Chapter 182 1/6 PIPER The moment I woke , I knew something was wrong .


    The pack bond was usually steady , but aforting hum in the back of my mind was off .


    It didnt feel severed , but it was weak like a thread stretched too thin and ready to snap .


    I sat up in bed , running my fingers through my hair as I tried to focus on the sensation .


    It was Aurora .


    Her bond was dim , and distant , as though she wasnt just far away physically but emotionally locked behind some imprable wall .


    I got dressed quickly , throwing on dark clothes meant for stealth .


    My heart pounded as I tried to make sense of the unease wing at me .


    Whatever was happening , I couldnt just sit here and wait .


    I came out and I felt drawn to the war room , I found Trajans map still spread across the table , a mess of notes and markers left behind from thest strategy session .


    I studied it , searching for anything that might point me toward Aurora .


    Think , Piper , 1 muttered to myself .


    Where would she The Namelesssir was the most obvious answer , but it wasnt * ough to just guess I needed something concrete .


    Chapter 182 2/6 My fingers brushed over the map , tracing the paths wed marked as dangerous areas where dark creatures had been spotted or where Danes influence lingered .


    A cold chill ran down my spine as I noticed a pattern .


    The sightings formed a loose perimeter around one area we hadnt explored deeply , an unassuming section of dense forest that seemed to repel even the bravest scouts .


    I frowned , leaning closer .


    What are you hiding in there ? Beside the map was a stack of old reports , most of them from Evanders missions .


    I flipped through them , scanning for any mention of the Nameless or unusual activity .


    One entry caught my eye .


    Spotted faint tracks leading into the eastern forest .


    Too faint to pursue .


    The air felt … heavy .


    Rmend further investigation .


    Evanders words sent a shiver through me .


    If the eastern forest was important enough for him to note , it had to mean something .


    I grabbed the journal Aurora had left on the table , the one filled with symbols and cryptic notes .


    Shed been scanning over it for weeks , but I wasnt sure how much she may have discovered .


    Come on , give me something , I whispered , flipping through the pages .


    One section caught my attention .


    It described the Namelesss territory in riddles , with phrases like the shadows coil where the moonlight dies and the forest speaks only to the brave .


    3/6 Chapter 182 The riddles werent just poetic , they were instructions .


    I felt it in my gut .


    The eastern forest wasnt just a random location .


    It was significant .


    I nced at the clock .


    If I moved now , I could be there by nightfall .


    Sneaking out wasnt difficult .


    Warrick had been unusually quiettely , wrapped up in whatever schemes kept him upied .


    1 left him a vague note , knowing he wouldnt notice my absence .


    until it was toote .


    The forest loomed ahead , dark and foreboding .


    As I approached the edge , the air grew colder , and the pack bond weakened even further .


    I swallowed hard , forcing my nerves to settle .


    The eastern forest had always felt … off .


    The trees were taller here, their branches twisting together like ws .


    The ground was thick with moss , muffling my steps and every sound seemed to echo in an unsettling way .


    I moved carefully , keeping to the shadows and listening for anything out of ce .


    My senses were on high alert , every rustle of leaves or crack of a branch making my heart race .


    At one point , I paused , crouching low behind a fallen log .


    Ahead , the ground dipped into a shallow ravine , and in the center was something that didnt belong , a faint glow , like silver mist hovering just above the ground .


    Chapter 182 4/6 I inched closer , my breath catching as I realized what I was looking at .


    The mist wasnt just random , it was forming shapes , and symbols that matched the ones in Auroras journal .


    Pulling the journal from my bag , I flipped to the page with the riddles .


    The symbols in the mist were the same as the ones described as the seal of the Namelesss domain .


    This is it , I whispered , my voice barely audible .


    But getting closer wouldnt be easy .


    The mist pulsed faintly , and the air around it felt … alive .


    It was as if the forest itself was watching me , waiting for me to make a wrong move .


    I studied the symbols again , tracing them with my finger and mouthing the words from the journal .


    The riddle was clear now : Step only where the light touches , and the darkness will grant you passage .


    I nced around , spotting faint patches of moonlight filtering through the trees .


    The misty light seemed to create a path , narrow and winding but just wide enough for me to follow .


    Taking a deep breath , I stepped onto the first patch of light .


    The ground felt solid beneath me , but the air grew colder .


    I moved slowly , carefully cing each step in the light .


    The mist swirled around me , darkness reaching out as if testing my resolve .


    Halfway across the ravine , a low growl stopped me in my tracks .


    5/6 Chapter 182 My heart leaped into my throat as a pair of golden eyes appeared in the shadows .


    A werewolf stepped into the light , its form massive and its movements eerily smooth .


    It sniffed the air , its gaze locking onto me .


    I froze , barely daring to breathe .


    The journals riddle echoed in my mind : The forest speaks only to the brave .


    Gathering my courage , I straightened and took another step forward .


    The werewolf growled again but didnt attack .


    Instead , it watched me , its head tilting slightly as if it were curious .


    Im not here to fight , I said softly , my voice steady despite my fear .


    I just need answers .


    The werewolf huffed , its breath visible in the cold air .


    Slowly , it stepped aside , its golden eyes never leaving me .


    I let out a shaky breath and continued forward , the mist parting as I moved deeper into the forest .


    The glow ahead grew brighter , and the symbols became clearer , leading me toward what I could only assume was the edge of the Namelesss territory .


    When I reached the final patch of light , the air seemed to hum with power .


    The mist thickened , moving around me in a way that felt almost … weing .


    And then I saw it , a faint outline of a structure , hidden among Chapter 182 the trees .


    The Namelesssir .


    6/6 My heart pounded as I crouched low , taking in every detail .


    Their was surrounded by shadowy figures , their forms shifting and blending with the darkness .


    I knew I couldnt risk getting any closer , not without being seen .


    But at least now I had a starting point , a way to find Aurora and know what was going on .


    As I turned to leave , the werewolf reappeared , blocking my path .


    Its golden eyes seemed to pierce through me as if it were warning me to go back before it pounced on me .


    Damn it , Ill be back , I whispered , my resolve hardening .