Chapter 66 AURORA Exhaling a shaking breath as he stroke between my fingers with his tongue again , I let my head fall back and said , Yes .


    Nothing could stop us from being together now .


    Except … myself .


    ***** EVELYN I paced my room , fuming .


    Dane thought he could end things with me so easily ? When Id spent years of my life ensuring he was mine ? That the life I wanted would be mine and stay mine? When I was the chosen of the goddess ? Archer had even told Dane that he saw Aurora deep in conversation with Holden Coleridge , and it was no secret that Auroras Luna grandmother preferred Fall Line to Blue Ridge .


    The only reason she deigned to speak to such a young pack was because the relic was supposedly hidden on territory Dane controlled .


    Chapter 66 He was a fool .


    I was going to prove to him that he was a fool .


    2/6 A quiet knock sounded on my door .


    I gritted my teeth , then forced a smile onto my face , smoothed my skirt , and tossed back my hair .


    Never let anyone see you off bnce .


    Never let anyone see you uncertain .


    Lessons my mother taught me .


    Horrible as she was , they served me well as an actress , and would serve me well now .


    I opened the door .


    Archer stood there .


    He looked so serious .


    It was usually one of the things I loved about him .


    He wasnt arrogant like the Alphas that buzzed around me and had since I was a girl .


    He wasnt fake like people in LA .


    He was the kind of man who listened , then quietly got things .


    done .


    A rare kind of man .


    One I loved , in my own way .


    But I had certain needs , and they were needs only a rich man- an Alpha could supply .


    Money .


    Influence .


    Power .


    Id spent my childhood without any of those things , and I was never going back .


    I know I shouldnt be here- he started .


    Chapter 66 3/6 Come in .


    I nced around the hall to make sure no one was watching , then I let him inside .


    As soon as the door was closed , I threw myself at him and started to cry .


    He held me in his arms , gently rocking me back and forth .


    Evie , he whispered .


    Only Archer and my mother ever called me that .


    I worked so hard , I sobbed .


    I spent so long making sure he had what he wanted while I denied myself everything .


    All he had to give me was a permanent ce at his side .


    Why does he hate me , Archer ? The man holding me sighed deeply .


    He doesnt hate you .


    Doesnt he remember what he owes me ? I pulled back and put my fingers over the crescent moon shape on my arm .


    A shape that wasnt a birthmark … but a tattoo .


    One designed to look exactly like the birthmark on the girl who had saved Danes life as a child .


    I was not that girl .


    But even Archer didnt know that .


    Hell , the woman whod been that girl didnt even know it .


    The only people who did were me and my mother .


    Chapter 66 4/6 Maybe this is for the best .


    Archers voice rumbled through his chest .


    I shoved back from him and red .


    What could you possibly be talking about ? Dane is my meal ticket our meal ticket ! Archer bared his teeth , and I stepped back .


    He let me get away with anything … Except badmouthing his Alpha .


    Even when Dane was being insufferable .


    Sorry , I muttered , even though I wasnt .


    I forced more tears into my eyes and made my voice waver .


    Im just so upset .


    What about this could be a good thing ? Archer folded his arms across his chest and gave me a stern look .


    Turn off the fake waterworks .


    You know they dont work on me .


    I gave a little huff of a sigh and folded my own arms , but I stopped fake crying .


    Archer might indulge me , but one thing I liked about him was that he could also see through me .


    That was what made him stand out above the other men .


    If only he was an Alpha … and a billionaire .


    Then hed be perfect .


    Archer walked to my window and looked out over the packnds .


    You know why this is for the best .


    Its not even his child , Evie .


    Its mine .


    Youve already got everything you need from him and more .


    Fame .


    Wealth .


    Status .


    Even the protection of the A Chapter 66 pack .


    Take it as a win and let him go .


    Be with me .


    5/6 Everything I need ? I snapped , striding over to stand next to him .


    I smacked him on the shoulder so he would turn and look at me .


    And what happens when this child is born ? What happens if he ever finds out it isnt his ? Worse , what if he finds out its yours ? Hell kill us for the betrayal .


    Archers face turned morose .


    Hell kill me .


    Not you .


    My heart seized at the thought of Archer dying .


    I couldnt handle it , so I pushed it out of my mind .


    What about me ? Ill be exiled .


    Alone with his child … Just like Aurora had been .


    But I was no secret Old World princess .


    I knew exactly who my family was : no one .


    Not in any way that mattered .


    Archer growled and grabbed my shoulders .


    Stop it .


    Youre better than this .


    I know theres more to you than some shallow bitch who craves power and the attention of men like Dane .


    At the look on his face , the need in his eyes need for me guilt bit into my heart with sharp teeth .


    Once upon a time , Id been like he said .


    A good person .


    I tried to do what was right .


    I was kind , giving , selfless .


    Then my mother had shoved me into Danes path , and Id discovered how much better life could be than starving in squalor .


    I couldnt lose it .


    I was no one if I wasnt with Dane , and that terrified me .


    Chapter 66 I shook Archer off .


    I couldnt bear for him to look at me with those sad , serious eyes anymore .


    I strode to the door .


    Where are you going ? he demanded .


    Dane wants the important members of the pack to gather for a meeting .


    6/6 Then he wont want me , I retorted .


    Im going to talk to someone who can fix this .


    Softening , I gave him a small smile over my shoulder .


    Come back after the meeting .


    Its been a while … I want you to hold me .


    I want to be with you .


    Archer closed his eyes , looking tortured , but he nodded .


    I opened the door and marched into the hallway .


    If there was anyone who could remove Aurora from Danes life , it was my mother .


    It looked like she was going to get the money she wanted from me , after all .