- 20 hours ago
When Moonlight Turns to Ashes
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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.
00:00:21They 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.
00:01:08I 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 moon-breathed 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 moon-breath 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 a-leaf 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,
00:03:06near 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,
00:03:45Caelan's voice cut through the room like ice.
00:03:49Enough.
00:03:52Silence fell at once.
00:03:55She is my registered mate,
00:03:58and 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,
00:05:12every 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 to kneel
00:05:33before 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
00:06:04of 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?
00:06:20I 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
00:06:44and reached for my wound.
00:06:45I turned my face against 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 Kellen's waist.
00:07:25Give me the knife.
00:07:27Kellen 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,
00:07:46Kellen 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.
00:08:03Kellen 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 finds me.
00:08:23But before I could reach her,
00:08:24Kellen seized my wrist.
00:08:26What 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 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,
00:08:50a warrior from another pack mocked me at a banquet.
00:08:53Kellen 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.
00:09:16Kellen,
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.
00:09:30Kellen,
00:09:31let'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 Blackthorn.
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.
00:09:59Kellen 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,
00:10:46the 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 Blackvode 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,
00:11:10I could no longer tell
00:11:12whether the blood on my back
00:11:13was mine or the wolf spirits 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,
00:11:45and 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.
00:12:07Her 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 you lost control,
00:12:18Aunt Serena.
00:12:19So you will take care of her.
00:12:22You want the Luna you drugged to 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 and showed no anger.
00:12:33Instead,
00:12:34she 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 hemiriated me
00:12:45treat Aunt Vivian like a blessing sent 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 Kaylin 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.
00:13:20The 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.
00:13:45A 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,
00:13:56I 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 Kaylin.
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.
00:14:34You have really disappointed me.
00:14:38My voice was soft,
00:14:39but it did not shake.
00:14:41I did not add wolf find to her water.
00:14:46Vivian stepped out from behind Kaylin.
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 Kaylin.
00:15:08Do you believe her?
00:15:11His 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.
00:15:26Kaylin 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.
00:15:41Kaylin,
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 Kaylin's alpha command pressed down on me,
00:16:11and my knees went weak against my will.
00:16:15Drink.
00:16:16He 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.
00:16:31Kaylin forced bowl after bowl of cold water
00:16:33laced with wolfsbeam 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 Kaylin 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.
00:16:59Even my own scent became muddy and unfamiliar.
00:17:02The woman in the mirror had dull eyes and a pale neck.
00:17:08Kaylin 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?
00:17:38His 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,
00:17:57know 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,
00:18:22I 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 Blackpine 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,
00:19:14attempting to conceal a body twisted beyond 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.
00:19:42Kaelin heard them.
00:19:44He only lowered his head
00:19:46and adjusted Vivian's shrul with a tenderness
00:19:48that stabbed my eyes.
00:19:51Someone raised a glass.
00:19:54Alpha,
00:19:55it seems Blackpine will soon have a true mistress.
00:19:58Kaelin 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.
00:20:13Just as I was about to walk toward the neutral register,
00:20:16a roar came from the edge of the crowd.
00:20:22An 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.
00:20:29Kaelin 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.
00:20:41Kaelin's face changed.
00:20:49Before I could react,
00:20:51a powerful hand locked around my shoulder.
00:20:55Kaelin pushed me forward.
00:20:57The silver blade entered my abdomen.
00:21:00My inner wolf screamed
00:21:01as if she had been torn apart.
00:21:03Silver water burned through flesh and blood,
00:21:06spreading from the wound
00:21:07like a thousand needles crawling under my skin.
00:21:11I looked down
00:21:12and 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 Kaelin 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.
00:21:46Kaelin 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
00:21:55almost touched your core bloodline,
00:21:57but luckily...
00:21:59It hurts so much,
00:22:01Kaelin.
00:22:07Kaelin 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.
00:22:32I 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.
00:22:47Kaelin 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.
00:23:12Kaelin lowered his gaze and said in a complicated tone,
00:23:15There is something else.
00:23:17Vivian is pregnant.
00:23:20My 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.
00:23:29Vivian'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, I asked the neutral register to prepare the formal severance petition.
00:24:11But before the document could reach the elders' council, Vivian came to my room.
00:24:15She stood beside my bed holding a bouquet of moon-breath flowers, her voice dripping with false sweetness.
00:24:22Serena, I am truly sorry.
00:24:24I 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.
00:24:47Perhaps 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, Atzerina?
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, the Black Pine Luna position would have belonged to me from
00:25:24the 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 Kaelin will let you leave?
00:25:51Unless Black Pine decides you are too filthy to keep
00:25:54Upon hearing this, I 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 Kaelin will find out your true colors?
00:26:07Vivian said nothing more, merely giving me a sinister smile
00:26:12You'll find out soon enough
00:26:16Before long
00:26:16I understood what Vivian meant
00:26:23Late that night
00:26:24A bombshell news story suddenly erupted on Facebook
00:26:28Black Pine Alpha hides pure-blood she-wolf
00:26:30Registered Luna reduced to decoration
00:26:35Vivian accused of stealing Luna status
00:26:37And using a pup to force succession
00:26:39Photos of Vivian Anne moving into the Alpha residence
00:26:42And sent records of Kaelin visiting the side house late at night
00:26:45Spread through the werewolf community
00:26:47The entire society mocked Black Pine
00:26:51The door to my room was kicked open
00:26:56Kaelin 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 while 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
00:27:25Tears falling at the perfect time
00:27:27She rushed forward and slapped me hard
00:27:28Do you know how much I grificed to enter the full moon troop?
00:27:32Now every pack is calling me a she-wolf who stole a Luna's spot
00:27:35Do you want to force me to die?
00:27:38My face turned with a blow
00:27:39I 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
00:27:58If you dare to steal
00:28:00Why are you afraid of being maimed?
00:28:02Kaelin sees my throat
00:28:09What right do you have to talk about shame?
00:28:11Don't forget that lingerie you bought just to seduce me
00:28:16His words were worse than claws
00:28:21When you wagged your tail and begged me to mark you
00:28:27Where was your shame then?
00:28:29My pupils trembled
00:28:36Those desperate attempts I had to save our bond
00:28:38Had become the blade he used to humiliate me
00:28:44Kaelin released my throat and stepped back
00:28:49Since you like exposing people so much
00:28:53I will let everyone see what kind of Luna you really are
00:28:57Half a day later, my photos appeared on Facebook
00:28:59The vial of Moonbreath Essence
00:29:01The footage of me practicing the full moon dance
00:29:03The back view of me standing before a mirror in a Moonbreath silk gown
00:29:07All of it had been posted by Kaelin himself
00:29:10Worse, he attached a re-photo of me swollen and distorted from Wolf's boss
00:29:19The comments from Blackburn changed instantly
00:29:21So the Luna is shameless and private
00:29:24No wonder the Alpha never marked her
00:29:26With that muddy scent, who could bear to bite her?
00:29:30At least Vivian has pure blood
00:29:31A lowborn healer should never have dreamed of becoming Luna
00:29:34The Elder's Council was furious
00:29:41Luna!
00:29:42They said I had disgraced the title of Luna
00:29:45And damaged the pack's reputation
00:29:47Before my abdominal wound had healed
00:29:49I was dragged into the punishment chamber
00:29:52Behind the Moon Goddess altar
00:29:54It was a stone room lined with silver runes
00:30:08Silver was not decoration
00:30:10It was punishment
00:30:12Every carved line released a chill that pierced the wolf's spirit
00:30:15My wound began to burn
00:30:16And the silver poison left in my blood woke again
00:30:18The pack matriarch stood outside the iron door
00:30:21If you admit that you slandered Vivian on Facebook
00:30:23The Council can show mercy
00:30:26I asked back
00:30:27Weakly, yet stubbornly
00:30:33How merciful
00:30:36You will remain in Blackpintus the Luna in name
00:30:39After Vivian gives birth to 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 in that chamber
00:30:52Gamma Guard
00:30:54Every day
00:30:55They forced bitter cleansing medicine down my throat
00:30:57Saying it would wash away my low-born desire
00:31:07Outside the door
00:31:08They played Facebook insults over and over
00:31:11Along with news that Kaylin and Vivian
00:31:13My silver wound reopened again and again
00:31:15Without proper healing herbs
00:31:20My foal curled in the dark
00:31:22And almost stopped answering me
00:31:24At last
00:31:25The neutral register came with the severance contract
00:31:28Miss Serena
00:31:28By law, once you press your blood seal
00:31:31Your name will be removed from the Blackpint registry
00:31:33You will lose Blackpint protection
00:31:34The title of Alpha Mate
00:31:35And you will suffer mate bond backlash
00:31:38I know
00:31:42Alpha Kaylin has not signed
00:31:46He will
00:31:47He threw me in here because he wanted me to bow
00:31:52I no longer had the strength to hold a pen
00:31:54I bit my fingertip and pressed blood onto the end of the contract
00:32:09The moment the seal formed
00:32:11I felt an invisible sharp claw suddenly tear through my chest
00:32:18Kaylin's cedar and mint scent faded from my senses little by little
00:32:21The bond the moon goddess had once tied between us
00:32:24The bond he had trampled for three years finally snapped
00:32:29Pain shook my whole body
00:32:33But I smiled
00:32:43At dawn
00:32:44I walked out of the punishment chamber with a small bag
00:32:47The neutral register led me through the back gate of Blackpint territory
00:32:51Rain fell over the border road
00:32:53Behind me stood the Alpha residence where I had wasted three years of my life
00:32:57No one came to send me off
00:32:59No one knew that the luna they mocked had already vanished from the pack link
00:33:05Miss Vale
00:33:07Once you cross this border
00:33:09Blackpint law can no longer protect you
00:33:11Are you still certain?
00:33:15I looked back only once
00:33:16The altar bells were silent
00:33:19The windows of the Alpha residence were dark
00:33:21No one was running towards me
00:33:28I am certain
00:33:35Then may the moon goddess witness your freedom
00:33:46I stepped onto the train bound for the southern neutral lands and did not look back
00:33:59Never to meet again
00:34:00Kaelin
00:34:04Only later did I learn that on the day I left
00:34:06Kaelin had waited outside the altar gate
00:34:08He thought the elders were only teaching me a lesson
00:34:12He thought I would come out wounded and exhausted
00:34:14Then lower my head again after he said
00:34:16Stop making trouble
00:34:17His friend at Seth was there too
00:34:18Alpha, aren't you afraid the luna will hate you after this?
00:34:22Kaelin lit a cigarette and said coldly
00:34:23She endured the strictest, most brutal punishments
00:34:26All just to remain by my side
00:34:27She simply could not bring herself to hate me
00:34:29Kaelin stubbed out his cigarette and said
00:34:31Sounding as if he were utterly helpless
00:34:34Serena has been far too unruly of late
00:34:36Not only has she been constantly targeting Vivian
00:34:39But she has also harmed both her and the pup she carries in her womb
00:34:42Serena must learn to exercise proper restraint over her temper
00:34:44As the pack's luna she cannot continue to behave so irresponsibly
00:34:47Just before the altar gate opened, Vivian's maid ran over
00:34:49Claiming Vivian had stomach pain and might lose the alpha pup
00:34:51Alpha Miss Vivian is in pain
00:34:52The healer said the pup may be unstable
00:34:54Please come quickly
00:34:55Kaelin left at once
00:34:57Seth, wait here
00:34:58When Serena comes out, take her to a side room to recover
00:35:01But at Seth had already been bought by Vivian
00:35:04He watched the neutral registrar lead my way
00:35:07He saw the blood seal on the severance contract
00:35:09He saw the elder remove my name from the Blackfoon Pack registry
00:35:14The alpha is on his way to you
00:35:16Serena will be driven out of Blackpore
00:35:23Kaelin stayed at the healing center with at Vivian all night
00:35:31The at healer Sief said she was merely emotional and the pup was not in danger
00:35:35Kaelin held her hand and murmured
00:35:40I will suppress the rumors
00:35:41When Serena comes out, I will make her apologize
00:35:49Vivian leaned into his arms and tested him
00:35:53Kaelin, I do not want our pup to be born as an unregistered child
00:35:57I do not want you trapped between two women forever
00:36:01If you love me, why not officially sever your contract with Serena and give us a real home?
00:36:11Kaelin was silent for a long time
00:36:15For a fleeting moment, he recalled the sight of Serena lying in her hospital bed
00:36:19Pale-faced and hollow-eyed, whispering
00:36:21It hurt so much
00:36:24But he pushed that memory away
00:36:27Do not bring this up again
00:36:29Serena cannot survive outside Blackpint
00:36:31She has been my Luna for three years
00:36:37I will let her keep the title
00:36:38The title
00:36:42Three days later, he finally realizes that Serena, Serena had left
00:36:48Serena's room was empty
00:36:49The wardrobe was bare
00:36:51The desk, too
00:36:53Was completely empty
00:36:55Beneath the pillow lay nothing but a single moonstone ring
00:36:59It was the very token he had casually slipped onto her finger on the day
00:37:03The very day
00:37:04He and Serena had signed their contract
00:37:07It was not a mark
00:37:08It was not a vow
00:37:10It was an afterthought
00:37:13Kaelin held the pin ring and panicked for the first time
00:37:17Serena
00:37:18Where did you go?
00:37:22But when he asked at Seth, Seth lied
00:37:26She came out cursing you and Miss Viviana
00:37:28She said you two deserve to lose everything
00:37:31Then she left on her own
00:37:33No one could stop her
00:37:34The look of concern in Kaelin's eyes instantly turned to ice
00:37:37He had promised to treat Serena after Vivian's birthday banquet
00:37:41He had even gone so far as to arrange for the province's most elite healers
00:37:44Terrified that Serena's injuries might leave scars
00:37:47Yet now, it turned out that Serena had already repaid 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
00:37:59Seth bowed his head and did not dare speak
00:38:04Only Vivian walked to Kaelin's side and slipped his palm over her abdomen
00:38:12Do not be angry because of her
00:38:14Our pup just kicked me
00:38:15He must be strong
00:38:17Just like his father
00:38:22Kaelin's expression eased a little
00:38:23At that moment, the pack matriarch contacted him through the pack link
00:38:29Kaelin, I heard At Vivian is carrying your pup
00:38:32Kaelin glanced at At Vivian and answered
00:38:35Yes
00:38:36Then the mate banquet should be held first
00:38:39As for the official red registry
00:38:41Wait until the pup is born
00:38:46Serena's side has already been handled cleanly
00:38:49Kaelin frowned faintly
00:38:52Handled cleanly
00:38:55He thought she meant I had run away after making another scene
00:38:59He did not ask one more question
00:39:04A few days later
00:39:05The mate Bentiful was held in the Black Pine Ceremonial Hall
00:39:09Vivian wore a pale moon-colored gown
00:39:11Her abdomen was slightly rounded beneath the soft fabric
00:39:14And every elder who passed her smiled as if the future Alpha Grain had already been born
00:39:19Kaelin stood beside his mate
00:39:21His face was calm, almost cold
00:39:23No one could tell whether he looked like a bridegroom at all
00:39:27During the blessing ritual
00:39:29Vivian knelt before the pack matriarch
00:39:31And offered her a cup of moon tea with both hands
00:39:34Mother, please accept my respect
00:39:38The matriarch looked at Latra left at Vivian's belly
00:39:41And laughed until the lines around her eyes softened
00:39:44Good child, get up
00:39:46Do not kneel too long
00:39:48Be careful of the pup
00:39:49She held at Vivian's hand
00:39:51Then turned to Kaelin with satisfaction
00:39:54Since Serena has already severed the matecon contract with you
00:39:57Live well with at Vivian from now on
00:40:00I am still waiting to hold your strong Alpha Pup
00:40:05The goblet in Kaelin's hand shattered
00:40:11Blood slit down his palm, but he did not seem to feel it
00:40:17Severed?
00:40:18His voice tightened
00:40:25What mate contract was severed?
00:40:30The entire ceremonial hall went silent
00:40:34Vivian's smile froze on her face
00:40:36The pack matriarch stared at Kaelin in confusion
00:40:39You did not know?
00:40:42Kaelin stepped down from the ritual platform
00:40:46His Alpha aura spread through the hall so suddenly
00:40:48That several lower-ranked wolves dropped to their knees
00:40:54Say it again
00:40:56What did Serena sever?
00:41:01Only then did the pack matriarch tell him everything
00:41:04You didn't know?
00:41:05Et Serena knelt at the moon goddess altar and asked to sever your matebond
00:41:08She took the full 99 wolf lashes
00:41:10Then was locked in the silver-lined punishment chamber
00:41:12Starved, silenced, forced to press her blood seal on the severance papers
00:41:15She left with nothing but the clothes on her back
00:41:17Her name's already been erased from the Blackfine pack registry
00:41:20And by ancient pack law
00:41:23She will never, ever be Blackfine's Luna again
00:41:29Kaelin lost control
00:41:31Kaelin lost control on the spot
00:41:33He grabbed At-Seth by the collar
00:41:35Before At-Seth could retreat into the crowd
00:41:37You told me
00:41:39She cursed me
00:41:40And left on her own
00:41:45Alpha, I
00:41:45I only repeated what I heard
00:41:53Seth's face went white
00:41:54Kaelin's eyes turned a dangerous red
00:42:00Do not lie under my command
00:42:02Tell me the truth
00:42:05How exactly did Serena leave?
00:42:07The Alpha command crushed At-Seth to his knees
00:42:15Seth trembled violently
00:42:17At last, the truth spilled out
00:42:21Seth admitted Vivian had ordered him to watch the altar
00:42:24I saw the neutral register take her away
00:42:26I saw the blood seal
00:42:28I saw the elder removed removed her name from the pack registry
00:42:30Kaelin's grip loosened inch by inch
00:42:33Miss Vivian told me to say the Luna cursed you
00:42:36I was afraid
00:42:38Alpha, I was afraid
00:42:48Kaelin released him and rushed back to Serena's room
00:42:50He searched every corner
00:42:52But found only the moonstone pin ring
00:42:54And a scrap of burnt moon-breath silk
00:42:57Only then did he seem to understand
00:42:59Serena was not hiding and waiting for him to coax her back
00:43:05She had truly gone
00:43:08Kaelin picked up the burnt silk
00:43:09His fingertips shook
00:43:15She burned this herself?
00:43:18No one dared answer
00:43:19He remembered the way At-Sereena used to fold those gowns in the wardrobe
00:43:24Blushing whenever his gaze passed over her
00:43:30He remembered calling them filthy tricks
00:43:32He remembered forcing Wolfbeam down at Serena's throat
00:43:41For the first time, the empty room felt louder than 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 of her mother's family
00:43:56A warrior lowered his head
00:44:00Alpha
00:44:00If her name has been erased from the registry
00:44:03Our scent trackers may not be able to follow her
00:44:06Kaelin's face turned ashen
00:44:11Then use mine
00:44:13Use every memory of her scent I have left
00:44:17He searched for Serena for a long time
00:44:20The Black Pine border
00:44:21The Neutral Station
00:44:22The Healer's Guild
00:44:24Even the old territory of Serena's mother's family
00:44:27Where she had not been in years
00:44:30He found nothing
00:44:31On 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 how perfect it was
00:44:47I had people post those Facebook rumors
00:44:49I made myself look like the victim
00:44:51Cried a little
00:44:52And Kellen nearly destroyed Serena for me
00:44:56Seth's voice was low and nervous through the mind link
00:45:05Miss Vivian
00:45:06The Alpha is already suspicious
00:45:09Vivian laughed softly
00:45:11Suspicious of what?
00:45:13That lowborn healer has been erased
00:45:14Exiled and left with silver wounds and bond backlash
00:45:17Whether she survives this winter is another question
00:45:22Did she really think she could be Luna?
00:45:25A lowborn healer whose wolf spirit had been suppressed until it nearly vanished?
00:45:32How could she compete with me?
00:45:37Kellen kicked the door open
00:45:38Vivian turned and saw him
00:45:40All 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 was placed before Aunt Kellen
00:46:04She had staged the wolfbind poisoning
00:46:07Paid Seth to spread the Facebook posts
00:46:09Forged pregnancy proof
00:46:10Arranged the rogue attack at her own birthday banquet
00:46:12And even obtained the silver water on the blade from old retainers of her family
00:46:15Alpha
00:46:16Every payment
00:46:17Every forged record
00:46:18And every purchase sent medicine points back to Miss Vivian
00:46:24Vivian knelled on the floor
00:46:25Hugging Kellen's leg as she cried
00:46:28I only loved you too much
00:46:30I was afraid you would never give me the luma position
00:46:32Kellen
00:46:33I am carrying your pup
00:46:35For the child's sake
00:46:39Kellen lowered his gaze to her abdomen
00:46:41His expression complicated
00:46:43Alpha
00:46:43There is no pup
00:46:45The so-called fetal scent was created by witch medicine
00:46:54Vivian collapsed to the floor
00:46:57No
00:46:58At Kellen, listen to me
00:46:59I can still give you a pup
00:47:01I can still be useful to Black Pine
00:47:05Kellen Black closed his eyes
00:47:08Send her to Silvermoon Sanatorium
00:47:10Tell the director she is charged with serious fraud
00:47:12Harming the luna
00:47:15And forging the alpha bloodline
00:47:18Without both my order and the council's order
00:47:20She is not to be released
00:47:22By then, I had already settled in the southern neutral lands
00:47:34There was no Black Pipe Cedar scent there
00:47:36No council judgment bell
00:47:38And no one called me luna
00:47:41I worked in a small ceremonial tailor shop
00:47:43Altering luna gowns and pup cloaks for passing wolves
00:47:45At first, my body was so weak
00:47:48That my fingers shook after a few stitches
00:47:49At night, Bondaclash would flare
00:47:51Like invisible claws tearing through my ribs
00:47:53The owner was an elderly omega woman
00:47:55She never asked about my past
00:47:57She only left warm soup by my door
00:48:00Drink it while it is warm, child
00:48:02A wolf that survives winter will eventually find spring
00:48:14One snowy evening
00:48:15A tall man entered the shop with a torn ceremonial cloak
00:48:18His scent was clean snow and pine
00:48:23He was Adrian Winter
00:48:25Alpha of Frostcrown
00:48:26And one of the neutral court's arbitersers
00:48:29He looked at the silver scars on my wrist
00:48:31And then at my lowered head
00:48:34He did not ask who had hurt me
00:48:37He only said
00:48:38Your wolf is still alive
00:48:40My fingers froze on the needle
00:48:51Let her stand when she is ready
00:48:53Do not force her to kneel for anyone again
00:48:57That was the first time since leaving Blackport that I cried
00:49:03Not because of pain
00:49:05Because someone had seen the part of me that was still alive
00:49:11Adrian courted me slowly
00:49:15On full moon nights, he sat with me in the yard behind the shop
00:49:19And watched my white wolf spirit try to stand beneath the moonlight
00:49:23When Backlash struck, he used his alpha scent to shield me from the worst of the pain
00:49:27But he never forced touch on me
00:49:30Once, I asked him
00:49:33Does it bother you that I severed a mate bond before?
00:49:35He looked at me with steady seriousness
00:49:38You are not someone's used possession
00:49:39You are Serena
00:49:41If you want to accept me, I will wait
00:49:43If you do not, I will still protect everyone in the neutral lands
00:49:47Including you
00:49:49Something touched my heart softly
00:49:53I had thought it was dead
00:49:56But when spring came, it insisted on living
00:50:00One afternoon, Adrian and I returned from the neutral market
00:50:03He carried fabric, and I held a bag of moon oranges
00:50:07The wind trimes at the corner rang lightly
00:50:09I had just laughed at something he said when I caught a familiar scent of cedar and mint
00:50:16My smile froze
00:50:20Kellen stood beneath the stone bridge
00:50:23He had lost weight
00:50:24His eyes were bloodshot
00:50:26The alpha aura that had once been sharp and untouchable was now chaotic and unstable
00:50:32Serena
00:50:34I finally found you
00:50:38I stepped back without thinking
00:50:43Adrian held my hand and stood in front of me
00:50:48Alpha
00:50:48You are frightening her
00:50:55Kellen stared at our joined hands
00:50:56His wolf surged in his eyes
00:51:00Who are you to touch her?
00:51:01She is my mate!
00:51:06I am not
00:51:07He rushed forward to 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 before you again
00:51:15Come back to Black Pine with me
00:51:16We can start over
00:51:18His tone was humble
00:51:19Unlike the arrogant alpha I remembered
00:51:22But I only felt disgust
00:51:25Let go
00:51:28He did not
00:51:32Adrian closed his hand around Kellen's wrist
00:51:34She told you to let go
00:51:36The next second
00:51:37Kanan swung a fist at him
00:51:39Two alpha eras collided on the street
00:51:42Ordinary wolves nearby went 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 to betray Serena
00:52:03She ceased to belong to you
00:52:04Especially now that she has severed her ties as your partner
00:52:08Portnary
00:52:10She belongs only to herself
00:52:13While Adrian shielded me
00:52:15Kellen drove a fist towards his temple
00:52:24I saw a wooden flag
00:52:25By the road
00:52:27My body moved before my mind did
00:52:35I grabbed the pole and struck
00:52:36Kellen across the back
00:52:41Kellen took a step back in disbelief
00:52:46Adrian turned sharply
00:52:50Serena!
00:52:51I stood there
00:52:52Both hands shaking around the pole
00:52:54My breath unbeaven
00:52:57Kellen looked back at me
00:52:58In distus belief
00:53:02You hit me?
00:53:03I gazed at him
00:53:04My eyes holding nothing but unfamiliarity and warfing
00:53:11Yes
00:53:12And if you touch him again
00:53:14I will hit you harder
00:53:16For a long moment
00:53:17Something in his expression shattered
00:53:22Perhaps in his memory
00:53:23I was still the woman who would wait at the door with warm soup
00:53:26No matter how late he came home
00:53:28But that woman had died in the silver line chamber
00:53:34The neutral guards arrived quickly
00:53:36And separated them
00:53:41Kellen stared at me as if he wanted to say a thousand things
00:53:46I did not give him the chance
00:53:49I took Adrian's hand and 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 was simple
00:54:08There was nothing he could do
00:54:15That evening
00:54:16Adrian disfected the torn skin on my palm
00:54:21You did not have to protect me
00:54:23I know
00:54:25I wanted to
00:54:28He looked at me for a long time
00:54:29Then lowered his eyes with a faint smile
00:54:32Then I am honored
00:54:35When Kellen woke
00:54:36He was in the neutral healing center
00:54:39Beta reported to him all the interrogation results regarding Vivian
00:54:42Kellen pulled out the blood needle and said only one thing
00:54:46I want to see her
00:54:47Seth urged him to return to Black Pine
00:54:50Alpha
00:54:50You cannot keep losing control
00:54:53Black Pine needs you
00:54:54The elders were preparing a vote to suspend his authority
00:54:57Because he had left the territory without permission
00:55:01Smaller packs were testing the Black Pine border
00:55:03Kellen did not seem to hear
00:55:08Bring Vivian
00:55:09I will make her kneel before Serena and return everything she owes
00:55:12When Aunt Vivian was dragged out of Silvermoon's sanatorium
00:55:15None of her old pure blood pride remained
00:55:18Her hair was tangled
00:55:21Moon iron chains locked around her wrists to suppress her wolf
00:55:25The moment she saw Kellen, she rushed toward him crying
00:55:32Kellen, you finally came to see me
00:55:35I know I was wrong
00:55:36I really do
00:55:37Kellen did not even look at her
00:55:41He ordered the guards to press her down in front of my shop
00:55:45That day, I was hemming a full moon cloak
00:55:48For a pup
00:55:50When I heard the commotion and looked up
00:55:51I saw Forstus kneel in the rain
00:55:57Kellen stood behind Vivian
00:55:58In his eyes was a desperate, almost obsessive hope
00:56:03Serena, she is here to confess
00:56:04Vivian trembled as she spoke
00:56:06I am sorry, Luna
00:56:08No, Serena
00:56:09I should not have framed you for the Wolf Sabane
00:56:11I should not have forged Facebook posts
00:56:12I should not have lied to Kellen and said I carried an Alpha pup
00:56:15I should not have arranged the rogue attack and blamed you
00:56:17I was wrong
00:56:19Please ask him to despair me
00:56:23She cried miserably, her knees sinking into mud
00:56:26Wail wolves gathered around to watch
00:56:28Kellen looked at me, his voice low and pleading
00:56:31See? She admitted it
00:56:32You can punish her however you want
00:56:34Make her kneel as 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 come 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 cancels out what I suffered?
00:56:53His 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 toward a silver blade for her
00:57:03You locked me in a silver line chamber for her
00:57:05You spread my private shame across Facebook for her
00:57:07Now for me you make her kneel in public without hesitation
00:57:09Whether it is her or me
00:57:11In your eyes we are only objects you can arrange and punish whenever you wish, aren't we?
00:57:15Kellen froze
00:57:16No!
00:57:17I only wanted you to feel avenged
00:57:19I smiled calmly
00:57:21My gaze toward and felled with sympathy
00:57:23You still do not understand what respect means
00:57:26I turned and picked up the umbrella beside the door
00:57:31Adrian was already standing in the rain
00:57:33He had not interfered
00:57:35He was simply waiting for my choice
00:57:40I walked to his side
00:57:43Kellen panicked and tried to rush over
00:57:45But the neutral guards blocked him
00:57:48Serena
00:57:49Don't choose him
00:57:52I was your first mate
00:57:54He can never replace me
00:57:56I looked back at him one last time
00:58:01Take yourself righteousness and arrogance
00:58:03And leave
00:58:04I do not need it
00:58:07Rain blurred his face
00:58:08For the first time
00:58:10I saw him truly helpless
00:58:12But helplessness was not regret
00:58:14And regret was not love
00:58:18I did not attend the court hearing
00:58:22I only submitted a blood seal testimony
00:58:25It contained records of 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 from before and after I was forced to sign
00:58:35In the punishment chamber
00:58:37Adrian asked me
00:58:41Do you want to watch him be judged with your own eyes?
00:58:43I shook my head
00:58:48I do not need to see him fall to prove I survived
00:58:51Still, the result reached the neutral lands
00:58:54Kellen Black's Alpha Alpha authority is suspended for one year
00:58:58The Black Pine Elders Council must issue a public apology to the neutral court
00:59:03Vivian will be stripped of her pure blood status
00:59:06And exile to the Frost Labor Lands
00:59:07For forging an air bloodline and harming a registered Luna
00:59:13Seth will lose one fang
00:59:15And be expelled from Black Pine
00:59:20Kellen refused to accept the distance between us
00:59:27Later, someone from Frost Crown delivered him a message
00:59:30Since you never understood pain
00:59:33Remember it with your own body
00:59:37No one killed him
00:59:38The court sentenced him to three months of service at the Silver Mine border
00:59:41Clearing old hunter traps contaminated with silver and wolf bite
00:59:47It was the kind of low-ranking warrior's work he had once despised
00:59:54I thought the court sentence would be the end
00:59:56Vivian had been transferred from Silver Moon Sanatorium
00:59:59To the Frost Labor Lands after the neutral court ruling
01:00:03Kellen had been sent to the Silver Mine border
01:00:06Seth had lost one bang and vanished from Black Pine
01:00:09Later, I learned that several old retainers of Vivian's family
01:00:12Brabbed the escort guards during the transfer
01:00:14And helped her escape into the Frost Crown border woods
01:00:16Kellen heard of Vivian's escape while serving his sentence near the Silver Mine border
01:00:20He knew her hatred would lead her to me
01:00:22So he followed the rogue scent trail all night
01:00:25Before leaving the Mine border
01:00:27He had already prepared a blood-sealed transfer file
01:00:29And the Black Pine Luna crown
01:00:30Intending to leave them with the neutral court
01:00:32As compensation after his sentence ended
01:00:34For a few quiet days
01:00:36I almost believed the old nightmare had finally stopped breathing
01:00:41That night, Adrian came to my shop to pick me up
01:00:43The patrols found strange tracks near the North Woods
01:00:46Stay close to me tonight
01:00:51Before I could answer, a low laugh came from the fog
01:00:56Vivian stepped out from behind the trees
01:00:58Her white dancer's gown was torn
01:01:00Her hair tangled
01:01:01But the hatred in her eyes was sharper than ever
01:01:06You took everything from me, Serena
01:01:08Behind her stood rogue wolves
01:01:10Their bodies smelled of blood, hunger, and old crimes
01:01:16She promised us Frost Crown's Luna
01:01:18Kill the woman, take the reward
01:01:22Adrian's eyes went cold
01:01:25Vivian
01:01:25You have just turned exile into a death sentence
01:01:28Vivian stepped out from behind the trees
01:01:30She deserves to die, to die
01:01:34If I cannot be Luna, neither 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 from behind
01:01:49With a wolf's horn coated blade
01:01:52I heard the blade cut through the air
01:01:54Then someone crashed into me and pulled me behind his body
01:01:57The blade sank into Kellen's chest
01:01:59Blood splashed across the snow
01:02:01Caden staggered
01:02:03But he did not fall
01:02:04His damaged wolf spirit roared once
01:02:07Forcing the rogue wolf back
01:02:12This time
01:02:14I did not push you toward the blade
01:02:18I froze
01:02:19Kellen turned his pale face toward me
01:02:23Serena
01:02:24Run
01:02:26Adrian killed one rogue wolf with a single strike
01:02:29The Frost Crown guards arrived almost immediately and surrounded the woods
01:02:31Vivian tried to flee
01:02:33But Adrian's command froze every wolf in the clearing
01:02:35Take her alive
01:02:36No, Kellen, save me! You left me once!
01:02:37Vivian struggled wildly
01:02:39Kellen did not even look at her
01:02:40He knelt in the snow
01:02:42One hand pressed against his chest
01:02:44Black blood seeped through his fingers
01:02:46The wolf spike on the blade had entered his old silver wounds
01:02:49His wolf spirit was dying
01:02:51Kellen took out the blood-sealed transfer file from inside his coat and pushed it toward me
01:02:55Everything under my personal name
01:02:57My private residence, my personal share of the border mines, the trade profits, and the compensation fund I prepared for
01:03:02you
01:03:02All of it is yours
01:03:03I did not reach for it
01:03:05I do not want your money
01:03:06Kellen gave a broken smile
01:03:08Then burn it
01:03:09Give it away
01:03:11Use it to heal every low-bren wolf Black Pine ever humiliated
01:03:14I only want it to stop belonging to me
01:03:16His fingers trembled as he opened a dark velvet box
01:03:19Inside laid the Black Pine Luna crown
01:03:21It was not silver
01:03:22It was carved from Black Pine wood, Oxidian, and Moonstone
01:03:26The Moonstone at the center glowed faintly under the full moon
01:03:29Kellen lifted it with both hands
01:03:30I had this locked away for three years
01:03:33I told myself you were not ready for it
01:03:35His voice broke
01:03:36I was wrong
01:03:39I was the one unworthy of standing beside you
01:03:41He placed the crown on the snow before me
01:03:43I am sorry
01:03:44This should have belonged to you from the beginning
01:03:46For a moment, I remembered the man I had once loved
01:03:49Then I remembered every wound he had left behind
01:03:52Kellen, I will not forgive you
01:03:54I know
01:03:55Kellen closed his eyes
01:03:56One wounded rogue wolf suddenly crushed a vial of wolfspot smoke under his claws
01:03:59The bitter mist exploded through the clearing
01:04:01Breaking Adrian's command for a single second
01:04:03Vivian tore free from the guard holding her
01:04:04Pulled a hidden dagger from her boot and rushed toward me
01:04:06Kellen used the last of his strength to stand
01:04:08He blocked her again
01:04:10Kellen's wolf spirit shattered in the moonlight
01:04:12Before he fell, he whispered one last sentence
01:04:14At least, this time, I protected you
01:04:17Then Kellen Black died in the snow
01:04:20Vivian was brought before the Frostcrown Moon Goddess altar three days later
01:04:23Her hands were bound with black iron chains
01:04:25Her face was no longer beautiful
01:04:26Fear had stripped away every trace of her old arrogance
01:04:28Vivian, neutral court once sentenced you only to labor in the Frostlands
01:04:30Yet you remained incircable
01:04:32The neutral judge read her crimes aloud
01:04:33Inspired with rogue wolves to harm Serena
01:04:35And caused the death of Black Pine's former Alpha
01:04:38In accordance with the werewolf code
01:04:40Your inner wolf will be stripped away
01:04:42And you will be permanently exiled from every pack registration
01:04:46Vivian screamed until her voice cracked
01:04:48I am pure blood
01:04:49You cannot take my wolf
01:04:57No one answered her
01:04:58The moon got a seal lit beneath her feet
01:05:00A pale wolf shadow tore itself from her body
01:05:02It struggled, howled, then shattered under the cold moonlight
01:05:05Her body survived
01:05:06But the wolf inside her was gone forever
01:05:08She collapsed to the ground
01:05:09For the first time, she had no wolf scent
01:05:11No pack would accept her
01:05:12No Alpha Command would answer her
01:05:14No full moon would ever call to her again
01:05:20She was dragged beyond the border
01:05:22And thrown into the wild
01:05:23Three months later, at Adrian and I held a commitment ceremony
01:05:26Not a trial, a mate bonding ritual
01:05:27I wore a white frost patterned Luna gown and submission for me
01:05:30With no command in his eyes
01:05:31I will respect your silence, your anger, your fear, and your freedom
01:05:34I will honor your no before I ever ask for your yes
01:05:36If one day you choose to walk away, I will not hunt you
01:05:38If one day you choose to stay, I will never betray you
01:05:41My eyes warmed
01:05:41Under the full moon, my wolf spirit finally lifted her head
01:05:45For the first time, she was not afraid
01:05:46I stepped forward and placed my hand in his
01:05:48Then I choose you
01:05:49The frost crown wolves bowed
01:05:51Adrian lowered his head and kissed the back of my hand like a vow
01:05:54From this moon onward, you 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, it did not feel like chains
01:06:02It felt like home
01:06:03I know that I have finally ushered in a brand new life
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