Chapter 35 DANE Nothing .


    Sacrifice ? No ! Of course , not .


    My grandfather said .


    That was nothing .


    Just … just a dream .


    Im fine , Dane .


    Ill go .


    back to sleep .


    He pulled his covers up and turned over with his back to me .


    Frowning and far more uneasy than I expected to be , I pulled away and went back to bed .


    The next night was the ceremony , and I wanted to be rested .


    Aurora would be there .


    Any my sister , Piper .


    And she was bringing me something I was very , very interested in getting my hands on .


    ***** AURORA Trajan acted as go between with Dane and I , taking my trantions to Blue Ridge every day and making sure things .


    were ready .


    The day of the ceremony , I arrived at the Blue Ridge pack house .


    I could tell Dane had done everything Id asked and more .


    Of course , he had .


    Dane wasnt the kind of man who epted Chapter 35 less than perfection .


    2/5 I walked onto thewn .


    Arge circle with several lines and intersecting triangles and smaller circles had been carved into the grass and precise angles .


    Torches were ced at every ce lines crossed , ready to light when the sun went down and the moon was at its highest point in the sky .


    Dane stood at the far end of the circle .


    Evelyn was at his side with her arm through his .


    She red at me , like I was going to walk up and snatch him away from her right then and there .


    Danes beta , Archer , hovered off to the side .


    Evander and Trajan nked me as I walked over to them .


    Piper , Danes younger sister , hade , as well .


    I was d to have her .


    So many of the other wolves still looked at m like trash .


    Like an interloper .


    She was always kind .


    I walked to where Dane and Evelyn stood on the stairs like a king and queen ready to receive their subjects .


    Alpha Montague , I said , keeping my voice polite and professional .


    Everything looks perfect .


    Dane nodded .


    What should we expect tonight ? I exined the ceremony to him .


    The female wolves participating in the ceremony would stand inside the circle .


    while the others would stand outside at intervals guarding them .


    Chapter 35 3/5 Words would be said to the goddess , and shed reveal her chosen with a waterfall of silver light .


    Her chosen would then manifest magic like most wolves hadnt seen in a thousand years .


    As certain as my grandmother still was that the chosen would be me , I wasnt .


    After all , I didnt have a wolf .


    Without a wolf , I had no way to channel magic .


    How could I be what she needed ? Do what she needed ? But my grandmother reassured me that the goddess would find a way .


    Part of me a very tiny part I refused to acknowledge even hoped the ceremony tonight might bring my wolf back .


    Even the thought if it made my eyes burn with tears .


    I would give so much to have her again .


    Maybe tonight , my hopes wouldnt be crushed .


    For once .


    ***** EVELYN I wanted to stay on outside and keep my eye on Aurora .


    After what shed pulled with Danest week , I wouldnt trust her if she were thest person on earth .


    Chapter 35 4/5 Maybe my rtionship with Dane wasnt straightforward .


    Maybe wealth , sex , and security yed into it more than traditional rtionships .


    That was allowed .


    If anything , it made me more possessive and protective over him , not less .


    I did care about him , and what Aurora had done to him- revealing how vulnerable he was just to get her revenge Id kill her for it if hed let me .


    But no .


    For some reason , we were coddling the useless wolfless woman just because if I was understanding Dane right she was the only one who could read a book full of old secrets .


    I looked out over the wolves arranged for the ceremony , making sure they were in the right ces .


    Sometimes some of the more powerful wolves in the pack tried to take spots from the younger wolves , or the ones who werent quite as strong .


    Strength was important , but it wasnt everything .


    When I was Luna of this pack , my main priority would be to make sure everyone had enough , and that no one got greedy .


    With Dane as their Alpha , the wolves of Blue Ridge would always have enough .


    My phone rang , interrupting my thoughts .


    I let go of Danes arm to look down at it .


    My smile froze on my face , and I pressed my phone screen against my chest as I turned to Dane .


    I have to take this .


    Ill be back before the ceremony .


    Dane nodded , and I hurried into the house , my heels clicking as Chapter 35 5/5 I jogged .


    I went into a small , out of the way room and closed the door before I answered .


    Mom , I said .


    What ? How much do you want this time ? Evie ! she drawled in the fake voice I hated .


    Dont be like that .


    Your brother and I just got a little silly in Vegas .


    I only need at little bit .


    How .


    Much ? I repeated , biting off the words .


    Two hundred thousand , she said .


    Then sheughed .


    Thats pocket change for a woman with a billionaire fiancé .


    Did you call Aunt Fiona ? My sister ? Moms voice turned sour .


    Shes such a stingy bitch .


    I know my daughter will be more generous with me .


    Id hate for word of my … debts … to be leaked to the press .


    Im sure your fiancé wouldnt like it , either .