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

he said ,

We all do .

drew closer to Aurora

what they said , but the way tension swelled then released

her a number of paces before embracing briefly and then was gone

I again found Aurora still along

? I asked as

gaze following along the path

she needed to go

… it is part of her which she cannot press aside

sigh ,

I dont know .

think so though , its so infrequent , that being at

just taking her

was just so filled with the kind of warmth I did not experience

wasnt a time to rejoice ,

, her features dancing in the flicker of

sat beside her , his hand on

with each other ; their silence a testimony

I sat opposite them and our banter served to

would work , Warrick said smugly as he fell back in

I fixed your sloppy placement , I returned

shook

two will

by one the pack

quiet nooks and corners within the

, and I fell a few feet behind

and sat down almost against each other as the soft evening breeze whistled among the

were silent for several seconds ; both lay looking up

concentration until Aurora leaned her head against Danes shoulder

start breathing , her voice barely above a whisper Dane said nothing for a time , but I did

he

think we

edge of the clearing , giving them some time to

horizon where the blackness

first time , the weight felt lifted , and we could

instant , as I turned to head inside

that I almost didnt catch it , pulsed across

my breath was

was gone now , swallowed up by the darkness , but the sense of unease it left with

to Aurora and Dane

their

seemed so confident , so convinced the war was already Chapter 223 Won

light …

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

were still ; their branches danced in gentle gestures in

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