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The Blood Trial Silent Heartbreak - Full
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00:00The wolves pinned me to the ground. Claws tore my dress. Fists cracked against my ribs. One after another. This
00:05was the blood trial. The harder they beat you, the more worthy you are as a bride. I didn't fight
00:10back. I didn't make a sound. Because the man who was supposed to claim to me tonight had already carried
00:14my sister out the door.
00:15The packlands have a savage tradition known as the blood claiming. It demands the alpha steal his mate under the
00:21full moon, fighting through the pack's warriors to prove his power and right to her. I waited three years for
00:26alpha Silas. Finally, he and his wolves slipped into my pack. I was ready to run to him until I
00:31heard his hushed order.
00:32Grab Brianna in the chaos. She's fragile. If she's sold off to the alpha of the silverback pack to settle
00:38the debt, she won't survive the night. As for Alara, she'll fight like hell. She'll keep herself safe.
00:45His warriors hesitated.
00:47Silamus, you and Alara are already mated. If she finds out, she'll reign this pack to ash.
00:53Let her. It's dark enough. A case of mistaken identity during the claiming will be easy to explain. I'll calm
01:01her down later.
01:02He paused, his voice turning icy.
01:04Besides, the mating decree she signed was a forgery. We never held the mating ceremony. I promised Brianna a safe
01:10life. She's my priority.
01:13I heard every word from behind the door. I didn't howl. I didn't shift. I simply stepped back into the
01:19shadows. They'd expected me to fight. To claw apart anyone who'd tried to take me. Instead, I silently climbed onto
01:25the back of the wolf who'd broken into my room and became his mate.
01:31Alara, my contact at the council checked. You, you aren't actually Silas's bonded mate.
01:36I put down the phone. Something inside my chest shattered. I'd lived as Silas's mate for five years. All that
01:41time, the Crescent pack never accepted me. His mother never used my name. Only ever referring to me as that
01:47girl.
01:48At pack gatherings, I was always seated at the farthest table. In pack portraits. I was placed at the edge
01:53so I could be easily cropped out. Silas said his mother wouldn't let up until I broke. So he sent
01:58me back to the Thorn Hollow pack.
01:59He promised he'd follow our traditions and complete the formal blood claiming to bring me back as his Luna. Then
02:05the Crescent pack would have no choice but to accept me.
02:08I waited. For three years. I'd held my tongue. Longing for this night. But he'd come for another woman. He'd
02:13kept me deceived for years with a forged decree. All to hide the truth.
02:17The one he truly meant to claim was my half-sister, Brianna. I stared at my reflection. My face was
02:22empty. Wolf howl exploded across the grounds. The ritual had begun.
02:28Growls mixed with laughter, claws scraped against stone, and warriors put on a show of resisting. Ritual torches painted half
02:34the sky red.
02:35Another group of wolves had come from the silver backpack. They'd originally come for Brianna. By the rules of the
02:40ritual, if a she-wolf didn't want to be taken, she could hide and send them away empty-handed.
02:45But Brianna didn't hide. She waited in her room to be taken. And the wolf she waited for was my
02:50mate. The room I was in wasn't mine. It was Brianna's.
02:53That afternoon, my stepmother pulled me aside. For once, her voice was gentle.
02:58Allara, stay in Brianna's room tonight. Yours is too far back, too quiet. They'll never find you.
03:05The wolves coming for Brianna are savages. You've always been tough. You can handle the blood trial. Brianna is fragile.
03:12If she gets caught in the crossfire, it'll be a disaster.
03:16I said nothing. I knew exactly what she meant. By the rules of the blood claiming, the alpha's wolves would
03:22storm in. The she-wolf was expected to fight back with everything she had.
03:27It was called the blood trial. The harder she fought, the more valuable she was considered. The alpha had to
03:33prove he could pin her down and force her submission.
03:35Those claws drew real blood. My stepmother studied my face, testing me.
03:40Besides, Simus has never been here at night. The front room? He'll find you faster.
03:44Back then, I'd only wanted to make things easier for Silas. I agreed. I even sent him my room location
03:50through the mind link. But they'd been planning this switch all along.
03:55A roar of celebration erupted outside.
03:58We got her! The she-wolf is ours!
04:01Howls tore through the night sky, one after another, spreading across the territory like wildfire.
04:06I listened but didn't move. I knew exactly who they'd taken.
04:09I could picture Silas carrying Brianna through the crowd, his wolves flanking them, as pack members lunged and blocked their
04:14path.
04:15Brianna would hide her face against his back, pretending to struggle.
04:18How perfect.
04:20I lowered my gaze. Moments later, my door was kicked in. A group of wolves flooded into the dark room,
04:25eyes glowing amber in the black.
04:27Then the blood trial began. Someone seized my arm, claws biting into skin. Fists cracked against my spine. Claws raked
04:34across my shoulders and back.
04:35The harder the beating, the more the pack valued the bride. I let them drag me from my chair toward
04:40the door, their claws leaving red trails down my arms.
04:43At first, it felt like a formality. But the violence quickly turned savage. Someone slammed me into the stone wall,
04:49fangs snapping inches from my throat.
04:53This was intentional. The pain was excruciating, but I didn't make a sound.
04:57I finally understood what my stepmother had meant by calling me tough.
05:01Just when I thought it would never end, a body slammed between us, throwing the attackers off me.
05:07Enough!
05:07It was a stranger's voice, sharp with fury. He stood over me, claws out, and shoved the other's back with
05:14a snarl.
05:14That's the rule. The harder we hit, the more she's worth. What rule?
05:20His voice dropped to a dangerous growl, canines lengthening.
05:23This isn't your mate! If someone was tearing into your she-wolf like prey, would you just stand there and
05:29watch?
05:30The room went silent. He glanced back at me. In the shadows, I could only make out the sharp line
05:35of his jaw and the amber flash of his eyes.
05:37Then he bent down and hoisted me onto his back.
05:40Who is he? He's taking this ritual way too seriously.
05:43He carried me out in long, steady strides. Wolves chased after us, snapping and lunging, but his grip on my
05:49legs never wavered.
05:50When he finally carried me out of the packhouse, he paused to catch his breath.
05:54In the distance, the faint glow of ritual torches moved. That was the other group.
06:00Crossing the corridor, I heard their laughter. Silas was at the front, sweat-soaked, but wearing a triumphant smile.
06:07Brianna was on his back, her arms wrapped tight around his neck. His wolves were cheering.
06:13I lay silent on the stranger's back as they drew near. Torchlight flickered across my face.
06:19Silas' eyes flicked over me for a split second. Then his gaze moved on, turning back to his wolves as
06:25he joked and laughed.
06:26He didn't recognize me. Brianna whispered something in his ear, and he leaned in with a soft smile.
06:32I suddenly thought back to three years ago, when I'd returned to the Thorn Hollow pack to visit my father
06:37and stayed for a while.
06:39The first time Silas came to find me there, he'd worn that exact same smile.
06:45That day, my father's warriors put him to the test. My father sent a dozen warriors to block him at
06:50the gates.
06:51Claws out, fangs bared. They told him to turn back.
06:55He fought through every single one of them and showed up at my door, bruised, bloodied, barely standing.
07:00I asked if it hurt. He grinned through the blood.
07:03For my mate, I'd take a lot worse.
07:06He was of the proud alpha heir, yet he'd taken a beating from my father's warriors, just for me.
07:12He always acted like it was nothing, but I knew the truth.
07:15My father's wolves didn't go easy on outsiders.
07:20Another time, it poured rain.
07:22He showed up soaked to the bone, his shirt torn, but the pastries tucked inside his jacket were still dry.
07:28He pushed the pastries into my hands, smiling.
07:33Didn't want you to wait too long.
07:34I held those pastries, staring at the cut on his cheek, and thought,
07:38This is the wolf I'll spend my life with.
07:40But now, he carried Brianna with that exact same smile.
07:44My vision blurred for a second, then sharpened again.
07:47When did it all start to change?
07:51Probably three years ago, when my father died.
07:54I felt completely hollow inside.
07:56Silas cancelled everything to stay at the Thorn Hollow Pack with me for two weeks.
08:01The day he had to leave, he took my hand and spoke softly.
08:05Alara, you just got through the funeral and you look awful.
08:08If my mother sees you like this, she'll start on you again.
08:11I don't want you putting up with that.
08:13Just stay here at the room and rest.
08:15You've always wanted to take over the pack's affairs, right?
08:18I'll go away and smooth thing for at home, then come get you.
08:22I looked at him and nodded.
08:23I was truly exhausted from the constant fighting with his mother.
08:26Back then, I believed he was looking out for me.
08:29That he didn't want me to go back and face those cold stares.
08:32Only later did I realize, distance doesn't create beauty.
08:36It just makes it easier for him to love someone else.
08:40Last year, when his mother turned 60, Silas came to bring me back.
08:43The moment I stepped inside, I saw my stepsister Brianna.
08:47She was supposed to be in another pack for work.
08:50But there she was in the main hall, arranging things, her movements smooth and familiar.
08:56Silas paused while taking off his coat and explained,
08:59Brianna's assignment is near our territory.
09:01She's staying here temporarily.
09:02There wasn't a trace of guilt in his voice, and I didn't push for more.
09:09My father didn't take a second mate until I was already grown.
09:13Brianna was stepmother's daughter.
09:15We'd never been close.
09:16Over the years, we'd only seen each other during gatherings.
09:20I couldn't quite put into words how I felt about her staying there.
09:23When Brianna saw me walk in, she called out warmly,
09:26Hey sis, don't worry, I'm just crashing here for a bit.
09:30I'll move out once I find a place.
09:32I nodded, but said nothing.
09:34Back then, I never could have imagined.
09:37For three years, I waited alone in the Thorn Hollow pack.
09:40And all that time, my little sister had been working in the Crescent pack.
09:44Now watching Brianna on Silas' back, it all suddenly clicked.
09:47I hadn't been waiting for him to bring me home at all.
09:50I'd been waiting for my heart to die.
09:52Brianna's voice drifted closer on the wind.
09:55What about Alara?
09:57If she finds out, she'll lose it.
09:59She's all bark and no bite.
10:01She'll get over it after throwing a fit.
10:05It's pitch black during the blood claiming I just made a mistake.
10:09She'll feel sorry for me before she even gets angry.
10:13Once she finds out, I'll just smooth it over.
10:17Brianna laughed softly.
10:18My knuckles whitened.
10:20One of his wolves spoke up suddenly.
10:22Alpha, what if someone else claimed Alara?
10:25The group fell quiet.
10:27You think she'd let anyone take her without a fight?
10:29Then Silas laughed.
10:30With that temper of hers, she'll tear the place apart tonight.
10:34True.
10:35No way Alama goes quietly.
10:38Feel sorry for that poor bastard.
10:40Wonder what he looks like now.
10:42The laughter swelled.
10:44I looked down.
10:46Let's go.
10:47He must have heard everything.
10:49Heard them laughing about me.
10:50Heard how they thought I'd rip someone's throat out.
10:53But he said nothing.
10:54He just kept walking.
10:58At the edge of the Thornhollow territory, we ran straight into them.
11:02Someone from the other side called out.
11:04Kevin?
11:05His steps halted.
11:06A quiet.
11:07Yeah.
11:08Silas moved closer with Brianna on his back, grinning.
11:12It really is you.
11:14You claiming someone tonight too?
11:16Yeah.
11:17Who?
11:18I buried my face in Killian's shoulder, showing only the back of my head.
11:22A neighboring family.
11:24Silas stared at me a moment longer, then laughed.
11:27Damn, man.
11:28Always figured you'd stay unmade forever.
11:31Congrats.
11:32Killian just grunted.
11:33Silas took a step forward.
11:35I felt his gaze linger on my back.
11:37That look lasted too long.
11:39Long enough I almost thought he'd recognized me.
11:42Let's go.
11:43Wait.
11:46Silas frowned.
11:47He was about to speak.
11:48Brianna's voice cut in, soft and pained.
11:51Simus, my ankle hurts.
11:52What's wrong?
11:53Did you twist it earlier?
11:54I don't know.
11:55It just aches.
11:56Her voice dropped.
11:57Let's go.
11:58We need to get to your territory before sunrise.
12:00Silas didn't waste another second.
12:02He nodded at Killian.
12:04Gotta run.
12:04I'll buy you a drink next time.
12:06Their footsteps faded into the distance.
12:08Killian spoke quietly.
12:10He really didn't recognize you.
12:12I rested my face against his shoulder and said nothing.
12:15My eyes stung, but I didn't cry.
12:17He seemed to sense it.
12:18His pace slowed, steps gentle and steady.
12:21The moon was bright.
12:22The road stretched on.
12:23I had no idea where he was taking me.
12:25But in that moment, I thought anywhere was better than going back.
12:31Music filled the Crescent Pack's great hall.
12:33The whole place buzzed with celebration.
12:36Wine flowed freely.
12:37And wolves danced to old songs.
12:39This was the feast after a successful blood claiming.
12:42By tradition, it would last until sunrise.
12:44Silas sat at the edge of the crowd.
12:46Phone in hand.
12:47The screen lit up, went dark, then lit again.
12:50No messages from Alara.
12:51That wasn't like her.
12:53She never kept things bottled up.
12:54If she'd found out he'd claimed the wrong she-wolf, she would have called screaming by now.
12:59He already had his excuses ready.
13:01It was pitch black.
13:03Don't overthink it.
13:04You're the only one I want.
13:06He'd wait for her to blow up over the phone, then talk her down gently.
13:10She'd hurl some threat, and he'd smooth it over.
13:12Done.
13:13She never stayed mad at him for long.
13:16But this time, no call, no text, no yelling.
13:19One of his wolves wandered over with a drink.
13:22Alpha, still staring at your phone?
13:23Waiting on Alara?
13:25Don't bother.
13:25Signal's dead out here.
13:27Her area gets fine signal.
13:28Then her phone's probably dead.
13:30Or she didn't see it.
13:32Another wolf chimed in.
13:33She's probably off tearing someone apart right now.
13:37Everyone laughed.
13:38Silas stayed quiet.
13:40Alara had once told him,
13:41I set a special ringtone for your messages.
13:43Don't want to miss them.
13:45She'd sit out in the courtyard till midnight, just waiting for him to call.
13:50He didn't believe she didn't see it, but he had no better explanation.
13:56All right, quit overthinking.
13:57This is your big night.
13:59Your mate's waiting for you.
14:00What are you doing sitting here?
14:01Once you've claimed her, you stay with her all night.
14:03Finish the ritual.
14:04Silas' frown deepened.
14:06I told Brianna this was temporary.
14:09He said quietly.
14:10I just got her out of there.
14:12I didn't plan on-
14:13Didn't plan on what?
14:14The wolf cut him off, frustrated.
14:16Alpha, this is the blood claiming.
14:17Not a game.
14:18You took her, you finish it.
14:19Otherwise, you insult her whole pack.
14:21Besides, you and Alara have been together for years.
14:23She won't care about formalities.
14:25Just get through tonight.
14:26Silas opened his mouth to argue.
14:28Brianna appeared beside him.
14:29What are you guys talking about?
14:30Silas froze.
14:31About to explain.
14:33Brianna's voice softened.
14:34Silas, in our tradition, the blood claiming only happens once in a lifetime.
14:40I know this one's fake, but can we at least finish the ritual?
14:45She looked up at him, her eyes glistening.
14:47I know you love Alara, but just for tonight, can you pretend I'm your Luna, just tonight?
14:56Silas said nothing.
14:58Brianna bowed her head, her lashes fluttering.
15:00The crowd started chanting,
15:02Toast de Luna!
15:04Silas picked up his glass, linking arms with Brianna.
15:07Firelight danced across both their faces.
15:10Cheers and laughter erupted around them, loud enough to rattle the walls.
15:13He drank, but his eyes kept straying to the dark road beyond the territory.
15:18The same road he'd carried Brianna down tonight.
15:21At the gate, he'd run into Killian.
15:23They'd met years ago at annual meetup.
15:25They'd had a few drinks together.
15:28Acquaintances, at best.
15:29Tonight, Killian had been carrying someone too.
15:32Said she was from another family.
15:33She'd been thin, lying quietly on Killian's back.
15:36Only a glimpse of her neck was visible.
15:39The line of that neck, the curve of her bowed head.
15:42It had felt strangely familiar, but Brianna had cried out in pain, so he hadn't looked again.
15:48Now, thinking back, that silhouette.
15:51Silas?
15:52Brianna's voice pulled him back to the present.
15:54Is that okay?
15:56He nodded, distracted.
15:58Yeah.
15:58Then he stepped aside, pulled out his phone, and dialed Alara's number.
16:02He needed to explain.
16:04He needed to make sure she didn't misunderstand.
16:06Finally, someone picked up.
16:08Hello?
16:09A middle-aged woman's voice.
16:13Silas blinked.
16:15Let me talk to Alara.
16:17Alara?
16:17The woman paused.
16:20She's not here.
16:21We're packing up her stuff to send over.
16:23Send over?
16:24Send where?
16:27Alara never lets her phone leave her her hand.
16:30Where are you sending her things?
16:32The woman on the other end hesitated, not expecting the question.
16:36I'm Alara's aunt.
16:37We have to pack her things and send them to her mate's pack.
16:41Mate's pack?
16:42He paused.
16:43So Alara was preparing to move back in with him.
16:45That made sense.
16:46He'd always planned to bring her back after the blood claiming.
16:50Stopped leaving her at the Thorn Hollow pack alone.
16:54Aunty, about the blood claiming tonight, there was a bit of a mix-up.
16:59Alara say anything?
17:01No.
17:02Several packs did blood claimings tonight.
17:04What would Alara?
17:05Despite the words, a sense of unease surged in him.
17:08Just as he was about to ask more, the aunt interrupted him hurriedly.
17:12Oh, I can't talk anymore.
17:13We're busy packing.
17:15Both Aloda and Brianna were taken tonight.
17:18We have to get their things ready.
17:21Silas froze.
17:22What did she mean, both were taken?
17:24Didn't he only take Brianna?
17:26As for Alara, she would never go with someone she didn't love.
17:30He gripped the phone.
17:31Aunty, you said Alara was taken?
17:34Yes, by the Iron Claw pack.
17:36Silas' throat tightened.
17:37He couldn't speak.
17:38He suddenly remembered something, and his mind exploded.
17:41Iron Claw.
17:42Killian, the wolf he met at the gate, the one carrying a girl, saying she was his mate.
17:48That silhouette that looked so familiar.
17:50His voice was choked.
17:51She didn't fight?
17:53Fight?
17:53Why would she?
17:54A blood claiming isn't a bad thing.
17:56She was as quiet as could be.
17:57She just went with him.
17:58We all thought it was strange.
18:00With her temper, shouldn't she have clawed the wolf to pieces?
18:02But nothing happened.
18:04She just let him carry her away.
18:06Silas' hand began to shake.
18:08Quiet as could be?
18:10Just let him carry her away?
18:12No fight, no snarl, no resistance?
18:14No, that wasn't Alara.
18:16That wasn't the Alara he knew.
18:20He remembered talking to Alara about blood claimings before.
18:23She had been perched on the big tree, swinging her legs, speaking excitedly.
18:27The she-wolves in the Thorn Hollow pack, if they're claimed by someone they don't want, they don't just let
18:32them.
18:33They claw, bite, and snarl.
18:36They fight until the wolf gives up himself.
18:38He had teased her then.
18:40You're so wild.
18:41Who would dare claim you?
18:43She had rolled her eyes, her chin held high.
18:46Well, it depends on who's coming.
18:48If it's you...
18:49She had stopped suddenly, her face flushing as she turned away.
18:53Anyway, if it's you, I'd just put on a show of struggling a little, for appearances.
18:58He teased her.
18:59Just a little?
19:00Three times at most.
19:02She glared at him, then laughed, her eyes bright like mountain stars.
19:06If you came to claim me, I'd probably be the first to jump on your back so you wouldn't have
19:10to take those hits.
19:13He had thought then.
19:15This girl is so foolish.
19:18Auntie.
19:18His voice barely controlled.
19:20Alara, when was she taken?
19:23When?
19:24The aunt thought for a moment.
19:25Tonight, right after you left.
19:28Silas opened his mouth, but not a single word came out.
19:31Hello?
19:32Hello?
19:33Simus?
19:34Are you still there?
19:35I'm here.
19:37Why are you asking so much?
19:38Alara's mate will take care of her.
19:40You claimed Brianna tonight, didn't you?
19:42That poor girl's had it rough.
19:44Take good care of her.
19:45Silas said nothing.
19:47All right, I have to go.
19:49We're still packing.
19:50Alara left in such a hurry she forgot so many things.
19:53We have to get them to her.
19:54Bye now.
19:56The line went dead.
19:58He stood at the edge of the crowd, white-knuckling his phone.
20:02Around him were songs, laughter, music.
20:05All the noise of celebration.
20:08Congratulations, man.
20:09Someone shoved a drink into his hand, tugging him toward the dance floor.
20:14Brianna waved at him from across the fire.
20:17But he couldn't hear a thing.
20:19While he'd been carrying Brianna away,
20:21Alara had been lying on another wolf's back.
20:24They had passed each other in the dark.
20:26He thought she would fight, snarl, resist.
20:29But she did nothing.
20:31And why did she bun your eyes on her?
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