Moonbound - The Mating Decree - FULL | Reelshort
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00:02Blood Moon. Stained glass. I sit on the wedding bed. The door slams. Two rogues stagger in. Fur half-rotted.
00:10Mange weeping down their faces. Pretty thing. The first one, Rass. Lucian said play hard. I lift my eyes. Cold.
00:17Steady. No fear. You picked the wrong bride tonight. Three days earlier. Thornwood Manor. Rocky Mountains. Snow. Stone. A silver
00:25wolf's head carved over the hearth. I'm on my knees in front of the fireplace. Polishing an old.
00:30Hunting Blade. Footsteps behind me. Selina. The alpha's back from the council. Bad news? He hasn't taken off his coat.
00:37I slide the blade home. I've hidden here for three years. Three years since the council put my name on
00:44the black list and every bounty hunter started counting my teeth. A safe house. A kind family. A girl who
00:51calls me sister. I thought I was done. Outside a wolf house. Long. Wrong. Announcement. And somewhere south.
01:00The moon turns the color of old blood. My wolf stirts. For the first time in months.
01:09Edmund walks into the great hall with snow still melting in his beard. One night at the hollow and his
01:15hair has gone white at the temples. Margaret stands.
01:18Edmund.
01:18I named them.
01:20I named them.
01:20Allara freezes by the fire.
01:21I stood on the council floor and I named Blackridge. Every girl they've taken.
01:26Hooves outside. Hard. Fast.
01:28The doors blow open.
01:30A council courier. Black cloak. Silver pin. Sets a sealed rotor on the table.
01:35Mating decree. By order of the high council.
01:37Edmund breaks the seal. Reads. His hand starts to shake.
01:41Father.
01:42Father. What does it say?
01:43You are bound to Lucian Blackroad. Seven days. Blood moon.
01:48Allara's knees go. Margaret catches her.
01:51She just had her first shift, Edmund. You told the council what he does to women.
01:55I know.
01:56Then do something!
01:58Refuse and the pack is skinless by sunrise.
02:01Allara is crying without sound.
02:03I stand in the shadow of the archway. Silent. My wolf. Quiet for three years. Stirs beneath my skin.
02:11Then I speak before anyone can see me.
02:13I'll take her place and marry him.
02:15The words cut through the air like steel.
02:18She doesn't have to go. No hesitation.
02:21No tremor.
02:25My hand closes around the silver comb hidden in my apron. Fingers tightening until it hurts.
02:30I say, voice steady.
02:32I will go in her place. I will fulfill the decree.
02:35Silence.
02:37I turn to Allara.
02:39I'll go in your place.
02:40She stares.
02:41You're a maid. I'm whatever your father says I am.
02:44Edmund. Margaret. Both of them heard.
02:47Edmund says,
02:48Selina, do you understand what you're offering?
02:52Yes.
02:53He will not be gentle.
02:56I'm counting on it.
02:57His hand flies to her mouth.
02:59Edmund holds my eyes a long moment.
03:02Then he turns and pushes open a door I've never seen open before.
03:11The Hall of Blood Oaths.
03:14He cuts his palm over the bound book of the Thornwood Line.
03:18Red drops onto my name written new.
03:23From this hour, you are blood of my blood, bone of my bone, daughter of Thornwood.
03:33Selina.
03:34He looks up.
03:35The pages drink the blood.
03:37Margaret lays a silver comb, a moonstone, and the family hunting knife into my hands.
03:41Allara sobs into my shoulder.
03:43My hand on her back is steady as carved stone.
03:46Tires squeak outside.
03:48Doors slam.
03:49Edmund's head comes up.
03:50He's here.
03:51Already?
03:52The front doors blow open downstairs.
03:55Where's my bride?
03:56Lucian Blackridge.
03:57Amber eye.
03:57Gray-blue eye.
03:58Cold smile.
03:59Four men behind him.
04:00Drunk and grinning.
04:01I walk down.
04:02Slow.
04:03Hands folded.
04:03Lucian's eyes find me.
04:05Slide.
04:05Land.
04:06There you are, sweetheart.
04:08Heard you were pretty.
04:09Looks like they fed you wrong.
04:11I stop three steps above him, tilt my head.
04:16Lord Blackbridge.
04:17His tongue runs over his teeth.
04:21Come give your husband a kiss.
04:26My fiancée.
04:29The hall of blood oaths is still wet behind me.
04:33They said you were charming.
04:37I tilt my head.
04:41I see they meant loud.
04:42His grin slips half an inch.
04:47Careful, sweetheart.
04:52You were the one shouting from the foyer.
04:54A few of his men stop laughing.
04:56He crosses to me.
04:58Close.
04:58Closer.
04:59Bourbon and something sour.
05:01Like fear under cologne.
05:03My wolf flinches at the smell of him.
05:06Nothing.
05:07He smells like nothing.
05:08No inner wolf.
05:09I file it away.
05:10He lifts a strand of my hair.
05:12Rolls it between his fingers.
05:14Like he's pricing it.
05:16You know what happens to brides who talk back in my house, sweetheart?
05:23Enlighten me.
05:23They learn.
05:25He leans to my ear.
05:27Low.
05:28I've got brothers waiting for the wedding night.
05:30Real friendly boys.
05:32They love a new bride.
05:35Especially the ones who think they're clever.
05:39I'm sure they do.
05:41You should be afraid.
05:42I turn my head until my mouth is at his jaw.
05:45Smile.
05:46Try harder.
05:48For one second, Lucian Blackturd doesn't know what to do with his face.
05:53He laughs too loud.
05:55Drops my hair.
05:56Steps back.
05:57Seven days, Thornwood.
05:59He snaps his fingers at his men.
06:00Burn the dress she's wearing.
06:01I'll pick out the next one myself.
06:06The doors slam behind him.
06:09Edmund is shaking on the landing.
06:11I don't turn around.
06:12He didn't deny the wedding night?
06:14No.
06:16Good.
06:17Dawn.
06:18White bannets.
06:18Snow on every pine.
06:19I stand on the send-off stone in a moon-pale gown.
06:21The silver comb pressed flat in my hair.
06:23Behind me, Thornwood.
06:24Across the courtyard, the Black Ridge Convoy.
06:25Black SUVs.
06:26Black furs.
06:27Lucian lounging against the lead car like he's bored.
06:29Edmund mounts the stone beside me.
06:30He draws his ceremonial blade.
06:32Opens his own palm.
06:33Margaret makes a small sound.
06:34Doesn't stop him.
06:35Blood beads.
06:36Drops.
06:36Pisses on the cold stone.
06:37His voice carries across every alpha and beta.
06:40By Luna's breath and my own blood, I swear this oath.
06:43He lifts the bleeding hand to the moon.
06:45If a single hair on my daughter's head is harmed,
06:47if she weeps once in that house,
06:49Thornwood will not petition the council.
06:51We will come for Blackroke with teeth!
06:53And we will not stop until the line is finished.
06:56Wind moves through the pines.
06:58The pack representatives lower their heads.
07:00The oath has been heard.
07:01Lucian smirk thins.
07:02Edmund turns to me, quietly.
07:03Come home.
07:04Whatever it takes, come home.
07:05I will.
07:06I step down, cross the snow, past Lucian, who reaches for my arm.
07:09I let him take it without looking at him.
07:10I climb into the car.
07:11The window darkens.
07:12Lucian slides in beside me.
07:14Bourbon and that nothing smell.
07:15Smile, sweetheart.
07:17You're a married woman.
07:18Am I, my lord?
07:19Tonight, you will be.
07:21Enjoy the wedding day.
07:23The wheels crunch over white snow.
07:24I turn my face to the window.
07:26Through the tint, the blood moon is rising again.
07:28Fat.
07:28Red.
07:29Watching.
07:32Blackbring Manon.
07:32Stained glass.
07:33Blood moon bleeding red across the floor.
07:35I sit at the wedding bed.
07:36Veil down.
07:37The moonstone at my throat catches the red light.
07:39The door slams open.
07:40Lucian.
07:41Bourbon soaked.
07:42Two rogues behind him.
07:43Fur weeping mage.
07:44Eyes hungry.
07:45There she is.
07:46He crosses the room.
07:48Grabs my jaw.
07:49Tilts my face up.
07:50My pretty little Thornwood bride.
07:52Take your hand off me.
07:53In 30 minutes, the guests come up to see how the wedding's going.
07:56His grin widens.
07:58That they're going to find my new wife rolling around with two of my favorite strays.
08:02Won't that be a story?
08:04Have fun, sweetheart.
08:06He lets go of my jaw.
08:08Walks out.
08:08At the door.
08:09His hand on the lash.
08:10His fingers tremble.
08:11Just once.
08:12So fast a normal wolf would miss it.
08:13My silver bright eyes catch it.
08:14The bolt drops.
08:15Iron on iron.
08:16Like a funeral bell.
08:17The robes lick their teeth.
08:18Pretty thing.
08:20Lucian said play hard.
08:22I lift my eyes.
08:23Cold.
08:23Steady.
08:24No fear.
08:24You picked the wrong bride tonight.
08:26Then stop talking and start regretting it.
08:30The first rogue takes a step.
08:32He told us you'd cry.
08:33Said the Thornwood girls always cry.
08:36Did he?
08:37Said you'd beg.
08:37You sound experienced.
08:39Lord Lucian's been generous.
08:41He lickes his lip.
08:42Three alpha's daughters last winter.
08:44Sweetest little.
08:45Generous.
08:46I stand.
08:46The silver comb slides from my hair into my palm.
08:49Six inches.
08:49Silver tip.
08:50Bright as a star.
08:51The rogues stop laughing.
08:52I move.
08:53I'm airborne before the first rogue gets his hand up.
08:55Thighs around his neck.
08:55Twist.
08:56Crack.
08:57Drop.
08:57Pivot.
08:57The second hasn't drawn his nade.
09:00Silver tip drives up under his jaw and out the back of his skull.
09:03Two bodies on the floor.
09:04Silence.
09:04I wipe the comb on a dead man's collar.
09:07Slide it back into my hair.
09:11Crack the window.
09:12Outside, the cold pond glints under the blood moon as I throw them in, one after the other.
09:18No hesitation.
09:19No sound but the splash.
09:21I return to the bed, smooth my skirt, sit.
09:25Down the hall, the guests are still laughing.
09:27And then, I hear footsteps turning toward my door.
09:31Downstairs, Lucian nods at a maid.
09:33She gasps loud enough to carry.
09:37There's a man in the bride's room!
09:39Heads turn.
09:40Forks freeze.
09:42What?
09:43A man, my lord.
09:44Voices.
09:45I heard-
09:46Lucian stands.
09:47Draws his blade.
09:49Loud enough for the cheap seats.
09:50My bride.
09:51In my house.
09:53On my wedding night.
09:54Murmurs.
09:56He swings the blade.
09:57I'm gonna gut whatever rat she dragged into my bed.
10:01And then her.
10:02In front of every pack on the west coast.
10:05The crowd surges up the stairs behind him.
10:08He plants his boot on the door.
10:10Kicks.
10:11The door cracks open.
10:12I sit at the edge of the bed.
10:13Veil neatly back.
10:14I look up, mild, puzzled.
10:16My lord.
10:17You're shouting.
10:18His blade lowers an inch.
10:21Where is he?
10:22Where is who?
10:24Don't-
10:25It's my wedding night.
10:26My voice carries.
10:27Sweet as honey.
10:28And you've brought half the west coast into my bedroom with their swords drawn?
10:32I tilt my head.
10:33Is this how Blackridge throws a wedding?
10:35Someone in the back of the crowd snorts.
10:37Then a room of Alphodes trying not to laugh.
10:39Lucian's face goes white.
10:41Then red.
10:41His hand comes up.
10:44Strikes his son across the face.
10:48Lucian hits the floor.
10:49Mouth bleeding.
10:50His hand is still raised.
10:52Lucian is on the floor.
10:53Mouth bleeding.
10:54The room goes silent.
10:56On your feet.
10:57Lucian scrambles up.
10:59Out.
11:00Father.
11:00Out.
11:01He goes.
11:03Vivian troth hands over her mouth.
11:05My son drinks too much on his wedding night.
11:08Forgive him.
11:09Forgive us.
11:10And forgive a father's request.
11:12Nothing of what you saw leaves this house.
11:15Out of respect for the council.
11:17And the council's brother.
11:18The crowd thins.
11:19Cassius turns to me.
11:20I have not moved.
11:21He sits beside me on the bed.
11:23Casual.
11:23Like an uncle.
11:24Selina.
11:24You're a clever girl.
11:26Voice for my ears only.
11:27That father of yours.
11:29Edmund.
11:29He's an old wolf.
11:30Old wolves get tired.
11:31Old wolves misstep.
11:32A pause.
11:33Old wolves die.
11:34I meet his eyes.
11:35That sounds like a threat, my lord.
11:36Good.
11:37Then you'll recognize it when it arrives.
11:40Morning.
11:40The doors bang open without a knock.
11:43Mrs. Hollands.
11:43Sixty.
11:44Gray.
11:45Skinny as a switch.
11:46The old beta of Blackbridge House.
11:48Three big she-wolves at her heels.
11:50Switches of white birch in their hands.
11:52Up.
11:53Eyes down.
11:54Throat out.
11:55I'm at the window with a cup of tea.
11:57Excuse me?
11:58Every new mate submits to the house Luna's beta on the morning after the bite.
12:02You drop your eyes.
12:03You bare your throat.
12:05You take the mark of this pack.
12:07She holds up a silver-tipped queer.
12:08Or this beta puts it on you.
12:10Pass.
12:11Her lip curls.
12:12The lady sent me.
12:14Vivienne says you'll learn your rank in this house.
12:16Mrs. Hollands.
12:17Or you'll be taught.
12:20She reaches for my wrist.
12:24I catch her index finger.
12:26Bend.
12:28Snap.
12:30The scream cracks every window in the room.
12:33The other she-wolves freeze.
12:35Birch switches clatter to the floor.
12:37Not one of them moves to her beta.
12:40They smell it.
12:41Whatever just stood up in this room outranks them.
12:44And their wolves know it before their heads do.
12:47I set my teacup down.
12:49Stand.
12:49Tell your Luna I don't bare my throat.
12:52Not in this house.
12:54Not in any house.
12:55One finger for one bad morning.
12:57I lean in.
12:58Send Vivienne next time.
12:59I have nine left.
13:01Maeve appears in the doorway, eyes wide.
13:03Pack a bag, I say.
13:05We're leaving.
13:05My-my lady-
13:06I step over the birch switch on my way out.
13:09In the front drive, one of the Blackridge drivers is already waiting.
13:13Engine running.
13:14Door open.
13:15He doesn't meet my eyes.
13:16My lady, the mountain roads ice over fast this time of year.
13:18Let me take you down myself.
13:20I nod.
13:21I get in the car.
13:23He shuts the door behind me.
13:25Tires crunch over gravel.
13:26The Blackridge gates roll past in the side mirror.
13:29Mrs. Hollins is still howling somewhere back there.
13:32I lean back against the leather.
13:34Cold smile.
13:36Maeve opened.
13:37Steps back fast.
13:38Sir.
13:39Lady.
13:39Edmund, Margaret, snow on their shoulders.
13:42We're coming home.
13:43Right now.
13:44No.
13:45Selina.
13:45You had rogues in your room, we heard.
13:47Who told you?
13:48One of their maids found the bed empty.
13:50Ran to us.
13:51Then Lucien doesn't know yet.
13:53Selina, that's enough.
13:54You're done in that house.
13:55Father, I pour him a bourbon.
13:58Three days.
13:59Give me three days.
14:00For what?
14:01For Cassius to make a mistake.
14:03Margaret's knuckles go white in her lap.
14:06You'd risk.
14:07He told me you were going to die.
14:09In my ear.
14:10On the wedding bed.
14:11He's already coming for you.
14:12Going home doesn't save anyone.
14:14Selina.
14:15Edmund's face goes still.
14:17Three days, father.
14:18If I'm wrong, you've lost three nights of sleep.
14:20Edmund drinks.
14:21Sets the glass down.
14:22What do you need from us?
14:23Stay home.
14:23Don't take meetings.
14:24Don't sign anything.
14:25Don't even take a walk past the property line.
14:27Done.
14:27Margaret kisses my forehead.
14:29You'd better come back to us for your safety, Selina.
14:31I will.
14:32The door clicks shut.
14:33I cross to the window.
14:34Seattle below.
14:36Somewhere up in the Black Pines, the Black Ridge estate.
14:38Three days, Cassilus.
14:39I let the silence stretch.
14:41We'll find out who breaks first.
14:43Midnight.
14:43I drop over the Black Ridge perimeter wall between two suite patterns.
14:47Forty seconds to the cedar line.
14:48Two minutes to the main house.
14:49Master suite first.
14:51I crouch under the bay window.
14:52Cracked open an inch.
14:54Cassius likes his air cold.
14:55Vivian's voice.
14:56And Edmund, you said you'd handle it.
14:58I am.
14:58Three council alphas are signing this week.
15:00Embozzlement.
15:01A human girl found in his forester's cabin.
15:03Witnesses we own.
15:05He's been clean for 40 years.
15:06He'll be dirty by Friday.
15:08And our boy?
15:09What about him?
15:10His condition.
15:11If anyone in that house smells it on him.
15:13Then we make sure nobody in that house can.
15:16A glass sets down.
15:17Silence.
15:17I move.
15:18I slip the latch.
15:20In cedar.
15:22Gun oil.
15:23A wall of leather spines.
15:24Two forged letters.
15:26Volkov seal.
15:27Not close enough for forensics.
15:28One behind the painting.
15:30One inside the desk bible.
15:32Out the window.
15:34Over the wall.
15:35The blood moon's past its peak.
15:37Friday, Cassius?
15:38No.
15:39A beat.
15:39You don't get till Friday.
15:41Thornwood Manor.
15:42Snow coming sideways.
15:48Boots on snow.
15:49Long grey coat.
15:50Amper eyes.
15:51The gate guard steps in front of him.
15:53Sir?
15:54This is private property.
15:55I'm here to see my aunt.
15:56Uh, the lady isn't taking Teller Kyle's home.
15:59The guards changes.
16:00Mr. Thornwild.
16:01Aye, sir.
16:01Please come in.
16:02Inside, by the great hearth, Edmund crosses the room slow.
16:06Ten years.
16:07I know.
16:07Your father's chair is still there.
16:09A long beat.
16:10Edmund doesn't move to embrace him.
16:12Kyle doesn't expect it.
16:13Why now?
16:14You named Blackridge on the council floor.
16:17My father's killer was at that table when you spoke.
16:19I saw him on the live feed.
16:20He didn't blink.
16:23Ten years I waited for him to blink.
16:26He didn't.
16:27Until you said Blackridge.
16:28Edmund's jaw tightens.
16:30You think Cassius.
16:32I know Cassius.
16:33I came to prove it.
16:34Margaret appears in the doorway.
16:36You stayed away too long.
16:37I'm here now.
16:38Edmund pours three bourbons.
16:41You should meet your cousin.
16:43My cousin's twenty.
16:44Not that one.
16:45The new one.
16:46Kyle's eyebrow lifts a quarter inch.
16:48Tell me.
16:49Morning.
16:49Snow muffles the Thornwood Drive.
16:51I step into the front hall.
16:52He's by the hearth.
16:53Back to me.
16:54He turns.
16:54Amber eyes.
16:55Tall.
16:55Quiet.
16:56The kind of quiet that's been earned somewhere ugly.
16:58My wolf stops.
16:59Lies down.
17:00I haven't felt her lie down since I was a cub.
17:02We don't move.
17:03Edmund clears his throat.
17:04Selina.
17:05My nephew Kyle.
17:06Kyle my daughter.
17:06Daughter.
17:07Kyle's mouth lifts at one corner.
17:09When was the wedding?
17:09Last week.
17:10Congratulations.
17:11Don't.
17:11His smile widens a fraction.
17:13He crosses to me.
17:14No rush.
17:15Stops in my space.
17:16Wolf close.
17:17The kind of close you only get with kin.
17:18You're carrying a kin kill.
17:19I don't answer.
17:20Back of the neck.
17:21Right side.
17:22The vertebra under your wolf's jaw.
17:23I don't answer.
17:24He lifts a hand.
17:25Slow.
17:25Telegraphed.
17:26May I?
17:26I say nothing.
17:27His thumb presses, exact, into the knot of fire that's been burning behind my skull
17:31since the wedding night.
17:32The pain drops.
17:33I exhale before I can stop myself.
17:35How did you know?
17:35Lucky guess.
17:36Try again.
17:37He meets my eyes.
17:38I'll tell you when you tell me your real name.
17:40He steps back.
17:42Bows his head a quarter inch.
17:43Walks past me.
17:44The fire stays gone.
17:45Edmund is watching us like a man watching weather come in over a ridge.
17:49Kyle Thornfield.
17:50Note to self.
17:50Be careful.
17:51Thornwood cold pond.
17:53Ice on the edges.
17:54Cedar smoke from the house.
17:55Kyle's already there.
17:56Two glasses.
17:57A bottle of bourbon between them on the bench.
17:58You drink Woodward?
17:59I drink what's poured.
18:00He pours.
18:00Slides it over.
18:01I sit.
18:02Not close.
18:03Not far.
18:03You came back because of your father?
18:05His jaw tightens.
18:06Cass has killed him.
18:07That's a serious accusation.
18:09I'm getting proof.
18:09He looks at the ice.
18:11You're not just a maid, Selina.
18:12You move like someone who's been hunted.
18:14You smell like silver.
18:15His eyes find me.
18:16And there's a name on the council blacklist with hair like yours.
18:19I sip again.
18:20You're not going to deny it.
18:21I'm not going to confirm it either.
18:23Fair.
18:23A long quiet.
18:25Cedar smoke.
18:25The pond ticking under the ice.
18:27I won't ask.
18:28Not tonight.
18:29Why?
18:29Because I'm asking you to trust me with something.
18:31And I haven't earned it yet.
18:32I look at him.
18:33His wolf is quiet.
18:34Mine is too.
18:35The Thornwood bell tower strikes twelve.
18:37He pours me another.
18:38Doesn't ask if I want it.
18:40Black Ridge Estate.
18:41Night.
18:42I drop through Lucian's bedroom window between heartbeats.
18:46Empty room.
18:47Closet door cracked.
18:48Light behind it.
18:50Wrong color.
18:51Cold blue.
18:52I follow.
18:53The closet's a false back.
18:56Stairs.
18:57Down.
18:57Smell hits me halfway.
18:59Old blood.
19:00Silver salt.
19:01Fear sweat.
19:02My wolf flattens her ears.
19:04I keep going.
19:06The room opens at the bottom.
19:08I stop in the doorway.
19:10Silver hooks on the walls.
19:12Silver bands.
19:13Silver needles laid out on velvet like jewelry.
19:17Twelve women.
19:18Chained.
19:19Bare-shouldered.
19:20The silver collars are eating into their necks where the skin's gone thin.
19:24Wolf girls and human girls.
19:26Mixed.
19:26I count silk slips and one Daughter of Alpha tattoo I recognized from a missing person's
19:31brief two summers ago.
19:33Lucian's voice.
19:34Around the corner.
19:35Croning.
19:36I press myself flat to the wall.
19:38One of the girls sees me.
19:40Blue eyes.
19:41Hollowed out.
19:42She doesn't react.
19:44Doesn't hope.
19:45That's the worst part.
19:47She's been here long enough to know that anyone new is just another mouth.
19:51I lift one finger to my lips.
19:53She blinks once.
19:55Slow.
19:56I memorize the room.
19:58Door count.
19:59Light source.
20:00Hook spacing.
20:01Where I'd put a body if I needed to.
20:03Then I back out.
20:04My wolf is screaming behind my teeth.
20:08I climb back through the window.
20:10In the snow, I lean against the cedar wall and let myself shake.
20:14Once.
20:15Just once.
20:17I'm coming back for you.
20:20All of you.
20:24The Hollow Council Chamber.
20:25Three alpha stand.
20:27Stone faces.
20:27Show me the body.
20:28Cremated.
20:29Per pack protocol.
20:30Convenient.
20:31Aldric.
20:32The high alpha lifts a hand.
20:34Edmund.
20:34These are witness charges.
20:36By his men.
20:37By alphas of standing.
20:38You have 30 days to answer them.
20:40Until then, you do not leave Thornwood land.
20:42I'm to be Cage Ward.
20:45You're to be cautious.
20:46Cassius lets one corner of his mouth move.
20:48Edmund stands.
20:50Vows the exact depth required.
20:52No more.
20:53Walks out.
20:54Thornwood.
20:55Late.
20:55Kyle pours.
20:56I drink without looking at him.
20:58They move fast.
20:59Faster than I thought.
21:00He's been planning this for months.
21:01He was planning it before the Decreet.
21:03The Decree's the cover.
21:04Cassius.
21:06Sweetheart.
21:07You think you're hunting an old wolf.
21:10You're not.
21:13Thornwood.
21:13Cold pond.
21:15Same bench.
21:16Snow falling soft.
21:19Kyle's already there.
21:20He stands when I come down the path.
21:23Old manners.
21:24The kind they don't teach anymore.
21:26And lifts a wolfskin off the bench.
21:28You're shivering.
21:29I'm not.
21:30He drapes it over my shoulders anyway.
21:32Gathers the front with one hand to second longer than he needs to.
21:35His wolf is quiet.
21:37Mine is too.
21:38I pour him a bourbon.
21:42Talk.
21:45He sits.
21:46I'm not a beta.
21:47I know.
21:48You don't.
21:48Edmund's hands shake around you.
21:50He never shook around a beta in his life.
21:52I was supposed to be alpha hair.
21:54After my father.
21:55He looks at the ice.
21:56I gave it up at 17.
21:58Told the pack I wasn't fit.
22:01Disappeared into a special recordance unit and stayed gone for eight years.
22:04Why?
22:06Because the man who killed my father is on the high council.
22:08And an heir can't move without being watched.
22:11Nobody can.
22:12And now you're back.
22:13The pond ticks.
22:15He turns the glass in his hand.
22:18Soft.
22:18Last time my wolf was this quiet was the night before they brought my father home.
22:23I don't answer.
22:25I sip my bourbon.
22:28Stare at the ice.
22:30He doesn't make me say anything.
22:32That's the part that scares me.
22:35Downtown Seattle.
22:372pm.
22:38Daylight.
22:40A girl screams in an alley off Pike.
22:42Lucien has her by the wrist.
22:44Human.
22:44College age.
22:45White knuckled.
22:46I step between them.
22:47Let her go.
22:48You.
22:48Let her go, Lucien.
22:50His eyes find the cross of her wrist in his grip.
22:52He smiles slow.
22:53Make miss me, sweetheart.
22:56The silver whip comes off his belt fast.
22:58Faster than a normal arm.
23:00I read it.
23:01Step inside.
23:03Catch his elbow on the upswing.
23:05But the tip clips the edge of my coat.
23:07And I feel the hiss of silver across my collarbone before I twist away.
23:11A hand catches the whip mid-snap.
23:13Snaps it.
23:14Bourbon-eyed.
23:15Lucien Blackridge.
23:17This woman bears the thornwood mark.
23:19Loud enough for the street.
23:20Touch her again.
23:22Touch any woman in this city again.
23:24And I'll send your wolf back to Luna in pieces.
23:28Witnessed under sky.
23:30The street has stopped moving.
23:32A Luna oath.
23:33Sworn under open sky.
23:35Binding.
23:37Lucien's face drains.
23:41He turns.
23:43He runs.
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