Chapter 34 The training grounds 1

Chapter 34: Chapter 34 The training grounds 1

Talia’s POV

I woke up to the sound of birds outside my window.

The fire had died during the night, and the room was cold. I lay in bed for a moment, staring at the ceiling, and listening to the distant shouts of wolves that seemed to be new warriors in the training grounds.

Kaelen was still not back, and his blanket was folded on the floor, just like every morning.

I sat up and stretched my arms above my head. My body was stiff from sleeping in the same position for too long, and I had not slept well for days.

I climbed out of bed and walked to the bathroom to shower, so I could feel fresh and prepared for what the day would bring. I locked the door behind me, turned on the water, and stepped into the shower.

The water was warm, and it washed away the cold that had settled into my bones. I stood there for a long time, letting it run over my face, my shoulders, and my back.

I thought about Kaelen. About the way he had looked at me before he walked away, about the three days he had been gone, and about the way my chest ached every time I thought about him.

I shook my head and turned off the water.

I grabbed a random towel to dry myself without looking at it, and the smell of something like pine hit me. Then I looked properly, and I saw that it was Kaelen’s towel.

Every time I had taken a shower for the past three days, I had always picked up the same towel, and I had mindlessly stopped using the other ones. I did not know why.

I wrapped the towel around my body and walked out of the bathroom.

A knock came at the door.

"Miss?" a voice called. "I have brought your breakfast."

I grabbed my nightgown from the bed and pulled it over my head. Then I walked to the door and opened it.

A servant stood in the hallway. She was young, with brown hair and a kind face. The same one from yesterday.

"Good morning," she said. "May I come in?"

I stepped back and opened the door wider.

She carried the tray to the desk and set it down. There was bread, eggs, a cup of water, and a small bowl of berries. The berries were dark red and purple, and they glistened in the morning light.

"The Alpha left instructions," she said. "You are to eat well."

I stared at the tray. "He said that?"

"Yes, miss," she answered, then bowed and left, closing the door behind her.

I sat down at the desk and looked at the food.

The eggs were still very warm, the bread was fresh, and the berries were the same as the ones I had eaten before.

I ate slowly, forcing myself to chew each bite. The eggs were soft, and the bread was warm. The berries were so sweet, even sweeter than anything I had tasted in Cresswood.

I ate them all, making sure that I enjoyed every taste.

When the tray was empty, I sat back and stared at the wall. My stomach was full, but my chest was still tight.

I stood up, walked to the wardrobe, and pulled out a simple gray dress, because it did not draw attention.

I dressed, and then walked to the window.

The valley stretched out below me.

The sun was high, and the light was bright. The mountains stood tall and silent, with their peaks lost in the blue sky. I could see wolves moving in the distance, as some were training in the fields, while others were walking between buildings, carrying supplies, and talking to each other.

They all had a purpose, a steady place, and a pack.

I had nothing but a room and a man who did not know if he wanted me.

I pressed my forehead against the cool glass and closed my eyes.

I thought about the past few days: Kaelen’s absence, the servants bringing food, the whispers in the hallways, and the way Jax had looked at me when I asked where he was.

’He is handling pack business,’ he had said to me.

That was not an answer, that was an excuse, and I knew it.

I opened my eyes and looked out at the valley again.

I took a deep breath and steadied myself to go out, because I could not stay in this room for another minute.

I walked to the door, opened it, and stepped into the hallway.

The torches flickered in their iron brackets, casting shadows that danced across the stone walls. The air was cool, and the smell of smoke and old stone filled my nose.

I did not know where I was going, or which part of the pack house I wanted to explore today. So I just walked.

I walked through hallways, then down a flight of stairs. I walked past the gathering hall, past the kitchen, and past rooms I had never seen opened before.

Wolves passed me in the hallway, but I kept my head high and my eyes straight ahead. I had gotten used to their stares, so they did not bother me anymore.

I turned a corner and heard voices, shouts, and the clash of weapons.

It was the training grounds.

I should have walked away, turned around and gone back to my room. I told myself that I did not come out to search for him or see him.

But my feet would not move back. Instead, they moved closer to the door of the training grounds, like the sounds were calling to me.