Chapter 382 The silver tolerance

Chapter 382: Chapter 382 The silver tolerance

Kaelen’s POV

The meeting ended, and I walked back to our room.

Talia was awake when I entered, and she looked up from the bed. Her eyes were still soft with sleep, and I felt a pang of guilt for leaving her alone so early in the morning.

"Where were you?" Talia asked.

I walked to her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I had a meeting with Jax, Cain, and Silas. Just some war preparations."

Talia looked at me, and I saw the trust in her eyes. "Is everything okay?"

I nodded. "Everything is fine. Get some rest."

She smiled, and she closed her eyes. I watched her for a moment, and then I climbed into bed beside her.

I steadied myself, then I wrapped my hand around Talia’s waist. “Talia?” I called.

She tilted her head backwards, just a bit. “Yes, Kaelen.”

I swallowed hard, but kept my composure. “I still have a meeting with Jax, Cain, and Silas tomorrow.”

Talia nodded slowly. “Okay. That is fine.”

I let out a slow breath. “The meeting might not finish on time. It might finish late at night.” I added.

Talia paused, and I almost thought that she had fallen asleep. “Is everything okay?” She asked, turning to face me fully.

I quickly nodded. “Everything is okay, Talia. We just need to discuss some war preparations, and do some combat training.” I explained.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Talia asked.

I shook my head. “There is no need for you to come, Talia.” I said.

Talia looked at me. “You are not lying to me, right?” she asked. “Because I can feel...”

“Do you not trust me, Talia?” I asked, hoping her powers will not pick up on my fast beating heart.

Talia paused for a long moment, then she opened her mouth to say something, but she stopped. Then she nodded. “Okay, Kaelen. Just stay safe, okay?” she said.

I nodded. “I will, baby.” I replied. But I felt a huge pang of guilt, for lying to Talia.

I did not sleep that night. I just held Talia, and I thought about the pain that was coming.

I stood in the center of the training yard the next morning, and I looked at the silver chain in Cain’s hand.

It was thin and bright, and I could already feel the burn in my skin just from looking at it. I had been avoiding silver my entire life. I had learned to check every weapon, every piece of jewelry, and every chain. And now, I was going to wrap it around my wrist.

Jax and Silas were standing at the edge of the yard, as I had asked them to be there before we started.

"Silas," I said, and he looked at me. "I need you to be on the lookout for Talia. If she comes this way, I need you to delay her. Tell her I am in a meeting with the elders or something."

Silas nodded, but I saw the hesitation in his eyes. "And if she does not believe me?"

"Then you tell her the truth," I said. "But only if she insists."

I turned to Jax. "And you, go to Piper. Tell her just enough to keep Talia busy for the whole day. Do not tell her everything, just that Talia needs a distraction."

Jax crossed his arms, and I saw the doubt on his face. "You want me to lie to Piper?"

I looked at him. "I want you to help me protect Talia. She will feel the pain through the bond, and she will come running. We cannot let that happen."

Jax sighed, and he nodded. "Fine. But you owe me.”

I nodded, and Jax turned around and left.

"Are you ready?" Cain asked.

I nodded. "I am ready."

Cain stepped forward, and he wrapped the chain around my wrist. The moment it touched my skin, I felt the fire.

It started as a small burn, like touching a hot pan, then it grew. It spread through my skin, and it reached into my muscles, and it wrapped around my bones.

It spread through my arm, and I gritted my teeth.

"Hold it," Cain instructed. "For as long as you can."

I held it. I held it until the pain was too much, and then I let go. My wrist was red and blistered, and I could feel the silver still burning beneath my skin.

"Again," I said with determination in my voice.

Cain looked at me. "You need to rest, Alpha." He replied.

I shook my head. "Again." I said.

We did it again, and again, and again.

By the end of the first day, my wrist was raw and bleeding.

The chief healer had come to me that night. She had looked at my wrist, and she had shaken her head.

"Alpha, you cannot keep doing this," the chief healer had said. "The silver is eating through your skin."

I had looked at her, and I had not flinched. "Then wrap it and let me sleep. I will do it again tomorrow."

By the end of the second day, I could barely move my hand. By the end of the third day, I could hold the chain for a full minute before the pain became unbearable.

The skin on my wrist had turned white and scarred. It was not healing properly, and I knew it would leave a permanent mark. But I did not care, because every scar was a reminder of what I was fighting for.

Jax walked to me on the fourth day, and I saw the worry in his eyes. "Kaelen, you need to stop. You are tearing yourself apart."

I shook my head. "I am getting stronger."

Jax looked at my hands, at the burns and the blisters. "This is not strength, Kaelen. This is torture."

I looked at him, and I felt the determination burning in my chest. "I am doing this for Talia, and for the pack. I will not be weak."

Jax sighed, and I saw the pain in his eyes. "You are not weak, Kaelen. You are the strongest person I know." He said.

I looked at him. "Then let me do this." I replied.

Cain walked to me, and he placed the silver chain back in my hand. "Then hold it again."

“Cain?” Jax called with a cold voice.

Cain paid him no mind, and just stretched the chain to me without saying another word.

I took the chain from his hand, and I wrapped it around my wrist, and I felt the fire.

But I held it, and I did not let go.