- 30 minutes ago
Hot Short Films 2026
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Short filmTranscript
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00:01:15I was matched with three beastmen from childhood.
00:01:18On my 21st birthday, I was supposed to choose one of them to bond with.
00:01:22The fox beastman, Reese, was warm and charming.
00:01:33The tiger beastman, Finn, was proud and sharp-tongued.
00:01:37The snake beastman, Kalem, had double the fun.
00:01:41By the time Kalem had me too sore to straighten my back, I saw their group chat.
00:01:45Whoever she picks is seriously unlucky. I don't like her.
00:01:49What about you two? You mangly fox. You stinking tiger. I don't like her either.
00:01:54She's always yanking my fur in bed.
00:01:56I'm practically going bald. Her sister's so much gentler, don't you think?
00:02:00Right, you dead black snake? Don't like her.
00:02:04She's always biting my tail tip.
00:02:07I let out a cold laugh. Perfect.
00:02:11As a fake heiress, they saved me from agonizing over who to pick.
00:02:17That same night, I booked a flight overseas for school.
00:02:22Forget it. I don't want any of the three of you.
00:02:26The sound of rushing water came from the bathroom.
00:02:29But what they'd said came back to me.
00:02:58I held back my tears.
00:03:02Fifteen years of waking up beside them, and it couldn't buy me one person's honest heart.
00:03:07They'd only met Sophia a handful of times, and they were already crying for her.
00:03:12I'd been sitting here counting down to my birthday next month, ready to give them an answer they'd be happy
00:03:18with.
00:03:18What a joke that looks like now.
00:03:20If I hadn't stumbled onto their real feelings today, I would have humiliated myself at next month's party.
00:03:26My identity was already shaky enough, being a fake heiress.
00:03:30And they were playing games with me on top of it.
00:03:34Tears welled up in my eyes.
00:03:36I was about to wipe it away when arms folded around me from behind.
00:03:40Caleb leaned in and carefully licked the tear from their cheek.
00:03:44I'm sorry sweetheart, but you warmed up?
00:03:47That's on me. We don't have to do both next time.
00:03:49I hadn't even noticed him come out of the bathroom.
00:03:52He'd just showered, still warm from the water, my scratches still marking his skin.
00:03:58I saw something in his eyes that looked real and not concerned.
00:04:02It made me angry.
00:04:03I shoved his hand up.
00:04:05He could say something that cruel and still act this well.
00:04:10It made me upset.
00:04:12I shot him a glare over my shoulder.
00:04:15Look at him.
00:04:16Was this my fault?
00:04:18He was the one always baiting me.
00:04:20The angrier I got, the more I wanted to do something about it.
00:04:24I opened my mouth and bit down on his tail tail.
00:04:28Heart.
00:04:29Caleb let out a low grunt and pulled me closer instead.
00:04:34My tongue accidentally grazed his tail.
00:04:37I watched him tip his head back, jaw tight.
00:04:40I released his tail.
00:04:42I didn't look at the man behind me, breathing rough.
00:04:45The red at the corners of his eyes still not fading.
00:04:49I shoved the door open and walked out.
00:04:52Right into a burning hot chest.
00:04:55Well, well.
00:04:57What happened princess?
00:05:06Did that stupid snake leave you unsatisfied?
00:05:09Finn grinned down at me.
00:05:11Then he leaned to my ear and breathed.
00:05:14Wanna come to my room?
00:05:15Get away from me!
00:05:17I pushed him off and walked.
00:05:19Finn stared at my closed door, then turned a sharp look toward Caleb.
00:05:23You upset her?
00:05:25I didn't.
00:05:26Caleb looked just as lost.
00:05:28Did you say something to her?
00:05:30Caleb frowned.
00:05:33What's all the noise?
00:05:34Reese leaned in the doorway.
00:05:36Talking's boring.
00:05:38Just fight it out.
00:05:39As if.
00:05:40Stop pretending to be reasonable.
00:05:42After the commotion died down, all three of them went back to their own rooms.
00:06:06I lay in bed and couldn't sleep, no matter which way I turned.
00:06:10I'd spent over 20 years as the heiress of this woman.
00:06:13And now, I was being told it was all fake.
00:06:15The identity wasn't mine.
00:06:17My parents' love wasn't mine.
00:06:19Everything I had belonged to Sophia.
00:06:22I was the one who stole her brilliant life.
00:06:24So, I was the one who volunteered to live.
00:06:26That's how I ended up in this villa.
00:06:28I hadn't even planned on bringing the three of them.
00:06:31They showed up on their own room.
00:06:32The letter was short, bitter soon.
00:06:35My eyes went blurry.
00:06:36I bit into my pillow.
00:06:37Fake.
00:06:38All of it.
00:06:39Fake.
00:06:39The only real thing I had was my acceptance letter from the Eastmore Conservatory.
00:06:44I picked up my phone and dialed the number I had known.
00:06:46Yes, that's right.
00:06:47Move the date up.
00:06:48Just one person.
00:06:50I hadn't had the chance to tell them yet.
00:06:52Right when I got the acceptance letter, the story broke that I wasn't the Morrison's real
00:06:57daughter.
00:06:57My parents held Sophia and cried.
00:06:59I quietly picked the mother away.
00:07:02They'd hired tutors for my piano since I was small.
00:07:04They'd given me the room with the best light upstairs for a practice room.
00:07:08Every bit of skill I had came from the foundation they built for me.
00:07:12Then one day, my parents took my hands on the nurse.
00:07:15Lena, go somewhere else for a while.
00:07:18In our hearts, you're still our child.
00:07:21My mouth opened but I couldn't bring myself to mention going away.
00:07:25In the dark, I bit my lip.
00:07:27Honestly, maybe this was the better way.
00:07:29I had no reason to stay.
00:07:31No one loved me.
00:07:32But I would love myself just fine on my own.
00:07:36I'd meant to keep my temper in check.
00:07:38Spend one last quiet month with the three of them and leave without a scene.
00:07:41But some people never let you rest.
00:07:47Finn, get out.
00:07:48Princess, what did that stupid snake do to you now?
00:07:51He acted like you hadn't heard me.
00:07:53Still upset?
00:07:54I didn't answer.
00:07:56I don't care.
00:07:58Tonight's my turn.
00:07:59I'll make it good for you.
00:08:01I pushed him back and said it again.
00:08:03I don't want to.
00:08:06Go back to your room.
00:08:08Finn finally registered that I meant it.
00:08:10His expression fell.
00:08:12What do you mean you don't want to?
00:08:14I've been waiting days.
00:08:17I slapped him across the face.
00:08:19Get out.
00:08:20Finn held his cheek, looking at me with eyes full of wounded disbelief.
00:08:25Then he slammed the door behind me.
00:08:27The noise brought Calum and Reese into the hallway.
00:08:29Lena, he ran out.
00:08:31Leave her.
00:08:32I said it quietly.
00:08:36Outside, thunder rolled.
00:08:37The rain came down hard.
00:08:47When I got a public forest.
00:08:48How did you go over night?
00:09:09That whole night, every time I closed my eyes, I felt a feeling.
00:09:14He was the most stubborn of the three.
00:09:16I wasn't worried about him getting into real trouble.
00:09:19High-level beastmen were capable in every sense of the word.
00:09:23It was just that this feeling of being slipping out of control wasn't good, like being drowned
00:09:27slowly in a tide of memories you couldn't fight off.
00:09:30The next morning, I walked out of my room with dark circles under my eyes.
00:09:34Kalen was standing by my door like a guard.
00:09:36I startled and stepped back.
00:09:38What are you doing outside my room?
00:09:39He didn't answer, just looked at me with those quiet, searching eyes.
00:09:44Then he reached over and tugged on the head of my clothes.
00:09:47Can I come to your room tonight?
00:09:48Faced with that desperate look, I tried very hard not to roll my eyes.
00:09:53No.
00:09:56I'll wear that butler outfit tonight, okay?
00:09:58I bought a crop.
00:09:59Did I hurt you last time?
00:10:01You can use it on me.
00:10:05I turned toward the stairs and walked around.
00:10:07I didn't look back at whatever he said next.
00:10:10Reese was at the bottom of the stairs, watching me with an unreadable expression.
00:10:14I stepped around him and sat down at the table.
00:10:17Reese paused, then came and stood behind my chair.
00:10:20Baby.
00:10:20He said it.
00:10:21Aren't you forgetting something?
00:10:23Before, I used to give each of them a good morning kiss when I came down.
00:10:26Right now, I played dumb.
00:10:28Eat.
00:10:30Reese and Kalen exchanged a look behind me.
00:10:32Then they quietly pulled out their chairs.
00:10:35Halfway through the meal, the front door banged open.
00:10:37I felt my eye twitch before I even saw who it was.
00:10:41Sophia walked in behind Finn.
00:10:44Both of them about something.
00:10:46Sophia wrapped herself around my arm like we were close.
00:10:49Lena, the clothes in your room are all so pretty.
00:10:51But I thought someone else already wore them, so that's kind of gross, right?
00:10:56So I threw them all out.
00:10:58You don't mind, do you?
00:11:02I mean, after all these years of living so well.
00:11:11The air in the room went straight.
00:11:14I pulled her hand off my arm without changing my expression.
00:11:18I don't need them.
00:11:20I don't need them.
00:11:21I said it and glanced at the three beastmen.
00:11:24Their eyes were all on Sophia.
00:11:25Finn, in particular, was watching me with an almost defiant look.
00:11:30Lena, Sophia wants to stay here a few days.
00:11:32You don't have a problem with that, do you?
00:11:34I looked straight at Finn.
00:11:35The others watched my face for a reaction.
00:11:38Finn's eyes slid away from mine.
00:11:39Last night, if I hadn't ran into Sophia, I would have been out in that rain all night.
00:11:43You didn't even-
00:11:43Sure.
00:11:44I smiled and turned to Sophia before any of them could react.
00:11:47Stay as long as you want, little sister.
00:11:50Feel free to pick any room you like.
00:12:05And including nerves.
00:12:07Lena!
00:12:08All three said my name at the same time.
00:12:10What are you saying?
00:12:11No one goes in our rooms.
00:12:15Sweetheart, did that tiger make you lose your mind?
00:12:18He's awful.
00:12:19We don't need him.
00:12:20Finn looked like he had a lot to say, but couldn't.
00:12:23He said it quietly, then shot Reese a look.
00:12:26I didn't bother with any of them.
00:12:27I grabbed my things and took the car out alone.
00:12:30No one came with me.
00:12:32At the bar, my friend Cassick pulled me into her side.
00:12:35What's going on, princess?
00:12:37I swirled my cocktail.
00:12:38Don't call me that.
00:12:40I'm a fake, and everything I have is someone else's.
00:12:43I knocked the drink back.
00:12:44The burn hit my throat.
00:12:46All of it.
00:12:46I don't say that.
00:12:48You're my best friend.
00:12:49That's got nothing to do with where you come from.
00:12:52I leaned on Cassie's shoulder.
00:12:56What's got you so miserable?
00:12:57You've got three beastmen at home.
00:12:59Can't they cheer you up?
00:13:00She laughed a little.
00:13:01Don't mention them.
00:13:03They give me a headache.
00:13:09My phone kept going on.
00:13:11Messages and calls from all three of them.
00:13:13I didn't pick up once.
00:13:17By the time I got home, my steps weren't quite steady.
00:13:22I'd barely opened the door when hands gripped my shoulders.
00:13:27Why not?
00:13:28I don't do it.
00:13:31Lena!
00:13:32Why didn't you answer your phone?
00:13:34Kalen's voice was right in my ear, tight with worry.
00:13:37You drank that much?
00:13:38Let me take you upstairs.
00:13:40I'm fine.
00:13:41I shrugged him off.
00:13:42I didn't drink that much.
00:13:43I wasn't lying.
00:13:44A few drinks wasn't enough to actually get me drunk.
00:13:47Why not?
00:13:48I said, let me walk on my own.
00:13:50Annoyance flashed across my face.
00:13:52What, you want me to dump all three of you sooner?
00:13:55Fueled by the alcohol, I blurted it out without noticing all three of them go pale.
00:14:00Lena, don't joke like that.
00:14:02I couldn't tell who said it.
00:14:04I went back to my room,
00:14:07soured, and got into bed.
00:14:17Half asleep, I felt something wrap around my waist.
00:14:21I opened my eyes to Reese's face.
00:14:23When he saw me wake, he kissed me.
00:14:25Lena, don't look like that.
00:14:27My head was still foggy.
00:14:31He pressed his face against my neck,
00:14:33the rounded ears on top of his head brushing my chin.
00:14:39He was looking at me with that practiced, melting gaze.
00:14:43The alcohol dulled my brain.
00:14:48Reese, you're wet.
00:14:51He didn't wait.
00:15:00He didn't wait.
00:15:06Then we ended up sleeping together, swept up and wanting it.
00:15:10After days of nothing, I couldn't say no.
00:15:13Reese held me close and spoke against my ear.
00:15:16Lena, you'll choose me, won't you?
00:15:18Just me.
00:15:19Choose?
00:15:20I barely registered what he was asking.
00:15:22I just nodded along.
00:15:24It seemed to light something in me.
00:15:25He threw himself into it, more eager than before.
00:15:29Here?
00:15:30Is this the right amount of pressure?
00:15:32Lena, pull my foot.
00:15:35Really pull it.
00:15:43After that reckless night, the morning came.
00:15:45I had just woken up in Reese's arms.
00:15:48Then I found Calum and Finn standing at the side of the bed, watching us in silence.
00:15:53Clothes scattered all over the floor.
00:15:55Awkward, didn't quite cover it.
00:15:57Reese acted like he couldn't sense anything was wrong.
00:15:59His full tail patting lazily against my chest.
00:16:02Good morning, Lena.
00:16:04He kissed my cheek with a loud snap.
00:16:07Well, things were already a mess, so I figured I might as well go with it.
00:16:11I had too much sleep this night.
00:16:14I wasn't thinking so.
00:16:17Excuse me.
00:16:18You said yourself you weren't drunk, Lena.
00:16:21Are you playing favorites now?
00:16:22If you wanted someone, you should have come to me!
00:16:24Finn's eyes were red at the clouds.
00:16:26We agreed, when you turned 18, every two days, rotate.
00:16:31Do you have any idea how long it's been since you came to my room?
00:16:34Shut up.
00:16:35I shook my head and pushed Reese's tail off me.
00:16:38Since that's how it is, let's cancel it.
00:16:41Cancel it what?
00:16:43The rotation.
00:16:44The room went quiet in a way that felt like something cracking.
00:16:47Sophia was leaving the very next day.
00:16:56She had etiquette classes and trainings to get to.
00:16:59She has no time to keep making a scene.
00:17:02Lena, I'm so jealous of you.
00:17:06I have so many nice things.
00:17:08My mouth twitched.
00:17:10I have nothing.
00:17:11Sophia's eyes had barely left the three of them to hold Reese's tail off me.
00:17:16It'll all be yours soon.
00:17:19Sophia left.
00:17:19I had somewhere to be too.
00:17:20Seeing his face just reminds me of last night.
00:17:24Where do you think you're going?
00:17:25Back to campus.
00:17:27I have some paperwork to sort out.
00:17:29I'll come with you.
00:17:29All three stepped forward at the same time.
00:17:33Are you serious?
00:17:34You're still going?
00:17:35Have you got no shame?
00:17:36Finn elbowed Reese aside.
00:17:38Fair competition.
00:17:39You're just jealous, aren't you?
00:17:41While they argued, Kalem caught my hand.
00:17:44Take me with you.
00:17:46You dead snake!
00:17:50Enough.
00:17:51Everyone, stop.
00:17:53I shook my head.
00:17:54I'm going alone.
00:17:55No one is coming.
00:17:56Then I left.
00:17:57Of course I couldn't bring them.
00:17:58I was going back to submit paperwork for studying abroad.
00:18:04Lena, congratulations.
00:18:06Maestro Harlan almost never takes students.
00:18:08Your future is very bright.
00:18:11I walked toward the gate.
00:18:13Then I found Kalem leaning against a car, waiting.
00:18:16How did you know where I was?
00:18:18He opened the door, head bowed.
00:18:20I hesitated for a moment, then got in with him.
00:18:25Kalem, you...
00:18:26A hand pressed to the back of my head, and he kissed me.
00:18:34Hard and desperate, like a small animal with no sense of safety trying to prove something.
00:18:40I was forced to tilt my head back and stay tangled up with him for a moment.
00:18:45Enough.
00:18:45I moved his hand away before it could wander.
00:18:48Kalem's tail wound around my waist, slowly tightened.
00:18:52Baby, are you going to leave me?
00:18:53I smiled, swallowing down the bitter edge beneath it.
00:18:57Who left who first?
00:18:59Stop imagining things.
00:19:01Is that so?
00:19:02He was already undoing the buttons of his shirt as he said it.
00:19:05He pressed my hand against his chest.
00:19:07Touch it for me.
00:19:08I smacked his hand away in exasperation.
00:19:11Kalem shuddered.
00:19:12Then his breathing went rougher and more wanting.
00:19:15Damn, he enjoyed that.
00:19:17You'll choose me, won't you, baby?
00:19:19I broke into a smile then.
00:19:21Of course.
00:19:22Kalem looked at me with those liquid eyes.
00:19:25Serious, the heat in them not quite gone.
00:19:28As a beast color.
00:19:29I was worried you...
00:19:30Never mind.
00:19:31A few more days, and then it's just the two of us.
00:19:35He trailed off near the end, said it too quietly.
00:19:38I didn't catch it.
00:19:59I wasn't even out of the car when I got back,
00:20:02and Reese came sprinting toward me.
00:20:04Bad news, Lena.
00:20:05The tiger went into pain earlier.
00:20:06Stop!
00:20:07Before, whenever one of them went into heat,
00:20:11I was the one who handled it.
00:20:13Under the current circumstances, I wasn't exactly eager.
00:20:16I barely touched the door handle before it flew open.
00:20:19Finn scooped me up and dropped me onto the bed.
00:20:21He searched for my lips urgently,
00:20:23and when he found them, a low, relieved sound left him.
00:20:27His hands moved under my clothes, setting fires.
00:20:30Lena, you're such a bad girl.
00:20:32His eyes had gone red,
00:20:34his ears and tail already showing in the half-shifted state.
00:20:37Finn, calm down.
00:20:40I pushed his head back.
00:20:43What's that supposed to mean?
00:20:45You're really refusing me?
00:20:47He held me too tightly, and it hurt.
00:20:49Let go.
00:20:50Keep this up in your hand.
00:21:04You're really refusing to handle it yourself.
00:21:05Finn wrapped himself around me, subdued, no longer pushing,
00:21:10just rubbing his cheek against my thigh, quiet.
00:21:13Didn't you used to like it?
00:21:14I've got bobs.
00:21:16i looked away finn looked like he might cry again then at least touch me
00:21:24i worked his tail with my hands not enough lower by the time my hands were too tired to keep
00:21:33going
00:21:33finn pressed a kiss to the top of my head lena you'll choose me won't you i could barely keep
00:21:40my eyes open what had gotten into all three of them coming to ask me that one after another i
00:21:46kissed his lips of course desire moved through finn's eyes possessive and searching landing on
00:21:53my mouth good when the time comes i'm collecting everything with interest one week left before my
00:22:00birthday the four of us held ourselves in a strange fragile calm on the day of the party i wore
00:22:06a deep
00:22:06plum strapless gown with a fishtail hem the three beast men looked at me like they were trying to
00:22:11see straight through the fabric i pretended not to notice and got into the car with them under normal
00:22:17circumstances the identity of a fake heiress wouldn't warrant such a formal event but everything
00:22:22had been arranged far in advance and business contacts were already coming to network my parents
00:22:27also weren't willing to write off their investment in me so the party continued at the estate i moved
00:22:33through the crowd with a composed smile my mother came over a touch of apology on her face lena you've
00:22:40been away so long your father and i aren't trying to push you out i just get along with your
00:22:44sister
00:23:01i'm fine mom i looked down and kept my voice level she touched my hair tonight's your birthday
00:23:07keep your composure have you thought about your decision with the beast men
00:23:11don't worry i'll give you an answer you're satisfied with i took a glass of champagne
00:23:15looked up and locked eyes with sophia across the room i smiled and lifted my glass to her
00:23:21be grateful little sister i'm not fighting you for a single thing i stood on the balcony and made a
00:23:26call
00:23:26is everything loaded and ready yes wait at the front gate i should be out by 10 if nothing goes
00:23:32wrong don't forget extra security the door opened behind me i ended the call quickly then arms came
00:23:36around me from behind lena i'm so happy reese looked at me with soft burning eyes you'll choose
00:23:43me won't you maybe it was just my imagination but i thought i saw longing and a hint of humility
00:23:49in his
00:23:49eyes little fox don't you trust me at all i smiled and patted his head he leaned in eager to
00:23:55kiss me
00:23:56don't my makeup reese followed me back into the hall if he'd had his tail out right now it would
00:24:02have been wagging
00:24:07under the attention of the room i stepped up onto the stage the hall quieted the lights came down on
00:24:14me my parents and sophia stood at the front closest to the stage calem reese and finn stood below it
00:24:21i
00:24:21looked at them one more time before i began to speak the dim light fell across their faces so i
00:24:27didn't see what was written there three faces wearing the same expression a sick consuming need
00:24:34to possess good evening everyone thank you for being here before i give my formal remarks i have
00:24:41something i'd like to say first i'm sure you're all aware by now that i'm not the morrison's biological
00:24:49daughter that's something that saddens me deeply i spent 20 years in a life that belonged to sophia
00:24:57and i am truly sorry for that the hall filled with murmuring no one had expected me to say it
00:25:04here
00:25:04like this my parents expressions faltered my mother gave me a warning look i returned it with something
00:25:12steady and reassuring
00:25:18she'd been my mother for 20 years she knew what i was doing i'm deeply grateful to the morrison
00:25:23family for raising me and in my eyes they will always be my parents wherever they need me i will
00:25:29always show up for them but sophia did suffer because of me and i want to do everything in my
00:25:35power to make
00:25:35that right as you all know today is the day i meant to choose a partner from the three beastmen
00:25:43i was
00:25:43matched with at birth they are all exceptional i mention this not to boast because in truth everything
00:25:51i have always belonged to sophia only old money families had the resources to arrange beastman matches
00:25:57from childhood it wasn't available to most people i paused sophia's expression had gone slightly blank
00:26:03downstage all three beastmen had gone pale therefore i raised my voice i am releasing all three of
00:26:10my beastmen to sophia i won't be claiming any of them the hall ruled my parents and sophia were on
00:26:19their feet sophia's eyes blazed with something like joy you promised me you can't lie to me his voice
00:26:29broke tinged with tears calem and reese came running toward me like they'd gone mad
00:26:54i raised the hand the guards i'd placed moved in front of me i ran off the stage cut through
00:27:00the
00:27:00commotion and was out of the estate before anyone could stop me i got into the waiting car
00:27:11i said it immediately the three of them had already made it outside disheveled nothing left
00:27:17of their polished composure from an hour ago they were faster than i expected the car sped up but
00:27:22they ran behind it and didn't stop beastmen's speed was no joke they could outrun a car on foot
00:27:28calem slapped my window his voice breaking lena don't leave me you promised
00:27:34then tried to cut off the car the chassis lurched as they grabbed it oh my god they're insane
00:27:39they're absolutely insane cassie screamed and clung to my arm do something almost just as the tires were
00:27:47close to screaming the roar of motorcycles cut through from the side my guards pulled up alongside
00:27:53great guns in hand each of the three got a shot their pace slowed then they fell onto the road
00:28:18they could only watch as i drove away where did you even find those people cassie pressed
00:28:23yourself against the rear window i pressed my fingers to my brow and let out a breath money
00:28:30what can it do and just like that i left a mess behind me and went abroad i enrolled at
00:28:38the
00:28:38conservatory and became a student of maestro harland i had talent to begin with four years of hard work
00:28:45and i'd quietly built a name for myself in music performing across countries and cities constant
00:28:51travel had become my normal my parents hadn't let what happened push them away from me they were
00:28:57practical people the morrison family's eldest daughter lena morrison world-class concert pianist
00:29:04a name like that was worth something to the family that was enough i'd had no word of the three
00:29:11of them
00:29:11in years as if the night they lost their minds chasing my car never happened at all maybe they'd
00:29:17gotten exactly what they wanted maybe they were with the one they'd loved but that had nothing to
00:29:22do with me anymore once i walked away there was no going back the plane touched down and my thoughts
00:29:28came back to me i put on my sunglasses and walked out of the airport a wall of reporters pushed
00:29:34microphones
00:29:34miss morrison what brings you back this time you've been gone four years since you left without a
00:29:39word are you here to reclaim what's yours
00:29:58you're still recognized as the morrison family's eldest daughter are you coming back to contest the
00:30:02inheritance with your sister you've accomplished so much can you say a word i took off my sunglasses and
00:30:07looked at them with a calm smile i'm here to perform at an invitation omel piano recital my
00:30:12relationship with the morrison family is good it's nothing like what you're imagining
00:30:16miss morrison the three elite beastmen who grew up alongside you why did you give them up
00:30:22they've each made a name for themselves since then in finance entertainment and medicine did they do
00:30:27something to betray you can you share anything you refuse to bond with them at your birthday
00:30:31was it exhaustion or something you couldn't say out loud then i said evenly unimportant people i
00:30:37forgot them a long time ago then i got in and drove away back at the villa everything felt so
00:30:45familiar
00:30:45that it almost felt like another lifetime
00:30:52my phone rang while i was sitting on the bed staring at nothing hi mom lena why didn't you come
00:30:58straight
00:30:58home i turned something over in my fingers a single white hair i wanted to settle in first i'll be
00:31:05over
00:31:15tonight come soon we've been waiting you're always so busy it's been so long we want a proper
00:31:21conversation tonight okay i'll head over now i hung up and lay back on the bed i frowned at the
00:31:26ceiling
00:31:27genuinely puzzled four years of housekeeping and they still hadn't managed to get rid of every trace of
00:31:33them the house was full of warmth when i arrived lena my mother ran to me and held my face
00:31:41in her
00:31:41hands you've lost weight the food abroad isn't any good is it come come cook has made all your favorites
00:31:48thank you mom i brought gifts back from overseas for everyone you and dad and sophia
00:31:54you've gone formal on us going away for a few years we made small talk and i sat down
00:32:00as luck would have it right next to sophia four years word was she'd already been placed into a
00:32:07role at our father's company sophia tapped the table with her diamond tipped nails lena long time
00:32:14no see long time no see i looked her over
00:32:23four years of comfortable living had done a lot for her she sparkled carried herself differently than
00:32:30i remembered you left quite gracefully back then sophia said made me look bad you know tone
00:32:35hard to read i took a sip of water and genuinely didn't know what to make of that i'd handed
00:32:40her three
00:32:41top tier beast men by any measure that was a gain was she upset they'd been touched by someone else
00:32:46first
00:32:47that seemed petty it wasn't that kind of era anymore that's enough don't bring it up lena
00:32:53now that you're back are you planning to stay she's not going anywhere we're going to find her a good
00:32:58match and settle her i hadn't even answered when my mother cut in i poked at the fish in my
00:33:04bowl
00:33:04mom that's really not something you need to do for me i spent years grinding to get where i am
00:33:09i didn't do that just to become someone's wife i still have places to go and things to see
00:33:17my mother went quiet she looked at me for a moment then her smile faded slowly
00:33:47she was distracted for the rest of the meal after dinner my father called me into a study
00:33:53he transferred a portion of the company shares into my name the condition was that i continue as a public
00:34:00ambassador for the brand sophia had a rough childhood so she'll take the larger share of the company
00:34:06any objections i've already begun training her in management no objection i looked out calmly at
00:34:13the dark evening and thought of the sky above lake to capo in new zealand that absolute clean kind of
00:34:20dark nothing like here my father let out a long breath he seemed like he had more to say you
00:34:26were
00:34:26always too headstrong if you'd stayed and fought back then things might have been different thank you
00:34:31dad but i only want to play piano i'm not going to fight sophia for anything i pulled the door
00:34:38open
00:34:38to leave and found sophia standing right outside it i glanced at her and went downstairs wait sophia
00:34:46followed then stopped in front of me with an oddly uncomfortable expression did you mean what you said in
00:34:51there of course i have my own career now i have no interest in the company you'd better mean it
00:34:58sophia said lifting her chin and by the way your beastmen refused go with me no matter what
00:35:08i never touched them
00:35:14that sentence made me stop breathing for a second then i pulled myself back together that has nothing
00:35:19to do with me anymore it's their choice what do you mean sophia looked genuinely puzzled i have nothing to
00:35:27do with those three they're terrifying i don't know how you ever liked that type when you left they
00:35:33nearly came apart she paused oh actually you should just hear it from them here they come i looked into
00:35:41the living room there they were four years and none of them looked much different if what sophia said was
00:35:49true and she'd never taken them they would have been processed by the beast man registry and placed into work
00:35:57independently not a hardship for them they'd always been in elite programs even back in school in their
00:36:02own specialized tracks alongside my international curriculum trained to the highest standard in
00:36:08everything lena kalem spoke first his eyes were fixed on me hurt and hoping
00:36:20i changed direction and walked toward the door
00:36:25i have nothing to say to any of you what's done is done don't come looking for me again
00:36:30i got in the car and left when i got home i went straight to the piano room and played
00:36:35for hours
00:36:36before i finally stopped breathing hard sophia's words kept circling in my head was she lying to me
00:36:43but what would she gain from that if what she said is true then what happened back then was a
00:36:49misunderstanding so what made them say something that cruel i couldn't work it out i poured a glass of
00:36:55red wine and sat in the armchair by the floor to ceiling window shadows moved outside then were
00:37:00still i narrowed my eyes then picked up my phone add extra guards outside everyone keeps a tramp gun on
00:37:06hand after that i went contentedly to sleep i woke up because i couldn't breathe when i finally got my
00:37:12eyes open i was wrapped up tight in someone's arms i knew it let go i said it through my
00:37:19teeth
00:37:25finn was the closest one his face lifting from where it had been pressed against my neck lena
00:37:30if i let go are you gonna run again reese had his arm around my waist his large tail looped
00:37:35around my
00:37:35legs baby to you we're just unimportant people you actually said that you promised me calem's arms
00:37:42encircled me from behind i'm sorry the dark tail tip grazing my lips please this time don't leave me
00:37:47you can bite me if you want as long as you're not angry i'll take anything reese's tail shot into
00:37:53my hand
00:37:54then pull my fur too pull it bald if you want stop it all of you are you trying to
00:37:58suffocate me
00:37:59they pressed in again hot lips touched the back of my neck lena four years do you know what these
00:38:07four years were like for me i clenched my fist this is all an act now didn't you say it
00:38:11yourselves
00:38:12you both loved sophia so much said she was gentle said whoever i picked was unlucky didn't you want to
00:38:19be with her now that it turns out you couldn't manage to stay in her life you come back to
00:38:23me
00:38:23that's not it i never liked her i never liked all three denied it immediately stop pretending
00:38:30i read your chat you hated me biting your tail you hated me pulling your fur
00:38:56you
00:38:59you
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00:59:27Ben was the closest one, his face lifting from where it had been pressed against him.
00:59:37If I let go, are you going to run again?
00:59:39Reese had his arm around my waist, his large tail looped around my legs.
00:59:44Baby, to you we're just unimportant people. You actually said that. You promised me.
00:59:49Calum's arms encircled me from behind.
00:59:51I'm sorry.
00:59:52The dark tail tip grazing my lips.
00:59:54Please this time, don't leave me. You can bite me if you want.
00:59:57As long as you're not angry, I'll take anything.
01:00:00Reese's tail shot into my hand.
01:00:01Then pull my fur too. Pull it bald if you want.
01:00:04Stop it, all of you! Are you trying to suffocate me?
01:00:07They pressed in again. Hot lips touched the back of my neck.
01:00:12Lena, four years. Do you know what these four years were like for me?
01:00:16I clenched my fist.
01:00:17This is all an act now.
01:00:19Didn't you say it yourselves?
01:00:19your respawn and watch me! When you are together,
01:00:19time in the story. I don't explain…
01:00:20this way ? All right, we have
01:00:20You bring me this way
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