Chapter 25 DANE Every time I softened toward her , every time I started to trust her , she betrayed me again .


    Dane , please ! Im telling the truth .


    Goddess , you never believed me .


    You never trusted me , and I never lied to you .


    Of everything youve done to me , thats what hurts the most .


    Since the moment I met you , right here , eight years ago , Ive been loyal to you .


    But it never mattered .


    You hated me anyway .


    You never gave me a chance .


    There were tears in her voice .


    Her words shocked me enough that I pulled away for a second .


    It was the opening she was looking for .


    She ripped her hand from mine and bolted .


    I roared and shifted into my lycan form .


    The night which had been so dark I could barely see suddenly became brighter .


    My sense of smell sharpened , as well as my sense of hearing .


    I threw my head back and howled into the sky .


    She wasnt going escape from me .


    She sprinted through the forest , and I ran after .


    Chapter 25 I wasnt in a rush .


    Let her run from me .


    I had time .


    I could hunt .


    2/5 But I didnt expect her to turn deeper into the woods .


    To run uphill , where the forest met the ancient mountains .


    We were too close to the borders of mynd here , where what I imed and held mixed with blurry borders I still disputed with the Reeds .


    ces I knew their wolves still lurked .


    By the time I caught her , it was toote .


    Let me go ! she screamed .


    I turned to run back to mynd .


    If I could leave before their pack guards caught us , no one ever had to know we were here .


    Before I could take a step , howls split the night all around .


    ***** AURORA Fear speared through my chest .


    Not of Dane though I knew he could kill me with one swipe of his ws , one snap of his teeth , there was part of me that had never been able to stop feeling like he was somehow safe .


    No , this was a deeper , older fear .


    The fear of a child for the things lurking in the dark .


    Chapter 25 The fear of my family .


    3/5 Dane had me over one of his massive shoulders , but the howls came from all around , and they were so close .


    So familiar .


    Then they were there , four lycans stepping out of the trees .


    Two were male , and two were female .


    Two dozen mottled , starving wolves behind them .


    The wolves circled Dane and I , trapping us .


    Alpha Montague , the bigger female lycan growled .


    Esther .


    She had eyes as yellow as her teeth and was covered in patchy , pale fur .


    Dont you remember the pact ? To step on ournd is a threat .


    That means we can spill your blood , and the blood of any you protect .


    She was taunting him , reminding him of the words hed said earlier that night once he offered me his blood and his protection .


    My wife is right .


    Give me one reason I shouldnt kill you , Waylon growled .


    He was bigger than her , his fur a darker gray with white tips .


    It was patchy , and he was covered in scars .


    It was a mistake , Dane growled .


    His muscled shoulder shifted beneath me as he tightened his grip , holding me more securely .


    Let us go .


    We dont have to rip open this scar , Waylon .


    We dont have to restart this war .


    It will only make the Council end both of our packs .


    Chapter 25 4/5 Estherughed .


    So did the others .


    Even some of the wolves made choking barking sounds , like hyenas .


    It made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end .


    We arent afraid of the Council .


    We serve something stronger .


    Older .


    Now ,e with us , or die .


    Dane , I whispered against his back , Offer to hand me over .


    Maybe theyll let you go .


    I felt his body tense .


    He shifted .


    I thought he might be looking for a weakness in the circle .


    Somewhere he could break through and run .


    Dane , I begged .


    From our meeting earlier , Esther and the Reeds seemed to want me alive , not dead .


    I didnt know if theyd offer Dane the same .


    He lowered me so he carried me against his chest instead of thrown over his shoulder and looked down at me .


    His golden wolfs eyes glinted in the moonlight .


    I gave you my protection .


    I could feel Danes voice rumbling through his chest , deeper and rougher in his lycan form than it was when he was a man .


    Where is my famed honor if I give you over now ? Stubborn wolf , I grated , digging my fingers into his fur .


    Dont .


    Then , with a touch I hadnt felt in five years , Danes mind Chapter 25 5/5 brushed across mine .


    Just the faintest whisper , the way Alphas could even with wolves outside their pack when they chose .


    Hold on .


    But before he could move for the edge of the circle , there was a loud pop ! A sh of light , like from the muzzle of a gun .


    Danes body lurched .


    He staggered .


    Blood oozed from a wound on his shoulder .


    He let me slide to the ground , then sank to his knees .


    Dane ! He clutched his shoulder and groaned .


    Silver … Then he fell .