Chapter 199 DANE The air in the Namelesss fortress is thick with malice , clinging to my skin like a second layer .

Every breath burns , the oppressive weight of dark energy seeping into my bones .

My body aches from the strain , the wounds on my side pulsing with a steady rhythm that reminds me just how close Ive come to breaking .

But something is different tonight .

The shadows are uneasy , moving strangely , like theyre sharing secrets .

I press against the cold , rough wall of my cell , muscles tight .noveldrama

Thats when I noticed it : a soft light in the darkness , a shape hard to see among the shadows .

At first , I thought it was one of the Namelesss creatures , a miserable servant trying to hurt me .

But then it speaks , its voice low , rough , and unsure .

You … are not like them .

I stop moving , my heart pounding in my chest .

Whos there ? The figure steps closer , its shape becoming clearer .

Its a Chapter 199 is pressed against the cold stone as footsteps sound nearby .

Keep moving , it whispers , its voice very soft .

3/6 I force myself to keep moving , ignoring the sharp pain in my side .

Once , we almost got caught .

A guard turns a corner just as I sneak by .

The creature covers me , its dark shape surrounding me like a cloak .

The guard stops , its empty eyes looking down the hallway , before moving on .

That was close , I say quietly , my breath shaky .

Too close , it answers , sounding a bit frustrated .

Sometimes , I must make decisions on the spur of the moment- to duck into a side passage , to leap over a breaking ledge , or to dash across some open space .

Each choice appears as if it could be my last , but we press on .

At last , we come to a narrow tunnel with a faint breeze of fresh air blowing through .

This leads outside , the creature says .

Once youre free , I can do no more .

I hesitate , turning to face it .

Why are you helping me ? Its form shifts , almost shrinking .

Perhaps because I hope you will end him .

Perhaps because I tire of being a prisoner to his will .

Chapter 199 Before I can respond , it fades into the shadows , leaving me alone .

4/6 I go slowly through the tunnel , having a hard time walking .

Finally stepping out into the cool night air , I fall onto the wet ground , heaving breaths as I feel relief .

But I cant rest for long .

The trip back to Broken Ridge is one of agony and willpower .

The farther I move toward the edge of our packs lands , the less my body functions .

My sight is dizzy , and with every step I make , my legs feel weak .

Finally , walking into the middle of the packs home is a blur of noise and chaos .

Someone get Aurora ! a voice yells .

I fall to my knees , struggling to keep my head up as the wolves close in around me .

Their faces blur , most wary , a few shocked .

Then I see her .

Aurora elbows her way forward , eyes huge with disbelieving shock .

Dane ? she whispers , shaking .

I try to smile a little before she kneels in front of me , putting her hands on my shoulders .

Tears flow down her face as she hugs me tightly .

I thought I lost you , she says with difficulty .

You almost did , I say quietly , my voice rough .

But Im here .

now .

I can feel her relief , but not everyone feels the same .

Chapter 199 He shouldnt be here , someone whispers .

What if hes been compromised ? another voice says .

5/6 The tension is immediate .

Aurora stands , her gaze sharp as she faces the murmuring crowd .

Hes one of us , she says firmly .

And he just risked his life to return .

That doesnt mean hes safe , a wolf argues , his tone harsh .

We dont know what the Nameless might have done to him .

Enough ! Aurora snaps , her voice cutting through the dissent .

Dane has given everything for this pack .

If anyone doubts him , they can take it up with me .

The crowd quiets , though unease lingers in the air .

Aurora helps me to my feet , and her touch is gentle .

Come on , she says softly .

Lets get you looked at .

As Im tended to , I recount what Ive learned about the Namelesss plans .

Aurora listens intently , her expression .

growing darker with every word .

If hes planning an attack on the eastern borders , she says , we need to act fast .

We will , I assure her .

But we have to be careful .

Hes expecting us to respond .

Chapter 199 6/6 Her eyes look into mine , and for a moment , all the stress disappears .

Youre home , she says softly .

Home , I repeat , the word feels strange but nice .

At the same time , Trajan wakes up in another area of the settlement .

The healer has helped him get rid of the Namelesss mark , or it looks that way .

He sits up , moving slowly but surely .

The group comes closer , showing relief on their faces .

But something doesnt feel right .

Unseen by anyone , a flicker of shadow dances in his eyes , vanishing as quickly as it appears .

He smiles , a gesture meant to reassure but the edges of the smile were too sharp , too cold .

Im back , he says , his voice smooth .

Write your comment