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

Chapter 176 1/6 AURORA The air still smelled like smoke and blood from the battle as I wandered past the treeline near Broken Ridge.

I ran as fast as I could upon hearing Danes instruction despite others tellingto stay and be strong, I told Trajan I needed to clear my head, but in truth, I couldnt shake the memory of the way the darkness around Dane had surged during the fight.

It was different, alive in a way I hadnt seen before.

And it wasnt just the Namelesss power.

The pearl pendant at my throat hummed faintly, a comforting pulse against my skin.

It was as if the goddess herself were urgingforward.

My feet carriedthrough the forest almost without thought, the quiet stillness broken only by the crunch of leaves underfoot.

The pack was regrouping and I knew Trajan or Evander would be furious if they realized Id slipped away again.

But I had to know.

The darkness had retreated after the battle but something about it lingered in the air, like a whisper just out of earshot .

I paused in a clearing, my eyes scanning the trees.

The crescent moon cast long shadows, and the faint scent of something... wrong ... drifted 2/6 Chapter 176 toward me.

Dane, I whispered under my breath.

Was he still fighting? Or had the Nameless punished him for whatever hesitation Id seen in his eyes? My chest tightened.

I couldnt let myself believe he was gone, not when Id felt his presence so strongly during the fight . The pearl at my neck grew warmer.

I reached up and wrapped my fingers around it, feeling its steady pulse.

It was almost like a heartbeat.

And then I felt it.

It wasnt just the pendant.

It was something else, a faint tug at the back of my mind.

The bond between Dane andwas still there, even if it was fragile .

For a moment, I froze, unsure if I was imagining it.

But no, it was real.

His emotions filtered through, faint but undeniable.

Restlessness.

Frustration.

And... fear? My breath caught.

Dane didnt fear easily.

If he was afraid, something was happening.

I stepped forward instinctively, my hand tightening around the pendant. Dane, whats happening? I whispered though I knew he couldnt hear me. The bond pulsed faintly in response, like a thread being tugged on . My feet moved on their own, carryingdeeper into the forest .

I wasnt sure where I was going, but the pull was undeniable. And then, the atmosphere shifted.

Chapter 176 3/6 It was gentle at first like the air had grown heavier.

My skin itches and a shiver ran down my spine.

The trees seemed darker, their shadows stretching unnaturally long.

I hesitated, my instincts screaming atto turn back.

But there is something I sense.

How can I sense Danes presence so close when he was on the battlefield, did he follow? Then, this atmosphere seemed strange all of a sudden, I should have changed to get away from here, but I couldnt.

Not when Danes presence felt so close.

Luna, a voice whispered.

It was soft, almost melodic, but it carried an edge that made my blood run cold.

I spun around, my heart hammering in my chest.

Whos there? The shadows seemed to ripple, and a figure stepped forward.

It cant be Dane.

It was taller, its form shifting and insubstantial, like a smoke given shape.

My stomach dropped.

Ah, Aurora, the figure said, its voice dripping with mockery.

So brave, so foolish.

The Nameless.

My breath caught, and I took a step back, my hand flying to the pendant at my neck.

Its warmth surged, but it didnt feel like enough.

What do you want? I demanded, my voice sharper than I felt .

The Nameless chuckled, a low, guttural sound that sent chills 4/6 Chapter 176 down my spine.

Want? My dear, youve walked straight into my hands.

Theres no need for want.

Only inevitability.

I turned to run, but the shadows moved faster.

They surged around me, thick and suffocating, cutting off my escape.

Panic clawed at my chest as I struggled against them, but they were like smoke, intangible yet unyielding.

Letgo! I snarled, my wolf instincts kicking in despite the fact I had no wolf to shift into.

The Namelesss form loomed closer, his glowing eyes narrowing as he watched my struggles with amusement .

Youre predictable, Aurora.

Always led by your emotions.

Its what makes you so delightfully easy to manipulate.

I thrashed harder, but the shadows only tightened around me.

My breath cin short gasps as the air seemed to grow thinner.

Far away, I felt the bond with Dane pulse again, stronger this time.

It wasnt just restlessness now it was anger, a deep, primal rage that seemed to echo through the connection.

The Nameless tilted his head as if sensing it too.

Ah, your dear Dane.

Do you think hell save you? He laughed, the sound reverberating through the clearing.

Hes as much mine as you are now.

I froze, my chest heaving as I glared at him.

Hell never be yours.

The Namelesss smile widened, cruel and knowing.

Well see.

Chapter 176 5/6 The shadows surged again, and I felt myself being lifted off the ground.

My heart raced as I struggled, but it was useless.

The Namelesss magic was too strong.

And then, just as quickly as it started, everything stopped.

The darkness heldsuspended in the air, and the Nameless leaned closer, his voice a venomous whisper. Welcto your trap, Aurora.

My stomach twisted as realization washed over me.

This had all been a setup.

The Dane who askedto run, and the one I just felt his presence, it was all fake The suspicious movement, the lingering darkness, it was bait, and Id walked right into it. The Nameless chuckled as he saw the understanding dawn in my eyes.

Oh, dont look so surprised.

Did you really think I wouldnt anticipale your every move? Youre predictable, my dear.

So painfully predictable.

Dane is your weakness.

The weight of my mistake crashed down on me, years, We d for the first tin and e Nelt truly powerless. Far away, through the faint bond, I felt Danes anger flare like wildfire .

But he was too far.

No one could helpnow.

The Nameless raised a hand, and the shadows began to close in aroundI gasped, my vision blurring as the air grew impossibly thin.

And then everything went still . Not dark, not silent, just still, as if the world itself had paused.

At that moment, one thought echoed in my mind, clear and sharp as a blade :