- 3 hours ago
ليلة الرحيل
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:03Sebastian and I had loved each other for eight years, but our relationship had always been a secret.
00:08Every single time I begged to go public, he'd come up with one excuse after another.
00:15In PAC society, that means one thing. No mark, no name, no standing. It was as if I was someone
00:22he was ashamed to love. Someone meant to stay hidden in the dark. But today, Vivian came back.
00:30The second she stepped into the annual PAC gathering, I finally understood the truth.
00:35She was the one he'd always wanted the world to see. The elders called for the scent ritual before
00:41dinner. Old PAC tradition. All unmated wolves join the circle. Blindfolds on, lights low. You follow
00:50instinct alone. Your wolf reaching through the dark for the one it recognizes. I was forced to
00:55join in too. When his turn came, I held my hand up, waiting. The blindfold lifted. He had taken
01:04another woman's hand. Vivian. Fate brought them together again. I think they have waited for
01:10today for a long time. Marker! Marker! Vivian blushed and leaned close to him. Sebastian smiled and never
01:18once tried to pull away. For 8 years, he never dared to hold my hand in public. I stared at
01:24the
01:24raised pale scar on my hand. I got it protecting him from a flying wine bottle 8 years ago. He
01:31once
01:31swore he'd never forget. Said this scar would always mark me as his. In our world, a wolf doesn't speak
01:38of marks lightly. Those words are a promise. Turns out, forever is far shorter than I thought.
01:44There were far more single she-wolf than he-wolf. The scent ritual had paired a handful and left the
01:50rest
01:50stranded. I was alone. Just a silly game. Nobody takes it personally.
01:59Personally? Marcus, did you see his face when the veil lifted? I saw. That was no game face.
02:08Laughter burst out. Loud and immediate. Sebastian. University. Rooftop party. You had every chance.
02:20Ancient history. Ancient history. He says ancient history and yet fate literally just held a gun to
02:29your head. More laughter filled the air. Stop. You're embarrassing him. Someone has to. Eight years,
02:36brother. Eight years of watching you two orbit each other and never. I'm taking this game very
02:42seriously. To the second chance. I took a bite of salad. Sharp vinegar burned my tongue, weighing down
02:52the tight lump in my throat. Every alpha in that room felt it when the blindfold lifted. Two alphas,
02:58same pack tier, same standing. The room had exhaled like something long overdue had finally landed.
03:04Nobody looked at me. Nobody knew there was a reason to. An omega with no mark and no name attached
03:11to
03:11her. Sebastian shifted in his seat. His gaze drifted, then locked on me. I refused to look up. I only
03:18sipped
03:18cold water and felt relaxed once his eyes wandered off. Hey Elena, still single? Lico told me that and
03:28I understand. An omega. I'm not single. A beat of dead silence fell over the room. His face went blank.
03:34He
03:35reached for his phone in his jacket pocket. Then my device buzzed instantly. I knew who the text was
03:41from. I felt it land in my chest. That pressure. That pull toward compliance. For eight years, he only
03:49pushed this hard to silence me. When did this happen? You've hidden this well. He's a good man.
03:57Stable. He treats me well. How did you meet? Why post nothing about him? A dry cough cut him off.
04:04Leo, mind your own business. Drop it if she doesn't want to share. Leo backed off awkwardly.
04:10Sebastian finished his drink in one gulp. My water turned cold and bitter on my tongue. The crowd
04:16quickly shifted focus to Sebastian. Back in your early days, lines of women chased you. How are you
04:22still unmated now? Exactly. Of all people, you shouldn't be unmated. He ignored their bait. Don't
04:29tell me. One person's been stuck in your head all these years. No one else can compare. Vivian's ears
04:36flushed pink. The table erupted in teasing, everyone hinting at their old history. Vivian and tried to
04:44quiet them. While Sebastian said neither yes nor no. His smile only deepened. I knew every tiny change
04:51on his face. That smile meant he enjoyed the rumor. He liked watching Vivian flustered.
04:58Cold dread crept from my glass straight to my chest.
05:01Say something, Sebastian.
05:05What do you want me to hear? Tell us if it's true.
05:11What answer are you hoping for? What answer are you hoping for?
05:15That was worse than a straight answer. The room erupted in celebration.
05:19Vivian pressed her lips tight, a bright glow settling in her eyes. I once had that light too.
05:24Now I sat here, watching everyone cheer for him and another woman.
05:28All right, ease up. Stop hounding her. Let's toast.
05:33Glasses clinked across the table. Vivian coughed mid-drink. Sebastian glanced over in an instant.
05:40He wordlessly swapped her wine for water. Same gathering every year. Eight years and one
05:46thing never changed. Never refilled my glass. Never spoke my full name in public.
05:51It was complicated. Too much gossip. Too many eyes. Too many excuses.
05:56I believed every word.
05:59I waited. For eight long years.
06:03I'd grown used to sitting far from him. I'd learned not to glance up when he walked by.
06:08I'd taught myself to act like nothing more than a regular face in the crowd.
06:12An unmated Omega learns this quickly. You make yourself invisible.
06:16Then this year, Vivian was back. I unlocked my phone. His earlier text glowed on screen.
06:22Don't say anything. I stared at the words until my eyes stung. The wound hadn't hurt in years.
06:29But tonight, it burned and itched. A dull rot trapped beneath my skin.
06:36Speaking of plans. Vivian, your parents mean business.
06:40No boyfriend, no home for the holidays. Plenty of great men right here.
06:43Vivian smiled softly, ears flushing pink.
06:48Sebastian, this is your chance.
06:51They've always been perfect for each other.
06:53Vivian was nudged closer to Sebastian. She did not resist. Sebastian wore that faint,
06:58unreadable smile. He stayed quiet and his silence spoke volumes.
07:03I opened my phone. I replied to my father's long, unanswered question.
07:08The bonding ceremony date is fine. We'll go with it.
07:12I set my phone down.
07:14A wedding date? Elena, are you getting married?
07:19Her voice cut through the sudden hush. Every eye turned to me.
07:23My parents picked the date. I can't put this off forever.
07:26You just said you're seeing someone and now you're engaged?
07:29Questions crashed over me, one after another.
07:32Who is he? What pack is he from?
07:34Did your family approve the match? Did his pack approve?
07:38If it's been years, why hasn't he claimed you publicly?
07:41I smiled, dodging every sharp inquiry.
07:44Just as the chaos settled, Vivian spoke.
07:47Let her breathe. Don't make her uncomfortable.
07:49Her tone was soft, warm, perfectly sweet.
07:52But if the date is set, you must have been together for a long time.
07:56Haven't you, Elena?
07:56The table fell quiet. Every eye locked on me.
07:59We've known each other for years. Only reconnected recently.
08:03We spent two weeks together. And we knew it was right.
08:06My words hung heavy in the air.
08:08Elena, be serious.
08:11Two weeks? And you're getting married?
08:14It's not rushed. I said, sipping my water.
08:16When you meet the right person, two weeks is enough.
08:19I want to wait years.
08:22Sebastian froze. He knew the truth.
08:24Months ago, I'd asked for his bloodline registry details.
08:27I told him my family needed it to file a formal bond record.
08:31He'd given me the information without a second thought.
08:33A faint emotion flickered across his face, then vanished.
08:37He was probably relieved I'd said two weeks, not eight years.
08:41Congratulations.
08:43When's the wedding?
08:44I had no room to back down.
08:46Next Saturday.
08:49Everyone's invited.
08:50That's lovely.
08:51Still.
08:53She paused.
08:55I always thought someone would get to you first.
08:57Back then you chased him so hard, we all thought you'd never want anyone but him.
09:01Vivian's gaze drifted towards Sebastian.
09:04I always assumed you'd wait for him.
09:06We all saw how you looked at him back then.
09:09But it's better this way.
09:11You've moved on.
09:13That's nice.
09:14Sebastian!
09:15She's getting married.
09:16Aren't you gonna say something?
09:18That was a long time ago.
09:20I nearly laughed out loud.
09:22No one knew the truth.
09:23He was the one who'd chased me first.
09:25We never went public.
09:26So everyone mistook my quiet devotion.
09:28He could have spoken up at any time.
09:31But he never did.
09:31In pack society, an alpha who doesn't claim his omega in public has already made his choice.
09:37He had made it.
09:38Over and over.
09:39For eight years.
09:42Come on, let's toast to Elena.
09:44One less unmated wolf at our table.
09:47I lifted my cold water.
09:49The next half hour passed in quiet dullness.
09:52I made small talk with the other women.
09:54Elena, who is your fianco?
09:56It's a secret.
09:57Why won't you tell us?
09:59When will we meet him?
10:00I dodged every question calmly.
10:02As the night ended and guests headed for the door, her voice stopped me.
10:06Sebastian?
10:07My hotel is far.
10:08Could you give me a ride?
10:09I grabbed my coat without hesitation.
10:11Cheers and teasing broke out instantly.
10:14Ooh, come on!
10:15You're definitely gonna do it!
10:17Sebastian, this is your chance to shine!
10:20I walked past them, never slowing down.
10:22From the corner of my eye, I saw Sebastian step beside Vivian.
10:25Let's go.
10:26He said.
10:27Calm.
10:27Unhesitant.
10:28I pushed open the door.
10:30Cold wind hit my neck, drowning out their noisy laughter behind me.
10:34I stepped into the elevator, watching the floor numbers climb.
10:37I stopped at eight.
10:38I suddenly thought of that summer.
10:40A fight broke out at a pack event.
10:42It all started over Vivian's overseas transfer.
10:45Without thinking, I stepped forward, blocked a swinging glass bottle.
10:52I sat in the hospital hallway, waiting for stitches.
10:55He held my hands tightly.
10:57I'll never forget this.
10:58This scar is my mark on you.
11:00I'll remember it for the rest of my life.
11:02He repeated that same promise over and over.
11:05In our world, a wolf does not say mark without meaning it.
11:09Turns out, his forever was fleeting.
11:11Short enough to cross a dark room and take someone else's hand at a scent ritual.
11:16The elevator doors opened.
11:18I stepped out.
11:20My phone buzzed.
11:21It was Sebastian.
11:23You played it smart tonight.
11:25But announcing a bonding ceremony next Saturday was far too reckless.
11:29Wait for me to come back, and we'll fix this together.
11:32I laughed at myself.
11:34Then I closed the chat.
11:35There was nothing to fix.
11:37I woke up at 8.
11:39Sebastian came home soon after.
11:41He paused when he saw me on the edge of the bed, folding clothes.
11:45You're up early.
11:46He tossed his jacket over a chair and stepped closer, his tone casual as ever.
11:51You never texted me last night.
11:53That's not like you.
11:54I looked up.
11:55It wasn't like me, yeah.
11:57On every other late night, I'd stayed up staring at my phone, waiting for him.
12:01You didn't text me either.
12:03He walked to pick up his water and drank with his back turned.
12:06I walked Vivian home.
12:07Her hotel was far, and she was scared being alone.
12:10I stayed to keep her company and lost track of time.
12:13A short pause.
12:14Then he added it casually, like an afterthought.
12:16I booked her a better five-star hotel.
12:19The security is top-notch.
12:20There's no need to worry anymore.
12:22I kept folding clothes, silent.
12:24I had a hundred questions I could ask.
12:26Where exactly he'd stayed.
12:28If he'd waited in the lobby or her room.
12:30If he'd crashed on the couch or in her bed.
12:32But I asked none of them.
12:34For eight years, he'd treated me not bad.
12:37Though we never went public, he'd always drawn a clear line with other women.
12:41Except with Vivian.
12:43With her, every line blurred.
12:44She texted him at midnight, unable to fall asleep.
12:48He would stay on the call until 3 a.m.
12:51She missed home, and he'd secretly bring her something from her hometown.
12:55Every year on her birthday, he'd message her happy birthday, right on time.
13:00Even across different time zones.
13:02He did all these things for me, as his partner.
13:06But he did the exact same things for her, too.
13:08I'd questioned him too many times.
13:11Every single time, he had a hundred excuses to silence me.
13:15This time, it no longer mattered what his excuse.
13:19He set down his glass and spotted the suitcase on the floor.
13:22His brows furrowed.
13:26What's this for?
13:27I'm going back to my parents' house.
13:28The bride stays with her family the week before the bonding ceremony.
13:33Enough.
13:34Drop this silly joke.
13:35I met his eyes calmly.
13:37It's no joke.
13:38The bond elder confirmed our compatibility.
13:41The ceremony date is fixed.
13:42His expression tightened.
13:44After a long silence, he spoke.
13:46Give me two years.
13:47Two years, and I'll sort everything out.
13:50I'll give you a real, proper ceremony.
13:52Better than this rushed date.
13:54I promise.
13:55Two years.
13:56He'd said the exact same thing two years ago.
13:59And the two years before that.
14:01He kept pushing me back, over and over.
14:04It seemed in his mind, I had endless two-year stretches to give.
14:09Tell everyone in the group chat you were drunk last night.
14:12Say the ceremony talk was reckless words you didn't mean.
14:16No one will take it seriously.
14:18They know you.
14:19I don't drink.
14:20I stood up, straightening the suitcase.
14:22I'm allergic to alcohol.
14:23They all know that.
14:24He blinked.
14:25A faint, delayed realization crossed his face.
14:28Things he'd never bother to remember about me.
14:30He composed himself quickly.
14:32Have you had enough?
14:33His voice finally dropped a tone.
14:35Is it just because I didn't take your side at the gathering?
14:38Must you act this petty to get back at me?
14:41He pressed his temple, frustrated.
14:43There's something you don't know about Vivian.
14:45In fact...
14:46His phone rang, mid-sentence.
14:48He glanced at the screen, walked to the window.
14:51The call was brief.
14:52He hung up, stood with his back to me, then turned around.
14:55Something's come up with Viviana.
14:57I need to go check on her.
14:58Wait for me.
14:59We'll talk this through when I come back.
15:00He left before I could reply.
15:02Two hours later, Sebastian's car pulled into the parking lot.
15:06Vivian sat in the passenger seat.
15:09I'm so sorry to trouble you.
15:10I can't sleep well in hotels.
15:12I'll only stay a few days.
15:13I hope it's not too much trouble.
15:14Sebastian hesitated for half a second.
15:16He told himself he could explain to me later.
15:19I always understood him.
15:20He pulled out his phone to text me, then deleted the draft.
15:24He'd tell me face to face.
15:25Sooner or later, everyone's going to find out about us anyway.
15:29The front door opened.
15:30The apartment was dead quiet.
15:32Vivian rolled her suitcase inside.
15:34It's lovely here.
15:35Do you live alone?
15:36This place is far too big for one person.
15:39Sebastian followed her in.
15:41His feet moved on their own, toward our bedroom.
15:44The door stood wide open.
15:46The moment he stepped through the door, something felt wrong.
15:49Not visually, not yet.
15:51His wolf registered it before his mind did.
15:53The scent that had always been here was gone.
15:56The bed was made.
15:56The nightstand was bare.
15:58All her little things, moisturizer, lip balm, the tiny odds and ends that quietly filled the space.
16:04Vivian's voice drifted from the living room.
16:06Sebastian, do you have water?
16:08I'm thirsty.
16:09He turned and walked back out.
16:11Vivian stood in the middle of the living room.
16:12She looked at him, a subtle smile on her face.
16:15I called twice.
16:16Were you spacing out?
16:17Sorry.
16:18He went to the kitchen, grabbed a water bottle, and handed it to her.
16:24She took it, sat on the sofa, and glanced around lazily.
16:28Comfortable place?
16:29Don't you get lonely here alone?
16:32He turned the word over in his head.
16:34It had never been lonely.
16:35Elena had made sure of that.
16:37Handwritten notes from her covered the fridge every day.
16:40A spare key she'd left waited by the entryway.
16:42She'd tended the plants on the balcony for years.
16:45She was everywhere in this home.
16:46And her scent, that quiet, settling warmth that an Omega leaves in a space she's lived
16:51in long enough, had been woven into every corner of this apartment.
16:55He had never once noticed it was there.
16:57Until now, when every trace of it was gone.
17:00Vivian wandered the living room slowly.
17:02She stopped by the coffee table.
17:04Can I stay a few more days?
17:06It feels nice here.
17:07I sleep better in spaces like this.
17:09He looked at her.
17:09A thought flickered through him.
17:11One he didn't examine too closely.
17:13Elena's absence made things easier.
17:15No explanations, no careful glances, no tiptoeing around the truth.
17:20He turned and walked into the bedroom.
17:22A strange unease washed over him.
17:24The space was unnervingly bare.
17:26He understood that now.
17:27Standing in the empty closet, she hadn't left in a hurry.
17:30She hadn't left in anger.
17:32She had been methodical, unhurried.
17:34Eight years, and she had erased every trace of herself, like she was closing a door she didn't
17:40intend to reopen.
17:41Vivian appeared in the doorway, holding something small.
17:45Sebastian?
17:47What's this?
17:48It's pretty.
17:50Who's it for?
17:51He recognized it instantly.
17:53A birthday gift.
17:54Our first year together.
17:55A delicate silver bracelet with a blue charm.
17:58He crossed the room, took the box from her, and opened it.
18:02The bracelet was there.
18:03Silver glinting.
18:04Blue charm catching the light.
18:06Is it your girlfriend's?
18:07He stared at the bracelet for a long, quiet moment.
18:11Yes.
18:12Vivian froze.
18:13The easy smile on her face slipped.
18:15Then, give it to me.
18:17I'll be your girlfriend.
18:19He looked up, stared at her a beat, then closed the box.
18:22No.
18:22She would be upset.
18:24You can choose what you want.
18:26I'll get it for you.
18:29Who is she?
18:32Is it her?
18:34The one from the gathering?
18:35The one with the bonding ceremony next week?
18:37He turned.
18:38Walked to the sofa.
18:40Sebastian.
18:41Do you know why I left and went abroad back then?
18:44Because I saw you getting close to her.
18:47I've waited for you.
18:48I've been abroad for so many years.
18:50Every time someone pursued me, I would think,
18:52what if you're still waiting for me?
18:53What if you just aren't ready yet?
18:55I saw it last night.
18:57She's into you.
18:58She's waited too.
18:59But you, you're drawn to me, aren't you?
19:02She's not here because of me, right?
19:06Let's stop pretending.
19:28Sebastian said nothing, but he knew the truth.
19:31That man was him.
19:33All were things she'd constructed in a fit of anger.
19:36She had once asked for his bloodline registry details,
19:39claiming her family needed them to file a formal bond record.
19:42The half-month encounter, the bond-elder compatibility reading,
19:46the one confirmed compatible with her was him.
19:49The one she was meant to bond with had always been him.
19:53Sebastian, your relationship has never been public.
19:55How could she claim she's binding with a stranger she just met?
19:58Please wake up.
20:00She never truly-
20:01Vivian, Elena and I have our own way of being together.
20:04If you harbor inappropriate feelings, you can't stay here any longer.
20:08I'll book you a nearby hotel.
20:09You can reach me anytime.
20:11I overstepped.
20:12Vivian forced a weak smile.
20:14Her eyes were red, yet she struggled to look unfazed.
20:17I'm sorry.
20:19Don't worry.
20:20I have no hidden motives.
20:21I just needed someone to talk to.
20:24I can't stand sleeping in hotels.
20:26My mom will be back in a week, and we're leaving the country right after.
20:30We're best friends.
20:31Won't you do me this small favor?
20:33Sebastian stood rooted to the spot, without a single move.
20:37That night, he lay awake, lost in endless insomnia.
20:40Three years, she'd slept on the left.
20:42Now the left side was empty.
20:44The bed felt endlessly wide.
20:46He lay there, thoughts wandering.
20:48Her folding clothes into the suitcase.
20:50Vivian asking if the apartment felt lonely.
20:53Then, unbidden, memories surfaced.
20:56The years he and Vivian were the pair everyone expected.
20:59The one everyone talked about.
21:01He'd wanted her then.
21:02No use pretending otherwise.
21:04But back then, he'd had nothing to offer.
21:06A small pack.
21:07No standing.
21:08No confidence.
21:09He'd stayed silent.
21:10Never tried.
21:11Then he met Elena.
21:13Nothing like Vivian.
21:14No games.
21:15No unspoken tests.
21:16When he was moody and quiet, she didn't push.
21:19She'd sit nearby, reading.
21:21Like she knew some spaces are meant to be shared.
21:23Not filled.
21:24And her scent.
21:25He'd believed that for eight years.
21:27So he'd chased her.
21:28Six months of trying.
21:29And she'd said yes.
21:30But even then, he'd hidden their relationship.
21:33To this day, he couldn't name why.
21:35He lay in the dark and waited for something to settle.
21:38It didn't.
21:38He had always assumed it would.
21:40He was moved.
21:40He was moved.
21:42And he!
21:42He was committed.
21:44You
Comments