Chapter 218 PIPER The packhouse is a mess of changing paws and low murmurs , tension weighs upon my chest , heavy as any weight Ive ever tried to heave and couldnt shake .


    Auroras sharpmand cuts through chaos , and for a moment , everyone is still .


    Prepare for defense , she says , firm and unyielding .


    No one leaves the territory until we know what were dealing with .


    I stood at the edge of the room , my ws pressed into the wood of a window frame .


    Outside , fog thickens , curling and twisting around itself almost as if alive .


    This isnt natural , Dane says from behind me .


    The metallic ring of his de emerging from their sheath immediately follows .


    I dont need him to tell me that .


    The way the mist moves , its like its alive watching , waiting .


    The silence outside feels louder than the noise in the packhouse .


    The usual sounds of the forest leaves rustling , crickets chirping are gone , swallowed by the dense , unnatural fog .


    Aurora steps beside me , her face pale but determined .


    Well get through this , she says softly , her eyes scanning the horizon .


    Chapter 218 2/2 The Packhouse is dead silent in their shocked state .


    Eira is the first among them to show she is brave with a pale yet firm face , her voice low .


    I need to tell you all something , she says , her voice shaking .


    Aurora whips to her , eyes keen .


    What ? Eira hesitates before speaking .


    The Forgotten once offered me a ce among them , she says .


    I refused .


    But now … now I think theyll stop at nothing to reim what they believe is theirs .


    Her words hang in the air , heavier with the sense of confession and an unseen gale across each one of us .


    Aurora rises ; her face is a mask .


    Well discusster about that , she says clear as crystal .


    Right now , what awaits .


    She speaks to Dane , who since Callen fell as a deadweight on his shoulders hasnt shown much sign of life either .


    We gotta think up some kind of n of action .


    He nods , his jaw set tight .


    First , we figure out what they want .


    And then we stop them .


    The fog presses in closer until tension in the packhouse builds .


    up , near to snapping , werewolf pace and their fear can almost be touched .


    Aurora moves among them , reassuring quiet words given , but she cannot hide her own worry either .


    Lirien watches from the darkness , putting into perspective how little we really know about what were up against .