When Moonlight Turns to Ashes is an emotional historical fantasy romance short drama filled with forbidden love, palace intrigue, sacrifice, betrayal, and heartbreaking destiny. Beneath the glow of the moon, two lovers from opposing worlds promise to defy fate together. But political conspiracies, family obligations, and devastating misunderstandings gradually tear them apart, forcing them to choose between love and duty.
As ancient secrets are revealed and long-buried truths come to light, the couple is given one final chance to rewrite the destiny that has haunted them for years. Their journey explores whether forgiveness can survive after trust has turned to ashes.
I couldn't verify an official production page or synopsis for a vertical short drama released under the exact title When Moonlight Turns to Ashes. Current search results mainly return unrelated titles such as songs, discussions of similarly named dramas, and other moonlight-themed productions rather than an official listing for this specific short drama. The description above is therefore based on the title and common historical fantasy romance themes, not a confirmed official synopsis.
#WhenMoonlightTurnsToAshes #HistoricalRomance #FantasyRomance #ForbiddenLove #PalaceDrama #ShortDrama #DramaSeries #ENGSUB #CostumeDrama #Heartbreak #SecondChance #FullEpisode #RomanceDrama #ShortMovie
As ancient secrets are revealed and long-buried truths come to light, the couple is given one final chance to rewrite the destiny that has haunted them for years. Their journey explores whether forgiveness can survive after trust has turned to ashes.
I couldn't verify an official production page or synopsis for a vertical short drama released under the exact title When Moonlight Turns to Ashes. Current search results mainly return unrelated titles such as songs, discussions of similarly named dramas, and other moonlight-themed productions rather than an official listing for this specific short drama. The description above is therefore based on the title and common historical fantasy romance themes, not a confirmed official synopsis.
#WhenMoonlightTurnsToAshes #HistoricalRomance #FantasyRomance #ForbiddenLove #PalaceDrama #ShortDrama #DramaSeries #ENGSUB #CostumeDrama #Heartbreak #SecondChance #FullEpisode #RomanceDrama #ShortMovie
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:00For three years, my alpha mate never mocked me.
00:00:05Every night, he drugged my dinner with wolf-bear sedative so I would sleep until dawn,
00:00:10while he went to the pure-blood she-wolf who claimed she had saved his life.
00:00:14The entire Black Pine pack believed I was too weak to be Luna, too unstable to carry an alpha heir.
00:00:20They did not know that three years ago, the one who dragged Kaylin out of a silver hunter trap
00:00:25and fed him her own wolf blood to keep his inner wolf alive was never Vivian.
00:00:28It was me, but when he pushed me in front of a little blade to protect her
00:00:33and the so-called alpha pup in her belly, I finally understood.
00:00:40The truth no longer mattered. I would sever the mate bone.
00:00:44I would disappear from the pack registry.
00:00:48From tonight on, the Black Pine pack would no longer carry my scent.
00:00:51And no Luna named Serena Vale would ever kneel before the Moon Goddess altar again,
00:00:56waiting for Kaylin Black to come home.
00:01:02In the third year of my mate contract with Kaylin Black, he still had not marked me.
00:01:08I was the Luna of the Black Pine pack in name.
00:01:11The Elder's Council had stamped our contract with a Moonstone seal
00:01:14and entered me into the pack registry as the alpha's mate.
00:01:17But by true werewolf law, no mark meant no mind link.
00:01:20No mind link meant no shared pain, no shared scent trail.
00:01:24No true bond.
00:01:26It meant I was only a decorative shadow living in the alpha residence.
00:01:30For three years, I tried everything.
00:01:34I learned the full moon ritual dance.
00:01:37I drank scent-enhancing tonics prescribed by the pack healer.
00:01:40At my most desperate, I went alone to the neutral market and bought a vial of Moonbreath Essence.
00:01:45This is a sex toy, capable of setting a male wolf ablaze with desire.
00:01:50During the trade, the witch kindly gave me a warning.
00:01:53Luna, be careful.
00:01:55Sometimes what rejects you is not his body.
00:01:58It is his heart.
00:02:00Even then, I defended Caelan in my mind.
00:02:03He had once been tortured by silver hunters.
00:02:07Perhaps he did not touch me because he still had not healed.
00:02:12Therefore, I politely said to the witch,
00:02:15Thank you for the warning, but my partner is absolutely not that kind of person.
00:02:20Loyalty is a werewolf's very nature.
00:02:22The witch looked at me sympathetically inside, but said nothing more.
00:02:29As I stepped out of the black market alley, I saw Caelan's Gamma Guard leaving another shop with a heavy
00:02:33bag.
00:02:34Inside were premium scent blockers, wolf-based sleeping powder, and heat suppresses made only for pure-blood she-wolves.
00:02:41If you get any new Moonbreath silk gowns, save one for the Alpha.
00:02:45Miss Vivian likes them.
00:02:47I stood in the rain, my fingertips going cold.
00:02:50Vivian?
00:02:51Who is Vivian?
00:02:53Why would my Aleef partner go to such length for her?
00:02:57A wolf could track a scent for miles.
00:03:00I followed the faint trail of cedar and mint that belonged to Caelan,
00:03:03all the way to a side house,
00:03:06near the edge of Blackpote territory.
00:03:08The door was not fully shut.
00:03:10Low male laughter leaked through the gap.
00:03:15Alpha, is Miss Vivian staying the night again?
00:03:23If not for the Elders,
00:03:24why would you have taken a low-born healer like Serena as Luna?
00:03:28Her wolf spirit is as weak as a pup's.
00:03:31How could she ever stand beside you?
00:03:36She still brews you those recovery tonics every day.
00:03:38Does she really not know?
00:03:40You are not unable to mark.
00:03:41You just do not want to mark her.
00:03:44The next second,
00:03:45Caelan's voice cut through the room like ice.
00:03:49Enough.
00:03:52Silence fell at once.
00:03:55She is my registered mate,
00:03:58and the Luna of Blackpine.
00:04:00If I ever hear you mocking her again,
00:04:02I will tear out your fangs.
00:04:04I almost laughed.
00:04:05He protected my title while standing beside another woman's bed,
00:04:08then a woman's cool voice sounded from inside.
00:04:11Caelan, I only want you to let me go.
00:04:12We had a deal.
00:04:13I satisfy your instincts,
00:04:14and you give me a place in the full-moon dance trope.
00:04:17Do not keep me trapped here.
00:04:18Facing this woman,
00:04:19Caelan's voice,
00:04:20which just moments ago had been cold,
00:04:22turned incredibly gentle.
00:04:24Vivian,
00:04:25do you think I keep you beside me only for that?
00:04:28Miss Vivian,
00:04:29for three years,
00:04:30he has come here almost every night
00:04:34to keep the Luna from suspecting anything.
00:04:36He put wolf-sleeping powder in her dinner
00:04:40so she would sleep until morning.
00:04:44Another laughed.
00:04:46And the Luna still thinks his wolf is damaged.
00:04:49She brews him medicine every day.
00:04:52She brews him medicine every day.
00:04:54My blood felt as if it had been filled with liquid silver.
00:05:01So it turns out my partner really was just as the witch said.
00:05:05Their heart was never truly with me.
00:05:10Every empty morning I had woken to,
00:05:11every excuse I had made for him,
00:05:14every bowl of medicine I had simmered until dawn,
00:05:16had been a joke.
00:05:17The Black Pine elders had always blamed me
00:05:19for not conceiving an alpha ear.
00:05:21They said my wolf spirit was too weak,
00:05:24my bloodline too unstable,
00:05:25and my Luna blessing too thin to nourish the pack.
00:05:31Kaelin's mother once forced me
00:05:32to kneel before the Moon Goddess altar
00:05:34and drink a fertility draped
00:05:36mixed with ash and powdered wolf thing.
00:05:39It was the middle of winter.
00:05:42I knelt until my knees bruised purple
00:05:44and my fingers went numb.
00:05:49Kaelin had carried me up from the altar and whispered,
00:05:52Do not force yourself.
00:05:55I will speak to the Elder Council.
00:05:58I thought that was love.
00:06:03Now I knew it was only his way
00:06:04of keeping his reputation intact.
00:06:06My legs weakened.
00:06:08I stumbled against a moonstone lamp beside the door.
00:06:11It crashed to the ground.
00:06:18Who's there?
00:06:20I tried to leave,
00:06:21but a Gamma guard dragged me inside.
00:06:28My forehead struck the stone steps
00:06:30and warm blood ran down my brow.
00:06:36Kaelin saw my face.
00:06:37His pupils contracted.
00:06:40Serena?
00:06:43He dropped to one knee
00:06:44and reached for my wound.
00:06:45I turned my face against my face away.
00:06:51Vivian stood barefoot by the bed,
00:06:53wrapped in his black coat.
00:06:55There was no guilt in her eyes.
00:07:00Luna, do not look at me like that.
00:07:03Kaelin was the one who kept chasing me.
00:07:06He was the one who drugged you.
00:07:12Women should have sympathy for women.
00:07:14Why are you only blaming me?
00:07:17I did not answer.
00:07:18I looked at the oxydean blade at Kaelin's waist.
00:07:25Give me the knife.
00:07:28Kaelin stared at the blood on my forehead.
00:07:31Panic flickered in his eyes.
00:07:34Give me the knife.
00:07:39Serena, stop this.
00:07:40Perhaps he felt guilty.
00:07:42Perhaps he had never imagined I would fight back.
00:07:44In the end,
00:07:45Kaelin unfastened the blade
00:07:47and placed it in my hand.
00:07:51The hilt still held the warmth of his body.
00:07:53I tightened my fingers around it,
00:07:55turned,
00:07:55and drove it into his arm.
00:08:00Everyone in the room gasped.
00:08:03Kaelin did not dodge.
00:08:05He only frowned and asked in a low voice.
00:08:08Do you feel better now?
00:08:10This cut is what you owe me.
00:08:13I released the blade and turned toward Vivian.
00:08:15She instinctively stepped back,
00:08:17fear fighting.
00:08:23But before I could reach her,
00:08:24Kaelin seized my wrist.
00:08:26What are you doing?
00:08:27His grip was so hard
00:08:28it felt as if my bones would shatter.
00:08:30Deep inside me,
00:08:31my wolf whimpered in pain,
00:08:32but she was too weak
00:08:33after three years of sedatives
00:08:35and wolfbane to rise.
00:08:40I was the one who kept her here.
00:08:42If you are angry,
00:08:43take it out on me.
00:08:45Do not touch her.
00:08:47I had heard those words before.
00:08:48In the first year of our mate contract,
00:08:50a warrior from another pack
00:08:52mocked me at a banquet.
00:08:53Kaelin broke the warrior's nose
00:08:55in front of everyone
00:08:55and said the same thing.
00:09:01She is mine.
00:09:03Who gave you the right to touch her?
00:09:06Back then,
00:09:07I thought I had finally found
00:09:08someone to rely on.
00:09:10Now he stood in the same posture,
00:09:11protecting another woman from me.
00:09:16Kaelin,
00:09:16we're done.
00:09:20A sharp crack came from my wrist.
00:09:22Pain flashed white behind my eyes.
00:09:27I looked up and laughed once.
00:09:30Kaelin,
00:09:31let's sever the mate haunt.
00:09:34The room went dead silent.
00:09:37His expression changed at last.
00:09:39What did you say?
00:09:41I want to leave Blackthorn.
00:09:43I want my name removed
00:09:45from the pack registry.
00:09:48I reject you.
00:09:51And I reject this mate contract.
00:09:54Vivian froze.
00:09:56Then a satisfied light
00:09:57flashed in her eyes.
00:09:59Kaelin looked as if he had
00:10:00heard something absurd.
00:10:04He bent and pinched my chin,
00:10:06anger stirring beneath
00:10:07his forced control.
00:10:09You were the one
00:10:10who knelt outside
00:10:11the council chamber
00:10:12and begged me
00:10:14to accept this contract.
00:10:15Now you think
00:10:16you can leave
00:10:17whenever you want.
00:10:20Yes.
00:10:21I am done pegging.
00:10:23That night,
00:10:24with a broken wrist
00:10:25and blood still drying
00:10:26on my face,
00:10:27I walked into
00:10:28the moon goddess altar.
00:10:30The pack matriarch
00:10:31sat at the center
00:10:32of the elder seats.
00:10:34Her old eyes
00:10:35held no pity.
00:10:37Only cold offense.
00:10:40Aluna who initiates
00:10:41Bond's severment
00:10:42must first receive
00:10:4399 lashes
00:10:43as preliminary punishment.
00:10:45After that,
00:10:46the neutral register
00:10:46will review the petition,
00:10:47cut off the pack link,
00:10:49remove her name
00:10:49from the registry
00:10:50and ban her
00:10:50from Blackvode territory.
00:10:52Are you sure?
00:10:53I am.
00:10:54I pressed my forehead
00:10:55to the stone floor.
00:10:56My wound reopened,
00:10:57leaving blood on the altar.
00:11:03The first whip
00:11:04fell before dawn.
00:11:09By the time it ended,
00:11:10I could no longer tell
00:11:12whether the blood
00:11:12on my back was mine
00:11:13or the wolf spirit's
00:11:14inside me.
00:11:16My wolf spirit
00:11:17was very weak,
00:11:18yet it spoke to me.
00:11:21You made the right choice.
00:11:23Rather than staying
00:11:24by the side
00:11:25of a man
00:11:25who doesn't love you
00:11:26and getting hurt
00:11:28in the process,
00:11:29I would much rather
00:11:30see you be free.
00:11:37I was carried back
00:11:38to the Luna Suite
00:11:39with a fever.
00:11:42Servants were carrying
00:11:43boxes of gowns,
00:11:44jewelry,
00:11:45and ceremonial ornaments
00:11:46into the hall.
00:11:47Kellen walked in
00:11:48holding at Vivian's hand.
00:11:49She looked reluctant,
00:11:51but the moonstone bracelet
00:11:52on her wrist
00:11:52was the one he had once
00:11:53promised to give me
00:11:54at our marking ceremony.
00:11:55Kellen saw me
00:11:56leaning on the railing.
00:11:57His brows drew together.
00:12:02After the scene
00:12:03you caused yesterday,
00:12:04the side house
00:12:05is no longer safe
00:12:05for Aunt Vivian.
00:12:06She is a full moon dancer.
00:12:07Her reputation
00:12:08and safety matter.
00:12:10From today on,
00:12:11she will stay
00:12:11in the Alpha residence.
00:12:12His tone made it sound
00:12:13as if he were
00:12:14announcing weather.
00:12:16This happened
00:12:16because you lost
00:12:17control at Serena,
00:12:19so you will
00:12:19take care of her.
00:12:22You want the Luna
00:12:22you drugged
00:12:23to serve your mistress?
00:12:27I do not need
00:12:28your charity.
00:12:29The pack matriarch
00:12:30arrived just then.
00:12:31She heard Vivian's words
00:12:32and showed no anger.
00:12:33Instead,
00:12:34she took Vivian's hand
00:12:35with rare kindness.
00:12:36Poor child,
00:12:37your mother was once
00:12:38my dearest friend.
00:12:39If not for what
00:12:40happened to your family,
00:12:40the Luna position
00:12:41should have been yours.
00:12:42I stood on the stairs
00:12:43and watched the woman
00:12:44who had beaten
00:12:44and hemorrhated me
00:12:45treat Aunt Vivian
00:12:46like a blessing
00:12:46sent by the moon goddess.
00:12:48Something in me
00:12:49went completely numb.
00:12:55I slowly
00:12:56took off
00:12:56the partner ring,
00:12:57the one belonging
00:12:58to Kaylin and me.
00:13:12Over the next few days,
00:13:14I packed my few belongings
00:13:15while tending to my wounds.
00:13:17Vivian found fault
00:13:18with everything.
00:13:19The water I brought
00:13:21was not at the right temperature.
00:13:23The herbs I prepared
00:13:24were too bitter.
00:13:25The pillow I placed
00:13:26behind her back
00:13:27was an insult
00:13:28because it made her
00:13:29look like an invalid.
00:13:32Luna?
00:13:33Are you doing this
00:13:34on purpose?
00:13:36Do you want everyone
00:13:37to think I am bullying you?
00:13:38When the pack matriarch
00:13:39punished me for it,
00:13:41Vivian said I was kneeling
00:13:42too low on purpose,
00:13:43pretending to be a victim
00:13:44to shame her.
00:13:46A luna without grace
00:13:47is more shaming
00:13:47than an omega.
00:13:49Kneel until you
00:13:50remember your place.
00:13:51One evening,
00:13:52after she accused me
00:13:53of washing her dance
00:13:54down with the wrong
00:13:55moonflower soap,
00:13:56I was made to kneel
00:13:57at the altar
00:13:57for an entire day.
00:13:59I used to look at
00:14:00Vivian's graceful body
00:14:01and feel ashamed.
00:14:03I used to thought
00:14:04I was not worthy.
00:14:05Now I only felt sick.
00:14:07When I returned
00:14:08to my room,
00:14:08I burned the moon breath
00:14:09gowns I had once
00:14:10prepared for Kaylin.
00:14:14Watching the silk
00:14:15curl into ash,
00:14:16I felt the last
00:14:17of my old dignity
00:14:18burn with it.
00:14:20As I reached
00:14:21for the last gown,
00:14:22the door was kicked open.
00:14:26A slap landed hard
00:14:27across my face.
00:14:30I fell to the floor.
00:14:34You have really
00:14:35disappointed me.
00:14:38My voice was soft,
00:14:39but it did not shake.
00:14:41I did not add
00:14:42wolfine to her water.
00:14:46Vivian stepped out
00:14:47from behind Kaylin.
00:14:48Her face was pale,
00:14:50her eyes wet.
00:14:51Luna,
00:14:52I know you hate me,
00:14:53but I am a full moon
00:14:55dancer.
00:14:55My wolf spirit
00:14:56cannot be harmed.
00:14:57How could you be so cruel?
00:14:59She pressed a hand
00:15:00to her heart.
00:15:01As if she might collapse.
00:15:03I looked at Kaylin.
00:15:08Do you believe her?
00:15:11His gaze fell
00:15:12on the moon breath gown
00:15:13half burned behind me.
00:15:15It was pale gold
00:15:16woven from moonvine silk
00:15:17that could amplify
00:15:18a wolf's scent.
00:15:20I had once blushed
00:15:21while imagining
00:15:22wearing it for him
00:15:23under the full moon.
00:15:26Kaylin laughed suddenly,
00:15:27and the sound
00:15:28was full of disgust.
00:15:29No wonder
00:15:30you needed that thing.
00:15:31You cannot attract
00:15:32your own alpha,
00:15:33so you rely on
00:15:33black market witches,
00:15:34cheap potions,
00:15:35and filthy tricks.
00:15:37It felt as if
00:15:38something had carved
00:15:38open my chest.
00:15:41Kaylin, is this the image
00:15:43you have of me?
00:15:44He walked to me,
00:15:45gripped my jaw,
00:15:46and forced my mouth open.
00:15:53Since you enjoy
00:15:54drugging others,
00:15:55taste it yourself.
00:16:02I finally struggled.
00:16:04My broken wrist
00:16:05hit the table.
00:16:06Pain nearly
00:16:07knocked me unconscious,
00:16:09but Kaylin's alpha command
00:16:10pressed down on me,
00:16:11and my knees went weak
00:16:13against my will.
00:16:15Drink.
00:16:16He issued the command,
00:16:18then ruthlessly mixed
00:16:19wolfbrain powder
00:16:20with cold water
00:16:20and poured it
00:16:21down my throat.
00:16:26This is the price
00:16:27you pay for trying
00:16:27to hurt Vivian.
00:16:31Kaylin forced
00:16:32bowl after bowl
00:16:33of cold water
00:16:33laced with wolfsbeam
00:16:34down my throat.
00:16:37I choked
00:16:38until I coughed blood.
00:16:40At last,
00:16:41I collapsed on the floor
00:16:42and heard Kaylin
00:16:43say coldly,
00:16:45Send her back
00:16:46to her room.
00:16:47Let her reflect.
00:16:51The next few days,
00:16:53my body felt
00:16:54as if it belonged
00:16:54to a stranger.
00:16:57My face swolled.
00:16:58My limbs turned heavy.
00:16:59Even my own scent
00:17:01became muddy
00:17:01and unfamiliar.
00:17:02The woman in the mirror
00:17:03had dull eyes
00:17:04and a pale neck.
00:17:08Kaylin did not
00:17:09visit me once.
00:17:12On the fifth day,
00:17:13he pushed open the door
00:17:14in a formal black suit.
00:17:16Vivian's rose
00:17:16and cedar scent
00:17:17clung to him.
00:17:19Tomorrow is Vivian's
00:17:20birthday banquet.
00:17:21He looked down
00:17:22at me from above.
00:17:23You are still
00:17:24the Luna in name.
00:17:26You will arrange
00:17:27the banquet yourself.
00:17:28I want every werewolf
00:17:30in the Black Pine Pack
00:17:31to clearly understand
00:17:32Vivian's standing
00:17:33within the pack.
00:17:36And what place
00:17:37is that?
00:17:38His gaze darkened.
00:17:40I slowly seestood,
00:17:42using the bedpost
00:17:43for support.
00:17:44Every step
00:17:44sent cramps
00:17:45through my abdomen
00:17:45from the wolfbine reaction.
00:17:47Your lover?
00:17:48The woman you truly
00:17:49want to mark?
00:17:50Or the new Luna
00:17:51you want me to welcome
00:17:52with my own hands?
00:17:56At Serena,
00:17:58know your limits.
00:18:02My limit?
00:18:04I thought you had
00:18:05already stepped over
00:18:06all of them.
00:18:06For the first time,
00:18:07he looked unsettled
00:18:08by my expression.
00:18:13But he quickly
00:18:14hardened his voice.
00:18:20If you behave,
00:18:21after the banquet,
00:18:22I will ask the healer
00:18:23to treat your body.
00:18:25The Luna position
00:18:26will remain yours.
00:18:30The Luna position.
00:18:35The empty shell
00:18:36he had tossed to me
00:18:37again and again.
00:18:38That night,
00:18:39while the servants
00:18:40prepared the hall,
00:18:41I wrote to the
00:18:42neutral registry again.
00:18:46If Blackbine
00:18:47would not let me
00:18:47go in dignity,
00:18:48then I would
00:18:49leave in blood.
00:18:53On the night
00:18:54of Vivian's
00:18:54full moon banquet,
00:18:56the Alpha residents
00:18:56blazed with lights.
00:18:59Vivian wore a pure
00:19:00white ceremonial
00:19:01dancing gown,
00:19:02with the moonstone
00:19:03gifted to her
00:19:03by Killen
00:19:04adorning her hair.
00:19:05She stood beside him
00:19:07as if the entire
00:19:07Blackbine pock
00:19:08had already accepted
00:19:09her as their
00:19:10new Luna.
00:19:11I stood in the
00:19:12shadows,
00:19:13draped in a loose
00:19:14grey cloak,
00:19:14attempting to conceal
00:19:15a body twisted
00:19:16beyond recognition
00:19:17by Wolfsbane.
00:19:19Guests whispered
00:19:20openly,
00:19:23That is the
00:19:24Blackbine Luna?
00:19:25She looks as if
00:19:26her wolf spirit
00:19:27has been drained.
00:19:29No wonder the Alpha
00:19:30never marked her.
00:19:31Miss Vivian is
00:19:32pure-blooded
00:19:33and a full-moon dancer.
00:19:34She looks far more
00:19:35capable of bearing
00:19:36an Alpha pup.
00:19:42Kaelin heard them.
00:19:44He only lowered
00:19:45his head
00:19:46and adjusted
00:19:47Vivian's shrill
00:19:48with a tenderness
00:19:48that stabbed my eyes.
00:19:51Someone raised a glass.
00:19:54Alpha,
00:19:55it seems
00:19:55Blackbine will soon
00:19:57have a true mistress.
00:19:58Kaelin gave a rare smile.
00:20:02She deserves the best.
00:20:07Inside my sleeve,
00:20:09my fingers tightened
00:20:10around the blood-stamped
00:20:11severance application.
00:20:13Just as I was about
00:20:14to walk toward
00:20:15the neutral register,
00:20:16a roar came from
00:20:17the edge of the crowd.
00:20:22An exiled rogue wolf
00:20:24burst into the hall.
00:20:25His eyes were bloodshut
00:20:26and in his hand
00:20:27was a short blade
00:20:27coated with silver water.
00:20:29Kaelin Black!
00:20:30You destroyed my pack!
00:20:32Now I will let you know
00:20:33what it feels like
00:20:33to lose the one
00:20:34you treasure most!
00:20:37He lunged straight
00:20:39at At Vivian's abdomen.
00:20:41Kaelin's face changed.
00:20:49Before I could react,
00:20:51a powerful hand
00:20:52locked around my shoulder.
00:20:55Kaelin pushed me forward.
00:20:57The silver blade
00:20:58entered my abdomen.
00:20:59My inner wolf screamed
00:21:01as if she had been
00:21:02torn apart.
00:21:03Silver water burned
00:21:04through flesh and blood,
00:21:06spreading from the wound
00:21:07like a thousand needles
00:21:08crawling under my skin.
00:21:10I looked down.
00:21:12and saw my cloak
00:21:12turning red.
00:21:19For one heartbeat,
00:21:21the hall was silent.
00:21:23Then screams exploded.
00:21:25Before darkness
00:21:25swallowed me,
00:21:26I saw Kaelin rush toward me,
00:21:28his eyes red as if
00:21:29he had finally learned
00:21:30fear.
00:21:34When I woke,
00:21:35I was lying in the
00:21:35pack healing center.
00:21:39My abdomen was wrapped
00:21:40in thick bandages,
00:21:41silver poison still
00:21:42lingered in my blood,
00:21:43and every breath
00:21:44made me tremble.
00:21:46Kaelin sat beside the bed,
00:21:47his eyes lined with red.
00:21:49He held my hand tightly.
00:21:52You're awake.
00:21:54The healer said the blade
00:21:55almost touched
00:21:56your core bloodline,
00:21:57but luckily...
00:21:59It hurts so much,
00:22:01Kaelin.
00:22:07Kaelin stopped.
00:22:09I turned my head
00:22:10to look at him.
00:22:12When you pushed me
00:22:13in front of the blade,
00:22:14did you wonder
00:22:15if it would hurt?
00:22:17His throat moved.
00:22:18He avoided my eyes.
00:22:20Vivian is a full moon dancer.
00:22:22She cannot have a silver scar
00:22:23on her body.
00:22:24I did not think that much
00:22:25in the moment.
00:22:27I thought you could dodge.
00:22:31I smiled faintly.
00:22:36He always thought
00:22:37I could endure.
00:22:39He always thought
00:22:40I would survive.
00:22:41He always thought
00:22:42that after the wound closed,
00:22:43I would still remain
00:22:44where here he had left me.
00:22:46Kaelin gripped my hand harder.
00:22:52The rogue has been caught.
00:22:54I will make him pay.
00:22:58I looked at him calmly.
00:23:00And you?
00:23:03His face went still.
00:23:06Before he could answer,
00:23:07Vivian's voice came
00:23:08from outside the door.
00:23:09They were congratulating her.
00:23:12Kaelin lowered his gaze
00:23:13and said in a complicated tone,
00:23:15There is something else.
00:23:17Vivian is pregnant.
00:23:19My fingers went numb.
00:23:22The healer said
00:23:23your wound is deep.
00:23:24In the future,
00:23:25you may not be able
00:23:26to carry a puppy.
00:23:27But the moon goddess
00:23:28has not abandoned you.
00:23:29Vivian's child
00:23:30will be the alpha heir.
00:23:32When the pup is born,
00:23:33it can call you mother
00:23:34as well.
00:23:38I stared at him
00:23:39for a long time.
00:23:42Then I laughed
00:23:43until tears came out.
00:23:48So this was you called mercy.
00:23:51He had used my body
00:23:52to block a blade
00:23:52for his mistress
00:23:53and her fake tenderness.
00:23:54Then he wanted me
00:23:55to raise her pup
00:23:55and be grateful.
00:23:58But I have already
00:23:59decided to leave him.
00:24:00I will no longer grieve
00:24:01or weep over anything he does.
00:24:05The next day,
00:24:06I asked the neutral register
00:24:08to prepare the formal
00:24:09severance petition.
00:24:11But before the document
00:24:12could reach the elders' council,
00:24:14Vivian came to my room.
00:24:15She stood beside my bed
00:24:17holding a bouquet
00:24:17of moon-breath flowers,
00:24:19her voice dripping
00:24:20with false sweetness.
00:24:22Serena,
00:24:23I am truly sorry.
00:24:24I never knew
00:24:25Kellen would push you forward
00:24:26to save me.
00:24:27Her mouth apologized.
00:24:29Her eyes laughed.
00:24:30I looked at the flowers
00:24:31and felt sick.
00:24:33Apology received.
00:24:34Get out.
00:24:36The smile froze
00:24:37on her face.
00:24:41Do you hate me that much?
00:24:42I was a victim too.
00:24:45I opened my eyes
00:24:46and looked at her.
00:24:47Perhaps you once were,
00:24:49but Kellen isn't here now.
00:24:50No one will be watching
00:24:51your performance.
00:24:52Her face changed.
00:24:53She threw the flowers
00:24:54into the spittle wheel
00:24:54beside the bed
00:24:55and lowered her voice.
00:24:56Do you know
00:24:56what is most pathetic
00:24:57about you,
00:24:57Aunt Serena?
00:24:58You occupied
00:24:59the Luna position
00:24:59for three years.
00:25:00And he still refused
00:25:01to give you
00:25:02even one mark.
00:25:06She leaned closer,
00:25:08carrying Kellen's
00:25:09melanin's pheromone
00:25:10on her skin.
00:25:11The way he loses
00:25:13control with me
00:25:13is something you will
00:25:14never see in your lifetime.
00:25:17My fingers slowly clenched.
00:25:19If my family had not
00:25:20been framed by hunters,
00:25:22the Black Pine Luna position
00:25:23would have belonged
00:25:24to me from the beginning.
00:25:27You are nothing
00:25:28but the low-born substitute,
00:25:29the elders forced on him.
00:25:31I remained expressionless
00:25:33and even found her
00:25:34somewhat ridiculous.
00:25:39If you want it so much,
00:25:40take it.
00:25:42I have already applied
00:25:43to sever the mate bond.
00:25:44Vivian froze for a second.
00:25:46Then she burst out laughing.
00:25:49You think Kellen will let you leave?
00:25:51Unless Black Pine decides
00:25:53you are too filthy to keep.
00:25:54Upon hearing this,
00:25:55I was inexplicably seized
00:25:57by a vague sense of Forbidden
00:25:58and couldn't help
00:25:59but demand an explanation.
00:26:02What are you trying to do?
00:26:04Aren't you afraid
00:26:05Kellen will find out
00:26:06your true colors?
00:26:07Vivian said nothing more,
00:26:08merely giving me
00:26:08a sinister smile.
00:26:11You'll find out soon enough.
00:26:15Before long,
00:26:17I understood what Vivian meant.
00:26:23Late that night,
00:26:25a bombshell news story
00:26:26suddenly erupted on Facebook.
00:26:28Black Pine Alpha
00:26:29hides pureblood she-wolf,
00:26:31registered Luna
00:26:31reduced to decoration.
00:26:34Vivian accused
00:26:35of stealing Luna status
00:26:37and using a pup
00:26:38to force succession.
00:26:40Photos of Vivian and
00:26:41moving into the Alpha residence
00:26:42and sent records
00:26:43of Kellen visiting
00:26:44the side house
00:26:45late at night
00:26:45spread through
00:26:46the werewolf community.
00:26:47The entire society
00:26:48mocked Black Pine.
00:26:51The door to my room
00:26:52was kicked open.
00:26:56Kellen threw a stack
00:26:57of printed Facebook posts
00:26:58into my face.
00:26:59Did you post that
00:27:00on Facebook?
00:27:01Is this what you wanted?
00:27:02To ruin me, Vivian,
00:27:04and the entire pack?
00:27:04His eyes burned with rage.
00:27:06You did it!
00:27:07You destroyed Vivian's reputation!
00:27:08You let her be humiliated
00:27:10by all of werewolf society
00:27:11while carrying a pup!
00:27:12Serena,
00:27:13when did you become
00:27:14this vile?
00:27:18I pressed a hand
00:27:19over my wound,
00:27:20cold sweat
00:27:21sliding down my back.
00:27:23It was not me.
00:27:24Vivian followed him in,
00:27:25tears falling
00:27:26at the perfect time.
00:27:27She rushed forward
00:27:28and slapped me hard.
00:27:29Do you know
00:27:29how much I grificed
00:27:30to enter the full moon troop?
00:27:32Now every pack
00:27:33is calling me a she-wolf
00:27:34who stole Luna's spot?
00:27:35Do you want to
00:27:36force me to die?
00:27:38My face turned
00:27:39with a blow.
00:27:40I tasted blood.
00:27:47Then I laughed boldly.
00:27:50Did I force you
00:27:51to become his mistress?
00:27:53Did I force you
00:27:54to carry his scent?
00:27:56Vivian,
00:27:57if you dare to steal,
00:28:00why are you afraid
00:28:01of being maimed?
00:28:02Kellen seized my throat.
00:28:09What right do you have
00:28:10to talk about shame?
00:28:11Don't forget that lingerie
00:28:13you bought just to seduce me.
00:28:16His words were worse
00:28:18than claws.
00:28:21When you wagged
00:28:22your tail
00:28:23and begged me
00:28:24to mark you,
00:28:27where was your shame then?
00:28:29My pupils trembled.
00:28:36Those desperate attempts
00:28:37I had to save our bond
00:28:38had become the blade
00:28:40he used to humiliate me.
00:28:44Kellen released my throat
00:28:45and stepped back.
00:28:49Since you like
00:28:50exposing people so much,
00:28:53I will let everyone
00:28:54see what kind of Luna
00:28:56you really are.
00:28:57Half a day later,
00:28:58my photos appeared
00:28:59on Facebook.
00:28:59The vial of Moonbreath Essence.
00:29:01The footage of me
00:29:02practicing the full moon dance.
00:29:04The back view of me
00:29:04standing before a mirror
00:29:05in a Moonbreath silk gown.
00:29:07All of it had been posted
00:29:08by Kellen himself.
00:29:10Worse,
00:29:11he attached a re-photo
00:29:12of me swollen
00:29:12and distorted
00:29:13from Wolf's boss.
00:29:19The comments from Blackburn
00:29:20changed instantly.
00:29:22So the Luna
00:29:23is shameless and private.
00:29:24No wonder
00:29:25the alpha never marked her.
00:29:27With that muddy scent,
00:29:28who could bear
00:29:29to bite her?
00:29:30At least Vivian
00:29:31has pure blood.
00:29:32A lowborn healer
00:29:33should never have dreamed
00:29:34of becoming Luna.
00:29:35The elders' council
00:29:35was furious.
00:29:41Luna!
00:29:42They said I had
00:29:43disgraced the title
00:29:44of Luna
00:29:45and damaged
00:29:46the pack's reputation.
00:29:47Before my abdominal wound
00:29:48had healed,
00:29:49I was dragged
00:29:50into the punishment chamber
00:29:52behind the moon
00:29:53goddess altar.
00:29:59It was a stone room
00:30:01lined with silver runes.
00:30:08Silver was not decoration.
00:30:10It was punishment.
00:30:12Every carved line
00:30:13released a chill
00:30:14that pierced the wolf spirit.
00:30:15My wound began to burn
00:30:16and the silver poison
00:30:17left in my blood
00:30:18woke again.
00:30:19The pack matriarch
00:30:20stood outside the iron door.
00:30:21If you admit
00:30:22that you slandered Vivian
00:30:23on Facebook,
00:30:24the council
00:30:24can show mercy.
00:30:26I asked back,
00:30:28weakly yet stubbornly.
00:30:32How merciful.
00:30:36You will remain
00:30:37in Black Pintus
00:30:38the Luna in name
00:30:39after Vivian
00:30:40gives birth
00:30:41to the Alpha Pup.
00:30:42You will raise it.
00:30:44Not!
00:30:45Then punish me harder!
00:30:48For half a wunkth,
00:30:49I was locked
00:30:50in that chamber.
00:30:52Gamma Guard.
00:30:54Every day,
00:30:55they forced bitter
00:30:56cleansing medicine
00:30:56down my throat
00:30:57saying it would
00:30:58wash away
00:30:59my low-born desire.
00:31:08Outside the door,
00:31:09they played Facebook
00:31:09insults over and over
00:31:11along with news
00:31:12that Kaylin and Vivian
00:31:13would soon
00:31:13the silver wound reopened
00:31:15again and again
00:31:15without proper healing herbs.
00:31:20My foe curled in the dark
00:31:22and almost stopped
00:31:23answering me.
00:31:24At last,
00:31:25the neutral register
00:31:26came with the severance contract.
00:31:28Miss Serena,
00:31:29by law,
00:31:30once you press your blood seal,
00:31:31your name will be removed
00:31:31from the Black Pine registry.
00:31:33You will lose Black Pine protection,
00:31:34the title of Alpha Mate,
00:31:35and you will suffer
00:31:36mate-bond backlash.
00:31:38I know.
00:31:42Alpha Kaylin has not signed.
00:31:45He will.
00:31:47He threw me in here
00:31:48because he wanted me to bow.
00:31:51I no longer had the strength
00:31:53to hold a pen.
00:31:54I bit my fingertip
00:31:56and pressed blood
00:31:56onto the end of the contract.
00:32:09The moment the seal formed,
00:32:11I felt an invisible sharp claw
00:32:13suddenly tear through my chest.
00:32:18Kaylin's cedar and mint scent
00:32:20faded from my senses
00:32:21little by little.
00:32:22The bond the moon goddess
00:32:23had once tied between us,
00:32:24the bond he had trampled
00:32:26for three years,
00:32:27finally snapped.
00:32:29Pain shook my whole body.
00:32:33But I smiled.
00:32:43At dawn,
00:32:44I walked out of the punishment chamber
00:32:45with a small bag.
00:32:47The neutral register
00:32:48led me through the back gate
00:32:49of Black Pine territory.
00:32:51Rain fell over the border road.
00:32:53Behind me stood the Alpha residence
00:32:55where I had wasted
00:32:56three years of my life.
00:32:58No one came to send me off.
00:32:59No one knew that the Luna they mocked
00:33:01had already vanished
00:33:02from the pack link.
00:33:05Miss Vale,
00:33:07once you cross this border,
00:33:09Black Pine law
00:33:10can no longer protect you.
00:33:11Are you still certain?
00:33:15I looked back only once.
00:33:17The altar bells were silent.
00:33:19The windows of the Alpha residence
00:33:21were dark.
00:33:22No one was running towards me.
00:33:28I am certain.
00:33:36Then may the moon goddess
00:33:37witness your freedom.
00:33:46I stepped onto the train
00:33:48bound for the southern neutral lands
00:33:49and did not look back.
00:33:59Never to meet again,
00:34:00Kaelin.
00:34:04Only later did I learn
00:34:05that on the day I left,
00:34:07Kaelin had waited
00:34:07outside the altar gate.
00:34:09He thought the elders
00:34:10were only teaching me a lesson.
00:34:11He thought I would come out
00:34:13wounded and exhausted,
00:34:14then lower my head again
00:34:15after he said,
00:34:16stop making trouble.
00:34:17His friend at Seth
00:34:18was there too.
00:34:19Alpha,
00:34:19aren't you afraid
00:34:20the Luna will hate you
00:34:21after this?
00:34:21Kaelin lit a cigarette
00:34:22and said coldly.
00:34:23She endured the strictest,
00:34:25most brutal punishments,
00:34:26all just to remain by my side.
00:34:27She simply could not
00:34:28bring herself to hate me.
00:34:30Kaelin stubbed out
00:34:30his cigarette and said,
00:34:32sounding as if
00:34:32he were utterly helpless.
00:34:34Serena has been
00:34:35far too unruly of late.
00:34:36Not only has she been
00:34:37constantly targeting Vivian,
00:34:39but she has also harmed
00:34:40both her and the pup
00:34:41she carries in her womb.
00:34:42Serena must learn
00:34:43to exercise proper restraint
00:34:44over her temper.
00:34:44As the pack's Luna,
00:34:45she cannot continue
00:34:46to behave so irresponsibly.
00:34:47Just before the altar gate opened,
00:34:48Vivian's maid ran over,
00:34:49claiming Vivian had stomach pain
00:34:50and might lose the alpha pup.
00:34:51Alpha,
00:34:52Miss Vivian is in pain.
00:34:52The healer said the pup
00:34:53may be unstable.
00:34:54Please come quickly.
00:34:55Kaelin left at once.
00:34:57Seth,
00:34:58wait here.
00:34:58When Serena comes out,
00:34:59take her to a side room
00:35:00to recover.
00:35:01But at Seth
00:35:02had already been bought
00:35:03by Vivian.
00:35:04He watched the neutral
00:35:05registrar lead my way.
00:35:07He saw the blood seal
00:35:08on the severance contract.
00:35:09He saw the elder
00:35:10remove my name
00:35:11from the Blackfoon Pack registry.
00:35:14The alpha is on his way to you.
00:35:16Serena will be driven
00:35:17out of Blackpore.
00:35:23Kaelin stayed at the healing center
00:35:25with at Vivian all night.
00:35:31The at healer Seif said
00:35:33she was merely emotional
00:35:34and the pup was not in danger.
00:35:36Kaelin held her hand
00:35:37and murmured,
00:35:40I will suppress the rumors.
00:35:41When Serena comes out,
00:35:43I will make her apologize.
00:35:49Vivian leaned into his arms
00:35:50and tested him.
00:35:53Kaelin,
00:35:53I do not want our pup
00:35:55to be born as an unregistered child.
00:35:57I do not want you trapped
00:35:59between two women forever.
00:36:01If you love me,
00:36:02why not officially sever
00:36:04your contract with Serena
00:36:05and give us a real home?
00:36:11Kaelin was silent
00:36:12for a long time.
00:36:14For a fleeting moment,
00:36:16he recalled the sight
00:36:17of Serena lying
00:36:18in her hospital bed,
00:36:19pale-faced and hollow-eyed,
00:36:21whispering,
00:36:22it hurt so much.
00:36:24But he pushed
00:36:25that memory away.
00:36:27Do not bring this up again.
00:36:29Serena cannot survive
00:36:30outside Blackpint.
00:36:32She has been my Luna
00:36:33for three years.
00:36:37I will let her keep the title.
00:36:39The title.
00:36:42Three days later,
00:36:44he finally realizes
00:36:45that Serena,
00:36:46Serena had left.
00:36:48Serena's room was empty.
00:36:50The wardrobe was bare.
00:36:52The desk, too,
00:36:53was completely empty.
00:36:54Beneath the pillow
00:36:56lay nothing but a single
00:36:57moonstone ring.
00:36:59It was the very token
00:37:01he had casually slipped
00:37:02onto her finger
00:37:02on the day,
00:37:03the very day,
00:37:05he and Serena
00:37:06had signed their contract.
00:37:07It was not a mark.
00:37:08It was not a vow.
00:37:10It was an afterthought.
00:37:13Kaelin held the pin ring
00:37:14and panicked
00:37:14for the first time.
00:37:17Serena,
00:37:18where did you go?
00:37:22But when he asked
00:37:23at Seth,
00:37:24Seth lied.
00:37:26She came out
00:37:27cursing you
00:37:27and Miss Viviana.
00:37:28She said,
00:37:29you two deserve
00:37:30to lose everything.
00:37:31Then she left
00:37:32on her own.
00:37:33No one could stop her.
00:37:35The look of concern
00:37:35in Kaelin's eyes
00:37:36instantly turned to ice.
00:37:38He had promised
00:37:39to treat Serena
00:37:39after Vivian's
00:37:40birthday banquet.
00:37:41He had even gone so far
00:37:42as to arrange
00:37:43for the province's
00:37:44most elite healers,
00:37:45terrified that Serena's
00:37:46injuries might leave scars.
00:37:47Yet now,
00:37:48it turned out that Serena
00:37:49had already repaid him
00:37:50with a malicious curse.
00:37:55Then do not look for her.
00:37:57If she wants to leave,
00:37:58let her never come back.
00:38:00Seth bowed his head
00:38:01and did not dare speak.
00:38:04Only Vivian walked
00:38:05to Kaelin's side
00:38:06and slipped his palm
00:38:07over her abdomen.
00:38:12Do not be angry
00:38:13because of her.
00:38:14Our pup just kicked me.
00:38:16He must be strong,
00:38:17just like his father.
00:38:22Kaelin's expression
00:38:23eased a little.
00:38:24At that moment,
00:38:25the pack matriarch
00:38:26contacted him
00:38:27through the pack link.
00:38:29Kaelin,
00:38:30I heard that Vivian
00:38:31is carrying your pup.
00:38:33Kaelin glanced at Vivian
00:38:34and answered,
00:38:35Yes.
00:38:37Then the mate banquet
00:38:38should be held first.
00:38:39As for the official
00:38:40red registry,
00:38:41wait until the pup is born.
00:38:46Serena's side
00:38:47has already been
00:38:48handled cleanly.
00:38:49Kaelin frowned faintly.
00:38:52Handled cleanly.
00:38:55He thought she meant
00:38:56I had run away
00:38:56after making another scene.
00:38:59He did not ask
00:39:00one more question.
00:39:04A few days later,
00:39:06the mate Bentiful
00:39:06was held
00:39:07in the Black Pine
00:39:08ceremonial hall.
00:39:09Vivian wore
00:39:10a pale moon-colored gown.
00:39:11Her abdomen
00:39:12was slightly rounded
00:39:13beneath the soft fabric,
00:39:14and every elder
00:39:15who passed her
00:39:16smiled as if
00:39:17the future alpha grain
00:39:18had already been born.
00:39:19Kaelin stood
00:39:20beside his mate.
00:39:21His face was calm,
00:39:23almost cold.
00:39:24No one could tell
00:39:25whether he looked
00:39:25like a bridegroom at all.
00:39:27During the blessing ritual,
00:39:29Vivian knelt
00:39:30before the pack matriarch
00:39:31and offered her
00:39:32a cup of moon tea
00:39:33with both hands.
00:39:35Mother,
00:39:36please accept my respect.
00:39:38The matriarch
00:39:39looked at Leitra
00:39:40left at Vivian's belly
00:39:41and laughed
00:39:42until the lines
00:39:42around her eyes softened.
00:39:44Good child,
00:39:45get up.
00:39:46Do not kneel too long.
00:39:48Be careful of the pup.
00:39:49She held
00:39:50at Vivian's hand,
00:39:51then turned to Kaelin
00:39:53with satisfaction.
00:39:54Since Serena
00:39:55has already severed
00:39:56the mate-con contract
00:39:57with you,
00:39:58live well with
00:39:59at Vivian
00:39:59from now on.
00:40:01I am still waiting
00:40:02to hold
00:40:02your strong
00:40:03alpha pup.
00:40:05The goblet
00:40:06in Kaelin's hand
00:40:08shattered.
00:40:11Blood slit down
00:40:12his palm,
00:40:13but he did not
00:40:14seem to feel it.
00:40:17Severed?
00:40:18His voice tightened.
00:40:25What mate-contract
00:40:27was severed?
00:40:30The entire ceremonial hall
00:40:32went silence.
00:40:34Vivian's smile
00:40:34froze on her face.
00:40:36The pack matriarch
00:40:38stared at Kaelin
00:40:38in confusion.
00:40:39You did not know?
00:40:42Kaelin stepped down
00:40:44from the ritual platform.
00:40:46His alpha aura
00:40:47spread through the hall
00:40:48so suddenly
00:40:48that several lower-ranked
00:40:50wolves dropped
00:40:51to their knees.
00:40:54said it again.
00:40:56What did Serena
00:40:57sever?
00:41:01Only then
00:41:02did the pack matriarch
00:41:03tell him everything.
00:41:04You didn't know?
00:41:05Ed Serena
00:41:06knelt at the moon
00:41:06goddess altar
00:41:07and asked to sever
00:41:08your mate-bond.
00:41:08She took the full
00:41:0999 wolf lashes
00:41:10then was locked
00:41:11in the silver-lined
00:41:11punishment chamber,
00:41:12starved,
00:41:13silenced,
00:41:13forced to press
00:41:14her blood seal
00:41:14on the severance papers.
00:41:15She left with nothing
00:41:16but the clothes
00:41:16on her back.
00:41:17Her name's already
00:41:18been erased
00:41:19from the Blackfine
00:41:19pack registry
00:41:20and by ancient
00:41:22pack law
00:41:23she will never
00:41:24ever be
00:41:25Blackfine's
00:41:26Luna again.
00:41:29Kaelin lost control.
00:41:31Kaelin lost control
00:41:32on the spot.
00:41:33He grabbed
00:41:34At Seth by the collar
00:41:35before At Seth
00:41:36could retreat
00:41:37into the crowd.
00:41:38You told me
00:41:39she cursed me
00:41:40and left on her own.
00:41:45Alpha,
00:41:45I only repeated
00:41:47what I heard.
00:41:53Seth's face
00:41:54went white.
00:41:55Kaelin's eyes
00:41:55turned a dangerous red.
00:42:00Do not lie
00:42:01under my command.
00:42:03Tell me the truth.
00:42:05How exactly
00:42:06did Serena leave?
00:42:07The Alpha command
00:42:08crushed At Seth
00:42:09to his knees.
00:42:15Seth trembled
00:42:16violently.
00:42:17At last,
00:42:18the truth
00:42:19spilled out.
00:42:21Seth admitted
00:42:22Vivian had ordered
00:42:22him to watch
00:42:23the altar.
00:42:24I saw the neutral
00:42:25register
00:42:25take her away.
00:42:26I saw the blood seal.
00:42:28I saw the elder
00:42:29removed,
00:42:29removed her name
00:42:30from the pack registry.
00:42:31Kaelin's grip
00:42:32loosened inch by inch.
00:42:34Miss Vivian
00:42:34told me to say
00:42:35the Luna cursed you.
00:42:36I was afraid.
00:42:38Alpha,
00:42:39I was afraid.
00:42:48Kaelin released him
00:42:49and rushed back
00:42:49to Serena's room.
00:42:50He searched
00:42:51every corner
00:42:52but found only
00:42:53the moonstone pin ring
00:42:54and a scrap
00:42:55of burnt
00:42:55moon-breath silk.
00:42:57Only then
00:42:57did he seem to understand.
00:42:59Serena was not hiding
00:43:00and waiting for him
00:43:01to coax her back.
00:43:05She had truly gone.
00:43:08Kaelin picked up
00:43:09the burnt silk.
00:43:10His fingertips shook.
00:43:15She burned this herself?
00:43:18No one dared answer.
00:43:20He remembered
00:43:21the way
00:43:21Aunt Serena
00:43:22used to fold
00:43:22those gowns
00:43:23in the wardrobe
00:43:23blushing
00:43:24whenever his gaze
00:43:25passed over her.
00:43:30He remembered
00:43:31calling them
00:43:31filthy tricks.
00:43:32He remembered
00:43:33forcing Wolfbeam
00:43:34down at Serena's throat.
00:43:41For the first time
00:43:42the empty room
00:43:43felt louder
00:43:44than any scream.
00:43:46Find her.
00:43:47Search the Black Pine border
00:43:49the Neutral Station Station
00:43:50the Healer's Guild
00:43:51every old territory
00:43:52of her mother's family.
00:43:56A warrior
00:43:57lowered his head.
00:44:00Alpha
00:44:00if her name
00:44:01has been erased
00:44:02from the registry
00:44:03our scent trackers
00:44:04may not be able
00:44:05to follow her.
00:44:06Kaelin's face
00:44:07turned ashen.
00:44:11Then use mine.
00:44:13Use every memory
00:44:14of her scent
00:44:15I have left.
00:44:17He searched
00:44:17for Serena
00:44:18for a long time.
00:44:20The Black Pine border
00:44:21the Neutral Station
00:44:22the Healer's Guild
00:44:24even the old territory
00:44:26of Serena's mother's family
00:44:27where she had not been
00:44:28in years.
00:44:30He found nothing.
00:44:32On the fourth night
00:44:33he passed at Vivian's room
00:44:35and heard laughter inside.
00:44:42At Vivian
00:44:43was mind-linking Seth.
00:44:45You have no idea
00:44:46how perfect it was.
00:44:47I had people post
00:44:49those Facebook rumors.
00:44:50I made myself
00:44:50look like the victim
00:44:51cried a little
00:44:52and Kaelin nearly
00:44:54destroyed Serena for me.
00:44:56Seth's voice
00:44:57was low and nervous
00:44:58through the mind-link.
00:45:05Miss Vivian
00:45:06the Alpha
00:45:07is already suspicious.
00:45:09Vivian laughed softly.
00:45:11Suspicious of what?
00:45:13That lowborn healer
00:45:14has been erased
00:45:14exiled
00:45:15and left with
00:45:16silver wounds
00:45:16and bond backlash.
00:45:18Whether she survives
00:45:19this winter
00:45:19is another question.
00:45:22Did she really think
00:45:24she could be Luna?
00:45:25A lowborn healer
00:45:26whose wolf spirit
00:45:27had been suppressed
00:45:28until it nearly vanished?
00:45:32How could she compete
00:45:34with me?
00:45:37Kaelin kicked the door open.
00:45:39Vivian turned
00:45:40and saw him.
00:45:41All color drained
00:45:42of her face.
00:45:43Kaelin.
00:45:43Kaelin.
00:45:44Let me explain.
00:45:45He walked in
00:45:46step by step.
00:45:47His voice
00:45:48was terrifyingly soft.
00:45:52You lied to me?
00:45:57A few days later
00:45:59the investigation report
00:46:00was placed before
00:46:01at Kaelin.
00:46:04She had staged
00:46:05the wolfbine poisoning,
00:46:07paid Seth to spread
00:46:08the Facebook posts,
00:46:09forged pregnancy proof,
00:46:10ranged the rogue attack
00:46:11at her own birthday banquet,
00:46:12and even obtained
00:46:13the silver water
00:46:13on the blade
00:46:14from old retainers
00:46:15of her family.
00:46:16Alpha,
00:46:16every payment,
00:46:17every forged record,
00:46:18and every purchase
00:46:19sent medicine
00:46:19points back
00:46:20to Miss Vivian.
00:46:24Vivian knelled
00:46:25on the floor,
00:46:26hugging Kaelin's leg
00:46:27as she cried.
00:46:28I only loved you
00:46:29too much.
00:46:30I was afraid
00:46:31you would never
00:46:31give me the luma position.
00:46:33Kaelin,
00:46:33I am carrying your pup.
00:46:35For the child's sake.
00:46:39Kaelin lowered
00:46:39his gaze
00:46:40to her abdomen,
00:46:41his expression
00:46:42complicated.
00:46:43Alpha,
00:46:44there is no pup.
00:46:45The so-called fetal scent
00:46:46was created
00:46:47by witch medicine.
00:46:54Vivian collapsed
00:46:55to the floor.
00:46:57No!
00:46:58At Kaelin,
00:46:59listen to me!
00:46:59I can still give you a pup!
00:47:01I can still be useful
00:47:02to Black Pine!
00:47:05Kaelin Black
00:47:06closed his eyes.
00:47:08Send her
00:47:09to Silvermoon Sanatorium.
00:47:10Tell the director
00:47:11she is charged
00:47:12with serious fraud
00:47:12harming the luna.
00:47:15and forging
00:47:16the Alpha bloodline.
00:47:18Without both my order
00:47:19and the council's order,
00:47:20she is not to be released.
00:47:22By then,
00:47:23I had already settled
00:47:24in the southern neutral lands.
00:47:34There was no
00:47:35Black Pipe Cedar
00:47:36sent there,
00:47:36no council judgment bell,
00:47:38and no one
00:47:39called me Luna.
00:47:41I worked in a small
00:47:42ceremonial tailor shop,
00:47:43altering Luna gowns
00:47:44and pup cloaks
00:47:45for passing wolves.
00:47:46At first,
00:47:47my body was so weak
00:47:48that my fingers shook
00:47:48after a few stitches.
00:47:50At night,
00:47:50Bond-Aklash would flare
00:47:51like invisible claws
00:47:52tearing through my ribs.
00:47:53The owner was
00:47:54an elderly Omega woman.
00:47:55She never asked
00:47:56about my past.
00:47:57She only left
00:47:58warm soup by my door.
00:48:00Drink it while it is warm,
00:48:02child.
00:48:02A wolf that survives
00:48:04winter will eventually
00:48:05find spring.
00:48:14One snowy evening,
00:48:15a tall man
00:48:16entered the shop
00:48:17with a torn
00:48:17ceremonial cloak.
00:48:19His scent was
00:48:20clean snow and pine.
00:48:23He was Adrian Winter,
00:48:25Alpha of Frostcrown,
00:48:26and one of the neutral
00:48:28court's arbitersers.
00:48:29He looked at the silver scars
00:48:31on my wrist,
00:48:31and then at my
00:48:32lowered head.
00:48:34He did not ask
00:48:35who had hurt me.
00:48:37He only said,
00:48:38Your wolf is still alive.
00:48:40My fingers froze
00:48:41on the needle.
00:48:51Let her stand
00:48:52when she is ready.
00:48:53Do not force her
00:48:54to kneel for anyone again.
00:48:57That was the first time
00:48:58since leaving Blackport
00:48:59that I cried.
00:49:03Not because of pain.
00:49:05Because someone had
00:49:06seen the part of me
00:49:07that was still alive.
00:49:11Adrian courted me slowly.
00:49:15On full moon nights,
00:49:16he sat with me
00:49:17in the yard
00:49:18behind the shop
00:49:19and watched
00:49:20my white wolf spirit
00:49:21try to stand
00:49:21beneath the moonlight.
00:49:23When backlash struck,
00:49:24he used his Alpha scent
00:49:25to shield me
00:49:26from the worst of the pain,
00:49:27but he never forced
00:49:28touch on me.
00:49:30Once,
00:49:31I asked him,
00:49:33Does it bother you
00:49:34that I severed
00:49:34a mate bond before?
00:49:35He looked at me
00:49:36with steady seriousness.
00:49:38You are not
00:49:38someone's used possession.
00:49:40You are Serena.
00:49:41If you want to accept me,
00:49:42I will wait.
00:49:44If you do not,
00:49:45I will still protect
00:49:46everyone in the neutral lands,
00:49:47including you.
00:49:49Something touched
00:49:49my heart softly.
00:49:53I had thought
00:49:54it was dead.
00:49:56But when spring came,
00:49:57it insisted on living.
00:50:00One afternoon,
00:50:02Adrian and I
00:50:02returned from
00:50:03the neutral market.
00:50:04He carried fabric,
00:50:05and I held a bag
00:50:05of moon oranges.
00:50:07The wind chimes
00:50:07at the corner
00:50:08rang lightly.
00:50:09I had just laughed
00:50:10at something he said
00:50:11when I caught
00:50:11a familiar scent
00:50:12of cedar and mint.
00:50:16My smile froze.
00:50:20Kellan stood
00:50:21beneath the stone bridge.
00:50:23He had lost weight.
00:50:24His eyes were bloodshot.
00:50:25The alpha aura
00:50:27that had once been
00:50:27sharp and untouchable
00:50:28was now chaotic
00:50:29and unstable.
00:50:32Serena,
00:50:34I finally found you.
00:50:38I stepped back
00:50:39without thinking.
00:50:43Adrian held my hand
00:50:44and stood in front of me.
00:50:48Alpha,
00:50:49you are frightening her.
00:50:55Kellen stared
00:50:55at our joined hands.
00:50:57His wolf surged
00:50:58in his eyes.
00:51:00Who are you
00:51:01to touch her?
00:51:01She is my mate!
00:51:06I am not.
00:51:07He rushed forward
00:51:08to grab my arm.
00:51:09I know I was wrong.
00:51:10Vivian lied to me.
00:51:11I have found out everything.
00:51:12I locked her away.
00:51:13She will never appear
00:51:14before you again.
00:51:15Come back to Black Pine
00:51:16with me.
00:51:17We can start over.
00:51:18His tone was humble,
00:51:19unlike the arrogant
00:51:20alpha I remembered.
00:51:22But I only felt disgust.
00:51:25Let go.
00:51:27He did not.
00:51:32Adrian closed his hand
00:51:33around Kellen's wrist.
00:51:34She told you to let go.
00:51:36The next second,
00:51:37Kellen swung a fist at him.
00:51:39Two alpha eras
00:51:41collided on the street.
00:51:43Ordinary wolves nearby
00:51:44went pale under the pressure.
00:51:48Kellen fought like a madman,
00:51:50striking toward vital points.
00:51:57She is mine!
00:52:00From the moment you chose
00:52:02to betray Serena,
00:52:03she ceased to belong to you.
00:52:05Especially now that she has
00:52:06severed her ties as your partner.
00:52:08Partner.
00:52:09She belongs only to herself.
00:52:13While Adrian shielded me,
00:52:15Kellen drove a fist
00:52:16towards his temple.
00:52:24I saw a wooden flag
00:52:25go by the road.
00:52:27My body moved
00:52:28before my mind did.
00:52:35I grabbed the pole
00:52:36and struck Kellen
00:52:36across the back.
00:52:41Kellen took a step back
00:52:43in disbelief.
00:52:46Adrian turned sharply.
00:52:50Serena!
00:52:51I stood there,
00:52:52both hands shaking
00:52:53around the pole,
00:52:54my breath unbeaven.
00:52:57Kellen looked back at me
00:52:58in dis-disbelief.
00:53:02You hit me?
00:53:03I gazed at him,
00:53:05my eyes holding nothing
00:53:06but unfamiliarity
00:53:07and war-offing.
00:53:11Yes.
00:53:12And if you touch him again,
00:53:14I will hit you harder.
00:53:16For a long moment,
00:53:18something in his expression
00:53:19shattered.
00:53:22Perhaps in his memory,
00:53:23I was still the woman
00:53:25who would wait at the door
00:53:26with warm soup
00:53:26no matter how late
00:53:27he came home.
00:53:28But that woman had died
00:53:29in the silver-lined chamber.
00:53:34The neutral guards
00:53:35arrived quickly
00:53:36and separated them.
00:53:41Kellen stared at me
00:53:42as if he wanted
00:53:43to say a thousand things.
00:53:46I did not give him
00:53:48the chance.
00:53:49I took Adrian's hand
00:53:51and walked away.
00:53:52Behind me,
00:53:53Kellen's voice broke.
00:53:55Serena!
00:53:56I was wrong!
00:53:58Tell me what I have to do!
00:53:59I will do anything!
00:54:01I did not turn back.
00:54:05Because the answer
00:54:06was simple.
00:54:08There was nothing
00:54:09he could do.
00:54:15That evening,
00:54:16Adrian disfected
00:54:17the torn skin
00:54:18on my palm.
00:54:21You did not have
00:54:22to protect me.
00:54:23I know.
00:54:25I wanted to.
00:54:28He looked at me
00:54:28for a long time,
00:54:29then lowered his eyes
00:54:30with a faint smile.
00:54:32Then I am honored.
00:54:35When Kellen woke,
00:54:37he was in the
00:54:37neutral healing center.
00:54:39Beta reported to him
00:54:40all the interrogation
00:54:41results regarding Vivian.
00:54:43Kellen pulled out
00:54:43the blood needle
00:54:44and said only one thing.
00:54:46I want to see her.
00:54:47Seth urged him
00:54:48to return to Black Pine.
00:54:50Alpha,
00:54:51you cannot keep
00:54:51losing control.
00:54:53Black Pine needs you.
00:54:54The elders were
00:54:55preparing a vote
00:54:56to suspend his authority
00:54:57because he had left
00:54:58the territory
00:54:59without permission.
00:55:01Smaller packs
00:55:01were testing
00:55:02the Black Pine border.
00:55:04Kellen did not
00:55:04seem to hear.
00:55:08Bring Vivian.
00:55:09I will make her
00:55:10kneel before Serena
00:55:11and return everything
00:55:12she owes.
00:55:12When Aunt Vivian
00:55:13was dragged out
00:55:14of Silvermoon Sanatorium,
00:55:16none of her old
00:55:16pureblood pride
00:55:17remained.
00:55:18Her hair
00:55:19was tangled.
00:55:21moon iron chains
00:55:22locked around her wrists
00:55:23to suppress her wolf.
00:55:25The moment she saw
00:55:26Kellen,
00:55:26she rushed toward him
00:55:27crying.
00:55:32Kellen,
00:55:33you finally came
00:55:34to see me.
00:55:35I know I was wrong.
00:55:36I really do.
00:55:38Kellen did not
00:55:38even look at her.
00:55:41He ordered the guards
00:55:42to press her down
00:55:43in front of my shop.
00:55:45That day,
00:55:46I was hemming
00:55:47a full moon cloak
00:55:48for a pup.
00:55:50When I heard
00:55:50the commotion
00:55:51and looked up,
00:55:51I saw forced
00:55:52to sneal in the rain.
00:55:57Kellen stood
00:55:58behind Vivian.
00:55:59In his eyes
00:56:00was a desperate,
00:56:00almost obsessive hope.
00:56:02Serena,
00:56:03she is here
00:56:04to confess.
00:56:05Vivian trembled
00:56:06as she spoke.
00:56:06I am sorry, Luna.
00:56:08No, Serena.
00:56:09I should not have
00:56:10framed you
00:56:10for the Wolfsabane.
00:56:11I should not have
00:56:11forged Facebook posts.
00:56:12I should not have
00:56:13lied to Kellen
00:56:14and said I carried
00:56:14an alpha pup.
00:56:15I should not have
00:56:16arranged the rogue attack
00:56:16and blamed you.
00:56:19I was wrong.
00:56:20Please,
00:56:20ask him to despair me.
00:56:23She cried miserably,
00:56:24her knees sinking
00:56:25into mud.
00:56:26Wailwolves gathered
00:56:27around to watch.
00:56:28Kellen looked at me,
00:56:29his voice low
00:56:30and pleading.
00:56:31See?
00:56:31She admitted it.
00:56:32You can punish her
00:56:33however you want.
00:56:34Make her kneel
00:56:35as long as you like.
00:56:36Lock her away.
00:56:36Exile her as a rogue.
00:56:38I will listen to you.
00:56:39He paused.
00:56:40As long as you
00:56:41come back with me.
00:56:42I laughed suddenly.
00:56:45Not because it felt good,
00:56:47but because it was absurd.
00:56:49Kellen,
00:56:50do you think this
00:56:51cancels out what I suffered?
00:56:52His face turned pale.
00:56:56I pointed at Vivian,
00:56:57kneeling on the ground,
00:56:58then at him.
00:57:01You once pushed me
00:57:02toward a silver blade
00:57:03for her.
00:57:03You locked me
00:57:04in a silver line chamber
00:57:05for her.
00:57:05You spread my private shame
00:57:06across Facebook for her.
00:57:07Now, for me,
00:57:08you make her kneel
00:57:08in public without hesitation.
00:57:10Whether it is her or me,
00:57:11in your eyes,
00:57:11we are only objects
00:57:12you can arrange
00:57:12and punish
00:57:13whenever you wish,
00:57:14aren't we?
00:57:15Kellen froze.
00:57:16No!
00:57:17I only wanted you
00:57:18to feel avenged.
00:57:19I smiled calmly,
00:57:21my gaze toward
00:57:22and felled with sympathy.
00:57:23You still do not understand
00:57:25what respect means.
00:57:26I turned and picked up
00:57:28the umbrella beside the door.
00:57:31Adrian was already
00:57:32standing in the rain.
00:57:33He had not interfered.
00:57:35He was simply waiting
00:57:37for my choice.
00:57:40I walked to his side.
00:57:43Kellen panicked
00:57:44and tried to rush over,
00:57:46but the neutral guards
00:57:47blocked him.
00:57:48Serena!
00:57:49Don't choose him!
00:57:52I was your first mate!
00:57:54He can never replace me!
00:57:56I looked back at him
00:57:57one last time.
00:58:01Take your self-righteousness
00:58:03and arrogance
00:58:03and leave.
00:58:05I do not need it.
00:58:07Rain blurred his face.
00:58:09For the first time,
00:58:10I saw him truly helpless.
00:58:12But,
00:58:13helplessness was not regret.
00:58:15And regret was not love.
00:58:18I did not attend
00:58:19the court hearing.
00:58:21I only submitted
00:58:23a blood-sealed testimony.
00:58:24It contained records
00:58:26of my silver wound,
00:58:27wolf-band tests,
00:58:28Vivian's forged documents,
00:58:30screenshots from Facebook,
00:58:32and the healing records
00:58:33from before and after
00:58:34I was forced to sign
00:58:35in the punishment chamber.
00:58:37Adrian asked me,
00:58:41Do you want to watch him
00:58:42be judged with your own eyes?
00:58:43I shook my head.
00:58:48I do not need to see him fall
00:58:50to prove I survived.
00:58:51Still,
00:58:52the result reached
00:58:52the neutral lands.
00:58:54Kellen Black's
00:58:55Alpha Alpha authority
00:58:56is suspended
00:58:56for one year.
00:58:58The Black Pine Elders Council
00:58:59must issue a public apology
00:59:01to the neutral court.
00:59:03Vivian will be stripped
00:59:04of her pure blood status
00:59:06and exiled
00:59:06to the Frost Labor Lands
00:59:07for forging an air bloodline
00:59:09and harming
00:59:09a registered Luna.
00:59:13Seth will lose one fang
00:59:15and be expelled
00:59:16from Black Pine.
00:59:20Kellen refused
00:59:21to accept
00:59:22the distance between us.
00:59:27Later,
00:59:28someone from Frostcrown
00:59:29delivered him a message.
00:59:31Since you never understood pain,
00:59:32remember it
00:59:33with your own body.
00:59:37No one killed him.
00:59:38The court sentenced him
00:59:39to three months of service
00:59:40at the Silver Mine border,
00:59:42clearing old hunter traps
00:59:43contaminated with silver
00:59:44and wolf bite.
00:59:47It was the kind
00:59:48of low-ranking warrior's work
00:59:49he had once despised.
00:59:54I thought the court sentence
00:59:56would be the end.
00:59:57Vivian had been transferred
00:59:58from Silver Moon Sanatorium
00:59:59to the Frost Labor Lands
01:00:00after the neutral court ruling.
01:00:03Kellen had been sent
01:00:04to the Silver Mine border.
01:00:06Seth had lost one bang
01:00:07and vanished from Black Pine.
01:00:09Later,
01:00:10I learned that several
01:00:11old retainers
01:00:11of Vivian's family
01:00:12grabbed the escort guards
01:00:13during the transfer
01:00:14and helped her escape
01:00:15into the Frostcrown border woods.
01:00:17Kellen heard of Vivian's escape
01:00:18while serving his sentence
01:00:19near the Silver Mine border.
01:00:20He knew her hatred
01:00:21would lead her to me.
01:00:22So he followed
01:00:23the rogue scent trail
01:00:24all night.
01:00:25Before leaving the mine border,
01:00:27he had already prepared
01:00:28a blood-sealed transfer file
01:00:29and the Black Pine Luna crown,
01:00:31intending to leave them
01:00:31with the neutral court
01:00:32as compensation
01:00:33after his sentence ended.
01:00:34For a few quiet days,
01:00:36I almost believed
01:00:37the old nightmare
01:00:37had finally stopped breathing.
01:00:41That night,
01:00:42Adrian came to my shop
01:00:43to pick me up.
01:00:44The patrols found
01:00:44strange tracks
01:00:45near the North Woods.
01:00:46Stay close to me tonight.
01:00:51Before I could answer,
01:00:52a low laugh
01:00:53came from the fog.
01:00:56Vivian stepped out
01:00:57from behind the trees.
01:00:58Her white dancer's gown
01:00:59was torn,
01:01:00her hair tangled,
01:01:01but the hatred in her eyes
01:01:02was sharper than ever.
01:01:06You took everything
01:01:07from me, Serena!
01:01:09Behind her stood rogue wolves.
01:01:11Their bodies smelled of blood,
01:01:13hunger,
01:01:13and old crimes.
01:01:16She promised us
01:01:17Frostcrown's Luna.
01:01:18Kill the woman.
01:01:20Take the reward.
01:01:22Adrian's eyes went cold.
01:01:25Vivian,
01:01:25you have just turned exile
01:01:27into a death sentence.
01:01:29Vivian stepped out
01:01:29from behind the trees.
01:01:31She deserves
01:01:32to die!
01:01:33To die!
01:01:34If I cannot be Luna,
01:01:36neither can she!
01:01:37Vivian screamed.
01:01:41The rogue wolves
01:01:42lunged.
01:01:46Adrian threw one aside,
01:01:47but another came at me
01:01:49from behind
01:01:49with a wolf's horn
01:01:50coated bladed.
01:01:52I heard the blade
01:01:53cut through the air.
01:01:54Then someone crashed
01:01:55into me
01:01:55and pulled me
01:01:56behind his body.
01:01:57The blade sank
01:01:58into Kellen's chest.
01:01:59Blood splashed
01:02:00across the snow.
01:02:02Caden stuggered,
01:02:03but he did not fall.
01:02:05His damaged wolf spirit
01:02:06roared once,
01:02:07forcing the rogue wolf back.
01:02:12This time,
01:02:14I did not push you
01:02:16toward the blade.
01:02:18I froze.
01:02:20Kellen turned
01:02:20his pale face
01:02:21toward me.
01:02:23Serena,
01:02:24run.
01:02:26Adrian killed
01:02:27one rogue wolf
01:02:28with a single strike.
01:02:29The Frostcrown guards
01:02:30arrived almost immediately
01:02:31and surrounded the woods.
01:02:32Vivian tried to flee,
01:02:33but Adrian's command
01:02:34froze every wolf
01:02:34in the clearing.
01:02:35Take her alive.
01:02:36No, Kellen,
01:02:36save me,
01:02:37you love me once!
01:02:38Vivian struggled wildly.
01:02:39Kellen did not even
01:02:40look at her.
01:02:40He knelt in the snow,
01:02:42one hand pressed
01:02:43against his chest.
01:02:44Black blood seeped
01:02:46through his fingers.
01:02:47The wolf spike
01:02:47on the blade
01:02:48had entered
01:02:48his old silver wounds.
01:02:50His wolf spirit
01:02:50was dying.
01:02:51Kellen took out
01:02:52the blood-sealed
01:02:52transfer file
01:02:53from inside his coat
01:02:54and pushed it
01:02:54toward me.
01:02:55Everything under
01:02:56my personal name,
01:02:57my private residence,
01:02:58my personal share
01:02:59of the border mines,
01:03:00the trade profits,
01:03:00and the compensation fund
01:03:02I prepared for you,
01:03:03all of it is yours.
01:03:04I did not reach for it.
01:03:05I do not want your money.
01:03:07Kellen gave a broken smile.
01:03:09Then burn it.
01:03:09Give it away.
01:03:11Use it to heal
01:03:11every low-bren wolf
01:03:12Black Pine ever humiliated.
01:03:14I only want it
01:03:15to stop belonging to me.
01:03:16His fingers trembled
01:03:17as he opened
01:03:18a dark velvet box.
01:03:19Inside laid
01:03:20the Black Pine Luna crown.
01:03:21It was not silver.
01:03:23It was carved
01:03:23from Black Pine wood,
01:03:24oxydion,
01:03:25and moonstone.
01:03:26The moonstone
01:03:27at the center
01:03:27glowed faintly
01:03:28under the full moon.
01:03:29Kellen lifted it
01:03:30with both hands.
01:03:31I had this locked away
01:03:32for three years.
01:03:33I told myself
01:03:34you were not ready for it.
01:03:35His voice broke.
01:03:38I was wrong.
01:03:39I was the one
01:03:40unworthy of standing
01:03:41beside you.
01:03:41He placed the crown
01:03:42on the snow before me.
01:03:43I am sorry.
01:03:44This should have
01:03:45belonged to you
01:03:46from the beginning.
01:03:47For a moment,
01:03:47I remembered the man
01:03:48I had once loved.
01:03:49Then I remembered
01:03:50every wound he had
01:03:51left behind.
01:03:52Kellen,
01:03:52I will not forgive you.
01:03:54I know.
01:03:55Kellen closed his eyes.
01:03:56One wounded rogue wolf
01:03:57suddenly crushed a vial
01:03:58of wolf-spot smoke
01:03:58under his claws.
01:03:59The bitter mist
01:04:00exploded through the clearing,
01:04:01breaking Adrian's command
01:04:02for a single second.
01:04:03Vivian tore free
01:04:04from the guard holding her,
01:04:05pulled a hidden dagger
01:04:05from her boot
01:04:06and rushed toward me.
01:04:07Kellen used the last
01:04:07of his strength to stand.
01:04:08He blocked her again.
01:04:10Kellen's wolf spirit
01:04:11shattered in the moonlight.
01:04:12Before he fell,
01:04:13he whispered one last sentence.
01:04:14At least,
01:04:15this time,
01:04:16I protected you.
01:04:18Then Kellen Black
01:04:18died in the snow.
01:04:20Vivian was brought
01:04:21before the Frost Crown
01:04:22Moon Goddess altar
01:04:23three days later.
01:04:23Her hands were bound
01:04:24with black iron chains.
01:04:25Her face was no longer beautiful.
01:04:26Fear had stripped away
01:04:27every trace of her old arrogance.
01:04:28Vivian,
01:04:28neutral court once sentenced
01:04:29you only to labor
01:04:29in the Frostlands,
01:04:30yet you remained incurcable.
01:04:32The neutral judge
01:04:32read her crimes aloud.
01:04:33Inspired with rogue wolves
01:04:34to harm Serena
01:04:35and cause the death
01:04:36of Black Pine's
01:04:37former alpha.
01:04:38In accordance
01:04:39with the werewolf code,
01:04:40your inner wolf
01:04:41will be stripped away
01:04:41and you will be
01:04:42permanently exiled
01:04:44from every pack registration.
01:04:46Vivian screamed
01:04:47until her voice cracked.
01:04:48I am pure blood!
01:04:50You cannot take my wolf!
01:04:56No one answered her.
01:04:58The moon goddess seal
01:04:59lit beneath her feet.
01:05:00A pale wolf shadow
01:05:01tore itself from her body.
01:05:02It struggled,
01:05:03howled,
01:05:03then shattered
01:05:04under the cold moonlight.
01:05:05Her body survived,
01:05:06but the wolf inside her
01:05:07was gone forever.
01:05:08She collapsed to the ground.
01:05:09For the first time,
01:05:10she had no wolf scent.
01:05:11No pack would accept her.
01:05:12No alpha command
01:05:13would answer her.
01:05:15No full moon
01:05:16would ever call to her again.
01:05:20She was dragged
01:05:21beyond the border
01:05:22and thrown into the wild.
01:05:23Three months later,
01:05:24at Adrian and I
01:05:25held a commitment ceremony,
01:05:26not a trial,
01:05:27a mate bonding ritual.
01:05:28I wore a white frost pattern
01:05:29Luna gown in submission for me,
01:05:30with no command in his eyes.
01:05:31I will respect your silence,
01:05:32your anger,
01:05:33your fear,
01:05:33and your freedom.
01:05:34I will honor your no
01:05:35before I ever ask for your yes.
01:05:36If one day you choose
01:05:37to walk away,
01:05:37I will not hunt you.
01:05:38If one day you choose to stay,
01:05:40I will never betray you.
01:05:41My eyes warmed.
01:05:42Under the full moon,
01:05:43my wolf spirit
01:05:43finally lifted her head.
01:05:45For the first time,
01:05:46she was not afraid.
01:05:46I stepped forward
01:05:47and placed my hand in his.
01:05:48Then I choose you.
01:05:49The frost crown wolves bowed.
01:05:51Adrian lowered his head
01:05:52and kissed the back
01:05:53of my hand like a vow.
01:05:54From this moon onward,
01:05:55you are not my possession.
01:05:56You are my equal.
01:05:57The moonlight fell over us,
01:05:59and this time,
01:06:00when the bond formed,
01:06:01did not feel like chains.
01:06:02It felt like home.
01:06:03I know that I have finally
01:06:05ushered in a brand new life.
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