Chapter 32 Kaelen’s Distance 1

Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Kaelen’s Distance 1

Talia’s POV

I returned to my room with slow steps, as the sky continued to darken outside.

When I stepped into my room, I saw that the fire had been lit, and the room was warm. A tray of food sat on the desk, with the regular bread, cheese, and a cup of water.

I looked at the side of the bed, and noticed Kaelen’s blanket was still folded on the floor. Which meant he had not been here at all.

I sat down at the desk, and stared at the food. My stomach growled, but I did not feel like eating. I picked up the bread and took a small bite. It tasted fresh, which meant that someone had brought it recently.

It was a servant, but definitely not Kaelen.

I ate slowly, forcing myself to chew.

Each bite felt like a small war, because my throat did not want to swallow, and my stomach did not want to hold. But I had learned in Cresswood that food was not a choice, it was a weapon, and I would not waste it.

The bread was soft, and the cheese was mild. I drank the water and set the cup down.

Then I waited for the heaviness I felt in my chest to settle down a bit, before I moved from the chair.

The fire crackled, and the shadows danced on the walls. I listened for footsteps in the hallway, for the sound of the door opening, or for his voice telling me to eat all my food.

But I heard nothing.

I stood up from the chair, took a quick shower in the bathroom, wore the same white soft nightwear I had been wearing for two nights now, before I climbed into bed and lay in the dark. The fire burned low, and the room grew cold. I pulled the blanket up to my chin and stared at the ceiling as I waited for Kaelen to come in as he always did. But he did not, and it was past his returning time.

’He is busy,’ I told myself. ’Alphas have responsibilities, and he cannot be here every night.’

But the words did not make any sense to me.

I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. It took a long time, and a lot of turning back and forth, but sleep finally came.

The next morning, I saw his blanket was still folded on the floor.

He had not come back during the night.

I sat up and looked around the room. Then I saw a fresh tray of food had been placed on the desk. It was bread, eggs, and a cup of water. Which meant someone had come while I was sleeping.

I walked to the desk and touched the cup. The water was cool, and the eggs were no longer warm. They had been here for a while.

I ate breakfast alone. The eggs were bland, and the bread was dry. I knew instantly that Kaelen did not bring this tray of food. I missed the berries from the other morning, and I missed the way Kaelen’s eyes softened when he looked at me.

I shook my head and pushed the thought away.

I washed my face and changed into a clean dress: the yellow floral one. I needed something bright today, and something to remind me that the world was not all shadows and whispers.

I walked out of the room and into the hallway.

The torches flickered as I passed, and wolves passed me as I walked. Some bowed, some nodded, and some just stared.

I did not care about any of it, as I had gotten used to it from the past few days. So I kept walking.

I went to the training grounds first, thinking maybe he would be there, and maybe he was just training early, and I had missed him.

I pushed open the door and looked around.

Wolves sparred in pairs, weapons clashed, bodies moved like water, and some warriors were picking out weapons from a corner.

But Kaelen was not there.

I walked to the dining hall next, thinking maybe he might be eating breakfast.

The hall was crowded with wolves sitting at long tables, talking and laughing. I scanned the room, looking for his dark hair and his broad shoulders.

He was not there.

I walked to the study where Aldric had summoned me. The door was closed, but I stood outside for a moment, listening.

No sound came from inside.

So I turned and walked back to my room.

That afternoon, I saw Jax in the hallway.

He was walking with Silas, with their heads close together, talking about something I could not hear.

I stepped in front of them.

Jax looked up, and his eyes widened, just a little. Then his face went neutral.

"Luna Talia," he said. "Can we help you?"

"Where is Alpha Kaelen?" I asked.

He glanced at Silas, and Silas shrugged.

"He is handling pack business," Jax said. "Do not worry."

"When will he be back?" I asked flatly.

Jax shrugged. "When he is done."

He stepped around me and continued walking. Then Silas gave a small nod and followed.

I stood there for a moment, staring at their backs.

’When he is done?’ That was not an answer, that was an excuse.

I walked back to my room feeling frustrated.