Chapter 113 AURORA Once again , the moon was rising .


    I was surrounded by 100 wolves .


    I stood on the grass of the Blue Ridge pack house in my bare feet , my face upturned .


    It wasnt summer this time , but the edge of autumn .


    The air smelled like dry leaves and damp earth and the breeze was cool .


    But likest time , the sky was clear .


    It was perfect for calling on the goddess .


    The wolves of Blue Ridge were in ce for the second and third ceremonies , which had been rolled into onerger one that would determine the identities of the goddesss final two chosen .


    Dane stood in the same special ce in the circle asst time -a ce where he could raise and concentrate the power the goddess gave her Alphas .


    I met his eyes .


    I think both of us were trying not to remember thest time , and what had happened after .


    How his grandfather had been attacked by shadow spirits .


    To ensure that didnt happen again , we had contacted two witches that worked with Blue Ridge in the past .


    They worked all day , cing protections around the grounds closest to the pack house .


    Chapter 113 2/5 I wasnt sure what they could do against the darkness we battled , but at least this time we were trying .


    We also had wolves looking out , keeping an eye to see if any strange magic began happening anywhere on Blue Ridgend .


    Just likest time , when the moon climbed to its highest point , I signaled the wolves .


    All around me , torches lit.


    When every single one held a me , I raised my arms and called on the goddess .


    The first time wed held this ceremony , I had hoped and prayed I would be chosen , and that in choosing me , the goddess would return my wolf to me .


    I didnt pray for that anymore .


    I didnt even want it .


    With my wolf , I could only imagine that Holdens control over me would grow stronger .


    Wolves were always eager to obey their Alphas .


    And what if she epted him as a mate ? Revulsion rolled through my body .


    I wouldnt be able to stand that .


    Id rather be wolfless than have to deal with a wolf who was willingly mated to a man like Holden .


    I spoke the words in the ancientnguage , and they resounded in my heart .


    While I was chanting , I felt something … catch .


    Something that hadntst time.


    Magic that sparked down by my toes and climbed slowly , as if I were sinking into warm water .


    Chapter 113 Goddess … is it you ? 3/5 She didnt answer .


    Not exactly .


    But I felt the wind stir , like a soft kiss on my cheek .


    I remembered a dream .


    Id had so many , and most of them were nightmares .


    But this one … I felt … cradled .


    Held , as if in a loving mothers arms .


    A feeling I had only ever touched in dreams , like a wisp of a fragment of an ancient memory .


    A new voice whispered in my ear .


    It was so faint , at first it sounded like someone impossibly far away .


    Then I heard the whisper again , and realized it wasnt far .


    It was close by .


    Right next to my ear .


    But so quiet that even that close , I could barely make it out .


    Aurora … mine … forget … Except I could hear the words more clearly now .


    Aurora , you are mine .


    Do not forget .


    Do not go sweetly into the dark ! The voice was so clear , and yet so clearly in my mind , I almost faltered .


    I almost lost my ce .


    I looked to Dane .


    Just likest time , it looked like he stood right under the moon .


    Chapter 113 4/5 Except … it was more than an illusion .


    He was glowing .


    His face .


    was lifted to the sky , and iridescent white , blue , and purplet mes seemed to leap around his body .


    My voice rose with the chant , almost like a song that someone else sang with my voice .


    I reached thest line .


    The torchest flickered .


    Their light changed to ghostly blue and silver .


    The moon gave two bright shes of light that lit the sky .


    Motes of moonlight rained down like glittering silver snow .


    I closed my eyes and reached for the sky .


    Last time , I had been so certain .


    I had been arrogant .


    This time , all I wanted were the right people .


    The wolves who could solve this problem .


    Who could help us unearth the relic and find my children .


    Everyone gasped .


    I opened my eyes .


    The motes had coalesced into something like a waterfall of light .


    It fell from the sky , lighting the chosen with power .


    Lighting me .


    And lighting Dane .


    I pressed my hand to my mouth and almostughed .


    Chapter 113 It was me .


    For once , it was me .


    5/5 The Blue Ridge wolves were looking from me to Dane .


    Evelyn stood off to one side .


    Her expression was nk .


    Dane walked toward me .


    The wolves parted to make way for him to join me in the center of the circle .


    The final two .


    The priestess and the knight … I didnt know what whispered those words .


    Maybe the wind .


    Maybe they were in my mind .


    Dane joined me .


    He took my hand .


    Softly , he kissed my knuckles .


    I knew it would be us .


    As did we , called a new voice .


    As one , the Blue Ridge wolves turned to look at the edge of the circle , where twelve strange women stood .


    They all wore their lycan forms .


    Then they stalked toward Dane and I as if they were ready to kill .