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 .

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

he said , his

We all do .

Eira drew closer to Aurora where she stood at

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

followed her a number of paces before embracing briefly and then was gone , her figure

Aurora still along the tree

I asked as I

nodded , her gaze following along the path Eira had vanished into

said she needed

Forgotten … it is part of her which

a sigh , running her hand

I dont know .

so infrequent , that being

just taking her opportunity

I did not experience for what

rejoice

sal , near the hearth , her features dancing

sat beside her , his hand on

other ; their silence a testimony to their

and I sat opposite them and our

traps would work , Warrick said smugly as he fell back in

only worked because I fixed your sloppy

shook

will never change

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

and corners within the packhouse

and I fell a few feet

sky and sat down almost against each other as the

seconds ;

223 5/8 keen concentration until Aurora leaned her

voice barely above a whisper Dane said nothing

, he

think we

clearing , giving them some time to their

out across the horizon where the blackness of the forest met

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

instant , as I turned to head inside ,

quick enough that I almost didnt catch it , pulsed across the horizon before dying into the darkness

breath was caught

darkness , but the sense of unease it left with me coiled

swung back to Aurora and

together , heads turned to each other , their quiet

the war was already Chapter 223 Won

that light … it was wrong

to the forest , peering hard into the darkness for any sign of

; their branches danced in