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Ditched by Wolves, Claimed by the Serpent New - Full Movie | HD Short Drama Series
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00:09You are! We never thought of Chloe as our owner! We never touched her either!
00:16If you'd wanted, we would have helped you disappear from that wedding a long time ago!
00:25But in mine, you haven't been worth that in a long time.
00:33Director Ashford, these contracts need your review. Come in.
00:37I set the pen down.
00:40Before you go, let everyone know. Those three shifters downstairs are not to be let up.
00:45If they come back, have security remove them.
00:48Understood, Director. Also, you have a meeting shortly. What coffee would you like?
00:53Oh, right. The meeting.
00:55I picked up my phone and sent Vance a small emoji. A little pat. Might be home late. Be good
01:00and wait for me.
01:02Without waiting for a reply, I stood, smoothed the front of my jacket, and walked out.
01:08Actually, no coffee. Just water. Tell everyone in the conference room.
01:12Of course. Director Ashford.
01:16Vance was often with me when I worked. Sometimes, when I'd been absorbed in something too long, a cool, smooth
01:22tail would drift over and coil slowly around my waist.
01:26Why is he so clingy? I sighed, more fond than exasperated, and stroked a tail in what I hoped was
01:32reassuring.
01:32Human form this time, please. Shifter form is genuinely too much for me.
01:41Okay.
01:43I never asked about his other identity. Whether he was the heir to some family or the head of some
01:48organization.
01:49What his name meant in the world outside these walls. I wasn't curious. I only needed him here. That was
01:55enough.
01:55The way Ethan had once said, at the airport. We actually have our own names. I don't need to know.
02:00And I don't want to.
02:02That had been the end of it. As for the business deals Vance had quietly helped put into motion, I
02:07chose not to notice.
02:08I simply rewarded him from time to time. Small things. Warmly given. Vance had hurt Eric and Evan badly enough
02:14that it had taken time for them to recover.
02:17By the time they were well, I was gone. They couldn't find me. Eventually, it seemed they'd left the Ashford
02:22estate too. Until recently.
02:27Director Ashford, there are three people downstairs requesting to see you. They say their names are Ethan, Eric and Evan.
02:36Put them through. Yes, ma'am. Elena? You're back in the country? I am. Come meet us. No time. Not
02:50interested.
02:50I stepped into the role Chloe had been holding, and I was better at it. The group began to stabilize.
02:57My father's condition improved somewhat.
02:59I mentioned it to Vance, absently, in the top floor office.
03:06When a sick person suddenly gets better, sometimes it's a last flare of strength before the end.
03:11Vance's pale fingers wound slowly through a strand of my hair.
03:16I see.
03:20Father got worse again.
03:22His current condition left him with no real grip on the company.
03:26He knew it. I went to visit him.
03:33Sign over whatever shares you have left. All of them.
03:36The man in the hospital bed, frail now, aged past recognition, erupted in fury, but all he could do was
03:44cough.
03:44You built this company? Do you want to watch Chloe run it into the ground?
03:49He glared. I smiled.
03:51Give a little now, and I'll make sure she's taken care of.
03:56You've already seen what she becomes without me.
03:58That's your precious daughter, when you're not watching.
04:07Father, I'm your daughter too. I have your blood. Who better to leave it with?
04:14He stared at me for a long time. Something painful moved behind his eyes.
04:20I smiled. Everything was in place. Tall, striking, almost violently beautiful.
04:25She recognized him. Her sister, as a child, had found a half-dead venomous snake and refused to leave it
04:31alone.
04:31Chloe had screamed at her then.
04:33Get away from it! Are you insane?!
04:35Her kind, oblivious sister hadn't listened. She'd nursed the snake back to health.
04:39Her sister had probably forgotten all about it. Chloe remembered, so she brought Vance home.
04:43She knew why he agreed. He could smell her sister's presence in the house.
04:46Traces left from childhood. Here to repay a kindness? What a pity.
04:49My sister won't even know who you are. Vance didn't like Chloe. Not even a little.
04:53And the more he didn't, the more she wanted that to change. It never did.
04:57Then her sister called, wanting to trade. Chloe barely thought about it, and said yes.
05:01Good. Let this cold snake see exactly what kind of person her sister is.
05:04How she opens her hands for everyone, and how quickly she can close them.
05:08As expected, the three wolves took to Chloe almost instantly.
05:11But what she hadn't expected, her sister had genuinely forgotten Vance.
05:14And yet, she still treated him gently, instinctively. Why?
05:18After everything that's been done to her, why can't she just stop?
05:20A dying snake as a child. A litter of abandoned wolf pups.
05:24She picked them all up. Impossible. Infuriating. It was fine.
05:27Her sister was about to be forced into a marriage with a man who'd outlasted three wives.
05:31The pressure would crush her. Would she come crawling to Chloe then?
05:34The way Chloe used to visit?
05:36Bringing gifts to that small apartment, playing the generous sibling.
05:39Would she finally be desperate enough to need Chloe's help?
05:41That would be the right choice. Come to her sister. Not scatter kindness into the void.
05:45Chloe thought about all of it with something close to pleasure.
05:48Until, she realized, her sister had played her.
05:51As they got older, Chloe learned something. She was prettier than her sister.
05:54Not that her sister was ugly. She was genuinely lovely, in a quiet, clean way.
05:58But Chloe had inherited every striking feature with perfect precision, head to toe.
06:03So the pattern became this. Those who saw Chloe first, then her sister, looked vaguely let down.
06:08Those who saw her sister first, then Chloe, looked stunned.
06:12Every time this happened, Chloe thought to herself, her sister must be so hurt, so humiliated.
06:18When they were teenagers, her sister drew attention. The Ashford family's eldest daughter,
06:22graceful enough that boys noticed despite everything. Inevitably, those boys noticed Chloe and
06:27redirected. Of course they did. She was brighter, prettier, warmer, pathetic, shallow idiots.
06:32Chloe thought it internally. All contempt. But honestly, if they'd spent more time with her
06:37sister, they'd have found out. Her sister was smarter and more interesting than anyone gave her
06:41credit for. Too bad they lacked the patience to look past the surface. At that thought, Chloe would
06:46feel something almost like pity. Poor thing. No matter how kind her sister was to everyone,
06:51people still chose Chloe. She imagined her sister in the dark, seething with jealousy, hating her.
06:56Somehow, that thought made the exhaustion of performing warmth all day vanish. Chloe would hum to herself,
07:01lighter. Then she met a snake shifter. Her sister always had people around her, boys and girls,
07:08a full crowd. Her sister stood in the middle of them, smiling. Then she noticed Chloe and waved.
07:19Chloe! Come here! When the others saw Chloe, their expressions shifted to something like wonder.
07:25Chloe walked over. Her sister reached into her pocket and pressed a candy into her hand.
07:31I saved this for you. Strawberry, your favorite. Chloe took it happily. Then one of the girls said,
07:40Elena is so thoughtful! She remembers everyone's favorite! Chloe's smile went stiff. Why? She was her
07:46sister. Why was she this nice to everyone? Shouldn't she save the best of herself for Chloe? Chloe turned and
07:51walked away. Behind her, voices floated. Is that your sister? She's gorgeous. Like a doll. Her eyes are so
08:04big. Her skin... She didn't hear what her sister said back. She turned the corner and dropped the
08:09strawberry candy into a trash can. I switched to an overseas number. No one could reach me. Chloe never
08:14ended up marrying the man. The two families became enemies. When I returned, my parents had aged. My
08:20father spent most of his time in a hospital bed. They couldn't trust the extended family with the
08:24company. So they'd given it to Chloe. But under Chloe's management, the group was declining. Steadily.
08:29Then I walked through the door. My mother's hand rose on instinct. She was going to slap me. I stepped
08:35back. I smiled. Are you sure? I'm the only one who can save you now.
08:40Froze midair. I looked over. Chloe had her eyes locked on me. Sharp and searching. But she looked
08:46nothing like before. The polish was gone. She was frayed. Worn down by everything she'd been holding
08:51together. I let her too. Long time no see, little sister.
08:54Wore her gaze away and burst into tears. Chloe had hated her sister since childhood. Why? It started in
09:00primary school. The band sat beside me on the flight. He looked down, long lashes casting a faint shadow
09:06across his cheeks. So, you really were going to take the groom's place and marry me?
09:16You move fast. After realizing I wasn't there, it slipped out immediately. That brief shadow on
09:22the live stream, only I would have recognized it. Your scent went faint. Right. The terrifying thing
09:28about shifters was their sense of smell. Precise and absolute. I'll be overseas for a while. Until
09:35the timing is right to come back. Vance leaned in close. That cool, faint air of his wrapped around
09:40me. His lips pressed lightly to the side of my neck. This time, he didn't bite. I almost smiled.
09:48They said wolves were canines. Bonded hard. But this cold-blooded snake seemed more bonded than any
09:54of them. Over the months that followed, the Ashford family fell into disarray. Vance settled behind me,
09:59his chin coming to rest on my shoulder. One arm loosely circling my waist. An embrace, cool as winter air.
10:07I'm talking to you. Vance smiled. Why? Something unsettling in it. Would it make you happy if
10:13something happened to them? I paused. Eric and Evan were Ethan's brothers. Why would their getting hurt
10:19make him happy? Ethan's throat moved. Where are they? No idea. Probably close to dead though. Ice went
10:29through me. But Ethan, contrary to everything I'd expected, didn't turn and run. You're both leaving.
10:37Together. Isn't it obvious? Why are you taking him? The vein at Ethan's temple stood out. Are you all right?
10:46Chloe gave him to me. I'm his owner. Then you're still mine. You all belong to Chloe now. Don't you
10:54remember? You're the one who sent me to her. Something dark pooled in his eyes. I heard everything
11:02you said in the living room that morning. How much you all liked Chloe. I was doing you a favor.
11:09And now you're turning it around on me? You heard all of that? I had nothing more to say to
11:14him. I
11:15pulled Vance by the hand and turned to go. Ethan moved to follow and was stopped by the airport
11:21security I'd quietly arranged in advance. At the airport, my phone rang.
11:28The fake husband. His voice was hard. Come back. Marry me. What's your problem?
11:34You're not worth it. I blocked him too. Honestly, I'd overlooked him. I hadn't thought he'd be this
11:41delusional. I'd been waiting for a while when a shadow fell across me. I smiled without looking up.
11:48You're here. I raised my eyes. Ethan, I blinked. What's that face? Disappointed? Who were you expecting?
11:57Vance. His expression went cold. You really can't catch a break. He's not coming.
12:01I nodded. Kept my face easy. Ethan dropped into the seat beside me. I didn't expect you to actually
12:07pull off an escape. Don't bother me. I really... I cut him off. He shut his mouth. Bit down on
12:11his
12:11back teeth. He switched tactics. No cold edge this time. Where are you going? Not your business.
12:16Elena. Where are Eric and Evan? Ethan's expression changed. They're blocking Vance, aren't they?
12:25His face went tight. Then I saw him. Vance came through the crowd in long strides. A dried cut at
12:31his
12:31temple. Marks on his neck. Something low and dark in the set of his expression. When he reached me,
12:36the sharp smell of blood came with him. Are you okay? Ethan clenched his jaw.
12:50Chloe's perfect face was streaked with tears, shaking her head, backing behind my father. Father's
12:55face was iron gray. Where's Elena? Find her! She's gone too far! You said you had feelings for me. Her
13:01sister was willing to step aside for us, and you can't even- I have no idea what's going on.
13:05Since my
13:05son loves Chloe, why not let Chloe take her place? It's still a happy occasion for both families. I'd had
13:10the foresight to block my parents, the butler, and Chloe before leaving. Even with the groom's
13:14mother trying to smooth things over, they couldn't afford to make a scene. My mother went still,
13:19then looked at Chloe. Chloe bit her lip. Her voice came out. No! What do you mean no? Were you
13:24lying
13:24to me this whole time? Don't you have feelings for me? I don't! You had three wives die on you!
13:29Why
13:29would I ever like you? Complete chaos. I watched with genuine satisfaction. Then I spotted Ethan,
13:37Eric, and Evan in the corner of the frame. Their expressions were something else entirely.
13:42The left side was also empty. The venue erupted. I stared at the screen. Two minutes later,
13:47my fake husband rushed in. He recovered, took the microphone. Actually, today's bride was never Elena
13:54Ashfun. The bride I've been waiting for is my true love, Ms. Chloe Ashfun! That was when Vance's call came
14:04through. Where are you? On the way to the airport. You... Before I could finish asking,
14:10a news alert pushed to my screen. Male family heir confirmed for tonight's high-profile wedding.
14:15Not a pure human. Reports indicate he is a shifter. I tapped it immediately. A tall,
14:19unmistakable silhouette. Comments below. Looks like a snake shifter. Cold-blooded running a corporation.
14:24Actually kind of fitting. Something clicked in my mind. Vance, were you just trying to...
14:29Trash the wedding. I swallowed it back. I'm planning to lay low abroad for a while,
14:32until things settle. I hung up. If Vance wanted to follow, he would. If not,
14:37I didn't mind either way. I turned back to the live stream. Total chaos at the venue.
14:41The wedding day arrived. The city's most prestigious hotel. Over 30,000 white roses cascading from the
14:47ceiling. Crystal chandeliers threading through the waterfall of petals. Long tables draped in ivory
14:52jacquard. Champagne flutes standing in neat rows. Catching the light with a faint golden tint.
14:57Every detail was breathtaking. Big budget. I took one look, then was ushered into the
15:01backstage dressing room. Over the next three hours, the guest list filled. From backstage,
15:05I heard the steady murmur of congratulations. My parents appeared several times to confirm I was
15:10still there and cooperating. I looked at myself in the mirror. Flawless makeup. Then I checked the clock.
15:15The ceremony was about to begin. I'd already taken care of the makeup artist and assistant in
15:19advance. I gathered the heavy skirt and slipped out. Elena, the bathroom's straight ahead. The
15:23assistant kept pace, so no one in the hallway questioned it. Once inside, I stripped off the
15:31gown efficiently and changed into the clothes she'd stashed in her bag. Something light, with sneakers,
15:36and opened the window. A black car was parked close by. First floor. I climbed onto the sill and dropped
15:41down
15:42cleanly. Once in the car, I called Vance. Two rings. No answer. I frowned. Maybe the venue was too loud.
15:54He didn't hear it. Head to the airport. The car pulled into traffic. I opened my phone and found the
15:59live stream. My fake husband had insisted on broadcasting the ceremony. He wanted the world
16:03to see the moment Chloe stepped forward out of love. Lucky for me, that made watching very convenient.
16:08Welcome, our bride and groom from both sides! Both doors opened simultaneously. The right side,
16:15where I was supposed to stand, was empty. I laughed. Then I looked at the left side, a shadow,
16:20there for just a second. My smile faded. Vance? The days before the wedding, I was perfectly calm.
16:28I tried on jewelry. The estate, meanwhile, had developed its own sustained low-pressure system. Even
16:33Chloe, who normally at least maintained the pretense of civility, stopped by to take a shot. Didn't
16:38expect five percent of the shares to be enough to break you. I had no reaction. That seemed to infuriate
16:43her more. Do you know how much I'll have eventually? When father's gone, all of it comes to me. I
16:50paused.
16:51I actually looked at her. She looked satisfied. Jealous? The filial piety in this household is truly
16:58something. I couldn't help but think. Pathetic. Evan kept his face blank. Eric nodded. Ethan scrolled
17:05through his phone and said nothing. Pathetic? Are they talking about me? I didn't care what they
17:09thought. I was watching Vance. He wasn't as dark as I'd expected. He just lifted his gaze. And those black,
17:16fathomless eyes met mine. That's when I realized it. When his eyes weren't carrying that cold hostility,
17:22they were beautiful. The shape subtle. The outer corners lifting just slightly. An unintentional,
17:28almost lazy quality to the look. The day I came home with the marriage certificate and my fake
17:33husband. The entire Ashford family was seated at the dining table. Everyone's face said something
17:38different. The news about the arranged marriage had already spread through the household.
17:42I caught Vance's eye from across the room. A small, reassuring look. His expression was flat,
17:48but I could feel it. The suppressed hostility simmering underneath. The faint darkness around
17:53him. It was fine. Once everything was resolved, I had a place for him and what came next. I gave
17:57him
17:57a small, calm smile from across the room. He glanced at me once, then looked away. When I slipped into
18:03the kitchen to help carry dishes, Eric was at the sink. You don't like him. Who? Your husband. Eric smiled
18:10pleasantly. Elena, ask me nicely and I'll help you run. I looked at him. He clarified. The other two
18:19are on board too. The other two, Ethan and Evan. That explained why all three of them had been off
18:24today. Eric's voice dropped just a shade too deliberate. You don't want to spend the rest of
18:28your life with someone you don't even like, do you? Mind your own business. You'll regret this, Elena.
18:36Regret? After dinner, Joey chatted brightly with my fake husband, effortless and radiant.
18:42I slipped away to the study alone and signed the share transfer documents.
18:47Next week, the grand wedding and the show was just getting started. A few days later, a private room
18:53at a cafe. I took a calm sip of coffee. I looked across the table and cut straight to the
18:58point.
18:58I know you're in love with Chloe. He looked up, surprised, set his phone down. I also know you've
19:04been approaching our family with a marriage proposal. You want Chloe, but they keep deflecting you with
19:10the excuse that the eldest daughter has to marry first. Who wouldn't prefer your sister? She's not
19:16indifferent to me either. She just says she won't compete with you because you liked me first.
19:21I have a way to get you what you want. What way? We get a fake marriage certificate.
19:28If Chloe really does feel something for you, she'll get jealous when she sees us together,
19:32right? A fake certificate? People only realize what they want when they think they're losing it.
19:38If you act close to me, let her see it. She'll be devastated. Then, at the ceremony itself,
19:44I disappear. No bride. She won't be able to stand watching you humiliated in front of everyone.
19:50She'll step in.
19:56Then you tell her, it's always been her. Have a ring ready. Something chosen just for her.
20:01She'll be moved.
20:04That's not wrong.
20:09I know we'd never make each other happy. You love Chloe that deeply and she feels something for you.
20:15I'd rather the two of you get to be happy.
20:18Miss Ashford, I misjudged you. I had no idea you were so generous.
20:24As long as you're both happy. First, snakes were notoriously insatiable. Snake shifters,
20:30even more so. If Chloe hadn't said he was celibate, I never would have asked for him.
20:35Second, certain things were simply too much. But I really am getting married,
20:39so I'll probably need to give you back to Chloe for now. She won't be marrying anytime soon.
20:44Something moved behind Vance's eyes at last, right as something brutal flickered across his gaze.
20:49I asked quietly, do you wanna go back to Chloe? Have I made you miserable?
20:57No, you're actually pretty proactive about the housework.
21:01The next second, he lowered himself over me, his shadow swallowing everything.
21:08Then don't even think about getting rid of me.
21:11I was quiet. Then I reached out and gently touched his tail.
21:16Don't worry.
21:18About what, exactly? I shook my head inwardly. I had a plan already.
21:22I haven't lived here in months. It's still that strong?
21:27Something dangerous spread through the air. I genuinely feared he'd consume me,
21:31his sharp teeth dragged against my collarbone.
21:36You just took us to press his yesterday. I brought you up here to tell you something.
21:42I'm getting married. Vance didn't release me the way I expected. Instead, his tail coiled tighter,
21:48and I was lifted and dropped onto the bed. He loomed over me. Then his tail slipped beneath the hem
21:54of my
21:54shirt. I grabbed it on instinct, then looked away fast. He watched me, gaze darkening.
22:01You dislike me? No, that's not-
22:06Aren't you my owner? Shadow fell over me.
22:09Or are you afraid? Honestly, a little.
22:14I came back downstairs to the same quiet. I walked over to Vance. I also had something to say to
22:20him.
22:21Let me show you my room. Evan looked at me suspiciously.
22:24You haven't been back in months. What's there to see?
22:29Want to come, too? Who said I did? Chloe was picking through the fruit bowl.
22:34Father's still home. Maybe it's not appropriate. Her voice was deliberate.
22:40You have three shifters with you. I'm bringing one to my room. What exactly isn't appropriate?
22:47We never- You make a fair point, sis. But Vance still has to be willing.
22:56Every pair of eyes in the room turned to the man with the perfectly unreadable face.
23:00Let's go.
23:02I nodded and gestured for him to follow. Whatever the others looked like behind me,
23:06I didn't care to check. My room was white and minimal. Clean. Someone had kept it dusted.
23:11I cleared my throat. Ready to speak. Something coiled around my waist. The tail.
23:15Your scent is so strong here.
23:20Register the marriage first. Hold the wedding after.
23:23Father leaned back in his chair and sipped his tea.
23:25Once everything is settled, I'll transfer the five percent. I didn't hesitate.
23:30I want the shares the moment the certificate is signed.
23:33The teacup hit the saucer hard. The lines around his eyes deepened with irritation.
23:36You really have that little faith in your own family?
23:38I sighed. I'm just worried Chloe might throw a fit and my share disappears again.
23:43He flinched, visibly. The irritation held, but after a long beat, he relented.
23:48Come back with your husband and the marriage certificate.
23:50It said everything about what my compliance meant to them. And beyond that, this share transfer would
23:54also serve as a gesture of loyalty to the man I was marrying. After all, assets acquired during
23:59marriage get split between spouses. I didn't comment on any of that and stood to leave.
24:04You'll stay at the estate until the wedding. No wandering off. And those shifters, cut that off before the ceremony.
24:12That single sentence detonated. Evan unfolded himself from the couch, pulling that sharp grin.
24:18Come again? Then a cool hand yanked me behind him. Vance smiled, barely.
24:24Back off. Eric's expression hardened. What did you just say?
24:28The tension in the room snapped taut. Then Chloe came down from upstairs, all brightness.
24:33I could hear you from my room. What's going on?
24:36They think the mark on my neck is a hickey. They seem unhappy about it and want to investigate.
24:43Predictably, Chloe's smile flickered. Her gaze settled on my neck.
24:49So is it? What do you think? I deflected. She didn't answer. Silence.
24:56Ethan sauntered over, hands in his pocket. You always covered marks like that. Why show it today?
25:03Probably because I don't consider this a hiccup. That seemed to click for the others.
25:06Evan blinked. Now that you mention it, you used to cover everything. Eric's eyes narrowed.
25:11Sis, father wants you in his study. You don't need to follow her up.
25:14I slipped my hand quietly from Vance's grip and paused. I looked back at the room.
25:19Don't give him trouble.
25:23We give him trouble?
25:26Elena, in your eyes we're-
25:28I turned and walked away before he could finish. Silence behind me.
25:31Back at the Ashford estate. The entire first floor. Just Ethan, Eric, and Evan. The atmosphere was
25:38awkward. Evan set down his game controller and glanced up, eyes tracking from me to Vance.
25:45Ethan drawled. Why are you here?
25:48It's my house. Can I come back? Ethan's expression didn't change,
25:51but the corner of his mouth curved up slightly. I stared. Eric set down the fruit he'd been
25:56arranging and walked toward me. Chloe said you refused to come home for months,
26:01and now you show up. Did you miss us? I stepped back. Before I could speak, Evan scoffed.
26:06Don't even wonder. Without us, she couldn't last a day. She doesn't look particularly heartbroken to me.
26:13Ethan's eyes snapped up. Who asked you?
26:16A sharp, hostile energy surged through the room. I reached back quickly and pressed my hand over Vance's,
26:22cool beneath my palm, trying to calm him, the same as yesterday. Wolves and snakes were both apex
26:27level shifters. If they actually fought, it wouldn't end clean. What, you brought him here
26:32to make us jealous? Snakes are cold-blooded, and from what Chloe says, this one's worse than most.
26:40No feelings at all. You don't actually think you can change him, do you?
26:45Then, Eric grabbed my jaw, fingers tight, uncomfortably tight. His stare locked onto my neck,
26:52the mark from last night. His voice came down slow and deliberate.
26:55What's that? A hickey?
26:58I rushed after him, found him bent over the washing machine, pulling out clean laundry,
27:02piece by piece, hanging it to dry. Eric had put my clothes in the wash that morning.
27:05He hadn't taken them out before he left. I watched Vance's long fingers handle my clothes
27:10and scratched my cheek. I'll buy a dryer in a few days, then you won't have to do this.
27:14Vance said nothing. I never got the chance to buy that dryer. The next morning,
27:18an uninvited guest appeared. The Ashford Estate's butler stood at my door with measured deference.
27:24Miss, your father says you've had enough time. It's time to return and proceed with the arranged
27:31marriage. No. The butler smiled. Miss, this is the wish of both the master and madam.
27:40He stepped aside. Several bodyguards materialized behind him. I laughed coldly.
27:46Aren't you worried I'll stab the man with a knife on the wedding day and then kill myself?
27:50The butler's expression faltered. The master said,
27:53should you agree to the marriage, you will receive five percent of the Ashford group shares.
27:58My hand on the door went still. The butler seemed to have anticipated exactly this.
28:02The car is waiting downstairs. Also, the second miss asked that you bring Mr. Vance along.
28:11I glanced back at Vance. We made eye contact. His dark eyes were as unreadable as ever.
28:17Yet somehow, a chill crawled down my spine. Good thing the door had closed in time. The scent hadn't
28:24drifted out. The footsteps faded. I pushed the snake shifter off and didn't let myself look at his tail.
28:29I rummaged quickly for the heat suppressants. The same ones I'd used on Ethan, Eric and Evan during
28:35their heat cycles. When it became too much, even for me, plenty left. I tossed them to him,
28:40then went to wash my face. When I came back to the living room, his tail was gone. The man
28:45was
28:45draped across the couch. Long legs crossed. Expression back to its cold, shuttered default.
28:50He glanced up at me. I thought you were- I started confused. Celibate? His voice was low and rough.
28:56It's a theological response. It's been too long since my last suppressor.
28:59Oh. Knowing Chloe's personality, if she'd actually wanted to sleep with him,
29:03she wouldn't have kept him on suppressants. And judging by what had just happened,
29:06it wasn't like he could hold back indefinitely. So how had he been managing before? But if he
29:09didn't want to say, I wasn't going to pry. I poured a glass of warm water and handed it to
29:14him.
29:14Rest today. You can help with the housework tomorrow. And if you need more recovery time,
29:18take it. He cut me off. You treated them the same way? I blinked. Them. He meant Ethan and the
29:23others. I was quiet for a second, then nodded. Equality between pure humans and shifters was
29:29the standard now, technically. But given a shifter's nature, the bonding, the recognition of owners,
29:34there was always emphasis on extending extra consideration to them. Long quietness.
29:40My name is Vance. I registered it and smiled. Nice to meet you. I'm Elena.
29:44He stood, expressionless, and walked toward the balcony. The bedroom isn't that way. Wait,
29:49are you going to jump? If you don't like it here, I can ask Chloe to take you. But his
29:52tail cushioned
29:53the impact. It didn't hurt. His breath spilled across my neck. My skin broke into shivers. Then,
29:59sharp knocking at the door, Eric's voice from outside. Are you okay? My fingers stirred. The pale,
30:05cold, gold, vertical pupils staring down at me seemed to darken. The coil around my waist tightened. I
30:11didn't reach for the door. Are you in pain? Let me get you some heat suppresses, okay? The pressure around
30:16me paused. The mating scent that had been thickening stopped spreading. More knocking. Harder now.
30:21Chloe's voice uncertain. Sis? Are you both okay in there? I thought I'd calmed him down. I let out a
30:27breath. I was about to speak. A coldness at my neck. He bit me. Not soft, like claiming something. And
30:33yet
30:34beneath it, a trace of something almost indulgent. I muffled a sound. My voice came out slightly adrift.
30:39We're fine. You can go. Ethan's drawl. You sure? She said she's fine. Evan cut in,
30:47impatient. Then, a beat later. Elena, that snake didn't hit you, did he? No. I bit my lower lip.
30:53Behind my neck, a cool tongue traced over the mark. Chloe didn't explain. She studied my expression.
30:58Nothing there. Maybe one of them should stay with you. You seem upset. Evan didn't move from Chloe's
31:04side. Ethan leaned against the wall, bored. Eric's smile stayed thin and cool. No one spoke. Chloe
31:11wasn't surprised. She gave me a small, comforting smile. Between the two of us, I was never the one
31:17who got chosen. We'd both made peace with that a long time ago. And him? Add my words, Chloe's
31:23posture barely shifted. Then, she turned towards the door. Come in! Heavy footsteps, a man stepped forward,
31:29tall, with an almost aggressive stillness to him. The next second, I was looking directly into a pair of
31:37dark, shadow-filled eyes. Hello. His gaze came from above, sticky, appraising. I broke out in goosebumps.
31:46He didn't acknowledge me. He's just like this, sis. If it's too much, tell me and I'll take him back.
31:53Who is he? Chloe clearly didn't want to explain. I didn't know where to begin, either. She smiled and
31:59pivoted. The car's waiting downstairs. Shall we? The wolves were quiet for a beat, then didn't push
32:06further. They followed Chloe out on long strides. The snake shifter stayed. I was about to close the
32:12door when Eric looked back at me. Something unreadable in his face, and the man beside me
32:18suddenly contracted his pupils into a cold, a smooth tail wound around my waist. A strange,
32:25overwhelming scent burst through the air. You, you're in heat!
32:35Not keeping one for yourself? Which of you wants to stay with me? The air curdled. No one answered.
32:40Finally, Evan got up and went to open the door. He rolled his eyes, a flick of contempt on his
32:45face.
32:46Stop pretending to be decent, both of you. Chloe's bright smile filled the frame. Hi, boys.
32:52My sister already explained things, right? You all belong to me now. Hey there, new mistress.
33:00Chloe looked him over with satisfaction, then let her gaze sweep across Eric and Ethan. You're all gorgeous.
33:06Did you pack? Actually, never mind. I'm sure my sister couldn't afford to buy you much anyway.
33:12We'll get everything new at the villa. Ethan gave a lazy murmur of agreement. Eric glanced at Chloe,
33:17then slid his eyes over to me. I kept my face blank. Every set of eyes in the room landed
33:22on me at once.
33:23Chloe noticed. She walked up to me. Don't worry, sis. I'll take better care of them. And when you're
33:29done playing house, just come home and do the arranged marriage. Stop stressing mom and dad.
33:36Arranged marriage? What arranged marriage? I quietly turned back. I was used to it, honestly.
33:42Everyone gravitated toward Chloe. She was radiant and magnetic. Every gesture, every smile pulled at
33:47people without even trying. Standing next to her, I felt exactly like what I was. Plain and unremarkable.
33:54Chloe glanced around. Your apartment is so much smaller than the family estate. Is there even enough room
33:59for them? It's fine. Then I watched Ethan, usually disinterested in everything, let his gaze drift to
34:05Chloe. Eric's devastating smile turned itself on her instead. Even Evan, the moody one, propped his
34:12head up to stare at her, his wolf ears flickering non-stop. Chloe didn't seem to notice. She sipped
34:17her water with perfect innocence. In that moment, I knew. My things were about to drift quietly toward
34:23Chloe again. After that, the gentle, clingy warmth disappeared. They became cooler. Like they wanted
34:29me destroyed. Like they couldn't stop themselves. Until I heard their conversation. I'd been right
34:35all along. One look at Chloe, and they'd fallen. The afternoon came fast. A knock at the door. Chloe
34:41arrived. The silence that had settled over the apartment deepened into something heavier.
34:45You're really giving all three of us to her?
34:48Yes.
34:50I found the three wolf pups on a wet, gray afternoon. They were collapsed on the concrete,
34:55firm matted, blood soaked from the rain. I almost walked away. But then, one of them flicked its tail,
35:01just twice, slow and weak, then curled it around my ankle. I couldn't leave them. I brought them home.
35:07Under my care, they recovered fast. A few months later, they hit their maturation phase,
35:12and all three of them shifted into men. I should have brought them to a shifter registry,
35:17but the registry told me they'd already bonded, recognized me completely as their owner. Releasing
35:22them without care would cause serious psychological harm. I looked at those three pairs of beautiful
35:27eyes and caved. I let them stay. They said they had no names, so I gave them some. Oldest to
35:33youngest.
35:34Ethan, Eric, Evan. Young, hot-blooded wolf shifters with energy to burn. Even in human form,
35:40they couldn't stop their ears and tails from flickering, clinging to me every hour of every day.
35:45Then, one afternoon, Chloe called. Sis, aren't you going to come home for the arranged marriage?
35:51The man has had three wives die on him, and he's ugly. But his family has money. I looked away.
35:56That
35:56was exactly why my family had cut me off after I fought the arrangement. They couldn't bring
36:01themselves to send Chloe in my place, so instead they applied steady, relentless pressure on me.
36:06Eric, who always read the room perfectly. Don't like the call?
36:10Hang up. What was that voice? I took the opening to change the subject. I rescued three injured
36:15wolf pups a while back. They just shifted recently and they won't leave me alone.
36:19We can barely keep up. A few seconds of silence. I'm honestly jealous.
36:24My snake shifter won't even let me touch him. He'll warm up eventually. Chloe just gave a soft,
36:30unconvinced hum. The next day, she showed up at my door with bags upon bags. She wore a pretty little
36:36white dress, beaming at me. Surprise, sis. I turned around. All three shifter's eyes went straight to her.
36:44The three wolves I saved wanted me in bed every single day. But the truth is,
36:49they didn't like me. They just wanted to use me to get close to my sister. So I called her
36:53and asked
36:54to switch mates. Three horny wolves in exchange for one cold serpent. Today, after being fully claimed,
37:01I fell into sound sleep. God, look at her. That body, that stamina. And she thought she could handle
37:06three of us. Doesn't matter. The second she taps out, she'll hand us off to her sister. She can't even
37:11get out of bed right now. A few more days of this and she'll give up on us for good.
37:14The conversation
37:15from the living room kept going. They thought I was still asleep. I kept my eyes low, watching the
37:20marks on my wrists and legs and the amber glow of the bedside lamp. Every single one of them.
37:25Unmistakable. She's not going to hand all three of us over to her sister. Right. Which means at least
37:30one of us stays. Ugh. Elena's dull and boring. You want to stay? Go ahead. I don't. Same. Whatever.
37:37Fate decides. Is she up yet? No way. She was crying so hard she nearly passed out. She's not waking
37:42up anytime soon. So weak. Let's get her up in a bit. A few more days of this and she'll
37:47give up on us.
37:47My vision went dark. I reached for my phone, face pale, and called Chloe. She picked up fast.
37:53What's wrong, sis? Weren't you just saying you were unsatisfied? Take all three of mine.
38:00Give me that celibate snake shifter of yours. Is that okay? Are they willing? They like you.
38:08She understood because it was the truth. Everyone liked Chloe more. All right. Your place is small
38:15anyway. Not really ideal for them. But my snake shifter, sis? He's cold. If he weren't celibate,
38:22I wouldn't have asked for him in the first place. I'm completely wrecked. I just need someone to handle
38:30the housework. I just hope he doesn't turn out like these three wolves. Don't worry. I haven't
38:38managed to tame him yet. He's not going to be interested in you. I'll come pick them up this
38:43afternoon. The line went dead. That exact second, the bedroom door swung open. You're up? He crossed the
38:49room and reached for my blanket. Wait. What is it, mistress? I'm exhausted. I need to rest. Can't do
38:55that, he said easily. Mistress, you took us in. That means you're responsible for us. We're nowhere
38:59near satisfied. If you rest, what are we supposed to do? Chloe's coming to take all of you this
39:06afternoon. He went still. The two leaning in the doorway froze too. Which two of us? All of you.
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