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 .

I said to Warrick who was still by my side

said , his voice oddly

We all do .

to Aurora where she stood at the

couldnt hear what they said , but the way tension swelled then released in her shoulders told me it had weight

to go , Aurora followed her a number of paces before embracing briefly and then was

found Aurora still along the tree

asked as I

her gaze following along

said she needed to

Forgotten … it is part of her which she cannot press

alright with this ? She exhaled a sigh , running

I dont know .

think so though , its so infrequent , that being

just taking

experience for what has seemed like Chapter 223 4/8 eternity … werewolves

wasnt a time to rejoice , not quite yet

the hearth , her features dancing in the

sat beside her , his hand

two were so easy with each other ; their

them and our banter served to

Warrick said smugly as he fell back

because I fixed your sloppy placement ,

and shook her

will never

wore on until one by one the pack retired to bed

nooks and corners within

, and I fell a few

against each other as the soft

were silent for several seconds ; both lay looking up with

5/8 keen concentration until Aurora leaned

start breathing , her voice barely above a whisper Dane said nothing

he

we can

the edge of the clearing

horizon where the blackness of the forest met the sky

and we could finally start rebuilding , not just the packhouse

turned to head inside , something fluttered

flash of green light , quick enough that I almost didnt catch it ,

breath was

faint green glow on the horizon was gone now , swallowed up by the darkness , but the sense of unease it

swung back to

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

, so convinced the war was already

that light …

, peering hard into the darkness for

danced in gentle gestures in the breeze

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