Chapter 138
Chapter 138 DANE There was a long moment of silence from Waylon Reed .
Then he said , Fine .
But remember , I have this place surrounded , which means even though that big wolf is holding those children , they are in my power .
He released me .
The skin of my neck stung and burned from where hed pressed the silver dagger into my neck .
Hed been forcing it back so hard , the muscles ached .
Breathing had been hard , so I inhaled deeply .
The lycan holding Aurora let her go , and she fell to her knees and crawled the few feet to me .
The wolves holding my arms released me , and I wrapped them around her .
Maybe I should have refused this .
It would have been easier on all of us to get it over with , like ripping off a band aid .
But there were things I had to tell Aurora .
Words I needed her to hear before I left this world forever .
Chapter 138 Words Id like to say to my children if I got the chance .
Aurora rose and pulled me to my feet .
Broken Forest wolves moved out of her way as she led me toward the woods .
2/5 Where do you think youre going ? Esther Reeds shrill voice cut through the night .
Aurora looked to the sky .
We have half an hour before the moon is fully at its peak .
Im taking 25 minutes .
Not one second longer , Waylon growled , Or you will return to find your childrens blood spilled to feed the stone .
Her hand clutched convulsively in mine , and she looked toward the cluster of Blue Ridge wolves on the other side of the massive stone .
The kids werent visible , but from the minds of my wolves , I knew they were standing in a circle around them with Trajan at the center .
If Waylon Reed wanted to spill the blood of my children , hed have to make it through half of my pack and Auroras massive bodyguard first .
It felt wrong to take this moment .
Wrong to walk away .
But a night that was supposed to be my greatest triumph had suddenly become my last night on earth .
Not one second longer , I growled .
And remember this , Reed .
If you kill them , you lose the only thing you have that is stopping me from killing you .
Chapter 138 3/5 Aurora led me into the woods , to a space by a stream beneath the overhanging branches of a willow tree .
I sharpened my senses , scanning for Reeds spies .
I scented wolves prowling , but it was faint .
Fo : the moment , we had at least a sliver of privacy .
As soon as we were alone , she threw herself into my arms .
Dane , Im so sorry .
This is all my fault .
I didnt see the missing page .
I didnt know .
I pulled her close .
Shh .
It doesnt matter .
I dont want to waste the time we have .
Her head fell against my chest , and I cradled it there , burying my fingers in the soft , silken strands of her pale hair .
I leaned my head against the top of her head and breathed her in .
She still smelled like lilacs , just like the first time Id met her .
Goddess damn me , we could have had so many years together .
We should have .
Instead , our past was eight years riddled with loneliness , and we had no future at all .
As if she could sense my thoughts , she squeezed her arms around me .
But I didnt want to spend this whole time wallowing in regrets .
I put my fingers beneath her chin and tilted her head up , forcing her to look at me .
There are things to say before I go .
Chapter 138 4/5 Go ? she laughed bitterly , Go .
Like youre running to Atlanta for work or headed to the store for groceries .
Youre not rum an errand , Dane , youre about to- She blinked rapidly and tried to pull away so she could escape myves .
I wouldnt let her .
Die .
I finished the sentence for her .
Im about to die , you stubborn woman , and I have things to say before I do .
The least you can do is hear me out .
Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes .
I smoothed them from her cheeks with my thumb .
Can you do that for me ? I dont know , Dane .
Im afraid of what youre going to say .
Youre afraid ? She swallowed , then nodded .
Theres something I want to hear from you , but as much as I want to hear it , I fear it .
Because whats it worth , knowing that someone- her breath caught , knowing how they feel , if they just die right after .
Then I know how you felt , but we never have a chance to actually do anything about it , and all Im left with is the memory of your words and the hollow dreams of what could have been .
I understand , I said , my voice rough .
I released her .
But as soon as I did , she grabbed my wrists .
No.
Goddess , Im so selfish .
Im sorry .
Say it .
Please .
What do you want to tell me ?