- 4 hours ago
Burned The Fake Bond - Ep
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:00Yonah wasted seven years caring for Damien's fake paralyzed mother.
00:00:05She discovered At Damien had already mated a pureblood female named At Nova.
00:00:10Damien only used At Yonah as a free caretaker to secure his beta position.
00:00:16Yonah burned their unofficial mate bond and left the town immediately.
00:00:20She accepted the mating mark from a loyal Border Patrol captain named Caleb.
00:00:25Caleb risked his life to secure an official mate recognition decree for her.
00:00:31Damien lost his power and begged At Yonah to come back.
00:00:34Yonah rejected him and built a happy life with Caleb and their twin pups.
00:00:39I spent seven years of my youth making sure Damien Voss had no burdens as he fought for the position
00:00:46of Deputy Alpha of the Bloodfling Pack.
00:00:49I stayed in that forgotten little town of Greywood, hidden in the woods, taking full-time care of his paralyzed
00:00:54mother, Mira.
00:00:56Seven years.
00:00:58Damien only came home once a year, for the blood moon, and stayed just two days.
00:01:04He never even shared a bed with me.
00:01:06Half of the Bloodfling Pack want the Deputy Alpha spot.
00:01:10I can barely protect myself right now, let alone you.
00:01:14If you got pregnant, I'd have to drag you into hiding everywhere I go.
00:01:18Just the thought of that makes me lose control.
00:01:21Every time we said goodbye at the edge of town, his eyes would turn blood wet and...
00:01:26And he'd hold me so tight it hurt.
00:01:29Once I secure the Deputy position, I'll claim you under the full moon, in front of the entire pack.
00:01:35You'll be my mate, openly and honorably.
00:01:38In the seventh winter, a sudden blizzard swept through the hole of Greywood.
00:01:43Damien was stuck on the road, delayed for days.
00:01:47I had just finished making bone broth and was carrying a bowl to Mira's room when I stopped in my
00:01:52tracks.
00:01:53The door was cracked open.
00:01:55She was on a video call with Damien's cousin.
00:01:58Aunt Mira, how long are you going to keep up the wheelchair act?
00:02:02Keep faking and your legs will really be crippled for good.
00:02:10Mira let out a loud, sharp snort, full of energy.
00:02:14Nothing like a sick person.
00:02:16You don't get it.
00:02:18I'm doing this for Damien.
00:02:20Three years ago, he mated with Nova, Magnus Blackwood's daughter.
00:02:26Their pure-blood twins are already running around.
00:02:31If I didn't pretend to be paralyzed and keep Yona trapped here,
00:02:35she would have gone to the city and exposed everything.
00:02:39Once the elders investigate Damien's double mate bond,
00:02:43his deputy alpha position is done for.
00:02:46True.
00:02:47I guess we'll have to keep this secret for now.
00:02:50Damien said once his deputy position is solid,
00:02:53he'll give Yona some money and send her away.
00:02:56The bowl slipped out of my hand.
00:02:58It hit the floor without a sound.
00:03:01The boiling hot bone broth splashed over my feet,
00:03:04burning like ice, but I felt nothing.
00:03:07My blood ran cold.
00:03:09My teeth started chavering uncontrollably.
00:03:13So all his sweet words were never to protect me.
00:03:17He'd had a real mate in the city the whole time.
00:03:19Seven years.
00:03:20Never changed.
00:03:22I didn't scream.
00:03:23I didn't storm in and confront them.
00:03:26I just turned and walked out of that cabin that had been my prison for seven years.
00:03:30I braved the blizzard and took a car straight to the Silver Ridge Border Patrol stace
00:03:36to find the one person who had once looked at me like I was his whole world.
00:03:39Caleb, does your offer still stand?
00:03:42The man in patrol uniform spun around.
00:03:46His eyes, always so wild and proud, were full of disbelief.
00:03:51His hands trembled slightly.
00:03:53He blinked a few times, then spoke in a deep, rough voice.
00:03:57Yona, just say the word, and everything I have is yours.
00:04:01But give me two weeks.
00:04:04My squad leaves tonight.
00:04:06We're wiping out a rogue wolf pack crossing the border.
00:04:08When I come back, I'll give everything I have to petition the elders for a mate bond decree.
00:04:14Under the moonlight, in front of the whole pack, we'll be bound officially.
00:04:20I reached up and smoothed his collar.
00:04:23I don't need a decree.
00:04:25I just need you to come back safe and take me with you.
00:04:28I watched Caleb's kai drive off, then walked back to Greywood through the snow.
00:04:33The house should have been dark, but all the lights were on.
00:04:37The front door was open.
00:04:39A tall figure rose from the sofa and stood there.
00:04:42Yona, I came back early.
00:04:45Seven years had worn away all of Damien's tenderness.
00:04:49Now he was a wolf strong enough to make anyone fear him.
00:04:52He instinctively opened his arms,
00:04:54waiting for me to run to him and brush the snow off his shoulders.
00:04:59I didn't.
00:05:01I just sat down,
00:05:03took off my soaked boots and said in a flat voice,
00:05:06Have you eaten?
00:05:08I'll get you some food.
00:05:09His arms froze in midair.
00:05:11His jaw tightened.
00:05:13He tugged at his collar,
00:05:14trying to hide his embarrassment.
00:05:17What's wrong?
00:05:18Are you mad because I was late?
00:05:19In the past, I would have been crying my eyes out.
00:05:22What female wolf would willingly waste her best years trapped in endless waiting?
00:05:26But once the truth is completely revealed,
00:05:29love dies for good.
00:05:31Making a scene would only make me look pathetic.
00:05:33Leaving with dignity was the only choice.
00:05:35I didn't answer.
00:05:36I just walked into the kitchen.
00:05:39Go see Mira.
00:05:40I'll call you when the food is ready.
00:05:44He followed me and wrapped his arms around my waist from behind.
00:05:49His voice cold.
00:05:51You know what's really going on with you?
00:05:53Did someone in town say something to you?
00:05:56I didn't struggle.
00:05:57I just gently plied his fingers off my waist
00:06:00and turned around with a tired little smile.
00:06:02They're all elderly Omegas in this town.
00:06:06Why would I take their gossip seriously?
00:06:09You're being paranoid.
00:06:10The suspicion in his eyes faded
00:06:13and he breathed a sigh of relief.
00:06:16He reached up to stroke my hair,
00:06:18his voice condescendingly gentle.
00:06:22Yuna, this time I'm back.
00:06:24I want to move you and mother to the city.
00:06:25There's something I need to tell you first.
00:06:28My heart clenched.
00:06:32Finally, here it comes.
00:06:34After seven years,
00:06:35he couldn't even pretend to be affectionate anymore.
00:06:38Damien led me into the living room.
00:06:41The scene before me was like a nightmare.
00:06:44On my sofa sat a woman
00:06:46in an expensive coat and high heels.
00:06:50Two children stood beside her,
00:06:53their features identical to Damien's.
00:06:55Meera sat in her wheelchair,
00:06:57staring at the floor.
00:06:59And that woman,
00:07:01she was stunning
00:07:02and carried herself with extraordinary grace.
00:07:06She walked over slowly in her red-soled heels,
00:07:09took off her sand glasses,
00:07:10and gave me a fake smile.
00:07:12You must be Yuna.
00:07:14I'm Nova Blackwood.
00:07:15I heard you've been taking care of everything here
00:07:18all these years,
00:07:19looking after Damien.
00:07:21She paused,
00:07:22then nudged the two children forward.
00:07:24Come on.
00:07:25Say hello to Auntie Yuna.
00:07:29I couldn't breathe.
00:07:31Couldn't speak.
00:07:32When Damien saw how pale I'd gone,
00:07:35he immediately stepped in front of Nova
00:07:36and grabbed my wrist.
00:07:41Yuna,
00:07:43let me explain, please.
00:07:46When I first got to the city,
00:07:49I was ambushed by rogue wolves.
00:07:51I nearly died.
00:07:53Nova and the Blackwood Warriors saved me.
00:07:56The Blackwood Pack never accepts outsiders.
00:07:59The only way I could get into their inner circle
00:08:01was to mate with Nova.
00:08:03I had no choice.
00:08:05But the one I love has always been you.
00:08:07Always.
00:08:08This is just a power play.
00:08:10I never meant to have children with her.
00:08:14He was getting more and more agitated.
00:08:16He raised his hand and swore.
00:08:19Yuna.
00:08:21I did all of this for our future.
00:08:24Come to the city with me.
00:08:25I can give you everything
00:08:27except the title of Deputy Alpha's mate.
00:08:30Everything.
00:08:31No holding back.
00:08:32You never have to see her.
00:08:36I'll protect you, I swear.
00:08:38Watching him pour out his heart
00:08:40with all those lies
00:08:41made me want to throw up.
00:08:43I pulled my wrist back.
00:08:45No tears.
00:08:47Just a faint smile.
00:08:48I'm just glad you've made a place for yourself in the city.
00:08:51No need to explain.
00:08:53The calmness in my own voice surprised me.
00:08:56Mira's leg will never heal here in Greywood.
00:08:58The city has the best healers.
00:09:01She might even walk again.
00:09:03Damien froze.
00:09:05He had expected me to break down,
00:09:07cry,
00:09:08yell,
00:09:09question him.
00:09:10But not this calm.
00:09:12His face lit up instantly.
00:09:14He couldn't wait to speak.
00:09:16Really?
00:09:17Yuna!
00:09:18You actually understand?
00:09:19You're not mad?
00:09:21The tension in the air melted away.
00:09:24He started planning out loud.
00:09:25Pack tomorrow.
00:09:27Leave the day after.
00:09:29We'll make it just in time
00:09:31for the Blood Moon Feast.
00:09:33I'm not going with you.
00:09:35I cut him off directly.
00:09:36The smile vanished from his face.
00:09:41What?
00:09:43Yuna, you just said...
00:09:44I looked him straight in the eye
00:09:46and lied without flinching.
00:09:48The house and my shop are my assets.
00:09:51It'd be a shame to leave them empty.
00:09:53You take Mira to the city
00:09:55and get settled.
00:09:56I'll stay behind
00:09:57to handle the property
00:09:58and organize Mira's medical records.
00:10:01I'll come find you
00:10:02after the Blood Moon.
00:10:03His expression shifted slightly.
00:10:06He knew very well
00:10:07how hard she had worked
00:10:08for that house and that shop.
00:10:10From the day I became an adult,
00:10:12I worked at the healing clinic all day
00:10:15and set up a stall
00:10:16at the night market,
00:10:17saving every penny,
00:10:20scraping by.
00:10:21Just to build him
00:10:23a stable home
00:10:24to come back to.
00:10:25A flicker of fake guilt,
00:10:27guilt passed through his eyes.
00:10:29Yuna,
00:10:30I'm about to become
00:10:31the deputy alpha
00:10:32of the Blood Flaying Pack.
00:10:34I could buy half this town
00:10:36without blinking.
00:10:37That house is nothing.
00:10:40Don't worry about it.
00:10:41I shook my head.
00:10:42I built this with my own hands.
00:10:45I'm not giving it up easily.
00:10:48Damien hesitated.
00:10:49Nova sensed something was off.
00:10:52She took his arm
00:10:53and lowered her voice.
00:10:55Honey,
00:10:56let her handle it.
00:10:59All the elders are watching you right now.
00:11:02If you bring your old flame
00:11:04into the city
00:11:05on the eve of your appointment,
00:11:07your deputy alpha position
00:11:08is as good as gone.
00:11:11That hit him right in his weak spot.
00:11:14What he feared most
00:11:15was that I,
00:11:16the one who'd waited for him
00:11:17for seven years
00:11:18without ever being officially claimed,
00:11:20would ruin his future.
00:11:22I watched him weigh his options,
00:11:24swallowing the last bit of pain
00:11:25in my heart.
00:11:27To get rid of him for good,
00:11:29I gave him an offer
00:11:31he couldn't refuse.
00:11:32Damien,
00:11:33Nova's right.
00:11:34You can't afford any trouble right now.
00:11:36To put your mind at ease,
00:11:39let's dissolve our old mate bond.
00:11:43Even at Mira's head shot up,
00:11:46his eyes narrowed.
00:11:47That vow?
00:11:48We never had a formal pack ceremony,
00:11:51but back when we were young,
00:11:54we made a private vow
00:11:55on the old street of Greywood.
00:11:57He had signed a mate contract
00:11:59with his own blood.
00:12:00In the eyes of the old school Greywood Wolves,
00:12:04that bond was real and unbreakable.
00:12:07Once that contract burns,
00:12:09we're done for good.
00:12:10When Caleb comes back,
00:12:11I'll be free to accept his claim.
00:12:13Damien stared at me,
00:12:14hesitating,
00:12:16genuinely torn.
00:12:17Yonah,
00:12:19you once said that contract
00:12:21meant more to you than your own life.
00:12:23It was proof of our love.
00:12:25Burning it
00:12:26will cause your bloodline
00:12:28to reject you.
00:12:28He remembered everything.
00:12:32But so what?
00:12:34For seven years,
00:12:36he'd lived side by side
00:12:38with another female,
00:12:40climbing the ranks
00:12:41with the help of her family's elders.
00:12:44And me?
00:12:45I spent every day
00:12:47taking care of his mother,
00:12:48who was faking her paralysis.
00:12:50He made me so many beautiful promises,
00:12:53but he never kept a single one.
00:12:54I forced some wetness into my eyes
00:12:56and played the pitiful Omega once more.
00:12:59If it helps you,
00:13:00I can handle a little pain.
00:13:02Once you're settled in the city,
00:13:03you can throw me a big ceremony.
00:13:05We have plenty of time.
00:13:07Mira immediately chimed in.
00:13:10Yonah's right.
00:13:11This is a critical moment.
00:13:13You can't leave any loose ends.
00:13:15Yonah is being so understanding.
00:13:18The Vos family will make it up to her,
00:13:20I promise.
00:13:22Under the watchful eyes
00:13:24of both his mother and Nova,
00:13:26Damien finally pulled out
00:13:27the yellowed contract paper
00:13:29from his coat.
00:13:30He flicked his lighter.
00:13:34Yonah, wait for me.
00:13:36After the blood moon,
00:13:38I will come back for you.
00:13:40The contract turned to ash
00:13:42and scattered in the wind.
00:13:45Every chain that had bound me
00:13:47for seven years was broken.
00:13:50I laughed softly.
00:13:52Okay.
00:13:54That night,
00:13:55after everyone went to sleep,
00:13:56At Nova stopped me in the hallway.
00:14:01Miss Lark,
00:14:02don't go believing that sob story.
00:14:05Nova looked down at me with disdain.
00:14:08That ambush story?
00:14:10Him being forced to mate with me?
00:14:13All of it was a lie Damien made up.
00:14:16He was just afraid
00:14:17you'd ruin his future.
00:14:19I thought spending seven years
00:14:21of my life being lied to
00:14:23by the whole Vos family
00:14:24was rock bottom.
00:14:25I was wrong.
00:14:29Don't be naive, Miss Lark.
00:14:32She kept talking.
00:14:36There was no rogue ambush.
00:14:38He came to my father's door himself,
00:14:41knelt in the rain all night
00:14:42and swore his loyalty
00:14:44just to get into the inner circle.
00:14:47Mating with me
00:14:48was his idea.
00:14:50He called it proving his loyalty.
00:14:54He knows you too well.
00:14:56He knows you're soft-hearted
00:14:58and you keep your promises.
00:15:01This whole tragic forced marriage act
00:15:04was a scam
00:15:05he and his mother cooked up.
00:15:07He just wanted a free caretaker
00:15:09and he wanted you to feel so guilty
00:15:11that you'd come to the city
00:15:13and quietly be his secret mate.
00:15:17She stepped closer,
00:15:18her strong perfume choking my throat.
00:15:21Damien signed a formal mate pact with me.
00:15:23I am his only legal mate,
00:15:26the mother of his only legal children.
00:15:28Stay in line
00:15:29and your seven years of free labor
00:15:32might still earn you a little support.
00:15:34The Voss family can't afford to keep you.
00:15:40If you even think about stepping out of line,
00:15:43the Northern Packs have plenty of ways
00:15:45to make sure you can't survive anywhere.
00:15:48I looked at this proud,
00:15:50pure-blood female wolf
00:15:51standing before me.
00:15:52I felt no anger,
00:15:54just as disgust for Damien.
00:15:55I gave a faint smile.
00:15:57Don't worry, Miss Blackwood,
00:15:59I don't touch trash.
00:16:01Two days later,
00:16:02on the road out of Greywood,
00:16:04I took off the Voss family heirloom
00:16:06moonstone bracelet from my wrist
00:16:08and held it out to Nova.
00:16:10Mira's face changed.
00:16:12She reached out to Kraut to grab it.
00:16:16Yuna!
00:16:17That bracelet
00:16:18is a Voss family symbol
00:16:21meant for the Deputy Alpha's rightful mate.
00:16:24What are you doing?
00:16:27I stepped back and placed the bracelet
00:16:29in Outnova's palm.
00:16:34Aunt Mira.
00:16:36The whole town of Greywood
00:16:37knows what that bracelet means.
00:16:40You're about to move to the main city.
00:16:43Keeping this on me
00:16:45would hurt Damien's reputation.
00:16:47It's right to give it back.
00:16:49Best for everyone.
00:16:50Nova looked at Aunt Mira
00:16:52with a smug expression.
00:16:54She put the bracelet on
00:16:56in front of me,
00:16:57rubbing her fingers
00:16:58over it again and again.
00:17:00That was a wolf's way
00:17:01of marking possession
00:17:02with her scent.
00:17:04Yuna is very sensible, Auntie.
00:17:06I'll hold on to this
00:17:07for Damien for now.
00:17:08Mira was furious,
00:17:10but she couldn't argue.
00:17:12Nova's rank was far above her.
00:17:14She could only force a smile.
00:17:15I turned to Aunt Damien.
00:17:18He was wearing the bone pendant
00:17:19I had carved for him,
00:17:21close to his skin.
00:17:23Mr. Voss,
00:17:25that bone was carved
00:17:26with my first page from healing.
00:17:28I made it with my own hands.
00:17:30My soul mark is carved on the back.
00:17:33It doesn't suit your status anymore.
00:17:35Give it back.
00:17:36Damien raised his hand
00:17:37to protect his chest.
00:17:39Yuna,
00:17:40you're calling me Mr. Voss now?
00:17:42What is wrong with you?
00:17:46Just say my name.
00:17:48My expression was calm
00:17:49with a small smile.
00:17:51Better to keep some distance
00:17:52and boundaries.
00:17:53Don't want to start rumors.
00:17:55Damien sighed,
00:17:56but still refused
00:17:56to take off the bone pendant.
00:17:58I'm keeping this.
00:17:59It's proof
00:17:59that you stayed with me
00:18:01through the hard times.
00:18:02I'm keeping it.
00:18:04When you're done
00:18:04with your business in Greywood
00:18:05and come to the city
00:18:06after the blood moon,
00:18:08I'll give it back to you then.
00:18:10Even at this moment,
00:18:11he still believed
00:18:12I would come back.
00:18:13that I would be
00:18:15his secret mate
00:18:16hidden in the shadows.
00:18:19I watched their car drive away.
00:18:24I didn't look back.
00:18:26I turned and went inside,
00:18:28picked up the bag
00:18:28I had already packed
00:18:29and left for good.
00:18:31Silver Ridge,
00:18:33where Caleb's patrol base was.
00:18:36Winter in the south
00:18:37wasn't bone-chillingly cold.
00:18:40The sun could always
00:18:42break through the clouds.
00:18:44My savings were small.
00:18:46I rented a little house
00:18:47with a yard,
00:18:48a few miles
00:18:49from the patrol base.
00:18:54The landlord
00:18:54was a retired wolf warrior.
00:18:57When he heard
00:18:58I was waiting
00:18:58for a patrol team member
00:18:59to return,
00:19:00he helped me
00:19:01carry my bags inside.
00:19:03Young lady,
00:19:04which member
00:19:05are you waiting for?
00:19:06That mission of theirs,
00:19:08it's extremely dangerous.
00:19:10I handed him
00:19:11a bottle of water
00:19:11and said softly,
00:19:13Caleb Hunter.
00:19:14Caleb Hunter!
00:19:16The old man froze.
00:19:17Then he slapped his knee
00:19:18and handed me back
00:19:19my entire deposit.
00:19:21You're Hunter's mate?
00:19:23Take your money.
00:19:24Hunter is a stand-up wolf,
00:19:27a good one.
00:19:28The year before last,
00:19:30during that forest fire,
00:19:32he almost died
00:19:33saving a litter of pups.
00:19:35You can stay in this house
00:19:36as long as you want.
00:19:38Consider it a wedding gift
00:19:39from me to you both.
00:19:44I held that money
00:19:45in my hand
00:19:46and a warm feeling
00:19:47rose in my chest.
00:19:50Caleb usually acted
00:19:51so carefree,
00:19:52cocky,
00:19:53and proud.
00:19:54But here on the border,
00:19:56he had built
00:19:57a solid life
00:19:58for himself.
00:19:59During the days of waiting,
00:20:00I did have doubts.
00:20:02He had begged me
00:20:03with red eyes
00:20:03to give him two weeks.
00:20:05But I had been trapped
00:20:06by Damien for seven years.
00:20:08I was afraid Caleb
00:20:09was just acting on impulse.
00:20:12But I let it go quickly.
00:20:15Even if he changed his mind,
00:20:17I had already escaped
00:20:18the Voss family nightmare.
00:20:20I could start over anywhere.
00:20:22I went to the fabric store
00:20:23and bought red velvet material.
00:20:26I sewed my own ceremonial robe
00:20:28for the mating ceremony.
00:20:29In those seven years
00:20:30with Aunt Damien,
00:20:31I never had a ceremonial robe.
00:20:33I never even had
00:20:34a real anniversary.
00:20:36The old lady Marta
00:20:38back home
00:20:38used to call me foolish.
00:20:40She said I was good looking,
00:20:42a professional
00:20:43Omega healing apprentice.
00:20:44Yet I was wasting my life
00:20:46as a free maid
00:20:47for a wolf
00:20:47with no status
00:20:48or formal pack.
00:20:50I used to argue with her,
00:20:51telling her Damien
00:20:52had a bright future.
00:20:53Now I understood.
00:20:56Marta had been right all along.
00:20:57She was the one
00:20:58who helped me
00:20:59escape Greywood in secret.
00:21:01She found a real estate agent for me.
00:21:04She deliberately
00:21:05walked past my house
00:21:06every day
00:21:06so the neighbors
00:21:07would think I was still home.
00:21:09She covered for me
00:21:11for almost two weeks.
00:21:14The more you fear something,
00:21:16the more it happens.
00:21:18Caleb still hadn't returned.
00:21:20On the third day,
00:21:21a black SUV
00:21:22with city license plates
00:21:23screeched to a halt
00:21:24in front of my yard.
00:21:26The door flew open.
00:21:27Damien stepped out,
00:21:29covered in dust
00:21:30and the cold of winter.
00:21:34His hair was a mess.
00:21:36His eyes were bloodshot.
00:21:38His tie was gone.
00:21:40He didn't look at all
00:21:41like the next deputy alpha
00:21:42of the blood-flang pack.
00:21:44Unilark,
00:21:45you're getting bolder and bolder.
00:21:47He stormed into the yard
00:21:48and grabbed my wrist,
00:21:50squeezing so hard
00:21:51it felt like he might
00:21:52crush the bone.
00:21:53You said you were staying
00:21:54in Greywood
00:21:55to deal with the property.
00:21:57The agent told me
00:21:58that house was listed
00:21:59for sale two weeks ago.
00:22:00You canceled your phone number?
00:22:02Blocked me on everything?
00:22:03I had the pack search
00:22:04all over Greywood for you.
00:22:06I thought a rogue pack
00:22:07had taken you,
00:22:08you know that?
00:22:08His chest heaved.
00:22:10He was furious,
00:22:11but underneath it all,
00:22:13there was fear.
00:22:13He held my wrist
00:22:15in a death grip.
00:22:16I didn't struggle.
00:22:18I just looked at him calmly.
00:22:20Mr. Voss,
00:22:21you came all this way
00:22:23just to yell at me?
00:22:24Our mate bond
00:22:25is already broken.
00:22:26I don't owe
00:22:27the Voss family anything.
00:22:29Where I go,
00:22:30whether I live or die,
00:22:31is none of your business.
00:22:33Those words cut him deep.
00:22:35None of my business?
00:22:39He yanked me toward him,
00:22:41his eyes turning red.
00:22:44Seven years!
00:22:46We were together
00:22:47for seven years!
00:22:50You think a piece of paper
00:22:51can wipe that all away?
00:22:54Yuna,
00:22:55I know you've been wronged.
00:22:56I know I lied to you.
00:22:58I'm sorry, okay?
00:22:59I was wrong.
00:23:01Come back with me.
00:23:04I'll buy you a mansion,
00:23:05the best part of the city.
00:23:07Everything Nova has,
00:23:08I can give you
00:23:08except the title.
00:23:09Everything.
00:23:10I swear.
00:23:12I'll spend every full moon
00:23:14with you.
00:23:17It's just a house.
00:23:19I couldn't help but laugh.
00:23:23He thought I was negotiating,
00:23:26his brow frontaled.
00:23:27If a house on the ridge
00:23:28isn't enough,
00:23:30I'll get you an estate
00:23:31with a private courtyard.
00:23:33Yuna,
00:23:34the Blackwood Pack
00:23:35saved me.
00:23:36I can't betray them.
00:23:39But the one I love
00:23:40is still you.
00:23:42Shut up, Damien.
00:23:43I pushed him away
00:23:44and stepped back.
00:23:46Stop saying you owe them.
00:23:48It's disgusting.
00:23:50You think you're so clever?
00:23:52Nova told me everything.
00:23:54You're the one
00:23:55who approached
00:23:56the Blackwood Pack.
00:23:59You knelt in the rain
00:24:01all night begging
00:24:02to get into their inner circle.
00:24:04His face turned pale.
00:24:06He opened his mouth,
00:24:07but no words came out.
00:24:09You knew Nova's pack
00:24:11would never share a mate.
00:24:13So you had your mother
00:24:14pretend to be paralyzed
00:24:16to trap me here
00:24:17for seven years
00:24:18working for free.
00:24:20And now you want
00:24:21to act heartbroken?
00:24:22Are you sad about losing me?
00:24:25Or sad that you'll never again
00:24:26have someone so devoted
00:24:28to wait on your mother
00:24:29for free?
00:24:31Looking at his pale face,
00:24:33I cut the last bit
00:24:34of feeling I had for him.
00:24:36The Yuna you remember
00:24:37died the moment
00:24:38I heard that phone call.
00:24:40Get off my property.
00:24:43My mate is coming back
00:24:44from his mission soon.
00:24:45I don't want him
00:24:46to get the wrong idea.
00:24:47His face twisted.
00:24:50Mate?
00:24:50What mate?
00:24:52Who is it?
00:24:53I brushed the dust
00:24:54off my coat.
00:24:56Just a border patrol captain.
00:24:59You wouldn't know him.
00:25:00We're not even
00:25:01from the same world.
00:25:02Leave on your own.
00:25:03He lost it completely.
00:25:05His voice shot up.
00:25:09Yuna, have you lost your mind?
00:25:13You're giving up
00:25:14the next deputy alpha
00:25:15of the Blood Flang Bank pack
00:25:16for some nobody
00:25:17border patrol grunt
00:25:18with no power
00:25:19or status?
00:25:21With his salary,
00:25:22what kind of life
00:25:23can he give you?
00:25:24You're going back
00:25:25to scraping by
00:25:27and pinching pennies?
00:25:28I looked at him
00:25:29and thought it was
00:25:30absolutely ridiculous.
00:25:32Scraping by?
00:25:35I worked for free
00:25:36for seven years
00:25:37taking care of your
00:25:37fake paralyzed mother
00:25:39and you think
00:25:39I'm afraid of being poor?
00:25:41Damien,
00:25:42don't judge everyone
00:25:44by your own
00:25:44filthy standards.
00:25:47He doesn't have
00:25:48your power
00:25:49or your status,
00:25:50but he has
00:25:51a clean heart.
00:25:52He would never do
00:25:53the disgusting things
00:25:54you did.
00:25:55You?
00:25:56He couldn't get
00:25:57a word out.
00:25:58Then his face changed.
00:26:00He smiled.
00:26:02Dark.
00:26:04He smoothed down
00:26:05his coat.
00:26:07Yuna,
00:26:08I won't argue with you.
00:26:09I can forgive you.
00:26:11But if you insist
00:26:12on staying
00:26:13on this foolish path,
00:26:17don't blame me
00:26:18for what happens next.
00:26:21He pulled out
00:26:22his phone,
00:26:23his face showing
00:26:24a kind of extreme
00:26:25arrogance
00:26:25I had never seen
00:26:26on him before.
00:26:28Southern Border Patrol
00:26:30Commander
00:26:30Renwick
00:26:31just got backing
00:26:32from the Blackwood Pack.
00:26:36One phone call
00:26:37from me.
00:26:38Your little captain
00:26:39will be fired
00:26:40before dawn.
00:26:42Play nice
00:26:43and I might even
00:26:44let him get
00:26:45a severance package.
00:26:46I had never been
00:26:47a violent wolf.
00:26:51But his words
00:26:52lit a fire in me.
00:26:53He was despicable
00:26:55and now he wanted
00:26:56to use pureblood
00:26:57family power
00:26:58to destroy Caleb.
00:26:59Caleb who had
00:27:00fought his way up
00:27:00with nothing
00:27:01but his own blood
00:27:01and sweat.
00:27:03I picked up
00:27:04the silver dagger
00:27:05Caleb had left
00:27:06for me
00:27:06from the porch table.
00:27:10The silver blade
00:27:11hissed against my skin,
00:27:12burning a mark
00:27:13into it.
00:27:15The stinging
00:27:16scent of silver
00:27:17triggered Damien's
00:27:19animal instincts.
00:27:20He stepped back
00:27:21involuntarily.
00:27:23Damien,
00:27:24try it.
00:27:26Touch him
00:27:26and we both
00:27:27go down.
00:27:31I stared him down.
00:27:35My life may be worthless
00:27:37but you've just
00:27:37been confirmed
00:27:38by the council
00:27:39as the candidate
00:27:39for deputy alpha.
00:27:42If word gets out
00:27:43tomorrow that the
00:27:44Voss family candidate
00:27:45drove his former mate
00:27:47to suicide,
00:27:49do you think
00:27:50the Blackwood Pack
00:27:50will keep you around?
00:27:52He never expected me
00:27:53to be this extreme.
00:27:55In his eyes,
00:27:56I was always
00:27:57the meek,
00:27:58submissive Omega
00:27:59who never fought back.
00:28:01The air was thick
00:28:03with the smell
00:28:03of burning silver.
00:28:05He quickly raised
00:28:06his hands
00:28:06and stepped back.
00:28:08Yuna,
00:28:08put the knife down.
00:28:10You're crazy.
00:28:12Just then,
00:28:12the sound of a vehicle
00:28:13came from the yard entrance.
00:28:19The car door opened.
00:28:21A tall,
00:28:22straight man
00:28:22in uniform
00:28:23walked over,
00:28:24his powerful alpha presence
00:28:25filling the space.
00:28:26A squad of guards
00:28:27followed behind him.
00:28:29Damien recognized him.
00:28:31His pupils contracted.
00:28:36He forced a smile
00:28:37and walked up to him.
00:28:40Uh,
00:28:41Commander Holt,
00:28:42what brings you here?
00:28:44At the Pack Council
00:28:46meeting last week,
00:28:47I just...
00:28:48Holt ignored him
00:28:49completely.
00:28:50His eyes landed on me,
00:28:52on the dagger in my hand,
00:28:54on the wound on my neck.
00:28:56He frowned.
00:28:58Seeing this,
00:28:59out Damien quickly
00:29:00stepped in front of me.
00:29:02Commander,
00:29:02don't mind her.
00:29:04She's my distant cousin,
00:29:04just having a little
00:29:06emotional fit.
00:29:07It's just a family matter.
00:29:09Why would you be
00:29:09in a place like this?
00:29:11Mr. Voss,
00:29:13I'm here on official business.
00:29:17Holt walked around him
00:29:19and softened his voice.
00:29:20Are you Miss Yuna Lark?
00:29:25I nodded.
00:29:26I still had the dagger
00:29:27in my hand,
00:29:28the burn on my neck
00:29:28still smoking.
00:29:29Holt breathed
00:29:30a sigh of relief,
00:29:31a look of relief
00:29:32in his eyes.
00:29:33Then I'm in the right place.
00:29:35I'm Commander Holt
00:29:36of the Southern Border Patrol,
00:29:37Caleb Hunter's
00:29:38direct superior.
00:29:40Hearing Caleb's name,
00:29:41my heart stopped
00:29:42for a second.
00:29:43Damien looked confused
00:29:44and quickly cut in.
00:29:46Commander,
00:29:46there must be
00:29:47a misunderstanding.
00:29:48My cousin has always
00:29:49been in Greywood.
00:29:50She has nothing to do
00:29:51with your patrol team.
00:29:52That Caleb must have
00:29:53been harassing her.
00:29:54Holt's head snapped
00:29:55toward him,
00:29:55his powerful alpha presence
00:29:57silencing Damien
00:29:58before he could finish.
00:29:59Mr. Voss,
00:30:00watch your words.
00:30:02Warrior Caleb Hunter
00:30:03just completed
00:30:05a 15-hour cross-border battle.
00:30:08He rescued over 20 captive
00:30:10Omicas and pups
00:30:11from rogue wolves.
00:30:12He was severely wounded,
00:30:15lost control of his
00:30:16shifting ability,
00:30:17and had to be airlifted
00:30:18to the main city
00:30:19healer base.
00:30:21The council has decided
00:30:23to award him
00:30:24the highest warrior medal.
00:30:26He asked for no land,
00:30:28no bounty.
00:30:29His only request
00:30:30was a mate-bond decree.
00:30:36Holt took a sealed letter
00:30:38from his briefcase.
00:30:39The seal was red wax
00:30:41stamped with the moon goddess.
00:30:43He handed the letter to me.
00:30:46Miss Yona Lark,
00:30:48before Caleb went into surgery,
00:30:49he specifically asked me
00:30:51to deliver this
00:30:52to you in person.
00:30:54He said,
00:30:57even if he doesn't wake up
00:30:58or if it takes a long time,
00:31:00he won't let anyone hurt you.
00:31:06Holt looked at
00:31:07Aunt Damien,
00:31:08whose face had turned white.
00:31:12The council has completed
00:31:14the bloodline verification.
00:31:16All members voted
00:31:17unanimously for approval.
00:31:20As of today,
00:31:21Miss At-Yuna Lark
00:31:22is the legally recognized mate
00:31:25of a decorated warrior
00:31:26protected by the council.
00:31:28Mr. Voss,
00:31:31were you just talking about
00:31:32having Commander Rentrick
00:31:34fire one of his men?
00:31:40Shall I call the council
00:31:42right now,
00:31:43in front of you,
00:31:44to confirm the consequences?
00:31:45I covered my mouth,
00:31:47tears streaming down my face.
00:31:50That carey,
00:31:51wild man,
00:31:53gravely wounded,
00:31:54had fought with everything
00:31:56he had to win
00:31:57the pack's highest honor,
00:31:59just to give me a protection
00:32:00no one could touch.
00:32:02Damien stood frozen,
00:32:03stepping back.
00:32:04All his wealth,
00:32:06all his status,
00:32:07seemed ridiculous
00:32:08and laughable
00:32:08in front of that
00:32:09blood-stained metal
00:32:10and the sealed decree.
00:32:13Impossible.
00:32:14How can this be?
00:32:16His lips trembled
00:32:17uncontrollably.
00:32:20Holt's voice
00:32:21was ice cold.
00:32:22Mr. Voss,
00:32:23if there's nothing else,
00:32:25please leave.
00:32:26Damien moved his feet
00:32:27mechanically.
00:32:28He couldn't even be bothered
00:32:29to keep up appearances.
00:32:31He climbed into his SUV
00:32:33and fled in a panic.
00:32:36Caleb was unconscious
00:32:37for three days.
00:32:39The day he was transferred
00:32:41to a regular room,
00:32:43we signed the
00:32:44mate-bond decree
00:32:46by his hospital bed.
00:32:53He still had bandages
00:32:55on his head.
00:32:56His hand holding the pen
00:32:58trembled slightly.
00:33:00But he couldn't
00:33:01stop smiling,
00:33:02full of joy.
00:33:05Yuna,
00:33:06the council
00:33:07has stamped it.
00:33:08You're stuck with me
00:33:09for life.
00:33:10No take-backs.
00:33:17After Caleb recovered
00:33:18and returned to duty,
00:33:19the patrol base
00:33:21held our mating ceremony
00:33:22for us.
00:33:23No fancy hotel,
00:33:24no fake guests,
00:33:26just the full moon overhead
00:33:27and the howling blessings
00:33:28of his entire team
00:33:29loud enough to shake the sky.
00:33:36That simple ceremony
00:33:38was a hundred times better
00:33:39than any grand celebration
00:33:41Damien had ever promised.
00:33:44The next year,
00:33:46I moved into the family
00:33:47quarters at the base.
00:33:50Life wasn't luxurious.
00:33:52I opened a small bakery.
00:33:54Every day,
00:33:56surrounded by the smell
00:33:57of fresh bread,
00:33:58I waited for my love
00:33:59to come home safe.
00:34:02Sometimes I heard news
00:34:03about Damien
00:34:04from old acquaintances
00:34:05in Greywood.
00:34:09Nova used
00:34:10the Blackwood family's power
00:34:12to completely side-side
00:34:13at Damien
00:34:14in the bloodfin pack.
00:34:16He became a puppet
00:34:17deputy alpha
00:34:18with no real authority.
00:34:20She openly flaunted
00:34:22her affairs,
00:34:23doing whatever she wanted.
00:34:30Damien was too afraid
00:34:31to speak up.
00:34:32The slightest resistance
00:34:33would get all his titles stripped.
00:34:37Mira had faked her paralysis
00:34:38for seven years,
00:34:39but not long after moving
00:34:41to the city,
00:34:42Nova crushed her completely.
00:34:44This time,
00:34:45she really fell ill
00:34:46and was bedtidden for good.
00:34:51Damien was trapped
00:34:52in a nightmare,
00:34:54fighting at home,
00:34:55struggling in the pack.
00:34:57He aged quickly.
00:34:59The proud, confident man
00:35:01who had strutted into the city
00:35:03was gone.
00:35:06Hearing all of this,
00:35:08I felt nothing inside,
00:35:09not even a trace of satisfaction.
00:35:13Every choice has its price.
00:35:17That was their ending,
00:35:19none of my concern.
00:35:22I turned off the oven
00:35:23and started packing orders.
00:35:29Caleb's squad
00:35:30was in training rotation.
00:35:32His appetite
00:35:32had been off lately.
00:35:36I made his favorite food.
00:35:37I was tying ribbons
00:35:39on gift boxes
00:35:40when suddenly
00:35:42a pair of rough,
00:35:43large hands
00:35:44wrapped around my waist
00:35:46from behind.
00:35:47He was in his training uniform,
00:35:50his chin resting
00:35:50on my shoulder.
00:35:52Boss Lady Lark,
00:35:53the healer said
00:35:54you're carrying twins.
00:35:56No overworking.
00:35:59If I catch you
00:36:00in the kitchen again,
00:36:01I'm throwing the oven out.
00:36:05I laughed,
00:36:07turned around,
00:36:08and pinched his nose.
00:36:10Like I wouldn't take
00:36:11good care of my mate?
00:36:13At 5.30 in the morning,
00:36:15before the bass's
00:36:16morning whistle,
00:36:17I was already awake.
00:36:18Not because of
00:36:19the baby's kicking.
00:36:21They'd been quiet lately,
00:36:23probably intimidated
00:36:24by their father's
00:36:25nightly lectures
00:36:26to my belly.
00:36:27Every time before
00:36:28Caleb went on a mission,
00:36:29he'd lie down
00:36:30with his head
00:36:31on my belly
00:36:31and lectured
00:36:32the two kids.
00:36:34I'm your father,
00:36:36Caleb Hunter.
00:36:37Here are the rules.
00:36:39One,
00:36:39don't kick your mother.
00:36:41Two,
00:36:42don't be picky eaters.
00:36:44Three,
00:36:44when you grow up,
00:36:46you both join
00:36:47the border patrol.
00:36:48I always told him
00:36:49he was being ridiculous.
00:36:51The kids weren't
00:36:51even born yet,
00:36:52and he'd already
00:36:53planned out
00:36:54three generations
00:36:55of border warriors.
00:36:57He didn't care at all.
00:36:59The Hunter bloodline
00:37:01is meant to guard
00:37:01the border.
00:37:03Today was the last day
00:37:05of his current
00:37:05training rotation,
00:37:07and also our second
00:37:08anniversary as mates.
00:37:10I got up early
00:37:11and quiet,
00:37:12six months pregnant
00:37:13but still moving
00:37:15quickly through the kitchen,
00:37:16baking his favorite steak.
00:37:18I'd marinated
00:37:19the meat last night.
00:37:21The whole house
00:37:22smelled of meat.
00:37:25Then I heard a noise
00:37:26from the yard.
00:37:29I peeked out the window
00:37:31and couldn't help
00:37:31but laugh.
00:37:37Caleb was hunched over,
00:37:38sneaking into the yard,
00:37:40carrying a stack
00:37:41of seven or eight boxes,
00:37:42big and small.
00:37:44I was honestly curious
00:37:45how he managed
00:37:46to carry all that
00:37:47back from the base
00:37:47by himself.
00:37:51Captain Hunter,
00:37:52did you empty
00:37:52the base supply warehouse?
00:37:55Hey!
00:37:56He jumped.
00:37:57The boxes almost fell.
00:37:59He quickly turned around.
00:38:02Why are you awake?
00:38:03The healer told you
00:38:04to sleep more.
00:38:05I leaned against
00:38:06the doorframe.
00:38:06You made so much noise
00:38:08you woke up the birds
00:38:09in the yard.
00:38:09How could I sleep?
00:38:14He set the boxes down
00:38:15and stepped inside
00:38:16in two strides.
00:38:19He looked me over
00:38:20from head to toe,
00:38:22making sure I was fine.
00:38:23Then reached out
00:38:24and gently touched
00:38:25my belly.
00:38:27Hey there, boys.
00:38:29Miss your dad?
00:38:30How do you know
00:38:31they're boys?
00:38:32Maybe they're girls.
00:38:33He grinned.
00:38:35Even better.
00:38:36They'll take after you,
00:38:38beautiful.
00:38:39I'll protect the three
00:38:40of you for life.
00:38:41I pushed him
00:38:42toward the bathroom.
00:38:44Go wash up.
00:38:45Food will be ready soon.
00:38:46He stood still
00:38:48and pulled a small box
00:38:49from his pocket,
00:38:50tucking it into
00:38:51my apron pocket.
00:38:55What's that?
00:38:56Open it.
00:38:58I opened the box.
00:39:01Inside was a ring
00:39:02carved from a wolf's fang.
00:39:05This fang came from
00:39:07the first rogue alpha
00:39:08had hunted alone.
00:39:10The carving wasn't
00:39:11exactly delicate,
00:39:13but every edge
00:39:14had been polished
00:39:15smooth by his own hands.
00:39:18Made it
00:39:20during training
00:39:21in my spare time?
00:39:25Caleb scratched
00:39:26the back of his head,
00:39:27a little awkward.
00:39:28It's not as nice
00:39:29as your ring,
00:39:30but...
00:39:31I slipped the fang ring
00:39:32onto my finger,
00:39:34right next to the
00:39:35council-certified
00:39:36mate ring.
00:39:37This one is better,
00:39:39I said.
00:39:40You made it
00:39:41with your own hands.
00:39:43It's one of a kind.
00:39:44He stood there
00:39:45quietly for a moment.
00:39:47Then he pulled me
00:39:48into his arms.
00:39:53His chin
00:39:54with timeth.
00:39:55His rested
00:39:56on top of my head.
00:39:58His voice
00:39:59was rough.
00:39:59Yuna,
00:40:01I must have
00:40:02saved up a lifetime
00:40:03of good luck
00:40:03in my past life
00:40:04to meet you
00:40:05in this one.
00:40:06I leaned into
00:40:07his chest
00:40:08and smiled.
00:40:09Then you'd better
00:40:10cherish it.
00:40:11Good luck
00:40:12doesn't strike twice.
00:40:14The food was ready.
00:40:15Caleb ate
00:40:16every last bite,
00:40:17even drinking
00:40:18all the broth.
00:40:21I sat across
00:40:22the table
00:40:22from him,
00:40:23watching him.
00:40:26My thoughts
00:40:27drifting back
00:40:27to Greywood.
00:40:29I used to cook
00:40:30for Damien, too.
00:40:31I used to sit
00:40:32and watched him eat.
00:40:34But he never
00:40:35said thank you.
00:40:37He never hugged
00:40:38me from behind.
00:40:40He never asked
00:40:41if I was tired.
00:40:43After eating,
00:40:44he'd just wipe
00:40:45his mouth and ask.
00:40:47Where's the bill
00:40:47for this month?
00:40:49I kept careful
00:40:50records of every expense.
00:40:53Groceries,
00:40:53Mira's medicine,
00:40:55utilities.
00:40:56He'd flip through
00:40:57it quickly,
00:40:58nod,
00:40:59and say,
00:41:01you worked hard.
00:41:03Then he'd leave
00:41:04for the main city
00:41:05the next morning.
00:41:08I used to think
00:41:09that was the price
00:41:10of love.
00:41:10Now I understood
00:41:12completely.
00:41:13That was never love.
00:41:15It was just me
00:41:16giving,
00:41:17and giving,
00:41:18maintaining a transaction
00:41:19that would never
00:41:20be repaid.
00:41:24What are you thinking about?
00:41:28Caleb waved his hand
00:41:29in front of my face.
00:41:31I didn't expect you
00:41:32to be such a smooth
00:41:33talker now.
00:41:33I blinked,
00:41:34coming back to the present.
00:41:36When we first met,
00:41:38you weren't this slick.
00:41:39He pretended to be wronged.
00:41:41I was playing the long game.
00:41:45Fine, fine.
00:41:47Strategic mastermind.
00:41:48I stood up
00:41:49to clear the dishes.
00:41:51He snatched
00:41:52the plates away.
00:41:53Sit.
00:41:54I'll do it.
00:41:56I watched him
00:41:57fumble around
00:41:58at the sink.
00:42:00Those hands
00:42:01could knock out
00:42:01an adult male wolf
00:42:02with one punch,
00:42:03but they couldn't
00:42:04wring out a dishcloth.
00:42:07Water went everywhere.
00:42:10But in that moment,
00:42:12he was the most
00:42:13dazzling sight
00:42:14in my eyes.
00:42:18My bakery business grew.
00:42:22I rented a new shop
00:42:23across from
00:42:24the family quarters
00:42:25and hired
00:42:25two female wolves
00:42:27whose mates
00:42:28were stationed locally.
00:42:32That afternoon,
00:42:33I just took
00:42:33the last batch
00:42:34batch of cookies
00:42:35out of the oven
00:42:36when the shop
00:42:36door's
00:42:37wind chime rang.
00:42:47I froze.
00:42:52It was
00:42:53old Mrs. Marta.
00:42:54She had lived
00:42:55on the same street
00:42:56in Greywood
00:42:57for 30 years.
00:42:59She always said
00:43:00I was too stubborn
00:43:01and naive.
00:43:02She was the one
00:43:03who helped me
00:43:04cover my tracks
00:43:05when I sold
00:43:05the house and left.
00:43:10She took my hands,
00:43:13her eyes red.
00:43:16I finally found you.
00:43:20You left without a word.
00:43:23I asked so many people
00:43:25before I got your address.
00:43:27My heart tightened.
00:43:29I pulled her to a seat.
00:43:33Marta,
00:43:35sit down.
00:43:36Let me get you
00:43:37some water.
00:43:40Marta sat down
00:43:41and looked around
00:43:42the shop,
00:43:43clicking her tongue.
00:43:46Look at you now.
00:43:47Did you build
00:43:48all this yourself?
00:43:49Just a small business.
00:43:51Enough to get by.
00:43:52I handed her
00:43:53the water.
00:43:54Are you down south
00:43:55for a trip?
00:43:57A trip?
00:43:58No,
00:43:59I came all this way
00:44:00to find you.
00:44:01She pulled a brown envelope
00:44:03from her bag
00:44:03and put it on the counter.
00:44:06The final payment
00:44:07for your house.
00:44:08The agent transferred
00:44:10it to my account.
00:44:11I brought it to you.
00:44:14I looked at her.
00:44:16You came all this way
00:44:17just for that?
00:44:19You could have just
00:44:20sent me a transfer.
00:44:21You canceled your number.
00:44:23How was I supposed
00:44:24to contact you?
00:44:26She pretended
00:44:27to glare at me.
00:44:29Then her voice softened.
00:44:34More importantly,
00:44:36I was worried about you.
00:44:38You left so suddenly.
00:44:39I've been thinking
00:44:40about you.
00:44:42Warmth filled my heart.
00:44:44I squeezed her hand.
00:44:48Marta,
00:44:49I'm doing well.
00:44:50Really well.
00:44:53She looked around
00:44:54and lowered her voice.
00:44:56That boss boy
00:44:58hasn't bothered you again,
00:44:59has he?
00:45:00He came once.
00:45:01I chased him off.
00:45:03Good!
00:45:05She slapped the counter.
00:45:09That ungrateful brat.
00:45:12You don't know
00:45:12how badly he's doing now!
00:45:14I smiled
00:45:16and cut her off.
00:45:18Marta,
00:45:18I don't want to hear
00:45:19about him anymore.
00:45:21His life,
00:45:22good or bad,
00:45:23has nothing to do
00:45:24with me.
00:45:25She paused,
00:45:27then smiled,
00:45:28her eyes getting red.
00:45:31Right, right.
00:45:32Don't talk about him.
00:45:35My Yuna
00:45:36only looks forward,
00:45:38never back.
00:45:41The bell rang again.
00:45:46Caleb walked in
00:45:47wearing his training uniform,
00:45:48full of energy.
00:45:50Babe,
00:45:51training ended early.
00:45:52I'm here to take you home.
00:45:53Oh,
00:45:53we have a guest?
00:45:54I introduced them.
00:45:56This is Mrs. Marta,
00:45:57an old neighbor from Greywood.
00:45:59She helped me a lot back then.
00:46:05Caleb immediately straightened up
00:46:07and gave a serious salute.
00:46:09Hello, ma'am.
00:46:10I'm Yuna's mate,
00:46:11Caleb Hunter.
00:46:12Thank you for taking care of her.
00:46:16Marta laughed so hard,
00:46:17she wiped away tears.
00:46:21This boy has such a good character
00:46:23and so handsome.
00:46:26Yuna,
00:46:28you finally chose the right one this time.
00:46:32Caleb grinned from ear to ear.
00:46:35He leaned down
00:46:36and whispered to me,
00:46:38Babe,
00:46:40she says I'm better than that other guy.
00:46:43I rolled my eyes.
00:46:48She was just being polite.
00:46:50Don't let it go to your head.
00:46:52He laughed
00:46:53and headed to the back.
00:46:59I'll go cut some fruit.
00:47:03Marta watched him quietly,
00:47:05then gently squeezed my hand.
00:47:08Yuna,
00:47:08you really chose right this time.
00:47:13He looks at you with real care,
00:47:16real value.
00:47:19That Vos boy never did.
00:47:22When he looked at you,
00:47:24he just saw free labor.
00:47:26I didn't argue.
00:47:28There was no need.
00:47:30Seven years of the past
00:47:31were just a nightmare.
00:47:33After the nightmare,
00:47:34life was new.
00:47:36Sunlight streamed through the window,
00:47:38falling on Caleb,
00:47:39on my belly,
00:47:41on Marta's smiling face.
00:47:45In that moment,
00:47:47I felt richer and happier
00:47:49than any female deputy alpha
00:47:51in the world.
00:47:56I'd been with Caleb for two full years
00:47:59before I found out he had a sister.
00:48:03That day,
00:48:04an SUV drove right up to my door,
00:48:06stopping just two steps away.
00:48:11Yuna!
00:48:14She came in loud,
00:48:16her voice even bigger
00:48:17than at Caleb's.
00:48:20I'm Jules Hunter,
00:48:21Caleb's sister.
00:48:22The real deal.
00:48:23I looked at the girl
00:48:25in front of Trunthot,
00:48:26swearing a leather jacket
00:48:27with her hair in a high hinai leaf,
00:48:29full of energy.
00:48:30Then I looked at Caleb,
00:48:31who had a guilty look on his face.
00:48:36Yuna,
00:48:37I was going to tell you,
00:48:38it's just...
00:48:39What kind of work?
00:48:41Jules plopped down
00:48:42on the sofa
00:48:43and crossed her legs casually.
00:48:48Don't listen to him
00:48:49making it sound so mysterious.
00:48:51I'm a bounty hunter.
00:48:53I catch rogue wolves
00:48:54who cross into our territory.
00:48:56That's all.
00:49:00Bounty hunter?
00:49:02She nodded proudly.
00:49:05I have a private contract
00:49:06with the Northern Pack Alliance.
00:49:08Any rogue wolf crosses the border,
00:49:10I catch them
00:49:11and bring them in.
00:49:12Last month,
00:49:13I caught three.
00:49:15All alive,
00:49:17all tied up tight,
00:49:18delivered them to the council myself.
00:49:22I looked at her
00:49:23and couldn't help but smile.
00:49:25She and her brother
00:49:26had the exact same personality.
00:49:29Jules had taken her annual leave
00:49:31specifically to come south
00:49:33and meet me.
00:49:34She stayed for two weeks.
00:49:36She spent every day
00:49:37at my bakery,
00:49:38learning to make pastries
00:49:39for my employees.
00:49:41Unfortunately,
00:49:42she had zero baking talent.
00:49:44The cookies she made
00:49:45were hard enough
00:49:45to break teeth.
00:49:52Yuna,
00:49:53I guess these hands
00:49:54are only good for holding blades.
00:49:55She poked at a tray
00:49:57of burnt cookies
00:49:58and sighed.
00:50:05I held back a smile.
00:50:09Just keep practicing.
00:50:10You'll get better.
00:50:15Forget it.
00:50:17She washed her hands,
00:50:18then leaned close
00:50:19and lowered her voice.
00:50:22My brother said
00:50:23there used to be some asshole
00:50:25who treated you badly.
00:50:27I was quiet for a moment,
00:50:29then nodded slightly.
00:50:35That was a long time ago.
00:50:39Is that asshole still around?
00:50:42Her eyes glinted,
00:50:43her energy sharp.
00:50:45Want me to go deal with him?
00:50:47I've ripped out a rogue's throat
00:50:49with my bare hands.
00:50:51Jules!
00:50:52Caleb's warning voice
00:50:54came from the doorway.
00:50:56She stuck her tongue out at him
00:50:58and obediently reined in her energy.
00:51:00I shook my head.
00:51:03No need.
00:51:04He can't affect me anymore.
00:51:06She looked at me
00:51:07for a long moment,
00:51:08then gave me a thumbs up.
00:51:12Yuna,
00:51:12you're the coolest wolf
00:51:13I've ever met.
00:51:15My brother
00:51:16is so damn lucky
00:51:18to have married you.
00:51:19When that got back
00:51:20to Aunt Caleb,
00:51:21he was insufferably proud
00:51:22for a whole week.
00:51:28It was the 10th day
00:51:29of Caleb's training.
00:51:31I was five months pregnant.
00:51:36I had just finished
00:51:37the last batch of cookies
00:51:38for the shop.
00:51:40My new employee,
00:51:41Anya,
00:51:42was helping me pack them.
00:51:44She kept glancing at my belly
00:51:45until she finally
00:51:47couldn't hold back.
00:51:50Boss Lark,
00:51:52Captain Hunter
00:51:53is way too intense.
00:51:54You're already this far along
00:51:56and he's still away training.
00:51:57What if you go
00:51:58into labor early?
00:52:00I shoved a cookie
00:52:01in her mouth.
00:52:06He's guarding the pack,
00:52:08not out playing around.
00:52:09And my due date
00:52:10is still months away.
00:52:12No need to rush.
00:52:17Anya chewed the cookie
00:52:18and muttered,
00:52:20I mean,
00:52:21that's true,
00:52:22but every other pregnant
00:52:24mate at the base
00:52:25has their partner
00:52:25glued to their side,
00:52:27pampering them.
00:52:29Only you,
00:52:30pregnant
00:52:31and running
00:52:31a whole shop
00:52:32by yourself.
00:52:33I didn't argue.
00:52:39Some happiness
00:52:40doesn't need
00:52:40to be explained
00:52:41to outsiders.
00:52:48The night
00:52:49before he left
00:52:50for training,
00:52:51at Belay's
00:52:52Caleb spent
00:52:53Caleb a full hour
00:52:54massaging my
00:52:55swollen feet.
00:52:56At four in the morning,
00:52:58he got up early
00:52:59and stocked
00:53:00the storage room
00:53:00with enough flour,
00:53:02sugar,
00:53:02and butter
00:53:03to last a month,
00:53:04all neatly arranged.
00:53:06When he left,
00:53:08he turned at the door
00:53:09and looked at me
00:53:10for a long moment.
00:53:13Yuna,
00:53:14wait for me
00:53:15to come back.
00:53:18I waved at him.
00:53:21Go on!
00:53:24The SUV
00:53:25drove off slowly.
00:53:26I stood in the yard
00:53:27and watched
00:53:28until it disappeared
00:53:29over the horizon.
00:53:30In that moment,
00:53:32I felt more grounded
00:53:33and secure
00:53:34than ever before.
00:53:36There are a thousand
00:53:37ways love can look.
00:53:39Damien's love
00:53:40was a thousand
00:53:41sweet words,
00:53:42but he couldn't
00:53:43even make me
00:53:44a hot breakfast.
00:53:47Caleb's love
00:53:48was never spoken
00:53:49out loud,
00:53:49but he knew
00:53:50my schedule
00:53:51and my comfort
00:53:51better than I did.
00:53:54At three in the afternoon,
00:53:56the shop was quiet.
00:53:58I was sitting
00:53:59at the register,
00:54:00sorting through bills.
00:54:02The wind chime rang.
00:54:05I didn't look up.
00:54:08Welcome!
00:54:09Buy two cookies,
00:54:11get one free.
00:54:13Yuna!
00:54:16A hosky,
00:54:18exhausted voice
00:54:19full of complicated emotions.
00:54:23I looked up.
00:54:25Damien Voss
00:54:26was standing
00:54:27in the doorway.
00:54:28He looked
00:54:29ten years older
00:54:30than when we last fought.
00:54:33His hair was gray
00:54:35at the Tims.
00:54:36His eyes were sunken.
00:54:38The powerful
00:54:38alpha presence
00:54:39that could intimidate
00:54:40lower-ranked wolves
00:54:41was completely gone.
00:54:44I looked back down
00:54:45at my bills.
00:54:47You're lost.
00:54:49This is the south,
00:54:50not the main city.
00:54:52He stood there,
00:54:54staring at me,
00:54:55his throat bobbing.
00:54:57Yuna,
00:54:58I knew you weren't dead.
00:55:00I looked for you
00:55:01for six months.
00:55:07Looking for me
00:55:08for what?
00:55:10I still didn't look up.
00:55:13Aren't we even?
00:55:15Even?
00:55:19His laugh
00:55:20was dry
00:55:21and raspy.
00:55:24You threatened
00:55:25to kill yourself
00:55:26to drive me away,
00:55:27then turned around
00:55:28and married
00:55:29a border captain.
00:55:30Now you're
00:55:31carrying his child.
00:55:33And me?
00:55:37Nova turned me
00:55:38into a puppet.
00:55:40She and her
00:55:42beta lover
00:55:43control the whole
00:55:44blood-flang pack.
00:55:46My mother
00:55:47is sick
00:55:48in bed
00:55:48saying your name
00:55:50every day.
00:55:51His voice
00:55:52cracked.
00:55:56Yuna,
00:55:57I finally understand.
00:55:59I get it all now.
00:56:01I shouldn't have
00:56:03lied to you.
00:56:04I shouldn't have
00:56:06made Mira
00:56:06fake her paralysis.
00:56:08I shouldn't have
00:56:09groveled to the
00:56:10Blackwood pack
00:56:11for the deputy position.
00:56:12But I had
00:56:13no choice
00:56:14back then.
00:56:15I had nothing.
00:56:17If you stayed
00:56:18with me,
00:56:18you would have
00:56:19suffered.
00:56:21I wanted to
00:56:22get on my feet
00:56:22first,
00:56:23then come back
00:56:24and make it up
00:56:25to you.
00:56:26I finally
00:56:27looked up
00:56:28at the man
00:56:29I had loved
00:56:29for seven years.
00:56:32His face
00:56:33was aged.
00:56:35His body
00:56:36hangered.
00:56:38All the light
00:56:39I used to be
00:56:39obsessed with
00:56:40was gone.
00:56:44I closed
00:56:44the bill book
00:56:45and spoke
00:56:46in a flat,
00:56:47emotionless tone.
00:56:51Damien,
00:56:52you never
00:56:53really understood
00:56:54anything.
00:56:55You don't even
00:56:56know what you
00:56:56did wrong.
00:56:58What you call
00:56:59guilt is just
00:57:00regret that
00:57:01you failed.
00:57:02You're not
00:57:03sorry you hurt
00:57:03me.
00:57:04You're just
00:57:05sorry about
00:57:06how things
00:57:06turned out
00:57:07for you.
00:57:10You don't
00:57:11regret lying
00:57:11to me for
00:57:12seven years.
00:57:14You just
00:57:15regret not
00:57:15using me all
00:57:16the way,
00:57:16letting me
00:57:17get away.
00:57:19You didn't
00:57:20come here
00:57:20because you
00:57:21love me.
00:57:21You came
00:57:22because you
00:57:23saw that
00:57:23without you,
00:57:24I'm happier
00:57:25than you.
00:57:30His face
00:57:31went completely
00:57:31pale.
00:57:32Do you
00:57:33know how
00:57:33I survived
00:57:34those seven
00:57:34years?
00:57:35I stood up
00:57:36and looked at
00:57:37him across
00:57:37the counter.
00:57:38I woke up
00:57:39at five
00:57:39every morning.
00:57:41I turned
00:57:42your mother
00:57:43over,
00:57:43cleaned her,
00:57:45fed her,
00:57:46massaged
00:57:47her.
00:57:49When she
00:57:50was bored,
00:57:51she'd purposely
00:57:52dirty the
00:57:52bed and
00:57:53watch me
00:57:53clean it
00:57:54up again
00:57:54again.
00:57:58The two
00:57:59days a year
00:57:59year,
00:58:00you came
00:58:00home.
00:58:01I barely
00:58:02slept,
00:58:03waiting for
00:58:04your every
00:58:04command.
00:58:06I was on
00:58:07call 24-7,
00:58:09happy to be
00:58:09your maid,
00:58:10thinking that
00:58:11was love.
00:58:12And you?
00:58:14You showed
00:58:15up with
00:58:16your pure
00:58:17blood mate
00:58:18and your
00:58:18two kids
00:58:19and told me
00:58:20you could
00:58:20give me
00:58:21everything
00:58:21except the
00:58:22title.
00:58:24Damien,
00:58:24don't you
00:58:25think that's
00:58:26disgusting?
00:58:27His eyes
00:58:28were bloodshot,
00:58:29his lips
00:58:29trembling
00:58:30violently.
00:58:31He couldn't
00:58:32say a word.
00:58:33I let out
00:58:34a breath.
00:58:36Enough.
00:58:38I don't
00:58:39want to dwell
00:58:39on the
00:58:39past anymore.
00:58:41Leave here.
00:58:42Don't come
00:58:43back.
00:58:46Yuna!
00:58:47He lunged
00:58:47at the
00:58:48counter and
00:58:48slammed his
00:58:49hand down
00:58:49on it.
00:58:52I've already
00:58:53ended things
00:58:54with Nova.
00:58:54I ended it
00:58:55myself.
00:58:55It's all
00:58:55over.
00:58:56She spent
00:58:57my money
00:58:58on her
00:58:58lovers.
00:58:59I caught
00:59:00her in
00:59:00the act
00:59:00and she
00:59:02still took
00:59:02half my
00:59:03territory.
00:59:04I have
00:59:05nothing left
00:59:05now but
00:59:06my true
00:59:06heart.
00:59:07Come back
00:59:08to me.
00:59:09I'll give
00:59:09you anything
00:59:10you want.
00:59:11I looked
00:59:11at him
00:59:12and almost
00:59:12laughed.
00:59:15Damien,
00:59:16do you know
00:59:17why I chose
00:59:17Caleb?
00:59:18He stiffened.
00:59:19Not because
00:59:20he's a border
00:59:21patrol captain.
00:59:22Not because
00:59:23he has the
00:59:24highest warrior
00:59:24medal.
00:59:28Not because
00:59:29of the
00:59:29council
00:59:30certified
00:59:30mate
00:59:31Dietrich.
00:59:34I spoke
00:59:35slowly,
00:59:36each word
00:59:36clear.
00:59:38It's because
00:59:39he never
00:59:39makes me
00:59:40wait.
00:59:40He said
00:59:41he'd be
00:59:41back in
00:59:42two weeks
00:59:42and he
00:59:43came back
00:59:44on time.
00:59:44He said
00:59:45he'd petition
00:59:45the council
00:59:46for a
00:59:46mate
00:59:46decree
00:59:47and he
00:59:47did
00:59:48everything
00:59:48in his
00:59:49power
00:59:49to make
00:59:49it
00:59:49happen.
00:59:50He
00:59:51almost
00:59:51died
00:59:52in
00:59:52battle
00:59:52and his
00:59:53last act
00:59:54before
00:59:54dying
00:59:55was to
00:59:55have
00:59:55his
00:59:56commander
00:59:56deliver
00:59:56the
00:59:57certification
00:59:57to
00:59:58protect
00:59:58me.
00:59:59And
00:59:59you?
00:59:59You made
01:00:00me wait
01:00:01seven
01:00:01years.
01:00:03And then
01:00:03you told
01:00:04me I
01:00:04wasn't
01:00:04worthy
01:00:04of a
01:00:05title.
01:00:05He
01:00:06opened
01:00:06his
01:00:06mouth
01:00:06but
01:00:07in
01:00:07the
01:00:07end
01:00:07had
01:00:08nothing
01:00:08to
01:00:09say.
01:00:10Just
01:00:10then
01:00:10the
01:00:11wind
01:00:11schlyme
01:00:11rang.
01:00:13A
01:00:14tall
01:00:14straight
01:00:15figure
01:00:15walked
01:00:16into
01:00:16the
01:00:16shop.
01:00:17His
01:00:17coat
01:00:17was
01:00:17covered
01:00:18in
01:00:18dust.
01:00:19His
01:00:19eyes
01:00:19were
01:00:19sharp
01:00:20and
01:00:20cold.
01:00:23It
01:00:24was
01:00:24Caleb.
01:00:25He
01:00:25completely
01:00:26ignored
01:00:26Aunt
01:00:26Damien.
01:00:27He
01:00:28walked
01:00:28straight
01:00:28to
01:00:28me,
01:00:29reached
01:00:29out,
01:00:30and
01:00:30touched
01:00:31my
01:00:31belly,
01:00:32frowning
01:00:32slightly.
01:00:34You've
01:00:34lost weight.
01:00:35Have
01:00:36you been
01:00:36eating
01:00:36properly?
01:00:38I
01:00:39smiled.
01:00:40The
01:00:41doctor said
01:00:41I'm
01:00:42actually a
01:00:42little
01:00:42heavy.
01:00:44I
01:00:45don't
01:00:45care.
01:00:46In
01:00:47my
01:00:47eyes,
01:00:47you're
01:00:47thin.
01:00:49He
01:00:50pulled
01:00:50a
01:00:50crumpled
01:00:51piece
01:00:51of
01:00:51paper
01:00:51from
01:00:51his
01:00:52pocket
01:00:52and
01:00:53slapped
01:00:53it
01:00:53on
01:00:53the
01:00:53counter.
01:00:56The
01:00:57rogue
01:00:57elimination
01:00:57and
01:00:58mission
01:00:58ended
01:00:58early.
01:00:59I
01:01:00took
01:01:00three
01:01:00days
01:01:00leave.
01:01:04Come
01:01:04on,
01:01:05I'm
01:01:05taking
01:01:06you to
01:01:06the
01:01:06healer
01:01:06for a
01:01:07prenatal
01:01:07checkup.
01:01:08I
01:01:08looked
01:01:09at the
01:01:09paper.
01:01:10The
01:01:10moon
01:01:10goddess
01:01:11wax seal
01:01:12was
01:01:12clear
01:01:12and
01:01:12bright.
01:01:14It
01:01:15was
01:01:15the
01:01:15mate
01:01:15bond
01:01:16decreed.
01:01:17Why
01:01:18do
01:01:18you
01:01:18carry
01:01:19this
01:01:19around
01:01:19with
01:01:19you?
01:01:22He
01:01:23shrugged
01:01:24casually.
01:01:28For
01:01:29the
01:01:29healer's
01:01:29bloodline
01:01:30registration,
01:01:31proof that
01:01:32we're
01:01:32legal
01:01:32mates.
01:01:33I
01:01:33couldn't
01:01:34help
01:01:34but
01:01:34laugh.
01:01:38Damien
01:01:38stood
01:01:39frozen to
01:01:39the
01:01:39spot,
01:01:40his
01:01:40face
01:01:41as
01:01:41pale
01:01:41as
01:01:41paper.
01:01:48Caleb
01:01:48finally
01:01:49turned
01:01:49to
01:01:49look
01:01:50at
01:01:50him,
01:01:50one
01:01:51eyebrow
01:01:51raised.
01:01:53Mr.
01:01:54Voss?
01:01:55Still
01:01:55here?
01:01:58What?
01:01:59Here
01:02:00to buy
01:02:00cookies?
01:02:03Buy
01:02:03two,
01:02:04get
01:02:04one
01:02:04free.
01:02:05Too
01:02:06bad
01:02:06I'm
01:02:06not
01:02:06selling
01:02:07to
01:02:07you.
01:02:07Damien's
01:02:08throat
01:02:08bobbed.
01:02:09He
01:02:09grinned
01:02:09him
01:02:10teeth.
01:02:14Caleb
01:02:15hunter
01:02:15don't
01:02:16get
01:02:16too
01:02:16cocky.
01:02:18You
01:02:19think
01:02:19you've
01:02:19won?
01:02:20You're
01:02:21just a
01:02:21border
01:02:21patrol
01:02:22captain.
01:02:23With
01:02:23your
01:02:24salary,
01:02:25what
01:02:25kind of
01:02:26good
01:02:26life
01:02:26can
01:02:27you
01:02:27give
01:02:27her?
01:02:30Caleb
01:02:30didn't
01:02:31get
01:02:31angry.
01:02:32Instead,
01:02:33he
01:02:33chuckled
01:02:34softly.
01:02:35He put
01:02:36his arm
01:02:36around
01:02:36my
01:02:37shoulder,
01:02:37leaned
01:02:38down
01:02:38and
01:02:39kissed
01:02:39my
01:02:39forehead,
01:02:40then
01:02:40looked
01:02:40up
01:02:41at
01:02:41Damien.
01:02:43Mr.
01:02:44Voss,
01:02:45do you
01:02:46know what
01:02:46a good
01:02:46life really
01:02:47means?
01:02:48It's
01:02:49having
01:02:49someone
01:02:49waiting
01:02:50for me
01:02:50at home
01:02:50when I
01:02:51come
01:02:51back
01:02:51from
01:02:51duty.
01:02:52It's
01:02:53someone
01:02:53cooking
01:02:53me a
01:02:53hot
01:02:54meal
01:02:54when I'm
01:02:54exhausted.
01:02:55it's
01:02:56knowing
01:02:56that
01:02:57when I
01:02:57fight
01:02:57to
01:02:57protect
01:02:58the
01:02:58pack,
01:02:58there's
01:02:59always
01:02:59someone
01:03:00behind
01:03:00me
01:03:00who
01:03:01truly
01:03:01cares
01:03:02about
01:03:02me.
01:03:03Did
01:03:04you
01:03:04ever
01:03:04give
01:03:04her
01:03:04even
01:03:05a
01:03:05shred
01:03:05of
01:03:05that?
01:03:06Seven
01:03:07years
01:03:07together,
01:03:09and you
01:03:09never
01:03:10once
01:03:10claimed
01:03:11her.
01:03:12You
01:03:12were
01:03:12never
01:03:12her
01:03:13legal
01:03:13mate.
01:03:14You
01:03:15were
01:03:15just
01:03:15some
01:03:15low
01:03:15life
01:03:16who
01:03:16barged
01:03:17into
01:03:17her
01:03:17life
01:03:19and
01:03:19stole
01:03:20her
01:03:20heart
01:03:20and
01:03:21her
01:03:22time.
01:03:23The
01:03:23last
01:03:23trace
01:03:23of
01:03:24color
01:03:24drained
01:03:24from
01:03:24Aunt
01:03:25Damien's
01:03:25face.
01:03:26Caleb
01:03:27stopped
01:03:27looking
01:03:28at
01:03:28him.
01:03:29He
01:03:29looked
01:03:29down
01:03:30at
01:03:30me,
01:03:30his
01:03:31gaze
01:03:31soft.
01:03:32Any
01:03:33cookies
01:03:33left?
01:03:33I'm
01:03:34hungry.
01:03:36I
01:03:36took
01:03:37a
01:03:37box
01:03:37of
01:03:37fresh
01:03:37cookies
01:03:38from
01:03:38under
01:03:38the
01:03:38counter
01:03:39and
01:03:39handed
01:03:39them
01:03:40to
01:03:40him.
01:03:41He
01:03:41took
01:03:41a
01:03:42bite,
01:03:42his
01:03:42eyes
01:03:43curving
01:03:43into
01:03:44a
01:03:44smile,
01:03:45warm
01:03:45and
01:03:45gentle.
01:03:46Yeah,
01:03:47that's
01:03:48the
01:03:48taste.
01:03:49He
01:03:49took
01:03:49my
01:03:50hand
01:03:50and
01:03:50walked
01:03:50out
01:03:51of
01:03:51the
01:03:51shop
01:03:51without
01:03:51looking
01:03:52back.
01:03:54I
01:03:55glanced
01:03:55back
01:03:56out
01:03:56of
01:03:56habit.
01:03:57Damien
01:03:57was
01:03:58still
01:03:58frozen
01:03:58in
01:03:59place,
01:04:00empty
01:04:00and
01:04:00numb,
01:04:01completely
01:04:02lost.
01:04:03Sunlight
01:04:04streamed
01:04:04through
01:04:04the
01:04:05window,
01:04:05stretching
01:04:06his
01:04:06lonely
01:04:06shadow
01:04:07long.
01:04:08I
01:04:09didn't
01:04:09stop.
01:04:10I
01:04:10walked
01:04:11away.
01:04:15Walking
01:04:16down
01:04:16the
01:04:16street,
01:04:17Caleb
01:04:18held
01:04:18my
01:04:18hand
01:04:18with
01:04:18one
01:04:19hand
01:04:19and
01:04:19his
01:04:19cookie
01:04:20with
01:04:20the
01:04:20other.
01:04:21Oh,
01:04:22by the
01:04:23way,
01:04:23I've
01:04:23decided
01:04:23on the
01:04:23kids'
01:04:24names.
01:04:25Yeah?
01:04:26What
01:04:27names?
01:04:28Sorin
01:04:29for
01:04:29a
01:04:29boy.
01:04:31Sage
01:04:32for
01:04:33a
01:04:33girl.
01:04:34I
01:04:35was
01:04:35puzzled.
01:04:37Why
01:04:38those
01:04:38names?
01:04:39He
01:04:40looked
01:04:40down
01:04:40at
01:04:40me,
01:04:41his
01:04:42eyes
01:04:42soft
01:04:43and
01:04:43tender.
01:04:44Sorin
01:04:45means
01:04:45dawn.
01:04:46You
01:04:46broke
01:04:47free
01:04:47from
01:04:47the
01:04:47darkness
01:04:48of
01:04:48Greywood.
01:04:49You
01:04:49are
01:04:49the
01:04:50dawn.
01:04:51Sage
01:04:52means
01:04:52wisdom.
01:04:54I
01:04:55was
01:04:55clumsy
01:04:56and
01:04:56slow
01:04:56before,
01:04:57stupidly
01:04:58waiting
01:04:58for
01:04:58you
01:04:58in
01:04:59the
01:04:59south.
01:05:00I
01:05:01hope
01:05:01our
01:05:01kids
01:05:01are
01:05:02more
01:05:02clear
01:05:02headed
01:05:02than
01:05:03we
01:05:03were.
01:05:05Boy
01:05:06or
01:05:06girl,
01:05:06those
01:05:06are
01:05:06the
01:05:06names.
01:05:07I
01:05:07was
01:05:08Caleb
01:05:08quiet
01:05:08for
01:05:09a
01:05:09long
01:05:09time,
01:05:10my
01:05:10eyes
01:05:10burning.
01:05:11This
01:05:12man
01:05:12wasn't
01:05:13good
01:05:13with
01:05:13words.
01:05:14He
01:05:15never
01:05:15said
01:05:15sweet
01:05:16things.
01:05:18But
01:05:18every
01:05:19single
01:05:19word
01:05:19came
01:05:20from
01:05:20deep
01:05:20love.
01:05:22I
01:05:22leaned
01:05:23gently
01:05:23against
01:05:23his
01:05:24shoulder
01:05:24and
01:05:24silently
01:05:25agreed.
01:05:26In
01:05:26the
01:05:27distance,
01:05:27the
01:05:28rumble
01:05:28of an
01:05:28SUV
01:05:29engine
01:05:29echoed.
01:05:31Once,
01:05:32that
01:05:32sound of
01:05:32people
01:05:33leaving
01:05:33and coming
01:05:33back
01:05:34terrified
01:05:34me.
01:05:35But
01:05:35now,
01:05:36I
01:05:37was
01:05:37afraid
01:05:37of
01:05:37nothing
01:05:38because
01:05:38I
01:05:39knew
01:05:39no
01:05:40matter
01:05:40how
01:05:40far
01:05:41the
01:05:41road,
01:05:42he
01:05:42would
01:05:42always
01:05:42come
01:05:43to
01:05:43me,
01:05:44always
01:05:44return
01:05:45to
01:05:45me.
01:05:47The
01:05:47man
01:05:47beside
01:05:48me
01:05:48was
01:05:48like
01:05:49that,
01:05:50and
01:05:50the
01:05:50quiet,
01:05:51steady
01:05:51happiness
01:05:52I
01:05:52had
01:05:52finally
01:05:53found
01:05:53was
01:05:53like
01:05:54that
01:05:54too.
01:05:56The
01:05:57day
01:05:57the
01:05:57twins
01:05:58were
01:05:58born,
01:05:59Caleb
01:05:59was
01:05:59out
01:05:59on a
01:06:00mission.
01:06:01When
01:06:01I
01:06:01was
01:06:02wheeled
01:06:02back
01:06:02to
01:06:02my
01:06:03room
01:06:03after
01:06:03delivery,
01:06:04the
01:06:04first
01:06:04thing
01:06:05I
01:06:05saw
01:06:05was
01:06:05a
01:06:05small
01:06:06with
01:06:06figure
01:06:06a
01:06:06carved
01:06:07from
01:06:07a
01:06:07fang
01:06:07on
01:06:07the
01:06:08bedside
01:06:08table.
01:06:13A
01:06:13note
01:06:13was
01:06:13tucked
01:06:14under
01:06:14it.
01:06:17Babe,
01:06:18I'm
01:06:18sorry I
01:06:19couldn't
01:06:19be there
01:06:19with you.
01:06:20Are
01:06:20the
01:06:20babies
01:06:21okay?
01:06:21I've
01:06:22chosen
01:06:22the
01:06:22names.
01:06:23Soren
01:06:24for
01:06:24a
01:06:24boy,
01:06:25Sage
01:06:25for
01:06:25a
01:06:25girl.
01:06:26When
01:06:26I
01:06:27come
01:06:27back,
01:06:27I'll
01:06:27take
01:06:28the
01:06:28three
01:06:28of
01:06:28you
01:06:28to
01:06:28see
01:06:28the
01:06:29border.
01:06:29Caleb.
01:06:32I held
01:06:33the note,
01:06:34laughing and
01:06:35crying at
01:06:35the same
01:06:36time.
01:06:37Soren
01:06:37meant
01:06:38dawn.
01:06:39Sage
01:06:40meant
01:06:40wisdom.
01:06:43Caleb was
01:06:44never one to
01:06:44settle for a
01:06:45quiet life.
01:06:46Some wolves
01:06:47belonged to
01:06:48the wilderness
01:06:48and the
01:06:49horizon.
01:06:51Three months
01:06:52later,
01:06:53he got a
01:06:53long leave.
01:06:59he
01:07:00kept
01:07:00his
01:07:00promise.
01:07:01He
01:07:02took
01:07:02us
01:07:02up
01:07:02to
01:07:02the
01:07:02highest
01:07:03ridge
01:07:03on
01:07:03the
01:07:03border.
01:07:07I
01:07:08sat
01:07:08in the
01:07:08passenger
01:07:09seat
01:07:09holding
01:07:09the
01:07:10two
01:07:10babies,
01:07:11looking
01:07:11down
01:07:12at
01:07:12the
01:07:12sea
01:07:12of
01:07:12clouds
01:07:13and
01:07:13the
01:07:13winding
01:07:14rivers
01:07:14below.
01:07:17I
01:07:18thought
01:07:18back
01:07:18to
01:07:19that
01:07:19blizzard
01:07:19seven
01:07:20years
01:07:20ago.
01:07:21Back
01:07:22then,
01:07:22I
01:07:22thought
01:07:23my
01:07:23life
01:07:23was
01:07:23over.
01:07:24Trapped
01:07:25in a
01:07:25cage
01:07:25called
01:07:26waiting.
01:07:27Waiting
01:07:27for
01:07:28someone
01:07:28who
01:07:28would
01:07:28never
01:07:29truly
01:07:29come
01:07:29home.
01:07:33And
01:07:33now I
01:07:34stood
01:07:34at the
01:07:34top of
01:07:35the
01:07:35mountain
01:07:36holding
01:07:36my
01:07:37children
01:07:38with
01:07:38the
01:07:38man
01:07:39who
01:07:39would
01:07:39risk
01:07:39his
01:07:39life
01:07:40to
01:07:40protect
01:07:40me
01:07:40by
01:07:40my
01:07:41side.
01:07:50Yuna?
01:07:51Yeah?
01:07:52Do you
01:07:53know what
01:07:53I thought
01:07:53I thought
01:07:53the
01:07:53first
01:07:53time
01:07:54I
01:07:54saw
01:07:54you?
01:07:56What?
01:07:58He
01:07:59looked
01:07:59out
01:07:59at
01:07:59the
01:08:00horizon.
01:08:01The
01:08:02whole
01:08:02clear
01:08:02sky
01:08:03reflected
01:08:03in
01:08:03his
01:08:04eyes.
01:08:05I
01:08:05thought
01:08:07you
01:08:07belong
01:08:07in this
01:08:08free
01:08:08wilderness.
01:08:11My
01:08:12heart
01:08:12tightened.
01:08:13Why?
01:08:17There's
01:08:17a light
01:08:18in your
01:08:18eyes
01:08:18that
01:08:18longs
01:08:19for
01:08:19freedom.
01:08:20Only
01:08:20a wolf
01:08:20who
01:08:21yearns
01:08:21to
01:08:21run
01:08:22wild
01:08:22has
01:08:22that
01:08:22look.
01:08:25I
01:08:26smiled,
01:08:27my eyes
01:08:27stinging
01:08:28a little.
01:08:33And
01:08:34you?
01:08:35Where
01:08:35do you
01:08:35belong?
01:08:37He
01:08:38thought
01:08:38for a
01:08:38moment,
01:08:39then
01:08:39answered
01:08:39simply
01:08:40and
01:08:40firmly.
01:08:41My
01:08:42home
01:08:42is
01:08:42you.
01:08:43Wherever
01:08:44you
01:08:44are,
01:08:45I'll
01:08:45be.
01:08:47The
01:08:48twins
01:08:49in the
01:08:49backseat
01:08:49babbled
01:08:50and fussed,
01:08:51probably
01:08:52annoyed at
01:08:52being
01:08:52ignored.
01:08:54Caleb
01:08:55chuckled.
01:08:56Okay,
01:08:57okay,
01:08:58Daddy's
01:08:58sorry.
01:08:59Come on,
01:08:59let me show
01:09:00you something
01:09:00pretty.
01:09:02He
01:09:03rolled down
01:09:03the window.
01:09:04The
01:09:05mountain
01:09:05breeze rushed
01:09:06in,
01:09:06fresh and
01:09:07clean.
01:09:09The
01:09:09warm sun
01:09:10covered our
01:09:11family of
01:09:11four,
01:09:12gentle and
01:09:13steady.
01:09:14I
01:09:15remembered
01:09:15what
01:09:16Marta
01:09:16once
01:09:16said,
01:09:18some
01:09:19wolves
01:09:19belong
01:09:20to the
01:09:20wild.
01:09:21Some
01:09:22wolves
01:09:22belong
01:09:23only
01:09:23to
01:09:24you.
01:09:26I
01:09:27leaned
01:09:27gently
01:09:28against
01:09:28Caleb's
01:09:29shoulder,
01:09:30looked at
01:09:30the kids
01:09:30in the
01:09:30backseat
01:09:31and
01:09:31smiled
01:09:32with
01:09:32my
01:09:32eyes.
01:09:36The
01:09:37best
01:09:37made
01:09:38isn't
01:09:38the
01:09:38one
01:09:38you
01:09:38wait
01:09:39for.
01:09:39It's
01:09:40the
01:09:40one
01:09:40willing
01:09:41to
01:09:41run
01:09:41beside
01:09:41you.
01:09:43The
01:09:44truest
01:09:44happiness
01:09:45is
01:09:45finally
01:09:46meeting
01:09:46someone
01:09:47who
01:09:47is
01:09:47willing
01:09:47to
01:09:48walk
01:09:48into
01:09:48the
01:09:48future
01:09:49with
01:09:49you.
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