Chapter 29
The moonlight painted silver tracks through the forest as Selene, Ivy, and Jace ran. Their wolf forms moved like shadows between trees, paws barely making sound on the soft ground. When they reached a small stream, Ivy stopped, her silver hair gleaming in the moonlight. “We need to rest,” she said through their mind link. “I can’t run anymore.” Selene’s white wolf nodded. They had been running for hours since leaving Dante and the pack at the cliff. Her heart ached thinking about the wolves they’d left behind. Jace’s brown wolf circled them protectively before nodding toward a small cave nearby. “In there,” his voice rumbled in their minds. “We’ll be safe for now.” Inside the cave, they changed back to human form. The pain of transformation was nothing compared to the fear gnawing at Selene’s heart. “Do you think they’re okay?” she asked, putting her arms around herself. “Dante and the others?” Jace’s face darkened as he pulled off his jacket and gave it to her. “Dante can handle himself. He always does.” Something in his voice made Selene look up quickly. “You don’t sound happy about that.” Ivy felt the tension and moved to the cave entrance. “I’ll keep watch,” she said, giving them space.
When she was gone, Jace sat across from Selene, the small space between them feeling charged with unsaid words. “I need to tell you something,” he said finally, his eyes unwilling to meet hers. “Something I’ve kept hidden too long.” Selene’s heart raced. “What is it?” “I’ve had feelings for you since we were pups,” Jace blurted out. “Before you were exiled, before everything went wrong.” Selene froze. “What?” “I know it’s wrong,” he continued, words tumbling out like water through broken dam. “You’re Dante’s mate. The Luna. But I’ve watched you fight for everything – your sister, your place in the pack, even Dante’s cold heart – and I can’t help but admire you.” “Jace—” Selene started. “Let me finish,” he said, finally looking at her straight. His eyes burned with passion. “I know nothing can happen between us. I’m not asking for that. But I need you to know that whatever happens, I will always be your friend and defender. Even if that means protecting you from Dante.” Selene’s breath caught. “What do you mean?” Jace moved closer, dropping his voice. “There’s something you don’t know about Dante. About his first mate.” A chill ran down Selene’s spine. “Tell me.” “She didn’t just die,” Jace whispered. “She was killed. By Dante himself p>
“No,” Selene gasped. “That’s impossible. Why would he—” “Because she betrayed the pack,” Jace said. “She was working with Elara all along. When Dante learned the truth, something in him snapped. His wolf took over completely.” Horror washed over Selene. “Did you see it happen?” Jace looked away. “I helped him cover it up. The pack was told she died in an accident.” His hands shook. “I’ve carried that secret for years, watching him grow colder, more ruthless.” “Why tell me this now?” Selene asked, her mind spinning. “Because history might repeat itself,” Jace said. “Elara is playing a dangerous game, and I’ve seen how she looks at you – like she knows something we don’t.” Before Selene could reply, Ivy rushed back into the cave. “Someone’s coming!” They scrambled to their feet. Selene peered out of the cave opening and spotted the white wolf with blue markings standing on a rock across the stream, watching them. “Rowan,” she whispered. The strange wolf shifted smoothly, showing a tall man with striking blue eyes and white hair marked with the same strange blue patterns. “I mean you no harm,” he called. “I’ve come to help you destroy the gateway.” “Why should we trust you?” Jace growled, stepping protectively in front of Selene. Rowan’s face stayed calm. “Because I’m the only one who knows what Elara really wants with Ivy. And why your mother died guarding the secret, Selene.” Selene’s heart stopped. “My mother? What does she have to do with this p>
“Everything,” Rowan answered. “She was the guardian before you. Just as my mother was before me.” “Guardian of what?” Ivy asked, holding her sister’s arm. “The Moonstone Bridge,” Rowan said. “The doorway between worlds that Elara seeks to open tonight. And you, Selene, are the key she needs to unlock it.” Jace moved closer to Selene, his hand finding hers in the darkness. “If you’re telling the truth, then coming with us is a trap.” “Perhaps,” Rowan admitted. “But staying here is certain death. Elara has already started the process. Can’t you feel it?” As if on cue, the ground shook beneath their feet. In the distance, a shaft of blue light shot toward the moon. “The mine,” Ivy whispered in horror. “She’s using the crystals.” Rowan nodded grimly. “And the blood of the wolves she killed. We have until midnight before the bridge fully forms.” “What happens then?” Selene asked, though part of her already knew the answer. “Then the Old Ones return,” Rowan said, his voice falling. “And this world ends.” Another tremor shook the cave, stronger this time. Dust and small rocks rained down from above. “We need to move,” Jace urged. “Now.” Selene looked between Jace and Rowan, torn between trust and mistrust. “What about Dante?” “He’s fighting a losing battle at the pack house,” Rowan said. “Elara’s people have surrounded them. He sent me to find you.” “He wouldn’t do that,” Jace protested. “He would come himself.” Something flickered across Rowan’s face – a shadow of feeling quickly hidden. “He would if he could.” Fear gripped Selene’s heart. “Is he hurt p>
“We’re wasting time,” Rowan said instead of answering. “The entrance is in the heart of the mountains. We must reach it before midnight.” As they argued, the moon’s light suddenly dimmed. Looking up, they saw clouds whirling unnaturally around it, tinged with blue light. “It’s starting,” Ivy whispered. “Just like in my nightmares.” Jace squeezed Selene’s hand, his eyes expressing what words couldn’t.
Whatever she chose, he would stand by her. Selene took a deep breath. “We’ll go with you, Rowan. But know this – if you’ve lied about Dante, I’ll kill you myself.” Rowan’s lips bent in a small smile. “I would expect nothing less from the daughter of the last true guardian.” As they prepared to leave, Jace pulled Selene away. “No matter what happens tonight,” he whispered, “remember what I told you. Some secrets are worth keeping. Others will destroy everything you love.” Before she could ask what he meant, howls erupted from the trees behind them – dozens of wolves, closing in fast. “They’ve found us,” Ivy cried. Rowan changed back to his white wolf form. “Follow me. There’s another way.” As they sped after him into the darkening night, Selene couldn’t shake the feeling that Jace knew more than he was telling. And that by morning, nothing would ever be the same again. Behind them, a lone black wolf watched from the darkness, blood matting its fur, golden eyes filled with rage and betrayal.