- 2 hours ago
He broke the mate bond for political power, never realizing he handed his greatest weapon directly to his deadliest enemy. A massive pack scandal erupts in THE ALPHA SHE CHOSE INSTEAD when a stolen DNA registry is published, revealing she isn't just an ordinary Omega, but the last surviving heir to the legendary Royal Lycan bloodline—and she's already mated to the ruthless rogue king. Witness the ultimate power shift in this viral short drama and binge the complete mini series today!
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Short filmTranscript
00:00On my first birthday, Alpha Brune set out all kinds of things for me to pick from as birthday gifts.
00:05Instead, I crawled straight towards six-year-old Alpha Air Cohen and grabbed his crotch.
00:11The hall erupted. The high priest said we were chosen by the moon goddess as mates.
00:15Everyone believed it, including me, but no one could have guessed that we would grow up to be bitter enemies.
00:20At 16, Alpha Brune told me it was time to choose a mate.
00:24Before I could speak, Cohen sneered in front of the whole hall.
00:27I'd rather be torn apart by rogues than mate with her.
00:30At the time, I actually thought he was joking.
00:32It wasn't until our mating day that I realized how horribly wrong I was.
00:36On our mating night, he abandoned me. He never came to my bed.
00:40By morning, I was the Silverhone pack's laughingstock.
00:43After that, he brought others home every night.
00:51He let his lovers boss me around, treating me like the lowest, dirtiest slave.
00:57Numb and broken, I went to him, begging him to break the mating bond.
01:01He refused. He snatched up a crystal glass and hurled it straight at my face.
01:06It smashed against my forehead, blood pouring down into my eyes.
01:10Consumed by grief and illness, I died alone in the freezing, forgotten dungeons beneath the packhouse.
01:17Then, I opened my eyes.
01:19The chandeliers were bright again.
01:21The hall was loud again.
01:22I was back on the exact day the Alpha was meant to decide my fate.
01:28Alara, your parents and your brothers died defending our borders against the blood-leg pack.
01:33You're alone now.
01:35So your mating, we may respond on civility.
01:38Speak his name, and I'll see it done.
01:40I parted my lips to speak, but a sudden wave of grief choked me.
01:43My eyes began to burn.
01:45Even facing this a second time, the memory still cut straight through me.
01:49Blood Fang had wanted Silverhorn Land for years.
01:52Last winter, they came for it.
01:54My father and brothers rode north with the pack's best.
01:57Before he left, my father told me to chill the moon wine for their victory feast.
02:01My brothers were loud as ever.
02:03Shoving, laughing, yelling over one another.
02:05At the time, I only thought they were being annoying.
02:08The next time I saw them, they were dead.
02:10Wrapped in torn cloth, laid out on stretchers.
02:12Still.
02:14My mother drowned in grief soon after.
02:16A few months later, she followed them into the grave.
02:19That whole house was wiped clean.
02:21Everyone in that house was gone.
02:22A wolf beside me laughed under her breath.
02:25Oh, come on, Alpha.
02:26Why even ask?
02:28Everyone in Silverhane knows Alera's been obsessed with Cowan for years.
02:31Girl probably whimpered his name into her pillow.
02:34My eyes burned.
02:35But no tears came.
02:36In my last life, I went to him hollowed out.
02:39Begged him to break the mating bond.
02:41He answered by hurling a crystal glass at my face.
02:44It split my forehead open.
02:45He still refused to let me go, even while I was dying.
02:49Alpha Brun was about to speak again.
02:51I inhaled hard and cut him off.
02:53Alpha.
02:54Cohen and I grew up together.
02:56I have never loved him.
02:57The chamber went dead quiet.
02:59Even Cohen off to one side looked caught off guard.
03:02Is that true?
03:03Alpha Brun narrowed his eyes.
03:05I knew the trap.
03:06If I didn't name a wolf, he would name one for me.
03:08So I lowered my head and gave him one.
03:11Yes, Alpha.
03:12There is someone I want.
03:12Varric.
03:13Alpha Varric of the Nightclaw pack.
03:15He is the only one I want.
03:19Varric was Alpha Brun's younger brother.
03:21The war hero who helped crush Bloodfath and stabilize the northern packs.
03:26Half the north respected him like a living legend.
03:28Then, one year ago, he collapsed on the road back from the border.
03:32He never woke up.
03:33The pack healers said he might spend the rest of his life in that bed.
03:36But I knew better.
03:38In my last life, he woke in the third year of my marriage.
03:41And when I was at the very end, he was the only one who ever tried to help me.
03:47Elara.
03:48That's too hard a road.
03:50Varric may still be Alpha of Nightclaw in name.
03:53But he lies unconscious.
03:54His territory is unstable.
03:56You would be walking into a nest of vipers.
03:59Choose someone here instead.
04:00One of my own men.
04:01Alpha.
04:02I already swore before the altar.
04:04On my family's honor.
04:06In this life, I will mate no one but Alpha Varric.
04:09Please, grant me this.
04:13I bent into a full formal bow.
04:16The room held its breath.
04:17Alpha Brun fell silent.
04:19Then Elder Edmund spoke from the corner shadow.
04:21If the girl is this devoted to Varric, let her have him.
04:26Edmund wasn't just an old man with opinions.
04:28He represented the High Northern Council.
04:30Once he spoke, even Alpha Brun couldn't press much farther.
04:34At last, Brund exhaled.
04:35Very well, Elara.
04:37Varric is my brother.
04:38As both is Alpha and his brother, it falls to me to arrange his mating.
04:42If you are willing, this will be a blessing for him.
04:44And for both our packs.
04:45Your parents are gone.
04:47Luma Sigrid will oversee the preparations.
04:51Thank you, Alpha.
04:53Last time, I chose the wrong man.
04:55I would not make that mistake again.
04:58And Varric.
04:59In my last life, Nightclaw tore itself apart while he lay unconscious.
05:04By the time he woke and clawed his way back to power, his legs were ruined for good.
05:09He once showed me kindness when no one else would.
05:13This time, I would be there when he needed someone most.
05:16If the Moon Goddess gave me one more chance, I wouldn't just help Varric stand.
05:20This time, neither of us would kneel.
05:24A few days later, Luna Sigrid's maid, Mara, summoned me to finalize the mating ceremony.
05:29We had barely reached Luna's residence when Mara stopped short and bowed her head.
05:33Alpha hair.
05:34I looked up, and there he was.
05:36Cohen.
05:37He just stared at me with that familiar, cutting look.
05:39Brows drawn, eyes full of suspicion.
05:42I lowered my head and dipped into a polite curdie.
05:45Alpha air.
05:45He frowned immediately.
05:47Of course he did.
05:48He was used to a different version of me.
05:50In my last life, I always found out when he'd be visiting Luna.
05:54I'd bake buttercakes myself.
05:56Time everything perfectly.
05:58Pretend our meetings were accidents, all for the chance to place those sweets in his hands.
06:02He never ate them.
06:04He either threw them away or tossed them to the servants.
06:06Then he finally spoke, and the disgust was exactly where I remembered it.
06:10Alara, enough.
06:11You're marrying my uncle, so stop embarrassing yourself and stop chasing me.
06:15This is pathetic.
06:17And honestly, you make me sick.
06:18For a second, I almost laughed.
06:20Last time, I kept trying to explain.
06:22It only made him despise me more.
06:24You're mistaken, Alpha hair.
06:25I made myself clear in the council hall.
06:27I have no feelings for you.
06:29Really?
06:30So what now?
06:31You just happened to wander in here?
06:33And I'm supposed to believe that?
06:35Luna asked for me.
06:36We're discussing the ceremony.
06:37If you doubt it, ask Mara.
06:39Coen glanced at her.
06:41Mara nodded.
06:44Varric's half dead.
06:45Marry him, and you'll waste your whole life beside a body that can't even claim you.
06:50You needn't worry.
06:51I chose Alpha Varric long ago.
06:53If I can stay by his side, that's enough for me.
06:56Awake or asleep, I'd still choose him over you.
07:01Luna Sigrid smiled the second she saw me.
07:04A warm smile, a polished voice, but there was calculation under both.
07:08The moment I sat down, her eyes flicked past me.
07:11That's it?
07:12You came alone?
07:13Ashbrook House is empty.
07:15There's no one left to come with me.
07:17Very well.
07:18Let's settle the ceremony.
07:19She spread two parchment sheets across the table.
07:22Two dates.
07:23June 3rd, October 19th.
07:25The second I saw October 19th, my stomach clenched.
07:28That had been the date of my last wedding.
07:30The day I was mated to Coen.
07:32The elders had called it blessed.
07:33The sky answered with a storm.
07:36Rain tore the ceremony apart.
07:38After that, the pack began whispering that I was cursed.
07:41That I carried ruin in with me.
07:42The council seems to prefer October 19th.
07:45It's an auspicious date.
07:46Why don't we settle on that?
07:48Luna, I appreciate the care.
07:50Still, I would like the ceremony set for June 3rd.
07:53It's already May.
07:55That's very soon.
07:56Wouldn't that be rushed?
07:57I want to reach Alpha Varric as soon as possible.
08:00If the preparations are hurried, I accept that gladly.
08:03That was the exact moment Conan walked in.
08:06He heard every word.
08:07His steps slowed, only for an instant.
08:09But I caught it, and I saw the way his jaw tightened.
08:12Cohen, perfect timing.
08:14Alara wants the ceremony moved up to June 3rd.
08:16I think it's awfully rushed.
08:18Maybe you can talk some sense into her.
08:20She always listened to you when you were children.
08:25She's that desperate to marry my uncle?
08:28Why stop her?
08:29If we drag this out until October, we'll only look cruel.
08:32He meant that to sting.
08:33He wanted me to feel small.
08:35Instead, I lowered into a graceful curtie.
08:38Thank you for understanding, Alpha Hare.
08:42You'll come to the mating ceremony on June 3rd, won't you?
08:47He went rutted.
08:48His face flushed with anger so fast it almost made me smile.
08:52For one second, he looked like he wanted to say something vicious.
08:55Instead, he muttered some excuse and left.
08:57I rose to take my leave.
08:59Oh, one more thing, Alara.
09:00I turned back.
09:02Since you have no family left, someone close to you should escort you to Nightclaw territory on the day of
09:08the ceremony.
09:09What about Conan?
09:10No, that won't be necessary.
09:11Elder Stonehill's son, Reynon, is loyal and dependable.
09:16He can escort me.
09:18Hmm.
09:47Very well.
09:49So hard he could barely breathe.
09:50He clutched my hand and swore he'd spend his life making it up to me.
09:53Back then, I believed him.
09:55In my last life, all he gave me were tears.
09:57The old injury still arced when the weather turned cold.
10:00My eyesight had worsened too.
10:01Shadows blurred.
10:02This life, I was done bleeding for the same wound.
10:05I wasn't his promise anymore.
10:08I was going to Nightclaw.
10:11The wedding day kept creeping closer.
10:13All across Silverhorn, people talked about nothing else.
10:17The alliance.
10:18The ceremony.
10:19Alara leaving for Nightclaw.
10:21Even in the private wing of the stronghold, Cohen couldn't outrun it.
10:25Every servant.
10:26Same cursed name.
10:27It had been scraping at his nerves for days.
10:29He was just about to step out for air when Raynor, Elder Stonehell's son, walked in.
10:35Cohen flicked him a glance.
10:36What?
10:37Alara's heading to Nightclaw soon, right?
10:39Since she doesn't have any family left, Luna wants somebody to lead the escort to Varak's territory.
10:43Cohen's brow tightened at once.
10:45His first thought hit fast.
10:47Of course, Alara must have asked for him.
10:50All that talk about wanting Varak.
10:52Wanting the mating.
10:53A last little trick to get his attention.
10:55He lifted his glass, swirled the drink once, and took a slow sip.
11:01Then send someone.
11:03I don't have time for it.
11:05And I don't care.
11:07Well...
11:08Well, what?
11:09Luna did suggest you first.
11:12But Alara said she didn't want to trouble you.
11:21So, she picked you.
11:23I mean, maybe she just figured you were busy.
11:29I'm not.
11:30I've got nothing to do all day anyway.
11:32Right.
11:33I've got something to do.
11:35I'll go.
11:40Cohen.
11:42About what happened back then.
11:43Alara was innocent.
11:45You know she was.
11:46You've been taking that out on her for years, and it's not right.
11:50And now it's gotten this bad.
11:53You're not happy.
11:54And she...
11:55Rayla.
11:56Aren't you late for something?
11:58Your Majesty.
12:04Cohen rose and walked to the window.
12:06From there, he could just make out the distant silhouette of the old Ashberg house.
12:10His gaze darkened.
12:12At some point, the crystal in his hand had cracked under the force of his grip.
12:18Alara.
12:20Mating day came fast.
12:22Raynor and the others arrived early, waiting in the great hall before sunrise.
12:26When I walked down the staircase in my gown, Raynor forgot himself for a beak.
12:30He just stood there staring, like he'd never seen me before.
12:34He snapped out of it a second later, ears turning red.
12:41Alara.
12:43Word slipped out of the healing ward two days ago.
12:45Cohen collapsed.
12:46He's still unconscious.
12:49Alpha Brun buried the news.
12:50Doesn't want it spreading.
12:52That's why Cohen didn't come.
12:53It has to be...
12:56Rayna.
12:57I don't care about him anymore.
13:00I know you mean well.
13:01But some things are over.
13:03And once they're over, you leave them buried.
13:09Today is my wedding day.
13:10Try looking happy.
13:12And next time you see me, don't forget to call me Lady of Nightclaw.
13:18By the time we reached Nightclaw territory, dusk had fallen.
13:21The entrance was packed.
13:23Torches blazed.
13:24Voices rolled through the air.
13:25The whole place was grander than I'd expected.
13:28In the Moonshadow Grove, the High Priest stood atop the Moonstone Altar.
13:32Elders lined both sides in perfect silence.
13:34I wore white satin.
13:35A silver veil covered my hair.
13:37And under every eye in that sacred forest, I walked alone toward the statue of the Moon Goddess.
13:42There was no groom waiting for me.
13:43Only Varuk's wolf fang pendant.
13:45My steps never faltered.
13:47And my heart stayed steady.
13:48When I reached the altar, the High Priest raised his voice.
13:51Elara Ashberg.
13:52Do you swear, in health or sickness, in waking or in sleep,
13:57to guard, honor, and stand beside Alpha Varuk of the Nightclaw Pack,
14:03as his mate for the rest of your life?
14:06I do.
14:07Then I bit my fingertip.
14:09Let the blood fall onto the wolf fang.
14:11The pendant flashed silver-white.
14:13The wolf spirit had accepted the bond.
14:15The contract was sealed.
14:17Nightclaw erupted.
14:18The cheer that tore from the crowd shook the trees themselves,
14:21as though the whole Nightclaw Pack had been waiting for this day for years.
14:25When the cheers finally eased,
14:27a young man stepped out from the crowd and dropped to one knee before me.
14:33But his eyes were clear, respectful.
14:35My lady, this way, please.
14:37He rose and guided me through the territory, pointing things out as we walked.
14:41He spoke with easy energy, like he was proud to show me all of it.
14:44At last, he brought me to the Alpha's quarters.
14:48The Alpha is resting inside.
14:50The room was simple.
14:51Varuk lay there asleep.
14:52His face was pale, leaner than it should have been.
14:55But his chest still rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm.
14:58Alpha Varuk has been unconscious for more than half a year.
15:01He's lost weight, but otherwise he's held up well.
15:04He gets medicine once a day.
15:06In hot weather, we wash him every other day.
15:09I handle all of that.
15:11You don't need to trouble yourself, my lady.
15:14I've had a separate room prepared for you, just across the hall.
15:17That won't be necessary.
15:18Varuk and I are mated now.
15:20Why would we sleep apart?
15:22Starting tonight, I sleep here.
15:25It's late, my lady.
15:26You should rest.
15:27Then he slipped out and closed the door softly behind him.
15:30Later, after I washed and changed into my night ground, I climbed carefully into bed beside Varuk.
15:36The candlelight trembled over his face.
15:38He was handsome in a dangerous way, only too pale.
15:41From this close, I could smell the faint herbal scent of his medicine.
15:45I looked at Varuk's sleeping face for a long moment.
15:47I'm sorry I married you while you couldn't choose for yourself.
15:51But I swear I'll care for you.
15:54And I'll be a good Luna to your pack.
15:56Then I tucked myself against him.
15:58The medicinal scent should have felt cold and sterile.
16:01Instead, somehow, it made me feel safe.
16:03And I never saw it.
16:05Varun's fingers moved.
16:08Meanwhile, in the Silverhorn Healing Ward's private recovery room,
16:12Cohen lay flat on his back, dead to the world.
16:14His eyes stayed shut.
16:16In the dream, he was standing before the High Priest.
16:19I stood beside him.
16:21Not his aunt's chosen bride.
16:22Not Varuk's mate.
16:24His Luna.
16:25Rain crashed outside.
16:27His clothes were soaked through.
16:29Everything was cold.
16:30Then he stepped into the bridal chamber and saw me.
16:33Cohen just stared.
16:34The storm disappeared.
16:36The cold disappeared.
16:38All he could hear was his own heartbeat.
16:40Louder.
16:41Then he jerked awake.
16:42White curtains.
16:44Sweat-sticked sheets.
16:45His whole body sticky and overheated.
16:47For a few long seconds, he could barely breathe.
16:52Alpha here.
16:52You're awake.
16:54What time is it?
16:55Ninth bell.
16:56Around nine.
16:57Alpha and Luna should be back from Nightclaw by now.
16:59What day is it?
17:01June 3rd, sir.
17:03The day Alpha Varney of Nightclaw took Alara Ashwar as his mate.
17:06Cohen went silent so fast he looked carved from stone.
17:09All he saw was me in white, looking up, smiling at someone else.
17:14Something tore inside his chest.
17:16Just a slow, jagged ache spreading under his ribs.
17:21I woke before dawn.
17:23The sky outside was still dark.
17:25Liv came in to brush my hair and stop the second she saw my face.
17:29My lady, did you sleep at all last night?
17:31A full-grown man lying beside me the whole night.
17:34I hadn't slept much.
17:35Help me get ready, Liv.
17:37Is the new Luna awake?
17:43Lady Helga sent me.
17:45She expects the new mate to present herself this morning.
17:48I'd already heard enough about Nightclaw to know exactly who that meant.
17:52Years ago, Varuk's uncle died protecting him during a rogue attack.
17:56Varuk repaid that debt by taking the man's widow and children into his territory.
18:00He gave them power and standing.
18:02So much that now, Helga ran half this pack like it belonged to her.
18:06I had also heard she once wanted her youngest daughter mated to Varuk.
18:10Varuk refused.
18:11And now I was the one in his room.
18:13My lady just woke up.
18:14Why the rush?
18:16Well, of course.
18:18The new mate is Silver Homeborn.
18:20Hand picked by Alpha Brun himself, I can see why she thinks Lady Helga can wait.
18:24I lifted one hand and stopped her.
18:26Then I smiled at the woman.
18:29What's your name?
18:31Inga.
18:31Lady Helga's personal maid.
18:33Inga.
18:33You can go back and tell Lady Helga this.
18:35After I've washed, dressed, and had breakfast, I will go pay my respects.
18:39She is an elder in this territory.
18:40Respect is due.
18:41But when I go, that will be my decision.
18:43Not hers.
18:44And one more thing.
18:46You're a servant.
18:48You entered without knocking, spoke out of line, and forgot your place in my room.
18:52If Lady Helga can't train her own taff, I don't mind doing it for her.
18:58The color flooded Inga's face.
19:00In the end, she gave the barest excuse for a kurtzel and backed out.
19:04Are we really going to see that woman?
19:06Of course we are.
19:08But we go when I say we go.
19:10That mattered.
19:11If you let people shove you around on day one, they never stopped.
19:15By the time I was dressed, I had brought Liv and Astrid with me and headed outside.
19:20I'm not drunk!
19:22I can still drink three more barrels!
19:25Do you idiots know who I am?
19:28Varric's my cousin!
19:30Until he wakes up, this whole damn territory answers to me!
19:36That's Varric's cousin.
19:39Viggo Frostfield.
19:40He's infamous, my lady.
19:42Drinks too much.
19:44Beds anything that moves.
19:46He missed your mating ceremony yesterday.
19:48Passed out in a brothel.
19:49I stared at the mess in front of me.
19:52Varric?
19:52What exactly had they left festering in your house?
19:55I gave no reaction.
19:57I just climbed into my carriage.
19:59What I didn't notice was Viggo watching me through a gap in the hedges.
20:03The second my face came into view, the drunken fog lifted right out of him.
20:07He rubbed his face hard and grabbed one of the tavern workers.
20:13Who the hell was that?
20:15Couldn't see her clearly, but that carriage belongs to the Alpha's house.
20:18Oh, that must be the new lady of Nightclaw.
20:20The one who came in yesterday.
20:22Varric's new mate?
20:23But Varric's still asleep.
20:25So she's alone.
20:27The thought thrilled him.
20:29A wicked grin stretched from ear to ear.
20:34I timed it carefully.
20:35If I went to greet Luna in Silverhorn late enough, the visit would end right around the time Alpha Brun
20:39finished his council session.
20:41What I hadn't expected was Cohen at the door.
20:43The second he saw me, he stopped short.
20:45Today my hair was braided in a married she-wolf style.
20:48I looked nothing like the girl he used to brush past without seeing.
20:51Something in his expression shifted.
20:53Maybe he was seeing the dream still clinging to me.
20:55The bride in white.
20:59So you're proud of yourself now?
21:02Mating Varric really made your day, huh?
21:04That's not what you got wrong.
21:07You should address me properly.
21:09You call me Lady Alama now.
21:11Or Aunt if you want to get technical.
21:15You don't get to use my name anymore.
21:17It's rude.
21:18Didn't anyone teach you manners, Alpha Hare?
21:22You're enjoying this.
21:26This is the match I asked for.
21:28I got what I wanted.
21:30So yes.
21:31I'm very pleased.
21:32That really should have been obvious.
21:38You're still sick.
21:40Try medicine.
21:41Try rest.
21:42Try staying out of other people's business.
21:45Luna asked for me.
21:46I'll leave you to your coughing.
21:53By the time Alpha Brune joined us later, his mood was excellent.
21:57Apparently the council session had gone unusually well.
22:00The elders were praising the alliance.
22:02Even rival faction heads had agreed for once.
22:05No wonder he was smiling.
22:06Luna asked me to stay for a meal.
22:08I accepted.
22:10By the time I returned to Nightclaw territory, Gale was heading toward the Alpha's chambers with two male servants.
22:16When I spotted him in the corridor.
22:18What are you doing?
22:22He stopped at once.
22:24It's time for Alpha Varic's medicine, my lady.
22:26My gaze dropped to the wooden tray in his hands.
22:29A clay medicine jar sat on it, giving off the same bitter herbal smelt I had noticed on Varden the
22:34night before.
22:36If you'll wait outside, we'll handle it and come right back.
22:40It may take a while.
22:41Feeding him isn't easy in this condition.
22:44I'll come with you.
22:45With us?
22:48I'm his mate now.
22:49Learning how to care for him is part of that.
22:52Let me watch tonight.
22:54From now on, I'll do it.
22:55That hit him harder than I expected.
22:57He couldn't exactly refuse me, so he led me in.
23:00As we walked, he tried to prepare me.
23:02My lady, he can't swallow on his own.
23:05We have to force it down.
23:08Sometimes it goes in, sometimes it comes right back up.
23:10It's not pleasant.
23:12I listened calmly.
23:14He let out the smallest sigh under his breath, probably hoping I wouldn't get disgusted and bolt.
23:18Inside, the two servants lifted Varaby into a half-sitting cessation.
23:23Gale poured some of the dark medicine into a smaller bowl, sat at the bedside, and scooped up half a
23:27spoonful.
23:28He tipped it toward Varrican's lips.
23:30Varrican's mouth stayed closed.
23:32One of the servants had to grip his jaw and force it open.
23:35Only then could Gale get the liquid in.
23:37And even then, most of it slid right back out.
23:40The dark froth ran from the corner of Varric's mouth and soaked into his nightshirt, leaving a wide, ugly stain.
23:46Gale tried again.
23:47Same result.
23:49Half swallowed.
23:50Half wasted.
23:51I watched for a while, then finally turned my head away.
23:54Out of the corner of his eye, Gale saw that and immediately misunderstood.
23:58He probably thought I was horrified, or disgusted, or regretting everything already.
24:03I had no idea what nonsense was running through his head.
24:06I turned away first, then faced him again.
24:09Gale, you're wasting half the bowl.
24:11Give it to me.
24:16Hand me the medicine.
24:17He rose automatically, still looking shell-shocked.
24:21Then, while I sat down at the bedside, he glanced at the servants and cleared his bin's throat.
24:26My lady, should we step outside?
24:29Why?
24:30Aren't you going to feed the alpha?
24:32He lowered his voice, serious as a priest.
24:35If we stay, you might feel embarrassed.
24:38It wouldn't be proper.
24:41Embarrassed about what exactly?
24:43Gale scratched the back of his neck.
24:45Then, with complete sincerity...
24:47Weren't you planning to do it mouth-to-mouth?
24:51I just stared at him.
24:53Mouth-to-mouth, heat rushed straight into my face.
24:57Who told you that's how you feed medicine to an unconscious man?
25:01Books.
25:02That's how they do it in all the romance stories.
25:05Those are stories.
25:07Stories are stories.
25:08Medicine is medicine.
25:10Go find me a thin wooden slab.
25:12About this long...
25:13And this wide.
25:15Smooth it down.
25:16Wash it clean.
25:17Gale clearly had no clue where this was going.
25:20But he went.
25:21A few minutes later, he came back with the wood.
25:24I had the servants prop another pillow behind Verovan's head.
25:27Then I placed one end of the smooth slat inside his mouth.
25:30After that, I spooned the medicine slowly onto the wood.
25:34The liquid ran down the slat and straight into his throat.
25:37Gale's jaw dropped.
25:38That's it?
25:39It's that easy?
25:44Read fewer novels.
25:47My lady, how did you know that?
25:49My grandfather was a healer.
25:52Pouring another careful spoonful.
25:54This is only a makeshift fix.
25:56There's a proper healer's funnel for patients like this.
25:59Much better than a piece of wood.
26:01Gale looked utterly astonished.
26:02By the time we finished the bowl, Gale turned to refill it.
26:07I looked at Varget's pale face, and something cold tightened in my chest.
26:11Even a pack alpha could have enemies, couldn't he?
26:14My grandfather knew better.
26:16Any trained healer should have known too.
26:17So why had no one used one here?
26:19Why had half his medicine been wasted every day?
26:22This wasn't carelessness.
26:23Someone wanted Varric weak.
26:27Gale?
26:28Yes, my lady?
26:29I want to ask you something.
26:31Is this territory split in two?
26:34Varric on one side, Helga and her children on the other?
26:37That caught him off guard.
26:39Yes, the divide started when Alpha Varric brought Lady Helga into Nightcloth.
26:43Internal matters, resource assignments, staffing, household operations, all of that ended up in her hands.
26:49External dealings, trade, contracts, territory accounts, those stayed under the Alpha.
26:54But after he fell unconscious, I took over what I could.
26:57Poorly, if I'm being honest.
27:00It's been a mess.
27:02Lady Helga has asked more than once to take control of everything.
27:05I refused.
27:06Thank the moon you're here now.
27:08I nodded slowly.
27:10Before I entered Nightclaw, I had no idea the pack was built like this.
27:13But maybe that was a blessing.
27:15If the territory was already split, then no one held absolute control over me either.
27:20That meant I had room to move.
27:22Room to decide things for myself.
27:25So I told Gale to summon the department heads.
27:28All of them.
27:29Soon enough, they stood before me.
27:31Or around a dozen in total.
27:35I had them state their duties one by one.
27:37By the end, I understood the shape of Nightclaw.
27:40Gale stood right behind my chair, his massive frame looming like a stone wall.
27:45Split power.
27:46Hidden loyalties.
27:47Too many guarded voices in one room.
27:49This system had been built for some future lady of Nightclin, not me.
27:53Fine.
27:54Fate had given me the seat anyway.
27:57I cleared my throat and looked at all of them.
27:59I was raised in silver-haired.
28:01I won't pretend I know every corner of how Nightclin runs.
28:04But I do know one rule.
28:06Do the job well, and you'll be rewarded.
28:09It's hot today.
28:10You've all been standing in this heat long enough.
28:14After this, go to the dining hall.
28:16Each of you gets a glass of iced honey mint water.
28:18That stunned them into silence.
28:21A few swallowed on reflex.
28:23Their foreheads were already damp from the heat.
28:26And starting today, you'll get it every afternoon until summer ends.
28:29If your teams need something reasonable, tell Liv.
28:32I'll review it.
28:34This time, the thanks came fast.
28:37Louder.
28:38Warmer.
28:38More sincere.
28:39I let them have the moment.
28:41Because I knew exactly what I was doing.
28:43Set the rules first, then offer sweetness.
28:45That was how you got people to work for you willingly.
28:48And once they were on your side, they'd stand by you.
28:51After dealing with the staff, I moved to the territory ledgers.
28:55Gale wasn't lying.
28:56He didn't have a clue what he was doing.
28:59The numbers were a disaster.
29:00The handwriting looked like crawling spiders.
29:03I forced myself to sit there, tracing lines, sorting figures, until the sun finally went down.
29:11Across the estate, in the east wing, Lady Helga slashed her hand onto a heavy harmogony table.
29:16That little bitch!
29:17She didn't even bother showing up!
29:19Relax, mother.
29:20I'll go check on her tonight.
29:22Teach her a little respect.
29:23What are you didn't answer?
29:25Vigor didn't answer.
29:26Because his head was already full of the woman he'd seen from the carriage.
29:30The pale skin, the sharp eyes, the itch in his blood was too strong.
29:35He wasn't going to let that slip away.
29:37You wanted her to come groveling, didn't you?
29:40Don't worry.
29:41I guarantee she'll be at your door bright and early tomorrow.
29:46Later that night, I washed up and got ready for bed.
29:50Liv finished turning down the sheets.
29:52But the second she opened the door to leave, a man laughed from the hallway.
29:56Easy.
29:56It's just me, Viggo Frostbark.
29:58I'm not here to bite.
29:59I frowned immediately.
30:01What the hell was he doing here this late?
30:04What do you want?
30:05Got some urgent business to discuss with my lovely new sister-in-law.
30:09My lady's asleep.
30:10Come back in daylight.
30:11It's an emergency.
30:12Go wake her up.
30:13She sleeps heavy.
30:14She won't wake.
30:15Leave.
30:16Fine.
30:17Tomorrow morning then.
30:18Liv let out a long sigh.
30:22Inside the room, I let out a breath of my own.
30:25I turned back toward the bed.
30:26Then I heard it.
30:28I whipped around just as the heavy glass swang open.
30:30A shadow dropped silently into the room, dot my chest heightened.
30:34You lied to me, Alara.
30:36Before I could even scream, he lunged.
30:38His hand clamped hard over my mouth.
30:41Don't make a sound.
30:42If someone catches us like this, they'll think we're sneaking around.
30:45Alpha's mate or not, that'll be the end of you.
30:48And besides, you really want to waste yourself on a half-dead corpse?
30:52I had learned enough combat for my father and brothers to know how to fight.
30:56But against a fully grown male wolf, I couldn't break his grip.
31:00Viggo's breathing grew rougher as I struggled.
31:02He pressed closer.
31:05Alara, you've never been with a real man, have you?
31:09Let me show you once.
31:11After that, you'll come begging.
31:15Look at him.
31:16He's half a corpse.
31:17You think he knows what room he's in?
31:22He's half dead.
31:24I drove the heel of my foot down as hard as I could.
31:27Viggo grunted in pain.
31:28So I bolted for the far wall, toward the weapons rack.
31:31I was born of the Ashbrook bloodline.
31:34I was not going to let some drunken rat touch me.
31:37You think you can lift that, Alara?
31:39You're shaking.
31:40Just be a good girl.
31:42Come back to the bed.
31:44We can do it right next to him.
31:47He'll never know.
31:48I grabbed the hulp with both hands and heaved.
31:50My arms trembled under the strain, but I gripped it tight, pointed it straight at Vigrid's chest.
31:56Take one step, and I'll take your hand off.
31:59Viggo was still smiling.
32:01Then, suddenly, his eyes flicked past my shoulder.
32:04His smile vanished.
32:05He stared behind me, backing away in pure, undisguised terror.
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