Chapter 7 AURORA Dane had never kissed me before .


    The only time we had sex , hed avoided it .


    Now his mouth descended on mine , hard and iming and hot .


    It was so good , I closed my eyes and lost myself .


    Danes mouth , his possessive hands , his hard body … it was everything Id dreamed of .


    Then his words came back to me .


    You will always belong to me , but I will never love you .


    I bit down and shoved with all my strength .


    A wolfless woman shouldnt have been able to move an Alpha as big and strong and powerful as Dane Montague , but I bit him .


    hard .


    Ah ! he jumped away with a hand to his mouth , and I slipped out from between him and the wall .


    I couldnt let him pin me like that again .


    My breath shook .


    For the first time in a long time , I was flustered .


    Chapter 7 I felt like Ann Reed , and I hated it .


    I wasnt her .


    I was Aurora .


    2/6 If you touch me again without my permission , I will kill you , I hissed .


    His fingers came away bloody from his mouth .


    Good .


    Because my wrists were red where he grabbed them .


    I rubbed them .


    Ann .


    Id almost think you grew fangs and found your wolf while you were gone .


    I was o the room was dark so he couldnt see me blush in shame .


    But the shame only made me angrier .


    I wished I had found my wolf .


    I wished I could rip that smirk right off his face .


    Not fangs .


    Just a spine .


    And its Aurora .


    If I didnt need this smug , arrogant man , Id ask Trajan to kill him .


    Why did youe back here if not for my … his eyes traveled hungrily down my body … attention ? The heat in his eyes made fire lick at my core , but my voice was ice .


    Five years and youre even less of a gentleman .


    He stepped in close again .


    You used to beg me not to be gentle , if it meant I would im you .


    I gritted my teeth , hating all these reminders of the past .


    I told you who I am .


    You know why Im here .


    Chapter 7 3/6 His eyes shed .


    I know why Im meeting with the DeVeres .


    I know what they im to have .


    Then- All of a sudden , music chimed into the tense space between us .


    My phone ! I recognized the ringtone , and my stomach went cold .


    I reached into my clutch and silenced it .


    Whos that ? Your new lover ? Dane asked .


    None of your business .


    Id lost control of this situation .


    I needed to escape before he could ask more .


    I wrenched open the door and walked out .


    Coming had been a mistake .


    I should have met him in a more controlled situation .


    And I hadnt expected my body to react to his this way .


    I needed to find Trajan and leave .


    But as I stepped back into the main room , someone else called my name .


    Ann ! Oh , my ! Its been so long ! I thought you had forgotten all about me ! My heart softened as my gaze fell on the old man who came toward me .


    Connall Montague .


    Danes grandfather , and one of the only people from my old life who had truly loved me and shown me kindness .


    Grandpa , I said , unable to help the smile that crossed my face .


    Chapter 7 I went to him and kissed him on either cheek .


    I could never forget you .


    He took my hand and squeezed it tightly , like he was afraid I might disappear on him again .


    4/6 His worries werent unfounded .


    Because as Dane came to stand with us , I wanted to disappear more than anything .


    Dane red and said , She abandoned us .


    Dont be kind to her .


    The old man ignored him .


    Come , tell me where youve been thest five years .


    I want to hear everything .


    I let him lead me up onto the balcony .


    It was reserved for high ranking pack members and far less crowded than the area downstairs .


    There isnt much to tell , I said helplessly .


    Lie .


    There was everything to tell .


    So much had happened to me that I couldnt even wrap my brain around it .


    It would have been nice to be able to speak to Mr.


    Montague like I used to , open and honest .


    But Dane lurked nearby , broad shouldered and brooding , so I kept my mouth shut .


    Besides , I couldnt trust Mr.


    Montague to keep my secrets from his grandson .


    They were too big .


    Too life shattering .


    Mr.


    Montague tutted at me .


    Id forgotten his habit of doing that , Chapter 7 and the sound was so familiar it sharpened my bittersweet emotions .


    5/6 Come , dear .


    Five years dont pass with nothing happening at all .


    Where have you been ? I … did spend some time in Europe , I admitted reluctantly .


    In fact , I have apanion downstairs .


    Of course , Mr.


    Montague said .


    Show him to me .


    I pointed out Trajan and Mr.


    Montague tutted again , but this time he turned to me with genuine worry in his eyes .


    Is this your husband ? Mate ? Have you really moved on from Dane ? The pain in his eyes brought back a wave of the heartbreak Id felt when I left .


    It hurt so much ; it was all I could do not to press my hand against my chest .


    I think its fair to move on from someone who never loved me , I said quietly .


    He does love you , Mr.


    Montague grumped , his old face wrinkling in consternation .


    Hes blinded by his anger .


    I gave him three years to see again .


    He couldnt .


    Love didnt treat someone the way Dane had treated me , but I didnt say that out loud .


    Knowing the things Dane had said to me would only hurt his grandfather , and I didnt want to do that .


    Besides , Dane was openly listening , now .


    Well , Ann , have you moved on ? he asked mockingly .


    I ignored him , focusing on Mr.


    Montague .


    Trajan is just my Chapter 7 assistant and bodyguard , I said .


    Hes- 6/6 From down below , near the doorway , a woman screamed , WHY IS SHE HERE ? Evelyn Bary had arrived