Chapter 128 AURORA I went stiff in Danes arms , but he wasnt having it .


    Look at me .


    He tilted my face up to his .


    Ive got you .


    I will never ask you to be with me if you dont want to .


    But if you do ….


    you choose .


    You choose .


    Danes words echoed through my soul , giving me freedom .


    Holdens magic was trying to close over me again , I could feel it .


    And I could still feel themands in ce that prevented me from speaking to Dane or anyone else about being bonded to Holden .


    But for this moment , without knowing it , Dane seemed to have loosened my tormentors hold on me and given me my choice back .


    I didnt think it wouldst , and I didnt understand how he had done it .


    Maybe he was just a stronger Alpha .


    Maybe this was part of the gift the goddess had given him .


    Or maybe theres more .


    A deeper connection .


    Something that binds you to him beyond magic , beyond time , beyond suffering … Chapter 128 2/5 The thought came to me out of nowhere .


    I brushed it aside .


    If I examined it too closely … There was some hope that was too painful to hold on to , even for me .


    But there was a problem .


    Because even with my freedom , I couldnt be with Dane .


    I was still under Holdens control , and there were still the shadows .


    So , even though I could choose , even though in this moment , I was free , I had to do the hardest thing I had ever done .


    I put my hands on either side of Danes face , and I kissed him slowly .


    His fingers tightened on my hips once again .


    His lips were soft against mine .


    Seeking .


    Soothing .


    Goddess , I wanted nothing more than for him to take me to his bed andy me down and heal everything broken inside me with those lips .


    With his unbreakable strength and his iron will and the gentleness that made me ache in ces I thought for so long would never ache again .


    But he hadnt just somehow given me the freedom to say yes to him , hed somehow also given me the freedom to say no .


    I held back the tears as I pulled back from him .


    I hated breaking the contact between our lips .


    I hated every iota of space between us as I leaned away and looked up at him through my I hated the breath I inhaled as I said , I want you , Dane .


    But Ishes .


    cant take this risk .


    We cant do this .


    Chapter 128 3/5 His eyes shed gold .


    The wolf , waiting and dangerous .


    Cant we ? You said the choice was mine .


    I didnt expect you to choose something you didnt want .


    I want you safe .


    I want our children back .


    Those are the only things that matter .


    No.


    This matters .


    We matter .


    I know you feel it to .


    Its like Im half fucking empty when Im without you .


    I looked away .


    I did feel it , but it wouldnt help either of us to admit that .


    I gathered every bit of willpower I had and forced myself to step away from him .


    I looked around , almost surprised to remember we were still in the infirmary .


    I still stood next to Evanders bed , and he still slept his deep , healing sleep .


    There has to be distance , I said .


    Until we get everything figured out .


    Danes fists clenched , but I knew my Alpha .


    He would be true to his word , no matter how angry he was about it .


    This is wrong , he said .


    How can I protect you if youre so damn worried about protecting me ? I couldnt even speak , so I just shook my head .


    Fine , he growled .


    I believe you dont know what happened Chapter 128 with Coleridge .


    If something did happen , I believe it was 4/5 because of him .


    He met my gaze .


    I still trust you , Aurora .


    Even if I seem to have every reason in this world not to .


    Then he muttered , You , or any other woman .


    Other woman ? I asked .


    It was Danes turn to shake his head .


    You were trying to tell me something earlier .


    What was it .


    I gasped as I remembered Evanders warning before he fell unconscious .


    The Reeds have the twins .


    Evander said so .


    He tried to say more , but he was dying .


    Dane nced at Evanders unconscious form .


    You saved him .


    I … think so .


    13 And your magic woke Piper up .


    I dont know , Dane .


    It jumped on its own .


    I cant guarantee that was me and not … something else .


    It was you .


    Despite what happened to my grandfather .


    Why did he die , and Evander and Piper live ? Something made me raise my hand to my throat , to the pearl pendant that had always been with my strange book .


    I hadnt been wearing it when my powers sapped Connall .


    But I had been wearing it today .


    Id always felt drawn to it .


    Chapter 128 Was it the reason ? Did it do something to … purify my magic ? 5/5 Dane shook his head , as if he wasnt really expecting an answer from me .


    The Reeds have our children .


    The new moon ising .


    If they want to use their blood my blood we know where theyll be .


    Where the relic is , I said .


    Yes .


    Where the relic is .


    Which means Im going to spend the time we have left making sure that no single Reed walks out of that ravine alive .


    That startled me .


    But the Council … their ruling on bloodshed .


    Danes eyes were cold as ice .


    I dont care anymore .


    They started this .


    Im going to end it .


    Let there be war .