After a deadly betrayal, one courageous woman sets a trap for her enemies, only to discover that the powerful Alpha King is willing to destroy anyone who dares to hurt her. Bound by fate, love, and revenge, they must face ruthless enemies and fight for their future together. Watch this emotional werewolf romance short drama in the full episode with English subtitles.
#ShortDrama #WerewolfRomance #FantasyRomance #AlphaKing #DramaSeries #Drama #FullEpisode #ShortFilm #ShortMovie #ENGSUB #FatedMates #RevengeDrama #WolfShifter #LoveStory #FantasyDrama
#ShortDrama #WerewolfRomance #FantasyRomance #AlphaKing #DramaSeries #Drama #FullEpisode #ShortFilm #ShortMovie #ENGSUB #FatedMates #RevengeDrama #WolfShifter #LoveStory #FantasyDrama
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Leah, I don't need you to become Luna. Just live through this winter.
00:06I weighed the salt bag, heavy. I lifted the curtain and looked at the snow.
00:11If I do well, I'll bring back the best salted venison.
00:16He turned and walked away. Didn't look back.
00:19Every year on frozen moon night, the Northwind Pack sent their daughters to the Alpha's central camp.
00:26Officially, Alpha Cain was choosing a future mate.
00:28In reality, someone to work and breed.
00:32My family had half a cabin left.
00:34My father had shattered his leg on a hunt last winter, so he threw me out as a gamble.
00:39Win? Everyone eats.
00:41Lose? Pretend I was never born.
00:44I touched the strip of dried venison hidden inside my coat.
00:48Alpha or not, he's still just a man.
00:51I wanted a meal and a roof.
00:53Love doesn't fill an empty stomach.
00:55The girls crowded together at camp.
00:58Some cried.
00:59Some whispered about becoming Luna.
01:01I wore a patched gray fur coat.
01:03A leather cord held my hair back.
01:05I found the farthest corner and sat.
01:08Leah, daughter of the hunter.
01:11Alpha Cain sat at the center of the tent.
01:13Early twenties, shoulders like a bear.
01:16His eyes swept over me.
01:17The fur on my neck stood up.
01:19But fear wouldn't help.
01:21I can salt meat, make herbal salves, set hunting traps.
01:26Someone laughed behind me.
01:28A girl in a white fox fur cloak covered her mouth.
01:31Vera, daughter of one of the oldest bloodline families.
01:35Are we choosing a Luna or hiring a camp cook?
01:38Is that salted meat good?
01:39I saw my opening.
01:41The dried venison I make is so good.
01:43Scouts from the Shadowclaw pack have stolen it before.
01:46Cain's mouth twitched.
01:47He tapped his fingers on the armrest.
01:50Interesting.
01:52Keeper.
01:54They assigned me to the farthest storage cave.
01:57A half-collapsed cellar.
01:58Wind and snow leaked through the walls.
02:01The first night, I woke up frozen three times.
02:04Next morning, I went to the old wolf in charge of supplies
02:07and asked for charcoal.
02:09He looked me up and down.
02:11Beta?
02:12I set a small bag of frostbite ointment on his table.
02:15This for two baskets of charcoal.
02:16Enough?
02:17His eyes lit up.
02:18He gave me five baskets.
02:20Mira stared.
02:22Leah, you worked so hard collecting those herbs.
02:25If something can be solved with things, it's not a problem.
02:28I patted her head.
02:29Getting sick from the cold, that's what really hurts.
02:32After half a month in camp, I understood the rules.
02:35Low rank meant taking abuse.
02:37I stepped aside for the Omega candidates.
02:39My rations were half of everyone else's.
02:42Cain never came looking for me.
02:43I didn't worry.
02:44Every day, I hunted in the woods, came back and salted meat, dried herbs.
02:49Girls who hovered around the Alpha all ended up badly.
02:53Better to do my own work.
02:54Then Cain's deputy appeared.
02:56Leah, the Alpha is holding a feast.
03:00You need to come.
03:01My hands were still crusted with salt.
03:04Got it.
03:05In the hall, Cain sat at the head table.
03:08Vera pressed closest to him.
03:10Every eye turned to me.
03:11Still in the gray fur coat.
03:13A splinter among silk and fine pelts.
03:16Vister dress is so plain.
03:17Just to salt meat?
03:19She looks fine.
03:20Easy on the eyes.
03:22Vera sang an ancient wolf war song.
03:25Another girl danced the hunting dance.
03:27When my turn came, Cain set down his drink.
03:31And you?
03:32I pulled a small bundle from my coat.
03:34I brought dried venison for you to try.
03:36Laughter broke out around the hall.
03:38I ignored it.
03:39I just handed him the meat.
03:41Cain chewed twice.
03:43Not bad.
03:44He took the whole bundle.
03:45Told his deputy to seat me beside him.
03:47And bring me a fresh roasted fish.
03:50I sat down without a word.
03:51The other girls wanted to be the Alpha's heart.
03:54I just needed to be the Alpha's favorite snack.
03:57I got a nickname around camp.
03:59The beta who got ahead with dried meat.
04:01I didn't care.
04:02Reputation can't be eaten or worn.
04:05But Vera cared.
04:06First, half my charcoal vanished.
04:08Then my meat rations came back tough and stringy every time.
04:12Mira stomped her feet.
04:15Let's go complain to the Alpha.
04:17I was counting the month's food stores.
04:18I didn't look up.
04:20Complain about what?
04:21The Alpha has no time for small things.
04:24I took half a jar of honey and a bottle of frostbite ointment to visit Martha.
04:29Widow of the former Alpha.
04:31Martha's eyes were sharp.
04:33You want me to stand up for you?
04:34No.
04:35Just keeping you company.
04:37By the way, I heard Vera shorted your meat ration.
04:40Martha said nothing.
04:41I went to Gus, the wolf in charge of dried meat, and pressed a salt brick into his hand.
04:47After that, I spent an hour every day learning how to air dry large cuts of game.
04:52Vera's tricks stopped.
04:53I told Mira,
04:54See?
04:55The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
04:58A few days later, Cain's full moon transformation tore him apart.
05:03Wounds all over his body.
05:05High fever that wouldn't break.
05:06His healing power had failed.
05:08The old healer didn't know what to do.
05:11The candidate girls rushed forward, then saw Cain covered in blood and backed away.
05:16I pushed through the crowd and walked in.
05:18You're just a beta.
05:20Can you handle this?
05:20The deputy blocked me.
05:22I looked at Cain's wounds.
05:24His wolf spirit is turning on him.
05:26He needs to cool down, clean wounds, and eat meat paste.
05:29I stewed the best cuts into a paste and added fever-reducing herbs,
05:33soaked fur in snow water, and pressed it to Cain's forehead.
05:37I stayed with him all night.
05:38At daybreak, he opened his eyes.
05:40His voice came out rough.
05:42How did you get here?
05:43The deputy stepped in.
05:45The other candidates all went back.
05:47Only Leah stayed the whole night.
05:49Cain looked at me.
05:50Then he grabbed my wrist.
05:52His hand was cold.
05:53His grip was shockingly strong.
05:57You're different from them.
06:00After Cain recovered, he started coming to my cave often.
06:04He never brought up choosing a mate.
06:06I never asked.
06:07A few days later, the winter salt store was destroyed.
06:11Without salt, meat wouldn't keep.
06:13The pack wouldn't survive winter.
06:15Cain ordered a search of every corner of camp.
06:17His deputy walked into my cave with guards.
06:21Leah, the Alpha orders a search.
06:24Go ahead.
06:24A guard dragged a leather bag from under my bed.
06:27It was stuffed with the same coarse salt that had gone missing from the store.
06:32The deputy's face shifted.
06:34What is this?
06:35Vera appeared behind him, smug, triumphant.
06:39Still going to deny it?
06:41I kept my voice steady.
06:43I'm a beta.
06:44What would I gain from stealing salt?
06:46Would that make me Luna?
06:48I'm not stupid enough to do this.
06:50The deputy brought me to Cain anyway.
06:52Cain looked at me without expression.
06:55How do you prove you're innocent?
06:57I took a breath.
06:58I don't have direct proof.
07:00But I know that bag was placed under my bed today.
07:03I cleaned under my bed yesterday.
07:05I even plugged a rat hole.
07:06If the salt had been there longer, the bag would have bite marks.
07:09The deputy went to check.
07:11Came back fast.
07:12Alpha, no bite marks on the bag.
07:14Vera's face went white.
07:16Cain turned to her.
07:17Vera, you seem very eager for Leah to be the thief.
07:22I'm not...
07:23Cain ordered the investigation.
07:25The truth came out.
07:27Vera had told her maidservant to plant the salt.
07:30I was cleared.
07:31Cain confined Vera for one month.
07:33As I was leaving, Cain called me back.
07:36From now on, you're in charge of winter supplies.
07:39I shook my head.
07:41I'm fine the way things are.
07:42He looked surprised.
07:44Why?
07:45I just want to live a quiet, steady life.
07:48Cain didn't speak.
07:49But something new came into his eyes.
07:53Wolf howls jolted me awake.
07:55The Shadowclaw pack was raiding the camp.
07:58Outside, chaos.
07:59Fire.
08:00Screaming.
08:01The cries of dying wolves.
08:03From the shadows, I spotted Greyclaw.
08:05The Shadowclaw Alpha.
08:06Heading straight for the storage cave with a dozen guards.
08:09I slipped around to the back.
08:10There was a small ventilation tunnel.
08:12Only I knew about it.
08:13I moved fast.
08:15Hid the salt bags and dried meat in the secret compartment.
08:18Sealed the tunnel entrance.
08:19Pressed myself against the wall and waited.
08:21The sounds of fighting closed in.
08:23I gripped my bone knife.
08:25My palms were soaked.
08:26Someone pushed the stone aside from outside.
08:29Moonlight hit Cain's face.
08:30He was covered in blood.
08:32His left arm hung at a wrong angle.
08:35Go.
08:36He grabbed me and pulled me out.
08:38Low growl.
08:40We can't hold it.
08:41Run south to the old mine.
08:43What about you?
08:46I'll hold them back.
08:48No!
08:49It came out before I could stop it.
08:52Cain's eyes softened.
08:53He yanked the wolf fang necklace from his neck and shoved it into my hand.
08:57Take it.
08:57If I don't come back, this necklace will get you into another pack.
09:01I gripped the necklace, leaned close to his ear, whispered.
09:05Cain froze.
09:07You're sure?
09:08I'm sure.
09:08I've been setting traps for a month.
09:10They're right underneath.
09:11Just lead them in.
09:12He gave me one nod, turned and ran into the dark.
09:15I hid and listened.
09:17A massive crash from inside the cave.
09:19Then Greyclaw screamed, but he dragged himself out on a shattered leg.
09:24Eyes bloodshot.
09:26Who did this?
09:28A hand clamped over my mouth from...
09:32Clever trap.
09:33Too bad.
09:34You're about to die in my place.
09:37Vera shoved me hard.
09:39I fell at Greyclaw's feet.
09:40He grinned.
09:42A beta did this to me?
09:43Cain's roar echoed from somewhere far off.
09:47Greyclaw!
09:47Don't you dare touch her!
09:50It was too late.
09:51Greyclaw's claws closed around my throat.
09:53I couldn't breathe.
09:55I thought of my father.
09:56Just earn a meal.
09:58I smiled bitterly.
10:00Didn't earn the meal.
10:01Lost my life instead.
10:05I didn't die.
10:06One second before Greyclaw's claws broke skin,
10:10a bone arrow buried itself in his shoulder.
10:12Martha stood on the high ground.
10:14Cain in hand.
10:15Twelve old fighters behind her.
10:17Greyclaw released me from the pain.
10:19Cain launched himself forward and slammed into him.
10:22I staggered to my feet.
10:23My throat burned.
10:24But my mind was razor sharp.
10:27Vera spun to run.
10:28I grabbed her hair.
10:30You wanted to be Luna?
10:31Let's see who gets it.
10:33She screamed and thrashed.
10:34My bone knife pressed against her neck.
10:37Across the camp, the fight between Cain and Greyclaw was ending.
10:40Cain was bleeding everywhere.
10:42But the rage had taken over.
10:43He bit off Greyclaw's front leg.
10:46Greyclaw screamed.
10:47Ordered the retreat.
10:48The Shadowclaw pack fled.
10:50Left more than a dozen bodies behind.
10:52Cain staggered back to me.
10:54Covered in blood.
10:55Breathing hard.
10:57Leia, the traps you set saved the whole pack.
11:00I looked at him.
11:01Tears came out of nowhere.
11:03I wiped my face fast.
11:06Alpha, treat your wounds first.
11:08If you don't reset that arm, you'll never hunt again.
11:11He smiled, reached out with his right hand.
11:13His rough thumb wiped the dust from my face.
11:16Leia, I'm not going to put you in charge of winter supplies anymore.
11:19My chest tightened.
11:21Was he sending me away?
11:23I want you to be my mate.
11:26The wolves around us erupted.
11:28Mira jumped and shrieked.
11:30Even Martha nodded with a smile.
11:31I came back to my senses and shook my head.
11:34No.
11:35Cain's smile locked in place.
11:37Why?
11:37Why are you still refusing?
11:39I took a breath.
11:41Alpha, I won't be Luna.
11:42You think I'm doing this out of gratitude?
11:44His voice dropped.
11:45I'm not.
11:46I'm...
11:46It doesn't matter what you are.
11:47I cut him off.
11:48Do you know what being Luna means?
11:51It means standing at the top with you.
11:53Being watched by everyone.
11:55Handling disputes every day.
11:57Having pups.
11:58I'm not afraid to die.
12:00I'm afraid of living without peace.
12:02I want a warm bed.
12:03A jar of salted meat.
12:05No one bullying me.
12:06Cain went quiet for a long time.
12:08Then...
12:08What do you want?
12:10Tell me what you deserve.
12:12I want to manage supplies and distribution.
12:14And I want your word.
12:15No one cuts my rations without going through me.
12:18Cain looked at me.
12:19Then he smiled.
12:19Done.
12:20From today, you are the winter keeper of the Northwind pack.
12:23No Luna title, but you hold a Luna's power.
12:26Vera collapsed to the ground, her face gray as ash.
12:31The news spread through camp fast.
12:33Some of the older wolves from the Omega families weren't having it.
12:37A beta?
12:37Running supplies?
12:38They came to me together.
12:40I didn't argue.
12:40I walked them to the storage cave.
12:42I pulled open the secret compartment.
12:44Let them see the salt and dried meat stacked inside.
12:47I got all of this through traps and herbs.
12:50Traded with outside packs.
12:52Half the meat your sons ate last winter came from me.
12:55One wolf crossed his arms.
12:57That was the Alpha's permission.
12:59I looked at him.
13:00The Alpha permits many things.
13:02But last winter, which family didn't use the frostbite ointment I made?
13:06Whose pup ran a fever I didn't break with my herbs?
13:09Silence.
13:09I don't need the Luna title.
13:11I just want to manage the food so everyone has meat to eat.
13:15Anyone still think I shouldn't be here?
13:17Nothing.
13:18Martha rose slowly, Cain first.
13:20Her voice was quiet.
13:21Each word landed clean.
13:23I propose the pack vote on whether to keep Leah as winter keeper.
13:28Unanimous.
13:29Vera shrank in the corner, hatred burning in her eyes.
13:33I knew she wasn't done, but I didn't have time for her.
13:35Winter had already come.
13:38Heavy snow sealed the mountains.
13:40The Shadowclaw pack didn't come back.
13:42But we faced a bigger problem.
13:44Not enough food.
13:45I counted the stores.
13:46Two months.
13:47Spring thaw was three months out.
13:49Mira cried.
13:50Leah!
13:52What do we do?
13:53I thought through the night.
13:54The next morning I found Cain.
13:56I need to go into Shadowclaw territory.
13:58He shot to his feet.
13:59No!
14:00They want to skin you alive!
14:02That's exactly why there's room to negotiate.
14:04I crippled Greyclaw.
14:06Their stores won't last either.
14:08We trade herbs for their game.
14:10Cain stared at me for a long time.
14:12Then he exhaled.
14:13You really have to go?
14:15I really have to go.
14:16Then I'm going with you.
14:17No.
14:18You're the alpha.
14:20If you go, that's surrender.
14:22I go as winter keeper.
14:23That's a negotiation.
14:25Cain clenched his fists.
14:26He gave in.
14:27I grabbed two jars of healing herbs
14:29and walked straight into Shadowclaw territory.
14:33Greyclaw's first instinct was to kill me on the spot.
14:36His healer stopped him.
14:38This baiter's herbs can actually treat your leg!
14:41Greyclaw's leg had festered badly from my trap spikes.
14:44The wound was rotting.
14:45Wait much longer and the whole leg was gone.
14:48He ground his teeth.
14:49What do you want?
14:50Meat.
14:51One jar of herbs for one adult deer's worth of dried meat.
14:54That's the rate.
14:55Deal?
14:55Greyclaw shook with rage.
14:56He looked at his leg.
14:58He nodded.
14:59Done.
14:59On the way back, I looked at the dried meat loaded in the cart
15:02and allowed myself one small smile.
15:05But I wasn't relaxed.
15:06Because inside Greyclaw's camp, I had caught Vera's scent.
15:10When had she teamed up with the Shadowclaw pack?
15:12I told Cain the moment I got back.
15:14His face went dark.
15:16I should have dealt with her long ago.
15:18No!
15:20Leave her.
15:21She'll help us catch something bigger.
15:23Cain studied me.
15:24Something complicated moved behind his eyes.
15:27Leah, how many things are you still hiding from me?
15:29I smiled.
15:30Not many.
15:32Just enough to save your life a few more times.
15:36Cain's wounds were mostly healed.
15:38He started showing up at my cave constantly.
15:41Always some excuse about checking supplies.
15:43One night, he was helping me sort dried meat when he stopped.
15:47Leah, why don't you want to be Luna?
15:51Because Luna is your shadow.
15:52I didn't look up.
15:54I just want to be myself.
15:55What's so good about being yourself?
15:58If I'm myself, I don't have to change for you.
16:01You like me because I am this way.
16:04If I became someone else just to be Luna, would you still like me?
16:08Cain's hands stopped moving.
16:09After a long silence, he muttered.
16:11You're right.
16:12Then he untied the bundle of dried meat I had just finished wrapping.
16:16Like a child causing trouble on purpose.
16:18Alpha.
16:19I stared at him.
16:19That's not exactly adult behavior.
16:22Like you said.
16:24He looked at me, eyes steady.
16:26In front of you, I don't have to be Alpha.
16:28A pause.
16:30I can just be Cain.
16:33Deep winter.
16:34Vera finally made her move.
16:36While I was out trading supplies with the Shadowclaw pack,
16:38she set fire to the main storage cave.
16:41By the time I got back, most of it had burned.
16:43Mira ran to me in tears.
16:45Leah!
16:46All the dried meat is gone!
16:48I looked at the blackened walls.
16:49My mind ran fast.
16:51What about the salt in the secret compartment?
16:53It's still there!
16:54It's stone!
16:55The fire didn't reach it!
16:56I breathed out.
16:57Salt intact meant we could cure fresh meat.
17:00I turned to the wolves gathering around.
17:03Everyone stay calm!
17:04The game is still in the woods.
17:06As long as we have salt, no one starves this winter.
17:09I caught a flash of Vera in the crowd.
17:11She must not have known about the compartment.
17:13Cain lunged toward her.
17:15I grabbed his arm.
17:16Wait!
17:16Low voice.
17:17Let her go on Greycloth.
17:19When he comes, we end it all at once.
17:21Cain looked at me.
17:22Worry and something like admiration tangled together in his face.
17:27Leah.
17:28Sometimes I think you're more alpha than I am.
17:31Thanks for the compliment.
17:33Three days later, Greyclaw came.
17:36Exactly as expected.
17:37He thought we had nothing left.
17:39He charged into camp with his best fighters, full force.
17:42He didn't know the fire had only burned an empty shell.
17:45The food was all there, and I had spent three days setting traps around every entrance.
17:51Greyclaw hit the first pit before he made it ten steps in.
17:54His guards caught in sinew nets as the spikes hit.
17:57Vera was captured.
17:59She knelt on the ground.
18:00Help!
18:01Spare me.
18:02Greyclown forced me into it.
18:03I had no choice.
18:05Cain didn't look at her.
18:06He looked at me.
18:07Leah.
18:08You decide.
18:09I walked up to Vera, crouched down.
18:12You know why I never touched you?
18:13All this time?
18:15Because you're too stupid.
18:16So stupid I didn't need to lift a finger.
18:19You dug your own grave.
18:22I stood.
18:23By pack law, traitors are exiled.
18:26They threw her out into the snow.
18:28Later I heard the Shadowclaw pack lift her up.
18:31But Greyclaw's leg was finished, completely ruined.
18:34And she became the thing he took his anger out on.
18:37That was their karma.
18:40Without their leader, the Shadowclaw pack fractured.
18:43The Northwind pack settled into a quiet winter.
18:46One night, Cain drank more pine needle wine than usual.
18:49He sat by the fire, stared into it for a while.
18:52Leah.
18:53You know when I was little?
18:55I always felt my father didn't like me.
18:57I added a piece of wood to the fire.
18:59Said nothing.
19:00He was gentle with my younger brother.
19:02With me, it was always a stern face.
19:05No matter what I did, it was never enough.
19:08Cain's voice went low.
19:10Because you were the Alpha's son.
19:12The one he placed all his hopes on.
19:14But back then, I just wanted him to smile at me once.
19:17The firelight cut across the side of his face.
19:20The Alpha who made enemies tremble.
19:22Right now, he looked like an abandoned pup.
19:25My chest ached a little.
19:26If you ever get tired, come find me.
19:29I'll make you meat stew.
19:31He turned and looked at me.
19:32The flames moved in his eyes.
19:34Then he leaned in and kissed me.
19:36The kiss was light, very gentle.
19:39It tasted like pine needle wine.
19:41I didn't push him away.
19:43After spring came, Cain made the official announcement.
19:46No Luna.
19:47He wanted a dual leader system.
19:49I would handle internal affairs, supplies, and diplomacy.
19:52He would handle combat, defense, and hunting.
19:55The pack voted.
19:56Unanimous.
19:57Mira ran up to me.
19:58Leah.
19:59Are you happy now?
20:01I nodded.
20:02I really was.
20:03Meat to eat.
20:04A warm bed.
20:05Someone standing over me.
20:07No one daring to push me around.
20:09Wasn't that everything I'd wanted when I first stepped off the sled?
20:13That night, Cain came to my cave with a wooden box.
20:16He opened it.
20:17Inside, a wolf fang necklace.
20:19Not the old battered one from his neck.
20:22New.
20:22Silver.
20:23My name carved into the fang, he said.
20:26For you.
20:28You are the winter keeper of the Northwind pack.
20:30And you are mine.
20:31I picked it up and put it on.
20:33Looked up at him.
20:35Does it look good?
20:36It looks good.
20:37He reached out and adjusted the pendant with careful fingers.
20:40Leah.
20:41I used to think being alpha meant having everything.
20:43Now I understand.
20:45Sometimes plain and simple is the hardest thing to find.
20:47I leaned into his chest.
20:49Then you need to spend more time with me.
20:51He wrapped his arms around me.
20:53His chin rested on the top of my head.
20:55Every day.
20:58By spring, rows of salted meat jars lined the cave walls.
21:02Whenever Cain had a free moment, he came to salt meat with me.
21:06Sometimes he reached over and brushed the salt off my face without being asked.
21:10My father arrived with my little sister.
21:12Two years had passed.
21:13His back still curved a little, but the life was back in his face.
21:17My sister wore the rabbit fur cloak I'd sent back.
21:20When she saw me, her eyes went red.
21:22Cain invited them to stay for a meal.
21:24At the table, my father talked about the village.
21:27The old pine had grown pine cones.
21:29The neighbor's she-wolf had birthed five pups.
21:31Cain listened to every word.
21:33Then he smiled at my father.
21:35You raised Leah well.
21:37She's as sharp as you are.
21:38My father stood to thank him.
21:40His eyes filled.
21:41I knew what he was thinking.
21:43He was back at that sled.
21:44That cold morning.
21:45The bag of borrowed salt.
21:47Now he could finally let it go.
21:49When we said goodbye, my sister took my hand.
21:53Sister.
21:53She said softly.
21:55The house doesn't let the wind in anymore.
21:57Father says it's all because of you.
21:59I tousled her hair.
22:01Someday, you'll make it on your own too.
22:05Cain started training a young wolf named Blackstone.
22:09He handed off combat training
22:10and spent his spare time in my cave,
22:13salting meat, drying herbs, playing chess.
22:15He was terrible at chess.
22:17Every time he lost,
22:18he snatched dried meat straight off my plate.
22:21The pack started talking.
22:23They said I had taken over the alpha,
22:25that I was keeping him from his real duties.
22:27I didn't explain myself.
22:29Cain stood up and did it himself.
22:31Leah has never stopped me from doing anything.
22:34I'm the one who just wants to be Cain.
22:36Everyone went quiet.
22:37That night, Cain held me and said,
22:40You know why I was willing to let go of everything?
22:42I shook my head.
22:44The first time I woke up in your cave,
22:46you were counting your dried meat jars,
22:48muttering to yourself,
22:50This batch didn't have enough salt.
22:51Next time I'll add an extra spoon.
22:53Right then I knew,
22:55in this whole world,
22:56only you would take a jar of dried meat that seriously.
22:59He paused.
23:01And you treat me even more seriously than the meat.
23:04I pinched him hard.
23:05He hissed in pain.
23:07His smile got bigger.
23:10Another winter arrived.
23:11The new leader of the Shadowclaw pack came to ask for peace.
23:15Years of infighting had broken them.
23:17They'd lost more than half their numbers.
23:19They wanted to fold into the Northwind pack.
23:22Cain asked for my opinion.
23:23I thought for a moment.
23:24Fine.
23:26Three conditions.
23:27First, split their people into separate units.
23:29No clustering together.
23:30Second, they hand over half their stored food as an entry payment.
23:33Third, they give us Vera.
23:35When Vera was brought in,
23:36she was gaunt,
23:37barely recognizable.
23:39She knelt on the ground and sobbed,
23:41begging.
23:42I looked at her.
23:43Nothing.
23:43I'm not going to kill you,
23:44but you can't stay here.
23:46Go to the border outpost.
23:48They need a cook.
23:49She knocked her head against the ground again and again.
23:51Then they took her away.
23:53Vera asked,
23:54Leah,
23:55don't you hate her?
23:56I shook my head.
23:57Hate?
23:58I can't even be bothered to think about her.
24:01That's a waste of energy.
24:02That same night,
24:03word came from the outpost.
24:05Vera had tried to run.
24:06She fell into an icy river.
24:08Didn't make it out.
24:09What if people say you caused it?
24:11I kept turning the drying meat.
24:13Didn't look up.
24:14She chose her own path.
24:15She walked it herself.
24:17That has nothing to do with me.
24:20A few years later,
24:22Cain fell seriously ill.
24:24His self-healing failed again.
24:26I searched through every herb I had,
24:28stayed at his side day and night,
24:31fed him meat paste one spoon at a time.
24:33He burned with fever,
24:35barely conscious.
24:36He gripped my hand.
24:38Leah,
24:39if I die,
24:40go back to your father.
24:41Don't talk nonsense.
24:43You still owe me dried meat.
24:45On the seventh day,
24:46the fever broke.
24:47First thing he said
24:48when he opened his eyes.
24:50I'm never getting sick again.
24:52I wiped my face.
24:53Watching you cry is worse than dying.
24:55I wasn't crying.
24:56Liar.
24:57He reached up
24:58and brushed the tears off my cheek.
25:00Your face is all salty.
25:02Tastes just like your dried meat.
25:04I laughed and cried at the same time.
25:06Grabbed his hand
25:07and pressed it against my face.
25:09When I die,
25:10pickle me in your biggest salted meat jar.
25:12That way,
25:13every time you open a jar,
25:15you'll think of me.
25:16I stared at him for three seconds.
25:18Then I hit him hard.
25:21Say that again
25:22and I'll bury you right now.
25:24Kane laughed
25:25and begged for mercy,
25:26but I saw the tears
25:28at the corners of his eyes.
25:31Another snowy night.
25:32I was pickling a fresh batch
25:33of wild vegetables.
25:35Kane leaned back
25:36against the fur blanket
25:37and nursed a cup
25:38of warm pine needle wine.
25:39I handed him a plate
25:40of pickled vegetables.
25:41He took a bite,
25:42closed his eyes a little.
25:44Still the best.
25:46I've eaten it my whole life
25:47and never gotten tired of it.
25:48I leaned against his side
25:49and listened to the snow
25:50fall outside.
25:51The smell of salt and wine
25:53mixed together.
25:54This camp had become home.
25:55Not because of any title.
25:57Not because of any power.
25:58Just because he was here.
26:00A pot of hot stew.
26:01A plate of pickled vegetables.
26:03The snow outside fell heavier.
26:05The fire in the cave
26:06burned bright and steady.
26:08I closed my eyes.
26:09Kane's voice dropped low.
26:11Leah.
26:13Have you been eating
26:14more than usual lately?
26:15I paused.
26:16Didn't answer.
26:17My hand moved.
26:18Slowly.
26:19Without thinking.
26:20To rest on my belly.
26:21Kane sat up straight.
26:22His eyes blazed
26:23like two points of wolf fire.
26:25In a world built on
26:26eat or be eaten,
26:28a beta who only knew
26:29how to salt meat
26:30had somehow become
26:31the one piece of dried meat
26:33he could never bear to bite.
26:35He had bitten me
26:35for a lifetime.
26:37He never once hurt me.
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