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 my elbow

deserves to , he said

We all do .

to Aurora where she stood at the edge of the

swelled then released in her shoulders told me it had weight

of paces before embracing briefly and then

again found Aurora still along the tree line ,

gone ? I asked as I sat down beside her

nodded , her gaze following along the path

needed

relation to the Forgotten … it is part of

exhaled a sigh , running her hand

I dont know .

so though , its so infrequent , that being at peace

taking her opportunity

by evening , the packhouse was just so filled with the kind of warmth I did not experience for what has seemed like Chapter 223 4/8

rejoice ,

her features dancing in the flicker of

sat beside her , his hand

so easy with each other ; their silence a

opposite them and our banter

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

only worked because I fixed your sloppy placement , I returned , smirking

and shook

two will never

the pack retired

corners within the

went out , and I fell a few

almost against each other as the soft evening breeze whistled among the

seconds ; both

Aurora leaned her head against

barely above a whisper Dane said nothing for a time , but I did

he

we

clearing , giving

the horizon where the

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

I turned to head inside , something fluttered in

almost didnt catch it , pulsed across the horizon before dying

; my breath was caught in

green glow on the horizon was gone now , swallowed up by the darkness , but the sense of unease it left with me coiled

swung back to Aurora and Dane

to each other , their quiet conversation a gentle murmur

confident , so convinced the war was already

that light … it

, peering hard into the darkness for any

; their branches danced in gentle