Chapter 59
Kane's POV
When I saw Julian standing on the platform, speaking those words about "losing his wolf spirit," his eyes searching helplessly around the crowd, this should have been my perfect moment to strike him down. But something uncomfortable stirred deep inside my chest.
Was it guilt?
I remembered the seal conjured by the Three-Claw Generals, that massive gate of ice expanding before me. I remembered Julian's figure falling in front of me, remembered how he could have stood aside but chose instead to bear that fatal seal for me.
The rage that had burned in me for years seemed to cool, just a little.
But I refused to accept it. I gritted my teeth, desperately trying to fill my heart with hatred again.
My mother's death, those years of humiliation, the fury of being abandoned like a bargaining chip—all of this should have been enough to support me watching him fall.
I strode toward the platform with determination. Samuel tried to block me, but I drove him back with a single glare.
As I mounted the steps, I heard everyone talking. The whispers buzzed like a swarm of bees—some speculating what I would do, others waiting for the show.
All the vicious mockery I'd prepared dissolved into a single sentence: "Don't think that just because you took that seal for me, you can play the coward!"
Julian lifted his head to look at me, surprise flickering in his eyes.
I'd let go of some things, but that didn't mean I was surrendering.
I simply refused to let the place my mother once defended fall into enemy hands.
I was already prepared to die in battle.
Mother, the only thing I couldn't let go of was Ella. Where was she now? Perhaps she'd already gone to Free Haven, the place she'd always wanted to reach.
But before that, I had something I needed to do.
I dropped to one knee, looked up at Julian, and spoke clearly: "I, Kane Argyle, volunteer to serve as vanguard against the Blood River wolves' invasion! My Alpha!"
The crowd froze. The entire succession ceremony reached its climax.
Everyone began cheering the Alpha's name, shouting long live Silver Moon.
The wave of sound crashed over me, making my eardrums ache.
I saw complex emotions flash through Julian's eyes—shock, gratitude, and something else I couldn't read.
When the lunch hour ended and the crowd dispersed, only four of us remained: me, Julian, Alpha Walter, and Luna Jenna.
Luna Jenna, knowing I'd always had issues with her, tactfully found an excuse to check on the safe houses prepared for children and mother wolves.
I watched her silhouette disappear down the corridor, and the resistance I felt toward her eased slightly.
At least she knew when to step back.
Alpha Walter gathered Julian and me together.
He instructed: "The Blood River army will complete their passage through Frostbite Canyon in two days. How should we defend against them?"
Julian fell silent for a moment, then analyzed calmly: "Right now, aside from having more warriors than us, their main advantage is Stella wielding the dark flame." He looked at me.
I said: "My dark flame power also comes from Stella, but it's far weaker than hers. The dark element erodes your mind—I already feel like I'm going insane. Who knows when Stella will transform into a complete monster."
As I spoke, I felt that burning sensation in my chest spreading again. The dark flame was like a parasite, constantly reminding me of the price I'd paid for power.
Julian continued his strategic planning: "Kane, you need to be on the front lines. You're the only one who might be able to counter Stella. I must go find the Three-Claw Generals, and Ella!" He paused. "First, to seek a way to break the seal. Second, Ella's fire element and healing constitution might be able to purify your dark flame."
At the mention of Ella's name, my heart clenched.
Alpha Walter said to Julian: "The Orta Crown stores the ice power you previously placed within it. You should have three chances to use ice element abilities."
Julian looked shocked. He removed the crown and examined it carefully, saying: "It has this capability! Three times will be enough!"
Alpha Walter turned to look at me, hesitating before speaking, saying only that he had never betrayed my mother.
He said: "After the war, I'll tell you all the secrets of the past, everything."
I stared at him in shock.
This man, this man I'd hated for so many years, now had a softness in his eyes I'd never seen before.
I remained silent, then stated firmly: "I won't surrender the land where my mother is buried!"
Julian clapped my shoulder, saying: "Hold out for three days. I promise I'll return!"
His palm was warm and strong, reminding me of when we were children, before all this enmity between us.
Julian placed the crown on his head, preparing to set out on the journey to find Ella.
I called out to him: "Julian."
He turned back to look at me.
"Ella's always wanted to go to Free Haven." I took a deep breath. "If you find her, tell her I'm sorry."
As those words left my mouth, I felt something tearing in my chest.
I owed her so much.
I destroyed our child, disappointed her again and again, pushed her into the abyss.
And now, I could only place my hope of finding her in this former enemy.
Julian looked at me, complex emotions flickering in his eyes.
Finally, he nodded: "I will."
He turned and left, his cloak billowing behind him.
I stood there, watching his figure disappear into the sunlight beyond the doorway.
Three days.
I only needed to hold out for three days.
I looked down at my hands, black flames dancing at my fingertips.
This power was eroding me, but it was also my only weapon to protect this land.
Ella, wait for me.
When this war ends, when I'm still standing, I'll come find you myself.
I'll kneel before you and spend the rest of my life atoning.
But for now, I must defend this place.
Defend my mother's grave, defend Silver Moon, defend the place where you once briefly stayed.
I turned toward the training grounds.
The warriors needed final preparations, and I needed to ensure every one of them was ready to face death.
In two days, the Blood River wolves would arrive.
And I would be standing at the very front, waiting for them.