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The Alpha's Widow：I Seduced My Dead Mate's Brother to Survive
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Short filmTranscript
00:00To survive.
00:01Three days after the funeral,
00:04I seduced my late mate's brother at his coffin.
00:07I wore only thin mourning linen,
00:09my back pressed to cold oak.
00:11I needed a child,
00:13one Luna Morrigan would believe
00:15was the last bloodline of her dead eldest son.
00:18I needed to survive.
00:20In fact, I lied.
00:22I trembled because I was just reborn.
00:24In my first life,
00:26Silverstone Pack sent me to Blackstone as a peace bride.
00:29My mate Alistair died three days after our wedding.
00:32He and his father fell in battle,
00:34slain by my own people.
00:36Three months later,
00:38his mother Luna Morrigan gave me poisoned wine
00:40in this same hall.
00:42Daughter of the enemy, a cursed widow.
00:44Your death will break the alliance and spark war.
00:48My soul was trapped,
00:49forced to watch it all.
01:01I stared at Cassian.
01:03For three years,
01:04he drowned Silverstone in blood.
01:06Today,
01:08we remind the world
01:10who rules it!
01:12Today!
01:17Forcing all packs to bow to his rule,
01:20I watched him point a dagger
01:21at his own mother's throat
01:22for a grey-eyed shepherd girl.
01:24As they clashed,
01:25the family locket flew right through my ghostly heart.
01:29Then light swallowed everything.
01:43Candlelight flickered.
01:44If you're the one coming to me...
01:47His fingers sank into my jaw.
01:49Why are you shaking?
01:51I was watching the snow outside.
01:53It's cold.
01:55Fragile thing.
01:56The man above me bit out,
01:58impatient.
02:01Focus.
02:04Cassian.
02:05Then be rougher.
02:07Warm me up.
02:09His breath caught.
02:11He froze for half a heartbeat,
02:13clearly surprised that I dared.
02:17The coffin against my back was cold,
02:20but his palm against my chest was hot.
02:22Then he cupped the back of my head firmly
02:25and kissed me deeper and harder.
02:27I climbed onto his shoulders,
02:29letting my mourning gown slip down one arm.
02:31Then I felt his teeth grazed the pulse point in my throat.
02:35Our ragged breathing filled the hall.
02:39I needed a child.
02:41One Luna Morrigan would believe
02:42was the last bloodline of her dead eldest son.
02:45I needed to survive.
02:49That night after,
02:51I tempted him in every place we met.
02:53Beside Alistair's coffin.
02:56The garden.
02:59In the snow.
03:02My side chamber.
03:04By the bookshelf.
03:06I memorized his scent,
03:08learned when his guard slipped,
03:09and learned to wrap my legs tighter,
03:11driving him to take me with desperate force.
03:14Every time he fell asleep beside me,
03:16I would take out a moonbloom leaf
03:18and press it to my belly.
03:20I'd close my eyes
03:22and pray in silence.
03:24Moon goddess above,
03:26tell me the result.
03:29After a moth,
03:30I opened my eyes
03:31to see the moonbloom leaf
03:33glowing silver in the moonlight.
03:39The poisoned cup arrived
03:41as I sat beside Alistair's coffin.
03:43Luna Morrigan wore morning black
03:45and held the silver cup.
03:47Alistair has been gone three months.
03:49Now it's time you joined him.
03:52The liquid in the cup was clear.
03:54I knew the taste well.
03:55I can't.
03:57I knelt,
03:58my hand moving to my stomach.
04:00I carry his child.
04:02Impossible.
04:03Her hand froze.
04:05Alistair never marked you before his death.
04:08He marked me.
04:09I looked up,
04:10meeting her eyes directly.
04:11Our wedding night.
04:13Don't you remember?
04:15I was gambling.
04:16Gambling that a mother would choose
04:17to believe her son had left behind blood.
04:20Gambling that she would not
04:21kill her own grandchild right now.
04:23She stared at me for a long time.
04:25Summon the moon priest.
04:27Her voice icy.
04:29Verify.
04:32Priest,
04:33verify whether the child in her womb
04:35carries my son's blood.
04:37Madam Fecilia.
04:41Swear by the moon goddess
04:43and any lie shall find
04:45no shelter under her gaze.
04:47The priest held the moon-blue roof,
04:49his gaze cold and piercing.
04:52Witnessed by the moon goddess,
04:54I,
04:54Cassilia Silverstone,
04:55swear that the child in my womb
04:57is Blackstone Blood,
04:58Luna Morius' grandchild.
05:00The moon-bloom leaf
05:01in the priest's hand
05:02burst into silver light.
05:04The moon-bloom tree
05:05confirms
05:05it is true.
05:08How conveniently time
05:10this child's arrival is.
05:11I held my breath.
05:12Go.
05:13Rest.
05:16I stood up,
05:18my legs trembling.
05:19But I steadied myself,
05:21walked calmly
05:22out of the morning hall.
05:24I stepped into
05:25the sunlit corridor.
05:26For the first time,
05:27the air tasted sweet.
05:29Then darkness
05:30crashed over me.
05:31Suffocation seized
05:32my throat.
05:33Cassian pinned me
05:34against a corridor pillar,
05:35with his fingers ironed
05:36around my neck.
05:37You calculated me.
05:41Not a question,
05:43but a verdict.
05:45His eyes blazed
05:46with the same fury
05:47I'd seen in my past life.
05:50Three months.
05:52You schemed
05:54to approach me.
05:55All for this child.
05:58My back pressed
06:00against the cold pillar.
06:01Yes.
06:02I looked up at him.
06:03He faltered.
06:04Perhaps he had
06:05expected denial.
06:07Wait for death
06:09or fight to live.
06:12Which would you choose?
06:14You expect me
06:16to bow quietly
06:16to my fate.
06:17I cut him off.
06:19You know I was
06:19the Silverstones' sacrifice.
06:21You know I had
06:22nowhere to run.
06:23You know your mother,
06:24Luna Morian.
06:25Once the war
06:25between Blackstone
06:26and Silverstone
06:27fully abropes,
06:28she'll kill me
06:28to set a battle banner.
06:29You know nothing.
06:34You think I watched
06:35coldly from the side?
06:37You have no idea
06:38what merciful arrangement
06:39I made for you.
06:40I froze.
06:41Fine.
06:42He stared at me.
06:42Since you deem me
06:43an accomplice,
06:47let me show you
06:48what an accomplice
06:48is capable of.
06:49He seized my wrist,
06:52dragged me down
06:53the corridor.
06:56I fell onto the bed.
06:58His shadow fell over.
06:59He breathed
07:00against my ear.
07:01You schemed
07:01against me,
07:02then scheme this
07:03through to the end.
07:04His teeth grazing
07:05my earlobe.
07:08His teeth sank
07:09into my shoulder.
07:13My nails raked
07:14deep furrows
07:15down his back.
07:16He drove into me
07:17like a man unraveling.
07:24That night,
07:25he had no gentleness left.
07:28Yet his hands held
07:29my belly
07:29with desperate tenderness.
07:31Near dawn,
07:32he fell asleep.
07:33In sleep,
07:34he looked almost harmless.
07:35Moonlight poured
07:36through the window,
07:37gilding his lashes,
07:39softening the hard lines
07:40of his face.
07:44I rose quietly.
07:47Where are you going?
07:51Where are you going?
07:52His voice came
07:53from behind me,
07:54sharp and cold.
07:56Luna Moralek
07:57will send someone
07:57to check.
07:58I did not turn.
08:00I can't be found here.
08:03I prepared a death
08:04false drape for you.
08:06He sat up in bed.
08:07A cabin in the north.
08:08A new name.
08:10His eyes bright
08:10in the darkness.
08:11You could have lived freely.
08:12Not as my brother's widow.
08:14Not as...
08:15Not as the woman
08:16who schemed against me.
08:17I walked over.
08:19His voice was low,
08:20almost hollow.
08:21Cassian.
08:22His eyes bright
08:23in the darkness.
08:24Are you going to planning
08:25to defy your mother,
08:26Luna Moralek?
08:27To set me free?
08:29He looked at me
08:29for a long time.
08:31Come here.
08:32He pulled my hand,
08:33dragged me into his arms.
08:34I plan to hide you away.
08:36His heartbeat was fast,
08:37matching mine.
08:38Make you mine.
08:41And mine alone.
09:07The Blackstone's secret dreft.
09:10False death.
09:12New identity.
09:14You will be mine.
09:16Not my brother's widow.
09:17Not Blackstone's young mistress.
09:19Just...
09:20He lowered his head.
09:21Kissed my forehead.
09:23Mine.
09:24Mistress in the dark.
09:29Cassian.
09:31The idea detonated in my skull.
09:39This is your mercy.
09:41What?
09:42False death.
09:43New identity.
09:45Hidden away.
09:46To be your secret mistress.
09:48Cecilia.
09:52Cecilia.
09:53What difference is there
09:54from waiting to die?
09:55I grabbed my clothes,
09:56walked toward the door.
09:57The difference is,
09:58you would live.
09:59His voice chased from behind.
10:01I stopped at the door,
10:02hand on the latch.
10:03Live.
10:04As your pet.
10:06Until I die unknown.
10:07I pulled the door open
10:09and walked out.
10:12Morning light stabbed my eyes.
10:20After that day,
10:22Cassian left for battle.
10:25Luna Morrigan never spoke
10:27of the poisoned cup again.
10:38Yet by her silent command,
10:40the servants ignored
10:41all my requests
10:42for daily necessities.
10:46Cold leftovers.
10:47Thin worn winter clothes.
10:50Time passed.
10:51Day by day.
10:52I needed a new path.
10:53I began appearing
10:54at Luna Morrigan's side.
10:56Morning herbal tea.
10:59Afternoon walks.
11:00Evening dinner.
11:01I did not speak.
11:03Only kept her company.
11:05One week passed.
11:06Two weeks passed.
11:08One day,
11:09she spoke to me.
11:14You are a quiet child.
11:18Quieter than I thought.
11:21Also smarter than I thought.
11:23I was gambling.
11:24Gambling on a grieving
11:25mother's need
11:26to fill the void
11:27left by her lost son.
11:28Cecilia.
11:30You are finding
11:31a way to live?
11:32My heart raced,
11:33but I only nodded.
11:35Prove your worth to me.
11:39Her eyes hardened
11:40into icy slits.
11:44Cassian needs a mate.
11:50Help him pick
11:51a suitable one.
11:52I lowered my eyes.
11:58Yes, Luna Moria.
12:02The day Cassian returned,
12:04I waited for him
12:05at the manor gates.
12:06He led a column
12:07of blackstone wolf warriors,
12:08a long line of war spoils
12:10trailing behind him.
12:11Cassian,
12:12on horseback,
12:13his gaze swept over the crowd,
12:14locked onto mine,
12:15then drifted down
12:16to my faintly rounded belly.
12:18Then he rode past me
12:20without a word.
12:21I stepped forward
12:22to block his path.
12:25Cecilia,
12:26long time no see.
12:28I have a surprise for you.
12:29Tomorrow,
12:30the back garden.
12:33What surprise?
12:34Come and you'll know.
12:35He straightened,
12:36lips pressed thin,
12:37deigning to nod.
12:38I exhaled.
12:39He had agreed.
12:40Then he pointed
12:41to a carriage behind him.
12:42Find her some work.
12:43I picked her up on the road.
12:45She knows sheep.
12:48I turned.
12:50The carriage curtain lifted.
12:52A grey-eyed girl
12:53looked at me,
12:53timid.
12:54My blood turned to ice.
12:56Aayla,
12:57the shepherd girl
12:58from my first life.
13:01Of course,
13:02Cassius brings back
13:03such a pretty girl.
13:04She must be well arranged.
13:06Cassian's expression
13:06turned playful
13:07as he watched me.
13:08Was this,
13:09his warning not to mistreat Aayla.
13:11She must be his true love
13:12from his past life.
13:13I'll arrange it personally.
13:15How about some simple
13:16banquet service work?
13:21Cassian dropped a...
13:23Whatever.
13:24...and left.
13:27The next day,
13:28Cassian came to the back garden.
13:30He wore a deep blue formal coat,
13:33his hair tied back.
13:34He smiled,
13:36striding toward me
13:37with a bouquet of white roses.
13:38He looked at me,
13:40lips curving,
13:41his gaze making my heart skip.
13:43Then he looked past my shoulder.
13:46Then he glanced past my shoulder.
13:48Wolf maidens gathered.
13:50Silk.
13:51Gems.
13:52Laughter.
13:53All around.
13:54Twelve pairs of eyes
13:55fixed eagerly on him.
13:57His steps faltered.
13:59Then the smile froze on his face.
14:02Luna Morgan stepped out
14:03from the pavilion,
14:04satisfaction rare on her features.
14:09Well done.
14:10You've made thorough arrangements.
14:12Cassian even got all dressed up.
14:15He's brought gifts
14:16to please the ladies.
14:18Cassian's expression changed.
14:20Excuse us for a moment.
14:22He seized my hand,
14:24dragged me into the shadow
14:25of a corridor pedal,
14:26white rose petals
14:27crushed between his fingers.
14:30This is your carefully prepared surprise.
14:33Bringing me here
14:34to pick a noble mate.
14:38This was Luna Morana's tomorrow.
14:41He stared at me,
14:43eyes burning.
14:44Then he laughed dangerously.
14:46Fine.
14:47Fine.
14:48Fine.
14:49Fine.
14:53Cassian pulled me back
14:54to the garden center,
14:55stopping before
14:56the assembled guests.
14:59Mum,
15:01there is already
15:02someone in my heart.
15:03He gripped my hand tightly.
15:05I struggled,
15:06tried to shake him off,
15:08but he would not release.
15:09Do not jest.
15:12No jest.
15:13My heart pounded wildly.
15:16I feared he would speak madness.
15:18I wrenched at his fingers
15:19with all my strength.
15:21His hand finally torn from mine,
15:22his eyes on me.
15:24The one I desire
15:27is her.
15:28All gazes followed
15:29his pointing finger.
15:30To me,
15:31I froze,
15:33screaming inwardly.
15:35Crash behind me,
15:37porcelain shattered.
15:38I turned,
15:39bowls and plates
15:40scattered across the floor.
15:42Who is this girl?
15:44Cassian fell silent.
15:46Aayla only looked at him,
15:48timid.
15:49Cecilia,
15:50you tell me.
15:51Luna Morrigan's voice cut.
15:53A shepherd girl
15:54I brought back.
15:55Cassian spoke suddenly.
15:59Aayla.
16:00Luna Morrigan's expression shifted.
16:02She looked past me,
16:04the girl behind me.
16:05A lowborn woman
16:07who bewitches
16:08Blackstone's future alpha
16:10should die.
16:12I could not tell
16:14which of us she meant.
16:20Aayla is my beloved.
16:23I exhaled.
16:24My heartbeat dropped
16:25from my throat
16:26back to my chest.
16:27He had chosen her.
16:28Just as in the first life,
16:30history was repeating itself.
16:32And I was standing beside.
16:33Luna Morrigan's expression
16:35did not change.
16:36She only waved her hand.
16:38The ball is dismissed.
16:40The twelve wolf maidens
16:42exchanged glances,
16:43then lowered their heads
16:45and withdrew.
16:46Aayla remained standing,
16:47eyes on the shattered porcelain.
16:50You stay.
16:51And you.
16:53She did not look at me.
16:54She looked at Aayla.
16:55The door closed behind us.
16:59Luna Morrigan sat in the master's seat.
17:03Cassian stood.
17:05Aayla knelt.
17:05I stood by the corridor pillar.
17:08Kill her.
17:10Tonight.
17:11Who?
17:11The shepherd girl.
17:14Impossible.
17:17Cassian, you are the future alpha.
17:19Your mate must be the Pax Luna,
17:21not some roadside shepherd girl.
17:23My mate.
17:24I choose myself.
17:26You choose?
17:29Do you choose a mate
17:31or do you choose rebellion?
17:33Cassian's shoulders tensed.
17:35I knew this stance.
17:37In my first life,
17:38before he pressed the dagger
17:39to her throat,
17:40he had stood just so.
17:45You're obsessed with control.
17:47When will it end?
17:48When you become alpha.
17:50I am alpha now.
17:51You are merely the heir.
17:53Since your father died,
17:55since your brother died,
17:56until I allow it,
17:57you are nothing but Cassian,
17:59my son.
18:00The heir falls.
18:01Aayla's knees trembled.
18:02I looked at her,
18:04remembering myself kneeling
18:05in the morning hall.
18:06We were both chips,
18:07both tools.
18:09I choose the one I desire
18:11as my mate.
18:11She cannot become Luna.
18:14I do not need Luna!
18:16Every alpha needs a Luna.
18:18Otherwise,
18:18the pack splits,
18:20bleeds,
18:20falls to-
18:21Falls to what?
18:22He cut through her words.
18:23Like father?
18:24Like brother?
18:25Dying under silverstone blades?
18:27Her expression finally changed.
18:29You hate me
18:30because you believe
18:31I drove them to their deaths.
18:33Did you not?
18:34They chose the battlefield themselves,
18:36not I.
18:37Cassian looked at her
18:38for a long time.
18:40Then he glanced at me.
18:42He turned,
18:44took Aayla's hand.
18:44She will not die
18:46unless you kill me first.
18:48Cassian passed by me
18:50without another look.
18:51You saw?
18:53This is the future alpha.
18:55Weak,
18:56bewitched,
18:57taken by-
18:58By what?
18:59She paused.
19:00She only waved her hand,
19:02dismissing me.
19:03As I turned,
19:04I heard her whisper,
19:05By love.
19:09After that night,
19:10Cassian brought Aayla
19:11into his quarters.
19:12I heard he gave her
19:13the finest chamber,
19:14silk gowns,
19:15and ate with him.
19:17Luna Morrigan said nothing.
19:18She was waiting.
19:20As was I.
19:22My belly grew rounder.
19:24The moonbloom leaf
19:25glowed in my palm.
19:27The priest pronounced
19:28the child healthy,
19:29the bloodline pure.
19:31But she only nodded,
19:33her eyes on the window
19:34toward Cassian's quarters.
19:37Cecilia,
19:38how long do you think
19:39Aayla will live?
19:40My hand stilled.
19:41Once,
19:42Alistair hated me.
19:43Because I forced him
19:44to marry a stranger,
19:46you.
19:47But I was right.
19:49At least this preserved
19:50his bloodline.
19:51Don't you agree?
19:53Now Cassian hates me.
19:55History repeats.
19:58What should I do?
19:59I looked at her.
20:01What do you wish me to do?
20:02She smiled.
20:04The same smile
20:05when she handed me
20:05the poisoned wine before.
20:07She produced
20:08the same silver cup.
20:09I was not surprised.
20:12I was not surprised.
20:12Aayla must die
20:13or you join her
20:14after you deliver the child.
20:20I cannot kill
20:21an innocent.
20:22Then you are useless.
20:25Useless people
20:26should not consume
20:27Blackstone's resources.
20:28After she left,
20:30the poisoned cup
20:31remained on the table.
20:32My days returned
20:33to what they had been.
20:34Cold meals,
20:35thin clothes,
20:37the servants' contempt.
20:38This time,
20:39I knew it was
20:40Luna Morrigan's order.
20:41She was forcing me
20:42to move against Aayla.
20:43I could not.
20:45Harming the innocent
20:46was not my way.
20:47Let alone,
20:48Aayla was Cassian's
20:49chosen beloved.
20:50If harm came to Aayla,
20:52in the future
20:53he would make me
20:54pay in blood.
20:54Yet I could not
20:55defy Luna Morrigan.
20:56If I did not
20:57act against Aayla,
20:58she would make
20:59my life unbearable.
21:00What could I do?
21:02Trapped between
21:02the two of them,
21:03I have no path
21:04to survival.
21:05Then,
21:06the thought struck.
21:07Leave this place.
21:08No longer be
21:09the enemy's daughter,
21:10nor the widow
21:11who brought curse
21:12upon the family heir.
21:13But how to escape
21:14the heavily guarded
21:15Blackstone Manor,
21:16I needed the
21:17death false draft.
21:19Cassian had spoken of it.
21:20I infiltrated
21:21Cassian's quarters.
21:26A few maids passed.
21:28I hid behind
21:29a corridor pillar.
21:31Aayla is so fortunate.
21:32Prince Cassian
21:33visits her every night.
21:34I watched Cassian
21:36enter Aayla's chamber.
21:37The lamp burned
21:38for a long while.
21:39Good.
21:40Their world of two.
21:42Time for me.
21:43Study.
21:44Hidden compartment.
21:46Secret chamber.
21:47I searched every place.
21:49At last I found
21:50a plain white porcelain bottle
21:51by his bed.
21:53My hands trembled
21:54as I opened it.
21:55The smell was sharp,
21:56but I could not tell
21:57if it was what I need.
21:59I took out
22:00the moonbloom leaf.
22:01Pressed it to the bottle,
22:02closed my eyes.
22:04Moonbloom tree above.
22:05Reveal the truth.
22:06The leaf glowed images.
22:08Flooded in.
22:09Not the draft ingredients.
22:11Cassian.
22:12Standing bathed
22:13in the moonlight.
22:14Leaf in hand.
22:15Eyes closed.
22:16Murmuring.
22:17The vision shifted.
22:19He looked at me.
22:20In the morning hall.
22:21In the study.
22:22In the garden.
22:23His heart racing.
22:24His temperature rising.
22:26His wolf spirit restless.
22:28Not Aayla.
22:29Me.
22:33Every time he entered Aayla's chamber,
22:36he stood at the window,
22:37looking toward my direction.
22:39Every time he said,
22:41my beloved,
22:42his fingers clenched,
22:44as if enduring pain.
22:45The moonbloom leaf does not lie.
22:48You saw.
22:49My eyes flew open.
22:52You came to steal the death false drought?
22:54I stepped back,
22:55my spine hitting the wall.
22:59Unsurton if it was real?
23:01Luna ordered me to kill Aayla or die with her.
23:03He entered.
23:04Closed the door.
23:07Then die.
23:08False death.
23:09I will help you.
23:11Why?
23:12Why help me?
23:13He approached,
23:14hand covering mine on the leaf.
23:16Because I love you.
23:17The moonbloom tree bears witness.
23:19The moonbloom leaf burst into light.
23:21He drew closer,
23:23hands on my shoulders.
23:24The death false drought.
23:25The northern cabin.
23:26New identity.
23:27Freedom.
23:27You still want me as your secret mistress?
23:29Never.
23:29It's only temporary.
23:30Until I'm free of my mother's coercion.
23:32Until she is no longer a threat to you.
23:34One hand tangled in my hair.
23:36The other took the porcelain bottle from my grasp.
23:39The real draft is in a safer place.
23:41In three days,
23:42it is mother's birthday banquet.
23:43I'll slip it to you amid the chaos.
23:47Why help me?
23:48He paused.
23:49Did not turn.
23:50Because you are mine.
23:55The morning of the banquet,
23:56Luna summoned me at the tower.
23:58Cecilia.
24:00You have been restless these days.
24:02I said nothing.
24:04My heart tightened.
24:05Cassian and you.
24:06Did you think I did not know?
24:08My blood turned to ice.
24:10Isla is merely a shield.
24:11He thinks he has won.
24:13But he is only my son.
24:15Luna Morrigan,
24:16I do not understand what misunderstand-
24:17What misunderstanding that my second son fell for his elder brother's widow and got her with child?
24:22I collapsed.
24:23But I clung to hope.
24:25The child of my list is your grandchild.
24:28Enemy blood.
24:29Bastard born of adultery.
24:32Unfit to taint the family line.
24:34She waved her hand.
24:35Deal with her.
24:38The banquet is in full wish tonight.
24:40Let us stoke the flames further.
24:42Fire spread beyond the tower window.
24:44I fell to the tower floor, watching her turn to leave.
24:47I shielded my belly.
24:49My child was only three months.
24:50The door burst open.
24:52Cassian stood in the doorway, blood stricken his face.
24:55Not his.
24:56Behind him lay two fallen warriors.
24:58We seized and dragged me through burning corridors.
25:01Heat licked in our backs.
25:02Wooden beams crashed through my head.
25:06The death falls Drost.
25:08Drink it now.
25:10I'll carry you out and bury you on the edge of the manor.
25:12Wait three days.
25:13I'll come dig you up.
25:15He pressed a porcelain bottle into my hand.
25:17My hand shook around the bottle.
25:19Why should I trust you?
25:20You may not too.
25:21But you have no choice.
25:25Luna knows everything.
25:26She knows Isla is a fraud.
25:28Knows the child is mine.
25:29Knows...
25:30Knows he paused.
25:32Knows I love you.
25:34The bottle burned in my palm.
25:37Drink.
25:37Or die.
25:39Fire swallowed the tower.
25:41Cassian's palm burned hot.
25:42The bottle in my hand felt cold.
25:44I pulled the stopper.
25:45The smell was sharp.
25:46I tilted my head back and drank it all.
25:49The liquid scorched my throat.
25:50Bitterness flooded my mouth.
25:52Then numbness spread from my tongue to my limbs.
25:54My vision blurred.
25:55His face swam amid the firelight.
25:57Lie down.
25:58He pressed me onto the burning cliff.
25:59Hold your breath.
26:00Three days.
26:01I will come for you.
26:02He bent to press one last kiss to my forehead.
26:05You are mine.
26:05Darkness swallowed my consciousness.
26:07I heard beams crash.
26:09His footsteps fade.
26:10And Luna Morgan's cold laughter beyond the fire.
26:16Darkness.
26:17Suffocation.
26:18The weight of earth pressed my chest.
26:19I opened my eyes and my mouth to scream.
26:22But I couldn't.
26:24I clawed upward into my fingertips touching cold air.
26:29A hand seized me.
26:30A sword pulled me out behind him.
26:32Moonlight blinded.
26:33Cassian melted the grave's edge.
26:35Mud caked.
26:36Eyes bloodshot.
26:37Behind him stretched the northern border waistline.
26:39I looked down at my belly.
26:41The swell remained.
26:42Trembling.
26:43I touched it and felt a faint flutter.
26:45The child lived.
26:46Cassian.
26:47Don't speak.
26:49He lifted me onto the horse's back.
26:51Luna believes you dead.
26:52Wrapped me in his cloak.
26:53Now you are a dead woman.
26:55The horse galloped north.
26:56I looked back.
27:00Blackstone Manor left behind us.
27:03The northern cabin.
27:05A new identity.
27:07Freedom.
27:09I leaned against his back and smelled blood.
27:11To get me out.
27:12Why are you wounded?
27:13I wounded.
27:13How many had he killed?
27:15It did matter.
27:15But I was too tired.
27:17It doesn't matter.
27:19The horse stopped before dawn.
27:21A wooden cabin.
27:22Embers dying in the hearth.
27:24He placed me on the bed.
27:25Turned to tend his wounds.
27:28Cassian.
27:29Is this prison?
27:31Or freedom?
27:32Both.
27:33Then laughed.
27:34The door locked.
27:36The cabin was more comfortable than expected.
27:39Hearth.
27:39Blankets.
27:40And stored food.
27:42Beyond the window lay a frozen wasteland.
27:44Wolf howls.
27:45Echoing through the night.
27:47Cassian came every three days.
27:49Brought medicine.
27:50Food.
27:51And books.
27:52He never touched me.
27:53Only sat by the hearth.
27:55Watching my belly grow rounder by the day.
27:58A name for the child.
27:59Not yet chosen.
28:03If a boy.
28:04Perhaps.
28:06Not yours.
28:07His eyes darkened.
28:08Like the moon hidden by clouds.
28:11I know.
28:12He rose.
28:13Walked to the door.
28:14Luna is purging dissenters.
28:16I must return.
28:18How long?
28:19Until she no longer suspects.
28:21Or until her suspicion costs nothing.
28:24He left.
28:26I counted days.
28:28Seven.
28:29Fourteen.
28:30Twenty-one.
28:32The food dwindled.
28:33The medicine ran out.
28:36One snowy night.
28:37Pain flared in my belly.
28:39The lock clicked open from outside.
28:42It was not Cassian who entered.
28:44A border wanderer.
28:46Drawn by the cabin's smoke.
28:48He saw me.
28:49Then my belly.
28:50His eyes were greed.
28:52Silver wolf blood glowed in the dark.
28:55My pupils turning silver.
28:58Big fortune.
29:00He raised his hunting knife.
29:02For my baby.
29:03I seized the fire tongs.
29:05The struggle was weak.
29:07He fell.
29:08Blood soaked the floor red.
29:10I dragged his corpse outside.
29:12Then returned to find the pain worsening.
29:14I pressed moonbloom leaf to my belly.
29:17Closed my eyes.
29:18Prayed.
29:19The leaf glowed.
29:21The pain eased.
29:22By dawn.
29:23I made a decision.
29:25I packed my belongings.
29:27Took all the medicine.
29:28And walked north.
29:29Three days later.
29:31I reached a border town.
29:32A mixed land.
29:33Where wolves traded with other races.
29:36I hung out my sign.
29:37Healer.
29:38I had studied medicine.
29:40And my skills are peerless.
29:43But no one came for treatment.
29:45Until a blood soaked wolf warrior.
29:48Collapsed at my door.
29:52He collapsed at the clinic door.
29:54I dragged him inside and cut open his armor.
29:57Wounds covered his body.
29:58The deadliest lay at the back of his skull.
30:01Blunt force trauma.
30:03A depressed fracture.
30:05I spent the night in surgery.
30:07He woke up three days later.
30:09Blue eyes empty.
30:13Who are you?
30:15Healer.
30:16Who am I?
30:18I froze amnesia.
30:20Retrograde memory loss from skull damage.
30:22I do not know.
30:24Only that you collapsed at my door.
30:27He looked down at his hands.
30:29Large, rough, warrior's hands.
30:32He tried to make a fist.
30:34I am a warrior.
30:36It would seem so.
30:37He was silent for a long time.
30:39Then looked at me.
30:41Eyes suddenly soft.
30:42You saved me.
30:44Yes.
30:45Why?
30:46Because you collapsed at my door.
30:48He laughed.
30:50That pure, simple laugh made me freeze.
30:54I will repay you with my life.
30:57He reached out, gently touched my rounded belly.
31:00He stayed, not as patient as guard.
31:03He said he would repay, so he never left my side.
31:07I treated patience.
31:09He stood at the door like a statue.
31:11Someone tried to cheat on payment.
31:13One look from him.
31:15And they paid obediently.
31:17Nights, I studied herbs.
31:20He sat by the hearth, polishing an old sword.
31:23A name for the child?
31:24He asked suddenly.
31:26No.
31:28Why?
31:30Not yet chosen.
31:35He set down the sword and came to my side.
31:38He knelt, his eyes level with mine.
31:40The gesture made my heart skip.
31:42Cassian never knelt.
31:44He always looked down.
31:45May I suggest one?
31:46He asked.
31:48For temporary use.
31:52Go ahead.
31:53He placed his hand gently on my belly.
31:55The child moved.
31:56Kicked his palm.
31:57He laughed.
31:59Star.
31:59Little star for temporary use.
32:02I turned away, afraid he would see my tears.
32:06Leah.
32:06You may call me by this new name from now on.
32:09He smiled and thought for a while.
32:11Liam.
32:12After yours.
32:15Blackstone Manor.
32:17Cassian stood in a pool of blood.
32:19Luna Morrigan was locked in the tower.
32:21Descenting elders were hanged at the gates.
32:23He had spent three months purging all opposition in blood.
32:26He entered the study.
32:27A map hung on the wall.
32:29The border town circled in red.
32:31Found her?
32:31He asked the shadow.
32:34No, Alpha.
32:34The north is too vast.
32:36She may have...
32:37Continue searching.
32:39He sat.
32:40Fingers tapping the desk.
32:42My brother's death.
32:43What did the investigation find?
32:45He said suddenly.
32:47The shadow was silent.
32:48Speak.
32:49The battlefield that year.
32:51Traces of a third party.
32:53Not Silverstone.
32:55Not Blackstone.
32:56Someone did not want the heir to come back.
32:59Cassian's fingers stopped.
33:00Continue the investigation.
33:02After the door closed,
33:04he took out a plain white porcelain bottle.
33:06Inside lay a moon-bloom leaf
33:08carved with a name.
33:09Cecilia.
33:11You are mine.
33:12He said to the empty room.
33:14Dead or not.
33:16The border town's winter passed.
33:18Liam learned to identify herbs.
33:19To brew medicines.
33:20To gently massage my shoulders
33:22when I grew tired.
33:23You had nightmares again last night.
33:25Calling a name.
33:28What name?
33:30Cassian.
33:32Somewhat familiar to me.
33:34My hand stilled.
33:35Was he your husband?
33:36Was he your husband?
33:37He asked concernly.
33:38No.
33:40Did he hurt you?
33:41I looked at him.
33:42This man had lost his memory.
33:44Yet he showed such fatherly tenderness toward my baby.
33:46If I told him the whole truth,
33:48would he leave?
33:49Would he lock me away like Cassian?
33:51He is the past.
33:53Unimportant.
33:54Liam looked at me long.
33:56Then reached out,
33:57gently wiped my tear.
33:58I will protect you and little star.
34:00No matter what the past holds,
34:02your future is with me.
34:04He kissed my forehead.
34:05Like a family.
34:07I closed my eyes.
34:08Outside,
34:09a black horse halted at the corner.
34:11Its rider cloaked in blackstone-pack hues.
34:14I smelled it.
34:15Black cedar.
34:16Blood.
34:17And Cassian.
34:18I pushed Liam away.
34:19Seized the moon bloom leaf.
34:21Glowed in my palm.
34:22Warning.
34:22We must leave.
34:24I told Liam.
34:25Out the back door.
34:26Why?
34:28Just go.
34:32The door burst open.
34:33Cassian stood in the doorway.
34:35Thinner than three months passed.
34:36Colder.
34:37He looked at me.
34:38At my belly.
34:38Then at Liam.
34:39You found a new guard.
34:41A replacement, eh?
34:42He is not.
34:43Liam stepped before me without hesitation.
34:46Cassian's gaze shifted.
34:47From ice to scrutiny.
34:48He stared at Liam's face.
34:50An aged, battle-worn mirror.
34:52My brother.
34:52Liam frowned.
34:53What are you calling me?
34:54Cassian stepped forward.
34:56Alistair.
34:57Alistair Blackstone!
34:58Liam shook his head.
35:00You are familiar, but I do not remember.
35:02Impossible!
35:03I saw you die!
35:05Speak.
35:06Who are you?
35:07Why wear his face?
35:09Cassian!
35:09He has lost his memory!
35:11He remembers nothing!
35:13Cassian looked at me.
35:14Too much in his gaze anger.
35:15Pain and fear.
35:18You defend him!
35:21He flung Liam to the ground.
35:23Then came toward me.
35:24Very well.
35:26An amnesiac.
35:27Taking my woman.
35:28Keeping my child.
35:30Your child.
35:31Liam spoke suddenly.
35:32What child?
35:33He turned to look at me.
35:35My wife.
35:36Naturally my child.
35:37How could you speak so to your brother's wife, Cassian?
35:40You are...
35:41Yes.
35:41I remember now.
35:43I am Alistair Blackstone.
35:44Your husband.
35:45You may not recall our wedding night.
35:47Cassian's face changed into pale.
35:49Alistair turned to Cassian.
35:50The battlefield last year.
35:52Third party signs.
35:54Delayed reinforcements.
35:56Cassian, was it you?
36:01Silence.
36:03Long silence.
36:07You deliberately delayed the rescue because I was the heir, because...
36:11Because I hated you from birth.
36:14You had everything.
36:15I had nothing.
36:16Even her.
36:17Alistair looked at me, at the swollen belly.
36:19How long was I absent?
36:23Seven months.
36:24Not to me.
36:25To my belly.
36:26His hand trembled as he touched.
36:28Cassian laughed.
36:29Touching.
36:31But she is mine.
36:32The child is mine.
36:34She is my wife.
36:37So is the child.
36:38The brothers faced each other.
36:40They're two wolves in confrontation.
36:42I refuse.
36:43But the whole room shook.
36:44His wolf spirit awakening.
36:46Blackstone pack's alpha power.
36:48You have no right, brother.
36:50You were absent seven years.
36:53The pack is mine.
36:54The army is mine.
36:56She...
36:56I'm not anyone's.
36:58I spoke.
36:59They both looked at me.
37:00I stood.
37:02Belly heavy.
37:03But spine straight.
37:04The moon-bloom leaf blowed in my palm.
37:07You fight for the pack.
37:08For power.
37:09For me.
37:10But no one ever asked what I want.
37:12I stepped forward.
37:13Silver wolf blood boiled long, suppressed in my veins.
37:19Cecilia.
37:21Do not touch me.
37:25Silver light burst within me.
37:27My pupils turned pure silver.
37:29Hair moving without wind.
37:31The moon-bloom tree pattern emerging by my belly.
37:34This is the power of the Silverstone pure blood.
37:38You thought me as a sacrifice, a pawn, an accessory.
37:42But I am Silver Wolf.
37:43I can heal, can sense, can make warriors of two packs lay down their blades on the battlefield,
37:49or drive them to slaughter each other.
37:52I raised my hand, light gathered.
37:55Alistair.
37:56You were absent seven months, but your duty remains.
38:00Return and be alpha, but not for me, for the pack.
38:04Cassian, your love is far too heavy.
38:06Heavy enough to break me.
38:08I want no cage, not even a gilded one.
38:11The light peaked, and receding.
38:14I returned to normal, but something had changed forever.
38:19I choose neither.
38:21I choose myself.
38:23And the child.
38:24The infant child.
38:26The infant customs.
38:28The infant given.
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