Chapter 126 AURORA My stomach clenched and I looked down at the phone in his hand .


    It was a picture of me .


    At least , the back of me .


    I was walking down the hall , away from a shirtless Holden , who leaned in the doorway of his room .


    That moment felt so long ago now a moment that had happened back when Holden was still my friend .


    Before I knew what depths he would sink to if it meant getting what he wanted .


    I went very still .


    How long have you had this ? A couple of days .


    Danes voice was quiet .


    I nced up and noticed everyone had left the infirmary except the two of us .


    And Evander , of course , who was still unconscious in the bed .


    I fought back the urge tough hysterically .


    I wasnt sure what to say , or what Holdens Alphamands would allow me to say .


    Holden- I tried to let it all out .


    To tell Dane about the ceremony hed forced me through .


    I tried to tell him I was Holdens mate , natural or not , and that I was a Fall Line wolf , Chapter 126 2/5 somehow , even though I had no wolf and technically couldnt belong to a pack like the others could .


    As soon as I started , my throat closed .


    I coughed and had to cover my mouth to keep from gagging .


    Dan idnt reach out tofort me .


    Instead , he watched me .


    I think he meant to be impassive , but I could see emotion buried deep in his eyes .


    Something had happened to him since he left this room .


    Something was wrong .


    And somehow , I was only a small part of it .


    The urge to cough subsided and I swallowed .


    My throat ached .


    I tried again to answer .


    This was the morning after I identally … and your grandfather … I shook my head .


    I didnt want to remember how my actions had killed someone I loved .


    You said you were going to exile me .


    Separate me from the twins .


    Holden … I waited to see if my throat would close , but it didnt .


    He gave me wine .


    I drank it .


    I woke up the next morning in his bed .


    I tried to maintain my cool exterior , but it cracked .


    I wasing apart .


    I dont remember what happened after that .


    Holden imed … He had said , You were incredible .


    Dane slipped his phone into his pocket .


    His entire body had gone tense , and I couldnt help but notice that he seemed to be Chapter 126 3/5 very deliberately not touching me .


    Instead , his arms were folded across his broad , muscr chest .


    A muscle in his jaw worked .


    What did Holden im ? He implied we had been … together .


    Danes eyes filled with rage .


    When I took you to my grandfathers house that day , you said you hadnt been with anyone since me .


    Youd never been with anyone except me .


    Helplessness filled me .


    I dont know what happened .


    At the time , I would have sworn Holden wouldnt hurt me .


    But I know thats not true , now .


    I suppose he might have drugged me .


    Whether he did anything to me while I was drugged , only he could say .


    Why didnt you tell me ? Dane growled .


    The hair on the back of my neck prickled .


    I liked to think I was never in danger from Dane , but right now I wasnt actually sure .


    I was on my way to tell you , but your grandfather had died .


    Holden pulled me into that closet .


    Then … I trailed off .


    After that , hed picked me up like a caveman and carted me off into the woods , to his grandfathers house .


    Then I didnt have room in my mind or my heart to think of anyone but you .


    I wanted to reach out to him so badly .


    I wanted him to take me Chapter 126 4/5 in his arms and to feel thefort of his immense strength .


    I wanted to hear him say he would protect me , and that together we could make this all better .


    But I couldnt take that first step .


    I couldnt reach out to him .


    Not when I was tainted by Holdens grip on me .


    Not when I was touc by shadow .


    Then we came home , I said quietly , And the twins were missing .


    Then Holden took me , and my problems became less about what he might have done to me and more about what he did do .


    Danes expression shifted .


    Maybe it softened , but I couldnt be sure .


    Very quietly , he said .


    What did Holden do when he had you ? I shuddered .


    My eyes burned .


    I wouldnt cry .


    So much of what came between Dane and I was hard to believe .


    So much made me sound like a liar who just wanted to y the victim all the time .


    I wasnt sure what cosmic forces kept bouncing Dane and I off each other like mas who couldnt decide whether they wanted to attract or repel , but I was tired of feeling like their toy .


    Doing my best to hide my trembling , I said , I cant tell you .


    Dane stepped close to me .


    Close enough that I could feel his heat .


    Close enough that I could finally identify the emotion in his eyes .


    Chapter 126 It wasnt soft at all .


    It was a white hot seething rage .


    5/5 Thats not good enough , he growled .


    Tell me what he did to you ! Something tugged on me .


    Not Holdens magic … a different pow Danes power .


    As if he could touch me with his own Alphamands , even though I had no wolf .


    For an instant , it felt like the stranglehold Holdens power had on me loosened , and I could breathe .


    Dane , I half sobbed , He …