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 .

low , mournful sound that

scanning the horizon , but I can see nothing to give

called , my voice even if

leaves and then another howl , answer , this

the smell once I step

in warning , but

the faint markings on a tree trunk : deeply etched claw marks into

my fingers over them , a cold shiver running down

alive , and a sickening realization dawns

ordinary scratches ;

I stumble backward .

my heartbeat picks up ,

might be healed , but in the process , something else has

spin and run

the ground , and I race

view ,

howls follow me , growing louder , more

, and the joyful atmosphere

me , their laughter stilled by

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

breathing , in short gasps , those pulsating

, Aurora repeats , a bite to

Speak up .

coming ? Shadows , I finally forced out in a

Theyre coming .

the past … the

with unease ; the whispers spread like a

go wide as she looks at Dane , who has already stepped forward , his face

, Dane says steady as always ,

We need answers .

my legs now threaten

of fire darting and thereby casting , long shadows

hand lies on mine , You have to tell us everything , she says , soft

trying to clear

grove ,

… it didnt just lift the

woke something

wolves , forgotten long ago

called themselves

Auroras brow furrows .

of

216 Few have

I answer .

were exiled for

should be used to dominate , to

were exiled , they vanished … or

his arms crossed

now theyre back ? me

weight settles heavily upon

Theyve been waiting .