Chapter 127 AURORA Just as fast as Dane had somehow loosened Holdens power , it slipped and snapped down again .


    I felt like I was choking .


    1177 I put hands to my throat , tears burning behind my eyes .


    But they werent tears of sadness or fear .


    They were tears of rage .


    A fury just as hot as Danes .


    Stop .


    Danes hands wrapped around my wrists in an iron grip , and he looked down into my eyes .


    What is going on here ? What happened to you ? Let him see it , somehow , I begged .


    I dont know if I was asking the goddess or the universe , but I would have asked any power that would listen .


    See whats wrong with me , Dane .


    See what he did .


    Help me get free or send me away so I cant hurt you while Im under his control .


    But some of the fire had gone out of his eyes .


    There was still anger , but it was directed at me .


    For me , there was only pity .


    Goddess , I hated being pitied .


    Its still difficult for you , Dane said .


    I understand .


    Its only been a couple of days .


    But you havente to me .


    You never Chapter 127 told me about sleeping with him before … Because Im not sure I did .


    I dont think I believe him .


    2/5 The muscles of Danes jaw clenched again .


    He stepped close to me and lowered his head so his nose nuzzled my cheek .


    Then he inha deeply , his cheek brushing against mine .


    I closed my eyes and dared to lean against him , just a little .


    I missed him touching me .


    I missed his warmth , his strength , his scent .


    I missed feeling whole when his skin came into contact with mine .


    Wed only had one night together since I came back .


    One night before everything went to hell .


    Goddess , Id sell my soul for one more .


    Just one .


    To feel his hands on me , feel him move inside me , to see him over me and know in my soul and in my bones I was safe , and I was where I was supposed to be .


    Dane held the back of my head gently and inhaled again .


    There was so much longing in the way he held me , but carefulness , as well .


    Like he was afraid if he moved wrong I might spook , or break .


    There was no way for me to tell him that I was afraid of being the one to break him .


    Hurt him , when I desperately didnt want to .


    You dont smell like him , Dane whispered .


    I want to believe if he touched you , I would know .


    If you were my mate … my pack … Chapter 127 3/5 Im not , I said quickly .


    I didnt even know what would happen if Dane tried a simr ceremony to the one Holden had done or the one that had bound us years ago .


    Part of me hoped something like that would ovee what Holden had done .


    Another part worried Id be crushed or torn to pieces by the magic .


    At my abrupt words , Dane pulled back from me .


    I know you arent .


    I couldnt help it : I reached for him .


    It was an involuntary reaction , like a flower turning toward the sun as it traveled across the sky .


    Dont pull away .


    I felt the bonds of Holdens magic shift .


    If Dane asked me to be with him , Id have to say yes .


    Id have to say yes because Holden hadmanded me to say yes .


    If he wants to fuck you … do it and think of me .


    We cant let our little secret get out , can we ? Hed taken the one thing I could find sce in and turned it into something that felt viting , and I hated him for it .


    I hated him for so many things .


    Dane paused .


    I thought you wanted space .


    I wanted Dane .


    But to save him , I had to push him away .


    I could only shake my head .


    Goddess damn it , Aurora .


    Show me what you want .


    Chapter 127 4/5 Danes words resonated with power .


    Again , I felt the cor of Holdensmands loosen , and for a moment , I had my free will back .


    In this moment , if I kissed Dane , it was me , not Holdens control .


    So I shifted forward , threw my arms around his neck , and kissed .


    hime it was thest time .


    Because it might be .


    I want you , I whispered desperately .


    I want you , but Im afraid Im a danger to you , Dane , and I cant stand that .


    I cant be around you if I might cause you harm .


    That was it .


    The magic still stopped me from telling him anything else , but I could say this .


    Danes hands were at my hips .


    He pulled me against him , rough and demanding , but not in a way that hurt .


    Just in a way that made it abundantly clear how much he wanted me .


    He dropped his forehead against mine .


    I am not afraid of your darkness .


    Im not afraid of the shadows the Reeds cast on your childhood .


    I still want you , Aurora .


    As he did , Holdens voice sounded in my mind .


    What are you doing , darling ? I can feel you messing with my magic .


    What a shame .


    It seems like you need to be punished .