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Spoiled by the Alpha Wolf (21eps) - Short Drama Full HD 1080p #ASM
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Short filmTranscript
00:00My aunt sold me to the most vicious lone wolf hunter in pack, for five silver coins.
00:05On the night of our mating ceremony, I sat on the edge of a broken bed, biting my lip
00:09raw.
00:10I'm a wolfless omega orphan, and Cain, the pack says he's a curse, his parents abandoned
00:15him as a pup and never came back.
00:17They say he walked into the shadow woods alone at six, shifted for the first time at twelve,
00:22and tore apart a full-grown shadow bear.
00:24The scar running from his brow to his jaw, that bear gave it to him.
00:27Mothers tell his name to scare their pups into silence.
00:30Everyone in the pack fears him.
00:32I did too.
00:33I crossed the street when I saw him, never spoke a word to him, never even looked him
00:37in the eye.
00:38I never thought my aunt would sell me to him.
00:41No gifts, no feast, no pack elder to witness it.
00:44I wore an old white dress and took shaky steps into his cabin.
00:48It smelled of blood and old fur.
00:50I didn't think I'd survive tonight.
00:52All I could hear was my aunt counting her silver.
00:55Don't blame me, Ella.
00:56A wolfless omega like you, you're lucky anyone would take you.
01:00I stood there like a fool, not knowing what to do, until the door banged open.
01:05Cain walked in, fierce, drenched in blood.
01:10I gasped.
01:11His leather coat was slashed open across the ribs.
01:15The smell of copper hit me before I could breathe.
01:18He didn't say a word, just dropped a basket on the table.
01:21Inside, black bread, roasted venison haunch, a bowl of broth still warm.
01:26Eat.
01:55I was starving, and I couldn't remember the last time I'd had meat.
01:57Come here.
02:24Come here.
02:27Firelight.
02:27His hand, calloused, cracked, still smelling of blood and steel, held mine.
02:31A necklace.
02:33For you.
02:34Moonstone.
02:36The moon goddess's blessing.
02:38I know this life is hard.
02:40You deserve better.
02:41He pulled his hand back, wiped it on his leather coat, and muttered, I'll take care of you.
02:49I stared at the moonstone in my palm.
02:51Tears fell without warning.
02:53Cain shifted awkwardly.
02:54After a long silence, he forced out, What?
02:58You don't like it?
02:59I shook my head.
03:00No.
03:01That's not.
03:02I'd just forgotten what it felt like to be wanted.
03:05After my parents died, I stopped being anyone's treasure.
03:08I was just extra weight in my aunt's tent.
03:11Every meal was charity.
03:12Every kindness came with a price.
03:14That night, Cain didn't touch me.
03:16He made a bed on the floor.
03:18I turned on my side and watched him.
03:20He lay there like a mountain.
03:21His breathing slowed.
03:23Then came the snoring, deep and rough, but not peacefully.
03:26My aunt screamed in my dreams.
03:28My cousin shoved me around, and a shadow bear lunged for my throat.
03:32I jolted awake, gasping.
03:34Strange ceiling.
03:35Strange smells.
03:36Right.
03:36Right.
03:36My aunt sold me.
03:38I belong to Cain now.
03:39I wiped the sweat from my forehead, pulled myself together, and went outside.
03:44Quiet.
03:45The air smelled of blood and animal hides.
03:48Cain?
03:49No answer.
03:50I found the kitchen.
03:51Filthy.
03:52The stone pots were rusted.
03:54Mice scattered when I moved those.
03:56I couldn't run.
03:57Couldn't hide.
03:58So I rolled up my sleeves and started scrubbing.
04:00I was halfway through when a voice came from outside.
04:04Ella?
04:05It was Cain.
04:07I'm here.
04:36I stepped out of the kitchen.
04:38I took the dishes in the basket and headed for the door.
04:40Where are you going?
04:41Where are you going?
04:42He turned.
04:43I was thinking I'd clean the kitchen.
04:45Properly.
04:46So we don't get sick from dirty dishes.
04:48Cain's brow furrowed.
04:50The cabin is yours.
04:51Do what you want.
04:52He left.
04:53I didn't trust his words completely, but I got back to work.
04:56By the time I'd scrubbed every surface, Cain was back with a leather sack.
05:01He looked at the clean kitchen and blinked.
05:04Flour.
05:05I'll trade for the rest at the market.
05:07I didn't argue.
05:08When he left again, I opened the sack.
05:10Ground flour.
05:11Enough to last weeks.
05:13I went back to cleaning.
05:15I dragged Cain's dirty clothes into the yard.
05:17A mouse ran out of the pool.
05:19I chased it like a mad woman.
05:21Cain came back.
05:23Ella.
05:23I bought meat pies.
05:25Come eat.
05:25I hadn't had a meat pie since my parents died.
05:28Cain handed me one.
05:30Soft, golden, steaming.
05:31I bit into the pie.
05:33Juice ran down my chin.
05:34I ate two and stopped.
05:36Cain shoved a third into my hand.
05:38Everything for the kitchen is in the baskets.
05:41Get it sorted.
05:42I'm getting firewood.
05:44The scar on his face was still terrible.
05:46His voice was still cold gravel.
05:48But I wasn't afraid anymore.
05:50I nodded and watched him walk away.
05:52Then I checked the baskets.
05:53Clay jars of salt.
05:55A leather flask of oil.
05:56Raw sugar.
05:57A slab of cured meat.
05:58And a jar of honeyed fruit.
06:00For me?
06:00I blinked hard and looked up at the sky.
06:04I organized the kitchen.
06:05Cain came back with firewood and a basket of wild grains.
06:09And eggs.
06:09Cook it all.
06:10I eat a lot.
06:11I nodded.
06:12I could do that.
06:13Make extra.
06:14Whatever Cain didn't finish, I'd eat.
06:16I hung the stone pot over the fire.
06:18Chopped cured meat and wild grains into the broth.
06:21Then I cracked eggs onto a hot, flat clam slicked with pork fat.
06:25I sizzled and turned gold at the edges.
06:27Cain looked at the stew, the black bread, the fried eggs.
06:31His eyes brightened.
06:32Sit.
06:33Eat.
06:34I waited for him to pick up his knife and fork.
06:37Then I picked up mine.
06:38He dropped a piece of roasted meat onto my platter.
06:41I looked at him.
06:42Eat.
06:43He dug in.
06:44I ate slowly, keeping my eyes down.
06:46Ella.
06:47Tomorrow.
06:48You're coming into the woods with me.
06:50Me?
06:50Yeah.
06:51I can't bring enough meat on my own.
06:52Winter's coming.
06:53Hunting was men's work.
06:55Packed females sometimes came along to carry and dress to kill.
06:58But I'd never done any of it.
07:01I don't know how.
07:03I'll teach you.
07:04I looked up at his scarred face.
07:06The firelight made it worse, but his eyes were steady.
07:08No disgust.
07:09No impatience.
07:12Okay.
07:13Before dawn, Cain shook me awake.
07:15I have to go.
07:15Wear this.
07:16A deer hide coat, thick, warm.
07:18I hadn't seen it before.
07:20I put it on and followed him into the mist.
07:22The shadow woods were dark.
07:24Trees blocked the sky.
07:25The only light came in patches.
07:27Cain walked ahead.
07:28I stepped where he stepped.
07:29After a meal's time, he stopped and crouched.
07:32Hoof prints.
07:34What do you smell?
07:36I breathed deep.
07:37Earth.
07:38Rotting leaves.
07:38Water far off.
07:40And something else.
07:41Faint.
07:41Musky.
07:42I smell... something.
07:44The corner of Cain's mouth twitched.
07:46That was his version of a smile.
07:48Dear.
07:49Your nose is better than you think.
07:51You just never used it.
07:53Don't be scared.
07:55Stay behind me.
07:55We followed the trail.
07:57Cain stopped every few steps to listen.
07:59He signaled me to crouch to walk softer.
08:02Then we saw it.
08:03A deer grazing at the edge of a clearing.
08:05Cain looked at me and lifted three fingers.
08:08Three.
08:08Two.
08:09One.
08:09He exploded forward.
08:10A blur.
08:11The deer tried to run.
08:12Cain was already on it.
08:13His blade sliced its throat.
08:15Blood sprayed.
08:16I stood frozen.
08:17Legs like water.
08:19Cain turned.
08:20Come.
08:20I walked to the dying animal.
08:22He gutted and skinned the deer like it was nothing.
08:26You need to learn this.
08:28In case I'm not around, you need to eat.
08:30I crouched and watched his hands.
08:32The skin comes off first.
08:33Keep it clean.
08:35You gut it fast or the meat sours.
08:37I listened.
08:38I memorized.
08:39We carried the meat down the mountain together.
08:41One half each, my shoulder screamed.
08:43I didn't complain.
08:45Cain looked back at me.
08:46Again and again.
08:47Back at the cabin, he took my load and said-
08:50Good job.
08:52I stood there, eyes burning.
08:54It was the first time anyone had praised me since my parents died.
08:58Ella.
08:59I turned.
09:00Cain pulled a leather pouch from his chest and shoved it into my hands.
09:04From now on you hold the silver.
09:07But I-
09:08Male hunts.
09:09Female keeps the house.
09:10That's how it works.
09:11I weighed the pouch in my hand.
09:13Heavy.
09:14Nice.
09:15Ella.
09:17Yeah.
09:20Let me mark you.
09:23I went quiet.
09:24I was scared.
09:25I didn't know what it would feel like.
09:27But Cain had been good to me.
09:28Where would I go if I left him?
09:30I had nowhere.
09:31No one.
09:31Being marked.
09:32Carrying his pup.
09:33That was my fate.
09:34I nodded.
09:35I thought marking was just a bite.
09:37But Cain brought new furs and honey mead.
09:40We stood in the yard under the moon,
09:42swore ourselves to each other,
09:43and drank from the same cup.
09:45Then he led me inside.
09:47The fire was low.
09:48He pulled the strap of my dress down.
09:50I crossed my arms over my chest.
09:51He took my wrists and gently pulled my hands away.
09:54You're shaking.
09:57I'm cold.
09:58No, you're not.
09:59His hands slid around my waist,
10:02rough palms against bare skin.
10:03He pulled me into him and kissed me.
10:06Hungry.
10:06Desperate.
10:07Like a man who'd never been allowed to want something.
10:10He tore his shirt off.
10:11I touched the scars on his chest.
10:13Then my hands went to his trousers,
10:15fumbled with the ties.
10:16When I got them undone,
10:18he pulled me against him,
10:19skin to skin.
10:20I gasped.
10:21He laid me down on the fresh furs and came over me.
10:24Last chance.
10:26Tell me no.
10:28Don't stop.
10:29When he bit down on the back of my neck,
10:31I cried out.
10:32Pain and something else.
10:33He held me steady.
10:35It'll be over soon.
10:36Afterward, I lay shaking.
10:37He pulled a fur over us and wrapped himself around me.
10:41I asked for water.
10:42He brought it to my lips.
10:43I stared at him like he'd grown wings.
10:45When I lay back down,
10:46the mark on my neck was still warm.
10:48Every wolf would know,
10:49I belonged to Cain.
10:50Cain belonged to me.
10:51I smiled into the dark.
10:53Cain didn't talk much.
10:54He hunted.
10:55He brought me silver.
10:56He did the heavy work.
10:57When I said something,
10:58he answered.
10:59We talked about building another room.
11:01About digging a cellar for meat and grain.
11:03I liked that.
11:04I looked at my clothes.
11:06They were getting tight.
11:07Maybe I should eat less.
11:08Ella!
11:09Ella!
11:10Is Cain home?
11:13He's hunting.
11:14His parents are back.
11:16What?
11:17His mother.
11:17She's vicious.
11:19And they've got a young man with them.
11:21Must be Cain's brother.
11:23My mind went blank.
11:24Cain's parents?
11:25They'd been gone for over a decade.
11:27They came back because they had nowhere else to go.
11:31I walked outside.
11:33Three figures.
11:34Two old, one young.
11:35The old ones had greedy eyes.
11:37The young one looked disgusted.
11:38Ma.
11:39Pa.
11:40This is the place?
11:41It's so run down.
11:43You're Cain's mate?
11:45Ella?
11:45I'm his mother.
11:47Get us water.
11:48And cook something.
11:50The best room.
11:51It's for Alan.
11:52Margaret, Cain's mother, let her eyes roam over the cabin.
11:55Over me.
11:56She didn't bother hiding her disgust.
11:58Where's that ungrateful son of mine?
12:01Just then, Cain came around the corner with firewood.
12:04Pack members trailed behind him, hoping for a show.
12:07Who are you?
12:09Your mother.
12:11Ungrateful wilt.
12:13That's really Noah.
12:15The Alpha Cain.
12:16The elders Cain.
12:17They confirmed it.
12:18Cain had to accept it.
12:19Take us in.
12:20Be a good son.
12:21And give us Silver to find Alan a mate.
12:24You don't want your brother dying alone, do you?
12:26I tugged Cain's sleeve.
12:27He squeezed my hand back.
12:29Silver he nearly died for.
12:31You're not giving it to his brother for a bride.
12:33Not your place, sister-in-law.
12:35Parents are still alive.
12:37You don't get a say.
12:38Margaret lunged at me.
12:40Cain caught her wrist.
12:41Cain!
12:42You'd raise a hand to your own mother?
12:44He let go.
12:45I'm going to die!
12:46My son has a mate now and I'm dead to him!
12:50Enough.
12:52You've been gone for years.
12:53Why are you back?
12:55We came home to be with you.
12:57And this cabin?
12:59We built it.
13:00We're staying.
13:01Fine.
13:02The cabin is yours.
13:03But we split the belongings.
13:05What I bought with my own hands comes with me.
13:08No!
13:08Margaret's eyes darted around the cabin.
13:10She liked what she saw.
13:12Clean.
13:13Orderly.
13:13You can't take the furniture.
13:15What will we use?
13:17Not my problem.
13:19Have mercy.
13:20I gave him life and now he wants to leave us with nothing.
13:24The Alpha and elders looked uncomfortable.
13:26Keep the furniture.
13:28But my hunting gear comes with me.
13:30My clothes.
13:31My furs.
13:32And I'm severing the bond.
13:34The bond!
13:36I didn't understand what was happening.
13:38But I knew something was wrong.
13:40Fine.
13:41Sever the bond.
13:42But sell the girl first.
13:44Her silver goes to us.
13:46Cain moved before I could blink.
13:47He kicked Alan from the chest.
13:51Tell me what you did.
13:53The gambling den.
13:54I owe them a hundred gold.
13:56A hundred gold.
13:57The crowd gasped.
13:58For a hundred gold I could buy this whole pack.
14:01Say you'll sever the bond.
14:02The cabin is yours.
14:03The hunting grounds.
14:05The reindeer.
14:06If you don't.
14:09I'll break Alan's legs myself.
14:11When the debt collectors come I'll hand him over.
14:14Dead or alive I don't care.
14:15Margaret and Noah signed the severance.
14:18Good.
14:18Good.
14:19I wanted to cry.
14:20My home.
14:20The one I'd scrubbed and mended with my own hands.
14:23Gone.
14:24But Cain's silver was still in my pocket.
14:26Cain took my hand.
14:27We signed the papers.
14:28Pressed our thumbs to the ink.
14:30At dusk I carried our clothes.
14:32He carried the baskets.
14:33We walked to the ruined shrine on the hillside.
14:36The higher we climbed the heavier my feet became.
14:39I stopped and looked down at the cabin.
14:41Ella.
14:42I looked at Cain and burst into tears.
14:44Don't cry.
14:46We still have silver.
14:47The cabin was theirs anyway.
14:49We only borrowed it.
14:51And Alan is poison.
14:53Letting go of those scraps saves us from worse.
14:56The debt collectors can't touch us now.
14:58We go deeper into the shadow woods.
15:01Find another pack.
15:03We've got hands.
15:04We've got feet.
15:05We'll make a life.
15:07I wanted to believe him.
15:08We ended up at the elders old cottage.
15:11200 copper a month.
15:12I cleaned it until it shone.
15:14One bed.
15:14Bare walls.
15:15I went to the elders mate to ask about food.
15:18Eat with us.
15:19I couldn't let her feed Cain.
15:21He ate too much.
15:23We'll use your kitchen.
15:24Buy our own grain.
15:26Fine.
15:27We ate simple.
15:28Black bread.
15:29Smoked meat.
15:30Broth.
15:30Cain didn't complain.
15:31I'll hunt tomorrow.
15:32Trade for grain.
15:33You can roast something when I get back.
15:36We'll save silver.
15:37Build our own place.
15:38If people find out we still have silver, your parents will never leave us alone.
15:42Eat your bread.
15:44I snuggled into him that night.
15:46His hands wandered to my hips.
15:49What are you doing?
15:51You don't want it?
15:52We're guests.
15:54Scenting a den that isn't yours was an insult.
15:56A reason to be thrown out.
15:59Sleep.
16:00I bit my lip so I wouldn't laugh.
16:02The next morning Cain went into the woods.
16:04I made him trail rations.
16:06The other pack women helped me with the kitchen fire.
16:09You're easy to talk to but Cain scares the piss out of us.
16:12He's not so bad.
16:14They listed all the reasons he was.
16:16His silence.
16:17His face.
16:17His temper.
16:18But they didn't call him cruel.
16:20Bad luck.
16:20His parents abandoned him and then came back to take everything.
16:24Good thing he severed the bond.
16:26Alan would have bled him dry.
16:27I'd resented Cain for giving up the house.
16:30Now I understood.
16:31We were young.
16:32We had hands.
16:32We'd build again.
16:33The debt collectors found Alan within a week.
16:36They stripped the cabin.
16:37Sold the hunting grounds and the reindeer.
16:39Left him fifty gold short.
16:41Due by winter solstice.
16:42The women told me the story in whispers.
16:44I kept my face straight.
16:46Cain borrowed silver from every house in the pack.
16:48They gave it to him.
16:49Even though they were scared of him.
16:51One wild boar from Cain brought the whole pack running to help build.
16:55Two log cabins, twelve men, two days.
16:57Cain laughed when I asked what he wanted for lunch.
16:59I made a face at him.
17:01Cain and I made it through the cold.
17:02Full belly.
17:03Warm bed.
17:04He wanted a pup.
17:05I wanted a pup.
17:06Maybe next year.
17:07The winter was mild.
17:08When the snow melted, the pack started north, following the herds.
17:11I stayed close to camp.
17:13I gathered wild greens and berries.
17:15Dried some.
17:16Salted others.
17:17Come winter again, they'd go into the stew pot.
17:20Cain hunted every day.
17:21He brought home silver.
17:22He gave it all to me.
17:23The coin jar grew heavy.
17:25One day, Cain came back from the mountains with a graver expression than usual.
17:30What's wrong?
17:32Something big came from the south.
17:34The tracks are a full circle larger than a shadow bear's.
17:37It's not like an ordinary beast.
17:39Then don't go.
17:40Can't not go.
17:42If that thing keeps moving north, it'll cross the pack's migration route.
17:45More than just our family will suffer.
17:49Ella.
17:50Tomorrow, you're coming with me.
17:52Me?
17:53You don't have to fight it head on.
17:55But I need a helper.
17:56Someone to watch my back to keep it from lunging at my flank.
18:00You trust me?
18:01Cain looked at me.
18:02Didn't say a word, but that look was answer enough.
18:04The next morning, before dawn, we went into the shadow woods.
18:08Cain suddenly stopped and crouched down to look at tracks on the ground, bigger than two fists put together.
18:14Mountain lion.
18:16Scared?
18:19Yes.
18:20Good.
18:20You should be.
18:22We followed the tracks for some time.
18:24Cain raised his hand for me to stop.
18:25He started taking off his clothes, leather coat, undershirt, trousers.
18:29Dropped them piece by piece on the ground.
18:31Then he changed.
18:33Bones cracked and snapped back together, a grating sound.
18:36His body lunged forward, hands hitting the ground and turning into claws.
18:40Dark gray fur pushed out through his skin.
18:42A massive wolf stood before me, twice as big as an ordinary gray wolf, fangs gleaming white.
18:48A roar came from the bushes.
18:50The mountain lion burst out, lunging straight at Cain.
18:54The two beasts crashed together.
18:56Teeth tore.
18:57Blood and fur flew.
18:58Cain clamped down on the mountain lion's front leg.
19:01The lion raked its claws across his back, leaving deep, bloody gashes.
19:05Cain didn't let go, but the lion's jaws were heading straight for his throat.
19:09I didn't think.
19:11I ran out from behind the tree.
19:12Short blade raised, eyes shut.
19:15I stabbed at the mountain lion's side.
19:17The blade sank into flesh.
19:18The lion screamed and whipped its head around.
19:20I was thrown through the air, my back slamming into a tree trunk.
19:24Stars burst in my vision, but I didn't let go of the knife.
19:27It was still in my hand.
19:28In that split second when the lion was distracted, Cain bit through its throat.
19:33The lion twitched a few times, then went still.
19:36Cain let go.
19:37He was soaked in blood.
19:38He turned to look at me.
19:40The wildness of the wolf was still glowing in his amber eyes.
19:43He walked over, lowered his head, and touched my palm with his wet nose.
19:49Are you hurt?
19:51I shook my head.
19:52Tears wouldn't stop falling.
19:54You helped a lot.
19:56Without you, I might not have made it.
19:58The morning light fell across Cain's bare back.
20:01The wounds were still seeping blood, but they were already beginning to close.
20:05That day, we carried the mountain lion's hide and meet home.
20:08Cain kept the best piece, said he'd make me a cloak.
20:12Why?
20:13Because it's your first kill.
20:14Wolf rule.
20:16The puff belongs to the hunter.
20:18But you killed it.
20:20Not without your blade.
20:23You're braver than I thought.
20:24I looked down.
20:25My ears burned.
20:26That night, I sat beside him, helping scrape and cut.
20:29Firelight moved across his face.
20:31The long scar looked less scary in the flicker.
20:33Cain.
20:36Yeah?
20:37From now on, let's hunt together more often.
20:41Okay.
20:41End of March, I started feeling off.
20:43Tired.
20:44No strength.
20:45Cain came home, I told him.
20:46He got excited on the spot.
20:48Stay here.
20:49I'm getting the healer.
20:51We both knew what it meant.
20:52The healer came.
20:54Sure enough, pup.
20:55Two months along.
20:56I didn't announce it.
20:57But a few women who'd had pups figured it out anyway.
21:00Good for you, Ella.
21:01Pop out a male pup and you're set.
21:03Cain's silver will be yours.
21:05You'll run the house.
21:06No in-laws breathing down your neck.
21:09Life's good.
21:09I smiled and nodded.
21:11Didn't tell them Cain already handed me his silver.
21:14That I already ran everything.
21:16No point making them jealous.
21:18Cain got nervous after I got pregnant.
21:20Came home early.
21:21Did all the heavy grunt work.
21:22I stayed careful, but I wasn't going to sit around doing nothing.
21:26Women aren't that fragile.
21:27That day, I took a basket to pick wild berries near camp.
21:31Was craving honeyed fruit.
21:32Someone pushed me down a grassy slope.
21:34I screamed.
21:35I saw who it was.
21:36Cain's mother, Margaret.
21:38Why should Alan suffer while you live easy?
21:41You think you deserve a pup.
21:44Dream on.
21:45Pain twisted through me.
21:46I couldn't even scream.
21:48Reached out for her to stay.
21:49Someone help.
21:50A pack kid saw me.
21:52Ran back to camp.
21:53They carried me home.
21:54Someone else went for the healer.
21:56I watched the healer shake his head and sigh.
21:59Cain's back.
22:00Cain walked in.
22:01Dark as a storm.
22:03Ella.
22:04I just cried.
22:06It was your mother.
22:08She pushed me.
22:10Ella.
22:11I know.
22:12I know.
22:14Don't think too much.
22:15Take your medicine.
22:16Sleep.
22:18Our pup's justice.
22:20The father goes and gets it.
22:22Cain didn't leave.
22:23Sat by the bed until I cried myself out.
22:26Then got someone to watch me.
22:27Took his hunting knife and went to his parents' place.
22:30Everyone heard the screaming.
22:31The begging.
22:32People gathered to watch.
22:34No one dared go inside.
22:35When they couldn't scream anymore, Cain came out.
22:39Cain, those are your parents.
22:40He didn't answer.
22:41Just picked up an axe and started swinging.
22:44Everything he could see.
22:45Windows.
22:46Roof.
22:46When the house was a pile of rubble, he left.
22:49People went in to look.
22:50His parents were alive.
22:52But not really.
22:53Both had soiled themselves.
22:54Like someone ripped their spines out.
22:57I woke up again.
22:58Candle light.
22:59Cain sat by the bed.
23:01Ella.
23:02Does it hurt?
23:03I tried to tell him about the pup.
23:05Tried to say how much it hurt.
23:07Everywhere hurt.
23:08But I opened my mouth and nothing came out.
23:10Food's ready.
23:11Eat some.
23:11Take your medicine.
23:12Sleep some more.
23:14The pup.
23:16I'm going to find him a place somewhere peaceful.
23:19I nodded into my blanket and cried.
23:22I want to come.
23:24Then come.
23:25He found a good place.
23:26By the river.
23:27Hills around.
23:28Spring flowers everywhere.
23:30Easy for me to visit.
23:31A tiny little grave.
23:33My poor little pup.
23:34His dad and I wanted him so bad.
23:35My stupid craving got him killed.
23:37Word spread about Margaret pushing me.
23:39The elder was furious.
23:41Called everyone to the altar.
23:43Stripped Noah and Margaret from the pack rolls.
23:45Banish them from pack lands.
23:46That's when they finally got scared.
23:48Cried and begged.
23:49No one spoke for them.
23:50One morning after the rain stopped.
23:52Cain helped me into the cart.
23:54Where are we going?
23:57Somewhere no one knows us.
23:59Somewhere we can eat whatever we want.
24:01Wear whatever we want.
24:02Somewhere everyone learns I'm not someone to mess with.
24:04I'm scared.
24:05Don't be.
24:06I'll protect you.
24:08Anyone hurts you I kill them.
24:09We headed south.
24:10I'd never traveled before.
24:12Everything was strange and new.
24:13But then I thought about the pup I lost.
24:15And couldn't help sighing.
24:17Cain held my hand.
24:19Quiet.
24:19Letting me know he was there.
24:21I tried to smile at him.
24:22Just ended up leaning into him crying.
24:24I knew time would fix it.
24:26But right then I was still broken.
24:27I knew Cain was too.
24:29Cain.
24:30I'll get better.
24:31Just give me time.
24:33Okay.
24:33Whatever I wanted to eat Cain bought it.
24:36We didn't rush.
24:37Took breaks when we needed.
24:38Whenever we found a pretty view Cain stopped so we could look at it together.
24:42Then one day we came out of the woods onto a plane that went on forever.
24:46Nothing like I'd ever seen.
24:51Half the weight in my chest broke apart with those screams.
24:54We stopped at a town called Redford.
24:57Flat everywhere.
24:58The mountains we came from weren't too far.
25:00Cain said he'd go scout for game.
25:02We couldn't buy a house yet.
25:03Rented a little courtyard place.
25:05Cleaned it up.
25:06Brought our things in.
25:07Started feeling like home.
25:08That night we roasted venison.
25:10The neighbor's kids smelled it and started crying for meat.
25:13Cain and I looked at each other and laughed.
25:15He cut meat for me.
25:17I cut meat for him.
25:18Cain had the horse and he was strong.
25:20Easy to find work.
25:22Paid pretty well.
25:23No kids.
25:23Just the two of us.
25:25Didn't need much.
25:26I did some sewing on the side.
25:27Life was comfortable.
25:28Got along with the neighbors too.
25:31Ella?
25:32You home?
25:34I went to the door.
25:36Molly from next door.
25:37Her son Tommy with her.
25:39Molly, come in.
25:40I rubbed Tommy's head.
25:42Went and got him a piece of honey candy.
25:44Thanks.
25:46You're gonna spoil him.
25:48Lord Foster on the west side is throwing a party.
25:51Needs scrubbers.
25:5250 copper a day.
25:53You in?
25:5450 copper.
25:55Not bad.
25:56Let me check with my husband.
25:58I wanted to go.
25:59But if I went, who'd cook for Cain?
26:01Let me know soon.
26:03Everyone on the street was tight on money.
26:05Molly's place was her family's.
26:06Three or four rooms.
26:07Packed full.
26:08She went to leave.
26:09Called for Tommy.
26:10Tommy looked at me with those big eyes.
26:14Let him stay a while.
26:16Tommy was good.
26:17Quiet.
26:17Did what he was told.
26:18Didn't run around or touch things he shouldn't.
26:21When the candy was gone, he didn't fuss or beg.
26:23I wiped his hands.
26:25Did my sewing.
26:25He sat next to me playing with little wooden blocks Cain had made.
26:29Stacking them careful.
26:31Look Ella, Ella.
26:33Good job.
26:34If my pup had lived, in two or three years he'd be this sweet.
26:37This good.
26:38You're good too.
26:40What am I good at?
26:42Sewing.
26:44I rubbed his head.
26:45Then came footsteps outside.
26:48Cain's home.
26:49Everyone on the street was scared of Cain.
26:52Even the kids.
26:52But not Tommy.
26:53He liked him.
26:54Cain!
26:56Cain came into the yard.
26:57Smelled like blood.
27:01You're hurt?
27:02No.
27:03Boar I killed in the mountains.
27:04Boar blood.
27:05Go get your dad.
27:06We're roasting boar tonight.
27:07Tommy's eyes went wide.
27:08He ran.
27:09Dad!
27:10Dad!
27:11Cain says come help with the boar!
27:13Cain laughed.
27:15When no one was looking, he pinched my cheek too.
27:18Roast plenty tonight.
27:19You're getting too thin.
27:20I nodded.
27:21Tommy's dad came.
27:22His brothers and sisters too.
27:23Just to watch.
27:24Good kids.
27:25Worked hard.
27:26Helped with this and that.
27:27Neighbors came by asking if we were selling the meat.
27:30I looked at Cain.
27:31Boar's not that big.
27:33Wouldn't be much meat to sell.
27:35Keep it.
27:37My mate's been sick.
27:38Needs the nutrition.
27:40Next time I go out, maybe I'll bag a bigger one.
27:42The neighbors started asking him all kinds of questions.
27:46That's huge.
27:48You two can't finish that yourselves?
27:50We won't.
27:50We'll cut some for the neighbors.
27:52Now that's what I'm talking about.
27:53I'll help you cut it.
27:54We didn't sell any.
27:56Anyone who helped, Cain gave them about half a pound.
27:58Just like that, we became the most popular people on the street.
28:02Tommy stayed for dinner.
28:03His brothers and sisters watched through the window, eyes red with wanting.
28:07But they were good kids.
28:08They had meat at home too.
28:10A good chunk of it.
28:11They'd get some when it was cooked.
28:12So they went home.
28:14I liked Tommy.
28:15Cain liked Tommy.
28:16Everybody liked that kid.
28:17After dinner, we walked Tommy home.
28:19Later, I asked Cain what about making him our godson.
28:22Cain thought about it for a long time.
28:24Let's wait and see.
28:25Then I told him about Lord Foster's party.
28:2750 copper a day.
28:29You want to do it?
28:31Then do it.
28:32If it's too hard, quit.
28:33I can support you.
28:34I looked at Cain and smiled.
28:36I wanted to help carry the weight.
28:37He worked so hard.
28:38Molly and I started working parties regular.
28:41Made three to five hundred copper a month.
28:43Cain didn't bring home much at first.
28:45Then three silver.
28:46Then five.
28:46Then ten.
28:47One month, he brought home 50.
28:49Right around then, the place we were renting went up for sale.
28:5227 silver.
28:53We talked it over and bought it.
28:55Our own place.
28:57Fixed up the roof.
28:58Bought some new furniture.
28:59One day, I made a pot of stew.
29:01The whole street smelled it.
29:02Everyone came asking what I was cooking.
29:05Just some stew.
29:06It was done anyway, so I gave out a few bowls.
29:09Man, that's good.
29:11Seeing them praise it gave me an idea.
29:13I could sell stew at the crossroads.
29:15Cain could hunt.
29:16And he'd made friends with the guards.
29:18With them backing me, no troublemakers would mess with me.
29:21You want to sell stew on the street?
29:23I nodded.
29:24Alright.
29:25I'll bring back game.
29:26Or we can buy pork from the butcher.
29:28It'll be a lot of work for you.
29:30I'm not afraid of work.
29:31Making money is one thing.
29:33But keeping busy helps.
29:34Keeps me from thinking too much.
29:36The pup we lost.
29:37That pain never went away.
29:38Not talking about it didn't mean forgetting.
29:41Then do it.
29:42But don't do it alone.
29:44Ask Molly.
29:45I told Molly.
29:46She said yes on the spot.
29:47Love to.
29:49Only thing is, I don't have a single copper to put in.
29:52Every coin goes straight to the mother-in-law.
29:54I knew Molly's situation.
29:55Whole family packed into one house.
29:57Mother-in-law in charge.
29:59Two sisters-in-law.
30:00Six or seven kids.
30:01Money was tight.
30:02Molly, I know.
30:03How about this?
30:04I'll pay you wages.
30:06I don't know how much yet.
30:07Don't even know if this business will work.
30:09Don't worry about it.
30:10I'll work first.
30:11If it works, pay me then.
30:12If it doesn't, we're friends.
30:14A few days of free work won't kill me.
30:16Knock on wood.
30:17Your stew business is going to make it.
30:19I can feel it.
30:20Cain had a wooden pushcart built.
30:22Bought firewood.
30:23Me and him sat up nights doing the math.
30:25How much to sell per pound.
30:27How to make a profit.
30:28And Molly's wages.
30:30Ella.
30:31Let's learn to read.
30:32Read?
30:33You go ahead.
30:34You're the one out in the world.
30:35Both of us.
30:36I'll teach you.
30:37Reading.
30:38Archer Mithric.
30:38Then doing business won't be such a struggle.
30:41Won't take all night just to add things up.
30:42He was right.
30:43And he wanted me to learn too.
30:44My heart could have burst.
30:46How many men would do that?
30:47My stew stand opened.
30:49Business was good.
30:50Then someone opened another stand across the street.
30:53Started taking our customers.
30:54Molly cursed them out.
30:56Don't be mad, Molly.
30:57Nobody said we're the only ones.
30:59Business was so good before.
31:01We were run off our feet.
31:03Now it's just right.
31:04We made money.
31:05Not too tired.
31:06I wanted to get my body strong again.
31:08Give Cain a couple more pups.
31:10Ella.
31:11You're too sensible.
31:12Not sensible.
31:13Cain made good money anyway.
31:15More and more.
31:16The stew stand was mine.
31:18Whatever it made was extra.
31:19Kept me busy.
31:20Kept me from remembering.
31:22My stew business went from a cart to a storefront in a year.
31:25Molly still worked there.
31:26Enjoy your meal.
31:27When we moved to a bigger place, Tommy cried his eyes out.
31:31It's not that far.
31:32You can visit.
31:33I'm at the shop every day.
31:35You'll see me.
31:36It's not the same.
31:37It wasn't, but he adjusted.
31:39Not long after we moved, I started feeling off again.
31:42I knew the signs.
31:43Told Cain.
31:44Cain.
31:44He called a doctor.
31:45Felt my pulse.
31:46Sure enough.
31:47Pregnant.
31:48Cain laid his hand on my belly.
31:49Gentle.
31:50Let's buy two servants.
31:52An older woman for cleaning.
31:54A young maid for you.
31:55Buy a male servant.
31:57Someone who can do heavy lifting.
31:59I don't need a maid.
32:01A cleaning woman is plenty.
32:02Don't get greedy.
32:03Compared to before, we were living like royalty.
32:06With a pup coming, we had to get ready.
32:08Little clothes.
32:09Little shoes.
32:10Diapers.
32:10Silver went fast.
32:12Cain bought things we didn't need.
32:14Rattles.
32:14Wooden horses.
32:15Little bows and arrows.
32:16I could tell he wanted a boy.
32:18What if it's a girl?
32:20Girls are fine.
32:21Blossoms before fruit.
32:22A few girls first.
32:23Then I'll be a father-in-law with endless roasted pig feet.
32:26I sat in my comfortable chair, sewing soft baby clothes.
32:30The room was quiet, warm, safe.
32:33The master's home.
32:34Cain hurried in.
32:36His eyes went soft when he saw me.
32:38Did the pup give you trouble today?
32:41Not today.
32:42He was good.
32:43Cain crouched down, put his palm flat on my belly.
32:46The pup moved.
32:49He ticked.
32:50Cain smiled too.
32:51He leaned down and pressed his ear to my belly.
32:55The heartbeat came through.
32:56The sound of new life.