Chapter 175 Serena’s punishment 1

Chapter 175: Chapter 175 Serena’s punishment 1

Talia’s POV

The morning light filtered through the window, soft and pale.

I blinked against the brightness, feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. It was a peaceful morning, and it was one of the first I had experienced since the battle. The world outside was quiet, and for a moment, I let myself forget about everything that had happened.

I lay in bed, my head resting on Kaelen’s chest, and listening to the steady beat of his heart. He was awake, I could tell by the way his fingers traced lazy patterns on my back.

His touch was gentle, and almost absent-minded, like he was lost in thought. I did not want to break the silence, so I just lay there, feeling the warmth of his hand on my skin and listening to the steady rhythm of his heart beneath my ear.

A few days had passed since the battle.

Kaelen had been moved from the healers hall to our private chamber, and he was recovering well. The color had returned to his face, and his strength was slowly coming back.

The pale, ghostly look that had haunted me for days was gone, replaced by the familiar sharpness of his features. His eyes were brighter, and his jaw was set with the determination that I had come to love.

I looked up at him, and he smiled down at me.

"Good morning, beautiful," he said.

"Good morning," I replied with a soft smile.

He kissed my forehead, and I felt the warmth of his lips against my skin.

I closed my eyes and let myself savor the moment. It was simple, but it was everything. It was proof that he was still here, still alive, and still mine.

"Today is my checkup with Elena," he said.

"I know," I replied. "I will help you get dressed."

I climbed out of bed and walked to the wardrobe. I pulled out a clean shirt and pants and brought them to him.

The shirt was soft in my hands, and I could still smell the faint scent of pine and cold air that always clung to his clothes. It was a familiar smell, one that I had come to associate with safety and home.

He sat up, and I helped him put on the shirt, carefully avoiding his wounds. I helped him with his pants, and I knelt to tie his boots.

He watched me the whole time, with his gray eyes soft.

I could feel his gaze on me, warm and steady.

It was the same way he had looked at me when we were training, when we were fighting, and when we were lying in bed at night. It was a look that said he saw me, like really saw me, and that he loved what he saw.

When I stood up, he reached out and cupped my face. He pulled me close and kissed me. It was slow and soft, and I melted into his touch.

The kiss was gentle, but it carried so much weight. It was a promise, a reassurance, and a reminder that we had survived, and that we would keep surviving together.

When he pulled back, his forehead rested against mine.

"I love you," he said.

I smiled. "I love you too."

We walked out of the room together, with his hand in mine.

The hallways were quiet, and our footsteps echoed softly against the stone. Wolves we passed bowed their heads, and I could see the respect in their eyes. They had seen us fight, and they had seen us win.

We were halfway to the healers hall when we ran into Cain.

He was coming from the direction of the main gate, and his face was serious, like he had been waiting for us. I could see the weight of the past few days in his posture, but his eyes were steady.

His arm was still bandaged, but he looked stronger than he had in days. He bowed to Kaelen, then to me.

"Alpha," he said. "I have a report."

Kaelen nodded. "Go ahead."

Cain briefed him on the state of the pack.

He spoke quickly, and efficiently, like he had been holding onto this information for too long. His voice was calm, but I could hear the exhaustion beneath it.

The wounded were healing, the dead had been honored, and the rogues who had been captured, had been handled. Most of them had been sent away, and those who had been loyal to Viktor were being dealt with.

Then Cain mentioned Serena.

"She is still in the dungeons," he said. "She has been asking to see you."

Kaelen’s jaw tightened, and his hand clenched into a fist at his side.

I watched the anger flash in his eyes, and I knew he was thinking about everything Serena had done. The betrayal, the danger, and the lives that had been lost because of her.

"Have her brought to the courtyard immediately," he said. "Her fate will be decided after my checkup."

Cain nodded and walked away.

I looked at Kaelen. His face was hard, and I could see the anger in his eyes. I squeezed his hand, and he looked at me.

I could feel the tension in his grip, but I also felt the way he relaxed when he saw my face. It was like I was his anchor, and he was mine.

"I am fine," he said. "Let us go."

We walked to the healers hall, and Elena was waiting for us, with her face that was tired, but her eyes sharp. She examined Kaelen carefully, checking his wounds and his pulse.

Her hands were gentle but thorough, and I watched her face for any sign of bad news.