Chapter 33 AURORA Evelyn , I said .


    I need to speak to Dane .


    Her voice , which had been bright and bubbly when she answered , turned suddenly cool .


    Who may I tell him his calling ? Aurora DeVere .


    Evelyn let her breath out in a rush .


    He said he doesnt want to speak to you .


    Ever again .


    He said he doesnt want to see me .


    And he cant .


    Im on the phone .


    I heard Danes voice in the background .


    He sounded annoyed .


    that she answered his phone .


    Then Evelyn said , Wait , Dane , its 77 Hello ? His voice was like a caress .


    It was all I could do not to close my eyes and shiver as it washed over me .


    Instead , I straightened my spine and kept my voice .


    business like .


    Alpha Montague .


    Chapter 33 2/5 There was a long pause , and I wasnt sure if hed hung up on me .


    Just as I was about to pull my phone away from my car and check , he said , Luna heir DeVere .


    How can I help you ? A humorless smile curved my lips .


    It was the first time hed called me by my actual title .


    After you left , I was able to get one of the pages we were searching for .


    I have the ceremony .


    Another pause .


    You said it was unnecessary .


    I couldnt keep the excitement from my tone .


    I thought so , too .


    But it turns out the chosen of the goddess isnt just the key that opens the door to the relic .


    Shes also … more .


    A healer .


    A leader .


    The ceremony unlocks the potential inside the chosen that lets her do what she needs to .


    So , youre saying the ceremony is necessary , Dane said .


    Yes .


    So , do it .


    His voice was clipped and terse .


    My previous excitement died .


    Id forgotten just how angry he was .


    Just how little he ever believed me .


    All right .


    Ill get on a ne back to Europe and ask for 100 .


    wolves from the High Alpine Pack to participate , then .


    Another pause .


    I see .


    Ill provide what you need .


    What time frame are you looking at ? It was such a business like question asked in such a professional tone .


    The part of me who was a businesswoman rxed .


    The Chapter 33 part of me that had Danes body on hers just days ago wept .


    3/5 It requires a full moon .


    If we want this done soon … a week .


    But if you need another month … ? No , Dane said .


    A week .


    Here .


    I will have to be there to perform the ceremony , I said .


    I cant send Trajan or Evander .


    If you participate , you will , unfortunately , have toy eyes on me .


    Danes lone grated .


    Ill do whatever I need to finish this so you can go back to wherever you were for thest five years .


    The line went dead .


    Hed hung up .


    What was that about ? I jumped .


    Holden was standing in the doorway , looking at me .


    I cursed myself for not closing the door .


    After my disappearance , he had decided to stay for a while .


    I didnt mind .


    I liked hispany .


    Business with Blue Ridge .


    You know I cant talk about those kinds of things with you .


    Holden made a face .


    Sounds serious .


    I know you hate serious things .


    Heughed a little , but then his smile fell .


    Aurora … what would you say if I told you I already knew ? Now it was my turn tough .


    He couldnt possibly .


    Knew about hapter 33 what ? He stepped forward , and the look on his face made my heart speed up .


    I know about the ancient magic on Broken Forestnd … Blue Ridgend , now .


    I gaped at him .


    You … how would you know that ? 4/5 He grinned .


    Fall Line is an old pack .


    The Coleridges are an old family .


    And about fifty years ago , we were deeply involved in resolving a pack war between Connall Montague and John Grayson of Hundred Lakes .


    I frowned , taking this in .


    He knew about the relic .


    He knew it was on Blue Ridgend .


    I took a breath .


    What else do you know ? He sat .


    What else do you want to tell me ? I know something has been weighing on you since that night with the Reeds and Montague .


    Just tell me .


    I know I can be an ass , but … you really can trust me .


    He reached over and gently ran his fingers along the back of my hand .


    I looked into his eyes .


    They were wide and earnest , and I so badly wanted someone I could talk to .


    Someone whod listen to me .


    Someone who didnt hate me .


    So , slowly , I said , That night … Esther Reed showed me things .


    Things from my past I dont remember .


    Im worried , Holden .


    Chapter 33 She said I used to be like them , and that I changed after my … injuries , that night .


    What if shes telling the truth ? 5/5 Holden shrugged .


    What if she is ? What if you were terrible ? He winked .


    Is being terrible so bad ? I blinked , then pulled my hand away .


    The Reeds arent a fun kind of terrible .


    Theyre actually awful people .


    But I remembered being in the new pack house .


    Things were so much quieter there than Blue Ridge .


    Yes , there had been bad times … I thought … but the Broken Forest wolves were some of the best hunters and artisans among the packs .


    Holden found my hand again and took it .


    This time , even when I tugged , he wouldnt let go .


    Aurora , look at me .


    Each pack has … goals .


    Desires .


    When dozens or hundreds of people depend on you for their lives , sometimes things need to be … aplished .


    No matter the cost .


    He looked troubled .


    I tilted my head .


    Holden … why does it sound like you know that from experience ?