CHAPTER 9 — The Secret Inside the Collar
Night fell as snow continued to blanket the mountains.
Black Crest retreated after losing six men.
But everyone knew they would return.
Inside the ranch house, Mason carefully removed Titan's thick leather collar.
The collar felt unusually heavy.
Emily noticed tiny brass screws hidden beneath years of worn leather.
She whispered,
"Open it."
Mason used a small hunting knife.
The leather peeled back.
Inside...
Not electronics.
Not money.
A tiny waterproof metal capsule.
His hands trembled.
He unscrewed the cap.
Inside lay a rolled document no larger than his finger.
At the top was written in faded ink:
FINAL DIRECTIVE
Below it...
A list of names.
Scientists.
Military officers.
Politicians.
Judges.
Billionaires.
Dozens of them.
Each connected to Black Crest.
Emily covered her mouth.
"My God..."
Jonathan hadn't been hiding Titan.
He had been hiding evidence.
For forty years.
The final page contained one sentence written by Mason's grandfather.
"If you're reading this, the people hunting Titan have already infiltrated every level of power. Trust no badge. Trust no uniform. Protect the Guardian until the truth reaches the world."
Before anyone could speak...
Every light in the ranch house suddenly went out.
Darkness.
Complete silence.
Then...
A red laser dot appeared on the living room wall.
Another.
Another.
Another.
More than twenty.
Titan immediately stood between Mason's family and the windows.
Outside...
Dozens of black SUVs surrounded the ranch from every direction.
Floodlights ignited simultaneously.
A loudspeaker crackled through the frozen air.
"This is your final warning."
"Hand over Titan."
"Or no one leaves this ranch alive."
Emily held her frightened daughter tightly.
Mason slowly loaded his rifle.
Titan stepped onto the front porch.
Snow drifted around his enormous body.
He looked toward the army waiting outside...
...then lifted his head toward the dark sky.
Far away...
Beyond the mountains...
A thousand wolves answered his call.
And for the first time in history...
The battle was no longer about protecting a herd.
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It was about protecting the truth that could destroy one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world.
TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 10...
