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 .

to Warrick who was still by my side , nudging him with

he said ,

We all do .

, Eira drew closer to

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

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

found Aurora

? I asked as I

following along the path Eira

needed to go

part of her which she

alright with this ? She exhaled a sigh , running

I dont know .

, its so infrequent , that

just taking

experience for what has seemed like Chapter 223 4/8 eternity … werewolves sharing food and tales , quiet

a time to rejoice

features dancing in

her , his hand on

so easy with each other ; their silence a testimony

sat opposite them and our banter served

work , Warrick said smugly

only worked because I fixed your sloppy placement

shook her

two will never change

one by one the

nooks and corners within the

and I fell

against each other as the soft evening breeze whistled among

silent for several seconds ; both

5/8 keen concentration until Aurora leaned her head against Danes shoulder

we can start breathing , her voice barely above a whisper Dane said nothing for a

he

think we

the clearing , giving them

horizon where the blackness of

the weight felt lifted , and we could finally start rebuilding , not

as I turned to head inside , something fluttered in

I almost didnt catch it , pulsed across the horizon before dying

my breath was caught

horizon was gone now , swallowed up by the darkness , but the sense of unease it left with me coiled tightly in my

to Aurora and Dane

each other , their quiet conversation a

confident , so convinced the war was already

… it was

ran back to the forest , peering hard into the

their branches danced