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 ,

on the table , the one

been scanning over it for weeks , but I wasnt

, give me something , I whispered , flipping through the pages

caught

riddles , with phrases like the shadows coil where the moonlight dies

182 The riddles werent just

felt it in

wasnt just a random location

It was significant .

at the

I could be there by

wasnt difficult

, wrapped up in whatever schemes

a vague note , knowing he wouldnt notice

it was

forest loomed ahead , dark and foreboding

colder , and the pack bond weakened even further

forcing my nerves to settle

had always felt …

their branches twisting together

my steps and every sound

to the shadows and listening for anything out of

alert , every rustle of leaves or crack of a

, crouching low behind

that didnt belong

inched closer , my breath catching as I

shapes , and symbols

, I flipped to the page with

were the same as the ones described as the seal of the Namelesss

whispered ,

wouldnt be

the air around it felt

itself was watching me , waiting for me to

studied the symbols again , tracing them with my finger and mouthing the words

light touches , and the darkness will grant you

, spotting faint patches of

a path , narrow and

a deep breath , I stepped

solid beneath me , but the

, carefully placing each step in

swirled around me , darkness reaching out as

the ravine , a low growl stopped me in

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