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 to note

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

weeks , but I

I whispered , flipping through

section caught

shadows coil where the moonlight dies and the forest speaks only to

just poetic , they were

felt it in my

just

It was significant .

at

I could be there by nightfall

out wasnt

had been unusually quiet lately , wrapped up in whatever schemes kept

vague note , knowing he wouldnt

was

loomed ahead , dark

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

forcing my nerves

had always felt … off

here, their branches

my steps and every sound seemed to

moved carefully , keeping to the shadows

rustle of leaves or crack of a branch making my

point , I paused , crouching low behind

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

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

mist wasnt just random , it was forming shapes ,

bag , I

were the same as the ones described as the seal

is it , I whispered , my

getting closer wouldnt

, and the air around it felt

as if the forest itself was watching me , waiting

studied the symbols again , tracing them with my

only where the light touches , and

patches of moonlight filtering through

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

I stepped

me , but the

, carefully placing each

around me , darkness reaching

low growl stopped me in my

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