Chapter 55 Reliquary and the Dance Practice

Chapter 55 Reliquary and the Dance Practice
If he hadn’t been forced to, Alpha Calix would never have set foot in the Reliquary Sanctum, the place where sacred relics were kept and where the elders and other members offered prayers and praise to the moon goddess.

The building stood apart from the pack’s center, deliberately separated from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Towering white pillars, adorned with carvings of lunar symbols, made the structure stand out amidst the surrounding greenery.

Here, the sounds of the outside world seemed to cease, making it the perfect place to keep secrets.

"Actually, I’m still upset with her because of that mate selection ritual," Calix muttered. "If that nonsense ritual hadn’t been performed, Ruella- ah, she performed the ritual too, so she’ll still come. I guess this is just my fate."

He stepped inside without hesitation. His black cloak moved in sync with his steady stride. Several reliquary guards immediately bowed in respect as he passed them.

"Alpha."

The greeting echoed softly as he walked deeper into the building.

Calix merely gave a brief nod in response, his gaze fixed straight ahead. His purpose was clear, so he didn’t need to waste any more time there. If he didn’t need to hide his inquiries about the war, he would have summoned Elder Niels to the pack house, but what could he do? It could cause chaos if people found out he doubted the recorded history of the war.

At the end of the long corridor, an old wooden door opened slowly.

Inside, Niels was already waiting. Calix quickened his pace.

"Welcome, Alpha. Please come in," Elder Niels said, inviting him in.

Calix walked in, and the door closed tightly behind him.

The room wasn’t very large. It was very simple, just as the elders and members of the Reliquary Guard always said, that they shunned worldly things by living simply and devoting themselves more to worshipping the moon goddess.

Shelves filled with ancient scrolls, old bound books, and a few small artifacts were neatly arranged along the walls. In the center of the room stood a low table with two chairs facing each other.

Calix sat down without being asked. In the middle chair, a position that left no room for question.

Niels sat across from him. The old man still looked fit despite his advanced age. Yes, it takes a long time for werewolves to age, but having a life that

"Alpha," he said softly. "Your presence is an honor to us. You rarely visit."

"I didn’t come for small talk." Calix didn’t smile at all, he was serious.

Niels gave a slight nod. "Alright, tell me what an Alpha needs to come all this way."

Calix leaned back slightly. "I want to ask a few things about the war between our Pack and the Bluemoon Pack."

Silence.

"War…?" Niels repeated slowly.

"Yes, the war twenty years ago."

Niels sighed softly, then chuckled quietly.

"About that… What’s the matter with that? The palace library surely has far more complete historical records, which part exactly do you still need to ask about?"

"I want to know the background behind that war. Whatever the reason, it must have been very strong for war to be the only way out."

Niels frowned. "The historical records already explain-"

"It’s not enough," Calix cut in. "Those records only say that the Silverpaw Pack was attacked by the Bluemoon Pack, and we fought back," he continued. "There’s no reason. No trigger. No clear beginning."

Niels fell silent.

Calix leaned forward slightly.

"I want to know," he said softly, "what really happened."

Niels stared at the table between them. His fingers moved slowly, as if in thought.

"I’m not sure I can help, because I don’t know much about that war either," he said finally.

Calix narrowed his eyes. "That’s impossible."

Niels lifted his face.

"The Reliquary Sanctum doesn’t get involved in political matters, Alpha," Niels said. "Alpha Rhett drew a line between religious affairs and politics so the Reliquary wouldn’t be tainted by political scheming and dirty games."

"Oh yeah, of course," Calix said, sounding frustrated. "So you don’t know anything?" he continued.

It was unsatisfying. A waste of time.

Calix stood up.

He walked slowly around the table. His gaze swept across the room.

"I can’t do anything if you don’t know. In that case, do something for me."

Niels tensed.

"Alpha-"

"I want access to the records here." Calix smiled.

Niels immediately looked uneasy.

"That’s not possible-"

"Oh, I’m sorry if that sounded like I was asking for permission. That was an order," said Calix.

Silence.

"But none of the records, not even the relics entrusted to us by previous Alphas, seem to discuss the war in such detail as you’ve described. All the records that have been stored and distributed are identical," said Niels. "And our vault holds many sacred relics that shouldn’t be accessed by just anyone."

Calix turned his head. "I’m not just anyone. I’m an Alpha."

Their gazes met, and Niels knew he couldn’t win.

"Alright," he said finally. "But I’ll accompany you."

Calix nodded.

"No problem."

Without wasting any more time, they immediately headed toward the vault in question. Calix hoped he would find something that could answer all his questions, something that could dispel his doubts.

On the other side, specifically at the pack’s house, Ruella was standing on the front porch, pacing restlessly.

"What are you doing here alone? Where’s your personal servant?" Kyle asked.

Ruella turned and found Kyle standing there, drenched in sweat.

"Did you just finish training the warriors?"

Kyle nodded. "I just got back from the training arena. You can watch our training session if you want."

"Of course, I’d love to see it. I’m starting to get bored with all this free time, Calix hasn’t let me help with the work at the pack’s house yet," said Ruella.

"Just be patient a little longer," Kyle said. "So, what are you doing?"

"I’m waiting for Calix to come home. I forgot the festival is tomorrow, which means the banquet will be held the day after tomorrow. Calix said he’d practice dancing with me on Sunday, and the festival is on Sunday. I won’t be able to practice dancing in just one day. I know the basics, but still…" Ruella explained.

Kyle nodded in understanding. "Maybe Calix is really busy, he might even have forgotten that the festival is tomorrow. So how about you practice dancing with me today instead?"

Ruella stared at him in disbelief. "Are you really willing to?"

"Of course. Wait for me in the hall, I’ll get ready in a minute. We can’t possibly dance with my body covered in sweat, can we? Although many say I look sexy when I’m sweating." Kyle winked, making Ruella smile.

"Haha, yes you are, Mr. Sexy," Ruella replied, responding to the joke.

"Well then, I’m off now. See you in the hall." Kyle walked away from Ruella.

Ruella felt relieved that Kyle was willing to help her practice. After that, she ran into the pack house to wait for Kyle in the hall.