- 2 days ago
The Mute Luna's Revenge HD
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I gave a dying rogue named Ryder. I used a life-finding spell to tie our lives together.
00:05The price was my voice. Unless he chooses me as his mate, the curse will drain my life away.
00:10Then came his birthday banquet. Everyone assumed he'd choose me, even I believed it.
00:17You're the only one worthy of me.
00:19What about the mute girl?
00:21Her? Don't even put her in the same sentence as you.
00:24I pressed my hand over my mouth. The pain hit me like a blade to the chest.
00:28My wolf screamed. The life-finding spell tightened around my throat like a rope.
00:32And I couldn't breathe. She was getting weaker. So was I. The life-finding spell. It was feeding on me.
00:38That was the price of saving Ryder. The mute girl. That is what they called me.
00:43He had no idea I lost my voice for him.
00:45Are you sure about this? Accepting a mate bond with the northern alpha?
00:49If you leave, he'll be devastated. He'll find out eventually.
00:52The faster, the better. I just wanted out of here.
00:55Alive or dead, I didn't care anymore.
00:58I gathered everything Ryder ever gave me. Jewels. All of it. I was going to give it back.
01:03A gemstone ring. Silver earrings. A pearl necklace.
01:07Every single piece engraved in the same elegant cursive.
01:10Ryder and Evelyn. His name. And mine.
01:13He'd given them to me when we first returned to the pack together.
01:17This is too much. I can't accept this.
01:19I signed frantically.
01:22You deserve the best.
01:24He clasped the pearl necklace around my neck before I could stop him.
01:28In the mirror, he looked so stunning, so gentle.
01:31My heart wouldn't slow down.
01:33Back then, I thought it meant something.
01:35I thought it meant, I choose you.
01:37But now he'd thrown me away.
01:38His words echoing. That lowly mute.
01:41He'd chosen Freya.
01:42And soon, the spell I cast to save him would finish off what was left of me.
01:47Dead girls don't need jewelry.
01:48I carried the jewelry box down the hallway.
01:51Whispers trailed behind me.
01:53Why didn't the alpha pick her?
01:55She's way prettier than Freya.
01:56Doesn't matter how pretty you are if you can't even speak.
01:59Then arrow.
02:00It grazed my ear and sliced across my cheek.
02:03Blood ran down my face instantly.
02:05Another inch and I'd have been dead.
02:07The jewelry box hit the ground.
02:09The pearl necklace snapped apart.
02:11Pearls scattered everywhere.
02:13Like tears rolling across stone.
02:15I dropped to my knees ignoring the gash on my face.
02:18And started collecting them one by one.
02:20That is when I saw it.
02:22The arrow.
02:22Engraved on the shaft.
02:24In that same elegant cursive.
02:26Ryder and Freya.
02:27Identical to my jewelry.
02:29Just with a different name where mine used to be.
02:32My chest caved in.
02:33I had to press my hand to the floor just to keep from collapsing.
02:37Then someone stepped on my fingers.
02:39Oh.
02:40Sorry.
02:41I didn't mean to hurt you.
02:45I'll make it up to you.
02:46Freya crouched down, bow still in hand.
02:48Her red heels were still on my fingers.
02:50My wolf went feral.
02:52I opened my mouth.
02:53The pain nearly split me in two.
02:54But not a single sound came out.
02:56Blood soaked through my hand.
02:58Oops.
02:59Didn't see you down there.
03:01She stepped back.
03:01Finally.
03:02Why didn't you say something?
03:04Oh, right.
03:05I forgot.
03:06You can't.
03:08She picked up one of the pearls, turning it over with a look of pure disgust.
03:12This necklace is ugly.
03:14The pearls are so small.
03:16So dull.
03:18Just like you.
03:19She grabbed my hand and pulled it up, right where she'd crushed it.
03:23The wound split back open.
03:24Blood dripped onto the ground.
03:25I heard you saved Ryder's life.
03:28Is that true?
03:30Here.
03:32Consider this your compensation.
03:34Once I'm the Alpha's mate, you can be my handmaiden.
03:37I don't mind being friends with you.
03:39She moved to clasp it on me.
03:41I shoved her away.
03:43I didn't want her compensation.
03:45I didn't want her friendship.
03:46We struggled, and my blood smeared across her dress.
03:50Freya laughed, then she let go.
03:51The bracelet slipped from her fingers and fell over the cliff's edge.
03:56Evelyn!
03:57What did you do?
03:58Ryder gave me that as an engagement gift.
04:00Even if you didn't want it, how could you just...
04:03Liar.
04:04I turned to walk away.
04:06Stop!
04:06Ryder was standing right behind me, looking down at me like I was something he'd scraped off his shoe.
04:11Where do you think you're going?
04:14What did you do to Freya?
04:16Why is there blood all over her?
04:18Not her.
04:19It's me.
04:19That's my blood.
04:20I opened my mouth to explain, and then remembered.
04:23I had no voice.
04:25I was just the mute girl.
04:26I signed desperately, hands shaking.
04:29Ryder didn't even look at me.
04:31He walked straight past me to Freya and pulled her into his arms.
04:34You're bleeding.
04:35Where?
04:36What happened?
04:37That's not her blood.
04:38It's mine.
04:39Freya melted into his chest, soft and helpless, while he dabbed at her with his handkerchief.
04:43Her hands were flawless.
04:45Diamond-tipped nails catching the light.
04:47I'm fine.
04:48Don't be too hard on Evelyn.
04:50It's just...
04:51Your bracelet.
04:52She accidentally knocked it off the cliff.
04:54It's such a shame.
04:55Go get it back.
04:58Oh, it's fine.
04:59Such a long drop.
05:01Don't put Evelyn through that.
05:02Ryder pulled off his cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders.
05:05Let her go.
05:06Her wolf is built for climbing.
05:08It's nothing for her.
05:10My wolf was barely holding on because of the life-binding spell.
05:13But I wasn't about to let anyone know that.
05:16Fine.
05:17I'll go.
05:18I climbed down.
05:19The wound on my hand tore wider with every grip.
05:22Blood painted the rocks red.
05:24The air at the bottom was brutal.
05:26Cold that cut straight through me.
05:28I couldn't stop shaking.
05:30Branches clawed at my skin the whole way down.
05:33I was a wreck.
05:34But my heart had gone numb long before my body did.
05:37The bracelet was caught at the top of a tree.
05:39I hung off the rock face with one hand and reached for it.
05:42The stone crumbled.
05:44I dropped.
05:45I caught a vine.
05:46Barely.
05:47I hauled myself back up.
05:48Dragged myself over the edge.
05:51And held the bracelet out to Freya.
05:53I'm here.
05:58Evelyn!
06:01But he was a second too late.
06:03Four hands missed each other in the air.
06:05As I fell I heard him screaming my name.
06:08Raw desperate.
06:09Like something in him was breaking.
06:11Funny, I thought.
06:13This is the same cliff.
06:14This was where I'd found him.
06:16He'd been hunted by his enemies and gone over the edge.
06:19I tracked the blood down the rock face.
06:21Me and my wolf and carried him up inch by inch.
06:24Back then I had no idea he was the heir to the southern kingdom.
06:28He was covered in blood.
06:29Ice cold.
06:30His body slowly giving up.
06:32I fed him herbs.
06:34Built a fire.
06:35Nothing worked.
06:36It was a full moon that night.
06:38So I looked up at it and prayed.
06:40I'll give anything.
06:41Whatever it takes.
06:43Just let him live.
06:45The life-binding spell answered.
06:47Before I even understood what was happening, Ryder had grabbed my hand.
06:52Pulled me under him.
06:53His body pinning mine.
06:55Three days and three nights later, he opened his eyes.
06:58What's your name?
06:59No voice.
07:00I signed it to him.
07:01He held my hand still.
07:03Then pulled me in and held me close.
07:05Come home with me.
07:06I'll take care of you now.
07:08The pack threw a celebration for his return.
07:10He clasped the pearl necklace around my neck himself.
07:13Took my hand, walked me into the banquet as the alpha's heir.
07:17And didn't let go.
07:18Who is she?
07:19She's gorgeous.
07:20Shame she's a mute.
07:21Nobody knows where she came from.
07:23Probably nothing.
07:24Ryder probably just likes the way she looks.
07:26The words stung like needles.
07:28Every single one.
07:29But Ryder tightened his grip on my hand.
07:31You're my partner tonight.
07:33Stay by my side.
07:34And no one will dare touch you.
07:36When I opened my eyes, I was in a bed.
07:39My hands were wrapped in bandages.
07:41Ryder was sitting beside me, finishing the last knot.
07:44Why aren't your wounds healing?
07:48And why can't I feel your wolf?
07:50Because I'm dying.
07:51Unless you choose me as your mate.
07:53I don't know what came over me.
07:55I just started signing.
07:56All of it.
07:57Everything.
07:57Ryder didn't even look up.
07:59When you're healed, go apologize to Freya.
08:01For what?
08:02I didn't do anything wrong.
08:03I'm not apologizing for anything.
08:06I turned away from him.
08:07Evelyn.
08:08You've gone too far.
08:09Yes, she pushed you, but she's going to be Luna.
08:12Our future Luna.
08:13Whatever happened, you had no right to hurt her.
08:15Seven days.
08:15You'll copy the PAC law books.
08:17One hundred times.
08:18Consider it your punishment for disrespecting the future Luna.
08:22Every letter I wrote bled through the page.
08:24My wounds never closed.
08:26The ink and the blood soaked into each other.
08:28Staining everything red.
08:29Seven days later, Ryder's men came and collected the stack of pages.
08:33I passed out from blood loss the moment they left.
08:36When I opened my eyes, the sky was full of moon lanterns.
08:40Moon lanterns.
08:41The waymates in our pack declared their devotion.
08:44Silver light floating up into the dark.
08:46I stared at the glow through the window.
08:48The paper lanterns drifted upward.
08:50Every one of them carrying words written in a hand I recognized.
08:54Mine.
08:54Who lit them?
08:56Ryder.
08:56The alpha's hair.
08:57Could he be trying to tell me something?
08:59I forced myself upright and ran toward the light.
09:02Outside Ryder's palace, he and Freya stood side by side, watching the lanterns rise together.
09:08He looked down at her.
09:09Smiled.
09:10Soft and private.
09:11The kind of smile meant only for her.
09:14Then his eyes drifted over and found me.
09:16The smile disappeared.
09:17I spun around and ran.
09:19Stumbling, not looking where I was going.
09:22I didn't realize I was crying until I tasted salt.
09:25At the edge of the path one of the lanterns had fallen.
09:27Half buried in the mud and the grass.
09:29I picked it up and held it against my chest.
09:32Maybe it is time to go.
09:34On the morning of Ryder's birthday banquet, the pack's artist was finishing my portrait.
09:39The one being sent to the northern alpha.
09:41I handed my gift for Ryder to one of the servants and asked her to deliver it ahead of me.
09:46What is this?
09:48Moonstone?
09:48Not just any moonstone.
09:50This one had been blessed by the moon goddess herself.
09:53Legend said that whoever received it would love you without wavering.
09:56Always.
09:57I'd found it the same day I heard about Ryder and Freya's engagement.
10:00After the portrait was done, I made my way to the banquet hall and walked in just as someone called
10:05my name.
10:06Ryder's voice cut right through the room.
10:09Evelyn's stunning.
10:10Any of you would be lucky to have her as a mate.
10:12A pathetic mute from nowhere.
10:14Worthy of an alpha.
10:16Not a chance.
10:17I kept my face perfectly still.
10:19Raised my glass.
10:21Signed a toast in his direction.
10:23Nobody knew what it cost me.
10:24My wolf went silent inside me.
10:26Too much pain to make a sound.
10:28Just like me.
10:29When the dancing started, I slipped away.
10:31I just needed a corner somewhere.
10:33Somewhere I could fall apart without an audience.
10:36Freya stepped in front of me.
10:37The moonstone pendant around her neck caught the light.
10:40Nice moonstone.
10:41You gave this to Ryder, didn't you?
10:43I tried to go around her.
10:44She stepped on my hem.
10:46Are you deaf now, too?
10:48Or just still mute?
10:51Moonstone is for mates.
10:53You don't get to give him something like that.
10:54You never did.
10:56If he hadn't met me, he would already be dead.
10:58I signed it slow and clear so she wouldn't miss it.
11:02What?
11:02You're calling me a liar?
11:03You're seriously going to stand there and insult me?
11:06She swung her hand at my face.
11:08She slipped.
11:08I walked away fast and ran straight into Ryder.
11:14He blocked my path.
11:18What happened now?
11:19Why do you always have to start something?
11:21I was done.
11:22Today.
11:22I was going to tell him today.
11:24I'm your mate.
11:25Me.
11:26Not Freya.
11:27I'm your mate.
11:28Me.
11:29Not Freya.
11:30I'd barely started signing when someone came sprinting into the hall.
11:34The moon goddess answered our prayers.
11:36She sent her blessing for our alpha and his luna.
11:39Who?
11:40Ryder and Freya, of course.
11:41Is there more?
11:43What else did the oracle say?
11:45Actually, Evelyn was mentioned too.
11:48The oracle said she'll find her own alpha.
11:50Her own alpha who?
11:51I'm the only alpha in this pack.
11:53Who exactly is she supposed to choose?
11:55I left him standing there, furious, and walked toward the old oak at the edge of the courtyard.
12:00Up in its branches sat the treehouse.
12:02Ryder had built it himself right after I first came to the pack.
12:06This is yours, my little mute.
12:07Your own place.
12:08No one gets in but you.
12:09Now Freya was inside, lounging with a bowl of fruit in her lap.
12:12Not bad in here.
12:13When I'm luna, I'll have Ryder build me one too.
12:16I reached up to pull her out.
12:18Ryder grabbed my wrist.
12:20Evelyn, what are you doing now?
12:22Is this still about the oracle?
12:23Do you actually want to be my mate?
12:25Then say it.
12:27I couldn't say anything.
12:28I never could.
12:29I pulled free, went to the corner, and came back with an axe and a saw.
12:34Evelyn, what are you-
12:35I started tearing the treehouse down.
12:37Stop!
12:39Freya is still in there!
12:40Have you lost your mind?
12:42He shoved me out of the way.
12:44My hand caught a jagged splinter of wood.
12:46Blood welled up immediately, running down my fingers.
12:49Ryder didn't see it.
12:50He went straight to Freya, both arms around her before she even hit the ground.
12:54Are you hurt?
12:55I was so scared.
12:58You are so selfish, Evelyn.
13:01So what, you're just jealous of Freya?
13:02That's what this is?
13:04Evelyn, when did you become like this?
13:07I picked the axe back up.
13:09Enough!
13:10I didn't stop.
13:12Not until the last board came down.
13:15The treehouse was gone.
13:17That night, my wolf cried until morning.
13:20The next day, the artist came to find me.
13:22The portrait is finished.
13:24Take a look, and I'll send it to the Alpha.
13:26If he's too busy-
13:27The whole pack had been consumed by wedding preparations.
13:30Everywhere I went, it was the same two names.
13:33Ryder and Freya.
13:34Perfect together.
13:35The future Alpha and his Luna.
13:36I was carrying the portrait back when Freya appeared in front of me.
13:40Let me see.
13:41She pulled it out before I could stop her.
13:42In the painting, I wore a white dress.
13:44The northern royal crest was stamped in the corner.
13:47She said,
13:48Ah, so that's what's happening.
13:49You're going north.
13:51A political match.
13:53You could have just said so.
13:55She even poured me tea herself.
13:56The north isn't bad, you know.
13:58A little rough around the edges, but he's still an Alpha.
14:01I reached to take the portrait back.
14:03Ryder walked in.
14:04What's that?
14:05Let me see.
14:06The moment he unrolled it, Freya lifted her wine glass.
14:10Red wine splashed across the portrait.
14:12Spread.
14:12Bled through the paper until my face was gone.
14:15Oh no!
14:16I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to.
14:18What happened?
14:18I think Evelyn didn't want you to see it.
14:21I gripped what was left of the portrait.
14:23I didn't explain.
14:24There was no point.
14:25He was never going to believe me anyway.
14:27I walked out.
14:28Behind me, Ryder's voice followed.
14:30Next time the portrait is done, bring it straight to me.
14:33Don't go through anyone else.
14:34At some point, while I wasn't looking, someone rebuilt the treehouse.
14:38New wood, moon goddess totems carved into the window frames.
14:41A string of silver bells hanging over the door.
14:44People noticed.
14:45He still cares about her.
14:46Why else would he rebuild it?
14:48But I never went back inside.
14:50Some things break in a way that can't be undone.
14:52That was the day I saw his portrait for the first time.
14:55The northern lord dot tall, cold-faced.
14:57A scar running down the left side of his jaw.
15:00The people up north, they're brutal.
15:03They fight like animals.
15:05That lord has killed men with his bare hands.
15:07Freya made sure to find me in the crowd.
15:10Both is filthy, rough, savage, and they love breaking women down.
15:14Evelyn, think you'll survive the first month?
15:16Laughter rippled around us.
15:18What's that look for?
15:19A mute with no name, no family.
15:21And you still have the nerve to have an attitude.
15:22A girl like you getting an alpha at all is a gift.
15:24You should be grateful.
15:26I slapped her across the face.
15:29You hit me!
15:30I grabbed the wine off the table, poured it straight into her mouth.
15:34Freya screamed.
15:38Ryder!
15:39Ryder burst through the doors.
15:41Evelyn!
15:43What is wrong with you?
15:44Freya collapsed into him, trembling.
15:47I was just worried about her.
15:49About what might happen to her up north.
15:51And she attacked me.
15:53Ryder's eyes went cold when they found mine.
15:56Apologize.
15:57I didn't move.
15:58I said apologize!
16:00Right then the artist came rushing in, breathless.
16:03Alpha!
16:03The new portrait, it's ready.
16:06Please, if you could just come and...
16:09Not now.
16:10Ryder turned and walked away.
16:12I left with the portrait.
16:13His voice caught me at the door.
16:15Flat, almost bored.
16:16I think I've been letting you get away with too much lately.
16:18Stop going after Freya.
16:20I didn't look back.
16:21Christmas came quietly.
16:23The pack glittered with lights and music.
16:25Everyone had somewhere to be.
16:26I sat alone by the fire.
16:28The life-binding spell was pulling harder now.
16:31I could feel it, slow and steady.
16:32Like something draining out of me, my hands wouldn't get warm.
16:35Every Christmas before this one, Ryder would find me.
16:38Why are you always so cold, my little mute?
16:42From now on, I'll warm your hands through every winter.
16:46But tonight he was probably with Freya.
16:49A knock at the door.
16:50I didn't move.
16:51Hey, it's me.
16:52Open up, I brought your Christmas present.
16:55Evelyn, I'm sorry.
16:56I should have told you about the engagement.
16:58You shouldn't have found out the way you did.
16:59But the pack needs her family's backing.
17:01My father lost everything because he ran out of allies.
17:03I watched it happen.
17:03I can't let that happen to me.
17:05Freya can give me what I need.
17:06I have to marry her.
17:08But you're different.
17:10You've always been different to me.
17:12You know that.
17:12Different.
17:13Not mate.
17:14Evelyn, don't shut me out.
17:16Just not tonight.
17:18I opened the door.
17:19Ryder blinked.
17:20Then his whole face shifted.
17:22That warm, relieved smile.
17:24You forgave me.
17:26I knew you weren't actually mad.
17:28He reached out to touch me.
17:29I stepped back, pressed a gift box into his arms.
17:32The Christmas present I'd meant to give Freya.
17:34Then I closed the door.
17:35A long silence on the other side.
17:37Finally, quiet, almost to himself.
17:40Good night, my little mute.
17:43The next morning, I put on the wedding dress.
17:45I climbed into the carriage.
17:48The handmaiden lowered my veil.
17:50Miss Evelyn, are you sure you don't want to tell the Alpha?
17:53I shook my head.
17:54Outside, Ryder's voice rang out.
17:56Move out.
17:57He was the one escorting the wedding convoy.
17:59He just didn't know yet.
18:00The bride he was escorting was me.
18:03Where's Evelyn?
18:05Still asleep, my lord.
18:06A pause.
18:08Keep it down, then.
18:09Don't wake her.
18:10The carriage rolled forward.
18:11Through the curtain, his voice drifted in.
18:13No stops on the road.
18:14I want to get back fast.
18:16Evelyn's waiting for me.
18:17My wolf let out a small, broken sound.
18:20She was too weak now for anything more.
18:22Days later, the northern border, howling tore across the snowfields.
18:26The northern lord had come to meet us himself.
18:28Bring the bride out.
18:29The handmaidens whispered behind me.
18:31Rude.
18:33Making her come to him.
18:34I didn't mind.
18:35I pulled back the curtain myself.
18:37Stepped down into the snow.
18:38And then two arms lifted me clean off the ground.
18:41The wind pulled my veil back.
18:42From somewhere behind us, Ryder's voice cracked wide open.
18:48Evelyn?
18:51What?
18:52Why is it you?
18:55The northern lord held me like it was the most natural thing in the world.
19:00I'm Kieran.
19:01In the portrait, he'd looked severe.
19:03Harsh.
19:03In person, he was devastating.
19:06You're even more beautiful than the painting.
19:08He said.
19:09Before I could respond, hoof beats.
19:12Ryder was coming.
19:13Fast.
19:13Like he'd lost his mind.
19:15Evelyn!
19:16Why did you tell me?
19:17Why did no one say anything?
19:19Kieran's brow creased.
19:22Who is that?
19:24Why does he keep chasing you?
19:26I signed.
19:27I can't speak.
19:28He looked at my throat.
19:29Studied it.
19:30You weren't born this way.
19:31That's a curse.
19:33Don't worry.
19:34I'll pray to the moon goddess.
19:36I'll find a way to fix it.
19:37Behind us, Ryder kept coming.
19:39Evelyn!
19:40Come back!
19:42You can't leave me like this!
19:44Kieran spoke low, close to my ear.
19:46One more step and he crosses into Northern Territory.
19:49Stop him.
19:51I reached up and took Kieran's bow.
19:53Drew released.
19:54The arrow buried itself in the snow directly in front of Ryder's horse.
19:57The horse reared.
19:59Ryder was thrown.
20:00Landed hard in the snow.
20:01He looked up at me.
20:02Eyes red.
20:03Voice completely gone.
20:04Evelyn!
20:06You lied to me!
20:07How could you?
20:08You never forgave me, did you?
20:10How could you just stand there and let me escort you to him?
20:13Is your heart really that cold?
20:15I looked away.
20:16I didn't look back.
20:17A Ryder came galloping up behind Ryder.
20:22Alpha!
20:23Please!
20:24Ryder tore the reins away and came at me again.
20:27The Northern guards moved to block him.
20:30Stop!
20:31You are in Northern Territory.
20:33Get off me!
20:34Get off me!
20:35I need to see Evelyn!
20:38They dragged him back.
20:39Forced him into the carriage.
20:40I watched all of it without moving.
20:43Kieran looked down at me.
20:45Hard to watch.
20:46I shook my head.
20:47He smiled quiet warm.
20:49He pressed his lips to my forehead.
20:50He reached into his coat and pulled out a necklace.
20:53Then don't look at him anymore.
20:54A silver moonstone, catching the winter light.
20:57My breath stopped.
20:58That was my moonstone.
20:59The one I'd given Ryder.
21:01The one Freya had taken.
21:02Kieran fastened it around my neck.
21:04Do you like it?
21:05I came through the south a while back.
21:07Undercover with a trade, Amzisee.
21:09He said simply.
21:10I saw a woman throw it off a cliff.
21:11She kept screaming your name while she did it.
21:13So I climbed down and got it.
21:15Something that precious shouldn't be thrown away.
21:17My eyes burned.
21:18This was the first time.
21:20The first time anyone had looked after something of mine like it mattered.
21:23Kieran took my hand.
21:25No one touches you anymore.
21:27The North protects its own.
21:29My wolf pressed herself gently toward him.
21:31For the first time in so long, she felt safe.
21:34I smiled.
21:35A real one.
21:35I let him fasten the moonstone around my neck and didn't look south again.
21:40Ryder returned to the south.
21:42The wedding went ahead as planned.
21:44The whole pack celebrated Dot, but he was somewhere else the entire time.
21:48Ryder.
21:48Hey.
21:49It's your wedding day.
21:51When the vows ended, the handmaiden lifted the veil.
21:54His voice came out barely above a whisper.
21:57Heavenly.
21:57Then he blinked.
21:59Freya was standing in front of him.
22:01Her face went tight.
22:03Ryder.
22:05Whose name did you just say?
22:08He stared at her.
22:09You know, didn't you?
22:11You know Evelyn was the one going north.
22:15So what if I did?
22:17You're the one who drove her away.
22:19You know that, right?
22:20She was in love with you.
22:22And you used that.
22:23Let me get close to you on purpose.
22:25You let her watch.
22:26You let her hurt.
22:27And now you want to act heartbroken?
22:30Shut up.
22:32You're such a hypocrite!
22:34You've nothing!
22:36You said she was special.
22:40But you never once chose her!
22:43You don't even know why she lost her voice!
22:46You don't deserve a single thing she gave you!
22:50Ryder's hand connected with her face.
22:53Freya stumbled back.
22:54Hit the vase behind her.
22:55It shattered.
22:57A shard caught her throat.
22:59Dot blood.
22:59Ryder froze.
23:01Freya?
23:01She pressed her hand to her neck.
23:03Sank to the floor, Dot.
23:05And in that same moment, a red thread snapped.
23:08Their mate bond.
23:09Gondot Ryder stood completely still.
23:11Then he saw it, rising from the broken thread.
23:14A marking he recognized.
23:15Curling ancient script.
23:17The life-binding spell.
23:18Impossible.
23:20Why is there ever a life-binding spell?
23:22His hands started shaking.
23:24Everything hit him at once.
23:26Evelyn.
23:27Silent Evelyn bleeding.
23:28Always bleeding.
23:29Evelyn getting weaker and weaker.
23:31Wounds that never healed.
23:32He finally understood.
23:34The person who had saved him.
23:36All those years ago it was always her.
23:38He dropped to his knees, and the sound that came out of him wasn't even a word.
23:42Evelyn!
23:45Across the border, I jolted awake, searing pain, right through the center of my chest.
23:50I looked at my wrist.
23:51The red thread was gone.
23:52He knew.
23:53The life-binding spell had nothing left to hold to.
23:56It came loose all at once.
23:58My life started draining.
23:59Fast Dot Kieran caught me before I hit the ground, but it was too late for that.
24:03What's happening?
24:05Get the physician!
24:06Now!
24:09I'd been living on borrowed time for so long.
24:12Kieran grabbed my hands and wouldn't let go.
24:14No.
24:15I'm not letting you go, Evelyn.
24:18My vision was going dot-
24:19Look at me.
24:21Do you hear me?
24:22But his voice, somehow, came through clearer than anything.
24:25I love you, not out of pity, not out of guilt.
24:30I love you, from the moment I first saw you.
24:36Evelyn, will you be my mate?
24:41Silver light flooded the room.
24:43A new red thread wrapped itself around my wrist, warm and certain.
24:46Heat rushed into my throat.
24:48Strength I hadn't felt in years flooded back through my body.
24:51My wolf threw her head back and howled long and full and free.
24:55I opened my mouth.
24:59Kieran.
24:59He pulled me in, eyes wet, and held on dot, so that was what the moon goddess meant.
25:04Her own alpha.
25:09I kissed him.
25:13Yes.
25:14One year later, the Northern Palace, at the Great Banquet Table,
25:18Ryder bent over a defeat treaty and signed his name.
25:20He looked hollowed out, pale, silent like something vital had been removed from him.
25:25When it was done, he spoke quietly.
25:27Kian.
25:30I want to see Evelyn.
25:32Just once.
25:33I'll ask her.
25:34In the garden, I sat in the afternoon light in a long dress.
25:38Two small children tumbled around me.
25:40Mama, tell the wolf god's story again.
25:44I laughed and smoothed their hair.
25:46The handmaiden leaned close.
25:47My lady, will you see him?
25:49I shook my head.
25:51No.
25:52I have everything I need right here.
25:55Down the far corridor, Ryder stood without moving.
25:58He watched me, watched my children, watched the smile on my face.
26:02For a long time, he didn't move dot then.
26:05Slowly, he closed his eyes.
26:07Nothing left on his face but pain dot.
26:09But it didn't matter anymore because I was going to be happy dot for the rest of my life.
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