Take Back the Truth

Leo saw Selena again in Silent Haven, a long-abandoned monastery tucked into the southern hills of Moontrace.

Once a temporary holding site for the exiled, the place had been deserted for years. Now, she had transformed it into a secret base—its exterior crumbling and overgrown, yet within, hidden passages and sealed chambers operated in absolute silence.

"This isn't your prison," she murmured as she unlocked the chains from his wrists,"But it's not somewhere you can walk out of whenever you please."

Leo didn't respond.

He could move freely now; most of his injuries had healed.He was even wearing the traditional garb of his kind—an old hunter's leather armor, the shoulders lined with stitched wolf fangs: the symbol of a Bloodfang warrior.

"Come," Selena said, turning around.

He followed her down a corridor, past several rooms stacked with scrolls, herbs, and weapons, until they entered a circular stone chamber. Runes and sigils were etched along the walls, and a large, hand-drawn map lay unfurled on the round table in the center—detailing the forests and outpost patterns surrounding Bloodfang territory, down to the direction each arrow slit faced.

"Who are you, really?" Leo asked at last, standing before the map, his voice low and laced with suspicion.

"I told you—I'm the daughter of Moontrace's lord." She tossed a rolled-up scroll toward him."But more than that, I'm one of the few people in this city who doesn't see your kind as monsters."

Leo didn't take the scroll.He locked eyes with her.

"You're not a hunter. But you know too much about us."

She smiled faintly."Our kinds may have a treaty, but we are not the same. Humans are far too fragile in your eyes.Everything I've done—this knowledge—it's for protection. I'm sure you understand."

Leo lowered his gaze, neither agreeing nor denying.This woman was sharp—too sharp to trust easily.But she was the only one who might lead him back to the wolves.

Selena, noticing his silence, walked to a nearby cabinet, retrieved a worn badge, and gently placed it in his palm.

It was a warrior's token—The very one stripped from Leo when he had been cast out.

"How did you get this?"His throat tightened. The question came barely audible.

"Some trophies… pass through the black market for years," she said. Her voice softened slightly."I bought it from a wolf hunter. He told me about you—how you were accused of killing Bloodfang's first warrior, Garran, and were exiled because of it."

Leo's gaze darkened.

"I didn't kill him," he said flatly."I went to find him because I received word that he had taken silver from human mercenaries. They said he was planning to light wolffire at the border. I went to confront him—And caught him meeting with a hunter.

Garran drew his blade the moment he saw me.He knew if I exposed him, he was done.He struck first. I fought back.I'm not as strong as he was—but he couldn't take me down quickly either.Our fight drew attention…"

He paused, eyes narrowing.

"Then the hunter struck from the shadows.A single stab to Garran's back."

"You didn't explain it to your clan?"

"The hunter disappeared right after the kill. I knelt down to check Garran's wounds…The blade pierced his heart. He died instantly.And right then—more tribesmen arrived.They saw me covered in blood, hunched over the body.The real killer was already gone."

His voice dropped, bitter and cold.

"Even your father didn't believe you?" Selena asked gently.

Leo let out a quiet, humorless laugh.

"He always preferred my brother.I was the difficult son—the disobedient one.Garran was his most loyal, most trusted follower.How could I ever compare to his perfect dog?"

A long silence followed.

Then, slowly, Selena spoke.

"Then take back the truth."

She unrolled the scroll on the table—a secret agreement between Garran and the mercenary group known as Grey Iron Pike.

It was all there—a plan to incite conflict at the border, ignite war between Bloodfang and Moontrace.In the chaos, Garran would seize leadership of the tribe—and perhaps even annex human land.The Grey Iron Pike would grow fat on the profits of war.

Leo's brow furrowed deeper, and a slow-burning fury began to churn in his chest.

"Garran… had that kind of ambition?"

"How did you get this?"He stared at her, his tone no longer just suspicious—but dangerous.He hadn't let the rage cloud his judgment—not yet.

Selena fell quiet for a moment, then let out a slow breath.

"I have my own sources. And if we're truly going to work together—then honesty matters.The Grey Iron Pike have been testing our borders for years.I've spent just as long embedding agents in their ranks—waiting for the chance to wipe them out."

She turned her gaze to him, her tone calm but deadly serious.

"This is why I chose you.Yes—for peace between our peoples.But also because you're my one chance to reach the heart of the Bloodfang tribe.If we can destroy these mercenaries, it benefits your people too, doesn't it?"

Leo looked down at the scroll.

He had been exiled, shamed, hunted.But he had not been executed.His people had chosen banishment, not death.They had been angry. They had been deceived.But not all of them had wanted him gone forever.

He would not let them fall into a war built on lies.

"But this document alone won't be enough," he said."They won't believe it. They'll say it's a forgery."

"You're right," Selena said."But I promise you—Grey Iron Pike won't stop here.Garran is dead. They'll need a new pawn."

She paused. Her gaze sharpened.

"Someone exiled.Disgraced.Still skilled enough to fight.Someone like you."

Leo's eyes widened."You mean—"

Selena gave a faint smile.But her tone was cold and crisp:

"I think it's time we make a plan."