Marked by Beastman Brothers in Turn is an addictive short drama blending werewolf fantasy, romance, destiny, and supernatural secrets. When an ordinary woman becomes mysteriously marked by powerful Beastman brothers, ancient bonds, dangerous rivalries, and forbidden love begin to reshape her fate. As passion and loyalty collide, she must uncover the truth behind the mysterious mark before it's too late. Watch the Full Episode to experience emotional twists, thrilling fantasy, and an unforgettable supernatural romance.
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#MarkedByBeastmanBrothersInTurn #ShortDrama #FullEpisode #ENGSUB #WerewolfRomance #Beastman #WolfShifter #FatedMates #FantasyRomance #Alpha #Supernatural #DramaSeries #ShortFilm #ShortMovie #LoveStory
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Wait for the contraction.
00:04Three, two, one, push!
00:15It was 317 AM again.
00:17My mate bond bracelet suddenly let out a piercing alarm.
00:20Severe imbalance detected in the three-way mate bond.
00:23I hadn't slept for days.
00:25The doctor said my mate-linked hormones were destabilizing
00:28and I needed a response from my mates to steady them.
00:31Before I could even catch my breath, the bureau called.
00:34Ms. Dell, your mate bond index is dropping too fast.
00:37Has either of your mates been rejecting your bonding attempts?
00:40For the past year, I had given them the same meals,
00:43the same care, and the same patience.
00:45Reese was the older brother.
00:47He always accepted whatever I gave him in silence,
00:50then thanked me in a low voice.
00:52Rex was the younger one.
00:53He always shoved me away,
00:54shouting that a tiny human like me should stay far away from him.
00:58The bureau caseworker went quiet for a moment.
01:01A three-way mate bond cannot survive on duty alone.
01:03It needs a response.
01:06If this imbalance continues, someone is going to break first.
01:09For an entire year, I thought that as long as I loved them equally,
01:13they would eventually love me back.
01:15But equal love, given into unequal hands,
01:18only drains a person little by little.
01:20So that night, I stopped trying to balance what had already broken.
01:24I poured one cup of milk back into the pot,
01:26then carried the other one to Reese.
01:29Reese noticed first.
01:30He didn't say anything.
01:31He took the cup and thanked me like always.
01:34Rex was on the couch playing his game.
01:36I said goodnight and headed to my room.
01:38That's when he looked up.
01:39Hey, we out of milk?
01:42Or you two broke for two cups?
01:44Rex was nothing like his brother.
01:46Reese was quiet, distant.
01:47Rex was all sharp edges.
01:49He put down the controller.
01:51His eyes weren't friendly.
01:52What, you blind?
01:53I'm sitting right here.
01:55He never talked to me like I was a person.
01:57The urge to explain myself died fast.
01:59My smile dropped.
02:01No milk.
02:03No milk?
02:05Then what's this?
02:06You trying to mess with me?
02:07Mess with me?
02:08I thought about a few nights before.
02:10Reese and Rex got called out for an emergency.
02:13They didn't come back until almost one in the morning.
02:15I waited.
02:16Fell asleep on the couch without meaning to.
02:18The door woke me.
02:19I got up.
02:20Heated their food.
02:21Brought it out.
02:22Two cups of milk.
02:23Like always, Rex looked exhausted.
02:25I saw the wound on his shoulder and stepped forward.
02:28He shoved me before I got a word of it.
02:30I hit the floor hard.
02:32The cup shattered with me.
02:34Rex blinked.
02:35Just once.
02:36Then the impatience came back.
02:38Damn, are you blind?
02:39Can't you see I'm texting?
02:41Stop throwing yourself at me.
02:43You deserve it.
02:44You used to cling and play dumb before.
02:46But I'm worn out today.
02:48I come home dead tired and you're still here pestering me like a lap dog.
02:52That's what my waiting looked like to him.
02:54Pathetic.
02:55I was stung by the disgust in Rex's voice.
02:58The shame hit fast.
03:00I didn't look up.
03:01I rushed back to my room with my face burning.
03:03A thud from the living room.
03:05Reese had punched Rex.
03:07A few minutes later, Reese came in with the first aid kit.
03:10He knelt in front of me.
03:11That's when I saw it.
03:13The broken cup had caught my calf.
03:15Blood had run all the way to my ankle.
03:19I always knew.
03:21The brothers had every reason to resent me.
03:23Anyone could see it.
03:24I was the one who'd married up.
03:26They were top of their class at the academy.
03:28Strong.
03:28Sharp.
03:29Wanted by everyone.
03:30I was ordinary.
03:31If not for the high match percentage.
03:33The bureau's system wouldn't flag us immediately.
03:36We never would have crossed paths.
03:38At first I was happy.
03:40I grew up in foster care.
03:41All I ever wanted was a home.
03:43I told myself Reese and Rex were that.
03:45My home.
03:47My family.
03:48So no matter how cool they were.
03:49No matter how little they thought of me.
03:51I smiled and showed up anyway.
03:54Every time they finished the food I made, something in me settled.
03:56I was needed here.
03:58That was enough.
03:59The first six months were brutal.
04:01They hated the match.
04:02Rivals who'd lost to them before finally had something to laugh about.
04:06The two golden boys of the force paired with a nobody.
04:09It humiliated them.
04:10So they took it out on me.
04:12Reese went cold.
04:13Looked through me like I was furniture.
04:15Rex went loud.
04:16Picked apart everything.
04:18My face.
04:19My job.
04:19My right to exist.
04:21In his version of me I had nothing.
04:23Was nothing.
04:24Then something shifted.
04:25I don't know exactly when.
04:26Reese stopped looking through me.
04:28He started taking the milk.
04:30Started saying thank you.
04:31At times he'd look at me.
04:32Then suddenly ruffle my hair.
04:34It felt just as intimate as any other beast man with their mate.
04:38I'd never been treated like this before.
04:39I was utterly flustered and overwhelmed.
04:41And Rex stopped picking fights every day.
04:44Sometimes he'd pull me onto the couch to play with him.
04:47Curse me for losing.
04:48Then take out everyone who came near my character.
04:51I thought I'd finally won them over.
04:53I was almost at the end of my hard days.
04:56Sticking it out really did help.
04:57When I tried so hard to please them.
04:59They were slowly trying to accept me too.
05:02Until that glass of milk got shattered.
05:03All my years of effort, devotion and clingy affection ultimately boiled down to just two words.
05:09A lap dog.
05:11Yeah.
05:11A dog with no self respect at all.
05:15The hotel room smelled like recycled air and cheap soap.
05:19I didn't go home that night.
05:20Day after day.
05:21Same room.
05:22Curtains shut.
05:23I'd found it by accident.
05:24A document left open on the shared desktop.
05:27A formal appeal.
05:28Both signatures.
05:29Filed within weeks of our match.
05:30Requests to dissolve pouring.
05:32Grounds.
05:33Incompatibility.
05:34They'd tried to get rid of me before we'd even started.
05:37I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the carpet.
05:39Is there something wrong with me?
05:41Why does no one ever want me?
05:43I'd asked myself that before.
05:45In foster care when families came and chose everyone else.
05:48In school.
05:48Eating alone for a semester and pretending I didn't mind.
05:51I thought I was done asking.
05:53I wasn't.
05:54I cried dramatically.
05:57Deep down I knew it was nothing but a deal.
05:59Still I couldn't sleep properly for days.
06:02I did my best to avoid both of them.
06:04My best friend flew into a rage when she found out.
06:07I stared down at my sleeves.
06:08It's all in the past.
06:09I've made up my mind.
06:10I'll keep my distance from now on.
06:12Just stay away.
06:13That's all.
06:14The worst case is nothing more than being polite strangers.
06:18The bureau had made it clear.
06:19With a match percentage this high only you can stabilize them through their feral cycle.
06:24In return.
06:24Their standing in the military gave me a comfortable life.
06:27It was nothing more than a transaction.
06:30Are you still going to give them milk every night?
06:33Probably.
06:34Surface level peace mattered.
06:35For me as much as them.
06:37She hesitated.
06:38But don't you think treating them exactly the same.
06:41That's not fair to the one who's actually been good to you?
06:44Fair?
06:44The bureau case worker had drilled it into me before we moved in.
06:48Multi-mate households are rare but they exist.
06:50Balance is everything.
06:52You are the glue.
06:54Your every move affects both of them.
06:55Do not play favorites.
06:57Do not tip the scale.
06:58I took it seriously.
07:00When I brought lunch to the force I even counted the shrimp in each container one by one.
07:04I'd gone that far and it still wasn't fair.
07:07My best friend saw my confusion.
07:09She said it carefully.
07:10It was only Rex who lashed out at you that night.
07:12Rhys didn't say a word.
07:14I nodded.
07:15Yeah.
07:16Rhys hadn't just stayed quiet.
07:18He'd punched Rex.
07:19It almost looked like he was defending me.
07:21And yet I looked down at the wound on my calf.
07:24He'd knelt on the floor in front of me.
07:27Cleaned the wound like it was the only thing that mattered.
07:29Before he left he pressed a piece of chocolate into my hand.
07:33Wiped my tears.
07:34Talked me down until I could sleep.
07:36Apologized on Rex's behalf.
07:38None of that was his responsibility.
07:40Rex was the one who hurt me.
07:42Think about it.
07:43She said.
07:44Same treatment.
07:45Same gifts.
07:45But one of them has actually been showing up for you.
07:47Doesn't that feel off?
07:48I couldn't sleep that night.
07:50I kept thinking about something from foster care.
07:52A volunteer came to spend the day with us.
07:54I helped her the whole afternoon.
07:56Moving boxes.
07:57Carrying bags.
07:58Hands red by the end of it.
08:00Everyone else played.
08:01Did nothing.
08:02We all got the same backpack when she left.
08:05Same color.
08:05Same size.
08:06But before she walked out she pulled me aside.
08:09The backpack is for everyone.
08:11But these are just for you.
08:13Good kids deserve a little extra.
08:16That's what fair actually means.
08:20The volunteer's voice fighting in my head all night.
08:23By morning the volunteer had won.
08:25The one who shows up deserves more.
08:27That's the real fairness.
08:30The milk was just the beginning.
08:32I stopped sitting in the middle of the couch.
08:35I drifted toward Reese.
08:37Kept a clear distance from Rex.
08:38I stopped saying good morning to Rex.
08:40Only Reese got that now.
08:42A soft smile when I saw him come down the hall.
08:45Questions went to Reese.
08:46Errands went with Reese.
08:48At gatherings I held Reese's arm.
08:49At dinner I stopped counting.
08:51Ten shrimp.
08:52Eight for Reese.
08:53Two for Rex.
08:54It scared me at first.
08:56Letting go of the balance felt like standing on the edge of the cliff.
08:59But the shift wasn't as dangerous as I thought.
09:01Reese was cold by nature.
09:03But he never made me feel small.
09:04When I sat beside him.
09:05He'd wrap a hand loosely around my wrist.
09:08Then ask if I wanted anything.
09:09When I said good morning.
09:11He answered.
09:12Every time then asked how I slept.
09:13He tasted everything I cooked.
09:15And said something specific about each dish.
09:17Not just good.
09:18Something real.
09:19I stopped getting shoved off the couch.
09:21Stopped being ignored when I say good morning.
09:23Stopped walking three steps behind him on the street.
09:26Because he didn't want to be seen beside me.
09:28Stopped watching a full meal get pushed away when he didn't even try.
09:31I hid behind Reese like a coward.
09:34Soaking up this rare moment of warmth.
09:36Yet the atmosphere at home turned strangely tense.
09:39More than once I could feel a pair of eyes staring at my back.
09:42I turned around.
09:43Rex was staring at the TV.
09:45Face blank.
09:46He felt me look.
09:47He turned.
09:48His voice was sharp.
09:49What are you staring at?
09:51What, you want to play games with me again?
09:53Before.
09:53Foolish as I was.
09:55I would have taken it as an invitation and hurried over eagerly.
09:58But now, I shook my head.
10:00Refusing to humiliate myself any longer.
10:02Reese came out from the hallway.
10:03I fell in to step beside him.
10:05Grabbed the rackets.
10:06I addicted to tennis.
10:07We'd been playing for weeks.
10:09Hours at a time.
10:10We were halfway out the door when it happened.
10:12A crash behind us.
10:14Rex smashed the game console.
10:16Pieces everywhere.
10:17His eyes were fixed on our hands.
10:19He smiled, but it didn't reach anything.
10:21Come on, bro.
10:22His voice was light and ugly.
10:24You're addicted to playing the good guy, acting like you actually like this ugly freak?
10:30How long had it been since I last heard those words?
10:33When we first got paired, Rex didn't bother hiding it.
10:36He caused a scene at the bureau.
10:37Filed complaints.
10:38Ugly freak.
10:39Worthless.
10:39Not good enough.
10:40Those were his words for me then.
10:41It faded after I soothed them through their first Farron cycle.
10:44The invincible soldiers of the force.
10:46During their cycle, they turned clingy.
10:47Fierce snow lepers.
10:48Yet at that moment, they were like giant cats.
10:50Nuzzling me.
10:51Calling me mate.
10:52Pressing their faces into my shoulder.
10:53After they came to their senses, Rex always looked humiliated.
10:56He'd point at me lost for words.
10:58But after that, he rarely mocked my looks again.
11:00A friend told me once,
11:02After an orc lets you hold them, something softens.
11:04The truth was, I wasn't ugly.
11:06I wasn't ordinary either.
11:08But next to Rhys and Rex, ordinary disappeared.
11:11I told myself Rex was young, used to being worshipped.
11:14Cruelty came easy to people like that.
11:16I turned down his game invite.
11:18I bruised his pride.
11:19Fine, forget it then.
11:20Ugly freak.
11:20No wonder he snapped and called me ugly again.
11:23Even so, I still tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
11:25Deep down, I was just hurt.
11:27I got out of bed, heading to the hall for a glass of water.
11:30The balcony light was on.
11:32Rice and Rex.
11:33One at the railing, one against the wall.
11:35A cigarette.
11:36Low voices.
11:38I stopped at the corner and didn't make a sound.
11:42That's the second time you've hit me.
11:45Rex exhaled slowly.
11:46The bruise on his jaw was fresh.
11:48Just because I called her ugly?
11:51Rise stood before him, his face cold and distant.
11:54He felt almost unfamiliar to me.
11:56He'd been so gentle around me lately.
11:59I'd nearly forgotten.
12:00Snow leopard orgs were born cold and cruel.
12:03Deep down, both brothers were heartless.
12:05If you don't want to be around her, don't be.
12:08Rice pressed out his cigarette.
12:10But if I see you go after her again, it won't stop at one.
12:14Rex laughed.
12:15It wasn't a good laugh.
12:17Come on, bro.
12:18Weren't you the one who joined me to fight this pairing at first?
12:21Now all of a sudden you're her protector?
12:23You just love putting on a show, don't you?
12:25He shook his head.
12:26I get it.
12:27Trial periods, almost up.
12:29You're just playing the long game.
12:31Being nice to that ugly thing so she'll agree to divorce quietly.
12:34If we hadn't already agreed on this, I'd actually fall for your act.
12:37The trial bond period.
12:38My chest pulled tight.
12:40I'd almost forgotten.
12:41The matching program wasn't absolute.
12:43One year.
12:44If it didn't work, either party could file.
12:46He's been setting this up, I thought.
12:48He's been kind, so I'll leave quietly.
12:50I pressed my back against the wall.
12:53Then...
12:54No.
12:54No.
12:55Are you actually planning to stay married to her forever?
12:58We agreed we'd divorce and get matched with someone else afterward.
13:01She's good for nothing.
13:02Plain and useless.
13:03Staying married to her would be humiliating.
13:06We'd be the laughing stock of the whole circle.
13:08Rice corrected him calmly.
13:10It's never we.
13:11That's only you.
13:12I never said I wanted anyone else.
13:14Del is wonderful.
13:15She's smart and lovely.
13:17I let my predators blind me before and I miss so much because of it.
13:23I never thought...
13:24Rife saw me like this all along.
13:26Del.
13:27Delara was my name.
13:28Del.
13:30He called me Del.
13:31No one had ever said my name like that.
13:34Rex's jaw tightened.
13:35So you're serious.
13:37Keep your distance from my mate.
13:39She's my mate too!
13:40Rex's voice cracked at the edge.
13:42Dude, I'm still married.
13:44Why are you acting like she's only your mate?
13:47Aren't you trying to get a divorce?
13:48Quit hanging all over my mate.
13:51We're not getting divorced.
13:53Are you kidding me?
13:55Who's hanging over her?
13:56You really think I'm that blind like you mixing up trash with the treasure?
14:00Rex ran a frustrated hand through his hair.
14:03His voice dropping.
14:04That heat cycle stuff doesn't count.
14:06It was just a physical reaction.
14:08I wasn't thinking straight, okay?
14:09Rice gave him a look like he saw right through him, scoffing.
14:12Idiot.
14:13Rex ignored him, took a deep drag of his cigarette, his voice fuzzy, eyes wandering.
14:18Whatever.
14:19If you're not getting a divorce, neither am I.
14:21An orc ditching a human?
14:22That's a terrible look.
14:24Besides, that Delara.
14:25She's always staring at me like a lost puppy, clinging to me nonstop.
14:28I'm not that much of a jerk.
14:30We'll just make do.
14:31No matter how ugly her face is, you get used to it.
14:33She's useless, sure.
14:35But it's fine.
14:35If I ask for a divorce, I'll get stuck with the dukebag clag.
14:39And I won't find anyone better anyway.
14:41Fine, she's my wife.
14:42It's not a big deal.
14:43Screw it, I'm not the one bringing up divorce.
14:45I'm not filing.
14:46I went back to my room without the water.
14:49Lay down.
14:50Stared at the ceiling.
14:52So Riss had been planning to leave me from the start.
14:54He changed his mind.
14:55He really wanted to spend his life with me.
14:57But Rex was stuck.
14:58He had no choice but to make do with me.
15:01But I didn't want that.
15:02When I was little, the clothes were either too big or too small.
15:05The aunt who took care of us always said,
15:07Just make do with it.
15:09If the food was too salty, we couldn't waste it.
15:12So we just made do with that too.
15:14I wore clothes I hated, ate food I didn't like, and made do year after year.
15:20But then I grew up.
15:22I could make my own decisions about my long future ahead.
15:27I didn't want to make do anymore.
15:29I didn't want to be someone's afterthought, someone's compromise.
15:33If Rex wanted it, I would be the one to ask for a divorce.
15:39The next morning at breakfast, I was distracted.
15:42I didn't know how to bring it up.
15:44Say it now, or wait until the last day of the trial period.
15:47Then laughter broke through my thoughts.
15:49Rice had walked out.
15:51Tall posture.
15:52Sharp brown.
15:53When he looked up, he had that cool, closed off look.
15:56Rex was pointing at his sweater, doubled over.
15:59Bro, where did you even find that thing?
16:01It's hideous.
16:03You've got zero taste.
16:05If you're broke, I can spot you.
16:07Don't walk outside in that.
16:08It was a cream-colored knit sweater.
16:10The stitching was uneven.
16:11At the hem, someone had embroidered a little sleeping cat.
16:14But the person who made it wasn't exactly skilled.
16:17From a distance, it looked like a knot of black thread.
16:20My ears went red.
16:21I hurried over and tugged at a loose end.
16:25It wasn't bought.
16:26Delted it for me.
16:27My winter solstice gift.
16:31Rex's grin froze.
16:34After Rex left for work, Rex was still slowly picking at breakfast.
16:38I almost asked if he was worried about being late.
16:40Then I reminded myself it wasn't my business.
16:42I was heading back to my room when his voice stopped me.
16:45Stiff, off cane.
16:46Hey.
16:47Where's my winter solstice gift?
16:49Don't bother hiding it.
16:50Just hand it over.
16:52I stopped.
16:53I genuinely couldn't believe he had the nerve to say that.
16:56I was someone who cared about little rituals.
16:58Every holiday, big or small, I'd had something for both brothers.
17:01Small things, big duff things, headphones and massagers.
17:04Until I opened the trash can and found the scarf I'd knitted for Rex.
17:07Discarded.
17:08Like it had never meant anything.
17:09Like me.
17:10If the gift I give will only end up thrown away, I'll only give to the person who actually wants
17:14it.
17:15There isn't one.
17:17Why didn't you get me one?
17:18My brother got a sweater from you.
17:20Why wouldn't you give me one too?
17:22He seemed to realize he'd sounded too eager.
17:24Rex paused.
17:25Obviously, I don't even want your gift.
17:27It's just, you're way too obvious playing favorites.
17:30Fine.
17:30Knitting one does take a while.
17:31I get it.
17:32I'll give you a few more days.
17:33And don't put a rock on mine.
17:34That's kind of childish.
17:36I blinked.
17:37He thought my sleeping cat was a rock.
17:40Irritation and something sharper surged up at once.
17:42There isn't one.
17:43There won't be one.
17:44That sweater is only for wrists.
17:46Rex stared at me.
17:48Maybe he'd never seen me look at him like that.
17:51Shit!
17:51Like I even wanted your dumb sweater.
17:53It was ugly.
17:54Just like you.
17:56Totally embarrassing.
17:57Fine by me.
17:59Save me the trouble of throwing it in the trash anyway.
18:02Right.
18:02That's exactly what he would have done.
18:04I rubbed my eyes and went back to my room.
18:08I called the bureau and asked about the divorce process.
18:11Records show your trial bond period ends in one week, Ms. Dallara.
18:14Are you confirming you wish to dissolve the pairing with your assigned mates?
18:18Not both.
18:19Just Rex.
18:20Riss and I are moving forward to official registration.
18:23Mrs. Dell, with a compatibility score this high, separation from either mate normally causes significant distress during feral cycles.
18:29In past cases, the separated party has experienced self harm.
18:33We strongly encourage you to reconsider.
18:35I thought about Rex.
18:37During his cycles, he was always desperate.
18:40Clingy.
18:41Like he'd fall apart without me.
18:42But the moment clarity returned, he pulled back as far as he could get.
18:46Ashamed.
18:47Angry.
18:48Wanting distance.
18:49I didn't believe he couldn't survive without me.
18:52The caseworker sighed.
18:54We respect your decision.
18:55I'll send the required documents to your email.
18:58We do ask that you reconsider.
19:00But when you're ready...
19:01Next Wednesday, please come to the bureau with both parties to complete either the divorce or marriage registration.
19:09At dinner that evening, I noticed Riss's face.
19:13The sweater he'd worn out that morning had a long tear in it.
19:16Clean at the edges.
19:17Like someone had taken a blade to it.
19:19Guess I wasn't the only one who thought it was an eyesore.
19:22But I wasn't listening to him.
19:23I was thinking about the tear.
19:25If it was a blade, had Ricks been hurt?
19:27Riss caught my hand before I could start checking.
19:29No injuries.
19:29I was pulled into a quick op.
19:31I took it off so it wouldn't get ruined.
19:32When I came back, someone had cut it.
19:34Come on, bro.
19:34If it got wrecked, it got wrecked.
19:36No need for excuses.
19:37You really were useless, though.
19:40If it had been me, I would have never let anyone ruin a sweater someone gave me.
19:43His eyes drifted toward me.
19:45Watching.
19:46I'm sorry.
19:47Riss was quiet for a moment.
19:48Then he apologized again.
19:50Voice low.
19:50Genuinely guilty.
19:51A tear could be mended.
19:53It wasn't a big deal.
19:54I hadn't thought it through.
19:55Beige really was hard to keep clean.
19:57I'll make you a black one tomorrow instead.
19:59You don't have to worry about stains.
20:00I'll make a few so you can rotate.
20:02I figured out how to do a bunny.
20:04I'll put one on it for you.
20:05My cheeks warmed a little.
20:06A sharp crack from across the table.
20:08Rex glass had shattered in his hand.
20:09A shard had caught his palm.
20:11A thin line of blood.
20:12The smug look on his face was gone.
20:14His eyes were fixed on me.
20:16Focused.
20:17Unblinking.
20:17Like a predator deciding.
20:18I flinched and moved behind Riss.
20:21Leave.
20:21You're scaring her.
20:22Riss.
20:23Del doesn't only belong to you.
20:25I'm her mate too.
20:27You don't have the right to tell me to leave her.
20:30That night, Rise and Rex fought.
20:32I don't know what set it off.
20:34By the time I came back to myself, they were both already bleeding.
20:37Every punch thrown like neither one would back down.
20:39It took the police showing up to pull them apart.
20:42How did it even start?
20:44How did it even start?
20:44Look at you.
20:44He said something he shouldn't have.
20:46He had it coming.
20:47I'm used to it.
20:48He's just like that.
20:50Riss didn't agree.
20:51He frowned, about to say more.
20:52I stopped him.
20:53He'd already gotten into enough trouble for my sake.
20:56I thought for a moment, then said, one more week.
20:58Riss looked up fast.
21:00I pressed my lips together.
21:01In one week, the trial period ends.
21:03Then he won't have to see me anymore.
21:05I heard his heartbeat.
21:06Loud, unsteady.
21:08And what about me?
21:09I nearly laughed.
21:11But I didn't want to watch his face go dim.
21:13I already promised to keep making you sweaters.
21:15You were so clueless.
21:16How could you not even figure that out?
21:18Honey.
21:20Del.
21:21My girl.
21:26After I finished with Rex's wounds, I went to wash my hands.
21:29Rex's door was open.
21:31I caught a glimpse through the gap.
21:32He was still half slumped against the wall.
21:34Exactly how they'd left him.
21:36The lights were off.
21:37Just moonlight cutting through the window.
21:39The cuts on his face and arm hadn't been touched.
21:41Blood had dried into his collar.
21:44The guy who was always immaculate.
21:46Right now, he looked like wreckage.
21:48And he wasn't even reacting to it.
21:49Just staring at the floor.
21:51I came back from the bathroom.
21:53Stood there for a second.
21:54Then, I left the first aid kit and bandages outside his door.
21:58Maybe I really am too soft.
22:00I don't know why, but seeing him like that,
22:01there was something heavy in my chest.
22:04I waited around the corner.
22:06A few minutes later, I heard rustling.
22:08I peeked.
22:09The kit was gone.
22:10He'd taken it.
22:11That night, I dreamed about something from a long time ago.
22:14I was walking home from work.
22:15Someone was following me.
22:16I kept my pace steady, heart loud, and pulled out my phone.
22:20I hit a contact without thinking.
22:21Rex picked up.
22:22He showed up fast.
22:23Hair disheveled.
22:24Like he'd run.
22:25It was a trafficking ring.
22:26Three of them.
22:27Big.
22:27I was already halfway into a car, fingers locked around the door frame.
22:31The moment I saw Rex, I started crying.
22:33He took all three of them alone.
22:35He was good.
22:35Really good.
22:36But he still took hits.
22:37When it was over, he pulled me into him.
22:39Let my tears soak into his collar.
22:41Don't be scared.
22:42I'm here.
22:43No one's touching you.
22:44His voice was different that night.
22:46I only found out later that he'd taken a blade to the back.
22:50Almost critical.
22:51He never said a word about it.
22:53The next day, Rise found out.
22:55He was furious.
22:56Within 24 hours, the city launched a crackdown.
22:59Rex was in the force too.
23:01He'd done something.
23:02I was sure of it.
23:03Maybe that's part of why I always on with him for so long.
23:06That one night.
23:07But we still weren't right for each other.
23:10I thought I could just wait out the week.
23:12Then Rex's feral cycle came early.
23:15Beastmen had three days every month.
23:17Volatile.
23:19Restless.
23:20Desperate for their mate's presence.
23:21I stood at his door.
23:23Hesitated.
23:24Then pushed it open.
23:25We weren't divorced yet.
23:27Stabilizing him was still my responsibility.
23:29Rex was sitting with his arms crossed.
23:31Cycle just starting.
23:32Still mostly clear.
23:34What's this?
23:34Had time to drop by today?
23:36Aren't you off spending time with your beloved Res?
23:38I'm here for your cycle.
23:39If you don't need it, I'll leave.
23:40Rex went quiet.
23:42I found a corner and sat.
23:44We were on opposite sides of the room.
23:46Come here.
23:47Come here.
23:48He said it.
23:49Then crossed the room himself.
23:51Slowly, a tail wound around my ankle.
23:54He pulled me into him.
23:55His face dropped into my shoulder.
23:58Rough.
23:59Urgent.
23:59Like something starved.
24:01After a long moment, his voice came out Harley.
24:04Del.
24:05You're not being fair.
24:06I'm your mate too.
24:08But you only give wrist gifts.
24:09You only hold his hand.
24:11When you patched him up, you didn't even come look at me once.
24:13The cycle was pulling him under fast.
24:16Reason bleeding out.
24:17That night, I was in a lot of pain.
24:20You didn't come.
24:21In snow-loppered form, he was nothing like himself.
24:24Maybe the distance I'd put between us shook something loose in him.
24:27He was more desperate than usual.
24:28More unsettled.
24:30He didn't let me move.
24:31Claws catching my waist every time I shifted.
24:33If I looked away for even a second, a low whine pressing into me.
24:38Demanding.
24:39Not like a big cat anymore.
24:41More like a massive, clingy dog who'd decided I was his.
24:48We stayed tangled together for three days.
24:50Meals.
24:51Shower breaks.
24:52Rex's tail never fully let go of my wrist.
24:54He was easier to talk to in this form.
24:56I tried to bring up the divorce.
24:58Prepare him.
24:59The moment the word came out, he went feral.
25:01Eyes blown wide.
25:02Almost round.
25:03Almost panicked.
25:04A low, broken sound.
25:06Then tears.
25:07Real ones.
25:08Coming fast.
25:08He head-butted my shoulder.
25:10Over and over.
25:10Like I might take it back.
25:11I gave up and just held him.
25:13Scratched his ears.
25:14Pressed my lips to the top of his head.
25:16On the third night, I woke up in his arms.
25:18The grip around my waist was iron tight.
25:20Rex shift back into his human form.
25:22His cycle was finally over.
25:24His face was at my neck.
25:25Lips moving slow.
25:27Deliberate.
25:28He was back.
25:29Cycle over.
25:30But he hadn't let go.
25:31The arms stiffened.
25:33Rex.
25:34Then, loosened.
25:35I sat up.
25:37Drank some water.
25:38Pulled a chair over.
25:39Rex.
25:39There's something I need to tell you.
25:41He folded himself down.
25:43One knee bent.
25:43And sat at my feet.
25:45Don't think helping me through the cycle cancels out you ignoring me all this time.
25:48Back to the old posture.
25:49Arms crossed.
25:50Eyes down.
25:51He smoothed his sleeve.
25:52It wouldn't flatten.
25:53He stopped trying.
25:54Finally looked up at me.
25:56Voice quiet.
25:57Is this about the gift?
25:58Are you willing to give me one again?
26:00I didn't know how to describe the way he was looking at me.
26:02A full year.
26:04Every day.
26:05Side by side.
26:06The cycles pulling us close.
26:07I thought I'd be able to say it without flinching.
26:11I couldn't.
26:12It's not about the gift.
26:14The trial period ends Wednesday.
26:17That day.
26:19Let's go to the bureau together.
26:21And sign the divorce papers.
26:24Wednesday.
26:26A thin, gray drizzle.
26:27Wrist opened the car door for me.
26:29Had his umbrella up before a single drop could touch me.
26:31From the corner of my eye, I saw Rex take a few steps in my direction.
26:35He had an umbrella too.
26:36He stopped.
26:37Said nothing.
26:38Fell back.
26:38When I'd told Rex about the divorce that night,
26:41his eyes went red immediately.
26:43Like he was going to fight it.
26:44Started to reach for my wrist.
26:46Tell.
26:47When I pulled back on instinct, he froze.
26:50Wrist came out and took him to the other room.
26:52I had no idea what they'd talked about.
26:54After their conversation, Rex shut himself up in his room for a long time.
27:00When Rex came out, he'd made up his mind.
27:02He was ready.
27:03At the bureau, my paperwork came first.
27:06Simple.
27:06Name entry.
27:07Print.
27:08Sign.
27:08Rex's hand shook.
27:09He ruined a few forms before the pen finally cooperated.
27:12He caught me watching.
27:14Looked away.
27:14I went out on a mission last week.
27:16Hurt my hand.
27:17I'm not stalling.
27:18Then came Reese and me.
27:20More steps.
27:21A new photo together.
27:22The temporary certificate replaced with the real one.
27:25Congratulations.
27:26The caseworker set off a little confetti popper.
27:28We turned the certificate over in our hands.
27:30Both sides.
27:31Strange.
27:31New.
27:32Congratulations.
27:33Rex stood among the staff.
27:34Face stiff.
27:35He joined in anyway.
27:36The last word got stuck.
27:38He walked over.
27:39Fingers trembling.
27:40Held it together enough.
27:41Eyes on me.
27:42Can I have a minute with you?
27:43Just us.
27:44Yes.
27:47There wasn't much to say.
27:49So we stood in the corner and let the silence settle.
27:51Riss told me you used to cry a lot.
27:53Right after we got paired.
27:54I was quiet a moment.
27:55Then nodded.
27:56Not constantly.
27:57But enough.
27:58Every two or three days.
27:59When Rex called me ugly.
28:01When Riss looked straight through me.
28:03Both their signatures.
28:04I didn't go home.
28:05Stayed in a hotel for three days.
28:07Cried for three days.
28:08I remember sitting on that bed and genuinely asking myself.
28:11Is there something wrong with me?
28:12Why does no one ever want me?
28:14Riss came around fast.
28:16Second month in he stopped fighting it.
28:17He was right.
28:18By month two.
28:19Riss was different.
28:20He talked to me.
28:21Ruffled my hair.
28:22Sat with me when the nightmares got bad.
28:24But I was still crying then.
28:25Just only because of Rex.
28:27I'd even mocked him for being spinless back then.
28:30He gave in to the forced pairing in just a month.
28:33He stared at you all day.
28:35Never looking away.
28:36Like he actually wanted to spend his whole life with you.
28:39Rex lifted his arm and pressed it over his eyes.
28:42Turns out I was just the biggest idiot in the room.
28:45Do you hate me?
28:45The moment he had saved me from the kidnappers, I could never truly hate him.
28:51At most, I only felt disappointed and hurt.
28:55Rex, between the two of you, you were the one I noticed first.
29:03His whole body went still.
29:05When I found out about the match, I snuck off to see you.
29:08Riss was out of town.
29:09I hid quietly in the corner.
29:11All I saw every day was that wild, unyielding side of him.
29:14I saw you take down a thug on the street who'd been bullying an old man.
29:18The next day, you helped a young girl and dragged the creep harassing her straight to the police station.
29:23To me, you were like a hero back then.
29:26Rex was shaking.
29:27Holding it in.
29:28Barely.
29:29You were so good.
29:31So sharp.
29:32Fair when it mattered.
29:33So why- why were you only ever unkind to me?
29:36Rex, in your heart, was it because I wasn't good enough?
29:41No.
29:42It was me.
29:43Only ever me.
29:45I was scared of what I felt.
29:47I hated the system.
29:48I cared too much about what people were saying.
29:50I was arrogant and stupid.
29:52Whatever went wrong between us, it was all me.
29:54I'm the one who mistook treasure for trash.
29:58Del, is there any chance you'd give me one more shot?
30:01I already gave you one.
30:02That first day I saw him on the street, that was the chance.
30:05It carried me through a year of trying.
30:07And the night he saved me, that kept me from ever truly hating him.
30:10There wouldn't be a third.
30:11Then why him?
30:12Rice fought the match too.
30:14I thought about it.
30:15Maybe because even when he didn't love me yet, he never hurt me.
30:18He went cold for a month, but it was aimed at the system, not at me.
30:23Once he saw me clearly, he never looked away again.
30:26Outside, the rain had eased.
30:28Rice came over.
30:29He traped his jacket around my shoulders before I noticed I was cold.
30:32We walked out under the same umbrella.
30:34When we get home, can we go get hot pot?
30:36Yes.
30:37One hand on the umbrella, one hand around mine.
30:40The rain stopped.
30:41My new life is starting.
30:43Good morning.
30:45Hello!
30:45Who falou him.
30:45Warren Sitsastros have made an stirring rate.
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