Chapter 182 1/6 PIPER The moment I woke , I knew something was wrong .

The pack bond was usually steady , but a comforting hum in the back of my mind was off .

It didnt feel severed , but it was weak like a thread stretched too thin and ready to snap .

I sat up in bed , running my fingers through my hair as I tried to focus on the sensation .

It was Aurora .

Her bond was dim , and distant , as though she wasnt just far away physically but emotionally locked behind some impenetrable wall .

I got dressed quickly , throwing on dark clothes meant for stealth .

My heart pounded as I tried to make sense of the unease clawing at me .

Whatever was happening , I couldnt just sit here and wait .

I came out and I felt drawn to the war room , I found Trajans map still spread across the table , a mess of notes and markers left behind from the last strategy session .

I studied it , searching for anything that might point me toward Aurora .

Think , Piper , 1 muttered to myself .

Where would she The Namelesss lair was the most obvious answer , but it wasnt * ough to just guess I needed something concrete .

Chapter 182 2/6 My fingers brushed over the map , tracing the paths wed marked as dangerous areas where dark creatures had been spotted or where Danes influence lingered .

A cold chill ran down my spine as I noticed a pattern .

The sightings formed a loose perimeter around one area we hadnt explored deeply , an unassuming section of dense forest that seemed to repel even the bravest scouts .

I frowned , leaning closer .

What are you hiding in there ? Beside the map was a stack of old reports , most of them from Evanders missions .

I flipped through them , scanning for any mention of the Nameless or unusual activity .

One entry caught my eye .

Spotted faint tracks leading into the eastern forest .

Too faint to pursue .

The air felt … heavy .

Recommend further investigation .

Evanders words sent a shiver through me .

If the eastern forest was important enough for him to note , it had to mean something .

I grabbed the journal Aurora had left on the table , the one filled with symbols and cryptic notes .

Shed been scanning over it for weeks , but I wasnt sure how much she may have discovered .

Come on , give me something , I whispered , flipping through the pages .

One section caught my attention .

It described the Namelesss territory in riddles , with phrases like the shadows coil where the moonlight dies and the forest speaks only to the brave .

3/6 Chapter 182 The riddles werent just poetic , they were instructions .

I felt it in my gut .

The eastern forest wasnt just a random location .

It was significant .

I glanced at the clock .

If I moved now , I could be there by nightfall .

Sneaking out wasnt difficult .

Warrick had been unusually quiet lately , wrapped up in whatever schemes kept him occupied .noveldrama

1 left him a vague note , knowing he wouldnt notice my absence .

until it was too late .

The forest loomed ahead , dark and foreboding .

As I approached the edge , the air grew colder , and the pack bond weakened even further .

I swallowed hard , forcing my nerves to settle .

The eastern forest had always felt … off .

The trees were taller here, their branches twisting together like claws .

The ground was thick with moss , muffling my steps and every sound seemed to echo in an unsettling way .

I moved carefully , keeping to the shadows and listening for anything out of place .

My senses were on high alert , every rustle of leaves or crack of a branch making my heart race .

At one point , I paused , crouching low behind a fallen log .

Ahead , the ground dipped into a shallow ravine , and in the center was something that didnt belong , a faint glow , like silver mist hovering just above the ground .

Chapter 182 4/6 I inched closer , my breath catching as I realized what I was looking at .

The mist wasnt just random , it was forming shapes , and symbols that matched the ones in Auroras journal .

Pulling the journal from my bag , I flipped to the page with the riddles .

The symbols in the mist were the same as the ones described as the seal of the Namelesss domain .

This is it , I whispered , my voice barely audible .

But getting closer wouldnt be easy .

The mist pulsed faintly , and the air around it felt … alive .

It was as if the forest itself was watching me , waiting for me to make a wrong move .

I studied the symbols again , tracing them with my finger and mouthing the words from the journal .

The riddle was clear now : Step only where the light touches , and the darkness will grant you passage .

I glanced around , spotting faint patches of moonlight filtering through the trees .

The misty light seemed to create a path , narrow and winding but just wide enough for me to follow .

Taking a deep breath , I stepped onto the first patch of light .

The ground felt solid beneath me , but the air grew colder .

I moved slowly , carefully placing each step in the light .

The mist swirled around me , darkness reaching out as if testing my resolve .

Halfway across the ravine , a low growl stopped me in my tracks .

5/6 Chapter 182 My heart leaped into my throat as a pair of golden eyes appeared in the shadows .

A werewolf stepped into the light , its form massive and its movements eerily smooth .

It sniffed the air , its gaze locking onto me .

I froze , barely daring to breathe .

The journals riddle echoed in my mind : The forest speaks only to the brave .

Gathering my courage , I straightened and took another step forward .

The werewolf growled again but didnt attack .

Instead , it watched me , its head tilting slightly as if it were curious .

Im not here to fight , I said softly , my voice steady despite my fear .

I just need answers .

The werewolf huffed , its breath visible in the cold air .

Slowly , it stepped aside , its golden eyes never leaving me .

I let out a shaky breath and continued forward , the mist parting as I moved deeper into the forest .

The glow ahead grew brighter , and the symbols became clearer , leading me toward what I could only assume was the edge of the Namelesss territory .

When I reached the final patch of light , the air seemed to hum with power .

The mist thickened , moving around me in a way that felt almost … welcoming .

And then I saw it , a faint outline of a structure , hidden among Chapter 182 the trees .

The Namelesss lair .

6/6 My heart pounded as I crouched low , taking in every detail .

The lair was surrounded by shadowy figures , their forms shifting and blending with the darkness .

I knew I couldnt risk getting any closer , not without being seen .

But at least now I had a starting point , a way to find Aurora and know what was going on .

As I turned to leave , the werewolf reappeared , blocking my path .

Its golden eyes seemed to pierce through me as if it were warning me to go back before it pounced on me .

Damn it , Ill be back , I whispered , my resolve hardening .

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