Chapter 197 1/6 AURORA Holden stood before me in the gloom of the packs war room , his features shaded but those razor eyes with unchanging determination .

An unruly presence , the unsettling marriage of calm and volatility that didnt allow complete trust .

But the options were few and desperation is known to blur judgment .

I crossed my arms over my chest , while a storm started inside me ; my eyes were unyielding .

What is it that you want , Holden ? What is this really about ? He lifted an eyebrow ; the trace of a smile danced upon his lips .

Straight to the point I like that in you , Aurora .

Dont flatter me , I snapped .

Youre not here out of the goodness of your heart .

So either tell me the truth or leave .

Holden chuckled .

There was no humor in the sound .

He leaned closer , his carriage loose but his eyes ablaze .

Very well .

The truth , then .

I tensed , my eyes focused on him .

He leaned against the edge of the table , his fingers tracing the wood grain absent mindedly , as if he collected his thoughts .

Chapter 197 2/6 I was once a priest of the Moon Goddess , he said in a low tone , steady .

I served her , faithful to every utterance , devoted my life to her teachings , and she blessed my family and me with her light .

I scowled , taken aback by his words .

You ? A priest ? He nodded , something pain ? Regret ? -flashing across his face .

Yes .

My faith was everything in my life .

But faith does not save you from cruelty .

Holdens eyes fell to the floor , and for the first time , his confident figure finally cracked .

Taken , my family was taken from me my wife , my daughter .

Slaughtered by raiders , while i was off praying in the temple My breath caught in my throat at the raw emotion in his tone .

Against my will , a sign of pity turned within me .

Holden … He shook his head and cut me off .

Save your pity .

Its too late for that .

When I found their bodies … I begged the Moon Goddess for justice .

I prayed for vengeance .

But all I got was silence .

His hand had bunched into a fist , his knuckles going white .

Thats when the Nameless came to me .

He offered me power , a chance to strike back at those who had taken everything from Chapter 197 3/6 me .

And I took it .

The room felt colder , the weight of his words settling heavy between us .

So you turned your back upon the goddess ? I asked softly .

He jerked his head high , his eyes filled with pain and agony .

I did .

And at first I enjoyed the power the Nameless gave to me .

But everything is bought , Aurora even the good things .

And the Nameless name came at the cost of my soul .

Holden pushed off the table , pacing slowly .

I thought I could control it , that I could use his power and still hold on to who I was .

But the more I served him , the more I realized … the Nameless doesnt just take your soul .

He twists it , warps it into something unrecognizable .

I swallowed hard as his words struck a chord of fear within me .

And now ? Now , I see the truth , Holden said , stopping and pivoting to face me .

The Nameless isnt a savior .

Hes a destroyer .

And hell destroy you , too , if you let him .

Why help me , then ? I asked , narrowing my eyes .

Whats in it for you ? Finally , Holdens expression loosened , and for the first time , he seemed almost fragile .

Chapter 197 4/6 Because I want to recover what I lost .

My faith .

My humanity .

If I can help you defeat the Nameless , perhaps the Moon Goddess will forgive me .

I stared at him , the weight of his confession sinking in .

There was truth in his words ; I could feel it .

But trusting him … that was another matter .

And if I agree to your deal ? I asked hesitantly .

What then ? Holden stepped closer , his tone unrelenting .

Ill give you everything you need to stop him .

Information , resources , whatever is within my power .

But in return … you help me find my way back to the light .

The silence that followed was deafening .

I studied him , searching for any hint of deception .

But all I saw was a broken man , desperate for redemption .

Ill agree , I said finally, my voice firm .

But betray me , Holden , and Ill kill you myself .

A flicker of a smile returned to his lips .

Fair enough .

The packs reaction to my decision was immediate and intense .

You cant be serious , Aurora , Piper said , her tone slicing .

After everything hes done ? How can you trust him ? I dont trust him , I returned calmly .

But he is our best chance right now .

We do not have the luxury of turning away help , not Chapter 197 matter whence it comes .

5/6 Evander shook his head , still recovering from the mark .

This is ill advised .

We dont know what his true intentions are .

Neither do I , I said , but my eyes scanned the group .

But were running out of options .

And if we dont take action soon , we are going to lose everything that matters .

Trajans voice cut through the tension , icy and bitter in my mind .

through the pack bond .

Youre making a mistake .

I told him then Im doing what I have to , I replied low and level .

And me ? Trajan asked hotly .

Still here , still fighting for this pack , still in captivity .

And this is the thanks I get ? You align yourself with someone like him ? Trajan … I tried saying , but he was cover .

No , Aurora , he growled , shaking in his rage .

You have strayed .

I believed in you ; I trusted you to guide us .

But now .

now , I dont know anything more .

Her words cut a lot deeper than I ever imagined they would , and for a moment , I didnt know what to say .

The bond that used to be the most unbreakable between them .

was now so weak and fragile .

Im doing this for all of us , I finally said , my voice little more Chapter 197 than a whisper .

6/6 Then for our sakes , Trajan rejoined , the merest hint of bitter tinge in his voice .

The bond between us snapped , and there was a chasm .

Later in the night , under the only sky , I was standing atop the ridge .

The night breeze danced across my skin as I looked inside the forest .

A lot happened that day , and yet I made myself strong .

The reminder of how fragile it was between us still echoed in my mind .

I couldnt trust him , yet neither could I refuse the conviction swimming in his eyes .

He too , was desperate just like me .

In the moonlight that bathed the landscape with its ethereal glow , I closed my eyes and sent a silent prayer to the goddess above .

Please , I whispered , guide me .noveldrama