Chapter 205 AURORA Eliass smile dissolves , and in its ce , he offers a more somber tone .
Truth isnt free , Luna .
Sometimes that price is the thing of hours wasted .
Sometimes that price is- His voice trails off and his gazetches onto mine .
I look over to see Dane , where his jaw stiffens .
Sounds like a trap .
Perhaps so , Elias returned , his voice going low husky .
Yet it is a trap you cant afford not to answer .
Piper steps forward , her curiosity outweighing her caution .
If this stone is so important , why hasnt anyone heard of it before ? Because some truths are better left forgotten , Elias replied .
But the bnce has shifted .
The time for ignorance is over .
Warrick scoffs , his arms crossed .
And were just supposed to take your word for it ? You can choose to walk away , Elias says , his gaze sweeping over all of us .
But know this : without the heartstone , youll never understand the curse .
And without understanding it , youll never break it .
I reach out hesitantly , my fingers brushing against the cool surface of the stone .
The pendant on my neck , which got shattered during the battle , suddenly res into life , sending brilliant rays of light over the runes .
The stone trembles beneath my touch , the runes shifting and rearranging themselves into a script I dont understand .
Whats happening ? I asked , shaking .
Elias stepped closer , his presence unnervingly calm .
The stone is awakening , he said , his voice low and almost predatory .
Careful , Luna .
Once you uncover the truth , you cant unsee it .
Suspense hung thick in the air as the stones light grew brighter , illuminating secrets that have long been buried .
The stone beneath my fingertips is cool , the surface smooth except for the ancient runes deeply carved into its face .
Where my touch has lingered , it fills the air with a deep resonating sound .
The thrumming vibrates through my chest and shakes the earth beneath us .
The forest falls silent .
With every sound of the rustling of leaves , the birdcalls deep in the foreste to aplete stop , as if the world itself strains to listen .
Let go , Aurora , Dane snaps , one step forward , his eyes wide , Chapter 205 his body tense .
This feels wrong .
But before he can reach me , Elias raises a hand , his face 3/8posed and inscrutable .
Not yet , Alpha , he says coolly .
Let her finish .
Dane shoots him a re , his jaw tightening .
If anything happens to her- It already is , Elias says , cutting him off , his eyes never leaving the stone .
And stopping now would only make it worse .
The runes beneath my hand begin to stir , their glowing lines .
rearranging themselves with liquid ease .
They take on the form of a lowering tree , their roots digging deep , and their branches .
heavy with glowing fruit .
What is that ? I breathe , entranced .
The Ethereal Grove , Elias says , his voice hushed in something akin to reverence A ce of myth , bound with the very essence of your pack .
It holds the memories of your ancestors , preserved against the curse that took its first alpha line from the pack .
A weird heat flowers in my chest as I gaze upon the picture .
It feels almost like the nagging familiarity of a half remembered dream .
My eyes blur , and in an instant , fragments of scenes leap into my brain : wolves never seen , rites never known , voices in anguage Chapter 205 unbelieved .
4/8 My knees let go from beneath me , and the world surges violently around me .
Got her ! Pipers voice cuts through the fog as strong arms .
wrap around me and catch me just before I copse to the floor .
My world swerves clear again , just long enough to get the hazed out image of Pipers concerned face hovering above mine .
She just fell over , Warrick tells them , his tone sharp as he squatted next to me .
What in hell is going on ? Elias stepped closer .
His golden eyes sparkle in calm certainty .
She sees the truth .
What truth ? Piper snaps , her voice rising .
Youre talking in riddles while shes clearly in pain ! Elias smirked , unruffled .
The Grove calls to her .
Its revealing its secrets .
This is the beginning of understanding .
Dane stepped between Elias and me , his posture rigid with barely contained fury .
Enough of this cryptic nonsense , he growls .
What are you doing to her ? Me ? Elias says , cocking his head to one side .
Im just a guide .
Its the stone and the Grove that are working through her .
Danes fists clench , and for a moment , I think he mightsh out .
If shes hurt because of this … Chapter 205 5/8 Elias shrugs , his cid manner maddeningly unruffled .
Hurt ? No.
Changed ? Certainly .
As I get my bearings , the stone begins to glow brighter , its surface rippling like water .
The image of the tree expands , showing a curving path leading deep into the forest .
What is that ? Warrick asks warily .
The way to the Grove , Elias says matter of factly .
If you want .
answers , Luna will have to follow it .
Not alone , Dane snaps immediately .
But for the first time , Eliass face hardens , his gold eyes narrowing .
Yes .
Alone .
The Grove does not wee outsiders .
Youre saying we should just let her walk into some ancient forest on her own ? Piper demands , cing her hands on her hips .
Im saying its the only way , Elias counters .
I turn and catch Danes gaze , his eyes churning with a tornado of emotions … anger , fear , and a protectiveness that makes my heart ache .
Ill be fine , I say softly , though even to my ears it sounds like an empty promise .
You dont know that , he says , his voice breaking slightly .
Chapter 205 6/8 I have to do this , I press , the closeness of him both anchoring me and driving a riot of yearning .
If this Grove can help us understand whats going on with the pack , with thend , then I have to go .
His hands mp around my arms , anchoring me in ce with a touch .
Aurora , I cannot lose you .
I wont .
I reply , my voice barely above a whisper , his face inches from mine as doubt tries nibbling at my resolve .
The stones sudden shudder breaks the conversation .
The image of the tree flickers ; the glowing fruits dim as shadows seep into its roots .
Whats going on ? Piper asks , a thread of panic rising in her tone .
Eliass smile vanishes , and his expression turns grim .
Were running out of time .
From the trees roots , a new weird form begins to take shape .
It is indefinite , shining , indistinct ; bright , green eyes sh in the darkness .
What is that ? Warrick utters with heaving of the breast , as he recoils back .
A warning , Elias says low pitched oh so much of his swagger now forgotten , and a reminder of whats in the bnce .
Chapter 205 mcas Overwhelming , it pierces through me as though to see every secret I have ever tried to hide .
My chest constricts , and my breathing cuts down to shallow gasps .
7/8 Youve awakened something , he says in a low , guttural rasp that seems to vibrate through the air .
Do you think you can face what lies ahead ? I must .
I reply , my voice trembling but resolute .
The figures eyes narrow , and for one moment , I think it will strike .
Then it recedes into the roots , its glowing eyes thest thing to disappear .
What was that ? I turn to Elias and ask .
One of the wardens of many of the Grove , he says .
It guards the truth , yet it is bound to make a trial of those whod find it .
The image on the stone has set itself , as the way past the woods , clear once more ; it is with this weighty knowledge that I have been called to it and go a step further toward it .
I will , I promised , turning into the midst of the group .
Aurora , Dane said , beginning , but I cut him off .
I have to , Dane , I said , holding his eyes .
This is the only way to save whats left of what we have .
Elias steps up beside me , face mask like .
Then youd better hurry , Luna .
The Grove doesnt wait for anyone .
Chapter 205 8/8 It left me at the edge of the forest , opening out the path before me toward the Ethereal Grove .
Behind me , the pack is holding its collective breath in tense silence , anxiety and hope keenly mixed .
Ooh I hope nothing happens to her .