Blood And Silver:Rise of the Alpha’s Rejected Mate

Chapter 171 PIPER I entered Evanders quarters, my heart racing as if a noose of tension hung in the air.

My cheek was still stinging from Warricks outburst earlier, but the pain was nothing compared to the writhing tornado of emotions now twisting inside me.

Standing before the window, Evander was outlined against soft, gentle moonlight on a scarred visage, and his back turned to me.

His shoulders were hung tautly as though awaiting something, or rather, somebody.

Evander, I murmured before my voice could go away as my legs and body were already shaking.

He turned toward me, his eyes piercing, narrowing the moment they landed on me.

They shifted to my cheek and I watched his expression darken.

He did that, Though low, his voice carried a threatening tone in it.

Its nothing, I said quickly, waving a hand as if to brush it off.

I shouldnt have chere ... Piper, he cut in, closing the distance between us.

Being near him was overwhelming, a mix of powerful strength and controlled anger. Chapter 171 Speak to me.

His intense eyes madenervous, and I felt my determination slipping.

Yes, it was Warrick, I said softly, shfiring up in my chest.

But its not what you think.

He was just ... angry.

It wont happen again.

Evanders jaw clenched, his fists curling at his sides.

Angry? he echoed, his tone unnervingly calm.

And what, you think that makes it all right? No, of course not, I exclaimed, my frustration bubbling.

But its complicated, Evander .

You wouldnt understand.

Try me, he replied, leaving no room for debate.

I had to hesitate, my fingers intertwining in search of the words.

I believed I could manage it, I finally said.

I thought I could make him understand.

But hes not the man I once believed him to be.

Evanders expression softened a little, though traces of his anger still lingered.

You dont have to stay with him, Piper.

You deserve so much more than that.

Do I? I asked, my voice shaking.

Do I deserve better after all that I have done? After the choices I have made? Evanders eyes gentled and he reached his hand out, his strong palm smoothing gently over my uninjured cheek.

You do, he said with conviction.

You always have.

Chapter 171 3/6 The weight of his words crashed over me, a wave that gotbreathless for a moment.

So soft and grounding, filled with all the things I did not know I needed.

Evander, I whispered.

He moved closer, his hand dropping to his side, yet his gaze stayed hooked on mine .

You can stay here, he said softly.

As long as you need.

I wont let him hurt you again.

His words felt like a lifeline, and I held on hard, even as guilt tugged at the edges of my resolve.

Thank... you, I replied, my voice shaking with emotion.

He nodded, his face softening even more .

Sleep, he said.

Well sort this out in the morning.

I nodded, but I was unsure if the rest would come.

As I turned to leave, I could feel his eyes on me, a steady presence that wrapped aroundlike a blanket of security I hadnt felt in weeks.

Yet, when I walked away, one sole question clung to my thoughts.

What if it had been Evander all the time? As I passed the corridor, I heard svoices, I stopped, and with furrowed brows, I looked around, then I noticed the voices were coming from the war room.

I took a deep breath and walked up to the slightly opened door and I could see them inside.

Trajan stood at the head of the table, eyes sweeping across the gathering of warriors, these warriors being the strongest of Chapter 171 Broken Ridge and the very spine of their defenses.

4/6 Weve received an intelligence report on the Namelesss movements, Trajan said, sounding much calmer than anyone else in the room could hope to feel.

Hes consolidating his forces.

Its only a matter of tbefore he turns his attention to us.

A rumble of unease passed through the room, exchanging uneasy glances.

warriors And what about Aurora ? one of them asked, skepticism lacing his tone .

Shes been taking dangerous risks, Trajan.

How can we trust her to lead us when shes putting herself in harms way? Trajan straightened, his gaze firm as he met the warriors eyes.

Aurora is our Luna, Trajan said firmly.

Shes fighting for all of us and shes earned your respect.

Shes fighting for Dane someone else muttered, loud enough for the room to hear.

A growl stifled in Trajans chest, and the room hushed.

Auroras choices may be unconventional, Trajan started, his voice low, deadly.

But they are hers to make.

And if you think for one second that she is not willing to die for this pack, then you dont know her at all .

They all fell silent, with no one daring to press the issue further with Trajan Trajan took a deep breath and let the silence hang in the air until he spoke.

We cannot question our leaders at this moment, Trajan told them.

The Nameless is coming, and we must prepare ourselves for battle.

That means trust both in one another and our Luna.

They exchanged wary looks before each of the wolves nodded.

Good, Trajan said, his voice leaving no room for discussion.

Now, lets talk strategy.

Trajans voice broke the silence, resolute.

We reinforce the eastern perimeter first.

Its our weakest point, and the Nameless will exploit that.

A younger warrior, Gavin, frowned.

But what about the river crossing to the south? If he splits his forces!!! He won't rajan interrupted. The Nameless is strategic, but hes not omniscient.

Focus on what we know.

Evelyn nodded.

Ill take my squad to fortify the cliffs.

Its high ground we cant afford to lose.

Trajan met her gaze.

Good.

Move fast.

As the meeting continued, I couldnt shake the feeling that their unity was hanging by a thread. Auroras risks were necessary but they were also polarizing. And if we werent careful, that division could be our downfall. Blood & Silver: Rise of the Alphas Rejected ... Chapter 172