- 2 months ago
Category
🎈
FunTranscript
00:07My father's eyes blazed with a terrifying golden light as he barked the command.
00:13The Alpha Command crushed down on my knees, driving me hard into the mud.
00:18My mother gazed down at me.
00:21Selina is an Omega.
00:22If her wolf enters Silvermoon prison, the Silver will torture her to death.
00:28Lyra, you're the older sister. You go.
00:32My adopted younger sister, an Omega, drove drunk and killed a human.
00:37Yet my parents wanted me to take the fall.
00:41You killed a human. You must go to prison.
00:45My biological father pinned every ounce of guilt onto me.
00:51I couldn't hold back the tears.
00:52No, I won't. I didn't kill anyone.
00:57Why should I go to prison? I'm your real daughter.
01:00My father's fury erupted.
01:02You don't have a choice!
01:08The pure silver shackles locked tight around my wrists.
01:12My skin sizzled and burned where the metal touched it, searing pain drilling straight into the bones.
01:21Deathly, I looked Kaelin.
01:23He was the strongest Alpha in the pack, the top-ranked dominant and my fated mate.
01:29He only stared down at me with a cold gaze.
01:37Lyra, go.
01:38When you come out, we'll complete the mate bond.
01:41He reached out and stroked my face.
01:44These seven years, just bear it.
01:47Just this once.
01:51I collapsed into despair, screaming.
01:55No!
02:04Seven years later.
02:06Lyra, now that you're leaving Silvermoon Prison, keep your wolf under control.
02:10Don't look back.
02:15Dragging my ruined leg, I limped out through the Iron Gate.
02:19A car was waiting just beyond the territory boundary.
02:23The window rolled down, and Kaelin's face emerged.
02:28Lyra.
02:30Seven years, and he hadn't changed at all.
02:33I dragged my crippled leg into the car.
02:37In the rear-view mirror, I saw my face.
02:40A map of scars seared into the skin by silver.
02:44You've suffered these seven years.
02:45I'll keep my promise.
02:47At the next full moon, I'll mark you formally.
02:51You'll become my Luna.
02:53Kaelin reached over and laid his hand over my rough, scarred knuckles.
02:58I looked into his gold-green eyes and slowly pulled my hand away.
03:04The wolf inside me couldn't even summon a whimper.
03:10Seven years in Silvermoon Prison had shown me exactly who Kaelin was.
03:17Who my family was.
03:19You don't have a choice!
03:22They had never loved me.
03:25And I no longer had any desire to be his mate.
03:29Sensing my indifference, Kaelin grew irritated.
03:32Selina knew you were coming back today.
03:34Her stress disorder flared up again.
03:36Your whole family is at the Territory Hospital, soothing her.
03:40I closed my eyes.
03:42The SUV drove into the heart of the Crescent Moon Pax territory.
03:47An hour later, we arrived at my home.
03:50Only a Beta housekeeper and a few Omega servants were in the main house.
03:53They caught the inferior scent clinging to me.
03:56And didn't bother to hide their disgust.
03:59The Beta housekeeper offered Kaelin a respectful salute before finally turning to me.
04:05Miss Lyra, the Luna says that now you're back, you're to stay inside your own scent circle.
04:10Don't wander around.
04:11Don't bring shame to the pack.
04:13Shame.
04:14I'd endured seven years of Silver burning my flesh in Selina's place.
04:18And somehow I was the shame?
04:21But I'd stopped expecting anything from them seven years ago, on that night of thunder and rain.
04:27Understood.
04:29I turned toward the side door.
04:32Kaelin received a mind link.
04:33His pupils snapped vertically.
04:35Lyra, Selina's vital signs are weak.
04:37She needs me.
04:38I'll go check on her.
04:39Get some rest.
04:42With that, he turned and disappeared into the room.
04:50Tonight later, I went back to my assigned space, a storage closet, and curled up on the narrow wooden cot.
05:00Late at night, drifting between sleep and waking, I heard Chloe, the Beta's younger sister, speaking downstairs.
05:08Alpha father, Luna mother, Selina's mental state is terrible.
05:12Why don't we move Lyra out of the main house?
05:14Otherwise, Selina will have an episode every time she catches Lyra's scent.
05:17My father sighed but said nothing.
05:19My mother said, she carries our blood.
05:24If we throw her out the moment she's released from prison, what will the other packs say?
05:29Then what do we do?
05:30Chloe paced anxiously.
05:35My father spoke.
05:37When Selina comes back, order Lyra to suppress all her scent signatures.
05:42She's forbidden from appearing in front of Selina.
05:44She's not allowed to take a single step out of her room.
05:47My eyes were closed, but a searing acidic burn spread deep in their sockets.
05:53Just then, my specialized communicator vibrated.
05:57An encrypted email.
05:59Miss Lyra, congratulations.
06:01You have passed the assessment for the Institute of Paranormal Confidential Research.
06:06Upon acceptance of the contract, you will depart for the sacred grounds of Domica Island under a new identity on
06:12the night of the full moon, seven days from now.
06:15Your PAC identity will be permanently erased.
06:18No contact with the outside world for five years.
06:22Without a flicker of hesitation, I signed my name.
06:25Lyra.
06:25I had passed the Institute's assessment seven years ago, right before I was thrown into prison instead of joining.
06:32As my release approached, I'd applied again.
06:34I'd passed again, without surprise.
06:37Seven days.
06:38I only had to endure seven more days.
06:42Then I would sever the PAC bond completely and leave forever.
06:48The next morning, I walked into the living room.
06:51A thick, clying sweetness hit me.
06:53Omega scent, heavy and dense.
06:56Selina was back.
06:57She sat at the center of the sofa in a pure white dress.
07:01Everyone crowded around her.
07:02The beta housekeeper brought out a cake.
07:05The family spoke and practiced unison.
07:09Happy birthday, Selina.
07:12Selina smiled and thanked everyone, lifting her chin.
07:15I just left the hospital.
07:17Do you have anything special for me?
07:18My parents and sister stepped forward one by one, offering expensive treasures.
07:25Kaylin was about to present his gift, when he caught sight of me standing in the shadows.
07:30Lyra, you're awake.
07:32Come, celebrate Selina's birthday with us.
07:35Selina turned to me.
07:38Sister, I'm sorry.
07:39My stress disorder flared up yesterday.
07:42I couldn't go pick you up.
07:43You're not angry, are you?
07:45Before I could open my mouth, Kaylin answered for me.
07:49Lyra isn't that petty.
07:50She won't hold it against you.
07:53Selina took that as permission.
07:55Boldly, she looped her arm throughs and looked straight at me.
07:59Sister, give me a gift too.
08:02I want Kaylin as my mate.
08:05Mate-stealing was taboo among the wolves.
08:07Yet she declared it openly, and not a single wolf in the room spoke a word against it.
08:13Rage boiled in my blood.
08:15I clenched my fists.
08:16And if I refuse?
08:22Selina's expression stiffened.
08:23She switched to the old wolf tongue, reserved for pure-blood aristocrats.
08:28I was only joking.
08:29I didn't expect my sister's wolf to be so savage.
08:32My Luna mother responded in the same old tongue, her tone soothing.
08:36Don't be afraid, Selina.
08:38Lyra has been wandering outside too long.
08:40Her bloodline is degraded.
08:41My Atva father released a calming pinewood scent.
08:43Blood ties don't matter.
08:45Your mother and I only recognize you as our daughter.
08:48Right, Selina.
08:48You're my only sister.
08:49I forced the bitterness down and pretended I couldn't understand a word of the old tongue.
08:54I turned to Kaylin.
08:55What are they saying?
08:57Kaylin's throat bobbed.
08:59Selina said it was just a joke.
09:00Everyone's telling you not to be so sensitive.
09:03The air reeked of lies.
09:05They had no idea.
09:07I understood every single word.
09:09My mother came from a noble, pure-blood line.
09:12My father ruled over this entire territory.
09:15From the moment they brought me back from the orphanage,
09:18they'd despise me for carrying too much of the stray's wildness.
09:23Every resource, every drop of love,
09:25they'd poured it all into its Selina.
09:28Ten years ago, Selina awakened a rare healing-type omega gift.
09:33The entire pack howled at the moon in ecstasy.
09:38What they didn't know was that I'd already passed the blood moon trial by then
09:43and had taught myself the most obscure dialect of the old wolf tongue.
09:47But none of that mattered anymore.
09:49Soon, very soon, I would escape this territory for good.
09:53I just got out of Silvermoon Prison.
09:55I want to go beyond the territory boundary.
09:57Get some air.
09:58You all carry on.
09:59Under their contemptuous stares,
10:01I dragged my ruined leg towards the door.
10:04Their mockery trailed behind me.
10:08Today was my birthday, too.
10:14Beyond the territory, I suppressed my wolf's scent signature
10:17and took a bus to the lower district of Seattle.
10:19Because of my Silvermoon Prison record,
10:21the pack had erased all my files.
10:24Combined with my crippled leg,
10:25the only work I could find was washing dishes in a run-down roadside diner,
10:29just enough to survive the next ten days.
10:31At half-past eleven at night,
10:33I finished scrubbing the last plate.
10:34As I stepped out of the diner,
10:36a man climbed out of his car and strode toward me.
10:42Lyra, why have you been away from the territory so long?
10:45He grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the vehicle.
10:48The door opened.
10:49On the back seat sat a cake.
10:52Lyra, happy birthday.
10:55Kalen's pack and mine shared a tight border.
10:58He and I, the top-ranked Alpha and I,
11:01had been bound by a mate contract since we were pups.
11:05I still remembered the first moment I saw him
11:08after returning to the territory.
11:10He stood in the sunlight, radiating brilliance.
11:14In that hostile territory,
11:17Kalen was the only one who never scorned my wild scent.
11:21He would release his Alpha dominance to shield me.
11:24He brought me gifts on holidays.
11:27He was the only soul in that entire forest
11:30who was good to me.
11:31And in the end,
11:33he was the one who personally sent me to Silvermoon Prison.
11:39Lyra?
11:40What's wrong?
11:41Did you think I forgot your birthday?
11:43Kalen's voice pulled me back.
11:44I answered evenly.
11:47He produced another box.
11:48I lifted the lid.
11:50Inside lay a red dress.
11:52Remember when you were little?
11:54You said you wanted to wear a red dress
11:56when we completed the mate bond.
11:57I had it made in advance.
12:00Do you like it?
12:03Alpha,
12:04you're remembering wrong.
12:06I hate red.
12:07When I was lost as a child,
12:09I'd been wearing a red dress.
12:12Ever since I could form memories,
12:14every full moon night,
12:15I put on red,
12:16hoping my pack could track my visual scent
12:18and bring me home.
12:19Kalen's pupils contracted.
12:20He ruffled my hair.
12:25I'm sorry.
12:26I remembered wrong.
12:28Come on,
12:28I'll take you to a restaurant to celebrate.
12:30On the drive back,
12:31Kalen gripped my hand tightly.
12:36Lyra,
12:36why is your scent so faint?
12:39Why are you thinner than you were seven years ago?
12:41And your leg...
12:43Before he could finish,
12:44the phone rang.
12:45The screen flashed a single word.
12:48Selena.
12:51Kalen answered.
12:53His voice dropped into a frantic grail.
12:55Turn around!
12:56Back to the territory!
13:00The whole way,
13:01he soothed Selena through the communicator.
13:03By the time we burst back into the main house,
13:06I looked up.
13:08Selena stood on the roof's edge of the villa,
13:10still in her white dress.
13:12She looked at us.
13:14Sister's back.
13:15It's time for a defective Omega like me to step aside.
13:20Goodbye.
13:21Without another word,
13:22she jumped.
13:23The drop from roof to ground was maybe ten meters.
13:25But when Selena fell,
13:26every single one of my family
13:28lunged forward on pure instinct.
13:31That night,
13:32ambulance sirens wailed over the territory.
13:37They all went to the hospital.
13:38I went back to my storage closet,
13:41collapsed onto the hard plank bed.
13:43And checked my communicator.
13:4512.20 AM.
13:46The top-ranked Alpha had broken his promise.
13:49He hadn't stayed to celebrate my birthday.
13:52But my wolf didn't howl in pain.
13:54All I felt was a vast,
13:56barren emptiness.
13:58I closed my eyes and sank into sleep.
14:01The next five days,
14:02I worked at the diner.
14:04My family stayed at the hospital,
14:07wrapping at Selena in thick layers of protective scent.
14:10Not one of them set foot back in the territory.
14:14Until that day,
14:16the restaurant TV broadcast the news.
14:19Alpha Kaelin and Selena of the Crescent Moon Pack
14:21announced their binding ceremony.
14:23My pupils snapped into vertical slits.
14:28That night,
14:29I pushed open the wooden door
14:30and walked back into the territory.
14:32They were all there.
14:34At Kaelin's scent,
14:35saturated the living room.
14:37My Luna mother caught the smell of Earth on me
14:39and opened her mouth to scold me.
14:42My Alpha father silenced her with a look.
14:45Lyra,
14:46you're finally back.
14:48Selene's Omega Depression is getting worse.
14:50So we've already made the decision for you.
14:53We're transferring your mate bond to Selene.
14:56You have no objections, I trust?
14:58They'd already used their authority to sever my bond.
15:02Now they stood there asking for my opinion
15:04as if it meant something.
15:06Alpha,
15:08you agreed to this too?
15:13Kaelin crossed the room in a few strides
15:15and seized my cold hand.
15:16Selene's only obsession right now
15:18is completing the binding ceremony with me.
15:20Don't worry, little wolf.
15:21I won't betray you.
15:23I'm just playing along,
15:24going through the motions.
15:26He was about to mark another she-wolf
15:28and he expected me to believe he wouldn't betray me?
15:30I wrenched my hand from his grip.
15:33Fine.
15:35Do whatever you want.
15:37Something tightened in At-Kaelin's chest.
15:41He reached for me again.
15:44Out Selene suddenly released a dense wave of sorrowful pheromones.
15:51Sister, if you're not willing, then forget it.
15:54Through her sobs,
15:55she dug her nails into the back of her own hand.
15:58Chloe rushed to stop the self-harm,
16:00then spun around and bared her fangs at me with a snarl.
16:04Lyra!
16:05Can't you smell how sick she is?
16:08Do you need the whole family to kneel before you
16:10before you'll give in?
16:13My blood sister.
16:17Brainwashed completely by this twisted pack.
16:23Her roar dragged me back to the early days
16:25after I'd returned to the territory.
16:27At first, they forced me to give Selene the best den.
16:30Then, seven years ago, Selene broke the iron law.
16:34The memories ignited my rage past the breaking point.
16:37I met at Chloe's hostile glares and let out a cold laugh.
16:41Fine.
16:41If all of you kneel and submit to me,
16:44I'll agree to hand over my mate bond to Selene.
16:47The living room fell silent.
16:49None of them had expected such rebellion from me.
16:52I retreated to my cramped den.
16:54Late at night, my communicator buzzed.
16:57Kaylin.
16:58Lyra Selene once saved my life.
17:00She gave me her kidney.
17:02The primal vitality of her wolf.
17:04That's why I have to complete this binding ceremony with her.
17:07Alpha, when you were gravely wounded,
17:10it was me who saved you.
17:12I'm the one who gave you my kidney.
17:15Silence on the other end.
17:17Then, Kaylin's cold laugh.
17:19Lyra, since when did you learn to lie?
17:21Selene was the one who saved me.
17:23Your own parents can swear it on the pack's name.
17:25You've disappointed me deeply.
17:26I lay on the freezing couch, unable to speak.
17:29Eight years ago, Kaylin was ambushed and critically injured.
17:33I didn't hesitate.
17:34I went through the matching.
17:35I cut away a piece of myself and gave it to him.
17:38Now my sacrifice had been stolen by that Omega,
17:41and I wasn't even allowed to prove it was mine.
17:44After a long silence, I whispered,
17:46If you don't believe me, forget it.
17:48I'd already decided to abandon you completely anyway.
17:51I cut the connection, closed my eyes, slept.
17:56The second to last day.
17:58After my final shift, I stepped out of the diner.
18:01That familiar car was parked outside the shopping center.
18:05Above Shibon Commercial Street,
18:08fireworks suddenly burst across the sky.
18:10Alpha, Kaylin loves Lyra forever.
18:12I tilted my head back, staring at the night sky,
18:15lost for a long moment.
18:18Kaylin trod toward me, his voice low and soft.
18:21Yesterday was my fault.
18:23But you have to believe me.
18:25The one I truly love is you, so you don't have to lie.
18:29How did he do it?
18:32How did he join forces with my family again and again,
18:36tear into me while pinning to the ground,
18:38and still say he loved me with a straight face?
18:40He pinched my hollow cheek.
18:42You really are too thin.
18:44Why aren't you eating properly?
18:46I snapped my gaze up.
18:48I spent seven years surviving Silvermoon Prison,
18:51a place saturated with silver.
18:53My wolf fought just to stay alive.
18:55Did you think I'd have the luxury
18:58of growing a full, healthy coat?
19:00A violent shover ran through Kaylin's massive frame.
19:03Maybe, just in that second, it hit him.
19:06He was the one who had personally sent me into that hell.
19:08He opened his mouth to speak.
19:10The car door swung open.
19:12Selina's voice drifted out.
19:14Alpha, Kaylin, sister, don't stand out there.
19:18The cold wind will damage your wolves.
19:22The last trace of warmth inside me died.
19:24Kaylin explained.
19:27Selina followed our scent to come see you.
19:29She says she wants to thank you for your generosity,
19:31for being willing to step aside.
19:33He bundled me into the car.
19:36In the enclosed space,
19:38Selina's gaze fell on my grease-stained,
19:41thread-baked uniform.
19:42Sister,
19:44don't mother and father have the stewards
19:45send you supplies every month?
19:47Why are you still doing menial labor in a human diner?
19:50It damages the pack's dignity.
19:52She slipped a gemstone bracelet off her wrist
19:55and held it out to me.
19:58If you're short on survival resources,
20:01this bracelet is worth $3 million.
20:04It should buy you a few good meals.
20:09$3 million.
20:11A random toy thrust to an Omega was worth $3 million.
20:14I still remembered when I'd first returned to the territory
20:17and wanted to attend a human high school.
20:19The tuition was only $3,000.
20:21I begged my Luna mother.
20:22Lyra, do I owe you something?
20:24I gave you life.
20:27You should be grateful.
20:28Why are you always so ungrateful?
20:30After that,
20:31I never asked this territory
20:33for a single scrap of meat again.
20:34The so-called steward supplies
20:36were nothing but a lie.
20:37They tilted their hearts to the extreme long ago.
20:40Look at your glossy, perfect coat.
20:42Now look at me,
20:43covered in scars.
20:45I smacked the Offerford bracelet away.
20:49Reign in your Omega pheromones.
20:51Stop putting on an act in front of me.
20:53I'm not that naive 15-year-old pup anymore.
20:56At 15,
20:57I'd yearned desperately for a pack bond
20:59with Aunt Selina.
21:00She framed me instead.
21:02Every cruel thing she did,
21:03she pinned on me.
21:04By the time I realized what was happening,
21:06the entire pack had branded me an outsider.
21:09My rebuke sent tears rolling down Selina's cheeks.
21:13The air filled with a heartbreaking, pleading scent.
21:16The moment Aunt Kaylin smelled it,
21:18he pulled Selina under the shelter of his chest
21:21and snared at me.
21:22Lyra!
21:23Selina meant well.
21:24It's fine if you don't want the bracelet.
21:26There's no need to say something so vicious.
21:28Right.
21:30This was the male who claimed he loved me
21:32from the deepest part of his soul.
21:34The moment there was any friction between me and Selina,
21:37he always took her side.
21:39Every single time.
21:40Alpha,
21:41if someone throws a piece of rotting meat
21:42at a starving wolf as charity,
21:44must the wolf swallow it and wag its bay in gratitude?
21:47Even crushed beneath your feet,
21:49my wolf has pride worth dying for.
21:52Kaylin was struck silence.
21:54Beside him,
21:55Selina's breathing suddenly grew rapid and shallow.
21:58She let out a fragile whimmer.
22:00I'm sorry.
22:01It's my fault.
22:03Don't blame sister.
22:05Kaylin barked at the driver.
22:06Quick!
22:07Turn around.
22:08Get to the territory hospital.
22:09Lyra,
22:10your wolf showed too much savagery just now.
22:12You can walk back on your own.
22:15The car door shut in my face.
22:17I was left discarded on the freezing street.
22:20I watched the taillights vanish,
22:22and my heart felt nothing.
22:24No pain of being abandoned by my mate.
22:26Nothing at all.
22:29I dragged my ruined leg back to the territory main house.
22:33The villa was unusually lively.
22:35My Luna mother laughed.
22:39The night after tomorrow's full moon,
22:42Selina's binding ceremony.
22:44I looked at them.
22:45Sorrow welled up from deep inside me.
22:47They had truly given every scrap of love to that Omega.
22:51Tomorrow night at 9 o'clock,
22:52the extraction vehicle would arrive.
22:54After that,
22:55I'd have no need for any blood plines ever again.
22:58The night after tomorrow was Selina and Kaylin's binding day.
23:01Chloe threw them a wild pre-celebration party.
23:03The next morning,
23:04since my storage closet had no water source,
23:06I had to drag my leg out to wash up.
23:09Passing the living room,
23:10I saw the young wolves playing a game.
23:12Selina and Kaylin sat in the center of it all.
23:15Alpha, you lost!
23:17Truth or dare?
23:18Kaylin leaned back lazily.
23:19Dare.
23:20Kiss Selina in front of everyone one full minute!
23:24The young Alpha suddenly caught sight of me at the edge of the room.
23:27His grin widened.
23:29How about this?
23:30Pick any she-wolf in this room,
23:31and kiss her for one minute.
23:33Lyra!
23:34Weren't you the one who was most obsessed
23:36with the Alpha?
23:37He's about to mark someone else.
23:39Why not share one last kiss with him?
23:41One last desperate memory to cling to?
23:44Kaylin stood up.
23:45Step by step,
23:46he walked toward me.
23:47Kaylin...
23:49There are too many people here.
23:50I'm about to make Selina my Luna.
23:52I can't humiliate her.
23:54You understand, don't you?
23:55I made a quiet sound of a scent and turned toward the washroom.
23:58Behind me, I heard the wet sounds of Kaylin and Selina's mouths meeting,
24:03and the wolves excited howls.
24:05In this game where I was always the option to be discarded,
24:08I truly had to thank him for finally letting me go.
24:13Night fell.
24:14Kaylin lit up the entire territory sky with fireworks for Selina.
24:18He tracked my scent and called me into the shadows.
24:23Lyra, once the full moon comes tomorrow
24:25and Selina and I finish the false binding ceremony,
24:27we can finally be together properly.
24:31I opened my dry throat.
24:35I'm sorry.
24:37I won't.
24:38Before I could finish,
24:39At-Chloe came running,
24:40howling.
24:41Kaylin!
24:42Come quick!
24:43Game time!
24:44Kaylin called back in acknowledgement,
24:47then turned to me.
24:49What were you saying?
24:50You want what?
24:52I gave a bitter smile.
24:55Nothing.
24:56Go.
24:58Revel with your pack.
25:00Kaylin squeezed my ice-cold fingers.
25:03Once tomorrow's ceremony is over,
25:05all of this will be over.
25:07He turned and strode back toward the clamorous light.
25:10I watched his back in silence.
25:13Yes.
25:14All ties were over.
25:18All the wolves flocked to Selina's lavish room.
25:21Alone, I slipped into the shadows of the main house
25:24and checked my communicator.
25:267.15pm.
25:28One hour and 45 minutes left.
25:31I washed my body with cold water,
25:34scrubbing every last trace of the territory's scent from my fur.
25:38The mirror reflected a body mapped with burn scars
25:41and whip marks from Silver Moon Prison.
25:43I put on the cleanest clothes I'd managed to keep all these years.
25:47Then I waited.
25:49The last hour.
25:50I looked around the den that had trapped me for so many years.
25:53A few ragged clothes.
25:55A few ragged clothes.
25:56One thin blanket.
25:59A diary and a photo frame on the desk.
26:01I threw away every old belonging.
26:04I picked up the photo frame.
26:07Inside was a group portrait of two families,
26:10taken 12 years ago,
26:11just after I'd returned to the territory.
26:13That photo had once held every desperate hope I'd had for this pack.
26:19Now I tore it to pieces and dropped it in the trash.
26:22Finally,
26:23I opened the diary.
26:26December 6, 2016.
26:28Sunny.
26:30I returned to the territory today.
26:32I met my Alpha and Luna.
26:34I have a home now.
26:35I'm not a stray anymore.
26:39April 1, 2017.
26:41Overcast.
26:42No food or money was allocated to me.
26:45I have to hunt for myself.
26:48July 7, 20, 2018.
26:51Sunny.
26:52I traded my prey for a necklace.
26:55My little sister didn't like it.
26:57I need to earn more.
26:59Buy her something better next time.
27:02I turned to the last entry.
27:05Written the night before I was sent to prison.
27:07Only one line.
27:09This pack doesn't love me.
27:10Not at all.
27:14A long-forgotten burn rose behind my eyes.
27:18I picked up a pen and,
27:20using the old wolf tongue,
27:22wrote my final words.
27:25I'm leaving, Alpha.
27:27Luna.
27:30Before I go,
27:31my wolf truly cannot understand.
27:34If you despised my so much,
27:36why did you search for me in the forest
27:38all those years ago?
27:41When other strays find their birth parents,
27:44they're met with endless acceptance and love.
27:47But for me,
27:48the moment you found me
27:50was the moment you found me
27:52wasn't I truly lost my parents.
27:55Chloe,
27:56you said you only recognized Salima as your sister.
28:00Today,
28:01I grant you that wish.
28:04Kaylin,
28:05you said after the false binding ceremony
28:08we could be together again.
28:09I'm sorry.
28:11My wolf is already dead.
28:13I won't wait for you anymore.
28:16May your bond prove unbreakable.
28:18I am abandoning this territory forever.
28:21Through I-Grease-Prowse-Mensley,
28:23we will never see each other again.
28:26I finished writing,
28:28laid the diary flat on the desk,
28:30and pulled the prison medical records from my bag.
28:36I set them down on top of the diary.
28:39The scan image was unmistakable.
28:42My body contained only one kidney.
28:44The clock struck nine.
28:47I grabbed my canvas bag
28:49and limped out of the territory.
28:52Behind me,
28:53lights blazed
28:54and the pack's revelry shook the ground.
28:56Ahead of me,
28:58several matte black military armored vehicles
29:00crowd silently in the dark.
29:03Without a flicker of hesitation,
29:05I stepped across the territory boundary
29:07and walked towards my new life.
29:12Engines roared to light.
29:14The convoy pulled away swiftly,
29:16swallowing me into the boundless night.
29:22The next day,
29:23to the sound of long,
29:24drawn-out wolf howls,
29:28Selena and Kaylin's mating ceremony
29:30officially began.
29:34My Luna mother swept her gaze around
29:37and couldn't pick up Lyra's scent.
29:39She frowned and growled,
29:41Chloe, where is Lyra?
29:42If she's absent,
29:43the other packs will talk.
29:45Go!
29:46Drag Lyra out here.
29:48I'll get her.
29:51Which den is she sleeping in?
29:54The storage closet.
29:56Every dominant wolf present went still.
29:59My alpha father's brown
30:00frontaled in confusion.
30:02Why would Lyra sleep in a storage closet?
30:05The servant shook.
30:08When Miss Lyra was first brought back,
30:11there was no suitable den.
30:13The Luna said she would stay in the storage closet temporarily.
30:17But temporarily had lasted 12 years.
30:21An ugly flush rose on my Luna mother's face.
30:25She masked her guilt with a surge of dominance.
30:29Selena, dressed in pure white silk ceremonial robes,
30:32released a clining wave of pheromones.
30:35Our storage closet is still better than fighting wild dogs for scraps in the forest like she used to.
30:41Sister shouldn't feel too wronged, should she?
30:44A thread of dissonance flickered throughout Chloe's heart.
30:49Frowning, she walked toward the renected corner at the end of the corridor.
30:55The heavy wooden door creaked open.
30:58No warm scent of packmates.
31:02Only dust and mildew.
31:04Lyra's bed was pushed against a row of rusted shelving.
31:08Beside it sat an abandoned water tank.
31:12Topped with a battered desk lamp,
31:15a yellow diary,
31:16and a stack of medical documents.
31:23Lyra wasn't there.
31:25Chloe's heart began to pound.
31:27She walked to the water tank.
31:30With trembling hands,
31:31she picked up the diary and the medical reports.
31:35Alpha Father!
31:38Luna Mother!
31:40Sister isn't in the territory,
31:42but she left these behind!
31:45Alpha Father moved to investigate,
31:46but the sound of an SUV engine
31:49and the crushing weight of a top-plea Alpha's dominance
31:51rolled in from outside.
31:56Kaylin had arrived.
31:58My Luna Mother spoke first.
32:00She's probably just throwing a tantrum
32:02and ran off to the boundary.
32:06Chloe!
32:07Put those things down and come out.
32:10The Alpha is here for Selina.
32:15Alpha Father hesitated,
32:17then suppressed his unease,
32:19and turned to go out.
32:22The main hall.
32:24At Kaylin stood in the center,
32:25holding a bouquet.
32:27His face showed no trace of joy.
32:29His optory senses were filtering the air
32:32with frantic intensity.
32:34Nothing.
32:35No trace of Lyra's scent.
32:37His brow furled hard.
32:41Where is Lyra?
32:43Jealousy flashed through Lina's eyes.
32:46Kaylin,
32:47Sister probably couldn't handle the stimulation.
32:50She ran out of the territory.
32:52My Luna Mother echoed her.
32:54Alpha,
32:55we failed to domesticate Lyra's wildness.
32:58Forgive us.
33:00Kaylin's wolf growled in agitation.
33:02He pulled out his communicator
33:04and messaged Lyra.
33:06Why is your wolf still so childish?
33:08Where the hell did you run off to?
33:10No response.
33:12Not through Mindlink.
33:14Not through the communicator.
33:16Chloe emerged,
33:17clutching the diary and the medical reports.
33:20She'd only glanced at the report,
33:22but what she saw made her blood run cold.
33:24Why was Lyra's body in such terrible condition?
33:28Why did she only have one kidney?
33:33She had already ordered her deputy
33:35to launch a full investigation
33:36into Lyra's seven years in Silvermoon prison.
33:41Selina broke the silence,
33:43looping her arm through Kaylin's.
33:45Alpha,
33:46our mating ceremony is about to start.
33:49Sister left.
33:50So she left.
33:51Chloe and Alpha Father both frowned
33:53Selina didn't care in the slightest
33:55whether Lyra lived or died.
33:59A false binding ceremony
34:01doesn't need to go that far.
34:02You just wanted to wear the wedding dress
34:04and walk into the Moon Temple.
34:06Kaylin's voice was cold.
34:08Let's go.
34:08Get it done.
34:11He pulled his arm free
34:12and strode out of the main house,
34:14carrying a freezing area with him.
34:19Because it was a false ceremony,
34:21Kaylin had invited no guests.
34:24The temple stood empty
34:26except for the Alpha family
34:27and an elder to officiate.
34:29Selina finally shattered.
34:35This isn't what I wanted at all!
34:42Lyra left, so what?
34:44You still have me!
34:47Am I so inferior
34:49to that stray wild wolf?
34:51She's been to prison!
34:52How could she possibly be worthy of you?
34:56Selina,
34:57you threatened to kill yourself.
34:59You jumped off the roof!
35:01That's the only reason
35:02I agreed to this sham of a ceremony.
35:06Now we've done what you asked,
35:07I'm going to find Lyra.
35:15He fixed his eyes on her hard.
35:17And don't you forget,
35:19Lyra went to Silvermoon Prison
35:20in your place.
35:22Every wolf present turned to stone.
35:25Selina let out a piercing shriek.
35:28From somewhere on her person,
35:30she drew a silver-coated blade
35:32and pressed it to her own throat.
35:35I don't care!
35:37What makes Lyra better than me?
35:39When you were dying from your wounds,
35:42all those years ago,
35:43I was the one who gave you my kidney!
35:50My Luna mother lunged to grab the knife.
35:53Selina,
35:53don't do anything reckless.
35:55Dame, back!
35:59Kaylin is the only mate I want.
36:01Why can't I have him?
36:03It's all Lyra's fault.
36:05She deserves to die!
36:08Her hysterical curses echoed through the temple.
36:10The scene spiraled completely out of control.
36:18It ended with an ambulance.
36:20His palm was severely burned
36:22from wrestling the blade
36:23from her grip barehanded.
36:26He sat in the ambulance,
36:28calling and messaging Lyra
36:29like a man possessed.
36:30Lyra,
36:31the false binding ceremony is over.
36:33Where are you?
36:34Don't let anger cloud your reason.
36:35Let me come find you, alright?
36:37But Lyra's message interface
36:39remained dead silent.
36:42Territory hospital.
36:43Outside the operating room.
36:45Ignoring the blood still seeping
36:46from her own wound,
36:47my Luna mother anxiously
36:49instructed the healer.
36:50My daughter is a fragile Omega.
36:52She has depression.
36:53She's missing a kidney.
36:55Be gentle when you stitch her wound.
36:56Ma'am,
36:57we've done a full body scan.
36:59Her body is perfectly healthy.
37:02She is not missing a kidney.
37:04What did you say?
37:17What did you say?
37:20She was scared,
37:20stunned,
37:21and disbelieving.
37:22At that moment,
37:24Chloe was staring at the data
37:25her deputy had sent.
37:27Medical records
37:28matching the ones
37:29Lyra had left behind,
37:30along with two segments
37:32of blurry surveillance footage.
37:34The first clip,
37:36Lyra and Kaylin
37:37wheeled side by side
37:38into the operating room,
37:39an organ transplant.
37:40The second clip,
37:42the dim interior
37:42of Silvermoon Prison,
37:44Lyra,
37:44being servidually torn into,
37:46beaten,
37:46and tormented
37:47by a group
37:48of powerful she-wolves.
37:49How dare they do this
37:51to the blood daughter
37:52of the Alpha!
37:54Alpha Father gave orders!
37:56Kaylin sent supplies!
37:58How could this have happened?
38:03The mastermind behind it all
38:06was Selene.
38:09She couldn't hold it in
38:11any longer,
38:11but her parents
38:12had already vanished
38:13from sight.
38:14Gripping the diary,
38:15she ran frantically
38:16through the hospital.
38:17She found Selene's room
38:18and shoved the door open.
38:19Alpha Father,
38:19Luna Mother,
38:20please,
38:21read what your eldest daughter
38:22left behind first.
38:23She flipped to the final pages.
38:25Lyra has always understood
38:26the old wolf tongue.
38:27Every word we used
38:27to exclude her,
38:28she heard and understood
38:29every single one.
38:30The blood in both Alpha
38:31and Luna seemed
38:32to freeze solid.
38:35Alpha Father snatched the diary.
38:37He read it,
38:38word by word,
38:39his breathing growing heavier
38:41and more ragged.
38:43Chloe turned a cold stare
38:45on Selene.
38:45Selene,
38:46the person who gave
38:47Kaylin her kidney
38:48all those years ago.
38:49It was never you,
38:50was it?
38:51Selene went sorged.
38:53The guilt that flink
38:54across her face
38:54made the last shred
38:55of hope in E.
38:56Chloe's heart
38:57collapse into rubble.
38:58Why did you cut off
38:59the survival supplies
39:00mother and father
39:01sent?
39:02Lyra,
39:03why did you bribe
39:04the prison guards
39:05to torture her
39:06inside the prison?
39:07Selene released
39:08a weak pulse of pheromones,
39:10fainting bewilderment.
39:11What are you talking
39:12about?
39:14The two Alpha and Luna
39:15having finished
39:16the ginery
39:16walked over.
39:17Chloe gave the order
39:18to her deputy.
39:20Bring them in.
39:24Five minutes later,
39:26the deputy entered
39:27with the prison guard,
39:28a financial official,
39:29and a heavyset,
39:31brutal-looking
39:31she-wolf convict.
39:41At the same moment,
39:43he stepped into the room,
39:44radiating a frigid,
39:46sharp,
39:46fear-forest scent.
39:48His face was a frozen
39:50mask of slaughter.
39:52His piercing gaze
39:54pinned her pale face
39:55in place.
39:56As Lyra's mate,
39:58I also have the absolute
39:59right to scent out
40:00the truth behind all
40:01of this.
40:02Selene turned
40:03ghost-white.
40:05Kaelin,
40:07what truth?
40:08I don't understand
40:09a single thing
40:10you're all saying.
40:11Selene,
40:11you're still trying
40:13to deceive us,
40:13even now?
40:14How many times
40:15over the years
40:16have you slandered Lyra?
40:18Chloe's voice
40:19rose sharply.
40:20Do I need to sniff out
40:21every filthy thing
40:22you've done,
40:23right here in front
40:24of the Alpha?
40:25Selene collapsed
40:26to the floor,
40:27eyes red.
40:29Chloe,
40:30I'm your real sister.
40:32How can you speak
40:33to me like this?
40:34Chloe's laugh
40:34was ice.
40:35Then have you forgotten?
40:37Lyra is the eldest sister
40:38who shares the same
40:39blood as me!
40:40Selene began
40:41to hyperhentilate,
40:42putting on the full
40:43performance of a
40:44stress-induced episode.
40:45My Luna mother's blind,
40:48protective instinct
40:49surge again.
40:50Enough!
40:51Are you trying
40:51to drive your sister
40:53to her death?
40:58Mom,
40:59you're still defending her?
41:01Do you even know
41:02who your real pup is
41:03anymore?
41:04But Chloe grabbed
41:05the medical records
41:06and records.
41:07Lyra has only one kidney
41:08inside her body.
41:10She's the one
41:11who truly saved
41:12Kaelin's life.
41:14Lyra's near-death
41:15reports from
41:16Silvermoon Prison,
41:17all of it
41:17was caused
41:18by deliberate,
41:20malicious assault.
41:23She lived
41:24in this territory
41:25for 12 years.
41:26We never gave her
41:27a drop of love.
41:28Instead,
41:29we despised her
41:30and exiled her
41:31because of Selene's lies.
41:33Selene's depression
41:34is a complete fabrication.
41:39She laid down
41:40the most damning
41:41evidence,
41:42the scan showing
41:43Selene's two
41:44perfectly healthy kidneys
41:45and a psychological
41:47report confirming
41:48she was mentally stable
41:49with antisocial
41:51personality tendencies.
41:53The silent
41:54Kaelin
41:54finally moved.
41:56He unleashed
41:58a terrifying wave
41:59of alpha dominance.
42:03Chloe,
42:05give me Lyra's reports.
42:08critical condition
42:09notices,
42:10x-rays,
42:11blood-stained
42:12medical photographs.
42:13He turned them
42:14over one by one
42:15when he reached
42:16the full-body
42:17injury chart.
42:18Her arms,
42:19her stomach,
42:20her back,
42:21her thighs,
42:21barely a patch
42:22of unbroken skin,
42:23every inch
42:24covered in bite marks
42:25and silver-burned scars.
42:27The top-flier
42:27felt rationality set.
42:29He lunged
42:30at Atzelena,
42:31towering over her.
42:38Tell me,
42:39what did you do
42:40to my mate?
42:41Selene,
42:42how dare you
42:43torture her like this?
42:44With no more room
42:45to hide,
42:47Selene laughed,
42:49twisted.
42:52She looked at
42:53my Luna mother.
42:59Chloe threw herself
43:00in front of their mother.
43:02Stop your performance!
43:04For all these years,
43:05you used our sympathy!
43:06You used our mother's love
43:08and turned her into a blade,
43:10stabbing it over and over
43:11into her own
43:12biological daughter's heart!
43:13Selene,
43:14you're vicious
43:14beyond comprehension.
43:15Don't you understand?
43:18What you've done
43:19will leave this family
43:20drowning in irredeemable
43:21regret for the rest
43:22of our lives!
43:24Selene turned
43:24to Alpha Father.
43:26Daddy,
43:28you've always
43:29loved me the most.
43:30Alpha Father
43:31clutched the diary
43:32so hard it crumpled.
43:34In agony,
43:35he averted his eyes.
43:36In that moment,
43:37Selene lost
43:38every chip she had left.
43:40Her gaze went hollow.
43:41She breathed out
43:42the words,
43:43light as ash.
43:44I just wanted
43:44Lyra to die.
43:45That's all.
43:46Nothing more.
43:48Selene!
43:50Kaelin's voice
43:51sounded like
43:52it was ripped
43:52from a torn throat.
43:55Confess
43:56every single
43:57one of your crimes.
43:59Every word.
44:01Now.
44:03Alpha Father spoke,
44:04his voice
44:06heavy with grief.
44:09Kaelin,
44:11I will give you
44:13an accounting,
44:13but before that,
44:15you should read
44:16what Lyra
44:16left for you.
44:17What she wrote
44:18at the end.
44:19Numbly,
44:20Kaelin took the diary.
44:22He turned
44:22to the last page,
44:23so,
44:24the day he kissed Selene
44:26in front of everyone,
44:28that was when
44:28Lyra had already
44:30given up completely.
44:31And he had
44:32arrogantly believed
44:33that after the false
44:35binding ceremony,
44:36he could still have her.
44:41Kaelin pressed the diary
44:42hard against his chest.
44:44Under the eyes
44:45of everyone present,
44:46the coldest,
44:47most ruthless
44:48top-tier alpha
44:49finally showed
44:50a face of utter
44:51devastation.
44:52A tear of remorse
44:53slipped silently
44:54from his eye.
44:56Selene was still crying.
44:58I didn't mean it.
45:00I was just scared
45:01of losing you.
45:03No.
45:03Kaelin said,
45:04his eyes held
45:05no mercy,
45:06only deathly stillness.
45:08You didn't mean it?
45:10Then who did?
45:12Lyra,
45:13who you framed
45:14and sent to prison.
45:16Or me,
45:17who you played
45:18like a puppet
45:19in your palm.
45:21Selene,
45:22you had everything.
45:24The alpha
45:25and luna
45:26doted on you.
45:27The entire pack
45:28treated you
45:28like a treasure.
45:30Lyra's return
45:30never once
45:31shook your position.
45:32Then what about you?
45:35Selene tore off
45:36her mask completely.
45:37Did her existence
45:38never shake
45:39my place
45:39in your heart?
45:40The question
45:42made Kaelin's breath
45:43stop cold.
45:47See?
45:49Your wolf
45:50already answered
45:51for you.
45:53Selene's lips
45:54curled in bitter
45:55mockery.
45:57After Lyra
45:57came back,
45:58you changed.
45:59The way you
46:00looked at her,
46:00it was pure
46:01possessiveness.
46:03How could I
46:03not be jealous?
46:05How could I
46:06not hate her
46:06to the marrow
46:07of my bones?
46:09So I had to
46:10make her disappear.
46:15I had to
46:17make her
46:18rot
46:18in that
46:19filthy
46:20prison
46:21until
46:21nothing
46:22was left?
46:24Kaelin
46:25stared at
46:26this stranger
46:26wearing an
46:27Omega's face.
46:28All that
46:29remained in his
46:30eyes was despair.
46:33Selene laughed
46:34and sobbed
46:34in the same breath.
46:36It's all that
46:37bitch Lyra's fault
46:38anyway!
46:39why did she
46:40have to come back?
46:44Her very existence
46:46kept reminding me
46:48I'm nothing but a
46:50cheap counterfeit!
46:54A violent slap
46:55exploded through the room.
46:57Selene clutched her
46:58swollen cheek,
46:59staring in disbelief
47:00at the Alpha
47:01Father who had
47:02once treasured her
47:03above all else.
47:05Alpha
47:05Father's face
47:06was dark.
47:07A tidal wave
47:08of regret
47:08crashed over him.
47:10Alpha
47:10Father!
47:12Selene tried to
47:14stir whatever
47:14pity remained.
47:15Father!
47:18You are no longer
47:19worthy of using
47:20that title
47:21to defile
47:22the honor
47:23of an Alpha.
47:24Alpha Father's
47:25eyes were rimmed
47:26red.
47:26What we owe
47:27Lyra,
47:28we will repay.
47:29What you owe
47:30her,
47:31you will repay
47:32in blood!
47:34Kaelin, I...
47:35Selene turned
47:36to him.
47:37Shut your mouth.
47:38You're not worthy
47:38of calling me that
47:39anymore.
47:41Is there truly
47:42no mercy left?
47:44You still think
47:45this is just
47:46a small matter?
47:47Kaelin's laugh
47:48was colder
47:49than death.
47:53Isn't it?
47:54Lyra only spent
47:55seven years
47:55in prison!
47:56She's not even
47:57dead!
47:58Selene shrieked.
48:05Her entire
48:06body is covered
48:07in scars
48:08from the wolves
48:09you paid
48:09to tear into her!
48:11Kaelin roared.
48:15So what?
48:16She deserved
48:17it!
48:19AHHHHH!
48:21AHHHHH!
48:22AHHHHH!
48:22AHHHHH!
48:24The sound
48:24of breaking
48:25bone was stark
48:26and piercing
48:26in the room.
48:28Kaelin's wolf
48:29claws closed
48:30around at
48:30Selene's wrist.
48:31With horrifying
48:32force,
48:33he crushed
48:33the bones.
48:37AHHHHH!
48:38AHHHHH!
48:39AHHHHH!
48:39At the same
48:40moment,
48:40aboard a plane
48:41bound for
48:42Dominica.
48:42I stared
48:43blankly out
48:44the window
48:44into the
48:45pitch-black
48:45sky.
48:47Those
48:47gray
48:47Myothams
48:48had all
48:48become
48:49the dust
48:49behind me.
48:55This
48:56aircraft
48:56is scheduled
48:57to arrive
48:58in Dominica
48:58in five minutes.
49:00The announcement
49:01echoed through
49:02the cabin.
49:04I cast the
49:05past away
49:06completely.
49:07Looking at
49:08the brightening
49:08coastline,
49:09the corner
49:10of my mouth
49:10curved into
49:11a wild,
49:12free arc.
49:18Dominica.
49:19I had
49:19arrived.
49:20I was about
49:21to meet my
49:22new life.
49:22Six years
49:23passed in the
49:24blink in an eye.
49:25Kaylin and
49:25the Crescent
49:26Moon Pack
49:27still hadn't
49:28found a
49:28single trace
49:29of me.
49:31When a soul
49:32resolves to
49:32vanish from
49:33the territory,
49:34even the
49:35Moon Goddess
49:35herself struggles
49:36to track it.
49:39Kaylin had
49:40wasted away,
49:41visibly.
49:42The communicator
49:44on his desk
49:44buzzed.
49:47He rubbed
49:48his exhausted
49:48brow and
49:49answered.
49:55Alpha,
49:56Selina's
49:57mental state
49:57has collapsed
49:58completely.
49:59Every day
50:00she tears
50:00into herself
50:01like a
50:01rabid animal.
50:03Her wolf
50:04has gone
50:04feral.
50:05The doctors
50:05recommend
50:06transferring
50:07her to a
50:07psychiatric
50:08institution.
50:09This time,
50:10is it real
50:11or another
50:13performance?
50:15Kaylin's
50:16voice was
50:16frozen steel.
50:20It's real.
50:20Her wolf
50:21spirit has
50:22atrophiated
50:22from prolonged
50:23terror.
50:24Fine.
50:25I'll send
50:26the transport.
50:29Kaylin cut
50:30the call
50:30without mercy.
50:31Over these
50:32six years,
50:33he had
50:33arranged for
50:34Selina to
50:35receive special
50:36attention inside
50:37the prison.
50:38Every single
50:39agony I had
50:39endured in
50:40Silvermoon
50:40prison,
50:42she had
50:43tasted every
50:43one of them
50:44in full
50:44measure.
50:46The Crescent
50:47Moon Pack
50:47had maintained
50:48a deathly
50:49silence about
50:49it.
50:50Kaylin
50:51dropped his
50:51gaze to
50:52the photo
50:52on his
50:52desk,
50:53the photo
50:54of me
50:54just after
50:54my release.
50:56Gone,
50:56skeletal,
50:58expressionless.
50:58Which forest
50:59are you hiding
51:00in, Lyra?
51:01He traced
51:02the brow
51:03and eyes
51:03in the
51:03photograph.
51:04Infinite
51:05regret
51:05soaked
51:05his voice.
51:06I know
51:07that making
51:07everyone
51:08who hurt
51:08you taste
51:08the same
51:09pain
51:09is the
51:09only true
51:10apology.
51:11But if
51:12you never
51:12come back,
51:13how do I
51:14return the
51:14soul I
51:15owe you?
51:16I
51:17don't
51:17know.
51:18I
51:19You
Comments