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 was still by my side , nudging him with my

to , he said ,

We all do .

Eira drew closer to Aurora

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

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

found Aurora still along the tree line , alone

as I

following along the path Eira had

she needed to go

to the Forgotten … it is part of her

a sigh

I dont know .

so though , its so

just taking her opportunity

packhouse was just so filled with the kind of warmth I did not experience for what has seemed like Chapter 223

to rejoice ,

features dancing in the

beside her , his hand on hers

with each other ; their

our banter served to fill the pauses

, Warrick said smugly as he fell back in his chair

worked because I fixed your sloppy placement , I

chuckled and shook her head

two will

wore on until one by one the pack retired to bed

quiet nooks and corners

Dane went out , and I fell a few feet behind

sat down almost against each

several seconds ;

until Aurora

breathing , her voice barely above a whisper Dane said nothing for a time , but I did notice how his hand

, he said finally

we

the clearing ,

where the blackness of the

first time , the weight felt lifted , and we could finally start rebuilding , not just the packhouse or the land

instant , as I turned to head

didnt catch

breath was caught in my throat

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

back to Aurora and

, their quiet conversation a gentle murmur in

seemed so confident , so convinced the war was already Chapter 223

that light … it was wrong

hard into the darkness for

branches danced in gentle gestures in the