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 .

for him to note , it had to

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

for weeks , but I wasnt sure how much she may have

, I whispered , flipping through

caught my attention

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

riddles werent just poetic ,

felt it in my

eastern forest wasnt just a

It was significant .

glanced at the clock

I moved now , I could

out wasnt difficult

lately , wrapped up in whatever schemes kept

a vague note , knowing he wouldnt notice my

was

loomed ahead , dark and foreboding

, the air grew colder , and

forcing my nerves to

eastern forest had always

trees were taller here, their branches twisting together like

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

, keeping to the shadows and listening

alert , every rustle of leaves or

one point , I paused , crouching low behind a fallen

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

4/6 I inched closer , my breath catching

, and symbols that

, I flipped to the page

in the mist were the same as the ones described as the

I whispered , my voice

closer wouldnt

faintly , and the air around it felt …

watching me , waiting for me

them with my finger and mouthing the words from

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

, spotting faint patches of

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

deep breath , I stepped

me , but the air grew

slowly , carefully placing each step

darkness reaching

the ravine , a low growl

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