- 37 minutes ago
Wolf Pack Betrayal : New 🔝
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00I was reborn seven days before my mating ceremony.
00:03This time, I was the one who handed the drugged glass of wine to Grace,
00:08my fated Alpha's adoptive sister.
00:11In my past life, I was the one who drank that wine.
00:15It sent me into a wild, drug-fueled haze with Aaron.
00:20But he was convinced it was all a scheme to trap him.
00:23After all, my father's pack had fallen.
00:26To him, I was just a desperate, scheming she-wolf trying to lock him down.
00:31Even after we were mated, he remained cold and distant.
00:36He took Grace to every event where the Luna should have been by his side.
00:41During a battle with a rival pack,
00:43he even abandoned me as I lay dying from a silver blade,
00:47just to run to a frightened Grace.
00:50I died, filled with bitterness.
00:53So this time around, the Luna's sweet, the ceremonial necklace,
00:59Aaron himself, Grace can have it all.
01:02But on the day of the ceremony, when I didn't show up,
01:06the ever-composed Alpha Aaron lost his mind searching for me.
01:11Light from the crystal chandelier was blinding.
01:14Aaron, my chest feels so tight.
01:17A delicate voice pulled me back to reality.
01:20I was at my welcome dinner, hosted by the Blackwood Pack.
01:24Across the long table,
01:26my fated mate, Aaron,
01:28was holding his adoptive sister, Grace,
01:31his eyes filled with concern.
01:33Have you been in here too long?
01:36Don't worry.
01:37We'll leave soon.
01:39Aaron's voice was impossibly gentle.
01:42He'd never spoken to me with that tone,
01:45not in this life or the last.
01:47I looked down at a glass of wine in front of me.
01:50In my past life,
01:51I drank it without a second thought,
01:53clueless that it was laced with a potent aphrodisiac.
01:57Aaron, who had also been drugged,
01:59and I spent the night in a wild haze.
02:02I woke up the next day,
02:04sore all over.
02:05I wasn't ready,
02:07but I figured we were fated mates anyway.
02:10Being intimate a little early couldn't be that bad,
02:13but a sober Aaron looked at me like I was his worst enemy.
02:17Just because your veins pack has fallen,
02:21you're this desperate to trap me with such a low blow?
02:25He'd spat,
02:26his hand tightening around my throat,
02:28his eyes filled with raw disgust.
02:30From then on,
02:31even after we were mated,
02:33he treated me with cold indifference.
02:35He'd take Grace to every event
02:37Aluna was supposed to attend,
02:39leaving me to show up alone,
02:42ridiculed as a pretty ornament.
02:44When I confronted him in a rage,
02:46he just brushed me off.
02:48Grace is my sister.
02:51You're overthinking things.
02:54Besides,
02:55as Aluna,
02:57can't you be less petty?
02:59Sister,
03:00what a pathetic excuse.
03:02It wasn't until the rival packs
03:04surprise attack,
03:05I can still feel the icy,
03:08searing pain of the silver blade
03:10piercing my stomach.
03:11I collapsed in a pool of my own blood,
03:14reaching for him in despair.
03:15But my Alpha,
03:16he left me for dead,
03:18rushing to a terrified Grace
03:20and pulling her into a tight embrace.
03:23Before I died,
03:24I saw him look back at me in panic.
03:26He stumbled toward me,
03:28tears glistening in his eyes.
03:30But it was too late.
03:31I took my last bitter breath.
03:34But now,
03:35I'm back.
03:35I raised my head,
03:37my gaze ice cold,
03:38as I watched the siblings.
03:39I picked up my wine glass,
03:41walked over to Grace,
03:43and switched our glasses
03:44when she wasn't looking.
03:46Then I watched as Aaron and Grace
03:48drank from the glasses in front of them.
03:50I lifted my own glass,
03:52hiding the smirk on my lips.
03:54After tonight,
03:55I'd be free of this union.
03:57Before long,
03:58the drug took effect.
04:00Grace's eyes grew hazy.
04:02Aaron,
04:02thinking she was just drunk,
04:04carefully helped her out of the hall.
04:06My intended mate
04:07was being so intimate
04:08with another she-wolf,
04:10and the others shot me pitying glances.
04:12But to their disappointment,
04:14my expression was a perfect mask.
04:17I'd seen this play out
04:19a thousand times in my past life.
04:21My heart was numb to it.
04:23After everyone had left,
04:25I found the Blackwood Pax Elder.
04:28I'm calling off the union.
04:30The Elder froze for a second,
04:32then his brow furrowed.
04:34What are you talking about?
04:36This alliance was arranged
04:38by your father and us.
04:39It's not for you to break off!
04:41I gave a scornful laugh,
04:43but that was when my father's pack
04:45was still strong, wasn't it?
04:47I know why you're still clinging
04:50to this agreement.
04:53I took out a black velvet pouch.
04:57Inside was an ancient,
04:59wolf-shaped moonstone
05:00that glowed with a faint blue light.
05:04It's this you're after, isn't it?
05:06The Elder's eyes flickered,
05:09and he wouldn't meet my gaze.
05:10It was a treasure passed down
05:13through my Vance Pack for generations,
05:15and the real prize the Blackwood Pack
05:18wanted from this alliance.
05:22I can give it to you.
05:24My condition is that you cancel the alliance
05:27and let me leave Blackwood Territory.
05:30The Elder gritted his teeth,
05:32and after a long, tense moment,
05:35he finally nodded.
05:36Fine.
05:37I'll prepare the termination agreement.
05:40Give me seven days.
05:42My heart pounded in my chest.
05:44Just seven days,
05:46and I'd be free.
05:48But?
05:49The Elder's eyes narrowed,
05:51pinning me in place.
05:52Even if I help you leave,
05:54what am I supposed to tell the Alpha
05:57when his luma suddenly goes missing
05:59on the day of the ceremony?
06:02I looked at him and smiled faintly.
06:04I'll give him a mate he'll be satisfied with.
06:09That night,
06:10I pushed open the heavy doors of Aaron's manor.
06:14The hall was brightly lit,
06:17but eerily silent.
06:19The servants kept their heads bowed,
06:22barely daring to breathe.
06:24The aggressive sense of two different pheromones
06:27still hung heavy in the air.
06:29One was Aaron's,
06:31commanding and fierce like any Alpha.
06:34The other was Grace's,
06:36clyingly sweet scent of arousal.
06:38On the second floor,
06:40the door to the Luna's suite,
06:41the one meant for me,
06:43was wide open.
06:46I slowly walked up the stairs,
06:48the click of my heels echoing on the marble.
06:51All the top guards and pack elders were gathered at the door.
06:55When they saw me,
06:56the crowd parted,
06:58making a path.
06:59Their eyes were a mixture of pity,
07:02curiosity,
07:02and the smug anticipation of a good show.
07:06I kept my eyes forward
07:08and walked straight to the doorway.
07:10The scene inside was even more of a mess than I'd imagined.
07:13On the lovish velvet bed,
07:15The sheets were a tangled wreck.
07:18Grace was slumped on the carpet,
07:20her clothes in tatters.
07:21Her once delicate white dress was ripped,
07:24revealing large patches of pale skin
07:26and angry red marks.
07:29Aaron,
07:29Grace sobbed,
07:30her face streaked with tears
07:32as she clung to his pant leg.
07:35Last night,
07:37last night we,
07:39her teary eyes scanning the crowd
07:41before landing on me
07:42with a look of pure defiance.
07:44Now everyone knows
07:45what am I going to do.
07:47Her words were a clear ploy
07:49to pressure him
07:50into making her his mate.
07:52But Aaron,
07:52standing by the bed
07:53with his jaw tight
07:55and his chest heaving,
07:56didn't look happy at all.
07:58Wasn't he always wrapped
07:59around Grace's little finger?
08:02Stop talking nonsense, Grace.
08:06Aaron gently helped Grace to her feet,
08:08but his words weren't
08:09what she wanted to hear.
08:11Last night was an accident.
08:13Besides,
08:13we didn't go all the way.
08:15He shattered her little fantasy
08:17without a hint of mercy.
08:19I raised an eyebrow.
08:21That was unexpected.
08:23In my past life,
08:25he'd had no problem
08:26letting things run their course with me.
08:30Why, with Grace,
08:31did he use his alpha self-control
08:33to stop himself?
08:35But Aaron...
08:36Grace's face went pale,
08:38her eyes wide with disbelief.
08:42Quiet!
08:43Aaron snapped.
08:45I've already looked into it.
08:47The wine was drugged.
08:49I'll find out who was behind this,
08:51and they will pay.
08:53Aaron...
08:54Grace sobbed,
08:55her face streaked with tears
08:56as she clung to his pant leg.
09:01Last night...
09:02Last night...
09:03Last night we...
09:04Her teary eyes scanning the crowd
09:06before landing on me
09:07with a look of pure defiance.
09:09Now everyone knows
09:10what am I going to do.
09:12Her words were a clear ploy
09:14to pressure him
09:15into making her his mate.
09:16But Aaron,
09:17standing by the bed
09:18with his jaw tight
09:20and his chest heaving,
09:21didn't look happy at all.
09:23Wasn't he always wrapped
09:24around Grace's little finger?
09:27Stop talking nonsense, Grace.
09:31Aaron gently helped Grace
09:32to her feet,
09:33but his words weren't
09:34what she wanted to hear.
09:36Last night was an accident.
09:38Besides,
09:38we didn't go all the way.
09:40He shattered her little fantasy
09:41without a hint of mercy.
09:43I raised an eyebrow.
09:45That was unexpected.
09:48In my past life,
09:50he'd had no problem
09:51letting things run
09:52their course with me.
09:54Why, with Grace,
09:56did he use his alpha self-control
09:58to stop himself?
10:00But Aaron...
10:01Grace's face went pale,
10:04her eyes wide with disbelief.
10:07Quiet!
10:08Aaron snapped.
10:10I've already looked into it.
10:12The wine was drugged.
10:14I'll find out who was behind this,
10:16and they will pay.
10:18At that,
10:19Grace's face turned even whiter.
10:21Just then,
10:22Aaron saw me standing in the back.
10:24For a split second,
10:26I saw clear panic
10:27and guilt flash in his eyes.
10:29He strode toward me,
10:31reaching out as if to grab my hand,
10:33but stopped himself midair.
10:36Victoria, let me explain.
10:38It's not what it looks like.
10:40Nothing actually happened last night.
10:42I spent the whole night
10:43pouring cold water over myself.
10:45He sounded desperate
10:47to prove his innocence.
10:48My mate will only be you.
10:51The ceremony in seven days won't change.
10:54Nothing will change.
10:56He announced it loudly,
10:57in front of everyone.
10:59Was this a promise to me,
11:01or a way to save face?
11:03Looking at his supposedly sincere face,
11:06all I felt was a bitter, ironic laugh
11:08bubbling up inside me.
11:10If this had been my past life,
11:12I might have been moved to tears
11:14by his words.
11:15Oh, I said flatly,
11:17taking a step back
11:18to put some distance between us.
11:21No hysterical accusations,
11:22no tearful forgiveness.
11:25My eyes were as calm
11:27and still as a dead lake.
11:29I couldn't be bothered
11:30to give him even a shred of emotion.
11:33Aaron froze.
11:35His outstretched hand
11:37hung awkwardly in the air.
11:39The panic in his eyes
11:40slowly turned to confusion,
11:42then to poorly hidden anger.
11:45Is that your only reaction?
11:48He hissed,
11:49his voice low.
11:51I suffered through
11:51a whole night of torture for you,
11:53and you don't have
11:54a single word of concern,
11:56not even a hint of jealous?
12:00What reaction should I have?
12:02I asked calmly.
12:05Congratulations on passing the test.
12:08You!
12:09Aaron choked on his anger,
12:10a vein throbbing on his forehead.
12:12Just then,
12:13Grace,
12:14unwilling to be ignored,
12:16shakily got to her feet.
12:18She clutched a torn jacket around herself
12:21and stumbled toward us.
12:23I'm so sorry, Victoria,
12:24she said,
12:25her eyes red.
12:26It's all my fault.
12:29Brother and I just got a little
12:31carried away last night
12:32and we,
12:34we ruined extra the suite
12:37that was prepared.
12:38She put emphasis on the word ruined,
12:40her defiant gaze
12:42flicking to the messy bed.
12:43But I just gave the bed
12:45a bored glance.
12:46It's fine.
12:48I wasn't planning on staying here anyway.
12:52Fine.
12:53Just fine.
12:55Aaron sneered.
12:56He turned to Grace.
12:58In that case,
13:00Grace,
13:01you'll stay in this suite
13:02from now on
13:03and no one is to move you out
13:04without my permission.
13:06Grace couldn't suppress
13:08a delighted gasp.
13:09I had already lost interest
13:11in the show.
13:12I found an empty guest room
13:14and had a peaceful night's sleep.
13:16Early the next morning,
13:18Aaron knocked on my door.
13:21Victoria,
13:21we need to talk.
13:23Aaron came to a stop
13:25in front of me,
13:26his gaze heavy.
13:27You were acting strange last night.
13:30Why do you suddenly
13:31not care about anything?
13:32I stopped what I was doing
13:34and met his eyes calmly.
13:36Don't care?
13:37I let out a small,
13:39mocking laugh.
13:40Isn't this what you always wanted?
13:43A calm,
13:44magnanimous mate?
13:46My words shut him up.
13:48He was right.
13:49Whenever I had expressed
13:51my discomfort
13:52about his closeness with Grace,
13:54he would say,
13:55Victoria,
13:56when will you learn
13:58to be a little more calm
13:59and magnous?
14:02A flicker of shock
14:03crossed his face.
14:05He opened his mouth,
14:06but no words came out.
14:07Now that I was giving him
14:09what he wanted,
14:10he couldn't handle it?
14:11You.
14:12Aaron sighed,
14:14looking defeated.
14:15I didn't come here to fight.
14:17He tugged at his tie,
14:19annoyed,
14:20and looked away.
14:23Grace's wolf
14:24was damaged
14:24a long time ago.
14:27I've been looking
14:28for a way to heal her.
14:30I watched his little performance
14:32with cold eyes,
14:34already knowing
14:35where this was going.
14:37And?
14:38I asked flatly.
14:41I need the moon petal herb.
14:44He finally got to the point,
14:46holding out his hand
14:47as if he had
14:47every right to it.
14:49I know you have it.
14:50You know she saved
14:52my life once.
14:52If it weren't for her,
14:54I would have died
14:54in a rival pack's territory.
14:56I owe her,
14:57and I have to repay that debt.
15:00As my future Luna,
15:01you'll understand, right?
15:05The moon petal herb,
15:07one of the last
15:07remaining treasures
15:08of the Vance family,
15:10famous for its ability
15:11to heal a wolf's core.
15:13A flicker of shock
15:14crossed his face.
15:15He opened his mouth,
15:17but no words came out.
15:18Now that I was giving him
15:19what he wanted,
15:20he couldn't handle it?
15:22You.
15:23Aaron sighed,
15:25looking defeated.
15:26I didn't come here to fight.
15:28He tugged at his tie,
15:30annoyed,
15:30and looked away.
15:33Grace's wolf
15:34was damaged
15:35a long time ago.
15:38I've been looking
15:39for a way to heal her.
15:41I watched his little performance
15:43with cold eyes,
15:45already knowing
15:46where this was going.
15:48And?
15:49I asked flatly.
15:52I need the moon petal herb.
15:54He finally got to the point,
15:56holding out his hand
15:57as if he had every right to it.
16:00I know you have it.
16:01You know she saved my life once.
16:03If it weren't for her,
16:04I would have died
16:05in a rival pack's territory.
16:07I owe her,
16:08and I have to repay that debt.
16:10As my future Luna,
16:12you'll understand,
16:13right?
16:16The moon petal herb,
16:17one of the last remaining treasures
16:19of the Vance family,
16:21famous for its ability
16:22to heal a wolf's core.
16:24In my past life,
16:25when he asked me for it,
16:26I agreed without
16:27a second's hesitation,
16:29anything to please him,
16:30to prove how magnanimous
16:32I could be.
16:33But now,
16:34I no longer had to play
16:35the part of the perfect mate.
16:37You can have the moon petal herb,
16:39I said,
16:40my smile vanishing
16:42as my eyes sharpened.
16:44But I don't make losing bargains.
16:47Aaron stared,
16:49clearly not expecting me
16:50to set conditions.
16:52What do you want?
16:53He asked,
16:54frowning.
16:55I want the Blackwood Pack's
16:57most valuable commercial property
16:58in the city center,
17:00I said,
17:00each word clear and firm.
17:02Sign the transfer agreement.
17:05Full ownership in my name.
17:07You get the herb
17:08when I get the deed.
17:10It was one of the Blackwood Pack's
17:12most important assets.
17:14With it,
17:15I wouldn't be starting from scratch
17:17when I left this place.
17:20Aaron stared at me,
17:21his expression unreadable.
17:23Then,
17:24suddenly,
17:25he laughed.
17:26Victoria,
17:27was this entire act
17:29just for this?
17:30He crossed his arms,
17:31looking like he'd solved
17:32a great mystery.
17:34You deliberately acted
17:36like you didn't care
17:36about Grace.
17:37Even he gave her
17:38the luniswit,
17:39and now you're testing
17:40my limits
17:41with these outrageous demands.
17:44He stepped closer,
17:46his gaze locked on mine,
17:48full of self-satisfaction.
17:51You're acting cold
17:52to get my attention.
17:53You're making
17:54these outrageous demands
17:56because you don't really
17:56want to give Grace the herb.
17:58His smile grew wider.
18:01Victoria,
18:03you still care about me,
18:04don't you?
18:05His logic was as arrogant
18:07as ever.
18:08Think whatever you want,
18:10I said,
18:10too tired to explain.
18:12My voice was ice.
18:14Yes or no?
18:16Yes.
18:17Of course, yes.
18:18Aaron agreed
18:19without hesitation,
18:21his eyes filled
18:22with a patronizing smile.
18:24It's just a piece
18:25of property.
18:26Consider it
18:27an early wedding gift,
18:30as long as you behave
18:31and stop throwing tantrums.
18:34He thought he had figured out
18:35an insecure woman.
18:36He had no idea.
18:39He was personally
18:40funding my escape.
18:42The papers will be here tomorrow,
18:45Aaron said,
18:46his mood suddenly improving.
18:48He straightened his jacket.
18:50And get ready.
18:51The PAC Alliance Annual Gala
18:53is the day after tomorrow.
18:55As my intended mate,
18:56you have to be there with me.
18:59Before I could refuse,
19:01the door treaked open.
19:03Grace stood there,
19:05smiling at Aaron.
19:08Brother,
19:09does this
19:10dress look good on me?
19:13Her smile was bright,
19:14as if last night
19:16had never happened.
19:18She was wearing
19:18a stunning,
19:20star-dusted,
19:21deep V blue gown,
19:22the one I'd seen
19:23in the Luna Suites closet.
19:27Aaron obviously realized
19:28she was wearing
19:29the dress meant for me.
19:31He just frowned
19:32for a moment,
19:33then gave me
19:34a placating smile.
19:38Don't worry,
19:39I'll have another dress
19:39made for you.
19:41If Grace likes this one,
19:42let her have it.
19:44Consider it compensation
19:45for last night.
19:49I said nothing.
19:50A look of hurt
19:52flashed across Grace's face.
19:54Victoria,
19:55is it because
19:56I'm wearing this dress
19:57that you don't want to go?
19:59Or do you hate me
20:01because of what
20:01happened last night?
20:04I...
20:04I don't even know
20:05how it happened.
20:07She looked so pitifully fragile
20:09that Aaron was already
20:11starting to look
20:11concerned for her.
20:13I didn't want to argue
20:14with her.
20:14I just nodded.
20:18The Pack Alliance
20:19annual gala
20:20was held in the
20:22grand hall
20:22of the most luxurious
20:24Blackwood Manor.
20:27I stood quietly
20:28in the shadows
20:29at the edge
20:30of the hall,
20:31wearing a simple,
20:33pure white silk dress.
20:35Up front,
20:37in the center of it all,
20:39Aaron and Grace
20:40were naturally
20:41the focus
20:41of everyone's attention.
20:44Grace,
20:45wearing the gown
20:46that should have been mine,
20:48clung to Aaron's arm,
20:49smiling sweetly
20:51as they moved
20:52between the alphas
20:53of the major packs.
20:54To everyone else,
20:56they looked like
20:57a perfect,
20:58faded pair.
21:00And I,
21:02the future Luna,
21:03who was supposed
21:04to have her mating ceremony
21:06with Aaron
21:06in less than a week,
21:08was like a ghost,
21:09left alone
21:10in a corner.
21:11Victoria,
21:12is it because
21:14I'm wearing this dress
21:15that you don't want to go?
21:16Or do you hate me
21:18because of what
21:19happened last night?
21:21I,
21:21I don't even know
21:23how it happened.
21:24She looked so pitifully
21:26fragile
21:26that Aaron was already
21:28starting to look
21:29concerned for her.
21:30I didn't want to argue
21:31with her.
21:32I just nodded.
21:35The Pack Alliance
21:36annual gala
21:38was held
21:38in the grand hall
21:40of the most luxurious
21:41Blackwood Manor.
21:44I stood quietly
21:46in the shadows
21:46at the edge
21:47of the hall,
21:49wearing a simple,
21:50pure white silk dress.
21:53Up front,
21:54in the center
21:55of it all,
21:56Aaron and Grace
21:57were naturally
21:58the focus
21:58of everyone's attention.
22:01Grace,
22:02wearing the gown
22:03that should have been mine,
22:04clung to Aaron's arm,
22:07smiling sweetly
22:08as they moved
22:09between the alphas
22:10of the major packs.
22:11To everyone else,
22:13they looked like
22:14a perfect,
22:15faded pair.
22:18And I,
22:19the future Luna,
22:20who was supposed
22:21to have her mating ceremony
22:23with Aaron
22:24in less than a week,
22:25was like a ghost,
22:26left alone
22:27in a corner.
22:29A beautiful Luna to be,
22:31all alone
22:32in the shadows?
22:33A low,
22:34teasing male voice
22:36broke my thoughts.
22:37I turned to see
22:38a strange man
22:39smiling at me,
22:41raising an eyebrow.
22:42He even had
22:43the audacity
22:44to reach out
22:45as if to touch
22:46the long hair
22:47falling over my shoulder.
22:50Don't touch her!
22:52A deep,
22:53wolfish sneal
22:54ripped through the air,
22:55followed by a crushing
22:56wave of alpha dominance.
22:59Aaron had appeared
23:00out of nowhere.
23:01He yanked
23:02we behind him,
23:03his dark gold eyes
23:04locked on the man,
23:06a warning growl
23:07rumbling in his throat.
23:11The man stumbled back,
23:14choking on the pressure.
23:15I looked at Aaron's
23:17possessive display,
23:18a complicated mix
23:20of feelings
23:20churning inside me.
23:23It was just like
23:24in my past life.
23:25This push and pull
23:27from him
23:27was the source
23:28of all my pain.
23:30Aaron seemed to realize
23:31he'd overreacted.
23:33He took a deep breath,
23:35reigning in the fury
23:36in his eyes.
23:37His tone was stiff.
23:39The opening dance
23:40is about to start.
23:42So?
23:43I asked.
23:44He avoided my gaze,
23:47speaking awkwardly.
23:49Grace said
23:49this is the last gala
23:51before I officially
23:52have a mate.
23:53She wants one last
23:54opening dance with me
23:55before I belong
23:56completely to you.
23:57As my future mate,
23:59you can understand that,
23:59right?
24:00Okay.
24:01I said,
24:02without a shred
24:03of hesitation.
24:04My voice was
24:05perfectly calm.
24:09Aaron froze.
24:11He seemed to have
24:12a whole speech
24:13prepared to convince me,
24:15but my one simple word
24:17had stopped him
24:18in his tracks.
24:19He gave me a long,
24:21deep look.
24:21But in the end,
24:23he said nothing more
24:25and turned back to Grace,
24:26who was watching him
24:28with an expectant look
24:29on her face.
24:31The music began,
24:32and they swayed together
24:34in the center of the floor.
24:38Suddenly,
24:38chaos erupted.
24:41The massive,
24:42colorful,
24:43stained-glass window
24:44at the top of the hall
24:45smattered.
24:46A rain of bullets
24:48laced with deadly silver
24:49poured down
24:50from the sky.
24:52Ambush!
24:53It's a night stone
24:54from the rival pack!
24:56The guards roared,
24:57and the entire hall
24:59descended into chaos
25:00and panic.
25:02In the middle
25:03of the dance floor,
25:05Grace let out
25:05a piercing scream
25:07and collapsed
25:08to the ground
25:09in fear.
25:10In an instant,
25:11Aaron shielded her
25:12with his broad back,
25:14covering her completely.
25:16His movements
25:17were sure
25:18and practiced,
25:19and I was standing
25:20less than 30 feet away.
25:23Just then,
25:24a bullet flew
25:25from the side,
25:26hitting me squarely
25:27in the left shoulder.
25:29A sharp,
25:30searing pain
25:31shot through me.
25:32The silver began
25:33to eat away
25:34at my flesh.
25:35My vision went black,
25:37and I almost
25:38passed out.
25:40I clutched
25:41my shoulder,
25:42blood seeping
25:43through my fingers,
25:44staining my
25:45white dress red.
25:48It's okay,
25:49it's okay,
25:50I'm here.
25:51Through the screaming
25:52crowd,
25:52I could see Aaron
25:53holding Grace tightly,
25:55whispering soft
25:56reassurances to her.
25:58His voice
25:59was heartbreakingly
26:00gentle.
26:03He hadn't even
26:04noticed me
26:04on the floor.
26:05Oh my God!
26:07The moon
26:08has been shot!
26:10A servant
26:11hiding behind
26:12a pillar saw me
26:13lying in a pool
26:13of blood
26:14and screamed in terror.
26:16In the middle
26:17of the dance floor,
26:19Grace let out
26:19a piercing scream
26:21and collapsed
26:22to the ground
26:22in fear.
26:24In an instant,
26:25Aaron shielded her
26:26with his broad back,
26:28covering her completely.
26:30His movements
26:31were sure
26:31and practiced,
26:33and I was standing
26:34less than 30 feet away.
26:37Just then,
26:38a bullet flew
26:39from the side,
26:40hitting me squarely
26:41in the left shoulder.
26:43A sharp,
26:44searing pain
26:45shot through me.
26:46The silver began
26:47to eat away
26:48at my flesh.
26:49My vision went black,
26:51and I almost
26:52passed out.
26:54I clutched my shoulder,
26:56blood seeping
26:57through my fingers,
26:58staining my white dress red.
27:02It's okay,
27:03it's okay,
27:04I'm here.
27:04Through the screaming crowd,
27:06I could see Aaron
27:07holding Grace tightly,
27:09whispering soft
27:10reassurances to her.
27:12His voice
27:13was heartbreakingly gentle.
27:17He hadn't even
27:18noticed me
27:18on the floor.
27:20Oh my god!
27:21The load
27:22has been shot!
27:24A servant
27:25hiding behind a pillar
27:26saw me lying
27:27in a pool of blood
27:28and screamed in terror.
27:29Aaron's body
27:30went studded.
27:32As if suddenly
27:32remembering something,
27:34he whipped his head around.
27:35He finally
27:36looked in my direction,
27:38just as the pain
27:40overwhelmed me
27:41and I slipped
27:41into darkness.
27:45I had a long,
27:46dark dream.
27:48It was filled
27:49with the burning
27:50sensation
27:51of a silver blade
27:52piercing my flesh
27:53and the image
27:54of Aaron
27:55from my past life,
27:56turning his back
27:58on me
27:58to hold Grace
27:59as I died.
28:00When I finally
28:01managed to pry
28:02my heavy eyelids open,
28:04I tried to move
28:05my left side.
28:06A stabbing pain
28:08shot through my shoulder.
28:09Though the wound
28:10had been cleaned
28:11and banded,
28:12the residual silver
28:13was still torturing
28:14every nerve.
28:15Luna,
28:16you're finally awake.
28:18A pack doctor
28:19in a white coat
28:19stood by my bed,
28:21his face a mixture
28:22of concern
28:22and an awkwardness
28:23he couldn't hide.
28:24How long
28:25was I out?
28:26I asked,
28:27my voice horsey.
28:29Three days.
28:30Tomorrow,
28:31tomorrow is your
28:32mating ceremony
28:33with the Alpha.
28:35Where's the Alpha?
28:37I asked,
28:38my voice flat.
28:40I already knew
28:41the answer.
28:42The doctor stammered
28:43for a moment
28:44before finally
28:45forcing the words out.
28:47The Alpha,
28:48he's been in
28:49Miss Grace's room
28:50for the past
28:50three days.
28:52The attack
28:52that night
28:53terrified her.
28:54Her wolf's core
28:54is already fragile
28:55and she came down
28:56with a high fever.
28:57The Alpha's been
28:58by her side
28:58the entire time,
28:59taking care of her.
29:00I closed my eyes,
29:01a familiar,
29:02bitter poison
29:03flooding my heart,
29:04just as I expected.
29:05Even when I was
29:06poisoned with silver
29:07and my life
29:08on the line,
29:09Grace was still
29:10the most important
29:11thing in his world.
29:12Just then,
29:14hurried footsteps
29:15sounded outside the room.
29:16Is Victoria awake?
29:18It was Aaron's voice,
29:19thick with exhaustion.
29:20The doctor hurried
29:21to open the door.
29:23Aaron looked terrible.
29:24There were dark circles
29:25under his eyes.
29:27He had clearly
29:28exhausted himself
29:29taking care of Grace.
29:31He saw my open eyes
29:32and a flicker of guilt
29:34crossed his face.
29:35He started to walk
29:36toward the bed.
29:37Get out.
29:39I don't need you.
29:41I said coldly.
29:42My icy glare
29:43stopped him in his tracks.
29:45He opened his mouth
29:47as if to explain,
29:48but remained standing
29:50at the door.
29:51I know you're angry.
29:53Aaron said,
29:54taking a deep breath.
29:56Grace's condition
29:57was critical.
29:58I couldn't leave her.
29:59I assigned the best
30:00doctors in the pack
30:01to you.
30:01I know you're strong enough.
30:02I knew you'd be okay.
30:05I closed my eyes,
30:07not even having the energy
30:09to scoff.
30:10That was his logic.
30:12Because I was strong,
30:14because I could handle it,
30:15I deserved to face death alone.
30:19And fragile Grace
30:21would always need him.
30:23Victoria,
30:24get some rest.
30:25Seeing my silence,
30:27Aaron gave up.
30:28He spoke again,
30:29a hint of hope
30:30in his voice.
30:32Tomorrow is our mating ceremony.
30:34I've given orders
30:35for everything
30:35to be of the highest standard.
30:40I'm going to give you
30:41the most magnificent,
30:42beautiful ceremony
30:43to declare to the entire world
30:45that you are my...
30:46We'll make up
30:46for what you've been through.
30:48His promise was followed
30:49by the soft click
30:50of the door closing.
30:52A magnificent ceremony.
30:53He could save that
30:54for his dear sister.
30:56That night,
30:57in the dead of night,
30:59I pulled the IV
31:00from the back of my hand.
31:02Ignoring the pain
31:03in my shoulder,
31:04I took out the white gown
31:05custom made
31:06by the Blackwood Pack
31:07for their Luna.
31:09Holding the dress,
31:10I knocked on Grace's door.
31:12It opened.
31:13Grace stood there
31:14in a thin,
31:15silk nightgown.
31:16Her cheeks were flushed
31:18and she looked full of life.
31:19There was no trace
31:20of a woman
31:21who had been terrified
31:22to the point of near death.
31:23Seeing me,
31:24her eyes flashed
31:25with surprise
31:25before she quickly
31:26put on her pitiful act.
31:28Victoria,
31:29is your wound better?
31:30Brother was just
31:31so worried about me.
31:32Please don't be mad at him.
31:34Cut the act.
31:35There's no one else here.
31:36I said coldly,
31:37interrupting her
31:38gnaw-sitting performance.
31:39I shoved the dress
31:41into her arms.
31:42Grace Frohl,
31:43staring down
31:44at the gorgeous white gown.
31:45A look of pure,
31:47greedy ecstasy
31:48erupted in her eyes.
31:50This is...
31:51Her voice trembled.
31:52I won't be
31:53at the ceremony tomorrow.
31:55This position as Luna
31:57and your precious Aaron,
31:58you can have it all.
31:59As Grace stared at me
32:01with a look of utter disbelief
32:02and wild joy,
32:04I turned and walked away
32:06without a second glance.
32:09I went straight to Aaron's study
32:11at the far end
32:12of the second floor hall.
32:15I took out the official
32:17stamped agreement-ating
32:18my betrothal to Aaron
32:20and placed it on his desk.
32:21Then,
32:22I picked up a pen
32:23and wrote three words
32:24on a blank sheet of paper.
32:26Have each other.
32:28After doing all that,
32:29I felt the weight
32:30that had been crushing my chest
32:32for two lifetimes
32:33finally lift.
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