Blood And Silver:Rise of the Alpha’s Rejected Mate
Chapter 73

Chapter 73 AURORA Panic rising , I dug around for the papers .

I knew they were in my top desk drawer .

Id been so specific .

about leaving them there .

Then I saw them not in a drawer at all , but on top of a paper organizing tray .

I wanted to snatch them up , but the paper was old .

Yellowed and brittle with age .

Carefully , I lifted them and set them I the center of my desk .

You found them , then ? Dane asked .

I flicked my eyes to him , then back to the papers .

That wasnt where I left them .

Im certain of it .

Dane frowned .

Are you ? Yes , I insisted .

I flared my nostrils and scented , but without a wolf , there was no way if I could tell someone had been in here .

Seeing me , Dane did the same .

Then he shook his head .

There are no scents here but you and your pack .

I gritted my teeth .

I know it couldnt have been one of my people .

I trust them completely .

2/6 Do you trust them more than you trust your own memory ? Because either it was them , or you were mistaken about where you put the papers .

I wavered , uncertain .

I knew who I suspected : Evelyn .

My eyes went wide .

There was a chance and not a small one- that Dane could scent Evelyn in here , and he just wasnt telling me .

I searched his face, trying to gauge whether or not he might be lying to protect her .

It would be far , far from the first time .

In fact , Id be much more likely to believe he was lying to protect her than I would that hed tell me the truth .

Theres no scent here that doesnt belong ? I asked , carefully watching to see if I could catch him in a lie .

No , he said .

I pressed my lips together and nodded .

Outside my windows , it was full dark .

I was suddenly so tired .

I wanted to desperately to be with Dane and to trust him .

But my mistrust of myself and the years hed spent as my enemy made it so difficult .

You should go , I said .

Im … unnerved by this .

Id like to get some sleep .

Dane looked from me to my bed .

The way he did it made my Chapter 73 entire body heat with desire , but Id made up my mind .

3/6 Fine , he said .

He wasnt exactly rude about it , but I could tell he was frustrated .

I didnt blame him .

If he was half as needy and aching for release as I was , frustration would be putting it mildly .

He walked up to me and bent to kiss my lips .

I turned so he got my cheek instead .

Aurora , he growled .

I put my hand on his chest .

His heartbeat was strong and steady beneath my palm .

Soon , Dane .

I swear .

I want you , too .

But like you said earlier , things are complicated .

He lifted my hand and pressed a kiss to the sensitive skin of my palm that sent fire burning down to my center and nearly made me change my mind .

But I held strong .

If you touch yourself tonight , think of me .

As for myself … I wont know release until Im inside you .

Dont keep me waiting long .

Then he was gone , and I was left alone , trembling for more reasons than one .

***** I hardly slept that night for obvious reasons .

There was no release for me , because nothing could compare to my need for him .

Chapter 73 4/6 I woke several times , sweating in my twisted sheets .

The fifth or sixth time , the sky was finally gray with dawn .

Sick to death of trying to sleep when sleep only held dreams of Dane that ratcheted my need up to something like pain , I went and sat at my desk .

I flicked on the lamp and took the papers in my hand .

I wasnt sure where my power to translate had come from .

Only that Id had this journal for most of my life , and its symbols had been meaningless to me almost the entire time .

Then , one day after the twins were born , I opened it again and found that I could read it .

Well , read was a simple way of putting it .

When I looked at the page , the symbols would start to waver .

Sometimes the lines would seem to shift into words .

Sometimes it would be more like … a feeling of meaning in my head .

Staring at the book for too long would give me a headache and make me nauseous .

The best thing to compare it to was like the way heat distorted the air around it like the air around a fire or above the pavement on a sunny day .

The magic of this book was like a fire ; so strong it distorted the very air .

I didnt know if I could read it because of the distortions , or in spite of them .

All I knew was that no one else was capable of Chapter 73 doing so .

5/6 This morning , the pages revealed very little .

I could tell they both detailed ceremonies for imbuing the chosen with the goddesss power .

Each chosen had a different job .

I could also .

make out some of the instructions .

I wrote them down , then leaned back and rubbed my temples .

Another book caught my eye : the journal I had kept when I was younger .

Id been too afraid to open it and read more .

Afraid of finding out the depths of how evil I had been before losing most of my memories .

I closed my eyes and put my head down on the desk .

The movement made the pearl pendant dig painfully into my chest .

I dont even think I should have you , I said regretfully as I took it off .

I set it to one side , then laid my head down again .

The night hadnt been good , and I just wanted to rest for a moment … Sometime later , I jerked awake .

How long did I … ? I thought I was asking the question to an empty room .

Instead , there was a woman sitting in the chair on the opposite side of my desk .

Pale .

Beautiful .

With lilac eyes .

6/6 Chapter 73 With a gasp .

I realized it wasnt another woman … It was another version of myself .

Aurora DeVere , she said , and leaned forward with a wicked smile .

Its time for you to move over and let me out .

Who are you ? I asked , terror coating my heart in ice .

Her smile grew .

Sweetheart , Im you .

The real you .

Im Ann Reed .