Ditched By Wolves, Claimed By The Serpent New - FULL MOVIE ☑️ - Eng Sub
Watch the full short drama with English subtitles. CEO, billionaire, revenge, betrayal — complete story in one video.
#shortdrama #ceodrama #drama #revenge #fullmovie #englishsub #reelshort #dramabox #miniseries #love #betrayal #drama2026 #video #film2026 #movie2026
Watch the full short drama with English subtitles. CEO, billionaire, revenge, betrayal — complete story in one video.
#shortdrama #ceodrama #drama #revenge #fullmovie #englishsub #reelshort #dramabox #miniseries #love #betrayal #drama2026 #video #film2026 #movie2026
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Short filmTranscript
00:02Afraid the snake gets jealous?
00:05His feelings aren't my concern.
00:07But I genuinely can't be bothered to see you.
00:09I'm not your owner anymore.
00:11You are! We never thought of Chloe as our owner!
00:14We never touched her either!
00:16If you'd wanted, we would have helped you disappear from that wedding a long time ago!
00:21So in your eyes, I'm still your owner.
00:25But in mine, you haven't been worth that in a long time.
00:33Director Ashford, these contracts need your review.
00:36Come in.
00:37I set the pen down.
00:40Before you go, let everyone know.
00:42Those three shifters downstairs are not to be let up.
00:45If they come back, have security remove them.
00:48Understood, Director.
00:49Also, you have a meeting shortly.
00:51What coffee would you like?
00:52Oh, right. The meeting.
00:55I picked up my phone and sent Vance a small emoji.
00:58A little pat.
00:59Might be home late.
01:00Be good and wait for me.
01:01Without waiting for a reply, I stood, smoothed the front of my jacket, and walked out.
01:08Actually, no coffee.
01:10Just water.
01:11Tell everyone in the conference room.
01:12Of course.
01:13Director Ashford.
01:15Vance was often with me when I worked.
01:17Sometimes, when I'd been absorbed in something too long,
01:20a cool, smooth tail would drift over and coil slowly around my waist.
01:25Why is he so clingy?
01:27I sighed, more fond than exasperated, and stroked a tail in what I hoped was reassuring.
01:32Human form this time, please?
01:34Shifter form is genuinely too much for me.
01:41Okay.
01:43I never asked about his other identity, whether he was the heir to some family or the head
01:47of some organization.
01:48What his name meant in the world outside these walls.
01:51I wasn't curious.
01:53I only needed him here.
01:54That was enough.
01:55The way Ethan had once said, at the airport.
01:58We actually have our own names.
01:59I don't need to know, and I don't want to.
02:01That had been the end of it.
02:03As for the business deals Vance had quietly helped put into motion, I chose not to notice.
02:08I simply rewarded him from time to time.
02:10Small things.
02:11Warmly given.
02:12Vance had hurt Eric and Evan badly enough that it had taken time for them to recover.
02:16By the time they were well, I was gone.
02:19They couldn't find me.
02:20Eventually, it seemed they'd left the Ashford estate too, until recently.
02:27Director Ashford, there are three people downstairs requesting to see you.
02:31They say their names are Ethan, Eric, and Evan.
02:36Put them through.
02:37Yes, ma'am.
02:39Elena?
02:41You're back and-
02:42Gets jealous?
02:44His feelings aren't my concern.
02:46But I genuinely can't be bothered to see you.
02:48I'm not your owner anymore.
02:50You are!
02:50We never thought of Chloe as our owner!
02:53We never touched her either!
02:55If you'd wanted, we would have helped you disappear from that wedding a long time ago!
03:00So in your eyes, I'm still your owner.
03:04But in mine, you haven't been worth that in a long time.
03:12Director Ashford, these contracts need your review.
03:15Come in.
03:16I set the pen down.
03:19Before you go, let everyone know.
03:21Those three shifters downstairs are not to be let up.
03:24If they come back, have security remove them.
03:27Understood, Director.
03:28Also, you have a meeting shortly.
03:30What coffee would you like?
03:31Oh, right.
03:32The meeting.
03:34I picked up my phone and sent Vance a small emoji.
03:37A little pat.
03:38Might be home late.
03:39Be good and wait for me.
03:40Without waiting for a reply, I stood, smoothed the front of my jacket, and walked out.
03:47Actually, no coffee.
03:49Just water.
03:50Tell everyone in the conference room.
03:51Of course.
03:52Director Ashford.
03:54Vance was often with me when I worked.
03:56Sometimes, when I'd been absorbed in something too long, a cool, smooth tail would drift over
04:02and coil slowly around my waist.
04:04Why is he so clingy?
04:06I sighed, more fond than exasperated, and stroked a tail in what I hoped was reassuring.
04:11Human form this time, please.
04:13Shifter form is genuinely too much for me.
04:20Okay.
04:22I never asked about his other identity.
04:24Whether he was the heir to some family or the head of some organization.
04:28What his name meant in the world outside these walls.
04:31I wasn't curious.
04:32I only needed him here.
04:33That was enough.
04:34The way Ethan had once said at the airport.
04:37We actually have our own names.
04:38I don't need to know.
04:39And I don't want to.
04:40That had been the end of it.
04:42As for the business deals Vance had quietly helped put into motion, I chose not to notice.
04:47I simply rewarded him from time to time.
04:49Small things.
04:50Warmly given.
04:51Vance had hurt Eric and Evan badly enough that it had taken time for them to recover.
04:55By the time they were well, I was gone.
04:58It couldn't find me.
04:59Eventually, it seemed they'd left the Ashford estate too.
05:02Until recently.
05:06Director Ashford, there are three people downstairs requesting to see you.
05:10They say their names are Ethan, Eric, and Evan.
05:15Put them through.
05:16Yes, ma'am.
05:18Elena?
05:20You're back in the country?
05:22I am.
05:25Come meet us.
05:27No time.
05:28Not interested.
05:30I stepped into the role Chloe had been holding, and I was better at it.
05:34The group began to stabilize.
05:36My father's condition improved somewhat.
05:37I mentioned it to Vance, absently, in the top floor office.
05:45When a sick person suddenly gets better, sometimes it's a last flare of strength before the end.
05:50Vance's pale fingers wound slowly through a strand of my hair.
05:55I see.
05:58Father got worse again.
06:01His current condition left him with no real grip on the company.
06:05He knew it.
06:06I went to visit him.
06:11Sign over whatever shares you have left.
06:14All of them.
06:15The man in the hospital bed, frail now, aged past recognition, erupted in fury, but all he could do was
06:22cough.
06:23You built this company.
06:25Do you want to watch Chloe run it into the ground?
06:28He glared.
06:29I smiled.
06:30Give a little now, and I'll make sure she's taken care of.
06:34You've already seen what she becomes without me.
06:37That's your precious daughter, when you're not watching.
06:45Father, I'm your daughter, too.
06:48I have your blood.
06:51Who better to leave it with?
06:53He stared at me for a long time.
06:55Something painful moved behind his eyes.
06:58I smiled.
07:00Everything was in place.
07:02Tall, striking, almost violently beautiful.
07:04She recognized him.
07:05Her sister, as a child, had found a half-dead venomous snake and refused to leave it alone.
07:10Chloe had screamed at her then.
07:11Get away from it!
07:13Are you insane?
07:14Her kind, oblivious sister hadn't listened.
07:16She'd nursed the snake back to health.
07:17Her sister had probably forgotten all about it.
07:19Chloe remembered.
07:20So she brought Vance home.
07:21She knew why he agreed.
07:23He could smell her sister's presence in the house.
07:25Traces left from childhood.
07:26Here to repay a kindness?
07:27What a pity.
07:28My sister won't even know who you are.
07:30Vance didn't like Chloe.
07:31Not even a little.
07:32And the more he didn't, the more she wanted that to change.
07:35It never did.
07:35Then her sister called, wanting to trade.
07:37Chloe barely thought about it.
07:39And said, yes, good, let this cold snake see exactly what kind of person her sister is.
07:43How she opens her hands for everyone.
07:45And how quickly she can close them.
07:46As expected, the three wolves took to Chloe almost instantly.
07:49But what she hadn't expected, her sister had genuinely forgotten Vance.
07:53And yet, she still treated him gently, instinctively.
07:56Why?
07:56After everything that's been done to her, why can't she just stop?
07:59A dying snake as a child.
08:01A litter of abandoned wolf pups.
08:02She picked them all up.
08:04Impossible.
08:05Infuriating.
08:05It was fine.
08:06Her sister was about to be forced into a marriage with a man who'd outlasted three wives.
08:10The pressure would crush her.
08:11Would she come crawling to Chloe then?
08:13The way Chloe used to visit?
08:14Bringing gifts to that small apartment.
08:16Surprise, sis.
08:17Playing the generous sibling.
08:18Would she finally be desperate enough to need Chloe's help?
08:20That would be the right choice.
08:21Come to her sister.
08:22Not scatter kindness into the void.
08:24Chloe thought about all of it with something close to pleasure.
08:27Until she realized her sister had played her.
08:30As they got older, Chloe learned something.
08:32She was prettier than her sister.
08:33Not that her sister was ugly.
08:34She was genuinely lovely in a quiet, clean way.
08:37But Chloe had inherited every striking feature with perfect precision.
08:41Head to toe.
08:41So the pattern became this.
08:43Those who saw Chloe first, then her sister, looked vaguely let down.
08:47Those who saw her sister first, then Chloe, looked stunned.
08:51Every time this happened, Chloe thought to herself,
08:53Her sister must be so hurt.
08:55So humiliated.
08:57When they were teenagers, her sister drew attention.
08:59The Ashford family's eldest daughter.
09:01Graceful enough that boys noticed despite everything.
09:04Inevitably, those boys noticed Chloe and redirected.
09:07Of course they did.
09:08She was brighter, prettier, warmer, pathetic, shallow idiots.
09:11Chloe thought it internally, all contempt.
09:13But honestly, if they'd spent more time with her sister, they'd have found out.
09:17Her sister was smarter and more interesting than anyone gave her credit for.
09:20Too bad they lacked the patience to look past the surface.
09:23At that thought, Chloe would feel something almost like pity.
09:27Poor thing.
09:27No matter how kind her sister was to everyone, people still chose Chloe.
09:31She imagined her sister in the dark, seething with jealousy, hating her.
09:34Somehow, that thought made the exhaustion of performing warmth all day vanish.
09:39Chloe would hum to herself, lighter.
09:41Then she met a snake shifter.
09:43Her sister always had people around her, boys and girls, a full crowd.
09:48Her sister stood in the middle of them, smiling.
09:50Then she noticed Chloe and waved.
09:57Chloe!
09:58Come here!
10:00When the others saw Chloe, their expressions shifted to something like wonder.
10:04Chloe walked over.
10:05Her sister reached into her pocket and pressed a candy into her hand.
10:09I saved this for you.
10:11Strawberry, your favorite.
10:14Chloe took it happily.
10:15Then one of the girls said,
10:18Elena is so thoughtful.
10:20She remembers everyone's favorite.
10:22Chloe's smile went stiff.
10:23Why?
10:24She was her sister.
10:25Why was she this nice to everyone?
10:26Shouldn't she save the best of herself for Chloe?
10:29Chloe turned and walked away.
10:34Behind her, voices floated.
10:38Is that your sister?
10:39She's gorgeous.
10:40Like a doll.
10:41Her eyes are so big.
10:43She didn't hear what her sister said back.
10:45She turned the corner and dropped the strawberry candy into a trash can.
10:50I switched to an overseas number.
10:51No one could reach me.
10:53Chloe never ended up marrying the man.
10:54The two families became enemies.
10:56When I returned, my parents had aged.
10:58My father spent most of his time in a hospital bed.
11:01They couldn't trust the extended family with the company, so they'd given it to Chloe.
11:04But under Chloe's management, the group was declining steadily.
11:08Then I walked through the door.
11:10My mother's hand rose on instinct.
11:11She was going to slap me.
11:13I stepped back.
11:14I smiled.
11:15Are you sure?
11:17I'm the only one who can save you now.
11:19I froze midair.
11:20I looked over.
11:21Chloe had her eyes locked on me, sharp and searching.
11:24But she looked nothing like before.
11:26The polish was gone.
11:27She was frayed, worn down by everything she'd been holding together.
11:30I led her to.
11:31Long time no see, little sister.
11:33Or her gaze away and burst into tears.
11:35Chloe had hated her sister since childhood.
11:38Why?
11:38It started in primary school.
11:40The man sat beside me on the flight.
11:42He looked down, long lashes casting a faint shadow across his cheeks.
11:48So, you really were going to take the groom's place and marry me?
11:53Hmm.
11:55You move fast.
11:57After realizing I wasn't there, it slipped out immediately.
11:59That brief shadow on the live stream?
12:02Only I would have recognized it.
12:03Your scent went faint.
12:05Right.
12:06The terrifying thing about shifters was their sense of smell.
12:09Precise and absolute.
12:11I'll be overseas for a while.
12:13Until the timing is right to come back.
12:15Vance leaned in close.
12:17That cool, faint air of his wrapped around me.
12:20His lips pressed lightly to the side of my neck.
12:24This time, he didn't bite.
12:25I almost smiled.
12:26They said wolves were canines.
12:28Bonded hard.
12:29But this cold-blooded snake seemed more bonded than any of them.
12:33Over the months that followed, the Ashford family fell into disarray.
12:37Vance settled behind me.
12:38His chin coming to rest on my shoulder.
12:40One arm loosely circling my waist.
12:43An embrace.
12:43Cool as winter air.
12:46I'm talking to you.
12:47Vance smiled.
12:49Why?
12:50Something unsettling in it.
12:51Would it make you happy if something happened to them?
12:54I paused.
12:55Eric and Evan were Ethan's brothers.
12:57Why would their getting hurt make him happy?
12:59Ethan's throat moved.
13:03Where are they?
13:04No idea.
13:05Probably close to dead, though.
13:07Ice went through me.
13:09But Ethan, contrary to everything I'd expected, didn't turn and run.
13:14You're both leaving.
13:16Together.
13:18Isn't it obvious?
13:19Why are you taking him?
13:21The vein at Ethan's temple stood out.
13:23Are you alright?
13:25Chloe gave him to me.
13:27I'm his owner.
13:29Then you're still mine.
13:30You all belong to Chloe now.
13:32Don't you remember?
13:35You're the one who sent me to her.
13:37Something dark pooled in his eyes.
13:40I heard everything you said in the living room that morning.
13:44How much you all liked Chloe.
13:45I was doing you a favor.
13:48And now you're turning it around on me?
13:50You heard all of that?
13:52I had nothing more to say to him.
13:54I pulled Vance by the hand and turned to go.
13:57Ethan moved to follow and was stopped by the airport security I'd quietly arranged in advance.
14:02At the airport, my phone rang.
14:07The fake husband.
14:08His voice was hard.
14:10Come back.
14:11Marry me.
14:12What's your problem?
14:13You're not worth it.
14:14I blocked him, too.
14:17Honestly, I'd overlooked him.
14:19I hadn't thought he'd be this delusional.
14:22I'd been waiting for a while when a shadow fell across me.
14:25I smiled without looking up.
14:27You're here.
14:27I raised my eyes.
14:28Ethan, I blinked.
14:30What's that face?
14:32Disappointed?
14:34Who were you expecting?
14:36Vance.
14:36His expression went cold.
14:37You really can't catch a break.
14:39He's not coming.
14:40I nodded, kept my face easy.
14:42Ethan dropped into the seat beside me.
14:44I didn't expect you to actually pull off an escape.
14:47Don't bother me.
14:47I really...
14:47I cut him off.
14:48He shut his mouth.
14:49Bit down on his back teeth.
14:50He switched tactics.
14:52No cold edge this time.
14:53Where are you going?
14:54Not your business.
14:55Elena.
14:56Where are Eric and Evan?
14:58Ethan's expression changed.
15:01They're blocking Vance.
15:03Aren't they?
15:04His face went tight.
15:06Then I saw him.
15:07Vance came through the crowd in long strides.
15:09A dried cut at his temple.
15:11Marks on his neck.
15:12Something low and dark in the set of his expression.
15:14When he reached me, the sharp smell of blood came with him.
15:17Are you okay?
15:19Ethan clenched his jaw.
15:23What did you do to them?
15:28Chloe's perfect face was streaked with tears, shaking her head, backing behind my father.
15:33Father's face was iron gray.
15:35Where's Elena?
15:36Find her!
15:37She's gone too far!
15:38Who said you had feelings for me?
15:40Her sister was willing to step aside for us and you can't even...
15:42I have no idea what's going on.
15:44Since my son loves Chloe, why not let Chloe take her place?
15:46It's still a happy occasion for both families.
15:48I'd had the foresight to block my parents, the butler, and Chloe before leaving.
15:52Even with the groom's mother trying to smooth things over, they couldn't afford to make a scene.
15:56My mother went still, then looked at Chloe.
15:58Chloe bit her lip.
15:59Her voice came out.
16:01No!
16:02What do you mean no?
16:03Were you lying to me this whole time?
16:04Don't you have feelings for me?
16:05I don't!
16:06You had three wives die on you!
16:08Why would I ever like you?
16:09Complete chaos.
16:13I watched with genuine satisfaction.
16:15Then I spotted Ethan, Eric, and Evan in the corner of the frame.
16:19Their expressions were something else entirely.
16:21The left side was also empty.
16:23The venue erupted.
16:24I stared at the screen.
16:25Two minutes later, my fake husband rushed in.
16:28He recovered, took the microphone.
16:31Actually, today's bride was never Elena Ashfun.
16:33The bride I've been waiting for is my true love, Miss Chloe Ashfun!
16:39That was when Vance's call came through.
16:44Where are you?
16:45On the way to the airport.
16:46You...
16:47Before I could finish asking, a news alert pushed to my screen.
16:50Male family heir confirmed for tonight's high-profile wedding.
16:54Not a pure human.
16:55Reports indicate he is a shifter.
16:56I tapped it immediately.
16:58A tall, unmistakable silhouette.
17:00Comments below.
17:01Looks like a snake shifter.
17:02Cold-blooded running a corporation.
17:04Actually kind of fitting.
17:05Something clicked in my mind.
17:07Vance, were you just trying to...
17:08Crash the wedding.
17:09I swallowed it back.
17:10I'm planning to lay low abroad for a while until things settle.
17:12I hung up.
17:13If Vance wanted to follow, he would.
17:15If not, I didn't mind either way.
17:16I turned back to the live stream.
17:18Total chaos at the venue.
17:20The wedding day arrived.
17:21The city's most prestigious hotel.
17:23Over 30,000 white roses cascading from the ceiling.
17:26Crystal chandeliers threading through the waterfall of petals.
17:29Long tables draped in ivory jacquard.
17:32Champagne flutes standing in neat rows.
17:34Catching the light with a faint golden tint.
17:36Every detail was breathtaking.
17:37Big budget.
17:38I took one look, then was ushered into the backstage dressing room.
17:41Over the next three hours, the guest list filled.
17:43From backstage, I heard the steady murmur of congratulations.
17:46My parents appeared several times to confirm I was still there and cooperating.
17:50I looked at myself in the mirror.
17:52Flawless makeup.
17:52Then I checked the clock.
17:54The ceremony was about to begin.
17:55I'd already taken care of the makeup artist and assistant in advance.
17:58I gathered the heavy skirt and slipped out.
18:00Elena, the bathroom's straight ahead.
18:02The assistant kept pace, so no one in the hallway questioned it.
18:08Once inside, I stripped off the gown efficiently
18:11and changed into the clothes she'd stashed in her bag.
18:13Something light, with sneakers.
18:15Then opened the window.
18:16A black car was parked close by.
18:18First floor.
18:18I climbed onto the sill and dropped down cleanly.
18:23Once in the car, I called Vance.
18:29Two rings.
18:30No answer.
18:31I frowned.
18:31Maybe the venue was too loud.
18:33He didn't hear it.
18:34Head to the airport.
18:35The car pulled into traffic.
18:36I opened my phone and found the live stream.
18:38My fake husband had insisted on broadcasting the ceremony.
18:41He wanted the world to see the moment Chloe stepped forward out of love.
18:44Lucky for me, that made watching very convenient.
18:47Please welcome our bride and groom from both sides!
18:51Both doors opened simultaneously.
18:53The right side, where I was supposed to stand, was empty.
18:56I laughed.
18:56Then I looked at the left side.
18:58A shadow.
18:58There for just a second.
19:00My smile faded.
19:03Vance?
19:03The days before the wedding, I was perfectly calm.
19:06I tried on jewelry.
19:07The estate, meanwhile, had developed its own sustained low-pressure system.
19:12Heave and Chloe, who normally at least maintained the pretense of civility, stopped by to take a shot.
19:17Didn't expect 5% of the shares to be enough to break you.
19:20I had no reaction.
19:21That seemed to infuriate her more.
19:23Do you know how much I'll have eventually?
19:25When father's gone, all of it comes to me.
19:28I paused.
19:29I actually looked at her.
19:31She looked satisfied.
19:33Jealous?
19:34The filial piety in this household is truly something I couldn't help but think.
19:40Pathetic.
19:40Evan kept his face blank.
19:42Eric nodded.
19:43Ethan scrolled through his phone and said nothing.
19:45Pathetic?
19:46Are they talking about me?
19:47I didn't care what they thought.
19:49I was watching Vance.
19:50He wasn't as dark as I'd expected.
19:52He just lifted his gaze.
19:54And those black, fathomless eyes met mine.
19:57That's when I realized it.
19:58When his eyes weren't carrying that cold hostility, they were beautiful.
20:02The shape subtle.
20:03The outer corners lifting just slightly.
20:06An unintentional, almost lazy quality to the look.
20:09The day I came home with a marriage certificate and my fake husband.
20:13The entire Ashford family was seated at the dining table.
20:16Everyone's face said something different.
20:18The news about the arranged marriage had already spread through the household.
20:21I caught Vance's eye from across the room.
20:24A small, reassuring look.
20:25His expression was flat, but I could feel it.
20:28The suppressed hostility simmering underneath.
20:30The faint darkness around him.
20:32It was fine.
20:33Once everything was resolved, I had a place for him and what came next.
20:36I gave him a small, calm smile from across the room.
20:38He glanced at me once, then looked away.
20:41When I slipped into the kitchen to help carry dishes, Eric was at the sink.
20:45You don't like him.
20:46Who?
20:47Your husband.
20:48Eric smiled pleasantly.
20:53Elena, ask me nicely and I'll help you run.
20:55I looked at him.
20:56He clarified.
20:57The other two are on board too.
20:59The other two.
20:59Ethan and Evan.
21:01That explained why all three of them had been off today.
21:03Eric's voice dropped, just a shade too deliberate.
21:05You don't want to spend the rest of your life with someone you don't even like, do you?
21:09Mind your own business.
21:11You'll regret this, Elena.
21:13Regret?
21:15After dinner, Chloe chatted brightly with my fake husband.
21:18Effortless and radiant.
21:21I slipped away to the study alone and signed the share transfer documents.
21:26Next week, the grand wedding, and the show was just getting started.
21:29A few days later, a private room, at a cafe.
21:33I took a calm sip of coffee.
21:35I looked across the table and cut straight to the point.
21:37I know you're in love with Chloe.
21:39He looked up, surprised, set his phone down.
21:42I also know you've been approaching our family with a marriage proposal.
21:45You want Chloe.
21:47But they keep deflecting you with the excuse that the eldest daughter has to marry first.
21:52Who wouldn't prefer your sister?
21:54She's not indifferent to me either.
21:56She just says she won't compete with you because you liked me first.
22:00I have a way to get you what you want.
22:03What way?
22:04We get a fake marriage certificate.
22:06If Chloe really does feel something for you, she'll get jealous when she sees us together.
22:11Right?
22:12A fake certificate?
22:13People only realize what they want when they think they're losing it.
22:17If you act close to me, let her see it.
22:19She'll be devastated.
22:21Then, at the ceremony itself, I disappear.
22:25No bride.
22:26She won't be able to stand watching you humiliated in front of everyone.
22:29She'll step in.
22:35Then you tell her, it's always been her.
22:38Have a ring ready.
22:39Something chosen just for her.
22:40She'll be moved.
22:43That's not wrong.
22:48I know we'd never make each other happy.
22:50You love Chloe that deeply and she feels something for you.
22:53I'd rather the two of you get to be happy.
22:56Miss Ashford, I misjudged you.
22:58I had no idea you were so generous.
23:02As long as you're both happy.
23:05First, snakes were notoriously insatiable.
23:08Snake shifters, even more so.
23:10If Chloe hadn't said he was celibate, I never would have asked for him.
23:14Second, certain things were simply too much.
23:16But I really am getting married, so I'll probably need to give you back to Chloe for now.
23:21She won't be marrying anytime soon.
23:23Something moved behind Vance's eyes at last.
23:25Right as something brutal flickered across his gaze.
23:28I asked quietly.
23:29Do you wanna go back to Chloe?
23:33Have I made you miserable?
23:35No.
23:36You're actually pretty proactive about the housework.
23:40The next second, he lowered himself over me.
23:43His shadow swallowing everything.
23:47Then don't even think about getting rid of me.
23:50I was quiet.
23:51Then I reached out and gently touched his tail.
23:54Don't worry.
23:56About what, exactly?
23:58I shook my head inwardly.
24:00I had a plan already.
24:01I haven't lived here in months.
24:03It's still that strong?
24:05Something dangerous spread through the air.
24:08I genuinely feared he'd consume me.
24:10His sharp teeth dragged against my collarbone.
24:15You just took us to presses yesterday.
24:18I brought you up here to tell you something.
24:21I'm getting married.
24:23Vance didn't release me the way I expected.
24:25Instead, his tail coiled tighter, and I was lifted and dropped onto the bed.
24:29He loomed over me.
24:31Then his tail slipped beneath the hem of my shirt.
24:33I grabbed it on instinct, then looked away fast.
24:37He watched me, gaze darkening.
24:40You dislike me?
24:43No, that's not...
24:45Aren't you my owner?
24:46Shadow fell over me.
24:47Or are you afraid?
24:49Honestly, a little.
24:53I came back downstairs to the same quiet.
24:56I walked over to Vance.
24:57I also had something to say to him.
24:59Let me show you my room.
25:01Evan looked at me suspiciously.
25:03You haven't been back in months.
25:04What's there to see?
25:08Want to come too?
25:10Who said I did?
25:11Chloe was picking through the fruit bowl.
25:13Father's still home.
25:15Maybe it's not appropriate.
25:17Her voice was deliberate.
25:19You have three shifters with you.
25:21I'm bringing one to my room.
25:22What exactly isn't appropriate?
25:26We never...
25:29You make a fair point, sis.
25:32But Vance still has to be willing.
25:34Every pair of eyes in the room turned to the man with the perfectly unreadable face.
25:39Let's go.
25:40I nodded and gestured for him to follow.
25:43Whatever the others looked like behind me, I didn't care to check.
25:46My room was white and minimal.
25:47Clean.
25:48Someone had kept it dusted.
25:50I cleared my throat.
25:51Ready to speak.
25:51Something coiled around my waist.
25:53The tail.
25:54Your scent is so strong here.
25:58Register the marriage first.
26:00Hold the wedding after.
26:01Father leaned back in his chair and sifted his tea.
26:04Once everything is settled, I'll transfer the 5%.
26:07I didn't hesitate.
26:09I want the shares the moment the certificate is signed.
26:11The teacup hit the saucer hard.
26:13The lines around his eyes deepened with irritation.
26:15You really have that little faith in your own family?
26:17I sighed.
26:18I'm just worried Chloe might throw a fit and my share disappears again.
26:21He flinched, visibly.
26:23The irritation held, but after a long beat, he relented.
26:26Come back with your husband and the marriage certificate.
26:29It said everything about what my compliance meant to them.
26:31And beyond that, this share transfer would also serve as a gesture of loyalty to the man I was marrying.
26:36After all, assets acquired during marriage get split between spouses.
26:40I didn't comment on any of that and stood to leave.
26:43You'll stay at the estate until the wedding.
26:46No wandering off.
26:47And those shifters, cut that off before the ceremony.
26:50That single sentence detonated.
26:53Evan unfolded himself from the couch, pulling that sharp grin.
26:57Come again?
26:58Then a cool hand yanked me behind him.
27:01Vance smiled, barely.
27:03Back off.
27:04Eric's expression hardened.
27:05What did you just say?
27:06The tension in the room snapped taut.
27:09Then Chloe came down from upstairs, all brightness.
27:12I could hear you from my room.
27:13What's going on?
27:14They think the mark on my neck is a hickey.
27:17They seem unhappy about it and want to investigate.
27:22Predictably, Chloe's smile flickered.
27:24Her gaze settled on my neck.
27:28So is it?
27:30What do you think?
27:31I deflected.
27:32She didn't answer.
27:33Silence.
27:34Ethan sauntered over, hands in his pocket.
27:37You always covered marks like that.
27:39Why show it today?
27:41Probably because I don't consider this a hiccup.
27:43That seemed to click for the others.
27:45Evan blinked.
27:45Now that you mention it, you used to cover everything.
27:48Eric's eyes narrowed.
27:50Sis, father wants you in his study.
27:52You don't need to follow her up.
27:53I slipped my hand quietly from Vance's grip and paused.
27:57I looked back at the room.
27:58Don't give him trouble.
28:02We give him trouble?
28:05Elena, in your eyes we're-
28:07I turned and walked away before he could finish.
28:08Silence behind me.
28:10Back at the Ashford estate.
28:12The entire first floor.
28:14Just Ethan, Eric, and Evan.
28:16The atmosphere was awkward.
28:18Evan set down his game controller and glanced up, eyes tracking from me to Vance.
28:23Ethan drawled.
28:24Why are you here?
28:27It's my house.
28:28Can I come back?
28:29Ethan's expression didn't change, but the corner of his mouth curved up slightly.
28:32I stared.
28:33Eric set down the fruit he'd been arranging and walked toward me.
28:37Chloe said you refused to come home for months, and now you show up.
28:41Did you miss us?
28:43I stepped back.
28:44Before I could speak, Evan stopped.
28:45Don't even wonder.
28:46Without us, she couldn't last a day.
28:48She doesn't look particularly heartbroken to me.
28:52Ethan's eyes snapped up.
28:54Who asked you?
28:55A sharp, hostile energy surged through the room.
28:58I reached back quickly and pressed my hand over Vance's.
29:01Cool beneath my palm.
29:02Trying to calm him.
29:03The same as yesterday.
29:04Wolves and snakes were both apex level shifters.
29:07If they actually fought, it wouldn't end clean.
29:10What, you brought him here to make us jealous?
29:14Snakes are cold-blooded.
29:15And from what Chloe says, this one's worse than most.
29:18No feelings at all.
29:21You don't actually think you can change him, do you?
29:23Then, Eric grabbed my jaw, fingers tight, uncomfortably tight.
29:28His stare locked onto my neck, the mark from last night.
29:32His voice came down slow and deliberate.
29:34What's that?
29:35A hickey?
29:36I rushed after him.
29:38Found him bent over the washing machine, pulling out clean laundry piece by piece, hanging it to dry.
29:42Eric had put my clothes in the wash that morning.
29:44He hadn't taken them out before he left.
29:46I watched Vance's long fingers handle my clothes and scratched my cheek.
29:50I'll buy a dryer in a few days, then you won't have to do this.
29:52Vance said nothing.
29:54I never got the chance to buy that dryer.
29:56The next morning, an uninvited guest appeared.
29:58The Ashford estate's butler stood at my door with measured deference.
30:03Miss, your father says you've had enough time.
30:07It's time to return and proceed with the arranged marriage.
30:10No.
30:11The butler smiled.
30:14Miss, this is the wish of both the master and madam.
30:19He stepped aside.
30:20Several bodyguards materialized behind him.
30:23I laughed coldly.
30:25Aren't you worried I'll stab the man with a knife on the wedding day and then kill myself?
30:29The butler's expression faltered.
30:30The master said, should you agree to the marriage, you will receive 5% of the Ashford group's shares.
30:37My hand on the door went still.
30:39The butler seemed to have anticipated exactly this.
30:41The car is waiting downstairs.
30:46Also, the second miss asked that you bring Mr. Vance along.
30:50I glanced back at Vance.
30:52We made eye contact.
30:53His dark eyes were as unreadable as ever.
30:56Yet somehow, a chill crawled down my spine.
30:59Good thing the door had closed in time.
31:02The scent hadn't drifted out.
31:03The footsteps faded.
31:05I pushed the snake shifter off and didn't let myself look at his tail.
31:08I rummaged quickly for the heat suppressants.
31:10The same ones I'd used on Ethan, Eric, and Evan during their heat cycles.
31:15When it became too much, even for me.
31:17Plenty left.
31:17I tossed them to him, then went to wash my face.
31:20When I came back to the living room, his tail was gone.
31:23The man was draped across the couch.
31:25Long legs crossed.
31:26Expression back to its cold, shuttered default.
31:29He glanced up at me.
31:31I thought you were...
31:32I started confused.
31:33Celibate?
31:33His voice was low and rough.
31:35It's a theological response.
31:36It's been too long since my last suppressor.
31:38Oh.
31:39Knowing Chloe's personality, if she'd actually wanted to sleep with him, she wouldn't have
31:42kept him on suppressants.
31:43And judging by what had just happened, it wasn't like he could hold back indefinitely.
31:46So how had he been managing before?
31:48But if he didn't want to say, I wasn't going to pry.
31:50I poured a glass of warm water and handed it to him.
31:53Rest today.
31:54You can help with the housework tomorrow.
31:55And if you need more recovery time, take it.
31:57He cut me off.
31:58You treated them the same way?
31:59I blinked.
32:00Them.
32:01He meant Ethan and the others.
32:03I was quiet for a second, then nodded.
32:05Equality between pure humans and shifters was the standard now, technically.
32:09But given a shifter's nature, the bonding, the recognition of owners, there was always
32:13emphasis on extending extra consideration to them.
32:17Long quietness.
32:19My name is Vance.
32:20I registered it and smiled.
32:21Nice to meet you.
32:22I'm Elena.
32:23He stood, expressionless, and walked toward the balcony.
32:26The bedroom isn't that way.
32:27Wait, are you going to jump?
32:29If you don't like it here, I can ask Chloe to take you.
32:31But his tail cushioned the impact.
32:33It didn't hurt.
32:33His breath spilled across my neck.
32:35My skin broke into shivers.
32:37Then, sharp knocking at the door.
32:39Elena?
32:39Eric's voice from outside.
32:41Are you okay?
32:42My fingers stirred.
32:43The pale, cold, gold, vertical pupils staring down at me seemed to darken.
32:47The coil around my waist tightened.
32:49I didn't reach for the door.
32:50Are you in pain?
32:52Let me get you some heats or presses, okay?
32:54The pressure around me paused.
32:56The mating scent that had been thickening stopped spreading.
32:59More knocking.
33:00Harder now.
33:00Chloe's voice uncertain.
33:01Sis?
33:02Are you both okay in there?
33:04I thought I'd calmed him down.
33:05I let out a breath.
33:06I was about to speak.
33:07A coldness at my neck.
33:09He bit me.
33:10Not soft, like claiming something.
33:12And yet beneath it, a trace of something almost indulgent.
33:15I muffled a sound.
33:16My voice came out slightly adrift.
33:18We're fine.
33:19You can go.
33:21Ethan's drawl.
33:22You sure?
33:23Mm-hmm.
33:24She said she's fine.
33:25Evan cut in impatient.
33:26Then, a beat later.
33:27Elena?
33:28That snake didn't hit you, did he?
33:30No.
33:30I bit my lower lip.
33:32Behind my neck, a cool tongue traced over the mark.
33:35Chloe didn't explain.
33:36She studied my expression.
33:37Nothing there.
33:38Maybe one of them should stay with you.
33:40You seem upset.
33:42Evan didn't move from Chloe's side.
33:44Ethan leaned against the wall, bored.
33:46Eric's smile stayed thin and cool.
33:48No one spoke.
33:49Chloe wasn't surprised.
33:51She gave me a small, comforting smile.
33:53Between the two of us, I was never the one who got chosen.
33:56We'd both made peace with that a long time ago.
34:00And him?
34:00At my words, Chloe's posture barely shifted.
34:03Then, she turned towards the door.
34:05Come in!
34:06Heavy footsteps, a man stepped forward, tall, with an almost aggressive stillness to him.
34:12The next second, I was looking directly into a pair of dark, shadow-filled eyes.
34:19Hello.
34:20His gaze came from above, sticky, appraising.
34:23I broke out in goosebumps.
34:25He didn't acknowledge me.
34:27He's just like this, sis.
34:29If it's too much, tell me and I'll take him back.
34:32Who is he?
34:33Chloe clearly didn't want to explain.
34:35I didn't know where to begin, either.
34:37She smiled and pivoted.
34:39The car's waiting downstairs.
34:41Shall we?
34:42The wolves were quiet for a beat, then didn't push further.
34:46They followed Chloe out on long strides.
34:48The snake shifter stayed.
34:50I was about to close the door when...
34:52Eric looked back at me.
34:54Something unreadable in his face.
34:56And the man beside me suddenly contracted his pupils into a cold, a smooth tail wound around my waist.
35:03A strange, overwhelming scent burst through the air.
35:09You...
35:09You're in heat!
35:13Not keeping one for yourself?
35:15Which of you wants to stay with me?
35:17The air curdled.
35:18No one answered.
35:19Finally, Evan got up and went to open the door.
35:22He rolled his eyes, a flick of contempt on his face.
35:25Stop pretending to be decent.
35:26Both of you.
35:28Chloe's bright smile filled the frame.
35:30Hi, boys.
35:31My sister already explained things, right?
35:34You all belong to me now.
35:36Hey there, new mistress.
35:38Chloe looked him over with satisfaction, then let her gaze sweep across Eric and Ethan.
35:43You're all gorgeous.
35:45Did you pack?
35:47Actually, never mind.
35:48I'm sure my sister couldn't afford to buy you much anyway.
35:51We'll get everything new at the villa.
35:52Ethan gave a lazy murmur of agreement.
35:55Eric glanced at Chloe, then slid his eyes over to me.
35:58I kept my face blank.
35:59Every set of eyes in the room landed on me at once.
36:02Chloe noticed.
36:03She walked up to me.
36:04Don't worry, sis.
36:05I'll take better care of them.
36:07And when you're done playing house, just come home and do the arranged marriage.
36:12Stop stressing mom and dad.
36:15Arranged marriage?
36:16What arranged marriage?
36:18I quietly turned back.
36:19I was used to it, honestly.
36:20Everyone gravitated toward Chloe.
36:22She was radiant and magnetic.
36:24Every gesture, every smile pulled at people without even trying.
36:27Standing next to her, I felt exactly like what I was.
36:31Plain and unremarkable.
36:33Chloe glanced around.
36:34Your apartment is so much smaller than the family estate.
36:37Is there even enough room for them?
36:39It's fine.
36:40Then I watched Ethan, usually disinterested in everything, let his gaze drift to Chloe.
36:45Eric's devastating smile turned itself on her instead.
36:48Even Evan, the moody one, propped his head up to stare at her.
36:51His wolf ears flickering non-stop.
36:54Chloe didn't seem to notice.
36:55She sipped her water with perfect innocence.
36:58In that moment, I knew.
36:59My things were about to drift quietly toward Chloe again.
37:03After that, the gentle, clingy warmth disappeared.
37:06They became cooler.
37:07Like they wanted me destroyed.
37:09Like they couldn't stop themselves.
37:11Until I heard their conversation.
37:13I'd been right all along.
37:14One look at Chloe, and they'd fallen.
37:17The afternoon came fast.
37:18A knock at the door.
37:19Chloe arrived.
37:20The silence that had settled over the apartment deepened into something heavier.
37:24You're really giving all three of us to her?
37:27Yes.
37:28I found the three wolf pups on a wet, gray afternoon.
37:32They were collapsed on the concrete.
37:34Firm matted, blood soaked from the rain.
37:36I almost walked away.
37:38But then, one of them flicked its tail.
37:40Just twice, slow and weak.
37:42Then curled it around my ankle.
37:44I couldn't leave them.
37:45I brought them home.
37:46Under my care, they recovered fast.
37:48A few months later, they hit their maturation phase.
37:51And all three of them shifted into men.
37:53I should have brought them to a shifter registry.
37:55But the registry told me they'd already bonded.
37:58Recognized me completely as their owner.
38:00Releasing them without care would cause serious psychological harm.
38:04I looked at those three pairs of beautiful eyes and caved.
38:07I let them stay.
38:08They said they had no names.
38:10So I gave them some.
38:11Oldest to youngest.
38:12Ethan, Eric, Evan.
38:14Young, hot-blooded wolf shifters with energy to burn.
38:17Even in human form, they couldn't stop their ears and tails from flickering.
38:21Clinging to me every hour of every day.
38:24Then one afternoon, Chloe called.
38:27Sis, aren't you going to come home for the arranged marriage?
38:29The man has had three wives die on him.
38:31And he's ugly.
38:32But his family has money.
38:34I looked away.
38:35That was exactly why my family had cut me off after I fought the arrangement.
38:39They couldn't bring themselves to send Chloe in my place.
38:42So instead, they applied steady, relentless pressure on me.
38:45Eric, who always read the room perfectly.
38:48Don't like the call?
38:49Hang up.
38:49What was that voice?
38:50I took the opening to change the subject.
38:52I rescued three injured wolf pups a while back.
38:55They just shifted recently and they won't leave me alone.
38:58We can barely keep up.
39:00A few seconds of silence.
39:01I'm honestly jealous.
39:03My snake shifter won't even let me touch him.
39:06He'll warm up eventually.
39:07Chloe just gave a soft, unconvinced hum.
39:10The next day, she showed up at my door with bags upon bags.
39:13She wore a pretty little white dress, beaming at me.
39:17Surprise, sis.
39:18I turned around.
39:19All three shifters' eyes went straight to her.
39:23The three wolves I saved wanted me in bed every single day.
39:27But the truth is, they didn't like me.
39:29They just wanted to use me to get close to my sister.
39:31So I called her and asked to switch mates.
39:33Three horny wolves in exchange for one cold serpent.
39:37Today, after being fully claimed, I fell into sound sleep.
39:41God, look at her.
39:42That body, that stamina.
39:44And she thought she could handle three of us.
39:46Doesn't matter.
39:47The second she taps out, she'll hand us off to her sister.
39:49She can't even get out of bed right now.
39:51A few more days of this and she'll give up on us for good.
39:53The conversation from the living room kept going.
39:55They thought I was still asleep.
39:57I kept my eyes low, watching the marks on my wrists and legs and the amber glow of the bedside
40:01lamp.
40:02Every single one of them.
40:04Unmistakable.
40:05She's not gonna hand all three of us over to her sister.
40:07Right.
40:08Which means at least one of us stays.
40:10Ugh.
40:10Elena's dull and boring.
40:12You wanna stay?
40:12Go ahead.
40:13I don't.
40:14Same.
40:15Whatever.
40:15Fate decides.
40:17Is she up yet?
40:18No way.
40:18She was crying so hard she nearly passed out.
40:20She's not waking up anytime soon.
40:22So weak.
40:23Let's get her up in a bit.
40:24A few more days of this and she'll give up on us.
40:26My vision went dark.
40:27I reached for my phone, face pale, and called Chloe.
40:31She picked up fast.
40:32What's wrong, sis?
40:34Weren't you just saying you were unsatisfied?
40:37Take all three of mine.
40:39Give me that celibate snake shifter of yours.
40:43Is that okay?
40:44Are they willing?
40:45They like you.
40:47She understood because it was the truth.
40:49Everyone liked Chloe more.
40:52Alright, your place is small anyway.
40:54Not really ideal for them.
40:56But my snake shifter, sis, he's cold.
40:59If he weren't celibic, I wouldn't have asked for him in the first place.
41:04I'm completely wrecked.
41:07I just need someone to handle the housework.
41:12I just hope he doesn't turn out like these three wolves.
41:15Don't worry.
41:16I haven't managed to tame him yet.
41:18He's not gonna be interested in you.
41:20I'll come pick them up this afternoon.
41:22The line went dead.
41:23That exact second, the bedroom door swung open.
41:26You're up?
41:27He crossed the room and reached for my blanket.
41:29Wait!
41:30What is it, mistress?
41:31I'm exhausted.
41:32I need to rest.
41:33Can't do that, he said easily.
41:35Mistress, you took us in.
41:36That means you're responsible for us.
41:37We're nowhere near satisfied.
41:39If you rest, what are we supposed to do?
41:43Chloe's coming to take all of you this afternoon.
41:45He went still.
41:47The two leaning in the doorway froze too.
41:49Which two of us?
41:52All of you.
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