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

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

it for weeks , but I

I whispered , flipping

section caught my attention

the Namelesss territory in riddles , with phrases like the shadows coil where the moonlight dies and the forest speaks only to the brave

182 The riddles werent just

felt it in

wasnt just a

It was significant .

glanced at

, I could be there by nightfall

out wasnt difficult

wrapped up in

a vague note , knowing he

it was too

, dark

edge , the air grew colder , and the pack bond weakened

hard , forcing my nerves to

forest had always felt …

trees were taller here, their branches twisting together

steps and every sound seemed to echo in an unsettling

moved carefully , keeping to the shadows and listening

rustle of leaves or crack of

point , I paused , crouching low behind a fallen

, and in the center was something that didnt belong

4/6 I inched closer , my breath catching

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

I flipped to the

mist were the same as the ones described as the

, I whispered ,

closer wouldnt be

and the air

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

studied the symbols again , tracing them with my finger

: Step only where the light touches , and the darkness will grant you

around , spotting faint patches of moonlight filtering through

path , narrow and winding but just wide

deep breath , I stepped onto the first patch of light

felt solid beneath me , but the

moved slowly , carefully placing each step

mist swirled around me , darkness reaching out

across the ravine , a low