- 16 minutes ago
Ditched by Wolves, Claimed by the Serpent | New Movie 2026
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00:02afraid the snake gets jealous
00:04his feelings aren't my concern
00:06but i genuinely can't be bothered to see you
00:09i'm not your owner anymore
00:10you are
00:11we never thought of chloe as our owner
00:13we never touched her either
00:15if you'd wanted
00:17we would have helped you disappear from that wedding
00:19a long time ago
00:21so in your eyes
00:22i'm still your owner
00:24but in mine you haven't been worth that in a long time
00:33director ashford these contracts need your review
00:35come in
00:37i set the pen down
00:39before you go
00:40let everyone know
00:42those three shifters downstairs are not to be let up
00:45if they come back have security remove them
00:47understood director
00:48also you have a meeting shortly
00:50what coffee would you like
00:52oh right the meeting
00:55i picked up my phone and sent vance a small emoji
00:57a little pat
00:58might be home late
00:59be good and wait for me
01:01without waiting for a reply i stood
01:03smoothed the front of my jacket and walked out
01:08actually no coffee
01:09just water
01:10tell everyone the conference room
01:12of course
01:13director ashford
01:15vance was often with me when i worked
01:17sometimes when i'd been absorbed in something too long
01:20a cool smooth tail would drift over
01:23and coil slowly around my waist
01:25why is he so clingy i sighed more fond than exasperated and stroked a tail in what i hoped was
01:31reassuring
01:32human form this time please
01:34shifter form is
01:36genuinely too much for me
01:41okay
01:43i never asked about his other identity whether he was the heir to some family or the head of some
01:48organization
01:48what his name meant in the world outside these walls i wasn't curious i only needed him here that was
01:54enough
01:55the way ethan had once said at the airport
01:57we actually have our own names
01:59i don't need to know and i don't want to
02:01that had been the end of it
02:02as for the business deals vance had quietly helped put into motion
02:06i chose not to notice
02:07i simply rewarded him from time to time
02:10small things
02:11warmly given
02:12vance had hurt eric and evan badly enough
02:14that it had taken time for them to recover
02:16by the time they were well
02:17i was gone
02:18it couldn't find me
02:19eventually it seemed they'd left the ashford estate too
02:22until recently
02:27director ashford
02:28there are three people downstairs requesting to see you
02:31they say their names are ethan eric and evan
02:36put them through
02:37yes ma'am
02:39elena
02:41you're back in the country
02:43i am
02:45come meet us
02:48no time
02:49not interested
02:50i stepped into the role chloe had been holding
02:53and i was better at it
02:54the group began to stabilize
02:56my father's condition improved somewhat
02:58i mentioned it to vance
03:00absently
03:01in the top floor office
03:05when a sick person suddenly gets better
03:08sometimes it's a last flare of strength before the end
03:11vance's pale fingers
03:12wound slowly through a strand of my hair
03:16i see
03:19father got worse again
03:22his current condition left him with no real grip on the company
03:25he knew it
03:27i went to visit him
03:32sign over whatever shares you have left
03:34all of them
03:35the man in the hospital bed
03:37frail now
03:38aged past recognition
03:41erupted in fury
03:42but all he could do was cough
03:44you built this company
03:45do you want to watch chloe run it into the ground
03:49he glared
03:49i smiled
03:51give a little now
03:52and i'll make sure she's taken care of
03:55you've already seen what she becomes without me
03:58that's your precious daughter
04:00when you're not watching
04:05father
04:07i'm your daughter too
04:09i have your blood
04:12who better to leave it with
04:13he stared at me for a long time
04:16something painful moved behind his eyes
04:19i smiled
04:20everything was in place
04:22tall striking
04:24almost violently beautiful
04:25she recognized him
04:26her sister
04:27as a child
04:27had found a half-dead venomous snake
04:29and refused to leave it alone
04:31chloe had screamed at her then
04:32get away from it
04:33are you insane
04:34her kind oblivious sister hadn't listened
04:37she'd nursed the snake back to health
04:38her sister had probably forgotten all about it
04:40chloe remembered
04:41so she brought vance home
04:42she knew why he agreed
04:43he could smell her sister's presence in the house
04:45traces left from childhood
04:47here to repay a kindness
04:48what a pity
04:49my sister won't even know who you are
04:51vance didn't like chloe
04:52not even a little
04:52and the more he didn't
04:54the more she wanted that to change
04:55it never did
04:56then her sister called
04:57wanting to trade
04:58chloe barely thought about it
04:59and said yes
05:00good
05:00let this cold snake
05:02see exactly what kind of person her sister is
05:04how she opens her hands for everyone
05:06and how quickly she can close them
05:07as expected
05:08the three wolves took to chloe almost instantly
05:10but what she hadn't expected
05:11her sister had genuinely forgotten vance
05:14and yet
05:14she still treated him gently
05:16instinctively
05:17why
05:17after everything that's been done to her
05:19why can't she just stop
05:20a dying snake as a child
05:21a litter of abandoned wolf pups
05:23she picked them all up
05:24impossible
05:25infuriating
05:26it was fine
05:27her sister was about to be forced into a marriage
05:29with a man who'd outlasted three wives
05:31the pressure would crush her
05:32would she come crawling to chloe then
05:34the way chloe used to visit
05:35bringing gifts to that small apartment
05:37surprise
05:37playing the generous sibling
05:38would she finally be desperate enough
05:40to need chloe's help
05:41that would be the right choice
05:42come to her sister
05:43not scatter kindness into the void
05:45chloe thought about all of it
05:46with something close to pleasure
05:47until
05:48she realized
05:49her sister had played her
05:50as they got older
05:51chloe learned something
05:52she was prettier than her sister
05:54not that her sister was ugly
05:55she was genuinely lovely
05:56in a quiet
05:57clean way
05:58but chloe had inherited
05:59every striking feature
06:00with perfect precision
06:01head to toe
06:02so the pattern became this
06:04those who saw chloe first
06:05then her sister
06:06looked vaguely let down
06:07those who saw her sister first
06:09then chloe
06:09looked stunned
06:11every time this happened
06:13chloe thought to herself
06:14her sister must be so hurt
06:16so humiliated
06:17when they were teenagers
06:19her sister drew attention
06:20the ashford family's eldest daughter
06:22graceful enough
06:23that boys noticed
06:24despite everything
06:25inevitably
06:25those boys noticed chloe
06:27and redirected
06:28of course they did
06:28she was brighter
06:29prettier
06:29warmer
06:30pathetic
06:31shallow idiots
06:32chloe thought it internally
06:33all contempt
06:34but honestly
06:35if they'd spent more time
06:36with her sister
06:37they'd have found out
06:37her sister was smarter
06:39and more interesting
06:39than anyone gave her credit for
06:41too bad they lacked the patience
06:42to look past the surface
06:44at that thought
06:45chloe would feel something
06:46almost like pity
06:47poor thing
06:48no matter how kind
06:49her sister was to everyone
06:50people still chose chloe
06:51she imagined her sister
06:53in the dark
06:53seething with jealousy
06:54hating her
06:55somehow
06:56that thought made the exhaustion
06:57of performing warmth
06:59all day vanish
07:00chloe would hum to herself
07:01lighter
07:01then she met a snake shifter
07:04her sister always had people around her
07:07boys and girls
07:08a full crowd
07:08her sister stood in the middle of them
07:10smiling
07:11then she noticed chloe
07:12and waved
07:18chloe
07:19chloe
07:19chloe
07:20come here
07:20when the others saw chloe
07:22their expressions shifted
07:23to something like wonder
07:24chloe walked over
07:25her sister reached into her pocket
07:28and pressed a candy
07:29into her hand
07:30i saved this for you
07:32strawberry
07:33your favorite
07:34chloe took it happily
07:36then one of the girls said
07:39elena is so thoughtful
07:41she remembers everyone's favorite
07:43chloe's smile went stiff
07:44why
07:45she was her sister
07:45why was she this nice to everyone
07:47shouldn't she save the best of herself for chloe
07:49chloe turned and walked away
07:55behind her
07:56voices floated
07:58is that your sister
07:59she's gorgeous
08:01like a doll
08:02her eyes are so big
08:04her skin
08:04she didn't hear what her sister said back
08:06she turned the corner
08:07and dropped the strawberry candy
08:09into a trash can
08:10i switched to an overseas number
08:12no one could reach me
08:13chloe never ended up marrying the man
08:15the two families became enemies
08:17when i returned
08:18my parents had aged
08:19my father spent most of his time
08:21in a hospital bed
08:21they couldn't trust the extended family
08:23with the company
08:24so they'd given it to chloe
08:25but under chloe's management
08:27the group was declining
08:28steadily
08:29then i walked through the door
08:31my mother's hand rose on instinct
08:32she was going to slap me
08:34i stepped back
08:35i smiled
08:36are you sure
08:37i'm the only one who can save you now
08:39froze midair
08:40i looked over
08:41chloe had her eyes locked on me
08:43sharp and searching
08:44but she looked nothing like before
08:46the polish was gone
08:47she was frayed
08:49worn down by everything
08:50she'd been holding together
08:51about her too
08:52long time no see
08:53little sister
08:54wore her gaze away
08:55and burst into tears
08:56chloe had hated her sister
08:58since childhood
08:58why?
08:59it started in primary school
09:01fan sat beside me on the flight
09:02he looked down
09:03long lashes
09:04casting a faint shadow
09:06across his cheeks
09:08so
09:10you really were gonna take the groom's place
09:12and marry me?
09:14hmm
09:16you move fast
09:17after realizing i wasn't there
09:19it slipped out immediately
09:20that brief shadow on the live stream
09:22only i would have recognized it
09:24your scent went faint
09:25right
09:27the terrifying thing about shifters
09:28was their sense of smell
09:30precise and absolute
09:32i'll be overseas for a while
09:33until the timing is right to come back
09:36vance leaned in close
09:37that cool faint air of his
09:39wrapped around me
09:41his lips pressed lightly
09:43to the side of my neck
09:44this time
09:45he didn't bite
09:46i almost smiled
09:47they said wolves were canines
09:49bonded hard
09:50but this cold-blooded snake
09:51seemed more bonded
09:53than any of them
09:54over the months that followed
09:55the ashford family
09:56fell into disarray
09:58vance settled behind me
09:59his chin coming to rest
10:00on my shoulder
10:01one arm loosely circling my waist
10:03an embrace
10:04cool as winter air
10:06i'm talking to you
10:08vance smiled
10:10why?
10:10something unsettling in it
10:12would it make you happy
10:13if something happened to them?
10:15i paused
10:16eric and evan were ethan's brothers
10:18why would their getting hurt
10:19make him happy?
10:20ethan's throat moved
10:24where are they?
10:25no idea
10:25probably close to dead though
10:28ice went through me
10:29but ethan
10:31contrary to everything i'd expected
10:33didn't turn and run
10:35you're both leaving
10:37together
10:39isn't it obvious?
10:40why are you taking him?
10:42the vein at ethan's temple stood out
10:44are you alright?
10:46chloe gave him to me
10:47i'm his owner
10:50then you're still mine
10:51you all belong to chloe now
10:53don't you remember?
10:56you're the one who sent me to her
10:58something dark pooled in his eyes
11:01i heard everything you said in the living room that morning
11:05how much you all liked chloe
11:06i was doing you a favor
11:09and now you're turning it around on me
11:11you heard all of that?
11:13i had nothing more to say to him
11:14i pulled vance by the hand
11:16and turned to go
11:18ethan moved to follow
11:19and was stopped by the airport security
11:21i'd quietly arranged in advance
11:23at the airport
11:24my phone rang
11:28the fake husband
11:29his voice was hard
11:30come back
11:32marry me
11:32what's your problem?
11:34you're not worth it
11:35i blocked him too
11:38honestly
11:39i'd overlooked him
11:40i hadn't thought he'd be this delusional
11:43i'd been waiting for a while
11:44when a shadow fell across me
11:46i smiled without looking up
11:47you're here
11:48i raised my eyes
11:49ethan
11:49i blinked
11:50what's that face?
11:53disappointed?
11:55who were you expecting?
11:57vance
11:57his expression went cold
11:58you really can't catch a break
11:59he's not coming
12:00i nodded
12:02kept my face easy
12:03ethan dropped into the seat beside me
12:05i didn't expect you to actually pull off an escape
12:07don't bother me
12:08i really
12:08i cut him off
12:09he shut his mouth
12:10bit down on his back teeth
12:11he switched tactics
12:12no cold edge this time
12:13where are you going?
12:15not your business
12:15elena
12:16where are eric and evan?
12:19ethan's expression changed
12:22they're blocking vance
12:24aren't they?
12:25his face went tight
12:26then i saw him
12:28vance came through the crowd in long strides
12:30a dried cut at his temple
12:31marks on his neck
12:32something low and dark in the set of his expression
12:35when he reached me
12:35the sharp smell of blood came with him
12:38are you okay?
12:39ethan clenched his jaw
12:42what
12:44did you
12:45do to them?
12:49chloe's perfect face
12:50was streaked with tears
12:51shaking her head
12:53backing behind my father
12:54father's face was iron gray
12:56where's elena?
12:57find her
12:58she's gone too far
12:59you said you had feelings for me
13:00her sister was willing to step aside for us
13:02and you can't even
13:03i have no idea what's going on
13:04since my son loves chloe
13:06why not let chloe take her place?
13:07it's still a happy occasion for both families
13:09i'd had the foresight to block my parents
13:11the butler
13:12and chloe
13:12before leaving
13:13even with the groom's mother
13:14trying to smooth things over
13:15they couldn't afford to make a scene
13:17my mother went still
13:18then looked at chloe
13:19chloe bit her lip
13:20her voice came out
13:22no!
13:22what do you mean no?
13:24were you lying to me this whole time?
13:25don't you have feelings for me?
13:26i don't!
13:27you had three wives die on you!
13:28why would i ever like you?
13:30complete chaos
13:33i watched with genuine satisfaction
13:36then i spotted ethan, eric, and evan
13:38in the corner of the frame
13:39their expressions were something else entirely
13:41the left side was also empty
13:43the venue erupted
13:44i stared at the screen
13:46two minutes later
13:46my fake husband rushed in
13:48he recovered
13:49took the microphone
13:51actually
13:52today's bride was never elena ashfun
13:54the bride i've been waiting for
13:56is my true love
13:57miss chloe ashfun
14:00that was when vance's call came through
14:04where are you?
14:06on the way to the airport
14:06you
14:08before i could finish asking
14:09a news alert pushed to my screen
14:11male family heir confirmed for tonight's
14:13high profile wedding
14:14not a pure human
14:15reports indicate he is a shifter
14:17i tapped it immediately
14:18a tall, unmistakable silhouette
14:20comments below
14:21looks like a snake shifter
14:23cold-blooded running a corporation
14:24actually kind of fitting
14:25something clicked in my mind
14:27vance, were you just trying to-
14:29trashed the wedding
14:29i swallowed it back
14:30i'm planning to lay low abroad for a while
14:32until things settle
14:33i hung up
14:34if vance wanted to follow, he would
14:36if not, i didn't mind either way
14:37i turned back to the live stream
14:39total chaos at the venue
14:40the wedding day arrived
14:42the city's most prestigious hotel
14:44over 30,000 white roses
14:46cascading from the ceiling
14:47crystal chandeliers
14:48threading through the waterfall of petals
14:50long tables draped in ivory jacquard
14:52champagne flutes standing in neat rows
14:54catching the light with a faint golden tint
14:57every detail was breathtaking
14:58big budget
14:59i took one look
15:00then was ushered into the backstage dressing room
15:02over the next three hours
15:03the guest list filled
15:04from backstage
15:05i heard the steady murmur of congratulations
15:07my parents appeared several times
15:09to confirm i was still there
15:10and cooperating
15:11i looked at myself in the mirror
15:12flawless makeup
15:13then i checked the clock
15:14the ceremony was about to begin
15:16i'd already taken care of the makeup artist
15:18and assistant in advance
15:19i gathered the heavy skirt and slipped out
15:21elena the bathroom's straight ahead
15:22the assistant kept pace
15:24so no one in the hallway questioned it
15:29once inside
15:30i stripped off the gown efficiently
15:31and changed into the clothes
15:33she'd stashed in her bag
15:34something light
15:35with sneakers
15:36and opened the window
15:37a black car was parked close by
15:38first floor
15:39i climbed onto the sill
15:40and dropped down cleanly
15:44once in the car
15:45i called vance
15:50two rings
15:50no answer
15:51i frowned
15:52maybe the venue was too loud
15:53he didn't hear it
15:54head to the airport
15:55the car pulled into traffic
15:57i opened my phone
15:58and found the live stream
15:59my fake husband
16:00had insisted on broadcasting
16:01the ceremony
16:02he wanted the world
16:03to see the moment
16:03chloe stepped forward
16:04out of love
16:05lucky for me
16:06that made watching very convenient
16:08please welcome
16:08our bride and groom
16:09from both sides
16:11both doors opened simultaneously
16:13the right side
16:14where i was supposed to stand
16:16was empty
16:16i laughed
16:17then i looked at the left side
16:18a shadow
16:19there for just a second
16:20my smile faded
16:23vance
16:24the days before the wedding
16:26i was perfectly calm
16:27i tried on jewelry
16:28the estate meanwhile
16:29had developed its own
16:31sustained low pressure system
16:32heathen chloe
16:33who normally at least
16:34maintained the pretense
16:35of civility
16:36stopped by to take a shot
16:38didn't expect 5% of the shares
16:39to be enough to break you
16:40i had no reaction
16:41that seemed to infuriate her more
16:43do you know how much
16:44i'll have eventually
16:46when father's gone
16:47all of it comes to me
16:49i paused
16:50i actually looked at her
16:51she looked satisfied
16:54jealous
16:55the filial piety
16:56in this household
16:57is truly something
16:58i couldn't help but think
17:00pathetic
17:01evan kept his face blank
17:03eric nodded
17:04ethan scrolled through his phone
17:05and said nothing
17:06pathetic
17:07are they talking about me
17:08i didn't care what they thought
17:09i was watching vance
17:11he wasn't as dark as i'd expected
17:13he just lifted his gaze
17:14and those black
17:15fathomless eyes
17:17met mine
17:17that's when i realized it
17:19when his eyes weren't carrying
17:21that cold hostility
17:22they were beautiful
17:23the shape subtle
17:24the outer corners lifting
17:26just slightly
17:27an unintentional
17:28almost lazy quality
17:29to the look
17:30the day i came home
17:31with the marriage certificate
17:32and my fake husband
17:33the entire ashford family
17:35was seated at the dining table
17:36everyone's face
17:37said something different
17:38the news about the arranged marriage
17:40had already spread
17:41through the household
17:42i caught vance's eye
17:43from across the room
17:44a small reassuring look
17:46his expression was flat
17:47but i could feel it
17:48the suppressed hostility
17:50simmering underneath
17:51the faint darkness
17:52around him
17:53it was fine
17:53once everything was resolved
17:55i had a place for him
17:55and what came next
17:56i gave him a small
17:57calm smile
17:58from across the room
17:59he glanced at me once
18:00then looked away
18:02when i slipped into the kitchen
18:03to help carry dishes
18:04eric was at the sink
18:06you don't like him
18:07who
18:08your husband
18:09eric smiled pleasantly
18:13elena
18:15ask me nicely
18:15and i'll help you run
18:16i looked at him
18:17he clarified
18:18the other two are on board too
18:19the other two
18:20ethan and evan
18:21that explained why all three of them
18:23had been off today
18:23eric's voice dropped
18:25just a shade too deliberate
18:26you don't want to spend
18:27the rest of your life
18:28with someone you don't even like
18:29do you
18:29mind your own business
18:31you'll regret this elena
18:33regret
18:36after dinner
18:37chloe chatted brightly
18:38with my fake husband
18:39effortless and radiant
18:41i slipped away to the study alone
18:43and signed the share transfer documents
18:46next week
18:47the grand wedding
18:48and the show was just getting started
18:50a few days later
18:52a private room
18:53at a cafe
18:53i took a calm sip of coffee
18:55i looked across the table
18:57and cut straight to the point
18:58i know you're in love with chloe
18:59he looked up
19:00surprised
19:01set his phone down
19:02i also know
19:03you've been approaching our family
19:05with a marriage proposal
19:06you want chloe
19:08but they keep deflecting you
19:09with the excuse
19:10that the eldest daughter
19:11has to marry first
19:13who wouldn't prefer your sister
19:15she's not indifferent to me either
19:16she just says
19:18she won't compete with you
19:19because you liked me first
19:21i have a way to get you what you want
19:24what way
19:24we get a fake marriage certificate
19:27if chloe really does feel something for you
19:30she'll get jealous when she sees us together
19:32right
19:32a fake certificate
19:34people only realize what they want
19:36when they think they're losing it
19:38if you act close to me
19:39let her see it
19:40she'll be devastated
19:42then
19:42at the ceremony itself
19:44i disappear
19:45no bride
19:46she won't be able to stand
19:48watching you humiliated
19:49in front of everyone
19:50she'll step in
19:55then you tell her
19:57it's always been her
19:58have a ring ready
19:59something chosen just for her
20:01she'll be moved
20:04that's not wrong
20:09i know we'd never make each other happy
20:11you love chloe that deeply
20:12and she feels something for you
20:14i'd rather the two of you get to be happy
20:17miss ashford
20:18i misjudged you
20:19i had no idea you were so generous
20:23as long as you're both happy
20:26first
20:26snakes were notoriously insatiable
20:28snake shifters
20:29even more so
20:30if chloe hadn't said he was celibate
20:32i never would have asked for him
20:34second
20:35certain things were simply too much
20:37but i really am getting married
20:39so i'll probably need to give you back to chloe for now
20:42she won't be marrying anytime soon
20:43something moved behind vance's eyes at last
20:46right as something brutal flickered across his gaze
20:49i asked quietly
20:50do you wanna
20:52go back to chloe
20:53have i made you miserable
20:56no
20:57you're actually pretty proactive about the housework
21:00the next second
21:02he lowered himself over me
21:03his shadow swallowing everything
21:08then don't even think about getting rid of me
21:10i was quiet
21:12then i reached out
21:13and gently touched his tail
21:15don't worry
21:17about what exactly
21:19i shook my head inwardly
21:20i had a plan already
21:22i haven't lived here in months
21:24it's still that strong
21:26something dangerous spread through the air
21:28i genuinely feared he'd consume me
21:31his sharp teeth dragged against my collarbone
21:36you just took a suppresses yesterday
21:39i brought you up here to tell you something
21:41i'm getting married
21:43vance didn't release me the way i expected
21:45instead his tail coiled tighter
21:48and i was lifted and dropped onto the bed
21:50he loomed over me
21:51then his tail slipped beneath the hem of my shirt
21:54i grabbed it on instinct
21:55then looked away fast
21:58he watched me
21:59gaze darkening
22:01you dislike me
22:04no that's not
22:05aren't you my owner
22:07shadow fell over me
22:08or are you afraid
22:09honestly
22:10a little
22:14i came back downstairs
22:15to the same
22:16quiet
22:16i walked over to vance
22:18i also had something to say to him
22:20let me show you my room
22:21evan looked at me suspiciously
22:23you haven't been back in months
22:25what's there to see
22:29want to come too
22:31who said i did
22:32chloe was picking through the fruit bowl
22:34father's still home
22:36maybe it's not appropriate
22:37her voice was deliberate
22:39you have three shifters with you
22:41i'm bringing one to my room
22:43what exactly is inappropriate
22:47we never
22:50you make a fair point sis
22:53but vance still has to be willing
22:55every pair of eyes in the room
22:57turned to the man with the perfectly unreadable face
23:00let's go
23:00i nodded and gestured for him to follow
23:03whatever the others looked like behind me
23:05i didn't care to check
23:06my room was white and minimal
23:08clean
23:09someone had kept it dusted
23:10i cleared my throat
23:11ready to speak
23:12something coiled around my waist
23:14the tail
23:14your scent is so strong here
23:19register the marriage first
23:21hold the wedding after
23:22father leaned back in his chair
23:24and sift his tea
23:24once everything is settled
23:26i'll transfer the five percent
23:28i didn't hesitate
23:29i want the shares the moment the certificate is signed
23:32the teacup hit the saucer hard
23:34the lines around his eyes deepened with irritation
23:36you really have that little faith in your own family
23:38i sighed
23:39i'm just worried chloe might throw a fit and my share disappears again
23:42he flinched visibly
23:44the irritation held
23:45but after a long beat
23:46he relented
23:47come back with your husband and the marriage certificate
23:49it said everything about what my compliance meant to them
23:52and beyond that
23:52this share transfer would also serve as a gesture of loyalty to the man i was marrying
23:56after all
23:57assets acquired during marriage get split between spouses
24:00i didn't comment on any of that
24:02and stood to leave
24:04you'll stay at the estate until the wedding
24:06no wandering off
24:07and those shifters
24:09cut that off before the ceremony
24:11that single sentence detonated
24:14evan unfolded himself from the couch
24:16pulling that sharp grin
24:17come again
24:18then a cool hand yanked me behind him
24:21vance smiled
24:23barely
24:23back off
24:24eric's expression hardened
24:26what did you just say
24:27the tension in the room snapped taut
24:29then chloe came down from upstairs
24:31all brightness
24:32i could hear you from my room
24:34what's going on
24:35they think the mark on my neck is a hickey
24:37they seem unhappy about it
24:40and want to investigate
24:42predictably chloe's smile flickered
24:44her gaze settled on my neck
24:49so is it
24:50what do you think
24:51i deflected
24:52she didn't answer
24:54silence
24:55ethan sauntered over
24:57hands in his pocket
24:58you always covered marks like that
24:59why show it today
25:02probably because i don't consider this a hiccup
25:04that seemed to click for the others
25:05evan blinked
25:06now that you mention it
25:07you used to cover everything
25:09eric's eyes narrowed
25:10sis father wants you in his study
25:12you don't need to follow her up
25:14i slipped my hand quietly from vance's grip
25:17and paused
25:18i looked back at the room
25:19don't give him trouble
25:23we give him trouble
25:25elena
25:26in your eyes
25:27i turned and walked away before he could finish
25:29silence behind me
25:31back at the ashford estate
25:32the entire first floor
25:34just ethan
25:35eric
25:36and evan
25:37the atmosphere was awkward
25:38evan set down his game controller
25:40and glanced up
25:41eyes tracking from me to vance
25:44ethan drawled
25:45why are you here
25:48it's my house
25:48can i come back
25:49ethan's expression didn't change
25:51but the corner of his mouth curved up slightly
25:53i stared
25:54eric set down the fruit he'd been arranging
25:56and walked toward me
25:58chloe said you refused to come home for months
26:00and now you show up
26:02did you miss us
26:03i stepped back
26:04before i could speak
26:05evan stopped
26:05don't even wonder
26:06without us
26:07she couldn't last a day
26:09she doesn't look particularly heartbroken to me
26:13ethan's eyes snapped up
26:15who asked you
26:16sharp hostile energy surged through the room
26:18i reached back quickly and pressed my hand over vance's
26:21cool beneath my palm
26:23trying to calm him
26:24the same as yesterday
26:25wolves and snakes were both apex level shifters
26:27if they actually fought it wouldn't end clean
26:31what you brought him here to make us jealous
26:35snakes are cold-blooded
26:36and from what chloe says this one's worse than most
26:39no feelings at all
26:41you don't actually think you can change him do you
26:44then eric grabbed my jaw
26:46fingers tight
26:48uncomfortably tight
26:49his stare locked onto my neck
26:51the mark from last night
26:53his voice came down slow and deliberate
26:55what's that
26:56a hickey
26:57i rushed after him
26:58found him bent over the washing machine
27:00pulling out clean laundry piece by piece
27:02hanging it to dry
27:03eric had put my clothes in the wash that morning
27:05he hadn't taken them out
27:06before he left
27:06i watched vance's long fingers handle my clothes and scratched my cheek
27:11i'll buy a dryer in a few days then you won't have to do this
27:13vance said nothing
27:14i never got the chance to buy that dryer
27:16the next morning an uninvited guest appeared
27:19the ashford estate's butler stood at my door with measured deference
27:24miss your father says you've had enough time
27:27it's time to return and proceed with the arranged marriage
27:31no
27:32the butler smiled
27:35miss this is the wish of both the master and madam
27:39he stepped aside
27:41several bodyguards materialized behind him
27:44i laughed coldly
27:45aren't you worried i'll stab the man with a knife on the wedding day and then kill myself
27:49the butler's expression faltered
27:51the master said
27:53should you agree to the marriage
27:54you will receive five percent of the ashford group shares
27:58my hand on the door went still
27:59the butler seemed to have anticipated exactly this
28:02the car is waiting downstairs
28:06also
28:07the second miss asked that you bring mr vance along
28:10i glanced back advance
28:12we made eye contact
28:13his dark eyes were as unreadable as ever
28:17yet somehow a chill crawled down my spine
28:20good thing the door had closed in time
28:22the scent hadn't drifted out
28:24the footsteps faded
28:25i pushed the snake shifter off
28:27and didn't let myself look at his tail
28:29i rummaged quickly for the heat suppressants
28:31the same ones i'd used on ethan
28:33eric and evan during their heat cycles
28:35when it became too much
28:37even for me
28:37plenty left
28:38i tossed them to him
28:39then went to wash my face
28:41when i came back to the living room
28:43his tail was gone
28:44the man was draped across the couch
28:46long legs crossed
28:47expression back to its cold
28:49shuttered default
28:50he glanced up at me
28:51i thought you were
28:52i started confused
28:53celibate
28:54his voice was low and rough
28:55it's a theological response
28:57it's been too long since my last suppressor
28:59oh
28:59knowing chloe's personality
29:01if she'd actually wanted to sleep with him
29:02she wouldn't have kept him on suppressants
29:04and judging by what had just happened
29:05it wasn't like he could hold back indefinitely
29:07so how had he been managing before
29:09but if he didn't want to say
29:10i wasn't going to pry
29:11i poured a glass of warm water
29:12and handed it to him
29:13rest today
29:14you can help with the housework tomorrow
29:16and if you need more recovery time
29:18take it
29:18he cut me off
29:19you treated them the same way
29:20i blinked
29:21them
29:21he meant ethan and the others
29:23i was quiet for a second
29:25then nodded
29:25equality between pure humans and shifters
29:28was the standard now
29:29technically
29:30but given a shifter's nature
29:32the bonding
29:32the recognition of owners
29:33there was always emphasis on extending extra consideration to them
29:37long quietness
29:40my name is vance
29:41i registered it and smiled
29:42nice to meet you
29:42i'm elena
29:43he stood expressionless
29:45and walked toward the balcony
29:47the bedroom isn't that way
29:48wait are you going to jump
29:50if you don't like it here
29:51i can ask chloe to take you
29:52but his tail cushioned the impact
29:53it didn't hurt
29:54his breath spilled across my neck
29:56my skin broke into shivers
29:58then sharp knocking at the door
30:00elena
30:00are you okay
30:02my fingers stirred
30:04the pale cold gold vertical pupils staring down at me
30:07seemed to darken
30:08the coil around my waist tightened
30:10i didn't reach for the door
30:11are you in pain
30:13let me get you some heat suppresses okay
30:15the pressure around me paused
30:17the mating scent that had been thickening stopped spreading
30:19more knocking
30:20harder now
30:21chloe's voice uncertain
30:22sis
30:22are you both okay in there
30:24i thought i'd calmed him down
30:26i let out a breath
30:27i was about to speak
30:28a coldness at my neck
30:30he bit me
30:30not soft
30:31like claiming something
30:33and yet beneath it
30:34a trace of something almost indulgent
30:36i muffled a sound
30:37my voice came out slightly adrift
30:39we're fine
30:40you can go
30:41ethan's drawl
30:42you sure
30:44she said she's fine
30:46evan cut in impatient
30:47then a beat later
30:48elena
30:48that snake didn't hit you did he
30:50no
30:51i bit my lower lip
30:52behind my neck
30:53a cool tongue traced over the mark
30:55chloe didn't explain
30:56she studied my expression
30:58nothing there
30:59maybe one of them should stay with you
31:01you seem upset
31:02evan didn't move from chloe's side
31:04ethan leaned against the wall
31:06bored
31:07eric's smile stayed thin and cool
31:09no one spoke
31:10chloe wasn't surprised
31:11she gave me a small comforting smile
31:14between the two of us
31:15i was never the one who got chosen
31:17we'd both made peace with that
31:19a long time ago
31:20and him
31:21add my words
31:22chloe's posture barely shifted
31:24then she turned towards the door
31:26come in
31:26heavy footsteps
31:27heavy footsteps
31:28a man stepped forward
31:29tall
31:30with an almost aggressive stillness to him
31:33the next second i was looking directly into a pair of dark shadow filled eyes
31:40hello
31:41his gaze came from above
31:43sticky
31:43appraising
31:44i broke out in goosebumps
31:46he didn't acknowledge me
31:47he's just like this sis
31:49if it's too much tell me and i'll take him back
31:52who is he
31:53chloe clearly didn't want to explain
31:56i didn't know where to begin either
31:58she smiled and pivoted
31:59the car's waiting downstairs
32:02shall we
32:03the wolves were quiet for a beat
32:05then didn't push further
32:06they followed chloe out on long strides
32:09the snake shifter stayed
32:10i was about to close the door
32:12when
32:13eric looked back at me
32:14something unreadable in his face
32:16and the man beside me
32:18suddenly contracted his pupils
32:20into a cold
32:21a smooth tail wound around my waist
32:24a strange overwhelming scent burst through the air
32:30you're in heat
32:34not keeping one for yourself
32:36which of you wants to stay with me
32:37the air curdled
32:38no one answered
32:39finally evan got up
32:41and went to open the door
32:42he rolled his eyes
32:43a flick of contempt on his face
32:45stop pretending to be decent
32:47both of you
32:48chloe's bright smile filled the frame
32:50hi boys
32:52my sister already explained things right
32:55you all belong to me now
32:56hey there
32:57new mistress
32:59chloe looked him over with satisfaction
33:01then let her gaze sweep across eric and ethan
33:04you're all gorgeous
33:05did you pack
33:07actually never mind
33:09i'm sure my sister couldn't afford to buy you much anyway
33:11we'll get everything new at the villa
33:13ethan gave a lazy murmur of agreement
33:15eric glanced at chloe
33:17then slid his eyes over to me
33:18i kept my face blank
33:20every set of eyes in the room landed on me at once
33:23chloe noticed
33:24she walked up to me
33:25don't worry sis
33:26i'll take better care of them
33:28and when you're done playing house
33:30just come home and do the arranged marriage
33:33stop stressing mom and dad
33:35arranged marriage
33:36what arranged marriage
33:38i quietly turned back
33:40i was used to it honestly
33:41everyone gravitated toward chloe
33:43she was radiant and magnetic
33:45every gesture
33:46every smile
33:46pulled at people without even trying
33:48standing next to her
33:49i felt exactly like what i was
33:51plain and unremarkable
33:53chloe glanced around
33:54your apartment is so much smaller than the family estate
33:57is there even enough room for them
33:59it's fine
34:00then i watched ethan
34:02usually disinterested in everything
34:03let his gaze drift to chloe
34:05eric's devastating smile turned itself on her instead
34:09even evan
34:10the moody one
34:11propped his head up to stare at her
34:12his wolf ears flickering non-stop
34:15chloe didn't seem to notice
34:16she sipped her water with perfect innocence
34:18in that moment
34:19i knew
34:20my things were about to drift quietly toward chloe again
34:24after that
34:24the gentle clingy warmth disappeared
34:27they became cooler
34:28like they wanted me destroyed
34:30like they couldn't stop themselves
34:31until i heard their conversation
34:33i'd been right all along
34:35one look at chloe
34:36and they'd fallen
34:37the afternoon came fast
34:39a knock at the door
34:40chloe arrived
34:41the silence that had settled over the apartment
34:43deepened into something heavier
34:45you're really giving all three of us to her
34:48yes
34:49i found the three wolf pups
34:51on a wet gray afternoon
34:53they were collapsed on the concrete
34:55firm matted
34:56blood soaked from the rain
34:57i almost walked away
34:58but then
34:59one of them flicked its tail
35:01just twice
35:01slow and weak
35:03then curled it around my ankle
35:04i couldn't leave them
35:06i brought them home
35:07under my care
35:08they recovered fast
35:09a few months later
35:10they hit their maturation phase
35:11and all three of them shifted into men
35:14i should have brought them to a shifter registry
35:16but the registry told me they'd already bonded
35:19recognized me completely as their owner
35:21releasing them without care would cause serious psychological harm
35:25i looked at those three pairs of beautiful eyes
35:27and caved
35:28i let them stay
35:29they said they had no names
35:30so i gave them some
35:32oldest to youngest
35:33ethan
35:34eric
35:34evan
35:35young hot-blooded wolf shifters with energy to burn
35:38even in human form
35:39they couldn't stop their ears and tails from flickering
35:42clinging to me every hour of every day
35:45then one afternoon
35:46chloe called
35:47sis
35:48aren't you going to come home for the arranged marriage
35:50the man has had three wives die on him
35:52and he's ugly
35:53but his family has money
35:54i looked away
35:55that was exactly why my family had cut me off
35:58after i fought the arrangement
36:00they couldn't bring themselves to send chloe in my place
36:03so instead they applied steady relentless pressure on me
36:06eric
36:07who always read the room perfectly
36:08don't like the call
36:09hang up
36:10what was that voice
36:11i took the opening to change the subject
36:13i rescued three injured wolf pups a while back
36:15they just shifted recently and they won't leave me alone
36:18i can barely keep up
36:20a few seconds of silence
36:21i'm honestly jealous
36:24my snake shifter won't even let me touch him
36:27he'll warm up eventually
36:28chloe just gave a soft unconvinced hum
36:30the next day she showed up at my door with bags upon bags
36:34she wore a pretty little white dress beaming at me
36:38surprise sis
36:39i turned around
36:40all three shifter's eyes went straight to her
36:43the three wolves i saved
36:45wanted me in bed
36:46every single day
36:47but the truth is
36:48they didn't like me
36:49they just wanted to use me to get close to my sister
36:52so i called her
36:53and asked to switch mates
36:54three horny wolves
36:56in exchange for one cold serpent
36:58today
36:59after being fully claimed
37:00i fell into sound sleep
37:02god look at her
37:03that body
37:04that stamina
37:05and she thought she could handle three of us
37:07doesn't matter
37:07the second she taps out
37:09she'll hand us off to her sister
37:10she can't even get out of bed right now
37:12a few more days of this
37:13and she'll give up on us for good
37:14the conversation from the living room kept going
37:16they thought i was still asleep
37:17i kept my eyes low
37:19watching the marks on my wrists and legs
37:21and the amber glow of the bedside lamp
37:23every single one of them
37:25unmistakable
37:25she's not gonna hand all three of us over to her sister
37:28right
37:28which means at least one of us stays
37:30ugh
37:31elena's dull and boring
37:32you wanna stay
37:33go ahead
37:34i don't
37:35same
37:35whatever
37:36fate decides
37:37is she up yet
37:38no way
37:39she was crying so hard
37:40she nearly passed out
37:41she's not waking up anytime soon
37:43so weak
37:44let's get her up in a bit
37:45a few more days of this
37:46and she'll give up on us
37:47my vision went dark
37:48i reached for my phone
37:49face pale
37:50and called chloe
37:51she picked up fast
37:53what's wrong sis
37:55weren't you just saying
37:56you were unsatisfied
37:57take all three of mine
37:59give me that celibate snake shifter of yours
38:04is that okay
38:05are they willing
38:06they like you
38:07she understood
38:08because it was the truth
38:10everyone liked chloe more
38:13alright
38:13your place is small anyway
38:15not really ideal for them
38:16but
38:17my snake shifter sis
38:18he's cold
38:20if he weren't celibic
38:22i wouldn't have asked for him
38:23in the first place
38:25i'm completely wrecked
38:28i just need someone
38:29to handle the housework
38:32i just hope
38:33he doesn't turn out
38:34like these three wolves
38:36don't worry
38:37i haven't managed
38:38to tame him yet
38:39he's not gonna be
38:40interested in you
38:41i'll come pick them up
38:42this afternoon
38:43the line went dead
38:44that exact second
38:45the bedroom door
38:46swung open
38:47you're up
38:47he crossed the room
38:48and reached for my blanket
38:49wait
38:51what is it mistress
38:52i'm exhausted
38:53i need to rest
38:54can't do that
38:55he said easily
38:56mistress you took us in
38:57that means you're responsible for us
38:58we're nowhere near satisfied
38:59if you rest
39:00what are we supposed to do
39:04chloe's coming to take
39:05all of you this afternoon
39:06he went still
39:07the two leaning in the doorway
39:09froze too
39:10which
39:11two of us
39:13all of you
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