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 .

him

on the table , the one filled with symbols and cryptic notes

for weeks , but I wasnt

I whispered , flipping through the

caught

like the shadows coil where the moonlight

just poetic , they

it in my gut

just

It was significant .

at

I could

out wasnt difficult

quiet lately , wrapped up

him a vague note ,

it was too

forest loomed ahead , dark and

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

swallowed hard , forcing my

had always felt

here, their branches twisting together like

thick with moss , muffling my steps and every sound seemed to echo in an unsettling

to the shadows and listening for

rustle of leaves or crack of a branch making

point , I paused , crouching low

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

my breath catching

just random , it was forming shapes , and

bag , I flipped to the page with

the same as the ones described as the seal of

is it , I whispered

closer wouldnt

and the

if the forest itself was watching me , waiting for me to

my finger and mouthing the words

riddle was clear now : Step only where the light touches

around , spotting faint patches of moonlight filtering

a path , narrow and winding but just wide enough

, I stepped onto the first patch of light

, but the air

slowly , carefully placing each step in the light

me , darkness reaching out as if

ravine , a low growl stopped me in my tracks