Chapter 18 The Whispers 1

Chapter 18: Chapter 18 The Whispers 1

Talia’s POV

I stayed at the window for a long time after that, watching the sun crawl across the sky.

The minutes turned into hours, but I did not move. I just stood there, thinking about the trials, about Aldric’s words, and about everything I had to lose.

Eventually, I forced myself to step away from the glass.

I sat on the bed for a little bit after that, thinking of what I could do in this room, because I was not used to not doing anything or having free days in Cresswood.

I was not used to sitting still. In Cresswood, there was always something to do. Scrub this, carry that, or clean here. Then, my hands would always hurt every night. But now, my hands did not hurt. Still yet, my mind would not stop spinning, and that was worse.

By this time of the day in Cresswood, I would usually be somewhere in the pack house doing some chores, or in the kitchen, scrubbing and washing a lot of pots and plates.

And on bad days, I would be cleaning a particular spot more than once, because either Celeste or Vivienne said so.

I looked around again and locked eyes with the bathroom door. Then I remembered I had not bathed the night before or this morning. So I stood up, walked to the bathroom, and locked the door from the inside.

I took off my glamour charm necklace, placed it carefully on the bathroom counter, took off my clothes, kept them on a dry part of the counter, stepped into the bathtub and took a quick shower, letting the warm water wash away the cold that had settled into my bones.

Then when I finished, I dried my body, using the towel that was definitely Alpha Kaelen’s.

I knew because it had his unique sweet scent of pine.

I walked out of the bathroom, and looked around to see if Alpha Kaelen had returned. But I was still alone.

Then I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the walls.

The room was too quiet, and too still. Every shadow looked like it was watching me.

I pulled my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. That was how I used to sit in the storage room when the dark got too heavy. It helped a little, even though it was not enough. But I took what I could get.

I stood up and walked around. Back and forth. Back and forth. As my footsteps echoed in the silence.

I thought about going out to explore the pack house, and the areas out, so I could also learn the surroundings. But the memory of the wolves staring at me made my stomach clench.

What if I got lost? What if I wandered somewhere I was not allowed? Or what if I ran into more pack members or servants who tried to hurt me just like some of the servants in Cresswood did?

But staying in this room was worse.

I could not stay in this room any longer.

The walls felt like they were closing in, and the silence was too loud. So I stood up, gathered the courage, regardless of my fears, opened the door, and walked into the hallway.

The hallways of the stronghold were cold and endless.

I had been walking for what felt like hours. Left, then right, then down a flight of stairs, then left again. I did not know where I was going. I just needed to move.

My chest felt tight, like something was sitting on it. I breathed in deep, then out, then in again. Piper taught me that too. Breathe through the fear, and do not let it win. I kept walking, one step, then another, then another.

The servant had not returned after leaving me at my door. No one had come to check on me, and no one had told me where I could go or where I could not.

So I walked.

The torches flickered on the walls, casting dancing shadows across the stone floors. Wolves passed me in the hallways. Some bowed, some nodded, and some just stared.

I kept my head high and my eyes straight ahead.

I turned a corner and found myself in a large open room.

It looked like a gathering hall, because benches lined the walls, and a massive fireplace sat at the far end. The fire had burned low, and the ashes were cold.

A group of wolves stood near the window, talking among themselves.

They did not see me at first.

My heart was already beating fast from walking. But when I saw the women, it beat faster. I thought about turning back, or maybe, I should have turned back faster. But my feet kept moving, and my ears kept listening. That was my mistake.

"The Alpha brought her from Cresswood," one of them said. Her voice was sharp, like broken glass.

"I heard she is ugly," another replied. "Hideously ugly."

"Hideous and weak." The first lady said.

"Celeste should have been the one. At least she is beautiful." Another added.

The first woman laughed. "The Moon Goddess must have been blind."

I stood in the doorway, frozen.

My heart was pounding, and my hands were shaking. But I did not move.

"Have you seen her face?" the second woman asked.

"No. But I have heard stories. They say she looks like something dragged out of a grave."

"Then why did the Alpha bring her here?" Another one asked.

The first woman shrugged. "He had no choice. The bond chose her. But bonds can be broken."

"By rejection?" The second woman asked.

"Or worse." Another said.

They laughed again.

I should have walked away. I should have turned around and gone back to my room. But my feet would not move.

"What if she passes the Luna Trials?" The second woman asked.

The first woman snorted. "She will not. She is weak. Everyone knows it."

"Even if she does not pass, the Alpha is stuck with her for a year." A third voice said.

"A year is nothing." The first woman smiled. "And then she will be gone."

Their words were making my blood boil, so I forced myself to move, and I stepped into the room.