Chapter 225 The departure

Chapter 225: Chapter 225 The departure

Talia’s POV

The first light of dawn filtered through the window, soft and pale.

I blinked against the soft glow, feeling the warmth of the morning on my face. The world was quiet, and for a moment, I let myself pretend that this was just another ordinary day.

I woke to find myself still wrapped in Kaelen’s arms. For a moment, I just lay there, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

I memorized the sound, and the rhythm of it, because I knew that in the days ahead, I would need to remember this peace to keep myself from falling apart.

So clinged tightly to the feeling of the warmth of his body against mine.

Then I remembered the mission.

The weight of it settled in my chest, heavy and real, and there was no turning back now. Everything I had prepared for, and everything I had hoped for, was finally here.

Today was the day we left for Ashen lands.

I climbed out of bed quietly, careful not to wake Kaelen.

I looked back at him for a moment, at the way his chest rose and fell with each breath, and I felt a pang of sadness. I would miss this, and I would miss him. But I would carry him and his warmth with me, always.

I walked to the window and looked out. The valley was still wrapped in shadow.

The mist hung low over the ground, and the world felt like it was holding its breath, waiting for the sun to break through.

The mountains stood dark against the pale sky. The pack grounds were quiet, but I could feel the energy of the morning pressing down on me.

Kaelen stirred behind me.

I heard the rustle of the sheets, and I knew that his hand would be reaching out to find me. I turned around to see that his fingers were brushing against where I always lay down, and I knew that I had just missed a warm and reassuring touch.

His brow came together in a frown, and he opened his eyes. He saw me by the window, and his shoulders relaxed a bit. "You are up early," he said.

I smiled at him. "I could not sleep."

His gray eyes were soft with sleep, and his hair was tousled. He looked younger in the morning light, less like an Alpha and more like the man I loved.

He climbed out of bed and walked to me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Are you ready?" he asked.

I leaned back into his embrace. "I am ready."

In the next hour, we dressed in silence.

The quiet was comfortable, not heavy. We moved around each other with an easy familiarity, like we had done this a thousand times before.

When we were ready, we started packing the last of our things. I tucked Nora’s pouch into my bag, and I slipped Cain’s knife into my belt. I touched the pendant around my neck.

Then I closed my eyes for a moment, and I sent a silent prayer to my mother. “I am coming,” I thought. “I am coming.”

And I felt the warmth of it against my skin.

When everything was set, we walked to the courtyard together, hand in hand.

The air was cool and crisp, and I could hear the soft sounds of the horses stamping their feet. Some of the pack had risen early to see us off, and I felt the weight of their love pressing down on me.

The pack was already there, waiting for us. The horses were ready, and the supplies were packed.

I looked at the faces of the wolves who had become my family.

I let my eyes move across each of them, memorizing their faces, their expressions, and the way they looked at me with hope and love.

I saw Nora, her eyes red and her hands clasped together. I saw Jax and Silas, their faces serious. I saw Cain, standing tall and silent near the horses. Then I saw Aldric, with his gray eyes soft and proud.

He stood tall despite his age, and I could see the strength in his posture. He had always believed in me, and I would not let him down.

I saw Finn, standing with the other wolves, with his hand raised in a small wave.

I saw Stephanie for the first time away from the kitchen, and I felt very grateful for all the efforts that she had put in to the preparations for this mission.

I saw Piper, already mounted on her horse.

She sat straight in the saddle, with her chin lifted, her face bright with determination, and I could see the fire in her eyes, that she was ready. We both were.

Kaelen helped me onto my horse.

His hands were steady on my waist, and I felt the warmth of his touch through the fabric of my clothes. He lingered for just a moment longer than necessary, and I knew he was saying goodbye in his own way.

Then he mounted his own. He looked at me, and his gray eyes were soft.

There was so much he wanted to say, I could see it in his eyes. But he did not need to say it. I already knew.

"Ready?" he asked.

I looked back at Blackmoor Valley one last time.

I let my eyes trace the familiar lines of the land, the mountains, the walls, and the faces of the wolves who had become my family. I wanted to remember this moment, to hold onto it forever.

I looked at the walls that had become my home, the mountains that had watched over me, and the wolves who had become my family.

I took a breath, and I turned away.

The word came out steady, and I felt the weight of it settle in my chest. I was ready. I had always been ready.

"Ready," I replied.

Kaelen nodded, and signaled to Jax, Silas, and Cain. They mounted their horses at the signal, and Jax felt it was a good time to drop something I call a relief joke.

Jax cleared his throat. “so, guys...”

“It is too early Mr Joker,” Silas tried to cut in.

But Jax shushed him. “shu... Silas, do not be a killer joy. As I was saying, remember, whatever you do guys, please do not die.” Jax finished.

“I agree for once.” Kaelen said.

Silas rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”

Piper smiled brightly, trying to cheer up with the joke, but Cain said nothing.

“OK everyone, let us head out.” Kaelen said, and everyone began to move.

We rode through the gates, and I did not look back.

I could feel the eyes of the pack on my back, their love and hope following me like a warm wind. But I kept my gaze fixed ahead.

I faced forward, my eyes fixed on the road ahead. I was leaving everything I knew behind.

The familiar was fading behind me, and the unknown was stretching out before me. But I did not feel fear, I felt purpose. And I was not afraid, I was ready, and I would bring my mother home.

The words were a promise, and a vow that I would not break. I had come so far, and I would not stop now. No matter what lay ahead, I would find her, and I would bring her home.