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 .

the eastern forest was important enough for him to note , it had to

had left on the table , the one filled with symbols and

over it for weeks , but I

on , give me something , I whispered

caught

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

Chapter 182 The riddles werent just poetic

in my

just a random

It was significant .

glanced at the

moved now , I could be there by nightfall

out wasnt

wrapped up in whatever schemes kept him occupied

a vague note , knowing he wouldnt notice my absence

was too late

loomed ahead , dark and

approached the edge , the air grew colder ,

, forcing

had always felt …

their

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

shadows

leaves or crack of a

I paused ,

into a shallow ravine , and in the center was something that didnt belong , a faint glow

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

just random , it was forming shapes , and symbols that

the journal from my bag , I flipped to the page with the

mist were the same as the

whispered , my voice barely audible

closer wouldnt be

, and the air around it felt … alive

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

, tracing them with my finger and mouthing the

: Step only where the light touches ,

spotting faint patches

seemed to create a path , narrow and winding but just wide enough for me to follow

, I stepped onto the first

me , but the air grew

moved slowly , carefully placing each step

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

across the ravine , a low growl stopped

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