Chapter 202 1/7 AURORA The battlefield is chaotic , twisting , filled with shadows running around us , their weird motions somehow uniform , as if dancing to some unheard command .

My heart pounds fast as I let loose another burst of energy into the chaos .

The earth shakes under the force of my attack .

But its not enough .

The pack fights valiantly , their strength and resolve evident in every swing of a blade , and every clash of claws .

Yet I can feel their doubt , their hesitation .

Shes too unstable , a voice whispers behind me .

Were following someone who could lose herself at any moment , another mutters .

I clench my fists , the whispers cutting deeper than any blade .

We dont have time for this , Piper snaps , her tone razor sharp .

Standing beside Warrick , she stares hot daggers at the doubters .

Auroras the only reason were still alive .

If you cant see that , youre blind .

Chapter 202 2/7 And what if she loses control ? a wolf responds , lacing his tone .

with a thread of fear .

What happens then ? Ill tell you what happens , Dane says , pushing to the front .

Hist solid form and thick voice .

She saves us .

Because thats what shes always done .

The pack quiets , turning to look at both Dane and me .

Enough , I say , a firmness in my voice .

We dont have the luxury of doubt .

If we dont stand together , we wont stand at all .

The battle thickens , and the forces of the Nameless suddenly change and start pressing in harder .

Were holding our own , yet it feels like barely .

Each step forward becomes resistance , every victory overshadowed by another onrushing wave of the enemy .

Theyre endless , Warrick mutters , breathing quickly .

No , Dane says , gaze fixed on the horizon .

Theyre not endless .

Theyre anchored .

Whats that supposed to mean ? I ask him , turning .

Dane nods toward the shadows , his eyes narrowing .

The Namelesss power isnt infinite .

Hes drawing it from somewhere , a focus point , an anchor .

Chapter 202 3/7 Then we destroy it , Piper says , determination hardening her voice .

Its not that simple , Warrick counters , his tone sad .

If we destroy the anchor , itll trigger a surge of energy , a backlash that could kill whoevers near it .

A heavy silence falls over us , the weight of the revelation sinking in .

Someones got to get close enough to destroy it , I say , trying to sound steady , but inside my mind is racing .

But they wont make it out in time .

Then who do we send ? Piper asks , her voice barely above a whisper .

We all but huddle together , lost in the impossibility of it .

Fighting continues to rage around us , the clash of steel , cries of wounded , a reminder of what was at stake .

Ill go , Warrick says suddenly , his tone resigned .

No , I snapped , my heart clenched .

Well find another way .

There is no other way , he said , his eyes locking with mine .

You know that as well as I do .

I could not entertain the notion of anyone being taken away , or sent to their death .

Before I can continue arguing , however , a commotion diverts our attention .

Chapter 202 On the other side of the battlefield , someone marches 4/7 purposefully towards the anchor .

The air crackles around him , the shadows seeming to recoil in fear .

Who is that ? Piper asks , her voice full of wonder and confusion .

A figure spins briefly , his face shining for a moment by the flickering light of the battlefield .

It looks familiar but I cant pinpoint where or who it is .

Trajan ?! I call out , my voice breaking .

He stops halfway , not enough for me to see his face , and turns , his face composed , almost serene .

Consider this my little sacrifice , he calls out above the chaos of the battle .

And with that , before any of us can even move to stop him , he steps into the heart of the enemys forces , unwavering .

Who are you , please no , no ! Dane screams , his voice hoarse from desperation .

But its too late .

He was sucked into the dark ; with every step farther he takes , the anchors ominous glow weakens .

This quietens the pack to dumbfounded silence , all the weight of what the person said heavy upon the atmosphere .

He knew , Piper says , in a mere whisper .

He knew what he Chapter 202 was doing .

5/7 I can feel my chest tightening , unable to wrap my head around this one thing , Whosoever it is , his sacrifice its too much .

We need to move , Dane says , his voice cutting through the haze of shock .

If this works , the Namelesss forces will weaken , but well only have a small window to strike .

I nod , forcing myself to focus .

Lets finish this .

But who could that be Consider this my little sacrifice , the voice says , disappearing into the darkness .

The pendant replayed the figure faced for me like a vision and the figure fully turned to me then , and I saw his face illuminated in the soft glow of the anchors malevolent energy .

Its Holden .

I am paralyzed , my breath choked in my throat .

His dark eyes … those always weighted with secrets and with guilt … are shining with something foreign to me … peace .

Holden , no ! I scream , The pack surrounding us has stood silent and aghast as Holden pushes forward relentlessly , his body stark against bedlam .

Blurring shadows make desperate attempts at clutching air for Chapter 202 him yet he presses ahead , sure footed and untouchable .

6/7 Why would he do that ? Piper is muttering over the chaos of this battle .

Because he wants to make it right , Dane says back , his tone somber .

I shake my head , and my heart drums against my chest .

He doesnt need to do this .noveldrama

Theres supposed to be some other way ! But its well .

As he reaches the anchor , a rough pulse of dark energy , the earth stirs beneath his feet .

The shades grow wild , tree branches desperately , but he doesnt give in .

Holden ! I shriek again … the sting of tears burning my eyes .

You dont have to prove anything .

Come back ! He turns once more .

This is my choice , Aurora , he says , steady as stone .

For my daughter .

For the family , I failed .

For all of you .

My throat clenches tight , words somewhere between a sob and a scream .

Take care of them , he says , his eyes locking with mine .

Youre stronger than you think .

Stronger than I ever was .

Chapter 202 And then he steps forward , directly into the anchors aura .

The moment his hand touches the anchor , light explodes in a blinding surge of energy that ripples across the battlefield .

Shadows scream and scream , their forms dissolving into nothingness as the anchor begins to collapse .

7/7 The backlash is instant .

A wave of power bursts from the anchor , shredding everything in its path .

Holden is at its center , his body glowed with the light of its destruction .

Holden ! I screamed , falling onto my knees as the shockwave threw me back .

When the light fades , the anchor is gone .

And so is he .

The battlefield grows still .

The Namelesss forces break , their cohesion shattered as they flee into the night .

But victory hangs suspended in the air .

Hes gone , Piper says , voice shaking .

Danes hand clamps on my shoulder , anchoring me .

He made his choice , Aurora .

I never knew it was Holden , I thought it was Trajan that is back and with us now but still .

We have to honor it by finishing this .