Chapter 200 AURORA Trajans smile sends a shiver down my spine .

Something about it feels off , though I just cant place why ..

The pack surrounds him , cheering , relieved at his return to health , but theres a shadow in my chest .

Welcome back , I say , my voice even , but inside , my spine is crawling .

Trajan nods , his face warm , yet faintly removed .

Its good to be back .

But when his eyes briefly lock with mine , something has flashed through them , cold and detached .

My chest tightens at the image , but I dont get to dwell on it .

Later , as the pack scattered , I stepped to the edge of the forest for some peace .

My pendant rests against my chest , its soft glow a gentle reminder of whats still to come .

The Moon Goddesss warning seems to echo in my mind : Your choices will decide the course of all .

But tonight , the silence is broken .

Are you ready to embrace what lies within you ? a voice says Chapter 200 from behind me .

I whirl around , dagger in hand , but theres no one there .

The pendant heats up instead , and everything around me blurs .

When I blink again , Im not in the forest anymore .

2/6 Im standing in a great silver lit meadow , the air shining with power .

Before me stands the Moon Goddess herself , serene and overwhelming .

Aurora , she says , her voice like a melody .

My throat tightens .

Goddess … why am I here ? You are at a crossroads , she says , stepping closer .

The essence within you is awakening .

To defeat the Nameless , you must fully embrace it .

The weight of her words crashes down on me .

And what happens if I do ? What will it cost me ? Her gaze softens , but theres a sadness in her eyes .

The power will grant you strength beyond measure .noveldrama

But it will also test your humanity .

If you lose yourself to it , you may become something … other .

My stomach turns .

Other ? What does that mean ? You will no longer be entirely mortal .

The lines between who you are and what you become will blur .

This path is not without sacrifice .

Chapter 200 3/6 I close my eyes , my mind racing .

How can I make this choice ? How do I know its worth it ? You must trust your heart , she says , her voice gentle .

Speak to those you hold dear .

Seek their guidance .

But ultimately , the decision is yours alone .

The thing disappears , and Im back in the forest .

The pendant feels heavier on my chest as I walk toward the packhouse , my thoughts a jumbled mess .

I gather in the war room , calling in the people I trust most : Piper , Warrick , and Dane .

The strain of the day is etched into their faces , but they listen intently as I repeat what the goddess said .

This power … it could turn the tide , I say , my voice steady despite the uncertainty gnawing at me .

But the cost … Youre afraid of losing yourself , Piper says , her tone understanding .

I nod .

If I become something unrecognizable , how can I lead this pack ? How can I protect you all ? Dane steps forward , his eyes meeting mine with unwavering resolve .

Aurora , youve always been our strength .

Even when things seemed impossible , you never wavered .

If anyone can hold onto who they are , its you .

Chapter 200 But what if I cant ? I whisper , my voice barely audible .

4/6 You wont be alone , he says firmly .

Well be here to remind you of who you are .

Warrick leans against the wall , arms crossed .

Power like that is a double edged sword .

But if the goddess believes youre capable , maybe you should trust her judgment .

Piper places a hand on my shoulder .

We trust you , Aurora .

And well stand by you , no matter what .

Their words set something inside me , but the fear remains .

Yet I also know exactly what I must do .

That night , in the heart of the forest , I sat alone and watched the pendant grow brighter by the minute .

Im ready , I whisper .

The pendant pulses and the light envelops me , seeping into my skin , filling every inch of me with warmth and energy .

My senses heighten , the rustle of leaves a symphony , the moonlight a raging beacon .

But with that power comes the shadow .

A whisper at the edges of my mind , begging me to let go .

completely .

You dont need them , it murmurs .

You are enough .

Chapter 200 No , I say aloud , my voice firm .

I wont lose myself .

Louder , the whispers become a cacophony of promises and threats .

My heart pounds as I clutch the pendant , its light .

flickering like a dying flame .

Finally , when the light has gone , I collapse to the ground , trembling .

The power is overwhelming , but Im still me … for now .

5/6 The next morning , I called the pack together .

A sea of faces .

greets me , their expressions slipping from awe to unease as they sense what has changed .

We have a chance to end this , I say , my voice carrying a new weight .

But we must be prepared .

We spend hours devising strategies , fortifying defenses , and assigning roles .

Every detail was scrutinized , every possibility weighed .

But even as we make our plans , I have this feeling of being watched .

Later that night , while the pack rests , I see a figure moving in the darkness .

Trajan .

His eyes aglow with unnatural light and watching us .

His movements were too fluid , too calculated .

Unseen , he disappears into the woods , his feet making no sound .

The Namelesss hold is insidious , but its there a tenuous thread of control , carefully woven into his mind .

Chapter 200 6/6 I dream that night .

I am standing on a battlefield : charred earth , fallen bodies everywhere .

Heavy smoke and ash weigh down my every breath , the cries of the wounded on every side .

And then I see it myself with a sword in my hand , hurting someone I love .

The details are hazy ; the face is hidden , but the pain feels so real .

r I sharply woke up , a heavy feeling in my chest .

The vision clings to me , scaring me .

The rest are getting ready for whats next , even as danger stands among them now .

The Nameless continues to see out through the eyes of Trajan as his shadow falls larger over Broken Ridge .

The fights coming .

None of us were ready for what that was going to take .

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