Blood And Silver:Rise of the Alpha’s Rejected Mate

Chapter 223 PIPER The grove is free … for now .

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was the sunlight beaming through the packhouse windows .

It wasnt light ; it was warm , golden … the kind that wrapped around you and made you forget that the darkness had ever existed .

For weeks , the mist had clung to the territory , suffocating everything it touched .

But now the sky was clear , and the air felt different , lighter .

I went out , squinting against the brightness .

Already werewolves were gathering , their faces a mix of disbelief and cautious hope .

Aurora stood on the ridge overlooking the territory , her silhouette framed by the rising sun .

Dane was beside her , his arm draped protectively around her shoulders .

Its over , he said softly , his voice carrying just enough for those nearby to hear .

Then and there , Aurora said nothing else , just stood her ground , eyes fixed on some point above the horizon , apparently waiting for something .

Chapter 223 2/8 Then she nodded , this small smile on her lips .

For now , she said , soft yet clear as crystal .

With purpose , the pack stirred ; the dam was broken that had so long held some unseen tension at bay .

The werewolf set to , repairing the packhouse and outlying homes , others sallied out into the forest , making observations .

about the lie of the land .

Trajan took to running the younger werewolf through drills in the open field .

I watched him as he corrected stances and issued advice , his voice low even .

It was a side of him I hadnt seen before , a leader , not just a fighter .

They look up to him , Warrick said , coming to stand beside me .

Hes earned it , I said , crossing my arms to watch Trajan demonstrate some sort of defensive move .

Warrick grinned .

Still think he broods too much , though .

I elbowed him , rolling my eyes .

And you talk too much .

Later in the day , Aurora was out in the field with the other elders , helping them farm .

Odd , I thought it looked .

Her amongst them , soft laughter at the end of one of their jokes .

Lighter .

smiling more , I said to Warrick who was still by my side , nudging him with my elbow

to , he said , his voice

We all do .

drew closer to Aurora where she stood at the edge of the fields

, but the way tension swelled then

followed her a number of paces before embracing briefly and then

Aurora still along the tree line , alone

as I sat

following along the path Eira had vanished

she needed

relation to the Forgotten … it is part

sigh , running

I dont know .

do think so though , its so

is just taking her opportunity

I did not experience for what has seemed like

a time to rejoice , not quite yet

, her features dancing in the

, his hand on hers

were so easy with each other ; their silence a testimony to their

and I sat opposite them and our banter

, Warrick said smugly as he fell back

worked because I fixed your sloppy placement ,

and shook

will never

wore on until one by one the pack retired to bed , to

corners within the

, and I fell a

down almost against each other as the soft evening

for several seconds ; both lay looking

keen concentration until Aurora leaned her head against Danes shoulder

a whisper Dane said nothing for

he said

think we can

of the clearing , giving them some time to

the

the weight felt lifted , and we could finally start rebuilding , not just the packhouse

as I turned to head inside , something

light , quick enough that I almost didnt catch it ,

my breath was caught

by the darkness , but the sense of unease it left with

back to

together , heads turned to each other , their quiet conversation a gentle murmur in the night air

seemed so confident , so convinced the

But that light … it

ran back to the forest , peering hard

were still ; their branches danced in gentle