- 3 hours ago
My Daughter Scavenged I Destroyed Them All Billionaire Romance
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Before the wedding, my fiancé's mother invited his first love to spend three nights with him.
00:04It's the Moretti way.
00:05He didn't push back.
00:07You play by Moretti rules.
00:08It's three nights, you can handle it.
00:09I just nodded.
00:10Fine.
00:11Because one second earlier, my phone had buzzed.
00:14Luca Castellano.
00:15Bella, say the word.
00:16I'll make this disappear.
00:17On what was supposed to be my wedding night.
00:18Oh, I forgot to mention, my family has a tradition too.
00:21The bride has a man of her choosing test the bed first, to make sure her groom actually measures up.
00:27Before the wedding, my fiancé's mother invited his first love to spend three nights with him.
00:31It's the Moretti way.
00:33Before the wedding, my son spends three nights with his past love.
00:36A gesture of gratitude.
00:38A proper goodbye.
00:39The absurdity hit me like a slap.
00:41I turned to Marco.
00:43He didn't push back.
00:44It's tradition, Bella.
00:46You want the Moretti name?
00:48You play by Moretti rules.
00:49He just leaned back on the couch, lit a cigarette, and smirked.
00:53Besides, you waited eight years for this ring.
00:55It's three nights, you can handle it.
00:56Everyone in that room expected me to lose it.
00:58I just nodded.
00:59Fine.
01:00I respect the Moretti tradition.
01:02Because one second earlier, my phone had buzzed.
01:05Luca Castellano.
01:06Head of the Castellano Empire.
01:07The oldest and most powerful crime family on the East Coast.
01:10Also the man I personally burned eight years ago when I turned down our arranged marriage to be with Marco.
01:15Bella.
01:15Say the word.
01:16I'll make this disappear.
01:17Three days later, on what was supposed to be my wedding night,
01:20the groomsmen shoved Marco through the bedroom door.
01:23Under everyone's shocked gazes, I lazily wrapped my arm around the man's waist.
01:27Oh, I forgot to mention, my family has a tradition too.
01:30On the wedding night, the bride has a man of her choosing test the bed first,
01:33to make sure her groom actually measures up.
01:36As Marco's mother declared their ridiculous custom before the guests, I said,
01:40Fine.
01:41Without a word of hesitation, Marco left me and moved in with Vanessa.
01:45Three full days.
01:46Not a single call.
01:47Not a single text.
01:48The night before the wedding, I tracked him down at the Morelli family's private club in Lower Manhattan.
01:52Vanessa tucked under his arm.
01:53The whole mouth loud and loose.
01:55I pushed the door open.
01:56Every voice in the room cut out at once.
01:57What are you doing here?
01:58Am I interrupting the reunion?
02:00Bella, don't read into it.
02:01A lot of the old families do this.
02:02A clean goodbye before the wedding is a sign of respect.
02:05The boss is 100% yours after tonight.
02:07I know.
02:07Like I told you.
02:09I get it.
02:09Damn, boss really has her trained.
02:11No training involved.
02:13She loves me too much to do a damn thing about it.
02:15She's mine.
02:16She knows it.
02:17Seeing I still hadn't moved, someone got bold.
02:20Boss, last night before the wedding.
02:26Let's make it interesting.
02:31Go ahead.
02:34Start with a deep French kiss, Vanessa.
02:36Right here, right now.
02:39Marco smiled.
02:41He grabbed Vanessa by the back of the neck and kissed her.
02:46Deep, slow, deliberate, right in front of me.
02:50The whole booth erupted.
02:52I watched for exactly three seconds.
02:55My voice cut through the noise.
02:56The wedding is tomorrow, Marco.
02:58Don't be late.
02:58I turned and walked out.
03:00Behind me, Tony's voice carried over the laughter.
03:02Boss, your girl just watched you make out with your ex and didn't even flinch.
03:05You know how rare that is?
03:06Lucky bastard doesn't know what he's got.
03:07I stopped walking.
03:08Of course.
03:09She's been with me eight years and she survived three miscarriages.
03:13She can handle a little kiss.
03:15The deepest pain of my life and he just used it as a punchline.
03:18The first time, we were still in college.
03:21Marco was just a runner for the family.
03:23A kid right now is a liability, Bella.
03:24So I walked into that clinic alone and made a choice I never recovered from.
03:30The second time, he'd just been promoted to capo.
03:33We were in Brooklyn for a meeting when a rival crew hit us.
03:36I was two months along.
03:37I lost the baby on a hospital hallway floor.
03:40The third time was two years ago.
03:43Ectopic pregnancy.
03:44Internal bleeding.
03:45Emergency surgery.
03:47They took one of my fallopian tubes.
03:51Afterward, Marco knelt at my bedside and slapped himself across the face.
03:55He cried.
03:56He swore he'd spend the rest of his life making it up to me.
04:00Now he's underboss.
04:01He's made it.
04:02And he's decided that means I have nowhere else to go.
04:06He thinks I can't live without him.
04:08He's about to find out how wrong he is.
04:10I got home and went straight to bed.
04:12Then Marco called.
04:13His voice was slow, relaxed.
04:15That particular kind of satisfied that told me everything I needed to know about his night.
04:19Were you upset about earlier?
04:20No.
04:20You've been so agreeable lately, Bella.
04:23It's honestly starting to throw me off.
04:24Look, Vanessa flew all the way back from Palermo just because she heard I was getting married.
04:27Don't read too much into it.
04:29She's the past.
04:30You're the one I'm marrying.
04:31It's a family tradition I have to honor, that's all.
04:33Fair enough.
04:33You respect your legacy, and I'll respect mine.
04:36Tomorrow I hope you're ready to honor the Serrano tradition, too.
04:38Of course.
04:39What kind of tradition is it?
04:40Marco, last night, don't get distracted.
04:41Tell me, who feels better?
04:42Me or your little fiancé?
04:44Bella, wedding's tomorrow.
04:45Be there, be good.
04:45I stared at the screen after the call ended.
04:47Funny thing about reaching your limit, it doesn't feel like pain anymore.
04:50It just feels like nothing.
04:51Something inside me went quiet.
04:53Not broken.
04:54Just done.
04:54I turned my phone off and went to sleep.
04:57The first message on my phone that morning was from Gina.
05:00Grainy video.
05:01Low light.
05:02Two bodies.
05:03The caption read,
05:04Coming back to the States was worth every minute.
05:06Didn't stop all night.
05:08Eight years apart and he's still just as addictive as I remember.
05:11Vanessa made sure I saw her staking her claim.
05:13Vanessa and Marco celebrated too soon.
05:16What they didn't know was I'd already set things in motion.
05:20I put my phone away, got in the car, and drove to my own wedding.
05:24Calm, dry-eyed.
05:25Like I was running an errand.
05:27By the time I sat down in the makeup chair, Gina was already shaking.
05:30Madama!
05:31What is wrong with him?
05:33This isn't tradition.
05:34This is just cheating with extra steps.
05:36In front of the whole city?
05:37You cut off your entire family for this man, Bella?
05:40You went to war with your father!
05:42And Marco stood before God and swore he'd never hurt you!
05:46Now he's in bed with that Sicilian bitch the night before your wedding?
05:50Does he feel anything at all?
05:52You know the first time it wouldn't make stress about us if you mourn than it gave.
05:56Probably not.
05:57When Marco and I got together, the Morettos were a second near family at best.
06:02He was nobody.
06:03A street-level runner trying to climb.
06:05My father said,
06:06Bella, you are a Serrano.
06:08You do not throw yourself away on a thug with ambition.
06:12Luca Castellano, that is the man you marry.
06:14I told my father no.
06:16I walked away from the arranged marriage.
06:19Walked away from my family.
06:20Walked away from everything they'd built.
06:22And Marco?
06:23He knelt before an icon of the Virgin Mary and swore on his life he would never betray me.
06:29I've thought about when exactly I lost him.
06:31I think it was six months ago.
06:33A call from Palermo.
06:34Vanessa, freshly out of a relationship, coming home.
06:36That was it.
06:37That one phone call.
06:38Eight years, three losses, every sacrifice I made and all it took was her voice on a line
06:42to pull him back.
06:43Bella, please.
06:44Tell me you're not actually going through with this.
06:46Why are you still marrying him?
06:48I looked at her.
06:48I reached up and wiped the tear from the corner of her eye.
06:51You've known me your whole life.
06:52So you already know the answer.
06:54In this family, women don't cry.
06:57We just make sure the debt gets paid.
06:59Blood for blood.
07:01Twenty minutes before the ceremony, that's when Marco finally showed up.
07:04His crew practically applauded.
07:06Boss!
07:07Seven rounds last night?
07:08We weren't sure you'd make it out of bed.
07:10Almost sent someone in your place.
07:12You really don't give me enough credit.
07:13Then his eyes found me.
07:14For just a second, something crossed his face.
07:17Surprise?
07:18Maybe even guilt.
07:20Damn, Bella.
07:21You almost make me feel guilty.
07:23Don't listen to those idiots.
07:24Seven rounds?
07:25They're joking.
07:26Vanessa had a stomachache this morning.
07:27Things ran a little late, that's all.
07:29I smiled back and said nothing.
07:30Then a face popped out from behind him, grinning like the cat that got the green.
07:33Happy wedding day, Bella.
07:35So happy for you both.
07:37Vanessa.
07:37She was a mess this morning.
07:39Begged to come.
07:40I didn't see the harm.
07:41Don't worry.
07:42The tradition's done.
07:43I'll keep my distance after today.
07:45Beside me, Gina went sturdy.
07:47I put my hand on her arm before she could open her mouth.
07:50She came all this way.
07:51She's a guest.
07:52Vanessa looked me over, slowly, head to toe.
07:54Bella, your dress is...
07:57lovely.
07:58Very understated.
08:00Not every girl can pull off something so...
08:02simple.
08:03Then she turned to Marco with a playful pout.
08:05Wait, didn't you get her a Vera Wang?
08:07Because I remember when we were 18, you told me our wedding to have a custom, limited-edition
08:11Vera Wang.
08:12The plaza, the Morelli family diamonds, 300 guests minimum.
08:15You said a million-dollar wedding was the only thing good enough.
08:18So, what happened?
08:20The whole room went silent.
08:21Every bridesmaid stopped breathing, eyes moving back and forth between us.
08:24Marco cleared his throat.
08:26Bella and I have been together so long.
08:28We're past needing all the fanfare.
08:30Right.
08:30I'd always known.
08:31In his heart, the scale was never level.
08:33It was always tipped toward her.
08:35The photos.
08:36The tears.
08:37The DJ started warming up the ballroom.
08:39The big screens came alive with photos.
08:40Marco and me.
08:41Eight years of moments on a loop.
08:43Vanessa watched for maybe 30 seconds.
08:45Then she started crying.
08:47Bella, I'm so jealous.
08:49She said it to me.
08:50Her eyes went straight to Marco.
08:51I don't think I'll ever get this.
08:53The doctors found something.
08:55Lupus.
08:55No cure.
08:57I just wanted to know what it felt like to have a wedding of my own.
09:01Just once.
09:02Before the end.
09:03He watched her like she was the only person in the room.
09:06Then he turned to me.
09:07Bella, let Vanessa take your place for the ceremony.
09:10Are you out of your goddamn mind?
09:12You can't just swap out a bride.
09:14Who are you actually marrying, Marco?
09:16Her or Bella?
09:17It's symbolic.
09:19We give her this one moment.
09:21Bella still signs the papers at City Hall tomorrow.
09:23Nothing changes.
09:24He crouched down to my eye level.
09:26His voice went soft.
09:27His usual appeasing tone.
09:29Bella, you made it through three days.
09:31What's one more hour?
09:32I promise you.
09:33Vanessa gets the vows, but the one in my bed tonight is you.
09:36A ceremony is just words.
09:38Tonight is what actually counts, isn't it?
09:40Then he raised his hand and made the sign of the cross over his heart.
09:43The same gesture.
09:45The same hand.
09:47The same man who once swore before the Virgin Mari he would never betray me.
09:50From the ballroom, I could hear guests starting to murmur, wondering where the bride was.
09:54The bridesmaids were looking at me, like I was already pathetic.
09:57I didn't care.
09:58Fine.
09:59Marco exhaled.
10:00He reached over and ruffled my hair, the way you'd pet a dog that finally sat on command.
10:05That's my girl.
10:06Go up to the honeymoon suite.
10:07I'll be there the second the vows are done.
10:09Honestly, I didn't want to say those vows anyway.
10:12I was more than happy to skip straight to the wedding night, because I'd already prepared
10:15my wedding night surprise.
10:18Downstairs, the ballroom was loud with music and toasts.
10:21Up here, it was just me.
10:25This penthouse was the first thing Marco bought after he made capo.
10:28I was the one who decorated it.
10:30The bedding, the candles, the white rose petals scattered across the floor, every detail,
10:34chosen by my hands.
10:35I sat there looking at all of it and thought, what a waste.
10:38Gina came through the door like she was trying to knock it off its hinges.
10:41You give a saping on your wedding!
10:42She was shaking.
10:44That son of bitch!
10:46The second you left, they killed the slideshow.
10:48Dawn for the wedding replaced every photo of you with pictures of him and Vanessa.
10:53And the dress?
10:55You're not going to believe this.
10:57He had a million-dollar wedding gown ready for her all along.
11:04They even brought in a whole new guest list.
11:08Now, half the room was Vanessa's family and friends.
11:12This was never your wedding, Bella.
11:14Bella, he used you to throw one for her.
11:16He did it because your father wasn't there.
11:18He saw no one watching your back, so he took the shot.
11:20And he burned it all down with a smile.
11:22It's fine, Gina.
11:23I'm keeping a very careful tab.
11:25Every single thing gets paid back.
11:27He showed up around eight.
11:29Drunk enough to sway slightly.
11:31Satisfied enough to smile about it.
11:33Bella.
11:34The ceremony's done.
11:36Vanessa's gone.
11:37From here on out, there's nothing between us.
11:39I mean it this time.
11:41He dropped on Ted beside me and pulled me against his shoulder.
11:47You're not mad about today, are you?
11:49No.
11:50He let out a long breath.
11:52God, you are something else.
11:54Starting tonight, it's just you and me.
11:56I'm going to spend the rest of my life-
11:58His phone rang.
11:59The second he picked up, I could hear Vanessa on the other end.
12:02Muffled, ragged, crying.
12:04Marco.
12:04Hello?
12:05I didn't mean to bother you, but I fell down the stairs.
12:07There's so much blood.
12:08Vanessa?
12:09What happened?
12:10Are you okay?
12:10His face changed completely.
12:12He was already standing up.
12:14Marco loaned to not in Whirl.
12:15Bella, I have to go.
12:17You just said-
12:17I know.
12:18This is the last time, I swear.
12:19He raised his hand and made the sign of the cross over his heart.
12:22Third time he'd done that.
12:23Same hand, same chest.
12:25Different lie.
12:26Thirty minutes.
12:27I'll be back.
12:28What a joke.
12:28How much is his promise even worth?
12:31Go.
12:31Once a man's heart wanders, nothing can hold him back.
12:35He grabbed his jacket and walked out without looking back.
12:39The suite fell silent.
12:40A moment later, the door creaked open.
12:43A tall silhouette filled the doorway.
12:45The man I'd been waiting for was finally here.
12:48Thirty minutes later, the hallway exploded with noise.
12:51The groommen-
12:51The groomsmen-
12:53Hammered and howling.
12:56Boss told us not to stir shit up?
12:58That's rich.
12:58He spends all night with Vanessa.
13:00Seven rounds, no less, and now he's got nothing left for Bella?
13:01Bella's been loyal to him for eight years.
13:03I'm the first one calling bullshit.
13:04Exactly.
13:04We're raising hell tonight.
13:05However it goes, boss owes Bella her seven rounds.
13:09The laughing stopped like someone cut the power.
13:12Every one of them frozen in the doorframe.
13:16Before the wedding, my fiancé's mother invited his first love to spend three nights with him.
13:21It's the Moretti way.
13:22Before the wedding, my son spends three nights with his past love.
13:26A gesture of gratitude.
13:27A proper goodbye.
13:28The absurdity hit me like a slap.
13:30I turned to Marco.
13:32He didn't push back.
13:33It's tradition, Bella.
13:35You want the Moretti name?
13:36You play by Moretti rules.
13:38He just leaned back on the couch, lit a cigarette, and smirked.
13:41Besides, you waited eight years for this ring.
13:43It's three nights.
13:44You can handle it.
13:44Everyone in that room expected me to lose it.
13:46I just nodded.
13:47Fine.
13:48I respect the Moretti tradition.
13:50Because one second earlier, my phone had buzzed.
13:52Luca Castellano.
13:53Head of the Castellano Empire.
13:55The oldest and most powerful crime family on the East Coast.
13:57Also, the man I personally burned eight years ago when I turned down our arranged marriage
14:01to be with Marco.
14:02Bella.
14:03Say the word.
14:03I'll make this disappear.
14:04Three days later, on what was supposed to be my wedding night, the groomsmen shoved
14:08Marco through the bedroom door.
14:10Under everyone's shocked gazes, I lazily wrapped my arm around the man's waist.
14:13Oh, I forgot to mention.
14:15My family has a tradition, too.
14:16On the wedding night, the bride has a man of her choosing test the bed first to make
14:20sure her groom actually measures up.
14:22As Marco's mother declared their ridiculous custom before the guests, I said, fine.
14:27Without a word of hesitation, Marco left me and moved in with Vanessa.
14:31Three full days.
14:32Not a single call.
14:33Not a single text.
14:34The night before the wedding, I tracked him down at the Morelli family's private club
14:37in Lower Manhattan.
14:37Vanessa tucked under his arm.
14:39The whole mouth loud and loose.
14:40I pushed the door open.
14:41Every voice in the room cut out at once.
14:42What are you doing here?
14:43Am I interrupting the reunion?
14:45Bella, don't read into it.
14:46A lot of the old families do this.
14:47A clean goodbye before the wedding is a sign of respect.
14:50The boss is 100% yours after tonight.
14:51I know, like I told you.
14:53I get it.
14:54Damn, boss really has her trained.
14:56No training involved.
14:56She loves me too much to do a damn thing about it.
14:59She's mine.
14:59She knows it.
15:01Seeing I still hadn't moved, someone got bold.
15:04Boss, last night before the wedding.
15:09Let's make it interesting.
15:14Go ahead.
15:17Start with a deep French kiss, Vanessa.
15:19Right here, right now.
15:22Marco smiled.
15:24He grabbed Vanessa by the back of the neck and kissed her.
15:29Deep, slow, deliberate.
15:31Right in front of me.
15:32The whole booth erupted.
15:34I watched for exactly three seconds.
15:36My voice cut through the noise.
15:38The wedding is tomorrow, Marco.
15:39Don't be late.
15:40I turned and walked out.
15:41Behind me, Tony's voice carried over the laughter.
15:43Boss, your girl just watched you make out with your ex
15:45and didn't even flinch.
15:46You know how rare that is?
15:47Lucky bastard doesn't know what he's got.
15:48I stopped walking.
15:50Of course.
15:50She's been with me eight years and she survived three miscarriages.
15:54She can handle a little kiss.
15:55The deepest pain of my life and he just used it as a punchline.
15:58The first time, we were still in college.
16:01Marco was just a runner for the family.
16:03A kid right now is a liability, Bella.
16:05So I walked into that clinic alone and made a choice I never recovered from.
16:10The second time, he'd just been promoted to capo.
16:13We were in Brooklyn for a meeting when a rival crew hit us.
16:16I was two months along.
16:17I lost the baby on a hospital hallway floor.
16:20The third time was two years ago.
16:22Ectopic pregnancy.
16:23Internal bleeding.
16:25Emergency surgery.
16:26They took one of my fallopian tubes.
16:30Afterward, Marco knelt at my bedside and slapped himself across the face.
16:34He cried.
16:35He swore he'd spend the rest of his life making it up to me.
16:38Now he's underboss.
16:39He's made it.
16:40And he's decided that means I have nowhere else to go.
16:44He thinks I can't live without him.
16:46He's about to find out how wrong he is.
16:48I got home and went straight to bed.
16:50Then Marco called.
16:50His voice was slow, relaxed.
16:52That particular kind of satisfied that told me everything I needed to know about his night.
16:56Were you upset about earlier?
16:57No.
16:58You've been so agreeable lately, Bella.
17:00It's honestly starting to throw me off.
17:01Look, Vanessa flew all the way back from Palermo just because she heard I was getting married.
17:04Don't read too much into it.
17:06She's the past.
17:06You're the one I'm marrying.
17:07It's a family tradition I have to honor, that's all.
17:09Fair enough.
17:10You respect your legacy, and I'll respect mine.
17:12Tomorrow I hope you're ready to honor the Serrano tradition, too.
17:14Of course.
17:15What kind of tradition is it?
17:15Marco, last night.
17:17Don't get distracted.
17:17Tell me, who feels better?
17:18Me or your little fiancé?
17:20Bella, wedding's tomorrow.
17:21Be there.
17:21Be good.
17:21I stared at the screen after the call ended.
17:23Funny thing about reaching your limit.
17:24It doesn't feel like pain anymore.
17:26It just feels like nothing.
17:27Something inside me went quiet.
17:28Not broken.
17:29Just done.
17:30I turned my phone off and went to sleep.
17:32The first message on my phone that morning was from Gina.
17:35Grainy video.
17:36Low light.
17:37Two bodies.
17:38The caption read,
17:39Coming back to the States was worth every minute.
17:41Didn't stop all night.
17:42Eight years apart and he's still just as addictive as I remember.
17:45Vanessa made sure I saw her staking her claim.
17:48Vanessa and Marco celebrated too soon.
17:50What they didn't know was I'd already set things in motion.
17:54I put my phone away, got in the car, and drove to my own wedding.
17:57Calm, dry-eyed.
17:59Like I was running an errand.
18:00By the time I sat down in the makeup chair, Gina was already shaking.
18:03Madama!
18:04What is wrong with him?
18:06This isn't tradition.
18:07This is just cheating with extra steps.
18:09In front of the whole city?
18:10You cut off your entire family for this man, Bella?
18:13You went to war with your father.
18:15And Marco stood before God and swore he'd never hurt you.
18:19Now he's in bed with that Sicilian bitch the night before your wedding?
18:22Does he feel anything at all?
18:24You know the first tie like what it may stress about us if you mourn than it gave.
18:28Probably not.
18:29When Marco and I got together, the Morettos were a second near family at best.
18:33He was nobody.
18:35A street-level runner trying to climb.
18:37My father said,
18:38Bella, you are a Serrano.
18:39You do not throw yourself away on a thug with ambition.
18:43Luca Castellano, that is the man you marry.
18:45I told my father no.
18:47I walked away from the arranged marriage.
18:50Walked away from my family.
18:51Walked away from everything they'd built.
18:53And Marco?
18:54He knelt before an icon of the Virgin Mary and swore on his life he would never betray me.
19:00I've thought about when exactly I lost him.
19:01I think it was six months ago.
19:03A call from Palermo.
19:04Vanessa, freshly out of a relationship, coming home.
19:06That was it.
19:07That one phone call.
19:08Eight years, three losses, every sacrifice I made,
19:10and all it took was her voice on a line to pull him back.
19:13Bella, please.
19:14Tell me you're not actually going through with this.
19:16Why are you still marrying him?
19:17I looked at her.
19:18I reached up and wiped the tear from the corner of her eye.
19:20You've known me your whole life.
19:22So you already know the answer.
19:23In this family, women don't cry.
19:25We just make sure the debt gets paid.
19:28Blood for blood.
19:29Twenty minutes before the ceremony,
19:31that's when Marco finally showed up.
19:33His crew practically applauded.
19:34Boss!
19:35Seven rounds last night?
19:37We weren't sure you'd make it out of bed.
19:38Almost sent someone in your place.
19:40You really don't give me enough credit.
19:41Then his eyes found me.
19:42For just a second, something crossed his face.
19:45Surprise?
19:46Maybe even guilt.
19:47Damn, Bella.
19:48You almost make me feel guilty.
19:50Don't listen to those idiots.
19:52Seven rounds?
19:52They're joking.
19:53Vanessa had a stomachache this morning.
19:55Things ran a little late, that's all.
19:56I smiled back and said nothing.
19:57Then a face popped out from behind him,
19:59grinning like the cat that got the green.
20:00Happy wedding day, Bella.
20:02So happy for you both.
20:03Vanessa.
20:04She was a mess this morning.
20:05Begged to come.
20:06I didn't see the harm.
20:08Don't worry.
20:08The tradition's done.
20:09I'll keep my distance after today.
20:11Beside me, Gina went sturdy.
20:13I put my hand on her arm before she could open her mouth.
20:16She came all this way.
20:17She's a guest.
20:17Vanessa looked me over, slowly, head to toe.
20:20Bella, your dress is lovely.
20:24Very understated.
20:25Not every girl can pull off something so simple.
20:28Then she turned to Marco with a playful pout.
20:30Wait, didn't you get her a Vera Wang?
20:32Because I remember when we were 18,
20:33you told me our wedding to have a custom limited edition Vera Wang.
20:37The plaza, the Morelli family diamonds,
20:39300 guests minimum.
20:40You said a million dollar wedding was the only thing good enough.
20:42So, what happened?
20:44The whole room went silent.
20:46Every bridesmaid stopped breathing,
20:47eyes moving back and forth between us.
20:49Marco cleared his throat.
20:50Bella and I have been together so long.
20:52We're past needing all the fanfare.
20:54Right.
20:54I'd always known.
20:55In his heart, the scale was never level.
20:57It was always tipped toward her.
20:59The photos.
21:00The tears.
21:00The DJ started warming up the ballroom.
21:02The big screens came alive with photos.
21:04Marco and me.
21:04Eight years of moments on a loop.
21:06Vanessa watched for maybe 30 seconds.
21:08Then she started crying.
21:10Bella, I'm so jealous.
21:11She said it to me.
21:13Her eyes went straight to Marco.
21:14I don't think I'll ever get this.
21:15The doctors found something.
21:17Lupus.
21:18No cure.
21:19I just wanted to know what it felt like
21:21to have a wedding of my own.
21:23Just once.
21:24Before the end.
21:25He watched her like she was the only person in the room.
21:28Then he turned to me.
21:28Bella, let Vanessa take your place for the ceremony.
21:32Are you out of your goddamn mind?
21:34You can't just swap out a bride.
21:36Who are you actually marrying, Marco?
21:38Her or Bella?
21:39It's symbolic.
21:40We give her this one moment.
21:42Bella still signs the papers at City Hall tomorrow.
21:44Nothing changes.
21:45He crouched down to my eye level.
21:47His voice went soft.
21:48His usual appeasing tone.
21:49Bella, you made it through three days.
21:52What's one more hour?
21:53I promise you.
21:54Vanessa gets the vows,
21:55but the one in my bed tonight is you.
21:56A ceremony is just words.
21:59Tonight is what actually counts, isn't it?
22:00Then he raised his hand
22:01and made the sign of the cross over his heart.
22:03The same gesture.
22:05The same hand.
22:06The same man who once swore before the Virgin Mari
22:09he would never betray me.
22:10From the ballroom,
22:11I could hear guests starting to murmur,
22:12wondering where the bride was.
22:14The bridesmaids were looking at me
22:15like I was already pathetic.
22:16I didn't care.
22:17Fine.
22:18Marco exhaled.
22:19He reached over and ruffled my hair,
22:21the way you'd pet a dog
22:22that finally sat on command.
22:23That's my girl.
22:24Go up to the honeymoon suite.
22:26I'll be there the second the vows are done.
22:28Honestly,
22:28I didn't want to say those vows anyway.
22:30I was more than happy
22:31to skip straight to the wedding night
22:32because I'd already prepared
22:33my wedding night surprise.
22:36Downstairs,
22:36the ballroom was loud
22:37with music and toasts.
22:39Up here,
22:39it was just me.
22:42This penthouse was the first thing
22:44Marco bought after he made Capo.
22:45I was the one who decorated it.
22:47The bedding,
22:48the candles,
22:48the white rose petals
22:49scattered across the floor
22:50every detail
22:51chosen by my hands.
22:52I sat there looking at all of it
22:54and thought,
22:54what a waste.
22:55Gina came through the door
22:56like she was trying
22:57to knock it off its hinges.
22:58You give a taping on your wedding.
22:59She was shaking.
23:01That son of bitch!
23:02The second you left,
23:04they killed the slideshow.
23:05Dawn for the wedding.
23:06Replace every photo of you
23:08with pictures of him and Vanessa.
23:09And the dress?
23:11You're not going to believe this.
23:13He had a million dollar wedding gown
23:15ready for her all along.
23:20They even brought in
23:21a whole new guest list.
23:24Now,
23:24half the room was
23:25Vanessa's family and friends.
23:27This was never your wedding, Bella.
23:29He used you to throw one for her.
23:31He did it because
23:32your father wasn't there.
23:33He saw no one watching your back
23:34so he took the shot.
23:35And he burned it all down
23:36with a smile.
23:37It's fine, Gina.
23:38I'm keeping a very careful tab.
23:39Every single thing gets paid back.
23:42He showed up around eight,
23:43drunk enough to sway slightly,
23:45satisfied enough to smile about it.
23:47Bella!
23:48Ceremony's done.
23:50Vanessa's gone.
23:51From here on out,
23:52there's nothing between us.
23:53I mean it this time.
23:54He dropped on Ted beside me
23:56and pulled me against his shoulder.
24:00You're not mad about today, are you?
24:02No.
24:03He let out a long breath.
24:05God, you are something else.
24:07Starting tonight,
24:07it's just you and me.
24:09I'm going to spend the rest of my life-
24:10His phone rang.
24:12The second he picked up,
24:13I could hear Vanessa on the other end,
24:14muffled, ragged, crying.
24:16Marco.
24:17Hello?
24:17I didn't mean to bother you,
24:18but I fell down the stairs.
24:19There's so much blood.
24:20Vanessa?
24:21What happened?
24:22Are you okay?
24:22His face changed completely.
24:24He was already standing up.
24:26Marco loaned to not in Worrell.
24:27Bella,
24:28I have to go.
24:28You just said-
24:29I know.
24:29This is the last time.
24:30I swear.
24:31He raised his hand
24:32and made the sign of the cross
24:33over his heart.
24:34Third time he'd done that.
24:35Same hand,
24:36same chest.
24:37Different lie.
24:38Thirty minutes.
24:38I'll be back.
24:39What a joke.
24:39How much is his promise even worth?
24:41Go.
24:42Once a man's heart wanders,
24:44nothing can hold him back.
24:46He grabbed his jacket
24:47and walked out without looking back.
24:49The suite fell silent.
24:51A moment later,
24:52the door creaked open.
24:53A tall silhouette filled the doorway.
24:55The man I'd been waiting for
24:56was finally here.
24:58Thirty minutes later,
24:59the hallway exploded with noise.
25:00The groommen,
25:01the groomsmen,
25:02hammered and howling.
25:06Boss told us not to stir shit up?
25:07That's rich.
25:08He spends all night with Vanessa.
25:09Seven rounds, no less,
25:10and now he's got nothing left for Bella?
25:11Bella's been loyal to him for eight years.
25:12I'm the first one calling bullshit.
25:13Exactly.
25:13We're raising hell tonight.
25:14However it goes,
25:15boss owes Bella her seven rounds.
25:18The laughing stopped
25:19like someone cut the power,
25:20every one of them frozen in the doorframe.
25:22On the day of the mating ceremony,
25:24as an audience of my own ceremony,
25:26I, Felix,
25:27Alpha of the Border Pack,
25:29hereby swear to reject Selina as my Luna.
25:31All my wishful thoughts shattered in that moment.
25:32I've told you yesterday that I would choose Arabella.
25:34The Black Moon Pack is here.
25:35Then I'll take that one instead.
25:37A tall figure stepped forward.
25:38I choose Selina as my mate.
25:40And then,
25:41in front of everyone,
25:42he bit down.
25:43Something inside me shattered all over again.
25:45I told you.
25:46I need one week to recover.
25:48Then I'll leave with you.
25:49I'm going to marry Arabella tomorrow.
25:54You clearly know that she is my stepsister.
25:57You've really let me down.
25:59Are you serious?
26:00Then what about me?
26:01Come on, just a week.
26:02I just need to keep her around long enough
26:04till the Black Moon Brutes give up.
26:06If you want her as your Luna,
26:08so be it.
26:09And we shall never see each other again.
26:11Selina,
26:12you need to calm down.
26:13If you really want to do this the hard way,
26:16well,
26:17consider this in order from your Alpha.
26:20He turns and leave after dropping these words.
26:25I couldn't hold back my tears any longer.
26:28On the day of the mating ceremony,
26:30I stand in the Moon Goddess's temple
26:32as an audience of my own ceremony.
26:35Alpha,
26:36please make your choice.
26:38Everyone stand solemn and silent,
26:40waiting for Felix.
26:42Like everyone else in the hall,
26:43I stand in silence,
26:45waiting.
26:46I wish.
26:46I wish he was just joking yesterday.
26:48I wish he would still choose me.
26:50My will,
26:51Vivian,
26:52speaks coldly in my mind.
26:53He's not going to choose you.
26:55But he will.
26:56He wouldn't risk losing me forever.
26:58My choice is...
26:59He raises his hand
27:01and asks me to stand by his side.
27:03I was thrilled
27:04and jumped to his side.
27:05I know he has finally made up his mind
27:07to choose me.
27:08I knew you'd come around, Felix.
27:10I, Felix,
27:10Alpha of the Border Pack,
27:12hereby swear to reject Selina as my Luna
27:14under Moon Goddess's witness.
27:15His words cut through the air,
27:17loud and clear,
27:17hammering on my chest.
27:18All my wishful thoughts shattered in that moment.
27:20Gasps and chatterings ripple through the hall.
27:22They all look at me with sympathy.
27:23I must be the first bride
27:24to be rejected by my destined mate.
27:26Is this a joke, Felix?
27:28No, it's not.
27:28I've told you yesterday
27:29that I would choose Arabella.
27:30And since you are my destined mate,
27:32appointed by the Moon Goddess,
27:33I had to reject you first.
27:34Now it's your turn.
27:35Hurry up.
27:36Arabella is waiting for me.
27:37I, Selina,
27:38Omega of the Border Pack,
27:40accept your rejection.
27:42That bastard.
27:43He actually did it.
27:44The agony of rejection
27:46from my mate overwhelmed me.
27:48Before the Moon Goddess,
27:49I make my choice.
27:50My mate will be Arabella.
27:53I watched as Arabella hurried forward,
27:54her movements light,
27:55almost trembling with excitement.
27:57She slipped her arm through his,
27:58leaning into him as if she belonged there.
28:00Felix looked down at her,
28:01and something in his expression softened.
28:04Gentle,
28:04indulgent in a way
28:05I had once thought was mine alone,
28:06his Beta stepped forward,
28:08his voice sharp enough
28:08to cut through the murmurs.
28:10Alpha,
28:10Selenum is the mate chosen for you
28:11by the Moon Goddess.
28:12You rejected her
28:13and chose another female.
28:14That goes against the Goddess's will.
28:15You may refuse the Goddess arrangement,
28:17Alpha,
28:18but you cannot choose an Omega
28:19to be this Pax Luna.
28:20Enough!
28:21Don't mention Ariel's status again.
28:23From this moment on,
28:25she is the mate I have chosen.
28:26Then,
28:26finally,
28:27he looked at me.
28:28I searched his face for something.
28:30Regret,
28:31hesitation,
28:31even the faintest trace of guilt.
28:33There was nothing.
28:34This is temporary.
28:36Selenik,
28:36you're strong enough to understand that.
28:39I was always the one expected to understand.
28:41Selenia,
28:43thank you.
28:43Thank you for being so generous,
28:45for letting the Alpha choose me.
28:48I'll return him to you in a week.
28:49She tilted her head toward Felix,
28:51her gaze filled with carefully crafted affection.
28:53Felix's attention snapped back to me,
28:55his stare intent,
28:57unwavering.
28:57I know you'll wait for me.
29:00One week,
29:01I'll come back to you.
29:02Without another word,
29:03he took Arabeola's hand.
29:04Surrounded by his guards,
29:06he led her step by step
29:07out of the Moon Goddess Temple,
29:08leaving the ceremony behind.
29:09I stood where I was,
29:11unable to move,
29:12watching as Arabeola glanced back
29:13over her shoulder and smiled.
29:15I told you he wouldn't choose you!
29:17Let me out!
29:18I'll kill him!
29:18No.
29:20Let him go.
29:21Vivian snarled in protest.
29:24He helped me once.
29:26You're hurt.
29:27Let me help.
29:27I barely had the strength to look at him
29:30as he carefully applied the salem to my wounds.
29:35Why were they attacking you?
29:37I'm an Omega.
29:38No, that's not right.
29:39I can feel it.
29:40You're stronger than that.
29:41For a moment, I hesitated.
29:43Then I told him the truth.
29:44I'm the daughter of a Gamma.
29:45A white wolf.
29:47My current mother.
29:48She's my stepmother.
29:50Understanding flickered across his face.
29:52She gave birth to an Omega.
29:54So she hates me.
29:55She forbade me from revealing my bloodline.
29:58So I have to live like this.
29:59That's...
30:00That's cruel.
30:01Does your father know?
30:02He doesn't.
30:05That's messed up.
30:08It doesn't matter anymore.
30:11From now on,
30:13I'll protect you.
30:15From that day forward,
30:16I stayed by his side.
30:17No one dared lay a hand on me again.
30:20Vivian came into my life later on,
30:22my 15th birthday,
30:23when my wolf finally awakened.
30:25She never knew what it had been like before him.
30:28When I finished telling her,
30:30she fell silent.
30:31The anger in her presence dimmed,
30:33though it didn't disappear.
30:35Fine.
30:36Then we let him go.
30:38Just this once.
30:40I glanced around at the pack.
30:42They had all moved away from me.
30:46I'll choose someone else.
30:48But no one's going to choose me.
30:49Then stop hiding.
30:50Let me out.
30:51Show them your white wolf bloodline.
30:53Every alpha here would fight to claim you.
30:55I tried to reach for her,
30:56to break through whatever was holding her back.
30:58But the power wouldn't come.
31:00I can't.
31:01This is bad.
31:03Before I could respond,
31:04the atmosphere shifted.
31:05A ripple of unease spread through the crowd,
31:07voices rising,
31:08tension tightening all at once.
31:10The Black Moon Pack is here.
31:11What are they doing here now?
31:12Those monsters-
31:13Where is Arabola?
31:15I'm here to claim her as my mate.
31:17Arabola has already been chosen.
31:19Alpha Felix claimed her.
31:21She is now our Luna.
31:23Bullshit!
31:23She was mine to take!
31:26You think you can just steal what I chose?
31:28Then you'll compensate me.
31:30The tension snapped.
31:32His gaze shifted and landed on me,
31:34standing alone at the edge of the crowd.
31:36Fine.
31:38Then I'll take that one instead.
31:39He moved before I could react.
31:41The force of his grab sent me stumbling,
31:44pain shooting through my arm as his grip tightened.
31:46His pack surged forward behind him,
31:49surrounding me in an instant.
31:50Fists and claws came down without hesitation.
31:52Pain tore through me as blow after blow landed,
31:55sharp and relentless.
31:56I locked my jaw,
31:58swallowing every instinct to cry out,
31:59every flicker of weakness they wanted to see.
32:02Animals.
32:03All of them.
32:04Damn Felix.
32:05Damn Arabella.
32:06Let me out!
32:07I'll rip them apart!
32:08This has gone too far!
32:09This is a mating ceremony!
32:11Forced claiming is forbidden!
32:13This violates the moon goddess law!
32:15The accusations from the crowd didn't slow the black moon wolves.
32:18She didn't hide her scent.
32:19She wanted to be chosen.
32:21She's already been rejected anyway.
32:22And anyone who gets in my way,
32:24I'll claim them too.
32:25No one stopped them.
32:26I had been abandoned.
32:27Enough.
32:27A Toll figure stepped forward.
32:29His arm came up,
32:31knocking aside the hands reaching for me as if they weighed nothing.
32:34The rules of the mating ceremony are built on mutual choice, not force.
32:37She is a creation of the moon goddess,
32:39not prey for you to take.
32:41That era.
32:42Ligon royalty.
32:44I, Ethan,
32:46make my choice before the moon goddess.
32:48I choose Selina as my mate.
32:51He extended his hand toward me.
32:53I came here to take you with me.
32:54Away from this place.
32:56Away from the ones who betrayed you.
32:57I swear,
32:58as an alpha of the Lycan royal bloodline,
33:01that from this moment on,
33:02I will protect you.
33:03Will you come with me?
33:04He's sincere.
33:05I can feel it.
33:06Choose him.
33:08I will.
33:09Ethan's gaze softened,
33:10just slightly.
33:11He bent without hesitation,
33:13and lifted me into his arms.
33:15Holding me securely against his chest,
33:17the black moon wolves tried to step forward again.
33:19She's mine!
33:20Ethan didn't even look at him.
33:21The pressure of his presence alone was enough to force them back.
33:24She didn't choose you.
33:26She chose me.
33:28The mating ceremony requires mutual consent.
33:30He carried me straight through the chaos,
33:32not once looking back.
33:33By the time we left the ceremony grounds behind,
33:35the noise had faded into the distance.
33:37The forest path ahead was quiet.
33:38The air cooler beneath the trees.
33:40Up ahead,
33:40another group of wolves had stopped to rest.
33:42Felix,
33:43Arabella,
33:43his guards.
33:44Felix was smiling,
33:45soft,
33:46relaxed,
33:47in a way I hadn't seen in a long time.
33:49Mark her!
33:50Mark the Luna!
33:51What do you think, Selina?
33:53Will the idiot actually do it?
33:54I didn't answer.
33:55Instead,
33:56I tugged lightly at Ethan's sleeve.
33:58You want to stop?
33:59I nodded.
34:00I needed to know.
34:01No.
34:02I won't mark her.
34:04I promise Selina.
34:06This is only to get Arabella out of danger.
34:08In one week,
34:09I'll go back to Selina.
34:11I'll complete the bond with her.
34:12Maybe he meant it.
34:14Maybe this really was just...
34:16Don't be ridiculous.
34:17He'll mark her the second she cries.
34:20Right on cue,
34:21Arabella's eyes filled with tears.
34:22Felix,
34:23I'm scared.
34:25If you don't truly mark me,
34:26the Black Moon Pack won't give up.
34:28You said you'd protect me.
34:29But I promised Selina...
34:31Just a temporary mark.
34:32Only for a week.
34:33By then,
34:34the Black Moon Pack will be gone.
34:36Just one week.
34:37His hand settling at the back of her neck.
34:39His fangs emerged slowly.
34:41And then,
34:41in front of everyone,
34:42he bit down.
34:43Something inside me shattered all over again.
34:45I told you.
34:48You're hurting.
34:50Let's go.
34:51I stopped him,
34:52my fingers tightening weakly against his arm.
34:55Ethan,
34:56wait.
34:59I'm a white wolf.
35:00I've been suppressing my bloodland for years.
35:02Vivian is trapped inside me.
35:03I can't fully access my power.
35:05The herbs I need to restore it,
35:07they only grow here.
35:08I need one week to recover.
35:09Then I'll leave with you.
35:11Take back our strength.
35:12Let them see what you really are.
35:14I reached for my communicator,
35:15intending to add him.
35:16But it wasn't there.
35:17I checked again.
35:18Nothing.
35:19It's gone.
35:20How are we supposed to contact each other?
35:21We have a mind link.
35:23That's enough.
35:24I'll wait for you.
35:25One week.
35:26I'll come back for you myself.
35:28And anyone who tries to stop that
35:30will be making an enemy of the Lycan royal bloodline.
35:32Carefully,
35:33he set me back on my feet.
35:35His hand languered for a moment
35:36before he stepped away.
35:37Then he turned and left.
35:39I stood there for a second longer,
35:41drawing in a slow breath
35:42before straightening my spine,
35:44and walked back alone.
35:45No.
35:47I won't mark her.
35:48I promise Selina.
35:50This is only to get Arabella out of danger.
35:53In one week,
35:54I'll go back to Selina.
35:55I'll complete the bond with her.
35:57Maybe he meant it.
35:58Maybe this really was just...
36:00Don't be ridiculous.
36:01He'll mark her the second she cries.
36:04Right on cue,
36:05Arabella's eyes filled with tears.
36:07Felix,
36:08I'm scared.
36:09If you don't truly mark me,
36:10the Black Moon Pack won't give up.
36:12You said you'd protect me.
36:13But I promised Selina...
36:15Just a temporary mark.
36:16Only for a week.
36:18By then,
36:18the Black Moon Pack will be gone.
36:20Just one week.
36:22His hand settling at the back of her neck.
36:23His fangs emerged slowly.
36:25And then,
36:25in front of everyone,
36:26he bit down.
36:27Something inside me shattered all over again.
36:30I told you.
36:32You're hurting.
36:34Let's go.
36:36I stopped him,
36:36my fingers tightening weakly against his arm.
36:39Ethan,
36:40wait.
36:43I'm a white wolf.
36:44I've been suppressing my bloodland for years.
36:46Vivian is trapped inside me.
36:48I can't fully access my power.
36:49The herbs I need to restore it,
36:51they only grow here.
36:52I need one week to recover.
36:54Then I'll leave with you.
36:55Take back our strength.
36:56Let them see what you really are.
36:58I reached for my communicator,
36:59intending to add him.
37:00But it wasn't there.
37:01I checked again.
37:02Nothing.
37:03It's gone.
37:04How are we supposed to contact each other?
37:06We have a mind link.
37:07That's enough.
37:08I'll wait for you.
37:09One week.
37:11I'll come back for you myself.
37:12And anyone who tries to stop that
37:14will be making an enemy of the Lycan royal bloodline.
37:17Carefully,
37:17he set me back on my feet.
37:19His hand languished for a moment before he stepped away.
37:22Then he turned and left.
37:23I stood there for a second longer,
37:25drawing in a slow breath before straightening my spine.
37:28And walked back alone.
37:30I was reborn.
37:31I clenched my fists.
37:32My heart pounded.
37:33Five years later,
37:34the elders examined me and declared I was barren.
37:36He had his warriors drag me to the stone quarry.
37:37That night,
37:38he pointed at Rue's grave marker and said,
37:40If your Stormfreak tribe weren't so powerful,
37:42why would I have married you?
37:43The entire Stormfang tribe was slaughtered.
37:45I coughed up blood and died.
37:47Then I opened my eyes.
37:48I was back the day I was marrying into the royal court.
37:50Then a young servant from Rue's room came running in.
37:52Alpha!
37:53Rue tried to kill herself!
37:55I stepped back and pulled off my wolf-thing necklace.
37:59Your love is so touching.
38:00I won't stand between you.
38:01The engagement is over.
38:02I'm not marrying you.
38:04On the day of my wedding to the Lycan prince,
38:06his childhood sweetheart, Rue,
38:07his wet nurse's daughter,
38:08killed herself with her own claw.
38:09Kane knocked over the Blood Covenant cup.
38:10He was silent for a long moment.
38:12Give the wetmaid some gold coins for her retirement.
38:15Bury Rue properly.
38:16Then he went back to completing the Blood Covenant ritual with me,
38:19as if nothing had happened.
38:20Five years later,
38:21the night before Kane's coronation as Lycan king,
38:23the elders examined me and declared I was barren.
38:25Would never bear children.
38:26He had his warriors drag me to the stone quarry behind the royal grounds.
38:29Made me pave a road of atonement.
38:30Said I could never return to court.
38:32That night, he pointed at Rue's grave marker and said,
38:34She was carrying my pup when she died.
38:37If your Stormfreak tribe weren't so powerful,
38:39why would I have married you?
38:41Rue would still be alive.
38:43And so would my child.
38:44You don't deserve to have offspring.
38:46Spend the rest of your life moving stones.
38:49Atone for Rue and her pup.
38:52Within a year,
38:52my father and brother were framed for colluding with vampires.
38:55The entire Stormfang tribe was slaughtered.
38:57I coughed up blood and died.
38:59Then I opened my eyes.
39:00I was back the day I was marrying into the royal court.
39:02Outside,
39:02the wolves were howling at the moon.
39:04The sound of Alpha Kane kicking the wedding carriage axle
39:07snapped me fully awake.
39:09I was reborn.
39:10I clenched my fists.
39:12My heart pounded.
39:13If the moon goddess was giving me a second chance,
39:16I wasn't going to waste it.
39:17The Stormflag tribe wouldn't die in vain.
39:19I would live this time.
39:20And I would make him pay for every drop of blood he spilled.
39:23In my past life.
39:24Kane led me into the ritual circle.
39:26Freya, my handmaiden,
39:28steadied my arm.
39:28As she leaned in,
39:30I whispered a few quick words.
39:31Freya's eyes flickered.
39:33She was a warrior raised by the Stormfling tribe.
39:35She'd been by my side since childhood.
39:37A handmaiden in name.
39:38A bodyguard in truth.
39:39I trusted her completely.
39:40The wedding between Alpha Kane and the daughter of Stormfang.
39:43Every chieftain in the northern territories had come with their mates.
39:46It was the biggest union the north had seen in years.
39:48The daughter of Stormfang was about to become the luna of the royal court.
39:52The ritual circle was alive with noise.
39:54In the name of the moon goddess,
39:56bind by blood.
39:57Then a young servant from Rue's room came running in,
39:59stumbling over herself.
40:00Alpha!
40:01Rue tried to kill herself!
40:04Tears streaming down her face.
40:06She dropped to her knees,
40:07forehead hitting the ground.
40:09Rue grew up with the Alpha!
40:11Please!
40:12Alpha, save her!
40:13Why would she do something so stupid?
40:15I told her I'd give her a title after the wedding.
40:17He caught himself mid-sentence and shut his mouth.
40:19He turned to run.
40:20Remembered it was his wedding day.
40:21Every chieftain in the north was watching.
40:23If he left now, by tomorrow,
40:25his father's desk would be buried in letters demanding his head.
40:28Leora,
40:29I need to check on Rue.
40:30I'll come back and finish the blood covenant.
40:32The wedding's set.
40:33What's the hurry?
40:34I widened my eyes,
40:35made my voice small and pitiful.
40:36Alpha,
40:37this is a matter of life and death.
40:39Why don't I come with you?
40:41Aluna should handle household affairs after all.
40:44Cain looked relieved.
40:45Yes, yes, of course.
40:47So the Alpha and his bride-to-be left the ritual circle,
40:49halfway through the ceremony,
40:50to visit a wet nurse's daughter.
40:52The crowd whispered behind us.
40:53They couldn't believe it.
40:54Inside the wooden house,
40:55Rue was wearing a moonlight gown,
40:57the kind a bride was supposed to wear for the blood covenant.
40:59She'd dyed cheap burlap white herself.
41:01The stitches were crooked.
41:02Her half-shifted claws were pressed against her own throat.
41:05She saw Cain walk in,
41:06burst into tears,
41:09threw herself at him.
41:11Alpha, I didn't mean to.
41:12I just want to be with you.
41:16I know I'm low-born.
41:18This entity,
41:18I can never be your Luna.
41:21But I wanted,
41:22just once,
41:24to wear a moonlight gown
41:25and complete the blood covenant with you.
41:28You know I've wanted to be your mate,
41:30since we were children.
41:32Cain pulled her close.
41:33His face was twisted with pain.
41:35Why are you so stupid?
41:37Why are you stupid?
41:38I told you I'd give you a title
41:39after the Luna moved in.
41:43Why would you do this?
41:45If anything happened to you,
41:46how could I go on?
41:49Are you trying to rip my heart out?
41:51Rue took his hand,
41:52placed it gently over her stomach.
41:54Alpha, the healer came a few days ago.
41:56I'm carrying your pup.
41:58Two months.
42:00I didn't want my child to be born low-win.
42:03To be mocked
42:04and called bastard.
42:08That's why I-
42:09Really?
42:12Really?
42:14You're carrying my pup?
42:17Yes, Alpha.
42:20We're having a child.
42:22They held each other.
42:23Everyone else just stared.
42:25No way.
42:26The Alpha knocked up
42:27a wet mater's daughter?
42:30On his wedding day.
42:31And she chose today to make a scene.
42:33Look at them.
42:34This is bad.
42:35Leora must be devastated.
42:37She's the future Luna.
42:38This is a slap in Stormfing's face.
42:40Alpha, Cain.
42:41I thought she was just a servant.
42:43Now you're telling me
42:43she's pregnant with your pup?
42:44Leora, she's my wet nurse's daughter.
42:46We grew up together.
42:48She's the woman I love.
42:50So you're in love.
42:51You've been meeting in secret.
42:52And now there's a child.
42:57Roos scrambled off the bed,
42:59dropped to the floor
43:00in a full submission kneel,
43:01forehead to the ground,
43:03hands spread wide,
43:04throat bared.
43:07Luna, it's not the Alpha's fault.
43:09Luna, it's not myself.
43:12It's mine.
43:13I couldn't control myself.
43:19My palm connected with her cheek.
43:26How dare you?
43:28I'm the legitimate daughter of Stormfun.
43:30I was raised with discipline.
43:32I will not be slander.
43:34I met the Alpha two times
43:36before the engagement.
43:37Always with Elders present.
43:39Never alone.
43:40So don't drag my name through the mud
43:43just to make yourself
43:44look less disgusting.
43:47Roos sobbed,
43:48shook her head.
43:51It's my fault, Luna.
43:54Forgive me.
43:56Then she half-shifted
43:58and dragged her own claws
43:59down her face.
44:00Three gashes
44:00from forehead to cheekbone.
44:02Blood poured down her cheeks.
44:04Pain grabbed her arms.
44:06Stop!
44:09He looked at me.
44:11I not, you renounced to Bent.
44:13His voice was sharp with blame.
44:14This isn't Rue's fault.
44:16That's baking at you it.
44:18You were.
44:18That's the only difference.
44:21Without your father's wolves,
44:25would I want you as Luna?
44:26Rue tried to kill herself today
44:28because of you.
44:29She's carrying my pup!
44:32Now you're married in.
44:34Rue is my consort.
44:35I won't leave her
44:36or my child without a title.
44:38I laughed at him.
44:39Luna?
44:39The Lycan King himself
44:41had approved this match.
44:42If it weren't for this engagement,
44:43Kane wouldn't even be sitting
44:44in the Alpha's seat.
44:45I lifted my chin.
44:47The Luna position was granted
44:48by the Lycan King himself.
44:52How you've behaved today
44:53on our wedding day.
44:54Insults not only Stormfig,
44:56but also the King.
44:57If you loved Rue,
44:58why not call the engagement?
45:00You wanted my family's army
45:01and your lover.
45:03Did you think I'd refuse you
45:05a consort?
45:07And you?
45:09You've known about the pregnancy.
45:11You waited until wedding day
45:12to make a scene.
45:14Are you really not doing this
45:15on purpose?
45:17I heard a servant say
45:19you make consorts drink
45:20sterilization tonic.
45:21I was afraid for my pup!
45:24Sterilization tonic?
45:25Which servant?
45:26My people just arrived.
45:28They don't even know
45:29where the wooden houses are.
45:30Why would they gossip about me?
45:32Do you think the servants
45:32of Stormburn
45:33are as undisciplined as yours?
45:35Go on.
45:35Name the servant.
45:36Let's have a face-to-face
45:37confrontation.
45:39Rue's face went red,
45:40then pale.
45:41Finally, she whispered,
45:43Oh, I don't know,
45:45maybe I misheard.
45:46Everyone understood.
45:47It was pathetic.
45:49Just a whore.
45:50Using her belly
45:51to cause trouble
45:51on a wedding day.
45:52She thought a noble bride
45:53would be too ashamed
45:54to fight back.
45:55Leora must be so humiliated.
45:57She's a storm home.
45:58The future Luna.
46:00Then Cain's wet nade,
46:01Rue's mother,
46:02came rushing in.
46:03Dropped to her knees
46:04in full submission pose.
46:06Luna.
46:07Luna.
46:08Raise the alpha.
46:09Give Rue a title.
46:11Or the king and queen
46:12will kill her.
46:14Get up.
46:17You're my Luna,
46:18and you're making her kneel?
46:20This is how Stormflin
46:20treats elders?
46:23I loved Rue before you.
46:26I accepted you as Luna.
46:28But if you're this jealous
46:29and petty,
46:30how can you be mate
46:31to a future Lycan king?
46:35I remembered
46:36what he'd done
46:36to my family
46:37in my past life.
46:38The blood rushed
46:39to my head.
46:42This time,
46:43I would not let
46:45history repeat.
46:47Cain and Rue
46:48clung to each other.
46:49I stepped back
46:50and pulled off
46:51my wolf-ing necklace.
46:54Your love is so touching.
46:56I won't stand between you.
46:57We haven't completed
46:58the blood covenant.
47:00Technically,
47:00we aren't mates,
47:01and Rue is already
47:02wearing her moonlight gown.
47:04Why don't you two
47:04complete the ritual together?
47:10The engagement is over.
47:12I'm not marrying you.
47:17Killed herself
47:18with her own claw.
47:19Cain knocked over
47:19the blood covenant cup.
47:20He was silent
47:21for a long moment.
47:22Give the wet maid
47:22some gold coins
47:23for her retirement.
47:25Bury Rue properly.
47:26Then he went back
47:27to completing
47:27the blood covenant ritual
47:28with me,
47:29as if nothing had happened.
47:29Five years later,
47:31the night before
47:31Cain's coronation
47:32as Lycan king,
47:33the elders examined me
47:34and declared I was barren.
47:35Would never bear children.
47:36He had his warriors
47:36drag me to the stone quarry
47:37behind the royal grounds.
47:39Made me pave a road
47:39of atonement.
47:40Said I could never
47:41return to court.
47:41That night,
47:42he pointed at Rue's
47:43grave marker and said,
47:43She was carrying my pup
47:45when she died.
47:46If your Stormfang tribe
47:47weren't so powerful,
47:49why would I have married you?
47:50Rue would still be alive.
47:52And so would my child.
47:54You don't deserve
47:55to have offspring.
47:56Spend the rest of your life
47:57moving stones.
47:59Atone for Rue
48:00and her pup.
48:02Within a year,
48:02my father and brother
48:03were framed for colluding
48:04with vampires.
48:04The entire Stormfang tribe
48:06was slaughtered.
48:06I coughed up blood
48:07and died.
48:08Then I opened my eyes.
48:09I was back the day
48:10I was marrying
48:11into the royal court.
48:11Outside,
48:12the wolves were howling
48:13at the moon.
48:14The sound of Alpha Cain
48:15kicking the wedding carriage axle
48:17snapped me fully awake.
48:19I was reborn.
48:20I clenched my fists.
48:21My heart pounded.
48:23If the moon goddess
48:24was giving me a second chance,
48:25I wasn't going to waste it.
48:27The Stormfang tribe
48:28wouldn't die in vain.
48:29I would live this time.
48:30And I would make him pay
48:31for every drop of blood
48:32he spilled
48:33in my past life.
48:34Cain led me
48:34into the ritual circle.
48:36Freya,
48:36my handmaiden,
48:37steadied my arm.
48:38As she leaned in,
48:39I whispered a few quick words.
48:41Freya's eyes flickered.
48:42She was a warrior
48:43raised by the Stormfling tribe.
48:45She'd been by my side
48:46since childhood.
48:47A handmaiden in name,
48:48a bodyguard in truth.
48:49I trusted her completely.
48:50The wedding between Alpha Cain
48:51and the daughter of Stormfang,
48:53every chieftain
48:53in the northern territories
48:54had come with their mates.
48:55It was the biggest union
48:56the north had seen in years.
48:58The daughter of Stormfang
48:59was about to become
49:00the luna of the royal court.
49:01The ritual circle
49:02was alive with noise.
49:04In the name of the moon goddess,
49:06bind by blood.
49:07Then a young servant
49:07from Rue's room
49:08came running in,
49:09stumbling over herself.
49:10Alpha!
49:11Rue tried to kill herself!
49:14Tears streaming down her face.
49:16She dropped to her knees,
49:17forehead hitting the ground.
49:19Rue grew up with the Alpha.
49:21Please!
49:22Alpha, save her!
49:23Why would she do
49:23something so stupid?
49:25I told her I'd give her
49:25a title after the wedding.
49:27He caught himself
49:27mid-sentence
49:28and shut his mouth.
49:29He turned to run.
49:30Remembered,
49:30it was his wedding day.
49:31Every chieftain in the north
49:32was watching.
49:33If he left now,
49:34by tomorrow,
49:35his father's desk
49:35would be buried
49:36in letters demanding his head.
49:38Leora,
49:38I need to check on Rue.
49:40I'll come back
49:40and finish the blood covenant.
49:42The wedding's set.
49:43What's the hurry?
49:43I widened my eyes,
49:44made my voice small
49:45and pitiful.
49:46Alpha,
49:47this is a matter
49:48of life and death.
49:49Why don't I come with you?
49:51A luna should handle
49:52household affairs after all.
49:54Cain looked relieved.
49:55Yes, yes, of course.
49:56So the Alpha
49:57and his bride-to-be
49:58left the ritual circle
49:59halfway through the ceremony
50:00to visit a wet nurse's daughter.
50:02The crowd whispered behind us.
50:03They couldn't believe it.
50:04Inside the wooden house,
50:05Rue was wearing a moonlight gown,
50:06the kind a bride
50:07was supposed to wear
50:08for the blood covenant.
50:09She'd dyed cheap burlap white herself.
50:11The stitches were crooked.
50:12Her half-shifted claws
50:13were pressed against her own throat.
50:15She saw Cain walk in,
50:16burst into tears.
50:19Threw herself at him.
50:21Alpha,
50:21I didn't mean to.
50:22I just want to be with you.
50:26I know I'm low-born.
50:27This entity,
50:28I can never be your luna.
50:31But I wanted,
50:32just once,
50:33to wear a moonlight gown
50:35and complete the blood covenant
50:37with you.
50:38You know I've wanted
50:38to be your mate
50:40since we were children.
50:42Cain pulled her close.
50:43His face was twisted with pain.
50:45Why are you so stupid?
50:46Why are you stupid?
50:48I told you I'd give you a title
50:49after the luna moved in.
50:53Why would you do this?
50:55If anything happened to you,
50:56how could I go on?
50:59Are you trying to rip my heart out?
51:00Rue took his hand,
51:01placed it gently over her stomach.
51:04Alpha the healer came a few days ago.
51:06I'm carrying your pup.
51:08Two months.
51:09I didn't want my child
51:11to be born low-win.
51:13To be mocked
51:14and called bastard.
51:18That's why I-
51:19Really?
51:22Really?
51:24You're carrying my pup?
51:27Yes, Alpha.
51:30We're having a child.
51:31They held each other.
51:33Everyone else just stared.
51:34No way.
51:35The Alpha knocked up
51:36a wet mater's daughter?
51:40On his wedding day.
51:41And she chose today
51:42to make a scene.
51:43Look at them.
51:44This is bad.
51:45Lyora must be devastated.
51:46She's the future luna.
51:48This is a slap
51:49in Stormfing's face.
51:50Alpha Cain.
51:51I thought she was just a servant.
51:52Now you're telling me
51:53she's pregnant with your pup?
51:54Lyora,
51:55she's my wet nurse's daughter.
51:57We grew up together.
51:58She's the woman I love.
51:59So you're in love.
52:00You've been meeting in secret.
52:02And now there's a child.
52:07Rue scrambled off the bed,
52:09dropped to the floor
52:10in a full submission kneel.
52:11Forehead to the ground,
52:12hands spread wide,
52:14throat bared.
52:17Luna,
52:17it's not the Alpha's fault.
52:19Luna,
52:20it's not myself.
52:21It's mine.
52:23I couldn't control myself.
52:29My palm connected
52:30with her cheek.
52:36How dare you?
52:38I'm the legitimate
52:39daughter of Stormfun.
52:40I was raised
52:41with discipline.
52:42I will not be slander.
52:44I met the Alpha
52:45two times before
52:46the engagement.
52:47Always with Elders present.
52:49Never alone.
52:50So don't drag my name
52:52through the mud
52:52just to make yourself
52:54look less disgusting.
52:56Rue sobbed,
52:58shook her head.
53:01It's my fault, Luna.
53:04Forgive me.
53:06Then she half shifted
53:07and dragged her own claws
53:09down her face.
53:09Three gashes
53:10from forehead
53:11from forehead
53:11to cheekbone.
53:12Blood poured
53:13down her cheeks.
53:14Pain grabbed her arms.
53:16Stop!
53:19He looked at me.
53:20I not,
53:21you renounced to Bent.
53:22His voice was sharp
53:23with blame.
53:24This isn't Rue's fault.
53:26That's baking at you it.
53:27You were.
53:28That's the only difference.
53:31Without your father's wolves.
53:34Would I want you as Luna?
53:36Rue tried to kill herself
53:37today because of you.
53:39She's carrying my pup!
53:42Now you're married in.
53:43Rue is my consort.
53:45I won't leave her
53:46or my child
53:47without a title.
53:47I laughed at him.
53:49Luna?
53:49The Lycan King himself
53:50had approved this match.
53:52If it weren't for this engagement,
53:53Kane wouldn't even be
53:54sitting in the Alpha's seat.
53:55I lifted my chin.
53:56The Luna position
53:58was granted
53:58by the Lycan King himself.
54:02How you've behaved today
54:03on our wedding day.
54:04Insults not only Stormfig
54:06but also the king.
54:07If you loved Rue,
54:08why not call the engagement?
54:09You wanted my family's army
54:11and your lover.
54:13Did you think I'd
54:14refuse you a consort?
54:17And you?
54:19You've known about the pregnancy.
54:21You waited until wedding day
54:22to make a scene.
54:24Are you really not
54:25doing this on purpose?
54:27I heard a servant say
54:29you make consorts drink
54:30sterilization tonic.
54:31I was afraid for my pup!
54:34Sterilization tonic.
54:35Which servant?
54:36My people just arrived.
54:38They don't even know
54:39where the wooden houses are.
54:40Why would they gossip about me?
54:41Do you think the servants
54:42of Stormburn
54:43are as undisciplined as yours?
54:44Go on.
54:45Name the servant.
54:46Let's have a face-to-face
54:47confrontation.
54:49Rue's face went red,
54:50then pale.
54:51Finally, she whispered,
54:53Oh, I don't know,
54:55maybe I misheard.
54:56Everyone understood.
54:57It was pathetic.
54:58Just a whore.
55:00Using her belly
55:00to cause trouble
55:01on a wedding day.
55:02She thought a noble bride
55:03would be too ashamed
55:04to fight back.
55:05Leora must be so humiliated.
55:07She's a storm home.
55:08The future Luna.
55:09Then Cain's wet nade,
55:11Rue's mother,
55:12came rushing in.
55:13Dropped to her knees
55:14in full submission pose.
55:16Luna!
55:17Luna!
55:18Raise the alpha.
55:19Give Rue a title.
55:21Or the king
55:21and queen will kill her.
55:24Get up.
55:27You're my Luna,
55:28and you're making her kneel.
55:29This is how Stormflin
55:30treats elders?
55:33I loved Rue before you.
55:35I accepted you as Luna.
55:38But if you're this jealous
55:39and petty,
55:40how can you be mate
55:41to a future Lycan king?
55:45I remembered what he'd done
55:46to my family
55:47in my past life.
55:48The blood rushed to my head.
55:52This time,
55:53I would not let history repeat.
55:57Cain and Rue clung to each other.
55:59I stepped back
56:00and pulled off
56:01my wolfing necklace.
56:04Your love is so touching.
56:06I won't stand between you.
56:07We haven't completed
56:08the blood covenant.
56:09Technically,
56:10we aren't mates.
56:11And Rue is already
56:12wearing her moonlight gown.
56:13Why don't you two
56:14complete the ritual together?
56:19The engagement is over.
56:21I'm not marrying you.
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