Blood And Silver:Rise of the Alpha’s Rejected Mate

Chapter 216 EIRA Before me , the treetops of the forest stretch endlessly , blackly silent in a way thats unnervingly quiet .

The shouting and laughter of the festival grew ever more indistinct as I stood at the edge of the trees , clenching and unclenching my fists at my sides .

The air is different here , heavier .

My senses tingle with unease as some faint unfamiliar scent wafts on the wind .

I move a little closer , the cool earth under my bare feet .

The smell grows in strength , with something sharp and metallic tang to it .

Somethings not right , I mutter to myself , my heart pounding .

A rustling sound arrests my attention in the deeper shadows of the forest .

I froze , my breath caught in my throat , and strained to listen .

The faint sound of laughter at the festival is miles away now ; the silence of the woods swallowed them .

It has been weeks since the grove was rejuvenated .

Broken Ridge is now teeming with life , and the crops are in plenty ; the pack .

was filled with strength .

On the surface , everything looks perfect , but that feeling of Chapter 216 2/6 Ive tried to disregard it and get myself lost in the joyous celebrations .

The festival tonight was supposed to start things anew , to finally leave what was behind us , behind us .

But here , peering into this darkness , I have that feeling that something is watching me .

The pack is alive with joy back at the festival , the music in the night air , the flickering light of the fires casting warm shadows across smiling faces .

Aurora floats with ease from group to group ; her bright , genuine peals of laughter rise into the night air .

She is lighter somehow , despite it all .

I stand at the edge of the group , far enough away to watch the celebration but not join in .

I have kept to myself since the groves restoration .

The others seem to have found peace , but to me , it feels fleeting , a fragile thread waiting to snap .

The wind shifts , carrying that same sharp scent from the forest .

My stomach churns .

I glance back at the dark horizon , my instincts screaming at me to turn away .

But I cant .

I slip away from the festivities and move away , my footsteps light and deliberate .

As I approach the edge of the forest , the scent grows stronger , distinctive .

the air , a low , mournful sound that raises every

3/6 I spin around , eyes scanning the horizon , but I can see nothing to give

called , my voice even

rustling leaves and then another howl ,

I step into the tree

wolf senses flare in warning , but my curiosity pushes me forward

catch the faint markings on a tree trunk : deeply etched

run my fingers over them , a cold

almost as if alive

ordinary scratches ; these are symbols

I stumble backward .

quickens while my heartbeat picks up , and the pieces

in the

spin and

touch the ground , and I race back toward the

the festival come into view , but my relief is short , lived

growing

, and the joyful atmosphere freezes

on me , their

, what is it ? Whats wrong ? 4/6 I try to speak , but the words catch in

short gasps , those pulsating

a

Speak up .

Shadows , I finally

Theyre coming .

past … the

with unease ; the whispers spread like

wide as she looks at Dane ,

Dane says steady as

We need answers .

nods and pulls me out of the crowd , and my legs now threaten to fold under me , my only means

room with the flame of fire darting and thereby casting , long shadows along the

next to me ; her hand lies on mine , You have to tell us

eyes , trying to clear my

grove , I

it … it didnt just lift the curse

woke something up

forgotten long ago during

called themselves the Forgotten

Auroras brow furrows .

of them

Few have

I answer .

for their

thought the groves power should be used

they vanished … or so we thought

arms crossed over

theyre back

, and the weight settles heavily upon me

Theyve been waiting .