Chapter 304

I longed for his assistance.

I turned and watched my men retreat down the hills. Joining them, I walked to the pack house, proceeding directly to my office. Upon entering, I saw Piper inside.

Piper was pacing, her rapid movements betraying the bitterness she felt. I could sense it, even from a distance.

“Our pack members live in fear; they jump at every sound. They’re crumbling under their own anxieties,” Piper said, flinging her hands up, her desperation palpable.

I nodded thoughtfully, walking to my chair and sitting down. “Understandable, given recent events, but we can't have them being so defiant… but I trust you can manage them, right?”

“That’s the problem!” Piper exclaimed, her voice rising. “Warrick, whom I expected to help, keeps trivializing everything—making light of it, joking, as if he doesn't grasp the gravity of the situation!”

But Warrick interrupted before she could continue, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “I'm right here, you know.”

“I want you to listen,” Piper growled, circling him, her eyes blazing. “This isn't a game, Warrick. Stop acting like it is.”

His smirk vanished, his brow furrowing defensively. “I’m trying to prevent them from completely unraveling. If they’re scared, they…”

Chapter 304

“And if they think it’s all a joke, they won’t take it seriously!” Piper retorted.

I raised my hand, my voice firm. “Enough, both of you. This isn’t the time for arguments. We have more pressing issues to address.”

With a frustrated slump of his shoulders, Warrick stormed out. Piper sank into a chair opposite me, releasing a slow breath.

“I don’t know how much more of this I can handle,” she admitted, her voice softer now.

My eyes softened. “It’s difficult,” I said. “I know. But we all experience doubt at some point. I do, too.”

Piper stared back. “You? But you’re always so strong.”

I smiled. “You think I don’t feel the weight of this? Dane barely clinging to life, our rivals on our heels, the pack awaiting answers from me. I’m not always strong; sometimes I feel like I’m failing.”

Piper relaxed. “You’re not failing, Aurora. You’re holding us together.”

“And so are you,” I said, placing a comforting hand on her arm. “Don’t undervalue your role in this pack. They look up to you, even when it feels like no one does.”

Their conversation was interrupted as the door creaked open again. Warrick stood in the doorway, his face tense. “Aurora,” he began, his voice uncertain. “I need your help.”

Chapter 304

I looked up at Piper, then stood. “What is it?”

“It’s about Piper,” Warrick said, looking at her. “I know I messed up. I know I hurt her. But I’ve been trying to make amends, and she won’t give me a chance. Can you help her see that I’ve changed?”

Piper’s face was impassive as she crossed her arms.

“You think this is about change? You think a few apologies erase everything?”

Warrick took a step forward, his voice rising. “No, I don’t. But I’m trying, Piper! And instead of talking to me, you’re confiding in everyone else. Do you have any idea how that feels?”

I positioned myself between them, my voice conveying both understanding and authority. “That’s enough.”

“I’m not doing this for you, for her, or anyone,” Piper shook her head and stepped forward, her gaze unwavering. “You never understand, Warrick. It’s not about what you’ve done, but how I feel about you now.”

Warrick’s voice broke, a husky question cracking through. “How… how do you feel?”

Piper said nothing. Her lips were thin and tight. “I don’t know.”

Warrick threw up his hands and walked away. “Fine. When you figure it out, let me know.” He left, leaving Piper and me in heavy silence.

Chapter 304

Later that night, Piper and I were at the edge of the pack house.

The forest was quiet except for the rustling of leaves underfoot and a distant owl’s hoot.

Piper froze, her body instantly rigid. “Aurora,” she breathed, pointing.

Through the darkness, wolves were lying low, their eyes glowing in the moonlight. The pale light glinted off blades and arrows.

I gasped. “Kaida’s army,” I whispered.

Piper nodded sharply. “What do we do?”

“We haven’t attacked yet,” I said, pulling Piper behind a tree. “We need to know their numbers and plans.”

We strained to hear the scouts’ hushed whispers, piecing together fragments of their conversation.

“The pack’s weaker than we thought.”

“Yeah, good. Orion wants us to exploit that. Go for the young wolves; they’ll break first.”

Rage surged through Piper as my fists clenched inside my fur-lined gloves. “How about we go up there and take them out?”

I restrained Piper. “No… go get Evelyn and Trajan; we need as many eyes as possible while we scout and assess the situation.”

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I crouched low, keeping my eyes on the men around the campfire, observing them intently. I noticed several women in burqas serving them. They were drinking wine and eating roasted meat. I licked my lips, realizing I hadn’t eaten all day. My stomach rumbled, and I slowly stood, carefully backing away.

I would wait for the others at a safe distance.

SNAP…

My foot snapped a dry twig. I looked up to see two of the soldiers looking in my direction.

“Who’s there?” one asked, rising, hand on his sword. “I’ll check it out,” he said to his companion, tapping his shoulder.

He advanced toward me, and I froze, holding my breath.