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 for that

… I begged the Moon Goddess

for vengeance

I got was

fist , his

when the Nameless came to

power , a chance to strike back at those who had taken everything

I took

colder , the weight of

turned your back upon the

jerked his head high , his

I did .

enjoyed the power the Nameless gave to

bought , Aurora even the

Nameless name came at the cost

pushed off the table

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

the more I realized … the Nameless doesnt

, warps

words struck a chord of

see the truth , Holden said , stopping and pivoting

isnt a

Hes a destroyer .

too

, then ? I

,

I want to recover

My faith .

My humanity .

can help you defeat the Nameless , perhaps

stared at him , the weight

truth in his words ;

trusting him … that was another matter

if I agree to your deal ?

stepped closer , his tone unrelenting

you everything you need to stop him

, resources , whatever is

return … you help me find my way back to the

that followed was deafening

searching for any hint of deception

broken man

I said finally, my

me , Holden , and Ill kill

flicker of a smile returned to his

Fair enough .

my decision

, Aurora , Piper

him ? I dont trust him , I returned calmly

he is our best chance right

away help ,

his head , still recovering from the mark

is ill