Chapter 109 DANE Evelyn ! I saw her get swept away .


    I lunged and snapped , trying to catch her by the scruff of her neck .


    But she was too far , and she disappeared beneath the water of the stream .


    I ran after her , doing my best not to get my feet swept out from under me , too .


    That wouldnt help anyone .


    She was pushed almost a quarter of a mile downstream , to a tter ce where the banks were low again , before I saw a figure reach into the water and haul her out .


    I snarled and pushed harder , ready to defend her from whoever it was .


    I hoped , maybe , it was one of the strange wolf women whod led us here .


    I found Evelyn on the bank , braced over her rescuer .


    The rescuer was on their back beneath her .


    I heard Evelyn snarl … Then I came around her and saw the soaked banner of pale blond hair , the pale skin , and the wide , lc eyes .


    Aurora ! I shifted into a man , pushed Evelyn to the side , and then she was Chapter 109 in my arms .


    I crouched and cradled her against me , trying to hide the way my whole body shook .


    2/5 Youre here .


    Thank the goddess .


    They didnt lie .


    Youre here , I whispered .


    Dane , she whispered .


    Her face was wel .


    From tears or from the stream .


    I had no idea .


    Water droplets smacked me in the face .


    I looked up .


    Evelyn had trotted a few steps away then shook water all over us .


    She gave me a re .


    Call for me when this touching reunion is over .


    It wont go far .


    Then she disappeared through the trees .


    For a moment , I looked after her in shock .


    A week ago , she would have stayed glued to my side instead of giving me a single second alone with Aurora .


    Id spent years thinking I knew Evelyn .


    Lately , I wondered if I did at all .


    If she had ever allowed me to truly know her .


    Then Auroras soft hand was against my cheek , and every thought of Evelyn fled from my mind .


    Dane , Aurora whispered .


    Her eyes were red and swollen .


    So , she had been crying .


    Hard , from the looks of it .


    It was no wonder .


    The twins were still missing , and shed been taken , too .


    I brushed my thumb along her cheek .


    Are you hurt? Chapter 109 3/5 She shook her head .


    It looked like she was fighting herself over what to say .


    Finally , she said in a rush , I escaped him .


    He doesnt know .


    He has so many wolves , Dane .


    And something .


    else .


    A witch or some other kind of strange spell caster .


    We have to get out of here before hees looking .


    I growled .


    We can leave .


    Right after I kill him .


    No ! she forced me to look at her .


    There are too many .


    Another time .


    Please .


    I just want to go home .


    She took a shaking breath , and her eyes filled with a hope it broke my heart to see .


    Have you found Seraphina and Tristan ? I lowered my eyes and shook my head .


    Not yet .


    She swallowed .


    If the Reeds do have them , we might know soon .


    She reached into her pocket and pulled out her book .


    I was able to read this while he had me .


    Dane , we have to get back .


    The timing … the ceremonies we need to do to find the other two chosen , they have to be performed on a full moon .


    The relic has to be retrieved on a new moon .


    The sky was hidden in this thick valley forest , but I nced up anyway .


    The moon was barely a hint of silver that showed through a thin ce in the canopy .


    The full moon is tomorrow night .


    She nodded .


    And if I know my grandmother , her ultimatum stands .


    Shell want all of this done this month , or shell force me to go home .


    Chapter 109 All right .


    Well make it .


    4/5 But I cant shift , she said with tears in her eyes .


    How can we get there ? Ill slow us down .


    Well make it , I insisted .


    Wevee too far and given up too .


    much to fail now .


    She stroked my face .


    I have to believe you .


    Being with you again makes it feel like thest few days have just been a dream .


    But I have to- She tried to say something else , but only a strangled sound came out .


    She cursed and tried to speak again .


    The same thing happened .


    rm bells went off in my head .


    Stop .


    Dont speak .


    Whatever it is , you can tell me when youve regained your strength .


    She panted and shook her head .


    I cant- She made strangled sounds again .


    Tears fell down her face faster and faster .


    Its okay , I said .


    I pulled her close to me again and kissed the tears from her cheeks .


    We found each other .


    Well get out of here .


    Coleridge will never touch you again .


    I wiped tears from her cheeks with my thumbs .


    Youre mine .


    Not his .


    No matter what hes done , nothing can change that .


    For some reason , that made her cry harder .


    Chapter 109 5/5 Then , in the distance , I heard howling and the sounds of a hunt .


    Evelyn ran back into the clearing .


    Youre going to have to cut this short , she said .


    The Fall Line wolves are out there , and theyre hunting us .