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🍿 Thirteen years ago, Emma rescued a young wolf Beastkin and gave him a home. For years, she believed Brian might one day return her devotion. Then she overhears the truth: he never appreciated her and only wished he had belonged to her cousin instead. In that moment, Emma's love dies. But when she finally walks away, will Brian realize what he's lost?
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💥Click to Watch Full HD Episodes: https://www.reelshort.com/movie/orc-love-69eb2f6f539dc58dcc01d3fe
💟Notice: All Videos by DramaMagic are Officially Authorized.
🍿 Thirteen years ago, Emma rescued a young wolf Beastkin and gave him a home. For years, she believed Brian might one day return her devotion. Then she overhears the truth: he never appreciated her and only wished he had belonged to her cousin instead. In that moment, Emma's love dies. But when she finally walks away, will Brian realize what he's lost?
#DailymotionMovie #FreeMovie #HotDrama #FreeMovie #MiniDrama #HDSeries #Animation
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00:00:06Brian and Logan were twin wolf beast kin that my cousin Isabella and I rescued from the
00:00:11underground beast trade back then the two of us stood there staring at those filthy little wolf
00:00:16pups and without even needing to say much we each decided to adopt one I took Brian Isabella took
00:00:22Logan 13 years passed in the blink of an eye all that time I believe that even if Brian didn't
00:00:28like
00:00:29me he would at least feel grateful that I had saved his life that illusion shattered the day I
00:00:34accidentally overheard him talking to some other beast kin someone asked Emma's been really good
00:00:41to you why are you always so cold to her who asked her to be good to me you've got
00:00:47it good and don't
00:00:50even realize it good then I guess I should thank Emma properly if she hadn't taken me first me'd be
00:00:54the one with Isabella right now I mean makes sense compared to Isabella the head cheerleader Emma's
00:00:59just nothing special a dull ache spread through my chest every feeling I had held on to for Brian
00:01:05over the years quietly disappeared when I got home I sat on the living room couch until well past midnight
00:01:11again and again I picked up a mirror staring at the girl reflected in it I had always thought I
00:01:17looked
00:01:17average but now the longer I looked the worse it seemed with a surge of disgust I tossed the mirror
00:01:22aside all I could see in my mind was Isabella's radiant effortless smile I lowered my head and
00:01:28let the weight of my own insecurity swallow me home the sound of the front door opening broke the silence
00:01:32Brian walked in reeking of bourbon barely sparing me a glance before turning toward his bedroom
00:01:37I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and stood up for the first time I reached out
00:01:41trying to grab
00:01:42his tail my hand was immediately slapped away he stepped back his face full of irritation don't touch me
00:01:48it was exactly the same reaction as the first time I had tried to touch his wolf ears even after
00:01:53I had
00:01:53taken him in and cared for him with everything I had for 13 years a bitter laugh slipped out of
00:01:59me
00:01:59so if you're not pretty even your sincerity isn't worth anyone taking seriously I didn't even notice when
00:02:05my tears began to fall one by one onto the hardwood floor by the time I looked up again I
00:02:10was alone in
00:02:11the living room my thoughts drifted as they always did back to high school and the annual fall homecoming
00:02:16carnival I used to bring a big box of Texas's barbecue and find Brian in the backyard Brian
00:02:21will you come to the carnival with me this year he'd lift his head out of the pool water dripping
00:02:26from his hair no but a lot of people bring their bee skin with them no if you want someone
00:02:33to go with
00:02:33you go adopt another one from the shelter so every year I went alone I would stand off to the
00:02:39side
00:02:40watching Logan who had the exact same face as Brian yet always wore the gentlest smile
00:02:45he would ruffle Isabella's hair and ask Isabella do you want that teddy bear
00:02:50she'd nod with a bright smile rising onto her toes to reach for his wolf ears and Logan would
00:02:56always bend down for her patient and indulgent I watched him like a thief quietly craving the life
00:03:01Isabella had but one time Jason a few of his buddies shoved me onto the grass
00:03:06his voice was dripping with mockery well look who it is Emma Australian nerd where's your little
00:03:12bee skin didn't feel like coming out with you one of his friends snickered her bee skin and Isabella's
00:03:18are twin wolves right the older one ended up with the prom queen and the younger one got stuck with
00:03:22an ugly duckling I refused to back down gritting my teeth I pushed myself up and swung my fist straight
00:03:28at his friend's face he went down hard before he could even react Chase lunged at me trying to fight
00:03:34back but I slammed him to the ground and kept hitting him until someone finally pulled me off
00:03:38the end result was predictable all of us were called into the principal's office I thought my
00:03:42mom would be on my side instead right in front of the principal and Chase she sighed in annoyance
00:03:47honestly what were you thinking they weren't even wrong why would you hit someone over that I tugged
00:03:51lightly at the sleeve of her coat mom I said barely above a whisper she acted like she didn't hear
00:03:56me
00:03:56let's be real she went on you're not exactly pretty and now you've got this terrible temper too
00:04:00even the bee skin you raised doesn't care about you I don't know how I ended up with a daughter
00:04:04like you sometimes I wish Isabella were my child instead that night I cried my eyes out in Central
00:04:09Park when I finally went home my father greeted me with a sharp slap across the face he said
00:04:16I closed my eyes and fell into a heavy sleep my messed up schedule left my mind blank when I
00:04:21woke up
00:04:21again when I pushed the door open I realized it was already dusk Brian was out but his presence lingered
00:04:27everywhere in the apartment I grabbed a slice of pizza and forced myself to eat then started packing
00:04:32up everything that belonged to me there wasn't much really after I got into college at 18 I was
00:04:36afraid my parents would treat Brian badly so I took him with me at my poorest I could only afford
00:04:42a
00:04:42run-down studio apartment he slept on the bed and I took the couch Brian was well over six feet
00:04:47tall
00:04:47and he would bump his head every time he walked through the low doorway so I worked non-stop picking
00:04:52up
00:04:52every part-time job I could find until I finally saved enough for a down payment on a small two
00:04:57bedroom townhouse love has a way of making you feel like you owe everything so I bought Brian more
00:05:02things than he could ever need I never once considered that he didn't want any of it this
00:05:06time I decided to give him what he actually wanted freedom after I finished packing I walked out of the
00:05:11home Brian and I had shared the next morning when the staff at the bureau of non-human affairs asked
00:05:15me
00:05:15for the third time if I was sure I wanted to terminate my bond with Brian I still nodded when
00:05:20a human
00:05:20dissolves a bond unilaterally financial compensation is required I left the townhouse to him at the
00:05:25office Emily handed me the bond termination certificate then hesitated before asking Miss
00:05:30Emma would you like to give this to Mr. Brian in person or should we mail it on your behalf
00:05:34I took
00:05:34out the letter I had rewritten over and over again the night before please mail it to him I said
00:05:39and
00:05:39include this there were only two sentences in the letter I am sorry Brian I took you away without your
00:05:44consent so this time I am giving your freedom back to you I walked out of city hall got into
00:05:49my car
00:05:50and left Los Angeles behind my new life would begin in Florida somewhere by the ocean waiting
00:05:54for warmer days ahead since my new job was as a lecturer at a university in Miami I rented a
00:05:59small
00:06:00beach house with a yard the evening sea breeze carried a faint salty smell as I walked along the
00:06:04shore wearing a mask the orange glow of the sunset was just right soft and beautiful I took a photo
00:06:09then out of habit opened my iMessage chat with Brian scrolling up it was nothing but messages from me
00:06:14photos of little trinkets I found at vintage markets strange shaped clouds in the sky the slow growth of a
00:06:19sunflower he rarely replied most of the time all I ever got back was a short dismissive yeah the last
00:06:25message in our chat was from the day I heard the truth I had asked him where are you I
00:06:30can come pick
00:06:30you up he never replied by then he must have already received the bond termination certificate and still
00:06:36he could not even bring himself to say goodbye all that was left in my chest was a dull spreading
00:06:40ache
00:06:40after thinking it over I realized my new life should not be tied to the past so I changed my
00:06:45phone number
00:06:46deleted my old instagram and created a new account I packed my schedule as full as possible just to
00:06:51earn a few nights of uninterrupted sleep some of the more outgoing college girls like to chat with me
00:06:56between classes professor Emma why do you always wear a mask on campus because I'm not very pretty
00:07:01who said that oh my god I swear I will shut them up there is no such thing as an
00:07:06ugly girl she sounded
00:07:07completely sincere and the others around her nodded in agreement just as indignant I would laugh it off
00:07:12and smoothly change the subject soon enough they started talking about the bee skin they had at
00:07:16home then they asked me professor what kind of bee skin do you have I did not know how to
00:07:20explain
00:07:21everything that had happened with Brian so I gave them a simple answer he died they fell silent for
00:07:26a long moment until the bell rang and class began after that during my two weekly lectures students
00:07:31would often bring me little things a starbucks latte a blueberry muffin or a bar of hershey's chocolate
00:07:35I could never finish it all that was when I started thinking about the little fox bee skin on campus
00:07:40who survived by collecting recyclables bee skin were usually striking in appearance and fox bee skin
00:07:45were among the most beautiful of all but this one had deep crisscrossing scars covering both sides of
00:07:50his face he was afraid of scaring the students so he only came out late at night that evening
00:07:55when I left the lab and went looking for him it started pouring out of nowhere a figure darted toward
00:08:00me a fluffy foxtail swaying behind him I called out softly hey little fox huh the young bee skin turned
00:08:06around and noticed me immediately lowering his head he quickly covered his face with his hands
00:08:11I'm sorry ma'am I must have misheard please don't mind me the autumn rain carried a sharp chill he
00:08:16was
00:08:16soaked through water dripping steadily from his clothes I looked at him and said gently you don't
00:08:21have to hide your face I've seen you around I have hot water and a dryer in my office come
00:08:25upstairs and
00:08:26get warmed up he hesitated then slowly lowered his hands and nodded thank you ma'am once we got into
00:08:31my office
00:08:31under the bright lights I realized how young he was around 18 or 19 about the same age as my
00:08:37freshman
00:08:37while he was showering I went next door to the lab to ask about him my colleague Arthur was always
00:08:42eager to talk and he filled me in without hesitation that little fox is named Finn I heard he used
00:08:48to be
00:08:48incredibly good looking his former handler tried to sell him to the red light district in the underground
00:08:53beast trade he refused and even bit someone before escaping during the escape his face got slashed up when
00:08:58the people from the black market saw he was disfigured they beat him badly and threw him
00:09:02into the ocean lucky for him the university rowing team pulled him out since then he's been scraping by
00:09:08on campus selecting recyclables I asked where does he live there's a rundown shed behind the hill on
00:09:13campus Arthur frowned slightly Emma I heard your bee skin passed away you're not thinking about
00:09:18adopting him are you I bit down on the straw of my hot latte and didn't answer Arto's voice suddenly
00:09:22sharpened he looks like that who would want to adopt him his words overlapped with the voices from my
00:09:27past she looks so plain who would ever like her but why we have hearts too we want to love
00:09:32and be
00:09:32loved just the same I looked at Arthur and said quietly he isn't ugly he's just been hurt and
00:09:37he's kind he's sweet I've seen him share the food he collects with homeless people nearby I've seen
00:09:42him donate his spare change to the beastkin protection agency so please don't say things
00:09:47like that about him again when I stepped out of Arthur's office I saw Finn standing in the hallway
00:09:51his blonde hair and tail were still damp his eyes were brimming with tears feeling a little awkward
00:09:56I changed the subject if it's hard to do it yourself I can help dry it I took the towel
00:10:00and
00:10:00gently dried his hair and tail then used a hair dryer to finish the job it was my first time
00:10:05drying a
00:10:05bee skin's tail and I was clumsy I accidentally hurt him more than once and kept apologizing Finn's face
00:10:10turned red it's okay I'm already very grateful to you when I finally finished I handed him a muffin
00:10:16and the latte he didn't take them after a long pause as if gathering all his courage he spoke again
00:10:21ma'am I don't eat much could you adopt me my hand froze mid-air Finn continued I know I'm
00:10:27not good
00:10:28looking but I can cook wash dishes mow the lawn I can get massages and I know how to grow
00:10:32roses I
00:10:33smiled then took off my mask and met his eyes but I'm not good looking either would you still choose
00:10:37me
00:10:38Finn gently reached out and touched my cheek his movements careful almost reverent you're very cute
00:10:44he said softly I want to go with you my eyes stung I blinked quickly holding back the tears and
00:10:50took
00:10:50his hand as we walked out of the lab building together the rain had stopped and just like that
00:10:55I chose a family for myself I completed the paperwork and adopted Finn just like he promised
00:11:00he did everything beautifully he kept the beach house spotless filled the yard with blooming hydrangeas
00:11:05and brought me hot home-cooked lunches at the lab running those spectral analyses today nearly killed me
00:11:09Arthur said as he wandered in from next door shamelessly helping himself he took a big spoonful
00:11:14of beef stew and let out a low whistle damn Finn can cook this is incredible meanwhile the one at
00:11:20my
00:11:20place does nothing but curl up on the couch and watch Netflix honestly Arthur should have been grateful
00:11:25Brianne could not cook at all then again maybe he just never bothered to do anything like that for me
00:11:30that night I had the nightmare again a memory buried deep in my mind I was 17 Isabella and Logan
00:11:37went with
00:11:37me and Brian to Universal Studios Orlando halfway through the day the park was hit by a sudden
00:11:43indiscriminate attack explosions erupted from every direction Logan shielded Isabella while I grabbed
00:11:48Brian's hand and ran for the exit we were near the eastern side of the park but the flying debris
00:11:54still
00:11:54cut into everyone we were only steps away from the exit when it was blown apart right in front of
00:11:59us
00:12:00at the time I had been running ahead and never noticed what happened in that instant but in the
00:12:04dream I saw it clearly both Logan and Brian threw themselves toward Isabella without hesitation I was
00:12:10left alone collapsing into rubble and dust with no one caring whether I lived or died Logan and Brian
00:12:15were only relieved that Isabella was safe later I lay unconscious in the ICU for days my parents and
00:12:21Brian stayed by Isabella's side comforting her as she cried from the shock a voice echoed in my mind
00:12:27mocking me Emma C no one in this world loves you it came from everywhere repeating itself over and over
00:12:33surrounding me until I could not escape it in the dream my soul seemed to float above crouch down clutching
00:12:39my head as I tried to argue back that's not true that's not true then faintly someone grabbed my hand
00:12:47and
00:12:47pulled me forward a voice said Emma that's not true everyone deserves to be loved I woke with a start
00:12:53the first
00:12:53thing I saw was Finn sitting at my bedside wiping the cold sweat from my forehead his face tight with
00:12:59worry when he saw my eyes open he finally let out a breath tears slipped down my face before I
00:13:04could
00:13:04stop them Finn can you hold me he climbed onto the bed and pull me into his arms I clung
00:13:09to him like a
00:13:10child pouring out everything I had been holding inside Finn gently patted my back murmuring soft
00:13:15reassurances I did not have to worry about him snapping at me to leave him alone I did not have
00:13:19to worry
00:13:20about him brushing me off and disappearing into distractions and I definitely did not have to worry
00:13:24about him looking at me with cold indifference I want to hear a song I whispered Finn hummed softly
00:13:29you are my sunshine my only sunshine you make me happy when skies are gray with Finn taking care of
00:13:35me I started getting better little by little the sunlight was especially bright today Finn and I were in
00:13:41the backyard hanging sheets out to dry we ended up laughing and playing around on either side of the fabric
00:13:46the breeze lifting it between us then someone called my name from beyond the fence
00:13:50Emma I turned around Brian was standing there the hanger slipped from my hand and fell straight onto
00:13:56the grass Finn noticed the shift in my expression immediately and stepped in front of me without
00:14:01hesitation I tugged lightly on the hem of Finn's flannel shirt it's okay I know him go take care of
00:14:06the blue
00:14:07crabs in the kitchen I just need a minute to talk to him we walked over to a wooden bench
00:14:11by the shore
00:14:11the ocean breeze tangled my hair I forced a small awkward smile it's been a while Brian he stared at
00:14:17me his voice cold who is that fox my new fostered bee skin
00:14:30Brian and Logan were twin wolf bee skin that my cousin Isabella and I rescued from the underground
00:14:36beast trade back then the two of us stood there staring at those filthy little wolf pups and
00:14:42without even needing to say much we each decided to adopt one I took Brian Isabella took Logan 13
00:14:48years passed in the blink of an eye all that time I believe that even if Brian didn't like me
00:14:53he would
00:14:54at least feel grateful that I had saved his life that illusion shattered the day I accidentally overheard
00:14:59him talking to some other bee skin someone asked Emma's been really good to you why are you always so
00:15:07cold to
00:15:07her who asked her to be good to me you've got it good and don't even realize it good then
00:15:16I guess I should
00:15:16thank Emma properly if she hadn't taken me first me'd be the one with Isabella right now I mean makes
00:15:21sense compared to
00:15:22Isabella the head cheerleader Emma's just nothing special a dull ache spread through my chest
00:15:27every feeling I had held on to for Brian over the years quietly disappeared when I got home I sat
00:15:33on
00:15:33the living room couch until well past midnight again and again I picked up a mirror staring at the girl
00:15:39reflected in it I had always thought I looked average but now the longer I looked the worse it
00:15:44seemed with a surge of disgust I tossed the mirror aside all I could see in my mind was Isabella's
00:15:49radiant
00:15:50effortless smile I lowered my head and let the weight of my own insecurity swallow me home the sound of
00:15:55the
00:15:55front door opening broke the silence Brian walked in reeking of bourbon barely sparing me a glance
00:16:00before turning toward his bedroom I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and stood up for the
00:16:05first
00:16:05time I reached out trying to grab his tail my hand was immediately slapped away he stepped back his face
00:16:10full of irritation don't touch me it was exactly the same reaction as the first time I had tried to
00:16:16touch
00:16:16his wolf ears even after I had taken him in and cared for him with everything I had for 13
00:16:21years
00:16:21a bitter laugh slipped out of me so if you're not pretty even your sincerity isn't worth anyone
00:16:27taking seriously I didn't even notice when my tears began to fall one by one onto the hardwood floor
00:16:33by the time I looked up again I was alone in the living room my thoughts drifted as they always
00:16:38did
00:16:38back to high school and the annual fall homecoming carnival I used to bring a big box of Texas's barbecue
00:16:43and find Brian in the backyard Brian will you come to the carnival with me this year he'd lift his
00:16:49head
00:16:49out of the pool water dripping from his hair no but a lot of people bring their bee skin with
00:16:55them
00:16:55no if you want someone to go with you go adopt another one from the shelter so every year I
00:17:02went
00:17:02alone I would stand off to the side watching Logan who had the exact same face as Brian yet always
00:17:08wore
00:17:09the gentlest smile he would ruffle Isabella's hair and ask Isabella do you want that teddy bear
00:17:15she'd nod with a bright smile rising onto her toes to reach for his wolf ears and Logan would
00:17:20always bend down for her patient and indulgent I watched him like a thief quietly craving the life
00:17:26Isabella had but one time Jason a few of his buddies shoved me onto the grass his voice was dripping
00:17:31with mockery well look who it is Emma a straight day nerd where's your little bee skin didn't feel
00:17:38like coming out with you one of his friends snickered her bee skin and Isabella's are twin wolves right
00:17:43the older one ended up with the prom queen and the younger one got stuck with an ugly duckling
00:17:48I refused to back down gritting my teeth I pushed myself up and swung my fist straight at his friend's
00:17:54face he went down hard before he could even react Chase lunged at me trying to fight back but I
00:17:59slammed
00:17:59him to the ground and kept hitting him until someone finally pulled me off the end result
00:18:03was predictable all of us were called into the principal's office I thought my mom would be on
00:18:07my side instead right in front of the principal and Chase she sighed in annoyance honestly what were
00:18:12you thinking they weren't even wrong why would you hit someone over that I tugged lightly at the sleeve
00:18:16of her coat mom I said barely above a whisper she acted like she didn't hear me let's be real
00:18:21she went
00:18:22on you're not exactly pretty and now you've got this terrible temper too even the bee skin you raise
00:18:26doesn't care about you I don't know how I ended up with a daughter like you sometimes I wish Isabella
00:18:31were my child instead that night I cried my eyes out in Central Park when I finally went home my
00:18:35father greeted me with a sharp slap across the face he said I closed my eyes and fell into a
00:18:43heavy sleep
00:18:43my messed up schedule left my mind blank when I woke up again when I pushed the door open I
00:18:48realized it
00:18:48was already dusk Brian was out but his presence lingered everywhere in the apartment I grabbed a slice of
00:18:54pizza and forced myself to eat then started packing up everything that belonged to me there wasn't much
00:18:58really after I got into college at 18 I was afraid my parents would treat Brian badly so I took
00:19:03him
00:19:04with me at my poorest I could only afford a run-down studio apartment he slept on the bed and
00:19:09I took
00:19:10the couch Brian was well over six feet tall and he would bump his head every time he walked through
00:19:14the low doorway so I worked non-stop picking up every part-time job I could find until I finally
00:19:19saved
00:19:19enough for a down payment on a small two-bedroom townhouse love has a way of making you feel like
00:19:24you owe everything so I bought Brian more things than he could ever need I never once considered
00:19:29that he didn't want any of it this time I decided to give him what he actually wanted freedom after
00:19:33I
00:19:34finished packing I walked out of the home Brian and I had shared the next morning when the staff at
00:19:38the
00:19:38Bureau of Non-Human Affairs asked me for the third time if I was sure I wanted to terminate my
00:19:42bond
00:19:43with Brian I still nodded when a human dissolves a bond unilaterally financial compensation is
00:19:47required I left the townhouse to him at the office Emily handed me the bond termination certificate
00:19:53then hesitated before asking Miss Emma would you like to give this to Mr. Brian in person or should
00:19:57we mail it on your behalf I took out the letter I had rewritten over and over again the night
00:20:01before
00:20:01please mail it to him I said and include this there were only two sentences in the letter I am
00:20:07sorry
00:20:07Brian I took you away without your consent so this time I am giving your freedom back to you I
00:20:12walked out
00:20:13of City Hall got into my car and left Los Angeles behind my new life would begin in Florida somewhere
00:20:18by the ocean waiting for warmer days ahead since my new job was as a lecturer at a university in
00:20:23Miami
00:20:23I rented a small beach house with a yard the evening sea breeze carried a faint salty smell as I
00:20:28walked
00:20:28along the shore wearing a mask the orange glow of the sunset was just right soft and beautiful I took
00:20:33a photo then out of habit opened my iMessage chat with Brian scrolling up it was nothing but messages from
00:20:38me photos of little trinkets I found at vintage markets strange shaped clouds in the sky the slow
00:20:43growth of a sunflower he rarely replied most of the time all I ever got back was a short dismissive
00:20:49yeah the last message in our chat was from the day I heard the truth I had asked him where
00:20:53are you I
00:20:54can come pick you up he never replied by then he must have already received the bond termination
00:20:59certificate and still he could not even bring himself to say goodbye all that was left in my chest was
00:21:04a
00:21:04dull spreading ache after thinking it over I realized my new life should not be tied to the
00:21:08past so I changed my phone number deleted my old Instagram and created a new account I packed my
00:21:14schedule as full as possible just to earn a few nights of uninterrupted sleep some of the more
00:21:18outgoing college girls like to chat with me between classes professor Emma why do you always wear a mask
00:21:23on campus because I'm not very pretty who said that oh my god I swear I will shut them up
00:21:29there is no
00:21:29such thing as an ugly girl she sounded completely sincere and the others around her nodded in
00:21:34agreement just as indignant I would laugh it off and smoothly change the subject soon enough they
00:21:39started talking about the bee skin they had at home then they asked me professor what kind of
00:21:43bee skin do you have I did not know how to explain everything that had happened with Brian so I
00:21:47gave
00:21:48them a simple answer he died they fell silent for a long moment until the bell rang and class began
00:21:52after that during my two weekly lectures students would often bring me little things a Starbucks latte
00:21:57a blueberry muffin or a bar of Hershey's chocolate I could never finish it all that was when I started
00:22:02thinking about the little fox bee skin on campus who survived by collecting recyclables bee skin were
00:22:07usually striking in appearance and fox bee skin were among the most beautiful of all but this one had
00:22:12deep crisscrossing scars covering both sides of his face he was afraid of scaring the students so he only
00:22:17came out late at night that evening when I left the lab and went looking for him it started pouring
00:22:22out of
00:22:23nowhere a figure darted toward me a fluffy fox tail swaying behind him I called out softly hey
00:22:28little fox huh the young beast can turned around and noticed me immediately lowering his head he
00:22:33quickly covered his face with his hands I'm sorry ma'am I must have misheard please don't mind me the
00:22:39autumn rain carried a sharp chill he was soaked through water dripping steadily from his clothes I looked
00:22:44at him and said gently you don't have to hide your face I've seen you around I have hot water
00:22:48and a dryer
00:22:48in my office come upstairs and get warmed up he hesitated then slowly lowered his hands and nodded
00:22:54thank you ma'am once we got into my office under the bright lights I realized how young he was
00:22:58around 18 or 19 about the same age as my freshman while he was showering I went next door to
00:23:04the lab
00:23:04to ask about him my colleague Arthur was always eager to talk and he filled me in without hesitation
00:23:10that little fox is named Finn I heard he used to be incredibly good looking his former handler tried to
00:23:15sell him to the red light district in the underground beast trade he refused and even bit someone before
00:23:20escaping during the escape his face got slashed up when the people from the black market saw he was
00:23:24disfigured they beat him badly and threw him into the ocean lucky for him the university rowing team
00:23:30pulled him out since then he's been scraping by on campus selecting recyclables I asked where does he
00:23:35live there's a rundown shed behind the hill on campus Arthur frowned slightly Emma I heard your
00:23:40beastkin passed away you're not thinking about adopting him are you I bit down on the straw of my
00:23:44hot latte and didn't answer Arto's voice suddenly sharpened he looks like that who would want to
00:23:49adopt him his words overlapped with the voices from my past she looks so plain who would ever like her
00:23:54but why we have hearts too we want to love and be loved just the same I looked at Arthur
00:23:59and said
00:23:59quietly he isn't ugly he's just been hurt and he's kind he's sweet I've seen him share the food he
00:24:05collects with homeless people nearby I've seen him donate his spare change to the beastkin
00:24:09protection agency so please don't say things like that about him again when I stepped out of
00:24:13Arthur's office I saw Finn standing in the hallway his blonde hair and tail were still damp his eyes
00:24:18were brimming with tears feeling a little awkward I changed the subject if it's hard to do it yourself
00:24:23I can help dry it I took the towel and gently dried his hair and tail then used a hairdryer
00:24:27to finish the
00:24:28job it was my first time drying a bee skin's tail and I was clumsy I accidentally hurt him more
00:24:33than
00:24:33once and kept apologizing Finn's face turned red it's okay I'm already very grateful to you when I
00:24:39finally finished I handed him a muffin and the latte he didn't take them after a long pause as
00:24:43if gathering all his courage he spoke again ma'am I don't eat much could you adopt me my hand
00:24:50froze
00:24:50mid-air Finn continued I know I'm not good looking but I can cook wash dishes mow the lawn I
00:24:55can get
00:24:55massages and I know how to grow roses I smiled then took off my mask and met his eyes but
00:25:00I'm not good
00:25:00looking either would you still choose me Finn gently reached out and touched my cheek his movements
00:25:05careful almost reverent you're very cute he said softly I want to go with you my eyes stung I blinked
00:25:13quickly holding back the tears and took his hand as we walked out of the lab building together the
00:25:17rain had stopped and just like that I chose a family for myself I completed the paperwork and adopted Finn
00:25:23just like he promised he did everything beautifully he kept the beach house spotless filled the yard with
00:25:28blooming hydrangeas and brought me hot home-cooked lunches at the lab running those spectral analyses today
00:25:33nearly killed me Arthur said as he wandered in from next door shamelessly helping himself he took a
00:25:38big spoonful of beef stew and let out a low whistle damn Finn can cook this is incredible meanwhile the
00:25:44one at my place does nothing but curl up on the couch and watch Netflix honestly Arthur should have
00:25:49been grateful Brianne could not cook at all then again maybe he just never bothered to do anything
00:25:53like that for me that night I had the nightmare again a memory buried deep in my mind I was
00:26:0017
00:26:00Isabella and Logan went with me and Brian to Universal Studios Orlando halfway through the day the park was
00:26:06hit by a sudden indiscriminate attack explosions erupted from every direction Logan shielded Isabella
00:26:12while I grabbed Brian's hand and ran for the exit we were near the eastern side of the park but
00:26:17the flying
00:26:18debris still cut into everyone we were only steps away from the exit when it was blown apart right in
00:26:24front
00:26:24of us at the time I had been running ahead and never noticed what happened in that instant but in
00:26:29the
00:26:29dream I saw it clearly both Logan and Brian threw themselves toward Isabella without hesitation I was
00:26:34left alone collapsing into rubble and dust with no one caring whether I lived or died Logan and Brian
00:26:40were only relieved that Isabella was safe later I lay unconscious in the ICU for days my parents and
00:26:46Brian stayed by Isabella's side comforting her as she cried from the shock a voice echoed in my mind
00:26:51mocking me Emma see no one in this world loves you it came from everywhere repeating itself over and
00:26:58over surrounding me until I could not escape it in the dream my soul seemed to float above crouch down
00:27:03clutching my head as I tried to argue back that's not true that's not true then faintly someone grabbed
00:27:11my hand and pulled me forward a voice said Emma that's not true everyone deserves to be loved I woke
00:27:17with a
00:27:17start the first thing I saw was Finn sitting at my bedside wiping the cold sweat from my forehead his
00:27:23face tight with worry when he saw my eyes open he finally let out a breath tears slipped down my
00:27:28face
00:27:28before I could stop them Finn can you hold me he climbed onto the bed and pull me into his
00:27:33arms I clung
00:27:34to him like a child pouring out everything I had been holding inside Finn gently patted my back murmuring
00:27:39soft reassurances I did not have to worry about him snapping at me to leave him alone I did not
00:27:44have to worry
00:27:44about him brushing me off and disappearing into distractions and I definitely did not have to worry
00:27:49about him looking at me with cold indifference I want to hear a song I whispered Finn hummed softly
00:27:54you are my sunshine my only sunshine you make me happy when skies are gray with Finn taking care of
00:28:00me I started getting better little by little the sunlight was especially bright today Finn and I were
00:28:05in the backyard hanging sheets out to dry we ended up laughing and playing around on either side of the
00:28:11fabric the breeze lifting it between us then someone called my name from beyond the fence
00:28:15Emma I turned around Brian was standing there the hanger slipped from my hand and fell straight onto
00:28:20the grass Finn noticed the shift in my expression immediately and stepped in front of me without
00:28:25hesitation I tugged lightly on the hem of Finn's flannel shirt it's okay I know him go take care of
00:28:31the
00:28:31blue crabs in the kitchen I just need a minute to talk to him we walked over to a wooden
00:28:35bench by the
00:28:35shore the ocean breeze tangled my hair I forced a small awkward smile it's been a while Brian he
00:28:41stared at me his voice cold who's that fox my new fostered bee skin
00:28:55Brian and Logan were twin wolf bee skin that my cousin Isabella and I rescued from the underground
00:29:01beast trade back then the two of us stood there staring at those filthy little wolf pups and without
00:29:07even needing to say much we each decided to adopt one I took Brian Isabella took Logan 13 years passed
00:29:13in the blink of an eye all that time I believe that even if Brian didn't like me he would
00:29:18at least feel
00:29:19grateful that I had saved his life that illusion shattered the day I accidentally overheard him
00:29:25talking to some other bee skin someone asked Emma's been really good to you why are you always
00:29:31so cold to her who asked her to be good to me you've got it good and don't even realize
00:29:39it good then I
00:29:40guess I should thank Emma properly if she hadn't taken me first me'd be the one with Isabella right
00:29:44now I mean makes sense compared to Isabella the head cheerleader Emma's just nothing special a dull
00:29:50ache spread through my chest every feeling I had held on to for Brian over the years quietly
00:29:55disappeared when I got home I sat on the living room couch until well past midnight again and again
00:30:01I picked up a mirror staring at the girl reflected in it I had always thought I looked average but
00:30:06now
00:30:07the longer I looked the worse it seemed with a surge of disgust I tossed the mirror aside all I
00:30:13could see
00:30:13in my mind was Isabella's radiant effortless smile I lowered my head and let the weight of my own
00:30:17insecurity swallow me home the sound of the front door opening broke the silence Brian walked in
00:30:22reeking of bourbon barely sparing me a glance before turning toward his bedroom I wiped my tears with the
00:30:27back of my hand and stood up for the first time I reached out trying to grab his tail my
00:30:32hand was
00:30:32immediately slapped away he stepped back his face full of irritation don't touch me it was exactly the
00:30:38same reaction as the first time I had tried to touch his wolf ears even after I had taken him
00:30:43in
00:30:43and cared for him with everything I had for 13 years a bitter laugh slipped out of me so if
00:30:48you're
00:30:49not pretty even your sincerity isn't worth anyone taking seriously I didn't even notice when my tears
00:30:54began to fall one by one onto the hardwood floor by the time I looked up again I was alone
00:30:59in the
00:31:00living room my thoughts drifted as they always did back to high school and the annual fall homecoming
00:31:05carnival I used to bring a big box of Texas's barbecue and find Brian in the backyard Brian will you
00:31:11come to the carnival with me this year he'd lift his head out of the pool water dripping from his
00:31:16hair no but a lot of people bring their bee skin with them no if you want someone to go
00:31:22with you
00:31:22go adopt another one from the shelter so every year I went alone I would stand off to the side
00:31:29watching Logan who had the exact same face as Brian yet always wore the gentlest smile he would
00:31:35ruffle Isabella's hair and ask Isabella do you want that teddy bear she'd nod with a bright smile
00:31:41rising onto her toes to reach for his wolf ears and Logan would always bend down for her patient and
00:31:47indulgent I watched him like a thief quietly craving the life Isabella had but one time
00:31:52Jason a few of his buddies shoved me onto the grass his voice was dripping with mockery well look who
00:31:58it
00:31:58is Emma a straight-aid nerd where's your little bee skin didn't feel like coming out with you one of
00:32:04his
00:32:04friends snickered her bee skin and Isabella's are twin wolves right the older one ended up with the
00:32:09prom queen and the younger one got stuck with an ugly duckling I refused to back down gritting my
00:32:14teeth I pushed myself up and swung my fist straight at his friend's face he went down hard before he
00:32:20could even react Chase lunged at me trying to fight back but I slammed him to the ground and kept
00:32:25hitting
00:32:25him until someone finally pulled me off the end result was predictable all of us were called into
00:32:29the principal's office I thought my mom would be on my side instead right in front of the principal and
00:32:34chase she sighed in annoyance honestly what were you thinking they weren't even wrong why would you
00:32:39hit someone over that I tugged lightly at the sleeve of her coat mom I said barely above a whisper
00:32:43she
00:32:44acted like she didn't hear me let's be real she went on you're not exactly pretty and now you've got
00:32:48this terrible temper too even the bee skin you raise doesn't care about you I don't know how I ended
00:32:53up
00:32:53with a daughter like you sometimes I wish Isabella were my child instead that night I cried my eyes out
00:32:58in
00:32:58central park when I finally went home my father greeted me with a sharp slap across the face
00:33:04he said I closed my eyes and fell into a heavy sleep my messed up schedule left my mind blank
00:33:10when
00:33:10I woke up again when I pushed the door open I realized it was already dusk Brian was out but
00:33:15his
00:33:15presence lingered everywhere in the apartment I grabbed a slice of pizza and forced myself to eat
00:33:20then started packing up everything that belonged to me there wasn't much really after I got into college
00:33:24at 18 I was afraid my parents would treat Brian badly so I took him with me at my poorest
00:33:30I could
00:33:30only afford a run-down studio apartment he slept on the bed and I took the couch Brian was well
00:33:35over
00:33:36six feet tall and he would bump his head every time he walked through the low doorway so I worked
00:33:40non-stop picking up every part-time job I could find until I finally saved enough for a down payment
00:33:45on a small two-bedroom townhouse love has a way of making you feel like you owe everything so I
00:33:50bought
00:33:50Brian more things than he could ever need I never once considered that he didn't want any of it this
00:33:55time I decided to give him what he actually wanted freedom after I finished packing I walked out of the
00:34:00home Brian and I had shared the next morning when the staff at the Bureau of Non-Human Affairs asked
00:34:04me
00:34:04for the third time if I was sure I wanted to terminate my bond with Brian I still nodded when
00:34:09a human
00:34:09dissolves a bond unilaterally financial compensation is required I left the townhouse to him at the office
00:34:15Emily handed me the bond termination certificate then hesitated before asking Miss Emma would you like to
00:34:20give this to Mr. Brian in person or should we mail it on your behalf I took out the letter
00:34:24I had
00:34:24rewritten over and over again the night before please mail it to him I said and include this
00:34:28there were only two sentences in the letter I am sorry Brian I took you away without your consent
00:34:34so this time I am giving your freedom back to you I walked out of City Hall got into my
00:34:38car and left
00:34:39Los Angeles behind my new life would begin in Florida somewhere by the ocean waiting for warmer days ahead
00:34:44since my new job was as a lecturer at a university in Miami I rented a small beach house with
00:34:49a yard
00:34:50the evening sea breeze carried a faint salty smell as I walked along the shore wearing a mask the orange
00:34:54glow of the sunset was just right soft and beautiful I took a photo then out of habit opened
00:34:59my iMessage chat with Brian scrolling up it was nothing but messages from me photos of little
00:35:04trinkets I found at vintage markets strange shaped clouds in the sky the slow growth of a sunflower he
00:35:09rarely replied most of the time all I ever got back was a short dismissive yeah the last message in
00:35:15our
00:35:15chat was from the day I heard the truth I had asked him where are you I can come pick
00:35:19you up he never
00:35:20replied by then he must have already received the bond termination certificate and still he could not
00:35:25even bring himself to say goodbye all that was left in my chest was a dull spreading ache after thinking
00:35:30it over I realized my new life should not be tied to the past so I changed my phone number
00:35:34deleted my old
00:35:35Instagram and created a new account I packed my schedule as full as possible just to earn a few nights
00:35:40of
00:35:41uninterrupted sleep some of the more outgoing college girls like to chat with me between classes
00:35:45professor Emma why do you always wear a mask on campus because I'm not very pretty who said that
00:35:51oh my god I swear I will shut them up there is no such thing as an ugly girl she
00:35:55sounded completely
00:35:56sincere and the others around her nodded in agreement just as indignant I would laugh it off
00:36:01and smoothly change the subject soon enough they started talking about the bee skin they had at home
00:36:05then they asked me professor what kind of bee skin do you have I did not know how to explain
00:36:10everything that had happened with Brian so I gave them a simple answer he died they fell silent for
00:36:14a long moment until the bell rang and class began after that during my two weekly lectures students
00:36:19would often bring me little things a Starbucks latte a blueberry muffin or a bar of Hershey's
00:36:24chocolate I could never finish it all that was when I started thinking about the little fox bee skin
00:36:28on campus who survived by collecting recyclables bee skin were usually striking in appearance and
00:36:34fox bee skin were among the most beautiful of all but this one had deep crisscrossing scars covering
00:36:38both sides of his face he was afraid of scaring the students so he only came out late at night
00:36:43that evening when I left the lab and went looking for him it started pouring out of nowhere a figure
00:36:48darted toward me a fluffy fox tail swaying behind him I called out softly hey little fox huh the young
00:36:54beast can turned around and noticed me immediately lowering his head he quickly covered his face with
00:36:59his hands I'm sorry ma'am I must have misheard please don't mind me the autumn rain carried a sharp
00:37:04chill
00:37:05he was soaked through water dripping steadily from his clothes I looked at him and said gently
00:37:09you don't have to hide your face I've seen you around I have hot water and a dryer in my
00:37:13office
00:37:14come upstairs and get warmed up he hesitated then slowly lowered his hands and nodded thank you ma'am
00:37:19once we got into my office under the bright lights I realized how young he was around 18 or 19
00:37:24about the same age as my freshman while he was showering I went next door to the lab to ask
00:37:29about
00:37:29him my colleague Arthur was always eager to talk and he filled me in without hesitation that little
00:37:35fox is named Finn I heard he used to be incredibly good looking his former handler tried to sell him
00:37:40to the red light district in the underground beast trade he refused and even bit someone before escaping
00:37:45during the escape his face got slashed up when the people from the black market saw he was disfigured
00:37:50they beat him badly and threw him into the ocean lucky for him the university rowing team pulled him out
00:37:55since then he's been scraping by on campus selecting recyclables I asked where does he live there's a
00:38:00rundown shed behind the hill on campus Arthur frowned slightly Emma I heard your beast can passed away
00:38:06you're not thinking about adopting him are you I bit down on the straw of my hot latte and didn't
00:38:10answer
00:38:10Arto's voice suddenly sharpened he looks like that who would want to adopt him his words overlapped with
00:38:15the voices from my past she looks so plain who would ever like her but why we have hearts too
00:38:20we want
00:38:20to love and be loved just the same I looked at Arthur and said quietly he isn't ugly he's just
00:38:25been hurt and he's kind he's sweet I've seen him share the food he collects with homeless people
00:38:30nearby I've seen him donate his spare change to the beastkin protection agency so please don't say
00:38:36things like that about him again when I stepped out of Arthur's office I saw Finn standing in the
00:38:40hallway his blonde hair and tail were still damp his eyes were brimming with tears feeling a little
00:38:44awkward I changed the subject if it's hard to do it yourself I can help dry it I took the
00:38:49towel and
00:38:49gently dried his hair and tail then used a hair dryer to finish the job it was my first time
00:38:54drying a beastkin's tail and I was clumsy I accidentally hurt him more than once and kept
00:38:58apologizing Finn's face turned red it's okay I'm already very grateful to you when I finally finished
00:39:04I handed him a muffin and the latte he didn't take them after a long pause as if gathering all
00:39:08his
00:39:08courage he spoke again ma'am I don't eat much could you adopt me my hand froze mid-air Finn
00:39:15continued I
00:39:16know I'm not good looking but I can cook wash dishes mow the lawn I can get massages and I
00:39:21know
00:39:21how to grow roses I smiled then took off my mask and met his eyes but I'm not good looking
00:39:25either
00:39:25would you still choose me Finn gently reached out and touched my cheek his movements careful almost
00:39:31reverent you're very cute he said softly I want to go with you my eyes stung I blinked quickly holding
00:39:38back the tears and took his hand as we walked out of the lab building together the rain had stopped
00:39:43and
00:39:43just like that I chose a family for myself I completed the paperwork and adopted Finn just
00:39:48like he promised he did everything beautifully he kept the beach house spotless filled the yard with
00:39:52blooming hydrangeas and brought me hot home-cooked lunches at the lab running those spectral analyses
00:39:57today nearly killed me Arthur said as he wandered in from next door shamelessly helping himself he
00:40:02took a big spoonful of beef stew and let out a low whistle damn Finn can cook this is incredible
00:40:07meanwhile the one at my place does nothing but curl up on the couch and watch Netflix honestly
00:40:12Arthur should have been grateful Brianne could not cook at all then again maybe he just never
00:40:17bothered to do anything like that for me that night I had the nightmare again a memory buried deep in
00:40:23my mind I was 17 Isabella and Logan went with me and Brian to Universal Studios Orlando halfway through
00:40:30the day the park was hit by a sudden indiscriminate attack explosions erupted from every direction
00:40:35Logan shielded Isabella while I grabbed Brian's hand and ran for the exit we were near the eastern
00:40:40side of the park but the flying debris still cut into everyone we were only steps away from the exit
00:40:46when it was blown apart right in front of us at the time I had been running ahead and never
00:40:51notice
00:40:51what happened in that instant but in the dream I saw it clearly both Logan and Brian threw themselves
00:40:57toward Isabella without hesitation I was left alone collapsing into rubble and dust with no one caring
00:41:02whether I lived or died Logan and Brian were only relieved that Isabella was safe later I lay
00:41:07unconscious in the ICU for days my parents and Brian stayed by Isabella's side comforting her as she cried
00:41:13from the shock a voice echoed in my mind mocking me Emma see no one in this world loves you
00:41:19it came
00:41:20from everywhere repeating itself over and over surrounding me until I could not escape it in the dream
00:41:25my soul seemed to float above crouch down clutching my head as I tried to argue back that's not true
00:41:31that's not true then faintly someone grabbed my hand and pulled me forward a voice said Emma that's
00:41:38not true everyone deserves to be loved I woke with a start the first thing I saw was Finn sitting
00:41:44at my
00:41:44bedside wiping the cold sweat from my forehead his face tight with worry when he saw my eyes open
00:41:50he finally let out a breath tears slipped down my face before I could stop them Finn can you hold
00:41:55me
00:41:55he climbed onto the bed and pull me into his arms I clung to him like a child pouring out
00:42:00everything I had
00:42:01Finn gently patted my back murmuring soft reassurances I did not have to worry about him snapping at me to
00:42:07leave him alone I did not have to worry about him brushing me off and disappearing into distractions and
00:42:12I definitely did not have to worry about him looking at me with cold indifference I want to hear a
00:42:16song
00:42:16I whispered Finn hummed softly you are my sunshine my only sunshine you make me happy when skies are
00:42:23gray with Finn taking care of me I started getting better little by little the sunlight was especially bright
00:42:29today Finn and I were in the backyard hanging sheets out to dry we ended up laughing and playing around
00:42:34on either side of the fabric the breeze lifting it between us then someone called my name from beyond
00:42:39the fence Emma I turned around Brian was standing there the hanger slipped from my hand and fell
00:42:44straight onto the grass Finn noticed the shift in my expression immediately and stepped in front of me
00:42:49without hesitation I tugged lightly on the hem of Finn's flannel shirt it's okay I know him go take care
00:42:55of
00:42:55the blue crabs in the kitchen I just need a minute to talk to him we walked over to a
00:42:59wooden bench by
00:43:00the shore the ocean breeze tangled my hair I forced a small awkward smile it's been a while Brian he
00:43:05stared at me his voice cold who is that fox my new fostered bee skin
00:43:19Brian and Logan were twin wolf bee skin that my cousin Isabella and I rescued from the
00:43:25underground beast trade back then the two of us stood there staring at those filthy little wolf
00:43:30pups and without even needing to say much we each decided to adopt one I took Brian Isabella took Logan
00:43:3613 years passed in the blink of an eye all that time I believe that even if Brian didn't like
00:43:42me he
00:43:43would at least feel grateful that I had saved his life that illusion shattered the day I accidentally
00:43:48overheard him talking to some other bee skin someone asked Emma's been really good to you
00:43:55why are you always so cold to her who asked her to be good to me you've got it good
00:44:01and don't even realize
00:44:03it good then I guess I should thank Emma properly if she hadn't taken me first me'd be the one
00:44:08with Isabella
00:44:08right now I mean makes sense compared to Isabella the head cheerleader Emma's just nothing special a dull ache spread
00:44:15through my chest every feeling I had held on to for Brian over the years quietly disappeared when I got
00:44:21home I sat on the living room couch until well past midnight again and again I picked up a mirror
00:44:27staring
00:44:27at the girl reflected in it I had always thought I looked average but now the longer I looked the
00:44:32worse
00:44:32it seemed with a surge of disgust I tossed the mirror aside all I could see in my mind was
00:44:38Isabella's
00:44:38radiant effortless smile I lowered my head and let the weight of my own insecurity swallow me home
00:44:43the sound of the front door opening broke the silence Brian walked in reeking of bourbon barely
00:44:48sparing me a glance before turning toward his bedroom I wiped my tears with the back of my hand
00:44:52and stood up for the first time I reached out trying to grab his tail my hand was immediately slapped
00:44:57away he stepped back his face full of irritation don't touch me it was exactly the same reaction as
00:45:03the first time I had tried to touch his wolf ears even after I had taken him in and cared
00:45:08for him
00:45:08with everything I had for 13 years a bitter laugh slipped out of me so if you're not pretty even
00:45:14your sincerity isn't worth anyone taking seriously I didn't even notice when my tears began to fall
00:45:19one by one onto the hardwood floor by the time I looked up again I was alone in the living
00:45:24room
00:45:25my thoughts drifted as they always did back to high school and the annual fall homecoming carnival
00:45:29I used to bring a big box of Texas's barbecue and find Brian in the backyard Brian will you come
00:45:36to the
00:45:36carnival with me this year he'd lift his head out of the pool water dripping from his hair no but
00:45:42a lot
00:45:42of people bring their bee skin with them no if you want someone to go with you go adopt another
00:45:48one from
00:45:48the shelter so every year I went alone I would stand off to the side watching Logan who had the
00:45:55exact same
00:45:55face as Brian yet always wore the gentlest smile he would ruffle Isabella's hair and ask Isabella
00:46:02do you want that teddy bear she'd nod with a bright smile rising onto her toes to reach
00:46:07for his wolf ears and Logan would always bend down for her patient and indulgent I watched him like
00:46:13a thief quietly craving the life Isabella had but one time Jason a few of his buddies shoved me onto
00:46:18the
00:46:19grass his voice was dripping with mockery well look who it is Emma Australian nerd where's your little
00:46:25bee skin didn't feel like coming out with you one of his friends snickered her bee skin and Isabella's
00:46:31are twin wolves right the older one ended up with the prom queen and the younger one got stuck with
00:46:36an ugly duckling I refused to back down gritting my teeth I pushed myself up and swung my fist straight
00:46:42at his friend's face he went down hard before he could even react chase lunged at me trying to fight
00:46:47back but I slammed him to the ground and kept hitting him until someone finally pulled me off the end
00:46:52result
00:46:52was predictable all of us were called into the principal's office I thought my mom would be on
00:46:56my side instead right in front of the principal and chase she sighed in annoyance honestly what
00:47:01were you thinking they weren't even wrong why would you hit someone over that I tugged lightly at the
00:47:05sleeve of her coat mom I said barely above a whisper she acted like she didn't hear me let's be
00:47:10real
00:47:10she went on you're not exactly pretty and now you've got this terrible temper too even the bee skin you
00:47:15raise doesn't care about you I don't know how I ended up with a daughter like you sometimes I wish
00:47:19Isabella were my child instead that night I cried my eyes out in central park when I finally went home
00:47:24my father greeted me with a sharp slap across the face he said I closed my eyes and fell into
00:47:31a
00:47:31heavy sleep my messed up schedule left my mind blank when I woke up again when I pushed the door
00:47:36open
00:47:36I realized it was already dusk Brian was out but his presence lingered everywhere in the apartment
00:47:41I grabbed a slice of pizza and forced myself to eat then started packing up everything that belonged to
00:47:46me there wasn't much really after I got into college at 18 I was afraid my parents would treat
00:47:51Brian badly so I took him with me at my poorest I could only afford a run-down studio apartment
00:47:57he
00:47:57slept on the bed and I took the couch Brian was well over six feet tall and he would bump
00:48:02his head
00:48:02every time he walked through the low doorway so I worked non-stop picking up every part-time job I
00:48:07could find until I finally saved enough for a down payment on a small two-bedroom townhouse love has a
00:48:12way
00:48:12of making you feel like you owe everything so I bought Brian more things than he could ever need
00:48:16I never once considered that he didn't want any of it this time I decided to give him what he
00:48:21actually
00:48:21wanted freedom after I finished packing I walked out of the home Brian and I had shared the next
00:48:26morning when the staff at the bureau of non-human affairs asked me for the third time if I was
00:48:30sure
00:48:30I wanted to terminate my bond with Brian I still nodded when a human dissolves a bond unilaterally
00:48:35financial compensation is required I left the townhouse to him at the office Emily handed me the bond
00:48:41termination certificate then hesitated before asking Miss Emma would you like to give this to
00:48:45Mr. Brian in person or should we mail it on your behalf I took out the letter I had rewritten
00:48:49over
00:48:49and over again the night before please mail it to him I said and include this there were only two
00:48:54sentences in the letter I am sorry Brian I took you away without your consent so this time I am
00:48:59giving
00:49:00your freedom back to you I walked out of City Hall got into my car and left Los Angeles behind
00:49:04my new life
00:49:05would begin in Florida somewhere by the ocean waiting for warmer days ahead since my new job was as a
00:49:10lecturer at a university in Miami I rented a small beach house with a yard the evening sea breeze carried
00:49:15a faint salty smell as I walked along the shore wearing a mask the orange glow of the sunset was
00:49:20just right soft and beautiful I took a photo then out of habit open my iMessage chat with Brian scrolling
00:49:25up it was nothing but messages from me photos of little trinkets I found at vintage markets strange
00:49:30shaped clouds in the sky the slow growth of a sunflower he rarely replied most of the time all I
00:49:36ever got
00:49:36back was a short dismissive yeah the last message in our chat was from the day I heard the truth
00:49:41I had asked him where are you I can come pick you up he never replied by then he must
00:49:46have already
00:49:46received the bond termination certificate and still he could not even bring himself to say goodbye all
00:49:51that was left in my chest was a dull spreading ache after thinking it over I realized my new life
00:49:56should
00:49:57not be tied to the past so I changed my phone number deleted my old instagram and created a new
00:50:01account
00:50:02I packed my schedule as full as possible just to earn a few nights of uninterrupted sleep some of
00:50:07the more outgoing college girls like to chat with me between classes professor Emma why do you always
00:50:12wear a mask on campus because I'm not very pretty who said that oh my god I swear I will
00:50:17shut them up
00:50:18there is no such thing as an ugly girl she sounded completely sincere and the others around her nodded in
00:50:23agreement just as indignant I would laugh it off and smoothly change the subject soon enough they started
00:50:28talking about the bee skin they had at home then they asked me professor what kind of bee skin do
00:50:32you have I did not know how to explain everything that had happened with Brian so I gave them a
00:50:37simple answer he died they fell silent for a long moment until the bell rang and class began after
00:50:42that during my two weekly lectures students would often bring me little things a starbucks latte a
00:50:47blueberry muffin or a bar of hershey's chocolate I could never finish it all that was when I started
00:50:51thinking about the little fox bee skin on campus who survived by collecting recyclables bee skin were
00:50:56usually striking an appearance and fox bee skin were among the most beautiful of all but this
00:51:01one had deep criss-crossing scars covering both sides of his face he was afraid of scaring the
00:51:05students so he only came out late at night that evening when I left the lab and went looking for
00:51:10him it started pouring out of nowhere a figure darted toward me a fluffy foxtail swaying behind him
00:51:16I called out softly hey little fox huh the young bee skin turned around and noticed me
00:51:21immediately lowering his head he quickly covered his face with his hands I'm sorry ma'am I must have
00:51:26misheard please don't mind me the autumn rain carried a sharp chill he was soaked through
00:51:30water dripping steadily from his clothes I looked at him and said gently you don't have to hide your
00:51:35face I've seen you around I have hot water and a dryer in my office come upstairs and get warmed
00:51:40up
00:51:40he hesitated then slowly lowered his hands and nodded thank you ma'am once we got into my office under
00:51:45the
00:51:45bright lights I realized how young he was around 18 or 19 about the same age as my freshman while
00:51:51he was
00:51:51showering I went next door to the lab to ask about him my colleague Arthur was always eager to talk
00:51:57and he filled me in without hesitation that little fox is named Finn I heard he used to be incredibly
00:52:02good-looking his former handler tried to sell him to the red light district in the underground beast
00:52:06trade he refused and even bit someone before escaping during the escape his face got slashed up when the
00:52:12people from the black market saw he was disfigured they beat him badly and threw him into the ocean lucky
00:52:17for him the university rowing team pulled him out since then he's been scraping by on campus selecting
00:52:22recyclables I asked where does he live there's a rundown shed behind the hill on campus Arthur frowned
00:52:28slightly Emma I heard your beast can passed away you're not thinking about adopting him are you I bit
00:52:32down on the straw of my hot latte and didn't answer Arto's voice suddenly sharpened he looks like that
00:52:37who would want to adopt him his words overlapped with the voices from my past she looks so plain who
00:52:42would
00:52:42ever like her but why we have hearts too we want to love and be loved just the same I
00:52:47looked at Arthur
00:52:47and said quietly he isn't ugly he's just been hurt and he's kind he's sweet I've seen him share the
00:52:53food he collects with homeless people nearby I've seen him donate his spare change to the
00:52:57Beastkin Protection Agency so please don't say things like that about him again when I stepped out of
00:53:02Arthur's office I saw Finn standing in the hallway his blonde hair and tail were still damp his eyes were
00:53:07brimming with tears feeling a little awkward I changed the subject if it's hard to do it yourself I can
00:53:12help dry it I took the towel and gently dried his hair and tail then used a hair dryer to
00:53:16finish the
00:53:17job it was my first time drying a Beastkin's tail and I was clumsy I accidentally hurt him more than
00:53:22once and kept apologizing Finn's face turned red it's okay I'm already very grateful to you when I
00:53:27finally finished I handed him a muffin and the latte he didn't take them after a long pause as if
00:53:32gathering all his courage he spoke again ma'am I don't eat much could you adopt me my hand froze
00:53:39mid-air
00:53:39Finn continued I know I'm not good looking but I can cook wash dishes mow the lawn I can get
00:53:44massages and I know how to grow roses I smiled then took off my mask and met his eyes but
00:53:49I'm
00:53:49not good looking either would you still choose me Finn gently reached out and touched my cheek
00:53:53his movements careful almost reverent you're very cute he said softly I want to go with you
00:54:00my eyes stung I blinked quickly holding back the tears and took his hand as we walked out of the
00:54:05lab
00:54:05building together the rain had stopped and just like that I chose a family for myself I completed
00:54:10the paperwork and adopted Finn just like he promised he did everything beautifully he kept the beach house
00:54:15spotless filled the yard with blooming hydrangeas and brought me hot home-cooked lunches at the lab
00:54:20running those spectral analyses today nearly killed me Arthur said as he wandered in from next door
00:54:25shamelessly helping himself he took a big spoonful of beef stew and let out a low whistle damn Finn can
00:54:31cook
00:54:31this is incredible meanwhile the one at my place does nothing but curl up on the couch and watch
00:54:36Netflix honestly Arthur should have been grateful Brianne could not cook at all then again maybe he
00:54:41just never bothered to do anything like that for me that night I had the nightmare again a memory buried
00:54:47deep in my mind I was 17 Isabella and Logan went with me and Brian to Universal Studios Orlando halfway
00:54:54through the day the park was hit by a sudden indiscriminate attack explosions erupted from every
00:54:59direction Logan shielded Isabella while I grabbed Brian's hand and ran for the exit we were near the
00:55:05eastern side of the park but the flying debris still cut into everyone we were only steps away
00:55:10from the exit when it was blown apart right in front of us at the time I had been running
00:55:14ahead
00:55:15and never noticed what happened in that instant but in the dream I saw it clearly both Logan and Brian
00:55:20threw themselves toward Isabella without hesitation I was left alone collapsing into rubble and dust
00:55:25with no one caring whether I lived or died Logan and Brian were only relieved that Isabella was safe
00:55:31later I lay unconscious in the ICU for days my parents and Brian stayed by Isabella's side comforting
00:55:37her as she cried from the shock a voice echoed in my mind mocking me Emma C no one in
00:55:43this world loves
00:55:44you it came from everywhere repeating itself over and over surrounding me until I could not escape it in the
00:55:50dream my soul seemed to float above crouch down clutching my head as I tried to argue back that's not
00:55:55true
00:55:56that's not true then faintly someone grabbed my hand and pulled me forward a voice said Emma that's not true
00:56:03everyone deserves to be loved I woke with a start the first thing I saw was Finn sitting at my
00:56:09bedside wiping
00:56:10the cold sweat from my forehead his face tight with worry when he saw my eyes open he finally let
00:56:15out a breath
00:56:16tears slipped down my face before I could stop them Finn can you hold me he climbed onto the bed
00:56:21and pulled me into his arms I clung to him like a child pouring out everything I had been holding
00:56:25inside Finn gently patted my back murmuring soft reassurances I did not have to worry about him
00:56:31snapping at me to leave him alone I did not have to worry about him brushing me off and disappearing
00:56:35into distractions and I definitely did not have to worry about him looking at me with cold indifference
00:56:39I want to hear a song I whispered Finn hummed softly you are my sunshine my only sunshine you make
00:56:46me
00:56:46happy when skies are gray with Finn taking care of me I started getting better little by little
00:56:51the sunlight was especially bright today Finn and I were in the backyard hanging sheets out to dry we
00:56:57ended up laughing and playing around on either side of the fabric the breeze lifting it between us then
00:57:02someone called my name from beyond the fence Emma I turned around Brian was standing there the
00:57:07hanger slipped from my hand and fell straight onto the grass Finn noticed the shift in my expression
00:57:12immediately and stepped in front of me without hesitation I tugged lightly on the hem of Finn's
00:57:17flannel shirt it's okay I know him go take care of the blue crabs in the kitchen I just need
00:57:21a minute
00:57:22to talk to him we walked over to a wooden bench by the shore the ocean breeze tangled my hair
00:57:26I forced
00:57:27a small awkward smile it's been a while Brian he stared at me his voice cold who is that fox
00:57:33my new fostered bee skin
00:57:44Brian and Logan were twin wolf beast kin that my cousin Isabella and I rescued from the underground
00:57:50beast trade back then the two of us stood there staring at those filthy little wolf pups and without
00:57:55even needing to say much we each decided to adopt one I took Brian Isabella took Logan 13 years passed
00:58:02in
00:58:02the blink of an eye all that time I believed that even if Brian didn't like me he would at
00:58:07least feel
00:58:08grateful that I had saved his life that illusion shattered the day I accidentally overheard him
00:58:14talking to some other bee skin someone asked Emma's been really good to you why are you always so cold
00:58:21to
00:58:21her who asked her to be good to me you've got it good and don't even realize it good then
00:58:29I guess I
00:58:29should thank Emma properly if she hadn't taken me first me be the one with Isabella right now I mean
00:58:34makes sense compared to Isabella the head cheerleader Emma's just nothing special a dull ache spread
00:58:40through my chest every feeling I had held on to for Brian over the years quietly disappeared when I
00:58:46got home I sat on the living room couch until well past midnight again and again I picked up a
00:58:51mirror
00:58:51staring at the girl reflected in it I had always thought I looked average but now the longer I looked
00:58:56the worse it seemed with a surge of disgust I tossed the mirror aside all I could see in my
00:59:02mind was Isabella's radiant effortless smile I lowered my head and let the weight of my own
00:59:06insecurity swallow me home the sound of the front door opening broke the silence Brian walked in
00:59:11reeking of bourbon barely sparing me a glance before turning toward his bedroom I wiped my tears with the
00:59:16back of my hand and stood up for the first time I reached out trying to grab his tail my
00:59:21hand was
00:59:21immediately slapped away he stepped back his face full of irritation don't touch me it was exactly
00:59:27the same reaction as the first time I had tried to touch his wolf ears even after I had taken
00:59:31him
00:59:32in and cared for him with everything I had for 13 years a bitter laugh slipped out of me so
00:59:37if you're
00:59:38not pretty even your sincerity isn't worth anyone taking seriously I didn't even notice when my tears
00:59:43began to fall one by one onto the hardwood floor by the time I looked up again I was alone
00:59:48in the
00:59:49living room my thoughts drifted as they always did back to high school and the annual fall homecoming
00:59:54carnival I used to bring a big box of Texas's barbecue and find Brian in the backyard Brian will
01:00:00you come to the carnival with me this year he'd lift his head out of the pool water dripping from
01:00:05his
01:00:05hair no but a lot of people bring their bee skin with them no if you want someone to go
01:00:11with you go
01:00:12adopt another one from the shelter so every year I went alone I would stand off to the side watching
01:00:18Logan who had the exact same face as Brian yet always wore the gentlest smile he would ruffle
01:00:24Isabella's hair and ask Isabella do you want that teddy bear she'd nod with a bright smile rising onto
01:00:31her toes to reach for his wolf ears and Logan would always bend down for her patient and indulgent
01:00:36I watched him like a thief quietly craving the life Isabella had but one time Jason a few of his
01:00:42buddies shoved me onto the grass his voice was dripping with mockery well look who it is Emma
01:00:48a straight a nerd where's your little bee skin didn't feel like coming out with you one of his
01:00:53friends snickered her bee skin and Isabella's are twin wolves right the older one ended up with the
01:00:58prom queen and the younger one got stuck with an ugly duckling I refused to back down gritting my teeth
01:01:04I pushed myself up and swung my fist straight at his friend's face he went down hard before he could
01:01:09even
01:01:09react chase lunged at me trying to fight back but I slammed him to the ground and kept hitting him
01:01:14until someone finally pulled me off the end result was predictable all of us were called into the
01:01:18principal's office I thought my mom would be on my side instead right in front of the principal and
01:01:23chase she sighed in annoyance honestly what were you thinking they weren't even wrong why would you hit
01:01:28someone over that I tugged lightly at the sleeve of her coat mom I said barely above a whisper she
01:01:33acted
01:01:33like she didn't hear me let's be real she went on you're not exactly pretty and now you've got this
01:01:37terrible temper too even the bee skin you raised doesn't care about you I don't know how I ended
01:01:41up with a daughter like you sometimes I wish Isabella were my child instead that night I cried
01:01:46my eyes out in Central Park when I finally went home my father greeted me with a sharp slap across
01:01:50the face he said I closed my eyes and fell into a heavy sleep my messed up schedule left my
01:01:58mind blank
01:01:59when I woke up again when I pushed the door open I realized it was already dusk Brian was out
01:02:04but his
01:02:04presence lingered everywhere in the apartment I grabbed a slice of pizza and forced myself to eat
01:02:09then started packing up everything that belonged to me there wasn't much really after I got into
01:02:13college at 18 I was afraid my parents would treat Brian badly so I took him with me at my
01:02:18poorest I
01:02:19could only afford a rundown studio apartment he slept on the bed and I took the couch Brian was well
01:02:24over
01:02:25six feet tall and he would bump his head every time he walked through the low doorway so I worked
01:02:29non-stop picking up every part-time job I could find until I finally saved enough for a down payment
01:02:34on a small two-bedroom townhouse love has a way of making you feel like you owe everything so I
01:02:39bought
01:02:39Brian more things than he could ever need I never once considered that he didn't want any of it this
01:02:44time I decided to give him what he actually wanted freedom after I finished packing I walked out of the
01:02:48home Brian and I had shared the next morning when the staff at the bureau of non-human affairs asked
01:02:53me
01:02:53for the third time if I was sure I wanted to terminate my bond with Brian I still nodded when
01:02:57a
01:02:58human dissolves a bond unilaterally financial compensation is required I left the townhouse to
01:03:03him at the office Emily handed me the bond termination certificate then hesitated before
01:03:07asking Miss Emma would you like to give this to Mr. Brian in person or should we mail it on
01:03:11your
01:03:11behalf I took out the letter I had rewritten over and over again the night before please mail it to
01:03:16him I said and include this there were only two sentences in the letter I am sorry Brian I took
01:03:21you
01:03:21away without your consent so this time I am giving your freedom back to you I walked out of city
01:03:26hall
01:03:27got into my car and left Los Angeles behind my new life would begin in Florida somewhere by the ocean
01:03:32waiting for warmer days ahead since my new job was as a lecturer at a university in Miami I rented
01:03:37a
01:03:37small beach house with a yard the evening sea breeze carried a faint salty smell as I walked along the
01:03:42shore wearing a mask the orange glow of the sunset was just right soft and beautiful I took a photo
01:03:47then out of habit opened my iMessage chat with Brian scrolling up it was nothing but messages from me
01:03:52photos of little trinkets I found at vintage markets strange shaped clouds in the sky the slow
01:03:56growth of a sunflower he rarely replied most of the time all I ever got back was a short dismissive
01:04:02yeah the last message in our chat was from the day I heard the truth I had asked him where
01:04:07are you I
01:04:07can come pick you up he never replied by then he must have already received the bond termination
01:04:12certificate and still he could not even bring himself to say goodbye all that was left in my
01:04:16chest was a dull spreading ache after thinking it over I realized my new life should not be tied to
01:04:22the
01:04:22past so I changed my phone number deleted my old Instagram and created a new account I packed my
01:04:27schedule as full as possible just to earn a few nights of uninterrupted sleep some of the more
01:04:31outgoing college girls like to chat with me between classes professor Emma why do you always wear a mask
01:04:37on campus because I'm not very pretty who said that oh my god I swear I will shut them up
01:04:42there is no
01:04:43such thing as an ugly girl she sounded completely sincere and the others around her nodded in agreement
01:04:48just as indignant I would laugh it off and smoothly change the subject soon enough they started talking
01:04:53about the beeskin they had at home then they asked me professor what kind of beeskin do you have I
01:04:57did
01:04:57not know how to explain everything that had happened with Brian so I gave them a simple answer he died
01:05:02they fell silent for a long moment until the bell rang and class began after that during my two weekly
01:05:07lectures students would often bring me little things a starbucks latte a blueberry muffin or a bar of
01:05:13hershey's chocolate I could never finish it all that was when I started thinking about the little fox
01:05:17beeskin on campus who survived by collecting recyclables beeskin were usually striking in
01:05:22appearance and fox beeskin were among the most beautiful of all but this one had deep crisscrossing
01:05:26scars covering both sides of his face he was afraid of scaring the students so he only came out late
01:05:31at
01:05:32night that evening when I left the lab and went looking for him it started pouring out of nowhere a
01:05:37figure darted toward me a fluffy foxtail swaying behind him I called out softly hey little fox huh the young
01:05:43beastkin turned around and noticed me immediately lowering his head he quickly covered his face with
01:05:48his hands I'm sorry ma'am I must have misheard please don't mind me the autumn rain carried a sharp
01:05:53chill he was soaked through water dripping steadily from his clothes I looked at him and said gently
01:05:58you don't have to hide your face I've seen you around I have hot water and a dryer in my
01:06:02office
01:06:03come upstairs and get warmed up he hesitated then slowly lowered his hands and nodded thank you ma'am
01:06:08once we got into my office under the bright lights I realized how young he was around 18 or 19
01:06:13about
01:06:14the same age as my freshman while he was showering I went next door to the lab to ask about
01:06:18him my
01:06:19colleague Arthur was always eager to talk and he filled me in without hesitation that little fox is
01:06:24named Finn I heard he used to be incredibly good looking his former handler tried to sell him to the
01:06:29red light district in the underground beast trade he refused and even bit someone before escaping during the
01:06:34escape his face got slashed up when the people from the black market saw he was disfigured they
01:06:39beat him badly and threw him into the ocean lucky for him the university rowing team pulled him out
01:06:44since then he's been scraping by on campus selecting recyclables I asked where does he live there's a
01:06:49rundown shed behind the hill on campus Arthur frowned slightly Emma I heard your beastkin passed away
01:06:55you're not thinking about adopting him are you I bit down on the straw of my hot latte and didn't
01:06:59answer
01:06:59Arto's voice suddenly sharpened he looks like that who would want to adopt him his words
01:07:03overlapped with the voices from my past she looks so plain who would ever like her but why we have
01:07:08hearts too we want to love and be loved just the same I looked at Arthur and said quietly he
01:07:13isn't
01:07:13ugly he's just been hurt and he's kind he's sweet I've seen him share the food he collects with
01:07:19homeless people nearby I've seen him donate his spare change to the beastkin protection agency so
01:07:23please don't say things like that about him again when I stepped out of Arthur's office I saw Finn
01:07:28standing in the hallway his blonde hair and tail were still damp his eyes were brimming with tears
01:07:32feeling a little awkward I changed the subject if it's hard to do it yourself I can help dry it
01:07:37I
01:07:37took the towel and gently dried his hair and tail then used a hairdryer to finish the job it was
01:07:42my
01:07:42first time drying a beeskins tail and I was clumsy I accidentally hurt him more than once and kept
01:07:47apologizing Finn's face turned red it's okay I'm already very grateful to you when I finally finished
01:07:53I handed him a muffin and the latte he didn't take them after a long pause as if gathering all
01:07:57his
01:07:57courage he spoke again ma'am I don't eat much could you adopt me my hand froze mid-air Finn
01:08:04continued I
01:08:05know I'm not good-looking but I can cook wash dishes mow the lawn I can get massages and I
01:08:10know how to grow
01:08:10roses I smiled then took off my mask and met his eyes but I'm not good-looking either would you
01:08:15still
01:08:15choose me Finn gently reached out and touched my cheek his movements careful almost reverent you're very
01:08:21cute he said softly I want to go with you my eyes stung I blinked quickly holding back the tears
01:08:28and took his
01:08:28hand as we walked out of the lab building together the rain had stopped and just like that I chose
01:08:33a
01:08:33family for myself I completed the paperwork and adopted Finn just like he promised he did everything
01:08:38beautifully he kept the beach house spotless filled the yard with blooming hydrangeas and brought me hot
01:08:43home-cooked lunches at the lab running those spectral analyses today nearly killed me Arthur said as he wandered in
01:08:49from next door shamelessly helping himself he took a big spoonful of beef stew and let out a low whistle
01:08:54damn Finn can cook this is incredible meanwhile the one at my place does nothing but curl up on the
01:08:59couch
01:09:00and watch Netflix honestly Arthur should have been grateful Brianne could not cook at all then again
01:09:05maybe he just never bothered to do anything like that for me that night I had the nightmare again a
01:09:11memory buried deep in my mind I was 17 Isabella and Logan went with me and Brian to Universal Studios
01:09:17Orlando halfway through the day the park was hit by a sudden indiscriminate attack explosions erupted
01:09:23from every direction Logan shielded Isabella while I grabbed Brian's hand and ran for the exit we were
01:09:29near the eastern side of the park but the flying debris still cut into everyone we were only steps
01:09:34away from the exit when it was blown apart right in front of us at the time I had been
01:09:39running ahead and
01:09:40never noticed what happened in that instant but in the dream I saw it clearly both Logan and Brian threw
01:09:45themselves toward Isabella without hesitation I was left alone collapsing into rubble and dust with no
01:09:51one caring whether I lived or died Logan and Brian were only relieved that Isabella was safe later I lay
01:09:56unconscious in the ICU for days my parents and Brian stayed by Isabella's side comforting her as she cried
01:10:02from the shock a voice echoed in my mind mocking me Emma C no one in this world loves you
01:10:08it came from
01:10:09everywhere repeating itself over and over surrounding me until I could not escape it in the dream my soul
01:10:15seemed to float above crouch down clutching my head as I tried to argue back that's not true that's not
01:10:21true then faintly someone grabbed my hand and pulled me forward a voice said Emma that's not true everyone
01:10:28deserves to be loved I woke with a start the first thing I saw was Finn sitting at my bedside
01:10:34wiping the
01:10:34cold sweat for my forehead his face tight with worry when he saw my eyes open he finally let out
01:10:40a breath tears slipped down my face before I could stop them Finn can you hold me he climbed onto
01:10:45the
01:10:45bed and pull me into his arms I clung to him like a child pouring out everything I had been
01:10:50holding
01:10:50inside Finn gently patted my back murmuring soft reassurances I did not have to worry about him
01:10:55snapping at me to leave him alone I did not have to worry about him brushing me off and disappearing
01:10:59into distractions and I definitely did not have to worry about him looking at me with cold indifference I
01:11:04want to hear a song I whispered Finn hummed softly you are my sunshine my only sunshine you make me
01:11:10happy when skies are gray with Finn taking care of me I started getting better little by little
01:11:16the sunlight was especially bright today Finn and I were in the backyard hanging sheets out to dry we
01:11:21ended up laughing and playing around on either side of the fabric the breeze lifting it between us then
01:11:27someone called my name from beyond the fence Emma I turned around Brian was standing there the
01:11:31hanger slipped from my hand and fell straight onto the grass Finn noticed the shift in my expression
01:11:36immediately and stepped in front of me without hesitation I tugged lightly on the hem of Finn's
01:11:41flannel shirt it's okay I know him go take care of the blue crabs in the kitchen I just need
01:11:46a minute
01:11:46to talk to him we walked over to a wooden bench by the shore the ocean breeze tangled my hair
01:11:51I forced
01:11:51a small awkward smile it's been a while Brian he stared at me his voice cold who is that fox
01:11:57my new
01:11:58fostered be skin
01:12:08Brian and Logan were twin wolf be skin that my cousin Isabella and I rescued from the underground
01:12:14beast trade back then the two of us stood there staring at those filthy little wolf pups and without
01:12:20even needing to say much we each decided to adopt one I took Brian Isabella took Logan 13 years passed
01:12:26in
01:12:27the blink of an eye all that time I believe that even if Brian didn't like me he would at
01:12:32least feel
01:12:32grateful that I had saved his life that illusion shattered the day I accidentally overheard him
01:12:38talking to some other beast kin someone asked Emma's been really good to you why are you always so
01:12:45cold to her who asked her to be good to me you've got it good and don't even realize it
01:12:53good then I guess
01:12:54I should thank Emma properly if she hadn't taken me first me'd be the one with Isabella right now I
01:12:58mean makes sense compared to Isabella the head cheerleader Emma's just nothing special a dull ache
01:13:04spread through my chest every feeling I had held on to for Brian over the years quietly disappeared
01:13:09when I got home I sat on the living room couch until well past midnight again and again I picked
01:13:15up a
01:13:15mirror staring at the girl reflected in it I had always thought I looked average but now the longer I
01:13:21looked the worse it seemed with a surge of disgust I tossed the mirror aside all I could see in
01:13:26my
01:13:26mind was Isabella's radiant effortless smile I lowered my head and let the weight of my own
01:13:31insecurity swallow me home the sound of the front door opening broke the silence Brian walked in
01:13:36reeking of bourbon barely sparing me a glance before turning toward his bedroom I wiped my tears with the
01:13:41back of my hand and stood up for the first time I reached out trying to grab his tail my
01:13:45hand was
01:13:46immediately slapped away he stepped back his face full of irritation don't touch me it was exactly
01:13:51the same reaction as the first time I had tried to touch his wolf ears even after I had taken
01:13:56him in
01:13:56and cared for him with everything I had for 13 years a bitter laugh slipped out of me so if
01:14:02you're not
01:14:02pretty even your sincerity isn't worth anyone taking seriously I didn't even notice when my tears began to
01:14:08fall one by one onto the hardwood floor by the time I looked up again I was alone in the
01:14:13living room
01:14:14my thoughts drifted as they always did back to high school and the annual fall homecoming carnival
01:14:18I used to bring a big box of Texas's barbecue and find Brian in the backyard Brian will you come
01:14:25to
01:14:25the carnival with me this year he'd lift his head out of the pool water dripping from his hair
01:14:30no but a lot of people bring their bee skin with them no if you want someone to go with
01:14:36you go adopt
01:14:37another one from the shelter so every year I went alone I would stand off to the side watching Logan
01:14:43who had the exact same face as Brian yet always wore the gentlest smile he would ruffle Isabella's
01:14:49hair and ask Isabella do you want that teddy bear she'd nod with a bright smile rising onto her toes
01:14:56to
01:14:56reach for his wolf ears and Logan would always bend down for her patient and indulgent I watched him like
01:15:02a thief quietly craving the life Isabella had but one time Jason a few of his buddies shoved me onto
01:15:07the grass his voice was dripping with mockery well look who it is Emma a straight day nerd where's
01:15:14your little bee skin didn't feel like coming out with you one of his friends snickered her bee skin
01:15:19and Isabella's are twin wolves right the older one ended up with the prom queen and the younger one
01:15:24got stuck with an ugly duckling I refused to back down gritting my teeth I pushed myself up and swung
01:15:30my
01:15:30fists straight at his friend's face he went down hard before he could even react Chase lunged at me
01:15:35trying to fight back but I slammed him to the ground and kept hitting him until someone finally pulled me
01:15:40off the end result was predictable all of us were called into the principal's office I thought my mom
01:15:44would be on my side instead right in front of the principal and Chase she sighed in annoyance honestly
01:15:49what were you thinking they weren't even wrong why would you hit someone over that I tugged lightly at
01:15:54the sleeve of her coat mom I said barely above a whisper she acted like she didn't hear me let's
01:15:59be
01:15:59real she went on you're not exactly pretty and now you've got this terrible temper too even the
01:16:03bee skin you raised doesn't care about you I don't know how I ended up with a daughter like you
01:16:07sometimes I wish Isabella were my child instead that night I cried my eyes out in Central Park when
01:16:12I finally went home my father greeted me with a sharp slap across the face he said I closed my
01:16:19eyes and
01:16:20fell into a heavy sleep my messed up schedule left my mind blank when I woke up again when I
01:16:24pushed the
01:16:25door open I realized it was already dusk Brian was out but his presence lingered everywhere in
01:16:30the apartment I grabbed a slice of pizza and forced myself to eat then started packing up everything
01:16:34that belonged to me there wasn't much really after I got into college at 18 I was afraid my parents
01:16:39would treat Brian badly so I took him with me at my poorest I could only afford a run-down
01:16:45studio
01:16:45apartment he slept on the bed and I took the couch Brian was well over six feet tall and he
01:16:50would bump
01:16:50his head every time he walked through the low doorway so I worked non-stop picking up every
01:16:55part-time job I could find until I finally saved enough for a down payment on a small two-bedroom
01:17:00townhouse love has a way of making you feel like you owe everything so I bought Brian more things
01:17:04than he could ever need I never once considered that he didn't want any of it this time I decided
01:17:09to give him what he actually wanted freedom after I finished packing I walked out of the home Brian and
01:17:14I had shared the next morning when the staff at the bureau of non-human affairs asked me for the
01:17:18third
01:17:18time if I was sure I wanted to terminate my bond with Brian I still nodded when a human dissolves
01:17:23a bond unilaterally financial compensation is required I left the townhouse to him at the office
01:17:28Emily handed me the bond termination certificate then hesitated before asking Miss Emma would you
01:17:33like to give this to Mr. Brian in person or should we mail it on your behalf I took out
01:17:37the letter I
01:17:37had rewritten over and over again the night before please mail it to him I said and include this there
01:17:42were only two sentences in the letter I am sorry Brian I took you away without your consent so this
01:17:48time
01:17:48I am giving your freedom back to you I walked out of City Hall got into my car and left
01:17:52Los Angeles
01:17:53behind my new life would begin in Florida somewhere by the ocean waiting for warmer days ahead since my
01:17:58new job was as a lecturer at a university in Miami I rented a small beach house with a yard
01:18:03the evening
01:18:04sea breeze carried a faint salty smell as I walked along the shore wearing a mask the orange glow of
01:18:08the sunset was just right soft and beautiful I took a photo then out of habit opened my iMessage chat
01:18:13with
01:18:13Brian scrolling up it was nothing but messages from me photos of little trinkets I found at vintage
01:18:18markets strange shaped clouds in the sky the slow growth of a sunflower he rarely replied most of
01:18:24the time all I ever got back was a short dismissive yeah the last message in our chat was from
01:18:29the day
01:18:29I heard the truth I had asked him where are you I can come pick you up he never replied
01:18:34by then he
01:18:35must have already received the bond termination certificate and still he could not even bring himself to say
01:18:39goodbye all that was left in my chest was a dull spreading ache after thinking it over I realized
01:18:45my new life should not be tied to the past so I changed my phone number deleted my old instagram
01:18:49and created a new account I packed my schedule as full as possible just to earn a few nights of
01:18:54uninterrupted sleep some of the more outgoing college girls like to chat with me between classes
01:18:59professor Emma why do you always wear a mask on campus because I'm not very pretty who said that
01:19:04oh my god I swear I will shut them up there is no such thing as an ugly girl she
01:19:09sounded completely
01:19:10sincere and the others around her nodded in agreement just as indignant I would laugh it off
01:19:14and smoothly change the subject soon enough they started talking about the beeskin they had at home
01:19:19then they asked me professor what kind of beeskin do you have I did not know how to explain everything
01:19:24that had happened with Brian so I gave them a simple answer he died they fell silent for a long
01:19:28moment until the bell rang and class began after that during my two weekly lectures students would
01:19:33often bring me little things a starbucks latte a blueberry muffin or a bar of hershey's chocolate
01:19:38I could never finish it all that was when I started thinking about the little fox beeskin on campus who
01:19:43survived by collecting recyclables beeskin were usually striking in appearance and fox beeskin were among
01:19:48the most beautiful of all but this one had deep crisscrossing scars covering both sides of his face
01:19:53he was afraid of scaring the students so he only came out late at night that evening when I left
01:19:58the lab and
01:19:58went looking for him it started pouring out of nowhere a figure darted toward me a fluffy
01:20:03foxtail swaying behind him I called out softly hey little fox huh the young beastkin turned around
01:20:09and noticed me immediately lowering his head he quickly covered his face with his hands I'm sorry
01:20:14ma'am I must have misheard please don't mind me the autumn rain carried a sharp chill he was soaked
01:20:19through water dripping steadily from his clothes I looked at him and said gently you don't have to hide
01:20:23your face I've seen you around I have hot water and a dryer in my office come upstairs and get
01:20:28warmed up
01:20:29he hesitated then slowly lowered his hands and nodded thank you ma'am once we got into my office
01:20:33under the bright lights I realized how young he was around 18 or 19 about the same age as my
01:20:39freshman
01:20:39while he was showering I went next door to the lab to ask about him my colleague Arthur was always
01:20:45eager
01:20:45to talk and he filled me in without hesitation that little fox is named Finn I heard he used to
01:20:50be
01:20:50incredibly good looking his former handler tried to sell him to the red light district in the underground
01:20:55beast trade he refused and even bit someone before escaping during the escape his face got slashed up
01:21:00when the people from the black market saw he was disfigured they beat him badly and threw him into
01:21:05the ocean lucky for him the university rowing team pulled him out since then he's been scraping
01:21:10by on campus selecting recyclables I asked where does he live there's a rundown shed behind the hill on
01:21:15campus Arthur frowned slightly Emma I heard your beastkin passed away you're not thinking about
01:21:20adopting him are you I bit down on the straw of my hot latte and didn't answer Arto's voice
01:21:24suddenly sharpened he looks like that who would want to adopt him his words overlapped with the
01:21:29voices from my past she looks so plain who would ever like her but why we have hearts too we
01:21:34want
01:21:34to love and be loved just the same I looked at Arthur and said quietly he isn't ugly he's just
01:21:39been hurt
01:21:39and he's kind he's sweet I've seen him share the food he collects with homeless people nearby I've seen
01:21:45him donate his spare change to the beastkin protection agency so please don't say things like that about him
01:21:50again when I stepped out of Arthur's office I saw Finn standing in the hallway his blonde hair and tail
01:21:55were still damp his eyes were brimming with tears feeling a little awkward I changed the subject if
01:21:59it's hard to do it yourself I can help dry it I took the towel and gently dried his hair
01:22:04and tail
01:22:04then used a hair dryer to finish the job it was my first time drying a beastkin's tail and I
01:22:09was clumsy
01:22:09I accidentally hurt him more than once and kept apologizing Finn's face turned red it's okay I'm already
01:22:15very grateful to you when I finally finished I handed him a muffin and the latte he didn't take them
01:22:20after a long pause as if gathering all his courage he spoke again ma'am I don't eat much could
01:22:26you
01:22:26adopt me my hand froze mid-air Finn continued I know I'm not good looking but I can cook wash
01:22:32dishes
01:22:32mow the lawn I can get massages and I know how to grow roses I smiled then took off my
01:22:37mask and met
01:22:37his eyes but I'm not good looking either would you still choose me Finn gently reached out and touched
01:22:42my cheek his movements careful almost reverent you're very cute he said softly I want to go with
01:22:49you my eyes stung I blinked quickly holding back the tears and took his hand as we walked out of
01:22:54the
01:22:54lab building together the rain had stopped and just like that I chose a family for myself I completed
01:22:59the paperwork and adopted Finn just like he promised he did everything beautifully he kept the beach house
01:23:04spotless filled the yard with blooming hydrangeas and brought me hot home-cooked lunches at the lab
01:23:09running those spectral analyses today nearly killed me Arthur said as he wandered in from next door
01:23:14shamelessly helping himself he took a big spoonful of beef stew and let out a low whistle damn Finn can
01:23:20cook this is incredible meanwhile the one at my place does nothing but curl up on the couch and watch
01:23:24Netflix honestly Arthur should have been grateful Brianne could not cook at all then again maybe he
01:23:30just never bothered to do anything like that for me that night I had the nightmare again a memory buried
01:23:36deep in my mind I was 17 Isabella and Logan went with me and Brian to Universal Studios Orlando halfway
01:23:43through the day the park was hit by a sudden indiscriminate attack explosions erupted from
01:23:48every direction Logan shielded Isabella while I grabbed Brianne's hand and ran for the exit we
01:23:53were near the eastern side of the park but the flying debris still cut into everyone we were only steps
01:23:59away from the exit when it was blown apart right in front of us at the time I had been
01:24:03running ahead and
01:24:04never noticed what happened in that instant but in the dream I saw it clearly both Logan and Brian
01:24:09threw themselves toward Isabella without hesitation I was left alone collapsing into rubble and dust
01:24:14with no one caring whether I lived or died Logan and Brianne were only relieved that Isabella was safe
01:24:20later I lay unconscious in the ICU for days my parents and Brianne stayed by Isabella's side
01:24:25comforting her as she cried from the shock a voice echoed in my mind mocking me Emma C no one
01:24:31in this
01:24:32world loves you it came from everywhere repeating itself over and over surrounding me until I could
01:24:37not escape it in the dream my soul seemed to float above crouch down clutching my head as I tried
01:24:43to
01:24:43argue back that's not true that's not true then faintly someone grabbed my hand and pulled me forward
01:24:50a voice said Emma that's not true everyone deserves to be loved I woke with a start the first thing
01:24:56I saw
01:24:56was Finn sitting at my bedside wiping the cold sweat from my forehead his face tight with worry
01:25:02when he saw my eyes open he finally let out a breath tears slipped down my face before I could
01:25:07stop them Finn can you hold me he climbed onto the bed and pull me into his arms I clung
01:25:12to him like a
01:25:12child pouring out everything I had been holding inside Finn gently patted my back murmuring soft
01:25:17reassurances I did not have to worry about him snapping at me to leave him alone I did not have
01:25:22to worry
01:25:22about him brushing me off and disappearing into distractions and I definitely did not have to worry
01:25:26about him looking at me with cold indifference I want to hear a song I whispered Finn hummed softly
01:25:32you are my sunshine my only sunshine you make me happy when skies are great with Finn taking care
01:25:37of me I started getting better little by little the sunlight was especially bright today Finn and I
01:25:43were in the backyard hanging sheets out to dry we ended up laughing and playing around on either side of
01:25:48the fabric the breeze lifting it between us then someone called my name from beyond the fence
01:25:53I turned around Brian was standing there the hanger slipped from my hand and fell straight onto the
01:25:58grass Finn noticed the shift in my expression immediately and stepped in front of me without
01:26:03hesitation I tugged lightly on the hem of Finn's flannel shirt it's okay I know him go take care of
01:26:09the blue crabs in the kitchen I just need a minute to talk to him we walked over to a
01:26:12wooden bench by
01:26:13the shore the ocean breeze tangled my hair I forced a small awkward smile it's been a while Brian he
01:26:19stared at me his voice cold who's that Fox my new fostered bee skin