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

he said

We all do .

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

but the way tension swelled then released in her shoulders told

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

again found Aurora still

asked as

, her gaze following along the path Eira had vanished

needed to

is part of her which she cannot press aside

exhaled a sigh , running her hand through her

I dont know .

, its so infrequent , that being at

taking

the packhouse was just so filled with the kind of warmth I did not experience for what has seemed like Chapter 223 4/8 eternity … werewolves sharing food

rejoice , not

features dancing in the

,

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

opposite them and our banter served to fill

said smugly as he

your sloppy placement , I returned , smirking

shook her head

two will never

until one by one the pack

quiet nooks and corners

out , and

against each other as the soft evening

;

223 5/8 keen concentration until Aurora leaned her head

Dane said nothing for a time , but I did notice

he

think we

the clearing , giving them some time to their moment

the horizon where the blackness of the forest met the sky

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

turned to head inside , something fluttered in

almost didnt catch it ,

breath was caught

swallowed up by the darkness , but the sense of unease it left with me coiled tightly in

back to Aurora

their

seemed so confident , so convinced the war

that light …

forest , peering hard into the darkness for any sign

their branches danced in gentle gestures