Chapter 68 AURORA My stomach clenched as I looked around at the Blue Ridge wolves .


    My heartbeat kicked into high gear .


    There was no way he could know what Holden had suggested .


    No.


    Way .


    And even if he did , he couldnt have proof .


    I had to take control of this situation .


    Around me , the Blue Ridge wolves grew more and more tense as silent second passed .


    None of them stood up for me .


    I wasnt surprised .


    None of them had stood up for me years ago .


    To them , I was always Broken Forest .


    A murderer .


    The enemy .


    Calling on everything Id learned during thest five years , I rose .


    I kept my chin high and rose to my feet .


    I gave them all an icy re , especially the beta .


    Id hardly exchanged two words with Archer .


    I didnt know why he suddenly wanted toe after me now .


    Maybe he really didnt trust me .


    I didnt care .


    I wasnt going to let him speak to me this way .


    Holden started to rise .


    To my surprise , so did Dane .


    Was he actually about to defend me ? Chapter 68 But I held up my hand , stopping them both .


    If the beta has a problem with me , let him speak his mind .


    Archers mouth was an unsmiling line .


    I have .


    And do you have any proof ? I saw you speaking .


    2/5 You saw me speaking to a person Ive been , friends with for four years and one of my packs greatest allies here in the States ? I asked , arching a brow .


    At the same time , I suppressed quiet worry .


    Damn it .


    Could he have overheard us ? Or was he just making the most obvious guess .


    I decided to take a gamble : he was making a guess .


    As long as I stuck to my story , nothing he said or did would amount to proof .


    I could still turn this my way .


    I felt a little dirty doing it , even though I hadnt done anything wrong .


    I would honor the original deal Id made .


    But Holden had done something wrong in suggesting it .


    Something that could lead to war between the two strongest packs in the South .


    One corner of my mouth curved in a sardonic little smile .


    Youre right , beta , I did have a conversation with Alpha Coleridge .


    He was there when I woke up in the infirmary .


    Chapter 68 3/5 I took a slow , easy step toward Archer , then another .


    However , what youre suggesting could lead to bloodshed and war .


    Either you misunderstood what you saw , or youre making up a lie because you want war .


    Which is it ? His Adams apple bobbed as he swallowed .


    He tried to hide it , but I saw .


    Of course , I dont want war , he said through gritted teeth .


    I got close , lifting my chin higher so I looked down my nose at him .


    Then I suggest you back .


    Down .


    Beta .


    Archers whole body was tight .


    But after a moment , he took a scal .


    Archer ! Evelyn snapped .


    She strode up to the front of the room .


    I stepped in front of her .


    I was a little taller than her , so I looked down .


    You are speaking out of turn .


    Go back with the others and sit down .


    Her jaw dropped .


    Even when I was Dancs wife and she was his mistress , Id never dared to speak to her that way .


    You wolfless whore ! she shricked .


    She drew back her hand to p me .


    She had a wolf .


    I didnt .


    Any blow from her would sent my head spinning , but I didnt have time to dodge .


    I closed my eyes .


    Chapter 68 There was a loud smack of flesh against flesh .


    But not from her hand on my face .


    I opened my eyes and looked .


    4/5 Dane stood a little behind me , leaning over , his body sheltering mine .


    He had caught Evelyns hand before it could touch me .


    He red down at her with pure rage , his body shaking with restraint .


    He growled , You will obey the Luna heir .


    He looked out on his own pack .


    Magic rose in the room like a tide the strength of his Alpha power so strong I felt like I could drown in it .


    You will all respect the Luna heir , or you will be exiled from this pack .


    He gave a little shove as he released Evelyns hand .


    She stumbled back .


    Archer was there in a sh .


    He caught her .


    There was something about his hand at her waist the way his fingers spread and pressed into her .


    It was … possessive .


    My eyes widened .


    Was Archer the father of Evelyns child ? It didnt seem possible .


    Dane couldnt be betrayed so deeply .


    Not by his own beta ! Chapter 68 5/5 Dane was still close behind me .


    He hovered for a moment , then stepped back .


    He addressed the wolves in the room .


    Youre dismissed .


    If I have an individual job for you Ill let you know .


    Otherwise , prepare yourselves .


    The ceremonies will be held soon .


    The wolves all filed out of the room .


    Evelyn wasst .


    The re she gave me was pure hatred ..


    When they were all gone , I moved to follow , But Dane caught my wrist .


    He squeezed and turned me back to face him .


    There was tension in his face .


    Tension like Id rarely seen .


    Worry and guilt squeezed my chest .


    My breathing quickened .


    Could he know that I had lied to him , and to all his wolves ? That Archer was right about it all ? Aurora , he said , his voice low , There is something I have to know .