Chapter 305
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AURORA
I flinched as I felt a touch from behind me and turned to see Evelyn. She placed her finger on her lips to shush me, then took my hand and quickly led me behind a big tree.
“Nothing is here,” the man said as he turned and left.
“Could be a wild cat,” the other replied.
He shrugged and sat back down. I held my chest and took a deep breath.
“Thank you,” I mouthed to Evelyn.
She nodded at me and said, “Come with me.”
We reached a clearing where I saw Trajan and Piper pacing as they waited for us.
“What’s the plan?” Trajan asked softly, his tone firm, though the urgency of the situation was clear.
I hesitated. My head was hot, and the need to decide on one thing only seemed to freeze my brain.
“I… I want you two to come up with something. My head’s such a mess right now,” I said sharply, my voice rising a little in frustration.
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into the ravine,” she suggested. “The terrain gives us the upper hand there.”
Trajan nodded slowly, considering the risk but finding it doable. “Riskier, yet doable; we just have to lead them well.”
I gave them both a determined nod. “Then let’s get going. I trust you two.”
The two moved in complete silence, each step tactically executed.
Piper was upfront, moving slowly and precisely with her direction within the dense woods; Trajan followed her, occasionally turning back toward me for assurance.
As we neared the army, I took a deep breath as I saw how armed. they were. I turned to Piper and whispered, “Piper, how sure are you about this ravine plan?”
“Sure enough to risk it,” she replied with complete confidence. “We can’t afford to let them report back to Orion.”
Trajan chimed in dryly, “We’ll split them up and make them think they’re chasing shadows.”
I nodded, proud yet anxious as they took over. I kept hidden while they executed the plan, observing from behind the shadows.
A shrill whistle blew from Piper, and in a flash, the rival army took up their arms and advanced uphill in her direction.
Trajan took that as a sign to flank them, shifting a smaller
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They got caught one after another trying to form a formation.
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Then a young wolf on our side dove into the battle, his defenses down from a stray arrow. Piper launched herself forward without thought to herself, her body covering his.
“No!” I hissed, my heart racing.
It was then that Warrick emerged from the trees, hist eyes with horror as he saw Piper in danger.
Charging forward without a second thought, he tackled the enemy, creating an opening for her to break free.
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When the fight was finally over, we regrouped at the forest’s edge. I couldn’t help but notice how often Warrick shot Piper a sideways glance, his eyes tight with a mix of guilt and relief.
“Piper,” I whispered softly, “you need to talk to him. Now.”
She stiffened but finally nodded. I turned away to give them privacy but couldn’t help listening a little.
“Why do you constantly throw yourself into danger?” Warrick exclaimed, his voice shaking.
“Why should you care?” Piper shot back, clearly defensive.
“Because I…” He broke off, running a hand through his hair. “I care about you, all right? More than I should.”
Her eyes softened, but her voice was firm. “Then stop treating me like I’m fragile. I’m part of these warriors too.”
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Their conversation continued, raw and unfiltered, each confessing their fears and insecurities.
Though no closer to resolving anything, there was a spark between them at the end. I smiled faintly, glad to see even a sliver of progress.
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As we neared the packhouse, the moonlight casting strange shadows on the ground, I stopped Evelyn at the entrance with a gesture and told her to step aside.
A shade of worry lined her features. “Aurora, what is it?” she whispered, her concern keen.
I hesitated at first, though my mind was made up. “I need you to listen to me, Evelyn,” I said, using a firmer tone than usual. “Get me a burka.”
She narrowed her gaze at me but nodded and ran inside the pack, returning in less than five minutes with the burka in hand.
I took it and snuck into the shadows, returning wearing the burka.
“What are you planning?” she asked.
“I need to go to Orion’s pack, and the only way I can do that without getting caught is by dressing like the women in their pack.”
Her eyes widened, and she clung to my arm. “What? No! You can’t just… Aurora…”
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morning, raise the alarm and make them all come to Orion’s pack.”
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Frustration boiling over, she took my hand. “Why do it alone? Why isn’t this a mission you have someone accompany you on? That would make more sense!”
I let out a deep sigh and shook my head. “Because this is something I need to handle myself. Fewer people involved means less risk. Trust me on this.”
“Trust you?” she repeated, her concern evident. “Aurora, you’re asking me to stand by while you throw yourself into danger.
That’s not fair.”
I placed both hands on her shoulders, staring into her eyes. “Evelyn, I’m not asking you to understand. I’m asking you to trust that I know what I’m doing.”
Her lips thinned, her struggle apparent. After a tense, silent moment, she yielded with a sigh of frustration. “Fine. But if you don’t come back by morning…”
“I will,” I replied, forcing a small smile.
She crossed her arms over her chest, a deep frown between her brows. “You better. Because if you don’t, I’m dragging Warrick, Piper, and Trajan out there to find you myself.”
I chuckled low in my throat, though inside my chest, the weight of it all still pulled tight. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you.”
I turned to go, but her voice stopped me.
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I turned my shoulder to her. “Yes?”
“Be careful,” she said simply.
I nodded firmly. “I will.”
