Chapter 299

Aurora

The room was in semi-darkness, and the candle above the desk danced and jumped, casting long shadows against the walls. Dane lay in bed, white and shining with sweat. His once strong and powerful frame now seemed so fragile; an agonizing reminder that the poison was steadily draining his life force. I sat beside him, holding his hand as he struggled to stay awake.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Dane croaked, sounding weak but resolute.

“Where else would I be?” I snapped, my voice cracking.

“You must keep a clear mind, Aurora,” he said, his hand clenching around mine with such weakness. “Don’t let her manipulate you. I… I can take this.”

I shook my head, brushing away a tear before it could fall.

“Take it? Dane, you’re barely hanging on. And she knows it. She’s using your condition against me, backing me into a corner.”

His lips thinned, and a flicker of guilt crossed his eyes. “This is my fault. I was reckless, and now you’re paying for it. I wish I would just die…”

“Stop,” I whispered, leaning closer. “You’re not dying on me. I won’t allow it.”

Dane’s breath caught, and he turned his face away. His silence was deafening, and I knew he blamed himself for the situation we were in.

It was almost nightfall when I went back to Kaida, Trajan, and Evelyn with a few warriors by my side. Kaida stood before me; Orion was nowhere to be seen. I disliked this; I hated standing before Kaida; I simply couldn't stand her.

I took a deep breath and stepped closer, steeling my resolve against her smug expression.

“Back so soon?” she asked, lounging lazily in her chair. “I didn’t expect you to crumble this quickly.”

“I’m not crumbling,” I said sharply, stepping forward. “I’m here with a counter-offer.”

Her eyebrows arched, and she beckoned me to continue. Amusement danced in her eyes.

“We share control of the disputed territory,” I began, my voice straight. “Your pack gets access to resources, and we form a permanent alliance. No more bloodshed.”

She leaned back, her smirk deepening. “Your words are pretty, Luna, but they don’t move me. Only having my way with Dane will.”

“Please, I… I am offering you peace,” I said, desperation growing in my voice.

“Peace doesn’t interest me,” she returned calmly. “Dominance does.”

I clenched my fists at my sides. The frustration that had bubbled inside me burst from my mouth. “Then take me instead!!”

“What?!” Trajan and Evelyn chorused beside me.

Kaida’s eyes narrowed, the humor gone from them. “What?”

Orion burst from inside a tent, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he approached us. I noticed a pleased expression on his face; my offer seemed to appeal to him.

“Let me stay in your pack,” I said, my voice trembling yet firm. “Until Dane is healed. You shall have a bargaining chip, and we shall avoid bloodshed that is quite unnecessary.”

“No,” Trajan interjected, his voice clear. “Aurora, this is madness.”

“I’m doing what I must,” I replied, my eyes fixed on Orion, who seemed to favor my idea.

He tapped his chin, his eyes scanning me as if I were a piece of meat. “Tempting,” he said, his voice low, licking his lips.

“But no, keeping you would be far too much trouble, and I quite enjoy watching you beg,” Kaida interrupted.

“Do we?” Orion asked Kaida as he approached her; I sensed displeasure in his tone.

“Yes, Alpha… I am your head warrior; I know how these things work better than you… just trust me,” Kaida insisted.

I balled my fist until my knuckles popped, noticing a sign of surrender in Orion’s eyes.

“What do you want?” I yelled, my voice breaking.

Her smirk twisted, more wickedly this time, as she looked at me. “A night with Da…!” She paused and cleared her throat, glancing at Orion, who raised an eyebrow at her. “Exactly what I’ve already asked for. Nothing less.”

“That,” I growled, “you will never get.”

“Ever…” Evelyn echoed.

I went back, tears in my eyes, to where Dane lay. I knelt beside him; his face was white, and his breath came in shallow gasps. The weight of failure pressed on my chest, each second ticking louder than the last.

“Aurora,” he said low and quickly, no louder than my own racing heartbeat. His hand reached for mine weakly, but insistently.

“I’m trying,” I whispered, tears welling in my eyes. “I went back to her, Dane. I offered everything I could think of, but she… she won’t budge. She toys with us, and I don’t know how long I can manage this.”

He tried squeezing my hand, but he lacked the strength. “You… you’ll find a way. You always do.”

I looked away, unable to meet his eyes. “I’m not so sure this time,” I admitted.

The door to the room creaked open suddenly, and Trajan stepped inside, his face grim. His eyes flicked between Dane and me before settling on my tear-streaked face.

“We’ve got a problem,” he said, the seriousness of his voice cutting through my lethargy like a hot knife.

“What now?” I asked, standing too quickly; my exhausted body protested.