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