When Moonlight Turns To Ashes - Ep

GlimpseBox

4 hours ago

Transcript

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.

00:00:48From 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.

00:01:09I 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.

00:01:21No mind link meant no shared pain, no shared scent trail.

00:01:24No true bond. It 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 moonbreed essence.

00:01:45This is a sex toy, capable of setting a male wolf ablaze with desire.

00:01:49During 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 Kaylin 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 inside, but said nothing more.

00:02:28But as soon as I stepped out of the black market alley,

00:02:31I saw Kaylin'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 moonbreadth 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? Who is Vivian?

00:02:53Why would my Aleef 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 Kaylin,

00:03:03all the way to a side house,

00:03:06near 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.

00:03:39Does 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,

00:03:45Kaylin's voice cut through the room like ice.

00:03:49Enough.

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.

00:04:11Kaylin, 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,

00:04:19Kaylin'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,

00:04:36he 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,

00:05:12every 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,

00:05:24my bloodline too unstable,

00:05:25and my Luna blessing too thin to nourish the pack.

00:05:31Kaelin's mother once forced me

00:05:32to kneel before 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,

00:05:53Do 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

00:06:05of keeping his reputation intact.

00:06:06My legs weakened.

00:06:08I stumbled against a moonstone lamp beside the door.

00:06:11It crashed to the ground.

00:06:19Who's there?

00:06:20I 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.

00:06:36Kaelin saw my face.

00:06:37His pupils contracted.

00:06:40Serena?

00:06:43He dropped to one knee and reached for my wound.

00:06:45I turned my face if it's 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?

00:07:17I did not answer.

00:07:18I looked at the oxydian blade at Kaelin's waist.

00:07:25Give me the knife.

00:07:28Kaelin stared at the blood on my forehead.

00:07:31Panic flickered in his eyes.

00:07:34Give me the knife.

00:07:39Serena, 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,

00:07:56and drove it into his arm.

00:08:00Everyone in the room gasped.

00:08:04Kaelin 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.

00:08:13I released the blade and turned toward Vivian.

00:08:15She instinctively stepped back,

00:08:17fear-fired me.

00:08:23But before I could reach her,

00:08:24Kaelin seized my wrist.

00:08:26What are you doing?

00:08:27His grip was so hard it 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 wolfbane 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.

00:08:47I had heard those words before.

00:08:48In the first year of our mate contract,

00:08:51a 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.

00:09:10Now he stood in the same posture,

00:09:12protecting another woman from me.

00:09:16Kaelin, we'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, let's sever the mate haunt.

00:09:34The room went dead silent.

00:09:37His expression changed at last.

00:09:40What did you say?

00:09:41I want to leave Blackforn.

00:09:43I want my name removed from the pack registry.

00:09:48I reject you.

00:09:51And 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 you 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,

00:10:46the neutral register will review the petition,

00:10:48cut off the pack link,

00:10:49remove her name from the registry

00:10:50and ban her from Blackforn territory.

00:10:52Are you sure?

00:10:53I am.

00:10:54I pressed my forehead to the stone floor.

00:10:56My wound reopened,

00:10:58leaving blood on the altar.

00:11:03The first whip fell before dawn.

00:11:09By the time it ended,

00:11:11I could no longer tell

00:11:12whether the blood on my back

00:11:13was mine or 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

00:11:25of 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 to the Luna suite with a fever.

00:11:43Servants were carrying boxes of gowns,

00:11:44jewelry, and ceremonial ornaments into the hall.

00:11:47Kellen walked in holding at Vivian's hand.

00:11:49She looked reluctant,

00:11:50but the moonstone bracelet on her wrist

00:11:52was the one he had once promised to 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 for 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

00:12:14as if he were announcing weather.

00:12:16This happened because you lost control, Aunt Serena.

00:12:18Luna, so you will take care of her.

00:12:22You want the Luna you drugged to serve your mistress?

00:12:28I do not need your charity.

00:12:29The pack matriarch arrived just then.

00:12:31She heard Vivian's words and showed no anger.

00:12:34Instead, she took Vivian's hand with rare kindness.

00:12:36Poor child.

00:12:37Your mother was once my dearest friend.

00:12:39If not for what happened to your family,

00:12:41the Luna position should have been yours.

00:12:42I stood on the stairs and watched the woman

00:12:44who had beaten and humiliated me

00:12:45treat Aunt Vivian like a blessing

00:12:46sent by the moon goddess.

00:12:48Something in me went completely numb.

00:12:55I slowly took off the partner ring.

00:12:57The one belonging to Kellen and me.

00:13:12Over the next few days,

00:13:14I packed my few belongings while tending to my wounds.

00:13:17Vivian found fault with everything.

00:13:19The water I brought was not at the right temperature.

00:13:23The herbs I prepared were too bitter.

00:13:25The pillow I placed behind her back

00:13:27was an insult because it made her look like an invalid.

00:13:32Luna?

00:13:33Are you doing this on purpose?

00:13:36Do you want everyone to think I am bullying you?

00:13:38When the pack matriarch punished me for it,

00:13:41Vivian said I was kneeling too low on purpose,

00:13:43pretending to be a victim to shame her.

00:13:46A Luna without grace is more shaming than an Omega.

00:13:49Kneel until you remember your place.

00:13:51One evening,

00:13:52after she accused me of washing her dance down

00:13:54with the wrong moonflower soap,

00:13:55I was made to kneel at the altar for an entire day.

00:13:59I used to look at Vivian's graceful body and feel ashamed.

00:14:03I used to thought I was not worthy.

00:14:05Now I only felt sick.

00:14:07When I returned to my room,

00:14:08I burned the moon breath gowns I had once prepared for Kellen.

00:14:14Watching the silk curl into ash,

00:14:16I felt the last of my old dignity burn with it.

00:14:20As I reached for the last gown,

00:14:22the door was kicked open.

00:14:26A slap landed hard across my face.

00:14:30I fell to the floor.

00:14:34Kellen said...

00:14:35You have really disappointed me.

00:14:38My voice was soft,

00:14:39but it did not shake.

00:14:41I did not add wolfine to her water.

00:14:47Vivian stepped out from behind Kellen.

00:14:49Her face was pale,

00:14:50her eyes wet.

00:14:52Luna,

00:14:52I know you hate me,

00:14:53but I am a full moon dancer.

00:14:55My wolf spirit cannot be harmed.

00:14:58How could you be so cruel?

00:14:59She pressed a hand to her heart,

00:15:01as if she might collapse.

00:15:03I looked at Kellen.

00:15:08Do you believe her?

00:15:12His gaze fell on the moon breath gown half burned behind me.

00:15:15It was pale gold,

00:15:16woven from moonvine silk that could amplify a wolf's scent.

00:15:20I had once blushed while imagining wearing it for him under the full moon.

00:15:26Kellen laughed suddenly,

00:15:27and the sound was full of disgust.

00:15:29No wonder you needed that thing.

00:15:31You cannot attract your own alpha,

00:15:33so you rely on black market witches,

00:15:34cheap potions,

00:15:35and filthy tricks.

00:15:37It felt as if something had carved open my chest.

00:15:41Kellen,

00:15:42is this the image you 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 drugging others,

00:15:55taste it yourself.

00:16:02I finally struggled.

00:16:04My broken wrist hit the table.

00:16:06Pain nearly knocked me unconscious,

00:16:09but Kellen's alpha command pressed down on me,

00:16:11and my knees went weak against my will.

00:16:15Drink.

00:16:17He issued the command,

00:16:18then ruthlessly mixed wolfbrain powder with cold water

00:16:20and poured it down my throat.

00:16:26This is the price you pay for trying to hurt Vivian.

00:16:31Kellen forced bowl after bowl of cold water

00:16:33laced with wolf's bean down my throat.

00:16:37I choked until I coughed blood.

00:16:40At last,

00:16:41I collapsed on the floor

00:16:42and heard Kellen say coldly,

00:16:45Send her back to her room.

00:16:47Let her reflect.

00:16:51The next few days,

00:16:53my body felt as if it belonged to a stranger.

00:16:57My face swolled.

00:16:58My limbs turned heavy.

00:17:00Even my own scent became muddy and unfamiliar.

00:17:02The woman in the mirror had dull eyes

00:17:04and a pale neck.

00:17:08Kellen did not visit me once.

00:17:12On the fifth day,

00:17:13he pushed open the door in a formal black suit.

00:17:16Vivian's rose and cedar scent clung to him.

00:17:19Tomorrow is Vivian's birthday banquet.

00:17:21He looked down at me from above.

00:17:23You are still the Luna in name.

00:17:26You will arrange the banquet yourself.

00:17:28I want every werewolf in the Black Pine Pack

00:17:31to clearly understand Vivian's standing within the pack.

00:17:36And what place is that?

00:17:39His gaze darkened.

00:17:40I slowly seestood,

00:17:42using the bedpost for support.

00:17:44Every step sent cramps through my abdomen

00:17:45from the wolfbine reaction.

00:17:47Your lover?

00:17:48The woman you truly want to mark?

00:17:50Or the new Luna you want me to welcome with my own hands?

00:17:56At Serena,

00:17:58know your limits.

00:18:02My limits?

00:18:04I thought you had already stepped over all of them.

00:18:07For the first time,

00:18:08he looked unsettled by my expression.

00:18:13But he quickly hardened his voice.

00:18:20If you behave,

00:18:21after the banquet,

00:18:23I will ask the healer to treat your body.

00:18:25The Luna position will remain yours.

00:18:30The Luna position.

00:18:35The empty shell he had tossed to me again and again.

00:18:38That night,

00:18:39while the servants prepared the hall,

00:18:41I wrote to the neutral registry again.

00:18:46If Blackbind would not let me go in dignity,

00:18:49then I would leave in blood.

00:18:53On the night of Vivian's full moon banquet,

00:18:56the Alpha residents blazed with lights.

00:18:59Vivian wore a pure white ceremonial dancing gown,

00:19:02with the moonstone gifted to her by Killen adorning her hair.

00:19:05She stood beside him as if the entire Blackbind pock

00:19:08had already accepted her as their new Luna.

00:19:11I stood in the shadows,

00:19:13draped in a loose gray cloak,

00:19:15attempting to conceal a body twisted

00:19:16beyond recognitionness by Wolfsbane.

00:19:19Guests whispered openly,

00:19:23That is the Blackpine Luna?

00:19:25She looks as if her wolf spirit has been drained.

00:19:29No wonder the Alpha never marked her.

00:19:31Miss Vivian is pure-blooded and a full moon dancer.

00:19:34She looks far more capable of bearing an Alpha pup.

00:19:42Kaylin heard them.

00:19:44He only lowered his head

00:19:46and adjusted Vivian's shrill with a tenderness

00:19:48that stabbed my eyes.

00:19:51Someone raised a glass.

00:19:54Alpha, it seems Blackpine will soon have a true mistress.

00:19:58Kaylin gave a rare smile.

00:20:02She deserves the best.

00:20:07Inside my sleeve,

00:20:09my fingers tightened around

00:20:10the blood-stamped severance application.

00:20:14Just as I was about to walk toward the neutral register,

00:20:16a roar came from the edge of the crowd.

00:20:23An exiled rogue wolf burst into the hall.

00:20:25His eyes were bloodshut,

00:20:26and in his hand was a short blade coated with silver water.

00:20:28Kaylin Black!

00:20:30You destroyed my pack!

00:20:32Now I will let you know what it feels like

00:20:33to lose the one you treasure most!

00:20:37He lunged straight at At Vivian's abdomen.

00:20:40Kellen's face changed.

00:20:49Before I could react,

00:20:51a powerful hand locked around my shoulder.

00:20:55Kaylin pushed me forward.

00:20:57The silver blade entered my abdomen.

00:21:00My inner wolf screamed as if she had been torn apart.

00:21:03Silver water burned through flesh and blood,

00:21:06spreading from the wound like a thousand needles

00:21:08crawling under my skin.

00:21:11I looked down and saw my cloak turning red.

00:21:19For one heartbeat,

00:21:21the hall was silent.

00:21:23Then screams exploded.

00:21:25Before darkness swallowed me,

00:21:26I saw Kaylin rush toward me,

00:21:28his eyes red as if he had finally learned fear.

00:21:34When I woke,

00:21:35I was lying in the pack healing center.

00:21:39My abdomen was wrapped in thick bandages.

00:21:42Silver poison still lingered in my blood,

00:21:43and every breath made me tremble.

00:21:46Kaylin sat beside the bed,

00:21:47his eyes lined with red.

00:21:49He held my hand tightly.

00:21:52You're awake.

00:21:54The healer said the blade almost touched your core bloodline,

00:21:57but luckily...

00:21:59It hurts so much, Kaylin.

00:22:07Kaylin stopped.

00:22:09I turned my head to look at him.

00:22:12When you pushed me in front of the blade,

00:22:14did you wonder if 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 a silver scar on her body.

00:22:24I did not think that much in the moment.

00:22:27I thought you could dodge.

00:22:31I smiled faintly.

00:22:36He always thought I could endure.

00:22:39He always thought I would survive.

00:22:41He always thought that after the wound closed,

00:22:43I would still remain where he or he had left me.

00:22:47Kaylin gripped my hand harder.

00:22:52The rogue has been caught.

00:22:54I will make him pay.

00:22:58I 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 from outside the door.

00:23:09They were congratulating her.

00:23:12Kaylin lowered his gaze and 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 your wound is deep.

00:23:24In the future,

00:23:25you may not be able to carry a puppy.

00:23:27But the moon goddess has not abandoned you.

00:23:30Vivian's child will be the alpha heir.

00:23:32When the pup is born,

00:23:33it can call you mother as well.

00:23:38I stared at him for a long time.

00:23:42Then I laughed until tears came out.

00:23:49So this was you called mercy.

00:23:51He had used my body to block a blade for his mistress and her fake tenderness.

00:23:54Then he wanted me to raise her pup and be grateful.

00:23:58But I have already decided to leave him.

00:24:00I will no longer grieve or weep over anything he does.

00:24:05The next day,

00:24:06I asked the neutral register to prepare the formal severance petition.

00:24:11But before the document could reach the elders' council,

00:24:14Vivian came to my room.

00:24:15She stood beside my bed holding a bouquet of moon-breath flowers,

00:24:19her voice dripping with false sweetness.

00:24:22Serena,

00:24:23I am truly sorry.

00:24:25I never knew Kellen would push you forward to save me.

00:24:27Her mouth apologized.

00:24:29Her eyes laughed.

00:24:30I looked at the flowers and felt sick.

00:24:33Apology received.

00:24:34Get out.

00:24:36The smile froze on her face.

00:24:41Do you hate me that much?

00:24:42I was a victim too.

00:24:45I opened my eyes and looked at her.

00:24:48Perhaps you once were.

00:24:49But Kellen isn't here now.

00:24:50No one will be watching your performance.

00:24:52Her face changed.

00:24:53She threw the flowers into the spittle wheel beside the bed and lowered her voice.

00:24:56Do you know what is most pathetic about you, Apc Serena?

00:24:58You occupied the Luna position for three years.

00:25:00And he still refused to give you even one mark.

00:25:06She leaned closer.

00:25:08Carrying Kellen's melanin's pheromone on her skin.

00:25:12The way he loses control with me is something you will never see in your lifetime.

00:25:17My fingers slowly clenched.

00:25:19If my family had not been framed by hunters,

00:25:22the Black Pine Luna position would have belonged to me from the beginning.

00:25:27You are nothing but the lowborn substitute, the elders, forced on him.

00:25:31I remained expressionless and even found her somewhat ridiculous.

00:25:39If you want it so much, take it.

00:25:42I have already applied to sever the mate bond.

00:25:44Vivian froze for a second.

00:25:46Then she burst out laughing.

00:25:50You think Kellen will let you leave?

00:25:51Unless Black Pine decides you are too filthy to keep.

00:25:54Upon hearing this,

00:25:55I was inexplicably seized by a vague sense of Forbidden

00:25:58and couldn't help but demand an explanation.

00:26:02What are you trying to do?

00:26:04Aren't you afraid Kellen will find out your true colors?

00:26:07Vivian said nothing more,

00:26:08merely giving me a sinister smile.

00:26:12You'll find out soon enough.

00:26:15Before long,

00:26:17I understood what Vivian meant.

00:26:23Late that night,

00:26:25a bombshell news story suddenly erupted on Facebook.

00:26:28Black Pine Alpha hides pure-blood she-wolf,

00:26:31registered Luna reduced to decoration.

00:26:35Vivian accused of stealing Luna status

00:26:37and using a pup to force succession.

00:26:40Photos of Vivian Anne moving into the Alpha residence

00:26:42and sent records of Kellen visiting the side house

00:26:45late at night spread through the werewolf community.

00:26:47The entire society mocked Black Pine.

00:26:51The door to my room was kicked open.

00:26:56Kellen threw a stack of printed Facebook posts into my face.

00:26:59Did you post that on Facebook?

00:27:01Is this what you wanted?

00:27:02To ruin me, Vivian, and the entire pack?

00:27:05His eyes burned with rage.

00:27:06You did it!

00:27:07You destroyed Vivian's reputation!

00:27:09You let her be humiliated by all of werewolf society

00:27:11while carrying a pup!

00:27:12Serena,

00:27:13when did you become this vile?

00:27:18I pressed a hand over my wound,

00:27:20cold sweat sliding down my back.

00:27:23It was not me.

00:27:24Vivian followed him in,

00:27:26tears falling at the perfect time.

00:27:27She rushed forward and slapped me hard.

00:27:29Do you know how much I grificed

00:27:30to enter the full moon troop?

00:27:32Now every pack is calling me a she-wolf

00:27:34who stole Luna's spot.

00:27:35Do you want to force me to die?

00:27:38My face turned with a blow.

00:27:40I tasted blood.

00:27:47Then I laughed boldly.

00:27:50Did I force you to become his mistress?

00:27:53Did I force you to carry his scent?

00:27:56Vivian,

00:27:57if you dare to steal,

00:28:00why are you afraid of being named?

00:28:02Kellen seized my throat.

00:28:04Sue.

00:28:09What right do you have to talk about shame?

00:28:11Don't forget that lingerie you bought

00:28:13just to seduce me.

00:28:17His words were worse than claws.

00:28:21When you wagged your tail

00:28:23and begged me to 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

00:28:46and stepped back.

00:28:49Since you like exposing people so much,

00:28:53I will let everyone see

00:28:55what kind of Luna you really are.

00:28:57Half a day later,

00:28:58my photos appeared on Facebook.

00:29:00The vial of Moonbreath Essence.

00:29:01The footage of me practicing

00:29:02the full moon dance.

00:29:04The back view of me standing

00:29:05before 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,

00:29:11he attached a re-photo of me

00:29:12swollen and distorted

00:29:13from wolf's boss.

00:29:19The comments from Blackburn

00:29:21changed instantly.

00:29:22So the Luna is shameless

00:29:23and private.

00:29:24No wonder the alpha

00:29:26never marked her.

00:29:27With that muddy scent,

00:29:28who could bear to bite her?

00:29:30At least Vivian has pure blood.

00:29:32A lowborn healer

00:29:33should never have dreamed

00:29:34of becoming Luna.

00:29:35The Elder's Council was furious.

00:29:41Luna!

00:29:42They said I had disgraced

00:29:44the title of Luna

00:29:45and damaged the pack's reputation.

00:29:47Before my abdominal wound

00:29:49had healed,

00:29:49I was dragged

00:29:51into 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 woke again.

00:30:19The pack matriarch

00:30:20stood outside the iron door.

00:30:21If you admit

00:30:22that you slandered Vivian

00:30:23on Facebook,

00:30:24the Council can show mercy.

00:30:26I asked back,

00:30:28weakly yet stubbornly.

00:30:33How merciful.

00:30:36You will remain in 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.

00:30:45Not!

00:30:46Then punish me harder!

00:30:47For half a wunkth,

00:30:49I was locked in that chamber.

00:30:52Gamma Guard.

00:30:54Every day,

00:30:55they forced bitter cleansing medicine

00:30:57down my throat,

00:30:57saying it would wash away

00:30:59my low-born desire.

00:31:08outside 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 reopened

00:31:15again and again

00:31:15without proper healing herbs.

00:31:21My foe curled in the dark

00:31:22and almost stopped answering 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,

00:31:30once you press your blood seal,

00:31:31your name will be removed

00:31:31from the Black Pine registry.

00:31:33You will lose Black Pine protection,

00:31:34the title of Alpha Mate,

00:31:36and you will suffer

00:31:36Mate Bond backlash.

00:31:38I know.

00:31:42Alpha Kaylin has not signed.

00:31:46He will.

00:31:47He threw me in here

00:31:48because he wanted me to bow.

00:31:52I no longer had the strength

00:31:53to hold a pen.

00:31:54I bit my fingertip

00:31:56and 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.

00:32:22The bond the moon goddess

00:32:23had once tied between us,

00:32:25the bond he had trampled

00:32:26for three years,

00:32:27finally snapped.

00:32:29Pain shook my whole body.

00:32:43At dawn,

00:32:44I walked out of the punishment chamber

00:32:46with 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.

00:33:00No one knew that the Luna

00:33:01they mocked

00:33:01had already vanished

00:33:02from the pack link.

00:33:06Miss Vale,

00:33:07once you cross this border,

00:33:09Black Pied Law

00:33:10can 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.

00:33:22No one was running towards me.

00:33:28I am certain.

00:33:36Then 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.

00:33:59Never to meet again.

00:34:00Kaylin.

00:34:04Only later did I learn

00:34:05that on the day I left,

00:34:06Kaylin had waited

00:34:07outside the altar gate.

00:34:09He thought the elders

00:34:10were only teaching me a lesson.

00:34:12He 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

00:34:20the Luna will hate you

00:34:21after this?

00:34:22Kaylin lit a cigarette

00:34:22and said coldly,

00:34:24She endured the strictest,

00:34:25most brutal punishments,

00:34:26all just to remain by my side.

00:34:28She simply could not

00:34:28bring herself to hate me.

00:34:30Kaylin stubbed out

00:34:30his cigarette and said,

00:34:32sounding as if he were

00:34:33utterly 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, Miss Vivian is in pain.

00:34:53The healer said the pup

00:34:53may be unstable.

00:34:54Please come quickly.

00:34:55Kaylin left at once.

00:34:57Seth, wait here.

00:34:58When Serena comes out,

00:35:00take her to a side room

00:35:00to recover.

00:35:01But at Seth

00:35:02had already been bought

00:35:03by 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 Blackfoon Pack

00:35:12registry.

00:35:14The alpha is on his way

00:35:15to you.

00:35:16Serena will be driven

00:35:17out of Blackpore.

00:35:23Kaylin stayed at the healing center

00:35:25with at Vivian all night.

00:35:31The at-healer Sif 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.

00:35:53Kaylin,

00:35:53I do not want our pup

00:35:55to be born

00:35:56as an unregistered child.

00:35:57I do not want you trapped

00:35:59between two women forever.

00:36:01If you love me,

00:36:03why not officially

00:36:04sever your contract

00:36:05with Serena

00:36:05and give us a real home?

00:36:11Kaylin was silent

00:36:13for a long time.

00:36:15For a fleeting moment,

00:36:16he recalled the sight

00:36:17of Serena lying

00:36:18in her hospital bed,

00:36:19pale-faced and 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 keep 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 was empty.

00:36:50The wardrobe was bare.

00:36:52The desk, too,

00:36:53was completely empty.

00:36:55Beneath the pillow

00:36:56lay nothing but

00:36:57a single moonstone ring.

00:36:59It was the very token

00:37:01he had casually slipped

00:37:02onto her finger

00:37:02on the day,

00:37:03the very day,

00:37:05he and Serena

00:37:06had signed their contract.

00:37:07It was not a mark.

00:37:09It 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

00:37:30to lose everything.

00:37:31Then she left

00:37:32on her own.

00:37:33No one could stop her.

00:37:34The look of concern

00:37:36in Kellen's eyes

00:37:36instantly turned to ice.

00:37:38He had promised

00:37:39to treat Serena

00:37:39after Vivian's

00:37:40birthday banquet.

00:37:41He had even gone so far

00:37:42as to arrange

00:37:43for the province's

00:37:44most elite healers,

00:37:45terrified that Serena's

00:37:46injuries might leave scars.

00:37:47Yet now,

00:37:48it turned out that

00:37:49Serena had already

00:37:50repaid him

00:37:50with a malicious curse.

00:37:55Then do not look for her.

00:37:57If she wants to leave,

00:37:58let her never come back.

00:38:00Seth bowed his head

00:38:01and did not dare speak.

00:38:04Only Vivian walked

00:38:05to 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,

00:38:30I heard that Vivian

00:38:31is carrying your pup.

00:38:32Kellen glanced at Vivian

00:38:34and answered,

00:38:35Yes.

00:38:37Then the mate banquet

00:38:38should be held first.

00:38:39As for the official

00:38:40red registry,

00:38:41wait until the pup is born.

00:38:46Serena's side

00:38:47has already been

00:38:48handled cleanly.

00:38:49Kellen frowned faintly.

00:38:52Handled cleanly.

00:38:55He thought she meant

00:38:56I had run away

00:38:57after making another scene.

00:38:59He did not ask

00:39:00one more question.

00:39:04A few days later,

00:39:06the mate Bentiful

00:39:06was held in the

00:39:07Black Pine Ceremonial Hall.

00:39:09Vivian wore a pale

00:39:10moon-colored gown.

00:39:11Her abdomen

00:39:12was slightly rounded

00:39:13beneath the soft fabric,

00:39:15and 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

00:39:20his mate.

00:39:21His face was calm,

00:39:23almost 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 Latrelepte

00:39:40at Vivian's belly

00:39:41and laughed

00:39:42until 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

00:39:49of the pup.

00:39:49She held

00:39:50at Vivian's hand,

00:39:51then turned

00:39:52to Kellen

00:39:53with 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.

00:40:01I am still waiting

00:40:02to hold

00:40:03your strong

00:40:03alpha pup.

00:40:06The goblet

00:40:07in Kellen's hand

00:40:08shattered.

00:40:11Blood

00:40:12slit down his palm,

00:40:13but he did not

00:40:14seem to feel it.

00:40:17Severed?

00:40:18His voice

00:40:19tightened.

00:40:25What mate

00:40:26contract

00:40:27was severed?

00:40:30The entire

00:40:31ceremonial hall

00:40:32went silence.

00:40:34Vivian's smile

00:40:35froze on her face.

00:40:36The pack matriarch

00:40:38stared at Kellen

00:40:38in confusion.

00:40:40You did not know?

00:40:43Kellen stepped

00:40:43down from

00:40:44the ritual

00:40:44platform.

00:40:46His alpha

00:40:47aura spread

00:40:47through the

00:40:48hall so suddenly

00:40:49that several

00:40:50lower-ranked

00:40:50wolves

00:40:51dropped to

00:40:51their knees.

00:40:54Say it again.

00:40:56What did

00:40:56Serena sever?

00:41:01Only then

00:41:02did the pack

00:41:03matriarch

00:41:03tell him

00:41:04everything.

00:41:04You didn't

00:41:05know?

00:41:05Etzerina

00:41:06knelt at the

00:41:06moon goddess

00:41:07altar and asked

00:41:07to sever

00:41:08your mate

00:41:08bond.

00:41:08She took

00:41:09the full

00:41:0999 wolf

00:41:10lashes,

00:41:10then was

00:41:10locked in

00:41:11the

00:41:11silver-lined

00:41:11punishment

00:41:12chamber,

00:41:12starved,

00:41:13silenced,

00:41:13forced to

00:41:14press her

00:41:14blood seal

00:41:14on the

00:41:14severance

00:41:15papers.

00:41:15She left

00:41:16with nothing

00:41:16but the

00:41:16clothes on

00:41:16her back.

00:41:17Her name's

00:41:18already been

00:41:18erased from

00:41:19the Blackfine

00:41:20Pack registry.

00:41:21And by

00:41:21ancient Pack

00:41:22law,

00:41:23she will

00:41:24never,

00:41:25ever be

00:41:25Blackfine's

00:41:26Luna again.

00:41:29Kellen.

00:41:30Kellen lost

00:41:30control.

00:41:31Kellen lost

00:41:32control on

00:41:32the spot.

00:41:34He grabbed

00:41:34at Seth

00:41:35by the

00:41:35collar before

00:41:36at Seth

00:41:36could retreat

00:41:37into the

00:41:37crowd.

00:41:38You told

00:41:39me she

00:41:40cursed me

00:41:40and left

00:41:41on her

00:41:41own.

00:41:45Alpha,

00:41:45I only

00:41:47repeated what

00:41:47I heard.

00:41:53Seth's

00:41:54face went

00:41:54white.

00:41:55Kellen's

00:41:55eyes turned

00:41:56a dangerous

00:41:56red.

00:42:00Do not

00:42:01lie under

00:42:01my command.

00:42:03Tell me

00:42:03the truth.

00:42:05How exactly

00:42:06did Serena

00:42:06leave?

00:42:07The Alpha

00:42:08command

00:42:08crushed at

00:42:09Seth to

00:42:10his knees.

00:42:15Seth

00:42:16trembled

00:42:16violently

00:42:17at last

00:42:18the truth

00:42:19spilled

00:42:19out.

00:42:21Seth

00:42:21admitted

00:42:22Vivian

00:42:22had ordered

00:42:23him to

00:42:23watch the

00:42:23altar.

00:42:24I saw

00:42:24the neutral

00:42:25register

00:42:25take her

00:42:26away.

00:42:26I saw

00:42:27the blood

00:42:27seal.

00:42:28I saw

00:42:28the elder

00:42:29removed

00:42:29her name

00:42:30from the

00:42:30pack

00:42:30registry.

00:42:31Kellen's

00:42:32grip

00:42:32loosened

00:42:32inch by

00:42:33inch.

00:42:34Miss

00:42:34Vivian

00:42:34told me

00:42:35to say

00:42:35the Luna

00:42:35cursed

00:42:36you.

00:42:36I was

00:42:37afraid.

00:42:38Alpha,

00:42:39I was

00:42:39afraid.

00:42:48Kellen

00:42:48released

00:42:49him

00:42:49and

00:42:49rushed

00:42:49back

00:42:49to

00:42:50Serena's

00:42:50room.

00:42:50He

00:42:51searched

00:42:51every

00:42:51corner

00:42:52but

00:42:52found

00:42:52only

00:42:53the

00:42:53moonstone

00:42:53pin ring

00:42:54and a

00:42:54scrap

00:42:55of burnt

00:42:55moon breath

00:42:56silk.

00:42:57Only then

00:42:57did he seem

00:42:58to understand.

00:42:59Serena

00:43:00was not

00:43:00hiding and

00:43:00waiting for

00:43:01him to

00:43:01coax her

00:43:01back.

00:43:05She

00:43:05had truly

00:43:06gone.

00:43:08Kellen

00:43:08picked up

00:43:09the burnt

00:43:09silk.

00:43:10His

00:43:10fingertips

00:43:11shook.

00:43:15She

00:43:15burned

00:43:16this

00:43:16herself?

00:43:18No one

00:43:19dared

00:43:19answer.

00:43:20He

00:43:20remembered

00:43:21the way

00:43:21At Serena

00:43:22used to

00:43:22fold

00:43:22those

00:43:22gowns

00:43:23in the

00:43:23wardrobe,

00:43:24blushing

00:43:25whenever his

00:43:25gaze

00:43:25passed

00:43:25over

00:43:26her.

00:43:30He

00:43:31remembered

00:43:31calling

00:43:31them

00:43:32filthy

00:43:32tricks.

00:43:33He

00:43:33remembered

00:43:33forcing

00:43:34Wolfbeam

00:43:34down

00:43:34at

00:43:35Serena's

00:43:35throat.

00:43:41For the

00:43:41first

00:43:42time,

00:43:42the

00:43:43empty

00:43:43room

00:43:43felt

00:43:43louder

00:43:44than

00:43:44any

00:43:44scream.

00:43:46Find

00:43:46her.

00:43:47Search

00:43:48the

00:43:48Black

00:43:48Pine

00:43:48border,

00:43:49the

00:43:49Neutral

00:43:49Station

00:43:50Station,

00:43:51the

00:43:51Healers

00:43:51Guild,

00:43:52every

00:43:52old

00:43:52territory

00:43:52of

00:43:53her

00:43:53mother's

00:43:53family.

00:43:56A

00:43:56warrior

00:43:57lowered

00:43:57his

00:43:57head.

00:44:00Alpha,

00:44:01if her

00:44:01name has

00:44:02been erased

00:44:02from the

00:44:02registry,

00:44:03our

00:44:04scent

00:44:04trackers

00:44:04may not

00:44:04be able

00:44:05to

00:44:05follow

00:44:05her.

00:44:06Kellen's

00:44:07face

00:44:07turned

00:44:07ashen.

00:44:11Then

00:44:12use

00:44:12mine.

00:44:13Use

00:44:14every

00:44:14memory

00:44:14of

00:44:14her

00:44:15scent

00:44:15I

00:44:15have

00:44:15left.

00:44:17He

00:44:17searched

00:44:18for

00:44:18Serena

00:44:18for

00:44:18a

00:44:19long

00:44:19time.

00:44:20The

00:44:20Black

00:44:21Pine

00:44:21border,

00:44:21the

00:44:22Neutral

00:44:22Station,

00:44:23the

00:44:23Healers

00:44:24Guild,

00:44:25even

00:44:25the

00:44:25old

00:44:26territory

00:44:26of

00:44:26Serena's

00:44:27mother's

00:44:27family,

00:44:28where

00:44:28she

00:44:28had

00:44:28not

00:44:28been

00:44:28in

00:44:29years.

00:44:30He

00:44:31found

00:44:31nothing.

00:44:32On

00:44:33the

00:44:33fourth

00:44:33night,

00:44:34he

00:44:34passed

00:44:34at

00:44:34Vivian's

00:44:35room

00:44:35and

00:44:35heard

00:44:35laughter

00:44:36inside.

00:44:42At

00:44:43Vivian

00:44:43was

00:44:44mind

00:44:44linking

00:44:44Seth.

00:44:45You

00:44:46have

00:44:46no

00:44:46idea

00:44:46how

00:44:46perfect

00:44:47it

00:44:47was.

00:44:47I

00:44:48had

00:44:48people

00:44:48post

00:44:49those

00:44:49Facebook

00:44:49rumors.

00:44:50I

00:44:50made

00:44:50myself

00:44:51look

00:44:51like

00:44:51the

00:44:51victim,

00:44:52cried

00:44:52a

00:44:52little,

00:44:53and

00:44:54Kellen

00:44:54nearly

00:44:54destroyed

00:44:54Serena

00:44:55for

00:44:55me.

00:44:56Seth's

00:44:57voice

00:44:57was

00:44:58low

00:44:58and

00:44:58nervous

00:44:58through

00:44:59the

00:44:59mind

00:44:59link.

00:45:05Miss

00:45:05Vivian,

00:45:06the

00:45:07alpha

00:45:07is

00:45:07already

00:45:07suspicious.

00:45:09Vivian

00:45:10laughed

00:45:10softly.

00:45:11Suspicious

00:45:12of

00:45:12what?

00:45:13That

00:45:13low

00:45:13born

00:45:13healer

00:45:14has

00:45:14been

00:45:14erased,

00:45:15exiled,

00:45:15and left

00:45:16with silver

00:45:16wounds and

00:45:17bond

00:45:17backlash.

00:45:18Whether

00:45:18she survives

00:45:19this winter

00:45:19is another

00:45:20question.

00:45:22Did she

00:45:23really think

00:45:24she could

00:45:24be

00:45:24Luna?

00:45:25A

00:45:26low

00:45:26born

00:45:26healer

00:45:27whose

00:45:27wolf

00:45:27spirit

00:45:27had been

00:45:28suppressed

00:45:28until it

00:45:29nearly

00:45:29vanished?

00:45:32How

00:45:33could she

00:45:33compete

00:45:34with

00:45:34me?

00:45:37Kellen

00:45:38kicked

00:45:38the door

00:45:38open.

00:45:39Vivian

00:45:39turned and

00:45:40saw him.

00:45:40all color

00:45:42drained of

00:45:42her face.

00:45:43Kellen,

00:45:44let me

00:45:44explain.

00:45:45He walked

00:45:46in step

00:45:46by step.

00:45:47His voice

00:45:48was terrifyingly

00:45:49soft.

00:45:52You lied

00:45:53to me?

00:45:58A few days

00:45:58later,

00:45:59the investigation

00:46:00report was

00:46:00placed before

00:46:01at

00:46:01Kellen.

00:46:05She had

00:46:05staged the

00:46:06wolfbind

00:46:06poisoning,

00:46:07paid Seth

00:46:07to spread

00:46:08the Facebook

00:46:08posts,

00:46:09forged

00:46:09pregnancy

00:46:10proof,

00:46:10arranged the

00:46:11rogue attack

00:46:11at her own

00:46:12birthday banquet,

00:46:12and even

00:46:13obtained the

00:46:13silver water

00:46:14on the blade

00:46:14from old

00:46:14retainers of

00:46:15her family.

00:46:16Alpha,

00:46:16every payment,

00:46:17every forged

00:46:18record,

00:46:18and every

00:46:18purchase sent

00:46:19medicine points

00:46:20back to

00:46:20Miss Vivian.

00:46:24Vivian

00:46:25knelled on

00:46:25the floor,

00:46:26hugging

00:46:26Kellen's

00:46:26leg as

00:46:27she cried.

00:46:28I only

00:46:29loved you

00:46:29too much.

00:46:30I was

00:46:30afraid you

00:46:31would never

00:46:31give me

00:46:31the luma

00:46:32position.

00:46:33Kellen,

00:46:33I am

00:46:34carrying

00:46:34your pup.

00:46:35For the

00:46:36child's

00:46:37sake.

00:46:39Kellen

00:46:39lowered his

00:46:40gaze to

00:46:40her abdomen,

00:46:41his expression

00:46:42complicated.

00:46:43Alpha,

00:46:44there is

00:46:44no pup.

00:46:45The so-called

00:46:46fetal scent

00:46:46was created

00:46:47by witch

00:46:47medicine.

00:46:54Vivian

00:46:55collapsed to

00:46:55the floor.

00:46:57No,

00:46:58Aunt Kellen,

00:46:59listen to

00:46:59me.

00:46:59I can

00:47:00still give

00:47:00you a pup.

00:47:01I can

00:47:02still be

00:47:02useful to

00:47:02Black Pine.

00:47:06Kellen

00:47:06Black closed

00:47:06his eyes.

00:47:08Send her

00:47:09to Silvermoon

00:47:09Sanatorium.

00:47:10Tell the

00:47:11director she

00:47:11is charged

00:47:12with serious

00:47:12fraud,

00:47:13harming

00:47:13the luna,

00:47:15and forging

00:47:16the Alpha

00:47:17bloodline.

00:47:18Without

00:47:19both my

00:47:19order and

00:47:20the council's

00:47:20order,

00:47:20she is

00:47:21not to

00:47:21be

00:47:21released.

00:47:22By then,

00:47:23I had

00:47:24already

00:47:24settled in

00:47:25the southern

00:47:25neutral

00:47:25lands.

00:47:34There was

00:47:35no Black

00:47:35Pipe

00:47:36Cedar

00:47:36scent

00:47:36there,

00:47:36no council

00:47:37judgment

00:47:37bell,

00:47:38and no

00:47:39one called

00:47:39me Luna.

00:47:41I worked

00:47:41in a small

00:47:42ceremonial

00:47:42tailor shop,

00:47:43altering Luna

00:47:44gowns and

00:47:44pup cloaks

00:47:45for passing

00:47:45wolves.

00:47:46At first,

00:47:47my body

00:47:47was so weak

00:47:48that my

00:47:48fingers shook

00:47:48after a few

00:47:49stitches.

00:47:50At night,

00:47:50Bond

00:47:51Aklash would

00:47:51flare like

00:47:52invisible claws

00:47:52tearing through

00:47:53my ribs.

00:47:54The owner

00:47:54was an

00:47:54elderly

00:47:55omega woman.

00:47:56She never

00:47:56asked about

00:47:57my past.

00:47:58She only

00:47:58left warm

00:47:59soup by

00:47:59my door.

00:48:00Drink it

00:48:01while it

00:48:01is warm,

00:48:02child.

00:48:02A wolf

00:48:03that survives

00:48:04winter will

00:48:04eventually find

00:48:05spring.

00:48:14One snowy

00:48:15evening,

00:48:15a tall man

00:48:16entered the

00:48:16shop with a

00:48:17torn ceremonial

00:48:18cloak.

00:48:19His scent

00:48:19was clean

00:48:20snow and

00:48:21pine.

00:48:24He was

00:48:24Adrian Winter,

00:48:25alpha of

00:48:26Frostcrown,

00:48:27and one of

00:48:28the neutral

00:48:28court's

00:48:28arbitersers.

00:48:29He looked

00:48:30at the

00:48:30silver scars

00:48:31on my wrist

00:48:31and then at

00:48:32my lowered

00:48:33head.

00:48:34He did

00:48:35not ask

00:48:35who had

00:48:36hurt me.

00:48:37He only

00:48:38said,

00:48:38Your wolf

00:48:39is still

00:48:39alive.

00:48:40My fingers

00:48:41froze on the

00:48:41needle.

00:48:51Let her

00:48:52stand when

00:48:52she is

00:48:53ready.

00:48:53Do not

00:48:54force her

00:48:54to kneel

00:48:55for anyone

00:48:55again.

00:48:57That was

00:48:58the first

00:48:58time since

00:48:59leaving

00:48:59Blackport

00:48:59that I

00:49:00cried.

00:49:03Not

00:49:04because of

00:49:04pain.

00:49:05Because

00:49:05someone had

00:49:06seen the

00:49:06part of

00:49:07me that

00:49:07was still

00:49:08alive.

00:49:11Adrian

00:49:11courted

00:49:12me

00:49:12slowly.

00:49:15On

00:49:15full moon

00:49:16nights,

00:49:16he sat

00:49:17with me

00:49:17in the

00:49:17yard behind

00:49:18the shop

00:49:19and watched

00:49:20my white

00:49:20wolf spirit

00:49:21try to

00:49:21stand beneath

00:49:22the moonlight.

00:49:23When

00:49:23backlash

00:49:24struck,

00:49:24he used

00:49:25his alpha

00:49:25scent to

00:49:26shield me

00:49:26from the

00:49:27worst of

00:49:27the pain,

00:49:27but he

00:49:28never forced

00:49:28touch on

00:49:29me.

00:49:30Once,

00:49:31I asked

00:49:31him,

00:49:33Does it

00:49:34bother you

00:49:34that I

00:49:34severed a

00:49:35mate bond

00:49:35before?

00:49:35He looked

00:49:36at me with

00:49:36steady

00:49:37seriousness.

00:49:38You are

00:49:38not

00:49:38someone's

00:49:39used

00:49:39possession.

00:49:40You are

00:49:40Serena.

00:49:41If you

00:49:42want to

00:49:42accept

00:49:42me,

00:49:43I will

00:49:43wait.

00:49:44If you

00:49:44do not,

00:49:45I will

00:49:45still

00:49:46protect

00:49:46everyone

00:49:46in the

00:49:46neutral

00:49:47lands,

00:49:47including

00:49:48you.

00:49:49Something

00:49:49touched

00:49:50my

00:49:50heart

00:49:50softly.

00:49:53I had

00:49:54thought

00:49:54it was

00:49:54dead,

00:49:56but when

00:49:56spring came,

00:49:57it insisted

00:49:58on living.

00:50:00One

00:50:01afternoon,

00:50:02Adrian and

00:50:02I returned

00:50:02from the

00:50:03neutral

00:50:03market.

00:50:04He carried

00:50:04fabric,

00:50:05and I held

00:50:05a bag of

00:50:06moon

00:50:06oranges.

00:50:07The

00:50:07wind

00:50:07trimes

00:50:08at the

00:50:08corner rang

00:50:08lightly.

00:50:09I had

00:50:10just laughed

00:50:10at something

00:50:11he said

00:50:11when I

00:50:11caught a

00:50:12familiar scent

00:50:12of cedar

00:50:13and mint.

00:50:16My smile

00:50:17froze.

00:50:20Kellen

00:50:21stood beneath

00:50:21the stone

00:50:22bridge.

00:50:23He had

00:50:24lost weight.

00:50:24His eyes

00:50:25were bloodshot.

00:50:26The alpha

00:50:27aura that

00:50:27had once

00:50:27been sharp

00:50:28and untouchable

00:50:28was now

00:50:29chaotic

00:50:29and unstable.

00:50:32Serena,

00:50:34I finally

00:50:35found you.

00:50:38I stepped

00:50:39back without

00:50:39thinking.

00:50:43Adrian held

00:50:44my hand

00:50:45and stood

00:50:45in front

00:50:45of me.

00:50:48Alpha,

00:50:49you are

00:50:50frightening

00:50:50her.

00:50:54Kellen

00:50:55stared at

00:50:56our joined

00:50:56hands.

00:50:57His wolf

00:50:58surged

00:50:58in his eyes.

00:51:00Who are you

00:51:01to touch

00:51:01her?

00:51:02She is

00:51:02my mate!

00:51:06I am

00:51:07not.

00:51:07He rushed

00:51:08forward to

00:51:08grab my

00:51:09arm.

00:51:09I know I

00:51:10was wrong.

00:51:10Vivian lied

00:51:11to me.

00:51:11I have

00:51:12found out

00:51:12everything.

00:51:12I locked

00:51:13her away.

00:51:13She will

00:51:14never appear

00:51:14before you

00:51:14again.

00:51:15Come back

00:51:16to Blackpine

00:51:16with me.

00:51:17We can

00:51:17start over.

00:51:18His tone

00:51:19was humble,

00:51:19unlike the

00:51:20arrogant alpha

00:51:21I remembered.

00:51:22but I

00:51:23only felt

00:51:23disgust.

00:51:25Let go.

00:51:27He did

00:51:28not.

00:51:32Adrian

00:51:33closed his

00:51:33hand around

00:51:34Kellen's

00:51:34wrist.

00:51:35She told

00:51:35you to

00:51:35let go.

00:51:36The next

00:51:36second,

00:51:37Kellen

00:51:37swung a

00:51:38fist at

00:51:38him.

00:51:40Two

00:51:40alpha

00:51:41eras

00:51:41collided

00:51:42on the

00:51:42street.

00:51:43Ordinary

00:51:43wolves

00:51:43nearby

00:51:44went pale

00:51:45under

00:51:45the

00:51:45pressure.

00:51:48Kellen

00:51:49fought

00:51:49like a

00:51:50madman,

00:51:50striking

00:51:51toward

00:51:51vital

00:51:51points.

00:51:57She is

00:51:58mine!

00:52:01From the

00:52:01moment you

00:52:02chose to

00:52:02betray

00:52:02Serena,

00:52:03she ceased

00:52:04to belong

00:52:04to you.

00:52:05Especially

00:52:05now that

00:52:06she has

00:52:06severed her

00:52:07ties as

00:52:07your

00:52:07partner.

00:52:08Partner.

00:52:10She

00:52:10belongs

00:52:10only to

00:52:11herself.

00:52:13While

00:52:14Adrian

00:52:14shielded

00:52:15me,

00:52:15Kellen

00:52:15drove

00:52:16a fist

00:52:16towards

00:52:16his

00:52:17temple.

00:52:24I

00:52:24saw

00:52:25a

00:52:25wooden

00:52:25flag

00:52:25go

00:52:25by

00:52:26the

00:52:26road.

00:52:27My

00:52:27body

00:52:28moved

00:52:28before

00:52:28my

00:52:28mind

00:52:29did.

00:52:35I

00:52:35grabbed

00:52:35the pole

00:52:36and struck

00:52:36Kellen

00:52:37across

00:52:37the

00:52:37back.

00:52:41Kellen

00:52:42took a

00:52:42step

00:52:42back

00:52:43in

00:52:43disbelief.

00:52:47Adrien

00:52:47turned

00:52:47sharply.

00:52:50Serena!

00:52:51I

00:52:51stood

00:52:52there,

00:52:52both

00:52:53hands

00:52:53shaking

00:52:53around

00:52:53the

00:52:54pole,

00:52:54my

00:52:55breath

00:52:55unbeaven.

00:52:57Kellen

00:52:58looked back

00:52:58at me

00:52:58in

00:52:59distus

00:52:59belief.

00:53:02You

00:53:03hit me?

00:53:03I

00:53:04gazed

00:53:04at him,

00:53:05my eyes

00:53:05holding

00:53:06nothing but

00:53:06unfamiliarity

00:53:07and

00:53:07warfing.

00:53:11yes,

00:53:13and if

00:53:13you

00:53:13touch

00:53:13him

00:53:14again,

00:53:14I

00:53:15will

00:53:15hit

00:53:15you

00:53:15harder.

00:53:16For

00:53:17a

00:53:17long

00:53:17moment,

00:53:18something

00:53:18in

00:53:18his

00:53:19expression

00:53:19shattered.

00:53:22Perhaps

00:53:23in his

00:53:23memory,

00:53:24I was

00:53:24still the

00:53:25woman who

00:53:25would wait

00:53:25at the

00:53:25door with

00:53:26warm soup

00:53:26no matter

00:53:27how late

00:53:27he came

00:53:27home,

00:53:28but that

00:53:29woman had

00:53:29died in

00:53:30the

00:53:30silver

00:53:30line

00:53:30chamber.

00:53:34The

00:53:34neutral

00:53:35guards

00:53:35arrived

00:53:35quickly

00:53:36and

00:53:37separated

00:53:37them.

00:53:41Kalen

00:53:42stared at

00:53:42me as

00:53:43if he

00:53:43wanted to

00:53:43say a

00:53:43thousand

00:53:44things.

00:53:46I did

00:53:47not give

00:53:47him the

00:53:48chance.

00:53:49I took

00:53:50Adrian's

00:53:51hand and

00:53:51walked away.

00:53:52Behind me,

00:53:53Kalen's

00:53:54voice broke.

00:53:55Serena!

00:53:56I was

00:53:57wrong!

00:53:58Tell me

00:53:58what I

00:53:59have to

00:53:59do!

00:53:59I will

00:54:00do

00:54:00anything!

00:54:01I did

00:54:02not turn

00:54:02back.

00:54:05Because

00:54:05the

00:54:06answer

00:54:06was

00:54:06simple.

00:54:08There

00:54:09was

00:54:09nothing

00:54:09he

00:54:09could

00:54:10do.

00:54:15That

00:54:15evening,

00:54:16Adrian

00:54:17dispected

00:54:17the

00:54:17torn

00:54:17skin

00:54:18on

00:54:18my

00:54:18palm.

00:54:21You

00:54:22did

00:54:22not

00:54:22have

00:54:22to

00:54:23protect

00:54:23me.

00:54:23I

00:54:24know.

00:54:25I

00:54:25wanted

00:54:26to.

00:54:28He

00:54:28looked

00:54:28at

00:54:28me

00:54:29for

00:54:29a

00:54:29long

00:54:29time,

00:54:29then

00:54:30lowered

00:54:30his

00:54:30eyes

00:54:30with

00:54:30a

00:54:31faint

00:54:31smile.

00:54:32Then

00:54:33I

00:54:33am

00:54:33honored.

00:54:35When

00:54:36Kellen

00:54:36woke,

00:54:37he

00:54:37was

00:54:37in

00:54:37the

00:54:37neutral

00:54:37healing

00:54:38center.

00:54:40Beta

00:54:40reported

00:54:40to him

00:54:40all the

00:54:41interrogation

00:54:41results

00:54:42regarding

00:54:42Vivian.

00:54:43Kellen

00:54:43pulled out

00:54:44the

00:54:44blood

00:54:44needle

00:54:44and

00:54:44said

00:54:44only

00:54:45one

00:54:45thing.

00:54:46I

00:54:46want

00:54:47to

00:54:47see

00:54:47her.

00:54:47Seth

00:54:48urged

00:54:48him

00:54:48to

00:54:48return

00:54:49to

00:54:49Black

00:54:49Pine.

00:54:50Alpha,

00:54:51you

00:54:51cannot

00:54:51keep

00:54:51losing

00:54:52control.

00:54:53Black

00:54:53Pine

00:54:54needs

00:54:54you.

00:54:54The

00:54:55elders

00:54:55were

00:54:55preparing

00:54:55a

00:54:56vote

00:54:56to

00:54:56suspend

00:54:57his

00:54:57authority

00:54:57because

00:54:58he

00:54:58had

00:54:58left

00:54:59the

00:54:59territory

00:54:59without

00:54:59permission.

00:55:01Smaller

00:55:01packs

00:55:02were

00:55:02testing

00:55:02the

00:55:02Black

00:55:03Pine

00:55:03border.

00:55:04Kellen

00:55:04did not

00:55:04seem

00:55:05to

00:55:05hear.

00:55:08Bring

00:55:08Vivian.

00:55:09I will

00:55:10make her

00:55:10kneel

00:55:10before

00:55:11Serena

00:55:11and

00:55:11return

00:55:11everything

00:55:12she

00:55:12owes.

00:55:13When

00:55:13At

00:55:13Vivian

00:55:13was

00:55:14dragged

00:55:14out

00:55:14of

00:55:14Silver

00:55:14Moon

00:55:15Sanatorium,

00:55:16none

00:55:16of her

00:55:16old

00:55:16pure

00:55:17blood

00:55:17pride

00:55:17remained.

00:55:18Her

00:55:19hair

00:55:19was

00:55:19tangled.

00:55:21Moon

00:55:22iron

00:55:22chains

00:55:23locked

00:55:23around

00:55:23her wrists

00:55:24to

00:55:24suppress

00:55:24her

00:55:24wolf.

00:55:25The

00:55:25moment

00:55:26she

00:55:26saw

00:55:26Kellen

00:55:26she

00:55:27rushed

00:55:27toward

00:55:27him

00:55:27crying.

00:55:32Kellen

00:55:33you

00:55:33finally

00:55:34came

00:55:34to

00:55:34see

00:55:34me.

00:55:35I

00:55:36know

00:55:36I

00:55:36was

00:55:36wrong.

00:55:36I

00:55:37really

00:55:37do.

00:55:38Kellen

00:55:38did

00:55:38not

00:55:39even

00:55:39look

00:55:39at

00:55:39her.

00:55:41He

00:55:42ordered

00:55:42the

00:55:42guards

00:55:42to

00:55:43press

00:55:43her

00:55:43down

00:55:43in

00:55:43front

00:55:44of

00:55:44my

00:55:44shop.

00:55:45That

00:55:46day

00:55:46I

00:55:47was

00:55:47hemming

00:55:47a

00:55:47full

00:55:48moon

00:55:48cloak

00:55:48for

00:55:49a

00:55:49pup.

00:55:50When

00:55:50I

00:55:50heard

00:55:50the

00:55:50commotion

00:55:51and

00:55:51looked

00:55:51up

00:55:51I

00:55:52saw

00:55:52forced

00:55:52to

00:55:53sneal

00:55:53in

00:55:53the

00:55:53rain.

00:55:57Kellen

00:55:57stood

00:55:58behind

00:55:58Vivian.

00:55:59In

00:55:59his

00:55:59eyes

00:56:00was

00:56:00a

00:56:00desperate

00:56:00almost

00:56:01obsessive

00:56:01hope.

00:56:02Serena

00:56:03she

00:56:04is

00:56:04here

00:56:04to

00:56:04confess.

00:56:05Vivian

00:56:05trembled

00:56:06as

00:56:06she

00:56:06spoke.

00:56:06I

00:56:07am

00:56:07sorry

00:56:07Luna

00:56:08no

00:56:08Serena

00:56:09I

00:56:09should

00:56:09not

00:56:09have

00:56:10framed

00:56:10you

00:56:10for

00:56:10the

00:56:10wolf

00:56:10Sabayne

00:56:11I

00:56:11should

00:56:11not

00:56:11have

00:56:11forged

00:56:12Facebook

00:56:12posts.

00:56:13I

00:56:13should

00:56:13not

00:56:13have

00:56:13lied

00:56:13to

00:56:13Kellen

00:56:14and

00:56:14said

00:56:14I

00:56:14carried

00:56:14an

00:56:14alpha

00:56:15pup.

00:56:15I

00:56:15should

00:56:15not

00:56:16have

00:56:16arranged

00:56:16the

00:56:16rogue

00:56:16attack

00:56:16and

00:56:17blamed

00:56:17you.

00:56:19I

00:56:19was

00:56:19wrong.

00:56:20Please

00:56:20ask him

00:56:21to

00:56:21despair

00:56:21me.

00:56:23She

00:56:23cried

00:56:23miserably,

00:56:24her knees

00:56:24sinking

00:56:25into

00:56:25mud.

00:56:26Wailwolves

00:56:27gathered around

00:56:27to watch.

00:56:28Kellen

00:56:29looked at

00:56:29me,

00:56:29his voice

00:56:30low and

00:56:30pleading.

00:56:31See?

00:56:32She

00:56:32admitted

00:56:32it.

00:56:32You

00:56:33can

00:56:33punish

00:56:33her

00:56:33however

00:56:33you

00:56:34want.

00:56:34Make

00:56:34her

00:56:34kneel

00:56:35as

00:56:35long

00:56:35as

00:56:35you

00:56:35like.

00:56:36Lock

00:56:36her

00:56:36away.

00:56:36Exile

00:56:37her

00:56:37as

00:56:37a

00:56:37rogue.

00:56:38I

00:56:38will

00:56:38listen

00:56:38to

00:56:39you.

00:56:39He

00:56:39paused.

00:56:40As

00:56:41long

00:56:41as

00:56:41you

00:56:41come

00:56:41back

00:56:42with

00:56:42me.

00:56:42I

00:56:43laughed

00:56:43suddenly.

00:56:45Not

00:56:45because it

00:56:46felt

00:56:46good,

00:56:47but

00:56:48because

00:56:48it

00:56:48was

00:56:48absurd.

00:56:49Kellen,

00:56:50do

00:56:51you

00:56:51think

00:56:51this

00:56:51cancels

00:56:52out

00:56:52what

00:56:52I

00:56:52suffered?

00:56:53His

00:56:53face

00:56:53turned

00:56:54pale.

00:56:56I

00:56:56pointed

00:56:57at

00:56:57Vivian,

00:56:57kneeling

00:56:58on the

00:56:58ground

00:56:58then

00:56:58at

00:56:59him.

00:57:01You

00:57:02once

00:57:02pushed

00:57:02me

00:57:02towards

00:57:02a

00:57:03silver

00:57:03blade

00:57:03for

00:57:03her.

00:57:04You

00:57:04locked

00:57:04me

00:57:04in

00:57:04a

00:57:04silver

00:57:05line

00:57:05chamber

00:57:05for

00:57:05her.

00:57:05You

00:57:06spread

00:57:06my

00:57:06private

00:57:06shame

00:57:06across

00:57:07Facebook

00:57:07for

00:57:07her.

00:57:07Now

00:57:08for

00:57:08me

00:57:08you

00:57:08make

00:57:08her

00:57:08kneel

00:57:08in

00:57:09public

00:57:09without

00:57:09hesitation.

00:57:10Whether

00:57:10it

00:57:10is

00:57:10her

00:57:10or

00:57:10me

00:57:11in

00:57:11your

00:57:11eyes

00:57:11we

00:57:11can

00:57:12arrange

00:57:12and

00:57:13punish

00:57:13whenever

00:57:13you

00:57:13wish

00:57:14aren't

00:57:14we?

00:57:15Kellen

00:57:15froze.

00:57:16No!

00:57:18I

00:57:18only

00:57:18wanted

00:57:28the

00:57:28umbrella

00:57:28beside

00:57:28the

00:57:29door.

00:57:31Adrian

00:57:32was already

00:57:32standing

00:57:33in the

00:57:33rain.

00:57:33He

00:57:34had

00:57:34not

00:57:34interfered.

00:57:35He

00:57:36was

00:57:36simply

00:57:36waiting

00:57:37for

00:57:37my

00:57:37choice.

00:57:40I

00:57:41walked

00:57:41to

00:57:41his

00:57:41side.

00:57:43Kellen

00:57:44panicked

00:57:45and tried

00:57:45to rush

00:57:45over but

00:57:46the

00:57:46neutral

00:57:46guards

00:57:47blocked

00:57:47him.

00:57:48Serena!

00:57:49Don't

00:57:50choose

00:57:50him!

00:57:53I

00:57:53was

00:57:53your

00:57:53first

00:57:54mate!

00:57:54He

00:57:55can

00:57:55never

00:57:55replace

00:57:56me!

00:57:56I

00:57:57looked

00:57:57back

00:57:57at

00:57:57him

00:57:57one

00:57:58last

00:57:58time.

00:58:01Take

00:58:02yourself

00:58:02righteousness

00:58:03and

00:58:03arrogance

00:58:03and

00:58:04leave.

00:58:05I

00:58:05do

00:58:06not

00:58:06need

00:58:06it.

00:58:07Rain

00:58:08blurred

00:58:08his

00:58:08face.

00:58:09For

00:58:09the

00:58:09first

00:58:10time,

00:58:10I

00:58:10saw

00:58:11him

00:58:11truly

00:58:11helpless.

00:58:12But

00:58:13helplessness

00:58:14was not

00:58:14regret.

00:58:15And

00:58:15regret

00:58:16was

00:58:16not

00:58:16love.

00:58:18I

00:58:19did

00:58:19not

00:58:19attend

00:58:19the

00:58:19court

00:58:20hearing.

00:58:22I

00:58:22only

00:58:22submitted

00:58:23a

00:58:23blood

00:58:23sealed

00:58:23testimony.

00:58:24It

00:58:25contained

00:58:25records

00:58:26of my

00:58:26silver

00:58:26wound.

00:58:27wolf

00:58:27band

00:58:28tests,

00:58:28Vivian's

00:58:29forged

00:58:29documents,

00:58:30screenshots

00:58:31from

00:58:31Facebook,

00:58:32and the

00:58:33healing

00:58:33records from

00:58:33before and

00:58:34after I

00:58:34was forced

00:58:35to sign

00:58:35in the

00:58:36punishment

00:58:36chamber.

00:58:37Adrian

00:58:38asked me,

00:58:41Do you

00:58:41want to watch

00:58:42him be judged

00:58:42with your

00:58:43own eyes?

00:58:43I shook

00:58:44my head.

00:58:48I do

00:58:49not need to

00:58:49see him

00:58:50fall to prove

00:58:50I survived.

00:58:51Still,

00:58:52the result

00:58:52reached the

00:58:53neutral lands.

00:58:54Kellen

00:58:55Black's

00:58:55Alpha

00:58:55Authority

00:58:56is

00:58:56suspended

00:58:57for one

00:58:57year.

00:58:58The

00:58:58Black

00:58:58Pine

00:58:59Elders

00:58:59Council

00:58:59must

00:59:00issue

00:59:00a

00:59:00public

00:59:00apology

00:59:01to

00:59:01the

00:59:01neutral

00:59:01court.

00:59:03Vivian

00:59:04will be

00:59:04stripped

00:59:05of her

00:59:05pure

00:59:05blood

00:59:05status

00:59:06and

00:59:06exiled

00:59:06to the

00:59:07Frost

00:59:07Labor

00:59:07Lands

00:59:07for

00:59:08for

00:59:08forging

00:59:08an

00:59:08air

00:59:09bloodline

00:59:09and

00:59:09harming

00:59:10a

00:59:10registered

00:59:10Luna.

00:59:13Seth

00:59:14will lose

00:59:14one

00:59:14fang

00:59:15and be

00:59:15expelled

00:59:16from

00:59:16Black

00:59:16Pong.

00:59:20Kellen

00:59:21refused to

00:59:21accept

00:59:22the

00:59:22distance

00:59:22between

00:59:22us.

00:59:27Later,

00:59:28someone from

00:59:29Frostcrown

00:59:29delivered him

00:59:30a message.

00:59:31Since you

00:59:31never understood

00:59:32pain,

00:59:32remember it

00:59:33with your

00:59:34own body.

00:59:37No one

00:59:38killed him.

00:59:38The court

00:59:39sentenced him

00:59:39to three months

00:59:40of service

00:59:40at the

00:59:41Silver Mine

00:59:41border,

00:59:42clearing old

00:59:42hunter traps

00:59:43contaminated

00:59:43with silver

00:59:44and wolf

00:59:44bite.

00:59:47It was

00:59:48the kind

00:59:48of

00:59:48low-ranking

00:59:49warrior's

00:59:49work he

00:59:50had once

00:59:50despised.

00:59:55I thought

00:59:55the court

00:59:55sentence

00:59:56would be

00:59:56the end.

00:59:57Vivian

00:59:57had been

00:59:58transferred

00:59:58from

00:59:58Silver Moon

00:59:59Sanatorium

00:59:59to the

01:00:00Frost

01:00:00Labor

01:00:00Lands

01:00:01after the

01:00:01neutral

01:00:01court

01:00:02ruling.

01:00:03Kellen

01:00:04had been

01:00:04sent to

01:00:04the

01:00:04Silver Mine

01:00:05border.

01:00:06Seth

01:00:06had lost

01:00:07one bang

01:00:07and vanished

01:00:08from

01:00:08Black Pine.

01:00:09Later,

01:00:10I learned

01:00:10that several

01:00:11old

01:00:11retainers

01:00:12of Vivian's

01:00:12family

01:00:12grabbed

01:00:13the escort

01:00:13guards

01:00:13during the

01:00:14transfer

01:00:14and helped

01:00:14her escape

01:00:15into the

01:00:15Frost

01:00:15Crown

01:00:15border

01:00:16woods.

01:00:17Kellen

01:00:17heard of

01:00:17Vivian's

01:00:18escape

01:00:18while serving

01:00:18his sentence

01:00:19near the

01:00:19Silver Mine

01:00:19border.

01:00:20He knew

01:00:21her hatred

01:00:21would lead

01:00:21her to

01:00:22me.

01:00:22So he

01:00:23followed

01:00:23the rogue

01:00:23scent trail

01:00:24all night.

01:00:25Before leaving

01:00:26the Mine

01:00:26border,

01:00:27he had already

01:00:27prepared a

01:00:28blood-sealed

01:00:28transfer file

01:00:29and the

01:00:29Black Pine

01:00:30Luna crown,

01:00:31intending to

01:00:31leave them

01:00:32with the

01:00:32neutral court

01:00:32as compensation

01:00:33after his

01:00:34sentence

01:00:34ended.

01:00:34For a few

01:00:35quiet days,

01:00:36I almost

01:00:37believed the

01:00:37old nightmare

01:00:38had finally

01:00:38stopped breathing.

01:00:41That night,

01:00:42Adrian came to

01:00:42my shop to

01:00:43pick me up.

01:00:44The patrols

01:00:44found strange

01:00:45tracks near the

01:00:45north woods.

01:00:46Stay close

01:00:47to me tonight.

01:00:51Before I could

01:00:52answer, a low

01:00:52laugh came from

01:00:53the fog.

01:00:56Vivian stepped

01:00:57out from behind

01:00:57the trees.

01:00:58Her white

01:00:59dancer's gown

01:00:59was torn,

01:01:00her hair

01:01:01tangled, but

01:01:02the hatred in

01:01:02her eyes was

01:01:03sharper than

01:01:03ever.

01:01:06You took

01:01:07everything from

01:01:07me, Serena.

01:01:09Behind her

01:01:10stood rogue

01:01:10wolves.

01:01:11Their bodies

01:01:12smelled of

01:01:12blood, hunger,

01:01:13and old

01:01:14crimes.

01:01:16She promised

01:01:17us Frost

01:01:18Crown's Luna.

01:01:19Kill the

01:01:19woman, take

01:01:20the reward.

01:01:23Adrian's eyes

01:01:23went cold.

01:01:25Vivian, you

01:01:26have just turned

01:01:27exile into a

01:01:28death sentence.

01:01:29Vivian stepped

01:01:29out from behind

01:01:30the trees.

01:01:31She deserves

01:01:32to die, to

01:01:33die.

01:01:34If I cannot be

01:01:35Luna, neither

01:01:36can she.

01:01:37Vivian screamed.

01:01:41The rogue

01:01:41wolves lunged.

01:01:46Adrian threw

01:01:47one aside, but

01:01:48another came at

01:01:49me from behind

01:01:50with a wolf's

01:01:50horn coated

01:01:51blade.

01:01:52I heard the

01:01:53blade cut through

01:01:53the air.

01:01:54Then someone

01:01:55crashed into me

01:01:55and pulled me

01:01:56behind his body.

01:01:57The blade sank

01:01:58into Kellen's

01:01:58chest.

01:01:59Blood splashed

01:02:01across the snow.

01:02:02Caden

01:02:02staggered, but

01:02:03he did not

01:02:04fall.

01:02:05His damaged

01:02:05wolf spirit

01:02:06roared once,

01:02:07forcing the

01:02:08rogue wolf

01:02:08back.

01:02:12This time, I

01:02:15did not push

01:02:15you toward the

01:02:16blade.

01:02:18I froze.

01:02:20Caelan turned

01:02:20his pale face

01:02:21toward me.

01:02:23Serena, run.

01:02:26Adrian killed

01:02:27one rogue wolf

01:02:28with a single

01:02:28strike.

01:02:29The Frost

01:02:29Crown guards

01:02:30arrived almost

01:02:30immediately and

01:02:31surrounded the

01:02:31woods.

01:02:32Vivian tried to

01:02:32flee, but

01:02:33Adrian's command

01:02:34froze every wolf

01:02:34in the clearing.

01:02:35Take her

01:02:35alive.

01:02:36No, Kellen,

01:02:37save me, you

01:02:37love me once!

01:02:38Vivian struggled

01:02:38wildly.

01:02:39Caelan did not

01:02:40even look at

01:02:40her.

01:02:41He knelt in

01:02:41the snow, one

01:02:42hand pressed

01:02:43against his

01:02:43chest.

01:02:45Black blood

01:02:45seeped through

01:02:46his fingers.

01:02:47The wolf spike

01:02:47on the blade had

01:02:48entered his old

01:02:49silver wounds.

01:02:50His wolf spirit

01:02:51was dying.

01:02:51Caelan took out

01:02:52the blood-sealed

01:02:52transfer file from

01:02:53inside his coat and

01:02:54pushed it toward

01:02:55me.

01:02:55Everything under

01:02:56my personal name.

01:02:57My private

01:02:58residence, my

01:02:58personal share of

01:02:59the border mines,

01:03:00the trade profits,

01:03:01and the compensation

01:03:01fund I prepared

01:03:02for you.

01:03:03All of it is

01:03:03yours.

01:03:04I did not reach

01:03:04for it.

01:03:05I do not want

01:03:06your money.

01:03:07Caelan gave a

01:03:08broken smile.

01:03:09Then burn it.

01:03:09Give it away.

01:03:11Use it to heal

01:03:12every low-bren wolf

01:03:13Black Pine ever

01:03:13humiliated.

01:03:14I only want it to

01:03:15stop belonging to

01:03:16me.

01:03:16His fingers

01:03:17trembled as he

01:03:17opened a dark

01:03:18velvet box.

01:03:19Inside lay the

01:03:20Black Pine Luna

01:03:21crown.

01:03:21It was not

01:03:22silver.

01:03:23It was carved

01:03:23from Black Pine

01:03:24wood,

01:03:25oxydion,

01:03:25and moonstone.

01:03:26The moonstone at

01:03:27the center glowed

01:03:28faintly under the

01:03:28full moon.

01:03:29Caelan lifted it

01:03:30with both hands.

01:03:31I had this locked

01:03:32away for three

01:03:32years.

01:03:33I told myself you

01:03:34were not ready for

01:03:35it.

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

01:03:43me.

01:03:43I am sorry.

01:03:44This should have

01:03:45belonged to you

01:03:46from the beginning.

01:03:47For a moment,

01:03:47I remembered the

01:03:48man I had once

01:03:49loved.

01:03:49Then I remembered

01:03:50every wound he

01:03:51had left behind.

01:03:52Caelan,

01:03:53I will not

01:03:53forgive you.

01:03:54I know.

01:03:55Caelan closed his

01:03:56eyes.

01:03:56One wounded rogue

01:03:57wolf suddenly

01:03:57crushed a vial of

01:03:58wolfspot smoke

01:03:59under his claws.

01:03:59The bitter mist

01:04:00exploded through

01:04:01the clearing,

01:04:01breaking Adrian's

01:04:02command for a

01:04:02single second.

01:04:03Vivian tore free

01:04:04from the guard

01:04:04holding her,

01:04:05pulled a hidden

01:04:05dagger from her

01:04:06boot and rushed

01:04:06toward me.

01:04:07Caelan used the

01:04:07last of his

01:04:08strength to stand.

01:04:09He blocked her

01:04:09again.

01:04:10Caelan's wolf

01:04:11spirit shattered in

01:04:12the moonlight.

01:04:12Before he fell,

01:04:13he whispered one

01:04:14last sentence.

01:04:15At least,

01:04:15this time,

01:04:16I protected you.

01:04:18Then Caelan Black

01:04:18died in the snow.

01:04:21Vivian was

01:04:21brought before the

01:04:22Frostcrown Moon

01:04:22Goddess altar three

01:04:23days later.

01:04:24Her hands were

01:04:24bound with black

01:04:24iron chains.

01:04:25Her face was no

01:04:26longer beautiful.

01:04:26Fear had stripped

01:04:27away every trace

01:04:27of her old

01:04:27arrogance.

01:04:28Vivian,

01:04:28neutral court

01:04:29once sentenced

01:04:29you only to

01:04:29labor in the

01:04:30Frostlands,

01:04:30yet you remained

01:04:31incurcable.

01:04:32The neutral judge

01:04:32read her crimes

01:04:33aloud.

01:04:33inspired with rogue

01:04:34wolves to harm

01:04:35Serena and

01:04:36caused the death

01:04:36of Black Pine's

01:04:37former alpha.

01:04:38In accordance

01:04:39with the werewolf

01:04:39code,

01:04:40your inner wolf

01:04:41will be stripped

01:04:41away and you

01:04:42will be permanently

01:04:43exiled from

01:04:44every pack

01:04:44registration.

01:04:46Vivian screamed

01:04:47until her voice

01:04:47cracked.

01:04:48I am pure

01:04:49blood!

01:04:50You cannot

01:04:50take my wolf!

01:04:57No one answered

01:04:58her.

01:04:58The moon

01:04:59goddess seal

01:04:59lit beneath her

01:05:00feet.

01:05:00A pale wolf

01:05:01shadow tore

01:05:01itself from her

01:05:02body.

01:05:02It struggled,

01:05:03howled,

01:05:04then shattered

01:05:04under the

01:05:04cold moonlight.

01:05:05Her body

01:05:05survived,

01:05:06but the wolf

01:05:06inside her

01:05:07was gone

01:05:07forever.

01:05:08She collapsed

01:05:08to the ground.

01:05:09For the first

01:05:10time,

01:05:10she had no

01:05:10wolf scent.

01:05:11No pack

01:05:11would accept

01:05:12her.

01:05:12No alpha

01:05:13command would

01:05:14answer her.

01:05:15No full moon

01:05:16would ever

01:05:16call to her

01:05:17again.

01:05:20She was

01:05:20dragged beyond

01:05:21the border

01:05:22and thrown

01:05:22into the wild.

01:05:24Three months

01:05:24later,

01:05:24Adrian and I

01:05:25held a

01:05:25commitment

01:05:25ceremony,

01:05:26not a trial,

01:05:27a mate bonding

01:05:27ritual.

01:05:28I wore a

01:05:28white frost

01:05:29patterned

01:05:29luna gown

01:05:29and submission

01:05:30for me,

01:05:30with no

01:05:30command in his

01:05:31eyes.

01:05:31I will

01:05:31respect your

01:05:32silence,

01:05:32your anger,

01:05:33your fear,

01:05:33and your

01:05:33freedom.

01:05:34I will

01:05:34honor your

01:05:34no before

01:05:35I ever

01:05:35ask for

01:05:36your yes.

01:05:36If one

01:05:36day you

01:05:37choose to

01:05:37walk away,

01:05:37I will

01:05:38not hunt

01:05:38you.

01:05:38If one

01:05:39day you

01:05:39choose to

01:05:39stay,

01:05:40I will

01:05:40never

01:05:40betray

01:05:40you.

01:05:41My eyes

01:05:41warmed.

01:05:42Under the

01:05:42full moon,

01:05:43my wolf spirit

01:05:44finally lifted

01:05:44her head.

01:05:45For the

01:05:45first time,

01:05:46she was

01:05:46not

01:05:46afraid.

01:05:46I

01:05:47stepped

01:05:47forward

01:05:47and

01:05:47placed

01:05:48my

01:05:48hand

01:05:48in

01:05:48his.

01:05:49Then I

01:05:49choose

01:05:49you.

01:05:50The

01:05:50frost

01:05:50crowned

01:05:50wolves

01:05:50vowed.

01:06:01feel like

01:06:02chains.

01:06:02It felt

01:06:03like

01:06:03home.

01:06:03I know

01:06:04that I

01:06:04have

01:06:04finally

01:06:05ushered

01:06:05in a

01:06:05brand

01:06:06new

01:06:06life.

When Moonlight Turns To Ashes - Ep

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