- 10 hours ago
Burned the Fake Bond HD
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:00Yona wasted seven years caring for Damien's fake paralyzed mother.
00:00:05She discovered At Damien had already mated a pureblood female named At Nova.
00:00:10Damien only used At Yuna as a free caretaker to secure his beta position.
00:00:16Yuna burned their unofficial mate bond and left the town immediately.
00:00:20She accepted the mating mark from a loyal Border Patrol captain named Caleb.
00:00:25Caleb risked his life to secure an official mate recognition decree for her.
00:00:30Damien lost his power and begged At Yuna to come back.
00:00:34Yuna rejected him and built a happy life with Caleb and their twin pups.
00:00:39I spent seven years of my youth making sure Damien Voss had no burdens as he fought for the position
00:00:46of Deputy Alpha of the Bloodfling Pack.
00:00:48I stayed in that forgotten little town of Greywood, hidden in the woods, taking full-time care of his paralyzed
00:00:54mother, Mira.
00:00:56Seven years.
00:00:57Damien only came home once a year, for the blood moon, and stayed just two days.
00:01:03He never even shared a bed with me.
00:01:06Half of the Bloodfling Pack want the Deputy Alpha spot.
00:01:10I can barely protect myself right now, let alone you.
00:01:14If you got pregnant, I'd have to drag you into hiding everywhere I go. Just the thought of that makes
00:01:19me lose control.
00:01:20Every time we said goodbye at the edge of town, his eyes would turn blood wet, and he'd hold me
00:01:27so tight it hurt.
00:01:29Once I secure the deputy position, I'll claim you under the full moon, in front of the entire pack. You'll
00:01:35be my mate, openly and honorably.
00:01:37In the seventh winter, a sudden blizzard swept through the hole of Greywood.
00:01:43Damien was stuck on the road, delayed for days.
00:01:47I had just finished making bone broth and was carrying a bowl to Mira's room when I stopped in my
00:01:52tracks.
00:01:53The door was cracked open. She was on a video call with Damien's cousin.
00:01:58Aunt Mira, how long are you going to keep up the wheelchair act? Keep faking and your legs will really
00:02:04be crippled for good.
00:02:10Mira let out a loud, sharp snort, full of energy, nothing like a sick person.
00:02:16You don't get it. I'm doing this for Damien.
00:02:20Three years ago, he mated with Nova, Magnus Blackwood's daughter.
00:02:26Their pure-blood twins are already running around.
00:02:31If I didn't pretend to be paralyzed and keep Yona trapped here, she would have gone to the city and
00:02:37exposed everything.
00:02:39Once the elders investigate Damien's double mate bond, his deputy alpha position is done for.
00:02:46True. I guess we'll have to keep this secret for now.
00:02:50Damien said, once his deputy position is solid, he'll give Yona some money and send her away.
00:02:56The bowl slipped out of my hand.
00:02:58It hit the floor without a sound.
00:03:01The boiling hot bone broth splashed over my feet, burning like ice, but I felt nothing.
00:03:07My blood ran cold.
00:03:09My teeth started chavering uncontrollably.
00:03:12So all his sweet words were,
00:03:15Never to protect me.
00:03:17He'd had a real mate in the city the whole time.
00:03:19Seven years.
00:03:20Never changed.
00:03:22I didn't scream.
00:03:23I didn't storm in and confront them.
00:03:25I just turned and walked out of that cabin that had been my prison for seven years.
00:03:30I braved the blizzard and took a car straight to the Silver Ridge Border Patrol stace
00:03:35to find the one person who had once looked at me like I was his whole world.
00:03:40Caleb, does your offer still stand?
00:03:42The man in patrol uniform spun around.
00:03:46His eyes, always so wild and proud, were full of disbelief.
00:03:51His hands trembled slightly.
00:03:53He blinked a few times, then spoke in a deep, rough voice.
00:03:56Yuna, just say the word, and everything I have is yours.
00:04:00But give me two weeks.
00:04:03My squad leaves tonight.
00:04:05We're wiping out a rogue wolf pack crossing the border.
00:04:08When I come back, I'll give everything I have to petition the elders for a mate bond decree.
00:04:14Under the moonlight, in front of the whole pack, we'll be bound officially.
00:04:19I reached up and smoothed his collar.
00:04:23I don't need a decree.
00:04:25I just need you to come back safe and take me with you.
00:04:28I watched Caleb's kai drive off, then walked back to Greywood through the snow.
00:04:33The house should have been dark, but all the lights were on.
00:04:37The front door was open.
00:04:39A tall figure rose from the sofa and stood there.
00:04:42Yuna, I came back early.
00:04:44Seven years had worn away all of Damien's tenderness.
00:04:48Now he was a wolf strong enough to make anyone fear him.
00:04:52He instinctively opened his arms, waiting for me to run to him and brush the snow off his shoulders.
00:04:59I didn't.
00:05:01I just sat down, took off my soaked boots and said in a flat voice,
00:05:06Have you eaten? I'll get you some food.
00:05:09His arms froze in midair.
00:05:11His jaw tightened.
00:05:13He tugged at his collar, trying to hide his embarrassment.
00:05:16What's wrong?
00:05:17Are you mad because I was late?
00:05:19In the past, I would have been crying my eyes out.
00:05:22What female wolf would willingly waste her best years trapped in endless waiting?
00:05:26But once the truth is completely revealed,
00:05:29love dies for good.
00:05:31Making a scene would only make me look pathetic.
00:05:33Leaving with dignity was the only choice.
00:05:35I didn't answer.
00:05:36I just walked into the kitchen.
00:05:39Go see Mira.
00:05:40Mira, I'll call you when the food is ready.
00:05:44He followed me and wrapped his arms around my waist from behind.
00:05:49His voice cold.
00:05:50You know what's really going on with you?
00:05:53Did someone in town say something to you?
00:05:56I didn't struggle.
00:05:57I just gently plied his fingers off my waist and turned around with a tired little smile.
00:06:02They're all elderly omegas in this town.
00:06:06Why would I take their gossip seriously?
00:06:09You're being paranoid.
00:06:10The suspicion in his eyes faded, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
00:06:15He reached up to stroke my hair, his voice condescendingly gentle.
00:06:21Yuna, this time I'm back.
00:06:24I want to move you and Mother to the city.
00:06:25There's something I need to tell you first.
00:06:27My heart clenched.
00:06:31Finally, here it comes.
00:06:34After seven years, he couldn't even pretend to be affectionate anymore.
00:06:38Damien led me into the living room.
00:06:41The scene before me was like a nightmare.
00:06:44On my sofa sat a woman in an expensive coat and high heels.
00:06:50Two children stood beside her, their features identical to Damien's.
00:06:55Mira sat in her wheelchair.
00:06:57Staring at the floor.
00:06:59And that woman, she was stunning and carried herself with extraordinary grace.
00:07:06She walked over slowly in her red-soled heels, took off her sandglasses, and gave me a fake smile.
00:07:12You must be Yuna.
00:07:14I'm Nova Blackwood.
00:07:16I heard you've been taking care of everything here all these years, looking after Damien.
00:07:21She paused, then nudged the two children forward.
00:07:24Come on, say hello to Auntie Yuna.
00:07:29I couldn't breathe, couldn't speak.
00:07:32When Damien saw how pale I'd gone, he immediately stepped in front of Nova and grabbed my wrist.
00:07:42Yuna, let me explain, please.
00:07:46When I first got to the city, I was ambushed by rogue wolves.
00:07:51I nearly died.
00:07:53Nova and the Blackwood warriors saved me.
00:07:56The Blackwood pack never accepts outsiders.
00:07:58The only way I could get into their inner circle was to mate with Nova.
00:08:03I had no choice.
00:08:05But the one I love has always been you.
00:08:07Always.
00:08:08This is just a power play.
00:08:10I never meant to have children with her.
00:08:14He was getting more and more agitated.
00:08:16He raised his hand and swore.
00:08:19Yuna.
00:08:20I did all of this for our future.
00:08:24Come to the city with me.
00:08:25I can give you everything except the title of Deputy Alpha's mate.
00:08:30Everything.
00:08:31No holding back.
00:08:32You never have to see her.
00:08:36I'll protect you, I swear.
00:08:38Watching him pour out his heart with all those lies made me want to throw up.
00:08:43I pulled my wrist back.
00:08:45No tears.
00:08:47Just a faint smile.
00:08:48I'm just glad you've made a place for yourself in the city.
00:08:51No need to explain.
00:08:52The calmness in my own voice surprised me.
00:08:56Mira's leg will never heal here in Greywood.
00:08:58The city has the best healers.
00:09:00She might even walk again.
00:09:03Damien froze.
00:09:05He had expected me to break down, cry, yell, question him.
00:09:10But not this calm.
00:09:12His face lit up instantly.
00:09:14He couldn't wait to speak.
00:09:15Really?
00:09:17Yuna!
00:09:18You actually understand?
00:09:19You're not mad?
00:09:21The tension in the air melted away.
00:09:23He started planning out loud.
00:09:25Pack tomorrow.
00:09:27Leave the day after.
00:09:29We'll make it just in time for the Blood Moon Feast.
00:09:33I'm not going with you.
00:09:35I cut him off directly.
00:09:36The smile vanished from his face.
00:09:41What?
00:09:42Yuna, you just said...
00:09:44I looked him straight in the eye and lied without flinching.
00:09:48The house and my shop are my assets.
00:09:51It'd be a shame to leave them empty.
00:09:53You take Mira to the city and get settled.
00:09:56I'll stay behind to handle the property and organize Mira's medical records.
00:10:01I'll come find you after the Blood Moon.
00:10:03His expression shifted slightly.
00:10:05He knew very well how hard she had worked for that house and that shop.
00:10:10From the day I became an adult, I worked at the healing clinic all day and set up a stall
00:10:16at the night market.
00:10:17Saving every penny.
00:10:20Scraping by.
00:10:21Just to build him a stable home to come back to.
00:10:25A flicker of fake guilt.
00:10:27Guilt passed through his eyes.
00:10:29Yuna.
00:10:30I'm about to become the deputy alpha of the Blood Flaying Pack.
00:10:33I could buy half this town without blinking.
00:10:37That house is nothing.
00:10:40Don't worry about it.
00:10:41I shook my head.
00:10:43I built this with my own hands.
00:10:45I'm not giving it up easily.
00:10:48Damien hesitated.
00:10:50Nova sensed something was off.
00:10:52She took his arm and lowered her voice.
00:10:55Honey, let her handle it.
00:10:59All the elders are watching you right now.
00:11:02If you bring your old flame into the city on the eve of your appointment,
00:11:06your deputy alpha position is as good as gone.
00:11:11That hit him right in his weak spot.
00:11:13What he feared most was that I,
00:11:16the one who'd waited for him for seven years without ever being officially claimed,
00:11:20would ruin his future.
00:11:21I watched him weigh his options,
00:11:23swallowing the last bit of pain in my heart.
00:11:27To get rid of him for good,
00:11:29I gave him an offer he couldn't refuse.
00:11:32Damien, Nova's right.
00:11:34You can't afford any trouble right now.
00:11:36To put your mind at ease,
00:11:39let's dissolve our old mate bond.
00:11:43Even Atmira's head shot up.
00:11:45His eyes narrowed.
00:11:47That vow?
00:11:48We never had a formal pack ceremony,
00:11:51but back when we were young,
00:11:53we made a private vow on the old street of Greywood.
00:11:57He had signed a mate contract with his own blood.
00:12:00In the eyes of the old school Greywood Wolves,
00:12:04that bond was real and unbreakable.
00:12:07Once that contract burns, we're done for good.
00:12:10When Caleb comes back, I'll be free to accept his claim.
00:12:13Damien stared at me, hesitating, genuinely torn.
00:12:17Yonah, you once said that contract meant more to you than your own life.
00:12:23It was proof of our love.
00:12:25Burning it will cause your bloodline to reject you.
00:12:28He remembered everything.
00:12:31But so what?
00:12:34For seven years, he'd lived side by side with another female,
00:12:40climbing the ranks with the help of her family's elders.
00:12:44And me?
00:12:45I spent every day taking care of his mother,
00:12:48who was faking her paralysis.
00:12:50He made me so many beautiful promises,
00:12:53but he never kept a single one.
00:12:54I forced some wetness into my eyes
00:12:56and played the pitiful Omega once more.
00:12:59If it helps you, I can handle a little pain.
00:13:01Once you're settled in the city,
00:13:03you can throw me a big ceremony.
00:13:05We have plenty of time.
00:13:07Mira immediately chimed in.
00:13:10Yonah's right.
00:13:11This is a critical moment.
00:13:13You can't leave any loose ends.
00:13:15Yonah is being so understanding.
00:13:18The Vos family will make it up to her.
00:13:20I promise.
00:13:22Under the watchful eyes of both his mother and Nova,
00:13:26Damien finally pulled out the yellowed contract paper from his coat.
00:13:30He flicked his lighter.
00:13:34Yonah, wait for me.
00:13:36After the blood moon,
00:13:38I will come back for you.
00:13:40The contract turned to ash and scattered in the wind.
00:13:45Every chain that had bound me for seven years was broken.
00:13:50I laughed softly.
00:13:52Okay.
00:13:54That night, after everyone went to sleep,
00:13:56At Nova stopped me in the hallway.
00:14:00Miss Lark,
00:14:02don't go believing that sob story.
00:14:05Nova looked down at me with disdain.
00:14:08That ambush story?
00:14:10Him being forced to mate with me?
00:14:13All of it was a lie Damien made up.
00:14:16He was just afraid you'd ruin his future.
00:14:19I thought spending seven years of my life being lied to by the whole Vos family was rock bottom.
00:14:26I was wrong.
00:14:29Don't be naive, Miss Lark.
00:14:32She kept talking.
00:14:36There was no rogue ambush.
00:14:38He came to my father's door himself,
00:14:40knelt in the rain all night and swore his loyalty
00:14:43just to get into the inner circle.
00:14:47Mating with me
00:14:48was his idea.
00:14:50He called it proving his loyalty.
00:14:54He knows you too well.
00:14:56He knows you're soft-hearted
00:14:58and you keep your promises.
00:15:01This whole tragic forced marriage act was a scam he and his mother cooked up.
00:15:07He just wanted a free caretaker and he wanted you to feel so guilty
00:15:11that you'd come to the city and quietly be his secret mate.
00:15:16She stepped closer,
00:15:18her strong perfume choking my throat.
00:15:20Damien signed a formal mate pact with me.
00:15:23I am his only legal mate,
00:15:25the mother of his only legal children.
00:15:28Stay in line
00:15:29and your seven years of free labor
00:15:32might still earn you a little support.
00:15:34The Vos family can't afford to keep you.
00:15:40If you even think about stepping out of line,
00:15:43the Northern Packs have plenty of ways to make sure you can't survive anywhere.
00:15:48I looked at this proud, pure-blood female wolf standing before me.
00:15:52I felt no anger,
00:15:53just as disgust for Damien.
00:15:55I gave a faint smile.
00:15:57Don't worry, Miss Blackwood,
00:15:59I don't touch trash.
00:16:01Two days later,
00:16:02on the road out of Greywood,
00:16:04I took off the Vos family heirloom moonstone bracelet from my wrist
00:16:08and held it out to Nova.
00:16:10Mira's face changed.
00:16:12She reached out to Kraut to grab it.
00:16:16Yuna!
00:16:17That bracelet is a Vos family symbol
00:16:20meant for the Deputy Alpha's rightful mate!
00:16:24What are you doing?
00:16:27I stepped back and placed the bracelet in OutNova's palm.
00:16:34Aunt Mira.
00:16:35The whole town of Greywood knows what that bracelet means.
00:16:40You're about to move to the main city.
00:16:43Keeping this on me would hurt Damien's reputation.
00:16:47It's right to give it back.
00:16:49Best for everyone.
00:16:50Nova looked at Aunt Mira with a smug expression.
00:16:54She put the bracelet on in front of me,
00:16:57rubbing her fingers over it again and again.
00:17:00That was a wolf's way of marking possession with her scent.
00:17:04Yuna is very sensible, Auntie.
00:17:06I'll hold on to this for Damien for now.
00:17:08Mira was furious,
00:17:10but she couldn't argue.
00:17:12Nova's rank was far above her.
00:17:14She could only force a smile.
00:17:15I turned to Aunt Damien.
00:17:18He was wearing the bone pendant I had carved for him.
00:17:21Close to his skin.
00:17:23Mr. Voss.
00:17:25That bone was carved with my first page from healing.
00:17:28I made it with my own hands.
00:17:30My soul mark is carved on the back.
00:17:33It doesn't suit your status anymore.
00:17:35Give it back.
00:17:36Damien raised his hand to protect his chest.
00:17:39Yuna, you're calling me Mr. Voss now?
00:17:42What is wrong with you?
00:17:46Just say my name.
00:17:48My expression was calm,
00:17:49with a small smile.
00:17:50Better to keep some distance and boundaries.
00:17:53Don't want to start rumors.
00:17:55Damien sighed, but still refused to take off the bone pendant.
00:17:58I'm keeping this.
00:17:59It's proof that you stayed with me through the hard times.
00:18:01I'm keeping it.
00:18:03When you're done with your business in Greywood and come to the city after the blood moon,
00:18:08I'll give it back to you then.
00:18:10Even at this moment, he still believed I would come back.
00:18:13That I would be his secret mate, hidden in the shadows.
00:18:19I watched their car drive away.
00:18:24I didn't look back.
00:18:26I turned and went inside, picked up the bag I had already packed, and left for good.
00:18:31Silver Ridge, where Caleb's patrol base was.
00:18:36Winter in the south wasn't bone-chillingly cold.
00:18:40The sun could always break through the clouds.
00:18:44My savings were small.
00:18:46I rented a little house with a yard, a few miles from the patrol base.
00:18:53The landlord was a retired wolf warrior.
00:18:57When he heard I was waiting for a patrol team member to return, he helped me carry my bags inside.
00:19:03Young lady, which member are you waiting for?
00:19:06That mission of theirs, it's extremely dangerous.
00:19:09I handed him a bottle of water and said softly,
00:19:13Caleb Hunter.
00:19:14Caleb Hunter!
00:19:16The old man froze.
00:19:17Then he slapped his knee and handed me back my entire deposit.
00:19:21You're Hunter's mate?
00:19:23Take your money.
00:19:24Hunter is a stand-up wolf, a good one.
00:19:28The year before last, during that forest fire, he almost died saving a litter of pups.
00:19:35You can stay in this house as long as you want.
00:19:38Consider it a wedding gift from me to you both.
00:19:44I held that money in my hand, and a warm feeling rose in my chest.
00:19:49Caleb usually acted so carefree, cocky, and proud.
00:19:54But here on the border, he had built a solid life for himself.
00:19:59During the days of waiting, I did have doubts.
00:20:02He had begged me with red eyes to give him two weeks.
00:20:05But I had been trapped by Damien for seven years.
00:20:08I was afraid Caleb was just acting on impulse.
00:20:12But I let it go quickly.
00:20:15Even if he changed his mind, I had already escaped the Voss family nightmare.
00:20:20I could start over anywhere.
00:20:22I went to the fabric store and bought red velvet material.
00:20:25I sewed my own ceremonial robe for the mating ceremony.
00:20:29In those seven years with Aunt Damien, I never had a ceremonial robe.
00:20:33I never even had a real anniversary.
00:20:36The old lady Marta back home used to call me foolish.
00:20:40She said I was good-looking, a professional omega-healing apprentice.
00:20:44Yet I was wasting my life as a free maid for a wolf with no status or formal pack.
00:20:50I used to argue with her, telling her Damien had a bright future.
00:20:53Now I understood.
00:20:56Marta had been right all along.
00:20:57She was the one who helped me escape Greywood in secret.
00:21:01She found a real estate agent for me.
00:21:04She deliberately walked past my house every day so the neighbors would think I was still home.
00:21:09She covered for me for almost two weeks.
00:21:14The more you fear something, the more it happens.
00:21:18Caleb still hadn't returned.
00:21:20On the third day, a black SUV with city license plates screeched to a halt in front of my yard.
00:21:25The door flew open.
00:21:27Damien stepped out, covered in dust and the cold of winter.
00:21:34His hair was a mess.
00:21:36His eyes were bloodshot.
00:21:38His tie was gone.
00:21:40He didn't look at all like the next deputy alpha of the blood-flang pack.
00:21:44Una Lark, you're getting bolder and bolder.
00:21:47He stormed into the yard and grabbed my wrist, squeezing so hard it felt like he might crush the bone.
00:21:53You said you were staying in Greywood to deal with the property.
00:21:57The agent told me that house was listed for sale two weeks ago.
00:22:00You cancelled your phone number?
00:22:02Blocked me on everything?
00:22:03I had the pack search all over Greywood for you.
00:22:06I thought a rogue pack had taken you, you know that?
00:22:08His chest heaved.
00:22:10He was furious.
00:22:11But underneath it all, there was fear.
00:22:14He held my wrist in a death grip.
00:22:16I didn't struggle.
00:22:18I just looked at him calmly.
00:22:20Mr. Voss, you came all this way just to yell at me?
00:22:24Our mate bond is already broken.
00:22:26I don't owe the Voss family anything.
00:22:28Where I go, whether I live or die, is none of your business.
00:22:33Those words cut him deep.
00:22:35None of my business?
00:22:39He yanked me toward him, his eyes turning red.
00:22:44Seven years!
00:22:46We were together for seven years!
00:22:50You think a piece of paper can wipe that all away?
00:22:54Yuna, I know you've been wronged.
00:22:56I know I lied to you.
00:22:58I'm sorry, okay?
00:22:59I was wrong.
00:23:01Come back with me.
00:23:04I'll buy you a mansion in the best part of the city.
00:23:07Everything Nova has, I can give you except the title.
00:23:09Everything.
00:23:09Everything, I swear.
00:23:12I'll spend every full moon with you.
00:23:17It's just a house.
00:23:19I couldn't help but laugh.
00:23:23He thought I was negotiating.
00:23:25His brow frontaled.
00:23:27If a house on the ridge isn't enough,
00:23:30I'll get you an estate with a private courtyard.
00:23:33Yuna, the Blackwood Pack saved me.
00:23:36I can't betray them.
00:23:39But the one I love is still you.
00:23:42Shut up, Damien.
00:23:43I pushed him away and stepped back.
00:23:46Stop saying you owe them.
00:23:48It's disgusting.
00:23:50You think you're so clever?
00:23:52Nova told me everything.
00:23:54You're the one who approached the Blackwood Pack.
00:23:59You knelt in the rain all night,
00:24:01begging to get into their inner circle.
00:24:04His face turned pale.
00:24:05He opened his mouth,
00:24:07but no words came out.
00:24:09You knew Nova's pack would never share a mate.
00:24:13So you had your mother pretend to be paralyzed
00:24:16to trap me here for seven years,
00:24:18working for free.
00:24:20And now you want to act heartbroken?
00:24:22Are you sad about losing me?
00:24:25Or sad that you'll never again
00:24:26have someone so devoted to wait on your mother for free?
00:24:31Looking at his pale face,
00:24:32I cut the last bit of feeling I had for him.
00:24:36The Yuna you remember died the moment I heard that phone call.
00:24:40Get off my property.
00:24:42My mate is coming back from his mission soon.
00:24:45I don't want him to get the wrong idea.
00:24:47His face twisted.
00:24:50Mate?
00:24:50What mate?
00:24:52Who is it?
00:24:53I brushed the dust off my coat.
00:24:56Just a Border Patrol captain.
00:24:58You wouldn't know him.
00:25:00We're not even from the same world.
00:25:02Leave on your own.
00:25:03He lost it completely.
00:25:04His voice shot up.
00:25:08Yuna, have you lost your mind?
00:25:12You're giving up the next deputy alpha
00:25:15of the Blood Flang Bank pack
00:25:16for some nobody Border Patrol grunt
00:25:18with no power or status?
00:25:20With his salary,
00:25:22what kind of life can he give you?
00:25:24You're going back to scraping by
00:25:26and pinching pennies?
00:25:28I looked at him
00:25:29and thought it was absolutely ridiculous.
00:25:32Scraping by?
00:25:34I worked for free for seven years
00:25:37taking care of your fake paralyzed mother
00:25:38and you think I'm afraid of being poor?
00:25:41Damien,
00:25:42don't judge everyone
00:25:43by your own filthy standards.
00:25:47He doesn't have your power
00:25:48or your status,
00:25:49but he has a clean heart.
00:25:52He would never do
00:25:53the disgusting things you did.
00:25:55You?
00:25:56He couldn't get a word out.
00:25:58Then his face changed.
00:26:00He smiled.
00:26:02Dark.
00:26:04He smoothed down his coat.
00:26:07Yuna, I won't argue with you.
00:26:09I can forgive you.
00:26:11But if you insist on staying
00:26:13on this foolish path,
00:26:17don't blame me
00:26:18for what happens next.
00:26:21He pulled out his phone,
00:26:23his face showing a kind of extreme arrogance
00:26:25I had never seen on him before.
00:26:28Southern Border Patrol Commander
00:26:30Renwick
00:26:31just got backing
00:26:32from the Blackwood Pack.
00:26:35One phone call from me.
00:26:38Your little captain
00:26:39will be fired before dawn.
00:26:42Play nice
00:26:43and I might even let him
00:26:44get a severance package.
00:26:45I had never been a violent wolf.
00:26:51But his words lit a fire in me.
00:26:54He was despicable
00:26:55and now he wanted to use
00:26:56pureblood family power
00:26:57to destroy Caleb.
00:26:59Caleb who had fought his way up
00:27:00with nothing but his own blood and sweat.
00:27:03I picked up the silver dagger
00:27:05Caleb had left for me
00:27:06from the porch table.
00:27:09The silver blade hissed
00:27:11against my skin
00:27:12burning a mark into it.
00:27:15The stinging scent of silver
00:27:17triggered Damien's animal instincts.
00:27:20He stepped back
00:27:21involuntarily.
00:27:23Damien,
00:27:24try it.
00:27:25Touch him
00:27:26and we both go down.
00:27:31I stared him down.
00:27:35My life may be worthless
00:27:36but you've just been confirmed
00:27:38by the council
00:27:38as the candidate
00:27:39for Deputy Alpha.
00:27:42If word gets out tomorrow
00:27:44that the Voss family candidate
00:27:45drove his former mate
00:27:46to suicide,
00:27:49do you think the Blackwood Pack
00:27:50will keep you around?
00:27:52He never expected me
00:27:53to be this extreme.
00:27:55In his eyes,
00:27:56I was always the meek,
00:27:58submissive Omega
00:27:59who never fought back.
00:28:01The air was thick
00:28:02with the smell of burning silver.
00:28:04He quickly raised his hands
00:28:06and stepped back.
00:28:07Yuna,
00:28:08put the knife down.
00:28:10You're crazy.
00:28:11Just then,
00:28:12the sound of a vehicle
00:28:13came from the yard entrance.
00:28:19The car door opened.
00:28:20A tall,
00:28:22straight man in uniform
00:28:23walked over,
00:28:23his powerful Alpha presence
00:28:25filling the space.
00:28:26A squad of guards
00:28:27followed behind him.
00:28:29Damien recognized him.
00:28:31His pupils contracted.
00:28:36He forced a smile
00:28:37and walked up to him.
00:28:39Uh,
00:28:41Commander Holt,
00:28:42what brings you here?
00:28:44At the Pack Council meeting
00:28:46last week,
00:28:47I just...
00:28:48Holt ignored him completely.
00:28:50His eyes landed on me,
00:28:52on the dagger in my hand,
00:28:54on the wound on my neck.
00:28:56He frowned.
00:28:58Seeing this,
00:28:59out Damien quickly
00:29:00stepped in front of me.
00:29:02Commander,
00:29:02don't mind her.
00:29:03She's my distant cousin,
00:29:04just having a little
00:29:05emotional fit.
00:29:07It's just a family matter.
00:29:09Why would you be
00:29:09in a place like this?
00:29:11Mr. Voss,
00:29:13I'm here on official business.
00:29:17Holt walked around him
00:29:19and softened his voice.
00:29:20Are you Miss Unilark?
00:29:24I nodded.
00:29:26I still had the dagger
00:29:27in my hand,
00:29:27the burn on my neck
00:29:28still smoking.
00:29:29Holt breathed a sigh of relief,
00:29:31a look of relief
00:29:32in his eyes.
00:29:33Then I'm in the right place.
00:29:35I'm Commander Holt
00:29:36of the Southern Border Patrol,
00:29:37Caleb Hunter's
00:29:38direct superior.
00:29:39Hearing Caleb's name,
00:29:41my heart stopped
00:29:42for a second.
00:29:43Damien looked confused
00:29:44and quickly cut in.
00:29:45Commander,
00:29:46there must be
00:29:46a misunderstanding.
00:29:47My cousin has always
00:29:49been in Greywood.
00:29:49She has nothing to do
00:29:51with your patrol team.
00:29:52That Caleb
00:29:52must have been
00:29:53harassing her.
00:29:54Holt's head snapped
00:29:55toward him,
00:29:55his powerful alpha presence
00:29:57silencing Damien
00:29:58before he could finish.
00:29:59Mr. Voss,
00:30:00watch your words.
00:30:02Warrior Caleb Hunter
00:30:03just completed
00:30:04a 15-hour
00:30:05cross-border battle.
00:30:08He rescued over
00:30:0920 captive Omikas
00:30:10and pups
00:30:11from rogue wolves.
00:30:12He was severely wounded,
00:30:15lost control
00:30:16of his shifting ability
00:30:17and had to be airlifted
00:30:18to the main city
00:30:19healer base.
00:30:21The council has decided
00:30:23to award him
00:30:24the highest warrior medal.
00:30:26He asked for no land,
00:30:28no bounty.
00:30:29His only request
00:30:30was a mate-bond decree.
00:30:36Holt took a sealed letter
00:30:38from his briefcase.
00:30:39The seal was red wax
00:30:41stamped with the moon goddess.
00:30:43He handed the letter to me.
00:30:46Miss Yona Lark.
00:30:48Before Caleb went
00:30:49into surgery,
00:30:50he specifically asked me
00:30:51to deliver this
00:30:52to you in person.
00:30:54He said,
00:30:56even if he doesn't
00:30:57wake up
00:30:58or if it takes
00:30:58a long time,
00:30:59he won't let
00:31:00anyone hurt you.
00:31:06Holt looked at
00:31:07Aunt Damien,
00:31:08whose face
00:31:09had turned white.
00:31:12The council
00:31:13has completed
00:31:13the bloodline
00:31:14verification.
00:31:16All members
00:31:17voted unanimously
00:31:18for approval.
00:31:20As of today,
00:31:21Miss At-Yuna Lark
00:31:22is the legally
00:31:23recognized mate
00:31:24of a decorated warrior
00:31:26protected by the council.
00:31:28Mr. Voss,
00:31:31were you just
00:31:32talking about
00:31:32having Commander
00:31:33Renterick
00:31:33fire one of his men?
00:31:40Shall I call
00:31:41the council
00:31:42right now
00:31:42in front of you
00:31:43to confirm
00:31:44the consequences?
00:31:46I covered my mouth,
00:31:47tears streaming
00:31:48down my face.
00:31:50That carey,
00:31:51wild man,
00:31:53gravely wounded,
00:31:54had fought
00:31:55with everything
00:31:55he had
00:31:56to win the pack's
00:31:57highest honor,
00:31:59just to give me
00:32:00a protection
00:32:00no one could touch.
00:32:01Damien stood frozen,
00:32:03stepping back.
00:32:04All his wealth,
00:32:06all his status,
00:32:07seemed ridiculous
00:32:08and laughable
00:32:08in front of that
00:32:09blood-stained metal
00:32:10and the sealed decree.
00:32:12Impossible.
00:32:14How can this be?
00:32:16His lips trembled
00:32:17uncontrollably.
00:32:20Holt's voice
00:32:21was ice cold.
00:32:22Mr. Voss,
00:32:23if there's nothing else,
00:32:25please leave.
00:32:26Damien moved
00:32:26his feet mechanically.
00:32:28He couldn't even
00:32:29be bothered
00:32:29to keep up appearances.
00:32:31He climbed
00:32:32into his SUV
00:32:32and fled in a panic.
00:32:36Caleb was unconscious
00:32:37for three days.
00:32:39The day he was transferred
00:32:41to a regular room,
00:32:43we signed the
00:32:44mate-bond decree
00:32:46by his hospital bed.
00:32:53He still had bandages
00:32:55on his head.
00:32:56His hand holding the pen
00:32:57trembled slightly.
00:33:00But he couldn't stop smiling,
00:33:02full of joy.
00:33:05Yuna,
00:33:06the council has stamped it.
00:33:08You're stuck with me for life.
00:33:10No take-backs.
00:33:16After Caleb recovered
00:33:18and returned to duty,
00:33:19the patrol base
00:33:20held our mating ceremony
00:33:22for us.
00:33:23No fancy hotel,
00:33:24no fake guests,
00:33:26just the full moon overhead
00:33:27and the howling blessings
00:33:28of his entire team,
00:33:29loud enough to shake the sky.
00:33:36That simple ceremony
00:33:37was a hundred times better
00:33:39than any grand celebration
00:33:41Damien had ever promised.
00:33:44The next year,
00:33:46I moved into the family quarters
00:33:47at the base.
00:33:49Life wasn't luxurious.
00:33:52I opened a small bakery.
00:33:54Every day,
00:33:56surrounded by the smell
00:33:57of fresh bread,
00:33:58I waited for my love
00:33:59to come home safe.
00:34:02Sometimes I heard news
00:34:03about Damien
00:34:04from old acquaintances
00:34:05in Greywood.
00:34:09Nova used the Blackwood family's power
00:34:12to completely side-side
00:34:13at Damien
00:34:14in the Bloodfin pack.
00:34:16He became a puppet deputy alpha
00:34:18with no real authority.
00:34:20She openly flaunted
00:34:22her affairs,
00:34:23doing whatever she wanted.
00:34:30Damien was too afraid
00:34:31to speak up.
00:34:32The slightest resistance
00:34:33would get all his titles stripped.
00:34:36Mira had faked her paralysis
00:34:38for seven years,
00:34:39but not long after moving
00:34:41to the city,
00:34:42Nova crushed her completely.
00:34:44This time,
00:34:45she really fell ill
00:34:46and was bedtidden for good.
00:34:51Damien was trapped
00:34:52in a nightmare,
00:34:53fighting at home,
00:34:54struggling in the pack.
00:34:57He aged quickly.
00:34:59The proud, confident man
00:35:01who had strutted
00:35:02into the city
00:35:03was gone.
00:35:06Hearing all of this,
00:35:07I felt nothing inside,
00:35:09not even a trace
00:35:10of satisfaction.
00:35:13Every choice has its price.
00:35:17That was their ending,
00:35:19none of my concern.
00:35:21I turned off the oven
00:35:23and started packing orders.
00:35:29Caleb's squad was in training rotation.
00:35:31His appetite
00:35:32had been off lately.
00:35:36I made his favorite food.
00:35:38I was tying ribbons
00:35:39on gift boxes
00:35:40when suddenly
00:35:42a pair of rough,
00:35:43large hands
00:35:44wrapped around my waist
00:35:45from behind.
00:35:47He was in his training uniform,
00:35:49his chin resting
00:35:50on my shoulder.
00:35:51Boss Lady Lark,
00:35:53the healer said
00:35:54you're carrying twins.
00:35:56No overworking.
00:35:59If I catch you
00:36:00in the kitchen again,
00:36:01I'm throwing the oven out.
00:36:05I laughed,
00:36:06turned around,
00:36:07and pinched his nose.
00:36:10Like I wouldn't take
00:36:11good care of my mate?
00:36:13At 5.30 in the morning,
00:36:15before the bass's
00:36:16morning whistle,
00:36:17I was already awake.
00:36:18Not because of
00:36:19the baby's kicking.
00:36:21They'd been quiet lately,
00:36:23probably intimidated
00:36:24by their father's
00:36:25nightly lectures
00:36:26to my belly.
00:36:27Every time before
00:36:28Caleb went on a mission,
00:36:29he'd lie down
00:36:30with his head on my belly,
00:36:31and lectured the two kids.
00:36:34I'm your father,
00:36:36Caleb Hunter.
00:36:37Here are the rules.
00:36:39One,
00:36:39don't kick your mother.
00:36:41Two,
00:36:42don't be picky eaters.
00:36:44Three,
00:36:44when you grow up,
00:36:46you both join
00:36:47the Border Patrol.
00:36:48I always told him
00:36:49he was being ridiculous.
00:36:51The kids weren't even born yet,
00:36:52and he'd already planned out
00:36:53three generations
00:36:54of Border Warriors.
00:36:57He didn't care at all.
00:36:59The hunter bloodline
00:37:00is meant to guard
00:37:01the border.
00:37:03Today was the last day
00:37:05of his current
00:37:05training rotation,
00:37:07and also our second
00:37:08anniversary as mates.
00:37:09I got up early
00:37:11and quiet,
00:37:12six months pregnant
00:37:13but still moving
00:37:14quickly through the kitchen,
00:37:16baking his favorite steak.
00:37:18I'd marinated
00:37:19the meat last night.
00:37:21The whole house
00:37:22smelled of meat.
00:37:25Then I heard a noise
00:37:26from the yard.
00:37:29I peeked out the window
00:37:31and couldn't help
00:37:31but laugh.
00:37:37Caleb was hunched over,
00:37:38sneaking into the yard,
00:37:40carrying a stack
00:37:40of seven or eight boxes,
00:37:42big and small.
00:37:44I was honestly curious
00:37:45how he managed
00:37:46to carry all that
00:37:47back from the base
00:37:47by himself.
00:37:51Captain Hunter,
00:37:51did you empty
00:37:52the base supply warehouse?
00:37:55Hey!
00:37:56He jumped.
00:37:57The boxes almost fell.
00:37:58He quickly turned around.
00:38:01Why are you awake?
00:38:03The healer told you
00:38:04to sleep more.
00:38:05I leaned against
00:38:06the doorframe.
00:38:06You made so much noise
00:38:07you woke up the birds
00:38:08in the yard.
00:38:09How could I sleep?
00:38:14He set the boxes down
00:38:15and stepped inside
00:38:16in two strides.
00:38:19He looked me over
00:38:20from head to toe,
00:38:21making sure I was fine.
00:38:23Then reached out
00:38:24and gently touched
00:38:25my belly.
00:38:27Hey there, boys.
00:38:28Miss your dad?
00:38:30How do you know
00:38:31they're boys?
00:38:32Maybe they're girls.
00:38:33He grinned.
00:38:35Even better.
00:38:36They'll take after you,
00:38:38beautiful.
00:38:39I'll protect the three
00:38:40of you for life.
00:38:41I pushed him
00:38:42toward the bathroom.
00:38:44Go wash up.
00:38:45Food will be ready soon.
00:38:46He stood still
00:38:47and pulled a small box
00:38:49from his pocket,
00:38:50tucking it into
00:38:51my apron pocket.
00:38:55What's that?
00:38:56Open it.
00:38:58I opened the box.
00:39:01Inside was a ring
00:39:02carved from a wolf's fang.
00:39:05This fang came from
00:39:07the first rogue alpha
00:39:08had hunted alone.
00:39:10The carving wasn't
00:39:11exactly delicate,
00:39:13but every edge
00:39:14had been polished smooth
00:39:15by his own hands.
00:39:18Made it
00:39:20during training
00:39:21in my spare time.
00:39:24Caleb scratched
00:39:25the back of his head,
00:39:27a little awkward.
00:39:28It's not as nice
00:39:29as your ring,
00:39:30but...
00:39:31I slipped the fang ring
00:39:32onto my finger,
00:39:33right next to the
00:39:35council-certified mate ring.
00:39:37This one is better,
00:39:39I said.
00:39:40You made it
00:39:41with your own hands.
00:39:43It's one of a kind.
00:39:44He stood there
00:39:45quietly for a moment.
00:39:47Then he pulled me
00:39:48into his arms.
00:39:53His chin with time.
00:39:55His rested on top
00:39:56of my head.
00:39:58His voice was rough.
00:40:00Yuna,
00:40:01I must have saved up
00:40:02a lifetime of good luck
00:40:03in my past life
00:40:04to meet you in this one.
00:40:05I leaned into his chest
00:40:07and smiled.
00:40:09Then you'd better cherish it.
00:40:11Good luck doesn't strike twice.
00:40:13The food was ready.
00:40:15Caleb ate every last bite,
00:40:17even drinking all the broth.
00:40:20I sat across the table
00:40:22from him,
00:40:23watching him.
00:40:25My thoughts drifting
00:40:27back to Greywood.
00:40:29I used to cook
00:40:30for Damien too.
00:40:31I used to sit
00:40:32and watched him eat.
00:40:34But he never said
00:40:35thank you.
00:40:36He never hugged me
00:40:38from behind.
00:40:40He never asked
00:40:41if I was tired.
00:40:43After eating,
00:40:44he'd just wipe his mouth
00:40:45and ask.
00:40:46Where's the bill
00:40:47for this month?
00:40:48I kept careful records
00:40:50of every expense.
00:40:52Groceries,
00:40:53Mira's medicine,
00:40:55utilities.
00:40:56He'd flip through it quickly,
00:40:58nod,
00:40:58and say,
00:41:01You worked hard.
00:41:03Then he'd leave
00:41:04for the main city
00:41:05the next morning.
00:41:08I used to think
00:41:09that was the price of love.
00:41:10Now I understood completely.
00:41:12That was never love.
00:41:15It was just me giving
00:41:16and giving.
00:41:18Maintaining a transaction
00:41:19that would never be repaid.
00:41:23What are you thinking about?
00:41:28Caleb waved his hand
00:41:29in front of my face.
00:41:31I didn't expect you
00:41:32to be such a smooth talker now.
00:41:33I blinked,
00:41:34coming back to the present.
00:41:36When we first met,
00:41:37you weren't this slick.
00:41:39He pretended to be wronged.
00:41:41I was playing the long game.
00:41:45Fine, fine.
00:41:47Strategic mastermind.
00:41:48I stood up
00:41:49to clear the dishes.
00:41:51He snatched the plates away.
00:41:53Sit.
00:41:54I'll do it.
00:41:56I watched him
00:41:57fumble around
00:41:58at the sink.
00:42:00Those hands
00:42:01could knock out
00:42:01an adult male wolf
00:42:02with one punch.
00:42:03But they couldn't
00:42:04wring out a dishcloth.
00:42:07Water went everywhere.
00:42:10But in that moment,
00:42:12he was the most
00:42:13dazzling sight
00:42:14in my eyes.
00:42:18My bakery business grew.
00:42:21I rented a new shop
00:42:23across from the family quarters
00:42:24and hired two female wolves
00:42:27whose mates
00:42:28were stationed locally.
00:42:31That afternoon,
00:42:33I just took the last
00:42:34batch batch of cookies
00:42:35out of the oven
00:42:35when the shop door's
00:42:37wind chime rang.
00:42:47I froze.
00:42:52It was old Mrs. Marta.
00:42:54She had lived
00:42:55on the same street
00:42:56in Greywood
00:42:57for 30 years.
00:42:59She always said
00:43:00I was too stubborn
00:43:01and naive.
00:43:02She was the one
00:43:03who helped me
00:43:04cover my tracks
00:43:05when I sold the house
00:43:05and left.
00:43:10She took my hands.
00:43:12Her eyes read.
00:43:15I finally found you.
00:43:20You left without a word.
00:43:23I asked so many people
00:43:25before I got your address.
00:43:27My heart tightened.
00:43:29I pulled her to a seat.
00:43:33Marta?
00:43:34Sit down.
00:43:36Let me get you some water.
00:43:40Marta sat down
00:43:41and looked around the shop,
00:43:42clicking her tongue.
00:43:46Look at you now.
00:43:47Did you build all this yourself?
00:43:49Just a small business.
00:43:50Enough to get by.
00:43:51I handed her the water.
00:43:54Are you down south
00:43:55for a trip or?
00:43:57A trip?
00:43:58No, I came all this way
00:43:59to find you.
00:44:01She pulled a brown velope
00:44:03from her bag
00:44:03and put it on the counter.
00:44:06The final payment
00:44:07for your house.
00:44:08The agent transferred it
00:44:10to my account.
00:44:11I brought it to you.
00:44:13I looked at her.
00:44:16You came all this way
00:44:17just for that?
00:44:18You could have just
00:44:20sent me a transfer.
00:44:21You canceled your number.
00:44:23How was I supposed
00:44:24to contact you?
00:44:26She pretended
00:44:27to glare at me.
00:44:28Then her voice softened.
00:44:34More importantly,
00:44:35I was worried about you.
00:44:37You left so suddenly.
00:44:39I've been thinking about you.
00:44:42Warmth filled my heart.
00:44:44I squeezed her hand.
00:44:48Marta, I'm doing well.
00:44:50Really well.
00:44:53She looked around
00:44:54and lowered her voice.
00:44:56That boss boy
00:44:57hasn't bothered you again,
00:44:58has he?
00:44:59He came once.
00:45:01I chased him off.
00:45:03Good!
00:45:05She slapped the counter.
00:45:09That ungrateful brat.
00:45:11You don't know
00:45:12how badly he's doing now!
00:45:14I smiled and cut her off.
00:45:18Marta, I don't want
00:45:18to hear about him anymore.
00:45:21His life, good or bad,
00:45:23has nothing to do with me.
00:45:25She paused.
00:45:27Then smiled.
00:45:28Her eyes getting red.
00:45:31Right, right.
00:45:32Don't talk about him.
00:45:35My Yuna only looks forward,
00:45:38never back.
00:45:41The bell rang again.
00:45:46Caleb walked in
00:45:47wearing his training uniform,
00:45:48full of energy.
00:45:50Babe!
00:45:50Training ended early.
00:45:52I'm here to take you home.
00:45:52Oh, we have a guest?
00:45:54I introduced them.
00:45:56This is Mrs. Marta,
00:45:57an old neighbor from Greywood.
00:45:59She helped me a lot back then.
00:46:04Caleb immediately straightened up
00:46:06and gave a serious salute.
00:46:08Hello, ma'am.
00:46:09I'm Yuna's mate,
00:46:10Caleb Hunter.
00:46:12Thank you for taking care of her.
00:46:16Marta laughed so hard,
00:46:17she wiped away tears.
00:46:21This boy has such a good character
00:46:23and so handsome.
00:46:26Yuna,
00:46:27you finally chose the right one this time.
00:46:32Caleb grinned from ear to ear.
00:46:35He leaned down
00:46:36and whispered to me,
00:46:38Babe,
00:46:40she says I'm better than that other guy.
00:46:43I rolled my eyes.
00:46:48She was just being polite.
00:46:50Don't let it go to your head.
00:46:52He laughed
00:46:53and headed to the back.
00:46:59I'll go cut some fruit.
00:47:03Marta watched him quietly,
00:47:05then gently squeezed my hand.
00:47:08Yuna,
00:47:08you really chose right this time.
00:47:13He looks at you
00:47:15with real care,
00:47:16real value.
00:47:19That Voss boy never did.
00:47:22When he looked at you,
00:47:24he just saw free labor.
00:47:26I didn't argue.
00:47:27There was no need.
00:47:29Seven years of the past
00:47:31were just a nightmare.
00:47:33After the nightmare,
00:47:34life was new.
00:47:36Sunlight streamed through the window,
00:47:38falling on Caleb,
00:47:39on my belly,
00:47:41on Marta's smiling face.
00:47:45In that moment,
00:47:47I felt richer and happier
00:47:49than any female deputy alpha
00:47:51in the world.
00:47:56I'd been with Caleb for two full years
00:47:58before I found out he had a sister.
00:48:03That day,
00:48:04an SUV drove right up to my door,
00:48:06stopping just two steps away.
00:48:11Yuna!
00:48:13Yuna!
00:48:14She came in loud,
00:48:16her voice even bigger
00:48:17than at Caleb's.
00:48:20I'm Jules Hunter,
00:48:21Caleb's sister.
00:48:22The real deal.
00:48:23I looked at the girl
00:48:24in front of Trunthot,
00:48:26swearing a leather jacket
00:48:27with her hair in a high
00:48:28hinai leaf,
00:48:29full of energy.
00:48:30Then I looked at Caleb,
00:48:31who had a guilty look
00:48:32on his face.
00:48:36Yuna,
00:48:37I was going to tell you,
00:48:38it's just...
00:48:39What kind of work?
00:48:41Jules plopped down on the sofa
00:48:43and crossed her legs casually.
00:48:48Don't listen to him
00:48:49making it sound so mysterious.
00:48:51I'm a bounty hunter.
00:48:53I catch rogue wolves
00:48:54who cross into our territory,
00:48:55that's all.
00:48:59Bounty hunter?
00:49:02She nodded proudly.
00:49:05I have a private contract
00:49:06with the Northern Pack Alliance.
00:49:08Any rogue wolf
00:49:09crosses the border,
00:49:10I catch them
00:49:11and bring them in.
00:49:12Last month,
00:49:13I caught three.
00:49:15All alive,
00:49:17all tied up tight,
00:49:18delivered them
00:49:19to the council myself.
00:49:22I looked at her
00:49:23and couldn't help but smile.
00:49:25She and her brother
00:49:26had the exact same personality.
00:49:29Jules had taken
00:49:30her annual leave
00:49:31specifically to come south
00:49:32and meet me.
00:49:34She stayed for two weeks.
00:49:36She spent every day
00:49:37at my bakery,
00:49:38learning to make pastries
00:49:39for my employees.
00:49:41Unfortunately,
00:49:42she had zero baking talent.
00:49:44The cookies she made
00:49:44were hard enough
00:49:45to break teeth.
00:49:52Yuna,
00:49:53I guess these hands
00:49:54are only good
00:49:54for holding blades.
00:49:55She poked at a tray
00:49:57of burnt cookies
00:49:57and sighed.
00:50:04I held back a smile.
00:50:08Just keep practicing.
00:50:10You'll get better.
00:50:14Forget it.
00:50:16She washed her hands,
00:50:18then leaned close
00:50:19and lowered her voice.
00:50:22My brother said
00:50:23there used to be
00:50:24some asshole
00:50:25who treated you badly.
00:50:27I was quiet
00:50:28for a moment,
00:50:29then nodded slightly.
00:50:34That was a long time ago.
00:50:39Is that asshole
00:50:40still around?
00:50:41Her eyes glinted,
00:50:43her energy sharp.
00:50:45Want me to go deal
00:50:46with him?
00:50:47I've ripped out
00:50:48a rogue's throat
00:50:49with my bare hands.
00:50:51Jules!
00:50:52Caleb's warning voice
00:50:54came from the doorway.
00:50:56She stuck her tongue
00:50:57out at him
00:50:58and obediently
00:50:59reined in her energy.
00:51:00I shook my head.
00:51:03No need.
00:51:04He can't affect me anymore.
00:51:06She looked at me
00:51:07for a long moment,
00:51:08then gave me
00:51:08a thumbs up.
00:51:11Yuna,
00:51:12you're the coolest wolf
00:51:13I've ever met.
00:51:15My brother
00:51:16is so damn lucky
00:51:18to have married you.
00:51:19When that got back
00:51:20to Aunt Caleb,
00:51:21he was insufferably proud
00:51:22for a whole week.
00:51:27It was the 10th day
00:51:29of Caleb's training.
00:51:31I was 5 months pregnant.
00:51:36I had just finished
00:51:37the last batch of cookies
00:51:38for the shop.
00:51:40My new employee,
00:51:41Anya,
00:51:42was helping me pack them.
00:51:43She kept glancing
00:51:45at my belly
00:51:45until she finally
00:51:47couldn't hold back.
00:51:50Boss Lark,
00:51:52Captain Hunter
00:51:52is way too intense.
00:51:54You're already
00:51:55this far along
00:51:56and he's still
00:51:56away training.
00:51:57What if you go
00:51:58into labor early?
00:52:00I shoved a cookie
00:52:01in her mouth.
00:52:06He's guarding the pack,
00:52:07not out playing around.
00:52:09And my due date
00:52:10is still months away.
00:52:12No need to rush?
00:52:17Anya chewed the cookie
00:52:18and muttered,
00:52:20I mean,
00:52:21that's true.
00:52:22But every other
00:52:23pregnant mate
00:52:24at the base
00:52:25has their partner
00:52:25glued to their side,
00:52:27pampering them.
00:52:29Only you,
00:52:30pregnant
00:52:30and running
00:52:31a whole shop
00:52:32by yourself.
00:52:33I didn't argue.
00:52:38Some happiness
00:52:40doesn't need
00:52:40to be explained
00:52:41to outsiders.
00:52:48The night
00:52:49before he left
00:52:50for training,
00:52:51at Belay's
00:52:52Caleb spent
00:52:53Caleb a full hour
00:52:54massaging
00:52:55my swollen feet.
00:52:56At four
00:52:57in the morning,
00:52:58he got up early
00:52:59and stocked
00:52:59the storage room
00:53:00with enough flour,
00:53:01sugar,
00:53:02and butter
00:53:03to last a month,
00:53:04all neatly arranged.
00:53:06When he left,
00:53:08he turned at the door
00:53:09and looked at me
00:53:10for a long moment.
00:53:13Yuna,
00:53:14wait for me
00:53:15to come back.
00:53:18I waved at him.
00:53:21Go on!
00:53:24The SUV
00:53:25drove off slowly.
00:53:26I stood in the yard
00:53:27and watched
00:53:28until it disappeared
00:53:29over the horizon.
00:53:30In that moment,
00:53:32I felt more grounded
00:53:33and secure
00:53:33than ever before.
00:53:36There are a thousand
00:53:37ways love can look.
00:53:39Damien's love
00:53:40was a thousand
00:53:41sweet words,
00:53:42but he couldn't
00:53:43even make me
00:53:44a hot breakfast.
00:53:47Caleb's love
00:53:48was never spoken
00:53:48out loud,
00:53:49but he knew
00:53:50my schedule
00:53:50and my comfort
00:53:51better than I did.
00:53:54At three in the afternoon,
00:53:56the shop was quiet.
00:53:58I was sitting
00:53:59at the register,
00:54:00sorting through bills.
00:54:02The wind chime rang.
00:54:06I didn't look up.
00:54:08Welcome!
00:54:09Buy two cookies,
00:54:10get one free.
00:54:13Yuna!
00:54:16A hosky,
00:54:18exhausted voice
00:54:19full of complicated emotions.
00:54:23I looked up.
00:54:25Damien Voss
00:54:26was standing
00:54:26in the doorway.
00:54:28He looked ten years
00:54:29older than
00:54:30when we last fought.
00:54:33His hair was gray
00:54:35at the Tims.
00:54:36His eyes were sunken.
00:54:37The powerful
00:54:38alpha presence
00:54:39that could intimidate
00:54:40lower-ranked wolves
00:54:41was completely gone.
00:54:44I looked back down
00:54:45at my bills.
00:54:47You're lost.
00:54:49This is the south,
00:54:50not the main city.
00:54:52He stood there,
00:54:54staring at me,
00:54:55his throat bobbing.
00:54:57Yuna,
00:54:58I knew you weren't dead.
00:55:00I looked for you
00:55:01for six months.
00:55:07Looking for me
00:55:08for what?
00:55:10I still didn't look up.
00:55:13Aren't we even?
00:55:15Even?
00:55:19His laugh was dry
00:55:21and raspy.
00:55:24You threatened
00:55:25to kill yourself
00:55:26to drive me away,
00:55:27then turned around
00:55:28and married
00:55:28a border captain.
00:55:30Now you're
00:55:31carrying his child.
00:55:33And me?
00:55:36Nova turned me
00:55:38into a puppet.
00:55:40She and her
00:55:42beta lover
00:55:42control the whole
00:55:44blood-flang pack.
00:55:46My mother is sick
00:55:47in bed,
00:55:49saying your name
00:55:50every day.
00:55:51His voice
00:55:52cracked.
00:55:56Yuna,
00:55:57I finally understand.
00:55:59I get it all now.
00:56:01I shouldn't have
00:56:02lied to you.
00:56:05I shouldn't have
00:56:06made Mira
00:56:06fake her paralysis.
00:56:08I shouldn't have
00:56:09groveled to the
00:56:10Blackwood Pack
00:56:11for the deputy position.
00:56:12But I had no choice
00:56:14back then.
00:56:14I had nothing.
00:56:17If you stayed with me,
00:56:18you would have suffered.
00:56:20I wanted to get
00:56:22on my feet first,
00:56:23then come back
00:56:24and make it up to you.
00:56:26I finally looked up
00:56:28at the man
00:56:28I had loved
00:56:29for seven years.
00:56:32His face
00:56:33was aged.
00:56:35His body
00:56:36hangered.
00:56:37All the light
00:56:39I used to be
00:56:39obsessed with
00:56:40was gone.
00:56:43I closed the bill book
00:56:45and spoke in a flat,
00:56:47emotionless tone.
00:56:50Damien,
00:56:52you never really
00:56:53understood anything.
00:56:55You don't even know
00:56:56what you did wrong.
00:56:58What you call guilt
00:56:59is just regret
00:57:00that you failed.
00:57:02You're not sorry
00:57:03you hurt me.
00:57:04You're just sorry
00:57:05about how things
00:57:06turned out for you.
00:57:10You don't regret
00:57:11lying to me
00:57:12for seven years.
00:57:14You just regret
00:57:15not using me
00:57:15all the way,
00:57:16letting me get away.
00:57:19You didn't come here
00:57:20because you love me.
00:57:21You came
00:57:22because you saw
00:57:23that without you,
00:57:24I'm happier
00:57:25than you.
00:57:30His face
00:57:30went completely pale.
00:57:32Do you know
00:57:33how I survived
00:57:34those seven years?
00:57:35I stood up
00:57:36and looked at him
00:57:37across the counter.
00:57:38I woke up
00:57:39at five every morning.
00:57:41I turned
00:57:42your mother over,
00:57:44cleaned her,
00:57:45fed her,
00:57:46massaged her,
00:57:49when she was
00:57:50bored.
00:57:51She'd purposely
00:57:51dirty the bed
00:57:52and watch me
00:57:53clean it up
00:57:54again,
00:57:54again.
00:57:58The two days
00:57:59a year,
00:57:59year,
00:58:00you came home.
00:58:01I barely slept,
00:58:03waiting for your
00:58:04every command.
00:58:05I was on call
00:58:0724-7,
00:58:09happy to be your maid,
00:58:10thinking that was love.
00:58:12And you?
00:58:14You showed up
00:58:15with your pure-blood mate
00:58:18and your two kids
00:58:19and told me
00:58:20you could give me
00:58:21everything
00:58:21except the title.
00:58:23Damien,
00:58:24don't you think
00:58:25that's disgusting?
00:58:27His eyes were bloodshot,
00:58:29his lips trembling violently.
00:58:31He couldn't say a word.
00:58:33I let out a breath.
00:58:36Enough.
00:58:38I don't want to dwell
00:58:39on the past anymore.
00:58:41Leave here.
00:58:42Don't come back.
00:58:45Yuna!
00:58:46He lunged at the counter
00:58:48and slammed his hand
00:58:49down on it.
00:58:52I've already ended
00:58:53things with Nova.
00:58:54I ended it myself.
00:58:55It's all over!
00:58:56She spent my money
00:58:58on her lovers.
00:58:59I caught her in the act.
00:59:00And she still took
00:59:02half my territory.
00:59:04I have nothing left now
00:59:05but my true heart.
00:59:07Come back to me.
00:59:09I'll give you
00:59:09anything you want.
00:59:11I looked at him
00:59:12and almost laughed.
00:59:15Damien,
00:59:16do you know why
00:59:17I chose Caleb?
00:59:18He stiffened.
00:59:19Not because he's
00:59:20a Border Patrol captain.
00:59:22Not because he has
00:59:23the highest warrior medal.
00:59:28Not because of
00:59:29the council-certified
00:59:30mate Dietrich.
00:59:34I spoke slowly,
00:59:35each word clear.
00:59:38It's because
00:59:39he never makes me wait.
00:59:40He said he'd be back
00:59:41in two weeks
00:59:42and he came back
00:59:43on time.
00:59:44He said he'd petition
00:59:45the council for a mate decree
00:59:47and he did everything
00:59:48in his power
00:59:49to make it happen.
00:59:50He almost died in battle
00:59:52and his last act
00:59:54before dying
00:59:55was to have his commander
00:59:56deliver the certification
00:59:57to protect me.
00:59:58And you?
00:59:59You made me wait
01:00:01seven years.
01:00:03And then you told me
01:00:04I wasn't worthy
01:00:04of a title.
01:00:05He opened his mouth
01:00:06but in the end
01:00:07had nothing to say.
01:00:10Just then,
01:00:10the windchleim rang.
01:00:13A tall, straight figure
01:00:15walked into the shop.
01:00:16His coat was covered
01:00:18in dust.
01:00:18His eyes were sharp
01:00:20and cold.
01:00:23It was Caleb.
01:00:25He completely ignored
01:00:26Aunt Damien.
01:00:27He walked straight to me,
01:00:29reached out,
01:00:29and touched my belly
01:00:31and touched my belly,
01:00:32frowning slightly.
01:00:33You've lost weight.
01:00:35Have you been eating properly?
01:00:38I smiled.
01:00:40The doctor said
01:00:41I'm actually a little heavy.
01:00:44I don't care.
01:00:46In my eyes,
01:00:47you're thin.
01:00:49He pulled a crumpled
01:00:50piece of paper
01:00:51from his pocket
01:00:52and slapped it
01:00:53on the counter.
01:00:56The rogue elimination
01:00:57and mission
01:00:58ended early.
01:00:59I took three days leave.
01:01:03Come on.
01:01:05I'm taking you
01:01:06to the healer
01:01:06for a prenatal checkup.
01:01:08I looked at the paper.
01:01:10The moon goddess
01:01:11wax seal
01:01:11was clear and bright.
01:01:14It was the mate bond
01:01:15decreet.
01:01:17Why do you carry
01:01:18this around with you?
01:01:22He shrugged
01:01:23casually.
01:01:28For the healer's
01:01:29bloodline registration.
01:01:31Proof that we're
01:01:32legal mates.
01:01:33I couldn't help
01:01:34but laugh.
01:01:38Damien stood
01:01:38frozen to the spot,
01:01:40his face as pale
01:01:41as paper.
01:01:48Caleb finally
01:01:49turned to look at him,
01:01:50one eyebrow raised.
01:01:53Mr. Voss?
01:01:55Still here?
01:01:58What?
01:01:59Here to buy cookies?
01:02:03Buy two,
01:02:04get one free.
01:02:05Too bad
01:02:06I'm not selling to you.
01:02:07Damien's throat
01:02:08bobbed.
01:02:09He grinned him teeth.
01:02:14Caleb Hunter,
01:02:15don't get too cocky.
01:02:18You think you've won?
01:02:20You're just a border patrol
01:02:22captain.
01:02:22With your salary,
01:02:24what kind of good life
01:02:26can you give her?
01:02:29Caleb didn't get angry.
01:02:31Instead,
01:02:32he chuckled softly.
01:02:35He put his arm
01:02:36around my shoulder,
01:02:37leaned down
01:02:38and kissed my forehead,
01:02:40then looked up
01:02:40at Aunt Damien.
01:02:43Mr. Voss,
01:02:45do you know
01:02:46what a good life
01:02:46really means?
01:02:48It's having someone
01:02:49waiting for me at home
01:02:50when I come back
01:02:51from duty.
01:02:52It's someone cooking me
01:02:53a hot meal
01:02:54when I'm exhausted.
01:02:55It's knowing
01:02:56that when I fight
01:02:57to protect the pack,
01:02:58there's always
01:02:59someone behind me
01:03:00who truly cares
01:03:01about me.
01:03:03Did you ever give her
01:03:04even a shred of that?
01:03:06Seven years together,
01:03:09and you never
01:03:10once claimed her.
01:03:11You were never
01:03:12her legal mate.
01:03:14You were just
01:03:15some low life
01:03:16who barged
01:03:17into her life
01:03:18and stole her heart
01:03:20and her time.
01:03:22The last trace of color
01:03:24drained from
01:03:24Aunt Damien's face.
01:03:26Caleb stopped
01:03:27looking at him.
01:03:28He looked down at me,
01:03:30his gaze soft.
01:03:32Any cookies left?
01:03:33I'm hungry.
01:03:36I took a box
01:03:37of fresh cookies
01:03:38from under the counter
01:03:39and handed them to him.
01:03:41He took a bite,
01:03:42his eyes curving
01:03:43into a smile,
01:03:45warm and gentle.
01:03:46Yeah,
01:03:47that's the taste.
01:03:48He took my hand
01:03:50and walked out
01:03:50of the shop
01:03:51without looking back.
01:03:53As I reached the door,
01:03:55I glanced back
01:03:56out of habit.
01:03:57Damien was still
01:03:58frozen in place,
01:04:00empty and numb,
01:04:01completely lost.
01:04:03Sunlight streamed
01:04:04through the window,
01:04:05stretching his
01:04:06lonely shadow long.
01:04:08I didn't stop.
01:04:10I walked away.
01:04:15Walking down the street,
01:04:17Caleb held my hand
01:04:18with one hand
01:04:19and his cookie
01:04:19with the other.
01:04:21Oh, by the way,
01:04:23I've decided
01:04:23on the kids' names.
01:04:25Yeah?
01:04:27What names?
01:04:28Soren for a boy.
01:04:31Sage for a girl.
01:04:34I was puzzled.
01:04:37Why those names?
01:04:39He looked down at me,
01:04:41his eyes soft and tender.
01:04:44Soren means dawn.
01:04:46You broke free
01:04:47from the darkness
01:04:47of Greywood.
01:04:49You are the dawn.
01:04:51Sage means wisdom.
01:04:54I was clumsy
01:04:56and slow before,
01:04:57stupidly waiting
01:04:58for you in the south.
01:05:00I hope our kids
01:05:01are more clear-headed
01:05:02than we were.
01:05:05Boy or girl,
01:05:06those are the names.
01:05:07I was Caleb Wyatt
01:05:08for a long time,
01:05:09my eyes burning.
01:05:11This man wasn't
01:05:12good with words.
01:05:14He never said
01:05:15sweet things.
01:05:18But every single word
01:05:19came from deep love.
01:05:22I leaned gently
01:05:23against his shoulder
01:05:24and silently agreed.
01:05:25In the distance,
01:05:27the rumble
01:05:28of an SUV engine
01:05:29echoed.
01:05:30Once,
01:05:31that sound of people
01:05:33leaving and coming back
01:05:34terrified me.
01:05:35But now,
01:05:36I was afraid of nothing
01:05:37because I knew,
01:05:39no matter how far
01:05:40the road,
01:05:42he would always
01:05:42come to me,
01:05:43always return to me.
01:05:46The man beside me
01:05:48was like that.
01:05:49And the quiet,
01:05:51steady happiness
01:05:52I had finally found
01:05:53was like that too.
01:05:56The day the twins
01:05:57were born,
01:05:59Caleb was out
01:05:59on a mission.
01:06:01When I was wheeled
01:06:02back to my room
01:06:03after delivery,
01:06:04the first thing I saw
01:06:05was a small
01:06:06with figure A
01:06:06carved from a fang
01:06:07on the bedside table.
01:06:12A note was
01:06:13tucked under it.
01:06:17Babe,
01:06:18I'm sorry
01:06:18I couldn't be there
01:06:19with you.
01:06:20Are the babies okay?
01:06:21I've chosen the names.
01:06:23Sorin for a boy,
01:06:24Sage for a girl.
01:06:26When I come back,
01:06:27I'll take the three of you
01:06:28to see the border.
01:06:29Caleb.
01:06:32I held the note,
01:06:34laughing and crying
01:06:35at the same time.
01:06:37Sorin meant dawn.
01:06:39Sage meant wisdom.
01:06:43Caleb was never one
01:06:44to settle for a quiet life.
01:06:46Some wolves belonged
01:06:47to the wilderness
01:06:49and the horizon.
01:06:51Three months later,
01:06:53he got a long leave.
01:06:59He kept his promise.
01:07:01He took us up
01:07:02to the highest ridge
01:07:03on the border.
01:07:07I sat in the passenger seat
01:07:09holding the two babies,
01:07:10looking down
01:07:11at the sea of clouds
01:07:13and the winding rivers below.
01:07:17I thought back
01:07:18to that blizzard
01:07:19seven years ago.
01:07:21Back then,
01:07:22I thought my life
01:07:23was over.
01:07:24Trapped in a cage
01:07:25called waiting.
01:07:27Waiting for someone
01:07:28who would never
01:07:29truly come home.
01:07:33And now I stood
01:07:34at the top of the mountain,
01:07:36holding my children
01:07:38with the man
01:07:39who would risk his life
01:07:40to protect me
01:07:40by my side.
01:07:50Yuna?
01:07:50Yeah?
01:07:52Do you know what I thought
01:07:53the first time I saw you?
01:07:56What?
01:07:58He looked out
01:07:59at the horizon.
01:08:01The whole clear sky
01:08:02reflected in his eyes.
01:08:05I thought,
01:08:06you belong
01:08:07in this free wilderness.
01:08:11My heart tightened.
01:08:13Why?
01:08:17There's a light
01:08:18in your eyes
01:08:18that longs for freedom.
01:08:20Only a wolf
01:08:20who yearns to run wild
01:08:22has that look.
01:08:25I smiled,
01:08:27my eyes stinging a little.
01:08:33And you?
01:08:35Where do you belong?
01:08:37He thought for a moment,
01:08:39then answered
01:08:39simply and firmly.
01:08:41My home is you.
01:08:43Wherever you are,
01:08:44I'll be.
01:08:47The twins in the back seat
01:08:49babbled and fussed,
01:08:51probably annoyed
01:08:52at being ignored.
01:08:54Caleb chuckled.
01:08:56Okay, okay.
01:08:58Daddy's sorry.
01:08:59Come on,
01:08:59let me show you
01:08:59something pretty.
01:09:02He rolled down the window.
01:09:04The mountain breeze
01:09:05rushed in,
01:09:06fresh and clean.
01:09:09The warm sun
01:09:10covered our family of four,
01:09:12gentle and steady.
01:09:14I remembered what
01:09:16Marta once said.
01:09:18Some wolves belong
01:09:20to the wild.
01:09:21Some wolves belong
01:09:23only to you.
01:09:26I leaned gently
01:09:28against Caleb's shoulder,
01:09:29looked at the kids
01:09:30in the back seat,
01:09:31and smiled with my eyes.
01:09:36The best mate
01:09:37isn't the one
01:09:38you wait for.
01:09:39It's the one
01:09:40willing to run
01:09:41beside you.
01:09:43The truest happiness
01:09:45is finally meeting
01:09:46someone who is willing
01:09:47to walk into the future
01:09:49with you.
01:09:49with you.
01:09:53The truest happiness
01:09:53The truest happiness
01:09:53The truest happiness
01:09:53The truest happiness
01:09:54The truest happiness
01:09:54The truest happiness
01:09:54The truest happiness
01:09:54The truest happiness