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 , it had to mean

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

I wasnt sure how much she may

give me something , I whispered

caught my

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

werent just poetic

in my

forest wasnt just a random

It was significant .

glanced at

I moved now , I could be

out wasnt difficult

been unusually quiet lately , wrapped up in whatever schemes kept him occupied

him a vague note , knowing he wouldnt

it was too late

loomed ahead , dark and foreboding

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

, forcing my nerves

always felt …

taller here, their branches

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

, keeping to the shadows and listening for anything out of

leaves or crack of a branch making

, I paused , crouching low

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

182 4/6 I inched closer , my breath catching as I realized what I was looking

it was forming shapes , and symbols that

bag , I flipped to the page with the riddles

the ones described as the seal of

is it , I whispered , my voice

wouldnt

the

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

with my finger and mouthing the

riddle was clear now : Step only where the light

, spotting faint patches

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

breath , I stepped onto the first patch of light

me , but the air grew colder

carefully placing

swirled around me , darkness reaching out as if testing my resolve

, a low growl stopped me in my