Chapter 299
AURORA
The room was in semi darkness and the candle above the desk danced and jumped, showing great long shadows against the walls.
Dane lay in bed, white and shining with sweat. A frame that once had been strong and powerful now showed so fragile; an agonising reminder that this poison was steadily draining his life force.
I sat beside him, holding onto his hand as he struggled to stay awake.
“You shouldn’t be here,” Dane croaked, sounding weak but resolute.
“Where else would I be?” I snapped, my voice cracked.
“You must keep a clear mind, Aurora,” he said, his hand clenching around mine with such weakness. “Don’t let her manipulate you. I. I can take this.”
I shook my head, brushed away a tear before it could fall.
“Take? Dane, you’re barely hanging on. And she knows it. She’s using your condition against me, backing me into a corner.”
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2/7
His lips thinned, and a flicker of guilt crossed his eyes. “This is my fault. I was reckless, and now you’re paying for it. I wish I would just di…”
“Stop,” I whispered, leaning closer. “You’re not dying on me. I won’t allow it.”
Dane’s breath caught, and he turned his face away. His silence. was deafening, and I knew he blamed himself for the situation. we were in.
It was almost nightfall, I went back to Kaida, Trajan, Evelyn with a few warriors by my side.
Before me stood Kaida, I couldn’t see Orion around. I don’t like this, I hated to stand before Kaida, I just can’t stand her.
I took a deep breath and stepped closer, steeled my resolve against her smug expression.
“Back so soon?” she asked, lounging lazily in her chair. “I didn’t expect you to crumble this quickly.”
“I’m not crumbling,” I said sharply, stepping forward. “I’m here with a counter–offer.”
Her eyebrows arched, and she beckoned me to go on. Amusement danced in her eyes.
“We shared control of the disputed territory,” I began, my voice
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straight. “Your pack gets access to resources, and we form a permanent alliance. No more bloodshed.”
3/7
She leaned back, her smirk deepening. “Your words are pretty, Luna, but they don’t move me. Only having my way with Dane will.”
“Please, I… I am offering you peace,” I said, desperation growing in my voice.
“Peace doesn’t interest me,” she returned calmly. “Dominance does.”
I punched my fists at my sides. The frustration which had bubbled inside of me burst from my mouth. “Then take me instead!!”
“What!!” Trajan and Evelyn chorused by my side.
Kaida’s eyes narrowed, the humor gone from her eyes now. “What?”
Orion bursted out from inside a tent, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he walked up to us. What is this I noticed in his expression, it seemed like my offer pleased him.
“Let me stay in your pack,” I said, my voice trembling, yet firm. “Until Dane is healed. You shall have a bargaining chip and we shall avoid bloodshed that is quite unnecessary.”
“No,” Trajan forward, his voice clear. “Aurora, this is madness.”
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“I’m doing what I must,” I replied, my eyes fixed on Orion. He seemed to be the one to like my idea.
He tapped his chin, his eyes scanning me as if I were a piece of meat. “Tempting,” he said, his voice low. As he licked his lips.
“But no, keeping you would be far too much trouble and I quite enjoy watching you beg,” Kaida interrupted.
“Do we?” Orion asked Kaida as he walked up to her, I could sense displeasure in his tone.
“Yes, Alpha… I am your head warrior, I know how these things work better than you… just trust me,” Kaida pressed on.
I balled my fist till my knuckles popped, as I saw a sign of giving up in his eyes.
“What do you want?” I yell out, my voice breaking.
Her smirk twisted this time as she looked at me, more wickedly. “A night with Da…!” she paused and cleared her throat as she looked at Orion who raised a brow at her, “Exactly what I’ve already asked for. Nothing less.”
“That,‘ I growled, “You will never get it.”
“Ever…” Evelyn repeated in her face.
****
I went back with tears in my eyes to where Dane was lying. I
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knelt beside Dane, his face white, small breaths caught in his throat.
The weight of failure leaned upon my chest, the tick of each second louder than the last.
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“Aurora,” he said low and quick, no louder than my own heartbeat racing in my head. His hand reached for mine weakly, but insistently.
“I’m trying,” I whispered, and a lump of tears built in my eyes.
“I went back to her, Dane. I offered everything I could think of, but she. she won’t budge. She toys with us, and I don’t know how long I can still manage it all.”
He tried squeezing my hand, but he could not muster enough strength. “You. you’ll find a way. You always do.”
I looked away, not able to meet his eyes. “I’m not so sure this time,” I admitted.
The door to the room creaked open suddenly and Trajan stepped inside, his face grim. His eyes flicked between Dane and me before landing on my tear–streaked face.
“We’ve got a problem,” he said, the weight
of his voice serious enough that it cut through my lethargy like a hot knife.
“What now?” I asked, standing too quickly; my exhausted body didn’t like that one bit.
