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 .

air , a low , mournful sound

eyes scanning the horizon , but I can see nothing to give a target to the

my voice even if

rustling leaves and then another howl , answer ,

I step into the tree

in warning , but my curiosity pushes me

on a tree trunk : deeply etched claw marks

a

almost as if alive , and

no ordinary scratches ; these are symbols

I stumble backward .

quickens while my heartbeat picks up , and the pieces start

, but in the process

and

barely touch the ground , and I race back toward

come into view , but my

follow me , growing louder , more

, and

eyes settle on me , their

wrong ? 4/6 I try to speak

in short gasps , those pulsating marks scared into my

, a bite to

Speak up .

, I finally forced out in a strangled

Theyre coming .

of the past

; the whispers spread like

go wide as she looks at Dane , who

her to the healer , Dane says

We need answers .

me out of the crowd , and my legs now threaten

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

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

close my eyes , trying to

,

didnt just

something

of wolves , forgotten long ago during

called themselves

Auroras brow furrows .

heard of

216 Few

I answer .

for their dangerous beliefs

the groves power should be used to dominate , to destroy

were exiled , they vanished …

arms crossed over

back ? me

, and the weight settles heavily

Theyve been waiting .