- 3 weeks ago
Years Apart, the Moon No Longer Finds Eve
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00:00At my mother's moon goddess funeral, the white moon lilies I ordered were replaced with 999
00:06blood-red roses. In werewolf society, roses like that were not funeral flowers. They belonged on
00:13mating altars, in courtship rituals, and beside an alpha when he marked his luna. Morning fog
00:19pressed low between the black pines. The moonstone pillars on both sides of the altar still held the
00:25cold light of last night's full moon. With my own hands, I laid the white silk over my mother's
00:30memorial table. According to Pack Funeral Rites, white moon lilies should be placed before the dead.
00:36They meant the soul had returned to the arms of the moon goddess. But before the ceremony began,
00:44the flowers arrived 999 blood-red roses. They were so bright they looked like fresh blood.
00:51They looked like a challenge.
00:55Red roses at a funeral? Aren't those courtship flowers?
01:00Who is so ignorant? Are they trying to announce a marking in front of the dead?
01:04My fingers tightened until my nails almost cut into my palm. My mother had been one of the
01:09lowest-strength herbal healers in Harbor Pack. She was only an Omega, but she had saved countless
01:16wounded warriors in her life. She did not deserve to be humiliated on her final journey.
01:22I called the flower shop through the pack line.
01:27I ordered white moon lilies. Why did you send red roses? A young She-Volf's careless voice came through.
01:36The roses cost a hundred times more than moon lilies. You are still not satisfied?
01:44This is a funeral.
01:47So what? For a low-ranked herbalist's funeral, expensive roses are already more than enough.
01:54Or are you trying to extort me?
01:57I did not waste another word on her after the funeral. I went straight to the neutral zone guard station.
02:03The woman who sent the flowers was soon brought in.
02:06Selina Shaw wore a pale pink dress. A moonstone pendant rested against her throat.
02:12Her scent was sweet and heavy, like roses forced open by heat.
02:18It was just a wrong delivery. Was it worth calling the guards?
02:24You ruined my mother's funeral.
02:27A funeral for an Omega herbalist? What was there to ruin?
02:33If you are really that short of resources, wait until my husband arrives.
02:39I will have him compensate you.
02:42Before I could answer, hurried footsteps sounded outside the station.
02:47The door opened.
02:51A tall man walked in. His black coat still carried the chill after rain.
02:56His alpha scent was so familiar that my chest tightened at once.
03:00Rosemary, mint, and the cold edge of the sea.
03:04Once, it had been the only scent that made me feel safe.
03:07Kane fostered out the young alpha of Harbor Pack, also my fated mate.
03:12The man whose name had stayed beside mine in the mate registry for seven years.
03:17But he did not look at me first.
03:19He went straight to Selina, then held out a card stamped with Harbor Pack's crest.
03:24Take it. Stop harassing my Luna.
03:27In that moment, all the blood in my body felt frozen by silver dust, my Luna.
03:32I raised my head and looked at him.
03:35Kane finally saw my face.
03:37His pupils contracted.
03:39Eve.
03:40Selina immediately hooked her arm through his and asked with a sweet smile.
03:46Kane?
03:47You know her?
03:49Know me.
03:50Seven years ago, hunters trapped him in a silver net.
03:54He was dying.
03:55I carried him on my back through a burning black pine forest.
04:00Silver poison scorched my lungs and put my wolf spirit to sleep for seven days.
04:05When he woke, he held my hand and swore.
04:08Eve, I owe you my life.
04:10When I become alpha, I will mark you as my only Luna.
04:14Later, he did become alpha, but the marking ceremony kept being delayed.
04:19He said the Elder's Council would not accept my low-ranked bloodline.
04:22He said Harbor Pack needed stability.
04:25He said to wait until the internal rebellion was settled.
04:28Until he held full power.
04:30Until every obstacle was gone.
04:31I waited for seven years.
04:33What I waited for was him calling another woman Luna in front of me.
04:37Kane swallowed, as if he finally understood what he had done.
04:41He avoided my eyes and said in a low voice.
04:46Selina, this is Eve.
04:48She lived near my house when we were young.
04:50We're just neighbors.
04:53Lived near his house.
04:55Neighbors.
04:56Seven years of love.
04:58Two names side by side in the mate registry.
05:00Three, reduced to an old neighbor.
05:03Selina looked at me and smiled even wider.
05:07So you are an old acquaintance.
05:09Since you know Kane, I will not make this difficult for you.
05:12But next time, do not use a low-ranked funeral to make troubles.
05:17If you need resources, you can come to me.
05:21After Balt, I will soon be the Luna managing Harbor Pack's internal affairs.
05:31Do you think so, too?
05:34Kane was silent for a few seconds.
05:36Those few seconds hurt more than a silver blade cutting into flesh.
05:40At last, he said.
05:41Eve, go home first.
05:43I will explain tonight.
05:46I laughed.
05:47Today was my mother's funeral.
05:50You told me there was an accident at the Pack Laboratory, so you could not come.
05:54His message still sat on my phone.
05:56I am in an elder's meeting.
05:58I cannot leave.
06:00And now he stood here protecting another woman.
06:04Outside the station, rain suddenly poured down.
06:07Harbor weather had always been strange.
06:09When thunder rolled across the sky, my wolf spirit curled up inside my chest.
06:14As a child, my drunk father once lost control and shifted during a thunderstorm.
06:19He drove my mother and me into a storage room.
06:24Back then, young Kane broke the door open and stood in front of me.
06:31Do not be afraid, Eve.
06:33From now on, I will be with you on every stormy night.
06:36Now his promise was like the red roses at my mother's funeral.
06:40Rotten and dazzling.
06:42When I walked out of the guard station, I crouched in the rain and sent him a message.
06:48Kane, don't you have anything to explain?
06:52A long time passed before he replied.
06:57Do not overthink.
06:58Go home first.
07:00Do not catch cold in the rain.
07:02I did not move only when a black SUV stopped in front of me did Kane rush out with an
07:07umbrella
07:07and pull me up from the rain.
07:09Eve, I told you to go home!
07:11What exactly do you want?
07:12I looked up at him.
07:14Rain ran down my face.
07:16When did it start?
07:20Kane's eyes shifted away.
07:23Her family was forcing her to mate an old alpha.
07:26I only wanted to help her.
07:28Nothing happened between us.
07:29Nothing?
07:32Then why did you call her Luna?
07:36Kane frowned, as if my questions had exhausted him.
07:42It is only a temporary title.
07:43It keeps the elders from touching her.
07:46Eve, you know I only love you.
07:48Before I could speak, his phone lit up.
07:50He glanced down.
07:52His expression changed at once.
07:54I am coming right now.
07:56I did not even need to ask who it was.
07:59Celsa's residence lost its protection to rain.
08:01She has claustrophobia and no one is with her.
08:03I will check on her.
08:04I will be back soon.
08:06He did not wait for my answer in the rain.
08:09His headlights disappeared farther and farther away.
08:13That was when I finally understood.
08:15Tears could not keep someone who had already turned away.
08:19Late that night,
08:21Selina sent me to messages.
08:22The first was a photo of Kane rolling up his sleeves to repair the protection array in her house.
08:29The second said,
08:31Eve Wren,
08:32I have known who you are from the beginning.
08:35I changed the flowers on purpose.
08:37I designed everything that happened today.
08:40He stopped loving you a long time ago.
08:44I did not reply to Selina.
08:46My finger hovered over the screen.
08:47But I had no strength left.
08:49As if possessed,
08:50I opened her pack social page.
08:53The pinned background was a picture of Kane kneeling in a sea of roses,
08:57holding a moonstone ring.
08:59The caption read,
09:01The day I was chosen by an alpha.
09:04Selina had three pinned posts.
09:07A handsome man came to the flower shop today and said he wanted flowers for his luna.
09:11So fate really does arrive.
09:14Does no longer relying on mate mean I have grown up?
09:17Thank you for saving me from that mating arrangement.
09:20A day worth remembering.
09:21My hero saved me.
09:24We registered.
09:25Registered, I stared at that word.
09:27The mate bond in my chest felt as if it had been yanked by an invisible hand.
09:31I kept scrolling the screen.
09:33On Selina's page,
09:35Kane cooked breakfast for her.
09:36He took her to roadside barbecue in the neutral district.
09:39He remembered every anniversary she casually mentioned.
09:42However,
09:42in the last few years,
09:44the words I heard from him most often were,
09:46That is too much trouble.
09:50End quote.
09:51Thunder cracked outside.
09:52My body trembled by instinct.
09:54I called Kane.
09:57The first time,
09:58No answer.
09:59The second time,
10:01Still no answer.
10:03The third time,
10:04He finally picked up.
10:06Irritation hid in his voice.
10:07Eve,
10:08You'd best have some urgent things.
10:10I curled into the corner of the sofa.
10:12My voice was very soft.
10:14It is thundering.
10:15I am scared.
10:17Can you come back?
10:21There was a moment of silence.
10:24Something happened at the lab.
10:25I am busy.
10:26Go to sleep.
10:27Stop making yourself sound like a pup.
10:33The call ended.
10:34The next second,
10:35Selina's message popped up.
10:37Selina's text.
10:39Stop flattering yourself.
10:40He is coaxing me to sleep.
10:43A man who does not love you
10:45will not come back.
10:46Even if the mate bond is still there.
10:48I looked at those words
10:50and suddenly became calm.
10:51Kane,
10:52I gave you a chance.
10:54You chose not to come back.
10:56I opened the elders' legal system
10:58and contacted attorney Howard.
11:00Howard,
11:01I have decided.
11:02I will accept the transfer
11:04to the northern neutral zone.
11:05The sooner the better.
11:07I leave in three days.
11:11Attorney Howard
11:12was my most trusted partner
11:14at Harbor Law Office
11:15and one of the few people
11:17who knew the truth
11:18about Kane and me.
11:21Also,
11:22draft a mate distrosal agreement
11:24for me.
11:24I want to reject
11:25the mate bond on my side
11:27and file a trial petition
11:28with Harbor's elders' council.
11:35The other end went quiet
11:37for a few seconds.
11:39Eve,
11:40are you sure?
11:41You are fated mates.
11:43A one-sided rejection
11:44will cause backlash.
11:49I lowered my eyes
11:51to my lower belly.
11:52A pup once grew there.
11:54When I was three months pregnant,
11:56I finished a defense
11:57at the Bloodline Tribunal
11:58and was shoved.
11:59Down the steps
12:00by the accused's family,
12:01I fell into a pool of blood.
12:04Kane held me
12:05and said with red eyes,
12:07We will have another child.
12:10Now I only found it ridiculous.
12:13I am sure.
12:15After the call,
12:16I began packing
12:17my clothes,
12:18legal files,
12:19and my mother's herbal notes
12:21all went into boxes.
12:23Everything related to Kane
12:25went into an old carton.
12:26Ninety-nine letters
12:27from our youth.
12:28The first moonstone ring.
12:31The matching cups
12:32where we had carved
12:33our names.
12:33The luna cloak
12:34he gave me the year
12:35he became Alpha.
12:37When I picked up the cloak,
12:38I smelled a faint trace
12:40of roses.
12:41Not my scent.
12:42I laughed softly
12:43and threw it
12:44to the bottom of the box.
12:47My wolf circled around me,
12:48letting out low howls.
12:50I reached out
12:51and stroked its head.
12:53Don't worry.
12:54We'll be leaving soon.
12:57The next morning,
12:58I pulled my suitcase
12:59out of the Alpha residence
13:00and ran into Kane,
13:01who had not come home all night.
13:03Selina's rose scent
13:04still clung to him.
13:06Kane froze when he saw me.
13:07Eve,
13:08I was too busy last night.
13:10The protection array
13:11took until morning to repair.
13:13I rushed back
13:14because I was afraid
13:14something happened to you.
13:16I looked at him.
13:17How busy?
13:18Busy repairing her array
13:19or busy sleeping with her?
13:20Kane's face darkened.
13:22Why do you always
13:23make things sound so ugly?
13:24I told you
13:25I was only helping her.
13:26He reached for my wrist.
13:27I stepped back
13:28and avoided him.
13:30His hand froze in the air.
13:33Do not touch me.
13:34Your scent makes me sick.
13:36Kane frowned harder.
13:38Only then did he notice
13:39my suitcase.
13:40You are going on
13:41another business trip?
13:43North.
13:44He only hummed in response.
13:46His phone lit up.
13:48Four words appeared
13:48on the screen.
13:50Selina baby.
13:51Kane almost did not hesitate.
13:53He turned to leave.
13:54Tell me when you land.
13:56I will pick you up
13:56when you return.
13:57I watched his back
13:59and said softly,
14:00I am not coming back.
14:02He did not hear me.
14:03He no longer had
14:04the right to hear me
14:04after leaving
14:05the Alpha residence.
14:06I returned to
14:07Harbor Law Office
14:08to hand over my cases.
14:13A colleague saw me
14:14sorting files
14:15and could not
14:16help asking.
14:17Eve,
14:18are you really
14:19going north?
14:20Is Alpha Kane
14:21willing to be away
14:22from you that long?
14:24I closed the folder
14:25and said calmly,
14:27we dissolved
14:27our mate relationship.
14:31The whole office
14:32fell silent.
14:35Everyone knew Kane
14:36and I had been together
14:37since we were young.
14:38Everyone knew
14:39I had once turned down
14:40an invitation
14:40from the highest court
14:42in the north
14:42to stay in harbor
14:43for him
14:43that they did not
14:45know this so-called
14:46fated bond
14:46had rotted long ago.
14:48I carried my box
14:49out of the office.
14:50The moment I reached
14:51the entrance,
14:52werewolf media
14:53surrounded me.
14:56Attorney Wick,
14:57is it true that you
14:58interfered with
14:58Harbor Alpha
14:59and his future
15:00Luna's mate relationship?
15:01As an attorney
15:02who handles
15:02mate disputes,
15:03don't you find it shame
15:04that you destroyed
15:05someone else's
15:06marking ceremony?
15:07We heard you are
15:08the daughter
15:09of a low-ranked
15:10herbalist.
15:11Are you clinging
15:12to the Alpha
15:12because you want
15:13the Luna position?
15:14I was stunned.
15:16I immediately
15:17unlocked my phone.
15:18The top story
15:19on the pack feed
15:19was my photo.
15:21In the picture,
15:23Kane and I
15:23stood outside
15:24the Alpha residence.
15:25The angle
15:26had been deliberately
15:27cropped to make it
15:28look as if I was
15:28questering her.
15:30The headline
15:31was glaring.
15:33Low-ranked attorney
15:34interferes with
15:35Alpha's mating
15:37who gave her
15:38the right to
15:38judge others.
15:39Before I could speak,
15:40a familiar figure
15:41stepped in front of me.
15:42Kane had come.
15:43He released
15:44his Alpha aura
15:44and the reporters
15:45retreated at once.
15:47Attorney Wendt
15:47and I were only
15:48acquaintances in our youth.
15:49There is no
15:50improper relationship.
15:52If anyone continues
15:53spreading rumors,
15:54Harbor Pack
15:55will pursue responsibility.
15:57Acquaintances in our youth.
15:58Again,
15:58the man registered
15:59as my mate
16:00now erased me
16:01from his life
16:01to protect Selena.
16:05After the media scattered,
16:07Kane lowered his head
16:08and kissed my forehead.
16:09His voice was gentle,
16:11as if nothing had happened.
16:16I will take down
16:17on the news.
16:18Eve,
16:19do not blame me.
16:20Selena is not
16:21in good health.
16:22She cannot take the stress.
16:24Kane continued.
16:25She will leave
16:26the country soon
16:27to avoid the elders.
16:28Once she is gone,
16:29I will make up
16:30for everything you suffered.
16:32You know I have
16:33never been false to you.
16:34I looked at him
16:35and suddenly felt
16:35as if I no longer knew him.
16:38Do you believe yourself
16:39when you say that?
16:42Kane's face stiffened.
16:43He did not answer.
16:45He only forced his driver
16:46to take me back
16:47to the residence.
16:49Not long after the car
16:51left the neutral district,
16:52a heavy truck loaded
16:53with Wolfsbane crates
16:55suddenly swerved
16:56out of control
16:56and slammed
16:57straight into us.
16:58The impact
16:59tore the car apart.
17:00I was pinned
17:01under the twisted seat.
17:02My head struck the window
17:04and a sharp ringing
17:05exploded in my right ear.
17:07The driver
17:08had passed out.
17:09The air was thick
17:10with gasoline blood
17:11and the bitter smell
17:12of Wolfsbane
17:13to rogues wearing
17:14scent blockers
17:15jumped down
17:16from the truck.
17:17I forced out a sound.
17:18Help me.
17:20One of them crouched
17:21and pulled out
17:21a short blade
17:22coated with silver poison
17:24when the silver light
17:25drove into my chest.
17:26Pain nearly shattered
17:28my teeth.
17:29Brother,
17:30she is already like this.
17:32If we stab her again,
17:34won't she die?
17:38Miss Selina said
17:39no limits.
17:40As long as she never
17:42returns to harbor,
17:43the payment doubles.
17:45Selina'd so she did
17:45not only want to chase me away,
17:47she wanted me dead.
17:49They kicked my phone
17:50out of reach.
17:50Do not blame us.
17:51Blame yourself
17:52for standing in someone
17:53else's way
17:53to the Luna seat.
17:55The motorcycle engine
17:56occurred.
17:59Rain struck my face.
18:01My consciousness sank
18:02slowly into darkness
18:03before I fainted.
18:04Only one thought remained.
18:06If I survived,
18:08Kane and Selina
18:09would pay me back
18:09for every debt.
18:11When I became aware again,
18:13all I heard
18:14was hurried footsteps.
18:16The patient's heart rate
18:18is too low.
18:19Prepare Moonstone
18:19recimitation.
18:21Severe blood loss.
18:23Silvery poison
18:23has spread to the right
18:24auditory nerve.
18:25Apply for the rare
18:26blood bank now.
18:27Notify Harbor Alpha.
18:29She is listed
18:30in the mate registry.
18:31She has the right
18:32to access the Alpha
18:33blood reserve.
18:35I lay on the operating
18:36table of the
18:37Royal Healing Center.
18:38I could not move.
18:40My chest felt
18:40burned through.
18:41My right ear
18:42was a storm
18:43of broken noise.
18:45After a while,
18:45a nurse rushed in,
18:47voice shaking.
18:48Dr. Lee,
18:49Harbor Alpha side said,
18:50Miss Selina
18:51also needs blood.
18:52She has the same
18:53rare blood type
18:53as the patient.
18:54The blood bank
18:55must prioritize
18:55the future Luna.
18:56The chief healer
18:57was furious.
19:00Does she not only
19:02have scratches
19:03and mild shock?
19:04Why does she need
19:06rare blood?
19:07The nurse lowered
19:07her head, nurse.
19:09Alpha Command.
19:10Alpha King said,
19:11Miss Eve should stop
19:12making trouble
19:13at a time like this.
19:15Miss Selina's life
19:17is on the line.
19:17Making trouble,
19:18I had been stabbed
19:19through the chest
19:20by rogues.
19:21Silver poison
19:22was burning out
19:23my hearing.
19:24I was waiting for blood
19:25on an operating table.
19:27And he said I was
19:28making trouble.
19:29Tears slid from me.
19:30Corners of my eyes.
19:32The healer clenched
19:33his jaw and contacted
19:34other healing centers
19:35for blood.
19:36My surgery was delayed
19:38for 40 full minutes.
19:39During those 40 minutes,
19:41I remembered many things.
19:42I remembered Cain
19:43holding my hand
19:44for the first time,
19:46saying he would give me
19:47the grandest mark
19:47in a ceremony.
19:48I remembered him
19:49holding me after
19:50the miscarriage,
19:51saying he had failed
19:51to protect me.
19:52I remembered my mother
19:53holding my hand
19:54before she died,
19:55telling me not to
19:55lose myself for anyone.
19:56Between anesthesia
19:57and pain,
19:58I forced my eyes open
20:00and whispered,
20:01Dot Eve.
20:02Harbor Alpha refused
20:04to open the blood bank
20:05for the person
20:05registered as his mate
20:06and caused treatment delay.
20:08Dr. Lee froze.
20:13I need it as evidence.
20:16When I woke again,
20:18daylight had filled
20:18the window.
20:19The doctor stood
20:20beside my bed,
20:22guilt written
20:22on his face.
20:24Miss Wern,
20:25I am sorry.
20:26The silver poison
20:27eroded the nerve
20:28for too long.
20:28Your right ear
20:29may be permanently deaf.
20:31We did everything
20:31we could.
20:32I nodded only
20:33after he left
20:34did I grip the sheets
20:35until my fingers ached.
20:36My wolf spirit
20:37whimpered low
20:38inside me.
20:39She had already
20:40grown weak from years
20:41without a completed marking.
20:43Now silver poison
20:44had damaged my senses.
20:46And even Cain's
20:47mate Bond
20:47came through
20:48in broken,
20:49fading pieces.
20:50The door suddenly opened.
20:52Selina walked in.
20:54She had changed
20:55into a pale white dress.
20:56There was no trace
20:57of illness on her face
20:59but her hand rested
21:00lightly on her lower belly.
21:01You still did not die.
21:03You really are hard to kill.
21:04I looked at her
21:05with no warmth
21:06in my eyes.
21:07She came to my bedside
21:08and smiled,
21:09gentle and venomous.
21:10I came to tell you
21:11good news.
21:12I am pregnant.
21:17My breathing
21:17stopped for a moment.
21:19She bent close
21:19and spoke in a voice
21:20only I could hear.
21:21It is the future alpha pup.
21:22The elders have agreed.
21:24Once I give birth
21:24to a pure blood heir,
21:26Cain will officially mark me.
21:27You are lying.
21:30Cain has not marked you.
21:32Selina laughed.
21:34The marking will happen
21:35sooner or later.
21:36Why do you think
21:37he never let you
21:38have a child?
21:39My heart tightened.
21:40Half a year ago,
21:41that pup of yours
21:41was not an accident.
21:43Cain signed a bloodline
21:43respiration order.
21:44He said your Omega blood
21:45was unstable
21:46and could not produce
21:47Harbor's heir.
21:47The defendant's family
21:49pushed you down the stairs.
21:52I simply made sure
21:53they did it cleanly.
21:59My mind roared.
22:01My child had not died
22:02in an accident.
22:04You killed my boy!
22:07I grabbed the moonlight lamp
22:08by the bed
22:09and hurled it at out Selina
22:10with all my strength.
22:11She screamed.
22:12At that exact moment,
22:13out Cain pushed the door open
22:14and pulled her
22:15into his arms.
22:16Eve Rake,
22:16are you insane?
22:19Selina came to visit you
22:20out of kindness
22:20and this is how you treat her?
22:24Apologize to her.
22:25I watched the way
22:26he shielded her.
22:28Suddenly I laughed.
22:30She hired rogues
22:32to kill me
22:32and murdered my pup
22:33and you want me
22:34to apologize to her?
22:36Selina's eyes turned red.
22:37It is all my fault.
22:38Cain,
22:38don't fight with her
22:39because of me.
22:39If Eve hates me,
22:40I will leave.
22:41Cain seized her hand.
22:42You don't need
22:43to go anywhere.
22:43He looked at me.
22:44There was exhaustion
22:45in his eyes,
22:46irritation,
22:47and the coldness
22:48I finally saw clearly.
22:50Eve Ryn,
22:50you have always wanted
22:51the truth,
22:52haven't you?
22:52Fine,
22:53I will tell you.
22:53I do not love you anymore.
22:55I stopped loving you
22:56a long time ago.
22:57I do not love
22:58your rigid rules.
23:00I do not love
23:01the way you use
23:01the past to trap me.
23:03I do not love
23:04how you make me feel guilty
23:05every time I look at you.
23:07After he said that,
23:08the hospital room
23:09went terribly quiet.
23:10I slowly pushed myself upright.
23:12Blood seeped through
23:13the wound on my chest.
23:15At Cain Foster.
23:17He froze.
23:18I said each word clearly.
23:20I set you free.
23:22That night,
23:23with the doctor as witness,
23:24I submitted my injury record
23:26and filed a report
23:27with the neutral zone guard station.
23:29I also asked attorney,
23:31Howard,
23:31to formally begin
23:32the mate dissolution procedure.
23:34Before boarding the airship
23:35to the north,
23:36I sent Cain one last message.
23:38An attorney will contact you
23:40about dissolving
23:41our mate relationship.
23:43We end.
23:43Send.
23:44Block.power off.
23:47When the airship cut
23:48through the clouds,
23:50I looked down
23:50at the shrinking harbor territory
23:51for the first time.
23:53The pain in my chest
23:54had direction.
23:55We could have ended cleanly.
23:56Now we would not.
23:57I would.
23:58Make them lose their reputations
23:59in face pack trial.
24:01When I landed
24:01in the northern neutral zone,
24:03the sky was cold.
24:04I pulled the harbor pack
24:05back sim card from my phone
24:06and threw it into the airport trash.
24:09As I walked out of the passage,
24:10a man in a camel-colored coat
24:12stood in the snow
24:13and opened his arms to me.
24:14Long time no see, Ev.
24:16Ethan Holley,
24:17he was my senior in school
24:18when we were young.
24:20Now he was the chief attorney
24:21of the Northern Frost Moon Alliance
24:23and the most trusted advisor of them,
24:25Northern Alpha Air.
24:27Everyone once said
24:28he was cold and proud,
24:29that no one could enter his eyes.
24:32But I remembered the day
24:34my classmates accused me
24:35of stealing scholarship.
24:37Ethan spent the whole night
24:38pulling surveillance records.
24:40Then threw the evidence
24:42onto the classroom podium
24:43the next morning.
24:46If anyone starts her rumor again,
24:48I will teach you
24:49what the law means.
24:50Now he saw my pale face
24:52and the bandage beside my ear.
24:54His gaze darkened.
24:56But he did not ask.
24:57He only took off his scarf
24:58and wrapped it around me
24:59against the wind.
25:02Let's go home first.
25:03The house is ready.
25:05A healer is waiting.
25:08Thank you for everything, Ethan.
25:10Ethan smiled.
25:13I have waited many years
25:15for you to come north.
25:18Back in harbor,
25:19Cain stared at the phone
25:21that could no longer reach me
25:22for the first time.
25:24Panic took hold of him.
25:28The mate bond was still there,
25:30but it felt buried
25:31beneath thick ice.
25:33Selina stood behind him,
25:35displeased.
25:38Isn't it good that she left?
25:39Now no one stands between us.
25:42Cain did not look at her.
25:45Cain frowned suddenly.
25:47Do not wear that color again.
25:48Selina looked down
25:49at her pink dress.
25:51Her face pailed.
25:52Pink had always been
25:52the color Eve wore most.
25:54She forced down her jealousy
25:55and walked forward
25:56to take his arm.
25:58Cain,
25:58we have been temporary mates
25:59for so long.
26:00When will you officially mark me?
26:02Didn't you say
26:02you no longer love her?
26:04That's enough.
26:05Cain smashed a glass
26:06onto the floor.
26:08As soon as the word
26:09left his mouth,
26:10he froze.
26:11He suddenly remembered
26:13that Eve's mother
26:13had only just been here.
26:15He had even forgotten.
26:17I'm going out for a while.
26:18Don't follow me.
26:20That night,
26:21Cain got a bouquet
26:22of white moon marines
26:23and went around
26:23to the moon goddess
26:24center.
26:25In front of Eve's
26:26mother's grave,
26:27he knelt and cawed out
26:28three times.
26:29Mom, I am sorry.
26:30I failed to send you off.
26:32I was confused before.
26:33I will bring Eve back
26:34and make it up to her.
26:35Thunder rolled
26:36across the sky.
26:37Cain looked at the words
26:38on the stone,
26:38erected by beloved
26:39daughter Eve Wren.
26:40Only then did he remember
26:42the hunter attack
26:42seven years ago.
26:44If I had not carried him
26:45out of that silver net,
26:46he would have died
26:47in the black pine forest.
26:49Back then,
26:50I inhaled silver poison
26:51and lay in the healing center
26:53for seven days and nights.
26:55The doctor said
26:56my wolf spirit
26:57might never wake again.
26:59Young Cain held my hand
27:00and cried
27:01until his wolf eyes
27:02turned red.
27:03Eve, you have to wake up.
27:05I have not marked you
27:06as my Luna yet.
27:08I owe you my life.
27:09If I betray you,
27:11may I lose my alpha power
27:12and die with nothing.
27:13Cain snapped out of the memory.
27:15He could no longer
27:16endure the guilt
27:17or the panic
27:17of losing you.
27:18I will find you, Eve.
27:20I swear.
27:23Cain stubbornly believed
27:24Eve loved him too much
27:26as long as he explained.
27:27As long as he lowered his head,
27:30everything would return
27:31to the way it had been.
27:32The next day,
27:33he went to Harbor Law Office.
27:36Where is Eve?
27:37Attorney Howard came out
27:38with a stack of documents,
27:40his expression cold.
27:41Sorry, Alpha Foster.
27:43You do not have
27:44the right to know.
27:45Cain's face darkened.
27:47I am her mate.
27:48Attorney Howard smiled.
27:50Not anymore.
27:53Attorney Howard placed
27:55the mate dissolution agreement
27:56in front of Cain.
27:59Eve Rink has authorized
28:00me to act on her behalf.
28:01You may sign and agree
28:02to dissolve the mate registration,
28:04close the shared blood bank access,
28:05and terminate residence rights.
28:07Or you may refuse,
28:08and we will apply
28:09to the Elder's Council
28:10for a forced trial.
28:11Cain opened the file.
28:12When he saw Eve's signature,
28:14his pupils shrank.
28:15The next second,
28:16he tore the document to pieces.
28:18Impossible.
28:19Eve would never truly
28:20dissolve our relationship.
28:21Attorney Howard did not get angry.
28:23He simply took out another copy.
28:25Attorney.
28:27This is the final duplicate.
28:29Sign within three days.
28:31Otherwise, otherwise,
28:32I will submit all evidence
28:33to Harbor's Elder's Council.
28:35Evidence?
28:36Your public recognition
28:37of Selina as Luna.
28:38Your refusal to open
28:39the blood bank for Eve.
28:40of your tolerance
28:40of online defamation
28:41and your suspected concealment
28:43of the bloodline suppression order
28:44that killed her pup.
28:45Cain's face finally changed.
28:47Cain took the document.
28:49His fingers tremble uncontrollably.
28:52No.
28:53Impossible.
28:54Eve couldn't have known.
28:56Three days later,
28:58in the northern neutral zone,
29:00Ethan and I were having coffee
29:01at a cafe snow fell outside the window.
29:04Inside, the fireplace burned warmly.
29:06He looked at the bandage beside my ear.
29:09His voice was low.
29:13If I had known he would treat you like this,
29:15I would have taken you away.
29:17I shook my head.
29:18The northern high court
29:19had once invited me.
29:21Back then,
29:21I would not have left.
29:23Ethan had been willing
29:24to recommend me,
29:25but I refused.
29:27Just as I was about to continue,
29:29a loud bang came from the entrance.
29:31I turned around.
29:32A face I never wanted to see again
29:34came into view.
29:35It was Cain.
29:36The moment Cain saw me,
29:38surprise and joy burst into his eyes.
29:41He strode toward me.
29:42Ethan immediately stood up
29:43and blocked him from reaching me.
29:47Only then did Cain notice Ethan.
29:49His voice was filled with anger.
29:52Move.
29:52Don't stand between me and Eve.
29:55And if I say no?
29:57Cain clearly hadn't expected that answer.
29:59His face flushed with rage.
30:03Then I'll just have to beat you
30:05until you're crawling on the floor.
30:07As he spoke,
30:08Cain's hands suddenly shifted
30:09into wolf claws,
30:10and he swung them at Ethan.
30:12Ethan didn't dodge.
30:13One of his hands shifted
30:15into wolf claws as well,
30:16blocking Cain's attack.
30:18The once peaceful cafe
30:19was instantly filled with tension,
30:21and Wolf Howells rose
30:22one after another.
30:23I couldn't take it anymore.
30:25I walked up to Cain.
30:26I made myself very clear.
30:29We're over, Cain Foster.
30:32Cain looked at me in disbelief.
30:34No, at Eve.
30:35There must be some misunderstanding
30:36between us.
30:37Come back to the harbor pack with me,
30:39and I'll explain-
30:40I stepped forward,
30:41raised my hand,
30:41and slapped Cain hard across the face.
30:43Explain?
30:44What exactly do you want to explain?
30:46The fact that you and Selina
30:47already have a child?
30:48Or the real cause of death
30:49of my dead pup?
30:50I watched Cain's face
30:51turn paler and paler.
30:53There's nothing left to explain,
30:54Cain.
30:55We're over.
30:56Then I picked up my phone
30:57and called the Neutral Zone
30:58Emergency Room.
31:00Yes.
31:00Someone is causing trouble
31:01at the cafe.
31:03No!
31:04You have to come back with me!
31:07I let out a cold laugh.
31:09Violence is forbidden
31:10in the Neutral Zone.
31:11Instead of begging
31:11for my forgiveness here
31:12like a dog,
31:13maybe you should think about
31:14how you're going to explain
31:15to the pack elders
31:16why you abandoned pack affairs
31:18and broke the law
31:18in neutral territory.
31:20I left the cafe
31:21without looking back.
31:22Ethan followed me,
31:23but he didn't say anything.
31:25Was I scary just now?
31:27I must be nothing
31:29like the Ev you remember?
31:30Ethan shook his head
31:31and smiled teasingly.
31:33You should have slapped him
31:34a long time ago.
31:35I smiled and shook out my hand.
31:36Hitting someone that shameless
31:38actually hurts.
31:39So what are you planning to do
31:40about that shameless bastard next?
31:41I looked back
31:42at the Neutral Zone police car
31:43approaching in the distance,
31:45siren blaring.
31:46My voice was firm.
31:47I'm going to make him
31:49and Selena pay.
31:51I organized Selena's
31:53social media screenshots,
31:54the fake registration records,
31:56the scent residue
31:57from the rogue attack,
31:58the healing center's
31:59blood bank refusal records,
32:00and the suppression order
32:01from my miscarriage case.
32:03I sent everything
32:03to attorney Howard
32:05on the day Kane refused to sign.
32:07Howard filed for forced trial
32:09with the elders' council.
32:10At the same time,
32:11two news stories
32:12took over Harbor's pack feed.
32:15False Luna takes power,
32:16true mate framed
32:17as the other woman.
32:18Harbor Alpha protects
32:20pure blood Shee-Wolf,
32:21refuses blood bank
32:23to severely injured mate.
32:24Then the rogue attack case
32:25was formally opened,
32:27angry pack members surrounded.
32:29Selena's flower shop,
32:30someone threw Rotting Game
32:32in front of the door.
32:33She stole another woman's
32:35Luna position
32:35and sent courtship flowers
32:37to a funeral.
32:38Disgusting!
32:39She hired rogues to kill!
32:41That She-Wolf should be exiled!
32:44For the first time,
32:45Harbor Pack began
32:46to question its alpha.
32:47Kane stood in the alpha residence,
32:49watching public opinion
32:50explode one line after another.
32:52His face went pale.
32:54He finally understood.
32:55I was not making a scene.
32:57I truly did not want him anymore.
32:59That night,
33:01Selena returned
33:01to the alpha residence
33:02in a mess.
33:03Her hair was tangled.
33:05Egg yolk still stuck
33:06to her face.
33:07The moment she entered,
33:09she rushed toward Kane
33:10and sobbed.
33:11Kane,
33:11why won't you clarify?
33:15Everyone is cursing me.
33:17Kane sat in the shadows
33:18and did not answer.
33:20Selena's eyes
33:20gradually turned vicious.
33:23Why are you pretending
33:24to be silent now?
33:26You were the one
33:26who said you needed me
33:27as a temporary Luna.
33:29You said I was fearful.
33:30You said you would protect me.
33:32Kane finally raised his head.
33:34I helped you
33:35because you said
33:36the elders were forcing you
33:37to mate an old alpha.
33:39Now we are even.
33:41Get out.
33:43Selena froze,
33:44then laughed sharply.
33:48Kane Foster,
33:49who are you to decide
33:50when it ends?
33:51You came to me again
33:53and again.
33:54You admitted on my social page
33:56that I was your Luna.
33:58You told everyone
33:59she was only an old acquaintance
34:01because of me.
34:03She stepped closer.
34:05Her eyes were red.
34:06I was jealous of her,
34:08so I changed the flowers
34:09at her mother's funeral
34:10on purpose.
34:11I hired rogues
34:12to crash into her car,
34:13but if you had not given me,
34:15hope would I have dared
34:15to do any of it?
34:16Kane shot to his feet
34:17and grabbed her throat.
34:19His alpha aura
34:20burst through the room.
34:21Selena's face turned white.
34:23The crash was really you?
34:24Selena struggled for breath,
34:26but she still laughed.
34:27Yes,
34:28but didn't you also
34:29refuse to save her?
34:32When she was on
34:33the operating table
34:34waiting for blood,
34:35you were the one
34:36who ordered the blood
34:37to be reserved for me.
34:39When her pup died,
34:40you were the one
34:41who signed
34:41the suppression order.
34:43Kane,
34:44what right do you have
34:45to pretend you are innocent?
34:48Kane's hand trembled.
34:49He suddenly released her
34:51and stumbled back
34:51at that moment.
34:52He finally saw it clearly.
34:55Selena was cruel,
34:56but he was not clean.
34:57Every time he said,
34:58I am only helping her,
35:00he had pushed Eve
35:01farther away
35:01with his own hands.
35:05The doorbell rang
35:06to neutral zone guards
35:07and harbor.
35:09Council enforcers
35:10walked in.
35:13Selena Shaw,
35:15you are suspected
35:16of hiring rogues
35:16to attack,
35:17defamation,
35:18violation of funeral rights
35:20and falsying Luna status.
35:22Come with us
35:22for investigation.
35:24Cold moonstone shackles
35:26locked around her wrists.
35:28Selena finally panicked.
35:38The enforcer said coldly,
35:40the Royal Healing Center
35:41has completed
35:41a bloodline test.
35:43She is not pregnant.
35:44Kane's head snapped up.
35:45All color vanished
35:46from Selena's face.
35:49The so-called
35:50future alpha pup
35:51was fake.
35:51Selena had used a child
35:53who did not exist
35:54to steal Eve's blood bank.
35:55Eve's reputation
35:56and almost Eve's life,
35:58Kane did not speak for her.
35:59He only watched her
36:00be taken away,
36:01as if he was watching
36:02a disaster he had
36:03personally brought
36:04into Harbor Path.
36:05Three days later,
36:06he finally signed
36:07the mate dissolution agreement.
36:08Once you sign,
36:09the mate registry
36:10will update immediately.
36:12Alpha Foster,
36:13there will be no undo.
36:14Kane's fingers
36:15tightened around the pen.
36:18If I sign,
36:19will she come back
36:20to see me?
36:21Attorney Howard
36:22looked at him coldly.
36:23No.
36:24She is only taking back
36:25what belongs to her.
36:27The moment his signature
36:28touched the page.
36:29I felt a sharp pain
36:30in my chest
36:31from far away
36:32in the north.
36:32The faded mate bond
36:33tore open like a rusty nail
36:34being pulled from bone.
36:36Pain forced me
36:37to grip the edge
36:37of my desk.
36:38Cold sweat fell
36:39from my forehead.
36:41Ethan immediately
36:41supported me.
36:43Eve?
36:44I shook my head
36:44and slowly exhaled.
36:47I am fine.
36:48From now on,
36:49Kane's life,
36:50death, emotions,
36:51and scent
36:52had nothing to do with me.
36:52That same day,
36:54Harbor's elders council
36:55suspended
36:56Kane's alpha authority.
36:58The harbor pack
36:58has no need
36:59for a failed alpha
37:01who lets his emotions
37:02rule him.
37:03A leader like that
37:04would only bring
37:05disaster to the pack.
37:06Kane stood at the entrance
37:07of the council of elders,
37:09staring dejectedly
37:10at his empty palm.
37:11The wind blew past him.
37:12He lifted his head
37:13for a moment.
37:14Kane thought he saw Eve.
37:15Eve had stood beside him
37:17and smiled.
37:18Our Kane will become
37:19the greatest alpha
37:20one day.
37:21Harbor Pike
37:22will be proud of you.
37:23Now when he looked back,
37:25he saw only
37:26an empty corridor.
37:27He finally realized
37:28the person
37:28who had been proud of him,
37:30waited for him,
37:30and given up everything
37:31for him would never return.
37:34Selina's trial
37:35began quickly.
37:36I did not return to harbor.
37:37I submitted evidence
37:38through the northern court's
37:39remote trial seat.
37:40On the screen,
37:41Selina wore moonstone shackles
37:42and looked exhausted.
37:43When she saw me,
37:45hatred flashed
37:46through her eyes first.
37:47Then,
37:48strangely,
37:49envy appeared.
37:51Eve,
37:52I was jealous of you.
37:53Jealous that you were lowborn
37:54but still loved by him
37:55for so many years.
37:57Jealous that you could
37:57stand in court
37:58by your own ability.
37:59Jealous that after
38:00leaving Kane,
38:01someone else was there
38:02to catch you!
38:03I said lightly,
38:04so you destroyed
38:05my mother's funeral,
38:06killed my pup,
38:07and hired rogues
38:08to murder me?
38:09She could not answer.
38:10The presiding elder
38:11struck the gavel.
38:12Selina Shaw
38:13violated funeral rights,
38:15falsified Luna status,
38:16hired rogues
38:17to attack a registered mate,
38:18and cause serious injury.
38:19She is sentenced
38:21to 30 years of exile
38:22in the Northern Frost Mines.
38:26All rights to pack resources
38:28are stripped.
38:29The rogues who took part
38:30in the attack
38:30will be sent
38:31to the silver-lined prison.
38:32The Shaw family elder
38:34who tolerated
38:34the false Luna claim
38:35is removed from harbors
38:37at Elder's Council.
38:38Kane sat in the gallery.
38:39At the very end,
38:40he finally lifted his head
38:42and looked at me
38:42on the screen.
38:43Eve,
38:44Selina has already been punished.
38:46Can we talk now?
38:47I stayed silent
38:48for a long time.
38:49Even if you and Selina
38:50have both been punished,
38:51my dead pup
38:51will never come back.
38:52There is no future for us.
38:54Every word I say
38:55to you disgust is me.
38:57The day after Selina's trial,
39:00I did not go back to work.
39:02I asked Ethan
39:03to drive me
39:04to the smallest
39:04moon goddess cemetery
39:06in the northern neutral zone.
39:08There,
39:08under a young white pine,
39:10the gravekeeper
39:11had already prepared
39:12a tiny moonstone marker.
39:15No name was carved
39:16on it yet.
39:17The pup had never
39:18opened his eyes.
39:19He had never seen
39:21harbors sea,
39:22never heard my voice,
39:23and never received
39:24even one blessing
39:25from his father.
39:26My fingers trembled
39:28as I placed
39:28a white moon lily
39:29before the stone.
39:30I am sorry.
39:31Mommy came too late.
39:32The gravekeeper
39:33lowered his head
39:34and asked softly,
39:35Miss Wern,
39:35what name should I carve?
39:37I looked at the blank stone
39:38for a long time.
39:39Saren,
39:40peace beneath the stars.
39:41Ethan stood behind me,
39:43holding an umbrella
39:43over my head.
39:44Snow gathered
39:45on his shoulders,
39:46but he did not move away.
39:47Then let Saren
39:48sleep under northern snow.
39:49No one from harbor
39:50can hurt him again.
39:52My throat tightened.
39:54He was so small, Ethan.
39:56I did not even have time
39:58to protect him.
39:59You survived.
40:00You brought him justice.
40:01That is also protection.
40:02Ethan crouched beside me,
40:04his voice steady and low.
40:05For the first time
40:06since the trial,
40:07I cried without holding back.
40:09Ethan did not touch me
40:10without permission.
40:11He only stayed beside me
40:12until the snow covered
40:13the whole grave white.
40:15Eve,
40:15I know this is not the right time.
40:16I also know your heart
40:17is still carrying too many graves.
40:19I turned to look at him.
40:21But if one day
40:22you want to try again,
40:23I hope I can be the first
40:24in you considered.
40:24Not because I saved you.
40:26Not because I waited.
40:28Just because you choose me.
40:30My fingers tightened
40:31around the scarf
40:31he had he'd wrapped around me.
40:36Ethan,
40:37I cannot answer you now.
40:39He smiled,
40:40not disappointed,
40:42only gentle.
40:44Then do not answer.
40:46I can wait in the light
40:47where you can see me.
40:50Two weeks later,
40:52Ethan took me to
40:52at Moon Whale ATA.
40:54It was the oldest dress shop
40:55in the northern neutral zone.
40:56It made court robes,
40:58Luna cloaks,
40:58and chosen mate wedding gowns
40:59for Frost Moon families.
41:00I had only come to collect
41:02a formal robe
41:03for my first public hearing
41:04at the Northern High Court.
41:06But the owner misunderstood
41:08when she saw Ethan
41:09standing so close beside me.
41:11Attorney Hale,
41:12should I also prepare
41:13the Moon White Bridal Collection?
41:15Ethan's ears' ears
41:17turned faintly red.
41:19Only if Miss Wren
41:20wants to see it.
41:21I glanced at the rows
41:22of white gowns.
41:23For a moment,
41:24I felt no disgust,
41:25only a dull ache.
41:27Once,
41:27I had waited seven years
41:29for a marking robe
41:30Kane never gave me.
41:31I am only here
41:32for court robes.
41:33Ethan nodded at once.
41:35Then court robes,
41:36nothing else.
41:37His obedience
41:37was so immediate
41:38that the dress shop owner
41:39smiled behind her hand.
41:41While I changed
41:42behind the curtain,
41:44I smelled something wrong.
41:47Not roses this time.
41:50Kerosene.
41:51My right ear
41:52could not hear
41:53the small click
41:54of the back door,
41:55but my wolf spirit
41:56suddenly raised its head.
41:57Outside the fitting room,
41:59a familiar sweet voice
42:00whispered,
42:01White really suits you, Eve.
42:04It makes me want
42:06to burn it black.
42:07The next second,
42:08flames climbed up
42:10the Moon White curtains.
42:13Fire spread faster
42:14than any wolf could run.
42:15The Moon White gowns
42:16caught the flames first,
42:17then the wooden racks,
42:18then the dried blessing flowers
42:19hanging from the ceiling.
42:21Fire!
42:22Someone help!
42:23I covered my mouth
42:24and tried to push open
42:24the fitting room door,
42:25only to find it jammed
42:26from the outside.
42:27Selina laughed
42:28beyond the smoke.
42:28You ruined my trial.
42:30You took Kane's pity from me.
42:31Now let me see
42:32whether your new man
42:32can save you.
42:33My chest wound
42:34tore open from coughing,
42:35but my mind stayed cold.
42:38I pulled the silverless hairpin
42:40from my hair
42:41and stabbed it
42:41through the old wooden lock.
42:43Selina,
42:44you should have learned by now.
42:46I do not die that easily.
42:48Before I could break
42:49the door fully,
42:50a black wolf shadow
42:51crashed through
42:52the burning corridor.
42:55Ethan's coat
42:56was already on fire
42:57at the edge,
42:57but he wrapped it around me
42:58and lifted me
42:59out of the smoke.
43:01Hold your breath.
43:02Do not talk.
43:03Selina tried to escape
43:04through the back alley,
43:05but I had already
43:06turned my phone
43:06towards her voice.
43:07The recording light
43:08flashed red.
43:09Confession,
43:10arson,
43:11attempted murder,
43:11thank you for saving
43:12the court some effort.
43:13Selina's smile vanished.
43:15She shifted halfway,
43:16claws tearing through
43:17her sleeves,
43:18and lunged at me.
43:19Ethan stepped in front of me,
43:21his own wolf aura
43:22bursting through the alley
43:23like a storm.
43:24Touch her once more,
43:26and Frostmoon Law
43:28will not be the thing
43:29you should fear.
43:30Frostmoon Alliance guards
43:32arrived through the snow
43:33and forced Selina
43:34to the ground.
43:36At the healing center,
43:37the healer treated
43:38the smoke burns on my arm
43:39and the reopened wound
43:40on my chest.
43:41Miss Wink,
43:42you were already injured.
43:43Another minute in that fire
43:44and your lungs
43:45might not have recovered.
43:46Ethan stood beside the bed,
43:47silent and pale.
43:48I had never seen
43:49his hands shake before.
43:50Ethan.
43:51He looked up at once.
43:53I am alive.
43:54Only then did he breathe,
43:55as if those words
43:56had given him permission.
43:57I rose to my feet,
43:59gave him a reassurishing smile,
44:01then walked toward the room
44:03where Selina was imprisoned.
44:05Selina was chained
44:06to a moonstone chair.
44:07Her hair was burned
44:08at the ends,
44:08but her eyes
44:09were still venomous.
44:10Do you think catching me
44:11makes you the winner?
44:12Kane will come.
44:13He always comes
44:14when I call.
44:15I approached
44:16with my bandaged arm
44:18held up.
44:21Then call him.
44:23Let him see
44:24what the woman
44:24he protected
44:25has become.
44:26Frost Moon Alliance guards
44:28placed the evidence bag
44:29on the table,
44:30a broken lighter,
44:32a bottle of carriereen,
44:33and the recording
44:35from my phone.
44:37Selina Shaw,
44:39your exile sentence
44:40will now include
44:41attempted murder
44:41in Northern Territory.
44:43No Shaw family privilege
44:45can touch this case.
44:46Selina finally panicked.
44:48Eve, I only wanted
44:48to scare you.
44:49I did not really
44:50want you dead.
44:50I laughed softly.
44:51You said the same thing
44:52after my funeral flowers,
44:53after my car crash,
44:54after my pup died.
44:55I am tired of your almost.
44:56I stay here and pray
44:57that your Kane
44:58comes to save you.
44:59Oh, what a shame.
45:00I almost forgot.
45:02He's no longer
45:03the Alpha of the Harbor Pack.
45:04He can't protect you anymore.
45:05Eve, you bitch!
45:07I curse you
45:07to never find happiness!
45:10When I walked out,
45:11Ethan was standing
45:12in the hallway.
45:13His burned coat
45:13had been taken away,
45:15leaving only a thin shirt
45:16over his shoulders.
45:17He had clearly heard
45:18those vicious curses too,
45:19anger burning in his eyes.
45:21I smiled at him.
45:22Never waste your anger
45:23on someone who isn't worth it.
45:24I walked to him
45:25and took the medicine
45:26from the tray.
45:28Sit down.
45:29He obeyed at once,
45:31like a large wolf
45:31pretending to be harmless.
45:33When I wrapped
45:34his burned forearm,
45:35I saw the old
45:35moon-white blessing cord
45:37I had given him years ago.
45:38Eve, after today,
45:39I know waiting quietly
45:40is no longer enough.
45:41I want to stand beside you
45:42openly if you are willing.
45:43I am still afraid.
45:44Then be afraid with me.
45:45I will not rush you.
45:46I held his bandaged hand.
45:48Ask me in under the full moon.
45:49Half a month later,
45:50Moonveil Atelier reopened
45:52with fireproof moonstones
45:53glowing beneath every window.
45:55The dress shop owner
45:56carefully brought out
45:57a moon-white
45:57chosen mate gown.
45:59Miss Wernk,
45:59this one was remade for you.
46:01No roses,
46:02only moon lilies
46:03and frost patterns.
46:04This time,
46:04I did not refuse immediately.
46:06Far away in harbor,
46:07Kane received
46:08the public frost moon ceremony
46:09notice through
46:10an old council channel.
46:11Ethan Holley
46:12has applied for
46:13a chosen mate covenant
46:14with Eve Wren,
46:15ceremony pending approval
46:16under the next full moon.
46:18The old moonstone ring
46:19fell from Kane's hand
46:20to the floor.
46:21No,
46:22she cannot marry him.
46:25On the night
46:26of the full moon,
46:27snow fell over
46:28the frost moon altar.
46:29Ethan waited for me
46:30beneath the moonstone pillars,
46:32wearing a dark formal cloak
46:33with the old blessing cord
46:35still wrapped around his wrist.
46:36There was no alpha command
46:37in his eyes,
46:38no possession,
46:39only nervous hope.
46:41The priestess placed
46:42two ceremonial blades
46:43on the altar.
46:44Eve Wren,
46:45Ethan Hale,
46:46do you both come here
46:48by free choice?
46:49Ethan looked at me first.
46:50I do.
46:51I looked at the falling snow,
46:52then at him.
46:55I do.
46:56Before the priestess
46:57could continue,
46:58the outer gate
46:59crashed open.
47:00A wave of familiar rosemary
47:01and sea wind
47:02rushed into the altar square.
47:04Kane stood at the entrance,
47:06snow covered.
47:06his black coat.
47:07His eyes were bloodshot,
47:09and his alpha aura
47:10trembled like a dying flame.
47:12Stop the ceremony!
47:14The guests gasped.
47:15Frostmoon Alliance guards
47:17immediately stepped forward.
47:18Ethan's hand moved
47:19to shield me,
47:20but I held his wrist.
47:21No.
47:22I will answer him myself.
47:24Kane walked toward me,
47:25holding the old moonstone
47:26ring in his palm.
47:28Eve,
47:28you cannot do this.
47:29You are my fated mate.
47:31The moon goddess
47:32chose us first.
47:33I looked at him calmly.
47:35The moon goddess
47:36gave you a bond.
47:39You destroyed it
47:40with your own hands.
47:41I know I did many things
47:42to hurt you before.
47:43I know you hate me,
47:44but I don't want you
47:45to use a new marriage
47:46just to spite me.
47:49You don't love Ethan,
47:50do you?
47:51I didn't answer right away.
47:53Instead,
47:54I turned back
47:55and glanced at Ethan,
47:56then gave my answer firmly.
47:58You're wrong, Kane.
48:00I love Ethan.
48:03Kane's face twisted with pain.
48:06I can still make it up to you.
48:07I can give you harbor.
48:09I can give you the Luna crown.
48:10I can kneel before your pup's grave
48:12every full moon.
48:14Do not mention my pup.
48:16My voice was not loud,
48:17but the altar fell silent.
48:20Kane froze.
48:21You do not get to use his grave
48:22as a bridge back to me.
48:24Kane suddenly reached for my wrist.
48:26His claws broke through his fingertips.
48:28Not enough to shift,
48:30but enough to show
48:31he had lost control.
48:33Ethan moved faster.
48:34He caught Kane's arm
48:35and forced it away from me.
48:37She said no.
48:40That should be enough
48:41for any decent wolf.
48:42Kane snarled.
48:43You stole her
48:45while she was hurt!
48:47Ethan's voice turned cold.
48:49No.
48:50I stayed while she healed.
48:52You are the one
48:53who wounded her.
48:54Kane lunged again,
48:55this time not at Ethan,
48:57but toward the ceremonial blade
48:59on the altar,
49:00the priestess struck
49:01the moonstone floor
49:02with her staff.
49:04Frost Moon Alliance guards,
49:06restrain him.
49:07Moonstone chains
49:08snapped around Kane's wrists
49:10and throat,
49:11suppressing his wolf spirit.
49:13Kane fell to one knee,
49:14still staring at me.
49:15Eve, please.
49:17Just look at me once,
49:18like before.
49:19I looked at him,
49:20before his dead.
49:21The guards dragged him away.
49:23Ethan walked to my side
49:25and said apologetically,
49:26I'm sorry he ruined our ceremony.
49:30It's okay.
49:31We've already chosen each other,
49:33haven't we?
49:34Besides,
49:34how could we possibly miss the fun
49:36of watching Kane and Selina
49:37tear each other apart?
49:40Because Kane had attacked
49:41a protected Frost Moon ceremony.
49:43He was placed in a moonstone
49:45holding room
49:46before formal sentencing.
49:47Selina was already there.
49:49After the bridal shop arson,
49:51Frost Moon law required
49:53all connected offenders
49:54in the same chain of crimes
49:55to face a confrontation hearing.
49:57The Frost Moon Alliance guards
49:59locked the door
50:00and looked at both of them
50:01with disgust.
50:02You wanted the same woman destroyed.
50:05Now explain your lies
50:07to each other.
50:09The door closed.
50:11For a moment,
50:13Kane and Selina
50:13only stared at each other.
50:15Then Selina laughed.
50:18You still failed, didn't you?
50:20She chose him
50:21in front of everyone.
50:22Kane's eyes darkened.
50:24You should have stayed
50:25in the Frost Mines.
50:26Selina stepped closer
50:28despite the shackles.
50:29And you should have stayed
50:31with Eve
50:32when thunder frightened her.
50:34But you came to me.
50:36Again.
50:38And again.
50:39Do not put all of this on me!
50:41Kane's breathing grew rough.
50:43I changed the flowers, yes.
50:45I hired the rogues, yes.
50:47I lied about the cup in my belly.
50:50But who called me Luna first?
50:52Who denied Eve in public?
50:54Who signed the order
50:55that killed her child?
50:57Kane slammed his fist
50:58into the moonstone wall.
50:59Shut up!
51:00Selina smiled with tears
51:02in her eyes.
51:03You are angry
51:04because I ruined
51:05your love story.
51:07But Kane,
51:07there was no love story left.
51:09You killed it
51:10before I arrived.
51:14Kane's Volf spirit
51:15had already been weakened
51:16by the severed mate bond
51:17and the loss of Alpha,
51:19authority.
51:20Selina knew exactly
51:21where to cut.
51:22She leaned close
51:23and whispered like poison.
51:25Do you want to know
51:26the funniest part?
51:28Eve begged for you
51:29at first.
51:30Even after the flowers.
51:32Even after the rumors.
51:34That thunder night,
51:36she still called you.
51:37Kane's jaw tightened
51:38until blood appeared
51:39at the corner of his mouth.
51:41If you had gone back,
51:43maybe she would still be yours.
51:46But you chose me.
51:49Kane's claws
51:50burst fully
51:51from his hands.
51:52The moonstone chains
51:53lit up,
51:54burning his wrists.
51:55But he did not
51:56seem to feel it.
51:57I told you to stop!
52:00Selina laughed harder,
52:01madness shining in her eyes.
52:04And your pup?
52:05Do not look at me like that.
52:08I only pushed the stone.
52:09You were the one
52:10who opened the grave.
52:12Something in Kane
52:13snapped.
52:14A roar shook the hood
52:15when the Frostmoon Alliance
52:17guards heard the alarm
52:18and rushed in.
52:19Selina was already
52:20on the floor,
52:21her throat torn
52:22by Alpha claws.
52:24Kane knelt beside her,
52:25covered in blood.
52:27Staring at his own hands
52:28as if he no longer
52:29recognized them.
52:31Back away from the body!
52:34Kane did not move.
52:37Eve was right.
52:39I ruin everything I touch.
52:42The guards forced him down
52:44with silverless suppression chains.
52:46This time,
52:47Kane did not resist.
52:50The next morning,
52:52the Frostmoon Alliance guards
52:53came to my house in person.
52:55Ethan opened the door first.
52:57When he saw the guards' expressions,
52:59his face grew solemn.
53:01Attorney Rink,
53:02Selina Shaw is dead.
53:04Kane Foster killed her
53:05in the holding room last night.
53:06I held the cup in my hand
53:08and did not move
53:08for several seconds.
53:10There was no joy.
53:11No shock,
53:12only a strange emptiness.
53:14Like a long court case
53:15finally closing
53:16after too many lives
53:17had already been ruined.
53:18Was anyone else hurt?
53:20No.
53:21Foster has been placed
53:22under heavy restraint.
53:23He asked to see you.
53:24Ethan looked at me,
53:25but he did not answer for me.
53:27I appreciated that
53:28more than any protection.
53:32No.
53:32The Frostmoon Alliance guards
53:34nodded
53:34as if they had expected it.
53:36He said he only wants
53:37to apologize.
53:38I put the cup down.
53:41His apology is not a key.
53:44It cannot open my door
53:46whenever he wants.
53:47On the remote screen,
53:48Kane sat behind
53:49Moonstone bars.
53:51His face was gray.
53:52His eyes empty.
53:54Is she there?
53:55Eve, can you hear me?
53:57The Frostmoon Alliance guards
53:58looked at me again.
53:59I reached forward
54:01and turned off
54:01the screen myself.
54:03Tell him nothing.
54:04Silence is my final answer.
54:06Ethan quietly stood beside me
54:07and placed his hand near mine.
54:09This time,
54:10I took it first.
54:13Three days later,
54:14the Frostmoon ceremony
54:16was held again.
54:17I did not wear the grand gown
54:18that had almost burned with me.
54:20Instead,
54:21I chose a simple
54:22moon-white dress
54:23with no crown,
54:24no heavy jewels,
54:25and no symbol of ownership.
54:27Ethan waited under the altar
54:29as he had before,
54:30but this time
54:31his eyes were calmer.
54:32Attorney Howard
54:33had come from harbor
54:34as a witness.
54:35When he saw me,
54:36he smiled with rare softness.
54:39Miss Rink,
54:40your mother would be proud.
54:41My eyes warmed.
54:43Thank you, Howard.
54:44For everything.
54:45The priestess raised
54:46the ceremonial blade.
54:48Eve, rain.
54:49After betrayal,
54:51loss,
54:52fire,
54:52and trial,
54:53do you still choose
54:55Ethan Hall freely?
54:57I looked at Ethan.
54:58There was no bond
54:59pulling me,
55:00no fear pushing me,
55:02no debt trapping me.
55:03I choose him freely.
55:06Ethan Hale,
55:08do you choose
55:09at Eve Wrynn
55:10without possession,
55:12command,
55:13or pride?
55:16I choose her freedom first.
55:20Then I choose her.
55:21We cut our palms
55:22and let our blood fall
55:23onto the same moonstone.
55:25Light rose from the altar,
55:27soft and silver blue.
55:30Ethan lowered his head,
55:32not to mark me,
55:33not to claim me,
55:34but to ask.
55:36May I kiss you?
55:39I smiled through my tears.
55:42You may.
55:45On the night after the ceremony,
55:47Ethan brought a northern legal notary to me.
55:49Attorney Rick,
55:51this agreement gives you
55:52independent assets,
55:55residence rights,
55:56and Frost Moon Council voting rights.
56:00Everything you earn after marriage
56:02belongs only to you.
56:04I stared at Ethan.
56:07Are you trying to make sure
56:09I can leave you one day?
56:10Ethan signed first and smiled.
56:14Yes.
56:16Because I want you to stay
56:18only when you are free to go.
56:21Three years later,
56:23I became one of the youngest
56:24senior bloodline attorneys
56:25in the Northern Court.
56:27My right ear still could not hear,
56:28but I had learned to read
56:30the smallest shift
56:31in a witness's expression.
56:32A young colleague
56:34once asked me after a hearing,
56:36Attorney Wynne,
56:37were you never afraid
56:38when you fought Harbor's Alpha?
56:40I packed my files and smiled.
56:44I was afraid every day.
56:46I just stopped letting fear
56:48make my choices.
56:49When I returned home,
56:51Ethan was sitting on the carpet
56:52with our daughter in his arms.
56:54She was born on a snowy,
56:55full moon night.
56:57Her eyes were bright as moonstone.
56:59We named her Sirin,
57:01the name once carved
57:02for the child I lost.
57:03We did not name her Sirin
57:05to replace the child we lost.
57:07We named her Sirin
57:08because peace had finally returned
57:10to a place once filled
57:11only with grief.
57:12This time,
57:13it meant peace that survived.
57:16Daddy, wolf.
57:21Little Sirin grabbed Ethan's nose
57:23and laughed until her tiny wolf ears
57:25nearly popped out.
57:27Ethan pretended to be defeated
57:29and fell back onto the carpet.
57:32Attorney,
57:33your daughter has attacked
57:33as a court advisor.
57:35Should I file a complaint?
57:39Complaint denied.
57:40The court finds the defendant
57:42too cute to punish.
57:43That afternoon,
57:45PAC News reported
57:46that former Harbor Alpha
57:47Kane Foster
57:48had died from wolf spirit failure
57:50and long-term
57:50mate bond backlash
57:51in the
57:52Frostmoon Restraint Tower.
57:54The report said
57:55he had never stopped asking
57:56whether Eve Wren
57:57had replied to his final apology.
57:59I calmly turned off
58:00the channel.
58:01Mommy,
58:02why did that uncle die?
58:05Maybe he did too many
58:06wrong things
58:07and finally had to face them.
58:09Sirin did not understand
58:11and she did not need to.
58:13That evening,
58:14Ethan and I took her
58:15to the small grave
58:16under the white pine.
58:18Fresh white moonlees
58:19swayed in the wind.
58:20Sirin placed a tiny pinnacone
58:22beside the flowers.
58:24For baby star.
58:26Ready to go home?
58:28My eyes warmed,
58:29but the pain
58:30no longer drowned me.
58:31Ethan held my hand.
58:32I looked toward
58:33the wide northern snowfield.
58:35Yes,
58:36let's go home.
58:37The world is wide.
58:39The sea of people
58:40is endless.
58:41From now on,
58:42in this life
58:43and the next,
58:43I will not measure debts
58:45with Kane again
58:46because he is not worth it.
58:48The end.
58:48The end.
58:49The end.
58:49The end.
58:50The end.
58:50The end.
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