Blood And Silver:Rise of the Alpha’s Rejected Mate

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 .

too late

I begged

prayed for

all I got

into a fist

when the Nameless came

offered me power , a chance to strike back at those who

I took

the weight of his words settling heavy between us

the goddess

jerked his head high , his eyes filled

I did .

at first I enjoyed the power the Nameless gave to me

, Aurora

Nameless name came at the cost of

table , pacing slowly

could use his power and

the more I served him , the more I realized … the Nameless doesnt just

it , warps it into something

words struck

the truth , Holden said , stopping

isnt a

Hes a destroyer .

you , too , if you

? I asked , narrowing

, Holdens expression loosened , and for the first

want to recover

My faith .

My humanity .

, perhaps

weight of his confession

was truth in his words ; I

… that was another matter

your deal ? I asked hesitantly

then ? Holden stepped closer , his tone

give you everything you need to stop

resources , whatever is within my

return … you help me find my way back to the

that followed was

searching for any hint of deception

was a broken man , desperate for

said finally,

betray me , Holden , and Ill kill you

smile returned to his

Fair enough .

to my decision was immediate

serious , Aurora , Piper

trust him

best chance right

do not have the luxury of turning away help

head , still recovering from the mark

is ill advised