Chapter 2

The entire stone circle fell into deathly silence.

I could feel everyone's gaze focused on me, those familiar faces now seeming so strange. Fear crawled up my spine like an icy snake, but I forced myself to stay rational and alert.

My legs nearly gave out, but I gritted my teeth and stood straight. 'Is this my fate? To be sent to that cruel place to die?'

Just then, a figure suddenly moved.

Cade.

In the moonlight, his face was taut, those eyes usually filled with authority now flickering with a desperation I'd never seen before.

Then something happened that shocked everyone.

Cade Monroe, the man about to inherit the Alpha position, this proud prince who had never bowed to anyone since childhood, slowly knelt before me.

The entire stone circle erupted.

"My God!"

"The Alpha heir is kneeling!"

"This is impossible!"

The pack members' exclamations rose one after another, but all I could hear was the wild beating of my own heart. I looked down at Cade kneeling before me, his knees pressed against the cold stone ground, hands clenched into fists.

"Juniper." His voice trembled, and I saw something crack in his composure. "Ever since the messenger arrived, I've been trying to find another way. I contacted every ally, every possible solution." His voice grew hoarse with exhaustion. "But we're out of time, and we're out of options."

What?

I felt the entire world spinning. "What are you saying?"

"I have never knelt before anyone in my life, but today I beg you..." He took a shuddering breath, "Accept this burden. Go to Ashmore territory instead of Poppy."

"Outrageous!" Elder Marcus's roar cut through the night sky, "How can the Alpha heir kneel for a woman! Cade, rise immediately! This is blasphemy against tradition!"

Other elders also voiced their anger, but Cade didn't move, still kneeling before me.

My mind was blank, staring at him in disbelief. "You want me to go die instead of her?"

"No, listen to me—" Cade's expression showed the weight of whatever internal battle he'd been fighting. "I tried everything else first. Every contact, every favor owed to our pack. But the deadline is dawn, and the Ashmore Alpha won't accept any substitutes or delays."

"Rise!" The elder's roar grew louder, "This behavior is an insult to Alpha bloodline!"

But Cade ignored their anger and suddenly reached out to grab my hand. His palm was warm and strong, forming a sharp contrast with my cold hand. He stood up but still gripped my hand tightly, his eyes showing the desperate calculation of a man who'd exhausted all other options.

"Juniper, this isn't about choosing who dies." His eyes suddenly blazed with urgency, "Do you remember when we were children? You once healed those injured small animals—that wasn't ordinary medical skill."

"What are you talking about?" I tried to pull my hand back, but he gripped tighter.

"That was healing ability!" he said excitedly, "You have a natural healing gift that can resist silver poisoning. Poppy doesn't—she'd die within hours if she went, but you're different."

I felt my sanity crumbling. "Even if I could survive, so what? I'd still be trapped in enemy territory!"

Cade's gaze became even more intense, his voice dropping to an urgent whisper. "I've already contacted inside help. On the night of the full moon, I'll rescue you through secret passages. Then you'll still be my Luna." His grip tightened. "This isn't a death sentence, Juniper. It's a rescue mission with you as the survivor they don't expect."

'This sounds like... hope?' But at the same time, an uneasy feeling spread in my heart.

"What if I refuse?" I looked directly into his eyes.

For a moment, I saw him struggle—saw the last remnants of the man who had promised to protect us both. Then that mask slipped away entirely.

Cade's expression changed. That tenderness and urgency disappeared, replaced by the cold authority I was familiar with. His fingers tightened, almost painful on my wrist.

"I gave you my reasons first, hoping you'd understand." His voice was low and dangerous, "But if you won't choose rationally, then yes—I'm giving you an ultimatum, Juniper. Will you accept this mission where you have a chance to survive, or will you let Poppy die with certainty?"

Just then, a weak voice came from the back of the crowd.

"Cade?"

Everyone turned to see Poppy slowly supporting herself to stand. Her face was pale as paper, her body swaying unsteadily, but her eyes were unusually clear.

Poppy looked around, her gaze finally settling on Cade who had knelt and me whose hand he still gripped. "Cade, what were you just saying? Something about Ashmore territory?"

I saw a flash of complex emotion cross Cade's face, but he quickly regained composure. "Nothing, you're still weak, you should—"

"No, I heard enough." Poppy interrupted him, her voice weak but very firm, "You want Juniper to go there instead of me, don't you?"

Silence.

Poppy's eyes suddenly filled with tears. She stumbled toward us, each step appearing difficult. When she approached, I saw desperation flickering in her eyes and... some emotion I couldn't name.

"No!" She suddenly broke down, kneeling on the ground crying, "Juniper, you've already done so much for me! How can I let you take my place!"

Her cries were heart-wrenching, the entire stone circle infected by this sorrowful atmosphere.

"I've been a burden since childhood, always causing trouble for everyone." Poppy sobbed, "Now I can finally contribute to the pack. I can't... I can't let Juniper risk her life for me!"

Looking at Poppy crying on the ground, I felt a tightness in my chest.

'She's so small, so fragile... how can I watch her go to her death?'

"Poppy, don't do this." I crouched down to help her up.

"No!" She suddenly grabbed my hand, "Sister Juniper, I know I'll die, but at least my death can save you. This is the only thing I can do."

I felt my eyes burning. This girl I'd protected since childhood was now willing to die to save me.

Cade watched this scene, his expression becoming even more complex. "See? Poppy knows the truth—she'd die within hours there. But you have a real chance, Juniper."

His voice became gentle, but I could hear the manipulative undertone. "You have hope of survival, a possibility of returning to my side. But her..."

He looked at the crying Poppy, "She would just die in vain."

My mind was in chaos. Logic told me something was wrong here, but seeing Poppy's desperate tears, my heart softened.

'Why do I always feel something's off? But she really is so fragile, going would truly mean death...'

"I..." My voice trembled.

The pack members were all watching me, waiting for my decision. Moonlight fell on us, illuminating this cruel choice with stark clarity.

Save innocent Poppy, or protect myself?

"Alright," I said, my voice shaking but firm. "If this is the only way to prevent bloodshed... if this can save us all..."

Marcus nodded, his face bearing a sad but resolute expression. "Then it's decided. Juniper Walsh will go to Ashmore territory as the death companion."