Chapter 199 DANE The air in the Namelesss fortress is thick with malice , clinging to my skin like a secondyer .


    Every breath burns , the oppressive weight of dark energy seeping into my bones .


    My body aches from the strain , the wounds on my side pulsing with a steady rhythm that reminds me just how close Ivee to breaking .


    But something is different tonight .


    The shadows are uneasy , moving strangely , like theyre sharing secrets .


    I press against the cold , rough wall of my cell , muscles tight .


    Thats when I noticed it : a soft light in the darkness , a shape hard to see among the shadows .


    At first , I thought it was one of the Namelesss creatures , a miserable servant trying to hurt me .


    But then it speaks , its voice low , rough , and unsure .


    You … are not like them .


    I stop moving , my heart pounding in my chest .


    Whos there ? The figure steps closer , its shape bing clearer .


    Its a Chapter 199 is pressed against the cold stone as footsteps sound nearby .


    Keep moving , it whispers , its voice very soft .


    3/6 I force myself to keep moving , ignoring the sharp pain in my side .


    Once , we almost got caught .


    A guard turns a corner just as I sneak by .


    The creature covers me , its dark shape surrounding me like a cloak .


    The guard stops , its empty eyes looking down the hallway , before moving on .


    That was close , I say quietly , my breath shaky .


    Too close , it answers , sounding a bit frustrated .


    Sometimes , I must make decisions on the spur of the moment- to duck into a side passage , to leap over a breaking ledge , or to dash across some open space .


    Each choice appears as if it could be myst , but we press on .


    Atst , wee to a narrow tunnel with a faint breeze of fresh air blowing through .


    This leads outside , the creature says .


    Once youre free , I can do no more .


    I hesitate , turning to face it .


    Why are you helping me ? Its form shifts , almost shrinking .


    Perhaps because I hope you will end him .


    Perhaps because I tire of being a prisoner to his will .


    Chapter 199 Before I can respond , it fades into the shadows , leaving me alone .


    4/6 I go slowly through the tunnel , having a hard time walking .


    Finally stepping out into the cool night air , I fall onto the wet ground , heaving breaths as I feel relief .


    But I cant rest for long .


    The trip back to Broken Ridge is one of agony and willpower .


    The farther I move toward the edge of our packsnds , the less my body functions .


    My sight is dizzy , and with every step I make , my legs feel weak .


    Finally , walking into the middle of the packs home is a blur of noise and chaos .


    Someone get Aurora ! a voice yells .


    I fall to my knees , struggling to keep my head up as the wolves close in around me .


    Their faces blur , most wary , a few shocked .


    Then I see her .


    Aurora elbows her way forward , eyes huge with disbelieving shock .


    Dane ? she whispers , shaking .


    I try to smile a little before she kneels in front of me , putting her hands on my shoulders .


    Tears flow down her face as she hugs me tightly .


    I thought I lost you , she says with difficulty .


    You almost did , I say quietly , my voice rough .


    But Im here .


    now .


    I can feel her relief , but not everyone feels the same .


    Chapter 199 He shouldnt be here , someone whispers .


    What if hes beenpromised ? another voice says .


    5/6 The tension is immediate .


    Aurora stands , her gaze sharp as she faces the murmuring crowd .


    Hes one of us , she says firmly .


    And he just risked his life to return .


    That doesnt mean hes safe , a wolf argues , his tone harsh .


    We dont know what the Nameless might have done to him .


    Enough ! Aurora snaps , her voice cutting through the dissent .


    Dane has given everything for this pack .


    If anyone doubts him , they can take it up with me .


    The crowd quiets , though unease lingers in the air .


    Aurora helps me to my feet , and her touch is gentle .


    Come on , she says softly .


    Lets get you looked at .


    As Im tended to , I recount what Ive learned about the Namelesss ns .


    Aurora listens intently , her expression .


    growing darker with every word .


    If hes nning an attack on the eastern borders , she says , we need to act fast .


    We will , I assure her .


    But we have to be careful .


    Hes expecting us to respond .


    Chapter 199 6/6 Her eyes look into mine , and for a moment , all the stress disappears .


    Youre home , she says softly .


    Home , I repeat , the word feels strange but nice .


    At the same time , Trajan wakes up in another area of the settlement .


    The healer has helped him get rid of the Namelesss mark , or it looks that way .


    He sits up , moving slowly but surely .


    The groupes closer , showing relief on their faces .


    But something doesnt feel right .


    Unseen by anyone , a flicker of shadow dances in his eyes , vanishing as quickly as it appears .


    He smiles , a gesture meant to reassure but the edges of the smile were too sharp , too cold .


    Im back , he says , his voice smooth .


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