Chapter 149 Vivienne returns 2

Chapter 149: Chapter 149 Vivienne returns 2

Talia’s POV

I did not just want to survive Vivienne, I wanted to stop her, and I wanted to make sure that she never hurt anyone again. Not me, not Kaelen, and not my pack.

I clenched my fists and felt Lyra stir in my chest. She was awake now, alert, and ready. She could sense all my anger, my fear, and my determination.

"We will be ready," she said inside my head.

"I know," I whispered back.

I climbed out of bed again, and walked to the window. The glass was cold against my palm, as I looked out at the dark valley, and at the mountains that stood like shadows against the night sky.

Somewhere out there, Vivienne was gathering her army. And somewhere out there, a rogue Alpha named Viktor was planning to attack my new home, my pack, and my mate.

I touched the empty space where my necklace used to hang. The glamour charm was gone, and kept safe in my mother’s trunk, because I did not need it anymore.

My face was my own, my power was my own, and my wolf was fully my own now.

I was not the scared girl from Cresswood anymore. I was now a warrior, a fully awakened Silvertongue, and I was Luna. And when Vivienne came, I would be ready.

I pressed my palm against the cold glass and watched the darkness below.

The valley was too quiet.

The kind of quiet that came before a storm, and the kind that made your skin prickle and your heart race.

I knew that type of quiet.

I had felt it in Cresswood before every beating, before every cruel word, and before every night locked in the dark. This was the same, but I was not the same.

I did not know how long I stood there, whether it was minutes or hours. The fire crackled behind me, and the wind picked up outside, rattling the window frame against my hands.

I thought about Kaelen. About the way his jaw tightened when he told me the news, and the way he kissed my forehead before he left.

He was scared too, and I could see it in his eyes. But he did not show it, because he was obviously trying to be strong for me, for the pack, and for everyone. But I saw the fear behind his eyes.

It was the same fear I felt in my chest.

He was scared of losing me, of losing his wolves, and of losing everything he had built. It was a normal thing to have that kind of fear, when war was threatening you, and all that you have built, especially as an Alpha. But I would not let that happen, NEVER. I would fight, I would kill, and I would protect what was mine.

I would also be strong for him too.

Somewhere out there, an army was gathering. But I was not afraid, because I had survived worse.

So I would survive this too.

I stayed by the window until the sky turned gray. Dawn came slow, creeping over the mountains like a pale hand reaching across the valley. The stars faded, and the shadows shrank back against the light.

I did not sleep, because I could not. Every time I closed my eyes while standing by the window, I saw Vivienne’s face, her smile, and her cold eyes.

The door opened.

I turned around, as Kaelen walked in. His boots were covered in dirt, and his shirt was damp with sweat. His face was hard, but his eyes softened when he saw me.

"You are still awake," he said.

"I could not sleep," I replied.

He walked to me and pulled me into his arms. His body was warm, and I leaned into his gentle touch.

"The scouts found more tracks," he said. "There were many footsteps near the border. It looked like dozens of rogues, or maybe more."

My heart pounded. "How many?"

"Enough to be an army." His voice was low. "Viktor is not hiding, and he wants us to know he is coming."

I pulled back and looked at him. "What do we do?"

He cupped my face in his hands. "We prepare. I have a meeting with the warriors, the elders, and Grandfather about this issue. We need to plan."

"How long do we have?" I asked.

"I do not know." He kissed my forehead. "But we will be ready."

He stepped back and walked to the door. But before he left, he turned to look at me.

"Stay inside today," he said. "Do not go anywhere alone."

I nodded, and then he was gone.

I stood by the window, watching the sun rise over the valley. The light spilled across the mountains, in shades of gold and pink and orange. It was beautiful.

I pressed my palm against the glass, as my true reflection stared back at me.

Somewhere out there, an army was gathering, but I was not afraid. Because I had survived worse, I was not alone, I have Kaelen, and I have my mother’s blessings, in the form of my Silvertongue power.

So, I would be ready for the battle ahead, and I would survive this too.

I turned away from the window, walked to the wardrobe, and I pulled out a pair of dark pants and a black shirt. Clothes I could fight in. Clothes that would not hold me back.

I dressed slowly, and thoughtfully.

Every movement was like a promise; I would not hide, and I would not run. I would stand and fight, and I would win.