A powerful full drama movie filled with love, secrets, and unexpected twists.
Follow a powerful story where relationships are tested, hidden truths are revealed, and lives change forever. From romantic moments to shocking surprises, this drama keeps you engaged from beginning to end.
Featuring stories about CEO, billionaire lifestyles, family connections, and life-changing decisions, this movie delivers strong emotions and unforgettable scenes.
Watch the full movie and discover what happens in the end.
New full drama movies uploaded regularly. Stay tuned for more captivating and trending stories.
#drama #fullmovie #lovestory #dramatic #billionaire #ceo #family #relationships #movie #story
Follow a powerful story where relationships are tested, hidden truths are revealed, and lives change forever. From romantic moments to shocking surprises, this drama keeps you engaged from beginning to end.
Featuring stories about CEO, billionaire lifestyles, family connections, and life-changing decisions, this movie delivers strong emotions and unforgettable scenes.
Watch the full movie and discover what happens in the end.
New full drama movies uploaded regularly. Stay tuned for more captivating and trending stories.
#drama #fullmovie #lovestory #dramatic #billionaire #ceo #family #relationships #movie #story
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AmusantTranscription
00:02I was born with heavy breasts and lush curves.
00:05My half-sister Chloe was afraid her mate Brad would go feral over me.
00:09So she sold me to an impotent alpha.
00:12She patted my shoulder.
00:17Who knows, maybe he's good at other things.
00:20Three months later, I was begging for mercy every night.
00:24Funny. He seemed good at everything.
00:28Case Valerius.
00:29The Blackwood Pax Alpha, the Lycan King's most trusted war commander.
00:33He was carried back from the battlefield, soaked in blood.
00:36Someone suggested,
00:37A mate bond shares life force.
00:39If Alpha Case was bound to a living, healthy mate,
00:42her strength could flow into him and pull him back.
00:45Chloe rushed to play matchmaker and presented me to Martha before I could object.
00:48I had no way to refuse.
00:50If I wouldn't agree, she'd transfer me to serve 60-year-old Elder Kevin.
00:54I knew she resented my history with her mate.
00:56I dropped to my knees and swore to the moon goddess.
01:00I swear, Chloe, I had no feelings for Brad.
01:04Chloe jabbed a finger at my forehead, fury in her eyes.
01:06What good is a vow?
01:08Do you have any idea how distracting you are?
01:10I hunched my shoulders.
01:12Tears slid down on my cheeks.
01:14Just look at that ample body and those charming curves,
01:17parading your body in front of every male in the clan.
01:20Who among them would not lose their minds at the smell of you?
01:24I wanted to tell her.
01:25To bind my chest, I'd wrapped myself layer after layer in the sweltering heat
01:29until I broke out in a rash.
01:31Her expression softened.
01:32She wiped my tears.
01:34It's not that I don't trust you.
01:36It's that I don't trust males.
01:38Do you know how powerful Alpha Case is?
01:41If my mother and Martha weren't old friends,
01:43you wouldn't even have this opportunity.
01:45Chloe, I don't want to be anyone's offering.
01:48I'd rather scrub kitchen floors.
01:51Just don't make me...
01:54Two sharp slaps landed across my face.
01:57My cheek burned.
01:58Leah, are you out of your mind?
02:00If I hadn't vouched for you,
02:02Martha wouldn't have given you a second glance.
02:04You wouldn't even be worthy of being Case's mate.
02:07The maid burst in breathless.
02:09Miss Chloe, word from the Valerius estate.
02:12Alpha Case has woken up.
02:15Chloe dragged me straight to Valerius estate, enormous.
02:18I followed her through the main hall
02:20to a set of heavy double doors pulled half shut.
02:22Through the gap, I could make out a man's shape in the bed.
02:25Thin, motionless,
02:26chest rattling with shallow coughs every few minutes.
02:29Martha stood on our side, eyes red.
02:31Thank you for everything you've done for Case.
02:33I won't destroy a girl's future over it.
02:35Chloe's eyes moved.
02:36Quick and calculating.
02:38Valerius, the bond should still be completed.
02:40Leah arrived the same day Case woke up.
02:43That's the moon goddess guiding us.
02:45Seal the bond properly.
02:46Her life force will keep pulling him back toward health.
02:49Before she could speak,
02:50the healer Ella stepped out, expression tight.
02:53Alpha Case has regained consciousness,
02:55but an arrow struck his inner thigh during battle.
03:00I'm afraid he will no longer be able to-
03:02Unable to do what?
03:03He will no longer be able to get hard.
03:06Martha's knees gave out.
03:07I caught her before she hit the floor.
03:09She looked up at me with hollowed eyes.
03:11Leah,
03:13knowing this,
03:14are you still willing?
03:15Yes,
03:16she's been looking forward to it.
03:17Chloe was already answering for me.
03:19Of course she is.
03:20She's just an Omega with no prospects.
03:23She should be grateful.
03:24I didn't speak right away.
03:26My mind went to my past.
03:28There was a young wolf in the poor quarter behind our estate.
03:31I first saw him through the fence gaps.
03:33Thin wrists,
03:34hollow cheeks,
03:35hunched over a cracked bowl with nothing in it.
03:38I started passing food through the gaps.
03:40Bread first,
03:41then soup,
03:42then whatever I had.
03:43Day after day,
03:44I watched him change.
03:46The hollows in his cheeks filled out.
03:48His shoulders broadened.
03:50He started training before dawn,
03:51running laps around the back wall
03:53while I was still half asleep.
03:55He was going to enter the warrior trials.
03:57I knew it before he told me.
03:58When he passed,
03:59I went to find him that same night.
04:01I was happy.
04:02I remember it clearly.
04:03I was genuinely happy.
04:04I knocked on the gate.
04:05He didn't open it.
04:06His voice came,
04:07Leah,
04:08I'm betrothed now.
04:09It wouldn't be proper.
04:10Then a soft thud in the dirt at my feet.
04:11A pouch of silver.
04:12Consider my debt repaid.
04:14I stood there for a moment.
04:15Then I picked it up and walked away.
04:17That wolf became Chloe's mate.
04:19Brad.
04:20I acted like I'd never known him.
04:22Chloe found out anyway.
04:24I snapped back to reality.
04:26I gathered my skirts and knelt in front of Martha.
04:29My lady,
04:30I'm willing.
04:31I'll complete the bond,
04:32care for Case,
04:33and serve you as long as you need me.
04:36Luna.
04:36Martha kept her word
04:37and prepared a dignified mating dress for me.
04:40Chloe deliberately chose a day
04:41when Brad was away on pack business
04:43to send me off.
04:44She walked me to the door,
04:45guilt on her face.
04:46Even though Case can't get hard,
04:49at least you'll be spared
04:50the pain of bearing pups.
04:51Don't worry.
04:53An alpha who can't perform in that area
04:55is probably exceptional in every other.
04:57Honestly,
04:58none of what Chloe said
04:59had even crossed my mind.
05:00I told myself
05:01I was simply moving to a new household.
05:04Case was too weak to stand through
05:06the full mate blessing ritual.
05:07I completed the bond rites
05:09beside his ceremonial sword instead.
05:11Martha watched from the front,
05:13eyes wet the whole time.
05:14When it was done,
05:16I was alpha Case's mate.
05:18The mating chamber was quiet.
05:20I pushed the door open carefully.
05:23Case was already inside,
05:24half reclined against the headboard
05:26in a white bathrobe.
05:27He turned when he heard me.
05:28Up close,
05:29he was strikingly handsome.
05:31Sharp jaw,
05:32dark eyes,
05:33the kind of face
05:34that didn't need color in it
05:35to hold attention.
05:36I had no intention of taking a mate,
05:39he said with a low voice.
05:40If it doesn't trouble you,
05:42we can treat this
05:43as a sibling arrangement.
05:44He pointed to the chaise
05:45along the far wall.
05:47Tonight the bed is yours.
05:49I'll take that.
05:51Tomorrow you move
05:52to the guest quarters.
05:53All right,
05:53I nodded.
05:54He had thought of everything.
05:56It wasn't what I'd expected.
05:58Before the ritual,
05:59one of the older maids
06:00had pulled me aside
06:01and pressed something
06:01into my hands.
06:03A small handbook,
06:04worn at the corners.
06:06She'd whispered
06:06with a strange look.
06:08There are other ways
06:09between maids.
06:10You might find it useful.
06:12I had no idea
06:12what she meant
06:13until I opened it.
06:14Heat pooled in my core
06:16just from looking
06:17at the pages.
06:18Is it too hot?
06:19Case was watching me
06:20from the bed,
06:21eyes direct,
06:23unblinking.
06:24The dress is heavy.
06:26I'm a little warm.
06:28Then wash up and rest.
06:30He pulled the blanket
06:30over himself
06:31and turned toward the wall.
06:32Within minutes,
06:33his breathing evened out.
06:35I set the handbook
06:36down on the vanity
06:36and took down my hair.
06:38Then the layered robes,
06:40piece by piece,
06:41until I was standing
06:42in nothing but my nightgown.
06:43I turned to the mirror.
06:44The thin fabric
06:46clung to every curve,
06:47heavy breasts
06:48straining against the cloth,
06:49slim waist giving way
06:51to the flare of my hips.
06:52I walked straight
06:53into Case's gaze.
06:54He wasn't asleep.
06:56His chest rose hard.
06:57The tips of his ears
06:58went red.
06:59His throat worked
07:00as he swallowed.
07:01I grabbed my outer robe
07:03and pressed it
07:03against my chest.
07:05Alpha,
07:06I thought you were asleep.
07:07A long pause.
07:09I could sleep later.
07:11My breath hitched.
07:12He rose slowly
07:14to his feet,
07:15his tall frame
07:15casting a shadow over me.
07:27The handbook's images
07:28came flooding in.
07:29My breathing shifted
07:30without me meaning it to,
07:31somehow falling into
07:33the same rhythm as his.
07:34Then Case turned
07:35and walked to the door.
07:36The moment cool night air
07:38rushed in,
07:38I snapped back to my senses.
07:40He'd already disappeared
07:41into the darkness.
07:42I turned it over in my mind.
07:44When he'd looked at me just now,
07:46his eyes had flashed
07:48with something unmistakably
07:49like shock.
07:50Had my figure
07:51actually frightened him?
07:52before I lay down,
07:54I made a firm decision.
07:55Tomorrow morning,
07:56I was binding my chest
07:57at least one full loop tighter.
07:59I was hovering somewhere
08:00between sleep and waking
08:02when Case slipped back in.
08:03The tips of his hair
08:04still beaded with water.
08:06He'd apparently gone to shower.
08:07By morning,
08:08he was already gone.
08:09Ivy came in
08:10to help me dress.
08:11From the corridor outside
08:12came the sound of a man.
08:14Once.
08:15Then again.
08:17Martha's headmaid's voice
08:18carried clearly through the door.
08:20Alpha Case?
08:21Why didn't you call someone
08:22to heat the water?
08:23It's already summer,
08:25but the nights are still cold.
08:26Of course you've caught a chill.
08:28I'll go brew tea right now.
08:29I glanced at Ivy.
08:31Does the Alpha
08:32usually take cold showers?
08:34I honestly don't know, miss.
08:36I dismissed her
08:36and locked the door.
08:38I wound a strip of cloth
08:39tight over my undergarments,
08:41then pulled on
08:42the most conservative dress
08:43I could find in the wardrobe.
08:44High neck,
08:45loose cut,
08:46heavy fabric.
08:47Then I went to living room.
08:49Case was already there
08:50when I arrived,
08:51seated beside Martha.
08:53She lit up
08:53the moment she saw me,
08:55her whole face
08:56warm with welcome.
08:57Until Case coughed
08:58and the warmth
08:59vanished instantly.
09:01Cage,
09:02I have a few private words
09:03for Leah.
09:04Go rest for a while.
09:05Case rose
09:06and left without a word.
09:08Martha waved me over
09:09and took both my hands
09:10in hers,
09:11eyes glistening.
09:13Sweet girl,
09:14our Case
09:15is lucky to have you.
09:19The pack healer
09:20says the injury
09:21drained his life force.
09:22There's no telling
09:23how long he has left.
09:25Some of the elders
09:26suggested I find a child
09:27for him to adopt
09:28to carry on the bloodline.
09:32But if I did that,
09:34wouldn't I be stealing
09:35your whole future from you?
09:37I'm already grateful
09:39you came into this family
09:40to save Case.
09:41I can't let you sacrifice
09:42the rest of your life
09:43on top of that.
09:44I've thought it through.
09:45If Case's time does come,
09:47I'll have him issue you
09:48a formal mate release.
09:49Your future stays protected
09:51and I'll see to it
09:52that you receive property
09:53and a place of your own.
09:55I reached up
09:56and wiped the tears
09:57from the corners of her eyes,
09:58chest tight
09:59with an ache
09:59I couldn't name.
10:00Mrs. Valerius,
10:02thank you for looking
10:03out for me.
10:04I'd come here
10:04thinking of myself
10:05as nothing more
10:06than a transferred
10:06Omega servant.
10:07I never imagined
10:08she would think
10:09this far ahead
10:10on my behalf.
10:11My thoughts drifted
10:12to the mother
10:12I had never known.
10:13If she had been alive,
10:14if I had grown up
10:15under a mother's protection,
10:16I never would have ended up
10:18in any of the situations
10:19I'd been through.
10:20Martha laughed
10:21through her tears.
10:21Look at me,
10:22I've gone and made you cry too.
10:24She squeezed my hands.
10:26Leah,
10:26there's no need
10:27to be so formal.
10:28Call me mom,
10:30just like Case does.
10:31She took a breath.
10:32So,
10:33I have a proposition for you.
10:34Chloe mentioned
10:35you know how to prepare
10:36medicinal soups.
10:37I'd like you to take over
10:38Case's daily meals
10:40and care.
10:40I just want him
10:41to live a little longer.
10:42That's my one selfish wish.
10:44By the end,
10:45her voice had gone rough.
10:46I nodded.
10:47I headed to the kitchen
10:48to gather ingredients.
10:49The last time I'd prepared
10:50medicinal soup
10:51was several years ago,
10:52back when Brad
10:53was not yet Chloe's mate.
10:55He'd lost both parents
10:56and lived alone
10:57in a run-down unit,
10:58skipping meals
10:59to save every cent
11:00for his warrior training.
11:02One day,
11:03I found him collapsed
11:04at our back gate
11:04and brought him around.
11:05Out of sympathy,
11:06I dug through
11:07my mother's
11:08old healer journals
11:08and prepared medicinal meals
11:10for him every day
11:11to rebuild his strength.
11:13Only the two of us
11:14ever knew about it.
11:15From the looks of things,
11:16he was the one
11:17who told Chloe,
11:18just to get me driven out.
11:20The lengths he had gone to
11:21were truly something.
11:23I carried the steaming soup
11:24to the bedroom
11:25and found Case
11:26directing servants
11:27to pack up his belongings.
11:29Alpha,
11:30what's this about?
11:31Weren't we agreed
11:32that I was moving
11:33to the guest room?
11:33His sharply handsome face
11:34didn't shift
11:35so much as a fraction.
11:36I have fewer things.
11:39It makes more sense
11:40for me to move.
11:40At least eat first.
11:42I set the food
11:43on the table.
11:43He gave it a brief glance
11:45and sat down.
11:48You can leave this kind
11:49of thing to the maid
11:50from now on.
11:51It's no different
11:52coming from me.
11:54It is different.
11:56His voice remained
11:57flat and cool.
11:58Have Ivy bring it
11:59from now on.
12:00He finished the soup
12:01and a few quick swallows,
12:03said a few words
12:04to his servants
12:05and swept past me.
12:06In that moment,
12:07I confirmed one thing.
12:09Alpha Case
12:09couldn't stand
12:10the sight of me.
12:11I followed his instructions
12:13and had Ivy deliver
12:14his daily healing meals
12:15to the study
12:16from then on.
12:17Martha couldn't stop
12:18singing my praises.
12:19The pack healer says
12:20Case's condition
12:21has stabilized significantly.
12:23I can see the color
12:24coming back to his face.
12:25Leah,
12:26that's entirely
12:27because of you.
12:28Delighted,
12:29she pressed a gold bracelet
12:30into my hands.
12:31Back in my room,
12:33I tucked it into
12:33my jewelry box,
12:34which had been
12:35slowly filling with pieces
12:36Martha had gifted me
12:38since my arrival.
12:39Leah,
12:39you never wear
12:40any of these.
12:41Isn't it a waste
12:42to just put them away?
12:43How is it a waste?
12:45Every one of these
12:45can be converted to cash.
12:47That's my security fund.
12:49But Lady Martha
12:50gave these to you personally.
12:51Are you really going
12:52to sell all of them?
12:53Not right now,
12:54but if the mate bond
12:55is ever severed,
12:56naturally I'd sell them
12:57and keep the money on hand.
12:59Ivy's expression
13:00shifted to pure bewilderment.
13:02As she turned away,
13:04she dropped her voice
13:04to a murmur.
13:06Alpha.
13:09Alpha?
13:10I spun around
13:10and met a pair
13:11of ink-dark eyes.
13:12Martha's eyesight
13:13must truly be failing her.
13:15Case looked worse than ever.
13:17Case's face
13:18was even paler than before.
13:19His gaze was sharp
13:21and cutting,
13:22fixed on me
13:22with cold precision.
13:23The look unsettled me
13:25completely,
13:26but I didn't dare
13:26let a single trace
13:27of it show.
13:29Alpha,
13:30is there something
13:31you need?
13:32A journal.
13:33We looked together.
13:34I checked the shelves,
13:36he checked the writing desk.
13:37Neither of us spoke.
13:39I spotted the journal
13:40pushed to the very back
13:41of the top shelf,
13:42behind a row
13:42of my mother's medical notes.
13:44I reached up on my toes,
13:46my fingertips
13:46just grazed the cover.
13:48Case's hand came over mine,
13:50warm, steady.
13:52He reached past me
13:53without effort
13:53and closed his hand
13:54around the journal.
13:55I turned my head.
13:57His face was right there,
13:59closer than I'd realized.
14:00He was looking down at me,
14:02then I lost my footing
14:03and pitched straight into him.
14:05My heavy breasts
14:06hit his chest first.
14:08My waist went straight
14:09into his palm,
14:10his hand catching me
14:11before he could react.
14:12Case didn't step back.
14:14His eartips went red.
14:15His throat worked
14:16as he swallowed.
14:17When he exhaled,
14:19the breath came out uneven
14:20against the top of my head.
14:22His eyes flashed gold
14:23for a second,
14:24then green.
14:25I scrambled upright,
14:27face burning.
14:28Your journal.
14:29He took it without a word
14:30and walked out.
14:31Perfect.
14:32My standing in his eyes
14:33had just sunk even lower.
14:35After that day,
14:36I made every effort
14:37to avoid crossing paths
14:38with Case.
14:39He was injured
14:39and recovering.
14:40He needed to stay calm.
14:42But there was one more thing
14:43bothering me.
14:44Brad had been sending notes.
14:46Three times already.
14:47I hadn't opened a single one,
14:49just dropped them in a box.
14:50Then, Ivy pressed one
14:51into my hand that morning.
14:53It's not just a note this time.
14:54He's here.
14:55Side entrance.
14:56He says he won't leave
14:57until you come out.
14:58I clenched my fist
14:59and walked out.
14:59I didn't notice the figure
15:00that followed
15:01from the far end
15:01of the courtyard.
15:02Brad was standing at the gate.
15:05Leah!
15:06You finally came!
15:07You should be calling me
15:08Mrs. Valerius.
15:10He paused,
15:11dropped his voice.
15:12Mrs. Valerius.
15:14Do you have any idea
15:14how many times
15:15you've put me
15:16in an impossible position
15:17with these meetings?
15:18I know.
15:20I just wanted to tell you
15:22I'll be securing
15:23more power in the pack.
15:25Soon I won't need
15:26Chloe's father
15:26backing me anymore.
15:27He stepped closer.
15:29I'll buy a house, Leah.
15:30Come with me.
15:31Anything's better
15:32than staying
15:32with a dying man.
15:34He reached for me.
15:35I stepped back.
15:37You want me
15:38as your mistress?
15:39Brad nodded,
15:40completely serious.
15:41I laughed.
15:43Why would I give up
15:43being the Alpha's mate
15:45to be your mistress?
15:46The whole pack
15:47knows Case is dying.
15:48He won't last.
15:50And he can't even
15:51stand up anymore.
15:53His eyes dropped
15:54deliberately to my chest.
15:55Isn't that a waste?
15:58Disgust surged
15:59through me.
16:00Brad,
16:01I will never be
16:02anyone's mistress.
16:04Case fought on the front lines
16:05for this pack.
16:06Those injuries
16:07are his honor.
16:09You've benefited
16:10from every battle
16:11he won
16:12and you're standing here
16:13calling him
16:13less of a man.
16:15You're the one
16:16who's less.
16:18Come near me again
16:19and every note
16:20you've sent
16:20goes straight
16:21to Chloe.
16:22How do you think
16:23that ends for you?
16:25His face went white.
16:27I swung the gate shut.
16:29I turned around
16:29and came face to face
16:30with Case.
16:31White t-shirt,
16:32standing less than
16:33half a foot away,
16:33his full height
16:34bearing down on me.
16:35Alpha,
16:35I managed.
16:36A faint edge
16:37flickered across
16:38his expression.
16:39Wasn't it my mate
16:40just a moment ago?
16:41Why so formal
16:42all of a sudden?
16:43I looked down
16:44and started walking.
16:47Please don't misunderstand.
16:48As long as I'm in this estate,
16:49I honor this bond.
16:50Completely.
16:51Fast.
16:52It's getting late.
16:53I should go
16:54make your evening meal.
16:55I moved to step past him.
16:56His hand closed
16:57around my arm.
16:58I lost my footing
16:58and pitched straight
16:59into him.
17:00My heavy breasts
17:01against his chest.
17:02My waist caught
17:03in his grip.
17:03I looked up.
17:04His face was inches
17:06from mine.
17:06His eyes were deep
17:07and unreadable.
17:08One tilt forward
17:09and our lips
17:10would have touched.
17:11His breath hit my face.
17:13Warm.
17:13My breath hitched.
17:15Heat pooled low
17:16in my core.
17:18Case swallowed hard.
17:20As long as I remain
17:21in this estate.
17:22Each word slow,
17:23deliberate.
17:24You counting down
17:25the days
17:26until you can leave?
17:27I couldn't exactly tell him
17:28I'll leave the day you die.
17:31No.
17:31Nothing like that.
17:32I shifted in his grip.
17:34Alpha, you're hurting my arm.
17:36Did you mean
17:37every word you said just now?
17:39I blinked
17:39and asked which part.
17:41He let out a quiet breath
17:42and released me.
17:43I bolted.
17:45And I noticed,
17:46for the first time,
17:48his face had actual color in it.
17:50His cheeks were just as red as mine.
17:52That night,
17:53I had a strange dream.
17:55Case's lips grazed slowly
17:56along my cheek.
17:58His fingers hooked
17:59into the strap of my slip,
18:00voice dropping to a low murmur.
18:02Does my Luna want this?
18:04I nodded like someone
18:06completely under a spell.
18:07Then a fierce,
18:08consuming kiss
18:09caught my lips
18:10and wouldn't let go.
18:11I jolted awake
18:12in a tangle of sheets,
18:13heart still hammering,
18:15breathless.
18:16Ivy knocked and came in.
18:18I asked her to bring
18:19a basin of cold water.
18:20She stared at my sweat,
18:21damp hair and murmured,
18:23It really is getting hotter.
18:24I splashed cold water
18:26onto my face.
18:27And then it hit me.
18:28That first night.
18:29Case.
18:30Cold shower.
18:32Surely he hadn't also been...
18:34No.
18:35Impossible.
18:36He was injured and recovering.
18:38He was supposed to be
18:39keeping himself calm.
18:40At midday,
18:41Martha's attendant arrived.
18:42Martha would like dinner
18:43in the garden tonight.
18:44She asks that you be sure to come.
18:47I've been making excuses
18:48to avoid the main dining hall
18:49for days,
18:50just to steer clear of Case.
18:51But Martha had gone out of her way
18:52to personally extend
18:53the invitation.
18:55I couldn't say no.
18:56I stepped into the garden.
18:57A sprawling rose of Sharon
18:59was in full bloom.
19:00A gust of wind shook loose
19:01a handful of deep crimson petals,
19:03drifting down onto the stone table,
19:06covered with every dish
19:07I loved most.
19:08Martha smiled and gestured
19:09for me to sit.
19:10Case mentioned
19:11it's your birthday today.
19:12He's the one who asked the kitchen
19:14to prepare all of this.
19:15I looked up and met a pair
19:16of burning, intent eyes.
19:19Heat rushed straight to my face.
19:21Case lit a plate of chestnut cake
19:22in front of me
19:23without changing his expression.
19:26How did you know today
19:27was my birthday?
19:28I'd completely forgotten it myself.
19:31My birth mother died
19:32bringing me into the world.
19:33No one had ever once
19:34marked the day for me.
19:36Case kept his eyes lowered
19:38and said evenly,
19:39It's not difficult to know it.
19:41Something in my chest
19:42gave one quiet, inexplicable pull.
19:45Leah, this peach blossom wine
19:47is from my private reserve.
19:49I'm opening it just for you.
19:51But you two had better
19:52not drink too much.
19:53She pushed back her chair,
19:55said the summer evening breeze
19:56was too much for her old bones
19:58and left.
19:59The garden went quiet.
20:01To avoid the silence,
20:02I put my head down and drank.
20:04One cup,
20:05then another,
20:06then another.
20:07The wine was sweet
20:08and dangerously potent.
20:10Before long,
20:11the edges of everything
20:12had gone soft and blurry.
20:14Case watched me
20:15but said nothing.
20:16By the third glass,
20:17I'd stopped feeling
20:18the awkward silence.
20:19By the fourth,
20:20I'd stopped feeling
20:21much of anything.
20:22I reached across the table
20:24toward the last piece
20:25of chestnut cake.
20:26The dish was empty.
20:27I looked up.
20:29Where's the last piece?
20:31I ate it.
20:32I have absolutely no idea
20:33where the boldness came from.
20:35I leaned straight
20:36toward his face.
20:38Who told you to eat that?
20:40Spit it back out.
20:41I pressed against his chest,
20:43trying to peer into his mouth.
20:44Case looked down at me,
20:45perfectly calm.
20:47You won't find it that way.
20:49I straightened up
20:50and stared at him.
20:51Then how am I supposed
20:52to find it?
20:53A faint flush crept
20:54across his cheeks.
20:56Try using your mouse.
20:58My gaze drifted
20:59to his slightly reddened lips.
21:00I swallowed once
21:02and kissed him
21:02without hesitation.
21:04Case went rigid,
21:05his breathing lurching unsteady.
21:07Then control shifted.
21:09His hand cupped
21:10the back of my head
21:11and he pressed in deeper,
21:12harder.
21:13Neither of us pulled away
21:15until footsteps sounded
21:16from behind the flower bed.
21:19Alpha,
21:19the night air is cool.
21:21Lady Martha asked me
21:22to bring you both a wrap.
21:24I had no idea
21:25how much Ivy'd seen.
21:26I shot to my feet
21:27and the next instant
21:29the world tilted.
21:30Everything went dark.
21:33When I woke up
21:34with a splitting headache,
21:35it was already morning.
21:37I suddenly remembered.
21:38I'd promised Martha
21:39to visit Case's father's grave.
21:42It was late.
21:43I started rushing around
21:44for my things.
21:47Leah, don't worry.
21:49The driver is still
21:49getting the car ready.
21:51Ivy, was it you
21:53who brought me back last night?
21:55No.
21:56The Alpha carried you back.
21:58I spun around
21:59to check her face.
22:01She nodded,
22:02completely serious.
22:04I didn't say anything stupid,
22:06did I?
22:07Ivy bid back a smile.
22:09The Alpha set you down
22:11on the bed
22:12and you grabbed his sleeve
22:13and wouldn't let go.
22:14You kept calling him
22:16my mate
22:16over and over
22:18until his whole face
22:19went red.
22:21Ivy, don't you dare
22:22make things up.
22:24She covered her mouth,
22:25laughing,
22:26and ran out.
22:28I met Martha
22:29at the front entrance.
22:31Case's father's grave
22:32was on a hillside
22:33just beyond
22:33the pack territory.
22:35I sat in the back
22:36of the car,
22:37completely distracted,
22:39replaying the moment
22:40I'd kissed Case
22:41last night.
22:42Martha must have
22:43misread my expression
22:44because she said,
22:45Leah,
22:46is there someone
22:47you have feelings for?
22:52I've noticed
22:53you've been avoiding Case
22:54these past few days.
22:56Please don't be upset
22:57with me for pushing
22:58you two together
22:59at dinner last night.
23:00I thought if the two of you
23:02couldn't be mates,
23:03you could at least
23:03be friends.
23:04But if you're uncomfortable
23:05or if you want to leave,
23:07just say,
23:08I'll have him
23:09sever the bond.
23:09I won't let you
23:10be trapped here.
23:11Mom, no.
23:12It's not that.
23:14I was thinking
23:15about something else.
23:16What is it?
23:17I was still figuring out
23:18how to answer
23:18when the car lurched.
23:19The engine screamed.
23:21The car swung hard,
23:22tires off the road,
23:23crashing through brush,
23:24the whole frame shaking.
23:25I grabbed Martha
23:26and looked at the driver.
23:28Slumped over the wheel,
23:29unconscious.
23:31No one to hit the brakes.
23:32A cliff,
23:33straight ahead.
23:34Martha grabbed my arm.
23:35Leah,
23:36what do we do?
23:37We jump.
23:38Now.
23:39We'll be hurt.
23:41We'll die if we don't.
23:42Hold on to me.
23:43I wrapped myself around her
23:44and we threw ourselves clear
23:45the instant the wheels
23:46left solid ground.
23:47We hit the cliff edge
23:48and went over.
23:49My hand shot out
23:50and caught a root
23:51jutting from the rock face.
23:52My other hand
23:53locked around Martha's wrist.
23:54Below her was a straight drop
23:56into nothing.
23:58Mom,
23:59don't look down.
24:00Don't look down.
24:01Hold on to me.
24:02Ivy and the others
24:03are right behind us.
24:04Behind us in the second car.
24:06They'll be here soon.
24:08The root ground under our weight.
24:11Martha's voice broke.
24:13Leah,
24:14let me go.
24:16We're too heavy.
24:19It's going to snap.
24:22I'm old.
24:24I've lived my life.
24:26You have to keep living yours.
24:29My chest tightened so hard
24:31I could barely breathe.
24:32I couldn't let go.
24:35She'd been a mother to me
24:36from the first day.
24:38Mom,
24:39I would rather die with you
24:41than watch you fall.
24:43Hold on.
24:48They're coming.
24:49The truth was,
24:51I had no idea.
24:52My arms were going numb.
24:54The pain had gone so deep
24:56it had stopped feeling
24:57like pain at all.
24:59Then I heard it.
25:01A wolf's howl split the air.
25:04Deafening
25:05and close.
25:07Leah,
25:08don't move.
25:10I'm coming down.
25:11Case's voice.
25:12He'd called me by my name.
25:15The first time.
25:17A strong arm came under me.
25:20He'd climbed down the cliff face.
25:22Wolf claws dug into the rock.
25:25He untied the rope from his own body
25:27and looped it around my waist.
25:29Then climbed down further
25:31and did the same for Martha.
25:33The people above pulled together.
25:36We came up one at a time.
25:38It wasn't a hallucination.
25:40Case had saved us.
25:42He held me,
25:43brow creased.
25:46Why is there so much blood?
25:49Martha clutched her face.
25:51She shielded me when we jumped.
25:53I didn't get a scratch.
25:56It's all hers.
25:59My eyelids felt like lead.
26:01Leah,
26:03don't sleep.
26:04I'm taking you to Ella.
26:06He lifted me into the car
26:07and I stayed curled against his chest.
26:10His forehead was damp with sweat.
26:12He kept one hand on the wheel
26:14and kept talking.
26:15Leah,
26:16Leah,
26:17Leah,
26:18stay awake.
26:20I'll get you chestnut cake.
26:21I'll give you all the jewelry
26:23you want to sell.
26:24You don't have to wait for me to die.
26:25I'll write the bond release today.
26:27You can leave whenever you want.
26:29My chest kept clenching.
26:31Something wet hit my face.
26:33I looked up at the sky
26:35through the windshield.
26:36It wasn't raining.
26:38Then everything went black.
26:39When I opened my eyes,
26:40every part of my body
26:41felt like it had been taken apart
26:42and put back wrong.
26:44My Luna,
26:45the pack healer said,
26:46you can't move yet.
26:47Ivy pressed a bowl of medicine to my lips,
26:49spooning it in slowly.
26:51You're lucky nothing's broken.
26:53Her voice was steady,
26:54but her eyes were red.
26:55The scrapes were bad.
26:56You need to stay flat
26:57or they'll scar.
26:59Your shoulder was dislocated too.
27:00She kept talking.
27:01My eyes had already drifted to the door.
27:04After I finished the medicine,
27:05I asked,
27:07Where's Case?
27:08Investigating.
27:08Someone poisoned the driver
27:10with wolf bite
27:10and cut the brake lines.
27:11It was deliberate.
27:12Who would be bold enough
27:13to target the Alpha's family directly?
27:15I was flat on my back
27:16for a full month.
27:17I didn't see Case once.
27:19Martha kept her door shut too,
27:21still recovering from the shock.
27:22Everyone in the estate
27:23moved with tight faces
27:25and clipped voices
27:25like something was being held
27:27just below the surface.
27:28I asked Ivy.
27:30She said nothing was wrong.
27:31Today,
27:32I was finally cleared
27:33to get out of bed.
27:34I opened my door
27:35and walked straight
27:36into a familiar figure.
27:37Case.
27:38Dark tactical shirt.
27:39Sharper than I remembered.
27:41He held out a small wooden box.
27:42I took it and lifted the lid.
27:45A land deed.
27:46A property contract.
27:47A severance letter.
27:49My body went rigid.
27:50Something locked around my chest
27:52and wouldn't let go.
27:53Case!
27:54Are you throwing me out?
27:56You've been waiting for this
27:57since the day you arrived.
27:58You avoided me,
27:59stayed out of my way,
28:00you never wanted anything
28:01to do with me.
28:02You were counting down the days
28:03until I died
28:03so you could walk out cleanly.
28:06I'm just doing it early.
28:08Leah, go.
28:09After today, we're finished.
28:11Something sharp flooded my chest.
28:13My mouth opened and closed.
28:15It took a long time
28:17to get anything out.
28:19So that's what you think of me.
28:23Leave now.
28:24I don't want to see you anymore.
28:26Case disappeared
28:27around the corner of the yard.
28:29Estate guards
28:29all but pushed me out the door.
28:31Ivy fell in to step beside me
28:32and the alpha said
28:33you're used to having me around.
28:35He told me to go with you.
28:38I couldn't speak.
28:43We moved into a small house
28:44on the edge of the territory.
28:46By morning,
28:47the pack's official announcement
28:49had gone up.
28:50The announcement said
28:50Case had betrayed the pack.
28:52The announcement said
28:53he had betrayed the pack,
28:54that he had leaked
28:55the Border Patrol routes
28:56to a rogue faction.
28:58By order of the Lycan King,
29:00royal enforcers
29:01had been dispatched
29:02to seize him,
29:03pending investigation.
29:05Case was being held
29:06in the dungeons
29:07under royal guard.
29:08The estate was locked down.
29:10Everyone inside
29:11was under scrutiny.
29:13Case would never betray his pack.
29:15He would die
29:16before he did something like that.
29:18He rushed to get me out.
29:19That was why.
29:20That was the only reason.
29:23Ivy was pacing circles
29:24around the living room.
29:25She'd grown up
29:26inside the estate.
29:27She couldn't stand still.
29:29Is there anything
29:30we can do?
29:31I made myself
29:32sit down and think.
29:34Years ago,
29:35Elder Reed's youngest child
29:36had gotten lost
29:37in the forest
29:37and been bitten by a snake.
29:39I'd found him
29:40and used the right herbs
29:41to treat the wound.
29:43Elder Reed had arrived
29:44while I was still
29:45crouched over the boy.
29:46He'd seen my face.
29:47I was sure
29:48he hadn't forgotten.
29:50I tracked him down
29:51outside the council building
29:52and stepped into the pack.
29:53Elder Reed,
29:54you remember me.
29:55I need a favor.
29:57He looked at me
29:58for a long moment.
29:59Then he nodded.
30:00Elder Reed led me
30:01into the dungeon.
30:02Thirty minutes.
30:03No more.
30:04The door unlocked.
30:05Case stood up.
30:06His eyes flashed
30:07with surprise.
30:07How did you get in?
30:09My chest ached
30:10as I looked at him
30:10through the blur of tears.
30:12That's why you kicked me out,
30:13isn't it?
30:14You were framed.
30:16Think carefully.
30:17Is there any evidence
30:18to prove your innocence?
30:19I will find it.
30:20I will investigate.
30:22I swear I will rescue you.
30:24Case's gaze deepened.
30:25Then his arm shot out
30:26and pulled me into his chest.
30:27Leah.
30:29My heart hammered.
30:30But time was running out.
30:32This wasn't the moment.
30:33I pushed against him.
30:34He didn't budge.
30:35Leah, you don't need
30:36to do anything.
30:37I can't say much.
30:40I promise.
30:42Seven days later,
30:43I will accompany you
30:44to watch the sunrise.
30:45Okay?
30:46His eyes were steady.
30:48Certain.
30:49Like he was coaxing
30:50a frightened pup.
30:52I walked out of the dungeon
30:53and straight into Brad.
30:58He stepped into my path.
31:00Slow smile spreading across his face.
31:01It's not too late to reconsider.
31:04Being my mistress
31:05beats being alone and disgraced.
31:07I swung my hand
31:08and slapped him across the face.
31:10He lunged for me.
31:11I stepped sideways
31:12and put distance between us.
31:13Try that again
31:14and every note you sent me
31:15ends up in front of Chloe's father.
31:17Every single one.
31:18You've been whispering in her ear
31:19for years, haven't you?
31:20Trying to get me pushed out
31:22thinking I'd have nowhere to go
31:23and no choice but to run to you.
31:24But you never counted on Chloe
31:25handing me straight to Case.
31:27A man you can't touch.
31:29His face changed.
31:30I didn't wait for him to recover.
31:31I walked away
31:32and didn't look back.
31:33A wolf like that.
31:34The further the better.
31:36I didn't sleep well
31:37for the next five days.
31:38Case's voice
31:39kept coming back to me.
31:40I promise.
31:42Seven days later
31:43I will accompany you
31:43to watch the sunrise.
31:44Okay?
31:45On the afternoon of the sixth day
31:47the Lichen King's official decree
31:48went up across the territory.
31:49The leak hadn't come from Case.
31:52It had come from Prince Marcus
31:53and his allies.
31:55The truth is finally revealed.
31:59The Lichen King
32:00had not yet named his heir.
32:01Both Prince Caden
32:02and Prince Marcus
32:03were in the running.
32:04Case was Prince Caden's
32:05most powerful ally.
32:06The Alpha
32:06who commanded
32:07the most powerful pack.
32:08Taking Case down
32:09was the cleanest way
32:10to clear the path to the throne.
32:11Prince Marcus
32:12had planted a spy
32:13inside the blackwood pack.
32:14Used him to steal
32:15the border patrol routes.
32:16Then framed Case for it.
32:17So the injury had been faked.
32:19All of it.
32:20A deliberate trap
32:21to draw out the spy.
32:22But why fake
32:23being unable to mate?
32:24I turned that over
32:25in my mind all night
32:26and couldn't land on an answer.
32:27Dawn was just breaking
32:28when someone knocked at the door.
32:29I didn't think.
32:30I just ran.
32:31I threw the door open
32:32and walked straight
32:33into Case's chest.
32:34He went completely still.
32:35Then his arms came around me.
32:37Slow and deliberate.
32:38And pulled me in
32:39hard.
32:39I'd run out
32:40in nothing but
32:40a thin sleep shirt.
32:42No warning.
32:43Through the thin fabric
32:44I could feel everything.
32:45The hard muscle of his chest.
32:47His arms locked tight around me.
32:49I pressed my hands
32:49against his chest
32:50and tried to step back.
32:51Leah.
32:52His voice dropped low.
32:54I'm back.
32:55Our eyes locked.
32:56The heat between us
32:56was thick enough to touch.
32:58Then he lifted me off the ground
32:59and carried me straight
33:00toward the bedroom.
33:01I beat a fist
33:01against his chest.
33:03Weren't we supposed
33:04to watch the sunrise?
33:07You first.
33:08Sunrise after.
33:10We fell onto the bed together.
33:14Case pinned me beneath him.
33:16One hand working
33:17the buttons of my sleep shirt open.
33:18Eyes never leaving mine.
33:20I covered his eyes
33:21with both hands.
33:22Don't look.
33:23It's embarrassing.
33:24He took my hands down.
33:26His breathing had gone ragged.
33:28It's beautiful.
33:30His eyes were bright
33:31and fixed.
33:31My skin went hot
33:33everywhere he touched.
33:34I pressed my palm
33:34flat against his chest.
33:36Hard muscle,
33:37warm skin.
33:38Healer said you couldn't
33:39get hard.
33:39How is any of this possible?
33:41Lips dragging slowly
33:42along my jaw to my ear.
33:43You want to know
33:43if I can?
33:45There's one way
33:46to find out.
33:47He kissed me.
33:47One hand cupping my face,
33:49tilting it up toward him.
33:51I kissed him back hard.
33:52My hand slid up his chest,
33:54over his shoulders,
33:56gripping his arms.
33:57He pressed me further
33:58into the mattress,
33:59his weight settling over me.
34:01The heat built fast
34:02and took over completely.
34:03My hands went slack.
34:05He caught them,
34:06laced his fingers through mine,
34:08and pinned them above my head.
34:10He loves me very much
34:11and completely occupies me.
34:13My face gradually became rosy
34:16and we could only hear
34:17each other's heartbeats
34:18and breathing.
34:19His lips dragged
34:20from my mouth to my jaw,
34:22down the side of my neck,
34:23slow and unhurried.
34:25Then he stopped.
34:27His canines pierced
34:28my mating gland.
34:29A second of sharp,
34:30white-hot pain.
34:31And then it was done.
34:33I lay there,
34:34chest heaving,
34:35fingers still tangled in his.
34:37On my neck,
34:38his mark ached.
34:39Finally,
34:40we weren't just mates
34:41on paper anymore.
34:43After the estate lockdown
34:44was lifted,
34:45Case took me to meet
34:46Prince Caden,
34:47a slow smile
34:47spreading across his face.
34:49So you're the woman
34:49who brought Case to his knees.
34:51I've been wanting to meet you.
34:54You flatter me,
34:54your highness.
34:55Case helped the kingdom
34:56take down a real threat.
34:57You stood by him
34:58through all of it.
34:59I'll host an official
35:00luna ceremony for you.
35:01And when that day comes,
35:02I'll have a gift ready.
35:04Thank you,
35:04your highness.
35:05Don't blame Case,
35:07Leah.
35:07Faking the injury
35:08was always part of the plan.
35:13Too many enemies
35:14wanted him dead.
35:15The only way to keep him safe
35:16was to make them think
35:17he was already finished.
35:19Part about not being able
35:20to get hard.
35:21That was my idea.
35:22I gave the pack doctor
35:23that order myself.
35:26We grew up together.
35:28I know exactly how he is.
35:30Never any interest in women.
35:32Never any weakness.
35:33I figured it was time
35:34someone did something about that.
35:35Suddenly I understood.
35:37Just two old friends
35:38and one very elaborate prank.
35:40The car accident.
35:41That was Prince Marcus as well.
35:43They intended it
35:44to look like an accident.
35:45They didn't expect
35:46to hurt you in the process.
35:48Luna, Leah.
35:49It's been dealt with.
35:50You and Case are safe now.
35:56I took a slow breath.
35:58Knowing it was over
35:58didn't make the memory
35:59of dangling off that cliff
36:01any less vivid.
36:02We got back to the estate
36:03to find Chloe already inside,
36:04crying.
36:05She walked an hour ago
36:06and hasn't stopped.
36:08Martha is getting
36:08a headache from it.
36:10I told Case to go
36:11to his study.
36:11I'd handle it.
36:13I sat down next to Chloe.
36:15Face red, eyes swollen.
36:16Word had already spread.
36:18Brad had been identified
36:19as one of Prince Marcus' informants.
36:21Chloe's father had been cleared,
36:23but Chloe and Brad
36:24were finished.
36:25Still crying?
36:27I'll have someone
36:28throw you out.
36:28She stopped immediately,
36:30still shaking,
36:30but quiet.
36:31I misjudged him.
36:33I thought picking someone
36:34from a lower-ranked family
36:36meant he'd be easy
36:36to manage.
36:38I didn't think
36:39he'd be like this.
36:40I told you
36:41he wasn't a good person.
36:43You didn't say it
36:43clearly enough.
36:44I rolled my eyes.
36:46I wasn't a powerless
36:47Omega anymore.
36:49I didn't have to hold back.
36:54Were you ever angry at me
36:56for how I treated you
36:57back then?
36:59No.
36:59I cursed you in my head,
37:01but I don't hold grudges.
37:03You cursed me?
37:04Do you want to
37:04punish me for it?
37:06Chloe laughed
37:06despite herself,
37:07then caught herself
37:08and pressed her lips together.
37:09I'm sorry for the slap.
37:11Did it hurt?
37:12I already forgot about it.
37:13Then let me slap you back.
37:15We'll be even.
37:16She closed her eyes
37:17and braced herself.
37:18I raised my hand
37:19and let it land soft
37:20against her cheek.
37:22She opened her eyes.
37:26I already gave that slap to Brad.
37:28Chloe stared at me
37:28for a second,
37:29then she laughed,
37:30really laughed,
37:31for the first time
37:32since she'd walked in.
37:33Don't call me Chloe anymore.
37:34Can we be friends?
37:36No.
37:39I don't like friends
37:39who cry too much.
37:41The light was still on
37:42when I passed Case's study.
37:43I pushed the door open.
37:45Before I could say a word,
37:46an arm shot out from behind
37:47and wrapped around my waist.
37:49Bold intruder.
37:50His voice dropped low
37:50against my ear.
37:51You think you can just
37:52walk into the Alpha's office?
37:54The Alpha's mate
37:55is right here
37:56and you still dare
37:57make a move?
37:58Case played it straight.
37:59His lips found my neck.
38:01Here?
38:02Really?
38:04Right here.
38:05I kept saying no.
38:06My hand said something else entirely,
38:08finding their way to his back.
38:09He murmured against my ear.
38:11You have no idea
38:13how many times
38:13I thought about this
38:14in this room.
38:16I wanted to say something back,
38:18but his hand was already moving
38:19and I couldn't get
38:20a single word out.
38:21He carried me to the table
38:22and took off my clothes.
38:24Then we had a good time.
38:32When I woke up,
38:33it was almost dawn.
38:34Case was already awake,
38:35sitting up against the headboard,
38:37watching me.
38:38His eyes were soft
38:39in a way that made it
38:39hard to look back.
38:41Morning.
38:42I sat up and rubbed my eyes.
38:43Then I remembered.
38:45The sunrise.
38:46He'd promised.
38:47The sunrise.
38:51We still have time.
38:53He was already up.
38:54He picked up my clothes
38:55from beside the bed
38:56and handing them to me.
38:57He dressed me slowly,
38:59straightening each layer
39:00with both hands,
39:01like he'd done it
39:01a thousand times before.
39:03We walked out into the yard.
39:04Cool air.
39:05The smell of pine.
39:07To the east,
39:07the sky had just started
39:08to lighten at the edges.
39:09Case stood behind me
39:10and wrapped both arms around me.
39:12We watched the horizon together.
39:14The sun came up slowly.
39:15Gold light broke across the trees,
39:17spread across the yard
39:18and landed on us.
39:20The clouds caught the color
39:21and held it.
39:22Beautiful.
39:23Close to my ear.
39:26Beautiful.
39:27He pulled me in tighter
39:28and said nothing else.
39:29He didn't need to.
39:32I'll watch every sunrise
39:33and sunset with you.
39:34His voice was quiet
39:35against my hair.
39:36Everyone.
39:36For as long as we have.
39:39I turned around
39:40and kissed him once,
39:41quick and light.
39:42Deal.
39:43The sun came up fully
39:45and the yard filled with light.
39:46Our shadows stretched long
39:47across the ground behind us.
39:49Over the next few days,
39:50the estate came back to life.
39:52Servants moved through the halls
39:53with easy steps again.
39:55Martha's health improved.
39:56She called me in
39:57to talk every morning,
39:58always smiling
39:59when I walked through the door.
40:00One afternoon,
40:01I was trimming the plants
40:02in the yard
40:03when Sunny came running over.
40:04Leah,
40:05Chloe is here again.
40:06She brought a lot of stuff with her.
40:08I set down my shears.
40:09Since the day she'd come in crying,
40:11Chloe had been showing up regularly.
40:13She said she was making up
40:14for lost time.
40:15Really,
40:16she just had nothing to do
40:17and nowhere to be.
40:20Let her in.
40:20I wiped my hands
40:21and went to meet her.
40:24Chloe walked in
40:25with two attendants behind her,
40:27carrying food boxes.
40:28She'd changed a lot.
40:29Less restless.
40:30She dressed simpler now
40:32and moved quieter.
40:40I made your favorite,
40:41chestnut cake.
40:43I asked the Royal Kitchen
40:44for the recipe this time.
40:46Better than anything
40:47the Blackwood Kitchen
40:48has ever made.
40:49I took a piece
40:50and bit into it.
40:51Sweet,
40:52soft,
40:53better than I expected.
40:55Good.
40:56Thank you.
40:58So where's Case?
40:59Not home?
41:00He went to the
41:01PAC training ground
41:02and something came up.
41:03Chloe nodded
41:04and reached for a piece herself.
41:06For a while,
41:07neither of us said anything.
41:08Just the wind
41:09moving through the yard.
41:10My father wants me
41:11to find a new mate.
41:12I looked up.
41:13Don't rush for it.
41:15I know.
41:18After Brad,
41:19I don't know
41:19how to trust anyone.
41:20She looked at me,
41:21something flickering
41:22in her eyes.
41:23You have a good mate.
41:26Case fights for you,
41:27protects you,
41:28and he's the strongest
41:29alpha in the kingdom.
41:30We just got lucky.
41:31you can't force
41:32these things.
41:33Chloe nodded
41:34and didn't say anything else.
41:35Just ate her chestnut cake.
41:37The yard went quiet,
41:39just wind
41:39moving through the leaves.
41:41Then she said,
41:43That slap,
41:44do you really
41:45not hold it against me?
41:47Really.
41:48It's in the past.
41:49No point bringing it up.
41:51The truth was,
41:52I'd already let it go
41:53a long time ago.
41:54She wasn't a bad person,
41:56just spoiled,
41:57used to getting her way.
41:58Chloe's eyes
41:59went red at the edges.
42:00Thank you.
42:02When I arranged
42:03the mating,
42:03part of it was because
42:04I was scared
42:05you and Brad
42:06would find your way
42:06back to each other.
42:08But part of it
42:08was genuine.
42:10I really did think
42:10Case was a good man,
42:12that he wouldn't
42:12treat you badly.
42:13We looked at each other
42:14and smiled.
42:15All the conflicts
42:16were solved.
42:19I just didn't expect
42:20him to be faking
42:21the whole time.
42:22Chloe laughed,
42:23a little embarrassed.
42:24It's in the past.
42:27Isn't this better?
42:32It is,
42:33she nodded.
42:34Can we be friends?
42:35For real?
42:36I won't be like
42:37I was before.
42:40Sure,
42:41I nodded.
42:42Something warm
42:43moved through my chest.
42:44Letting go of old grudges
42:46and coming out
42:46the other side
42:47with a friend.
42:48That wasn't a bad ending.
42:49We sat in the yard
42:49for the rest of the afternoon,
42:51eating and talking.
42:52pack gossip,
42:54small things,
42:55nothing important.
42:55The sun came through
42:56the leaves
42:57and the air was warm
42:58and easy.
42:59When Case came back
43:00from the training grounds
43:01that evening
43:01and saw the two of us,
43:02surprise crossed his face.
43:04What are you two happy about?
43:06Talking about you.
43:07Chloe grinned.
43:09About what a liar you are,
43:10faking the whole thing
43:12and fooling everyone.
43:14Case walked over
43:15and sat down beside me.
43:17He reached over
43:18and took my hand,
43:19eyes warm.
43:20Tricking you into
43:21becoming my Luna?
43:22That's the luckiest thing
43:23I've ever done.
43:24My face went red.
43:25I gave him a look.
43:27Chloe burst out laughing.
43:28All right,
43:28I'm leaving you two alone.
43:30Leah, I'll come by tomorrow.
43:31Sure, take care.
43:33I watched her go.
43:34Case turned to me.
43:36Are you a good friend now?
43:38Yes.
43:39The past is the past.
43:41No point holding on to it.
43:42He squeezed my hand.
43:44I'm glad you can think that way.
43:46He knew how much
43:46I'd been through.
43:48Watching me let it go
43:49and just be happy.
43:49I could tell it meant
43:51something to him.
43:52We sat side by side
43:53at the stone table
43:54and looked out at the sky.
43:56Neither of us said much.
43:58We didn't need to.
43:59Days like this,
44:00quiet and unhurried,
44:02became the rhythm of our life.
44:04Case stayed busy with the pack
44:06and with royal matters.
44:07But he always made time.
44:10Sunrises, sunsets.
44:11He spoiled me
44:12until I didn't know
44:12what to do with it.
44:14Martha was healthy
44:15and smiling every day.
44:16The estate was calm
44:18and easy again,
44:19the way it used to be.
44:21True to his word,
44:22Prince Caden petitioned
44:23the Lycan King on my behalf.
44:25At my official Luna ceremony,
44:27the Lycan King's decree
44:28was read aloud.
44:29A formal commendation
44:31in front of the entire pack.
44:33The estate was lit up
44:34and full of noise that day.
44:36Case lifted the veil
44:37and placed it over my head himself,
44:39his eyes proud and soft.
44:41The most beautiful Luna.
44:42Then he shifted,
44:44right there in front of everyone.
44:46His wolf was massive,
44:48dark, broad-shouldered, still.
44:50He lowered himself
44:51to the ground and waited.
44:53I climbed onto his back.
44:54He rose slowly,
44:56carrying me steady,
44:57and lifted his head
44:58toward the moon.
44:59The howl that came out of him
45:01was long and deep
45:02and carried across
45:03the entire territory.
45:04One by one,
45:06the pack answered,
45:07howl after howl
45:08rising into the night sky.
45:10I thought about everything
45:12it had taken to get here.
45:13A bastard Omega
45:14with no wolf,
45:15no one to speak for her.
45:17Only I knew
45:18how hard the road had been.
45:19And all of it,
45:21every bit of the happiness
45:22on the other side of it,
45:23came from the man
45:24standing behind me.
45:25After the ceremony,
45:26Case took me south.
45:27Open land,
45:28warm air,
45:29water catching the afternoon light.
45:31Far from everything
45:32that had tried to take us down.
45:34The rest of our lives
45:35stretched out ahead of us.
45:37Every year,
45:38every season,
45:39together.
45:41After the ceremony,
45:42life settled into a new rhythm.
45:44I stood beside Case
45:45at every pack meeting,
45:47every decision,
45:48every matter that came
45:49through the estate gates.
45:50His pack was my pack.
45:52His people were my people.
45:54But he always made time.
45:56A weekend drive
45:57with no destination.
45:58A trail through the forest at dawn.
46:01Wherever he thought
46:02I'd want to see,
46:02he took me there
46:03without being asked.
46:04The rest of our lives
46:06stretched out ahead of us.
46:07Every year,
46:09every season,
46:10together.
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