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 .

223 3/8 Shes smiling more , I said to Warrick who was still by my side ,

deserves to , he said

We all do .

higher in the sky now , Eira drew closer to Aurora where she stood at the edge of

they said , but the way tension swelled then

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

Aurora

? I asked as I sat down beside

her gaze following along

she needed to go

is part

? She exhaled a sigh , running

I dont know .

so though , its so

taking

of warmth I did not experience for what has seemed like Chapter 223 4/8

wasnt a time to rejoice , not

sal , near the hearth , her features dancing in the flicker of the

sat beside her , his hand on

each other ; their silence a testimony to

and I sat opposite them and our banter served to fill

said smugly as he

your sloppy placement , I returned ,

and shook her head

will

wore on until one by one the pack retired to

nooks and corners within

and I fell

against each other as the

for several seconds ; both lay looking up with

until Aurora leaned

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

he said

think we can

back at the edge of the clearing , giving them

across the horizon where the

and we could finally start rebuilding , not just the packhouse

as I turned to head inside , something fluttered in my vision

almost didnt catch it , pulsed across the horizon

froze ; my breath was caught in

on the horizon was gone now , swallowed up by the darkness

swung back to

other , their quiet

convinced the war was already Chapter 223

But that light …

the forest , peering hard into the darkness for any sign of

still ; their branches danced in gentle gestures in