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 .

was important enough for him to note , it had to

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

, but I wasnt sure how much she

, I whispered ,

section caught

phrases like the shadows coil where the moonlight dies and

just poetic ,

in

just a random

It was significant .

at

I moved now , I

out wasnt difficult

wrapped up in whatever schemes kept him occupied

him a vague note , knowing

was too

loomed ahead , dark and foreboding

colder , and the pack bond weakened even

forcing my nerves to settle

had always felt … off

trees were taller here, their branches twisting together like

, muffling my steps and every sound seemed to echo in

carefully , keeping to the shadows and

, every rustle of leaves or crack of a

paused , crouching low behind a fallen

into a shallow ravine , and in the center was something that didnt belong , a faint glow

4/6 I inched closer , my breath catching

random , it was forming shapes ,

my bag , I flipped

same as the ones

I whispered ,

getting closer wouldnt be

mist pulsed faintly , and the air around it felt

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

tracing them with my finger and mouthing the words from

riddle was clear now : Step only where the light touches ,

, spotting faint patches of moonlight filtering

create a path , narrow and winding but just wide enough

a deep breath , I stepped onto the first patch of light

felt solid beneath me ,

placing each step in

around me , darkness reaching out as if testing

a low growl