Chapter 38 The close call 1

Chapter 38: Chapter 38 The close call 1

Talia’s POV

Two days passed before I saw him again.

The mornings after the training ground incident, I woke up to an empty room. Kaelen’s blanket was still folded on the floor, and he had not returned yet.

I did not know if he was avoiding me, or if he was busy, or if there was something else I did wrong. I did not know if he regretted sharing a room with me and saying my name like it meant something.

So I stopped wondering, because I did not want to keep worrying over someone who did not care about me.

The first day, I stayed in my room. I ate when the servant brought food. I showered, I changed my dress, and I sat by the window and watched the pack members move through the valley below.

But the second day, I could not sit still anymore.

A servant knocked on my door that morning. She was young, with curly hair and a face that looked like she smiled often.

"Good morning, Luna," she said. "I have brought your breakfast."

I opened the door wider and let her in.

She set the tray containing bread, eggs, a cup of water, and a small bowl of berries on the desk. And every time I saw the small bowl of berries, I knew it was from Kaelen.

"The Alpha sends his regards," she said. "He will be back tonight." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

I stared at her. "Did he say that?"

She nodded. "Yes, Luna."

Then she left.

I ate the bread and the eggs. Then I ate the berries, and drank the water. I pushed the tray aside, stood up and walked to the bathroom.

The water was warm. I stood under the spray and let it wash away the sleep from my body.

I thought about the past two days. The silence, the empty room, and the way Kaelen had said my name and then disappeared.

I shook my head and turned off the water.

I dried myself with the towel that smelled like pine—Kaelen’s towel. I had stopped using the other ones, and I did not know why.

I stepped out of the bathroom, walked to the wardrobe to pick a dress.

I dressed in a simple black dress and walked out of the room.

The pack house was busy in the mornings.

Wolves walked the hallways, carrying supplies, talking to each other, and laughing. Some bowed when they saw me, some nodded, and some just stared as usual.

I kept my head high and my eyes straight ahead.

I did not know where I was going to explore today, so I just let my feet guide me.

I went down a flight of stairs. I passed the gathering hall, the library, and Kaelen’s favorite training grounds.

Then down the hallway, I heard voices coming from the kitchen.

I had never really paid attention or visited the kitchen once, and I knew at that moment that was where I wanted to visit today.

I pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The kitchen was warm and loud as pots clanged, servants ran back and forth carrying trays, and the smell of bread and soup filled the air.

A woman stood at the center of it all, stirring a large pot. She was older, with gray hair and strong arms.

"Can I help?" I asked.

She turned around, and her eyes widened when she saw me.

"Luna," she said. "You should not be in here."

"It’s not a problem. I used to work in the kitchen in Cresswood, so I can scrub pots, and peel vegetables. I can..."

"The Alpha would have my head," she said with fear in her eyes. "I don’t know about Cresswood, but you are the Luna now, and you do not work in kitchens."

I opened my mouth to argue, but she shook her head.

"I am sorry, Luna, but I cannot let you."

I stood there for a moment, staring at the pots and pans and the servants who moved around me like I was not there.

"You can watch if you like," a voice said.

I turned around and a young woman stood behind me. She had dark skin and kind eyes, and she was holding a basket of vegetables.

"I am Nora," she said. "I have been working in this kitchen for three years."

"I’m Talia," I said.

"I know who you are." She smiled. "Everyone knows who you are."

She walked to another part of the large kitchen, signaling for me to follow, and she set the basket on the counter and started sorting the vegetables.

"You grew up in Cresswood?" she asked.

"Yes," I answered.

"Was it terrible?" She looked at me.

I hesitated. "Yes."

She nodded, like she understood. "My mother grew up in a pack like that. She said the only way to survive was to keep your head down and your mouth shut."

"That is what I did," I said.

"And now you are here." She looked at me. "Now you are Luna."

I did not know what to say, so I said nothing.