- 19 minutes ago
The Luna Doesn't Wait ENGSUB Hot HD
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Short filmTranscript
00:00After the thorn pack fell into decline, my mother sent me to the Starstone pack to be fostered.
00:07That was how I ended up involved with the two alphas of Starstone for 20 years.
00:16Their pursuit of me, favoritism, once made every she-volve in the pack envy me.
00:23But when I told them I wanted a mating ceremony, I said I wanted a pup of my own, they
00:27both refused me.
00:29The Starstone pack comes first. I don't have the headspace for a mating ceremony right now.
00:35I'm still young. I don't want to be tied down this early.
00:41Besides, a little intimacy doesn't have to mean forever.
00:45Then, at my coming-of-age banquet, they stood before the whole pack and announced that Flora was the mate
00:50they had chosen together.
00:53The Starstone pack was one of the rare packs ruled by two alphas.
00:57By ancient pack law, the two alphas were allowed to acknowledge one luna together.
01:05Rowan placed the crown that should have belonged to the luna on Flora's head.
01:16Cedric slid the luna ring onto her finger.
01:22My wolf spirit had been dormant for years.
01:25My body could not process strong liquor the way other werewolves could, and my stomach had always been weak.
01:31But to make Flora happy, they still forced me to drink a glass of strong liquor.
01:37That drink did more than make my stomach bleed.
01:41It threw my sleeping wolf spirit into chaos once more.
01:51As I was being carried to the healing center.
01:57Rowan and Cedric covered Flora's eyes at the same time and laughed at me for being dramatic.
02:04That was the moment my heart finally died.
02:11On the day I was discharged, I called my mother, Leora.
02:16I'm willing to register a mate bond with Asher of the Oak Pack.
02:21I had just stepped out of the healing center when a full bottom hair cut through my coat.
02:33Daphne, where have you been hiding?
02:35Don't think you can escape your responsibilities just by running away.
02:40Get back to Starstone Manor right now and apologize to Flora.
02:44Before I could answer, Cedric's call came in too.
02:47It's your fake illness that upset Flora.
02:50Her wolf spirit just stabilized, and because of you, she hasn't been able to eat for days.
02:56I stood outside the glass doors and looked at my reflection.
02:59My face was pale as paper.
03:00My lips had no color.
03:03My shoulders looked too thin to hold up my coat.
03:06My wolf spirit had been dormant since childhood,
03:09and my body had always been weaker than other werewolves.
03:12Rowan and Cedric had not always been like this.
03:15One winter, when my stomach seized in pain in the middle of the night,
03:19Rowan carried me across the mountain road and rushed me into the healing center.
03:26Cedric once ran through the neutral zone just to buy me honey oak cakes that would not irritate my stomach.
03:31Then Flora came along, and everything changed.
03:34They forgot all about it.
03:36I did not explain.
03:37I simply hung up.
03:38Healer Ailo chased after me and pressed a medical record into my hand.
03:49Daphne,
03:51this stomach bleed was serious.
03:53That drink aggravated your wolf and injured her stomach.
03:57If you keep being pushed like this,
03:59your chances of carrying a pup will only get lower.
04:06You need a stable mate bond.
04:08You also need a pack that won't keep hurting you.
04:27Mom, I've made up my mind.
04:30There was a long silence on the other end.
04:35Daphne,
04:35this is your whole life.
04:37Are you sure you don't want to wait for Rowan and Cedric anymore?
04:45I waited.
04:47Twenty years is long enough.
04:48My mother sighed.
04:49She stayed behind alone,
04:51protecting the last path of retreat for me.
04:54She had always wanted me to be happy.
04:58Years ago,
04:59when the old Luna of the Oak Pack,
05:00Hilda,
05:01suggested a made arrangement,
05:02my mother never forced me.
05:04Back then,
05:05I still believed love was rare.
05:11I thought that if I waited long enough,
05:13Rowan or Cedric would give me an answer.
05:18Now I understood.
05:20The answer had been written the moment
05:21they handed the Luna crown and Luna ring to Flora.
05:29I opened my phone to book a ride back to the Thorn Pack.
05:33Then I saw the photo Flora had just posted on Facebook.
05:38She was lying in my room.
05:40On her body was the mating ceremony gown
05:42Rowan and Cedric had custom-made for me half a year ago.
05:47On her feet were the crystal shoes I had never even worn.
05:57The Luna crown sat on her head.
05:59The Luna ring shone on her finger.
06:04Flora's Facebook caption.
06:06The one who is truly chosen never has to wait.
06:09I blocked Flora on Facebook
06:11and replied firmly to my mother.
06:14All I wanted was a home of my own.
06:39Daphne, I'm so sorry.
06:40I was watering the flowers.
06:42I didn't see you.
06:43Flora held the hose and only turned off the water
06:46after I was completely soaked.
06:49The autumn wind swept through the porch.
06:51My stomach, which had barely stopped bleeding,
06:53cramped again from the cold.
06:57I lifted my eyes and saw that the irises
06:59I had tended for years had been ripped out completely.
07:04I had planted those flowers myself
07:06when I first came to the Starstone Pack.
07:08The healer said the scent of irises was gentle
07:11and would not disturb my sleeping wolf spirit.
07:14I took care of them every day,
07:15waiting for the whole flower bed to bloom.
07:20Now the bed was filled with red roses.
07:24Bright, sharp, as cruel as Flora's smile.
07:27I thought red roses suited the future Luna better.
07:31You don't mind, do you, Aunt Daphne?
07:35Before I could answer,
07:36Rowan and Cedric came out of the house.
07:43Rowan only frowned when he saw me dripping wet.
07:46Cedric laughed under his breath.
07:50I thought you had a spine.
07:53I thought you'd never come back.
08:01What happened?
08:03The Thorn Pack doesn't want you either,
08:05so you had no choice but to crawl back to Starstone?
08:14I remembered the day I was first sent here.
08:21I was seven.
08:22My wolf spirit slept so deeply
08:24that my scent was almost non-existent.
08:27Cedric had held my hand
08:29and said he would make this place my home.
08:33Rowan personally cleaned out the best room
08:35in Starstone Manor for me.
08:39Now, and in the future,
08:43Daphne is the most important person in this manor.
08:47We grew up together after that.
08:50Starstone was rare, ruled by two Alphers.
08:53Rowan was calm.
08:54Cedric was sharp.
08:56Everyone said the two of them
08:57would take Starstone higher than ever.
08:58Then Flora came to Starstone Manor.
09:02At first, she only helped her mother
09:03sort things around the manor.
09:05Then she started accidentally breaking my cuts,
09:08scaling my downs,
09:09and smashing the moonstone pendant
09:10my mother had left me.
09:18The first time I confronted Flora,
09:20Rowan pushed me away.
09:23Flora has already had a hard life.
09:26You've been spoiled in Starstone for years.
09:30Why do you have to bully her?
09:32She's younger than you,
09:33and her wolf spirit just stabilized.
09:36Would it kill you to let her have this?
09:38From then on,
09:39my place in their hearts
09:40was slowly squeezed out.
09:42Now Flora stood before my rose-covered flowerbed,
09:44wearing the crown that should have been mine.
09:49I came back to pack my things.
09:53Daphne,
09:55know your place.
09:58From now on,
09:59you'll move into the lower warrior dorms.
10:02As for the healing center,
10:04Flora can start learning your duties.
10:12I resign from the Starstone Healing Center.
10:15Cedric's expression shifted.
10:20I thought packing would take a long time.
10:22But when I opened my door,
10:24I realized there was not much left
10:25that truly belonged to me.
10:27Most of the gowns in the closet
10:28had been chosen by Rowan.
10:30Our Daphne is the prettiest moon
10:32in the Starstone pack.
10:34Of course she deserves the best.
10:36Now those gowns were soaked in dirty water
10:37and reeked of an unfamiliar scent.
10:39Flora's sticky sweet scent
10:40covered every corner of the room.
10:42She knew that scent would irritate
10:43my dormant wolf spirit,
10:45yet she had left it heavy in the air
10:46on purpose.
10:49I moved the clothes aside
10:51and found photographs scattered
10:52all over the floor.
10:54Cedric used to love
10:55taking pictures of me.
11:00I want to record every version of you
11:02from childhood
11:03until the day of your mating ceremony.
11:05Now in every photo of the three of us,
11:07my face had been crossed out in red.
11:09In it,
11:09Rowan stood on my left,
11:10Cedric on my right.
11:11That was the place Rowan first took me.
11:16Remember this place.
11:18From now on,
11:19it belongs only to you.
11:24But last night,
11:25Flora said on Facebook
11:26that Rowan and Cedric
11:27were taking her there
11:28to look at the stars.
11:32I tore the photo apart
11:33and threw it into a trash bag.
11:40You're very willing to waste
11:42what Stardone gave you.
11:47I'll pay it back.
11:49I still want to go to the cliff
11:51and see the stars.
11:53All right.
11:55We'll take you tonight.
11:57It's windy there.
11:58I'll bring Daphne's old cloak for you.
12:02In that moment,
12:03I finally understood.
12:05They had not forgotten
12:06that the cliff belonged to me.
12:07I took a deep breath,
12:08picked up my luggage,
12:09and headed out.
12:16Flora suddenly hurried after me
12:17and grabbed my wrist.
12:25Her nails were long.
12:27They scraped several bloody lines
12:28into my skin.
12:30Daphne,
12:31why won't you hear me out?
12:33Is it because you look down on me
12:36for coming from the vine pack?
12:39Pain shot through my arm.
12:40I shook her off.
12:43She used the momentum
12:44to fall backward.
12:47Rowan!
12:48Help me!
12:53The next second,
12:54he slapped me across the face.
12:59The crack of it rang through the hallway.
13:04Cedric stormed over
13:05when he heard the noise,
13:06his eyes fierce enough
13:07to tear me apart.
13:10Daphne!
13:12Why do you always have to go after Flora?
13:15He stepped closer,
13:16his alpha aura
13:16pressing down on my shoulders.
13:20Don't forget,
13:21if Starstone hadn't taken you in,
13:25a useless she-wolf
13:26with a sleeping spirit like you
13:28would have been ripped apart
13:30by rogues
13:31years ago.
13:32My ears rang.
13:34This was the first time
13:35Rowan had ever hit me.
13:37Rowan stared at the blood
13:38on my lip
13:38as if he had only just realized
13:40what he had done.
13:44It's fine.
13:46Consider that slap repayment
13:47for the night you carried me
13:48to the healing center.
13:50Cedric blocked my way.
13:51Not so fast.
13:53Apologize to Flora.
13:56No.
13:57I did nothing wrong.
14:00Cedric still wanted to lash out.
14:03Maybe Rowan felt guilty
14:04because he reached out
14:05and stopped him.
14:08Enough.
14:09I lost control just now.
14:12Don't take it to heart.
14:14When I come back,
14:15I'll bring you the pumpkin pie
14:16you used to like.
14:17But you have to promise me
14:19you won't target Flora again.
14:21A slap in exchange
14:22for a slice of pumpkin pie.
14:26But he had forgotten.
14:27My stomach was bad.
14:28I had not been able
14:29to eat pumpkin pie for years.
14:31Cold wind swept over me.
14:33My wet clothes clung to my body
14:34and the chills seeped into my bones.
14:37Still pretending.
14:39Just as I struggled
14:40to stay standing,
14:41Cedric shoved past me.
14:44I lost my balance
14:46and fell straight into the mud
14:47outside the manor.
14:48Dirty water splashed
14:49across my face.
14:50My stomach cramped so hard
14:51it felt as if the blade
14:52were twisting face to hide me.
14:55I looked up
14:55and saw Rowan stop for a second.
15:02In the end,
15:03he and Cedric
15:04helped her into the car,
15:05one on each side.
15:09The headlights disappeared
15:11along the road
15:11that led to the cliff.
15:20Healing center,
15:21please send someone
15:22to the gate
15:23of Starstone Manor.
15:30You just left
15:31the healing center
15:32and you already look like this?
15:34Do you have a death wish?
15:37The fever burned
15:38for three days.
15:42On the fourth day,
15:43Aloe placed a new medical record
15:44beside my bed.
15:49Your wolf spirit
15:50isn't refusing to wake
15:51because it was born that way.
15:54It's refusing to wake
15:55because the scent
15:56of the Starstone pack
15:57makes it feel less and less safe.
15:59After I was discharged,
16:01I went to the Starstone healing center
16:02to finalize my resignation.
16:06I wanted to say goodbye
16:07to Milo,
16:08the assistant
16:09I had once been close with.
16:14Only then did I learn
16:15that Flora
16:15had already driven Milo away.
16:17My medicine cabinet
16:18in the healing center
16:19had been labeled
16:20with Flora's name.
16:21The herbs I had sorted
16:22by hand
16:23were all turned upside down.
16:25The wolves on duty
16:26avoided my eyes.
16:33I waited at the entrance
16:34for half a day
16:34before someone told me
16:35that Rowan and Cedric
16:36had taken Flora
16:38to the neutral zone
16:38to help her relax.
16:40They went to the seaside
16:42I loved the most as a child.
16:44They also went to the places
16:45I had always wanted to visit
16:46but never could
16:47because of my help.
16:49I looked at the resignation form
16:51in my hand
16:51and suddenly found it
16:52almost funny.
16:54I had been wondering
16:54how to explain
16:55my departure with dignity.
16:57As it turned out
16:58no one cared
16:58why I was leaving.
17:00I handed the resignation form
17:02to the wolf on duty.
17:06Tell Rowan I've signed it.
17:08Miss Daphne,
17:09the Alpha hasn't approved it yet.
17:10I looked at him.
17:13From today on
17:13I am no longer part
17:14of the Starstone Healing Center.
17:16Whether he approves or not
17:17no longer matters.
17:18Then I turned and left.
17:21There was only one thing left.
17:23I had to say goodbye
17:24to Mara.
17:26I thought it would be
17:27my last decent farewell.
17:29I did not know Cedric
17:30was already waiting
17:31below the steps.
17:34Mara knew I was coming
17:35and pushed back a meeting
17:36with the Elder's Council for me.
17:40The moment she saw me
17:41her eyes turned red.
17:44Why have you lost
17:45so much weight?
17:47She reached up
17:48to touch my face.
17:52Her fingers stopped
17:53on the mark of the slap
17:54that had not fully faded
17:55and her expression
17:56changed Facebooked at me.
17:58Who hit you?
17:59I did not answer.
18:01I only handed her
18:01the gift my mother
18:02had prepared
18:03and a pack compensation list.
18:06Aunt Mara,
18:08thank you for taking care of me
18:10for taking care of me
18:10all these years.
18:12Tears fell from Mara's eyes.
18:15Why are you treating me
18:17like a stranger?
18:19I always wanted you
18:20to be my daughter-in-law.
18:22My throat tightened.
18:24No one can decide
18:25matters of the heart
18:26for someone else.
18:27Mara was quiet
18:28for a long time.
18:30I heard about your plan
18:31to take a mate
18:32from the Oakwood pack.
18:33Good child.
18:34I don't want to go.
18:37But if they truly
18:38made you hurt this much,
18:39then they don't deserve you.
18:41She placed an old brooch
18:43in my palm.
18:52Take this,
18:53not to make you remember
18:54Starmoan,
18:55but to remind you
18:57that someone here
18:58truly wants you
19:00to be happy.
19:00We were still talking
19:02when footsteps
19:02sounded outside.
19:04Rowan,
19:05Cedric,
19:05and Flora
19:06had returned.
19:10What mate registration?
19:13Daphne,
19:13what nonsense
19:15are you telling
19:15my mother now?
19:20Rowan,
19:21is that how
19:21you speak to her?
19:23Mother,
19:23don't listen to her
19:24twisting things.
19:26Rowan and I
19:27only gave Flora
19:27the crown and ring
19:28to fulfill
19:29one of her wishes.
19:37No wonder Daphne
19:39wanted to leave.
19:40You two bastards!
19:43Take that woman
19:44and get out!
19:46After the three of them
19:47left,
19:48I stayed and comforted
19:48Mara for a long time.
19:50In the end,
19:51she stopped trying
19:51to make me stay.
19:54Have a safe journey.
19:57when you get
19:57to the Oak Pack,
20:00don't let anyone
20:01mistreat you again.
20:03I nodded.
20:06I carried the last bit
20:07of kindness
20:07Starstone had left
20:08for me and walked out.
20:11But just as I
20:11stepped on the stairs,
20:12I fell hard.
20:15My knee
20:15hit the stone steps
20:16and pain blackened
20:17my vision.
20:19I looked up
20:20and saw Cedric
20:21standing in the shadows.
20:25Flora was crying
20:26behind him.
20:30Daphne!
20:33Why did you have
20:34to come to
20:35Madame Mara
20:35and slander me?
20:38Rowan came
20:39from the other side,
20:40his face dark.
20:42Cedric grabbed my arm
20:43and dragged me
20:44in front of Flora.
20:47Apologize.
20:48I was shaking
20:49from the pain,
20:49but I still
20:50raised my head.
20:51I didn't slander you.
20:53The words had
20:54barely left my mouth
20:55when Cedric
20:55stepped on my
20:56injured ankle.
20:57Agony exploded
20:58through me.
20:59For a moment,
21:00I thought I heard
21:00the bone shift.
21:02Cedric bent down
21:03to look at me.
21:05Remember this.
21:08This is the price
21:09for hurting Flora.
21:12I'm not like Rowe.
21:14I won't keep
21:15indulging you.
21:17I curled on the ground
21:18as my consciousness
21:19began to fade.
21:20Only one thought
21:21remained in my mind.
21:22I owe them
21:23nothing now.
21:24A passing pack guard
21:26sent me to the
21:26healing center.
21:28The healer confirmed
21:29that the bone
21:30was not broken,
21:30but my ankle
21:31was severely sprained
21:32and the soft tissue
21:33was torn.
21:34He told me to rest
21:35for at least half a month.
21:36I did not listen.
21:38The next day,
21:39I dragged my swollen
21:40ankle away
21:40from the Starstone.
21:42On the way to City Hall,
21:43my phone kept lighting up.
21:46Are you pulling
21:47the Leaving Starstone
21:48Act again?
21:49Fine.
21:49I forgive you.
21:50Come back.
21:53Daphne, where are you?
21:54Why does the Oak Pack
21:55Heirs Registered Mate
21:56have the same name as you?
21:57I looked at the registration
21:58papers being pushed
21:59across the City Hall counter.
22:01My name and Asher's name
22:03were written clearly on them.
22:05Mate bond registration
22:06completed.
22:09I blocked both their numbers.
22:12Asher stood beside me
22:13and reached out
22:14to steady my elbow.
22:15It was the first time
22:16I had met him in person.
22:18He was quieter
22:19than he looked in video calls,
22:20with cool,
22:21clean features
22:22and a faint scent
22:23of oak around him.
22:24He was not forceful.
22:26But he made me feel safe.
22:29When he saw the bandage
22:30around my ankle,
22:31his gaze darkened.
22:33Does it hurt?
22:35I shook my head.
22:36He did not press me.
22:38Please submit her
22:39pack registry transfer
22:40at the same time.
22:42The Oak Pack
22:43is willing to accept Daphne.
22:45She is currently listed
22:46under the Starstone
22:47Pack's foster registry.
22:49Her transfer requires
22:51confirmation.
22:54I sure.
22:55After the registration
22:56was complete,
22:57my mother was waiting
22:58for me at Oak Manor.
22:59When she saw my injuries,
23:01her eyes reddened
23:02face-lookedly.
23:04How did you end up
23:06like this?
23:08I leaned into her arms
23:09and for the first time
23:10stopped pretending
23:11to be strong.
23:14Mom, I want to go home.
23:16She held me tightly.
23:18Alright, Mommy,
23:19we'll take you home.
23:22The old Luna
23:23of the Oak Pack,
23:24Hilda, was there too.
23:29Her hair was silvered
23:30with age,
23:30but the moment she saw me,
23:31she smiled and held my hand.
23:38I finally get to meet you.
23:40Then she saw the needle marks
23:41on my wrist
23:42and the bandage on my ankle.
23:43Her smile slowly faded.
23:46This is how the Starstone Pack
23:48cared for you?
23:49I lowered my head.
23:53Hilda did not ask further.
23:57She simply ordered someone
23:59to bring out
23:59a moonstone bracelet.
24:02The stone was warm
24:04and soft in color,
24:05like the gentlest light
24:06in the night.
24:08Put it on.
24:10From today on,
24:12the Oak Pack acknowledges you
24:13as Asha's registered mate.
24:16Once the mating ceremony
24:18is complete,
24:20you will be our Luna.
24:24This is too precious
24:27and my wolf soul
24:28is still asleep.
24:35What is one bracelet?
24:37The Oak Pack wants you,
24:39not whether your wolf spirit
24:41has awakened.
24:42In the Starstone Pack,
24:44everyone said
24:44my wolf spirit was asleep.
24:46They said I was not fit
24:47to be Luna,
24:48not fit to carry
24:49an Alphurs pup.
24:51But here,
24:51no one asked
24:52whether I was complete enough.
24:55They only asked
24:56whether I hurt,
24:57whether the first was tired.
25:00You can adjust slowly.
25:02The mating ceremony
25:03doesn't have to happen
25:04right away.
25:06We'll wait
25:07until your body is better.
25:09Then you can decide.
25:11That night,
25:12I stayed in the room
25:12my mother arranged for me.
25:14After I blocked
25:15Rowan and Cedric,
25:16the world was finally quiet.
25:18I thought I would not
25:19be able to sleep.
25:21But the scent of Oak Manor
25:22was steady,
25:23like a deep forest.
25:25For the first time in years,
25:26my dormant wolf spirit
25:27stirred faintly in my chest.
25:30My mother came in
25:31with warm water
25:31and sat beside my bed.
25:36You don't have to be brave tonight.
25:39I looked at the bracelet
25:40on my wrist.
25:41Its moonstone surface
25:42held a faint glow,
25:43not dazzling,
25:44just warm.
25:45Mom,
25:48did you ever regret
25:49sending me to Starstone?
25:52Every day,
25:55after I realized
25:56you were not happy,
25:59you did it
26:00to protect me.
26:02Protection
26:02should not become
26:03a cage.
26:05Her words were gentle,
26:06but they made my eyes sting.
26:07Asher knocked
26:08before entering.
26:09He did not step past
26:10the door
26:10until I nodded.
26:12Hilda asked me
26:13to make sure
26:14the healers come
26:14tomorrow morning.
26:17I won't disturb you.
26:20Asher.
26:24Thank you for asking
26:25before you enter.
26:27Asher looked
26:28slightly surprised.
26:30That should be normal.
26:32Normal.
26:33That word struck
26:34deeper than any vow.
26:36In Starstone,
26:37I had been forced
26:38to accept decisions,
26:39explanations,
26:40punishments,
26:40and pity.
26:41Here,
26:42even my silence
26:43was respected.
26:45After that night,
26:46preparations for
26:47the mating ceremony began.
26:49Hilda did not rush me
26:50into living with the oak pack
26:51and learning every rule.
26:53She said my body
26:54was still weak
26:54and I could stay
26:55with my mother first.
26:56When the ceremony
26:57drew closer,
26:58I could slowly become
26:59familiar with everything.
27:02My mother spent her days
27:03helping me prepare
27:04the gown and the flowers
27:04for the ceremony.
27:06I had thought
27:07that leaving Starstone
27:08so suddenly would leave
27:09me lost for a long time.
27:11But there was
27:12too much to do.
27:15Fittings,
27:16jewelry,
27:16confirming the elders
27:17who would witness
27:18the ceremony.
27:19Arranging the public
27:20right after the city hall
27:21registration.
27:22I was so busy
27:23that I fell asleep
27:24the moment my head
27:25touched the pillow.
27:27The people and things
27:28from the past
27:29began to fade,
27:30little by little.
27:32Then one day,
27:33while I was trying
27:33on my mating ceremony gown
27:34in a boutique,
27:35Mara called me.
27:39Her voice was anxious
27:40and full of guilt.
27:43Daphne,
27:44Rowan and Cedric
27:45heard you were really
27:46going through
27:46with the mating ceremony.
27:48They faced
27:48Mekai's not coming to see you.
27:50My fingers paused.
27:52Mara sighed.
27:55I couldn't stop them.
27:57Don't mind them.
27:58Just do what you need to do.
28:00Before the call ended,
28:01I saw two familiar figures
28:03in the mirror.
28:04Rowan and Cedric
28:05stood at the door.
28:06They stared at my reflection.
28:09Shock disbelief.
28:12Rowan spoke first.
28:15Daphne,
28:17are you really going
28:18to hold a mating ceremony
28:19with Asher?
28:20His voice trembled slightly.
28:23I remembered a different version
28:24of him from years ago,
28:25looking at me the same way.
28:28On the starry cliff,
28:30he had once said
28:30he wanted a mating ceremony
28:31with me one day
28:32and would wait.
28:34Did he wait?
28:35No.
28:38He placed the Luna crown
28:39on Flora's head.
28:43Stop acting.
28:45I don't believe
28:46you would really bond
28:47with someone else.
28:49His eyes were red,
28:50but his mouth
28:50was still cruel.
28:52You're a sick she-wolf
28:53with a sleeping wolf spirit
28:55who was raised by star stone.
28:56Why would the oak pack
28:57rennily want you?
29:02You're only using
29:03another method
29:04to get our attention.
29:06I lowered my head
29:07and smoothed the skirt.
29:11Leave on your own.
29:13Out of respect for Mera,
29:15I won't have dragged
29:15the gods due out.
29:17Rowan's face turned pale.
29:20Daphne,
29:20stop this nonsense.
29:22A mating ceremony
29:23is not something
29:24you use to throw a tentro.
29:26We spent 20 years together,
29:28and you never chose
29:30either of us.
29:31Why would you choose
29:33someone you've only met
29:33a few times?
29:35I'm not doing this
29:36out of anger.
29:38Every decision I make now
29:39is one I have thought through.
29:42The oak pack
29:43is only interested
29:44in what's left
29:45of the thorn pack
29:46behind you.
29:49Don't overestimate yourself.
29:52Before I could speak,
29:53Rowan suddenly stepped forward
29:54and grabbed my wrist.
29:56Come back with me.
29:57His grip was strong.
30:00Pain shot through my ankle,
30:01and I nearly lost my balance.
30:05I'll explain things
30:06to Starstone.
30:07The oak pack registration
30:09can still be cancelled.
30:11The next second,
30:12Rowan was inside.
30:17I fell into a warm embrace.
30:21A faint oak scent
30:23surrounded me.
30:26Asher stood in front of me
30:27and held my hand.
30:30The future Luna
30:32of the oak pack
30:33does not need scraps
30:34from Starstone.
30:36Cedric glared at Asher.
30:39This is Starstone matter.
30:41Asher gave him
30:42one cold look.
30:44She has already transferred
30:45out of the Starstone registry.
30:48You no longer have the right
30:49to pressure her
30:50with your alpha aura.
30:51I tightened my grip
30:52on Asher's hand
30:53and for the first time
30:54stepped forward
30:54to stand beside him.
30:58Did you hear that?
31:00I have my own pack,
31:02my own mate
31:03and my own future.
31:05I won't circle
31:06around you anymore.
31:07Asher took an oak
31:08pack mate ring
31:09from a box.
31:11He did not put it
31:12on me right away.
31:13May I?
31:17Yes.
31:19Asher slid the ring
31:20onto my finger.
31:23In the mirror,
31:24the light from the ring
31:25reflected on Rowan
31:26and Cedric's pale faces.
31:28Cedric suddenly erupted.
31:31Daphne,
31:31you can't be this heartless!
31:35I know there's still
31:36a place for me
31:36in your heart!
31:38Then he turned on Asher.
31:41You're the heir
31:42of the oak pack
31:43and you're willing
31:44to take a woman
31:44we raised
31:45for 20 years?
31:46Her wolf spirit
31:48is asleep.
31:49Her body
31:50is flawed.
31:52She isn't fit
31:54to be a Luna.
31:55Asher's eyes
31:56went cold.
31:58Oak pack guards
31:59stepped forward
31:59at once.
32:01Cedric struggled
32:02but they restrained him.
32:05Rowan did not fight.
32:07He only kept looking
32:08at me
32:08with a complicated
32:09expression.
32:12Daphne,
32:13you'll regret this.
32:15I looked down
32:16at the ring
32:16on my finger.
32:21The only thing
32:22I regret
32:23is waiting for you.
32:24The boutique
32:25fell quiet again.
32:30Will you regret it?
32:32If you need more time
32:34we can postpone
32:34the ceremony.
32:36I looked at the man
32:37in front of me.
32:39He had never given me
32:40burning love declarations.
32:42But every step
32:43he took gave me
32:43a choice.
32:45I rose on tiptoe
32:46and kissed him lightly.
32:49I won't regret it.
32:52Right now
32:53I only want
32:54a home with you.
32:57Asher's body
32:57stiffened
32:58for one brief second.
33:00Then he wrapped
33:00his arms around me.
33:03So this is what
33:04a real home
33:04feels like.
33:07It did not need
33:0820 years of waiting.
33:11After what happened
33:12in the boutique
33:13the Oak Pack
33:14originally wanted
33:14to hold
33:15Starstone responsible.
33:17My mother
33:18stopped them
33:19for Mara's sake.
33:21But from that day on
33:22Oak Pack guard
33:23stayed by my side
33:24and refused to let
33:25Rowan or Cedric
33:25come near me.
33:28My life slowly
33:29returned to peace.
33:32The mating ceremony
33:33preparations moved
33:34forward one step
33:35at a time.
33:37I thought everything
33:38from Starstone
33:38was finally far
33:39behind me.
33:43I did not expect
33:45Flora to be the
33:45first one to find me.
33:49That day
33:50Asher and I
33:50had just left
33:51the boutique.
33:55Flora rushed out
33:56from the roadside
33:56to her knees
33:57in front of me.
34:02Daphne
34:02I was wrong.
34:05Please
34:06be merciful.
34:09Put in
34:10a good word
34:10for me.
34:12She had no
34:12Luna crown
34:13no Luna ring.
34:14Asher said
34:15nothing.
34:16He only stood
34:16at my side
34:17to keep her
34:17from getting close.
34:19Flora tried
34:19to crawl forward
34:20and grab my leg
34:21but the guard
34:21stopped her.
34:22I shouldn't
34:23have fought you.
34:24I shouldn't
34:25have touched
34:25your room.
34:27I shouldn't
34:28have worn
34:29your crown
34:29or ring.
34:31She sobbed
34:32until she could
34:32barely breathe.
34:35Rowan and Cedric
34:36won't protect
34:37me anymore.
34:38Madame
34:39Mara
34:39found out
34:40my mother
34:40sold things
34:41from Starstone
34:42Manon through
34:42the werewolf
34:43black market
34:44in the neutral
34:44zone.
34:45The elders
34:46are going
34:46to judge me.
34:47They'll listen
34:48if you say
34:48something.
34:49Only you.
34:51I looked
34:52at her.
34:53Flora,
34:54I told the truth
34:55so many times
34:56and they never
34:56listened to
34:57a single word.
34:58Now you want
34:59me to tell
34:59a lie for you?
35:04Flora's face
35:05went white.
35:06I continued
35:06calmly.
35:08Everything
35:09you stole
35:10should be
35:10returned one
35:11piece at a
35:12time.
35:12As for
35:13what the
35:13pack court
35:14decides,
35:16that is
35:17between you
35:18and the
35:18elders.
35:20Then I
35:21handed the
35:21screenshots,
35:22room records
35:23and old
35:23property list
35:24I had saved
35:25to an oak
35:25pack guard,
35:26asking him
35:26to forward
35:27them to
35:27the elders
35:27council.
35:32Asher said
35:33quietly,
35:34Let's go
35:35home.
35:35I nodded,
35:37but after
35:38only a few
35:38steps,
35:39darkness swept
35:39over my
35:40vision.
35:42My body
35:43went limp
35:43and I
35:44collapsed
35:44into Asher's
35:45arms.
35:46When I
35:47woke again,
35:47I was in
35:48Oak Manor.
35:49The room
35:50was full
35:50of people.
35:52My mother
35:52held my
35:53hand,
35:53her eyes
35:54both red
35:54and bright.
35:56Hilda was
35:56smiling so
35:57widely she
35:57could not
35:58hide it.
35:59Double joy,
36:01I knew you
36:02were blessed.
36:03Confused,
36:04I looked at
36:04Asher.
36:05He sat
36:06beside the bed,
36:07his gaze so
36:07gentle it
36:08made me
36:08nervous.
36:10Healer
36:10Nora said
36:11softly,
36:12Daphne,
36:13you're
36:14carrying a
36:14pup.
36:15I froze.
36:18Only after
36:19a moment did
36:19I place my
36:20hand over
36:20my lower
36:21abdomen.
36:22It was
36:22quiet there.
36:24But deep
36:25in my chest,
36:26my sleeping
36:26wolf spirit
36:27moved again,
36:28like an eye
36:29finally opening
36:30in the dark.
36:32Asher held
36:32my hand
36:33carefully.
36:36If you
36:36are afraid,
36:38tell me,
36:40we will
36:40face it
36:42together.
36:43I looked
36:43at him
36:43and suddenly
36:44understood
36:44that the
36:44pup was
36:45not a
36:45chain.
36:47This
36:48time,
36:48it was
36:49a future.
36:52After
36:53news of
36:53the pup
36:53spread,
36:54the oak
36:54pack became
36:55even more
36:55nervous than
36:56I was.
36:59Hilda
37:00immediately
37:00decided to
37:01move up
37:01the mating
37:01ceremony.
37:08Her
37:09title
37:10cannot
37:11wait.
37:13She sat
37:13in the
37:13main hall,
37:14her tone
37:15allowing no
37:15argument.
37:19Since
37:20Daphne
37:21carries an
37:22oak pack
37:23pup,
37:23she must
37:24complete the
37:25ceremony at
37:26Moon and
37:27Goddess
37:27Square.
37:31I want
37:31everyone to
37:32know she
37:33is not
37:33someone
37:34discarded
37:35by another
37:36pack.
37:37She is the
37:38Luna the
37:40oak pack
37:40chose to
37:42bring home.
37:43My mother
37:44sat beside me
37:44and held my
37:45hand.
37:49One moment
37:50she smiled.
37:50The next,
37:51she lowered her
37:52head to wipe
37:52away tears.
37:59When you
38:00were little,
38:00you always
38:01said you
38:01wanted a
38:02home that
38:02truly belonged
38:03to you.
38:04I leaned
38:05Agatha's
38:05book to
38:05her shoulder.
38:08I have
38:08one now.
38:10Asher did
38:10not let the
38:11Elder's Council
38:11announce my
38:12pregnancy right
38:13away.
38:13He said my
38:14body was
38:14still weak
38:15and my
38:15wolf spirit
38:16had only
38:16just begun
38:17to wake.
38:17I could
38:18not take
38:18too much
38:18outside
38:19pressure.
38:22Your safety
38:23comes first.
38:24A title
38:25means nothing
38:26if it costs
38:26you peace.
38:28But the
38:29news still
38:29reached the
38:29Starstone
38:30pack.
38:32Mara
38:33called me.
38:36Her voice
38:37was hoarse.
38:39Daphne,
38:40I'm sorry.
38:43I found
38:44out too
38:44late.
38:47It's
38:48over.
38:50Rowan
38:51and Cedric.
38:54They want
38:54to see you.
38:55I did not
38:56answer right
38:57away.
38:58Mara seemed
38:59to know the
38:59answer already
39:00and sighed
39:00softly.
39:02I'll stop
39:03them.
39:04Focus on
39:04your ceremony.
39:08After the
39:08call ended,
39:09Asher came
39:10up behind me
39:10and draped a
39:11cloak over
39:11my shoulders.
39:14Are you
39:15cold?
39:16I shook
39:17my head.
39:17He looked
39:18down at my
39:19abdomen,
39:19his voice
39:20very gentle.
39:23Nora said
39:23today that
39:25your wolf
39:26spirit is
39:27starting to
39:28respond to
39:30the life
39:31wave from
39:31the pup.
39:32My fingers
39:33tightened slightly.
39:35In the
39:36starstone pack,
39:36I had heard
39:37too many
39:37judgments about
39:38my wolf spirit.
39:40Asleep,
39:40weak,
39:41defective,
39:41not fit to
39:42be Luna,
39:42not fit to
39:43carry an
39:43Alphurs pup.
39:45Yet after I
39:46left starstone,
39:46it began to
39:47wake.
39:49I suddenly
39:50smiled.
39:52So it
39:53wasn't that
39:53I wasn't
39:54good enough.
39:55Asher
39:55looked at
39:56me.
39:57That
39:58place was
39:58just too
39:59cold.
40:00The day
40:00before the
40:01mating
40:01ceremony,
40:02an oak
40:02pack elder
40:03came to
40:03confirm the
40:04registry.
40:05He placed
40:06the heavy
40:06pack registry
40:07on the
40:07table.
40:08My old
40:08record under
40:09the starstone
40:09foster registry
40:10had already
40:10been crossed
40:11out.
40:11On the
40:12new page
40:12was my
40:12name.
40:13Daphne,
40:14born of
40:14the thorn
40:14pack,
40:15transferred
40:15into the
40:15oak
40:16pack.
40:18Registered
40:18mate
40:18Asher.
40:20Upon
40:20completion
40:21of the
40:21ceremony
40:21to be
40:22recorded
40:22as
40:22luna
40:22of
40:22the
40:23oak
40:23pack,
40:23I
40:24looked
40:24at
40:24that
40:24line
40:25and
40:25peace
40:25settled
40:25Facebook
40:26I'd
40:26meet.
40:28This was
40:28not the
40:29kind of
40:29we'll give
40:29you a
40:30place
40:30Rowan and
40:30Cedric
40:31used to
40:31offer.
40:32This was
40:33recognition
40:33written
40:33clearly
40:34in the
40:34pack
40:34registry.
40:36Tomorrow,
40:38queerly
40:38tree view.
40:39I touched
40:40the page
40:41lightly.
40:42Then let
40:43tomorrow
40:43come.
40:45On the
40:46day of
40:46the mating
40:46ceremony,
40:47Moon
40:47Goddess
40:48Square was
40:48covered in
40:49white branches
40:49and flowers.
40:51The elders
40:51stood before
40:52the high
40:52platform,
40:53ready to
40:53witness the
40:54rite.
40:55I sat in
40:56the dressing
40:56room while
40:57my mother
40:57adjusted my
40:57veil.
40:59She looked
41:00at me in
41:00the mirror,
41:00her eyes
41:01red again.
41:04Mira asked
41:04me to
41:05apologize to
41:06you for
41:06her.
41:06I lowered
41:07my eyes.
41:09She did
41:09nothing wrong.
41:10She said
41:11she failed
41:12to see how
41:12much you
41:13suffered.
41:14I held
41:15my mother's
41:15hand gently.
41:17It's
41:18all in
41:18the past.
41:19Those
41:20ugly
41:20memories
41:20had
41:20become
41:21old
41:21wounds.
41:22The
41:23scars
41:23remained
41:23but
41:24they
41:24no
41:24longer
41:24bled.
41:26Just
41:26before
41:26the
41:27ceremony
41:27music
41:27began,
41:28arguing
41:28broke
41:29out
41:29outside.
41:32A
41:33guard
41:33came in
41:33and
41:33lowered
41:34his
41:34voice.
41:38Rowan
41:38and Cedric
41:39forced
41:39through the
41:39outside of
41:39the square.
41:40We
41:41stopped
41:41them.
41:41My
41:41mother's
41:42face
41:42darkened.
41:43I
41:44was
41:44not
41:44surprised.
41:45I
41:46stood
41:46and
41:46walked
41:46to
41:46the
41:46end
41:47of
41:47the
41:47corridor.
41:50Through
41:50the
41:50stone
41:51gate
41:51outside
41:51the
41:51square,
41:52I
41:52saw
41:52Rowan
41:53and
41:53Cedric
41:53being
41:53blocked
41:54by
41:54oak
41:54pack
41:54guards.
41:56Their
41:57clothes
41:57were
41:57disheveled,
41:58their
41:58faces
41:58were
41:58bruised.
41:59They
41:59looked
42:00as
42:00if
42:00they
42:00had
42:00fought
42:00their
42:00way
42:01there.
42:02When
42:03Cedric
42:03saw
42:03me,
42:04the
42:04dimness
42:04in
42:04his
42:04eyes
42:05lit
42:05up.
42:08Rowan
42:08rushed
42:09forward
42:09to.
42:11You
42:11can't
42:12complete
42:12this
42:12ceremony.
42:14We
42:14know
42:15we
42:15were
42:15wrong.
42:17We
42:17were
42:17blinded
42:18by
42:18Flora.
42:20How
42:20ridiculous.
42:22After
42:2320 years
42:23of growing
42:24up
42:24together,
42:24they
42:25only
42:25saw
42:25the
42:25truth
42:25after
42:26I
42:26left.
42:26I
42:27did
42:27not
42:27answer.
42:29Rowan's
42:29eyes
42:29suddenly
42:30reddened.
42:32Did
42:32you
42:33forget
42:33everything
42:34between
42:34us?
42:35You
42:36left
42:36so
42:36completely.
42:39You
42:39didn't
42:40take
42:40a
42:40single
42:40dress.
42:41Not
42:42one
42:42photograph.
42:44The
42:45irises
42:45in
42:45Stardone
42:46Manor
42:46are
42:46gone.
42:48Your
42:49scent
42:49is
42:49gone.
42:5120
42:51years,
42:52Daphne.
42:54You
42:54left
42:54nothing
42:55behind
42:55but
42:55memories.
42:57I
42:57looked
42:57at
42:57him.
42:59Cedric
42:59suddenly
43:00broke
43:00the
43:00bars
43:01and
43:01dropped
43:01to
43:01his
43:01knees
43:02in
43:02front
43:02of
43:02me.
43:05He
43:06picked
43:06up a
43:06sharp
43:07stone
43:07and
43:07smashed
43:07it
43:08into
43:08his
43:08own
43:08ankle.
43:12blood
43:12rushed
43:12out
43:13hastily.
43:15Daphne,
43:15don't
43:16be angry
43:16anymore,
43:17okay?
43:19Look,
43:21I'm
43:21paying
43:22back
43:22that
43:22kick.
43:25As
43:25long as
43:26you
43:26forgive
43:26me,
43:28I'll
43:29do
43:29anything.
43:30I
43:30looked
43:30at
43:30his
43:30bloody
43:31ankle.
43:32There
43:33was
43:33no
43:33satisfaction
43:33in
43:34me.
43:36No
43:36pity
43:37either.
43:38only
43:39calm.
43:44Rowan,
43:44Cedric,
43:46you
43:47taught me
43:47that waiting
43:48means nothing
43:49in front of
43:50people who
43:50refuse to
43:51choose me.
43:54I
43:55placed a
43:55hand over
43:56my abdomen.
43:58I
43:58already
43:59have a
43:59pup.
44:00From
44:00now
44:00on,
44:03Asher,
44:04our
44:04pup,
44:05and I
44:06will
44:06live
44:07well.
44:08So I
44:09hope you
44:09never
44:09appear in
44:10front of
44:10me
44:10again.
44:11And if
44:12you want
44:12to die,
44:14do it
44:14somewhere
44:15else.
44:16Don't
44:16ruin my
44:17ceremony.
44:21The
44:21guard
44:21stepped
44:22forward
44:22again and
44:22dragged
44:23Cedric
44:23away.
44:25Rowan
44:26stopped
44:26struggling.
44:28He only
44:28stared at
44:29me as
44:30if he
44:30finally
44:30understood
44:30that
44:31some
44:31things
44:31could
44:31never
44:32come
44:32back.
44:33I
44:33turned
44:34and
44:34walked
44:34toward
44:34the
44:34square.
44:36Behind
44:37me,
44:37Cedric's
44:38broken
44:38shout
44:38tore
44:39through
44:39the
44:39air.
44:40I
44:41did
44:41not
44:41look
44:41back.
44:43On
44:43the
44:44platform,
44:44Asher
44:45had been
44:45waiting
44:45for me
44:45the
44:46whole
44:46time.
44:48The
44:48elder
44:49raised
44:49the
44:49ceremonial
44:49scroll.
44:54The
44:54mating
44:55ceremony
44:57of the
44:57oak
44:58pack
44:58begins.
45:04I
45:05walked
45:05toward
45:05Asher
45:05step
45:06by
45:06step.
45:08At
45:08Moon
45:08Goddess
45:09Square,
45:09every
45:09member
45:10of the
45:10oak
45:10pack
45:10lowered
45:11their
45:11head
45:11in
45:11silence.
45:14Asher
45:14held out
45:15his
45:15hand.
45:16I
45:16placed
45:17mine
45:17in
45:17his
45:17palm.
45:18The
45:19elder
45:19stood
45:19before
45:19us,
45:20his
45:20voice
45:20solemn.
45:24This
45:25was not
45:25an
45:25ordinary
45:25wedding.
45:26Every
45:27vow
45:27would
45:27be
45:27written
45:27into
45:27the
45:28oak
45:28pack
45:28registry
45:28and
45:29become
45:29an
45:29identity
45:29recognized
45:30by
45:30the
45:30pack.
45:32Daphne,
45:33do you
45:34willingly
45:35can
45:35complete
45:36this
45:36mating
45:37ceremony
45:38with
45:38Asher?
45:40Join
45:41the
45:41oak
45:41pack
45:42and
45:42carry
45:43the
45:43duties
45:43of
45:44Luna.
45:46I
45:47looked
45:47at
45:47Asher.
45:49I
45:50do.
45:51The
45:51elder
45:51turned
45:51to
45:52Asher.
45:54Asher,
45:55do you
45:56willingly
45:57acknowledge
45:58Daphne
45:58as
45:59your
45:59mate?
46:00Protect
46:01and
46:02honor
46:02her
46:03and
46:04guard
46:04the
46:04oak
46:05pack
46:05with
46:05her.
46:07Asher
46:07tightened
46:08his
46:08hold
46:08on
46:08my
46:08hand.
46:12I
46:12do.
46:14Hilda
46:15personally
46:15brought
46:15forward
46:16the
46:16Luna
46:16crown
46:16of
46:17the
46:17oak
46:17pack.
46:19It
46:19was not
46:20extravagant.
46:21Pale
46:21gold
46:21branches
46:22crossed
46:22in
46:22delicate
46:22lines
46:23and
46:23a
46:23warm
46:23moonstone
46:24rested
46:24at
46:24the
46:24center.
46:25She
46:25handed
46:26the
46:26crown
46:26to
46:26Asher.
46:32But
46:33Asher
46:33did
46:33not
46:33immediately
46:34place
46:34it
46:34on
46:34my
46:34head.
46:36Asher
46:37asked
46:37softly.
46:40May
46:40I?
46:41I
46:42looked
46:42at
46:42him
46:42and
46:42nodded.
46:47The
46:48moment
46:48the
46:48crown
46:48settled
46:48on
46:49me,
46:49I
46:49heard
46:49the
46:50faintest
46:50breath
46:50deep
46:50Facebook
46:51eyed
46:51my
46:51heart.
47:00My
47:01wolf
47:01spirit
47:01woke.
47:02It
47:03did
47:03not
47:03roar.
47:04It
47:04did
47:04not
47:04struggle.
47:06It
47:07simply
47:07opened
47:07its
47:07eyes
47:08and
47:08looked
47:08quietly
47:08at
47:09Asher
47:09than
47:09at
47:09the
47:09pup
47:09in
47:10my
47:10womb.
47:12Healer
47:13Nora
47:13stood
47:13below
47:13the
47:13platform,
47:14her
47:14eyes
47:14bright
47:15with
47:15surprise.
47:17The
47:18elder
47:18opened
47:18the
47:18pack
47:19registry
47:19and
47:19wrote
47:19my
47:20identity
47:20on
47:20a
47:20new
47:20page.
47:23From
47:24this
47:24day
47:24forward
47:25Daphne
47:25is
47:26Luna
47:27of
47:27the
47:27oak
47:27pack.
47:28Every
47:29wolf
47:29in
47:29the
47:29square
47:29spoke
47:30and
47:30reason.
47:32Luna!
47:36I had
47:37waited
47:37four years
47:37for someone
47:38to acknowledge
47:38my place.
47:40Only
47:40now did
47:41I
47:41understand.
47:44A
47:44place
47:45that
47:45truly
47:45belonged
47:45to me
47:46should
47:46never
47:46have
47:46had
47:46to
47:47be
47:47begged
47:47for.
47:48Asher
47:49held
47:49my
47:49hand
47:49and
47:49led
47:50me
47:50down
47:50from
47:50the
47:50platform.
47:59Luna
48:00welcome
48:01home.
48:02My eyes
48:02burned
48:03but this
48:03time I
48:03did not
48:04cry from
48:04pain.
48:08After the
48:08ceremony
48:09an oak
48:09pack guard
48:10brought
48:10news.
48:12Luna
48:12the
48:13Starstone
48:13Elders
48:13Council
48:14has
48:14issued
48:14an
48:15initial
48:15ruling.
48:16The
48:16Starstone
48:17Elders
48:17Council
48:17had
48:18restricted
48:18Rowan
48:18and
48:19Cedric's
48:19Alpha
48:19authority.
48:21They
48:21were
48:21required
48:22to
48:22surrender
48:22half
48:22of
48:23their
48:23authority
48:23over
48:23pack
48:24affairs
48:24and
48:25their
48:25right
48:25to
48:25confirm
48:25a
48:26Luna
48:26candidate
48:26was
48:26temporarily
48:27revoked.
48:28Because
48:28Cedric had
48:29harmed
48:29Ashivolf who
48:30had already
48:30transferred out
48:31of the
48:31Starstone
48:31registry,
48:32he was
48:33forbidden to
48:33use Alpha
48:34Aura
48:34alone to
48:34handle
48:35pack
48:35disputes.
48:36The
48:36reason
48:36was
48:37simple.
48:37They
48:38had
48:38allowed
48:38Flora to
48:39claim
48:39Luna
48:39symbols,
48:40hurt Ashivolf
48:41no longer
48:41under their
48:41registry,
48:42and made
48:43Starstone
48:43lose face
48:44before the
48:44oak pack.
48:45Flora
48:46and
48:46Leta
48:46were
48:46removed
48:46from the
48:47Starstone
48:47registry.
48:48Before
48:49being sent
48:49back to
48:50the
48:50vine
48:50pack,
48:50they
48:50would
48:51face
48:51the
48:51pack
48:51court.
48:52The
48:52vine
48:53pack
48:53refused
48:53to pay
48:54their
48:54compensation
48:54for
48:54them.
48:55Once
48:55they
48:56returned,
48:56they
48:56would
48:56lose
48:56the
48:57protection
48:57they
48:57had
48:57once
48:58relied
48:58on.
48:59The
48:59Luna
48:59crown
49:00was
49:00taken
49:00back.
49:01The
49:02Luna
49:02ring
49:02was
49:02removed.
49:04Every
49:04single
49:04thing
49:04Flora
49:05had
49:05stolen
49:05was
49:05taken
49:06from
49:06her
49:06one
49:06by
49:06one.
49:07After
49:08I
49:08heard
49:08the
49:08news,
49:09I
49:09only
49:09nodded.
49:10Asher
49:10held
49:11my
49:11hand
49:11and
49:11led
49:11me
49:11down
49:12from
49:12the
49:12platform.
49:13In
49:13the
49:13distance,
49:14Rowan
49:14and
49:14Cedric
49:15were
49:15being
49:15escorted
49:16away
49:16by
49:16guards.
49:17Hilda
49:18ordered
49:18the
49:18Oak
49:19guard
49:19stow
49:19connect
49:20the
49:20courtroom
49:20feed
49:20from
49:21Starstone.
49:26Flora
49:26and
49:26Leta
49:27stood
49:27before
49:27the
49:27Starstone
49:28elders.
49:31Daphne
49:32hated
49:32me.
49:35She
49:35set
49:36me
49:36up.
49:37Those
49:38room
49:38records
49:39and
49:39screenshots
49:39could
49:40have
49:40been
49:40made
49:40by
49:40anyone.
49:41Leta
49:41immediately
49:42knelt
49:42beside
49:42her.
49:46My
49:47daughter
49:47is
49:48young.
49:51She
49:51only
49:52wore
49:52those
49:52things
49:53because
49:53the
49:53two
49:54alphas
49:54allowed
49:55it.
49:56If
49:56anyone
49:57should
49:58be
49:58blamed,
50:00it
50:00is
50:01Daphne.
50:04She
50:05never
50:05made
50:05her
50:05position
50:06clear.
50:07Mara's
50:07face
50:08turned
50:08cold
50:08on
50:08the
50:09other
50:09side
50:09of
50:09the
50:09room.
50:11Enough.
50:13The
50:13Starstone
50:14elder
50:14opened
50:15the
50:15black
50:15market
50:15ledger.
50:19Leta,
50:20your
50:21personal
50:22seal is
50:22on
50:22every
50:23sale
50:23record.
50:25Flora,
50:26your
50:27messages
50:27asked
50:28the
50:28buyer
50:28to
50:28move
50:28the
50:29items
50:29before
50:29Daphne
50:30returned
50:31to the
50:31manor.
50:31The
50:32screen
50:32showed
50:33the
50:33evidence
50:33one
50:34by
50:34one.
50:34My
50:35broken
50:35moonstone
50:36pendant.
50:36My
50:37missing
50:37gowns,
50:38the
50:38old
50:38Starstone
50:39ceremonial
50:39tableware.
50:41The
50:41payment
50:42records
50:42from the
50:42neutral
50:43zone.
50:45Flora
50:45shook
50:46her
50:46head
50:46wildly.
50:50No!
50:52Rowan
50:53and Cedric
50:54said I
50:54would be
50:54Luna!
50:56Everything
50:57in that
50:57manor
50:58would
50:58become
50:58mine
50:59anyway!
50:59The
51:00courtroom
51:01went
51:01silent.
51:02That
51:02one
51:03sentence
51:03destroyed
51:03her
51:04last
51:04excuse.
51:06Mara
51:07closed
51:07her
51:07eyes.
51:11You
51:11stole
51:12from
51:12Starstone,
51:14framed
51:14Daphne
51:14and used
51:15my son's
51:16stupidity
51:17as
51:17your
51:17shield.
51:24Daphne,
51:25please!
51:25Say
51:26something!
51:27Tell
51:27them you
51:27forgive me!
51:28I
51:29looked
51:29at her
51:29through
51:29the
51:29screen.
51:31I'm
51:31not
51:31your
51:32shield
51:32anymore.
51:34The
51:35Starstone
51:36elder
51:36struck
51:36the
51:37table.
51:38Flora
51:39and
51:39Leta
51:39will
51:39be
51:40expelled
51:40from
51:40Starstone
51:41tonight.
51:42All
51:43stolen
51:44property
51:44will
51:44be
51:44recovered.
51:48Any
51:49unpaid
51:50debt
51:51will
51:52follow
51:52them
51:53back
51:53to
51:54the
51:54vine
51:54pack.
51:55Flora
51:55screamed
51:56as the
51:56guards
51:56took
51:57her
51:57arms.
52:00before the
52:01feed
52:01cut
52:02off
52:02she
52:02shouted
52:02one
52:03last
52:03sentence.
52:04If I go
52:05down,
52:06Rowan and
52:07Cedric's go
52:08down with
52:09me!
52:12After Flora's last
52:13accusation,
52:14Starstone opened a
52:15second hearing at
52:16dawn.
52:17This time,
52:18Rowan and Cedric were
52:19standing before the
52:20elders' council.
52:21They no longer wore the
52:22full alpha badges on
52:24their coats.
52:26half of the
52:27Starstone command
52:28seal had already
52:29been removed.
52:30The Starstone elder
52:31read the judgment in
52:32front of everyone.
52:34Rowan and Cedric
52:35failed to protect a
52:38fostered she-wolf
52:39under Starstone's
52:41skep.
52:42They handed
52:44lunar symbols
52:45to an
52:45unconfirmed
52:47candidate,
52:48allowed theft
52:49inside the
52:50manor,
52:51and
52:52attacked
52:52a
52:53registered
52:53mate of
52:54the
52:54Oak Pack.
52:56Cedric's jaw
52:57tightened.
52:59Punish me.
53:02But let me see
53:03Daphne once.
53:05I will give up
53:07my personal
53:07estate.
53:09I will rebuild
53:10the Iris
53:10Garden.
53:11I will return
53:12every room to
53:13the way it was.
53:15Just ask her to
53:16come back
53:17and look
53:17once.
53:19The room,
53:20the flowers,
53:21the cliff,
53:22the gown.
53:24They still
53:25thought love
53:25could be repaired
53:26by putting old
53:27things back in
53:28place.
53:29I don't want
53:30the Iris
53:30Garden back.
53:33I don't want
53:34the cliff.
53:34I don't want
53:34your apology.
53:37I don't want
53:38any place in
53:39Starstone.
53:40Cedric's eyes
53:40turned red.
53:42Daphne,
53:42I know I hurt
53:43you.
53:45I can change.
53:47You can change
53:48for Starstone,
53:50not for me.
53:51From today
53:52forward,
53:54Rowan and
53:54Cedric will
53:56remain under
53:57Elder
53:58supervision
53:59for one
54:01year.
54:02Their authority
54:03to select or
54:04confirm a Luna
54:05is revoked.
54:07Any contact
54:08with Luna Daphne
54:09of the Oak
54:10Pack requires
54:11Oak Pack
54:12approval.
54:13Mara spoke
54:14through the
54:14screen.
54:16Daphne,
54:17I am sorry
54:17for the home
54:18that failed
54:19you.
54:19My mother
54:20held my
54:20hand.
54:22I touched
54:23the Luna
54:23crown on
54:23the table
54:24beside me
54:24and felt
54:25my wolf
54:25spirit settle
54:26calmly in
54:26my chest.
54:29Aunt
54:29Mira,
54:29I remember
54:30your kindness,
54:32but I am
54:32done with
54:33Starstone.
54:34I turn to
54:35the Oak
54:36Guard.
54:38Send my
54:39final statement.
54:40I will
54:41not attend
54:42any further
54:42Starstone
54:43hearings.
54:44I will
54:45not meet
54:46Rowan or
54:46Cedric.
54:48I will
54:48not accept
54:49private
54:50messages from
54:51them.
54:52Yes,
54:53Luna.
54:54The guard
54:55cut the
54:55feed.
54:57For the
54:58first time,
54:59Rowan and
54:59Cedric's voices
55:00could not
55:01reach me.
55:02Asher gently
55:02took my
55:03hand.
55:04I looked
55:05at him,
55:06then at my
55:06mother and
55:07Hilda.
55:09The wind
55:10swept across
55:11the square.
55:13The
55:13moonstone on
55:14my crown
55:14glowed
55:15softly.
55:17My
55:17wolf
55:17spirit
55:18moved
55:18closer
55:18Facebook
55:19eyed my
55:19heart.
55:21At
55:21last,
55:22it was
55:22no longer
55:22afraid.
55:25I
55:25tightened
55:25my fingers
55:26around
55:26Asher's
55:26hand and
55:27walked
55:27forward
55:27with a
55:28smile.
55:30I was
55:31not a
55:31dim
55:31moon.
55:32I had
55:33simply
55:33left the
55:34people who
55:34never knew
55:35how to
55:35look up
55:35at me.
55:36From
55:36then on,
55:37the suffering
55:37was over.
55:39My life
55:40had truly
55:40begun.
55:43Leora walked
55:44beside me,
55:44her eyes
55:45still wet.
55:47Daphne,
55:49your father
55:50would have
55:50been proud.
55:52Hilda smiled
55:53and adjusted
55:54the edge of
55:54my cloak.
55:57The Oak
55:58Pack will
55:59remember this
56:00day.
56:01Not because
56:02we gained
56:03a Luna,
56:04but because
56:05our Luna
56:06chose us
56:07with clear
56:08eyes.
56:09I turned
56:09back only
56:10once,
56:11not to
56:12look for
56:12Rowan or
56:13Cedric.
56:15I looked
56:16at the
56:16white branches,
56:17the flowers,
56:18and the path
56:18I had walked
56:19alone before
56:19Asher reached
56:20for my hand.
56:23Are you tired?
56:26A little.
56:28Then go
56:29home with me.
56:30Home dot the
56:30word no longer
56:31hurt.
56:33It no longer
56:34sounded like a
56:34room that
56:35could be taken
56:35away,
56:35a cliff that
56:36could be shared
56:37with another
56:37woman,
56:39or a promise
56:40that could be
56:40broken.
56:43It sounded
56:44like a door
56:44opening for me.
56:46I nodded.
56:49Let's go
56:49home.
56:51Let's go
56:51home.
56:52Let's go
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