novelxo Chapter 216
Chapter 216 EIRA Before me , the treetops of the forest stretch endlessly , blackly silent in a way thats unnervingly quiet .
The shouting and laughter of the festival grew ever more indistinct as I stood at the edge of the trees , clenching and unclenching my fists at my sides .
The air is different here , heavier .
My senses tingle with unease as some faint unfamiliar scent wafts on the wind .
I move a little closer , the cool earth under my bare feet .
The smell grows in strength , with something sharp and metallic tang to it .
Somethings not right , I mutter to myself , my heart pounding .
A rustling sound arrests my attention in the deeper shadows of the forest .
I froze , my breath caught in my throat , and strained to listen .
The faint sound of laughter at the festival is miles away now ; the silence of the woods swallowed them .
It has been weeks since the grove was rejuvenated .
Broken Ridge is now teeming with life , and the crops are in plenty ; the pack .
was filled with strength .
On the surface , everything looks perfect , but that feeling of Chapter 216 2/6 Ive tried to disregard it and get myself lost in the joyous celebrations .
The festival tonight was supposed to start things anew , to finally leave what was behind us , behind us .
But here , peering into this darkness , I have that feeling that something is watching me .
The pack is alive with joy back at the festival , the music in the night air , the flickering light of the fires casting warm shadows across smiling faces .
Aurora floats with ease from group to group ; her bright , genuine peals of laughter rise into the night air .
She is lighter somehow , despite it all .
I stand at the edge of the group , far enough away to watch the celebration but not join in .
I have kept to myself since the groves restoration .
The others seem to have found peace , but to me , it feels fleeting , a fragile thread waiting to snap .
The wind shifts , carrying that same sharp scent from the forest .
My stomach churns .
I glance back at the dark horizon , my instincts screaming at me to turn away .
But I cant .
I slip away from the festivities and move away , my footsteps light and deliberate .
As I approach the edge of the forest , the scent grows stronger , distinctive .
The first howl slices through the air , a low , mournful sound that raises every hair on my body .
Chapter 216 3/6 I spin around , eyes scanning the horizon , but I can see nothing to give a target to the sound .
Whos there ? I called , my voice even if I am not .
Only rustling leaves and then another howl , answer , this one closer .
Its sharper in the smell once I step into the tree line .
My wolf senses flare in warning , but my curiosity pushes me forward .
My eyes catch the faint markings on a tree trunk : deeply etched claw marks into the bark .
I run my fingers over them , a cold shiver running down my spine .
The marks pulse faintly , almost as if alive , and a sickening realization dawns on me .
These are no ordinary scratches ; these are symbols .
I stumble backward .
My breathing quickens while my heartbeat picks up , and the pieces start to fall into place .
The grove might be healed , but in the process , something else has awakened .
I spin and run .
My feet barely touch the ground , and I race back toward the packhouse .
The lights of the festival come into view , but my relief is short , lived .
Distant howls follow me , growing louder , more insistent .
I burst into the clearing , and the joyful atmosphere freezes .
All eyes settle on me , their laughter stilled by my sudden entrance .
Chapter 216 Eira , what is it ? Whats wrong ? 4/6 I try to speak , but the words catch in my throat .
I am breathing , in short gasps , those pulsating marks scared into my brain .
Eira , Aurora repeats , a bite to her tone now .
Speak up .
Whos coming ? Shadows , I finally forced out in a strangled voice .
Theyre coming .
Echoes of the past … the Forgotten .
The crowd ripples with unease ; the whispers spread like a brushfire .
Auroras eyes go wide as she looks at Dane , who has already stepped forward , his face grim .
Get her to the healer , Dane says steady as always , yet urgent .
We need answers .
Aurora nods and pulls me out of the crowd , and my legs now threaten to fold under me , my only means of standing is by her .
It is quite bright in this room with the flame of fire darting and thereby casting , long shadows along the walls .
Aurora sits next to me ; her hand lies on mine , You have to tell us everything , she says , soft and with firmness in her tone .
I close my eyes , trying to clear my head .
The grove , I begin .
Healing it … it didnt just lift the curse .
It woke something up .
A pack … of wolves , forgotten long ago during Kaels time .
They called themselves the Forgotten .
Auroras brow furrows .
Never heard of them .
Chapter 216 Few have .
I answer .
They were exiled for their dangerous beliefs .
They thought the groves power should be used to dominate , to destroy .
When they were exiled , they vanished … or so we thought .
Dane steps closer , his arms crossed over his chest .
And now theyre back ? me .
I nod , and the weight settles heavily upon me .
Theyve been waiting .
Watching .
And now that the grove is restored , they want its power .
Aurora and Dane exchange a look , their faces stone .
5/6 We cant just sit here and wait for whatever is coming , he says .
If theyre after the grove , we need to be ready .
I saw signs in the woods , I say , and my voice breaks .
Carved into the trees , but they were … pulsing , with energy .
Its them .
I know it .
Dane doesnt hesitate .
Ill investigate the forest .
Aurora , stay here with Eira and alert the pack .
If theyre as dangerous as she says , we need to be ready .
Aurora reaches for his arm .
Be careful , she says , her voice barely above a whisper .
He nods , setting his jaw solidly .
As Dane vanishes into the night , Aurora turns back to me .
What else can you tell me about them ? she asks .
Chapter 216 6/6 thought this grove belonged to them and wouldnt quit until they finally got it .
The corners of her lips curl further down .
Then we shall not let that happen .
The cheering of the festival has long since dissolved into the low hum of apprehension that spreads throughout the pack .
Wolves cluster together , all eyes darting nervously to the forest .
Pinned beneath his scrutiny , the minutes tick into eternity while we wait for Dane to return .
It isnt until much later , after he finally steps into the opening , face pale , eyes rimmed with an urgent message .
We have a problem , he says , holding up a piece of bark with the same pulsing marks I saw on the trees .
Before he gets anything else out , Trajan bursts into the packhouse , his face white .
Its too late , he whispers , trembling .
Theyre already here