- 8 hours ago
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00:02afraid the snake gets jealous
00:04his feelings aren't my concern
00:06but i genuinely can't be bothered to see you
00:09i'm not your owner anymore
00:10you are
00:11we never thought of chloe as our owner
00:13we never touched her either
00:15if you'd wanted
00:17we would have helped you disappear from that wedding
00:19a long time ago
00:21so in your eyes
00:22i'm still your owner
00:24but in mine you haven't been worth that in a long time
00:33director ashford these contracts need your review
00:35come in
00:37i set the pen down
00:39before you go
00:40let everyone know
00:42those three shifters downstairs are not to be let up
00:45if they come back have security remove them
00:47understood director
00:48also you have a meeting shortly
00:50what coffee would you like
00:52oh right the meeting
00:55i picked up my phone and sent vance a small emoji
00:57a little pat
00:58might be home late
00:59be good and wait for me
01:01without waiting for a reply i stood
01:03smoothed the front of my jacket and walked out
01:08actually no coffee
01:09just water
01:10tell everyone the conference room
01:12of course
01:13director ashford
01:15vance was often with me when i worked
01:17sometimes when i'd been absorbed in something too long
01:20a cool smooth tail would drift over
01:23and coil slowly around my waist
01:25why is he so clingy i sighed more fond than exasperated and stroked a tail in what i hoped was
01:31reassuring
01:32human form this time please
01:34shifter form is
01:36genuinely too much for me
01:41okay
01:43i never asked about his other identity whether he was the heir to some family or the head of some
01:48organization
01:48what his name meant in the world outside these walls i wasn't curious i only needed him here that was
01:54enough
01:55the way ethan had once said at the airport
01:57we actually have our own names
01:59i don't need to know and i don't want to
02:01that had been the end of it
02:02as for the business deals vance had quietly helped put into motion
02:06i chose not to notice
02:07i simply rewarded him from time to time
02:10small things
02:11warmly given
02:12vance had hurt eric and evan badly enough
02:14that it had taken time for them to recover
02:16by the time they were well
02:17i was gone
02:18it couldn't find me
02:19eventually it seemed they'd left the ashford estate too
02:22until recently
02:27director ashford
02:28there are three people downstairs requesting to see you
02:31they say their names are ethan eric and evan
02:36put them through
02:37yes ma'am
02:39elena
02:41you're back in the country
02:43i am
02:45come meet us
02:48no time
02:49not interested
02:50i stepped into the role chloe had been holding
02:53and i was better at it
02:54the group began to stabilize
02:56my father's condition improved somewhat
02:58i mentioned it to vance
03:00absently
03:01in the top floor office
03:05when a sick person suddenly gets better
03:08sometimes it's a last flare of strength before the end
03:11vance's pale fingers
03:12wound slowly through a strand of my hair
03:16i see
03:19father got worse again
03:22his current condition left him with no real grip on the company
03:25he knew it
03:27i went to visit him
03:32sign over whatever shares you have left
03:34all of them
03:35the man in the hospital bed
03:37frail now
03:38aged past recognition
03:41erupted in fury
03:42but all he could do was cough
03:44you built this company
03:45do you want to watch chloe run it into the ground
03:49he glared
03:49i smiled
03:51give a little now
03:52and i'll make sure she's taken care of
03:55you've already seen what she becomes without me
03:58that's your precious daughter
04:00when you're not watching
04:05father
04:07i'm your daughter too
04:09i have your blood
04:12who better to leave it with
04:13he stared at me for a long time
04:16something painful moved behind his eyes
04:19i smiled
04:20everything was in place
04:22tall striking
04:24almost violently beautiful
04:25she recognized him
04:26her sister
04:27as a child
04:27had found a half-dead venomous snake
04:29and refused to leave it alone
04:31chloe had screamed at her then
04:32get away from it
04:33are you insane
04:34her kind oblivious sister hadn't listened
04:37she'd nursed the snake back to health
04:38her sister had probably forgotten all about it
04:40chloe remembered
04:41so she brought vance home
04:42she knew why he agreed
04:43he could smell her sister's presence in the house
04:45traces left from childhood
04:47here to repay a kindness
04:48what a pity
04:49my sister won't even know who you are
04:51vance didn't like chloe
04:52not even a little
04:52and the more he didn't
04:54the more she wanted that to change
04:55it never did
04:56then her sister called
04:57wanting to trade
04:58chloe barely thought about it
04:59and said yes
05:00good
05:00let this cold snake
05:02see exactly what kind of person her sister is
05:04how she opens her hands for everyone
05:06and how quickly she can close them
05:07as expected
05:08the three wolves took to chloe almost instantly
05:10but what she hadn't expected
05:11her sister had genuinely forgotten vance
05:14and yet
05:14she still treated him gently
05:16instinctively
05:17why
05:17after everything that's been done to her
05:19why can't she just stop
05:20a dying snake as a child
05:21a litter of abandoned wolf pups
05:23she picked them all up
05:24impossible
05:25infuriating
05:26it was fine
05:27her sister was about to be forced into a marriage
05:29with a man who'd outlasted three wives
05:31the pressure would crush her
05:32would she come crawling to chloe then
05:34the way chloe used to visit
05:35bringing gifts to that small apartment
05:37surprise
05:37playing the generous sibling
05:38would she finally be desperate enough
05:40to need chloe's help
05:41that would be the right choice
05:42come to her sister
05:43not scatter kindness into the void
05:45chloe thought about all of it
05:46with something close to pleasure
05:47until
05:48she realized
05:49her sister had played her
05:50as they got older
05:51chloe learned something
05:52she was prettier than her sister
05:54not that her sister was ugly
05:55she was genuinely lovely
05:56in a quiet clean way
05:58but chloe had inherited
05:59every striking feature
06:00with perfect precision
06:01head to toe
06:02so the pattern became this
06:04those who saw chloe first
06:05then her sister
06:06looked vaguely let down
06:07those who saw her sister first
06:09then chloe
06:09looked stunned
06:11every time this happened
06:13chloe thought to herself
06:14her sister must be so hurt
06:16so humiliated
06:17when they were teenagers
06:19her sister drew attention
06:20the ashford family's eldest daughter
06:22graceful enough
06:23that boys noticed
06:24despite everything
06:25inevitably
06:25those boys noticed chloe
06:27and redirected
06:28of course they did
06:28she was brighter
06:29prettier
06:29warmer
06:30pathetic
06:31shallow idiots
06:32chloe thought it internally
06:33all contempt
06:34but honestly
06:35if they'd spent more time
06:36with her sister
06:37they'd have found out
06:37her sister was smarter
06:39and more interesting
06:39than anyone gave her credit for
06:41too bad they lacked the patience
06:42to look past the surface
06:44at that thought
06:45chloe would feel something
06:46almost like pity
06:47poor thing
06:48no matter how kind
06:49her sister was to everyone
06:50people still chose chloe
06:51she imagined her sister
06:53in the dark
06:53seething with jealousy
06:54hating her
06:55somehow
06:56that thought made the exhaustion
06:57of performing warmth
06:59all day vanish
07:00chloe would hum to herself
07:01lighter
07:01then she met a snake shifter
07:04her sister always had people around her
07:07boys and girls
07:08a full crowd
07:08her sister stood in the middle of them
07:10smiling
07:11then she noticed chloe
07:12and waved
07:18chloe
07:19chloe
07:19chloe
07:20come here
07:20when the others saw chloe
07:22their expressions shifted
07:23to something like wonder
07:24chloe walked over
07:25her sister reached into her pocket
07:28and pressed a candy
07:29into her hand
07:30i saved this for you
07:32strawberry
07:33your favorite
07:34chloe took it happily
07:36then one of the girls said
07:39elena is so thoughtful
07:41she remembers everyone's favorite
07:43chloe's smile went stiff
07:44why
07:45she was her sister
07:45why was she this nice to everyone
07:47shouldn't she save the best of herself for chloe
07:49chloe turned and walked away
07:55behind her
07:56voices floated
07:58is that your sister
07:59she's gorgeous
08:01like a doll
08:02her eyes are so big
08:04her skin
08:04she didn't hear what her sister said back
08:06she turned the corner
08:07and dropped the strawberry candy
08:09into a trash can
08:10i switched to an overseas number
08:12no one could reach me
08:13chloe never ended up marrying the man
08:15the two families became enemies
08:17when i returned
08:18my parents had aged
08:19my father spent most of his time
08:21in a hospital bed
08:21they couldn't trust the extended family
08:23with the company
08:24so they'd given it to chloe
08:25but under chloe's management
08:27the group was declining
08:28steadily
08:29then i walked through the door
08:31my mother's hand rose on instinct
08:32she was going to slap me
08:34i stepped back
08:35i smiled
08:36are you sure
08:37i'm the only one who can save you now
08:39froze midair
08:40i looked over
08:41chloe had her eyes locked on me
08:43sharp and searching
08:44but she looked nothing like before
08:46the polish was gone
08:47she was frayed
08:49worn down by everything
08:50she'd been holding together
08:51about her too
08:52long time no see
08:53little sister
08:54wore her gaze away
08:55and burst into tears
08:56chloe had hated her sister
08:58since childhood
08:58why?
08:59it started in primary school
09:01fan sat beside me on the flight
09:02he looked down
09:03long lashes
09:04casting a faint shadow
09:06across his cheeks
09:08so
09:10you really were gonna take the groom's place
09:12and marry me?
09:14hmm
09:16you move fast
09:17after realizing i wasn't there
09:19it slipped out immediately
09:20that brief shadow on the live stream
09:22only i would have recognized it
09:24your scent went faint
09:25right
09:27the terrifying thing about shifters
09:28was their sense of smell
09:30precise and absolute
09:32i'll be overseas for a while
09:33until the timing is right to come back
09:36vance leaned in close
09:37that cool faint air of his
09:39wrapped around me
09:41his lips pressed lightly
09:43to the side of my neck
09:44this time
09:45he didn't bite
09:46i almost smiled
09:47they said wolves were canines
09:49bonded hard
09:50but this cold-blooded snake
09:51seemed more bonded
09:53than any of them
09:54over the months that followed
09:55the ashford family
09:56fell into disarray
09:58vance settled behind me
09:59his chin coming to rest
10:00on my shoulder
10:01one arm loosely circling my waist
10:03an embrace
10:04cool as winter air
10:06i'm talking to you
10:08vance smiled
10:10why?
10:10something unsettling in it
10:12would it make you happy
10:13if something happened to them?
10:15i paused
10:16eric and evan were ethan's brothers
10:18why would their getting hurt
10:19make him happy?
10:20ethan's throat moved
10:24where are they?
10:25no idea
10:25probably close to dead though
10:28ice went through me
10:29but ethan
10:31contrary to everything i'd expected
10:33didn't turn and run
10:35you're both leaving
10:37together
10:39isn't it obvious?
10:40why are you taking him?
10:42the vein at ethan's temple stood out
10:44are you alright?
10:46chloe gave him to me
10:47i'm his owner
10:50then you're still mine
10:51you all belong to chloe now
10:53don't you remember?
10:56you're the one who sent me to her
10:58something dark pooled in his eyes
11:01i heard everything you said in the living room that morning
11:05how much you all liked chloe
11:06i was doing you a favor
11:09and now you're turning it around on me
11:11you heard all of that?
11:13i had nothing more to say to him
11:14i pulled vance by the hand
11:16and turned to go
11:18ethan moved to follow
11:19and was stopped by the airport security
11:21i'd quietly arranged in advance
11:23at the airport
11:24my phone rang
11:28the fake husband
11:29his voice was hard
11:30come back
11:32marry me
11:32what's your problem?
11:34you're not worth it
11:35i blocked him too
11:38honestly
11:39i'd overlooked him
11:40i hadn't thought he'd be this delusional
11:43i'd been waiting for a while
11:44when a shadow fell across me
11:46i smiled without looking up
11:47you're here
11:48i raised my eyes
11:49ethan
11:49i blinked
11:50what's that face?
11:53disappointed?
11:55who were you expecting?
11:57vance
11:57his expression went cold
11:58you really can't catch a break
11:59he's not coming
12:00i nodded
12:02kept my face easy
12:03ethan dropped into the seat beside me
12:05i didn't expect you to actually pull off an escape
12:07don't bother me
12:08i really
12:08i cut him off
12:09he shut his mouth
12:10bit down on his back teeth
12:11he switched tactics
12:12no cold edge this time
12:13where are you going?
12:15not your business
12:15elena
12:16where are eric and evan?
12:19ethan's expression changed
12:22they're blocking vance
12:24aren't they?
12:25his face went tight
12:26then i saw him
12:28vance came through the crowd in long strides
12:30a dried cut at his temple
12:31marks on his neck
12:32something low and dark in the set of his expression
12:35when he reached me
12:35the sharp smell of blood came with him
12:38are you okay?
12:39ethan clenched his jaw
12:42what
12:44did you
12:45do to them?
12:49chloe's perfect face
12:50was streaked with tears
12:51shaking her head
12:53backing behind my father
12:54father's face was iron gray
12:56where's elena?
12:57find her
12:58she's gone too far
12:59you said you had feelings for me
13:00her sister was willing to step aside for us
13:02and you can't even
13:03i have no idea what's going on
13:04since my son loves chloe
13:06why not let chloe take her place?
13:07it's still a happy occasion for both families
13:09i'd had the foresight to block my parents
13:11the butler
13:12and chloe
13:12before leaving
13:13even with the groom's mother
13:14trying to smooth things over
13:15they couldn't afford to make a scene
13:17my mother went still
13:18then looked at chloe
13:19chloe bit her lip
13:20her voice came out
13:22no!
13:22what do you mean no?
13:24were you lying to me this whole time?
13:25don't you have feelings for me?
13:26i don't!
13:27you had three wives die on you!
13:28why would i ever like you?
13:30complete chaos
13:33i watched with genuine satisfaction
13:36then i spotted ethan, eric, and evan
13:38in the corner of the frame
13:39their expressions were something else entirely
13:41the left side was also empty
13:43the venue erupted
13:44i stared at the screen
13:46two minutes later
13:46my fake husband rushed in
13:48he recovered
13:49took the microphone
13:51actually
13:52today's bride was never elena ashfun
13:54the bride i've been waiting for
13:56is my true love
13:57miss chloe ashfun
14:00that was when vance's call came through
14:04where are you?
14:06on the way to the airport
14:06you
14:08before i could finish asking
14:09a news alert pushed to my screen
14:11male family heir confirmed for tonight's
14:13high profile wedding
14:14not a pure human
14:15reports indicate he is a shifter
14:17i tapped it immediately
14:18a tall, unmistakable silhouette
14:20comments below
14:21looks like a snake shifter
14:23cold-blooded running a corporation
14:24actually kind of fitting
14:25something clicked in my mind
14:27vance, were you just trying to-
14:29trashed the wedding
14:29i swallowed it back
14:30i'm planning to lay low abroad for a while
14:32until things settle
14:33i hung up
14:34if vance wanted to follow, he would
14:36if not, i didn't mind either way
14:37i turned back to the live stream
14:39total chaos at the venue
14:40the wedding day arrived
14:42the city's most prestigious hotel
14:44over 30,000 white roses
14:46cascading from the ceiling
14:47crystal chandeliers
14:48threading through the waterfall of petals
14:50long tables draped in ivory jacquard
14:52champagne flutes standing in neat rows
14:54catching the light with a faint golden tint
14:57every detail was breathtaking
14:58big budget
14:59i took one look
15:00then was ushered into the backstage dressing room
15:02over the next three hours
15:03the guest list filled
15:04from backstage
15:05i heard the steady murmur of congratulations
15:07my parents appeared several times
15:09to confirm i was still there
15:10and cooperating
15:11i looked at myself in the mirror
15:12flawless makeup
15:13then i checked the clock
15:14the ceremony was about to begin
15:16i'd already taken care of the makeup artist
15:18and assistant in advance
15:19i gathered the heavy skirt and slipped out
15:21elena the bathroom's straight ahead
15:22the assistant kept pace
15:24so no one in the hallway questioned it
15:29once inside
15:30i stripped off the gown efficiently
15:31and changed into the clothes
15:33she'd stashed in her bag
15:34something light
15:35with sneakers
15:36and opened the window
15:37a black car was parked close by
15:38first floor
15:39i climbed onto the sill
15:40and dropped down cleanly
15:44once in the car
15:45i called vance
15:50two rings
15:50no answer
15:51i frowned
15:52maybe the venue was too loud
15:53he didn't hear it
15:54head to the airport
15:55the car pulled into traffic
15:57i opened my phone
15:58and found the live stream
15:59my fake husband
16:00had insisted on broadcasting
16:01the ceremony
16:02he wanted the world
16:03to see the moment
16:03chloe stepped forward
16:04out of love
16:05lucky for me
16:06that made watching very convenient
16:08please welcome
16:08our bride and groom
16:09from both sides
16:11both doors opened simultaneously
16:13the right side
16:14where i was supposed to stand
16:16was empty
16:16i laughed
16:17then i looked at the left side
16:18a shadow
16:19there for just a second
16:20my smile faded
16:23vance
16:24the days before the wedding
16:26i was perfectly calm
16:27i tried on jewelry
16:28the estate meanwhile
16:29had developed its own
16:31sustained low pressure system
16:32heathen chloe
16:33who normally at least
16:34maintained the pretense
16:35of civility
16:36stopped by to take a shot
16:38didn't expect 5% of the shares
16:39to be enough to break you
16:40i had no reaction
16:41that seemed to infuriate her more
16:43do you know how much
16:44i'll have eventually
16:46when father's gone
16:47all of it comes to me
16:49i paused
16:50i actually looked at her
16:51she looked satisfied
16:54jealous
16:55the filial piety
16:56in this household
16:57is truly something
16:58i couldn't help but think
17:00pathetic
17:01evan kept his face blank
17:03eric nodded
17:04ethan scrolled through his phone
17:05and said nothing
17:06pathetic
17:07are they talking about me
17:08i didn't care what they thought
17:09i was watching vance
17:11he wasn't as dark as i'd expected
17:13he just lifted his gaze
17:14and those black
17:15fathomless eyes
17:17met mine
17:17that's when i realized it
17:19when his eyes weren't carrying
17:21that cold hostility
17:22they were beautiful
17:23the shape subtle
17:24the outer corners lifting
17:26just slightly
17:26an unintentional
17:28almost lazy quality
17:29to the look
17:30the day i came home
17:31with the marriage certificate
17:32and my fake husband
17:33the entire ashford family
17:35was seated at the dining table
17:36everyone's face
17:37said something different
17:38the news about the arranged marriage
17:40had already spread
17:41through the household
17:42i caught vance's eye
17:43from across the room
17:44a small reassuring look
17:46his expression was flat
17:47but i could feel it
17:48the suppressed hostility
17:50simmering underneath
17:51the faint darkness
17:52around him
17:53it was fine
17:53once everything was resolved
17:55i had a place for him
17:55and what came next
17:56i gave him a small
17:57calm smile
17:58from across the room
17:59he glanced at me once
18:00then looked away
18:02when i slipped into the kitchen
18:03to help carry dishes
18:04eric was at the sink
18:06you don't like him
18:07who?
18:08your husband
18:09eric smiled pleasantly
18:13elena
18:15ask me nicely
18:15and i'll help you run
18:16i looked at him
18:17he clarified
18:18the other two are on board too
18:19the other two
18:20ethan and evan
18:21that explained why all three of them
18:23had been off today
18:23eric's voice dropped
18:25just a shade too deliberate
18:26you don't want to spend
18:27the rest of your life
18:28with someone you don't even like
18:29do you?
18:30mind your own business
18:31you'll regret this elena
18:33regret?
18:36after dinner
18:37chloe chatted brightly
18:38with my fake husband
18:39effortless and radiant
18:41i slipped away to the study alone
18:43and signed the share transfer documents
18:46next week
18:47the grand wedding
18:48and the show was just getting started
18:50a few days later
18:52a private room
18:53at a cafe
18:53i took a calm sip of coffee
18:55i looked across the table
18:57and cut straight to the point
18:58i know you're in love with chloe
18:59he looked up
19:00surprised
19:01set his phone down
19:02i also know
19:03you've been approaching our family
19:05with a marriage proposal
19:06you want chloe
19:08but they keep deflecting you
19:09with the excuse
19:10that the eldest daughter
19:11has to marry first
19:13who wouldn't prefer your sister?
19:15she's not indifferent to me either
19:17she just says
19:18i have a way to get you what you want
19:21what way?
19:22we get a fake marriage certificate
19:24if chloe really does feel something for you
19:27she'll get jealous when she sees us together
19:29right?
19:30a fake certificate?
19:31people only realize what they want
19:33when they think they're losing it
19:35if you act close to me
19:36let her see it
19:37she'll be devastated
19:39then
19:39at the ceremony itself
19:41i disappear
19:42no bride
19:43she won't be able to stand
19:45watching you humiliated
19:46in front of everyone
19:47she'll step in
19:52then you tell her
19:54it's always been her
19:55have a ring ready
19:56something chosen just for her
19:58she'll be moved
20:01that's not wrong
20:06i know we'd never make each other happy
20:08you love chloe that deeply
20:09and she feels something for you
20:11i'd rather the two of you get to be happy
20:14miss ashford
20:15i misjudged you
20:16i had no idea you were so generous
20:20as long as you're both happy
20:23first
20:23snakes were notoriously insatiable
20:25snake shifters
20:26even more so
20:27if chloe hadn't said
20:28he was celibate
20:29i never would have asked for him
20:31second
20:32certain things were simply too much
20:34but i really am getting married
20:36so i'll probably need to give you back to chloe for now
20:39she won't be marrying anytime soon
20:40something moved behind vance's eyes at last
20:43right as something brutal flickered across his gaze
20:45i asked quietly
20:47do you wanna
20:49go back to chloe
20:50have i made you miserable
20:53no
20:54you're actually pretty proactive about the housework
20:57the next second
20:59he lowered himself over me
21:00his shadow swallowing everything
21:05then don't even think about getting rid of me
21:07i was quiet
21:09then i reached out
21:10and gently touched his tail
21:12don't worry
21:14about what exactly
21:16i shook my head inwardly
21:17i had a plan already
21:19i haven't lived here in months
21:21it's still that strong
21:23something dangerous spread through the air
21:25i genuinely feared
21:27he'd consume me
21:28his sharp teeth
21:29dragged against my collarbone
21:33you just took a suppresses yesterday
21:36i brought you up here
21:37to tell you something
21:38i'm getting married
21:40vance didn't release me
21:42the way i expected
21:42instead
21:43his tail coiled tighter
21:45and i was lifted
21:46and dropped onto the bed
21:47he loomed over me
21:48then his tail slipped
21:50beneath the hem of my shirt
21:51i grabbed it on instinct
21:52then looked away fast
21:55he watched me
21:56gaze darkening
21:58you dislike me
22:01no that's not
22:02aren't you my owner
22:04shadow fell over me
22:05or are you afraid
22:06honestly
22:07a little
22:10i came back downstairs
22:12to the same
22:13quiet
22:13i walked over to vance
22:15i also had something to say to him
22:17let me show you my room
22:18evan looked at me suspiciously
22:20you haven't been back in months
22:22what's there to see
22:26want to come too
22:28who said i did
22:29chloe was picking through the fruit bowl
22:31father's still home
22:33maybe it's not appropriate
22:34her voice was deliberate
22:36you have three shifters with you
22:38i'm bringing one to my room
22:40what exactly isn't appropriate
22:44we never
22:47you make a fair point sis
22:50but vance still has to be willing
22:52every pair of eyes in the room turned to the man with the perfectly unreadable face
22:57let's go
22:58i nodded and gestured for him to follow
23:00whatever the others looked like behind me
23:02i didn't care to check
23:03my room was white and minimal
23:05clean
23:06someone had kept it dusted
23:07i cleared my throat
23:08ready to speak
23:09something coiled around my waist
23:11the tail
23:11your scent is so strong here
23:16register the marriage first
23:18hold the wedding after
23:19father leaned back in his chair and sift his tea
23:21once everything is settled
23:23i'll transfer the five percent
23:25i didn't hesitate
23:26i want the shares the moment the certificate is signed
23:29the teacup hit the saucer hard
23:31the lines around his eyes deepened with irritation
23:33you really have that little faith in your own family
23:35i sighed
23:36i'm just worried chloe might throw a fit
23:38and my share disappears again
23:39he flinched visibly
23:41the irritation held
23:42but after a long beat
23:43he relented
23:44come back with your husband and the marriage certificate
23:46it said everything about what my compliance meant to them
23:49and beyond that
23:49this share transfer would also serve as a gesture of loyalty to the man i was marrying
23:53after all
23:54assets acquired during marriage get split between spouses
23:57i didn't comment on any of that
23:59and stood to leave
24:01you'll stay at the estate until the wedding
24:03no wandering off
24:04and those shifters
24:06cut that off before the ceremony
24:08that single sentence detonated
24:11evan unfolded himself from the couch
24:13pulling that sharp grin
24:14come again
24:15then a cool hand yanked me behind him
24:18vance smiled
24:20barely
24:20back off
24:21eric's expression hardened
24:23what did you just say
24:24the tension in the room snapped taut
24:26then chloe came down from upstairs
24:28all brightness
24:29i could hear you from my room
24:31what's going on
24:32they think the mark on my neck is a hickey
24:34they seem unhappy about it
24:37and want to investigate
24:39predictably chloe's smile flickered
24:41her gaze settled on my neck
24:46so is it
24:47what do you think
24:48i deflected
24:49she didn't answer
24:51silence
24:52ethan sauntered over
24:54hands in his pocket
24:55you always covered marks like that
24:56why show it today
24:59probably because i don't consider this a hiccup
25:01that seemed to click for the others
25:02evan blinked
25:03now that you mention it
25:04you used to cover everything
25:06eric's eyes narrowed
25:07sis father wants you in his study
25:09you don't need to follow her up
25:11i slipped my hand quietly from vance's grip
25:14and paused
25:15i looked back at the room
25:16don't give him trouble
25:20we give him trouble
25:22elena
25:23in your eyes
25:24i turned and walked away before he could finish
25:26silence behind me
25:27back at the ashford estate
25:29the entire first floor
25:31just ethan
25:32eric
25:33and evan
25:34the atmosphere was awkward
25:35evan set down his game controller
25:37and glanced up
25:38eyes tracking from me to vance
25:41ethan drawled
25:42why are you here
25:45it's my house
25:45can i come back
25:46ethan's expression didn't change
25:48but the corner of his mouth curved up slightly
25:50i stared
25:51eric set down the fruit he'd been arranging
25:53and walked toward me
25:55chloe said you refused to come home for months
25:57and now you show up
25:59did you miss us
26:00i stepped back
26:01before i could speak
26:02evan stopped
26:02don't even wonder
26:03without us
26:04she couldn't last a day
26:06she doesn't look particularly heartbroken to me
26:10ethan's eyes snapped up
26:11who asked you
26:13sharp hostile energy surged through the room
26:15i reached back quickly and pressed my hand over vance's
26:18cool beneath my palm
26:20trying to calm him
26:21the same as yesterday
26:22wolves and snakes were both apex level shifters
26:24if they actually fought it wouldn't end clean
26:28what you brought him here to make us jealous
26:32snakes are cold-blooded
26:33and from what chloe says this one's worse than most
26:36no feelings at all
26:38you don't actually think you can change him do you
26:41then eric grabbed my jaw
26:43fingers tight
26:45uncomfortably tight
26:46his stare locked onto my neck
26:48the mark from last night
26:50his voice came down slow and deliberate
26:52what's that
26:53a hickey
26:54i rushed after him
26:55found him bent over the washing machine
26:57pulling out clean laundry
26:58piece by piece
26:59hanging it to dry
27:00eric had put my clothes in the wash that morning
27:02he hadn't taken them out
27:03before he left
27:03i watched vance's long fingers handle my clothes
27:06and scratched my cheek
27:08i'll buy a dryer in a few days
27:09then you won't have to do this
27:10vance said nothing
27:11i never got the chance to buy that dryer
27:13the next morning
27:14an uninvited guest appeared
27:16the ashford estate's butler
27:18stood at my door with measured deference
27:21miss
27:22your father says you've had enough time
27:24it's time to return
27:26and proceed with the arranged marriage
27:28no
27:29the butler smiled
27:31miss
27:32this is the wish
27:33of both
27:34the master and madam
27:36he stepped aside
27:37several bodyguards
27:39materialized behind him
27:41i laughed coldly
27:42aren't you worried
27:43i'll stab the man
27:44with a knife on the wedding day
27:45and then kill myself
27:46the butler's expression faltered
27:48the master said
27:50should you agree to the marriage
27:51you will receive
27:53five percent
27:53of the ashford group shares
27:55my hand on the door went still
27:56the butler seemed to have anticipated
27:58exactly this
27:59the car is waiting downstairs
28:03also
28:04the second miss asked that you bring
28:07mr vance along
28:07i glanced back at vance
28:09we made eye contact
28:10his dark eyes were as unreadable
28:13as ever
28:14yet somehow
28:15a chill crawled down my spine
28:17good thing the door had closed in time
28:19the scent hadn't drifted out
28:21the footsteps faded
28:22i pushed the snake shifter off
28:24and didn't let myself look at his tail
28:26i rummaged quickly for the heat suppressants
28:28the same ones i'd used on ethan
28:30eric and evan
28:31during their heat cycles
28:32when it became too much
28:34even for me
28:34plenty left
28:35i tossed them to him
28:36then went to wash my face
28:38when i came back to the living room
28:40his tail was gone
28:41the man was draped across the couch
28:43long legs crossed
28:44expression back to its cold
28:46shuttered default
28:47he glanced up at me
28:48i thought you were
28:49i started confused
28:50celibate
28:51his voice was low and rough
28:52it's a theological response
28:54it's been too long
28:55since my last suppressor
28:56oh
28:56knowing chloe's personality
28:58if she'd actually wanted to sleep with him
28:59she wouldn't have kept him on suppressants
29:01and judging by what had just happened
29:02it wasn't like he could hold back indefinitely
29:04so how had he been managing before
29:06but if he didn't want to say
29:07i wasn't going to pry
29:08i poured a glass of warm water
29:09and handed it to him
29:10rest today
29:11you can help with the housework tomorrow
29:13and if you need more recovery time
29:15take it
29:15he cut me off
29:16you treated them the same way
29:17i blinked
29:18them
29:18he meant ethan
29:19and the others
29:20i was quiet for a second
29:22then nodded
29:22equality between pure humans and shifters
29:25was the standard now
29:26technically
29:27but given a shifter's nature
29:29the bonding
29:29the recognition of owners
29:30there was always emphasis on extending extra consideration to them
29:34long quietness
29:37my name is vance
29:38i registered it and smiled
29:39nice to meet you
29:39i'm elena
29:40he stood
29:41expressionless
29:42and walked toward the balcony
29:44the bedroom isn't that way
29:45wait are you going to jump
29:46if you don't like it here
29:48i can ask chloe to take you
29:49but his tail cushioned the impact
29:50it didn't hurt
29:51his breath spilled across my neck
29:53my skin broke into shivers
29:55then sharp knocking at the door
29:57elena
29:57eric's voice from outside
29:58are you okay
29:59my fingers stirred
30:01the pale cold gold vertical pupils
30:03staring down at me
30:04seemed to darken
30:05the coil around my waist tightened
30:07i didn't reach for the door
30:08are you in pain
30:10let me get you some heat suppresses okay
30:12the pressure around me paused
30:14the mating scent that had been thickening
30:16stopped spreading
30:16more knocking
30:17harder now
30:18chloe's voice uncertain
30:19sis
30:19are you both okay in there
30:21i thought i'd calmed him down
30:23i let out a breath
30:24i was about to speak
30:25a coldness at my neck
30:26he bit me
30:27not soft
30:28like claiming something
30:30and yet beneath it
30:31a trace of something
30:32almost indulgent
30:33i muffled a sound
30:34my voice came out
30:35slightly adrift
30:36we're fine
30:37you can go
30:38ethan's drawl
30:40you sure
30:41she said she's fine
30:43evan cut in impatient
30:44then a beat later
30:45elena
30:45that snake didn't hit you did he
30:47no
30:48i bit my lower lip
30:49behind my neck
30:50a cool tongue traced over the mark
30:52chloe didn't explain
30:53she studied my expression
30:55nothing there
30:56maybe one of them should stay with you
30:58you seem upset
30:59evan didn't move from chloe's side
31:01ethan leaned against the wall
31:03bored
31:04eric's smile stayed thin and cool
31:06no one spoke chloe wasn't surprised
31:08she gave me a small comforting smile
31:11between the two of us
31:12i was never the one who got chosen
31:14we'd both made peace with that
31:16a long time ago
31:17and him
31:18add my words chloe's posture barely shifted
31:20then she turned towards the door
31:23come in
31:23heavy footsteps
31:24a man stepped forward
31:26tall
31:27with an almost aggressive stillness to him
31:30the next second i was looking directly
31:33into a pair of dark
31:34shadow filled eyes
31:37hello
31:38his gaze came from above
31:40sticking
31:40appraising
31:41i broke out in goosebumps
31:43he didn't acknowledge me
31:44he's just like this sis
31:46if it's too much tell me and i'll take him back
31:49who is he
31:50chloe clearly didn't want to explain
31:53i didn't know where to begin either
31:55she smiled and pivoted
31:57the car's waiting downstairs
31:59shall we
32:00the wolves were quiet for a beat
32:02then didn't push further
32:03they followed chloe out on long strides
32:06the snake shifter stayed
32:07i was about to close the door when
32:10eric looked back at me
32:11something unreadable in his face
32:13and the man beside me
32:15suddenly contracted his pupils
32:17into a cold
32:18a smooth tail wound around my waist
32:21a strange overwhelming scent burst through the air
32:27you're in heat
32:31not keeping one for yourself
32:33which of you wants to stay with me
32:34the air curdled
32:35no one answered
32:36finally evan got up
32:38and went to open the door
32:39he rolled his eyes
32:40a flick of contempt on his face
32:42stop pretending to be decent
32:44both of you
32:45chloe's bright smile filled the frame
32:47hi boys
32:48my sister already explained things right
32:52you all belong to me now
32:53hey there
32:54new mistress
32:56chloe looked him over with satisfaction
32:58then let her gaze sweep across eric and ethan
33:01you're all gorgeous
33:03did you pack
33:05actually never mind
33:06i'm sure my sister couldn't afford to buy you much anyway
33:08we'll get everything new at the villa
33:10ethan gave a lazy murmur of agreement
33:12eric glanced at chloe
33:14then slid his eyes over to me
33:15i kept my face blank
33:17every set of eyes in the room landed on me at once
33:20chloe noticed
33:21she walked up to me
33:22don't worry sis
33:23i'll take better care of them
33:25and when you're done playing house
33:27just come home and do the arranged marriage
33:30stop stressing mom and dad
33:32arranged marriage
33:33what arranged marriage
33:35i quietly turned back
33:37i was used to it honestly
33:38everyone gravitated toward chloe
33:40she was radiant and magnetic
33:42every gesture
33:43every smile
33:43pulled at people without even trying
33:45standing next to her
33:46i felt exactly like what i was
33:48plain and unremarkable
33:50chloe glanced around
33:51your apartment is so much smaller than the family estate
33:54is there even enough room for them
33:56it's fine
33:57then i watched ethan
33:58usually disinterested in everything
34:00let his gaze drift to chloe
34:02eric's devastating smile turned itself on her instead
34:06even evan
34:07the moody one
34:08propped his head up to stare at her
34:09his wolf ears flickering non-stop
34:11chloe didn't seem to notice
34:13she sipped her water with perfect innocence
34:15in that moment i knew
34:17my things were about to drift quietly toward chloe again
34:20after that
34:21the gentle clingy warmth disappeared
34:24they became cooler
34:25like they wanted me destroyed
34:27like they couldn't stop themselves
34:28until i heard their conversation
34:30i'd been right all along
34:32one look at chloe
34:33and they'd fallen
34:34the afternoon came fast
34:36a knock at the door
34:37chloe arrived
34:38the silence that had settled over the apartment
34:40deepened into something heavier
34:42you're really giving all three of us to her
34:45yes
34:45i found the three wolf pups
34:48on a wet gray afternoon
34:49they were collapsed on the concrete
34:52firm matted
34:53blood soaked from the rain
34:54i almost walked away
34:55but then
34:56one of them flicked its tail
34:58just twice
34:58slow and weak
35:00then curled it around my ankle
35:01i couldn't leave them
35:03i brought them home
35:04under my care
35:05they recovered fast
35:06a few months later
35:07they hit their maturation phase
35:08and all three of them shifted into men
35:11i should have brought them to a shifter registry
35:13but the registry told me they'd already bonded
35:16recognized me completely as their owner
35:18releasing them without care would cause serious psychological harm
35:22i looked at those three pairs of beautiful eyes
35:24and caved
35:25i let them stay
35:26they said they had no names
35:27so i gave them some
35:29oldest to youngest
35:30ethan
35:30eric
35:31evan
35:32young hot-blooded wolf shifters with energy to burn
35:35even in human form
35:36they couldn't stop their ears and tails from flickering
35:39clinging to me every hour of every day
35:42then one afternoon
35:43chloe called
35:44sis
35:45aren't you going to come home for the arranged marriage
35:47the man has had three wives die on him
35:49and he's ugly
35:50but his family has money
35:51i looked away
35:52that was exactly why my family had cut me off
35:55after i fought the arrangement
35:57they couldn't bring themselves to send chloe in my place
36:00so instead they applied steady relentless pressure on me
36:03eric
36:04who always read the room perfectly
36:05don't like the call
36:06hang up
36:07what was that voice
36:08i took the opening to change the subject
36:10i rescued three injured wolf pups a while back
36:12they just shifted recently and they won't leave me alone
36:16we can barely keep up
36:17a few seconds of silence
36:18i'm honestly jealous
36:21my snake shifter won't even let me touch him
36:24he'll warm up eventually
36:25chloe just gave a soft unconvinced hum
36:27the next day she showed up at my door with bags upon bags
36:31she wore a pretty little white dress
36:33beaming at me
36:35surprise sis
36:36i turned around
36:37all three shifters eyes went straight to her
36:40the three wolves i saved
36:42wanted me in bed
36:43every single day
36:44but the truth is
36:45they didn't like me
36:46they just wanted to use me to get close to my sister
36:49so i called her
36:50and asked to switch mates
36:51three horny wolves
36:53in exchange for one cold serpent
36:55today
36:56after being fully claimed
36:57i fell into sound sleep
36:59god look at her
37:00that body
37:01that stamina
37:02and she thought she could handle three of us
37:04doesn't matter
37:04the second she taps out
37:06she'll hand us off to her sister
37:07she can't even get out of bed right now
37:08a few more days of this
37:10and she'll give up on us for good
37:11the conversation from the living room kept going
37:13they thought i was still asleep
37:14i kept my eyes low
37:16watching the marks on my wrists and legs
37:18and the amber glow of the bedside lamp
37:20every single one of them
37:22unmistakable
37:22she's not gonna hand all three of us over to her sister
37:25right
37:25which means at least one of us stays
37:27ugh
37:28elena's dull and boring
37:29you wanna stay?
37:30go ahead
37:31i don't
37:32same
37:32whatever
37:33fate decides
37:34is she up yet?
37:36no way
37:36she was crying so hard she nearly passed out
37:38she's not waking up anytime soon
37:40so weak
37:41let's get her up in a bit
37:42a few more days of this and she'll give up on us
37:44my vision went dark
37:45i reached for my phone
37:46face pale
37:47and called chloe
37:48she picked up fast
37:50what's wrong sis?
37:52weren't you just saying you were unsatisfied?
37:55take all three of mine
37:57give me that celibate snake shifter of yours
38:01is that okay?
38:02are they willing?
38:03they like you
38:04she understood
38:05because it was the truth
38:07everyone liked chloe more
38:10all right
38:10your place is small anyway
38:12not really ideal for them
38:13but
38:14my snake shifter sis
38:15he's cold
38:17if he weren't celibic
38:19i wouldn't have asked for him in the first place
38:22i'm completely wrecked
38:25i just need someone to handle the housework
38:29i just hope he doesn't turn out like these three wolves
38:33don't worry
38:34i haven't managed to tame him yet
38:36he's not going to be interested in you
38:38i'll come pick them up this afternoon
38:40the line went dead
38:41that exact second
38:42the bedroom door swung open
38:44you're up
38:44he crossed the room and reached for my blanket
38:46wait
38:48what is it mistress?
38:49i'm exhausted
38:50i need to rest
38:51can't do that
38:52he said easily
38:53mistress you took us in
38:54that means you're responsible for us
38:55we're nowhere near satisfied
38:56if you rest
38:57what are we supposed to do?
39:01chloe's coming to take all of you this afternoon
39:03he went still
39:04the two leaning in the doorway froze too
39:07which
39:07two of us?
39:10all of you
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