Chapter 200 AURORA Trajans smile sends a shiver down my spine .
Something about it feels off , though I just cant ce why ..
The pack surrounds him , cheering , relieved at his return to health , but theres a shadow in my chest .
Wee back , I say , my voice even , but inside , my spine is crawling .
Trajan nods , his face warm , yet faintly removed .
Its good to be back .
But when his eyes briefly lock with mine , something has shed through them , cold and detached .
My chest tightens at the image , but I dont get to dwell on it .
Later , as the pack scattered , I stepped to the edge of the forest for some peace .
My pendant rests against my chest , its soft glow a gentle reminder of whats still toe .
The Moon Goddesss warning seems to echo in my mind : Your choices will decide the course of all .
But tonight , the silence is broken .
Are you ready to embrace what lies within you ? a voice says Chapter 200 from behind me .
I whirl around , dagger in hand , but theres no one there .
The pendant heats up instead , and everything around me blurs .
When I blink again , Im not in the forest anymore .
2/6 Im standing in a great silver lit meadow , the air shining with power .
Before me stands the Moon Goddess herself , serene and overwhelming .
Aurora , she says , her voice like a melody .
My throat tightens .
Goddess … why am I here ? You are at a crossroads , she says , stepping closer .
The essence within you is awakening .
To defeat the Nameless , you must fully embrace it .
The weight of her words crashes down on me .
And what happens if I do ? What will it cost me ? Her gaze softens , but theres a sadness in her eyes .
The power will grant you strength beyond measure .
But it will also test your humanity .
If you lose yourself to it , you may be something … other .
My stomach turns .
Other ? What does that mean ? You will no longer be entirely mortal .
The lines between who you are and what you be will blur .
This path is not without sacrifice .
Chapter 200 3/6 I close my eyes , my mind racing .
How can I make this choice ? How do I know its worth it ? You must trust your heart , she says , her voice gentle .
Speak to those you hold dear .
Seek their guidance .
But ultimately , the decision is yours alone .
The thing disappears , and Im back in the forest .
The pendant feels heavier on my chest as I walk toward the packhouse , my thoughts a jumbled mess .
I gather in the war room , calling in the people I trust most : Piper , Warrick , and Dane .
The strain of the day is etched into their faces , but they listen intently as I repeat what the goddess said .
This power … it could turn the tide , I say , my voice steady despite the uncertainty gnawing at me .
But the cost … Youre afraid of losing yourself , Piper says , her tone understanding .
I nod .
If I be something unrecognizable , how can I lead this pack ? How can I protect you all ? Dane steps forward , his eyes meeting mine with unwavering resolve .
Aurora , youve always been our strength .
Even when things seemed impossible , you never wavered .
If anyone can hold onto who they are , its you .
Chapter 200 But what if I cant ? I whisper , my voice barely audible .
4/6 You wont be alone , he says firmly .
Well be here to remind you of who you are .
Warrick leans against the wall , arms crossed .
Power like that is a double edged sword .
But if the goddess believes youre capable , maybe you should trust her judgment .
Piper ces a hand on my shoulder .
We trust you , Aurora .
And well stand by you , no matter what .
Their words set something inside me , but the fear remains .
Yet I also know exactly what I must do .
That night , in the heart of the forest , I sat alone and watched the pendant grow brighter by the minute .
Im ready , I whisper .
The pendant pulses and the light envelops me , seeping into my skin , filling every inch of me with warmth and energy .
My senses heighten , the rustle of leaves a symphony , the moonlight a raging beacon .
But with that poweres the shadow .
A whisper at the edges of my mind , begging me to let go .
pletely .
You dont need them , it murmurs .
You are enough .
Chapter 200 No , I say aloud , my voice firm .
I wont lose myself .
Louder , the whispers be a cacophony of promises and threats .
My heart pounds as I clutch the pendant , its light .
flickering like a dying me .
Finally , when the light has gone , I copse to the ground , trembling .
The power is overwhelming , but Im still me … for now .
5/6 The next morning , I called the pack together .
A sea of faces .
greets me , their expressions slipping from awe to unease as they sense what has changed .
We have a chance to end this , I say , my voice carrying a new weight .
But we must be prepared .
We spend hours devising strategies , fortifying defenses , and assigning roles .
Every detail was scrutinized , every possibility weighed .
But even as we make our ns , I have this feeling of being watched .
Later that night , while the pack rests , I see a figure moving in the darkness .
Trajan .
His eyes aglow with unnatural light and watching us .
His movements were too fluid , too calcted .
Unseen , he disappears into the woods , his feet making no sound .
The Namelesss hold is insidious , but its there a tenuous thread of control , carefully woven into his mind .
Chapter 200 6/6 I dream that night .
I am standing on a battlefield : charred earth , fallen bodies everywhere .
Heavy smoke and ash weigh down my every breath , the cries of the wounded on every side .
And then I see it myself with a sword in my hand , hurting someone I love .
The details are hazy ; the face is hidden , but the pain feels so real .
r I sharply woke up , a heavy feeling in my chest .
The vision clings to me , scaring me .
The rest are getting ready for whats next , even as danger stands among them now .
The Nameless continues to see out through the eyes of Trajan as his shadow fallsrger over Broken Ridge .
The fightsing .
None of us were ready for what that was going to take .