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 .

smiling more , I said to Warrick who was still by my side , nudging him

, he said , his

We all do .

sky now , Eira drew closer to

but the way tension swelled then released in

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

again found Aurora still along the tree line

I asked as I sat

, her gaze following along the path

she needed to

is part of her which she cannot press

alright with this ? She exhaled a sigh , running her hand through her

I dont know .

its so infrequent , that being

taking

the packhouse was just so filled with the kind of warmth I did not experience for what has

a time to rejoice , not

hearth , her features dancing in the flicker

sat beside her , his hand

were so easy with each other ; their silence

and our banter served to fill the

Warrick said smugly as he fell back in his

only worked because I fixed your sloppy placement , I

shook her

will never change

by one the pack

and corners

and I fell a few feet

night sky and sat down almost against each other

silent for several seconds ; both lay looking

5/8 keen concentration until Aurora

a whisper Dane said nothing for a time , but I

he

think we

the edge of the clearing , giving them some time to their moment

out across the horizon where the blackness of the forest met the sky

and we could finally start rebuilding , not just

as I turned to

flash of green light , quick enough that I almost didnt

my breath was caught in

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

back to Aurora and Dane

turned to each other , their quiet

so convinced the war was already

that light … it was

peering hard into the darkness for any sign

branches danced in gentle

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