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00:00The night I came of age, I was claimed as the mate of the Snow Leopard brothers who used to
00:03bully me.
00:04To help myself relax and avoid getting hurt, I made two cups of milk before every ritual.
00:09The older brother, Adrian, was cold and distant, but he always took the milk politely and thanked me softly.
00:14The younger brother, Ryder, had a nasty temper. He often roared at me and smashed the cup.
00:18I always thought treating my two mates equally was the only fair thing to do,
00:22until one night, my best friend Chloe happened to see it all.
00:25She hesitated, then asked,
00:26Don't you think treating them the same is unfair to the one who treats you better?
00:30I thought about it all day and realized Chloe was right.
00:32That night, I walked out of the kitchen with only one cup of milk.
00:35He noticed the change first, but he said nothing.
00:37He just took the milk like always and thanked me.
00:40Meanwhile, Ryder was sprawled lazily on the couch, bored out of his mind as he played video games.
00:44Good night.
00:44He didn't realize something was off until I stood, said good night, and headed for my bedroom.
00:48Compared to his older brother, Adrian's cold, quiet nature, Ryder was like a prehistoric T-Rex,
00:53hot-tempered, arrogant, and vicious.
00:55Hey, are we out of milk? Or are you so broke you can only afford one cup?
00:58Compared to his older brother, Adrian's cold, quiet nature, Ryder was like a prehistoric T-Rex,
01:02hot-tempered, arrogant, and vicious.
01:04What, are you blind? You seriously can't see me sitting right here?
01:06He never knew how to speak to me without being cruel.
01:09Any urge I had to explain vanished.
01:11So did my smile.
01:11I simply answered, no.
01:14No.
01:15No?
01:16Then what's with bringing milk only for him?
01:19Was it really that offensive?
01:21I thought back to a few nights ago.
01:24The sound of the door finally woke me.
01:26Adrian and Ryder had been called away on an emergency mission.
01:28They didn't get back until one in the morning.
01:29I'd waited so long, I fell asleep on the couch without realizing it.
01:32Like always, I'd prepared two cups of milk.
01:34Ryder looked exhausted.
01:35When I noticed the wound on his shoulder, I walked over to ask if he was okay.
01:38But before I could speak, he shoved me away impatiently.
01:42Shifters were naturally much stronger than humans.
01:44I hit the floor hard, and the milk in my hands shattered beside me.
01:48Ryder froze for a second, then quickly slipped back into his usual impatientness.
01:53Fuck, are you blind?
01:54Can't you see I'm texting?
01:55You're always clinging to me.
01:57You had it coming.
01:59I've put up with your pathetic crap before, but I'm dead tired tonight.
02:02Ryder froze for a second, then quickly slipped back into his usual impatientness.
02:06The second I get home, you follow me around like some pathetic puppy.
02:09So my waiting and worrying were just another pathetic attempt to get his attention.
02:12The disgust in Ryder's voice cut deep.
02:15Humiliation flooded me.
02:16My cheeks burned as I lowered my head and stumbled back to my room.
02:19A muffled thun came from the living room.
02:21Adrian had hit Ryder.
02:22A moment later, Adrian came in with a first aid kit and knelt on one knee before me.
02:26Only then did I realize a shard of glass had sliced my calf, and blood was already running
02:30down my ankle.
02:33I'd always knew the Blackwood Brothers didn't like me.
02:37Anyone could see I wasn't good enough for them.
02:39They were the darlings of the Shifter Academy.
02:42Unmatched in looks and talent.
02:45Arrogant, dazzling, and always pursued.
02:48I was quiet and ordinary.
02:51Like a weed no one noticed by the roadside.
02:53Shifter Council.
02:54If our mate compatibility hadn't been impossibly high, the Shifter Council never would have
02:59matched us, and our paths never would have crossed.
03:02At first, I was overjoyed.
03:05I grew up in foster care and had always longed for a family of my own.
03:10Naively, I thought, Adrian and Ryder were the family fate had finally given me.
03:15So no matter how they treated me, tones, no matter how much contempt filled their words,
03:21I pretended not to notice, and kept approaching them with the same warmth and joy.
03:27Every time I watched them eat the food I made, I felt deeply satisfied.
03:33It made me feel needed.
03:35Everyone needs something.
03:37Tying them to this world.
03:39Adrian and Ryder were my anchor.
03:43The first six months were agony.
03:46Both brothers resented the Council's decision.
03:49The Shifters they'd defeated at the Academy finally had something to moke them for.
03:54Being assigned a wife, they were too ashamed to show off.
03:58For two men who had always thought so highly of themselves, it was the ultimate humiliation.
04:05So they took all their bottled-back resentment out on me.
04:08Adrian was more restrained.
04:09He barely acknowledged me, staying cold and distant.
04:12Ryder was hot-tempered and constantly mocked everything from my looks to my job.
04:17To him, I was useless and worthless.
04:19A failure from head to toe.
04:21And yet, at some point, their attitude towards me began to soften.
04:28Especially Adrian.
04:29He stopped treating me like I was invisible.
04:33Thanks.
04:34Whenever I handed him milk, he accepted it and even thanked me.
04:37Sometimes, he would look at me and suddenly ruffle my hair, gently, the way other Shifters did with their mates.
04:44No one had ever treated me that way.
04:46Even those tiny gestures made me incredibly happy.
04:50Even Ryder's mockery slowly died down.
04:54Sometimes, he even pulled me over to play video games with him.
04:59He still complained that I dragged him down while beating up anyone who tried to pursue me.
05:03I thought I'd finally gotten through to them, that those hard days were finally paying off.
05:07My persistence had worked.
05:09As I tried to please them, they were trying to accept me.
05:12Until that cup of milk shattered.
05:16It was like waking from a dream that broke without warning.
05:19All those years of effort, warmth, care, and total devotion were reduced to two words.
05:25Pathetic puppy.
05:26Mediocre.
05:26Pitiful.
05:27Shameless.
05:28Without a shred of self-respect, a pathetic puppy.
05:30For days after that night, I barely slept.
05:34Shame and humiliation swallowed me whole.
05:37I avoided the brothers as much as I could.
05:42When Chloe found out, she was furious.
05:45I lowered my head, fidgeted with my cuff, and said slowly,
05:49It's over.
05:50I've made up my mind.
05:52From now on, I'll keep my distance and stop trying to get close to them.
05:57Worst case, we'd live together like polite strangers.
06:00Our unusually high compatibility meant I was the only mate who could soothe them during their ruts.
06:05And their positions in the shifter defense force gave me a comfortable life.
06:08It was just a trade.
06:10Will you still bring them milk?
06:12I think thought about it.
06:13I think so.
06:14Keeping things polite on the surface still mattered to me.
06:17Chloe looked like she wanted to say something.
06:19After hesitating, she finally asked,
06:21But don't you think giving them the same milk is a little unfair?
06:24Unfair?
06:25Because Adrian and Ryder were brothers, and both had unusually high compatibility with me,
06:29the registry had repeatedly stressed that my most important duty after becoming their mate was to treat them equally.
06:34Families with multiple shifter mates are rare, but they do exist.
06:37The key to holding them together is fairness.
06:39You can't favor one mate.
06:40You must be the bond that holds the family together,
06:42because everything you do can affect a shifter's emotions and upset the balance between them.
06:47I took those words to heart, so I prepared two of everything.
06:50Two cups of milk, two gifts.
06:51Even when packing their meals, I counted the shrimp in each lunchbox, one by one.
06:55I'd gone that far.
06:56How could it still be unfair?
06:57Seeing my confusion, Chloe gently pointed something out.
07:00Only Ryder treated you badly that night, right?
07:02Adrian didn't say a thing.
07:05I nodded.
07:06Adrian hadn't just stayed silent.
07:08He'd hit Ryder, like he was protecting me,
07:10and I looked down at the cut on my cleft.
07:11That night, Adrian knelt before me and treated my wound with a seriousness I'd never seen from him before.
07:16Before leaving, he even pulled a piece of chocolate from his pocket and handed it to me.
07:19He wiped away my tears and stayed until I fell asleep.
07:21He even apologized for his brother.
07:23But none of it was his fault.
07:25Ryder was the only one who hurt me that night.
07:27Exactly.
07:29Think about it.
07:30The brothers treat you completely differently,
07:32but they get the same milk and gifts.
07:35I opened my mouth to argue, but nothing came out.
07:39After I got home, I tossed and turned all night.
07:41I remembered being back at the foster home and helping a volunteer who came to visit us.
07:46Everyone else played while I helped her carry things.
07:49By afternoon, my palms had been rubbed raw.
07:52In the end, I got a backpack as a reward.
07:54But so did everyone else.
07:56Even the kid who'd spent all afternoon slacking off and chasing butterflies got the exact same backpack.
08:02As the volunteer was leaving, she quietly pulled me aside.
08:05Like a magician, she produced two hair clips and slipped them into my hand with a smile.
08:10Everyone gets a backpack.
08:12But I brought these two clips especially for you.
08:16Good kids deserve a little extra.
08:18That's what makes it fair.
08:19The registrar's words and the volunteer's words battled in my head.
08:23In the end, I slowly leaned towards the latter.
08:25I decided the volunteer was right.
08:27Good behavior deserved a bigger reward.
08:29That was true fairness.
08:32The milk was only the beginning.
08:35When we watched TV at night, I stopped sitting perfectly between the brothers like I used to.
08:40Instead, I sat closer to Adrian, leaving an obvious gap between Ryder and me.
08:44I stopped saying good morning to Ryder.
08:47Whenever I saw Adrian, I smiled softly at him.
08:51Whenever I had a question, I asked only Adrian.
08:53At parties, I held only Adrian's arm.
08:55Even at meals, my favorite Tim was obvious.
08:58Out of ten shrimp, Adrian got eight.
09:00At first, I was nervous.
09:01Letting go of the perfect equality I'd always maintained made me uneasy.
09:05But I quickly realized the consequences were nowhere near as bad as I'd imagined.
09:10Adrian might be cold by nature, but he never humiliated me.
09:13Whenever I sat beside him, he naturally took my wrist and asked if I wanted a snack.
09:19When I said good morning, he always answered right away and asked how I slept.
09:25He tasted every dish I made and praised each one with surprising sincerity.
09:31When I said good morning, he always answered right away.
09:34Once I stopped forcing things with Ryder, no one impatiently shoved me off the couch anymore.
09:39No one ignored my good mornings.
09:42No one flung my arm away in public because he was embarrassed to be seen with me.
09:47No one looked at the whole table of food I'd worked so hard to make,
09:50complained it was too salty, then cursed my cooking.
09:54Like a turtle retreating into its shell, I hid behind Adrian and quietly enjoyed this rare warmth.
10:00Only the mood at home started to feel a little strange.
10:03More than once, I could have sworn someone was staring holes into my back.
10:07But every time I turned around, Ryder was staring blindly at the TV.
10:12He noticed me looking, turned, and snapped.
10:15What are you looking at?
10:17What, you want to play games with me again?
10:19The old, foolish me would have taken that as an invitation and rushed over excitedly.
10:24Now, I only shook my head.
10:26I didn't want to embarrass myself again.
10:28Adrian happened to walk over, so I followed him outside with my badminton racket on my back.
10:32I'd gotten hooked on the sport lately.
10:34Adrian and I often played for hours.
10:35We'd barely stepped out when a crash sounded from the living room.
10:38I turned and saw Athert's console.
10:39Pieces were scattered across the floor.
10:40Ryder stared at us darkly.
10:42His gaze landed on Adrian's hand, wrapped firmly over my wrist.
10:46His mouth twisted into a cold smile.
10:47Seriously, Adrian?
10:49You're really keeping up this act?
10:51Are you addicted to playing the good guy?
10:53You almost look like you actually like this ugly freak.
10:56How long had it been since I heard those words?
10:58When we were first matched, Ryder made no effort to hide his hatred from me.
11:02He even got into a huge fight with the officials at the mate registry over the match.
11:07Ugly little thing.
11:10Pathetic loser.
11:11Ugly little thing and pathetic loser were his favorite names for me.
11:22I think everything changed after the first time I soothed the brothers through their writs.
11:27These usually cold and arrogant stars of the shifter defense force became incredibly clingy during mating season.
11:36Only during their rites could I touch them in their leopard forms.
11:42Those fierce, dangerous snow leopards could couldn't wait to crawl into my arms for affection, peering low with contentment.
11:49They couldn't bear to leave me.
11:51They buried their heads in my neck and even fought over who got to be closer.
11:56My mate.
11:58Their clinginess made my cheeks burn and every possessive my mate made me blush harder.
12:05Once Ryder came back to his senses though, he always looked mortified.
12:10He'd point at me and stare for ages, unable to say a word.
12:15But after that, he really did stop attacking my looks as often.
12:20Chloe told me that after bonding that intimately, even the coldest shifter would eventually become gentle with his mate.
12:30But those moments were some of my few sweet memories.
12:37The truth was, I wasn't ugly.
12:39I was actually pretty.
12:41The Blackwood brothers were just too striking.
12:45Standing beside them, I had to admit I faded into the background.
12:48I told myself that was just Ryder.
12:50He was younger, spoiled by everyone around him and had always had a vicious mouth.
12:54I'd rejected his invitation to play and hurt his pride, so it made sense that he lashed out and called
12:59me ugly again.
13:00But no matter how many times I told myself that, I still tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
13:06Maybe deep down, I really was hurt.
13:10I got out of bed and headed to the living room for some water.
13:14A faint light came from the balcony, where Adrian and Ryder were standing.
13:19One stood by the railing, the other against the wall.
13:23The faint glow between their fingers told me they were smoking as they talked.
13:27Adrian, that's the second time you've hit me.
13:30Just because I called her ugly?
13:36I quietly hid in the corner without making a sound.
13:39Ryder exhaled smoke.
13:41The corner of his mouth was bruised, and though his lips curled, there was no humor in his eyes.
13:47Adrian stood opposite him, his face ice-cold.
13:50For a moment, he almost looked like a stranger.
13:53He'd been so gentle with me lately, I'd nearly forgotten.
13:56Snow leopard shifters were cold and ruthless by nature.
13:59The same cruelty ran deep in both brothers.
14:02If you don't like her, stay away from her.
14:04Adrian put out his cigarette, his voice calm.
14:08If you bully her again, I'll beat the shit out of you every time.
14:11Ryder looked like he'd heard the funniest joke in the world.
14:13Then he actually laughed.
14:16Seriously, Adrian?
14:17Who came to me when we refused to accept this mate arrangement?
14:19Now you're suddenly her Prince Charming?
14:21Are you addicted to the act?
14:23Ryder laughed for a long time before finally stopping, his posture relaxing a little.
14:26Okay, I get it.
14:27Our trial period's almost over, so you're spoiling that ugly freak to make sure she agrees to end the bond
14:30quietly, right?
14:31If we hadn't planned this together, you might have fooled me.
14:33My finger system, my heart clenched, because he lonely wasn't completely heartless.
14:36Even highly compatible couples could end up hating each other.
14:38So every match came with a one-year trial period.
14:40If it worked, the pair could make their mate bond official.
14:42If it worked, the pair meet have quietly agreed to end our bond.
14:45In the end, he was no different from Ryder.
14:47My chest hurt so bad I could barely breathe.
14:48My mind was spinning when I suddenly heard a short answer.
14:50No.
14:53It was Adrian.
14:55Ryder was clearly stunned, too.
14:58His voice was full of disbelief.
15:00Wait, you actually want to stay bonded to her for life?
15:05Didn't we agree we'd find someone else once the bond was dissolved?
15:09She's useless, ugly, and has nothing going for her.
15:13Do you know how humiliating it is to marry her?
15:16Everyone we know will laugh at us.
15:18Not us.
15:19You.
15:19I never said I wanted another mate.
15:21Adrian corrected him.
15:23Ellie is amazing.
15:24She's smart and adorable.
15:25He seemed to think of something, and his expression softened.
15:28I was prejudiced against her before, and I missed out on so much because of it.
15:32Ellie.
15:32The nickname he'd given me.
15:33I never imagined Adrian saw me that way.
15:36He even called me Ellie.
15:37No one had ever called me that before.
15:39From now on, stay away from my mate.
15:41Ryder's chest heft.
15:42He looked furious, almost ready to lunge.
15:44Fuck!
15:44I'm her mate, too!
15:45Since when is she only yours?
15:47Aren't you ending the bond?
15:50If you've made up your mind, stop hanging around someone else's mate.
15:55What the hell is wrong with you?
15:57Who wants to hang around that ugly freak?
16:00Not everyone's as blind as you mistaking worthless trash for treasure.
16:04My rut doesn't count.
16:06Ryder raked an irritated hand through his hair, his voice dropping.
16:09That was instinct.
16:11I wasn't thinking straight.
16:15Idiot.
16:16Adrian gave him a pointed look and scoffed.
16:20Whatever.
16:20If you're not ending the bond, neither am I.
16:23Ryder ignored him, took another hard drag, and lowered his voice as his gaze shifted away.
16:28A shifter abandoning his human mate isn't exactly a good look.
16:32Besides, Elena's always staring at me like she can't live without me, and she's so clingy.
16:37I...
16:38I'm not cruel enough to do that to her.
16:40So I'll just have to put up with it.
16:42I'll get used to her being ugly eventually.
16:45And if she's useless, then she's useless.
16:49I don't need her to do anything.
16:53If I ask for a divorce, everyone will think I'm an arsehole, and I won't find anyone else suitable anyway.
17:03If she wants to be my wife, fine.
17:05I can accept that.
17:07Whatever.
17:08She can do what she wants.
17:10I'm not asking for a divorce.
17:12I slipped back to my room without a sound.
17:16I stared blankly at the ceiling.
17:22So Ryder had planned to divorce me from the very beginning.
17:25He didn't like me.
17:27He didn't like my face or my personality.
17:31He cared deeply about his pride, always thought he was above everyone else, and constantly looked down on people.
17:39Marrying me was the biggest stain on his life.
17:42But if he asked for a divorce, people would call him cold and heartless for abandoning his mate.
17:49So he would never ask for one himself.
17:53His original plan was to have Adrian coax me into doing it.
17:57But Adrian had changed his mind, and truly wanted to spend his life with me.
18:03Now Ryder had no way out, and could only force himself to accept a life with me.
18:08Like he said, even an ugly face became tolerable.
18:12He stared at it long enough.
18:15Given enough time, even if he never liked me, he could grit his teeth and endure me.
18:22But I didn't want that.
18:26When I was little, the clothes we received at the foster home were always too big or too small, and
18:31the colors were always strange.
18:34The woman who cared for us always told us to make do.
18:37If the food was too salty, we couldn't waste it, so she made us force it down.
18:43Year after year, I wore clothes I didn't like, ate food I didn't like, and always settled for whatever people
18:50gave me.
18:50But I was grown now.
18:52I could finally make my own choices, especially about my long future.
18:56I didn't want to force myself anymore, and I didn't want to be someone another person had to force himself
19:00to accept.
19:01If Ryder wanted a divorce, I would ask for it.
19:04At breakfast the next morning, I was distracted.
19:06I didn't know how to bring it up.
19:08Should I tell Ryder directly, or wait until the night before our trial bond ended?
19:13Suddenly, laughter broke through my thoughts.
19:15I looked up, just as Adrian walked out.
19:17He stood tall, his features sharp.
19:19When he raised his head, he still wore the unapproachable expression.
19:21He pointed at his sweater, laughing so hard he could barely stand.
19:24Adrian, what the hell are you wearing?
19:25Is that some cheap knockoff?
19:27It's hideous.
19:27Is your taste really that bad now?
19:29If you can't afford clothes, I can lend you money.
19:31You don't have to embarrass yourself by going out in that.
19:33It was a beige sweater with rough stitching.
19:34A sleeping cat was embroidered near the hem, but because the knitter wasn't very skilled.
19:37From a distance, it looked more like a messy clump of black thread.
19:39My ears burned with embarrassment.
19:41I hurried over and quietly pulled off a loose stead.
19:43He stood there obediently and let me snip it away.
19:46He glanced at him, who was still laughing, and said calmly,
19:49I didn't buy it.
19:51Ellie knitted it.
19:52It was my winter selstice gift.
19:53Ryder's smile froze instantly.
19:57After Adrian left for work, Ryder was still eating breakfast.
20:01I wondered why he wasn't worried about being late,
20:04but then decided there was no point asking.
20:06I was about to return to my room and keep working
20:09when an awkward question came from behind me.
20:11Hey, where's my winter selstice gift?
20:13Stop hiding it.
20:14Hand it over.
20:18I froze, unable to understand how Ryder had the nerve to ask.
20:22Special occasions mattered a lot to me.
20:24Big holiday or small, I always prepared gifts for the Blackwood Brothers.
20:28Sometimes they were small things like ties or cuff clings,
20:31sometimes bigger things like headphones or massagers.
20:35Until I found the scarf I gave Ryder in the trash.
20:38He'd thrown it away with the same contempt he showed me,
20:41as if both the gift and I were equally unwanted.
20:44If my gift was destined for the trash,
20:46I'd rather give it only to someone who truly wanted it.
20:50There isn't one.
20:52My voice was calm.
20:53Why not? Adrian got one.
20:54Why don't I get a sweater too?
20:55Conflict vanished from Ryder's face.
20:56He snapped.
20:57Ryder seemed to realize he sounded too eager.
20:59He started to rise, paused, then sat back down.
21:04Not that I actually want your gift,
21:05but your favoritism is way too obvious.
21:08Fine, I know knitting a sweater takes time,
21:10so I'll give you a few more days rock.
21:12Oh, and don't embroider a rock on mine.
21:14That's childish.
21:15It took me a second to realize he thought my cat was a rock.
21:21Embarrassment and anger surged through me.
21:22I glared at him.
21:23There isn't one, and there never will be.
21:25I made that gift especially for Adrian.
21:27Maybe he'd never seen me like that before.
21:28He stared at me, speechless.
21:30Fine, there isn't one.
21:31Why are you so mad?
21:32Your temper's getting worse lately.
21:34He stood and paced back and forth several times
21:36until he finally snapped.
21:37Fuck! Who wants your stupid sweater?
21:39It's ugly as hell, just like you.
21:41I'd be embarrassed to wear it outside.
21:42Great.
21:43Now I don't even have to bother throwing it away.
21:47See?
21:49I knew he'd throw it away.
21:51At the thought, I rubbed my eyes.
21:54Adrian wasn't like that.
21:55He said he loved the sweater,
21:57and sure enough, he wore it to work the next day.
22:00Adrian was good to me.
22:01Ryder wasn't.
22:02I called the mate assignment office
22:04to ask about dissolving a mate bond.
22:05Miss Hart, according to our records,
22:07you have one week's left in your trial period.
22:09Are you sure you want to end your bond
22:11with both mates when it expires?
22:13I corrected him.
22:14Not both.
22:15I only want to end my bond with Ryler.
22:18Adrian and I plan to make ours official.
22:21Miss Hart, you need to understand
22:23that you're highly compatible with both men.
22:25Based on past cases,
22:26whichever mate loses you
22:27will have an extremely difficult time
22:29during future ruts.
22:30He may even develop psychological problems
22:32because he can't receive comfort
22:33from a compatible mate.
22:38I thought about how Ryder
22:40had always treated me.
22:43During his rite,
22:44he really was clingy.
22:46He always snuggled pitifully against me,
22:49desperate for my touch.
22:52But the moment he came to his senses,
22:54he got as far away from me as possible.
22:56He always looked ashamed and angry,
22:58like he couldn't escape me fast enough.
23:00I didn't believe he couldn't live without me.
23:03The official sighed.
23:04All right.
23:05We respect your choice.
23:07If you plan to end the mate bond,
23:09you'll need to prepare
23:09the relevant documents.
23:11I'll email you the list,
23:13but we still hope you'll reconsider.
23:16In past cases,
23:1799% of shifters felt intense regret and panic
23:21after a mate bond was dissolved.
23:24Some even harmed themselves
23:25during their ruts.
23:27We still hope for an outcome
23:29that's good for everyone.
23:31Once you've made your final decision,
23:33bring your shifters
23:34to the mate assignment office
23:35next Wednesday
23:36to file for divorce
23:38or register an official mate bond.
23:41At dinner that night,
23:43I noticed something was wrong with Adrian.
23:44When I looked closer,
23:45the sweater he'd worn that morning
23:46somehow had a huge slash in it.
23:48The edges were smooth,
23:49like someone had cut it with a knife.
23:50Ryder grinned smugly.
23:52Guess I'm not the only one
23:53who thought that thing was ugly.
23:54Someone else must have hated looking at it too.
23:56But I didn't care what he said.
23:57All I could think was that
23:58if someone had used a knife,
23:59Adrian might be hurt too.
24:00I anxiously tried to check him,
24:01but Adrian caught my wrist,
24:02shook his head,
24:02and apologized.
24:05I'm not hurt.
24:06I got called out on a last-minute mission.
24:10I took the sweater off
24:11so it wouldn't get dirty.
24:13When I came back,
24:16someone had slashed it.
24:19Ryder immediately cut in from the side.
24:21Come on, Adrian.
24:22If you ruined it, you ruined it.
24:23Making excuses just makes you look pathetic.
24:25He paused,
24:26then added as if it meant nothing.
24:27Then again, you really are useless.
24:28If it were me,
24:29I'd never let anyone ruin a sweater
24:31my friend gave me.
24:32His gaze kept drifting toward me,
24:33like he was watching for my reaction.
24:35Adrian was silent for a moment,
24:37then apologized to me again,
24:38clear disappointment and guilt in his voice.
24:40I shook my head.
24:41A tear could be mended,
24:43so it really wasn't a big deal.
24:45I didn't think it through.
24:46Beige is really hard to keep clean,
24:48so I'll knit you a black one tomorrow.
24:50I'll make a few,
24:51so you can switch them out
24:52whenever one gets dirty.
24:53My cheeks warmed as I said softly.
24:57I've learned how to knit bunnies now.
25:00I'll put one on yours.
25:01Suddenly, a sharp crack rang out.
25:03It came from Ryder.
25:03For some reason,
25:04the glass in his hand had shattered.
25:05Shards dug into his palm,
25:06and a thin line of blood appeared.
25:07The Sugg smile had vanished from his face.
25:08His eyes locked onto me
25:09like a predator watching prudence.
25:10As if he wanted to swallow me whole.
25:11Terrified,
25:12I instinctively hid behind Adrian.
25:14Adrian shielded me,
25:15his aggressive gaze turning cold.
25:16Get out.
25:17Now.
25:17You're scaring her.
25:18Ryder refused to back down.
25:19Adrian,
25:20Ellie isn't yours alone.
25:21He called me Ellie,
25:22and he called Adrian by name
25:24instead of brother like he usually did.
25:25I'm her husband too.
25:27Ryder's face darkened
25:28as he weighed every word.
25:29You have no right
25:29to keep me away from her.
25:32That night,
25:33Ryder and Adrian got into a brutal fight.
25:36I didn't even know what started it.
25:38By the time I came to my senses,
25:39both were blooded,
25:41every punch packed with rage.
25:42In the end,
25:43the police had to come
25:44and drag them apart.
25:51I sat in front of Adrian,
25:53applying medicine to his injured arm.
25:56How did it get this bad?
25:57You're covered in injuries.
26:01He said something he shouldn't have.
26:03He deserved it.
26:04Adrian lowered his eyes
26:05and watched me gently blow on his wound.
26:07I'm used to it.
26:08Ryder's always been like that.
26:09My hand paused,
26:09then I continued treating him.
26:10But Adrian clearly disagreed.
26:12He frowned,
26:13looking like he wanted to say more.
26:14Just put up with him
26:15for one more week.
26:15I stopped him.
26:16He'd already fought Ryder
26:17too many times because of me.
26:18After a moment of thought,
26:18I said,
26:19in one week,
26:20I'll divorce him.
26:20Then he'll never have to see me again.
26:22What about me?
26:23I could hear his heart pounding.
26:24When Adrian spoke,
26:25his voice was shockingly hassy and tight.
26:26You.
26:27There was fear and hope in his voice.
26:28I couldn't help smiling.
26:29I wanted to keep him guessing,
26:31but I couldn't bear to watch
26:32the hope in his eyes fade.
26:33I already promised
26:34to keep knitting you sweaters.
26:36Silly.
26:36How do you still not get it?
26:37Of course I get it.
26:39Like me.
26:42After treating Adrian's wounds,
26:43I got up to wash my hands.
26:44As I passed Ryder's room,
26:46I noticed the door was a J.
26:47Through the crack,
26:48I caught a glimpse of Ryder
26:48standing against the wall.
26:49The lights were off.
26:50Only moonlight slanted
26:51through the window.
26:52This chutz on his cheek and arm
26:53were still embattered
26:53and blood had stained his collar read him.
26:54Despite the long gashes
26:55across his skin,
26:56he seemed numb to the pain.
26:57He only stared blindly at the floor.
26:58After washing my hands,
26:59I couldn't help leaving some metages
27:00outside Ryder's door.
27:01Maybe I really was too soft-hearted.
27:02For some reason,
27:03seeing Ryder look so lifeless
27:04left a strange weight in my heart.
27:05I stood around the corner.
27:06A while later,
27:07I heard a faint rustling sound.
27:08I waited a little longer,
27:09then peeked out.
27:10The medicine and bandages were gone.
27:11Ryder had taken them.
27:12That night,
27:13I suddenly dreamed about something
27:14that happened long ago.
27:15On my way home from work,
27:16I realized someone was following me.
27:20I forced myself to stay calm
27:21and called one of the Blackwood brothers
27:23at random.
27:23Ryder was the one who came.
27:25The men following me
27:26were criminals who kidnapped humans
27:27and sold them on the black market.
27:29He got there incredibly fast.
27:31Even his usually carry would be messy.
27:32They'd nearly dragged me into their car.
27:34I was desperately clinging to the door.
27:36The moment I saw Ryder,
27:37my tears spilled out.
27:41Ryder took on three to five
27:42huge shifters by himself.
27:44He was an incredible fighter.
27:46Though he won,
27:47he took several brutal hits.
27:53He pulled me into his arms,
27:55let my tears soak his collar,
27:57and soothed me
27:58in an unusually gentle voice.
28:00Don't be scared.
28:01I'm here.
28:03No one's gonna hurt you.
28:04Later learned he'd also been
28:05slashed across the back.
28:06The wound nearly killed him,
28:07but he never said a word about it.
28:08When Adrian finally learned the truth,
28:09he was furious.
28:10The very next day,
28:11the whole city launched
28:12an unprecedented crackdown
28:14on human trafficking.
28:15I remembered Ryder was also part
28:17of the shifter defense force,
28:18so maybe he had played a part
28:20in that operation too.
28:22Maybe part of the reason
28:24I gave Ryder so much warmth
28:25and patience
28:26was because he protected me that day.
28:28But in the end,
28:29we simply weren't right for each other.
28:31I thought I only had to make it
28:32to the end of our trial bond,
28:34but Ryder's rut came early.
28:37Shifters went through
28:37a three-day rut every month.
28:39During that time,
28:41they became restless and irritable,
28:43desperate for comfort
28:44from their human mates.
28:45I stood outside his door,
28:47hesitating.
28:50But in the end,
28:51I pushed it open.
28:53No matter what,
28:54we weren't divorced yet.
28:56Soothing my mate
28:56was still my responsibility.
28:58Shifters healed incredibly fast.
29:00Ryder's injuries from last night
29:01were almost gone by today.
29:03Ryder stood with his arms crossed.
29:05His rut had only just begun,
29:06so his mind was still clear.
29:08He gave me a mocking half-smile.
29:10Well, look who it is.
29:12You finally have time for me today?
29:15What, you're not busy
29:16with your precious Adrian?
29:20I'm here to help you
29:21through your rut.
29:23There's no need for the sarcasm.
29:25If you don't need me,
29:27I'll leave right now.
29:29I pressed my lips together.
29:31He fell silent.
29:32I found a place to sit
29:33and deliberately kept my distance.
29:35We were practically
29:35in opposite corners of the room.
29:37Come here.
29:38A pair of snow-white leopard ears
29:39popped out on top of his head.
29:40His tail slowly curled around my calf
29:42and pulled me into his arms.
29:48Elena Hart, you're so unfair.
29:53I'm your husband, too.
29:55But you only give Adrian gifts
29:56and hold his hand.
29:58Even after our fight,
29:59you only treated his wounds.
30:01He whispered the last sentence
30:02right against my ear.
30:03I was hurt that night, too.
30:05But you didn't even come to see me.
30:07The snow leopard in his snow leopard form
30:09was nothing like the infuriating man
30:10he was as a human.
30:11Maybe being ignored by me lately
30:12had made him insecure.
30:13He was clingier
30:14and more anxious than usual,
30:15desperately rubbing his head against me.
30:16He refused to let me leave,
30:17wrapping his paws tightly around me
30:19and pressing himself against my waist.
30:20Whenever my attention drifted from him,
30:22he let out a hooded whine
30:23and begged me to look at him.
30:24At times like this,
30:25he didn't look like a cat at all.
30:26He was more like a huge,
30:27impossibly clingy,
30:28possessive dog.
30:29We were stuck together
30:30almost every second.
30:30Even when I ate or showered,
30:32Ryder's tail stayed wrapped around my wrist,
30:33refusing to let go for even a moment.
30:36Ryder was much easier to talk to
30:38in his animal form than as a human.
30:39I tried to bring up the divorce
30:41so he could prepare himself,
30:42but the second I started,
30:43Ryder grew frantic
30:43as if his animal instincts
30:44couldn't the word divorce.
30:45He whimpered as huge tears
30:46rolled down his cheeks,
30:47burying his head against my chest
30:48again and again.
30:49Ryder rejoiced,
30:50but as cat eyes widened,
30:50I woke grugly in Ryder's arms.
30:52One strong arm was locked around my waist
30:53so tightly and hooked.
30:54Ryder, let me go.
30:55The arm around my weight stiffened,
30:56then slowly released me.
30:57On the third night again,
30:58which meant his rut was over,
30:59I got out of bed,
31:00found a chair was locked around my waist
31:01so tightly I could barely breathe,
31:02but his face was still buried in my neck,
31:03kissing my skin over and over
31:04with near obsession.
31:05Ryder, I need to tell you something.
31:09Okay.
31:09Ryder moved closer,
31:11but instead of standing,
31:12he bent his knees
31:13and sat on the floor at my feet.
31:14Don't think helping me through my rip
31:16makes up for deliberately ignoring me.
31:18Ryder seemed to have become
31:19his arrogant, aloof self again.
31:20He avoided my eyes,
31:21looking down as he fiddled
31:22with his past few weeks.
31:23But I'm in a good mood,
31:24so I'll let it go.
31:25Is this about the gifts?
31:27You're gonna start giving me gifts again?
31:28I avoided Ryder's gaze.
31:30It's not about the gifts.
31:31Wednesday is the last day
31:32of our trial mate bond.
31:33That day,
31:34we need to go to the mate registry.
31:37Let's sign the divorce papers.
31:41That night,
31:42when I told Ryder
31:42I wanted a divorce,
31:43his first reaction
31:44was to refuse.
31:46I didn't know how to describe
31:47the look in his eyes,
31:48a whole year together,
31:50and all those dependent,
31:51intimate moments
31:52during his rups.
31:53I thought I could say it calmly,
31:54but in truth,
31:55my feelings were far less settled
31:57than I'd imagined.
31:58Elena Hart.
31:58He stared at me,
31:59his eyes turning red
32:00in an instant.
32:01He repeated my name again and again,
32:03reaching for my wrist.
32:04But when I instinctively
32:05pulled away,
32:06he froze.
32:10Finally,
32:11Adrian came over
32:12and pulled him
32:12into the next room.
32:14I didn't know
32:15what they talked about,
32:16but afterwards,
32:17Ryder locked himself in
32:18in his room
32:19for a long time.
32:20On Wednesday,
32:22he finally came out
32:23and agreed to divorce me.
32:24A light rain fell that Wednesday
32:26when we arrived
32:27at the mate registry hall.
32:29Adrian came over
32:30and opened my car door,
32:31then quickly raised an umbrella,
32:33shielding me from every drop.
32:35Out of the corner of my eye,
32:36I saw Ryder take a few steps
32:38towards me too.
32:39He held the same kind
32:40of umbrella,
32:41but after looking my way,
32:42he silently stopped.
32:45The staff handled my divorce
32:47from Ryder first.
32:49It was simple.
32:50Our information went
32:51into the computer,
32:52the documents were printed,
32:54and all we had to do
32:55was sign.
33:01Ryder's hand shook so badly,
33:03he ruined several copies
33:05before finally signing one.
33:07I hurt my hand
33:08on a mission
33:09a few days ago.
33:11When he noticed me watching,
33:13he pretended nothing was wrong.
33:15It's not like I'm refusing
33:16to divorce you.
33:22Once that was done,
33:23it was time for Adrian and me
33:24to make our mate bond official.
33:27We took a new photo together,
33:29and our temporary mate certificate
33:31was replaced with an official one.
33:34As part of the customary ceremony,
33:36the staff set off
33:37celebratory streamers for us.
33:40Atpipyour4 stood among them,
33:42his expression stiff,
33:43forcing himself to offer
33:44his blessings like everyone else.
33:46Congratulations.
33:48Suddenly, he walked towards us.
33:50Though he fought to stay calm,
33:51his fingers trembled,
33:53his eyes locked on my face.
33:54Can I talk to you alone
33:55for a few minutes?
33:56I agreed.
33:57But the truth was,
33:59Ryder and I had nothing
33:59left to say.
34:01We stood in a corner for a while,
34:02awkward silence hanging between us.
34:04Finally, Ryder spoke first.
34:08Adrian told me you cried a lot
34:09when we were first matched.
34:12Though a lot wasn't entirely accurate.
34:14Maybe once every two or three days.
34:17The worst time was when I learned
34:18they'd filed a joint appeal
34:19to be reassigned.
34:21I was too scared to go home.
34:23I hid in a hotel for three whole days
34:25and cried until I had no tears left.
34:28Was I really that awful?
34:30Why did neither of them want me?
34:32But Adrian's attitude changed
34:33in the second month.
34:35He was good to me.
34:36He started talking to me,
34:37ruffling my hair
34:38and soothing me back to sleep
34:39whenever a nightmare woke me.
34:41But I still cried.
34:43By then, my tears were only
34:44because of Ryder.
34:45I used to mock him for being weak.
34:47I laughed at him for giving in
34:49to an arranged mate bond
34:50after only a month.
34:51Staring at you every day
34:52like he really wanted
34:53to spend his life with you.
34:55It turns out I was
34:56the biggest idiot of all.
35:01Elena Hart, do you hate me?
35:06Ryder, between you and Adrian,
35:08you're actually the one Ryder jolt.
35:10I slowly continued.
35:11I knew first.
35:13When I first learned
35:14we were going to be mates,
35:15I secretly went to watch you.
35:17Adrian had been away
35:17on a mission at the time.
35:18I hid around the street corner
35:19watching the wild, powerful Ryder
35:21every day.
35:21You beat up some tugs
35:22for bullying an old man.
35:23The next day,
35:24you dragged a creep
35:25to the police station
35:26for harassing a girl.
35:27Back then,
35:28you were a hero to me.
35:29Ryder began trembling all over.
35:31He stared at me,
35:32fighting to hold back
35:32the emotions surging inside him.
35:34You were so amazing,
35:36so dazzling,
35:37so righteous.
35:39And you always knew
35:40exactly who deserved your anger.
35:44So why was I the only person
35:45you treated so badly?
35:48Ryder, deep down,
35:50was it because you thought
35:51I wasn't good enough for you?
35:57No.
35:58It was me.
35:59It was always me.
36:04I was too scared
36:05to face my real feelings.
36:07I hated the cold,
36:09heartless system
36:10that forced us together,
36:11and I cared too much
36:12about what other people thought.
36:14I was bitter,
36:16arrogant,
36:17and stupid.
36:18I was the only one
36:19who was wrong.
36:21I mistook a priceless treasure
36:22for worthless trash.
36:24He could barely stay on his feet
36:25as he asked Hossley,
36:27Ellie,
36:28can you give me
36:29one more chance?
36:30I already did.
36:33Falling for him
36:34at first sight
36:34had fueled a whole year
36:36of warmth and persistence.
36:38And the day he risked
36:39his life to save me
36:40had touched me so deeply
36:41I knew I could never
36:42truly hate you.
36:43But there would be
36:43no third chance.
36:47Then why did you
36:47choose Adrian?
36:49He resisted
36:49becoming your mate too.
36:53Maybe it was because
36:54even when he didn't love me,
36:55he never hurt me.
36:57Once he truly saw me,
36:59he treated me well
37:00from that moment on.
37:02The rain outside
37:02gradually slide.
37:03Adrian walked over.
37:04Worried I might get cold,
37:05he draped his coat
37:06over my shoulders.
37:09We shared an umbrella
37:10and strolled down the street.
37:12I want pizza
37:13when we get home.
37:14Okay.
37:15He held the umbrella
37:15in one hand
37:16and gripped mine tightly
37:16with the other.
37:17The rain slowly stopped.
37:18And my new life
37:19was about to begin.
37:20The rain slowly stopped.
37:20The rain slowly stopped.
37:20The rain slowly stopped.
37:21The rain slowly stopped.
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