Chapter 22 AURORA Ester Reed sat on the couch across from me ,zily smoking a cigarette .
The smoke swirled above her hand inzy spirals .
Two of her biggest warriors stood on either side of me .
Even through Trajan was injured , it took four wolves to hold him back .
Evander and Mrs.
Melville , thank the goddess , had managed to get the children out of the house .
They were hiding in the woods , their scents masked .
The Blue Ridge wolves stood on the other side of the room , watching .
After the war between the packs that had ended- which was right before Id left Dane five years ago the Council had forbidden Broken Forest and Blue Mountain from spilling each others blood except in extreme self defense .
That meant that unless the Reeds actually attacked and spilled blood , Danes wolves couldnt fight them .
Not unless they wanted to bring the Council down on them both .
What do you want , Esther ? I asked .
The woman I used to think was my mother didnt smile .
Youve been back for a while , Ann , but you still havent been to visit your family .
Why is that ? Chapter 22 I pressed my lips together .
Im no Reed .
Esther tilted her head , like Id confused her .
Of course , you are .
2/5 I clenched my fists .
I wanted to get up , to scream .
But that wouldnt work on Esther .
Nothing ever did .
When I was a child , if I talked back to her , shed give me that nk eyed stare .
Then shed beat me until I bled .
I lifted my chin .
I know Im a DeVere .
I know my mother came to Georgia and disappeared .
Why dont you fill in the nks for me , Esther ? How did I end up believing I was a Reed ? Esther smirked .
Oh , Ann .
Dont you remember who you are ? Who you serve ? Her words sent a cold , dark feeling echoing through me .
Memories shed through the back of my mind .
Memories I couldnt bring myself to look at .
I dont know what you mean .
But my words werent as steady as they were before .
The dark memories swirled , calling for my attention .
Dark nights running through the forest .
Pain and blood .
Dark ceremonies … dark powers .
Things Id done … Blood on my hands … Chapter 22 No ! I was their victim , not one of them … wasnt I ? I shook myself , but I couldnt stop my body from trembling .
3/5 I was reacting viscerally to her words .
But my childhood had always been shrouded in fog .
I wouldnt let her take advantage of that .
Azy smile crossed Esthers face .
She leaned forward .
Youre remembering , arent you , Ann ? I gritted my teeth .
Im not Ann , Im- BANG ! BANG ! BANG ! Someone pounded on the door .
Waylon Reed , thenky , skinny , white haired old man whod pretended to be my father all my life , went and answered it .
Alpha Reed , Danes voice rumbled from the doorway .
Im here to make sure you dont vite the pact .
At Danes voice , I nearly wilted with relief .
Waylon Reed only grunted at him .
Then they walked into the room .
Danes eyes went right to me .
They scoured my body, my face .
Then his gaze swept across the rest of the room .
He studied his pack mates , Trajan .
Then he looked at me again .
Even though we had no bond , I could guess what his unspoken question was .
The children ? Chapter 22 4/5 I flicked my eyes to the windows that looked out into the woods .
Only then did Dane look at the Reeds and their wolves .
He folded his arms across his chest and leaned in the doorway , like he was at a slightly boring party .
The High Alpine wolves are here at the invitation of the Blue Ridge pack .
This is the second time youve trespassed on their territory .
Waylon Reed red at Dane with watery blue eyes .
Even though he was almost the same age as Danes grandfather , he had refused to turn control of his pack over to his son .
Ann Reed is part of Broken Forest .
Your mating bond to her was severed .
Our im to her is greater than yours .
Ann Reed is a false name you gave to a child that isnt yours , Dane responded .
This woman is Aurora DeVere , a member of the High Alpine pack .
The air in the room thickened , crackling with power as both Dane and Waylons Alpha magic swirled .
Estherszy smile grew , and she tilted her head .
She wore her hair short , in tight curls , like a farm wife from the 1950s .
Her mama gave her to us , Esther said .
Celeste never wanted a child , so she sold her to us .
We made a blood oath that Id raise her .
Ann is ours , just as true as if Id given birth to her myself .
My blood ran cold .
My mother had made a blood oath ? Shed … sold me to the Reeds ? I pressed my hand to my mouth , devastated .
No.
Its not true ! Chapter 22 5/5 Dane shifted .
I met his eyes .
I couldnt be the cool , calm woman Id be .
In that moment , I felt stripped bare .
Devastated .
I dont know what he saw in my face , but he shifted .
Like he wanted to move between me and Esther but was holding himself back .
Slowly , he walked over to me .
He let one of his fingers turn into a long w and swiped it across his palm .
Blood welled in the cut .
He lifted his hand and let the drops fall on my clenched hands , warm and wet .
Aurora DeVere people in this home who are loyal to her are under the protection of Blue Ridge .
Any blood spilled here will be considered the blood of one of my wolves .
If you hurt any of them , I will bring the Council down on us all .
His words echoed with Alpha power .
The magic in the room rose in a wave and crashed over us all .
My mouth dropped open in shock .
Dane had just bound my fate to his .
Again .