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.

shaking his head once, but she set

me and I jumped

him behind the tree

leaned around the trunk, his brow furrowing. “Is that. Alina? What’s she

to figure out,” I

finally nodded, defeated,

Chapter 269

spine as

you think that was about?”

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

arms crossed in Aurora’s quarters; Aurora and Dane sat across from us,

seen.

said, frustration bubbling in

through her hair. “Rowan’s trying to find his place, but Alina’s manipulation

forward, his jaw tight. “This isn’t about Rowan anymore. If Alina is sneaking back into

do we

with interrogating Rowan,” Aurora insisted. “If something is up, he’ll slip it out

only begun to come into an unsettling quiet when suddenly, a fumbling knock began to resound through the

anyone reached the

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girl stumbled right in, running her chest heavily and her face

eyes narrowing. “What is it, Cassia?

border,” Cassia stammered, struggling to catch her breath.

eyes widened. “A cloaked figure? You’re

They were moving fast, but not trying to hide.

glance. Her tone was

mile. They were headed right for

arms over his chest, his expression black.

forward, her voice full of incredulity. “How can you be so sure? She is bold, but to

“This is just her style. She keeps us

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