- 7 hours ago
Swapping My Alpha: From Fox to Wolf New englishsubtitle fullfilm
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00:00:01In this new era, male werebeasts existed to reproduce with humans.
00:00:15As a top tiered werebeast was diagnosed with infertility, nobody wanted an infertile werebeast.
00:00:22So he was sold to the Red Light District and met me there.
00:00:25I just happened to be looking to buy a werebeast, so he knelt in front of me.
00:00:30Crying and begging me to buy him.
00:00:32Stupid me, I spent all my savings to buy him.
00:00:36Now I ended up at the hospital alone after Jumanian scratched me again.
00:00:46This is deep enough to leave a scar.
00:00:49Has your werebeast ever actually been socialized?
00:00:52I offered a tight smile.
00:00:55He has. Top of his class, actually.
00:00:58My phone buzzed.
00:01:00So many complaining messages from Jumeriak.
00:01:02It's only a scratch.
00:01:04Was it really necessary to go to the hospital?
00:01:06I'm hungry.
00:01:07Come back and make me dinner.
00:01:09I never get enough to eat, not after being yours.
00:01:11You seriously suck at taking care of me.
00:01:14Was that honestly how he saw things?
00:01:15After leaving the hospital, I headed straight for the werebeast exchange.
00:01:19Not my home.
00:01:21I'd like to exchange my werebeast.
00:01:26I'd like to exchange my werebeast.
00:01:29I told the receptionist.
00:01:31She was very polite as she went through the standard intake questions.
00:01:38You've been registered with your current werebeast for a full year.
00:01:42You're almost eligible to form a bond.
00:01:44Why do you want to exchange him now?
00:01:46A deep pan of sadness hit me.
00:01:50It had been a year already.
00:01:54I still remembered how eager I'd been for our bonding.
00:01:57Talking excitedly with Jumeriak about what our rings should look like.
00:02:01He'd smirked at me.
00:02:04Do you honestly think you're good enough for me?
00:02:07His ears flattened against his head.
00:02:10Crying won't change anything.
00:02:20I'm never going to form a bond with you.
00:02:22Here's a free tip.
00:02:24You lower class humans look disgusting when you cry.
00:02:28I swallowed the lump in my throat.
00:02:30He doesn't like me.
00:02:34The truth was, he hated me.
00:02:39The receptionist blinked in surprise.
00:02:42Normally, trained werebeats wouldn't act like this.
00:02:45They are supposed to be completely devoted to their owners.
00:02:53And yet, somehow, the impossible had happened to me.
00:02:56I managed a casual smile.
00:02:59I guess I just have bad luck.
00:03:02Her expression turned apologetic.
00:03:04The issue lies with our training.
00:03:06Please don't be too hard on yourself.
00:03:12Come with me.
00:03:14Come with me.
00:03:28I'd originally paid $80,000 for Jumeriak, which meant I could pick a replacement from the same price bracket.
00:03:39I flipped through the available options, taking in faces that were slightly less striking than Jumeron's, but still gorgeous.
00:03:47Their files listed them as foxes and leopards.
00:03:50I hesitated.
00:03:53Do you have anyone else?
00:03:55I wanted a canine.
00:03:58Specifically, a golden retriever.
00:04:00I'd heard golden retriever werebeats genuinely liked humans.
00:04:04If that were true, maybe one would even to lower tier human, like me.
00:04:09The staff member maintained her polite customer service smile.
00:04:14Not at the moment.
00:04:16However, werebeats mature quickly, and our next group will be available in two months.
00:04:23I nodded.
00:04:24As she walked me toward the door,
00:04:28a loose photo slipped out of her folder and fluttered to the floor.
00:04:39The man in the picture had cold, vertically slitted gray eyes, with a high nose bridge.
00:04:44Broad shoulders, and a narrow waist.
00:04:47He was undeniably handsome.
00:04:49But he looked incredibly dangerous.
00:04:51He was a werewolf.
00:04:54The receptionist side, picking it up.
00:05:01He's actually our best behaved werebeast.
00:05:06Management wanted to try expanding into a new market.
00:05:10But buyers are terrified that a werewolf will lose control and attack them.
00:05:16Our supervisors are worried about losing money.
00:05:21So they're selling him to the fighting arena today.
00:05:35The Ch bundt down the last few months since they left it.
00:05:38It's a'll be wastedwater!
00:05:51I heard that once they go to the arena, they get completely mutilated by the other beasts.
00:05:56That sounded like an agonizing way to die.
00:05:59I hesitated, second-guesting myself.
00:06:03And a werewolf technically counted Kanon as a canine, didn't it?
00:06:12I stopped walking.
00:06:15Is he really well behaved?
00:06:17She looked up, instantly hopeful.
00:06:19Yes, absolutely.
00:06:24Then I'll take him.
00:06:29The staff told me the werewolf would be delivered in three days.
00:06:40I carefully tucked the exchange agreement into my bag.
00:06:48On the walk home, I spotted Jamernian and Gianna Relatford in the distance.
00:06:56The white-haired werewolf stood in the evening light.
00:07:00With his steep-set eyes and his distinct features, he was incredibly handsome.
00:07:07Gianna was a high-class human from the neighboring district.
00:07:17She was smart, elegant, and completely unlike me.
00:07:22Ever since she met Jamerian, she'd made a habit of dropping by with premium nutritional supplements,
00:07:27and the two of them had grown unusually close.
00:07:33I slowed my pace.
00:07:41Gianna noticed me.
00:07:48I have to say, even if you're about to form a bond with Jamerian,
00:07:52you really ought to put a little more effort into your appearance.
00:07:55Look at what you're wearing.
00:07:56Walking down the street like that, no one's going to think you two are a couple.
00:08:04I glanced down, it's down, at my plain t-shirt and jeans.
00:08:07Then back at Gianna's beautiful dress.
00:08:16I think I look fine.
00:08:18Jamerian didn't even look at me.
00:08:20She wouldn't look good even if she tried.
00:08:23She's better off pretending she just doesn't know how to dress.
00:08:26That way people won't realize she's genuinely unattractive.
00:08:30Jamerian, how can you say that about Dev?
00:08:35Jamerian smirked.
00:08:36It was a flackless, completely mocking smile.
00:08:42You're trying to help, and she just thinks you're being nosy.
00:08:47Low-class humans simply can't grasp how high-class humans think.
00:08:52It was my own terrible luck that she bought me.
00:08:55He never used to be like this.
00:08:58Back when I couldn't afford the premium supplements that high-grade werebeasts need,
00:09:02he would always insist that he was lucky to have found me.
00:09:05The cheap clothes I bought trapped his sensitive skin.
00:09:09But he never complained.
00:09:13That all changed the day we ran into his former rival, a red werefox on the street.
00:09:21I had dropped my bag, and Jamerian was helping me gather my scattered things.
00:09:28The red werefox stepped out of a car, and planted his foot directly onto Jamerian's hand.
00:09:35Well, well.
00:09:36If it isn't the highly sought-after Jamerian, how did you end up with such a plain low-class human?
00:09:44I suppose it makes sense, though.
00:09:46A defected product paired with a low-class human is a perfect match.
00:09:53After that, Jamerian locked himself in his room for the rest of the night.
00:10:01I sat outside his door until morning.
00:10:05I tried to tell him that dividing people into classes was wrong,
00:10:09and that he shouldn't care about werebeat exchange labeling him as defective.
00:10:14We were doing just fine together.
00:10:21When Jamerian finally opened the door, his eyes were red and sore open.
00:10:27You've never lived in will-beast exchange,
00:10:30so of course you think being considered completely worthless is perfectly fine.
00:10:35Then he met Gianna.
00:10:38Gianna was a rich, high-class human.
00:10:42She could give him the expensive supplements, the nice clothes,
00:10:46the high-class life I couldn't afford.
00:10:49They grew closer every day.
00:10:54I brought it up cautiously one time.
00:11:00You're my werebeast.
00:11:02Could you keep your distance from Gianna?
00:11:06Jamerian stared at the male niece and met her down at me with contempt.
00:11:10His gaze was cold and full of resentment.
00:11:14Deborah,
00:11:16you never would have been able to afford me if I weren't defective.
00:11:20You just took advantage of my desperate situation.
00:11:24What gives you the right to act like my owner?
00:11:27But the truth was,
00:11:28he was the one who had begged me to save him in the first place.
00:11:32Growing up in an orphanage,
00:11:34I never knew what it meant to have a real family.
00:11:38Seeing Jamerian beg like that made me long for someone who loved me.
00:11:43I never brought up his past,
00:11:46terrified it would offend him.
00:11:49I certainly never expected that when he finally brought it up himself,
00:11:54he would accuse me of taking advantage of his misfortune.
00:11:58But now I argued back,
00:12:00trying to defend myself.
00:12:02I never once used your past against you.
00:12:05I protected your feelings every single day.
00:12:10How is that taking advantage?
00:12:15In the heat of the moment,
00:12:16I accidentally brushed his hand.
00:12:18He shoved me so hard
00:12:20that I slammed to the sharp corner of the table.
00:12:23It sliced my arm wide open.
00:12:28You wouldn't be hurt if you hadn't tried to grab me.
00:12:31You did this to yourself.
00:12:36He wouldn't even drive me to the hospital.
00:12:38I'm going shopping with Gianna today.
00:12:41Jamerian and I didn't have to be chained to each other forever.
00:12:44I spoke up,
00:12:45stopping Jamerian just as he was closing the door.
00:12:49Jamerian,
00:12:50does being with me really make you that miserable?
00:12:57He paused.
00:12:59When he looked back over his shoulder,
00:13:01he wore that same mocking ting smirk.
00:13:05Yeah,
00:13:06but someone of your low status
00:13:08got incredibly lucky acquiring me,
00:13:10so you'll never let me go.
00:13:13I'm going to be stuck with a clingy annoyance
00:13:16for the rest of my life.
00:13:17I let out a slow breath,
00:13:20washed over by a sudden, intense wave.
00:13:22It seemed I really had made the right decision
00:13:25to exchange him.
00:13:27When I didn't answer right away,
00:13:29Jamerian thumped his tail impatiently against the floor.
00:13:38What do you want?
00:13:40I looked down,
00:13:41picking on my cuticles.
00:13:46I got you a gift.
00:13:47You'll see it in a few days.
00:13:49An unreadable expression crossed his face for a fraction of a second.
00:13:53He almost looked hopeful,
00:13:55but quickly slipped right back into his usual mocking tone.
00:14:03I hope it isn't more of that cheap nutritional supplement.
00:14:07It's absolute garbage.
00:14:09I'll just end up pouring it down the toilet.
00:14:12I looked at him,
00:14:13dead serious.
00:14:15No,
00:14:15it's what you want most.
00:14:17Freedom.
00:14:22It better be.
00:14:24Jamerian muttered,
00:14:25shutting the door firmly behind him.
00:14:32Giana showed up bright and early the next morning.
00:14:36Jamerical and I agreed to go shopping.
00:14:38We just have similar tastes,
00:14:40and we always have so much to talk about when we go out.
00:14:43You aren't mad,
00:14:44are you,
00:14:44Deb?
00:14:46She watched me closely,
00:14:48testing the waters.
00:14:51Normally,
00:14:52I would sulk and refuse to let him move.
00:14:55It always ate at me,
00:14:57but he refused to go anywhere with me,
00:14:59yet constantly went out with her.
00:15:01But today,
00:15:02I had my own plans.
00:15:04I don't mind.
00:15:08Jamerian had been getting a look of disgust ready,
00:15:11but my answer stopped him in his tracks.
00:15:14His expression turned awkward.
00:15:17Debra,
00:15:18you really aren't angry?
00:15:20I pulled on my jacket.
00:15:22Not at all.
00:15:23Go wherever you want.
00:15:25There was a massive end-of-season sale at the mall today,
00:15:28and I needed to get moving
00:15:29to buy some essential supplies for a werewolf.
00:15:37Giana linked her arm through his,
00:15:39her voice delicate.
00:15:41Isn't it better that she isn't causing trouble?
00:15:43Let's stop talking and just go.
00:15:48I watched how physically close they were,
00:15:51but I didn't feel my usual stab of jealousy.
00:15:54I simply slipped on my shoes
00:15:55and walked quickly out the door.
00:15:58The regular mall was packed,
00:16:01just like it was all year round.
00:16:07It was mostly lower-class people out shopping
00:16:10with their ordinary werebeasts.
00:16:12Shoppers bumped into each other in the crowded aisles,
00:16:14but they all wore happy, genuine smiles.
00:16:16Their up-de-energy started to rub off on me.
00:16:19Once I bought a new werebeast,
00:16:20I'd probably be just as happy.
00:16:22I would never again have to hear Jamerian say
00:16:24that worthless people deserve cheap things.
00:16:28He wouldn't loudly make fun of this mall in public
00:16:31before ditching me,
00:16:33leaving me standing there humiliated.
00:16:39All I really wanted was a normal,
00:16:42affectionate werebeast.
00:16:43I didn't get back until after dark.
00:16:45Jamerian was actually home.
00:16:47He and Gianna usually stayed out late.
00:16:50He was Bellamy showed-mouths with the axe of the lathes,
00:16:53remissably in once.
00:16:54He was planted on the couch with his arms crossed,
00:16:57visibly fuming.
00:17:00Where have you been?
00:17:02You didn't even make dinner.
00:17:04It's bad enough living in poverty with you,
00:17:06but now I'm starving.
00:17:08You do a terrible job taking care of me.
00:17:16I took a sip of my coffee
00:17:17and set my shopping bags on the counter.
00:17:21I figured you'd just eat at Gianna's.
00:17:23Plus, I didn't think you wanted my cooking anymore.
00:17:30I spent all afternoon making your birthday dinner
00:17:33and you threw the whole thing in the trash?
00:17:38That shut him up.
00:17:40I focused entirely on unpacking the supplies
00:17:42I'd bought for the werewolf.
00:17:44Chew toys, a grooming comb, and fish oil.
00:17:51I didn't hear Jamerian walk up behind me.
00:17:58Are you treating me like a dog?
00:18:00I don't need cheap trash meant for some low-grade werebeast.
00:18:05A comb like that is going to ruin my hair.
00:18:08And this fish oil isn't even pure.
00:18:10But whatever.
00:18:12Since you already bought it,
00:18:13I guess I can try it out.
00:18:15These aren't for you.
00:18:16I cut him.
00:18:17He froze.
00:18:18His hand hovering just over the comb.
00:18:22What do you mean?
00:18:25I turned to look at his flawless face.
00:18:28I'm not good enough for a high-grade werebeast like you.
00:18:32I've already filed the transfer paperwork.
00:18:34In a couple of days, you'll never have to see me again.
00:18:43The clock ticked loudly in the heavy silence between us.
00:18:51After a long pause, his scowl softened.
00:18:55He spoke with absolute certainty.
00:18:58Gianna was right.
00:19:01About what?
00:19:02You saw us getting close,
00:19:04and now you're threatening to leave just to guilt-trick me.
00:19:07Now you're bringing up transfer papers.
00:19:12He crossed his arms.
00:19:14Gianna said you were manipulative,
00:19:15and she wasn't wrong.
00:19:17Did you honestly think a few empty threats
00:19:20would make me beg for your attention
00:19:21like some cheap werebeast?
00:19:25I was too exhausted to argue.
00:19:27Think whatever you want, I muttered.
00:19:31My indifference only fueled his temper.
00:19:40He violently ripped the calendar off the wall.
00:19:44I had highlighted the 20th of next month with a heart.
00:19:51You just want to bond with me, don't you?
00:19:54You interrogated me about ring sizes six months ago
00:19:58and forced me to live with you.
00:20:00If you want me, fuck you.
00:20:02Just say so.
00:20:04Aren't you ashamed of being so deceptive?
00:20:09By law, wary beats were obb-gated
00:20:11to provide companionship to their humans.
00:20:13Early on, I hadn't felt comfortable sleeping with him
00:20:16since we were practically strangers.
00:20:18But later, he was the one who refused.
00:20:21We still hadn't been intimate.
00:20:24I had only ever seen him hold Gianna's hand.
00:20:27Never mind.
00:20:28Whenever I showed how much that stung,
00:20:30Jumanian would just mock me.
00:20:31Gianna tripped, and I helped her up.
00:20:34We aren't impure like you inferior humans.
00:20:39Looking at Jumarian now,
00:20:41I felt he was a total stranger.
00:20:43I stared at my hands.
00:20:45The hands that had cooked and cleaned
00:20:48and tried for a whole year.
00:20:51He'd called every bit of it a trap.
00:20:55I looked at the heart on the calendar.
00:21:00I'd drawn it back when I still loved him.
00:21:04There was nothing shameful about that.
00:21:06Jumarian was still human.
00:21:12He tore the calendar into pieces,
00:21:15letting the scraps flutter to the floor.
00:21:19Listen to me.
00:21:20Even if we bond,
00:21:22I'm still going to see Gianna.
00:21:24If you want to touch me,
00:21:25you have to ask for permission first.
00:21:28His tail lashed behind him.
00:21:33And if we walk down the street,
00:21:35no one can know we're together.
00:21:38Jumarian,
00:21:39I interrupted.
00:21:42He glared at me,
00:21:44clearly not finished with his rant.
00:21:45I had never felt so perfectly calm.
00:21:50No wonder you were marked as defective.
00:21:54Buying you was a terrible mistake.
00:21:57I said,
00:21:59initiating every single word.
00:22:01Jumarian's golden keepers shrank.
00:22:07His fluffy white tail shot straight up in the air,
00:22:10his fur standing on end.
00:22:13A sharp knock at the door cut through the silence.
00:22:27Marcus Rainfield stood in the doorway,
00:22:30filling the entire frame.
00:22:31I had to tip my head back just to see his face.
00:22:34His muscles strained against his short sleeves.
00:22:37Between his sharp brows and the upward slant of his eyes,
00:22:41he looked downright terrifying.
00:22:43The scar on his temple only made him look more so.
00:22:47Jumarian couldn't stop staring at him.
00:22:51This was my first time dealing with a predatory werebeast,
00:22:54and my stomach was in knots.
00:22:56Was a werewolf like him really going to listen to me?
00:23:01Marcus must have picked up on my nerves.
00:23:03He leaned down,
00:23:04offering me his furry ears to pet,
00:23:06and spoke in a surprisingly so soft voice.
00:23:10Hi, Miss Pennyhurton.
00:23:12I'm Marcus Rainhurth.
00:23:15The worker with him was Sheila,
00:23:18the same receptionist I'd met before.
00:23:20She gave me a warm smile.
00:23:22Don't worry.
00:23:23I watched Marcus grow up,
00:23:26and he's an absolute sweetheart.
00:23:29There is one issue, though.
00:23:31Because werebeast exchange is currently under under-renovation,
00:23:34it'll be about two weeks before we can take Jumami on back.
00:23:38Would it be alright if he stayed here in the meantime?
00:23:42We'll gladly cover his living expenses.
00:23:47While Sheila talked,
00:23:49Marcus's furry tail brushed against my ankle,
00:23:52wagging a mile a minute with excitement.
00:23:58I hesitated,
00:23:59not giving her a definite answer right away.
00:24:03Jumarion had been dead silent.
00:24:05But the second Marcus reached out to gently touch my pinky finger,
00:24:09Jumarion scoffed.
00:24:11Mutt.
00:24:12Marcus flinched.
00:24:17He instantly shrunk his massive frame down
00:24:20and pressed himself against my side.
00:24:22Miss Pennington,
00:24:23he's glaring at me,
00:24:24and I'm really scared.
00:24:29Just like that,
00:24:31my anxiety vanished.
00:24:33People always complained that werewolves were tough to handle,
00:24:36but Marcus was incredibly sweet.
00:24:39He was gentle and eager to please,
00:24:42which was exactly what I wanted.
00:24:47Sheila's smile dropped.
00:24:49Her face went totally flat as she held up her employee badge.
00:24:53Number 4561,
00:24:54Werewolf,
00:24:55at Jumarion Garrod.
00:24:57Is that correct?
00:24:58Jumarion went pale.
00:24:59Yes.
00:25:02On behalf of the werebeast exchange,
00:25:05I am officially notifying you that your owner has requested a replacement.
00:25:09We are highly disappointed in your failure to fill your duties.
00:25:15She tucked the badge away.
00:25:22We will be back to collect you in two weeks.
00:25:25Please have your things ready.
00:25:32Second Sheila walked out the door,
00:25:35Jumarion lunged,
00:25:36yanking Marcus away from me.
00:25:38Ugh!
00:25:39Mutt!
00:25:43What do you think you're doing?
00:25:45Is this just some act?
00:25:53Marcus hit the floor,
00:25:55scraping his hand hard against the corner of the table
00:25:57and leaving an angry red wint.
00:26:00He didn't try to fight back.
00:26:02He just scrambled to his feet
00:26:03and looked at me cautiously,
00:26:06completely miserable.
00:26:07My heart broke for him.
00:26:12I shoved Jumarion out of the way
00:26:14and rushed over.
00:26:16Jumarion slammed back against the wall,
00:26:18wincing.
00:26:19Are you okay?
00:26:22Deborah!
00:26:24I know exactly what you're doing!
00:26:26You're just using this mutt
00:26:27to manipulate me into a bond!
00:26:30Cancel the agreement right now
00:26:32and send him back!
00:26:33He pointed at the door.
00:26:36If you don't,
00:26:38I will never bond with you.
00:26:41I whipped around,
00:26:43totally out of patience.
00:26:44Jumarion!
00:26:45Jumarion!
00:26:45I'm only going to say this one last time!
00:26:50I don't want you anymore.
00:27:03Jumarion didn't say another word.
00:27:06He just turned
00:27:07and stormed out the door.
00:27:10Once things had settled,
00:27:11I carefully dabbed some medicine
00:27:13onto Marcus's scraped hand.
00:27:14He kept pulling away from my touch,
00:27:17turning his head
00:27:18so I couldn't see his face.
00:27:19A fresh wave of panic hit me.
00:27:22Do you regret coming here?
00:27:27Terrified he was going to turn out
00:27:28just like Jumarion,
00:27:29I decided to lay all my cards on the table.
00:27:35Look,
00:27:36if you stay with me,
00:27:37you aren't going to get premium nutritional supplements.
00:27:40Since I'm classified as a lower-tier human,
00:27:43my paychecks barely cover the basics.
00:27:46I look down at my hands.
00:27:51I work two jobs a day.
00:27:53I smell like sweat half the summer,
00:27:55and I know I'm pretty average-looking.
00:28:00If you're ashamed to be seen me,
00:28:02tell me now,
00:28:02and I can send you back.
00:28:14I tried to sound casual as I spoke,
00:28:17subtly wiping my sweaty hands behind my back.
00:28:22Marcus finally looked at me,
00:28:24his gray eyes shining with tears.
00:28:27I'm so sorry.
00:28:29My stomach dropped.
00:28:31Was he going to reject me, too?
00:28:34The skin around his eyes was flushed raw.
00:28:39I'm sorry.
00:28:39I'm just so happy.
00:28:41I'm so glad to be staying with you
00:28:43that I couldn't hold my expression together.
00:28:46I thought I looked ugly when I cried,
00:28:48so I didn't want you to see.
00:28:51A loud sob broke from his chest.
00:28:53I was sure they were going to ship me off
00:28:54to the fighting arena.
00:28:58Then they told me someone actually wanted me.
00:29:05He clutched my hand tighter.
00:29:09I held your picture at night,
00:29:11and I just couldn't believe it.
00:29:12I was terrified it was a dream.
00:29:15Mrs. Penningston,
00:29:16I think you're incredibly cute and beautiful.
00:29:24I'm not ashamed of you at all.
00:29:28I'm just so full of joy that I can't stop crying.
00:29:31I've never been this happy in my whole life.
00:29:34He was being so silly.
00:29:35The tears were already pouring down his cheeks.
00:29:39Sheila had mentioned that Marcus was quiet and timid
00:29:42simply because nobody wanted him.
00:29:49But listening to him chatter away now,
00:29:52I realized he'd just been keeping it all bottled up.
00:29:56A strange, restless warmth stirred in my chest.
00:29:59Could someone really be this happy just to be with me?
00:30:02It felt like a dream.
00:30:04I took his hand.
00:30:05His palm was damp with nervous sweat,
00:30:08but the solid heat of his skin told me it was real.
00:30:10You don't have to call me Mrs. Pennington, I told him.
00:30:13Just Deb is fine.
00:30:20When Jamarian got back,
00:30:22Gianna was with him.
00:30:23Jamarian marched straight into the bedroom
00:30:25and started packing,
00:30:26making as much noise as humanly possible.
00:30:31Gianna lingered in the entryway,
00:30:33looking completely disgusted.
00:30:37You've worked for years,
00:30:39and this tiny place is all you can afford, Deb.
00:30:42Maybe you just aren't working hard enough.
00:30:46Jamarian told me today you wanted a new werebeast.
00:30:49You really take him for granted.
00:30:52If I had a werebeast like him,
00:30:54I'd give up absolutely anything to provide for him.
00:30:59She smoothed her skirt smugly.
00:31:01I'd never kick him out.
00:31:06Inferior people have trash taste.
00:31:09Jamarian scoffed from the other room.
00:31:11She brings home a cheap mutt,
00:31:13and now the whole apartment stinks.
00:31:16I only had to put up with this for two more days,
00:31:18so getting into it with them was pointless.
00:31:23Keeping my head down,
00:31:24I went back to brushing Marcus's tail.
00:31:30The staff over at werebeast exchange
00:31:33hadn't bothered to groom him
00:31:34since no one wanted to buy him.
00:31:37I made sure to brush him out thoroughly,
00:31:40knowing how painful matted fur could be.
00:31:44Jamarian and Gianna kept lobbing insults back and forth,
00:31:47tearing me down.
00:31:53Actually, foxes are the ones that stink.
00:31:56Marcus chimed in out of nowhere.
00:31:59Jamaritan streamed out of the bedroom,
00:32:02livid.
00:32:03What did you just say?
00:32:06Marcus stepped in front of me.
00:32:08I said you're a stinking fox.
00:32:11You flirt with other people when you already have an owner.
00:32:13He bared his teeth.
00:32:15You have zero loyalty and zero morals.
00:32:20I stared at him, stunned.
00:32:22I can say it ten times if you want.
00:32:25For a guy who was supposed to be timid,
00:32:28he had a very sharp tongue.
00:32:30Was he defending me?
00:32:37The quiet warmth spread through my chest.
00:32:40When I looked up at him,
00:32:42he just blinked innocently and shrunk against my side.
00:32:45Gianna scoffed loudly.
00:32:48Since you obviously can't stand Jamanalik at Debra,
00:32:50I assume you won't mind if he crashes at my place?
00:32:54I don't mind at all.
00:32:55I nodded.
00:32:57Jamarian dropped the pile of clothes he was holding.
00:33:01You've wanted to get rid of me this entire time,
00:33:03haven't you, Debra?
00:33:05I looked down at his feet.
00:33:07He was standing on a $150 shirt.
00:33:10While I was sitting there in a cheap sweatshirt,
00:33:12I'd bought at a three for thirty sale.
00:33:16I let out a sigh.
00:33:19Jamanian,
00:33:20aren't you the one who wanted to leave?
00:33:22His jaw clenched.
00:33:24Jamekin shot me a glares.
00:33:26Exactly.
00:33:27I want to leave you.
00:33:29It's not the other way around.
00:33:31I don't want to spend another minute in this dump.
00:33:36He turned away.
00:33:37Gianna chimed in,
00:33:39quick to pascave him.
00:33:44Don't worry, Jamaritan.
00:33:47Come home with me.
00:33:49I'll give you everything you could ever want.
00:33:53But Jamarian didn't answer her.
00:33:55The only sound in the room was his tail thumping a steady rhythm against the floor.
00:34:09I smoothed out the new blankets.
00:34:11I told him.
00:34:16I'm sorry.
00:34:17As soon as Jamarian leaves,
00:34:18I'll clear out the other room for you.
00:34:20At least it's warm out right now,
00:34:22so the floor shouldn't be too bad.
00:34:24Plus, you're a werewolf,
00:34:25so I figured.
00:34:28I patted the mattress.
00:34:30I turned around and stopped short.
00:34:35Marcus was hovering by the door,
00:34:38wringing his hands.
00:34:39His ears were pinned back,
00:34:41drooping heavily.
00:34:42I asked,
00:34:43Hey, what's wrong?
00:34:44Do you not want the floor?
00:34:46You can take the bed.
00:34:47It's fine.
00:34:48I'll take the floor.
00:34:49Now his tail was tucked, too.
00:34:52Tears welled in his eyes.
00:34:54Did I do something wrong?
00:34:55I stared at him,
00:34:56completely lost.
00:34:57No, of course not.
00:34:59You've been totally fine.
00:35:02Werewolves were massive,
00:35:03and when Marcus dropped heavily to his knees,
00:35:06the tiny room suddenly felt suffocatingly small.
00:35:14Bathed in the warm yellow glow of the lamp,
00:35:16his rugged face just looked incredibly pitiful.
00:35:22After a long, tense pause,
00:35:25he took a few steps forward.
00:35:27He stopped short and looked back at me.
00:35:29I kept my eyes glued to the floor,
00:35:32pretending not to notice.
00:35:38Gemalian?
00:35:42Gianna's smile vanished.
00:35:44When Gemalian finally moved,
00:35:46it was to ush Gianna toward the door.
00:35:49I really don't want to be here.
00:35:52But where a beast exchange assigned me to Deborah's house,
00:35:56I shouldn't break the rules.
00:35:59You can find me at the hall once I'm officially listed for sale, Gianna.
00:36:03He shut the front door firmly,
00:36:05cutting off her frustrated protests.
00:36:07Marcus watched Gemalian stand motionless by the door,
00:36:10then leaned in close.
00:36:12Let's go back to the bedroom, Deb.
00:36:15It's getting late.
00:36:16We should go to sleep.
00:36:19His warm brushed my skin,
00:36:20bringing a sudden hot flush flush to my face.
00:36:23It was a totally ordinary suggestion.
00:36:26But something about the way he said it
00:36:28made me acutely self-conscious.
00:36:31Gemalian whipped around.
00:36:33You two are sleeping in the same bed?
00:36:39Gemalian whipped around.
00:36:41Marcus drept an arm over my shoulders,
00:36:43pulling me flush against his chest.
00:36:46He gave Gemalian a wide-eyed, innocent look.
00:36:49Of course we are.
00:36:51Isn't it normal to sleep next to my owner?
00:36:55Not that it's any of your business, anyway.
00:36:59You're just Deb's ex now.
00:37:02Marcus shuffled forward on his knees
00:37:04and wrapped his thick arms around my legs,
00:37:07tears spilling down his cheeks.
00:37:13Deb, whatever I messed up, I'll fix it.
00:37:16Please don't make me sleep alone.
00:37:18I swear.
00:37:19They taught me how to serve humans
00:37:21at whale-beast exchange.
00:37:23Heat flooded my cheeks as it finally clicked.
00:37:26Was he crying because I was making him
00:37:29sleep in a separate bed?
00:37:32Without thinking,
00:37:33I reached down and wiped a tear away
00:37:35with my thumb.
00:37:38Marcus practically melted into my touch,
00:37:40nuzzling his rough cheek against my palm.
00:37:44Can I?
00:37:46He was a terrifying apex predator.
00:37:49But here he was,
00:37:50crying in completely genuine distress.
00:37:53We just met.
00:37:54I just...
00:37:57I didn't think you'd even want to.
00:38:00Gemalian definitely hadn't.
00:38:02He'd made it perfectly clear
00:38:04he'd rather drop dead
00:38:05than touch some inferior human.
00:38:08Marcus pressed hot, wet kisses
00:38:10into the center of my hand.
00:38:13I want to.
00:38:16Deb, I want to give you a child.
00:38:19I want to stay right by your side
00:38:21and protect you both
00:38:22for the rest of my life.
00:38:23I'm just an unwanted, inferior wolf.
00:38:25You're the only person
00:38:26who's actually wanted me.
00:38:28He pressed his forehead
00:38:29to my knees.
00:38:30I really like you.
00:38:31I'm nothing like that fox out there.
00:38:33I am entirely devoted to you.
00:38:35My knees gave out
00:38:36and I sat down heavily
00:38:37on the edge of the mattress.
00:38:39Marcus' fever hot hands
00:38:41settled onto my calves.
00:38:43Still crying,
00:38:44he pushed himself up.
00:38:47Resting one knee
00:38:49on the bed beside me.
00:38:51He pulled his shirt
00:38:52over his head.
00:38:54Marcus' chest was corded
00:38:55with firm,
00:38:56sculpt muscle.
00:39:02Please take pity on me.
00:39:04Just give me a chance.
00:39:06My brain just stopped working.
00:39:09Hanging onto my last shred of sanity,
00:39:11I slowly nodded.
00:39:24I woke up in a hazy fog
00:39:26to the sound of rain
00:39:27lashing against the window.
00:39:29No wonder the room felt
00:39:30so suffocatingly hot and humid.
00:39:33I reached out
00:39:33to switch off
00:39:34the bedside lamp,
00:39:35but Marcus pulled me back.
00:39:37I rasped,
00:39:38my throat dry.
00:39:40Someone's knocking.
00:39:42There's someone out there.
00:39:46Stop.
00:39:52The wet kisses
00:39:53trailing down my neck
00:39:55paused,
00:39:56only to hover over my lips.
00:39:59Are you still thinking about him?
00:40:01You like him better,
00:40:02don't you?
00:40:03I felt totally trapped.
00:40:04I don't.
00:40:06I like you.
00:40:07I like you, okay?
00:40:09The second the words
00:40:10left my mouth,
00:40:11the incessant knocking stopped.
00:40:13Looking entirely satisfied,
00:40:15Marcus finally reached over
00:40:17and flicked off the light.
00:40:19The next morning,
00:40:21my entire body ached
00:40:22as I threw on my clothes.
00:40:25I muttered under my breath,
00:40:27Marcus had been way too huffed.
00:40:29Marcus came up behind me,
00:40:31pressing his heavy chest
00:40:33against my back.
00:40:37Deb, you smell so good.
00:40:40No, wait.
00:40:41You smell sweet.
00:40:43Can we sleep together again tonight?
00:40:46Knock it off.
00:40:47I can barely walk, is it?
00:40:52The words died in my throat.
00:40:54Jameritan was out there.
00:40:56His eyes were totally dark
00:40:58with fury,
00:40:59gripping the leather armrest
00:41:01of the chair so hard
00:41:03the material was buckling.
00:41:05The sheer intensity of his glare
00:41:07sent an icy chill
00:41:08straight down my spine.
00:41:11Jamerian ground out
00:41:12the front of me.
00:41:13Debra,
00:41:14do you have
00:41:14absolutely no shame.
00:41:18Before I could even
00:41:19open my mouth,
00:41:20Marcus's hand
00:41:21clamped possessively
00:41:22onto my waist.
00:41:24His posture went still,
00:41:26instantly hostile.
00:41:29Fox,
00:41:30if you say one more
00:41:32insulting thing to Deb,
00:41:33he growled.
00:41:34I'll bite your neck
00:41:35and snap it.
00:41:36Jamerian's pupils
00:41:37blew out into
00:41:38razor-thin slits.
00:41:39His canons bared.
00:41:40Try it.
00:41:42I'd love to strangle
00:41:43you right now.
00:41:44The air in the tiny room
00:41:45grew thick,
00:41:46heavy with the suffocating
00:41:47tension of two
00:41:48werebeasts gearing up
00:41:49for a territorial bloodbath.
00:41:51I reached back,
00:41:52lacing my fingers
00:41:53firmly through Marcus's.
00:41:54There's no point
00:41:55in fighting with someone
00:41:56who doesn't matter.
00:41:58He's leaving soon anyway.
00:42:01Marcus's whole demeanor
00:42:02flipped on a dime.
00:42:03All that lethal
00:42:04aggression evaporated.
00:42:06He turned to me,
00:42:08his eyes wide
00:42:09and pitiful,
00:42:09his bottom lip
00:42:10poking out
00:42:11in a soft pout.
00:42:12He's so mean, Deb.
00:42:13He scared me.
00:42:18I rubbed Marcus's ears.
00:42:20They were incredibly soft.
00:42:22That's just how he is.
00:42:23Just ignore him.
00:42:25I told him.
00:42:30Come on.
00:42:35Let's go buy you
00:42:36some pajamas.
00:42:37The stiff tension
00:42:38finally drained
00:42:39from Jamerican's
00:42:40humped shoulders,
00:42:41leaving him swaying
00:42:42slightly on his feet.
00:42:43Then,
00:42:44he moved,
00:42:45planting himself
00:42:46squarely in front of the door.
00:42:53He grabbed my arm.
00:42:55At Deborah,
00:42:56don't choose him.
00:42:57I thought you liked me.
00:42:58Whatever he can do for you,
00:42:59I can do too.
00:43:01Just send him back.
00:43:02Send him back right now,
00:43:03and I swear I'll pretend
00:43:04none of this ever happened.
00:43:05Behind me,
00:43:06I felt Marcus instantly tense up.
00:43:08I stayed quiet for a moment,
00:43:10letting the silence hang
00:43:12but changing the subject.
00:43:13You know,
00:43:13I grew up in an orphanage.
00:43:18Jamerian frowned,
00:43:20clearly thrown off.
00:43:22So?
00:43:23Because of that,
00:43:25I said,
00:43:25letting my mind drift back.
00:43:27I'm really good at reading people.
00:43:29When you first got here,
00:43:30I could tell you were genuinely happy.
00:43:32But eventually,
00:43:33I watched your mood sour
00:43:34into irritation
00:43:35and then disgust.
00:43:37I took a breath.
00:43:39I tried so hard to please you.
00:43:44I put in so much effort,
00:43:46but you just continually resented me.
00:43:49You thought I was beneath you,
00:43:50that I was unworthy of you,
00:43:52and those feelings were real.
00:43:54That's exactly why I decided
00:43:56to transfer answer your ownership.
00:43:59I expected you to be happy
00:44:01and relieved right now.
00:44:03Instead,
00:44:04you're acting jealous and angry.
00:44:06Want to tell me why that is,
00:44:07Jamerian?
00:44:09I looked him dead in the eye.
00:44:12Outside,
00:44:13clouds swallowed the sun,
00:44:15plunging the room into dim gray.
00:44:17His fingertips had turned
00:44:19a pale, sickly blue,
00:44:21probably from the chill in the air.
00:44:24For a long time,
00:44:25he didn't say a word.
00:44:28Deciding this was a waste of time,
00:44:30I grabbed Marcus's hand
00:44:31and moved to brush past him.
00:44:34But Jamerian caught my free hand.
00:44:37I turned back.
00:44:39For the first time since I'd known him,
00:44:41his perfectly composed mask cracked.
00:44:43It revealed raw,
00:44:45genuine distress.
00:44:46He finally whispered,
00:44:48Debra,
00:44:49if I tell you right now
00:44:51that I really like you,
00:44:52is it too late?
00:44:58The whole situation
00:45:00was completely absurd.
00:45:02I was so stunned
00:45:03it took me a second
00:45:04to process what was happening.
00:45:07By the time I snapped back to reality,
00:45:10Marcus was already beating
00:45:11the living hell out of him.
00:45:15I grabbed Marcus,
00:45:17hauling him back.
00:45:18Stop hitting him!
00:45:20If he dies,
00:45:21you're going to prison!
00:45:22You piece of trash!
00:45:26You piece of trash.
00:45:28Marcus stumbled back,
00:45:30his chest heaving,
00:45:31his knuckles coated in blood.
00:45:38You have no right to confess your feelings
00:45:40to someone else's owner!
00:45:42You're trying to steal her!
00:45:44I'll beat you into the ground
00:45:45every time I see you!
00:45:48Jameritan struggled
00:45:49to prop himself up
00:45:50on his elbows,
00:45:51wiping his bleeding mouth
00:45:53with the back of his hand.
00:45:57technically,
00:45:58I was here first.
00:46:00You're the one interfering
00:46:02in our relationship.
00:46:04Marcus went without a furious yell
00:46:06and kicked him hard in the ribs.
00:46:11Jamalit went completely still.
00:46:20Panic spiked in my chest
00:46:22and I hurried over
00:46:23to check on him.
00:46:25Jamalian grinned his teeth
00:46:27through the pain,
00:46:28gazing up at me
00:46:29with obvious,
00:46:30desperate hope.
00:46:32You still care about me,
00:46:34don't you?
00:46:37Seeing that his injuries
00:46:38weren't life-threatening,
00:46:39I let it out
00:46:40a heavy breath of relief.
00:46:42I was just worried
00:46:43that if you died,
00:46:44it would ruin Marcus' life.
00:46:48I don't need a hospital.
00:46:52Deb, you heard me.
00:46:54Right?
00:46:55I really like you.
00:46:57Jerrion grabbed my wrist,
00:46:59his voice breaking
00:47:00as he pleaded.
00:47:02You said you wanted
00:47:03to form a bond with me.
00:47:07You wanted us to pick out
00:47:08matching rings.
00:47:10He tried to sit up.
00:47:13Can we go do that right now?
00:47:17I said,
00:47:17calmly prying his fingers
00:47:19off my wrist.
00:47:22Jamalian,
00:47:24Giana already promised
00:47:25she's going to buy you,
00:47:26so you aren't going to be sent
00:47:28back to work
00:47:28in the Red Light District.
00:47:33you don't have to force yourself
00:47:34to be with me
00:47:35just because you're scared.
00:47:37Stop pretending to like me.
00:47:46No, no.
00:47:47Jamalian insisted,
00:47:49shrinking back
00:47:49into a submissive posture.
00:47:52I really do like you.
00:47:55I'm not pretending,
00:47:56I swear.
00:47:57He reached for my hand.
00:47:59I've liked you
00:48:00since the very first day
00:48:01we met.
00:48:02You're kind
00:48:03and you're hardworking.
00:48:06It's impossible
00:48:07for me not to have
00:48:09feelings for you.
00:48:10As I listened to his desperate,
00:48:13broken assurances,
00:48:14my first and only reaction
00:48:16was pure amusement.
00:48:18How on earth
00:48:18could his past behavior
00:48:19pass for affection?
00:48:21I tilted my head
00:48:22genuinely curious.
00:48:24So,
00:48:25your way of showing affection
00:48:26is calling me
00:48:27disgusting and dirty?
00:48:29Telling me to get out?
00:48:31Causing me physical
00:48:32and emotional pain?
00:48:33And then having the nerve
00:48:35to say I brought it
00:48:36all on myself?
00:48:37All the remaining color
00:48:38completely drained
00:48:39with Jamaritan's face
00:48:40as I questioned him.
00:48:42If that's the case,
00:48:43Jamarian,
00:48:44then I don't want
00:48:44your affection.
00:48:46Besides,
00:48:47I honestly don't believe
00:48:48you actually like me at all.
00:48:50Stop lying to yourself.
00:48:52Certain he wasn't going
00:48:53to die from his injuries,
00:48:55I stood up.
00:48:57I grabbed Marcus' hand
00:48:58and let him out
00:48:59the front door.
00:49:01I took Marcus
00:49:03straight to the hospital.
00:49:04We ended up
00:49:05with the same nurse
00:49:06as last time
00:49:07and she eyed him
00:49:08with obvious disgust.
00:49:12Is this your werebeast?
00:49:13The one who let you
00:49:14get banged up
00:49:15three times last month
00:49:16without ever showing his face
00:49:17but makes you drag him
00:49:19in the second
00:49:19he's the one injured?
00:49:21I shifted uncomfortably,
00:49:23quick to clear the air.
00:49:24No, this is my new werebeast.
00:49:26The nurse flushed
00:49:27and immediately apologized to him.
00:49:29I'm so sorry.
00:49:31When my blood sugar
00:49:33dropped last last time,
00:49:34Deb broke my fall
00:49:35so I wouldn't get hurt.
00:49:37She's a genuinely
00:49:37good person.
00:49:39I thought you were
00:49:39the werebeast
00:49:40mistreating her.
00:49:42Marcus looked right at me,
00:49:44his expression
00:49:45unreadable.
00:49:49Deb,
00:49:50he said,
00:49:51his voice quiet.
00:49:53I am so sorry
00:49:54for what you went through.
00:49:57I'd always been good
00:49:58at just taking
00:49:58what life handed me.
00:50:00Whenever Jamardial
00:50:01treated me like garbage,
00:50:02I can convince myself
00:50:04I simply wasn't
00:50:05good enough for him,
00:50:06bending over backward
00:50:07to try and please him.
00:50:08It hurt,
00:50:09sure,
00:50:10but I used his anger
00:50:12as fuel to push myself
00:50:13and grow stronger.
00:50:14I honestly thought
00:50:15I was numb to it all
00:50:17by now.
00:50:17The contempt
00:50:18from strangers,
00:50:20the abuse
00:50:20from the people
00:50:21closest to me.
00:50:22But then Marcus said
00:50:23he felt sorry for me.
00:50:24He actually cared
00:50:26about my injuries
00:50:26and all the hard work
00:50:27I'd put in.
00:50:28He had told me
00:50:29he liked me more
00:50:30than anyone else.
00:50:31He truly saw me
00:50:33for who I was.
00:50:34Out of nowhere,
00:50:35a massive wave
00:50:36of grief washed over me
00:50:38and the tears
00:50:39just started falling.
00:50:41I looked up,
00:50:43gently pushing his face
00:50:44so he was looking
00:50:45straight ahead.
00:50:50Just focus
00:50:50on getting patched up.
00:50:52It hit me then
00:50:53that bad situation
00:50:54really do
00:50:55get better eventually.
00:50:57I didn't have any family
00:50:58and I'd wound up
00:50:59with Jemarion,
00:51:00a guy who never loved me.
00:51:02But all of that hell
00:51:03was just something
00:51:04I had to survive
00:51:05before finally meeting Marcus.
00:51:09Over the next few weeks,
00:51:11Marcus and I acted
00:51:12like Jemarion
00:51:12didn't even exist.
00:51:14Marcus went out
00:51:14and found a job.
00:51:15I'm an able-bodied man.
00:51:18I can't let you
00:51:19shoulder the burden
00:51:19providing for us
00:51:20all on your own.
00:51:21If we both work,
00:51:22our living situation
00:51:23will get better.
00:51:24That was a total
00:51:25revelation to me.
00:51:27Two people
00:51:28could actually share
00:51:29the heavy lifting
00:51:30of life together.
00:51:32Meanwhile,
00:51:34Jemarion stubbornly
00:51:35camped out on the couch
00:51:36day in and day out,
00:51:38just watching us
00:51:38come and go.
00:51:39The night before
00:51:40we moved out,
00:51:41he cornered me
00:51:42by the apartment gate.
00:51:44I wait at home
00:51:45for you every single day,
00:51:47but you never
00:51:48even look at me.
00:51:50Deb,
00:51:51I know I messed up.
00:51:53Everyone makes mistakes.
00:51:55Why can't you
00:51:56forgive me
00:51:56just this once?
00:51:58I shook my head.
00:52:00I don't blame you.
00:52:01I get it.
00:52:02You're an elite
00:52:03werebeast,
00:52:04and I'm a lower-class human.
00:52:06Buying your contract
00:52:07was pure luck
00:52:08on my part.
00:52:10I completely understand
00:52:12why you were
00:52:13so miserable with me
00:52:14and the life we had.
00:52:17A spark of hope
00:52:19lit up his eyes.
00:52:23So you forgive me?
00:52:26I swear I'll treat you
00:52:27right this time.
00:52:29Tomorrow,
00:52:29we can go together
00:52:31and return that
00:52:31low-grade mutt.
00:52:32I stepped back.
00:52:34No.
00:52:35Marcus is staying.
00:52:37You're just confusing
00:52:38your feelings
00:52:38because you're
00:52:39terrified of being
00:52:40sent to the
00:52:40red-light district.
00:52:42Once the contract
00:52:43exchange goes through,
00:52:45your life will
00:52:46go back to normal.
00:52:48No!
00:52:48No!
00:52:49I'm not confused!
00:52:52Deb,
00:52:52how can I make you
00:52:53believe me?
00:52:55I really do
00:52:57like you.
00:52:59Watching him stand there
00:53:01crying and begging,
00:53:02I remembered how
00:53:03desperately I used
00:53:04to crave his love.
00:53:05Seeing it from the
00:53:07outside now,
00:53:07I realized just
00:53:09how pathetic
00:53:10that behavior looked.
00:53:11No wonder
00:53:12Jemarion had always
00:53:13found me so repulsive.
00:53:16Jemarion sank
00:53:17to the pavement,
00:53:19burying his face
00:53:20in his hands.
00:53:22Jemarion's words
00:53:23caught between sobs.
00:53:26I realized a long
00:53:27time ago that
00:53:28I actually had
00:53:29feelings for you,
00:53:30but I just
00:53:32couldn't accept
00:53:32that you were
00:53:33a lower-class
00:53:34human.
00:53:35My pride
00:53:36made me lash
00:53:38out
00:53:38and say
00:53:40things I didn't
00:53:41mean.
00:53:44I thought that
00:53:46by treating you
00:53:47terribly,
00:53:48I was proving
00:53:49I hadn't stooped
00:53:50to your level
00:53:50by being with you.
00:53:53He wiped
00:53:54his face.
00:53:56I got a sick
00:53:57sense of satisfaction
00:53:58out of insulting
00:53:59you and watching
00:54:01you bend over
00:54:01backward to prove
00:54:02your love.
00:54:03It gave me the
00:54:04upper hand in
00:54:05our relationship
00:54:06and made me feel
00:54:07like the admired
00:54:07elite werebeef
00:54:09I was supposed
00:54:10to be.
00:54:11But I forgot
00:54:12how flawed
00:54:13and unwanted
00:54:14I actually am.
00:54:15Your love
00:54:16was the only
00:54:17thing that ever
00:54:17gave me value.
00:54:18The tears
00:54:19slipped through
00:54:20his fingers,
00:54:21leaving small
00:54:21dark spots
00:54:22on the concrete.
00:54:26I finally
00:54:27understood
00:54:27his twisted
00:54:28logic.
00:54:29I finally
00:54:31understood
00:54:31his twisted
00:54:32logic.
00:54:33He simply
00:54:34couldn't
00:54:34stomach the
00:54:35fact that
00:54:36he liked
00:54:37a lower-class
00:54:37human.
00:54:38He'd used
00:54:39my blind
00:54:40devotion to
00:54:41convince himself
00:54:41he was merely
00:54:42re-putting up
00:54:43with me.
00:54:44Staring down
00:54:44at him,
00:54:45my stomach
00:54:45lurched.
00:54:46I physically
00:54:47gag,
00:54:48overwhelmed
00:54:48by pure
00:54:49disgust.
00:54:49Gemalian
00:54:50panicked,
00:54:51reaching out
00:54:51to soothe
00:54:52me.
00:54:52What's
00:54:53wrong?
00:54:53He asked.
00:54:54I wiped
00:54:55my mouth
00:54:55and shoved
00:54:56his hand
00:54:56away.
00:54:57Jamelian,
00:54:58we're done.
00:55:00Sheila
00:55:01arrived with
00:55:02a radiant
00:55:02smile.
00:55:04Deb,
00:55:04Marcus is
00:55:05really obedient,
00:55:06isn't he?
00:55:07Marcus hurried
00:55:08to speak.
00:55:09Of course
00:55:09I'm obedient,
00:55:10right Deb?
00:55:11I couldn't
00:55:12help but laugh.
00:55:13Yeah,
00:55:14most of the
00:55:15time.
00:55:15Marcus
00:55:16muttered,
00:55:17Nonsense.
00:55:19I've been
00:55:19obedient all
00:55:20the time.
00:55:22Seeing the
00:55:22tall,
00:55:23brew
00:55:23werebe
00:55:23stack like
00:55:24this was
00:55:24inexplicably
00:55:25adorable.
00:55:27Sheila
00:55:28asked me
00:55:28to sign
00:55:29the confirmation
00:55:29agreement.
00:55:30As I
00:55:31picked up
00:55:31the pen,
00:55:32I suddenly
00:55:32remembered
00:55:33the day
00:55:33I bought
00:55:33Gemarion.
00:55:34We sat
00:55:35together,
00:55:36his nose
00:55:36tip was
00:55:37red,
00:55:38tears
00:55:38and joy
00:55:38mingled
00:55:39together.
00:55:40Because he
00:55:40was so
00:55:41cute,
00:55:41I couldn't
00:55:42help but
00:55:42glance at
00:55:43him a few
00:55:43times.
00:55:44He looked
00:55:45a bit
00:55:45flustered.
00:55:47Sorry,
00:55:48I'll pay
00:55:48more attention
00:55:49to my
00:55:49appearance
00:55:49in the
00:55:49empire.
00:55:51I couldn't
00:55:52help but
00:55:52laugh.
00:55:53You look
00:55:53pretty good
00:55:54right now.
00:55:56Gemarion
00:55:56laughed along
00:55:57with me.
00:55:59What's good
00:56:00about it?
00:56:01That was
00:56:01one of the
00:56:02rare times
00:56:02I saw
00:56:03him smile.
00:56:03I could
00:56:04recall the
00:56:04curve of
00:56:05his smiling
00:56:05lips,
00:56:06with the
00:56:07left
00:56:07canine
00:56:07tooth
00:56:07slightly
00:56:08longer.
00:56:10I shook
00:56:10my head,
00:56:12trying to
00:56:13shake off
00:56:13the memory
00:56:14of Gemarion.
00:56:14No matter
00:56:16what,
00:56:17he was
00:56:17no longer
00:56:18that person.
00:56:20Gemarion lay
00:56:21in the room,
00:56:22staring blankly
00:56:23at the ceiling.
00:56:25Sheila finished
00:56:25reading the
00:56:26announcement.
00:56:27Gemarion gave
00:56:28a self-replicating
00:56:29smile.
00:56:33I used
00:56:34to think
00:56:34this bed
00:56:35was really
00:56:35uncomfortable.
00:56:36Only today
00:56:37did I realize
00:56:38it's actually
00:56:38quite comfortable.
00:56:40He sat
00:56:41up and
00:56:42followed
00:56:42at Sheila
00:56:43outside.
00:56:43He walked
00:56:44very slowly,
00:56:46but until
00:56:46he left,
00:56:47neither
00:56:47Marcus nor
00:56:48I looked
00:56:48at him
00:56:49again.
00:56:52Holding
00:56:52scissors,
00:56:53I was eager
00:56:54to try them
00:56:55on Marcus.
00:56:55I watched
00:56:56a video
00:56:57where the
00:56:57owner trimmed
00:56:58their
00:56:58werebeast
00:56:58ear fur
00:56:59into perfect
00:57:00round shapes.
00:57:01It looked
00:57:02so pretty.
00:57:04Let me
00:57:04try.
00:57:05But let's
00:57:06agree first.
00:57:07If I mess
00:57:08it up,
00:57:08you can't
00:57:09get mad.
00:57:11Marcus
00:57:11obediently
00:57:12lowered his
00:57:12head,
00:57:13his ears
00:57:14soft like
00:57:14two clouds.
00:57:15As long
00:57:16as you
00:57:16cut it,
00:57:17I like
00:57:18it all.
00:57:20The front
00:57:21door closed.
00:57:22Jumanon had
00:57:23left.
00:57:25A long
00:57:26time later,
00:57:27I heard
00:57:28from at Sheila
00:57:29that Gianna
00:57:30had not
00:57:30bought
00:57:30Jumarion.
00:57:31She knew
00:57:32Jumarion
00:57:32couldn't
00:57:32have
00:57:33children,
00:57:33and she
00:57:34threw
00:57:34a huge
00:57:34tantra
00:57:35at the
00:57:35werebeast
00:57:36exchange.
00:57:38She said
00:57:39Jumarion
00:57:40wasted
00:57:40her time.
00:57:41He was
00:57:42clearly
00:57:42defective,
00:57:43yet acted
00:57:44so arrogant.
00:57:45I hadn't
00:57:46expected
00:57:46Gianna to
00:57:47be unaware
00:57:47of Jumarion's
00:57:48problem.
00:57:49So what
00:57:50about
00:57:50Jumaritan?
00:57:51Was he
00:57:52sold to
00:57:52the Red
00:57:52Light
00:57:53District?
00:57:53He got
00:57:54sick.
00:57:55Depression.
00:57:56He couldn't
00:57:56even talk
00:57:57to people.
00:57:58The manager
00:57:58could only
00:57:59apply to
00:57:59scrape him.
00:58:00She paused
00:58:01on the
00:58:01phone.
00:58:02Now he
00:58:02works at
00:58:03an orphanage.
00:58:04Being around
00:58:04those children,
00:58:05he actually
00:58:06feels calmer.
00:58:08After
00:58:08hang up
00:58:09the phone,
00:58:09I stood
00:58:10there in
00:58:10a daze
00:58:11for quite
00:58:11a while.
00:58:13Marcus
00:58:13hugged
00:58:13me from
00:58:14behind.
00:58:15Are you
00:58:15worried
00:58:15about
00:58:15him?
00:58:16If
00:58:17you're
00:58:17really
00:58:17worried,
00:58:18we
00:58:18could
00:58:18buy
00:58:18him
00:58:18back
00:58:18too.
00:58:19I
00:58:19don't
00:58:19mind.
00:58:20He
00:58:21said
00:58:21he
00:58:21didn't
00:58:21mind,
00:58:22but his
00:58:22hands were
00:58:23almost
00:58:23squeezing
00:58:24my waist
00:58:24in half.
00:58:27I
00:58:27turned around
00:58:28and pinched
00:58:28his face.
00:58:30When
00:58:30will you
00:58:31learn not
00:58:31to say
00:58:32one thing
00:58:32and mean
00:58:33another?
00:58:39Marcus
00:58:40Marcus
00:58:40was good
00:58:41in every
00:58:41way,
00:58:41but he
00:58:42was always
00:58:43so careful
00:58:43and eager
00:58:44to please
00:58:45me.
00:58:45Whatever
00:58:46I asked,
00:58:47he was
00:58:47willing.
00:58:48I was
00:58:49really afraid
00:58:49that one
00:58:50day,
00:58:50if I did
00:58:51something
00:58:52bad,
00:58:52he would
00:58:52clean up
00:58:53after me.
00:58:54I hoped
00:58:55he could
00:58:55be more
00:58:55at ease
00:58:56and express
00:58:56his true
00:58:57feelings.
00:58:58I pinched
00:58:59him hard,
00:59:00wanted Marcus
00:59:01to learn
00:59:02to refuse
00:59:02my unreasonable
00:59:03actions.
00:59:04But even
00:59:05when his cheeks
00:59:05turned bright
00:59:06red,
00:59:06he didn't
00:59:07react.
00:59:08Instead,
00:59:08his eyes
00:59:09shone as
00:59:09he looked
00:59:09at me.
00:59:11I felt
00:59:12defeated.
00:59:13Why don't
00:59:14you say
00:59:14it hurts?
00:59:16You can
00:59:16refuse me,
00:59:17you know?
00:59:18Marcus shook
00:59:18his head.
00:59:19You only
00:59:19pinch me,
00:59:20you don't
00:59:20pinch anyone
00:59:21else.
00:59:22That means
00:59:22you like
00:59:23me.
00:59:28You like
00:59:29me,
00:59:29I'm happy.
00:59:30I don't
00:59:30feel pain.
00:59:33I felt
00:59:34amused and
00:59:35a little
00:59:35angry.
00:59:36You really
00:59:37are,
00:59:37really are.
00:59:43I kissed
00:59:44his swollen
00:59:44red face.
00:59:46You're just
00:59:47too adorable.
00:59:48After the
00:59:48kiss,
00:59:49I suddenly
00:59:50noticed the
00:59:50air in the
00:59:51room had
00:59:51become sticky.
00:59:53Mark Horses
00:59:54was clearly
00:59:54restless,
00:59:55his tail
00:59:56wagging
00:59:56non-stop.
00:59:57I wanted
00:59:58to run,
00:59:58but he had
00:59:59already grabbed
00:59:59my ankle.
01:00:01Our child
01:00:02will be even
01:00:03cuter than
01:00:03me.
01:00:04Do you
01:00:05want to
01:00:05try?
01:00:07I don't
01:00:08want to.
01:00:09It was
01:00:10still Dale
01:00:10time.
01:00:11Marcus tilted
01:00:12his head and
01:00:13think for a
01:00:13minute, but
01:00:14still pulled
01:00:15me back.
01:00:16He was
01:00:17very serious.
01:00:18You said
01:00:19I should
01:00:19learn to
01:00:19refuse you.
01:00:20Then I
01:00:21refuse.
01:00:22You don't
01:00:22want.
01:00:26Is that
01:00:27what I
01:00:27meant?
01:00:28I stopped
01:00:28kissing me.
01:00:30Fortunately,
01:00:31I was
01:00:32someone who
01:00:32could reconcile
01:00:33with myself.
01:00:34Maybe this
01:00:34counted as
01:00:35Marcus's first
01:00:35step toward
01:00:36learning how
01:00:37to love
01:00:37normally.
01:00:40Marcus stood
01:00:41in the kitchen,
01:00:42ears permed
01:00:42up,
01:00:43tail swaying
01:00:44gently.
01:00:45Marcus held
01:00:46up a worn
01:00:46photo of me,
01:00:48pressing it
01:00:48to his chest.
01:00:49Sheila gave
01:00:50me this
01:00:50before I
01:00:51came.
01:00:52I held
01:00:53it every
01:00:53night at
01:00:53the arena.
01:00:55I was so
01:00:55scared no
01:00:56one would
01:00:56ever want
01:00:57me.
01:00:59He set
01:00:59the photo
01:01:00down carefully
01:01:01on the shelf,
01:01:02right where
01:01:02he could see
01:01:03it every
01:01:03morning.
01:01:07then his
01:01:07ears
01:01:09flattened.
01:01:10Jumanian
01:01:11came back
01:01:11again today.
01:01:12He blocked
01:01:13me at the
01:01:13neighborhood
01:01:14entrance when
01:01:14I was five
01:01:15minutes late
01:01:16from work.
01:01:17Marcus's
01:01:18jaw tightened.
01:01:20I don't
01:01:20like him near
01:01:21you, Deb.
01:01:22I really
01:01:23don't.
01:01:28He pulled
01:01:29me close,
01:01:30resting his
01:01:31chin on top
01:01:31of my head.
01:01:32I know he's
01:01:33leaving soon,
01:01:33but until he
01:01:34does, I want
01:01:36you to stay
01:01:36safe.
01:01:39Marcus came
01:01:40home one
01:01:40afternoon, a
01:01:41folded paper in
01:01:42his hand and
01:01:43tears streaming
01:01:43down his face.
01:01:45Deb, I formed
01:01:47a bond with
01:01:47you.
01:01:48It's certified
01:01:49and official.
01:01:50He held up the
01:01:51bond certificate.
01:01:52His hand was
01:01:53trembling.
01:01:55I'm so happy.
01:01:56I looked at the
01:01:57paper, then at
01:01:58his tear-streaked
01:01:59face.
01:02:01Marcus, you're
01:02:02crying again.
01:02:05I can't help
01:02:06it.
01:02:06He dropped to
01:02:07his knees, wrapping
01:02:08his arms around
01:02:09my waist.
01:02:11I'm just so
01:02:12happy.
01:02:13A few months
01:02:13later, Marcus
01:02:14held a tiny bundle
01:02:15in his massive arms,
01:02:17tears rolling down
01:02:18his cheeks again.
01:02:22It's a daughter.
01:02:24She looks just
01:02:25like you, Deb.
01:02:28I touched
01:02:29the baby's
01:02:29small face.
01:02:33Stop crying, Marcus.
01:02:35It's bad for
01:02:36your eyes.
01:02:39He shook his
01:02:40head, pressing
01:02:41his forehead
01:02:41against mine.
01:02:44I can't help it.
01:02:45I'm so happy.
01:02:48I wish you all
01:02:49happiness, too.
01:02:50I can't help it.
01:02:52I can't help it.
01:02:52I can't help it.
01:02:53I can't help it.
01:02:54I can't help it.
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