Chapter 319: A Pawn in Phoebe's Game

Cyrus's POV

Alpha Rodolfo arrived at the Kratos packhouse within half an hour of my urgent call. Elizabeth explained the situation while the protective shield still encompassed the area.

Rodolfo listened, running his fingers anxiously through his hair, his brow furrowing deeper.

"So our priority now is to find Phoebe," he finally said. "Do you have any leads?"

"No specific location, but I know who can lead us to her," I replied, my voice laced with threat.

Sebastian stood in the corner, arms crossed, his face etched with worry. I knew his mind was with his pack, just as mine was with Maeve.

"What do you mean?" Rodolfo's sharp gaze turned to me. "You know who helped her escape?"

"I do now," I turned toward Sebastian, my eyes cold.

Sebastian took a deep breath. "It was Alpha Joshua who came in and took her away. He didn't know I was awake. "

"WHAT?!" Rodolfo's roar shook the walls. "You're certain it was Joshua? How could he possibly have had access to the holding area?"

"I saw it with my own eyes," Sebastian said through gritted teeth. "He got the keys from somewhere, and after he unlocked the cell, they disappeared together."

"What I want to know," Elizabeth frowned as she looked around at all of us, "is why Joshua would risk so much to rescue Phoebe? What's the connection between them?"

The room fell into a brief silence as everyone considered possible answers. Suddenly, Rodolfo and I locked eyes, seemingly struck by the same realization.

"Juniper," we said almost simultaneously.

"Joshua's daughter?" Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. "What about her?"

"She's been cursed since birth," Rodolfo explained. "Every time she uses her abilities, her life force drains further."

"The doctors say she doesn't have much time left," I added.

Elizabeth's face turned pale. "Juniper is dying?"

I nodded in confirmation. "It appears so."

"What kind of curse is this? Who would curse an infant?"

"Supposedly cast by a witch Joshua offended," Rodolfo explained. "He's never elaborated, but clearly the price has been devastating."

"That's not surprising," Elizabeth crossed her arms over her chest. "So you think Phoebe promised to break the curse, and that's why Joshua helped her?"

The room fell silent again as we all contemplated this possibility.

But I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it. I'd been suspicious of Joshua from the beginning, and now those suspicions were stronger than ever.

"Maeve disappeared on his territory," I realized aloud. "He must be more deeply involved than he's letting on."

"I have to agree," Rodolfo nodded. "Joshua claimed to be searching, but no one has actually seen him since it began."

"That fucking traitor," I growled, my fist slamming down on the desk. My wolf was raging inside, wanting to tear Joshua's throat out for his betrayal.

"Control yourself, Cyrus," Rodolfo gripped my shoulder. "We need clear heads. If Joshua is involved, we may need to return to Morpheus territory."

At these words, a spark of hope ignited within me. If Maeve was there, I didn't want to waste another second here.

"The most powerful Callisto wolf will determine the nation's rise or fall," Sebastian suddenly recited. "When the Callisto wolf falls... the vessel shall rise."

"What did you say?" Elizabeth focused intently on him.

"It's Wilhelmina's prophecy from long ago," Sebastian explained. "She foresaw that the nation's fate would be tied to the most powerful Callisto wolf. The one born from darkness represents destruction, while Maeve, born from light, symbolizes rebirth."

We all silently digested this information.

"When the Callisto wolf falls... the vessel shall rise," Elizabeth thoughtfully repeated the phrase. "The one born from darkness must be that vessel. And for the vessel to rise, the child of light must be sacrificed."

"We already know they plan to kill Maeve," Rodolfo interjected impatiently.

"Juniper," I blurted out. Sebastian's eyes met mine in understanding.

"Care to share your thoughts with the rest of us?" Rodolfo asked, his tone clearly impatient.

"Juniper is the vessel from the prophecy," I told Rodolfo. "Joshua wants to turn her into a new Callisto wolf, thinking it will break her curse and give her power."

"But that would only turn her into an empty shell," Rodolfo shook his head. "That's not saving her—it's destroying her essence."

"What if Joshua doesn't know the whole truth?" Elizabeth proposed. "What if he's just being used by Phoebe, thinking he's saving his daughter?"

"You're saying he has no idea he's actually condemning two people to death?" Rodolfo frowned.

I refused to consider the possibility that Joshua might be innocent, continuing to growl softly.

"Alpha Cyrus is right," Sebastian straightened. "We must go to Morpheus immediately and prepare for the coming conflict."

"It would be advantageous to know the exact location of our enemies," Rodolfo considered.

"Regardless, ensuring Maeve's safety is the highest priority," Sebastian stated firmly.

I nodded in agreement, impatient to depart.

Just then, Elizabeth's expression suddenly changed, her eyes widening with realization.

"Ravenna!" she exclaimed. "The other Callisto wolves might know something that could help us."

"I don't want my mother involved in this mess," I immediately objected.

"But Elizabeth has a point," Rodolfo said. "Ravenna can sense dark magic; she might track Phoebe's location."

"Who is Ravenna?" Sebastian asked in confusion.

Elizabeth answered: "Phoebe's sister."

Maeve's POV

I looked up at Alpha Joshua, feeling as though ice water had been poured over me. I'd always known Joshua wasn't trustworthy, but was he really involved in all this?

"Don't take this personally, Maeve," Joshua looked down at me, his tone almost regretful. "This is just something that has to be done."

"I... I don't understand," I stammered. "You've been behind all this? Why? What have I ever done to deserve this?"

I refused to show weakness, glaring at him instead.

"This isn't about you," he waved dismissively. "I suppose you know about my daughter's curse. The doctors say she won't survive winter, and I was powerless... until I discovered a solution."

I frowned, not comprehending.

"What are you planning?" I asked warily, glancing toward Phoebe watching coldly from the shadows.

"Through an ancient ritual, Juniper can become a Callisto wolf," Joshua explained, voice filled with hope. "On the full moon, she will drink your blood, receiving your power. Phoebe will conduct the ritual, the curse will break, and Juniper will be reborn. Your sacrifice will save an innocent child—isn't that noble?"

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.

During my captivity, I had overheard conversations about creating a "vessel"—an empty shell without self-awareness. If they planned to turn Juniper into a vessel, then Joshua's notion of "rebirth" was nonexistent.

The girl would become a puppet with Callisto abilities.

Joshua turned to leave, considering the conversation over. Phoebe gave me one last cold look before following him.

"Wait, Alpha Joshua!" I called desperately. "They're lying to you! This isn't some redemptive ritual!"

When he didn't stop, I called more desperately: "They're not making Juniper into a Callisto wolf—they're turning her into a soulless vessel! It will kill her essence! Your daughter will be gone forever!"

But my warnings only met the firmly closed door.