Chapter 216 EIRA Before me , the treetops of the forest stretch endlessly , ckly silent in a way thats unnervingly quiet .


    The shouting andughter of the festival grew ever more indistinct as I stood at the edge of the trees , clenching and unclenching my fists at my sides .


    The air is different here , heavier .


    My senses tingle with unease as some faint unfamiliar scent wafts on the wind .


    I move a little closer , the cool earth under my bare feet .


    The smell grows in strength , with something sharp and metallic tang to it .


    Somethings not right , I mutter to myself , my heart pounding .


    A rustling sound arrests my attention in the deeper shadows of the forest .


    I froze , my breath caught in my throat , and strained to listen .


    The faint sound ofughter at the festival is miles away now ; the silence of the woods swallowed them .


    It has been weeks since the grove was rejuvenated .


    Broken Ridge is now teeming with life , and the crops are in plenty ; the pack .


    was filled with strength .


    On the surface , everything looks perfect , but that feeling of Chapter 216 2/6 Ive tried to disregard it and get myself lost in the joyous celebrations .


    The festival tonight was supposed to start things anew , to finally leave what was behind us , behind us .


    But here , peering into this darkness , I have that feeling that something is watching me .


    The pack is alive with joy back at the festival , the music in the night air , the flickering light of the fires casting warm shadows across smiling faces .


    Aurora floats with ease from group to group ; her bright , genuine peals ofughter rise into the night air .


    She is lighter somehow , despite it all .


    I stand at the edge of the group , far enough away to watch the celebration but not join in .


    I have kept to myself since the groves restoration .


    The others seem to have found peace , but to me , it feels fleeting , a fragile thread waiting to snap .


    The wind shifts , carrying that same sharp scent from the forest .


    My stomach churns .


    I nce back at the dark horizon , my instincts screaming at me to turn away .


    But I cant .


    I slip away from the festivities and move away , my footsteps light and deliberate .


    As I approach the edge of the forest , the scent grows stronger , distinctive .


    The first howl slices through the air , a low , mournful sound that raises every hair on my body .


    Chapter 216 3/6 I spin around , eyes scanning the horizon , but I can see nothing to give a target to the sound .


    Whos there ? I called , my voice even if I am not .


    Only rustling leaves and then another howl , answer , this one closer .


    Its sharper in the smell once I step into the tree line .


    My wolf senses re in warning , but my curiosity pushes me forward .


    My eyes catch the faint markings on a tree trunk : deeply etched w marks into the bark .


    I run my fingers over them , a cold shiver running down my spine .


    The marks pulse faintly , almost as if alive , and a sickening realization dawns on me .


    These are no ordinary scratches ; these are symbols .


    I stumble backward .


    My breathing quickens while my heartbeat picks up , and the pieces start to fall into ce .


    The grove might be healed , but in the process , something else has awakened .


    I spin and run .


    My feet barely touch the ground , and I race back toward the packhouse .


    The lights of the festivale into view , but my relief is short , lived .


    Distant howls follow me , growing louder , more insistent .


    I burst into the clearing , and the joyful atmosphere freezes .


    All eyes settle on me , theirughter stilled by my sudden entrance .


    Chapter 216 Eira , what is it ? Whats wrong ? 4/6 I try to speak , but the words catch in my throat .


    I am breathing , in short gasps , those pulsating marks scared into my brain .


    Eira , Aurora repeats , a bite to her tone now .


    Speak up .


    Whosing ? Shadows , I finally forced out in a strangled voice .


    Theyreing .


    Echoes of the past … the Forgotten .


    The crowd ripples with unease ; the whispers spread like a brushfire .


    Auroras eyes go wide as she looks at Dane , who has already stepped forward , his face grim .


    Get her to the healer , Dane says steady as always , yet urgent .


    We need answers .


    Aurora nods and pulls me out of the crowd , and my legs now threaten to fold under me , my only means of standing is by her .


    It is quite bright in this room with the me of fire darting and thereby casting , long shadows along the walls .


    Aurora sits next to me ; her hand lies on mine , You have to tell us everything , she says , soft and with firmness in her tone .


    I close my eyes , trying to clear my head .


    The grove , I begin .


    Healing it … it didnt just lift the curse .


    It woke something up .


    A pack … of wolves , forgotten long ago during Kaels time .


    They called themselves the Forgotten .


    Auroras brow furrows .


    Never heard of them .


    Chapter 216 Few have .


    I answer .


    They were exiled for their dangerous beliefs .


    They thought the groves power should be used to dominate , to destroy .


    When they were exiled , they vanished … or so we thought .


    Dane steps closer , his arms crossed over his chest .


    And now theyre back ? me .


    I nod , and the weight settles heavily upon me .


    Theyve been waiting .


    Watching .


    And now that the grove is restored , they want its power .


    Aurora and Dane exchange a look , their faces stone .


    5/6 We cant just sit here and wait for whatever ising , he says .


    If theyre after the grove , we need to be ready .


    I saw signs in the woods , I say , and my voice breaks .


    Carved into the trees , but they were … pulsing , with energy .


    Its them .


    I know it .


    Dane doesnt hesitate .


    Ill investigate the forest .


    Aurora , stay here with Eira and alert the pack .


    If theyre as dangerous as she says , we need to be ready .


    Aurora reaches for his arm .


    Be careful , she says , her voice barely above a whisper .


    He nods , setting his jaw solidly .


    As Dane vanishes into the night , Aurora turns back to me .


    What else can you tell me about them ? she asks .


    Chapter 216 6/6 thought this grove belonged to them and wouldnt quit until they finally got it .


    The corners of her lips curl further down .


    Then we shall not let that happen .


    The cheering of the festival has long since dissolved into the low hum of apprehension that spreads throughout the pack .


    Wolves cluster together , all eyes darting nervously to the forest .


    Pinned beneath his scrutiny , the minutes tick into eternity while we wait for Dane to return .


    It isnt until muchter , after he finally steps into the opening , face pale , eyes rimmed with an urgent message .


    We have a problem , he says , holding up a piece of bark with the same pulsing marks I saw on the trees .


    Before he gets anything else out , Trajan bursts into the packhouse , his face white .


    Its toote , he whispers , trembling .


    Theyre already here