Chapter 53 AURORA My heart felt like it was drying out , crumbling to pieces in my chest .


    Here I was , trying to prove to Dane I was a victim … but I had said those things .


    Done those things .


    As the shadows performed .


    them , it was like a curtain being pulled back on my memory .


    Id been that hateful girl , brainwashed into thinking Dane had to be taken down .


    His bloodline were killers .


    Rogues .


    They had no right to the things theyd taken from us .


    I wanted him dead .


    His bloodline would end with me .


    No ! I screamed .


    Even though the shadows had been performing their y of the past as if I wasnt there , the one that looked like Esther Reed slowly turned to me .


    She had a wide , terrifying smile on her face .


    Yes , Ann , she hissed .


    Just like we nned .


    No ! I screamed .


    NO ! In a rush of despair and terror , I rushed at the shadows .


    I had to erase them .


    I had to make this not true .


    A Chapter 53 2/5 I sprinted forward , my arms swinging .


    Some old part of me tried .


    to make my ws grow , my fangs .


    I tried to call on my wolf .


    But of course , she wasnt there .


    Still , I ran at the shadows , swinging my arms .


    When my fist impacted Esthers smug smile , she burst into sharp needles of darkness .


    They exploded into me , cach one like a razor of ice , thousands of them biting into , me , slicing me open .


    NO ! Aurora ! The call was faint , but somehow close .


    Warm hands were on me , shaking me .


    For one heartbeat , the room was filled with the horrible shadows .


    The next , it was dark and cold , and Dane was there .


    He held me .


    Shook me .


    Told me to wake up .


    Then back to the shadows as theyughed .


    As Esthers voice echoed , No matter how long it takes … you will destroy him .


    Aurora ! Wake the fuck up ! Alpha magic wrapped around me , o me outc the dream and back into reality .


    The strength went out of my Chapter 53 muscles , and I copsed , sobs tearing from my chest .


    But I didnt hit the floor .


    Dane held me against his chest , his strong arms around me .


    One second you were fine .


    The next you fell to the ground and started shaking .


    What happened ? 3/5 I tried to push away from him , but he held onto me .


    He pulled me closer , so my face was buried against him .


    Then he wrapped both arms around me like a lover might forfort .


    Its all right , he said .


    Shh .


    But that made me weep harder .


    Had I finally convinced Dane Montague that I had always been loyal to him , only to find out in the same moment that Id been lying the whole time ? That I really was a product of the Reeds ? Just as desperate and evil as they always insisted I was ? Goddess .


    I had sworn to destroy him .


    Id sworn on something called the Nameless .


    The title struck … something in my memory .


    But when I reached for it , it faded .


    I didnt even know what it was , let alone why I might be swearing on it .


    No matter how long it takes … That evil was still inside me .


    Now that I had that memory back , I could feel it .


    Festering and ckened and rotten .


    Chapter 53 Dane put his hands on either side of my face and forced me to look at him .


    Tell me what happened .


    4/5 I swallowed and gripped his hands with mine .


    He was still using Alpha magic .


    Though he couldnt outright control me , since I wasnt a member of his pack , he could still brush his mind .


    against mine , influence me with calm , and draw my attention like a ma to a lodestone .


    I … I … Take a breath , Aurora .


    His thumbs stroked up and down my cheeks .


    My body leaned against his , and I could feel how strong and warm he was in this bleak , dark ce .


    He was like light .


    Like fire .


    After a lifetime spent in the dark , it was no wonder I was so drawn to him .


    But would his fire warm me , or was I a moth pulled to me , about to be burned alive ? His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm , and I found my breathing slowing to match his .


    I saw some kind of vision , I choked out atst .


    Shadows … of the past .


    His eyes were deadly serious .


    Did you see yourself ? Yes , I- I broke off .


    I couldnt tell him what Id said .


    How utterly greedy Id sounded for his blood .


    I saw myself and Esther and Waylon .


    Only Esther talked , as usual .


    She told me to get ready to destroy you .


    It was the day they beat me .


    The day Chapter 53 they … 5/5 Dane took his hands away from my face and ran them through his thick , dark hair .


    He turned and paced away from me , then he came back .


    Cursing he said , I never told you .


    I got the recording Esther gave me analyzed .


    He met my gaze .


    I know you werent behind the Nights Truth .


    I know Esther lied about everything .


    He took my hands in his .


    Aurora … you were the victim .