- 18 minutes ago
Claimed By Three Beasts - Ep ✅ FULL [Eng Sub]
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
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00:01:15I was matched with three beastmen from childhood.
00:01:18On my 21st birthday, I was supposed to choose one of them to bond with.
00:01:22The fox beastman, Reese, was really warm and charming.
00:01:33The tiger beastman, Finn, was proud and sharp-tongued.
00:01:37The snake beastman, Kalem, had double the fun.
00:01:40By the time Kalem had me too sore to straighten my back, I saw their group chat.
00:01:45Whoever she picks is seriously unlucky. I don't like her.
00:01:49What about you two? You mangly fox. You stinking tiger. I don't like her either.
00:01:54She's always yanking my fur in bed.
00:01:56I'm practically going bald. Her sister's so much gentler, don't you think?
00:02:00Right, you dead black snake? Don't like her.
00:02:04She's always biting my... tail tip.
00:02:07I let out a... cold laugh.
00:02:10Perfect.
00:02:11As a fake heiress, they saved me from agonizing over who to pick.
00:02:17That same night, I booked a flight overseas for school.
00:02:22Forget it. I don't want any of the three of you.
00:02:26The sound of rushing water came from the bathroom.
00:02:29But what they'd said came back to me.
00:02:58I held back my... tears.
00:03:02Fifteen years of waking up beside them, and it couldn't buy me one person's honest heart.
00:03:07They'd only met Sofia a handful of times, and they were already falling for her.
00:03:12I'd been sitting here, counting down to my birthday next month, ready to give them an answer they'd be happy
00:03:18with.
00:03:18What a joke that looks like now.
00:03:20If I hadn't stumbled onto their real feelings today, I would have humiliated myself at next month's party.
00:03:26My identity was already shaky enough, being a fake heiress.
00:03:30And they were playing games with me on top of it.
00:03:34Tears welled up in my eyes.
00:03:36I was about to wipe it away, when arms folded around me from behind.
00:03:40Caleb leaned in, and carefully licked the tear from my cheek.
00:03:44I'm sorry sweetheart, are you warmed up?
00:03:46That's on me. We don't have to do both next time.
00:03:49I hadn't even noticed him come out of the bathroom.
00:03:52He'd just showered, still warm from the water.
00:03:55My scratches still marking his skin.
00:03:57I saw something in his eyes that looked real and not concerned.
00:04:01It made me angry.
00:04:03I shoved his hand off.
00:04:05He could say something that cruel and still act this well.
00:04:10Are you upset?
00:04:12I shot him a glare over my shoulder.
00:04:15Look at him.
00:04:16Was this my fault?
00:04:17He was the one always baiting me.
00:04:20The angrier I got, the more I wanted to do something about it.
00:04:24I opened my mouth and bit down on his tail tail.
00:04:28Heart.
00:04:29Caleb let out a low grunt and pulled me closer instead.
00:04:34My tongue accidentally grazed the tail.
00:04:37I watched him tip his head back.
00:04:39Jaw tight.
00:04:40I released his tail.
00:04:42I didn't look at the man behind me, breathing rough.
00:04:45The red at the corners of his eyes still not fading.
00:04:49Liar.
00:04:49I shoved the door open and walked out.
00:04:52Right into a burning hot chest.
00:04:55Well, well.
00:04:57What happened princess?
00:05:06Did that stupid snake leave you un-satisfied?
00:05:09Finn grinned down at me.
00:05:11Then he leaned to my ear and breathed.
00:05:14Wanna come to my room?
00:05:15Get away from me!
00:05:17I pushed him off and walked.
00:05:19Finn stared at my closed door.
00:05:21Then turned a sharp look toward Caleb.
00:05:23You upset her?
00:05:25I didn't.
00:05:26Caleb looked just as lost.
00:05:28Did you say something to her?
00:05:30Caleb frowned.
00:05:33What's all the noise?
00:05:34Reesh leaned in the doorway.
00:05:36Talking's boring.
00:05:38Just fight it out.
00:05:39As if.
00:05:40Stop pretending to be reasonable.
00:05:42After the commotion died down,
00:05:43all three of them went back to their own rooms.
00:06:06I lay in bed and couldn't sleep no matter which way I turned.
00:06:09I'd spent over 20 years as the heiress of this woman.
00:06:13And now, I was being told it was all fake.
00:06:16The identity wasn't mine.
00:06:17My parents' love wasn't mine.
00:06:19Everything I had belonged to Sophia.
00:06:21I was the one who stole her brilliant life.
00:06:24So, I was the one who volunteered to me.
00:06:26That's how I ended up in this villa.
00:06:28I hadn't even planned on bringing the three of them.
00:06:31They showed up on their own room.
00:06:33The letter was short, bitter sound.
00:06:35My eyes went blurry.
00:06:36I bit into my pillow.
00:06:37Fake.
00:06:38All of it.
00:06:39Fake.
00:06:39The only real thing I had was my acceptance letter from the Eastmore Conservatory.
00:06:44I picked up my phone and dialed the number I had.
00:06:46Yes.
00:06:47That's right.
00:06:47Move the date up.
00:06:48Just one person.
00:06:50I hadn't had the chance to tell them yet.
00:06:52Right when I got the acceptance letter,
00:06:54the story broke that I wasn't the Morrison's real daughter.
00:06:57My parents held Sophia and cried.
00:06:59I quietly put the letter away.
00:07:01They'd hired tutors for my piano since I was small.
00:07:04They'd given me the room with the best light upstairs for a practice room.
00:07:08Every bit of skill I had came from the foundation they built for me.
00:07:12Then one day, my parents took my hands in my voice.
00:07:15Lena, go somewhere else for a while.
00:07:18In our hearts, we're still our children.
00:07:21My mouth opened but I couldn't bring myself to mention going away.
00:07:25In the dark, I bit my lip.
00:07:27Honestly, maybe this was the better way.
00:07:29I had no reason to stay.
00:07:31No one loved me.
00:07:32But I would love myself just fine on my own.
00:07:35I'd meant to keep my temper in check.
00:07:38Spend one last quiet month with the three of them and leave without a scene.
00:07:41But some people never let you rest.
00:07:46Finn, get out.
00:07:48Princess, what did that stupid snake do to you?
00:07:51He acted like you hadn't heard me.
00:07:53Still upset?
00:07:54I didn't answer.
00:07:56I don't care.
00:07:58Tonight's my turn.
00:07:59I'll make it good for you.
00:08:01I pushed him back and said it again.
00:08:03I don't want to.
00:08:06Go back to your room.
00:08:08Finn finally registered that I meant it.
00:08:10His expression fell.
00:08:12What do you mean you don't want to?
00:08:14I've been waiting days.
00:08:17I slapped him across the face.
00:08:19Get out.
00:08:20Finn held his cheek, looking at me with eyes full of wounded disbelief.
00:08:25Then he slammed the door behind me.
00:08:27The noise brought Calum and Reese into the hallway.
00:08:29Lena, he ran out.
00:08:31Leave her.
00:08:32I said it gently.
00:08:36Outside, thunder rolled.
00:08:37The rain came down hard.
00:08:46The rain came down hard.
00:08:49The air came down hard.
00:09:00The air came down hard.
00:09:06It had a nightmare.
00:09:07I don't know.
00:09:08The air came down hard.
00:09:09That whole night, every time I closed my eyes, I thought of him.
00:09:14He was the most stubborn of the three.
00:09:16I wasn't worried about him getting into real trouble.
00:09:19High-level beastmen were capable in every sense of the word.
00:09:22It was just that this feeling of being slipping out of control wasn't good.
00:09:26Like being drowned slowly in a tide of memories you couldn't fight off.
00:09:30The next morning, I walked out of my room with dark circles under my eyes.
00:09:34Kalen was standing by my door like a guard.
00:09:36I startled and stepped back.
00:09:38What are you doing outside my room?
00:09:40He didn't answer, just looked at me with those quiet, searching eyes.
00:09:43Then he reached over and tugged on the head of my clothes.
00:09:47Can I come to your room tonight?
00:09:48Faced with that desperate look, I tried very hard not to roll my eyes.
00:09:53No.
00:09:55I know. I'll wear that butler outfit tonight, okay? I bought a crop.
00:09:59Did I hurt you last time? You can use it on me.
00:10:05I turned toward the stairs and walked away.
00:10:07I didn't look back at whatever he said next.
00:10:10Reese was at the bottom of the stairs, watching me with an unreadable expression.
00:10:14I stepped around him and sat down at the table.
00:10:17Reese paused, then came and stood behind my chair.
00:10:20Baby.
00:10:20He said it, baby.
00:10:21Aren't you forgetting something?
00:10:22Before, I used to give each of them a good morning kiss when I came down.
00:10:26Right now, I played dumb.
00:10:28Eat.
00:10:30Reese and Kalem exchanged a look behind me.
00:10:32Then they quietly pulled out their chairs.
00:10:35Halfway through the meal, the front door banged open.
00:10:37I felt my eye twitch before I even saw who it was.
00:10:41Sophia walked in behind Finn.
00:10:44Both of them about something.
00:10:46Sophia wrapped herself around my arm like we were close.
00:10:49Lena, the clothes in your room are all so pretty.
00:10:51But I thought someone else already wore them, so that's kind of gross, right?
00:10:56So I threw them all out.
00:10:58You don't mind, do you?
00:11:02I mean, after all these years of living so well.
00:11:11The air in the room matched the rest.
00:11:14I peeled her hand off my arm without changing my expression.
00:11:18I don't need them.
00:11:20I don't need any of them.
00:11:21I said it and glanced at the three Beastmen.
00:11:23Their eyes were all on Sophia.
00:11:25Finn, in particular, was watching me with an almost defiant look.
00:11:30Lena, Sophia wants to stay here a few days.
00:11:32You don't have a problem with that, do you?
00:11:34I looked straight at Finn.
00:11:35The others watched my face for a reaction.
00:11:38Finn's eyes slid away from mine.
00:11:39Last night, if I hadn't ran into Sophia, I would have been out in that rain all night.
00:11:43You didn't even-
00:11:43Sure.
00:11:44I smiled and turned to Sophia before any of them could react.
00:11:47Stay as long as you want, little sister.
00:11:50Feel free to pick any room you like.
00:12:05And including Rose.
00:12:07Lena!
00:12:08All three said my name at the same time.
00:12:10What are you saying?
00:12:11No one goes in our rooms.
00:12:15Sweetheart, did that tiger make you lose your mind?
00:12:18He's awful.
00:12:19We don't need him.
00:12:21Finn looked like he had a lot to say but couldn't.
00:12:23He said it quietly then shot Rose a look.
00:12:25I didn't bother with any of them.
00:12:27I grabbed my things and took the car out alone.
00:12:30No one came with me.
00:12:32At the bar, my friend Cassie pulled me into her side.
00:12:35What's going on, princess?
00:12:37I swirled my cocktail.
00:12:38Don't call me that.
00:12:40I'm a fake and everything I have is someone else's.
00:12:43I knocked the drink back.
00:12:44The burn hit my throat.
00:12:46All of it.
00:12:46Don't say that.
00:12:48You're my best friend.
00:12:49It's got nothing to do with where you come from.
00:12:52I leaned on Cassie's shoulder.
00:12:56What's got you so miserable?
00:12:57You've got three beastmen at home.
00:12:59Can't they cheer you up?
00:13:00She laughed a little.
00:13:01Don't mention them.
00:13:03They give me a headache.
00:13:09My phone kept going off.
00:13:11Messages and calls from all three of them.
00:13:13I didn't pick up once.
00:13:17By the time I got home, my steps weren't quite steady.
00:13:22I'd barely opened the door when hands gripped my shoulders.
00:13:31Lena!
00:13:32Why didn't you answer your phone?
00:13:34Kalen's voice was right in my ear, tight with worry.
00:13:37You drank that much?
00:13:38Let me take you upstairs.
00:13:40I'm fine.
00:13:41I shrugged him off.
00:13:42I didn't drink that much.
00:13:43I wasn't lying.
00:13:44A few drinks wasn't enough to actually get me drunk.
00:13:48I said, let me walk on my own.
00:13:50Annoyance flashed across my face.
00:13:52What, you want me to dump all three of you sooner?
00:13:55Fueled by the alcohol, I blurted it out without noticing all three of them go pale.
00:14:00Lena, don't joke like that.
00:14:02I couldn't tell who said it.
00:14:04I went back to my room,
00:14:07showered,
00:14:08and got into bed.
00:14:17Half asleep, I felt something wrap around my waist.
00:14:21I opened my eyes to Reese's face.
00:14:23When he saw me wake, he kissed me.
00:14:27My head was still foggy.
00:14:31He pressed his face against my neck,
00:14:33the rounded ears on top of his head brushing my chin.
00:14:39He was looking at me with that practiced, melting gaze.
00:14:43The alcohol dulled my brain.
00:14:48Reese, you're wet.
00:14:51He didn't wait.
00:15:06Then we ended up sleeping together,
00:15:08swept up and wanting it.
00:15:10After days of nothing,
00:15:11I couldn't say no.
00:15:12Reese held me close and spoke against my ear.
00:15:16Lena,
00:15:17you'll choose me, won't you?
00:15:18Just me.
00:15:19Choose?
00:15:20I barely registered what he was asking.
00:15:22I just nodded along.
00:15:23It seemed to light something in me.
00:15:25He threw himself into it,
00:15:27more eager than before.
00:15:29Here?
00:15:30Is this the right amount of pressure?
00:15:32Lena,
00:15:34pull my foot.
00:15:35Really pull it.
00:15:43After that reckless night,
00:15:44the morning came.
00:15:45I had just woken up in Reese's arms.
00:15:47Then I found Calum and Finn standing at the side of the bed,
00:15:51watching us in silence.
00:15:53Clothes scattered all over the flame.
00:15:55Awkward,
00:15:56didn't quite cover it.
00:15:57Reese acted like he couldn't sense anything was wrong,
00:15:59his full tail patting lazily against my chest.
00:16:02Good morning, Lena.
00:16:04He kissed my cheek with a loud snap.
00:16:07Well,
00:16:07things were already a mess,
00:16:09so I figured I might as well go with it.
00:16:10I had too much sleep this night.
00:16:13I wasn't thinking too late.
00:16:17Excuse me.
00:16:18You said yourself you weren't drunk, Lena.
00:16:21Are you playing favorites now?
00:16:22If you wanted someone,
00:16:24you should have come to me!
00:16:24Finn's eyes were red at the clouds.
00:16:26We agreed.
00:16:27When you turned 18,
00:16:28every two days,
00:16:29rotate.
00:16:31Do you have any idea how long it's been
00:16:33since you came to my room?
00:16:34Shut up!
00:16:35I shook my head
00:16:36and pushed Reese's tail off me.
00:16:38Since that's how it is,
00:16:39let's cancel it.
00:16:41Cancel what?
00:16:42The rotation.
00:16:44The room went quiet
00:16:45in a way that felt like something cracking.
00:16:53Sophia was leaving the very next day.
00:16:57She had etiquette classes
00:16:58and trainings to get to.
00:16:59She has no time to keep making a scene.
00:17:02Lena, I'm so jealous of you.
00:17:06I have so many nice things.
00:17:08My mouth twitched.
00:17:10I have nothing.
00:17:11Sophia's eyes had barely left
00:17:13the three of them the whole day.
00:17:14Stop!
00:17:16It'll all be yours soon.
00:17:18Sophia left.
00:17:19I had somewhere to be cute.
00:17:20Seeing this face just reminds me of last night.
00:17:24Where do you think you're going?
00:17:25Back to campus.
00:17:27I have some paperwork to sort out.
00:17:29I'll come with you.
00:17:29All three stepped forward at the same time.
00:17:33Are you serious?
00:17:34You're still going?
00:17:35Have you got no shame?
00:17:36Finn elbowed Reese aside.
00:17:38Fair competition.
00:17:39You're just jealous, aren't you?
00:17:41While they argued,
00:17:42Kalem caught my hand.
00:17:44Take me with you.
00:17:46You dead snake!
00:17:50Enough.
00:17:51Everyone, stop.
00:17:53I shook my head.
00:17:54I'm going alone.
00:17:55No one is coming.
00:17:56Then I left.
00:17:57Of course I couldn't bring them.
00:17:58I was going back to submit paperwork
00:18:00for studying abroad.
00:18:04Lena, congratulations.
00:18:06Maestro Harlan almost never takes students.
00:18:08Your future is very bright.
00:18:11I walked toward the gate.
00:18:13Then I found Kalem leaning against a car, waiting.
00:18:16How did you know where I was?
00:18:18He opened the door, head bowed.
00:18:20I hesitated for a moment,
00:18:22then got in with him.
00:18:25Kalem, you...
00:18:26A hand pressed to the back of my head
00:18:28and he kissed me.
00:18:34Hard and desperate,
00:18:36like a small animal with no sense of safety
00:18:38trying to prove something.
00:18:40I was forced to tilt my head back
00:18:42and stay tangled up with him for a moment.
00:18:45Enough.
00:18:46I moved his hand away before it could wander.
00:18:48Kalem's tail wound around my waist,
00:18:50slowly tightened.
00:18:52Baby, are you going to leave me?
00:18:53I smiled,
00:18:55swallowing down the bitter edge beneath it.
00:18:57Who left who first?
00:18:59Stop imagining things.
00:19:01Is that so?
00:19:02He was already undoing the buttons of his shirt
00:19:04as he said it.
00:19:05He pressed my hand against his chest.
00:19:07Touch it for me.
00:19:08I smacked his hand away in exasperation.
00:19:11Kalem shuddered.
00:19:12Then his breathing went rougher and more wanting.
00:19:15Damn, he enjoyed that.
00:19:17You'll choose me, won't you, baby?
00:19:19I broke into a smile then.
00:19:21Of course.
00:19:22Kalem looked at me with those liquid eyes,
00:19:25serious,
00:19:26the heat in them not quite gone.
00:19:28As a beast, Kalem.
00:19:29I was worried you...
00:19:30Never mind.
00:19:31A few more days,
00:19:33and then it's just the two of us.
00:19:35He trailed off near the end,
00:19:37said it too quietly.
00:19:38I didn't catch it.
00:19:59I wasn't even out of the car when I got back,
00:20:02and Reese came sprinting toward me.
00:20:04Bad news, Lena.
00:20:05The tiger went into heat earlier.
00:20:06Stop!
00:20:07Before,
00:20:08whenever one of them went into heat,
00:20:11I was the one who handled it.
00:20:13Under the current circumstances,
00:20:14I wasn't exactly eager.
00:20:16I barely touched the door handle before it flew open.
00:20:19Finn scooped me up and dropped me onto the bed.
00:20:21He searched for my lips urgently,
00:20:23and when he found them,
00:20:25a low, relieved sound left him.
00:20:27His hands moved under my clothes,
00:20:29setting fires.
00:20:30Lena, you're such a bad girl.
00:20:32His eyes had gone red,
00:20:33his ears and tail already showing
00:20:35in the half-shifted state.
00:20:37Finn, calm down.
00:20:40I pushed his head back.
00:20:43What's that supposed to mean?
00:20:45You're really refusing me?
00:20:47He held me too tightly,
00:20:48and it hurt.
00:20:49Let go.
00:20:50Keep this up in your hand.
00:21:04Keep this up in your hand.
00:21:04You're not handling it yourself.
00:21:06Finn wrapped himself around me,
00:21:07subdued,
00:21:08no longer pushing,
00:21:10just rubbing his cheek against my thigh,
00:21:12quiet.
00:21:13Didn't you used to like it?
00:21:14I've got bobs.
00:21:16I looked away.
00:21:17Finn looked like he might cry again.
00:21:19Then at least touch me.
00:21:24I worked his tail with my hands.
00:21:28Not enough.
00:21:29Lower.
00:21:30By the time my hands were too tired
00:21:32to keep going,
00:21:33Finn pressed a kiss to the top of my head.
00:21:36Lena, you'll choose me, won't you?
00:21:39I could barely keep my eyes open.
00:21:41What had gotten into all three of them,
00:21:43coming to ask me that one after another?
00:21:45I kissed his lips.
00:21:47Of course.
00:21:48Desire moved through Finn's eyes,
00:21:50possessive and searching,
00:21:52landing on my mouth.
00:21:54Good.
00:21:54When the time comes,
00:21:56I'm collecting everything with interest.
00:21:58One week left before my birthday,
00:22:00the four of us held ourselves
00:22:02in a strange, fragile calm.
00:22:04On the day of the party,
00:22:05I wore a deep plum strapless gown
00:22:07with a fishtail hem.
00:22:09The three beast men looked at me
00:22:10like they were trying to see
00:22:11straight through the fabric.
00:22:13I pretended not to notice
00:22:14and got into the car with them.
00:22:16Under normal circumstances,
00:22:17the identity of a fake heiress
00:22:19wouldn't warrant such a formal event.
00:22:21But everything had been arranged far in advance,
00:22:24and business contacts
00:22:25were already coming to network.
00:22:27My parents also weren't willing
00:22:28to write off their investment in me,
00:22:30so the party continued.
00:22:32At the estate,
00:22:33I moved through the crowd
00:22:34with a composed smile.
00:22:35My mother came over,
00:22:37a touch of apology on her face.
00:22:39Lena, you've been away so long.
00:22:41Your father and I aren't trying to push you out.
00:22:43I just get along with your sister.
00:23:01I'm fine, Mom.
00:23:02I looked down and kept my voice level.
00:23:04She touched my hair.
00:23:05Tonight's your birthday.
00:23:07Keep your composure.
00:23:08Have you thought about your decision
00:23:09with the beast men?
00:23:11Don't worry.
00:23:11I'll give you an answer
00:23:12you're satisfied with.
00:23:14I took a glass of champagne,
00:23:15looked up,
00:23:16and locked eyes with Sophia
00:23:17across the room.
00:23:18I smiled and lifted my glass to her.
00:23:21Be grateful, little sister.
00:23:22I'm not fighting you
00:23:23for a single thing.
00:23:25I stood on the balcony
00:23:26and made a call.
00:23:27Is everything loaded and ready?
00:23:28Yes.
00:23:29Wait at the front gate.
00:23:30I should be out by 10
00:23:31if nothing goes wrong.
00:23:32Right.
00:23:32Don't forget extra security.
00:23:33The door opened behind me.
00:23:34I ended the call quickly.
00:23:36Then arms came around me
00:23:37from behind.
00:23:38Lena, I'm so happy.
00:23:39Reese looked at me
00:23:40with soft, burning eyes.
00:23:43You'll choose me, won't you?
00:23:44Maybe it was just my imagination,
00:23:46but I thought I saw longing
00:23:47and a hint of humility
00:23:49in his eyes.
00:23:50Little fox,
00:23:51don't you trust me at all?
00:23:52I smiled and patted his head.
00:23:54He leaned in, eager to kiss me.
00:23:56Don't.
00:23:57My makeup.
00:23:58Reese followed me back
00:23:59into the hall.
00:24:00If he'd had his tail out right now,
00:24:02it would have been wagging.
00:24:07Under the attention of the room,
00:24:09I stepped up onto the stage.
00:24:11The hall quieted.
00:24:12The lights came down on me.
00:24:14My parents and Sophia
00:24:16stood at the front,
00:24:17closest to the stage.
00:24:18Kalem, Reese, and Finn
00:24:20stood below it.
00:24:21I looked at them
00:24:22one more time
00:24:23before I began to speak.
00:24:24The dim light
00:24:25fell across their faces
00:24:26so I didn't see
00:24:27what was written there.
00:24:28Three faces
00:24:30wearing the same expression.
00:24:32A sick,
00:24:33consuming need
00:24:34to possess.
00:24:35Good evening, everyone.
00:24:37Thank you for being here.
00:24:38Before I give my formal remarks,
00:24:40I have something I'd like to say.
00:24:45First, I'm sure you're all aware by now
00:24:47that I'm not the Morrison's biological daughter.
00:24:51That's something that saddens me deeply.
00:24:54I spent 20 years in a life
00:24:56that belonged to Sophia
00:24:57and I am truly sorry for that.
00:25:00The hall filled with murmuring.
00:25:02No one had expected me to say it here,
00:25:04like this.
00:25:05My parents' expressions faltered.
00:25:08My mother gave me a warning look.
00:25:10I returned it with something steady
00:25:12and reassuring.
00:25:18She'd been my mother for 20 years.
00:25:20She knew what I was doing.
00:25:22I'm deeply grateful
00:25:23to the Morrison family
00:25:24for raising me
00:25:24and in my eyes,
00:25:25they will always be my parents.
00:25:27Wherever they need me,
00:25:28I will always show up for them.
00:25:31But Sophia did suffer because of me
00:25:33and I want to do everything
00:25:34in my power to make that right.
00:25:39As you all know,
00:25:40today is the day
00:25:41I meant to choose a partner
00:25:42from the three Beastmen
00:25:43I was matched with at birth.
00:25:45They are all exceptional.
00:25:47I mention this not to boast
00:25:49because in truth,
00:25:50everything I have
00:25:51always belonged to Sophia.
00:25:53Only old money families
00:25:54had the resources
00:25:55to arrange Beastman matches
00:25:57from childhood.
00:25:58It wasn't available to most people.
00:26:00I paused.
00:26:01Sophia's expression
00:26:02had gone slightly blank.
00:26:03Downstage,
00:26:04all three Beastmen
00:26:05had gone pale.
00:26:07Therefore,
00:26:07I raised my voice.
00:26:08I am releasing
00:26:09all three of my Beastmen
00:26:10to Sophia.
00:26:14I won't be claiming
00:26:15any of them.
00:26:16The hall roared.
00:26:17My parents and Sophia
00:26:19were on their feet.
00:26:20Sophia's eyes blazed
00:26:21with something like joy.
00:26:24You promised me.
00:26:26You can't lie to me.
00:26:28His voice broke,
00:26:29tinged with tears.
00:26:32Caleb and Reese
00:26:33came running toward me
00:26:34like they'd gone mad.
00:26:55I raised a hand.
00:26:56The guards I'd placed
00:26:57moved in front of me.
00:26:58I ran off the stage,
00:27:00cut through the commotion,
00:27:01and was out of the estate
00:27:02before anyone could stop me.
00:27:04I got into the waiting car.
00:27:07That's my girl.
00:27:09I watched the live stream.
00:27:12I said it immediately.
00:27:13The three of them
00:27:14had already made it outside,
00:27:16disheveled,
00:27:16nothing left
00:27:17of their polished composure
00:27:18from an hour ago.
00:27:19They were faster
00:27:20than I expected.
00:27:21The car sped up,
00:27:22but they ran behind it
00:27:23and didn't stop.
00:27:24Beastmen's speed
00:27:25was no joke.
00:27:26They could outrun
00:27:27a car on foot.
00:27:28Caleb slapped my window,
00:27:29his voice breaking.
00:27:30Lena!
00:27:31Don't leave me!
00:27:33You promised!
00:27:34Then tried to cut off the car.
00:27:36The chassis lurched
00:27:37as they grabbed it.
00:27:38Oh my god,
00:27:38they're insane!
00:27:39They're absolutely insane!
00:27:41Cassie screamed
00:27:42and clung to my arm.
00:27:43Do something!
00:27:45Almost.
00:27:46Just as the tires
00:27:47were close to screaming,
00:27:48the roar of motorcycles
00:27:50cut through from the side.
00:27:51My guards pulled up alongside,
00:27:53great guns in hand.
00:27:55Each of the three
00:27:55got a shot.
00:27:56Their pace slowed.
00:27:58Then they fell onto the road.
00:28:18They could only watch
00:28:19as I drove away.
00:28:21Where did you even
00:28:22find those people?
00:28:23Cassie pressed herself
00:28:24against the rear window.
00:28:25I pressed my fingers
00:28:26to my brow
00:28:27and let out a breath.
00:28:29Money.
00:28:30What can it do?
00:28:33And just like that,
00:28:34I left a mess behind me
00:28:36and went abroad.
00:28:37I enrolled at the conservatory
00:28:39and became a student
00:28:40of Maestro Harland.
00:28:41I had talent to begin with.
00:28:43Four years of hard work
00:28:45and I'd quietly built a name
00:28:46for myself in music,
00:28:48performing across countries
00:28:49and cities.
00:28:51Constant travel
00:28:51had become my normal.
00:28:53My parents hadn't let
00:28:55what happened
00:28:55pushed them away from me.
00:28:57They were practical people.
00:28:58The Morrison family's
00:29:00eldest daughter,
00:29:01Lena Morrison,
00:29:02world-class concert pianist.
00:29:04A name like that
00:29:06was worth something
00:29:06to the family.
00:29:08That was enough.
00:29:09I'd had no word
00:29:10of the three of them
00:29:11in years.
00:29:12As if the night
00:29:13they lost their minds
00:29:14chasing my car
00:29:15never happened at all.
00:29:16Maybe they'd gotten
00:29:17exactly what they wanted.
00:29:19Maybe they were
00:29:19with the one they'd loved.
00:29:21But that had nothing
00:29:22to do with me anymore.
00:29:23Once I walked away
00:29:24there was no going back.
00:29:26The plane touched down
00:29:27and my thoughts
00:29:28came back to me.
00:29:29I put on my sunglasses
00:29:30and walked out of the airport.
00:29:32A wall of reporters
00:29:33pushed microphones toward me.
00:29:36Ms. Morrison,
00:29:36what brings you back
00:29:37this time?
00:29:37You've been gone four years
00:29:38since you left without a word.
00:29:39Are you here to reclaim
00:29:40what's yours?
00:29:58You're still recognized
00:29:59as the Morrison family's
00:30:00eldest daughter.
00:30:01Are you coming back
00:30:02to contest the inheritance
00:30:02with your sister?
00:30:03You've accomplished so much.
00:30:04Can you say a word?
00:30:06I took off my sunglasses
00:30:07and looked at them
00:30:08with a calm smile.
00:30:09I'm here to perform
00:30:10at an invitation
00:30:11omel piano recital.
00:30:12My relationship
00:30:12with the Morrison family
00:30:13is good.
00:30:14It's nothing like
00:30:15what you're imagining.
00:30:16Ms. Morrison,
00:30:17the three elite beastmen
00:30:18who grew up alongside you,
00:30:20why did you give them up?
00:30:22They've each made a name
00:30:23for themselves since then
00:30:24in finance,
00:30:25entertainment,
00:30:26and medicine.
00:30:27Did they do something
00:30:27to betray you?
00:30:28Can you share anything?
00:30:29You refused to bond
00:30:30with them at your birthday.
00:30:31Was it exhaustion
00:30:33or something you couldn't
00:30:34say out loud?
00:30:34Then I said evenly,
00:30:36unimportant people.
00:30:37I forgot them
00:30:38a long time ago.
00:30:39Then I got in
00:30:40and drove away.
00:30:42Back at the villa,
00:30:44everything felt so familiar
00:30:45that it almost felt
00:30:46like another lifetime.
00:30:52My phone rang
00:30:53while I was sitting
00:30:54on the bed,
00:30:54staring at nothing.
00:30:56Hi, Mom.
00:30:57Lena,
00:30:58why didn't you
00:30:58come straight home?
00:30:59I turned something
00:31:00over in my fingers.
00:31:01A single white hair.
00:31:03I wanted to settle
00:31:04in first.
00:31:05I'll be over tonight.
00:31:15Come soon.
00:31:16We've been waiting.
00:31:18You're always so busy.
00:31:19It's been so long.
00:31:20We want a proper
00:31:21conversation tonight.
00:31:22Okay.
00:31:23I'll head over now.
00:31:24I hung up
00:31:24and lay back on the bed.
00:31:25I frowned at the ceiling,
00:31:27genuinely puzzled.
00:31:28Four years of housekeeping
00:31:30and they still hadn't managed
00:31:31to get rid of every trace of them.
00:31:34The house was full of warmth
00:31:36when I arrived.
00:31:38Lena!
00:31:39My mother ran to me
00:31:40and held my face
00:31:41in her hands.
00:31:42You've lost weight.
00:31:43The food abroad
00:31:43isn't any good, is it?
00:31:45Come, come.
00:31:45Cook has made
00:31:46all your favorites.
00:31:48Thank you, Mom.
00:31:50I brought gifts back
00:31:51from overseas for everyone,
00:31:52you and Dad and Sophia.
00:31:54You've gone formal on us
00:31:56going away for a few years.
00:31:57We made small talk
00:31:59and I sat down.
00:32:00As luck would have it,
00:32:02right next to Sophia,
00:32:03four years.
00:32:05Word was she'd already
00:32:06been placed into a role
00:32:07at our father's company.
00:32:09Sophia tapped the table
00:32:10with her diamond-tipped nails.
00:32:12Lena, long time no see.
00:32:14Long time no see.
00:32:16I looked her over.
00:32:23Four years of comfortable living
00:32:25had done a lot for her.
00:32:27She sparkled,
00:32:28carried herself differently
00:32:30than I remembered.
00:32:31You left quite gracefully
00:32:32back then, Sophia said.
00:32:33Made me look bad, you know.
00:32:35Tone hard to read.
00:32:36I took a sip of water
00:32:37and genuinely didn't know
00:32:39what to make of that.
00:32:40I'd handed her
00:32:40three top-tier beastmen.
00:32:42By any measure,
00:32:43that was a gain.
00:32:44Was she upset
00:32:45they'd been touched
00:32:46by someone else first?
00:32:47That seemed petty.
00:32:48It wasn't that kind
00:32:49of era anymore.
00:32:50That's enough.
00:32:51Don't bring it up.
00:32:52Lena,
00:32:53now that you're back,
00:32:54are you planning to stay-
00:32:55she's not going anywhere.
00:32:56We're going to find her a good match
00:32:58and settle her.
00:32:59I hadn't even answered
00:33:00when my mother cut in.
00:33:02I poked at the fish in my bowl.
00:33:04Mom, that's really not something
00:33:05you need to do for me.
00:33:06I spent years grinding
00:33:08to get where I am.
00:33:09I didn't do that just to become
00:33:10someone's wife.
00:33:12I still have places to go
00:33:13and things to see.
00:33:17My mother went quiet.
00:33:19She looked at me for a moment.
00:33:21Then her smile faded slowly.
00:33:47She was distracted
00:33:48for the rest of the meal.
00:33:50After dinner,
00:33:51my father called me
00:33:52into a study.
00:33:53He transferred a portion
00:33:54of the company's shares
00:33:55into my name.
00:33:57The condition was
00:33:58that I continue
00:33:59as a public ambassador
00:34:00for the brand.
00:34:02Sophia had a rough childhood,
00:34:03so she'll take the larger
00:34:04share of the company.
00:34:06Any objections?
00:34:07I've already begun
00:34:08training her in management.
00:34:10No objection.
00:34:11I looked out calmly
00:34:13at the dark evening.
00:34:14And thought of the sky
00:34:15above Lake Te Capo
00:34:16in New Zealand.
00:34:17That absolute,
00:34:19clean kind of dark.
00:34:20Nothing like here.
00:34:21My father let out
00:34:22a long breath.
00:34:23He seemed like
00:34:24he had more to say.
00:34:26You were always
00:34:26too headstrong.
00:34:27If you'd stayed
00:34:28and fought back then,
00:34:29things might have been different.
00:34:31Thank you, Dad.
00:34:32But I only want
00:34:33to play piano.
00:34:34I'm not going to fight
00:34:35Sophia for anything.
00:34:37I pulled the door
00:34:38open to leave
00:34:39and found Sophia
00:34:40standing right outside it.
00:34:41I glanced at her
00:34:42and went downstairs.
00:34:44Wait!
00:34:45Sophia followed,
00:34:46then stopped in front of me
00:34:47with an oddly
00:34:48uncomfortable expression.
00:34:50Did you mean
00:34:50what you said in there?
00:34:51Of course.
00:34:52I have my own career now.
00:34:54I have no interest
00:34:55in the company.
00:34:57You'd better mean it.
00:34:58Sophia said,
00:34:59lifting her chin.
00:35:00And by the way,
00:35:01your beastmen refused
00:35:02to go with me
00:35:03no matter what.
00:35:08I never touched them.
00:35:14That sentence made me
00:35:15stop breathing for a second.
00:35:17Then I pulled myself
00:35:18back together.
00:35:19That has nothing
00:35:19to do with me anymore.
00:35:20It's their choice.
00:35:22What do you mean?
00:35:24Sophia looked genuinely puzzled.
00:35:26I have nothing to do
00:35:27with those three.
00:35:28They're terrifying.
00:35:29I don't know how
00:35:30you ever liked that type.
00:35:32When you left,
00:35:33they nearly came apart.
00:35:35She paused.
00:35:37Oh, actually,
00:35:38you should just hear it
00:35:38from them.
00:35:39Here they come.
00:35:41I looked into the living room.
00:35:42There they were.
00:35:43Four years,
00:35:44and none of them
00:35:45looked much different.
00:35:47If what Sophia said
00:35:48was true,
00:35:49and she'd never taken them,
00:35:50they would have been
00:35:51processed by the
00:35:52Beastman registry
00:35:53and placed into work
00:35:57independently.
00:35:58Not a hardship for them.
00:35:59They'd always been
00:36:00in elite programs,
00:36:01even back in school,
00:36:02in their own specialized tracks
00:36:04alongside my international
00:36:05curriculum,
00:36:06trained to the highest
00:36:07standard in everything.
00:36:10Lena.
00:36:10Calum spoke first.
00:36:12His eyes were fixed on me,
00:36:14hurt and hoping.
00:36:20I changed direction
00:36:21and walked toward the door.
00:36:25I have nothing to say
00:36:26to any of you.
00:36:27What's done is done.
00:36:28Don't come looking for me again.
00:36:30I got in the car and left.
00:36:32When I got home,
00:36:33I went straight to
00:36:34the piano room
00:36:35and played for hours
00:36:36before I finally stopped,
00:36:38breathing hard.
00:36:39Sophia's words
00:36:40kept circling in my head.
00:36:42Was she lying to me?
00:36:43But what would she gain from that?
00:36:45If what she said is true,
00:36:47then what happened back then
00:36:48was a misunderstanding.
00:36:49So what made them say
00:36:51something that cruel?
00:36:52I couldn't work it out.
00:36:53I poured a glass of red wine
00:36:55and sat in the armchair
00:36:56by the floor-to-ceiling window.
00:36:58Shadows moved outside,
00:36:59then were still.
00:37:00I narrowed my eyes,
00:37:02then picked up my phone.
00:37:03Add extra guards outside.
00:37:04Everyone keeps a tramp gun on hand.
00:37:06After that,
00:37:07I went contentedly to sleep.
00:37:09I woke up
00:37:09because I couldn't breathe.
00:37:11When I finally got my eyes open,
00:37:12I was wrapped up tight
00:37:14in someone's arms.
00:37:15I knew it.
00:37:16Let go.
00:37:17I said it through my teeth.
00:37:25Finn was the closest one,
00:37:26his face lifting
00:37:27from where it had been
00:37:28pressed against my neck.
00:37:29Lena, if I let go,
00:37:31are you gonna run again?
00:37:31Reese had his arm around my waist.
00:37:33His large tail looped
00:37:35around my legs.
00:37:36Baby,
00:37:37to you we're just
00:37:38unimportant people.
00:37:38You actually said that.
00:37:40You promised me.
00:37:41Kalem's arms encircled me
00:37:42from behind.
00:37:43I'm sorry.
00:37:44The dark tail tip
00:37:45grazing my lips.
00:37:46Please this time,
00:37:47don't leave me.
00:37:48You can bite me
00:37:49if you want.
00:37:49As long as you're not angry,
00:37:51I'll take anything.
00:37:52Reese's tail
00:37:52shot into my hand.
00:37:54Then pull my fur too.
00:37:55Pull it bald if you want.
00:37:56Stop it,
00:37:57all of you!
00:37:58Are you trying to suffocate me?
00:37:59They pressed in again.
00:38:01Hot lips
00:38:02touched the back of my neck.
00:38:04Lena,
00:38:05four years.
00:38:06Do you know
00:38:06what these four years
00:38:07were like for me?
00:38:08I clenched my fist.
00:38:09This is all an act now.
00:38:11Didn't you say it yourselves?
00:38:12You both loved Sophia so much
00:38:14that she was gentle.
00:38:16Said whoever I picked
00:38:17was unlucky.
00:38:18Didn't you want
00:38:19to be with her?
00:38:20Now that it turns out
00:38:21you couldn't manage
00:38:22to stay in her life,
00:38:22you come back to me?
00:38:23That's not it.
00:38:25I never liked her.
00:38:26I never liked her.
00:38:26All three denied it
00:38:27immediately.
00:38:28Stop pretending.
00:38:30I read your chat.
00:38:33You hated me
00:38:34biting your tail.
00:38:35You hated me
00:38:36pulling your fur.
00:38:38You hated me
00:38:45pulling your fur.
00:38:48You hated me
00:38:49I hated her.
00:38:51survived.
00:38:52You hated me
00:38:57playing my fur.
00:38:57You hated me
00:38:57I hated me
00:38:58playing my fur.
00:38:58It's more than
00:38:58you.
00:38:58Inside the air.
00:39:06You hated me
00:39:07I wasn't
00:39:07I didn't like
00:39:17.
00:39:47.
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00:59:27Then was the closest one his face lifting from where it had been pressed against
00:59:36My neck lena if I let go are you gonna run again? Reese had his arm around my waist his
00:59:41large tail looped around my legs
00:59:44Baby, to you were just unimportant people. You actually said that you promised me
00:59:48Kalem's arms encircled me from behind. I'm sorry the dark tail tip grazing my lips
00:59:54Please this time don't leave me you can bite me if you want as long as you're not angry
00:59:58I'll take anything Reese's tail shot into my hand then pull my fur to pull it bald if you want
01:00:04Stop it all of you. Are you trying to suffocate me? They pressed in again
01:00:09Hot lips touched the back of my neck lena four years
01:00:13Do you know what these four years were like for me? I clenched my fist. This is all an act
01:00:18now
01:00:18Didn't you say it yourselves?
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