Chapter 260

Energy pulsed through the village as lanterns swayed softly, each one casting flickering shadows across the wolves in attendance. Smells of roasted meats and newly baked bread danced in the air as people’s laughter mixed with the melodies, echoing back between the trees.

I was there, virtually right at the heart of everything, and my head was in the clouds, utterly astounded.

“You could at least try to have some fun,” Dane teased, curling an arm around my waist.

“I am having fun,” I said, though my eyes wandered over the sea of people.

He cocked an eyebrow, his smile teasing. “You’re working. I can see the gears in your head grinding away.”

Dane didn’t get a response out of me, though, as Piper’s loud voice rose above the noise. “Warrick, that table goes there. There! How is this so complicated?”

Warrick, lugging a heavy wooden bench, shot her a pointed look. “Maybe if you stopped over-managing, we’d actually get this done faster.”

“I’m over-managing because you can’t manage at all,” she snapped, crossing her arms.

I laughed, stepping closer to the pair. “Do you two ever stop?”

Piper shot me a mock glare, but the corners of her mouth twitched with a smile. “Not when he’s this frustrating.”

“I live to serve,” Warrick said, setting the bench down with a flourish and a melodramatic sigh.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the festival sprang to life. Wolves of all ages congregated in the middle, their faces aglow with relished stories being shared, feet stamping out a rhythm, and feasting.

Dane yanked on my hand, pulling me into the crowd. “Come on, Luna. Dance with me.”

I giggled, protesting. “You know I’m awful at this.”

“That makes two of us,” he said, flashing his grin.

I couldn’t say anything else because the next thing I knew, he whipped me into an awkward spin. I stumbled, colliding into his chest, and we both burst out laughing.

“See? I warned you,” I said, laughing and shaking my head.

“You’re perfect,” he whispered back, his eyes locked on mine.

My cheeks warmed, and for a moment, the rest of the world fell away.

Nearby, by the fire, stood Trajan and Joclyn, their hands almost touched in passing as they talked. It seemed that their smiling was more easily affected by glancing at the other person because the smile crept onto my heart to feel their connection growing within me, a silent yet noticeable link that gladdened me as I was to see a piece of him finding happiness.

By this time Piper and Warrick had finally stopped arguing. Now sitting side by side, they were sharing one plate of food, even laughing at one of Warrick’s jokes. Just so natural and relaxed—it made me smile.

But mine was short-lived. Across the clearing, Freya stood near the edge of the gathering, her gaze fixed on Dane. She wasn’t even trying to hide it anymore—sharp, calculating eyes, and it ran a chill down my spine.

“Is everything okay?” Dane asked, noticing my distraction.

I shook my head, forcing a smile. “It’s nothing. Just tired.”

He didn’t look in the least bit convinced, but he didn’t let it go any further as he pulled me into another dance.

As the night was wearing on, the crowd was thinning, but music and laughter were still spilling out. I needed a quiet moment to myself away from the festivities.

The edge of the village was quiet, the soft glow of the lanterns casting shadows on the trees. I went and leaned back against a tree, closing my eyes to the cool night air in my lungs.

But it didn’t last, and a sound in the bush made my eyes snap open, my heart pounding as I whipped toward the sound. A figure appeared into the light, his movements slow and labored.

“Alina,” I whispered, my entire body taut in an instant.

She smiled but didn’t show her teeth, a quirky thing for anyone.

“Having fun at the party? What do you want?” I asked. While my voice was even, the unease crept into me.

Alina moved closer, an unreadable expression on her face. “Just to talk. I thought it would be nice to clear the air.”

The words were polite, but her tone was anything but.

“Clear the air about what?” I crossed my arms.

She cocked her head to one side, her smile sharpening. “Oh, you know. Power, loyalty… the little things.”

My stomach twisted, but I didn’t back down. “You’re not as gentle as you think you are, Alina. Whatever game you’re playing, it won’t work. Once we have full evidence, you will be in trouble.”

Her laughter was low, almost amused. “Oh, Aurora. You have no idea what game I’m playing.”

But before I could utter another word, another rustling in the bushes caught both our attention. I went cold. My heartbeat dimmed inside me like a giant hammer in the pit.

The glowing lights seemed somewhat quenched in dimness, the mirthfulness distant from over the festival, and Alina’s words repeatedly chased down my thoughts in deeper notches every time. What was this—a warning, a threat, or has she uttered them to give my nerves their real shake?

I took a deep breath and forced the tide of questions back. I wanted so badly to turn and run back to the festival in search of Dane, to tell him what just happened. Yet, something stopped me. Because if every time Alina whispered, I ran to him, I’d be playing into her hands.

“I must leave now,” I said, trying to be as calm as possible.

I pushed myself to move, walking with intent back toward the heart of the village. There were still wolves mingling, although the crowd had greatly thinned by now. Music was softer; the scent of roasted meat hung in a cool night breeze.

I found Dane standing near the center of the clearing, speaking with Warrick and Trajan. Feeling my stare, it would seem, he glanced up when our eyes made contact. His eyes relaxed.

I moved toward him, trying to avoid the remaining wolves.

“Everything okay?” he asked, his hand brushing over mine.

“Yeah,” I lied, faking a smile. “Just needed some air.”

Warrick smirked. “And how’s the air out there? Better than Piper’s complaints about my decorating skills?”

“She’s not wrong, you know,” I teased. “Your taste is… unique.”

Trajan chuckled, the sound rare and warm. “'Unique' is one word for it.”

Dane’s arm slipped around my waist, his touch grounding me. “We’re lucky to have you as the voice of reason, Aurora. Though I think even you would struggle to choose between these two.”

Warrick pretended to be offended. “I am a delight to work with.”

“Sure you are,” I said, rolling my eyes.

The teasing was light but did help cut through the lingering tension clinging to me. For one instant, I let myself be dragged down by the comfort of their presence.

Later in the day, after the music had finally died and the festival was over, I sought Piper out.

She was sitting with her head leaned against Warrick’s shoulder. They were happy tonight, the two of them arguments forgotten, for now. It’s a picture that warms my heart, a reminder of what we’re fighting so hard for.

“How’s it going?” I asked, lowering myself beside them.

“Finally,” Piper said in a hushed tone. “He stopped arguing with me, so it’s been lovely.”

Warrick grinned. “Only because you ran out of things to criticize.”

Our teasing had me laughing, the sound releasing some of the tension in my chest.

While the other wolves headed towards their homes, Dane and I lingered on the edge of the village. The lanterns bobbed in a soft breeze, dancing shadows around the tree trunks.

“I believe it wasn’t that bad tonight,” he said, very low.

“Yeah,” I returned absently because my mind immediately switched to Alina and her riddles.

Dane took notice of my constraint, his hand reaching for mine. “Thinking too much, again,” he commented.

“I cannot help it,” I returned. “Too much is at stake to overlook anything now.”

He faced me, his eyes straight and serious. “We’ll get through it, Aurora. Whatever it is, together we will.”

We started to walk back to the packhouse when a flicker of movement caught my eye. I stopped, my body tensing as I turned towards the shadows.

“What is it?” Dane asked, instantly, as he didn’t notice anything.

I shook my head, scanning the treeline. “Probably nothing.”

But deep down, I wasn’t quite so sure.