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

on the table , the one filled with symbols and

it for weeks , but I wasnt sure how

me something , I whispered

section caught my attention

shadows coil where the moonlight dies and the forest

werent just

it in my gut

wasnt just a random

It was significant .

glanced at

now , I could be there by

out wasnt difficult

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

vague note , knowing he wouldnt notice my

it was

ahead , dark and

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

hard , forcing my nerves to settle

always

trees were taller here, their branches twisting together like claws

with moss , muffling my steps and every sound

shadows and

every rustle of leaves or crack of a branch

paused ,

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

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

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

I

the same as the ones described as the

, I whispered , my voice

closer wouldnt be easy

mist pulsed faintly , and the

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

symbols again , tracing them with my finger

riddle was clear now : Step only where the light touches , and the darkness will grant

patches of moonlight filtering through the

narrow and winding

a deep breath , I stepped onto the first patch of light

solid beneath me , but the air grew colder

slowly , carefully placing each step in the light

around me , darkness reaching out as

across the ravine , a low