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The Alpha's Wolfless Mate HD vibeshort
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Short filmTranscript
00:10In Nightfang pack, every unmated she-wolf over 25 was assigned a mate.
00:16Refuse, and you became a breeder for the pack.
00:19I never thought it would happen to me.
00:22On my 25th birthday, Cain's Beta arrived.
00:28In three days, you'll mate with the man we've assigned to you.
00:31No, there has to be a mistake. I have a mate.
00:34According to the record, you are single.
00:36Impossible! Alpha Cain is my mate! How could I-
00:39Alpha Cain is holding his mate with ceremony tonight.
00:43What?
00:44In three days, you'll complete the mating ceremony with Garak.
00:46If you refuse, you'll be made the lowest slave of the pack.
00:49Garak, an Omega twice my age.
00:51Then he turned and left.
00:52I stood frozen in the doorway with the notice in my hand.
00:56Cain and I had been together for seven years.
00:59We had never held a mating ceremony, but I had given myself to him long ago.
01:04I asked him once why we hadn't done the ceremony.
01:08When your wolf wakes, I'll make you my Luna in front of the entire pack.
01:14He lied to me. He was with another she-wolf.
01:16I grabbed my coat and ran into the rain.
01:18By the time I reached the pack house, wolves were already celebrating inside.
01:23Cain stood before the entire pack with one arm around Selina's waist.
01:27Tonight, Night Fing Pack welcomes its Luna.
01:32And the mother of my heir.
01:33The hall erupted in howls.
01:35For one second, his expression shifted.
01:37Keep celebrating. This is your Luna's night.
01:42Evelyn, what are you doing here?
01:44They say I'm unclaimed.
01:50Why did you lie to me?
01:52Why her?
01:53You know what she did to me!
01:54Shut up!
01:55Selina isn't the monster you've made her out to be.
02:00With one careless sentence, he erased everything she had done to me.
02:05I remembered being 15, surrounded by Selina's friends behind the training hall.
02:11They held me down and stripped me to my underclothes while Selina watched and laughed.
02:15Cain found me curled in the dirt.
02:18He wrapped his jacket around me and carried me home.
02:20Your enemies are my enemies, Evelyn.
02:23I will always be your shield.
02:26I believed him.
02:29Now he stood in front of me and defended her.
02:32I wanted to ask him when it started.
02:34How long he had been laughing at me behind my back.
02:36But the notice in my hand reminded me I didn't have time.
02:39Cain, I'm 25.
02:42They're going to give me to another wolf.
02:44I don't need a ceremony, just put us in the record.
02:48Evelyn, I'm the Alpha.
02:50Who would dare hand my woman to someone else?
02:53Then claim me.
02:54Make it official.
02:56Don't ruin Selina's night.
02:57The breath went out of me.
03:00Selina is carrying my air.
03:02When the pup is born, we'll talk.
03:04Cain!
03:05Don't make this harder than it already is.
03:07Selina is close to giving birth.
03:08I don't want her staying alone.
03:10Tomorrow, I'm bringing her to the packhouse.
03:14The next day, Cain 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.
03:31Cain led Selina to the bed.
03:32My mother's moonstone necklace sat on the bedside table.
03:36Selina noticed it.
03:37She picked it up and turned it slowly between her fingers, admiring 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, Cain stepped forward.
03:54He caught my arm and shoved me back hard.
03:56I crashed down into the broken moonstone.
03:58The shards cut deep into my palms.
04:00My hands were slick with blood.
04:01Cain used to fuss over the smallest scratch on my hand.
04:05Now he frowned at me, speaking as if he were talking about dinner.
04:09It's just a necklace.
04:10I'll get you another one.
04:12Don't make a fuss over Selina.
04:13That night, I came down with a high fever.
04:16Through the haze, I felt soft fingers wiping the sweat from my forehead.
04:21A cool, damp cloth was laid over my forehead.
04:25For a moment, I thought I was 14 again.
04:27Back then, Cain had taken care of me gently all night.
04:30Then I opened my eyes.
04:32You're sick.
04:33Stay in your room.
04:35Selina can't risk getting sick before the birth.
04:37That 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.
04:47Selina threw herself into his arms.
04:49The door locked.
04:52No matter how I knocked or shouted, no 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.
05:05Outside the window, the moon was almost full.
05:08One night left before the ceremony.
05:12A day went by.
05:13No one came.
05:14My stomach cramped with hunger.
05:15My throat was dry and raw.
05:17Even my breath felt hot.
05:19The door cracked open.
05:20Selina stood far back, holding a piece of dry bread.
05:23She tossed it onto the floor in front of me like she was feeding a dog.
05:28Didn't you say you hated she-wolves who chased someone else's mate?
05:31Turns out you were one all along.
05:34No, that's not true.
05:36I wanted to say I was not the other woman.
05:39Selina was.
05:39Then I remembered the notice from the beta.
05:41The pack had marked me unclaimed.
05:43They had assigned me to Garrick.
05:45That was the official record.
05:46I had no way to prove I had ever been Kane's mate.
05:49My hand fell back to my side.
05:51After a long moment, I forced the words out.
05:53Let me leave.
05:55I won't come between you and Kane anymore.
05:59No.
06:00I want you here when my pup is born.
06:02I want you to watch me take everything you waited for, one piece at a time.
06:07Do you want to know when my pup was conceived?
06:14On the anniversary of your mother's death.
06:16My vision went white at the edges.
06:19Hatred surged up inside me.
06:21I remembered Kane cancelling on me that day.
06:24He had promised to come with me to my mother's grave, but he called last minute.
06:30There's trouble at the border.
06:32I can't get away.
06:35Evelyn, next year we'll visit your mother's grave together.
06:40Only now did I remember the breathlessness in his voice.
06:43I had been too lost in grief to notice.
06:45Anger took me.
06:47If I had claws, I would have driven them into Selina's stomach.
06:51Before I could move, Selina clutched her belly.
06:56Kane burst in.
06:58What happened?
07:00Kane.
07:01The baby.
07:03If anything happens to her or my heir, I'll make you pay for it.
07:11Before leaving, he ordered the guards to bring me along.
07:16If anything goes wrong, she'll answer for it with her life.
07:21The pack hospital was already crowded when we arrived.
07:24Kane carried Selina through the doors.
07:26The healers rushed toward them.
07:27Two guards dragged me in behind him.
07:29Kane.
07:30My baby.
07:31What if I lose him?
07:33Evelyn said she wishes I would die.
07:36I said nothing.
07:38He would not believe me anyway.
07:40Make her kneel in the corridor.
07:41Let everyone see her.
07:43If anything happens to Selina or my heir, she'll answer for it.
07:46Let me go!
07:48The guards shoved me toward the wall.
07:50Alpha, she's still burning with fever.
07:52Leave her there.
07:53The pack should see what happens to a wolf who threatens Selina.
07:57Then he followed the healers inside.
07:58The delivery room doors closed behind him.
08:01I stayed on my knees outside.
08:08Hours passed.
08:09The cold floor bit into my knees.
08:11My fever burned behind my eyes.
08:13My stomach cramped with hunger.
08:15Every breath scraped my throat raw.
08:17And I could not stay here at let them through me to whatever omega.
08:20I watched the side door whenever the healers passed through it.
08:24After what felt like forever, the delivery room doors burst open.
08:28It's a voice!
08:30The lunar and the air are safe!
08:33For one moment, no one was looking at me.
08:35I forced myself up from the stone floor.
08:37My legs almost gave out.
08:38But I made it to the side door.
08:40Cold rain hit my face.
08:42I ran.
08:43Behind me, Kane's voice rose above the cheers.
08:45Where is Evelyn?
08:47Get her back!
08:48Claws struck the wet stone behind me.
08:50I ran as fast as my body allowed.
08:52The breathing behind me kept getting closer.
08:54The trees were only a few steps away.
08:56Then a massive, dark wolf leapt out of the rain.
08:59He slammed into the guard behind me.
09:03I fell to my knees.
09:04The dark wolf stood between the guards and me.
09:06Something inside my chest tore awake.
09:09A voice I had never heard before roared one word.
09:11Bait.
09:27I woke in an unfamiliar room.
09:29Pain shot through my palms and knees.
09:31I tried to push myself up.
09:33Then I remembered the dark wolf in the rain.
09:37Stay down.
09:38A man's voice came from across the room.
09:40I froze.
09:44You're the wolf from the courtyard.
09:47I am.
09:48Who are you?
09:50Damien Ashford.
09:51Alpha of Stormvale Pack.
09:53Stormvale.
09:54The strongest pack in the kingdom.
09:56Drink when you can.
09:57I did not touch it.
09:59You saved me.
10:00Because you're my mate.
10:01The word hit me like a slap.
10:04For seven years, Kane had whispered that word against my hair.
10:07He had used it to keep me waiting.
10:09To keep me obedient.
10:11To make me believe my own wolf was broken.
10:13I pressed my back against the wall.
10:15No.
10:16Don't do this to me.
10:17I just escaped one lie.
10:19I won't be dragged into another.
10:21I won't be taken by another alpha.
10:22I'm not here to take you.
10:24I'm here to protect you.
10:26Mates take care of each other.
10:27And I will stand between you and anyone who tries to hurt you again.
10:30But I don't have a wolf.
10:31You do.
10:32Kane said I was wolf-less.
10:34Kane was wrong.
10:35How would you know?
10:36Stormvale was at your border last week for treaty talks.
10:39I saw you with Kane at the boundary line.
10:41My wolf knew the second you came into view.
10:43I knew what you were before you ever looked at me.
10:45Then why didn't you say anything?
10:47You looked at him like he was your whole world.
10:49I wasn't going to tear you out of a bond you believed in.
10:52But I also knew something was wrong.
10:55Your wolf isn't gone, Evelyn.
10:56She has been suppressed.
10:58I felt it when my wolf touched yours in the rain.
11:00What?
11:01I don't know what was done to you.
11:02But Stormvale has the best healers in 3-3 territories.
11:04Let them examine you.
11:05If someone hurt your wolf, we'll find out.
11:07For a moment, I could not breathe.
11:08Seven years.
11:09Seven years of Kane telling me my wolf was too weak.
11:12Seven years of him telling me I only needed more time.
11:15But she had been there all along.
11:17Someone had been holding her down.
11:19I can't go back to my pack.
11:20You're not going back.
11:21The Atru made a bond awake now.
11:22Kane cannot touch you here.
11:24I'm not asking you to be my Luna tonight.
11:25I'm not asking you to accept me.
11:26I'm not asking you for anything.
11:29Stay until your wolf is well.
11:31Stay until you decide what you want.
11:33This room is yours.
11:36No one comes in unless you say so.
11:38Not even me.
11:44Kane stood in the hospital corridor with Selina's newborn son in his arms.
11:48He looked toward the wall where Evelyn had been kneeling.
11:51His fingers tightened around the newborn.
11:53The spot was empty.
11:55Where is Evelyn?
11:56Only bloodstains remained on the stone floor.
11:59A guard rushed in from the courtyard, soaked with rain.
12:04Alpha.
12:04She's gone.
12:07Gone.
12:07She slipped through the side door.
12:09We chased her, but Stormville's Alpha took her.
12:12Damien Ashfield.
12:14Yes, Alpha.
12:17We found this near the courtyard.
12:19Kane took it.
12:20Garak's name had been crossed out.
12:22A new line had been added below.
12:24Assignment void.
12:26True mate bond confirmed.
12:27For the first time that night, Kane forgot the child in his arms.
12:31Evelyn had a mate.
12:32And it was not him.
12:36When I woke again in Stormvale, the fever had broken.
12:39A healer wrapped fresh bandages around my palms and knees.
12:43Damien sat beside the bed with a cup of water in his hand.
12:46He didn't touch me without asking.
12:48Can you sit up?
12:49I nodded.
12:50He helped me lean against the pillows.
12:53Careful to avoid my wounds.
12:54Then I felt her.
12:55For the first time in seven years, my wolf moved inside my chest.
13:00What is it?
13:01She's awake.
13:04The bond pulled her out.
13:06What does that mean?
13:07It means whoever was holding her down lost their grip the moment our wolves touched.
13:11A true mate bond is stronger than anything they could have used on you.
13:14I couldn't speak for a moment.
13:16Seven years of waiting.
13:17Seven years of being told she was too weak.
13:20And in one rainy night with a stranger, she had come back like she'd never been gone.
13:24Then the communication stone beside my bed lit up.
13:26Evelyn, where are you?
13:28More messages came through.
13:29Come back.
13:30We can fix this.
13:33The assignment can be reversed.
13:35He'll come for me.
13:36I said.
13:37Let him.
13:38But you should know what your wolf can do before he does.
13:41He picked up my coat from the chair and held it out.
13:44Come outside.
13:45Try her.
13:48Rain still clung to the training field behind Stormvale Hall.
13:51He led me into the wet grass.
13:53I don't know how to shift.
13:54You don't have to know.
13:56Your wolf does.
13:57Then he stepped back and shifted.
14:00A massive, dark wolf stood before me in the rain.
14:04His golden eyes held mine.
14:07A voice brushed through my mind.
14:09Come.
14:09My breath caught.
14:11Something inside me lifted its head.
14:14Damien's wolf lowered his.
14:16The pressure in my chest broke open.
14:18Silver light flashed across my skin.
14:21Pain tore through me.
14:23Then the world dropped lower.
14:25The wet grass sharpened in my sight.
14:26The rain smelled like cedar and metal and Damien.
14:29A pale, silver wolf stood in the rain.
14:32Damien's wolf stepped close and touched his forehead to mine.
14:36The bond rushed through my chest.
14:38I saw my own reflection in his golden eyes.
14:41Then his ears snapped toward the gate.
14:43Across the training field, Kane stood in the rain.
14:46His eyes were fixed on my wolf.
14:51A few days later, I was getting used to my wolf.
14:54My silver wolf ran across the wet garden behind Stormvale Hall.
14:57Damien had gone out with the border patrol that morning.
15:00I shifted back beside the stone path.
15:04Then an arm locked around my waist from behind.
15:07Kane pulled me against his chest.
15:09His scent hit me, mixed with Selina's perfume on his collar.
15:12My stomach twisted.
15:14I shoved him away and bent over, gagging.
15:18You think I'm disgusting?
15:21Don't touch me.
15:22How did you even get in here?
15:24I came alone.
15:26No patrol catches a single alpha moving quiet.
15:31Evelyn, I've been looking for you.
15:33I haven't slept.
15:34I haven't eaten.
15:35I moved around him toward the packhouse.
15:38Come home.
15:39There has to be a way to fix this.
15:41Kane blocked the path.
15:42You should have thought of that before you put my name on that list.
15:45He caught my wrist.
15:47I struggled free and slapped him across the face.
15:50I am not yours anymore.
15:53Because of him?
15:56Because of you.
15:57Behind him, the garden gate opened.
15:59Damien stepped into the rain with two warriors behind him.
16:02His eyes went to Kane's hand near my wrist.
16:05Kane lowered his hand.
16:06Damien did not raise his voice.
16:08You crossed my border, came into my hall, and put your hands on my mate.
16:12Walk out now and I let you keep your legs.
16:14Try this again and you won't leave Stormville ground at all.
16:17Then he turned and walked back into the rain.
16:21The next evening, Damien took me on my first pack run.
16:26I shifted beside him.
16:28My silver paws sank into the wet earth.
16:30Then he ran.
16:32I followed him into the forest.
16:34The pack moved between the trees in a long black line.
16:38My wolf pushed ahead with every step.
16:41For once, my body didn't feel borrowed.
16:43It felt like mine.
16:45We crossed a stream and climbed toward the old border stones.
16:48Nightfang's forest waded beyond the ridge, darker than the trees behind us.
16:53The other wolves ran ahead.
16:54I slowed near the stones.
16:56Damien turned back at once.
16:58Before he could reach me, a hand caught my arm from behind.
17:02Kane stepped out from behind a pine tree and grabbed me.
17:04I shifted back on instinct.
17:06My bare feet hit the mud.
17:08Come with me.
17:10No.
17:11Kane pulled me toward the Nightfang's side.
17:14My feet dragged across wet pine needles.
17:19Once you're back at Nightfang, we can fix this.
17:22Let go of me!
17:23His fingers dug into my bandages.
17:25Blood slipped from my palm and dropped onto the border stone.
17:29Kane looked down at the blood.
17:31For one second, his hand loosened.
17:33Then he pulled again.
17:35I didn't know it was Garrick.
17:36You didn't want to know.
17:39I screamed through my mind link.
17:43Damien, help me.
17:44Kane dragged me another step.
17:47A growl tore through the rain.
17:52Kane stopped with both hands still locked around my arms.
17:56A dark wolf burst over the border stones and landed between us.
18:01Mud exploded under Damien's paws.
18:05This is between Evelyn and me.
18:08Kane shifted before the dark wolf reached him.
18:11A gray wolf ripped out of Kane's body and lunged across the stones.
18:16Damien met him head on.
18:18The two wolves crashed into the border marker.
18:20The black stone split down the middle.
18:23Kane snapped at Damien's throat.
18:25Damien twisted aside and caught Kane by the shoulder.
18:28He threw Kane into a pine tree.
18:30The trunk cracked behind Kane's back.
18:33He charged at me instead.
18:36Damien moved faster.
18:37The dark wolf slammed Kane to the ground before he reached me.
18:41Kane clawed at Damien's chest.
18:44Damien pinned his throat under one paw.
18:49Howls rose from the forest.
18:51Stormveil wolves poured through the trees and surrounded the border stones.
18:56Kane shifted back in the mud.
18:58Blood ran from his mouth onto the wet grass.
19:01Damien shifted beside me.
19:06Touch her again and I'll wipe your pack off the map.
19:09Kane stumbled backward through the broken border stones.
19:15Kane disappeared into the Night Fang trees.
19:20Let me take care of you.
19:22Evelyn, be my Luna.
19:28Yes.
19:30For the next two weeks, Stormveil prepared for the mating ceremony.
19:35Damien disappeared into the West Wing every afternoon.
19:39Whenever I passed his study, the guards outside tried not to smile.
19:43Word had spread that the council was sending elders to witness the ceremony.
19:47Stormveil was the strongest pack in three territories.
19:50And the council always sent witnesses when an alpha named a Luna.
19:54Damien said it was procedure.
19:56I didn't ask further.
19:57On the night of the full moon, three maids came to my room.
20:01They carried a white dress and a long silver case.
20:03The alpha designed this for you himself.
20:06The oldest maid opened the case.
20:08Moon thread shimmered across the dress like water under moonlight.
20:11A dark cloak lay folded beneath it.
20:13The Stormveil mark was stitched inside the collar.
20:16The maids helped me dress.
20:18When the door opened, Damien stood in the hall.
20:21He looked at me and forgot to move.
20:24You look like my Luna.
20:25Then take me to the ceremony.
20:29The ceremony field waited under the full moon.
20:32Damien entered the circle first.
20:34I followed him.
20:39Evelyn.
20:41Do you accept Damien Ashfield as your mate?
20:45Stop.
20:48Cane strode into the ceremony field with Nightfang's beta behind him.
20:54She is my mate.
20:55You cannot complete this ceremony.
20:57Your Luna is not here to hear that?
20:59I was deceived.
21:00Evelyn was my true mate all along.
21:02She belongs with me.
21:03You mean the true mate you never marked?
21:05I woke her wolf.
21:06I answered when she called.
21:08She is my true mate.
21:09She is a wolf of Nightflang.
21:12You cannot take her from my pack.
21:14If both alphas claim a true mate bond, the moon will judge.
21:18Prove it.
21:19Damien turned to me.
21:20He didn't explain.
21:21He only tightened his hand around mine.
21:23Moonlight poured over the silver ribbon.
21:25The mark on my wrist burned bright.
21:27The mark at Damien's throat answered.
21:29Silver light burst between us and climbed over both our arms.
21:32Behind us, the shadows of a silver wolf and a dark wolf rose beneath the moon.
21:41The moon goddess has answered.
21:43Evelyn and Damien are true mates.
21:46Nightling has no claim.
21:48No.
21:49This is a trick.
21:51He rushed toward me and grabbed from my hand.
21:54Damien caught his wrist before he touched me.
21:56He drove his fist into Cain's jaw.
21:58Cain flew backward and crashed into the wet grass.
22:01She belongs to herself.
22:03And she chose Stormveil.
22:04Silver light flared around our wrists again.
22:08Before Cain could rise, Selina ran into the circle.
22:11She threw both arms around Cain from behind.
22:14Cain, stop.
22:16Everyone is watching.
22:20Come home with me.
22:25You knew.
22:31What are you talking about?
22:33Come home.
22:35Cain saw her hands on him, the crying pup behind her, and the silver mark on my wrist.
22:40His face twisted before he ripped her arms away.
22:43I reject Selina as my mate and Luna.
22:46Selina froze.
22:48The mark at her throat burned red.
22:50She collapsed into the mud, clawing at her neck as the rejection pain tore through her.
22:55Cain.
22:57You knew the assignment sent Evelyn to Garrick.
23:00The assignment is random.
23:02It had nothing to do with me.
23:04You knew.
23:07She was wolf-less.
23:08She gasped.
23:09A wolf-less she-wolf matched to an old Omega was already more than she deserved.
23:14Damien's head turned toward me before the council healer moved.
23:18The healer crossed the circle, took my wrist, and pressed two fingers against the silver mark.
23:23A bitter green scent rose from my skin.
23:26Silverleaf.
23:27The healer said.
23:28Selina stopped clawing at her throat.
23:30The healer pressed beneath my jaw, and the scent sharpened.
23:34And wolf-beth.
23:35Cain looked from the healer to Selina.
23:38The healer lifted my wrist before the gathered wolves.
23:42This wolf was not sleeping.
23:44This wolf was poisoned.
23:46The field went silent.
23:48Selina looked at Cain.
23:50He stepped away from her.
23:52Then she looked at me, and for the first time, she stopped pretending to cry.
23:57She would have taken everything.
24:03Selina.
24:04You poisoned a she-wolf and interfered with a blessed mate-bond.
24:10Cain, help me.
24:13Cain stood over her with blood on his mouth.
24:15He did not move.
24:17The elder looked at the newborn in the nanny's arms.
24:20The heir remains under Nightfell protection.
24:22You do not.
24:24Selina is stripped of pack membership and banished by council law.
24:28The mark at Selina's throat burned black.
24:30She screamed and clawed at her neck as Nightfang wolves stepped away from her.
24:34The pack link snapped from her body so sharply that even the wolves at the edge of the circle flinched.
24:41Council guards seized her by both arms and dragged her toward the border stones.
24:45Selina kicked through the mud and screamed at Cain until her voice broke.
24:48I am your Luna!
24:50No one answered.
24:51The guards threw her past the boundary.
24:53Selina hit the wet ground outside pack land.
24:56She lifted her head, throat blackened where the mark had been, and her eyes locked on me.
25:01You did this.
25:03No.
25:05You did.
25:08Cain came to me after Selina was dragged beyond the border.
25:11The ceremony circle stood behind me with the silver ribbon still hanging from my wrist.
25:16He stopped several steps away.
25:19Evelyn.
25:22Do you remember what we used to be?
25:24I remembered snow.
25:25I was 14.
25:26I knelt outside my father's house with dirty water freezing in my hair.
25:31Selina stood on the porch in a thick coat.
25:33My father looked away from the window.
25:35My stepmother smiled behind the glass.
25:37Then young Cain crossed the snow and lifted me from the ground.
25:42He carried me inside and wrapped my swollen hands in warm cloth.
25:47He fed me fever medicine spoon by spoon.
25:51He held my fingers like they were something precious.
25:53He promised no one would hurt me again.
25:56The memory broke apart under the moonlight.
25:59The same hands that once carried me had shoved me into broken moonstone.
26:03The same voice that once promised safety had told me to wait while Selina carried his air.
26:09I remember everything.
26:13But I don't love you anymore.
26:15The hope died.
26:17I turned back to the ceremony circle.
26:19The elder lifted the silver ribbon again.
26:22Damien and I stepped into the moonlight together.
26:25The silver mark on my wrist joined the mark at his throat.
26:29The storm veil wolves lowered their heads.
26:32Our wolves howled together beneath the full moon.
26:35Cain watched from outside the circle as I became Stormveil's Luna.
26:42Selina came back two weeks later.
26:44Not alone.
26:45Stormveil's alarm bells tore through the dark.
26:47I woke to smoke beyond the window.
26:49Damien was already at the door.
26:51Rogues.
26:52Outside, wolves poured from the trees with mud on their fur and blood on their teeth.
26:57She pointed at me with a silver knife in her hand.
27:00Damien shifted before the window shattered.
27:03The dark wolf crashed through the glass and landed in the courtyard.
27:07I ran after him.
27:08My wolf rose before I reached the stairs.
27:10A pale silver wolf burst through the hall doors and landed in the rain.
27:14The rogues turned toward me.
27:16Selina saw my wolf and screamed,
27:18She should have stayed weak!
27:20A rogue lunged from my throat.
27:22My claws tore across his shoulder and knocked him into the stone wall.
27:26Damien fought near the gate as the rogue alpha slammed into him.
27:30Stormveil wolves poured from every hall and closed around the attackers.
27:35The courtyard filled with rain, smoke, and colliding wolves.
27:39Selina slipped past the fight and ran toward the inner hall.
27:42The silver knife flashed in her hand.
27:45She was heading for the nursery wing.
27:46I chased her across the courtyard.
27:48My silver wolf knocked Selina into the stone steps.
27:51The knife skidded under the railing.
27:53Selina grabbed my fur with both hands and dragged herself up.
27:57Her eyes were wild.
27:58You took my luna title!
28:00She swung her fist at my face.
28:02I shifted back and caught her wrist.
28:06You poisoned my wolf.
28:10Selina drove her knee into my stomach and reached for the knife under the railing.
28:13I hit the steps beside her and grabbed her ankle before she reached the blade.
28:17She kicked me in the shoulder.
28:18The knife scraped closer to her fingers.
28:21Damien's dark wolf crashed through two rogues near the gate.
28:25The rogue alpha bit into his side and dragged him back.
28:27Selina saw him pinned and laughed.
28:30Your mate is busy.
28:32She grabbed the knife.
28:33The silver blade cut across my arm as I pulled back.
28:37Pain burned through my skin.
28:39Selina lunged again.
28:40I caught her wrist with both hands and slammed it against the stone.
28:45The knife dropped between us and rang against the steps.
28:48Selina clawed at my face.
28:50I shoved her back.
28:51She shifted halfway, her nails black and crooked, and threw herself at me.
28:56We crashed down the steps into the mud.
28:59She landed on top and reached for my throat.
29:01The rogue alpha flew across the stones and hit the broken fountain.
29:04Damien shifted in one motion and crossed the courtyard before Selina could tighten her hands.
29:09He caught Selina by the back of her neck and ripped her off me.
29:13Selina hit the ground hard.
29:14I picked up the silver knife and kicked it away.
29:18Council guards rushed through the gate with chains in their hands.
29:21Silver chains locked around Selina's wrists as she screamed into the mud.
29:25The last rogue dropped to his belly beside the broken fountain.
29:28The courtyard went quiet except for the rain.
29:33The rogue alpha fell before sunrise.
29:35Damien dragged him by the throat and threw him before the council guards.
29:39The surviving rogues dropped to their bellies around the ruined courtyard.
29:43Selina struggled against the silver chains until the metal burned black lines into her wrists.
29:48You returned with rogues and attacked a protected Luna.
29:54Selina, she stole everything from me.
29:57Council guards dragged Selina away as the sun rose over the broken courtyard.
30:01She screamed Cain's name until her voice cracked.
30:09Nightfang paid for what it had allowed.
30:11Council wolves tore Nightfang banners down from the treaty posts before noon.
30:16Cain lost his border authority.
30:18Nightfang's allied packs withdrew their oaths.
30:20Three months later, my father came to Stormvale with my stepmother beside him.
30:25Evelyn!
30:26You are Luna here now.
30:32We are family.
30:34I remembered every winter they left me outside.
30:37I remembered every door they closed.
30:40They are not Stormvale's family.
30:43The gates closed in their faces.
30:46For the first time, I did not feel cruel.
30:49I felt free.
30:54One year later, I returned to my mother's grave.
30:57Damien came with me.
30:58The path up the hill was wet from morning rain.
31:01He carried the flowers.
31:02I carried the small white stone he had carved for her.
31:05The moonstone Selina shattered could never be repaired.
31:08But this one was whole.
31:09I knelt before the grave and brushed rainwater from my mother's name.
31:15Mom, I came back.
31:17This is Damien.
31:19He is my mate.
31:20Damien stood a few steps behind me and held the flowers against his chest.
31:24I placed the white stone beside the grave.
31:27A lot happened.
31:28I should have come sooner.
31:30But it is over now.
31:37I will be happy.
31:39The wind moved through the trees above us.
31:41Damien stepped closer on the path down the hill.
31:44His hand hovered near my waist before he touched me.
31:47Careful.
31:47I looked down at his hand, then at my stomach.
31:49His palms settled gently over the place where our pup was growing.
31:53A smile rose before I could stop it.
31:55Behind us, my mother's grave rested in the rain.
31:59Ahead of us, our pack waited beyond the trees.
32:02Damien took my hand and led me toward home.
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