Chapter 48 AURORA I peered around the corner … But the hall was empty .


    A door closed just where I was sure Id heard Evelyn .


    I knew she was in there with someone .


    Someone shed been kissing ? Was it possible ? Evelyn had been the bane of my existence for so long .


    She was always there , putting a wedge between Dane and I , calling him away to spend time with her when he wasnt working , whining and asking him for things , then using me of gold digging , when I didnt have a fraction of what she did .


    How could it be possible that she was cheating on him ? And if she was … was her child even his ? I pressed my hand to my lips .


    Part of me wanted to barge into that room and find out for sure .


    The other part … If I wanted to walk away from this with my children , I needed her to have his baby .


    It was better if I didnt know .


    If I knew for certain , I would have to decide whether or not to tell him .


    I tucked this moment into the back of my mind .


    Maybe Id have Trajan investigate .


    Shed spent years lording over me .


    It would be a wee change to have something to lord over her .


    After the incident with Evelyn , I tried to find Dane .


    But he was nowhere to be seen .


    Not in his office or his rooms .


    The only other ces I could think of that he might be were training … or visiting Piper and Connall in the infirmary .


    I wouldnt disturb him in either of those ces .


    ***** That night , I dreamed .


    I was walking around the pack house again , searching for Dane .


    All of the doors were thrown open , but the pack house was empty .


    But moonlight shined through the windows , and I knew , somehow , he was here .


    Dane ? Find him … The words came from somewhere inside me … like something faint and distant and half forgotten was speaking deep inside .


    my mind .


    I stopped and looked around .


    Hello ? Who was that ? Chapter 48 The voice didnt respond .


    When I came around the corner to the grand ballroom where the g had been held , there he was .


    3/6 He stood alone in the moonlight , holding out his hand so the silver light fell on it .


    It changed from pale hand to w to paw and back again .


    I thought he wouldnt see me .


    But when I reached the doorway , he turned .


    Aurora , he whispered .


    We moved toward each other , and he took my hand .


    I couldnt exin why I did it , or why it felt so right in this ce to leave everything that troubled us in the real world behind .


    As he touched me , the house melted away and reformed into a grotto deep in the forest .


    We were on a narrow spit ofnd in the center of a raging river , its waters roaring around us .


    The breeze whipped the leaves of the trees into a frenzy , and I swore I heard a voice .


    Behold what is broken ….


    It wasnt the same as the voice that hade from inside me .


    Instead , this one was all around , like it came from thend , itself.


    Like it came from the silvery light , shining down on our heads .


    Whats happening ? Where are we ? I asked .


    Chapter 48 I dont know .


    Danes voice was gruff .


    His hand was still in mine .


    4/6 Below my feet , the ground crumbled away and fell into the raging dark water .


    I scooted back , but it kept crumbling until there was no more room .


    Until I ran into Dane .


    I nearly expected him to shove me in the water rather than share his space with me , but he grabbed me and turned me toward him and put his arms around me .


    Hold on to me , he said .


    If we go into the water , dont let go .


    I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my fast against the hot , hard muscles of his chest and waited to fall .


    Soon , any second , the earth beneath me would be gone and wed plunge into the river … But we didnt .


    When I raised my head and looked around , the river was gone .


    We were in a moonlit clearing .


    Dane still held me tightly .


    Dane … I think were safe .


    He gazed down at me .


    Im still not letting go .


    Here , at least , I can pretend .


    Here , I can have what I want .


    Then he bent and kissed me , sweet and tender , then harder , more passionate .


    His tongue slid into my mouth , and my core lit with a slow , rising heat .


    Chapter 48 Dane … Give me this , he said .


    Take it with me .


    So I stopped thinking , and I kissed him back .


    5/6 I wasnt sure how much time passed when I woke from the dream , but I woke hot and twisted in my sheets and aching , with tears streaming down my cheeks .


    I could still feel him , still taste him .


    But it would never be real .


    And that hurt more than almost anything Id ever felt in my life .


    DANE I shot up in bed , my body hard and throbbing .


    I gritted my teeth .


    Stupid fucking dream .


    I hated it … and I wanted it back .


    I rubbed my face and got out of bed and checked the time .


    4:30 AM .


    Whatever .


    I could survive on a few hours of sleep .


    I certainly wasnt getting anymore .


    To take my mind off Aurora and the dream , I opened myputer .


    I might as well get some work done .


    Then I saw what was waiting for me in my email inbox .


    A Chapter 48 6/6 The analysis of the recording Esther gave me .


    The one that proved Aurora was part of the kidnapping , that she nned to drug me .