Chapter 109 The pack notices 1

Chapter 109: Chapter 109 The pack notices 1

Talia’s POV

The next morning, I woke up alone.

Kaelen was already gone. His side of the bed was cold, and his pillow still held the faint indent of his head, and he had left without waking me.

I lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, thinking about the night before.

The memory was still fresh like it had just happened. I could still feel his hands on my skin, his lips on my neck, and his breath in my ear. I closed my eyes and let the feeling wash over me again. The warmth, the safety, and the way he had looked at me like I was everything, and like I was enough.

I thought about the stumble on the stairs, the kiss, and his hands on my body. I could still feel the way he had looked at me, touched me, and held me like I was something precious.

My face burned hot, just from the thoughts of it.

I had never felt anything like what I felt with him. The way his hands had moved across my skin, and the way he had whispered my name like it was something sacred. I touched my lips, remembering the feel of his. They were still tender.

I wondered if he was thinking about it too. If he was lying awake somewhere, replaying the same moments in his head.

Did he wake up with my name on his lips? Did he reach for me in his sleep? Did he miss me as much as I missed him? The questions swirled in my head. I had no answers, but I had hope. And hope was something I had not felt in a very long time. Not like this, and not about someone.

Still, I hoped he was thinking about me, wherever he was.

I pushed the covers aside and climbed out of bed, then I placed my feet on the floor. The floor was cold beneath my feet, but I barely noticed.

I climbed out of bed fully and walked to the bathroom. The warm water washed away the last traces of sleep from my body, and I stood under the spray until my skin felt revived enough.

When I came out, wrapped in a towel, a knock came at the door.

I dried myself quickly and pulled on my nightgown before opening the door, because I did not want anyone to see the marks on my skin. These were marks that Kaelen had left, as evidence of our bonding.

I opened the door, and Nora stood in the hallway, holding a tray of food. Her face lit up when she saw me.

"Good morning, Luna," she said smiling.

"Good morning, Nora," I replied with excitement.

"Luna," she said. "I have brought your breakfast."

I stepped aside and let her in. She set the tray on the desk, and I sat down.

"How are you?" I asked. "And how is Piper?"

Nora smiled. "We are both well, Luna. Piper has been helping me in the kitchen, and the cook has started to trust her."

I smiled with great joy in my heart, because I was glad Piper had found a place here, and because she deserved to be happy, and she deserved to feel safe.

"That is good to hear. Please tell her I said hello," I said.

"I will, Luna." Nora smiled.

I picked up my fork and took a bite of the eggs. They were warm and very soft.

"Have you seen Alpha Kaelen?" I asked, as I put down my fork.

Nora nodded. "He is at the Eastern Terrace, Luna. With Jax and Silas."

"The Eastern Terrace? Where is that?" I asked.

"It is on the other side of the pack house. It is down the main hallway, past the library, up the stairs, and through the iron gate. You cannot miss it," Nora smiled.

I nodded. "Thank you, Nora."

She bowed and left.

I picked up my fork again and ate a few more bites. The eggs were warm, and the bread was fresh. But my mind kept wandering back to Kaelen.

I ate quickly, enjoying every taste of the food. Then I dressed in jeans and a soft grey top and walked out of the room.

I followed Nora’s directions, and I walked down the main hallway, past the library, and up the stairs.

I did not even understand why I was even going to look for Kaelen, I just knew that I wanted to be close to him.

My feet moved on their own, like they knew where he was, or like they were drawn to him. Maybe it was the bond, or maybe it was just my heart. I had spent so long being afraid of what I wanted, and even afraid to want anything at all.

But I was tired of being afraid, and I wanted to see him too. So I kept walking.

The hallways were busier than usual. Wolves rushed past me, carrying supplies and talking amongst themselves. Some bowed when they saw me, some nodded, and a few just stared.

I kept my head high and my eyes straight ahead, not minding the ones that kept staring.

My heart was pounding, but I did not know why I was nervous. I had seen Kaelen every day for weeks, but something felt different now.

Actually, everything felt different now.

At the top of the stairs, I saw the iron gate. It was tall and black, with intricate patterns woven through the metal. I pushed it open, and it swung inward with a soft, and almost silent creak.