- 2 days ago
My Three Beast Mates Regret It - Ep
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I have three handsome and dashing husbands.
00:07Everyone in the kingdom knew I was the female, spoiled badly by her mates.
00:11The finest food, the softest pelts, yet I snapped at them over nothing.
00:16I did as I pleased, for I was loved.
00:20And I knew it.
00:22Then a stranger she-wolf came to the kingdom.
00:25Where I was sharp and difficult, she was warm and bright.
00:30And every male noticed.
00:32Within days, unmaided males lingered outside her door, falling over themselves to do her favors.
00:38Yet she leaned on no one.
00:40She raised her pup alone and built a life from nothing.
00:46Gradually, my first mate Kale found me unbearable.
00:51When he left, the other two stood at my side and raged on my behalf.
00:55This is your choice, Kale! Don't you dare come crawling back to Sierra later!
00:59Not long after, my second mate Red left too.
01:02I looked at Zane and felt my throat tighten.
01:04Zane, do you think I have a bad temper too?
01:07He ruffled my hair.
01:08Stop overthinking it. They're the ones who don't know what they have.
01:10Then one evening, I watched him shift into tiger form and trail close behind Lyra.
01:15Head low, eyes soft, silently begging her to touch him.
01:19I turned and ran, stumbling all the way to my father's hall.
01:23Dad, cancel this election!
01:24Listen, I'll marry into the Murr Clan.
01:26Have you lost your mind?
01:28That's the Murr Clan!
01:29Every other female prays not to be chosen, and you're volunteering to go?
01:34My eyes stung as I twisted the hem of my dress tightly.
01:37The Murr Clan had no females of their own.
01:40Each year, they relied on marriages with Land Clans to continue their bloodline.
01:44Unlike Land Males, Murr Males were powerful, but fiercely possessive.
01:48They never shared their mates with anyone. Yet, no female wanted to live on those damp, cold islands.
01:53Did they do something to you again?
01:56Don't! Dad, please, don't! Please stop fighting for me!
02:01When Kale and Red left, I'd run to him in tears.
02:04That Omega, Lyra, had been moved farther and farther away, but they still never came back.
02:08The coldness in their eyes when they left still made me tremble.
02:11Sierra, stop bullying others. Lyra did nothing wrong, yet you nearly got her driven out.
02:14Without your father's crown, what exactly do you have?
02:17I can't believe I ever loved someone like you.
02:19That night, I clung to Zane, the only one who stayed, and cried until I passed out.
02:23But now, even he was gone.
02:26In the silence, Dad let out a long sigh.
02:28You are my only daughter, Sierra. I hate to let you go so far away, but I can't bear to
02:33see you wronged either.
02:34The selection is in three days. Think it over and come back to me, okay?
02:38I stepped out of the King's Hall.
02:42Zane was waiting outside.
02:43He leaned against the doorpost, held a small yellow flower, staring at it quietly.
02:51I knew that flower.
02:55He'd begged it from Lyra earlier, tail wagging.
03:01When he saw me, he hid the flower.
03:06His eyes curved into a smile.
03:08Sierra?
03:10I wiped my eyes and walked straight past him.
03:14Sierra, where are you going?
03:15I didn't answer.
03:17I didn't look back.
03:19After a few steps, the footsteps behind me stopped.
03:22I spun around sharply.
03:25Zane stood far away.
03:26He frowned, carefully protecting the small yellow flower from the wind.
03:31My heart skipped a beat.
03:32I shouted at him angrily.
03:34Zane!
03:35Why aren't you coming?
03:36Clanmates nearby turned to stare.
03:41He only lifted his eyes slightly.
03:43The sunset stretched his shadow long.
03:46Panic rose in my chest.
03:48I stamped my foot, gritted my teeth, and started toward him.
03:52But then he spoke.
03:56Sierra, after today, I won't be walking you home anymore.
04:02He turned and walked toward Lyra's house.
04:06Winter was coming, and I was standing outside in a thin layer of clothing,
04:10pale as I watched Zane step out.
04:14The chamber was empty.
04:15The fire Zane lit that morning still crackled.
04:17I tried to add wood, but a spark burned my hand.
04:20A sting that made me almost pout until reality hit.
04:23No one was here to care for me anymore.
04:26My nails dug into my palms.
04:27I jumped up and ran outside.
04:29Every step echoed my panic.
04:31Finally, I knocked on that door, messy and breathless.
04:33But it wasn't Zane who answered.
04:35Kale froze when he saw me.
04:37His eyes scanned my wounds,
04:38and an unfamiliar emotion flickered across his face.
04:41What are you doing here?
04:42He was my first bonded mate.
04:44When he was still beside me,
04:45he'd scold me for running recklessly,
04:47for getting hurt,
04:48then follow me,
04:49clean up every mess I left behind.
04:51He never held back his sharp words,
04:52but after each cold look,
04:54his thumb brushed away my tears.
04:56His clumsy kisses igniting warmth I pretended not to feel.
05:00I didn't meet his gaze.
05:01Instead, I stared anxiously inside.
05:03Kale's hand on the door tightened.
05:05He let out a cold laugh,
05:06a shiver in the air.
05:07Zane looks like you didn't clean up well enough.
05:09She followed the trail straight here.
05:11What if Lyra finds out?
05:13Winter was coming,
05:14and I stood outside,
05:15pale and trembling.
05:17The wind cut into my skin like shards of ice,
05:19as I watched Zane step out.
05:21His clothes were messy,
05:22hair disheveled,
05:23a fresh bite mark stark against his neck.
05:26He glanced impatiently at Kale,
05:27then at me.
05:28Irritation flared in his eyes,
05:30sending chills down my spine.
05:32I stepped back involuntarily.
05:34Suddenly, a warm blanket enveloped me.
05:37I looked up.
05:37Kale's jaw was tight, tense.
05:39Zane stepped in front of me,
05:40his familiar, gentle look returning.
05:43Sierra?
05:44What happened to you?
05:45Zane, I won't beg for those little red pups
05:47from beyond the mountains anymore.
05:48I won't complain that your fur isn't soft enough.
05:51I won't cling to you and chatter when you're tired.
05:54I'll only have you as my mate from now on.
05:56I don't want anyone else.
05:57Please don't leave me alone, okay?
06:00Oblivious to Kale's darkening expression beside me,
06:02Zane listened,
06:03but his gaze drifted to my scraped, bleeding knees.
06:06You promised you'd stay with me forever.
06:10Zane, you can't break your word.
06:12I...
06:12But I grabbed only air.
06:14Zane pulled his hand away.
06:16It's cold outside.
06:17Let's go in first.
06:18Alright?
06:19The room was warm.
06:20I sank into a fur-padded wooden chair.
06:22Everything neat and inviting.
06:24The walls were smooth,
06:25and firewood stacked in the corner.
06:27I thought of my cold, neglected room.
06:29The roof leak remained,
06:30firewood only chopped when it ran out.
06:32On chilly days, I dared not complain,
06:35afraid I'd be a burden.
06:36I snuck into his arms,
06:37trembling,
06:38scared he'd leave too.
06:39Muffled voices drifted from the next room.
06:41Going soft on her?
06:44I'm warning you,
06:45if you regret this,
06:46don't think about coming back.
06:47No,
06:48I just don't want her running to the king,
06:49crying again and causing trouble for Lyra.
06:51She's easy to handle.
06:52My mind went blank.
06:55Kale laughed softly.
06:56Footsteps receded.
06:58Then someone knelt before me.
06:59Zane dabbed my bleeding knees with a cloth.
07:02Sierra, I'm Lyra's mate now.
07:04You're the king's daughter.
07:05Every good male in this kingdom would line up for you.
07:08Paused, smiled faintly.
07:09Didn't you always say you'd throw us out and find someone better?
07:12Those were just angry words, weren't they?
07:14Why had he never cared before,
07:16but taken them seriously now?
07:18I looked at him through blurred eyes,
07:20shaking my head repeatedly.
07:22I didn't mean it!
07:23Zane noticed the tears in my eyes.
07:25His expression hardened,
07:26but carefully,
07:27he reached out,
07:28wiped them away,
07:29and patted my head once.
07:31Then he stood in silence,
07:32moving to get water and medicine.
07:34A crash.
07:35Something heavy hit me hard.
07:37I turned to find Lyra's pup behind me.
07:40Bad person!
07:41You hurt my mama!
07:43Get out!
07:44I threw my arm up instinctively,
07:46but splashing water flew back.
07:48Boiling drops hit his bare calves and hands.
07:50The cub froze,
07:52then screamed.
07:52The front door swung open.
07:54A gust of cold air hit me,
07:55then a firm grip seized my neck.
07:57Bullying Lyra isn't enough.
07:58You even come here to bully a cub?
08:00Sierra,
08:01you never run out of tricks, do you?
08:03Red's departure was the harshest of all.
08:06Because of my desperate pleas to King Aldrich,
08:08Lyra almost faced expulsion.
08:10And yet,
08:11Red stepped forward silently,
08:12volunteering for the deadliest border patrol in the kingdom,
08:15where no one could ever survive.
08:17He risked his life for Lyra and her pup's right to stay.
08:20The last look he gave me?
08:21Ice cold.
08:24I was stupid.
08:28The greatest regret of my life is ever putting you above everything else.
08:33I couldn't understand it.
08:35Betrayed first,
08:36yet they spoke with such honor.
08:38But my grip weakened with every second.
08:41Tears blurred my vision.
08:42When I finally looked at him,
08:44there was nothing left in my eyes but gray.
08:46Red's pupils contracted.
08:49Panic flared.
08:50He saw I was choking and let go quickly.
08:52I fell hard,
08:53bent over,
08:54barely able to breathe.
08:57Zane rushed toward me,
08:58but just as he tried to pull me close,
09:00Lyra pushed the door open.
09:02He instinctively pushed me farther away.
09:04I rolled back,
09:06my body numb with pain,
09:07the world spinning around me.
09:10Kale stepped forward instinctively,
09:12then froze.
09:13Red's eyebrow rose at Zane.
09:16Didn't you say you'd protect Sierra forever?
09:18Why are you here too?
09:20Cruel smile spread across his face.
09:23Ah,
09:23so you can't stand her either.
09:26Funny how all three of us always end up wanting the same female.
09:30His gaze dropped to me,
09:32a short,
09:32contemptuous laugh escaping him.
09:34Zane's eyes darkened.
09:36He met my begging gaze,
09:37hesitated,
09:38and looked away.
09:39I forgot how to breathe,
09:40frozen in place.
09:41Your arm.
09:42All eyes shifted to my forearm.
09:43Expecting tears,
09:45they saw silence instead.
09:46I stood up on my own.
09:48I looked at Lyra.
09:50Her eyes curved like water.
09:52Even in midwinter,
09:53she could coax precious vegetables from poor soil.
09:56Perhaps in this kingdom,
09:57no one disliked her except me.
09:59Maybe I was too abnormal.
10:01Lyra patted her sobbing cub.
10:03Boy,
10:03you did something wrong.
10:04Apologize to Sierra,
10:06okay?
10:06The pup buried his face in her neck.
10:08He's still small.
10:09He got scared.
10:10Let me apologize on his behalf.
10:11I have good burn ointment there.
10:13I'll get it right away.
10:14No.
10:14Silence fell.
10:15All eyes on me.
10:16I want him to apologize.
10:18Lyra's smile faded,
10:19her brow creasing with worry.
10:20He's just a pup.
10:22Asking him right now might be...
10:24Apologize.
10:25Sierra!
10:26Red stepped sharply in front of Lyra and the pup,
10:28his face darkening.
10:30Why are you picking on a child?
10:32Lyra already apologized.
10:33Do you want to make him cry to be satisfied?
10:35Hale said nothing.
10:36His furrowed brows volumes.
10:38Even Zayn shook his head gently.
10:39The three beasts who once belonged to me now stood against me.
10:43Lyra touched Red's sleeve and whispered something to the pup.
10:46He finally turned, muttering,
10:49Sorry.
10:51Mumbled.
10:51Reluctant.
10:52Wronged.
10:53Yet the scowls remained.
10:54Lyra looked at me, apology written across her face.
10:57Sierra, the burn can't wait.
10:59I'll help you treat it first.
11:00I'll help you treat it first.
11:01She turned to fetch the medicine.
11:03I felt icy all over, unable to stand.
11:06No need.
11:06The words fell in a rush.
11:08Before hearing a response, I slammed the door shut,
11:10stumbling into the biting wind.
11:17Made up your mind?
11:18I nodded quietly, saying nothing.
11:20After that night, I locked myself in my chambers for two full days.
11:24It's a long way to the southern shore.
11:26We leave tonight.
11:27Pack whatever you want to bring.
11:29I shook my head with a bitter smile.
11:31I don't want to take anything.
11:32The night before the selection,
11:33every unmated female in the kingdom tossed and turned,
11:36consumed with fear,
11:38terrified of being the bride chosen for the Mare Clan.
11:40Word spread quickly that I had seen the king.
11:43Soon, someone knocked,
11:44shattering the brief silence.
11:46What did you say to the chief this?
11:48Zane and Kale followed closely behind Red into the room,
11:50their gazes fixed on the clothes and items scattered all over the floor.
11:54Their pupils constricted,
11:56steps coming to a complete halt.
11:59What will you do?
12:01Kill me?
12:02The room fell into a deathly silence.
12:05Zane stepped forward and cautiously,
12:07Sarah, stop being stubborn.
12:09Just tell us,
12:10what did you say to the king?
12:12Asking myself,
12:13would they believe me if I explained?
12:15Would they want me to stay?
12:16After thinking for a long time,
12:18only two words remained in my heart.
12:20No.
12:21Yes, I want to drive Lyra away.
12:23I, the three of them froze in place instantly.
12:26I hate that she took you from me.
12:28So I went to beg my dad.
12:30I told him,
12:32as long as Lyra stays in this kingdom,
12:35I'll make trouble every day,
12:37making everyone unable to live in peace.
12:40Sierra!
12:41How dare you?
12:42I dare!
12:43My father has always doted on me the most,
12:46hasn't he?
12:46Since I was little,
12:48as long as I cried and begged,
12:51he'd agree to anything.
12:52The king won't act on your word alone.
12:58You'll find out tomorrow morning.
13:00All three left with dark faces.
13:03Father was already waiting by the carriage.
13:05His eyes were bloodshot.
13:06He draped a thick fur coat over my shoulders.
13:09Medicine inside,
13:11and food,
13:12and everything else you'll need.
13:14The coast is humid.
13:16Take care of yourself.
13:17I climbed onto the carriage and glanced back at the kingdom one last time in the morning light.
13:22When I turned around again,
13:24there was nothing but determination in my eyes.
13:27I will.
13:28They hadn't walked far before Red's guilt flooded in.
13:32Did I go too far just now?
13:35The question came out of nowhere.
13:37Don't look at me like that.
13:39I thought her behavior was weird just now.
13:42He recalled her room,
13:43cold and gloomy like an underground cellar.
13:46The messy floor everywhere,
13:48and her lifeless expression.
13:50Did we take this too far?
13:52He voiced what everyone thought,
13:54but dared not say.
13:55Red exploded with rage,
13:57and started venting his anger on the tree.
13:59This is all your fault!
14:01You said we had to make Sierra chair us,
14:04and grow independent.
14:05So we acted this play,
14:06and you made me be the villain!
14:08He stared at his own hands,
14:10unable to bear thinking about what he had done.
14:12What if...
14:14she hates me forever?
14:16The question struck all three of them deep inside.
14:19The selection is tomorrow.
14:20Every young woman must attend.
14:22What if Sierra gets chosen?
14:24I have to go find her now.
14:27Zane grabbed Red's arm.
14:29The king will never allow his own daughter to be chosen.
14:33What if you do?
14:35I don't care anymore!
14:37We're the done the way you found, Tamari.
14:39This has to end tomorrow.
14:40I quit if it goes on like this.
14:42The tense atmosphere eased slightly.
14:46Red, you've been gone for a while.
14:47It's your turn to help Lyra test her new medicine tonight.
14:50On the surface,
14:51they made me Lyra's partner.
14:52But in reality,
14:54they just wanted her to act in this play.
14:57Lyra's condition was simple.
14:58They took turns testing her medicine.
15:00Her understanding of treatment
15:02was beyond that of the royal physicians.
15:04He had even been researching fever-reducing medicine.
15:07On this continent,
15:08a fever could easily take the life of a cub.
15:11It was a more terrifying shadow than any beast.
15:13To get stable test subjects,
15:16Lyra agreed to this deal.
15:17However,
15:18just as the three of them thought their plan was foolproof,
15:21Layla spoke up.
15:22You want her to become stronger and cherish what she has.
15:25I understand that.
15:26But from her perspective,
15:28it might make her feel like
15:30all the people she trusts most
15:31have pushed her off the same cliff together.
15:34I don't mind playing my part.
15:37But are you sure you've thought this through?
15:39At that time,
15:40none of them really listened.
15:41The result was obvious.
15:42The morning of the selection had barely touched the sky.
15:45Red spotted a figure crouched by the door from afar.
15:48As he approached,
15:48he saw Zane,
15:49sitting on the stone steps,
15:50hugging his knees.
15:52The dew dampened his hair.
15:53He looked up at the sound of footsteps,
15:55eyes bloodshot.
15:57You waited out here all night?
15:59Zane said nothing,
16:00only nodded toward the side,
16:01where a neat pile of firewood lay.
16:03Kale caught up,
16:04frowning.
16:05You snuck out in the middle of the night to chop wood?
16:07Zane's voice was rough,
16:09quiet.
16:10I couldn't sleep.
16:11Red stared,
16:12conflicted and annoyed.
16:14So you're the only hero here,
16:15sneaking around to do favors?
16:17I didn't go in.
16:20I just...
16:21chopped some wood.
16:22Regret burned in his chest.
16:24If only he'd chopped enough wood before yesterday.
16:26Kale held Red back.
16:28Enough.
16:29Right now,
16:29the only thing that matters is finding Sierra
16:31and telling her the truth.
16:32The three of them stood at the door,
16:34frozen in place.
16:38Fine.
16:39I'll do it.
16:43Sierra?
16:44Are you awake?
16:44Silence.
16:45Twice more.
16:46A bad feeling crept over them.
16:48They exchanged a glance and threw the door open.
16:51The room was a mess,
16:52just as last night.
16:54A rabbit fur vest lay alone,
16:56dusty,
16:57discarded like trash.
16:58The stove was cold,
16:59the water jar full.
17:00Nothing missing,
17:01yet everything gone.
17:02Zane's gaze fell on worm-eaten red berries,
17:05tiny bite marks.
17:06His heart dropped.
17:08He stepped forward,
17:09knocking over the basket.
17:10A rotten,
17:11sickening smell filled the air.
17:13Every berry bore two bites,
17:14like she hated it,
17:15yet had no choice.
17:16Kale grabbed Zane's shoulder.
17:18I've been wanting to ask
17:19since before we came in.
17:20The hearth was cold!
17:22The food tray hadn't been touched,
17:24and you just,
17:24you just left?
17:25You left her here alone,
17:27in the cold,
17:28eating this?
17:29Zane's lips quivered,
17:30words failing.
17:31He'd assumed she'd go to find her father
17:33without food or fire,
17:34never imagining she'd stay here,
17:36eating these berries.
17:37If I'd known,
17:38I would have stayed.
17:40I should have been the last one.
17:42Zane sank to the ground,
17:43pale,
17:44watching Kale tear the room apart.
17:46Tear the room apart like a madman.
17:50A drop of water fell through the roof's hole,
17:53landing before Kale.
17:54Red,
17:54usually fiercest,
17:55was silent,
17:56despair flashing in his eyes at the berries.
17:58Then,
17:59outside,
17:59a horn blared.
18:01The square was already crowded.
18:03Unmated females stood gathered together,
18:05tense and quiet.
18:06Their families and friends pressed close on all sides.
18:08The three of them pushed through the crowd,
18:10searching for one familiar face.
18:12Once,
18:13twice,
18:13she was nowhere.
18:14Cold sweat broke across Zane's forehead.
18:16He grabbed the arm of a female he knew.
18:18You've seen Sierra?
18:19She shook her head.
18:20No.
18:21Don't you three look after her.
18:22The words hit him like a slap.
18:24He let go of her arm without a word.
18:26Another female nearby tugged at her sleeve and whispered.
18:29Did you forget?
18:30Sierra doesn't have mates anymore?
18:32Those three mates already.
18:34She gestured with her eyes.
18:36The other female understood it once and smiled awkwardly at Zane.
18:39Kale rushed to my dad,
18:41King Aldrich,
18:41his voice urgent.
18:43Your majesty!
18:44Where is Sierra?
18:45Have you seen her?
18:46My dad turned at the words,
18:47his gaze sweeping over the three of them.
18:49His expression was perfectly flat.
18:52Sierra is not here.
18:54All three of them paled.
18:56Red's voice came out broken.
18:59Then where did she go?
19:01My dad didn't answer him.
19:02He turned to face the gathered crowd.
19:05People of this kingdom,
19:07I have called you here to make an announcement.
19:10A murmur erupted from the crowd.
19:12There is a woman who has volunteered and settled for Zane.
19:19What?
19:20Who would be so foolish?
19:22Is she out of her mind?
19:24That's the Murr clan.
19:25The voices broke over each other, getting louder.
19:28The answer was already forming in the air before anyone said it.
19:31But all three of them stood there,
19:33as if they still couldn't make themselves believe it.
19:35Impossible!
19:36Who?
19:36Who is it?
19:37Dad's gaze moved to the three of them,
19:39hollow-eyed,
19:40falling apart where they stood.
19:42It was not anger.
19:43It was disappointment.
19:44My daughter.
19:45Sierra.
19:47Kale reacted first,
19:48sprinting out of the square.
19:49Red and Zane followed close behind.
19:51They burst through the kingdom gates,
19:53racing down the path to the outside.
19:55The cold wind slapped their faces.
19:57Zane shifted and struck,
19:59tiger form blurring into full speed.
20:01But faltered after a few steps.
20:03Legs weak,
20:04he leaned on his knees,
20:06gasping for air.
20:07Tears hit the dirt.
20:08Kale stopped beside him,
20:10staring at the winding path vanishing into the mountains.
20:13It's too late.
20:13She left last night.
20:15We can't catch her.
20:20Why?
20:21We only wanted her to...
20:23We just wanted her to...
20:25They had only wanted the spoiled,
20:26headstrong girl to feel loss.
20:28To learn not to take everything for granted.
20:30To make her understand they mattered.
20:33That losing them would hurt.
20:35To make her...
20:36Love them more.
20:38But they forgot.
20:39They were the ones who had spoiled her.
20:41They had given indulgence,
20:43preference,
20:44making her think the world revolved around her.
20:47Then, suddenly,
20:48they took it all away,
20:49telling her,
20:50You're wrong.
20:51You're too bad.
20:52We don't want you like this.
20:59Alone on the road to the Arctic Circle.
21:02My only companions were a child and a fading memory.
21:06Want some water?
21:07The little mermaid blew a bubble,
21:09dragged himself over to hug my leg, listless.
21:12Mama, don't want to leave you.
21:14Tail hurts.
21:15Three years since I left the kingdom,
21:17I'd become a mother for the first time.
21:20All my sharp edges had long been smoothed,
21:22softening.
21:22Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around me from behind.
21:25A faint sea salt scent lingered.
21:27Kaspen leaned close, a little wronged.
21:28Not that I've forgotten.
21:29You have three males waiting for you up north.
21:31I never hid my past.
21:32The Sea Clan's possessiveness was truly well-deserved.
21:35But I never thought he'd insist on bringing the cub,
21:38wanting to go back north with me.
21:39If you two hadn't followed,
21:41I wouldn't have to take care of you both.
21:43I would have been at the kingdom days ago.
21:45My fault entirely.
21:46The thought of being trapped on that island,
21:49even with him, made my chest tight.
21:51But Sierra,
21:52if you'd asked me to wait on the island,
21:54I'd go crazy.
21:55My face blushed instantly.
21:58Beside us,
21:59Kof had grabbed a fistful of Kaspen's deep blue wavy hair
22:03and was tugging at it with cheerful curiosity.
22:07The carriage rocked.
22:09We were almost at the northern kingdom.
22:12Caspian and Cove couldn't be far from water for long.
22:15I found a clear stream not far from the kingdom.
22:18After settling the anxious my husband and son,
22:21I went to the gate alone.
22:22The young guard at the gate didn't recognize me.
22:25He looked over the Myrclan clothes in confusion,
22:27as if he wanted to question me.
22:29Then an older guard leaned out from behind him,
22:31took one look at my face,
22:32and went wide-eyed.
22:33S-Sierra?
22:35You're back?
22:36His shout turned several nearby heads.
22:38It really is her.
22:39She's back?
22:40Didn't she go to the Myrclan?
22:42She looks different somehow.
22:45I greeted them and walked toward Dad's hall.
22:48Dad had already heard the news.
22:49He walked out and bumped into me head-on.
22:52His eyes went red almost immediately.
22:55Sierra?
22:55Is that my Sierra?
22:57Holding back tears,
22:58I rushed forward and hugged his hunched body tightly.
23:01Dad's arms held me tightly.
23:03They're outside the gate.
23:04I didn't let them come in.
23:06Caspian and the others feel uncomfortable away from water for too long.
23:09I explained looking around the house.
23:11Dad's smile faded a little.
23:13I'm fine.
23:14But after you left,
23:15those three brats were like lost souls.
23:18Kale and Red took mission after mission,
23:20always away from home.
23:21Hearing those familiar names again,
23:23I felt no strong emotions.
23:25Only a little surprise.
23:27Hadn't they gotten together with the females they liked?
23:29Why did they end up like this?
23:31But before I could ask the question,
23:33Your Majesty!
23:34Someone said Sierra's back?
23:36Is it true?
23:36It was Red's voice.
23:38They were here in the kingdom.
23:39And they got the news so quickly.
23:42King Aldred's expression darkened.
23:43He looked at me.
23:45My hand tightened around the fabric of my sleeve.
23:47Then I let go.
23:49Dad, let me handle this.
23:52Dad hesitated, then nodded.
23:55He sat back in his chair, body tense.
23:58Obviously ready to step in at any moment.
24:02The door was slammed open.
24:04Red rushed in first, thinner than three years ago,
24:07with a few scars on his face.
24:09He froze when he saw me.
24:11Zane and Kale followed,
24:12seeing his stiff back.
24:14Sensing something,
24:15they pushed Red aside and squeezed in.
24:17Our eyes met.
24:19Zane had changed the most.
24:21His once gentle, smiling eyes
24:22now had dark circles under them.
24:24He looked like he'd lost all his vitality.
24:26And Kale, who came last,
24:28even had a few gray hairs by his temps.
24:30The room fell dead silent.
24:31Sierra?
24:32Is it really you?
24:33I didn't answer.
24:34Just looked at them calmly.
24:36Three years on the Myr Islands.
24:37Three years of Caspin's fierce, unrestrained love.
24:40I was not the same person who had left.
24:42And the experience of Had made me calm and soft.
24:44The me standing in front of them now
24:45was familiar and entirely foreign at once.
24:47I smiled softly,
24:48brushing a strand of hair behind my ear,
24:49accidentally feeling the bite mark on my neck.
24:51It was the mark Caspi had left
24:52in a fit of P.S. before I left.
24:55Realizing it,
24:56I hurried to cover it with my hand.
24:58I looked up.
24:59There was clearly no point in hiding it.
25:01I cleared my throat,
25:02and after a moment, spoke.
25:03It's been a long time.
25:04I'm back to visit my dad,
25:06and I'll leave soon.
25:07Red suddenly shouted,
25:07his face pale.
25:08You're leaving again?
25:09Going back to that terrible place?
25:11Sarah, we were wrong back then.
25:12My face darkened instantly,
25:13cutting him off.
25:14I live with the Myrclat now.
25:15That's my home too.
25:16Why wouldn't I go back?
25:18Under my questioning,
25:19all three of them went quiet.
25:20I ignored them and turned around.
25:22Dad, I remember there's a small stream
25:23behind my old house, right?
25:24Once Caspin and Cove have had
25:26enough time in the water,
25:26I'll bring them in and stay a while.
25:28I want to spend more time with you.
25:29You want to stay in your old chambers?
25:32Kale, who had been silent all along,
25:34suddenly spoke.
25:34Those chambers held more of their memories
25:36than anywhere else in the kingdom.
25:38And now I was bringing a stranger into them.
25:40I glanced at their haggard faces.
25:43Confusion crept in again.
25:44But after thinking about it,
25:45no matter what,
25:46it had nothing to do with who I was now.
25:48I checked the light outside.
25:50It was getting late.
25:51If I didn't get back soon,
25:52Crove would be beside himself.
25:54Dad, I have to go.
25:55So I said goodbye to Dad
25:56and walked past the three of them.
25:58If Caspin saw them trailing after me like this,
26:00I would never hear the end of it.
26:02Sarah, just give us a chance to explain.
26:04I was too tired to be angry.
26:05I just sounded worn out.
26:07Then explain this.
26:08Weren't you happy with Lyra?
26:09Why did you end up like this?
26:10All three of them went rotting.
26:12In silence, Zane broke first.
26:13We were never with Lyra.
26:15None of it was what you thought.
26:16Didn't you leave me back then for her,
26:17saying she was better than me in every way?
26:18What?
26:19Did you get tired of her already?
26:20Or she wasn't actually that great after all
26:21and you're disappointed?
26:22No, we're still...
26:23We wanted you to feel what loss was like,
26:24to learn to appreciate what you had.
26:26So we asked Lyra to act.
26:27We pretended to leave you and become her mates.
26:28The price was taking her medicine in turns.
26:30Truth was so absurd that I couldn't for a moment.
26:32Not a change of heart.
26:33Not boredom or contempt.
26:34Just a performance.
26:35I'm warning all three of you.
26:36Stop following me.
26:37My mate a bad peachy.
26:38He hates other mans coveting his nooning.
26:39I don't think you want to bring that kind of trouble to diskingdom.
26:42I turned and walked toward the gates without looking back,
26:44until my figure disappeared completely.
26:46Then Kale slowly raised his bloodshot eyes.
26:48His expression was something dark and unsettling.
26:50They say if a female loses all her needs...
26:51Red and Kale went rudged.
26:52They turned to look at him,
26:53unable to believe what they were hearing.
26:55Zane turned his head slowly to meet their eyes.
26:57Those gentle eyes of his.
26:59Something cold and restless was rising in them now.
27:02She was better than me in every way.
27:10The price of losing mates.
27:11I brought Caspian and Cove to my old chambers in the palace.
27:14The little mermaid was curious about everything on land.
27:18He gently touched the wooden walls and stone bed with his small hands.
27:22Caspian looked around warily.
27:24His gaze lingered on the old belongings that belonged to other males.
27:28But he said nothing.
27:29He just buried his head in my arms.
27:31I went to the woodshed to get some firewood.
27:33I wanted to heat water for the little one to soak his tail.
27:37But when I reached the woodshed, I froze.
27:39It was full to the brim.
27:41Some of the wood was clearly years old.
27:44I was sure it had been empty before I left.
27:46But it didn't matter anymore.
27:48Afterwards, I took Caspian and Cove to meet Dad.
27:50When Dad saw Cove, he was overjoyed, afraid to scare him even as he wanted to touch his silver-blue
27:56hair.
27:56Cove, however, was fearless.
27:58He grabbed Aldric's finger with both hands, blew a bubble directly at his face.
28:02Dad laughed heartily.
28:03At first, Dad eyed Caspian with scrutiny.
28:05But when he saw how gently he cared for me and the little one, he relaxed.
28:11He said only one thing to Caspian before they parted.
28:14Take care of her.
28:15I sent Caspian and Cove back ahead of me and stayed a while longer with my dad.
28:19It was nearly evening when I finally headed back.
28:22Lyra was coming the other way.
28:23She had a woven basket over one arm, heading toward her medicine garden.
28:26She stopped.
28:27Her smile was full of apology.
28:29Sierra, I heard you were back.
28:31I'm sorry for what happened back then.
28:32I never imagined it would go that far.
28:34It's in the past.
28:35And you're not the one who should be apologizing.
28:37They regretted it deeply later.
28:38But some mistakes can't fix with regret.
28:40We chatted briefly.
28:41She'd thrived in the kingdom.
28:42She even had her own herb field and apprentices.
28:44You know so much.
28:46Who taught you all this medicine?
28:47From a place far, far away.
28:48She didn't explain further, but grief flashed in her eyes.
28:51Then, from further down the path, a large male was walking toward us.
28:53He came straight to Lila's side, took the basket from her arm without asking,
28:56and closed his other hand around hers.
28:58Everyone says you've been pushing yourself too hard.
29:00Why are you out here again?
29:02He dipped his head, a brief, polite acknowledgement.
29:05Lyra introduced us.
29:06This male, Rex, was her real mate.
29:07They had been living elsewhere.
29:08A fight had sent her here on her own, and then one thing led to another.
29:11I watched the two of them together and felt something quiet move through me.
29:14Rex suddenly turned and looked past me toward the direction of the east wing.
29:18That's your side of the house, isn't it?
29:20Looks like there's a fight.
29:21I half ran back and arrived to a scene that stopped my blood cold.
29:24In the small yard, Caspin was half in his battle flame.
29:26His strong, powerful mermaid tail slammed the ground.
29:28He fought three wolves.
29:29Caspin was clearly holding back.
29:31A sea clan's power faded greatly on land.
29:33He mostly dodged and defended.
29:34In the next second, he seemed to react a little late.
29:36Red's claws slashed hard across his arm, splattering blood.
29:40Caspin!
29:40My heart tightened sharply.
29:42I rushed over without hesitation.
29:43Stop it!
29:44All of you, stop!
29:45The three beastmen didn't expect me to appear suddenly.
29:48They stopped their attack abruptly and turned back to human form.
29:50Sierra!
29:51He...
29:52He faked his injury to trick you!
29:55It's okay, Sierra.
29:56Don't worry.
29:57Compared to the three ferocious ex-mates, who was in the right was obvious.
30:01The three of you ganged up on him alone!
30:03How dare you say he tricked me!
30:04Sierra, such a scheming male.
30:06He doesn't really care about you.
30:07Don't be cheated by him.
30:09Enough!
30:09The moment I left this kingdom three years ago, everything between us ended.
30:13I don't care what you regret.
30:15I, Sierra, will only have Kasbran as my mate for life.
30:18Even if he dies, even if he's gone, it will always be him!
30:22Please, never disturb my life again.
30:24I didn't look at them again after that.
30:26I took Caspis' hand and brought him inside.
30:29Cove was waiting just inside the doorway, both hands gripping my sleeve the moment I came through.
30:33He had been frightened.
30:34I'm sorry.
30:35I made you worry.
30:36His voice was low, and the wound on his arm had already begun to close.
30:40The slow, steady healing of a mer bloodline.
30:42To him, those were nothing.
30:44To me, it had felt like the sky falling.
30:46We go home tomorrow.
30:48Caspian looked down at the top of my head, warmth moving quietly through his eyes.
30:52Alright, back to our home.
30:54Outside the door, three males stood for a long time.
30:56The sun went all the way down before they finally understood.
30:58Let's go.
30:59It was truly, completely over.
31:01That night, Cove eventually succeeded in pushing himself into the space between us.
31:04He was asleep.
31:05I lay still against Caspis' chest, listening to the steady pull of his heartbeat.
31:09My eyes grew heavy.
31:10I drifted, down and down, into that deep, dark sea.
31:13As for everything that had hurt me, everything I had carried, I would let it stay here.
31:17Let time take it, slowly, the way water takes stone.
31:20Let it fossilize.
31:21Let it fossilize.
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