Chapter 50 Kaelen’s Warning 1

Chapter 50: Chapter 50 Kaelen’s Warning 1

Talia’s POV

The days passed slower than I expected.

Each morning, I woke up and counted down. First it was four days, then three days, then down to two days.

The Luna Celebration was coming, and I could feel it pressing down on my chest like a weight I could not shake.

I went through my everyday routine of breakfast, shower, dressing up, and walking around the hallways. But nothing felt real, and everything felt like I was watching myself from far away.

On the second day, a servant knocked on my door.

She was young, with dark hair and a shy smile. She carried a box in her arms that was wrapped in brown paper and tied with string.

"The Alpha sent these," she said. "For your trip to Mooncrest Hall."

I took the box from her hands, thinking it was just a simple item. But the box was heavier than I expected, and I almost dropped it.

"Thank you," I said with heavy breaths.

She smiled, bowed and left.

I carried the box to the bed and set it down. Then I untied the string and peeled back the paper.

I opened it, and inside were dresses in different colors, and there were three of them. One was deep blue, like the evening sky, one was soft green, like the forest after rain, and one was pale gold, like the first light of morning.

The fabric was soft, and it looked expensive. I blinked back tears as my hands ran through the clothes, because I had never owned anything like them.

Beneath the dresses were simple flat shoes in different matching colors. And at the bottom of the box, there was a small leather travel bag.

I ran my fingers over the fabric of the blue dress, and my throat became tight.

I held the blue dress up to my chest and looked at my reflection in the mirror. The color made my eyes look brighter, and for a moment, I did not look like the girl from Cresswood. I looked like someone else. Like someone who belonged here, and like someone who could be Luna.

Kaelen did not have to do this. He did not have to send me anything, but he had.

I did not know what that meant. Or rather, I did not want to think he felt something for me, so I would not get my hopes crushed when he rejected me.

I folded the dresses carefully and set them in the front of the wardrobe, so that I would not forget to pack them tonight.

After lunch, I went to find Nora.

She was in the kitchen, chopping vegetables when I entered, and the cook was not looking, so she waved me over to the corner.

"Any word from Elara?" I asked.

Nora shook her head. "Not yet. I sent another message this morning to tell her it was urgent, so she should respond soon."

"What if she does not know anything?" I asked.

"Then we go in blind." Nora set down her knife. "But we will figure it out, Talia. We always do."

I nodded. "Thank you, Nora."

She smiled. "That is what friends are for."

I left the kitchen and walked to the servants’ quarters. As I walked, I kept looking behind me to see if anyone was following me.

Piper was waiting for me in Nora’s room. She had been staying hidden for days, and only leaving when the hallways were empty.

She looked up when I walked in. "Any news?"

"Not yet," I said.

She sighed. "I have been thinking about the celebration."

"And?" I asked.

"I have figured out how to sneak in." Piper stood up and paced the small room. "I will blend in with the servants."

"Piper, I still think that I should go alone. You cannot be seen," I said. "If anyone recognizes you..."

"They will not." Piper stopped pacing and faced me. "I will wear a disguise with a hooded cloak, then I will stay in the back, but I will not talk to anyone."

I stared at her. "Piper..."

"I am not asking, Talia. I am telling you." Her voice was firm. "I am going to be there, I will watch from the shadows, and if something wants to happen, I will find you immediately."

My eyes were filled with tears. "What if you get caught?"

"I will not," Piper said.

"Or what if someone recognizes you?" I asked, as worry filled my chest.

"No one will recognize me." She grabbed my hands. "I have survived Vivienne too for fifteen years, so I can survive one night at a party."

I blinked back tears. "Okay."

Piper pulled me into another hug. Her arms were thin, but they held me tight. "We have got this," she whispered. "Just like old times. It is you and me against the world."

I laughed. It was small and shaky, but it was real. "You and me," I said.

"Okay." She squeezed my hands. "Then it is settled.”