Chapter 88 The return home 2

Chapter 88: Chapter 88 The return home 2

Talia’s POV

It bothered my mind, but I pushed it aside for now.

"We need to see Alpha Aldric," I said.

Kaelen nodded, then he led the way, and I followed.

The hallways were quiet, as most wolves were already in their rooms, resting after the long day. Our footsteps echoed on the stone floors, and the torches flickered as we passed.

Alpha Aldric was in his study, sitting behind his desk, and reading a scroll by candlelight. He looked up when we entered.

"Talia," he said. "You are back."

I walked to his desk, bowed and held out the signed treaty scroll. "The treaty is signed, Alpha Aldric."

He took the scroll from my hands and unrolled it. His gray eyes moved across the parchment, widening as he read every word.

When he finished, he looked up at me. His face was stern, but his eyes were warm.

"Congratulations, child," he said. "You have done well, and you have completed your first task successfully."

I let out a breath I did not know I was holding. "Thank you, Alpha Aldric."

He set the scroll down and leaned back in his chair. "You all need to rest. It has been a long journey."

He looked at Kaelen. "Make sure the servants give Talia a hot shower and a massage. And good food too, because she needs to eat properly."

Kaelen nodded. "I will, Grandfather."

"Then go. All of you." He waved his hand.

As we left the study and walked to our rooms, my face burned hot from embarrassment because of Alpha Aldric’s words, but I quickly wiped it off before Kaelen noticed.

Jax and Silas went to their own quarters, and Cain disappeared into the shadows.

Kaelen walked me to our room. He opened the door and stepped aside, letting me enter first.

The fire had been lit, the room was warm, and my things were still in the corner, right next to his.

Kaelen left for a few minutes. When he came back, he was followed by two servants carrying trays of food that contained roasted meat, vegetables, fresh bread, a bowl of soup, and a glass of juice.

"Eat," Kaelen said. "You need to replenish your energy."

I nodded, sat down at the desk and picked up my fork. The food was warm and it smelled delicious. I ate slowly, making sure I savored each bite. The meat was tender, the bread was soft, and the juice was sweet.

When I finished, Kaelen gestured to the servants before stepping out of the room, and they led me to the bathroom, where they had prepared a hot bath with steam and scented oils. I soaked in the water until my muscles relaxed and my mind quieted.

After the hot bath, I stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around me, and the servants led me to an arranged, soft-looking plump mat.

I laid down, and they worked on my body thoroughly, with sweet-scented oils that smelled like lavender, vanilla, and jasmine.

After the massage, I felt like a different person. My shoulders were loose, and my back no longer ached. The servants helped me sit up, and offered to dress me up for the night, but I refused. So they bowed and left.

I walked to the wardrobe with slow steps, and I dressed in my nightgown, which felt smooth and comforting on my skin.

The fire crackled in the hearth, and the room was warm and very quiet.

I climbed into bed and lay down, staring at the ceiling. My body was tired, but my mind was still racing about the power, the voice, and the way Alpha Stone had frozen when I spoke.

’What was happening to me?’ I wondered.

I turned onto my side and stared at the wall. The shadows danced in the firelight, and my thoughts would not stop.

The power had felt ancient, powerful, and terrifying. And yet, it had felt like mine. It was like something I had always carried but never known.

I touched my necklace, and the glamour charm was still there, still hiding me. But the power had not come from it. I knew it had come from somewhere deeper, somewhere the glamour charm could never reach.

’What was I becoming?’ I thought to myself.

Suddenly the door opened, interrupting my thoughts, and Kaelen walked in. He had changed into loose pants and a soft shirt, and his hair was still damp from his own shower.

He walked to the bed, climbed in on the other side, and the mattress dipped under his weight.

I expected him to turn away from me, like he usually did. But he did not.

He lay on his side, facing me. His gray eyes were soft in the firelight, and his face was relaxed.

I did not know what to say, so I said nothing. But he did not speak either. He just watched me.

Slowly, minutes passed, as the fire crackled, and the shadows danced on the walls.

My eyes grew heavy, and I tried to keep them open, but sleep was pulling me under.

The last thing I saw before I closed my eyes was Kaelen’s face, still watching me.

And then there was nothing but darkness.