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 .

who

he said

We all do .

the sky now , Eira drew closer to Aurora where she stood at the edge of the

what they said , but the way tension swelled then released in

time Eira had turned to go , Aurora followed her a number of paces before embracing briefly and then was gone ,

Aurora still along the tree line , alone

I asked as I sat down beside her

her gaze following along the path Eira had vanished

needed

the Forgotten … it is part of her which she cannot press

with this ? She exhaled a sigh , running her hand through her

I dont know .

do think so though , its so

is just taking

evening , the packhouse was just so filled with the kind of warmth I did not experience for what has seemed

wasnt a time to rejoice

features dancing in the

beside her , his hand

other ; their silence

and our banter

said smugly as he fell back in

only worked because I fixed your sloppy placement , I returned

chuckled and shook

two will never

one by one the

and corners within the

and Dane went out , and I fell

sky and sat down almost against each other

for several seconds ; both lay

concentration until Aurora leaned her head against

can start breathing , her voice barely above a whisper Dane said nothing for a time , but I

he said finally

think we can

the clearing , giving them some time to

horizon where the blackness of the forest met

we could

instant , as I turned to head inside , something fluttered in

light , quick enough that I almost didnt

was caught

now , swallowed up by the darkness , but the sense of unease it left

swung back to Aurora

each other , their quiet conversation a gentle murmur in the night

the war

that light … it was wrong

ran back to the forest , peering hard

their branches danced in gentle