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Short filmTranscript
00:00:00My sister fled on the day of her bonding ceremony.
00:00:04I was forced to marry the Lycan King, known for his brutality.
00:00:10Six years later, she returned.
00:00:13Still as bold and brazen as ever, she pressed a crimson kiss against Kale's cholerite
00:00:20in front of the entire Council of Elders.
00:00:24Kale went rigid.
00:00:25Then she turned to me, her eyes gleaming with mockery.
00:00:31Little sister, thank you for keeping my throne warm all these years.
00:00:38Now that I'm back, it's time you gave me back my place as Lunar Queen.
00:00:45Silence swallowed the hall.
00:00:48Everyone remembered what happened when she ran away.
00:00:51Kale had nearly slaughtered half-arrival territory in his rage.
00:00:56So now, I wondered too.
00:01:00Would this unpredictable, brutal king lose his mind for her once again?
00:01:09Kale stripped off the robe, bearing her lipstick mark.
00:01:13I said nothing.
00:01:15Only gathered the wool blanket I had used for six years, and turned toward the side chamber.
00:01:22Kale blocked my path.
00:01:24Where are you going?
00:01:27I paused, thinking that after six years of sharing my bed, he was simply attached to the blanket.
00:01:35I laid it gently back on the edge of the mattress.
00:01:40Don't worry, my king.
00:01:42I remember our agreement.
00:01:46I never dared to dream of replacing my sister.
00:01:49I kept my voice steady.
00:01:52But it still came out rough.
00:01:54Since she's back.
00:01:56The position of Lunar Queen should be returned to her.
00:02:25Kale returned victorious.
00:02:29His first act was to petition the Council of Elders to arrange a bonding ceremony with my sister, Ilara.
00:02:38But on the day of the ceremony, she fled.
00:02:41She ran off with a rogue wolf.
00:02:44Father panicked.
00:02:45That night, he sent me to the altar in her place.
00:02:49On our wedding night, Kale was devastated.
00:02:52To preserve the pack's dignity, he drank himself into oblivion, and completed the bond with me.
00:03:00Ilara.
00:03:01Ilara.
00:03:05I could only respond to him by crying.
00:03:08For six years, I gave everything.
00:03:12The title of Lunar Queen looked glorious.
00:03:17But I walked on shattered glass.
00:03:20While Ilara wandered the world without a care,
00:03:23I navigated pack politics,
00:03:26managed the great families,
00:03:28and took arrows meant for him in the dark.
00:03:32His enemies once captured me to learn his whereabouts.
00:03:36They tortured me with silver chains.
00:03:39I never spoke a word.
00:03:44Tell me where he is, and I will let you go.
00:03:47I gritted my teeth and persevered.
00:03:55I don't know where he is.
00:03:57Liar.
00:03:58You are his.
00:04:00Luna.
00:04:01He tightened the silver chain.
00:04:04I screamed in pain and desperately tried to call Kale through the link.
00:04:09But he didn't respond to me not once.
00:04:12I crawled back to the pack hall with broken ribs and third-degree burns on my wrists.
00:04:20Kale was in the war room.
00:04:22I waited outside his door for three hours.
00:04:26Finally, he walked out of the war room and caught sight of me, covered in wounds.
00:04:34He walked right past me.
00:04:36He didn't ask where I'd been, didn't notice the burns.
00:04:40I told myself he was busy, that he had a pack to run.
00:04:45Three years ago, a rival pack launched a night assault.
00:04:48That night, I didn't know I was eight weeks pregnant.
00:04:53I fought with the guards until Kale's reinforcements arrived.
00:04:58Help.
00:04:59Help.
00:05:00Someone.
00:05:01Anyone.
00:05:03But as pain tore through my abdomen and I curled on the floor of the side chamber, bleeding, every single
00:05:11healer had been summoned away.
00:05:13To the master chamber.
00:05:15To revive a pot of silver-edged lilies.
00:05:18It was the only thing Alara had left behind.
00:05:22It was dying.
00:05:23And Kale had ordered everyone to save it.
00:05:29Fix it.
00:05:31Whatever it costs.
00:05:33Please.
00:05:34My baby.
00:05:36Please.
00:05:38Luna.
00:05:39Luna, I don't know what to do.
00:05:42The only person with me was a maid who knew nothing of childbirth.
00:05:48By the time a healer was dragged through the door, the bleeding wouldn't stop.
00:05:54Luna, I am sorry.
00:05:56I am so sorry.
00:05:58No.
00:05:58No, please.
00:05:59Try.
00:06:01Just try.
00:06:02I can't.
00:06:04The damage is too deep.
00:06:06The child is already.
00:06:09The child, not yet formed, was gone.
00:06:14I lay in a pool of blood.
00:06:16My heart turned to ash.
00:06:19Seeing my grief, he visited every sacred altar in the territory.
00:06:27He built a shrine for our child and lit eternal flames.
00:06:33Before the moon goddess, he braided strands of our hair into the wick of a ritual candle, swearing to continue
00:06:44the bond we had never finished.
00:06:48From that day, he seized absolute power over the pack with ruthless precision, unstoppable in his rise.
00:06:57Not long ago, he had personally petitioned the council to bestow their highest honor upon me.
00:07:05But before the ink on that decree had dried, Elara returned.
00:07:09As for that place beyond this month and Kale's love, she can take it if she wants.
00:07:16I don't want anything of it.
00:07:18I looked at the ring on my finger, slowly removed it, and tossed it into the nearby fireplace.
00:07:27Thinking of the child who had left without ever opening their eyes, my chest hurt so badly I could barely
00:07:34breathe.
00:07:35Kale noticed my expression and immediately signaled for mother to remove Elara.
00:07:42Then he took my hand.
00:07:46Elara, Elara has lived away for so long.
00:07:48She doesn't know the full story.
00:07:51She has a simple nature and speaks bluntly.
00:07:53Don't take it to heart.
00:08:17Kale's gaze darkened, pain flooding his eyes.
00:08:25Is that truly what you think of me, Elara?
00:08:31You still blame me for what happened, don't you?
00:08:35He thought I blamed him for not arriving in time.
00:08:38But that wasn't what I blamed him for.
00:08:41It was the night of the attack.
00:08:44When Kale returned, I didn't tend to my injuries first.
00:08:48I forced myself to the master chamber.
00:08:51I wanted to see that he was safe.
00:08:54But he didn't look at me.
00:08:56He carried the pot of silver-edged lilies straight into the inner chamber.
00:09:01It was the only thing Elara had left behind.
00:09:05He summoned every healer to study how to revive its dead roots.
00:09:14I curled on the couch in the side chamber, waiting for someone to treat my cramping stomach.
00:09:21The lilies sat on the windowsill of the master chamber, only a few steps away.
00:09:30Later, I learned that the roots of the silver-edged lily release a silver-tainted scent harmful to pregnant women.
00:09:39I had lain too close that night.
00:09:42The bleeding became unstoppable.
00:09:45In that moment, it felt as though someone had reached into my chest and ripped out my heart.
00:09:51But all those years of sacrifice became a cruel joke.
00:09:57The air in the room grew suffocating.
00:10:01He stood.
00:10:04I need air.
00:10:06But outside the door, a maid was already waiting.
00:10:13Miss Elara has asked to see you, my king.
00:10:17She wishes to catch up.
00:10:22Their voices weren't loud.
00:10:24But the courtyard was too quiet.
00:10:27I heard every word.
00:10:30The door wasn't fully closed.
00:10:32I could see Kale pause, saying nothing.
00:10:36His back was to me.
00:10:38I couldn't see his face, but I knew he would go.
00:10:42A man is forever trapped by what he could never have in his youth.
00:10:48Besides, he had loved her so deeply.
00:10:51As expected, he turned back toward the room, wanting to say something.
00:11:00Elara, I...
00:11:02But I cut him off first.
00:11:06My king, you owe me no explanation.
00:11:11I had heard too many lies in my life.
00:11:15Today, I was too tired to listen to whatever absurd reason he had fabricated for Elara.
00:11:23The distance in my words hung naked in the air.
00:11:28Kale stiffened, his brows snapping together.
00:11:34Elara, do you hate me so much?
00:11:38The moment your sister returns, you can't wait to push me away?
00:11:42His chest heaved, a storm raging in his eyes.
00:11:46He grabbed his robe and slammed the door as he left.
00:11:51How ridiculous.
00:11:52He was the one who crossed the line first.
00:11:55Yet now I was the heartless one.
00:11:58Tears spilled over before I could stop them.
00:12:01I wiped them away fiercely.
00:12:03Then mother slipped in and took my hand.
00:12:10Elara, I have no eloquence.
00:12:12I couldn't talk sense into your sister, so I asked the king to comfort her.
00:12:16Can you bear with her a little longer?
00:12:18Elara, she is stubborn, but kind-hearted.
00:12:26She will understand eventually.
00:12:31I lowered my eyes, a bitter smile tugging at my lips.
00:12:37Kind-hearted?
00:12:38When she fled six years ago, did she ever consider that a bonding ceremony is the pack's highest rite?
00:12:46One misstep, and our entire bloodline would have been destroyed.
00:12:52I gently pulled my hand free, my voice dropping like ice.
00:12:58Mother, after all these years, you still indulge her every whim without question.
00:13:06In your heart, was there ever a place for me?
00:13:14Ilara and I shared the same mother, but because I had been frail since childhood, I was sent to live
00:13:21in the countryside.
00:13:23I was only brought back the year I came of age.
00:13:26But Elara, who had monopolized our parents' love, despised me.
00:13:32She framed me, tormented me, never stopped.
00:13:37I cried.
00:13:39I defended myself.
00:13:41But every time, father and mother punished me without asking right from wrong.
00:13:47No matter how clumsy her excuse is, they believed her unconditionally.
00:13:52They even locked me in the cold cellar for days.
00:13:55It wasn't until Ilara ran away that they remembered me, barely breathing in that cellar.
00:14:02In truth, we had only lived together for half a year.
00:14:09Isla, in your heart, is there truly no affection for me at all?
00:14:14Pain filled mother's eyes.
00:14:16I was stunned.
00:14:17So the cold distance, we both understood without words in their eyes.
00:14:24It was something that needed to be questioned.
00:14:28Did six years without Elara make everyone forget that I had only ever been a replacement?
00:14:35A spare part brought in to fill the gap.
00:14:40Mother, please let me go back. I need to sleep.
00:14:44I stopped looking at her.
00:14:48Dawn broke, and Kale still had not returned to the bedchamber.
00:14:53It gave me the quiet I needed to finish drafting the severance of our mate Bond.
00:14:59By the time the maid came to call me for breakfast, the ink was dry.
00:15:04I folded the paper carefully and slipped it into my sleeve.
00:15:09My whole life, it seemed, I had lived for other people.
00:15:13Sent away as a child.
00:15:16Brought back when I came of age.
00:15:19Forced into a marriage that was never meant to be mine.
00:15:22But once this document was sealed, the road ahead would finally be my own.
00:15:28I had barely stepped into the front hall when I saw Kale seated there, Elara beside him, smiling as if
00:15:38she already owned the room.
00:15:39Elara, last night, I...
00:15:45He never finished.
00:15:47Elara picked up a honeyed fruit and pressed it gently between his lips.
00:15:53The sight burned behind my eyes.
00:15:56I have no appetite. I'll return to my rooms.
00:16:00I turned and left before he could say another word.
00:16:03Whatever he had meant to say, I was done listening.
00:16:09Isla, must you treat me this way?
00:16:14My steps faltered.
00:16:16But then, Elara pressed her handkerchief to her face and began to weep.
00:16:24Kale, it's all my fault.
00:16:26I shouldn't have come back.
00:16:28I've made Isla feel like I'm trying to take her place.
00:16:32If my presence distresses her.
00:16:36I'll leave.
00:16:38I would never cause trouble for you both.
00:16:40Don't speak nonsense.
00:16:43No one is sending you anywhere.
00:16:47Kale's voice was low and soft as he comforted her.
00:16:52Then, he turned to me.
00:16:54Elara has just returned.
00:16:58I'm holding a feast in her honor.
00:17:00I hope he'll join us.
00:17:04Yes, sister, do come.
00:17:06We're family, after all.
00:17:09Elara agreed in that same gentle tone.
00:17:12The sight stung my eyes.
00:17:14I didn't answer.
00:17:16I simply walked away.
00:17:18Of course I would go.
00:17:21This was my pack.
00:17:23I was the rightful Lona Queen.
00:17:26What did I have to fear?
00:17:28I returned to my chamber.
00:17:30And summoned the most skilled maid.
00:17:33High chignon.
00:17:35Painted forehead ornament.
00:17:38Silk robes.
00:17:40Incense.
00:17:41Two hours later,
00:17:42I entered the great hall
00:17:44in a gown of silver-threaded gold woven with the wolf crest.
00:17:49Ilara, meanwhile,
00:17:51lounged at ease in the same plain dress she had arrived in.
00:17:56Leaning against our parents and Kale.
00:17:59Laughing freely.
00:18:04Ilara blinked at my attire, then laughed.
00:18:08Iya, it's only a family dinner.
00:18:12Why such grandeur?
00:18:13Is your need to compete truly so desperate?
00:18:18I paused, my nails digging into my palm.
00:18:21But my face revealed nothing.
00:18:24You've lived in the wilds too long, sister.
00:18:26You may not understand.
00:18:30I am the Lona of this pack.
00:18:32Every word, every gesture reflects its honor.
00:18:35How could I appear before guests in disarray?
00:18:39You!
00:18:41Ilara swayed, clutching her chest.
00:18:44Her face, a mask of wounded fragility.
00:18:48You're nothing but a replacement.
00:18:51You stole my life.
00:18:55Took my place.
00:18:58All of this was meant to be mine.
00:19:02Absurd.
00:19:03Hadn't she been the one to throw all of this away?
00:19:06The hall fell silent.
00:19:08I lowered my eyes.
00:19:10My voice barely audible.
00:19:14Sister, you speak such interesting words.
00:19:17What did I steal?
00:19:19You were the one who found the throne too fragile.
00:19:22You handed it to me with both hands.
00:19:24You walked away so easily, unwilling to bear the burden.
00:19:29Why should I have spent six years holding your place?
00:19:33Facing what you refused to face?
00:19:35Kale's voice cracked like a whip.
00:19:37Fyla!
00:19:40Must you make your words so ugly?
00:19:43Does marrying me fill you with such bitterness?
00:19:48Kale looked beyond furious.
00:19:51His eyes were bloodshot.
00:19:53Before the words had left his mouth, his alpha presence crashed over me like an avalanche.
00:20:00Gasps rippled through the hall.
00:20:02I didn't flinch.
00:20:04If you mean to strike, then strike.
00:20:07I am tired.
00:20:09Kyle!
00:20:11Ilara threw her arms around him.
00:20:13When he didn't move, she pressed a slow kiss to his cheek.
00:20:18A touch, then gone.
00:20:19Last night, I learned your true heart.
00:20:23I am content.
00:20:27If I have caused strife between you, I will carry the guilt forever.
00:20:31What true heart?
00:20:33And why hadn't he pulled away from her kiss?
00:20:37Could it be?
00:20:38My mind went blank.
00:20:40I looked at the hand he had settled against her waist, and spoke softly.
00:20:46Kale.
00:20:48So you do know how to be gentle.
00:20:51Just not with me.
00:20:52A crystal goblet on the side table exploded under the weight of his rage.
00:20:58Shards scattering across the marble.
00:21:01Kale stared at me, his own eyes red, as if he were bleeding for me, or perhaps for himself.
00:21:08Is that what you believe?
00:21:10I stepped back, and withdrew the paper from my sleeve, laying it on the table.
00:21:16Kale.
00:21:17I want to sever the mate bond.
00:21:20Since she has returned, this bond was always meant to be hers.
00:21:24I am giving it back.
00:21:27Kale's eyes widened, staring at me in disbelief.
00:21:32Kale stared at me in disbelief.
00:21:34I didn't wait for his answer.
00:21:36I turned and walked toward the hall doors.
00:21:39He reached to stop me.
00:21:41I sidestepped him gently.
00:21:43This bond, I return to you.
00:21:46Not as a trade.
00:21:49Has an ending.
00:21:52I looked at the four of them one last time.
00:21:55My voice, barely audible.
00:21:58I won't be coming back.
00:22:00Consider these six years my repayment for being born into the family.
00:22:04From here on, take care of yourselves.
00:22:07I hated them for bringing me back.
00:22:09If they had left me alone, I would have lived out my days with my foster mother in the countryside.
00:22:14She wouldn't have cried herself blind from missing me, and died alone on a winter night.
00:22:20The next morning, I woke in a cottage in the Outlands.
00:22:24The table was covered with letters like scattered snow.
00:22:27The maid whispered.
00:22:28They were sent by the king and your parents.
00:22:31I did as you asked.
00:22:32I told no one where you were.
00:22:35I opened a few at random.
00:22:39Actually, I could already guess what they would write.
00:22:49Ila, mother knows you're angry.
00:22:51What was said yesterday came from temper.
00:22:53We know we were wrong.
00:22:55Come back and let us talk properly, won't you?
00:22:59Ila, wherever you are, return at once.
00:23:02I will never agree to the severance.
00:23:04Kale's handwriting was messy.
00:23:07Nothing like his usual forceful strokes.
00:23:11Could he actually be panicking?
00:23:14I kept looking, and found another hand.
00:23:18Delicate feminine, Alara.
00:23:23Ila stepping aside is simply returning what was mine.
00:23:29Playing the victim now only makes me look like the villain.
00:23:34How naive.
00:23:36Did six years as Lunar Queen convince you this was real?
00:23:40Did you actually start believing you belonged?
00:23:44That night he told me himself.
00:23:47Only I am worthy of bearing his heir.
00:23:52Marrying you was nothing but a stop or despair the pack humiliation.
00:23:59Remember this.
00:24:00You will always be my replacement.
00:24:04And what replacement could ever dream of being loved?
00:24:08Ila.
00:24:10You will never win against me.
00:24:16I went rigid, so the tenderness he had shown me over six years was all a lie.
00:24:23Her words were shears slicing through the last of my self-deception.
00:24:28To comfort her, he hadn't even spared me a shred of dignity.
00:24:38I forced myself to focus and handed the severance document to the maid.
00:24:49Deliver this to the pack hall immediately.
00:24:53I tucked Alara's letter inside with it.
00:24:56I packed quickly, hired a carriage, and drove deeper into the Outlands.
00:25:01I settled in a cottage by the water.
00:25:03That night, I pulled a yellowed scroll from beneath my pillow.
00:25:08An ancient scroll, copied from the pack's archive chamber.
00:25:13A rejection ceremony requires both parties.
00:25:16The witness of elders, the eyes of everyone.
00:25:19I refused.
00:25:21And he had written, never.
00:25:23But my mind was made up.
00:25:25The scroll recorded that with blood as the catalyst.
00:25:29One could unilaterally tear the mate-bond apart.
00:25:33I gripped a silver blade and aimed it at my fingertip.
00:25:37Runes began to glow faintly across the parchment.
00:25:41Then, urgent footsteps pounded across the yard outside.
00:25:45The maid rushed up, breathless.
00:25:47Miss! Something terrible!
00:25:50My hand froze.
00:25:56I stopped in my tracks and turned to the maid.
00:26:01What was wrong?
00:26:04Her eyes were red, her voice thick.
00:26:08Miss, someone spread rumors in the capital.
00:26:12They say the woman the king has loved since youth has returned.
00:26:16And that he will sever the bond to marry her.
00:26:19Now, the whole capital is talking about you being cast aside.
00:26:23The words are unspeakable.
00:26:25My chest felt struck by a blunt weight.
00:26:28A dull, suffocating pain.
00:26:30At that moment, I realized I had forgotten my provisions.
00:26:33I had to return to the capital.
00:26:35I covered my face with a veil.
00:26:38And re-entered the city with the maid.
00:26:40While waiting at the grain shop,
00:26:42my gaze drifted to the other end of the street.
00:26:46The pack hall gates stood silent.
00:26:49But in the luxury boutique next door,
00:26:51two figures moved.
00:26:53Two familiar.
00:26:55Kale stood at the counter.
00:26:58Ilara beside him.
00:26:59He picked up a wolf-toothed pendant,
00:27:02paused,
00:27:03and paid for it,
00:27:05tucking it carefully into his sleeve.
00:27:09Ilara leaned against him,
00:27:11asking sweetly for a moonstone bracelet.
00:27:14He agreed.
00:27:16They stood there like a newlywed couple.
00:27:19I looked away,
00:27:21after only a glance.
00:27:23The bond was about to be severed.
00:27:25What was left to see?
00:27:26I took my provisions and turned to leave.
00:27:29But just outside the gates,
00:27:30I was surrounded by a group of common women from the pack.
00:27:34Their faces were strangers to me.
00:27:38Well, isn't this the Lunar Queen?
00:27:42A plump woman smiled first.
00:27:45What?
00:27:45Luna?
00:27:46Haven't you heard?
00:27:48The king has discarded her.
00:27:50The real one has returned.
00:27:52Another joined in,
00:27:53her voice dripping with scorn.
00:27:56She used to carry herself so high.
00:27:58Now she's sneaking out of the city like a rat.
00:28:00Laughter erupted.
00:28:02Someone reached to tear off my veil.
00:28:05Let's see what a cast aside
00:28:08Luna Queen looks like.
00:28:11I dodged aside.
00:28:13My heart turned to ice.
00:28:16For six years as Luna Queen,
00:28:18I had been kind to everyone.
00:28:20I had never looked down on others.
00:28:22I didn't know these women at all.
00:28:24But once that title was stripped away,
00:28:27those who once wouldn't dare meet my eyes
00:28:31now spat in my face.
00:28:34I heard Miss Ara is the king's true love.
00:28:38What tricks did you use to take her place?
00:28:40Where are you running to now?
00:28:43Too ashamed to show your face?
00:28:44I said nothing.
00:28:47Their voices rose,
00:28:49their questions turning venomous.
00:28:51You stole your sister's fate.
00:28:54Now the rightful one is back.
00:28:58Time for the imposter
00:29:00to crawl away.
00:29:05Did you know all along he loved another,
00:29:08yet clung to the position anyway?
00:29:10I brushed away the fingers in my face,
00:29:13my voice tight.
00:29:15Please let me pass.
00:29:16No one moved.
00:29:18They closed in tighter.
00:29:20The maid cried out,
00:29:21pushing desperately.
00:29:23Insolent!
00:29:23How dare you disrespect the Lunar Queen?
00:29:28Lunar Queen?
00:29:30She doesn't deserve the title.
00:29:34Someone spat.
00:29:36Countless mouths opened and closed,
00:29:39a net tightening around me.
00:29:41I gritted my teeth and pushed forward.
00:29:43The maid shielded me,
00:29:45shouting for them to make way,
00:29:47drawing only more mockery.
00:29:48Someone shoved me hard.
00:29:51My ankle twisted.
00:29:52I stumbled and fell forward.
00:29:55My elbows struck the rough stone.
00:29:58Dust flew up.
00:29:59I landed on my knees before them.
00:30:02In that instant,
00:30:03humiliation and pain surged through me.
00:30:12A tear struck the dirt.
00:30:14I wiped it away fiercely and tried to rise.
00:30:19The crowd roared with laughter.
00:30:22Eggs and stones flew from every direction.
00:30:26A cast-off woman still putting on oars.
00:30:30Get out of the capital!
00:30:33The six years you stole are owed back.
00:30:36A sharp stone sliced my temple.
00:30:39Blood ran down immediately.
00:30:41I lifted my Dirt Street face.
00:30:43Through blurred vision,
00:30:44I saw a familiar figure behind the crowd.
00:30:47Ilara's personal maid,
00:30:49pressing her lips together in a smile,
00:30:51nodding to the burly women beside her.
00:30:53The woman seized my bloodied hand
00:30:55and pressed it to a scroll.
00:30:57The mate-bond severed in a blaze of pain.
00:31:00So that was it.
00:31:01I swayed to my feet,
00:31:04filth clinging to me.
00:31:06Blood and dust slid down my temple
00:31:08like a savage tear.
00:31:10But I straightened my spine
00:31:11and walked toward the city gates,
00:31:14one step at a time.
00:31:16Two thoughts remained in my mind.
00:31:18Kale.
00:31:18From this day forward,
00:31:21we meet neither in life
00:31:22nor in death.
00:31:25We settled in a cottage by the water,
00:31:28in a relay town on the edge of the capital.
00:31:31Lyra arrived a few days later than me.
00:31:34She had urgent family matters.
00:31:36The day she pushed through the door,
00:31:38she was carrying a massive bundle in her arms,
00:31:42her face bright,
00:31:43with barely contained excitement.
00:31:46Miss?
00:31:48She placed the bundle carefully on the table,
00:31:50her eyes shining.
00:31:52Guess what?
00:31:52Those foul-mouthed women
00:31:54who blocked us at the capital E's,
00:31:55they got what was coming to them.
00:31:56I had been trimming a pot of wild herbs
00:31:58by the window.
00:31:59My hands stilled.
00:32:01I heard their tongues were pulled out.
00:32:03Lyra leaned closer.
00:32:04The king gave the order himself.
00:32:08I didn't answer.
00:32:10I only gathered the cut leaves
00:32:12into a clay bowl.
00:32:14Lyra studied my expression carefully.
00:32:19And?
00:32:23Say it all.
00:32:25Now.
00:32:29Lyra spoke faster.
00:32:31Ionid.
00:32:31The king had Miss Aliyah moved out of the pack hall.
00:32:34She's in a western estate now,
00:32:36half a territory away.
00:32:37He told everyone outside
00:32:38that he and Miss Aliyah only met a few times
00:32:40and there was nothing between them.
00:32:45My hands paused.
00:32:47Lyra's voice carried a thread of excitement now.
00:32:50And when he dealt with those women,
00:32:53he had drums beaten and bells rung
00:32:55so the whole city would watch.
00:32:58He declared before everyone
00:32:59that you are the only Lunar Queen.
00:33:01Whoever touches you, touches Kale.
00:33:07Tea shot down my throat.
00:33:09I coughed violently.
00:33:11Miss!
00:33:13Lyra rushed to pat my back.
00:33:16It took a long moment
00:33:18before I could breathe again.
00:33:20Lyra whispered.
00:33:22And... and...
00:33:24Lyra?
00:33:27I lifted my eyes.
00:33:29Say everything today.
00:33:30I don't like half-truths.
00:33:33Lyra straightened at once,
00:33:35speaking rapidly.
00:33:37The king sent a message.
00:33:39He asks you to return.
00:33:42And he sent supplies.
00:33:45He... he asks you to return.
00:33:48She turned to untie the bundle.
00:33:50Blue cloth fell away.
00:33:52Healing supplies.
00:33:52Inside were stacked provisions,
00:33:56furs,
00:33:56and a bottle of fine healing salve,
00:33:59its scent clean and sharp.
00:34:02Beside them lay a silver-gray wolf-held cloak,
00:34:06the one I had left behind last winter.
00:34:15My gaze rested on it for only a moment.
00:34:19I retied the bundle.
00:34:20No emotion showed on my face.
00:34:23I'll accept the supplies.
00:34:25As for returning,
00:34:27tell him no.
00:34:29Lyra grew anxious.
00:34:31Miss, the king is sincere this time.
00:34:32Sincere.
00:34:36I cut her off,
00:34:38shaking my head gently.
00:34:41Did he pull out their tongues
00:34:42to assert his own power
00:34:44or tend to avenge me?
00:34:47Did he move Alara out
00:34:48to protect Pak Honor
00:34:49or because he finally sees Clearla?
00:34:53You've been with me six years,
00:34:54can't you see?
00:34:56This is only the most dignified way
00:34:58to mend what he broke.
00:35:00I pushed the bundle
00:35:02to the corner of the table.
00:35:05I warn you,
00:35:06not a single word about where I am.
00:35:11If you cannot hold your tongue,
00:35:13I will pack tonight
00:35:15and leave you here alone.
00:35:18Lyra's face went pale.
00:35:21Miss, I...
00:35:22I wouldn't dare.
00:35:23But...
00:35:24But what?
00:35:25But it's already too late.
00:35:28My brows drew together sharply.
00:35:31Too late for what?
00:35:33Then,
00:35:34from the cottage doorway
00:35:36came the sound
00:35:38of familiar footsteps.
00:35:40KL stood in the yard,
00:35:42covered in road dust.
00:35:44His silver-gray wolf-pelt cloak
00:35:47was stiff
00:35:48with frost from the ride.
00:35:50He must have galloped
00:35:52through the night.
00:35:53His gaze passed over Lyra
00:35:54and locked onto me.
00:35:56Isla.
00:35:57His voice was harsey.
00:35:59I didn't move.
00:36:00I only looked at him
00:36:03as if he were a stranger.
00:36:06I walked into the courtyard.
00:36:09Lyra had already slipped away
00:36:11without a sound.
00:36:14I've come to take you back.
00:36:16He stopped a few paces from me.
00:36:19His eyes swept the bundle
00:36:20on the table
00:36:21and a flicker of pain
00:36:23crossed his face.
00:36:25Those things,
00:36:26they're not bargaining chips.
00:36:28They're what you deserve.
00:36:30Kyle,
00:36:32the bond is already broken.
00:36:36What is there to take back?
00:36:40He stepped closer.
00:36:42Urgent.
00:36:44Isla,
00:36:45everything Allura wrote
00:36:46was a lie.
00:36:47I never called you
00:36:48a stoppine.
00:36:49That night,
00:36:50I went to her.
00:36:51Your parents begged me.
00:36:54They said she was
00:36:55emotionally unravelling,
00:36:56that she might do
00:36:56something reckless.
00:36:58I spent the entire night
00:36:59in the hall with them,
00:37:00trying to make her
00:37:01accept reality.
00:37:03I never crossed any line.
00:37:06I,
00:37:06I didn't know
00:37:08she was capable
00:37:08of such malice,
00:37:10of weaving lies
00:37:11to wound you.
00:37:13His eyes were bloodshot,
00:37:15searching my face
00:37:16for any crack.
00:37:19Isla,
00:37:20these six years,
00:37:21I was lost,
00:37:23selfish.
00:37:24At times,
00:37:25I was cruel enough
00:37:26to think you were
00:37:27stronger than her.
00:37:28Better suited
00:37:29to endure the storms
00:37:30for me.
00:37:33But I swear,
00:37:34I don't know
00:37:35when it happened.
00:37:36My heart changed.
00:37:38I love you.
00:37:39I have loved you
00:37:40all along.
00:37:43I was only a fool,
00:37:46blinded by the old
00:37:46obsession I couldn't have.
00:37:48Not until you left
00:37:49did I realize
00:37:50I had already
00:37:51fallen in love
00:37:51with you.
00:37:53I can't live
00:37:54without you.
00:37:55His voice was raw,
00:37:57his eyes red.
00:37:58Once,
00:37:58I might have been moved.
00:38:00Now,
00:38:01I only felt exhausted.
00:38:03Love me.
00:38:04I lifted my eyes,
00:38:06my voice flat.
00:38:08Kale,
00:38:10is this your love?
00:38:14The night
00:38:14of the rival
00:38:15pack attack,
00:38:16you pulled
00:38:17every healer
00:38:18to save her
00:38:19dying lilies.
00:38:20While I bled out
00:38:21on the floor
00:38:22of the side chamber,
00:38:24is it braiding
00:38:25our hair
00:38:25before the moon goddess
00:38:26to buy yourself peace?
00:38:28Is it what you said
00:38:30in your studio
00:38:30that only a Lara
00:38:31is worthy
00:38:32of bearing your air?
00:38:34Your later tenderness
00:38:35was built
00:38:36on how much blood
00:38:37I shed for you.
00:38:40On confirming
00:38:41that I was more obedient,
00:38:43more useful
00:38:44than she ever was.
00:38:47Are you afraid
00:38:48of losing
00:38:49a convenient,
00:38:50compliant Luna?
00:38:52Don't mistake
00:38:53need for love.
00:38:56With every word,
00:38:58more colour
00:38:59drained from his face.
00:39:01I watched him pale
00:39:02and felt a strange calm.
00:39:04All those nights,
00:39:06you held me
00:39:07and said I was
00:39:07your Luna,
00:39:08your life.
00:39:10I spoke gently,
00:39:12but my eyes
00:39:13were barren.
00:39:14But I heard
00:39:15what you said
00:39:16in that study.
00:39:17Kale,
00:39:19I may be lowborn
00:39:20but I am not blind
00:39:21and I am not deaf.
00:39:24No, no,
00:39:26it wasn't like that.
00:39:28His voice broke,
00:39:29agony swallowing him.
00:39:32I admit
00:39:33I was despicable.
00:39:34I admit
00:39:35I used you
00:39:36at first.
00:39:39But the years
00:39:39we shared
00:39:40were real.
00:39:41The blood
00:39:41I've spilled
00:39:42for you lately.
00:39:43The madness,
00:39:44the regret,
00:39:45the nights
00:39:45that belonged
00:39:46only to us.
00:39:47Do they count
00:39:47for nothing
00:39:48against one
00:39:48old mistake?
00:39:49They don't.
00:39:52I didn't hesitate.
00:39:56Kyle,
00:39:57from the start
00:39:58this was a transaction.
00:40:00My family
00:40:01needed status.
00:40:03You needed
00:40:04a Luna
00:40:04to stabilize
00:40:05your rule.
00:40:06I needed
00:40:07to survive.
00:40:10The transaction
00:40:11is complete.
00:40:12The bond
00:40:13is severed.
00:40:13We owe
00:40:14each other
00:40:14nothing.
00:40:15That is
00:40:16the best ending.
00:40:18I pointed
00:40:18toward the gate.
00:40:20Please leave.
00:40:22This place
00:40:23suits me.
00:40:24I only want
00:40:24peace.
00:40:26I know
00:40:27I don't
00:40:27deserve
00:40:27your forgiveness.
00:40:29Kale
00:40:30dropped
00:40:30to his knees
00:40:31in the dirt.
00:40:32He looked
00:40:33up at me
00:40:33then,
00:40:34eyes red.
00:40:35Please,
00:40:36Aayla.
00:40:37I am not
00:40:37asking you
00:40:38to forget.
00:40:41I am not
00:40:42asking you
00:40:43to forgive.
00:40:44Just let
00:40:45me try.
00:40:47Let me
00:40:48spend the rest
00:40:48of my life
00:40:49proving that
00:40:49I have
00:40:50learned
00:40:51that I
00:40:52am not
00:40:52the man
00:40:52who walked
00:40:53past you
00:40:53in that
00:40:54hallway
00:40:54anymore.
00:40:55I looked
00:40:55down at him,
00:40:56this king
00:40:57who had
00:40:57slaughtered
00:40:58territories,
00:40:59who had
00:40:59never bowed
00:41:00to anyone,
00:41:01now kneeling
00:41:02in the dirt
00:41:02of my
00:41:03cottage yard,
00:41:04and I felt
00:41:05nothing.
00:41:07you think
00:41:08that night
00:41:08is the only
00:41:09reason I
00:41:09left.
00:41:10It's not.
00:41:11For six
00:41:12years,
00:41:13I was your
00:41:13shield,
00:41:14your advisor,
00:41:15your lunar,
00:41:17and you never
00:41:18once asked
00:41:19what I needed.
00:41:22You only
00:41:23noticed I was
00:41:23gone when the
00:41:24silence in your
00:41:24room became
00:41:25too loud.
00:41:27That's not
00:41:28love,
00:41:28that's habit.
00:41:30I turned
00:41:31away,
00:41:32my fingers
00:41:33scratched the
00:41:33doorframe,
00:41:34and I am not
00:41:34anyone's habit
00:41:35anymore.
00:41:36I walked
00:41:37inside and
00:41:38closed the
00:41:38door behind
00:41:39me.
00:41:40KL stood
00:41:41there,
00:41:42as if every
00:41:43ounce of
00:41:43strength had
00:41:44been ripped
00:41:45from him.
00:41:46He said
00:41:46nothing more.
00:41:47He only
00:41:47looked at
00:41:48me,
00:41:48deeply,
00:41:49then turned
00:41:50and walked
00:41:50away with
00:41:51heavy steps.
00:41:52At the same
00:41:53moment,
00:41:53miles away,
00:41:55chaos was
00:41:55already erupting
00:41:56before the
00:41:56pack hall.
00:41:59Ellara wore
00:42:00white furs,
00:42:01no paint on
00:42:02her face,
00:42:02weeping
00:42:03beautifully as
00:42:04she knelt
00:42:04on the steps
00:42:05of the
00:42:05Capitol Square,
00:42:06drawing a
00:42:07crowd of
00:42:08pack members.
00:42:11Everyone,
00:42:12hear me!
00:42:13Her voice
00:42:14was pitiful.
00:42:15I only
00:42:16wanted to
00:42:17come home,
00:42:18to reunite
00:42:19with my
00:42:20parents.
00:42:21I meant
00:42:22no harm,
00:42:24but Isla
00:42:25cannot tolerate
00:42:26me.
00:42:27She forced
00:42:28me to leave
00:42:28the territory,
00:42:29to abandon
00:42:31everything.
00:42:31she stole
00:42:33my fate,
00:42:34took my
00:42:34place for
00:42:35six years,
00:42:36and now
00:42:37that I've
00:42:37returned,
00:42:38she wants
00:42:38me dead!
00:42:41She raised
00:42:42her tear-filled
00:42:43eyes,
00:42:44scanning the
00:42:45growing crowd,
00:42:46and her voice
00:42:47shot higher.
00:42:48She is the
00:42:50imposter!
00:42:51Back then,
00:42:52she used
00:42:52tricks to
00:42:53bewitch Kale
00:42:54and take my
00:42:54place at the
00:42:55bonding ceremony!
00:42:58For six
00:42:59years,
00:43:00she has
00:43:00occupied the
00:43:01Lunar Queen's
00:43:02throne,
00:43:03enjoying the
00:43:04glory that
00:43:05was mine,
00:43:06and now
00:43:06she wants
00:43:07to strip me
00:43:08of even
00:43:08a place
00:43:09to stand!
00:43:10Where is
00:43:11the justice
00:43:11in that?
00:43:13Her words
00:43:14were earnest,
00:43:16stirring,
00:43:17manipulative.
00:43:18The crowd
00:43:19began to
00:43:20whisper,
00:43:21looking toward
00:43:21the pack hall
00:43:22with sympathy
00:43:23for her
00:43:23and contempt
00:43:24for me,
00:43:25the vicious
00:43:26sister.
00:43:28Ilara rose
00:43:29slightly from
00:43:29her knees,
00:43:30lifting her
00:43:31tear-streaked
00:43:32face.
00:43:33I have been
00:43:33silent for
00:43:34six years.
00:43:39Six years
00:43:40of exile
00:43:41while she
00:43:41wore my
00:43:42crown!
00:43:43I kept
00:43:43quiet because
00:43:44I thought
00:43:44she was my
00:43:45sister.
00:43:47I thought
00:43:48she would
00:43:48treat my
00:43:48people with
00:43:49kindness,
00:43:50but instead
00:43:51she rules
00:43:52with cruelty
00:43:53she has
00:43:54cast me
00:43:54out.
00:43:55She has
00:43:56turned our
00:43:56king against
00:43:57me!
00:43:58A woman
00:43:58from the
00:43:58crowd shouted,
00:44:00Where is
00:44:01the king?
00:44:02Why isn't
00:44:03he here to
00:44:04stop this?
00:44:07That is the
00:44:07question,
00:44:08isn't it?
00:44:10She pressed
00:44:10a hand to
00:44:11her chest.
00:44:15Perhaps
00:44:16our king is
00:44:16not free to
00:44:17come.
00:44:18Every night
00:44:19she whispers
00:44:20poison in his
00:44:20ear.
00:44:21Every day
00:44:21she tightens
00:44:22her grip
00:44:23on this
00:44:23pack.
00:44:24She took
00:44:24my throne.
00:44:25She took
00:44:26my family.
00:44:28And now
00:44:28she wants
00:44:29to erase
00:44:29me completely.
00:44:32Is that
00:44:33the luna
00:44:33you want?
00:44:35Murmurs
00:44:35rippled
00:44:36through the
00:44:36crowd,
00:44:37louder now.
00:44:39She had
00:44:39no right
00:44:40to rule
00:44:40you.
00:44:41She had
00:44:41no right
00:44:42to rule
00:44:42him.
00:44:44And I
00:44:45am done
00:44:45being
00:44:45silent.
00:44:46Just as
00:44:47anger peaked,
00:44:48Kayle
00:44:49returned.
00:44:53Kayle
00:44:53saw the
00:44:54crowd
00:44:54condemning
00:44:55me,
00:44:55and his
00:44:56face
00:44:56darkened
00:44:57with fury.
00:45:00Ellara!
00:45:03Who gave
00:45:04you the
00:45:04nerve to
00:45:05spread such
00:45:06poison here,
00:45:07to slander
00:45:08my luna?
00:45:08Ellara
00:45:09seemed shaken
00:45:10by his
00:45:10force,
00:45:11her sobs
00:45:12catching.
00:45:14Kayle,
00:45:15I only...
00:45:17Silence!
00:45:18Kayle
00:45:19cut her
00:45:20off.
00:45:20What
00:45:21passes
00:45:21between me
00:45:22and my
00:45:22luna is
00:45:22not for
00:45:23an outsider
00:45:23to speak
00:45:24of.
00:45:25Spread
00:45:26such lies
00:45:26again,
00:45:27stain her
00:45:28name,
00:45:28and I
00:45:29will show
00:45:29no mercy,
00:45:30not even
00:45:31for old
00:45:31acquaintance.
00:45:33His voice
00:45:34carried
00:45:34absolute
00:45:35authority.
00:45:36The crowd
00:45:37shrank,
00:45:37under the
00:45:38cold,
00:45:39killing
00:45:39intent
00:45:39radiating
00:45:40from him,
00:45:41and the
00:45:42noise died
00:45:42down.
00:45:43Ellara
00:45:44looked at
00:45:44his
00:45:45merciless
00:45:45expression.
00:45:46Her
00:45:47eyes
00:45:47flickered.
00:45:48Suddenly
00:45:49she rose,
00:45:50pushed
00:45:50through the
00:45:51crowd,
00:45:51and ran
00:45:52toward the
00:45:53city gates,
00:45:54vanishing
00:45:54around the
00:45:55corner.
00:45:56Kayle
00:45:56snorted
00:45:57and ordered
00:45:58his guards.
00:45:59Watch her.
00:46:01See where
00:46:01she goes.
00:46:04Suspicion
00:46:05coiled in
00:46:06his chest.
00:46:07Her
00:46:07behavior
00:46:08was far
00:46:09more than
00:46:09jealousy.
00:46:10As
00:46:11expected,
00:46:12the tracking
00:46:12guards soon
00:46:13reported
00:46:14that Ellara
00:46:15had left
00:46:15the city
00:46:16and headed
00:46:16straight for
00:46:17a desolate
00:46:18forest in
00:46:19the Western
00:46:19Territory.
00:46:20Kayle's
00:46:21brows locked
00:46:22together.
00:46:23He gathered
00:46:23his elite
00:46:24guard and
00:46:25rode after
00:46:25her.
00:46:26Deep
00:46:27in the
00:46:27forest,
00:46:28branches
00:46:29blocked the
00:46:30sky,
00:46:31light,
00:46:31thin,
00:46:32and gray.
00:46:33Kayle had
00:46:33barely spotted
00:46:34Ellara's vague
00:46:35shape when
00:46:36the air tore
00:46:37with whistling
00:46:38arrows.
00:46:49Kale!
00:46:50Watch out!
00:46:51His guard
00:46:51shouted.
00:46:55Dozens of arrows
00:46:57shot from the
00:46:57dark woods.
00:46:58At the same
00:46:59time, dozens of
00:47:01rival pack
00:47:02survivors surge
00:47:03from the shadows
00:47:04surrounding Kayle's
00:47:05party.
00:47:06They wore
00:47:07old clan
00:47:08markings,
00:47:09their eyes
00:47:10full of
00:47:10hatred.
00:47:11Their leader
00:47:12was the
00:47:13very rival
00:47:14pack
00:47:14chieftain
00:47:15who had
00:47:15escaped the
00:47:16night attack
00:47:16years ago.
00:47:22Kayle!
00:47:23didn't expect
00:47:25this, did
00:47:25you?
00:47:26I'm alive!
00:47:28He grinned
00:47:29savagely.
00:47:32Today is
00:47:34your death
00:47:34day!
00:47:35Pay for
00:47:37my brothers!
00:47:38Kayle's
00:47:38face went
00:47:39cold.
00:47:40He understood
00:47:41instantly.
00:47:43Ellara, she
00:47:44had colluded
00:47:45with these
00:47:45outlaws to
00:47:46set this
00:47:46trap.
00:47:50With only
00:47:51you remnants.
00:47:52Kayle drew
00:47:53his blade,
00:47:54killing intent
00:47:55blazing in
00:47:56his eyes.
00:47:58You
00:47:59destroyed my
00:48:00family that
00:48:00year.
00:48:01Today, I
00:48:03settle the
00:48:04debt myself
00:48:05for my
00:48:05child!
00:48:08Battle
00:48:09exploded.
00:48:12The
00:48:13assassins were
00:48:14many, prepared,
00:48:16each strike
00:48:16vicious and
00:48:17aimed to
00:48:18kill.
00:48:19Kayle was
00:48:20powerful, his
00:48:21guard elite, but
00:48:23the enemy fought
00:48:23like men with
00:48:24nothing to lose.
00:48:26Soon, casualties
00:48:28appeared on
00:48:29Kayle's side, and
00:48:30a wound opened on
00:48:31his own arm.
00:48:32Kayle, your
00:48:33life!
00:48:37The enemy chief
00:48:38seized the
00:48:39moment, joining
00:48:40his best fighters
00:48:41in a coordinated
00:48:42assault.
00:48:43There was nowhere
00:48:44where to dodge.
00:48:50A blade of light
00:48:52precisely deflected
00:48:53the fatal strike
00:48:55aimed at Kayle.
00:48:56I landed steady
00:48:58at Kayle's side.
00:49:00The wind itself
00:49:01seemed to stop.
00:49:04Everyone
00:49:05stared at me
00:49:06in shock,
00:49:09disbelief
00:49:09filling their
00:49:10eyes.
00:49:13How can
00:49:14it be you?
00:49:15Ilara's voice
00:49:16shook.
00:49:17Kayle stared
00:49:18at me, the
00:49:19wound on his
00:49:19arm forgotten.
00:49:21Isla, what
00:49:21is...
00:49:22I met his
00:49:23gaze, and
00:49:24slowly drew
00:49:25something from
00:49:26the hidden
00:49:26pocket inside
00:49:28my sleeve.
00:49:29A token,
00:49:31half the size
00:49:32of my palm,
00:49:34its edges
00:49:34worn smooth,
00:49:36carved with
00:49:37a clan sigil,
00:49:39identical to
00:49:40the one hanging
00:49:41from the
00:49:41killer chief's
00:49:42belt.
00:49:44Recognize
00:49:45this?
00:49:46My voice
00:49:47was barely
00:49:48audible.
00:49:49The killer
00:49:49chief's face
00:49:50changed.
00:49:55That...
00:49:55That's...
00:49:56This is
00:49:57your token.
00:49:59I cut
00:50:00him off,
00:50:01my fingertip
00:50:02tracing the
00:50:03rough carving.
00:50:07Six years
00:50:08ago, in a
00:50:09cottage a
00:50:10hundred miles
00:50:10from the
00:50:11capital,
00:50:12on a
00:50:13freezing winter
00:50:14night,
00:50:15you broke
00:50:16into a
00:50:17home.
00:50:20An old
00:50:20woman sat
00:50:21under
00:50:22lamplight,
00:50:23mending
00:50:23old clothes.
00:50:25On her
00:50:26table was a
00:50:26bundle of
00:50:27fresh-baked
00:50:28bread, and
00:50:29a small jar
00:50:30of plums she
00:50:31had pickled
00:50:31all autumn.
00:50:33She planned
00:50:34to send them
00:50:34to her child
00:50:35in the
00:50:35capital, the
00:50:36one she
00:50:37missed day
00:50:38and night.
00:50:40night.
00:50:41My voice
00:50:41began to
00:50:42tremble,
00:50:44uncontrollably.
00:50:45I saw
00:50:46again that
00:50:47snowy night,
00:50:48saw my
00:50:49foster mother
00:50:50in a
00:50:50pool of
00:50:50blood,
00:50:52still clutching
00:50:52the bundle
00:50:53she never
00:50:54got to
00:50:54send.
00:51:02You took
00:51:03what little
00:51:03food she
00:51:03had.
00:51:04You wanted
00:51:05the bread and
00:51:06the plums
00:51:06too.
00:51:07She wouldn't
00:51:08give them
00:51:08up.
00:51:10She knelt
00:51:11and begged
00:51:11you, said
00:51:12they were
00:51:13for her
00:51:13child.
00:51:15You found
00:51:15her troublesome
00:51:16and cut
00:51:17her throat.
00:51:19Silence
00:51:19swallowed the
00:51:20forest.
00:51:21Only my
00:51:21voice remained.
00:51:22when I
00:51:23received word
00:51:23and rushed
00:51:24back.
00:51:25Snow had
00:51:26covered the
00:51:27blood.
00:51:28I found
00:51:29this beside
00:51:29her cold
00:51:30hand.
00:51:32I raised
00:51:33the token.
00:51:36Later,
00:51:37after I
00:51:38married into
00:51:39the pack,
00:51:40on the night
00:51:41of the attack,
00:51:42when you
00:51:42surrounded me,
00:51:44I saw the
00:51:45same tokens
00:51:46on your
00:51:46bodies.
00:51:48I turned
00:51:49to Kale,
00:51:50watching his
00:51:50face turn
00:51:51ashen.
00:51:52the child
00:51:53was gone.
00:51:55I hated.
00:51:57I wanted
00:51:57to die.
00:52:04But when
00:52:05you told me
00:52:06with red-rimmed
00:52:07eyes that
00:52:07exterminated
00:52:08those responsible,
00:52:09that blood
00:52:09debt was
00:52:10paid, I
00:52:11felt a flicker
00:52:12of gratitude.
00:52:12I thought
00:52:13her vengeance
00:52:13was finally
00:52:14complete.
00:52:15I thought
00:52:20I thought
00:52:24Kale's lips
00:52:25shook violently.
00:52:26He looked
00:52:27at the token
00:52:27in my hand,
00:52:28then whipped
00:52:29toward the
00:52:30killers,
00:52:30his gaze
00:52:31turning terrible.
00:52:32fall.
00:52:34It was you!
00:52:36You hurt
00:52:37my Isla
00:52:38twice!
00:52:39You're only
00:52:40asking now.
00:52:42Isn't it
00:52:43too late?
00:52:45I said
00:52:46calmly,
00:52:47my eyes
00:52:48moving to
00:52:49Alara,
00:52:49who had
00:52:50been shrinking
00:52:50back.
00:52:53But what
00:52:54truly killed
00:52:55my heart
00:52:56wasn't them.
00:52:59it was
00:53:00you.
00:53:05Alara
00:53:05shuddered.
00:53:06After you
00:53:07returned,
00:53:09that night
00:53:09you called
00:53:10Kale out
00:53:10to catch up.
00:53:11I walked
00:53:12toward her,
00:53:13step by
00:53:14step.
00:53:14She retreated
00:53:15in terror
00:53:16until her
00:53:17back hit
00:53:17a tree trunk.
00:53:18I was
00:53:19restless,
00:53:20so I
00:53:21didn't follow.
00:53:21But on my
00:53:22way back
00:53:23to my
00:53:23chamber,
00:53:23I passed
00:53:24your guest
00:53:24wing.
00:53:25Your window
00:53:25was open,
00:53:27candlelight
00:53:27bright,
00:53:29and on
00:53:29your table.
00:53:31I saw
00:53:32another token
00:53:32exactly like
00:53:33this one.
00:53:34Kale whipped
00:53:34his head
00:53:35toward Alara.
00:53:36Alara,
00:53:38you dared
00:53:39to conspire
00:53:40with these
00:53:40criminals.
00:53:42At first,
00:53:43I didn't
00:53:44understand.
00:53:44I interrupted
00:53:45him,
00:53:46looking at
00:53:47Alara.
00:53:48Until later,
00:53:51when I
00:53:52bribed a
00:53:53frightened maid
00:53:54at your
00:53:54side.
00:53:55she told
00:53:56me you
00:53:57hadn't
00:53:57returned
00:53:57unprepared.
00:54:00During
00:54:00your years
00:54:01away,
00:54:01you had
00:54:02connected
00:54:02with all
00:54:02manner of
00:54:03outcasts,
00:54:04including
00:54:05these
00:54:05surviving
00:54:06remnants
00:54:06of the
00:54:07rival pack.
00:54:09you kept
00:54:10this token
00:54:11as your
00:54:11command,
00:54:12sigil
00:54:12over part
00:54:12of their
00:54:13force.
00:54:15When you
00:54:15learned
00:54:15Kale had
00:54:16destroyed
00:54:16most of
00:54:17them,
00:54:18you planned
00:54:18to use
00:54:19these
00:54:19survivors
00:54:20to stir
00:54:21chaos
00:54:21upon your
00:54:22return,
00:54:24or to
00:54:25use them
00:54:25against
00:54:26me
00:54:26if
00:54:26necessary.
00:54:31I
00:54:32watched
00:54:32Alara's
00:54:33bloodless
00:54:33face and
00:54:34continued.
00:54:35After that
00:54:36night,
00:54:37I didn't
00:54:38sleep.
00:54:42I finally
00:54:43pieced it
00:54:44all together,
00:54:45my
00:54:45foster
00:54:45mother's
00:54:46death,
00:54:46my
00:54:47child's
00:54:48death.
00:54:50You
00:54:51were likely
00:54:51tangled in
00:54:52both,
00:54:53and still,
00:54:54you could
00:54:54play the
00:54:55innocent,
00:54:56return to
00:54:57fight me
00:54:57for my
00:54:58husband,
00:54:59to steal
00:55:00the life
00:55:00I had
00:55:01fought to
00:55:01build,
00:55:02more laughable
00:55:03still.
00:55:05I
00:55:06looked at
00:55:06Kale,
00:55:07my eyes
00:55:08flat.
00:55:09You
00:55:10swore you
00:55:10loved me,
00:55:12yet you
00:55:12knew none
00:55:13of this.
00:55:14I drew a
00:55:15deep breath,
00:55:16forcing down
00:55:16the sob in
00:55:17my throat.
00:55:18Drafting that
00:55:18Severin wasn't
00:55:19unwilly because
00:55:20of your
00:55:20indistitial
00:55:21and her
00:55:21provocations.
00:55:24It was
00:55:24because I
00:55:26suddenly saw
00:55:27how absurd
00:55:28all of this
00:55:28was.
00:55:30So I
00:55:31played along.
00:55:34I
00:55:34deliberately
00:55:35provoked
00:55:35Alara,
00:55:37intensifying
00:55:38her hatred
00:55:39for me.
00:55:41I knew
00:55:42that with
00:55:42her obsession
00:55:43and her
00:55:43hidden weapons,
00:55:45when she
00:55:45realized she
00:55:46couldn't win
00:55:47by ordinary
00:55:47means,
00:55:49she would
00:55:50resort to
00:55:51these
00:55:51shadowed
00:55:52forces.
00:55:53I turned
00:55:54back to
00:55:55the killers,
00:55:56raising my
00:55:57blade to
00:55:57point at
00:55:58them.
00:55:59And
00:56:00you,
00:56:01and
00:56:01her,
00:56:03the fact
00:56:04that you
00:56:04are all
00:56:05gathered
00:56:05here today
00:56:06is exactly
00:56:07what I
00:56:08wanted.
00:56:09For my
00:56:09foster mother,
00:56:10for my
00:56:11child,
00:56:12for these
00:56:12six years
00:56:13of absurdity,
00:56:14I wanted
00:56:14an ending.
00:56:16The moment
00:56:17my words
00:56:18fell,
00:56:18the forest
00:56:19erupted
00:56:19with the
00:56:20sound of
00:56:20rushing
00:56:21footsteps.
00:56:23A
00:56:24spark of
00:56:25relief lit
00:56:26inside me.
00:56:27The time
00:56:28I had
00:56:28bought
00:56:29had finally
00:56:30paid off.
00:56:32Pack
00:56:32enforcers,
00:56:34traitors
00:56:34and outlaws,
00:56:35drop your
00:56:36blades and
00:56:37submit.
00:56:38Torchlight
00:56:39flared.
00:56:41Elite
00:56:41warriors
00:56:42and silver
00:56:43mail poured
00:56:43from every
00:56:44direction,
00:56:45sealing the
00:56:46forest tight.
00:56:47The assassins
00:56:49fell into
00:56:49chaos.
00:56:51Some
00:56:51tried to
00:56:51flee,
00:56:52but the
00:56:52trained
00:56:53enforcers
00:56:54cut them
00:56:54off and
00:56:55herded them
00:56:56into pockets,
00:56:57leaving no
00:56:57escape.
00:56:58The chief
00:56:59saw his
00:57:00doom.
00:57:01His eyes
00:57:02turned
00:57:02savage.
00:57:04Abandoning
00:57:05all caution,
00:57:06he lunged
00:57:07at me,
00:57:07his blade
00:57:08slicing
00:57:09straight for
00:57:10my face.
00:57:11He knew
00:57:12he wouldn't
00:57:12escape today.
00:57:14He meant
00:57:14to take
00:57:15me with
00:57:15him.
00:57:18Isla,
00:57:18watch out!
00:57:20Kale shouted
00:57:21in terror,
00:57:22ignoring his
00:57:23wounds to rush
00:57:24toward me.
00:57:25But I was
00:57:26faster.
00:57:26The
00:57:27image of
00:57:28my foster
00:57:28mother
00:57:29clutching
00:57:29the bread.
00:57:30The
00:57:31faint
00:57:31cry
00:57:32of my
00:57:32lost
00:57:33child.
00:57:34The
00:57:34countless
00:57:35nights
00:57:35I woke
00:57:36from
00:57:36nightmares,
00:57:37gasping.
00:57:39All
00:57:39my grief
00:57:40and
00:57:40hatred
00:57:41crystallized
00:57:42into
00:57:42strength.
00:57:44I
00:57:44sidestepped
00:57:45the
00:57:45blade.
00:57:46Knife
00:57:46sank
00:57:47into
00:57:47the
00:57:47chief's
00:57:48chest.
00:57:49Warm
00:57:50blood
00:57:50sprayed
00:57:51across
00:57:51my
00:57:51cheek.
00:57:52His
00:57:53eyes
00:57:53widened.
00:57:54His
00:57:55mouth
00:57:55opened.
00:57:56Then he
00:57:57crashed
00:57:58to the
00:57:58ground,
00:57:59dead.
00:58:04Ilaris
00:58:05screamed
00:58:05and turned
00:58:06to flee
00:58:07deeper
00:58:07into the
00:58:08woods.
00:58:09I blocked
00:58:10her path.
00:58:11A flash
00:58:12of my
00:58:12blade
00:58:13caught
00:58:13her knee.
00:58:14She
00:58:14shrieked
00:58:15and collapsed,
00:58:16blood soaking
00:58:17her white
00:58:18furs.
00:58:19Two
00:58:19enforcers
00:58:20seized her
00:58:21without
00:58:21mercy.
00:58:23Isla,
00:58:24you
00:58:24wretched
00:58:25Kyle!
00:58:26Kyle,
00:58:26save
00:58:27me!
00:58:29She
00:58:30thrashed
00:58:30and shrieked
00:58:31like a
00:58:32madwoman.
00:58:33Kale
00:58:33didn't look
00:58:34at her.
00:58:34He only
00:58:35looked at
00:58:36me.
00:58:36The
00:58:37remaining
00:58:37killers
00:58:38were crushed
00:58:38by the
00:58:39enforcer's
00:58:40assault,
00:58:41killed
00:58:41or captured
00:58:42within
00:58:43moments.
00:58:44Three
00:58:45days later,
00:58:46in the
00:58:47great hall,
00:58:48the
00:58:48High
00:58:48Elder
00:58:49listened
00:58:49to the
00:58:50full
00:58:50report,
00:58:51his
00:58:51expression
00:58:52grave.
00:58:53Isla,
00:58:53wise and
00:58:54courageous,
00:58:55calm in
00:58:56the face
00:58:56of death.
00:58:58You
00:58:58used
00:58:59yourself
00:58:59as bait
00:59:00to lure
00:59:00out the
00:59:01rival pack
00:59:01remnants
00:59:02and aided
00:59:03the enforcers
00:59:04in
00:59:04exterminating
00:59:05them,
00:59:06cleansing
00:59:06the pack
00:59:07of treachery.
00:59:08Elara
00:59:09conspired
00:59:09with rival
00:59:10pack
00:59:11outlaws
00:59:11and framed
00:59:12the
00:59:12Lunar
00:59:12Queen.
00:59:14Her
00:59:14heart
00:59:15is rotten.
00:59:16She
00:59:16is stripped
00:59:17of all
00:59:18pack
00:59:18standing,
00:59:19cast out
00:59:20as an
00:59:20outcast
00:59:21and thrown
00:59:22into the
00:59:23dungeon
00:59:23to await
00:59:24execution.
00:59:26I bowed,
00:59:27my voice
00:59:28steady.
00:59:30Elara's fate
00:59:30had been
00:59:31sealed
00:59:32long ago.
00:59:35The High
00:59:36Elder paused
00:59:37then added,
00:59:38You are a
00:59:38woman,
00:59:41yet you
00:59:42possess the
00:59:43mind of
00:59:43a
00:59:43strategist.
00:59:48and the
00:59:48courage
00:59:49of a
00:59:49warrior.
00:59:51I hereby
00:59:51appoint you
00:59:52council
00:59:53scribe
00:59:53of the
00:59:54pack.
00:59:56You will
00:59:57hold
00:59:57authority
00:59:58over all
00:59:58territorial
00:59:59records and
01:00:00decrees.
01:00:01Enter and
01:00:02leave the
01:00:02inner chambers
01:00:03freely and
01:00:04advise on
01:00:05all matters.
01:00:06Continue to
01:00:07serve the
01:00:08pack with
01:00:09your talents.
01:00:12I accept
01:00:13the
01:00:13appointment.
01:00:16I bowed
01:00:17again.
01:00:18I shed
01:00:19the lunar
01:00:19ceremonial
01:00:20gown and
01:00:21donned the
01:00:22formal robes
01:00:23of a
01:00:23scribe.
01:00:24This path
01:00:25was the
01:00:26new life
01:00:26I had
01:00:27carved
01:00:28with my
01:00:29own
01:00:29hands.
01:00:30The
01:00:31pack
01:00:31dismissal
01:00:32bell
01:00:32rang.
01:00:33Clan
01:00:34representatives
01:00:34filed out.
01:00:36The
01:00:37sunlight
01:00:37was
01:00:37blinding.
01:00:38I narrowed
01:00:40my eyes
01:00:40slightly.
01:00:43Isla.
01:00:44The
01:00:44familiar
01:00:45voice came
01:00:46from behind
01:00:46me.
01:00:47I did
01:00:48not slow
01:00:48my steps.
01:00:51Aya,
01:00:52wait!
01:00:53Kale
01:00:54hurried
01:00:54after me
01:00:55and blocked
01:00:55my path.
01:00:56His face
01:00:57was pale,
01:00:58his eyes
01:00:59filled with
01:01:00pain.
01:01:02Congratulations
01:01:03on your
01:01:03appointment.
01:01:04I gave
01:01:05a slight
01:01:06nod and
01:01:07moved to
01:01:08step around
01:01:08him.
01:01:09Isla!
01:01:10He reached
01:01:11for my
01:01:12sleeve,
01:01:13then pulled
01:01:13his hand
01:01:14back.
01:01:15I'm sorry.
01:01:20I know
01:01:21it's too late.
01:01:22I know
01:01:22it's laughable.
01:01:24I was a
01:01:25fool, blind
01:01:26and stupid,
01:01:27deceived by
01:01:28her performance.
01:01:31I let you
01:01:32suffer,
01:01:33and I nearly
01:01:33cost you
01:01:34your life.
01:01:35His eyes
01:01:36reddened
01:01:37instantly.
01:01:39But Aayla,
01:01:40from beginning
01:01:40to end,
01:01:41my heart
01:01:42has only
01:01:43ever held
01:01:43you.
01:01:44I beg you,
01:01:46give me
01:01:47one more
01:01:47chance.
01:01:48Let us
01:01:49start again,
01:01:49please.
01:01:50His eyes
01:01:51held a begging
01:01:51I had never
01:01:52seen.
01:01:53I listened
01:01:54quietly,
01:01:55but inside
01:01:56there was
01:01:57nothing left.
01:01:58Those once
01:01:59burning feelings
01:02:00had scattered
01:02:01long ago,
01:02:02carried away
01:02:03by disappointment
01:02:04after disappointment.
01:02:08Kyle.
01:02:09I lifted
01:02:10my eyes
01:02:10and looked
01:02:11at him
01:02:11calmly.
01:02:12The one
01:02:12who killed
01:02:13my foster
01:02:13mother,
01:02:14I have
01:02:15killed him
01:02:15with my
01:02:16own hands.
01:02:17The outlaws
01:02:18who took
01:02:18my child
01:02:19have been
01:02:20brought to
01:02:20justice.
01:02:22The elder's
01:02:23grace allows
01:02:23me to stand
01:02:24on my own
01:02:24merit.
01:02:27Old debts
01:02:28are settled.
01:02:29Grudges
01:02:30are cleared.
01:02:31From the moment
01:02:32the bond
01:02:32broke,
01:02:33we owed
01:02:34each other
01:02:34nothing.
01:02:35From now
01:02:35on,
01:02:36you are
01:02:36the Lyman
01:02:36King,
01:02:37and I
01:02:37am the
01:02:37council
01:02:37scribe.
01:02:39Our paths
01:02:40are long.
01:02:41Take care
01:02:42of yourself.
01:02:44Then I
01:02:44turned and
01:02:45walked steadily
01:02:46forward.
01:02:47The sunlight
01:02:48stretched my
01:02:49shadow long
01:02:50across the
01:02:51floor.
01:02:51It would
01:02:52never again
01:02:53touch his.
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