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

"How could you? I don't know how much more of this I can take,” I said, walking back and forth in the clearing behind the packhouse.

Warrick leaned against a tree, crossing his arms, frustration written all over his features. He had calledto speak withand I can't seem to stand him, not after what I saw.

Though I felt hurt, I still shouldn't show it to him that I am hurt.

"Piper, please," he said, strained. “I have apologised a hundred times. What more could you possibly want from me? "It's not about the apology, Warrick!" I spat, spinning to face him. "It's about trust. You broke it and now... now I don't even. know who we are anymore." His jaw hardened, and for a moment, he said nothing. Then his voice gentled, almost imploring. "I made a mistake, Piper. I know that. But I love you. Doesn't that count for anything?" I shook my head. My chest tight, I managed to get the words out: "Love isn't enough when I can't even trust you." The silence.

was a stretch between us.

Finally turning away, I muttered, "I need to get my head sorted," and I walked off.

"Piper... baby." I heard Warrick calling, but I didn't turn to him.

I didn't know which way to go, but somehow my feet did because they carriedin the direction of the training grounds.

I passed Rowan, he was having ssparring with a circle of younger wolves. "Piper?" he questioned, furrowing his brow in concern.

"I need someone to talk to," I whispered as I halted.

He nodded and walked to a nearby bench, I followed him and we sat. "What's going on?" he asked softly.

I fumble over words because my brain just felt one huge jumble of a mess. "It's Warrick. Everything just seems so... shattered. And maybe not worth saving anymore." I said.

"Relationships suck, I know. But you are strong, Piper. You'll figure it out." "Will I?" I said, forcing a bitter laugh. "Cause right now, it feels. like drowning.

He leaned over and laid a reassuring hand on mine. In his quiet voice, he said, "You are not alone. You've got people who care about you." Blunt as the words were, they felt like skind of lifeline. I found myself leaning toward him, his warmth was everything.

I smiled even as I was confused, Warrick kept screwing up and Rowan kept being so great. I am not sure of what I want anymore.

With my eyes locked in Rowan's he leaned closer, "Piper," he whispered, his tone very unsure. “You know you're important to me, right?" My breath caught, and in that instant, I couldn't tear my eyes off of him. The space between us seemed to reduce and, in one swift moment, we were leaning in.

But at the last second, I drew back, my heart pounding. “I can't," I whispered, and then stood abruptly.

Rowan was looking every bit as shaken as I felt. "Piper, I'm sor..." "I need to get going," I hastened to say, turning to walk away before either of us uttered another word.

I returned to the packhouse, Warrick was standing waiting by the door for me. I ignored him and walked inside.

I sat in my room while he stayed by my door, as Rowan calso from the training grounds direction, a frown was on Warrick's face.

"What the hell were you doing with her?" Warrick thundered. He was loud en Rowan stiffened, eyes unyielding. "We were talking, Warrick. That's all." "Talking?" Warrick jeered, taking a threatening step closer. "It didn't look like just talking to me." "Warrick, stop," I said as I got up to my feet, but he didn't hear me.

"You've been sniffing around her for weeks," Warrick growled low, his fists clenched. "You think I don't see it? You think I don't know what you're trying to do?" "Warrick, that's enough," Rowan said, firm and controlled.

"Oh, now you're tellingwhat to do?" Warrick sneered, stepping right into Rowan's space. "You think you're better than me? You think you can just take her.

Warrick is older than Rowan, and that made him look a bit bigger and intimidating. But I and Rowan were just age grades.

"I'm not trying to take anyone," Rowan said over him, his voice. rising. He threw a glance my way and I pursed my lips. And he continued, “But perhaps if you were treating her with the respect she deserves, you'd not feel so threatened." Murmurs stirred across, all glancing between them in the corridor.

"Respect?" Warrick spat. "How dare you speak of respect." Chapter 287 577 "Oh, then cease acting the jealous fool," was all Rowan returned. I gulped, I can't seem to find the strength to go out there and somehow ease this tension.

"Enough!" Aurora's voice cut through at last, and she stepped. between them, tall. "That is enough. Both of you." Warrick let his glare flick to Rowan one more time, chest heaving, before whirling and stalking away.

Rowan held my gaze for a second, then turned to leave, too, leavingthere with the weight of it all pressed upon my chest.

Warrick cto a sudden stop, whirling with a snarl. "You really think this is over, Rowan? You're just a failure, crawling on your hands and knees to try to get places you don't deserve. her." Rowan clenched his fists together, and paused as he growled. "Say what you will about me, Warrick, but knock it off with bringing Piper into it." "You don't get to talk about her," Warrick snapped, his voice cracking with anger and frustration. "You don't know her like I do." "And yet here you are," Rowan said evenly, "accusing her of things she hasn't done, pushing her away because you can't handle your own guilt." "Enough," Aurora repeated this tcoldly. Stepping between the two men, she let her sharp eyes hold, unrelenting. “This pack doesn't have tfor petty fights. If you cannot settle this ast adults, then I will see both of you accountable." "I am sorry, Luna," Rowan said, with a little bow and then with one more gaze at me, he walked off. Warrick laughed harshly. “Petty? You think this is petty, Aurora? He's trying to..." "Warrick!" Aurora's voice rose above the din. "If you cared for Piper the way you are claiming, you'd stop embarrassing her in front of everybody." Warrick faltered, his gaze flicking to me. His anger softened, for a moment replaced by something like regret.

"I'm not trying to embarrass anyone," he muttered.

"Then act like it," Aurora said, firm but unkind.

The people finally went their separate ways, but the whispers wouldn't, until finally Aurora turned toward me: "Piper, come. with me. Now".

Warrick would have reached for my arm, but I pulled away, my chest tig The curtains broke, and morning painted the room soft gold.

I sat upon the edge of the bed and stared down at the map across my lap. The indecision of the council ate atAurora. firm, as always, for waiting in a peaceful way yet every instinct inwas screaming the opposite: twas not of our essence.

The door creaked as Trajan stepped in, his expression wary. "You're up early," he said, crossing his arms.

"I couldn't sleep," I admitted, rolling up the map. “I've made my decision, Trajan. I'm going to scout the disputed territory myself." His brows furrowed. "Without the council's approval? Aurora won't like this." "I'm not waiting for approval anymore," I snapped, my voice harder than I intended. "This pack needs action, not endless debate.

Trajan sighed but nodded. "Who are you taking?" "Only those I trust," I said. "You in?" He paused, then gave a curt nod. "Always." By mid morning, I had assembled a small group: Trajan, Warrick, and three others who had sworn loyalty without the least hesitation. The air was heavy with tension as we moved toward the disputed territory, the only sound the rustle of leaves underfoot.

It was wide, open, its edges traced in large juts of rocks. It was easy enough to see why both packs coveted this land: rich land, clear rivers only a few feet underground, wood so thick knotted. it was impossible to cut across.

Yet with every step I took deeper inside this paradise, the tighter I felt something was pulled around my intestines. "Tracks," Warrick whispered, squatting low. "Fresh." Before I could get a word out, figures appeared from behind the trees. An army wearing bronze armors, they looked battle-hardened too, they were surrounding us in an instant.

"Who dares trespass on our land?" one voice asked, cold and wickedly clear.

I stepped forward, my head up. "I'm Dane, Alpha of this pack. We have a righ "And yet you cwithout an army," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. "I am Kaida... the leader of this army... and we will teach you a lesson." She stepped back and her army stepped up, wielding their weapons. "Prepare to at..." Before I was done with my command, they surged at us with the speed of light. Instantly, the fighting got fierce, we were outnumbered. Wet were holding our own, it seemed but obviously we're not going to prevail. Little, little from bruises, a cut on my forehead. started dripping blood. "Enough!" This command from Kaida sliced through chaos, freeing us, “Leave them." Her army hesitated but obeyed. She stepped closer, her eyes. locking onto mine. "This is your warning, Alpha. Don't cback unless you're ready to lose more than your pride." I gritted my teeth in shbut nodded. "Understood." The walk back to the packhouse was heavy with defeat. My warriors were silent, their injuries a bad reminder of my failed gamble.

Aurora was waiting when we arrived, her arms crossed and her eyes blazing. "What the hell were you thinking?" she demanded.

I sighed, brushing past her. "Not now, Aurora." "Oh, now is exactly the time," she countered, followinginto our room. “You risked their lives for what? Your ego?" "It wasn't my ego!" I shouted, spinning to face her. "It was for the pack's future.

"And you thought going behind everyone's back was the best way to secure that?" she shot back, her voice shaking with anger, I could tell she was sick worried for me, but I hated it.

I don't need pity. "Maybe if the council could make a decision, I wouldn't have to act on my own!" She narrowed her eyes, her chest rising and falling with deep breaths. "You put everyone in danger, Dane. Including yourself." The tension between us was like a live wire pulled out. She turned away, her hands digging into the edge of the dresser. “I can't lose you," she whispered, her voice breaking.

Something insidesnapped. I closed the distance between us, my hands wrapping around her waist.

"You won't lose me," I whispered, turning her to face me.

with another kiss.

She resisted a moment before melting into the touch of our mouths as her hands tangled in my hair. The kiss deepened, and our anger cooled, revealing desperation underneath.

I lifted her onto the bed as my lips trailed down her neck.

Her fingers tugged at my shirt, which went off over my head, the weight of my body pressed on hers. Her soft moans fed the need in me, unbuttoning her blouse to bare skin.

"You drivecrazy," I muttered into her collarbone, hands tracing each part of her body.

She moved beneath me, her nails digging into my back. "Then show me," she whispered, her voice thick with longing.

Our clothes disappeared in the next instant, and I fitted myself between her thighs. My cock rubbed against her slippery clit, teasing her as she gasped.

"Dane," she moaned, hips bucking to mine.

I slowly thrust into her, my lengths entered in her warmth as we moved together.

Her nails raked down my chest as her cries filled the room. while I quickened my rhythm. “You're mine,” I growled, my lips capturing hers as we reached the edge together.

We collapsed onto the bed, our breath increasing as we hugged.

The knock on the door woke us from our peaceful sleep in the morning. I flun "What is it?" I asked gruffly since my voice was hoarse from sleep.

Raven handeda sealed letter. His hands shook. "It's from the Army you encountered. The leader is requesting an audience with you and Aurora." Aurora appeared beside me, looking guarded.

"What do they want now?" The boy paused, as though picking his words with care.

"They didn't say much but. their leader is coming here." Dane paced the room, frustration practically radiating off of him.

"We shouldn't be wasting our tnegotiating with wolves who don't have a right to that territory anyway," he snapped.

I crossed my arms, leaning against the table. "And walking in blind into this meeting could get us straight into a trap. You haven't thought of that? Dane stopped pacing and turned to me, his jaw tight. "We don't have a choice, Aurora. If we don't show strength now, we risk looking weak. They'll exploit that." "I'm not saying we don't meet with them," I said, trying to keep my tone level for what was sure to be an increasingly frustrating argument.

"I'm saying we need a plan that isn't dependent on fighting or showing strength.

Trajan, sitting near the fire, cleared his throat. "Aurora's right. If they think there's a division between the two of you, it might give them courage. You have to make a united front." Dane's glare relaxed a little as he exhaled. "Okay. But if they push us, I'm not backing off." I looked at Trajan; silently, I begged him for patience. “We'll go,” I said, “but we're doing this carefully.

We had arranged to meet the leader of the rival pack on neutral grounds near the borders, and I was there, flanked by a few chosen wolves on either side, tense as the quiet trees standing ready.

He was a lean wolf with piercing amber eyes and greeted ust with a sly "We are here to speak of a truce," I said firmly. "We don't cto waste time." The lady in golden armor raised a brow, clearly amused. "Straight to business, then. My Alpha believes the disputed territory is rightfully ours. We've been patrolling it for months. without interference." Dane scoffed, his fists clenching. “Kaida, patrolling it doesn't make it yours." Kaida? It seems he had met her during the confrontation.

I placed a hand on Dane's arm, urging restraint. "We're willing to negotiate terms, but claiming what isn't yours won't be tolerated." Kaida's smile spread. "And yet, here you are. If it wasn't ours, why would you bother negotiating? "We're here to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. Mistaking our willingness to talk for weakness is not advisable," I replied. Dane clicked his tongue as if he disagreed.

Orion's eyes darted betweenand Dane. "Interesting," he murmured. "It would seem that even the mighty Broken Ridge has its divisions." I felt the weight of his words settle into the air, my heart tightening. "We're united in our goal to protect our pack," I said, keeping my voice steady.

The more Orion spoke about his Alpha's terms, the clearer it becthat they wanted less to do with peace and more to do with a test of wills.

Words dripped like stones onto the delicate scale that kept Dane andin balance.

Dane shifted closer to me, "Do you hear them?" Dane asked in a whisper. “They're questioning everything." I nodded. "We need to address it head on before it spirals further." Dane's jaw lightened. "And what about the negotiations? The longer we wait, the weaker we look." "Rushing into conflict isn't strength, Dane,” I replied in a whisper, frustration bursting free. “It's recklessness.

First and foremost, we have to rebuild trust within the pack." His eyes flashed, and for a second, I knew he would resist. But then he blew "Begin with squashing the rumors. Be open with them about. what we intend to do. This pack needs to know that we stand as one.

Dane hesitated a moment, then nodded. "I'll talk with them. But if this doesn't work" "It will," I said with finality, though a flicker of doubt danced in the back of my mind.

"Seems we have to give you more tto discuss,” Kaida said out loud, cutting in.

Orion nodded, "We will send a message for the next meeting." I nodded and turned to Dane to see him grit his teeth out of anger, I took his hand and squeezed and he nodded too.

Orion and his Army vanished into the darkness of the forest.

"Luna," a voice cut into my thoughts. I turned to see one of the Chapter 289 warriors approaching, his face troubled. In his hand was a crumpled piece of paper.

"This was left behind near the edge of the clearing," he said, handing it tocautiously.

I unfolded the note, my heart racing as I read the hastily scrawled message: 5/6 "Beware the betrayal closest to your heart. Your pack's survival depends on it." The words were a knife twisting in my gut. My mind whirled, rewinding the veiled barbs from the rival pack and the growing unease within my pack. Who could this betrayal refer to? Dane's voice cut through my thoughts. "Aurora, are you ready to head back?" I folded the note fast and tucked it inside my pocket, turning to him and forcing a nod. “Yes, let's go.” As we went back, with every step, I stole glances at Dane square shoulders clamped, expression clamped. Yet, in my mind it seemed to echo warning after warning by the note.

At the edge of the packhouse, a figure emerged from the shadows. Piper stood there, her face pale, her eyes darting nervously.

"Aurora," she called out, her voice low but urgent.

I quickened my pace toward her and noted how she fidgeted with the hem of her cloak. "What is it, Piper?" She hesitated then looked around her cautiously, as if she wanted to m URORA Piper sat across fromin the council room, her arms crossed tight to her chest, her eyes locked on the table. Warrick had walked in after her, he rested against the wall, his jaws clenched.

The tension was heavy in the air, tangible, but I had to have answers, and I had to have them now.

"If you're sure about what you heard, then tell me,” I said, firm yet low so as not to alert anyone outside the room.

"Yes," Piper said, her voice even. “The message Calla sent is not about destabilizing us, it is to do with Dane. They are targeting him, and they think he is a weak link because of his impulsive decisions." Warrick finally broke the silence, sharp with exasperation. "If there is a plot against Dane, why isn't he taking this seriously? Why are we here talking instead of taking saction? I leaned onto the table and let out a sigh. “Because running headfirst into every problem is what got us here in the first place. I need solutions, not more chaos." Piper seemed to hesitate before she spoke again, glancing between Warrick and me. "Rowan and Lila. They're just with cach other day in and out. I really don't think that's all right.” Warrick raised an eyebrow. "Rowan? Again? Piper, is this about the pack, or is it about you not happy to see him with her?" Piper's face flushed. "No, I'm not jealous. I'm just. cautious. We all know Rowan's past... I don't want him manipulated again" "Enough," I cut in, my hand rising. “This isn't about Rowan or Lila right now. Our focus needs to be on Dane and the pack's safety." Piper fisted her hands and muttered under her breath, "Easier said than done." Almost immediately, Dane and the other council members entered.

I stood at the head of the table, looking around the faces of my people, with whom I'd earned a familiarity with over the years. Today, trust felt like it was gonna break any moment. "We have an option," I began, my voice elevating above the murmur of the council.

"We can negotiate with the rival pack and take a portion of the land in contention or go to an all out war to take it all." Dane was on his feet in an instant, scraping the chair against the floor as he rose. "Negotiation is a weakness, Aurora. You think they'll respect us taking scraps from their table?" "They'll respect us if we keep our pack intact!" I fired back, the irritation welling in my stomach.

Trajan interruptedwith a steady but firm voice, "Both ideas have scredibility, but rushing into a war without an afterthought of what that can bring upon the people is unthinking." Dane laughed. "While standing by and doing nothing is unmanly." The room erupted into a cacophony of arguments, members taking sides, voi "Enough! We've been through this before, and I am tired of going in circles like children. If we can't cto a decision, then. I will make the decision myself. Is that understood?" The room fell silent. The tension in the air was thick. Dane's glare burned into me, but I refused to back down.

"We will do this next time... we all need to rest and calm our minds," I breathed softly.

Dane was the first to strode off, and after stime, the council room was empty.

All I heard from Dane was different crazy words, unforgiving; gaze set in defiance. Day by day, he becmore and more. unreachable; what is to happen with my pack next, I do not know.

I sighed and stepped out, heading to my room. Perhaps a cool bath will calm the voices in my head.

The murmur of voices down the hall drew my attention. It halted, pressing my back against the cool stone wall to listen.

"You really think Dane's plan will work?" a voice whispered, low and cautious.

“He's confident,” said another. “He thinks that's the only way to prove strength. They'll never even see it coming." "He's been planning it for weeks," said the other, “a single ambush. It's a risk, but if he manages to pull it off, then he'll have proved Aurora's been holding him back too much." I strained harder, trying to make out more. "But what if it gets denied? The way Aurora has been, he'd surely land with a slap if she knew this behind his back." There was a pause, and the silence hung in the air with tension. "She doesn't need to know," the first voice said decisively. “Dane's doing what needs to be done. If we keep second guessing him, we'll never move forward." My breath had caught. Dane was going to ambush alone? Without the sanction of the council? At once, my chest tightened with disbelief and anger. Hadn't we just been through this? The very idea of acting without unity had been the central issue of our meeting, and now this? I inched closer, rounding the bend just in tto see the two wolves conclude their conversation and start walking away. Their words echoed in my brain, each syllable a painful thrust of betrayal. "Dane's doing what needs to be done." No, I thought my hands were fisting automatically at my hips. He's doing what he thinks needs doing, and that's a totally different thing, altogether.

Now, the halls were empty but for my quickening footsteps. I made my way straight for our quarters, a stew of anger just below the surface..

It was tfor Dane andto have it out. And this time, I wasn't leaving until I'd been heard.

If he seriously planned to sneak around behind our pack's backs, then he was risking more than his life, he was risking ours.

ces raised and overlapping. Ssupported Dane's ambition, stating the pack needed to reclaim its legacy. Others backed my proposal, saying that saving lives was more crucial than land.

I raised my hands for silence.

ake sure no one was around. "I heard something," she whispered, fear and conviction combined in her tone.

"Come, you'll telleverything," I told her, I walked in and she followed.

out hard, running his hand through his hair. “Alright. What would you havedo?" smile. Beside he was a few soldiers, and there stood a female with a golden armor, standing tall among the men, one would only tell she was a female by her beauty and stature. "Alpha Dane, Luna Aurora, I am Orion, the leader of this pack," he said smoothly, the tone bordering on mockery. "How kind of you to meet us." g on a shirt and opened it to Raven, the young messenger, his face pale.

She would have argued again, and her lips parted; I quieted her t to this territory." The army laughed and a lady with golden armor stepped into. view. She was damn beautiful, her curves were so different even with the leather armor she wore, her long hair flowing like a river of midnight. Her sharp eyes calculating, her lips curling into a smirk.

ht with it all weighingdown.

"Not now, Warrick," I managed to choke, my voice firm though my body shook with emotion.

ough that several wolves stopped what they were doing and stared.