Chapter 223 PIPER The grove is free … for now .


    The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was the sunlight beaming through the packhouse windows .


    It wasnt light ; it was warm , golden … the kind that wrapped around you and made you forget that the darkness had ever existed .


    For weeks , the mist had clung to the territory , suffocating everything it touched .


    But now the sky was clear , and the air felt different , lighter .


    I went out , squinting against the brightness .


    Already werewolves were gathering , their faces a mix of disbelief and cautious hope .


    Aurora stood on the ridge overlooking the territory , her silhouette framed by the rising sun .


    Dane was beside her , his arm draped protectively around her shoulders .


    Its over , he said softly , his voice carrying just enough for those nearby to hear .


    Then and there , Aurora said nothing else , just stood her ground , eyes fixed on some point above the horizon , apparently waiting for something .


    Chapter 223 2/8 Then she nodded , this small smile on her lips .


    For now , she said , soft yet clear as crystal .


    With purpose , the pack stirred ; the dam was broken that had so long held some unseen tension at bay .


    The werewolf set to , repairing the packhouse and outlying homes , others sallied out into the forest , making observations .


    about the lie of thend .


    Trajan took to running the younger werewolf through drills in the open field .


    I watched him as he corrected stances and issued advice , his voice low even .


    It was a side of him I hadnt seen before , a leader , not just a fighter .


    They look up to him , Warrick said ,ing to stand beside me .


    Hes earned it , I said , crossing my arms to watch Trajan demonstrate some sort of defensive move .


    Warrick grinned .


    Still think he broods too much , though .


    I elbowed him , rolling my eyes .


    And you talk too much .


    Later in the day , Aurora was out in the field with the other elders , helping them farm .


    Odd , I thought it looked .


    Her amongst them , softughter at the end of one of their jokes .


    Lighter .


    Chapter 223 3/8 Shes smiling more , I said to Warrick who was still by my side , nudging him with my elbow .


    She deserves to , he said , his voice oddly serious .


    We all do .


    The sun higher in the sky now , Eira drew closer to Aurora where she stood at the edge of the fields .


    I couldnt hear what they said , but the way tension swelled then released in her shoulders told me it had weight .


    By the time Eira had turned to go , Aurora followed her a number of paces before embracing briefly and then was gone , her figure melting into the trees .


    A littleter , I again found Aurora still along the tree line , alone .


    Shes gone ? I asked as I sat down beside her .


    Aurora nodded , her gaze following along the path Eira had vanished into .


    She said she needed to go away .


    Her rtion to the Forgotten … it is part of her which she cannot press aside .


    Youre alright with this ? She exhaled a sigh , running her hand through her hair .


    I dont know .


    I do think so though , its so infrequent , that being at peace .


    She is just taking her opportunity .


    And that by evening , the packhouse was just so filled with the kind of warmth I did not experience for what has seemed like Chapter 223 4/8 eternity … werewolves sharing food and tales , quietughs .


    This wasnt a time to rejoice , not quite yet .


    Aurora sal , near the hearth , her features dancing in the flicker of the mes .


    Dane sat beside her , his hand on hers .


    The two were so easy with each other ; their silence a testimony to theirpatibility .


    Warrick and I sat opposite them and our banter served to fill the pauses .


    I told you the traps would work , Warrick said smugly as he fell back in his chair .


    They only worked because I fixed your sloppy cement , I returned , smirking .


    Aurora chuckled and shook her head .


    You two will never change .


    Night wore on until one by one the pack retired to bed , to rooms .


    or quiet nooks and corners within the packhouse .


    Aurora and Dane went out , and I fell a few feet behind ..


    They stopped under the starry night sky and sat down almost against each other as the soft evening breeze whistled among the leaves of trees .


    They were silent for several seconds ; bothy looking up with .


    Chapter 223 5/8 keen concentration until Aurora leaned her head against Danes shoulder .


    I think finally we can start breathing , her voice barely above a whisper Dane said nothing for a time , but I did notice how his hand had tightened over hers .


    Yeah , he said finally .


    I think we can .


    I hung back at the edge of the clearing , giving them some time to their moment .


    I looked out across the horizon where the ckness of the forest met the sky .


    And for the first time , the weight felt lifted , and we could finally start rebuilding , not just the packhouse or thend but ourselves .


    But in that instant , as I turned to head inside , something fluttered in my vision .


    A weak sh of green light , quick enough that I almost didnt catch it , pulsed across the horizon before dying into the darkness .


    I froze ; my breath was caught in my throat .


    That faint green glow on the horizon was gone now , swallowed up by the darkness , but the sense of unease it left with me coiled tightly in my chest .


    I swung back to Aurora and Dane .


    Huddled together , heads turned to each other , their quiet conversation a gentle murmur in the night air .


    They seemed so confident , so convinced the war was already Chapter 223 Won .


    6/8 But that light … it was wrong .


    I ran back to the forest , peering hard into the darkness for any sign of life .


    The trees were still ; their branches danced in gentle gestures in the breeze .


    There was no sound , no churning mist , just a soft rustling of leaves .


    Its nothing , I whispered to myself , trying to shake it .


    Its over .


    But this sense in the pit of my stomach , in the weight upon my instincts , felt and knew that something was out there watching and waiting .


    I took one cautious step toward the tree line , my hands curling into fists .


    My wolf stirred within me , her presence rising to the surface and sharpening my senses .


    The night suddenly felt too quiet , as if the forest was holding its .


    breath .


    Piper ? I spun , finding Warrick a couple of steps behind .


    He furrowed his brow , his eyes clouded with concern .


    What are you doing out here ? he whispered , his voice low .


    Chapter 223 7/8 Nothing , I lied as I turned to face the horizon .


    I thought I saw something .


    Warricks gaze was lifted following mine to scrutiny by scanning over the treetops .


    Some … something like what? I stuttered , my voice barely above a whisper .


    A light .


    Green .


    It was quick , just … ..


    there and gone .


    His jaw clenched , his yful edge reced by that serious edge he only wore when things got dangerous .


    And you were going to investigate alone ? I wasnt .


    Piper , he interrupted , his tone sharp but not unkind .


    If somethings out there , youre not going alone .


    Not after everything weve been through .


    I sighed , knowing he was right .


    My wolf settled slightly , her tension easing as Warrick stepped closer .


    Lets go back inside , he said , his hand brushing against my shoulder .


    If theres something to worry about , well figure it out together .