لم يستطع الزنزانة إيقاف لونا - مشاهدة المسلسل الصيني مترجم كامل مجاناً - video Dailymotion

Drama Gate

لم يستطع الزنزانة إيقاف لونا - مشاهدة المسلسل الصيني مترجم كامل مجاناً   #Shorts #Short_Drama

Transcript

00:00:00I always felt like I never belonged, not in this pack and definitely not in the family I was placed

00:00:04with. I was orphaned at birth. My mother died giving birth to me and my father soon after.

00:00:11Alpha Joe handed me off like an unwanted gift to Ama and Vargos. For a while, they treated me like

00:00:16their own. Until I was seven and Ama's belly began to swell with new life. Then the world shifted.

00:00:25The arms that once cradled me grew cold.

00:00:41I closed my eyes and breathed deep. Today was different. Tonight, under the moonlight, my dormant wolf gene will awaken

00:00:48and I'll finally become a full-fledged werewolf. Once I shift, I can leave Ama's house and start saving to

00:00:53finally get out of Kragnan. A small, secret smile tugged at my lips. I'd been waiting for this moment my

00:00:59whole life.

00:00:59I rose stiffly from my pile of clothes. There she was, leaning over the railing like a queen surveying her

00:01:06dirty peasant.

00:01:07Sorry.

00:01:09Sorry? You should be. Living off our kindness all these years, the least you could do is pick up more

00:01:15slack.

00:01:16It's the weekend.

00:01:16I swallowed the bitter rage clawing up my throat. More slack? What more could I possibly do that wasn't already

00:01:23dumped on my shoulders?

00:01:23I clenched my fists until my knuckles shook. Just a few more hours, I reminded myself. I woke Levian to

00:01:31get his laundry.

00:01:31He shoved two overflowing baskets into my arms and threw a duvet at the back of my head before slamming

00:01:37the door.

00:01:38Downstairs, Ama was sipping coffee and reading a fashion magazine.

00:01:40The washing machine's broken. Peter can fix it later. Take the laundry down to the river bend and wash it

00:01:45by hand.

00:01:45Oh, and grab your father's and my laundry, too.

00:01:49I tripped and grabbed the counter, accidentally knocking a plate to the floor.

00:01:54Ama's palm collided with my face, knocking me backwards into the fridge.

00:01:59I saw stars and tears spilled from my eyes.

00:02:03You stupid little bitch! That was a vintage plate!

00:02:07Sorry doesn't fix your stupidity!

00:02:10Useless girl! You're nothing but a migraine!

00:02:13I stayed silent, letting the insults rain down until she stormed off.

00:02:18Then I heaved the heavy bags onto my back and stumbled toward the river bend,

00:02:24where there was less chance of anyone seeing me like this.

00:02:29By the time I made it back, the sun was retreating.

00:02:32I heard Alpha Joe's voice inside.

00:02:34I pushed open the door, and every head at the dining table turned toward me.

00:02:38Ama sweetly told a lie, saying that I went to wash clothes by the river

00:02:41because I complained the washing machine hadn't gotten them clean enough.

00:02:44Nareen, I've been waiting for you.

00:02:46It's custom for the Alpha to bless you on your birthday,

00:02:49and pray that Arena's spirit sees you through your transformation from man to beast.

00:02:54I blinked. Stunned. I took a single spoonful of pasta at dinner.

00:02:58My parents hadn't.

00:02:59Suddenly, heat exploded under my skin.

00:03:02I doubled over, gasping.

00:03:03Get out.

00:03:04I took a deep breath through the pain and stumbled out the door.

00:03:07The storm howled, and rain pounded down.

00:03:10My bones snapped and elongated painfully slow,

00:03:13my spine twisting at odd angles.

00:03:15I laid there crying, powerless.

00:03:20After an eternity, the pain faded, and I staggered up panting.

00:03:25I looked down, and my white fur shimmered under the rain,

00:03:29with champagne-hued, burnished golden tips.

00:03:32I howled wildly to the red moon, brimming with happiness,

00:03:35and turned back toward the others.

00:03:37When's that?

00:03:38They froze and stared as if I had two heads,

00:03:41then flinched when I stepped forward.

00:03:42In a puddle, I saw my huge reflection with a third eye on my forehead.

00:03:46Black socket and golden iris,

00:03:48and my main eyes blazing red.

00:03:51Darkness swallowed me whole.

00:03:52Three years later, there were no windows or clocks,

00:03:54no way to tell day from night.

00:03:56Tobias's boots echoed through the rotten corridor.

00:03:58He tossed a tray beside me.

00:03:59Oh, you still ain't dead yet?

00:04:00You're one strong little bitch.

00:04:02It's been three years, can you believe it?

00:04:03This pit stinks worse than a rotting sewer.

00:04:05Last time I'm coming down here, mark my word.

00:04:08Three years.

00:04:08The words slithered into my mind like a poison dagger,

00:04:11but I felt nothing.

00:04:12Had it really been that long?

00:04:13I stared up at the cracked ceiling,

00:04:15tracing the spiderweb of fractures again and again.

00:04:18Every split had been memorized long ago.

00:04:20I had been rotting in this dungeon long enough

00:04:22for the ceiling to become more familiar than faces I once loved.

00:04:25They tried to get rid of me,

00:04:26but my cursed body healed relentlessly.

00:04:28They turned to silver,

00:04:30searing it into my flesh and leaving a map of scars.

00:04:32Joe was the worst.

00:04:34He peeled my skin back layer by layer,

00:04:36probing for the monster he swore lurked beneath.

00:04:38He would let me shriek until my lips cracked and my stomach twisted,

00:04:41then dangle a single drop of water in front of me.

00:04:45Shift.

00:04:46Show me what you really are.

00:04:47But I was too weak to summon the beast he so feared.

00:04:50I had screamed for death,

00:04:52begged for it in hoary sobs,

00:04:54but even death found me repulsive,

00:04:56leaving me trapped in this decaying shell.

00:04:59When I turned my head and saw the tray,

00:05:01a jolt struck my half-dead nose.

00:05:03The cell door was in jaw,

00:05:05unlocked.

00:05:06Tobias.

00:05:07Lazy.

00:05:08Careless.

00:05:09Tobias hadn't locked it.

00:05:11A strange, foreign sensation stirred in my hollow chest.

00:05:14Hope.

00:05:15But I crushed it hard.

00:05:17Even if I escaped,

00:05:18where would I go in this state?

00:05:20Skin stretched over brittle bones,

00:05:22not even remembering my own face.

00:05:24I clenched my jaw.

00:05:26If I must die,

00:05:27then let it be under the sky,

00:05:28with the wind on my skin and the stars bearing witness,

00:05:32not rotting away nameless in this tomb.

00:05:35I forced my skeletal frame to move

00:05:37and dragged myself across the threshold.

00:05:39I didn't remember how I stumbled through the night,

00:05:41only the scent,

00:05:42honeysuckle and sun-warmed cedar,

00:05:44cutting through the rot like a blade.

00:05:46Then a pair of warm arms caught my crumbling body.

00:05:49When my eyes fluttered open again,

00:05:51there was no cracked ceiling.

00:05:53Above me were intricate carvings

00:05:54kissed with gold and silver.

00:05:56A chandelier glowing softly.

00:05:58The bed beneath me was impossibly soft,

00:06:00silk curtains swaying at its corners.

00:06:02Was I dead?

00:06:03Was this heaven or hell dressed in beautiful lies?

00:06:06I tried to move,

00:06:07but my limbs trembled violently.

00:06:08My hands were clean and pale,

00:06:10nearly translucent.

00:06:11I was dressed in a large hoodie.

00:06:13The grime I'd worn like a second skin was gone.

00:06:16You're awake.

00:06:17I flinched and snapped my gaze toward the voice.

00:06:20He was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen.

00:06:23He stood at the foot of the bed,

00:06:25arms crossed over a broad chest,

00:06:27warm brown eyes framed by thick, dark lashes.

00:06:30How are you feeling?

00:06:32That voice was like thunder wrapped in silk.

00:06:35I wanted to speak,

00:06:36but only a weak gasp escaped.

00:06:39When he reached out a hand,

00:06:41I threw my arms up to shield my face,

00:06:43bracing for the blow I knew would come.

00:06:46I don't want to hurt you.

00:06:51I would never hurt you,

00:06:52Imsirelli.

00:06:55I peeked through my arms.

00:06:57He had lowered his hand and wore a sad smile.

00:07:00He introduced himself as Sargus,

00:07:03the ruthless,

00:07:05untouchable Lycan king.

00:07:07He said,

00:07:08I was in the palace of Karagnir,

00:07:11that he had found me on snow wolf territory.

00:07:13This had to be a hallucination.

00:07:16How could someone as broken as I am be in the palace?

00:07:18In the king's bed.

00:07:20I tried to pinch myself awake,

00:07:22but there was no flesh to grip.

00:07:25So I scooted toward the edge,

00:07:27intending to fall and wake up.

00:07:29The next second,

00:07:30I crashed into a solid chest.

00:07:32His heartbeat thudded against my ear.

00:07:34I looked up into those warm eyes

00:07:36that could melt the fiercest ice.

00:07:38But warmth was always a lie.

00:07:40I pushed weakly,

00:07:41but he simply laid me back on the bed.

00:07:44Then he pulled out a phone

00:07:45and issued a steady command.

00:07:48Royal physician.

00:07:50My room.

00:07:52He was summoning an entire medical team.

00:07:55This is all my fault.

00:07:57I'm sorry I didn't find you soon.

00:08:00He dropped his head onto my lap,

00:08:02his broad shoulders trembling slightly.

00:08:04I froze.

00:08:06Why would a king grieve over me?

00:08:09A knock sounded,

00:08:10and a group in teal scrubs filed in,

00:08:13bowing in unison.

00:08:14That was what they called him.

00:08:16Supreme Alpha.

00:08:18And I sat there,

00:08:19trembling,

00:08:20utterly bewildered.

00:08:21What the actual fuck was happening?

00:08:23They wanted to examine me.

00:08:25I curled into a ball,

00:08:26pressing my palms over my ears,

00:08:28rocking back and forth.

00:08:29Don't touch me.

00:08:30Please, no.

00:08:31The man called Sarja sat on the edge of the bed,

00:08:33his voice low.

00:08:34I promise you, M'sirelli,

00:08:37nobody here is going to hurt you.

00:08:39They won't touch you in any way you're uncomfortable with.

00:08:42I swear on my title and my life.

00:08:45I looked at him.

00:08:47There was a burning sincerity in those eyes.

00:08:52Slowly, my hands slid down from my ears.

00:08:56I nodded.

00:08:57The physician Maravec approached cautiously,

00:09:00like handling a frightened fawn.

00:09:02He measured my vitals,

00:09:04my height and weight,

00:09:05his brown deepening.

00:09:07When he gestured for me to open my mouth,

00:09:09a foul stretch filled the room,

00:09:11and I saw Sargas' knuckles turn white.

00:09:13They asked questions,

00:09:14and I answered with nods,

00:09:16shakes,

00:09:17or fingers.

00:09:18Three.

00:09:19Three years since I last spoke.

00:09:21Twenty-one.

00:09:22I was twenty-one.

00:09:24Finally,

00:09:24they handed me a notepad and pen to write my name.

00:09:27My hand trembled so badly,

00:09:29the letters came out crooked.

00:09:31Nino?

00:09:32Or maybe Maka?

00:09:34The physician guessed twice,

00:09:35and was wrong both times.

00:09:38Sargas impatiently snatched the note,

00:09:40and squinted at it.

00:09:41Noreen.

00:09:43I nodded.

00:09:47Noreen.

00:09:48He pronounced that name like a sacred vow.

00:09:52Everyone left,

00:09:53and the door clicked shut behind them.

00:09:55Silence wrapped around me again,

00:09:57my oldest best friend.

00:09:59I looked around the massive room.

00:10:01High vaulted ceilings,

00:10:02polished stone walls,

00:10:04a bed big enough for five.

00:10:05It was too surreal.

00:10:06I was in the Lycan King's palace.

00:10:09In his bed.

00:10:10Under his care.

00:10:11Why?

00:10:12What did he want?

00:10:13No one ever gave without wanting something in return.

00:10:16Especially not for someone like me.

00:10:19A knock came,

00:10:20and a dark-haired woman entered,

00:10:21fox-like eyes smiling.

00:10:22She introduced herself as Hazmik,

00:10:25my lady-in-waiting.

00:10:26She brought an iPad and a wireless bell.

00:10:28Would you like to stay resting in bed?

00:10:30Or would you love to watch the sun?

00:10:32It's beautiful from the balcony.

00:10:33The sun.

00:10:35That word struck me like a jolt to the chest.

00:10:37I pointed weakly toward the window.

00:10:40She smiled and helped me up,

00:10:42letting me lean on her as we shuffled step by step towards the large glass doors.

00:10:46The door slid open,

00:10:48and sunlight flood in.

00:10:50The first ray hit my face.

00:10:52I froze.

00:10:53The warmth was so foreigner it almost hurt.

00:10:56I closed my eyes and breathed it in,

00:10:58letting it soak into my bones.

00:11:00I had forgotten.

00:11:02I had forgotten how the sun felt.

00:11:04Hazmik helped me sink into a giant beanbag that swallowed me whole.

00:11:08The sky was a tender blue,

00:11:10clouds drifting slowly.

00:11:11A breeze kissed my matted hair.

00:11:13I don't know how long I sat there.

00:11:15Maybe I fell asleep.

00:11:16When I opened my eyes again,

00:11:18the sky was painted amber and rose gold,

00:11:20a wool blanket wrapped around me.

00:11:23Then I met those warm brown eyes,

00:11:26Sargis standing by the railing,

00:11:27silently watching me.

00:11:28You seem so comfortable sleeping.

00:11:30I didn't have the heart to disturb you.

00:11:32It's getting windy.

00:11:34I should get you inside so you don't catch a cold.

00:11:38Before I could react,

00:11:40I was weightless in his arms.

00:11:42My face pressed against his chest,

00:11:45his steady heartbeat thudding in my ear.

00:11:49I froze,

00:11:50but he just smiled,

00:11:52as if carrying women was part of his daily routine.

00:11:59He laid me back on the bed,

00:12:01tucked the duvet around me,

00:12:03and then turned for the door,

00:12:07leaving my heart hammering like a drum.

00:12:09The door clicked shut behind him.

00:12:12I curled up alone in that too soft bed,

00:12:15my heart still pounding.

00:12:16When he carried me back from the balcony,

00:12:18his arms had been steady as stone,

00:12:20as if I weighed nothing.

00:12:22I burrowed deeper into his hoodie.

00:12:24That scent,

00:12:25cedar and honeysuckle,

00:12:27had soaked into the fabric.

00:12:28I hated to admit it reminded me of something distant called safety.

00:12:33Outside,

00:12:34moonlight silvered the gardens.

00:12:36I stared at it,

00:12:37asking myself over and over,

00:12:40who was I

00:12:41to be held in a king's hands?

00:12:43The answer came as cold as moonlight.

00:12:46I was not worthy.

00:12:48The physician Maravec's words echoed in my head.

00:12:51Severe malnutrition,

00:12:52dehydration,

00:12:53post-traumatic stress.

00:12:54My teeth had rotted from neglect.

00:12:56If I were human,

00:12:57he had said,

00:12:58I would already be dead.

00:13:00It was the cursed wolf blood that had kept me alive.

00:13:03The blood that made me a monster.

00:13:06I touched the crescent and spiral mark on my forehead.

00:13:09It always throbbed faintly.

00:13:11I closed my eyes,

00:13:12trying to piece together what that man,

00:13:14Sargis,

00:13:15could possibly see in me.

00:13:16A mute ghost.

00:13:17A skeletal wreck.

00:13:19A three-eyed abomination.

00:13:21Sooner or later,

00:13:22he would see the truth

00:13:24and throw me back into the abyss.

00:13:25Thirty sunrises and sunsets passed.

00:13:27I was trapped in this gilded dream,

00:13:29receiving IV drips,

00:13:30dental repairs,

00:13:31nutritional supplements day after day.

00:13:33Flesh slowly returned to my frame,

00:13:34and my skin grew less translucent.

00:13:36Hasmak became my shadow.

00:13:37She never pushed,

00:13:38never overstepped,

00:13:39simply offering a hand when needed.

00:13:41She reminded me of something I had never possessed,

00:13:43a sister.

00:13:43And Sargis slept on the sofa,

00:13:45every single day.

00:13:46Whenever I woke,

00:13:47he was either reading

00:13:47or watching me like a puzzle he couldn't solve.

00:13:50His gaze was too intense

00:13:51and I could never meet it.

00:13:52I woke earlier than usual today.

00:13:54Dawn had not yet broken

00:13:55and the room was empty.

00:13:56I didn't want to wait for Hasmak

00:13:57to help me with everything like a parasite.

00:13:58I pulled the IV needle out,

00:14:00wincing at the sting,

00:14:00but I didn't stop.

00:14:01The bathroom was gilded magnificence.

00:14:03The mirror showed a face

00:14:04still pale,

00:14:05but no longer hollow-eyed.

00:14:06I stared at the brand on my forehead,

00:14:08trying to recall when it appeared,

00:14:09but memory offered only black holes.

00:14:11I picked up scissors

00:14:11and began cutting away the matted knots.

00:14:13Platinum strands fell around my feet,

00:14:15snip after snip,

00:14:16until my head felt as light

00:14:17as if three years of weight had been lifted.

00:14:19Hot water poured from the shower head,

00:14:20steam billowing.

00:14:21I closed my eyes

00:14:22and let the stream wash over

00:14:23of every inch of skin.

00:14:24It was the first time

00:14:24I truly bathed myself.

00:14:25The scent of soap

00:14:26drowned out the memory of rot.

00:14:27I touched every inch of skin,

00:14:28as if getting to know my body

00:14:29for the first time.

00:14:30After the shower,

00:14:31wrapped in a blue robe,

00:14:32I found myself standing before the mirror again.

00:14:34I took a deep breath

00:14:34and let the robe fall.

00:14:36Then I saw them scars,

00:14:37covering my body like dried-up riverbeds.

00:14:39The most horrifying one

00:14:40snaked from my lower abdomen

00:14:41to just beneath my left breast.

00:14:43The skin was tight and shiny,

00:14:44as if it still had a pulsacy.

00:14:45Joe.

00:14:46He had dragged a silver-coated blade

00:14:47up my stomach,

00:14:48slow as if savoring a delicacy.

00:14:50The sizzle of silver on flesh.

00:14:52The iron tang of blood.

00:14:54His humming.

00:14:55My screams.

00:14:56The door burst open.

00:14:57Sargas rushed in,

00:14:58then froze.

00:14:59His gaze landed on me

00:15:00for only a heartbeat

00:15:01before jerking away

00:15:02as if scolded,

00:15:03the back of his neck

00:15:03flushing red.

00:15:05I saw her body,

00:15:07which made me uncontrollably

00:15:08think of some blush-endearing images.

00:15:10I'm sorry.

00:15:11I didn't think before barging in.

00:15:13Your heartbeat.

00:15:14I thought shit.

00:15:15I'm so sorry.

00:15:16Are you okay?

00:15:17Why are you crying?

00:15:18Only then did I realize

00:15:19I was curled naked on the floor,

00:15:20tears streaming down my face.

00:15:22I scrambled to pull the robe around me,

00:15:24heart hammering.

00:15:25He kept his back to me,

00:15:26shoulders rigid.

00:15:27Put some clothes on,

00:15:28I'll be outside.

00:15:29He practically fled.

00:15:35I sat there for a moment,

00:15:37then pulled on another

00:15:37of his white shirt

00:15:38and burrowed under the covers.

00:15:39He stood by the window

00:15:40for a long time

00:15:41before slowly returning.

00:15:42I lay in bed

00:15:43with my back to him.

00:15:44His voice came from behind

00:15:45low and careful

00:15:46like taming a deer

00:15:47ready to bolt.

00:15:47You've been cooped up

00:15:48in here for a month.

00:15:49If you want,

00:15:49we can stroll through

00:15:50the palace gardens.

00:15:51The lilies just bloomed.

00:15:52Maravik says you can

00:15:53start on solid foods.

00:15:54I didn't respond.

00:15:55He held out the tablet

00:15:56and asked if there was

00:15:57anything I craved.

00:15:58I stared at the flowing screen

00:15:59as if it were an alien artifact.

00:16:01But eventually,

00:16:02I took it.

00:16:02He showed me how it worked,

00:16:04his fingers careful

00:16:05never to touch mine.

00:16:06I typed,

00:16:07then turned the screen

00:16:07toward him.

00:16:08What do you mean?

00:16:09What do I want?

00:16:10I snatched it back,

00:16:11typed furiously,

00:16:12and flipped it again.

00:16:13I need answers.

00:16:14Why was I brought here?

00:16:15Why am I in your bed?

00:16:16Why all this excessive care?

00:16:18Why waste resources

00:16:19on someone you don't even know?

00:16:20He fell silent.

00:16:21The air grew heavy as red.

00:16:22That's because

00:16:23you're my mate,

00:16:25Cyreli.

00:16:26Mate?

00:16:27Me?

00:16:27His?

00:16:27The eternally bound,

00:16:29soul-deep,

00:16:29lichen mate

00:16:30cursed by Irina?

00:16:31Absurd.

00:16:32I was a three-eyed monster.

00:16:34He couldn't be serious.

00:16:36There had to be a mistake.

00:16:37A defective thing

00:16:38cast aside by everyone.

00:16:39He couldn't be serious.

00:16:41This had to be

00:16:41another cruel trap.

00:16:42I couldn't believe him.

00:16:44The moment he saw

00:16:45my true form,

00:16:45he would revile me

00:16:46like everyone else.

00:16:47I had to leave.

00:16:48Before he discovered

00:16:49the truth,

00:16:49before those gentle looks

00:16:50turned to disgust,

00:16:51I had to escape.

00:16:52But I was too weak right now.

00:16:53I needed time

00:16:54to regain my strength,

00:16:55to earn his trust,

00:16:56to find an opening.

00:16:56The garden.

00:16:57He mentioned the garden.

00:16:58There had to be

00:16:59a way out from there.

00:16:59I forced my breathing

00:17:00to steady,

00:17:01picked up the tablet,

00:17:02and typed my reply

00:17:02one letter at a time.

00:17:03Banana.

00:17:04He stared for a full

00:17:05three seconds.

00:17:06Then his handsome face

00:17:07split into a smile

00:17:08I had never seen.

00:17:10Pure,

00:17:11bright,

00:17:11utterly relieved.

00:17:12The freshest bananas

00:17:13should be immediately

00:17:14brought to my quarters.

00:17:15Soon,

00:17:16Hazmik rushed in

00:17:17with an armload of bananas,

00:17:18her eyes glistening.

00:17:20She peeled one

00:17:21and offered it to me

00:17:21with a joy

00:17:22as if I had just asked

00:17:23for the crown itself.

00:17:24I took the first bite.

00:17:26The sweetness exploded

00:17:27on my tongue,

00:17:28foreign and overwhelming.

00:17:29I couldn't remember

00:17:30bananas ever tasting

00:17:31this good.

00:17:32One after another,

00:17:33I couldn't stop.

00:17:35I heard his low chuckle.

00:17:37You're going to turn

00:17:38into a banana

00:17:39at this rate.

00:17:39I paused,

00:17:41looked up at him,

00:17:42and gave him

00:17:43the faintest,

00:17:44most unexpected eye roll.

00:17:46His laughter

00:17:47grew louder.

00:17:48In that moment,

00:17:49something cold

00:17:50in my chest

00:17:51seemed to crack.

00:17:54I'm so rarely meant

00:17:55my beloved

00:17:56in old Kragnook.

00:17:58He said it

00:17:59with such tenderness

00:18:00that I had to look away.

00:18:01I didn't deserve

00:18:02to be looked at like that.

00:18:03After the bananas

00:18:04were gone,

00:18:04he sat quietly

00:18:05on the sofa

00:18:06and told me

00:18:06about Irina's curse.

00:18:08How lichens

00:18:08were punished

00:18:09for their arrogance,

00:18:10bound eternally

00:18:11to one person,

00:18:12heart and soul

00:18:12intertwined until death.

00:18:13I don't care about

00:18:14the curse.

00:18:15All I know

00:18:15is that when I found you,

00:18:17here,

00:18:17he pointed to his chest,

00:18:19the place

00:18:20that had been empty

00:18:21for twenty-three years

00:18:22suddenly felt full.

00:18:24I clutched the sheets.

00:18:26His words

00:18:27were honeyed,

00:18:28but I had tasted

00:18:29too much poison

00:18:30wrapped in honey.

00:18:32I picked up the tablet

00:18:34and typed

00:18:34with trembling fingers.

00:18:36I don't want

00:18:37to be your mate.

00:18:38His smile

00:18:39didn't disappear.

00:18:40It just softened

00:18:41into something sad,

00:18:42like a flame

00:18:43dampened by rain.

00:18:44I know,

00:18:44and I won't force

00:18:45anything on you,

00:18:46Noreen,

00:18:46ever.

00:18:47But I also

00:18:48won't lie to you.

00:18:49You're not just

00:18:49anyone to me.

00:18:50You're the only one

00:18:51that's ever silenced

00:18:52the monster inside me.

00:18:57He left

00:18:58after those words,

00:18:59leaving me alone

00:19:00with the silence.

00:19:01I looked toward

00:19:02the balcony.

00:19:02The sky was vast

00:19:04and I was in a cage.

00:19:05No,

00:19:06I would be

00:19:07no one's prisoner anymore.

00:19:08I would grow strong,

00:19:10exact my revenge,

00:19:11and then be truly free.

00:19:12I walked

00:19:13to the balcony,

00:19:14slid the door open,

00:19:15and cold wind

00:19:17hit my face.

00:19:18I stared at the abyss

00:19:20beyond the railing.

00:19:21One step,

00:19:22and all the pain

00:19:23would end.

00:19:23I climbed onto the railing

00:19:25and spread my arms.

00:19:28Noreen!

00:19:29Please don't do that!

00:19:30I whipped my head around,

00:19:31my foot slipped,

00:19:32then the world flipped,

00:19:33and I fell into the void.

00:19:35A hand clamped

00:19:36around my wrist.

00:19:36I dangled in midair,

00:19:37looking up to see Sargas

00:19:38half over the railing,

00:19:39one hand gripping the edge,

00:19:41the other holding me

00:19:41with desperate strength.

00:19:42His face was contorted

00:19:43with strain,

00:19:44veins bulging,

00:19:45but what burned in his eyes

00:19:45was not anger.

00:19:46It was pure,

00:19:47unadultated terror.

00:19:48Hold on,

00:19:48Noreen!

00:19:49Just hold on!

00:19:50With a guttural roar,

00:19:51he hauled us both

00:19:52back over the railing

00:19:53inch by agonizing inch.

00:19:54We tumbled onto

00:19:55the cold tiles.

00:19:56I sprawled across his chest,

00:19:58his heart

00:19:59hummering wildly

00:19:59against my ear.

00:20:00He sat up,

00:20:01gripping my shoulders,

00:20:02his voice raw and shaking.

00:20:03Are you okay?

00:20:04I know I'll never fully understand

00:20:05what you've been through,

00:20:06but taking your life

00:20:07is not an option.

00:20:08Do you hear me?

00:20:08If something is too heavy

00:20:09for you,

00:20:10let me carry it.

00:20:11I'll burn this entire world

00:20:12to ashes for you,

00:20:13just say the word.

00:20:14You have no idea

00:20:15the power you hold over me,

00:20:16Imsirelli.

00:20:17Please,

00:20:17don't ever try to do that again.

00:20:19I froze.

00:20:20He was kneeling before me,

00:20:22the supreme lichen king,

00:20:23his voice laced

00:20:24with raw pleading.

00:20:26Not anger,

00:20:27not reproach,

00:20:28fear.

00:20:29Fear of losing me.

00:20:30I looked down

00:20:31and saw the wound

00:20:32from the IV

00:20:33still bleeding on my hand.

00:20:36He followed my gaze

00:20:37and then gently lifted my hand.

00:20:40Let me help you clean this.

00:20:41He fetched the first aid kit

00:20:43and knelt on one knee

00:20:44at my feet.

00:20:45His touch was exquisitely careful,

00:20:47as if I were the most

00:20:48fragile porcelain on earth.

00:20:50I watched his profile,

00:20:52which seemed almost reverent.

00:20:58Something hard inside my chest

00:21:00quietly gave way.

00:21:02He applied a bandage,

00:21:03then stood and fetched a steam mop.

00:21:04My eyes widened

00:21:05as the lichen king

00:21:06rolled up his sleeves

00:21:06and began personally cleaning

00:21:08the blood off the floor.

00:21:08His forearms flexed

00:21:10with each movement,

00:21:11veins tracing intricate paths.

00:21:12I tore my gaze away,

00:21:13cheeks burning.

00:21:13Damn it,

00:21:14what was I thinking?

00:21:15This man had just saved my life

00:21:16and I was oogling his arms?

00:21:17I buried myself

00:21:18under the covers

00:21:19and feigned sleep.

00:21:21The hum of the steam mop

00:21:22was an odd lullaby.

00:21:25After a while,

00:21:26I heard him set it down

00:21:27and quietly settle back

00:21:28onto the sofa.

00:21:30I didn't sleep that night.

00:21:32Not from fear,

00:21:33but from a strange,

00:21:35unnameable flutter.

00:21:36He said I had power over him.

00:21:38But what power

00:21:39could a broken,

00:21:40mute wreck like me

00:21:41possibly hold?

00:21:43Two months passed.

00:21:45My body recovered rapidly.

00:21:46I could keep down

00:21:47most solid foods

00:21:48and had even gained

00:21:49a little weight in my cheeks.

00:21:51But my wolf remained dormant.

00:21:53Maravec said it would take

00:21:54a few more months.

00:21:55I didn't plan to wait that long.

00:21:57I had to leave.

00:21:58Sargish's tenderness

00:21:59was a net drawing tighter each day

00:22:00and I feared drowning in it.

00:22:02I couldn't.

00:22:02I had a revenge to fulfill.

00:22:04Today,

00:22:05the opportunity came.

00:22:06I picked up the pablet

00:22:07and typed,

00:22:08I remember you once offered

00:22:10to take me to the garden.

00:22:11Does that offer still stand?

00:22:13He read the screen

00:22:14and his lips curved slowly

00:22:15into a smile

00:22:16that could melt ice.

00:22:17Of course it does.

00:22:21Sargish's smile bloomed

00:22:22like the first breath of spring.

00:22:24He led me through

00:22:26the palace corridors

00:22:27and I stepped into

00:22:28the moving iron box

00:22:30called an elevator

00:22:31for the first time.

00:22:32When the floor trembled,

00:22:33fear gripped my throat.

00:22:35I threw myself into his arms,

00:22:37clinging to his waist.

00:22:38His chest rumbled.

00:22:39He was laughing.

00:22:41This way, Lady Koala.

00:22:43I followed him

00:22:44past towering columnans.

00:22:46Two obsidian-carved

00:22:47lichen thrones

00:22:48loomed at the far end.

00:22:49The ceiling stole my breath

00:22:50and guards stood like statues.

00:22:52For the first time,

00:22:54I understood with absolute clarity

00:22:55he was a king.

00:22:57This is the palace ballroom.

00:22:58We host royal events,

00:23:00meetings, celebrations,

00:23:02and official matters here.

00:23:03I stared at the thrones,

00:23:04my skin pricking.

00:23:05He could snap my neck

00:23:06with a flick of his wrist.

00:23:07Yet I slept in his bed,

00:23:09wore his clothes,

00:23:10ate his candy.

00:23:11The thought of escape

00:23:12lauding my mind

00:23:12like a thorn.

00:23:13Guards pushed open

00:23:14a heavy oak and iron door

00:23:15and sunlight spilled in

00:23:16like it had been

00:23:17waiting for centuries.

00:23:18I saw a black luxury car

00:23:19parked in the courtyard.

00:23:22Sargish opened the door

00:23:23for me himself.

00:23:25I got in

00:23:26and he slid in beside me.

00:23:30Here.

00:23:31You can munch on it

00:23:32while we make our way there.

00:23:33I took it,

00:23:34tore it open,

00:23:35and shoved a handful

00:23:36into my mouth.

00:23:37The sweetness

00:23:38melted on my tongue.

00:23:40He kept watching me.

00:23:42When I looked up,

00:23:43he quickly averted his eyes

00:23:45and pretended to study

00:23:46the scenery.

00:23:47The garden was called

00:23:48Velaryad,

00:23:49an arched stone gate

00:23:50twilled with vines,

00:23:51the scent thick

00:23:51as a liquid dream.

00:23:52I stepped in

00:23:53and was swallowed

00:23:54by blooms,

00:23:55birds of paradise,

00:23:56bleeding hearts,

00:23:56ghost orchids,

00:23:57and a bush of silver roses.

00:23:59They're called

00:24:00moonlit etel roses.

00:24:01They grow nowhere else

00:24:02in the world.

00:24:02They're used in

00:24:03every major royal event.

00:24:05Mating ceremonies,

00:24:06coronations,

00:24:07presentations of heirs,

00:24:08even funeral rites.

00:24:10I crouched before the roses,

00:24:11afraid to touch them.

00:24:12The petals were true silver,

00:24:14like melted starlight

00:24:15trapped in delicate folds.

00:24:17I didn't know how long

00:24:18I crouched there

00:24:19until my legs cramped.

00:24:20When I stood,

00:24:21I saw Sargish sitting

00:24:21cross-segged on a hanging chair,

00:24:23hand up his head,

00:24:24grinning without guard.

00:24:24This has always been

00:24:25my favorite place to escape,

00:24:26even when I was a kid.

00:24:27Whenever I had a fight

00:24:28with my parents

00:24:29or just needed to disappear,

00:24:30I came here.

00:24:30I listened,

00:24:31and the corner of my lips

00:24:32twicked upward against my will.

00:24:33I wiped it away immediately.

00:24:34I had no business

00:24:35smiling at him.

00:24:37You're so beautiful.

00:24:39Has anyone ever told you that?

00:24:41I froze.

00:24:42No one, never.

00:24:43Something warm and dangerous

00:24:45swelled in my chest.

00:24:46I had to crush it.

00:24:47I shot to my feet,

00:24:49desperate to flee

00:24:49this tender trap.

00:24:51My heel caught

00:24:52the fountain's edge,

00:24:53and I tilted backward,

00:24:55arms banded around my waist

00:24:56and pulled me

00:24:57against a solid chest.

00:24:59I looked up in panic,

00:25:00just as his face

00:25:02angled down.

00:25:04Our lips touched.

00:25:06Then memory surged

00:25:06like black tide,

00:25:07Joe's hands,

00:25:08Joe's laughter,

00:25:09Joe's weight

00:25:10pinning me down.

00:25:11I screamed and

00:25:12shoved him away,

00:25:13collapsing to the ground,

00:25:14scrubbing frantically

00:25:15at my lips.

00:25:16I heard myself

00:25:17begging hoarskily,

00:25:18but the name I cried

00:25:20was Joe's.

00:25:20I finally came to

00:25:22the first thing

00:25:22I registered was pain.

00:25:24A dull, burning throb

00:25:25echoed in my bones

00:25:26as if my entire body

00:25:27remembered every bruise.

00:25:29The second thing

00:25:30I noticed

00:25:30was a warm,

00:25:31solid arm

00:25:31draped over my waist,

00:25:32and another tucked

00:25:33beneath my head,

00:25:34gently pinning

00:25:35both my wrists.

00:25:36The third thing

00:25:36was the heat.

00:25:37A comforting,

00:25:38enveloping warmth

00:25:39that seemed to seep

00:25:40into my skin.

00:25:41How good he smelled,

00:25:43and how perfectly

00:25:44his body molded

00:25:44around mine,

00:25:45and the last thing

00:25:46that made me freeze

00:25:47was a poke,

00:25:47right on my lap.

00:25:49No!

00:25:50No, no, no!

00:25:51I twisted,

00:25:52kicked, and squirmed

00:25:53until I managed

00:25:53to slide out

00:25:54from under him

00:25:55and tumble off the bed.

00:25:56I scrambled backward

00:25:57like a startled deer

00:25:58until my back

00:25:59hit the nightstand.

00:26:01You're finally awake.

00:26:04Why the fuck

00:26:05were you in bed with me?

00:26:06You were having a nightmare,

00:26:07thrashing and clawing

00:26:08at yourself.

00:26:09I tried to wake you up,

00:26:10but you wouldn't stop,

00:26:11so I held you

00:26:11all night.

00:26:12I stared at him.

00:26:13That made sense.

00:26:15But why wasn't I scared?

00:26:16It was like my body

00:26:17knew this alpha

00:26:18wouldn't hurt me,

00:26:19but my brain

00:26:19was struggling

00:26:20to keep up.

00:26:21Are you reading my mind?

00:26:22You're not insane.

00:26:23You were simply

00:26:24thinking out loud.

00:26:25A scream tore

00:26:26from my throat again,

00:26:27and then I heard it,

00:26:28my voice.

00:26:29Trembling,

00:26:30I pressed a hand

00:26:31to my throat,

00:26:32disbelieving.

00:26:33A soft gasp

00:26:34escaped me.

00:26:34Tears welled

00:26:35in my eyes.

00:26:37So this,

00:26:39this is how I sound?

00:26:41I didn't even

00:26:42remember anymore.

00:26:45The memories

00:26:45came crashing

00:26:46into me.

00:26:47The palace,

00:26:47the garden,

00:26:48the kiss,

00:26:49and Joe.

00:26:50My chest caved in.

00:26:52I closed my eyes

00:26:53and inhaled deeply,

00:26:54but the weight

00:26:55of that memory

00:26:55pulled me under.

00:26:56The kiss

00:26:57reminded me of Joe.

00:26:59I couldn't breathe.

00:27:01I dropped my gaze

00:27:01to my hands.

00:27:02There was torn skin

00:27:03beneath my nails.

00:27:04He wasn't lying.

00:27:06Sargas had protected

00:27:07me from myself

00:27:08again.

00:27:10Good morning.

00:27:12Do you want to use

00:27:13the bathroom first

00:27:14or should I?

00:27:15I shuffled toward

00:27:16the walk-in closet

00:27:17and grabbed one of

00:27:18his black shirts

00:27:18and a pair of shorts.

00:27:20Wearing his clothes

00:27:21felt normal now.

00:27:22I stepped back

00:27:22into the room.

00:27:23He was sitting

00:27:24at the edge of the bed,

00:27:25phone in hand.

00:27:26Inside the bathroom,

00:27:27I caught my reflection,

00:27:28angry red lines

00:27:29across my arms

00:27:30and collarbone.

00:27:31I had done that

00:27:32to myself.

00:27:33I realized I was

00:27:34growing comfortable

00:27:35here with him.

00:27:36That scared me

00:27:37more than anything.

00:27:38I wasn't staying

00:27:39forever.

00:27:40I'd kill Joe.

00:27:41I stepped out

00:27:42of the bathroom,

00:27:43drawn by the scent

00:27:44of heaven.

00:27:45Sargas stood

00:27:46behind the island

00:27:47counter,

00:27:47fussing with a skillet,

00:27:49plating eggs,

00:27:50sausages,

00:27:51bacon,

00:27:51pancakes.

00:27:52He could cook?

00:27:55Come take your seat.

00:27:56I obeyed immediately.

00:27:57He placed a full plate

00:27:59in front of me.

00:27:59I picked up the fork

00:28:01and deg in.

00:28:02A moan slipped out

00:28:03without warning.

00:28:04How is it?

00:28:05I haven't cooked

00:28:05in a while,

00:28:06so I might be

00:28:07a little rusty.

00:28:07I flashed him

00:28:08a thumbs up.

00:28:09He grinned

00:28:10and served himself

00:28:10a plate.

00:28:11We ate in silence.

00:28:13Once the meal was done,

00:28:14I rose to grab the dishes.

00:28:16He intercepted me.

00:28:17I can do it.

00:28:19I absolutely do not

00:28:20doubt your capability,

00:28:22but allow me to do

00:28:23these little things.

00:28:24You don't ever have

00:28:25to lift a finger.

00:28:26I looked away quickly.

00:28:27There was something

00:28:28disarming about

00:28:29the way he spoke.

00:28:30He was gentle,

00:28:31and I didn't know

00:28:32how to handle gentle.

00:28:34I wandered back

00:28:35to the living space

00:28:36and collapsed

00:28:36onto the sofa.

00:28:38Minutes later,

00:28:39he approached.

00:28:40Here.

00:28:41He held out a bowl

00:28:42filled with brightly colored

00:28:43candies and sour gummies.

00:28:45I took it with both hands.

00:28:47You don't ever have

00:28:48to thank me

00:28:48for things like this.

00:28:49It's my pleasure.

00:28:59Then he turned

00:28:59and didn't know

00:29:00what to think

00:29:00about him anymore.

00:29:17Time had passed.

00:29:18Two and a half months

00:29:19since everything changed.

00:29:20Since I screamed

00:29:21and found my voice.

00:29:23Sargas and I

00:29:24were in a much better place now.

00:29:25Not perfect,

00:29:26but closer.

00:29:27I spoke with him freely

00:29:28when I wanted to,

00:29:29quietly when I didn't.

00:29:30He never pushed.

00:29:32I'd started leaving

00:29:33the palace, too.

00:29:34With Hazmik,

00:29:35she became something

00:29:36close to a friend.

00:29:37She taught me games,

00:29:39painted my nails,

00:29:40let me braid her hair.

00:29:41What kind of man

00:29:42do you like?

00:29:43I had no answer,

00:29:44but she told me

00:29:45she and Lupercus

00:29:46were mated.

00:29:47I couldn't believe it.

00:29:48That tall,

00:29:48brooding wall of muscle?

00:29:49Him?

00:29:50Hazmik burst into laughter,

00:29:51but it was true.

00:29:52Physically,

00:29:53I was changing, too.

00:29:54I'd gained weight,

00:29:55healthy weight.

00:29:56My hips had begun

00:29:57to round,

00:29:57my cheeks filled out,

00:29:58my hair grew thicker

00:29:59and longer,

00:30:00but I hadn't stopped

00:30:00searching for a way out.

00:30:02Notebooks hidden

00:30:02behind the wardrobe

00:30:03were filled with

00:30:04sketches of palace maps,

00:30:05blind spots in guard rotations,

00:30:07tunnel theories,

00:30:08but I still hadn't

00:30:09found a way out.

00:30:10I'm tired of seeing you

00:30:11in his clothes.

00:30:11You're getting thicker now

00:30:12and your boobs are

00:30:13starting to fill out,

00:30:13but you're still dressing

00:30:14like a malnourished librarian.

00:30:15You need your own clothes.

00:30:16Dresses, shoes, undies,

00:30:18sexy ones.

00:30:19The door swung open

00:30:20and in walked Sargis.

00:30:23Good.

00:30:24You're here.

00:30:25Your mate is filling out.

00:30:26It's a crime she doesn't

00:30:27have decent underwear.

00:30:27I'm taking her shopping.

00:30:29You're what?

00:30:30She needs a wardrobe overhaul.

00:30:32Your card.

00:30:33Now.

00:30:33Sargis looked between us.

00:30:35Then he groaned.

00:30:37For the goddess' sake,

00:30:39fine.

00:30:40He shoved his black card

00:30:42into her hand.

00:30:43Hazmik kissed his cheek.

00:30:45Good boy.

00:30:46The only person

00:30:47you're allowed to splurge on

00:30:48is Noreen,

00:30:49not yourself.

00:30:50Crystal clear, my king.

00:30:52She looped her arm

00:30:52through mine,

00:30:53practically dragging me

00:30:54toward the door

00:30:54while I stumbled along,

00:30:55half horrified,

00:30:56half terrified.

00:30:57If she comes back

00:30:58with those hideous shades

00:30:59of yours,

00:30:59I'll personally exile you,

00:31:01Hazmik.

00:31:02And I went shopping.

00:31:02She drove.

00:31:03I sat in the passenger seat.

00:31:04The gates creaked shut

00:31:05behind us.

00:31:06Am I sure I should be doing this?

00:31:07Going out like this?

00:31:09Babe,

00:31:09I'm more than sure.

00:31:11And besides,

00:31:12I waited months for this.

00:31:13Don't rob me

00:31:14of my girl's day fantasy.

00:31:15I gave her a small smile.

00:31:18But my insides

00:31:19were knotted with anxiety.

00:31:23The road wound

00:31:24through towering sycamars

00:31:25and golden fields.

00:31:27Thirty minutes later,

00:31:28we reached the main gate.

00:31:29It opened.

00:31:30This was the first time

00:31:32I'd stepped into

00:31:32the outside world.

00:31:34People,

00:31:34no,

00:31:35beings,

00:31:35were everywhere.

00:31:36Furred,

00:31:37scaled,

00:31:38winged.

00:31:38I felt like a ghost.

00:31:41The main city

00:31:42is practically a circus.

00:31:43She parked and dragged me

00:31:45into the first shop.

00:31:46Red lace.

00:31:47The scent of perfume

00:31:48hit me.

00:31:50Lace,

00:31:51satin,

00:31:51silk.

00:31:52I froze.

00:31:53It's not your style.

00:31:54That's the point.

00:31:55You've been wearing

00:31:56Sargis' hoodies.

00:31:57This is your awakening arc.

00:31:59My what?

00:32:00She kept handing me sets.

00:32:01Some tame,

00:32:02some scandalous.

00:32:03I tried on a deep green set.

00:32:05The soft fabric

00:32:06hugged my skin.

00:32:07Not too revealing.

00:32:08That one?

00:32:09That's the one.

00:32:10You look like you could

00:32:10kill a man

00:32:11and then write a love letter

00:32:12on his grave.

00:32:12I smiled faintly.

00:32:14Then my gaze drifted lower

00:32:15and I saw them.

00:32:16The scars.

00:32:17Long,

00:32:17silvery reminders

00:32:18slashed across my hips

00:32:19and the sides of my stomach

00:32:20like brands.

00:32:21The scars.

00:32:21They make it hard

00:32:22to see anything else.

00:32:23Those scars?

00:32:25That's armor,

00:32:26Noreen.

00:32:26That's survival.

00:32:28You don't hide them.

00:32:29You wear them

00:32:30like a goddamn crown.

00:32:31I wanted to believe her.

00:32:33But believing is easy

00:32:34when you're not the one

00:32:35living inside the body

00:32:36that remembers every scream.

00:32:38We moved on after that.

00:32:40Shoes,

00:32:40jewelry,

00:32:41dresses,

00:32:42at a street-side cafe

00:32:43I barely touched my food

00:32:45but I nodded along

00:32:46to Hazmic's banter.

00:32:48By the time the sun

00:32:49began to dip,

00:32:50our arms were full of bags.

00:32:53Lubricus,

00:32:53she stepped away to answer,

00:32:55motioning for me to stay.

00:32:56I stared at the exit.

00:32:58The streets were crowded,

00:32:59pulsing with energy.

00:33:00It would be impossible

00:33:01to track someone

00:33:02through that maze.

00:33:03My heart pounded.

00:33:05I hated myself

00:33:06for thinking it,

00:33:06but the need for vengeance

00:33:08wouldn't let go.

00:33:08I moved,

00:33:09slowly at first,

00:33:11pretending to browse

00:33:11a rack near the door.

00:33:13Then I slipped through

00:33:14the crowd like mist.

00:33:17Hazmic was still on the phone,

00:33:18turned away.

00:33:20I ran.

00:33:22I moved like smoke,

00:33:24weaving through clusters

00:33:25of shoppers,

00:33:25ducking into crowds.

00:33:26I looped around the block twice,

00:33:28letting bodies mask my scent.

00:33:29My memory flicked back

00:33:30to the turns we'd taken,

00:33:31right on Temple Avenue,

00:33:32two blocks north.

00:33:33Then a side road

00:33:33called Moon's Hollow,

00:33:34past the bakery

00:33:35with the strawberry bread,

00:33:36left at the bronze statue

00:33:36of the feathered chimera.

00:33:38I followed the map

00:33:38I'd stitched into my mind.

00:33:39My lungs burned,

00:33:40but I didn't stop.

00:33:42Not until I turned

00:33:42a final corner

00:33:43and found myself

00:33:44on a quieter street.

00:33:45There in the shadow

00:33:46of a crumpling tower,

00:33:47I leaned against the wall,

00:33:48panting.

00:33:49A weight crushed my chest,

00:33:50but vengeance

00:33:51had waited long enough.

00:33:52I didn't know

00:33:52where I was going.

00:33:53I only knew I was going

00:33:54to the snow wolf pack,

00:33:55to Joe.

00:33:55The streets of the city

00:33:56felt like a different world.

00:33:58People in clusters,

00:33:59merchants yelling,

00:34:00neon signs blinking.

00:34:01The snow wolf pack?

00:34:02A woman barely looked up

00:34:04from her phone

00:34:04and pointed south.

00:34:05That's hours away

00:34:06on foot, girl.

00:34:07You'll need transport.

00:34:08I nodded and kept walking.

00:34:09I had no money,

00:34:10no phone,

00:34:10no plant.

00:34:11I ducked into alleyways

00:34:12to breathe.

00:34:14When my legs went numb,

00:34:15I found a fountain

00:34:15at the edge of a plaza

00:34:16and collapsed beside it.

00:34:18The water shimmered

00:34:18like crystal

00:34:19under the city lights.

00:34:20I dipped my hands

00:34:22into drink.

00:34:22My reflection

00:34:23stared back,

00:34:24wild-eyed.

00:34:25What the hell

00:34:25was I doing?

00:34:26I hadn't thought

00:34:27this through.

00:34:28I'd romanticized vengeance,

00:34:29but I hadn't considered

00:34:31the logistics.

00:34:32The crowds

00:34:32had started thinning.

00:34:33Daylight had bled

00:34:34out of the sky.

00:34:36Most people

00:34:36had places to go.

00:34:37Homes.

00:34:38Packs.

00:34:38Families.

00:34:39I had nothing.

00:34:41The city suddenly

00:34:42felt like a mouth

00:34:43about to swallow me whole.

00:34:46I curled onto a bench,

00:34:48hugging my knees.

00:34:52Maybe I'd made a mistake.

00:34:55I eventually stumbled

00:34:56onto a bench

00:34:57by a bus stop,

00:34:58half limping

00:34:58and half dragging

00:34:59my body across the concrete.

00:35:00My knees buckled

00:35:01the moment I sat.

00:35:02My legs trembled

00:35:03from hours of walking

00:35:04with no direction.

00:35:05Goddess,

00:35:06what was I thinking?

00:35:06My lungs ached

00:35:07with every breath.

00:35:08My head throbbed.

00:35:09I was utterly spent.

00:35:10I was so stupid.

00:35:12I had made a split-second decision

00:35:13based on wanting to be free,

00:35:14to take control of my life,

00:35:16only to realize

00:35:16it wasn't as easy

00:35:17as I had made it sound

00:35:18in my head.

00:35:19Now I was stuck,

00:35:20exhausted,

00:35:20cold,

00:35:21and lost in a city

00:35:22I barely knew.

00:35:22I missed him.

00:35:23I hated how fast

00:35:24that thought came,

00:35:25how much it hurt.

00:35:25But I missed his gaze,

00:35:26his quiet presence,

00:35:27the way he made me feel

00:35:28seen and safe.

00:35:29I wanted to go back,

00:35:30to the steady hum

00:35:31of the corridors,

00:35:32to the scent of lavender

00:35:32on my pillows,

00:35:33to the quiet safety

00:35:34of knowing Hazmic

00:35:35would always be

00:35:36two steps behind me.

00:35:37But I didn't know how.

00:35:38No,

00:35:38I wanted revenge.

00:35:39That was the truth of it,

00:35:40wasn't it?

00:35:40No matter how much

00:35:41I missed the comfort

00:35:42of the palace,

00:35:43I couldn't pretend

00:35:43it would make everything right.

00:35:45It wouldn't undo

00:35:46what happened to me,

00:35:47wouldn't erase the nights

00:35:48I screamed into my pillow,

00:35:49or the way my body

00:35:50still flinched.

00:35:51The palace could offer peace,

00:35:53but not justice.

00:35:54And I was starving

00:35:55for justice.

00:35:56But what had I even been thinking?

00:35:57That I could just show up

00:35:58at the snow wolf pack

00:35:59and kill Joe with my bare hands?

00:36:00That vengeance would be waiting for me

00:36:02like a gift wrapped in fury?

00:36:03I had been so blinded by rage

00:36:05and hurt that I forgot

00:36:06I was just one girl,

00:36:07with scars still healing

00:36:08and barely enough strength

00:36:09to hold herself upright.

00:36:11But I couldn't let it go.

00:36:12I couldn't move on.

00:36:13Not while he was still out there,

00:36:14breathing freely,

00:36:15laughing,

00:36:15living a life untouched

00:36:16by the horror he inflicted on me.

00:36:18He ruined my life.

00:36:19He destroyed pieces of me

00:36:20I would never get back.

00:36:21I needed to look into his eyes

00:36:22and watch him realize

00:36:23I had survived.

00:36:24But right now,

00:36:25I was helpless.

00:36:26I curled on the bench,

00:36:27arms tucked tight into my chest,

00:36:29rocking gently

00:36:30as the night deepened

00:36:31and the city blurred around me.

00:36:33One minute I was asleep.

00:36:34The next I was in the air,

00:36:36hauled,

00:36:37like a sack of grain.

00:36:39Hey!

00:36:40Put me down!

00:36:41The man didn't flinch.

00:36:42His arms were like steel.

00:36:43I was dumped

00:36:44into the backseat of a car.

00:36:45This is kidnapping!

00:36:46He slid into the driver's seat

00:36:48and locked the doors.

00:36:49I'm sorry,

00:36:50Your Gracious Majesty.

00:36:51Please pardon my caveman behavior.

00:36:52I need to get you back

00:36:53to the palace as soon as possible.

00:36:54His Majesty is not in a good state of mind.

00:36:56Oh, so I wasn't being kidnapped.

00:36:58They found me so fast.

00:36:59I thought I was clever,

00:37:00blending in.

00:37:01I was being taken back to the palace.

00:37:03I pressed my forehead

00:37:04against the cool window.

00:37:05I hadn't even lasted

00:37:06a full day out here.

00:37:07I was such a fool.

00:37:08But worse,

00:37:08I was ashamed of how relieved

00:37:10I was that they came for me.

00:37:16And soon,

00:37:17to him.

00:37:19To the man whose anger

00:37:20might just burn hotter

00:37:21than the fire

00:37:22I carried in my own soul.

00:37:25As the car drew closer to the palace,

00:37:26anxiety coiled tighter in my chest.

00:37:28He was going to be furious.

00:37:29I deserved it.

00:37:30Sargas had been nothing

00:37:31but kind and patient.

00:37:32He gave me space,

00:37:33shielded me from a world

00:37:34I wasn't ready to face.

00:37:35And what did I do in return?

00:37:36Stop the car.

00:37:37I shouted.

00:37:38Stop the car.

00:37:38I didn't think I could face him.

00:37:39Ma'am?

00:37:41Now.

00:37:43The tire screeched

00:37:44as the vehicle jerked to a halt.

00:37:45Open the door.

00:37:46I can't.

00:37:47His majesty gave strict...

00:37:49Well, from what I've been told,

00:37:50I am her majesty.

00:37:51So doesn't that give me

00:37:52the authority

00:37:52to override a damn door lock?

00:37:54The lock disengaged.

00:37:55I stared at him,

00:37:56stunned that it worked.

00:37:57I threw the door open

00:37:57and the night air

00:37:58slapped me in the face.

00:37:59I didn't care.

00:38:00A deafening roar

00:38:01split the silence.

00:38:02A car came flying into view,

00:38:03tires skidded sideways

00:38:04and slammed to a halt

00:38:05just inches from me.

00:38:07The driver sang open so hard

00:38:08it slammed against the frame

00:38:09with a metallic crack.

00:38:10And then he was there.

00:38:11Sargus.

00:38:11I'd never seen him so disheveled.

00:38:13His jacket hung off one shoulder.

00:38:15His shirt half unbuttoned.

00:38:16He moved closer.

00:38:18Fuck.

00:38:19The moment his boots

00:38:20hit the pavement,

00:38:21he didn't stop.

00:38:22I was frozen where I stood.

00:38:24Wind tugging at my hair,

00:38:26eyes wide with fear.

00:38:28He closed the distance

00:38:29until we were mere inches apart.

00:38:32He wrapped me in his arms.

00:38:33My body went rigid in surprise.

00:38:35Then I sagged against him.

00:38:37He buried his face in my hair,

00:38:39breathed me in.

00:38:40You're okay.

00:38:41Did anyone hurt you?

00:38:43Did you eat?

00:38:44You...

00:38:44His voice cracked.

00:38:46We'll talk when we get home.

00:38:47I nodded slowly.

00:38:49He pulled off his jacket

00:38:50and wrapped it around my shoulders.

00:38:52He guided me to his car.

00:38:56Neither of us spoke

00:38:58during the drive back.

00:38:59He glanced at me

00:39:00more times than he should,

00:39:02just to make sure

00:39:03I was still there.

00:39:04The palace gate

00:39:05loomed under the dark sky.

00:39:06He parked,

00:39:07and we made our way

00:39:08up the steps

00:39:08and into the private elevator.

00:39:10I looked everywhere

00:39:10but at him.

00:39:11The doors opened,

00:39:12and he led me to the room.

00:39:14The door closed behind them

00:39:15with a soft click.

00:39:16I stood in the middle of the room,

00:39:18still wrapped in his jacket.

00:39:21Why, Nareen?

00:39:23Why did you run?

00:39:25Do you have any idea

00:39:26what you put me through?

00:39:29I didn't ask you

00:39:30to worry about me.

00:39:32I'm not a child.

00:39:33You can't keep me

00:39:35locked in here

00:39:36like a prisoner.

00:39:38I wasn't keeping you here.

00:39:40I was protecting you.

00:39:43Protecting me?

00:39:44I didn't ask

00:39:45for your protection.

00:39:47I'm your mate!

00:39:48It's my responsibility

00:39:50to care you go again

00:39:51with that mate bullshit.

00:39:54I don't believe in it.

00:39:57I'm not responsive to it.

00:40:00I've never felt it.

00:40:02The only thing

00:40:03I've ever felt

00:40:04towards you

00:40:04is gratitude.

00:40:10Nareen.

00:40:10No.

00:40:12Let me finish.

00:40:15Lupercus cleared his throat.

00:40:20We shouldn't be here.

00:40:22They quietly stood and left.

00:40:24The door closed behind them.

00:40:35I never asked you to save me.

00:40:37You did all of that on your own.

00:40:40I'm grateful.

00:40:42But that doesn't mean

00:40:43you get to dictate

00:40:44how I live my life.

00:40:50I never did this

00:40:51because I expected

00:40:52something back.

00:40:59Then stop acting

00:41:00like I owe you something!

00:41:03My words hit him.

00:41:05His body locked up.

00:41:06He stared at me

00:41:07in disbelief.

00:41:09You say you're my mate

00:41:11but I never felt it, Sargis.

00:41:14No strings pulled at my soul.

00:41:16No magic tethered me to you.

00:41:18He nodded slowly

00:41:20biting the inside of his cheek.

00:41:22His hands trembled at his sides.

00:41:26You've been kind, yes

00:41:28but caring isn't suffocating someone.

00:41:32Caring isn't making decisions for me

00:41:35and watching me

00:41:36like I'm a ticking bomb.

00:41:44Narian.

00:41:45You know what hurts the most?

00:41:47I almost believed you were different

00:41:49but all this time

00:41:51I know you've just been waiting

00:41:53for me to become something I'm not.

00:42:05You think because you gave me a soft bed

00:42:08and fed me

00:42:11and gave me your attention

00:42:13that I owe you my heart?

00:42:16You want to claim me

00:42:17like some prize you've won!

00:42:19He staggered back a step

00:42:21unable to breathe.

00:42:22All he could do

00:42:23was stare at me

00:42:24like I'd just torn him in half.

00:42:34Fuck!

00:42:34Narain!

00:42:35He grabbed a vase off the table

00:42:36and hurled it across the room.

00:42:44It shattered into a thousand sharp pieces

00:42:47against the wall

00:42:48but it still didn't quiet the storm in his chest.

00:42:52You're right.

00:42:54I don't have any right to keep you here.

00:42:58I don't have the right to hope

00:42:59for something that clearly isn't there.

00:43:02He swore again

00:43:03grabbing the edge of the table.

00:43:06You've got no idea

00:43:07what it's like

00:43:07devoting yourself to someone.

00:43:10I stayed up nights

00:43:11wondering if I was doing enough

00:43:13if I was enough

00:43:15but none of it mattered to you

00:43:17did it?

00:43:19I looked away.

00:43:24You want to go?

00:43:26Then go.

00:43:27I won't stop you.

00:43:29You say you're not mine

00:43:30I hear you.

00:43:33All I wanted was your happiness.

00:43:36If it doesn't lie in me

00:43:37then so be it.

00:43:39I set you free.

00:43:41You don't owe me anything.

00:43:43Take what you need.

00:43:45Clothes, money, whatever.

00:43:48Just

00:43:51leave before I start begging you to stay.

00:43:54Because if I do

00:43:55and you still walk away

00:43:57I don't know if I'll recover from that.

00:44:01He turned away

00:44:02unable to face me.

00:44:03Just go.

00:44:05I wasn't prepared

00:44:06for the sorrow reflected in his eyes.

00:44:08It wasn't a volatile pain

00:44:10that demanded attention.

00:44:12It was a quiet anguish

00:44:13that seemed to seep

00:44:14from his very soul.

00:44:15I never meant to hurt him.

00:44:17I didn't throw his kindness

00:44:18back in his face

00:44:19because I believed

00:44:20it was insincere.

00:44:22I did it because

00:44:23deep down

00:44:23I feared it might

00:44:24actually be genuine.

00:44:28I was used to striking first.

00:44:30Pushing people away

00:44:31before they could

00:44:32draw me too close.

00:44:34Striking out

00:44:35before I could be hurt.

00:44:37When he reached for me

00:44:39when he took off

00:44:40his jacket

00:44:41and draped it

00:44:41over my shoulders

00:44:42and asked softly

00:44:43if I was okay.

00:44:46Panic flooded me.

00:44:48How could someone

00:44:49be so kind?

00:44:52It felt like a lie.

00:44:54I pushed him away

00:44:56to protect myself.

00:44:57To cling to the belief

00:44:58that he was just like the others.

00:45:01Untrustworthy.

00:45:03Indifferent.

00:45:04How could a man like Sargas

00:45:06care this deeply

00:45:07for someone like me?

00:45:09The mate bond?

00:45:11But I didn't feel it.

00:45:12All I felt was gratitude.

00:45:15Should I leave?

00:45:16That had always been the plan.

00:45:18To get out and find joy.

00:45:19To look the monster in the eye

00:45:21and kill him.

00:45:22And yet,

00:45:22I hesitated.

00:45:25The choice was in my hands now.

00:45:28Sargas had given it to me

00:45:29without resistance.

00:45:32I was finally free.

00:45:35So why did my chest ache

00:45:37when I thought of walking away?

00:45:39Maybe it was the way

00:45:40he was retreating.

00:45:42The way his broad shoulders,

00:45:44now slumped like the weight

00:45:45of the world,

00:45:46had finally crushed him.

00:45:48Or the way his eyes

00:45:50had dulled.

00:45:51Or the pain radiating off him

00:45:53like a storm,

00:45:54soaking the room.

00:45:56But whatever it was,

00:45:58it did something to me.

00:46:00It reached into that steel vault

00:46:03I'd buried my heart in

00:46:04and twisted.

00:46:05I stood there,

00:46:07frozen.

00:46:08Watching him walk away

00:46:10felt like watching

00:46:10something irreversible happen.

00:46:13And for the first time

00:46:14in a long time,

00:46:16I didn't feel fear.

00:46:18I wanted to comfort him.

00:46:22I opened my mouth to speak.

00:46:25Nothing sharp

00:46:25or guarded

00:46:26or meant to protect me

00:46:27from imagined betrayals.

00:46:30But before I could say

00:46:32a single word,

00:46:33he turned back.

00:46:35If you have any request

00:46:36or anything you want

00:46:38to take along,

00:46:40ask anybody

00:46:42and you'll be given.

00:46:45Then he walked out

00:46:47of the room

00:46:49and I just stood there,

00:46:51staring at the door.

00:46:53I waited for him

00:46:54all through the night.

00:46:57Not a single blink of sleep

00:46:58touched my eyes.

00:47:02I sat on the bed,

00:47:04hugging my knees,

00:47:05staring at the door.

00:47:06But he never came.

00:47:08This was the first time

00:47:09he had stayed away

00:47:10for this long.

00:47:12The first time

00:47:13he didn't sleep in here.

00:47:16Did he deserve

00:47:17what I said?

00:47:18No.

00:47:20No.

00:47:21Especially when

00:47:22I hadn't meant it.

00:47:24I just

00:47:25didn't know how

00:47:27to not lash out

00:47:28when I felt scared.

00:47:29Didn't know how

00:47:30to let good things in

00:47:31without suspecting

00:47:32the worst.

00:47:34I reached for the tablet

00:47:35on the bedside table.

00:47:37I remembered him

00:47:38showing me

00:47:39how to contact him

00:47:40through it,

00:47:40just in case.

00:47:43I opened

00:47:43the message app.

00:47:45My fingers

00:47:46hovered above the keys.

00:47:48I'm sorry.

00:47:49Please come back.

00:47:51That's what

00:47:51every piece of me

00:47:52was screaming.

00:47:55But wouldn't that

00:47:56make me selfish?

00:47:58After everything I said?

00:48:03I dropped the tablet

00:48:05and buried my face

00:48:06in my hands.

00:48:09I didn't know

00:48:10how to fix this.

00:48:13A knock sounded

00:48:15on the door.

00:48:16My heart leaped.

00:48:18It's me, Nareen.

00:48:20Then crashed.

00:48:22Lupercus.

00:48:23I didn't expect him.

00:48:25I slid off the bed

00:48:26and padded to the door.

00:48:30I hesitated,

00:48:31then opened it slowly.

00:48:37Can I come in?

00:48:39I nodded.

00:48:40He stepped inside.

00:48:43I'm here to pick you up.

00:48:45His Royal Highness

00:48:46has made accommodation

00:48:47arrangements for you

00:48:48outside the palace.

00:48:50There's also a sum of money

00:48:52deposited in an account

00:48:53under your name.

00:48:55My heart twisted.

00:48:57He made plans

00:48:58for me already?

00:49:01After I threw his heart

00:49:02to the ground

00:49:03and stomped on it?

00:49:09I'm not going anywhere.

00:49:11You aren't?

00:49:13I don't want to leave anymore.

00:49:22Where's Sargas?

00:49:24I want to talk to him.

00:49:26I'm sorry.

00:49:27I can't reveal

00:49:29His Majesty's whereabouts.

00:49:32He's

00:49:33not in a good state of mind

00:49:35at the moment.

00:49:38Please,

00:49:39Lupercus.

00:49:43Let's assume

00:49:44I do take you to him.

00:49:45What would you do?

00:49:48Or say?

00:49:53Do you suddenly believe

00:49:54in the mate bond now?

00:49:56His words hit me.

00:49:58What would I say?

00:49:59I'm sorry.

00:50:00And then what?

00:50:03I don't know.

00:50:04I don't know what I'd say.

00:50:08But I don't want him

00:50:09hurting because of me.

00:50:11You need to make a choice,

00:50:12Noreen.

00:50:13I can't take you to see him

00:50:15if you don't even know

00:50:16what you want.

00:50:17Don't give him hope

00:50:17if you know you'll never be able

00:50:19to see yourself with him.

00:50:21His words pierced through

00:50:23every layer of denial

00:50:24I had built.

00:50:26He wasn't being cruel,

00:50:28just honest.

00:50:29And the truth was,

00:50:32everything he said

00:50:33was right.

00:50:35I know the concept of mate

00:50:37doesn't make sense to you.

00:50:38That's okay.

00:50:43Only lichens truly understand it.

00:50:47To be tethered to someone,

00:50:50it's like feeling something awaken

00:50:52in your bones

00:50:53and your blood,

00:50:56as though you were incomplete

00:50:57your entire life

00:50:59and never knew it

00:51:00until that moment.

00:51:07I stared at him.

00:51:15Sargas is my cousin.

00:51:18We grew up together.

00:51:20One thing he wouldn't

00:51:22shut up about.

00:51:23The concept of mating.

00:51:25He searched for years.

00:51:29Each time he came back

00:51:31empty-handed,

00:51:32a part of him faded.

00:51:36Five years, Nareen.

00:51:38Five years of quiet misery.

00:51:44Until he found you.

00:51:55I have never seen him happier.

00:52:04Something about the way he said it

00:52:05twisted something in my chest.

00:52:08If you really get to know Sargas,

00:52:11if you let yourself be open-minded,

00:52:14even just a little,

00:52:17you'll see that he's gentle

00:52:20and full of love.

00:52:23And everything he's done for you

00:52:25since the day you were brought here.

00:52:29Isn't that proof enough

00:52:30that he cares about you?

00:52:38The seventh day.

00:52:39Seven long, agonizing days,

00:52:42and still no sign of Sargas.

00:52:44The loneliness had crept into me

00:52:46like a slow-acting poison,

00:52:47curling its way through my chest

00:52:49until it sat heavy on my lungs.

00:52:51I never knew loneliness

00:52:52could hurt like this.

00:52:54I used to build my world

00:52:55around silence.

00:52:56I used to pride myself

00:52:58on not needing anyone.

00:53:00But now it felt different.

00:53:02The silence didn't feel safe anymore.

00:53:04It felt like a punishment.

00:53:06I curled up tighter on the bed,

00:53:09wrapping his shirt tighter around me.

00:53:16It still smelled like him.

00:53:20Hasmik had left me a book.

00:53:22I finally cracked it open

00:53:24out of sheer desperation

00:53:25for distraction.

00:53:27The cover was spicy,

00:53:29but the story was gripping.

00:53:31The enemies-to-lovers trope

00:53:33was more than just spicy.

00:53:34It was intense, chaotic, and real.

00:53:36The heroine lashed out

00:53:38in fear and distrust,

00:53:39only to realize

00:53:40she was falling in love

00:53:41without even meaning to.

00:53:43It felt so familiar,

00:53:44like Sargius and me.

00:53:46I found a folded-down page

00:53:48with a line.

00:53:50I hated him so much

00:53:52I couldn't breathe.

00:53:54I loved him so much

00:53:56I didn't know how to.

00:53:58Then their first kiss came.

00:54:03That image,

00:54:04lips breezing together

00:54:06like an apology and a promise,

00:54:08dragged my memory

00:54:09back to that night.

00:54:11The fountain.

00:54:14I didn't even realize

00:54:15I was smiling

00:54:17or that I was kicking

00:54:18my feet in the air

00:54:20like some hopeless romantic.

00:54:23And then it got spicier.

00:54:25And as I read,

00:54:30I imagined it was us,

00:54:33Sargius and me.

00:54:35Should I stop?

00:54:37His breath scorched my skin.

00:54:39I shook my head

00:54:40because I didn't want to stop.

00:54:42He kissed my neck

00:54:43as if he wanted to bite it down.

00:54:45My fingers sank into his hair,

00:54:47gripping him like grasping

00:54:49the only driftwood.

00:54:50His fingers unbuttoned my buttons.

00:54:52One.

00:54:53Two.

00:54:54It wasn't him guiding me.

00:54:56It was me.

00:54:57My legs wrapped around his waist.

00:54:59At that moment,

00:55:00I wasn't bearing anything.

00:55:02I was taking something.

00:55:04He held my earlope

00:55:05and I trembled all over.

00:55:06Then I kissed him.

00:55:07It was my own initiative.

00:55:08His mouth has the taste I love,

00:55:09sweet, hot, and addictive.

00:55:10I crumpled the bedsheet

00:55:11and he held my hand

00:55:12as if he wanted to sink down with me.

00:55:14At that moment,

00:55:14I was no longer a ruin.

00:55:15It was the fire he ignited.

00:55:17The thought was so jarring

00:55:19that I nearly dropped the book.

00:55:22My skin went hot.

00:55:25I snapped it shut

00:55:26like it had bitten me.

00:55:33I threw it across the room

00:55:34and buried my face

00:55:35into the throw pillow,

00:55:37groaning.

00:55:37Why was my brain like this?

00:55:43The silence pressed in again.

00:55:48Slowly,

00:55:49my thoughts faded

00:55:50and I drifted into sleep.

00:55:53I didn't know

00:55:53how long I'd been out,

00:55:55but a shadow fell over me.

00:56:01I stirred groggily,

00:56:03blinking against the haze of sleep.

00:56:07His figure was retreating.

00:56:09My body moved

00:56:10before I could think.

00:56:13I grabbed his hand.

00:56:20Sargas.

00:56:21He turned.

00:56:23And when his eyes met mine,

00:56:26my heart ached.

00:56:27He looked exhausted.

00:56:30dark shadows under his eyes,

00:56:32tangled hair,

00:56:33wrinkled shirt,

00:56:35stubble on his jaw.

00:56:39His eyes were guarded,

00:56:40like he'd locked the real Sargas

00:56:42somewhere deep inside himself.

00:56:48I looked away,

00:56:50as shame crawled up my throat

00:56:52like a vine.

00:56:59I'm sorry.

00:57:07It's fine, Noreen.

00:57:09It's all good.

00:57:10No, it's not all good.

00:57:12You have no idea

00:57:14how guilty I feel

00:57:15for everything I said.

00:57:16I didn't mean all of it,

00:57:18at least not the way

00:57:19I said it.

00:57:21If you're only here

00:57:22because you feel guilty,

00:57:23you don't have to.

00:57:26You were just being honest.

00:57:28That's okay.

00:57:30No.

00:57:31I'm not staying

00:57:32because I feel bad.

00:57:34I'm staying because

00:57:36I want to.

00:57:39But I need you to understand

00:57:40that I'm not an easy person

00:57:42to be with.

00:57:43I had a pretty messed up child.

00:57:45It left scars.

00:57:46Deep ones.

00:57:48That kind of trauma

00:57:49doesn't just go away

00:57:50when someone shows up

00:57:51with kind eyes

00:57:52and good intentions.

00:57:53I lost my parents

00:57:54as soon as I was born.

00:57:55I was raised by PAC members.

00:57:58At first they were kind,

00:57:59until I turned seven.

00:58:01They had a child of their own.

00:58:03And suddenly,

00:58:04I wasn't part of the family anymore.

00:58:06I became a servant

00:58:07in their home.

00:58:09And then,

00:58:11and then,

00:58:13I spent three years

00:58:15in a dungeon.

00:58:16Total darkness.

00:58:17Alone.

00:58:20Tortured beyond imagination.

00:58:28I'm telling you this

00:58:30not so you'll pity me.

00:58:32I hope it helps you

00:58:33understand me.

00:58:36Even just a little.

00:58:37I don't know how to love Sargas.

00:58:40I don't know how to let myself

00:58:42be cared for

00:58:43without feeling the need

00:58:45to give something back.

00:58:47All this time I've been here,

00:58:48I felt grateful.

00:58:50But also,

00:58:51like a parasite.

00:58:55Narian.

00:58:58No, please let me finish.

00:59:01I know everything you've done,

00:59:02you did because you wanted to.

00:59:04You don't expect anything in return.

00:59:06But I can't help how I feel.

00:59:08I feel indebted.

00:59:10Like I'm just taking and taking

00:59:13without ever being able

00:59:14to give anything meaningful back.

00:59:16But the past few months

00:59:17have been the most wonderful

00:59:18of my life.

00:59:19And that safety has made me

00:59:21realize something else.

00:59:22I still have demons.

00:59:23Still have so much pain

00:59:25buried inside me.

00:59:26And that pain

00:59:27has kept me from wanting

00:59:28to accept happiness.

00:59:29From believing I even deserve it.

00:59:33And that's why I ran.

00:59:35Not because of you.

00:59:38Not because I wanted to hurt you.

00:59:41But because I needed

00:59:43to confront my past

00:59:44if I ever wanted

00:59:45to move forward.

00:59:47As for the mate bond,

00:59:48it's true.

00:59:50I don't feel it.

00:59:51At least,

00:59:52not the way I'm supposed to.

00:59:54But Lubricus explained things.

00:59:57I'm sorry for hurting you, Sargus.

01:00:00You didn't deserve that.

01:00:01You're a wonderful man.

01:00:03But I'm not ready

01:00:04to be in something romantic.

01:00:06Not yet.

01:00:06I just...

01:00:07I don't think I'm in a place

01:00:09where I can give someone

01:00:10what they deserve

01:00:11without working on myself.

01:00:12But if you're willing to wait

01:00:14to be patient

01:00:15and stay beside me,

01:00:17not because you're hoping

01:00:18I'll change

01:00:18or that I'll fall in love

01:00:19with you overnight,

01:00:20but because you see me

01:00:21and you want to help me

01:00:23figure out who I am

01:00:24and what I want,

01:00:25then I'd like that.

01:00:26I'd really like that.

01:00:27When I finally looked

01:00:28at him again,

01:00:29his expression

01:00:30had completely changed.

01:00:32He was smiling.

01:00:34Not that half-hearted,

01:00:37broken smile.

01:00:39A real one.

01:00:40I understand.

01:00:42And I mean that.

01:00:43Picture two.

01:00:45Thank you for trusting me

01:00:46enough to open up.

01:00:49I know it wasn't easy.

01:00:52I'm going to go take a shower.

01:00:53He smiled,

01:00:55then made his way

01:00:56to the bathroom.

01:00:57The door clicked shut

01:00:58behind him.

01:01:00I stood in the room,

01:01:01my heartbeat steadier.

01:01:03There was still a long way

01:01:04to go between us.

01:01:06But at least,

01:01:07I hadn't lost him.

01:01:08The loud thud

01:01:09of the bedroom door

01:01:10crashing open

01:01:11jolted me out of sleep.

01:01:12I sat up so fast

01:01:14the world spun.

01:01:15Hasmik stood in the doorway

01:01:16like a vengeful goddess of war.

01:01:18Her eyes cut straight through me.

01:01:22Hasmik.

01:01:24You fucking bitch.

01:01:27I winced.

01:01:28I knew I deserved it.

01:01:30What you did was fucked up.

01:01:32Really fucked up.

01:01:34I know.

01:01:35Let me finish.

01:01:36I was so scared.

01:01:37I have never been

01:01:38that terrified in my life.

01:01:39My mind raced through

01:01:40every terrible possibility,

01:01:41but...

01:01:43I'm sorry.

01:01:44I forgive you.

01:01:45Her words hit me hard,

01:01:46not because I doubted them,

01:01:48but because I knew

01:01:48I didn't deserve them.

01:01:49I don't know what you were thinking,

01:01:51but I hope you found

01:01:52whatever clarity

01:01:52you were chasing.

01:01:53I'm just glad you're safe.

01:01:55I'm truly grateful

01:01:56for you, Hasmik.

01:01:57You're like a real sister

01:01:58I never expected,

01:01:59but truly needed.

01:02:01I missed you too.

01:02:04Oh my god.

01:02:06I didn't miss the way

01:02:07her spine straightened,

01:02:08or how her pupils

01:02:09dilated slightly in alarm.

01:02:10What?

01:02:11What is it?

01:02:13Anika just arrived

01:02:14at the palace.

01:02:16And who might that be?

01:02:18Sargas and her.

01:02:19They used to fool around.

01:02:21A lot.

01:02:22They were fuckmates.

01:02:23Hearing that Sargas

01:02:24had a fuckmate,

01:02:25who was currently in the palace,

01:02:26scraped something raw inside me,

01:02:28though I didn't know

01:02:29how to feel.

01:02:30It wasn't as if

01:02:31I'd expected celibity,

01:02:32especially not from

01:02:33a leekin king.

01:02:34Sex was casual here,

01:02:36almost ritualistic

01:02:37among alphas and warriors,

01:02:38but still.

01:02:39There was this tang

01:02:40in my chest,

01:02:41like the taste of blood

01:02:42when you've bitten

01:02:42your own tongue

01:02:43but pretend it doesn't sting.

01:02:44I wasn't jealous,

01:02:45I don't think.

01:02:46I had no claim on Sargas.

01:02:48Not truly.

01:02:49Not yet.

01:02:49But something inside me

01:02:51recoiled at the idea

01:02:51of him with another.

01:02:52Was she beautiful?

01:02:53Dominant?

01:02:54Submissive?

01:02:54Did he care?

01:02:55Or was she just another blur

01:02:56in a long line of bodies

01:02:58used to silence

01:02:58the beast inside him?

01:02:59I tried not to care.

01:03:01God, I tried.

01:03:02But I did.

01:03:02And that terrified me.

01:03:03Don't worry, Narain.

01:03:04She might be here

01:03:05on diplomatic matters.

01:03:06Sometimes she represents

01:03:07her brother at summits

01:03:08and visitations.

01:03:09Her words were meant to soothe

01:03:10but they barely skimmed

01:03:11the surface of the storm

01:03:12inside me.

01:03:13I gave a small nod

01:03:14or maybe it was a hum.

01:03:15I couldn't tell.

01:03:16The door burst open.

01:03:17A woman stepped into the room

01:03:18like she owned the palace.

01:03:19She had the kind of beauty

01:03:20that punched the air

01:03:20from one's lungs.

01:03:21Her dark brown hair

01:03:22flowed behind her

01:03:23like a cape.

01:03:24I observed silently.

01:03:26She wore a soft pastel gown

01:03:28that hugged her curves.

01:03:29Why she's on his bed.

01:03:30And more importantly,

01:03:31why she's wearing his clothes.

01:03:33Princess Royal.

01:03:35To what do we owe

01:03:36this unexpected visit?

01:03:38Answer the damn question.

01:03:39I saw the way Hazmic

01:03:41clenched her fists.

01:03:42I half expected her

01:03:43to spit a retorque back

01:03:44but instead she drew

01:03:45in a sharp breath.

01:03:46Both women turned

01:03:47toward the door.

01:03:48Sargas and Lupercus

01:03:49burst into the room.

01:03:50Sargas looked like he'd run

01:03:51the whole palace down

01:03:52to get here.

01:03:53Onika.

01:03:53She stalked across the room

01:03:54swaying her hips sexually.

01:03:56Her heels clicking

01:03:57like the toll of a bell.

01:03:58She grabbed his face

01:03:59with both hands

01:04:00and kissed him.

01:04:00Right on the lip.

01:04:01My heart didn't just sink.

01:04:03It crashed.

01:04:04Like a mirror thrown

01:04:05from a hundred stories high.

01:04:06I closed my eyes

01:04:07and turned my back

01:04:08not wanting to see anymore.

01:04:09What the fuck

01:04:10was that for Anika?

01:04:11What?

01:04:11Don't you miss me?

01:04:13He didn't answer

01:04:14and when his eyes

01:04:14flicked toward me

01:04:15I had already turned away

01:04:17retreating into myself again.

01:04:19I missed you

01:04:19and came to surprise you

01:04:21but instead

01:04:21I found another woman

01:04:22in your bed.

01:04:23So who's the slut?

01:04:24She is not a slut.

01:04:26The woman you're referring to

01:04:27is my mate.

01:04:28Onika stared at me

01:04:29then she burst out laughing.

01:04:32You joke too much.

01:04:33I know she's just

01:04:34another body to warm your bed.

01:04:36Sargas stepped toward her

01:04:37with enough heat

01:04:38in his eyes

01:04:38to melt through steel.

01:04:39Your diplomatic status

01:04:40buys you patience

01:04:41not the right to disrespect

01:04:43my mate in my home.

01:04:44One more word

01:04:45and the guards

01:04:46will escort you out.

01:04:48You wouldn't.

01:04:50Try me.

01:04:51Onika huffed

01:04:52and flipped her hair

01:04:53as she stalked out

01:04:54followed by Lupercus

01:04:56while Hasmik gave me

01:04:58the faintest smile

01:04:58and slipped away.

01:05:01The room was left

01:05:02with just me

01:05:03and Sargas.

01:05:04Silence settled

01:05:05like thick fog.

01:05:06I didn't know

01:05:07she was coming.

01:05:08I swear it, Noreen.

01:05:09I would have shielded you

01:05:10from this shit

01:05:11if I'd had even a hint.

01:05:12I said nothing.

01:05:14I didn't kiss her back.

01:05:16I hope you trust me

01:05:17enough to know

01:05:18that's not who I am anymore.

01:05:19Not with you

01:05:19in the picture.

01:05:20I'm not mad.

01:05:22You're not?

01:05:23No.

01:05:24I'm just...

01:05:25I don't know

01:05:26what I'm feeling.

01:05:26I just...

01:05:28hate how it made me feel

01:05:29seeing that.

01:05:32Do you want me

01:05:32to ask her to leave?

01:05:34Can you?

01:05:35I'm the supreme alpha

01:05:36of this kingdom.

01:05:37There's not much

01:05:38I can't do.

01:05:39No.

01:05:39That'll just make it worse.

01:05:41Politically.

01:05:42For you.

01:05:42I didn't realize

01:05:43how tightly

01:05:44I'd been holding myself together

01:05:45until I leaned my head

01:05:46against him.

01:05:47And it felt...

01:05:48right.

01:05:48His shoulder was broad

01:05:50and warm.

01:05:51I didn't understand it fully,

01:05:52this instinct and pull.

01:05:54But I followed it anyway.

01:05:55It wasn't even about the kiss,

01:05:57not entirely.

01:05:59It was about how easily

01:06:00she'd touched him.

01:06:02I hadn't earned the right

01:06:03to feel this way.

01:06:04We weren't bound yet.

01:06:06Hadn't exchanged vows

01:06:08or promises.

01:06:10She's really pretty.

01:06:13Noreen.

01:06:13It's not a competition.

01:06:14And even if it was,

01:06:16I wouldn't win.

01:06:18I'm not like her.

01:06:19I'm not loud

01:06:20or sharp

01:06:20or confident.

01:06:21I just...

01:06:22exist.

01:06:23Quietly.

01:06:24You don't have to be like her.

01:06:25But you were with her.

01:06:27I fucked her, Noreen.

01:06:28That's not the same

01:06:29as what I have with you.

01:06:30Resting my head against him,

01:06:32I looked at this infuriating,

01:06:33loyal, complex man

01:06:34who wouldn't want him.

01:06:36I was only with her

01:06:37because it was temporary

01:06:37and convenient

01:06:38until we each found

01:06:39what we truly wanted.

01:06:40You don't owe me

01:06:41an explanation.

01:06:42You're an adult.

01:06:43I'm not angry,

01:06:44just surprised,

01:06:44and it reminded me

01:06:46how little I actually

01:06:47know about you.

01:06:47Then ask.

01:06:49I don't know what to ask.

01:06:50When I'm not working,

01:06:51which is rare,

01:06:52I like to travel alone sometimes

01:06:54to see the world

01:06:54without the weight of a crown.

01:06:56I blinked.

01:06:56It was hard to imagine him

01:06:57as anything but the supreme alpha.

01:06:59I dabble in sports

01:06:59like basketball and swimming,

01:07:00and I love to cook.

01:07:01Submerging in water

01:07:02feels peaceful

01:07:03and untouchable,

01:07:03and my three-pointer

01:07:04is pretty good.

01:07:05You?

01:07:06Love to cook?

01:07:07Careful.

01:07:08You're underestimating me.

01:07:09At night,

01:07:09Sargas turned over

01:07:10on the sofa.

01:07:11He thought I was asleep.

01:07:12I wasn't.

01:07:13My eyes were closed,

01:07:14but every sense

01:07:14was tuned to him.

01:07:15The creak of leather,

01:07:16his breathing,

01:07:16and his scent of cedar

01:07:17and honeysuckle

01:07:18soaked into his shirt

01:07:19I was wearing,

01:07:19filling every inch of air.

01:07:20I couldn't escape it

01:07:21and didn't want to.

01:07:22A flash crossed my mind.

01:07:24Him in the kitchen,

01:07:26sleeves rolled up,

01:07:27muscles moving

01:07:28as he chopped vegetables.

01:07:30I imagined those hands on me,

01:07:33fingertips tracing down

01:07:34my collarbone

01:07:35inch by inch.

01:07:38My breathing changed.

01:07:40I bit my lip

01:07:41and buried my face

01:07:42in the pillow,

01:07:43knowing I shouldn't

01:07:43be thinking this,

01:07:44when my body

01:07:45still remembered the pain.

01:07:46But Sargas wasn't Joe.

01:07:48That thought

01:07:48was a small flame,

01:07:50burning a hole

01:07:50through my chest.

01:07:52The next morning,

01:07:53after I showered,

01:07:53the scent of food

01:07:54drifted from the kitchen.

01:07:55Sargas was cooking.

01:07:56I watched him pull out

01:07:57wagyu tenderloin,

01:07:58garlic,

01:07:58fresh herbs,

01:07:59and truffle butter

01:08:00to prepare an elaborate breakfast.

01:08:01He began with a palate cleanser,

01:08:03cucumber juice,

01:08:03elderflower,

01:08:04and mint syrup

01:08:04in a tiny ceramic spoon

01:08:06topped with an edible flower petal.

01:08:07The main dish

01:08:08was black truffle wagyu steak

01:08:09with bone marrow glaze,

01:08:11seared in a dry skillet

01:08:13and basted with garlic,

01:08:14herbs,

01:08:15and truffle butter.

01:08:16He turned roasted bone marrow

01:08:17into a creamy glaze

01:08:18and poured it over the steak.

01:08:21Is there a banquet?

01:08:22Thankfully, no.

01:08:23I'm making breakfast.

01:08:24For us.

01:08:26Is there anything

01:08:27I can help with?

01:08:27Yeah.

01:08:28I need you to keep

01:08:28turning this batter.

01:08:29The third course

01:08:30was flaky croissants

01:08:31topped with goat cheese,

01:08:32truffle oil,

01:08:33herbs,

01:08:33pomegranate seeds,

01:08:35candied walnuts,

01:08:36and honey infused with thyme.

01:08:37You know,

01:08:38you do have clothes

01:08:38of your own now.

01:08:40I noticed the closet

01:08:41had been rearranged,

01:08:42but maybe I'm just used

01:08:44to your clothes.

01:08:45They feel comfortable.

01:08:46I felt his gaze travel over me

01:08:48and saw him quickly turn away.

01:08:50But I pretended not to notice.

01:08:53We moved around the kitchen

01:08:54in an unspoken rhythm,

01:08:56handing off utensils,

01:08:58stealing glances.

01:08:59It felt natural.

01:09:01The dining table

01:09:02was a canvas

01:09:03of colors and scents.

01:09:05His eyes lit up.

01:09:06It was our first

01:09:07formal meal together

01:09:08using the dining table.

01:09:13How do you cook this well?

01:09:15I have my secrets.

01:09:16We washed the dishes together.

01:09:18She hummed softly

01:09:19under her breath,

01:09:20and I found myself

01:09:21humming along.

01:09:24I have something to do later,

01:09:25so I'll leave first.

01:09:28But actually,

01:09:29I went to Onika's room.

01:09:30I'd had enough.

01:09:32Explain, Sargis.

01:09:33Your subjects

01:09:34refused to talk.

01:09:34As I already explained,

01:09:36Onika,

01:09:37the woman you met

01:09:37is my mate,

01:09:38and you will treat her

01:09:39and all my subjects

01:09:40with respect.

01:09:41You say she's your mate,

01:09:43but I smell no mark of claim

01:09:44on either of you,

01:09:45so no,

01:09:45I don't believe that nonsense.

01:09:47Whether or not you believe

01:09:47she's my mate

01:09:48doesn't change the fact

01:09:49that she is.

01:09:50An unmated male

01:09:50is still fair game, Sargis.

01:09:53I didn't come for my brother.

01:09:55I came for you.

01:09:56It's been so long

01:09:57since someone fucked me so hard

01:09:59my legs trembled.

01:10:01You won't dismiss my bond

01:10:03with my mate

01:10:03for your fantasies.

01:10:04Stay away from what's not yours

01:10:05or you're finished here.

01:10:06Fine.

01:10:07I'll behave for now,

01:10:08but I'm staying for a month.

01:10:09Karagni is beautiful

01:10:10this time of year.

01:10:11Onika,

01:10:11when we agreed to be

01:10:12each other's sexual partners,

01:10:13we made a clear boundary

01:10:14that it was only that,

01:10:16a temporary outlet.

01:10:17We agreed to part ways

01:10:18once we found our mates.

01:10:19I found mine,

01:10:20so you need to move on.

01:10:20I never wanted to be bound

01:10:21to someone I didn't choose,

01:10:23unlike you who worships

01:10:23lifelong belonging,

01:10:24a philosophy I never agreed with.

01:10:26Why should I accept a stranger

01:10:27because of some ancient curse?

01:10:28I'd rather die alone.

01:10:29Look at my brother.

01:10:30His mate has emaculated him

01:10:31into a shadow

01:10:32of his former alpha self.

01:10:33You don't need to tell me

01:10:33any of this.

01:10:34Your opinions on the bond,

01:10:35your brother's mate,

01:10:35your own fears,

01:10:36that's your path to walk.

01:10:37It has nothing to do with me.

01:10:38Well, that's sad.

01:10:39Came here hoping

01:10:40to convince you otherwise,

01:10:41to propose that we become

01:10:42chosen mates,

01:10:42that we take what we had,

01:10:43what we were,

01:10:44and make it permanent.

01:10:45That will never happen,

01:10:46not in this life or the next.

01:10:47I would rather die

01:10:47than leave Nereen.

01:10:48Give me one month.

01:10:49If I can't get you

01:10:50into bed by then,

01:10:51I'll drop it.

01:10:52But if I do,

01:10:53you'll see the bond

01:10:54is just hormones

01:10:55and ancient magic.

01:10:55I'm not playing this game

01:10:56with you.

01:10:57This ends now.

01:10:58You need to leave.

01:10:59You can't do that, Sargis,

01:11:00unless you want to offend

01:11:01my brother and start

01:11:02a diplomatic war.

01:11:03After all,

01:11:03I'm here under his protection

01:11:05as his official assistant.

01:11:06It would be a shame

01:11:07if your kingdom

01:11:07suddenly lost trade privileges

01:11:09with the east,

01:11:10wouldn't it?

01:11:11If you so much as breathe

01:11:12near my mate again,

01:11:13I will take that risk.

01:11:14I will go to war

01:11:15with your brother,

01:11:16burn the treaties

01:11:17and let the gods

01:11:18bear witness to what I do

01:11:19if it means getting you

01:11:20the hell out of here.

01:11:21The next morning,

01:11:22Sargis had already left.

01:11:23Matters in the southern borders

01:11:24needed his oversight.

01:11:25He said he'd return by midday.

01:11:27I was alone.

01:11:28The silence pressed in slowly,

01:11:29like fog.

01:11:30I wandered through

01:11:30the sweet bare foot,

01:11:32dragging my fingers

01:11:32along the velvet edges

01:11:33of the furniture,

01:11:34trying to chase away

01:11:35the restlessness

01:11:35creeping into my bones.

01:11:36I tried not to think

01:11:37about his ex,

01:11:38the beautiful, poised woman

01:11:39who still haunted

01:11:40the palace halls like a ghost

01:11:41with a history tied to his body.

01:11:42But I believed him.

01:11:43That was the scary part.

01:11:45I had begun to trust

01:11:45Sargis,

01:11:46tentatively and quietly.

01:11:47He earned my trust

01:11:48by shielding me,

01:11:49sitting with me in silence

01:11:50and never pressuring me

01:11:51to be anything

01:11:52other than myself.

01:11:53I was his mate.

01:11:54No doubt about that,

01:11:56even if I still didn't

01:11:57fully understand

01:11:57what it meant for me.

01:11:58My thoughts turned to Joe

01:12:00and the pack

01:12:00that was called mine.

01:12:02Were they still the same?

01:12:03Had anything changed?

01:12:05Were they building families,

01:12:06laughing in the places

01:12:07where I had once cried,

01:12:08content to forget

01:12:09the girl they left to rot?

01:12:11But maybe I didn't

01:12:12need to pursue Joe.

01:12:13Not now.

01:12:13Maybe what I needed

01:12:15more than anything

01:12:15was peace.

01:12:19Peace with myself.

01:12:21Peace with the shattered

01:12:23pieces of my life.

01:12:24I let Hazmut talk me

01:12:25into breakfast,

01:12:26maybe because of her

01:12:27hopeful smile

01:12:28or simply because I was

01:12:29tired of hiding in the dark.

01:12:30At the head of an

01:12:31intimidating obsidian

01:12:32dining table,

01:12:32I felt like prey

01:12:33among lycans,

01:12:34especially with Sargis's

01:12:36mountain of a father

01:12:36sitting at the far end.

01:12:38Annika lounged across

01:12:39from him,

01:12:39faking disinterest,

01:12:40but watching everything.

01:12:41I stood awkwardly,

01:12:42wringing my fingers,

01:12:44unsure whether to sit,

01:12:45wait,

01:12:45or run back to my room.

01:12:46Good morning, sir.

01:12:48And good morning

01:12:49to you too, ma'am.

01:12:49The pressure of their

01:12:50stairs made me want

01:12:51to sink through

01:12:52the marble floor.

01:12:53You don't even know

01:12:54how to act properly

01:12:55like a queen.

01:12:55I lowered my gaze

01:12:56intentionally.

01:12:57Straighten your spine,

01:12:59square your shoulders,

01:13:00lift your chin.

01:13:01My body obeyed

01:13:02without thought,

01:13:03snapping into place

01:13:03like an overtrained puppet.

01:13:05Hazmun wrapped

01:13:06her warm arms around me,

01:13:07guided me to a seat

01:13:08near Onika,

01:13:09and sat beside me

01:13:10like a shield.

01:13:11Give her a break,

01:13:11Auntie.

01:13:12She's still new

01:13:13to all of this.

01:13:14That's all she's done

01:13:15since she arrived.

01:13:17Catch a break.

01:13:20The room grew colder.

01:13:22I could feel

01:13:23Onika's gaze

01:13:24sliding over me

01:13:25like oil.

01:13:26Your Highness,

01:13:26I know I shouldn't

01:13:27interfere in matters

01:13:28of the throne,

01:13:29but looking at her,

01:13:29she's clearly unfit

01:13:30to be queen.

01:13:31She doesn't know

01:13:32proper court etiquette,

01:13:32she doesn't bear

01:13:33the mark of a mate

01:13:34or the crown of a queen,

01:13:35and should a real threat

01:13:36arises,

01:13:36she'd be your

01:13:37greatest liability.

01:13:38Her voice was calm,

01:13:39almost pitying,

01:13:40but the venom beneath

01:13:41it was unmistakable.

01:13:42I swallowed hard

01:13:43and clenched my fingers

01:13:44tightly in my lap.

01:13:45I didn't know

01:13:46what to say.

01:13:47I didn't know

01:13:47how to defend myself

01:13:48in a world that

01:13:49had already decided

01:13:50I didn't belong.

01:13:51Onika,

01:13:51I may be retired,

01:13:53but like you said,

01:13:53you shouldn't interfere

01:13:54in matters that

01:13:55don't concern you,

01:13:55and regardless of your

01:13:56opinion,

01:13:56she is my son's mate.

01:13:58That makes her

01:13:58the future queen

01:13:59of this kingdom.

01:13:59My eyes sting,

01:14:01sharp and unexpected.

01:14:02I hadn't even spoken,

01:14:03and yet someone

01:14:03stood up for me.

01:14:04I felt Hasmic's hand

01:14:05slip into mine

01:14:06under the table.

01:14:07She gave it a squeeze.

01:14:08I quickly blinked

01:14:09the tears away.

01:14:10Of course,

01:14:10Rajababa.

01:14:11Pardon my intrusion.

01:14:12Looks like Sargas

01:14:13is here to scoop you up

01:14:15and keep you hidden away.

01:14:16The heavy double doors

01:14:18creaked open behind us.

01:14:20I turned just as Sargas

01:14:21and Lupercus

01:14:22entered the vast dining hall.

01:14:24The moment our eyes met,

01:14:26my chest eased.

01:14:28He made his way

01:14:29straight to me,

01:14:30slipped into the seat

01:14:31beside mine,

01:14:32and without a word,

01:14:34draped his arm

01:14:34across the back

01:14:35of my chair.

01:14:42Are you okay?

01:14:44I nodded,

01:14:45barely,

01:14:46but he understood.

01:14:48It is lovely

01:14:49to finally meet you, dear.

01:14:52It's nice to meet you too, sir.

01:14:54Please,

01:14:54call me Hyric.

01:14:56I've always wanted a daughter.

01:14:57Sargas,

01:14:58I know you think

01:14:59I'm being harsh,

01:14:59but you've seen how

01:15:00restless the court has grown

01:15:02with the queen's throne

01:15:03empty for nearly seven months.

01:15:06Had it really been

01:15:07seven months

01:15:08since I was brought here?

01:15:09So tell me,

01:15:10is she going to ascend it

01:15:12or not?

01:15:12Suddenly,

01:15:13I felt everyone's eyes on me

01:15:14and shrunk back

01:15:15as her words

01:15:16wrapped around my spine

01:15:17like chain.

01:15:17Mother,

01:15:18I told you she's not ready,

01:15:20and this isn't the time

01:15:21for that talk

01:15:21with a diplomat present.

01:15:22Oh, me?

01:15:23Don't mind me.

01:15:24I'm staying out of this.

01:15:26Her smirk said otherwise.

01:15:27We can leave right now

01:15:28if you want to.

01:15:29I glanced around the table.

01:15:30Hasmik smiled.

01:15:31Lupercus seemed detached.

01:15:33Sargas' father

01:15:34stayed neutral,

01:15:35and his mother

01:15:35barely hide her disdain.

01:15:37Could I really just stand

01:15:38and leave this mess?

01:15:39I shook my head slowly.

01:15:40I didn't want to give them

01:15:41that satisfaction.

01:15:42Breakfast ended,

01:15:43thankfully.

01:15:44Sargas held my hand

01:15:45the whole time.

01:15:46Even when I barely

01:15:47touched my food,

01:15:48I just pushed things

01:15:49around my plate.

01:15:50I watched his mother.

01:15:51Aveline was brilliant,

01:15:53cunning,

01:15:53respected,

01:15:54but gentle was not her.

01:15:55She didn't know

01:15:56how to soften her words.

01:15:57If Sargas had found me

01:15:58the traditional way,

01:15:59I would have been sent

01:16:00to the Alpha Magus' wing

01:16:02for a month of seclusion.

01:16:03His mother would have

01:16:04trained me in etiquette,

01:16:05politics,

01:16:06and the nuances

01:16:07of being mated to a king.

01:16:08That path was never mine.

01:16:10Tradition stopped mattering

01:16:12the moment he pulled me

01:16:12out of that compound,

01:16:14broken and bleeding.

01:16:15They didn't know me.

01:16:16They didn't see what I saw.

01:16:18They didn't see me flinch

01:16:19at raised voices

01:16:20or curl into myself

01:16:21when the memories came.

01:16:23The breakfast was lovely.

01:16:25He stood and left.

01:16:28Oh, Nika,

01:16:28I hope you'll finish

01:16:29whatever you came for

01:16:30because this isn't

01:16:31the right time

01:16:31for you to be here.

01:16:34Of course, Rijibaba.

01:16:36See you later, Dustys.

01:16:38Have a lovely rest of the day.

01:16:40The tension of the morning faded,

01:16:42leaving only a quiet calm.

01:16:44For the first time

01:16:45in a long while,

01:16:46I felt at peace here.

01:16:48After Sargas left,

01:16:49I went back to the room.

01:16:50Breakfast had shocked me awake.

01:16:51I already knew

01:16:52I didn't fit in,

01:16:53but today showed me

01:16:54just how deep

01:16:54the divide really was.

01:16:55I looked in the mirror.

01:16:57Same girl,

01:16:57same curls,

01:16:58same eyes,

01:16:59but I stood differently now.

01:17:00The subtle slump of my shoulders.

01:17:02Hesitancy.

01:17:03Queen.

01:17:03The word rang in my mind

01:17:05like a bell.

01:17:06Could I really do that?

01:17:07Could I be her?

01:17:08A sharp pulse

01:17:09bloomed on my forehead.

01:17:10My hands strut up instinctively,

01:17:12pressing against

01:17:13the familiar spot

01:17:14of the tattoo.

01:17:15The one I thought

01:17:15was nothing more

01:17:16than a mysterious

01:17:17mark of fate.

01:17:18My knees buckled

01:17:19and I grabbed the dresser.

01:17:20This wasn't a hallucination.

01:17:21The glow was real.

01:17:23Brilliant and alive.

01:17:24Etched right across

01:17:25my forehead like a band.

01:17:27Something stirred inside me.

01:17:29My eyes fluttered shut.

01:17:30Then the world exploded.

01:17:32I could hear everything.

01:17:34Cutlerary clicking

01:17:34floors away

01:17:35and faint conversations

01:17:36through the thick palace walls.

01:17:38Red.

01:17:39That same red

01:17:40I'd seen once before.

01:17:41The same red

01:17:42that terrified me

01:17:42that night I first shifted.

01:17:44It was back.

01:17:45I stumbled away

01:17:46from the mirror,

01:17:47one hand covering my mouth.

01:17:49My wolf.

01:17:49She was stirring.

01:17:51No.

01:17:53Awakening.

01:17:56It was past midnight

01:17:58when I finally heard

01:17:59the elevator ding

01:17:59and smelled Sargus

01:18:00coming down the hall.

01:18:01But tonight,

01:18:03beneath his primal scent,

01:18:04I caught a sicky sweetness.

01:18:05Annika.

01:18:06And my stomach twisted.

01:18:08His footsteps soft,

01:18:09he eased the door open

01:18:10and slipped into the room,

01:18:11thinking I was asleep.

01:18:12He padded into the closet,

01:18:14clothes rustling,

01:18:15but all I could focus on

01:18:16was her.

01:18:17Her scent lingered

01:18:19in the air between us.

01:18:20He came out of the closet

01:18:22in his soft pajamas

01:18:23and settled onto

01:18:24the leather couch.

01:18:25He picked up the spoon.

01:18:26He liked the food I made,

01:18:27but he still reeked of her.

01:18:29Why had he been with her?

01:18:30Why did her scent

01:18:31cling to him so brazenly

01:18:32and why did it hurt so much?

01:18:34His gaze pulled me

01:18:35from my spiraling thoughts,

01:18:36so I squeezed my eyes shut

01:18:37as he moved closer and closer.

01:18:38You know I know

01:18:39you're awake, right?

01:18:40Shit.

01:18:41Busted.

01:18:41I kept my eyes shut, stubbornly.

01:18:43Noreen,

01:18:44you're a terrible actress.

01:18:45Your eyes are twitching,

01:18:45your breathing is unseebit,

01:18:46and you're clutching the sheet

01:18:47like it insulted your ancestors.

01:18:49I cracked one eye open

01:18:50and our gaze is locked.

01:18:51I saw him,

01:18:52not just as Sargis the Supreme Alpha,

01:18:54but as mine.

01:18:55I wasn't pretending to sleep,

01:18:57I was trying to,

01:18:58until all the noise you made.

01:18:59Noise?

01:19:00Me?

01:19:00I was careful not to wake you.

01:19:02I needed a quick distraction.

01:19:04My wolf was awake

01:19:05and he could never find out.

01:19:06You're a little late today.

01:19:08Yeah.

01:19:08Had a lot of things

01:19:09to take care of.

01:19:11Like her?

01:19:12Was Onika one of those things?

01:19:14Hmm.

01:19:16Something happened though.

01:19:19Onika came to my office.

01:19:23And she tried to force herself on me.

01:19:26What?

01:19:27Nothing happened.

01:19:28I swear, Noreen.

01:19:29I pushed her away.

01:19:30I would never...

01:19:32Why...

01:19:32Why are you telling me that?

01:19:34Because I didn't want there

01:19:35to be any misunderstandings between us.

01:19:38Especially not when it comes to Onika.

01:19:40I stared at him,

01:19:41dazed.

01:19:41Why was he so open and honest

01:19:43when he could have easily lied?

01:19:45For dinner.

01:19:46It was delicious.

01:19:47I swallowed hard.

01:19:49He was giving consistently,

01:19:50patiently,

01:19:51vulnerablesly.

01:19:52And I was still hiding.

01:19:53Still keeping secrets.

01:19:55Sargas.

01:19:56The mate bond.

01:19:58What would happen if,

01:19:59eventually,

01:20:00my wolf awakens?

01:20:02How do I know if what I'm feeling

01:20:03is really mine

01:20:04or just something

01:20:05the bond wants me to feel?

01:20:07I will always be here.

01:20:09The morning sunlight

01:20:10spilled across the room.

01:20:12I sat at the edge of the bed.

01:20:14My eyes wandered to the sofa.

01:20:16Empty.

01:20:18The blanket neatly folded,

01:20:20like he hadn't even used it.

01:20:23He never made noise

01:20:24when he left in the mornings.

01:20:26Never woke me on purpose.

01:20:30But today I knew the moment he left.

01:20:34How could I not know?

01:20:36Every shift of his body

01:20:38on that sofa.

01:20:39Every time the leather

01:20:40creaked beneath his weight.

01:20:42Every subtle exhale

01:20:43as he tried and failed

01:20:44to get comfortable.

01:20:46Every little sound

01:20:47stirred me awake.

01:20:49He was a king.

01:20:51And yet,

01:20:52night after night,

01:20:53he surrendered his comfort.

01:20:54Sleeping on a couch

01:20:56far too short for his frame.

01:20:58Curled up like an exile

01:20:59in his own home.

01:21:01All because of me.

01:21:03The tension in his shoulders.

01:21:06The strain in his back.

01:21:10The quiet way he endured it

01:21:12without ever asking for more.

01:21:16The memory of last night

01:21:18tugged at me.

01:21:19How he'd confessed about Onika.

01:21:21How he'd looked so sincere.

01:21:23So careful not to hurt me

01:21:25or spark jealousy.

01:21:27Withersifrishin.

01:21:28Even though I had no claim over him.

01:21:31This bond.

01:21:32This man.

01:21:33The way he cared so freely

01:21:35without expectation.

01:21:38It shook me.

01:21:42It shook me.

01:21:47Maybe it would have been easier

01:21:48if he were cruel.

01:21:50If he yelled and demanded.

01:21:53But Sargas didn't do any of that.

01:21:58He was one of a kind.

01:22:01I decided to leave the room.

01:22:06I wanted to know more about the kingdom.

01:22:08About Sargas.

01:22:11About who I was supposed to become.

01:22:15I texted Hazmik.

01:22:17She replied quickly.

01:22:19We met in the hallway.

01:22:21Look who finally decided

01:22:22to come out of her shell.

01:22:26We walked side by side.

01:22:28She sighed.

01:22:29I want to apologize.

01:22:32For the breakfast.

01:22:35You were thrown into something

01:22:37you didn't ask for.

01:22:42It wasn't your fault.

01:22:44Then I smelled her.

01:22:46Onika.

01:22:47My face scrunched in disgust.

01:22:50Hazmik's eyes narrowed.

01:22:52She picked up her pace

01:22:53and opened the door

01:22:54with more force than necessary.

01:22:56My heart jumped into my throat.

01:22:58Onika was in Sargas' study.

01:23:00She turned her head slowly.

01:23:02Her gaze landing on Hazmik first.

01:23:05Then on me.

01:23:06Her eyes narrowed.

01:23:09Oh.

01:23:10Did I interrupt a study date?

01:23:17Noreen, don't leave.

01:23:19I can explain.

01:23:24I wasn't going to leave.

01:23:26The very sight of you sickens me.

01:23:28You don't know him like I do.

01:23:30You never will.

01:23:32He's only doing this

01:23:33because of the bond.

01:23:34It messes with your head.

01:23:36So don't delude yourself.

01:23:38Don't pretend he loves you.

01:23:39Because he doesn't.

01:23:41Onika lunged at Hazmik.

01:23:45In a second,

01:23:47she had Hazmik pinned against the wall,

01:23:50digging her claws into her throat.

01:23:52Then Sargas was there.

01:23:54He ripped Onika's hand from Hazmik's throat.

01:24:00Hazmik collapsed to the ground,

01:24:02coughing hard.

01:24:04Never in your life lay your hands

01:24:06on any of my subjects again.

01:24:07This is a royal decree.

01:24:09Effective immediately,

01:24:10you will pack your things

01:24:12and leave the palace.

01:24:13You've repeatedly bypassed protocol,

01:24:15insulted my mate,

01:24:16assaulted my subjects,

01:24:17and undermined my authority as king.

01:24:19No.

01:24:21No, no, no.

01:24:23Surely you wouldn't invoke a royal decree

01:24:26just because

01:24:26she disrespected me first?

01:24:29She dared to address me like an equal!

01:24:32But Sargas didn't back down.

01:24:34Onika stared at him.

01:24:35Then she looked at me,

01:24:36and there it was.

01:24:37Hatred.

01:24:38She screamed,

01:24:39and it made my skin crawl.

01:24:40Her voice was so grating,

01:24:42so abrasive,

01:24:42that I found myself wishing

01:24:43she would just

01:24:44stop speaking.

01:24:45Forever.

01:24:46A pulse throbbed across my forehead.

01:24:48I blinked.

01:24:49She was still ranting,

01:24:51but her mouth was moving.

01:24:53I couldn't hear a thing.

01:24:54Not a single syllable.

01:24:56She paused mid-terrade,

01:24:58blinked in confusion,

01:24:59and brought her hand up to her throat.

01:25:01She opened her mouth again.

01:25:03No sound.

01:25:05She clutched her throat with both hands.

01:25:07Her eyes darted frantically.

01:25:09Sargas thought she was acting.

01:25:17But I could feel her.

01:25:19I could feel her.

01:25:20Behind the door.

01:25:23Even though she was no longer in the room.

لم يستطع الزنزانة إيقاف لونا - مشاهدة المسلسل الصيني مترجم كامل مجاناً

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