snatched Tyra from her arms.
00:52:21Since you can't take care of her,
00:52:22I will.
00:52:23I can't have pups anyway.
00:52:26I'll raise her.
00:52:27Like she's my own.
00:52:30No, Donati!
00:52:31She tried to grab Tyra back.
00:52:33Giselle's armed guards
00:52:34knocked her unconscious
00:52:35and dragged her away.
00:52:37Tell Mr. Wolf we've taken her away.
00:52:39She won't be coming back.
00:52:40Also, congratulations
00:52:41on acquiring that field aid
00:52:43in the Northern Territory.
00:52:44Trading land for a pup,
00:52:46an extremely profitable deal
00:52:47for both sides.
00:52:48That was the last mercy
00:52:49I would show the child.
00:52:53News of the major leadership changes
00:52:55in the Northern Pax Wolf family
00:52:57spread quickly.
00:52:58Within just a few days,
00:53:00I caught up on Ciaran
00:53:01and Cecilia's aftermath
00:53:02through parchment scrolls
00:53:04brought by a travelling merchant
00:53:05while hiding out
00:53:06in a small mountain village
00:53:07in neutral territory,
00:53:09working as a teacher.
00:53:10My heart filled with mixed emotions
00:53:12at this outcome.
00:53:14After all,
00:53:15in my memory,
00:53:15even though Ciaran did not love Cecilia,
00:53:18he had still cared for her somewhat
00:53:20for the sake of their two pups.
00:53:22Yet in such a short time,
00:53:23they had reached this kind of ending.
00:53:25Still,
00:53:26none of this concerned me anymore.
00:53:28I had my own life to live now.
00:53:30I pushed the wooden gate open
00:53:31and watered the herbs
00:53:33growing in the yard.
00:53:34When I finished,
00:53:35I set down the watering can
00:53:37and settled onto the wooden bench,
00:53:39gazing peacefully at the orphanage
00:53:41surrounded by mountains.
00:53:42A soft voice suddenly called out
00:53:44from behind me.
00:53:46Miss Elisa,
00:53:47are you looking at the mountains again?
00:53:50Will the big bad wolves
00:53:51from the north come here?
00:53:52The little rabbit-eared girl
00:53:54climbed onto my lap,
00:53:55hugging my arm tightly.
00:53:57Teacher,
00:53:57you look sad today.
00:53:59Did someone bully you?
00:54:01Don't worry,
00:54:02I'll protect you.
00:54:03I smiled
00:54:04and gently stroked
00:54:05her fluffy ears.
00:54:06No one bullied me, Mia.
00:54:08I'm just thinking.
00:54:10Some people's stories have ended
00:54:12and mine has only just begun.
00:54:16Then will you stay with us forever?
00:54:18Don't leave, okay?
00:54:20We all like you the most.
00:54:22I hugged the little girl closer,
00:54:24feeling the warmth in my chest.
00:54:26Yes,
00:54:27I'll stay.
00:54:30This is my home now.
00:54:36It was currently summer break,
00:54:38so only a few teachers
00:54:40remained to watch
00:54:40over the small facility,
00:54:42and I was one of them.
00:54:44One day,
00:54:44a few new teachers
00:54:46invited me to go up the mountain
00:54:47to gather herbs and mushrooms.
00:54:49On the way,
00:54:50Kelly linked arms with me
00:54:52and chatted excitedly.
00:54:53I heard Mrs. Lott
00:54:54secured another investor
00:54:55from up north.
00:54:57They're coming to inspect next week.
00:54:59Elise,
00:55:00will you be there
00:55:01to welcome them?
00:55:02I politely declined.
00:55:03I won't be going.
00:55:05I have other things to handle.
00:55:08Oh,
00:55:08Kelly said with some regret.
00:55:10I heard the Wolf family air.
00:55:12Alpha Kieran
00:55:13is incredibly handsome
00:55:15and rich.
00:55:17If he's the one coming.
00:55:18I smiled and said nothing.
00:55:20I had worked so hard to move on.
00:55:22I didn't want to see Kieran again.
00:55:25Margaret also tried to persuade me,
00:55:26but I firmly refused.
00:55:28Mrs. Lott,
00:55:29please help cover for me
00:55:31when the time comes.
00:55:32Margaret sighed,
00:55:33but eventually respected my decision.
00:55:36But I never expected
00:55:38to see Kieran again so soon.
00:55:40Late that night,
00:55:41when I finally returned
00:55:42to the orphanage
00:55:43with the other teachers,
00:55:44I immediately spotted
00:55:45Kieran's familiar black carriage
00:55:47bearing the Wolf family crest.
00:55:49My heart tightened.
00:55:50As I was about to walk past it,
00:55:52the carriage door opened.
00:55:54The door opened without warning,
00:55:55and the two people
00:55:57who thought they would
00:55:57never see each other again
00:55:58suddenly came face to face.
00:56:01Time froze at that moment.
00:56:03The earthy smell
00:56:04of rain-soaked soil vanished,
00:56:05and the distant sounds
00:56:07of children playing
00:56:07in the woods disappeared,
00:56:09leaving only the wild beating
00:56:10of Kieran's heart
00:56:11and his rapid breathing.
00:56:14Kieran had not expected
00:56:15to actually see me here either.
00:56:17I looked at Kieran as well,
00:56:18never having imagined
00:56:20I would encounter him here.
00:56:21The moment I saw him,
00:56:23the grief buried deep in my heart
00:56:25surged back up my throat,
00:56:27and memories rewound
00:56:28like sand falling backward
00:56:29in an hourglass,
00:56:31with those painful scenes
00:56:32replaying one by one
00:56:34in my mind.
00:56:34Kieran,
00:56:36why do you still
00:56:37keep coming for me?
00:56:38I want to take you home.
00:56:40He sat across from me,
00:56:42his voice low and hoarse
00:56:43as he finally spoke.
00:56:45I found out the truth
00:56:46about Cecilia.
00:56:47Everything.
00:56:48How she schemed.
00:56:50How she lied.
00:56:51How she tried to destroy you.
00:56:52I saw her true nature
00:56:53with my own eyes.
00:56:54He paused,
00:56:56swallowing hard.
00:56:57I dealt with her.
00:56:58She won't ever appear
00:56:59in front of you again.
00:57:00Tyra,
00:57:01I sent her to a remote
00:57:03pack orphanage.
00:57:04She'll be raised
00:57:04far away from all of this.
00:57:06His eyes reddened,
00:57:07and his voice cracked slightly.
00:57:09The elders and I,
00:57:10we all regret
00:57:11what we did to you,
00:57:12deeply.
00:57:13We were blind, Elise.
00:57:14I was blind.
00:57:16He reached out
00:57:17as if wanting to touch me,
00:57:18but stopped halfway
00:57:19and clenched his fist.
00:57:21These past months
00:57:22while searching for you,
00:57:24I almost went mad.
00:57:26I couldn't eat,
00:57:27couldn't sleep.
00:57:28My fingers clutched the parchment
00:57:30that my whole body trembled.
00:57:31It was not relief,
00:57:32or grief.
00:57:33It was the sudden,
00:57:35brutal,
00:57:35tearing away of a scar.
00:57:37A truth too long delayed,
00:57:39now ripping open a scab
00:57:40that had never really healed,
00:57:42revealing the festering wound
00:57:43still raw beneath.
00:57:44It was too late.
00:57:46Everything was too late.
00:57:47I had long passed the point
00:57:48of needing the truth exposed,
00:57:50and I no longer needed
00:57:51Ciaran's attempts
00:57:52at reconciliation
00:57:53or his regret.
00:57:54Ciaran,
00:57:55I can't go back with you,
00:57:56and we can't return
00:57:57to how things were.
00:57:59When I saw you
00:58:00being intimate with her,
00:58:02I kept wondering
00:58:02if I was the other woman.
00:58:04No, Elise.
00:58:05You weren't the other woman.
00:58:07You're the person I woman.
00:58:09You're the person I love most.
00:58:11Ciaran repeatedly denied this.
00:58:14He instinctively reached
00:58:15for my hand,
00:58:16but I dodged aside.
00:58:17But that was exactly
00:58:18how it was for me.
00:58:20You had pups with her,
00:58:22sealed a vow
00:58:23under the moon goddess,
00:58:24and lived like a true pair
00:58:25in every way.
00:58:27To everyone else,
00:58:28she was your mate.
00:58:29So why did you
00:58:30come looking for me?
00:58:31There was already
00:58:32an impossibly wide distance
00:58:34between us
00:58:34that neither of us
00:58:35could cross,
00:58:36and I did not want
00:58:37to try crossing it again.
00:58:38Go back.
00:58:40Ciaran,
00:58:41this isn't where you belong.
00:58:42Thunder rumbled
00:58:43across the horizon.
00:58:44I refused to argue further
00:58:46and turned toward my door.
00:58:48The second I reached my room,
00:58:50torrential rain
00:58:50began pouring outside.
00:58:52However,
00:58:53he still stood motionless
00:58:54in the storm.
00:58:55I frowned
00:58:56and was about to pull
00:58:57the curtains closed
00:58:58when someone began
00:58:59pounding frantically
00:59:00on my door.
00:59:01This is George!
00:59:02Come out quickly!
00:59:03A child is missing!
00:59:06I immediately
00:59:07joined the search.
00:59:08Together with another teacher,
00:59:10Miss Lena,
00:59:11we hurried through
00:59:12the heavy rain
00:59:12toward the missing boy
00:59:13Elliot's home.
00:59:15The downpour was so heavy
00:59:16we could barely see
00:59:17the path ahead.
00:59:18Suddenly,
00:59:19distant rumbling sounds
00:59:20echoed from the mountain valley.
00:59:22Miss Lena grabbed my arm,
00:59:23her voice shaking.
00:59:24Elise!
00:59:25Did you hear that?
00:59:26That's sound!
00:59:31It's a landslide!
00:59:32We have to turn back!
00:59:33I clenched my teeth
00:59:34and kept running.
00:59:35We can't!
00:59:36Elliot is still there!
00:59:39We're almost at his house!
00:59:40We have to get him!
00:59:41We exchanged terrified glances
00:59:43but pushed forward,
00:59:45running faster.
00:59:46Sure enough,
00:59:47we found the trembling Elliot
00:59:49hiding under the bed,
00:59:50clutching a pile of toys
00:59:51that belonged
00:59:52to his late mother.
00:59:53No!
00:59:54I don't want to go!
00:59:56My mum's still here!
00:59:58I'm not leaving
00:59:59without her toys!
01:00:01Tears streamed down
01:00:02his small face
01:00:03as he hugged the toys tighter.
01:00:05Elliot,
01:00:06listen to me.
01:00:07I promise I'll bring
01:00:08every single one
01:00:09of your mum's toys
01:00:10back safely.
01:00:12But right now,
01:00:13you have to go
01:00:14with Miss Lena.
01:00:15It's dangerous here!
01:00:16You swear?
01:00:18You really promise?
01:00:19I swear.
01:00:20Now go!
01:00:22I quickly handed him
01:00:23to Miss Lena.
01:00:24Take him and run!
01:00:25Don't stop
01:00:26until you reach high ground!
01:00:27After they disappeared
01:00:28into the rain,
01:00:29I grabbed a sack
01:00:30and frantically
01:00:31stuffed all the toys
01:00:33inside.
01:00:33Just as I slung
01:00:34the heavy bag
01:00:35over my shoulder,
01:00:36the rumbling
01:00:37turned into
01:00:38a deafening roar.
01:00:39The landslide
01:00:40exploded through the window
01:00:41in a surge of mud,
01:00:42rock and debris.
01:00:45Time froze.
01:00:46Terror gripped me.
01:00:47My vision was filled
01:00:48only with that murky
01:00:49thick sludge
01:00:50mixed with broken
01:00:51wood and debris.
01:00:52It roared
01:00:53as it poured
01:00:54over the windowsill
01:00:55like the gates
01:00:55of hell
01:00:56opening wide.
01:00:57The putrid,
01:00:58earthy stench
01:00:59instantly flooded
01:01:00my nostrils.
01:01:01My mind went blank.
01:01:03No!
01:01:04No!
01:01:05I slumped helplessly
01:01:06against the wall,
01:01:08watching the wave
01:01:08of death crash
01:01:09toward me.
01:01:10Just then,
01:01:11a massive white wolf
01:01:12burst through the
01:01:13churning mud and caves,
01:01:15lunging straight at me.
01:01:16My eyes threw
01:01:17wide open.
01:01:19Kieran,
01:01:19what are you?
01:01:20The moment he charged in,
01:01:22his golden wolf eyes
01:01:23locked onto me
01:01:24with fierce intensity.
01:01:25Kieran,
01:01:26deep,
01:01:27urgent growl
01:01:27through mind link.
01:01:28Hold on tight,
01:01:29don't let go.
01:01:30With a deep growl,
01:01:31he lowered his head
01:01:32and slammed his powerful
01:01:33shoulder into my stomach,
01:01:35lifting me clean
01:01:36off the ground.
01:01:37The world spun
01:01:38as he tossed me
01:01:39across his broad
01:01:39back like luggage.
01:01:40Kieran,
01:01:41wait!
01:01:42He barreled
01:01:43toward the wooden door
01:01:44that led to the slope
01:01:45beyond
01:01:45and smashed through it
01:01:47with bone-rattling force.
01:01:52The door shattered,
01:01:54but a sickening crack
01:01:55followed.
01:01:56Kieran's entire body
01:01:57jolted violently.
01:01:58A muffled,
01:01:59pained groan
01:02:00tore from between
01:02:01his clenched teeth.
01:02:02I froze in horror
01:02:03and looked down.
01:02:04My heart seemed to stop.
01:02:06A jagged,
01:02:07wooden shard
01:02:07from the broken frame
01:02:08had pierced deep
01:02:10into his right side.
01:02:11Kieran!
01:02:12Oh God!
01:02:13No!
01:02:13You're hurt!
01:02:14My hands scrambled
01:02:15desperately to the wound.
01:02:17Hot,
01:02:18sticky blood
01:02:18instantly soaked
01:02:19my palms.
01:02:20Put me down,
01:02:21Kieran,
01:02:21please!
01:02:22You're bleeding
01:02:22too much!
01:02:24Stop!
01:02:24I pressed hard
01:02:25against the gash,
01:02:26but nothing could
01:02:27stop the steady rush
01:02:28of crimson
01:02:28pouring out
01:02:29between my fingers.
01:02:30Yet Kieran acted
01:02:31as if the pain
01:02:32did not exist.
01:02:33He kept charging
01:02:34up the steep slope,
01:02:35powerful muscles
01:02:36straining beneath me.
01:02:37Hold on.
01:02:39Don't let go.
01:02:40I'm getting you
01:02:41out of here.
01:02:42The overwhelming
01:02:43mudslide roared
01:02:44behind us,
01:02:45sweeping up trees
01:02:46and boulders
01:02:46like they were nothing,
01:02:47chasing us
01:02:48relentlessly.
01:02:49Kieran,
01:02:49you're going to die
01:02:50like this!
01:02:51Please stop!
01:02:52I can run on my own!
01:02:53Kieran!
01:02:54Kieran!
01:02:55He didn't answer.
01:02:56His breathing grew heavier,
01:02:58but his pace never slowed.
01:02:59I didn't know
01:03:00how long it lasted.
01:03:01But finally,
01:03:02the deafening roar
01:03:03of the landslide
01:03:04faded into the distance.
01:03:09We were safe,
01:03:10or so I thought.
01:03:11Suddenly,
01:03:12the world tilted again.
01:03:14Kieran,
01:03:15who had been carrying me,
01:03:16could no longer hold on.
01:03:17His massive body
01:03:18collapsed heavily
01:03:19toward the ground,
01:03:20but he still carefully
01:03:22protected me
01:03:22in his embrace.
01:03:25Kieran!
01:03:26Just then,
01:03:27I heard the sharp roar
01:03:29of a rescue horn
01:03:30echo in the distance.
01:03:31I tore off my cloak
01:03:32and waved it frantically.
01:03:33Soon after,
01:03:34Kieran and I
01:03:35were rushed by carriage
01:03:36to the nearest infirmary.
01:03:37Kieran was rushed
01:03:38straight to the healer's
01:03:39emergency room.
01:03:41After signing all the forms,
01:03:42exhaustion and shock
01:03:43finally hit me.
01:03:45Everything went black.
01:03:46When I came to,
01:03:47it was already the next day.
01:03:49The healer's apprentice
01:03:50looked at me
01:03:51with a heavy sigh
01:03:52and said,
01:03:52The treatment was
01:03:53a complete success,
01:03:54but due to massive blood loss
01:03:56and an old condition,
01:03:58Kieran has fallen
01:03:58into a coma.
01:03:59He might wake up tomorrow,
01:04:01or he might never
01:04:02wake up at all.
01:04:03My knees buckled.
01:04:04I covered my mouth
01:04:06as tears instantly
01:04:07spilled down my face.
01:04:08No matter what had
01:04:09happened between us,
01:04:10he had saved my life.
01:04:12I pushed open the door
01:04:13to his room
01:04:14and sat beside his bed,
01:04:15staring at his
01:04:16unconscious face.
01:04:19On the third day,
01:04:20Lucian arrived.
01:04:21He looked exhausted
01:04:22and for the first time
01:04:23bowed his head,
01:04:25apologizing before
01:04:25handing me a worn journal.
01:04:27After you left,
01:04:28Kieran recorded in this
01:04:29with a quill
01:04:30every single day.
01:04:32He wanted to show it
01:04:33to you himself.
01:04:34I slowly opened the journal.
01:04:36Wolf calendar year 818,
01:04:38month of Thaw.
01:04:39Today,
01:04:39Elise and I made it official.
01:04:41This journal is her
01:04:42first gift to me.
01:04:43I'm so happy.
01:04:45I'll treasure her
01:04:46and I'll never let her down.
01:04:47For the next three years,
01:04:49every page overflowed
01:04:50with his deep love for me.
01:04:52Then the entries stopped
01:04:53after the elders
01:04:53threatened mass suicide.
01:04:55Two pages were torn through
01:04:56with massive letters.
01:04:58The journal stayed blank
01:04:59for a year and a half.
01:05:00The final entries were written
01:05:02after he came looking for me.
01:05:03Elise,
01:05:04I'm so sorry.
01:05:05I kept asking you
01:05:06to wait just a little longer.
01:05:07At first,
01:05:08I thought I could finish it quickly.
01:05:10But after Tyra was born,
01:05:11my heart started changing.
01:05:12I got soft again and again.
01:05:14Every moment of weakness
01:05:15turned into knives
01:05:17stabbing your heart.
01:05:18If I hadn't given in that day,
01:05:20we could have married,
01:05:21had pups of our own
01:05:22and traveled anywhere you wanted.
01:05:24But I know it's too late now.
01:05:26I closed the journal.
01:05:28Medical staff wheeled Kieran
01:05:29out on a gurney.
01:05:31Lucian planned to take him north
01:05:32for better treatment.
01:05:34I handed the journal back to Lucian
01:05:36with steady hands.
01:05:37If he ever wakes up,
01:05:38please tell him that everything
01:05:39from the past ends here.
01:05:41From now on,
01:05:42we're like two parallel lines
01:05:44that will never cross again.
01:05:46Elise,
01:05:48are you really sure?
01:05:49After everything he did for you
01:05:50in the landslide?
01:05:51I'm sure.
01:05:52My voice was calm and firm,
01:05:54though my throat felt tight.
01:05:56Tell him he doesn't owe me
01:05:57anything anymore.
01:05:58We're even now.
01:06:00This is goodbye.
01:06:01Without another glance at Lucian
01:06:03or the unconscious Kieran,
01:06:04I turned and walked firmly
01:06:06in the opposite direction.
01:06:07I was ready to start my new life.
01:06:09This was our final goodbye.
01:06:12We would never see each other again.
01:06:15Three months had passed since that day.
01:06:18I thought I had finally buried the past
01:06:19in this quiet mountain village.
01:06:21The children's laughter filled my days
01:06:23and the simple rhythm
01:06:25of grading parchment scrolls
01:06:26under a dim oil lamp
01:06:27brought me a fragile peace.
01:06:29Until that stormy night,
01:06:32frantic knocking shattered the silence.
01:06:34Before I could answer,
01:06:36the door burst open
01:06:37with a violent band.
01:06:38A tall, blood-soaked figure
01:06:40stumbled in Kieran.
01:06:42His healer's linen tunic
01:06:43hung in tatters,
01:06:45bandages across his chest
01:06:46already soaked crimson.
01:06:47Rain and blood streaked his face.
01:06:49Those once familiar golden eyes,
01:06:51now wild and bloodshot,
01:06:53locked onto me.
01:06:53Kieran.
01:06:54He didn't speak.
01:06:55He staggered forward
01:06:56and dropped heavily to his knees,
01:06:59forehead slamming against the wooden floor
01:07:00with a dull thud.
01:07:02I'm sorry.
01:07:04Alys!
01:07:04His voice was raw,
01:07:06broken,
01:07:06repeating over and over
01:07:08as tears mixed with rain
01:07:09and blood dripped onto my feet.
01:07:11I stood frozen,
01:07:13ice spreading through my veins.
01:07:16He crawled forward on his knees
01:07:18and clutched the hem of my dress
01:07:20like a dying man,
01:07:21his burning forehead
01:07:22pressed against my legs.
01:07:23I woke up
01:07:24and the first thing I thought of was you.
01:07:27I read the journal,
01:07:29every word.
01:07:30His voice cracked.
01:07:31I was wrong.
01:07:32I should have chosen you
01:07:34from the beginning.
01:07:34I should have fought the elders,
01:07:36the whole pack,
01:07:36everything.
01:07:37I never should have made you suffer alone.
01:07:39Come back with me.
01:07:40I disbanded the council.
01:07:42Sevilia and Tyre are gone.
01:07:43There's nothing between us anymore.
01:07:44I'll give you everything.
01:07:45My title,
01:07:46my power,
01:07:47my life.
01:07:47Just don't leave me.
01:07:49Please.
01:07:49My heart twisted painfully
01:07:51as his blood soaked through my dress.
01:07:53I tried to step back,
01:07:55but he rose abruptly.
01:07:56and crushed me into his arms.
01:07:58His kiss was fierce,
01:07:59tasting of blood,
01:08:01rain,
01:08:01and desperate regret.
01:08:03He pressed me against the wall,
01:08:05body burning and trembling.
01:08:07I love you, Elise.
01:08:08More than my own life.
01:08:09If you won't forgive me,
01:08:10kill me right here.
01:08:11Tear out my heart.
01:08:12I'd rather die by your hand
01:08:13than live without you.
01:08:15I pushed him away
01:08:16with all my strength,
01:08:17my voice shaking but resolute.
01:08:19Kieran Wolf,
01:08:20I once loved you enough
01:08:21to die for you,
01:08:22but you killed that love
01:08:23piece by piece.
01:08:25Every time you chose them over me,
01:08:28every broken promise,
01:08:29every night I waited in pain,
01:08:31it died slowly.
01:08:32He staggered back,
01:08:33face deathly pale,
01:08:34blood seeping from reopened wounds.
01:08:37I don't hate you anymore,
01:08:38I whispered,
01:08:40but I will never go back to you.
01:08:42Silence swallowed the room,
01:08:43broken only by the brain.
01:08:45He knelt again,
01:08:46pressing his forehead to the floor.
01:08:47Then let me stay here.
01:08:49Let me guard you from afar.
01:08:52Even if you never look at me again,
01:08:54I only ask to love you
01:08:56for the rest of my life,
01:08:57even if it's one-sided.
01:08:59He raised his bloodied hand
01:09:00and swore fiercely
01:09:01under the moon goddess.
01:09:04I didn't let him stay.
01:09:05That night,
01:09:06after he left,
01:09:07I packed what little I had
01:09:09and slipped away from the village
01:09:10before dawn.
01:09:11I changed my name,
01:09:12moved to a distant city,
01:09:14and built a new life
01:09:15where no one knew about werewolves,
01:09:17alphas,
01:09:18or broken mates.
01:09:19I never saw Ciaran again.
01:09:21I made sure of it.
01:09:24Years passed.
01:09:25One rainy autumn evening,
01:09:27a letter arrived from the north.
01:09:29It was from an old pack member.
01:09:31Ciaran had been diagnosed
01:09:33with a rare, aggressive cancer
01:09:35that even his alpha blood couldn't fight.
01:09:37He refused every treatment
01:09:39that would keep him alive longer
01:09:40if it meant leaving the village.
01:09:42He stayed there, waiting.
01:09:44He died quietly at dawn,
01:09:46alone in the same mountain cabin
01:09:48where he had once knelt before me.
01:09:50In his arms,
01:09:50they found a worn photograph of me,
01:09:52the only one he had kept.
01:09:54His fingers were still curled
01:09:55gently around it,
01:09:56as if even in death
01:09:57he couldn't let go.
01:09:59I read the letter once,
01:10:00then burned it.
01:10:02I didn't cry.
01:10:03I had already cried
01:10:05all my tears for him years ago.
01:10:07Some love,
01:10:08no matter how deep,
01:10:09can only end in silence.
01:10:11Perhaps this was the mercy
01:10:13we both had.
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