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

but I can see nothing to give a target

there ? I called , my voice even if I am not

leaves and then another howl

once I step into the tree line

senses flare in warning , but my curiosity pushes me forward

on a tree trunk : deeply etched claw

a cold shiver

pulse faintly , almost as if alive , and a sickening

scratches ;

I stumble backward .

while my heartbeat picks up , and the pieces start to

, but in the

spin and

feet barely touch the ground , and I

, but my relief is

follow me , growing louder ,

clearing , and the

on me , their laughter stilled by my

? 4/6 I try to speak

short gasps , those pulsating marks scared into

a bite to her tone now

Speak up .

I finally forced out in

Theyre coming .

of the past …

unease ; the whispers spread like a

she looks at Dane , who has already

Dane says steady as always , yet urgent

We need answers .

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

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

to me ; her hand lies on mine , You have to tell us everything , she says , soft and with firmness in her tone

, trying to

, I

… it didnt just lift the curse

woke something up

of wolves , forgotten

called themselves the

Auroras brow furrows .

of

216 Few have

I answer .

exiled for their dangerous

groves power should be

were exiled , they vanished … or so

steps closer , his arms crossed over his chest

back ? me

and the weight settles

Theyve been waiting .

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