Chapter 87 1/4 AURORA He couldnt be serious .


    He wouldnt risk war .


    Blue Ridge was powerful , but there was no way it could stand against Fall Line and High Alpine .


    I know you care , I said .


    Thats why youre such an incredible .


    Alpha .


    He grunted , then changed the subject .


    I can agree to speak to the children at least .


    I wanted to suggest staying here tonight .


    To be together … but also so I can search this ce for anything left by my grandfather .


    At mention of Connall Montague , a wave of sadness rocked me .


    Id be happy to help you honor him .


    Is there anything specific youre looking for ? A trouble look crossed Danes face .


    He said something before he died .


    Something about what were doing requiring a sacrifice .


    It sounded like he knew something we dont .


    I hope to find clue to it .


    I agreed , and we got up and began the search .


    Going through Connalls personal papers was part investigation , part a walk down memoryne for Dane .


    His grandfather had a safe in his office , and much of what was inside was personal family mementos .


    2/4 Including a picture of his parents .


    I was the one to pull the picture from the box of photos .


    A man and a woman standing in front of the pack house with their arms around each other .


    Two children stood in front of them a boy of about eight and a girl of maybe five .


    The picture looked at least twenty years old , and their family seemed so happy .


    I flinched at the sight and almost slid the picture back into the box .


    If anyone was going to present Dane with a photo of his murdered parents , it shouldnt be me .


    But he saw it and caught my wrist before I could let go .


    He took the picture and lifted it .


    He looked troubled , but he still smiled .


    I wondered if I should ask , but if Dane wanted to be with me , this was something we would need to learn to talk about .


    Do … you miss them ? I asked carefully .


    He nodded , then slid the picture into his pocket .


    Because he regrly spent the night here , he had changes of clothes in one of the closets .


    A good thing , since transforming in what he was wearing this morning had shredded his clothes .


    I wasnt sure how far I could push his boundaries , so I decided to just ask .


    I want to ask you about them , Dane .


    But Im not sure if that will be too painful for you .


    He looked at me in surprise .


    You speak whatever is on your Chapter 87 mind , dont you ? 3/4 When Im with people I know .


    I said .


    In business , or when Im with someone I dont trust , no .


    I keep as much hidden then as I can.


    But if you want us to be together … I want to be open with you .


    Dane cleared his throat , then pulled the picture out again .


    My father was like my grandfather .


    Good with people .


    He loved parties , and he was alwaysughing .


    Piper takes after him .


    Im like my mother .


    She was more serious , quiet .


    Some pack members said it was hard to get close to her , but she loved who she loved fiercely .


    I can see that in you , I said .


    He swallowed like he was feeling some strong emotion and said , Thank you .


    I still miss them .


    He ran his thumb over the image of Pipers face .


    Dont worry , little sister .


    Ill save you .


    In that moment , swearing to protect his little sister , he reminded me so much of Tristan and the way he protected Seraphina that my throat closed , and I couldnt speak .


    I wanted to help him in any way I could , but I was afraid anything I said right now , any promise I made , would sound hollow , considering that I had just caused the death of his grandfather .


    We stayed the night , with Dane using his pack bond to let the Chapter 87 others know that we were both safe .


    Otherwise , I was afraid Trajan would have hunted us down .


    4/4 He made love to me that night , again insisting that we focus.


    on my pleasure .


    Every time he brought me to orgasm , I felt my heart wrap around his a little more .


    I still didnt know what to do .


    I was still afraid of the darkness .


    hidden inside me .


    The more I fell for him , the more I feared what being close to me would do to him .


    The next morning , we returned to the pack house .


    Just as we got to the door , Trajan and Evander came rushing out .


    Aurora ! Evander grabbed me .


    My cousins light purple eyes .


    were huge with fear .


    Its the twins .


    Theyre missing , and so is Mrs.


    Jamison ! Just then , there was a noise .


    A howl of pain that came from the woods in the direction of Broken Forest packnd .