- 11 hours ago
The Bride They Sold Away New
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00:00My aunt sold me to the most vicious lone wolf hunter in pack for five silver coins.
00:05On the night of our mating ceremony, I sat on the edge of a broken bed, biting my lip.
00:10I'm a wolf-less omega orphan.
00:12And Cain, the pack says he's a curse.
00:14His parents abandoned him as a pup and never came back.
00:18They say he walked into the shadow woods alone at six.
00:21Shift for the first time at twelve and tore apart a full-grown shadow bear.
00:26The scar running from his brow to his jaw, that bear gave it to him.
00:30Everyone in the pack fears him.
00:32I did too.
00:33I crossed the street when I saw him.
00:35Never spoke a word to him.
00:36It's that I wondered to him.
00:38Never even looked him in the eye.
00:39I never thought my aunt would sell me to him.
00:42No gifts.
00:43No feast.
00:44I wore an old white dress and took shaky steps into his cabin.
00:48It smelled of blood and old fur.
00:51I didn't think I'd survive tonight.
00:53All I could hear was my aunt counting her silver.
00:56Don't blame me, Ella.
00:58You're lucky anyone would take you.
01:00I stood there like a fool, not knowing what to do.
01:02Until the door banged open.
01:04I gasped.
01:05His leather coat was slashed open across the ribs.
01:08The smell of copper hit me before I could breathe.
01:11He didn't say a word.
01:13Black bread, roasted venison haunch, a bowl of broth still warm.
01:17Eat.
01:18I was starving.
01:19And I couldn't remember the last time I'd had meat.
01:21I ate like an animal.
01:23That meal was the first time I'd been full for Tuneran's use since my parents died.
01:28When he pointed to the bedroom, my blood ran cold.
01:31I crept inside and sat on his ragged bed, trembling like a leaf in winter.
01:36Kane sat by the hearth and sharpened his knife, a hunting blade, as long as my arm.
01:42The wentstone sang with every stroke, scrape, scrape, scrape, each one scraping across my heart.
01:49I pressed myself into the corner.
01:51Come here.
01:51His voice was gravel and broken glass.
01:54He frowned.
01:55Then, he stood.
01:56His shadow swallowed me whole.
01:59I shut my eyes and braced for the blow.
02:01I was his.
02:02He could beat me, kill me.
02:04No one would care.
02:05But the blow never came.
02:06Instead, he took my cold hand and pressed something warm into my palm.
02:11I opened my eyes.
02:13A thin necklace.
02:14A pendant of pale white stone that glowed softly in the firelight.
02:18His hand, calloused, cracked, still smelling of blood and steel, held mine.
02:24A necklace?
02:25For you, Moonstone, the moon goddess's blessing.
02:28I know this life is hard.
02:30You deserve better.
02:31He pulled his hand back, wiped it on his leather coat.
02:34Then, muttered and murmured.
02:36I stared at the Moonstone in my palm.
02:38Tears fell without warning.
02:40What?
02:41You don't like it?
02:41After a long silence, he forced out.
02:44No!
02:44I'd just forgotten what it felt like to be wanted.
02:47After my parents died, I stopped being anyone's treasure.
02:50I was just extra weight in my aunt's tent.
02:52Every meal was charity.
02:53My aunt sold me to the most vicious lone wolf hunter in the pack for five silver.
02:57That night, Cain didn't touch me.
02:59He made a bet on the floor.
03:01His breathing slowed.
03:02Deep and rough.
03:03My heart stopped racing.
03:05Sleep came for me.
03:07My aunt screamed in my dreams.
03:09My cousins shoved me around, and a shadow bear lunged for my throat.
03:13I jolted awake, gasping.
03:15Strange ceiling.
03:16Strange smells.
03:18Right.
03:18My aunt sold me.
03:20I belong to Cain now.
03:21I wiped the sweat from my forehead, pulled myself together, and went outside.
03:25Quiet.
03:27The air smelled of blood and animal hides.
03:30Cain?
03:30No answer.
03:31I found the kitchen.
03:32Filthy.
03:33The stone pots were rusted.
03:35Mice scattered when I moved things.
03:37I couldn't run.
03:38Couldn't hide.
03:39So I rolled up my sleeves and started scrubbing.
03:41Ella!
03:42I was halfway through when a voice came from outside.
03:44I'm here!
03:45I stepped out of the kitchen.
03:47He was holding another basket.
03:48Breakfast.
03:49Martha made it.
03:50Black bread.
03:51Smoked meat.
03:52Broth.
03:52Cain tore into the bread and pushed the rest toward me.
03:55Eat up.
03:56I can feed you.
03:57I nodded and didn't hold back.
03:59You can cook, right?
04:00I almost choked.
04:01I pounded my chest and nodded hard.
04:03I'll bring the meat.
04:04Cain said.
04:05He waited for me to nod again, then finished the rest of the bread and meat, and headed
04:09for the door.
04:10Where are you going?
04:11I called out.
04:11He turned.
04:12I was thinking I'd clean the kitchen properly, so we don't get sick from dirty dishes.
04:16Cain's brow furrowed.
04:18The cabin is yours.
04:19Do what you want.
04:20By the time I'd scrubbed every surface, Cain was back with a leather sack.
04:24He looked at the clean kitchen and blinked.
04:26Flour.
04:26I'll trade for the rest at the market.
04:28When he left again, I opened the sack.
04:30Ground flour.
04:31Enough to last weeks.
04:32I went back to cleaning.
04:34I dragged Cain's dirty clothes into the yard.
04:37A mouse ran out of the pile.
04:39I chased it like a madwoman.
04:41Cain came back with two baskets on a pole across his shoulders.
04:44Ella.
04:45I looked up.
04:46I bought meat pies.
04:48Come eat.
04:48I hadn't had a meat pie since my parents died.
04:51Cain handed me one.
04:52Soft, golden, steaming.
04:54Juice ran down my chin.
04:55I ate two and stopped.
04:56Everything for the kitchen is in the baskets.
04:58Get it sorted.
04:59I'm getting firewood.
05:01I nodded and watched him walk away.
05:03Then I checked the baskets.
05:05Clay jars of salt.
05:06A leather flask of oil.
05:08A slab of cured meat.
05:09Raw sugar.
05:10And a jar of honeyed fruit.
05:12For me, I blinked hard and looked up at the sky.
05:15I organized the kitchen.
05:17Cain came back with firewood.
05:19And a basket of wild greens.
05:20And eggs.
05:21Cook it all.
05:22I eat a lot.
05:23I nodded.
05:24I could do that.
05:25I hung the stone pot over the fire.
05:27Chopped cured meat and wild greens into the broth.
05:30Then I cracked eggs onto a hot, flat stone, slicked with pork fat.
05:34They sizzled and turned gold at the edges.
05:37Cain looked at the stew, the black bread, the fried eggs.
05:40His eyes brightened.
05:42Sit.
05:42Eat.
05:42I waited for him to pick up his knife and fork.
05:45Then I picked up mine.
05:46Eat.
05:46I looked at him.
05:47He dug in.
05:49I ate slowly, keeping my eyes down.
05:51Ella.
05:52Tomorrow.
05:53You're coming into the woods with me.
05:55I froze.
05:55Me?
05:56Yeah.
05:57I can't bring enough meat on my own.
05:59Winter's coming.
06:00Hunting was men's work.
06:01Pack females sometimes came along to carry and dress the kill.
06:05But I'd never done any of it.
06:06I don't know how.
06:07I'll teach you.
06:08I looked up at his scarred face.
06:10The firelight made it worse.
06:11But his eyes were steady.
06:13No disgust.
06:14No impatience.
06:15Okay.
06:16Before dawn, Cain shook me awake.
06:19Wear this.
06:20A deer hide coat.
06:21Thick.
06:22Warm.
06:23I hadn't seen it before.
06:24I put it on and followed him into the mist.
06:27The shadow woods were dark.
06:28Trees blocked the sky.
06:30Cain walked ahead.
06:31I stepped where he stepped.
06:32After a meal's time, he stopped and crouched.
06:35What do you smell?
06:36He looked at me.
06:37I breathed deep.
06:38Earth.
06:38Rotting leaves.
06:39Water far off.
06:40And something else.
06:41Faint.
06:42Musky.
06:42I smell something.
06:43The corner of Cain's mouth twifled.
06:45Deer, your nose is better than you think.
06:47Don't be scared.
06:48Stay behind me.
06:49We followed the trail.
06:50Cain stopped every few steps to listen.
06:52Then we saw it.
06:53He exploded forward.
06:54The shadow deer tried to run.
06:55Cain was already on it.
06:56His blade sliced its throat.
06:58I stood frozen.
06:59Legs like water.
07:00Cain turned.
07:02Face wet with blood.
07:03And waved him over.
07:04Come.
07:04I walked to the dying animal.
07:07You need to learn this.
07:08In case I'm not around, you need to eat.
07:10I crouched and watched his hands.
07:11Skin comes off first.
07:13Keep it clean.
07:13Gut it fast or the meat sours.
07:15We carried the meat down the mountain together.
07:17One half each.
07:18My shoulder screamed.
07:20I didn't complain.
07:21Cain looked back at me.
07:22Good job.
07:23It was the first time anyone had praised me since my parents died.
07:26Ella.
07:26I turned.
07:27Cain pulled a leather pouch from his chest.
07:29And shoved it into my hands.
07:31From now on, you hold the silver.
07:35But I...
07:35Male hunts.
07:36Female keeps the house.
07:38That's how it works.
07:39I weighed the pouch in my hand.
07:41Heavy.
07:42Nice.
07:43Ella.
07:44Yeah?
07:45Let me mark you.
07:46I went quiet.
07:47I was scared.
07:48I didn't know what it would feel like.
07:49But Cain had been good to me.
07:51Where would I go if I left him?
07:52I had nowhere.
07:53No one.
07:54Being marked.
07:55Carrying his pup.
07:56That was my fate.
07:58I nodded.
07:59I thought marking was just a bite.
08:02But Cain brought new furs and honey mead.
08:05We stood in the yard under the moon.
08:07Swore ourselves to each other.
08:08And drank from the same cup.
08:10Then he led me inside.
08:12The fire was low.
08:13He pulled the strap of my dress down.
08:15The fabric fell to my feet.
08:17I crossed my arms over my chest.
08:19He took my wrists and gently pulled my hands away.
08:21You're shaking.
08:22I'm cold.
08:24No, you're not.
08:25His hands slid around my waist.
08:27Rough palms against bare skin.
08:29He pulled me into him and kissed me.
08:31Hungry.
08:32Desperate.
08:33Like a man who'd never been allowed to want something.
08:35He tore his shirt off.
08:37I touched the scars on his chest.
08:39Then my hands went to his trousers.
08:41Fubbled with the ties.
08:42When I got them undone, he pulled me against him.
08:45Skin to skin.
08:46I gasped.
08:47He laid me down on the fresh furs and came over me.
08:50Last chance.
08:51He said, voice wrecked.
08:52Tell me no.
08:53I touched his scarred face.
08:56Don't stop.
08:58He didn't.
08:59When he bit down on the back of my neck, I cried out.
09:02He held me steady.
09:03Whispered it would be over soon.
09:05Afterward, I lay shaking.
09:07I asked for water.
09:08He brought it to my lips.
09:09I stared at him like he'd grown wings.
09:12When I lay back down, the mark on my neck was still warm.
09:15Every wolf would know.
09:17I belonged to Cain.
09:18Cain belonged to me.
09:19I smiled to the dark.
09:21Cain didn't talk much.
09:22He hunted.
09:23He brought me silver.
09:25He did the heavy work.
09:26When I said something, he answered.
09:29We talked about building another room.
09:32About digging a cellar for meat and grain.
09:34I liked that.
09:36I looked at my clothes.
09:37They were getting tight.
09:38Maybe I should eat less.
09:39Ella!
09:40Ella!
09:40Is Cain home?
09:41It was Martha.
09:42Good woman.
09:42He's hunting.
09:43Oh no!
09:44His parents are back!
09:45What?
09:46I went quiet.
09:47I was scared.
09:48I didn't know what it would feel like.
09:49But Cain had been good to me.
09:51Where would I go if I left him?
09:52I had nowhere.
09:53No one.
09:54Being marked.
09:55Carrying his pup.
09:56That was my fate.
09:58I nodded.
09:59I thought marking was just a bite.
10:02But Cain brought new furs and honey mead.
10:05We stood in the yard under the moon.
10:07Swore ourselves to each other.
10:09And drank from the same cup.
10:10Then he led me inside.
10:12The fire was low.
10:13He pulled the strap of my dress down.
10:15The fabric fell to my feet.
10:17I crossed my arms over my chest.
10:19He took my wrists and gently pulled my hands away.
10:21You're shaking.
10:23I'm cold.
10:24No you're not.
10:25His hands slid around my waist.
10:27Rough palms against bare skin.
10:29He pulled me into him and kissed me.
10:31Hungry.
10:32Desperate.
10:33Like a man who'd never been allowed to want something.
10:35He tore his shirt off.
10:37I touched the scars on his chest.
10:39Then my hands went to his trousers.
10:41Fubbled with the ties.
10:43When I got them undone, he pulled me against him.
10:45Skin to skin.
10:46I gasped.
10:47He laid me down on the fresh furs and came over me.
10:50Last chance.
10:51He said.
10:52Voice wrecked.
10:53Tell me no.
10:54I touched his scarred face.
10:56Don't stop.
10:58He didn't.
10:59When he bit down on the back of my neck, I cried out.
11:02He held me steady.
11:03Whispered it would be over soon.
11:05Afterward, I lay shaking.
11:07I asked for water.
11:08He brought it to my lips.
11:09I stared at him like he'd grown wings.
11:12When I lay back down, the mark on my neck was still warm.
11:15Every wolf would know.
11:17I belonged to Cain.
11:18Cain belonged to me.
11:19I smiled to the dark.
11:21Cain didn't talk much.
11:22He hunted.
11:23He brought me silver.
11:25He did the heavy work.
11:27When I said something, he answered.
11:29We talked about building another room.
11:32About digging a cellar for meat and grain.
11:34I liked that.
11:36I looked at my clothes.
11:37They were getting tight.
11:38Maybe I should eat less.
11:39Ella!
11:40Ella!
11:40Is Cain home?
11:41It was Martha.
11:42Good woman.
11:42He's hunting.
11:43Oh no!
11:44His parents are back!
11:45What?
11:46His mother.
11:47She's vicious.
11:48And they've got a young man with them.
11:50Must be Cain's brother.
11:51My mind went blank.
11:52They'd been gone for over a decade.
11:54Ma.
11:55Pa.
11:55This is the place?
11:57It's so run down.
11:58I walked outside.
12:00Three figures.
12:01Two old.
12:02One young.
12:02The old ones had greedy eyes.
12:04The young one looked disgusted.
12:06You're Cain's mate?
12:07Ella?
12:07I'm his mother.
12:09Get us water.
12:10And cook something.
12:11The best room, it's for Alan.
12:12He needs a place to bed his bride.
12:14Margaret, Cain's mother, let her eyes roam over the cabin.
12:17Over me.
12:17She didn't bother hiding her disgust.
12:19Where's that ungrateful son of mine?
12:20Just then, Cain came around the corner with firewood.
12:23Pack members trailed behind him, hoping for a show.
12:25Cain stared at the three strangers.
12:26Who are you?
12:27Your mother!
12:29The old man bared his teeth.
12:30Ungrateful wilt.
12:32The pack gossip stirred.
12:33That's really Noah.
12:35The alpha came.
12:36The elders came.
12:37They confirmed it.
12:39Take us in.
12:40Be a good son.
12:41And give us silver to find Alan a mate.
12:44You don't want your brother dying alone, do you?
12:47I tugged Cain's sleeve.
12:48He squeezed my hand back.
12:50You're not giving it to his brother for a bride.
12:52Silver he nearly died for.
12:54I stepped forward.
12:55Not your place, sister-in-law.
12:56Alan curled his lip.
12:57Parents are still alive.
12:59You don't get a say.
13:00Margaret lunged at me.
13:01Cain caught her wrist.
13:02Cain!
13:03You'd raise a hand to your own mother?
13:05He let go.
13:07I'm gonna die!
13:09My son has a mate now and I'm dead to him!
13:13Cain looked at her.
13:15Then at me.
13:16You've been gone for years.
13:17Why are you back?
13:18Margaret stood up, dry-eyed.
13:19We came home to be with you.
13:20And this cabin?
13:21We built it.
13:21We're staying.
13:22The cabin is yours, but we split the belongings.
13:24What I bought with my own hands comes with me.
13:26Margaret's eyes-
13:27No!
13:27Clean, she orderly.
13:28You can't take the furniture.
13:29What will we use?
13:30Not my problem.
13:31Have mercy.
13:32I gave him life and now he wants to leave us with nothing.
13:34Keep the furniture.
13:35But my hunting kit comes with me.
13:36My clothes.
13:37My furs.
13:38And I'm severing the bond.
13:39Margaret screamed.
13:40The bond?
13:40Alan screamed.
13:41Good.
13:42Good.
13:43I wanted to cry.
13:44My home.
13:45The one I'd scrubbed and mended with my own hands.
13:48Gone.
13:48But Cain's silver was still in my pocket.
13:50We signed the papers.
13:51Pressed our thumbs to the ink.
13:52At dusk, I carried our clothes.
13:54He carried the baskets.
13:55The higher we climbed, the heavier my feet became.
13:58I stopped and looked down at the cabin.
14:00I looked at Cain and burst into tears.
14:02Cain wiped my face.
14:03Don't cry.
14:04We still have silver.
14:05The cabin was theirs anyway.
14:06We only borrowed it.
14:06And Alan is poisoned.
14:07Letting go of those scraps saves us from worse.
14:09The debt-caluptors can't touch us now.
14:11He looked down at the valley.
14:12We go deeper into the shadow woods.
14:14Find another pack.
14:15We've got hands.
14:16We've got feet.
14:17We'll make a life.
14:18I wanted to believe him.
14:19We'll find someone to take us in, Cain said.
14:22No one wanted to take us in.
14:23Everyone was afraid of being connected to the debt.
14:26We ended up at the Elder's old cottage.
14:28Two hundred copper a month.
14:29I cleaned it until it shone.
14:31One bed.
14:31Bare walls.
14:32We'll use your kitchen.
14:33Buy our own grain.
14:34Eat with us.
14:35Fine.
14:36We ate simple.
14:37Black bread.
14:38Smoked meat.
14:39Broth.
14:39Cain didn't complain.
14:41I'll hunt tomorrow.
14:42Trade for grain.
14:42You can roast something when I get back.
14:44We'll save silver.
14:45Build our own place.
14:46We'll still have silver.
14:47Your parents will never leave us alone.
14:48Your parents are greedy parasites.
14:50They'll never let you go.
14:51Eat your bread.
14:51I snuggled into him that night.
14:53His hands wandered to my hip.
14:54I pushed them away.
14:55What are you doing?
14:56We're guests.
14:58Scenting a den that isn't yours was an insult.
15:00Cain sighed and let his hands rest on my hip.
15:04Sleep.
15:04I bit my lip so I wouldn't laugh.
15:07The next morning, Cain went into the woods.
15:09The other pack women helped me with the kitchen fire.
15:12You're easy to talk to, but Cain scares the piss out of us.
15:15He's not so bad, but they didn't call him cruel.
15:17Good thing he severed the bond.
15:19Alan would have bled him dry.
15:20I'd resented Cain for giving up the house.
15:23Now I understood.
15:24We were young.
15:25We had hands.
15:27We'd build again.
15:28The debt collectors found Alan within a week.
15:31They stripped the cabin, sold the hunting grounds and the reindeer.
15:34Left him 50 gold short, due by winter solstice.
15:38The women told me the story in whispers.
15:40Yameo Sihal Menrian.
15:41I kept my face straight.
15:43Cain warrowed silver from every house in the pack.
15:46They gave it to him.
15:47One wild boar from Cain brought the whole pack running to help build.
15:52Two log cabins.
15:53Twelve men.
15:55Two days.
15:56Cain laughed when I asked what he wanted for lunch.
15:58Cain and I made it through the cold.
16:00Full belly.
16:01Full belly.
16:02Warm bed.
16:03He wanted a pup.
16:04I wanted a pup.
16:06Maybe next year.
16:07The winter was mild.
16:08When the snow melted, the pack started north.
16:11I stayed close to camp.
16:13I gathered wild greens and berries.
16:15Dried some.
16:17Salted others.
16:18Come winter again, they'd go into the stew pot.
16:20Cain hunted every day.
16:24He brought home silver.
16:26He gave it all to me.
16:28The coin jar grew heavy.
16:31One day, Cain came back from the mountains.
16:34With a graver expression than usual.
16:36What's wrong?
16:37Something big came from the south.
16:39He put down his hunting knife and sat at the table.
16:41The tracks are a full circle larger than a shadow bear's.
16:44It's not like an ordinary beast.
16:45My heart tightened.
16:47Then don't go.
16:47Can't not go.
16:49If that thing keeps moving north, it'll cross the pack's migration route.
16:52More than just our family will suffer.
16:54He was quiet for a moment, then looked up at me.
16:57Ella.
16:58Tomorrow, you're coming with me.
17:01Me?
17:02You don't have to fight it head on, but I need a helper.
17:05Someone to watch my back, to keep it from lunging at my flank.
17:09You trust me?
17:10Cain looked at me.
17:11Cain looked at me.
17:12Didn't say a word.
17:13The next morning, before dawn, we went into the shadow woods.
17:18Cain suddenly stopped and crouched down to look at tracks on the ground, bigger than two fists put together.
17:24Mountain lion.
17:25He said under his breath.
17:26He turned to me.
17:27Scared?
17:28I gripped my knife handle.
17:30Yes.
17:30Good.
17:31You should be.
17:32We followed the tracks for some time.
17:34Cain raised his hand for me to stop.
17:35He started taking off his clothes.
17:38Leather coat dropped them piece by piece on the ground.
17:41Then, he changed.
17:43His body lunged forward, hands hitting the ground and turning into claws.
17:48Dark gray fur pushed out through his skin.
17:50A massive wolf stood before me, twice as big as an ordinary gray wolf, fangs gleaming white.
17:56A roar came from the bushes.
17:58The mountain lion burst out, lunging straight at Cain.
18:01The two beasts crashed together.
18:03Cain didn't let go, but the lion's jaws were heading straight for his throat.
18:07I didn't think.
18:08I ran out.
18:10Short blade raised.
18:11I stabbed at the mountain lion's side.
18:14The blade sank into flesh.
18:15I was thrown through the air, my back slamming into a tree trunk.
18:19Stars burst in my vision, but I didn't let go of the knife.
18:22It was still in my hand.
18:24Cain bit through its throat.
18:25The lion twished a few times, then went still.
18:29Cain let go.
18:30He was soaked in blood.
18:31The wildness of the wolf was still glowing in his amber eyes.
18:35He walked over, lowered his head, and touched my palm with me.
18:41Are you hurt?
18:42His voice was harsky as he shifted back to human form.
18:45I shook my head.
18:46Tears wouldn't stop falling.
18:47He pulled me into his arms and held me tight.
18:51You helped a lot.
18:52His voice was muffled above my head.
18:54Without you, I might not have made it.
18:56The morning light fell across Cain's bare back.
18:59The wounds were still seeping blood, but they were already beginning to close.
19:03The two beasts crashed together.
19:05Cain didn't let go, but the lion's jaws were heading straight for his throat.
19:09I didn't think.
19:10I ran out.
19:11Short blade raised.
19:13I stabbed at the mountain lion's side.
19:15The blade sank into flesh.
19:16I was thrown through the air, my back slamming into a tree trunk.
19:20Stars burst in my vision, but I didn't let go of the knife.
19:24It was still in my hand.
19:25Cain bit through its throat.
19:27The lion twished a few times, then went still.
19:30Cain let go.
19:31He was soaked in blood.
19:32The wildness of the wolf was still glowing in his amber eyes.
19:36He walked over, lowered his head, and touched my palm with me.
19:42Are you hurt?
19:43His voice was harsky as he shifted back to human form.
19:46I shook my head.
19:47Tears wouldn't stop falling.
19:49He pulled me into his arms and held me tight.
19:52You helped a lot.
19:53His voice was muffled above my head.
19:56Without you, I might not have made it.
19:57The morning light fell across Cain's bare back.
20:00The wounds were still seeping blood, but they were already beginning to close.
20:04That day, we carried the mountain lion's hide and meat home.
20:07Cain kept the best piece.
20:09Said he'd make me a cloak.
20:10Why?
20:11Because it's your first kill.
20:12He shrugged.
20:13Wolf rule.
20:14The pelt belongs to the hunter.
20:15But you killed it.
20:17Cain shook his head.
20:18Not without your blade.
20:19He paused.
20:20You're braver than I thought.
20:21I looked down.
20:23My ears burned.
20:24That night, I sat beside him, helping scrape and cut.
20:27Firelight moved across his face.
20:29The long scar looked less scary in the flicker.
20:31Cain.
20:31Yeah.
20:32From now on, let's hunt together more often.
20:35Okay.
20:35End of March, I started feeling off.
20:37Tired.
20:39No strength.
20:40Cain came home.
20:41I told him.
20:42He got excited on the spot.
20:44Stay here.
20:45I'm getting the healer.
20:46The healer came.
20:48Sure enough, pup.
20:49Two months along.
20:50Good for you, Ella.
20:51Pop out a male pup in your set.
20:53Cain's silver will be yours.
20:55You'll run the house?
20:56I smiled and nodded.
20:57Didn't tell them Cain already handed me a silver.
20:59That I already ran everything.
21:00Cain got nervous after I got pregnant.
21:03Came home early.
21:04Did all the heavy grunt work.
21:05I stayed careful.
21:06But I wasn't going to sit around doing nothing.
21:08Women aren't that fragile.
21:10That day, I took a basket to pick wild berries near camp.
21:13Was craving honeyed fruit.
21:14Someone pushed me down a grassy slope.
21:17I screamed.
21:19I saw who it was.
21:21Cain's mother.
21:22Margaret.
21:23Eyes mean as a snake.
21:24Why should Alan suffer while you live easy?
21:28You think you deserve a pup?
21:30Cain twisted through me.
21:31I couldn't even scream.
21:33Someone help.
21:34Cain reached out for her to stay.
21:35A pack kid saw me.
21:37Ran back to camp.
21:38They carried me home.
21:39Someone else went for the healer.
21:40I watched the healer soap shake his head and sigh.
21:43Cain walked in, dark as a storm.
21:46Ella.
21:47His hands had blood on them.
21:48My tears away.
21:49Gentle.
21:50Ella.
21:51I know.
21:51Don't think too much.
21:53Take your medicine.
21:54Sleep.
21:54Our pup's justice.
21:56The father goes and gets it.
21:57Cain didn't leave.
21:58Sat by the bed until I cried myself out.
22:01Took his hunting knife and went to his parents' place.
22:03Everyone heard the place.
22:06When they couldn't scream anymore, Cain came out.
22:09Cain, those are your parents.
22:10He didn't answer.
22:11Just picked up an axe and started swinging.
22:14When the house was a pile of rubble, he left.
22:18His parents were alive, but not really.
22:20I woke up again.
22:21Candlelight.
22:22Ella.
22:23Does it hurt?
22:24I tried to tell him about the pup.
22:25Tried to say how much it hurt.
22:27Everywhere hurt.
22:28But I opened my mouth and nothing came out.
22:30Food's ready.
22:31Eat some.
22:31Sleep some more.
22:32I'm going to find him a place.
22:34Somewhere peaceful.
22:35When Cain turned to go, I grabbed him.
22:37I want to come.
22:38Then come.
22:39He found a good place.
22:40By the river.
22:41Tiny little grave.
22:42My poor little pup.
22:44His dad and I wanted him so bad.
22:46Word spread about Margaret pushing me.
22:48The elder was furious.
22:49Stripped Noah and Margaret from the pack rolls.
22:52That's when they finally got scared.
22:54Cried and begged.
22:56One morning after the rain stopped, Cain helped me into the cart.
22:59Where are we going?
23:00Somewhere no one knows us.
23:02Somewhere we can eat whatever we want.
23:03Wear whatever we want.
23:05Somewhere everyone learns I'm not someone to mess with.
23:07I'm scared.
23:08Don't be.
23:09I'll protect you.
23:10Anyone hurts you, I kill them.
23:11We headed south.
23:12I'd never traveled before.
23:14Everything was strange and new.
23:16But then I thought about the pup I lost and couldn't help sighing.
23:19Cain held my hand, quiet, letting me know he was there.
23:23I tried to smile at him, just ended up leaning into him, crying.
23:26I knew time would fix it.
23:28But right then, I was still broken.
23:30Cain, I'll get better.
23:32Just give me time.
23:33Okay.
23:34Whatever I wanted to eat, Cain bought it.
23:36We didn't rush.
23:37Whenever we found a pretty view, Cain stopped so we could look at it together.
23:41My eyes went hot.
23:42I just screamed.
23:44Half the weight in my chest broke apart with those screams.
23:48We stopped at a town called Redford, flat everywhere.
23:52Rented a little courtyard place.
23:54Cleaned it up.
23:55Brought our things in.
23:57Started feeling like home.
23:58That night, we roasted venison.
24:01The neighbor's kids smelled it and started crying for meat.
24:03Cain and I looked at each other and laughed.
24:06He cut meat for me.
24:08I cut meat for him.
24:09Cain had the horse and he was strong.
24:11Easy to find work.
24:12Paid pretty well.
24:13Life was comfortable.
24:14Molly from next door.
24:15Her son, Tommy, with her.
24:17I rubbed Tommy's head.
24:18Went and got him a piece of honey candy.
24:20Thanks.
24:20I'm going to spoil him.
24:21Lord Foster on the west side is throwing a party.
24:24Needs scrubbers.
24:2550 copper a day.
24:26Let me check with my husband.
24:27But if I went, who'd cook for Cain?
24:31Let him stay a while.
24:33Tommy was good.
24:34Quiet.
24:34I wiped his hands.
24:35Did my sewing.
24:37He sat next to me playing with little wooden blocks Cain had made.
24:40Look, Ella.
24:41Good job.
24:42If my pup had lived.
24:43In two or find a blay weary two or three years, he'd be this sweet.
24:47This good.
24:47You're good too.
24:48What am I good at?
24:50Sewing.
24:50I rubbed his head.
24:51Then came footsteps outside.
24:55Cain's home!
24:56Tommy smiled.
24:57Everyone was scared of Cain.
24:58Even the kids.
24:59But not Tommy.
25:00He liked him.
25:01Cain came into the yard.
25:03You're hurt?
25:05No.
25:06Boar blood.
25:07Go get your dad.
25:08We're roasting boar tonight.
25:10Dad!
25:11Cain says come help!
25:14When no one was looking, he pinched my cheek too.
25:17Roast plenty tonight.
25:19You're getting too thin.
25:21Tommy's dad came.
25:23Neighbors came by, asking if we were selling the meat.
25:26I looked at Cain.
25:28Boar's not that big.
25:30Keep it.
25:31My mate's been sick.
25:32Needs the nutrition.
25:34Next time I go out, maybe I'll bag a bigger one.
25:38That's huge!
25:40Anyone who helped.
25:41Cain gave them about half a pound.
25:44Tommy stayed for dinner.
25:46After dinner, we walked Tommy home.
25:49Later, I asked Cain what about making him our godjun.
25:52Cain thought about it for a long time.
25:55Let's wait and see.
25:56Then I told him about Lord Foster's party.
25:5850 copper a day.
26:00You wanna do it?
26:01Then do it.
26:03If it's too hard, quit.
26:04I can support you.
26:06I looked at Cain and smiled.
26:07Molly and I started working parties regular.
26:10Cain didn't bring home much at first.
26:12Then 3 silver.
26:15Then...
26:16Then 10.
26:17One month, he brought home 50.
26:19The place we were renting went up for sale.
26:2127 silver.
26:22We talked it over and bought it.
26:24Our own place.
26:26Fixed up the roof.
26:28One day, I made a pot of stew.
26:30The whole street smelled it.
26:32Everyone came asking.
26:33I gave out the bowls.
26:35Seeing them praise it gave me an idea.
26:37You wanna sell stew on the street?
26:39I nodded.
26:39I'm not afraid of work.
26:42But keeping busy helps.
26:44Keeps me from thinking too much.
26:46That pain never went away.
26:48Not talking about it didn't mean forgetting.
26:50Then do it.
26:51But don't do it alone.
26:53Ask Molly.
26:54I told Molly.
26:55She said yes on the spot.
26:58Only thing is, I don't have a single copper.
27:02Every coin goes straight to the mother-in-law.
27:04Molly, I know.
27:05I'll pay you wages.
27:06A few days of free work won't kill me.
27:09Knock on wood.
27:09Your stew business is going to make it.
27:12I can feel it.
27:13Cain had a wooden pushcart built.
27:15Bought firewood.
27:17Me and him sat up nights doing the math.
27:20How much to sell.
27:22And Molly's wages.
27:26Cain looked up in the candlelight.
27:30Ella.
27:31Let's learn to read.
27:33I was shocked.
27:35Read?
27:37You go ahead.
27:39You're the one.
27:40Win out in the world.
27:42Cain shook his head.
27:44Both of us.
27:45I'll teach you.
27:46Reading.
27:48Arthur Mithman.
27:48Cain said.
27:49Then doing business won't be such a struggle.
27:51Won't take all night just to add things up.
27:54He was right.
27:56And he wanted me to learn too.
27:58My heart could have burst.
28:00How many men would do that?
28:02My stew stand opened.
28:03Business was good.
28:04Then someone opened another stand across the street.
28:07Taking our customers.
28:08Molly cursed them out.
28:09Don't be mad, Molly.
28:11Now it's just right.
28:12We made money.
28:14Not too tired.
28:15Ella, you're too sensible.
28:16Not sensible.
28:17Cain made good money anyway.
28:19The stew stand was mine.
28:21Whatever it made was extra.
28:22Kept me busy.
28:25Kept me from remembering.
28:26My stew business went from a cart to a storefront in a year.
28:30When we moved to a bigger place.
28:32Tommy cried his eyes out.
28:34You can visit.
28:35You'll see me.
28:37Tommy shook his head.
28:39It's not the same.
28:41It wasn't.
28:42But he adjusted.
28:43Not long after we moved, I started feeling off again.
28:46I knew the signs.
28:47Told Cain.
28:48He called a doctor.
28:49Sure enough.
28:50Pregnant.
28:51Cain laid his hand on my belly.
28:53Gentle.
28:53After a long moment, he said.
28:56Let's buy two servants.
28:57An older woman for cleaning.
28:59A young maid for you.
29:01Cain bought things we didn't need.
29:03Rattles.
29:04Wooden horses.
29:06Little bows and arrows.
29:07I could tell he wanted a boy.
29:10What if it's a girl?
29:13I asked.
29:14Girls are fine.
29:16Blossoms before fruit.
29:19A few girls first.
29:20Then I'll be a father-in-law with endless roasted pig feet.
29:24I sat in my comfortable chair.
29:27Sewing soft baby clothes.
29:29The room was quiet.
29:31Warm.
29:32Safe.
29:34The master's home.
29:36Cain hurried in.
29:38His eyes went soft when he saw me.
29:40Did the pup give you trouble today?
29:42I put down my sewing.
29:44Showed him my belly.
29:46Not today.
29:47He was good.
29:50Cain crouched down.
29:52Put his palm flat on my belly.
29:54The pup moved.
29:57He kicked.
29:59I looked at him.
30:00My eyes full of joy.
30:03Cain smiled too.
30:05He leaned down and pressed his ear to my belly.
30:11The heartbeat came through.
30:13The sound of new life.
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