Chapter 17: The Truth of the Moon Bond

The first rays of dawn filtered through the stained-glass windows of Crimson Keep.

Despite the peaceful sunrise, the palace felt tense.

Servants hurried through the halls.

Guards doubled their patrols.

Every Alpha prepared for the summit.

Jaxon stood alone on the balcony outside his chamber.

His hands rested on the stone railing.

'You can't hide it anymore,' Drax said.

'I know.'

'She deserves the truth.'

'She does.'

The balcony door opened quietly.

Sable stepped outside.

She was already dressed in her battle attire beneath the blue cloak from Winter Moon.

"You said you'd tell me everything before the summit."

Jaxon nodded.

"I remember."

For several moments, he searched for the right words.

Then he looked directly into her amber eyes.

"Everything changed the day we fought each other on the battlefield."

"I know."

"No... you don't."

"When I caught you before you fell..."

"Our wolves recognized each other."

Sable frowned.

"Recognized?"

"You're my second chance mate."

Silence.

The words seemed to freeze the air itself.

Sable stared at him.

She waited for him to laugh.

To admit it was a cruel joke.

He never did.

"No..." she whispered.

"That's impossible."

"I wish it were."

"The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes."

"After everything that happened with Giselle..."

"I stopped believing that."

"Then why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Because I promised myself I'd never force another woman into my life because of fate."

"I wanted you to choose freely."

"Even if that choice wasn't me."

Sable turned away.

Her thoughts were spinning.

The strange pull she had been feeling.

The dreams.

The flashes of memories.

The peace she found whenever he was nearby.

Everything suddenly made sense.

"I... don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything."

"Not today."

"Not until you're ready."

His calmness surprised her.

"You're giving me a choice?"

"Always."

"The bond may belong to the Moon Goddess."

"Your heart belongs to you."

For the first time since they met...

Sable saw the loneliness hidden behind his calm expression.

He wasn't asking for love.

He wasn't demanding loyalty.

He was simply telling her the truth.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

Before either of them could speak again...

A loud bell echoed throughout Crimson Keep.

The summit was about to begin.

"We should go," Jaxon said.

She nodded quietly.

"Jaxon..."

"Yes?"

"Thank you... for trusting me."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"I should have done it sooner."

Minutes later...

The Grand Assembly Hall was filled with Alphas from across the Eastern Region.

Massive banners hung from the ceiling.

Long wooden tables formed a circle around the room.

At the center stood Jasper Blackwood.

"Friends," he began confidently.

"For too long, our packs have wasted lives fighting one another."

"Today marks a new beginning."

Several Alphas nodded.

Others remained cautious.

Jaxon watched silently.

Something felt wrong.

Jasper continued speaking about unity, trade, and peace.

His speech was flawless.

Almost too flawless.

'He's distracting them,' Drax warned.

'I feel it too.'

Then...

One of the servants entered carrying wine for the council.

As he approached Jasper...

Jaxon's eyes narrowed.

The man's walk.

His posture.

His scarred hands.

He wasn't a servant.

"DOWN!" Jaxon roared.

Everything happened instantly.

The disguised assassin threw the serving tray aside.

A poisoned dagger flashed beneath his sleeve.

He lunged straight toward Jasper.

The ballroom erupted into chaos.

"Protect the Alpha!"

"Guards!"

Steel rang against steel.

Jaxon intercepted the assassin before the blade reached Jasper.

Their swords collided violently.

At the same moment...

Three more assassins appeared from opposite sides of the hall.

"It was a setup!" Ethan shouted.

"They're everywhere!"

Sable drew her sword without hesitation.

She moved beside Jaxon.

Back to back.

Exactly like before.

The bond between them seemed stronger than ever.

Every movement felt instinctive.

Every strike perfectly timed.

The assassins were skilled.

But Jaxon and Sable fought as if they shared the same heartbeat.

Across the hall...

Jasper watched the battle with an unreadable expression.

Then...

Almost too quietly to notice...

He smiled.