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 .

enough for him to note , it had to mean

the journal Aurora had left on the table , the

weeks , but I wasnt sure how

on , give me something , I

section caught my attention

the Namelesss territory in riddles , with phrases like the shadows coil where the moonlight

riddles werent just poetic ,

felt it in my gut

just a random location

It was significant .

glanced at

moved now , I could be

out wasnt difficult

been unusually quiet lately , wrapped

left him a vague note , knowing he wouldnt

was too

ahead , dark

, the air grew colder ,

hard , forcing my nerves to settle

eastern forest had always felt

trees were taller here, their branches twisting together

my steps and every sound seemed to

to the shadows and listening for

rustle of leaves or crack

point , I paused , crouching low behind a

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

I inched closer , my breath catching as

just random , it was forming shapes , and

, I

same as the ones described as the seal of the

is it , I whispered , my voice barely

wouldnt

faintly , and the air around it felt … alive

watching me , waiting for me to make a wrong move

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

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

faint patches of

to create a path , narrow and

breath , I stepped onto the

ground felt solid beneath me , but the air grew colder

carefully placing each step in the

around me , darkness reaching out as

, a low growl stopped me in my tracks