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

to , he said ,

We all do .

, Eira drew closer to Aurora where she stood

way tension swelled then released in

go , Aurora followed her a number of paces before embracing briefly and then was gone , her

again found Aurora still along the tree

asked as I sat down beside her

nodded , her gaze following along

needed

is part of her which she cannot

a sigh , running her hand through her

I dont know .

its so infrequent , that being

is just taking her

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 and tales , quiet

wasnt a time to rejoice , not

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

beside her , his hand on hers

each other ; their

sat opposite them and our banter served to fill

work , Warrick said smugly as he fell back in

I fixed your sloppy placement , I returned , smirking

shook her head

will

on until one by one the pack retired to bed , to rooms

and corners within the

went out , and I

against each other as the soft evening breeze whistled among the leaves of

for several seconds ; both lay looking

223 5/8 keen concentration until Aurora leaned her

a whisper Dane said nothing for a time

he said finally

think we

the clearing

across the horizon where the blackness of the forest met

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

turned to head inside , something fluttered

that I almost didnt catch it , pulsed across the horizon

; my breath was caught in my throat

up by the darkness , but the sense of

to Aurora and

turned to each other , their quiet conversation a gentle

, so convinced the war

But that light … it was wrong

to the forest , peering hard

their branches danced in gentle