- 16 hours ago
The Alpha's Wolfless Mate
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🎥
Short filmTranscript
02:04I remembered being 15, surrounded by Selena's friends behind the training hall.
02:09They held me down and stripped me to my underclothes while Selena watched and laughed.
02:14Kane found me curled in the dirt.
02:17He wrapped his jacket around me and carried me home.
02:19Your enemies are my enemies, Evelyn.
02:21I will always be your shield.
02:25I believed him.
02:28Now he stood in front of me and defended her.
02:31I wanted to ask him when it started.
02:33How long he had been laughing at me behind my back.
02:36But the notice in my hand reminded me I didn't have time.
02:39Kane.
02:39Kane, I'm 25.
02:41They're going to give me to another wolf.
02:44I don't need a ceremony.
02:45Just put us in the record.
02:47Evelyn.
02:48I'm the alpha.
02:50Who would dare hand my woman to someone else?
02:52Then claim me.
02:54Make it official.
02:55Don't ruin Selena's night.
02:57The breath went out of me.
02:59Selena is carrying my heir.
03:02When the pup is born, we'll talk.
03:04Kane!
03:05Don't make this harder than it already is.
03:07Selena is close to giving birth.
03:08I don't want her staying alone.
03:09Tomorrow, I'm bringing her to the pack house.
03:15Kane brought her home.
03:16Sister, which room am I sleeping in?
03:19I clenched my fist at her sweet voice.
03:21Sister, the guest room is too small.
03:23I want the master bedroom.
03:28I never had the chance to say no.
03:30Kane led Selena to the bed.
03:32My mother's moonstone necklace sat on the bedside table.
03:35Selena noticed it.
03:37She picked it up and turned it slowly between her fingers,
03:40admiring it.
03:41Then her fingers loosened as if by accident.
03:43I rushed forward, but I was too slow.
03:46No!
03:47That was the only thing my mother left me!
03:51Before I reached her,
03:52Kane stepped forward.
03:53He caught my arm and shoved me back hard.
03:55I crashed down into the broken moonstone.
03:57The shards cut deep into my palms.
03:59My hands were slick with blood.
04:01Kane used to fuss over the smallest scratch on my hand.
04:05Now he frowned at me,
04:06speaking as if he were talking about dinner.
04:09It's just a necklace.
04:10I'll get you another one.
04:11Don't make a fuss over Selena.
04:13That night, I came down with a high fever.
04:16Through the haze,
04:17I felt soft fingers wiping the sweat from my forehead.
04:20A cool, damp cloth was laid over my forehead.
04:24For a moment, I thought I was 14 again.
04:26Back then, Kane had taken care of me gently all night.
04:30Then I opened my eyes.
04:31You're sick.
04:32Stay in your room.
04:34Selena can't risk getting sick before the birth.
04:36That boy had become the cold man in front of me.
04:39He stood by the door and wiped his hands carefully on a cloth.
04:42It was like he was afraid of missing a single spot.
04:45Footsteps pattered in the corridor.
04:47Selena threw herself into his arms.
04:49The door locked.
04:52No matter how I knocked or shouted,
04:54no one answered.
04:56I had been locked in just because I had a fever.
04:59I slid down against the door.
05:02Nothing inside me stirred anymore.
05:04Outside the window,
05:05the moon was almost full.
05:07One night left before the ceremony.
05:11A day went by.
05:12No one came.
05:13My stomach cramped with hunger.
05:15My throat was dry and raw.
05:16Even my breath felt hot.
05:18The door cracked open.
05:19Selena stood far back,
05:21holding a piece of dry bread.
05:22She tossed it onto the floor in front of me
05:24like she was feeding a dog.
05:27Didn't you say you hated she-wolves
05:28who chased someone else's mate?
05:30Turns out you were one all along.
05:32No.
05:34That's not true.
05:35I wanted to say I was not the other woman.
05:38Selena was.
05:39Then I remembered the notice from the beta.
05:41The pack had marked me unclaimed.
05:42They had assigned me to Garrick.
05:44That was the official record.
05:45I had no way to prove I had ever been Kane's mate.
05:48My hand fell back to my side.
05:50After a long moment,
05:51I forced the words out.
05:53Let me leave.
05:54I won't come between you and Kane anymore.
05:58No.
05:59I want you here when my pup is born.
06:01I want you to watch me take everything you waited for,
06:04one piece at a time.
06:06Do you want to know when my pup was conceived?
06:13On the anniversary of your mother's death.
06:16My vision went white at the edges.
06:18Hatred surged up inside me.
06:20I remembered Kane cancelling on me that day.
06:23He had promised to come with me to my mother's grave,
06:26but he called last minute.
06:29There's trouble at the border.
06:31I can't get away.
06:33Evelyn,
06:35next year we'll visit your mother's grave together.
06:39Only now did I remember the breathlessness in his voice.
06:42I had been too lost in grief to notice.
06:45Anger took me.
06:46If I had claws,
06:47I would have driven them into Selina's stomach.
06:50Before I could move,
06:52Selina clutched her belly.
06:55Kane burst in.
06:57What happened?
06:59Kane.
07:00The baby.
07:02If anything happens to her or my heir,
07:04I'll make you pay for it.
07:10Before leaving,
07:11he ordered the guards to bring me along.
07:15If anything goes wrong,
07:16she'll answer for it with her life.
07:24The pack hospital was already crowded when we arrived.
07:27Kane carried Selina through the doors.
07:29The healers rushed toward them.
07:30Two guards dragged me in behind him.
07:32Kane.
07:33My baby.
07:34What if I lose him?
07:36Evelyn said she wishes I would die.
07:39I said nothing.
07:40He would not believe me anyway.
07:43Make her kneel in the corridor.
07:44Let everyone see her.
07:46If anything happens to Selina or my heir,
07:48she'll answer for it.
07:49Let me go!
07:50The guards shoved me toward the wall.
07:52Alpha,
07:53she's still burning with fever.
07:55Leave her there.
07:56The pack should see what happens to a wolf who threatens a luna.
08:00Then he followed the healers inside.
08:01The delivery room doors closed behind him.
08:04I stayed on my knees outside.
08:11Hours passed.
08:12The cold floor bit into my knees.
08:14My fever burned behind my eyes.
08:16My stomach cramped with hunger.
08:18Every breath scraped my throat raw.
08:20And I could not stay here at let them through me to whatever omega.
08:23I watched the side door whenever the healers passed through it.
08:26After what felt like forever,
08:28the delivery room doors burst open.
08:31It's the boys!
08:33The luna and the air are safe!
08:35For one moment, no one was looking at me.
08:37I forced myself up from the stone floor.
08:40My legs almost gave out.
08:41But I made it to the side door.
08:43Cold rain hit my face.
08:45I ran.
08:45Behind me, Kane's voice rose above the cheers.
08:48Where is Evelyn?
08:50Get her back!
08:51Claws struck the wet stone behind me.
08:53I ran as fast as my body allowed.
08:55The breathing behind me kept getting closer.
08:57The trees were only a few steps away.
08:59Then a massive dark wolf leapt out of the rain.
09:02He slammed into the guard behind me.
09:05I fell to my knees.
09:07The dark wolf stood between the guards and me.
09:09Something inside my chest tore awake.
09:11A voice I had never heard before roared one word.
09:14Mate.
09:36I woke in an unfamiliar room.
09:38Pain shot through my palms and knees.
09:40I tried to push myself up.
09:42Then I remembered the dark wolf in the rain.
09:46Stay down.
09:47A man's voice came from across the room.
09:49I froze.
09:53You're the wolf from the courtyard.
09:56I am.
09:57Who are you?
09:59Damien Ashford.
10:00Alpha of Stormvale Pack.
10:02Stormvale.
10:03The strongest pack in the kingdom.
10:05Drink when you can.
10:06I did not touch it.
10:08You saved me.
10:09Because you're my mate.
10:10The word hit me like a slap.
10:13For seven years, Kane had whispered that word against my hair.
10:16He had used it to keep me waiting.
10:18To keep me obedient.
10:20To make me believe my own wolf was broken.
10:22I pressed my back against the wall.
10:24No.
10:25Don't do this to me.
10:26I just escaped one lie.
10:28I won't be dragged into another.
10:30I won't be taken by another Alpha.
10:31I'm not here to take you.
10:33I'm here to protect you.
10:35Mates take care of each other.
10:36And I will stand between you and anyone who tries to hurt you again.
10:39But I don't have a wolf.
10:40You do.
10:41Kane said I was wolf-less.
10:43Kane was wrong.
10:44How would you know?
10:45Stormvale was at your border last week for treaty talks.
10:47I saw you with Kane at the boundary line.
10:50My wolf knew the second you came into view.
10:52I knew what you were before you ever looked at me.
10:54Then why didn't you say anything?
10:56You looked at him like he was your whole world.
10:58I wasn't going to tear you out of a bond you believed in.
11:01But I also knew something was wrong.
11:04Your wolf isn't gone, Evelyn.
11:05She has been suppressed.
11:07I felt it when my wolf touched yours in the rain.
11:09What?
11:09I don't know what was done to you.
11:11But Stormvale has the best healers in three free territories.
11:13Let them examine you.
11:14If someone hurt your wolf, we'll find out.
11:16For a moment, I could not breathe.
11:17Seven years.
11:18Seven years of Kane telling me my wolf was too weak.
11:21Seven years of him telling me I only needed more time.
11:24But she had been there all along.
11:26Someone had been holding her down.
11:28I can't go back to my pack.
11:29You're not going back.
11:30The Atruemate of Unawake now.
11:32Kane cannot touch you here.
11:33I'm not asking you to be my Luna tonight.
11:34I'm not asking you to accept me.
11:35I'm not asking you for anything.
11:38Stay until your wolf is well.
11:40Stay until you decide what you want.
11:43This room is yours.
11:45No one comes in unless you say so.
11:47Not even me.
11:54Kane stood in the hospital corridor with Selina's newborn son in his arms.
11:58He looked toward the wall where Evelyn had been kneeling.
12:01His fingers tightened around the newborn.
12:03The spot was empty.
12:05Where is Evelyn?
12:06Only bloodstains remained on the stone floor.
12:09A guard rushed in from the courtyard, soaked with rain.
12:14Alpha.
12:14She's gone.
12:17Gone.
12:17She slipped through the side door.
12:19We chased her, but Stormville's Alpha took her.
12:22Damien Ashfield.
12:24Yes, Alpha.
12:27We found this near the courtyard.
12:29Kane took it.
12:30Garrick's name had been crossed out.
12:32A new line had been added below.
12:34Assignment void.
12:36True mate bond confirmed.
12:37For the first time that night, Kane forgot the child in his arms.
12:41Evelyn had a mate.
12:42And it was not him.
12:46When I woke again in Stormvale, the fever had broken.
12:49A healer wrapped fresh bandages around my palms and knees.
12:53Damien sat beside the bed with a cup of water in his hand.
12:57He didn't touch me without asking.
12:58Can you sit up?
12:59I nodded.
13:01He helped me lean against the pillows.
13:03Careful to avoid my wounds.
13:04Then I felt her.
13:05For the first time in seven years, my wolf moved inside my chest.
13:10What is it?
13:11She's awake.
13:14The bond pulled her out.
13:16What does that mean?
13:17It means whoever was holding her down lost their grip the moment our wolves touched.
13:21A true mate bond is stronger than anything they could have used on you.
13:25I couldn't speak for a moment.
13:26Seven years of waiting.
13:27Seven years of being told she was too weak.
13:30And in one rainy night with a stranger, she had come back like she'd never been gone.
13:34Then the communication stone beside my bed lit up.
13:36Evelyn, where are you?
13:38More messages came through.
13:39Come back.
13:41We can fix this.
13:43The assignment can be reversed.
13:45He'll come for me.
13:46I said.
13:47Let him.
13:48But you should know what your wolf can do before he does.
13:51He picked up my coat from the chair and held it out.
13:54Come outside.
13:55Try her.
13:58Rain still clung to the training field behind Stormvale Hall.
14:01He led me into the wet grass.
14:03I don't know how to shift.
14:04You don't have to know.
14:06Your wolf does.
14:07Then he stepped back and shifted.
14:10A massive, dark wolf stood before me in the rain.
14:14His golden eyes held mine.
14:17A voice brushed through my mind.
14:19Come.
14:19My breath caught.
14:21Something inside me lifted its head.
14:24Damien's wolf lowered his.
14:26The pressure in my chest broke open.
14:29Silver light flashed across my skin.
14:31Pain tore through me.
14:33Then the world dropped lower.
14:35The wet grass sharpened in my sight.
14:36The rain smelled like cedar and metal and Damien.
14:39A pale, silver wolf stood in the rain.
14:42Damien's wolf stepped close and touched his forehead to mine.
14:46The bond rushed through my chest.
14:48I saw my own reflection in his golden eyes.
14:51Then his ears snapped toward the gate.
14:53Across the training field, Cain stood in the rain.
14:56His eyes were fixed on my wolf.
15:20A few days later, I was getting used to my wolf.
15:22My silver wolf ran across the wet garden behind Stormvale Hall.
15:26Damien had gone out with the border patrol that morning.
15:29I shifted back beside the stone path.
15:33Then an arm locked around my waist from behind.
15:36Cain pulled me against his chest.
15:38His scent hit me, mixed with Selina's perfume on his collar.
15:41My stomach twisted.
15:43I shoved him away and bent over, gagging.
15:47You think I'm disgusting?
15:50Don't touch me.
15:51How did you even get in here?
15:53I came alone.
15:55No patrol catches a single alpha moving quiet.
16:00Evelyn, I've been looking for you.
16:02I haven't slept.
16:03I haven't eaten.
16:04I moved around him toward the packhouse.
16:07Come home.
16:08There has to be a way to fix this.
16:09Cain blocked the path.
16:11You should have thought of that before you put my name on that list.
16:14He caught my wrist.
16:16I struggled free and slapped him across the face.
16:19I am not yours anymore.
16:22Because of him?
16:24Because of you.
16:26Behind him, the garden gate opened.
16:28Damien stepped into the rain with two warriors behind him.
16:31His eyes went to Cain's hand near my wrist.
16:33Cain lowered his hand.
16:35Damien did not raise his voice.
16:37You crossed my border, came into my hall, and put your hands on my mate.
16:40Walk out now and I let you keep your legs.
16:43Try this again and you won't leave Stormville ground at all.
16:46Then he turned and walked back into the rain.
17:08Next evening, Damien took me on my first pack run.
17:12I shifted beside him.
17:14My silver paws sank into the wet earth.
17:16Then he ran.
17:18Then he ran.
17:19I followed him into the forest.
17:21The pack moved between the trees in a long black line.
17:24My wolf pushed ahead with every step.
17:27For once, my body didn't feel borrowed.
17:29It felt like mine.
17:31We crossed a stream and climbed toward the old border stones.
17:35Nightfang's forest waded beyond the ridge, darker than the trees behind us.
17:39The other wolves ran ahead.
17:40I slowed near the stones.
17:42Damien turned back at once.
17:44Before he could reach me, a hand caught my arm from behind.
17:48Cain stepped out from behind a pine tree and grabbed me.
17:50I shifted back on instinct.
17:52My bare feet hit the mud.
17:54Come with me.
17:56No.
17:57Cain pulled me toward the Nightfang's side.
18:00My feet dragged across wet pine needles.
18:05Once you're back in Nightfang, we can fix this.
18:08Let go of me!
18:09His fingers dug into my bandages.
18:12Blood slipped from my palm and dropped onto the border stone.
18:15Cain looked down at the blood.
18:17For one second, his hand loosened.
18:19Then he pulled again.
18:21I didn't know it was Garrick.
18:22You didn't want to know.
18:25I screamed through my mind link.
18:29Damien, help me.
18:31Cain dragged me another step.
18:33A growl tore through the rain.
18:55Cain stopped with both hands still locked around my arms.
18:59A dark wolf burst over the border stones and landed between us.
19:02Mud exploded under Damien's paws.
19:07This is between Evelyn and me.
19:11Cain shifted before the dark wolf reached him.
19:13A gray wolf ripped out of Cain's body and lunged across the stones.
19:18Damien met him head-on.
19:20The two wolves crashed into the border marker.
19:23The black stone split down the middle.
19:25Cain snapped at Damien's throat.
19:27Damien twisted aside and caught Cain by the shoulder.
19:31He threw Cain into a pine tree.
19:33The trunk cracked behind Cain's back.
19:35He charged at me instead.
19:38Damien moved faster.
19:40The dark wolf slammed Cain to the ground before he reached me.
19:43Cain clawed at Damien's chest.
19:46Damien pinned his throat under one paw.
19:51Howls rose from the forest.
19:54Stormveil wolves poured through the trees and surrounded the border stones.
19:58Cain shifted back in the mud.
20:00Blood ran from his mouth onto the wet grass.
20:03Damien shifted beside me.
20:08Touch her again and I'll wipe your pack off the map.
20:12Cain stumbled backward through the broken border stones.
20:21Cain disappeared into the Nightfang trees.
20:26Let me take care of you.
20:29Evelyn, be my Luna.
20:37For the next two weeks, Stormveil prepared for the mating ceremony.
20:42Damien disappeared into the West Wing every afternoon.
20:45Whenever I passed his study, the guards outside tried not to smile.
20:50Word had spread that the council was sending elders to witness the ceremony.
20:54Stormveil was the strongest pack in three territories.
20:57And the council always sent witnesses when an alpha named a Luna.
21:01Damien said it was procedure.
21:02I didn't ask further.
21:04On the night of the full moon, three maids came to my room.
21:07They carried a white dress in a long silver case.
21:10The alpha designed this for you himself.
21:12The oldest maid opened the case.
21:14Moon thread shimmered across the dress like water under moonlight.
21:17A dark cloak lay folded beneath it.
21:20The Stormveil mark was stitched inside the collar.
21:23The maids helped me dress.
21:24When the door opened, Damien stood in the hall.
21:27He looked at me and forgot to move.
21:30You look like my Luna.
21:32Then take me to the ceremony.
21:35The ceremony field waited under the full moon.
21:38Damien entered the circle first.
21:40I followed him.
21:47Evelyn, do you accept Damien Ashfield as your mate?
21:51Stop.
21:58Cain strode into the ceremony field with Nightfang's beta behind him.
22:04She is my mate.
22:06You cannot complete this ceremony.
22:07Your Luna is not here to hear that?
22:09I was deceived.
22:11Evelyn was my true mate all along.
22:12She belongs with me.
22:13You mean the true mate you never marked?
22:15I woke her wolf.
22:16I answered when she called.
22:19She is my true mate.
22:20She is a wolf of Nightflang.
22:22You cannot take her from my pack.
22:25If both alphas claim a true mate bond, the moon will judge.
22:29Prove it.
22:29Damien turned to me.
22:30He didn't explain.
22:31He only tightened his hand around mine.
22:33Moonlight poured over the silver ribbon.
22:35The mark on my wrist burned bright.
22:37The mark at Damien's throat answered.
22:39Silver light burst between us and climbed over both our arms.
22:43Behind us, the shadows of a silver wolf and a dark wolf rose beneath the moon.
22:51The moon goddess has answered.
22:54Evelyn and Damien are true mates.
22:56Nightling has no claim.
22:59No.
23:00This is a trick.
23:02He rushed toward me and grabbed from my hand.
23:04Damien caught his wrist before he touched me.
23:06He drove his fist into Cain's jaw.
23:09Cain flew backward and crashed into the wet grass.
23:11She belongs to herself.
23:13And she chose Stormveil.
23:15Silver light flared around our wrists again.
23:18Before Cain could rise, Selina ran into the circle.
23:21She threw both arms around Cain from behind.
23:24Cain, stop.
23:26Everyone is watching.
23:31Come home with me.
23:35You knew.
23:38You knew.
23:51What are you talking about?
23:53Come home.
23:55Cain saw her hands on him, the crying pup behind her, and the silver mark on my wrist.
24:01His face twisted before he ripped her arms away.
24:03I reject Selina as my mate and Luna.
24:06Selina froze.
24:08The mark at her throat burned red.
24:10She collapsed into the mud, clawing at her neck as the rejection pain tore through her.
24:15Cain.
24:17You knew the assignment sent Evelyn to Garrick.
24:20The assignment is random.
24:22It had nothing to do with me.
24:24You knew.
24:27She was wolf-less.
24:28She gasped.
24:29A wolf-less she-wolf matched to an old Omega was already more than she deserved.
24:34Damien's head turned toward me before the council healer moved.
24:37The healer crossed the circle, took my wrist, and pressed two fingers against the silver mark.
24:43A bitter green scent rose from my skin.
24:46Silverleaf.
24:47The healer said.
24:48Selina stopped clawing at her throat.
24:50The healer pressed beneath my jaw, and the scent sharpened.
24:54And wolf-breath.
24:55Cain looked from the healer to Selina.
24:58The healer lifted my wrist before the gathered wolves.
25:02This wolf was not sleeping.
25:04This wolf was poisoned.
25:06The field went silent.
25:08Selina looked at Cain.
25:10He stepped away from her.
25:12Then she looked at me, and for the first time, she stopped pretending to cry.
25:17She would have taken everything.
25:28Selina, you poisoned a she-wolf and interfered with a blessed mate-bond.
25:35Cain, help me.
25:37Cain stood over her with blood on his mouth.
25:40He did not move.
25:41The elder looked at the newborn in the nanny's arms.
25:44The heir remains under Nightfell protection.
25:47You do not.
25:48Selina is stripped of pack membership and banished by council law.
25:52The mark at Selina's throat burned black.
25:54She screamed and clawed at her neck as Nightfang wolves stepped away from her.
25:59The pack link snapped from her body so sharply that even the wolves at the edge of the circle flinched.
26:05Council guards seized her by both arms and dragged her toward the border stones.
26:09Selina kicked through the mud and screamed at Cain until her voice broke.
26:13I am your Luna!
26:15No one answered.
26:16The guards threw her past the boundary.
26:17Selina hit the wet ground outside pack land.
26:20She lifted her head.
26:22Throat blackened where the mark had been.
26:24And her eyes locked on me.
26:26You did this.
26:27No.
26:29You did.
26:41Cain came to me after Selina was dragged beyond the border.
26:44The ceremony circle stood behind me with the silver ribbon still hanging from my wrist.
26:48He stopped several steps away.
26:51Evelyn.
26:54Do you remember what we used to be?
26:56I remembered snow.
26:58I was fourteen.
26:59I knelt outside my father's house with dirty water freezing in my hair.
27:31Selina stood on the porch in a thick coat.
27:33The hope that once carried me had shoved me into broken moonstone.
27:36The same voice that once promised safety had told me to wait while Selina carried his air.
27:41I remember everything.
27:45But I don't love you anymore.
27:48The hope died.
27:50I turned back to the ceremony circle.
27:52The elder lifted the silver ribbon again.
27:55Damien and I stepped into the moonlight together.
27:57The silver mark on my wrist joined the mark at his throat.
28:02The Stormveil wolves lowered their heads.
28:05Our wolves howled together beneath the full moon.
28:08Cain watched from outside the circle as I became Stormveil's Luna.
28:16The stormveil wolves lowered their heads.
28:40The dark wolf crashed through the glass and landed in the courtyard.
28:45I ran after him.
28:46My wolf rose before I reached the stairs.
28:48A pale silver wolf burst through the hall doors and landed in the rain.
28:52The rogues turned toward me.
28:54Selina saw my wolf and screamed.
28:56She should have stayed weak!
28:58A rogue lunged from my throat.
29:00My claws tore across his shoulder and knocked him into the stone wall.
29:04Damien fought near the gate as the rogue alpha slammed into him.
29:08Stormveil wolves poured from every hall and closed around the attackers.
29:13The courtyard filled with rain, smoke, and colliding wolves.
29:17Selina slipped past the fight and ran toward the inner hall.
29:20The silver knife flashed in her hand.
29:23She was heading for the nursery wing.
29:24I chased her across the courtyard.
29:26My silver wolf knocked Selina into the stone steps.
29:29The knife skidded under the railing.
29:31Selina grabbed my fur with both hands and dragged herself up.
29:35Her eyes were wild.
29:37You took my luna title!
29:38She swung her fist at my face.
29:40I shifted back and caught her wrist.
29:44You poisoned my wolf.
29:52Selina drove her knee into my stomach and reached for the knife under the railing.
29:56I hit the steps beside her and grabbed her ankle before she reached the blade.
29:59She kicked me in the shoulder.
30:00The knife scraped closer to her fingers.
30:03Damien's dark wolf crashed through two rogues near the gate.
30:07The rogue alpha bit into his side and dragged him back.
30:09Selina saw him pinned and laughed.
30:12Your mate is busy.
30:14She grabbed the knife.
30:15The silver blade cut across my arm as I pulled back.
30:19Pain burned through my skin.
30:21Selina lunged again.
30:22I caught her wrist with both hands and slammed it against the stone.
30:27The knife dropped between us and rang against the steps.
30:30Selina clawed at my face.
30:31I shoved her back.
30:33She shifted halfway, her nails black and crooked, and threw herself at me.
30:38We crashed down the steps into the mud.
30:41She landed on top and reached for my throat.
30:43The rogue alpha flew across the stones and hit the broken fountain.
30:46Damien shifted in one motion and crossed the courtyard before Selina could tighten her hands.
30:51He caught Selina by the back of her neck and ripped her off me.
30:55Selina hit the ground hard.
30:56I picked up the silver knife and kicked it away.
31:00Council guards rushed through the gate with chains in their hands.
31:03Silver chains locked around Selina's wrists as she screamed into the mud.
31:07The last rogue dropped to his belly beside the broken fountain.
31:10The courtyard went quiet except for the rain.
31:17The rogue alpha fell before sunrise.
31:21Damien dragged him by the throat and threw him before the council guards.
31:24The surviving rogues dropped to their bellies around the ruined courtyard.
31:28Selina struggled against the silver chains until the metal burned black lines into her wrists.
31:33You returned with robes and attacked a protected luna.
31:39She stole everything from me.
31:42Council guards dragged Selina away as the sun rose over the broken courtyard.
31:47She screamed Cain's name until her voice cracked.
31:54Nightfang paid for what it had allowed.
31:56Council wolves tore Nightfang banners down from the treaty posts before noon.
32:01Cain lost his border authority.
32:02Nightfang's allied packs withdrew their oaths.
32:05Three months later, my father came to Stormvale with my stepmother beside him.
32:10Evelyn!
32:12You are Luna here now.
32:18We are family.
32:19I remembered every winter they left me outside.
32:23I remembered every door they closed.
32:25They are not Stormvale's family.
32:28The gates closed in their faces.
32:31For the first time, I did not feel cruel.
32:34I felt free.
32:45One year later, I returned to my mother's grave.
32:48Damien came with me.
32:49The path up the hill was wet from morning rain.
32:52He carried the flowers.
32:53I carried the small white stone he had carved for her.
32:56The moonstone Selina shattered could never be repaired, but this one was whole.
33:00I knelt before the grave and brushed rainwater from my mother's name.
33:06Mom, I came back.
33:08This is Damien.
33:10He is my mate.
33:11Damien stood a few steps behind me and held the flowers against his chest.
33:14I placed the white stone beside the grave.
33:18A lot happened.
33:19I should have come sooner.
33:21But it is over now.
33:28I will be happy.
33:30The wind moved through the trees above us.
33:32Damien stepped closer on the path down the hill.
33:35His hand hovered near my waist before he touched me.
33:38Careful.
33:38I looked down at his hand, then at my stomach.
33:40His palms settled gently over the place where our pup was growing.
33:44A smile rose before I could stop it.
33:46Behind us, my mother's grave rested in the rain.
33:50Ahead of us, our pack waited beyond the trees.
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