Abandoned by the wolves who should have protected her, she finds herself chosen by the mysterious Serpent King. Watch Ditched by Wolves, Claimed by the Serpent King Full Episode, an addictive Fantasy Romance Short Drama filled with werewolf politics, forbidden love, supernatural secrets, and destiny.#DitchedByWolvesClaimedByTheSerpentKing #RomanceShortDrama #WerewolfDrama #SerpentKing #ShortDrama #FullEpisode #ENGSUB #FantasyRomance #Drama
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Short filmTranscript
00:02afraid the snake gets jealous
00:05his feelings aren't my concern
00:06but i genuinely can't be bothered to see you
00:09i'm not your owner anymore
00:10you are
00:11we never thought of chloe as our owner
00:13we never touched her either
00:15if you'd wanted
00:17we would have helped you disappear from that wedding
00:19a long time ago
00:21so in your eyes
00:23i'm still your owner
00:24but in mine you haven't been worth that in a long time
00:33director ashford these contracts need your review
00:35come in
00:37i set the pen down
00:40before you go
00:41let everyone know
00:42those three shifters downstairs are not to be let up
00:45if they come back have security remove them
00:47understood director
00:49also you have a meeting shortly
00:50what coffee would you like
00:52oh right the meeting
00:55i picked up my phone and sent vance a small emoji
00:57a little pat
00:58might be home late
00:59be good and wait for me
01:01without waiting for a reply
01:03i stood
01:03smoothed the front of my jacket
01:05and walked out
01:08actually
01:08no coffee
01:09just water
01:10tell everyone the conference room
01:12of course
01:13director ashford
01:15vance was often with me when i worked
01:17sometimes
01:18when i'd been absorbed in something too long
01:20a cool smooth tail would drift over and coil slowly around my waist
01:25why is he so clingy
01:27i sighed
01:27more fond than exasperated
01:29and stroked a tail in what i hoped was reassuring
01:32human form this time please
01:34shifter form is
01:36genuinely too much for me
01:41okay
01:43i never asked about his other identity
01:45whether he was the heir to some family or the head of some organization
01:48what his name meant in the world outside these walls
01:51i wasn't curious
01:52i only needed him here
01:54that was enough
01:55the way ethan had once said at the airport
01:57we actually have our own names
01:59i don't need to know
02:00and i don't want to
02:01that had been the end of it
02:03as for the business deals vance had quietly helped put into motion
02:06i chose not to notice
02:07i simply rewarded him from time to time
02:10small things
02:11warmly given
02:12vance had hurt eric and evan badly enough
02:14that it had taken time for them to recover
02:16by the time they were well
02:17i was gone
02:18they couldn't find me
02:19eventually it seemed they'd left the ashford estate too
02:22until recently
02:27director ashford
02:28there are three people downstairs requesting to see you
02:31they say their names are ethan eric and evan
02:36put them through
02:37yes ma'am
02:39elena
02:41you're back in the country
02:43i am
02:46come meet us
02:48no time
02:49not interested
02:50i stepped into the role chloe had been holding
02:53and i was better at it
02:54the group began to stabilize
02:56my father's condition improved somewhat
02:58i mentioned it to vance absently
03:01in the top floor office
03:05when a sick person suddenly gets better
03:08sometimes it's a last flare of strength before the end
03:11vance's pale fingers
03:12wound slowly through a strand of my hair
03:16i see
03:19father got worse again
03:22his current condition left him with no real grip on the company
03:25he knew it
03:27i went to visit him
03:32sign over whatever shares you have left
03:34all of them
03:35the man in the hospital bed
03:37frail now
03:39aged past recognition
03:41erupted in fury
03:42but all he could do was cough
03:44you built this company
03:45do you want to watch chloe run it into the ground
03:49he glared
03:50i smiled
03:51give a little now
03:52and i'll make sure she's taken care of
03:55you've already seen what she becomes without me
03:58that's your precious daughter
04:00when you're not watching
04:05father
04:13he stared at me for a long time
04:16something painful moved behind his eyes
04:19i smiled
04:20everything was in place
04:22tall striking
04:24almost violently beautiful
04:25she recognized him
04:26her sister
04:27as a child
04:28had found a half-dead venomous snake
04:29and refused to leave it alone
04:31chloe had screamed at her then
04:32get away from it
04:33are you insane
04:35her kind
04:35oblivious sister hadn't listened
04:37she'd nursed the snake back to health
04:38her sister had probably forgotten all about it
04:40chloe remembered
04:41so she brought vance home
04:42she knew why he agreed
04:43he could smell her sister's presence in the house
04:46traces left from childhood
04:47here to repay a kindness
04:48what a pity
04:49my sister won't even know who you are
04:51vance didn't like chloe
04:52not even a little
04:53and the more he didn't
04:54the more she wanted that to change
04:55it never did
04:56then her sister called
04:57wanting to trade
04:58chloe barely thought about it
04:59and said yes
05:00good
05:00let this cold snake
05:02see exactly what kind of person her sister is
05:04how she opens her hands for everyone
05:06and how quickly she can close them
05:07as expected
05:08the three wolves took to chloe almost instantly
05:10but what she hadn't expected
05:12her sister had genuinely forgotten vance
05:14and yet
05:14she still treated him gently
05:16instinctively
05:17why
05:17after everything that's been done to her
05:19why can't she just stop
05:20a dying snake as a child
05:21a litter of abandoned wolf pups
05:23she picked them all up
05:24impossible
05:25infuriating
05:26it was fine
05:27her sister was about to be forced into a marriage
05:29with a man who'd outlasted three wives
05:31the pressure would crush her
05:32would she come crawling to chloe then
05:34the way chloe used to visit
05:35bringing gifts to that small apartment
05:37surprise
05:37playing the generous sibling
05:38would she finally be desperate enough
05:40to need chloe's help
05:41that would be the right choice
05:42come to her sister
05:43not scatter kindness into the void
05:45chloe thought about all of it
05:46with something close to pleasure
05:48until she realized
05:49her sister had played her
05:50as they got older
05:51chloe learned something
05:52she was prettier than her sister
05:54not that her sister was ugly
05:55she was genuinely lovely
05:56in a quiet clean way
05:58but chloe had inherited
05:59every striking feature
06:00with perfect precision
06:01head to toe
06:02so the pattern became this
06:04those who saw chloe first
06:05then her sister
06:06looked vaguely let down
06:07those who saw her sister first
06:09then chloe
06:09looked stunned
06:11every time this happened
06:13chloe thought to herself
06:14her sister must be so hurt
06:16so humiliated
06:17when they were teenagers
06:19her sister drew attention
06:20the ashford family's eldest daughter
06:22graceful enough that boys noticed
06:24despite everything
06:25inevitably
06:25those boys noticed chloe
06:27and redirected
06:28of course they did
06:28she was brighter
06:29prettier
06:30warmer
06:30pathetic
06:31shallow idiots
06:32chloe thought it internally
06:33all contempt
06:34but honestly
06:35if they'd spent more time
06:36with her sister
06:37they'd have found out
06:37her sister was smarter
06:39and more interesting
06:40than anyone gave her credit for
06:41too bad they lacked the patience
06:42to look past the surface
06:44at that thought
06:45chloe would feel something
06:46almost like pity
06:47poor thing
06:48no matter how kind
06:49her sister was to everyone
06:50people still chose chloe
06:51she imagined her sister in the dark
06:53seething with jealousy
06:54hating her
06:55somehow
06:56that thought made the exhaustion
06:58of performing warmth
06:59all day vanish
07:00chloe would hum to herself
07:01lighter
07:02then she met a snake shifter
07:04her sister always had people around her
07:07boys and girls
07:08a full crowd
07:09her sister stood in the middle of them
07:10smiling
07:11then she noticed chloe
07:12and waved
07:18chloe
07:19chloe
07:19come here
07:20when the others saw chloe
07:22their expressions shifted
07:23to something like wonder
07:24chloe walked over
07:25her sister reached into her pocket
07:28and pressed a candy
07:29into her hand
07:30i saved this for you
07:32strawberry
07:33your favorite
07:34chloe took it happily
07:36then one of the girls said
07:39elena is so thoughtful
07:41she remembers everyone's favorite
07:43chloe's smile went stiff
07:44why
07:45she was her sister
07:46why was she this nice to everyone
07:47shouldn't she save the best of herself for chloe
07:49chloe turned and walked away
07:55behind her
07:56voices floated
07:58is that your sister
08:00she's gorgeous
08:01like a doll
08:02her eyes are so big
08:04her skin
08:04she didn't hear what her sister said back
08:06she turned the corner
08:07and dropped the strawberry candy
08:09into a trash can
08:10i switched to an overseas number
08:12no one could reach me
08:13chloe never ended up marrying the man
08:15the two families became enemies
08:17when i returned
08:18my parents had aged
08:19my father spent most of his time
08:21in a hospital bed
08:22they couldn't trust the extended family
08:23with the company
08:24so they'd given it to chloe
08:25but under chloe's management
08:27the group was declining
08:28steadily
08:29then i walked through the door
08:31my mother's hand rose on instinct
08:32she was going to slap me
08:34i stepped back
08:35i smiled
08:36are you sure
08:38i'm the only one who can save you now
08:40froze midair
08:41i looked over
08:41chloe had her eyes locked on me
08:43sharp and searching
08:44but she looked nothing like before
08:46the polish was gone
08:48she was frayed
08:49worn down by everything
08:50she'd been holding together
08:51about her too
08:52long time no see
08:53little sister
08:54wore her gaze away
08:55and burst into tears
08:56chloe had hated her sister
08:58since childhood
08:58why?
08:59it started in primary school
09:01the man sat beside me on the flight
09:03he looked down
09:03long lashes
09:04casting a faint shadow
09:06across his cheeks
09:08so
09:10you really were gonna take the groom's place
09:12and marry me?
09:14hmm
09:16you move fast
09:17after realizing i wasn't there
09:19it slipped out immediately
09:20that brief shadow on the live stream
09:22only i would have recognized it
09:24your scent went faint
09:25right
09:27the terrifying thing about shifters
09:28was their sense of smell
09:30precise and absolute
09:32i'll be overseas for a while
09:34until the timing is right to come back
09:36vance leaned in close
09:37that cool faint air of his
09:39wrapped around me
09:41his lips pressed lightly
09:43to the side of my neck
09:44this time
09:45he didn't bite
09:46i almost smiled
09:47they said wolves were canines
09:49bonded hard
09:50but this cold-blooded snake
09:51seemed more bonded
09:53than any of them
09:54over the months that followed
09:55the ashford family fell into disarray
09:58vance settled behind me
09:59his chin coming to rest on my shoulder
10:01one arm loosely circling my waist
10:03an embrace
10:04cool as winter air
10:07i'm talking to you
10:08vance smiled
10:10why?
10:11something unsettling in it
10:12would it make you happy
10:13if something happened to them?
10:15i paused
10:16eric and evan were ethan's brothers
10:18why would their getting hurt
10:19make him happy?
10:20ethan's throat moved
10:24where are they?
10:25no idea
10:25probably close to dead though
10:28ice went through me
10:29but ethan
10:31contrary to everything i'd expected
10:33didn't turn and run
10:35you're both leaving
10:36together
10:39isn't it obvious?
10:40why are you taking him?
10:42the vein at ethan's temple stood out
10:44are you alright?
10:46chloe gave him to me
10:47i'm his owner
10:50then you're still mine
10:51you all belong to chloe now
10:53don't you remember?
10:56you're the one who sent me to her
10:58something dark pooled in his eyes
11:01i heard everything you said in the living room that morning
11:05how much you all liked chloe i was doing you a favor
11:09and now you're turning it around on me
11:11you heard all of that?
11:13i had nothing more to say to him
11:14i pulled vance by the hand
11:16and turned to go
11:18ethan moved to follow
11:19and was stopped by the airport security
11:21i'd quietly arranged in advance
11:23at the airport my phone rang
11:28the fake husband
11:29his voice was hard
11:30come back
11:32marry me
11:32what's your problem?
11:34you're not worth it
11:35i blocked him too
11:38honestly
11:39i'd overlooked him
11:40i hadn't thought he'd be this delusional
11:43i'd been waiting for a while
11:44when a shadow fell across me
11:46i smiled without looking up
11:47you're here
11:48i raised my eyes
11:49ethan
11:49i blinked
11:50what's that face?
11:53disappointed?
11:55who were you expecting?
11:57vance
11:57his expression went cold
11:58you really can't catch a break
11:59he's not coming
12:00i nodded
12:02kept my face easy
12:03ethan dropped into the seat beside me
12:05i didn't expect you to actually pull off an escape
12:07don't bother me
12:08i really
12:08i cut him off
12:09he shut his mouth
12:10bit down on his back teeth
12:11he switched tactics
12:12no cold edge this time
12:14where are you going?
12:15not your business
12:15elena
12:16where are eric and evan?
12:19ethan's expression changed
12:22they're blocking vance
12:24aren't they?
12:25his face went tight
12:26then i saw him
12:28vance came through the crowd in long strides
12:30a dried cut at his temple
12:31marks on his neck
12:32something low and dark in the set of his expression
12:35when he reached me
12:35the sharp smell of blood came with him
12:38are you okay?
12:39ethan clenched his jaw
12:43what
12:44did you
12:45do to them?
12:49chloe's perfect face was streaked with tears
12:52shaking her head
12:53backing behind my father
12:54father's face was iron gray
12:56where's elena?
12:57find her
12:58she's gone too far
12:59you said you had feelings for me
13:00her sister was willing to step aside for us
13:02and you can't even
13:03i have no idea what's going on
13:05since my son loves chloe
13:06why not let chloe take her place?
13:07it's still a happy occasion for both families
13:09i'd had the foresight to block my parents
13:11the butler
13:12and chloe
13:12before leaving
13:13even with the groom's mother
13:14trying to smooth things over
13:15they couldn't afford to make a scene
13:17my mother went still
13:18then looked at chloe
13:19chloe bit her lip
13:20her voice came out
13:21no!
13:23what do you mean no?
13:24were you lying to me this whole time?
13:25don't you have feelings for me?
13:26i don't!
13:27you had three wives die on you!
13:29why would i ever like you?
13:30complete chaos
13:34i watched with genuine satisfaction
13:36then i spotted ethan
13:37eric and evan in the corner of the frame
13:39their expressions were something else entirely
13:42the left side was also empty
13:43the venue erupted
13:45i stared at the screen
13:46two minutes later
13:46my fake husband rushed in
13:48he recovered
13:49took the microphone
13:51actually
13:52today's bride was never elena ashfun
13:54the bride i've been waiting for
13:56is my true love
13:57miss chloe ashfun
14:00that was when vance's call came through
14:04where are you?
14:06on the way to the airport
14:06you
14:07before i could finish asking
14:09a news alert pushed to my screen
14:11male family heir confirmed for tonight's high profile wedding
14:14not a pure human
14:15reports indicate he is a shifter
14:17i tapped it immediately
14:18a tall unmistakable silhouette
14:20comments below
14:21looks like a snake shifter
14:23cold-blooded running a corporation
14:24actually kind of fitting
14:25something clicked in my mind
14:27vance
14:28were you just trying to-
14:29trashed the wedding
14:30i swallowed it back
14:30i'm planning to lay low abroad for a while
14:32until things settle
14:33i hung up
14:34if vance wanted to follow
14:35he would
14:36if not
14:36i didn't mind either way
14:37i turned back to the live stream
14:39total chaos at the venue
14:40the wedding day arrived
14:42the city's most prestigious hotel
14:44over 30,000 white roses
14:46cascading from the ceiling
14:47crystal chandeliers
14:48threading through the waterfall of petals
14:50long tables draped in ivory jacquard
14:52champagne flutes standing in neat rows
14:54catching the light with a faint golden tint
14:57every detail was breathtaking
14:58big budget
14:59i took one look
15:00then was ushered into the backstage dressing room
15:02over the next three hours
15:03the guest list filled
15:04from backstage
15:05i heard the steady murmur of congratulations
15:07my parents appeared several times
15:09to confirm i was still there
15:10and cooperating
15:11i looked at myself in the mirror
15:12flawless makeup
15:13then i checked the clock
15:14the ceremony was about to begin
15:16i'd already taken care of the makeup artist
15:18and assistant in advance
15:19i gathered the heavy skirt
15:20and slipped out
15:21elena the bathroom's straight ahead
15:23the assistant kept pace
15:24so no one in the hallway questioned it
15:29once inside
15:30i stripped off the gown efficiently
15:32and changed into the clothes she'd stashed in her bag
15:34something light
15:35with sneakers
15:36then opened the window
15:37a black car was parked close by
15:39first floor
15:39i climbed onto the sill
15:40and dropped down cleanly
15:44once in the car
15:45i called vance
15:50two rings
15:51no answer
15:51i frowned
15:52maybe the venue was too loud
15:53he didn't hear it
15:54head to the airport
15:55the car pulled into traffic
15:57i opened my phone
15:58and found the live stream
15:59my fake husband
16:00had insisted on broadcasting
16:01the ceremony
16:02he wanted the world
16:03to see the moment
16:03chloe stepped forward
16:05out of love
16:05lucky for me
16:06that made watching
16:07very convenient
16:08please welcome
16:08our bride and groom
16:10from both sides
16:12both doors opened simultaneously
16:13the right side
16:15where i was supposed to stand
16:16was empty
16:16i laughed
16:17then i looked at the left side
16:18a shadow
16:19there for just a second
16:20my smile faded
16:23vance
16:24the days before the wedding
16:26i was perfectly calm
16:27i tried on jewelry
16:28the estate meanwhile
16:29had developed its own
16:31sustained low pressure system
16:32heaven chloe
16:33who normally at least
16:34maintained the pretense
16:36of civility
16:36stopped by to take a shot
16:38didn't expect 5% of the shares
16:39to be enough to break you
16:40i had no reaction
16:41that seemed to infuriate her more
16:43do you know how much
16:44i'll have eventually
16:46when father's gone
16:47all of it comes to me
16:49i paused
16:50i actually looked at her
16:52she looked satisfied
16:53jealous
16:54the filial piety
16:56in this household
16:57is truly something
16:58i couldn't help but think
17:00pathetic
17:01evan kept his face blank
17:03eric nodded
17:04ethan scrolled through
17:05his phone and said nothing
17:06pathetic
17:07are they talking about me
17:08i didn't care what they thought
17:09i was watching vance
17:11he wasn't as dark
17:12as i'd expected
17:13he just lifted his gaze
17:14and those black
17:16fathomless eyes
17:17met mine
17:18that's when i realized it
17:19when his eyes weren't
17:20carrying that cold hostility
17:22they were beautiful
17:23the shape subtle
17:24the outer corners
17:25lifting just slightly
17:27an unintentional
17:28almost lazy quality
17:29to the look
17:30the day i came home
17:31with the marriage certificate
17:32and my fake husband
17:33the entire ashford family
17:35was seated at the dining table
17:36everyone's face
17:37said something different
17:38the news about
17:39the arranged marriage
17:40had already spread
17:41through the household
17:42i caught vance's eye
17:44from across the room
17:45a small reassuring look
17:46his expression was flat
17:48but i could feel it
17:49the suppressed hostility
17:50simmering underneath
17:51the faint darkness
17:52around him
17:53it was fine
17:53once everything was resolved
17:55i had a place for him
17:56and what came next
17:56i gave him a small
17:57calm smile
17:58from across the room
17:59he glanced at me once
18:00then looked away
18:02when i slipped into the kitchen
18:03to help carry dishes
18:04eric was at the sink
18:06you don't like him
18:07who
18:08your husband
18:09eric smiled pleasantly
18:13elena
18:15ask me nicely
18:15and i'll help you run
18:16i looked at him
18:17he clarified
18:18the other two are on board too
18:19the other two
18:20ethan and evan
18:21that explained why
18:22all three of them
18:23had been off today
18:24eric's voice dropped
18:25just a shade too deliberate
18:26you don't want to spend
18:27the rest of your life
18:28with someone you don't
18:29even like do you
18:30mind your own business
18:32you'll regret this elena
18:34regret
18:36after dinner
18:37chloe chatted brightly
18:38with my fake husband
18:39effortless and radiant
18:42i slipped away to the study alone
18:43and signed the share transfer documents
18:47next week
18:47the grand wedding
18:48and the show was just getting started
18:50a few days later
18:52a private room
18:53at a cafe
18:53i took a calm sip of coffee
18:55i looked across the table
18:57and cut straight to the point
18:58i know you're in love with chloe
18:59he looked up
19:00surprised
19:01set his phone down
19:02i also know you've been approaching our family
19:05with a marriage proposal
19:06you want chloe
19:08but they keep deflecting you
19:09with the excuse
19:10that the eldest daughter
19:11has to marry first
19:13who wouldn't prefer your sister
19:15she's not indifferent to me either
19:17she just says she won't compete with you
19:19because you liked me first
19:21i have a way to get you what you want
19:24what way
19:24we get a fake marriage certificate
19:27if chloe really does feel something for you
19:30she'll get jealous when she sees us together
19:32right
19:32a fake certificate
19:34people only realize what they want
19:36when they think they're losing it
19:38if you act close to me
19:39let her see it
19:40she'll be devastated
19:41then
19:42at the ceremony itself
19:44i disappear
19:45no bride
19:46she won't be able to stand
19:48watching you humiliated
19:49in front of everyone
19:50she'll step in
19:56then you tell her
19:57it's always been her
19:58have a ring ready
19:59something chosen just for her
20:01she'll be moved
20:04that's not wrong
20:09i know we'd never make each other happy
20:11you love chloe that deeply
20:12and she feels something for you
20:14i'd rather the two of you get to be happy
20:17miss ashford
20:18i misjudged you
20:19i had no idea you were so generous
20:23as long as you're both happy
20:26first
20:26snakes were notoriously insatiable
20:28snake shifters
20:29even more so
20:30if chloe hadn't said he was celibate
20:32i never would have asked for him
20:34second
20:35certain things were simply too much
20:37but i really am getting married
20:39so i'll probably need to give you back to chloe for now
20:42she won't be marrying anytime soon
20:44something moved behind vance's eyes at last
20:46right as something brutal flickered across his gaze
20:49i asked quietly
20:50do you wanna
20:52go back to chloe
20:53have i made you miserable
20:56no
20:57you're actually pretty proactive about the housework
21:00the next second
21:02he lowered himself over me
21:03his shadow swallowing everything
21:08then don't even think about getting rid of me
21:11i was quiet
21:12then i reached out
21:13and gently touched his tail
21:15don't worry
21:17about what
21:18exactly
21:19i shook my head inwardly
21:20i had a plan already
21:22i haven't lived here in months
21:24it's still that strong
21:26something dangerous spread through the air
21:28i genuinely feared he'd consume me
21:31his sharp teeth dragged against my collarbone
21:36you just took a suppresses yesterday
21:39i brought you up here to tell you something
21:41i'm getting married
21:44vance didn't release me the way i expected
21:46instead his tail coiled tighter
21:48and i was lifted and dropped onto the bed
21:50he loomed over me
21:51then his tail slipped beneath the hem of my shirt
21:54i grabbed it on instinct
21:55then looked away fast
21:58he watched me
21:59gaze darkening
22:01you dislike me
22:04no that's not
22:05aren't you my owner
22:07shadow fell over me
22:08or are you afraid
22:10honestly
22:10a little
22:13i came back downstairs to the same quiet
22:16i walked over to vance
22:18i also had something to say to him
22:20let me show you my room
22:22evan looked at me suspiciously
22:23you haven't been back in months
22:25what's there to see
22:29want to come too
22:31who said i did
22:32chloe was picking through the fruit bowl
22:34father's still home
22:36maybe it's not appropriate
22:37her voice was deliberate
22:39you have three shifters with you
22:41i'm bringing one to my room
22:43what exactly isn't appropriate
22:47we never
22:50you make a fair point sis
22:53but vance still has to be willing
22:55every pair of eyes in the room turned to the man with the perfectly unreadable face
23:00let's go
23:01i nodded and gestured for him to follow
23:03whatever the others looked like behind me
23:05i didn't care to check
23:07my room was white and minimal
23:08clean
23:09someone had kept it dusted
23:10i cleared my throat
23:11ready to speak
23:12something coiled around my waist
23:14the tail
23:15your scent is so strong here
23:19register the marriage first
23:21hold the wedding after
23:22father leaned back in his chair and sipped his tea
23:24once everything is settled
23:26i'll transfer the five percent
23:28i didn't hesitate
23:29i want the shares the moment the certificate is signed
23:32the teacup hit the saucer hard
23:34the lines around his eyes deepened with irritation
23:36you really have that little faith in your own family
23:38i sighed
23:39i'm just worried chloe might throw a fit and my share disappears again
23:42he flinched visibly
23:44the irritation held
23:45but after a long beat
23:46he relented
23:47come back with your husband and the marriage certificate
23:49it said everything about what my compliance meant to them
23:52and beyond that
23:52this share transfer would also serve as a gesture of loyalty to the man i was marrying
23:56after all
23:57assets acquired during marriage get split between spouses
24:00i didn't comment on any of that
24:02and stood to leave
24:04you'll stay at the estate until the wedding
24:06no wandering off
24:07and those shifters
24:09cut that off before the ceremony
24:11that single sentence
24:13detonated
24:14evan unfolded himself from the couch
24:16pulling that sharp grin
24:17come again
24:18then a cool hand yanked me behind him
24:21vance smiled
24:23barely
24:23back off
24:24eric's expression hardened
24:26what did you just say
24:27the tension in the room snapped taut
24:29then chloe came down from upstairs
24:31all brightness
24:32i could hear you from my room
24:34what's going on
24:35they think the mark on my neck is a hickey
24:38they seem unhappy about it
24:40and want to investigate
24:42predictably chloe's smile flickered
24:44her gaze settled on my neck
24:49so is it
24:50what do you think
24:51i deflected
24:53she didn't answer
24:54silence
24:55ethan sauntered over
24:57hands in his pocket
24:58you always covered marks like that
24:59why show it today
25:02probably because i don't consider this a hiccup
25:04that seemed to click for the others
25:05evan blinked
25:06now that you mention it
25:07you used to cover everything
25:09eric's eyes narrowed
25:11sis father wants you in his study
25:12you don't need to follow her up
25:14i slipped my hand quietly from vance's grip
25:17and paused
25:18i looked back at the room
25:19don't give him trouble
25:23we give him trouble
25:25elena
25:26in your eyes
25:27i turned and walked away before he could finish
25:29silence behind me
25:31back at the ashford estate
25:33the entire first floor
25:34just ethan
25:35eric
25:36and evan
25:37the atmosphere was awkward
25:38evan set down his game controller
25:40and glanced up
25:42eyes tracking from me to vance
25:44ethan drawled
25:45why are you here
25:48it's my house
25:49can i come back
25:49ethan's expression didn't change
25:51but the corner of his mouth curved up slightly
25:53i stared
25:54eric set down the fruit he'd been arranging
25:56and walked toward me
25:58chloe said you refused to come home for months
26:01and now you show up
26:02did you miss us
26:03i stepped back
26:04before i could speak
26:05evan scoffed
26:06don't even wonder
26:06without us
26:08she couldn't last a day
26:09she doesn't look particularly heartbroken to me
26:13ethan's eyes snapped up
26:14who asked you
26:16sharp hostile energy surged through the room
26:19i reached back quickly and pressed my hand over vance's
26:21cool beneath my palm
26:23trying to calm him
26:24the same as yesterday
26:25wolves and snakes were both apex level shifters
26:27if they actually fought it wouldn't end clean
26:31what you brought him here to make us jealous
26:35snakes are cold-blooded
26:36and from what chloe says this one's worse than most
26:39no feelings at all
26:41you don't actually think you can change him do you
26:44then eric grabbed my jaw
26:46fingers tight
26:48uncomfortably tight
26:49his stare locked onto my neck
26:51the mark from last night
26:53his voice came down slow and deliberate
26:55what's that
26:56a hickey
26:57i rushed after him
26:58found him bent over the washing machine
27:00pulling out clean laundry
27:01piece by piece
27:02hanging it to dry
27:03eric had put my clothes in the wash that morning
27:05he hadn't taken them out
27:06before he left
27:06i watched vance's long fingers handle my clothes
27:10and scratched my cheek
27:11i'll buy a dryer in a few days
27:12then you won't have to do this
27:13vance said nothing
27:14i never got the chance to buy that dryer
27:16the next morning
27:17an uninvited guest appeared
27:19the ashford estate's butler
27:21stood at my door with measured deference
27:24miss your father says you've had enough time
27:28it's time to return and proceed with the arranged marriage
27:31no
27:32the butler smiled
27:35miss this is the wish of both the master and madam
27:39he stepped aside
27:41several bodyguards materialized behind him
27:44i laughed coldly
27:45aren'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
27:51the master said
27:53should you agree to the marriage
27:55you will receive five percent of the ashford group shares
27:58my hand on the door went still
27:59the butler seemed to have anticipated exactly this
28:02the car is waiting downstairs
28:06also
28:07the second miss asked that you bring mr vance along
28:11i glanced back advance
28:12we made eye contact
28:14his dark eyes were as unreadable as ever
28:17yet somehow
28:18a chill crawled down my spine
28:20good thing the door had closed in time
28:22the scent hadn't drifted out
28:24the footsteps faded
28:25i pushed the snake shifter off and didn't let myself look at his tail
28:29i rummaged quickly for the heat suppressants
28:31the same ones i'd used on ethan
28:33eric and evan during their heat cycles
28:35when it became too much
28:37even for me
28:38plenty left
28:38i tossed them to him
28:39then went to wash my face
28:41when i came back to the living room
28:43his tail was gone
28:44the man was draped across the couch
28:46long legs crossed expression back to its cold shuttered default
28:50he glanced up at me
28:51i thought you were
28:53i started confused
28:54celibate
28:54his voice was low and rough
28:56it's a theological response it's been too long since my last suppressor
28:59oh
28:59knowing chloe's personality
29:01if she'd actually wanted to sleep with him
29:02she wouldn't have kept him on suppressants
29:04and judging by what had just happened
29:05it wasn't like he could hold back indefinitely
29:07so how had he been managing before
29:09but if he didn't want to say
29:10i wasn't going to pry
29:11i poured a glass of warm water
29:13and handed it to him
29:14rest today
29:14you can help with the housework tomorrow
29:16and if you need more recovery time
29:18take it
29:18he cut me off
29:19you treated them the same way
29:20i blinked
29:21them
29:21he meant ethan and the others
29:23i was quiet for a second
29:25then nodded
29:25equality between pure humans and shifters
29:28was the standard now
29:29technically
29:30but given a shifter's nature
29:32the bonding
29:32the recognition of owners
29:34there was always emphasis on extending extra consideration to them
29:37long quietness
29:40my name is vance
29:41i registered it and smiled
29:42nice to meet you
29:43i'm elena
29:43he stood expressionless
29:45and walked toward the balcony
29:47the bedroom isn't that way
29:48wait are you going to jump
29:49if you don't like it here
29:51i can ask chloe to take you
29:52but his tail cushioned the impact
29:53it didn't hurt
29:54his breath spilled across my neck
29:56my skin broke into shivers
29:58then sharp knocking at the door
30:00eric's voice from outside
30:01are you okay
30:03my fingers stirred
30:04the pale cold gold vertical pupils
30:06staring down at me
30:07seemed to darken
30:08the coil around my waist tightened
30:10i didn't reach for the door
30:11are you in pain
30:13let me get you some heat suppresses okay
30:15the pressure around me paused
30:17the mating scent that had been thickening
30:19stopped spreading
30:20more knocking
30:20harder now
30:21chloe's voice uncertain
30:22sis
30:22are you both okay in there
30:25i thought i'd calmed him down
30:26i let out a breath
30:27i was about to speak
30:28a coldness at my neck
30:30he bit me
30:31not soft
30:32like claiming something
30:33and yet beneath it
30:34a trace of something almost indulgent
30:36i muffled a sound
30:37my voice came out slightly adrift
30:39we're fine
30:40you can go
30:41ethan's drawl
30:43you sure
30:44she said she's fine
30:46evan cut in impatient
30:47then a beat later
30:48elena
30:48that snake didn't hit you did he
30:50no
30:51i bit my lower lip
30:52behind my neck
30:53a cool tongue traced over the mark
30:55chloe didn't explain
30:57she studied my expression
30:58nothing there
30:59maybe one of them should stay with you
31:01you seem upset
31:02evan didn't move from chloe's side
31:04ethan leaned against the wall
31:06bored
31:07eric's smile stayed thin and cool
31:09no one spoke
31:10chloe wasn't surprised
31:11she gave me a small comforting smile
31:14between the two of us
31:15i was never the one who got chosen
31:17we'd both made peace with that
31:19a long time ago
31:20and him
31:21add my words
31:22chloe's posture barely shifted
31:24then she turned towards the door
31:26come in
31:27heavy footsteps
31:28a man stepped forward
31:29tall
31:30with an almost aggressive stillness to him
31:33the next second
31:34i was looking directly into a pair of dark shadow filled eyes
31:40hello
31:41his gaze came from above
31:43sticky
31:43appraising
31:44i broke out in goosebumps
31:46he didn't acknowledge me
31:47he's just like this sis
31:49if it's too much tell me and i'll take him back
31:52who is he
31:54chloe clearly didn't want to explain
31:56i didn't know where to begin either
31:58she smiled and pivoted
31:59the car's waiting downstairs
32:02shall we
32:03the wolves were quiet for a beat
32:05then didn't push further
32:06they followed chloe out on long strides
32:09the snake shifter stayed
32:10i was about to close the door when
32:13eric looked back at me
32:14something unreadable in his face
32:16and the man beside me
32:18suddenly contracted his pupils into a cold
32:21a smooth tail wound around my waist
32:24a strange overwhelming scent burst through the air
32:29you
32:30you're in heat
32:34not keeping one for yourself
32:36which of you wants to stay with me
32:37the air curdled
32:38no one answered
32:39finally evan got up
32:41and went to open the door
32:42he rolled his eyes
32:44a flick of contempt on his face
32:45stop pretending to be decent
32:47both of you
32:48chloe's bright smile filled the frame
32:51hi boys
32:52my sister already explained things right
32:55you all belong to me now
32:57hey there
32:58new mistress
32:59chloe looked him over with satisfaction
33:01then let her gaze sweep across eric and ethan
33:04you're all gorgeous
33:05did you pack
33:08actually never mind
33:09i'm sure my sister couldn't afford to buy you much anyway
33:11we'll get everything new at the villa
33:13ethan gave a lazy murmur of agreement
33:15eric glanced at chloe
33:17then slid his eyes over to me
33:19i kept my face blank
33:20every set of eyes in the room landed on me at once
33:23chloe noticed
33:24she walked up to me
33:25don't worry sis
33:26i'll take better care of them
33:28and when you're done playing house
33:30just come home and do the arranged marriage
33:33stop stressing mom and dad
33:35arranged marriage
33:37what arranged marriage
33:38i quietly turned back
33:40i was used to it honestly
33:41everyone gravitated toward chloe
33:43she was radiant and magnetic
33:45every gesture
33:46every smile
33:47pulled at people without even trying
33:48standing next to her
33:50i felt exactly like what i was
33:52plain and unremarkable
33:53chloe glanced around
33:54your apartment is so much smaller than the family estate
33:57is there even enough room for them
33:59it's fine
34:00then i watched ethan
34:02usually disinterested in everything
34:03let his gaze drift to chloe
34:05eric's devastating smile turned itself on her instead
34:09even evan
34:10the moody one
34:11propped his head up to stare at her
34:12his wolf ears flickering non-stop
34:15chloe didn't seem to notice
34:16she sipped her water with perfect innocence
34:18in that moment
34:19i knew
34:20my things were about to drift quietly toward chloe again
34:24after that
34:24the gentle clingy warmth disappeared
34:27they became cooler
34:28like they wanted me destroyed
34:30like they couldn't stop themselves
34:31until i heard their conversation
34:33i'd been right all along
34:35one look at chloe
34:36and they'd fallen
34:37the afternoon came fast
34:39a knock at the door
34:40chloe arrived
34:41the silence that had settled over the apartment
34:43deepened into something heavier
34:45you're really giving all three of us to her?
34:48yes
34:49i found the three wolf pups
34:51on a wet gray afternoon
34:53they were collapsed on the concrete
34:55fur matted
34:56blood soaked from the rain
34:57i almost walked away
34:58but then
34:59one of them flicked its tail
35:01just twice
35:01slow and weak
35:03then curled it around my ankle
35:05i couldn't leave them
35:06i brought them home
35:07under my care they recovered fast
35:09a few months later
35:10they hit their maturation phase
35:11and all three of them shifted into men
35:14i should have brought them to a shifter registry
35:16but the registry told me they'd already bonded
35:19recognized me completely as their owner
35:21releasing them without care would cause serious psychological harm
35:25i looked at those three pairs of beautiful eyes
35:27and caved
35:28i let them stay
35:29they said they had no names
35:30so i gave them some
35:32oldest to youngest
35:33ethan
35:34eric
35:34evan
35:35young hot-blooded wolf shifters with energy to burn
35:38even in human form
35:39they couldn't stop their ears and tails from flickering
35:42clinging to me every hour of every day
35:45then one afternoon
35:46chloe called
35:47sis
35:48aren't you going to come home for the arranged marriage
35:50the man has had three wives die on him
35:52and he's ugly
35:53but his family has money
35:54i looked away
35:55that was exactly why my family had cut me off
35:58after i fought the arrangement
36:00they couldn't bring themselves to send chloe in my place
36:03so instead they applied steady relentless pressure on me
36:06eric
36:07who always read the room perfectly
36:08don't like the call
36:09hang up
36:10what was that voice
36:11i took the opening to change the subject
36:13i rescued three injured wolf pups a while back
36:16they just shifted recently and they won't leave me alone
36:19we can barely keep up
36:20a few seconds of silence
36:22i'm honestly jealous
36:24my snake shifter won't even let me touch him
36:27he'll warm up eventually
36:28chloe just gave a soft unconvinced hum
36:31the next day she showed up at my door with bags upon bags
36:34she wore a pretty little white dress
36:36beaming at me
36:38surprise sis
36:39i turned around
36:40all three shifters eyes went straight to her
36:44the three wolves i saved
36:45wanted me in bed every single day
36:47but the truth is
36:48they didn't like me
36:49they just wanted to use me to get close to my sister
36:52so i called her
36:53and asked to switch mates
36:54three horny wolves
36:56in exchange for one cold serpent
36:58today
36:59after being fully claimed
37:00i fell into sound sleep
37:02god look at her
37:03that body
37:04that stamina
37:05and she thought she could handle three of us
37:07doesn't matter
37:07the second she taps out
37:09she'll hand us off to her sister
37:10she can't even get out of bed right now
37:12a few more days of this
37:13and she'll give up on us for good
37:14the conversation from the living room kept going
37:16they thought i was still asleep
37:18i kept my eyes low
37:19watching the marks on my wrists and legs
37:21and the amber glow of the bedside lamp
37:23every single one of them
37:25unmistakable
37:25she's not gonna hand all three of us over to her sister
37:28right
37:28which means at least one of us stays
37:30ugh
37:31elena's dull and boring
37:32you wanna stay
37:33go ahead
37:34i don't
37:35same
37:36whatever
37:36fate decides
37:37is she up yet
37:38no way
37:39she was crying so hard she nearly passed out
37:41she's not waking up anytime soon
37:43so weak
37:44let's get her up in a bit
37:45a few more days of this and she'll give up on us
37:47my vision went dark
37:48i reached for my phone
37:49face pale
37:50and called chloe
37:51she picked up fast
37:53what's wrong sis
37:55weren't you just saying you were unsatisfied
37:58take all three of mine
38:00give me that celibate snake shifter of yours
38:04is that okay
38:05are they willing
38:06they like you
38:07she understood
38:09because it was the truth
38:10everyone liked chloe more
38:12all right
38:13your place is small anyway
38:15not really ideal for them
38:16but
38:17my snake shifter sis
38:18he's cold
38:20if he weren't celibic
38:22i wouldn't have asked for him in the first place
38:25i'm completely wrecked
38:28i just need someone to handle the housework
38:32i just hope he doesn't turn out like these three wolves
38:36don't worry
38:37i haven't managed to tame him yet
38:39he's not going to be interested in you
38:41i'll come pick them up this afternoon
38:43the line went dead
38:44that exact second
38:45the bedroom door swung open
38:47you're up
38:48he crossed the room and reached for my blanket
38:49wait
38:51what is it mistress
38:52i'm exhausted
38:53i need to rest
38:54can't do that
38:55he said easily
38:56mistress you took us in
38:57that means you're responsible for us
38:58we're nowhere near satisfied
38:59if you rest
39:00what are we supposed to do
39:04chloe's coming to take all of you this afternoon
39:07he went still
39:07the two leaning in the doorway froze too
39:10which
39:11two of us
39:13all of you
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