Sorry, Alpha. I Don't Love You Anymore is a captivating short drama that blends werewolf fantasy, heartbreak, destiny, and second-chance romance. After enduring betrayal and rejection, a strong Luna chooses to leave her past behind. But when the powerful Alpha realizes what he has lost, fate brings them together once more. Filled with emotional twists, forbidden love, and supernatural secrets, this unforgettable story will keep you hooked until the very end. Watch the Full Episode to discover whether love deserves a second chance.
#SorryAlphaIDontLoveYouAnymore #ShortDrama #FullEpisode #ENGSUB #WerewolfRomance #AlphaKing #RejectedLuna #RejectedMate #WolfShifter #FantasyRomance #SecondChanceRomance #DramaSeries #ShortFilm #ShortMovie #LoveStory
#SorryAlphaIDontLoveYouAnymore #ShortDrama #FullEpisode #ENGSUB #WerewolfRomance #AlphaKing #RejectedLuna #RejectedMate #WolfShifter #FantasyRomance #SecondChanceRomance #DramaSeries #ShortFilm #ShortMovie #LoveStory
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Every year, when the first snow fell, Cain would lose his memory and go back to the time when he
00:06hated me most.
00:09He would smash my medicine cabinets, burn my formulas, and lock me in the underground kellen until I passed out
00:14on my knees.
00:16Surrounded by cold air and the bitter scent of silver powder, all for Leah, the woman he protected like something
00:22sacred.
00:24But every time the inner wolf shivered in the snow until it nearly broke, At Cain would remember again and
00:29pull me into his arms.
00:31Aelin, I'm sorry. I forgot who you were again.
00:35I believed him for five years.
00:37Because five years ago, during the Winter Full Moon Hunt, At Cain was poisoned by Wolf Boss and nearly lost
00:43his inner wolf.
00:44None of the healers in Moonstone Pack could save him. I was the one who went to the northern border
00:48and made a deal with Maeve.
00:49This is a deal.
00:54The price was simple.
00:56For five years, I would use my own blood to brew Cain's medicine.
01:01Every dose would weaken my inner wolf.
01:04And every dose would make it harder for me to leave him.
01:07When the five years were over, if Cain truly chose me and married me, the deal would end.
01:13If he still refused me, Maeve would take every bit of love and every memory I had of him.
01:20I always thought that if I could just make it to the fifth year, he would finally get better.
01:24Until tonight.
01:30Cain, how much longer are you going to keep this act up?
01:33Memory loss?
01:34Please.
01:35Only that stupid she-wolf Aelina would believe it.
01:39Every year, she kneels in the snow and begs us to help you remember.
01:42Like you are actually going to make her your Luna.
01:46The first snow is next week, right?
01:48Are you going to pretend you don't know her again?
01:51How many years has it been now?
01:53Cain's voice cut through the crack in the door.
01:55Colder than the snow outside.
01:58Five.
01:58But that is far from enough.
02:08He sat at the head of the table.
02:11During the winter full moon hunt five years ago,
02:15Leia lost her sense of smell after drinking the medicine Aelina gave her.
02:18Aelina turned her into a broken she-wolf.
02:22She should spend the rest of her life paying for that.
02:27Everything Leia suffered.
02:29I will make Aelan pay back a hundred times over.
02:35The room broke into laughter.
02:37But her hand was badly frostbitten the last time you locked her in the cellar.
02:41If you do it again, she may not even be able to sort herbs anymore.
02:47Cain, let it go.
02:48It doesn't matter whether I ever get my sense of smell back.
02:51As long as I can stay by your side.
02:54That is enough.
02:57Since when do you get to tell me what to do?
03:00Sharps scattered across the floor.
03:01Standing outside the door, I suddenly felt ridiculous.
03:06So there had never been any memory loss.
03:09No lingering damage from Wolfby.
03:12The cellar, the snow, the apologies, the embraces.
03:16All of it had been a punishment he staged with his own two hands.
03:20In my heart, I called Maeva's name.
03:23Black mist rose from my palm.
03:25Maeve's lazy voice sounded beside my ear.
03:29Little healer, there are still five days left.
03:31Calling me now?
03:33Finally having regrets?
03:34I looked through the crack in the door at Cain's cold profile.
03:39In five days, the deal ends.
03:41Take away every ounce of love I have for Cain.
03:44Maeve fell silent for a moment.
03:46Are you sure?
03:47Back then, you traded ten years of your life just to keep these five years.
03:52Inside the hall, at Cain gave a cold laugh.
03:55Her.
03:57Worthy of being my Luna.
04:00I'm sure.
04:06Just then, my message stone flared wildly.
04:14Eileen, Noah's inner wolf is collapsing again.
04:16Come now!
04:17The last bit of warmth drained from my body.
04:22Noah was my only younger brother.
04:24After our parents died in the border war, I was the one who raised that pup in Moonstone Pack.
04:29He had been born with a weak inner wolf.
04:31Every winter, his lips would turn blue and his fingers would go cold as snow.
04:35When I reached the infirmary, Noah was already lying on a stone bed.
04:40The inner wolf beside him flickered in out, like a flame about to die.
04:48We are still missing heart of white wolf's bait.
04:51White wolf bone grew in the northern herb fields of Moonstone Pack.
04:54Ordinary wolf bait was poison to werewolves.
04:56But the heart of white wolf bait could steady a failing inner wolf.
04:59The herb was precious and dangerous.
05:02No one could harvest it without the alpha's permission.
05:04Which meant I had to beg Cain.
05:07How long does he have?
05:09The healer looked at Noah, then, and at the faint little wolf shadow beside him.
05:13If the medicine arrives before dusk tomorrow, he still has a chance.
05:16If it comes late...
05:22Sister...
05:23Is it snowing again?
05:27No.
05:29Not yet.
05:30You just have to sleep.
05:32I will bring the medicine back.
05:34Noah tried to smile.
05:36But even that seemed to hurt.
05:38Don't fight with Alpha Cain for me.
05:41The words almost broke me.
05:46I swear, I'll save you.
05:48Then I rushed out of the infirmary with a list in hand and nearly ran straight into At Cain.
05:54Alan, don't be afraid.
05:57I'm here.
06:02The familiar scent of cedar washed over me.
06:06Once, I had craved that scent more than anything.
06:09Every time, he remembered he would hold me like this and make me think I had finally waited long enough
06:15for love.
06:15Now it only made me sick.
06:21Sign it.
06:25Leah came out from behind him.
06:29Aelin, is something wrong with Noah again?
06:31She glanced at the list.
06:33White?
06:34Wolf bud heart?
06:36That must be expensive.
06:37Haven't you been in charge of the medicine room all these years?
06:40How can you not even afford the herb that might save your brother?
06:48Several pack members looked at me differently at once.
06:51Did she steal the herbs?
06:54No wonder Leah always said she was rotten inside.
06:57She hurt Leah and still dares to run the medicine room.
07:00Disgusting.
07:01I looked at Cain.
07:03He knew better than anyone that I had never taken a single herb for myself.
07:07Leah didn't mean it.
07:08Aelin, don't embarrass her in public.
07:12I almost laughed.
07:14Leah, you'd better shut your mouth, or I swear I'll slap that face of yours raw.
07:21Apologize to Leah.
07:26What if I say no?
07:28Then I won't sign off on the application.
07:31I could barely believe what I had just heard.
07:34My brother was in critical condition, and at Cain still wanted me to apologize to at Leah
07:38before he would sign.
07:40How absurd.
07:42Cain, don't be angry.
07:44I still have some calming medicine.
07:46It cannot cure a collapsing inner wolf, but it might make Noah suffer a little less.
07:51The next second, the bowl tilted, scalding liquid poured straight over the back of my right hand.
07:56I suck in a sharp breath and flung her away on instinct.
08:00Leah screamed and fell to the floor.
08:03Aelin, I was only trying to help.
08:06Why did you push me?
08:08The air around at Cain dropped to ice.
08:12Aelin.
08:12I lifted my blistering hand to explain.
08:16Your brother is dying.
08:17I understand that you are desperate.
08:20But Leah owes you nothing.
08:22Owes me nothing?
08:23One sentence from her had ruined five years of my life.
08:26One tear from her could make him force me to kneel in the snow.
08:30Apologize to at Leah.
08:31For one second, I wanted to tear her pale mask from her face and make every wolf see the poison
08:37underneath.
08:41But at Noah was lying in the infirmary, and his inner wolf could not wait for my pride to at
08:46Leah and force the words out, one by one.
08:51Sorry.
08:52At last, Cain stamped the order, signed it, and threw it to his beta.
08:57This is the last time.
08:59I took the order and lowered my voice.
09:02There would never be another time.
09:06The white wolf-bode heart had to be brewed within three hours of being picked.
09:10The healer said that as long as it arrived before dusk, Noah still had a chance.
09:14I waited outside the infirmary from afternoon until dark.
09:17Every set of footsteps made me think the wolves from the herb field had finally arrived.
09:21But at Noah's inner wolf had turned almost transparent, and still the guards from the northern herb field had not
09:26come.
09:28Noah, hold on a little longer.
09:30I sent message after message to Cain as if I had gone mad.
09:34The first went unanswered.
09:35The tenth went unanswered.
09:37On the ninety-ninth try, the stone finally lit up.
09:40But it was the pack Vita who answered.
09:45Aelin, the alpha cannot come right now.
09:47I nearly broke apart.
09:48Where is the heart of white wolf, Pate?
09:50The order is signed, why has it not been sent?
09:52The beta was silent for a moment.
09:54Leah is on the top terrace of the council hall.
09:55She says the pack has been calling her a broken she-wolf, and she does not want to live.
09:58The alpha is trying to talk her down.
10:00My mind buzzed.
10:01Noah was waiting for the medicine.
10:03Leah had trapped every wolf with a few tears.
10:12Aelin, if the medicine is not here soon, his inner wolf will fade before nightfall.
10:19I ran out of the infirmary and pushed through the snow toward the council hall.
10:26The top terrace was crowded with wolves from the pack.
10:30Leah was half over the railing, sobbing like her heart had been ripped out.
10:36The beta stood nearby with the box containing the heart of white wolf, Pate.
10:39The moment I saw the box, I lunged for it.
10:41Give it to me!
10:42But the second my fingers touched it, two guards slammed me down into the snow.
10:47Aileen, have you not caused enough chaos?
10:50Noah is dying!
10:52Give me the medicine!
10:53Please!
10:57Kane, I really cannot take this anymore.
10:59Every wolf says I am pretending, but I truly cannot smell anything.
11:02I can barely remember what my own wolf smells like.
11:07Aileen, admit in front of every wolf that you gave Leah the wrong medicine and ruined her sense of smell.
11:12I stared at him in disbelief.
11:14You know it was not me.
11:15I only know Leah is about to jump.
11:18Would it kill you to just admit you're wrong?
11:20From the direction of the infirmary came the sharp, frantic toll of a bell.
11:24The warning bell for a dying inner wolf.
11:27My whole body went cold.
11:29The bell rang again.
11:31Each sound like it was tearing Noah away from me.
11:34Say it.
11:36If Leah does not come down, you are not getting that medicine.
11:42Five years ago, during the winter full moon hunt, everything had fallen into chaos.
11:46Leah suddenly collapsed from poison.
11:48I gave her the calming medicine I always carried with me.
11:50There had been nothing wrong with that medicine.
11:52But when Leah woke up, she said I had given her the wrong dose and destroyed her sense of smell.
11:59From that day on, I became the sinner of Moonstone Pack.
12:04Someone pointed a message stone at me.
12:06The entire pack could see.
12:10Kneeling in the snow, I said word by word.
12:13It was me.
12:16I gave Leah the wrong medicine and destroyed her sense of smell.
12:20I am the sinner of Moonstone Pack.
12:23A flash of triumph crossed at Leah's eyes.
12:26She put on her little act for a long time before At Kane finally carried her down from the terrace.
12:32I snatched the medicine box and stumbled back toward the infirmary.
12:35The snow was too heavy.
12:37I fell several times.
12:39My knees split open.
12:41My palms were bloody.
12:43Still, I did not dare loosen my grip on the box.
12:46When I rushed into the infirmary, the healer was already standing at the door.
12:49The medicine is here.
12:50Save him.
12:53Too late.
12:54Noah lay still on the stone bed.
12:56The inner wolf beside him had gone completely dark.
12:59The healer's voice broke.
13:01Ten minutes.
13:02That was all.
13:09Ten minutes.
13:11The ten minutes Leah had wasted.
13:14The ten minutes Kane had spent forcing me to confess.
13:19My brother was dead.
13:28My message stone lit up again.
13:30Kane's voice came through.
13:32Leah has calmed down.
13:34About Noah, I will compensate you.
13:36Compensate me?
13:38With what?
13:38Could he give At Noah back the ten minutes he lost?
13:43Could he pull my brother's inner wolf out of the dark and put it back into his body?
13:48Aileen, you should sit down.
13:50I could not sit.
13:51If I sat down, I was afraid I would never stand again.
13:53Tomorrow night is the full moon.
13:54Come to Moonlight Square.
13:55I have something important to say to you.
13:57Only then did I remember.
13:58Tomorrow night would be the fifth time he recovered his memory and prepared to propose to me.
14:02In every past year, I had waited for that night like a starving wolf waiting for spring.
14:06I had imagined him kneeling under the full moon, placing the lunar ring on my finger, and telling every wolf
14:10that I was not a sinner.
14:12Now At Noah's body lay cold in front of me.
14:14Kane, At Noah is dead.
14:15For a long moment, there was only silence.
14:19I know.
14:20I said I will compensate you.
14:21Don't make this harder than it has to be.
14:23I looked at Noah's face and answered softly.
14:25Fine.
14:27Between us, there would never be another chance.
14:29I would make Kane pay for every stolen minute, every lie, and every breath Noah never got to take.
14:37I buried Noah in the cedar woods at the edge of Moonstone Pack.
14:41Our parents were buried there, too.
14:44Snow quickly covered the freshly turned earth.
14:46I knelt in front of the grave and wiped the headstone clean with frozen fingers.
14:50Noah, I'm sorry.
14:51I failed to save you.
14:53I spun around.
14:55Maeve stood beneath the trees, her black cloak brushing the snow.
14:58His inner wolf has not fully faded yet.
15:01A pup who dies from wolf spirit collapse leaves behind a brief remnant.
15:04Other wolves cannot see it.
15:06I can.
15:07I nearly lunged toward her.
15:08Can you save him?
15:09I can hold that last remnant in place for now.
15:11But that is not the same as bringing him back.
15:14For that, you need a better apothetary workshop.
15:16Rarer herbs.
15:17And power greater than the Alpha of Moonstone Pack.
15:21Ely, the Alpha King of the Northern Werewolf Kingdom, is looking for a healer.
15:24He has suffered from silver poisoning for seven years, and the Royal Healers can no longer
15:28control his inner wolf.
15:29If you can save him, you can earn a place in the Royal Apothetary Workshop.
15:33The Northern Werewolf Kingdom was made up of many packs.
15:35Moonstone Pack was only one pack under the kingdom's rule.
15:38Cain could rule Moonstone Pack with one word, but in front of the Alpha King, he was just
15:42one Alpha among many.
15:43I'll go.
15:44Go, little healer.
15:45Let that foolish Alpha see what he has truly lost.
15:52The next day, I did not go to Moonlight Square.
15:54I stayed in the cedar fields and kept watch beside Noah's grave.
15:57Cain's Beta came with guards, looking uneasy.
16:00Elyne, the Alpha has been waiting for you.
16:01The whole pack is gathered at Moonlight Square tonight.
16:03You cannot be absent.
16:04Tell him Noah is buried today.
16:06If he still has a heart, he should know why I am not going.
16:09The Beta's eyes flickered with guilt, but the guards still stepped forward and forced
16:12me up.
16:13Moonlight Square was covered in white roses.
16:15The full moon hung between stone pillars.
16:16The elders and pack members stood on both sides of the square.
16:20I had seen this scene four times before.
16:23Every time, I had cried and thought I had finally reached the end of my waiting.
16:27His eyes full of practice tenderness.
16:28Elyne, you have suffered these past few years.
16:30Once I am completely free of the memory loss, I will marry you and make you the Luna of Moonstone
16:33Pack.
16:36I looked at the ring and felt nothing but absurdity.
16:40The wolves around us began to whisper, as if I should be grateful enough to crawl toward
16:44him.
16:45After everything she did to Lea, the Alpha is still willing to marry her.
16:48I raised my hand and slapped the ring away.
16:51It rolled into the white rose petals.
16:57Elyne, what are you doing?
17:01Before I could answer, hurried footsteps burst in from outside the square.
17:05Alpha!
17:06Something happened in the cedar woods!
17:07Wolves are digging up Noah's grave!
17:10The next second, I ran out of the square like a madwoman.
17:13The roses, the elders, the gasps of the pack.
17:15I left all of it behind.
17:17The snow night was too dark.
17:18The cedar woods looked like a shadow ready to swallow wolves whole.
17:22I fell once, stones cutting into my palms, then scrambled up and kept running.
17:27Only one thought remained.
17:28Do not touch him.
17:31Noah was already dead.
17:32He was already lying so quietly beneath the snow.
17:35Why couldn't they let him rest?
17:37When I reached the cedar woods, the grave had already been dug open.
17:41Fresh soil was scattered everywhere.
17:42The headstone lay toppled in the snow.
17:45Noah's name trampled until it was almost unreadable.
17:52You admitted it yourself.
17:54You hurt Lea.
17:55Why should your brother be buried in moonstone pack?
17:57I threw myself to the ground in front of the ruined grave and tried to gather the mud and snow
18:00with my bare hands.
18:01Don't touch him.
18:03My voice shook so badly it barely sounded like mine.
18:05He never hurt anyone.
18:06He only wanted to live.
18:16His face changed the moment he saw the ruined grave.
18:19All of you, get away from there!
18:22But it was too late.
18:25The headstone was broken.
18:27The grave was ruined.
18:29The last bit of peace Noah had was crushed into the snow and mud.
18:35Aelin, I will handle this.
18:38Handle it?
18:39When Noah died, you said you would compensate me.
18:41Now his grave has been dug up and you say you will handle it.
18:44Cain, do you think if you say it calmly enough, other wolves' deaths stop counting as death?
18:48Maeve's voice rang in my ear.
18:50The five years are over.
18:52Aileen, do you still want to love him?
18:54I looked at Cain, at the shattered snow, at Noah's open grave.
18:58Then, suddenly, I became calm.
19:00No.
19:02Take away the part of me that loves him.
19:04Black mist rose from my palm.
19:06Pain exploded through my chest, then vanished all at once.
19:10When I looked at him again, he was nothing more than a strange male wolf.
19:13He seemed to realize something.
19:14Panic flashed across his face as he grabbed my hand.
19:16Aelin, where are you going?
19:20Somewhere you cannot reach me.
19:22Maeve took my hand.
19:24Before the black mist swallowed the cedar woods,
19:26I heard at Cain scream my name for the first time.
19:29Aelin!
19:31But his voice could no longer catch me.
19:35When the black mist faded, only the wreckage of the cedar woods remained.
19:39Cain wanted to chase Aileen, but Leah threw herself into his arms,
19:42sobbing that she was afraid.
19:43Cain, don't leave me here.
19:45Those wolves looked at me like they wanted to blame me.
19:47I am scared.
19:48His eyes stayed fixed on the place where Aileen had disappeared.
19:51For a few seconds, he almost pushed Leah away.
19:55But Leah clutched his sleeve with shaking fingers.
19:58You promised you would protect me.
20:03He still walked Leah back to her room.
20:09Cain, are we doing the usual today?
20:11First snow is almost here.
20:13Should we send a listen back to the underground Cala?
20:16Then Leah wrapped her arms around his from behind.
20:21Yes.
20:23Aileen was just throwing a tantrum.
20:25She had nowhere to go.
20:28Her brother was dead.
20:29Her parents were dead.
20:32In Moonstone Pack, she had no one left but me.
20:36As long as he brought her back to the cellar,
20:38she would be like every other time,
20:40crying and shivering in the snow,
20:42waiting for him to remember.
20:44He did not yet understand
20:45that the wolf who once waited for him
20:47had already died beside Noah's ruined grave.
20:53Two hours later, the guards returned.
20:56Alpha, Miss Aileen is gone.
21:00Cain lifted his eyes.
21:03His voice was cold enough to frighten wolves.
21:06I knew she left last night.
21:09I asked you to find out where she is now.
21:13We searched the apothetory,
21:15the cellar,
21:16the cedar woods,
21:17and her room.
21:20Her medicine chest is gone.
21:22The ledgers are gone.
21:25Even the things she left for Noah are gone.
21:27The cup in At-Cain's hand smattered.
21:30Fragments cut into his palm.
21:32Blood dripped onto the floor.
21:34He did not seem to feel it.
21:37Cain, maybe that witch is hiding her.
21:40Aileen loves you so much,
21:42she would not truly leave.
21:46The lunar ring Aileen had knocked away.
21:48Still lay among the wilted white roses in Moonlight Square.
21:53He suddenly remembered the way she had looked at him before she left.
21:56Calm.
21:58Strange.
21:59As if he was a male wolf who had nothing to do with her anymore.
22:05Search again.
22:07Search every abandoned den,
22:09every border cabin,
22:11every old herb path she ever used.
22:14Yes, Alpha.
22:15Leah tightened her fingers around her moonstone pendant.
22:19Cain.
22:20She only wants you to panic.
22:22Don't let her win.
22:25Not another word.
22:27Don't test my patience.
22:31That night, At-Cain went to the underground cellar.
22:35For five years,
22:36every time he lost his memory,
22:38he had ordered the guards to lock Aileen there.
22:40He had never truly looked at that place before.
22:44The moment the door opened,
22:46cold, damp air mixed with the scent of herbs rushed toward him.
22:49The walls were covered in formulas.
22:52Treatments for silver wounds.
22:54Antidotes for wolf bag.
22:55Medicines to stabilize pups in a wolf's.
22:57And the special stabilizing medicine made only for him.
23:00Beside every formula,
23:02was a date and an ingredient note.
23:04Year one.
23:05Three drops of Aileen's fingertip blood.
23:07Year two.
23:08Half a cup of blood from Aileen's wrist.
23:09Year three.
23:10Wolf's fight backlash worsened.
23:11Aileen unconscious for two days.
23:13Year four.
23:13Silver injury and right hand worsened.
23:15No further contact with cold poison heads recommended.
23:17Year five.
23:19Lifespan damage severe.
23:21Blood infusion still required.
23:23Cain's hands began to shake.
23:25He had not known.
23:26Or maybe he had never wanted to know.
23:29The guard behind him lowered his head.
23:32Alpha.
23:33Should I call the pack healer?
23:35Your hand is still bleeding.
23:37Cain looked at his own palm,
23:38then at the old blood notes on the wall.
23:40No.
23:42His voice was rough.
23:44This blood is nothing.
23:45Compared with what Aileen had fed him for five winters,
23:47it was not even enough to stain one medicine bowl.
23:50He stepped deeper into the cellar,
23:51and every line on the wall looked like an accusation.
23:57A wooden chest sat in the corner.
24:00Inside was a luna gown.
24:02The stitches were delicate.
24:04Aileen had sewed it by hand.
24:06Beside it was a small bottle of medicine.
24:08Two words were written on the glass.
24:11Wedding night.
24:12Cain remembered.
24:13That year, after he recovered,
24:15Aileen had shown him the bottle
24:16and said that after the full moon proposal,
24:18they could place it in the square
24:19to soothe his damaged inner wolf.
24:21I tested it three times.
24:22It will not hurt you.
24:24On our wedding night,
24:25your inner wolf will sleep peacefully.
24:27In front of half the pack,
24:29At Cain had thrown the bottle into the snow.
24:34A healer who hurts wolves
24:36wants to prepare medicine
24:37for my wedding night?
24:38Do you hear yourself?
24:39At the time,
24:40Aileen's flesh had to get her
24:41feindlich plage.
24:42Still.
24:42She had crouched in
24:43and picked up the broken pieces
24:45of her by hand.
24:46It's okay.
24:47When you are better,
24:48I will make another one.
24:53The old scene tore through him
24:55with a pain
24:55he had no right to call grief.
24:57His fingers brushed the lunar gown
24:59and a thin needle fell
25:00from the folded fabric.
25:02There was dried blood
25:03on the needle tip.
25:04She had bled for the gown too.
25:07Aileen,
25:08how much did you hide from me?
25:10No one answered.
25:11Only the cold Selen held his voice
25:13and threw it back at him.
25:17Then Cain's message stone lit up.
25:20The same male wolf
25:21sent him an image.
25:22Cain,
25:22we're finished.
25:23That night in the council hall
25:24when we talked about you
25:25faking the memory loss,
25:26I think Aileen heard everything.
25:27In the image,
25:28Aileen stood outside the door,
25:29her face white as paper.
25:31The medicine bowl fell from her hand
25:32and shattered on the floor.
25:33Then she turned and left.
25:35Cain stared at the image,
25:36frozen in place.
25:38She had known everything.
25:41That the memory loss
25:42had been fake for five years.
25:44That every punishment
25:45had been done
25:46while he was fully aware.
25:47That he had never planned
25:48to marry her.
25:49The message stone
25:50slipped from his hand.
25:51Surrounded by medicine formulas,
25:53Cain crouched down
25:54and finally let out
25:54a broken, strangled breath.
25:57But in the underground cellar,
25:59there was no wolf
25:59left to answer him.
26:01The young wolf's message stone
26:02kept flashing with new words.
26:04Alpha,
26:04should we destroy the recording?
26:05If the elders see it,
26:07Moonstone Pack
26:07will be humiliated.
26:08Cain slowly lifted his head.
26:10His eyes were bloodshot.
26:12No,
26:13that's impossible.
26:14His hands shook violently
26:16as he sprung to his feet
26:17and rushed toward the door.
26:18I have to find Eileen!
26:22Maeve brought me
26:22to the royal capital at dawn.
26:24The capital of the
26:25northern werewolf kingdom
26:26stood beneath the snow mountains.
26:28Moonstone Pack
26:28was only one pack
26:29under the kingdom's rule.
26:30And the Alpha King
26:31on the throne
26:32ruled every northern pack.
26:33Maeve placed a small
26:34black box in my hand.
26:35The last trace
26:36of Noah's inner wolf
26:36is inside.
26:37I kept it from fading for you.
26:38Whether he wakes again
26:39depends on you.
26:44Do not thank me too soon.
26:46Alpha King Eli
26:46is not easy to serve.
26:48His silver poisoning
26:48has dragged on
26:49for seven years.
26:50The royal healers
26:51have been replaced
26:52three times.
26:53A royal guard
26:54stopped us
26:54before the gate.
26:56Name and purpose.
26:57A healer
26:58for your dying king.
26:59Unless
26:59the royal critfer
27:01is burying another
27:01alpha before spring.
27:03He glanced at me,
27:04then at the black box
27:05in my hand.
27:07Follow me.
27:07Do not touch anything
27:08without permission.
27:12I followed him
27:13into the royal apathory workshop.
27:15Chaos filled the room.
27:17Healers argued
27:17over old formulas.
27:18At the center of it all,
27:19the Alpha King
27:20was chained to a stone seat.
27:21The next second,
27:22his eyes opened.
27:23Our gazes met.
27:27Eli was young,
27:28with black hair
27:29and gray eyes.
27:30Silver poison marks
27:31crawled along the side
27:32of his neck.
27:32When his inner wolf
27:33went for all,
27:34the killing pressure
27:34in the room
27:34became almost
27:35unbearable.
27:36Several royal healers
27:37stood pale-faced,
27:37holding all the wrong
27:38medicines.
27:39Old silver poisoning
27:40could not be treated
27:40with a harsh
27:41suppressive draught
27:42that would only force
27:43his inner wolf
27:43to lash out.
27:44I stepped up
27:45to the medicine table,
27:46chose white wolf
27:47fad leaf,
27:47cedar root,
27:48and black thistle seed,
27:49then cut open
27:49my finger nip
27:50and let three drops
27:51of blood fell in.
27:52Who is this she-wolf?
27:53Who gave her permission
27:54to touch the king's medicine?
27:56I ignored him.
27:58Another healer
27:59reached out to stop me.
28:00If his majesty
28:01dies after drinking
28:02your medicine,
28:03can you bear
28:05that crime?
28:06If he drinks yours,
28:08he will not last
28:08until sunset.
28:10The room went silent.
28:12When the medicine
28:13finished brewing,
28:14I carried it to Eli.
28:15A low, rough wolf growl
28:17rolled from his throat.
28:18The guards drew
28:19their blades.
28:20I stopped
28:21in front of him.
28:22If you kill me now,
28:23you will lose control
28:24completely tonight.
28:26Drink this,
28:27and you might at least
28:28survive the night asleep.
28:30Eli stared at me.
28:32After a few breaths,
28:33he lowered his head
28:34and drank.
28:35The silver markings
28:36faded little by will.
28:37The chain stopped shaking.
28:39The room fell dead silent.
28:41Eli leaned back
28:41against the stone seat,
28:43his voice horny.
28:44Name?
28:45Island.
28:46Which pack?
28:48Moonstone pack.
28:50Something shifted
28:50in his eyes.
28:54Eli looked at me
28:55for a long moment.
28:56Kane's future Luna?
28:58Almost.
28:59Once.
29:01Not anymore.
29:02He ordered the guards
29:03to unlock his chains.
29:05Give her an apothetory workshop.
29:07The best one in the capital.
29:08The royal healers
29:09looked displeased,
29:10but none of them
29:10dared object.
29:11Eli swept a calm
29:13glance over them.
29:13Anyone who disagrees
29:15can bring me medicine
29:15that works better than hers.
29:17I had just been led
29:18into my new workshop
29:19when hurried footsteps
29:20sounded outside.
29:23Your Majesty!
29:24The Alpha of Moonstone
29:25pack requests an audience.
29:27The next moment,
29:28he burst into the workshop.
29:30After just one night,
29:31his eyes were bloodshot,
29:32like he had searched
29:33through the snow for hours.
29:34The moment he saw me,
29:36he almost lunged forward.
29:37Alan!
29:38I stepped back
29:39and pressed a small herb knife
29:40to his throat.
29:41Take one more step
29:42and I will make sure
29:43you cannot shift
29:44for three days.
29:47Come back with me.
29:48The royal guards
29:49moved at once,
29:50blades half-orn,
29:51but Eli raised one hand
29:52and stopped them.
29:52He seemed to want to see
29:53whether I still needed
29:54anyone to stand in front of me.
29:55I did not lower the knife.
29:59When Cain said it,
30:00his voice was so horsey
30:02it sounded as if fear
30:02had finally found him overnight.
30:05Maeve had taken
30:05everything cleanly.
30:06All that love,
30:07all that pain,
30:08all those snowy nights
30:09spent waiting for him
30:10to turn back.
30:11They felt like they belonged
30:12to some other she-wolf.
30:13Back where?
30:14Cain's throat bobbed.
30:15Back to Moonstone pack.
30:16I will rebuild Noah's grave.
30:17I will punish the wolves
30:19who dug it up.
30:19If you want a new
30:20apothetory workshop,
30:21I will give you one.
30:22If you want the lunar position,
30:24I will give you that too.
30:25Cain,
30:25everything you are offering me now
30:27is something I no longer want.
30:29Still angry with me, aren't you?
30:30Punish me however you want.
30:32Just come back with me.
30:34Why should she go back with you?
30:36All the gods bowed their heads.
30:38Your majesty.
30:39Cain's expression changed.
30:41No matter how arrogant he was,
30:42he did not dare cause a scene
30:44in front of the Alpha King.
30:45Eli came to stand beside my,
30:47his gaze falling on the lunar ring
30:48in Cain's hand.
30:49The lunar ring of Moonstone pack?
30:51Cain clenched his jaw.
30:53This is between Aileen and me.
30:54She is a royal healer now.
30:56Her affairs are under
30:57the royal court's protection.
30:58Anger pressed behind Cain's eyes.
31:03Your majesty.
31:04She was once my future Luna.
31:06Was she?
31:09I lowered the knife.
31:10Almost.
31:12Then she was not.
31:16Leah entered with several she-wolves
31:18from Moonstone pack supporting her.
31:19Her face was pale.
31:20Her eyes red.
31:21The moment she saw me,
31:23she looked like she had suffered
31:24some unimaginable wrong.
31:26Aileen!
31:27So this is where you ran?
31:28Was ruining my sense of smell not enough?
31:29Now you want to trick the Alpha King
31:31into protecting you too?
31:32Leah,
31:33why are you here?
31:36Your majesty,
31:37please do not trust this she-wolf.
31:39Five years ago,
31:39during the winter full moon hunt,
31:40she fed me the wrong medicine
31:41and left me unable
31:42to smell anything ever again.
31:43She knows exactly
31:44how to play the victim.
31:45She is even better
31:46at wrapping mails
31:47around her finger.
31:48She saved you
31:49only so she could
31:49worm her way to your side.
31:51Once you trust her,
31:53she will hurt you
31:54the way she hurt me.
31:56Cain looked at me,
31:57pain flashing in his eyes.
31:58Aileen,
31:59Leah is not well.
32:00Whatever happened between you two
32:01can be discussed
32:02back in Moonstone Park.
32:03How wonderful.
32:04How familiar.
32:06Even after I had reached
32:07the royal capital,
32:08even after I had just
32:09saved the Alpha King,
32:10as long as Leah cried,
32:12he would still protect her first.
32:14Seeing him stand
32:15in front of her,
32:16Leah's eyes flashed
32:17with triumph.
32:20Leah lifted her face,
32:22her voice even softer.
32:23Aileen,
32:24as long as you admit
32:25to his majesty
32:26that you gave me
32:26the wrong medicine,
32:27I can let it go.
32:28Stop deceiving people,
32:29alright?
32:32Cain grabbed my wrist.
32:34Aileen,
32:34that's enough!
32:35His voice was sharp
32:36with anger
32:37and with pain for her.
32:39She has been unable
32:40to smell for five years.
32:42Why do you still
32:43have to push her?
32:44I looked down
32:45at his hand around my wrist
32:46and my eyes went cold.
32:48Let go.
32:50Cain stiffened.
32:52Eli lifted his eyes.
32:54The next second,
32:55a royal guard's blade
32:56was pressed to Cain's shoulder.
32:57Cain had no choice
32:58but to release me.
33:00I shook out my aching wrist
33:01and turned to Eli.
33:02Your majesty,
33:03since Leah claims
33:04I destroyed her sense of smell,
33:05let the royal court test her.
33:06Leah's face turned white.
33:08Test what?
33:08Moonstone Pack already tested me!
33:10Eli's voice was calm.
33:11The royal court
33:11does not pass judgment
33:12based on Moonstone Pack's tears.
33:14Leah's fingers
33:15tightened around
33:16her moonstone pendant
33:16so hard
33:17her knuckles turned white.
33:18For the first time,
33:20no one rushed to hold her
33:20before she fell.
33:21A judgment witch
33:22was brought in quickly.
33:27The first black wood box
33:29was placed in front of Leah.
33:33The judgment witch
33:34asked Leah the first question.
33:35Tell us what is inside.
33:37Leah bit her lip.
33:39I cannot smell it.
33:41The witch lifted the lid.
33:43Inside was treated hot
33:44of white wolf bite.
33:45The royal healers
33:46began to murmur.
33:47A she-wolf
33:48who has lost her sense of smell
33:49would not avoid wolf bite
33:51before the box was opened.
33:52Leah rushed to explain.
33:53I am just afraid of wolf bite!
33:56A second box
33:57was brought forward.
33:58Inside were fragments
33:59of the medicine bottle
34:00from the winter full moon hunt
34:01five years ago.
34:02The witch turned
34:03the fragments over.
34:04There are two sets
34:05of fingerprints.
34:06Aelan's are on the mouth
34:07of the bottle.
34:08Leah's are on the stopper.
34:09The inside of the stopper
34:10contains silver powder residue.
34:15Bring the old healer.
34:18He was the healer
34:19who had diagnosed Leah
34:20back then.
34:21Under the pressure
34:22of the royal court
34:23he dropped to his knees
34:24trembling so badly
34:25he could barely speak.
34:26Leah never lost
34:27her sense of smell.
34:28She made me write
34:28a false diagnosis.
34:30She said Alpha Cain
34:31would protect her.
34:32You're lying!
34:33Slowly
34:34Cain turned his head
34:35toward Leah.
34:36In his eyes
34:36something finally
34:37began to collapse.
34:42I handed a set
34:43of herb ledgers
34:44to Eli.
34:45Your majesty
34:45I request a formal
34:47trial against
34:47Moonstone Pack.
34:50No!
34:51You cannot do that!
34:52This is Moonstone Pack's
34:53internal matter!
34:54Eli did not look at her.
34:56He took the ledgers
34:57from my hand
34:58and turned the first page.
34:59The blood marks
35:00beside several formulas
35:01were still dark.
35:03These are yours?
35:04Every formula.
35:05Every adjustment.
35:07Every note written
35:07after the cellar punishments.
35:08Cain's fingers trembled.
35:09Cellar punishments?
35:11Did you forget those two?
35:12His face turned
35:13even paler.
35:14Leah crawled closer
35:15to him in panic.
35:16Cain!
35:16Don't listen to her!
35:17She hates me!
35:18She wants revenge!
35:19For once
35:19Cain did not immediately
35:20reach for her.
35:21That hesitation
35:22made Leah truly afraid.
35:25Eli closed the ledger.
35:26The Royal Court
35:26will hold trial
35:27in three days.
35:28Moonstone Pack,
35:28Elders, Healers,
35:29Guards,
35:29and every wolf
35:30involved will be summoned.
35:31Yes, your majesty!
35:32Leah shook her head wildly.
35:33No!
35:34I did nothing wrong!
35:35I only suffered!
35:37I stepped closer
35:38and looked down at her.
35:39Then you should be glad
35:40a true victim
35:41has nothing to fear
35:42from a trial.
35:44Leah's lips parted,
35:45but no sound came out.
35:50The Royal Court
35:51held the trial
35:52three days later.
35:54Wolves from every pack
35:55under the Northern Werewolf Kingdom
35:57came to watch.
35:58The Elders,
35:59Healers,
35:59and Guards of Moonstone Pack
36:01were brought to the capital.
36:03So were the wolves
36:04who had dug up Noah's grave.
36:06Leah knelt
36:06in the center of the court.
36:08The mark from my slap
36:09had not yet faded
36:10from her face.
36:12Eli sat on the throne,
36:14expression cold.
36:18The first piece of evidence
36:19was the medicine bottle
36:20from the Winter Full Moon Hunt
36:22five years ago.
36:22The Royal Witch
36:23proved before everyone
36:24that the calming medicine
36:25inside the bottle
36:26was not flawed.
36:27What had caused Leah's
36:28brief reaction
36:28was the silver powder
36:29later smeared
36:30onto the inner side
36:30of the stopper.
36:31That silver powder
36:32was not mine.
36:35Leah had placed it
36:36there herself.
36:37The second piece of evidence
36:38was the old healer's
36:40false diagnosis.
36:42He admitted in his own words
36:44that Leah had never
36:44lost her sense of smell.
36:46She ordered me to write
36:47that Aelin destroyed
36:48her senses.
36:49She said if I refused,
36:50Alpha Cain would never
36:50let me practice medicine again.
36:53You took my medicine
36:55for five years!
36:56Now you betray me!
37:00The court erupted
37:01in low murmurs.
37:03Eli's fingers tapped
37:04the armrest once.
37:06The hall went silent.
37:09Continue.
37:10I stood beside the evidence table
37:11and watched Leah look around
37:12for someone to save her.
37:14This time,
37:15every path was blocked.
37:20The third piece of evidence
37:21was the apothecary ledger.
37:24For five years,
37:25the formulas Leah had submitted
37:27to the kingdom's healer selections
37:28had all contained
37:29my handwriting at the core.
37:30Every formula carried traces
37:32of my blood
37:33as the key ingredient.
37:34And my own competition sample
37:36had been switched
37:37by Cain's beta.
37:40When the beta was dragged forward,
37:42he could barely look at me.
37:44It was the Alpha's order.
37:45He said Leah needed a reputation
37:47and Eileen owed her.
37:48The court fell silent.
37:50Cain stood below the throne,
37:52his face assin.
37:53He had already heard
37:53the truth once.
37:54But only now,
37:55with every piece of evidence
37:56laid out before the royal court,
37:57did he truly understand
37:58what kind of wolf he had protected
38:00for five years.
38:01It wasn't me!
38:02Eileen framed me!
38:03She has the Alpha King
38:04wrapped around her finger now!
38:05Of course she wants me dead!
38:06I walked toward her step by step.
38:09Leah, you say I climbed
38:10into the Alpha King's favor.
38:12Then who was it five years ago
38:13who used a few tears
38:14to make Cain hand over
38:14my formulas to you?
38:15Leah's lips trembled.
38:17You say I destroyed
38:17your sense of smell.
38:18But for five years,
38:19you could smell the cedar on Cain.
38:20You could smell
38:21Heart of White Wolfford.
38:21You could smell every bottle
38:22of medicine you stole from me.
38:24You lost nothing.
38:25I lost my hand.
38:26I lost my medicine room.
38:28I lost five years
38:29and I lost Noah.
38:33Leah finally broke.
38:35She crawled toward Cain.
38:36Cain, I only did it
38:37because I loved you so much!
38:38If I had not done it,
38:39why would you have
38:39kept protecting me?
38:40Eileen had everything!
38:42She had talent!
38:42She had your promise!
38:43She was going to become Luna!
38:45I only had you!
38:46Cain lowered his gaze to her.
38:48Once, whenever she cried like that,
38:50he would have picked her up.
38:51This time, he stepped back.
38:56Noah's death.
38:57Noah's inner wolf was collapsing.
39:00That day, all he needed
39:01was the Heart of White Wolfspot.
39:03The harvesting order
39:04had already been signed,
39:06but Alpha Cain kept it
39:07at the Council Hall Terrace.
39:09By the time the medicine arrived,
39:11it was ten minutes too late.
39:13As the Alpha of a pack,
39:17you withheld life-saving medicine
39:19and forced a healer
39:20to confess publicly,
39:22resulting in the death of a pup.
39:24Do you admit it?
39:27After a long time,
39:29he said hoarsely,
39:30I admit it.
39:31The moment the words fell,
39:32gasps erupted throughout the pack.
39:33What?
39:34He ignored a living,
39:35breathing person
39:35just because of a she-wolf's tears?
39:36He doesn't deserve to be an Alpha!
39:38That's too cruel!
39:38I can't believe an Alpha
39:39would do something like that!
39:40Everyone looked at Cain
39:41with disgust in their eyes.
39:43I did not look at Cain.
39:44Everything that happened
39:45was Cain's punishment.
39:51Eli then looked at the young wolves
39:52being held by the guards.
39:55And the grave?
39:58Leah hinted at it!
39:59She said Aline ruined her sense of smell,
40:01yet her brother still got to be buried
40:02in Moonstone Pack!
40:03She said it was un-unfair!
40:04She never told us to dig up the grave!
40:06I did not!
40:07A guard presented a message stone.
40:09Leah's soft voice echoed from inside it.
40:11As long as Noah is buried in the Cedar Woods,
40:13Aelin will always think she still has a home.
40:15After what she did to me,
40:16why should she still have a home?
40:17The proof landed.
40:19Leah collapsed to the floor.
40:21Werewolves revered the Moon Goddess,
40:23and they revered the dead.
40:24Digging up a grave
40:25was one of the deepest insults
40:27alts imaginable.
40:29Leah,
40:30for fabricating an injury,
40:31slandering a royal healer,
40:33stealing formulas,
40:33and inciting the desecration of a grave,
40:35you will be stripped of pack membership
40:36and sent to the border labor grounds.
40:38You will never return to the capital.
40:42No!
40:43Cain, save me!
40:44You said you would always protect me!
40:47Cain, Alpha of Moonstone Pack,
40:48for abusing your authority as Alpha,
40:50switching samples in the kingdom's healer selection,
40:52withholding livesaving herbs,
40:53and allowing your pack to persecute a healer.
40:54The northern herb fields of Moonstone Pack
40:56will be placed under royal court supervision
40:57from this day on.
40:58You are suspended from your duties
41:00for one year,
41:01and will submit to royal investigation.
41:04The hall erupted.
41:05For a pack Alpha,
41:06losing authority in the herb fields
41:07was almost the same as having his pride
41:09stripped from him in public.
41:10But Cain did not resist.
41:12He only looked at me.
41:13His eyes were full of regret
41:14that had come far too late.
41:19After the trial,
41:20Cain caught up to me in the royal court corridor.
41:22Aelin!
41:22I stopped.
41:23He stood a few steps away,
41:25his voice so wracky
41:26I could barely hear it.
41:27Noah's death was my fault.
41:28I looked at him calmly.
41:30Yes.
41:32Your hand was my fault too.
41:35Yes.
41:36And those five years,
41:38I destroyed them.
41:39Yes.
41:40Every word cut back into him like a blade.
41:44At last,
41:46Cain could not hold himself up anymore.
41:48He dropped to his knees in front of me.
41:50What can I do?
41:52He looked up at me like a wolf
41:53with his spine broken.
41:54Aileen,
41:55tell me what I can do
41:55to make it hurt less for you.
41:57I suddenly remember
41:58kneeling on the Colton Knight years ago
41:59when he had carried me back
42:00to the medicine room
42:01through the snow after I was injured.
42:02Back then,
42:03I had believed
42:03he would always protect me.
42:05Later,
42:06I learned that his tenderness
42:07could be taken back at any time.
42:10Every embrace he had ever given me
42:11eventually turned into a sharper knife.
42:14Once,
42:14I survived because of those embraces.
42:17I nearly died trapped inside them too.
42:19Now he knelt there,
42:20finally learning what pain felt like.
42:22But I did not need him
42:23to suffer for me anymore.
42:24Cain,
42:25you lied to me for five years.
42:27His tears hit the stone steps.
42:29I'm sorry.
42:30I bent down and spoke
42:31in a voice only he could heard.
42:33Now I will let you wait too.
42:35Cain snapped his head up.
42:36I smiled faintly.
42:38Wait until the day you die.
42:40I still will not come back.
42:42The light in his eyes
42:44went out little by little.
42:48Footsteps sounded behind me.
42:50Eli came to my side
42:52and traped a cloak over my shoulders.
42:55There is news from the workshop.
42:57Eli's voice softened.
43:00Noah's inner wolf is responding.
43:02I forgot Cain completely
43:03and lifted my skirts,
43:04running for the workshop.
43:06Deep inside the royal medicine room,
43:07Noah's fingers moved lightly
43:09in the ice coffin.
43:10The last spark of Noah's inner wolf
43:12that maybe had preserved
43:13finally glowed again
43:14under the nourishment
43:15of white wolf's bag medicine.
43:16I threw myself beside the coffin,
43:18tears spilling down all at once.
43:20Noah.
43:21Noah's lashes trembled.
43:24Slowly, he opened his eyes.
43:26His voice was very soft.
43:28Sister.
43:29Sister.
43:31In that moment,
43:32I finally knew the snow
43:33had truly stopped.
43:34Cain stood outside the workshop door
43:36and did not take another step forward.
43:37He watched Noah wake.
43:38He watched Eli stable me.
43:40At last, he understood.
43:41What I had wanted most
43:42was never his ring.
43:43It was my innocence.
43:44It was Noah.
43:46It was a path
43:46I no longer had to walk on my knees
43:48and none of those things
43:49had come from him.
43:51Cain's hand tightened
43:52around the lunar ring
43:53until the silver edge
43:53cut into his palm.
43:55I gave her nothing.
43:57No one answered him.
43:59Inside the workshop,
44:00Noah held my hand
44:01and I did not look back.
44:06Cain returned to Moonstone Pack
44:07under royal court escort.
44:09The same council hall
44:10that had once laughed at Eileen
44:12now stood silent as a grave.
44:13A royal invite
44:15puts the sealed order
44:16on the long table.
44:17From today on,
44:18the northern herb fields
44:19of Moonstone Pack
44:20will be supervised
44:21by the royal court.
44:23No harvest,
44:24transfer,
44:24or medicine room entry.
44:26Man proceed
44:26without approval.
44:31Your excellency,
44:33the herb fields
44:33are the foundation
44:34of our pack.
44:35If the royal court
44:36takes them,
44:37how will Moonstone operate?
44:38The envoy's eyes
44:39were cold.
44:40You should have thought
44:41of that before you
44:42let a healer's brother
44:43die for ten minutes
44:44of theatre.
44:45No wolf dared
44:46speak again.
44:47Cain stood at the
44:47head of the hall,
44:48but the alpha seat
44:49behind him felt
44:50farther away than ever.
44:51His suspension
44:52had begun.
44:53Every pack member
44:54who had once cursed
44:55Eileen as a thief
44:55and Leah's a lacquer
44:56was called forward.
44:58They signed written
44:59apologies under
44:59the royal court's seal.
45:02I accused
45:03healer Eileen
45:03of stealing herbs
45:04without evidence.
45:06I called her a sinner
45:07because Leah cried.
45:08I watched her
45:09kneel in the snow
45:11and did nothing.
45:15Each word
45:16was written in ink.
45:18Each name
45:19was pressed
45:19under royal seal.
45:21Cain listened
45:22until his face
45:23lost all color.
45:24After sunset,
45:25he walked alone
45:26to the cedar woods.
45:27Noah's empty grave
45:28had been repaired.
45:29Cain knelt
45:30before it.
45:31Noah,
45:32I am sorry.
45:33The snow fell quietly.
45:38Leah was sent
45:38to the border labor grounds
45:39before the next snowfall.
45:41There were no
45:42moonstone pendants there.
45:43No warm rooms
45:44where she could cry
45:45until someone held her.
45:46There was only snow,
45:47mines,
45:48and silver ash
45:49that would never
45:50wash clean.
45:52The border guard
45:53removed the last
45:54moonstone pack token
45:55from her cloak.
45:55Leah of no pack,
45:56step forward.
45:59No!
46:00I am from
46:00moonstone pack.
46:01Cain will come
46:01for me.
46:02He promised
46:02he would always
46:03protect me.
46:04The guard
46:04looked bored.
46:05Alpha Cain
46:06is suspended
46:06and under investigation.
46:08His promises
46:08do not reach
46:09the border.
46:10The labor wolves
46:10around her
46:11laughed without pity.
46:12So this is
46:13the famous
46:14broken she-wolf.
46:15She smells
46:16silver ash
46:16faster than
46:17any of us.
46:18Leah covered
46:18her nose
46:19on instinct.
46:20The guard's
46:20eyes sharpened.
46:21Careful.
46:22I thought you
46:22could not
46:23smell anything.
46:24Leah froze.
46:25No wolf
46:26cared.
46:28She cried
46:28the entire
46:29way,
46:29claiming she
46:30had only
46:30loved Cain
46:30too much
46:31and that
46:31Eileen had
46:32stolen everything
46:32from her.
46:33But on the
46:33border,
46:34tears were
46:34useless.
46:35A cart of
46:36silver-stained
46:36ore was
46:36pushed toward
46:37her.
46:37Start working.
46:38If you fall,
46:39you get up.
46:39If you cry,
46:40you work while
46:41crying.
46:41Leah shook
46:42her head
46:42wildly.
46:43I am not
46:44meant for this,
46:44Cain!
46:45Cain, save me!
46:46The wind
46:46swallowed her
46:47scream.
46:47For five years,
46:48she had used
46:49weakness as a
46:49weapon.
46:50Now weakness
46:51could no longer
46:51buy her
46:52mercy.
46:56After Cain
46:57returned to
46:57Moonstone
46:58Pack, his
46:59suspension took
47:00effect.
47:00The royal court
47:01took control of
47:02the northern herb
47:03fields and began
47:04reviewing the
47:05medicine room
47:05ledgers.
47:06Cain went to
47:07the cedar woods
47:07every day.
47:08The last trace
47:09of Noah's
47:09inner wolf had
47:10already been
47:11taken by Maeve,
47:12leaving only an
47:13empty grave that
47:13had been repaired.
47:15Cain would
47:15kneel there all
47:16night.
47:16Later, he truly
47:17began to lose
47:18his memory.
47:19It was not an
47:20act anymore.
47:21Every time the
47:21first snow fell,
47:23he would return
47:23to five years
47:24ago and search
47:24Moonstone
47:25Pack like a
47:25mad wolf.
47:26He would clutch
47:27the lunar ring
47:27and ask every
47:28wolf the same
47:29question.
47:29Where is Eileen?
47:31Where is my
47:31Eileen?
47:35No wolf dared
47:36answer.
47:39Without Alina's
47:40medicine, the
47:41wolf spied
47:41damage inside
47:42him slowly
47:43returned.
47:49A royal healer
47:50went to examine
47:50him once.
47:53The healer
47:54watched Cain
47:55crawl at the
47:56cellar door
47:56until his
47:57fingers bled.
47:59Eileen is
47:59inside.
48:00She must be
48:01cold.
48:03Open it.
48:05Alpha Cain,
48:06there is no
48:07one inside.
48:08You are lying.
48:09She always
48:10waits for me
48:11there.
48:15The royal healer
48:16brought back
48:17only one sentence.
48:18He will live
48:19but he can
48:20never be a
48:21complete alpha
48:21again.
48:26When Moonstone
48:27wolves heard the
48:27judgment, no one
48:28dared call it
48:29unfair.
48:32When I heard
48:33what happened to
48:34Cain, I was
48:34changing Noah's
48:35medicine.
48:37Noah sat by the
48:38window, still pale,
48:39but his inner wolf
48:40had stabilized.
48:41He looked at me
48:41carefully.
48:42Sister, are you
48:44still sad?
48:45I handed him the
48:45bowl.
48:48A little.
48:49He lowered his
48:49head.
48:50I rubbed his
48:51hair.
48:53But not because of
48:54Cain.
48:54I was sad for the
48:55girl I used to be,
48:56the one who had
48:57waited in the snow
48:57for five years.
48:59Sad for the
49:00aligner who had
49:00given away her
49:01life, her blood,
49:02and her love,
49:03and still believed
49:04a promise would
49:05come.
49:07Noah finished the
49:08medicine and
49:08grimaced at the
49:09bitterness.
49:10Eli's voice came
49:11from the doorway.
49:13Bitter or not,
49:14you still have to
49:15drink it.
49:15Noah immediately
49:16sat up straight.
49:17Your Majesty.
49:19Eli walked in and
49:20tossed him a small
49:21pouch of sweet fruit.
49:23After you finish.
49:28Noah's eyes lit up.
49:30I could not help
49:30laughing.
49:31Eli came to my
49:32side and placed a
49:32document on the
49:33table.
49:34Appointment as
49:34chief apathy
49:35of the Royal
49:35Court.
49:37I froze.
49:38He looked at me,
49:39a faint smile in
49:39his gray eyes.
49:40The Northern
49:41Werewolf Kingdom
49:41needs you.
49:42I opened the
49:43document.
49:43The Royal Court's
49:44seal rested at the
49:45bottom.
49:45In Moonstone Pack,
49:46I had made so much
49:47medicine, yet not a
49:48single formula had
49:49ever truly belonged
49:49to me.
49:50Now, through the
49:51most formal document
49:52in the Kingdom,
49:52the Royal Court
49:53declared to every
49:54pack, Elaine was
49:55the chief apathy
49:55of the Northern
49:56Werewolf Kingdom.
49:57Her formulas
49:58belonged to her.
49:59Her achievements
50:00belonged to her.
50:01Her name no longer
50:02depended on any
50:03Alpha's promise.
50:08A few months
50:09later, the Spring
50:10Healer Exhibition
50:11was held in the
50:11Capitol.
50:15I stood at the
50:16center of the
50:16display with my
50:17newest medicine.
50:18The bottle was
50:19named Snowfall's End.
50:21It could stabilize a
50:22collapsing inner wolf
50:23and repair the damage
50:24left by silver
50:25poisoning.
50:26Many pack healers
50:26stood below the
50:27platform, carefully
50:28taking notes as I
50:29explained.
50:30Do not suppress a
50:32damaged inner wolf
50:32by force.
50:33First calm the
50:34backlash, then rebuild
50:35the bond between
50:36body and wolf spirit.
50:38Chief of Power
50:38Theory, can this
50:39formula be used on
50:40pups born with
50:40weak wolves?
50:42With adjustment,
50:43yes.
50:44No pup should die
50:45because one pack
50:46controls the herb field.
50:49Eli stood at the
50:50back of the crowd in
50:51his black royal
50:52cloak, watching me
50:53quietly.
50:56Only after the
50:57exhibition ended did
50:58he walk over.
51:01I turned around.
51:02He took out a ring.
51:07It was not a
51:08lunar ring.
51:09The face of the
51:10ring was engraved
51:11with the royal
51:11court's herb crest
51:12and the mark of the
51:12alpha king.
51:13I do not need an
51:14ornament standing
51:15beside my throne.
51:16I need a healer who
51:17can help me protect
51:17this kingdom.
51:18Something moved
51:19gently in my chest.
51:22He did not ask me
51:23to become his
51:24possession.
51:25He asked me to
51:26stand with him.
51:27You can refuse.
51:29If you do, your
51:30position as chief
51:31apothetory is still
51:31yours.
51:32The workshop is
51:33still yours.
51:34Noah will still
51:35stay in the capital
51:36for treatment.
51:37I looked at him
51:38and suddenly smiled.
51:39Your majesty, do
51:40you always propose
51:41like you are issuing
51:42an appointment?
51:43Eli paused.
51:44For once, the tips
51:45of his ears turned
51:45red.
51:46Beside us, Noah
51:47tried so hard not
51:48to laugh that his
51:48shoulders shook.
51:50I held out my
51:51hand, but I
51:52accept.
51:54The moment the
51:55ring slid onto my
51:56finger, a bell rang
51:57in the distance.
51:59The spring snow
52:00had stopped.
52:01Sunlight spilled
52:02into the royal
52:02apothecary workshop
52:03and lit the rows
52:04of medicine bottles.
52:05Outside the window,
52:06Noah shifted into
52:06a small wolf for the
52:07first time and
52:08stumbled into the
52:09snow.
52:09Eli wrapped his
52:10arms around me
52:11from behind.
52:12Shall we go
52:13home?
52:14I leaned into him and
52:16looked toward the
52:17snow mountains shining
52:18under the sun.
52:19A long time ago, I
52:20thought home was
52:20Moonstone Pack.
52:22I thought home was
52:22Cain's promise, the
52:23one he never meant
52:24to keep.
52:25Now I knew better.
52:26Home was not
52:27something I waited
52:28for.
52:28It was something I
52:29took back with my
52:30own hands after
52:30walking out of the
52:31snow.
52:32Yes.
52:34Let's go home.
52:34Let's go home.
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