Chapter 220 PIPER Aurora and Dane burst through the door momentster , their faces somber .


    The room fell silent as , like moths around a me , the pack turned to them .


    They areing here , Aurora said , her voice hopeful , even though the tension in her shoulders betrayed her .


    The Forgotten are pushing up their ns .


    We dont have a lot of time .


    Dane stepped forward , his hand resting on the hilt of his de .


    That beacon at the grove was a warning .


    Theyreing for us , and they wont wait .


    Murmurs ran through the crowd , a thread of fear weaving through it .


    The pack scrambled into action , preparing defenses .


    Werewolves reinforced the doors and windows , while others gathered weapons .


    I took charge of organizing patrols , trying to keep order as my voice cut above the cacophony of noise .


    Stick together , I told them , my voice sharper than I meant .


    The fog is messing with our senses .


    Whatever happens , dont go anywhere alone .


    Chapter 220 It was hard not to be afraid , myself .


    The fog seemed to writhe and twist , its whispers threading through the air to tag at memories buried deep .


    2/8 By midday , the tension had reached a breaking point .


    Callen , still under the Forgottens influence , stood in the middle of the room , his glowing eyes scanning the pack .


    This is her fault , he said coldly , pointing at Aurora .


    Aurora froze , her gaze locking onto him .


    What are you talking about ? You brought this on us , he used , his voice rising.


    Your decisions have doomed us all .


    The grove , the curse , its all because of you .


    His words hit like a blow , the weight of them stirring unease among the pack .


    Whispers rose , werewolf exchanging uncertain nces .


    Thats enough , Dane said , stepping between Callen and Aurora .


    Youre not helping .


    Callen smirked , his glowing eyes narrowing .


    The truth hurts , doesnt it , Alpha ? The tension boiled over as pack members began turning on each other , their fears amplified by the Forgottens magic .


    Arguments broke out , the air crackling with distrust .


    Chapter 220 3/8 1 elbowed my way to the heart of themotion , my voice raised .


    Stop it ! I yelled above the din , and the room fell silent .


    This is what they want … us turning on each other instead of them .


    Were better than this ! The pack paused .


    The anger hadnt dissipated , just simmered .


    I turned back to Aurora , frozen , her expression nk.


    Aurora , I said , my voice softer now .


    We need you .


    She blinked then , like surfacing from some misty ce inside .


    Youre right , she said , her voice growing firmer again .


    We cant fall to pieces now .


    Night had fallen when the pack gathered for a final meeting .


    Flickers from the fire danced in long darkness across the room ; the air was thick with doubt .


    Aurora stood at the head of the table , her hands clenching at its edges .


    We dont have any option , she said , undeviating in her voice .


    I will appeal directly to Idris .


    It is our only hope for more time .


    Dane shot up , tightening his jaw .


    You dont go in alone .


    Im going with you .


    Before she could say anything , Trajan pushed forward .


    No , he said , his voice firm .


    This is my burden to bear .


    Aurora frowns , her eyes seeking his .


    Trajan , you dont have to Chapter 220 do this .


    4/8 Yes , I do , he says , leaving no room for debate .


    The bloodline of Kael is mine .


    If anyone has to face him , its me .


    The room became silent , as if the weight of his words was settling upon us .


    Aurora nods reluctantly , touching his shoulder .


    We will face him together .


    The moment felt too heavy to interrupt , but Callens body jerks , his glowing eyes brighter than before .


    His voice changes to cold and mocking .


    You are already toote , Luna , Idris spoke through Callen , The grove will be ours by dawn .


    The air seemed to stand still , every wolf frozen in ce as the words sunk in .


    The room froze .


    Aurora stiffened , her hand reaching for her pendant , but the glow had disappeared .


    Trajan moves closer to Callen , his steps hesitating , his face pale .


    What do you mean ? he demanded .


    Callen didnt say a word .


    His body sagged again , lose and still .


    Is he … ? I started , my voice shaking .


    Aurora knelt beside him , her fingers tracing his neck .


    Hes Chapter 220 alive , she whispered .


    Lirien stepped closer , its dark form fluttering in the firelight .


    The prophecy is in full sway .


    Prepare thyselves .


    Something in those words cut to my heart .


    I turned toward the others , their faces pale , their eyes darting apprehensively toward the windows .


    Now , the green shes within the mist seemed closer , illuminating the trees in short , eerie shes .


    5/8 We need a n , Dane said , breaking the silence .


    Standing tall , he was grounding , but not even he could mask the unease in his eyes .


    Aurora rose , slow , her gaze holding on Callen .


    We dont have the luxury of time .


    The Forgotten will arrive by dawn if Idris spoke the truth .


    We cant do a full attack , Warrick interjected .


    This fog is messing with our senses .


    We cant even tell how many there are .


    Then we make theme to us , Dane said .


    His voice was firm .


    We set traps .


    We force them into positions where their numbers arent going to matter .


    Aurora frowned .


    And what if that doesnt work ? What if they overpower us before we even get a chance to fight back ? We dont have a choice , I said , the steadiness of my voice Chapter 220 6/8 surprising even me .


    If we wait , theyll have the advantage .


    At least this way , we control the battlefield .


    The pack erupted into murmurs ; fear and uncertainty rippled through the room .


    I caught Auroras eye , a look half determination , half doubt .


    Pipers right , she finally said , her voice cutting through the noise .


    We have to act now .


    If we wait , we lose everything .


    Dane nodded , already heading for the table where a crude map.


    of the territoryy spread out .


    Well set up traps along the main paths leading to the packhouse .


    Warrick , you and Piper take the northern route .


    Ill handle the eastern side .


    And the grove ? Trajan asked , his voice heavy .


    Aurora hesitated , her fingers brushing her pendant .


    The grove is their end goal .


    We have to protect it no matter what .


    She looked at Trajan , her eyes softening .


    Thats where you and I will go .


    The pack divided into teams , the weight of whaty ahead pressed upon my chest .


    We moved swiftly , gathering supplies and weapons , our movements quick but not rushed .


    The air hummed with tension , each of us too intent to say more than we had to .


    The moment I stepped outside with Warrick , the chill of night Chapter 220 7/8 hit me like a brick wall .


    The fog was thicker now , tendrils moved ominously around the trunks of trees .


    Its not going to feel real , is it ? Warrick muttered..the first time Id ever heard him without his joking tone .


    Its real , I said , tightening my grip on the de a fraction .


    And were going to face it .


    We moved in silence , setting traps along the northern route .


    The mist seemed to watch us , its whispers growing louder the deeper we went into the forest .


    I kept my senses high , my ears straining for any sound beyond the unnatural hum of the fog .


    When we finished , Warrick and I were hanging back near the edge of the trees , gazes fixed on the glowing green shes across the way .


    Theyre closer than we thought , he said , low .


    I nodded .


    It wasnt news , and the sensation in my chest grew heavier .


    Lets get out of here .


    By the time we made our way back to the packhouse , the others .


    were already gathered , their facesut .


    Aurora and Trajan were near the door , and neither of them was smiling .


    We leave now , Aurora said , the calmness of her voice hiding .


    the fear I knew sparkled in her eyes .


    Chapter 220 Dane stepped forward , his gaze sweeping over all of us .


    Stay sharp .


    Stay together .


    And remember , theyll try to turn your fears against you .


    Dont let them .


    8/8 As Aurora and Trajan headed into the grove , I couldnt shake the feeling that we were walking into something far worse than any of us were prepared for .


    The fog crowded in closer , its tendrils curving against the windows as if testing the boundaries of our defenses .


    The packhouse was colder , darker , and the whispers outside grew louder , more insistent .


    The prophecy is unfolding , Lirien had said .


    But what did that really mean ? And what would it cost us to stop it ?