Watch Seven Full Moons Later, I Became Another Alpha's Luna - Full EP (ENGSUB), an emotional werewolf short drama featuring rejected mates, Alpha regret, second chances, forbidden love, and an unforgettable journey toward a new destiny.
#SevenFullMoonsLaterIBecameAnotherAlphasLuna #ShortDrama #RejectedLuna #AlphaRomance #WerewolfRomance #SecondChance #FullEP #ENGSUB #DramaSeries #FantasyRomance
#SevenFullMoonsLaterIBecameAnotherAlphasLuna #ShortDrama #RejectedLuna #AlphaRomance #WerewolfRomance #SecondChance #FullEP #ENGSUB #DramaSeries #FantasyRomance
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Mist Ridge Pack had an old rule.
00:02If an outside alpha wanted to take a Mist Ridge Weewolf into his pack,
00:05he had to complete seven mate trials with her within seven full moons.
00:09Public claiming at the ceremonial platform,
00:11council mate registration,
00:13the pack acceptance oath,
00:15the night hunt,
00:16the full moon run,
00:17the pack transfer ceremony,
00:19and finally,
00:21the mate vow before the marking.
00:23Only after all seven trials were complete could he register her as his mate,
00:27mark her under the full moon,
00:29and make her his Luna.
00:30I used to believe Ryder would do it.
00:33He was the young alpha of the ruling city pack,
00:36powerful and proud.
00:38The first time he stepped into Mist Ridge,
00:40his alpha authority was clear.
00:42Ryder had once told me he would take me away from Mist Ridge.
00:45You won't be trapped in these mountains forever.
00:47Once the seven trials are over,
00:49you'll become my Luna.
00:51So on every full moon,
00:52I put on my cleanest dress,
00:54forced down the restlessness of my wolf spirit,
00:57and walked alone along the mountain path
00:58to wait for him at the trial site.
01:00But seven times,
01:02he failed to stand beside me.
01:04The seventh full moon was the final mate vow before the marking.
01:09I stood before the Mist Ridge ceremonial platform from dusk
01:13until the moon climbed high above me.
01:15The wound on my ankle had not healed.
01:18The place where wolf spice had burned me throbbed with heat,
01:22and the pain nearly brought me to my knees.
01:25Elder Morin stood below the stone steps,
01:28leaning on his cane.
01:33Annie, this is the seventh time.
01:38I did not answer.
01:43Elder Morin sighed.
01:45Ryder went to the eastern border again.
01:48Catherine sent a distress call.
01:52She said rogue wolves crossed the line.
02:00My fingers tightened around the moonstone at my throat.
02:04Four years ago,
02:05Ryder placed it around my neck with his own hands and said to me,
02:09Annie, once I pass the seven trials,
02:11I will place the true Luna ring on your finger.
02:13This moonstone is merely a token.
02:16At the time, I truly believed he would use the Luna ring to replace it.
02:21But now, I've completely come to my senses.
02:28I called Ryder.
02:30He answered quickly, his voice full of impatience.
02:33Annie, something happened on Catherine's side.
02:36She was leading a patrol along the old Alliance border,
02:39and now she's trapped by rogue wolves.
02:41I have to go.
02:42I watched the elders leave the ceremonial ground one by one,
02:45and I knew this trial was about to end in failure again.
02:48Today is the seventh trial.
02:50Ryder went silent for a second.
02:52I know, but I'm the Alpha.
02:54If something happens at the border, I can't ignore it.
02:57Catherine's low sob came through the phone.
03:00Ryder, I think I smell Wolfbane.
03:03My leg hurts so much.
03:05Ryder's breathing changed at once.
03:08Annie, wait for me one last time.
03:09One last time.
03:11Again.
03:12For the first trial, he said Catherine had found strange tracks near the border.
03:16For the second trial, he said Catherine's wolf spirit had suddenly become restless.
03:20For the third trial, my oath document was contaminated with wolf's bale powder,
03:24and he went after the suspect Catherine claimed to have seen.
03:27For the fourth trial, I entered the forest alone and was bitten by a rogue wolf,
03:31while he saved Catherine on the other side of the territory.
03:34For the fifth trial, I completed the full moon run alone while Ryder stayed with Catherine and her fake wolf's
03:40bane poisoning report.
03:42For the sixth trial, Catherine reported to the council that my wolf spirit was unstable.
03:46Ryder told me to reflect on myself.
03:48And for the seventh trial, he still chose Catherine.
03:51Listening to his voice, I suddenly laughed.
03:55Ryder, don't come this time.
03:56What did you say?
03:57I took off the moonstone hanging at my throat and let it go.
04:00It hit the stone steps of the ceremonial platform and broke into pieces.
04:04On the other end of the phone, Ryder let out a muffled groan.
04:09The seven trials are over.
04:10I'm done waiting for you.
04:12Elder Morin was silent for a long time.
04:15Annie, are you sure?
04:17I looked up at the cold full moon above Mist Ridge.
04:19I'm sure.
04:20Three days from now, arrange the Luna ceremony according to the old alliance.
04:24Three days from now, I will accept Logan's mark and become the Luna of Black Pine Pack.
04:29Ryder returned the next morning.
04:31Catherine followed behind him.
04:33She wore a pale dress and a clean bandage around her leg.
04:36Her face looked weak, but the corners of her eyes lifted the moment she saw me.
04:41Ryder came up to me, and the first thing he said was not an apology.
04:45Why did you leave the ceremonial ground last night?
04:48I sat outside my wooden house, washing my ankle with herbal water.
04:51The wolf-bide burn had not faded.
04:53The flesh was red and swollen, and even the lightest touch hurt.
04:56I looked up at him.
04:58You didn't come.
05:00Ryder frowned.
05:01I explained.
05:02There was trouble at the border.
05:04Catherine was almost dragged away by rogue wolves.
05:07I looked at Catherine.
05:09There were so many patrol warriors there.
05:12Why did it have to be you?
05:14Ryder's face darkened.
05:16Because I'm the Alpha.
05:17The old alliance between Mist Ridge and the ruling city pack is my responsibility.
05:21If the border is in trouble, I can't stand by and do nothing.
05:23He sounded completely certain, just like every other time.
05:26I asked softly.
05:28Then what about me?
05:29Ryder paused.
05:30I looked into his eyes.
05:31The seventh trial was part of the old alliance, too.
05:33I stood before the ceremonial platform, waiting for you.
05:37Ryder, you stood by and ignored me, too.
05:40A flash of irritation crossed his face.
05:42Annie, don't mix things together.
05:43I never said I didn't want you.
05:44The trials can be arranged again.
05:47I lowered my head and gave a small laugh.
05:52The seven full moons are gone.
05:54I asked Catherine.
05:55Mist Ridge's rules shouldn't be this rigid anymore.
05:57You don't have to use them to force me to mark you now.
06:00That was when I finally understood.
06:01It was not that he did not know.
06:03He simply did not believe I would actually leave.
06:05Before I could speak, Catherine stepped forward and spoke softly in the Mist Ridge dialect.
06:09Annie, you're so pathetic.
06:11Ryder is the Alpha of the ruling city pack.
06:13Did you really think he would make a mountain she-wolf like you his Luna?
06:18You thought the seven trials were love?
06:21They were just promises he made while he was staying in Mist Ridge.
06:26Nothing more.
06:27So you were the one who deliberately sabotaged it every time?
06:30A flicker of coldness crossed Catherine's eyes.
06:33A second later, she switched back to the common language and her eyes reddened.
06:37Annie, I was only trying to explain.
06:39Last night was truly dangerous.
06:40Why did you curse at me in that dialect?
06:43Annie.
06:44Ryder immediately turned to me.
06:45There was warning in his tone.
06:47I looked at him.
06:49Did you hear me curse at her?
06:52Ryder frowned.
06:53I don't understand the Mist Ridge dialect.
06:55But Catherine wouldn't cry for no reason.
06:57The words hurt.
06:58She would not cry for no reason.
07:00So every time she cried, I was wrong.
07:01I stood up.
07:03Forced myself through the pain in my ankle.
07:05And walked step by step to the broken pieces of Moonstone.
07:09Only then did they see them.
07:11His face changed.
07:13You broke it?
07:15Yes.
07:16I bent down and picked up one sharp piece.
07:19It cut into my palm and blood welled up.
07:21Werewolves healed quickly, but the wolf-bide burns still lingered.
07:24My wound closed slowly.
07:26I placed the broken piece into his hand.
07:29Your promise.
07:30I'm giving it back.
07:32Ryder's breath caught.
07:33Annie, don't do this.
07:35I looked up.
07:36I'm not doing anything.
07:37In three days, I will become Logan's Luna.
07:39Ryder's eyes went completely cold.
07:41You're using Logan to provoke me?
07:42I suddenly felt exhausted.
07:44Think whatever you want.
07:46Ryder, we're over.
07:48After saying that, I left without looking back.
07:51I had not planned to deal with Catherine anymore.
07:53But that night, when I went to the healing house for herbs, I heard her voice from inside.
07:59The dose doesn't need to be strong.
08:00Just enough to make my wolf spirit restless for a while.
08:03The healer lowered his voice.
08:05Miss Catherine, misusing wolf-bice potion can damage your wolf spirit.
08:09Catherine sneered.
08:10My wolf spirit is perfectly stable.
08:13As long as Ryder senses it stirring, he'll stay with me.
08:16I stood outside the door, cold all over.
08:19So the so-called loss of control during the second trial had been fake.
08:23The so-called wolf faith poisoning during the fifth trial had been fake too.
08:27I pushed the door open.
08:28Catherine turned around sharply, her face paining for a second.
08:31The healer hurried to his feet.
08:33Miss Annie.
08:34I looked at the wolf-bice potion and wolf-bice powder on the table.
08:37So this is how you've been sabotaging the trials all these years?
08:41Catherine quickly calmed down.
08:42She smiled and spoke in the Mistridge dialect.
08:44So what if you know?
08:46Ryder believes me.
08:48Not you.
08:49I stepped forward and reached for the bottle on the table.
08:52Catherine suddenly knocked it over.
08:53A sharp, bitter smelt burst through the room.
08:57Then she grabbed a pinch of wolf-bite powder and smeared it onto the back of her own hand.
09:02Her skin reddened instantly.
09:04A second later, she screamed.
09:06Annie!
09:07Why are you hurting me?
09:09The door was shoved open.
09:11Ryder rushed in.
09:12He smelled the sharp wolf-bate scent first.
09:15Then he saw the red burn on the back of Catherine's hand.
09:24His eyes fell on me.
09:28What did you do?
09:32I was still holding half of the broken bottle.
09:34The healer lowered his head in fear and said nothing.
09:37Catherine trembled as she cried.
09:39Ryder!
09:40I only came to change my bandage.
09:42Annie suddenly rushed in.
09:43She said I stole you from her.
09:45And then she threw wolf-sake at me.
09:47Ryder's gaze darkened bit by bit.
09:50Annie, you know wolf-blind hurts werewolves.
09:52How could you attack her in the healing house?
09:54I looked at him.
09:55You won't even ask me one question?
09:58Ryder's voice was tight with anger.
10:00I only believe what I saw.
10:02I suddenly laughed.
10:04Then did you ever see me, me waiting for you seven times?
10:08He froze.
10:09I walked toward him, step by step.
10:12Did you see me wait at the ceremonial platform until I fainted during the first trial?
10:17Did you see me get chased by a rogue wolf during the fourth night hunt and fall down the mountain
10:22slope?
10:23Did you see me shift alone during the fifth full moon run, cross moonshadow forest forest by myself, and almost
10:30get driven into a ravine by rogue wolves?
10:32Ryder's face changed.
10:34Catherine cried louder.
10:35Ryder, it hurts.
10:36Almost by instinct, he turned to look at her.
10:39That one glance killed the last soft part of me.
10:42I said to the healer,
10:44The council will investigate what happened tonight.
10:47Then I turned and left.
10:49Ryder chased after me.
10:52Annie!
10:54He grabbed my wrist.
10:57You're becoming less and less like the girl you used to be.
11:01I stopped.
11:02The girl I used to be endured everything, waited, and made excuses for him.
11:07I slowly pulled my hand free.
11:10Ryder,
11:11the Annie you remember died on the seventh full moon.
11:18When I returned to the wooden house,
11:20Grandma Otta was waiting for me.
11:23Child,
11:24Logan will come tomorrow.
11:27Good.
11:30Grandma banded my wounds.
11:32Are you afraid?
11:34I stayed silent for a long time.
11:37Yes.
11:38I was afraid of being marked by an alpha I barely knew,
11:40but I was even more afraid of waiting for Ryder.
11:43Tomorrow,
11:43Logan would arrive,
11:44and Ryder would finally learn that this time I was not waiting.
11:49The next day,
11:51Blackpink Pack arrived in Mist Ridge.
11:53There was no noise.
11:54No display of power.
11:56Logan wore a black robe with a wolf-patterned cloak over his shoulders.
12:00Behind him stood his Beta,
12:02Warriors,
12:03and Alliance witnesses.
12:04He stopped outside my house instead of walking straight in.
12:08Annie.
12:10May I come in?
12:12That simple question made me pause.
12:14Ryder never asked.
12:15He always thought that if he wanted to see me,
12:18I should already be waiting for him.
12:20You may.
12:21Logan entered the wooden house.
12:23His eyes stopped on my ankle for a second,
12:25but he did not ask anything that would embarrass me.
12:28He only placed a thick cloak over the back of a chair.
12:31The mountain wind is cold.
12:33Wear this on the way to the ceremony.
12:35Elder Morin sat at the wooden table
12:36and unfolded the Alliance document sent by Blackpink Pack.
12:39Alpha Logan,
12:40are you certain you want to accept Annie as your Luna?
12:43She was once Alpha Ryder's intended mate.
12:45Only after seven failed trials did Mistridge arrange her mate status according to the old rules.
12:50Logan looked at the Elder.
12:51I know.
12:52Elder Morin continued.
12:54You are not accepting her for the sake of Alliance benefits?
12:58Logan's answer was steady.
13:00No.
13:01The first time I saw Annie was after the fourth night hunt.
13:05I froze.
13:07After the fourth trial,
13:09I had crawled out of the forest covered in blood.
13:12I thought no one had seen me that day.
13:16Logan said quietly,
13:18She had been bitten by a rogue wolf,
13:22but she still brought an injured pup back to the patrol.
13:26That was when I knew she was better suited to be a Luma
13:30than many werewolves who call themselves strong.
13:34The room fell quiet.
13:36My throat tightened.
13:37Someone had seen me.
13:38Not because I had cried loudly enough to be noticed,
13:41but because even at my worst,
13:42someone remembered my courage.
13:44Logan turned to me.
13:45Annie, I won't force you.
13:47If you don't want this,
13:48today's Alliance can be cancelled.
13:50Grandma looked at me nervously.
13:51Elder Morin did not rush me either.
13:53I looked at Logan.
13:54His eyes were calm.
13:55There was no pity,
13:56no impatience,
13:57and no sense that he was taking what Ryder had left behind.
14:00I accept.
14:01Then, as Alpha of Black Pine Pack,
14:03I asked the Council of Miss Ridge for Annie's hand.
14:05I will give her Luna status,
14:06Luna rights,
14:07and the respect owed to a mate.
14:08If one day,
14:09she no longer wishes to stay in Black Pine,
14:11I will not use my mark to trap her.
14:13My eyes lifted sharply.
14:14Logan looked at me,
14:16his voice low and steady.
14:17A mark is not a chain.
14:19At least not with me.
14:22The Luna ceremony was set for that night.
14:24When Ryder arrived at the Elder's Hall,
14:26the Alliance had already been signed.
14:28He saw the Black Pined Blood Seal on the table,
14:31and his expression turned dark.
14:35Annie, are you really going to marry him?
14:37Yes.
14:39Ryder stared at me in disbelief.
14:41You would rather choose an Alpha you barely know
14:43than wait three more days for me?
14:44I waited for you for seven full moons,
14:47not three days.
14:52The Luna ceremony was held at the highest point
14:54beneath the full moon.
14:55Before the ceremonial platform,
14:58Black Pine warriors stood in two lines.
15:00Logan held my hand and led me up the stone steps.
15:02My ankles still hurt.
15:04Every step pulled at the wound.
15:06Logan noticed.
15:07Can you walk?
15:08He stopped and asked quietly.
15:10I nodded.
15:11Yes.
15:12There's no rush.
15:13Black Pine can wait for its Luna to walk steadily.
15:16My eyes stang.
15:18Ryder had only ever made me wait.
15:20Now, someone was willing to wait for me.
15:22The Elder recited the vow to the Moon Goddess.
15:24Logan cut his palm and let his blood fall onto the Oath Stone.
15:28I, Logan, Alpha of Black Pine,
15:30accept Annie as my Luna.
15:32I will respect her, protect her,
15:34hear her voice, and honor her choices.
15:36He looked at me.
15:37Annie, do you accept my mark?
15:40I closed my eyes for a moment.
15:42Ryder had never asked whether I wanted his mark.
15:45He only kept saying he would give it to me later.
15:47But the one standing before me now was Logan.
15:50I accept.
15:51When pain touched the side of my neck,
15:53my wolf spirit trembled softly inside my mind.
15:56It was not fear.
15:57It was relief.
15:58I no longer had to hold myself up alone.
16:01After the mark was complete,
16:02Black Pine's mind link opened to me.
16:04Luna, welcome home.
16:08At the same time,
16:10Black Pine Pack sent an official notice
16:11to every Allied Pack and every Alpha in the Alliance.
16:15Official notice.
16:16Alpha Logan of Black Pine Pack
16:18has marked Annie of Mistridge Pack
16:20under the full moon
16:21and accepted her as his official Luna.
16:23When the notice went out,
16:25Ryder was still at the eastern border
16:26dealing with the conflict
16:28that Catherine had created.
16:30I heard later what happened
16:31when the notice reached him.
16:34Ryder dropped to his knees on the spot.
16:36Not because he was injured.
16:38Because the last trace of the mate pull inside him
16:41had been severed by Logan's mark.
16:45A werewolf could feel a strong pull
16:47and still miss it.
16:49But once the other person was officially marked,
16:51the unfinished pull would naturally break.
16:54Ryder had finally lost me.
16:56By the time he reached Black Pine territory,
16:59the ceremony was already over.
17:00I stood beneath the platform
17:02with a fresh Luna mark on my neck.
17:06Logan's hand rested behind my back.
17:08Close enough to protect me,
17:10but not close enough to pressure me.
17:12Ryder stopped outside the border.
17:14Black Pine's territorial scent covered the pines,
17:17clearly warning every outside werewolf not to cross.
17:19He looked at me,
17:21his eyes slowly turning red.
17:23Annie.
17:28I turned to him.
17:29His voice was horsey.
17:31You really let him mark you?
17:34Yes.
17:35I was only a little late.
17:40I looked at him.
17:42No.
17:43You missed seven chances.
17:49Ryder clenched his fists.
17:51I can make it up to you.
17:53The trials can be repeated.
17:55The vows can be said again.
17:57Logan stepped forward.
18:00She is already my Luna.
18:02Ryder's gaze turned cold at once.
18:05What happened between Annie and me
18:07is none of your business.
18:08Logan released his alpha authority,
18:10his voice steady.
18:12You are standing at Black Pine's border,
18:14speaking to Black Pine's Luna like that.
18:17Ryder,
18:17are you challenging me
18:19or are you challenging all of Black Pack?
18:23Ryder froze.
18:24I looked at him and felt nothing familiar.
18:27He used to be the future I believed in.
18:29Now he belonged to a past I had left behind.
18:32Ryder refused to leave.
18:33He stood outside Black Pine's border,
18:36staring at the mark on my neck.
18:38Annie, I don't believe you truly wanted this.
18:40You promised you would be my Luna.
18:42Do you even remember the seven trials?
18:45Ryder's breath caught.
18:47The Black Pine members,
18:48Miss Ridge elders
18:49and Alliance witnesses all went silent.
18:51I did not cry.
18:52I did not raise my voice.
18:53In front of everyone,
18:55I laid out those seven full moons,
18:56one by one.
18:57The first time was the public claiming
18:59at the ceremonial platform.
19:02I stood there from dusk until dawn,
19:04until the elders left one after another.
19:08You said Catherine had found tracks near the border
19:10and that you had to check them yourself.
19:13That day,
19:14every member of Miss Ridge
19:15saw me standing alone on the platform.
19:18I became a joke.
19:23Ryder's face slowly turned pale.
19:26The second time was the councilmate registration.
19:30I wore the white dress my grandmother gave me
19:33and waited in the registration hall.
19:35Catherine used a wolf band potion
19:37to stir her own wolf spirit
19:38and you said she was about to lose control.
19:40You said she needed you.
19:41The elder asked me whether the alpha
19:43of the ruling city pack had changed his mind.
19:46I explained for you.
19:48I said you would come.
19:49The third time was the pack acceptance oath.
19:52My document was contaminated with wolf bane.
19:55My fingers were burned.
19:57You did not investigate who had touched it.
20:00You only chased the suspect
20:01Catherine claimed to have seen.
20:04The fourth time was the night hunt.
20:06I entered the forest alone
20:08and was almost bitten through the throat
20:09by a rogue wolf.
20:10You were on the other side saving Catherine.
20:16Logan's eyes fell on me
20:18and his fingers tightened slightly.
20:20I paused for a moment
20:21then continued.
20:23The fifth time was the full moon run.
20:25It was a full moon trial meant for young mates.
20:29Both partners had to complete the route together.
20:31But I shifted alone
20:32and crossed Moonshadow Forest in wolf form.
20:35I almost got driven into a ravine by rogue wolves.
20:39You were at the healing house
20:41saying Catherine had wolf bag poisoning.
20:43The sixth time was the pack transfer ceremony.
20:46Catherine reported that my wolf spirit was unstable
20:49and that I should not be allowed to leave Mist Ridge.
20:51You did not speak for me.
20:54You told me to reflect on myself.
20:57The seventh time was the mate vow.
21:00I stood before the ceremonial monial platform
21:03with a wolf space burn on my ankle.
21:06You left to handle the border conflict Catherine created.
21:09Ryder, I did give you chances.
21:13I gave you seven full moons.
21:16Every time you chose someone else.
21:23Ryder went still.
21:25For a long time, he could not speak at Catherine stood outside the crowd.
21:28Her face ugly.
21:30Suddenly, she cried out.
21:32Annie, how can you say that?
21:33Ryder is the alpha.
21:35What is wrong with him handling border and pack matters?
21:37I turned to her.
21:39There was nothing wrong with him handling pack matters.
21:42The problem is that every time
21:45something happened to you at exactly the right moment.
21:49And the problem is that every time
21:51he chose to believe you,
21:53he never chose to believe me.
21:56Ryder finally spoke,
21:58his voice rough.
22:00I didn't know.
22:02I smiled faintly.
22:04Of course you didn't.
22:05You never looked back at me.
22:07The mark on my neck warmed faintly.
22:10It was not a chain.
22:12It was a reminder that I no longer had to stand in place and explain my pain.
22:16I turned to Logan.
22:19Let's go back.
22:20Logan nodded.
22:22All right.
22:22Ryder tried to follow,
22:24but Blackpang warriors blocked him.
22:26Outside Alpha, stop here.
22:28He could only stand outside the border
22:31and watch me walk into Blackpine territory.
22:33This time, I did not look back.
22:37I thought everything would end after the mark was complete,
22:40but not everyone in Blackpine welcomed me.
22:42At the elders meeting the next day,
22:44several Blackpine elders sat on both sides of the stone hall,
22:47their gazes cold.
22:48One elder in a black robe spoke first.
22:50Alpha Logan,
22:51We respect your choice.
22:53But Annie was once the candidate mate of the Alpha
22:56from the ruling city pack.
22:58She waited for Ryder seven times.
23:01Blackpine cannot accept a she-wolf repeatedly abandoned
23:04by another Alpha as its Luna.
23:07Another elder added,
23:08A Luna represents the pack's dignity.
23:10Her past will make other packs talk about Blackspine.
23:12I sat beside Logan,
23:14my fingers tightening.
23:15I had heard these words before.
23:16In Mist Ridge,
23:18they said I had only tried to climb up
23:19through a city Alpha
23:20because I wanted to leave the mountains.
23:22At Ryder's side,
23:23they said I was petty
23:23and could not tolerate Catherine.
23:25Now in Blackpine,
23:26they said my past would shame the pack.
23:28I was about to speak,
23:29but Logan had already risen.
23:30He did not slam the table.
23:32He did not shout.
23:33He simply walked to the pack Oath Stone,
23:35drew a short blade,
23:36and cut his palm.
23:37Blood fell onto the stone.
23:38It seeped into the lines
23:39carved across its surface.
23:41The entire hall fell silent.
23:42Logan's voice was low,
23:43but it carried enough authority
23:45to make every head lower.
23:46With my blood as Alpha of Blackpine,
23:47I confirm that Annie is not my compromise.
23:49She is the Luna I chose myself.
23:53Her past is not a disgrace.
23:54Being betrayed is not a disgrace.
23:58The one who should be questioned
24:01is the one who broke his vows.
24:05No one in the hall dared to speak.
24:07One by one,
24:08Blackpine members lowered their heads
24:09and exposed their necks.
24:11It was not fear.
24:12It was acceptance of the Alpha's blood oath.
24:15From today on,
24:16questioning Annie's status as Luna
24:18is the same as questioning
24:19my authority as Alpha.
24:20Anyone who objects
24:22can leave Blackpine now.
24:24No one made a sound.
24:25I looked at the blood on Logan's palm,
24:28my throat tight.
24:29Ryder had always said
24:30he would protect me,
24:31but the one who truly stood
24:33between me and the rumors
24:34had never been him.
24:36After the meeting,
24:37Logan wrapped his hand
24:38carelessly with a cloth.
24:39I caught his wrist.
24:41You should see a healer.
24:43Logan glanced at me.
24:46This wound is nothing.
24:47It is something.
24:49I lowered my head
24:51and rewrapped the cloth for him.
24:53I don't want anyone
24:54to get hurt for me
24:55and then say it doesn't matter.
24:57Logan was quiet for a moment.
25:00Then he smiled faintly.
25:02All right.
25:03From now on, it matters.
25:05That night,
25:06he checked the wound
25:07on my ankle.
25:08The wolf bite burn
25:10was deeper than I had realized.
25:12Logan's frown grew tighter.
25:14These didn't come
25:15from a single incident.
25:17I froze.
25:18He looked up at me.
25:20During the seven trials,
25:21you were exposed to wolf bait
25:22at least three times.
25:24Someone has been slowly
25:25your healing all along.
25:26I had always thought
25:27I was too weak,
25:28too slow,
25:29not strong enough.
25:30It turned out
25:31someone had been
25:32planting blades
25:33under my feet.
25:36Logan stood.
25:37I will demand
25:38a public investigation
25:39into the seven trials.
25:41Ryder won't want that.
25:42That is his problem.
25:45Your wounds
25:46should not be buried.
25:49The council investigation
25:51came quickly.
25:52Elders from Mistridge,
25:54Black Pine,
25:55and the ruling city pack
25:56all arrived.
25:57Ryder came too.
25:59He looked more worn
26:00than he had that night.
26:02There were clear red lines
26:03in his eyes
26:04and the authority
26:05that belonged
26:06to the ruling pack
26:07no longer felt steady
26:08around him.
26:10After the last trace
26:11of the mate pull
26:12had been strethered,
26:13his wolf spirit
26:15had been turning on him.
26:16Even so,
26:17he stood in the center
26:18of the judgment hall
26:19and forced himself
26:20to listen to every piece
26:21of evidence.
26:22Elder Morin brought out
26:23the records
26:24of the seven mate ceremonies.
26:26They were not
26:26ordinary paper scrolls.
26:28They were official records
26:29kept by the council
26:30for mate ceremonies.
26:31Every failed ceremony
26:32left behind the time,
26:34place, witness statements,
26:35and injury records.
26:37Elder Morin opened the records
26:38and read through
26:38the seven failures
26:39one by one.
26:40The first record
26:41is the public
26:42claiming ceremony.
26:44I saw my past self
26:45standing before
26:46the ceremonial platform,
26:47waiting until dawn,
26:48then collapsing
26:49from exhaustion.
26:51Ryder had not come.
26:53Catherine's name
26:53appeared in the
26:54border anomaly report.
26:57The second record
26:58is the council mate
26:59registration.
27:02In the registration hall,
27:04I stood in my white dress
27:05under everyone's eyes.
27:08Ryder was absent.
27:10The healer's report
27:11showed that Catherine
27:12had used a wolf bath potion
27:14to agitate her wolf spirit.
27:17The third record
27:18is the pack acceptance oath.
27:20The oath document
27:21had been contaminated
27:22with wolf fath.
27:24My fingers had been burned.
27:26The source of the powder
27:28pointed to an opithary
27:29in a neighboring pack.
27:30Ryder's face
27:31turned paler
27:32with every record.
27:34He was no longer
27:35listening to my pain
27:36as a complaint.
27:38He was seeing it
27:39written in the council's
27:40own hand.
27:41Then Elder Morin
27:43opened the next record.
27:46Elder Morin continued.
27:50The fourth record
27:51is the night hunt.
27:52I was injured
27:53in the forest alone
27:54and carried an injured pup
27:55back to the patrol.
27:56At the same time,
27:58Catherine sent a false
27:58distress call
27:59through the mind link.
28:01The fifth record
28:02is the full moon run.
28:03I crossed moonshadow forest
28:04alone in wolf form,
28:05leaving blood and wolf
28:06fospern records
28:07along the route.
28:08Ryder had been
28:08in the healing house
28:09with Catherine
28:09and her forged wolfsbane
28:10poisoning report.
28:11The sixth record
28:12is the cancelled
28:13pack transfer ceremony.
28:15Catherine had reported
28:16that my wolf spirit
28:17was unstable.
28:18The record showed
28:19that the so-called evidence
28:20had come from
28:21altered healing files.
28:22The seventh record
28:23is the mate vow
28:24before the final marking.
28:26The eastern border
28:27conflict report
28:28was brought out.
28:29The rogue wolves
28:29who had caused
28:30the conflict confessed
28:31that Catherine had used
28:32a border pass
28:33to lure them
28:34near the line.
28:34The judgment hall
28:35fell silent.
28:36Ryder stood there,
28:37his face white.
28:38He saw me stand
28:39at the trial site
28:40seven times.
28:41He saw me be
28:42abandoned seven times.
28:43He saw Catherine
28:44sabotage the trials
28:45again and again.
28:46And he saw himself
28:47choose to believe her
28:48again and again.
28:49Catherine screamed.
28:50It's not true!
28:51Those records
28:52could have been altered!
28:53Elder Morin
28:54looked at her coldly.
28:56These records
28:57are kept
28:58by the council
28:59and signed
29:01by the elders
29:02of each pack.
29:03No one may
29:04alter them in private.
29:06Catherine,
29:07do you still deny it?
29:09Catherine turned
29:10to Ryder,
29:11tears rushing
29:11to her eyes.
29:12Ryder,
29:13I only loved you.
29:15I was just afraid
29:16she would take you
29:17from me.
29:19What is so good
29:21about her?
29:22Catherine's tears
29:23rushed down her face.
29:24She is quiet,
29:25boring,
29:26and only knows
29:27how to wait.
29:28I'm the one
29:29who understands
29:29you best!
29:31Ryder slowly
29:32lifted his eyes.
29:33He no longer
29:34felt any compassion,
29:35only disgust.
29:37So you ruined
29:38her seven trials.
29:40You hurt her.
29:42You made me
29:42misunderstand her
29:43again and again.
29:44She was useless!
29:46If she mattered
29:47that much,
29:48why did you
29:48come to me
29:49every time?
29:50Catherine shook
29:50her head,
29:51crying.
29:52Those words
29:53finally cut through
29:54every lie Ryder
29:54had told himself.
29:55He staggered
29:56back a step.
29:57Yes,
29:57I did go to you
29:58every time.
30:00So the one
30:00who hurt her
30:01was not only you,
30:02it was me too.
30:04I sat beside Logan,
30:06calmer than I had
30:06expected.
30:07I used to think
30:08that once the truth
30:09came out,
30:10I would cry,
30:12question them,
30:12and want Ryder
30:13to regret it.
30:14But now I only
30:15felt that it was
30:16all too late.
30:17I want them
30:18to repay,
30:19down to the very
30:20last penny,
30:21the harm they
30:22once inflicted
30:23on me.
30:23I did not want
30:24to hear anyone
30:25cry and explain
30:26anymore.
30:27The council's
30:27original ruling
30:28was supposed to
30:29be issued that
30:29day.
30:30Elder Morin
30:30announced the
30:31decision.
30:31Catherine deliberately
30:32sabotaged mate
30:33ceremonies,
30:34forged injury and
30:35wolf spirit
30:35disturbance reports,
30:36used wolf beat
30:37to harm a
30:37mistridge she-wolf
30:38and created a
30:39border conflict.
30:41She will be
30:42expelled from the
30:43territories of both
30:44Mistridge and
30:44Black Pine.
30:45She will be
30:46exiled to the
30:47neutral zone under
30:48the supervision of
30:49Alliance patrols.
30:50For ten years,
30:51she may not enter
30:52any pack territory.
30:54Catherine let out
30:55a small breath of
30:56relief.
30:57She thought ten
30:58years was long,
31:00but for a werewolf,
31:01ten years was not
31:02enough to repay
31:03seven full moons.
31:05I stood.
31:07Every elder
31:08turned to me.
31:11Logan did not
31:12stop me.
31:13He only stood
31:14quietly beside me,
31:15making sure
31:16everyone knew
31:17Black Pine would
31:17hear its Luna.
31:19I looked at
31:20Catherine.
31:21Not enough.
31:23Annie, you
31:24already stole
31:24Ryder.
31:25What else do
31:26you want?
31:26Catherine's face
31:27changed.
31:28I gave a small
31:29laugh.
31:29I don't want
31:30him, and I
31:32am not here to
31:33steal anything
31:33from you.
31:34I am here to
31:36take back what
31:36you owe me.
31:37I pushed the
31:38injury records from
31:39the seven mate
31:39chapels onto the
31:40council table.
31:41The first time,
31:42you faked a border
31:43anomaly and left me
31:44standing at the
31:44ceremonial platform
31:45until dawn.
31:46The second time,
31:47you used wolf paste
31:48potion to agitate
31:49your own wolf spirit
31:50and made Ryder miss
31:51the registration.
31:52The third time,
31:53you contaminated my
31:54document and burned
31:56me with wolf faith.
31:57The fourth time,
31:59you sent a false
32:00distress call through
32:01the mind link and
32:02left me to face
32:03rogue wolves alone.
32:04The fifth time,
32:05you forged a
32:06poisoning report and
32:07left me to bleed
32:08through the full moon
32:09run alone.
32:11The sixth time,
32:12you altered healing
32:13files and accused
32:15my wolf spirit of
32:16being unstable.
32:17The seventh time,
32:19you created a
32:20border conflict and
32:21made me be
32:22abandoned before the
32:23final vow.
32:24I finished every word.
32:26No one in the
32:27judgments house
32:27spoke.
32:31I turned to
32:32Elder Morin.
32:33This was not
32:33ordinary jealousy.
32:35She used her
32:35pack status,
32:36wolf feia,
32:37a border pass and
32:38the mate ceremonies
32:39to harm another
32:39she-wolf seven
32:40times.
32:42If ten years of
32:43exile is all she
32:44gets, everyone
32:46will learn that as
32:47long as they cry
32:48hard enough, there
32:49is always a way
32:50out after hurting
32:51someone.
32:53Catherine finally
32:54panicked.
32:55Ryder!
32:58Catherine lunged
32:59toward Ryder and
33:00tried to grab his
33:01sleeve.
33:01Ryder stepped back.
33:03I looked at her.
33:04I did not feel
33:04wild joy.
33:06I only felt cold,
33:07delayed clarity.
33:09You wanted to be a
33:09Luna more than
33:10anything.
33:11Then the council
33:11will permanently
33:12strip you of
33:12Luna Candacity.
33:13You loved using
33:14your status as an
33:15elder's daughter to
33:16crush others.
33:17Then your pack will
33:18publicly remove your
33:19name and no longer
33:20recognize you as
33:20one of its members.
33:22You used Wolfbane to
33:23hurt me.
33:24Then you will be
33:25sent to the Wolfbane
33:26contaminated zone in
33:27the northern neutral
33:28territory.
33:29I am not asking
33:29them to kill you.
33:31I am asking them to
33:32make you clear the
33:33same poison you
33:33used to hurt others
33:34under Alliance
33:35Patrol supervision.
33:37Catherine's face
33:38went completely
33:39white.
33:39The Wolfbane
33:40contaminated zone
33:41belonged to no
33:42pack.
33:42It was cold and
33:43barren.
33:44The patrols would
33:44deliver medicine and
33:45food on schedule,
33:46but they would not
33:47give her dignity or
33:48listen to her cry.
33:49Elder Morin was
33:50silent for a long
33:50time.
33:51The great elder of
33:52the ruling city pack
33:53turned to Ryder.
33:54Alpha Ryder, you
33:55enabled her sabotage of
33:56the trials.
33:57Do you object to this
33:58ruling?
33:59Ryder looked at
33:59Catherine.
34:00Her eyes were full of
34:01desperate hope, but he
34:03only said one word.
34:04No.
34:06You can't do this to me!
34:08I walked up to her.
34:11You once said Ryder
34:12believed you and not me.
34:14Now look closely.
34:15He finally doesn't
34:17believe you.
34:18The final ruling was
34:19revised and issued
34:20again.
34:22Catherine was stripped of
34:23her original pack
34:24status, permanently
34:26disqualified as a
34:27Luna candidate, and
34:29placed on the
34:29Alliance blacklist.
34:31She was exiled to the
34:32Wolf's Bape
34:33Contaminated Zone in
34:34the Northern Neutral
34:35Territory under the
34:36supervision of Alliance
34:37patrols.
34:38For 50 years, she
34:40could not enter any
34:41pack territory or
34:42request a mate
34:42ceremony with any
34:43Alpha.
34:44If she survived and
34:45returned after 50
34:46years, she could only
34:47be reviewed again as a
34:48packless rogue wolf.
34:50When the patrols
34:51dragged her out of
34:52the Judgment Hall, she
34:53was still cryoled.
34:55This time, no one
34:57followed her.
35:00As for Ryder, the
35:01Council of the
35:02Ruling City Pack
35:02opened a formal
35:03inquiry into him on
35:04the spot.
35:05He was not a young
35:06heir waiting to take
35:07power.
35:08He was already the
35:10Alpha, so his
35:11punishment was heavier
35:12than an ordinary
35:12disciplinary ruling.
35:14The Great Elder of
35:15the Ruling City Pack
35:16stood, his voice
35:17called,
35:17Ryder, you violated
35:19the mate trial
35:20vows seven times.
35:21You enabled a
35:22She-Wolf from
35:23another pack to
35:24sabotage the old
35:24alliance with
35:25Mist Ridge and
35:26cause long-term
35:27harm to Annie of
35:28Mist Ridge.
35:29As Alpha, you
35:30failed to separate
35:31personal feelings,
35:32duty, and
35:33mate vows.
35:34The Council has
35:36decided to suspend
35:37part of your
35:38Alpha authority.
35:39Daily affairs of
35:40the ruling pack
35:41will be handled
35:42by your beta for
35:42now.
35:43You are forbidden
35:44from sending Annie
35:45any mind link
35:46requests.
35:47You are also
35:48forbidden from
35:48approaching Black
35:49Pine territory
35:50in your capacity
35:51as Alpha.
35:53Ryder closed
35:54his eyes.
35:55He did not
35:55argue.
35:59He only looked
36:00at me.
36:02Annie?
36:03I raised my
36:03head.
36:04His voice was
36:05horsey.
36:07I'm sorry.
36:09I had waited a
36:10long time for
36:11those words.
36:12After the first
36:13failed trial, I
36:14wanted to hear him.
36:16when my fingers
36:17were burned by
36:17wolf fire during
36:18the third trial, I
36:19wanted to hear him.
36:21On the fifth full
36:22moon, when I bit
36:23into my own wrist to
36:24keep myself from
36:25losing control, I
36:26wanted to hear him
36:26too.
36:27But he had never
36:28said them.
36:29Now he said them.
36:31And I no longer
36:32needed them.
36:38I heard your
36:39apology.
36:42But I don't
36:43accept it.
36:44The light in his
36:45eyes went out.
36:47A tear slid down
36:49from his eye.
36:54After the judgment
36:55ended, Ryder did
36:56not leave right
36:56away.
36:57He stood outside
36:58Black Pine's border.
36:59Unable to leave a
37:00few days later, he
37:01asked Black Pine's
37:02beta to deliver a
37:02box.
37:03Logan placed it in
37:04front of me.
37:05You don't have to
37:06look.
37:06I opened it.
37:08Inside was a
37:09lunar ring.
37:10It was made of
37:11moon silver and set
37:12with the ruling
37:13pack's moonstone.
37:14It must have been
37:15the thing he once
37:16promised to give
37:16me after the seven
37:17trials.
37:18Now it had
37:19finally arrived,
37:20Ryder stood outside
37:21the door, his
37:22voice rough.
37:26Annie, I brought
37:27it.
37:27I was too slow
37:28before.
37:30This time, I won't
37:31make you wait.
37:32I looked at the
37:33ring.
37:34If it had been the
37:35old me, I might
37:36have cried and run
37:37into his arms.
37:38But now Logan's
37:39mark was on my
37:40neck, and Black
37:41Pine's Luna cloak
37:42rested on my
37:42shoulders.
37:44My life could no
37:45longer be changed by
37:46one late promise
37:47from him.
37:48We ended when
37:48the moonstone
37:49broke.
37:50I closed the
37:51box.
37:53Ryder's breath
37:53caught.
37:54I handed the
37:56box back.
37:57This Luna ring
37:58came too late.
37:59My Luna mark
38:00no longer needs
38:01your name.
38:01His eyes reddened
38:03in an instant.
38:05Do you really
38:06not love me at
38:07all anymore?
38:08I looked at him.
38:12Ryder, I don't
38:13love you anymore.
38:15I spoke about the
38:16past not because I
38:17couldn't let you
38:17go.
38:19I did it so the
38:20girl who waited
38:21seven full moons
38:22could finally say
38:24everything she needed
38:25to say.
38:26Ryder looked
38:27drained.
38:30If I had come the
38:31seventh time.
38:32But you didn't.
38:34Missed events can be
38:35written into records.
38:36Missed people do not
38:37stand before the
38:37ceremonial platform
38:38forever.
38:41After Ryder left
38:42Black Pine's border,
38:43the ruling pack sent
38:44him to the northern
38:45border.
38:45It was the coldest
38:46border in the
38:47werewolf alliance.
38:48Rogue wolves and
38:49enemy packs constantly
38:49tested the defenses
38:50there.
38:51He remains the
38:51tribe's alpha but
38:52part of his authority
38:53had been suspended.
38:54And the ruling
38:54pack's daily affairs
38:55were handled by his
38:56beta.
38:57He could no longer
38:57mobilize the council
38:58at will.
38:59He could no longer
39:00pressure other packs.
39:01He could no longer
39:02approach Black Pine
39:03territory.
39:04For a proud
39:05werewolf, that was
39:06harder to bear than
39:06an injury.
39:08I heard about it
39:09while I was studying
39:09lunar duties in Black
39:10Pine's meeting hall.
39:12Logan pushed the
39:13herb inventory toward
39:14me.
39:17We don't have enough
39:18wolf-ice antidote for
39:19winter.
39:19More patrols are
39:20getting hurt near the
39:21northern border than
39:22last year.
39:25I looked through the
39:26records.
39:27Then cut the
39:28moonflower budget for
39:29the festival and use
39:30it for herb trades.
39:32One elder frowned.
39:34Luna, moonflowers are
39:36part of the winter
39:36festival's honor.
39:38Living warriors are
39:40Black Pine's honor.
39:41I looked up at him.
39:43The stone hall went
39:44quiet for a moment.
39:46Logan did not speak
39:47for me.
39:48He simply sat beside
39:49me and gave me the
39:50space to stand on my
39:51own.
39:52We will follow the
39:53Luna's decision.
39:54At last, the elder
39:55lowered his head.
39:56For the first time, I
39:58truly understood that
39:59Luna was not just a
40:00title placed to an
40:01alpha.
40:02It was responsibility.
40:03It was choice.
40:04It was a position I
40:06had to claim on my
40:06own.
40:07No one in that hall
40:08handed me power as
40:09charity.
40:10I had to take the
40:12seat, re-erose, read
40:14the records, and make
40:16the decision.
40:17Then I found an old
40:19rule that had trapped
40:20more she-wolves than
40:21me.
40:24Over the next few
40:25months, I worked with
40:26healers to organize
40:27herbs, followed patrols
40:29to learn border routes,
40:31and reviewed old
40:32alliance cases with the
40:33council.
40:34At first, some Black
40:36Pine members still
40:37whispered about me.
40:38Then, during a border
40:40patrol, I recognized
40:42wolf-bake powder mixed
40:43into a trap because I had
40:45been hurt by wolf-bake
40:46before.
40:48I stopped at the edge
40:49of the trail and raised
40:50my hand.
40:52Don't step there!
40:55Luna?
40:56I crouched, brushed
40:57away a thin layer of
40:58snow, and saw the dull
40:59green powder caught
41:01between the roots.
41:02Wolf-bade, mixed under
41:04the frost.
41:05If you shift here, the
41:06powder will burn through
41:07the paws first.
41:08The warriors immediately
41:09pulled back.
41:10A hidden snare snapped
41:11shut where one of them
41:12had almost stepped.
41:14I saved three warriors.
41:15That night, voices came
41:17through Black Pine's
41:18mine link.
41:19Luna, thank you.
41:20Luna, you saved my mate.
41:21Luna, Black Pine accepts
41:23you.
41:24I stood at the edge of
41:25the pine forest, my eyes
41:27burning.
41:28Logan walked to my side.
41:31Crying?
41:32I shook my head.
41:37No.
41:38He did not expose the lie.
41:41He only draped his cloak
41:42over my shoulders.
41:44Annie, you don't have to
41:45rush to prove you're worthy.
41:49I know.
41:53I looked up at the moon
41:55in the distance.
41:57But I want to know it
41:58for myself.
42:00The warriors behind us
42:01lowered their heads.
42:03Not because Logan
42:04ordered them to,
42:05but because I had earned
42:07it with my own hands.
42:10Logan was quiet for a
42:12moment.
42:13Then he said softly,
42:16Then I'll stay with you.
42:18I turned to look at him.
42:19His gaze was steady,
42:21unlike Ryder,
42:22who always gave me
42:23a distant promise.
42:25What Logan gave me
42:26was ground I could
42:27stand on.
42:28That night,
42:29I reached for his
42:30hand first.
42:31He paused,
42:33then gently took
42:34my hand in his.
42:35Very gently.
42:36He was careful
42:37not to startle me.
42:39I smiled,
42:41so this was what
42:42respect felt like.
42:44No promises
42:45that never came.
42:47No mountain paths
42:48where I was left
42:49behind again and again.
42:51Only someone willing
42:52to slow down
42:53and walk home with me.
42:57Is this alright?
42:58Yes.
42:59He did not tighten
43:01his grip
43:01until I nodded.
43:03That simple
43:04restriction
43:04made my chest ache
43:05more than any vow.
43:06That night,
43:07I opened the old
43:08Alliance records
43:09kept by Black Pine.
43:11At first,
43:12I only wanted
43:12to understand
43:13the rule
43:13that had changed
43:14my life.
43:15But page after page,
43:17I saw familiar words.
43:19Failed trial.
43:20Absent alpha.
43:21Arranged mate.
43:23Unstable wolf spirit.
43:26I discovered
43:27that I was not
43:28the only she-wolf
43:29trapped by the
43:29seven mate trials.
43:31Logan noticed
43:32my expression.
43:35Annie,
43:36what is it?
43:37I placed
43:38one old record
43:39in front of him.
43:41I wasn't the first.
43:44And if the rule
43:45stayed the same,
43:46I would not
43:47be the last.
43:50One year later,
43:51I returned to Mistridge
43:52as the Luna
43:53of Black Pine.
43:54I came back
43:55for a new rule.
43:56The old
43:56seven mate trials
43:57of Mistridge
43:57had trapped
43:58too many she-wolves.
44:00They had once
44:01been meant
44:01as protection.
44:03They were meant
44:04to protect
44:04Mistridge women
44:05from being taken
44:05away too easily
44:06by outside alphas.
44:08But later,
44:08that protection
44:09became another rule
44:10used to trap them.
44:12If the seven trials
44:13failed,
44:14the she-wolf
44:15had to accept
44:15an arranged mate
44:16from her own pack
44:17or an allied pack.
44:19I had almost
44:20been crushed
44:21by that rule.
44:21So I came back.
44:23Black Pine
44:23and Mistridge
44:24called another
44:25council meeting.
44:26I stood before
44:26the ceremonial platform,
44:28my Luna mark
44:29clear on my neck.
44:30Elder Moran
44:30looked at me
44:31with a complicated expression.
44:32Annie,
44:33do you truly
44:34want to abolish
44:35the old rule?
44:36Not all of it.
44:37Only the unfair part.
44:39The trials can remain,
44:41but a she-wolf
44:42should not per
44:42an alpha's
44:43broken promises
44:44with her entire life.
44:45Below the platform,
44:46a few young she-wolves
44:47lifted their heads.
44:48There was fear
44:49in their eyes,
44:50but also hope.
44:51I continued.
44:52From now on,
44:53if an outside alpha
44:55fails the seven trials,
44:56the she-wolf
44:57has the right
44:58to reject him.
44:59She also has the right
45:00to choose another mate.
45:02She does not have
45:03to accept
45:04an arrangement
45:04from the council.
45:06Any alpha
45:06who wants to claim
45:07a misrid she-wolf
45:08must prove himself
45:09with an equal vow.
45:11Waiting does not
45:12prove loyalty.
45:14Respect does.
45:15The young she-wolves
45:16below the platform
45:17did not dare cheer,
45:18but their eyes
45:19had already changed.
45:22The council argued
45:23for the entire day.
45:25Some said I had forgotten
45:26where I came from.
45:27Some said Black Pine
45:29had changed me.
45:30Some said that
45:31without the old rule,
45:32I would never have been
45:33forced to choose Logan.
45:35Logan's eyes turned cold
45:36when he heard that.
45:37I held his hand.
45:39I did not choose you
45:40because anyone forced me to.
45:42He looked at me.
45:43In front of every elder,
45:44I said clearly,
45:46I chose Logan
45:47because he respects me,
45:48not because Ryder
45:49didn't want me,
45:50and not because
45:51the council arranged it.
45:52The stone hall
45:53fell silent.
45:54At last,
45:55Elder Morin
45:56stood before
45:56the ceremonial platform.
45:58I agree to amend
45:59the old rule.
46:00One elder after another
46:02pressed a handprint
46:03into the new record.
46:04The council officially
46:05recorded the new rule.
46:06It was done.
46:07I could almost see
46:08the girl I had been
46:09a year ago,
46:10the one who stood there
46:11until dawn.
46:12She had been covered
46:12in dirt and blood,
46:14her ankle bleeding,
46:15the moonstone
46:15clenched in her hand.
46:16She had believed
46:17she could only wait
46:18for someone else
46:19to take her away.
46:20But now I stood here
46:21and changed the rule
46:22that had trapped her.
46:23Logan squeezed my hand
46:24once,
46:25quietly.
46:26You did it.
46:27I looked at the new record
46:28on the table.
46:29No.
46:30We changed the rule.
46:31They still have to choose
46:32for themselves.
46:33This time the record
46:34did not write down
46:35a failed ceremony.
46:36It wrote down a choice.
46:39After the conference,
46:41a young she-wolf
46:41ran to me.
46:42Her eyes were red.
46:43Luna,
46:44can we really reject
46:45an alpha who breaks
46:45his promises now?
46:47Yes.
46:48If he makes you wait
46:50until something inside you
46:51dies,
46:51you have the right
46:52to turn away.
46:53She cried.
46:53I held her gently.
46:55At that moment,
46:56I finally understood.
46:58My pain had not
46:59been meaningless.
47:00It had not turned me
47:01into someone trapped
47:02in hatred.
47:03It had given me
47:04a chance to open a door
47:05for those who came
47:06after me.
47:07Another young she-wolf
47:08stepped forward,
47:09clutching the edge
47:10of her shoulder.
47:11What if the elders
47:12say we are selfish?
47:14I looked at her carefully.
47:16Then show them
47:17the new record.
47:18Your choice is now
47:19protected by Miss Ridge Law.
47:21Elder Morin heard it
47:22from nearby.
47:24For once,
47:25he did not correct me.
47:27He only lowered
47:28his head slightly.
47:31Luna Annie is right.
47:33The girls began
47:34to cry harder.
47:35They were not weak.
47:36They were only hearing,
47:38for the first time,
47:39that waiting
47:40was not their only fate.
47:42Logan walked to my side,
47:44but did not interrupt them.
47:46He let me
47:47be the one
47:47they looked at.
47:49He let this moment
47:50belong to me
47:51and to them.
47:53This time,
47:54the girls heard clearly
47:55that they could say no.
47:59Ryder was in Miss Ridge
48:00on the day
48:00the new rule passed.
48:01He had not come
48:02as the alpha
48:03of the ruling city pack.
48:04He was only
48:05the temporary commander
48:05of the Northern Border Guard,
48:07assigned to escort
48:08a batch of border case files.
48:09He stood far below
48:10the ceremonial platform.
48:12Snow-laden wind
48:12whipped his black cloak
48:13behind him.
48:14After a year,
48:15he looked much thinner.
48:16His eyes were no longer
48:17as sharp or proud
48:19as before.
48:20He moved one step.
48:21Then he stopped.
48:23Black Spine Warriors
48:24stood behind me.
48:25I knew he was watching me,
48:27but I did not turn around.
48:29Commander Ryder,
48:30should we deliver
48:31the case files now?
48:32One of the border guards
48:33side him lowered his voice.
48:35Ryder's throat moved.
48:36For a moment,
48:37he looked like he wanted
48:38to say my name.
48:40Wait.
48:41But the council's order
48:43still stood between us.
48:44That was all he said.
48:46He waited far below
48:47the platform,
48:48the way I had once
48:49waited for him.
48:50Meanwhile,
48:51Elder Morin
48:52read the new rule aloud.
48:54From this day on,
48:55we'll have to prove
48:56loyalty by waiting.
48:58Any alpha who wants
48:59to claim a Mist Ridge
49:00she-wolf
49:01must respect the trials,
49:03the vows,
49:04and her choice.
49:05A she-wolf has the right
49:06to reject someone
49:07who breaks his promises.
49:08She also has the right
49:09to choose another mate.
49:10The council recorder
49:11wrote the new rule
49:12into the pack ledger.
49:13Every member of Mist Ridge
49:14listened in silence.
49:16Behind me,
49:16I heard suppressed sobs.
49:17They were not sounds of grief.
49:18They were the sounds
49:19of many she-wolves
49:20finally breathing freely.
49:21Ryder listened quietly.
49:23His fingers gripped
49:24the border case file
49:25tightly,
49:27then slowly relaxed.
49:32So this is what
49:33she came back for?
49:35No one answered him.
49:39Tired?
49:39After the ceremony,
49:41Logan walked to my side.
49:42I shook my head.
49:45No.
49:46He looked down at me,
49:47a faint smile in his eyes.
49:49Then let's go home.
49:54I looked into the distance.
49:58Ryder was still standing there.
50:04Our eyes met.
50:09In that moment,
50:10I remembered him
50:11standing at the entrance
50:11to Mist Ridge years ago,
50:13telling me he would
50:14take me away.
50:15Back then,
50:16I believed my future
50:17was in his hands.
50:19Later,
50:19I learned that
50:20no one gives you a future.
50:21You walk towards it yourself.
50:24A long while later,
50:25Ryder slowly lowered his head.
50:27He said nothing.
50:28Seven full moons,
50:30seven late arrivals,
50:31and seven broken promises
50:33stood between us.
50:34Logan did not urge me.
50:35He only stood beside me,
50:37waiting for my choice.
50:39Annie?
50:41I looked away from Ryder
50:42and held Logan's hand.
50:45Let's go home.
50:47Together,
50:47we walked down
50:48from the Mist Ridge
50:48ceremonial platform.
50:50Black Pine Warriors
50:50followed behind us.
50:52The young she-wolves
50:52of Mist Ridge
50:53stood along the stone steps
50:54and lowered their heads to me.
50:56They called me
50:56by my new title.
50:57Anna, Anna.
50:58I stopped for a moment
50:59and looked back at Mist Ridge.
51:01This mountain
51:02had once trapped me.
51:04It had seen me wait,
51:06lose hope,
51:07break the moonstone
51:08and stand back up again.
51:11Now it no longer belonged
51:13only to the old rule.
51:17It also belonged
51:18to the she-wolves
51:19who could finally choose
51:21for themselves.
Comments