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

grabbed the journal Aurora had left on the table , the one filled with symbols and cryptic

it for weeks , but I wasnt sure how much

I whispered , flipping through the

caught

Namelesss territory in riddles , with phrases like the shadows coil where the moonlight dies and the

just poetic

it in

just a random location

It was significant .

glanced at the

now , I could be

out wasnt

been unusually quiet lately , wrapped up in whatever schemes

a vague note , knowing he wouldnt notice my absence

was too late

forest loomed ahead , dark

I approached the edge , the air grew colder , and the pack bond

forcing my nerves to

eastern forest had always felt …

taller here, their branches twisting together like

my steps and every sound seemed to echo in an unsettling way

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

of leaves or crack of a branch making my heart

, crouching

was something that didnt belong , a

4/6 I inched closer , my breath catching as I realized what I was looking at

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

I flipped to the

the mist were the same as the ones described

I whispered , my voice

wouldnt be

faintly , and the air around it felt

was watching me , waiting for me

with my finger and

light

around , spotting faint patches of moonlight filtering through the trees

a path , narrow and winding but just wide

stepped onto the first

, but the air

moved slowly , carefully placing

darkness reaching out as if testing

ravine , a low

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255