Chapter 13: The Alpha's Invitation

The council chamber fell silent.

Everyone stared at the letter in Jaxon's hands.

Only the crackling fireplace disturbed the quiet.

"Read it," Ethan finally said.

Jaxon unfolded the parchment completely.

His deep voice echoed through the room.

"To Alpha Jaxon Docker of Winter Moon."

"The Eastern Region has suffered enough bloodshed."

"As Alpha of Bloodlust Pack, I invite every Alpha and their representatives to a peace summit three days from now at Crimson Keep."

"Only through unity can we prevent another unnecessary war."

"Your attendance is expected."

"Signed... Alpha Jasper Blackwood."

The room remained silent after he finished.

Naomi was the first to speak.

"He wants peace?"

Ethan folded his arms.

"Or he wants us exactly where he can watch us."

Sable hadn't taken her eyes off the letter.

"There's another reason."

Jaxon looked toward her.

"He specifically requested me."

"An enemy warrior."

"Why?"

No one had an answer.

Jaxon slowly placed the letter on the table.

"Whether this is a trap or not..."

"We have to go."

"Alpha!" Ethan objected.

"It could be an ambush."

"It could."

"But if we refuse... Jasper gains the perfect excuse to accuse us of rejecting peace."

Ethan reluctantly nodded.

He hated admitting Jaxon was right.

"We'll need an escort," he said.

"Only a small one."

"Too many warriors will make us look like we're preparing for battle."

"Too few and we're vulnerable."

"I'll choose the best six," Ethan replied.

The meeting ended shortly afterward.

One by one, the council members left the room.

Only Jaxon and Sable remained.

"Do you trust him?" Sable asked quietly.

"Jasper?"

"No."

"Not completely."

"Have you met before?"

Jaxon hesitated.

"Years ago."

"Before I became Alpha."

"What was he like?"

"Charismatic."

"Intelligent."

"The kind of man who smiles while calculating ten moves ahead."

"Dangerous."

Sable studied his face.

"You sound like you respect him."

"I respect his intelligence."

"That doesn't mean I trust him."

She nodded thoughtfully.

"My uncle always warned us about Bloodlust."

"He said Jasper never fights unless victory is guaranteed."

"Then perhaps your uncle and I finally agree on something."

A faint smile appeared on Sable's face.

"That's becoming a habit."

"What is?"

"Agreeing with you."

Jaxon smiled back before either of them realized it.

For a brief moment...

Neither remembered they belonged to rival packs.

Outside the chamber, Naomi watched through the half-open door.

She quietly smiled to herself.

"The Moon Goddess certainly has interesting timing," she whispered.

Later that evening...

The preparations began.

Weapons were inspected.

Horses were saddled.

Travel supplies were packed.

Every warrior chosen for the escort understood the importance of the journey.

Meanwhile, Sable returned to the guest room that had become her temporary home.

She sat near the window, staring at the moon.

Her thoughts refused to settle.

"You're changing," she whispered to herself.

She had come to Winter Moon expecting chains.

Instead she had found kindness.

Respect.

Friendship.

And an Alpha who challenged everything she believed.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in."

Jaxon stepped inside carrying a folded cloak.

"The nights become colder near Crimson Keep," he said.

"You'll need this."

She accepted it carefully.

"Thank you."

"It's warm."

"Winter Moon wool."

"Our best weavers made it."

Sable ran her fingers across the fabric.

"No one has ever given me something like this."

"Then someone should have."

Their eyes met once more.

For several long seconds...

Neither spoke.

'Tell her,' Drax urged.

'Not yet.'

'She's beginning to feel it too.'

'The summit comes first.'

'You're running out of time.'

Jaxon ignored his wolf.

"Get some rest," he said.

"We leave at sunrise."

After he left, Sable wrapped the cloak around her shoulders.

It still carried his scent.

Cedar.

Fresh rain.

And something strangely comforting.

She closed her eyes.

For the first time in years...

She felt safe.

Far away...

Inside the towering halls of Bloodlust Pack...

Alpha Jasper Blackwood stood before the massive windows overlooking his kingdom.

A warrior entered and bowed deeply.

"They accepted the invitation, Alpha."

A slow smile spread across Jasper's face.

"Excellent."

"And the girl?"

"Sable Embers will be accompanying Jaxon."

Jasper's crimson eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

"Perfect."

"Everything is happening exactly as planned."

He turned toward the fire, lifting a crystal glass filled with dark wine.

"Soon..."

"Every Alpha in the Eastern Region will be under one roof."

"And when the first drop of blood falls..."

"None of them will leave unchanged."