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🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:00For three years, my alpha mate never mocked me.
00:00:05Every night, he drugged my dinner with wolf bear sedative so I would sleep until dawn,
00:00:10while he went to the pureblood she-wolf who claimed she had saved his life.
00:00:14The entire Black Pine pack believed I was too weak to be Luna, too unstable to carry an alpha heir.
00:00:20They did not know that three years ago, the one who dragged Kaylin out of a silver hunter trap
00:00:25and fed him her own wolf blood to keep his inner wolf alive was never Vivian.
00:00:28It was me, but when he pushed me in front of a little blade to protect her
00:00:33and the so-called alpha pup in her belly, I finally understood.
00:00:40The truth no longer mattered. I would sever the mate bone.
00:00:44I would disappear from the pack registry.
00:00:47From tonight on, the Black Pine pack would no longer carry my scent.
00:00:51And no Luna named Serena Vale would ever kneel before the moon goddess altar again,
00:00:56waiting for Kaylin Black to come home.
00:01:02In the third year of my mate contract with Kaylin Black, he still had not marked me.
00:01:08I was the Luna of the Black Pine pack in name.
00:01:11The Elder's Council had stamped our contract with a moonstone seal
00:01:14and entered me into the pack registry as the alpha's mate.
00:01:17But by true werewolf law, no mark meant no mind link.
00:01:20No mind link meant no shared pain, no shared scent trail.
00:01:24No true bond.
00:01:26It meant I was only a decorative shadow living in the alpha residence.
00:01:30For three years, I tried everything.
00:01:34I learned the full moon ritual dance.
00:01:37I drank scent-enhancing tonics prescribed by the pack healer.
00:01:40At my most desperate, I went alone to the neutral market and bought a vial of Moonbreath Essence.
00:01:45This is a sex toy, capable of setting a male wolf ablaze with desire.
00:01:50During the trade, the witch kindly gave me a warning.
00:01:53Luna, be careful.
00:01:55Sometimes what rejects you is not his body.
00:01:58It is his heart.
00:02:00Even then, I defended Caelan in my mind.
00:02:03He had once been tortured by silver hunters.
00:02:07Perhaps he did not touch me because he still had not healed.
00:02:12Therefore, I politely said to the witch,
00:02:15Thank you for the warning, but my partner is absolutely not that kind of person.
00:02:20Loyalty is a werewolf's very nature.
00:02:22The witch looked at me sympathetically and sighed, but said nothing more.
00:02:28But as soon as I stepped out of the black market alley,
00:02:31I saw Caelan's Gamma Guard leaving another shop with a heavy bag.
00:02:34Inside were premium scent blockers, wolf-based sleeping powder,
00:02:38and heat suppresses made only for pure-blood she-wolves.
00:02:41If you get any new Moonbreath silk gowns, save one for the Alpha.
00:02:45Miss Vivian likes them.
00:02:47I stood in the rain, my fingertips going cold.
00:02:50Vivian?
00:02:51Who is Vivian?
00:02:52Why would my Aleph partner go to such length for her?
00:02:57A wolf could track a scent for miles.
00:03:00I followed the faint trail of cedar and mint that belonged to Caelan,
00:03:03all the way to a side house,
00:03:05near the edge of Blackpote territory.
00:03:08The door was not fully shut.
00:03:10Low male laughter leaked through the gap.
00:03:15Alpha, is Miss Vivian staying the night again?
00:03:23If not for the Elders,
00:03:24why would you have taken a low-born healer like Serena as Luna?
00:03:28Her wolf spirit is as weak as a pup's.
00:03:31How could she ever stand beside you?
00:03:36She still brews you those recovery tonics every day.
00:03:38Does she really not know?
00:03:40You are not unable to mark.
00:03:41You just do not want to mark her.
00:03:44The next second,
00:03:45Caelan's voice cut through the room like ice.
00:03:48Enough.
00:03:52Silence fell at once.
00:03:55She is my registered mate,
00:03:57and the Luna of Blackpine.
00:04:00If I ever hear you mocking her again,
00:04:02I will tear out your fangs.
00:04:04I almost laughed.
00:04:05He protected my title while standing beside another woman's bed.
00:04:08Then a woman's cool voice sounded from inside.
00:04:10Caelan, I only want you to let me go.
00:04:12We had a deal.
00:04:13I satisfy your instincts,
00:04:14and you give me a place in the full moon dance trope.
00:04:17Do not keep me trapped here.
00:04:18Facing this woman,
00:04:19Caelan's voice,
00:04:20which just moments ago had been cold,
00:04:22turned incredibly gentle.
00:04:24Vivian,
00:04:25do you think I keep you beside me only for that?
00:04:28Miss Vivian,
00:04:29for three years,
00:04:30he has come here almost every night.
00:04:34To keep the Luna from suspecting anything,
00:04:37he put wolf sleeping powder in her dinner
00:04:40so she would sleep until morning.
00:04:44Another laughed.
00:04:46And the Luna still thinks his wolf is damaged.
00:04:49She brews him medicine every day.
00:04:52She brews him medicine every day.
00:04:54My blood felt as if it had been filled with liquid silver.
00:05:01So it turns out my partner really was just as the witch said.
00:05:05Their heart was never truly with me.
00:05:10Every empty morning I had woken to,
00:05:11every excuse I had made for him,
00:05:14every bowl of medicine I had simmered until dawn,
00:05:16had been a joke.
00:05:17The Black Pine elders had always blamed me
00:05:19for not conceiving an alpha ear.
00:05:21They said my wolf spirit was too weak,
00:05:23my bloodline too unstable,
00:05:25and my Luna blessing too thin to nourish the pack.
00:05:31Kaelin's mother once forced me to kneel
00:05:32before the moon goddess altar
00:05:34and drink a fertility draped
00:05:36mixed with ash and powdered wolf thing.
00:05:39It was the middle of winter.
00:05:42I knelt until my knees bruised purple
00:05:44and my fingers went numb.
00:05:49Kaelin had carried me up from the altar and whispered,
00:05:52Do not force yourself.
00:05:55I will speak to the Elder Council.
00:05:58I thought that was love.
00:06:03Now I knew it was only his way
00:06:04of keeping his reputation intact.
00:06:06My legs weakened.
00:06:07I stumbled against a moonstone lamp beside the door.
00:06:11It crashed to the ground.
00:06:18Who's there?
00:06:19I tried to leave,
00:06:21but a gamma guard dragged me inside.
00:06:28My forehead struck the stone steps,
00:06:30and warm blood ran down my brow.
00:06:35Kaelin saw my face.
00:06:37His pupils contracted.
00:06:40Serena?
00:06:43He dropped to one knee
00:06:44and reached for my wound.
00:06:45I turned my face at this my face away.
00:06:51Vivian stood barefoot by the bed,
00:06:53wrapped in his black coat.
00:06:55There was no guilt in her eyes.
00:07:00Luna, do not look at me like that.
00:07:03Kaelin was the one who kept chasing me.
00:07:06He was the one who drugged you.
00:07:12Women should have sympathy for women.
00:07:14Why are you only blaming me?
00:07:16I did not answer.
00:07:18I looked at the oxydian blade at Kaelin's waist.
00:07:25Give me the knife.
00:07:27Kaelin stared at the blood on my forehead.
00:07:30Panic flickered in his eyes.
00:07:34Give me the knife.
00:07:38Serena, stop this.
00:07:40Perhaps he felt guilty.
00:07:42Perhaps he had never imagined I would fight back.
00:07:44In the end,
00:07:45Kaelin unfastened the blade and placed it in my hand.
00:07:51The hilt still held the warmth of his body.
00:07:53I tightened my fingers around it,
00:07:55turned,
00:07:55and drove it into his arm.
00:08:00Everyone in the room gasped.
00:08:03Kaelin did not dodge.
00:08:05He only frowned and asked in a low voice.
00:08:08Do you feel better now?
00:08:10This cut is what you owe me.
00:08:12I released the blade and turned toward Vivian.
00:08:15She instinctively stepped back,
00:08:17fear fired.
00:08:22But before I could reach her,
00:08:24Kaelin seized my wrist.
00:08:25What are you doing?
00:08:27His grip was so hard,
00:08:28it felt as if my bones would shatter.
00:08:30Deep inside me,
00:08:31my wolf whimpered in pain,
00:08:32but she was too weak,
00:08:34after three years of sedatives and wolf bane to rise.
00:08:40I was the one who kept her here.
00:08:42If you are angry,
00:08:43take it out on me.
00:08:45Do not touch her.
00:08:46I had heard those words before.
00:08:48In the first year of our mate contract,
00:08:50a warrior from another pack mocked me at a banquet.
00:08:53Kaelin broke the warrior's nose in front of everyone
00:08:55and said the same thing.
00:09:01She is mine.
00:09:03Who gave you the right to touch her?
00:09:06Back then,
00:09:07I thought I had finally found someone to rely on.
00:09:09Now he stood in the same posture,
00:09:11protecting another woman from me.
00:09:16Kaelin,
00:09:16we're done.
00:09:20A sharp crack came from my wrist.
00:09:22Pain flashed white behind my eyes.
00:09:27I looked up and laughed once.
00:09:30Kaelin,
00:09:31let's sever the mate haunt.
00:09:34The room went dead silent.
00:09:37His expression changed at last.
00:09:39What did you say?
00:09:41I want to leave Blackthorn.
00:09:43I want my name removed from the pack registry.
00:09:48I reject you,
00:09:50and I reject this mate contract.
00:09:54Vivian froze.
00:09:56Then a satisfied light flashed in her eyes.
00:09:59Kaelin looked as if he had heard something absurd.
00:10:04He bent and pinched my chin,
00:10:06anger stirring beneath his forced control.
00:10:09You were the one
00:10:10who knelt outside the council chamber
00:10:12and begged me to accept this contract.
00:10:15Now you think
00:10:16you can leave whenever you want.
00:10:20Yes.
00:10:21I am done pegging.
00:10:23That night,
00:10:24with a broken wrist
00:10:25and blood still drying on my face,
00:10:27I walked into the moon goddess altar.
00:10:30The pack matriarch
00:10:31sat at the center of the elder seats.
00:10:34Her old eyes held no pity,
00:10:37only cold offense.
00:10:40Aluna who initiates Bond's severment
00:10:42must first receive 99 lashes
00:10:43as preliminary punishment.
00:10:45After that,
00:10:45the neutral register
00:10:46will review the petition,
00:10:47cut off the pack link,
00:10:48remove her name from the registry
00:10:50and ban her from Blackvode territory.
00:10:51Are you sure?
00:10:53I am.
00:10:54I pressed my forehead
00:10:55to the stone floor.
00:10:56My wound reopened,
00:10:57leaving blood on the altar.
00:11:03The first whip fell before dawn.
00:11:08By the time it ended,
00:11:10I could no longer tell
00:11:12whether the blood on my back
00:11:13was mine
00:11:13or the wolf spirit's inside me.
00:11:16My wolf spirit was very weak,
00:11:18yet it spoke to me.
00:11:21You made the right choice.
00:11:23Rather than staying by the side
00:11:24of a man who doesn't love you
00:11:26and getting hurt in the process,
00:11:29I would much rather see you be free.
00:11:37I was carried back
00:11:38to the Luna suite with a fever.
00:11:42Servants were carrying boxes of gowns,
00:11:44jewelry,
00:11:45and ceremonial ornaments
00:11:46into the hall.
00:11:47Kellen walked in
00:11:48holding at Vivian's hand.
00:11:49She looked reluctant,
00:11:50but the moonstone bracelet
00:11:52on her wrist
00:11:52was the one he had once promised
00:11:53to give me
00:11:54at our marking ceremony.
00:11:55Kellen saw me leaning on the railing.
00:11:57His brows drew together.
00:12:02After the scene you caused yesterday,
00:12:04the side house is no longer safe
00:12:05for Aunt Vivian.
00:12:06She is a full moon dancer.
00:12:08Her reputation and safety matter.
00:12:10From today on,
00:12:11she will stay in the Alpha residence.
00:12:12His tone made it sound
00:12:13as if he were announcing weather.
00:12:16This happened because
00:12:17you lost control, Aunt Serena.
00:12:19So you will take care of her.
00:12:21You want the Luna you drugged
00:12:23to serve your mistress?
00:12:27I do not need your charity.
00:12:29The pack matriarch arrived just then.
00:12:31She heard Vivian's words
00:12:32and showed no anger.
00:12:33Instead,
00:12:34she took Vivian's hand
00:12:35with rare kindness.
00:12:36Poor child.
00:12:37Your mother was once
00:12:38my dearest friend.
00:12:39If not for what happened
00:12:40to your family,
00:12:40the Luna position
00:12:41should have been yours.
00:12:42I stood on the stairs
00:12:43and watched the woman
00:12:44who had beaten and hemorrhated me
00:12:45treat Aunt Vivian
00:12:46like a blessing sent
00:12:46by the moon goddess.
00:12:48Something in me
00:12:49went completely numb.
00:12:55I slowly took off
00:12:56the partner ring,
00:12:57the one belonging
00:12:58to Kellen and me.
00:13:12Over the next few days,
00:13:14I packed my few belongings
00:13:15while tending to my wounds.
00:13:17Vivian found fault
00:13:18with everything.
00:13:19The water I brought
00:13:21was not at the right temperature.
00:13:22The herbs I prepared
00:13:24were too bitter.
00:13:25The pillow I placed
00:13:26behind her back
00:13:27was an insult
00:13:28because it made her
00:13:29look like an invalid.
00:13:32Luna?
00:13:33Are you doing this
00:13:34on purpose?
00:13:36Do you want everyone
00:13:37to think I am bullying you?
00:13:38When the pack matriarch
00:13:39punished me for it,
00:13:41Vivian said
00:13:41I was kneeling
00:13:42too low on purpose,
00:13:43pretending to be a victim
00:13:44to shame her.
00:13:46A Luna without grace
00:13:47is more shaming
00:13:47than an Omega.
00:13:49Kneel until you
00:13:50remember your place.
00:13:51One evening,
00:13:52after she accused me
00:13:53of washing her dance down
00:13:54with the wrong
00:13:54moonflower soap,
00:13:55I was made to kneel
00:13:57at the altar
00:13:57for an entire day.
00:13:59I used to look at
00:14:00Vivian's graceful body
00:14:01and feel ashamed.
00:14:03I used to thought
00:14:04I was not worthy.
00:14:05Now I only felt sick.
00:14:07When I returned
00:14:08to my room,
00:14:08I burned the moon breath gowns
00:14:10I had once prepared
00:14:11for Kellen.
00:14:14Watching the silk
00:14:15curl into ash,
00:14:16I felt the last
00:14:17of my old dignity
00:14:18burn with it.
00:14:20As I reached
00:14:21for the last gown,
00:14:22the door was kicked open.
00:14:25A slap landed
00:14:27hard across my face.
00:14:29I fell to the floor.
00:14:34Kellen's
00:14:35You have really
00:14:35disappointed me.
00:14:38My voice was soft,
00:14:39but it did not shake.
00:14:41I did not add
00:14:42Wolfine to her water.
00:14:46Vivian stepped out
00:14:47from behind Killen.
00:14:48Her face was pale,
00:14:50her eyes wet.
00:14:51Luna,
00:14:52I know you hate me,
00:14:53but I am a full moon dancer.
00:14:55My wolf spirit
00:14:56cannot be harmed.
00:14:57How could you be so cruel?
00:14:59She pressed a hand
00:15:00to her heart,
00:15:01as if she might collapse.
00:15:03I looked at Kellen.
00:15:08Do you believe her?
00:15:11His gaze fell on the moon breath
00:15:13gown half-burned behind me.
00:15:15It was pale gold
00:15:16woven from moonvine silk
00:15:17that could amplify
00:15:18a wolf's scent.
00:15:20I had once blushed
00:15:21while imagining
00:15:22wearing it for him
00:15:23under the full moon.
00:15:25Kellen laughed suddenly,
00:15:27and the sound
00:15:27was full of disgust.
00:15:29No wonder you needed
00:15:30that thing.
00:15:31You cannot attract
00:15:32your own alpha,
00:15:32so you rely on
00:15:33black market witches,
00:15:34cheap potions,
00:15:35and filthy tricks.
00:15:37It felt as if something
00:15:38had carved open my chest.
00:15:41Kellen,
00:15:42is this the image
00:15:42you have of me?
00:15:44He walked to me,
00:15:45gripped my jaw,
00:15:46and forced my mouth open.
00:15:53Since you enjoy
00:15:54drugging others,
00:15:55taste it yourself.
00:16:02I finally struggled.
00:16:04My broken wrist
00:16:05hit the table.
00:16:06Pain nearly
00:16:07knocked me unconscious,
00:16:09but Kellen's
00:16:09alpha command
00:16:10pressed down on me,
00:16:11and my knees
00:16:12went weak
00:16:13against my will.
00:16:15Drink.
00:16:16He issued the command,
00:16:18then ruthlessly
00:16:19mixed wolfbrain powder
00:16:19with cold water
00:16:20and poured it
00:16:21down my throat.
00:16:26This is the price
00:16:27you pay
00:16:27for trying
00:16:27to hurt Vivian.
00:16:31Kellen forced
00:16:32bowl after bowl
00:16:32of cold water
00:16:33laced with wolfsbeam
00:16:34down my throat.
00:16:37I choked
00:16:38until I coughed blood.
00:16:40At last,
00:16:41I collapsed on the floor
00:16:42and heard Kellen
00:16:43say coldly,
00:16:45Send her back
00:16:46to her room.
00:16:46Let her reflect.
00:16:51The next few days,
00:16:53my body felt
00:16:54as if it belonged
00:16:54to a stranger.
00:16:56My face swolled.
00:16:58My limbs turned heavy.
00:17:00Even my own scent
00:17:00became muddy
00:17:01and unfamiliar.
00:17:02The woman in the mirror
00:17:03had dull eyes
00:17:04and a pale neck.
00:17:08Kellen
00:17:08did not visit me once.
00:17:12On the fifth day,
00:17:13he pushed open the door
00:17:14in a formal black suit.
00:17:15Vivian's rose
00:17:16and cedar scent
00:17:17clung to him.
00:17:18Tomorrow is
00:17:19Vivian's birthday banquet.
00:17:20He looked down
00:17:22at me from above.
00:17:23You are still
00:17:24the Luna in name.
00:17:26You will arrange
00:17:27the banquet yourself.
00:17:28I want every werewolf
00:17:30in the Black Pine Pack
00:17:31to clearly understand
00:17:32Vivian's standing
00:17:33within the pack.
00:17:36And what place is that?
00:17:38His gaze darkened.
00:17:40I slowly seestood,
00:17:42using the bedpost
00:17:43for support.
00:17:43Every step sent cramps
00:17:45through my abdomen
00:17:45from the wolfbine reaction.
00:17:47Your lover?
00:17:48The woman you truly
00:17:49want to mark?
00:17:50Or the new Luna
00:17:51you want me to welcome
00:17:52with my own hands?
00:17:56At Serena,
00:17:57know your limits.
00:18:02My limit?
00:18:04I thought you had already
00:18:05stepped over all of them.
00:18:06For the first time,
00:18:07he looked unsettled
00:18:08by my expression.
00:18:13But he quickly
00:18:14hardened his voice.
00:18:19If you behave,
00:18:21after the banquet,
00:18:22I will ask the healer
00:18:23to treat your body.
00:18:25The Luna position
00:18:26will remain yours.
00:18:30The Luna position.
00:18:35The empty shell
00:18:36he had tossed to me
00:18:36again and again.
00:18:38That night,
00:18:39while the servants
00:18:40prepared the hall,
00:18:41I wrote to the
00:18:42neutral registry again.
00:18:46If Blackbine would not
00:18:47let me go in dignity,
00:18:48then I would leave
00:18:49in blood.
00:18:53On the night of
00:18:54Vivian's full moon banquet,
00:18:56the alpha residents
00:18:56blazed with lights.
00:18:59Vivian wore a pure
00:19:00white ceremonial
00:19:01dancing gown,
00:19:02with the moonstone
00:19:03gifted to her
00:19:03by Killen
00:19:04adorning her hair.
00:19:05She stood beside him
00:19:07as if the entire
00:19:07Blackbine pock
00:19:08had already accepted her
00:19:10as their new Luna.
00:19:11I stood in the shadows,
00:19:13draped in a loose
00:19:14gray cloak,
00:19:15attempting to conceal
00:19:15a body twisted
00:19:16beyond recognition
00:19:17by Wolfsbane.
00:19:19Guests whispered openly,
00:19:23That is the
00:19:24Blackbine Luna?
00:19:25She looks as if
00:19:26her wolf spirit
00:19:27has been drained.
00:19:28No wonder the alpha
00:19:30never marked her.
00:19:31Miss Vivian is
00:19:32pure-blooded
00:19:33and a full moon dancer.
00:19:34She looks far more
00:19:35capable of bearing
00:19:36an alpha pup.
00:19:42Kaelin heard them.
00:19:44He only lowered his head
00:19:46and adjusted Vivian's
00:19:47shrill with a tenderness
00:19:48that stabbed my eyes.
00:19:51Someone raised a glass.
00:19:54Alpha,
00:19:54it seems
00:19:55Blackbine will soon
00:19:57have a true mistress.
00:19:58Kaelin gave a rare smile.
00:20:01She deserves the best.
00:20:07Inside my sleeve,
00:20:09my fingers tightened
00:20:10around the blood-stamped
00:20:11severance application.
00:20:13Just as I was about
00:20:14to walk toward
00:20:15the neutral register,
00:20:16a roar came from
00:20:17the edge of the crowd.
00:20:22An exiled rogue wolf
00:20:24burst into the hall.
00:20:25His eyes were bloodshut,
00:20:26and in his hand
00:20:27was a short blade
00:20:27coated with silver water.
00:20:29Kaelin Black!
00:20:30You destroyed my pack!
00:20:31Now I will let you know
00:20:33what it feels like
00:20:33to lose the one
00:20:34you treasure most!
00:20:37He lunged straight
00:20:39at At Vivian's abdomen.
00:20:41Kaelin's face changed.
00:20:49Before I could react,
00:20:51a powerful hand
00:20:52locked around my shoulder.
00:20:55Kaelin pushed me forward.
00:20:57The silver blade
00:20:58entered my abdomen.
00:20:59My inner wolf screamed
00:21:01as if she had been torn apart.
00:21:03Silver water burned
00:21:04through flesh and blood,
00:21:06spreading from the wound
00:21:07like a thousand needles
00:21:08crawling under my skin.
00:21:10I looked down
00:21:11and saw my cloak
00:21:12turning red.
00:21:19For one heartbeat,
00:21:21the hall was silent.
00:21:22Then screams exploded.
00:21:24Before darkness
00:21:25swallowed me,
00:21:26I saw Kaelin
00:21:27rush toward me,
00:21:28his eyes red
00:21:28as if he had finally
00:21:29learned fear.
00:21:33I was lying in the pack
00:21:35healing center.
00:21:39My abdomen was wrapped
00:21:40in thick bandages.
00:21:41Silver poison still lingered
00:21:43in my blood
00:21:43and every breath
00:21:44made me tremble.
00:21:45Kaelin sat beside the bed,
00:21:47his eyes lined with red.
00:21:48He held my hand tightly.
00:21:52You're awake.
00:21:54The healer said the blade
00:21:55almost touched your core bloodline,
00:21:57but luckily...
00:21:59It hurts so much, Kaelin.
00:22:07Kaelin stopped.
00:22:09I turned my head
00:22:10to look at him.
00:22:12When you pushed me
00:22:13in front of the blade,
00:22:14did you wonder
00:22:15if it would hurt?
00:22:17His throat moved.
00:22:18He avoided my eyes.
00:22:20Vivian is a full moon dancer.
00:22:22She cannot have
00:22:22a silver scar on her body.
00:22:24I did not think
00:22:24that much in the moment.
00:22:27I thought you could dodge.
00:22:31I smiled faintly.
00:22:36He always thought
00:22:37I could endure.
00:22:39He always thought
00:22:40I would survive.
00:22:41He always thought
00:22:42that after the wound closed,
00:22:43I would still remain
00:22:44where here he had left me.
00:22:46Kaelin gripped my hand harder.
00:22:52The rogue has been caught.
00:22:54I will make him pay.
00:22:59I looked at him calmly.
00:23:00And you?
00:23:03His face went still.
00:23:06Before he could answer,
00:23:07Vivian's voice came
00:23:08from outside the door.
00:23:09They were congratulating her.
00:23:12Kaelin lowered his gaze
00:23:13and said in a complicated tone,
00:23:15There is something else.
00:23:17Vivian is pregnant.
00:23:19My fingers went numb.
00:23:22The healer said
00:23:22your wound is deep.
00:23:24In the future,
00:23:25you may not be able
00:23:26to carry a puppy.
00:23:27But the moon goddess
00:23:28has not abandoned you.
00:23:29Vivian's child
00:23:30will be the alpha heir.
00:23:32When the pup is born,
00:23:33it can call you mother
00:23:34as well.
00:23:38I stared at him
00:23:39for a long time.
00:23:42Then I laughed
00:23:43until tears came out.
00:23:48So this was you
00:23:49called mercy.
00:23:50He had used my body
00:23:51to block a blade
00:23:52for his mistress
00:23:53and her fake tenderness.
00:23:54Then he wanted me
00:23:55to raise her pup
00:23:55and be grateful.
00:23:58But I have already
00:23:59decided to leave him.
00:24:00I will no longer grieve
00:24:01or weep over anything
00:24:02he does.
00:24:05The next day,
00:24:06I asked the neutral register
00:24:07to prepare the formal
00:24:08severance petition.
00:24:11But before the document
00:24:12could reach the elders' council,
00:24:14Vivian came to my room.
00:24:15She stood beside my bed
00:24:17holding a bouquet
00:24:17of moon-breath flowers,
00:24:19her voice dripping
00:24:20with false sweetness.
00:24:22Serena,
00:24:23I am truly sorry.
00:24:24I never knew Kellen
00:24:25would push you forward
00:24:26to save me.
00:24:27Her mouth apologized.
00:24:29Her eyes laughed.
00:24:30I looked at the flowers
00:24:31and felt sick.
00:24:33Apology received.
00:24:34Get out.
00:24:36The smile froze
00:24:37on her face.
00:24:40Do you hate me that much?
00:24:42I was a victim too.
00:24:45I opened my eyes
00:24:46and looked at her.
00:24:47Perhaps you once were,
00:24:48but Kellen isn't here now.
00:24:50No one will be watching
00:24:51your performance.
00:24:52Her face changed.
00:24:53She threw the flowers
00:24:53into the spittle wheel
00:24:54beside the bed
00:24:55and lowered her voice.
00:24:56Do you know what is most pathetic
00:24:57about you,
00:24:57At Serena?
00:24:58You occupied the Luna position
00:24:59for three years,
00:25:00and he still refused
00:25:01to give you even one mark.
00:25:06She leaned closer,
00:25:08carrying Kellen's
00:25:09melanin's pheromone
00:25:10on her skin.
00:25:11The way he loses control
00:25:13with me is something
00:25:14you will never see
00:25:15in your lifetime.
00:25:17My fingers slowly clenched.
00:25:19If my family had not
00:25:20been framed by hunters,
00:25:22the Black Pine Luna position
00:25:23would have belonged to me
00:25:24from the beginning.
00:25:27You are nothing
00:25:28but the lowborn substitute,
00:25:29the elders,
00:25:30forced on him.
00:25:31I remained expressionless
00:25:33and even found her
00:25:34somewhat ridiculous.
00:25:39If you want it so much,
00:25:40take it.
00:25:42I have already applied
00:25:43to sever the mate bond.
00:25:44Vivian froze for a second.
00:25:45Then she burst out laughing.
00:25:49You think Kellen
00:25:50will let you leave?
00:25:51Unless Black Pine
00:25:52decides you are
00:25:53too filthy to keep.
00:25:54Upon hearing this,
00:25:55I was inexplicably seized
00:25:56by a vague sense
00:25:57of Forbatten
00:25:58and couldn't help
00:25:59but demand an explanation.
00:26:02What are you trying to do?
00:26:04Aren't you afraid
00:26:05Kellen will find out
00:26:06your true colors?
00:26:06Vivian said nothing more,
00:26:08merely giving me
00:26:08a sinister smile.
00:26:12You'll find out soon enough.
00:26:15Before long,
00:26:17I understood
00:26:17what Vivian meant.
00:26:23Late that night,
00:26:24a bombshell news story
00:26:26suddenly erupted
00:26:27on Facebook.
00:26:28Black Pine Alpha
00:26:29hides pure blood
00:26:30she-wolf,
00:26:30registered Luna
00:26:31reduced to decoration.
00:26:34Vivian accused
00:26:35of stealing Luna status
00:26:37and using a pup
00:26:38to force succession.
00:26:39Photos of Vivian Anne
00:26:41moving into the
00:26:41Alpha residence
00:26:42and sent records
00:26:43of Kellen visiting
00:26:44the side house
00:26:45late at night
00:26:45spread through
00:26:46the werewolf community.
00:26:47The entire society
00:26:48mocked Black Pine.
00:26:51The door to my room
00:26:52was kicked open.
00:26:56Kellen threw a stack
00:26:57of printed Facebook posts
00:26:58into my face.
00:26:59Did you post that
00:27:00on Facebook?
00:27:01Is this what you wanted?
00:27:02To ruin me,
00:27:03Vivian,
00:27:04and the entire pack?
00:27:04His eyes burned with rage.
00:27:06You did it.
00:27:07You destroyed Vivian's reputation.
00:27:08You let her be humiliated
00:27:10by all of werewolf society
00:27:11while carrying a pup.
00:27:12Serena,
00:27:13when did you become
00:27:14this vile?
00:27:18I pressed a hand
00:27:19over my wound,
00:27:20cold sweat sliding
00:27:21down my back.
00:27:23It was not me.
00:27:24Vivian followed him in,
00:27:25tears falling at the
00:27:26perfect time.
00:27:27She rushed forward
00:27:27and slapped me hard.
00:27:29Do you know
00:27:29how much I grificed
00:27:30to enter the full moon troop?
00:27:32Now every pack
00:27:33is calling me a she-wolf
00:27:34who stole Luna's spot.
00:27:35Do you want to force me
00:27:36to die?
00:27:38My face turned
00:27:39and with the blow
00:27:39I tasted blood.
00:27:47Then I laughed boldly.
00:27:50Did I force you
00:27:51to become his mistress?
00:27:52Did I force you
00:27:54to carry his scent?
00:27:56Vivian,
00:27:57if you dare to steal,
00:28:00why are you afraid
00:28:01of being maimed?
00:28:02Kellen sees my throat.
00:28:09What right do you have
00:28:10to talk about shame?
00:28:11Don't forget that lingerie
00:28:13you bought
00:28:13just to seduce me.
00:28:16His words were worse
00:28:18than claws.
00:28:21When you wagged
00:28:22your tail
00:28:23and begged me
00:28:24to mark you,
00:28:27where was your shame then?
00:28:29My pupils trembled.
00:28:36Those desperate attempts
00:28:37I had to save our bond
00:28:38had become the blade
00:28:40he used to humiliate me.
00:28:44Kellen released my throat
00:28:45and stepped back.
00:28:49Since you like
00:28:50exposing people so much,
00:28:53I will let everyone
00:28:54see what kind of Luna
00:28:56you really are.
00:28:57Half a day later,
00:28:58my photos appeared
00:28:58on Facebook.
00:28:59The vial of Moonbreath Essence,
00:29:01the footage of me
00:29:02practicing the full moon dance,
00:29:03the back view of me
00:29:04standing before a mirror
00:29:05in a Moonbreath silk gown.
00:29:07All of it had been posted
00:29:08by Kellen himself.
00:29:10Worse,
00:29:10he attached a re-photo
00:29:12of me swollen
00:29:12and distorted
00:29:13from wolf's boss.
00:29:19The comments
00:29:20from Blackburn
00:29:20changed instantly.
00:29:22So the Luna
00:29:23is shameless and private.
00:29:24No wonder
00:29:25the Alpha
00:29:25never marked her.
00:29:27With that muddy scent,
00:29:28who could bear
00:29:29to bite her?
00:29:30At least Vivian
00:29:31has pure blood.
00:29:32A lowborn healer
00:29:33should never have dreamed
00:29:33of becoming Luna.
00:29:35The Elder's Council
00:29:35was furious.
00:29:41Luna!
00:29:42They said I had
00:29:43disgraced the title
00:29:44of Luna
00:29:45and damaged
00:29:45the pack's reputation.
00:29:47Before my abdominal wound
00:29:48had healed,
00:29:49I was dragged
00:29:50into the punishment chamber
00:29:52behind the Moon Goddess altar.
00:29:59It was a stone room
00:30:01lined with silver runes.
00:30:08Silver was not decoration.
00:30:10It was punishment.
00:30:12Every carved line
00:30:13released a chill
00:30:14that pierced the wolf's spirit.
00:30:15My wound began to burn
00:30:16and the silver poison
00:30:17left in my blood
00:30:18woke again.
00:30:19The pack matriarch
00:30:19stood outside the iron door.
00:30:21If you admit
00:30:22that you slandered Vivian
00:30:23on Facebook,
00:30:23the Council can show mercy.
00:30:26I asked back,
00:30:28weakly yet stubbornly.
00:30:32How merciful.
00:30:36You will remain
00:30:37in Black Pint
00:30:38as the Luna in name.
00:30:39After Vivian gives birth
00:30:41to the Alpha Pup.
00:30:42You will raise it.
00:30:44Not!
00:30:45Then punish me harder!
00:30:48For half a wunkth,
00:30:49I was locked
00:30:49in that chamber.
00:30:52Gamma Guard.
00:30:54Every day,
00:30:55they forced
00:30:56bitter cleansing medicine
00:30:56down my throat,
00:30:57saying it would wash away
00:30:59my low-born desire.
00:31:07Outside the door,
00:31:09they played Facebook insults
00:31:10over and over,
00:31:11along with news
00:31:12that Kaylin and Vivian
00:31:13would sue
00:31:13my silver wound
00:31:14reopened again and again
00:31:15without proper healing herbs.
00:31:20My foe curled in the dark
00:31:22and almost stopped
00:31:23answering me.
00:31:24At last,
00:31:25the neutral register
00:31:26came with the severance contract.
00:31:28Miss Serena,
00:31:29by law,
00:31:29once you press
00:31:30your blood seal,
00:31:31your name will be removed
00:31:31from the Black Pine registry.
00:31:33You will lose
00:31:33Black Pine protection,
00:31:34the title of Alpha Mate,
00:31:35and you will suffer
00:31:36Mate Bond backlash.
00:31:38I know.
00:31:42Alpha Kaylin has not signed.
00:31:45He will.
00:31:47He threw me in here
00:31:48because he wanted me to bow.
00:31:51I no longer had the strength
00:31:53to hold a pen.
00:31:54I bit my fingertip
00:31:55and pressed blood
00:31:56onto the end of the contract.
00:32:09The moment the seal formed,
00:32:11I felt an invisible sharp claw
00:32:13suddenly tear through my chest.
00:32:18Kaylin's cedar and mint scent
00:32:20faded from my senses
00:32:21little by little,
00:32:22but the bond the moon goddess
00:32:23had once tied between us,
00:32:24the bond he had trampled
00:32:26for three years
00:32:27finally snapped.
00:32:29Pain shook my whole body,
00:32:33but I smiled.
00:32:35I smiled.
00:32:43At dawn,
00:32:44I walked out of the punishment chamber
00:32:45with a small bag.
00:32:47The neutral register
00:32:48led me through the back gate
00:32:49of Black Pine territory.
00:32:51Rain fell over the border road.
00:32:53Behind me stood the Alpha residence
00:32:55where I had wasted
00:32:56three years of my life.
00:32:58No one came to send me off.
00:32:59No one knew that the Luna
00:33:01they mocked
00:33:01had already vanished
00:33:02from the pack link.
00:33:05Miss Vale,
00:33:07once you cross this border,
00:33:09Black Pine law
00:33:09can no longer protect you.
00:33:11Are you still certain?
00:33:15I looked back only once.
00:33:17The altar bells were silent.
00:33:19The windows of the Alpha residence
00:33:21were dark.
00:33:21No one was running towards me.
00:33:28I am certain.
00:33:35Then may the moon goddess
00:33:37witness your freedom.
00:33:46I stepped onto the train
00:33:48bound for the southern neutral lands
00:33:49and did not look back.
00:33:58Never to meet again,
00:34:00Kaylin.
00:34:04Only later did I learn
00:34:05that on the day I left,
00:34:07Kaylin had waited
00:34:07outside the altar gate.
00:34:09He thought the elders
00:34:09were only teaching me a lesson.
00:34:11He thought I would come out
00:34:13wounded and exhausted,
00:34:14then lower my head again
00:34:15after he said,
00:34:16stop making trouble.
00:34:17His friend at Seth
00:34:18was there too.
00:34:19Alpha,
00:34:19aren't you afraid the Luna
00:34:20will hate you after this?
00:34:21Kaylin lit a cigarette
00:34:22and said coldly,
00:34:23She endured the strictest,
00:34:25most brutal punishments,
00:34:26all just to remain by my side.
00:34:27She simply could not
00:34:28bring herself to hate me.
00:34:30Kaylin stubbed out his cigarette
00:34:31and said,
00:34:32sounding as if he were
00:34:32utterly helpless.
00:34:34Serena has been far
00:34:35too unruly of late.
00:34:36Not only has she been
00:34:37constantly targeting Vivian,
00:34:39but she has also harmed
00:34:40both her and the pup
00:34:41she carries in her womb.
00:34:42Serena must learn
00:34:43to exercise proper restraint
00:34:44over her temper.
00:34:44As the Pax Luna,
00:34:45she cannot continue
00:34:46to behave so irresponsibly.
00:34:47Just before the altar gate opened,
00:34:48Vivian's maid ran over,
00:34:49claiming Vivian had stomach pain
00:34:50and might lose the Alpha pup.
00:34:51Alpha,
00:34:52Miss Vivian is in pain.
00:34:52The healer said the pup
00:34:53may be unstable.
00:34:54Please come quickly.
00:34:55Kellen left at once.
00:34:57Seth,
00:34:57wait here.
00:34:58When Serena comes out,
00:34:59take her to a side room
00:35:00to recover.
00:35:01But at Seth
00:35:02had already been bought
00:35:02by Vivian.
00:35:04He watched the neutral
00:35:05registrar lead my way.
00:35:07He saw the blood seal
00:35:08on the Severance contract.
00:35:09He saw the Elder
00:35:10remove my name
00:35:11from the Black Foon Pack registry.
00:35:14The Alpha is on his way to you.
00:35:16Serena will be driven
00:35:17out of Blackpore.
00:35:23Kellen stayed at the healing center
00:35:24with at Vivian all night.
00:35:31The at-healer Seif said
00:35:33she was merely emotional
00:35:34and the pup was not in danger.
00:35:36Kellen held her hand
00:35:37and murmured,
00:35:40I will suppress the rumors.
00:35:42When Serena comes out,
00:35:43I will make her apologize.
00:35:49Vivian leaned into his arms
00:35:50and tested him.
00:35:53Kellen,
00:35:53I do not want our pup
00:35:55to be born
00:35:55as an unregistered child.
00:35:57I do not want you trapped
00:35:59between two women forever.
00:36:01If you love me,
00:36:02why not officially
00:36:04sever your contract
00:36:05with Serena
00:36:05and give us a real home?
00:36:07I will make her
00:36:13and give us a real home.
00:36:14For a fleeting moment,
00:36:16he recalled the sight
00:36:17of Serena lying
00:36:18in her hospital bed,
00:36:19pale-faced
00:36:20and hollow-eyed,
00:36:21whispering,
00:36:22it hurt so much.
00:36:24But he pushed
00:36:25that memory away.
00:36:27Do not bring this up again.
00:36:29Serena cannot survive
00:36:30outside Blackpint.
00:36:32She has been my Luna
00:36:33for three years.
00:36:37I will let her
00:36:38keep the title.
00:36:39The title.
00:36:42Three days later,
00:36:44he finally realizes
00:36:45that Serena,
00:36:46Serena had left.
00:36:48Serena's room
00:36:49was empty.
00:36:50The wardrobe
00:36:51was bare.
00:36:52The desk,
00:36:53too,
00:36:53was completely empty.
00:36:55Beneath the pillow
00:36:56lay nothing
00:36:56but a single
00:36:57moonstone ring.
00:36:59It was the very token
00:37:01he had casually
00:37:01slipped onto her finger
00:37:02on the day
00:37:03the very day
00:37:04he and Serena
00:37:06had signed
00:37:06their contract.
00:37:07It was not a mark.
00:37:08It was not a vow.
00:37:10It was an afterthought.
00:37:13Kellen held the pin ring
00:37:14and panicked
00:37:14for the first time.
00:37:17Serena,
00:37:18where did you go?
00:37:22But when he asked
00:37:23at Seth,
00:37:24Seth lied.
00:37:26She came out
00:37:27cursing you
00:37:27and Miss Viviana.
00:37:28She said,
00:37:29you two deserve
00:37:29to lose everything.
00:37:31Then she left
00:37:32on her own.
00:37:33No one could stop her.
00:37:35The look of concern
00:37:35in Kellen's eyes
00:37:36instantly turned to ice.
00:37:38He had promised
00:37:38to treat Serena
00:37:39after Vivian's
00:37:40birthday banquet.
00:37:41He had even gone
00:37:42so far as to arrange
00:37:43for the province's
00:37:44most elite healers,
00:37:45terrified that
00:37:45Serena's injuries
00:37:46might leave scars.
00:37:47Yet now,
00:37:48it turned out
00:37:48that Serena
00:37:49had already repaid him
00:37:50with a malicious curse.
00:37:59Seth bowed his head
00:38:01and did not dare speak.
00:38:04Only Vivian
00:38:05walked to Kellen's side
00:38:06and slipped his palm
00:38:07over her abdomen.
00:38:12Do not be angry
00:38:13because of her.
00:38:14Our pup just kicked me.
00:38:16He must be strong,
00:38:17just like his father.
00:38:22Kellen's expression
00:38:23eased a little.
00:38:24At that moment,
00:38:25the pack matriarch
00:38:26contacted him
00:38:27through the pack link.
00:38:29Kellen,
00:38:29I heard
00:38:30that Vivian
00:38:31is carrying your pup.
00:38:32Kellen glanced
00:38:33at Vivian
00:38:34and answered,
00:38:35Yes.
00:38:36Then the mate banquet
00:38:37should be held first.
00:38:39As for the official
00:38:40red registry,
00:38:41wait until the pup
00:38:42is born.
00:38:46Serena's side
00:38:47has already
00:38:48been handled cleanly.
00:38:49Kellen frowned faintly.
00:38:52Handled cleanly.
00:38:55He thought she meant
00:38:56I had run away
00:38:56after making another scene.
00:38:59He did not ask
00:39:00one more question.
00:39:04A few days later,
00:39:05the mate Bentiful
00:39:06was held
00:39:07in the Black Pine
00:39:08ceremonial hall.
00:39:09Vivian wore
00:39:10a pale moon-colored gown.
00:39:11Her abdomen
00:39:12was slightly rounded
00:39:13beneath the soft fabric,
00:39:14and every elder
00:39:15who passed her
00:39:16smiled as if
00:39:17the future alpha grain
00:39:18had already been born.
00:39:19Kellen stood beside his mate.
00:39:21His face was calm,
00:39:22almost cold.
00:39:24No one could tell
00:39:25whether he looked
00:39:25like a bridegroom at all.
00:39:27During the blessing ritual,
00:39:29Vivian knelt
00:39:30before the pack matriarch
00:39:31and offered her
00:39:32a cup of moon tea
00:39:33with both hands.
00:39:35Mother,
00:39:36please accept my respect.
00:39:38The matriarch
00:39:39looked at Laetra
00:39:40left at Vivian's belly
00:39:41and laughed
00:39:41until the lines
00:39:42around her eyes
00:39:43softened.
00:39:44Good child,
00:39:45get up.
00:39:46Do not kneel
00:39:47too long.
00:39:48Be careful of the pup.
00:39:49She held at Vivian's hand,
00:39:51then turned to Kellen
00:39:52with satisfaction.
00:39:54Since Serena
00:39:55has already severed
00:39:56the Macon contract
00:39:57with you,
00:39:58live well with
00:39:59at Vivian
00:39:59from now on.
00:40:00I am still waiting
00:40:02to hold
00:40:02your strong alpha pup.
00:40:05The goblet in
00:40:07Killian's hand
00:40:07shattered.
00:40:11Blood slit down
00:40:12his palm,
00:40:13but he did not
00:40:14seem to feel it.
00:40:17Severed?
00:40:18His voice tightened.
00:40:25What mate contract
00:40:27was severed?
00:40:30The entire ceremonial
00:40:31hall went silence.
00:40:33Vivian's smile
00:40:34froze on her face.
00:40:36The pack matriarch
00:40:37stared at Kellen
00:40:38in confusion.
00:40:39You did not know?
00:40:42Kellen stepped down
00:40:43from the ritual platform.
00:40:46His alpha aura
00:40:47spread through the hall
00:40:48so suddenly
00:40:48that several
00:40:49lower-ranked wolves
00:40:50dropped to their knees.
00:40:54Say it again.
00:40:56What did Serena
00:40:56sever?
00:41:01Only then
00:41:02did the pack matriarch
00:41:03tell him everything.
00:41:04You didn't know?
00:41:05Et Serena
00:41:06knelt at the
00:41:06moon goddess altar
00:41:07and asked to sever
00:41:07your mate bond.
00:41:08She took the full
00:41:0999 wolf lashes
00:41:10then was locked
00:41:10in the silver-lined
00:41:11punishment chamber,
00:41:12starved,
00:41:12silenced,
00:41:13forced to press
00:41:14her blood seal
00:41:14on the severance papers.
00:41:15She left with nothing
00:41:16but the clothes
00:41:16on her back.
00:41:17Her name's already
00:41:18been erased
00:41:19from the Blackfine
00:41:19pack registry
00:41:21and by
00:41:21ancient pack law
00:41:23she will never
00:41:24ever be
00:41:25Blackfine's
00:41:26Luna again.
00:41:29Kellen lost control.
00:41:31Kellen lost control
00:41:32on the spot.
00:41:33He grabbed
00:41:34At Seth by the collar
00:41:35before At Seth
00:41:36could retreat
00:41:37into the crowd.
00:41:38You told me
00:41:39she cursed me
00:41:40and left on her own.
00:41:45Alpha,
00:41:45I only repeated
00:41:47what I heard.
00:41:53Seth's face went white.
00:41:55Kellen's eyes
00:41:55turned a dangerous red.
00:42:00Do not lie
00:42:01under my command.
00:42:02Tell me the truth.
00:42:04How exactly
00:42:06did Serena leave?
00:42:07The Alpha command
00:42:08crushed at Seth
00:42:09to his knees.
00:42:15Seth trembled violently.
00:42:17At last
00:42:18the truth
00:42:18spilled out.
00:42:21Seth admitted
00:42:22Vivian had ordered
00:42:22him to watch the altar.
00:42:24I saw the neutral register
00:42:25take her away.
00:42:26I saw the blood seal.
00:42:28I saw the elder
00:42:29removed
00:42:29removed her name
00:42:30from the pack registry.
00:42:31Kellen's grip
00:42:32loosened inch by inch.
00:42:34Miss Vivian told me
00:42:34to say the Luna
00:42:35cursed you.
00:42:36I was afraid.
00:42:38Alpha,
00:42:38I was afraid.
00:42:41I was afraid.
00:42:48Kellen released him
00:42:49and rushed back
00:42:49to Serena's room.
00:42:50He searched every corner
00:42:52but found only
00:42:53the moonstone pin ring
00:42:54and a scrap
00:42:55of burnt moon-breath silk.
00:42:56Only then
00:42:57did he seem to understand.
00:42:59Serena was not hiding
00:43:00and waiting for him
00:43:01to coax her back.
00:43:05She had truly gone.
00:43:08Kellen picked up
00:43:08the burnt silk.
00:43:10His fingertips shook.
00:43:15She burned this herself?
00:43:18No one dared answer.
00:43:20He remembered the way
00:43:21At Serena used to fold
00:43:22those gowns in the wardrobe,
00:43:24blushing whenever
00:43:25his gaze passed over her.
00:43:30He remembered calling them
00:43:31filthy tricks.
00:43:32He remembered forcing
00:43:33Wolfbeam down
00:43:34at Serena's throat.
00:43:41For the first time,
00:43:42the empty room
00:43:43felt louder
00:43:43than any scream.
00:43:46Find her.
00:43:47Search the Black Pine border,
00:43:49the Neutral Station Station,
00:43:50the Healer's Guild,
00:43:51every old territory
00:43:52of her mother's family.
00:43:56A warrior lowered his head.
00:44:00Alpha,
00:44:00if her name has been erased
00:44:02from the registry,
00:44:03our scent trackers
00:44:04may not be able
00:44:04to follow her.
00:44:06Kellen's face
00:44:07turned ashen.
00:44:11Then use mine.
00:44:13Use every memory
00:44:14of her scent
00:44:15I have left.
00:44:17He searched for Serena
00:44:18for a long time.
00:44:20The Black Pine border,
00:44:21the Neutral Station,
00:44:23the Healer's Guild,
00:44:25even the old territory
00:44:26of Serena's mother's family,
00:44:27where she had not been
00:44:28in years.
00:44:30He found nothing.
00:44:32On the fourth night,
00:44:33he passed at Vivian's room
00:44:35and heard laughter inside.
00:44:42At Vivian was mind-linking Seth.
00:44:45You have no idea
00:44:46how perfect it was.
00:44:47I had people post
00:44:48those Facebook rumors.
00:44:50I made myself look
00:44:51like the victim,
00:44:52cried a little,
00:44:53and Kellen nearly
00:44:54destroyed Serena for me.
00:44:56Seth's voice was low
00:44:58and nervous
00:44:58through the mind link.
00:45:05Miss Vivian,
00:45:06the Alpha is already suspicious.
00:45:09Vivian laughed softly.
00:45:11Suspicious of what?
00:45:12That low-born healer
00:45:14has been erased,
00:45:15exiled,
00:45:15and left with silver wounds
00:45:16and bond backlash.
00:45:18Whether she survives this winter
00:45:19is another question.
00:45:22Did she really think
00:45:24she could be Luna?
00:45:25A low-born healer
00:45:26whose wolf spirit
00:45:27had been suppressed
00:45:28until it nearly vanished?
00:45:32How could she compete with me?
00:45:36How could she compete
00:45:37Kellen kicked the door open.
00:45:39Vivian turned and saw him.
00:45:41All color drained of her face.
00:45:43Kellen,
00:45:43Kellen,
00:45:44let me explain.
00:45:45He walked in step by step.
00:45:47His voice was terrifyingly soft.
00:45:52You lied to me?
00:45:57A few days later,
00:45:59the investigation report
00:46:00was placed before
00:46:01at Kellen.
00:46:04She had staged
00:46:05the wolfbine poisoning,
00:46:07paid Seth to spread
00:46:08the Facebook posts,
00:46:09forged pregnancy proof,
00:46:10arranged the rogue attack
00:46:11at her own birthday banquet,
00:46:12and even obtained
00:46:13the silver water on the blade
00:46:14from old retainers
00:46:15of her family.
00:46:15Alpha,
00:46:16every payment,
00:46:17every forged record,
00:46:18and every purchase
00:46:19sent medicine
00:46:19points back to Miss Vivian.
00:46:24Vivian knelled on the floor,
00:46:26hugging Kellen's leg
00:46:26as she cried.
00:46:28I only loved you too much.
00:46:30I was afraid
00:46:31you would never give me
00:46:31the luma position.
00:46:33Kellen,
00:46:33I am carrying your pup.
00:46:35For the child's sake.
00:46:39Kellen lowered his gaze
00:46:40to her abdomen,
00:46:41his expression complicated.
00:46:43Alpha,
00:46:44there is no pup.
00:46:45The so-called fetal scent
00:46:46was created by witch medicine.
00:46:54Vivian collapsed
00:46:55to the floor.
00:46:57No.
00:46:58Aunt Kellen,
00:46:59listen to me.
00:46:59I can still give you a pup.
00:47:01I can still be useful
00:47:02to Black Pine.
00:47:05Kellen Black
00:47:06closed his eyes.
00:47:08Send her to
00:47:09Silvermoon Sanatorium.
00:47:10Tell the director
00:47:11she is charged
00:47:11with serious fraud,
00:47:13harming the luna,
00:47:15and forging
00:47:16the Alpha bloodline.
00:47:18Without both my order
00:47:19and the council's order,
00:47:20she is not to be released.
00:47:22By then,
00:47:23I had already settled
00:47:24in the southern neutral lands.
00:47:34There was no Black Pipe
00:47:35cedar scent there,
00:47:36no council judgment bell,
00:47:38and no one
00:47:39called me Luna.
00:47:41I worked in a small
00:47:42ceremonial tailor shop,
00:47:43altering Luna gowns
00:47:44and pup cloaks
00:47:45for passing wolves.
00:47:46At first,
00:47:46my body was so weak
00:47:47that my fingers shook
00:47:48after a few stitches.
00:47:49At night,
00:47:50Bond acclash would flare
00:47:51like invisible claws
00:47:52tearing through my ribs.
00:47:53The owner was
00:47:54an elderly Omega woman.
00:47:56She never asked
00:47:56about my past.
00:47:57She only left
00:47:58warm soup by my door.
00:48:00Drink it while it is warm,
00:48:02child.
00:48:02A wolf that survives
00:48:04winter will eventually
00:48:05find spring.
00:48:14One snowy evening,
00:48:15a tall man entered
00:48:16the shop with a torn
00:48:17ceremonial cloak.
00:48:18His scent was
00:48:19clean snow and pine.
00:48:23He was Adrian Winter,
00:48:25Alpha of Frostcrown,
00:48:27and one of the
00:48:28neutral court's
00:48:28arbitersers.
00:48:29He looked at the
00:48:30silver scars on my wrist
00:48:31and then at my
00:48:32lowered head.
00:48:34He did not ask
00:48:35who had hurt me.
00:48:37He only said,
00:48:38Your wolf is still alive.
00:48:40My fingers froze
00:48:41on the needle.
00:48:51Let her stand
00:48:52when she is ready.
00:48:53Do not force her
00:48:54to kneel
00:48:55for anyone again.
00:48:57That was the first time
00:48:58since leaving Blackport
00:48:59that I cried.
00:49:03Not because of pain,
00:49:05because someone had seen
00:49:06the part of me
00:49:07that was still alive.
00:49:11Adrian courted me
00:49:12slowly.
00:49:15On full moon nights,
00:49:16he sat with me
00:49:17in the yard
00:49:18behind the shop
00:49:19and watched my
00:49:20white wolf spirit
00:49:21try to stand
00:49:21beneath the moonlight.
00:49:23When backlash struck,
00:49:24he used his Alpha scent
00:49:25to shield me
00:49:26from the worst
00:49:27of the pain,
00:49:27but he never forced
00:49:28touch on me.
00:49:30Once,
00:49:31I asked him,
00:49:33Does it bother you
00:49:34that I severed
00:49:34a mate bond before?
00:49:35He looked at me
00:49:36with steady seriousness.
00:49:38You are not
00:49:38someone's used possession.
00:49:40You are Serena.
00:49:41If you want to accept me,
00:49:42I will wait.
00:49:43If you do not,
00:49:44I will still protect
00:49:46everyone in the neutral lands,
00:49:47including you.
00:49:49Something touched
00:49:49my heart softly.
00:49:53I had thought
00:49:54it was dead.
00:49:56But when spring came,
00:49:57it insisted on living.
00:50:00One afternoon,
00:50:02Adrian and I returned
00:50:02from the neutral market.
00:50:03He carried fabric,
00:50:05and I held a bag
00:50:05of moon oranges.
00:50:06The wind trimes
00:50:07at the corner rang lightly.
00:50:09I had just laughed
00:50:10at something he said
00:50:11when I caught
00:50:11a familiar scent
00:50:12of cedar and mint.
00:50:16My smile froze.
00:50:20Kellen stood
00:50:21beneath the stone bridge.
00:50:23He had lost weight.
00:50:24His eyes were bloodshot.
00:50:26The Alpha aura
00:50:27that had once been
00:50:27sharp and untouchable
00:50:28was now chaotic
00:50:29and unstable.
00:50:37I stepped back
00:50:39without thinking.
00:50:43Adrian held my hand
00:50:44and stood in front of me.
00:50:48Alpha,
00:50:49you are frightening her.
00:50:55Kellen stared
00:50:55at our joined hands.
00:50:57His wolf surged
00:50:58in his eyes.
00:51:00Who are you
00:51:00to touch her?
00:51:01She is my mate!
00:51:06I am not.
00:51:07He rushed forward
00:51:08to grab my arm.
00:51:09I know I was wrong.
00:51:10Vivian lied to me.
00:51:11I have found out everything.
00:51:12I locked her away.
00:51:13She will never appear
00:51:14before you again.
00:51:15Come back to Black Pine
00:51:16with me.
00:51:17We can start over.
00:51:18His tone was humble,
00:51:19unlike the arrogant
00:51:20Alpha I remembered.
00:51:22But I only felt disgust.
00:51:25Let go.
00:51:27He did not.
00:51:32Adrian closed his hand
00:51:33around Kellen's wrist.
00:51:34She told you to let go.
00:51:36The next second,
00:51:37Kellen swung a fist at him.
00:51:39Two Alpha eras
00:51:41collided on the street.
00:51:43Ordinary wolves nearby
00:51:44went pale under the pressure.
00:51:48Kellen fought like a madman,
00:51:50striking toward vital points.
00:51:57She is mine!
00:52:00From the moment you chose
00:52:02to betray Serena,
00:52:03she ceased to belong to you.
00:52:05Especially now that she has
00:52:06severed her ties as your partner.
00:52:08Partner.
00:52:09She belongs only to herself.
00:52:13While Adrian shielded me,
00:52:15Kellen drove a fist
00:52:16towards his temple.
00:52:24I saw a wooden flag
00:52:25go by the road.
00:52:27My body moved
00:52:28before my mind did.
00:52:35I grabbed the pole
00:52:36and struck Kellen
00:52:36across the back.
00:52:41Kellen took a step back
00:52:42in disbelief.
00:52:46Adrian turned sharply.
00:52:50Serena!
00:52:51I stood there,
00:52:52both hands shaking
00:52:53around the pole,
00:52:54my breath unbeaven.
00:52:57Kellen looked back at me
00:52:58in disdisbelief.
00:53:02You hit me?
00:53:03I gazed at him,
00:53:05my eyes holding nothing
00:53:06but unfamiliarity
00:53:07and war-offing.
00:53:11Yes.
00:53:12And if you touch him again,
00:53:14I will hit you harder.
00:53:16For a long moment,
00:53:18something in his expression
00:53:19shattered.
00:53:22Perhaps in his memory,
00:53:23I was still the woman
00:53:25who would wait at the door
00:53:25with warm soup
00:53:26no matter how late
00:53:27he came home.
00:53:27But that woman
00:53:29had died in the
00:53:30silver-lined chamber.
00:53:34The neutral guards
00:53:35arrived quickly
00:53:36and separated them.
00:53:41Kellen stared at me
00:53:42as if he wanted
00:53:43to say a thousand things.
00:53:46I did not give him
00:53:47the chance.
00:53:49I took Adrian's hand
00:53:51and walked away.
00:53:52Behind me,
00:53:53Kellen's voice broke.
00:53:55Serena!
00:53:56I was wrong!
00:53:58Tell me what I have to do!
00:53:59I will do anything!
00:54:01I did not turn back.
00:54:05Because the answer
00:54:06was simple.
00:54:08There was nothing
00:54:09he could do.
00:54:15That evening,
00:54:16Adrian dispected
00:54:17the torn skin
00:54:18on my palm.
00:54:21You did not have
00:54:22to protect me.
00:54:23I know.
00:54:25I wanted to.
00:54:27He looked at me
00:54:28for a long time,
00:54:29then lowered his eyes
00:54:30with a faint smile.
00:54:32Then I am honored.
00:54:35When Kellen woke,
00:54:36he was in the
00:54:37neutral healing center.
00:54:39Beta reported to him
00:54:40all the interrogation
00:54:41results regarding Vivian.
00:54:43Kellen pulled out
00:54:43the blood needle
00:54:44and said only one thing.
00:54:46I want to see her.
00:54:47Seth urged him
00:54:48to return to Black Pine.
00:54:50Alpha,
00:54:50you cannot keep
00:54:51losing control.
00:54:53Black Pine needs you.
00:54:54The elders were
00:54:55preparing a vote
00:54:56to suspend his authority
00:54:57because he had left
00:54:58the territory
00:54:59without permission.
00:55:01Smaller packs
00:55:01were testing
00:55:02the Black Pine border.
00:55:04Kellen did not
00:55:04seem to hear.
00:55:08Bring Vivian.
00:55:09I will make her
00:55:10kneel before Serena
00:55:11and return everything
00:55:12she owes.
00:55:12When Aunt Vivian
00:55:13was dragged out
00:55:14of Silvermoon's
00:55:15sanatorium,
00:55:16none of her old
00:55:16pure-blood pride
00:55:17remained.
00:55:18Her hair was tangled.
00:55:21Moon iron chains
00:55:22locked around her wrists
00:55:23to suppress her wolf.
00:55:25The moment she saw Kellen,
00:55:26she rushed toward him
00:55:27crying.
00:55:32Kellen,
00:55:33you finally came
00:55:34to see me.
00:55:35I know I was wrong.
00:55:36I really do.
00:55:37Kellen did not
00:55:38even look at her.
00:55:41He ordered the guards
00:55:42to press her down
00:55:43in front of my shop.
00:55:45That day,
00:55:46I was hemming
00:55:47a full moon cloak
00:55:48for a pup.
00:55:49When I heard the commotion
00:55:51and looked up,
00:55:51I saw Forstus kneel
00:55:53in the rain.
00:55:57Kellen stood behind Vivian.
00:55:59In his eyes
00:55:59was a desperate,
00:56:00almost obsessive hope.
00:56:02Serena,
00:56:03she is here to confess.
00:56:05Vivian trembled
00:56:05as she spoke.
00:56:06I am sorry, Luna.
00:56:08No, Serena.
00:56:09I should not have
00:56:09framed you
00:56:10for the Wolf Sabane.
00:56:11I should not have
00:56:11forged Facebook posts.
00:56:12I should not have
00:56:13lied to Kellen
00:56:13and said I carried
00:56:14an alpha pup.
00:56:15I should not have
00:56:16arranged the rogue attack
00:56:16and blamed you.
00:56:18I was wrong.
00:56:20Please ask him
00:56:21to despair me.
00:56:23She cried miserably,
00:56:24her knees sinking
00:56:25into mud.
00:56:26Wail wolves
00:56:27gathered around
00:56:27to watch.
00:56:28Kellen looked at me,
00:56:29his voice low
00:56:30and pleading.
00:56:31See?
00:56:31She admitted it.
00:56:32You can punish her
00:56:33however you want.
00:56:34Make her kneel
00:56:34as long as you like.
00:56:35Lock her away.
00:56:36Exile her as a rogue.
00:56:37I will listen to you.
00:56:39He paused.
00:56:40As long as you
00:56:41come back with me.
00:56:42I laughed suddenly.
00:56:45Not because it felt good,
00:56:47but because it was absurd.
00:56:49Kellen,
00:56:50do you think this
00:56:51cancels out
00:56:52what I suffered?
00:56:52His face turned pale.
00:56:56I pointed at Vivian,
00:56:57kneeling on the ground,
00:56:58then at him.
00:57:01You once pushed me
00:57:02toward a silver blade
00:57:03for her.
00:57:03You locked me
00:57:04in a silver line chamber
00:57:05for her.
00:57:05You spread my private shame
00:57:06across Facebook for her.
00:57:07Now, for me,
00:57:08you make her kneel
00:57:08in public without hesitation.
00:57:09Whether it is her or me,
00:57:11in your eyes,
00:57:11we are only objects
00:57:12you can arrange
00:57:12and punish
00:57:13whenever you wish,
00:57:14aren't we?
00:57:15Kellen froze.
00:57:16No!
00:57:17I only wanted you
00:57:18to feel avenged.
00:57:19I smiled calmly,
00:57:21my gaze toward
00:57:22and felled with sympathy.
00:57:23You still do not understand
00:57:25what respect means.
00:57:26I turned
00:57:27and picked up
00:57:27the umbrella
00:57:28beside the door.
00:57:31Adrian was already
00:57:32standing in the rain.
00:57:33He had not interfered.
00:57:35He was simply
00:57:36waiting for my choice.
00:57:40I walked to his side.
00:57:43Kellen panicked
00:57:44and tried to rush over,
00:57:46but the neutral guards
00:57:46blocked him.
00:57:48Serena!
00:57:49Don't choose him!
00:57:52I was your first mate!
00:57:54He can never
00:57:55replace me!
00:57:56I looked back
00:57:57at him one last time.
00:58:01Take yourself
00:58:02righteousness
00:58:02and arrogance
00:58:03and leave.
00:58:05I do not need it.
00:58:07Rain blurred his face.
00:58:09For the first time,
00:58:10I saw him
00:58:11truly helpless.
00:58:12But,
00:58:13helplessness
00:58:14was not regret.
00:58:15And regret
00:58:16was not love.
00:58:18I did not
00:58:19attend the court hearing.
00:58:21I only submitted
00:58:23a blood-sealed testimony.
00:58:24It contained records
00:58:25of my silver wound,
00:58:27wolf-band tests,
00:58:28Vivian's forged documents,
00:58:30screenshots from Facebook,
00:58:32and the healing records
00:58:33from before and after
00:58:34I was forced to sign
00:58:35in the punishment chamber.
00:58:37Adrian asked me,
00:58:41Do you want to watch him
00:58:42be judged
00:58:42with your own eyes?
00:58:43I shook my head.
00:58:48I do not need
00:58:49to see him fall
00:58:50to prove I survived.
00:58:51Still,
00:58:51the result
00:58:52reached the neutral lands.
00:58:54Kellen Black's
00:58:55Alpha Alpha authority
00:58:56is suspended
00:58:56for one year.
00:58:58The Black Pine Elders Council
00:58:59must issue
00:59:00a public apology
00:59:01to the neutral court.
00:59:03Vivian will be stripped
00:59:04of her pure blood status
00:59:06and exiled
00:59:06to the Frost Labor Lands
00:59:07for forging an air bloodline
00:59:09and harming
00:59:09a registered Luna.
00:59:13Seth will lose
00:59:14one fang
00:59:15and be expelled
00:59:16from Blackpone.
00:59:20Kellen refused
00:59:21to accept
00:59:22the distance
00:59:22between us.
00:59:27Later,
00:59:28someone from Frostcrown
00:59:29delivered him a message.
00:59:30Since you never
00:59:31understood pain,
00:59:32remember it
00:59:33with your own body.
00:59:37No one killed him.
00:59:38The court sentenced him
00:59:39to three months
00:59:40of service
00:59:40at the Silver Mine border,
00:59:42clearing old hunter traps
00:59:43contaminated with silver
00:59:44and wolf bite.
00:59:47It was the kind
00:59:48of low-ranking warrior's
00:59:49work he had once despised.
00:59:54I thought the court sentence
00:59:56would be the end.
00:59:57Vivian had been transferred
00:59:58from Silvermoon Sanatorium
00:59:59to the Frost Labor Lands
01:00:00after the neutral court ruling.
01:00:03Kellen had been sent
01:00:04to the Silver Mine border.
01:00:06Seth had lost one bang
01:00:07and vanished from Blackpone.
01:00:09Later,
01:00:10I learned that several
01:00:11old retainers
01:00:11of Vivian's family
01:00:12bragged the escort guards
01:00:13during the transfer
01:00:14and helped her escape
01:00:15into the Frostcrown border woods.
01:00:16Kellen heard of Vivian's escape
01:00:18while serving his sentence
01:00:19near the Silver Mine border.
01:00:20He knew her hatred
01:00:21would lead her to me.
01:00:22So he followed
01:00:23the rogue scent trail
01:00:24all night.
01:00:25Before leaving the Mine border,
01:00:27he had already prepared
01:00:28a blood-sealed transfer file
01:00:29and the Blackpine Luna crown,
01:00:31intending to leave them
01:00:31with the neutral court
01:00:32as compensation
01:00:33after his sentence ended.
01:00:34For a few quiet days,
01:00:36I almost believed
01:00:37the old nightmare
01:00:37had finally stopped breathing.
01:00:40That night,
01:00:42Adrian came to my shop
01:00:43to pick me up.
01:00:44The patrols found
01:00:44strange tracks
01:00:45near the North Woods.
01:00:46Stay close to me tonight.
01:00:51Before I could answer,
01:00:52a low laugh
01:00:52came from the fog.
01:00:56Vivian stepped out
01:00:57from behind the trees.
01:00:58Her white dancer's gown
01:00:59was torn,
01:01:00her hair tangled,
01:01:01but the hatred in her eyes
01:01:02was sharper than ever.
01:01:06You took everything
01:01:07from me, Serena.
01:01:09Behind her stood rogue wolves.
01:01:11Their bodies smelled of blood,
01:01:13hunger,
01:01:13and old crimes.
01:01:16She promised us
01:01:17Frostcrown's Luna.
01:01:19Kill the woman.
01:01:20Take the reward.
01:01:22Adrian's eyes went cold.
01:01:24Vivian,
01:01:25you have just turned exile
01:01:27into a death sentence.
01:01:28Vivian stepped out
01:01:29from behind the trees.
01:01:31She deserves to die!
01:01:33To die!
01:01:34If I cannot be Luna,
01:01:36neither can she!
01:01:37Vivian screamed.
01:01:41The rogue wolves lunged.
01:01:46Adrian threw one aside,
01:01:47but another came at me
01:01:49from behind
01:01:49with a wolf's horn
01:01:50coated blade in.
01:01:52I heard the blade
01:01:53cut through the air.
01:01:54Then someone crashed into me
01:01:55and pulled me behind his body.
01:01:57The blade sank
01:01:57into Kellen's chest.
01:01:59Blood splashed
01:02:00across the snow.
01:02:01Caden stuggered,
01:02:03but he did not fall.
01:02:05His damaged wolf spirit
01:02:06roared once,
01:02:07forcing the rogue wolf back.
01:02:12This time,
01:02:14I did not push you
01:02:15toward the blade.
01:02:18I froze.
01:02:19Caelan turned his pale face
01:02:21toward me.
01:02:23Serena,
01:02:24run.
01:02:26Adrian killed one rogue wolf
01:02:28with a single strike.
01:02:29The Frostcrown guards
01:02:30arrived almost immediately
01:02:30and surrounded the woods.
01:02:32Vivian tried to flee,
01:02:33but Adrian's command
01:02:33froze every wolf
01:02:34in the clearing.
01:02:35Take her alive.
01:02:36No,
01:02:36Caelan,
01:02:36save me!
01:02:37You love me once!
01:02:37Vivian struggled wildly.
01:02:39Caelan did not even look at her.
01:02:40He knelt in the snow.
01:02:42One hand pressed
01:02:43against his chest.
01:02:44Black blood
01:02:45seeped through his fingers.
01:02:46The wolf spike
01:02:47on the blade
01:02:48had entered
01:02:48his old silver wounds.
01:02:50His wolf spirit
01:02:50was dying.
01:02:51Caelan took out
01:02:52the blood-sealed
01:02:52transfer file
01:02:53from inside his coat
01:02:54and pushed it toward me.
01:02:55Everything under
01:02:55my personal name.
01:02:57My private residence,
01:02:58my personal share
01:02:59of the border mines,
01:02:59the trade profits,
01:03:00and the compensation fund
01:03:02I prepared for you.
01:03:02All of it is yours.
01:03:04I did not reach for it.
01:03:05I do not want your money.
01:03:07Caelan gave a broken smile.
01:03:08Then burn it.
01:03:09Give it away.
01:03:11Use it to heal
01:03:11every low-bren wolf
01:03:12Black Pine ever humiliated.
01:03:14I only want it
01:03:15to stop belonging to me.
01:03:16His fingers trembled
01:03:17as he opened
01:03:18a dark velvet box.
01:03:19Inside lay
01:03:20the Black Pine Luna crown.
01:03:21It was not silver.
01:03:22It was carved
01:03:23from Black Pine wood,
01:03:24Oxydean,
01:03:25and Moonstone.
01:03:26The Moonstone at the center
01:03:27glowed faintly
01:03:28under the full moon.
01:03:29Caelan lifted it
01:03:30with both hands.
01:03:31I had this locked away
01:03:32for three years.
01:03:33I told myself
01:03:34you were not ready for it.
01:03:35His voice broke.
01:03:38I was wrong.
01:03:39I was the one
01:03:40unworthy of standing
01:03:41beside you.
01:03:41He placed the crown
01:03:42on the snow before me.
01:03:43I am sorry.
01:03:44This should have belonged
01:03:45to you from the beginning.
01:03:46For a moment,
01:03:47I remembered the man
01:03:48I had once loved.
01:03:49Then I remembered
01:03:50every wound
01:03:50he had left behind.
01:03:52Caelan,
01:03:52I will not forgive you.
01:03:54I know.
01:03:55Caelan closed his eyes.
01:03:56One wounded rogue wolf
01:03:57suddenly crushed a vial
01:03:58of wolfspot smoke
01:03:58under his claws.
01:03:59The bitter mist
01:04:00exploded through the clearing,
01:04:01breaking Adrian's command
01:04:02for a single second.
01:04:03Vivian tore free
01:04:04from the guard holding her,
01:04:04pulled a hidden dagger
01:04:05from her boot
01:04:06and rushed toward me.
01:04:07Caelan used the last
01:04:07of his strength to stand.
01:04:08He blocked her again.
01:04:10Caelan's wolf spirit
01:04:11shattered in the moonlight.
01:04:12Before he fell,
01:04:13he whispered
01:04:14one last sentence.
01:04:14At least,
01:04:15this time,
01:04:16I protected you.
01:04:17Then Caelan Black
01:04:18died in the snow.
01:04:20Vivian was brought
01:04:21before the frost crown
01:04:22moon goddess altar
01:04:23three days later.
01:04:23Her hands were bound
01:04:24with black iron chains.
01:04:25Her face was no longer beautiful.
01:04:26Fear had stripped away
01:04:27every trace of her old arrogance.
01:04:28Vivian,
01:04:28neutral court once sentenced
01:04:29you only to labor
01:04:29in the frost lands,
01:04:30yet you remained incurcable.
01:04:32The neutral judge
01:04:32read her crimes aloud.
01:04:46Vivian screamed
01:04:46until her voice cracked.
01:04:56No one answered her.
01:04:58The moon goddess seal
01:04:59lit beneath her feet.
01:05:00A pale wolf shadow
01:05:01tore itself from her body.
01:05:02It struggled.
01:05:03Howled,
01:05:03then shattered
01:05:04under the cold moonlight.
01:05:05Her body survived,
01:05:06but the wolf inside her
01:05:07was gone forever.
01:05:08She collapsed to the ground.
01:05:09For the first time,
01:05:10she had no wolf scent.
01:05:11No pack would accept her.
01:05:12No alpha command
01:05:13would answer her.
01:05:15No full moon
01:05:15would ever call to her again.
01:05:20She was dragged
01:05:20beyond the border
01:05:22and thrown into the wild.
01:05:23Three months later,
01:05:24at Adrian and I
01:05:25held a commitment ceremony.
01:05:26Not a trial,
01:05:26a mate bonding ritual.
01:05:28I wore a white frost pattern
01:05:29luna gown
01:05:29and submission for me
01:05:30with no command in his eyes.
01:05:31I will respect your silence,
01:05:32your anger,
01:05:33your fear,
01:05:33and your freedom.
01:05:34I will honor your no
01:05:34before I ever ask for your yes.
01:05:36If one day you choose to walk away,
01:05:37I will not hunt you.
01:05:38If one day you choose to stay,
01:05:40I will never betray you.
01:05:41My eyes warmed.
01:05:42Under the full moon,
01:05:43my wolf spirit
01:05:43finally lifted her head.
01:05:45For the first time,
01:05:45she was not afraid.
01:05:46I stepped forward
01:05:47and placed my hand in his.
01:05:48Then I choose you.
01:05:49The frost crown wolves bowed.
01:05:51Adrian lowered his head
01:05:52and kissed the back of my hand
01:05:53like a vow.
01:05:54From this moon onward,
01:05:55you are not my possession.
01:05:56You are my equal.
01:05:57The moonlight fell over us.
01:05:59And this time when the bond formed
01:06:00did not feel like chains.
01:06:02It felt like home.
01:06:03I know that I have finally ushered
01:06:05in a brand new life.
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