- 11 minutes ago
Claimed By Three Beasts - Ep
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
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00:01:14I 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 warm and charming.
00:01:32The 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.
00:01:48What 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. Perfect.
00:02:10As a fake heiress, they saved me from agonizing over who to pick.
00:02:16That 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.
00:03:01Fifteen 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, and they were playing games with me on top of
00:03:33it.
00:03:33Tears welled up in my eyes.
00:03:35I was about to wipe it away when arms folded around me from behind.
00:03:40Caleb leaned in and carefully licked the tear from the 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, my 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.
00:04:04He could say something that cruel and still act this well.
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 tip.
00:04:28Heart.
00:04:28Caleb let out a low grunt and pulled me closer instead.
00:04:34My tongue accidentally grazed the tail.
00:04:37No.
00:04:37I watched him tip his head back, jaw tight.
00:04:40I released his tail.
00:04:42I didn't look at the man behind me, breathing rough, the red at the corners of his eyes still
00:04:47not fading.
00:04:48Liar.
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 unsatisfied?
00:05:08Finn grinned down at me.
00:05:11Finn grinned down at me.
00:05:11Then he leaned to my ear and breathed.
00:05:13Wanna come to my room?
00:05:15Get away from me!
00:05:16I pushed him off and walked.
00:05:18Finn stared at my closed door, then turned a sharp look toward Calum.
00:05:23You upset her?
00:05:25I didn't.
00:05:26Calum looked just as lost.
00:05:28Did you say something to her?
00:05:30Calum frowned.
00:05:32What's all the noise?
00:05:34Reese leaned in the doorway.
00:05:36Talking's boring.
00:05:37Just fight it out.
00:05:39As if.
00:05:40Stop pretending to be reasonable.
00:05:41After the commotion died down, all 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 family, and now I was being told it was
00:06:15all fake.
00:06:15The 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.
00:06:30They showed up on their own room.
00:06:32The letter was short, little soon.
00:06:34My 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.
00:06:43I picked up my phone and dialed the number I had.
00:06:46Yes.
00:06:46That'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, the story broke that I wasn't the Morrison's real
00:06:56daughter.
00:06:57My parents held Sophia and cried.
00:06:59I quietly picked 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 on my wrist.
00:07:15Lina, go somewhere else for a while.
00:07:18In our hearts, you're still our child.
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 alone.
00:07:35I'd meant to keep my temper in check, spend one last quiet month with the three of them,
00:07:40and 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.
00:07:52Still upset?
00:07:53I didn't answer.
00:07:56I don't care.
00:07:57Tonight's my turn.
00:07:59I'll make it good for you.
00:08:00I pushed him back and said it again.
00:08:02I don't want to.
00:08:06Go back to your room.
00:08:07Finn 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.
00:08:24Then 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 quietly.
00:08:35Outside thunder rolled.
00:08:37The rain came down hard.
00:08:46I'm on.
00:08:48I won't do it.
00:08:49Get on.
00:08:49I don't do it.
00:08:50I'm on.
00:08:51I'm on.
00:08:52I'm on.
00:08:53I'm on.
00:08:58I'm on.
00:09:04I'm on.
00:09:09That whole night, every time I closed my eyes, I saw a feeling.
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 him.
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.
00:09:33Kalen was standing by my door like a guard.
00:09:36I startled and stepped back.
00:09:38What are you doing outside my room?
00:09:39He 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'll wear that butler outfit tonight, okay?
00:09:57I bought a crop.
00:09:59Did I hurt you last time?
00:10:01You can use it on me.
00:10:05I turned toward the stairs and walked down.
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 excursion.
00:10:14I stepped around him and sat down at the table.
00:10:17Reese paused, then came and stood behind my chair.
00:10:19Baby.
00:10:20He said it.
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 play 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.
00:10:38I felt my eye twitch before I even saw who it was.
00:10:41Sophia walked in behind Finn.
00:10:43Both of them about something.
00:10:46Sophia wrapped herself around my arm like we were close.
00:10:49Selena, 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?
00:10:55So I threw them all out.
00:10:58You don't mind, do you?
00:11:01I mean, after all these years of living so well.
00:11:11The air in the room went straight.
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 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.
00:11:37Finn'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.
00:11:42You 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.
00:12:07All 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.
00:12:16Did that tiger make you lose your mind?
00:12:18He's awful.
00:12:19We don't need him.
00:12:20Finn looked like he had a lot to say but couldn't.
00:12:23He said it quietly then shot Bruce 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?
00:12:36I swirled my cocktail.
00:12:38Don't call me that.
00:12:39I'm a fake and everything I have is someone else's.
00:12:42I knocked the drink back.
00:12:44The burn hit my throat.
00:12:45All of it.
00:12:46Don't say that.
00:12:47You're my best friend.
00:12:49That's got nothing to do with where you come from.
00:12:51I leaned on Cassie's shoulder.
00:12:55What'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.
00:13:02They 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.
00:13:16By the time I got home, my steps weren't quite steady.
00:13:21I'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.
00:13:39I'm fine.
00:13:40I 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, and got into bed.
00:14:17Half asleep, I felt something wrap around my waist.
00:14:20I opened my eyes to Reese's face.
00:14:23When he saw me wake, he kissed me.
00:14:25Lena, don't let me go.
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.
00:14:50He 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.
00:15:15Lena,
00:15:16you'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,
00:15:33pull my foot.
00:15:35Really pull it.
00:15:42After 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
00:15:49standing at the side of the bed,
00:15:51watching us in silence.
00:15:52Clothes scattered all over the floor.
00:15:55Awkward,
00:15:55didn't quite cover it.
00:15:56Reese 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,
00:16:08so I figured I might as well go with it.
00:16:11I had too much sleep this night.
00:16:13I wasn't thinking too late.
00:16:16Excuse me.
00:16:18You said yourself you weren't drunk, Lena.
00:16:20Are you playing favorites now?
00:16:22If you wanted someone,
00:16:23you should have come to me.
00:16:24Finn's eyes were red at the corners.
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.
00:16:34I shook my head
00:16:35and pushed Reese's tail off me.
00:16:37Since 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.
00:16:47Why not?
00:16:48I don't do it at all.
00:16:53Sophia was leaving the very next day.
00:16:56She had etiquette classes
00:16:58and trainings to get to.
00:16:59She has no time
00:17:00to keep making a scene.
00:17:02Lena, I'm so jealous of you.
00:17:05You have so many nice things.
00:17:08My mouth twitched.
00:17:10I have nothing.
00:17:11Sophia's eyes had barely left
00:17:12the three of them
00:17:13the whole way to realize
00:17:14it was possible.
00:17:16It'll all be yours soon.
00:17:18Sophia left.
00:17:19I had somewhere to be too.
00:17:20This face just reminds me
00:17:21of last night.
00:17:24Where do you think you're going?
00:17:25Back to campus.
00:17:26I have some paperwork to sort out.
00:17:28I'll come with you.
00:17:29All three stepped forward
00:17:31at the same time.
00:17:32Are you serious?
00:17:34You're still going?
00:17:35Have you got no shame?
00:17:36Finn elbowed Reese aside.
00:17:37Fair 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.
00:17:56Of course I couldn't bring them.
00:17:58I was going back
00:17:59to submit paperwork
00:18:00for studying abroad.
00:18:04Lena, congratulations.
00:18:05Maestro Harlan
00:18:06almost never takes students.
00:18:08Your future is very bright.
00:18:11I walked toward the gate.
00:18:12Then I found Kalem
00:18:13leaning against a car,
00:18:15waiting.
00:18:16How did you know
00:18:17where I was?
00:18:18He opened the door,
00:18:19head bowed.
00:18:20I hesitated for a moment,
00:18:22then got in with him.
00:18:25Kalem, you...
00:18:26A hand pressed
00:18:27to the back of my head
00:18:28and he kissed me.
00:18:34Hard and desperate,
00:18:35like a small animal
00:18:37with no sense of safety
00:18:38trying to prove something.
00:18:40I was forced
00:18:40to tilt my head back
00:18:41and stay tangled up
00:18:42with him for a moment.
00:18:45Enough.
00:18:45I moved his hand away
00:18:47before it could wander.
00:18:48Kalem's tail wound
00:18:49around my waist,
00:18:50slowly tightened.
00:18:52Baby, are you going
00:18:53to leave me?
00:18:53I smiled,
00:18:54swallowing down
00:18:55the bitter edge beneath it.
00:18:57Who left who first?
00:18:58Stop imagining things.
00:19:00Is that so?
00:19:01He was already undoing
00:19:03the buttons of his shirt
00:19:04as he said it.
00:19:05He pressed my hand
00:19:06against his chest.
00:19:07Touch it for me.
00:19:08I smacked his hand away
00:19:09in exasperation.
00:19:11Kalem shuddered.
00:19:12Then his breathing
00:19:13went rougher
00:19:13and more wanting.
00:19:15Damn.
00:19:15He enjoyed that.
00:19:16You'll choose me,
00:19:17won't you, baby?
00:19:19I broke into a smile then.
00:19:21Of course.
00:19:22Kalem looked at me
00:19:23with those liquid eyes,
00:19:24serious,
00:19:25the heat in them
00:19:26not quite gone.
00:19:28Good.
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
00:19:33the two of us.
00:19:34He trailed off
00:19:36near the end,
00:19:36said it too quietly.
00:19:38I didn't catch it.
00:19:59I wasn't even out
00:20:00of the car
00:20:01when I got back
00:20:01and Reese came
00:20:02sprinting toward me.
00:20:04Bad news, Lena.
00:20:05The tiger went
00:20:05into heat earlier.
00:20:06Stop!
00:20:07Before,
00:20:08whenever one of them
00:20:09went into heat,
00:20:11I was the one
00:20:12who handled it.
00:20:12Under the current
00:20:13circumstances,
00:20:14I wasn't exactly eager.
00:20:16I barely touched
00:20:17the door handle
00:20:17before it flew open.
00:20:19Finn scooped me up
00:20:20and dropped me
00:20:20onto the bed.
00:20:21He searched
00:20:22for my lips urgently
00:20:23and when he found them,
00:20:25a low, relieved sound
00:20:26left him.
00:20:27His hands moved
00:20:28under 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
00:20:34already 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?
00:20:46He held me too tightly
00:20:48and it hurt.
00:20:49Let go.
00:20:50Keep this up in your hand.
00:21:04Handling it yourself.
00:21:05Finn wrapped himself
00:21:06around me,
00:21:07subdued,
00:21:08no longer pushing,
00:21:09just rubbing his cheek
00:21:11against my thigh,
00:21:12quiet.
00:21:12Didn't you used to like it?
00:21:14I've got bobs.
00:21:15I looked away.
00:21:17Finn looked like
00:21:17he might cry again.
00:21:19Then at least touch me.
00:21:24I worked his tail
00:21:25with my hands.
00:21:28Not enough.
00:21:29Lower.
00:21:30By the time my hands
00:21:31were too tired
00:21:32to keep going,
00:21:33Finn pressed a kiss
00:21:34to the top of my head.
00:21:36Lena,
00:21:37you'll choose me,
00:21:38won't you?
00:21:39I could barely
00:21:39keep my eyes open.
00:21:41What had gotten into
00:21:42all three of them?
00:21:43Coming to ask me that
00:21:44one after another,
00:21:45I kissed his lips.
00:21:47Of course.
00:21:48Desire moved
00:21:49through Finn's eyes,
00:21:50possessive and searching,
00:21:52landing on my mouth.
00:21:53Good.
00:21:54When the time comes,
00:21:56I'm collecting
00:21:57everything with interest.
00:21:58One week left
00:21:59before my birthday.
00:22:00The four of us
00:22:01held ourselves
00:22:02in a strange,
00:22:02fragile calm.
00:22:03On the day
00:22:04of the party,
00:22:05I wore a deep,
00:22:06plum, strapless gown
00:22:07with a fishtail hem.
00:22:09The three beastmen
00:22:10looked at me
00:22:10like they were trying
00:22:11to see straight
00:22:12through the fabric.
00:22:13I pretended not to notice
00:22:14and got into the car
00:22:15with them.
00:22:16Under normal circumstances,
00:22:17the identity
00:22:18of a fake heiress
00:22:19wouldn't warrant
00:22:20such a formal event.
00:22:21But everything
00:22:22had been arranged
00:22:22far in advance
00:22:23and business contacts
00:22:25were already
00:22:25coming to network.
00:22:26My parents also
00:22:27weren't willing
00:22:28to write off
00:22:29their investment in me,
00:22:30so the party continued.
00:22:31At the estate,
00:22:32I moved through
00:22:33the crowd
00:22:33with a composed smile.
00:22:35My mother came over,
00:22:36a touch of apology
00:22:38on her face.
00:22:39Lena,
00:22:39you've been away so long.
00:22:40Your father and I
00:22:41aren't trying
00:22:42to push you out.
00:22:43I just get along
00:22:44with your sister.
00:23:00I'm fine, Mom.
00:23:01I looked down
00:23:02and 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
00:23:08about your decision
00:23:09with the Beastmen?
00:23:10Don't worry.
00:23:11I'll give you an answer
00:23:12you're satisfied with.
00:23:13I took a glass of champagne,
00:23:15looked up,
00:23:16and locked eyes
00:23:17with Sophia
00:23:17across the room.
00:23:18I smiled
00:23:19and lifted my glass to her.
00:23:21Be grateful,
00:23:21little sister.
00:23:22I'm not fighting you
00:23:23for a single thing.
00:23:24I stood on the balcony
00:23:25and made a call.
00:23:26Is everything loaded
00:23:27and ready?
00:23:28Yes.
00:23:29Wait at the front gate.
00:23:29I 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.
00:23:35Then 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.
00:23:42You'll choose me, won't you?
00:23:44Maybe it was just
00:23:44my imagination,
00:23:46but I thought I saw longing
00:23:47and a hint of humility
00:23:48in 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,
00:23:54eager to kiss me.
00:23:55Don't.
00:23:57My makeup.
00:23:58Reese followed me
00:23:59back into the hall.
00:24:00If he'd had his tail out
00:24:01right now,
00:24:02it would have been wagging.
00:24:07Under the attention
00:24:08of the room,
00:24:09I stepped up
00:24:10onto 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,
00:24:19Reese,
00:24:19and Finn
00:24:20stood below it.
00:24:21I looked at them
00:24:22one more time
00:24:22before I began to speak.
00:24:24The dim light fell
00:24:25across their faces
00:24:26so I didn't see
00:24:27what was written there.
00:24:28Three faces wearing
00:24:30the 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
00:24:41I'd like to say.
00:24:44First,
00:24:45I'm sure you're all aware
00:24:46by now
00:24:47that I'm not
00:24:47the Morrison's
00:24:48biological daughter.
00:24:51That's something
00:24:52that saddens me deeply.
00:24:54I spent 20 years
00:24:55in a life
00:24:56that belonged to Sophia
00:24:57and I am truly
00:24:58sorry for that.
00:24:59The hall filled
00:25:00with murmuring.
00:25:01No one had expected
00:25:03me to say it here,
00:25:04like this.
00:25:05My parents'
00:25:06expressions faltered.
00:25:08My mother gave me
00:25:09a warning look.
00:25:10I returned it
00:25:11with something steady
00:25:12and reassuring.
00:25:18She'd been my mother
00:25:19for 20 years.
00:25:20She knew what I was doing.
00:25:22I'm deeply grateful
00:25:22to the Morrison family
00:25:23for raising me
00:25:24and in my eyes
00:25:25they will always be
00:25:26my parents.
00:25:27Wherever they need me,
00:25:28I will always show up
00:25:29for them.
00:25:31But Sophia did suffer
00:25:32because of me
00:25:33and I want to do
00:25:34everything in my power
00:25:35to make that right.
00:25:39As you all know,
00:25:40today is the day
00:25:40I meant to choose
00:25:41a partner
00:25:42from the three beastmen
00:25:43I was matched with
00:25:43at birth.
00:25:45They are all exceptional.
00:25:47I mention this
00:25:48not to boast
00:25:48because in truth,
00:25:50everything I have
00:25:51always belonged
00:25:52to 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
00:25:59to 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.
00:26:06Therefore,
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
00:26:18were 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.
00:26:32Calum and Reese
00:26:33came running toward me
00:26:34like they'd gone mad.
00:26:54I 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
00:27:00and 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.
00:27:11I said it immediately.
00:27:13The three of them
00:27:14had already made it outside.
00:27:16Disheveled,
00:27:16nothing left of their
00:27:17polished 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 a car
00:27:27on foot.
00:27:27Calum slapped my window,
00:27:29his voice breaking.
00:27:30Lena!
00:27:31Don't leave me!
00:27:32You promised!
00:27:34Then tried to cut off the car.
00:27:36The chassis lurched
00:27:37as they grabbed it.
00:27:37Oh 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
00:27:52alongside,
00:27:53great guns in hand.
00:27:54Each of the three
00:27:55got a shot.
00:27:56Their pace slowed.
00:27:58Then they fell
00:27:59onto the road.
00:28:17They 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?
00:28:32And just like that,
00:28:34I left a mess behind me
00:28:35and went abroad.
00:28:37I enrolled at the conservatory
00:28:38and became a student
00:28:39of 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.
00:28:50Constant travel
00:28:51had become my normal.
00:28:53My parents hadn't let what happened
00:28:55and pushed them away from me.
00:28:56They 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
00:29:05was worth something
00:29:06to the family.
00:29:07That 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.
00:29:18Maybe they were with
00:29:19the one they'd loved.
00:29:21But that had nothing
00:29:21to 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.
00:29:35Miss Morrison
00:29:36what brings you back this time?
00:29:37You've been gone four years
00:29:38since you left without a word.
00:29:39Are you here to reclaim
00:29:39what'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
00:30:01to contest the inheritance
00:30:02with your sister?
00:30:03You've accomplished so much
00:30:04can you say a word?
00:30:05I 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-oomal
00:30:11piano 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.
00:30:16Miss Morrison
00:30:17the three elite beastmen
00:30:18who grew up alongside you
00:30:19why 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
00:30:32or something you couldn't
00:30:33say 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,
00:30:43everything 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,
00:30:57why 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.
00:31:17You're always so busy.
00:31:19It's been so long.
00:31:20We want a proper
00:31:21conversation tonight.
00:31:22Okay.
00:31:22I'll head over now.
00:31:23I 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.
00:31:42The food abroad
00:31:43isn't any good, is it?
00:31:45Come, come.
00:31:45Cook has made
00:31:45all your favorites.
00:31:48Thank you, Mom.
00:31:50I brought gifts back
00:31:50from overseas for everyone,
00:31:52you and Dad and Sophia.
00:31:54You've gone formal on us
00:31:55going away for a few years.
00:31:57We made small talk
00:31:58and I sat down.
00:32:00As luck would have it,
00:32:02right next to Sophia,
00:32:03four years.
00:32:04Word was,
00:32:05she'd already been placed
00:32:06into a role
00:32:07at our father's company.
00:32:08Sophia tapped the table
00:32:10with her diamond-tipped nails.
00:32:11Lena,
00:32:13long 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
00:32:29than I remembered.
00:32:30You left quite gracefully
00:32:31back then,
00:32:32Sophia said.
00:32:33Made me look bad,
00:32:34you know.
00:32:35Tone hard to read.
00:32:36I took a sip of water
00:32:37and genuinely didn't know
00:32:38what to make of that.
00:32:39I'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
00:32:45by 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.
00:32:50Don'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 gonna find her
00:32:57a 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
00:33:03in my bowl.
00:33:04Mom,
00:33:04that's really not something
00:33:05you need to do for me.
00:33:06I spent years grinding
00:33:07to get where I am.
00:33:09I didn't do that
00:33:10just to become someone'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
00:33:20for a moment.
00:33:21Then her smile
00:33:22faded slowly.
00:33:47She was distracted
00:33:48for the rest of the meal.
00:33:49After dinner,
00:33:50my father called me
00:33:51into 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.
00:34:01Sophia had a rough childhood,
00:34:03so she'll take
00:34:04the larger share
00:34:04of 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
00:34:12at the dark evening
00:34:13and thought of the sky
00:34:15above Lake Takapo
00:34:16in New Zealand.
00:34:17That absolute,
00:34:18clean 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.
00:34:25You were always
00:34:26too headstrong.
00:34:27If you'd stayed
00:34:28and fought back then,
00:34:29things might have
00:34:30been 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
00:34:34Sophia 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.
00:34:49Did 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.
00:34:56You'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
00:35:02no matter what.
00:35:08I never touched them.
00:35:14That sentence made me
00:35:15stop breathing for a second.
00:35:16Then I pulled myself
00:35:18back together.
00:35:18That has nothing to do
00:35:19with me anymore.
00:35:20It's their choice.
00:35:22What do you mean?
00:35:23Sophia looked
00:35:24genuinely puzzled.
00:35:25I 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.
00:35:34She paused.
00:35:36Oh, actually,
00:35:38you should just
00:35:38hear it from them.
00:35:39Here they come.
00:35:40I looked into
00:35:41the 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
00:35:49taken them,
00:35:50they would have been
00:35:51processed by the
00:35:52Beastman registry
00:35:53and placed into work
00:35:56independently.
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
00:36:02specialized tracks
00:36:03alongside my
00:36:04international curriculum,
00:36:06trained to the
00:36:07highest standard
00:36:07in everything.
00:36:09Lena.
00:36:10Kalem spoke first.
00:36:11His eyes were fixed
00:36:12on me,
00:36:13hurt and hoping.
00:36:19I changed direction
00:36:21and walked toward
00:36:21the door.
00:36:25I have nothing
00:36:26to say to any of you.
00:36:27What's done is done.
00:36:28Don't come looking
00:36:28for me again.
00:36:29I got in the car
00:36:31and left.
00:36:32When I got home,
00:36:33I went straight
00:36:34to the 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
00:36:44gain from that?
00:36:45If what she said
00:36:46is true,
00:36:47then what happened
00:36:48back then
00:36:48was a misunderstanding.
00:36:49So what made them
00:36:50say something that cruel?
00:36:52I couldn't work it out.
00:36:53I poured a glass
00:36:54of 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,
00:37:01then picked up my phone.
00:37:03Add extra guards outside.
00:37:04Everyone keeps
00:37:05a tramp gun on hand.
00:37:06After that,
00:37:06I went contentedly
00:37:08to sleep.
00:37:08I woke up
00:37:09because I couldn't breathe.
00:37:10When I finally
00:37:11got my eyes open,
00:37:12I was wrapped up
00:37:13tight in someone's arms.
00:37:15I knew it.
00:37:16Let go.
00:37:17I said it
00:37:18through my teeth.
00:37:24Finn 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.
00:37:30If I let go,
00:37:31are you going to run again?
00:37:31Reese had his arm
00:37:32around my waist.
00:37:33His large tail
00:37:34looped around my legs.
00:37:36Baby,
00:37:37to you we're just
00:37:37unimportant people.
00:37:38You actually said that.
00:37:40You promised me.
00:37:41Kalem's arms
00:37:42encircled me from 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
00:37:48if you want.
00:37:49As long as you're not angry,
00:37:50I'll take anything.
00:37:52Reese's tail
00:37:52shot into my hand.
00:37:53Then 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
00:37:58to suffocate me?
00:37:59They pressed in again.
00:38:01Hot lips
00:38:02touched the back
00:38:03of 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
00:38:13so much
00:38:14that she was gentle.
00:38:15Said whoever I picked
00:38:16was 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
00:38:21to stay in her life,
00:38:22you come back to me?
00:38:23That's not it.
00:38:24I 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.
00:38:32You hated me
00:38:33biting your tail.
00:38:35You hated me
00:38:36pulling your fur.
00:38:53You hated me
00:38:54You hated me
00:39:22Janine you
00:39:23You hated me
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00:59:27Finn was the closest one, his face lifting from where it had been pressed against my neck.
00:59:37Lena.
00:59:38If I let go, are you gonna run again?
00:59:39Reese had his arm around my waist.
00:59:41His large tail looped around my legs.
00:59:44Baby, to you we're just unimportant people.
00:59:46You actually said that.
00:59:47You promised me.
00:59:49Calum's arms encircled me from behind.
00:59:51I'm sorry.
00:59:51The dark tail tip grazing my lips.
00:59:54Please this time, don't leave me.
00:59:55You can bite me if you want.
00:59:57As long as you're not angry, I'll take anything.
00:59:59Reese's tail shot into my hand.
01:00:01Then pull my fur too.
01:00:02Pull it bald if you want.
01:00:04Stop it, all of you!
01:00:05Are you trying to suffocate me?
01:00:07They pressed in again.
01:00:09Hot lips touched the back of my neck.
01:00:11Lena.
01:00:12Four years.
01:00:13Do you know what these four years were like for me?
01:00:15I clenched my fist.
01:00:17This is all an act now.
01:00:18Didn't you say it yourselves?
01:00:19I would like to just start shooting through the idea of a fishing knife.
01:00:19I'm looking at all the time when I start doing paths.
01:00:20For more information, visit www.fema.org
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