Chapter 197 1/6 AURORA Holden stood before me in the gloom of the packs war room , his features shaded but those razor eyes with unchanging determination .


    An unruly presence , the unsettling marriage of calm and vtility that didnt allowplete trust .


    But the options were few and desperation is known to blur judgment .


    I crossed my arms over my chest , while a storm started inside me ; my eyes were unyielding .


    What is it that you want , Holden ? What is this really about ? He lifted an eyebrow ; the trace of a smile danced upon his lips .


    Straight to the point I like that in you , Aurora .


    Dont tter me , I snapped .


    Youre not here out of the goodness of your heart .


    So either tell me the truth or leave .


    Holden chuckled .


    There was no humor in the sound .


    He leaned closer , his carriage loose but his eyes aze .


    Very well .


    The truth , then .


    I tensed , my eyes focused on him .


    He leaned against the edge of the table , his fingers tracing the wood grain absent mindedly , as if he collected his thoughts .


    Chapter 197 2/6 I was once a priest of the Moon Goddess , he said in a low tone , steady .


    I served her , faithful to every utterance , devoted my life to her teachings , and she blessed my family and me with her light .


    I scowled , taken aback by his words .


    You ? A priest ? He nodded , something pain ? Regret ? -shing across his face .


    Yes .


    My faith was everything in my life .


    But faith does not save you from cruelty .


    Holdens eyes fell to the floor , and for the first time , his confident figure finally cracked .


    Taken , my family was taken from me my wife , my daughter .


    ughtered by raiders , while i was off praying in the temple My breath caught in my throat at the raw emotion in his tone .


    Against my will , a sign of pity turned within me .


    Holden … He shook his head and cut me off .


    Save your pity .


    Its toote for that .


    When I found their bodies … I begged the Moon Goddess for justice .


    I prayed for vengeance .


    But all I got was silence .


    His hand had bunched into a fist , his knuckles going white .


    Thats when the Nameless came to me .


    He offered me power , a chance to strike back at those who had taken everything from Chapter 197 3/6 me .


    And I took it .


    The room felt colder , the weight of his words settling heavy between us .


    So you turned your back upon the goddess ? I asked softly .


    He jerked his head high , his eyes filled with pain and agony .


    I did .


    And at first I enjoyed the power the Nameless gave to me .


    But everything is bought , Aurora even the good things .


    And the Nameless name came at the cost of my soul .


    Holden pushed off the table , pacing slowly .


    I thought I could control it , that I could use his power and still hold on to who I was .


    But the more I served him , the more I realized … the Nameless doesnt just take your soul .


    He twists it , warps it into something unrecognizable .


    I swallowed hard as his words struck a chord of fear within me .


    And now ? Now , I see the truth , Holden said , stopping and pivoting to face me .


    The Nameless isnt a savior .


    Hes a destroyer .


    And hell destroy you , too , if you let him .


    Why help me , then ? I asked , narrowing my eyes .


    Whats in it for you ? Finally , Holdens expression loosened , and for the first time , he seemed almost fragile .


    Chapter 197 4/6 Because I want to recover what I lost .


    My faith .


    My humanity .


    If I can help you defeat the Nameless , perhaps the Moon Goddess will forgive me .


    I stared at him , the weight of his confession sinking in .


    There was truth in his words ; I could feel it .


    But trusting him … that was another matter .


    And if I agree to your deal ? I asked hesitantly .


    What then ? Holden stepped closer , his tone unrelenting .


    Ill give you everything you need to stop him .


    Information , resources , whatever is within my power .


    But in return … you help me find my way back to the light .


    The silence that followed was deafening .


    I studied him , searching for any hint of deception .


    But all I saw was a broken man , desperate for redemption .


    Ill agree , I said finally, my voice firm .


    But betray me , Holden , and Ill kill you myself .


    A flicker of a smile returned to his lips .


    Fair enough .


    The packs reaction to my decision was immediate and intense .


    You cant be serious , Aurora , Piper said , her tone slicing .


    After everything hes done ? How can you trust him ? I dont trust him , I returned calmly .


    But he is our best chance right now .


    We do not have the luxury of turning away help , not Chapter 197 matter whence ites .


    5/6 Evander shook his head , still recovering from the mark .


    This is ill advised .


    We dont know what his true intentions are .


    Neither do I , I said , but my eyes scanned the group .


    But were running out of options .


    And if we dont take action soon , we are going to lose everything that matters .


    Trajans voice cut through the tension , icy and bitter in my mind .


    through the pack bond .


    Youre making a mistake .


    I told him then Im doing what I have to , I replied low and level .


    And me ? Trajan asked hotly .


    Still here , still fighting for this pack , still in captivity .


    And this is the thanks I get ? You align yourself with someone like him ? Trajan … I tried saying , but he was cover .


    No , Aurora , he growled , shaking in his rage .


    You have strayed .


    I believed in you ; I trusted you to guide us .


    But now .


    now , I dont know anything more .


    Her words cut a lot deeper than I ever imagined they would , and for a moment , I didnt know what to say .


    The bond that used to be the most unbreakable between them .


    was now so weak and fragile .


    Im doing this for all of us , I finally said , my voice little more Chapter 197 than a whisper .


    6/6 Then for our sakes , Trajan rejoined , the merest hint of bitter tinge in his voice .


    The bond between us snapped , and there was a chasm .


    Later in the night , under the only sky , I was standing atop the ridge .


    The night breeze danced across my skin as I looked inside the forest .


    A lot happened that day , and yet I made myself strong .


    The reminder of how fragile it was between us still echoed in my mind .


    I couldnt trust him , yet neither could I refuse the conviction swimming in his eyes .


    He too , was desperate just like me .


    In the moonlight that bathed thendscape with its ethereal glow , I closed my eyes and sent a silent prayer to the goddess above .


    Please , I whispered , guide me .