The Dungeon Couldn't Stop A Luna Nova.Realm

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Transcript

00:00:00I always felt like I never belonged, not in this pack and definitely not in the family I was placed

00:00:04with.

00:00:05I was orphaned at birth. My mother died giving birth to me, and my father soon after.

00:00:11Alpha Joe handed me off like an unwanted gift to Amma and Vargos.

00:00:15For a while, they treated me like their own.

00:00:18Until I was seven and Amma's belly began to swell with new life.

00:00:22Then the world shifted.

00:00:25The arms that once cradled me grew cold.

00:00:35Narayan! It's five in the damn morning! Get your useless self moving!

00:00:42I closed my eyes and breathed deep. Today was different.

00:00:45Tonight, under the moonlight, my dormant wolf gene will awaken and I'll finally become a full-fledged werewolf.

00:00:51Once I shift, I can leave Amma's house and start saving to finally get out of Kragnan.

00:00:55A small, secret smile tugged at my lips.

00:00:57I'd been waiting for this moment my whole life.

00:01:00I rose stiffly from my pile of clothes.

00:01:02There she was, leaning over the railing like a queen surveying her dirty peasant.

00:01:07Sorry.

00:01:09Sorry? You should be.

00:01:11Living off our kindness all these years, the least you could do is pick up more slack.

00:01:16It's the weekend.

00:01:17I swallowed the bitter rage clawing up my throat.

00:01:20More slack?

00:01:21What more could I possibly do that wasn't already dumped on my shoulders?

00:01:24I clenched my fists until my knuckles shook.

00:01:27Just a few more hours, I reminded myself.

00:01:30I woke Levian to get his laundry.

00:01:32He shoved two overflowing baskets into my arms and threw a duvet at the back of my head before slamming

00:01:37the door.

00:01:38Downstairs, Amma was sipping coffee and reading a fashion magazine.

00:01:40The washing machine's broken.

00:01:42Peter can fix it later.

00:01:43Take the laundry down to the river bend and wash it by hand.

00:01:46Oh, and grab your father's and my laundry too.

00:01:49I tripped and grabbed the counter, accidentally knocking a plate to the floor.

00:01:54Amma's palm collided with my face, knocking me backwards into the fridge.

00:01:59I saw stars and tears spilled from my eyes.

00:02:03You stupid little bitch!

00:02:05That was a vintage plate!

00:02:07Sorry doesn't fix your stupidity!

00:02:10Useless girl!

00:02:11You're nothing but a migraine!

00:02:12I stayed silent, letting the insults rain down until she stormed off.

00:02:19Then I heaved the heavy bags onto my back and stumbled toward the river bend,

00:02:24where there was less chance of anyone seeing me like this.

00:02:29By the time I made it back, the sun was retreating.

00:02:32I heard Alpha Joe's voice inside.

00:02:34I pushed open the door, and every head at the dining table turned toward me.

00:02:38Amma sweetly told a lie, saying that I went to wash clothes by the river

00:02:42because I complained the washing machine hadn't gotten them clean enough.

00:02:45Nareen, I've been waiting for you.

00:02:47It's custom for the Alpha to bless you on your birthday,

00:02:49and pray that Irina's spirit sees you through your transformation from man to beast.

00:02:54I blinked.

00:02:55Stunned.

00:02:56I took a single spoonful of pasta at dinner.

00:02:58My parents hadn't.

00:02:59Suddenly, heat exploded under my skin.

00:03:02I doubled over, gasping.

00:03:03Get out.

00:03:04I took a deep breath through the pain and stumbled out the door.

00:03:07The storm howled, and rain pounded down.

00:03:10My bones snapped and elongated painfully slow,

00:03:13my spine twisting at odd angles.

00:03:15I laid there crying, powerless.

00:03:20After an eternity, the pain faded, and I staggered up panting.

00:03:25I looked down, and my white fur shimmered under the rain,

00:03:29with champagne-hued, burnished golden tips.

00:03:32I howled wildly to the red moon, brimming with happiness,

00:03:35and turned back toward the others.

00:03:37I flinched.

00:03:38They froze and stared as if I had two heads,

00:03:41then flinched when I stepped forward.

00:03:42In a puddle, I saw my huge reflection with a third eye on my forehead,

00:03:46black socket and golden iris,

00:03:48and my main eyes blazing red.

00:03:51Darkness swallowed me whole.

00:03:52Three years later, there were no windows or clocks,

00:03:54no way to tell day from night.

00:03:56Tobias's boots echoed through the rotten corridor.

00:03:58He tossed a tray beside me.

00:04:00Oh, you still ain't dead yet?

00:04:01You're one strong little bitch.

00:04:02It's been three years, can you believe it?

00:04:04This pit stinks worse than a rotting sewer.

00:04:05Last time I'm coming down here, mark my word.

00:04:08Three years.

00:04:08The words slithered into my mind like a poison dagger,

00:04:11but I felt nothing.

00:04:12Had it really been that long?

00:04:14I stared up at the cracked ceiling,

00:04:16tracing the spider web of fractures again and again.

00:04:18Every split had been memorized long ago.

00:04:20I had been rotting in this dungeon long enough

00:04:22for the ceiling to become more familiar than faces I once loved.

00:04:25They tried to get rid of me,

00:04:26but my cursed body healed relentlessly.

00:04:28They turned to silver,

00:04:30searing it into my flesh and leaving a map of scars.

00:04:33Joe was the worst.

00:04:34He peeled my skin back layer by layer,

00:04:36probing for the monster he swore lurked beneath.

00:04:38He would let me shriek until my lips cracked and my stomach twisted,

00:04:42then dangle a single drop of water in front of me.

00:04:45Shift.

00:04:46Show me what you really are.

00:04:47But I was too weak to summon the beast he so feared.

00:04:50I had screamed for death,

00:04:52begged for it in hoary sobs,

00:04:54but even death found me repulsive,

00:04:56leaving me trapped in this decaying shell.

00:04:59When I turned my head and saw the tray,

00:05:01a jolt struck my half-dead nerves.

00:05:03The cell door was in jaw,

00:05:05unlocked.

00:05:06Tobias,

00:05:07lazy,

00:05:08careless.

00:05:09Tobias hadn't locked it.

00:05:11A strange, foreign sensation stirred in my hollow chest.

00:05:14Hope.

00:05:15But I crushed it hard.

00:05:17Even if I escaped,

00:05:18where would I go in this state?

00:05:20Skin stretched over brittle bones,

00:05:22not even remembering my own face.

00:05:24I clenched my jaw.

00:05:26If I must die,

00:05:27then let it be under the sky,

00:05:28with the wind on my skin and the stars bearing witness.

00:05:31Not rotting away nameless in this tomb.

00:05:35I forced my skeletal frame to move and dragged myself across the threshold.

00:05:39I didn't remember how I stumbled through the night,

00:05:41only the scent,

00:05:42honeysuckle and sun-warmed cedar,

00:05:44cutting through the rot like a blade.

00:05:46Then a pair of warm arms caught my crumbling body.

00:05:49When my eyes fluttered open again,

00:05:51there was no cracked ceiling.

00:05:53Above me were intricate carvings kissed with gold and silver,

00:05:56a chandelier glowing softly.

00:05:58The bed beneath me was impossibly soft,

00:06:00silk curtains swaying at its corners.

00:06:02Was I dead?

00:06:03Was this heaven or hell dressed in beautiful lies?

00:06:06I tried to move but my limbs trembled violently.

00:06:08My hands were clean and pale,

00:06:10nearly translucent.

00:06:11I was dressed in a large hoodie.

00:06:13The grime I'd worn like a second skin was gone.

00:06:16You're awake.

00:06:17I flinched and snapped my gaze toward the voice.

00:06:20He was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen.

00:06:23He stood at the foot of the bed,

00:06:25arms crossed over a broad chest,

00:06:27warm brown eyes framed by thick, dark lashes.

00:06:30How are you feeling?

00:06:32That voice was like thunder wrapped in silk.

00:06:35I wanted to speak,

00:06:37but only a weak gasp escaped.

00:06:39When he reached out a hand,

00:06:41I threw my arms up to shield my face,

00:06:43bracing for the blow I knew would come.

00:06:46I don't want to hurt you.

00:06:51I would never hurt you, Imsirelli.

00:06:55I peeked through my arms.

00:06:57He had lowered his hand and wore a sad smile.

00:07:00He introduced himself as Sargas,

00:07:03the ruthless,

00:07:05untouchable Lycan king.

00:07:08He said,

00:07:09I was in the palace of Karagnyr,

00:07:11that he had found me on snow wolf territory.

00:07:14This had to be a hallucination.

00:07:16How could someone as broken as I am be in the palace?

00:07:19In the king's bed.

00:07:20I tried to pinch myself awake,

00:07:23but there was no flesh to grip.

00:07:25So I scooted toward the edge,

00:07:27intending to fall and wake up.

00:07:29The next second,

00:07:30I crashed into a solid chest.

00:07:32His heartbeat thudded against my ear.

00:07:34I looked up into those warm eyes

00:07:36that could melt the fiercest ice.

00:07:38But warmth was always a lie.

00:07:40I pushed weakly,

00:07:41but he simply laid me back on the bed.

00:07:44Then he pulled out a phone

00:07:45and issued a steady command.

00:07:49Royal physician.

00:07:51My room.

00:07:52He was summoning an entire medical team.

00:07:56This is all my fault.

00:07:57I'm sorry I didn't find you soon.

00:08:00He dropped his head onto my lap,

00:08:02his broad shoulders trembling slightly.

00:08:04I froze.

00:08:06Why would a king grieve over me?

00:08:09A knock sounded,

00:08:10and a group in teal scrubs filed in,

00:08:13bowing in unison.

00:08:14That was what they called him.

00:08:16Supreme Alpha.

00:08:18And I sat there,

00:08:19trembling,

00:08:20utterly bewildered.

00:08:21What the actual fuck was happening?

00:08:23They wanted to examine me.

00:08:25I curled into a ball,

00:08:26pressing my palms over my ears,

00:08:28rocking back and forth.

00:08:29Don't touch me.

00:08:30Please, no.

00:08:31The man called Sarja sat on the edge of the bed,

00:08:34his voice low.

00:08:35I promise you, M'sirelli,

00:08:37nobody here is when he heard me.

00:08:39They won't touch you in any way

00:08:40you're uncomfortable with.

00:08:42I swear on my title

00:08:43and my life.

00:08:45I looked at him.

00:08:47There was a burning sincerity in those eyes.

00:08:52Slowly, my hands slid down from my ears.

00:08:56I nodded.

00:08:58The physician Maravec approached cautiously,

00:09:00like handling a frightened fawn.

00:09:02He measured my vitals,

00:09:04my height and weight,

00:09:05his brown deepening.

00:09:07When he gestured for me to open my mouth,

00:09:09a foul stretch filled the room,

00:09:11and I saw Sargas' knuckles turn white.

00:09:13They asked questions,

00:09:14and I answered with nods,

00:09:16shakes,

00:09:16or fingers.

00:09:18Three.

00:09:19Three years since I last spoke.

00:09:21Twenty-one.

00:09:22I was twenty-one.

00:09:24Finally,

00:09:25they handed me a notepad and pen

00:09:26to write my name.

00:09:27My hand trembled so badly

00:09:29the letters came out crooked.

00:09:31Nino?

00:09:32Or maybe Maka?

00:09:34The physician guessed twice

00:09:36and was wrong both times.

00:09:38Sargas impatiently snatched the note

00:09:40and squinted at it.

00:09:42Noreen.

00:09:43I nodded.

00:09:47Noreen.

00:09:48He pronounced that name

00:09:49like a sacred vow.

00:09:52Everyone left,

00:09:53and the door clicked shut behind them.

00:09:55Silence wrapped around me again,

00:09:57my oldest best friend.

00:09:59I looked around the massive room,

00:10:01high vaulted ceilings,

00:10:02polished stone walls,

00:10:04a bed big enough for five.

00:10:05It was too surreal.

00:10:07I was in the Lycan King's palace,

00:10:09in his bed,

00:10:10under his care.

00:10:12Why?

00:10:12What did he want?

00:10:13No one ever gave

00:10:15without wanting something in return,

00:10:16especially not for someone like me.

00:10:19A knock came,

00:10:20and a dark-haired woman entered,

00:10:22fox-like eyes smiling.

00:10:23She introduced herself as Hazmik,

00:10:25my lady-in-waiting.

00:10:26She brought an iPad

00:10:27and a wireless bell.

00:10:28Would you like to stay resting in bed?

00:10:30Or would you love to watch the sun?

00:10:32It's beautiful from the balcony.

00:10:34The sun.

00:10:35That word struck me

00:10:36like a jolt to the chest.

00:10:38I pointed weakly toward the window.

00:10:40She smiled and helped me up,

00:10:42letting me lean on her

00:10:43as we shuffled step-by-step

00:10:45towards the large glass doors.

00:10:47The door slid open,

00:10:48and sunlight flood in.

00:10:50The first ray hit my face.

00:10:52I froze.

00:10:53The warmth was so foreigner

00:10:54it almost hurt.

00:10:56I closed my eyes

00:10:57and breathed it in,

00:10:58letting it soak into my bones.

00:11:00I had forgotten.

00:11:02I had forgotten how the sun felt.

00:11:04Hazmik helped me sink

00:11:05into a giant beanbag

00:11:06that swallowed me whole.

00:11:08The sky was a tender blue,

00:11:10clouds drifting slowly.

00:11:11A breeze kissed my matted hair.

00:11:13I don't know how long I sat there.

00:11:15Maybe I fell asleep.

00:11:16When I opened my eyes again,

00:11:18the sky was painted

00:11:19amber and rose gold,

00:11:21a wool blanket

00:11:22wrapped around me.

00:11:23Then I met those warm brown eyes.

00:11:26Sarge standing by the railing,

00:11:27silently watching me.

00:11:28You seemed so comfortable sleeping.

00:11:30I didn't have the heart

00:11:31to disturb you.

00:11:33It's getting windy.

00:11:34I should get you inside

00:11:35so you don't catch a cold.

00:11:38Before I could react,

00:11:40I was weightless in his arms.

00:11:42My face pressed against his chest,

00:11:45his steady heartbeat

00:11:47thudding in my ear.

00:11:49I froze,

00:11:50but he just smiled,

00:11:52as if carrying women

00:11:54was part of his daily routine.

00:11:59He laid me back on the bed,

00:12:01tucked the duvet around me,

00:12:03and then turned for the door,

00:12:07leaving my heart

00:12:08hammering like a drum.

00:12:10The door clicked shut behind him.

00:12:12I curled up alone

00:12:14in that too soft bed,

00:12:15my heart still pounding.

00:12:16When he carried me back

00:12:17from the balcony,

00:12:18his arms had been steady as stone,

00:12:20as if I weighed nothing.

00:12:22I burrowed deeper into his hoodie.

00:12:24That scent,

00:12:25cedar and honeysuckle,

00:12:27had soaked into the fabric.

00:12:28I hated to admit it reminded me

00:12:30of something distant

00:12:31called safety.

00:12:33Outside,

00:12:34moonlight silvered the gardens.

00:12:36I stared at it,

00:12:37asking myself over and over,

00:12:39who was I

00:12:41to be held in a king's hands?

00:12:43The answer came

00:12:44as cold as moonlight.

00:12:46I was not worthy.

00:12:48The physician Maravec's words

00:12:50echoed in my head.

00:12:51Severe malnutrition,

00:12:52dehydration,

00:12:53post-traumatic stress.

00:12:54My teeth had rotted

00:12:55from neglect.

00:12:56If I were human,

00:12:57he had said,

00:12:58I would already be dead.

00:13:00It was the cursed wolf blood

00:13:02that had kept me alive.

00:13:03The blood that made me a monster.

00:13:06I touched the crescent

00:13:08and spiral mark

00:13:08on my forehead.

00:13:09It always throbbed faintly.

00:13:10I closed my eyes,

00:13:12trying to piece together

00:13:13what that man,

00:13:14Sargis,

00:13:15could possibly see in me.

00:13:16A mute ghost.

00:13:17A skeletal wreck.

00:13:20A three-eyed abomination.

00:13:22Sooner or later,

00:13:23he would see the truth

00:13:24and throw me back

00:13:25into the abyss.

00:13:26Thirty sunrises

00:13:26and sunsets passed.

00:13:28I was trapped

00:13:28in this gilded dream,

00:13:29receiving IV drips,

00:13:30dental repairs,

00:13:31nutritional supplements

00:13:32day after day.

00:13:33Flesh slowly returned

00:13:34to my frame,

00:13:35and my skin grew

00:13:35less translucent.

00:13:36Hazmac became my shadow.

00:13:37She never pushed,

00:13:38never overstepped,

00:13:39simply offering a hand

00:13:40when needed.

00:13:41She reminded me of something

00:13:42I had never possessed,

00:13:43a sister.

00:13:44And Sargis slept on the sofa,

00:13:45every single day.

00:13:46Whenever I woke,

00:13:47he was either reading

00:13:48or watching me

00:13:48like a puzzle

00:13:49he couldn't solve.

00:13:50His gaze was too intense

00:13:51and I could never meet it.

00:13:52I woke earlier than usual today.

00:13:54Dawn had not yet broken

00:13:55and the room was empty.

00:13:56I didn't want to wait

00:13:56for Hazmac to help me

00:13:57with everything like a parasite.

00:13:59I pulled the IV needle out,

00:14:00wincing at the sting,

00:14:01but I didn't stop.

00:14:01The bathroom was

00:14:02gilded magnificence.

00:14:03The mirror showed a face

00:14:04still pale,

00:14:05but no longer hollow-eyed.

00:14:06I stared at the brand

00:14:07on my forehead,

00:14:08trying to recall

00:14:08when it appeared,

00:14:09but memory offered

00:14:10only black holes.

00:14:11I picked up scissors

00:14:12and began cutting away

00:14:12the matted knots.

00:14:14Platinum strands

00:14:14fell around my feet,

00:14:15snip after snip,

00:14:16until my head felt as light

00:14:17as if three years of weight

00:14:18had been lifted.

00:14:19Hot water poured

00:14:20from the shower head,

00:14:21steam billowing.

00:14:21I closed my eyes

00:14:22and let the stream

00:14:23wash over every inch of skin.

00:14:24It was the first time

00:14:24I truly bathed myself.

00:14:25The scent of soap

00:14:26drowned out the memory of rot.

00:14:27I touched every inch of skin

00:14:28as if getting to know my body

00:14:29for the first time.

00:14:30After the shower,

00:14:31wrapped in a blue robe,

00:14:32I found myself standing

00:14:33before the mirror again.

00:14:34I took a deep breath

00:14:35and let the robe fall.

00:14:37Covering my body

00:14:38like dried up riverbeds.

00:14:39The most horrifying one

00:14:40snaked from my lower abdomen

00:14:41to just beneath my left breast.

00:14:43The skin was tight and shiny,

00:14:44as if it still had a pulsacy.

00:14:45Joe.

00:14:46He had dragged

00:14:46a silver-coated blade

00:14:47up my stomach,

00:14:48slow as if savoring a delicacy.

00:14:50The sizzle of silver on flesh.

00:14:52The iron tang of blood.

00:14:54His humming.

00:14:55My screams.

00:14:56The door burst open.

00:14:58Sargus rushed in,

00:14:58then froze.

00:14:59His gaze landed on me

00:15:00for only a heartbeat

00:15:01before jerking away

00:15:02as if scolded,

00:15:03the back of his neck

00:15:03flushing red.

00:15:06I saw her body.

00:15:07Which made me uncontrollably

00:15:08think of some

00:15:08blush-endearing images.

00:15:11I'm sorry.

00:15:12I didn't think

00:15:12before barging in.

00:15:13Your heartbeat.

00:15:14I thought shit.

00:15:15I'm so sorry.

00:15:16Are you okay?

00:15:17Why are you crying?

00:15:18Only then did I realize

00:15:19I was curled naked

00:15:20on the floor,

00:15:21tears streaming down my face.

00:15:22I scrambled

00:15:23to pull the robe around me,

00:15:24heart-hammering.

00:15:25He kept his back to me,

00:15:26shoulders rigid.

00:15:27Put some clothes on,

00:15:28I'll be outside.

00:15:29He practically fled.

00:15:35I sat there for a moment,

00:15:37then pulled on another

00:15:38of his white shirt

00:15:38and burrowed under the covers.

00:15:40He stood by the window

00:15:41for a long time

00:15:41before slowly returning.

00:15:43I lay in bed

00:15:43with my back to him.

00:15:44His voice came from behind

00:15:45low and careful

00:15:46like taming a deer

00:15:47ready to bolt.

00:15:48You've been cooped up

00:15:48in here for a month.

00:15:49If you want,

00:15:49we can stroll through

00:15:50the palace gardens.

00:15:51The lilies just bloomed.

00:15:52Maravik says you can

00:15:53start on solid foods.

00:15:54I didn't respond.

00:15:55He held out the tablet

00:15:56and asked if there was

00:15:57anything I craved.

00:15:58I stared at the flowing screen

00:15:59as if it were

00:16:00an alien artifact.

00:16:01But eventually,

00:16:02I took it.

00:16:03He showed me how it worked,

00:16:04his fingers careful

00:16:05never to touch mine.

00:16:06I typed,

00:16:07then turned the screen

00:16:08toward him.

00:16:08What do you mean?

00:16:09What do I want?

00:16:10I snatched it back,

00:16:11typed furiously,

00:16:12and flipped it again.

00:16:13I need answers.

00:16:14Why was I brought here?

00:16:15Why am I in your bed?

00:16:16Why all this excessive care?

00:16:18Why waste resources

00:16:19on someone you don't even know?

00:16:20He fell silent.

00:16:21The air grew heavy as red.

00:16:22That's because

00:16:23you're my mate,

00:16:25Cyreli.

00:16:26Mate?

00:16:27Me?

00:16:27His?

00:16:28The eternally bound,

00:16:29soul-deep lichen mate

00:16:30cursed by Irina?

00:16:31Absurd.

00:16:32I was a three-eyed monster.

00:16:34He couldn't be serious.

00:16:36There had to be a mistake.

00:16:37A defective thing

00:16:38cast aside by everyone.

00:16:40He couldn't be serious.

00:16:41This had to be

00:16:41another cruel trap.

00:16:43I couldn't believe him.

00:16:44The moment he saw

00:16:45my true form,

00:16:45he would revile me

00:16:46like everyone else.

00:16:47I had to leave.

00:16:48Before he discovered the truth,

00:16:50before those gentle looks

00:16:51turned to disgust,

00:16:52I had to escape.

00:16:52But I was too weak right now.

00:16:53I needed time

00:16:54to regain my strength,

00:16:55to earn his trust,

00:16:56to find an opening.

00:16:56The garden.

00:16:57He mentioned the garden.

00:16:58There had to be a way out from there.

00:16:59I forced my breathing to steady,

00:17:01picked up the tablet,

00:17:02and typed my reply

00:17:02one letter at a time.

00:17:03Banana.

00:17:04He stared for a full three seconds,

00:17:06then his handsome face

00:17:08split into a smile

00:17:09I had never seen.

00:17:10Pure,

00:17:11bright,

00:17:11utterly relieved.

00:17:12The freshest bananas

00:17:13should be immediately

00:17:14brought to my quarters.

00:17:15Soon,

00:17:16Hazmeek rushed in

00:17:17with an armload of bananas,

00:17:18her eyes glistening.

00:17:19She peeled one

00:17:21and offered it to me

00:17:22with a joy

00:17:22as if I had just asked

00:17:23for the crown itself.

00:17:25I took the first bite.

00:17:26The sweetness exploded

00:17:27on my tongue,

00:17:28foreign and overwhelming.

00:17:30I couldn't remember

00:17:30bananas ever tasting this good.

00:17:32One after another,

00:17:34I couldn't stop.

00:17:36I heard his low chuckle.

00:17:37You're going to turn

00:17:38into a banana at this rate.

00:17:40I paused,

00:17:41looked up at him,

00:17:42and gave him the faintest,

00:17:44most unexpected eye roll.

00:17:46His laughter grew louder.

00:17:48In that moment,

00:17:49something cold in my chest

00:17:51seemed to crack.

00:17:54I'm so rarely meant

00:17:55my beloved

00:17:56in old Kragnook.

00:17:58He said it with such tenderness

00:18:00that I had to look away.

00:18:01I didn't deserve

00:18:02to be looked at like that.

00:18:03After the bananas were gone,

00:18:05he sat quietly on the sofa

00:18:06and told me about

00:18:07Irina's curse,

00:18:08how lichens were punished

00:18:09for their arrogance,

00:18:10bound eternally to one person,

00:18:12heart and soul

00:18:12intertwined until death.

00:18:14I don't care about the curse.

00:18:15All I know is that

00:18:16when I found you,

00:18:17here,

00:18:18he pointed to his chest,

00:18:19the place that had been empty

00:18:21for 23 years

00:18:22suddenly felt full.

00:18:24I clutched the sheets.

00:18:26His words were honeyed,

00:18:28but I had tasted

00:18:29too much poison

00:18:30wrapped in honey.

00:18:32I picked up the tablet

00:18:34and typed with trembling fingers.

00:18:36I don't want to be your mate.

00:18:38His smile didn't disappear.

00:18:40It just softened

00:18:41into something sad,

00:18:42like a flame

00:18:43dampened by rain.

00:18:44I know,

00:18:45and I won't force anything

00:18:46on you,

00:18:46Noreen,

00:18:46ever.

00:18:47But I also won't lie to you.

00:18:49You're not just anyone to me.

00:18:50You're the only one

00:18:51that's ever silenced

00:18:52the monster inside me.

00:18:57He left after those words,

00:18:59leaving me alone

00:19:00with the silence.

00:19:01I looked toward the balcony.

00:19:03The sky was vast

00:19:04and I was in a cage.

00:19:06No,

00:19:06I would be no one's prisoner anymore.

00:19:08I would grow strong,

00:19:10exact my revenge,

00:19:11and then be truly free.

00:19:13I walked to the balcony,

00:19:14slid the door open,

00:19:16and cold wind hit my face.

00:19:18I stared at the abyss

00:19:20beyond the railing.

00:19:21One step,

00:19:22and all the pain would end.

00:19:24I climbed onto the railing

00:19:25and spread my arms.

00:19:28Naryen!

00:19:29Please don't do that!

00:19:30I whipped my head around,

00:19:31my foot slipped,

00:19:32then the world flipped,

00:19:33and I fell into the void.

00:19:35A hand clamped around my wrist.

00:19:36I dangled in midair,

00:19:38looking up to see Sargas

00:19:39half over the railing,

00:19:40one hand gripping the edge,

00:19:41the other holding me

00:19:41with desperate strength.

00:19:42His face was contorted

00:19:43with strain,

00:19:44veins bulging,

00:19:45but what burned in his eyes

00:19:46was not anger.

00:19:46It was pure,

00:19:47unadultated terror.

00:19:48Hold on, Naryen!

00:19:49Just hold on!

00:19:50With a guttural roar,

00:19:51he hauled us both

00:19:52back over the railing

00:19:53inch by agonizing inch.

00:19:54We tumbled onto the cold tiles.

00:19:56I sprawled across his chest,

00:19:58his heart hummering

00:19:59wildly against my ear.

00:20:01He sat up,

00:20:02gripping my shoulders,

00:20:02his voice raw and shaking.

00:20:04Are you okay?

00:20:04I know I'll never fully understand

00:20:05what you've been through,

00:20:06but taking your life

00:20:07is not an option.

00:20:08Do you hear me?

00:20:08If something is too heavy for you,

00:20:10let me carry it.

00:20:11I'll burn this entire world

00:20:12to ashes for you.

00:20:13Just say the word.

00:20:14You have no idea

00:20:15the power you hold over me,

00:20:16Imcirelli.

00:20:17Please,

00:20:18don't ever try to do that again.

00:20:19I froze.

00:20:20He was kneeling before me,

00:20:22the supreme Lycan king,

00:20:24his voice laced with raw pleading.

00:20:26Not anger,

00:20:27not reproach,

00:20:28fear.

00:20:28Fear of losing me.

00:20:30I looked down

00:20:32and saw the wound

00:20:32from the IV

00:20:33still bleeding on my hand.

00:20:36He followed my gaze

00:20:37and then gently lifted my hand.

00:20:40Let me help you clean this.

00:20:41He fetched the first aid kit

00:20:43and knelt on one knee

00:20:44at my feet.

00:20:45His touch was exquisitely careful,

00:20:47as if I were the most

00:20:48fragile porcelain on earth.

00:20:50I watched his profile,

00:20:52which seemed almost reverent.

00:20:59Something hard inside my chest

00:21:00quietly gave way.

00:21:02He applied a bandage,

00:21:03then stood and fetched a steam mop.

00:21:04My eyes widened

00:21:05as the Lycan king

00:21:06rolled up his sleeves

00:21:07and began personally

00:21:07cleaning the blood off the floor.

00:21:09His forearms flexed

00:21:10with each movement,

00:21:11veins tracing intricate paths.

00:21:12I tore my gaze away,

00:21:13cheeks burning.

00:21:14Damn it,

00:21:14what was I thinking?

00:21:15This man had just saved my life,

00:21:16and I was oogling his arms?

00:21:17I buried myself

00:21:18under the covers

00:21:19and feigned sleep.

00:21:21The hum of the steam mop

00:21:22was an odd lullaby.

00:21:25After a while,

00:21:26I heard him set it down

00:21:27and quietly settle back

00:21:28onto the sofa.

00:21:30I didn't sleep that night.

00:21:32Not from fear,

00:21:34but from a strange,

00:21:35unnameable flutter.

00:21:36He said I had power over him.

00:21:38But what power

00:21:39could a broken, mute wreck

00:21:40like me possibly hold?

00:21:43Two months passed.

00:21:45My body recovered rapidly.

00:21:46I could keep down

00:21:48most solid foods

00:21:49and had even gained

00:21:49a little weight in my cheeks.

00:21:51But my wolf remained dormant.

00:21:53Maravec said it would

00:21:54take a few more months.

00:21:55I didn't plan to wait that long.

00:21:57I had to leave.

00:21:58Sargish's tenderness

00:21:59was a net drawing tighter each day

00:22:00and I feared drowning in it.

00:22:02I couldn't.

00:22:03I had a revenge to fulfill.

00:22:04Today,

00:22:05the opportunity came.

00:22:06I picked up the pablet

00:22:08and typed,

00:22:08I remember you once offered

00:22:10to take me to the garden.

00:22:11Does that offer still stand?

00:22:13He read the screen

00:22:14and his lips curved slowly

00:22:15into a smile

00:22:16that could melt ice.

00:22:17Of course it does.

00:22:21Sargish's smile

00:22:22bloomed like the first breath

00:22:23of spring.

00:22:25He led me through

00:22:26the palace corridors

00:22:27and I stepped into

00:22:28the moving iron box

00:22:30called an elevator

00:22:31for the first time.

00:22:32When the floor trembled,

00:22:34fear gripped my throat.

00:22:35I threw myself into his arms,

00:22:37clinging to his waist.

00:22:38His chest rumbled.

00:22:39He was laughing.

00:22:41This way, Lady Koala.

00:22:44I followed him

00:22:44past towering columnans.

00:22:46Two obsidian-carved

00:22:47lichen thrones

00:22:48loomed at the far end.

00:22:49The ceiling stole my breath

00:22:50and guards stood

00:22:52like statues.

00:22:53For the first time,

00:22:54I understood

00:22:54with absolute clarity

00:22:56he was a king.

00:22:57This is the palace ballroom.

00:22:59We host royal events,

00:23:00meetings, celebrations,

00:23:02and official matters here.

00:23:03I stared at the thrones,

00:23:04my skin pricking.

00:23:05He could snap my neck

00:23:06with a flick of his wrist.

00:23:07Yet I slept in his bed,

00:23:09wore his clothes,

00:23:10ate his candy.

00:23:11The thought of escape

00:23:12laught in my mind

00:23:12like a thorn.

00:23:13Guards pushed open

00:23:14a heavy oak and iron door

00:23:15and sunlight spilled in

00:23:16like it had been

00:23:17waiting for centuries.

00:23:18I saw a black luxury car

00:23:20parked in the courtyard.

00:23:22Sargish opened the door

00:23:23for me himself.

00:23:26I got in

00:23:27and he slid in beside me.

00:23:30Here.

00:23:31You can munch on it

00:23:32while we make our way there.

00:23:33I took it,

00:23:34tore it open,

00:23:35and shoved a handful

00:23:36into my mouth.

00:23:37The sweetness

00:23:38melted on my tongue.

00:23:40He kept watching me.

00:23:42When I looked up,

00:23:43he quickly averted his eyes

00:23:45and pretended to study

00:23:46the scenery.

00:23:47The garden was called

00:23:48Velariad,

00:23:49an arched stone gate

00:23:50twilled with vines,

00:23:51the scent thick

00:23:52as a liquid dream.

00:23:53I stepped in

00:23:53and was swallowed by blooms,

00:23:55birds of paradise,

00:23:56bleeding hearts,

00:23:57ghost orchids,

00:23:57and a bush of silver roses.

00:23:59They're called

00:24:00moonlit atel roses.

00:24:01They grow nowhere else

00:24:02in the world.

00:24:02They're used in

00:24:03every major royal event,

00:24:05mating ceremonies,

00:24:06coronations,

00:24:07presentations of heirs,

00:24:08even funeral rites.

00:24:10I crouched before the roses,

00:24:11afraid to touch them.

00:24:13The petals were true silver,

00:24:14like melted starlight

00:24:16trapped in delicate folds.

00:24:17I didn't know how long

00:24:18I crouched there

00:24:19until my legs cramped.

00:24:20When I stood,

00:24:21I saw Sargis sitting

00:24:22cross-segged on a hanging chair,

00:24:23hand up his head,

00:24:24grinning without guard.

00:24:25This has always been

00:24:25my favorite place to escape,

00:24:26even when I was a kid.

00:24:28Whenever I had a fight

00:24:28with my parents

00:24:29or just needed to disappear,

00:24:30I came here.

00:24:30I listened,

00:24:31and the corner of my lips

00:24:32twicked upward

00:24:32against my will.

00:24:33I wiped it away immediately.

00:24:34I had no business

00:24:35smiling at him.

00:24:37You're so beautiful.

00:24:39Has anyone ever told you that?

00:24:41I froze.

00:24:42No one.

00:24:43Never.

00:24:43Something warm and dangerous

00:24:45swelled in my chest.

00:24:46I had to crush it.

00:24:47I shot to my feet,

00:24:49desperate to flee

00:24:49this tender trap.

00:24:51My heel caught

00:24:52the fountain's edge,

00:24:53and I tilted backward.

00:24:55Arms banded around my waist

00:24:56and pulled me

00:24:57against a solid chest.

00:24:59I looked up in panic,

00:25:01just as his face

00:25:02angled down.

00:25:04Our lips touched.

00:25:06Then memory surged

00:25:06like black tide.

00:25:08Joe's hands,

00:25:08Joe's laughter,

00:25:09Joe's weight

00:25:10pinning me down.

00:25:11I screamed and

00:25:12shoved him away,

00:25:13collapsing to the ground,

00:25:14scrubbing frantically

00:25:15at my lips.

00:25:16I heard myself

00:25:17begging hoarskily,

00:25:18but the name I cried

00:25:20was Joe's.

00:25:21I finally came to

00:25:22the first thing

00:25:22I registered was pain.

00:25:24A dull burning throb

00:25:25echoed in my bones

00:25:26as if my entire body

00:25:28remembered every bruise.

00:25:29The second thing

00:25:30I noticed

00:25:30was a warm,

00:25:31solid arm

00:25:31draped over my waist,

00:25:33and another tucked

00:25:33beneath my head,

00:25:34gently pinning

00:25:35both my wrists.

00:25:36The third thing

00:25:36was the heat.

00:25:37A comforting,

00:25:39enveloping warmth

00:25:39that seemed to

00:25:40seep into my skin.

00:25:41How good he smelled,

00:25:43and how perfectly

00:25:44his body molded

00:25:45around mine.

00:25:45And the last thing

00:25:46that made me freeze

00:25:47was a poke,

00:25:48right on my lap.

00:25:49No!

00:25:50No, no, no!

00:25:51I twisted,

00:25:52kicked,

00:25:52and squirmed

00:25:53until I managed

00:25:54to slide out

00:25:54from under him

00:25:55and tumble off the bed,

00:25:56I scrambled backward

00:25:57like a startled deer

00:25:58until my back

00:25:59hit the nightstand.

00:26:01You're finally awake.

00:26:04Why the fuck

00:26:05were you in bed with me?

00:26:06You were having a nightmare,

00:26:07thrashing and clawing

00:26:08at yourself.

00:26:09I tried to wake you up,

00:26:10but you wouldn't stop,

00:26:11so I held you

00:26:12all night.

00:26:13I stared at him.

00:26:14That made sense.

00:26:15But why wasn't I scared?

00:26:16It was like my body

00:26:17knew this alpha

00:26:18wouldn't hurt me,

00:26:19but my brain

00:26:20was struggling

00:26:20to keep up.

00:26:21Are you reading my mind?

00:26:23You're not insane.

00:26:24You were simply

00:26:24thinking out loud.

00:26:25A scream tore

00:26:26from my throat again,

00:26:27and then I heard it,

00:26:28my voice.

00:26:29Trembling,

00:26:30I pressed a hand

00:26:31to my throat,

00:26:32disbelieving.

00:26:33A soft gasp

00:26:34escaped me.

00:26:35Tears welled in my eyes.

00:26:37So this,

00:26:39this is how I sound?

00:26:41I didn't even

00:26:42remember anymore.

00:26:45The memories came

00:26:46crashing into me.

00:26:47The palace,

00:26:48the garden,

00:26:48the kiss,

00:26:49and Joe.

00:26:50My chest caved in.

00:26:52I closed my eyes

00:26:53and inhaled deeply,

00:26:54but the weight

00:26:55of that memory

00:26:55pulled me under.

00:26:56The kiss reminded me

00:26:58of Joe.

00:26:59I couldn't breathe.

00:27:01I dropped my gaze

00:27:02to my hands.

00:27:02There was torn skin

00:27:03beneath my nails.

00:27:04He wasn't lying.

00:27:06Sargas had protected

00:27:07me from myself.

00:27:08Again.

00:27:10Good morning.

00:27:13Do you want to use

00:27:14the bathroom first

00:27:14or should I?

00:27:15I shuffled toward

00:27:16the walk-in closet

00:27:17and grabbed one of his

00:27:18black shirts

00:27:19and a pair of shorts.

00:27:20Wearing his clothes

00:27:21felt normal now.

00:27:22I stepped back

00:27:22into the room.

00:27:23He was sitting

00:27:24at the edge of the bed,

00:27:25phone in hand.

00:27:26Inside the bathroom,

00:27:27I caught my reflection,

00:27:28angry red lines

00:27:29across my arms

00:27:30and collarbone.

00:27:31I had done that

00:27:32to myself.

00:27:33I realized I was

00:27:34growing comfortable

00:27:35here with him.

00:27:36That scared me

00:27:37more than anything.

00:27:38I wasn't staying forever.

00:27:40I'd kill Joe.

00:27:41I stepped out

00:27:42of the bathroom

00:27:42drawn by the scent

00:27:44of heaven.

00:27:45Sargas stood

00:27:46behind the island

00:27:47counter,

00:27:47fussing with a skillet,

00:27:49plating eggs,

00:27:50sausages,

00:27:51bacon,

00:27:51pancakes.

00:27:52He could cook?

00:27:55Come take your seat.

00:27:56I obeyed immediately.

00:27:57He placed a full plate

00:27:59in front of me.

00:28:00I picked up the fork

00:28:01and deg in.

00:28:02A moan slipped out

00:28:03without warning.

00:28:04How is it?

00:28:05I haven't cooked

00:28:06in a while,

00:28:06so I might be

00:28:07a little rusty.

00:28:08I flashed him

00:28:08a thumbs up.

00:28:09He grinned

00:28:10and served himself

00:28:11a plate.

00:28:11We ate in silence.

00:28:13Once the meal

00:28:14was done,

00:28:14I rose to grab

00:28:15the dishes.

00:28:16He intercepted me.

00:28:17I can do it.

00:28:19I absolutely

00:28:20do not doubt

00:28:21your capability,

00:28:22but allow me

00:28:23to do these

00:28:23little things.

00:28:24You don't ever

00:28:25have to lift a finger.

00:28:26I looked away quickly.

00:28:28There was something

00:28:28disarming about

00:28:29the way he spoke.

00:28:30He was gentle

00:28:31and I didn't know

00:28:32how to handle gentle.

00:28:34I wandered back

00:28:35to the living space

00:28:36and collapsed

00:28:36onto the sofa.

00:28:38Minutes later,

00:28:39he approached.

00:28:40Here.

00:28:41He held out a bowl

00:28:42filled with brightly

00:28:43colored candies

00:28:43and sour gummies.

00:28:45I took it with both hands.

00:28:47You don't ever

00:28:48have to thank me

00:28:48for things like this.

00:28:49It's my pleasure.

00:28:51Then he turned

00:28:52and walked away.

00:28:55I stared after him

00:28:59and didn't know

00:29:00what to think

00:29:00about him anymore.

00:29:17Time had passed.

00:29:18Two and a half months

00:29:19since everything changed.

00:29:21Since I screamed

00:29:22and found my voice.

00:29:23Sargas and I

00:29:24were in a much better

00:29:24place now.

00:29:25Not perfect,

00:29:26but closer.

00:29:27I spoke with him

00:29:28freely when I wanted to,

00:29:29quietly when I didn't.

00:29:31He never pushed.

00:29:32I'd started leaving

00:29:33the palace, too.

00:29:34With Hazmik,

00:29:35she became something

00:29:36close to a friend.

00:29:37She taught me games,

00:29:39painted my nails,

00:29:40let me braid her hair.

00:29:41What kind of man

00:29:43do you like?

00:29:43I had no answer,

00:29:45but she told me

00:29:45she and Lupercus

00:29:46were mated.

00:29:47I couldn't believe it.

00:29:48That tall,

00:29:48brooding wall of muscle?

00:29:50Him?

00:29:50Hazmik burst into laughter,

00:29:51but it was true.

00:29:52Physically,

00:29:53I was changing, too.

00:29:54I'd gained weight,

00:29:55healthy weight.

00:29:56My hips had begun

00:29:57to round,

00:29:57my cheeks filled out,

00:29:58my hair grew thicker

00:29:59and longer,

00:30:00but I hadn't stopped

00:30:01searching for a way out.

00:30:02Notebooks hidden

00:30:03behind the wardrobe

00:30:03were filled with sketches

00:30:04of palace maps,

00:30:05blind spots in guard rotations,

00:30:07tunnel theories,

00:30:08but I still hadn't

00:30:09found a way out.

00:30:10I'm tired of seeing you

00:30:11in his clothes.

00:30:12You're getting thicker now

00:30:12and your boobs are starting

00:30:13to fill out,

00:30:14but you're still dressing

00:30:14like a malnourished librarian.

00:30:15You need your own clothes.

00:30:16Dresses, shoes, undies,

00:30:18sexy ones.

00:30:19The door swung open

00:30:20and in walked Sargis.

00:30:23Good.

00:30:24You're here.

00:30:25Your mate is filling out.

00:30:26It's a crime she doesn't

00:30:27have decent underwear.

00:30:28I'm taking her shopping.

00:30:29You're what?

00:30:30She needs a wardrobe overhaul.

00:30:32Your card.

00:30:33Now.

00:30:33Sargis looked between us.

00:30:35Then he groaned.

00:30:37For the goddess' sake,

00:30:39fine.

00:30:40He shoved his black card

00:30:42into her hand.

00:30:43Hazmik kissed his cheek.

00:30:45Good boy.

00:30:47The only person

00:30:47you're allowed to splurge on

00:30:48is Noreen,

00:30:49not yourself.

00:30:51Crystal clear, my king.

00:30:52She looped her arm

00:30:52through mine,

00:30:53practically dragging me

00:30:54toward the door

00:30:54while I stumbled along,

00:30:55half horrified,

00:30:56half terrified.

00:30:57If she comes back

00:30:58with those hideous shades

00:30:59of yours,

00:30:59I'll personally exile you,

00:31:01hoss me.

00:31:01Possible.

00:31:02And I went shopping.

00:31:03She drove.

00:31:03I sat in the passenger seat.

00:31:05The gates creaked shut

00:31:06behind us.

00:31:06Am I sure I should be doing this?

00:31:07Going out like this?

00:31:09Babe, I'm more than sure.

00:31:11And besides,

00:31:12I waited months for this.

00:31:13Don't rob me

00:31:14of my girl's day fantasy.

00:31:15I gave her a small smile.

00:31:19But my insides

00:31:20were knotted with anxiety.

00:31:23The road wound

00:31:24through towering sycamars

00:31:25and golden fields.

00:31:27Thirty minutes later,

00:31:28we reached the main gate.

00:31:30It opened.

00:31:31This was the first time

00:31:32I'd stepped into

00:31:33the outside world.

00:31:34People, no,

00:31:35beings were everywhere.

00:31:37Furred, scaled, winged.

00:31:38I felt like a ghost.

00:31:41The main city

00:31:42is practically a circus.

00:31:43She parked

00:31:44and dragged me

00:31:45into the first shop.

00:31:46Red lace.

00:31:47The scent of perfume

00:31:49hit me.

00:31:50Lace,

00:31:51satin,

00:31:51silk.

00:31:52I froze.

00:31:53It's not your style.

00:31:54That's the point.

00:31:56You've been wearing

00:31:56Sargis' hoodies.

00:31:57This is your awakening arc.

00:31:59My what?

00:32:00She kept handing me sets.

00:32:02Some tame,

00:32:02some scandalous.

00:32:04I tried on a deep green set.

00:32:05The soft fabric

00:32:06hugged my skin.

00:32:07Not too revealing.

00:32:08That one?

00:32:09That's the one.

00:32:10You look like you could

00:32:11kill a man

00:32:11and then write a love letter

00:32:12on his grave.

00:32:13I smiled faintly.

00:32:14Then my gaze drifted lower

00:32:15and I saw them.

00:32:16The scars.

00:32:17Long, silvery reminders

00:32:18slashed across my hips

00:32:19and the sides of my stomach

00:32:20like brands.

00:32:21The scars.

00:32:22They make it hard

00:32:22to see anything else.

00:32:23Those scars?

00:32:25That's armor, Noreen.

00:32:26That's survival.

00:32:28You don't hide them.

00:32:29You wear them

00:32:30like a goddamn crown.

00:32:32I wanted to believe her.

00:32:33But believing is easy

00:32:35when you're not the one

00:32:35living inside the body

00:32:37that remembers every scream.

00:32:38We moved on after that.

00:32:40Shoes, jewelry, dresses.

00:32:42At a street-side cafe

00:32:43I barely touched my food

00:32:45but I nodded along

00:32:46to Hazmic's banter.

00:32:48By the time the sun

00:32:49began to dip

00:32:50our arms were full of bags.

00:32:53Lubricus,

00:32:53she stepped away to answer

00:32:55motioning for me to stay.

00:32:56I stared at the exit.

00:32:58The streets were crowded

00:32:59pulsing with energy.

00:33:00It would be impossible

00:33:01to track someone

00:33:02through that maze.

00:33:03My heart pounded.

00:33:05I hated myself

00:33:06for thinking it

00:33:06but the need for vengeance

00:33:08wouldn't let go.

00:33:09I moved,

00:33:10slowly at first,

00:33:11pretending to browse

00:33:12a rack near the door.

00:33:14Then I slipped

00:33:14through the crowd

00:33:15like mist.

00:33:17Hazmic was still

00:33:17on the phone,

00:33:19turned away.

00:33:20I ran.

00:33:22I moved like smoke,

00:33:24weaving through

00:33:24clusters of shoppers,

00:33:25ducking into crowds.

00:33:26I looped around

00:33:27the block twice,

00:33:28letting bodies

00:33:28mask my scent.

00:33:29My memory flicked back

00:33:30to the turns we'd taken,

00:33:31right on Temple Avenue,

00:33:32two blocks north.

00:33:33Then a side road

00:33:33called Moon's Hollow,

00:33:34past the bakery

00:33:35with the strawberry bread,

00:33:36left at the bronze statue

00:33:37of the feathered chimera.

00:33:38I followed the map

00:33:38I'd stitched into my mind.

00:33:40My lungs burned,

00:33:41but I didn't stop.

00:33:42Not until I turned

00:33:43a final corner

00:33:43and found myself

00:33:44on a quieter street.

00:33:45There in the shadow

00:33:46of a crumpling tower,

00:33:47I leaned against the wall,

00:33:48panting.

00:33:49A weight crushed my chest,

00:33:50but vengeance

00:33:51had waited long enough.

00:33:52I didn't know

00:33:52where I was going.

00:33:53I only knew

00:33:54I was going

00:33:54to the snow wolf pack,

00:33:55to Joe.

00:33:55The streets of the city

00:33:57felt like a different world.

00:33:58People in clusters,

00:33:59merchants yelling,

00:34:00neon signs blinking.

00:34:01The snow wolf pack?

00:34:02A woman barely looked up

00:34:04from her phone

00:34:04and pointed south.

00:34:05That's hours away

00:34:06on foot, girl.

00:34:07You'll need transport.

00:34:08I nodded and kept walking.

00:34:09I had no money,

00:34:10no phone,

00:34:11no plant.

00:34:11I ducked into alleyways

00:34:12to breathe.

00:34:14When my legs went numb,

00:34:15I found a fountain

00:34:16at the edge of a plaza

00:34:17and collapsed beside it.

00:34:18The water shimmered

00:34:19like crystal

00:34:19under the city lights.

00:34:21I dipped my hands

00:34:22into drink.

00:34:22My reflection

00:34:23stared back,

00:34:24wild-eyed.

00:34:25What the hell

00:34:25was I doing?

00:34:26I hadn't thought this through.

00:34:28I'd romanticized vengeance,

00:34:29but I hadn't considered

00:34:31the logistics.

00:34:31The crowds had started thinning.

00:34:34Daylight had bled

00:34:34out of the sky.

00:34:35Most people had places to go.

00:34:37Homes.

00:34:38Packs.

00:34:38Families.

00:34:39I had nothing.

00:34:41The city suddenly felt

00:34:43like a mouth

00:34:43about to swallow me whole.

00:34:46I curled onto a bench,

00:34:48hugging my knees.

00:34:52Maybe I'd made a mistake.

00:34:55I eventually stumbled

00:34:56onto a bench

00:34:57by a bus stop,

00:34:58half limping

00:34:58and half dragging my body

00:34:59across the concrete.

00:35:00My knees buckled

00:35:01the moment I sat.

00:35:02My legs trembled

00:35:03from hours of walking

00:35:04with no direction.

00:35:05Goddess,

00:35:06what was I thinking?

00:35:07My lungs ached

00:35:07with every breath.

00:35:08My head throbbed.

00:35:09I was utterly spent.

00:35:11I was so stupid.

00:35:12I had made a split-second decision

00:35:13based on wanting to be free,

00:35:15to take control of my life,

00:35:16only to realize

00:35:17it wasn't as easy

00:35:17as I had made it sound

00:35:18in my head.

00:35:19Now I was stuck,

00:35:20exhausted,

00:35:20cold,

00:35:21and lost in a city

00:35:22I barely knew.

00:35:23I missed him.

00:35:23I hated how fast

00:35:24that thought came,

00:35:25how much it hurt.

00:35:26But I missed his gaze,

00:35:27his quiet presence,

00:35:28the way he made me feel

00:35:29seen and safe.

00:35:29I wanted to go back,

00:35:30to the steady hum

00:35:31of the corridors,

00:35:32to the scent of lavender

00:35:33on my pillows,

00:35:33to the quiet safety

00:35:34of knowing Hazmic

00:35:35would always be

00:35:36two steps behind me.

00:35:37But I didn't know how.

00:35:38No, I wanted revenge.

00:35:39That was the truth of it,

00:35:40wasn't it?

00:35:41No matter how much

00:35:41I missed the comfort

00:35:42of the palace,

00:35:43I couldn't pretend

00:35:44it would make everything right.

00:35:45It wouldn't undo

00:35:46what happened to me,

00:35:47wouldn't erase the nights

00:35:48I screamed into my pillow,

00:35:50or the way my body

00:35:50still flinched.

00:35:51The palace could offer peace,

00:35:53but not justice.

00:35:54And I was starving for justice.

00:35:56But what had I even been thinking?

00:35:57That I could just show up

00:35:58at the snow wolf pack

00:35:59and kill Joe with my bare hands?

00:36:01That vengeance would be waiting for me

00:36:02like a gift wrapped in fury?

00:36:03I had been so blinded by rage

00:36:05and hurt that I forgot

00:36:06I was just one girl,

00:36:07with scars still healing

00:36:09and barely enough strength

00:36:10to hold herself upright.

00:36:11But I couldn't let it go.

00:36:12I couldn't move on.

00:36:13Not while he was still out there,

00:36:14breathing freely,

00:36:15laughing,

00:36:15living a life untouched

00:36:16by the horror he inflicted on me.

00:36:18He ruined my life.

00:36:19He destroyed pieces of me

00:36:20I would never get back.

00:36:21I needed to look into his eyes

00:36:22and watch him realize

00:36:23I had survived.

00:36:24But right now,

00:36:25I was helpless.

00:36:26I curled on the bench,

00:36:27arms tucked tight into my chest,

00:36:29rocking gently

00:36:30as the night deepened

00:36:31and the city blurred around me.

00:36:33One minute I was asleep.

00:36:35The next I was in the air,

00:36:37hauled,

00:36:37like a sack of grain.

00:36:39Hey, hey,

00:36:40put me down!

00:36:41The man didn't flinch.

00:36:42His arms were like steel.

00:36:44I was dumped

00:36:44into the backseat of a car.

00:36:45This is kidnapping!

00:36:47He slid into the driver's seat

00:36:48and locked the doors.

00:36:49I'm sorry,

00:36:50your gracious majesty.

00:36:51Please pardon my caveman behavior.

00:36:53I need to get you back to the palace

00:36:54as soon as possible.

00:36:55His majesty is not in a good state of mind.

00:36:56Oh,

00:36:57so I wasn't being kidnapped.

00:36:58They found me so fast.

00:36:59I thought I was clever,

00:37:00blending in.

00:37:01I was being taken back to the palace.

00:37:03I pressed my forehead

00:37:04against the cool window.

00:37:05I hadn't even lasted

00:37:06a full day out here.

00:37:07I was such a fool.

00:37:08But worse,

00:37:09I was ashamed of how relieved

00:37:10I was that they came for me.

00:37:16And soon,

00:37:17to him.

00:37:19To the man whose anger

00:37:20might just burn hotter

00:37:21than the fire

00:37:22I carried in my own soul.

00:37:25As the car drew closer

00:37:26to the palace,

00:37:27anxiety coiled tighter

00:37:28in my chest.

00:37:28He was going to be furious.

00:37:30I deserved it.

00:37:31Sargas had been nothing

00:37:31but kind and patient.

00:37:32He gave me space,

00:37:33shielded me from a world

00:37:34I wasn't ready to face.

00:37:35And what did I do in return?

00:37:36Stop the car.

00:37:37I shouted.

00:37:38Stop the car.

00:37:38I didn't think

00:37:39I could face him.

00:37:40Ma'am?

00:37:41Now.

00:37:43The tire screeched

00:37:44as the vehicle jerked

00:37:45to a halt.

00:37:45Open the door.

00:37:46I can't.

00:37:47His majesty gave strict...

00:37:49Well, from what I've been told,

00:37:50I am her majesty.

00:37:51So doesn't that give me

00:37:52the authority

00:37:53to override a damn door lock?

00:37:54The lock desengaged.

00:37:55I stared at him,

00:37:56stunned that it worked.

00:37:57I threw the door open

00:37:58and the night air

00:37:58slapped me in the face.

00:37:59I didn't care.

00:38:00Screech.

00:38:00A deafening roar

00:38:01split the silence.

00:38:02A car came flying into view,

00:38:03tires skidded sideways

00:38:04and slammed to a halt

00:38:06just inches from me.

00:38:07The driver sang open so hard

00:38:08it slammed against the frame

00:38:09with a metallic crack.

00:38:10And then he was there.

00:38:11Sargas.

00:38:12I'd never seen him

00:38:12so disheveled.

00:38:13His jacket hung off

00:38:14one shoulder.

00:38:15His shirt half unbuttoned.

00:38:17He moved closer.

00:38:18Fuck.

00:38:19The moment his boots

00:38:20hit the pavement,

00:38:21he didn't stop.

00:38:22I was frozen

00:38:23where I stood,

00:38:25wind tugging at my hair,

00:38:26eyes wide with fear.

00:38:28He closed the distance

00:38:30until we were

00:38:30mere inches apart.

00:38:32He wrapped me

00:38:33in his arms.

00:38:34My body went rigid

00:38:35in surprise.

00:38:36Then I sagged

00:38:36against him.

00:38:37He buried his face

00:38:38in my hair,

00:38:39breathed me in.

00:38:40You're okay.

00:38:41Did anyone hurt you?

00:38:43Did you eat?

00:38:44You...

00:38:45His voice cracked.

00:38:46We'll talk

00:38:46when we get home.

00:38:47I nodded slowly.

00:38:49He pulled off his jacket

00:38:51and wrapped it

00:38:51around my shoulders.

00:38:53He guided me

00:38:54to his car.

00:38:57Neither of us spoke

00:38:58during the drive back.

00:38:59He glanced at me

00:39:00more times

00:39:01than he should,

00:39:02just to make sure

00:39:03I was still there.

00:39:04The palace gate

00:39:05loomed under

00:39:05the dark sky.

00:39:06He parked

00:39:07and we made our way

00:39:08up the steps

00:39:08and into the private elevator.

00:39:10I looked everywhere

00:39:11but at him.

00:39:12The doors opened

00:39:12and he led me

00:39:13to the room.

00:39:14The door closed

00:39:15behind them

00:39:15with a soft click.

00:39:16I stood in the middle

00:39:17of the room,

00:39:18still wrapped

00:39:18in his jacket.

00:39:21Why, Nareen?

00:39:23Why did you run?

00:39:25Do you have any idea

00:39:26what you put me through?

00:39:29I didn't ask you

00:39:30to worry about me.

00:39:32I'm not a child.

00:39:34You can't keep me

00:39:35locked in here

00:39:36like a prisoner.

00:39:38I wasn't keeping you here.

00:39:40I was protecting you.

00:39:43Protecting me?

00:39:44I didn't ask

00:39:46for your protection.

00:39:47I'm your mate!

00:39:49It's my responsibility

00:39:50to care you go again

00:39:52with that mate bullshit.

00:39:54I don't believe in it.

00:39:57I'm not responsive to it.

00:40:00I've never felt it.

00:40:02The only thing

00:40:03I've ever felt

00:40:04towards you

00:40:04is gratitude.

00:40:10Nareen.

00:40:11No.

00:40:12Let me finish.

00:40:15Lupercus cleared

00:40:16his throat.

00:40:20We shouldn't be here.

00:40:22They quietly stood

00:40:24and left.

00:40:25The door closed

00:40:26behind them.

00:40:35I never asked you

00:40:36to save me.

00:40:37You did all of that

00:40:38on your own.

00:40:40I'm grateful.

00:40:42But that doesn't mean

00:40:43you get to dictate

00:40:44how I live my life.

00:40:50I never did this

00:40:51because I expected

00:40:52something back.

00:40:59then stop

00:41:00acting like

00:41:01I owe you

00:41:01something!

00:41:04My words

00:41:05hit him.

00:41:05His body

00:41:06locked up.

00:41:07He stared at me

00:41:08in disbelief.

00:41:10You say

00:41:11you're my mate

00:41:11but I never

00:41:13felt it, Sargus.

00:41:14No strings

00:41:15pulled at my soul.

00:41:16No magic

00:41:17tethered me

00:41:18to you.

00:41:19He nodded

00:41:19slowly,

00:41:20biting the inside

00:41:21of his cheek.

00:41:21his hands

00:41:22trembled at

00:41:23his sides.

00:41:26You've been

00:41:27kind,

00:41:28yes.

00:41:28But caring

00:41:29isn't suffocating

00:41:30someone.

00:41:32Caring

00:41:33isn't making

00:41:34decisions for me

00:41:35and watching me

00:41:36like I'm a

00:41:37ticking bomb.

00:41:44Narian.

00:41:45You know

00:41:46what hurts

00:41:46the most?

00:41:47I almost

00:41:48believed you

00:41:49were different.

00:41:49but all this

00:41:51time

00:41:51I know

00:41:52you've just

00:41:52been waiting

00:41:53for me

00:41:53to become

00:41:54something

00:41:54I'm not.

00:42:05You think

00:42:06because you

00:42:07gave me

00:42:07a soft bed

00:42:08and fed me

00:42:11and gave me

00:42:12your attention

00:42:13that I owe

00:42:14you my heart?

00:42:16You want

00:42:17to claim

00:42:17me

00:42:17like some

00:42:18prize

00:42:18you've won?

00:42:20He staggered

00:42:20back a step

00:42:21unable to breathe.

00:42:22All he could

00:42:23do was stare

00:42:23at me

00:42:24like I'd

00:42:24just torn

00:42:24him in half.

00:42:34Fuck!

00:42:35Narain!

00:42:35He grabbed

00:42:36a vase off

00:42:36the table

00:42:37and hurled

00:42:37it across

00:42:37the room.

00:42:45It shattered

00:42:45into a thousand

00:42:46sharp pieces

00:42:47against the wall

00:42:48but it still

00:42:49didn't quiet

00:42:50the storm

00:42:50in his chest.

00:42:52You're right.

00:42:54I don't have

00:42:54any right

00:42:55to keep you

00:42:55here.

00:42:58I don't have

00:42:59the right

00:42:59to hope

00:43:00for something

00:43:00that clearly

00:43:01isn't there.

00:43:02He swore

00:43:03again

00:43:03grabbing

00:43:04the edge

00:43:04of the table.

00:43:06You've got

00:43:06no idea

00:43:07what it's like

00:43:07devoting yourself

00:43:08to someone.

00:43:10I stayed up

00:43:11nights

00:43:11wondering if

00:43:12I was doing

00:43:13enough,

00:43:13if I was

00:43:14enough.

00:43:15But none

00:43:16of it mattered

00:43:16to you,

00:43:17did it?

00:43:20I looked

00:43:20away.

00:43:25You want

00:43:25to go?

00:43:26Then go.

00:43:27I won't

00:43:28stop you.

00:43:29You say

00:43:30you're not

00:43:30mine,

00:43:30I hear you.

00:43:33All I wanted

00:43:34was your

00:43:34happiness.

00:43:36If it

00:43:37doesn't

00:43:37lie in me

00:43:37then so

00:43:38be it.

00:43:39I set

00:43:40you free.

00:43:41You don't

00:43:42owe me

00:43:42anything.

00:43:43Take what

00:43:44you need.

00:43:46Clothes,

00:43:46money,

00:43:47whatever.

00:43:49Just

00:43:51leave

00:43:51before I

00:43:52start begging

00:43:53you to

00:43:53stay.

00:43:54Because if

00:43:55I do

00:43:55and you

00:43:56still walk

00:43:56away,

00:43:58I don't

00:43:58know if

00:43:59I'll recover

00:43:59from that.

00:44:01He turned

00:44:02away,

00:44:02unable to

00:44:03face me.

00:44:03Just go.

00:44:05I

00:44:06wasn't

00:44:06prepared

00:44:06for the

00:44:07sorrow

00:44:07reflected

00:44:07in his

00:44:08eyes.

00:44:09It

00:44:09wasn't a

00:44:09volatile

00:44:10pain

00:44:10that

00:44:10demanded

00:44:11attention.

00:44:12It was a

00:44:12quiet anguish

00:44:13that seemed

00:44:14to seep

00:44:14from his

00:44:14very soul.

00:44:15I never

00:44:16meant to

00:44:16hurt him.

00:44:17I didn't

00:44:18throw his

00:44:18kindness

00:44:18back in

00:44:19his face

00:44:19because I

00:44:20believed it

00:44:20was insincere.

00:44:22I did it

00:44:22because deep

00:44:23down I feared

00:44:24it might

00:44:24actually be

00:44:25genuine.

00:44:28I was

00:44:28used to

00:44:29striking

00:44:29first.

00:44:30Pushing

00:44:31people away

00:44:31before they

00:44:32could draw

00:44:32me too

00:44:33close.

00:44:34Striking

00:44:35out before

00:44:35I could

00:44:36be hurt.

00:44:37When he

00:44:37reached for

00:44:38me.

00:44:39When he

00:44:40took off

00:44:40his jacket

00:44:41and draped

00:44:41it over

00:44:42my shoulders

00:44:42and asked

00:44:43softly if

00:44:44I was

00:44:44okay.

00:44:46Panic

00:44:46flooded

00:44:47me.

00:44:48How could

00:44:49someone be

00:44:49so kind?

00:44:53it felt

00:44:53like a

00:44:54lie.

00:44:55I pushed

00:44:55him away

00:44:56to protect

00:44:56myself.

00:44:57To cling

00:44:58to the

00:44:58belief that

00:44:59he was

00:45:00just like

00:45:00the others.

00:45:02Untrustworthy.

00:45:03Indifferent.

00:45:04How could

00:45:05a man like

00:45:06Sargas care

00:45:06this deeply

00:45:07for someone

00:45:08like me?

00:45:09The mate

00:45:10bond?

00:45:11But I

00:45:11didn't feel

00:45:12it.

00:45:13All I

00:45:13felt was

00:45:14gratitude.

00:45:15Should I

00:45:15leave?

00:45:16That had

00:45:16always been

00:45:17the plan.

00:45:18To get

00:45:18out and

00:45:19find joy.

00:45:19To look

00:45:20the monster

00:45:20in the

00:45:21eye and

00:45:21kill him.

00:45:22And yet

00:45:22I hesitated.

00:45:26The choice

00:45:26was in my

00:45:27hands now.

00:45:28Sargas had

00:45:29given it to

00:45:29me without

00:45:30resistance.

00:45:32I was

00:45:33finally free.

00:45:35So why

00:45:36did my

00:45:36chest ache

00:45:37when I

00:45:37thought of

00:45:38walking away?

00:45:39Maybe it

00:45:40was the way

00:45:40he was

00:45:41retreating.

00:45:42The way

00:45:43his broad

00:45:43shoulders,

00:45:44now slumped

00:45:45like the

00:45:45weight of

00:45:46the world

00:45:46had finally

00:45:47crushed him.

00:45:48Or the

00:45:49way his

00:45:49eyes had

00:45:50dulled.

00:45:51Or the

00:45:52pain radiating

00:45:53off him

00:45:53like a

00:45:54storm,

00:45:55soaking the

00:45:56room.

00:45:56But whatever

00:45:57it was,

00:45:58it did

00:45:59something to

00:45:59me.

00:46:01It reached

00:46:02into that

00:46:02steel vault

00:46:03I'd buried

00:46:03my heart

00:46:04in and

00:46:04twisted.

00:46:06I stood

00:46:06there,

00:46:07frozen.

00:46:08Watching him

00:46:09walk away

00:46:10felt like

00:46:10watching something

00:46:11irreversible

00:46:12happen.

00:46:13And for the

00:46:14first time

00:46:14in a long

00:46:15time,

00:46:16I didn't

00:46:17feel fear.

00:46:18I wanted

00:46:19to comfort

00:46:20him.

00:46:22I opened

00:46:23my mouth

00:46:23to speak,

00:46:25nothing sharp

00:46:25or guarded

00:46:26or meant

00:46:27to protect

00:46:27me from

00:46:28imagined

00:46:28betrayals.

00:46:30But before

00:46:31I could say

00:46:32a single

00:46:32word,

00:46:33he turned

00:46:34back.

00:46:35If you

00:46:36have any

00:46:36request,

00:46:37or anything

00:46:38you want

00:46:38to take

00:46:39along,

00:46:41ask anybody

00:46:43and you'll

00:46:44be given.

00:46:46Then he

00:46:46walked out

00:46:47of the

00:46:47room,

00:46:49and I

00:46:50just stood

00:46:50there,

00:46:51staring at

00:46:52the door.

00:46:53I waited

00:46:53for him

00:46:54all through

00:46:54the night.

00:46:57Not a

00:46:58single blink

00:46:58of sleep

00:46:59touched

00:46:59my eyes.

00:47:02I sat

00:47:03on the

00:47:03bed,

00:47:04hugging my

00:47:04knees,

00:47:05staring at

00:47:06the door,

00:47:06but he

00:47:07never came.

00:47:08This was

00:47:09the first

00:47:09time he

00:47:10had stayed

00:47:10away for

00:47:10this long.

00:47:12The first

00:47:13time he

00:47:13didn't

00:47:14sleep in

00:47:14here.

00:47:16Did he

00:47:17deserve

00:47:17what I

00:47:18said?

00:47:18No.

00:47:20No.

00:47:22Especially

00:47:22when I

00:47:22hadn't

00:47:23meant it.

00:47:25I just

00:47:25didn't know

00:47:27how to

00:47:27not lash

00:47:27out when

00:47:28I felt

00:47:28scared.

00:47:30Didn't

00:47:30know how

00:47:30to let

00:47:31good things

00:47:31in without

00:47:32suspecting

00:47:32the worst.

00:47:34I reached

00:47:35for the

00:47:35tablet on

00:47:35the bedside

00:47:36table.

00:47:37I

00:47:38remembered

00:47:38him showing

00:47:39me how

00:47:39to contact

00:47:39him through

00:47:40it,

00:47:40just in

00:47:41case.

00:47:43I

00:47:43opened the

00:47:44message

00:47:44app.

00:47:45My

00:47:45fingers

00:47:46hovered

00:47:46above

00:47:46the

00:47:47keys.

00:47:48I'm

00:47:48sorry.

00:47:49Please

00:47:49come back.

00:47:51That's

00:47:51what every

00:47:52piece of

00:47:52me was

00:47:53screaming.

00:47:55But

00:47:55wouldn't

00:47:56that make

00:47:56me selfish?

00:47:59After

00:47:59everything I

00:48:00said?

00:48:04I dropped

00:48:04the tablet

00:48:05and buried

00:48:05my face

00:48:06in my

00:48:06hands.

00:48:06eyes.

00:48:09I

00:48:10didn't

00:48:10know how

00:48:10to fix

00:48:10this.

00:48:14A

00:48:14knock

00:48:15sounded

00:48:15on the

00:48:15door.

00:48:16My

00:48:17heart

00:48:17leaped.

00:48:18It's

00:48:19me,

00:48:19Nareen.

00:48:20Then

00:48:20crashed.

00:48:22Lupercus.

00:48:23I

00:48:24didn't

00:48:24expect

00:48:24him.

00:48:25I

00:48:25slid

00:48:26off the

00:48:26bed

00:48:26and

00:48:27padded

00:48:27to the

00:48:27door.

00:48:30I

00:48:31hesitated,

00:48:32then opened

00:48:32it slowly.

00:48:38Can

00:48:38I

00:48:38come

00:48:38in?

00:48:39I

00:48:40nodded.

00:48:41He

00:48:41stepped

00:48:42inside.

00:48:43I'm

00:48:44here to

00:48:44pick

00:48:44you

00:48:44up.

00:48:45His

00:48:45royal

00:48:46highness

00:48:46has

00:48:46made

00:48:47accommodation

00:48:47arrangements

00:48:48for you

00:48:48outside

00:48:48the

00:48:49palace.

00:48:51There's

00:48:51also a

00:48:52sum of

00:48:52money

00:48:52deposited

00:48:53in an

00:48:53account

00:48:53under

00:48:54your

00:48:54name.

00:48:55My

00:48:56heart

00:48:56twisted.

00:48:57He

00:48:58made

00:48:58plans

00:48:58for

00:48:59me

00:48:59already?

00:49:01After

00:49:02I

00:49:02threw

00:49:02his

00:49:02heart

00:49:02to

00:49:03the

00:49:03ground

00:49:03and

00:49:03stomped

00:49:04on

00:49:04it?

00:49:09I'm

00:49:10not

00:49:10going

00:49:10anywhere.

00:49:12You

00:49:12aren't?

00:49:14I

00:49:14don't

00:49:14want

00:49:14to

00:49:15leave

00:49:15anymore.

00:49:22Where's

00:49:23Sargas?

00:49:24I

00:49:25want

00:49:25to

00:49:25talk

00:49:25to

00:49:25him.

00:49:26I'm

00:49:27sorry.

00:49:28I

00:49:28can't

00:49:29reveal

00:49:29his

00:49:29majesty's

00:49:30whereabouts.

00:49:32he's

00:49:33not

00:49:34in a

00:49:34good

00:49:34state

00:49:35of

00:49:35mind

00:49:35at

00:49:35the

00:49:35moment.

00:49:38Please,

00:49:39Lubricus.

00:49:43Let's

00:49:43assume

00:49:44I do

00:49:44take

00:49:45you

00:49:45to

00:49:45him.

00:49:46What

00:49:46would

00:49:46you

00:49:46do?

00:49:48Or

00:49:48say?

00:49:53Do you

00:49:54suddenly

00:49:54believe in

00:49:55the

00:49:55mate

00:49:55bond

00:49:55now?

00:49:56His

00:49:56words

00:49:57hit

00:49:57me.

00:49:58What

00:49:58would

00:49:58I

00:49:59say?

00:49:59I'm

00:50:00sorry?

00:50:01And

00:50:01then

00:50:01what?

00:50:03I

00:50:03don't

00:50:03know.

00:50:04I

00:50:04don't

00:50:05know

00:50:05what

00:50:05I'd

00:50:05say.

00:50:08But

00:50:09I

00:50:09don't

00:50:09want

00:50:09him

00:50:09hurting

00:50:10because

00:50:10of

00:50:10me.

00:50:11You

00:50:11need

00:50:11to

00:50:12make

00:50:12a

00:50:12choice,

00:50:12Noreen.

00:50:13I

00:50:14can't

00:50:14take

00:50:14you

00:50:14to

00:50:14see

00:50:15him

00:50:15if

00:50:15you

00:50:15don't

00:50:15even

00:50:15know

00:50:16what

00:50:16you

00:50:16want.

00:50:17Don't

00:50:17give

00:50:17him

00:50:17hope

00:50:18if

00:50:18you

00:50:18know

00:50:18you'll

00:50:18never

00:50:18be

00:50:19able

00:50:19to

00:50:19see

00:50:19yourself

00:50:26he

00:50:26wasn't

00:50:27being

00:50:27cruel,

00:50:28just

00:50:28honest.

00:50:30And

00:50:30the

00:50:30truth

00:50:31was

00:50:32everything

00:50:33he

00:50:33said

00:50:33was

00:50:33right.

00:50:35I

00:50:36know

00:50:36the

00:50:36concept

00:50:36of

00:50:36mate

00:50:37doesn't

00:50:37make

00:50:37sense

00:50:38to

00:50:38you.

00:50:38That's

00:50:39okay.

00:50:43Only

00:50:44lichens

00:50:45truly

00:50:45understand

00:50:45it.

00:50:47To

00:50:48be

00:50:48tethered

00:50:48to

00:50:49someone

00:50:50it's

00:50:51like

00:50:51feeling

00:50:51something

00:50:52awaken

00:50:52in

00:50:52your

00:50:52bones

00:50:53and

00:50:54your

00:50:54blood.

00:50:56As

00:50:56though

00:50:57you

00:50:57were

00:50:57incomplete

00:50:58your

00:50:58entire

00:50:58life

00:50:59and

00:51:00never

00:51:00knew

00:51:00it

00:51:01until

00:51:01that

00:51:01moment.

00:51:07I

00:51:08stared

00:51:08at

00:51:09him.

00:51:15Sargus

00:51:16is

00:51:16my

00:51:16cousin.

00:51:18We

00:51:18grew

00:51:19up

00:51:19together.

00:51:21One

00:51:21thing

00:51:21he

00:51:21wouldn't

00:51:22shut

00:51:22up

00:51:22about.

00:51:23The

00:51:24concept

00:51:24of

00:51:24mating.

00:51:25he

00:51:25searched

00:51:26for

00:51:26years.

00:51:29Each

00:51:30time

00:51:30he

00:51:31came

00:51:31back

00:51:31empty

00:51:31handed

00:51:32a part

00:51:32of

00:51:32him

00:51:32faded.

00:51:36Five

00:51:37years

00:51:37Nareen.

00:51:38Five

00:51:39years

00:51:40of

00:51:40quiet

00:51:40misery.

00:51:44Until

00:51:45he

00:51:45found

00:51:45you.

00:51:55I

00:51:56have

00:51:56never

00:51:56seen

00:51:57him

00:51:57happier.

00:52:04Something

00:52:04about the

00:52:05way he

00:52:05said it

00:52:05twisted

00:52:06something

00:52:07in my

00:52:07chest.

00:52:09If

00:52:09you

00:52:09really

00:52:10get to

00:52:10know

00:52:10Sargis,

00:52:12if you

00:52:12let

00:52:13yourself

00:52:13be

00:52:14open

00:52:14minded

00:52:14even

00:52:15just

00:52:15a

00:52:15little

00:52:17you'll

00:52:18see

00:52:18that

00:52:18he's

00:52:18gentle

00:52:20and

00:52:21full

00:52:21of

00:52:21love

00:52:23and

00:52:24everything

00:52:24he's

00:52:25done

00:52:25for

00:52:25you

00:52:25since

00:52:26the

00:52:26day

00:52:26you

00:52:26were

00:52:27brought

00:52:27here.

00:52:29Isn't

00:52:30that

00:52:30proof

00:52:30enough

00:52:30that

00:52:31he

00:52:31cares

00:52:31about

00:52:31you?

00:52:38The

00:52:38seventh

00:52:39day.

00:52:39Seven

00:52:40long

00:52:40agonizing

00:52:41days

00:52:41and

00:52:42still

00:52:42no

00:52:43sign

00:52:43of

00:52:43Sargis.

00:52:44The

00:52:45loneliness

00:52:45had

00:52:45crept

00:52:46into

00:52:46me

00:52:46like

00:52:46a

00:52:46slow

00:52:47acting

00:52:47poison

00:52:47curling

00:52:48its

00:52:48way

00:52:49through

00:52:49my

00:52:49chest

00:52:49until

00:52:50it

00:52:50sat

00:52:50heavy

00:52:50on

00:52:50my

00:52:51lungs.

00:52:51I

00:52:52never

00:52:52knew

00:52:52loneliness

00:52:52could

00:52:53hurt

00:52:53like

00:52:53this.

00:52:54I

00:52:54used

00:52:55to

00:52:55build

00:52:55my

00:52:55world

00:52:55around

00:52:56silence.

00:52:57I

00:52:57used

00:52:57to

00:52:58pride

00:52:58myself

00:52:58on

00:52:58not

00:52:59needing

00:52:59anyone.

00:53:00But

00:53:00now

00:53:01it

00:53:01felt

00:53:01different.

00:53:02The

00:53:02silence

00:53:03didn't

00:53:03feel

00:53:03safe

00:53:04anymore.

00:53:04It

00:53:05felt

00:53:05like

00:53:05a

00:53:05punishment.

00:53:07I

00:53:07curled

00:53:07up

00:53:08tighter

00:53:08on

00:53:08the

00:53:08bed,

00:53:09wrapping

00:53:10his

00:53:10shirt

00:53:10tighter

00:53:11around

00:53:11me.

00:53:16It

00:53:17still

00:53:17smelled

00:53:18like

00:53:18him.

00:53:20Hasmik

00:53:21had

00:53:21left

00:53:21me

00:53:21a

00:53:22book.

00:53:22I

00:53:23finally

00:53:23cracked

00:53:24it

00:53:24open

00:53:24out

00:53:24of

00:53:25sheer

00:53:25desperation

00:53:25for

00:53:26distraction.

00:53:27The

00:53:28cover

00:53:28was

00:53:28spicy,

00:53:29but

00:53:30the

00:53:30story

00:53:30was

00:53:30gripping.

00:53:31The

00:53:32enemies

00:53:32to

00:53:32lovers

00:53:32trope

00:53:33was

00:53:33more

00:53:33than

00:53:33just

00:53:34spicy.

00:53:34It

00:53:34was

00:53:35intense,

00:53:35chaotic,

00:53:36and real.

00:53:37The

00:53:37heroine

00:53:37lashed

00:53:38out in

00:53:38fear and

00:53:39distrust,

00:53:39only to

00:53:40realize she

00:53:40was falling

00:53:41in love

00:53:41without even

00:53:42meaning to.

00:53:43It felt so

00:53:44familiar,

00:53:44like Sargius and

00:53:45me.

00:53:45I

00:53:46found a

00:53:47folded

00:53:47down

00:53:48page

00:53:48with a

00:53:48line.

00:53:50I

00:53:51hated

00:53:51him

00:53:51so

00:53:52much

00:53:52I

00:53:52couldn't

00:53:52breathe.

00:53:54I

00:53:55loved

00:53:55him

00:53:55so

00:53:55much

00:53:56I

00:53:56didn't

00:53:56know

00:53:57how

00:53:57to.

00:53:58Then

00:53:59their

00:53:59first kiss

00:54:00came.

00:54:03That

00:54:03image,

00:54:04lips

00:54:05breezing

00:54:05together

00:54:06like an

00:54:06apology

00:54:07and a

00:54:07promise,

00:54:08dragged

00:54:08my memory

00:54:09back to

00:54:09that

00:54:10night.

00:54:11The

00:54:12fountain.

00:54:14I

00:54:15didn't

00:54:15even

00:54:15realize

00:54:15I

00:54:16was

00:54:16smiling

00:54:17or

00:54:18that

00:54:18I

00:54:18was

00:54:18kicking

00:54:18my

00:54:19feet

00:54:19in

00:54:19the

00:54:19air

00:54:20like

00:54:21some

00:54:21hopeless

00:54:22romantic.

00:54:23And

00:54:23then it

00:54:24got

00:54:24spicier

00:54:25and

00:54:26as

00:54:26I

00:54:26read

00:54:30I

00:54:30imagined

00:54:31it

00:54:31was

00:54:31us,

00:54:33Sargius

00:54:33and

00:54:34me.

00:54:36Should

00:54:36I

00:54:36stop?

00:54:37His

00:54:37breath

00:54:38scorched

00:54:38my

00:54:38skin.

00:54:39I

00:54:39shook

00:54:39my

00:54:40head

00:54:40because

00:54:41I

00:54:41didn't

00:54:41want

00:54:41to

00:54:42stop.

00:54:42He

00:54:43kissed

00:54:43my

00:54:43neck

00:54:43as

00:54:44if

00:54:44he

00:54:44wanted

00:54:44to

00:54:44bite

00:54:44it

00:54:45down.

00:54:45My

00:54:46fingers

00:54:46sank

00:54:47into

00:54:47his

00:54:47hair,

00:54:48gripping

00:54:48him

00:54:48like

00:54:48grasping

00:54:49the

00:54:49only

00:54:49driftwood.

00:54:50His

00:54:50fingers

00:54:51unbuttoned

00:54:51my

00:54:51buttons.

00:54:52One,

00:54:53two.

00:54:54It

00:54:55wasn't

00:54:55him

00:54:55guiding

00:54:55me,

00:54:56it

00:54:56was

00:54:56me.

00:54:57My

00:54:57legs

00:54:57wrapped

00:54:58around

00:54:58his

00:54:58waist.

00:54:59At

00:55:00that

00:55:00moment,

00:55:00I

00:55:01wasn't

00:55:01bearing

00:55:01anything.

00:55:02I

00:55:03was

00:55:03taking

00:55:03something.

00:55:04He

00:55:04held

00:55:04my

00:55:04earlope

00:55:05and I

00:55:05trembled

00:55:05all

00:55:05over.

00:55:06Then I

00:55:06kissed

00:55:06him.

00:55:07It

00:55:07was

00:55:07my

00:55:07own

00:55:07initiative.

00:55:08His

00:55:08mouth

00:55:08has

00:55:08the

00:55:08taste

00:55:09I

00:55:09love,

00:55:09sweet,

00:55:09hot,

00:55:10and

00:55:10addictive.

00:55:10I

00:55:11crumpled

00:55:11the

00:55:11bedsheet and

00:55:12he

00:55:12held my

00:55:12hand as

00:55:12if he

00:55:13wanted to

00:55:13sink down

00:55:13with me.

00:55:14At

00:55:14that

00:55:14moment,

00:55:14I

00:55:15was

00:55:15no

00:55:15longer

00:55:15a

00:55:15ruin.

00:55:16It

00:55:16was

00:55:16the

00:55:16fire

00:55:16he

00:55:16ignited.

00:55:17The

00:55:18thought

00:55:18was

00:55:18so

00:55:18jarring

00:55:19that

00:55:19I

00:55:19nearly

00:55:19dropped

00:55:20the

00:55:20book.

00:55:22My

00:55:23skin

00:55:23went

00:55:24hot.

00:55:25I

00:55:25snapped

00:55:26it

00:55:26shut

00:55:26like

00:55:26it

00:55:27had

00:55:27bitten

00:55:27me.

00:55:33I

00:55:34threw

00:55:34it

00:55:34across

00:55:34the

00:55:34room

00:55:35and

00:55:35buried

00:55:35my

00:55:35face

00:55:35into

00:55:36the

00:55:36throw

00:55:36pillow,

00:55:37groaning.

00:55:38Why

00:55:38was my

00:55:39brain

00:55:39like

00:55:39this?

00:55:43The

00:55:44silence

00:55:44pressed

00:55:45in

00:55:45again.

00:55:48Slowly,

00:55:49my

00:55:49thoughts

00:55:50faded

00:55:50and I

00:55:51drifted

00:55:52into

00:55:52sleep.

00:55:53I

00:55:53didn't

00:55:53know

00:55:54how

00:55:54long

00:55:54I'd

00:55:54been

00:55:54out,

00:55:55but

00:55:56a

00:55:56shadow

00:55:56fell

00:55:57over

00:55:57me.

00:56:01I

00:56:02stirred

00:56:02groggily,

00:56:03blinking

00:56:04against

00:56:04the

00:56:04haze

00:56:05of

00:56:05sleep.

00:56:07His

00:56:07figure

00:56:08was

00:56:08retreating.

00:56:09My

00:56:10body

00:56:10moved

00:56:10before

00:56:11I

00:56:11could

00:56:11think.

00:56:13I

00:56:14grabbed

00:56:14his

00:56:14hand.

00:56:20Sargas,

00:56:21he

00:56:22turned,

00:56:23and

00:56:24when

00:56:24his

00:56:25eyes

00:56:25met

00:56:25mine,

00:56:26my

00:56:26heart

00:56:27ached.

00:56:27He

00:56:28looked

00:56:28exhausted.

00:56:30Dark

00:56:31shadows

00:56:31under

00:56:32his

00:56:32eyes,

00:56:32tangled

00:56:33hair,

00:56:33wrinkled

00:56:34shirt,

00:56:35stubble

00:56:35on his

00:56:35jaw.

00:56:39His

00:56:39eyes

00:56:40were

00:56:40guarded,

00:56:40like he'd

00:56:41locked the

00:56:41real Sargas

00:56:42somewhere deep

00:56:43inside

00:56:43himself.

00:56:48I

00:56:49looked

00:56:49away,

00:56:50as shame

00:56:51crawled up

00:56:51my throat

00:56:52my throat

00:56:52like a vine.

00:56:59I'm

00:57:00sorry.

00:57:07It's fine,

00:57:08Noreen.

00:57:09It's all

00:57:09good.

00:57:10No, it's not

00:57:11all good.

00:57:13You have no idea

00:57:14how guilty I feel

00:57:15for everything I

00:57:16said.

00:57:16I didn't mean

00:57:17all of it,

00:57:18at least not

00:57:19the way I

00:57:19said it.

00:57:21If you're only

00:57:22here because you

00:57:23feel guilty,

00:57:24you don't have

00:57:24to.

00:57:27You were just

00:57:27being honest.

00:57:28That's okay.

00:57:30No,

00:57:31I'm not staying

00:57:32because I feel

00:57:33bad.

00:57:34I'm staying

00:57:35because

00:57:37I want to.

00:57:39But I need

00:57:40you to

00:57:40understand that

00:57:41I'm not an

00:57:42easy person

00:57:42to be with.

00:57:43I had a

00:57:44pretty messed

00:57:44up child.

00:57:45It left

00:57:45scars.

00:57:46Deep ones.

00:57:48That kind

00:57:49of trauma

00:57:49doesn't just

00:57:50go away when

00:57:50someone shows

00:57:51up with kind

00:57:52eyes and

00:57:52good intentions.

00:57:53I lost my

00:57:54parents as

00:57:54soon as I

00:57:55was born.

00:57:56I was raised

00:57:56by PAC members.

00:57:58At first they

00:57:59were kind,

00:57:59until I turned

00:58:00seven.

00:58:01They had a

00:58:02child of their

00:58:03own.

00:58:03And suddenly,

00:58:04I wasn't part

00:58:05of the family

00:58:05anymore.

00:58:06I became a

00:58:07servant in

00:58:07their home.

00:58:09And then,

00:58:11and then,

00:58:14I spent

00:58:15three years

00:58:15in a dungeon.

00:58:16Total darkness.

00:58:18Alone.

00:58:20Tortured beyond

00:58:21imagination.

00:58:28I'm telling

00:58:29you this not

00:58:30so you'll pity

00:58:31me.

00:58:32I hope it

00:58:33helps you

00:58:33understand me.

00:58:36Even just

00:58:37a little.

00:58:37I don't know

00:58:38how to love

00:58:39Sargas.

00:58:40I don't know

00:58:41how to let

00:58:41myself be

00:58:42cared for

00:58:43without feeling

00:58:44the need to

00:58:45give something

00:58:45back.

00:58:47All this time

00:58:48I've been here

00:58:48I felt grateful

00:58:50but also

00:58:51like a parasite.

00:58:55Narian.

00:58:59No,

00:58:59please let me

00:59:00finish.

00:59:01I know

00:59:02everything you've

00:59:02done.

00:59:03You did because

00:59:03you wanted to.

00:59:04you don't expect

00:59:05anything in return.

00:59:06But I can't help

00:59:07how I feel.

00:59:08I feel indebted.

00:59:11Like I'm just

00:59:12taking and taking

00:59:13without ever being

00:59:14able to give

00:59:15anything meaningful

00:59:15back.

00:59:16But the past few

00:59:17months have been

00:59:18the most wonderful

00:59:19of my life.

00:59:20And that safety

00:59:20has made me realize

00:59:21something else.

00:59:22I still have demons.

00:59:24Still have so much

00:59:25pain buried inside me.

00:59:26And that pain

00:59:27has kept me from

00:59:28wanting to accept

00:59:29happiness.

00:59:29From believing I

00:59:30even deserve it.

00:59:33And that's why

00:59:34I ran.

00:59:35Not because of

00:59:36you.

00:59:38Not because I

00:59:39wanted to hurt

00:59:39you.

00:59:41But because I

00:59:42needed to confront

00:59:43my past if I

00:59:44ever wanted to

00:59:45move forward.

00:59:47As for the

00:59:48mate bond,

00:59:48it's true.

00:59:50I don't feel it.

00:59:51At least,

00:59:52not the way I'm

00:59:53supposed to.

00:59:54But Lubricus

00:59:55explained things.

00:59:57I'm sorry for

00:59:58hurting you,

00:59:59Sargus.

01:00:00You didn't

01:00:01deserve that.

01:00:02You're a

01:00:02wonderful man.

01:00:03But I'm not

01:00:04ready to be in

01:00:04something romantic.

01:00:06Not yet.

01:00:07I just,

01:00:07I don't think

01:00:08I'm in a place

01:00:09where I can

01:00:10give someone

01:00:10what they

01:00:11deserve without

01:00:11working on

01:00:12myself.

01:00:12But,

01:00:13if you're

01:00:14willing to

01:00:14wait,

01:00:15to be patient

01:00:15and stay

01:00:16beside me,

01:00:17not because

01:00:17you're hoping

01:00:18I'll change

01:00:18or that I'll

01:00:19fall in love

01:00:19with you

01:00:20overnight,

01:00:20but because

01:00:21you see me

01:00:22and you want

01:00:22to help me

01:00:23figure out who

01:00:23I am and

01:00:24what I want,

01:00:25then I'd

01:00:25like that.

01:00:26I'd really

01:00:27like that.

01:00:27When I finally

01:00:28looked at him

01:00:29again,

01:00:30his expression

01:00:30had completely

01:00:31changed.

01:00:33He was

01:00:33smiling.

01:00:34Not that

01:00:35half-hearted,

01:00:36broken smile.

01:00:39A real one.

01:00:41I understand.

01:00:42And I mean

01:00:43that picture

01:00:44too.

01:00:45Thank you for

01:00:45trusting me

01:00:46enough to

01:00:46open up.

01:00:49I know it

01:00:50wasn't easy.

01:00:52I'm going to

01:00:53go take a

01:00:53shower.

01:00:54He smiled,

01:00:55then made

01:00:55his way to

01:00:56the bathroom.

01:00:57The door

01:00:58clicked shut

01:00:58behind him.

01:01:00I stood

01:01:01in the room,

01:01:01my heartbeat

01:01:02steadier.

01:01:03There was

01:01:04still a long

01:01:04way to go

01:01:05between us.

01:01:06But at

01:01:07least,

01:01:07I hadn't

01:01:08lost him.

01:01:09The loud

01:01:09thud of the

01:01:10bedroom door

01:01:10crashing open

01:01:11jolted me

01:01:12out of sleep.

01:01:12I sat up

01:01:13so fast

01:01:14the world

01:01:14spun.

01:01:15Hasmik stood

01:01:16in the doorway

01:01:16like a vengeful

01:01:17goddess of

01:01:18war.

01:01:18Her eyes

01:01:19cut straight

01:01:20through me.

01:01:22Hasmik.

01:01:24You fucking

01:01:25bitch.

01:01:27I winced.

01:01:28I knew

01:01:29I deserved

01:01:29it.

01:01:30What you

01:01:30did was

01:01:31fucked up.

01:01:32Really

01:01:32fucked up.

01:01:34I know.

01:01:35Let me

01:01:36finish.

01:01:36I was so

01:01:37scared.

01:01:38I have never

01:01:38been that

01:01:38terrified in

01:01:39my life.

01:01:39My mind

01:01:40raced through

01:01:40every terrible

01:01:41possibility,

01:01:42but...

01:01:43I'm

01:01:43sorry.

01:01:44I forgive

01:01:45you.

01:01:45Her words

01:01:46hit me

01:01:46hard,

01:01:46not because

01:01:47I doubted

01:01:48them,

01:01:48but because

01:01:48I knew

01:01:48I didn't

01:01:49deserve them.

01:01:49I don't

01:01:50know what

01:01:50you were

01:01:50thinking,

01:01:51but I

01:01:51hope you

01:01:52found whatever

01:01:52clarity you

01:01:53were chasing.

01:01:53I'm just

01:01:54glad you're

01:01:54safe.

01:01:55I'm truly

01:01:56grateful for

01:01:56you,

01:01:57Hasmik.

01:01:57You're

01:01:58like a

01:01:58real sister

01:01:58I never

01:01:59expected,

01:02:00but truly

01:02:00needed.

01:02:01I missed

01:02:02you too.

01:02:05Oh my

01:02:05god.

01:02:06I didn't

01:02:06miss the

01:02:07way her

01:02:07spine

01:02:07straightened,

01:02:08or how

01:02:09her pupils

01:02:09dilated

01:02:10slightly in

01:02:10alarm.

01:02:11What?

01:02:11What is

01:02:13it?

01:02:14Anika just

01:02:14arrived at

01:02:15the palace.

01:02:16And who

01:02:17might that

01:02:17be?

01:02:18Sargas and

01:02:18her.

01:02:20They used

01:02:20to fool

01:02:20around.

01:02:21A lot.

01:02:22They were

01:02:22fuckmates.

01:02:23Hearing that

01:02:24Sargas had a

01:02:24fuckmate,

01:02:25who was

01:02:25currently in

01:02:26the palace,

01:02:26scraped

01:02:27something raw

01:02:27inside me,

01:02:28though I

01:02:29didn't know

01:02:29how to

01:02:29feel.

01:02:30It wasn't

01:02:30as if I'd

01:02:31expected

01:02:31celibity,

01:02:32especially

01:02:33not from

01:02:33a leakin

01:02:33king.

01:02:34Sex was

01:02:35casual here,

01:02:36almost

01:02:36ritualistic among

01:02:37alphas and

01:02:38warriors.

01:02:38But still,

01:02:39there was this

01:02:40tang in my

01:02:40chest,

01:02:41like the

01:02:41taste of

01:02:42blood when

01:02:42you've bitten

01:02:42your own

01:02:43tongue but

01:02:43pretend it

01:02:44doesn't

01:02:44sting.

01:02:44I wasn't

01:02:45jealous,

01:02:45I don't

01:02:46think.

01:02:46I had no

01:02:47claim on

01:02:47Sargas.

01:02:48Not truly.

01:02:49Not yet.

01:02:50But something

01:02:50inside me

01:02:51recoiled at

01:02:51the idea of

01:02:52him with

01:02:52another.

01:02:52Was she

01:02:53beautiful?

01:02:53Dominant?

01:02:54Submissive?

01:02:55Did he

01:02:55care?

01:02:55Or was she

01:02:56just another

01:02:56blur in a

01:02:57long line of

01:02:57bodies used

01:02:58to silence

01:02:58the beast

01:02:59inside him?

01:03:00I tried

01:03:00not to

01:03:00care.

01:03:01God,

01:03:01I tried.

01:03:02But I

01:03:02did.

01:03:02And that

01:03:03terrified me.

01:03:04Don't

01:03:04worry,

01:03:04Narain.

01:03:04She might

01:03:05be here on

01:03:05diplomatic

01:03:06matters.

01:03:06Sometimes she

01:03:07represents her

01:03:07brother at

01:03:08summits and

01:03:08visitations.

01:03:09Her words

01:03:09were meant to

01:03:10soothe but

01:03:10they barely

01:03:11skimmed the

01:03:11surface of

01:03:12the storm

01:03:12inside me.

01:03:13I gave a

01:03:13small nod or

01:03:14maybe it was

01:03:15a hum.

01:03:15I couldn't

01:03:15tell.

01:03:16The door

01:03:16burst open.

01:03:17A woman

01:03:17stepped into

01:03:18the room like

01:03:18she owned

01:03:18the palace.

01:03:19She had the

01:03:19kind of beauty

01:03:20that punched

01:03:20the air from

01:03:21one's lungs.

01:03:22Her dark brown

01:03:22hair flowed

01:03:23behind her like

01:03:23a cape.

01:03:24I observed

01:03:25silently.

01:03:26She wore a

01:03:27soft pastel

01:03:27gown that

01:03:28hugged her

01:03:28curves.

01:03:29Why she's

01:03:29on his bed.

01:03:30And more

01:03:30importantly,

01:03:31why she's

01:03:32wearing his

01:03:32clothes.

01:03:34Princess Royal.

01:03:35To what do

01:03:36we owe this

01:03:37unexpected visit?

01:03:38Answer the

01:03:39damn question.

01:03:40I saw the

01:03:40way Hazmic

01:03:41clenched her

01:03:42fists.

01:03:42I half expected

01:03:43her to spit

01:03:43a retorque back

01:03:44but instead

01:03:45she drew in

01:03:45a sharp breath.

01:03:46Both women

01:03:47turned toward

01:03:48the door.

01:03:48Sargas and

01:03:49Lupercus burst

01:03:49into the room.

01:03:50Sargas looked

01:03:51like he'd run

01:03:51the whole palace

01:03:52down to get

01:03:53here.

01:03:53Onika.

01:03:54She stalked

01:03:54across the room

01:03:55swaying her

01:03:55hips sexually,

01:03:56her heels clicking

01:03:57like the toll of

01:03:58a bell.

01:03:58She grabbed his

01:03:59face with both

01:03:59hands and kissed

01:04:00him, right on

01:04:01the lip.

01:04:01My heart

01:04:02didn't just

01:04:03sink, it

01:04:03crashed, like a

01:04:05mirror thrown

01:04:05from a hundred

01:04:06stories high.

01:04:06I closed my

01:04:07eyes and turned

01:04:08my back, not

01:04:08wanting to see

01:04:09anymore.

01:04:09What the fuck

01:04:10was that for,

01:04:11Anika?

01:04:11What?

01:04:12Don't you miss

01:04:12me?

01:04:13He didn't answer

01:04:14and when his

01:04:14eyes flicked

01:04:15toward me, I

01:04:16had already

01:04:16turned away,

01:04:17retreating into

01:04:18myself again.

01:04:19I missed you

01:04:20and came to

01:04:20surprise you, but

01:04:21instead I found

01:04:22another woman in

01:04:23your bed.

01:04:23So who's the

01:04:24slut?

01:04:25She is not a

01:04:25slut.

01:04:26The woman you're

01:04:26referring to is my

01:04:28mate.

01:04:28Anika stared at

01:04:29me, then she

01:04:30burst out laughing.

01:04:32You joke too

01:04:33much.

01:04:33I know she's

01:04:34just another body

01:04:35to warm your

01:04:35bed.

01:04:36Sargis stepped

01:04:36toward her, with

01:04:37enough heat in

01:04:38his eyes to melt

01:04:39through steel.

01:04:40Your diplomatic

01:04:40status buys you

01:04:41patience, not the

01:04:42right to disrespect

01:04:43my mate in my

01:04:44home.

01:04:44One more word

01:04:45and the guards

01:04:46will escort you

01:04:47out.

01:04:48You wouldn't.

01:04:50Try me.

01:04:51Anika huffed and

01:04:52flipped her hair as

01:04:53she stalked out,

01:04:55followed by

01:04:55Leperkes.

01:04:56Leperkes, while

01:04:57Hasmik gave me the

01:04:58faintest smile and

01:04:59slipped away.

01:05:01The room was left

01:05:02with just me and

01:05:03Sargis.

01:05:04Silence settled

01:05:05like thick fog.

01:05:06I didn't know she

01:05:07was coming.

01:05:08I swear it,

01:05:09Noreen.

01:05:09I would have

01:05:10shielded you from

01:05:11this shit if I'd

01:05:11had even a hint.

01:05:13I said nothing.

01:05:14I didn't kiss her

01:05:15back.

01:05:16I hope you trust me

01:05:17enough to know that's

01:05:18not who I am anymore,

01:05:19not with you in the

01:05:20picture.

01:05:20I'm not mad.

01:05:22You're not?

01:05:23No.

01:05:24I'm just, I don't

01:05:26know what I'm

01:05:26feeling.

01:05:26I just hate how it

01:05:29made me feel, seeing

01:05:30that.

01:05:32Do you want me to

01:05:33ask her to leave?

01:05:34Can you?

01:05:35I'm the supreme

01:05:36alpha of this kingdom.

01:05:37There's not much I

01:05:38can't do.

01:05:39No.

01:05:39That'll just make it

01:05:40worse.

01:05:41Politically, for you.

01:05:43I didn't realize how

01:05:43tightly I'd been holding

01:05:44myself together until I

01:05:46leaned my head against

01:05:46him, and it felt

01:05:48right.

01:05:49His shoulder was

01:05:50broad and warm.

01:05:50I didn't understand

01:05:52it fully, this

01:05:52instinct and pull, but

01:05:54I followed it anyway.

01:05:56It wasn't even about

01:05:56the kiss, not entirely.

01:05:59It was about how

01:06:00easily she'd touched

01:06:01him.

01:06:02I hadn't earned the

01:06:03right to feel this

01:06:04way.

01:06:04We weren't bound yet.

01:06:07Hadn't exchanged

01:06:08vows or promises.

01:06:10She's really pretty.

01:06:13Noreen.

01:06:13It's not a competition,

01:06:14and even if it was, I

01:06:17wouldn't win.

01:06:18I'm not like her.

01:06:19I'm not loud or sharp or

01:06:20confident.

01:06:21I just exist, quietly.

01:06:24You don't have to be like

01:06:25her.

01:06:26But you were with her.

01:06:27I fucked her, Noreen.

01:06:28That's not the same as what

01:06:29I have with you.

01:06:30Resting my head against

01:06:31him, I looked at this

01:06:32infuriating, loyal, complex

01:06:34man who wouldn't want

01:06:35him.

01:06:36I was only with her because

01:06:37it was temporary and

01:06:38convenient, until we each

01:06:39found what we truly

01:06:40wanted.

01:06:41You don't owe me an

01:06:41explanation.

01:06:42You're an adult.

01:06:43I'm not angry, just

01:06:44surprised, and it reminded

01:06:46me how little I actually

01:06:47know about you.

01:06:48Then ask.

01:06:48I don't know what to

01:06:50ask.

01:06:50When I'm not working, which

01:06:52is rare, I like to travel

01:06:53alone sometimes to see the

01:06:54world without the weight of

01:06:55a crown.

01:06:56I blinked.

01:06:56It was hard to imagine him

01:06:57as anything but the supreme

01:06:58alpha.

01:06:59I dabble in sports like

01:07:00basketball and swimming, and

01:07:01I love to cook.

01:07:01Submerging in water feels

01:07:02peaceful and untouchable, and

01:07:04my three-pointer's pretty

01:07:04good.

01:07:05You?

01:07:06Love to cook?

01:07:07Careful.

01:07:08You're underestimating me.

01:07:09At night, Sargas turned

01:07:10over on the sofa.

01:07:11He thought I was asleep.

01:07:12I wasn't.

01:07:13My eyes were closed, but

01:07:14every sense was tuned to him,

01:07:15the creak of leather, his

01:07:16breathing, and his scent of

01:07:17cedar and honeysuckle soaked

01:07:18into his shirt I was wearing,

01:07:20filling every inch of air.

01:07:21I couldn't escape it, and

01:07:22didn't want to.

01:07:22A flash crossed my mind.

01:07:24Him in the kitchen, sleeves

01:07:26rolled up, muscles moving as

01:07:28he chopped vegetables.

01:07:30I imagined those hands on me, fingertips

01:07:34tracing down my collarbone, inch by

01:07:36inch.

01:07:38My breathing changed.

01:07:40I bit my lip and buried my face in

01:07:42the pillow, knowing I shouldn't be

01:07:44thinking this, when my body still

01:07:45remembered the pain.

01:07:46But Sargas wasn't Joe.

01:07:48That thought was a small flame,

01:07:50burning a hole through my chest.

01:07:52The next morning, after I showered,

01:07:54the scent of food drifted from the

01:07:55kitchen.

01:07:55Sargas was cooking.

01:07:56I watched him pull out Wagyu

01:07:57tenderloin, garlic, fresh herbs, and

01:07:59truffle butter to prepare an

01:08:00elaborate breakfast.

01:08:01He began with a palate cleanser,

01:08:03cucumber juice, elderflower, and

01:08:04mint syrup in a tiny ceramic spoon

01:08:06topped with an edible flower

01:08:07petal.

01:08:07The main dish was black truffle

01:08:09Wagyu steak with bone marrow

01:08:10glaze, seared in a dry skillet and

01:08:13basted with garlic, herbs, and

01:08:15truffle butter.

01:08:16He turned roasted bone marrow into a

01:08:18creamy glaze and poured it over the

01:08:20steak.

01:08:21Is there a banquet?

01:08:22Thankfully, no.

01:08:23I'm making breakfast.

01:08:24For us.

01:08:26Is there anything I can help with?

01:08:28Yeah.

01:08:28I need you to keep turning this

01:08:29batter.

01:08:30The third course was flaky

01:08:31croissants topped with goat

01:08:32cheese, truffle oil, herbs,

01:08:34pomegranate seeds, candied walnuts,

01:08:36and honey infused with thyme.

01:08:37You know, you do have clothes of your

01:08:39own now.

01:08:40I noticed the closet had been

01:08:42rearranged, but maybe I'm just used

01:08:44to your clothes.

01:08:45They feel comfortable.

01:08:46I felt his gaze travel over me and

01:08:48saw him quickly turn away.

01:08:51But I pretended not to notice.

01:08:53We moved around the kitchen in an

01:08:55unspoken rhythm, handing off

01:08:57utensils, stealing glances.

01:09:00It felt natural.

01:09:01The dining table was a canvas of

01:09:03colors and scents.

01:09:05His eyes lit up.

01:09:06It was our first formal meal together

01:09:08using the dining table.

01:09:13How do you cook this well?

01:09:15I have my secrets.

01:09:16We washed the dishes together.

01:09:18She hummed softly under her breath,

01:09:20and I found myself humming along.

01:09:24I have something to do later,

01:09:26so I'll leave first.

01:09:28But actually, I went to Onika's room.

01:09:30I'd had enough.

01:09:32Explain, Sargis.

01:09:33Your subjects refuse to talk.

01:09:35As I already explained, Onika,

01:09:37the woman you met is my mate,

01:09:38and you will treat her and all my

01:09:40subjects with respect.

01:09:42You say she's your mate,

01:09:43but I smell no mark of claim on either

01:09:44of you, so no, I don't believe that

01:09:46nonsense.

01:09:47Whether or not you believe she's my mate

01:09:48doesn't change the fact that she is.

01:09:50An unmated male is still fair game,

01:09:52Sargis.

01:09:53I didn't come for my brother.

01:09:55I came for you.

01:09:57It's been so long since someone

01:09:58fucked me so hard my legs trembled.

01:10:01You won't dismiss my bond with my mate

01:10:03for your fantasies.

01:10:04Stay away from what's not yours,

01:10:05or you're finished here.

01:10:06Fine.

01:10:07I'll behave for now,

01:10:08but I'm staying for a month.

01:10:09Karagny is beautiful this time of year.

01:10:11Onika,

01:10:11when we agreed to be each other's

01:10:13sexual partners,

01:10:13we made a clear boundary,

01:10:15that it was only that,

01:10:16a temporary outlet.

01:10:17We agreed to part ways

01:10:18once we found our mates.

01:10:19I've found mine,

01:10:20so you need to move on.

01:10:21I never wanted to be bound

01:10:22to someone I didn't choose,

01:10:23unlike you who worships

01:10:24lifelong belonging,

01:10:24a philosophy I never agreed with.

01:10:26Why should I accept a stranger

01:10:27because of some ancient curse?

01:10:28I'd rather die alone.

01:10:29Look at my brother.

01:10:30His mate has emaculated him

01:10:31into a shadow of his former alpha self.

01:10:33You don't need to tell me

01:10:33any of this.

01:10:34Your opinions on the bond,

01:10:35your brother's mate,

01:10:36your own fears,

01:10:36that's your path to walk.

01:10:37It has nothing to do with me.

01:10:39Well, that's sad.

01:10:39Came here hoping to convince you otherwise,

01:10:41to propose that we become chosen mates,

01:10:43that we take what we had,

01:10:44what we were,

01:10:44and make it permanent.

01:10:45That will never happen,

01:10:46not in this life or the next.

01:10:47I would rather die than leave Nereen.

01:10:48Give me one month.

01:10:49If I can't get you into bed by then,

01:10:51I'll drop it.

01:10:52But if I do,

01:10:53you'll see the bond

01:10:54is just hormones and ancient magic.

01:10:56I'm not playing this game with you.

01:10:57This ends now.

01:10:58You need to leave.

01:10:59You can't do that, Sargis,

01:11:00unless you want to offend my brother

01:11:02and start a diplomatic war.

01:11:03After all,

01:11:04I'm here under his protection,

01:11:05as his official assistant.

01:11:06It would be a shame

01:11:07if your kingdom

01:11:08suddenly lost trade privileges

01:11:09with the east, wouldn't it?

01:11:11If you so much

01:11:11as breathe near my mate again,

01:11:13I will take that risk.

01:11:15I will go to war with your brother,

01:11:16burn the treaties,

01:11:17and let the gods bear witness

01:11:18to what I do,

01:11:19if it means getting you

01:11:20the hell out of here.

01:11:21The next morning,

01:11:22Sargis had already left.

01:11:24Matters in the southern borders

01:11:25needed his oversight.

01:11:26He said he'd return by midday.

01:11:27I was alone.

01:11:28The silence pressed in slowly,

01:11:29like fog.

01:11:30I wandered through the sweet barefoot,

01:11:32dragging my fingers

01:11:32along the velvet edges

01:11:33of the furniture,

01:11:34trying to chase away

01:11:35the restlessness

01:11:35creeping into my bones.

01:11:36I tried not to think

01:11:37about his ex,

01:11:38the beautiful,

01:11:39poised woman

01:11:39who still haunted

01:11:40the palace halls

01:11:40like a ghost

01:11:41with a history tied

01:11:42to his body.

01:11:42But I believed him.

01:11:43That was the scary part.

01:11:45I had begun to trust Sargis,

01:11:46tentatively and quietly.

01:11:48He earned my trust

01:11:48by shielding me,

01:11:49sitting with me in silence,

01:11:50and never pressuring me

01:11:52to be anything

01:11:52other than myself.

01:11:53I was his mate.

01:11:55No doubt about that,

01:11:56even if I still

01:11:57didn't fully understand

01:11:57what it meant for me.

01:11:58My thoughts turned to Joe,

01:12:00and the pack

01:12:01that was called mine.

01:12:02Were they still the same?

01:12:03Had anything changed?

01:12:04Were they building families,

01:12:06laughing in the places

01:12:07where I had once cried,

01:12:09content to forget

01:12:09the girl they left to rot?

01:12:11But maybe I didn't need

01:12:12to pursue Joe.

01:12:13Not now.

01:12:14Maybe what I needed

01:12:15more than anything

01:12:16was peace.

01:12:19Peace with myself.

01:12:22Peace with the shattered

01:12:23pieces of my life.

01:12:24I let Hazmut talk me

01:12:26into breakfast,

01:12:26maybe because of

01:12:27her hopeful smile

01:12:28or simply because

01:12:29I was tired of hiding

01:12:29in the dark.

01:12:30At the head of an

01:12:31intimidating obsidian

01:12:32dining table,

01:12:33I felt like prey

01:12:33among lycans.

01:12:34Especially with Sargash's

01:12:36mountain of a father

01:12:37sitting at the far end.

01:12:38Annika lounged

01:12:38across from him,

01:12:39faking disinterest,

01:12:40but watching everything.

01:12:41I stood awkwardly,

01:12:43wringing my fingers,

01:12:44unsure whether to sit,

01:12:45wait, or run back

01:12:46to my room.

01:12:47Good morning, sir.

01:12:48And good morning

01:12:49to you too, ma'am.

01:12:50The pressure of their stairs

01:12:51made me want to sink

01:12:52through the marble floor.

01:12:53You don't even know

01:12:54how to act properly

01:12:55like a queen.

01:12:56I lowered my gaze

01:12:56intentionally.

01:12:57Straighten your spine,

01:12:59square your shoulders,

01:13:00lift your chin.

01:13:01My body obeyed

01:13:02without thought,

01:13:03snapping into place

01:13:04like an overtrained puppet.

01:13:05Hasmin wrapped her warm arms

01:13:07around me,

01:13:07guided me to a seat

01:13:08near Onika,

01:13:09and sat beside me

01:13:10like a shield.

01:13:11Give her a break,

01:13:12Auntie.

01:13:12She's still new

01:13:13to all of this.

01:13:14That's all she's done

01:13:15since she arrived.

01:13:17Catch a break.

01:13:20The room grew colder.

01:13:22I could feel Onika's gaze

01:13:24sliding over me

01:13:25like oil.

01:13:26Your Highness,

01:13:26I know I shouldn't interfere

01:13:28in matters of the throne,

01:13:29but looking at her,

01:13:29she's clearly unfit

01:13:30to be queen.

01:13:31She doesn't know

01:13:32proper court etiquette.

01:13:33She doesn't bear the mark

01:13:34of a mate

01:13:34or the crown of a queen.

01:13:35And should a real threat arises,

01:13:36she'd be your greatest liability.

01:13:38Her voice was calm,

01:13:39almost pitying,

01:13:40but the venom beneath it

01:13:41was unmistakable.

01:13:42I swallowed hard

01:13:43and clenched my fingers

01:13:44tightly in my lap.

01:13:45I didn't know what to say.

01:13:46I didn't know how to defend myself

01:13:48in a world that had already decided

01:13:50I didn't belong.

01:13:51Onika,

01:13:52I may be retired,

01:13:53but like you said,

01:13:53you shouldn't interfere

01:13:54in matters that don't concern you.

01:13:55And regardless of your opinion,

01:13:57she is my son's mate.

01:13:58That makes her the future queen

01:13:59of this kingdom.

01:14:00My eyes sting,

01:14:01sharp and unexpected.

01:14:02I hadn't even spoken,

01:14:03and yet someone stood up for me.

01:14:04I felt Hasmik's hand

01:14:05slip into mine under the table.

01:14:07She gave it a squeeze.

01:14:08I quickly blinked the tears away.

01:14:10Of course, Rajababa.

01:14:11Pardon my intrusion.

01:14:13Looks like Sargas is here

01:14:14to scoop you up

01:14:15and keep you hidden away.

01:14:17The heavy double doors

01:14:18creaked open behind us.

01:14:20I turned just as Sargas and Lupercus

01:14:22entered the vast dining hall.

01:14:24The moment our eyes met,

01:14:26my chest eased.

01:14:28He made his way straight to me,

01:14:30slipped into the seat beside mine,

01:14:32and without a word,

01:14:34draped his arm

01:14:35across the back of my chair.

01:14:42Are you okay?

01:14:44I nodded, barely.

01:14:46But he understood.

01:14:48It is lovely to finally meet you, dear.

01:14:52It's nice to meet you too, sir.

01:14:54Please, call me Hyric.

01:14:56I've always wanted a daughter.

01:14:57Sargas, I know you think

01:14:59I'm being harsh,

01:15:00but you've seen how

01:15:01restless the court has grown

01:15:02with the queen's throne empty

01:15:03for nearly seven months.

01:15:06Had it really been seven months

01:15:08since I was brought here?

01:15:09So tell me,

01:15:11is she going to ascend it or not?

01:15:13Suddenly I felt

01:15:13everyone's eyes on me

01:15:14and shrunk back

01:15:15as her words

01:15:16wrapped around my spine

01:15:17like chain.

01:15:18Mother, I told you

01:15:19she's not ready,

01:15:19and this isn't the time

01:15:21for that talk

01:15:21with a diplomat present.

01:15:23Oh, me?

01:15:23Don't mind me.

01:15:25I'm staying out of this.

01:15:26Her smirk said otherwise.

01:15:27We can leave right now

01:15:28if you want to.

01:15:29I glanced around the table.

01:15:31Hasmik smiled.

01:15:32Lupercus seemed detached.

01:15:33Sargas' father stayed neutral

01:15:35and his mother

01:15:35barely hide her disdain.

01:15:37Could I really just stand

01:15:38and leave this mess?

01:15:39I shook my head slowly.

01:15:41I didn't want to give them

01:15:41that satisfaction.

01:15:43Breakfast ended, thankfully.

01:15:44Sargas held my hand

01:15:45the whole time.

01:15:46Even when I barely

01:15:47touched my food,

01:15:48I just pushed things

01:15:49around my plate.

01:15:50I watched his mother.

01:15:52Aveline was brilliant,

01:15:53cunning, respected,

01:15:54but gentle was not her.

01:15:56She didn't know

01:15:56how to soften her words.

01:15:57If Sargas had found me

01:15:59the traditional way,

01:16:00I would have been sent

01:16:01to the Alpha Magus' wing

01:16:02for a month of seclusion.

01:16:03His mother would have

01:16:04trained me in etiquette,

01:16:05politics,

01:16:06and the nuances

01:16:07of being mated to a king.

01:16:08That path was never mine.

01:16:10Tradition stopped mattering

01:16:12the moment he pulled me

01:16:13out of that compound,

01:16:14broken and bleeding.

01:16:15They didn't know me.

01:16:16They didn't see what I saw.

01:16:18They didn't see me flinch

01:16:20at raised voices

01:16:20or curl into myself

01:16:22when the memories came.

01:16:23The breakfast was lovely.

01:16:25He stood and left.

01:16:28Oh, Nika,

01:16:29I hope you'll finish

01:16:29whatever you came for

01:16:30because this isn't

01:16:31the right time

01:16:31for you to be here.

01:16:34Of course, Rejibaba.

01:16:36See you later, Dustys.

01:16:38Have a lovely rest of the day.

01:16:40The tension of the morning faded,

01:16:42leaving only a quiet calm.

01:16:44For the first time

01:16:45in a long while,

01:16:46I felt at peace here.

01:16:48After Sargas left,

01:16:49I went back to the room.

01:16:50Breakfast had shocked me awake.

01:16:51I already knew

01:16:52I didn't fit in,

01:16:53but today showed me

01:16:54just how deep

01:16:54the divide really was.

01:16:56I looked in the mirror.

01:16:56Same girl,

01:16:58same curls,

01:16:58same eyes,

01:16:59but I stood differently now.

01:17:00The subtle slump of my shoulders.

01:17:02Hesitancy.

01:17:03Queen.

01:17:04The word rang in my mind

01:17:05like a bell.

01:17:06Could I really do that?

01:17:07Could I be her?

01:17:08A sharp pulse

01:17:09bloomed on my forehead.

01:17:10My hands strut up instinctively,

01:17:12pressing against

01:17:13the familiar spot

01:17:14of the tattoo.

01:17:15The one I thought

01:17:15was nothing more

01:17:16than a mysterious

01:17:17mark of fate.

01:17:18My knees buckled

01:17:19and I grabbed the dresser.

01:17:20This wasn't a hallucination,

01:17:22the glow was real.

01:17:23Brilliant and alive.

01:17:24Etched right across my forehead

01:17:26like a band.

01:17:27Something stirred inside me.

01:17:29My eyes fluttered shut.

01:17:31Then the world exploded.

01:17:32I could hear everything.

01:17:34Cutlerary clicking floors away

01:17:35and faint conversations

01:17:36through the thick palace walls.

01:17:38Red.

01:17:39That same red

01:17:40I'd seen once before.

01:17:41The same red

01:17:42that terrified me

01:17:43that night I first shifted.

01:17:44It was back.

01:17:45I stumbled away

01:17:46from the mirror,

01:17:47one hand covering my mouth.

01:17:49My wolf.

01:17:50She was stirring.

01:17:52No.

01:17:54Awakening.

01:17:57It was past midnight

01:17:58when I finally heard

01:17:59the elevator ding

01:18:00and smelled Sargas

01:18:01coming down the hall.

01:18:02But tonight,

01:18:03beneath his primal scent,

01:18:04I caught a sicky sweetness.

01:18:06Annika.

01:18:06And my stomach twisted.

01:18:08His footsteps soft,

01:18:09he eased the door open

01:18:10and slipped into the room,

01:18:11thinking I was asleep.

01:18:12He padded into the closet,

01:18:14clothes rustling.

01:18:15But all I could focus on

01:18:16was her.

01:18:18Her scent lingered

01:18:19in the air between us.

01:18:21He came out of the closet

01:18:22in his soft pajamas

01:18:23and settled onto

01:18:24the leather couch.

01:18:25He picked up the spoon.

01:18:26He liked the food I made,

01:18:27but he still reeked of her.

01:18:29Why had he been with her?

01:18:30Why did her scent

01:18:31cling to him so brazenly

01:18:32and why did it hurt so much?

01:18:34His gaze pulled me

01:18:35from my spiraling thoughts,

01:18:36so I squeezed my eyes shut

01:18:37as he moved closer and closer.

01:18:39You know I know

01:18:39you're awake, right?

01:18:40Shit.

01:18:41Busted.

01:18:41I kept my eyes shut,

01:18:42stubbornly.

01:18:43Noreen,

01:18:44you're a terrible actress.

01:18:45Your eyes are twitching,

01:18:46your breathing is unseavit,

01:18:47and you're clutching the sheet

01:18:47like it insulted

01:18:48your ancestors.

01:18:49I cracked one eye open

01:18:50and our gazes locked.

01:18:51I saw him,

01:18:52not just as Sargas

01:18:53the Supreme Alpha,

01:18:54but as mine.

01:18:55I wasn't pretending to sleep,

01:18:57I was trying to,

01:18:58until all the noise you made.

01:18:59Noise?

01:19:00Me?

01:19:01I was careful not to wake you.

01:19:02I needed a quick distraction.

01:19:04My wolf was awake

01:19:05and he could never find out.

01:19:06You're a little late today.

01:19:08Yeah.

01:19:09Had a lot of things

01:19:09to take care of.

01:19:10Things.

01:19:11Like her?

01:19:12Was Onika

01:19:13one of those things?

01:19:14Hmm.

01:19:16Something happened, though.

01:19:19Onika came to my office

01:19:23and she tried to force herself on me.

01:19:26What?

01:19:27Nothing happened.

01:19:28I swear, Noreen,

01:19:29I pushed her away.

01:19:30I would never...

01:19:32Why...

01:19:32Why are you telling me that?

01:19:34Because I didn't want there

01:19:35to be any misunderstandings

01:19:36between us.

01:19:38Especially not

01:19:39when it comes to Onika.

01:19:40I stared at him,

01:19:41dazed.

01:19:41Why was he so open and honest

01:19:43when he could have easily lied?

01:19:45For dinner.

01:19:46It was delicious.

01:19:48I swallowed hard.

01:19:49He was giving consistently,

01:19:50patiently,

01:19:51vulnerably,

01:19:52and I was still hiding,

01:19:53still keeping secrets.

01:19:55Sargas.

01:19:56The mate bond.

01:19:58What would happen if,

01:20:00eventually,

01:20:00my wolf awakens?

01:20:02How do I know

01:20:03if what I'm feeling

01:20:04is really mine

01:20:04or just something

01:20:05the bond wants me to feel?

01:20:07I will always be here.

01:20:08The morning sunlight

01:20:10spilled across the room.

01:20:12I sat at the edge of the bed.

01:20:14My eyes wandered to the sofa.

01:20:16Empty.

01:20:18The blanket neatly folded,

01:20:20like he hadn't even used it.

01:20:23He never made noise

01:20:24when he left in the mornings.

01:20:26Never woke me on purpose.

01:20:30But today I knew

01:20:32the moment he left.

01:20:34How could I not know?

01:20:36Every shift of his body

01:20:38on that sofa.

01:20:39Every time the leather

01:20:40creaked beneath his weight.

01:20:42Every subtle exhale

01:20:43as he tried and failed

01:20:44to get comfortable.

01:20:46Every little sound

01:20:47stirred me awake.

01:20:49He was a king.

01:20:51And yet,

01:20:52night after night,

01:20:53he surrendered his comfort.

01:20:54Sleeping on a couch

01:20:56far too short

01:20:56for his frame.

01:20:58Curled up

01:20:58like an exile

01:20:59in his own home.

01:21:02All because of me.

01:21:03The tension

01:21:04in his shoulders.

01:21:07The strain

01:21:08in his back.

01:21:10The quiet way

01:21:11he endured it

01:21:12without ever asking

01:21:14for more.

01:21:16The memory of last night

01:21:18tugged at me.

01:21:19How he'd confessed

01:21:20about Onika.

01:21:21How he'd looked

01:21:22so sincere.

01:21:24So careful not to hurt me

01:21:25or spark jealousy.

01:21:27Withersifrishen.

01:21:29Even though I had

01:21:30no claim over him.

01:21:31This bond.

01:21:32This man.

01:21:33The way he cared

01:21:34so freely

01:21:35without expectation.

01:21:38It shook me.

01:21:47Maybe it would have

01:21:48been easier

01:21:48if he were cool.

01:21:50If he yelled

01:21:51and demanded.

01:21:53But Sargas

01:21:54didn't do any of that.

01:21:58He

01:21:58was one of a kind.

01:22:02I decided

01:22:03to leave the room.

01:22:06I wanted to know

01:22:07more about the kingdom.

01:22:08about Sargas.

01:22:11About who I was

01:22:12supposed to become.

01:22:15I texted Hazmik.

01:22:17She replied quickly.

01:22:19We met in the hallway.

01:22:21Look who finally

01:22:22decided to come

01:22:23out of her shell.

01:22:26We walked side by side.

01:22:29She sighed.

01:22:30I want to apologize.

01:22:31I want to apologize.

01:22:32For the breakfast.

01:22:35You were thrown into

01:22:36something you didn't ask for.

01:22:42It wasn't your fault.

01:22:44Then I smelled her.

01:22:46Onika.

01:22:47My face scrunched

01:22:48in disgust.

01:22:50Hazmik's eyes narrowed.

01:22:52She picked up her pace

01:22:53and opened the door

01:22:54with more force

01:22:55than necessary.

01:22:56My heart jumped

01:22:57into my throat.

01:22:58Onika was in

01:22:59Sargas' study.

01:23:00She turned her head

01:23:01slowly.

01:23:02Her gaze landing

01:23:03on Hazmik first.

01:23:05Then on me.

01:23:06Her eyes narrowed.

01:23:09Oh.

01:23:10Did I interrupt

01:23:12a study date?

01:23:17Noreen, don't leave.

01:23:20I can explain.

01:23:24I wasn't going to leave.

01:23:26The very sight of you

01:23:27sickens me.

01:23:28You don't know him

01:23:29like I do.

01:23:30You never will.

01:23:32He's only doing this

01:23:33because of the bond.

01:23:34It messes with your head.

01:23:36So don't delude yourself.

01:23:38Don't pretend he loves you.

01:23:40Because he doesn't.

01:23:41Onika lunged at Hazmik.

01:23:46In a second,

01:23:47she had Hazmik

01:23:48pinned against the wall,

01:23:50digging her claws

01:23:51into her throat.

01:23:52Then Sargas was there.

01:23:54He ripped Onika's hand

01:23:56from Hazmik's throat.

01:24:00Hazmik collapsed

01:24:01to the ground,

01:24:02coughing hard.

01:24:04Never in your life

01:24:05lay your hands

01:24:06on any of my subjects again.

01:24:07This is a royal decree,

01:24:09effective immediately.

01:24:11You will pack your things

01:24:12and leave the palace.

01:24:13You've repeatedly

01:24:14bypassed protocol,

01:24:15insulted my mate,

01:24:16assaulted my subjects,

01:24:17and undermined

01:24:18my authority as king.

01:24:19No.

01:24:21No, no, no.

01:24:23Surely you wouldn't

01:24:25invoke a royal decree

01:24:26just because

01:24:26she disrespected me first?

01:24:29She dared to address me

01:24:31like an equal!

01:24:32But Sargas didn't back down.

01:24:34Onika stared at him.

01:24:35Then she looked at me,

01:24:36and there it was.

01:24:37Hatred.

01:24:38She screamed,

01:24:39and it made my skin crawl.

01:24:40Her voice was so grating,

01:24:42so abrasive,

01:24:43that I found myself

01:24:43wishing she would just

01:24:44stop speaking.

01:24:46Forever.

01:24:46A pulse throbbed

01:24:47across my forehead.

01:24:49I blinked.

01:24:50She was still ranting,

01:24:51but her mouth was moving.

01:24:53I couldn't hear a thing.

01:24:54Not a single syllable.

01:24:56She paused mid-tirade,

01:24:58blinked in confusion,

01:24:59and brought her hand

01:25:00up to her throat.

01:25:01She opened her mouth again.

01:25:03No sound.

01:25:05She clutched her throat

01:25:06with both hands.

01:25:07Her eyes darted frantically.

01:25:09Sargas thought she was acting.

01:25:18But I could feel her.

01:25:19I could feel her.

01:25:21Behind the door.

01:25:23Even though she was

01:25:24no longer in the room.

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