SWNOVELS Chapter 223
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 the land .
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 , coming 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 , soft laughter 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 little later , 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 relation 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 , quiet laughs .
This wasnt a time to rejoice , not quite yet .
Aurora sal , near the hearth , her features dancing in the flicker of the flames .
Dane sat beside her , his hand on hers .
The two were so easy with each other ; their silence a testimony to their compatibility .
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 placement , 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 ; both lay 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 blackness 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 the land but ourselves .
But in that instant , as I turned to head inside , something fluttered in my vision .
A weak flash 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 playful edge replaced 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 .