Chapter 199 DANE

The air in the Nameless’s fortress is thick with malice, clinging to my skin like a second layer. Every breath burns, the oppressive weight of dark energy seeping into my bones. My body aches from the strain, the wounds on my side pulsing with a steady rhythm that reminds me just how close I’ve come to breaking.

But something is different tonight. The shadows are uneasy, moving strangely, like they’re sharing secrets. I press against the cold, rough wall of my cell, muscles tight. That’s when I noticed it: a soft light in the darkness, a shape hard to see among the shadows.

At first, I thought it was one of the Nameless’s creatures, a miserable servant trying to hurt me. But then it speaks, its voice low, rough, and unsure.

“You…are not like them.”

I stop moving, my heart pounding in my chest. “Who’s there?”

The figure steps closer, its shape becoming clearer. It's pressed against the cold stone as footsteps sound nearby. “Keep moving,” it whispers, its voice very soft.

I force myself to keep moving, ignoring the sharp pain in my side. Once, we almost got caught. A guard turns a corner just as I sneak by. The creature covers me, its dark shape surrounding me like a cloak. The guard stops, its empty eyes looking down the hallway, before moving on.

“That was close,” I say quietly, my breath shaky.

“Too close,” it answers, sounding a bit frustrated.

Sometimes, I must make decisions on the spur of the moment—to duck into a side passage, to leap over a breaking ledge, or to dash across some open space. Each choice appears as if it could be my last, but we press on.

At last, we come to a narrow tunnel with a faint breeze of fresh air blowing through.

“This leads outside,” the creature says. “Once you’re free, I can do no more.”

I hesitate, turning to face it. “Why are you helping me?”

Its form shifts, almost shrinking. “Perhaps because I hope you will end him. Perhaps because I tire of being a prisoner to his will.”

Before I can respond, it fades into the shadows, leaving me alone.

I go slowly through the tunnel, having a hard time walking. Finally stepping out into the cool night air, I fall onto the wet ground, heaving breaths as I feel relief. But I can’t rest for long.

The trip back to Broken Ridge is one of agony and willpower. The farther I move toward the edge of our pack’s lands, the less my body functions. My sight is dizzy, and with every step I make, my legs feel weak. Finally, walking into the middle of the pack’s home is a blur of noise and chaos.

“Someone get Aurora!” a voice yells.

I fall to my knees, struggling to keep my head up as the wolves close in around me. Their faces blur, most wary, a few shocked.

Then I see her. Aurora elbows her way forward, eyes huge with disbelieving shock. “Dane?” she whispers, shaking.

I try to smile a little before she kneels in front of me, putting her hands on my shoulders. Tears flow down her face as she hugs me tightly.

“I thought I lost you,” she says with difficulty.

“You almost did,” I say quietly, my voice rough. “But I’m here now.”

I can feel her relief, but not everyone feels the same.

“He shouldn’t be here,” someone whispers.

“What if he’s been compromised?” another voice says.

The tension is immediate. Aurora stands, her gaze sharp as she faces the murmuring crowd.

“He’s one of us,” she says firmly. “And he just risked his life to return.”

“That doesn’t mean he’s safe,” a wolf argues, his tone harsh. “We don’t know what the Nameless might have done to him.”

“Enough!” Aurora snaps, her voice cutting through the dissent. “Dane has given everything for this pack. If anyone doubts him, they can take it up with me.”

The crowd quiets, though unease lingers in the air.

Aurora helps me to my feet, and her touch is gentle. “Come on,” she says softly. “Let’s get you looked at.”

As I’m tended to, I recount what I’ve learned about the Nameless’s plans. Aurora listens intently, her expression growing darker with every word.

“If he’s planning an attack on the eastern borders,” she says, “we need to act fast.”

“We will,” I assure her. “But we have to be careful. He’s expecting us to respond.”

Her eyes look into mine, and for a moment, all the stress disappears. “You’re home,” she says softly.

“Home,” I repeat, the word feels strange but nice.

At the same time, Trajan wakes up in another area of the settlement. The healer has helped him get rid of the Nameless’s mark, or it looks that way. He sits up, moving slowly but surely. The group comes closer, showing relief on their faces.

But something doesn’t feel right. Unseen by anyone, a flicker of shadow dances in his eyes, vanishing as quickly as it appears. He smiles, a gesture meant to reassure, but the edges of the smile were too sharp, too cold.

“I’m back,” he says, his voice smooth.