Chapter 23: The Trials of the First Wolf

Before dawn, the six travelers resumed their climb.

The higher they ascended, the quieter the mountains became.

Even the wind seemed unwilling to disturb the ancient peaks.

Magnus led the way without hesitation.

"Stay close," he warned.

"The Temple is older than any kingdom alive today."

"It protects itself."

Jaxon glanced toward the cliffs.

"How far?"

"Less than an hour."

Sable remained unusually quiet.

The truth about her parents still weighed heavily on her heart.

Jaxon noticed.

"You don't have to carry it alone," he said softly.

She forced a small smile.

"I've carried it my entire life."

"Now I finally know what it really is."

"Revenge?"

She shook her head.

"Justice."

Jaxon nodded.

"Then we'll find it together."

For the first time since yesterday...

She didn't pull away.

After another steep climb, the narrow trail ended.

Before them stood an enormous stone gate carved directly into the mountain.

Massive wolf statues guarded each side.

Their eyes appeared almost alive.

Ancient silver runes glowed faintly across the walls.

"The Temple of the First Wolf," Magnus whispered.

Everyone stood in silence.

The place felt sacred.

Untouched by time.

"It's beautiful," Sable breathed.

"It's dangerous," Cedric corrected.

As they approached the entrance...

The glowing runes suddenly brightened.

A deep rumble echoed through the mountain.

The stone doors slowly opened.

No one touched them.

"It recognized you," Magnus said.

He looked at Jaxon and Sable.

"Only the chosen pair could awaken the entrance."

Inside, countless crystal pillars reflected silver moonlight from unseen openings above.

The temple was enormous.

Ancient murals covered every wall.

They depicted wolves fighting together instead of against each other.

"This isn't just a temple," Ethan whispered.

"It's our true history."

Magnus nodded.

"Before the packs divided..."

"We were one kingdom."

They continued deeper.

Eventually they reached a circular chamber.

At its center stood three enormous stone archways.

Above each doorway were ancient words.

"Strength."

"Trust."

"Sacrifice."

"Three trials," Cedric murmured.

"Every legend mentioned them."

"What happens if we fail?" Ethan asked.

"No one knows," Magnus replied honestly.

"No one has ever returned to tell the story."

The chamber suddenly trembled.

A powerful voice echoed from every direction.

"Only those worthy of unity may stand before the Crown."

"Choose your first trial."

The voice faded.

The room became silent once more.

Jasper studied the three archways.

"Strength first."

"If we survive, we attempt the others."

"Agreed," Jaxon said.

He stepped toward the doorway marked Strength.

The instant Jaxon crossed the threshold...

The entrance sealed behind him.

"Jaxon!" Sable shouted.

Stone walls separated them.

She rushed forward.

Nothing moved.

"Each trial is faced alone," Magnus said quietly.

"This is how the Temple judges every soul."

Inside the first chamber...

Jaxon found himself standing in complete darkness.

Moments later...

Silver flames ignited around him.

A familiar figure stepped from the shadows.

"Giselle..."

She smiled exactly as he remembered.

"Hello, Jaxon."

"You're not real."

"No?"

"Then why does your heart still hurt when you look at me?"

His chest tightened.

The old pain returned.

"You failed me," the illusion whispered.

"You failed your pack."

"You failed your wolf."

"Enough."

"Did I lie?"

She circled him slowly.

"You couldn't even keep your own mate."

"How could you ever unite every pack?"

'She's lying,' Drax growled.

'She knows exactly where to strike.'

Jaxon closed his eyes.

He remembered every sleepless night.

Every moment of betrayal.

Every scar she had left behind.

Then he slowly opened his eyes.

"You're right about one thing."

The illusion smiled.

"I failed."

"I wasn't the Alpha my people deserved."

"I trusted the wrong person."

"I let grief control me."

"But those failures made me stronger."

"They didn't destroy me."

"They prepared me."

The illusion's smile vanished.

"You don't control me anymore."

"Not my past."

"Not my future."

The image of Giselle shattered into thousands of silver fragments.

The chamber shook violently.

A brilliant beam of moonlight filled the room.

The ancient voice echoed once more.

"First Trial... Passed."

Outside...

The stone doorway slowly opened.

Jaxon stepped back into the central chamber.

Sable immediately ran to him.

"Are you alright?"

He smiled faintly.

"Better than I've been in years."

Before anyone could celebrate...

The doorway marked 'Trust' began glowing.

The second trial...

Was waiting for Sable.