Chapter 199 Volunteers 1

Chapter 199: Chapter 199 Volunteers 1

Talia’s POV

The pack meeting was over, and the wolves were filing out of the Gathering Hall.

I watched them go, and I felt the weight of what we had just done. They had accepted our departure without question, and that trust was not something I took lightly.

It was a feeling I had never experienced before, not in Cresswood, and not anywhere. To be seen, to be heard, and to be trusted by so many wolves who owed me nothing.

I had spent my entire life in Cresswood being told I was worthless, being overlooked and dismissed by wolves who should have protected me. And now, I stood in a hall filled with wolves who had chosen to believe in me not because of my bloodline or my title, but because of what I had done and who I had proven myself to be.

Their voices were low as they returned to their duties, and I stood at the front with Kaelen, watching them go, and I felt the weight of everything settling on my shoulders.

They had trusted me, and they had believed in me, and I would not let them down.

Kaelen squeezed my hand.

I looked down at our intertwined fingers, then back up at his face. His gray eyes were soft, and I could see the pride in them.

"You did well," he said.

I looked at him. "I was so nervous." ℯ

My hands were still shaking, and I pressed them flat against my thighs to steady them. I had not realized how much the meeting had affected me until now.

"You did not show it," he said. "That is what matters."

I was about to respond when I saw Jax pushing through the crowd toward us.

His face was serious, which was so unusual for him that it made me stop.

"I am coming with you," he said.

He was not smiling, and he was not joking. And that alone told me how serious he was about this.

Kaelen blinked. "Jax..."

"I am not asking," Jax said.

His voice was firm, and I could see the determination in his eyes, that he was not going to let us go without him.

"You are going to need help, and I am not going to sit here and wait while you two go off on some dangerous mission." He crossed his arms.

The sunlight caught the sharp angles of Jax’s face, illuminating the unusual seriousness that had replaced his usual easygoing grin. And I realized in that moment that beneath all the jokes and the teasing, Jax was someone who would walk into the mouth of hell itself for the people he loved.

"We will have warriors," Kaelen said.

I could hear the concern in Kaelen’s voice, and I understood that he did not want to put his friends in danger. But Jax was not going to take no for an answer.

"You do not have to... " Kaelen continued.

"I do not care," Jax cut him off. "I am coming. End of discussion."

His jaw was set, and his arms were crossed over his chest tightly, showing that he was not backing down. He had never backed down anyway.

Kaelen stared at him for a long moment. I could see the war in his eyes between the desire to protect his friend, and the knowledge that Jax would not back down.

"Fine," Kaelen said finally. "You can come."

Jax grinned, and I saw the familiar sparkle return to his eyes. "Good. I was starting to think you would argue."

"I learned a long time ago that arguing with you is pointless," Kaelen said.

The corner of Kaelen’s mouth twitched, and I knew he was trying not to smile. It was good to see him like this, even for just a moment.

"Smart wolf," Jax said.

Before anyone could respond, Silas walked up to us.

His footsteps were measured, and I could see the calm resolve in his eyes. His face was calm, but his eyes were determined.

"I am coming too," he said.

I knew without thinking twice, that he had already made up his mind, and there was no talking him out of it.

Kaelen sighed. "Silas..."

"I have already made up my mind," Silas cut in. "You are going to need someone who can think clearly, and Jax is not that person."

Jax’s head snapped toward him. "I can hear you."

"I know," Silas replied without missing a beat.

"I am standing right here," Jax said again.

"I am aware," Silas replied again.

There was a beat of silence where the two of them just stared at each other, with Jax’s indignation practically radiating off him in waves, while Silas stood there with the faintest hint of a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth, and I could not help but marvel at how these two wolves who bickered like brothers, could also trust each other with their lives without a second thought.

There was a pause, and I could see the amusement flickering in Silas’s eyes. He enjoyed riling Jax up, like it was a game between them.

Jax opened his mouth to argue, but Silas held up a hand.