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

found their bodies … I begged the Moon Goddess for justice

prayed for vengeance

I got

had bunched into a fist

Nameless came to

to strike back at those who had taken everything from Chapter

took it

of his

turned your back upon the goddess ? I asked

his head high , his eyes

I did .

power the Nameless gave

Aurora even

came at the

the table , pacing slowly

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

the more I realized … the Nameless doesnt just take your soul

, warps it

hard as his words struck a chord of fear within me

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

isnt a savior

Hes a destroyer .

too ,

, then ? I asked , narrowing

for you ? Finally , Holdens expression loosened , and for the first time ,

197 4/6 Because I want to recover what I

My faith .

My humanity .

can help you defeat the Nameless , perhaps

the weight of his confession sinking in

was truth in his words ; I could feel it

… that was another matter

I agree to your deal

closer , his

give you everything you need to stop

whatever is within

me find my way back to the light

followed was deafening

for any hint of

I saw was a broken man , desperate

I said finally, my voice firm

betray me , Holden , and Ill

of a smile

Fair enough .

decision was

, Piper said , her

hes done ? How can you trust him ? I

best chance

turning away help , not Chapter 197

, still recovering from the

ill