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 .

him to

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

weeks , but I

on , give me something , I whispered , flipping through the pages

section caught my attention

the shadows coil where the moonlight dies and the forest speaks only to the

werent just poetic , they were instructions

it in

wasnt just a random

It was significant .

glanced at

I moved now , I could

out wasnt difficult

lately , wrapped up

left him a vague note ,

it was too late

ahead , dark and foreboding

air grew colder , and the pack bond weakened

, forcing my nerves

forest had always

taller here, their branches twisting

muffling my steps and every sound seemed to echo in

moved carefully , keeping to the shadows and listening for anything out

were on high alert , every rustle of leaves or crack of a branch making

paused , crouching low behind a

that didnt belong

my breath catching as I realized

, it was forming shapes , and symbols that matched the ones

from my bag , I flipped to the page with the

were the same as the ones

it , I whispered , my voice barely audible

closer wouldnt

faintly , and the

me , waiting for me to make a wrong

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

Step only where the light touches , and the darkness will grant you

glanced around , spotting faint patches of moonlight

to create a path , narrow and winding

, I stepped onto

solid beneath me , but the air grew

carefully placing

darkness reaching out as if

low growl stopped me in my

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