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

Chapter 182 1/6 PIPER The moment I woke , I knew something was wrong .

The pack bond was usually steady , but a comforting hum in the back of my mind was off .

It didnt feel severed , but it was weak like a thread stretched too thin and ready to snap .

I sat up in bed , running my fingers through my hair as I tried to focus on the sensation .

It was Aurora .

Her bond was dim , and distant , as though she wasnt just far away physically but emotionally locked behind some impenetrable wall .

I got dressed quickly , throwing on dark clothes meant for stealth .

My heart pounded as I tried to make sense of the unease clawing at me .

Whatever was happening , I couldnt just sit here and wait .

I came out and I felt drawn to the war room , I found Trajans map still spread across the table , a mess of notes and markers left behind from the last strategy session .

I studied it , searching for anything that might point me toward Aurora .

Think , Piper , 1 muttered to myself .

Where would she The Namelesss lair was the most obvious answer , but it wasnt * ough to just guess I needed something concrete .

Chapter 182 2/6 My fingers brushed over the map , tracing the paths wed marked as dangerous areas where dark creatures had been spotted or where Danes influence lingered .

A cold chill ran down my spine as I noticed a pattern .

The sightings formed a loose perimeter around one area we hadnt explored deeply , an unassuming section of dense forest that seemed to repel even the bravest scouts .

I frowned , leaning closer .

What are you hiding in there ? Beside the map was a stack of old reports , most of them from Evanders missions .

I flipped through them , scanning for any mention of the Nameless or unusual activity .

One entry caught my eye .

Spotted faint tracks leading into the eastern forest .

Too faint to pursue .

The air felt … heavy .

Recommend further investigation .

Evanders words sent a shiver through me .

eastern forest was important enough for him to note

grabbed the journal Aurora had left on the table , the one

, but I wasnt sure how much she may

, give me something , I whispered

section caught

like the shadows coil where the moonlight dies and

just poetic , they

felt it in my

wasnt just

It was significant .

glanced at the

I could

wasnt

, wrapped up in whatever schemes kept him occupied

note , knowing he

it was

ahead , dark and

grew colder , and the

hard , forcing my nerves to settle

forest had always

were taller here, their branches twisting together

thick with moss , muffling my steps and every sound seemed

shadows and listening for

every rustle of leaves or crack of a branch

paused , crouching low behind a fallen log

shallow ravine , and in the center was something that didnt belong , a faint glow , like silver mist hovering just

catching as I realized

, it was forming shapes , and symbols

I flipped to the page with the

the same as the ones

it , I whispered ,

getting closer wouldnt be

faintly , and the air

as if the forest itself was watching me , waiting for me to make a wrong

symbols again , tracing them with my finger and mouthing the words

where the light touches , and the darkness will grant you

spotting faint patches of

misty light seemed to create a path , narrow and winding but just wide enough

deep breath , I stepped onto the first patch

, but the air grew colder

carefully placing each step in

mist swirled around me , darkness reaching out as if testing

low growl stopped me in my