FULL MOVIES ENGLISH SUB 2026
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:02In this new era, male werebeasts existed to reproduce with humans.
00:00:15As a top tiered werebeast was diagnosed with infertility, nobody wanted an infertile werebeast.
00:00:22So he was sold to the Red Light District and met me there.
00:00:25I just happened to be looking to buy a werebeast, so he knelt in front of me.
00:00:30Crying and begging me to buy him.
00:00:32Stupid me, I spent all my savings to buy him.
00:00:36Now I ended up at the hospital alone after Jemarion scratched me again.
00:00:46This is deep enough to leave a scar.
00:00:49Has your werebeast ever actually been socialized?
00:00:52I offered a tight smile.
00:00:55He has. Top of his class, actually.
00:00:58My phone buzzed.
00:01:00So many complaining messages from Jemarion.
00:01:03It's only a scratch.
00:01:04Was it really necessary to go to the hospital?
00:01:07I'm hungry.
00:01:08Come back and make me dinner.
00:01:09I never get enough to eat, not after being yours.
00:01:12You seriously suck at taking care of me.
00:01:14Was that honestly how he saw things?
00:01:16After leaving the hospital, I headed straight for the werebeast exchange.
00:01:20Not my home.
00:01:21I'd like to exchange my werebeast.
00:01:27I'd like to exchange my werebeast.
00:01:29I told the receptionist.
00:01:31She was very polite, but she went through the standard intake questions.
00:01:39You've been registered with your current werebeast for a full year.
00:01:42You're almost eligible to form a bond.
00:01:45Why do you want to exchange them now?
00:01:46A deep pan of sadness hit me.
00:01:50It had been a year already.
00:01:54I still remembered how eager I'd been for our bonding.
00:01:57Talking excitedly with Jemarion about what our rings should look like.
00:02:02He'd smirked at me.
00:02:04Do you honestly think you're good enough for me?
00:02:08His ears flattened against his head.
00:02:11Crying won't change anything.
00:02:20I'm never going to form a bond with you.
00:02:23Here's a free tip.
00:02:24You lower class humans look disgusting when you cry.
00:02:29I swallowed the lump in my throat.
00:02:31He doesn't like me.
00:02:34The truth was, he hated me.
00:02:39The receptionist blinked in surprise.
00:02:42Normally, trained werebeats wouldn't act like this.
00:02:46They are supposed to be completely devoted to their owners.
00:02:53And yet, somehow, the impossible had happened to me.
00:02:56I managed a casual smile.
00:03:00I guess I just have bad luck.
00:03:02Her expression turned apologetic.
00:03:05The issue lies with our training.
00:03:07Please don't be too hard on yourself.
00:03:13Come with me.
00:03:29I'd originally paid $80,000 for Jemarion, which meant I could pick a replacement from the same price bracket.
00:03:39I flipped through the available options, taking in faces that were slightly less striking than Jemarion's, but still gorgeous.
00:03:47Their files listed them as foxes and leopards.
00:03:50I hesitated.
00:03:53Do you have anyone else?
00:03:55I wanted a canine.
00:03:58Specifically, a golden retriever.
00:04:00I'd heard golden retriever werebeats genuinely liked humans.
00:04:05If that were true, maybe one would even do lower tier human, like me.
00:04:10The staff member maintained her polite customer service smile.
00:04:14Not at the moment.
00:04:16However, werebeats mature quickly, and our next group will be available in two months.
00:04:23I nodded.
00:04:24As she walked me toward the door,
00:04:28a loose photo slipped out of her folder and fluttered to the floor.
00:04:39The man in the picture had cold, vertically slitted gray eyes, with a high nose bridge.
00:04:45Broad shoulders, and a narrow waist.
00:04:47He was undeniably handsome.
00:04:49But he looked incredibly dangerous.
00:04:51He was a werewolf.
00:04:54The receptionist side, picking it up.
00:05:02He's actually our best behaved werebeast.
00:05:06Management wanted to try expanding into a new market.
00:05:10But buyers are terrified that a werewolf will lose control and attack them.
00:05:16Our supervisors are worried about losing money.
00:05:21So they're selling him to the fighting arena today.
00:05:30She shook her head sadly.
00:05:32The problem is, he was raised to be gentle.
00:05:35If he goes to the arena, the other fighters will definitely kill him.
00:05:42Nobody wants to buy him, and it's truly sad.
00:05:46Nobody wanted him.
00:05:48Nobody wanted me either.
00:05:50But still, I heard that once they go to the arena,
00:05:53they get completely mutilated by the other beasts.
00:05:56That sounded like an agonizing way to die.
00:05:59I hesitated, second-guessing myself.
00:06:03And a werewolf technically counted anon as a canine, didn't it?
00:06:13I stopped walking.
00:06:15Is he really well behaved?
00:06:17She looked up, instantly hopeful.
00:06:20Yes, absolutely.
00:06:24Then I'll take him.
00:06:29The staff told me the werewolf would be delivered in three days.
00:06:40I carefully tucked the exchange agreement into my bag.
00:06:49On the walk home, I spotted Jamernian and Gianna Relatford in the distance.
00:06:56The white-haired werewolf stood in the evening light.
00:07:00With his steep-set eyes and his distinct features,
00:07:04he was incredibly handsome.
00:07:07Gianna was a high-class human from the neighboring district.
00:07:17She was smart, elegant, and completely unlike me.
00:07:22Ever since she met Jamerian,
00:07:24she'd made a habit of dropping by with premium nutritional supplements,
00:07:28and the two of them had grown unusually close.
00:07:34I slowed my pace.
00:07:42Gianna noticed me.
00:08:04I glanced down, it's down, at my plain t-shirt and jeans.
00:08:08Then back at Gianna's beautiful dress.
00:08:17I think I look fine.
00:08:19Jamerian didn't even look at me.
00:08:21She wouldn't look good even if she tried.
00:08:23She's better off pretending she just doesn't know how to dress.
00:08:27That way people won't realize she's genuinely unattractive.
00:08:31Jamerian, how can you say that about Dev?
00:08:35Jamerian smirked.
00:08:37It was a flackless, completely mocking smile.
00:08:42You're trying to help,
00:08:44and she just thinks you're being nosy.
00:08:47Low-class humans simply can't grasp how high-class humans think.
00:08:53It was my own terrible luck that she bought me.
00:08:56He never used to be like this.
00:08:59Back when I couldn't afford the premium supplements that high-grade werebeasts need,
00:09:03he would always insist that he was lucky to have found me.
00:09:06The cheap clothes I bought trapped his sensitive skin,
00:09:10but he never complained.
00:09:13That all changed the day we ran into his former rival,
00:09:17a red werefox on the street.
00:09:21I had dropped my bag,
00:09:23and Jamerian was helping me gather my scattered things.
00:09:28The red werefox stepped out of a car
00:09:31and planted his foot directly onto Jamerian's hand.
00:09:35Well, well.
00:09:37If it isn't the highly sought-after Jamerian,
00:09:40how did you end up with such a plain low-class human?
00:09:44I suppose it makes sense, though.
00:09:47A defected product paired with a low-class human is a perfect match.
00:09:54After that, Jamerian locked himself in his room for the rest of the night.
00:10:02I sat outside his door until morning.
00:10:05I tried to tell him that dividing people into classes was wrong,
00:10:09and that he shouldn't care about wherebeat exchange labeling him as defective.
00:10:14We were doing just fine together.
00:10:22When Jamerian finally opened the door,
00:10:25his eyes were red and swirled.
00:10:28You've never lived in will-beast exchange,
00:10:31so of course you think being considered completely worthless is perfectly fine.
00:10:35Then he met Gianna.
00:10:38Gianna was a rich, high-class human.
00:10:43She could give me the expensive supplements,
00:10:45the nice clothes,
00:10:47the high-class life I couldn't afford.
00:10:50They grew closer every day.
00:10:54I brought it up cautiously one time.
00:11:01You're my werebeast.
00:11:03Could you keep your distance from Gianna?
00:11:07Jamerian stared at the male niece and mannered down at me with contempt.
00:11:10His gaze was cold and full of resentment.
00:11:15Debra,
00:11:16you never would have been able to afford me if I weren't defective.
00:11:20You just took advantage of my desperate situation.
00:11:24What gives you the right to act like my owner?
00:11:27But the truth was,
00:11:29he was the one who had begged me to save him in the first place.
00:11:33Growing up in an orphanage,
00:11:34I never knew what it meant to have a real family.
00:11:38Seeing Jamerian beg like that made me long for someone who loved me.
00:11:44I never brought up his past,
00:11:47terrified it would offend him.
00:11:50I certainly never expected that when he finally brought it up himself,
00:11:55he would accuse me of taking advantage of his misfortune.
00:11:59But now I argued back,
00:12:01trying to defend myself.
00:12:03I never once used your past against you.
00:12:06I protected your feelings every single day.
00:12:11How is that taking advantage?
00:12:15In the heat of the moment,
00:12:17I accidentally brushed his hand.
00:12:19He shoved me so hard
00:12:20that I slammed to the sharp corner of the table.
00:12:24It sliced my arm wide open.
00:12:29You wouldn't be hurt if you hadn't tried to grab me.
00:12:32You did this to yourself.
00:12:36He wouldn't even drive me to the hospital.
00:12:39I'm going shopping with Gianna today.
00:12:42Jamerian and I didn't have to be chained to each other forever.
00:12:45I spoke up,
00:12:46stopping Jamerian just as he was closing the door.
00:12:49Jamerian,
00:12:50does being with me really make you that miserable?
00:12:57He paused.
00:12:59When he looked back over his shoulder,
00:13:02he wore that same mocking ting smirk.
00:13:06Yeah,
00:13:07but someone of your low status
00:13:09got incredibly lucky acquiring me,
00:13:11so you'll never let me go.
00:13:14I'm going to be stuck with a clingy annoyance
00:13:17for the rest of my life.
00:13:18I let out a slow breath,
00:13:20washed over by a sudden,
00:13:22intense wave of relief.
00:13:23It seemed I really had made the right decision
00:13:26to exchange him.
00:13:27When I didn't answer right away,
00:13:29Jamerian thumped his tail impatiently against the floor.
00:13:38What do you want?
00:13:40I looked down,
00:13:42picking on my cuticles.
00:13:47I got you a gift.
00:13:48You'll see it in a few days.
00:13:50An unreadable expression crossed his face
00:13:52for a fraction of a second.
00:13:54He almost looked hopeful,
00:13:55but quickly slipped
00:13:57right back into his usual mocking tone.
00:14:03I hope it isn't more of that cheap nutritional supplement.
00:14:07It's absolute garbage.
00:14:09I'll just end up pouring it down the toilet.
00:14:13I looked at him,
00:14:14dead serious.
00:14:15No,
00:14:16it's what you want most,
00:14:18freedom.
00:14:23It better be.
00:14:25Jamerian muttered,
00:14:26shutting the door firmly behind him.
00:14:33Giana showed up bright and early the next morning.
00:14:37Jamerical and I agreed to go shopping.
00:14:39We just have similar tastes,
00:14:41and we always have so much to talk about when we go out.
00:14:44You aren't mad, are you, Deb?
00:14:47She watched me closely,
00:14:49testing the waters.
00:14:52Normally, I would sulk him,
00:14:54and refuse to let him know.
00:14:56It always ate at me,
00:14:58but he refused to go anywhere with me.
00:15:00Yet constantly went out with her.
00:15:02But today,
00:15:03I had my own plans.
00:15:05I don't mind.
00:15:09Jamerian had been getting a look of disgust ready,
00:15:12but my answer stopped him in his tracks.
00:15:15His expression turned awkward.
00:15:17Debra,
00:15:19you really aren't angry?
00:15:20I pulled on my jacket.
00:15:23Not at all.
00:15:24Go wherever you want.
00:15:26There was a massive end-of-season sale at the mall today,
00:15:28and I needed to get moving
00:15:30to buy some essential supplies for a werewolf.
00:15:38Giana linked her arm through his,
00:15:40her voice delicate.
00:15:42Isn't it better that she isn't causing trouble?
00:15:45Let's stop talking and just go.
00:15:48I watched how physically close they were,
00:15:52but I didn't feel my usual stab of jealousy.
00:15:55I simply slipped on my shoes and walked quickly out the door.
00:15:59The regular mall was packed,
00:16:02just like it was all year round.
00:16:08It was mostly lower-class people
00:16:10out shopping with their ordinary werebeasts.
00:16:13Shoppers bumped into each other in the crowded aisles,
00:16:15but they all wore happy,
00:16:16genuine smiles.
00:16:17Their up-de-energy started to rub off on me.
00:16:19Once I bought a new werebeast,
00:16:21I'd probably be just as happy.
00:16:23I would never again have to hear Jemarion say
00:16:25that worthless people deserve cheap things.
00:16:29He wouldn't loudly make fun of this mall in public
00:16:32before ditching me,
00:16:33leaving me standing there humiliated.
00:16:40All I really wanted was a normal,
00:16:42affectionate werebeast.
00:16:44I didn't get back until after dark.
00:16:46Jemarion was actually home.
00:16:48He and Gianna usually stayed out late.
00:16:50He was Bellamy showed-mouthed with the axe of the lathes
00:16:53humissably in once.
00:16:55He was planted on the couch with his arms crossed,
00:16:58visibly fuming.
00:17:01Where have you been?
00:17:03You didn't even make dinner.
00:17:05It's bad enough living in poverty with you,
00:17:07but now I'm starving.
00:17:09You do a terrible job taking care of me.
00:17:17I took a sip of my coffee
00:17:18and set my shopping bags on the counter.
00:17:22I figured you'd just eat at Gianna's.
00:17:25Plus, I didn't think you wanted my cooking.
00:17:31I spent all afternoon making your birthday dinner
00:17:34and you threw the whole thing in the trash?
00:17:39That shut him up.
00:17:41I focused entirely on unpacking the supplies
00:17:43I'd bought for the werewolf.
00:17:45Chew toys,
00:17:46a grooming comb,
00:17:47and fish oil.
00:17:52I didn't hear Jemarion walk up behind me.
00:17:59Are you treating me like a dog?
00:18:01I don't need cheap trash meant
00:18:03for some low-grade werebeast.
00:18:06A comb like that is going to ruin my hair.
00:18:09And this fish oil isn't even pure.
00:18:11But whatever.
00:18:13Since you already bought it,
00:18:14I guess I can try it out.
00:18:16These aren't for you.
00:18:17I cut in.
00:18:18He froze.
00:18:19His hand hovering just over the comb.
00:18:23What do you mean?
00:18:26I turned to look at his flawless face.
00:18:29I'm not good enough for a high-grade werebeast like you.
00:18:33I've already filed the transfer paperwork.
00:18:35In a couple of days,
00:18:36you'll never have to see me again.
00:18:44The clock ticked loudly
00:18:46in the heavy silence between us.
00:18:52After a long pause,
00:18:54his scowl softened.
00:18:57He spoke with absolute certainty.
00:19:00Gianna was right.
00:19:02About what?
00:19:03You saw us getting close
00:19:05and now you're threatening to leave
00:19:07just to guilt-trick me.
00:19:08Now you're bringing up transfer papers.
00:19:13He crossed his arms.
00:19:15Gianna said you were manipulative
00:19:16and she wasn't wrong.
00:19:18Did you honestly think
00:19:20a few empty threats
00:19:21would make me beg for your attention
00:19:22like some cheap werebeast?
00:19:26I was too exhausted to argue.
00:19:29Think whatever you want,
00:19:30I muttered.
00:19:32My indifference only fueled his temper.
00:19:41He violently ripped the calendar off the wall.
00:19:45I had highlighted the 20th of next month with a heart.
00:19:52You just want to bond with me,
00:19:53don't you?
00:19:55You interrogated me about ring sizes
00:19:58six months ago
00:19:59and forced me to live with you.
00:20:01If you want me,
00:20:03fuck you.
00:20:03Just say so.
00:20:05Aren't you ashamed of being so deceptive?
00:20:10By law,
00:20:11warybeats were obligated
00:20:12to provide companionship to their humans.
00:20:15Early on,
00:20:16I hadn't felt comfortable
00:20:17sleeping with him
00:20:17since we were practically strangers.
00:20:19But later,
00:20:20he was the one who refused.
00:20:22We still hadn't been intimate.
00:20:25I had only ever seen him
00:20:27hold Gianna's hand.
00:20:28Never mind.
00:20:29Whenever I showed how much that stung,
00:20:31Germanion would just mock me.
00:20:33Gianna tripped
00:20:33and I helped her up.
00:20:35We aren't impure
00:20:36like you inferior humans.
00:20:40Looking at Germanion now,
00:20:42I felt he was a total stranger.
00:20:45I stared at my hands.
00:20:47The hands that had cooked
00:20:48and cleaned
00:20:50and tried for a whole year.
00:20:52He'd called every bit of it
00:20:54a trap.
00:20:56I looked at the heart
00:20:58on the calendar.
00:21:01I'd drawn it back
00:21:02when I still loved him.
00:21:05There was nothing shameful about that.
00:21:07Jamarian was still human.
00:21:14He tore the calendar into pieces,
00:21:16letting the scraps
00:21:16flutter to the floor.
00:21:20Listen to me.
00:21:22Even if we bond,
00:21:23I'm still going to see Gianna.
00:21:25If you want to touch me,
00:21:27you have to ask for permission first.
00:21:30His tail lashed behind him.
00:21:34And if we walk down the street,
00:21:36no one can know we're together.
00:21:39Jamarian,
00:21:40I interrupted.
00:21:43He glared at me,
00:21:45clearly not finished with his rant.
00:21:47I had never felt so perfectly calm.
00:21:51No wonder you were marked
00:21:53as defective.
00:21:55Buying you was a terrible mistake.
00:21:58I said,
00:22:00initiating every single word.
00:22:02Jamarian's golden people shrank.
00:22:08His fluffy white tail
00:22:10shot straight up in the air,
00:22:11his fur standing on end.
00:22:14A sharp knock at the door
00:22:16cut through the silence.
00:22:24I opened the door.
00:22:26A shadow fell over me.
00:22:29Marcus Rainfield stood in the doorway,
00:22:31filling the entire frame.
00:22:33I had to tip my head back
00:22:34just to see his face.
00:22:36His muscles strained
00:22:37against his short sleeves.
00:22:39Between his sharp brows
00:22:40and the upward slant of his eyes,
00:22:42he looked downright terrifying.
00:22:45The scar on his temple
00:22:46only made him look more so.
00:22:48Jamarian couldn't stop staring at him.
00:22:52This was my first time
00:22:54dealing with a predatory werebeast,
00:22:56and my stomach was in knots.
00:22:58Was a werewolf like him
00:22:59really going to listen to me?
00:23:02Marcus must have picked up on my nerves.
00:23:05He leaned down,
00:23:06offering me his furry ears to pet,
00:23:08and spoke in a surprisingly so soft voice.
00:23:11Hi, Ms. Penningerton.
00:23:14I'm Marcus Rainhurst.
00:23:17The worker with him was Sheila,
00:23:19the same receptionist I'd met before.
00:23:21She gave me a warm smile.
00:23:24Don't worry.
00:23:25I watched Marcus grow up,
00:23:27and he's an absolute sweetheart.
00:23:30There is one issue, though.
00:23:32Because werebeast exchange
00:23:33is currently under under-renovation,
00:23:35it'll be about two weeks
00:23:37before we can take Jumamion back.
00:23:39Would it be all right
00:23:40if he stayed here in the meantime?
00:23:43We'll gladly cover his living expenses.
00:23:48While Sheila talked,
00:23:50Marcus's furry tail
00:23:52brushed against my ankle,
00:23:53wagging a mile a minute with excitement.
00:23:59I hesitated,
00:24:01not giving her a definite answer right away.
00:24:04Jumamion had been dead silent.
00:24:06But the second Marcus reached out
00:24:08to gently touch my pinky finger,
00:24:10Jumamion scoffed.
00:24:12Mutt?
00:24:14Marcus flinched.
00:24:18He instantly shrunk his massive frame down
00:24:21and pressed himself against my side.
00:24:23Miss Pennington,
00:24:24he's glaring at me,
00:24:26and I'm really scared.
00:24:31Just like that,
00:24:32my anxiety vanished.
00:24:34People always complained
00:24:35that werewolves were tough to handle,
00:24:37but Marcus was incredibly sweet.
00:24:41He was gentle and eager to please,
00:24:43which was exactly what I wanted.
00:24:49Sheila's smile dropped.
00:24:50Her face went totally flat
00:24:52as she held up her employee badge.
00:24:55Number 4561,
00:24:56Werewolf,
00:24:57at Jumamion Garrod.
00:24:58Is that correct?
00:24:59Jumamion went pale.
00:25:01Yes.
00:25:03On behalf of Werebeast Exchange,
00:25:06I am officially notifying you
00:25:07that your owner has requested a replacement.
00:25:10We are highly disappointed
00:25:12in your failure to fill your duties.
00:25:17She tucked the badge away.
00:25:23We will be back to collect you in two weeks.
00:25:26Please have your things ready.
00:25:34Second, Sheila walked out the door.
00:25:36Jumariath lunged,
00:25:37yanking Marcus away from me.
00:25:40Mutt!
00:25:44What do you think you're doing?
00:25:46Is this just some act?
00:25:55Marcus hit the floor,
00:25:56scraping his hand hard
00:25:57against the corner of the table
00:25:59and leaving an angry red wint.
00:26:01He didn't try to fight back.
00:26:03He just scrambled to his feet
00:26:05and looked at me cautiously,
00:26:07completely miserable.
00:26:09My heart broke for him.
00:26:13I shoved Jumian out of the way
00:26:15and rushed over.
00:26:17Jumarian slammed back
00:26:18against the wall,
00:26:19wincing.
00:26:20Are you okay?
00:26:23Deborah!
00:26:25I know exactly what you're doing.
00:26:27You're just using this much
00:26:29to manipulate me into a bond!
00:26:31Cancel the agreement right now
00:26:33and send him back.
00:26:34He pointed at the door.
00:26:38If you don't,
00:26:39I will never bond with you.
00:26:43I whipped around,
00:26:44totally out of patience.
00:26:46Jumian, Jumian,
00:26:47I'm only going to say this
00:26:48one last time.
00:26:51I don't want you anymore.
00:27:04Jumian didn't say another word.
00:27:07He just turned
00:27:08and stormed out the door.
00:27:11Once things had settled,
00:27:13I carefully dabbed some medicine
00:27:14onto Marcus's scraped hand.
00:27:16He kept pulling away
00:27:17from my touch,
00:27:18turning his head
00:27:19so I couldn't see his face.
00:27:21A fresh wave of panic hit me.
00:27:24Do you regret coming here?
00:27:28Terrified he was going to turn out
00:27:30just like Jumariuk,
00:27:31I decided to lay
00:27:32all my cards on the table.
00:27:37Look, if you stay with me,
00:27:39you aren't going to get
00:27:40premium nutritional supplements
00:27:41since I'm classified
00:27:42as a lower-tier human.
00:27:45My paychecks barely cover
00:27:46the basics.
00:27:48I look down at my hands.
00:27:53I work two jobs a day.
00:27:55I smell like sweat
00:27:55half the summer
00:27:56and I know I'm
00:27:58pretty average-looking.
00:28:01If you're ashamed to be seen,
00:28:03we tell me now
00:28:04and I can send you back.
00:28:15I tried to sound casual
00:28:18as I spoke,
00:28:19subtly wiping
00:28:20my sweaty hands
00:28:21behind my back.
00:28:24Marcus finally looked at me,
00:28:26his gray eyes
00:28:27shining with tears.
00:28:28I'm so sorry.
00:28:30My stomach dropped.
00:28:32Was he going to reject me, too?
00:28:36The skin around his eyes
00:28:37was flushed raw.
00:28:40I'm sorry,
00:28:41I'm just so happy.
00:28:43I'm so glad
00:28:44to be staying with you
00:28:44that I couldn't hold
00:28:45my expression together.
00:28:47I thought I looked ugly
00:28:49when I cried,
00:28:49so I didn't want you to see.
00:28:53A loud sob
00:28:54broke from his chest.
00:28:55I was sure they were
00:28:55to ship me off
00:28:56to the fighting arena.
00:29:00Then they told me
00:29:01someone actually
00:29:01wanted me.
00:29:07He clutched
00:29:08my hand tighter.
00:29:11I held your picture
00:29:12at night
00:29:12and I just couldn't
00:29:13believe it.
00:29:14I was terrified
00:29:15it was a dream.
00:29:16Mrs. Penningston,
00:29:17I think you're
00:29:18incredibly cute
00:29:19and beautiful.
00:29:25I'm not ashamed
00:29:26of you at all.
00:29:30I'm just so full of joy
00:29:31that I can't stop crying.
00:29:33I've never been this happy
00:29:34in my whole life.
00:29:35He was being so silly.
00:29:37The tears were already
00:29:38pouring down his cheeks.
00:29:41Sheila had mentioned
00:29:41that Marcus
00:29:42was quiet
00:29:43and timid
00:29:44simply because
00:29:44nobody wanted him.
00:29:51but listening
00:29:52to him
00:29:52chatter away now
00:29:53I realized
00:29:54he'd just been
00:29:55keeping it all
00:29:55bottled up.
00:29:57A strange
00:29:58restless
00:29:59warmth
00:29:59stirred in my chest.
00:30:01Could someone
00:30:02really be this happy
00:30:03just to be with me?
00:30:04It felt like a dream.
00:30:05I took his hand.
00:30:07His palm was damp
00:30:08with nervous sweat
00:30:09but the solid heat
00:30:10of his skin
00:30:11told me it was real.
00:30:12You don't have to
00:30:13call me Mrs. Pennington
00:30:14I told him.
00:30:15Just Deb is fine.
00:30:21When Jemarian got back
00:30:23Gianna was with him.
00:30:25Jemarian marched
00:30:26straight into the bedroom
00:30:27and started packing
00:30:28making as much noise
00:30:29as humanly possible.
00:30:33Gianna lingered
00:30:34in the entryway
00:30:35looking completely disgusted.
00:30:39You've worked for years
00:30:40and this tiny place
00:30:42is all you can afford Deb?
00:30:44Maybe you just
00:30:45aren't working hard enough.
00:30:47Jemarian told me today
00:30:49you wanted a new
00:30:50werebeast.
00:30:51You really take him
00:30:52for granted.
00:30:54If I had a werebeast
00:30:55like him
00:30:56I'd give up
00:30:57absolutely anything
00:30:59to provide for him.
00:31:00She smoothed
00:31:01her skirt smugly.
00:31:03I'd never kick him out.
00:31:07Inferior people
00:31:08have trash taste.
00:31:11Jemarian scoffed
00:31:12from the other room.
00:31:13She brings home
00:31:14a cheap mutt
00:31:15and now the whole
00:31:16apartment stinks.
00:31:17I only had to put up
00:31:18with this for two more days
00:31:20so getting into it
00:31:21with them
00:31:21was pointless.
00:31:25Keeping my head down
00:31:26I went back to
00:31:27brushing Marcus's tail.
00:31:32The staff over at
00:31:33werebeast exchange
00:31:34hadn't bothered
00:31:35to groom him
00:31:36since no one
00:31:37wanted to buy him.
00:31:38I made sure
00:31:39to brush him out
00:31:40thoroughly
00:31:41knowing how painful
00:31:43matted fur could be.
00:31:45Jemarian and
00:31:46Giania kept
00:31:47lobbing insults
00:31:48back and forth
00:31:48tearing me down.
00:31:55Actually
00:31:55foxes are the ones
00:31:56that stink.
00:31:57Marcus chimed in
00:31:58out of nowhere.
00:32:01Jemaritan streamed
00:32:02out of the bedroom
00:32:03livid.
00:32:05What did you just say?
00:32:08Marcus stepped
00:32:09in front of me.
00:32:10I said you're
00:32:11a stinking fox.
00:32:12You flirt with
00:32:13other people
00:32:14when you already
00:32:14have an owner.
00:32:15He bared his teeth.
00:32:16You have zero
00:32:18loyalty
00:32:18and zero morals.
00:32:22I stared at him
00:32:23stunned.
00:32:24I can say it
00:32:25ten times
00:32:26if you want.
00:32:27For a guy
00:32:28who was supposed
00:32:28to be timid
00:32:29he had a very
00:32:30sharp tongue.
00:32:32Was he
00:32:33defending me?
00:32:38A quiet warmth
00:32:40spread through my chest.
00:32:42When I looked up
00:32:43at him
00:32:43he just blinked
00:32:45innocently
00:32:45and shrunk
00:32:45against my side.
00:32:47Gianna scoffed
00:32:48loudly.
00:32:49Since you
00:32:50you obviously
00:32:50can't stand
00:32:51Jemanalik
00:32:51at Debra.
00:32:52I assume
00:32:53you won't mind
00:32:53if he crashes
00:32:54at my place?
00:32:55I don't mind
00:32:56at all.
00:32:57I nodded.
00:32:58Jemaritan dropped
00:32:59the pile of clothes
00:33:00he was holding.
00:33:02You've wanted
00:33:03to get rid of me
00:33:04this entire time
00:33:05haven't you Debra?
00:33:07I looked down
00:33:08at his feet.
00:33:09He was standing
00:33:10on a $150 shirt
00:33:11while I was sitting
00:33:12there in a cheap
00:33:13sweatshirt I'd bought
00:33:14at a $3 for $30 sale.
00:33:17I let out a sigh.
00:33:21Jemanian
00:33:21aren't you the one
00:33:22who wanted to leave?
00:33:24His jaw clenched.
00:33:25Jamaican shot me
00:33:26a glares.
00:33:27Exactly.
00:33:29I want to leave you.
00:33:31It's not the other
00:33:31way around.
00:33:32I don't want to spend
00:33:33another minute
00:33:34in this dump.
00:33:37He turned away.
00:33:39Giana chimed in
00:33:40quick to pascave him.
00:33:45Don't worry
00:33:46Jemaritan.
00:33:48Come home with me.
00:33:50I'll give you
00:33:51everything you could
00:33:53ever want.
00:33:54But Jamarian
00:33:56didn't answer her.
00:33:57The only sound
00:33:58in the room
00:33:59was his tail
00:34:00thumping a steady
00:34:00rhythm against the floor.
00:34:11After a long
00:34:12tense pause
00:34:13he took a few
00:34:14steps forward.
00:34:15He stopped short
00:34:16and looked back at me.
00:34:17I kept my eyes
00:34:19glued to the floor
00:34:19pretending not to notice.
00:34:26Jamarian?
00:34:30Gianna's smile
00:34:31vanished.
00:34:32When Jamarian
00:34:33finally moved
00:34:34it was to
00:34:35ush Gianna
00:34:36toward the door.
00:34:38I really
00:34:38don't want to
00:34:39be here.
00:34:40But where a
00:34:41beast exchange
00:34:42assigned me
00:34:43to Deborah's
00:34:43house.
00:34:44I shouldn't
00:34:45break the rules.
00:34:47You can find
00:34:48me at the hall
00:34:49once I'm
00:34:50officially listed
00:34:50for sale
00:34:51Gianna.
00:34:52He shut the
00:34:52front door
00:34:53firmly
00:34:53cutting off
00:34:54her frustrated
00:34:55protests.
00:34:56Marcus watched
00:34:57Jamarian stand
00:34:57motionless by
00:34:58the door
00:34:59then leaned in
00:35:00close.
00:35:01Let's go back
00:35:02to the bedroom
00:35:02Deb.
00:35:03It's getting
00:35:04late.
00:35:05We should go
00:35:06to sleep.
00:35:07His warm
00:35:08brushed my skin
00:35:09bringing a sudden
00:35:10hot flush
00:35:10flush to my face.
00:35:12It was a totally
00:35:13ordinary suggestion
00:35:14but something about
00:35:16the way he said it
00:35:17made me acutely
00:35:18self-conscious.
00:35:20Jamarian whipped
00:35:20around.
00:35:22You two are sleeping
00:35:23in the same bed?
00:35:27Jamarian whipped
00:35:28around.
00:35:29Marcus drept an
00:35:30arm over my
00:35:31shoulders,
00:35:32pulling me flush
00:35:33against his chest.
00:35:34He gave Jamarian a
00:35:36wide-eyed,
00:35:36innocent look.
00:35:38Of course we are.
00:35:40Isn't it normal
00:35:41to sleep next to my
00:35:42owner?
00:35:44Not that it's any
00:35:45of your business
00:35:45anyway.
00:35:47You're just
00:35:48Dev's ex now.
00:35:50I smoothed out
00:35:51the new blankets.
00:35:53I told him,
00:35:58I'm sorry,
00:35:59as soon as Jamarian
00:36:00leaves,
00:36:00I'll clear out
00:36:01the other room
00:36:01for you.
00:36:02At least it's
00:36:03warm out right now,
00:36:04so the floor
00:36:05shouldn't be too bad.
00:36:06Plus,
00:36:07you're a werewolf,
00:36:07so I figured...
00:36:10I patted the
00:36:11mattress.
00:36:12I turned around
00:36:13and stopped short.
00:36:17Marcus was
00:36:18hovering by the
00:36:19door,
00:36:19wringing his hands.
00:36:21His ears were
00:36:22pinned back,
00:36:23drooping heavily.
00:36:24I asked,
00:36:25Hey,
00:36:25what's wrong?
00:36:26Do you not want
00:36:27the floor?
00:36:28You can take the
00:36:29bed, it's fine.
00:36:29I'll take the
00:36:30floor.
00:36:31Now his tail
00:36:32was tucked,
00:36:33too.
00:36:34Tears welled
00:36:35in his eyes.
00:36:36Did I do
00:36:36something wrong?
00:36:37I stared at him,
00:36:38completely lost.
00:36:39No, of course
00:36:40not.
00:36:41You've been
00:36:41totally fine.
00:36:44Werewolves
00:36:44were massive,
00:36:45and when Marcus
00:36:46dropped heavily
00:36:47to his knees,
00:36:48the tiny room
00:36:49suddenly felt
00:36:49suffocatingly
00:36:50small.
00:36:56Bathed in the
00:36:56warm yellow
00:36:57glow of the
00:36:58lamp,
00:36:58his rugged face
00:36:59just looked
00:37:00incredibly pitiful.
00:37:04Marcus
00:37:05shuffled forward
00:37:05on his knees
00:37:06and wrapped
00:37:06his thick arms
00:37:07around my legs,
00:37:08tears spilling
00:37:09down his cheeks.
00:37:15Deb,
00:37:16whatever I
00:37:16messed up,
00:37:17I'll fix it.
00:37:18Please don't
00:37:19make me sleep
00:37:19alone.
00:37:20I swear,
00:37:21they taught me
00:37:22how to serve
00:37:22humans at
00:37:23Wellbeast Exchange.
00:37:25Heat flooded
00:37:26my cheeks
00:37:26as it finally
00:37:27clicked.
00:37:28Was he crying
00:37:29because I was
00:37:30making him sleep
00:37:31in a separate bed?
00:37:33without thinking,
00:37:35I reached down
00:37:36and wiped
00:37:37a tear away
00:37:37with my thumb.
00:37:40Marcus practically
00:37:41melted into my
00:37:42touch,
00:37:43nuzzling his
00:37:43rough cheek
00:37:44against my palm.
00:37:46Can I?
00:37:48He was a
00:37:49terrifying apex
00:37:50predator,
00:37:50but here he was,
00:37:52crying in
00:37:53completely genuine
00:37:54distress.
00:37:55We just met.
00:37:56I just,
00:37:58I didn't think
00:37:59you'd even want
00:38:00to.
00:38:02Jumanian
00:38:03definitely hadn't.
00:38:04He'd made it
00:38:05perfectly clear
00:38:06he'd rather drop
00:38:07dead than touch
00:38:07some inferior human.
00:38:10Marcus pressed
00:38:11hot, wet kisses
00:38:12into the center
00:38:13of my hand.
00:38:15I want to.
00:38:18Deb, I want
00:38:18to give you
00:38:19a child.
00:38:21I want to
00:38:21stay right by
00:38:22your side
00:38:22and protect
00:38:23you both
00:38:23for the rest
00:38:24of my life.
00:38:25I'm just an
00:38:25unwanted,
00:38:26inferior wolf.
00:38:27You're the only
00:38:28person who's
00:38:28actually wanted me.
00:38:29He pressed
00:38:30his forehead
00:38:30to my knees.
00:38:32I really like
00:38:33you.
00:38:33I'm nothing
00:38:34like that fox
00:38:34out there.
00:38:35I am entirely
00:38:36devoted to you.
00:38:37My knees
00:38:37gave out
00:38:37and I sat
00:38:38down heavily
00:38:38on the edge
00:38:39of the mattress.
00:38:42Marcus's
00:38:42fever hot hands
00:38:43settled onto
00:38:44my calves.
00:38:45Still crying,
00:38:46he pushed
00:38:47himself up,
00:38:49resting one
00:38:50knee on the
00:38:51bed beside me.
00:38:53He pulled
00:38:54his shirt
00:38:54over his head.
00:38:56Marcus's chest
00:38:56was corded
00:38:57with firm,
00:38:58sculpt muscle.
00:39:04Please take
00:39:05pity on me.
00:39:06Just give
00:39:07me a chance.
00:39:08My brain
00:39:09just stopped
00:39:09working.
00:39:10Hanging onto
00:39:11my last shred
00:39:12of sanity,
00:39:13I slowly
00:39:13nodded.
00:39:26I woke up
00:39:27in a hazy
00:39:27fog to the
00:39:28sound of rain
00:39:29lashing against
00:39:30the window.
00:39:31No wonder
00:39:32the room felt
00:39:32so suffocatingly
00:39:34hot and humid.
00:39:35I reached out
00:39:35to switch off
00:39:36the bedside lamp,
00:39:37but Marcus
00:39:38pulled me back.
00:39:39I rasped,
00:39:40my throat
00:39:41dry.
00:39:42Someone's
00:39:43knocking.
00:39:44There's
00:39:45someone out
00:39:45there.
00:39:48Stop.
00:39:54The wet
00:39:55kisses trailing
00:39:56down my neck
00:39:57paused,
00:39:57only to hover
00:39:58over my lips.
00:40:01Are you still
00:40:01thinking about him?
00:40:03You like him
00:40:04better,
00:40:04don't you?
00:40:05I felt totally
00:40:06trapped.
00:40:06I don't.
00:40:08I like you.
00:40:09I like you,
00:40:10okay?
00:40:11The second the
00:40:12words left my
00:40:13mouth,
00:40:13the incessant
00:40:14knocking stopped.
00:40:15Looking entirely
00:40:16satisfied,
00:40:17Marcus finally
00:40:18reached over
00:40:19and flicked
00:40:19off the light.
00:40:21The next morning,
00:40:23my entire body
00:40:24ached as I threw
00:40:25on my clothes.
00:40:27I muttered
00:40:28under my breath,
00:40:29Marcus had been
00:40:30way tough.
00:40:31Marcus came up
00:40:32behind me,
00:40:33pressing his
00:40:34heavy chest
00:40:35against my back.
00:40:38Dad,
00:40:39you smell so
00:40:40good.
00:40:42No,
00:40:42wait.
00:40:43You smell
00:40:44sweet.
00:40:45Can we sleep
00:40:46together again
00:40:46tonight?
00:40:48Knock it off.
00:40:49I can barely
00:40:50walk as it.
00:40:54The words
00:40:55died in my
00:40:55throat.
00:40:56Jameritan
00:40:57was out there.
00:40:58His eyes
00:40:59were totally
00:41:00dark with fury,
00:41:02gripping the
00:41:02leather armrest
00:41:03of the chair
00:41:04so hard the
00:41:05material was
00:41:05buckling.
00:41:07The sheer
00:41:08intensity of his
00:41:09glare sent an
00:41:09icy chill
00:41:10straight down
00:41:11my spine.
00:41:12Jamerian
00:41:13drowned out
00:41:14in front of
00:41:14tears.
00:41:15Debra,
00:41:16do you have
00:41:16absolute emotion?
00:41:20Before I could
00:41:21even open my
00:41:21mouth,
00:41:22Marcus's hand
00:41:23clamped
00:41:23possessively onto
00:41:24my waist.
00:41:26His posture
00:41:27went still,
00:41:28instantly hostile.
00:41:31Fox,
00:41:32if you say
00:41:33one more
00:41:34insulting thing
00:41:34to Deb,
00:41:35he growled.
00:41:36I'll bite your
00:41:37neck and snap
00:41:37it.
00:41:38Jamerian's pupils
00:41:39blew out into
00:41:40razor-thin slits,
00:41:41his canons bared.
00:41:43Try it.
00:41:44I'd love to
00:41:45strangle you
00:41:46right now.
00:41:46The air in the
00:41:47tiny room grew
00:41:48thick,
00:41:48heavy with the
00:41:49suffocating tension
00:41:50of two werebeasts
00:41:51gearing up for a
00:41:52territorial bloodbath.
00:41:53I reached back,
00:41:54lacing my fingers
00:41:55firmly through
00:41:55Marcus's.
00:41:57There's no point
00:41:57in fighting with
00:41:58someone who
00:41:59doesn't matter.
00:42:00He's leaving soon
00:42:01anyway.
00:42:03Marcus's whole
00:42:03demeanor flipped
00:42:04on a dime.
00:42:05All that lethal
00:42:06aggression evaporated.
00:42:08He turned to me,
00:42:10his eyes wide and
00:42:11pitiful,
00:42:11his bottom lip
00:42:12poking out in a
00:42:13soft pout.
00:42:14He's so mean,
00:42:14Deb,
00:42:15he scared me.
00:42:20I rubbed
00:42:21Marcus's ears.
00:42:22They were
00:42:22incredibly soft.
00:42:24That's just how
00:42:25he is.
00:42:26Just ignore him.
00:42:27I told him.
00:42:32Come on.
00:42:36Let's go buy
00:42:38you some pajamas.
00:42:39The stiff tension
00:42:40finally drained
00:42:41from Jamerican's
00:42:42humped shoulders,
00:42:43leaving him swaying
00:42:44slightly on his feet.
00:42:45Then,
00:42:46he moved,
00:42:47planting himself
00:42:48squarely in front
00:42:49of the door.
00:42:55He grabbed my arm.
00:42:57At Debra,
00:42:58don't choose him.
00:42:59I thought you liked me.
00:43:00Whatever he can do
00:43:01for you,
00:43:01I can do too.
00:43:03Just send him back.
00:43:04Send him back right now
00:43:05and I swear I'll pretend
00:43:06none of this ever happened.
00:43:08Behind me,
00:43:08I felt Marcus
00:43:09instantly tense up.
00:43:11I stayed quiet
00:43:12for a moment,
00:43:12letting the silence
00:43:13hang but changing
00:43:14the subject.
00:43:15You know,
00:43:15I grew up
00:43:16in an orphanage.
00:43:20Jamerian frowned,
00:43:22clearly thrown off.
00:43:24So?
00:43:26Because of that,
00:43:27I said,
00:43:28letting my mind
00:43:28drift back.
00:43:29I'm really good
00:43:30at reading people.
00:43:31When you first got here,
00:43:32I could tell you
00:43:33were genuinely happy.
00:43:34But eventually,
00:43:35I watched your mood
00:43:36sour into irritation
00:43:37and then disgust.
00:43:38I took a breath.
00:43:41I tried so hard
00:43:42to please you.
00:43:46I put in so much effort
00:43:48but you just
00:43:48continually resented me.
00:43:51You thought I was
00:43:52beneath you,
00:43:53that I was unworthy
00:43:53of you,
00:43:54and those feelings
00:43:55were real.
00:43:56That's exactly why
00:43:58I decided to
00:43:59transfer answer
00:43:59your ownership.
00:44:02I expected you
00:44:03to be happy
00:44:03and relieved
00:44:04right now.
00:44:05Instead,
00:44:06you're acting
00:44:06jealous and angry.
00:44:08Want to tell me
00:44:09why that is,
00:44:09Jamerian?
00:44:11I looked him
00:44:12dead in the eye.
00:44:14Outside,
00:44:15clouds swallowed the sun,
00:44:17plunging the room
00:44:18into dim gray.
00:44:19His fingertips
00:44:21had turned
00:44:21a pale,
00:44:22sickly blue,
00:44:23probably from
00:44:24the chill in the air.
00:44:26For a long time,
00:44:27he didn't say a word.
00:44:30Deciding this
00:44:31was a waste of time,
00:44:32I grabbed Marcus' hand
00:44:34and moved
00:44:34to brush past him.
00:44:37But Jamerian
00:44:38caught my free hand.
00:44:39I turned back.
00:44:41For the first time
00:44:42since I'd known him,
00:44:43his perfectly composed
00:44:44mask cracked.
00:44:45It revealed raw,
00:44:47genuine distress.
00:44:47he finally whispered.
00:44:50Debra,
00:44:51if I tell you right now
00:44:53that I really like you,
00:44:55is it too late?
00:45:01The whole situation
00:45:02was completely absurd.
00:45:04I was so stunned
00:45:05it took me a second
00:45:06to process
00:45:07what was happening.
00:45:09By the time
00:45:10I snapped back
00:45:11to reality,
00:45:12Marcus was already
00:45:13beating the living
00:45:14hell out of him.
00:45:17Stop!
00:45:17I grabbed Marcus,
00:45:19hauling him back.
00:45:21Stop hitting him!
00:45:22If he dies,
00:45:23you're going to prison!
00:45:25You piece of trash!
00:45:28You piece of trash.
00:45:30Marcus stumbled back,
00:45:32his chest heaving,
00:45:33his knuckles
00:45:34coated in blood.
00:45:40You have no right
00:45:42to confess your feelings
00:45:43to someone else's owner!
00:45:44You're trying to steal her!
00:45:46I'll beat you
00:45:47into the ground
00:45:47every time I see you!
00:45:50Jameritan struggled
00:45:51to prop himself up
00:45:52on his elbows,
00:45:53wiping his bleeding mouth
00:45:55with the back of his hand.
00:45:59Technically,
00:46:00I was here first.
00:46:03You're the one
00:46:04interfering
00:46:04in our relationship.
00:46:06Marcus let me
00:46:07go out a furious yell
00:46:08and kicked him
00:46:09hard in the ribs.
00:46:14Jamlift
00:46:14went completely still.
00:46:22Panic spiked
00:46:23in my chest
00:46:24and I hurried over
00:46:25to check on him.
00:46:28Jamelion grinned
00:46:28his teeth
00:46:29through the pain,
00:46:30gazing up at me
00:46:31with obvious,
00:46:32desperate hope.
00:46:35You still care
00:46:36about me,
00:46:36don't you?
00:46:39Seeing that his injuries
00:46:40weren't life-threatening,
00:46:42I let it out
00:46:43a heavy breath
00:46:43of relief.
00:46:44I was just worried
00:46:45that if you died,
00:46:46it would ruin
00:46:47Marcus' life.
00:46:51I don't need
00:46:51a hospital.
00:46:55Deb,
00:46:55you heard me,
00:46:57right?
00:46:57I really like you.
00:47:00Jamelion grabbed
00:47:00my wrist,
00:47:01his voice breaking
00:47:02as he pleaded.
00:47:05You said you wanted
00:47:05to form a bond
00:47:06with me.
00:47:09You wanted us
00:47:10to pick out
00:47:10matching rings.
00:47:12He tried
00:47:13to sit up.
00:47:15Can we go
00:47:16do that right now?
00:47:19I said,
00:47:20calmly prying
00:47:21his fingers
00:47:21off my wrist.
00:47:25Jamelion,
00:47:27Giana already
00:47:27promised she's
00:47:28going to buy you,
00:47:29so you aren't
00:47:29going to be sent
00:47:30back to work
00:47:30in the red light
00:47:31district.
00:47:35You don't have
00:47:36to force yourself
00:47:37to be with me
00:47:37just because you're
00:47:38scared.
00:47:39Stop pretending
00:47:40to like me.
00:47:48No, no.
00:47:50Jamelion insisted,
00:47:50shrinking back
00:47:52into a
00:47:52submissive posture.
00:47:54I really do
00:47:55like you.
00:47:57I'm not
00:47:58pretending,
00:47:58I swear.
00:47:59He reached
00:48:00for my hand.
00:48:01I've liked you
00:48:02since the very
00:48:03first day we met.
00:48:05You're kind
00:48:06and you're
00:48:07hardworking.
00:48:09It's impossible
00:48:10for me not
00:48:11to have feelings
00:48:12for you.
00:48:12As I listened
00:48:14to his desperate,
00:48:15broken assurances,
00:48:16my first and only
00:48:18reaction was pure
00:48:19amusement.
00:48:20How on earth
00:48:21could his past
00:48:21behavior pass
00:48:22for affection?
00:48:23I tilted my head
00:48:24genuinely curious.
00:48:26So,
00:48:27your way of
00:48:28showing affection
00:48:28is calling me
00:48:29disgusting and dirty?
00:48:32Telling me to get out?
00:48:33Causing me physical
00:48:35and emotional pain?
00:48:36And then having the nerve
00:48:37to say I brought it
00:48:38all on myself?
00:48:40All the remaining
00:48:40color completely drained
00:48:42with Jameritan's face
00:48:43as I questioned him.
00:48:45If that's the case,
00:48:46Jamerian,
00:48:46then I don't want
00:48:47your affection.
00:48:49Besides,
00:48:50I honestly don't believe
00:48:51you actually like me
00:48:52at all.
00:48:53Stop lying to yourself.
00:48:55Certain he wasn't
00:48:56going to die
00:48:56from his injuries,
00:48:57I stood up.
00:48:59I grabbed Marcus' hand
00:49:01and let him
00:49:01out the front door.
00:49:04I took Marcus
00:49:05straight to the hospital.
00:49:06We ended up
00:49:07with the same nurse
00:49:08as last time
00:49:09and she eyed him
00:49:10with obvious disgust.
00:49:14Is this your werebeast?
00:49:16The one who let you
00:49:17get banged up
00:49:17three times last month
00:49:19without ever showing
00:49:19his face
00:49:20but makes you drag him
00:49:21in the second
00:49:22he's the one injured?
00:49:23I shifted uncomfortably,
00:49:25quick to clear the air.
00:49:27No,
00:49:27this is my new werebeast.
00:49:29The nurse flushed
00:49:30and immediately apologized
00:49:31to him.
00:49:31I'm so sorry.
00:49:34When my blood sugar
00:49:35dropped last last time,
00:49:37Deb broke my fall
00:49:38so I wouldn't get hurt.
00:49:39She's a genuinely
00:49:40good person.
00:49:41I thought you were
00:49:42the werebeast
00:49:42mistreating her.
00:49:44Marcus looked right at me,
00:49:46his expression
00:49:47unreadable.
00:49:52Deb,
00:49:53he said,
00:49:53his voice quiet.
00:49:55I am so sorry
00:49:57for what you went through.
00:49:59I'd always been good
00:50:00at just taking
00:50:01what life handed me.
00:50:02Whenever Jamardial
00:50:03treated me like garbage,
00:50:05I can convince myself
00:50:06I simply wasn't
00:50:07good enough for him,
00:50:09bending over backward
00:50:09to try and please him.
00:50:11It hurt,
00:50:12sure,
00:50:13but I used his anger
00:50:14as fuel to push myself
00:50:15and grow stronger.
00:50:17I honestly thought
00:50:18I was numb to it all
00:50:19by now.
00:50:20The contempt
00:50:21from strangers,
00:50:22the abuse
00:50:23from the people
00:50:23closest to me.
00:50:24but then Marcus
00:50:25said he felt
00:50:26sorry for me.
00:50:27He actually cared
00:50:28about my injuries
00:50:29and all the hard work
00:50:30I'd put in.
00:50:31He had told me
00:50:32he liked me more
00:50:33than anyone else.
00:50:34He truly saw me
00:50:35for who I was.
00:50:37Out of nowhere,
00:50:38a massive wave
00:50:39of grief
00:50:39washed over me
00:50:40and the tears
00:50:41just started falling.
00:50:44I looked up,
00:50:45gently pushing his face
00:50:46so he was looking
00:50:47straight ahead.
00:50:52Just focus
00:50:53on getting patched up.
00:50:55It hit me then
00:50:56that bad situation
00:50:57really do
00:50:57get better eventually.
00:50:59I didn't have any family
00:51:01and I'd wound up
00:51:02with Jemarion,
00:51:03a guy who never loved me.
00:51:04But all of that hell
00:51:06was just something
00:51:06I had to survive
00:51:07before finally
00:51:08meeting Marcus.
00:51:12Over the next few weeks,
00:51:13Marcus and I acted
00:51:14like Jemarion
00:51:15didn't even exist.
00:51:16Marcus went out
00:51:17and found a job.
00:51:18I'm an able-bodied man.
00:51:20I can't let you
00:51:21shoulder the burden
00:51:22providing for us
00:51:23all on your own.
00:51:23If we both work,
00:51:25our living situation
00:51:26will get better.
00:51:27That was a total
00:51:28revelation to me.
00:51:30Two people
00:51:31could actually
00:51:31share the heavy lifting
00:51:33of life together.
00:51:35Meanwhile,
00:51:36Jemarion
00:51:36stubbornly
00:51:37camped out
00:51:38on the couch
00:51:38day in
00:51:39and day out,
00:51:40just watching us
00:51:41come and go.
00:51:42The night before
00:51:43we moved out,
00:51:44he cornered me
00:51:44by the apartment gate.
00:51:47I wait at home
00:51:48for you
00:51:48every single day,
00:51:50but you never
00:51:51even look at me.
00:51:53Deb,
00:51:53I know I messed up.
00:51:55Everyone makes mistakes.
00:51:58Why can't you
00:51:58forgive me
00:51:59just this once?
00:52:00I shook my head.
00:52:02I don't blame you.
00:52:04I get it.
00:52:05You're an elite
00:52:06werebeast,
00:52:07and I'm a lower-class human.
00:52:09Buying your contract
00:52:10was pure luck
00:52:11on my part.
00:52:13I completely
00:52:14understand why
00:52:15you were so miserable
00:52:16with me
00:52:16and the life we had.
00:52:20A spark of hope
00:52:21lit up his eyes.
00:52:26So you forgive me?
00:52:29I swear I'll treat you
00:52:30right this time.
00:52:31Tomorrow,
00:52:32we can go together
00:52:33and return that
00:52:34low-grade mutt.
00:52:35I stepped back.
00:52:36No.
00:52:37Marcus is staying.
00:52:39You're just confusing
00:52:40your feelings
00:52:41because you're
00:52:41terrified of being
00:52:43sent to the
00:52:43red-light district.
00:52:45Once the contract
00:52:46exchange goes through,
00:52:47your life will
00:52:48go back to normal.
00:52:50No!
00:52:51No!
00:52:52I'm not confused!
00:52:54Deb,
00:52:55how can I make
00:52:56you believe me?
00:52:58I really do
00:52:59like you.
00:53:02Watching him
00:53:03stand there
00:53:03crying and begging,
00:53:04I remembered
00:53:05how desperately
00:53:06I used to
00:53:07crave his love.
00:53:08Seeing it
00:53:09from the outside now,
00:53:10I realized
00:53:11just how pathetic
00:53:12that behavior looked.
00:53:14No wonder
00:53:15Jemarion had always
00:53:16found me so repulsive.
00:53:19Jemarion sank
00:53:20to the pavement,
00:53:21burying his face
00:53:22in his hands.
00:53:24Jemarion's words
00:53:26caught between sobs.
00:53:28I realized a long time
00:53:30ago that
00:53:31I actually had
00:53:32feelings for you,
00:53:33but I just
00:53:34couldn't accept
00:53:35that you were
00:53:35a lower-class human.
00:53:38My pride
00:53:39made me lash out
00:53:41and say things
00:53:43I didn't mean.
00:53:47I thought that
00:53:48by treating you
00:53:50terribly,
00:53:51I was proving
00:53:52I hadn't stooped
00:53:53to your level
00:53:53by being with you.
00:53:56He wiped his face.
00:53:58I got a sick
00:54:00sense of satisfaction
00:54:01out of insulting you
00:54:02and watching you
00:54:04bend over backward
00:54:04to prove your love.
00:54:06It gave me the upper
00:54:07hand in our relationship
00:54:08and made me feel
00:54:09like the admired,
00:54:11elite were-beef
00:54:12I was supposed to be.
00:54:13But I forgot
00:54:15how flawed
00:54:16and unwanted
00:54:16I actually am.
00:54:18Your love
00:54:19was the only thing
00:54:20that ever gave me value.
00:54:21Tears slipped
00:54:22through his fingers,
00:54:23leaving small,
00:54:24dark spots
00:54:25on the concrete.
00:54:29I finally understood
00:54:30his twisted logic.
00:54:32I finally understood
00:54:34his twisted logic.
00:54:36He simply couldn't
00:54:37stomach the fact
00:54:38that he liked
00:54:39a lower-class human.
00:54:42He'd used my blind
00:54:43devotion to convince
00:54:44himself he was
00:54:45merely re-putting up
00:54:46with me.
00:54:46Staring down at him,
00:54:48my stomach lurched.
00:54:49I physically gag,
00:54:50overwhelmed by pure
00:54:51disgust.
00:54:52Jamalian panicked,
00:54:53reaching out to soothe me.
00:54:55What's wrong?
00:54:56He asked.
00:54:57I wiped my mouth
00:54:58and shoved his hand away.
00:55:00Jamelian,
00:55:01we're done.
00:55:03Sheila arrived
00:55:04with a radiant smile.
00:55:06Deb,
00:55:07Marcus is really
00:55:08obedient,
00:55:09isn't he?
00:55:10Marcus hurried to speak.
00:55:12Of course I'm obedient,
00:55:13right, Deb?
00:55:14I couldn't help
00:55:15but laugh.
00:55:16Yeah,
00:55:17most of the time.
00:55:18Marcus muttered,
00:55:20Nonsense.
00:55:21I've been obedient
00:55:23all the time.
00:55:24Seeing the tall,
00:55:25brew-ware-be-stack
00:55:27like this
00:55:27was inexplicably adorable.
00:55:30Sheila asked me
00:55:31to sign
00:55:32the confirmation agreement.
00:55:33As I picked up the pen,
00:55:34I suddenly remembered
00:55:36the day I bought
00:55:36Jamerian.
00:55:37We sat together.
00:55:39His nose tip was red.
00:55:40Tears and joy
00:55:41mingled together.
00:55:42Because he was so cute,
00:55:44I couldn't help
00:55:45but glance at him
00:55:45a few times.
00:55:47He looked a bit flustered.
00:55:50Sorry,
00:55:50I'll pay more attention
00:55:51to my appearance
00:55:52in the Empire.
00:55:54I couldn't help
00:55:55but laugh.
00:55:56You look pretty good
00:55:57right now.
00:55:59Jamerian laughed
00:56:00along with me.
00:56:02What's good about it?
00:56:03That was one of the
00:56:04rare times
00:56:05I saw him smile.
00:56:06I could recall
00:56:07the curve of his
00:56:08smiling lips
00:56:09with the left
00:56:10canine tooth
00:56:10slightly longer.
00:56:12I shook my head
00:56:14trying to shake
00:56:16off the memory
00:56:16of Jamerian.
00:56:18No matter what,
00:56:19he was no longer
00:56:20that person.
00:56:23Jamerian lay
00:56:24in the room
00:56:25staring blankly
00:56:26at the ceiling.
00:56:27Sheila finished
00:56:28reading the announcement.
00:56:30Jamerian gave
00:56:31a self-replication
00:56:32smile.
00:56:36I used to think
00:56:37this bed
00:56:37was really uncomfortable.
00:56:39Only today
00:56:40did I realize
00:56:41it's actually
00:56:41quite comfortable.
00:56:43He sat up
00:56:44and followed
00:56:45at Sheila outside.
00:56:46He walked
00:56:47very slowly
00:56:48but until he left
00:56:50neither Marcus
00:56:51nor I looked
00:56:51at him again.
00:56:55Holding scissors
00:56:56I was eager
00:56:57to try them
00:56:58on Marcus.
00:56:58I watched a video
00:56:59where the owner
00:57:00trimmed their
00:57:01werebeast ear fur
00:57:02into perfect
00:57:02round shapes.
00:57:04It looked so pretty.
00:57:06Let me try.
00:57:08But let's agree
00:57:09first.
00:57:10If I mess it up,
00:57:11you can't get mad.
00:57:13Marcus obediently
00:57:15lowered his head,
00:57:16his ears soft
00:57:17like two clouds.
00:57:18As long as you cut it.
00:57:20As long as you cut it,
00:57:20I like it all.
00:57:23The front door
00:57:24closed.
00:57:25Jumanon had left.
00:57:28A long time later,
00:57:30I heard from
00:57:31At Sheila
00:57:32that Gianna
00:57:32had not bought
00:57:33Jumarion.
00:57:34She knew
00:57:34Jumarion couldn't
00:57:35have children
00:57:36and she threw
00:57:37a huge tantra
00:57:38at the
00:57:38werebeast exchange.
00:57:41She said
00:57:42Jumarion wasted
00:57:43her time.
00:57:44He was clearly
00:57:45defective,
00:57:46yet acted
00:57:47so arrogant.
00:57:48I hadn't expected
00:57:49Gianna to be unaware
00:57:50of Jumarion's problem.
00:57:52So what about
00:57:53Jumarion?
00:57:54Was he sold
00:57:55to the Red Light
00:57:55District?
00:57:56He got sick.
00:57:57Depression.
00:57:58He couldn't even
00:57:59talk to people.
00:58:00The manager
00:58:01could only apply
00:58:02to scrape him.
00:58:03She paused
00:58:04on the phone.
00:58:05Now he works
00:58:05at an orphanage.
00:58:06Being around
00:58:07those children,
00:58:08he actually
00:58:09feels calmer.
00:58:11After hang up
00:58:12the phone,
00:58:12I stood there
00:58:13in a daze
00:58:14for quite a while.
00:58:15Marcus hugged
00:58:16me from behind.
00:58:17Are you worried
00:58:18about him?
00:58:19If you're really
00:58:20worried,
00:58:20we could buy him
00:58:21back too.
00:58:22I don't mind.
00:58:23He said he didn't
00:58:24mind,
00:58:25but his hands
00:58:26were almost
00:58:26squeezing my waist
00:58:27in half.
00:58:30I turned around
00:58:31and pinched his face.
00:58:33When will you learn
00:58:34not to say
00:58:35one thing
00:58:35and mean another?
00:58:42Marcus was good
00:58:43in every way,
00:58:44but he was always
00:58:46so careful
00:58:46and eager
00:58:47to please me.
00:58:48Whatever I asked,
00:58:50he was willing.
00:58:51I was really afraid
00:58:52that one day,
00:58:53if I did something bad,
00:58:55he would clean up
00:58:56after me.
00:58:57I hoped he could
00:58:58be more at ease
00:58:59and express
00:58:59his true feelings.
00:59:01I pinched him hard,
00:59:03wanted Marcus
00:59:04to learn
00:59:04to refuse
00:59:05my unreasonable
00:59:06actions.
00:59:07But even when
00:59:08his cheeks
00:59:08turned bright red,
00:59:09he didn't react.
00:59:10Instead,
00:59:11his eyes shone
00:59:12as he looked at me.
00:59:14I felt defeated.
00:59:16Why don't you
00:59:17say it hurts?
00:59:19You can refuse me,
00:59:20you know?
00:59:21Marcus shook his head.
00:59:22You only pinch me.
00:59:23You don't pinch
00:59:24anyone else.
00:59:25That means you like me.
00:59:31You like me.
00:59:32I'm happy.
00:59:33I don't feel pain.
00:59:36I felt amused
00:59:37and a little angry.
00:59:39You really are.
00:59:40You really are.
00:59:46I kissed his swollen
00:59:47red face.
00:59:49You're just too adorable.
00:59:51After the kiss,
00:59:52I suddenly noticed
00:59:53the air in the room
00:59:54had become sticky.
00:59:56Mark Horses
00:59:57was clearly restless,
00:59:58his tail wagging
00:59:59non-stop.
01:00:00I wanted to run,
01:00:01but he had already
01:00:02grabbed my ankle.
01:00:04Our child will be
01:00:05even cuter than me.
01:00:07Do you want to try?
01:00:10I don't want to.
01:00:12It was still
01:00:13Dale time.
01:00:14Marcus tilted his head
01:00:15and think for a minute,
01:00:16but still pulled me back.
01:00:19He was very serious.
01:00:21You said I should
01:00:22learn to refuse you.
01:00:23Then I refuse
01:00:24you don't want.
01:00:29Is that what I meant?
01:00:31I stopped kissing me.
01:00:33Fortunately,
01:00:34I was someone
01:00:35who could reconcile
01:00:35with myself.
01:00:37Maybe this counted
01:00:37is Marcus's first step
01:00:39toward learning
01:00:39how to love normally.
01:00:43Marcus stood in the kitchen,
01:00:45ears permed up,
01:00:46tail swaying gently.
01:00:48Marcus held up
01:00:49a worn photo of me,
01:00:51pressing it to his chest.
01:00:52Sheila gave me this
01:00:53before I came.
01:00:55I held it every night
01:00:56at the arena.
01:00:58I was so scared
01:00:59no one would ever want me.
01:01:02He set the photo down
01:01:03carefully on the shelf,
01:01:05right where he could
01:01:06see it every morning.
01:01:10then his ears
01:01:12flattened.
01:01:13Germanian came back
01:01:14again today.
01:01:15He blocked me
01:01:16at the neighborhood
01:01:17entrance when I was
01:01:18five minutes late
01:01:19from work.
01:01:20Marcus's jaw
01:01:21tightened.
01:01:23I don't like him
01:01:24near you, Deb.
01:01:25I really don't.
01:01:31He pulled me close,
01:01:33resting his chin
01:01:34on top of my head.
01:01:35I know he's leaving soon,
01:01:36but until he does,
01:01:38I want you to stay safe.
01:01:42Marcus came home
01:01:43one afternoon,
01:01:44a folded paper in his hand
01:01:45and tears streaming
01:01:46down his face.
01:01:47Deb,
01:01:49I formed a bond
01:01:50with you.
01:01:51It's certified
01:01:52and official.
01:01:53He held up the
01:01:54bond certificate.
01:01:56His hand was trembling.
01:01:58I'm so happy.
01:01:59I looked at the paper,
01:02:00then at his tear-streaked face.
01:02:04Marcus,
01:02:05you're crying again.
01:02:08I can't help it.
01:02:09He dropped to his knees,
01:02:11wrapping his arms
01:02:12around my waist.
01:02:14I'm just so happy.
01:02:16A few months later,
01:02:17Marcus held a tiny bundle
01:02:18in his massive arms,
01:02:20tears rolling down
01:02:21his cheeks again.
01:02:25It's a daughter.
01:02:27She looks just like you,
01:02:29Deb.
01:02:31I touched the baby's
01:02:32small face.
01:02:36Stop crying, Marcus.
01:02:38It's bad for your eyes.
01:02:42He shook his head,
01:02:43pressing his forehead
01:02:44against mine.
01:02:47I can't help it.
01:02:49I'm so happy.
01:02:51I wish you all happiness, too.
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