Chapter 167 DANE The Namelesss presence was suffocating , even though it wasnt physically in the room .
It rarely needed to be .
There was no use of its physical presence .
Its voice was within me , a heavy , chilling whisper in my mind , wrapping around my thoughts and sinking its ws into my head until they felt like my own .
Youre wasting time , its chilling whispers echoed in my head once again .
A gnawing reminder that I had lost myself , I had lost my mind .
I ground my teeth as I paced the cold stone floor of the ruined castle .
The hell hole I am now confined in .
The dark wolves prowled around me , their silent forms .
flickering with dark energy , they reacted to my every move … as if I think they hear my thoughts .
They were restless as if they knew a war were waging inside of me They were mine or so I thought .
But when the Nameless spoke , I could feel their attention shift Chapter 167 2/7 also , their loyalty bending toward it like leaves reaching for the sun .
Or that this time it seemed to be the moon ? I need more time , I said out loud , my voice sharp , cutting through the dark silent air .
The darkness writhed but didnt retreat .
Time for what ? To fail again ? it asked .
My fists clenched .
The memory of Auroras touch , her scent , her voice calling me by name , it was all still there , buried under the darkness but refusing to disappear .
It wasnt supposed to linger .
It wasnt supposed to matter .
But it did .
Shes more powerful than you expected , I said , forcing my voice to stay steady .
She has allies , defenses I havent seen before .
If you want her pack , if you want the relic , we need to approach this differently .
Differently ? Or are you growing soft ? he asked .
The words hit like a punch and for a moment , I didnt respond .
My wolf growled low in my mind , restless and angry .
Not at me , Chapter 167 but at the Nameless .
You hesitate because of her .
I can feel it .
You think theres 3/7 something worth saving , dont you ? Some part of you still clings to her .
I do as youmand , I growled through gritted teeth .
Always .
The Namelessughed , a sound like the creaking of ice before it broke .
Loyalty is meaningless if its divided .
Prove yourself .
Sacrifice the wolves .
Show me youre mine .
I froze .
Sacrifice them ? The darkness paused their restless movements , as though they , too , were listening .
Their existence is tied to my power , not yours .
Theyre expendable .
I want you to destroy them and their connection to me .
Show me youre willing to sever what binds you to anything but me .
My wolf snapped and snarled , its fury echoing through my chest .
The dark wolves around me growled low , their golden eyes glowing with something I couldnt name .
Defiance ? 4/7 Chapter 167 Loyalty ? No.
I said before I could stop myself .
The Namelesss presence sharpened , like a de pressing against my mind .
What did you say ? I cant , I repeated , forcing the words out .
Theyre a part of me .
A part of what youve made me .
Then prove theyre yours and not mine .
Command them to attack her .
The image of Aurora shed in my mind , her eyes , her voice , the way she had melted against me in that kiss , only to slip away like water through my fingers .
I will im her … I mean her pack and the relic , I struggled , my voice shaky .
But I will not waste resources when theyre more useful alive than destroyed .
The Nameless was silent for a moment , but the pressure in my mind didnt ease .
Perhaps youre right .
Or perhaps youre a coward .
Either way , do not fail me again .
Its presence retreated , but the weight of its words lingered .
The dark wolves shifted uneasily , their forms flickering as though waiting for mymand .
Chapter 167 5/7 Youre mine , I said to them , my voice low but resolute .
Not his .
Do you understand ? Thergest of them stepped forward , its golden eyes meeting mine .
It didnt speak , none of them did , but the way it bowed its head felt like an answer .
Mine .
For the first time in a long while , something inside me felt … steady .
But it didntst .
Auroras face haunted me .
The way she had looked at me , touched me , kissed me , it was all Wrong .
I should have been disgusted , should have hated her for her defiance , her stubborn hope .
Instead , I found myself remembering what it was like to be the man she saw in me .
The man I used to be .
The memory was faint , like a darkness on the edge of my mind , but it was there .
Chapter 167 6/7 A shimmer , something bright and warm , something that didnt belong in the darkness I had be .
I turned away from the wolves and strode toward the castles broken balcony .
The wind was sharp and cold , cutting through the night like a knife .
Below , the snow covered mountains stretched endlessly , a vast and empty expanse that mirrored the hollowness inside me .
I pressed my hands against the stone railing , my ws digging into the weathered surface .
If the Nameless wanted proof of my loyalty , it would get it .
I would take Auroras pack , her relic , and anything else it demanded .
But deep down , just where the darkness couldnt reach , I knew the truth .
I wasnt just fighting for the Nameless anymore .
I was fighting for myself .
And maybe , just maybe ….
for her .
Maybe for Aurora … I want to see her again , I want a chance to be close to her , to finally im her and make her mine … I miss her so much , this distance is killing me slowly .
Chapter 167 7/7 The dark wolves gathered behind me , their presence a silent reminder of the choice I hadnt made .
Not yet .
I closed my eyes , and I let myself remember for a moment .
Then I turned back my expression hard and unyielding .
Prepare yourselves , I said , my voice cold andmanding .
The next attack begins at dawn .