Chapter 45 AURORA 1/4 1 bared my teeth .


    If I had a wolf , I would have transformed and torn him to pieces on the spot .


    If you think I would ever leave .


    my children , youre insane ! He pressed his lips into a thin line .


    Then it looks like youll be here forever , too .


    He was so confident ; it shook me to my core .


    But I had to keep up a brave face .


    I couldnt let him know how afraid I was that if he tried , hed be able to do exactly what he threatened to .


    Well see what the High Alpine Pack and the Council think about that .


    His face was serious as he looked at me .


    I have samples .


    Ill test their DNA if I have to .


    Once ites out that theyre mine , Ill win .


    Im an Alpha of an important pack .


    The Council will rule they belong with me as my heirs .


    Im the Luna heir of a pack just as important as yours , if not more , I said , refusing to back down .


    If theyre anyones heirs , theyre mine .


    Especially since you have another on the way .


    Danes face nched , but he held steady .


    Youll risk a situation where one twin stays with me , and you get the other .


    Is that what you want to do ? Separate them ? Chapter 45 2/4 Part of me was so angry , I wanted to shove him .


    To scream and rage at him not to do this .


    The other part of me was shaking and terrified .


    That part wanted to fall on her knees and beg like I had before .


    Because no matter what happened , I couldnt stay in Blue- Ridge forever .


    I had my own pack to worry about , my own responsibilities .


    As terrified as I was , my children were my line .


    in the sand .


    I would not allow him to cross it .


    What I want to do ? No , Dane .


    You would be the one doing it .


    You are the one threatening to take this to the Council .


    You dont get to swoop in and try to destroy our lives , then tell me the consequences are my fault when I fight back ! The muscles in his jaw clenched , and I thought I caught a quickly smothered look of surprise on his face .


    I wasnt sure if it was because Id pointed out what he was doing and he truly hadnt realized it , or because I had the gall to point it out at all .


    He leaned toward me .


    The children were still ying , and so far wed kept the conversation too low for them to hear , whisper yelling at each other beneath the sound of four year olds shouts as the twins ran and yed .


    Something has to give , here , Aurora , and its not going to be me .


    I gritted my teeth .


    My heart raced , but I kept my voice from shaking as I said , You will have to kill me to keep me from fighting for them .


    Youll have to lock me in chains to keep me froming to steal them away in the night .


    I may have been a pushover for you when I was your wife , Dane Montague .


    Maybe Chapter 45 3/4 I would be still , for anything else .


    But when ites to my children ? I will burn all of Blue Ridge to ashes before I let you keep them from me .


    Danes nostrils red .


    He called out , Hey , you two .


    Why dont you go find Mrs.


    Jamison .


    Your mother and I need to have a talk .


    The twins stopped ying and looked from Dane to me .


    They didnt move to obey him .


    I smiled , but I was shaking inside .


    What did the Alpha want to do to me that he didnt think the children should see ? I tried to move toward them .


    Dane grabbed my wrist and squeezed .


    I didnt struggle .


    Instead , I gave the children a tight smile .


    Its all right , you two .


    Go find Mrs.


    Jamison .


    With onest , wary look at us , Tristan and Seraphina ran off .


    When they were gone , I yanked my hand forcibly from his .


    Or I tried .


    He held on and tugged me closer .


    You owe me for this , he said .


    You owe me four years for each of their lives .


    Its time I can never get back .


    You didnt want them ! You threw a contraceptive at me ! You gave up any right to our children then .


    And if you dont stop trying to im them now , I will bring the full might of the High Alpine Pack down on your head ! Chapter 45 4/4 He bared his teeth and pulled me closer still , until his lips were inches from mine , and I could feel the heat of him soaking through my clothes .


    Until his scent was all around me , and all I could see were his gorgeous , dark eyes .


    Blue Ridge is ready .


    Blue Ridge could have been their home , I said .


    It should have been my home .


    You could have been my home , and theirs , if you hadnt hated me .


    I dont … He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against mine .


    With both of us breathing raggedly , I put my hand on his cheek .


    He growled low in his throat and leaned into my touch .


    Goddess , why did we always have to battle like this ? To long for each other ? Constantly torn between hate and need .


    What do you want from me , Dane ? I whispered , longing for either escape or the feel of his mouth on mine … but I couldnt have both , and neither could he .


    I had to make him realize that , so I said , What do you honestly think a future here could hold for us ? Youre going to marry Evelyn .


    Is it her turn to be your wife while Im your mistress ? Is that what you want to happen ? A reversal of what we had before ?