Original subtitles

The transfer student teases me with her tail beneath the sheets.

After she brings me to climax again, my childhood friend calls.

All you have to do is beg, and I'll keep treating your skin hunger. When he was

the one who pushed me toward the transfer student. What the hell are you

doing? The transfer student deliberately makes me cry out. My childhood friend

hears it and falls apart.

I had been Blake Hastings' childhood friend for 19 years.

I have skin hunger.

Every time it flares up, he is the one who calms it. So, whenever an attack

hits, I go to him first.

This time, he shoves me toward the new transfer student.

Go hug Syrah.

You need someone to hold you, she needs someone warm, and everyone knows serpent

folk have appetites.

You two are perfect for each other.

I want to ask him why.

Then, I see him looking at the werewolf girl in the doorway.

Piper. In that moment, I understand.

Whatever Blake and I had for 19 years is over. I shove down the craving crawling

under my skin and run out of the classroom. I do not know that someone

follows me.

I lock myself in restroom stall.

I bite down on my arm, shaking all over.

When I was five, my family was driving to visit my grandmother.

A car slammed into us.

The driver fled.

My mother covered me with her body. I was trapped in the wreckage, crying for

what felt like hours.

No one came.

All I could feel was her body growing colder.

My father never answered me again.

They both died.

After that, something broke inside me.

The doctors called it skin hunger.

Blake became my medicine.

That was simply how it worked. Now my medicine is being taken away.

I cry until I cannot breathe.

Someone is at the door.

I wipe my face and open the door, hoping to find somewhere else to hide.

Person outside does not move. Excuse me? I am terrified I will cling to her, so I

stumble back.

Then I look up and meet a pair of dark eyes.

It is the transfer student, Seraphina Vale.

Serpent folk are said to embody temptation and vice.

She keeps to herself, and no one in class likes her.

Were you following me?

More or less. I was looking for you.

She catches my bleeding arm. Don't bite yourself.

Her fingertips brush the blood away.

My whole body locks up.

She wakes something inside me. I dig my nails into my own hand.

Please, stay away from me.

I know it hurts.

Make an oath with me.

I can help.

The need has become unbearable. It is just a hug. We are both girls. It does

not mean anything. I keep telling myself that.

Okay. She smiles and opens her arms.

I ease into her embrace, rise onto my toes, and bury my face in the curve of

her neck, greedy for the warmth. My long ear brushes her chin.

Tickles. Um, how do we make the oath?

She hesitates for a second. She lifts my chin.

Like this.

You're adorable, little rabbit.

It is only the oath ritual, I tell myself. We are both girls. It does not

count. Her breathing quickens. The kiss deepens.

Threads of golden light spill from her body and wrap around us.

The oath takes hold.

She still does not let me go.

Ellie?

What the hell are you doing?

His shout makes me flinch, and I instinctively burrow closer to Syrah.

She lifts her eyes to the door.

What does it look like?

Exactly what you suggested.

We make a perfect pair.

Blake's face darkens. He is furious.

Once, I would have rushed to soothe him. Now I just find it absurd.

What right does he have to be angry?

Ellie, come here.

He expects me to obey. Instead, I hold his gaze and rub my cheek against

Sarah's chin.

Blake drives his fist through the stall door.

Ellie, come here. Don't make me say it a third time.

A shiver runs through me. The fear of wolves written into every rabbit's blood

rises inside me. Sarah notices.

Her pipples narrow to slit. A flash of murderous intent crosses her eyes.

Blake Hastings, show some respect for my mistress.

Mistress? You made an oath with her?

I will not dignify that with an answer. I take Sarah's hand and try to leave.

He grabs my wrist.

Break the oath. I'll pretend I didn't see you kiss her, and you can go back,

following me around.

He says it as if he is doing me a favor.

For the first time, I truly see him.

But he is too strong.

I cannot break free.

Sarah sees the red marks on my wrist. Her patience snaps, and she raises her

foot to kick him off me.

Blake!

My wrist is released in the same instant.

Blake does not even glance at me. He strides over to the werewolf girl.

What are you doing here?

First day cramps. I thought you had first day cramps and were waiting in

class.

And I thought you were only going to the restroom.

I've been waiting forever.

I'm sorry.

His hand settles over her lower belly, rubbing it with practiced ease. Then he

remembers I am there.

Ellie, I... You must be Blake's little childhood friend, Ellie?

Hi. I'm Piper, his best bro.

She looks at me like I am her rival. Before I can explain, Syrah takes my

hand.

Childhood friend?

That sounds awfully intimate.

We're just neighbors.

She nuzzles the tip of my nose with hers through the mask, eyes bright with

jealousy.

Isn't that right, mistress?

Yes.

Then don't I deserve a reward?

There is a hopeful glitter in her eyes. My heart skips. I reach up to pat her

head. I cannot help smiling. That isn't the reward I meant. I know what she

wants. Kissing her should not mean anything because we are both girls.

But flirting in front of an audience is a lot to ask of a timid rabbit like me.

I pull her away before I die of embarrassment.

This time, Blake stands beside one of his own and does not stop me.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you.

Serpent oaths are recognized by both the human and beastface courts.

They're also among the hardest oaths to break.

Blake freezes for a moment.

Piper pokes his waist.

What's with that face?

You've been calling her a burden for ages.

You're finally free of her. We should celebrate.

Drinks are on me tonight.

Never mind.

You can't drink.

Rabbits have sharp ears.

I hear every word Piper says.

Every one.

On the way back to the dorm, I feel Syrah's gaze keep drifting towards me.

By the way, why are your serpent oaths so hard to break?

Want to know? Bring that ear closer.

I do not move my feet. I just lift one long ear, stopping it right at her lips.

Go on. I'm listening.

She laughs in exasperation, then bites the tip of my ear.

My whole body jolts.

Hey! Let go of my ear! She lets go and studies my ear with a frown. Shedding.

No way. I eat. A perfectly balanced diet. She hooks an arm around my waist

and kisses me before I can finish.

Taste that?

Rabbit fur.

I wipe my mouth and scramble for some dignity. It is just a kiss. We are both

girls. It does not mean anything. I tell myself that.

But my heart is pounding so hard my ears ache.

I'm not! You're making that up! I'm not playing with you anymore!

I turn and run.

As a rabbit, I am very confident in my speed.

Two seconds later, someone catches the back of my collar.

Those little legs really move. I turn to swat her, but my arms cannot reach.

She pulls me close.

Go ahead. You can reach me now. I look up and crash straight into eyes full of

tenderness.

We reach the dorm.

You're... Nothing like the creepy transfer student everyone talks about.

Creepy? So that's what they call me.

I just can't be bothered to talk to people.

She pauses.

You're the exception.

I blink at her.

From now on, skin hunger.

When your skin hunger hits, call me or text me.

Anytime. I'll be there.

Then as the other half need me of this oath, whenever you need me, I'll come

running too.

Need you? She repeats it to herself, then smiles.

Come on, upstairs.

I wave like an idiot and turn toward the steps.

Then it hits me. She is Serpent Folk. When Serpent Folk say, need teveted in

an oath, they mean... What exactly did I just say?

How is that any different from inviting her to bed?

I am too embarrassed to face Syrah for two whole days.

On Friday afternoon, I sit beside her in class while the dorm group chat goes

nurkiet. You and Syrah are together?

I heard Serpent Jidge get an oath mark.

Ellie, have you seen hers?

So, is she good in bed?

I slap my phone face down on the desk and cover my eyes with my long ears.

Then I realize I forgot to lock the screen.

Sarah clears her throat quietly beside me.

Your phone is still on. I lock it without a word.

I have never been more mortified.

Ten minutes before class, the door swings open.

Blake walks in.

His eyes sweep the room and land on me.

He sees Sarah beside me. His expression darkens and he comes over to tap on her

desk. Get up. Sarah looks at him like he is an idiot and does not move. Ellie

saved me this seat.

And who the hell do you think you are?

Blake grinds his teeth and turns to me. Tell her to get lost!

Why should I? Who the hell are you? Everyone nearby perks up, waiting for a

fight. Blake just stares at me. Then he says nothing, picks a random empty seat,

and sits down.

That night, he goes drinking with Piper. She insists on sitting in his lap.

Suddenly, it bothers him. If a bro could sit in his lap, then what were Ellie and

Sarah doing?

He does not let himself follow that thought.

Then he remembers the way I looked at him, and anger burns through him. So he

lets Piper push up his hoodie, balance her glass on his abs, and take a picture

for his socials.

The caption reads, Now that certain people aren't bothering me, I can

finally be a cup holder for my best bro in peace.

And at that moment, I am sitting on a bench in the campus woods, my face

burning.

I am holding Sarah's hand. Holding hands between two girls is perfectly normal.

That is what I tell myself.

Then she asks, Does it still hurt inside?

It hurts less than I expect.

Mostly there is just a tightness in my chest. A little.

It's nothing. What really bothers me?

We've been holding hands for 15 minutes. My palm is sweating, and the hunger

still hasn't let up. Why?

I look up and meet her deep black eyes.

She notices the sweat on my palm.

Holding hands isn't enough? Then maybe we should try.

Terrified, she is about to say something scandalous. I drop her hand.

Finished already?

A flicker of disappointment crosses her eyes.

No. Relax. Helping my mistress is what I'm supposed to do. That only makes me

more nervous.

But you're so good to me, and I have nothing to give you. You want to help

me?

She pats her thigh.

Her dark eyes turn heavy.

Why don't you climb on?

What are you doing?

I'm not ready!

Hold me.

More skin contact should make it easier.

Oh, that's what you meant?

Okay, coming.

Just a hug between girls. That is normal. My face burning, I hurry into

her lap and bury my face in her neck. A minute passes.

I think we're past it, and my heart is finally starting to settle. Then she

speaks. Out here in the middle of nowhere.

What did you think I meant?

I clap a hand over her mouth. Stop! I'm sorry!

Please. She licks my palm. The tip of her forked tongue flicks out and

disappears.

I yank my hand back, like I touched a live wire.

After my shower that night, the whole bed seems to smell like her. I stare at

the ceiling. My hand moves on its own, pulling the blanket over my nose.

It is only laundry detergent. I keep breathing it in until I cannot get

enough air, then sit up and take another shower.

When I come back, I push open the dorm door. Someone I barely know is sitting

in my chair.

Piper.

She looks me up and down.

I avert my eyes from the hickeys on her neck.

Blake's birthday is coming up.

You know him so well. So tell me what he likes.

And don't say anything you've already given him.

I don't know.

Try asking him. Piper gets up and grips my chin.

Good. Listen carefully.

Bottom-feeding trash like you should stop wanting things that don't belong to

you. I turn my face away, unwilling to be dragged into a fight.

But she keeps going.

An orphan with some freak condition called skin hunger.

What rotten luck.

You and that creepy outcast nobody can stand really are a perfect match.

Remember this.

Next time you see me and Blake, crawl back into the sewer where you belong.

Otherwise... I hit her across the face.

She can say whatever she wants about me. She does not get to talk about Sarah.

If not for Sarah, I might never have made it out of that restroom tonight.

You?

Hit me?

She shifts right there, in defiance of the cancer.

Faced with an angry wolf, my body shakes on instinct.

The next second, the dorm door bursts open. Purple-haired werewolf charges in

and slams Piper to the floor.

It is my roommate, Mia, back from her shower.

The two wolves are about to tear O into each other when Mrs. Donovan, our dorm

supervisor, arrives and barks one command.

Stop, all of you!

For shifting in the dorm without permission and trying to hurt another

student, Piper gets a major demerit and two weeks of confinement.

Mia receives a written warning and a written apology.

I'm so sorry.

I'll buy you meals for a week.

Don't worry about it. No need.

But you do have to answer that question I asked in the group chat.

I immediately remember the question that humiliated me in front of Syrah.

I haven't tried it!

How would I know?

No rush.

Try it.

Then report back.

The next morning, someone stops me on the way to breakfast.

Why did you deliberately provoke Piper?

I stare at him.

It is almost funny how absurd he sounds.

She insulted me first.

Am I not allowed to hit back?

She's been spoiled her whole life.

She doesn't know better.

Can't you take a couple of insults?

Here, hit me instead.

I'm her best bro.

It's my job to take it for her.

Best bro?

I remember the hickeys Piper showed off in front of me.

Those words make my stomach turn.

What kind of best bro leaves hinkies on someone?

Blake, stop lying to yourself.

We were drunk.

It was an accident.

You've kissed Sarah.

What gives you the right to judge me?

For a moment, I have no answer.

Then a hand slips the canvas bag off my shoulder.

It is Sarah.

She has every right.

Ellie and I have an oath.

She's my mistress.

I'm her servant.

A mistress rewarding her servant with a kiss is perfectly normal.

You two, on the other hand?

I've never heard of best bros rewarding each other with hickeys.

Unless you're something else.

Are you?

No?

Then shut up.

And stop making excuses.

Blake has nothing to say.

His gaze shifts to me, dark and resentful.

Ellie, on her deathbed, your grandmother, took my hand and made me

promise to take care of you.

That gives me every right to tell you to stay away from Sarah, break the oath,

and apologize to Piper.

The moment he uses my grandmother, I know we are finished.

She called me an orphan, and you didn't make her apologize.

Then you turn around and use my grandmother against me? Blake?

I never knew you could be this pathetic.

I know she shouldn't have said that.

But it's true, isn't it?

You don't have anyone left.

My hand cracks across his face.

I hit him hard enough to sting my palm.

My nails leave a bloody scratch across his cheek.

That was to snap you out of it.

Think about what you just said.

And don't come near me again.

I don't know you.

I take Sarah's hand and turn away.

We were on our way to the cafeteria.

Somehow, we ended up in the birch grove.

Sarah has followed me in silence.

Then she wraps her arms around me from behind, sighs, and covers my eyes.

It's okay to cry.

You'll feel better when it's over.

The moment she says it, the tears break through.

She stays with me until I have cried myself out, then guides me onto a

bench and lets me lean against her shoulder.

I watch the birch leaves drift down nearby.

Slowly, the ache inside me quiets.

Thank you, Syrah.

It is my duty to ease my mistress's burdens.

You say that so easily.

Have you been bound to a lot of people?

No. You're my first.

I go still.

Then I guess I'm lucky.

No.

She strokes my ear, her voice suddenly hanks.

I'm the lucky one.

How? There are so many op-eared rabbits in the world, and most of them are...

timid. Just as timid as I am.

I don't know other rabbits. I only know you.

And you are a very brave, very strong little rabbit.

Her voice is low and rough, like she is reading me a fairy tale.

Keep going. I like hearing it.

She smiles.

This time, she does not bite me.

She presses a soft kiss to the tip of my ear.

I try to tell myself it means nothing because we are both girls.

But my heart is already a mess.

Sarah and I begin turning up around campus together all the time.

I did think about asking someone else for help.

After all, the...

The whole school knows about my skin hunger now.

Sarah would not hear of it.

Then what was our oath supposed to mean?

I chew the gummy she just slipped into my mouth.

Why?

Because you're not allowed to ask anyone else.

She starts acting like a stubborn child.

I lower my head, remembering what Piper said.

But we spend so much time together.

It can't be easy, having me around all the time.

I'm afraid you'll start to think I'm a burden.

Impossible.

My parents have been glued to each other for over 20 years, and neither of

them... has ever called the other disgusting burden.

Your parents aren't us!

I don't care.

She bends down and pinches my nose.

From now on, when I'm not with you, I'll text you where I am.

The second an attack starts, come find me, or call me.

Back in class, Mia looks at the two of us.

Are you two dating?

How could we be?

We're both girls.

We're just... Just what?

The sentence dies in my throat.

I... can't even deny it.

After all, she and I have already kissed.

And the more time we spend together, the longer each treatment takes.

One time, I sit in her lap for nearly two hours before my body finally

settles.

Her leg goes numb.

It is almost as if I'm building up A tolerance.

That never happened when I was close to Blake.

The changes unstettle me, so I confide in my roommates.

What if sometimes it's not actually an attack?

You just want to be close to her?

You're done for.

You're in love.

No way!

We're both girls!

It's just... an oath.

We learned what an oath involves in high school biology.

When a mistress makes a demand, her servant is expected to feed her.

And when the servant is hungry, the mistress does the same.

She has a warm, willing girl in her arms every day.

She gets hungry one night.

Are you going to help her?

Or not?

I bite my lip and cannot answer.

Because the instant she asked, something in me had already answered.

I'm doomed.

For a long time, we're both girls, so it doesn't count, was enough for me.

When did I start wanting more than a hug?

Once I realize I have feelings for Syrah, I become awkward around her,

terrified of making a bad impression.

So for the thirteenth time, I tilt my face to show her the right cheek

everyone says, is prettier.

She is explaining a problem to me when her pen stops.

Her expression turns earnest and concerned.

Did you sleep on your neck wrong last night?

The sweet smile I have practiced for ages freezes on my face.

I cannot tell whether it is my heart or the snow outside that feels colder.

I abandon all my carefully practiced moves and sigh.

Syrah, I really hate how oblivious you are.

She has no idea why she just got insulted, but she quietly packs her bag

and follows me out of the building.

Then something in my chest flutters.

Snow lands on her shoulder and quickly melts.

I clear my throat, take her hand, and lace our fingers together.

Um, I feel bad.

I need to hold your hand.

She says nothing.

She is probably used to my sudden attacks.

Then she slides our joined hands into her coat pocket.

I Cannot stop the smile spreading across my face

Ellie did you know your

ears twitch whenever you lie?

My whole body goes rigid I Try to pull my hand back, but she holds on tighter

I didn't.

Of course not.

There is a smile in her voice.

She indulges me without a fight.

She lifts my ear to her lips.

I like you too.

Did you hear me, little rabbit?

The whole world goes quiet.

Her confession echoes in my ear over and over, but I am still putting up a fight.

What do you mean, too?

Like, as if I like you?

Oh, so you don't.

That's strange.

I just heard it skip a beat.

I hurry to cover her mouth.

She catches my wrist, tilts her head, and rests her cheek in my palm.

Be my mistress forever.

Will you?

My fingers move a little.

I am touching her face.

O-okay.

She nuzzles my palm.

Her eyes drop to my lips.

That lipstick color looks pretty.

On you.

Thanks. Do you want one? I can give you a tube.

She smiles, almost helpless.

My fault.

I was too subtle.

What I meant was... Can I kiss you?

The snow on my lips melts under a warmth that is not my own.

This time, I remember to close my eyes.

When winter break comes, I apply to stay on campus.

Blake, who has not spoken to me in ages, sends a text.

I do not answer.

I block and delete him.

Then he shows up outside my dorm to corner me.

Why did you block me?

Past him, I see someone sprinting toward us because she saw him corner me.

I laugh.

Because I don't want to upset my girlfriend.

Blake's face goes blank.

You're not just bound by an oath?

Are you an idiot?

A serpent oath stops being just an oath the moment it's sealed.

I leave him with that cold answer.

Then my whole face changes. I smile and throw myself into Sarah's arms as she

reaches us.

I missed you. I missed you.

Did that mad dog mess with you?

No. Never seen him before.

Let's go.

Behind us, Blake stands frozen.

Then he turns and runs toward the library like a man possessed.

On the way back to the dorm, I overhear two students talking.

Did you hear? Some lunatic caused a scene in the library today, demanding a

way to break a serpent oath. Seriously?

Was there a video?

I tug Sarah's sleeve and ask the question she never answered.

So why are serpent oaths so hard to break?

Not so simple.

Because a lot of people get lost in the part that isn't so simple.

Somewhere along the way, they fall for someone.

And then they don't want a way out. I think back over everything that has

happened between us and realize something.

We have only ever kissed.

Um, don't you need to feed?

She tilts her head, confused.

Don't read into that! I'm just asking!

Amusement brightens her black eyes.

Mistress, you're adorable.

I've been holding back this whole time. I haven't eaten you.

Oaths are outdated.

Honestly, that kind of relationship has no place in the modern world.

I didn't want you falling for me because of one. But we've already crossed the

line. We kissed.

We did.

I lost control.

Her love is as blunt as her words.

My ears burn with embarrassment.

Still, I feel like I am missing something.

Sarah insists on staying on campus with me.

On Christmas Eve, her parents drive for hours to see us. They ask no questions

and bring roast turkey and hot black tea.

Sarah talks about you all the time.

Ellie, thank you for letting her stay with you.

Dad! Her ears turn pink. She pushes a plate toward me.

Ellie, look how grown up you are. I freeze.

Not hello.

Look how grown up you are.

I look at the old nurse's watch on her wrist and the small mole beside her left

eye. Somewhere in my memory, a voice makes late night rounds.

Gentle and exhausted, it says it over and over.

I'm here.

Don't be afraid, sweetheart.

I'm here. The voice and the woman in front of me become one.

After the car crash, I stayed in the hospital for a long time. I would not

speak, would not see anyone, would not let anyone touch me.

Every night, the beautiful head nurse brought a little girl to my bedside.

The girl was only a little older than me, aloof, with black eyes so bright

they seemed to shine.

There were no silver scales on her cheeks yet, but she would sit beside me

and read fairy tales to me, one page at a time, in her small, serious voice.

When she finished, she would tell me stiffly, You are a very brave, very

strong little rabbit.

The girl in my memory slowly becomes the Sarah in front of me. Now I understand

what I have been missing.

I miss the love that was overflowing from her long before any oath.

After dinner, I watch her parents' car disappear into the snowy night.

Can I see your mark?

After a serpent makes an oath, a ring of silver snake scales appears on the

waist. For once, she panics.

Here? Right now?

That's not very convenient.

A group of carolers carrying lanterns jingles past the corner. I burst out

laughing.

As if!

Idiot!

I take her hand and walk into the hotel across the street.

Inside the hotel, the woman who calls me her mistress takes control.

In the mirror, she presses close to my ear and asks again and again, Mistress,

do you like me? I sob and clutch the sheets.

Yes, more than anything.

Outside the window, the Christmas lights blur and sway.

When I return to school the next day, I see him from a distance.

Blake. He blocks my path, his eyes bloodshot.

Why didn't you come back to the dorm last night? I try to walk past him. He

grabs my wrist and will not let go. This time, Sarah does not hesitate. She kicks

him away.

Stay away from my girlfriend.

Thanks.

Blake ignores her and stares at me.

Ellie, come home with me.

My parents keep asking why you didn't come over for Christmas.

I'll call your parents and wish them a Merry Christmas.

As for you... I really don't understand.

You said those horrible things to me to please someone else, so why are you

still clinging to me?

What am I to you?

And what is Piper to you? Even though I don't like Piper, she's still a girl,

and I can't help feeling a little sorry for her.

It's called taking you for granted.

He thought you'd never leave, so he hurt you however he wanted.

Blake lowers his head.

I'm sorry.

I hear you. I still don't accept it.

With Sarah's help, I turn and leave.

As I turn, I spot Piper in the distance.

Our eyes meet for a second.

I look away and smile at Sarah.

What should we have for lunch?

You maybe.

My little rabbit.