- 12 hours ago
Moonbound The Mating Decree Ep.19 SM
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Blood moon. Stained glass. I sit on the wedding bed. The door slams. Two rogues stagger in. Fur half-rotted.
00:07Mange weeping down their faces.
00:09Pretty thing.
00:10The first one, Rass.
00:11Lucian said play hard.
00:13I lift my eyes. Cold. Steady. No fear. You picked the wrong bride tonight.
00:17Three days earlier. Thornwood Manor. Rocky Mountains. Snow. Stone. A silver wolf's head carved over the hearth.
00:24I'm on my knees in front of the fireplace. Polishing an old hunting blade. Footsteps behind me.
00:28Selina. The elf is back from the council. Bad news? He hasn't taken off his coat.
00:34I slide the blade home. I've hidden here for three years. Three years since the council put my name on
00:41the black list and every bounty hunter started counting my teeth.
00:45A safe house. A kind family. A girl who calls me sister. I thought I was done. Outside, a wolf
00:51house. Long, wrong announcement.
00:54And somewhere south, the moon turns the color of old blood. My wolf stirts. For the first time in months.
01:06Edmund walks into the great hall with snow still melting in his beard. One night at the hollow and his
01:12hair has gone white at the temples.
01:13Margaret stands.
01:15Edmund.
01:16I named them.
01:17I named them.
01:17Alara freezes by the fire.
01:18I stood on the council floor and I named Blackridge. Every girl they've taken.
01:23Hooves outside. Hard. Fast. The doors blow open. A council courier. Black cloak. Silver pin. Sets a sealed rotor on
01:32the table.
01:32Mating decree. By order of the high council.
01:35Edmund breaks the seal. Reads. His hand starts to shake.
01:38Father, what does it say?
01:40You are bound to Lucian Blackroad. Seven days. Blood moon.
01:44Alara's knees go. Margaret catches her.
01:47She just had her first shift, Edmund. You told the council what he does to women.
01:52I know.
01:53Then do something!
01:55Refuse and the pack is skinless by sunrise.
01:58Alara is crying without sound.
02:00I stand in the shadow of the archway, silent. My wolf, quiet for three years, stirs beneath my skin.
02:08Then I speak before anyone can see me. I'll take her place and marry him.
02:12The words cut through the air like steel. She doesn't have to go. No hesitation. No tremor.
02:22My hand closes around the silver comb hidden in my apron, fingers tightening until it hurts.
02:27I say, voice steady. I will go in her place. I will fulfill the decree.
02:32Silence.
02:34I turn to Alara. I'll go in your place. She stares.
02:38You're a maid. I'm whatever your father says I am.
02:41Edmund. Margaret. Both of them heard. Edmund says...
02:45Selina, do you understand what you're offering?
02:49Yes.
02:50He will not be gentle.
02:53I'm counting on it.
02:54His hand flies to her mouth.
02:56Edmund holds my eyes a long moment.
02:59Then he turns and pushes open a door I've never seen open before.
03:08The hall of blood oaths.
03:11He cuts his palm over the bound book of the Thornwood line.
03:15Red drops onto my name written new.
03:20From this hour, you are blood of my blood.
03:24Bone of my bone.
03:27Daughter of Thornwood.
03:30Selina.
03:31He looks up.
03:32The pages drink the blood.
03:34Margaret lays a silver comb, a moonstone, and the family hunting knife into my hands.
03:38Alara sobs into my shoulder.
03:40My hand on her back is steady as carved stone.
03:43Tires squeak outside.
03:45Doors slam.
03:46Edmund's head comes up.
03:47He's here.
03:48Already?
03:49The front doors blow open downstairs.
03:52Where's my bride?
03:53Lucian Blackridge.
03:54Amber eye.
03:54Grey blue eye.
03:55Cold smile.
03:56Four men behind him.
03:57Drunk and grinning.
03:58I walk down.
03:59Slow.
04:01Guys find me.
04:02Slide.
04:02Land.
04:03There you are, sweetheart.
04:05Heard you were pretty.
04:06Looks like they fed you wrong.
04:08I stop three steps above him.
04:10Tilt my head.
04:13Lord Blackbridge.
04:15His tongue runs over his teeth.
04:18Come give your husband a kiss.
04:22He's my fiancee.
04:25My fiancee.
04:26The hall of blood oaths is still wet behind me.
04:29They said you were charming.
04:34I tilt my head.
04:37I see they meant loud.
04:40His grin slips half an inch.
04:44Careful, sweetheart.
04:49You were the one shouting from the foyer.
04:51A few of his men stop laughing.
04:53He crosses to me.
04:54Close.
04:55Closer.
04:56Bourbon and something sour.
04:58Like fear under cologne.
05:00My wolf flinches at the smell of him.
05:03Nothing.
05:04He smells like nothing.
05:05No inner wolf.
05:06I file it away.
05:07He lifts a strand of my hair.
05:09Rolls it between his fingers.
05:11Like he's pricing it.
05:13You know what happens to brides who talk back in my house, sweetheart?
05:19Enlighten me.
05:20They learn.
05:22He leans to my ear.
05:24Low.
05:25I've got brothers waiting for the wedding night.
05:27Real friendly boys.
05:29They love a new bride.
05:32Especially the ones who think they're clever.
05:35I'm sure they do.
05:38You should be afraid.
05:39I turn my head until my mouth is at his jaw.
05:42Smile.
05:43Try harder.
05:45For one second, Lucien Black Turd doesn't know what to do with his face.
05:50He laughs too loud.
05:52Drops my hair.
05:53Steps back.
05:54Seven days, Thornwood.
05:55He snaps his fingers at his men.
05:57Burn the dress she's wearing.
05:58I'll pick out the next one myself.
06:03The doors slam behind him.
06:06Edmund is shaking on the landing.
06:08I don't turn around.
06:09He didn't deny the wedding night?
06:11No.
06:13Good.
06:14Dawn.
06:15White bannets.
06:15Snow on every pine.
06:16I stand on the send-off stone in a moon-pale gown.
06:18The silver comb pressed flat in my hair.
06:20Behind me, Thornwood.
06:20Across the courtyard, the Black Ridge Convoy.
06:22Black SUVs.
06:23Black furs.
06:23Lucien lounging against the lead car like he's bored.
06:25Edmund mounts the stone beside me.
06:27He draws his ceremonial blade.
06:29Opens his own palm.
06:30Margaret makes a small sound.
06:31Doesn't stop him.
06:32Blood beads.
06:33Drops.
06:33Pisses on the cold stone.
06:34His voice carries across every alpha and beta.
06:36By Luna's breath and my own blood, I swear this oath.
06:40He lifts the bleeding hand to the moon.
06:42If a single hair on my daughter's head is harmed, if she weeps once in that house,
06:46Thornwood will not petition the council.
06:48We will come for Blackroke with teeth.
06:50And we will not stop until the line is finished.
06:53Wind moves through the pines.
06:55The pack representatives lower their heads.
06:57The oath has been heard.
06:58Lucien's smirk thins.
06:59Edmund turns to me, quietly.
07:00Come home.
07:01Whatever it takes.
07:02Come home.
07:02I will.
07:03I step down, cross the snow, past Lucien, who reaches for my arm.
07:06I let him take it without looking at him.
07:07I climb into the car.
07:08The window darkens.
07:09Lucien slides in beside me.
07:11Bourbon and that nothing smell.
07:12Smile, sweetheart.
07:13You're a married woman.
07:15Am I, my lord?
07:16Tonight, you will be.
07:18Enjoy the wedding day.
07:20The wheels crunch over white snow.
07:21I turn my face to the window.
07:23Through the tint, the blood moon is rising again.
07:25Fat.
07:25Red.
07:26Watching.
07:29Blackbring Manon.
07:29Stained glass.
07:30Blood moon bleeding red across the floor.
07:32I sit at the wedding bed.
07:33Veil down.
07:34The moonstone at my throat catches the red light.
07:36The door slams open.
07:37Lucien.
07:38Bourbon soaked.
07:38Two rogues behind him.
07:40Fur weeping mage.
07:41Eyes hungry.
07:42There she is.
07:43He crosses the room.
07:44Grabs my jaw.
07:45Tilts my face up.
07:46My pretty little thornwood bride.
07:49Take your hand off me.
07:50In 30 minutes, the guests come up to see how the wedding's going.
07:53His grin widens.
07:55They're gonna find my new wife rolling around with two of my favorite strays.
07:59Won't that be a story?
08:01Have fun, sweetheart.
08:02He lets go of my jaw.
08:04Walks out.
08:05At the door.
08:06His hand on the lash.
08:07His fingers tremble.
08:08Just once.
08:08So fast a normal wolf would miss it.
08:10My silver bright eyes catch it.
08:11The bolt drops.
08:12Iron on iron.
08:13Like a funeral bell.
08:14The rogues lick their teeth.
08:15Pretty thing.
08:17Lucian said play hard.
08:19I lift my eyes.
08:20Cold.
08:20Steady.
08:20No fear.
08:21You picked the wrong bride tonight.
08:23Then stop talking and start regretting it.
08:27The first rogue takes a step.
08:29He told us you'd cry.
08:30Said the thornwood girls always cry.
08:33Did he?
08:33Said you'd beg.
08:34You sound experienced.
08:36Lord Lucian's been generous.
08:38He lickes his lip.
08:39Three alpha's daughters last winter.
08:41Sweetest little.
08:42Generous.
08:42I stand.
08:43The silver comb slides from my hair into my palm.
08:45Six inches.
08:46Silver tip.
08:47Bright as a star.
08:48The rogues stop laughing.
08:49I move.
08:49I'm airborne before the first rogue gets his hand up.
08:51Thighs around his neck.
08:52Twist.
08:53Crack.
08:53Drop.
08:54Pivot.
08:54The second hasn't drawn his nade.
08:57Silver tip drives up under his jaw and out the back of his skull.
08:59Two bodies on the floor.
09:01Silence.
09:01I wipe the comb on a dead man's collar.
09:04Slide it back into my hair.
09:08Crack the window.
09:09Outside.
09:09The cold pond glints under the blood moon.
09:12As I throw them in.
09:13One after the other.
09:15No hesitation.
09:16No sound.
09:17But the splash.
09:18I return to the bed.
09:20Smooth my skirt.
09:21Sit.
09:22Down the hall.
09:23The guests are still laughing.
09:25And then I hear footsteps turning toward my door.
09:28Downstairs.
09:29Lucian nods at a maid.
09:30She gasps loud enough to carry.
09:33There's a man in the bride's room!
09:36Heads turn.
09:37Forks freeze.
09:39What?
09:39A man, my lord.
09:41Voices.
09:42I heard-
09:43Lucian stands.
09:44Draws his blade.
09:45Loud enough for the cheap seats.
09:47My bride.
09:48In my house.
09:49On my wedding night.
09:51Murmurs.
09:52He swings the blade.
09:54I'm gonna gut whatever rat she dragged into my bed.
09:57And then her.
09:58In front of every pack on the west coast.
10:02The crowd surges up the stairs behind him.
10:05He plants his boot on the door.
10:07Kicks.
10:08The door cracks open.
10:09I sit at the edge of the bed.
10:10Veil neatly back.
10:11I look up.
10:12Mild.
10:12Puzzled.
10:13My lord.
10:14You're shouting.
10:15His blade lowers an inch.
10:18Where is he?
10:19Where is who?
10:21Don't-
10:22It's my wedding night.
10:23My voice carries.
10:24Sweet as honey.
10:25And you've brought half the west coast into my bedroom with their swords drawn?
10:29I tilt my head.
10:30Is this how Blackridge throws a wedding?
10:32Someone in the back of the crowd snorts.
10:34Then a room of Alphodes trying not to laugh.
10:36Lucian's face goes white.
10:37Then red.
10:38His hand comes up.
10:41Strikes his son across the face.
10:45Lucian hits the floor.
10:46Mouth bleeding.
10:47His hand is still raised.
10:49Lucian is on the floor.
10:50Mouth bleeding.
10:51The room goes silent.
10:52On your feet.
10:54Lucian scrambles up.
10:56Out.
10:56Father.
10:57Out.
10:58He goes.
11:00Vivian troth hands over her mouth.
11:02My son drinks too much on his wedding night.
11:05Forgive him.
11:06Forgive us.
11:07And forgive a father's request.
11:09Nothing of what you saw leaves this house.
11:12Out of respect for the council and the council's brother.
11:15The crowd thins.
11:16Cassius turns to me.
11:17I have not moved.
11:18He sits beside me on the bed.
11:19Casual.
11:20Like an uncle.
11:20Selina.
11:21You're a clever girl.
11:22Voice for my ears only.
11:24That father of yours.
11:25Edmund is an old wolf.
11:26Old wolves get tired.
11:28Old wolves misstep.
11:29A pause.
11:30Old wolves die.
11:31I meet his eyes.
11:32That sounds like a threat, my lord.
11:33Good.
11:34Then you'll recognize it when it arrives.
11:36Morning.
11:37The doors bang open without a knock.
11:39Mrs. Hollands.
11:40Sixty.
11:41Grey.
11:42Skinny as a switch.
11:43The old beta of Blackbridge House.
11:45Three big she-wolves at her heels.
11:47Switches of white birch in their hands.
11:49Up.
11:50Eyes down.
11:51Throat out.
11:52I'm at the window with a cup of tea.
11:54Excuse me?
11:54Every new mate submits to the house Luna's beta on the morning after the bite.
11:59You drop your eyes.
12:00You bare your throat.
12:02You take the mark of this pack.
12:03She holds up a silver-tipped queer.
12:05Or this beta puts it on you.
12:07Pass.
12:08Her lip curls.
12:09The lady sent me.
12:10Vivienne says you'll learn your rank in this house.
12:13Mrs. Hollands.
12:14Or you'll be taught.
12:17She reaches for my wrist.
12:21I catch her index finger.
12:23Bend.
12:25Snap.
12:27The scream cracks every window in the room.
12:30The other she-wolves freeze.
12:32Birch switches clatter to the floor.
12:34Not one of them moves to her beta.
12:37They smell it.
12:38Whatever just stood up in this room outranks them.
12:41And their wolves know it before their heads do.
12:43I set my teacup down.
12:45Stand.
12:46Tell your Luna I don't bare my throat.
12:48Not in this house.
12:50Not in any house.
12:52One finger for one bad morning.
12:54I lean in.
12:55Send Vivienne next time.
12:56I have nine left.
12:58Maeve appears in the doorway, eyes wide.
13:00Pack a bag, I say.
13:01We're leaving.
13:02My-my lady-
13:03I step over the birch switch on my way out.
13:05In the front drive, one of the Blackridge drivers is already waiting.
13:09Engine running.
13:10Door open.
13:11He doesn't meet my eyes.
13:12My lady, the mountain roads ice over fast this time of year.
13:15Let me take you down myself.
13:17I nod.
13:17I get in the car.
13:19He shuts the door behind me.
13:21Tires crunch over gravel.
13:23The Blackridge gates roll past in the side mirror.
13:26Mrs. Hollins is still howling somewhere back there.
13:29I lean back against the leather.
13:31Cold smile.
13:33Maeve opened.
13:34Steps back fast.
13:35Sir.
13:35Lady.
13:36Edmund.
13:36Margaret.
13:37Snow on their shoulders.
13:39We're coming home.
13:40Right now.
13:41No.
13:41Selina.
13:42You had rogues in your room, we heard.
13:44Who told you?
13:44One of their maids found the bed empty.
13:46Ran to us.
13:47Then Lucien doesn't know yet.
13:49Selina, that's enough.
13:51You're done in that house.
13:52Father, I pour him a bourbon.
13:54Three days.
13:55Give me three days.
13:56For what?
13:58For Cassius to make a mistake.
13:59Margaret's knuckles go white in her lap.
14:02You'd risk.
14:03He told me you were going to die.
14:05In my ear.
14:06On the wedding bed.
14:07He's already coming for you.
14:09Going home doesn't save anyone.
14:11Selina.
14:11Edmund's face goes still.
14:13Three days, father.
14:14If I'm wrong, you've lost three nights of sleep.
14:17Edmund drinks.
14:17Sets the glass down.
14:18What do you need from us?
14:19Stay home.
14:20Don't take meetings.
14:21Don't sign anything.
14:22Don't even take a walk past the property line.
14:24Done.
14:24Margaret kisses my forehead.
14:26You'd better come back to us for your safety, Selina.
14:28I will.
14:28The door clicks shut.
14:30I cross to the window.
14:31Seattle below.
14:32Somewhere up in the Black Pines, the Black Ridge estate.
14:35Three days, Cassius.
14:36I let the silence stretch.
14:37We'll find out who breaks first.
14:39Midnight.
14:40I drop over the Black Ridge perimeter wall between two suite patterns.
14:43Forty seconds to the cedar line.
14:45Two minutes to the main house.
14:46Master suite first.
14:47I crouch under the bay window.
14:49Cracked open an inch.
14:50Cassius likes his air cold.
14:52Vivian's voice.
14:53And Edmund.
14:53You said you'd handle it.
14:54I am.
14:55Three council alphas are signing this week.
14:57Embozzlement.
14:58A human girl found in his forester's cabin.
15:00Witnesses we own.
15:01He's been clean for forty years.
15:03He'll be dirty by Friday.
15:05And our boy?
15:05What about him?
15:06His condition.
15:07If anyone in that house smells it on him.
15:09Then we make sure nobody in that house can.
15:12A glass sets down.
15:14Silence.
15:14I move.
15:15I slip the latch.
15:17In cedar.
15:18Gun oil.
15:19A wall of leather spines.
15:21Two forged letters.
15:22Volkov seal.
15:23Not close enough for forensics.
15:25One behind the painting.
15:26One inside the desk bible.
15:29Out the window.
15:30Over the wall.
15:31The blood moon's past its peak.
15:33Friday, Cassius?
15:35No.
15:35A beat.
15:36You don't get till Friday.
15:38Thornwood Manor.
15:39Snow coming sideways.
15:44Boots on snow.
15:46Long gray coat.
15:47Amper eyes.
15:48The gate guard steps in front of him.
15:50Sir?
15:51This is private property.
15:52I'm here to see my aunt.
15:53Uh, the lady isn't taking Teller Kyle's home.
15:55The guards changes.
15:56Mr. Thornwild.
15:57Aye, sir.
15:58Please come in.
15:59Inside.
15:59By the great hearth.
16:01Edmund crosses the room slow.
16:03Ten years.
16:03I know.
16:04Your father's chair is still there.
16:06A long beat.
16:07Edmund doesn't move to embrace him.
16:09Kyle doesn't expect it.
16:10Why now?
16:11You named Blackridge on the council floor.
16:13My father's killer was at that table when you spoke.
16:16I saw him on the live feed.
16:17He didn't blink.
16:20Ten years I waited for him to blink.
16:22He didn't.
16:23Until you said Blackridge.
16:25Edmund's jaw tightens.
16:27You think Cassius.
16:28I know Cassius.
16:30I came to prove it.
16:31Margaret appears in the doorway.
16:32You stayed away too long.
16:34I'm here now.
16:35Edmund pours three bourbons.
16:38You should meet your cousin.
16:39My cousin's twenty.
16:40Not that one.
16:41The new one.
16:42Kyle's eyebrow lifts a quarter inch.
16:44Tell me.
16:45Morning.
16:46Snow muffles the Thornwood drive.
16:48I step into the front hall.
16:49He's by the hearth.
16:50Back to me.
16:50He turns.
16:51Amber eyes.
16:51Tall.
16:52Quiet.
16:52The kind of quiet that's been earned somewhere ugly.
16:55My wolf stops.
16:56Lies down.
16:56I haven't felt her lie down since I was a cub.
16:59We don't move.
16:59Edmund clears his throat.
17:00Selina.
17:01My nephew Kyle.
17:02Kyle my daughter.
17:03Daughter.
17:03Kyle's mouth lifts at one corner.
17:05When was the wedding?
17:06Last week.
17:07Congratulations.
17:07Don't.
17:08His smile widens a fraction.
17:10He crosses to me.
17:11No rush.
17:11Stops in my space.
17:12Wolf close.
17:13The kind of close you only get with kin.
17:15You're carrying a kin kill.
17:16I don't answer.
17:17Back of the neck.
17:17Right side.
17:18The vertebra under your wolf's jaw.
17:19I don't answer.
17:20He lifts a hand.
17:21Slow.
17:22Telegraphed.
17:22May I?
17:23I say nothing.
17:23His thumb presses.
17:24Exact.
17:25Into the knot of fire that's been burning behind my skull since the wedding night.
17:28The pain drops.
17:29I exhale before I can stop myself.
17:31How did you know?
17:32Lucky guess.
17:33Try again.
17:33He meets my eyes.
17:35I'll tell you when you tell me your real name.
17:37He steps back.
17:38Bows his head a quarter inch.
17:40Walks past me.
17:41The fire stays gone.
17:42Edmund is watching us like a man watching weather come in over a ridge.
17:45Kyle Thornfield.
17:46Note to self.
17:47Be careful.
17:48Thornwood cold pond.
17:49Ice on the edges.
17:50Cedar smoke from the house.
17:51Kyle's already there.
17:52Two glasses.
17:53A bottle of bourbon between them on the bench.
17:55You drink Woodward?
17:55I drink what's poured.
17:56He pours.
17:57Slides it over.
17:58I sit.
17:58Not close.
17:59Not far.
18:00You came back because of your father?
18:01His jaw tightens.
18:03Cassus killed him.
18:03That's a serious accusation.
18:05I'm getting proof.
18:06He looks at the ice.
18:07You're not just a maid, Selina.
18:08You move like someone who's been hunted.
18:10You smell like silver.
18:11His eyes find me.
18:12And there's a name on the council blacklist with hair like yours.
18:16I sip again.
18:17You're not going to deny it.
18:18I'm not going to confirm it either.
18:19Fair.
18:20A long quiet.
18:21Cedar smoke.
18:22The pond ticking under the ice.
18:24I won't ask.
18:24Not tonight.
18:25Why?
18:25Because I'm asking you to trust me with something.
18:28And I haven't earned it yet.
18:29I look at him.
18:29His wolf is quiet.
18:30Mine is too.
18:31The Thornwood bell tower strikes twelve.
18:34He pours me another.
18:35Doesn't ask if I want it.
18:37Black Ridge estate.
18:38Night.
18:38I drop through Lucian's bedroom window between heartbeats.
18:42Empty room.
18:43Closet door cracked.
18:45Light behind it.
18:46Wrong color.
18:47Cold blue.
18:48I follow.
18:50The closet's a false back.
18:52Stairs.
18:53Down.
18:54Smell hits me halfway.
18:56Old blood.
18:57Silver salt.
18:58Fear sweat.
18:59My wolf flattens her ears.
19:01I keep going.
19:02The room opens at the bottom.
19:04I stop in the doorway.
19:06Silver hooks on the walls.
19:08Silver bands.
19:10Silver needles laid out on velvet like jewelry.
19:13Twelve women.
19:14Chained.
19:15Bare-shouldered.
19:16The silver collars are eating into their necks where the skin's gone thin.
19:20Wolf girls and human girls.
19:22Mixed.
19:23I count silk slips and one daughter of Alpha tattoo I recognized from a missing persons brief two summers ago.
19:29Lucian's voice.
19:30Around the corner.
19:31Croning.
19:32I press myself flat to the wall.
19:34One of the girls sees me.
19:36Blue eyes.
19:37Hollowed out.
19:39She doesn't react.
19:40Doesn't hope.
19:41That's the worst part.
19:43She's been here long enough to know that anyone new is just another mouth.
19:47I lift one finger to my lips.
19:50She blinks once.
19:51Slow.
19:52I memorize the room.
19:54Door count.
19:55Light source.
19:56Hook spacing.
19:57Where I'd put a body if I needed to.
19:59Then I back out.
20:01My wolf is screaming behind my teeth.
20:04I climb back through the window.
20:06In the snow, I lean against the cedar wall and let myself shake.
20:11Once.
20:12Just once.
20:14I'm coming back for you.
20:17All of you.
20:20The hollow council chamber.
20:22Three alpha stand.
20:23Stone faces.
20:24Show me the body.
20:25Cremated.
20:25Per pack protocol.
20:27Convenient.
20:27Aldric.
20:28The high alpha lifts a hand.
20:30Edmund.
20:30These are witness charges.
20:32By his men.
20:33By alphas of standing.
20:35You have 30 days to answer them.
20:36Until then, you do not leave Thornwood land.
20:39I'm to be cage ward.
20:41You're to be cautious.
20:42Cassius lets one corner of his mouth move.
20:45Edmund stands.
20:46Vows the exact depth required.
20:48No more.
20:49Walks out.
20:50Thornwood.
20:51Late.
20:52Kyle pours.
20:52I drink without looking at him.
20:54They move fast.
20:55Faster than I thought.
20:56He's been planning this for months.
20:58He was planning it before the Decreet.
20:59The Decree's the cover.
21:01Cassius.
21:02Sweetheart.
21:03You think you're hunting an old wolf.
21:07You're not.
21:09Thornwood.
21:10Cold pond.
21:11Same bench.
21:13Snow falling soft.
21:15Kyle's already there.
21:16He stands when I come down the path.
21:19Old manners.
21:20The kind they don't teach anymore.
21:22And lifts a wolfskin off the bench.
21:24You're shivering.
21:25I'm not.
21:26He drapes it over my shoulders anyway.
21:28Gathers the front with one hand to second longer than he needs to.
21:32His wolf is quiet.
21:33Mine is too.
21:34I pour him a bourbon.
21:38Talk.
21:42He sits.
21:43I'm not a beta.
21:44I know.
21:44You don't.
21:45Edmund's hands shake around you.
21:46He never shook around a beta in his life.
21:48I was supposed to be alpha hair.
21:50After my father.
21:51He looks at the ice.
21:53I gave it up at 17.
21:54Told the pack I wasn't fit.
21:57Disappeared into a special recordance unit and stayed gone for eight years.
22:00Why?
22:02Because the man who killed my father is on the high council.
22:05And an heir can't move without being watched.
22:07Nobody can.
22:08And now you're back.
22:09The pond ticks.
22:11He turns the glass in his hand.
22:14Soft.
22:15Last time my wolf was this quiet.
22:17Was the night before they brought my father home.
22:19I don't answer.
22:22I sip my bourbon.
22:24Stare at the ice.
22:26He doesn't make me say anything.
22:28That's the part that scares me.
22:32Downtown Seattle.
22:332 p.m.
22:34Daylight.
22:36A girl screams in an alley off Pike.
22:38Lucian has her by the wrist.
22:40Human.
22:41College age.
22:42White knuckled.
22:42I step between them.
22:43Let her go.
22:44You.
22:45Let her go, Lucian.
22:46His eyes find the cross of her wrist in his grip.
22:49He smiles slow.
22:50Make me me, sweetheart.
22:51The silver whip comes off his belt fast.
22:54Faster than a normal arm.
22:56I read it.
22:57Step inside.
22:59Catch his elbow on the upswing.
23:01But the tip clips the edge of my coat.
23:03And I feel the hiss of silver across my collarbone before I twist away.
23:07A hand catches the whip mid-snap.
23:09Snaps it.
23:10Bourbon-eyed.
23:11Lucian Blackridge.
23:13This woman bears the thornwood mark.
23:15Loud enough for the street.
23:17Touch her again.
23:18Touch any woman in this city again.
23:20And I'll send your wolf back to Luna in pieces.
23:24Witnessed under sky.
23:26The street has stopped moving.
23:28A Luna oath.
23:29Sworn under open sky.
23:31Binding.
23:33Lucian's face drains.
23:37He turns.
23:40He runs.
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