Chapter 313

PIPER

I let out a deep sigh and scanned the treetops as the cool breeze stroked my face. Responsibility weighed heavily, and the tension with Warrick wasn't helping. We were tasked with ensuring the pack's safety and tracking the retreat of Orion's forces, but my mind wandered.

"Piper," Warrick said, appearing beside me where I bent near a covered path. His tone was light, almost too casual. "You've been quiet."

"I'm focused," I replied shortly, avoiding his gaze.

"Focused?" He chuckled softly, the sound low and smooth, an attempt to lighten the mood. "It looks more like brooding."

I glared at him. "This isn't a joke, Warrick. Lives are at stake, and we're standing on the edge of chaos."

The humor vanished from his face. "I know that, Piper. I'm trying to make things easier."

"Easier?" I interrupted, frustration bubbling over. "You think cracking jokes and acting like nothing happened will fix everything?"

His jaw tightened. "I'm trying, Piper. But maybe you don't want this fixed."

I turned away, unwilling to confront the turmoil his words stirred. We continued deeper into the forest until I found something unusual: a cluster of boulders partially covering a hollowed-out tree. "Over here," I called.

We searched the hiding place, revealing a cache of weapons, maps, and documents. My heart quickened as I examined them.

"These are plans," I whispered, spreading a map on the ground. "They're targeting our divisions."

"What do you mean?" Warrick leaned over my shoulder, his face darkening.

"They know about our weaknesses," I said, "the conflicts, the mistrust—they plan to exploit them."

Behind us, a voice interrupted. "Impressive find."

I turned to see Rowan approaching, arms crossed. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"I was following a lead," he said, kneeling beside me. "But this… this changes things."

Rowan examined the documents, his perception helping me piece together the plan. For the first time in a while, I felt a sliver of confidence.

"You've still got it, Piper," he said with a small smile.

Before I could respond, Warrick's voice cut through the air like a knife. "Of course, Rowan's here to save the day."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Rowan asked, an eyebrow raised.

Warrick's frustration erupted. "It means you've got your hands in everything. First Lila, now Piper. What's next? Aurora?"

Rowan's face clouded. "Watch your mouth, Warrick. Your insecurity doesn't justify baseless accusations."

"Insecure?" Warrick stepped closer, fists clenched. "You think you're some kind of saint? You're just a manipulative womanizer."

"And you're a jealous fool," Rowan retorted. "Maybe if you treated Piper with respect, she wouldn't second-guess your every move."

"Enough!" I shouted, pushing between them. "This isn't about you two. We have more important things to deal with."

I stormed away, my boots crunching on the forest floor. My pulse raced; frustration swirled in my thoughts. "Why now? Why does it always have to come to this?" I muttered.

I stopped near a large tree and unfolded another document from the cache. My eyes scanned the symbols and coded text; the faint moonlight barely illuminated the fine markings.

Rowan caught up, his voice softer now. "Piper, wait."

I didn't look up. "Rowan, I don't have time for this."

"You don't have time to let Warrick's insecurities ruin your focus," he replied. "We're on the same side here."

I sighed but remained silent, my attention fixed on the document. Then my eyes caught a phrase buried in the code: 'Inside trust is the easiest weakness to manipulate.'

"What is it?" Rowan asked, leaning closer.

I steeled myself and pointed. "This… It's talking about someone inside the pack. Someone close."

Rowan's jaw clenched. "A spy."

Before I could reply, Warrick called out from behind us. "What now? Another secret you two are sharing?"

I turned abruptly, my patience exhausted. "Warrick, this isn't the time."

"It never is, is it?" He crossed his arms, glaring at Rowan. "Funny how he's always the one you confide in."

Rowan stepped forward, his voice icy. "You're exhausting, Warrick. If you stopped sulking, you'd see there's more at stake."

"Enough!" I snapped, holding up the paper. "We have a bigger problem than your egos!"

Warrick frowned, stepping closer. "What do you mean?"

I pointed at the text. "This is a coded message about someone inside the pack, feeding information to Orion's forces."

I folded the paper and pocketed it. My heart pounded as I looked between them.

Warrick's voice softened. "What do we do now?"

I met his gaze, my expression firm. "I don't trust either of you. I'm taking this to Aurora. She needs to know."

"Piper," Rowan started to protest. A look from me silenced him.

"No arguments. This is not about us."

I turned and walked toward the packhouse, clutching the document tightly. The truth was out there, and it had to reach the right hands before it was too late.