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 .

was important enough for him to note ,

table , the one filled with symbols and

for weeks , but I wasnt sure

, I whispered , flipping through

section caught my attention

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

Chapter 182 The riddles werent just poetic , they were

it in

just a random location

It was significant .

at the

I moved now , I could

wasnt

wrapped up

him a vague note , knowing he wouldnt notice my absence

it was too

forest loomed ahead , dark and foreboding

edge , the air grew colder , and the

swallowed hard , forcing my nerves to settle

eastern forest had always felt

trees were taller here, their

and every sound seemed to echo

carefully , keeping to the shadows and listening for anything out of place

senses were on high alert , every rustle of leaves or crack of a branch making my heart race

one point , I paused , crouching

dipped into a shallow ravine , and in the center was something that

closer , my breath catching as I realized what I was looking at

it was forming shapes , and

bag , I flipped to the page with the riddles

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

I whispered , my voice

closer wouldnt be

the air around it felt … alive

watching me , waiting for me to

the symbols again , tracing them with my finger

only where the light touches

faint patches of moonlight

create a path , narrow and winding but just wide enough for me

deep breath , I stepped onto the first patch

ground felt solid beneath me ,

slowly , carefully placing each

darkness reaching out as

, a low growl stopped me