- 21 hours ago
The Lycan Princess Rejected by Three Mates Became the Sea Queen
Category
đ„
Short filmTranscript
00:00I am Sierra, the Lycan King's only daughter, and I have three mates.
00:05Every female in the kingdom envied me, because they spoiled me rotten.
00:10Whether I wanted snow lotuses, lava berries, or cliff honey, they always brought them back for me.
00:17I still snapped at them over nothing, because I knew they loved me, until Lyra came to our kingdom.
00:23She was a lone omega with a pup.
00:25Soon, many beastmen were drawn to her.
00:29Compared with my spoiled temper, Lyra was gentle and bright, and my first mate, Lucian, started comparing me to her.
00:37He began to find me too spoiled.
00:39One day, I've really had enough of you.
00:41He wanted to leave.
00:43This is your choice, Lucian.
00:45Don't come crawling back to Sierra later.
00:50At first, I was only sad.
00:53With Red and Zayn still beside me, I thought I would be fine.
00:57But not long after, Red left too.
00:59I looked at Zayn, my tiger mate.
01:02He was the only one still beside me.
01:04My throat tightened.
01:06Zayn, do you think I have a bad temper too?
01:08He ruffled my hair.
01:10Stop overthinking.
01:13They don't know what they're missing.
01:15I believed him.
01:17But one evening, I saw him outside Lyra's door.
01:20Zayn shifts into tiger form and lowers his head beside Lyra.
01:23His tail moved slowly, begging Lyra to touch him.
01:27I turned and ran.
01:29I stumbled all the way to my father's hall.
01:31Dad, cancel this election!
01:33I'll marry into the MyrClan!
01:35Have you lost your mind?
01:37That's the MyrClan!
01:39Every female in this kingdom prays she won't be chosen.
01:42And you want to volunteer?
01:44My eyes burned.
01:45I twisted my dress in both fists and said nothing.
01:48The MyrClan had no females.
01:50Every year, their prince came to the land kingdoms to choose a mate.
01:54They were possessive and never shared a mate.
01:56And no female wanted to live on a cold island at the edge of the world.
02:00Did your mates do something again?
02:03I rushed forward and stopped him.
02:05Don't!
02:06Dad, please don't!
02:07Please stop fighting for me!
02:09My father, Aldric, was the Lycan king.
02:13He ruled every land clan on Earth.
02:16But even he couldn't make the males I loved back.
02:21When Lucien and Red left, I had cried to my father.
02:25Lyra was moved farther and farther from the palace, but neither of them came back.
02:29I still remembered the way they looked at me.
02:32Sierra, learn to control yourself.
02:35Lyra did nothing wrong.
02:38She nearly lost her home because of you.
02:41Without your father, what do you even have?
02:43I can't believe I ever loved someone like you.
02:46That night, I held on to Zayn and cried until I passed out.
02:50Now, even Zayn did not want me.
02:52The hall fell silent.
02:54Dad let out a long breath.
02:57You are my only daughter, Sierra.
03:00I can't stand the thought of sending you so far away.
03:03But I can't stand watching you suffer either.
03:06This election is in three days.
03:09Think it over and come back to me.
03:10I walked out of the king's hall.
03:12Zayn was waiting outside.
03:14I recognized that flower.
03:15Earlier that day, Lyra had given it to him.
03:18He had looked so happy holding it.
03:20When Zayn saw me, he hid the flower.
03:23Sierra.
03:24I wiped my eyes and walked past him.
03:28Sierra, where are you going?
03:29I did not answer.
03:30A few steps later, I noticed he was not following me.
03:33I turned back.
03:34Zayn was still standing there.
03:35His hands were curved around it.
03:37Something tightened in my chest.
03:39Zayn!
03:41Why aren't you following me?
03:44But Zayn barely looked up.
03:46The setting sun stretched his shadow between us.
03:49Panic rose in my chest.
03:50I stamped my foot and stepped back toward him.
03:53Then Zayn finally spoke.
03:55Sierra, after today, I won't be walking you home anymore.
03:59He turned away and walked toward Lyra's door.
04:04My chamber was empty.
04:06The fire Zayn had lit that morning was still burning.
04:10I reached out to add another log.
04:12A spark jumped onto the back of my hand.
04:15I bit my lip, waiting for someone to come and care for me.
04:19But no one would notice anymore.
04:21My nails dug into my palms.
04:23I turned and rushed out of the chamber.
04:26I ran without looking at the road.
04:27I fell again and again.
04:30At last, I reached Zayn's house.
04:33I knocked on the door.
04:35But Zayn was not the one who opened it.
04:37Lucian stood behind the door.
04:39His eyes paused on my wounds.
04:42Something moved across his face.
04:44Then it disappeared.
04:45What are you doing here?
04:46Lucian was my first bonded mate.
04:48The Fox Clan's heir who had grown up beside me.
04:51When he was still beside me, he always scolded me.
04:54He scolded me for running too fast and getting hurt.
04:57But every time, he cleaned up the mess I left behind.
05:01That night, when he thought I was asleep, he came to my bed.
05:05Lucian gently wipes tears from Sierra's face.
05:08His kisses fell clumsily and hotly against my skin.
05:12I always pretended not to feel them.
05:15Now I did not look at him.
05:17I looked past him into the house.
05:19I was searching for Zayn.
05:21Zayn.
05:22Looks like you didn't clean up well enough.
05:25She followed you here.
05:27What's Lila going to think?
05:28It was the coldest day of winter.
05:30I stood outside in thin clothes.
05:32Pale and shaking.
05:33Zayn finally stepped out.
05:35His clothes messy and his hair loose.
05:37A fresh bite mark stood out on his neck.
05:42Zayn looked at me.
05:44Annoyance flashed across his face.
05:46The cold hit me all at once.
05:47And I stepped back.
05:49Then a blanket fell over my shoulders.
05:51I looked up.
05:52He looked at me gently.
05:54For one second, I almost thought I had imagined everything.
05:59Sierra, what happened to you?
06:01Zayn, I won't ask for coral from the deepest sea anymore.
06:05I won't beg for snow lotifis from the highest glacier.
06:08I won't keep you up when you're tired.
06:10Just don't leave me alone.
06:12Please.
06:13You're the only one I want.
06:15I spoke too fast.
06:17I did not notice Lucian go still beside me.
06:20His jaw tightened.
06:21Zayn listened.
06:22But his eyes stayed on my bloodied knees.
06:25You promised you would stay.
06:27Zayn, you can't take that back.
06:29My hand closed around nothing.
06:31Zayn had stepped away.
06:33It's cold out here.
06:35Come inside first.
06:36Zayn's house was warm.
06:38I sat in a wooden chair covered with soft pelts.
06:41Everything around me had been carefully arranged.
06:43Then I thought of my own chamber.
06:45Cold and empty now.
06:47After Lucian and Red left, Zayn still came to see me.
06:50But he was always distracted.
06:52So when he came, I only leaned quietly against him.
06:55Then I heard voices from the back room.
06:58Going soft on her?
07:00I'm warning you.
07:01If you regret this, don't think about coming back.
07:04Then Zayn's voice came from the back room.
07:07I just don't want her running to the king again.
07:09I don't want her causing more trouble for Lyra.
07:11Don't worry.
07:12She's easy to handle.
07:13My mind went blank.
07:17Lucian let out a short breath.
07:19It sounded almost like a laugh.
07:21The footsteps moved away.
07:23A moment later, Zayn kneels in front of Sierra
07:26and cleans the blood from her knees.
07:28He kept his eyes lowered.
07:30His voice was still gentle.
07:32Sierra, I'm Lyra's mate now.
07:34You're the king's daughter.
07:36Every good male in this kingdom would line up for you.
07:38Then he smiled.
07:39Didn't you always say you would throw us out
07:41and find someone better?
07:43Those were words I had said in anger.
07:45How could he not know that?
07:47He never used to believe those words.
07:49So why choose to believe them now?
07:53I looked at him through blurred eyes.
07:56I shook my head again and again.
07:58I didn't mean it.
07:59Zayn looked at the tears in my eyes.
08:01Something unreadable moved across his face.
08:04He slowly reached out and wiped them away.
08:07Then he patted my head once.
08:09After that, he stood up without a word.
08:11He went to get water and medicine.
08:13Suddenly, something crashed into my back.
08:15I turned around and saw Lyra's pup behind me.
08:18Bad woman!
08:19You hurt my mama!
08:21Get out!
08:23He swung the kettle again.
08:25I raised my arm to block it.
08:27Hot water splashed back.
08:28A few drops landed on his bare leg.
08:30The pup froze for one second.
08:32Then he burst into tears.
08:34The same moment, the front door flew open.
08:36A gust of cold wind rushed inside.
08:39A hand closed around my throat.
08:41Red's green eyes locked onto mine.
08:44Hurting Lyra wasn't enough?
08:45Now you're hurting her pup too?
08:50Sierra, you really never run out of tricks.
08:54Red was leaving in the most ugly way.
08:56Because I cried to King Aldrin,
08:58Lyra had almost been driven out of the kingdom.
09:00So Red volunteered for the most dangerous border patrol.
09:02He used his own life to exchange for Lyra and her pup's right to stay.
09:06The day he left, he looked at me with eyes colder than ice.
09:09I was the stupid one.
09:10The greatest regret of my life is ever putting you above everything else.
09:14I did not understand.
09:16They were the ones who had betrayed me first.
09:18How could he say those words to me?
09:20Now Red's hand was around my throat.
09:22I grabbed his wrist and tried to pull him away.
09:24Tears blurred my vision before I could stop them.
09:27When I finally looked up at him, my eyes were already empty.
09:30Red's pupils tightened.
09:32Red!
09:32Someone had shouted his name.
09:34Red startled and let go.
09:35I dropped hard to the floor.
09:37I bent forward and coughed until my chest hurt.
09:39Zane reached me first.
09:41He was about to pull me into his arms.
09:42Then Lyra's door opened.
09:44She had woken up from the noise.
09:46Zane let go of me by instinct.
09:47Pain spread through my body until I could barely feel anything.
09:50Lucian had followed Zane out.
09:52He saw everything.
09:53He moved half a step forward.
09:55Then he stopped.
09:56His expression was impossible to read.
09:58Red looked at Zane and raised an eyebrow.
10:00Didn't you say you would stay by Sierra's side forever?
10:03What are you doing here?
10:05So you couldn't take it anymore either.
10:08Funny how all three of us always end up wanting the same female.
10:11His gaze fell on me.
10:13I was curled on the ground.
10:14He gave a short, contemptuous laugh.
10:17Zane's eyes darkened.
10:18I looked up at Zane.
10:19I did not speak, but I was still asking him for an answer.
10:22Zane looked away.
10:23I forgot how to breathe.
10:24I stayed on the ground, unable to move.
10:28You're home.
10:29Lyra's voice broke the silence.
10:31Evryon looked at me.
10:32My forearm was red and swollen.
10:34Sierra's forearm is burned red, with blisters rising across the skin.
10:38All three of them expected me to cry.
10:41They expected me to make a scene.
10:42But I got up by myself.
10:43I did not make a sound.
10:45Then I looked at Lyra.
10:46She was soft and warm.
10:47Evryon wanted to protect her.
10:49I had heard she could grow rare crops from barren soil in deep winter.
10:52Evryon in the kingdom liked her.
10:54Except me.
10:54Maybe I had gone too still.
10:56Lyra patted her pup.
10:58Boy.
10:59When we do something wrong, we say sorry.
11:02Can you say sorry to Sierra?
11:04The pup buried his face in Lyra's neck.
11:06He refused to apologize.
11:08Lyra gave me an apologetic smile.
11:10He's still small.
11:11Let me apologize for him.
11:13I have good burn medicine.
11:15Let me get it for you.
11:18No.
11:23I want him to apologize.
11:25Lyra's smile faded.
11:26Her brows drew together.
11:28He's just a pup.
11:29Asking him right now might be...
11:32Apologize.
11:34Sierra!
11:35What are you doing?
11:38Lyra already apologized.
11:41Do you need to make him cry before you're satisfied?
11:44Lucian said nothing.
11:45But the hard look on his face said enough.
11:47Even Zane shook his head once.
11:49Three males who had once belonged to me now stood together against me.
11:52Lyra touched Red's sleeve lightly.
11:54Then she leaned down and spoke softly to her son.
11:57The pup finally turned his head.
11:58Sorry.
12:00His voice was low.
12:01Every word sounded forced.
12:03Even then, all three males still looked angry.
12:06Sierra?
12:07Burns need medicine quickly.
12:09Let me treat it for you.
12:11She turned to get the medicine, but I felt cold all over.
12:14Cold enough that I could barely stand.
12:17Don't bother.
12:18I did not wait for anyone to answer.
12:20I pulled the door shut behind me.
12:22Then I stumbled back into the wind.
12:28Made up your mind?
12:29I nodded quietly.
12:32After that night, I locked myself in my chamber for two full days.
12:35Dad leaned back in his chair, one hand covering his eyes.
12:39It's a long way to the southern shore.
12:42We leave tomorrow.
12:43Pack whatever you want to bring.
12:45I gave him a small, tired smile.
12:47Then I shook my head.
12:49There's nothing, Dad.
12:50I don't want to take anything.
12:52The night before the selection, no unmaided female in the kingdom could sleep.
12:56Everyone was afraid of being chosen by the Mercland.
12:58Soon, word spread that I had gone to see the king.
13:01Someone came to my door.
13:02Red was the first to push inside.
13:04Red enters with a stormy face.
13:05Sierra, what did you go to the king about this time?
13:09Zane came in right behind him.
13:10His eyes swept across the room.
13:12Then he stopped when he saw the things scattered on the floor.
13:15Lucian came last.
13:16He stood at the back and watched me in silence.
13:18In the past, if they accused me like this, I would have jumped up at once.
13:21I would have waited for my father to come and prove I was right.
13:24I picked up a fur vest and folded it slowly.
13:26Lucian had hunted that fur for me a long time ago.
13:29I used to love it.
13:30Red's voice was sharp with impatience.
13:32His contempt was almost impossible to hide.
13:35Besides hiding behind the king, what else can you do?
13:38If you used some dirty trick to send Lyra to the Murr clan, I swear I'll...
13:45You'll what?
13:47Kill me?
13:48For a moment, the whole room flows.
13:52Zane stepped forward.
13:54His voice turned careful, like he was coaxing them.
13:57Sierra, stop this.
13:59Just tell us what you said to the king.
14:01I looked at him slowly.
14:02If I explained, they listen.
14:05Would any of them stay?
14:06The answer was no, so I smiled.
14:09Yes.
14:10I asked my father to send Lyra away.
14:13I gripped the fur vest tighter.
14:15I'm jealous of her.
14:17I hate that she took you from me!
14:20So I went to my father.
14:22As long as she stays in this kingdom,
14:24I'll make every day miserable for everyone.
14:27Sierra!
14:28You wouldn't dare!
14:30I would!
14:33My father has always loved me most.
14:37Every time I cried to him, he gave me whatever I wanted.
14:41Lucian stared at me without speaking.
14:43The king won't act on your word alone.
14:46I smiled.
14:47Then I pulled the fur vest out of the bag.
14:49I dropped it on the floor.
14:53You'll find out tomorrow morning.
14:55All three of them left with tense jaws and dark faces.
14:58I watched their backs until they disappeared.
15:01Then I picked up my bag.
15:02Dad was already waiting beside the carriage.
15:07His eyes were red.
15:10There is medicine inside.
15:11And food?
15:12And everything else you may need.
15:14The coast is damp.
15:15Take care of yourself.
15:18I climbed into the carriage.
15:20Then I looked back at the kingdom one last time.
15:23When I turned around again,
15:25my eyes were clear.
15:28I will.
15:32Did I say something too harsh back there?
15:34Red stopped before they had gone far.
15:37Stop looking at me like that.
15:38His eyes dropped to the ground.
15:40Something felt wrong about her.
15:42The way she looked.
15:44Zane said nothing.
15:45But his jaw stayed tight.
15:46He kept thinking about my chamber.
15:48It had been cold the moment he stepped inside.
15:51My belongings were scattered everywhere.
15:52And there had been no light left in my eyes.
15:55Regret hid him before he could stop it.
15:57For a moment, none of them spoke.
15:59Did we go too far?
16:00Lucian stood at the back.
16:01He said the thing all three of them had been avoiding.
16:04A sharp crack split the silence.
16:06This is all your fault!
16:08You kept saying Sierra needed to learn to stand on her own.
16:10You kept saying she needed to learn what she had.
16:13And somehow I ended up playing the worst part.
16:15He paced two steps.
16:17Then he stopped.
16:18He stared down at his own hands.
16:20What if she never forgives me?
16:22The selection is tomorrow.
16:24Every young female has to be there.
16:28What if Sierra gets selected?
16:31I have to go back to her now.
16:32Zane grabbed his arm.
16:33The king would never let his own daughter be taken.
16:35His eyes were already red.
16:37His grip on Red's arm tightened.
16:38Any more!
16:39Red pulled free.
16:41His face was dark.
16:42That ends tomorrow.
16:44I'm done performing.
16:48The three of them looked at each other.
16:50Without another word, they agreed.
16:51Whatever they had wanted from this plan, it was over.
16:54Lucian's voice came out quieter.
16:56Red, you've been away for a while.
16:59Tonight is your turn to sit with Lyra for the new test.
17:02Red's expression stiffened.
17:03He gave a reluctant grunt.
17:04The truth was simple.
17:06None of them had actually left me for Lyra.
17:08They had gone to Lyra and asked her to play along.
17:10They wanted me to feel what it was like to lose them.
17:12Lyra's price was also simple.
17:13They had to take turns as test subjects for her medicines.
17:16For years, she had been developing a cure for fever.
17:19On this continent, a fever could kill a pup before morning.
17:23Lyra needed steady test subjects.
17:25So she agreed to their deal.
17:26But when the three males explained their plan, Lyra had gone quiet.
17:30You want Sierra to grow stronger.
17:33You want her to value what she has.
17:37I understand that.
17:38But from where she stands,
17:39this may feel like everyone she trusts has pushed her off the same cliff.
17:43I can play my part.
17:44But are you sure you have thought this through back then?
17:47None of them truly listened.
17:49Now, the result had already answered for them.
17:53On the morning of the selection, the sky was still dark.
17:56Red saw someone crouching outside Sierra's door.
17:59When he walked closer, he realized it was Zayn.
18:01Zayn sat on the floor with his arms wrapped around his knees.
18:04A thin layer of frost covered his hair and shoulders.
18:07He only looked up when he heard footsteps.
18:09You've been here all night?
18:10Zayn said nothing.
18:11He only tilted his chin toward the side of the door.
18:14Red looked over and saw a pile of firewood stacked neatly there.
18:18Lucian came up behind them and frowned when he saw it.
18:21You couldn't sleep, so you came here to chop wood in the middle of the night.
18:24Zayn finally spoke.
18:25I couldn't sleep.
18:26Red stared at him for a moment.
18:28Then irritation took over.
18:30So now you're playing the good guy?
18:31Zayn lowered his eyes.
18:32You came here behind our backs?
18:34I didn't go in.
18:36I only brought the wood.
18:37He had only remembered how cold Sierra looked yesterday.
18:40Regret spread through him like something bitter.
18:42If he had stayed long enough to fill her hearth, maybe she would not have looked like that.
18:46Enough.
18:48Right now, we find Sierra and tell her the truth.
18:50Three of them stood in front of the door, but none of them moved.
18:53None of them knew who should knock first.
18:55Fine.
18:56I'll do it.
18:57Red shoved past them with a scowl.
18:59He took a breath and knocked.
19:00Sierra?
19:01No one answered.
19:02Are you awake?
19:03He knocked again.
19:04Still nothing.
19:05A cold feeling crept over all three of them.
19:07They looked at each other.
19:08Then they pushed the door open.
19:10The room was empty.
19:11Sierra's chamber is messy and silent.
19:15Everything was still scattered from the night before.
19:18The fur cloak lay alone on the floor.
19:20It was the cloak Lucian had made for her himself.
19:22Now, it was covered in dust.
19:24The hearth had gone cold, and the water basin beside it was still full.
19:28Everything she owned was still here.
19:30But Sierra was gone.
19:32Zane's eyes landed on the fruit bowl.
19:33It was filled with the rare berries.
19:35Red had once traveled two days to bring her.
19:37The berries had gone rotten.
19:39Then Zane looked closer.
19:40His face changed and tipped the bowl.
19:43A sour smell filled the room.
19:44Every berry had small bite marks.
19:46It looked like she could barely force herself to eat them.
19:49Lucian's hand clamped down on Zane's shoulder.
19:52Lucian grips Zane's shoulder, his face pale with anger.
19:55The room was freezing.
19:57The food was untouched.
19:59And you still left her here alone?
20:01Zane's lips trembled.
20:02He could not say a word.
20:03He had thought Sierra would go to her father.
20:06She was the king's daughter, and King Aldric would never let her suffer.
20:09He had never imagined she would sit alone in the cold and eat rotten fruit.
20:14If I had known, I should have stayed with her.
20:17Lucian shoved Zane hard.
20:18Zane fell to the floor and did not even try to catch himself.
20:21Lucian looked at the cold bed, the twisted blankets, and the cloak she had left on the
20:26floor.
20:26His whole body swayed.
20:28Red stood completely still.
20:29He stared at the rotten berries on the floor.
20:32For once, he said nothing.
20:33His eyes went hollow.
20:35Then a horn sounded outside.
20:36The selection was starting.
20:40The hall was already full.
20:41All the unmated females stood together, tense and quiet.
20:45Their families stayed close around them.
20:47Lucian, Red, and Zane pushed through the crowd, searching for Sierra.
20:51They circled the hall once and found nothing.
20:53Cold sweat broke across Zane's forehead.
20:55He grabbed a female he recognized.
20:57Have you seen Sierra?
20:58No.
20:59Isn't she with you three?
21:01Why are you even here?
21:02The question hit Zane like a slap.
21:04He slowly let go of her arm.
21:06Another female tugged up her sleeve.
21:08Sierra doesn't have mates anymore.
21:10Those three, already.
21:12She made a small gesture.
21:13The first female understood.
21:15Then she looked at Zane with an awkward smile.
21:17Lucian pushed through the crowd.
21:18Your Majesty, where is Sierra?
21:21Have you seen her?
21:23King Aldric turned and looked at the three of them.
21:27Sierra is not here.
21:32Then where did she go?
21:33King Aldric did not answer in.
21:35He turned to face the crowded hall.
21:37His voice carried over.
21:39People of this kingdom.
21:40I called you here to make an announced plan.
21:43Guarding the selection to the Murr clan.
21:45The selection is cancelled.
21:50Noise spread through the hall at once.
21:52Some females covered their mouths in shock.
21:54Who's it out of her mind?
21:55That's the Murr clan.
21:56Lucian read.
21:58And Zane stood frozen in place.
22:00They already knew the answer.
22:02But none of them wanted to believe it.
22:05Impossible.
22:06Who is it?
22:07My daughter.
22:09Sierra.
22:10Lucian turned and ran before the words had fully settled.
22:13Ned and Zane followed.
22:21The winter wind cut across their faces.
22:24Zane shifted while running.
22:26When his tiger boy burst forward at full speed.
22:29Then he suddenly shifted back to him.
22:32He dropped to his knees on the frozen road.
22:35Tears fell onto the frozen dirt.
22:37Lucian stopped beside him.
22:39He stared at the road ahead.
22:40The road was long and empty.
22:43The carriage had already disappeared beyond the trees.
22:46It's too late.
22:48She left last night.
22:50We can't catch her.
22:52Why?
22:54We only wanted her to stop taking everything for granted.
22:58Red's voice broke halfway through.
22:59They had wanted Sierra to understand what loss felt like.
23:02They thought pain would make her grow up.
23:04But they had forgotten who made her so spoiled in the first place.
23:07For years, they had given her anything she wanted.
23:09They had let her believe the whole world would always revolve around her.
23:13Then one day, they tore that world away.
23:16They called her too difficult.
23:17They made her believe no one wanted her anymore.
23:20Now Sierra was gone.
23:21And it was too late to take anything back.
23:26Thirsty?
23:27I held the water skin toward the little one beside me.
23:30His tail had turned pink from being out of the water too long.
23:33You two insisted on coming with me.
23:35Do you know how many times we've had to stop?
23:38The little merman blew a sulky bubble.
23:40Then he shuffled over and wrapped both arms around my leg.
23:44Mommy.
23:45Don't want to leave mommy.
23:47Tail hurts.
23:47I ran my hand through his hair.
23:49Three years had passed since I left the kingdom.
23:51I had become a mother.
23:52The sharp edges I used to have softened.
23:55Caspian wrapped his arms around me from behind.
23:57The scent of sea salt and open water surrounded me.
24:00I didn't forget.
24:02You still have three males waiting for you up north.
24:05I had never hidden my past from him.
24:07The mer clan's possessiveness was exactly like the story said.
24:10What I had not expected was that Caspian would refuse to let me go alone.
24:15He insisted on burning cove with us.
24:17I turned to face him.
24:18Tree inland air had made the skin on the side of his face rough.
24:21A few pale blue scales caught the light there.
24:23I touched his cheek.
24:24This is your fault.
24:27If you two hadn't followed me, I would have reached the kingdom days ago.
24:33My fault entirely.
24:36But Sierra, if you had asked me to wait on the island,
24:38I would have lost my mind.
24:41My face warmed before I could stop it.
24:43Beside us, Cove grabbed a fistful of Caspian's deep blue hair.
24:46He tugged it with cheerful curiosity.
24:48The carriage rocked.
24:50We were almost at the northern kingdom.
24:54Caspian and Cove could not stay far from water for long.
24:57I found a clear stream near the kingdom walls.
25:00Then I settled the restless pair there before walking to the gates alone.
25:04The young guard at the gate did not recognize me.
25:06He looked over my myr-clan clothes with suspicion.
25:10Then an older guard leaned out from behind him.
25:14Princess Sierra, you're back.
25:17His shout turned several nearby heads.
25:19She came back.
25:20Didn't she go to the myr-clan?
25:21She looks different somehow.
25:24I greeted them and walked toward the king's hall.
25:27By the time I arrived, King Aldric had already heard the news.
25:31He came through the doors just as I reached them.
25:33His eyes went red almost immediately.
25:38My own eyes stung.
25:40I walked straight into his arms.
25:43Sierra hugs King Aldric tightly in the palace doorway.
25:46His shoulders were not as broad as I remembered.
25:49He held me for a long time before letting go.
25:52Then he took my face in both hands and looked at me carefully.
25:55Did they treat you well?
25:59I have a mate.
26:02His name is Caspian.
26:04He is a myr-warrior and a prince of his clan.
26:08We have a child together.
26:10A sweet little merman.
26:12King Aldric's eyes lit up.
26:13A pup?
26:14Where is he?
26:15Bring them to me!
26:17They're outside the gates.
26:18So I didn't bring them in yet.
26:23Caspian needs to stay near water or he gets uncomfortable.
26:27Then I looked around the familiar hall.
26:30Father, have you been alright on your own?
26:33King Aldric's smile dimmed slightly.
26:37I'm fine.
26:39But those three fools have not been.
26:42After you left, they walked around like something had been taken out of them.
26:46Lucien and Red kept taking missions far from the palace.
26:50As for Zane, I think he has barely been holding himself together.
26:58Your Majesty!
27:00Someone said Sierra's back.
27:02Is it true?
27:09King Aldric's expression darkened.
27:11He looked at me.
27:12My hand tightened around my sleeve.
27:14Then I let go.
27:15Father, let me handle this.
27:17He opened his mouth.
27:18Then he closed it and nodded.
27:24The door slammed open.
27:26Red came in first.
27:27Red enters the hall with new scars across his face.
27:32The moment he saw me, he froze.
27:35Zane and Lucien came in behind him.
27:37Zane had changed the most.
27:38With dark circles under his eyes.
27:40Lucien came in last.
27:42There were white strands at his temple that had not been there before.
27:45Zane was the first to speak.
27:46Sierra?
27:48Is it really you?
27:49I did not answer.
27:50Caspian's fierce love had changed me.
27:52So had Carrying Cove, giving birth to him, and watching him grow.
27:56The female standing before them now was still Sierra.
27:58But she was no longer the Sierra who had left.
28:04I let out a quiet breath.
28:05Then I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
28:08Without meaning to, I exposed the side of my neck.
28:12Caspian had left that bite mark on me the morning I left.
28:15I realized what they were staring at it.
28:17I quickly raised my hand to cover it.
28:19But it was already too late.
28:21All three of them were staring at my neck.
28:24Their breathing had changed.
28:26I cleared my throat.
28:27It's been a long time.
28:29I came back to see my father.
28:31I'll be heading home soon.
28:37Home?
28:38You're leaving again?
28:39You're going back to that place?
28:42Sierra, we were wrong back then.
28:44Enough.
28:45I live with the Myrclone now.
28:47That is my home.
28:50Why wouldn't I go back?
28:52Under that question, all three of them went quiet.
28:55I turned away from them.
28:57Father, there is a stream near the east wing of the palace, right?
29:01Once Caspian and Cove have had enough time in the water, I'll bring them in.
29:04I'll stay for a while and keep you company.
29:06Lucian finally spoke from the back.
29:09You want to stay in your old chambers?
29:11Those chambers held too many memories of the three of them.
29:14Now I was bringing another male there.
29:16I glanced at them.
29:18Their faces looked worn.
29:20Three years had left marks around their eyes.
29:22For a moment, a question stirred inside me.
29:25Then I let it go.
29:27Whatever the answer was, it had nothing to do with me now.
29:32I checked the light outside.
29:33It was getting late.
29:35If I did not return soon, Cove would panic.
29:38I said goodbye to my father.
29:40Then I walked straight through the space between the three males.
29:46I did not know how long they followed me.
29:48When I was almost at the kingdom gates, I turned around sharply.
29:51How much longer are you planning to follow me?
29:53If Caspian saw them trailing after me like this, I would never hear the end of it.
29:56Sierra, just give us a chance to explain.
29:59Explain?
30:00I was too tired to be angry.
30:02Fine.
30:03Explain why you're like this.
30:05Weren't you happy with Laya?
30:07What happened?
30:08We were never with Laya.
30:10None of it was what you thought.
30:11You left me for her.
30:12You said she was better than me in every way.
30:14What happened?
30:15Did you get tired of her?
30:17Or was she not as perfect as you thought?
30:19That's not it.
30:20Okay.
30:21We thought you were spoiled.
30:22We wanted you to feel what loss was like.
30:24We wanted you to learn to appreciate what you had.
30:27Hm.
30:28So we asked Lyra to play along.
30:30We only pretended to be her mates.
30:32In return, we took turns testing her medicines.
30:34The truth was so ridiculous that I could not speak for a moment.
30:37It had not been a change of heart.
30:39It had only been a performance.
30:40What the fuck?
30:41Are you out of your fucking minds?
30:49I'm warning all three of you.
30:52After a long silence, I looked at them.
30:55I'm warning all three of you.
30:57Stop following me.
30:58My mate has a short temper.
31:00My voice was cold and flat.
31:02He especially hates it when other males take an interest in what is his.
31:05I don't think you want to bring trouble to this kingdom.
31:11I turned and walked toward the gates.
31:14I did not look back.
31:21Only after I disappeared did Lucien slowly raise his bloodshot eyes.
31:25His expression had changed.
31:27They say when a female loses her mate.
31:30Red and Zane went rigid.
31:32They turned to look at him in disbelief.
31:34Zane slowly met their eyes.
31:36The gentleness in his gaze was gone.
31:39I brought Caspian and Cove to my old chambers in the palace.
31:43Cove touched everything.
31:45Cove runs his small hands over the stone walls and carved furniture.
31:49This world was nothing like the sea island where he had grown up.
31:52Caspian looked around the room in silence.
31:55His gaze lingered on the traces left by other males.
31:58But he said nothing.
31:59He only turned and pressed his face into my hair.
32:03I went to find an attendant to prepare a warm bath for Cove.
32:10But when I reached the bathing chamber, the bath was already ready.
32:15Steam rose from the water.
32:17I asked who had prepared it.
32:19Known if the palace attendants would meet my eyes.
32:21So I let it go.
32:23It did not matter anymore.
32:26After that, I brought Caspian and Cove to formally meet King Aldric.
32:30Aldric looked at Cove and froze.
32:32King Aldric stares at Cove's silver-blue hair and small tail.
32:35He looked delighted and nervous at the same time.
32:37He wanted to touch Cove's hair.
32:39Then he pulled his hand back, afraid of scaring him.
32:41Cove did not hesitate.
32:43He grabbed Aldric's finger with both hands.
32:45Then he blew a bubble straight.
32:47For the first time in years, the Lycan King laughed.
32:49Aldric was more guarded with Caspian.
32:51But he watched Caspian quietly.
32:53Caspian followed by every movement with his eyes.
32:56He adjusted Cove's position without being asked.
32:59He cared for us in a way that was quiet and constant.
33:02Before they parted, Aldric said only one thing to him.
33:06Take care of her.
33:06I sent Caspian and Cove back first.
33:09Then I stayed with my father for a little longer.
33:12It was almost evening when I finally left the King's Hall.
33:15On the path, I saw Lyra walking toward me.
33:18Lyra carries a woven basket and walks toward the medicine garden.
33:25Lyra stopped when she saw me.
33:27Before she even spoke, an apology had already filled her face.
33:30Sierra, I heard you were back.
33:34I'm sorry for what happened back then.
33:37I never thought it would go that far.
33:39I looked at her and shook my head.
33:41It's in the past.
33:44And you're not the one who should be apologizing.
33:47Lyra seemed to breathe a little easier.
33:48But there was still regret in her eyes.
33:52They regretted it.
33:53But some mistakes can't be fixed just because someone regrets them.
33:56I stayed in the palace and took care of the royal garden.
33:58I also took the children in the palace.
33:59I learned that Lyra had stayed in the kingdom and built something of her own.
34:01Her fever medicine had saved many pups.
34:04She had her own medicine garden now.
34:05Lyra, you know so much.
34:07I looked at her and felt real admiration.
34:09Lyra, you know so much.
34:13Where did you learn all this?
34:14She paused.
34:15Then she smiled.
34:17From a place very far away.
34:19She did not say more.
34:20But pain moved through her eyes before she could hide it.
34:23Then a large male walked toward us from the path ahead.
34:26He came straight to Lyra's side.
34:28He took the basket from her arm without asking.
34:31Then he held her hand.
34:33Lyra, it's too late now.
34:34Let's go home together.
34:35He noticed me and gave a brief, polite nod.
34:38Lyra introduced him to me.
34:40His name was Rex.
34:41He was her real mate.
34:43They had been living somewhere else before.
34:45The fight had made Lyra leave on her own.
34:48Then everything here had happened.
34:50I watched the two of them together.
34:51Something quiet moved through me.
34:54Suddenly, Rex looked past me.
34:57That's your side of the palace, isn't it?
34:58His eyes turned toward the east wing.
35:00It looks like there's a fight.
35:02My blood went cold.
35:04I ran back to the east wing.
35:10When I reached the courtyard, they stopped.
35:17Caspian had shifted into partial combat form.
35:20Three beasts circled him at once.
35:22Caspian was holding back.
35:24A mer-warrior was not at his strongest on dry land.
35:27Red's claws raked across his arm.
35:29Blood spilled out.
35:31Broken scales scattered to the ground.
35:37The three males had not expected me to appear.
35:40They pulled back quickly and shifted into human form.
35:43Sierra, he's faking it.
35:45He did it on purpose to get to you.
35:48Caspian turned his injured arm toward me.
35:50The wound was bleeding steadily.
35:53His face was pale.
35:54But his voice stayed quiet.
35:56I'm fine, Sierra.
35:58Don't worry.
35:59I looked at him.
36:00Then I looked at the three males behind me.
36:03It was obvious who looked worse.
36:05Three of you against one?
36:06And you still have the nerve to say he's playing me?
36:10Sierra, a male who schemes like this won't give you anything real.
36:14Enough!
36:15The moment I left this kingdom three years ago, everything between us ended.
36:20I don't care what you regret.
36:23My only mate in this life is Caspian.
36:26Even if he were gone, that would still be true.
36:29So I'm asking all three of you, never come near my life again.
36:32I did not look at them after that.
36:34I took Caspian's hand and brought him inside.
36:38Cove was waiting by the doorway.
36:40The moment I came in, he clung to my sleeve.
36:43He had been scared.
36:44Caspian pulled me gently into his arms.
36:46I'm sorry.
36:47Then, he kissed away the tears I had not realized were falling.
36:50I made you worry.
36:51His voice was low.
36:53The wound on his arm had already begun to close.
36:55That was the slow healing of my blood.
36:58To Caspian, the injury was nothing.
37:00But to me, it had felt like the sky was falling.
37:03I still pressed medicine against the wound carefully.
37:06We go home tomorrow.
37:08Caspian looked down at me.
37:10Warmth moved through his eyes.
37:11Then he nudged Cove aside with his tail.
37:14Cove had been trying to squeeze between us.
37:16All right.
37:17Back to our home.
37:19Outside the door, the three males stood for a long time.
37:23The sun went down.
37:24Only then did they finally understand.
37:26It was truly over.
37:28That night, Cove finally pushed himself between Caspian and me.
37:32The small tail tapped the blanket with satisfaction.
37:34Soon, I fell asleep.
37:37I lay against Caspian's chest.
37:39I listened to a steady heartbeat.
37:41My eyes slowly grew heavy.
37:43Everything that had hurt me stayed behind in this kingdom.
37:46And I let time take it away, little by little.
Comments