Chapter 269

PIPER

Alina’s final words before exile, “This isn’t over,” seemed to be that constant hum of cold, creeping fog lying low over the pack.

I leaned against the railing of the packhouse, observing the wolves moving on through the day with weighed down shoulders, as tension hung on with the passing of weeks.

Warrick moved beside me and gave my shoulder a gentle bump.

“You’ve been quiet,” he said, his voice softer than usual.

“I’m just… thinking,” I replied, my eyes drifting to the training grounds where Rowan was hauling supplies.

Rowan who had once been so proud, so eager to prove himself now moved with a little energy, his gaze rarely rising from the ground.

The fact was that it felt odd to see him this way. The Rowan I knew was impulsive, sometimes foolish, but not this weak and shy.

He’s trying, Warrick said, catching my gaze. It might take some time, but he’ll find his place again.

I nodded, but my attention stayed with him as Rowan paused,

Chapter 269

his head bowing briefly. Something in the way that he moved. tightened my chest.

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I made my way to the training grounds much later in the afternoon. He was alone, his hands dirty, shoulders hunched. as if he carried some invisible weight. I hid behind a tree a bit ashamed of myself and yet unable to take my eyes off him.

Then I saw her. Alina stood near the edge of the woods.

My breath caught as Rowan looked up, his face a mixture of surprise and confusion. They spoke in hushed tones, too low for me to hear, but their body language told me enough.

Alina was making movement with her hands animatedly, her hands slicing through the air as she leaned toward him.

but she set at hand on his arm, her

startled me and I jumped out of my

hissed, pulling him behind the tree

trunk, his brow furrowing. “Is that. Alina? What’s she doing here?

trying to figure out,”

Rowan finally nodded, defeated, his shoulders sagging. Alina smiled smugly; a

Chapter 269

spine as she disappeared

think that

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know,” I replied, my stomach twisting. “But we need to tell Aurora and

the wall, arms crossed in Aurora’s quarters; Aurora and Dane sat across from us, their faces growing darker with every word as

seen.

head,” I said, frustration bubbling in my voice.

a hand through her hair. “Rowan’s trying to find his place, but Alina’s manipulation runs deep. We should have kept

his jaw tight. “This isn’t about Rowan anymore. If

do we do?” Warrick

insisted. “If something is up, he’ll slip it

begun to come into an unsettling quiet when suddenly, a fumbling knock

before anyone

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4/6

a scout girl stumbled right in, running her chest heavily and her

once, her eyes narrowing. “What is

border,” Cassia stammered, struggling to catch her breath. “A figure… cloaked…

eyes widened. “A

saw it myself. They were moving fast, but not trying to

glance. Her tone was silky, but granite lay

headed right for the

crossed his arms over his chest, his expression black.

“How can you be so

said, his tone clipped. “This is just her style. She keeps us

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