- 6 minutes ago
Revenge In Ashes
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the mate selection ceremony.
00:04Isolde's voice rang through the hall.
00:06This time, I choose the wolf prince.
00:08I knew she came back from her memory too.
00:10And this time my sister had just stolen the wrong one.
00:13My sister Isolde and I both chose a shifter mate in our previous life.
00:17Last life, she chose the serpent prince Cassian.
00:19I was left with the wolf prince.
00:21Three years later, Isolde was dragged naked through the serpent palace.
00:25Cassian had failed his awakening.
00:27His power shattered.
00:28His brothers took everything he owned, including his wife.
00:32Meanwhile, the wolf prince as married survived the storm months ahead of schedule.
00:36He became the alpha king.
00:37The entire beast realm knelt before him.
00:39And I became the most powerful woman in his kingdom.
00:42Then Isolde pushed me off a cliff.
00:45When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the mate selection ceremony.
00:49This time, I choose the wolf prince.
00:52Isolde's voice rang through the hall.
00:54She stepped forward before anyone else could move.
00:56I knew she came back from her memory too.
00:58How wonderful.
00:59I am Saren, princess of the spirit fox.
01:01After losing the war, my father offered his daughters to the beast realm in exchange for peace.
01:05Today was the day we chose our husbands.
01:07And this time my sister had just stolen the wrong one.
01:10Last life, Isolde chose the serpent prince.
01:13He failed the awakening and she got passed around all princes like a toy.
01:17And my wolf prince became the alpha king.
01:19So this time she chose the one she despised the most.
01:22Good girl.
01:23Saren, the serpent prince is yours now.
01:26Thank you, Isolde.
01:27Isolde passed me, lowered her voice.
01:29Dear sister, I heard that the serpents are very attentive to their women.
01:34You'll have plenty of pleasures waiting for you there.
01:36She stared at my stunned face, smiled and walked away.
01:38She thought she had won.
01:39The serpent prince, last life, you died because Isolde refused to help you.
01:44But you have me now.
01:46Days later, Cassian and Fenris came for their brides.
01:49Neither of them had completed their awakening.
01:52They were now half human, half beast forms.
01:54Cassian was tall, unfairly handsome.
01:57His jaw carved from marble.
01:58Below his waist was a silver serpent tail, scales gleaming like wood moonlight.
02:02He gave me a nod.
02:03I tucked away my foxtails and walked to him.
02:05His hand glided over my fur.
02:07Feather light.
02:08A shiver ran through me.
02:09My eyes slit before I could think.
02:11Next to us, Fenris hoisted Isolde like a sack of grain, marched toward the carriage.
02:14Put, put me down!
02:16He ignored her completely.
02:17Last life, I was the one slung over his shoulder.
02:20I was terrified.
02:21But I knew when to talk, and somehow that pleased him.
02:24Isolde's face turned pale.
02:26She forced a stiff smile.
02:28What's so funny, little fox?
02:29You want a ride too?
02:30Before I knew what he meant, a flash of silver wrapped my waist and yanked.
02:34I was in his arms.
02:35He was cool against my skin.
02:36I could feel his steady heartbeat, and my face flushed red.
02:40Shy already?
02:41I'm not.
02:42I absolutely was.
02:43Unfortunately for my dignity, this man was exactly my type.
02:46The thought alone made my heart melt.
02:47That was how he carried me into the carriage.
02:50Once inside the carriage, Cassian coiled his tail and lay down.
02:53He was shaking.
02:54Are you cold?
02:56A little.
02:57I slowly shifted closer, wrapped my fluffy fur around him.
03:00Spirit foxes were born to heal.
03:01When we stayed near other shifters, their strength would recover.
03:04His entire body relaxed.
03:06He drifted off to sleep.
03:07We woke up entwined.
03:08Way too intimate to explain.
03:10I looked up and met his eyes.
03:11He took a deep breath and moved aside.
03:13Little fox, you may want to stay from me.
03:15I don't want to touch you now.
03:17My face burned.
03:18I crawled to the other end and curled into a ball.
03:20Come back.
03:21I was trying to protect you.
03:23You're still too young, silly.
03:24I bit my lip and moved back.
03:26He let me lie across his lap.
03:27His hand gently running through my fur again and again.
03:29I closed my eyes with joy.
03:31Strange.
03:32He murmured.
03:33Every time I groom your fur, I feel...
03:35stronger.
03:36Is that your fox clan's ability?
03:38I suppose so.
03:39You should do it more often.
03:42Benefit for both of us.
03:43Like I need your lesson?
03:45He countered with a low chuckle.
03:50When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the mate selection ceremony.
03:54Isolde's voice rang through the hall.
03:56This time, I choose the wolf prince.
03:58I knew she came back from her memory too.
04:00And this time, my sister had just stolen the wrong one.
04:03My sister Isolde and I both chose a shifter mate in our previous life.
04:07Last life, she chose the serpent prince Cassian.
04:09I was left with the wolf prince.
04:11Three years later, Isolde was dragged naked through the serpent palace.
04:15Cassian had failed his awakening.
04:17His power shattered.
04:18His brothers took everything he owned, including his wife.
04:21Meanwhile, the wolf prince is married, survived the storm months ahead of schedule.
04:26He became the alpha king.
04:27The entire beast realm knelt before him.
04:29And I became the most powerful woman in his kingdom.
04:32Then Isolde for the neophilus.
04:34When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the mate selection ceremony.
04:39This time, I choose the wolf prince.
04:42Isolde's voice rang through the hall.
04:43She stepped forward before anyone else could move.
04:46I knew she came back from her memory too.
04:48How wonderful.
04:48I am Saren, princess of the spirit fox.
04:51After losing the war, my father offered his daughters to the beast realm in exchange for peace.
04:55Today was the day we chose our husbands.
04:57And this time, my sister had just stolen the wrong one.
05:00Last life, Isolde chose the serpent prince.
05:02He failed the awakening and she got passed around all princes like a toy.
05:07And my wolf prince became the alpha king.
05:09So this time, she chose the one she despised the most.
05:12Good girl.
05:13Saren, the serpent prince is yours now.
05:16Thank you, Isolde.
05:17Isolde passed me, lowered her voice.
05:19Dear sister, I heard that the serpents are very attentive to their women.
05:23You'll have plenty of pleasures waiting for you there.
05:25She stared at my stunned face, smiled and walked away.
05:28She thought she had won.
05:29The serpent prince, last life.
05:31You died because Isolde refused to help you.
05:34But you have me now.
05:36Days later, Cassian and Fenris came for their brides.
05:39Neither of them had completed their awakening.
05:41They were now half human, half beast forms.
05:44Cassian was tall, unfairly handsome, his jaw carved from marble.
05:48Below his waist was a silver serpent tail, scales gleaming like wood moonlight.
05:52He gave me a nod.
05:53I tucked away my foxtails and walked to him.
05:55His hand glided over my fur.
05:57Feather light.
05:57A shiver ran through me.
05:59My eyes slit before I could think.
06:00Next to us, Fenris hoisted Isolde like a sack of grain.
06:03Marched toward the carriage.
06:04Put me down!
06:05He ignored her completely.
06:07Last life, I was the one slung over his shoulder.
06:10I was terrified.
06:11But I knew when to talk, and somehow that pleased him.
06:14Isolde's face turned pale.
06:16She forced a stiff smile.
06:17What's so funny, little fox?
06:19You want a ride too?
06:20Before I knew what he meant, a flash of silver wrapped my waist and yanked.
06:24I was in his arms.
06:25He was cool against my skin.
06:26I could feel his steady heartbeat, and my face flushed red.
06:29Shy already?
06:30I'm not.
06:31I absolutely was.
06:33Unfortunately for my dignity, this man was exactly my type.
06:36The thought alone made my heart melt.
06:37That was how he carried me into the carriage.
06:40Once inside the carriage, Cassian coiled his tail and lay down.
06:43He was shaking.
06:44Are you cold?
06:46A little.
06:46I slowly shifted closer, wrapped my fluffy fur around him.
06:49Spirit foxes were born to heal.
06:51When we stayed near other shifters, their strength would recover.
06:54His entire body relaxed.
06:56He drifted off to sleep.
06:57We woke up entwined, way too intimate to explain.
07:00I looked up and met his eyes.
07:01He took a deep breath and moved aside.
07:03Little fox, you may want to stay from me.
07:05I don't want to touch you now.
07:07My face burned.
07:08I crawled to the other end and curled into a ball.
07:10Come back.
07:11I was trying to protect you.
07:13You're still too young, silly.
07:14I bit my lip and moved back.
07:16He let me lie across his lap, his hand gently running through my fur again and again.
07:19I closed my eyes with joy.
07:21Strange.
07:21He murmured.
07:22Every time I groom your fur, I feel stronger.
07:25Is that your fox clan's ability?
07:28I suppose so.
07:29You should do it more often.
07:32Benefit for both of us.
07:33Like I need your lesson?
07:35He countered with a low chuckle.
07:40When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the mate selection ceremony.
07:44Isolde's voice rang through the hall.
07:45This time, I choose the wolf prince.
07:48I knew she came back from her memory too.
07:50And this time my sister had just stolen the wrong one.
07:52My sister Isolde and I both chose a shifter mate in our previous life.
07:56Last life, she chose the serpent prince Cassian.
07:59I was left with the wolf prince.
08:00Three years later, Isolde was dragged naked through the serpent palace.
08:04Cassian had failed his awakening.
08:06His power shattered.
08:08His brothers took everything he owned, including his wife.
08:11Meanwhile, the wolf prince as married survived the storm months ahead of schedule.
08:15He became the alpha king.
08:17The entire beast realm knelt before him.
08:19And I became the most powerful woman in his kingdom.
08:22Then Isolde pushed me off of this.
08:24When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the mate selection ceremony.
08:29This time, I choose the wolf prince.
08:31Isolde's voice rang through the hall.
08:33She stepped forward before anyone else could move.
08:35I knew she came back from her memory too.
08:37How wonderful.
08:38I am Saren, princess of the spirit fox.
08:40After losing the war, my father offered his daughters to the beast realm in exchange for
08:44peace.
08:45Today was the day we chose our husbands.
08:47And this time, my sister had just stolen the wrong one.
08:50Last life, Isolde chose the serpent prince.
08:52He failed the awakening and she got passed around all princes like a toy.
08:56And my wolf prince became the alpha king.
08:59So this time, she chose the one she despised the most.
09:02Good girl.
09:03Saren, the serpent prince is yours now.
09:06Thank you, Isolde.
09:07Isolde passed me, lowered her voice.
09:09Dear sister, I heard that the serpents are very attentive to their women.
09:13You'll have plenty of pleasures waiting for you there.
09:15She stared at my stunned face, smiled and walked away.
09:18She thought she had won.
09:19The serpent prince, last life, you died because Isolde refused to help you.
09:24But you have me now.
09:26Days later, Cassian and Fenris came for their brides.
09:29Neither of them had completed their awakening.
09:31They were now half human, half beast forms.
09:34Cassian was tall, unfairly handsome.
09:36His jaw carved from marble.
09:38Below his waist was a silver serpent tail, scales gleaming like wood moonlight.
09:41He gave me a nod.
09:43I tucked away my foxtails and walked to him.
09:45His hand glided over my fur.
09:47Feather light.
09:47A shiver ran through me.
09:49My eyes slit before I could think.
09:50Next to us, Fenris hoisted Isolde like a sack of grain.
09:53Marched toward the carriage.
09:54Put me down!
09:55He ignored her completely.
09:57Last life, I was the one slung over his shoulder.
10:00I was terrified.
10:00But I knew when to talk, and somehow that pleased him.
10:04Isolde's face turned pale.
10:06She forced a stiff smile.
10:07What's so funny, little fox?
10:09You want a ride too?
10:10Before I knew what he meant, a flash of silver wrapped my waist and yanked.
10:13I was in his arms.
10:14He was cool against my skin.
10:16I could feel his steady heartbeat, and my face flushed red.
10:19Shy already?
10:20I'm not.
10:21I absolutely was.
10:23Unfortunately for my dignity, this man was exactly my type.
10:25The thought alone made my heart melt.
10:27That was how he carried me into the carriage.
10:29Once inside the carriage, Cassian coiled his tail and lay down.
10:33He was shaking.
10:34Are you cold?
10:35A little.
10:36I slowly shifted closer, wrapped my fluffy fur around him.
10:39Spirit foxes were born to heal.
10:41When we stayed near other shifters, their strength would recover.
10:44His entire body relaxed.
10:46He drifted off to sleep.
10:47We woke up entwined, way too intimate to explain.
10:49I looked up and met his eyes.
10:51He took a deep breath and moved aside.
10:53Little fox, you may want to stay from me.
10:55I don't want to touch you now.
10:56My face burned.
10:58I crawled to the other end and curled into a ball.
11:00Come back.
11:01I was trying to protect you.
11:02You're still too young, silly.
11:04I bit my lip and moved back.
11:05He let me lie across his lap, his hand gently running through my fur again and again.
11:09I closed my eyes with joy.
11:11Strange.
11:11He murmured.
11:12Every time I groom your fur, I feel...
11:14Stronger.
11:15Is that your fox clan's ability?
11:17I suppose so.
11:19You should do it more often.
11:21Benefit for both of us.
11:23Like I need your lesson?
11:24He countered with a low chuckle.
11:26The first thing I did after my rebirth was switch grooms with my sister.
11:29In my past life, my gentle sister Sylvia married the Alpha, tragically murdered by the scheming
11:33priestess, Evelyn.
11:34Luna was beautifully, delightfully savage.
11:37Look at me, if you dare step out of that door tonight.
11:39I will forcibly sever our soul covenant.
11:41Try me, my wolf king.
11:43The first thing I did after my rebirth was switch grooms with my sister.
11:46Neither my sister nor I had ever laid eyes on our betrothed.
11:48Our wedding night was meant to be our very first meeting.
11:50In my past life, my gentle sister Sylvia married the Alpha of the Silvercrest Pack, only to
11:55be tragically murdered by the scheming priestess, Evelyn.
11:57Meanwhile, I was wed to the warmongering Logan.
12:00We clawed each other from dawn to dusk, our relationship a toxic nightmare, until we finally
12:03severed our soul covenant.
12:05Reborn, I decided to switch our paths.
12:08I would fight for both of our happy endings.
12:12Go.
12:13A gentle life suits you better.
12:21To keep scent from interfering with the Alliance, our packs had agreed to a blind marriage.
12:26Before the vows were finalized, I wore a heavy, sacred moon veinal, completely masking my scent
12:32and my face.
12:36Alpha, High Priestess Evelyn is in the grip of moon madness.
12:38She needs your help immediately.
12:39Look at me, if you dare step out of that door tonight.
12:41I will forcibly sever our soul covenant.
12:42Even if we both lose our minds and degrade into mindless fallen beasts, I will never
12:46let you go.
12:47Try me, my wolf king!
12:56You really are a wild she-wolf in sheep's clothing, Sierra.
12:59I love it.
13:07My wolf senses caught a metallic taint.
13:10Silver dust.
13:11It was a lethal poison designed to burn the skin and cause a miscarriage.
13:14Sister, I really didn't mean to disrupt your night.
13:20I am so sorry.
13:22The frenzy left me so weak.
13:25My sister was killed by this exact drug in her past life.
13:28Her veins blacked by this very poison.
13:35Weak?
13:44Are you awake now, my dear sister?
13:48Luna was beautifully, delightfully savage.
13:54You all saw it.
13:56Raising my voice to command the room, weak to manage her duties.
13:59How could she possibly handle the pack's sacred ledgers in this state?
14:09The new Luna is nothing but a savage raised in the wild.
14:12She can't even read the sacred ancient runes of our ancestors.
14:15I first knew her answer to the brain.
14:17I first knew her answer to the brain.
14:18I first knew her answer to the brain.
14:19I first knew her answer to the brain.
14:21Soon, the autumn full moon festival arrived.
14:24Evelyn began to sing.
14:25The melody was the long-lost time of the ancestral moon.
14:29Its lyrips written entirely in ancient runes.
14:31A song only the noblest omegas could supposedly master.
14:34Her song was a declaration to the entire tribe.
14:37Even if Sierra claimed the wolf king's bed,
14:39she is nothing but an illiterate, worthless beast unworthy of silverbrie.
14:49The first thing I did after my rebirth was switch grooms with my sister.
14:52In my past life, my gentle sister Sylvia married the Alpha,
14:54tragically murdered by the scheming priestess, Evelyn.
14:57Luna was beautifully, delightfully savage.
15:00Look at me, Eve!
15:01Dare step out of that door tonight!
15:02I will forcibly sever our soul covenant!
15:03Try me, my wolf king!
15:05The first thing I did after my rebirth was switch grooms with my sister.
15:08Neither my sister nor I had ever laid eyes on our betrothed.
15:11Our wedding night was meant to be our very first meeting.
15:13In my past life, my gentle sister Sylvia married the Alpha of the Silvercrest Pack,
15:17only to be tragically murdered by the scheming priestess, Evelyn.
15:20Meanwhile, I was wed to the warmongering Logan.
15:22We clawed each other from dawn to dusk,
15:24our relationship a toxic nightmare until we finally severed our soul covenant.
15:28Reborn, I decided to switch our paths.
15:30I would fight for both of our happy endings.
15:35Go.
15:36A gentle life suits you better.
15:43To keep Scent from interfering with the Alliance,
15:46our packs had agreed to a blind marriage.
15:49Before the vows were finalized,
15:51I wore a heavy, sacred moon veinal,
15:53completely masking my scent and my face.
15:59Alpha, High Priestess Evelyn is in the grip of moon madness!
16:01She needs your help immediately!
16:02Look at me, Eve!
16:02Dare step out of that door tonight!
16:03I will forcibly sever our soul covenant!
16:05Even if we both lose our minds and degrade into mindless fallen beasts,
16:08I will never let you go!
16:09Try me, my wolf king!
16:19You really are a wild she-wolf in sheep's clothing, Sierra.
16:22I love it.
16:29My wolf senses caught a metallic taint.
16:32Silver dust.
16:33It was a lethal poison designed to burn the skin and cause a miscarriage.
16:36Sister, I really didn't mean to disrupt your night.
16:43I am so sorry!
16:45The frenzy left me so weak!
16:47My sister was killed by this exact drug in her past life,
16:51her veins blacked by this very poison.
16:57Weak!
17:07Are you awake now, my dear sister?
17:11Luna was beautifully, delightfully savage.
17:17You all saw it.
17:18Raising my voice to command the room, weak to manage her duties.
17:22How could she possibly handle the pack's sacred ledgers in this state?
17:27A little bit.
17:32The new Luna is nothing but a savage raised in the wild.
17:35She can't even read the sacred ancient runes of our ancestors.
17:43Soon, the Autumn Full Moon Festival arrived.
17:46Evelyn began to sing.
17:48The melody was the long-lost hymn of the ancestral moon,
17:51its lyrips written entirely in ancient runes,
17:54a song only the noblest omegas could supposedly master.
17:57Her song was a declaration to the entire tribe.
18:00Even if Sierra claimed the Wolf King's bed,
18:02she is nothing but an illiterate, worthless beast unworthy of silverbree.
18:11The first thing I did after my rebirth was switch grooms with my sister.
18:14In my past life, my gentle sister Sylvia married the Alpha,
18:17tragically murdered by the scheming priestess Evelyn.
18:19Luna was beautifully, delightfully savage.
18:23Look at me, Eve, dare step out of that door tonight.
18:24I will forcibly sever our soul covenant.
18:26Try me, my Wolf King!
18:28The first thing I did after my rebirth was switch grooms with my sister.
18:31Neither my sister nor I had ever laid eyes on our betrothed.
18:33Our wedding night was meant to be our very first meeting.
18:35In my past life, my gentle sister Sylvia married the Alpha of the Silvercrest Pack,
18:40only to be tragically murdered by the scheming priestess Evelyn.
18:43Meanwhile, I was wed to the warmongering Logan.
18:45We clawed each other from dawn to dusk,
18:46our relationship a toxic nightmare until we finally severed our soul covenant.
18:50Reborn, I decided to switch our paths.
18:53I would fight for both of our happy endings.
19:05To keep scent from interfering with the Alliance,
19:09our packs had agreed to a blind marriage.
19:11Before the vows were finalized,
19:13I wore a heavy, sacred moon veinal,
19:16completely masking my scent and my face.
19:21Alpha, High Priestess Evelyn is in the grip of Moon Madness.
19:23She needs your help immediately.
19:24Look at me, Eitha, dare step out of that door tonight.
19:26I will force it to de-sever our soul covenant.
19:28Even if we both lose our minds and degrade into mindless fallen beasts,
19:30I will never let you go.
19:32Try me, my Wolf King!
19:41You really are a wild she-wolf in sheep's clothing, Sierra.
19:44I love it.
19:52My wolf senses caught a metallic taint.
19:55Silver dust.
19:56It was a lethal poison designed to burn the skin and cause a miscarriage.
19:59Sister, I really didn't mean to disrupt your night.
20:05I am so sorry.
20:07The frenzy left me so weak.
20:10My sister was killed by this exact drug in her past life,
20:13her veins blacked by this very poison.
20:20Weak?
20:29Are you awake now, my dear sister?
20:33Luna was beautifully, delightfully savage.
20:39You all saw it.
20:41Raising my voice to command the room, weak to manage her duties.
20:44How could she possibly handle the pack's sacred ledgers in this state?
20:55My first new Luna is nothing but a savage raised in the wild.
20:58She can't even read the sacred ancient runes of our ancestors.
21:00My first new era, I was going to bring myself to my parents, and I was going to study.
21:06Soon, the autumn full moon festival arrived.
21:09Evelyn began to sing.
21:11The melody was the long-lost hymn of the ancestral moon,
21:14its lyrips written entirely in ancient runes,
21:16a song only the noblest omegas could supposedly master.
21:19Her song was a declaration to the entire tribe.
21:22Even if Sierra claimed the Wolf King's bed,
21:25she is nothing but an illiterate, worthless beast unworthy of silverbree.
21:31At least, that was what I believed, until tonight.
21:33Then she lifted the hem of her battle tunic.
21:35It was a mark left by Alpha Energy.
21:36The silver-white mate mark cracked open.
21:37Mason lunged to his feet and stepped in front of Terra.
21:39Tomorrow's Luna ceremony, give it to Terra first.
21:41What did you say?
21:43Mason Blackwood, I, Elena Shaw,
21:45under the witness of the moon goddess,
21:47reject you as my mate.
21:48From this moment, you are no longer my Alpha,
21:50and I am no longer your Luna.
21:52I turned and walked out.
21:53Adrian, you said once,
21:55if my mate ever didn't want me, you would take me away.
21:57Then he said,
21:58I never took it back.
21:59When the blood moon rose,
22:00the entire Black River forest scene died in a shade of dark crimson.
22:03The towering pines swayed in the night wind,
22:05and between their branches came the low panting of a-
22:07In the distance, a bonfire was ringed by warriors,
22:10its flames illuminating wolf-blown totems,
22:12the silver moonstone,
22:13and the man about to be named Alpha, Mason Blackwood.
22:16Tomorrow, he would stand before the moonstone
22:17and take the mantle of Alpha,
22:18and I, Elena Shaw, would stand at his side
22:20as his fated mate of Black River's Luna.
22:22At least, that was what I believed,
22:24until tonight.
22:24The hunt was over.
22:25The warriors had gathered around the fire,
22:26drinking, jeering, jostling one another.
22:28Tara Quinn sat beside Mason,
22:29one boot propped on a wooden stool,
22:31her short hair damp with sweat,
22:32laughing loud and wild, and unapologetic.
22:33She was a female warrior
22:34who had trained alongside Mason since childhood.
22:36In Black River,
22:36everyone knew how close she and mate were.
22:38She could sling an arm over his shoulder without a thought,
22:40walk into his training room unannounced.
22:41And whenever someone raised an eyebrow,
22:42she would grin and say,
22:43Relax.
22:44I'm his pack brother.
22:46I had once tried to believe that,
22:47until tonight,
22:48when the drinking game landed on her.
22:49Someone shouted, egging her on,
22:50Tara, come on!
22:51You and Mason seriously just brothers?
22:53He ever leave an alpha mark on you?
22:55Laughter ruckled around the fire.
22:56Mason, who had been leaning back in his chair, stiffened.
22:59Tara, don't.
23:02But Tara rose slowly,
23:03like she'd had one drink too many.
23:05A glass in one hand,
23:06the other hooked lazily over her belt.
23:07She looked at me and smiled.
23:08Why shouldn't I say it?
23:09Elena's the future Luna.
23:10She's got to be the most generous of all.
23:12A cold fist closed around my heart,
23:13then she lifted the hem of her battle tunic.
23:15A dark red wolf-shaped mark.
23:16Not an ordinary scar.
23:17It was a mark left by alpha energy.
23:19The imprint carried Mason's scent so clear
23:21that my mate mark flared white-hot.
23:23Silence crashed over the bonfire.
23:24Every pair of eyes found me.
23:25Beneath my collarbone,
23:26the silver-white mate mark cracked open,
23:28a hairline fracture splitting through it.
23:29Pain spread along my veins like poison.
23:31I could barely keep my feet.
23:32Mason lunged to his feet and stepped in front of Tara.
23:34Tara! Enough!
23:35Tara let her tunic fall and shrugged.
23:36Oh, don't be so tense.
23:38I nearly died at the border once.
23:40Mason used his alpha energy to save my life.
23:42That's all.
23:43She looked at me, and her smile was innocent.
23:45Elena won't mind, right, sister-in-law?
23:48Every time she called me that,
23:49it felt like a reminder,
23:50and all I could do was accept it.
23:51The blood moon hung its red light across my face,
23:53and all I felt was a cool so deep it hollowed me out.
23:55He saw what the mark did to me,
23:57and he still stepped in front of her.
24:01When the party ended,
24:02I followed Mason back to the alpha house.
24:04He didn't say a word the entire way.
24:05Only when we were inside
24:06did he press his fingers to his brow,
24:08exhaustion in his voice.
24:09Elena, don't let tonight get inside your head.
24:10That's just how Tara is.
24:12She never learned where the line is.
24:14I looked at him.
24:14That mark is real.
24:17Silent.
24:18Cold, crept into my fingertips.
24:19I told you, after tomorrow's Luna ceremony,
24:20I'll give you the most honored mark there is.
24:22But she already carries yours.
24:25So she gets to bear your alpha mark in front of everyone,
24:27and I,
24:28your fated mate,
24:29get to stand there and be made a laughingstock?
24:31His expression darkened.
24:31It's not the same.
24:33She was dying.
24:34I saved her.
24:35Elena, don't be so sensitive.
24:37Tara's my pack sister.
24:38Her father saved my father's life,
24:39and now the wolf venom's spreading through him.
24:41The healers say he doesn't have much time.
24:43She's just hurting.
24:43So,
24:44I held his gaze.
24:45Mason looked away.
24:46For a long moment,
24:46he said nothing.
24:47Then his voice low.
24:48Tomorrow's Luna ceremony.
24:49Give it to Tara first.
24:51What did you say?
24:54Her father's last wish
24:55is to see her stand at my side
24:56as Black River's Luna.
24:57It's just a ceremony.
24:58Once he closes his eyes in peace,
24:59I'll give you another one.
25:01Just a ceremony.
25:02The Luna ceremony
25:03before the moonstone
25:04is a packed acknowledgement
25:04of its Luna.
25:05It's not just a wedding.
25:06It is dignity.
25:07It is the moon goddess's blessing.
25:09It is where the mate bond
25:10is meant to be completed.
25:11I had waited five years,
25:12and what I got
25:13was Mason saying it lightly.
25:13Give it to her first.
25:15I understood then.
25:16You're right.
25:17The most important thing
25:18for a wolf
25:19is keeping your word.
25:20He thought I'd agreed.
25:20He even stepped forward
25:21to pull me into his arms.
25:22Mason, I'm tired.
25:23I stepped back.
25:24I want to be alone for a while.
25:25He thought I was still silking.
25:26He sighed, turned,
25:27and went to call the elders
25:28to arrange for the change of Luna's name
25:29at tomorrow's ceremony.
25:30I went to our room
25:31and pulled down my suitcase.
25:32In five years,
25:33I had filled this room
25:33with so many things.
25:34Medicine boxes,
25:35shirts, calming herbs,
25:36the soda water he liked.
25:37I took none of it.
25:38In the end,
25:39I took only my identification papers
25:41and my Luna gown,
25:42the one not yet finished
25:43with its final silver thread embroidery.
25:44Before I walked out,
25:45I dialed a number
25:45I hadn't touched in a long time.
25:48Elena?
25:49But the moment I heard his voice,
25:50tears fell.
25:51Adrian,
25:51Adrian,
25:53you said once
25:55if my mate ever didn't want me,
25:57you would take me away.
25:59Silence on the other end.
26:00Two heartbeats.
26:01Long enough that I thought
26:02he'd forgotten
26:02that boyhood promise under the moon.
26:04Then he said,
26:04I never took it back.
26:08Before I could leave,
26:09the door swung open.
26:09Why is your alpha house
26:10still so damn big?
26:12That hallway's as long
26:12as the border patrol route.
26:14I told you to ease up
26:14on the drinks.
26:15Mason was back.
26:16Elena.
26:16Then he looked up and saw me.
26:17Tara's staying here
26:18for a few days.
26:19My grip on the suitcase
26:19handle tightened.
26:20Here?
26:21Her dad's condition is bad.
26:22Her emotions are all over the place.
26:24The healers say
26:25the wolf venom is spreading.
26:26She could break at any moment.
26:27He said it so naturally.
26:29The alpha house has guards
26:30and it's easier for me
26:31to look after her.
26:33I'll get you some water.
26:40Before I could speak,
26:41Tara was already moving
26:41through the house.
26:42Ten minutes later,
26:43she walked out of
26:43Mason's private bathroom.
26:44Your clothes really are
26:45the most comfortable.
26:46She was wearing a black alpha robe.
26:47I had washed that robe
26:48too many times to count.
26:49Mason,
26:50what are you standing around for?
26:51Come here.
26:52Tara,
26:52that's my mate's robe.
26:54Elena,
26:54don't be so uptight,
26:55okay?
26:55Mason and I have been sleeping
26:56in the same training tent
26:57since we were kids.
26:58When you're at war,
26:58who cares whose clothes are whose?
26:59Besides-
26:59Stop trying to niddle her.
27:01What's he faking for?
27:03Mason and I have been sleeping
27:04in the same training tent
27:04since we were kids.
27:05When you're at war,
27:06who cares whose clothes are whose?
27:08She ducked her head
27:08and sniffed the collar.
27:09Besides,
27:10I've worn it before.
27:10Pretty comfortable.
27:11Stop trying to niddle her.
27:12Mason's brow creased,
27:13but he didn't tell her
27:14to take it off
27:14and he didn't tell her
27:15to get off that bed.
27:16I suddenly felt ridiculous.
27:17Boundaries,
27:17I realized,
27:18were something
27:18only I had been guarding.
27:19Mason,
27:19if I'm still supposed
27:20to be your Luna tomorrow,
27:21then she shouldn't be
27:22wearing your clothes
27:22and sitting on our bed.
27:23His face darkened.
27:24Elena,
27:24you know what kind
27:25of person Tara is.
27:25In my eye,
27:26she's no different
27:26than one of the guys.
27:27Tara immediately
27:28hooked an arm around us.
27:29Exactly.
27:30If I really wanted
27:31to steal him,
27:31do you think you'd still
27:32be bound to him
27:32after five years?
27:34She shot me a smirk.
27:35You don't actually think
27:35I'd fall for him,
27:36do you?
27:37I watched their casual,
27:38effortless closeness
27:39and something in me
27:39went quiet.
27:41I picked up my suitcase
27:42and turned toward the door.
27:43Ugh, crap.
27:43I got my trainings
27:44all dirty.
27:45Mason,
27:45deal with this for me.
27:46Tara,
27:47are you insane?
27:47You want me to deal with that?
27:49What's the big deal?
27:49You're my brother.
27:50You got sick during training
27:51once and I wiped
27:52your boots clean.
27:53Not long after,
27:54Mason walked out
27:54holding those soiled
27:55training pants.
27:56He looked at me.
27:56Elena,
27:56she's not in a good place
27:57right now.
27:58I don't know how to handle this.
27:59Help her out.
28:00I stared at the clothes
28:00in his hands.
28:01The mate mark over my chest
28:02had gone numb from pain.
28:04Without thinking,
28:05I drew my hand back
28:06and slapped him hard
28:07across the face.
28:08The crack rang through
28:08the hallway.
28:10Mason Blackwood.
28:10I looked at him
28:11and I spoke each word
28:11clearly and coldly.
28:12I am not your maid
28:14and I am not the Luna
28:15you hand out
28:16to pay off your debts.
28:17Elena,
28:17what are you making
28:18a scene about now?
28:18His eyes went cold
28:19degree by degree.
28:20I'm not making a scene.
28:21I'm leaving.
28:21My voice was quiet.
28:22Every time,
28:23every single time.
28:24Is this fun for you?
28:25I've said it a hundred times.
28:26Tara is just my pack sister.
28:27Her father saved my family.
28:28I owe her.
28:29So that gives you the right
28:30to hand my Luna ceremony
28:31over to her?
28:31To let her wear your clothes,
28:33sleep in my bed
28:33and make me wash her filthy pants?
28:34You have to make it sound so ugly.
28:36Go cool off somewhere
28:37for a few days.
28:37After tomorrow's ceremony,
28:41I walked away
28:41and then the sound
28:42of the familiar roughhousing.
28:43I stood outside the alpha house.
28:44The blood moon had not yet set.
28:46Rain began to fall
28:46soaking my hair
28:47in the garment bag
28:48in my arms.
28:49My phone buzzed.
28:52Adrian had sent an address.
28:54The moon shrine
28:55is open for you.
28:57The car had just left
28:58Black River Territory
28:59when my phone buzzed again.
29:00A push notification
29:01from the pack circle.
29:02Tara had posted an update.
29:03The photo showed her
29:04in my Luna gown.
29:05The moon woven ceremonial robe
29:07I had spent half a year
29:07preparing by hand.
29:09Now it was on Tara.
29:11She stood before a mirror
29:12and Mason was there.
29:13The comments were already exploding.
29:14Tara looks way more like a Luna
29:15than Elena ever did.
29:16A strong female warrior.
29:18That's who belongs
29:19at an alpha's side.
29:20Elena's just some soft omega.
29:22She could never hold Black River.
29:23I stared at that photo
29:24and my fingers tightened.
29:25Turn around.
29:27Miss?
29:28Back to Black River.
29:2920 minutes later,
29:30I pushed open the door
29:31of the alpha house again.
29:32The living room was packed
29:33with Mason's friends and warriors.
29:34They had Tara at the center
29:35laughing, jeering.
29:36The noise was grating.
29:37Tara was wearing my Luna gown,
29:38spinning in the middle of the crowd.
29:39Didn't know you had it in you, Tara.
29:41You've actually got the look of a Luna.
29:43She's got way more presents
29:44than Elena ever did.
29:46Tara spotted me
29:46and a grin split her face.
29:47You came back?
29:49The dress is nice.
29:50Too damn girly, though.
29:51She spun around again, deliberately.
29:52I walked toward her.
29:54Take it off.
29:56Fine.
29:56Off it goes.
29:57She reached back to pull
29:58at the silver moon clasp.
29:59It was a moon goddess clasp.
30:00It only opens when the wearer
30:01releases their energy
30:02with a calm mind.
30:03Tara didn't know that.
30:04She just yanked.
30:05In that instant,
30:05every moon pattern
30:06on the robe flare too.
30:09Tara!
30:10The ceremonial rope tore
30:11and fell as the light needed.
30:13She took half a step back.
30:14Don't blame me.
30:15The thing's just too fragile.
30:16Enough, Elena.
30:17It's just a dress.
30:19When all this is over,
30:19I'll buy you a better one.
30:21Just a dress.
30:21I stared at him,
30:23uncomprehending.
30:23His brow was furrowed,
30:24his voice thick with irritation.
30:25Just a dress.
30:26He knew exactly
30:27what this gown meant.
30:28Mason,
30:29do you know something?
30:30I spent all this time
30:31wondering if I didn't do enough.
30:32He knew how many nights
30:33I'd stayed up.
30:33If I was too quiet,
30:35too easygoing,
30:36too unfit to be a Luna,
30:37now I know.
30:38I pressed my hand
30:39over the split mate mark
30:40beneath my collarbone.
30:41It's not that I wasn't good enough.
30:43Elena,
30:43don't say things
30:44you can't take back.
30:44Outside the window,
30:45the blood moon was swallowed
30:46by black clouds.
30:46Mason Blackwood,
30:48I, Elena Shaw,
30:49under the witness
30:50of the moon goddess,
30:51reject you as my mate.
30:52He freaked out.
30:53Elena,
30:53have you lost your mind?
30:54The mate bond isn't something
30:55you gamble on a tantrum.
30:56From this moment,
30:57you are no longer my Alpha,
30:58and I am no longer your Luna.
31:00Mason let out a choked throne
31:01and dropped to one knee.
31:02I shook from the pain,
31:03barely able to stand.
31:04I gathered the torn ruined
31:05ceremonial robe in my arms
31:06and turned and walked out.
31:08Miss Shaw,
31:08we've been waiting for you.
31:12The territory
31:12of the northern crown pack
31:14lay north of Seattle.
31:15The deeper the car
31:16went into the mountains,
31:17the farther the city lights
31:18fell away.
31:20In the distance,
31:21snow peaks reflected the moon
31:22in a cold, pale way.
31:23When the car entered Packlands,
31:25I saw the enormous
31:25wolf-formstone pillars
31:26that flanked the river.
31:27Their eyes sat with
31:28silver-blue moonstones.
31:29This was the northern
31:30royal bloodline.
31:33Adrian Vale stood on the steps,
31:34waiting.
31:35It had been years.
31:35He no longer looked like
31:36the silent boy I remember.
31:38Behind him,
31:38the phantom shape
31:39of a great black wolf
31:40rose faintly.
31:41The mark of a silver moon crown
31:42rested on the wolf's forehead.
31:44Just one look,
31:45and the wolf inside me
31:45quieted on instinct,
31:46not from fear.
31:47He let you leave like this?
31:49I left on my own.
31:50He didn't press.
31:51He only slid his coat
31:52from his shoulders
31:53and draped it over mine.
31:55Cold?
31:56I froze.
31:57So many people tonight
31:58that watched me,
31:59watched me humiliated,
32:01watched my dignity
32:01ground into the dirt.
32:02Adrian,
32:03I rejected Mason.
32:05I know.
32:06The mate bond is broken.
32:09I have no pack now.
32:11No alpha.
32:14My cousin.
32:15She carried another dragon egg.
32:17I kept my eyes closed,
32:18breathed steady,
32:19let her think I was sleeping.
32:21Cinder stopped beside the cradle.
32:22Then she lifted
32:23my golden shelled egg
32:24and replaced it
32:25with her own dull,
32:26cracked one.
32:27Behind her,
32:28ash stood in rags,
32:30bruises everywhere,
32:31scalp bleeding
32:31where hair had been torn out.
32:33No dragon spark in her eyes,
32:35just fear.
32:36My daughter.
32:36Born from the egg,
32:38Cinder had stolen from me.
32:39Dragons gather.
32:40The weavers watched
32:41from the heavens.
32:42Serafina descended
32:43in a gown of woven starlight.
32:45The crowd gasped
32:46at her beauty,
32:46her power,
32:47her perfection.
32:48Cinder stumbled
32:49through the crowd.
32:50Clutching a bloodstone,
32:52Ash trailed behind her
32:53on an iron chain,
32:54crawling across the marble
32:55like an animal.
32:56Stop the trial!
32:57It's all a lie!
32:59Serafinis is my daughter!
33:00Swapped the eggs
33:01a century ago!
33:02Very well,
33:03let's swap them back.
33:04Cinder froze.
33:05She'd prepared speeches,
33:07arguments,
33:07threats,
33:08none needed.
33:09Kale's face darkened.
33:11Ash is my daughter.
33:12I watched the eggs
33:13get swapped.
33:14Ash's eyes went wide.
33:15She crawled toward me,
33:16mouth opening,
33:17trying to say,
33:18mother,
33:18through her ruined taan.
33:20I watched my cousin
33:21steal my dragon egg.
33:25And I let her.
33:27For 100 years,
33:29she tortured
33:30my real daughter.
33:34While I raised hers
33:35as the future dragon queen.
33:39Then,
33:40at the air ascension trial,
33:42my cousin exposed the truth.
33:44Stop the trial!
33:46She thought she had won.
33:48She thought she was about
33:48to take back her daughter
33:49and steal my future.
33:53Because I had been waiting
33:54100 years
33:55for this exact moment.
33:57Moonlight spilled
33:58across the crystal cradle
33:59beside my bed.
34:01Inside rested
34:02a golden dragon egg,
34:03my heir,
34:04the future of the dragon empire.
34:05Then the door opened.
34:08My cousin.
34:09She carried another dragon egg.
34:12I kept my eyes closed,
34:14breathed steady,
34:15let her think I was sleeping.
34:17Cinder stopped
34:18beside the cradle.
34:19Tears filled her eyes.
34:20It should have been me.
34:22Kyle should have chosen me.
34:23Then she lifted
34:24my golden shelled egg
34:25and replaced it
34:26with her own dull,
34:27cracked one.
34:28My nails dug into my palms.
34:30Cinder left with my egg.
34:31The door closed behind her.
34:33I opened my eyes.
34:34A stranger egg
34:35sat in my cradle.
34:37I stared at it.
34:38I could have stopped her.
34:39But I didn't.
34:41Tired of Slithera.
34:43Wild is another
34:43lobily enchast.
34:48Elyria!
34:49You're working
34:50Seraphina too hard!
34:52Poor thing.
34:53Are you hungry?
34:55Tired?
34:56You don't deserve this.
34:58I've got a flame gem
35:00that can help you
35:00get through the dragon trial.
35:01I'll send it to you tomorrow.
35:02This was her ritual.
35:04Ever since the swap,
35:06Cinder found every excuse
35:07to be near her daughter.
35:09Criticizing my parenting.
35:11Offering gifts.
35:12Stealing moments
35:13with the girl
35:14she'd stolen from my arms.
35:16I said nothing.
35:17Behind her,
35:19Ash stood in rags.
35:20Bruises everywhere.
35:21Scalp bleeding
35:22where hair had been torn out.
35:23No dragon spark in her eyes.
35:25Just fear.
35:26My daughter.
35:27Born from the egg
35:28Cinder had stolen from me.
35:30Cinder turned,
35:31grabbed Ash by the hair,
35:32and dragged her forward.
35:37Look at Seraphana!
35:38Look at what you can never be!
35:40Ash whimpered.
35:42Cinder pulled harder.
35:43A clump of bloody hair
35:44came free.
35:47Teach you what happens
35:48when you forget your place.
35:50She held the bloody hair
35:51in front of my face.
35:52See, Aurelia?
35:53This is how you train trash.
36:00You're too kind.
36:02Cinder's smile faltered.
36:03She wanted me to care.
36:05Because the girl in chains?
36:07She was never my daughter.
36:09Not really.
36:10Seraphina loved firefish,
36:12and Cinder spent dinner
36:13deboning it for her.
36:15Never eating
36:15as her full attention
36:16stayed on the daughter
36:17she believed was hers.
36:19Ash sat chained
36:20to the table leg.
36:21Iron collar,
36:22rusty and tight,
36:23digging into her neck.
36:25Mother,
36:27may I have bread?
36:29Cinder's face transformed
36:31into something demonic.
36:32She seized Ash's head
36:34and shoved it
36:34into the slop bucket leftovers,
36:36bones,
36:37grease.
36:40Eat!
36:41Eat, you ungrateful worm!
36:43Ash's face emerged
36:44covered in filth.
36:45Tears cut through the grime.
36:47She looked at me,
36:48pleading,
36:49begging for the mother
36:49who had never once
36:50defended her.
36:51I lifted my wine glass.
36:53I took a sip.
36:54Didn't move.
36:55Seraphina turned pale.
36:57Cinder noticed immediately.
36:58What's wrong, dear?
36:59You look pale.
37:01She hauled Ash away
37:02by the collar.
37:08You've upset your eminency.
37:09I'll deal with you later.
37:11The next morning,
37:13Cinder brought the flame gem
37:14as promised.
37:15Last night,
37:16I sent three mails
37:18to teach the little brat
37:19some manners.
37:20She watched my face
37:21for a reaction.
37:22She's just an Ashborn.
37:23What matters is Seraphina.
37:25Right, cousin?
37:26I gave her none.
37:27Kale, my husband,
37:29shot me a look
37:29of disappointment.
37:30He'd always behave
37:31the honorable type.
37:33Cinder pressed the flame gem
37:35into Seraphina's hands.
37:40This will protect you
37:41through the ascension trial.
37:42Then leaned down
37:43to Seraphina's ear.
37:45On the day you win,
37:47I'll tell you a great secret.
37:49I closed the door behind them,
37:51masking the cold fire
37:52in my eyes.
37:55Yes,
37:56some secrets are overdue.
37:58Seraphina's clothes
37:59gradually disappeared,
38:00and her body was enveloped
38:02by an orb of light.
38:04Then the orb of light
38:05shattered into fragments,
38:06and her body transformed
38:07into a dragon.
38:11Cinder watched,
38:13mesmerized.
38:14Then her gaze
38:14snapped to the tail.
38:16She's missing a scale!
38:17How could you miss this?
38:19What kind of mother are you?
38:21Your daughter's nearly bald
38:22from lesson lets,
38:23but Seraphina loses one scale,
38:25and you're screaming?
38:27Cinder trembled with rage.
38:29Then her lips twisted
38:30into something venomous.
38:32She activated
38:33her communication crystal.
38:35Scar the little one's face.
38:37Your eminency lost a scale.
38:39She must have cursed her.
38:43From the crystal,
38:44screams.
38:47Please,
38:48I beg you!
38:50I'll be good!
38:51Cinder closed her eyes
38:53in bliss.
38:58Seraphina frowned.
38:59Auntie,
39:00I knocked the scale off myself.
39:01It doesn't affect my power.
39:03Every scale matters.
39:06Auroria,
39:07you must infuse her again
39:08with heart flame!
39:08I stared until Cinder squirmed.
39:10I'm sure Seraphina
39:12appreciates your
39:13concern.
39:14You should worry about
39:15your own daughter,
39:16not mine.
39:17I said it flatly,
39:18then turned and walked away.
39:20I heard Cinder whisper,
39:21when you're the Ascended Queen,
39:24I'll tell you everything.
39:28I smiled.
39:30She'd tell Seraphina nothing,
39:32because I would tell
39:33everyone first.
39:34And the great secret
39:36she planned to reveal?
39:37The Ascension trial
39:38was three days away.
39:39I had waited 100 years.
39:41I could wait
39:42three more days.
39:52The dragons gather.
39:55The weavers watched
39:56from the heavens.
39:57Seraphina descended
39:58in a gown of woven starlight.
40:00The crowd gasped
40:01at her beauty,
40:02her power,
40:03her perfection.
40:04Elders raised his staff.
40:10By blood and fire,
40:12we name the-
40:13Wait!
40:14Cinder stumbled
40:15through the crowd,
40:16clutching a bloodstone.
40:17Ash trailed behind her
40:19on an iron chain,
40:20collarbone bleeding,
40:21crawling across the marble
40:22like an animal.
40:24Stop the trial!
40:26It's all a lie!
40:28Seraphina's is my daughter!
40:30Swapped the eggs
40:31a century ago!
40:32Elaria,
40:33give me back my baby!
40:39Cinder fell to her knees,
40:40grasping my skirt.
40:42Elaria,
40:42take your ashpawn back!
40:44Seraphina is my daughter!
40:47The crowd erupted.
40:49Seraphina's an
40:50ember-class dragon!
40:51You're a wizened!
40:52How could you
40:53birth an ember-class-
40:54The ashpawn's been ruined!
40:55You want to swap now?
40:56The ashpawn does look
40:57more like Elaria.
40:58The ashpawn does look
40:59more like-
41:00Ash glanced at me,
41:01looked away.
41:03Kale rose from his throne.
41:05This is absurd.
41:06My wife would never-
41:07I raised my hand.
41:09Silence fell.
41:10Then I smiled.
41:11Very well,
41:12let's swap them back.
41:13Cinder froze.
41:14She'd prepared speeches,
41:16arguments,
41:16threats.
41:17None needed.
41:19Kale's face darkened.
41:20He rushed to me.
41:22You can't this alone!
41:24We've invested everything
41:25in Seraphina!
41:26I looked at the crowd.
41:27At Ash.
41:28Ash is my daughter.
41:32I watched the eggs
41:33get swapped.
41:34Ash's eyes went wide.
41:35She crawled toward me,
41:37mouth opening,
41:38trying to say
41:38Mother
41:39through her ruined town.
41:42His eyes were red with fury.
41:50Why, Elaria?
41:52Why?
42:03The dragons gather.
42:05The weavers watched
42:07from the heavens.
42:08Seraphina descended
42:09in a gown of woven starlight.
42:11The crowd gasped
42:12at her beauty,
42:13her power,
42:14her perfection.
42:15Elders raised his staff.
42:21By blood and fire,
42:23we name the-
42:24Wait!
42:25Cinder stumbled
42:26through the crowd,
42:27clutching a bloodstone.
42:28Ash trailed behind her
42:29on an iron chain,
42:30collarbone bleeding,
42:32crawling across the marble
42:33like an animal.
42:35Stop the trial!
42:37It's all a lie!
42:39Seraphina's is my daughter!
42:40Swapped the eggs
42:41a century ago!
42:43Elaria,
42:44give me back my baby!
42:49Cinder fell to her knees,
42:51grasping my skirt.
42:52Elaria,
42:53take your ashborne back!
42:55Seraphina is my daughter!
42:57The crowd erupted.
43:00Seraphina's an ember-class dragon!
43:02You're a wizened!
43:03How could you birth
43:04an ember-class-
43:04The ashborne's been ruined!
43:05You want to swap now?
43:06The ashborne does look
43:07more like Ariria.
43:09The ashborne does look
43:10more like-
43:11Ash glanced at me,
43:12looked away.
43:13Kale rose from his throne.
43:15This is absurd.
43:17My wife would never-
43:18I raised my hand.
43:19Silence fell.
43:20Then I smiled.
43:22Very well,
43:23let's swap them back.
43:24Cinder froze.
43:25She'd prepared speeches,
43:26arguments,
43:27threats.
43:28None needed.
43:29Kale's face darkened.
43:31He rushed to me.
43:33You can't this alone!
43:34We've invested everything
43:35in Seraphina!
43:36I looked at the crowd.
43:38At Ash.
43:39Ash is my daughter.
43:42I watched the eggs
43:44get swapped.
43:45Ash's eyes went wide.
43:46She crawled toward me,
43:48mouth opening,
43:48trying to say
43:49Mother
43:49through her ruined taan.
43:53His eyes were red
43:54with fury.
44:01Why,
44:02Alaria?
44:03Why?
44:04My babysitter's daughter
44:05stayed at my house
44:06every weekend.
44:07Until one day,
44:08I came home
44:09and found the door code
44:10had been changed.
44:11Someone had put it on my door
44:12in my own house.
44:13Can't you read?
44:14You've been freeloading
44:15off our house every day!
44:16But last month,
44:17things started to change.
44:18Was the way Skylar
44:19looked at me.
44:20Pure disgust and contempt.
44:21As if I owed her millions.
44:22But Skylar only got worse.
44:23She would spray disinfectant
44:24everywhere I had passed.
44:25Things had been disappearing
44:26from my villa for months.
44:28So that's why
44:29things kept disappearing.
44:30Martha has been stealing
44:31from me for her daughter.
44:32My parents' villa?
44:33My mom bought this villa for me!
44:35You're just here
44:35to freeload again,
44:36you pathetic orphan!
44:37So this is what
44:38Martha had been telling Skyly.
44:40In her mind,
44:41Martha was a CEO
44:42and I was a poor orphan.
44:43I pulled out my phone
44:44and called the legal department.
44:45Bring your team
44:46to my parents' Irvine villa
44:47right now.
44:47My babysitter's daughter
44:48stayed at my house
44:49every weekend.
44:50I never said anything about it.
44:52Considering she'd worked
44:53for my family for years
44:54until one day
44:56I came home
44:56and found the door code
44:58had been changed.
44:58What?
44:59The password didn't work.
45:00What is this?
45:01That had never happened before.
45:02Then I saw the note.
45:03Someone had put it on my door
45:04in my own house.
45:08Martha had worked
45:09for my family for years
45:10but something felt wrong.
45:15What's going on?
45:17Can't you read?
45:18You've been freeloading
45:20off our house every day!
45:21Olivia,
45:22I'm so sorry.
45:23My daughter doesn't know
45:24I'm a babysitter.
45:28From now on,
45:29when my daughter stays here
45:30on weekends,
45:30you can just go to Irvine.
45:32Then she closed the door
45:33right in my face.
45:35Hello?
45:36Someone has illegally
45:37entered my home
45:38and is occupying my house.
45:39Please send officers
45:40as soon as possible.
45:41I never imagined that I,
45:42the legal owner
45:43of a Beverly Hills villa,
45:44would be called a freeloader
45:45to my face.
45:45Twenty minutes after the call,
45:47a patrol car filled up
45:48in front of my villa.
45:49Two officers had just
45:50gotten out
45:50when Martha Fowler,
45:51my babysitter,
45:52flung the door open
45:52in a panic.
45:53Olivia, what's wrong?
45:54Why did you call the police?
45:56Mrs. Vance,
45:57is that what happened?
45:59Olivia,
46:00Skyler's father died young.
46:02I've raised her all by myself
46:04and it's been so hard.
46:05She just started college
46:07and she's at that age
46:08where she's really vain.
46:09She's always been starved
46:10for affection
46:10so she's a little extreme.
46:11If she found out
46:12I was just a babysitter,
46:13she wouldn't be able
46:13to handle it.
46:14I did this to make her
46:14feel better about herself.
46:15Please, for the sake
46:16of the 12 years
46:16I looked after your parents,
46:17forgive me this once.
46:18When Martha mentioned my parents,
46:19my heart did soften a little.
46:21Martha had been with my family
46:22for 12 years.
46:23My mother was in poor health
46:24before she passed
46:25and Martha took care
46:26of her hand and foot.
46:27The day my mother died,
46:28Martha cried harder
46:29than anyone.
46:30She knelt by the hospital bed,
46:32held my mother's hand
46:32and swore she would
46:33take care of me.
46:34And she did.
46:35After my mom was gone,
46:36she kept the house spotless
46:36and treated me
46:37like her own daughter.
46:38Every holiday,
46:38I gave her a gift card
46:39and she always refused
46:40two or three times
46:40before accepting.
46:41Three months ago,
46:41her daughter Skyla
46:42and I got into
46:42the same university.
46:43I offered to pay
46:44for Skylar years of college.
46:45Martha was so moved,
46:46she cried.
46:46It's a misunderstanding.
46:47I'm sorry for wasting your time.
46:49All right,
46:49if there's any more trouble,
46:50give us a call.
46:53Thank you, Olivia.
46:54Thank you so much.
46:55I promise it will
46:55never happen again.
46:56I really appreciate it.
46:58One month later.
47:01But last month,
47:02things started to change.
47:04I was confused.
47:06Olivia,
47:06my daughter has nowhere
47:07to go on weekends.
47:08I haven't seen her
47:09in a long time,
47:09so I thought she could
47:10stay a couple of days.
47:11It's a big house.
47:12I thought letting them
47:12stay for a weekend
47:13wouldn't hurt anyone.
47:14Thank you, Olivia.
47:15Just this weekend.
47:16I promise.
47:17Mom,
47:17can you tell your charity girl
47:18not to stare?
47:19It's creepy.
47:20Our house?
47:22That was the moment
47:23I should have stopped them.
47:25Every Friday night,
47:26Skylar showed up
47:27and didn't leave
47:28until Monday morning.
47:30At first,
47:31she just took photos
47:32for Instagram,
47:33lying she lived in a Hanschen.
47:34I get it.
47:35Everyone wants to look good.
47:36But what I didn't understand
47:37was the way Skylar
47:38looked at me.
47:38Pure disgust and contempt,
47:40as if I owed her millions.
47:42God,
47:43how can such a luxurious villa
47:44smell so sour?
47:45I thought maybe
47:46there really was an odor,
47:47so I asked Martha
47:47to clean the house thoroughly,
47:48but Skylar only got worse.
47:49She would spray disinfectant
47:50everywhere I had sat,
47:51or put a disposable cover
47:52on the sofa
47:53and make me sit on it.
47:56Ugh,
47:57gross.
47:59Sometimes I even saw her
48:01throw my used things
48:02directly into the trash.
48:03Martha,
48:04we need to talk.
48:05Your daughter has been
48:06spraying disinfectant
48:07everywhere I sit.
48:08Olivia,
48:09Skylar's just worried
48:10about your health and safety.
48:11She's being careful,
48:11that's all.
48:12Besides going to school,
48:13I was handling all kinds
48:14of matters for my family's company.
48:16I was too busy
48:16to bother with her.
48:17After that day,
48:18Skylar really did stop coming.
48:20Martha kept working hard
48:21and cleaned the house
48:21meticulously.
48:22Martha,
48:23where's the Bordeaux?
48:25Olivia,
48:25I'm so sorry,
48:26I accidentally broke
48:27that bottle while cleaning.
48:30There's a set of
48:30antique silverware over there.
48:32Where are they?
48:33Olivia,
48:34those dishes were old.
48:35I noticed cracks
48:35when I was washing them
48:36and was afraid they'd cut you,
48:37so I threw them away.
48:39And my evening gown?
48:40I took that dress
48:41to the dry cleaner
48:41and they lost it.
48:44On family remembrance day,
48:45after honoring my parents,
48:46I went to clean
48:47their old Irving villa.
48:48That house was my parents'
48:49favorite place.
48:49The yard was full
48:50of my mother's cherished flower.
48:51That house was the work
48:52of a lifetime
48:53for your father and me.
48:54Please take good care of me.
48:55I treasured that villa.
48:56Even though I had moved out
48:56to avoid the memories,
48:57I still went back regularly.
48:59The always-closed gate
48:59was wide open.
49:00From inside the villa
49:01came thumping music
49:02and loud laughter.
49:02I walked up
49:03and pushed open the door.
49:04The living room
49:05was a total mess.
49:06Ransacked completely.
49:07I stepped carefully
49:07inside, scanned the room
49:08and saw Skylar
49:09and her classmates
49:10sitting on the sofa
49:10facing the door.
49:11They trashed my parents' home.
49:13Skylar, your family
49:14is so rich.
49:15Even a random villa
49:16in Irvine?
49:16Is this luxurious?
49:17Yeah, I just looked it up.
49:19That painting on the wall
49:19is worth hundreds
49:20of thousands of dollars.
49:21No problem.
49:21Stick with me
49:22and you'll never worry
49:23about money again.
49:24But then Skylar
49:25saw me standing at the door.
49:26Her smile dropped.
49:27She strutted over.
49:28What are you doing here?
49:30Did you follow me?
49:32I was frozen.
49:33This is Olivia Vance,
49:35the freeloader
49:35I was just telling you about.
49:37She's been mooching off
49:38my house in the city.
49:39My mom bought this villa for me!
49:40You're just here
49:41to freeload again,
49:42you pathetic orphan!
49:43So that's why
49:43things kept disappearing.
49:46Martha has been stealing
49:47from me for her daughter.
49:49Martha Fowler,
49:50you've been playing me
49:51for a fool.
49:53Who told you your mother
49:54bought you this villa?
49:55My mom told me herself.
49:57You're just hoping
49:58to get close to her
49:58because she's a CEO.
50:00You stay at my house
50:00trying to get her attention.
50:02Mom only keeps you
50:02out of pity
50:03your parents are dead.
50:04Don't push it!
50:05Don't take my place!
50:06So this is what
50:07Martha had been telling Skyly.
50:10In her mind,
50:11Martha was a CEO
50:12and I was a poor orphan.
50:14Skyly thought I was
50:15freeloading
50:15and trying to steal her place.
50:17You have no idea
50:18how shameless Olivia Vance is!
50:20She camps out at my house
50:21and won't leave!
50:22She's such a freeloader!
50:24I put up a note
50:24telling her to stop
50:25and she called the cops!
50:26My mom bought me
50:27this villa to keep the peace!
50:28I am the biological daughter!
50:30The real young lady!
50:33So that's why
50:34things had been disappearing
50:35from my villa for months.
50:37This one's for you, sweetheart.
50:39Thanks, Mom.
50:40Martha had been stealing
50:41from me to spoil her daughter.
50:43I finally understood everything.
50:45I pulled out my phone
50:45and called the legal department.
50:47Bring your team
50:48to my parents' Irvine villa
50:48right now.
50:51Who do you think you are
50:52putting on an act?
50:53My parents' villa?
50:55This is my mom's villa for me!
50:56No wonder she doesn't
50:58live in the dorms
50:58like everyone else.
50:59She's too busy
50:59trying to steal someone else's mom.
51:01Yeah, that's so desperate.
51:02Some people are just greedy.
51:03They see rich people
51:04and lash on
51:04hoping to get a free ride.
51:06Skylar, you're too nice.
51:07If someone tried to steal my parents,
51:08I'd tear them apart.
51:10I suggest you call your mother
51:11right now and ask her
51:12who this villa really belongs to.
51:14I know your game.
51:17You're counting on my mom
51:18being soft-hearted
51:18so you can trick her again.
51:20Then her eyes landed on my neck.
51:22Her gaze lit up.
51:23That necklace doesn't look cheap.
51:25You probably conned my mom
51:26into buying it for you,
51:27didn't you?
51:28Before I could react,
51:29she yanked the necklace
51:30off my neck.
51:31Hard and fast.
51:34I panicked.
51:35Give that back to me!
51:37Every Friday night,
51:38Skylar showed up
51:39and didn't leave
51:40until Monday morning.
51:43At first,
51:43she just took photos
51:44for Instagram,
51:45lying she lived in a hanshan.
51:46I get it.
51:47Everyone wants to look good.
51:48But what I didn't understand
51:49was the way Skylar
51:50looked at me.
51:51Pure disgust and contempt,
51:52as if I owed her millions.
51:54God, how can such
51:55a luxurious villa
51:56smell so sour?
51:57I thought maybe
51:58there really was an odor,
51:59so I asked Martha
51:59to clean the house thoroughly,
52:01but Skylar only got worse.
52:02She would spray disinfectant
52:03everywhere I had sat,
52:04or put a disposable cover
52:05on the sofa
52:05and make me sit on it.
52:08Ugh, gross.
52:12Sometimes I even saw her
52:13throw my used things
52:14directly into the trash.
52:16Martha, we need to talk.
52:17Your daughter has been
52:18spraying disinfectant
52:19everywhere I sit.
52:21Olivia, Skylar's just worried
52:22about your health and safety.
52:23She's being careful,
52:24that's all.
52:25Besides going to school,
52:26I was handling all kinds
52:26of matters for my family's company.
52:28I was too busy
52:28to bother with her.
52:29After that day,
52:30Skylar really did stop coming.
52:32Martha kept working hard
52:33and cleaned the house
52:34meticulously.
52:35Martha, where's the Bordeaux?
52:37Olivia, I'm so sorry.
52:38I accidentally broke
52:39that bottle while cleaning.
52:42There's a set of antique
52:43silverware over there.
52:44Where are they?
52:46Olivia, those dishes were old.
52:47I noticed cracks
52:48when I was washing them
52:48and was afraid they'd cut you,
52:49so I threw them away.
52:51And my evening gown?
52:52I took that dress
52:53to the dry cleaner
52:54and they lost it.
52:56On Family Remembrance Day,
52:58after honoring my parents,
52:59I went to clean
52:59their old Irving Villa.
53:00That house was my parents'
53:01favorite place.
53:02The yard was full
53:02of my mother's cherished flower.
53:04That house was the work
53:04of a lifetime
53:05for your father and me.
53:06Please take good care of it.
53:07I treasured that villa.
53:08Even though I had moved out
53:09to avoid the memories,
53:10I still went back regularly.
53:11The always-closed gate
53:12was wide open.
53:12From inside the villa
53:13came thumping music
53:14and loud laughter.
53:15I walked up
53:15and pushed open the door.
53:17The living room
53:17was a total mess,
53:18ransacked completely.
53:19I stepped carefully
53:20and scanned the room
53:21and saw Skylar
53:21and her classmates
53:22sitting on the sofa
53:23facing the door.
53:23They trashed my parents' home.
53:25Skylar,
53:26your family is so rich.
53:27Even a random villa
53:28in Irvine?
53:29Is this luxurious?
53:29Yeah,
53:30I just looked it up.
53:31That painting on the wall
53:31is worth hundreds
53:32of thousands of dollars.
53:33No problem.
53:34Stick with me
53:34and you'll never worry
53:35about money again.
53:36Yeah.
53:37But then Skylar
53:37saw me standing at the door.
53:38Her smile dropped.
53:39She strutted over.
53:40What are you doing here?
53:42Did you follow me?
53:44I was frozen.
53:46This is Olivia Vance,
53:47the freeloader
53:48I was just telling you about.
53:49She's been mooching off
53:50my house in the city.
53:51My mom bought this villa for me.
53:53You're just here
53:53to freeload again,
53:54you pathetic orphan.
53:55So that's why
53:56things kept disappearing.
53:59Martha has been stealing
54:00from me for her daughter.
54:02Martha Fowler,
54:03you've been playing me
54:04for a fool.
54:05Who told you
54:06your mother bought you
54:07this villa?
54:08My mom told me herself.
54:09You're just hoping
54:10to get close to her
54:11because she's a CEO.
54:12You stay at my house
54:13trying to get her attention.
54:14Mom only keeps you
54:15out of pity
54:15your parents are dead.
54:16Don't push it.
54:17Don't take my place.
54:18So this is what
54:19Martha had been telling Skyly.
54:23In her mind,
54:24Martha was a CEO
54:24and I was a poor orphan.
54:26Skyly thought I was
54:27freeloading
54:28and trying to steal her place.
54:29You have no idea
54:30how shameless Olivia Vance is.
54:32She camps out at my house
54:33and won't leave.
54:34She's such a freeloader.
54:36I put up a note
54:37telling her to stop
54:38and she called the cops.
54:39My mom bought me
54:39this villa to keep the peace.
54:41I am the biological daughter,
54:42the real young lady.
54:45So that's why
54:47things had been disappearing
54:48from my villa for months.
54:49This one's for you, sweetheart.
54:51Thanks, mom.
54:52Martha had been stealing
54:53from me to spoil her daughter.
54:55I finally understood everything.
54:57I pulled out my phone
54:58and called the legal department.
54:59Bring your team
55:00to my parents' Irvine villa
55:01right now.
55:03Who do you think you are?
55:05Putting on an act?
55:06My parents' villa?
55:07This is my mom's villa for me!
55:09No wonder she doesn't live
55:10in the dorms like everyone else.
55:11She's too busy
55:12trying to steal
55:12someone else's mom.
55:13Yeah, that's so desperate.
55:14Some people are just greedy.
55:15They see rich people
55:16and lash on
55:17hoping to get a free ride.
55:18Skylar, you're too nice.
55:19If someone tried
55:20to steal my parents,
55:20I'd tear them apart.
55:22I suggest you call
55:23your mother right now
55:24and ask her
55:24who this villa really belongs to.
55:27I know your game.
55:29You're counting on my mom
55:30being soft-hearted
55:31so you can trick her again.
55:32Then her eyes landed on my neck.
55:34Her gaze lit up.
55:35That necklace doesn't look cheap.
55:37You probably conned my mom
55:39into buying it for you,
55:40didn't you?
55:40Before I could react,
55:41she yanked the necklace
55:42off my neck,
55:43hard and fast.
55:46I panicked.
55:47Give that back to me!
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