Watch My Trap Killed the Enemy, The Alpha Killed for Me - Full EP (ENGSUB), an intense short drama featuring Alpha romance, revenge, betrayal, hidden secrets, and powerful destiny. Every episode delivers emotional twists and thrilling werewolf action.
#MyTrapKilledTheEnemyTheAlphaKilledForMe #ShortDrama #WerewolfRomance #Alpha #RevengeDrama #FullEP #ENGSUB #DramaSeries #FantasyRomance #WolfShifter
#MyTrapKilledTheEnemyTheAlphaKilledForMe #ShortDrama #WerewolfRomance #Alpha #RevengeDrama #FullEP #ENGSUB #DramaSeries #FantasyRomance #WolfShifter
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Leah, I don't need you to become Luna. Just live through this winter.
00:06I weighed the salt bag, heavy. I lifted the curtain and looked at the snow.
00:11If I do well, I'll bring back the best salted venison.
00:16He turned and walked away. Didn't look back.
00:20Every year on frozen moon night, the Northwind Pack sent their daughters to the Alpha's central camp.
00:26Officially, Alpha Cain was choosing a future mate.
00:29In reality, someone to work and breed.
00:32My family had half a cabin left.
00:34My father had shattered his leg on a hunt last winter, so he threw me out as a gamble.
00:39Win, everyone eats.
00:41Lose, pretend I was never born.
00:44I touched the strip of dried venison hidden inside my coat.
00:49Alpha or not, he's still just a man.
00:52I wanted a meal and a roof.
00:54Love doesn't fill an empty stomach.
00:56The girls crowded together at camp.
00:58Some cried.
00:59Some whispered about becoming Luna.
01:01I wore a patched gray fur coat.
01:04A leather cord held my hair back.
01:06I found the farthest corner and sat.
01:08Leah, daughter of the hunter.
01:11Alpha Cain sat at the center of the tent.
01:13Early twenties, shoulders like a bear.
01:16His eyes swept over me.
01:17The fur on my neck stood up.
01:19But fear wouldn't help.
01:21I can salt meat, make herbal salves, set hunting traps.
01:26Someone laughed behind me.
01:28A girl in a white fox fur cloak covered her mouth.
01:31Vera, daughter of one of the oldest bloodline families.
01:35Are we choosing a Luna or hiring a camp cook?
01:38Is that salted meat good?
01:39I saw my opening.
01:41The dried venison I make is so good.
01:44Scouts from the Shadowclaw pack have stolen it before.
01:46Cain's mouth twitched.
01:48He tapped his fingers on the armrest.
01:50Interesting.
01:52Keeper.
01:54They assigned me to the farthest storage cave.
01:57A half-collapsed cellar.
01:59Wind and snow leaked through the walls.
02:01The first night, I woke up frozen three times.
02:04Next morning, I went to the old wolf in charge of supplies
02:07and asked for charcoal.
02:09He looked me up and down.
02:11Beta?
02:12I set a small bag of frostbite ointment on his table.
02:15This for two baskets of charcoal.
02:17Enough?
02:17His eyes lit up.
02:19He gave me five baskets.
02:21Mira stared.
02:22Leah, you worked so hard collecting those herbs.
02:25If something can be solved with things, it's not a problem.
02:28I patted her head.
02:30Getting sick from the cold, that's what really hurts.
02:32After half a month in camp, I understood the rules.
02:35Low rank meant taking abuse.
02:37I stepped aside for the Omega candidates.
02:39My rations were half of everyone else's.
02:42Cain never came looking for me.
02:44I didn't worry.
02:45Every day, I hunted in the woods.
02:47Came back and salted meat.
02:48Dried herbs.
02:49Girls who hovered around the Alpha all ended up badly.
02:53Better to do my own work.
02:54Then Cain's deputy appeared.
02:57Leah, the Alpha is holding a feast.
03:00You need to come.
03:01My hands were still crusted with salt.
03:05Got it.
03:05In the hall, Cain sat at the head table.
03:08Vera pressed closest to him.
03:10Every eye turned to me, still in the gray fur coat, a splinter among silk and fine pelts.
03:16Sister dresses so plain, just to salt meat?
03:19She looks fine.
03:21Easy on the eyes.
03:22Vera sang an ancient wolf war song.
03:25Another girl danced the hunting dance.
03:27When my turn came, Cain set down his drink.
03:31And you?
03:32I pulled a small bundle from my coat.
03:34I brought dried venison for you to try.
03:36Laughter broke out around the hall.
03:38I ignored it.
03:39I just handed him the meat.
03:41Cain chewed twice.
03:43Not bad.
03:44He took the whole bundle, told his deputy to seat me beside him, and bring me a fresh,
03:49roasted fish.
03:50I sat down without a word.
03:51The other girls wanted to be the Alpha's heart.
03:54I just needed to be the Alpha's favorite snack.
03:57I got a nickname around camp.
03:59The beta who got ahead with dried meat.
04:02I didn't care.
04:03Reputation can't be eaten or worn.
04:05But Vera cared.
04:06First, half my charcoal vanished.
04:09Then my meat rations came back tough and stringy every time.
04:13Mira stomped her feet.
04:15Let's go complain to the Alpha.
04:17I was counting the month's food stores.
04:19I didn't look up.
04:20Complain about what?
04:21The Alpha has no time for small things.
04:24I took half a jar of honey and a bottle of frostbite ointment to visit Martha, widow of
04:30the former Alpha.
04:31Martha's eyes were sharp.
04:33You want me to stand up for you?
04:35No, just keeping you company.
04:37By the way, I heard Vera shorted your meat ration.
04:41Martha said nothing.
04:42I went to Gus, the wolf in charge of dried meat, and pressed a salt brick into his hand.
04:47After that, I spent an hour every day learning how to air dry large cuts of game.
04:52Vera's tricks stopped.
04:54I told Mira, see?
04:55The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
04:58A few days later, Kane's full moon transformation tore him apart.
05:03Wounds all over his body.
05:05High fever that wouldn't break.
05:07His healing power had failed.
05:09The old healer didn't know what to do.
05:11The candidate girls rushed forward.
05:13Then saw Kane covered in blood and backed away.
05:16I pushed through the crowd and walked in.
05:19You're just a beta.
05:20Can you handle this?
05:21The deputy blocked me.
05:22I looked at Kane's wounds.
05:24His wolf spirit is turning on him.
05:26He needs to cool down, clean wounds, and eat meat paste.
05:29I stewed the best cuts into a paste and added fever-reducing herbs, soaked fur in snow water,
05:35and pressed it to Kane's forehead.
05:37I stayed with him all night.
05:38At daybreak, he opened his eyes.
05:41His voice came out rough.
05:42How did you get here?
05:43The deputy stepped in.
05:46The other candidates all went back.
05:48Only Leah stayed the whole night.
05:50Kane looked at me.
05:50Then he grabbed my wrist.
05:52His hand was cold.
05:53His grip was shockingly strong.
05:58You're different from them.
06:01After Kane recovered, he started coming to my cave often.
06:04He never brought up choosing a mate.
06:06I never asked.
06:07A few days later, the winter salt store was destroyed.
06:11Without salt, meat wouldn't keep.
06:13The pack wouldn't survive winter.
06:15Kane ordered a search of every corner of camp.
06:18His deputy walked into my cave with guards.
06:21Leah, the Alpha orders a search.
06:24Go ahead.
06:25A guard dragged a leather bag from under my bed.
06:28It was stuffed with the same coarse salt that had gone missing from the store.
06:32The deputy's face shifted.
06:34What is this?
06:35Vera appeared behind him, smug, triumphant.
06:39Still going to deny it?
06:42I kept my voice steady.
06:43I'm a beta.
06:44What would I gain from stealing salt?
06:47Would that make me Luna?
06:48I'm not stupid enough to do this.
06:50The deputy brought me to Kane anyway.
06:52Kane looked at me without expression.
06:55How do you prove you're innocent?
06:57I took a breath.
06:58I don't have direct proof.
07:00But I know that bag was placed under my bed today.
07:03I cleaned under my bed yesterday.
07:05I even plugged a rat hole.
07:06If the salt had been there longer, the bag would have bite marks.
07:09The deputy went to check.
07:11Came back fast.
07:12Alpha, no bite marks on the bag.
07:15Vera's face went white.
07:16Kane turned to her.
07:17Vera, you seem very eager for Leah to be the thief.
07:22I'm not...
07:24Kane ordered the investigation.
07:26The truth came out.
07:27Vera had told her maidservant to plant the salt.
07:30I was cleared.
07:31Kane confined Vera for one month.
07:33As I was leaving, Kane called me back.
07:36From now on, you're in charge of winter supplies.
07:39I shook my head.
07:41I'm fine the way things are.
07:43He looked surprised.
07:44Why?
07:45I just want to live a quiet, steady life.
07:48Kane didn't speak.
07:50But something new came into his eyes.
07:54Wolf howls jolted me awake.
07:56The Shadowclaw pack was raiding the camp.
07:58Outside, chaos.
07:59Fire.
08:00Screaming.
08:01The cries of dying wolves.
08:03From the shadows, I spotted Greyclaw.
08:05The Shadowclaw Alpha.
08:06Heading straight for the storage cave with a dozen guards.
08:09I slipped around to the back.
08:10There was a small ventilation tunnel.
08:12Only I knew about it.
08:14I moved fast.
08:15I hid the salt bags and dried meat in the secret compartment.
08:18Sealed the tunnel entrance.
08:19Pressed myself against the wall and waited.
08:22The sounds of fighting closed in.
08:23I gripped my bone knife.
08:25My palms were soaked.
08:27Someone pushed the stone aside from outside.
08:29Moonlight hit Kane's face.
08:31He was covered in blood.
08:32His left arm hung at a wrong angle.
08:35Go.
08:36He grabbed me and pulled me out.
08:38Low growl.
08:40We can't hold it.
08:41Run south to the old mine.
08:43What about you?
08:46I'll hold them back.
08:49No!
08:50It came out before I could stop it.
08:52Kane's eyes softened.
08:53He yanked the Wolf Fang necklace from his neck and shoved it into my hand.
08:57Take it.
08:58If I don't come back, this necklace will get you into another pack.
09:01I gripped the necklace, leaned close to his ear, whispered.
09:05Kane froze.
09:07You sure?
09:08I'm sure.
09:08I've been setting traps for a month.
09:10They're right underneath.
09:11Just lead them in.
09:12He gave me one nod.
09:14Turned and ran into the dark.
09:16I hid and listened.
09:17A massive crash from inside the cave.
09:20Then Greyclaw screamed.
09:22But he dragged himself out on a shattered leg.
09:25Eyes bloodshot.
09:26Who did this?
09:29A hand clamped over my mouth from...
09:32Clever trap.
09:34Too bad.
09:35You're about to die in my place.
09:38Vera shoved me hard.
09:39I fell at Greyclaw's feet.
09:41He grinned.
09:42A beta did this to me?
09:44Kane's roar echoed from somewhere far off.
09:47Greyclaw!
09:48Don't you dare touch her!
09:50Too late.
09:51Greyclaw's claws closed around my throat.
09:54I couldn't breathe.
09:55I thought of my father.
09:56Just earn a meal.
09:58I smiled bitterly.
10:00Didn't earn the meal.
10:02Lost my life instead.
10:05I didn't die.
10:07One second before Greyclaw's claws broke skin.
10:10A bone arrow buried itself in his shoulder.
10:12Martha stood on the high ground.
10:14Kane in hand.
10:15Twelve old fighters behind her.
10:17Greyclaw released me from the pain.
10:19Kane launched himself forward and slammed into it.
10:22I staggered to my feet.
10:24My throat burned.
10:25But my mind was razor sharp.
10:27Vera spun to run.
10:29I grabbed her hair.
10:30You wanted to be Luna?
10:31Let's see who gets it.
10:33She screamed and thrashed.
10:35My bone knife pressed against her neck.
10:37Across the camp, the fight between Kane and Greyclaw was ending.
10:40Kane was bleeding everywhere.
10:42But the rage had taken over.
10:44He bit off Greyclaw's front leg.
10:46Greyclaw screamed, ordered the retreat.
10:48The Shadowclaw pack fled, left more than a dozen bodies behind.
10:52Kane staggered back to me, covered in blood, breathing hard.
10:58The traps you set saved the whole pack.
11:00I looked at him.
11:01The tears came out of nowhere.
11:03I wiped my face fast.
11:06Alpha, treat your wounds first.
11:08If you don't reset that arm, you'll never hunt again.
11:11He smiled, reached out with his right hand.
11:13His rough thumb wiped the dust from my face.
11:16Leah, I'm not going to put you in charge of winter supplies anymore.
11:20My chest tightened.
11:21Was he sending me away?
11:23I want you to be my mate.
11:26The wolves around us erupted.
11:28Mira jumped and shrieked.
11:30Even Martha nodded with a smile.
11:32I came back to my senses and shook my head.
11:34No.
11:35Kane's smile locked in place.
11:37Why?
11:37Why are you still refusing?
11:39I took a breath.
11:41Alpha, I won't be Luna.
11:43You think I'm doing this out of gratitude?
11:44His voice dropped.
11:45I'm not.
11:46I'm...
11:46It doesn't matter what you are.
11:48I cut him off.
11:48Do you know what being Luna means?
11:52It means standing at the top with you.
11:53Being watched by everyone.
11:56Handling disputes every day.
11:57Having pups.
11:58I'm not afraid to die.
12:00I'm afraid of living without peace.
12:02I want a warm bed.
12:03A jar of salted meat.
12:05No one bullying me.
12:06Kane went quiet for a long time.
12:08Then...
12:09What do you want?
12:10Tell me what you deserve.
12:12I want to manage supplies and distribution.
12:14And I want your word.
12:16No one cuts my rations without going through me.
12:18Kane looked at me.
12:19Then he smiled.
12:20Done.
12:20From today, you are the winter keeper of the Northwind Pack.
12:23No Luna title, but you hold a Luna's power.
12:27Vera collapsed to the ground, her face gray as ash.
12:31The news spread through camp fast.
12:34Some of the older wolves from the Omega families weren't having it.
12:37A beta running supplies?
12:39They came to me together.
12:39I didn't argue.
12:41I walked them to the storage cave.
12:42I pulled open the secret compartment.
12:44Let them see the salt and dried meat stacked inside.
12:48I got all of this through traps and herbs.
12:51Traded with outside packs.
12:53Half the meat your sons ate last winter came from me.
12:55One wolf crossed his arms.
12:57That was the Alpha's permission.
12:59I looked at him.
13:00The Alpha permits many things.
13:02But last winter, which family didn't use the frostbite ointment I made?
13:06Whose pup ran a fever I didn't break with my herbs?
13:09Silence.
13:10I don't need the Luna title.
13:12I just want to manage the food so everyone has meat to eat.
13:15Anyone still think I shouldn't be here?
13:17Nothing.
13:18Martha rose slowly, Cain first.
13:20Her voice was quiet.
13:22Each word landed clean.
13:24I propose the pack vote on whether to keep Leah as winter keeper.
13:28Unanimous.
13:29Vera shrank in the corner.
13:31Hatred burning in her eyes.
13:33I knew she wasn't done.
13:34But I didn't have time for her.
13:36Winter had already come.
13:39Heavy snow sealed the mountains.
13:41The Shadowclaw pack didn't come back.
13:42But we faced a bigger problem.
13:44Not enough food.
13:45I counted the stores.
13:46Two months.
13:47Spring thaw was three months out.
13:49Mira cried.
13:51Leah!
13:52What do we do?
13:53I thought through the night.
13:54The next morning I found Cain.
13:56I need to go into Shadowclaw territory.
13:58He shot to his feet.
13:59No!
14:00They want to skin you alive!
14:02That's exactly why there's room to negotiate.
14:04I crippled Greyclaw.
14:06Their stores won't last either.
14:08We trade herbs for their game.
14:10Cain stared at me for a long time.
14:12Then he exhaled.
14:14You really have to go?
14:15I really have to go.
14:16Then I'm going with you.
14:18No.
14:19You're the alpha.
14:20If you go, that's surrender.
14:22I go as Winterkeeper.
14:24That's a negotiation.
14:25Cain clenched his fists.
14:27He gave in.
14:27I grabbed two jars of healing herbs and walked straight into Shadowclaw territory.
14:34Greyclaw's first instinct was to kill me on the spot.
14:37His healer stopped him.
14:38This baiter's herbs can actually treat your leg.
14:41Greyclaw's leg had festered badly from my trap spikes.
14:44The wound was rotting.
14:45Wait much longer and the whole leg was gone.
14:48He ground his teeth.
14:49What do you want?
14:50Meat.
14:51One jar of herbs for one adult deer's worth of dried meat.
14:54That's the rate.
14:55Deal?
14:55Greyclaw shook with rage.
14:57He looked at his leg.
14:58He nodded.
14:59Done.
14:59On the way back, I looked at the dried meat loaded in the cart and allowed myself one small smile.
15:05But I wasn't relaxed.
15:07Because inside Greyclaw's camp, I had caught Vera's scent.
15:10When had she teamed up with the Shadowclaw pack?
15:13I told Cain the moment I got back.
15:15His face went dark.
15:17I should have dealt with her long ago.
15:19No!
15:20Leave her.
15:21She'll help us catch something bigger.
15:23Cain studied me.
15:24Something complicated moved behind his eyes.
15:36Cain's wounds were mostly healed.
15:38He started showing up at my cave constantly.
15:41Always some excuse about checking supplies.
15:44One night, he was helping me sort dried meat when he stopped.
15:49Cain's wounds were mostly healed.
15:51Because Luna is your shadow.
15:53I didn't look up.
15:54I just want to be myself.
15:55What's so good about being yourself?
15:59If I'm myself, I don't have to change for you.
16:01You like me because I am this way.
16:04If I became someone else just to be Luna, would you still like me?
16:08Cain's hands stopped moving.
16:09After a long silence, he muttered.
16:12You're right.
16:13Then he untied the bundle of dried meat I had just finished wrapping.
16:16Like a child causing trouble on purpose.
16:18Alpha.
16:19I stared at him.
16:20That's not exactly adult behavior.
16:23Like you said.
16:24He looked at me, eyes steady.
16:26In front of you, I don't have to be Alpha.
16:29A pause.
16:30I can just be Cain.
16:33Deep winter.
16:34Vera finally made her move.
16:36While I was out trading supplies with the Shadowclaw pack, she set fire to the main storage cave.
16:41By the time I got back, most of it had burned.
16:44Mira ran to me in tears.
16:45Leah!
16:46All the dried meat is gone!
16:48I looked at the blackened walls.
16:50My mind ran fast.
16:51What about the salt in the secret compartment?
16:53It's still there!
16:54It's stone!
16:55The fire didn't reach it!
16:56I breathed out.
16:57Salt intact meant we could cure fresh meat.
17:00I turned to the wolves gathering around.
17:03Everyone stay calm.
17:05The game is still in the woods.
17:06As long as we have salt, no one starves this winter.
17:09I caught a flash of Vera in the crowd.
17:11She must not have known about the compartment.
17:13Cain lunged toward her.
17:15I grabbed his arm.
17:16Wait!
17:16Low voice.
17:18Let her go on, Greyclaw.
17:19When he comes, we end it all at once.
17:21Cain looked at me.
17:23Worry and something like admiration tangled together in his face.
17:27Leah.
17:28Sometimes I think you're more Alpha than I am.
17:31Thanks for the compliment.
17:34Three days later, Greyclaw came.
17:36Exactly as expected.
17:37He thought we had nothing left.
17:39He charged into camp with his best fighters.
17:41Full force.
17:42He didn't know the fire had only burned an empty shell.
17:45The food was all there.
17:47And I had spent three days setting traps around every entrance.
17:51Greyclaw hit the first pit before he made it ten steps in.
17:54His guards caught in the sinew net as the spikes hit.
17:58Vera was captured.
17:59She knelt on the ground.
18:00Help!
18:01Spare me!
18:02Greyclaw forced me into it!
18:04I had no choice!
18:05Cain didn't look at her.
18:06He looked at me.
18:07Leah.
18:08You decide.
18:09I walked up to Vera.
18:11Crouched down.
18:12You know why I never touched you?
18:14All this time?
18:15Because you're too stupid.
18:16So stupid I didn't need to lift a finger.
18:19You dug your own grave.
18:22I stood.
18:24By pack law.
18:25Traitors are exiled.
18:26They threw her out into the snow.
18:28Later I heard the Shadowclaw pack picked her up.
18:31But Greyclaw's leg was finished.
18:33Completely ruined.
18:34And she became the thing he took his anger out on.
18:37And she became the thing he took his anger out on.
18:37That was their karma.
18:40Without their leader, the Shadowclaw pack fractured.
18:43The Northwind pack settled into a quiet winter.
18:46One night, Cain drank more pine needle wine than usual.
18:49He sat by the fire.
18:51Stared into it for a while.
18:52Leah.
18:53You know when I was little?
18:55I always felt my father didn't like me.
18:58I added a piece of wood to the fire.
18:59Said nothing.
19:00He was gentle with my younger brother.
19:02With me, it was always a stern face.
19:05No matter what I did, it was never enough.
19:08Cain's voice went low.
19:10Because you were the Alpha's son.
19:12The one he placed all his hopes on.
19:15But back then, I just wanted him to smile at me once.
19:17The firelight cut across the side of his face.
19:20The Alpha who made enemies tremble.
19:22Right now, he looked like an abandoned pup.
19:25My chest ached a little.
19:26If you ever get tired, come find me.
19:29I'll make you meet Stu.
19:31He turned and looked at me.
19:32The flames moved in his eyes.
19:35Then he leaned in and kissed me.
19:37The kiss was light.
19:38Very gentle.
19:39It tasted like pine needle wine.
19:41I didn't push him away.
19:43After spring came, Cain made the official announcement.
19:47No Luna.
19:47He wanted a dual leader system.
19:49I would handle internal affairs, supplies, and diplomacy.
19:52He would handle combat, defense, and hunting.
19:55The pack voted unanimous.
19:57Mira ran up to me.
19:58Leah.
20:00Are you happy now?
20:01I nodded.
20:02I really was.
20:03Meat to eat.
20:04A warm bed.
20:05Someone standing over me.
20:07No one daring to push me around.
20:09Wasn't that everything I'd wanted when I first stepped off the sled?
20:13That night, Cain came to my cave with a wooden box.
20:16He opened it.
20:17Inside, a wolf fang necklace.
20:20Not the old battered one from his neck.
20:22New.
20:22Silver.
20:23My name carved into the fang.
20:25He said.
20:27For you.
20:28For you.
20:28You are the winter keeper of the Northwind pack.
20:30And you are mine.
20:32I picked it up and put it on.
20:33Looked up at him.
20:35Does it look good?
20:36It looks good.
20:37He reached out and adjusted the pendant with careful fingers.
20:40Leah.
20:41I used to think being alpha meant having everything.
20:44Now I understand.
20:45Sometimes plain and simple is the hardest thing to find.
20:47I leaned into his chest.
20:49Then you need to spend more time with me.
20:52He wrapped his arms around me.
20:53His chin rested on the top of my head.
20:56Every day.
20:58By spring, rows of salted meat jars lined the cave walls.
21:03Whenever Cain had a free moment, he came to salt meat with me.
21:06Sometimes he reached over and brushed the salt off my face without being asked.
21:10My father arrived with my little sister.
21:12Two years had passed.
21:14His back still curved a little.
21:15But the life was back in his face.
21:17My sister wore the rabbit fur cloak I'd sent back.
21:20When she saw me, her eyes went red.
21:23Cain invited them to stay for a meal.
21:24At the table, my father talked about the village.
21:27The old pine had grown pine cones.
21:29The neighbor's she-wolf had birthed five pups.
21:32Cain listened to every word.
21:34Then he smiled at my father.
21:35You raised Leah well.
21:37She's as sharp as you are.
21:39My father stood to thank him.
21:40His eyes filled.
21:42I knew what he was thinking.
21:43He was back at that sled.
21:44That cold morning.
21:45The bag of borrowed salt.
21:47Now he could finally let it go.
21:49When we said goodbye, my sister took my hand.
21:53Sister.
21:53She said softly.
21:55The house doesn't let the wind in anymore.
21:58Father says it's all because of you.
22:00I tousled her hair.
22:01Someday, you'll make it on your own too.
22:06Cain started training a young wolf named Blackstone.
22:09He handed off combat training and spent his spare time in my cave.
22:13Salting meat.
22:14Drying herbs.
22:15Playing chess.
22:16He was terrible at chess.
22:17Every time he lost, he snatched dried meat straight off my plate.
22:21The pack started talking.
22:22They said I had taken over the alpha.
22:25That I was keeping him from his real duties.
22:27I didn't explain myself.
22:29Cain stood up and did it himself.
22:31Leah has never stopped me from doing anything.
22:34I'm the one who just wants to be Cain.
22:36Everyone went quiet.
22:38That night, Cain held me and said,
22:40You know why I was willing to let go of everything?
22:42I shook my head.
22:44The first time I woke up in your cave,
22:46you were counting your dried meat jars,
22:48muttering to yourself,
22:50This batch didn't have enough salt.
22:52Next time I'll add an extra spoon.
22:54Right then I knew,
22:55in this whole world,
22:57only you would take a jar of dried meat that seriously.
23:00He paused.
23:01And you treat me even more seriously than the meat.
23:04I pinched him hard.
23:05He hissed in pain.
23:07His smile got bigger.
23:10Another winter arrived.
23:12The new leader of the Shadowclaw pack came to ask for peace.
23:15Years of infighting had broken them.
23:17They'd lost more than half their numbers.
23:19They wanted to fold into the Northwind pack.
23:22Cain asked for my opinion.
23:23I thought for a moment.
23:25Fine.
23:26Three conditions.
23:27First, split their people into separate units.
23:29No clustering together.
23:31Second, they hand over half their stored food as an entry payment.
23:34Third, they give us Vera.
23:35When Vera was brought in,
23:37she was gaunt, barely recognizable.
23:39She knelt on the ground and sobbed, begging.
23:42I looked at her.
23:43Nothing.
23:44I'm not going to kill you,
23:45but you can't stay here.
23:46Go to the border outpost.
23:48They need a cook.
23:49She knocked her head against the ground again and again.
23:52Then they took her away.
23:53Mira asked,
23:54Leah, don't you hate her?
23:57I shook my head.
23:58Hate?
23:58I can't even be bothered to think about her.
24:01That's a waste of energy.
24:02That same night,
24:03word came from the outpost.
24:05Vera had tried to run.
24:07She fell into an icy river.
24:08Didn't make it out.
24:10What if people say you caused it?
24:12I kept turning the drying meat.
24:13Didn't look up.
24:14She chose her own path.
24:16She walked it herself.
24:17That has nothing to do with me.
24:21A few years later,
24:22Cain fell seriously ill.
24:24His self-healing failed again.
24:26I searched through every herb I had.
24:29Stayed at his side day and night.
24:31Fed him meat paste one spoon at a time.
24:34He burned with fever.
24:35Barely conscious.
24:36He gripped my hand.
24:38Leah,
24:39if I die,
24:40go back to your father.
24:42Don't talk nonsense.
24:43You still owe me dried meat.
24:45On the seventh day,
24:46the fever broke.
24:47First thing he said when he opened his eyes,
24:49I'm never getting sick again.
24:52I wiped my face.
24:53Watching you cry is worse than dying.
24:55I wasn't crying.
24:57Liar.
24:57He reached up and brushed the tears off my cheek.
25:00Your face is all salty.
25:02Tastes just like your dried meat.
25:04I laughed and cried at the same time.
25:06Grabbed his hand and pressed it against my face.
25:09When I die,
25:10pickle me in your biggest salt of meat jar.
25:12That way,
25:13every time you open a jar,
25:15you'll think of me.
25:16I stared at him for three seconds.
25:19Then I hit him hard.
25:21Say that again,
25:22and I'll bury you right now.
25:25Kane laughed and begged for mercy,
25:27but I saw the tears at the corners of his eyes.
25:31Another snowy night.
25:32I was pickling a fresh batch of wild vegetables.
25:35Kane leaned back against the fur blanket
25:37and nursed a cup of warm pine needle wine.
25:39I handed him a plate of pickled vegetables.
25:42He took a bite,
25:43closed his eyes a little.
25:44Still the best.
25:46I've eaten it my whole life
25:47and never gotten tired of it.
25:48I leaned against his side
25:49and listened to the snow fall outside.
25:51The smell of salt and wine mixed together.
25:54This camp had become home.
25:56Not because of any title.
25:57Not because of any power.
25:59Just because he was here.
26:00A pot of hot stew.
26:02A plate of pickled vegetables.
26:03The snow outside fell heavier.
26:05The fire in the cave burned bright and steady.
26:08I closed my eyes.
26:10Kane's voice dropped low.
26:12Leah,
26:13have you been eating more than usual lately?
26:15I paused.
26:16Didn't answer.
26:17My hand moved.
26:18Slowly.
26:19Without thinking.
26:20To rest on my belly.
26:21Kane sat up straight.
26:23His eyes blazed like two points of wolf fire.
26:26In a world built on eat or be eaten,
26:28a beta who only knew how to salt meat
26:30had somehow become the one piece of dried meat
26:33he could never bear to bite.
26:35He had bitten me for a lifetime.
26:37He never once hurt me.
26:38I know.
26:40I know that he was really alive.
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