No Longer Yours, My Alpha

DraftDash

14 hours ago

Transcript

00:00:00The Northern Pack had one unbreakable rule, the Alpha Heir could never bond with a human girl.

00:00:05Despite that, Alpha Kieran Wolf still formed a mate bond with me.

00:00:08To be with me, he openly defied the Elder's Council.

00:00:12He endured 99 lashes, and was forced to kneel at the altar for three days and nights.

00:00:17Even as blood soaked through his shirt, he smiled at me and said,

00:00:21Elise, don't be afraid. I only want you.

00:00:25Eventually, the Elder's Council finally relented, and agreed to let Kieran leave with me.

00:00:30However, there was one condition. He had to leave a pure-blood heir behind for the pack.

00:00:35From that moment on, the phrase I heard most from Kieran was,

00:00:39Wait.

00:00:40The first time, Kieran asked me to wait while he got another She-Wolf to carry his pup.

00:00:45He slept with Cecilia Donati 33 times, until she was carrying his pup.

00:00:50The second time, he told me to wait again because the first pup was a female, and the Elders wanted

00:00:56a male.

00:00:56So, Kieran slept with Cecilia 99 more times, until she was carrying his pup again.

00:01:01Just when I thought our ordeal was finally over, their daughter, Tyra Wolf, accidentally ate Wolfsbane at her Meet the

00:01:08Pup party.

00:01:09Everyone was convinced I had poisoned her.

00:01:12When they threw me into the freezing cold storage room, Kieran stood at the doorway with bloodshot eyes.

00:01:17I told you to wait.

00:01:19You know what wolfpate means to our kind!

00:01:22Why would you hurt my pup?

00:01:24My fingernails dug deep into my palms, as the pain tore through me.

00:01:28When the storage room door opened again, I loosened my bloodied hands.

00:01:32This time, I was not going to wait anymore.

00:01:38I pushed open the heavy doors of the Elders' Council, forcing myself to keep my voice steady.

00:01:43I said, I'm willing to leave Kieran Wolfs, but I have one condition.

00:01:48I want you to send me somewhere he'll never find me.

00:01:51Elder Lucian Pierce let out a satisfied laugh.

00:01:54If only you had been this sensible sooner.

00:01:57Spending one night in the cold storage truly showed you your place.

00:02:01A human like you was never worthy of our noble Alpha bloodline.

00:02:05His voice dripped with contempt as he said,

00:02:07On the night of the full moon in ten days, we'll arrange everything to send you away.

00:02:13And when that time comes, you'd better never show your face in front of Kimon again.

00:02:17The heavy doors slammed shut abruptly, and I leaned against the mansion's cold wall.

00:02:22In the main hall, Kieran had shifted into his massive wolf form,

00:02:26and was gently letting his daughter, Tyra Wolf, tug at his thick fur.

00:02:31Cecilia was curled against his warm belly, smiling with tender satisfaction.

00:02:35The perfect family of three looked so blissfully happy together.

00:02:39Cecilia Donati noticed me first, and immediately sat up with alert eyes.

00:02:43She instinctively pulled Tyra behind her protectively.

00:02:47Mrs. George, you're back.

00:02:49Kieran almost reflexively shifted back to human form,

00:02:52and handed Tyra to a servant to take upstairs.

00:02:55Their wary looks cut into me like knives.

00:02:58I'll only acknowledge pups that come from your belly.

00:03:01Now watch me like I was a murderer.

00:03:06After Tyra was taken away, Kieran approached and reached out to check my frostbitten body.

00:03:11You're back.

00:03:12Did you get hurt in the cold storage?

00:03:14As I looked at this man who had once taken 99 lashes for me,

00:03:18my heart ached with bitterness as I turned away from his touch.

00:03:22He frowned slightly.

00:03:24Elise George, given last night's situation,

00:03:27the more I defended you, the harsher the Elder's punishment would have been.

00:03:31With your human body, they might have even executed you.

00:03:35We're leaving soon anyway, and I don't want any more complications.

00:03:39Also, Tyra is innocent.

00:03:41Why would you-

00:03:42I told you it wasn't me!

00:03:44I growled, my eyes burning with tears.

00:03:47Wolf bath is a deadly poison.

00:03:49How could I possibly use something like that to hurt anyone?

00:03:52Kieran seemed startled by my intense reaction, and paused before softening his tone.

00:03:57Alright, fine.

00:03:59It doesn't matter now.

00:04:01Tyra is fine now.

00:04:02His dismissive words felt like ice picks stabbing into my heart.

00:04:06He still did not believe me.

00:04:08Just as the atmosphere grew tense,

00:04:10Cecilia approached while rubbing her slightly rounded belly.

00:04:13Mrs. George, I owe you an apology too.

00:04:15I was too panicked at the time.

00:04:17You're not a wolf, so you probably don't understand a mother's instinct to protect her pup.

00:04:22She raised her hand to brush her hair back,

00:04:24and the delicate crystal bracelet on her wrist glowed with a soft luster.

00:04:28My eyes widened as I grabbed her wrist.

00:04:31Where did you get this bracelet?

00:04:33I gave it to her.

00:04:35Cecilia likes antique pieces.

00:04:37I looked at Kieran with deep disappointment,

00:04:40my heart aching as if it were being cut by a knife.

00:04:43It was you.

00:04:47Kieran said matter-of-factly as he pulled my hand away.

00:04:50Consider it your apology gift to her.

00:04:52Besides, it's just a bracelet.

00:04:54My voice trembled with rage.

00:04:56This is the only thing my mother left me.

00:04:59How could you give it away?

00:05:00You know how much it means to me.

00:05:02I reached to snatch the bracelet back,

00:05:04but Cecilia suddenly staggered backward

00:05:06and clutched her stomach in apparent pain.

00:05:09She moaned weakly.

00:05:11My belly.

00:05:11Kieran immediately shoved me away roughly,

00:05:14his eyes turning frighteningly cold.

00:05:17Elise!

00:05:18She's carrying my pup!

00:05:20He was so strong that I crashed hard into the bookshelf behind me.

00:05:24Haven't you caused enough trouble?

00:05:26My head struck against it heavily,

00:05:27and warm blood immediately began trickling down my neck.

00:05:31Yet,

00:05:32Kieran did not even look back

00:05:33as he swept Cecilia into his arms and rushed out.

00:05:37Kieran.

00:05:38Cecilia sobbed weakly against his chest.

00:05:41Will our pup

00:05:43be okay?

00:05:44Don't be afraid.

00:05:46I'm here.

00:05:47He replied,

00:05:48his voice tenderly reassuring,

00:05:50each word piercing my ears.

00:05:52We'll be fine,

00:05:53and so will the pup.

00:05:54When Kieran carried Cecilia out of the mansion,

00:05:57I was still slumped on the floor

00:05:58with blood trickling down my neck

00:06:00from the back of my head.

00:06:01I watched his retreating figure,

00:06:03so urgent,

00:06:04and panicked.

00:06:06Yet,

00:06:06he never looked back once.

00:06:36I looked down at the pool of blood beneath me

00:06:38yet you still wouldn't stop.

00:06:40You followed us to the hospital

00:06:41to cause more trouble.

00:06:43Kieran's voice was tight with rage.

00:06:45His brow was furrowed deeply,

00:06:47and his eyes held a bone-chilling coldness.

00:06:49He still carried Cecilia's suffocating perfume scent on his clothes.

00:06:53I came to the hospital,

00:06:55but not for her.

00:06:56I pointed to my freshly bandaged forehead.

00:06:59I was injured too,

00:07:00and I couldn't treat it myself.

00:07:02Kieran's expression froze.

00:07:04He finally noticed the strong scent of blood on me,

00:07:07masked by antiseptic

00:07:08and the thick gauze still seeping red.

00:07:14Kieran,

00:07:14you said that once you delivered the pup,

00:07:16you'd take me away.

00:07:18I said,

00:07:18looking at him as my nose began to sting.

00:07:21But now,

00:07:21do you even see me anymore?

00:07:23Kieran's frown deepened

00:07:24as he reached out tenderly to touch my wound.

00:07:27What happened here?

00:07:28You pushed me.

00:07:29I said calmly,

00:07:31dodging his touch.

00:07:32I hit the bookshelves.

00:07:35To you,

00:07:36it was just a casual shove,

00:07:38wasn't it?

00:07:38Kieran's pupils contracted

00:07:40as he recalled the force he had used

00:07:42in his moment of rage.

00:07:43For a human,

00:07:44it could have been fatal.

00:07:46He pulled me into his arms guiltily.

00:07:48Elise, I'm sorry.

00:07:49I didn't mean to.

00:07:50I was just afraid

00:07:52something would happen to Cecilia.

00:07:53She's carrying the pack's future.

00:07:55If anything went wrong,

00:07:56the Elder's Council

00:07:57would never forgive us.

00:07:58And our departure

00:07:59would be delayed again.

00:08:00I let him hold me

00:08:01while staring blankly

00:08:02at the sterile white ceiling.

00:08:03I had heard these excuses

00:08:05too many times before.

00:08:06I understand.

00:08:07I said,

00:08:08pushing him away,

00:08:09go take care of her.

00:08:10I turned to leave,

00:08:11but he grabbed my wrist again.

00:08:13Elise,

00:08:14no matter what,

00:08:16you have to believe

00:08:17that I only love you.

00:08:19Everything I do

00:08:20is to help us escape this prison

00:08:21as quickly as possible.

00:08:23Kieran released my hand

00:08:25and,

00:08:25as he walked away,

00:08:26said,

00:08:27When I get home,

00:08:28I'll bring you

00:08:28your favorite

00:08:29cranberry cupcakes.

00:08:30With that,

00:08:31he headed toward

00:08:32the private healing chamber

00:08:33at the end of the corridor,

00:08:35where Cecilia was being cared for

00:08:36by the pack's finest healers.

00:08:38I stood there,

00:08:40watching him disappear

00:08:40into the distance.

00:08:41Suddenly,

00:08:42I laughed,

00:08:43and tears began streaming

00:08:44down my face.

00:08:45I don't believe you anymore.

00:08:47I whispered to the empty air

00:08:48and to my own dying heart,

00:08:50Kieran,

00:08:50I will never believe

00:08:52any of your promises

00:08:53ever again.

00:08:58Kieran was gone

00:08:59for three days straight.

00:09:01During those three days,

00:09:02Cecilia sent me

00:09:03taunting letters

00:09:04every single day.

00:09:06Cecilia,

00:09:07What the hell

00:09:08do you want from me?

00:09:09My voice shaking

00:09:10with barely contained rage.

00:09:11I could almost hear

00:09:13her soft,

00:09:13mocking laugh

00:09:14through the ink.

00:09:15Oh, nothing much.

00:09:16I just thought you should see

00:09:17how happy your husband

00:09:18is without you.

00:09:19Three days.

00:09:20And he hasn't even mentioned

00:09:21your name once.

00:09:22The letter ended there abruptly.

00:09:24In my mind's eye,

00:09:25I saw Kieran

00:09:26gently coaxing Tyra

00:09:27with toys,

00:09:28while Cecilia leaned

00:09:29intimately against his shoulder,

00:09:31smiling sweetly

00:09:32as she watched

00:09:33the father-daughter interaction.

00:09:35I endured the heartache,

00:09:37and read every letter

00:09:37she sent.

00:09:38She wrote about him

00:09:39keeping watch

00:09:40by her hospital bed

00:09:41deep into the night,

00:09:42feeding her soup

00:09:43and holding Tyra

00:09:44with nothing but adoration

00:09:46in his eyes.

00:09:47Each word felt like

00:09:48a needle piercing my heart.

00:09:50The pain kept coming

00:09:51until suddenly

00:09:51I realized

00:09:52I could not feel it anymore.

00:09:54Perhaps my heart

00:09:55had already died

00:09:55the moment I was locked

00:09:56in that ice cell.

00:09:57I was about to burn her letters

00:09:59when a servant

00:09:59brought another package.

00:10:01Inside was a sketch

00:10:01of my mom's crystal bracelet

00:10:03being toyed with

00:10:04in Cecilia's hands.

00:10:05Want your mother's keepsake?

00:10:07Then come get it.

00:10:10I shot to my feet

00:10:11so fast

00:10:12that my vision went black

00:10:13from the lingering blood loss.

00:10:16Yet,

00:10:16I did not care.

00:10:17I grabbed my coat

00:10:18and rushed out.

00:10:19In the hospital room,

00:10:21Cecilia was holding Tyra

00:10:22and humming a lullaby softly.

00:10:24Daddy loves you the most,

00:10:27doesn't he?

00:10:28Daddy's alpha power

00:10:29will be passed down

00:10:30to you someday.

00:10:31She looked up

00:10:32when she saw me,

00:10:33her smile deepening.

00:10:34You came.

00:10:35Did you know

00:10:36that during my stay here,

00:10:38Ciaran hasn't even gone

00:10:39on his territory patrols.

00:10:40He's been right here

00:10:42using his pheromones

00:10:43to comfort me

00:10:45and our future heir.

00:10:47She deliberately emphasized

00:10:48the word heir.

00:10:50My nails dug deep

00:10:51into my palms

00:10:51as I asked coldly,

00:10:52where's the bracelet?

00:10:54Cecilia leisurely picked up

00:10:55the antique crystal bracelet

00:10:56from the bedside table

00:10:57and dangled it

00:10:59from her fingertips.

00:11:00You mean this?

00:11:01She flashed a cruel smile.

00:11:03Here's the deal

00:11:04with your human body.

00:11:06Bow to me,

00:11:07Ciaran's future Luna,

00:11:09and I'll consider

00:11:10giving it back.

00:11:11I trembled with rage.

00:11:13Don't go too far.

00:11:16Cecilia's eyes

00:11:17were full of disdain,

00:11:19her arrogance

00:11:19on full display.

00:11:21So what if I do?

00:11:22Elise,

00:11:23you're nothing but

00:11:24a fragile,

00:11:25short-lived human,

00:11:26while I possess

00:11:27the purest alpha bloodline.

00:11:29What right do you have

00:11:30to compete with me

00:11:31for Ciaran's affection?

00:11:32Bowing to me

00:11:33is an honor.

00:11:34She pretended

00:11:35to loosen her grip.

00:11:37I'll count to three.

00:11:38If you don't get

00:11:39on your knees,

00:11:40I'll drop it.

00:11:41Two,

00:11:42one.

00:11:43I bit my lip so hard

00:11:44I nearly drew blood.

00:11:45My knees felt like

00:11:46they were filled with lead,

00:11:47but they finally crashed

00:11:49heavily onto the cold floor

00:11:50as I bowed down

00:11:51with my forehead

00:11:52touching the ground.

00:11:54Cecilia burst out laughing.

00:11:56Look at you.

00:11:57You really do look

00:11:59like a pathetic dog.

00:12:00She raised her hand

00:12:01and I reached out

00:12:02to catch it.

00:12:03However,

00:12:04she released her fingers

00:12:05just half a step away

00:12:07from me.

00:12:07The crystal bracelet

00:12:08shattered on the floor,

00:12:10breaking into

00:12:11several pieces.

00:12:12Cecilia covered her grin

00:12:13with a look of mock surprise.

00:12:15Oh my!

00:12:16How careless of you!

00:12:18You couldn't even catch it!

00:12:19I trembled

00:12:20and had just lunged forward

00:12:22to gather the pieces

00:12:23when Cecilia suddenly screamed

00:12:25and fell backward

00:12:25against the wall.

00:12:26At that moment,

00:12:27the door was violently

00:12:29pushed open.

00:12:30Ciaran and Lucian

00:12:31stood in the doorway

00:12:32with grim expressions,

00:12:33followed by several

00:12:34other elders.

00:12:35What are you doing?

00:12:40Lucian demanded sternly,

00:12:42his voice carrying

00:12:43alpha authority

00:12:43that made me feel suffocated.

00:12:46Cecilia threw herself

00:12:47into Ciaran's arms,

00:12:48crying.

00:12:49Ciaran,

00:12:49my stomach hurts so much.

00:12:52Oh,

00:12:53and check Tyra quickly.

00:12:54I just saw Elise

00:12:55pinching and hitting her.

00:12:56Ciaran frantically

00:12:57picked up the pup

00:12:58to examine her,

00:12:59lifting her clothes

00:13:00to reveal tender skin

00:13:01covered in purple bruises

00:13:02from pinching.

00:13:03I stared in disbelief.

00:13:06I didn't!

00:13:07I never even touched her!

00:13:10I shook my head desperately

00:13:11as Lucian glared at me

00:13:13with venom in his eyes.

00:13:14Suddenly,

00:13:14a blow heavy

00:13:16with werewolf strength

00:13:17struck me across the face.

00:13:18My vision went black,

00:13:20my ears rang,

00:13:21and blood dripped

00:13:22from the corner of my mouth.

00:13:23You vile woman!

00:13:25Lucian's voice

00:13:26sounded like an echo.

00:13:27You dare harm

00:13:28a pregnant she-wolf

00:13:30and an innocent pup!

00:13:32Another elder said coldly,

00:13:34The last punishment

00:13:35was too lenient.

00:13:36Guards,

00:13:37drag her to the punishment chamber

00:13:39and give her twenty flamshies.

00:13:41Ciaran clenched his fists tightly

00:13:43and stepped forward.

00:13:44Elders,

00:13:45you still want to protect her?

00:13:47Lucian interrupted harshly.

00:13:49She harmed your own bloodline.

00:13:51Even if you plan

00:13:52to run away with her,

00:13:53it doesn't change

00:13:54that this pup

00:13:55carries your blood.

00:13:58I trembled,

00:14:00instinctively looking

00:14:01toward Ciaran.

00:14:02He still stood there

00:14:03with his knuckles

00:14:04white from clenching.

00:14:05In the punishment chamber,

00:14:07wolf guards pinned me down,

00:14:08forcing me to kneel

00:14:09on the stone slab

00:14:10in the center.

00:14:11The first lash came down

00:14:12and my vision went black.

00:14:14In a daze,

00:14:15I remembered when I had

00:14:16broken up with Ciaran

00:14:17on the day he decided

00:14:19to rebel against his family

00:14:20to be with me.

00:14:21That night it poured rain

00:14:23and he stood outside my window,

00:14:25letting the storm drench him

00:14:26until he burned

00:14:27with a high fever.

00:14:28When I went to see him,

00:14:29he was delirious with fever.

00:14:31Yet,

00:14:32he still grabbed my hand

00:14:33and said,

00:14:34Elise,

00:14:35remember,

00:14:36even if it means

00:14:37fighting the whole world,

00:14:39I want only you

00:14:40as my mate.

00:14:40At the 15th lash,

00:14:42I seemed to hear

00:14:43his gentle voice

00:14:44from years ago

00:14:45when I was injured.

00:14:46How did you get hurt again?

00:14:48Let me lick it.

00:14:49It won't hurt

00:14:50for much longer.

00:14:52Finally,

00:14:52the last lash struck

00:14:53and I could not

00:14:54hold on anymore.

00:14:55My vision went black

00:14:56as I completely passed out.

00:14:58Just before losing consciousness,

00:15:00I saw Ciaran

00:15:01anxiously pulling me

00:15:02into his arms.

00:15:05When I woke up again,

00:15:06I was lying face down

00:15:07on a bed.

00:15:08Even the slightest movement

00:15:10sent searing pain

00:15:11across my back.

00:15:13Elise!

00:15:14Ciaran immediately

00:15:15rushed over,

00:15:16his eyes bloodshot

00:15:17with exhaustion.

00:15:18You're awake.

00:15:20Does it still hurt?

00:15:21I silently pulled

00:15:23my hand away,

00:15:24unwilling to look at him.

00:15:25Ciaran stiffened

00:15:26for a moment

00:15:26before speaking again

00:15:27to explain.

00:15:29Elise,

00:15:29it's not that I didn't

00:15:30want to stop them,

00:15:31but in that situation,

00:15:33the more I resisted,

00:15:34the harsher

00:15:35the Elder's punishment

00:15:36would have been.

00:15:37Elder Lucian

00:15:37even considered

00:15:38executing you.

00:15:39I had to protect

00:15:40your life first.

00:15:42So,

00:15:42I said with a hoarse voice,

00:15:44you also believe

00:15:46I hurt your pup?

00:15:47Ciaran's Adam's apple

00:15:48bobbed once.

00:15:49Ultimately,

00:15:50he chose silence.

00:15:51This moment of silence

00:15:52was like a dull blade,

00:15:54brutally cutting through

00:15:55my last shred of hope.

00:15:57With reddened eyes,

00:15:58I slowly said,

00:15:59I'll ask you

00:16:00just one question.

00:16:01Ciaran Wolf,

00:16:02in the name of the moon

00:16:04and our mate bond.

00:16:05Do you believe me?

00:16:09Ciaran frowned,

00:16:10anger creeping

00:16:11into his voice.

00:16:12Elise,

00:16:13there are bruises on Tyra

00:16:14and Cecilia

00:16:15named you herself.

00:16:17There's a witness

00:16:18and evidence.

00:16:19How do you expect

00:16:19me to believe you?

00:16:21Didn't I tell you

00:16:22that everything would be fine

00:16:23once this was all over?

00:16:24Why did you have

00:16:25to provoke Cecilia?

00:16:26My tears suddenly

00:16:27started falling.

00:16:29I thought I would not

00:16:30feel pain anymore,

00:16:31but my chest still felt

00:16:32like it was being

00:16:33viciously torn apart.

00:16:34I hurriedly turned

00:16:35my head away,

00:16:36not wanting him to see me

00:16:37looking so pathetic

00:16:38and weak.

00:16:39Go.

00:16:40I whispered so quietly

00:16:41it was barely audible.

00:16:43Just wait a little longer,

00:16:45okay?

00:16:45His voice softened

00:16:46as he tried to approach

00:16:47me again.

00:16:48Soon,

00:16:49once Cecilia gives birth

00:16:50to this pup,

00:16:51we'll definitely be able

00:16:53to leave.

00:16:53I swear,

00:16:55I'll take you to see

00:16:56the southern seas

00:16:57that never freeze.

00:16:59We would go back

00:17:00to how things were?

00:17:01I closed my eyes,

00:17:02my throat tightening.

00:17:03I knew well

00:17:04that we could never

00:17:05go back.

00:17:05After all,

00:17:06he had Cecilia now

00:17:08and two pups.

00:17:09For their sake,

00:17:10he had hurt me

00:17:11again and again,

00:17:12choosing others

00:17:13over me time after time.

00:17:14I slowly turned over

00:17:16to face away from him,

00:17:17not wanting to say

00:17:18another word.

00:17:23Ciaran looked at me,

00:17:24his face twisted with pain.

00:17:25In the end,

00:17:26he only reached out

00:17:27to brush my hair,

00:17:29whispering,

00:17:29Sleep.

00:17:30I'll stay here with you.

00:17:31Before he even finished,

00:17:33the door was violently

00:17:34pushed open

00:17:34and Abita stood there

00:17:36frantically.

00:17:37Alpha,

00:17:38Miss Donati has been

00:17:39crying and calling for you.

00:17:40The healer says

00:17:41emotional fluctuations

00:17:42may hurt the pup.

00:17:43Ciaran frowned.

00:17:44He glanced at my turned back

00:17:46and hesitated for a moment.

00:17:47Then he stood up.

00:17:49Elise,

00:17:51I let out a self-mocking laugh

00:17:53and murmured,

00:17:55Go.

00:17:56Wait for me.

00:17:57I'll go check on them.

00:17:58Then come right back

00:17:59to take care of you.

00:18:00Watching his retreating figure,

00:18:02I smiled bitterly.

00:18:03You're a liar,

00:18:05Ciaran.

00:18:06You won't be coming back.

00:18:08Sure enough,

00:18:09he never returned that night.

00:18:10I was discharged the next day

00:18:12and it was pouring rain outside.

00:18:14I packed my belongings

00:18:15and stood at the hospital entrance,

00:18:18watching Ciaran's carriage

00:18:19slowly approach.

00:18:20As soon as I opened

00:18:21the carriage door,

00:18:22I saw Cecilia holding Tyra

00:18:24in the passenger seat.

00:18:25Ciaran.

00:18:26Cecilia saw me

00:18:27and immediately shrank closer to him.

00:18:29I...

00:18:31I haven't recovered

00:18:32from the shock yet.

00:18:35She covered her lower abdomen,

00:18:37her voice trembling.

00:18:38She can hurt me if she wants,

00:18:39but she can't hurt Tyra.

00:18:42Can you...

00:18:43give me a little more time?

00:18:45Please don't make me ride

00:18:46in the same carriage with her for now.

00:18:48I froze.

00:18:49As I stared at the seat

00:18:50that used to belong to me,

00:18:52Ciaran was silent for a long time,

00:18:54then finally pushed his door open

00:18:55and handed me a large umbrella.

00:18:57Elise,

00:18:58wait here for a while.

00:18:59I'll take Cecilia home first

00:19:01and come right back to pick you up.

00:19:03With that,

00:19:04he closed the window

00:19:05and the black carriage sped away.

00:19:07I stood there motionless,

00:19:09watching the carriage

00:19:10carrying the family of three

00:19:11disappear at the end of the road.

00:19:13I closed my eyes,

00:19:14feeling like there was a huge hole

00:19:15in my chest

00:19:16that could never be filled

00:19:17with cold wind rushing through it.

00:19:19I waited for a long time

00:19:21until the rain grew heavier

00:19:22and the sky turned completely dark.

00:19:25Ciaran had promised to come back for me,

00:19:27but he never did.

00:19:28My communication crystal

00:19:29had lost its glow

00:19:30and I called out to him

00:19:31repeatedly through our mind link.

00:19:33Yet,

00:19:34there was only blocked silence

00:19:35on the other end.

00:19:36Seeing the sky grow darker

00:19:37with no sign of the storm letting up,

00:19:39I had no choice

00:19:40but to open the heavy umbrella

00:19:41and walk home.

00:19:44The fierce wind

00:19:46nearly snapped the umbrella frame

00:19:47as I stumbled forward.

00:19:49Suddenly,

00:19:50my foot slipped

00:19:51and I fell hard

00:19:52into a muddy puddle.

00:19:53The umbrella cracked

00:19:54with a sharp sound

00:19:55and rain instantly soaked

00:19:57through my entire body.

00:19:58By the time I finally made it home

00:20:00in my messy state,

00:20:01it was already deep

00:20:02into the night.

00:20:03As I stood dripping wet

00:20:04in the entryway,

00:20:05I heard Cecilia's tearful voice

00:20:07coming from the living room.

00:20:09Her voice was soft

00:20:10and trembling.

00:20:11Ciaran,

00:20:12I know you only have

00:20:13a lease in your heart,

00:20:15but this really is

00:20:16a special situation.

00:20:18My milk ducts are blocked

00:20:20and it hurts so much

00:20:21and Tyara keeps crying for milk.

00:20:23She sobbed.

00:20:24The usual methods

00:20:25don't work

00:20:26and the healer said,

00:20:28perhaps the pup's father

00:20:29has to help.

00:20:31Just think of it

00:20:32as for Tyra's sake.

00:20:34Please help me.

00:20:35Don't worry.

00:20:37Elise will never know.

00:20:38I froze at the doorway

00:20:39and it felt like

00:20:40all the blood in my body

00:20:41had run cold.

00:20:42In the living room,

00:20:43I could not see his expression,

00:20:45only his tense back.

00:20:47After a long silence,

00:20:48I watched Ciaran's left hand

00:20:50slowly rise,

00:20:51his fingertips parting

00:20:52Cecilia's clothing

00:20:53as his right hand

00:20:55slid over her pale skin.

00:20:56Then,

00:20:57right before my eyes,

00:20:58he lowered his head

00:20:59and pressed his lips

00:21:00against that softness.

00:21:04I was struck motionless,

00:21:06like lightning

00:21:07had hit me directly.

00:21:08Time seemed to stretch

00:21:09endlessly,

00:21:10each second feeling

00:21:11like a knife

00:21:12stabbing into my eyes

00:21:13and carving into my soul.

00:21:15I watched helplessly

00:21:16as Ciaran leaned down.

00:21:17I watched as his lips

00:21:19touched Cecilia's chest

00:21:21and I certainly watched

00:21:22as he sucked gently,

00:21:24over and over again.

00:21:26Cecilia let out

00:21:27a satisfied moan,

00:21:28threading her fingers

00:21:29through his hair.

00:21:30This side needs attention too.

00:21:32Ciaran frowned slightly.

00:21:34But that side

00:21:34isn't blocked,

00:21:35is it?

00:21:35Cecilia did not answer

00:21:36with words.

00:21:37Instead,

00:21:38she wrapped her arms

00:21:39around his neck

00:21:40and pressed his face

00:21:41against her.

00:21:42After a moment of silence,

00:21:43he lowered his head again.

00:21:44I could not watch anymore

00:21:46and bolted into the rain.

00:21:47The storm poured down on me,

00:21:49but I felt no cold.

00:21:51My mind was filled

00:21:52with memories

00:21:53of our first time together,

00:21:54how careful Ciaran had been,

00:21:56how he had treasured me,

00:21:58and how he had whispered

00:21:59in my ear

00:21:59with that husky voice.

00:22:01Elise,

00:22:01you're my first

00:22:03and you'll be my last.

00:22:05Now,

00:22:05those same lips

00:22:06were on another woman.

00:22:07My heart ached

00:22:08and it hurt worse

00:22:09than the lashes.

00:22:10I bent over

00:22:11and crouched in the rain

00:22:12until my legs went numb,

00:22:14waiting in the rain.

00:22:14until the mansion's lights

00:22:15finally went out

00:22:16before stumbling back

00:22:18like a lost soul

00:22:19and collapsing

00:22:20in an empty room.

00:22:23The fever hit hard

00:22:24and fast

00:22:25in the middle of the night.

00:22:26Half conscious,

00:22:27I heard Ciaran's deep,

00:22:28gentle voice

00:22:29from the master bedroom.

00:22:30He was humming

00:22:31an old werewolf lullaby,

00:22:33one used to soothe

00:22:34their young.

00:22:34Of course,

00:22:35he was doing

00:22:36prenatal bonding

00:22:37with the pup

00:22:38in Cecilia's belly,

00:22:39using a method

00:22:40reserved only

00:22:41for the closest of kin.

00:22:42Just like he had once

00:22:43promised me,

00:22:44saying,

00:22:45When we have our pup,

00:22:47I'll sing our ancestors' songs

00:22:48to help him sleep every...

00:22:50I did not know

00:22:50how long had passed

00:22:51before I heard

00:22:53someone calling me.

00:22:54Elise!

00:22:56Elise!

00:22:57I struggled

00:22:57to open my eyes

00:22:58and saw Ciaran

00:22:59sitting by the bed

00:23:00with a bowl of medicine.

00:23:02How did you get this sick?

00:23:03He touched my forehead

00:23:04with the same gentle care

00:23:06as before.

00:23:07However,

00:23:08when he got close,

00:23:09all I could see

00:23:10was what I had witnessed

00:23:11in that bedroom.

00:23:12I turned away,

00:23:13refusing his touch.

00:23:15Elise,

00:23:16I'll leave the medicine

00:23:17and water here.

00:23:18He paused,

00:23:19his voice strained.

00:23:20Cecilia is sick

00:23:21and carrying my pup.

00:23:23Plus,

00:23:23she has Tyra

00:23:24to care for,

00:23:25so she'll be staying

00:23:26in our house for now.

00:23:28The master bedroom

00:23:29will be theirs

00:23:29for the time being.

00:23:30You'll stay in this room

00:23:32for the next few days

00:23:33and shouldn't leave

00:23:33in case they catch

00:23:34something from you.

00:23:35I'll have the door

00:23:36locked from the outside

00:23:37and Brad will bring you

00:23:39food and medicine.

00:23:41Without waiting

00:23:42for my response,

00:23:44Ciaran practically

00:23:44fled the room

00:23:45to go care for Cecilia

00:23:46and Tyra.

00:23:47The lock clicked shut

00:23:48and my tears fell instantly.

00:23:51How ridiculous.

00:23:52I had once been

00:23:53the treasure he held

00:23:54in the palm of his hand,

00:23:55but now I had become

00:23:57nothing but a danger

00:23:58that needed to be

00:23:59locked away.

00:24:00Maybe it was

00:24:01Cecilia's doing,

00:24:02but over the next few days,

00:24:03no one brought me water

00:24:04or food on schedule.

00:24:06My fever would not break,

00:24:07leaving me dizzy

00:24:08and lightheaded

00:24:09while I constantly

00:24:11heard laughter

00:24:11and joy from outside.

00:24:13From the living room

00:24:14came the sound

00:24:15of a familiar,

00:24:16magical projection,

00:24:17playing one Ciaran

00:24:18used to watch with me

00:24:19wrapped in his arms.

00:24:21Cecilia's soft voice

00:24:22drifted through the door,

00:24:23sweet and intimate.

00:24:25This scene always

00:24:26makes me cry.

00:24:27Hold me tighter

00:24:28just like this.

00:24:29Ciaran chuckled warmly.

00:24:32Alright, come here.

00:24:33Ciaran, you're such a baby.

00:24:36They shared candlelit

00:24:37dinners in the living room,

00:24:38just like the surprises

00:24:39he used to cook

00:24:40for me every month.

00:24:41The clink of wine glasses

00:24:42and their quiet laughter

00:24:44carried clearly to my room.

00:24:45Later that night,

00:24:46their voices turned softer,

00:24:48more tender,

00:24:49as they talked

00:24:49about the future.

00:24:51It's a boy,

00:24:51I want to name him Fenlaw.

00:24:53Strong, just like his father.

00:24:55What do you think?

00:24:56Fenlaw sounds perfect.

00:24:57And if it's a girl?

00:24:59Serafina.

00:25:00She'll be as beautiful as you.

00:25:01I curled up on the bed,

00:25:03biting the blanket hard,

00:25:04refusing to let myself

00:25:05cry out loud.

00:25:10After three full days of fever,

00:25:12I finally recovered.

00:25:14The day I walked out of my room

00:25:15happened to be Tyrell's

00:25:17official pack recognition ceremony,

00:25:19the Moonlight Ritual.

00:25:20The ceremony was held

00:25:21at the pack's sacred ground.

00:25:23A moonlit grove

00:25:24surrounded by ancient oak trees.

00:25:27A bonfire blazed bright

00:25:28while the scent of roasted venison

00:25:30filled the air,

00:25:31and the werewolves drank honey mead

00:25:33as the atmosphere grew festive.

00:25:35Lucian and several elders

00:25:37beamed with joy

00:25:38as they held the swaddled Tyra

00:25:40while she received blessings

00:25:41from the pack members.

00:25:43Exquisite jewelry and precious toys

00:25:45were piled high

00:25:45like a small mountain.

00:25:47Kieran,

00:25:47this is for Cecilia.

00:25:49Lucian smiled

00:25:50as he handed over a wooden box.

00:25:52Inside was a ring set

00:25:54with an enormous milky white gem

00:25:56that seemed to pulse

00:25:57with moonlight.

00:25:58It was the tear

00:25:59of the moon goddess.

00:26:00She has given

00:26:01the wolf family

00:26:03a healthy bloodline!

00:26:05Kieran slipped the ring

00:26:06onto Cecilia's finger

00:26:08and whispered gently.

00:26:09You've done so well.

00:26:10Cecilia blushed

00:26:12and leaned into his arms

00:26:13and the family of three

00:26:14looked blissfully happy.

00:26:19The guests circled Tyra,

00:26:21praising her endlessly.

00:26:22Tyra's cry is so strong!

00:26:23She'll definitely

00:26:24be a powerful warrior.

00:26:26Her eyes are like Cecilia's

00:26:28with the colour of moonlight.

00:26:29What a union

00:26:30of powerful bloodlines!

00:26:31Long live the Alpha,

00:26:32Kieran and Miss Donati!

00:26:33I stood in the corner

00:26:35watching it all.

00:26:36My nails dug deep

00:26:37into my palms

00:26:37but I felt no pain.

00:26:39I didn't expect

00:26:40that it would be

00:26:40to pose for a portrait.

00:26:42Cecilia suddenly walked

00:26:43toward me with a wine glass,

00:26:45her smile sweet.

00:26:46The artist carefully prepared

00:26:48his magical recording crystal.

00:26:50Miss George,

00:26:51Mrs. Donati,

00:26:51please stand a little closer.

00:26:52Cecilia looked unbothered though.

00:26:54She directly pulled me

00:26:55towards the artist's easel.

00:26:57Don't worry, Miss George,

00:26:58this magical recording crystal

00:27:00won't harm you.

00:27:00It will just record

00:27:01your current state.

00:27:03Look how good

00:27:03Kieran is to me now.

00:27:06Every night he stays with me,

00:27:08wrapping me in his alpha aura

00:27:10until I sleep.

00:27:11I closed my eyes wearily,

00:27:13not wanting to listen or argue.

00:27:14We are ready.

00:27:15Just wishing it to end quickly.

00:27:17The moment the magical recording crystal

00:27:19clicked and captured the image,

00:27:20the massive totem pole behind us,

00:27:22a symbol of the pack's history,

00:27:24gave a sharp crack.

00:27:25Watch out!

00:27:28As the totem pole collapsed,

00:27:31Kieran rushed over and grabbed me.

00:27:32The huge wooden column

00:27:34crashed to the ground,

00:27:35scraping past my back

00:27:37and raising a cloud of dust.

00:27:39Meanwhile,

00:27:40Cecilia was struck

00:27:40by splintered wood

00:27:41and the impact force

00:27:42of the collapse.

00:27:43She screamed as she fell,

00:27:45with a shocking pool

00:27:46of bright red blood

00:27:47spreading beneath her.

00:27:48Cecilia!

00:27:49Kieran released me

00:27:50and rushed to her

00:27:51like a madman.

00:27:52Outside the operating room,

00:27:53Kieran paced anxiously.

00:27:55Watching his restless state,

00:27:57I remembered how he had

00:27:58kept watch by my bedside

00:27:59all night

00:28:00when I was injured

00:28:00while gathering herbs

00:28:01in the mountains.

00:28:03Alpha Kieran!

00:28:04The healer suddenly

00:28:05burst through the curtain.

00:28:06Miss Donati

00:28:07is hemorrhaging badly.

00:28:08The blood reserves

00:28:09don't have her blood type.

00:28:10We need an immediate donation.

00:28:12Take mine.

00:28:12That won't work.

00:28:13You're type A

00:28:14and Miss George's type O.

00:28:16Given her weakened state

00:28:17after the injury,

00:28:18she might not be able

00:28:19to handle the violent energy

00:28:20in an alpha's blood.

00:28:21It has to be human blood.

00:28:23After hearing this,

00:28:24Kieran's gaze snapped to me.

00:28:26At that moment,

00:28:26I felt like I had been

00:28:28struck by lightning.

00:28:31I stepped back abruptly,

00:28:33my voice trembling.

00:28:35I won't do it.

00:28:36My blood,

00:28:37the one thing they saw

00:28:38as special in this body

00:28:39they deemed a lowly humans,

00:28:41was now supposed to be used

00:28:42as a tool to save his heir.

00:28:44Elise!

00:28:45Kieran grabbed my wrist,

00:28:46his eyes sharp.

00:28:48This isn't the time

00:28:49for your tantrum.

00:28:50She's carrying the pack's heir.

00:28:52If something happens,

00:28:53we'll never be able to leave.

00:28:54Do you understand?

00:28:55My heart clenched painfully.

00:28:57I wondered if he was afraid

00:28:58we could not leave

00:28:59or that something

00:29:00would happen to their pup.

00:29:01What if I refuse?

00:29:02Kieran's face darkened.

00:29:04I saved you

00:29:05and that was what caused

00:29:06Cecilia's injury.

00:29:07You owe her this.

00:29:09Is giving a little blood

00:29:10really so hard?

00:29:12He looked at me

00:29:12with disappointment.

00:29:14Ilysses,

00:29:15how did you end up like this?

00:29:16My heart stabbed with pain.

00:29:18Had I changed?

00:29:19He was the one

00:29:20who had pursued me relentlessly,

00:29:22saying I was his only possible mate.

00:29:24He was the one

00:29:25who promised to recognize

00:29:26only me for life,

00:29:28who stood in the rain

00:29:29begging me to trust

00:29:30that he could handle everything.

00:29:32Now he was saying

00:29:32I had changed?

00:29:35My voice shook

00:29:36as I replied,

00:29:37So,

00:29:38you regret saving me.

00:29:40If you could do it over,

00:29:42you'd slave Cecilia

00:29:42and your pup first,

00:29:43wouldn't you?

00:29:44Kieran froze.

00:29:45What are you talking about?

00:29:46Something's wrong.

00:29:48Miss Donati

00:29:49is in critical condition.

00:29:50The healer urged anxiously,

00:29:52Any more delay

00:29:53and we'll lose

00:29:53both mother and pup.

00:29:55Alpha,

00:29:55make a decision quickly.

00:29:57Kieran's eyes hardened.

00:29:59Without further hesitation,

00:30:01he ordered the guards at the door.

00:30:02Take her to the blood drawing chamber.

00:30:04I was forced into the chair

00:30:05as a hollow silver needle

00:30:07pierced my vein

00:30:08and my blood flowed out,

00:30:10drop by drop.

00:30:11Throughout it all,

00:30:12Kieran never once

00:30:13looked back at me.

00:30:14When they had drawn two vials,

00:30:16the healer hesitated.

00:30:18Alpha!

00:30:19Miss George is too weak.

00:30:21If we draw more,

00:30:21I'm afraid.

00:30:23Continue.

00:30:24Kieran said

00:30:24without turning around.

00:30:26When they reached three vials,

00:30:27In my delirium,

00:30:29I seemed to see Kieran

00:30:30from when we first met,

00:30:31standing outside the herb shop,

00:30:33smiling at me.

00:30:34I'm Kieran Wolf,

00:30:36and I'll be back tomorrow.

00:30:37In the final moment,

00:30:39I completely lost consciousness.

00:30:43When I woke up again,

00:30:45Kieran was sitting

00:30:46by the hospital bed.

00:30:47I thought he would

00:30:48coax me gently like before,

00:30:50begging for my forgiveness.

00:30:51Yet,

00:30:52when I opened my eyes,

00:30:54I met his cold gaze instead.

00:30:55Did you ruin the totem pole?

00:30:57My mind went completely blank.

00:30:59What are you talking about?

00:31:00Kieran's eyes were sharp.

00:31:02The elders' council investigated

00:31:03and found that someone

00:31:05had soared halfway

00:31:06through the totem pole's base.

00:31:08If it wasn't you,

00:31:09who else would be scheming

00:31:11so hard to harm Cecilia?

00:31:13A chill spread through me.

00:31:15I'll say it again.

00:31:16It wasn't me.

00:31:17Not this time.

00:31:18Not this time.

00:31:20Not the last time.

00:31:21Not the time before that.

00:31:23Do you believe me?

00:31:25Kieran?

00:31:27Swear on your wolf soul

00:31:28and tell me

00:31:29if you sense through our bond

00:31:31that I'm lying.

00:31:34My voice rose into a scream

00:31:35with the last words.

00:31:37You're still denying it!

00:31:39Kieran's eyes turned cold.

00:31:41You always ask me

00:31:42to believe you,

00:31:43but what have you done?

00:31:45Cecilia ends up hurt

00:31:46while the pups are in danger.

00:31:50I told you.

00:31:51I only treat her well

00:31:53because of the air.

00:31:54Why do you insist on making a scene

00:31:56if she loses the pup?

00:31:58What good does that do for us?

00:32:01My chest heaved violently

00:32:03as countless grievances

00:32:04and anger clogged my throat.

00:32:06I wanted to question him,

00:32:07to argue back,

00:32:09to scream at the top of my lungs

00:32:10that I had never hurt anyone.

00:32:12I wanted to ask

00:32:13if he had forgotten his promise

00:32:14to always believe me unconditionally

00:32:16and never doubt me.

00:32:17In the end,

00:32:18I just looked at him wearily,

00:32:20my voice trembling,

00:32:21as I said,

00:32:22Fine.

00:32:24Since you don't trust me,

00:32:26let's end this.

00:32:27You can break the maeton between us.

00:32:30I'll step aside

00:32:31so you can live happily

00:32:32as a family of four.

00:32:33Kieran froze instantly,

00:32:35his golden pupils contracting sharply.

00:32:37What did you say?

00:32:39An uncontrolled werewolf growl

00:32:40spilled from his throat.

00:32:42I glared at him with bloodshot eyes.

00:32:44Wasn't I clear enough?

00:32:45I renounced the bond between us.

00:32:49I'm willingly stepping aside

00:32:51for you and Cecilia.

00:32:52Kieran punched the nearby table,

00:32:54shattering it

00:32:55as wood splinters flew everywhere.

00:32:57He grabbed my wrist,

00:32:59fury rolling in his eyes.

00:33:00Elise!

00:33:02What are you saying?

00:33:04I've always loved you,

00:33:06yet you want me to be

00:33:08with another woman.

00:33:08I stared back at him stubbornly

00:33:10with teary eyes,

00:33:11saying nothing.

00:33:14After a long standoff,

00:33:15Kieran took a deep breath.

00:33:17He forcibly suppressed his anger

00:33:19and pulled me into his arms,

00:33:21holding me so tight

00:33:22it felt like he wanted

00:33:23to merge me into his bones.

00:33:25This matter ends here.

00:33:27Cecilia has already

00:33:28forgiven you,

00:33:29and I won't hold it

00:33:30against you either.

00:33:31But remember this.

00:33:32He tightened his arms,

00:33:34his voice hoarse as he said,

00:33:35Don't ever mention

00:33:36breaking the bond

00:33:37or leaving again, never!

00:33:39Everything I'm doing

00:33:40is for our future.

00:33:41I did not tell him that

00:33:42to hell with the future.

00:33:43I had already decided

00:33:45to leave.

00:33:45She forgave me that easily.

00:33:47No conditions.

00:33:49I asked softly,

00:33:50my voice numb.

00:33:51Kieran's body stiffened,

00:33:52and he was silent

00:33:54for a moment

00:33:54before releasing me.

00:33:55She wants to hold

00:33:57a moonlight vow ceremony.

00:33:59Cecilia says she wants

00:34:00the pups to know

00:34:01their parents once loved

00:34:02each other,

00:34:02are blessed by the moon goddess,

00:34:04to give them

00:34:04a legitimate background.

00:34:06After a pause,

00:34:07he turned to look at me.

00:34:08But this vow is fake.

00:34:09I'm just going through

00:34:11the motions to give

00:34:12the pack and pups

00:34:13an explanation.

00:34:14Don't overthink it.

00:34:16My lips trembled,

00:34:18but I could not say a word.

00:34:20My heart felt like

00:34:21it was being squeezed

00:34:22by an icy hand,

00:34:23each beat bringing

00:34:24tearing pain and absurdity.

00:34:26Kieran, oh Kieran,

00:34:28you already have children

00:34:29with her,

00:34:30and now you're even having

00:34:31the pack's most sacred

00:34:33moonlight vound ceremony.

00:34:34What part of this is fake?

00:34:36What am I supposed

00:34:37to be to you?

00:34:38Kieran kept talking,

00:34:40his voice fading in and out

00:34:41as he explained

00:34:42the necessity of the ceremony

00:34:44and promised we would

00:34:45leave together afterward.

00:34:47I watched his moving lips

00:34:48and suddenly felt

00:34:49utterly exhausted.

00:34:50I slowly closed my eyes,

00:34:52letting those words

00:34:53turn to dust

00:34:54and settle on my

00:34:55already dead heart.

00:34:56I never spoke another word.

00:34:58Kieran stayed with me

00:34:59at the healer's chamber

00:35:00for three full days,

00:35:02caring for me meticulously.

00:35:04When feeding me medicine,

00:35:05he would always blow on it

00:35:06gently first,

00:35:07then carefully bring it

00:35:08to my lips.

00:35:09At night,

00:35:10if I made the slightest movement,

00:35:12he would wake up startled

00:35:13and frantically grab my hand

00:35:15until he was sure

00:35:16I was okay.

00:35:17When the healer gave me

00:35:18magical healing needles,

00:35:20he would hold me

00:35:21in his arms,

00:35:22his fingers gently

00:35:23covering my eyes

00:35:24while he whispered soothingly,

00:35:26Don't look.

00:35:27It'll be over soon.

00:35:30However,

00:35:31after taking me home

00:35:32from the healer's chamber,

00:35:34he immediately began

00:35:35preparing for the vow ceremony.

00:35:37To prevent me

00:35:37from causing trouble,

00:35:38he even confiscated

00:35:40my communication crystal

00:35:41and posted guards at the door

00:35:42to watch me 24-7.

00:35:44In the huge mansion,

00:35:46only one housekeeper

00:35:47was left to look after me.

00:35:49I did not resist

00:35:50and quietly packed my luggage.

00:35:52On the day of the vow ceremony,

00:35:53my communication crystal

00:35:55was returned to me,

00:35:56filled with magical projections

00:35:58Cecilia had sent.

00:36:00Kieran,

00:36:00in formal attire,

00:36:02tenderly placing a ring

00:36:03on Cecilia's finger,

00:36:04both of them kissing passionately

00:36:06amid everyone's blessings.

00:36:08Their little family

00:36:09happily cutting

00:36:09a ceremonial bread together.

00:36:11Every projection

00:36:12was a blade

00:36:13carving deeper

00:36:14into my already broken heart.

00:36:16Every projection

00:36:17was a blade

00:36:18carving deeper

00:36:19into my already broken heart.

00:36:21Just as I was about

00:36:22to put the crystal away,

00:36:23the door suddenly opened.

00:36:25Lucian stood in the doorway

00:36:26and said,

00:36:27Everything's been arranged.

00:36:29He handed me a ship ticket

00:36:30and said,

00:36:31I guarantee that

00:36:32once you leave,

00:36:33he'll never find you.

00:36:35I silently took the ticket

00:36:36and picked up

00:36:36my packed leather trunk.

00:36:38As I walked out

00:36:39of the mansion,

00:36:39the sun was shining.

00:36:41I did not look back,

00:36:42walking toward the carriage

00:36:43waiting by the roadside.

00:36:44I did not say goodbye to Kieran.

00:36:46For the rest of my life,

00:36:48as long as the mountains rise

00:36:49and the rivers run,

00:36:51we would never meet again.

00:36:54I took a deep breath

00:36:55and forced myself

00:36:56to keep a calm expression.

00:36:58This is only temporary.

00:37:00Everything I'm doing

00:37:00is for Elise.

00:37:01The altar was already crowded

00:37:03with werewolf guests

00:37:04wearing traditional attire,

00:37:06their eyes filled with respect

00:37:07for the ancient ritual.

00:37:09Though this was merely

00:37:10a fake wedding,

00:37:11the elders' council

00:37:11had made it grand

00:37:12and solemn.

00:37:13I knew I should step forward

00:37:15to greet my bride,

00:37:16but my legs felt heavy.

00:37:17The alpha and his mate

00:37:19will swear in blood,

00:37:20nourishing the bond

00:37:21and uniting their honor.

00:37:23I looked down

00:37:24at the cold dagger

00:37:25and reached out,

00:37:25my fingertips trembling slightly.

00:37:27Just as my fingertips

00:37:28were about to touch the dagger,

00:37:30a violent burning pain

00:37:31from deep within my soul

00:37:32suddenly shot up

00:37:33from my heart.

00:37:34The sudden,

00:37:35soul-deep agony

00:37:36made me jerk my hand back

00:37:37and I seemed to hear

00:37:38Elise's desperate voice

00:37:39in my ears.

00:37:40Kieran,

00:37:41are you really going

00:37:42to take a blood oath with her?

00:37:43What about me?

00:37:44What do our vows mean?

00:37:46The voice was distant,

00:37:47yet unbearably real.

00:37:50I shook my head

00:37:52and forced myself

00:37:52to calm down.

00:37:54Lucian told me,

00:37:55Elise is waiting for me

00:37:56in the mansion

00:37:56and she won't go anywhere.

00:37:58Don't scare yourself.

00:38:00Throughout the entire process,

00:38:01I was like a puppet.

00:38:03Now the alpha

00:38:04may kiss his mate

00:38:05to complete

00:38:06the final step of the vow.

00:38:08Cheers and wolf howls

00:38:09suddenly erupted

00:38:10like a tidal wave.

00:38:11In the crest of the noise,

00:38:12I stiffly lowered my head,

00:38:14moving closer to Cecilia.

00:38:15The ceremony is complete.

00:38:17Congratulations to both of you

00:38:19for becoming mates

00:38:20under the moon goddess's witness.

00:38:22May your bloodline thrive!

00:38:24Beyond the grove,

00:38:25magical floors

00:38:26shot into the sky,

00:38:27exploding in the shape

00:38:29of wolfhats.

00:38:30The grand ceremony

00:38:31was finally over.

00:38:33After that,

00:38:33I violently tore off

00:38:35the gorgeous ceremonial robes

00:38:36and burst forth

00:38:37with incredible speed,

00:38:39shooting out of the sacred ground

00:38:40at impossible speed.

00:38:42Faster!

00:38:43Faster!

00:38:45Elyse!

00:38:46Wait for me!

00:38:48I slammed through

00:38:49the heavy doors

00:38:49in my massive wolf form,

00:38:51charging forward

00:38:52at breakneck speed,

00:38:53leaving destruction

00:38:54in my wake.

00:38:55The moment I shifted

00:38:56back to human form,

00:38:57I sprinted toward

00:38:58Elyse's room

00:38:59with desperate urgency.

00:39:01Elyse!

00:39:02The ceremony's over!

00:39:03We can leave now!

00:39:04Right now!

00:39:05The next moment,

00:39:06the smile on my face froze.

00:39:07It was empty.

00:39:10The closet hung bare.

00:39:12The vanity sat stripped.

00:39:14Elyse!

00:39:16Elyse!

00:39:17Panic surged through me.

00:39:18I spun around

00:39:19and tore through the estate,

00:39:20the library,

00:39:21the lounge,

00:39:22even the armor.

00:39:22I grabbed

00:39:23the trembling housekeeper.

00:39:25Where is she?

00:39:26I told you to watch her!

00:39:29I had locked her door,

00:39:30increased the guards,

00:39:31ordered the servants

00:39:32to monitor her every move.

00:39:34A human like Elyse

00:39:35couldn't leave

00:39:36packed territory alone.

00:39:37So why was she gone?

00:39:39The housekeeper

00:39:40was too terrified to speak.

00:39:41Lucien emerged

00:39:42from the shadows.

00:39:43Stop looking, Kieran.

00:39:44She's already gone.

00:39:45I whipped around.

00:39:46Gone where?

00:39:47Somewhere you'll never find her.

00:39:49The moonlight vow is done.

00:39:51Focus on being alpha

00:39:52and stay with Cecilia

00:39:53and your pups.

00:39:54Gone.

00:39:55That sounded absurd.

00:39:56Elyse would only leave with me

00:39:58just as she'd promised.

00:40:00She loved me.

00:40:01She had waited for everything.

00:40:03If she wanted to leave,

00:40:04she would have done it

00:40:05when I agreed to have pups

00:40:06with Cecilia.

00:40:07Did you force her to leave?

00:40:09My alpha aura burst out,

00:40:10making the walls vibrant.

00:40:14I agreed to have pups

00:40:15with Cecilia.

00:40:16I went through

00:40:17the moonlight vow.

00:40:19I gave you everything.

00:40:21Why did you still

00:40:22drive her away?

00:40:24Lucien stepped forward

00:40:25and handed me a letter.

00:40:26We didn't drive her away.

00:40:28She left on her own.

00:40:30Read this.

00:40:31I looked down.

00:40:32On the parchment,

00:40:34in Elyse's handwriting,

00:40:35to Kieran.

00:40:36My fingers trembled

00:40:37as I took the letter.

00:40:39The paper tore.

00:40:40Inside was a letter,

00:40:41her script beautiful and neat.

00:40:43By the time you read this,

00:40:45I'll be gone.

00:40:46You won't find me.

00:40:48I'm leaving

00:40:49because I don't want

00:40:50to wait anymore.

00:40:51First, you said

00:40:52you just needed an heir.

00:40:54I believed you.

00:40:55Then Tyra was born

00:40:56and you said

00:40:57you needed more time.

00:40:58I believed that too.

00:41:00Then you said

00:41:01you needed a son.

00:41:03I tried to believe.

00:41:05But now you're taking

00:41:06a blood oath with her

00:41:07under the moon goddess witness.

00:41:10Kieran,

00:41:10how much longer

00:41:11was I supposed to wait?

00:41:12I'm human.

00:41:13My life is short.

00:41:14I can't endure

00:41:16endless waiting.

00:41:17When the moonlight vow

00:41:18echoed through

00:41:18the sacred grounds,

00:41:19everything between us ended.

00:41:22The mate bond is severed.

00:41:24We will never see

00:41:25each other again.

00:41:26Elyse.

00:41:29Only then did I understand.

00:41:31The pain during the vow,

00:41:32my wolf's restless howling

00:41:34it had come from

00:41:34the mate bond severing.

00:41:36I destroyed our love

00:41:37with my own hands.

00:41:38I read the letter again.

00:41:39The paper shook

00:41:40in my trembling fingers.

00:41:42A metallic taste

00:41:43surged up my throat.

00:41:45The world twisted and spun.

00:41:47Colors bled away.

00:41:48The floor collapsed

00:41:49beneath me.

00:41:50My entire world

00:41:51plunged into darkness.

00:41:52Alpha Kieran,

00:41:54get the healer!

00:41:55Now!

00:41:56Overnight,

00:41:57the entire north

00:41:57buzzed with gossip

00:41:58about the wolf family's

00:41:59humiliation.

00:42:00I stood in the destroyed room,

00:42:02glaring at Lucian

00:42:03and at Cecilia,

00:42:04who clutched Tyra

00:42:05while sobbing.

00:42:06I tightened my grip

00:42:07on the knife

00:42:07against my wrist.

00:42:08Let me go find her,

00:42:10or we'll all die together.

00:42:11I still believed

00:42:12Lucian,

00:42:13or Cecilia,

00:42:14had driven Elyse away.

00:42:16The moment I woke up,

00:42:17I planned to find her

00:42:18and run away.

00:42:18But the elders drugged me

00:42:20and brought Cecilia

00:42:21and Tyra

00:42:21to convince me to stay.

00:42:22If Elyse was still here,

00:42:24I might have hesitated.

00:42:25But now she was gone.

00:42:27So was my weakness.

00:42:29I had nothing to lose.

00:42:32Put the knife down!

00:42:34You're disgracing this pack!

00:42:36Kieran,

00:42:36please,

00:42:37stay for our pups.

00:42:39Everyone pressured me

00:42:40to stay with someone

00:42:41I didn't love.

00:42:42Raised pups born from duty.

00:42:43No one considered my feelings.

00:42:45No one considered Elyse's.

00:42:47You've already destroyed me once!

00:42:50I didn't want to sleep with her.

00:42:52You drugged me!

00:42:55I never wanted the pups!

00:42:56My voice trembled with fury.

00:42:59Back then,

00:43:00the elders' council

00:43:00had conspired with Cecilia

00:43:02to drug me.

00:43:02When I woke up,

00:43:03I wanted to strangle her,

00:43:05then kill myself.

00:43:06The elders begged me.

00:43:07We just want an heir.

00:43:09You are the heir

00:43:10we raised for over 20 years!

00:43:13They wouldn't let me run away

00:43:14with Elyse

00:43:14without leaving them anything.

00:43:16Even Cecilia

00:43:17knelt in front of me

00:43:18and begged.

00:43:19Kieran,

00:43:19I've loved you

00:43:20for so many years.

00:43:21I've always loved you.

00:43:23Please give me a chance.

00:43:24Her voice trembled

00:43:25as she looked up at him

00:43:26with tear-filled eyes.

00:43:27I'm willing to carry your pup.

00:43:29Once the baby is born,

00:43:30I'll personally help you

00:43:31leave with Elyse.

00:43:32I won't stand in your way anymore.

00:43:34Just please accept me.

00:43:36I gave in,

00:43:37but their greed kept growing.

00:43:38After Tyra was born,

00:43:40they demanded a son.

00:43:41They kept forcing me

00:43:42to compromise.

00:43:43Now that I'd finally

00:43:44found freedom,

00:43:45they'd driven Elyse away.

00:43:47I couldn't accept it.

00:43:48Suddenly,

00:43:49Cecilia bent over,

00:43:51clutching her stomach.

00:43:52It hurts!

00:43:55Blood stained the white fabric

00:43:57under Cecilia's dress.

00:43:58Quick!

00:43:59Get help!

00:43:59After chaos,

00:44:01the elders rushed

00:44:02the miscarrying Cecilia

00:44:03to the healer's chamber.

00:44:04Cecilia's mother,

00:44:05Helena Greymark,

00:44:06slapped me across the face.

00:44:08Blood trickled

00:44:08from the corner of my mouth,

00:44:09but I stood like

00:44:10a soulless puppet.

00:44:12Mrs. Donati,

00:44:12this was our fault.

00:44:14Once Cecilia recovers,

00:44:15I'll make sure

00:44:15Kian takes care of her.

00:44:17Take care of her.

00:44:18Kian is ready to run off

00:44:19with another woman.

00:44:20Cecilia has sacrificed

00:44:21everything for him,

00:44:22bore him one pup

00:44:23carrying another,

00:44:24and this is how you treat her?

00:44:25Apologize!

00:44:26Now!

00:44:26I didn't move.

00:44:27I hadn't done anything wrong.

00:44:29Screaming, pleading,

00:44:31chaos all crushing me.

00:44:32Then an angry roar echoed.

00:44:34This is a healer's chamber!

00:44:36Keep it down!

00:44:37The patient is coming out!

00:44:38The healer's chamber doors opened.

00:44:41Cecilia lay on the bed,

00:44:42face pale,

00:44:43magical breathing mask on.

00:44:45She just finished

00:44:46post-partum recovery

00:44:47and is pregnant again.

00:44:49Her body is extremely weak.

00:44:50She needs three months

00:44:51of strict bed rest.

00:44:53If she loses this pup too,

00:44:54it'll be much harder

00:44:55for her to conceive again.

00:44:56The elders' faces fell.

00:44:57They hurried after the healer.

00:44:58The corridor emptied.

00:45:00I snapped back to reality.

00:45:01Elise,

00:45:02I have to find her.

00:45:03I wheeled toward the exit,

00:45:05but Lucian's guards

00:45:06blocked my path.

00:45:07Alpha,

00:45:08you should see your Luna first.

00:45:10Get lost.

00:45:11Sorry, Alpha.

00:45:13If you won't go willingly,

00:45:14we'll escort you.

00:45:15She's carrying your pup.

00:45:17At least see the pup.

00:45:19I froze.

00:45:20Even though I couldn't stand Cecilia,

00:45:22she was carrying my child.

00:45:24Soon,

00:45:25I was wheeled to her isolation chamber.

00:45:27Just as the guard was about to knock,

00:45:28voices drifted out.

00:45:30Mom,

00:45:30your fake misbearage plan was brilliant.

00:45:33It worked perfectly

00:45:35to keep Kian here again.

00:45:36Her voice was slick with calculation.

00:45:38I had never heard her speak like that.

00:45:40Do you think if I make the pups

00:45:41have little accidents

00:45:42from time to time,

00:45:44Kieran will eventually stay for good?

00:45:49Those words slithered into my ears like venom.

00:45:52My entire body went rigid.

00:45:54Bone-deep cold shot up from my feet.

00:45:56The guard quickly stepped aside.

00:45:58Helena's smug voice came from inside.

00:46:00Of course,

00:46:01Elise is gone,

00:46:03but these tricks will keep Kian in your hands.

00:46:05My eyelids twitched.

00:46:07But don't go too far.

00:46:08With Tyra,

00:46:09just give her a little fever.

00:46:11Make her cry.

00:46:12Never poison her or drop her again.

00:46:14And the one in your belly?

00:46:16Don't risk too much.

00:46:17Don't worry,

00:46:18I know my limits.

00:46:19But I already promised Kylan

00:46:20I'd let him leave after the ceremony.

00:46:22Even with this fake miscarriage,

00:46:23what about later?

00:46:24He'll still want to find Elise.

00:46:26Relax.

00:46:26I've already worked it out with Elder Lucian.

00:46:28We've sent her far, far away.

00:46:30She'll never come back.

00:46:31Focus on your pregnancy.

00:46:33Once this pup is born,

00:46:35all the Wolf family's assets will be yours.

00:46:37Veins bulged on the back of my hands.

00:46:39So that was it.

00:46:40All those times Tyra got sick,

00:46:42I thought it was Elise.

00:46:43It was Cecilia and her mother.

00:46:45They did it themselves.

00:46:47All those nights I abandoned Elise,

00:46:49letting her get punished,

00:46:50while I sat by Cecilia's or Tyra's bedside.

00:46:53Every moment had been part of their plan.

00:46:56The world went silent.

00:46:58No potion smell.

00:47:00No distant murmurs.

00:47:02Only the thunderous roar of blood in my ears.

00:47:05A metallic taste surged into my throat.

00:47:08Lucian approached with a bag of herbs.

00:47:10Ciaran, why are you standing there?

00:47:12Why haven't you gone in?

00:47:13He moved to open the door.

00:47:15I never expected your dad to give me a name.

00:47:18But you must fight to marry into the Wolf family.

00:47:21Otherwise, your pup will be like you.

00:47:23Born a bastard.

00:47:25Forced to live like a rat in the gutter.

00:47:27He never imagined the mother of the heir he'd adored for years

00:47:30was actually an illegitimate daughter with no status.

00:47:33The Wolf family was a century-old dynasty.

00:47:35Every Luna had been born into noble bloodlines.

00:47:39If their Luna was a bastard,

00:47:41they'd be the laughingstock of every pack.

00:47:43Cecilia had been Lucian's carefully chosen candidate

00:47:45from the equally prestigious Donati family.

00:47:48She was beautiful, charming,

00:47:50and had lowered herself to carry my pups before marrying in.

00:47:53Lucian had treasured her.

00:47:55But now?

00:47:55She was worse than Elise's human status.

00:48:00It finally hit us why Cecilia's father,

00:48:03Alpha Orion Donati,

00:48:05hadn't been seen since the ceremony.

00:48:07Lucian burst through the door.

00:48:09You despicable liars!

00:48:11How dare you deceive me!

00:48:14Screams erupted.

00:48:15Things were thrown and smashed.

00:48:17I wheeled inside.

00:48:19Cecilia panicked,

00:48:20tried to get up,

00:48:21collapsed to the floor.

00:48:22She crawled tearfully to my feet.

00:48:24Kieran, let me explain.

00:48:26I never meant to hurt our pups.

00:48:27I did it because I love you.

00:48:29Please don't send me away!

00:48:31Until today,

00:48:32Cecilia had felt blessed.

00:48:34She thought she'd won me over,

00:48:36gotten to bear children for the man she adored.

00:48:38But now, everything was ruined.

00:48:40I knew the truth.

00:48:41Lucian knew.

00:48:42Soon the entire Wolf family would know.

00:48:44Orion had his legitimate wife and daughter.

00:48:47Attending Cecilia's wedding had been his final courtesy.

00:48:50Her only path was to cling to the Wolf family.

00:48:53Pups.

00:48:53My voice was cold.

00:48:55In your eyes, they're just tools.

00:48:58What right do you have to mention them?

00:49:00I'll give you 10 million gold coins.

00:49:03Don't ever appear in front of me again.

00:49:06As I turned to leave,

00:49:08Cecilia tried to chase after me.

00:49:12Shark pain shot through her lower abdomen.

00:49:14She looked down at her dress in disbelief.

00:49:17Warm blood gushed from beneath her gown.

00:49:20No!

00:49:21Another rainy day.

00:49:23After the devastating blow,

00:49:25Lucian was bedridden.

00:49:26I took over the entire Wolf family,

00:49:28both the pack and its estates and businesses.

00:49:30While managing the empire,

00:49:32I kept searching for Elise.

00:49:34After one week,

00:49:35exhaustion was etched across my face.

00:49:37Still nothing.

00:49:38The guard stayed silent,

00:49:40lowering his head.

00:49:41Lucian and the elders had finally agreed

00:49:43to let me bring Elise in as my Luna.

00:49:45Even without their approval,

00:49:47I would have found Elise

00:49:48and overcome every obstacle to be with her.

00:49:50Now I had the pack's blessing,

00:49:52so I increased the search efforts.

00:49:54But a week passed.

00:49:55Nothing.

00:49:56Lucian had bought Elise a ship ticket to Hindland.

00:49:58But when my people tracked her there,

00:50:00she had never arrived.

00:50:01She had changed ships mid-journey.

00:50:03Then she had boarded a local carriage.

00:50:05Where she went from there,

00:50:07no one knew.

00:50:08The trail had gone cold.

00:50:10Then my assistant,

00:50:11Jacob Terrell, entered.

00:50:12Mr. Wolf,

00:50:13Mr. Naughty,

00:50:14Cher has returned.

00:50:15Cher refuses to leave.

00:50:19Ever since the falling out,

00:50:21Cecilia had miscarried

00:50:22and Helena had fallen seriously ill.

00:50:24Both women's status had plummeted.

00:50:26Jacob walked into my office

00:50:28with a troubled expression.

00:50:30Boss,

00:50:30Cecilia,

00:50:31I ask kneeling in the lobby again with the child.

00:50:33Tyra has been crying for Verunhauer.

00:50:35The guards don't dare drag them away

00:50:37because of the pup.

00:50:38What do you want us to do?

00:50:40Cecilia's tearful voice echoed from the doorway

00:50:42as she shouted toward my office.

00:50:43Karen, please!

00:50:44I know I was wrong.

00:50:46I've learned my lesson.

00:50:48For Tyra's sake,

00:50:49don't abandon us.

00:50:50She's your daughter, too.

00:50:52Stay with us.

00:50:53Just come back.

00:50:55I'll be good.

00:50:56I swear I'll never cause trouble again.

00:50:59Tyra needs her father.

00:51:00I looked at the small figure in her arms.

00:51:03Once,

00:51:03I felt some paternal love for Tyra.

00:51:06But now,

00:51:06all I could think about

00:51:08was how she carried half of Cecilia's blood.

00:51:10She might grow up to be just as malicious as her mother.

00:51:13My last trace of pity completely evaporated.

00:51:16I kept scrolling for news about Elise.

00:51:18When Jacob waited too long

00:51:19and was about to take matters into his own hands,

00:51:21I finally spoke.

00:51:22If you ever dare bother me with this again,

00:51:25you can roll out of here with her.

00:51:27Jacob stiffened and hurried out.

00:51:29Downstairs,

00:51:30Cecilia was still on her knees,

00:51:32holding Tyra.

00:51:33Her face was deathly pale.

00:51:35The pup had cried herself hoarse.

00:51:37Cecilia's eyes were fixed desperately

00:51:39on the Lord's private lift platform.

00:51:41Finally,

00:51:42the elevator moved.

00:51:43It descended.

00:51:44The doors opened.

00:51:45Cecilia scrambled to her feet.

00:51:46Karen!

00:51:47Her hand stopped midair.

00:51:48Her smile froze.

00:51:54Why is it you?

00:51:55Where's Cyan?

00:51:57Jacob looked at her blankly.

00:52:00Mrs. Donati,

00:52:00Mr. Weil has made everything clear.

00:52:02Since you enjoy tormenting pups so much,

00:52:04you don't need to raise Tyra anymore.

00:52:06Cecilia's expression changed.

00:52:08She hugged Tyra tighter.

00:52:10What do you mean?

00:52:11Heeled leather boots clicked behind her.

00:52:14Her half-sister, Giselle Donati,

00:52:16snatched Tyra from her arms.

00:52:18Since you can't take care of her,

00:52:20I will.

00:52:21I can't have pups anywhere.

00:52:24I'll raise her.

00:52:25Like she's my own.

00:52:27No, Donati!

00:52:29She tried to grab Tyra back.

00:52:31Giselle's armed guards knocked her unconscious

00:52:33and dragged her away.

00:52:34Tell Mr. Wolf we've taken her away.

00:52:36She won't be coming back.

00:52:38Also, congratulations on acquiring that field aid

00:52:40in the Northern Territory.

00:52:42Trading land for a pup,

00:52:43an extremely profitable deal for both sides.

00:52:46That was the last mercy I would show the child.

00:52:50News of the major leadership changes

00:52:53in the Northern Pax Wolf family spread quickly.

00:52:55Within just a few days,

00:52:57I caught up on Ciaran and Cecilia's aftermath

00:53:00through parchment scrolls brought by a traveling merchant

00:53:03while hiding out in a small mountain village

00:53:05in neutral territory,

00:53:07working as a teacher.

00:53:08My heart filled with mixed emotions at this outcome.

00:53:11After all, in my memory,

00:53:13even though Ciaran did not love Cecilia,

00:53:16he had still cared for her somewhat for the sake of their two pups.

00:53:19Yet in such a short time,

00:53:21they had reached this kind of ending.

00:53:23Still, none of this concerned me anymore.

00:53:25I had my own life to live now.

00:53:28I pushed the wooden gate open

00:53:29and watered the herbs growing in the yard.

00:53:32When I finished,

00:53:33I set down the watering can

00:53:35and settled onto the wooden bench,

00:53:37gazing peacefully at the orphanage

00:53:39surrounded by mountains.

00:53:40A soft voice suddenly called out from behind me.

00:53:44Miss Eliza, are you looking at the mountains again?

00:53:47Will the big bad wolves from the North come here?

00:53:50The little rabbit-eared girl climbed onto my lap,

00:53:53hugging my arm tightly.

00:53:54Teacher, you look sad today.

00:53:57Did someone bully you?

00:53:59Don't worry, I'll protect you.

00:54:01I smiled and gently stroked her fluffy ears.

00:54:04No one bullied me, Mia.

00:54:06I'm just thinking.

00:54:08Some people's stories have ended

00:54:10and mine has only just begun.

00:54:13Then will you stay with us forever?

00:54:16Don't leave, okay?

00:54:18We all like you the most.

00:54:19I hugged the little girl closer,

00:54:22feeling the warmth in my chest.

00:54:24Yes, I'll stay.

00:54:28This is my home now.

00:54:34It was currently summer break,

00:54:36so only a few teachers remained to watch

00:54:38over the small facility,

00:54:40and I was one of them.

00:54:41One day, a few new teachers invited me

00:54:44to go up the mountain

00:54:45to gather herbs and mushrooms.

00:55:15On the way, Kelly linked arms with me

00:55:17and smiled and said nothing.

00:55:18I had worked so hard to move on.

00:55:20I didn't want to see Kieran again.

00:55:22Margaret also tried to persuade me,

00:55:24but I firmly refused.

00:55:26Mrs. Lott,

00:55:27please help cover for me when the time comes.

00:55:30Margaret sighed,

00:55:31but eventually respected my decision.

00:55:34But I never expected to see Kieran again so soon.

00:55:38Late that night,

00:55:39when I finally returned to the orphanage

00:55:41with the other teachers,

00:55:42I immediately spotted Kieran's familiar black carriage

00:55:45bearing the wolf family crest.

00:55:47My heart tightened.

00:55:48As I was about to walk past it,

00:55:50the carriage door opened.

00:55:52The door opened without warning,

00:55:54and the two people who thought

00:55:55they would never see each other again

00:55:56suddenly came face to face.

00:55:59Time froze at that moment.

00:56:01The earthy smell of rain-soaked soil vanished,

00:56:03and the distant sounds of children

00:56:05playing in the woods disappeared,

00:56:06leaving only the wild beating of Kieran's heart

00:56:09and his rapid breathing.

00:56:12Kieran had not expected to actually see me here either.

00:56:15I looked at Kieran as well,

00:56:17never having imagined I would encounter him here.

00:56:19The moment I saw him,

00:56:21the grief buried deep in my heart

00:56:23surged back up my throat,

00:56:24and memories rewound like sand

00:56:27falling backward in an hourglass,

00:56:29with those painful scenes replaying

00:56:31one by one in my mind.

00:56:32Kylan,

00:56:34why do you still keep coming for me?

00:56:36I want to take you home.

00:56:38He sat across from me,

00:56:40his voice low and hoarse

00:56:41as he finally spoke.

00:56:43I found out the truth about Cecilia.

00:56:45Everything.

00:56:46How she schemed.

00:56:48How she lied.

00:56:49How she tried to destroy you.

00:56:50I saw her true nature with my own eyes.

00:56:53He paused,

00:56:54swallowing hard.

00:56:55I dealt with her.

00:56:56She won't ever appear in front of you again.

00:56:59Tyra,

00:56:59I sent her to a remote pack orphanage.

00:57:02She'll be raised far away from all of this.

00:57:04His eyes reddened,

00:57:05and his voice cracked slightly.

00:57:07The elders and I,

00:57:08we all regret what we did to you.

00:57:10Deeply.

00:57:11We were blind, Elise.

00:57:13I was blind.

00:57:14He reached out as if wanting to touch me,

00:57:16but stopped halfway and clenched his fist.

00:57:19These past months while searching for you,

00:57:22I almost went mad.

00:57:23I couldn't eat.

00:57:25Couldn't sleep.

00:57:26My fingers clutched the parchment that my whole body trembled.

00:57:29It was not relief or grief.

00:57:31It was the sudden, brutal, tearing away of a scar.

00:57:35A truth too long delayed,

00:57:37now ripping open a scab that had never really healed,

00:57:40revealing the festering wound still raw beneath.

00:57:42It was too late.

00:57:44Everything was too late.

00:57:45I had long passed the point of needing the truth exposed,

00:57:48and I no longer needed Ciaran's attempts at reconciliation or his regret.

00:57:52Ciaran,

00:57:53I can't go back with you,

00:57:54and we can't return to how things were.

00:57:57When I saw you being intimate with her,

00:57:59I kept wondering if I was the other woman.

00:58:02No, Elise.

00:58:03You weren't the other woman.

00:58:05You're the person I woman.

00:58:07You're the person I love most.

00:58:09Ciaran repeatedly denied this.

00:58:12He instinctively reached for my hand,

00:58:14but I dodged aside.

00:58:15But that was exactly how it was for me.

00:58:18You had pups with her.

00:58:20Sealed a vow under the moon goddess,

00:58:22and lived like a true pair in every way.

00:58:25To everyone else,

00:58:26she was your mate.

00:58:27So why did you come looking for me?

00:58:29There was already an impossibly wide distance between us

00:58:32that neither of us could cross,

00:58:34and I did not want to try crossing it again.

00:58:36Go back.

00:58:38Ciaran,

00:58:39this isn't where you belong.

00:58:40Thunder rumbled across the horizon.

00:58:42I refused to argue further,

00:58:44and turned toward my door.

00:58:46The second I reached my room,

00:58:48torrential rain began pouring outside.

00:58:50However,

00:58:51he still stood motionless in the storm.

00:58:53I frowned,

00:58:54and was about to pull the curtains closed,

00:58:56when someone began pounding frantically on my door.

00:58:59Mrs. George!

00:59:00Come out quickly!

00:59:01A child is missing!

00:59:05I immediately joined the search.

00:59:07Together with another teacher,

00:59:08Miss Lena,

00:59:09we hurried through the heavy rain

00:59:11toward the missing boy Elliot's home.

00:59:13The downpour was so heavy,

00:59:14we could barely see the path ahead.

00:59:16Suddenly,

00:59:17distant rumbling sounds echoed from the mountain valley.

00:59:20Miss Lena grabbed my arm,

00:59:21her voice shaking.

00:59:22Elise!

00:59:23Did you hear that?

00:59:24That's sound!

00:59:29It's a landslide!

00:59:30We have to turn back!

00:59:31I clenched my teeth and kept running.

00:59:33We can't!

00:59:35Elliot is still there!

00:59:37We're almost at his house,

00:59:38we have to get him!

00:59:40We exchanged terrified glances,

00:59:42but pushed forward,

00:59:43running faster.

00:59:44Sure enough,

00:59:45we found the trembling Elliot hiding under the bed,

00:59:48clutching a pile of toys that belonged to his late mother.

00:59:51No!

00:59:52I don't want to go!

00:59:54My mum's still here!

00:59:56I'm not leaving without her toys!

00:59:59Tears streamed down his small face as he hugged the toys tighter.

01:00:03Elliot,

01:00:04listen to me.

01:00:05I promise I'll bring every single one of your mum's toys back safely.

01:00:10But right now,

01:00:11you have to go with Miss Lena.

01:00:13It's dangerous here!

01:00:14You swear?

01:00:16You really promise?

01:00:17I swear.

01:00:19Now go!

01:00:20I quickly handed him to Miss Lena.

01:00:22Take him and run!

01:00:23Don't stop until you reach high ground!

01:00:25After they disappeared into the rain,

01:00:27I grabbed a sack

01:00:29and frantically stuffed all the toys inside.

01:00:31Just as I slung the heavy bag over my shoulder,

01:00:35the rumbling turned into a deafening roar.

01:00:37The landslide exploded through the window

01:00:39in a surge of mud, rock and debris.

01:00:43Time froze.

01:00:44Terror gripped me.

01:00:45My vision was filled only with that murky thick sludge,

01:00:49mixed with broken wood and debris.

01:00:51It roared as it poured over the windowsill,

01:00:53like the gates of hell opening wide.

01:00:55The putrid, earthy stench

01:00:57instantly flooded my nostrils.

01:00:59My mind went blank.

01:01:01No!

01:01:02No!

01:01:03I slumped helplessly against the wall,

01:01:06watching the wave of death crash toward me.

01:01:08Just then,

01:01:09a massive white wolf burst through the churning mud and caves,

01:01:13lunging straight at me.

01:01:15My eyes threw wide open.

01:01:17Kieran,

01:01:18what are you?

01:01:19The moment he charged in,

01:01:20his golden wolf eyes locked onto me with fierce intensity.

01:01:23Kieran,

01:01:25deep,

01:01:25urgent growl threw mind link.

01:01:27Hold on tight,

01:01:28don't let go.

01:01:28With a deep growl,

01:01:30he lowered his head and slammed his powerful shoulder into my stomach,

01:01:33lifting me clean off the ground.

01:01:35The world spun as he tossed me across his broad back like luggage.

01:01:38Kieran,

01:01:40wait!

01:01:40He barreled toward the wooden door that led to the slope beyond,

01:01:44and smashed through it with bone-rattling force.

01:01:50The door shattered,

01:01:52but a sickening crack followed.

01:01:54Kieran's entire body jolted violently.

01:01:57A muffled,

01:01:58pained groan tore from between his clenched teeth.

01:02:00I froze in horror and looked down.

01:02:03My heart seemed to stop.

01:02:04A jagged wooden shard from the broken frame

01:02:07had pierced deep into his right side.

01:02:10Kieran!

01:02:10Oh God!

01:02:11No!

01:02:12You're hurt!

01:02:13My hands scrambled desperately to the wound.

01:02:15Hot, sticky blood instantly soaked my palms.

01:02:18Put me down, Kieran, please!

01:02:20You're bleeding too much!

01:02:22Stop!

01:02:23I pressed hard against the gash,

01:02:24but nothing could stop the steady rush of crimson pouring out between my fingers.

01:02:29Yet Kieran acted as if the pain did not exist.

01:02:31He kept charging up the steep slope,

01:02:33powerful muscles straining beneath me.

01:02:35Hold on.

01:02:37Don't let go.

01:02:39I'm getting you out of here.

01:02:40The overwhelming mudslide roared behind us,

01:02:43sweeping up trees and boulders like they were nothing,

01:02:46chasing us relentlessly.

01:02:47Kieran, you're going to die like this!

01:02:49Please stop!

01:02:50I can run on my own!

01:02:51Kieran!

01:02:52Kieran!

01:02:53He didn't answer.

01:02:54His breathing grew heavier,

01:02:56but his pace never slowed.

01:02:57I didn't know how long it lasted.

01:02:59But finally,

01:03:00the deafening roar of the landslide faded into the distance.

01:03:07We were safe,

01:03:09or so I thought.

01:03:10Suddenly,

01:03:11the world tilted again.

01:03:12Kieran,

01:03:13who had been carrying me,

01:03:14could no longer hold on.

01:03:16His massive body collapsed heavily toward the ground,

01:03:19but he still carefully protected me in his embrace.

01:03:25Just then,

01:03:26I heard the sharp roar of a rescue horn echo in the distance.

01:03:30I tore off my cloak and waved it frantically.

01:03:32Soon after,

01:03:33Kieran and I were rushed by carriage to the nearest infirmary.

01:03:36Kieran was rushed straight to the healer's emergency room.

01:03:39After signing all the forms,

01:03:41exhaustion and shock finally hit me.

01:03:43Everything went black.

01:03:44When I came to,

01:03:46it was already the next day.

01:03:48The healer's apprentice looked at me with a heavy sigh and said,

01:03:51The treatment was a complete success,

01:03:53but due to massive blood loss and an old condition,

01:03:56Kieran has fallen into a coma.

01:03:58He might wake up tomorrow,

01:04:00or he might never wake up at all.

01:04:02My knees buckled.

01:04:03I covered my mouth as tears instantly spilled down my face.

01:04:07No matter what had happened between us,

01:04:09he had saved my life.

01:04:10I pushed open the door to his room and sat beside his bed,

01:04:14staring at his unconscious face.

01:04:17On the third day,

01:04:19Lucian arrived.

01:04:20He looked exhausted,

01:04:21and for the first time bowed his head,

01:04:23apologizing before handing me a worn journal.

01:04:25After you left,

01:04:27Kieran recorded in this with a quill

01:04:29every single day.

01:04:30He wanted to show it to you himself.

01:04:33I slowly opened the journal.

01:04:35Wolf calendar year 818,

01:04:36month of Thaw.

01:04:37Today, Elise and I made it official.

01:04:40This journal is her first gift to me.

01:04:42I'm so happy.

01:04:43I'll treasure her,

01:04:44and I'll never let her down.

01:04:46For the next three years,

01:04:47every page overflowed with his deep love for me.

01:04:50Then the entries stopped after the elders threatened mass suicide.

01:04:54Two pages were torn through with massive letters.

01:04:56The journal stayed blank for a year and a half.

01:04:59The final entries were written after he came looking for me.

01:05:02Elise,

01:05:02I'm so sorry.

01:05:03I kept asking you to wait just a little longer.

01:05:06At first,

01:05:07I thought I could finish it quickly.

01:05:08But after Tyra was born,

01:05:10my heart started changing.

01:05:11I got soft again and again.

01:05:13Every moment of weakness

01:05:14turned into knives,

01:05:15stabbing your heart.

01:05:17If I hadn't given in that day,

01:05:18we could have married,

01:05:19had pups of our own,

01:05:21and traveled anywhere you wanted.

01:05:22But I know it's too late now.

01:05:25I closed the journal.

01:05:26Medical staff wheeled Kieran out on a gurney.

01:05:30Lucian planned to take him north for better treatment.

01:05:32I handed the journal back to Lucian with steady hands.

01:05:35If he ever wakes up,

01:05:37please tell him that everything from the past ends here.

01:05:40From now on,

01:05:41we're like two parallel lines that will never cross again.

01:05:44Elise,

01:05:46are you really sure?

01:05:47After everything he did for you in the landslide?

01:05:50I'm sure.

01:05:50My voice was calm and firm,

01:05:53though my throat felt tight.

01:05:55Tell him he doesn't owe me anything anymore.

01:05:56We're even now.

01:05:58This is goodbye.

01:06:00Without another glance at Lucian or the unconscious Kieran,

01:06:03I turned and walked firmly in the opposite direction.

01:06:06I was ready to start my new life.

01:06:08This was our final goodbye.

01:06:10We would never see each other again.

01:06:14Three months had passed since that day.

01:06:16I thought I had finally buried the past

01:06:18in this quiet mountain village.

01:06:20The children's laughter filled my days,

01:06:22and the simple rhythm of grading parchment scrolls

01:06:25under a dim oil lamp

01:06:26brought me a fragile peace.

01:06:28Until that stormy night,

01:06:31frantic knocking shattered the silence.

01:06:33Before I could answer,

01:06:35the door burst open with a violent bang.

01:06:37A tall, blood-soaked figure

01:06:39stumbled in Kieran.

01:06:41His healer's linen tunic hung in tatters,

01:06:43bandages across his chest already soaked crimson.

01:06:46Rain and blood streaked his face.

01:06:48Those once familiar golden eyes,

01:06:50now wild and bloodshot,

01:06:51locked onto me.

01:06:52Kieran.

01:06:53He didn't speak.

01:06:54He staggered forward and dropped heavily to his knees,

01:06:57forehead slamming against the wooden floor with a dull thud.

01:07:01I'm sorry.

01:07:02Alice.

01:07:03His voice was raw,

01:07:04broken,

01:07:05repeating over and over,

01:07:07as tears mixed with rain and blood dripped onto my feet.

01:07:10I stood frozen,

01:07:11ice spreading through my veins.

01:07:15He crawled forward on his knees,

01:07:17and clutched the hem of my dress like a dying man,

01:07:20his burning forehead pressed against my legs.

01:07:22I woke up,

01:07:23and the first thing I thought of was you.

01:07:26I read the journal,

01:07:27every word.

01:07:28His voice cracked.

01:07:30I was wrong.

01:07:31I should have chosen you from the beginning.

01:07:33I should have fought the elders,

01:07:34the whole pack,

01:07:35everything.

01:07:36I never should have made you suffer alone.

01:07:38Come back with me.

01:07:39I disbanded the council.

01:07:41Sevilia and Tyre are gone.

01:07:42There's nothing between us anymore.

01:07:43I'll give you everything.

01:07:44My title,

01:07:45my power,

01:07:45my life.

01:07:46Just don't leave me.

01:07:47Please.

01:07:48My heart twisted painfully,

01:07:50as his blood soaked through my dress.

01:07:52I tried to step back,

01:07:53but he rose abruptly,

01:07:55and crushed me into his arms.

01:07:57His kiss was fierce,

01:07:58tasting of blood,

01:07:59rain,

01:08:00and desperate regret.

01:08:02He pressed me against the wall,

01:08:04body burning and trembling.

01:08:06I love you, Elise.

01:08:07More than my own life.

01:08:08If you won't forgive me,

01:08:09kill me right here.

01:08:10Tear out my heart.

01:08:11I'd rather die by your hand

01:08:12than live without you.

01:08:14I pushed him away with all my strength,

01:08:16my voice shaking but resolute.

01:08:18Kieran Wolfe,

01:08:19I once loved you enough to die for you,

01:08:21but you killed that love,

01:08:22piece by piece.

01:08:24Every time you chose them over me,

01:08:26every broken promise,

01:08:28every night I waited in pain,

01:08:29it died slowly.

01:08:31He staggered back,

01:08:32face deathly pale,

01:08:33blood seeping from reopened wounds.

01:08:36I don't hate you anymore,

01:08:37I whispered,

01:08:38but I will never go back to you.

01:08:41Silence swallowed the room,

01:08:42broken only by the brain.

01:08:44He knelt again,

01:08:45pressing his forehead to the floor.

01:08:46Then let me stay here.

01:08:48Let me guard you from afar.

01:08:51Even if you never look at me again,

01:08:53I only ask to love you for the rest of my life,

01:08:56even if it's one-sided.

01:08:57He raised his bloodied hand

01:08:59and swore fiercely under the moon goddess.

01:09:03I didn't let him stay.

01:09:04That night,

01:09:05after he left,

01:09:06I packed what little I had

01:09:07and slipped away from the village before dawn.

01:09:10I changed my name,

01:09:11moved to a distant city,

01:09:13and built a new life

01:09:14where no one knew about werewolves,

01:09:16alphas,

01:09:16or broken mates.

01:09:18I never saw Kieran again.

01:09:19I made sure of it.

01:09:23Years passed.

01:09:24One rainy autumn evening,

01:09:26a letter arrived from the north.

01:09:28It was from an old pack member.

01:09:30Kieran had been diagnosed with a rare,

01:09:33aggressive cancer

01:09:34that even his alpha blood couldn't fight.

01:09:36He refused every treatment

01:09:38that would keep him alive longer

01:09:39if it meant leaving the village.

01:09:41He stayed there,

01:09:42waiting.

01:09:43He died quietly at dawn,

01:09:45alone in the same mountain cabin

01:09:46where he had once knelt before me.

01:09:48In his arms,

01:09:49they found a worn photograph of me,

01:09:51the only one he had kept.

01:09:53His fingers were still curled gently around it,

01:09:55as if even in death he couldn't let go.

01:09:58I read the letter once,

01:09:59then burned it.

01:10:01I didn't cry.

01:10:02I had already cried all my tears for him years ago.

01:10:06Some love,

01:10:07no matter how deep,

01:10:08can only end in silence.

01:10:10Perhaps this was the mercy we both needed.

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