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 .

forest was important enough for him to note

journal Aurora had left on the table , the one

but I wasnt sure how much

, give me something , I whispered ,

section caught my attention

coil where the moonlight dies

182 The riddles werent just poetic

in my gut

forest wasnt just

It was significant .

glanced at

I moved now , I could be there by nightfall

out wasnt

wrapped up in

him a vague note , knowing he wouldnt notice my

was too

loomed ahead ,

colder

forcing

had always

trees were taller here, their

steps and every sound seemed to echo in an

to the shadows and listening for anything

every rustle of leaves or crack of a branch making

paused ,

in the center was something that didnt belong ,

closer , my breath catching as I realized what I was

, and symbols that matched the ones in Auroras

journal from my bag , I flipped to the page with

the same as the ones described as the seal of the Namelesss

it , I whispered , my voice barely

getting closer wouldnt be

the air around it felt … alive

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

tracing them with my finger and mouthing the

only where the light

patches of moonlight filtering through the trees

a path , narrow and winding but just wide enough for

a deep breath , I stepped onto the

, but the

, carefully placing

me , darkness reaching out as if testing

, a low growl stopped me in my