Chapter 111 1/5 AURORA My hand skittered away from the knife .


    Whats going on , Aurora my love ? Holdens voice purred into ny mind through the cursed bond he had forced on me .


    My scouts said hes gotten you almost all the way back to Blue Ridge .


    He moves fast .


    I am not your love , I snapped .


    I hated hearing Holdens voice in my head when Danes hands were the ones stroking up and down my arms .


    When Dane was the warm body I leaned against for strength .


    When Dane was the one I loved .


    I couldnt deny it .


    Not anymore .


    I had pretended for years that my feelings for him had drifted away .


    But the moment Holden had forced me into the bond with him , I knew my love for Dane had never died , and I didnt think it ever could .


    You went tense .


    Danes voice rumbled through his chest .


    I felt it vibrate against my back .


    Whats wrong ? You are mine , Holden growled into my head .


    If you dont love me yet , you will .


    We have eternity , after all .


    Youll never be free of me .


    Chapter 111 2/5 Well see about that , I shot back .


    Ive suffered more than you can dream , you spoiled Alpha prince .


    I will find a way .


    Mm … I love it when you challenge me , Holden said .


    Then he pulled back from the connection , leaving me alone with Dane agm .


    Thank goodness he couldnt read my mind .


    He could hear thoughts I sent directly to him , and he could generally tell where Twas and sense my emotional state , just like I could for him .


    But we couldnt read each others minds .


    I let my head fall against Dane and swallowed yet more tears .


    I refused to lie to him if I could help it , but I couldnt breathe a word of the truth , either , or Holdens Alpha magic would choke me and sear through my nerves .


    Weve been through hell , I said .


    I cant … I just want to stand here for a moment and be with you .


    Dane put his arms around me , cradling me close like I was precious to him .


    Like I was his treasure .


    I fought against the tide of emotion that rose inside me and demanded that I push him away .


    Yes , it was too much .


    Yes , I was dangerous to him .


    But not yet .


    Holden wanted us to perform the ceremonies first .


    I had a feeling he would wait to get me to kill Dane until the moment we took the relic .


    That was when Holden would want me to turn on him .


    That would be the moment Holden would try Chapter 111 to steal Danes power .


    His pack .


    His life .


    Danes fingers found my chin , and he tilted my face up to his .


    What did he do to you ? Dane asked again .


    3/5 Answers buzzed in my brain , but my tongue felt swollen and useless in my mouth .


    I couldnt force myself to speak anything like the truth , so I looked away .


    Theres nothing to tell .


    Now Danes body went tense .


    His fingers tightened on my chin , forcing me to look at him again .


    Aurora .


    Did he … I swallowed .


    I knew what Dane was asking .


    The answer was no , technically speaking .


    Holden had hardly made physical contact with me at all .


    But in spirit ? In mind ? Yes .


    Hed vited me .


    Taken away my choice .


    He was taking away my choices , even now .


    Danes fingers were gentle on my face .


    You can tell me or not tell me anything you want .


    Im here for you .


    Youd kill him if you knew , I said .


    Then I flinched , waiting for the strangling sensation .


    None came .


    Apparently , talking around what Holden had done didnt hurt if I kept it vague enough .


    Because Dane would kill Holden if he knew .


    Then hed find a way to bring him back from the dead and kill him again and again and again .


    Dane was a man who considered every move he made .


    He was a man of control .


    But when you evoked his rage , there was nothing Chapter 111 anyone could do to save you .


    I would know .


    He had hated me for so many years .


    4/5 Aurora … Dane stroked my cheek .


    His head bent to mine .


    Hist lip hovered inches away .


    His scent wrapped around me like hist arms , familiar and safe .


    The memory of Holdens words hit me .


    If he wants to kiss you , by all means , give him a kiss .


    Bile rose in my throat .


    How could someone turn something I so desperately wanted to do into something that sickened me ? I couldnt help it .


    I tried to turn my head .


    But Holden was a powerful Alpha second only to Dane in this part of the world .


    His magic wrapped around me ,pelling me to go still .


    So , I wentpletely , utterly still .


    Thats when it dawned on me .


    Holdens magic said I had to let Dane kiss me .


    It couldnt force me to kiss him back .


    He said I had to stay as close to Dane as I would if I was under my own power .


    But if Dane rejected me , Id have to stay away from him , even if I was in control .


    Then my tears did start again .


    Because I knew how I could save Danc .


    Chapter 111 I had to make him hate me all over again .


    5/5 Even if it shattered my heart and took away any chance of me being happy … ever .