Chapter 210 The Instigator

Chapter 210 The Instigator
For a few blissful seconds after opening her eyes, Piper couldn’t remember why the weight in her chest felt so familiar. Then the memories rushed back all at once.
She lay staring at the ceiling, cabinets open somewhere outside the room. Ember was already awake. She slept over at Ember's after calling her mom.
Piper slowly pushed herself upright.
The notebook she’d fallen asleep beside rested on her bedside table. She read the words again, hoping daylight would make them sound less impossible.
It didn’t.
“You alive? Or clothless” Ember called as she pushed the door open.
“Both,” Piper said.
“I’m coming in anyway.”
Ember stepped inside, wearing an oversized hoodie and balancing two steaming mugs in her hands.
“I figured caffeine was the only thing standing between you and a complete mental breakdown since you didn't sleep much.”
Piper accepted one with a tired smile. “I slept.”
“For like… an hour.”
Piper couldn’t argue. She wrapped both hands around the warm mug without taking a sip.
“I kept thinking about Irene.”
Ember’s expression softened.
“I know.” Ember sat on the edge of the bed.
OutsideEmber's apartment, distant voices sounded through the street.
Laughter.
Music.
The unmistakable sound of preparations.
“They’ve already started.”
Piper followed her eyes toward the window.
Colourful banners hung between several houses across the street. Wolves from neighbouring families carried decorations through the square while younger children chased one another with bright ribbons tied around their wrists.
The Alpha Tradition, once every thirty-five years, had always transformed the territory, so she heard.
Normally, Piper would have loved it.
Every pack decorated differently, but everyone gathered for the same celebration. Elders retold old stories. Families reunited. 
Young heirs met one another through games, ceremonies, and friendly competitions that stretched across several days before the final gathering.
It was supposed to remind every wolf that despite belonging to different packs…they shared the same history.
Today, it only reminded Piper of Irene’s journal.
Disappearances before the tradition.
“They look happy, can't wait to go out there,” Ember said mid-smile before she stopped.
Piper watched a little girl laugh as an older woman adjusted a flower crown on her head.
“They don’t know And maybe that’s a good thing.”
Piper wasn’t sure she believed herself.
Classes before noon were cancelled. Students were too distracted by the festivities waiting outside.
By the time Piper and Ember reached the front gates, the campus already looked different.
Pack colours fluttered from poles lining the entrance.
Long tables were being arranged across the courtyard.
Members of different packs moved through the grounds carrying crates, decorations, and ceremonial banners.
They continued walking as Groups of students passed them, laughing excitedly about evening celebrations.
Others argued over which pack would win the traditional competitions.
Someone shouted Archie’s name from across the courtyard. He looked over before politely waving them off.
Instead of joining them, he headed toward Piper.
“You disappeared after lunch yesterday.”
Piper managed to smile widely.
Before he could say another thing,  a familiar voice joined them.
“I was hoping I’d find all three of you together again.” Rollins walked closer with one hand tucked into his jacket pocket.
Unlike most students, he wasn’t looking at the decorations. He was scanning the crowd.
Archie noticed.
“So was I.”
Rollins lowered his voice. “I checked again this morning.”
“And?” Piper asked.
“The folder’s gone.”
For a second, nobody spoke Archie’s expression hardened. “Gone?”
Rollins nodded. “My father’s office was locked and I had a spare. The cabinet had been reorganised.”
His eyes moved to Piper. “The file I brought and told you about yesterday…” He paused. “…is missing.”
A chill crawled down Piper’s spine.
“Someone removed it. I think someone knew I’d seen it.”
Before anyone could respond, loud ceremonial drums echoed across the campus.
The conversations around them quieted.
Students instinctively turned toward the main courtyard as members of the organising committee stepped onto the central platform.
The first announcement of the Alpha Tradition had begun.
The rhythmic beat of the ceremonial drums rolled across the campus, Students abandoned half-finished discussions and moved toward the centre of the courtyard, curiosity and excitement spreading through the crowd.
Piper remained where she was.
Her eyes stayed fixed on Rollins.
“You didn’t tell anyone about the file, did you?” she asked.
Rollins shook his head immediately.
“No.”
“Not even your father?”
A humourless smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “If my father knew I’d been in his office without permission, we’d be having a very different conversation.”
Archie frowned. “Then whoever took it either checks that cabinet regularly…”
“…or they knew exactly what you found,” Piper finished.
Neither possibility sat well.
Ember looked between the four of them before sighing.
A woman dressed in ceremonial robes stepped onto the raised platform overlooking the courtyard. 
“Welcome,” she called, her voice carrying easily across the grounds. “Today marks the beginning of our Alpha Tradition.”
Applause broke out almost instantly.
Piper looked around.
Students from every small to big pack stood side by side, clapping and smiling. 
For a moment everything looked exactly the way it should.
And somehow, that unsettled her even more.
The woman continued.
“For generations, this tradition has reminded us that although our packs bear different names, we all stand beneath the blessing of the Moon Goddess.”
“Each pack will begin today’s ceremonies within their own territories before gathering together again throughout the week. May this tradition strengthen old bonds…”
The speaker smiled warmly.
“…and remind us that peace is always stronger than division.”
Beside Piper, Ember muttered under her breath. “Someone should tell that to half the Alphas.”
Archie shot her a warning look.
She shrugged innocently. “What? I’m not wrong.”
The ceremony concluded with another round of applause before students slowly began dispersing.
Some hurried toward waiting family members.
Others excitedly discussed the competitions scheduled for later that evening.
Piper found herself studying faces.
She wasn’t even sure what she was looking for anymore.
A familiar prickling sensation crept across the back of her neck.
The same feeling she’d experienced more than once over the past several days.
Someone was watching her which sounded ridiculous at a festival.
“Piper.”
She blinked and looked back at Ember, who was standing beside her with an unimpressed expression.
“What?” Piper asked.
Ember crossed her arms. “Are you seriously investigating people at a festival?”
Piper frowned. “I’m not investigating.”
“You’re absolutely investigating.” Ember looked around dramatically before looking back at her. “You’ve been staring at everyone like you’re about to accuse someone of a crime.”
Despite herself, Piper almost smiled.
“Ember…”
“No.” Ember shook her head, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the crowd. “Today is not about secrets, suspicious looks, or whatever mystery you’ve convinced yourself is following you.”
Piper let herself be dragged along, pulling them both from Archie and Rollins,
“It’s a festival,” Ember continued. “People are supposed to have fun. Eat overpriced food, complain about the music, pretend the games aren’t rigged, and make memories.”
Piper looked at her.
Ember softened her expression. “You deserve to enjoy something without searching for the danger in it.”
For a moment, Piper didn’t know what to say.
Because Ember wasn’t wrong.
Maybe, just for now, she could try to be normal.
By the time they reached the parking area, several vehicles loaded with decorations were already heading toward the main square where the opening celebrations would continue into the evening.
Workers hurried back and forth carrying lanterns, flower arrangements, and long wooden poles draped with silver fabric.
Everything looked meticulously planned.
Until shouting erupted from the opposite side of the square.
Heads turned almost in unison.
A pair of wolves stood chest to chest beside one of the supply wagons, voices rising with every passing second.
“You crossed the line!”
“We didn’t touch your supplies!”
“Liar!”
More wolves rushed toward them.
One wore the colours of Frostfang.
The other belonged to Crescent Moon.
Within moments, the argument had attracted a small crowd.
“Oh God,” Ember muttered as she handed Piper the second cotton candy in her hand.
Archie instinctively moved to the scene, so did Rollins.
Before either of them reached the growing confrontation, one of the older organisers forced himself between the two men.
“Enough!”
His voice cracked across the square.
“This is the first day of the tradition.”
One of the Frostfang wolves pointed angrily toward a crate lying on its side. “Our ceremonial banners were cut.”
A Crescent Moon wolf scoffed. “And you think we did it?”
“Who else?”
Murmurs spread through the gathering crowd.
Piper felt her stomach tighten.
It was too fast.
Far too fast.
The tradition had barely begun.
Yet accusations were already flying.