Chapter 78 AURORA Oh , goddess , I whispered in horror .


    Nausea rose in my stomach .


    Holden opened his eyes and looked at me in shock .


    Aurora ? He looked down at himself .


    Fuck .


    I dont rememberst night , I said .


    His mouth curved a little at that .


    I do .


    Did we … ? His eyes went serious .


    Yes .


    We did .


    Theres always been chemistry between us .


    You were … incredible .


    If anyone says theres something in you thats dark like its a bad thing … It felt like my world dropped out from under me .


    I leapt out of bed and grabbed my clothes .


    I have to go .


    He was out of bed in a moment and grabbed my wrist .


    His voice was a low growl when he said , Ive always wanted you , Aurora .


    If you think Im going to give you up to Montague so easily after this , youre mistaken .


    I wrenched free , threw my clothes on and ran for the door , then .


    out .


    I was too afraid to look behind me .


    Chapter 78 EVELYN 2/6 My mouth dropped as I watched Aurora hurry from Holden Coleridges room in yesterdays clothes with her hair a mess .


    Holden came to the door with a sheet around his waist and I barely stopped myself from gasping out loud .


    Quickly , I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture .


    Maybe you could only see a sliver of one side of her face , but .


    with her coloring , height , and build , there was no mistaking her .


    I stepped back behind the corner , so Holden didnt see me and looked down at my phone .


    There it was , in as day , proof that Aurora was a whore who was cheating on Dane .


    I paused , considering that I had also cheated on Dane .


    But in my defense , by the time I let Archer into my bed , Dane was refusing to sleep with me .


    I was only seeing to my needs .


    Aurora could have Dane in her bed hed made that clear .


    He wanted to pursue her .


    Have their perfect little fucking family .


    Therefore , what she had done was much worse than what I had .


    So what if Id also lied about whose baby was in my stomach ? At least I was loyal to Blue Ridge .


    At least I wasnt running around Chapter 78 trying to kill Danes grandfather and his entire family .


    3/6 I smiled down at the picture again .


    Aurora suspected my baby wasnt Danes .


    I had no idea how , but that didnt matter anymore .


    Not when I had this .


    Dane would never believe another word she said .


    I was going to get him back .


    Why do you look like that ? I jumped about a mile in the air , but it was only Archer .


    He sidled up to me .


    I rxed as soon as I saw him and gave him a wide grin .


    Babe , you wont believe what I just saw ! I held up the phone so he could see .


    His eyes went wide , and he snatched at it .


    I pulled the phone out of his reach .


    What are you doing ? What are you doing ? he demanded .


    Evie .


    You are going to start a war .


    You have to let Dane go .


    Its over .


    Its not over , I snapped .


    I locked my phone and stuck it in my pocket .


    And I wont let him go .


    I strode away from him , heading for my room .


    Unfortunately , he followed me .


    Why ? You know why , I said as I reached my door .


    I pulled it open Chapter 78 4/6 and strode inside .


    When I tried to close it , he blocked it with one of his big , stupid , muscr arms and followed me in .


    I know you had a terrible childhood , Archer said .


    More than terrible .


    But youre not a child anymore , Evie .


    You have to stop letting your past control you .


    Youre one of the chosen of the moon goddess .


    That should mean something to you ! Its something you should want to live up to .


    I bared my teeth .


    Do you think she would have chosen me if I wasnt perfect just the way I am ? But his words … they made me doubt .


    One of the reasons I hated for people to point out my ws was because I already knew .


    Despite the lies I liked to tell myself , despite the act I put on , I did want to be better .


    But every time I thought about how far I could fall ; fear grabbed me by the throat and took control .


    Archer stalked away from the partially open door , grabbed me by the hips , and pulled me against him .


    I melted into him , like I always did .


    No matter how selfish I was , my feelings for Archer were real .


    I never wouldve made it through thest few years if not for him .


    If he ever left me , I would fall apart .


    Evie , he whispered , hooking my hair behind my car with gentle fingers .


    I was intoxicated by his closeness .


    Do you love Chapter 78 me ? His voice grabbed my heart and cracked it open .


    Of course , I do .


    I wrapped my arms around his neck andid my head against his chest .


    More than anything .


    5/6 I heard the lie in my own voice .


    I loved him more than anything … except myself .


    And I hated that .


    I hated that I couldnt give up the parts of myself I despised and truly be the woman he deserved .


    He rocked me gently back and forth , and I closed my eyes .


    For the first time , I tried to talk myself out of needing Dane .


    Of needing a billionaire Alpha when I was a rich woman on my own and a perfectly good man was right here .


    Oh , dear , squeaked a womans quiet voice .


    Am I interrupting ? My eyes flew open .


    The fucking door .


    Wed forgotten to close it all the way .


    Mrs.


    Jamison the twins nanny stood there , gaping at us .


    Fuck ! Archer jumped back .


    Mrs.


    Jamison- I set my jaw and held up a hand to silence him .


    Dont worry , Archer .


    Ill handle this .