Chapter 173 The Aftermath 01

Chapter 173: Chapter 173 The Aftermath 01

Talia’s POV

(Readers discretion are advised)

The healers hall was quiet now, but the silence was heavier than any noise.

The only sounds were the soft breathing of the wounded, the occasional footsteps of the healers, and the distant murmur of voices from outside. It was a strange kind of quiet, one that felt almost sacred, like the hall itself was holding its breath.

I sat beside Kaelen’s bed, holding his hand, and watching his chest rise and fall with each shallow breath. His face was still pale, and the wounds on his chest were still visible.

I could see the lines of silver still faintly glowing beneath his skin, as a reminder of how close I had come to losing him. The sight made my chest ache, and I held his hand tighter.

Though the healers had done their best to clean and bandage them.

I had not moved from this spot for hours, because I could not.

My body was exhausted, and my eyes were heavy with lack of sleep, but I could not bring myself to leave his side. The thought of him waking up alone, without me there, was unbearable.

Every time I thought about leaving, my heart ached, and my legs would not obey.

Elena walked over to me, with her face that was tired from exhaustion, but her eyes were still sharp.

She had been working for hours, moving from one wounded wolf to the next, never stopping, and never resting. I could see the exhaustion in her posture, but she did not complain. She just kept going.

She looked at Kaelen, then at me.

"Luna," she said. "The Alpha needs blood. The silver has damaged his system, and his body is struggling to recover on its own. A blood infusion will help."

I looked at her. "Take mine."

The words came out before I could think about them. I did not hesitate, and I did not question it either. If my blood could save him, I would give it all.

Elena’s eyes widened. "Luna, you have already been through so much. You need to rest."

"I do not care," I said.

My voice was firm, and I could see the surprise in her eyes. She was not used to me being so direct, and so certain. But I was done hesitating, and I was done being afraid.

"Take my blood. I will not let him die." I said again.

She hesitated for a moment, then she nodded. "Very well, Luna. Lie down on the bed beside him."

I lay down on the bed next to Kaelen, and Elena began to prepare the needle. I watched her hands move, steady and sure.

She worked with the precision of someone who had done this a thousand times before, and I trusted her completely. She had saved so many lives tonight, and I prayed that she would save Kaelen’s too.

And I felt the prick of the needle as she inserted it into my arm, but I did not flinch.

Then the door opened, and Cain walked in.

I looked up, and I saw him standing in the doorway. His face was streaked with dirt and dried blood, and his clothes were torn. He looked like he had been through the battle himself, which he had.

His arm was bandaged, and his face was covered in dirt and dried blood. But his eyes were steady, and his voice was calm.

"Luna," he said. "I need to speak with you."

“Is Everything okay?” I asked, as my heart began to pound in my chest. “What do you want to speak to me about?” I stared at Cain.

“Everything is fine, Luna. I just need your approval on some pack issues.” Cain said.

I looked at him with a flicker of surprise on my face. "Cain, you are the Beta. Why do you need my approval? You should be able to make decisions on your own."

He shook his head.

"The Alpha gave me instructions before the battle," he said. "He told me that if he was unable to make decisions, I should come to you. You are the Luna, and the pack needs your guidance."

I stared at him, and I felt my heart swell.

Even now, even in the middle of the chaos, Kaelen had thought of me. He had trusted me to lead, to make decisions, and to take care of his pack. The love I felt for him in that moment was overwhelming.

Kaelen had trusted me. Even in the middle of the battle, and even when he was fighting for his life, he had thought of me.

I looked down at my arm, where the blood was flowing out of me.

I watched the dark red liquid leave my body, and I felt a strange sense of peace. I was giving him a part of myself, and if it saved him, it was worth it.

I looked at my arm again, where my blood was flowing in to the bag that would be given to Kaelen, and I felt the warmth of the blood leaving my body.

It was strange, knowing that my blood was going to help save him, and I knew that my Silvertongue bloodline could heal him in a way that no healer could. It was a gift from my mother, and I was grateful for it.

I looked at Cain, and I could see the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders, and the burden of leading the pack in Kaelen’s absence. He was doing his best, but he needed my help, and he needed me to step up.

And I felt the weight of the responsibility settling on my shoulders.

I was the Luna. So I had to be strong, and I had to lead.

"Give me a moment," I said. "Let me finish this."

Cain nodded and stepped back, waiting patiently.

Elena finished collecting the blood, and she began to infuse it into Kaelen’s arm. I watched the red liquid flow into his veins, and I prayed to the Moon Goddess that it would be enough.

When it was done, I sat up, and I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. I steadied myself, then I stood up and walked to Cain.

"I am ready," I said.

He nodded, and we walked out of the healers hall together.