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 .

through the air , a low , mournful sound that raises every hair on

horizon , but I

my voice

then another howl , answer , this one closer

in the smell once I

warning ,

tree trunk : deeply etched claw marks into the bark

my fingers over them , a

marks pulse faintly , almost as if alive , and a sickening realization

no ordinary scratches ; these are symbols

I stumble backward .

breathing quickens while my heartbeat picks up , and the pieces start to fall into place

but in the process , something

spin and run

ground , and I race back toward

view , but

follow me , growing louder ,

clearing , and the joyful atmosphere

their laughter stilled by my sudden entrance

Whats wrong ? 4/6 I try to speak , but the

gasps , those pulsating marks scared into my

, a bite

Speak up .

, I finally forced out in a strangled

Theyre coming .

past …

crowd ripples with unease ; the whispers

looks at Dane , who has already

the healer , Dane says steady as always

We need answers .

threaten to fold under me , my only means

flame of fire

lies on mine , You have to tell us everything , she says , soft and with firmness

my eyes , trying to clear my head

grove , I begin

… it didnt just lift the curse

something

… of wolves , forgotten long ago during

themselves

Auroras brow furrows .

of

Few have

I answer .

were exiled for

should be used to dominate , to

they were exiled , they vanished …

, his arms

now theyre back ? me

, and the weight settles

Theyve been waiting .