Chapter 138 DANE There was a long moment of silence from Waylon Reed .


    Then he said , Fine .


    But remember , I have this ce surrounded , which means even though that big wolf is holding those children , they are in my power .


    He released me .


    The skin of my neck stung and burned from where hed pressed the silver dagger into my neck .


    Hed been forcing it back so hard , the muscles ached .


    Breathing had been hard , so I inhaled deeply .


    The lycan holding Aurora let her go , and she fell to her knees and crawled the few feet to me .


    The wolves holding my arms released me , and I wrapped them around her .


    Maybe I should have refused this .


    It would have been easier on all of us to get it over with , like ripping off a band aid .


    But there were things I had to tell Aurora .


    Words I needed her to hear before I left this world forever .


    Chapter 138 Words Id like to say to my children if I got the chance .


    Aurora rose and pulled me to my feet .


    Broken Forest wolves moved out of her way as she led me toward the woods .


    2/5 Where do you think youre going ? Esther Reeds shrill voice cut through the night .


    Aurora looked to the sky .


    We have half an hour before the moon is fully at its peak .


    Im taking 25 minutes .


    Not one second longer , Waylon growled , Or you will return to find your childrens blood spilled to feed the stone .


    Her hand clutched convulsively in mine , and she looked toward the cluster of Blue Ridge wolves on the other side of the massive stone .


    The kids werent visible , but from the minds of my wolves , I knew they were standing in a circle around them with Trajan at the center .


    If Waylon Reed wanted to spill the blood of my children , hed have to make it through half of my pack and Auroras massive bodyguard first .


    It felt wrong to take this moment .


    Wrong to walk away .


    But a night that was supposed to be my greatest triumph had suddenly be myst night on earth .


    Not one second longer , I growled .


    And remember this , Reed .


    If you kill them , you lose the only thing you have that is stopping me from killing you .


    Chapter 138 3/5 Aurora led me into the woods , to a space by a stream beneath the overhanging branches of a willow tree .


    I sharpened my senses , scanning for Reeds spies .


    I scented wolves prowling , but it was faint .


    Fo : the moment , we had at least a sliver of privacy .


    As soon as we were alone , she threw herself into my arms .


    Dane , Im so sorry .


    This is all my fault .


    I didnt see the missing page .


    I didnt know .


    I pulled her close .


    Shh .


    It doesnt matter .


    I dont want to waste the time we have .


    Her head fell against my chest , and I cradled it there , burying my fingers in the soft , silken strands of her pale hair .


    I leaned my head against the top of her head and breathed her in .


    She still smelled like lcs , just like the first time Id met her .


    Goddess damn me , we could have had so many years together .


    We should have .


    Instead , our past was eight years riddled with loneliness , and we had no future at all .


    As if she could sense my thoughts , she squeezed her arms around me .


    But I didnt want to spend this whole time wallowing in regrets .


    I put my fingers beneath her chin and tilted her head up , forcing her to look at me .


    There are things to say before I go .


    Chapter 138 4/5 Go ? sheughed bitterly , Go .


    Like youre running to Anta for work or headed to the store for groceries .


    Youre not rum an errand , Dane , youre about to- She blinked rapidly and tried to pull away so she could escape myves .


    I wouldnt let her .


    Die .


    I finished the sentence for her .


    Im about to die , you stubborn woman , and I have things to say before I do .


    The least you can do is hear me out .


    Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes .


    I smoothed them from her cheeks with my thumb .


    Can you do that for me ? I dont know , Dane .


    Im afraid of what youre going to say .


    Youre afraid ? She swallowed , then nodded .


    Theres something I want to hear from you , but as much as I want to hear it , I fear it .


    Because whats it worth , knowing that someone- her breath caught , knowing how they feel , if they just die right after .


    Then I know how you felt , but we never have a chance to actually do anything about it , and all Im left with is the memory of your words and the hollow dreams of what could have been .


    I understand , I said , my voice rough .


    I released her .


    But as soon as I did , she grabbed my wrists .


    No.


    Goddess , Im so selfish .


    Im sorry .


    Say it .


    Please .


    What do you want to tell me ?