- 2 days ago
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00:00:03I was born a wolfless Omega, weak, unwanted, and always half a beat behind everyone else.
00:00:09Dominic Blackwood was the ruthless Alpha of our pack, and he was my fated mate.
00:00:14But he looked down on me for being a wolfless Omega.
00:00:18He never marked me, never claimed me in front of his people.
00:00:21He only kept me hidden for three years.
00:00:24Every time I tried to run, he dragged me straight back to his bed.
00:00:28Tick by tick, I learned to stand from the dark with shaking hands.
00:00:34Then the healer told me I was carrying his pup.
00:00:37A pup from an Alpha everyone believed was infertile.
00:00:40An impossible heir.
00:00:42Before I could tell him, rogues attacked.
00:00:45Wolfsbane stole his memory, and he forgot everything about me.
00:00:49His childhood sweetheart, Vanessa Hale, slapped me across the face.
00:00:54He forgot you.
00:00:55A wolfless Omega like you should crawl away and disappear.
00:01:01Three years later, I walked back into his life with the son he never knew he had.
00:01:16Alpha Dominic threw me onto the bed, locked my wrists to the headboard with black leather restraints,
00:01:21and pinned me down with his full weight.
00:01:24Rough, dominant, completely in control.
00:01:27He bit down on my neck, hard enough to draw blood,
00:01:29then grabbed my jaw and forced me to look straight into those feral gold eyes.
00:01:33You should be grateful.
00:01:35You're my fated mate.
00:01:37Hazel, a weak Omega, with no wolf, wouldn't even deserve to kneel beside my bed.
00:01:46My lashes trembled.
00:01:48I just stared at him, dazed and silent.
00:01:51He looked down on me like I was nothing.
00:01:54The entire blackwood pack looked down on me.
00:01:56But Dominic was the cruelest.
00:01:59He despised my weight.
00:02:00Yet he still refused to let me go.
00:02:02Don't look at me like that.
00:02:07I'm not marking you.
00:02:11And no one is ever going to know what you are to me.
00:02:14He kissed me until I couldn't think.
00:02:15Taking everything, leaving nothing.
00:02:18You're mine.
00:02:33When it was finally over, he fastened a heavy black pendant around my throat.
00:02:38Wear it.
00:02:39Without my scent, rogues will tear you apart.
00:02:42An alpha fang talisman.
00:02:44His essence.
00:02:45His way of tracking me wherever I went.
00:02:49Then today, I went to the pack healer and found out I was pregnant.
00:02:52The healers had always sworn Dominic was sterile.
00:02:55But the report was right there in my hands.
00:02:58His pup inside me.
00:02:59My first thought was to find him and tell him.
00:03:02But when I reached the recovery ward, Dominic wasn't there waiting for me.
00:03:06Vanessa was.
00:03:07She was still crying when she saw me.
00:03:09The second, her eyes locked onto mine.
00:03:11She crossed the room fast.
00:03:13Tears still wet on her face.
00:03:15Something vicious rising in her expression.
00:03:23You bitch.
00:03:25The slap landed hard across my face.
00:03:28This is your fault.
00:03:30Alpha Dominic is in a coma with wolf bait poisoning because of you.
00:03:37If you had never existed, none of this would have happened.
00:03:49I shoved the door open and the smell of blood hit me first.
00:03:53Dominic lay on the bed, his face bone white, black veins of poison crawling across half his chest.
00:03:59The toxin had torn through his soul and taken his memories with it.
00:04:03He had forgotten everyone.
00:04:04He could not even recognize my scent in the air.
00:04:07Vanessa threw herself beside him like a guard dog and screamed at me.
00:04:11You worthless, you worthless, wolf-less bitch!
00:04:15You were walking around the borderlands, reeking of Dominic's alpha scent.
00:04:20That is how the rogues tracked us.
00:04:22That is how they ambushed alpha Dominic!
00:04:26He was cleaning up your mess, and now look at him.
00:04:30You are a damn curse.
00:04:32I stood there, my eyes red and wet, still holding onto a trace of hope that Dominic would be alright.
00:04:40That seemed to irritate Vanessa even more.
00:04:42She stepped forward and shoved me hard.
00:04:45I lost my balance and stomped straight Dominic's mother, Luna Margaret.
00:04:49Margaret's face darkened instantly.
00:04:51Before I could steady myself, she lifted her foot and kicked me down.
00:04:57Pathetic.
00:04:58You come in here with your tears and your desperate little face.
00:05:02Like any of us owe you something.
00:05:04You are nothing to this family.
00:05:05You have never been anything.
00:05:07I tried to get up.
00:05:08My hands were shaking.
00:05:10Stay down.
00:05:10When Dominic opens his eyes, the last thing he needs to see is you.
00:05:14A broken, wolf-less mistake his soft heart took pity of.
00:05:17That ends today.
00:05:18They ordered me out.
00:05:19But as the guards dragged me away, Dominic's fingers clawed into the stone bed.
00:05:25Even unconscious, he let out a low, jagged grime.
00:05:31Do not take it.
00:05:33Do not let her leave.
00:05:36His voice was wrecked.
00:05:38Vanessa threw herself over him, pressing her body against his chest to block his line of sight.
00:05:44Then she leaned close to his ear, her breath warm.
00:05:48Dominic, I am right here.
00:05:51I will never leave you.
00:05:54The guards dragged me out.
00:05:56Only then did I touch my neck and feel the fang talisman still there.
00:06:01I turned around and walked right back.
00:06:04I stretched my neck toward them.
00:06:06If you want me gone, take this off.
00:06:08As long as I wear it, Dominic can still sense where I am.
00:06:15The healer sneered and brought out silver shears.
00:06:18The leather cords snapped.
00:06:20Then they scrubbed my skin raw with moon water until every trace of Dominic's scent was gone.
00:06:26The moment the talisman broke, Dominic's body seized in the next room.
00:06:30He coughed up black blood, as if something had been carved straight out of his soul.
00:06:35Vanessa kicked the fang into the fire, but her fingers closed around a single shard and hid it in her
00:06:40palm.
00:06:40Richard threw a bag of money at me and forced me to swear a blood-o, never to speak of
00:06:44the past.
00:06:45I left alone, barely steady on my feet.
00:06:48Slowly, I touched my stomach.
00:06:50I forgot to tell them again.
00:06:53Dominic was not infertile.
00:06:55He already had a child.
00:06:59Three years later, in a border town where humans and wolves lived side by side,
00:07:03I gave birth to Eli Reed alone in a basement clinic.
00:07:07He looked exactly like Dominic.
00:07:09Today, the pup training camp opened house.
00:07:12Every other little wolf had a father standing behind them.
00:07:16Beside Eli, there was only empty space.
00:07:18A heavyset pup shoved Eli to the ground.
00:07:21No dad, no wolf, no place here.
00:07:24Your mom is a wolf-less Omega and a worthless piece of trash.
00:07:30Eli got up by himself and stepped in front of me.
00:07:33I have my mom.
00:07:34That is enough.
00:07:35I will protect her.
00:07:37The werewolf parents laughed.
00:07:39Then someone stared at Eli's face a little too long.
00:07:43Wait.
00:07:44Doesn't that kid look a little like Alpha Dominic from Blackwood?
00:07:48With her?
00:07:51Please.
00:07:52She was just some hidden Omega no one claimed.
00:07:55Who knows where that bastard came from.
00:07:58Eli splashed dark gold and he tackled the boy to the ground.
00:08:02The boy's father charged forward, grabbed Eli by the collar, and slapped him hard.
00:08:07A nobody little bastard thinks he can touch my kid.
00:08:13Eli's face went pale with pain, but he did not cry.
00:08:16Something snapped in me.
00:08:18I lunged forward and sank my teeth into that man's wrist.
00:08:21Then I grabbed Eli's and ran.
00:08:25That night, Eli started burning up.
00:08:27Gold flickered in his eyes.
00:08:28I could not find anyone who could treat a wolf pup,
00:08:31so I carried him to the Blackwood Border Clinic.
00:08:34The moment I stepped inside, a wave of perfume hit me.
00:08:38Vanessa stood there with a little boy at her side.
00:08:40He was dressed in air ceremonial robes.
00:08:43I stared at that child.
00:08:47Vanessa recognized me.
00:08:50Her face stiffened, then twisted into a sneer.
00:08:54Hazel, getting thrown out three years ago,
00:08:58was not humiliating enough?
00:09:00Now you crawl back here with some bastard,
00:09:04trying to squeeze money out of the Blackwoods?
00:09:07I held Eli tighter.
00:09:09He was burning up, barely conscious.
00:09:11I did not come here for you.
00:09:13He has a fever.
00:09:14Please, just let the healer see him.
00:09:17Vanessa planted herself right in front of the door.
00:09:21Why should I?
00:09:24My child scraped his hand,
00:09:26and even that matters more than your bastard's whole life.
00:09:29The little boy at her side lifted his chin and looked at Eli.
00:09:34Mommy, is that the bastard with no dad?
00:09:38Vanessa stroked his hair, her voice soft as poison.
00:09:42Do not go near them.
00:09:44Low-born Omega trash could be carrying anything.
00:09:50Eli could barely open his eyes, but he still lifted his head.
00:09:58Do not talk about my mom like that.
00:10:01The little boy reached out and hit him.
00:10:04I am the Blackwood heir.
00:10:06You are just some stray nobody.
00:10:09Eli stumbled back.
00:10:10Then he tore out of my arms, lunged forward, and bit the boy's wrist.
00:10:15The little boy screamed.
00:10:21Vanessa's face twisted, and she raised her hand to strike Eli.
00:10:25I yanked him back just in time.
00:10:27She missed, and that only made her angrier.
00:10:30Her fingers went to the silver mark on her temple,
00:10:33as she opened a mind link.
00:10:36Dominic, someone is threatening our child.
00:10:38A low-born Mega dragged her bastard into the clinic,
00:10:42and he just bit our son.
00:10:45A cold voice cut through the air.
00:10:48Who touched my child?
00:10:50I am coming.
00:10:54Vanessa's eyes lit up when she heard his answer.
00:10:57Did you hear that?
00:10:59Dominic is coming.
00:11:00His voice made my chest lock up.
00:11:02Three years ago, he knew I was his fated mate,
00:11:04but he still refused to mark me or claim me.
00:11:07He despised my rank and let everyone treat me like a shameful little secret.
00:11:12Now Vanessa only had to say our child was being threatened,
00:11:15and he came running.
00:11:16He would always choose her, never me.
00:11:19I held Eli tighter.
00:11:20I could swallow the humiliation,
00:11:22but I would not let them hurt my child.
00:11:24Eli's face was pale with pain,
00:11:26but his little fingers still clutched my collar.
00:11:31Mommy, don't be scared.
00:11:34Vanessa sneered.
00:11:36Look at him.
00:11:37A fatherless mutt acting like a little alpha.
00:11:40What a joke.
00:11:41She motioned to the guards.
00:11:43Hold them down.
00:11:44When Dominic gets here,
00:11:46he can see exactly what kind of trash crawled back into his territory.
00:11:51I tried to run,
00:11:52but my wolf had never awakened.
00:11:53The pressure alone made my legs buckle.
00:11:56Just as the guards reached for Eli,
00:11:58the clinic door slammed open.
00:12:00Every wolf in the room lowered their head.
00:12:03Dominic was here.
00:12:04He was paler than he had been three years ago.
00:12:06And Black Wolf's bane, Bane, still coiled up his neck.
00:12:09But the force of a dominant alpha still crushed the room into silence.
00:12:13Vanessa rushed to his side.
00:12:15Dominic, it's her.
00:12:18She let her bastard bite our son
00:12:20and tried to steal the exam room.
00:12:23Dominic glanced at the boy.
00:12:25Then, looked at me.
00:12:27At first, his eyes were cold and empty.
00:12:30Then my scent reached him.
00:12:31His whole body went rigid,
00:12:33and his gold eyes ignited.
00:12:35He walked toward me like his own wolf was dragging him forward,
00:12:38his breathing heavier with every step.
00:12:40I backed into the wall with Eli in my arms.
00:12:43Dominic grabbed my chin and forced my face up.
00:12:46His voice was rough and unsteady.
00:12:49You look familiar to me.
00:12:53But what is your name?
00:12:57I was forced to look up at him.
00:12:59That familiar alpha presence bore down on me.
00:13:01And my mind went blank for a beat.
00:13:03Hazel.
00:13:04The moment he heard that name,
00:13:06his pupils contracted and his chest started heaving.
00:13:09But his eyes stayed empty.
00:13:11He didn't remember me.
00:13:12It was just his body reacting.
00:13:14His wolf recoiling at the sound of my name.
00:13:17Like it had been struck by something it couldn't understand.
00:13:20Vanessa's voice sliced through the silence.
00:13:23Dominic, she's faking.
00:13:25These low omegas know exactly how to use scent to manipulate people.
00:13:30Then Eli curled up in my arms and cried out in pain.
00:13:34Mommy, it hurts.
00:13:35I clutched him tighter,
00:13:36but somehow, with what little strength he had left,
00:13:39he reached toward Dominic.
00:13:41His face was burning red,
00:13:42and his voice came out barely a whisper.
00:13:45Daddy.
00:13:47The whole clinic went dead silent.
00:13:49I froze, too.
00:13:51Eli had no idea who he was calling to.
00:13:53He was just in too much pain,
00:13:55reaching for the strongest alpha near him on pure instinct,
00:13:58like a dying cub.
00:14:00Dominic stared at that tiny hand.
00:14:02His face went even paler.
00:14:04Eli grabbed the edge of his shirt and drew in a small breath,
00:14:06and the violent gold light in his eyes
00:14:09slowly began to dim.
00:14:12When I'm close to you, it doesn't hurt so much.
00:14:15The healer rushed forward,
00:14:16his expression shifting to shock.
00:14:19This is bloodline preservation.
00:14:21He's a dominant alpha pup,
00:14:22too young and never blessed by the territory.
00:14:24His awakening is forcing him to seek out a source alpha's core energy.
00:14:29Vanessa's face went white.
00:14:31That's impossible.
00:14:33He's just a bastard.
00:14:35The healer looked at Eli,
00:14:36then at Dominic,
00:14:38his voice shaking.
00:14:39No ordinary alpha could stabilize him that fast.
00:14:42For him to calm down this quickly,
00:14:45it has to be a direct blood connection.
00:14:47Dominic said nothing.
00:14:48He bent down and lifted Eli into his arms.
00:14:51Eli pressed against his chest,
00:14:53and his pained little face finally relaxed.
00:14:55But Dominic let out a rough grunt,
00:14:57like something was being ripped out of him,
00:15:00and the healer stumbled back.
00:15:01He's draining your alpha energy.
00:15:03Vanessa screamed.
00:15:07He cannot be Dominic's child!
00:15:09Dominic lifted his eyes,
00:15:11and his voice was ice.
00:15:14Save him first.
00:15:18Eli was rushed into the treatment room,
00:15:20and his breathing finally steadied.
00:15:22I had just started to exhale,
00:15:24and Dominic grabbed my wrist
00:15:25and dragged me out.
00:15:27He kicked open the door to the next wound.
00:15:29A wounded wolf was inside,
00:15:31pulled him off the bed,
00:15:32and shoved him toward the door.
00:15:37The wolf scrambled away.
00:15:39Vanessa screamed and tried to force her away,
00:15:41but Dominic's alpha pressure slammed her back.
00:15:44The door shut in her face.
00:15:46He turned on me and threw me onto the bed.
00:15:48Silver restraint straps hung from the sides,
00:15:51and he grabbed them,
00:15:51binding my wrists to the bed frame.
00:15:54Dominic, have you lost your mind?
00:15:56Let me go!
00:15:58He came down over me.
00:15:59His chest burned against mine,
00:16:01and his thigh forced its way between my legs.
00:16:04The black veins of wolfsbane twisted under his skin,
00:16:07driven wild by desire and pain.
00:16:09He tore at my clothes,
00:16:10his fingers digging into my waist.
00:16:13Why does my body
00:16:15want to rip you apart right now?
00:16:17He pinned me down harder.
00:16:19Then he dropped his head
00:16:20and sank his fangs into the side of my neck.
00:16:23Hot blood spilled over my skin.
00:16:26His canines landed exactly on the old scar
00:16:28from three years ago.
00:16:29The mark left behind
00:16:31when they cut his fang callusman off my throat.
00:16:33I cried out through clenched teeth,
00:16:36but he was already drinking from me,
00:16:38wild and desperate,
00:16:40his palm dragging up my side.
00:16:42His blood-stained fingers grabbed my chin
00:16:44and forced me to look straight
00:16:46into those shattered gold eyes.
00:16:48Who the hell are you?
00:16:50Tell me!
00:16:54I could not answer.
00:16:55The blood oath from three years ago
00:16:57locked around my throat like a cage,
00:16:58and all I could do was stare up at him.
00:17:01Helpless.
00:17:03Dominic looked at my pale face,
00:17:07and the hunger and fury in his eyes
00:17:09burned even darker.
00:17:10He crushed his mouth against mine,
00:17:12rough, desperate, and punishing.
00:17:14He swallowed every broken sound I made.
00:17:16One hand clamped hard around my waist,
00:17:18as if he needed proof that I was real
00:17:20and not some fever dream.
00:17:22He bit my swollen lip,
00:17:24and his voice came out wrecked.
00:17:28My wolf is losing its mind.
00:17:30It says you are mine.
00:17:32Only mine.
00:17:34Then why do I not remember you?
00:17:38Why can I not remember anything?
00:17:40Right then,
00:17:42screams broke out from the next room.
00:17:44His bloodline is going out of control again!
00:17:47Dominic's eyes snapped clear.
00:17:49He tore himself away from me
00:17:50and charged into the treatment room,
00:17:52slamming his palm over Ellie's tiny chest.
00:17:55Golden light poured out of Ellie
00:17:56and straight into Dominic's body.
00:17:58Dominic let out a raw grunt of pain
00:18:00as the black veins crawled past his ears
00:18:02and across his cheeks.
00:18:03But when Eli's face finally relaxed,
00:18:06he still did not let go.
00:18:08Eli went still.
00:18:11Dominic collapsed toward me
00:18:12as I ran in after him,
00:18:14his forehead hitting my shoulder.
00:18:17Do not go.
00:18:19Those words froze me.
00:18:20They were the same words he had said three years ago
00:18:23when they cut his talisman from my throat.
00:18:25Then his eyes went empty,
00:18:27and he passed out against me.
00:18:31The door burst open.
00:18:33Vanessa rushed in
00:18:34with Richard and Margaret right behind her.
00:18:36She saw my torn clothes,
00:18:38the blood on my neck,
00:18:40the fresh bite marks,
00:18:41and Dominic unconscious in my arms.
00:18:44Pure hatred lit up her face.
00:18:49This filthy Omega used her scent
00:18:52to trap him.
00:18:53She and that bastard
00:18:54drained his alpha energy.
00:18:57She is trying to kill him.
00:18:59Richard's face turned murderous.
00:19:01He looked at the pack enforcers behind him.
00:19:04Take her away.
00:19:05I will not let some discarded Omega
00:19:08destroy Dominic.
00:19:11Vanessa pulled a silver knife from her coat
00:19:13and stepped toward me,
00:19:14smiling like she had already won.
00:19:22Start with her face, ruin it,
00:19:25then throw her into the lowest cell.
00:19:27When Dominic wakes up,
00:19:29he will not even want to look at her.
00:19:34The Enforcer shoved me harder into the mattress.
00:19:37The leather dug into my wrists,
00:19:39and I could not move.
00:19:41Richard stood nearby,
00:19:42cold and detached,
00:19:43ready to bury me
00:19:44under fabricated charges of espionage
00:19:46and attempted murder of an alpha.
00:19:49Vanessa grinned
00:19:50and pressed the cold silver blade
00:19:52against my cheek.
00:19:54Don't worry.
00:19:56I'll cut deep.
00:19:57When Dominic gets his memories back
00:20:00and sees that ruined face,
00:20:04he'll be sick just looking at you.
00:20:06I closed my eyes as a tear slipped down my cheek.
00:20:09Margaret watched without a flicker of emotion
00:20:11in the blackwood pack.
00:20:12Bloodline and honor meant everything.
00:20:14A weak wolf's life meant nothing.
00:20:16Just as the blade was about to split my skin,
00:20:19a deafening boom shook the underground chamber.
00:20:22The stone door was blasted off its hinges
00:20:24by a pure wave of alpha energy.
00:20:26Three-year-old Eli had thrown two high-ranking guards aside
00:20:30and charged in like a fully awakened alpha pup.
00:20:33Golden light blazed around his tiny body,
00:20:35fierce and terrifying.
00:20:36He hurled himself straight at Margaret.
00:20:39Margaret staggered back under the force
00:20:41of that wild bloodline power.
00:20:43She opened her mouth to snore.
00:20:44But the moment she looked down at his face,
00:20:47the sound died in her throat.
00:20:49That face.
00:20:50No.
00:20:52That's impossible.
00:20:53The brows.
00:20:54The nose.
00:20:55Those fierce gold eyes.
00:20:57He looked exactly like Dominic as a child,
00:20:59down to the smallest detail.
00:21:01Richard's cane clattered to the floor.
00:21:07Child.
00:21:08Who is your father?
00:21:10Eli's lip wobbled.
00:21:11He wiped his face with his sleeve
00:21:13and shouted through his tears.
00:21:17I don't have a dad.
00:21:19Just my mom.
00:21:20So stop hurting her.
00:21:24The moment Eli threw his arms out in front of me,
00:21:27the underground chamber fell silent.
00:21:30Margaret stared at his face
00:21:31as if she had forgotten how to breathe.
00:21:34Richard's cane struck the floor with a sharp crack.
00:21:36Put the knife down.
00:21:37Now.
00:21:38Vanessa gripped the silver blade tighter,
00:21:40refusing to back down.
00:21:42He only looks like him.
00:21:43This weak Omega is lying.
00:21:45She must have drugged the child to fake his bloodline.
00:21:48Eli's face was smeared with blood,
00:21:50but he kept his arms spread wide,
00:21:52shielding me.
00:21:54You don't get to hurt my mom.
00:21:56She raised me all by herself,
00:21:58and it was hard enough already.
00:22:00Tears blurred my eyes.
00:22:01My three-year-old boy was still burning with fever,
00:22:04my three-year-old boy was still burning with fever,
00:22:04and he stood there like a wolf pup,
00:22:05jaw clenched,
00:22:06refusing to give an inch.
00:22:08From the next room came a raw,
00:22:09broken snarl.
00:22:10Dominic,
00:22:11still unconscious,
00:22:12black veins of wolfsbane,
00:22:14crawling up his neck.
00:22:15But that sound
00:22:16was an answer to Eli's bloodline.
00:22:18The healer rushed in,
00:22:19and his face went pale.
00:22:21The alpha's wolf is reacting to the child.
00:22:26When the boy is close,
00:22:27the wolfbane weakens.
00:22:29Richard's expression finally cracked.
00:22:33No one touches the mother or the child
00:22:35until Dominic wakes.
00:22:38They did not kill us,
00:22:40but they did not free us either.
00:22:42Richard put us in the lowest Omega quarters,
00:22:44at the edge of Blackwood territory.
00:22:46Two guards at the door
00:22:47patrol wolves outside the window.
00:22:49This is custody,
00:22:51not charity.
00:22:53Until the bloodline is verified,
00:22:55neither of you leave Blackwood land.
00:22:57Vanessa stood beside him
00:22:58and tossed a gray servant's dress
00:23:00at my feet.
00:23:01Blackwood does not feed useless mouths.
00:23:04Starting today,
00:23:04you work for my mating ceremony.
00:23:06Dominic and I will be married as planned.
00:23:09You'll take care of my dress,
00:23:10polish the altar,
00:23:11and prepare the marriage chamber.
00:23:13Oh, and our bed.
00:23:15You'll make that with your own hands.
00:23:17Eli grabbed the hem of my skirt.
00:23:19His little face was still pale from the fever.
00:23:22Mommy, didn't we come here to see a doctor?
00:23:25Why do you have to work for her?
00:23:27Vanessa bent down
00:23:28and pinched his cheek hard enough to leave a mark.
00:23:32Because your mother is a low-born Omega,
00:23:34she gets to breathe on Blackwood land
00:23:36only because she is useful on her knees.
00:23:38I pulled Eli into my arms
00:23:40and pressed his face against my chest.
00:23:42Three years ago,
00:23:43Dominic refused to claim me as his mate.
00:23:46Three years later,
00:23:47I would prepare his mating ceremony
00:23:48to another woman with my own hands.
00:23:53Eli's fever came back that night.
00:23:55He curled up in my arms,
00:23:56gold flickering wildly in his eyes.
00:23:59Small animal sounds of pain
00:24:00scraping from his throat.
00:24:01I tried to go find the healer,
00:24:04but the guard blocked the door.
00:24:07No orders.
00:24:09Low Omegas do not wander around the main house.
00:24:12I knelt at the doorway.
00:24:13He cannot hold on much longer.
00:24:15Please, just let me get a healer.
00:24:17The guard kicked my hand aside.
00:24:19A bastard dying saves everyone the trouble.
00:24:23Eli heard him.
00:24:24He was shaking from the pain,
00:24:26but he still reached out
00:24:27and grabbed my hand.
00:24:29Mommy, don't beg them.
00:24:30I can take it.
00:24:32My eyes went red.
00:24:33Margaret walked past at the end of the hall.
00:24:35She was going to keep walking.
00:24:37Then she heard the stifled sounds of Eli's pain
00:24:39and her steps stopped.
00:24:41She looked at me, face still cold.
00:24:43Bring the healer.
00:24:44The guard froze.
00:24:46I said, bring the healer.
00:24:49The healer came
00:24:50when he saw the gold markings surfacing on Ellie's back,
00:24:53his face drained of color.
00:24:57An alpha pup of the highest bloodline.
00:24:59He cannot take any more stress
00:25:01or the backlog will reach his heart.
00:25:02Margaret watched Eli's maul fingers,
00:25:04gripping my collar.
00:25:05For the first time,
00:25:06she didn't curse at me.
00:25:10The next day,
00:25:11I was summoned to the hall.
00:25:14Vanessa's gown hung on a silver rack,
00:25:16layers of white fabric
00:25:17spilling down like snow.
00:25:19She sat in her cushioned chair
00:25:20and made me kneel on the floor,
00:25:23smoothing the hemage by inch.
00:25:25Careful.
00:25:26Dominic himself approved this luna gown.
00:25:29I pressed down the folds,
00:25:31my fingers rigid.
00:25:32She lifted her foot
00:25:33and slammed her heel onto my hand.
00:25:36Oh, I didn't see your hand there.
00:25:38The maids around us snickered.
00:25:40Vanessa leaned down,
00:25:41her voice dropping low.
00:25:43Hazel,
00:25:44do you really think giving birth
00:25:45to a child who looks like him
00:25:47changes anything?
00:25:48Do not flatter yourself.
00:25:50Blackwood already has an heir.
00:25:52I looked up.
00:25:53The little boy at her side
00:25:54was lifting his chin,
00:25:56a silver heir's crest
00:25:57pinned to his chest.
00:25:58Then I heard two maids
00:26:00whispering in the hallway outside.
00:26:01He is not even Vanessa's birth child.
00:26:03He was adopted from a Hale Branch family.
00:26:06Quiet.
00:26:07The elder adopted him from a Hale Branch
00:26:09after the alpha was declared infertile.
00:26:11My whole body went rigid.
00:26:13She didn't give Dominic a child.
00:26:15They would rather adopt
00:26:16a stranger's bloodline
00:26:17then turn to me
00:26:18and ask what I was holding
00:26:19in my hand that day.
00:26:23The day we prepared
00:26:24the marriage chamber,
00:26:25Vanessa brought me
00:26:26to the master bedroom.
00:26:27She pointed to the bed
00:26:29draped in silver wolf fur.
00:26:31The first silver wolf
00:26:32Dominic ever hunted?
00:26:34On our mating night,
00:26:35we'll lie here together.
00:26:37She threw the sheets
00:26:38into my arms.
00:26:43Smooth them flat,
00:26:44Dominic hates wrinkles.
00:26:45I knelt beside the bed
00:26:47and pressed out every crease.
00:26:49The faint alpha scent
00:26:50still clung to the fur
00:26:51and it hit my chest
00:26:53like a fist.
00:26:54Three years ago,
00:26:55Dominic pinned me
00:26:56to this same bed
00:26:57and told me I wouldn't
00:26:58survive a night
00:26:59without his scent.
00:27:01Now,
00:27:01I was dressing
00:27:02another woman's marriage bed.
00:27:04The room at the door
00:27:05went quiet.
00:27:06I looked up.
00:27:07Dominic stood there,
00:27:08held up by the healer,
00:27:09still barely conscious.
00:27:11His face was white.
00:27:13Wolfsbane marks
00:27:14veined up his neck.
00:27:15His eyes landed on me,
00:27:17kneeling.
00:27:17His pupils contracted.
00:27:19Vanessa moved
00:27:20against him immediately.
00:27:21Dominic,
00:27:22she is helping us
00:27:23prepare the marriage bed.
00:27:25Dominic did not answer.
00:27:27He stared at me,
00:27:28breathing harder and harder,
00:27:29like something was
00:27:30clawing its way
00:27:31out of his memory
00:27:31and getting ripped apart
00:27:32on the way up.
00:27:33He grabbed his head
00:27:34and coughed out
00:27:35a mouthful
00:27:36of black blood.
00:27:40Word spread fast
00:27:42through the territory.
00:27:43Dominic was awake.
00:27:44But when he opened his eyes,
00:27:46the first person he saw
00:27:47was Vanessa.
00:27:48She sat at his bedside
00:27:50holding his hand,
00:27:51tears sliding down
00:27:52at exactly the right angle.
00:27:54You're finally awake.
00:27:55That weak Omega
00:27:56and her bastard
00:27:57nearly got you killed.
00:27:58I stood outside the door
00:28:00with Eli in my arms
00:28:01and heard every word.
00:28:02It felt like a needle
00:28:04sliding under my ribs.
00:28:05The healer tried
00:28:06to let me in.
00:28:07Vanessa blocked the doorway.
00:28:10He just woke up.
00:28:11He can't handle
00:28:12your filthy scent.
00:28:14Then,
00:28:14Dominic's voice
00:28:15came from inside.
00:28:17Hoarse
00:28:17and cold.
00:28:18Let her in.
00:28:19I froze
00:28:20and walked in with Eli.
00:28:22Dominic leaned
00:28:23against the headboard,
00:28:24his gold eyes
00:28:25scanning me
00:28:26like a stranger.
00:28:27The moment Eli
00:28:28came near,
00:28:29the wolf's vein marks
00:28:30on Dominic's neck
00:28:31faded slightly.
00:28:32The healer spoke low.
00:28:34Alpha,
00:28:35the child's bloodline
00:28:36is distressing
00:28:36your wolf's vein.
00:28:37Vanessa's face shifted.
00:28:39Dominic looked at Eli,
00:28:40his eyes hard.
00:28:42Bring him
00:28:43to the master chamber tonight.
00:28:44This is medical,
00:28:46nothing more.
00:28:47Before I could speak,
00:28:48he looked at me again,
00:28:50voice even colder.
00:28:51And do not misunderstand me.
00:28:53A low-born Omega
00:28:54is not worth remembering.
00:28:58That night,
00:28:59I carried Eli
00:29:00to the master chamber.
00:29:02Dominic sat at the edge
00:29:03of the bed,
00:29:04his face paper white.
00:29:06Eli was half asleep,
00:29:07but he reached for Dominic anyway,
00:29:09pure instinct.
00:29:10Mister,
00:29:12when I'm near you,
00:29:13it doesn't hurt.
00:29:15Dominic's fingers stiffened,
00:29:16but in the end,
00:29:17he laid his hand
00:29:18on Eli's chest.
00:29:19Gold light streamed
00:29:20from his palm
00:29:21into Eli's body.
00:29:22Eli's pinched brow
00:29:23slowly relaxed.
00:29:25But Dominic's breathing
00:29:26got heavier,
00:29:27the black marks
00:29:28crawling higher up his neck.
00:29:30I couldn't stay quiet.
00:29:31That's enough.
00:29:32He will drain
00:29:33your alpha energy.
00:29:34Dominic's gaze
00:29:35stayed on me,
00:29:37heavy and burning,
00:29:38like he couldn't
00:29:39quite look away.
00:29:40Are you worried about me
00:29:41or is it something else?
00:29:43We've barely met,
00:29:45and yet you look like
00:29:46you care too much.
00:29:47Barely met?
00:29:48The words cut straight
00:29:49through my chest.
00:29:51Vanessa burst in.
00:29:52She saw Eli and me
00:29:54at the bedside,
00:29:54and her face twisted.
00:29:56Who let you
00:29:57into the master chamber?
00:29:58She lunged
00:29:58and grabbed my hair.
00:30:00Eli jolted awake
00:30:01and bit her hand.
00:30:02Vanessa raised her palm
00:30:03to strike him,
00:30:04and Dominic's head
00:30:05snapped up.
00:30:07Stop.
00:30:08Vanessa froze.
00:30:09I told them to come.
00:30:11Get out.
00:30:12She retreated,
00:30:14eyes burning,
00:30:15with the kind of hatred
00:30:16that will not cool.
00:30:20The next day,
00:30:21Vanessa cornered me
00:30:22in the hall
00:30:22with everyone watching.
00:30:24She shoved me
00:30:25into the center of the room,
00:30:26her voice sharp as a blade.
00:30:29This filthy Omega
00:30:30crawled into the master chamber
00:30:31last night
00:30:32while Dominic was weak
00:30:33from Wolf's fate.
00:30:34She brought her bastard with her.
00:30:35She's trying to destroy
00:30:36my ceremony.
00:30:37Every servant
00:30:38and guard stared.
00:30:39Vanessa pointed
00:30:40at the Wolf Clan council,
00:30:42rug on the floor.
00:30:43Neil,
00:30:44apologize to me.
00:30:46I sank to my knees.
00:30:48The stone hit hard,
00:30:49and my vision went dark
00:30:51at the edges.
00:30:52I'm sorry.
00:30:54Vanessa slapped me
00:30:55across the face.
00:30:57Lauda,
00:30:57let every soul
00:30:59in this hall
00:30:59hear what you are.
00:31:01Dominic's used
00:31:02and discarded
00:31:03little wolf.
00:31:04I bit my lip
00:31:05and said nothing.
00:31:06The blood oath
00:31:07sealed my throat.
00:31:08I couldn't speak
00:31:09a single word
00:31:09of the past.
00:31:10As she raised her hand
00:31:11to hit me again,
00:31:12the moon lamps above us
00:31:13detonated.
00:31:15A violent alpha pressure
00:31:17crushed down,
00:31:17and every person
00:31:18in the hall
00:31:19hit the floor.
00:31:20Dominic stood
00:31:20in the doorway.
00:31:21His gold eyes
00:31:22were blazing red.
00:31:24That's enough.
00:31:26Vanessa's face
00:31:27went white.
00:31:28Dominic glanced at me,
00:31:29his voice
00:31:30frozen over.
00:31:31She doesn't get
00:31:32to die yet.
00:31:33Until Eli's bloodline
00:31:35is confirmed,
00:31:36no one touches her.
00:31:39She does not
00:31:40get to die yet.
00:31:41Those four words
00:31:42cut deeper
00:31:43than Vanessa's slap.
00:31:44He wasn't
00:31:45protecting me.
00:31:46He was just
00:31:47making sure
00:31:47the child's bloodline
00:31:48could still be tested.
00:31:50Dominic turned
00:31:51to leave
00:31:51and then stopped.
00:31:52His eyes
00:31:53landed on my
00:31:54swollen cheek
00:31:54and his fingers
00:31:55curled at the side.
00:31:57Vanessa caught
00:31:58the hesitation.
00:31:59She threw
00:31:59herself at him,
00:32:00sobbing.
00:32:02Dominic,
00:32:03you're going
00:32:03to humiliate me
00:32:04over a low-born servant?
00:32:06Have you forgotten
00:32:07we're getting married?
00:32:08Dominic was quiet
00:32:10for a moment.
00:32:11The mating ceremony
00:32:12proceeds as planned.
00:32:13My heart hit the floor.
00:32:15Vanessa turned to me,
00:32:16victorious.
00:32:17You hear that, Hazel?
00:32:19Tomorrow,
00:32:19you're back
00:32:20on chamber duty.
00:32:21I want you to watch,
00:32:23with your own eyes,
00:32:25how he makes me his.
00:32:27That night,
00:32:28Eli sat on the bed
00:32:29in our cramped room
00:32:30and touched my face,
00:32:31so gentle.
00:32:32Does it hurt, Mommy?
00:32:35I shook my head.
00:32:36He dropped his gaze.
00:32:40When I grow up,
00:32:41I won't let anyone
00:32:42hit you.
00:32:43His little fists
00:32:44were trembling.
00:32:47Outside the door,
00:32:48Dominic had been
00:32:49standing there.
00:32:50Nobody knew
00:32:51for how long.
00:32:51He didn't come in.
00:32:53He just set a jar of salve
00:32:54on the doorstep
00:32:55and walked away.
00:33:03I was summoned
00:33:04to the marriage chamber again.
00:33:06Vanessa sat to the side,
00:33:07trying on rings.
00:33:09She tossed the ring box
00:33:10at my feet.
00:33:15Pick it up.
00:33:16Polish it.
00:33:18On the mating day,
00:33:19you will hand it
00:33:19to Dominic yourself.
00:33:23I bent down
00:33:24to reach for it.
00:33:25The door crashed open.
00:33:27Dominic staggered
00:33:28and clutching his head.
00:33:29Wolfsbane had him.
00:33:30Black veins crawled
00:33:31across half his face.
00:33:32He saw me kneeling
00:33:33beside the marriage bed
00:33:35and his expression shattered.
00:33:36Why?
00:33:37Vanessa rushed toward him.
00:33:39Your wolfbane
00:33:39is acting up again.
00:33:40Let me take you back.
00:33:42Dominic threw off her hand
00:33:43and walked straight to me.
00:33:45He yanked me up
00:33:46from the floor.
00:33:47Why does seeing you here
00:33:48make me feel like
00:33:49this bed was always
00:33:50supposed to be yours?
00:33:51Pain slammed
00:33:52through my chest.
00:33:54Let me go.
00:33:55He pressed me
00:33:56against the edge
00:33:56of the bed,
00:33:57his breath scorching,
00:33:59his face so close
00:34:00he was almost kissing me.
00:34:03What did I forget?
00:34:05Vanessa stood at the door,
00:34:06her face bloodless.
00:34:08She turned and ran.
00:34:09I knew exactly
00:34:10where she was going.
00:34:11Richard and Margaret.
00:34:15It took them minutes.
00:34:17Richard and Margaret
00:34:18stormed into the marriage chamber.
00:34:19My collar was torn,
00:34:21my wrist still in Dominic's grip.
00:34:23Vanessa stood behind them,
00:34:24weeping like a wounded angel.
00:34:26I saw it with my own eyes.
00:34:30She waited until
00:34:31his wolf's bane flared
00:34:32and then she crawled
00:34:33onto our marriage bed.
00:34:34Margaret's face
00:34:35iced over.
00:34:37Hazel,
00:34:38your depracity
00:34:39really has no bottom.
00:34:40I tried to explain.
00:34:42The blood oath
00:34:43clamped down on my throat
00:34:44and I couldn't force out
00:34:45a single syllable.
00:34:47Dominic was still
00:34:47pressing his temples,
00:34:48clearly in agony.
00:34:50He looked at me.
00:34:51Then, at Vanessa,
00:34:53his eyes lost.
00:34:53Richard's voice
00:34:54was a hammer.
00:34:55Lock her up.
00:34:56She is not to come
00:34:57near the main quarters
00:34:58or the marriage chamber
00:34:59before the ceremony.
00:35:03Guard seized my arms.
00:35:05Eli tore through the doorway
00:35:07and wrapped himself
00:35:08around my legs.
00:35:09Don't take my mom!
00:35:11Vanessa sneered.
00:35:13Little bastard,
00:35:14your mother tried
00:35:15to steal someone else's husband.
00:35:17She earned this.
00:35:19Gold light exploded
00:35:20from Eli's eyes.
00:35:21Half the lamps
00:35:22and the glow shattered.
00:35:23Dominic's head snapped up.
00:35:24and his chest hanked.
00:35:26A rough, agonized
00:35:27sound tear from his throat.
00:35:29He stared at Eli
00:35:30and his voice
00:35:31came out wrecked.
00:35:33Don't touch the child.
00:35:37They locked me
00:35:38in the side room
00:35:38for three days.
00:35:40Eli was left outside.
00:35:42Vanessa's adopted boy,
00:35:43Leo,
00:35:43came for him
00:35:44with a pack of pups.
00:35:45They shoved him
00:35:46into a mud pit
00:35:47and threw training belts
00:35:48at his face.
00:35:50Bastard.
00:35:51Your mom's locked up.
00:35:52Why don't you just
00:35:54crawl away and die?
00:35:55Eli climbed out of the mud
00:35:56and wiped
00:35:57the dirty water
00:35:58off his face.
00:35:59I'm not leaving.
00:36:00I'm waiting for my mom.
00:36:02Leo stomped
00:36:03on his hand.
00:36:04I'm the Blackwood Air.
00:36:05You're worth less
00:36:06than the dirt
00:36:07under my boot.
00:36:08Eli didn't cry.
00:36:09He just clenched his jaw
00:36:10so hard
00:36:11his whole body shook.
00:36:12Margaret saw all of it.
00:36:14She stood at the end
00:36:15of the hallway,
00:36:15her brow tight,
00:36:16but she didn't step in.
00:36:17Not yet.
00:36:18Then Leo raised his foot
00:36:19to kick Eli
00:36:20in the stomach.
00:36:21Margaret's voice
00:36:22cut through.
00:36:23Enough!
00:36:25Leo froze.
00:36:26Margaret walked over
00:36:27and looked down
00:36:28at Eli,
00:36:29covered in mud.
00:36:30Why didn't you fight back?
00:36:32Eli looked up
00:36:33and answered
00:36:35very quietly.
00:36:36My mom said
00:36:37we can't cause trouble
00:36:38in someone else's home.
00:36:40She's already so tired.
00:36:42Margaret's face changed.
00:36:44That night,
00:36:45a basin of warm water
00:36:46and a clean little coat
00:36:47appeared outside our door.
00:36:52When they let me out,
00:36:53I was sent straight back
00:36:55to ceremony preparations.
00:36:57Vanessa tossed me
00:36:58her Luna ceremonial necklace.
00:37:00Put it on
00:37:01so I can check the length.
00:37:03A weak Omega like you
00:37:04will never wear anything
00:37:05like this in her life.
00:37:08The least you can do
00:37:09is model it for me.
00:37:11I stiffened,
00:37:11but clasped it
00:37:12around my neck.
00:37:13The moonstone
00:37:14settled against my throat.
00:37:16Right over the old scar
00:37:17from the fang talisman.
00:37:21Dominic walked in
00:37:22and saw me.
00:37:23His face changed instantly.
00:37:27Who told you to wear that?
00:37:28Vanessa hurried over,
00:37:29all smiles.
00:37:30I just had her
00:37:31try it for length.
00:37:32But Dominic
00:37:33was staring at my neck,
00:37:34his voice getting rougher.
00:37:36You wore something else before.
00:37:38Something black,
00:37:39like a fang.
00:37:41Pain stabbed
00:37:41through my chest
00:37:42and blood
00:37:43seeped from the corner
00:37:44of my mouth.
00:37:45Vanessa's face
00:37:46went rigid
00:37:46and she swung at me.
00:37:48You stained my necklace?
00:37:50Dominic caught her wrist.
00:37:52Why is she bleeding?
00:37:54Vanessa panicked.
00:37:55She's faking it.
00:37:57These low omegas
00:37:57always put on a show.
00:37:58Dominic didn't let go
00:38:00of her wrist
00:38:00for the first time.
00:38:02His gold eyes
00:38:03held suspicion.
00:38:06That night,
00:38:07Dominic cornered me
00:38:07in the gown room.
00:38:09He locked the door
00:38:09behind him.
00:38:10Outside,
00:38:10the musicians
00:38:11were rehearsing.
00:38:12Inside,
00:38:13nothing but his
00:38:14heavy breathing.
00:38:15Every time I ask
00:38:16about the past,
00:38:17you bleed.
00:38:18He walked toward me,
00:38:20step by step.
00:38:21Hazel,
00:38:21who sealed your mouth?
00:38:23I backed into
00:38:24a rack of dresses.
00:38:26Behind me
00:38:26was all the white silt
00:38:28Vanessa would wear tomorrow.
00:38:32I can't say it.
00:38:34The moment those
00:38:35three words left my lips,
00:38:37the blood oath
00:38:37tore through my chest
00:38:38like a silver knife.
00:38:39I doubled over
00:38:40and blood from my mouth
00:38:41dripped onto the white gown.
00:38:43Dominic's eyes
00:38:43changed completely.
00:38:44He reached out
00:38:45to steady me.
00:38:47But the second
00:38:47my scent hit him,
00:38:49his fingers clamped down.
00:38:51I'm supposed to marry her.
00:38:53He pressed his forehead
00:38:54against the curve of my neck.
00:38:56His voice wrecked.
00:38:57But my wolf
00:38:58just wants to hide you away.
00:39:00Anyone who touches you,
00:39:02I want to kill them.
00:39:03I was shaking all over.
00:39:04I pushed against his chest.
00:39:06Get a hold of yourself.
00:39:08He kissed me,
00:39:09fierce and wild
00:39:10and desperate.
00:39:11Then he yanked himself back,
00:39:14stumbling half a step,
00:39:16his eyes full of pain.
00:39:19What did I owe you?
00:39:23The day before the ceremony,
00:39:25they shut Eli
00:39:26out of the training grounds.
00:39:27The guard closed the gate
00:39:29in front of all the pups.
00:39:30Air training grounds
00:39:31don't accept nameless bastards.
00:39:34Leo strutted out
00:39:34in his new training uniform
00:39:36and swung his belt
00:39:37at Eli's shoulder.
00:39:39Pick it up.
00:39:42People like you
00:39:43will spend your whole life
00:39:44holding things
00:39:45for people like me.
00:39:46Eli looked at the belt
00:39:47on the ground
00:39:48for a long time
00:39:49and then
00:39:50set it back down.
00:39:52I do not want your things.
00:39:54I just want them
00:39:55to stop hurting my mom.
00:39:57I crouched
00:39:58and pulled him
00:39:58into my arms,
00:39:59fighting back tears.
00:40:02Dominic walked out
00:40:02of the training hall.
00:40:03He bent down
00:40:04and picked up the belt.
00:40:06He held it out
00:40:07to Eli.
00:40:08Tomorrow,
00:40:09you go inside.
00:40:10Leo's face dropped.
00:40:12Vanessa rushed over,
00:40:13her voice shrill.
00:40:15Dominic!
00:40:17His bloodline
00:40:18hasn't been confirmed!
00:40:20Dominic looked down
00:40:21at Eli,
00:40:22his tone cold
00:40:23but absolute.
00:40:24A pup who can blast
00:40:25through a stone door
00:40:26has earned the right
00:40:27to touch a training stone.
00:40:30Eli looked up at him
00:40:31and said
00:40:32very softly,
00:40:33Thank you, mister.
00:40:35Dominic's throat moved.
00:40:37For one moment,
00:40:38his eyes held a pain.
00:40:40He couldn't name.
00:40:44The next day,
00:40:46Eli walked into
00:40:47the training grounds
00:40:47for the first time.
00:40:49Every pup stared.
00:40:51Leo went first
00:40:52and pressed his hand
00:40:53to the testing stone.
00:40:55Pale gold light flickered
00:40:57and the elders
00:40:58nodded in approval.
00:41:01When it was Eli's turn,
00:41:03Vanessa sneered.
00:41:06Careful.
00:41:07Do not cry
00:41:08if the stone
00:41:09knocks you down.
00:41:11Eli looked at me.
00:41:13I nodded.
00:41:15He placed his small hand
00:41:17on the stone.
00:41:19The stone detonated.
00:41:23Gold energy
00:41:24blasted upward
00:41:25and every moon ray
00:41:27in the training grounds
00:41:28roared in resonance.
00:41:29Several high-ranked wolves
00:41:31were forced to one knee.
00:41:33The old healer's voice
00:41:34shoved the wrecked bloodline
00:41:35of a dominant alpha.
00:41:37Silence swallowed the room.
00:41:40Vanessa's smile shattered.
00:41:42Impossible!
00:41:44He cheated somehow!
00:41:46Leo shoved Eli.
00:41:48Eli.
00:41:52Bastard!
00:41:53You're stealing my place!
00:41:55Eli stumbled back
00:41:57but didn't fight back.
00:41:58Dominic reached out
00:41:59and pulled Eli behind him.
00:42:01The results are sealed.
00:42:02Anyone who speaks of this
00:42:03outside these grounds
00:42:04will be punished for treason.
00:42:06He said sealed.
00:42:08But everyone saw it.
00:42:09The way he moved to shield Eli
00:42:11was faster than thought.
00:42:12I stood at the back
00:42:14of the crowd
00:42:14my chest aching.
00:42:18Margaret started coming
00:42:19to see Eli more often.
00:42:21She still didn't like me.
00:42:23Every time she looked at me
00:42:24her face turned cold.
00:42:25But she brought warm medicine
00:42:27and little coats
00:42:28sized for a pup.
00:42:30Eli didn't understand
00:42:31why she came.
00:42:32He just called her politely.
00:42:33Hello grandma.
00:42:34Then he clapped his hand
00:42:36over his mouth.
00:42:37Sorry.
00:42:38I said it wrong.
00:42:39I don't have a grandma.
00:42:41Margaret's hands
00:42:42visibly stopped.
00:42:43During the silver moon
00:42:44ceremony preparations
00:42:45Leo was running around
00:42:47with silver relics
00:42:48and knocked over a candlestick.
00:42:49A shard of silver
00:42:50sliced Margaret's wrist open.
00:42:52The old wound reacted
00:42:53to the silver poison
00:42:54and her face went white.
00:42:56She collapsed where she stood.
00:42:58Everyone panicked.
00:43:00Vanessa only grabbed Leo
00:43:01terrified he'd be blamed.
00:43:03Eli pushed through the crowd.
00:43:05He knelt in front of Margaret
00:43:06and pressed his small hands
00:43:08over her bleeding wound.
00:43:09Dark gold light
00:43:10flowed from his palms.
00:43:11Margaret's convulsing
00:43:12arm slowly relaxed.
00:43:14The healer arrived
00:43:16and his voice shook.
00:43:18A dominant alpha pup's
00:43:19healing instinct
00:43:20only activates
00:43:20to protect close bloodlines.
00:43:22Margaret looked at Eli.
00:43:28Her eyes went red
00:43:29for the first time.
00:43:32That night
00:43:33Margaret came to our side room.
00:43:35She stood outside the door
00:43:36for a long time
00:43:37before she spoke.
00:43:38Has he always been like this?
00:43:39Even when he was little?
00:43:41I tucked Eli blanket around him
00:43:42and answered quietly.
00:43:44He never had a father
00:43:45and he never had a pack.
00:43:46Protecting me was the first thing
00:43:48he learned how to do.
00:43:49Margaret's expression tightened.
00:43:51Eli stirred
00:43:51and opened his eyes
00:43:53still half asleep.
00:43:54Grandma,
00:43:55does your hand still hurt?
00:43:56Margaret didn't answer right away.
00:43:57Eli thought he had called her
00:43:59the wrong thing again
00:44:00and hurried to apologize.
00:44:01Sorry,
00:44:02I just think you smell like family.
00:44:03Margaret turned her face away
00:44:05and her voice came out
00:44:06rough.
00:44:07Go back to sleep.
00:44:09Before she left,
00:44:10she set a small
00:44:11blackwood wolf crest button
00:44:13on the table.
00:44:14That was from Dominic's cloak
00:44:15when he was a child
00:44:16for the boy
00:44:17to calm his spirit.
00:44:19I stared at it.
00:44:20She didn't look at me.
00:44:21She just said,
00:44:23very low.
00:44:24I don't like you.
00:44:28But the child
00:44:29has done nothing wrong.
00:44:30The door closed.
00:44:31I looked at that old button
00:44:33and the tears
00:44:34fell without sound.
00:44:40Eli really did it.
00:44:42He brought back the compassion
00:44:43I begged for
00:44:44and never received.
00:44:52Vanessa was panicking.
00:44:54She called a council
00:44:55of elders
00:44:56and demanded
00:44:57the mating ceremony
00:44:57be moved up.
00:44:58Dominic's wolfbane
00:44:59hasn't cleared.
00:45:00Territory rumors
00:45:01are spreading.
00:45:02Blackwood needs
00:45:03a luna ceremony
00:45:04to stabilize.
00:45:05Richard was silent
00:45:06for a long time.
00:45:08Then he nodded.
00:45:09Dominic didn't object.
00:45:11He sat at the head
00:45:12of the table,
00:45:12face pale,
00:45:13and his eyes landed on me
00:45:14before shifting quickly away.
00:45:16I heard the news
00:45:17while I was polishing
00:45:18the altar.
00:45:19Vanessa dropped
00:45:20the ring box
00:45:20in front of me.
00:45:22Polish it.
00:45:22Tomorrow you present it
00:45:24with your own hands.
00:45:25I picked up the box.
00:45:27My fingers were shaking.
00:45:29Vanessa leaned in,
00:45:30her smile venomous.
00:45:31Look closely, Hazel.
00:45:32He might lose his mind
00:45:33around you,
00:45:34but the person he marries
00:45:35at the end of all this
00:45:37will still be me.
00:45:39Eli stepped forward
00:45:41and lifted his chin.
00:45:43My mom doesn't want to watch.
00:45:45Vanessa's face darkened.
00:45:47Nobody asked you!
00:45:48She raised her arm
00:45:50to hit him.
00:45:51Alpha pressure
00:45:52swept through the room.
00:45:54Dominic stood
00:45:55at the altar doorway,
00:45:56his eyes cold on her.
00:45:59No more scandals
00:46:01before the mating ceremony.
00:46:05I knelt to fasten
00:46:06the last silver clasp.
00:46:08The night before the ceremony,
00:46:09I was forced
00:46:10into the dressing chamber
00:46:11to fasten Vanessa's gown.
00:46:13She stood in front
00:46:14of the mirror,
00:46:15admiring herself.
00:46:16Tomorrow,
00:46:16Dominic will kiss me
00:46:18in front of the entire pack.
00:46:19You'll be standing
00:46:20at the very back.
00:46:22Watch carefully.
00:46:23I knelt to fasten
00:46:24the last silver clasp.
00:46:25My fingers had gone numb.
00:46:28The door swung open.
00:46:29Dominic stood in the doorway.
00:46:31He saw me on my knees
00:46:32at Vanessa's feet
00:46:33and his gold eyes
00:46:34contracted hard.
00:46:36Vanessa moved toward him.
00:46:38Perfect timing.
00:46:39Tell me how I look.
00:46:40Dominic didn't look at her.
00:46:41His gaze was locked
00:46:42on my bent back
00:46:43and his breathing
00:46:44turned ragged.
00:46:45Get up.
00:46:46I froze.
00:46:47She's just a servant.
00:46:49I said,
00:46:50get her up.
00:46:51Vanessa's smile stiffened.
00:46:53Dominic's voice
00:46:54dropped lower.
00:46:55I rose slowly.
00:46:57The wolf's bane flared
00:46:59as if something
00:47:00had triggered it
00:47:00and he grabbed his head,
00:47:02swaying.
00:47:03Vanessa reached for him.
00:47:05He dodged her hand
00:47:07without thinking
00:47:07and seized my wrist instead.
00:47:11Everyone saw.
00:47:13Vanessa's eyes
00:47:14curdled with venom.
00:47:18Late that night,
00:47:19Dominic dragged me
00:47:20into the gown room.
00:47:21He locked the door
00:47:22outside.
00:47:23The musicians
00:47:24were still rehearsing.
00:47:25Inside,
00:47:26only his ragged breathing.
00:47:27He backed me
00:47:28against the racks
00:47:29of dresses,
00:47:30his fangs grazing
00:47:30my throat.
00:47:31Tomorrow I marry her.
00:47:34His hands
00:47:35clamped around my waist,
00:47:37hard enough
00:47:37to leave bruises.
00:47:39But my wolf
00:47:39has been screaming
00:47:40your name all night.
00:47:42I tried to push him away.
00:47:44He caught my wrists.
00:47:46Hazel,
00:47:46curse me.
00:47:47Hate me.
00:47:48Just say something.
00:47:51I looked at him.
00:47:53The blood oath
00:47:54was an iron band
00:47:55around my throat.
00:47:56I couldn't say a word.
00:47:57He kissed me.
00:47:59Fierce.
00:48:00Chaotic.
00:48:00Like he was trying
00:48:01to pull three lost years
00:48:02out of my breath somehow.
00:48:04My eyes burned
00:48:04and I wrenched
00:48:05my face away.
00:48:06If you're going
00:48:07to marry her,
00:48:09then don't touch me.
00:48:11Those words
00:48:12froze him completely.
00:48:13Dominic,
00:48:14let me go slowly.
00:48:16His eyes were shattered.
00:48:18I know what I am.
00:48:20I just can't remember
00:48:22why I became this.
00:48:23He stepped back,
00:48:25his voice raw.
00:48:26Tomorrow,
00:48:27if I actually
00:48:28put that ring
00:48:29on her finger,
00:48:30take Eli and leave.
00:48:34Ceremony day.
00:48:35The entire Blackwood territory
00:48:36was draped
00:48:37in silver banners.
00:48:38I stood at the very back
00:48:39in my gray servant's dress,
00:48:40holding the ring box.
00:48:41Vanessa walked down
00:48:42the aisle in the Luna gown
00:48:43I had fastened
00:48:44with my own hands.
00:48:45Dominic stood
00:48:46at the end of the altar.
00:48:47His face was blank.
00:48:48The priest finished
00:48:49the vows.
00:48:50Let the Alpha
00:48:51place the ring
00:48:52on his future Luna.
00:48:54I lowered my head
00:48:55and walked forward.
00:48:58I handed the ring box
00:49:00to Dominic.
00:49:02The moment his fingers
00:49:03touched it,
00:49:04his whole body locked.
00:49:09The ring slipped out
00:49:10and hit the altar
00:49:11with a clean,
00:49:12sharp sound.
00:49:14the entire pack gasped.
00:49:18Vanessa forced a smile
00:49:19and picked it up,
00:49:20pressing it back
00:49:21into his hand.
00:49:23The wolf's back
00:49:25is affecting you.
00:49:26Just put it on
00:49:27and it'll be fine.
00:49:29Dominic stared at me,
00:49:31agony twisting
00:49:33behind his eyes.
00:49:35This is wrong.
00:49:36Vanessa's face
00:49:37went white.
00:49:39Dominic stepped back
00:49:40slowly.
00:49:41The person standing
00:49:42beside me.
00:49:43It shouldn't be you.
00:49:44Vanessa screamed.
00:49:46Dominic!
00:49:49Right then,
00:49:49Ellie clutched his chest
00:49:50below the altar.
00:49:52His face went pale.
00:49:53The bloodline backlash
00:49:54triggered by the altar's power.
00:49:55Exploded outward
00:49:56in a wave of gold energy.
00:49:58The Luna Oath fire
00:49:59went out.
00:50:03The ceremony
00:50:04dissolved into chaos.
00:50:07Eli collapsed,
00:50:09curled in pain.
00:50:13I lunged toward him,
00:50:14but the altar pressure
00:50:15knocked me to my knees.
00:50:17Dominic moved faster
00:50:18than anyone.
00:50:19He shoved through
00:50:19the circle of elders
00:50:20and dropped to one knee
00:50:21beside Eli,
00:50:22slamming his palm
00:50:23over the child's chest.
00:50:24Gold light poured into him
00:50:26in a violent rush.
00:50:27Dominic's face went white
00:50:28and the wolf's bane marks
00:50:29climbed his cheeks.
00:50:30He clenched his jaw
00:50:31and did not let go.
00:50:32Eli slowly calmed.
00:50:33Nobody spoke.
00:50:34The healer's voice trembled.
00:50:36The Luna Oath fire
00:50:38was snuffed out
00:50:39by a direct air's bloodline.
00:50:41No force other than
00:50:42same source.
00:50:44Vanessa's voice
00:50:44went shrill.
00:50:46He's fake!
00:50:47He's a monster
00:50:48bred on forbidden drugs!
00:50:50Dominic looked up at her.
00:50:53His eyes
00:50:54were ice.
00:50:55Then let's test him.
00:50:57Right now.
00:50:59Richard's face
00:51:00was a storm.
00:51:02Activate the bloodline array.
00:51:03Vanessa stepped back.
00:51:05For the first time,
00:51:06panic was real on her face.
00:51:09I held Eli
00:51:10and watched the gold light
00:51:11rise again over the altar.
00:51:13My heart beat so hard
00:51:15I thought it might break
00:51:16through my ribs.
00:51:16The truth I had carried
00:51:17for three years
00:51:18was finally being dragged
00:51:19into the light.
00:51:22The bloodline array
00:51:23unfolded at the center
00:51:24of the altar.
00:51:25Dominic cut his fingertip.
00:51:27The healer drew
00:51:28a drop from Eli.
00:51:30Both drops fell
00:51:31into the heart
00:51:31of the array
00:51:32and gold light
00:51:32blasted into the sky.
00:51:34The blood thread spiraled
00:51:35and fused into one.
00:51:37The healer dropped
00:51:38to his knees,
00:51:39his voice cracking.
00:51:41Direct bloodline.
00:51:43Father and son
00:51:44confirmed.
00:51:46Silence swallowed everything.
00:51:48Margaret pressed her hand
00:51:49to her mouth
00:51:49and tears spilled over.
00:51:51Richard's cane
00:51:52slammed against the floor
00:51:53and his face turned gray.
00:51:55Vanessa lunged forward.
00:51:57Impossible!
00:51:59The last test was contaminated.
00:52:01He was bred on drugs.
00:52:03It's a lie!
00:52:05Dominic looked at her
00:52:06coldly.
00:52:07The last test was contaminated.
00:52:09How do you know that?
00:52:10Vanessa went rigid.
00:52:12Right then,
00:52:13Leo doubled over
00:52:14below the altar,
00:52:15clutching his stomach,
00:52:16convulsing on the ground.
00:52:17The healer rushed to him
00:52:19and pushed up his sleeve.
00:52:20Needle marks,
00:52:21dozens of them,
00:52:22exposed in front of everyone.
00:52:24Bloodlines stimulate
00:52:25injections.
00:52:26Long-term use like this
00:52:27destroys a pup's foundation.
00:52:29Leo sobbed,
00:52:30his voice breaking.
00:52:33Mom, I don't want
00:52:34any more needles!
00:52:35All the blood drained
00:52:36from Vanessa's face.
00:52:40Every pair of eyes in the hall
00:52:42locked onto Vanessa.
00:52:44She wrapped her arms
00:52:45around Leo,
00:52:46her voice shrill
00:52:48and shaking.
00:52:49I just wanted
00:52:50to make him stronger!
00:52:52I did it for Blackwood!
00:52:54Richard roared.
00:52:57For Blackwood?
00:53:00Or for your seat as Luna?
00:53:03Vanessa's head snapped up,
00:53:04her eyes wild.
00:53:06If you hadn't told me
00:53:08three years ago
00:53:09that Dominic was infertile,
00:53:11would I have needed
00:53:12to adopt this child?
00:53:14If Hazel had never come back,
00:53:17I would already be Luna!
00:53:20She yanked a thin chain
00:53:21from inside her collar.
00:53:23Dangling from it
00:53:24was a charred shard
00:53:26of Wolfang.
00:53:27Dominic, look!
00:53:29This is what you gave me
00:53:31three years ago!
00:53:33She stole my place!
00:53:34The moment I saw that shard
00:53:36the blood oath flared.
00:53:37It was like silver hooks
00:53:39tearing through my throat.
00:53:41Blood spilled
00:53:41from the corner of my mouth.
00:53:43Dominic's pupils
00:53:44contracted violently.
00:53:46He looked at me,
00:53:47then at the shard.
00:53:49Why does she bleed
00:53:51every time you pull that out?
00:53:55Vanessa stumbled backward.
00:53:58She's faking it!
00:54:01Dominic walked toward her.
00:54:03Give it to me.
00:54:07Vanessa clutched the shard,
00:54:08refusing to let go.
00:54:10Dominic seized her wrist
00:54:11and pried her fingers open.
00:54:13The moment the fang shard
00:54:15landed in his path,
00:54:16the ancient array blazed to life.
00:54:18Silver and black images
00:54:20unfurled in my eyes.
00:54:21Three years ago,
00:54:23Dominic fastening
00:54:23the full fang talisman
00:54:24around my neck.
00:54:25Wear it.
00:54:27Without my scent,
00:54:28rogues will tear you apart.
00:54:30The scene shifted.
00:54:31Richard forcing me
00:54:33to swear the blood oath.
00:54:34The healer
00:54:35cutting the talisman
00:54:36with silver shears.
00:54:39Dominic on the sick,
00:54:41bed coughing,
00:54:42black blood,
00:54:43snarling in his coma.
00:54:45Do not take it.
00:54:47Do not let her leave.
00:54:49Then,
00:54:50the last image appeared.
00:54:52Vanessa slipping
00:54:53the broken shard
00:54:54from beside the fire
00:54:55and hiding it
00:54:55in her palm.
00:54:56Dead silence.
00:54:58I was on my knees,
00:55:00blood dripping
00:55:00from my mouth.
00:55:01The blood oath
00:55:02was still ripping
00:55:03through me
00:55:04because the truth
00:55:05had finally been revealed.
00:55:06Not by my voice,
00:55:07but by the talisman
00:55:09itself.
00:55:10Dominic turned to me,
00:55:11his face,
00:55:12bone,
00:55:13white.
00:55:13They drove you out.
00:55:16You were carrying
00:55:17my child.
00:55:19I opened my mouth
00:55:20and the blood oath
00:55:22clamped down
00:55:23one last time.
00:55:25Yes.
00:55:25The word escaped
00:55:26and the blood oath
00:55:28shattered.
00:55:31The moment the blood oath
00:55:33broke,
00:55:33my body gave out.
00:55:35Dominic caught me
00:55:35before I hit the ground.
00:55:38His arms were shaking
00:55:39so hard he could
00:55:40barely hold me.
00:55:41Memory fragments
00:55:42detonated behind his eyes,
00:55:44restraints on the headboard.
00:55:45The fanged talisman,
00:55:47me kneeling beside
00:55:47a sickbed,
00:55:48trying to tell him
00:55:49about the pregnancy
00:55:49while they dragged me out.
00:55:51Him reaching for me
00:55:52in his coma,
00:55:53fingers grasping
00:55:54at nothing.
00:55:55A sound like a wounded
00:55:57animal to
00:55:57from Dominic's throat.
00:55:59Jesus,
00:56:01I remember.
00:56:02I looked up at him,
00:56:03my voice so faint,
00:56:04it was barely there.
00:56:06Then you must also remember
00:56:07that you never marked me.
00:56:09You never claimed me.
00:56:10You told me I didn't even
00:56:11deserve to kneel
00:56:12at your bed.
00:56:13Dominic's whole body
00:56:14went rigid.
00:56:15Those words cut harder
00:56:17than all of Vanessa's crimes
00:56:18put together,
00:56:19because every single one
00:56:21of them came from
00:56:21his own mouth.
00:56:22Eli threw himself
00:56:24beside me,
00:56:25sobbing,
00:56:26grabbing my hand.
00:56:27Mommy,
00:56:27can we go home now?
00:56:28Dominic looked at Eli
00:56:30and his eyes
00:56:32slowly reddened.
00:56:33Eli.
00:56:34Eli lifted his chin.
00:56:36His eyes were fierce.
00:56:38Do not call me like that.
00:56:40You didn't protect
00:56:41my mom before.
00:56:42That one sentence
00:56:44silenced
00:56:45the entire altar.
00:56:49The trial began quickly.
00:56:51Vanessa knelt
00:56:52in the center
00:56:52of the council hall.
00:56:53The fang shard,
00:56:54the contaminated blood samples,
00:56:56the stimulant needles
00:56:57from Leo's arms
00:56:58were all laid out
00:56:58in front of her.
00:57:00Dominic sat above her,
00:57:01his face frighteningly pale,
00:57:03his gold eyes
00:57:03frozen over.
00:57:04Vanessa tried to cry.
00:57:06I love you, Dominic.
00:57:07I was just scared
00:57:08this weak Omega
00:57:09would destroy you.
00:57:10Dominic cut her off.
00:57:12You weren't scared
00:57:13I'd be destroyed.
00:57:14You were scared
00:57:15that the moment
00:57:15I remembered
00:57:16the first person
00:57:17I'd look for
00:57:17wouldn't be you.
00:57:18Every trace of color
00:57:19drained from her face.
00:57:21Richard was questioned
00:57:22by the elders.
00:57:23He sat in silence
00:57:24for a long time
00:57:25before admitting
00:57:26that he had forced me
00:57:27into a blood oath
00:57:27and adopted Leo
00:57:29as heir to secure
00:57:30Blackwood's future.
00:57:33Margaret stood up,
00:57:34her voice raw.
00:57:35I'm guilty too.
00:57:37I look down on her rank.
00:57:38I let them throw her out.
00:57:39She walked to me
00:57:40and looked down
00:57:41at Eli.
00:57:43Child,
00:57:46I'm sorry.
00:57:47Eli stayed behind me.
00:57:48He didn't forgive her
00:57:50right away.
00:57:51Margaret's eyes went red
00:57:52but she didn't push him.
00:57:56Vanessa was stripped
00:57:57of her Luna candidacy
00:57:58and thrown into
00:57:58the black cells.
00:58:00Leo was taken
00:58:00to the medical ward
00:58:01for treatment.
00:58:02Before they led him away,
00:58:04he looked at Eli,
00:58:05crying.
00:58:06I won't call you
00:58:06a bastard anymore.
00:58:08Eli watched him
00:58:09for a moment
00:58:09and said quietly,
00:58:12You weren't a bad kid.
00:58:15She just taught you wrong.
00:58:16When Margaret heard that,
00:58:18the tears finally fell.
00:58:20Dominic stood
00:58:21before the entire pack
00:58:22and declared Eli
00:58:23his direct heir.
00:58:25Eli Reed
00:58:26is my son.
00:58:28The pack dropped
00:58:28to their knees
00:58:29but Eli didn't walk
00:58:31toward him.
00:58:32He pressed himself
00:58:33against my leg
00:58:34and held on tight.
00:58:36Dominic watched this
00:58:37and the pain in his eyes
00:58:38was unmistakable.
00:58:40He turned to me
00:58:41and dropped to one knee.
00:58:43Hazel,
00:58:44what I owe you
00:58:46can't be repaid
00:58:47with a title.
00:58:48He took the Alpha Crest
00:58:50from his own chest
00:58:51and said it
00:58:52in front of Eli.
00:58:54From this day forward,
00:58:56no one will ever
00:58:58call you a bastard again.
00:58:59Eli looked at the crest
00:59:01but didn't pick it up.
00:59:03Will you protect
00:59:04my mom first?
00:59:06From now on?
00:59:07Dominic's voice
00:59:08nearly broke.
00:59:10Yes.
00:59:11With my life.
00:59:15Everyone thought
00:59:16I would stay.
00:59:17Dominic had his memories back.
00:59:19Eli was recognized.
00:59:21Vanessa was in a black cell.
00:59:23Even Margaret had bowed her head
00:59:24and apologized to me.
00:59:25But I just took Eli's hand.
00:59:28Dominic stood in front of me,
00:59:29his face whiter
00:59:30than it had ever been
00:59:31during the worst
00:59:32of the Wolfsbane.
00:59:33Hazel,
00:59:34don't go.
00:59:35Give me a chance
00:59:36to make this right.
00:59:37I looked at him,
00:59:38the knights locked
00:59:39to the headboard,
00:59:40the humiliation
00:59:41of being treated
00:59:42like a possession
00:59:43that pregnancy report.
00:59:45I never got to show anyone
00:59:46as they threw me out.
00:59:48It all surged up
00:59:49in my chest.
00:59:50You can be Eli's father
00:59:51but I'm not something
00:59:53you lost and found.
00:59:54His eyes went red.
00:59:56His throat moved violently
00:59:57but he didn't try
00:59:58to stop me.
00:59:59Eli looked up at him.
01:00:01Daddy,
01:00:02you need to learn
01:00:03how to wait
01:00:04for mom
01:00:05to want to come back.
01:00:07Dominic crouched down
01:00:08and,
01:00:08for the first time,
01:00:09held him gently.
01:00:10I'll wait.
01:00:12I led Eli
01:00:13out of the Blackwood
01:00:14Council Hall.
01:00:14The sun hit my face.
01:00:16I was finally
01:00:17not someone's weak omega,
01:00:18someone's secret mate
01:00:19or someone's servant.
01:00:21I was Hazel Reed,
01:00:22Eli's mother
01:00:23and the one
01:00:24who could finally
01:00:24choose for herself
01:00:25whether to stay
01:00:26or go.
01:00:26This time,
01:00:28I'll be the one
01:00:29waiting for you.
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