Chapter 22: The Woman in White

The icy wind howled across the mountain pass.

Snow swirled around the small cabin as dozens of black-cloaked warriors surrounded it.

Every one of them wore the silver crescent emblem of the Order of the Eclipse.

No one moved.

No one spoke.

The tension alone felt heavy enough to break the silence.

The woman in white sat confidently atop a magnificent silver wolf.

Unlike the others, she wore no mask.

Her silver hair shimmered beneath the pale sunlight.

Her calm smile somehow felt more dangerous than a drawn sword.

"I was hoping we'd meet under better circumstances," she said.

Jaxon stepped forward, resting one hand on the hilt of his sword.

"State your name."

"Lady Selene."

"High Guardian of the Order of the Eclipse."

"I've protected the Lunar Crown for nearly thirty years."

Ethan frowned.

"Protected?"

"By starting wars between packs?"

Selene sighed.

"Sometimes peace requires sacrifices."

"Thousands of wolves have died because of your 'sacrifices,'" Sable said coldly.

"Far fewer than would die if the Crown fell into the wrong hands," Selene replied without emotion.

Jasper studied her carefully.

"You've manipulated the Eastern Region for generations."

"Only to preserve balance," Selene answered.

"Power always attracts ambitious rulers."

"The Crown can never belong to one Alpha."

Magnus slowly walked down the cabin steps.

"Then why are you here?"

"Because the Temple has awakened."

"It called to the chosen pair."

Selene's silver eyes shifted toward Jaxon and Sable.

"You two."

Neither of them spoke.

"The Temple cannot be opened by force," Magnus said.

"You know that."

"Correct," Selene replied.

"Which is why I won't force them."

"I'll simply give them the truth."

She dismounted gracefully from her wolf.

"Jaxon Docker."

"Do you know why you survived Giselle's rejection?"

Jaxon's eyes narrowed.

"Because I was strong enough."

"No."

"Because the Moon Goddess had already chosen another path for you."

She turned toward Sable.

"And you..."

"Do you know why your parents were murdered?"

Sable froze.

"...What?"

"Your uncle lied to you."

"They weren't killed by rogues."

"They were members of the Order."

Magnus slammed his walking staff against the frozen ground.

"Enough!"

"Don't poison her with half-truths!"

"Half-truths?" Selene asked calmly.

"Then perhaps you should tell her the whole story."

Sable looked between them.

"What is she talking about?"

Magnus remained silent.

"Tell me!"

Finally, the old man closed his eyes.

"Your parents discovered the Temple twenty-three years ago."

"They refused to tell the Order where it was."

"They wanted the Crown destroyed forever."

"The Order couldn't allow that."

Sable's breathing became uneven.

"So... they murdered them?"

Magnus slowly nodded.

"Yes."

The world seemed to stop.

Every memory of her parents rushed back.

Their smiles.

Their voices.

The day they never returned home.

Jaxon stepped beside her.

"Sable..."

"Don't," she whispered.

"Not right now."

Her hands trembled.

Not with fear.

With rage.

Across the clearing, Selene watched quietly.

"Now you understand why the Temple must remain hidden."

"People kill for power."

"Even good people."

"You're wrong," Sable said.

"Am I?"

"Your Order murdered innocent wolves."

"Started wars."

"Destroyed families."

"You call that protecting balance?"

For the first time...

Selene's calm smile disappeared.

"Sometimes monsters must become guardians."

"No," Jaxon replied firmly.

"Guardians choose sacrifice."

"Monsters choose innocent victims."

A long silence followed.

Snow continued falling around them.

Finally, Selene spoke again.

"Very well."

"Then prove you're worthy."

She stepped aside, pointing toward the towering mountains.

"Beyond those cliffs lies the Temple of the First Wolf."

"If the Moon Goddess truly chose you..."

"Open it."

"Claim the Crown."

"Then decide whether my Order deserves to exist."

Jasper looked surprised.

"You're letting us go?"

"I'm giving destiny its chance."

"Besides..."

She smiled once more.

"The Temple has its own guardians."

"If you're unworthy..."

"None of you will survive long enough to reach the Crown."

Without another word...

Selene mounted her silver wolf.

The warriors of the Order turned together.

Within moments...

They disappeared into the blizzard.

Only silence remained.

Magnus looked toward the distant mountain peaks.

"We have one day."

"Tomorrow night is the Blood Moon."

"If the Temple opens before then..."

"You may still save the Eastern Region."

"And if we fail?" Ethan asked.

Magnus's expression grew solemn.

"Then the next war..."

"Will be the last one our world ever fights."