Chapter 123 DANE 1/5 Wh … are you trying to tell me , Evelyn ? I asked .


    Id known her for so long .


    Id seen her happy , angry, smug , self righteous , and livid with rage .


    But I had never seen her look … burdened .


    Or tired .


    Or uncertain .


    She looked all of those things now .


    She was always so confident , it felt wrong to see this worn look on her face , instead .


    Instead of answering directly , she rubbed the crescent shaped birthmark on her arm .


    The one that had let me know she was the same girl who got kidnapped with me when we were children .


    Did you see the picture I sent you ? Of Aurora and- I saw it , I said .


    My hands curled into fists .


    My nails turned to ws and pressed into my palms with a sharp , piercing pain .


    I only curled them harder .


    You didnt fly into a rage and throw her out of the pack house , though , Evelyn said .


    I turned on her , and only digging down to the iron core of my control kept me from turning into my lycan form and taking her by the throat .


    Is that why you sent it ? Chapter 123 2/5 Most people would look intimidated if I turned on them like that .


    Evelyn just regarded me with cool blue eyes .


    I think so .


    But she wasntpletely unaffected .


    If she wasnt at least a little afraid , she wouldnt have pressed one of her hands over the swell of her belly .


    I took a breath , forcing the man to take over , forcing the wolf to back down .


    Maybe I did rage .


    Then I took a step back and realized you might be motivated to make her look bad .


    I should have realized it a long time ago .


    You really are on her side now , then ? Evelyn asked .


    She didnt sound angry , just distant and numb .


    Im on the side of the Blue Ridge Pack , I said .


    Im on whatever side keeps us alive through all the shit weve stirred up .


    But you love Aurora , Evelyn said .


    Just stated it t out in an emotionless voice .


    It took eight years , but she finally got what she wanted .


    I didnt respond because I didnt know what to say .


    Whatever I felt , it had nothing to do with Evelyn either way .


    Thats between Aurora and me .


    The real answer was that were on a fucking roller coaster , and I wanted off the ride .


    I wanted to know she was mine , or I wanted to shut down everything we had , finish this thing we were doing with High Alpine , and never see her again .


    Chapter 123 3/5 Except that now , the thought of never seeing her again felt like a knife stabbed into my gut and twisted over and over and over again .


    Whats the point of this , Evelyn ? I growled .


    She ugged .


    Then she stood up from the wall .


    She was still the easy , graceful woman whod attracted me all those years ago .


    Over time shed shown she was selfish , image obsessed , and vain .


    I knew her childhood hadnt been easy , even if I didnt know all the details .


    But neither had Auroras , and she was still loyal , kind , and caring .


    Now , though , when I looked at Evelyn , someone new looked out of her eyes .


    Someone who was changing .


    Not the elegant woman Id fallen for , but not a shallow shell of a person , either .


    Why did you send that picture , Evelyn ? I asked again .


    Her smile held no humor .


    I think its time the women in your life stopped keeping secrets from you .


    She put a hand on her belly again and turned to walk She hadnt gone three steps when she paused , looked over her away .


    shoulder and said , Dane , do you remember when you were kidnapped by the Reeds as a child ? Slowly , I nodded .


    Images shed through my brain .


    Dark shadows I still had to fight to keep at bay , even as a grown man Chapter 123 20 yearster .


    Yes .


    Evelyn gave me a meaningful look .


    One I wasnt sure how to read .


    Then she said , I dont .


    I stared at her .


    My brain turned over her words .


    4/5 Once you figure out what I mean , she said , and one you follow those thoughts to their natural conclusion , I only ask you to give me the same consideration youre giying Aurora over that picture .


    If not because you love me anymore , then because weve spent so many years of our lives together .


    Dont rage .


    Dont kill me .


    If you want to talk , Ill talk .


    Then she turned and started to leave again .


    Only then did I fully realize what she meant .


    Do you remember when you were kidnapped by the Reeds as a child ? Yes .


    I dont .


    And then , I think its time the women in your life stopped keeping secrets from you .


    1 felt the entire story of my life for thest eight years every moment with her , every touch , every time shed made eyes and run her fingers over that damned crescent birth mark rewrite itself in my mind .


    Chapter 123 Evelyn had lied .


    It was all a fucking lie .


    And then … I remembered .