Chapter 250 You came back to me

Chapter 250: Chapter 250 You came back to me

Talia’s POV

I opened my eyes slowly, and everything was blurry.

I blinked against the light, and I felt the world swaying around me. It took me a moment to realize that I was not lying down. It seems like I was being carried.

My body felt heavy, and my head was pounding. I could feel the warmth of arms around me, holding me close. And after focusing for a moment, I confirmed that I was being carried.

I opened my eyes and blinked, trying to see through the light. I saw the sky above me, pale and gray, then I heard the soft sound of footsteps on the ground, and I felt the steady rhythm of a heartbeat beneath my ear.

I knew that heartbeat, because I had fallen asleep to it countless times. It was the only thing that felt real in this strange, hazy moment.

"Kaelen?" I whispered. My voice was barely audible, rough and hoarse.

Kaelen stopped walking immediately, and I felt his arms tighten around me.

His grip was almost desperate, like he was afraid I would slip away if he let go. I could feel his heart racing again beneath my ear.

And I heard the sharp intake of his breath.

"Talia?" His voice was filled with disbelief. "Talia, are you awake?"

"Where are we?" I asked. "What happened to me?"

I tried to lift my head, but it felt too heavy. So i let it fall back against Kaelen’s chest.

Piper’s voice came from somewhere nearby. "Talia! She is awake!"

I heard footsteps rushing toward us, and I felt Piper’s hand on my arm.

"Home?" He asked. “What did you just call me?”

I blinked, still disoriented. “I... I don’t know. I don’t remember saying anything.”

He looked at me like he was searching for something. But then his expression softened.

"Talia, you scared us," Piper said. "You have been out for hours."

I heard the tears in her voice, and I felt a pang of guilt. I had not meant to scare anyone.

Jax’s voice followed. "Hours? Try most of the day. We have been carrying you for miles."

I tried to sit up, but my body would not obey. But Kaelen held me tighter.

"Do not move," he said. "You need to rest."

"I am okay," I said. "I am fine."

"You are not fine," Kaelen said. "You collapsed, you were burning up, and your necklace was glowing."

I touched my neck, and I felt the warmth of the pendant against my skin. "I remember," I said. "I saw her. I saw my mother."

Kaelen looked down at me, and his gray eyes were filled with relief. "You scared me, Talia. You scared all of us."

"I am sorry," I said. "I did not mean to..."

"Do not apologize," he said. "You are awake. That is all that matters."

Piper knelt beside me, and her eyes were red. "We were so worried about you, Talia. I thought we were going to lose you."

I reached out and took her hand. "I am here, Piper. I am not going anywhere."

Jax stood behind her, with his arms crossed. "You almost gave me a heart attack, Luna. I am too young to die of stress."

His voice was light, but I could hear the worry underneath. He was trying to make me smile, to make things feel normal again.

I laughed weakly. "I am sorry, Jax."

"Just do not do that again," he said. "Promise me."

I looked at him, and I saw the fear behind his grin. He had been just as scared as the rest of them.

"I promise," I said, raising my right hand.

Silas walked closer, and his face was calm but relieved.

His voice was steady, but I could see the tension in his shoulders. He had been worried too, even if he did not show it.

"You are strong, Luna. You will get through this."

Cain stood in the background, and he nodded once. It was enough.

I looked at Kaelen, and I felt the love in his eyes. "I saw her," I said. "I saw my mother. She was standing on the altar, and she was swearing to protect the bloodline. She was so strong, Kaelen. So fierce."

He listened without interrupting.

I told him everything, and he did not look away. He did not try to comfort me with empty words either, he just listened.

"And then the fire came," I continued. "The darkness. She was fighting, but there were too many enemies. I tried to reach her, but I could not move. I watched her fall, and I could not do anything."

I felt the tears streaming down my face again, and I did not try to stop them because the pain was still fresh, and still raw.

Kaelen’s jaw tightened. "She survived, Talia. She is still out there."

I nodded. "I know. I can feel her."

Piper squeezed my hand. "We are going to find her, Talia. I know we are."

I looked at the group, and I felt the weight of their love.

I had spent so long feeling alone, feeling like I had to carry everything by myself, but I was not alone. I had never been alone.

"Thank you," I said. "All of you. For not giving up on me."

Jax grinned. "We are not going anywhere, Luna. You are stuck with us."

I laughed, and it felt good. It felt normal.

For a moment, I forgot about the vision. I forgot about the fire and the darkness. I just let myself feel the warmth of their presence.

Kaelen looked at me, and his gray eyes were soft. "We are getting closer. I can feel it."

I nodded. "I know."

He started walking again, and I let myself relax in his arms.

I closed my eyes, and I let the rhythm of his footsteps lull me. I was still weak, and still drained, but I was safe.

I was tired, and I was scared. But I was not alone.

I had Kaelen, and I had my pack.

I had people who loved me, people who believed in me, and people who would stand beside me until the very end. That was all I needed.

And I was going to find my mother.

We had come so far, and we had faced so much. And I knew, with every fiber of my being, that we would see this through. My mother was out there, and I was going to bring her home, together.