PIPER


    Alina’s final words before exile, “This isn’t over,” seemed to be that constant hum of cold, creeping fog lying low over the pack.


    I leaned against the railing of the packhouse, observing the wolves moving on through the day with weighed down shoulders, as tension hung on with the passing of weeks.


    Warrick moved beside me and gave my shoulder a gentle bump.


    “You’ve been quiet,” he said, his voice softer than usual.


    “I’m just… thinking,” I replied, my eyes drifting to the training grounds where Rowan was hauling supplies.


    Rowan who had once been so proud, so eager to prove himself now moved with a little energy, his gaze rarely rising from the ground.


    The fact was that it felt odd to see him this way. The Rowan I knew was impulsive, sometimes foolish, but not this weak and shy.


    He’s trying, Warrick said, catching my gaze. It might take some time, but he’ll find his ce again.


    I nodded, but my attention stayed with him as Rowan paused,


    his head bowing briefly. Something in the way that he moved. tightened my chest.


    I made my way to the training grounds muchter in the afternoon. He was alone, his hands dirty, shoulders hunched. as if he carried some invisible weight. I hid behind a tree a bit ashamed of myself and yet unable to take my eyes off him.


    Then I saw her. Alina stood near the edge of the woods.


    My breath caught as Rowan looked up, his face a mixture of surprise and confusion. They spoke in hushed tones, too low for me to hear, but their bodynguage told me enough.


    Alina was making movement with her hands animatedly, her hands slicing through the air as she leaned toward him.


    Rowan seemed resistant, shaking his head once, but she set at hand on his arm, her voice insistent.


    “What are you doing?” Warrick’s voice startled me and I jumped out of my skin.


    “Shh,” I hissed, pulling him behind the tree with me. “Look.”


    Warrick leaned around the trunk, his brow furrowing. “Is that. Alina? What’s she doing here? She’s supposed to be gone.”


    “That’s what I’m trying to figure out,” I whispered.


    We continued to hide and watch as Rowan finally nodded, defeated, his shoulders sagging. Alina smiled smugly; a cold


    feeling ran down my spine as she disappeared into the forest.


    “What do you think that was about?” Warrick asked.


    “I don’t know,” I replied, my stomach twisting. “But we need to tell Aurora and Dane.”


    I paced while Warrick stood by the wall, arms crossed in Aurora’s quarters; Aurora and Dane sat across from us, their faces growing darker with every word as I told them what I’d


    seen.


    “She’s still in his head,” I said, frustration bubbling in my voice. “Even after everything, he’s still listening to her.


    Aurora sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Rowan’s trying to find his ce, but Alina’s maniption runs deep. We should have kept a closer eye on him.”


    Dane leaned forward, his jaw tight. “This isn’t about Rowan anymore. If Alina is sneaking back into the territory, she’s up to something bigger.”


    “What do we do?” Warrick asked.


    “We start with interrogating Rowan,” Aurora insisted. “If something is up, he’ll slip it out for sure.”


    The room had only begun toe into an unsettling quiet when suddenly, a fumbling knock began to resound through the door.


    He burst in abruptly before anyone reached the door or could


    answer, and suddenly, a scout girl stumbled right in, running her chest heavily and her face pale just as if it were a phantom.


    Aurora stood at once, her eyes narrowing. “What is it, Cassia? Speak.”


    “There’s been… there’s been a sighting near the eastern border,” Cassia stammered, struggling to catch her breath. “A figure… cloaked… moving toward the vige.”


    Warrick’s eyes widened. “A cloaked figure? You’re sure?”


    Cassia nodded quickly. “I saw it myself. They were moving fast, but not trying to hide. Almost like they wanted to be seen.”


    Aurora and Dane exchanged a slicing nce. Her tone was silky, but granitey beneath. “How close?”


    “Not far, maybe half a mile. They were headed right for the vige,” Cassia said, her hands shaking slightly.


    Dane crossed his arms over his chest, his expression ck. “It’s Alina.”


    Piper leaned forward, her voice full of incredulity. “How can you be so sure? She is bold, but to actually risking back this soon?”


    “She would,” Dane said, his tone clipped. “This is just her style. She keeps us on edge because she thrives on that.”


    Aurora took a soothing breath. “Did she see you, Cassia?


    The scout colored bright pink, her mortification palpable. “I don’t think so, I was in a good hiding ce but.she stopped once. It was like she knew she had an audience.”


    Aurora settled a reassuring hand on Cassia’s shoulder. “You have done well bringing this to us. Stay close to the vige perimeter and watch your surroundings. The moment you observe anything else peculiar, report.


    “Yes, Alpha,” Cassia bowed to Aurora as she left the room.


    When the door closed, a low whistle escaped Warrick’s lips. “If she’s back, she’s either desperate or nning something bigger.”


    Aurora nodded in agreement. “We cannot just rule out her. She might be leading something, someone else.”


    Dane’s hand closed into a fist. “I’ll call a patrol out. If she is brazen enough to let herself be seen around the vige, then she is not walking away this time.”


    Aurora turned to him severely. “No rushing in, Dane. We do this with care. It is a trap; we do not know.”


    “And if it is?” Piper asked, concerned aboutcing her tone.


    “Then we spring it,” Aurora said, her tone firm, the fire in her eyes. “But on our terms, not hers.”


    The weight of the moment sank into the room like a stone, just as it had when news of Alina’s return hadnded.


    As they readied themselves to act, Dane turned to Aurora once more, his voice low, his intent resolute. “We’re ending this, Aurora. Once and for all.”


    Aurora met his gaze, lifting her chin. “Yes. We are.”