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Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:00They tripped me first!
00:00:01See? Even here he talks back.
00:00:04Yet you brought unclaimed children before the Moonstone.
00:00:08You did nothing wrong.
00:00:09Noah!
00:00:10And you punished the weak!
00:00:12Noah! Stop!
00:00:13Then you have no right to judge my mother!
00:00:16A fatherless child dares lecture me on justice?
00:00:20Take this bastard away!
00:00:22Seal his wolf!
00:00:2620 years in Moonwolf Palace.
00:00:28After tonight, I'm finally free.
00:00:31Packed already?
00:00:33Dawn can't come fast enough for her.
00:00:3620 years in the palace, and still just a low-born maid.
00:00:41Tonight of all nights, the Alpha King takes his blessing.
00:00:45Then keep that old maid's scent away from him.
00:00:50Old Moon Temple. We need hands. Now.
00:00:53That cursed place? No Omega goes in there.
00:00:56Hot water. Clotting salve. Move.
00:00:59Everly.
00:01:01You're going.
00:01:02Me?
00:01:03You leave at dawn.
00:01:05No one will miss you by morning.
00:01:08Listen carefully.
00:01:10What happened there?
00:01:11Don't look at his face.
00:01:12Don't leave your scent.
00:01:13And if anyone remembers you were there, you won't see dawn.
00:01:23His Alpha aura.
00:01:25I can barely breathe.
00:01:27Hot water and salve.
00:01:29I was told to leave them here.
00:01:31Leave!
00:01:31I will.
00:01:32I won't come in.
00:01:36Silver.
00:01:38Poison.
00:01:43Poison.
00:01:51Leave!
00:02:01Do you want to die?
00:02:03No.
00:02:05Then leave.
00:02:07I will.
00:02:08After I pull that blade out.
00:02:17What?
00:02:20A mate, Mark.
00:02:33One more step and I'm free.
00:02:38Stay with me.
00:02:40No!
00:02:42I should be running.
00:02:44So why am I holding on?
00:02:58Last chance.
00:02:59Push me away.
00:03:01Liv.
00:03:02Please.
00:03:04Please.
00:03:18Oh, Don.
00:03:20He's not some common alpha.
00:03:22If he's royal, I'm dead.
00:03:32Your Majesty.
00:03:34Your Majesty.
00:03:43The Omega from last night.
00:03:45Now.
00:03:57Careful.
00:03:58Mum just fell asleep.
00:03:59She coughed all night.
00:04:04Who told you to stoke the fire?
00:04:06The soup was getting cold.
00:04:08Cold soup makes your cough worse.
00:04:13You take the big piece, Mum.
00:04:20No child goes hungry in this house.
00:04:27Where did you get these?
00:04:29I hauled wood for the blacksmith.
00:04:31I told you, I'll get the academy fee.
00:04:35Registration closes at the end of the month.
00:04:37We're still short twenty-seven silver coins.
00:04:40That doesn't mean you should haul firewood.
00:04:44I don't want you carrying everything alone.
00:04:49These hands should be turning pages, not hauling wood.
00:04:52I'll make it in.
00:04:53I promise.
00:04:54And I'll become a moon priestess and make your cough go away.
00:04:59No.
00:05:02No.
00:05:07No blacksmith today.
00:05:09Then I'll carry the clothes.
00:05:11You'll carry your book.
00:05:13I'll get the silver.
00:05:15Look.
00:05:16Fatherless pup thinks he belongs at the academy.
00:05:18No one even knows his robes there.
00:05:21Pick them up.
00:05:23Are you giving me orders?
00:05:24Your mother got kicked out of the palace.
00:05:26No one even knows which robes I had you.
00:05:30Kneel.
00:05:34Claws in.
00:05:36They deserve it.
00:05:38Save your claws for real enemies, not spoiled pups.
00:05:41They insulted you.
00:05:42Then get into the academy.
00:05:44Earn your crest.
00:05:45Make them swallow every word.
00:05:47Pick them up.
00:05:50Noah.
00:05:52Those eyes.
00:05:54They look more like his every day.
00:05:55The elder council smells weakness.
00:05:59I'm still alive.
00:06:01And airless.
00:06:03That's all they need.
00:06:05Your majesty.
00:06:07Let me stay tonight.
00:06:10Liv.
00:06:11Please.
00:06:13Everyone out.
00:06:15You won't even look at me.
00:06:16I did.
00:06:17You're not her.
00:06:20Six years, Kale.
00:06:23Choose your next words, Kef.
00:06:26No heir.
00:06:27No lunar.
00:06:28All for an Omega from one knight?
00:06:30She was never just one knight.
00:06:32She's my fated mate.
00:06:33If he won't choose a lunar,
00:06:35I'll give every pack a sign they can't ignore.
00:06:37Grand lunar, you mean?
00:06:38The moon-born blessing.
00:06:40Every pup, six or younger,
00:06:41comes to the royal city.
00:06:43Noble, common, border pack.
00:06:44I want them all.
00:06:45Every pack will talk.
00:06:46Good.
00:06:47Let them talk.
00:06:48We put every young pup before the moonstone.
00:06:50For an heir?
00:06:51For a sign.
00:06:53And the elder council?
00:06:56Then they'll stop treating the crown like it's theirs to divide.
00:07:02Mercy.
00:07:03She came back with shame.
00:07:05She knew this pack wouldn't forget.
00:07:07Mom!
00:07:08Get up!
00:07:09Don't beg him!
00:07:10Everly, the children!
00:07:11I know!
00:07:15Still proud?
00:07:16You kept their names off the register.
00:07:18Don't play innocent now.
00:07:19No sirline!
00:07:20And they still think they belong here?
00:07:22She just wants our well and our grain.
00:07:24Leave my mother out of this.
00:07:26This is about blood.
00:07:27Yours has stained this pack.
00:07:29Don't tie the greys to her.
00:07:30My son has a sireline.
00:07:32Her bastards have no claim to us.
00:07:35Cain!
00:07:36They're five!
00:07:36Old enough to shame us.
00:07:38They barely know the world outside this village.
00:07:40Don't punish children for your pride.
00:07:42Enough.
00:07:42Beg again and you leave with them.
00:07:46The moon goddess should judge you.
00:07:50What did you say?
00:07:51You shame mothers.
00:07:53You make elders kneel.
00:07:55You don't deserve to lead this pack.
00:07:57No!
00:07:58Kneel.
00:07:58Apologize to her.
00:08:01Kneel.
00:08:03Apologize to her.
00:08:06You dare bark orders at me before a royal envoy?
00:08:11I ask for justice.
00:08:15Who gave you the right to send a mother and her children out to die?
00:08:23What's this?
00:08:28Your Majesty!
00:08:34Noah, stop.
00:08:36Please.
00:08:40Mom, did I do something wrong?
00:08:47Those eyes.
00:08:48Those words.
00:08:49Just like His Majesty as a boy.
00:08:51Call it sorcery and you answer to me.
00:08:54Sir Gideon, what happens to the children now?
00:08:57They go to the royal city.
00:08:59His Majesty must see this boy.
00:09:03Your Majesty!
00:09:05Sir Gideon!
00:09:06Sir Gideon!
00:09:10Whose eyes.
00:09:13Sir Gideon, he was frightened.
00:09:15We'll leave.
00:09:16Leave?
00:09:17He brought a royal envoy to his knees.
00:09:19I didn't hurt him.
00:09:20Not yet.
00:09:21You all saw it.
00:09:22A five-year-old with no sire line just froze royal guards.
00:09:25Does that look normal?
00:09:27My knees almost gave down.
00:09:29I couldn't move.
00:09:30Something is wrong with that child.
00:09:32He could make us all kneel next time.
00:09:34And who suffers when he does?
00:09:37Mom.
00:09:39She came back from the royal city pregnant.
00:09:41No mate bond.
00:09:42No sour line.
00:09:43And now she's raised a monster.
00:09:44Noah is not a monster.
00:09:46Then name his father.
00:09:48Say it, Evelyn.
00:09:49Twenty years in the palace and you can't name their father?
00:09:52No answer.
00:09:53Then it was a rogue.
00:09:54Shut up, Noah.
00:09:55No.
00:09:58Wait.
00:09:59She left the royal city six years ago?
00:10:01Yes.
00:10:02She served in Moonwolf Palace.
00:10:04Pregnant?
00:10:04With no mate.
00:10:06No father named.
00:10:07This pack has sheltered her shame long enough.
00:10:10That was years ago.
00:10:12We won't cause trouble.
00:10:13No trouble?
00:10:14You just brought a royal envoy to his knees.
00:10:16She already brought shame here.
00:10:18Now her son brings danger.
00:10:20Don't let them drag us down with her.
00:10:22Everly Gray, the pack has spoken.
00:10:24You and those two pups are cast out.
00:10:26Mom, where will we go?
00:10:28Drive them out!
00:10:29You wouldn't dare!
00:10:30Get out!
00:10:31No well water, no grain, not one stick of firewood.
00:10:38Cain!
00:10:38They're children!
00:10:39You can't cast them out!
00:10:41Mabel, your daughter has shamed this pack long enough.
00:10:45Keep begging and you go with her.
00:10:49You already pushed her to the edge of the village.
00:10:52How much further do you want to push her?
00:10:55She brought this on herself.
00:10:56Six years protecting her.
00:10:58And she still brought shame home.
00:11:00Keep her off the registry if you must.
00:11:02Mabel.
00:11:03Cut her off from the stores.
00:11:05Even the well.
00:11:07Just don't cast them out.
00:11:09Too late.
00:11:10No!
00:11:10Mom!
00:11:11Please don't throw them out!
00:11:12They'll die out there!
00:11:13Cain!
00:11:14Have mercy!
00:11:18Mercy.
00:11:19She came back with shame.
00:11:21She knew this pack wouldn't forget.
00:11:23Mom!
00:11:24Get up!
00:11:24Don't beg him!
00:11:26Everly, the children!
00:11:27I know!
00:11:31Still proud?
00:11:32You kept their names off the register.
00:11:34Don't play innocent now.
00:11:35No sirline!
00:11:36And they still think they belong here?
00:11:37She just wants our well and our grain.
00:11:40Leave my mother out of this.
00:11:42This is about blood.
00:11:43Yours has stained this pack.
00:11:45Don't tie the greys to her.
00:11:46My son has a sireline.
00:11:47Her bastards have no claim to us.
00:11:50Cain!
00:11:51They're fine!
00:11:52Old enough to shame us.
00:11:53They barely know the world outside this village.
00:11:55Don't punish children for your pride!
00:11:57Enough!
00:11:58Beg again and you leave with them.
00:12:01The moon goddess should judge you!
00:12:06What did you say?
00:12:07You shame mothers.
00:12:09You make elders kneel.
00:12:10You don't deserve to lead this pack.
00:12:13KNEEL!
00:12:14Apologize to her!
00:12:16KNEEL!
00:12:19Apologize to her!
00:12:21You dare bark orders at me before a royal envoy?
00:12:27I ask for justice.
00:12:31Who gave you the right to send a mother and her children out to die?
00:12:39What's this?
00:12:43Your majesty!
00:12:50Noah, stop!
00:12:52Please!
00:12:56Mom!
00:12:57Did I do something wrong?
00:12:59Mom!
00:13:02Those eyes, those words, just like his majesty as a boy.
00:13:06Call it sorcery, and you answer to me.
00:13:09Sir Gideon, what happens to the children now?
00:13:12They go to the royal city.
00:13:14His majesty must see this boy.
00:13:18This place is huge.
00:13:20Stay close.
00:13:21Don't let go.
00:13:36They looked at you like you didn't belong.
00:13:38Not here, Noah.
00:13:39No fights today.
00:13:40Evelyn, I almost didn't recognize you.
00:13:43Iris, it's been years.
00:13:46And these two.
00:13:48Grandchildren?
00:13:49My children.
00:13:52Yours?
00:13:53That's the part she never explains.
00:13:56She left this palace pregnant.
00:13:59Six years later, no pack will claim them.
00:14:04Everly?
00:14:06You brought them into the palace?
00:14:08At her age, with some rogue?
00:14:10And now his pups are in the palace?
00:14:14Don't talk about my children like that.
00:14:16Then put them before the moonstone.
00:14:20Let it prove me wrong.
00:14:24See?
00:14:26Even she knows better.
00:14:27Don't let your children near them.
00:14:30No.
00:14:35Noah, look at me.
00:14:38Don't give them what they want.
00:14:40I won't.
00:14:42Know your place, Everly.
00:14:43The moonstone isn't for old servants or unclaimed pups.
00:14:57Noah, I won't use my wolf.
00:14:59I just want an apology.
00:15:01Noah!
00:15:05Your Majesty, the Grand Luna is waiting inside.
00:15:13That boy.
00:15:15Why do I know that walk?
00:15:21Still chasing us, fatherless pup?
00:15:23Noah!
00:15:24Stay back.
00:15:25He could snap any second.
00:15:27Healer.
00:15:30Don't touch me!
00:15:31What's your name?
00:15:35What's your name?
00:15:39Your Majesty.
00:15:45Is he your son?
00:15:47Yes.
00:15:49He's bleeding.
00:15:51Get him to the healer.
00:15:52Yes, Your Majesty.
00:15:55Your Majesty.
00:15:57The Grand Luna is waiting.
00:16:00That scent.
00:16:01No.
00:16:02It can't be.
00:16:04No.
00:16:10Bring the children forward.
00:16:21Those eyes.
00:16:23I've seen them before.
00:16:25Little one.
00:16:26Come here.
00:16:35What's your name?
00:16:37Alara Gray.
00:16:39Gray.
00:16:40Who hurt you?
00:16:52Grand Luna, don't let that sweet face fool you.
00:16:56Who are you?
00:16:57Cora Gray.
00:16:59I'm her cousin.
00:17:00Cora, enough.
00:17:02Enough?
00:17:02You hid those children for six years.
00:17:05She left this palace pregnant, with no mate and no father named.
00:17:09And they let her into the temple.
00:17:14Her son already started trouble outside.
00:17:17They tripped me first.
00:17:19See?
00:17:20Even here he talks back.
00:17:24No mate bond?
00:17:27Grand Luna.
00:17:29She brought unclaimed children before the Moonstone.
00:17:33That is an insult to this temple.
00:17:44Is that true?
00:17:50Grand Luna, they're my children.
00:17:53Then answer for them.
00:17:54They did nothing wrong.
00:17:56Then why are they on no-pack record?
00:17:58And why bring them before the Moonstone?
00:18:00She wanted the Moonstone to wash it all away.
00:18:04This palace gave her a home.
00:18:07She brought Scandal back.
00:18:09You served in this palace?
00:18:10Yes, Grand Luna.
00:18:12And when you left, were you already carrying them?
00:18:16She won't answer.
00:18:17Because whatever happened to her, happened inside these walls.
00:18:22Don't talk about my mother like that.
00:18:25Look at you.
00:18:26Rogue-born through and through.
00:18:27Don't call us that.
00:18:29And don't lie about my mom.
00:18:30Grand Luna, he's challenging you in your own temple.
00:18:33An unclaimed pup bears his teeth in my temple?
00:18:38Grand Luna, please.
00:18:40He's just a child.
00:18:41Punish me, not him.
00:18:42Mom, you did nothing wrong.
00:18:44No.
00:18:45She raised us alone.
00:18:47She never hurt anyone.
00:18:49Why punish her for a lie?
00:18:52Grand Luna, he's talking back to you.
00:18:55If the boy is this dangerous, what about the girl?
00:18:59Touch my sister and see.
00:19:04You release your error in my temple and expect mercy?
00:19:08He wasn't trying to hurt anyone.
00:19:10He was protecting his sister.
00:19:12Protecting her?
00:19:13He's losing control inside the palace.
00:19:18Everly Gray, you knew the lore of this temple.
00:19:21I never meant to insult it.
00:19:23Yet you brought unclaimed children before the moonstone.
00:19:27My children are innocent.
00:19:29Then you should have spared them this shame.
00:19:32Take her to the front.
00:19:36Grand Luna!
00:19:37Twenty strokes.
00:19:39Let every pack know this temple will not protect disgrace.
00:19:43Noah, take care of your sister.
00:19:46I'm not leaving you!
00:19:47Noah, please!
00:19:48Don't hurt Ma!
00:19:51Don't touch her!
00:19:54You don't get to hurt her!
00:19:55Your mother is being punished.
00:19:57What can a bastard do?
00:20:00You're the ones who don't belong before the moonstone.
00:20:03What did you say?
00:20:05You don't want the truth.
00:20:07You listen to lies.
00:20:09And you punish the weak.
00:20:11Noah, stop!
00:20:12Then you have no right to judge my mother.
00:20:17Grand Luna!
00:20:18He's defying the temple!
00:20:20How dare he?
00:20:22A fatherless child dares lecture me on justice?
00:20:27You don't get to decide if I have a father.
00:20:31Take this bastard away.
00:20:33Seal his wolf!
00:20:38Grand Luna, they're my children.
00:20:41Then answer for them.
00:20:43They did nothing wrong.
00:20:44Then why are they on no-pack record?
00:20:46And why bring them before the moonstone?
00:20:48She wanted the moonstone to wash it all away!
00:20:53This palace gave her a home.
00:20:55She brought Scandal back.
00:20:57You served in this palace?
00:20:59Yes, Grand Luna.
00:21:00And when you left, were you already carrying them?
00:21:04She won't answer.
00:21:06Because whatever happened to her, happened inside these walls.
00:21:11Don't talk about my mother like that.
00:21:13Look at you.
00:21:14Rogue-born through and through.
00:21:16Don't call us that!
00:21:17And don't lie about my mom!
00:21:19Grand Luna, he's challenging you in your own temple!
00:21:22An unclaimed pup bears his teeth in my temple?
00:21:26Grand Luna, please.
00:21:28He's just a child.
00:21:30Punish me, not him.
00:21:31Mom, you did nothing wrong.
00:21:32No!
00:21:34She raised us alone.
00:21:35She never hurt anyone.
00:21:37Why punish her for a lie?
00:21:41Grand Luna, he's talking back to you!
00:21:43If the boy is this dangerous, what about the girl?
00:21:48Touch my sister and see!
00:21:52You release your error in my temple and expect mercy?
00:21:56He wasn't trying to hurt anyone.
00:21:58He was protecting his sister.
00:22:00Protecting her?
00:22:01He's losing control inside the palace.
00:22:06Everly Gray, you knew the law of this temple.
00:22:09I never meant to insult it.
00:22:11Yet you brought unclaimed children before the moonstone.
00:22:15My children are innocent.
00:22:17Then you should have spared them this shame.
00:22:20Take her to the front.
00:22:24Grand Luna!
00:22:26Twenty strokes.
00:22:27Let every pack know this temple will not protect disgrace.
00:22:32Noah, take care of your sister.
00:22:34I'm not leaving you!
00:22:36Noah, please!
00:22:37Don't hurt Ma!
00:22:39Don't touch her!
00:22:42You don't get to hurt her!
00:22:44Your mother is being punished.
00:22:46What can a bastard do?
00:22:48You're the ones who don't belong before the moonstone.
00:22:52What did you say?
00:22:53You don't want the truth.
00:22:55You listen to lies.
00:22:58And you punish the weak.
00:22:59Noah, stop!
00:23:01Then you have no right to judge my mother.
00:23:05Grand Luna!
00:23:07He's defying the temple!
00:23:09How dare you?
00:23:10A fatherless child dares lecture me on justice?
00:23:15You don't get to decide if I have a father.
00:23:19Take this bastard away!
00:23:21Seal his wolf!
00:23:25My cousin.
00:23:26She carried another dragon egg.
00:23:28I kept my eyes closed.
00:23:29Breathed steady.
00:23:30Let her think I was sleeping.
00:23:32Cinder stopped beside the cradle.
00:23:34Then she lifted my golden shelled egg.
00:23:36And replaced it with her own dull, cracked one.
00:23:38Behind her, ash stood in rags.
00:23:41Bruises everywhere.
00:23:42Scalp bleeding where hair had been torn out.
00:23:44No dragon spark in her eyes.
00:23:46Just fear.
00:23:47My daughter.
00:23:48Born from the egg, Cinder had stolen from me.
00:23:51Dragons gather.
00:23:52The weavers watched from the heavens.
00:23:53Serafina descended in a gown of woven starlight.
00:23:56The crowd gasped at her beauty, her power, her perfection.
00:24:00Cinder stumbled through the crowd, clutching a bloodstone.
00:24:03Ash trailed behind her on an iron chain, crawling across the marble like an animal.
00:24:07Stop the trial!
00:24:08It's all a lie!
00:24:10Serafinis is my daughter!
00:24:12Swapped the eggs a century ago!
00:24:14Very well, let's swap them back.
00:24:16Cinder froze.
00:24:17She'd prepared speeches, arguments, threats.
00:24:20None needed.
00:24:21Kale's face darkened.
00:24:22Ash is my daughter.
00:24:23I watched the eggs get swapped.
00:24:25Ash's eyes went wide.
00:24:27She crawled toward me, mouth opening, trying to say,
00:24:29Mother, through her ruined tongue.
00:24:31I watched my cousins steal my dragon egg.
00:24:37And I let her.
00:24:39For 100 years, she tortured my real daughter.
00:24:45While I raised hers as the future dragon queen.
00:24:51Then, at the air ascension trial, my cousin exposed the truth.
00:24:55Stop the trial!
00:24:57She thought she had won.
00:24:59She thought she was about to take back her daughter and steal my future.
00:25:03Wrong.
00:25:04Because I had been waiting 100 years for this exact moment.
00:25:09Moonlight spilled across the crystal cradle beside my bed.
00:25:12Inside rested a golden dragon egg.
00:25:14My heir.
00:25:15The future of the dragon empire.
00:25:17Then the door opened.
00:25:19My cousin.
00:25:20She carried another dragon egg.
00:25:24I kept my eyes closed.
00:25:25Breathed steady.
00:25:27Let her think I was sleeping.
00:25:28Cinder stopped beside the cradle.
00:25:30Tears filled her eyes.
00:25:31It should have been me.
00:25:33Kyle should have chosen me.
00:25:35Then she lifted my golden shelled egg.
00:25:37And replaced it with her own dull, cracked one.
00:25:39My nails dug into my palms.
00:25:41Cinder left with my egg.
00:25:43The door closed behind her.
00:25:44I opened my eyes.
00:25:46A stranger egg sat in my cradle.
00:25:48I stared at it.
00:25:49I could have stopped her.
00:25:50But I didn't.
00:25:52Tired opposite of her.
00:25:54Your heart is another lobly enchast.
00:25:59Elyria!
00:26:00You're working Seraphina too hard!
00:26:03Poor thing.
00:26:04Are you hungry?
00:26:06Tired?
00:26:07You don't deserve this.
00:26:10I've got a flame gem that can help you get through the dragon trial.
00:26:13I'll send it to you tomorrow.
00:26:14This was her ritual.
00:26:16Ever since the swap, Cinder found every excuse to be near her daughter.
00:26:21Criticizing my parenting.
00:26:22Offering gifts.
00:26:24Stealing moments with the girl she'd stolen from my arms.
00:26:27I said nothing.
00:26:29Behind her, Ash stood in rags.
00:26:31Bruises everywhere.
00:26:33Scalp bleeding where hair had been torn out.
00:26:35No dragon spark in her eyes.
00:26:36Just fear.
00:26:37My daughter.
00:26:38Born from the egg Cinder had stolen from me.
00:26:41Cinder turned, grabbed Ash by the hair, and dragged her forward.
00:26:48Look at Seraphana!
00:26:49Look at what you can never be!
00:26:51Ash whimpered.
00:26:53Cinder pulled harder.
00:26:54A clump of bloody hair came free.
00:26:58Teach you what happens when you forget your place.
00:27:01She held the bloody hair in front of my face.
00:27:04See, Aurelia?
00:27:05This is how you train trash.
00:27:12You're too kind.
00:27:13Cinder's smile faltered.
00:27:15She wanted me to care.
00:27:16Because the girl in chains?
00:27:18She was never my daughter.
00:27:20Not really.
00:27:22Seraphina loved Firefish.
00:27:24And Cinder spent dinner deboning it for her.
00:27:26Never eating as her full attention stayed on the daughter she believed was hers.
00:27:31Ash sat chained to the table leg.
00:27:33Iron collar, rusty and tight.
00:27:35Digging into her neck.
00:27:37Mother.
00:27:38May I have bread?
00:27:41Cinder's face transformed into something demonic.
00:27:43She seized Ash's head and shoved it into the slop bucket leftovers.
00:27:47Bones.
00:27:48Grease.
00:27:51Eat!
00:27:52Eat, you ungrateful worm!
00:27:54Ash's face emerged covered in filth.
00:27:57Tears cut through the grime.
00:27:58She looked at me, pleading.
00:28:00Begging for the mother who had never once defended her.
00:28:03I lifted my wine glass.
00:28:04I took a sip.
00:28:05Didn't move.
00:28:07Seraphina turned pale.
00:28:08Cinder noticed immediately.
00:28:10What's wrong, dear?
00:28:11You look pale.
00:28:12She hauled Ash away by the collar.
00:28:19You've upset your eminency.
00:28:21I'll deal with you later.
00:28:23The next morning, Cinder brought the flame gem as promised.
00:28:26Last night, I sent three males to teach the little brat some manners.
00:28:31She watched my face for a reaction.
00:28:33She's just an Ashbourne.
00:28:35What matters is Seraphina.
00:28:36Right, cousin?
00:28:37I gave her none.
00:28:39Kale, my husband, shot me a look of disappointment.
00:28:42He'd always behave the honorable type.
00:28:45Cinder pressed the flame gem into Seraphina's hands.
00:28:51This will protect you through the Ascension trial.
00:28:54Then leaned down to Seraphina's ear.
00:28:56On the day you win, I'll tell you a great secret.
00:29:00I closed the door behind them, masking the cold fire in my eyes.
00:29:07Yes, some secrets are overdue.
00:29:10Seraphina's clothes gradually disappeared, and her body was enveloped by an orb of light.
00:29:15Then the orb of light shattered into fragments, and her body transformed into a dragon.
00:29:23Cinder watched, mesmerized.
00:29:25Then her gaze snapped to the tail.
00:29:27She's missing a scale!
00:29:29How could you miss this?
00:29:30What kind of mother are you?
00:29:32Your daughter's nearly bald from lesson lets, but Seraphina loses one scale, and you're screaming?
00:29:38Cinder trembled with rage.
00:29:40Then her lips twisted into something venomous.
00:29:43She activated her communication crystal.
00:29:46Scar the little one's face.
00:29:49Your eminency lost a scale.
00:29:51She must have cursed her.
00:29:54From the crystal, screams.
00:29:58Please, I beg you!
00:30:01I'll be good!
00:30:03Cinder closed her eyes in bliss.
00:30:09Seraphina frowned.
00:30:11Auntie, I knocked the scale off myself.
00:30:13It doesn't affect my power.
00:30:15Every scale matters!
00:30:17Aurora, you must infuse her again with hot flame!
00:30:20I stared until Cinder squirmed.
00:30:22I'm sure Seraphina appreciates your concern.
00:30:25You should worry about your own daughter, not mine.
00:30:28I said it flatly, then turned and walked away.
00:30:31I heard Cinder whisper.
00:30:33When you're the Ascended Queen, I'll tell you everything.
00:30:40I smiled.
00:30:41She'd tell Seraphina nothing.
00:30:43Because I would tell everyone first.
00:30:46And the great secret she planned to reveal?
00:30:48The Ascension trial was three days away.
00:30:51I had waited 100 years.
00:30:53I could wait three more days.
00:30:54I could wait three more days.
00:31:04The dragons gather.
00:31:06The weavers watched from the heavens.
00:31:09Seraphina descended in a gown of woven starlight.
00:31:11The crowd gasped at her beauty, her power, her perfection.
00:31:16Elders raised his staff.
00:31:22By blood and fire, we name the-
00:31:24Wait!
00:31:26Cinder stumbled through the crowd, clutching a bloodstone.
00:31:29Ash trailed behind her on an iron chain, collarbone bleeding, crawling across the marble like an animal.
00:31:35Stop the trial!
00:31:37It's all a lie!
00:31:39Seraphina is my daughter!
00:31:41Swapped the eggs a century ago!
00:31:44Elyria, give me back my baby!
00:31:50Cinder fell to her knees, grasping my skirt.
00:31:53Elyria, take your Ashborn back!
00:31:56Seraphina is my daughter!
00:31:58The crowd erupted.
00:32:00Seraphina's an Ember-class dragon!
00:32:02You're a wizened!
00:32:04How could you birth an Ember-class-
00:32:05The Ashborn's been ruined!
00:32:06You want to swap now?
00:32:07The Ashborn does look more like Ariria.
00:32:10The Ashborn does look more like-
00:32:11Ash glanced at me, looked away.
00:32:14Kale rose from his throne.
00:32:16This is absurd.
00:32:18My wife would never-
00:32:19I raised my hand.
00:32:20Silence fell.
00:32:21Then I smiled.
00:32:22Very well, let's swap them back.
00:32:25Cinder froze.
00:32:26She'd prepared speeches, arguments, threats.
00:32:28None needed.
00:32:30Kale's face darkened.
00:32:31He rushed to me.
00:32:33You can't this alone!
00:32:35We've invested everything in Seraphina!
00:32:37I looked at the crowd.
00:32:38At Ash.
00:32:40Ash is my daughter.
00:32:43I watched the eggs get swapped.
00:32:45Ash's eyes went wide.
00:32:47She crawled toward me, mouth opening, trying to say,
00:32:50Mother, through her ruined taan.
00:32:53His eyes were red with fury.
00:33:02Why, Ariria?
00:33:04Why?
00:33:15The dragons gather.
00:33:17The weavers watched from the heavens.
00:33:19Seraphina descended in a gown of woven starlight.
00:33:22The crowd gasped at her beauty, her power, her perfection.
00:33:26Elders raised his staff.
00:33:32By blood and fire we name the-
00:33:35Wait!
00:33:36Cinder stumbled through the crowd, clutching a bloodstone.
00:33:39Ash trailed behind her on an iron chain, collarbone bleeding, crawling across the marble
00:33:44like an animal.
00:33:46Stop the trial!
00:33:48It's all a lie!
00:33:50Seraphina's is my daughter!
00:33:52Swapped the eggs a century ago!
00:33:54Ariria, give me back my baby!
00:34:01Cinder fell to her knees, grasping my skirt.
00:34:03Elaria, take your Ashborn back!
00:34:06Seraphina is my daughter!
00:34:09The crowd erupted.
00:34:11Seraphina's an ember-class dragon!
00:34:13You're a wizened!
00:34:14How could you birth an ember-class-
00:34:16The Ashborn's been ruined!
00:34:17You want to swap now?
00:34:18The Ashborn does look more like Ariria.
00:34:20The Ashborn does look more like-
00:34:22Ash glanced at me, looked away.
00:34:25Kale rose from his throne.
00:34:27This is absurd.
00:34:28My wife would never-
00:34:30I raised my hand.
00:34:31Silence fell.
00:34:32Then I smiled.
00:34:33Very well, let's swap them back.
00:34:35Cinder froze.
00:34:36She'd prepared speeches, arguments, threats.
00:34:39None needed.
00:34:41Kale's face darkened.
00:34:42He rushed to me.
00:34:44You can't this alone!
00:34:46We've invested everything in Seraphina!
00:34:48I looked at the crowd.
00:34:49At Ash.
00:34:50Ash is my daughter.
00:34:54I watched the eggs get swapped.
00:34:56Ash's eyes went wide.
00:34:57She crawled toward me, mouth opening, trying to say Mother through her ruined taan.
00:35:04His eyes were red with fury.
00:35:13Why, Ariria?
00:35:14Why?
00:35:15I'm a top-tier adult content creator.
00:35:17Then my monitor went black.
00:35:19Only the mirror, except.
00:35:20There was someone inside it.
00:35:22My fated mate.
00:35:24And the mirror grabbed me.
00:35:25Cut out their heart.
00:35:26Offer it to the throne.
00:35:27Or die.
00:35:28Then suddenly Mia shoved me straight into the center.
00:35:31Suddenly something cold pressed against my waist.
00:35:33The chainsaw?
00:35:34I'm a top-tier adult content creator.
00:35:36I've seen every wild request imaginable.
00:35:38And I know how to fulfill my subscribers' darkest fantasies.
00:35:40203.
00:35:41And I refreshed my earnings page.
00:35:42Then my monitor went black.
00:35:44Red text slowly appeared.
00:35:46A million-dollar donor?
00:35:47Okay, either I'm hallucinating, or my rent problems are officially over.
00:35:51Another message appeared.
00:35:52The room suddenly felt colder slowly.
00:35:54I looked behind me.
00:35:55Only the mirror, except.
00:35:57There was someone inside it.
00:35:59A man sat upon a massive black throne.
00:36:01Or half a man.
00:36:02Below his waist.
00:36:03Coiled an enormous serpent tail covered in dark scales.
00:36:06Long black hair.
00:36:07Gold-slit pupils.
00:36:08Ancient eyes that looked almost inhuman.
00:36:09Then he smiled.
00:36:10There you are.
00:36:11My fated mate.
00:36:13The word echoed strangely in my head, like it belonged to something old.
00:36:16I stepped closer.
00:36:18My fingers almost touched the glass.
00:36:19And the mirror grabbed me.
00:36:21The live stream never ended.
00:36:24387,421 viewers watched the screen shake violently.
00:36:27Then the mirror cracked down the center.
00:36:29Red text splashed across the stream.
00:36:31Rule number zero.
00:36:32If the king calls you mate, do not resist.
00:36:41The monitor flickered with static.
00:36:43Then the live stream interface changed on its own.
00:36:45The Scarlet Kingdom season finale tonight's featured guest.
00:36:48The king's mate, special notice.
00:36:49The king is watching tonight.
00:36:54The screen glitched dot, and suddenly I was thrown hard onto the foldstone floor of a dim corridor.
00:37:02I looked down at myself dot black silk slip dress, leather garter around my thigh, five-inch red bottom heels.
00:37:08My working uniform.
00:37:10Crimson lights flickered overhead like broken streamer lights during a haunted sponsorship event.
00:37:15No way! They actually brought in a streamer?
00:37:18That outfit is not survival approved.
00:37:20Wait, the king?
00:37:22What is this? Some kind of reality show?
00:37:28Welcome, Contestus.
00:37:29Tonight's entertainment will begin shortly.
00:37:31Find the one who unleashed the Scarlet Rot.
00:37:33Cut out their heart.
00:37:34Offer it to the throne.
00:37:35Or die.
00:37:36Heavy footsteps echoed somewhere ahead.
00:37:38Two figures emerged from the red haze.
00:37:44The first was a massive man covered in scars, dressed like a mercenary.
00:37:49He looked me up and down and laughed.
00:37:50Great. Influencer bait.
00:37:52The woman beside him elbowed his ribs before stepping toward me.
00:37:58Ignore him.
00:37:58I'm Mia.
00:38:00Stay close to me.
00:38:00First time contestants die fast here.
00:38:02Before anyone reaches the palace, they have to pass through the slaughterhouse.
00:38:06And that's where the kingdom's favorite monster lives.
00:38:09The butcher, if he starts chasing you, that usually means the episode is over.
00:38:14The slaughterhouse looked like something ripped out of a nightmare.
00:38:17Transparent plastic sheets covered the floor.
00:38:19Blood smeared the stone walls.
00:38:20And somewhere in the darkness,
00:38:24a chainsaw growled low and steady.
00:38:27I held my breath, praying we wouldn't run into the butcher.
00:38:30Then suddenly Mia shoved me straight into the center.
00:38:34The butcher only takes one victim an hour.
00:38:36Thanks for volunteering, Barbie.
00:38:38Before I could react, she and the mercenary disappeared into the red fog.
00:38:41My heel caught between cracked stones.
00:38:43I bent down to pull it free.
00:38:48Suddenly something cold pressed against my waist.
00:38:50The chainsaw.
00:38:56I'm a top-tier adult content creator.
00:38:58My fated mate.
00:39:05And the mirror grabbed me.
00:39:06Cut out their heart.
00:39:07Offer it to the throne.
00:39:08Or die.
00:39:09Then suddenly Mia shoved me straight into the center.
00:39:12Suddenly something cold pressed against my waist.
00:39:14The chainsaw.
00:39:15I'm a top-tier adult content creator.
00:39:17I've seen every wild request imaginable.
00:39:19And I know how to fulfill my subscribers' darkest fantasies.
00:39:21203.
00:39:22And I refreshed my earnings page.
00:39:23Then my monitor went black.
00:39:25Red text slowly appeared.
00:39:27A million dollar donor?
00:39:29Okay, either I'm hallucinating,
00:39:30or my rent problems are officially over.
00:39:32Another message appeared.
00:39:33The room suddenly felt colder.
00:39:35Slowly I looked behind me.
00:39:36Only the mirror.
00:39:37Except.
00:39:38There was someone inside it.
00:39:40A man sat upon a massive black throne.
00:39:42Or half a man.
00:39:43Below his waist.
00:39:44Coiled an enormous serpent tail covered in dark scales.
00:39:47Long black hair.
00:39:48Gold-slit pupils.
00:39:49Ancient eyes that looked almost inhuman.
00:39:50Then he smiled.
00:39:51There you are.
00:39:53My fated mate.
00:39:54The word echoed strangely in my head,
00:39:56like it belonged to something old.
00:39:57I stepped closer.
00:39:59My fingers almost touched the glass.
00:40:00And the mirror grabbed me.
00:40:02The live stream never ended.
00:40:05387,421 viewers watched the screen shake violently.
00:40:09Then the mirror cracked down the center.
00:40:10Red text splashed across the stream.
00:40:12Rule number zero.
00:40:13If the king calls you mate, do not resist.
00:40:22The monitor flickered with static.
00:40:24Then the live stream interface changed on its own.
00:40:26The Scarlet Kingdom season finale tonight's featured guest.
00:40:29The king's mate, special notice.
00:40:30The king is watching tonight.
00:40:35The screen glitched dot,
00:40:37and suddenly I was thrown hard onto the foldstone floor of a dim corridor.
00:40:43I looked down at myself, dot black silk slip dress, leather garter around my thigh, five-inch red bottom heels.
00:40:49My working uniform.
00:40:51Crimson lights flickered overhead like broken streamer lights during a haunted sponsorship event.
00:40:56No way!
00:40:57They actually brought in a streamer?
00:40:59That outfit is not survival-approved.
00:41:01Wait, the king?
00:41:03What is this?
00:41:05Some kind of reality show?
00:41:09Welcome, Contestus.
00:41:10Tonight's entertainment will begin shortly.
00:41:12Find the one who unleashed the Scarlet Rot.
00:41:14Cut out their heart.
00:41:15Offer it to the throne.
00:41:16Or die.
00:41:17Heavy footsteps echoed somewhere ahead.
00:41:19Two figures emerged from the red haze.
00:41:25The first was a massive man covered in scars, dressed like a mercenary.
00:41:30He looked me up and down and laughed.
00:41:31Great.
00:41:32Influencer bait.
00:41:33The woman beside him elbowed his ribs before stepping toward me.
00:41:39Ignore him.
00:41:39I'm Mia.
00:41:41Stay close to me.
00:41:42First-time contestants die fast here.
00:41:43Before anyone reaches the palace, they have to pass through the slaughterhouse.
00:41:47And that's where the kingdom's favorite monster lives.
00:41:50The butcher.
00:41:51If he starts chasing you, that usually means the episode is over.
00:41:55The slaughterhouse looked like something ripped out of a nightmare.
00:41:58Transparent plastic sheets covered the floor.
00:42:00Blood smeared the stone walls.
00:42:01And somewhere in the darkness, a chainsaw growled low and steady.
00:42:08I held my breath, praying we wouldn't run into the butcher.
00:42:11Then suddenly Mia shoved me straight into the center.
00:42:15The butcher only takes one victim an hour.
00:42:17Thanks for volunteering, Barbie.
00:42:19Before I could react, she and the mercenary disappeared into the red fog.
00:42:22My heel caught between cracked stones.
00:42:24I bent down to pull it free.
00:42:29Suddenly something cold pressed against my waist.
00:42:31The chainsaw.
00:42:37I'm a top-tier adult content creator.
00:42:39Then my monitor went black.
00:42:41Only the mirror, except there was someone inside it.
00:42:44My faded mate.
00:42:46And the mirror grabbed me.
00:42:47Cut out their heart.
00:42:48Offer it to the throne.
00:42:49Or die.
00:42:50Then suddenly Mia shoved me straight into the center.
00:42:53Suddenly something cold pressed against my waist.
00:42:55The chainsaw.
00:42:56I'm a top-tier adult content creator.
00:42:58I've seen every wild request imaginable.
00:43:00And I know how to fulfill my subscribers' darkest fantasies.
00:43:02Two-oh-three.
00:43:03And I refreshed my earnings page.
00:43:04Then my monitor went black.
00:43:06Red text slowly appeared.
00:43:08A million-dollar donor?
00:43:10Okay, either I'm hallucinating, or my rent problems are officially over.
00:43:13Another message appeared.
00:43:14The room suddenly felt colder.
00:43:16Slowly I looked behind me.
00:43:17Only the mirror.
00:43:18Except.
00:43:19There was someone inside it.
00:43:21A man sat upon a massive black throne, or half a man, below his waist, coiled an enormous
00:43:26serpent tail covered in dark scales, long black hair, gold-slit pupils, ancient eyes
00:43:30that looked almost inhuman.
00:43:31Then he smiled.
00:43:32There you are, my faded mate.
00:43:35The word echoed strangely in my head, like it belonged to something old.
00:43:38I stepped closer.
00:43:40My fingers almost touched the glass.
00:43:41And the mirror grabbed me.
00:43:43The live stream never ended.
00:43:46387,421 viewers watched the screen shake violently.
00:43:50Then the mirror cracked down the center.
00:43:51Red text splashed across the stream.
00:43:53Rule number zero.
00:43:54If the king calls you mate, do not resist.
00:44:03The monitor flickered with static.
00:44:05Then the live stream interface changed on its own.
00:44:07The Scarlet Kingdom season finale tonight's featured guest.
00:44:10The king's mate, special notice.
00:44:11The king is watching tonight.
00:44:16The screen glitched dot.
00:44:18And suddenly, I was thrown hard onto the foldstone floor of a dim corridor.
00:44:24I looked down at myself, dot black silk slip dress, leather garter around my thigh, five-inch
00:44:29red bottom heels.
00:44:30My working uniform.
00:44:32Crimson lights flickered overhead like broken streamer lights during a haunted sponsorship event.
00:44:38No way!
00:44:38They actually brought in a streamer?
00:44:40That outfit is not survival approved.
00:44:42Wait.
00:44:42The king?
00:44:44What is this?
00:44:46Some kind of reality show?
00:44:50Welcome, contestus.
00:44:51Tonight's entertainment will begin shortly.
00:44:53Find the one who unleashed the scarlet rot.
00:44:55Cut out their heart.
00:44:56Offer it to the throne.
00:44:57Or die.
00:44:58Heavy footsteps echoed somewhere ahead.
00:45:00Two figures emerged from the red haze.
00:45:06The first was a massive man covered in scars, dressed like a mercenary.
00:45:11He looked me up and down and laughed.
00:45:12Great.
00:45:13Influencer bait.
00:45:14The woman beside him elbowed his ribs before stepping toward me.
00:45:20Ignore him.
00:45:21I'm Mia.
00:45:22Stay close to me.
00:45:23First time contestants die fast here.
00:45:24Before anyone reaches the palace, they have to pass through the slaughterhouse.
00:45:28And that's where the kingdom's favorite monster lives.
00:45:31The butcher.
00:45:32If he starts chasing you, that usually means the episode is over.
00:45:36The slaughterhouse looked like something ripped out of a nightmare.
00:45:39Transparent plastic sheets covered the floor.
00:45:41Blood smeared the stone walls.
00:45:42And somewhere in the darkness, a chainsaw growled low and steady.
00:45:49I held my breath, praying we wouldn't run into the butcher.
00:45:52Then suddenly Mia shoved me straight into the center.
00:45:56The butcher only takes one victim an hour.
00:45:58Thanks for volunteering, Barbie.
00:46:00Before I could react, she and the mercenary disappeared into the red fog.
00:46:03My heel caught between cracked stones.
00:46:05I bent down to pull it free.
00:46:10Suddenly something cold pressed against my waist.
00:46:12The chainsaw.
00:46:16How many of us are there?
00:46:17Only us, Kane.
00:46:18I've been searching for three years.
00:46:20Two in the entire world.
00:46:22Just two.
00:46:22I got cornered by three drunk guys in the basement.
00:46:25When I opened my eyes, all three of them were on the ground.
00:46:27Gold lines were flowing across the surface of my skin.
00:46:30I went to the underground fighting ring.
00:46:32Every beating I took only made me stronger.
00:46:34We're nothing alike.
00:46:35My power is different from yours.
00:46:36I can manipulate electromagnetic fields.
00:46:39Anything with electricity or the human nervous system.
00:46:41I can touch it, bend it, break it.
00:46:44I'm a junior in the mechanical engineering department.
00:46:46Bottom of the class of every fitness test.
00:46:48That day.
00:46:49I got cornered by three drunk guys in the basement parking garage of the lab building.
00:46:54When I opened my eyes, all three of them were on the ground.
00:46:56And my right fist was still buried in the concrete wall.
00:46:59I looked down at my hand.
00:47:01Dark gold lines were flowing across the surface of my skin.
00:47:04And I punched through a load-bearing wall just to make sure it wasn't a hallucination.
00:47:07It was definitely a superpower.
00:47:11So, you sure you got jumped by three guys?
00:47:13Yeah, I'm sure.
00:47:15Well, you ought to thank your mama for good genes, kid.
00:47:17Zero fractures, zero internal bleeding.
00:47:18You got some scrapes and bruises.
00:47:19Slap a band-aid on it and you're good.
00:47:20I went back to my dorm.
00:47:22Locked the door.
00:47:22Wanted to test whether the superpower was still there.
00:47:25The lines didn't light up.
00:47:26Nothing happened.
00:47:27So it's not just self-harm.
00:47:29Gotta be something else.
00:47:30I went to the underground fighting ring behind the back street of campus.
00:47:34What do you want?
00:47:37Fighting.
00:47:38I want to fight.
00:47:39Yo, we got a skinny one out here saying he wants to fight!
00:47:46This ain't no tea party, kid.
00:47:48Alright, go on in.
00:47:49Sign the waiver first.
00:47:50You die, that's on you.
00:47:56Derek, nickname the Hammer.
00:47:57Just put an amateur boxer in the ICU last fight.
00:48:03Hey, I'm...
00:48:05That's poor when he's dead.
00:48:06Get up, you piece of crap.
00:48:08He ain't even breathing.
00:48:09Told you he didn't stand a chance.
00:48:11Awakening reconstruction activated.
00:48:13Attribute level increased by one.
00:48:19That's who I'm talking about!
00:48:23What the hell?
00:48:25These are my fucking way!
00:48:34Over the next few days, I went there every night.
00:48:39Winner!
00:48:40I can't experiment.
00:48:42Holy shit, that was insane!
00:48:45No one would fight me anymore.
00:48:47The rules were clear now.
00:48:49Every beating I took only made me stronger.
00:48:52Thanks for letting me in that first night, man.
00:48:55Thanks for letting me in that first night, man.
00:49:04I thought I heard something.
00:49:06Not normal city knows.
00:49:10Please.
00:49:11Please, just let me go.
00:49:12Come on, baby.
00:49:13Don't be like that.
00:49:14We're just having fun.
00:49:14Oh, she's begging.
00:49:15That's cute.
00:49:15Do it again.
00:49:16Say it again for the camera.
00:49:24No one would fight me anymore.
00:49:25Last chance.
00:49:31No.
00:49:40Don't ever come back to the street.
00:49:47Hey, you okay?
00:49:53Ella Martinez, freshman biology major, lives in the dorms east of campus.
00:49:59Her birthday party got canceled tonight.
00:50:03I don't even know your name.
00:50:04Kane.
00:50:04Kane Morrison.
00:50:05Kane.
00:50:07Thank you, Kane.
00:50:08Happy birthday, by the way.
00:50:10Worst birthday ever.
00:50:11But at least the ending wasn't bad.
00:50:16I thought that was the end of it.
00:50:25That man was just like me.
00:50:27He had it, too.
00:50:35Relax.
00:50:36I'm not here to fight.
00:50:37What do you want?
00:50:39Who are you?
00:50:40Marcus Gray.
00:50:41But people call me gray.
00:50:42Gray.
00:50:43Yeah.
00:50:44Like the color.
00:50:44Fits, doesn't it?
00:50:45Gray coat.
00:50:45Red eyes.
00:50:46I didn't choose the aesthetic, but I've learned to lean into it.
00:50:49What do you want, Marcus?
00:50:50To talk.
00:50:50That's all.
00:50:51Sit down.
00:50:51This is going to take a minute.
00:50:52What do you want?
00:50:54Straight to the point.
00:50:55I like that.
00:50:56I like that.
00:51:01I want to talk about what we are.
00:51:03We?
00:51:05Don't play dumb, Kane.
00:51:06I saw what you did in that garage.
00:51:07I saw what you did in the ring every night.
00:51:09Three days ago, I watched you snap a man's wrist like a breadstick.
00:51:11You and me, we're the same.
00:51:13We're nothing alike.
00:51:16Really?
00:51:21You felt it, too, didn't you?
00:51:23What happened to you?
00:51:25I died in a car accident.
00:51:26But Marcus came back.
00:51:28My power is different from yours.
00:51:29I can manipulate electromagnetic fields.
00:51:32Anything with electricity or the human nervous system.
00:51:34I can touch it, bend it, break it.
00:51:41How many of us are there?
00:51:47Just us.
00:51:48What?
00:51:51Only us, Kane.
00:51:52I've been searching for three years.
00:51:54Scanning every frequency, monitoring every anomaly, chasing every impossible report.
00:51:59Two in the entire world.
00:52:01Just two.
00:52:04Three years.
00:52:05You've been doing this for three years.
00:52:07What have you been doing with your ability?
00:52:11Building something.
00:52:22How many of us are there?
00:52:24How many of us are there?
00:52:24Only us, Kane.
00:52:25I've been searching for three years.
00:52:26Two.
00:52:27In the entire world.
00:52:28Just two.
00:52:29I got cornered by three drunk guys in the basement.
00:52:31When I opened my eyes, all three of them were on the ground.
00:52:34Gold lines were flowing across the surface of my skin.
00:52:37I went to the underground fighting ring.
00:52:38Every beating I took only made me stronger.
00:52:40We're nothing alike.
00:52:41My power is different from yours.
00:52:43I can manipulate electromagnetic fields.
00:52:45Anything with electricity or the human nervous system.
00:52:48I can touch it, bend it, break it.
00:52:50I'm a junior in the mechanical engineering department.
00:52:53Bottom of the class in every fitness test.
00:52:55That day.
00:52:56I got cornered by three drunk guys in the basement parking garage of the lab building.
00:53:00When I opened my eyes, all three of them were on the ground.
00:53:03When my right fist was still buried in the concrete wall, I looked down at my hand.
00:53:07Dark gold lines were flowing across the surface of my skin.
00:53:10And I punched through a load-bearing wall just to make sure it wasn't a hallucination.
00:53:14It was definitely a superpower.
00:53:17So, you sure you got jumped by three guys?
00:53:20Yeah, I'm sure.
00:53:21Well, you ought to thank your mama for good genes, kid.
00:53:23Zero fractures, zero internal bleeding.
00:53:25You got some scrapes and bruises.
00:53:26Slap a band-aid on it and you're good.
00:53:27I went back to my dorm, locked the door, wanted to test whether the superpower was still there.
00:53:31The lines didn't light up.
00:53:32Nothing happened.
00:53:33So it's not just self-harm.
00:53:35Gotta be something else.
00:53:36I went to the underground fighting ring behind the back street of campus.
00:53:41What do you want?
00:53:44Fighting.
00:53:45I want to fight.
00:53:46Yo, we got a skinny one out here saying he wants to fight!
00:53:52This ain't no tea party, kid.
00:53:54All right, go on in.
00:53:56Sign the waiver first.
00:53:57You die, that's on you.
00:54:02Derek, nickname the Hammer.
00:54:04Just put an amateur boxer in the ICU last fight.
00:54:10Hey, I mean...
00:54:11I was pulling his head!
00:54:13Get up, you piece of crap!
00:54:14He ain't even breathing.
00:54:16I told you he didn't stand a chance.
00:54:18Awakening reconstruction activated.
00:54:20Attribute level increased by one.
00:54:26That's what I'm talking about!
00:54:30Who the hell is being alive?
00:54:32No fucking way!
00:54:41Over the next few days, I went there every night.
00:54:46Winner!
00:54:47I can't experiment.
00:54:51No one would fight me anymore.
00:54:54The rules were clear now.
00:54:55Every beating I took only made me stronger.
00:54:58Thanks for letting me in that first night, man.
00:55:11I thought I heard something.
00:55:12Not normal city nose.
00:55:16Please.
00:55:17Please, just let me go.
00:55:19Come on, baby.
00:55:19Don't be like that.
00:55:20We're just having fun.
00:55:21Oh, she's begging.
00:55:21That's cute.
00:55:22Do it again.
00:55:22Say it again for the camera.
00:55:27Hey!
00:55:29Mind your own business, kid.
00:55:31Walk away, kid.
00:55:32Last chance.
00:55:38No.
00:55:46Don't ever come back to the street.
00:55:54Hey, you okay?
00:56:00Ella Martinez, freshman biology major, lives in the dorms east of campus.
00:56:06Her birthday party got canceled tonight.
00:56:09I don't even know your name.
00:56:10Kane.
00:56:11Kane Morrison.
00:56:12Kane.
00:56:14Thank you, Kane.
00:56:15Happy birthday, by the way.
00:56:16Worst birthday ever.
00:56:17But at least the ending wasn't that.
00:56:23I thought that was the end of it.
00:56:31That man was just like me.
00:56:33He had it, too.
00:56:42Relax.
00:56:42I'm not here to fight.
00:56:43What do you want?
00:56:46Who are you?
00:56:47Marcus Gray.
00:56:48But people call me Gray.
00:56:49Gray?
00:56:49Yeah.
00:56:50Like the color.
00:56:51Fits, doesn't it?
00:56:51Gray coat.
00:56:52Red eyes.
00:56:53I didn't choose the aesthetic, but I've learned to lean into it.
00:56:55What do you want, Marcus?
00:56:56To talk.
00:56:56That's all.
00:56:57Sit down.
00:56:57This is going to take a minute.
00:56:59What do you want?
00:57:01Straight to the point.
00:57:02I like that.
00:57:08I want to talk about what we are.
00:57:10We?
00:57:12Don't play dumb, Kane.
00:57:13I saw what you did in that garage.
00:57:14I saw what you did in the ring every night.
00:57:15Three days ago, I watched you snap a man's wrist like a breadstick.
00:57:18You and me, we're the same.
00:57:19We're nothing alike.
00:57:22Really?
00:57:27You felt it, too, didn't you?
00:57:30What happened to you?
00:57:31I died in a car accident.
00:57:33But Marcus came back.
00:57:34My power is different from yours.
00:57:36I can manipulate electromagnetic fields.
00:57:38Anything with electricity or the human nervous system.
00:57:41I can touch it, bend it, break it.
00:57:48How many of us are there?
00:57:53Just us.
00:57:55What?
00:57:57Only us, Kane.
00:57:59I've been searching for three years.
00:58:01Scanning every frequency, monitoring every anomaly,
00:58:03chasing every impossible report.
00:58:06Two in the entire world.
00:58:08Just two.
00:58:10Three years.
00:58:12You've been doing this for three years.
00:58:13What have you been doing with your ability?
00:58:17Building something.
00:58:26I waited for him for three long years.
00:58:28Now he's back.
00:58:29And he finally proposed.
00:58:31But the girl he proposed to wasn't me.
00:58:33A timid girl named Luna knelt next to him,
00:58:35cradling her heavily pregnant belly.
00:58:37You shouldn't have messed with me in the first place.
00:58:39Julian raised his open hands toward me.
00:58:41I crushed the cherry of the cigarette right into his bare palm.
00:58:44I pulled one out at random and said yes.
00:58:47On my wedding day, Julian hijacked the venue with a gun.
00:58:50And I'll blow his brains out.
00:58:52Three years ago, I was about to make it official with Julian, our youngest capo.
00:58:59That's when my father, the Don, sent him on a suicide mission.
00:59:04If I make it out of this alive,
00:59:07I swear I'm going to give you the wedding of the century.
00:59:10I rejected every arranged marriage.
00:59:13I waited for him for three long years.
00:59:16Miss!
00:59:17Until the day he finally returned.
00:59:26Julian dropped to his knees before the Don.
00:59:29Don, I want to claim my reward for completing this mission.
00:59:32I want your blessing to marry Luna Cinchalia.
00:59:40Julian is covered in scars, with a crippled leg and missing fingers.
00:59:43A timid girl named Luna knelt next to him,
00:59:47cradling her heavily pregnant belly.
00:59:51The Don instinctively looked at me.
00:59:56Everyone in the room braced themselves.
00:59:59They expected me to skin them alive,
01:00:02to tear the place apart until nothing was left.
01:00:05But I didn't.
01:00:07Congratulations, Miss Sinclair.
01:00:15Without another word,
01:00:16I went back to my room and locked the door.
01:00:19Over the last three years,
01:00:20marriage alliance offers had piled up everywhere.
01:00:23I pulled one out at random and said yes.
01:00:26On my wedding day,
01:00:28Julian hijacked the venue with a gun.
01:00:30Say I do.
01:00:32And I'll blow his brains out.
01:00:37Don has seven capos who would die for him.
01:00:39Julian is the seventh.
01:00:40He was the most handsome of them all.
01:00:42And the one I've loved since I was a little girl.
01:00:46The Don later told me,
01:00:48if he had known about us,
01:00:49he never would have sent Julian on that mission.
01:00:52That's exactly why the Don chose him.
01:00:55But that was three years ago.
01:00:57I still didn't know if he...
01:00:59Miss!
01:01:00Julian is back!
01:01:05Miss...
01:01:07Wait.
01:01:09I instantly understood.
01:01:10Whatever was waiting for me out there
01:01:12wouldn't be a happy reunion.
01:01:14I know.
01:01:15The rain instantly soaked my dress,
01:01:18but I didn't stop.
01:01:22The front hall was packed with the family's men.
01:01:24Julian was down on one knee,
01:01:26his face grim.
01:01:27The other six capos lined the hall.
01:01:29They stared at Julian,
01:01:31their faces torn between relief and rage.
01:01:33The tension in the room was suffocating.
01:01:36I had no idea why.
01:01:38Don...
01:01:39All eyes fell on me.
01:01:41The lethal hostility radiating from the Don
01:01:44finally began to ease.
01:01:47What's going on?
01:01:48Why is he on his knees?
01:01:49Julian barely gave me a glance,
01:01:51like I was a total stranger.
01:01:52Don, she and the baby are innocent.
01:01:54I can't just abandon them.
01:01:55I'm begging you, Don.
01:01:57Begging you, Chloe.
01:01:58Please give us your blessing.
01:02:00He looked up,
01:02:02meeting the Don's stare for a second
01:02:03before lowering his eyes again.
01:02:05In that split second,
01:02:06it all finally clicked.
01:02:08Right then,
01:02:09a timid girl stepped into the hall.
01:02:12She looked about my age,
01:02:14but beneath her pure white dress
01:02:16there was no hiding that heavily pregnant belly.
01:02:19Sobbing,
01:02:20she dropped to her knees
01:02:21right in front of the Don.
01:02:22The Don just rolled a coin over his knuckles,
01:02:25dead silent.
01:02:27Julian never expected
01:02:28getting this blessing
01:02:29to be so damn hard.
01:02:31After all,
01:02:31we never went public.
01:02:32No one knew about us,
01:02:34but he forgot one thing.
01:02:36If I hadn't confessed everything to the Don,
01:02:39I would have been packed off
01:02:40in an arranged marriage years ago.
01:02:42I never could have waited
01:02:43three long years just for him.
01:02:45Every single capo in that room
01:02:47was looking at me with pity.
01:02:48I might look sweet.
01:02:50Put down the gun.
01:02:51But a mafia princess is nobody's fool.
01:02:53My eyes locked onto Julian three years.
01:02:55He looked so much older,
01:02:57a deep scar slashed across his brow,
01:02:59a crippled leg,
01:03:00missing fingers.
01:03:01It was obvious.
01:03:02These past three years
01:03:03hadn't been easy for him.
01:03:04Julian has bled for the Winchester family.
01:03:06We can't have a man like him on his knees,
01:03:08now can we?
01:03:09I turned my head,
01:03:11looking down at the man
01:03:12who secretly promised himself to me
01:03:14three years ago.
01:03:15Papa,
01:03:16let's say the third of next month.
01:03:17That gives us plenty of time
01:03:19to arrange Julian and Luna's wedding.
01:03:20For a split second,
01:03:21the cold,
01:03:22ruthless Don
01:03:23actually froze.
01:03:24The other capos
01:03:25lowered their heads in dead silence,
01:03:27because the third of next month
01:03:29was the date the Don
01:03:30had set for our wedding.
01:03:32A grand wedding
01:03:33with the whole family present.
01:03:34The Don
01:03:35had set three backup dates for it.
01:03:37This was the final one.
01:03:38He said one of them
01:03:39had to be the day
01:03:40Julian finally came home.
01:03:42Now he's back.
01:03:42And he finally proposed.
01:03:44But the girl he proposed to
01:03:45wasn't me.
01:03:46Outside,
01:03:47a light rain began to fall.
01:03:48The couple's crying
01:03:50and holding each other
01:03:51for everyone to see.
01:03:52Seeing the sheer tenderness
01:03:53in his eyes,
01:03:54I finally snapped.
01:03:55Are you all mute?
01:03:58Pay your respects!
01:04:00Sir,
01:04:00now.
01:04:02I could feel
01:04:03the questioning stares
01:04:04burning into my back,
01:04:05but I didn't give a damn.
01:04:06I'm a mafia princess.
01:04:07A man doesn't break me.
01:04:11You didn't deserve that, kid.
01:04:13I pushed open
01:04:14the door to my room.
01:04:15Marriage proposals
01:04:15from the last three years
01:04:17were piled up in every corner.
01:04:18Marcus,
01:04:19out of all these suitors,
01:04:20who do you think
01:04:20brings the most value
01:04:21to the team?
01:04:21Where the Winchester family
01:04:22stands today
01:04:23and Alliance is just
01:04:23icing on the cake.
01:04:24Then who's the best looking?
01:04:26Seeing Marcus hesitate,
01:04:27I pulled out a random file.
01:04:30Davis Stewart,
01:04:31this one's fine.
01:04:33You might want to
01:04:34reconsider that one.
01:04:35Why?
01:04:37Because his reputation
01:04:38is garbage.
01:04:39All he does is drink and play,
01:04:40and he doesn't know shit
01:04:41about politics or business.
01:04:43A notorious degenerate.
01:04:44I looked him up and down,
01:04:45then glanced back
01:04:46at the proposal in my hand.
01:04:47You look better
01:04:48than your picture.
01:04:49You little shit!
01:04:50You dare scale
01:04:51a Winchester wall?
01:04:52You want me to break
01:04:53your legs?
01:04:55Marcus,
01:04:56let's go with him.
01:04:57Clean up your mess
01:04:59with Julian,
01:04:59and I'll be back
01:05:00to marry you in seven days.
01:05:02With that,
01:05:02he vaulted backward
01:05:03over the wall.
01:05:07What a useless little punk.
01:05:10Not entirely useless.
01:05:12At least he's well informed.
01:05:13If a piece of trash like that
01:05:15could find out about me
01:05:16and Julian this fast,
01:05:17then he isn't trash at all.
01:05:18That evening,
01:05:19I went out.
01:05:20I sat in a pavilion,
01:05:22waiting for Julian to show.
01:05:24He sat across from me
01:05:25and dismissed all my men
01:05:26with a single glance.
01:05:28I sipped my whiskey,
01:05:29casually flipping through
01:05:30a business magazine.
01:05:31The baby she's carrying,
01:05:34is it yours?
01:05:36He didn't answer
01:05:37for a long time,
01:05:38just quietly
01:05:39shelled a few nuts for me.
01:05:41Miss, uh, Julian,
01:05:42excuse the interruption.
01:05:43Miss, here are the files
01:05:43you asked for.
01:05:45I leaned back,
01:05:46casually lit a cigarette,
01:05:48and began skimming
01:05:49her background check.
01:05:50Julian, however,
01:05:51couldn't sit still anymore.
01:05:52I'm the one who wronged you,
01:05:54but her showing up,
01:05:55it made me want a peaceful life.
01:05:56She can wait for me,
01:05:57but the baby can't.
01:05:58I want to give them legal status.
01:06:00I won't let my kid
01:06:01be born a bastard.
01:06:02If you wanted a peaceful life,
01:06:04you shouldn't have messed
01:06:05with me in the first place.
01:06:06Julian pulled a vintage coin bracelet
01:06:08from his inside pocket.
01:06:09The one thing you loved most
01:06:11three years ago.
01:06:12I've travelled all over the world,
01:06:14but I finally collected
01:06:14every piece.
01:06:16You think a bracelet
01:06:17is going to make me
01:06:18write this off?
01:06:19Julian, I'm a Winchester.
01:06:20Did you just meet me today?
01:06:27I'm sorry.
01:06:28Take my life if you want.
01:06:30But please,
01:06:31can you spare her?
01:06:33I smiled and stood up.
01:06:34I took one last drag
01:06:35of my cigarette,
01:06:36looking around for an ashtray,
01:06:38left with no choice.
01:06:39Julian raised his open hands
01:06:41toward me,
01:06:41his eyes dark with resignation.
01:06:43I crushed the cherry
01:06:44of the cigarette
01:06:45right into his bare palm.
01:06:46He took the burn
01:06:47without daring
01:06:48to make a single sound.
01:06:49Then go die right now.
01:06:53I pulled my custom
01:06:54subcompact pistol
01:06:56from my purse,
01:06:57toying with it
01:06:57in my hand with amusement.
01:06:59Is this how you tricked
01:07:00that little girl?
01:07:01With pretty words?
01:07:03Julian,
01:07:04if pretty words
01:07:05could solve our problems,
01:07:06the Winchester family
01:07:07wouldn't be the one
01:07:08sitting on the throne today.
01:07:10I grabbed my purse
01:07:11and headed toward
01:07:12the main estate.
01:07:13My bodyguard
01:07:13hurried after me.
01:07:14Miss, you left this.
01:07:15I noticed he was still
01:07:16holding that vintage
01:07:17coin bracelet in his hand.
01:07:18The bracelet might be
01:07:19worth a few bucks.
01:07:20Keep it.
01:07:21Thank you, miss.
01:07:21In the main parlor,
01:07:22a few of the family elders
01:07:23smiled and welcomed me in.
01:07:25The second I sat down,
01:07:27Luna grabbed my hand.
01:07:28Little princess,
01:07:29I heard you and Julian
01:07:30are very close
01:07:31and that he's the only
01:07:32one you listen to.
01:07:33Once we're married next month,
01:07:34you should still come around often,
01:07:36just like before.
01:07:36She smiled warmly,
01:07:38but there was a calculated
01:07:39edge of amusement
01:07:39in her eyes.
01:07:40She pulled out her phone.
01:07:42Chloe,
01:07:43we should exchange numbers,
01:07:44don't you think?
01:07:44Her lock screen
01:07:45was a photo of her
01:07:46and Julian.
01:07:47Oh right,
01:07:48silly me.
01:07:48I'm looking at Julian's
01:07:49old contact list.
01:07:50Little princess,
01:07:51Julian didn't save any names.
01:07:53Which one is you?
01:07:54She beamed at me.
01:07:54The elders sitting across from us
01:07:56had already sensed
01:07:57the tension in the room.
01:07:58She was giving me
01:07:58a show of strength.
01:07:59I took a glance at the screen.
01:08:00It was definitely
01:08:01Julian's old account.
01:08:02Since she wanted to know so badly,
01:08:04I didn't mind telling her.
01:08:05Did she really think
01:08:06the two of them
01:08:07still had any power
01:08:08to hurt me?
01:08:09What do you mean,
01:08:09no names?
01:08:10The one saved as baby,
01:08:11that's me.
01:08:13Luna never expected me
01:08:14to own up to it
01:08:15so shamelessly.
01:08:16The color instantly
01:08:17drained from her face.
01:08:21You two must be really close.
01:08:23Is this you?
01:08:24She held up the phone,
01:08:25pretending to show it to me,
01:08:27but framing it
01:08:27so everyone at the table
01:08:28could see.
01:08:29The screen was packed
01:08:30with paragraphs of text,
01:08:31me caring for Julian,
01:08:33asking if he was safe,
01:08:34and telling him
01:08:35how much I missed him.
01:08:36My phone broke,
01:08:37so I've been using his.
01:08:41Little princess,
01:08:42Julian probably never
01:08:43even saw these messages.
01:08:45Should I send them
01:08:46to him for you?
01:08:53Go show it to Julian.
01:08:55Yes, miss.
01:08:57He snatched the phone
01:08:59right out of Luna's hand
01:09:00and handed it to Julian
01:09:01as he walked up.
01:09:04Julian barely gave
01:09:05the chat history a glance,
01:09:06but when his eyes
01:09:08landed on the bodyguard's wrist,
01:09:09he froze.
01:09:11Where did you get that?
01:09:13Miss wanted me to show you
01:09:14the phone, sir.
01:09:16I'm talking about the bracelet.
01:09:17Where did you get it?
01:09:18It was a gift from Miss Winchester.
01:09:20Julian's eyes
01:09:21instantly darkened
01:09:22into something volatile
01:09:23and unreadable.
01:09:24He pulled out the chair
01:09:25and sat down
01:09:26right next to me.
01:09:30Sitting here
01:09:31might be a bit hard
01:09:32to explain to your fiancé.
01:09:34If I don't sit here,
01:09:35it'd be hard to explain to you.
01:09:37He stayed by my side
01:09:39until the dinner
01:09:39officially began,
01:09:41casually serving me food
01:09:42off and on.
01:09:43Just as dinner
01:09:44was winding down,
01:09:45he suddenly spoke,
01:09:46his voice completely cold.
01:09:48Why give away
01:09:48something you loved?
01:09:50Are we talking about
01:09:51the bracelet?
01:09:52Or a person?
01:09:53This time,
01:09:54it was his turn
01:09:55to shut up.
01:09:58That evening,
01:09:59I went out.
01:10:00I sat in a pavilion,
01:10:02waiting for Julian to show.
01:10:04He sat across from me
01:10:05and dismissed all my men
01:10:06with a single glance.
01:10:08I sipped my whiskey,
01:10:09casually flipping through
01:10:10a business magazine.
01:10:11The baby she's carrying,
01:10:14is it yours?
01:10:16He didn't answer
01:10:17for a long time.
01:10:18Just quietly
01:10:19shelled a few nuts for me.
01:10:21Miss, uh, Julian,
01:10:22excuse the interruption.
01:10:23Miss, here are the files
01:10:23you asked for.
01:10:25I leaned back,
01:10:26casually lit a cigarette,
01:10:28and began skimming
01:10:28her background check.
01:10:30Julian, however,
01:10:31couldn't sit still anymore.
01:10:32I'm the one who wronged you,
01:10:34but her showing up,
01:10:34it made me want a peaceful life.
01:10:36She can wait for me,
01:10:37but the baby can't.
01:10:38I want to give them
01:10:39legal status.
01:10:40I won't let my kid
01:10:41be born a bastard.
01:10:42If you wanted a peaceful life,
01:10:44you shouldn't have messed
01:10:45with me in the first place.
01:10:46Julian pulled a vintage
01:10:47coin bracelet
01:10:48from his inside pocket.
01:10:49The one thing
01:10:50you loved most
01:10:51three years ago.
01:10:52I've travelled
01:10:53all over the world,
01:10:54but I finally collected
01:10:54every piece.
01:10:56You think a bracelet
01:10:57is going to make me
01:10:58write this off?
01:10:59Julian, I'm a Winchester.
01:11:00Did you just meet me today?
01:11:07I'm sorry.
01:11:08Take my life if you want,
01:11:10but please,
01:11:11can you spare her?
01:11:13I smiled and stood up.
01:11:14I took one last drag
01:11:15of my cigarette,
01:11:16looking around for an ashtray.
01:11:18Left with no choice,
01:11:19Julian raised his open hands
01:11:21toward me,
01:11:21his eyes dark with resignation.
01:11:23I crushed the cherry
01:11:24of the cigarette
01:11:25right into his bare palm.
01:11:26He took the burn
01:11:27without daring
01:11:28to make a single sound.
01:11:29Then go die right now.
01:11:33I pulled my custom
01:11:34subcompact pistol
01:11:36from my purse,
01:11:37toying with it in my hand
01:11:38with amusement.
01:11:39Is this how you tricked
01:11:40that little girl?
01:11:41With pretty words?
01:11:43Julian,
01:11:44if pretty words
01:11:45could solve our problems,
01:11:46the Winchester family
01:11:47wouldn't be the ones
01:11:48sitting on the throne today.
01:11:49I grabbed my purse
01:11:51and headed toward
01:11:52the main estate.
01:11:53My bodyguard
01:11:53hurried after me.
01:11:54Miss,
01:11:55you left this.
01:11:55I noticed he was still
01:11:56holding that vintage
01:11:57coin bracelet in his hand.
01:11:58The bracelet might be
01:11:59worth a few bucks.
01:12:00Keep it.
01:12:00Thank you, miss.
01:12:01In the main parlor,
01:12:02a few of the family elders
01:12:03smiled and welcomed me in.
01:12:05The second I sat down,
01:12:07Luna grabbed my hand.
01:12:08Little princess,
01:12:09I heard you and Julian
01:12:10are very close
01:12:11and that he's the only
01:12:12one you listen to.
01:12:13Once we're married next month,
01:12:14you should still come around often,
01:12:15just like before.
01:12:16She smiled warmly,
01:12:18but there was a calculated
01:12:19edge of amusement
01:12:19in her eyes.
01:12:20She pulled out her phone.
01:12:22Chloe,
01:12:23we should exchange numbers,
01:12:24don't you think?
01:12:24Her lock screen
01:12:25was a photo of her
01:12:26and Julian.
01:12:27Oh right,
01:12:27silly me.
01:12:28I'm looking at Julian's
01:12:29old contact list.
01:12:30Little princess,
01:12:31Julian didn't save any names.
01:12:33Which one is you?
01:12:34She beamed at me.
01:12:34The elders sitting across from us
01:12:36had already sensed
01:12:37the tension in the room.
01:12:38She was giving me
01:12:38a show of strength.
01:12:39I took a glance at the screen.
01:12:40It was definitely
01:12:41Julian's old account.
01:12:43Since she wanted to know
01:12:43so badly,
01:12:44I didn't mind telling her.
01:12:45Did she really think
01:12:46the two of them
01:12:47still had any power
01:12:48to hurt me?
01:12:49What do you mean,
01:12:49no names?
01:12:50The one saved as baby,
01:12:51that's me.
01:12:53Luna never expected me
01:12:54to own up to it
01:12:55so shamelessly.
01:12:56The color instantly
01:12:57drained from her face.
01:13:01You two must be
01:13:02really close.
01:13:03Is this you?
01:13:04She held up the phone,
01:13:05pretending to show it to me,
01:13:07but framing it
01:13:07so everyone at the table
01:13:08could see.
01:13:09The screen was packed
01:13:10with paragraphs of text.
01:13:11Me caring for Julian,
01:13:13asking if he was safe,
01:13:14and telling him
01:13:15how much I missed him.
01:13:16My phone broke,
01:13:17so I've been using his.
01:13:21Little princess,
01:13:22Julian probably never
01:13:23even saw these messages.
01:13:25Should I send them
01:13:26to him for you?
01:13:30Okay.
01:13:33Go show it to Julian.
01:13:35Yes, miss.
01:13:37He snatched the phone
01:13:39right out of Luna's hand,
01:13:40and handed it to Julian
01:13:41as he walked up.
01:13:44Julian barely gave
01:13:45the chat history a glance,
01:13:46but when his eyes
01:13:48landed on the bodyguard's wrist,
01:13:49he froze.
01:13:51Where did you get that?
01:13:53Miss wanted me
01:13:54to show you the phone, sir.
01:13:56I'm talking about
01:13:57the bracelet.
01:13:57Where did you get it?
01:13:58It was a gift
01:13:59from Miss Winchester.
01:14:00Julian's eyes
01:14:01instantly darkened
01:14:02into something volatile
01:14:03and unreadable.
01:14:04He pulled out the chair
01:14:05and sat down
01:14:06right next to me.
01:14:10Sitting here,
01:14:11might be a bit hard
01:14:12to explain to your fiancé.
01:14:14If I don't sit here,
01:14:15it'd be hard
01:14:16to explain to you.
01:14:17He stayed by my side
01:14:18until the dinner
01:14:19officially began,
01:14:21casually serving me
01:14:22food off and on.
01:14:23Just as dinner
01:14:24was winding down,
01:14:25he suddenly spoke,
01:14:26his voice completely cold.
01:14:28Why give away
01:14:28something you loved?
01:14:30Are we talking
01:14:30about the bracelet?
01:14:32Or a person?
01:14:33This time,
01:14:34it was his turn
01:14:35to shut up.
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