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Cinemado
  • 7 hours ago
The alpha king's intoxicating mate EP
Transcript
00:02I was born with heavy breasts and lush curves my half-sister Chloe was afraid her
00:07mate Brad would go feral over me so she sold me to an impotent alpha she patted
00:13my shoulder who knows maybe he's good at other things three months later I was
00:21begging for mercy every night funny he seemed good at everything
00:28case valerius the blackwood packs alpha the lycan king's most trusted war commander he was carried
00:34back from the battlefield soaked in blood someone suggested a mate bond shares life force if alpha
00:40case was bound to a living healthy mate her strength could flow into him and pull him back
00:45Chloe rushed to play matchmaker and presented me to Martha before I could object I had no way to
00:49refuse if I wouldn't agree she'd transfer me to serve 60 year old elder Kevin I knew she resented
00:55my history with her mate I dropped to my knees and swore to the moon goddess I swear Chloe I
01:02had
01:02no feelings for Brad Chloe jabbed a finger at my forehead fury in her eyes what good is a vow
01:08do
01:08you have any idea how distracting you are I hunched my shoulders tears slid down on my cheeks just look
01:15at that ample body and those charming curves parading your body in front of every male in the clan who
01:21among them would not lose their minds at the smell of you I wanted to tell her to bind my
01:26chest I'd
01:27wrapped myself layer after layer in the sweltering heat until I broke out in a rash her expression
01:31softened she wiped my tears it's not that I don't trust you it's that I don't trust males do you
01:39know
01:39how powerful alpha cases if my mother and Martha weren't old friends you wouldn't even have this
01:45opportunity Chloe I don't want to be anyone's offering I'd rather scrub kitchen floors just don't
01:52make me two sharp slaps landed across my face my cheek burned Leah are you out of your mind if
02:01I
02:01hadn't vouched for you Martha wouldn't have given you a second glance you wouldn't even be worthy of
02:06being case's mate the maid burst in breathless miss Chloe word from the valerius estate alpha case has
02:13woken up Chloe dragged me straight to valerius estate enormous I followed her through the main
02:20hall to a set of heavy double doors pulled half shut through the gap I could make out a man's
02:24shape
02:24in the bed thin motionless chest rattling with shallow coughs every few minutes Martha stood on
02:29our side eyes red thank you for everything you've done for case I won't destroy a girl's future over
02:35Chloe's eyes moved quick and calculating it's valerius the bond should still be completed
02:40Leah arrived the same day case woke up that's the moon goddess guiding us seal the bond properly
02:46her life force will keep pulling him back toward health before she could speak the healer Ella
02:51stepped out expression tight alpha case has regained consciousness but an arrow struck his inner thigh
02:57during battle I'm afraid he will no longer be able unable to do what he will no longer be able
03:05to
03:05get hard Martha's knees gave out I caught her before she hit the floor she looked up at me with
03:10hollowed eyes Leah knowing this are you still willing yes she's been looking forward to it Chloe was
03:18already answering for me of course she is she's just an omega with no prospects she should be grateful
03:24I didn't speak right away my mind went to my past there was a young wolf in the poor quarter
03:30behind
03:30our estate I first saw him through the fence gaps thin wrists hollow cheeks hunched over a cracked bowl with
03:37nothing in it I started passing food through the gaps bread first then soup then whatever I had
03:43day after day I watched him change the hollows and his cheeks filled out his shoulders broadened
03:49he started training before dawn running laps around the back wall while I was still half asleep he was
03:55going to enter the warrior trials I knew it before he told me when he passed I went to find
04:00him that same
04:01night I was happy I remember it clearly I was genuinely happy I knocked on the gate he didn't open
04:06it
04:06his voice came Leah I'm betrothed now it wouldn't be proper then a soft thud in the dirt at my
04:11feet
04:11a pouch of silver consider my debt repaid I stood there for a moment then I picked it up and
04:16walked
04:16away that wolf became Chloe's mate Brad I acted like I'd never known him Chloe found out anyway I
04:24snapped back to reality I gathered my skirts and knelt in front of Martha my lady I'm willing I'll complete
04:31the bond care for case and serve you as long as you need me Luna Martha kept her word and
04:38prepared
04:38a dignified mating dress for me Chloe deliberately chose a day when Brad was away on pack business to
04:43send me off she walked me to the door guilt on her face even though case can't get hard at
04:49least
04:49you'll be spared the pain of bearing pups don't worry an alpha who can't perform in that area is
04:55probably exceptional in every other honestly none of what Chloe said had even crossed my mind
05:00I told myself I was simply moving to a new household case was too weak to stand through
05:06the full mate blessing ritual I completed the bond rites beside his ceremonial sword instead
05:11Martha watched from the front eyes wet the whole time when it was done I was alpha case's mate
05:18the mating chamber was quiet I pushed the door open carefully case was already inside half reclined
05:25against the headboard in a white bathrobe he turned when he heard me up close he was strikingly
05:30handsome sharp jaw dark eyes the kind of face that didn't need color in it to hold attention
05:37I had no intention of taking a mate he said with a low voice if it doesn't trouble you we
05:42can treat
05:43this as a sibling arrangement he pointed to the chaise along the far wall tonight the bed is yours
05:49I'll take that tomorrow you move to the guest quarters all right I nodded he had thought of
05:55everything it wasn't what I'd expected before the ritual one of the older maids had pulled me
06:00aside and pressed something into my hands a small handbook worn at the corners she'd whispered with a
06:07strange look there are other ways between mates you might find it useful I had no idea what she meant
06:13until I opened it heat pooled in my core just from looking at the pages is it too hot case
06:20was watching
06:20me from the bed eyes direct unblinking the dress is heavy I'm a little warm then wash up and rest
06:30he pulled
06:30the blanket over himself and turned toward the wall within minutes his breathing evened out I set the
06:35handbook down on the vanity and took down my hair then the layered robes piece by piece until I was
06:41standing in nothing but my nightgown I turned to the mirror the thin fabric clung to every curve heavy
06:48breasts straining against the cloth slim waist giving way to the flare of my hips I walked straight into
06:53case's gaze he wasn't asleep his chest rose hard the tips of his ears went red his throat
07:00worked as he swallowed I grabbed my outer robe and pressed it against my chest alpha I thought
07:06you were asleep a long pause I could sleep later my breath hitched he rose slowly to his feet
07:14his tall frame casting a shadow over me
07:27the handbook's images came flooding in my breathing shifted without me meaning it to
07:31somehow falling into the same rhythm as his then case turned and walked to the door the moment cool
07:37night air rushed in I snapped back to my senses he'd already disappeared into the darkness I turned it over
07:43in my mind when he'd looked at me just now his eyes had flashed with something unmistakably like shock
07:50had my figure actually frightened him before I lay down I made a firm decision tomorrow morning I was
07:56binding my chest at least one full loop tighter I was hovering somewhere between sleep and waking
08:02when case slipped back in the tips of his hair still beaded with water he'd apparently gone to shower
08:07by morning he was already gone ivy came in to help me dress from the corridor outside came the
08:13sound of a man once then again Martha's head maid's voice carried clearly through the door
08:20alpha case why didn't you call someone to heat the water it's already summer but the nights are still
08:25cold of course you've caught a chill I'll go brew tea right now I glanced at ivy does the alpha
08:32usually
08:33take cold showers I honestly don't know miss I dismissed her and locked the door I wound a strip
08:39of cloth tight over my undergarments then pulled on the most conservative dress I could find in the
08:44wardrobe high neck loose cut heavy fabric then I went to living room case was already there when I
08:51arrived seated beside Martha she lit up the moment she saw me her whole face warm with welcome until case
08:58coughed and the warmth vanished instantly cage I have a few private words for Leah go rest for a while
09:05case rose and left without a word Martha waved me over and took both my hands in hers eyes glistening
09:13sweet girl our case is lucky to have you
09:19the pack healer says the injury drained his life force
09:22there's no telling how long he has left some of the elders suggested I find a child for him to
09:28adopt
09:28to carry on the bloodline
09:32but if I did that wouldn't I be stealing your whole future from you
09:38I'm already grateful you came into this family to save case I can't let you sacrifice the rest of
09:43your life on top of that I've thought it through if case's time does come I'll have him issue you
09:48a
09:48formal mate release your future stays protected and I'll see to it that you receive property
09:53and a place of your own I reached up and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes
09:58chest tight with an ache I couldn't name Mrs. Valerius thank you for looking out for me
10:04I'd come here thinking of myself as nothing more than a transferred Omega servant I never imagined she
10:09would think this far ahead on my behalf my thoughts drifted to the mother I had never known if she
10:13had
10:14been alive if I had grown up under a mother's protection I never would have ended up in any
10:18of the situations I'd been through Martha laughed through her tears look at me I've gone and made
10:23you cry too she squeezed my hands Leah there's no need to be so formal call me mom just like
10:30case
10:30does she took a breath so I have a proposition for you Chloe mentioned you know how to prepare
10:36medicinal soups I'd like you to take over cases daily meals and care I just want him to live a
10:42little
10:42longer that's my one selfish wish by the end her voice had gone rough I nodded I headed to the
10:48kitchen to gather ingredients the last time I'd prepared medicinal soup was several years ago back
10:53when Brad was not yet Chloe's mate he'd lost both parents and lived alone in a rundown unit skipping
10:59meals to save every cent for his warrior training one day I found him collapsed at our back gate and
11:05brought him around out of sympathy I dug through my mother's old healer journals and prepared medicinal
11:10meals for him every day to rebuild his strength only the two of us ever knew about it from the
11:15looks of things he was the one who told Chloe just to get me driven out the lengths he had
11:21gone to
11:21were truly something I carried the steaming soup to the bedroom and found case directing servants to
11:27pack up his belongings alpha what's this about weren't we agreed that I was moving the guest room
11:33his sharply handsome face didn't shift so much as a fraction I have fewer things it makes more
11:39sense for me to move at least eat first I set the food on the table he gave it a
11:44brief glance and sat
11:45down you can leave this kind of thing to the maid from now on it's no different coming from me
11:54it is different his voice remained flat and cool have ivy bring it from now on he finished the soup
12:01and a few quick swallows said a few words to the servants and swept past me in that moment I
12:07confirmed one thing alpha case couldn't stand the sight of me I followed his instructions and had ivy
12:14deliver his daily healing meals to the study from then on Martha couldn't stop singing my praises the
12:19pack healer says cases condition has stabilized significantly I can see the color coming back to
12:25his face Leah that's entirely because of you delighted she pressed a gold bracelet into my hands
12:31back in my room I tucked it into my jewelry box which had been slowly filling with pieces Martha had
12:37gifted me since my arrival Leah you never wear any of the of these isn't it a waste to just
12:43put them
12:43away how is it a waste every one of these can be converted to cash that's my security fund but
12:49lady
12:50Martha gave these to you personally are you really going to sell all of them not right now but if
12:55the
12:55mate bond is ever severed naturally I'd sell them and keep the money on hand ivy's expression shifted
13:00to pure bewilderment as she turned away she dropped her voice to a murmur alpha i spun around and met
13:11a
13:11pair of ink dark eyes Martha's eyesight must truly be failing her case looked worse than ever case's face
13:18was even paler than before his gaze was sharp and cutting fixed on me with cold precision the look
13:24unsettled me completely but I didn't dare let a single trace of it show alpha is there something you
13:31need a journal we looked together I checked the shelves he checked the writing desk neither of us
13:38spoke I spotted the journal pushed to the very back of the top shelf behind a row of my mother's
13:43medical
13:43notes I reached up on my toes my fingertips just grazed the cover case's hand came over mine warm
13:50steady he reached past me without effort and closed his hand around the journal I turned my head his
13:57face was right there closer than I'd realized he was looking down at me then I lost my footing and
14:04pitched straight into him my heavy breasts hit his chest first my waist went straight into his palm his
14:10hand catching me before he could react case didn't step back his ear tips went red his throat worked
14:17as he swallowed when he exhaled the breath came out uneven against the top of my head his eyes flashed
14:23gold for a second then green I scrambled upright face burning your journal he took it without a word
14:31and walked out perfect my standing in his eyes had just sunk even lower after that day I made every
14:37effort to avoid crossing paths with case he was injured and recovering he needed to stay calm but
14:42there was one more thing bothering me Brad had been sending notes three times already I hadn't opened
14:48a single one just dropped them in a box then Ivy pressed one into my hand that morning it's not
14:53just a
14:53note this time he's here side entrance says he won't leave until you come out I clenched my fist and
14:59walked
14:59out I didn't notice the figure that followed from the far end of the courtyard Brad was standing at
15:03the gate Leah you finally came you should be calling me mrs valerius he paused dropped his voice
15:13mrs valerius do you have any idea how many times you've put me in an impossible position with these
15:17meetings I know I just wanted to tell you I'll be securing more power in the pack soon I won't
15:25need
15:26Chloe's father backing me anymore he stepped closer I'll buy a house Leah come with me anything's
15:32better than staying with a dying man he reached for me I stepped back you want me as your mistress
15:39Brad nodded completely serious I laughed why would I give up being the alpha's mate to be your mistress
15:46the whole pack knows case is dying he won't last and he can't even stand up anymore
15:52his eyes dropped deliberately to my chest isn't that a waste
15:58disgust surged through me Brad I will never be anyone's mistress case fought on the front lines
16:05for this pack those injuries are his honor you've benefited from every battle he won and you're
16:12standing here calling him less of a man you're the one who's less come near me again and every note
16:20you've sent goes straight to Chloe how do you think that ends for you his face went white
16:27I swung the gate shut I turned around and came face to face with case white t-shirt standing
16:32less than half a foot away his full height bearing down on me alpha I managed a faint edge flickered
16:37across his expression wasn't it my mate just a moment ago why so formal all of a sudden
16:43I looked down and started walking please don't misunderstand as long as I'm in this estate I honor
16:50this bond completely fast it's getting late I should go make your evening meal I moved to step past him
16:56his hand closed around my arm I lost my footing and pitched straight into him my heavy breasts
17:01against his chest my waist caught in his grip I looked up his face was inches from mine his eyes
17:07were
17:07deep deep and unreadable one tilt forward and our lips would have touched his breath hit my face warm
17:14my breath hitched heat pooled low in my core case swallowed hard as long as I remain in this estate
17:22each word slow deliberate you counting down the days until you can leave I couldn't exactly tell him
17:28I'll leave the day you die no nothing like that I shifted in his grip alpha you're hurting my arm
17:35did
17:37you mean every word you said just now I blinked and asked which part he let out a quiet breath
17:42and
17:43released me I bolted and I noticed for the first time his face had actual color in it his cheeks
17:50were
17:51just as red as mine that night I had a strange dream case's lips grazed slowly along my cheek
17:58his fingers hooked into the strap of my slip voice dropping to a low murmur does my luna want this
18:04I nodded like someone completely under a spell then a fierce consuming kiss caught my lips and wouldn't
18:10let go I jolted awake in a tangle of sheets heart still hammering breathless ivy knocked and came in
18:18I asked her to bring a basin of cold water she stared at my sweat damp hair and murmured it
18:23really is
18:24getting hotter I splashed cold water onto my face and then it hit me that first night case cold
18:31shower surely he hadn't also been no impossible he was injured and recovering he was supposed to be
18:39keeping himself calm at midday Martha's attendant arrived Martha would like dinner in the garden
18:44tonight she asks that you be sure to come been making excuses to avoid the main dining hall for days
18:49just to steer clear of case but Martha had gone out of her way to personally extend the invitation
18:54I couldn't say no I stepped into the garden a sprawling rose of Sharon was in full bloom
19:00a gust of wind shook loose a handful of deep crimson petals drifting down onto the stone table
19:05covered with every dish I loved most Martha smiled and gestured for me to sit
19:10case mentioned it's your birthday today he's the one who asked the kitchen to prepare all of this
19:15I looked up and met a pair of burning intent eyes heat rushed straight to my face case lit a
19:22plate of
19:22chestnut cake in front of me without changing his expression how did you know today was my birthday
19:28I'd completely forgotten it myself my birth mother died bringing me into the world no one had ever
19:34once marked the day for me case kept his eyes lowered and said evenly it's not difficult to know it
19:41something in my chest gave one quiet inexplicable pull leah this peach blossom wine is from my private
19:48reserve I'm opening it just for you but you two had better not drink too much she pushed back her
19:54chair said the summer evening breeze was too much for her old bones and left the garden went quiet
20:01to avoid the silence I put my head down and drank one cup then another then another the wine was
20:08sweet
20:08and dangerously potent before long the edges of everything had gone soft and blurry case watched
20:15me but said nothing by the third glass I'd stopped feeling the awkward silence by the fourth I'd stopped
20:21feeling much of anything I reached across the table toward the last piece of chestnut cake the dish was
20:27empty I looked up where's the last piece I ate it I have absolutely no idea where the boldness came
20:34from I leaned straight toward his face who told you to eat that spit it back out I pressed against
20:42his
20:42chest trying to peer into his mouth case looked down at me perfectly calm you won't find it that way
20:49I straightened up and stared at him then how am I supposed to find it a faint flush crept across
20:55his
20:55cheeks try using your mouse my gaze drifted to his slightly reddened lips I swallowed once and kissed
21:02him without hesitation case went rigid his breathing lurching unsteady then control shifted his hand
21:10cupped the back of my head and he pressed in deeper harder neither of us pulled away until footsteps
21:15sounded from behind the flower bed alpha the night air is cool lady Martha asked me to bring you both
21:23a wrap
21:24I had no idea how much ivy'd seen I shot to my feet and the next instant the world tilted
21:30everything went
21:31dark when I woke up with a splitting headache it was already morning I suddenly remembered I'd promised
21:39Martha to visit case's father's grave it was late I started rushing around for my things
21:47Leah don't worry the driver is still getting the car ready
21:52ivy was it you who brought me back last night no the alpha carried you back
21:58I spun around to check her face she nodded completely serious I didn't say anything stupid did I
22:07ivy bit back a smile the alpha set you down on the bed and you grabbed his sleeve and wouldn't
22:14let go
22:14you kept calling him my mate over and over until his whole face went red
22:21ivy don't you dare make things up she covered her mouth laughing and ran out
22:28I met Martha at the front entrance case's father's grave was on a hillside just beyond the pack territory
22:35I sat in the back of the car completely distracted replaying the moment I'd kissed case last night
22:42Martha must have misread my expression because she said
22:46Leah is there someone you have feelings for
22:52I've noticed you've been avoiding case these past few days
22:56please don't be upset with me for pushing you two together at dinner last night
23:00I thought if the two of you couldn't be mates you could at least be friends but if you're uncomfortable
23:05or if you want to leave just say I'll have him sever the bond I won't let you be trapped
23:11here
23:11mom no it's not that I was thinking about something else what is it I was still figuring
23:18out how to answer when the car lurched the engine screamed the car swung hard tires off the road
23:23crashing through brush the whole frame shaking I grabbed Martha and looked at the driver slumped over
23:29the wheel unconscious no one to hit the brakes a cliff straight ahead Martha grabbed my arm
23:36Leah what do we do we jump now we'll be hurt we'll die if we don't hold on to me
23:43I wrapped myself
23:43around her and we threw ourselves clear the instant the wheels left solid ground we hit the cliff edge
23:48and went over my hand shot out and caught a root jutting from the rock face my other hand locked
23:53around Martha's wrist below her was a straight drop into nothing mom don't look down don't look down
24:01hold on hold on to me Ivy and the others are right behind us behind us in the second car
24:07they'll be here soon the root ground under our weight Martha's voice broke
24:14Leah let me go we're too heavy it's going to snap
24:22I'm old I've lived my life you have to keep living yours my chest tightened so hard I could barely
24:32breathe I couldn't let go she'd been a mother to me from the first day mom I would rather die
24:41with you
24:41than watch you fall hold on
24:48they're coming the truth was I had no idea my arms were going numb the pain had gone so deep
24:56it had
24:57stopped feeling like pain at all then I heard it a wolf's howl split the air deafening and close
25:08Leah don't move I'm coming down case's voice he'd called me by my name the first time
25:17a strong arm came under me he'd climbed down the cliff face wolf claws dug into the rock
25:25he untied the rope from his own body and looped it around my waist then climbed down further and did
25:31the
25:31same for Martha the people above pulled together we came up one at a time it wasn't a hallucination
25:40case had saved us he held me brow creased
25:47why is there so much blood Martha clutched her face she shielded me when we jumped
25:53I didn't get a scratch it's all hers my eyelids felt like lead Leah don't sleep I'm taking you to
26:05Ella he lifted me into the car and I stayed curled against his chest his forehead was damp with sweat
26:13he kept one hand on the wheel and kept talking Leah Leah Leah stay awake
26:20I'll get you chestnut cake I'll give you all the jewelry you want to sell you don't have to wait
26:25for me to die I'll write the bond release today you can leave whenever you want my chest kept clenching
26:31something wet hit my face I looked up at the sky through the windshield it wasn't raining then
26:38everything went black when I opened my eyes every part of my body felt like it had been taken apart
26:42and
26:43put back wrong my Luna the pack healer said you can't move yet Ivy pressed a bowl of medicine to
26:49my lips spooning it in slowly you're lucky nothing's broken her voice was steady but her eyes were red
26:55the scrapes were bad you need to stay flat or they'll scar your shoulder was dislocated too she kept
27:01talking my eyes had already drifted to the door after I finished the medicine I asked where's case
27:07investigating someone poisoned the driver with wolf bite and cut the brake lines it was deliberate who would
27:13be bold enough to target the alpha's family directly I was flat on my back for a full month I
27:18didn't see
27:18case once Martha kept her door shut too still recovering from the shock everyone in the estate
27:24moved with tight faces and clipped voices like something was being held just below the surface
27:28I asked Ivy she said nothing was wrong today I was finally cleared to get out of bed I opened
27:34my door and
27:35walked straight into a familiar figure case dark tactical shirt sharper than I remembered he held out a
27:42small wooden box I took it and lifted the lid a land deed a property contract a severance letter
27:49my body went rigid something locked around my chest and wouldn't let go case are you throwing me out
27:55you've been waiting for this since the day you arrived you avoided me stayed out of my way you never
28:00wanted anything to do with me you were counting down the days until I died so you could walk out
28:04cleanly
28:06I'm just doing it early Leah go after today we're finished something sharp flooded my chest
28:13my mouth opened and closed it took a long time to get anything out so that's what you think of
28:21me
28:23leave now I don't want to see you anymore case disappeared around the corner of the yard estate
28:29guards all but pushed me out the door Ivy fell in to step beside me and the alpha said you're
28:34used
28:34to having me around he told me to go with you I couldn't speak
28:43we moved into a small house on the edge of the territory
28:46by morning the pack's official announcement had gone up the announcement said case had betrayed the
28:52pack the announcement said he had betrayed the pack that he had leaked the border patrol routes to a
28:57rogue faction by order of the lichen king royal enforcers had been dispatched to seize him pending
29:03investigation case was being held in the dungeons under royal guard the estate was locked down everyone
29:11inside was under scrutiny case would never betray his pack he would die before he did something like
29:17that he rushed to get me out that was why that was the only reason ivy was pacing circles around
29:24the
29:24living room she'd grown up inside the estate she couldn't stand still is there anything we can do
29:31i made myself sit down and think years ago elder reed's youngest child had gotten lost in the forest
29:37and been bitten by a snake i'd found him and used the right herbs to treat the wound
29:43elder reed had arrived while i was still crouched over the boy he'd seen my face i was sure he
29:48hadn't
29:48forgotten i tracked him down outside the council building and stepped into elder reed you remember
29:55me i need a favor he looked at me for a long moment then he nodded elder reed led me
30:01into the dungeon
30:0230 minutes no more the door unlocked case stood up his eyes flashed with surprise how did you get in
30:09my chest ached as i looked at him through the blur of tears that's why you kicked me out isn't
30:14it
30:14you were framed think carefully is there any evidence to prove your innocence i will find it
30:20i will investigate i swear i will rescue you case's gaze deepened then his arm shot out and pulled me
30:27into his chest leah my heart hammered but time was running out this wasn't the moment i pushed against
30:34him he didn't budge leah you don't need to do anything i can't say much i promise seven days
30:43later i will accompany you to watch the sunrise okay his eyes were steady certain like he was coaxing a
30:50frightened pup i walked out of the dungeon and straight into brad he stepped into my path slow
31:00smile spreading across it's not too late to reconsider being my mistress beats being alone
31:06and disgraced i swung my hand and slapped him across the face he lunged for me i stepped sideways
31:12and put distance between us try that again and every note you sent me ends up in front of chloe's
31:16father every single one you've been whispering in her ear for years haven't you trying to get me
31:21pushed out thinking i'd have nowhere to go and no choice but to run to you but you never counted
31:25on
31:25chloe handing me straight to case a man you can't touch his face changed i didn't wait for him to
31:31recover i walked away and didn't look back a wolf like that the further the better i didn't sleep
31:37well for the next five days case's voice kept coming back to me i promise seven days later i will
31:43accompany you to watch the sunrise okay on the afternoon of the sixth day the lichen king's official
31:48decree went up across the territory the leak hadn't come from case it had come from prince marcus and his
31:54allies the truth is finally revealed the lichen king had not yet named his heir both prince caden
32:02and prince marcus were in the running case was prince caden's most powerful ally the alpha who
32:07commanded the most powerful pack taking case down was the cleanest way to clear the path to the throne
32:11prince marcus had planted a spy inside the blackwood pack used him to steal the border patrol routes
32:16then framed case for it so the injury had been faked all of it a deliberate trap to draw out
32:21the spy
32:22but why fake being unable to mate i turned that over in my mind all night and couldn't land on
32:27an
32:27answer dawn was just breaking when someone knocked at the door i didn't think i just ran i threw the
32:32door open and walked straight into case's chest he went completely still then his arms came around me
32:37slow and deliberate and pulled me in hard i'd run out in nothing but a thin sleep shirt no warning
32:42through the thin fabric i could feel everything the hard muscle of his chest his arms locked tight around
32:48me i pressed my hands against his chest and tried to step back leah his voice dropped low i'm back
32:54our eyes locked the heat between us was thick enough to touch then he lifted me off the ground and
32:59carried
32:59me straight toward the bedroom i beat a fist against his chest weren't we supposed to watch the sunrise
33:07you first sunrise after we fell onto the bed together
33:14case pinned me beneath him one hand working the buttons of my sleep shirt open eyes never leaving
33:19mine i covered his eyes with both hands don't look it's embarrassing he took my hands down his
33:26breathing had gone ragged it's beautiful his eyes were bright and fixed my skin went hot everywhere he
33:33touched i pressed my palm flat against his chest hard muscle warm skin healer said you couldn't get hard
33:39how is any of this possible lips dragging slowly along my jaw to my ear you want to know if
33:44i can
33:45there's one way to find out he kissed me one hand cupping my face tilting it up toward him
33:50i kissed him back hard my hands slid up his chest over his shoulders gripping his arms he pressed me
33:58further into the mattress his weight settling over me the heat built fast and took over completely
34:03my hands went slack he caught them laced his fingers through mine and pinned them above my head he loves
34:10me very much and completely occupies me my face gradually became rosy and we could only hear each
34:17other's heartbeats and breathing his lips dragged from my mouth to my jaw down the side of my neck slow
34:24and unhurried then he stopped his canines pierced my mating gland a second of sharp white hot pain and
34:32then it was done i lay there chest heaving fingers still tangled in his on my neck his mark ached
34:39finally
34:40we weren't just mates on paper anymore after the estate lockdown was lifted case took me to meet prince
34:46kaden a slow smile spreading across his face so you're the woman who brought case to his knees
34:51i've been wanting to meet you you flatter me your highness case helped the kingdom take down a real
34:57threat you stood by him through all of it i'll host an official luna ceremony for you and when that
35:02day comes i'll have a gift ready thank you your highness don't blame case leah faking the injury was
35:09always part of the plan too many enemies wanted him dead the only way to keep him safe was to
35:17make
35:17them think he was already finished the part about not being able to get hard that was my idea i
35:23gave
35:23the pack doctor that order for myself we grew up together i know exactly how he is never any interest
35:31in women never any weakness i figured it was time someone did something about that suddenly i understood
35:36just two old friends and one very elaborate prank the car accident that was prince marcus as well they
35:43intended it to look like an accident they didn't expect to hurt you in the process luna leah it's
35:49been dealt with you and case are safe now i took a slow breath knowing it was over didn't make
35:59the
35:59memory of dangling off that cliff any less vivid we got back to the estate to find chloe already inside
36:04crying she walked an hour ago and hasn't stopped martha is getting a headache from it i told case to
36:11go
36:11to his study i'd handle it i sat down next to chloe face red eyes swollen word had already spread
36:18brad had been identified as one of prince marcus's informants chloe's father had been cleared but chloe
36:24and brad were finished still crying i'll have someone throw you out she stopped immediately
36:29still shaking but quiet i misjudged him i thought picking someone from a lower ranked family meant
36:36he'd be easy to manage i didn't think he'd be like this i told you he wasn't a good person
36:42you didn't
36:43say it clearly enough i rolled my eyes i wasn't a powerless omega anymore i didn't have to hold back
36:54were you ever angry at me for how i treated you back then no i cursed you in my head
37:01but i don't
37:02hold grudges you cursed me do you want to punish me for it chloe laughed despite herself then caught
37:08herself and pressed her lips together i'm sorry for the slap did it hurt i already forgot about it then
37:14let me slap you back we'll be even she closed her eyes and braced herself i raised my hand and
37:19let it
37:19land soft against her cheek she opened her eyes i already gave that slap to brad chloe stared at me
37:28for a second then she laughed really laughed for the first time since she'd walked in don't call me
37:33chloe anymore can we be friends no i don't like friends who cry too much the light was still on
37:42when
37:42i passed case's study i pushed the door open before i could say a word an arm shot out from
37:47behind and
37:47wrapped around my waist bold intruder his voice dropped low against my ear you think you can just
37:52walk into the alpha's office the alpha's mate is right here and you still dare make a move case
37:58played it straight his lips found my neck here really right here i kept saying no my hand said
38:07something else entirely finding their way to his back he murmured against my ear you have no idea how
38:13many times i thought about this in this room i wanted to say something back but his hand was
38:19already moving and i couldn't get a single word out he carried me to the table and took off my
38:23clothes
38:24then we had a good time
38:32when i woke up it was almost dawn case was already awake sitting up against the headboard watching me
38:37his eyes were soft in a way that made it hard to look back morning i sat up and rubbed
38:43my eyes
38:43then i remembered the sunrise he'd promised the sunrise
38:51we still have time he was already up he picked up my clothes from beside the bed handing them to
38:57me
38:57he dressed me slowly straightening each layer with both hands like he'd done it a thousand times before
39:02we walked out into the yard cool air the smell of pine to the east the sky had just started
39:08to
39:09lighten at the edges case stood behind me and wrapped both arms around me we watched the horizon together
39:14the sun came up slowly gold light broke across the trees spread across the yard and landed on us
39:20the clouds caught the color and held it beautiful close to my ear beautiful he pulled me in tighter and
39:28said nothing else he didn't need to i'll watch every sunrise and sunset with his voice was quiet
39:35against my hair everyone for as long as we have i turned around and kissed him once quick and light
39:43deal the sun came up fully in the yard filled with light our shadows stretched long across the ground
39:48behind us over the next few days the estate came back to life servants moved through the halls with easy
39:54steps again martha's health improved she called me in to talk every morning always smiling when i
39:59walked through the door one afternoon i was trimming the plants in the yard when sunny came running over
40:04leah chloe is here again she brought a lot of stuff with her i set down my shears since the
40:10day she'd
40:10come in crying chloe had been showing up regularly she said she was making up for lost time really she
40:16just had nothing to do and nowhere to be let her in i wiped my hands and went to meet
40:22her
40:24chloe walked in with two attendants behind her carrying food boxes
40:27she changed a lot less restless she dressed simpler now and moved quieter
40:40i made your favorite chestnut cake i asked the royal kitchen for the recipe this time
40:46better than anything the blackwood kitchen has ever made i took a piece and bit into it sweet soft
40:52better than i expected
40:56good thank you so where's case not home he went to the pack training ground something came up
41:03chloe nodded and reached for a piece herself for a while neither of us said anything just the wind
41:09moving through the yard my father wants me to find a new mate i looked up don't rush for it
41:14i know
41:18after brad i don't know how to trust anyone she looked at me something flickering in her eyes you
41:24have a good mate case fights for you protects you and he's the strongest alpha in the kingdom
41:30we just got lucky you can't force these things chloe nodded and didn't say anything else
41:35just ate her chestnut cake the yard went quiet just wind moving through the leaves then she said
41:43that slap do you really not hold it against me really it's in the past no point bringing it up
41:51the truth was i'd already let it go a long time ago she wasn't a bad person just spoiled used
41:57to
41:57getting her way chloe's eyes went red at the edge of you when i arranged the mating part of it
42:04was
42:04because i was scared you and brad would find your way back to each other but part of it was
42:09genuine
42:10i really did think case was a good man that he wouldn't treat you badly we looked at each other
42:15and smiled all the conflicts were solved i just didn't expect him to be faking the whole time chloe
42:23laughed a little embarrassed it's in the past isn't this better
42:32it is she nodded can we be friends for real i won't be like i was before
42:41sure i nodded something warm moved through my chest
42:45letting go of old grudges and coming out the other side with a friend that wasn't a bad ending
42:49we sat in the yard for the rest of the afternoon eating and talking pack gossip small things nothing
42:55important the sun came through the leaves and the air was warm and easy when case came back from the
43:00training grounds that evening and saw the two of us surprise crossed his face what are you two happy
43:06about talking about you chloe grinned about what a liar you are faking the whole thing and fooling
43:12everyone case walked over and sat down beside me he reached over and took my hand eyes warm
43:20tricking you into becoming my luna that's the luckiest thing i've ever done my face went red
43:25i gave him a look chloe burst out laughing all right i'm leaving you two alone leah i'll come
43:30by tomorrow sure take care i watched her go case turned to me are you good friend now yes the
43:39past is
43:40the past no point holding on to it he squeezed my hand i'm glad you can think that way he
43:46knew how much
43:47i'd been through watching me let it go and just be happy i could tell it meant something to him
43:52we sat side by side at the stone table and looked out at the sky neither of us said much
43:57we didn't
43:58need to days like this quiet and unhurried became the rhythm of our life case stayed busy with the pack
44:06and with royal matters but he always made time sunrises sunsets he spoiled me until i didn't know what to
44:13do
44:13with it martha was healthy and smiling every day the estate was calm and easy again the way it used
44:20to be true to his word prince caden petitioned the lichen king on my behalf at my official luna ceremony
44:27the lichen king's decree was read aloud a formal commendation in front of the entire pack the estate
44:33was lit up and full of noise that day case lifted the veil and placed it over my head himself
44:39his eyes
44:40proud and soft the most beautiful luna then he shifted right there in front of everyone
44:46his wolf was massive dark broad-shouldered still he lowered himself to the ground and waited
44:53i climbed onto his back he rose slowly carrying me steady and lifted his head toward the moon
44:59the howl that came out of him was long and deep and carried across the entire territory
45:05one by one the pack answered howl after howl rising into the night sky
45:10i thought about everything it had taken to get here a bastard omega with no wolf no one to speak
45:16for her
45:17only i knew how hard the road had been and all of it every bit of the happiness on the
45:22other side of
45:23it came from the man standing behind me after the ceremony case took me south open land warm air water
45:30catching the afternoon light far from everything that had tried to take us down the rest of our lives
45:35stretched out ahead of us every year every season together after the ceremony life settled into a new
45:43rhythm i stood beside case at every pack meeting every decision every matter that came through the
45:49estate gates his pack was my pack his people were my people but he always made time a weekend drive
45:57with no destination a trail through the forest at dawn wherever he thought i'd want to see
46:02he took me there without being asked the rest of our lives stretched out ahead of us every year every
46:09he took me there without being asked the rest of our lives every season together
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