Hope Is Not Optional — Manuel Flores 67
Chapter 67
Chapter 67
Selene
A few days had passed since what happened in the cave. After leaving the cave, I made it home completely undetected, which was fortunate, considering the chaos that followed the phoenix’s release.
As expected, the entire Mooncrest pack had been thrown into a frenzy. People whispered in tight corners, warriors stalked through the street with tense shoulders, and the elders held meeting after meeting with white, terrified faces. Even my father, who normally pretended not to care about anything unless it benefitted him, had attended every meeting without
fail.
When they finally confirmed that the flash of light in the mountains belonged to the sealed phoenix, they panicked even more. They were terrified, every pack was, not just Mooncrest, but alphas across the entire world were holding emergency meetings. Their ancestors had been involved in the battle that sealed him centuries ago, and now they feared the phoenix would rise from the ashes seeking vengeance.
And the temple was no different. Everyone had spent the past two days reinforcing barriers, preparing purification circles, and updating evacuation protocols as if the phoenix was going to descend from the sky at any moment and reduce the holy grounds to dust because it was the moonborn that sealed the phoenix. If he wanted revenge, he was obviously coming here
first.
So now the temple was barricaded, warriors patrolled day and night, and the elders jumped at the sound of their own footsteps.
I had to stop myself from laughing more than once.
If they knew the so-called harbinger of destruction was simply wandering around somewhere in a human form, probably causing trouble or annoying someone unfortunate enough to cross him, they would faint on the spot. And if they knew I was the one who released him, and worse, made a pact with him, they would lose their minds.
Alphas around the world would fear me. Elders would panic. My father would try to control me. And Sienna would scheme harder than ever.
It was better this way. Let them run around preparing for an attack that would never come.
Still, every time I remembered the cave, my lips tingled, and my face warmed uncontrollably.
“Lady Selene, are you okay?” Evelyn’s voice cut sharply through my spiraling thoughts.
I jerked my head up to see both Evelyn and Silas staring at me, worry written all over their faces.
“Your face is red,” Evelyn said, stepping closer as if she were about to take my temperature. “Did something happen? Do you have a fever? Maybe we should go inside. It’s been snowing nonstop since yesterday, your body must be freezing. We shouldn’t be outside this long-”
“I’m fine,” I said.
Her worry only deepened. “A-are you sure?”
I coughed lightly, trying to hide the ridiculous blush heating my skin. “It’s nothing. I’m okay, really. You don’t have to
worry.”
They continued staring at me, unconvinced.
Evelyn finally exhaled. “My lady, maybe you should wear a coat. What you’re wearing is far too light for this weather.” Her gaze drifted over my clothes, a simple pair of pants and shirt. My hair was tied up in a high ponytail, already dusted with falling snow. Compared to Evelyn, wrapped in a thick fur-lined winter coat, boots, gloves, and scarf, I probably looked
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Chapter 67
insane wearing this.
It was winter. Normal people wore coats.
I shook my head and turned to Silas instead. “I’m fine. Besides…” I lifted the sword in my hand, letting the metal catch the pale morning light. “How am I supposed to help Silas practice if I’m wrapped in a giant coat? I won’t even be able to move properly.”
Silas and Evelyn exchanged a look. They were both conflicted, clearly trying to think of a polite way to tell me I’m insane.
Evelyn was the first to speak. “Are you certain about this, my lady? Silas is a trained warrior. You might injure yourself. You’ve never used a real sword before. Maybe you should start with a wooden one.”
Silas nodded immediately. “I agree, my lady. I don’t want to injure you.”
The corner of my lips curled upward. “It’s funny that you think you could even put a scratch on me.”
Silas visibly flinched. His shoulders stiffened, eyes widening as he clearly remembered everything that had happened in the courtyard, where I had kept everyone on their knees.
I continued, voice calm but firm. “I understand why you’re worried. But do not underestimate me. Let’s spar and see for ourselves whether you can beat me or not.”
Silas took a breath before bowing his head slightly. “Yes, my lady.”
I stepped back, giving him space, the snow crunching lightly under my boots.
Evelyn turned to Silas with a very specific look, the kind she only used when threatening him in the name of protecting me. Her eyes narrowed, and I read her mind. ‘Don’t forget what we planned. Go easy on her.””
Silas gave a nod, clearly understanding her message without a single word spoken between them.
I couldn’t help but smile. They really did care about me in their own way.
Mira’s voice hummed inside my mind, soft but tinged with amusement. ‘Go easy on him, Selene. I know you. You’re ruthless when training your soldiers. Don’t break him.’
I shrugged. “We’ll see about that.”
During those days of chaos, Mira woke up, regaining her strength.
I hadn’t asked Silas to spar with me just for fun. There were two reasons, and both were important.
First, I wanted to train Silas properly. He was a good fighter, but during the fight with Arthur, I noticed cracks in his stance. small flaws that, in a real battle, could get him killed. Yes, he had his wolf to fall back on, but I knew better than anyone how dangerous it was to rely solely on that. When Mira had been poisoned in my past lives, I lost access to my wolf and had to fight with my own strength. That’s why I hadn’t been killed quickly at the beginning.
And second, I wanted to test myself.
I wanted to know exactly how strong I had become in this lifetime.
With Mira awake, my memories restored, and the power of the white wolf flowing stronger than ever, I needed to see what I was capable of with my own hands.
And Silas was the perfect starting point.
12:57 Tue, Dec 23
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