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#Shorts
#Short_Drama
#Shorts
#Short_Drama
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Short filmTranscript
00:08you're wet
00:09a deep masculine voice right next to my ear
00:12low, dangerous
00:14it made my stomach clench
00:16my head was fuzzy
00:18three scents wrapped around me
00:20familiar and not
00:22one cold against my lips
00:24one burning at my waist
00:25one rough between my thighs
00:27their hands, their masks
00:30I couldn't stop trembling
00:32three golden bonds coiled tight
00:34around our wrists so hot they burned
00:36three wolf shadows tangled
00:38on the wall above us
00:39I jolted awake, gasping
00:44cold sweat ran down my temple
00:46my back was soaked through
00:50my name is Freya Ashwood
00:52orphan, omega, nobody
00:55I don't remember my parents
00:57don't remember where I came from
01:00omegas like me were fair game in the pack
01:02the ones everyone mocked
01:04nobody noticed
01:05but I had Kylan
01:08my mate
01:09the new alpha of the pack
01:16strong, loyal, everything I'd ever hoped for
01:19tomorrow at his coronation
01:20he was going to propose to me
01:22in front of the whole pack
01:23and name me his Luna
01:33my heart was racing just thinking about it
01:36I picked up the laced Freya box
01:38I'd spent weeks preparing
01:40today
01:40I would finally become his Luna
01:45at the ceremony
01:46I tucked the box against my side
01:48and kept my eyes locked on Kylan
01:55he stood on the stage in full ceremonial dress
01:58my alpha
01:59my future
02:00his father announced him
02:02as the new alpha
02:10Kieran took the microphone
02:13my heart kicked
02:14my foot was already moving forward
02:17but his eyes slid past me
02:19straight to my adoptive sister Mia
02:21Mia Ashwood
02:22my sister
02:23I understood everything
02:24in a single second
02:25this was a setup
02:27it had always been a setup
02:28the whole hall burst into laughter
02:30every alpha
02:31every beta
02:32every omega
02:33who'd ever looked down on me
02:34now feasting on my humiliation
02:36something inside me snapped
02:38I ran up the steps
02:40and grabbed Kieran by the collar
02:41screaming at me
02:43he shoved me off like garbage
02:47then he looked me dead in the eye
02:49and said the words
02:50that would end me
02:51the golden bond between us
02:53snapped with a sickening crack
02:54in the chaos
02:55my lingerie box fell
02:57the lace spilled across the floor
02:59my handwritten love note fluttered out
03:01and the pack
03:02my pack
03:03picked them up
03:04passing them around
03:05laughing
03:06I begged for them back
03:07all I got was more laughter
03:09I grabbed a shard of broken glass
03:11off the floor
03:11climbed to my feet
03:12and dragged it across Kieran's face
03:14he struck me down with one swing
03:15my head hit the marble
03:17and then
03:17in front of the entire pack
03:18he publicly sentenced me
03:20to the werewolf information school
03:22congratulations little sister
03:24there are three alphas at that place
03:26Alex is the worst of them
03:30a monster
03:31an absolute devil
03:44when I opened my eyes again
03:45I was standing at the gates
03:47of the Lycan Reform Academy
03:48a roar of voices
03:49a crowd surging toward the training grounds
03:53screams everywhere
03:54I was swept along with them
03:56shoved all the way to the front
03:57before I could fight it
04:02in the center of the arena
04:04a man was tied to a wooden board
04:06lined with small blades
04:07blood everywhere
04:09still breathing
04:10three massive werewolves
04:12stride slowly forward
04:13their fur glistens brightly
04:15exuding an overpowering
04:16commanding aura
04:18in an instant
04:20a burst of harsh light
04:22flares up
04:22and they shift from beast
04:24to human all at once
04:25revealing stunning
04:27almost impossibly perfect physiques
04:33leading them is Alex
04:35broad shouldered and narrow waisted
04:37his sharp cold features
04:39carry a menacing edge
04:40an eye patch covers his eyes
04:42and a violent dangerous awarma
04:43clings to him
04:44warning everyone to stay away
04:46right beside him is Griffin
04:47his rich burgundy shirt
04:49hangs open wide
04:50putting his defined six pad
04:52on full display
04:53bold and devilishly charming
04:55he always wears a teasing
04:56playful smirk on his lips
04:58on the far side stands Jasper
04:59holding a crisp white shirt
05:01in his hand
05:01he has a gentle pure aura
05:02with soft relaxed features
05:04like a quiet elegant gentleman
05:05bathed in moonlight
05:06he is the only one of the three
05:07who seems entirely harmless
05:09wait
05:09the demons Mia warned me about
05:12the three men from my dreams
05:14Alex pulled a knife from his belt
05:16and flicked it
05:17it whistled past the bound man's ear
05:20and buried itself in the wood
05:21the crowd erupted in cheer
05:23something inside me broke open
05:25every moment of the ceremony
05:27came rushing back
05:28Kieran's face
05:30Mia's whisper
05:31the laughter
05:32I stopped thinking
05:34I ran out into the center of the ring
05:36and planted myself
05:37in front of the bound man
05:39screaming up at Alex
05:45a blade whistled past my ear
05:47so close it grazed my lobe
05:49and buried itself in the board
05:50right between the bound man's legs
05:52one inch higher
05:53and it would have ended him
05:54Alex was already walking toward me
05:56slow
05:58predatory
05:59the crowd stared at me
06:01like I was insane
06:02I forced myself to meet his eyes
06:05through the blindfold
06:05tried to keep my breathing steady
06:08it only made him angrier
06:09he closed the distance
06:11I thought I was dead
06:12then Jaster caught his arm
06:14I stepped back on instinct
06:16and hit something warm
06:17a chest
06:20griffins
06:21he tipped my chima up
06:22with one finger
06:23and smirked down at me
06:24all three of them
06:26all three men from my dreams
06:29who the hell are you?
06:31my name is Freya Ashwith
06:41what the fuck are you?
06:46Alex's fingers tightened around my neck
06:48his eyes burned
06:49before I could answer
06:50he turned away
06:50and spit a mouthful of blood
06:51onto the ground
06:52his face was white as death
06:54I stumbled back
06:54lungs heaving
06:55one word in my head
06:56run
06:57I didn't stop until my back
06:58hit a cold stone wall
06:59only then did I let myself breathe
07:01that dream
07:02the faces
07:03the bonds
07:04all three of them
07:05the same three men
07:06from my bed at night
07:07how could any of it be real?
07:10mates?
07:11three mates?
07:12a wolf couldn't have three mates
07:15it wasn't possible
07:16I was losing my mind
07:18I forced my feet to move
07:19toward the dormitory
07:21the only place that was mine
07:22I pushed the door open
07:24and a hand sped out of the dark
07:25and yanked me inside
07:26my back slammed against the wood
07:28I looked up into Alex's blood red eyes
07:30his breath was scorching
07:32he didn't give me a second to speak
07:34his mouth crashed down on mine
07:36hard
07:37devouring
07:38like he was trying to break me open
07:39and crawl inside
07:40I shoved him off with everything I had
07:43and he let me
07:44he just stood there
07:45chest heaving
07:45his eyes were still red
07:47but underneath the violence
07:48I saw something else
07:49pain
07:49he was fighting something I couldn't see
07:51I looked down
07:52the three golden bonds on my wrist
07:54were wriggling
07:55burning gold
07:56a horrible thought crossed my mind
08:01you're in rut aren't you?
08:05the words lit him up like a match
08:07he slammed my wrists above my head
08:08his other hand locking around my waist
08:10his palm burned through my dress
08:11his lips grazed down my throat
08:13biting, tasting, possessive
08:14and every touch turned my knees to water
08:16I mustered the last of my strength
08:17and slapped him across the face
08:19he froze
08:19stared at me
08:20the red in his eyes flickered
08:21and under it I saw raw desire
08:23and rawer self-hatred
08:24but his alpha scent kept rolling off him
08:26thick, overwhelming
08:27pulling me under
08:28I knew if I stayed one more second
08:30I was going down with him
08:31I tore out of that room on shaking legs
08:33and fled into the hall
08:34Griffin and Jasper were standing there
08:36frozen
08:37their eyes locked on mine
08:39pure shock on both their faces
08:45deep in the night
08:46I lay there staring at the ceiling
08:57I threw off my jacket
08:59stripped down to my tank top
09:00and padded out to the kitchen for ice water
09:02Jasper's voice comes from behind
09:03I jumped
09:04my foot slipped on something soft
09:06his towel
09:06and I stumbled back
09:07bare skin against bare skin
09:08his chest was right behind me
09:10warm
09:10solid
09:11damp
09:12my face went scarred
09:13he caught me gently
09:14retied his towel
09:15and rested a calming hand on my shoulder
09:17and that's when my wrist lit up
09:18the golden bond between me and Jasper
09:20shimmered softly into view
09:22the air changed
09:23a soft smile on his face
09:24he said something had gotten in my eye
09:25lifting my wrist
09:26and bringing his face close to mine
09:28the living room door slammed open
09:30Griffin walked in
09:32saw us
09:33froze mid-step
09:34the playful smirk dropped off his face
09:37why do you always run the second you see me sweetheart
09:39playing hard to get
09:50deep in the night
09:51I lay there staring at the ceiling
09:53Alex's kiss
09:54Jasper's warmth
09:56Griffin's hand on my skin
09:57my whole body was wired
09:59my heart would not slow down
10:01I reached for the vibrator in my drawer
10:03a soft moan slipped out of me
10:05and then I froze
10:07all three of them were on my bed
10:09Alex, Jasper, Griffin
10:11watching me
10:12looks like someone needs it too
10:19but I can't take all three of you at once
10:28and my body
10:29traitor that it was
10:31screamed yes
10:36I was on fire
10:37their scents filled every inch of the room
10:39until I couldn't tell one from another
10:42Jasper
10:42gentle
10:43gentle Jasper
10:44was the first to move
10:45his lips traced up the inside of my thigh
10:47cool and precise
10:48every kiss sent a fresh shiver through me
10:51Griffin wasn't gentle at all
10:52his mouth went straight to my chest
10:54teeth
10:54tongue
10:55hot breath fanning across my skin
10:56he wanted me trapped in his heat
10:58and Alex leaned over me
10:59and swallowed every sound I tried to make
11:01his kiss was punishment
11:02ownership
11:03mine
11:04his mouth told me
11:05mine
11:05mine
11:06mine
11:06mine
11:08three different heats
11:11three different kinds of hunger
11:12I stopped fighting
11:14my eyes went glassy
11:16my body gave up all its weight
11:18to them
11:19the three golden bonds flared on my wrist
11:21braided together now
11:23white hot
11:23binding the four of us like fate itself
11:26had reached down and tied the knot
11:27I bolted up right in bed
11:29soaped in cold sweat
11:31alone
11:32the golden bonds on my wrist
11:34still pulsed softly
11:35with echoes of what wasn't real
11:38heat curled low in my belly
11:40unease right next to it
11:42I needed a shower
11:43I needed to wash them off me
11:45I needed to think
11:47the second I stepped in the bathroom
11:49a cough tore through me
11:50I tasted copper
11:51blood hit the white porcelain sink
11:53bright
11:54shockling
11:54wrong
11:55and then a voice soft powerful full of light
11:58spoke behind me
11:59I looked up into the mirror
12:00a woman in white stood behind me
12:02glowing faintly
12:03her face full of quiet sorrow
12:04the moon goddess
12:05my child
12:06you must sever two of the bonds
12:08and complete the mating with your true fated mate
12:11otherwise
12:12you will die
12:15damn
12:16which one am I supposed to pick
12:18alex
12:19you want me that bad
12:20I went rigid
12:21blood hammered up into my face
12:23slowly slowly I turned around
12:25alex
12:26fresh out of the shower
12:28bare chest
12:29water tracking down every ridge of muscle
12:31black boxer briefs
12:32nothing else
12:33the scent of alpha poured off him in waves
12:35he walked toward me
12:37one step
12:38another
12:38caged me against the wall
12:40I could feel his breath on my mouth
12:42I squeezed my eyes shut
12:43and he laughed
12:44a short remarking breath
12:45the humiliation hit like a fist
12:47without thinking
12:48I snapped at him
12:49every cruel thing I could think of
12:51his head dropped
12:51and for half a second
12:52I saw something in his eyes
12:54I wasn't expecting
12:54pain
12:55raw and real
12:57he warned me to stay away from him
13:01the training hall stank of sweat
13:02and testosterone
13:03wolves everywhere
13:05sparring
13:05shouting
13:06showing off
13:06and then the instructor called my name
13:08paired with alex
13:09every head in the room turned to stare
13:11curious
13:12mocking
13:13I balled my hands into fists
13:15ignored all of them
13:16and walked straight up
13:17to the coldest man in the room
13:19I knew he'd turn me down
13:20but I never expected him to grab my wrist harshly
13:23slam me hard onto the mat
13:25then walk away without a single shred of mercy
13:28I lay there on the mat
13:29my chest full of a bitter ugly ache
13:31this was my fated mate
13:32this man
13:33a shadow fell over me
13:35warm
13:35gentle
13:36I looked up into Jasper's soft eyes
13:38his hand was outstretched
13:39he saw the way my ankle was already starting to swell
13:42something passed across his face
13:44worried he couldn't quite hide
13:46before I could speak
13:47he bent down
13:48slid one arm under my knees
13:49the other behind my back
13:50and lifted me clean off the floor
13:52I noticed the girl
13:53who's always hanging around Jasper
13:55glaring at me with pure malice
13:56as Jasper carried me toward the infirmary
13:59something made me glance back
14:00alex was in the far corner
14:02half hidden in shadow
14:03his eyes were blood red
14:05he was looking at me like he wanted to tear me apart
14:07wanted to take a bite and keep it
14:09I shrunk against Jasper's chest
14:11but even through the crowd
14:12I could feel alex's gaze
14:14cold and unblinking
14:15still pinned on me
14:16what a strange terrifying man
14:18I had to stay away from him
14:20Jasper set me down carefully on the bed
14:22knelt on one knee
14:23and started cleaning the swelling
14:2618 years of life
14:27and this was the first time
14:29anyone had ever been that gentle with me
14:31his breathing got heavier
14:33his eyes lingered on my ankle
14:34longer than they should have
14:35then
14:36just lightly
14:37he squeezed
14:38a tingling heat spread through my whole body
14:44shit
14:44I can actually feel you
14:47don't be scared
14:50that
14:51girl who's always watching you
14:54are you two together
14:55Thea
14:56no
14:57my wolf only wants
14:59one thing
15:01my fated mate
15:02a reckless
15:03dangerous thought
15:04blossomed in my chest
15:05what if Jasper is my fated mate
15:09I drifted out of the infirmary in a fog
15:11Jasper's words kept cycling in my head
15:13my wolf only wants my fated mate
15:16an engine roared behind me
15:17I turned
15:18a black sports car was barreling straight at me
15:21I couldn't move in time
15:23the bumper clipped me and I went down hard
15:25textbooks scattering across the pavement
15:27Thea climbed out of the car with two of her pack friends
15:30she didn't waste time
15:31a bucket of ice water hit me square in the face
15:33the cold tore through my skin
15:36the whistles and laughter from the crowd cut deeper than the cold
15:39I scrambled up and ran
15:41didn't look where I was going
15:42just ran
15:43I slammed through a door and stumbled inside
15:46I was three steps in before I registered the urinals against the wall
15:49men's locker room
15:51I turned my back to the door
15:52shaking
15:53peeled off my soaked shirt
15:54and stood there in just my bra
15:56trying to stop shivering
15:57a low whistle behind me
15:59I whirled around
16:00Griffin was leaning against the doorway
16:02arms crossed
16:03cocky grin
16:04eyes all over me
16:06get out you pervert
16:08pervert?
16:09princess
16:10this is the men's locker room
16:12who's the pervert here?
16:18go back to the dorm
16:19change
16:20now
16:29in the hallway
16:31I buttoned Alex's shirt over my wet clothes
16:33it was enormous
16:34the sleeves swallowed my hands
16:36it smelled like him
16:37cold
16:38clean
16:38like mountain air
16:39a poster on the wall caught my eye
16:41couples
16:42spinning
16:42laughing
16:43dressed in silk
16:44my chest twisted
16:45someone like me
16:47rejected
16:47humiliated
16:48an omega nobody wanted
16:50how could I ever belong on a dance floor like that?
16:52two girls walked past
16:54whispering loudly enough for me to catch every word
16:56each word hit like a punch
16:57my eyes stung
16:59I ducked my head
17:00pulled Alex's shirt tighter around me
17:01and ran
17:02away from the poster
17:03away from their voices
17:04away from everyone
17:05a stray dog
17:06that's what I was
17:08with nowhere to go
17:12when I got back to the dorm
17:13Jasper was waiting in the living room
17:15a bouquet in his hand
17:17a tailored suit
17:18a smile like crushed spring light
17:20he held the flowers out to me
17:21I took them with both hands
17:23the scent rose up and made my breath catch
17:25my heart was doing something stupid
17:27it would be my honor if you'd be my partner at the dance next Friday
17:33I've loved you for a very long time, Freya
17:36since we were children
17:38so
17:39will you be my partner?
17:46don't be in such a rush, princess
17:48you've got more than one mate, remember?
18:01what are you doing here
18:02you're in my way
18:04he turned around and went back up the stairs
18:06closed his door
18:07like he didn't care at all
18:08Griffin shoved his invitation into my hand
18:11and grabbed my arm
18:12Jasper stepped between us immediately
18:13shielding me from him
18:15I took a long breath and looked at both of them
18:17but I already knew
18:19only one of them had ever been gentle with me
18:21only one of them had ever saved me
18:23without asking for anything
18:24only one of them had given me an actual memory
18:27of being loved
18:28I hold out Griffin's invitation and hand it back
18:30then accept Jasper's offer instead
18:32Griffin growls in pure fury and storms out
18:34slamming the door
18:35I stood in the empty living room
18:37my chest ached in a slow, dull way
18:40was it the bonds?
18:41or did I actually feel something for the others too?
18:44the thought took hold like a weed
18:45the invitation Alex had in his hand that he never gave me
18:48the way Griffin had stormed out
18:50guilt pressed down on me from both sides
18:52but then I looked at Jasper's clear, open face
18:55and I reminded myself
18:56Freya, you swore you'd never pick another Chiron
18:59Jasper is the opposite of Chiron
19:00this is the right choice
19:01right?
19:05the night of the dance
19:06I stood in front of the mirror a long time
19:08my best gown
19:09a little makeup
19:10a deep breath
19:12then into the glittering ballroom
19:14I scanned the crowd until I found him
19:16tall, broad-shouldered
19:18that gentle energy
19:20it had to be him
19:22I gathered every ounce of courage in my body
19:24walked over
19:25and tapped his shoulder
19:28then I ducked my head
19:29cheeks burning
19:30and said it before I could chicken out
19:32I waited
19:33head down
19:34heart going a hundred miles an hour
19:35a familiar shocked voice spoke
19:37from behind me
19:39I whipped around
19:40Jasper was standing there
19:42behind me
19:43then
19:44who had I just confessed to?
19:46slowly
19:46slowly
19:47I turned back
19:48Alex
19:49not Jasper
19:50Alex
19:52he let out a low, dark chuckle
19:54and stepped closer
19:55his eyes pinned me in place
19:57I wanted the floor to open
19:58and swallow me
19:59my face was on fire
20:01Alex grabs a glass of champagne
20:03nods briefly at Jasper
20:05then turns and leaves
20:08Jasper hurried over
20:09and his hand came up
20:11to smooth my hair
20:12that one small gesture
20:14cut through the humiliation
20:15tonight I told myself
20:17tonight I would find out for sure
20:20I took his hand
20:21and squeezed it
20:22hard
20:23I leaned up on my toes
20:25closed my eyes
20:27tilted my face up
20:29waited for the kiss
20:30and right as his lips brushed mine
20:33a frantic call rings out
20:35right behind him
20:36he pulled back
20:38torn
20:40apologetic
20:42whispered he'd be right back
20:43and was gone
20:44but the next second
20:46Thea swarms over
20:47with her crew
20:48warning me to stay away
20:49from Jasper
20:50I didn't get two seconds
20:51to recover
20:52before Thea and her pack
20:53descended on me
20:54some half-hearted threat
20:56about staying away
20:56from Jasper
20:57I'd had enough
20:58of her games
20:59I turned to walk away
21:01that was when she lost it
21:03her two friends
21:04grabbed my arms
21:05she pulled a lit cigarette
21:07from behind her back
21:08and brought it slowly
21:09towards my face
21:11I flinched back
21:12the cherry of the cigarette
21:14was a centimeter
21:14from my eye
21:15a silver cuff click
21:17whipped past my ear
21:18slammed into the cigarette
21:19and went straight on
21:21to graze Thea's cheek
21:24I spun around
21:26Alex was standing
21:27in the far corner
21:28of the ballroom
21:29he clapped his hands once
21:31lazily
21:32like he was applauding
21:33his own throw
21:34and walked away
21:35without a backward glance
21:39Thea was shrieking
21:40looking for whoever
21:41had thrown it
21:41she couldn't find him
21:43so she took her rage
21:44out on me
21:46she lunged
21:47I stepped out of the way
21:48she kept going
21:50straight into a
21:51three-tiered cake
21:52face first
21:53the ballroom
21:54exploded in laughter
22:06Freya is my mate
22:08no one touches her
22:11Thea covered her face
22:12and fled the ballroom
22:13frosting still dripping
22:14off her hair
22:15I let out a shaky breath
22:16looked up at Jasper
22:17full of gratitude
22:18the music swelled
22:19I put my hand in his
22:21and we moved
22:21I could have stayed
22:22in that spin forever
22:23it was warm
22:24it was safe
22:24it was everything
22:25I'd wanted my whole life
22:26then mid-turn
22:27another hand caught my wrist
22:28and pulled me off balance
22:30it fell into a different chest
22:31hotter
22:32more aggressive
22:33Griffin
22:33he locked an arm
22:35around my waist
22:36his smile was sharp
22:37a little wounded
22:38it twisted in his grip
22:39furious
22:40tried to stome on his foot
22:41he dodged with a grin
22:42and pulled me closer
22:43his mouth grew near mine
22:45he was going to kiss me
22:46right there
22:47in front of everyone
22:47I shoved him off
22:48and stumbled backward
22:49my heel slipped
22:50on the polished floor
22:51strong arms caught me
22:52before I hit the ground
22:53a cold, clean scent
22:54I knew it before
22:55I looked it up
22:56Alex
23:01looking down at me
23:02with the strangest expression
23:03something complicated
23:04something almost amused
23:06the blood in my face
23:07I tried to pull away
23:09he pulled me back
23:10into his chest
23:10and held me there
23:11his eyes locking with mine
23:12I put my hands
23:13against his chest
23:14push
23:15I was going to push
23:16but I didn't
23:17he caught one of my hands
23:19brought my fingertips
23:20to his mouth
23:21pressed a slow kiss
23:23to it
23:23then ran his tongue
23:25across it
23:25just once
23:27this was Alex
23:28this was Alex
23:30doing this
23:31my brain went white
23:32I closed my eyes
23:34I leaned in
23:35he turned his head away
23:37and smiled
23:38shame deconated
23:39in my chest
23:40I shoved him off
23:41and ran out of the ballroom
23:42cursing him the whole way
23:44bastard
23:44fucking bastard
23:46I stormed down the corridor
23:47with my head full of fire
23:49and walked straight
23:49into a solid body
23:50I looked up
23:52and my blood
23:53turned to ice
23:55Kyron
23:57well well
23:58the little omega
23:59I kicked out of my pack
24:01nice dress
24:02were you trying
24:03to seduce tonight
24:06Kyron stepped toward me
24:08closer
24:08closer
24:09his alpha pressure
24:10made my whole body shake
24:12my back hit the cold wall
24:14nowhere left to go
24:15rage and terror
24:16exploded in me
24:17at the same time
24:17I shoved him
24:18with everything I had
24:19he threw me to the ground
24:20like I weighed nothing
24:21my forehead cracked
24:23against a stone pillar
24:24blood ran down
24:25into my eyebrow
24:26he loomed over me
24:28reached down
24:29ripped the slit of my ground
24:31wide open
24:32before his hand
24:33could touch my skin
24:34blue light flared
24:35in my eyes
24:36something took over
24:37my body
24:38my fist moved
24:39without me
24:40it slammed into his face
24:41hard enough
24:42to break bone
24:43all the strength
24:44drained out of me
24:44in an instant
24:45black spots
24:46and then nothing
24:47when I woke up
24:49I was in my room
24:50the air smelled
24:51like antiseptic
24:52Alex was sitting
24:53on the edge
24:53of the bed
24:54with a cotton ball
24:55carefully dabbing
24:56at the cut
24:56on my forehead
24:57his touch
24:58was unbelievably gentle
25:00nothing like the man
25:01who had pushed me off
25:02on the training mat
25:03I ask softly
25:04if he's the one
25:05who saved me
25:05he immediately snaps back
25:07with sharp harsh words
25:08to lecture me
25:08I shoved him
25:09and turned my face
25:10to the wall
25:11the air went dangerous
25:12I could feel the pressure
25:13drop in the room
25:14but he didn't come after me
25:15he just sat back down
25:17his eyes dropped to my leg
25:18and then his hand
25:19closed around my ankle
25:20the heat of his fingertips
25:21made me jump
25:22the whole room went quiet
25:23just our breathing
25:24his thumb moved slowly
25:26across my skin
25:27so gentle it was almost worse
25:28my hands fisted
25:30in the sheets
25:30he brought out
25:31a tube of salive
25:32lifted my leg
25:33with both hands
25:34and applied it
25:35around the bruise
25:35careful not to press down
25:37he was barely breathing
25:38this place is dangerous
25:40Freya
25:40every year wolves die here
25:43Ongas disappear
25:45I don't want it
25:46to happen to you
25:47so you came here
25:48for me
25:48alpha's saliva heals
25:49faster than medicine
25:50close your eyes
25:51I closed them
25:53his hands lifted my calf
25:55his lips pressed gently
25:56against the cut
25:57his tongue traced the sore
26:00swollen skin around it
26:01and a shock of heat
26:03ran all the way up my body
26:04I stopped breathing
26:21you're not actually that bad
26:23you know
26:26I stared into his eyes
26:28something swirled in them
26:30I couldn't name
26:31my throat closed
26:32I couldn't speak
26:33he leaned in
26:35his breath fared
26:36across my lips
26:37we were close enough
26:38to feel each other trembling
26:39the air between us
26:41was going to burn
26:42bang
26:42the door flew open
26:44Griffin
26:45two ice cream cones
26:47in his hands
26:47a big stupid grin
26:49on his face
26:49the grin froze
26:51the second he saw us
26:52I panicked
26:53shoved Alex away
26:55snatched the salve tube
26:56out of his hand
26:57I bolted into the bathroom
26:58and slammed the door
26:59leaned back against it
27:01my heart was trying
27:02to punch through my chest
27:04inside
27:04I sat down on the tile
27:06shaking
27:07and tried to put
27:08Sam on my own leg
27:09my mind kept replaying it
27:11his mouth
27:12his eyes
27:13the tremor in his fingers
27:15the fact that I wanted him
27:17to keep going
27:17I decided on Jasper
27:19I was going to sever
27:21the other two bonds
27:22so why had my body
27:23lit up at Alex's touch
27:25why was I suddenly
27:26doubting everything
27:27was I
27:27falling for him
27:29no
27:29absolutely not
27:31I knew what Kieran had looked like
27:33before he destroyed me
27:34cold
27:35distant
27:36impossible to reach
27:37Alex was the same type
27:38my type
27:39the type I was going to die
27:41reaching for
27:42no
27:42I wanted a real relationship
27:44this time
27:45respect
27:45honesty
27:46not being played with
27:47until I broke
27:48another cough racked my chest
27:50copper in my mouth
27:51blood in the sink
27:52I looked up at the mirror
27:54pale
27:55bloody lip
27:56hollow eyes
27:57I couldn't let Alex
27:59confuse me anymore
28:00I had to complete
28:02the bond with Jasper
28:03soon
28:04before I died
28:08in the training hall
28:09I kept glancing
28:10toward the door
28:11waiting for Jasper
28:12to come back
28:13so I could tell him
28:14what I decided
28:15Thea appeared
28:16in front of me instead
28:17holding a training ball
28:19her eyes narrow
28:21she threw it at me
28:23I took it on the shoulder
28:25fuck
28:25she threw another
28:27I took it on the ribs
28:29on the third one
28:30something in me snapped
28:33I grabbed the ball
28:34and hurled it back
28:35it hit her in the forehead
28:36and put her flat on her back
28:38blood bloomed from her hairline
28:39the whole hall went dead silent
28:41every teacher
28:42every student
28:42staring at me
28:43the instructor told Jasper
28:45to take Thea to the infirmary
28:46then he told me to stay after class
28:47and clean the entire training hall
28:49my punishment
28:49and Freya
28:50you can stay behind
28:52and clean this entire jam
28:54I swallowed the injustice
28:56the way I'd swallowed
28:57every other injustice
28:58nobody cared about
29:00One Omega's side of the story
29:02after class
29:03it was just me
29:04in the echoing
29:05empty hall
29:06dragging a mope
29:06across the floor
29:07cold condensation
29:09pressed against my cheek
29:10I looked up
29:11Alex
29:14he says he'll train me personally
29:16and teach me
29:17how to control
29:18my inner power
29:18I stare at him
29:20half believe
29:21and half doubtful
29:22we squared off
29:24with wooden stalls
29:27old school
29:28bare bones combat
29:29he was an alpha
29:31and a top one
29:32his speed and strength
29:33were a different species
29:34from mine
29:35I could only fall back
29:37block
29:37stumble
29:39keep breathing
29:41but I didn't notice it
29:43at first
29:43last time we'd trained
29:45I couldn't block
29:46a single one of his strikes
29:48tonight I was holding
29:49my own for rounds
29:50at a time
29:51watching Alex's figure
29:52walking toward me
29:53from afar
29:54I realized for the first time
29:55that he might not be
29:56as brutal and bloodthirsty
29:58as everyone claims
29:59he hands me a bottle
30:00of water thoughtfully
30:01and asks why I keep
30:02putting up with
30:03unfair treatment
30:04when I possess
30:04such great power
30:05truth is
30:06or even knew
30:07I had that much
30:08strength inside me
30:09I tighten my grip
30:11on the water bottle
30:12and for the first time
30:14I told somebody
30:15no father
30:17no mother
30:19from the moment
30:20I had memory
30:21I was just the adopted girl
30:22in the Ashwood house
30:25the Ashwoods were
30:26old Ridge Pack nobility
30:28they didn't mistreat me
30:29they just
30:30didn't see me
30:32I existed to make Mia
30:34look better
30:34even when the moon goddess
30:35picked Kirin for me
30:37even when I had a mate
30:38nothing changed
30:40Mia only got worse
30:42and then I got discarded
30:44and ended up here
30:46Alex listened
30:47the whole time
30:49not once did his face
30:51flicker with pity
30:51or contempt
30:52just a quiet
30:53aching softness
30:54he wasn't used
30:55to comforting anyone
30:56his ears went pink
30:57when I looked at him
30:58with tears in my eyes
30:59he looked away
31:00flustered
31:03I couldn't help it
31:05I started laughing
31:06time for the next train
31:08he came at me
31:10I took a breath
31:12and swung at him hard
31:13he slipped to the side
31:14I over committed
31:15I was going to fall
31:17he spun and caught me
31:19his arm around my waist
31:21his chest against my back
31:22his breath at my neck
31:24our heart beats
31:25in the same too fast rhythm
31:26out of the corner of my eye
31:28a flash of color
31:29Griffin had come in
31:30with a broom
31:31he'd stopped dead
31:32his face twisted
31:34he threw the broom down
31:36so hard it bounced
31:37turned around
31:38and stormed out of the hall
31:40that night
31:41I bought a milkshake
31:42his favorite flavor
31:44and stood outside
31:45Alex's door
31:46working up the courage
31:47to knock
31:51Asper
31:51do you have
31:52Mia's number?
31:53Freya's sister
31:54I want to take her out
31:55for coffee
31:56the milkshake almost
31:57slipped out of my hand
31:58all of it
31:59the training
32:00the listening
32:01the gentleness
32:02all of it was a lie
32:04he'd been getting close to me
32:05so he could get to my sister
32:07I bit down on my lip
32:08and forced the tears back
32:10threw the milkshake
32:11in the nearest trash cans
32:14I was there
32:15maybe two minutes
32:16before there was a knock
32:17I yanked the door open
32:19Griffin was leaning
32:20against the frame
32:22hands in his pockets
32:23that cocky grin
32:25that always drove me insane
32:27I shoved him
32:28but he was built
32:29like a wall
32:30and I couldn't move him
32:31an inch
32:32the tears finally spilled over
32:34and I couldn't stop them
32:36don't hate
32:37don't do that
32:37come on
32:40tell me what you want
32:41and I'll get it for you
32:42anything
32:43I want someone honest
32:44someone who respects me
32:46someone who won't lie to me
32:48not someone who says
32:49pretty things
32:50he doesn't mean
33:10is this obvious enough
33:12I'm flirting with you Freya
33:14I want to be your mate
33:16for real
33:22bang
33:23the door flew open
33:25cold air rushed in
33:27I panicked
33:28shoved Griffin back
33:29and fumbled to straighten
33:30my clothes
33:31I looked up
33:32Alec
33:32his face was like
33:33carved stone
33:34his eyes were burning
33:37everything I'd been
33:38holding back all night
33:39the hurt
33:39the betrayal
33:40the mortication
33:40came out as a sneer
33:42what are you even doing here
33:43aren't you supposed to be
33:44on your date with my sister
33:45his eyes swept over
33:46Griffin's bare chest
33:47the wolf inside him
33:48rumbered
33:49a sound I could feel
33:50in my ribs
33:51Griffin had it by the collar
33:53Alec wrenched Griffin's hand off
33:54and walked out into the living room
33:55straight into Jasper
33:56Jasper smiled at him
33:58and held out an invitation
33:59Alec exploded
34:00the door slammed hard enough
34:01to rattle the frames
34:02on the walls
34:02Jasper stood there blinking
34:04me and Griffin
34:05stared at the floor
34:06Jasper's birthday party
34:07was bright and loud
34:07full of laughing wolves
34:08and formal clothes
34:09I found a corner
34:10and started drinking
34:11Alex's betrayal
34:13Griffin's confession
34:15Jasper's steady kindness
34:16the moon goddess's warning
34:18all of it tangled together
34:20in my head
34:20like a net pulling tight
34:21the more I drank
34:22the fuzzier things got
34:24Griffin rushed over
34:25and tried to take my glass
34:26I slapped his hand away
34:27a harsh cough tore through me
34:29I tasted copper
34:31blood dripped onto my dress
34:32bright red
34:33against the pale silk
34:34I pushed through the crowd
34:35and locked myself
34:36in the bathroom
34:37leaned on the sink
34:38the woman in the mirror
34:40was pale
34:40I know I can't hold on
34:41any longer
34:42I have to pick one
34:43to bond with tonight
34:44or I'm really gonna die
34:45pounding on the door
34:47Griffin's worried voice
34:49I shouted back at him
34:50to leave me alone
34:51I stared at myself
34:52in the mirror
34:52the decision clicked
34:53into place
34:54I wasn't going to die
34:55not like this
34:56I straightened my dress
34:57pulled that thing
34:57out of my clutch
34:58and gripped it
34:58hardened of them
34:58was outside this door
34:59that was who I was choosing
35:00and it was final
35:03I pulled the bathroom door open
35:05Alex
35:05he was carrying the cold
35:06in with him
35:07his face was dark
35:08his eyes were scorching
35:09I stepped back
35:10without meaning to
35:10the thing slipped out
35:11of my hand
35:12and hit the floor
35:12between us
35:13he saw it
35:13he walked me backward
35:15until I was pinned
35:16between the vanity
35:17and his body
35:18lifted me onto the counter
35:20like I weighed nothing
35:22his thumb brushed
35:23the corner of my mouth
35:24he forced my face
35:25up to his
35:26his voice was low
35:27and thick with rage
35:27barely held back
35:28then he kissed me
35:29it was a punishing kiss
35:30teeth and tongue
35:31and discipline
35:32and desperation
35:32all at once
35:33he left a mark
35:34on my neck
35:34his arms caged me
35:35against the mirror
35:36through the door
35:37Jasper called my name
35:38a wave of cold water
35:39down my spine
35:40and then a wave
35:40of something hotter
35:41right behind it
35:42I hooked my arm
35:43around Alex's neck
35:44pulled him into
35:44the nearest dot
35:45and slammed the door
35:46through the lock
35:47pressed him against
35:47the partition
35:48and kissed him
35:49with everything I had
35:49my hand went straight
35:50for his belt
35:51the knocking got closer
35:52it stopped right
35:52outside the stall
35:53Jasper's voice
35:54gentle and anxious
35:55came through the metal
35:56Alex went roger
35:56the heat drained
35:57out of his eyes
35:58and was replaced
35:58with something worse
35:59betrayal
36:00he slammed his fist
36:01into the stall door
36:02the whole cubicle shook
36:03the knocking outside
36:04went silent
36:05a long pause
36:06then Jasper's quiet
36:07awkward apology
36:08footsteps receding
36:09are you out of
36:10your fucking mind
36:12Freya would you
36:12spread your legs
36:13for anyone with a cock
36:14are you that cheap
36:15like you're any different
36:16you trained with me
36:17you listened to me
36:18and then you turned
36:19around and called
36:20my sister
36:20you're no better
36:21than every other person
36:22who's ever looked
36:23down on me
36:23and used me
36:24were you jealous
36:25did you actually care
36:27why would I be
36:28jealous of you
36:28you're a self-absorbed
36:30asshole
36:30you mean nothing
36:31to me
36:32nothing
36:32absolutely nothing
36:39in class the next morning
36:41the fight kept replaying
36:42in my head
36:42Nora's voice kept
36:43pushing through
36:44weaker
36:44the dull ache
36:45in my chest
36:45was a clock ticking down
36:47a folded note
36:47slid onto my desk
36:49Jasper's handwriting
36:50something gentle
36:52and careful
36:53my eyes burned
36:54I looked up
36:56and found him
36:56watching me
36:57his eyes
36:58full of quiet worry
36:59Thea saw it
37:00her face contorted
37:01a paper ball
37:02thumbed against my back
37:03I opened it
37:04seven words
37:06rooftop
37:06eight tonight
37:07come alone
37:10the wind was cold
37:11on the rooftop
37:11my skirt snapped
37:12around my legs
37:13I gripped the note
37:13and walked to the center
37:14my heart full of hope
37:15Jasper was finally
37:16going to let me tell him
37:16a sneer cut through the wind
37:18Thea was at the stairway door
37:19flanked by her two friends
37:20blocking the only exit
37:21their faces were pure malice
37:22they closed in on me
37:23her friends grabbed my arms
37:24and slammed me
37:25onto the concrete
37:26the cold of the rooftop
37:27cut through my dress
37:28I kicked
37:28I twisted
37:29they pinned my shoulder
37:30Thea crouched over me
37:31caught my chin in her hand
37:32pulled a small bottle
37:33out of her pocket
37:34dark liquid
37:35sharp chemical smell
37:36her friends forced
37:37my jaw open
37:38she poured it down my throat
37:39it tasted like
37:40rot and acid
37:41heat tore through
37:42my body instantly
37:43my vision warped
37:44my muscles went slack
37:46I couldn't fight anymore
37:47I tried to scream
37:49the wind swallowed it
37:50and just as I was
37:51about to go under
37:52the rooftop door
37:53exploded inward
37:53Alex
37:54his eyes blood red
37:55a killing aura
37:56coming off him in waves
37:57he didn't say a word
37:58he knocked Thea
37:58and her friends flat
37:59grabbed him like he was
38:00the last solid thing
38:01in the world
38:02I threw myself at him
38:03babbling
38:03begging
38:04he stiffened
38:05I could see him
38:06trying to be responsible
38:07trying to push me off
38:08so he could find the antidote
38:09but my flushed face
38:10my desperate eyes
38:12my tears
38:12the wall inside him cracked
38:14he whispered against my ear
38:16ragged and rough
38:16the heat in my body
38:17and the pan of my chest
38:18round tight around each other
38:19he kept holding me
38:20kissing me
38:20kissing me
38:21with five miracles
38:21he was hiding to darkness
38:22safe
38:23when I woke up
38:23I was in my own bed
38:24his coat was draped over me
38:25I could smell him on it
38:26that cool mountain scent
38:27cut through with a thin thread of blood
38:28Anak, Jasper
38:29he came in with a glass of warm water
38:30his eyes full of water
38:31the door suddenly bursts open
38:32Griffin storms in
38:33clearly furious
38:34and urgently asks where Alex is
38:35saying he's gone missing
38:36what Alex had brought me back
38:37it's the full moon
38:38what?
38:39Alex could lose control at any time
38:40if we don't find him
38:41Enzo, his wolf
38:42will swallow him whole
38:43he'll die
38:43we have to find him before sunrise
38:44so Alex has been fighting the wolf
38:46this whole time?
38:47that was why he kept
38:48shoving me away?
38:57in the dream
38:58I was in a wasted forest
39:00moonlight
39:01Alex slumped against a tree
39:03shirt soaked with blood
39:05cuts everywhere
39:06I grabbed his hand
39:08and sobbed that I wasn't angry anymore
39:09that every misunderstanding was gone
39:12pain ripped through my head
39:14and I snapped awake
39:15cold sweat on my forehead
39:17the full moon still hung outside the window
39:19one thought in my whole body
39:21find him
39:25I threw on a coat and ran
39:27straight for the forbidden forest
39:28I knew where he was
39:29he was in the most dangerous place there was
39:31and the place he needed me most
39:32the night was like ink
39:33the branches twisted overhead like claws
39:35the wind howled through dead leaves
39:37cutting at my face
39:38I stumbled forward
39:38my dress tore on every other branch
39:40my bare feet bled on the rocks
39:41none of it mattered
39:42under an old tree I found him
39:44collapsed
39:44soaked in blood
39:46new wounds still bleeding
39:47mud and dead leaves clung to him
39:48his breathing was so shallow
39:50I could barely see it
39:51Alex!
39:54Alex stay with me
40:04I wasn't contentacting Mia for a date
40:07I believe you
40:09there's someone inside the academy
40:11they're working with the hunters
40:12they want me dead
40:13protecting you
40:14the man he'd tied up at the start of term
40:16it had to be
40:16they'd been after Alex from the beginning
40:18I'm sorry
40:18I'm so sorry for every time I misunderstood you
40:20from now on
40:21I'm gonna be the one protecting you
40:23the kitchen was warm and full of steam
40:25in the morning light
40:26milk bubbling on the stove
40:28eggs crisping gold at the edges
40:30a bowl of healing broth
40:32I'd spent an hour on
40:33waiting to bring him
40:34I adjusted the flame for the fifth time
40:36all I could think about was him
40:38the whole night
40:39I'd dreamed of him
40:40the way he'd leaned against me
40:42that fragile
40:43unberservable vulnerability
40:45how every breath had pained him
40:47I just wanted him to wake up to something warm
40:49something to make him heal faster
40:52every guilt
40:53every missed chance
40:55every ounce of doubt
40:56of fint I'd carried
40:58I was going to pack it into this one meal
41:00and give it to him
41:02a gentle voice came from the doorway
41:04Jasper
41:05in loose clothes
41:06hair still damp
41:07I saw him reaching for the tray
41:09and stopped him at once
41:10telling him it was
41:11special nutritious meal
41:12prepared for Alex
41:13but he told me
41:14Alex had already left
41:15the spoon fell out of my hand
41:17and hit the plate
41:18with a sharp ring
41:19where was he?
41:21who was going to take care of him?
41:23what if someone found him again?
41:25I got two steps
41:26before Jasper was in front of me
41:28his body warm
41:29against the cold wall behind me
41:30his breath on my forehead
41:32he was close enough to kiss
41:34if I tilted up one inch
41:36I could
41:36I'm not going to let you go
41:38come back to my territory with me
41:41if you choose me
41:42I'll announce you as my Luna
41:43in front of my whole pack
41:46I'll protect you for the rest of my life
41:49no more misunderstandings
41:50no more hurt
41:52I looked into his sunlit face
41:54at the warmth in his eyes
41:55at the sincerity of everything he was
41:57and my mind kept dragging up another face
41:59another man
42:00a Alex
42:01Alex against my chest in the forest
42:03vulnerable and bleeding
42:04Alex biting back his wolf
42:06so he wouldn't hurt me
42:07Alex
42:07broken
42:08aching
42:09terrified
42:10still somehow
42:11trying to keep me safe
42:13it hit me in waves
42:14every moment of him
42:16it drowned out the gentle warmth
42:18standing right in front of me
42:19wait
42:23the silence cracked everything
42:25Jasper froze
42:26the hope in his eyes
42:28faded slowly
42:28replaced by something softer
42:31understanding
42:31he stepped back
42:33he ran his hand over my hair once
42:35gently
42:35and smiled
42:36no blame
42:37only release
42:38he helped me get to Alex's pack territory
42:41at the border
42:42he solemnly severed our bond
42:44the pain was shattering
42:46like something tearing out of my ribs
42:49I looked up into Jasper's tired
42:51quiet eyes
42:52the guilt was a knife
42:53but I had no other choice
42:55the car drove away
42:57the bond backlash
42:58turned into
42:59I doubled over
43:00and coughed up blood
43:01onto the gravel
43:02I used the last of my strength
43:03to stagger into Alex's wing
43:05of the estate
43:05he was sitting on the edge of the bed
43:07drinking coffee
43:08sunlight on his face
43:09he looked up
43:10saw me
43:11bloody
43:12dirty
43:13barely standing
43:14and his face went white
43:15I didn't hesitate it
43:17I launched across the room
43:18of the moth
43:19into a flame
43:19I shoved him down
43:21onto the bed
43:22and straddled him
43:23my hands pinned his shoulders
43:25my knuckles white
43:27my whole body shaking
43:28from the backlash
43:29and the hunger
43:32this cold
43:33cool looking man
43:34was what I wanted
43:36I fumbled
43:37with the buttons
43:38on his shirt
43:38the more I hurried
43:40the clumsier I got
43:41all I could feel
43:43horror was him
43:44getting harder
43:44against me
43:45burning through
43:46two layers of fabric
43:47the howls of both our wolves
43:49the ones we've been
43:50suppressing for so long
43:53are you sure?
43:55I'm not willing to watch
43:58clean
43:59twisted around each other
44:01the faded Maitron
44:02locked into press
44:03wrapping around our bones
44:04deep and unbreakable
44:06it drove out every shadow
44:08every fear
44:09every old wound
44:10this is happiness
44:13oh I believe
44:15I woke up the next morning
44:18and in his bed
44:20sunlight everywhere
44:22I kissed his cheek
44:24while he slept
44:24and patted into the bathroom
44:30day by day
44:31you'll get along
44:33thank you moon goddess
44:34I'm so relieved
44:36the bond was completed in time
44:37and I finally survived
44:43I grabbed his arm
44:44and tried to explain
44:45he pulled away from me
44:47hard
44:47his wolf was coming back up
44:49I could see the panic
44:50and the shame on his face
44:51as plain as I saw my own guilt
44:53and I could see him
44:54making it a decision
44:55he turned
44:56and walked out
44:57without one look back
45:00I watched him go
45:01every step he took
45:02crushed something inside me
45:03dull pain
45:04silent tears
45:05I knew this was a
45:06misunderstanding
45:07I knew he was leaving
45:08because he was afraid
45:09of what his wolf would do to me
45:10I went to his office
45:11he had his back to me
45:12the whole time
45:13a wall of cold shoulder
45:14that wouldn't turn around
45:16the beta told me
45:17helplessly
45:18that Alex was only afraid
45:19of hurting me
45:20not intentionally
45:21pushing me away
45:22I knew
45:23I knew
45:24I'd known the whole time
45:26but what was I supposed to do
45:28as his mate
45:29if he wouldn't even look at me
45:33his coldness is scaring me
45:36maybe I should just give up
45:40no
45:41I'm never giving up
45:42I love him
45:43that's enough
45:44I walked to his office door
45:46and raised my fist
45:47every knock
45:47was the sound of me
45:49burning my last bridge
45:50no answer
45:51I shoved the door open
45:53the room was empty
45:54only the beta
45:56standing by the desk
45:59his face was cold
46:00his voice was colder
46:02he told me Alex was gone
46:04and even if he weren't
46:05he would refuse to see me
46:06he said we were never meant to be
46:09and we ought to stop
46:10torturing each other
46:11every ounce of strength
46:12drained out of me
46:13I tasted copper
46:15from where I'd bitten my lip
46:16I turned and walked out
46:17with my back straight
46:18tears blurring my vision
46:20every step heavy
46:21but the thought in my head
46:23was getting clearer
46:23I'm not leaving Alex
46:26no matter how you hide
46:27no matter how hard you push
46:29I'm never giving up on you
46:35the room was dark
46:36only moonlight
46:38I was on the floor again
46:39my back against the wall
46:41a half-finished glass
46:42of something next to me
46:46I dreamed
46:47I was back in the forest
46:49darkness so thick
46:50I couldn't see my own hand
46:51wind cutting through me
46:53despair pressing in
46:54on all sides
46:55Alex was on the ground
46:57pale
46:58bloody
46:58his breath almost gone
47:00I ran
47:03dropped to my knees
47:04reached for him
47:05his eyes have stoked me
47:06the gentleness was gone
47:08what looked back at me
47:09was pure hungry violence
47:11his pupils blazed red
47:13a roar tore out of his throat
47:14echoing through the trees
47:16you're just using me
47:18no
47:20I truly love you
47:26tears running down my face
47:28I screamed it at him
47:30over and over
47:30the red in his eyes
47:32deafened
47:32his hand closed
47:34around my throat
47:35I couldn't breathe
47:36death crept in
47:37at the edges of my vision
47:42and then
47:43just as I was about
47:44to lose everything
47:45the red in his eyes
47:46deafened
47:47his hand flew off
47:48my neck
47:49a single tear
47:50dropped onto my face
47:51I stared up at him
47:52the violent version of him
47:54the one that had almost
47:55killed me
47:56he was crying
47:57I jolt awake
47:58tears still wet on my face
48:01my chest heaving
48:02cold sweat soaking my hair
48:04and just as the cold
48:06and the hopelessness
48:07were about to swallow me whole
48:09a soft
48:10holy voice
48:11spoke into my ear
48:12the chill vanished
48:13in the moonlight
48:14the moon goddess appeared
48:15her face full of sorrow
48:17and love
48:18I wiped my face
48:19and stumbled toward her
48:20my voice shaking
48:21I had to know
48:22how did I save him
48:23I couldn't stand
48:24watching him be torn apart
48:26from the inside
48:26while I could do nothing
48:32how did I save him
48:35how did I save him
48:38I couldn't stand
48:39watching him be torn apart
48:40from the inside
48:41while I could do nothing
48:42peace child
48:44I've come to tell you this
48:46you are the answer
48:52you are the one
48:54who can save him
48:55and yourself
48:59the moon goddess's words
49:01hit me like a bolt
49:02of lightning
49:04I froze
49:05my whole body shook
49:08my lips trembled so hard
49:10I couldn't make a sound
49:12I clenched the necklace
49:13at my throat
49:14my father had been a feared
49:16and powerful alpha
49:17my mother had been a white witch
49:19born with pure healing power
49:20condemned by every pack
49:22as a heretic
49:22they had fallen in love
49:24across a line
49:24that wasn't supposed to be crossed
49:26and they had been slaughtered for it
49:27murdered on a stone altar
49:29every unexplained moment
49:31fell into place at once
49:32every strange pull
49:33I'd felt towards Alex
49:34every time his eyes
49:35had languered on mine
49:36every coincidence
49:37that hadn't been a coincidence
49:38all the confusion
49:39all the fear
49:40all the self-doubt
49:40I'd been carrying
49:41it shattered
49:42I can save him
49:43I really can save him
49:45before I could fully take it in
49:46the door crashed open
49:48Jasper and Griffin
49:50pale frantic
49:51forbidden forest
49:52from my dream
49:53flashed through my head
49:54I know how to save him
49:56he must be in the forbidden forest
50:04you're the white witch's daughter?
50:08Griffin grew gentle and relieved
50:10he raised his hand
50:11toward the cold moonlight
50:12his voice was low and solemn
50:14he swore to release me
50:15as his mate
50:16from this night on
50:17he would guard me
50:18only as a friend
50:18for the rest of his life
50:20a soft white light flared
50:22the bond between us
50:23broke without pain
50:24no regret
50:25only release
50:26and deep
50:27deep gratitude
50:30I was almost at the edge
50:31of the forbidden forest
50:32when a dark shape
50:33dropped out of the shadows
50:34behind me
50:37before I could react
50:38something slammed
50:39into the back of my skull
50:41white hot pain
50:42rolled over me
50:43like a wave
50:47the dull throb
50:48at the back of my head
50:49a sharp cramp
50:50in my stomach
50:50I forced my eyes open
50:52in the dim light
50:53of a warehouse
50:53Kian and Mia
50:54standing over me
50:56smiling like snakes
50:57I tried to pull on the power
50:59inside me
50:59nothing
51:00my body wouldn't respond
51:02Nora didn't answer
51:03panic
51:04Mia stepped forward
51:05and slapped me across the face
51:07then drove her fist
51:08into my stomach
51:09pain flooded everything
51:11blood in my mouth
51:12I forced myself
51:13I forced myself to glare up
51:14at them
51:15told them Alex
51:15would never let them
51:16get away with this
51:17Kieran scoffed
51:18unconvinced
51:19I snarled at him
51:20called him a traitor
51:21a coward
51:22Mia lost it completely
51:23she slapped me again
51:25and screamed that she was
51:26going to destroy me
51:27she turned to the fire pit
51:29in the middle of the warehouse
51:30and pulled a glowing red poker
51:31out of the coals
51:32the heat rolled off her
51:33she stepped toward me
51:35she was going to burn out
51:36my eyes
51:37the heat got closer
51:38I shut my eyes
51:40all I could see was him
51:41all I could think
51:43was that I couldn't die
51:43like this
51:44I hadn't saved him yet
51:45I hadn't told him the truth
51:47let her go
51:50how the hell are you here
51:52you were supposed to be
51:53trapped by the hunters
51:54you're just a monster
51:55who can't control his wolf
51:57you're going to end up
51:58killing the people
51:58who love you
52:05wait
52:14that's right
52:15just like this
52:17next
52:18you'll strangle the girl
52:19you love with your own hands
52:29I leaned back against the wall
52:30I didn't flinch
52:32I didn't step back
52:33I called his name
52:34through my tears
52:34his body shook
52:35his right hand
52:37was holding a dagger
52:38lifting it toward me
52:38his left hand
52:39was clamped around
52:40his own right wrist
52:41nails digging into skin
52:42trying to hold
52:43the right hand back
52:44then he twisted the blade
52:45turned it away from me
52:46toward himself
52:47I screamed and threw myself at him
52:50grabbed the blade in both hands
52:51the edge cut deep into my palms
52:54blood ran down the steel
52:55I didn't feel it
52:56the power sleeping inside me
52:58for 18 years woke up
52:59warmth flooded every cell in my body
53:01my chestnut hair shimmers and shifted
53:03down the length of it
53:05strand by strand
53:05turning pure silver white
53:07a soft powerful white light
53:08burst out of me
53:09it filled every corner of the warehouse
53:11every shadow retreated from it
53:13every trace of violence dissolved
53:14my palm was still bleeding
53:16but the white light flowing through me
53:17grew warmer and warmer
53:18the ancient born in power
53:20of a white witch
53:21wrapped around me
53:22wrapped around me
53:23strange and familiar
53:24all at once
53:25by the light my guide
53:26by the blood as my bond
53:28I banish the darkness
53:30I restore the true heart
53:32by the moon's power
53:34may the shadow lift
53:35by my blood
53:37may the one I love
53:38be saved
53:52Kieran and Mia were screaming for mercy somewhere behind us
53:55I didn't have any attention left for them
53:57I could hear Griffin and Jasper bittering near the door
53:59and even that felt warm
54:01like surviving
54:02like coming home
54:03I started to smile
54:04Alex's arm tightened around my waist
54:07he lowered his head and kissed me
54:08deep
54:09urgent
54:10full of everything we'd almost lost
54:11everything we'd finally found
54:13when the kiss ended
54:14he pressed his forehead to mine
54:16the tenderness in his eyes
54:17almost undid me
54:18and I understood
54:19completely
54:20that we had finally walked out of the dark together
54:22I didn't have any attention to him
54:22I didn't have any attention to him
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