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 .

a low , mournful

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

called , my voice even if I am

another howl , answer ,

in the smell once I

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

pulse faintly , almost as if alive , and a sickening realization dawns on me

no ordinary scratches ;

I stumble backward .

heartbeat picks up , and the pieces start to fall into

be healed , but in

spin and

, and I race back toward the

, but my relief

howls follow me , growing louder , more insistent

burst into the clearing , and

their laughter stilled by my sudden

4/6 I try to speak , but the words catch in my throat

, in short gasps , those pulsating marks

a bite to her tone

Speak up .

, I finally forced out

Theyre coming .

of the past … the Forgotten

with unease ; the whispers

she looks at Dane , who has already stepped forward ,

the healer , Dane says steady

We need answers .

, and my legs now threaten to fold under

flame of fire

to tell us everything , she says , soft and with firmness in her

close my eyes , trying to clear my head

grove ,

it … it didnt just lift

woke something

forgotten

themselves the

Auroras brow furrows .

of them

Few

I answer .

exiled for

should be

, they vanished …

steps closer , his arms crossed

back

and the weight settles

Theyve been waiting .