Chapter 206 AURORA The silver mist extends infinitely into all directions , thick and sickly sweet as it clings to my skin .


    Every step feels heavier , and the pendants weak , flickering light barely cuts through the haze .


    The whispers had stopped now , reced by a suffocating silence that was making my heartbeat sound deafening .


    I trip over a root hidden under the mist andnd on my knees .


    Where am I ? I whisper , shaking all over .


    The only response is the low hum of the pendant against my chest , its warmth smallfort against the seeping cold .


    I force myself up and on , determined to move .


    My steps are uncertain ; my sense of direction has long since been lost .


    The mist seems to be alive twisting and shifting with the intent , it seems , of denying me passage .


    Then , out of nowhere , a wave of warmth washes over me … gentle yet all … engulfing .


    The mist starts to recede , curling away like wisps of smoke on the wind , and the world snaps into focus .


    Chapter 206 2/7 My breath catches in my throat .


    I now present the Ethereal Grove , whose boundaries are bounded in silvered boles , towering far on high ; dim bought and soft radiancies y over mid that glimmer of their liquid bark heavy lumberings .


    All of the leaves are like luminous growths ; these roots cross and writhe upon each other quaintly , and trellis intricate patterns , stretching hitherward endlessly .


    The air is thick with ancient , holy energy weighing me down … like some unseen , perhaps even sentient presence .


    Its beautiful , I whisper , stepping forth with great caution .


    The grove seems toe alive in a way I have never felt .


    The trees hum softly , their vigor vibrating in the core of my soul .


    I walk , and fruits are closer now .


    Each one of them carries an image flickering inside , like memories encapsted in amber .


    Curious , I reach out to touch it .


    The moment my fingers brush against its skin , the world tilts .


    A vision washes over me in an instant , too bright , too real .


    A wolf , sorge and powerful ; his fur ck as midnight ; his eyes a pair of shining gold , all aze with life .


    He is standing at the side of a precipice , peering far beyond toward some aim out of sight .


    Chapter 206 This is Kael , my brain hears whispered .


    The first alpha of Broken Ridge .


    3/7 The vision shifts once more , and Kael finds himself on his knees.


    before an aglow figure : the Moon Goddess herself .


    Brilliant , the vision of her zed , a symphony of power and grace her voice was .


    You will protect your pack , she says ,manding yet not unkind .


    But you must promise never to seek more than what you are given .


    Kael nods solemnly .


    I swear it , Goddess .


    The scene shifts again .


    Kael is older now , with streaks of gray in his fur .


    His pack has grown , and so have his ambitions .


    I watch in growing horror as he performs some sort of ritual , his voice rising and falling with words I dont know .


    The air around him darkens , the earth shuddering beneath his feet .


    What are you doing , Kael ? thunders the voice of the Moon Goddess , wrath and sorrow mingled .


    Kael says nothing , doesnt gesture- and an eyebrow doesnt rise … but in that same instant , his eyes are afire with interest .


    The rite reaches its highest then it erupts ; the trees ming , bursting their glowing fruits as wolves fling themselves against each other snarling in their pain and ire .


    Chapter 206 I gulp in the air and the vision crumbles .


    4/7 I stumble backward , my chest heaving .


    This grove is different now ; its beauty is tainted by this knowledge .


    This ce … I stammer , shaking , Its not just a source of knowledge .


    Its a prison .


    A monument to our sins .


    Again , the pendant pulses and my gaze is drawn toward the center of the grove .


    I follow with stumbling steps as my head reels under the burden of what I have seen .


    Further into the grove , there is one tree at the center of it all .


    Its softly glowing roots rhythmically pulse almost in time with a heartbeat ; very unnatural .


    And there was writing on its trunk , too , the letters made from some material that shines softly : To return what is lost , that which is dearest must be relinquished .


    I run my fingers over the words .


    Weighty meaning settles .


    heavily in my chest .


    Whats it say ? I whisper , shaking .


    Before I am able to dwell on any suppositions , however , a presence begins to take form .


    Between the roots , where tenebrosity and light dance together , Chapter 206 5/7 ripples solidify into a vaguely humanoid outline ; features indistinct , steeped in darkness .


    Its eyes glowed with an impossible sheen of green .


    You shouldnt be here , Luna , it says in a low growling tone that seems to vibrate through the air .


    I step backward , my heart pounding .


    Who are you ? The figure steps forward very slowly , acting as if every movement is thought out .


    A guardian .


    A remnant of what was lost .


    This ce was meant to be forgotten , buried beneath the weight .


    of time .


    I came here to understand , I say , from the little courage in my heart , my voice barely above a whisper .


    To save my pack .


    Its eyes are narrow heavier with the weight of its presence .


    You seek answers , but the truth will break you .


    Are you prepared to pay the price ? I stare right into its eyes , and the fear churning inside of met hardens to determination .


    If thats what it takes to keep them safe , yes .


    He cocked his head to one side then and considered me with a look of such intensity that the shivers ran down my spine .


    Hmm , he said finally , his voice soft now .


    But remember , Luna … Chapter 206 what is given cannot be undone .


    6/7 Suddenly then the shade moves out of the way to allow a narrow path … almost no path curving more inward deeper within the heart of the grove ; glowing roots pulse for light to lead Aurora .


    further .


    It opens into a small clearing , the roots forming a natural circle around a pool of glowing liquid .


    The light it gave off somehow , could make one fall asleep , changing between colors of silver and blue , its surface seeming to ripple as if alive .


    What is this ? I breathed , and could not pull my gaze from it .


    The Reflection Pool , the figure said .


    It shows you what you seek most … and what you fear most .


    I took another step , and the pull of the pool suddenly almost irresistible ; the surface began to shimmer and an image started to form .


    I see myself standing with the pack , their faces upturned to mine , sure and in homage .


    The amulet upon my neck is whole ; the glow upon it is bright , zing like a star .


    But then it falters , starts to dull , darkening further .


    Their faces turned , twisting to rage , to betrayal … it turned into their murmuring shouts .


    Turning on me .


    I took one backward stumble and loosed my hold .


    What is the Chapter 206 meaning ? That is for you to decide , the figure replies .


    The grove does not give answers , only truths .