Chapter 77 The journey to Stoneclaw territory 2

Chapter 77: Chapter 77 The journey to Stoneclaw territory 2

Talia’s POV

Cain sat in the second cart alone, with his eyes scanning the trees, while Kaelen helped me into the third cart, and then climbed in beside me.

Silas flicked the reins, and the horses lurched forward. The wheels creaked, and the cart swayed beneath us.

This was not comfortable in the slightest, but it was right. This way, we were not showing off our wealth. We were showing respect.

The horses were moving, and the landscape changed as we traveled. Green forests gave way to rocky hills, the air grew colder and sharper, and the sky was gray and heavy with clouds that had not yet decided to rain.

I watched out the window. My heart was pounding, but I kept my face calm.

Kaelen’s hand rested on the seat between us, and his fingers were inches from mine. But I did not move my hand away, and neither did he.

The space between our fingers felt like a question. One neither of us was ready to ask, and one neither of us was ready to answer. So we left it there, close, and waiting, just like us.

The wind picked up, and I shivered. Kaelen noticed, and he pulled a blanket from behind the seat and draped it over my shoulders without a word.

"Thank you," I said.

He just nodded without saying a word.

I thought about the first time he gave me a blanket. I had been scared of him then, and I had flinched every time he looked at me. But now, I sat beside him without fear, and now, I leaned into his warmth when the wind blew cold.

So much had really changed.

I looked out at the rocky hills and wondered what else would change before this journey was over.

We crossed into Stoneclaw territory.

The air felt different here. It was heavier, and older. The rocks were dark, the hills were bare, and nothing grew on this land.

Wolves appeared on the hills, watching us. Their eyes were hostile, and their hands rested on their weapons.

I met their gaze head-on, and I did not flinch.

Their eyes were full of hate, but I had seen hate before, in Celeste’s eyes, in Vivienne’s eyes, and in the eyes of every servant who looked away when I cried for help. This was no different, because hate was hate, and I had survived it before.

One of the wolves snarled, and another spat on the ground. They did not even try to hide their hostility.

Kaelen’s hand moved toward his weapon, but I touched his arm. "Do not," I whispered. "They are testing us. If we react, we fail."

He looked at me, and his gray eyes were hard, but he nodded.

I turned back to the wolves on the hills, and I held their gaze until they looked away first. And that, for me, was a small victory.

I heard Jax let out a loud breath in front of me.

"She just stared them down," he whispered to Silas.

"I noticed," Silas answered.

Soon a few wolves blocked our path, and gestured for us to exit the carts.

One of them stepped forward. "State your business."

Kaelen started to speak, but I held up my hand.

"I am Talia Ashford," I said. "Luna of the Shadowfang Pack. I am here to negotiate a peace treaty with Alpha Stone."

The wolf stared at me, then at Kaelen, then back at me. Then he nodded. "Follow us."

We got back into the carts, and continued to move, until the carts stopped in front of a large stone building.

The building was not as grand as Blackmoor Valley’s stronghold. The walls were rough, and the windows were small. But it was sturdy, built to last.

"This is Alpha Stone’s stronghold," Kaelen said and looked at me. "Are you ready?"

I took a deep breath, and nodded. "Yes."

I climbed out of the cart and walked toward the door.

My boots crunched loudly on the gravel, and the wind whipped my hair across my face, but I did not stop to tuck it behind my ear.

Kaelen walked beside me. His shoulder brushed mine, and I felt his warmth through my jacket.

"You do not have to do this alone," he said.

"I know," I replied.

The doors of the stronghold opened, and a tall wolf stood in the doorway, with his arms crossed, and his eyes cold.

"Alpha Stone will see you now," he said.

I nodded and stepped forward, and Kaelen followed.

The tall wolf held up his hand. "Only the Luna is allowed."

Kaelen’s jaw tightened. "That was not the agreement."

"The Alpha changed his mind," the tall wolf said.

I looked at Kaelen. "It is alright."

"Talia..." Kaelen called.

"I can do this. Please trust me," I said with a soft smile on my face.

He stared at me for a long moment, then he nodded, and stepped back.

I turned around, braced myself, and walked through the doors alone.