- 11 hours ago
The Paraplegic Luna Leaves the Pack
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Three years after my legs were paralyzed, my alpha husband, Varric, brought home a newly come-of-age
00:04she-wolf. Her name was Zoe. I found a new mate. I want to sever our bond. I'd heard she
00:10started
00:10getting close to Varric after I was paralyzed. My hands shook with rage, but stuck in my wheelchair.
00:15I couldn't do a thing. They turned their backs on me, didn't even spare me a glance. I couldn't
00:19hold it in anymore. I sent the divination crystal ball crashing to the floor. A shard sliced my
00:27finger. Instantly, the room spun. I saw a vision I had never seen before.
00:36Sylvia Valon, this is how your life ends. You haven't been a real Luna in years. This
00:43mate bond should have been severed a long time ago. You have no one to blame but yourself.
00:49He pulled Zoe by the waist. Beside my broken frame, she looked vibrant and strong. A smile
00:55crossed her face. Zoe even drew my son, Lucienne, into their arms. She nestled against Varric's
01:01chest. Light flashed across their wrist. Their matte bond flew clear, glowing a bright silver
01:06color. Agony ripped through the fading mark, tearing my heart apart. Collapsed on the floor,
01:12I reached out, dragging myself pathetically toward Lucienne's feet.
01:15Lucienne, please, help me.
01:18Lucienne just looked at me with cold eyes, like I was a stranger. They watched guards drag me from
01:24the hollow hair mansion. They watched guards drag me from the hollow fang mansion, hurled into the
01:29giant pit. I crashed into a mass grave for omegas and slaves, choking on the stench of rotting flesh.
01:36I watched her smile, hand in hand with Varric and Lucienne. As she announced her new mate bond with
01:41Varric, claimed the Luna title, received Lucienne's offering, and basked in the pack's worship.
01:47I closed my eyes in regret. Night fell. A rogue pack found me and bit me to death.
01:53The vision vanished. I crashed to the floor with my wheelchair, my eyes snapping to the doorway.
01:59They were standing right there. Just like the vision. Was this my future?
02:03Abandoned, discarded, and torn apart? Cold sweat beaded on my forehead as I gasped, terrified.
02:09I lost my legs defending Hollowfag Park in war. Hearing the crash, they glanced back with nothing but
02:14irritation. My hand stung. Blood dripped slowly onto the floor. The crystal shards glowed faintly.
02:18The moon got us. She was giving me a chance. A second choice. You want to sever our bond?
02:22Consider it done!
02:25Dead silent, Varric looked up. A trace of genuine shock in his eyes. Usually, I would protest with
02:31tears and begging. Not today. Blood dripping from my hand, I forced myself up to meet his gaze.
02:37I will cooperate. Do whatever you want. Frowning deeply, Varric crouched down with a cruel sneer.
02:43What trick is this, Sylvia? Dropping the fragile act to change my mind? Or will you back-ack out later
02:47just to embarrass me? I never had such intentions. Yet to him, I was always calculating. Opening my
02:52mouth, I instinctively wanted to defend myself. See? Hit a nerve, didn't I? The ice in his eyes froze
02:58the words in my throat, leaving me to lower my gaze in crushing disappointment. Lucian stepped forward.
03:03Alpha, she isn't worth your concern. Ever since she became a cripple, she's been a useless Luna.
03:08This is just a pointless struggle. The pure disgust in his eyes hit me like a blow.
03:12My own son despised me. I never knew. Tears blurred my eyes. I looked at them, completely
03:18broken. You're right. She just wants attention, and we shouldn't indulge her.
03:24Sharp. Just like the pack's smartest and strongest heir.
03:29Nodding in satisfaction, he patted Lucian's shoulder. Dismissing me, Varric paced the room.
03:34Good. Saves me time. Move to the shed tonight. Zoe needs this room for her Luna ceremony.
03:40Move in? I smiled bitterly. She'd been sharing his bed in the room right above mine every single
03:46night. And don't touch the formal gowns in the closet. You can't wear them anyway. Leave them
03:51all for Zoe. Shook my head, trembling. I made those myself. Before I could protest, Zoe shrank back with
03:58a pitiful, timid expression. Is that okay? Sylvia is already so miserable. Maybe we should leave them
04:05for her as a memory. You are too kind, my Luna. How could anyone ever fault you? You are the
04:11youngest,
04:12most outstanding she-wolf in this pack. You deserve everything.
04:15Varric stroked her hand. He was completely blind to her mockery.
04:19The new Luma inherits everything. The entire pack will agree.
04:22They smiled at each other. A perfect family. I looked up at them, tears finally spilling over.
04:29The scene from the vision crashed over me and my head spun. Was I destined to be abandoned and
04:34humiliated no matter what I chose? Raising my blood-stained hands to cover my head.
04:46I clutched my head in agony. Haking his head, Varric walked over and crouched down,
04:51looking at me in amusement. Look at you. Still struggling. Pathetic. In the hollow fling pack,
04:59the strong rule. No. Since ancient times, the strong rise, the weak fall. Gripped my jaw hard.
05:09Paralyzed and broken. No pack keeps a crippled Luna. Letting you stay is already a mercy.
05:16You are no longer a qualified Luna. Your place is destined to be replaced.
05:22Sever this mate bond quietly. Don't force my hand.
05:25With that, he shoved my chin aside, like a slap to my face. Before I could react,
05:30he snatched my hand, raising it to swear to the moon goddess.
05:33I, Vayek Parker, reject Sylvia Valen as my mate.
05:39The world went dark, like doom descending. His eyes were hard. Through my tears, I saw the
05:47Alpha Varric who once made his vows to me. He had probably forgotten. Eight years ago,
05:51he carried me through the wild. Howled at the sky. Swore I was his only love,
05:57that he would never leave me. He fought his way to become the new Alpha. And I, I became the
06:03youngest Luna. When I announced my pregnancy, he hugged me in pure joy. Rushing out to tell the
06:11pack about our new life. These memories flashed by, making my heart ache worse. The sweet vows
06:18were now dragging me to hell. The pain tearing my chest was a million times worse than childbirth,
06:24like something was being violently ripped out of me. The bone-crushing pain left me paralyzed.
06:30Through the agony, I smelled that rotting stench again. I was back in the giant pit,
06:35about to be torn apart by rogues. I wouldn't die like this.
06:38I, Sylvia Valen, accept Bark Parker's rejection!
06:43Instantly, the darkness vanished. Daylight returned. I was drenched in sweat. The glowing
06:49mate mark on our right wrists has completely disappeared. Our mate bond was severed,
06:53but my chest still burned painfully. Clutching my heart, I lay weakly on the floor. Just survived
06:58a brutal trial. Varric acted like nothing happened. Looking at the vanished mark, he sighed in relief
07:02and dropped my hand. Finally, you're not my mate anymore. He immediately stood up and pulled Zoe
07:10into his arms. They looked down at me with smug smiles. They turned to leave. Lucien stood in front
07:15of me. Lucien, please. It hurts so much. Hug me. Just like when you were little. Seeing my weak,
07:24pleading look, a trace of guilt crossed Lucien's face. I loved him the most.
07:30We used to run and play together. I watched him come of age, sharing his joy as he showed off
07:36his
07:37wolf form. I hugged him at his ceremony, congratulating him as the alpha heir. Memories flashed.
07:46It felt like we were back in those moments. But just as he was about to touch my fingertips,
07:51he yanked his hand back, his face instantly hardening.
07:55No. Alpha said the strong rule. Crippled wolves don't belong in the pack.
08:02You're no longer Luna. The pack has rules. I am the alpha heir, so I must follow the new Luna.
08:11Come, my future alpha. Come to me. His eyes hardened. He walked over and took Zoe's hand.
08:19Watching them leave, I slowly pulled my empty hand back. I clenched it into a tight fist.
08:29Yes, it's time to leave. I forced myself up to pack, but my eyes locked onto the nightstand.
08:37A wooden wolf carving sat there. Varek, little Lucian and I carved it together. I held Lucian's
08:46hand, guiding him to carve the wolf's fur. It was a pack tradition. When it was done,
08:53Lucian held it in his palms. Varek and I held his hands, giving him our blessing. I traced the carving,
08:59my heart stinging. Varek, Lucian, why are you doing this to me? Did you forget our promises? How
09:07could you abandon me so easily? Night fell. I arrived at the thatched shed alone with my luggage.
09:17It had once been used to keep livestock. The place was filthy and foul-smelling.
09:23Shaking my head, I slowly wheeled myself toward the shed. Suddenly, a shadow appeared beside me.
09:30I looked up. It was my brother, Derek. I remembered how much he doted on me. He used to lift
09:39me above
09:40his head as we laughed together. He also walked me down the aisle, giving my hand to Varek.
09:45My sweet Sylvia, I will always be here for you.
09:50He must be here to take me home. A spark of hope flashed in my eyes.
09:57Derek, are you here to take me home?
10:02Derek stared at me in silence before speaking. I heard Varek severed the bond. I forced a bitter
10:07smile, trying to act normal. Yes, he wanted a new Luna. I agreed. I- He cut me off.
10:14Good. You made the right choice. He turned his back to me.
10:18Luna, you served the Holoflake pack well. You made them strong. But a stronger pack needs fresh
10:23strength to sustain itself. You brought honor to the Valon family, doing exactly what was expected
10:28of you. But what about me? I touched my numb legs, tears dropping onto my lap. Watching him,
10:36I forced out a laugh that sounded more like a sob. He turned his head.
10:40Your duty is done. As you are now, the family can do nothing more for you. Resting here is your
10:48best
10:48option. Without another look, he walked away. No one was coming to save me. Despite everything I did
10:56for them, no one wanted a crippled she-wolf. I was just a discarded pawn. The night wind howled.
11:02I wrapped my arms around myself. I lay on the filthy hay, shivering in the dark.
11:09It's okay. I'm fine.
11:12Lightning flashed. A deafening crack of thunder jolted me awake. I shook uncontrollably. I had
11:19always been terrified of storms. As a pup, Derek protected me. As a wife, Varric held me. Now,
11:26I had no one. Suddenly, the door crashed open.
11:34A tall figure stood in the doorway.
11:44It was Varric. Holding a lantern. He spotted me in the corner and rushed over to sit beside me.
11:51Don't be afraid. I'm here. He pulled me into his chest. My cheek pressed against his heart.
11:58It beat fast and steady, so warm. It had been so long since I felt this warmth. I nestled deeper
12:06into his embrace, seeking more. But before I could speak, he pulled away.
12:12Good. You're fine. Zoe's waiting for me. I have to go.
12:17The door slammed shut. Thunder rumbled. Stripped of his warmth, the freezing cold rushed back in.
12:24Trembling, I hugged my own shoulders. I mocked myself. Did I really think he would stay?
12:31It was just force of habit. What was I clinging to? Even as he walked out, he didn't spare me
12:38a
12:38single glance. I slowly pushed myself up, watching the lightning tear the sky apart. Severing the bond
12:46changed nothing. My mate despised me. My son looked down on me. I was still thrown into this rotting shed.
12:52My own blood abandoned me. I was trapped in a cage. The bloody vision flashed in my mind again,
13:01tossed into a mass grave, ripped to shreds by rogues.
13:04No. I refuse to die like that. I have to leave.
13:10But where could a crippled she-wolf go? A rogue wolf has no pack, no territory, only danger. And I
13:17couldn't run or fight. Staying is death. But if I must die, I will die out there. I refuse to
13:24rot in
13:24this shed. I looked up at the raging storm. Deep inside, my inner wolf stirred. She bared her fangs.
13:33I had just closed the book when Varick walked in. He frowned at the worn pages in my lap.
13:39Still clinging to that garbage?
13:42I have nothing else to do. Just killing time. What do you want?
13:49Zoe's lunar ceremony is in three days. Do not show your face. I'll send someone to watch over you.
13:57Watch over me? More like guard me so I don't ruin his big day.
14:02Without another word, he turned and left.
14:05You forgot, didn't you? It's my birthday.
14:09Before I flee, I should at least say goodbye to Derek. But Derek told me on that day he had
14:14family
14:15matters to deal with. I told myself, he's the alpha of the Valen pack now. He has responsibilities.
14:21I'll just make it a quick goodbye. But on my birthday, through the cracks of the shed,
14:26I watched the ceremony outside. He appeared at Zoe's ceremony. Derek stood there,
14:32shaking Varick's hand, congratulating him on taking another she-wolf from the Valen family.
14:38From now on, our packs will keep working together. We'll only grow stronger.
14:43I slapped a hand over my mouth. The family didn't need me at all.
14:49They had long prepared a new Luna for Varick. And I was the only one kept in the dark.
15:05The ceremony ended. The guards outside my door finally dispersed. Then came the banquet. Music
15:12and cheers echoed as the entire pack and guests gathered to dance. It was time to leave. I should
15:19at least say goodbye to Derek. After all, clutching the letter, I wheeled out to find him. But the Valen
15:25pack guards blocked my path. Alpha Derek has ordered no visitors. I stared at him.
15:33I pointed at myself. But I'm Sylvia Valen. His own sister. A nearby guard muttered. So that is the
15:41crippled she-wolf, still clinging to the Hollow Hail Luna title. Zero self-awareness. I turned my head.
15:48Slowly, I pushed my wheelchair away. Sylvia, what are you doing here? It was Mira.
15:55A she-wolf from the Valen pack I used to be close with. Please give this to Derek.
16:01She took it. Wait! Not gonna see Alpha Derek. Why not hand it to him yourself?
16:07I forced a smile, shook my head. There's no need.
16:14The banquet ended at dusk. Walking back to the main house, Varric passed the shed. He was about to step
16:21inside when he suddenly stopped. He looked back. No lights. No sound. But the door was slightly ajar.
16:28What the hell is she doing? He picked up his pace. Pushed the door open. Only to find the room
16:36empty.
16:37Varric's face dropped.
16:40Sylvia?
16:40No one answered.
16:43He returned to the banquet hall. Surrounded by a crowd, Zoe spotted him and waved.
16:48Hey! I was just talking about my Alpha. We-
16:52Sylvia is gone. Have you seen her?
16:54Zoe glanced around. Embarrassment flashed across her face. She pulled him aside, hissing through
17:01clenched teeth. Why are you mentioning that woman here?
17:04She's missing. I thought she might be here.
17:07I haven't seen her. If she were, I'd know.
17:10Varric's expression softened slightly.
17:12Darling, today I became your Luna.
17:15Zoe soothed him. Let's not talk about her anymore, right?
17:18I'm sorry. I overreacted.
17:21But unease gnawed at Varric. He frowned.
17:24If she's not here, where could she be? His brow quickly relaxed.
17:29How far could a crippled she-wolf possibly go?
17:33Just then, his personal guard sprinted over. Guard lowered his voice.
17:39What did you just say?
17:41Sylvia left a letter.
17:43And left the pack?
17:48The chatter around them died instantly. Zoe's face stiffened again.
17:52She whipped around, glaring at Varric.
17:54Didn't you promise not to mention her again?
17:57But she-
17:58She can't get far. You said it yourself. We can find her in no time.
18:02Varric acted like he didn't hear a word. He bolted out the door.
18:05Behind him, Zoe's face twisted with rage.
18:07Search everywhere! Find which way she went!
18:10Yes, Alpha!
18:12The guards scattered. He spun toward his personal guard.
18:15Where is the letter?
18:16One of Alpha Derek's guards from the Silvercrest pack has it.
18:20Varric froze.
18:21It wasn't for me?
18:22No. We searched everywhere.
18:25She left nothing else behind.
18:26Unbelievable, Sylvia.
18:29You really dared to do this.
18:32Consumed by rage, Varric stormed back into the shed. He kicked up the dry straw.
18:36How could you not leave a letter for me?!
18:39How dare you not leave a letter for me?!
18:41He tore the place apart.
18:43Found nothing.
18:45Then stopped, chest heaving.
18:47The guard stood by, exchanging nervous glances. Another guard burst in.
18:51Alpha Varric, something terrible has happened.
18:56We tracked her to the cliffs. We found a wheelchair overturned near the cliffs' edge.
19:02The guard looked up at Varric. He hesitated, his voice trembling.
19:06Luna Sevilla might have already…
19:08He didn't dare finish. Varric lunged. He grabbed the guard by the collar.
19:13Already what?!
19:15She might already have died at the cliff.
19:18Behind him, Lucian and Darric had just arrived. They stopped dead in their tracks.
19:22Both went pale.
19:27Varric stumbled backward. He knocked over a vase. Crash. Shards scattered across the floor.
19:34The blood drained from his face. He went as white as a ghost.
19:41Lucian stood at the doorway. His lips trembled.
19:45Luna Sylvia's wheelchair. Are you sure?
19:48No one answered. The guards kept their heads down in silence. Lucian suddenly turned and ran out.
19:54At the edge of the woods, he found two clear wheel tracks leading into the forest. He dropped to his
20:00knees. His fingers traced the grooves. Cold. Completely dried. His mother had left through here. He remembered the
20:09last words he said to her. Crippled wolves don't belong in the pack. I am the alpha heir,
20:14so I must follow the new Luna. His last words to her had forced her out. And now,
20:18she was really gone. Lucian sank to his knees in the dirt. His tears finally spilled over.
20:23They dropped into the dried tracks, one by one. He bit down hard on his lip, fighting back a sob.
20:29He thought she would always be waiting for him. But she was never coming back.
20:38Derek rushed over. A group of guards trailed behind him. He stopped at the tracks,
20:43swaying as if struck. Alpha Derek.
20:45Mira quickly grabbed his arm to steady him. Derek shook his head and straightened up.
20:49Impossible. She can't be dead. Give me her letter.
20:53Pulling out the crumpled letter, Mira smoothed it flat and handed it to him with both hands.
20:58Derek snatched it. He quickly scanned the words. To my brother. By the time you read this,
21:04I will likely be gone. He stopped. The world spun around him.
21:10Mira tightened her grip on his arm. Derek gripped the letter. He bit his lower lip and glared at Mira.
21:16Why didn't anyone tell me? Mira kept her head down. Her voice trembled.
21:21You gave the order. You said no visitors today. Not even Luna Sylvia. She was right there.
21:28She heard you. She just gave me this and left.
21:32Derek froze. He remembered the awful things he'd said,
21:35and that last fleeting look in her eyes. Utter disappointment.
21:41Back in the thatched shed, Varric hadn't said a single word. His fingers trembled. He dug his nails
21:48into his palms until they bled. He remembered the last time he saw her. The thunderstorm. He had
21:53rushed over purely on instinct. She was curled up in the corner. When he walked in, her eyes lit up.
21:59He stared at that exact corner now. How had he responded to her?
22:02Zoe is waiting for me. I have to go. He stood frozen, staring at the empty haze.
22:09She was terrified of storms. He saw the exact moment the light in her eyes died. Yet, he still
22:15walked away. She's a cripple. She needs me. Where could she go?
22:25But a sudden memory struck Varric. She used to be so proud. Before the injury,
22:34she ran faster than him. In battle, she was fiercer than he was. Even after she lost her legs,
22:41she pushed through agonizing rehab. She refused to give up. She failed again and again. Sweat-soaked,
22:48covered in bruises. And what had he told her? Just stay quietly in your wheelchair. Face it.
22:55Those legs are useless. Varric shook his head. He slammed his fist into the wall in anger. It was him.
23:05He had destroyed her hope.
23:10The guards whispered. Is she really dead?
23:14Luna Sophia, I mean. They said there were no other tracks near the cliff edge, so…
23:20What the hell are you still doing here?
23:22The guards instantly stiffened. They dropped their heads in silence.
23:28Keep looking. There's no way she's dead.
23:35Three days later, the search was still underway. The guards had combed through the woods and the
23:39entire territory. Did anyone find anything? No one met his eyes. The guards just dropped
23:45their gaze. Is she really? Varric couldn't finish the sentence. It was an answer he refused to hear.
23:50Under a tree near the shed, Lucian dug up a wooden carving.
23:58He traced his fingers over the wood. He remembered the day his parents helped him carve it. He flipped it
24:04over. Carved into the bottom in shaky handwriting. Lucian. Silvia's smiling face flashed before his eyes.
24:12Lucian gripped the wolf against his heart. Closing his eyes.
24:17What did you find? What did you find? Lucian opened his hand.
24:25He handed the carving to Varric. Will she come back? Varric stared at the wooden wolf.
24:34He didn't answer. Zoe approached Varric in a long, white dress.
24:39Alpha Varric, I'm so sorry for your loss. She gently took his hand, speaking softly.
24:44Don't be too sad. If Luna Safiya is gone, at least she didn't suffer.
24:48Varric looked down at her hand on his. Slowly, he pulled away.
24:52She isn't dead. Zoe paused. But the pack gods all say…
24:57They just haven't found a body. She must be hiding. She just doesn't want to be found.
25:03Zoe bit her lip and lowered her voice. Alpha Varric, I know how you feel. But Silvia was
25:09crippled. How could she survive out there alone? Besides, rogue packs are ruthless. They wouldn't
25:16take in a paralyzed she-wolf. The guards have searched for three days. Everyone is exhausted.
25:21They need rest. Let's just stop. Let's just announce that Luna Silvia has…
25:28Did you not hear me? I said she isn't dead!
25:39Varric looked up at Zoe, his gaze like ice. Zoe froze, the words dying in her throat.
25:45She was my Luna for years. She never stopped fighting. Not once. Who the hell are you?
25:49Think you know her better than I do? All the color drained from Zoe's face.
25:52Until I see a body. She is alive. No one says she's dead. No one.
25:56Zoe stared at his stubborn expression, her face turning cold.
25:59Who am I? I am your wife! I am the Luna of this pack!
26:03Zoe stepped closer to Varric, speaking fiercely.
26:06Don't forget who you're talking to, Vark. I am not some puppet you can just push around. I am the
26:10strongest she-wolf in my pack. Ever since I became Luna, I've been pushed aside for her.
26:14Makes me wonder who the real Luna in your heart is. But as long as I wear the crown,
26:17I protect this pack. The guards are not tools for your guilt. The search ends now.
26:22Zoe stormed out, taking the guards with her.
26:25Varric collapsed onto the floor of the empty hut.
26:28He clutched the wooden carving, staring blankly at the corner of the room.
26:32Derek burst through the door, covered in dirt and exhaustion.
26:35Did you find anything?
26:36Lucian stepped up, placing a hand on Derek's shoulder. He shook his head.
26:40Derek's eyes were bloodshot. His fists clenched tight.
26:43Impossible. There has to be something. I must have missed.
26:46He paced the cramped room frantically. She won't let us find her.
26:49As Varric's voice fell, Derek stopped pacing.
26:53What are you talking about? How could she-
26:55Before Derek could finish, Varric continued as if talking to himself.
26:58Don't you see? It's all too perfect.
27:02The letter. The wheelchair by the cliff. The tracks disappearing into the woods.
27:06She staged it all. She wanted us to think she was dead so we'd stop looking.
27:10He stared at the wooden wolf in his hand. He remembered. Even in this hut, she had always
27:14kept it with her. She even left this behind. She threw everything away.
27:18As he spoke, he suddenly burst into laughter. But as he laughed, tears began to fall.
27:23Derek and Lucian stared at him. Rouse furrowed. He hadn't told them what he found.
27:27Right next to the wheel tracks, hidden under a layer of dead leaves, were two round indents
27:32leading down a different path. Crutch marks. She had used crutches to escape.
27:38Miles away, I sat in a tree, looking into the distance. Beside me, a boy carrying a quiver
27:43handed me a bow. I aimed at a wild deer grazing in the clearing below. Without a second of hesitation,
27:50I released the string. Swash! The deer dropped instantly.
27:55Holy moon goddess! I've never seen a shot that clean! Timing, speed, aim, utter perfection!
28:00Sylvia, is there anything you can't do? I touched the bow, murmuring. To be honest,
28:04it's been a while. I didn't expect. I haven't lost my touch. It was flawless! Sylvia, can you teach me?
28:10I want to be a badass archer just like you! I looked at the bright-eyed boy, a bitter thought
28:14creeping in. But I had to rely on you to get up this tree, to see the prey. Don't you
28:18think
28:18an archer who has to rely on others isn't a real archer at all? Eric's smile didn't falter.
28:24No way! Plenty of wolves can climb a tree, but almost no one can one-shot a deer like that.
28:28In our pack, everyone has things they're good at and things they aren't. That's why we help each
28:31other, so everyone gets to do what they do best. Like me. I'm only good at climbing.
28:35He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. I remembered the first time I saw Eric's face.
28:41It was by the river. I had meant to follow the book's directions to the unclaimed lands,
28:45but I hadn't used crutches in so long that I accidentally fell. After the fall,
28:49I crawled for a long time until I finally reached water. I was desperately scooping water to drink,
28:54when I suddenly saw a face reflected on the surface. I jerked my head up. A strange boy stood
29:00over me. Terrified, I tried to crawl backward, but the boy called out to me. He handed me a wooden
29:06cup.
29:08Eric! Get Sylvia down here! Hearing the shout from below, we exchanged a smile.
29:13Coming! Leave more for Sylvia! She made the kill!
29:19We sat around a roaring campfire in the clearing, tearing into the roasted venison.
29:25Here, Sylvia. Eat up.
29:28We haven't had a sniper this good in our rogue pack for years.
29:32Yeah, most of us just pounce and bite. We don't catch much, so we're always starving.
29:37Thanks to Sylvia, we'll all be eating well from now on.
29:40I let out a laugh. I never thought I'd meet a rogue pack, much less that they'd be so welcoming.
29:45They were all either abandoned by their packs, or couldn't fit into strict pack rules.
29:50But because of that, they made their own rules and protected each other.
29:55They built a new home together.
29:57But Sylvia, a pack asked me about you today.
30:00I froze. Did they realize I wasn't dead? One of the pack's organizers raised an eyebrow at me and said
30:05playfully,
30:06Looks like all the major packs heard about the bounty on you. Sylvia, you're worth a lot right now.
30:10The rest of the wolves stopped chewing. One by one, they turned their heads to stare at me.
30:15Feeling their gaze, I raised my head. Now, I was like a sheep in a pack of wolves.
30:20Right. To all rogues, survival comes first. How could I have forgotten that?
30:25Instantly, I tensed up.
30:26Then what did you say?
30:28She didn't answer right away. The atmosphere in the pack was tense.
30:32Seeing my nervousness, she suddenly laughed.
30:35Oh, Sylvia, don't be nervous.
30:39We all know you can bring us food. We won't let you go that fast.
30:45Don't worry, I haven't sold you out.
30:47Hearing her answer, I sighed in relief.
30:51But her face turned serious.
30:53She looked at me and said,
30:54But you need to understand one thing.
30:56We can't keep your secret for long.
30:59Sooner or later, they'll find you.
31:00Right.
31:01With their power, finding me was only a matter of-
31:03I know. Thank you for the reminder.
31:06You guys helped me so much these past few days.
31:08You took me in and I can't thank you enough.
31:10Since I got hurt, I've been treated like trash.
31:12Hated and ignored.
31:14Everyone said a paralyzed wolf was useless.
31:16Even my alpha husband, my son, my family,
31:18even my own brother said those things to me.
31:20The people closest to me said them,
31:21You are nothing anymore.
31:23A crippled wolf shouldn't stay in a pack.
31:25I said these words and shook my head sadly.
31:28There was a stir in the pack.
31:30Everyone looked at each other.
31:31Their faces just as sad.
31:33I've heard those exact same words.
31:35Me too.
31:37After a moment of silence, I looked up at the other rogues.
31:40But I know I have already caused you a lot of trouble.
31:44As rogues, just surviving isn't easy.
31:47No territory.
31:48Needing to hide every day.
31:50Fighting for resources we'll be in mortal danger the next second.
31:55The money and supplies they're offering must be a lot.
31:59So if they ask about me again, you don't need to hide it anymore.
32:03I will leave the pack.
32:07Don't need to leave, Sylvia.
32:09Don't go, Sylvia!
32:11Sylvia, you can't go!
32:12Every wolf in the pack spoke up, but I shook my head.
32:16I can't drag you down.
32:18If they know I'm here, they might hurt you.
32:20You gave me so much help.
32:24I won't put you in danger.
32:26Every wolf looked sad.
32:29Suddenly, footsteps came from afar.
32:31Hide, someone's coming.
32:33Everyone quickly hid.
32:35Guards arrived, looking around cautiously.
32:37It was Varric.
32:38His haggard face had stubble.
32:40His eyes looked around blankly.
32:42Sylvia, are you here?
32:44Sylvia, come out.
32:46I know you're still alive.
32:48I shouldn't have treated you like that.
32:49Come out!
32:50I was wrong.
32:50I was so wrong.
32:51Lucian and Derek were behind him.
32:53Their faces were just as hangered.
32:54Mom, I'm sorry.
32:55I shouldn't have said that to you.
32:56I didn't mean it.
32:57Come home with us, okay?
32:58Sylvia, I failed you as a brother.
33:00You'll never be alone or scared again.
33:01No answer.
33:02The woods were quiet.
33:04Varric dropped to his knees, trembling.
33:06He ignored the thorns on the ground, cutting his legs.
33:09Sylvia, I'm sorry.
33:10I'm so sorry.
33:13Don't do this, Varric.
33:15Syl, come home with me.
33:18I didn't show myself.
33:19The thick leaves hid me.
33:22Home.
33:23Where is home?
33:24There is no place for me there.
33:27It is not my home anymore.
33:29No!
33:30You will always be my Luna, Sylvia.
33:32Hollowfang will always be your home.
33:34I'll get rid of Zoey!
33:35We can fix the maid bonds!
33:36Mom, we will always be your family!
33:38I will always be your son!
33:40Please, just come back!
33:41The thick leaves hid me, I chuckled softly.
33:44No, Syl!
33:45Then come home with me, Sylvia.
33:47If you don't want to return to Holoboth, then come back to the family, okay?
33:50All of you, go back.
33:51No, Syl!
33:53Then come home with me, Sylvia.
33:55If you don't want to return to Holoboth, then come back to the family, okay?
33:58All of you, go back.
33:59I have no home anymore.
34:01I don't want to see you again.
34:03No, this isn't true.
34:05Varric, when you brought back a new mate and cut our bond, you didn't care how I felt.
34:11That stormy night, you gave me hope only to crush it.
34:16Zoey's waiting for me.
34:17I have to go.
34:19Lucian, when you said I wasn't your Luna and walked out with his new mate, you didn't care how I
34:25felt.
34:26Derek!
34:27When you said I wasn't your Luna and walked out with his new mate, you didn't care how I felt.
34:32When you hated, ignored, and humiliated me for my condition, none of you cared.
34:37If you truly saw me as family, you wouldn't have done those things when I was paralyzed three years ago.
34:41You stopped being my family long ago.
34:43Leave, don't follow me, and never look for me again.
34:47Varric was already sobbing.
34:48He looked up in despair.
34:50Syl, please give me one more chance.
34:57Varric knelt for a very long time.
34:59It got dark.
35:00The moon rose.
35:00He was still kneeling, not moving at all.
35:04A personal guard stepped forward to persuade him.
35:06In the pitch black woods with only the moonlight hanging high.
35:09Then I'll wait right here.
35:11A day.
35:12A year.
35:14A lifetime.
35:16Until she trusts me again.
35:19In the pitch black woods with only the moonlight hanging high, he shifted back into a defeated wolf.
35:28His body slowly began to turn to stone.
35:33Miles away, I rode at a full gallop toward the open mountains.
35:40Resting my hand on the crystal ball, I prayed to the moon goddess for guidance.
35:44The moon goddess blessed me, promising boundless strength.
35:47Nothing could stop me now.
35:49My future was bright.
35:50Following the book's directions, the rogues found a new place to settle.
36:05There, we forged a new alliance, swearing to support each other through anything.
36:12Amen.
36:18Thanks to a new herb made by a packmate, sensations slowly returned to my legs day by day.
36:31Until finally, after countless failures,
36:39I stood on my own.
36:42Sunlight bathed my face, and I smiled in relief.
36:46Sunlight bathed my face, and Iıld
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