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 .

said to Warrick who was still by my side , nudging

he said

We all do .

higher in the sky now , Eira drew closer to Aurora where she

but the way tension swelled then released in her shoulders told me

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

little later , I again found Aurora still along the tree

gone ? I asked as

along the path Eira

said she needed to go

… it is part of her which she

this ? She exhaled a sigh , running her hand through

I dont know .

though , its so infrequent ,

is just taking her

warmth I did not experience for what has seemed like

to rejoice ,

features dancing in the

sat beside her , his hand on

other ; their silence a testimony to their compatibility

our banter served to fill

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

I fixed your sloppy placement , I returned ,

shook her

will never

the pack retired to

quiet nooks and corners within the

out , and I

and sat down almost against each other as the soft

; both

5/8 keen concentration until Aurora leaned her head against

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

, he said

think we

the clearing

out across the horizon where the blackness of the forest met the

could finally start rebuilding , not just the packhouse or the land but ourselves

, as I turned to head inside

flash of green light , quick enough that I almost didnt catch it , pulsed across the horizon before dying

; my breath was caught in

by the darkness , but the sense of unease it left with

swung back to Aurora and Dane

each other , their quiet

so convinced the war was

… it was wrong

ran back to the forest , peering hard into the darkness for any

trees were still ; their branches danced