Chapter 97 EVELYN I walked away from Danes room as the phone rang .


    Then there was a click , as if someone picked up .


    I heard my mothers voice say , Evie ! as if in a panic .


    Then there was a loud crash in my ear .


    Then the line went dead .


    Mom ! No answer .


    Either she had smashed her own phone … or someone had taken it from her and broken it .


    In denial , I pulled my phone from my ear and tried to call again .


    A robotic voice said , The customer you have dialed is out of service .


    Please hang up and try again .


    I tried again , but the same thing happened .


    Again , same thing .


    I made sound of frustration , jammed my phone into my pocket , and let a harsh breath out through my teeth .


    This had gone so far out of my control .


    When I wanted my mother to do something to handle Aurora , I hadnt meant for her to go anywhere near Danes children .


    I wasnt sure where she was , but I knew she had them , and I A Chapter 97 knew her intentions werent good .


    I should tell Dane .


    2/5 I had to tell him .


    Every second I didnt was a betrayal of him and of Blue Ridge .


    Not even Archer knew who my mom really was , or that shed been in the Blue Ridge pack house since shed arrived with Aurora and the twins .


    But if I told him that their nanny , Mrs.


    Jamison , was actually my mother , Dane would have questions .


    Too many questions I couldnt answer , because the answers would make him hate me for the rest of my life .


    Even if I didnt tell him everything , he might be able to put pieces together .


    Like the fact that my mother had also been Ann Reeds Auroras nanny .


    Like the fact that she knew about the kidnapping .


    And the fact that she knew exactly where all of Auroras birth marks were .


    I put a hand over the crescent on the inside of my forearm .


    The tattoo artist had been good .


    It never faded .


    It looked natural .


    I expected it to be a problem for Aurora and me to have the same mark , but apparently she had lost hers at some point .


    Whether in a beating from her parents or an ident , I wasnt sure .


    But the first time Id met her , my eyes had jumped right to Chapter 97 the ce her own crescent mark should be , and there was nothing there but a sear .


    As far as I could tell , she didnt even remember shed had it .


    And that was perfect .


    3/5 It meant no one knew she was the little girl who had been held by the Reeds with Dane when he was a child .


    No one except me , my mother , and the Reeds .


    I still didnt know why , and I didnt care .


    I had been more than happy to take my ce at his side as the girl who saved his life .


    But now , even that wasnt enough .


    Id already lost so much of him .


    If he found out about all my lies , hed kill me .


    I wouldnt even me him .


    If I was him and someone did to me what Id done , I would say they deserved it .


    But I never meant for anyone to get hurt .


    I only wanted to keep my own position .


    My own power .


    Now there were children in danger .


    I stalked into my room , then into the bathroom .


    Tears were burning the backs of my eyes , and I needed to make sure my makeup hadnt smeared .


    Chapter 97 4/5 1 stared at the woman I saw there .


    An actress .


    Famous .


    Loved .


    One of the few wolves who managed to live a public life and still keep our secrets .


    I was important .


    But I wouldnt be any of that , have any of that , if not for Danc Montague .


    His money and his connections had gotten me started .


    His money and his connections could take everything I had earned after all these years away again .


    I met my blue eyes in the mirror .


    I looked tired and haggard .


    That wouldnt do .


    Evelyn Bary should never look like this .


    I pinched my cheeks and forced my brightest smile onto my face .


    I was a good actress , but even I could tell it was entirely face .


    I had been so close to having everything .


    Now it was slipping out of my fingers like smoke .


    Damn it .


    Goddess damn it .


    I pulled out my phone again , but just held it .


    I could get out of here , then text Dane everything .


    I could go to my Aunt Fionas pack , Hundred Lakes .


    Connall Montague , Danes grandfather , had always hated the old Hundred Lakes Alpha .


    It was one reason he never wanted Dane and I to be together .


    My thumb slipped and idently opened my camera roll .


    The picture of Aurora leaving Holdens room in her A Chapter 97 half buttoned clothes and Holden undressed was right there .


    Maybe everything wasnt lost .


    5/5 Maybe there was a way to break up Dane and Aurora still , and I wouldnt even have to do it .


    Someone else would do my dirty work for me , just like I preferred .


    The Fall Line Alpha wanted Aurora as a mate so badly ? Id give him what he needed to take her .


    I opened my text messages and sent the photo to Holden Coleridge .


    I could figure out the problem with my mother and the twins .


    ter .