- 21 hours ago
Alpha Daddy, Mommy is Dead - Short Alpha Romance, Family Secrets, Drama Series
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Short filmTranscript
00:00After I died, my child called the Alpha of the Midnight Pack.
00:04Daddy, I am Wynne.
00:07The man on the other end paused. He scoffed.
00:10What new trick is this? You think the Midnight Park is easy prey.
00:14My five-year-old did not catch his words. She only caught prey. She answered bright.
00:20Yes! Wynne is from the Preylands.
00:23The line went silent for a long time. When he spoke again, the cold smile was gone.
00:29Put your mother on the phone.
00:31But I could not pick up the phone anymore. Wynne answered exactly as I taught her.
00:35Mommy went to another home. Mommy said she cannot take me. She told me to find Daddy.
00:41Mommy said she raised me for five years. Now it is your turn.
00:45Silas would believe this story. Six years ago, I abandoned him the same way. I was right.
00:50A cold laugh cut through the phone.
00:53Same Ivy. Same games. Why does she think I will come?
00:56Wynne stumbled through her next line.
00:59Mommy said we can do a DNA test. You are my Daddy. Daddy, I do not want the Omega Sanctuary.
01:08Her last words trembled. After a long silence, Silas said one word.
01:14Address.
01:16Wynne gave the address. The call ended. He would be here soon.
01:21I let out a breath. Wynne blinked at me.
01:25Mommy? Why are we tricking Daddy? Did Mommy not die?
01:33I floated in the air. I did not answer at first. The trick was not for Silas. It was for
01:38Wynne.
01:39Wynne has seen ghosts since she was born. To her, death is just another way to keep living.
01:44Like me. I am only beside her in a new form. So she does not cry. She is not sad.
01:50She finds her spirit mother interesting. But other wolves will call her a freak.
01:54They will say she talks to empty corners. They will say she stares at things that are not there.
02:00I do not know if Silas can accept this kind of child. I cannot risk it.
02:05Mommy wants to play a game with Daddy. I want to see something he can find Mommy.
02:08I bent down. I made my voice secret.
02:11So you cannot tell him Mommy died? You cannot tell him you can see Mommy? Yes.
02:15Wynne nodded hard. She covered her mouth.
02:18My lips are sealed, Mommy.
02:19Good. Good baby.
02:21I laughed. I brushed her hair through the air.
02:25Later, Wynne ate some bread. Then she fell asleep. Her body is special.
02:29She sleeps more than other pups her age. I sat by her bed. I watched her.
02:34I watched the corner of her blanket gap open. I could not fix it.
02:38Then in the deep silence, a fist hit the door. A cold, deep voice came through.
02:44Open up. Simus Cole.
02:48I floated to the door. I passed through it. I almost passed through Silas. I jumped back two
02:53steps. Silas stood there. He rubbed his nose. His brow pulled tight. He caught a scent.
02:57Faint. Familiar. His wolf stirred behind his eyes. I never thought our reunion after six years would
03:03be this. Face to face. Mate to spirit. Silas knocked again, harder. His knuckles passed through
03:10my body. Anyone home? Ri woke up. She shuffled to the door in slippers. She opened it. She looked
03:17up. Are you daddy? Silas froze. It was not just her face. His wolf snapped to attention inside him.
03:24Bloodline link. A pull straight to his chest. His own pup. Confirmed before a word. He stared down at
03:31her with heavy eyes. She looks just like him. One glance tells you whose child she is. After a moment,
03:36Silas pulled his eyes away. He scanned the apartment. She let you live in a place like
03:41this? He stepped inside. I floated by him. I snapped back. You make it sound like you never
03:47lived small. 500 square feet is fine. He could not hear me. He stopped and asked when. Where is your
03:56mother? Really gone? He lowered his eyes. He waited. Rick shrunk back. She hid behind me.
04:03The hiding was useless. After a brief standoff, Simas crouched down. He met her eyes. His voice
04:09softened. Your mother's number. Do you know it? Rink pinched her sleeve. She hummed once. Then she
04:13spoke my number. Soft but clear. Simas took out his phone. The call log was a wall of red. He
04:19had
04:19called me many times already. Silas walked to the balcony. He made a call. Number is live. Find the
04:26address. The apartment is still warm. She has not been gone long. He held the railer with one hand.
04:32Lazy stance. Sharp focus. I floated next to him. You hunt well. I looked at the distant lights.
04:40Then I spoke softly. But you will not find me. Not ever, Silas. Silas was taking Wyn away. Before
04:48they left, I told Rink to pack. Bring your sleep clothes. Bring your favorite stuffed wolf. The blue
04:54medicine box. Second shelf. For your allergies. Bring your milk and oats. You may not like new food.
05:01I talked and talked. Wyn kept making trips. She kept bringing my photos to the box. I went
05:09quiet. After a moment, I stopped her. Just one photo of us. Not so many. She held my photo
05:16book. Her eyes were wide. Why? Daddy will not like it. Sinus would not want my photos in his
05:23home. Who are you talking to? I looked up. Silas stood in the bedroom door. Rink jumped.
05:34The photo book hit the floor. It fell open on one page. Photos of me and Silas. Smiling. Joking.
05:39Close. The air went still. Silas stared at the photo. Finally, he laughed. Soft. Cold.
05:44Ivy, are you sick? He cursed me. I could not curse back. Ren pointed at the book. Daddy,
05:49can I bring this? No. Sinus threw the word out. Hard. It made
05:55me remember the breakup. His eyes were red then. No. He pulled me into his arms. I refuse
06:01to break up. You can never leave me. But later, I destroyed his trust with my own hands.
06:08I opened the hotel suite door in a robe. Red marks burned on my neck. He smelled the
06:14other wolf on my skin first. His pupils blew wide. His wolf bared its teeth.
06:19You slept with him? His voice shook. I said nothing. The fight was huge. Silas beat the
06:28man into custody. His beta came to handle it. He glared at me. Apologize to Silas. He still
06:36cares about you. This can pass. My voice was flat. Sorry. No time. My boyfriend is hurt.
06:42I need to care for him. The beta dropped the act. He flared. You bitch, Ivy. You are nothing
06:47without Silas. A friend refugee at best. Do not push your luck. The curse stopped. Silas
07:05He hated me to the core. The convoy reached the Alpha's estate just after midnight. I used
07:15to come here often. The dogwood tree in the yard, I planted it with Silas. The petals had
07:21just dropped. I never got to see it bloom. Selesis got out of the car. Rin slept on his shoulder.
07:28The pack's staff went quiet at the sight. Selesis carried Rin to the guest room. He tucked
07:33her in. Alpha, who is this? Then a maid whispered. My daughter. Selesis set it flat. He closed
07:41the door. He walked to the terrace. He ignored the stairs behind him. He pulled out a cigarette.
07:49He held it in his teeth. A small red glow grew in the dark. He never smoked before. Sias leaned
07:56on the rail. He looked down at the dogwood tree. His eyes went dark.
08:02You make the child call me. Then you hide. Ivy, is this fun?
08:09I floated next to him. I teased. I do not want this. Or would you whip my corpse to feel
08:18better?
08:20Short laugh came from beside me. I turned. A she-wolf spirit was floating there. Red satin
08:26slip dress. Leather jacket. Heels she could not possibly walk in. Even though I was a spirit
08:31too, I jumped back two steps. Just died, yes? Is he your mate? She drifted closer like an old
08:39friend. I shook my head. Not anymore. Six years apart. Selena, she said. Pleasure, sort of. Then I
08:48claim him. What? I mean sleep with him. I cross over soon. I want a top-tier alpha before I
08:57go.
08:58Why an alpha? Selene shrugged. I was a fringe too. Forty years a fringe. Never been touched by anything
09:05higher than a beta in my life. Died alone in a hospital bed last Tuesday. No pack. No mate. Line
09:12for next of Kent was blank. The moon goddess gives every spirit three days before the pull. I asked
09:18for one favor before I cross. One night with a pure line alpha. So I do not go into the
09:24next life
09:25empty. I have watched him for days. His bed never stays empty. He is not loyal. I feel no guilt.
09:35I stared at Silas. His face hid in the smoke. He looked perfect. Can you pick someone else?
09:44What? Cannot forget the past? Selene smiled at me. Mommy, where are you? Then a weak crying voice
09:52came from inside. I moved at once. Silas crushed the cigarette. He brushed off the ash. I stopped
10:02myself. I had to leave anyway. Rin should get used to it. So I hid in the corner. I watched.
10:10Wink held her stuffed wolf. She stood in the hallway. Tears covered her face. Mommy, where are you?
10:17Mommy! She woke in a strange room. I was not there. She was terrified. Pain pulled at me. I forced
10:24myself to stay back. Silas crouched in front of Wyn. He wiped her tears. Do not cry. Daddy is here.
10:33Wyn threw herself into his arms. Mommy, I want mommy. Silas picked her up. He patted her back.
10:42Did mommy not leave long ago? Tell daddy where she went. Daddy will find her.
10:50Rin hiccuped. Mommy did not leave. Mommy was at home. Silas frowned. At home? Mommy said she would
10:58come with me. Rin buried her face in his shoulder. Her tears soaked his shirt. His frown grew deeper.
11:04His face went cold. After a moment, his lip twisted. Ivy, playing me. Do not let me catch you.
11:09After a moment, his lip twisted. He really does not know you are dead?
11:14Selina popped up next to me. I nodded. I want to see his face when he learns. It will be
11:18a show.
11:19Her eyes brightened. You said his bed never stays empty. Why would he care about an ex?
11:24I shook my head. Selina looked wise. Wolves split, sags in love. He still carries you.
11:29I said nothing more. I stared at Silas' back. Still carries me. Silas said to my face once,
11:37I did not deserve that.
11:40Simus had no skill with pups. A maid took wind to bathe her in the end. Silas exhaled. He went
11:46to
11:46the terrace. He lit another cigarette. He used to be polished. Now his hair was a mess. His shirt was
11:51wrinkled and damp. I laughed. See? Pups break any alpha. His phone rang. I reached for my pocket on
11:58instinct. Then I caught myself. I was dead. I take no calls. The call was for Silas. He glanced at
12:04the
12:04screen. He answered lazy. I did not catch the words. Silas laughed cold. I brought her back
12:09less than an hour ago. Your spies move fast. I leaned in. A man spoke on the other end. The
12:14voice felt familiar. Five years old. Is she that ivy woman's pup? Did you run the DNA test? Where is
12:19the woman? It was Silas' father. The old alpha. Caleb Cole. I turned to Silas. He blew out smoke.
12:24Caleb broke the silence. If she is yours, keep her. Midnight blood stays in the family.
12:28I saw Silas twist his mouth. He smiled with scorn. The old alpha paused. His voice went hard.
12:33But the mother is not needed. Remember what she did to you. Silas crushed the cigarette. His face
12:38went blank. I will only punish her. The worse the better. He hung up. I studied the face I had
12:45missed for six years. Then I cried while smiling. I already died very badly. Silas, can you stop
12:53hating me? He did not answer. The phone rang again. This time Silas picked up fast. What? His
12:59investigator must have found something. The man on the line hesitated. Alpha, we did not
13:03find her. But-
13:04SPREAK!
13:04Silas grew impatient. A heavy breath came through.
13:07I drove past the east docks. Sentinel tape everywhere. A body in the water. Looks like
13:10a jump. She looks exactly like- The voice cut off. Silas' phone hit the floor. The crack
13:14was sharp.
13:17I had imagined at Silas hearing about my death many times. A flicker of surprise. A flat,
13:24I see. We were strangers now, but I still hoped for something. I was wrong. After the proper
13:33surprise, Silas picked up the phone. His hand was shaking. He could not hide it. He laughed.
13:42The sound came out thin and wrong. You have not seen her.
13:50Alpha, I checked the photo camera. I am coming now.
13:55I studied his face. I searched for something. I found nothing.
14:01Silas went back to the room. Daddy, look. I gave the wolf a new style.
14:07Rin waved her stuffed wolf at him. I finally saw a crack on his face. He started to speak. He
14:12stopped. I have something to handle. Wait here.
14:14He left one line. He rushed out. I hesitated. I did not follow. Not going to watch him break
14:20down? Selina showed up again. I forced a casual smile. Too far. Costs energy. I can flash
14:28you there. I worry about Rin alone. I twisted my mouth.
14:33I can call spirit friends to Godha. Strong ones. I had no answer. She floated cross-hagged.
14:42She rested her chin in her hand. What are you afraid of? What was I afraid of? I was afraid
14:49Silas would not care at all. Afraid he would not even claim my body. Selina asked again.
14:54I am curious. What happened between you two? Did you dig up his ancestors? Is he the son
15:01of your enemy? No. None of that. We just loved and parted. Simple. Before he was 17, Silas
15:10did not carry the Cole name. He used his mother's name. He was Silas Hart. Silas Hart moved to
15:16my coastal pack at age six with his mother. Day one, he stomped my sandcastle flat. I told
15:22him to apologize. He's trying to let. He stared. His eyes wide. Castle? I thought it was a dirt
15:31pile. How is a castle that ugly? I scooped sand and threw it at him. War started. Sand flew
15:37everywhere. When his mother and my father came, I was riding his back. I poured sand down his
15:44pants. My father scolded me first. His mother bent down. She brushed sand from my face. Your
15:54pretty face is dirty now. Long black hair. White shirt. Long dress. High heels. Two dimples
16:03when she smiled. How was such a soft she-wolf Silas' mother? I hated Silas more for it. He climbed
16:11trees. I shook the trunks. He swim. I cut his swim shorts. He fought back too. He poured
16:19bitter juice in my honey. He hid stones in my bag. We fought into our teen years. Silas grew
16:26up with his mother's bones. He was the top wolf at school. He got many love notes. But he only
16:32opened the ones I delivered. After reading, Silas pulled out his own note. Do not be jealous.
16:38Silas, I wrote you one too. Look. It was a taunt and an insult. I threw it in the trash,
16:45unread. When I turned to leave, he grabbed my wrist. He sighed. You always wanted my mother
16:53to be your mother. I have a way. He had my interest. My father raised me alone. I never had
17:01a mother.
17:01What way? His mother was the only she-wolf who gave me a mother's warmth. So I asked.
17:08Mate Bond.
17:11He stared at me. After we mate, you can call her mother. Properly.
17:18His pretty wolf eyes held something new. I realized late. The love note was real.
17:27But I never accepted his confession. His father, Caleb Cole, came to claim him.
17:33Silas was taken to the midnight pack. I was young and naive. I thought Silas had risen.
17:38His future was open. I might rise with him. Then his mother collapsed at home. We rushed
17:43her to the pack healer. End stage cancer. No one saw it coming. By her bed, she still brushed
17:50my tears with gentle hands. Do not cry. Your face will swell. My throat locked. I could
17:57not speak. How could a she-wolf so kind die so soon? She touched my head. Stay with Silas
18:06for me. With you, he will be happy. I promised. But Silas was not happy. He hated Caleb. He hated
18:17Caleb for ruining his mother. For making her flee. For raising him alone. He hated Caleb
18:23for shipping him off to a mountain pack in Europe. He missed his mother's last hour.
18:28Silas turned rebellious. He worked to defy Caleb. He refused the midnight inheritance
18:32fight. He built his own pack to destroy Caleb. But his pack was new. My family broke. My father
18:38stayed quiet his whole life. Then he tried business at the wrong age. He lost everything.
18:42He owed millions. Caleb made an offer. Take the midnight throne. The debts disappear.
18:51Silas refused. I asked to break up. I am not that useless. He kissed my tears like his
19:00mother used to. Ivy, let us not give up. I did not say yes. I did not say no. But
19:06on
19:06the day he sold his pack assets and came to me with the cash. I met him at a hotel
19:11room.
19:14To this day, I regret it. I regret these blank six years. I regret that before I died, we
19:20had no real reunion. Our last memory was that line outside the Sentinel Station.
19:25Enough.
19:29But regret means nothing now. The dead leave grudges behind. It all ends here. So I did
19:39not go to those docks. I did not see Silas' reaction.
19:43The next morning, Silas returned to the estate. He looked rough. Red rings under his eyes. Dark
19:51shadows from no sleep. Two pack sentinels came with him. They asked Wyn the standard questions.
19:59When did you last see Mommy?
20:01Wyn held her stuffed wolf. She answered well.
20:05Yesterday morning. Mommy walked me to preschool.
20:08Who took you home?
20:10My teacher.
20:12The Sentinel raised an eye.
20:15Why did you call Daddy?
20:17Wyn squeezed the wolf's ear.
20:22I... I wanted to see Daddy. I had never seen Daddy.
20:26I taught her this before Silas and the Sentinels came. If they asked why she said her mother abandoned
20:31her, she could say she lied to find her father. But strangely, they did not push. It seemed Silas
20:38did not tell them everything from the call. I stared at Silas. He stayed blank. Only his
20:42eyes were not blank. Gray. Still. Angry. The Sentinels left. Wyn looked at Silas. She
20:48tilted her head.
20:50Daddy, your face is so pale.
20:52Silas paused. He let her pull him down. Her small forehead touched. When Wyn felt sick,
20:57I always checked her fever this way.
21:00She remembered.
21:02After a moment, Wyn pulled back. She tugged her braid.
21:05Not hot.
21:07She looked at me for help.
21:08Mommy! Check Daddy!
21:11I shook my head. I tried to speak. Then Silas turned. He stared in my direction.
21:18He walked toward me.
21:21One step.
21:22Another.
21:26I tensed up. I grabbed Selina's arm.
21:29He cannot see me, can he?
21:31Selina did not care. Not every wolf has spirit sight. Your daughter is one in a hundred thousand.
21:37Relax. He only senses something is here. A scent. A pull.
21:41That was creepy enough. Silas came closer. He stopped just before me. His pupils blew wide.
21:47His wolf was right at the surface. He suddenly reached out. His fingertips passed through my body.
21:52He grabbed nothing.
21:54I am losing my mind.
21:55He twisted his lip. Half a smile. Lost. His bent back slowly straightened.
22:01Silas turned. He walked back to Wyn. I let out a breath. But a small ache stayed.
22:07Just once. If we could meet just once.
22:10Daddy is not sick.
22:11Silas crouched. He fixed her braid gently.
22:15Has mommy been sick? Sad? Has she said things like take care of yourself?
22:20They suspected suicide. The timing was suspicious. I died and Rick called Silas.
22:26Before the Sentinels left, I overheard their private talk. The dock cameras were broken.
22:32My co-org said I often said I want to die. My boss said I was tracking too many leads.
22:37Under heavy pressure.
22:41They decided I killed myself. They thought I told my pup to call Silas first.
22:46They were all wrong. Selina laughed.
22:49Who at work does not say that?
22:51Office wolves complain they still show up every day.
22:54And the cameras. Always broken at the right time.
22:57And Sentinels paid off at the right price. Useless.
23:00I nodded hard.
23:03Ren shook her head.
23:05No.
23:05Mommy said she would take me to the Moonlight Carnival for my birthday.
23:09Her eyes sparkled.
23:10Daddy, will you come too?
23:12Silas' eyes darkened. His throat moved. He forced out the words.
23:17Mommy cannot come with you.
23:19Ren looked at me. She insisted.
23:21Mommy can come.
23:22Simus paused. He chose his words.
23:25Mommy went somewhere far. You will not see her again.
23:28But-
23:28Ren cut him off.
23:29I know. But Mommy is still here.
23:32She ran to me. She looked up.
23:34Mommy? Is the game over?
23:36Daddy knows Mommy died. He almost found Mommy too.
23:40The living room went silent. I did not know how to handle this sudden change.
23:45Silas stayed half-crouched. He turned his head slowly. His face was stiff. Shocked.
23:50Tell him the truth. He treats the pup well.
23:55Selina nudged me. I came back to myself.
23:57I breathed in. I bent down. I smiled at Ren.
24:00Yes. The game is over. Tell Daddy your power.
24:04Okay.
24:05Ren's eyes curved. She turned to Silas.
24:09Daddy! I can see Mommy! She is right there. Beside you.
24:15The words were too much. Silas slowly stood. He stared at my direction. He did not speak for a
24:21long time. I had Ren repeat things only Silas and I knew. The love note. The $300,000 that hit
24:27my bank account after we broke up. Each item shifted his face. Finally I said it. Sorry.
24:33Silas heart. I broke my promise. He believed I was here. He walked over slowly. He reached out.
24:39He touched lightly. Not my mind playing tricks. You really are here. His voice cracked. I finally
24:44saw Silas cry for me. I am sorry. He said. How did this happen? If I had known. Tears kept
24:52falling.
24:53Six years away from you. I am so sorry. I could not touch him. I could not comfort him.
24:59Now at her. Ren looked at me. She looked at Silas.
25:02Mommy! Daddy! Do not cry!
25:05She reached for my hand. She caught air. She blinked. Her eyes filled. She turned to Selina.
25:10Aunt Selina. Touch Mommy for me.
25:14Selina sighed. She said nothing. She put her arm around my shoulder. She patted me gently.
25:19Ren turned and tugged Silas's sleeve.
25:22Daddy! Do not cry. Mommy is here.
25:25Silas buried his face in his hands. He could not speak.
25:28Long silence. I changed the subject.
25:31Rin. Tell Daddy. Mommy met a client yesterday. His name is Jared. Tell the Sentinels.
25:37You suddenly remembered. Mommy mentioned meeting an uncle named Jared in the morning.
25:41I had reached this point. I would not let my killer walk free.
25:46Jared moved the meeting. East side docks. No Sentinels. No cameras.
25:50I should have refused. But 11 months on his account. I needed the close.
25:54He was waiting. Black coat. No umbrella. I caught it halfway across the lot.
25:57A smell under his colon. Sharp. Wrong.
26:00I stopped. Papers? Inside.
26:02Out here. He smiled. Then he dropped his pressure on me.
26:05My knees hit the concrete. Pure Alpha. One in 10,000.
26:09Most packs only ever have one. A Pure Alpha hiding inside a sales suit.
26:14For 11 months. He crouched. Caught my chin.
26:18You really thought I chased your account because I liked you?
26:22I have been suspecting that pup of yours for months. The eyes. The bone structure.
26:28Too much midnight in her face.
26:30But I needed to be close enough to be sure.
26:33I came to your office last week. I held the door for your daughter at pickup.
26:37I bent down to her level. I smelled Silas Cole on her. The bloodline scent.
26:42Plain as daylight. She is his.
26:44My blood stopped. Rin. He dropped a photograph in front of me.
26:51Rin. Blue raincoat. Stuffed wolf. Outside her preschool gate.
26:55The Midnight Pack has been a thorn for 20 years. Every empire has a soft spot.
27:01Silas signs over the northern roots. I let her go. Maybe.
27:07You will not touch her.
27:13Sweetheart. You cannot even stand.
27:21He was right. But my wolf could.
27:26Six years as a fringe. My wolf had been chained down so long I had almost forgotten her.
27:32She was still there. I let her come.
27:34All the way up.
27:36Bones snapped. Claws split through.
27:38I lunged. Teeth on his wrist. Alpha blood.
27:42He roared and threw me.
27:44Three ribs went. I got back up.
27:46He shifted. Twice my size.
27:50This was not a fight.
27:52It was a delay.
27:53His jaws closed on my shoulder.
27:55The bone gave.
27:57Shoulder gone. Heart faltered.
27:59But Ivy did not scream.
28:01For Rin, I became a shield.
28:03I bit his throat and held.
28:06Every second I held him was a second win had.
28:08Three days ago, I had left her a note.
28:11Called her teacher with a pickup code.
28:15Texted the sentinel tip line.
28:18Some part of me had known.
28:20He slammed me down.
28:22Once.
28:23Twice.
28:26The third time, my vision went white.
28:29My wolf was gone.
28:32I was just Ivy.
28:33He stood over me.
28:35Laughing.
28:36Grabbed my hair.
28:39You know what you are, Ivy?
28:41A fringe nobody.
28:43Silas threw you out six years ago.
28:45You have been clawing the gutter ever since.
28:47Tonight you die on a dock no one visits.
28:50Tomorrow Silas reads about a Jane Doe.
28:53He will not even come to identify you.
28:55That is what you are to him.
28:57A used up little bitch nobody wanted.
29:01He waited for me to cry.
29:06I smiled.
29:07Blood between my teeth.
29:10Wrong Doc, Jared.
29:12The first siren wailed.
29:14His face changed.
29:16He ran.
29:19I turned my head.
29:21Toward the gap in the fence.
29:23Ran was not there.
29:24She was safe.
29:26At home.
29:26But I looked anyway.
29:28Run baby.
29:29Mummy bought you time.
29:31My ribs stopped hurting.
29:32The sirens came closer.
29:34I closed my eyes.
29:39I did not tell Silas the full story.
29:43It was not right for Rin to relay.
29:45The truth would surface in the investigation.
29:48Silas did not push.
29:50He just stared at me.
29:52His eyes were furious.
29:53He was holding it in.
29:54A vein stood up on his neck.
29:56He punched the wall.
29:57His knuckles split.
29:58He grabbed his phone.
30:00Called the sentinels.
30:01Then came back to my spot.
30:03Ivy.
30:05Wait for me.
30:06Will you still be here?
30:08Daddy.
30:09Mommy is here.
30:10Rin sat on the couch.
30:12She pointed at my new spot.
30:14Cyrus paused.
30:15He turned his head.
30:16His eyes were red.
30:17I need to go out.
30:18Can you wait for me?
30:20I went quiet.
30:22I had risk say yes.
30:25Cyrus left then.
30:28Selina leaned close.
30:29She whispered.
30:31I was right.
30:32Your alpha still loves you.
30:34I shook my head.
30:36He is not my alpha.
30:37Not anymore.
30:39Sure.
30:40She stretched.
30:41You both miss each other.
30:43Those women.
30:45I checked.
30:47His father set them up.
30:49Tell me the truth.
30:50Do you want to see him?
30:53I froze.
30:54I did not answer.
30:55Selina smiled like she understood.
30:58My bloodline carries the old moon rites.
31:01Pre-packed craft.
31:03Older than the sanctuaries.
31:05If you want, I can call my father to help.
31:09Why help me?
31:11I asked.
31:11I asked my father once why we still keep the reins.
31:15He said the dead need a way home.
31:18The living need a way to say goodbye.
31:21I get it now.
31:22She turned to me.
31:23She smiled.
31:25The veil is still thin.
31:27Go see him.
31:32Silas was gone longer this time.
31:34The third night, in heavy rain, he rushed back.
31:37His coat was soaked.
31:38He went straight to Wyn's room.
31:40She pointed at his chin.
31:41Daddy, struggle?
31:42She rolled her big eyes.
31:44She looked him over.
31:45Daddy, why are you old?
31:46Where is mommy?
31:47He asked fast.
31:49Wyn.
31:51The relic.
31:52I reminded her softly.
31:53Wyn ran to the nightstand.
31:55She pulled the carved wolf totem from the drawer.
31:57She held it up.
31:58A drop of alpha blood sat on it.
32:00Selina's father had cut Silas during the call.
32:02He took the blood.
32:03He bound it to the totem.
32:04This was the old craft.
32:06He left after.
32:07Wyn placed the totem in Silas' hand.
32:10What?
32:10He stopped.
32:11His eyes went to my spot.
32:13His scent shifted.
32:14His wolf came forward.
32:15The blood on the totem warmed.
32:17The veil thin for him.
32:19Ivy?
32:20His voice shook.
32:25Silas strode over.
32:27He pulled me into his arms.
32:29Even though he hugged only air.
32:33It is me.
32:35It is me.
32:36I matched his motion.
32:38I answered low.
32:40He cried harder than before.
32:46Sorry.
32:47I said...
32:49Sorry.
32:49Sorry.
32:50Sorry I let you suffer.
32:52Sorry you were alone on that dock for so long.
32:55So he knew the full story now.
32:58Ivy.
32:59You must hate me.
33:01He lowered his head.
33:03Tears poured.
33:04How could I hate you?
33:07I smiled.
33:08I tried to cup his face.
33:11I only thought of your good.
33:14When Jared was tearing me apart, I thought of you.
33:18Of Wren.
33:19Of your mother.
33:22I knew I should have come back to you years ago.
33:28Silas and I went to his room.
33:31Some words are not for Wren to hear.
33:33Silas.
33:35You hate me and you cannot forget me.
33:38Silas laughed.
33:40He opened the drawer.
33:42He pulled out the photo book I brought from my apartment.
33:47He turned the pages slowly.
33:50I never hated you.
33:52I was stunned.
33:53The Ivy I knew would not cheat.
33:55I figured it out years ago.
33:59What hurt me?
34:01You chose to deal with him.
34:03You left me.
34:04Then he went to the safe.
34:06Came back with a folder.
34:10There is something you need to see.
34:12I floated over it.
34:14Selene drifted close.
34:16A bank transfer.
34:17$300,000.
34:19To my father's creditors.
34:21Dated two days before I walked into that hotel room.
34:24The sender was not Silas.
34:26It was Caleb Cole.
34:27Underneath a coercion agreement.
34:29My father's signature.
34:31Recipient agrees to publicly terminate all relations with subject SC.
34:35By means of demonstrated infidelity.
34:37Within 72 hours of payment receive.
34:3972 hours.
34:41By means of demonstrated infidelity.
34:45The hotel room was Caleb's design.
34:47The wolf who left marks on my neck was on Caleb's payroll.
34:52Six years.
34:53Silas thought I picked at another wolf over him.
34:56I thought I was saving him from a fight he could not win.
34:58Then Caleb sat in the Northern Territory and waited for his son to come home him empty-handed.
35:04Silas reached into the drawer.
35:05Pulled out a short blade.
35:07Pack forged.
35:08Silas!
35:09No!
35:10He drew it across his palm.
35:13He pressed his bleeding hand to the totem.
35:15By my blood.
35:17By my line.
35:19By the moon who watches.
35:20I name her mine.
35:22I call her back.
35:25I will not let her go.
35:28The totem flared white.
35:30Silas coughed.
35:31Bright blood ran from his mouth.
35:34Silas!
35:36The moon goddess will not give you back to me, I know.
35:41But I had to try.
35:45Silas dug deeper.
35:46Three days after the docks, his investigators traced it.
35:50Jared had not acted alone.
35:52The surveillance on Rents Preschool.
35:55The dock cameras pulled the morning I died.
35:59All of it tied to one sponsor.
36:01Caleb Cole.
36:03He had sold Jared the root in.
36:06A small favor between alphas.
36:09He had not asked who Jared was hunting.
36:14Silas picked up the phone.
36:18Caleb.
36:20You sold a man my mate's location.
36:22You took the fee and signed the route.
36:25Tomorrow morning I file the books with the council.
36:27He hung up.
36:29Six years of files.
36:30Off-ledger transfers.
36:32Off-pack deals.
36:33Every favor sold.
36:35The council had no choice.
36:37They convened the next sundown.
36:39Voted unanimously.
36:41They held the stripping of the mantle at moonrise.
36:44Selene came back and told me.
36:46Silas would not.
36:49Caleb knelt in front of his own pack.
36:51The council elder pulled the alpha glive off his throat with a silver knife.
36:56They burned the strip of skin in front of him.
36:59Halfway through, his face went slack on one side.
37:02He fell sideways into the dirt.
37:04They finished the ceremony anyway.
37:06The mantle came off a man on the ground.
37:09He survived.
37:10He would never walk, speak, or hold the mantle again.
37:14Silas did not attend.
37:16He stayed with Wren.
37:18Read her a story.
37:19After Wren slept, he came to me.
37:23Is that enough?
37:25No.
37:27But it is enough for you.
37:29I floated closer.
37:30Wren's birthday is in two days.
37:33Take her to the moonlight carnival.
37:36Silas looked up.
37:38He already knew what that meant.
37:41Selene had told me two nights ago.
37:43Blood Oath only held the spirit a few more days.
37:46After the last thread broke, the moon goddess would call.
37:49Wren's birthday was the last thread.
37:51Silas swallowed.
37:52He did not argue.
37:53One thing before then.
37:54Please.
37:58I waited.
38:00Alina drifted over.
38:01A picture.
38:03The veil can give you one visible hour.
38:05A photograph the living can keep.
38:08One hour.
38:10Then the bond breaks faster.
38:17I looked at it at Silas.
38:20Set it up.
38:21Tomorrow afternoon.
38:23Under the dog rack tree.
38:26Selene's father came in the morning.
38:29Selene's father came in the morning.
38:29He set the totem in the grass beneath the dogwood tree.
38:32He cut Silas's palm again.
38:35He marked the totem fresh.
38:37Then he left.
38:41Then he left.
39:07The totem.
39:09The totem warmed in his hand.
39:11The veil opened.
39:13I stepped into the light.
39:14Solid.
39:16Whole.
39:17In a sundress I had owned at twenty.
39:19Her eyes went wide.
39:22Mommy.
39:26She let go of Silas's hand and ran.
39:29She hit my legs.
39:31I caught her.
39:32I caught her.
39:34The weight of her.
39:35The smell of her hair.
39:37I dropped to my knees and held her.
39:39I did not let go.
39:41Silas had not moved.
39:43He stood at the edge of the blanket and looked at me.
39:48He came.
39:49He sat beside me.
39:52Wren crawled into the space between us.
39:56I poured imaginary tea.
39:58Wren declared it the best tea in the world.
40:00Silas laughed.
40:01A real laugh.
40:03His shoulder pressed against mine.
40:05I felt it.
40:06He set the paper crown on Wren's head.
40:08She declared herself queen of the picnic.
40:11Silas pulled out a phone and took the photo.
40:15Three of us on the blanket.
40:17Dogwood petals.
40:19Wren's shoulder.
40:20He looked at it.
40:21A long time.
40:22He did not show me.
40:24He just put the phone away.
40:27Wren fell asleep on the blanket.
40:57I stroked her hair.
40:59It was the only thing that I could do.
41:01Keep the photo on your desk.
41:03Not hidden in a drawer.
41:04And eat, Silas.
41:06Run your pack.
41:07Be the alpha you built.
41:09I reached up.
41:11Put my hand on the side of his face.
41:13I could see the dogwood petals through the back of my own hand.
41:16He felt it anyway.
41:18He closed his eyes.
41:19My alpha.
41:20I said.
41:21My maid.
41:21Den ran stirred.
41:23She had not been asleep.
41:24Not really.
41:24She sat up.
41:25She looked at me.
41:26She reached up and put her small hand on Silas's hand.
41:29Mommy?
41:30Yes, baby.
41:31You do not have to stay in the dark anymore.
41:34Daddy will protect me now.
41:36The garden went still.
41:37Even the wind stopped.
41:41She was the only person in the world who could have given me that.
41:44And she did.
41:45I pressed my hand to my mouth.
41:46I nodded.
41:47I could not speak.
41:48The fade came faster after.
41:50My hand on Silas's cheek went first.
41:53Silver dust drifting up.
41:56Then my arm.
41:57Then the hem of the sundress.
41:59Silas's hand closed around the space where my hand had been.
42:02He held it like it was a wrist.
42:03I love you.
42:05It came out as wind.
42:07Since the sandcastle.
42:08Since the dirt pile.
42:10The last of me was a scatter of pale dust on the picnic blanket.
42:13Then I was gone.
42:16The paper crown stayed.
42:18Silas knelt on the grass with his hand still raised.
42:21Rick leaned against his arm and looked at the sky.
42:24Then Silas Cole, alpha of the midnight pack, threw back his head and howled.
42:29Not a hunting call.
42:31Not a challenge.
42:32The sound an alpha makes once.
42:34It rolled out across the estate.
42:36Past the gates.
42:38Into the northern territory.
42:40On the far ridges, sentinels froze where they stood.
42:42In distant dens, cubs pressed against their mothers.
42:45In the city, dogs lifted their heads from sleep.
42:47Every wolf for 300 miles heard it and knew.
42:50An alchvarab and alpha had lost his mate.
42:52When the howl faded, Silas lowered his head.
42:55Work crawled into his lap and put her small arms around his neck.
42:58Dogwood petals fell around them.
43:01Three weeks later, Silas put the framed photograph on his desk.
43:06Three of them under the dogwood tree.
43:09A paper crown on a small girl's head.
43:11He did not hide it.
43:14On Ren's sixth birthday, Silas took her to the moonlight carnival.
43:18He rode every ride she pulled him toward.
43:20He bought her a paper crown.
43:22When the fireworks started, Ren tugged his sleeve and pointed up.
43:26He looked.
43:29He did not see what she saw.
43:30Then a soft breeze blew across his face.
43:34He smiled.
43:36Silas put his hand on his daughter's head.
43:41I see her, baby.
43:43He sighed.
43:44I see her, too.
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