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