Chapter 96 The embrace 1

Chapter 96: Chapter 96 The embrace 1

Talia’s POV

I walked back to the room in a daze, as Kaelen’s words echoed in my head: Tomorrow, we start.

My body was exhausted, my knuckles were still raw from training, and the dried blood flaked off as I flexed my fingers.

When I stepped into the room, Kaelen was nowhere in sight. So I went into the bathroom and I took a long, hot shower. The water stung my cuts, but the heat seeped into my muscles, loosening the knots that had formed. I stood under the spray until the water ran clear and my skin turned pink.

When I stepped out, wrapped in a towel, I could barely keep my eyes open.

I dressed in my nightgown and climbed into bed. The sheets were cool against my skin, and the pillow smelled like pine and cold air, which was Kaelen’s scent.

I closed my eyes and fell asleep almost immediately.

Then I dreamed of fire. Flames licked the walls of our home, and smoke filled my lungs. My mother’s voice called my name, but I could not find her.

"Talia. Talia." She screamed.

I woke up gasping, and my heart was pounding. The room was dark, and the fire had burned low. I turned my head and saw Kaelen sleeping on the bed beside me, with his breathing slow and even.

I lay there for a long time, staring at the ceiling, trying to calm my racing heart.

The dream still clung to me, and I could still feel the smell of smoke deep in my nose, like it was really happening right now.

I touched my necklace. The charm was warm against my skin, but it felt heavier than usual.

"I am still waiting, Mother," I whispered.

The room was silent, and soon sleep took over my tired body again.

The next morning, I woke up to sunlight streaming through the window.

Kaelen was already gone. His side of the bed was cold, and his blanket was folded neatly on the pillow side of the bed.

I lay there for a while, staring at the ceiling, and thinking about the trial, the training, and Serena. The weight of it all pressed down on my chest, in a heavy and suffocating way.

I pushed the thoughts away and climbed out of bed.

I walked to the window and looked out at the valley. The sun was rising, painting the mountains in shades of gold and pink. Wolves were already moving through the paths below, with some training, and some walking between buildings.

They all had a purpose, a place, and a pack, and I was supposed to be their Luna.

But I felt like a fraud, and a girl playing dress-up, while pretending to be something she was not.

I turned from the window and looked around the room for what I should start with this morning, when my eyes caught a neatly folded, and properly kept piece of paper on the desk, near a food tray.

I walked away from the window and moved to the desk, then I picked it up and opened it.

Kaelen’s handwriting, which was the same on his books, in his private study, was sharp and precise on the paper. "Meet me in the training room by evening."

That was all.

I dropped it down, walked to the bathroom, and took a shower, letting the warm water wash away the remnants of sleep. I dressed in jeans and a soft gray top, then ate breakfast alone. But the food tasted like nothing to me, because my mind was not stable.

I pushed the plate away and sat back in my chair. My stomach was full, but I felt hollow inside.

A knock came at the door. I opened it, and a servant stood in the hallway, carrying several bags.

"From the Alpha," she said.

She set the bags on the desk and left. I opened them one by one, only to see new clothes, sneakers, and outfits that looked like training wear.

I pulled out a fitted black top and a pair of leggings. The fabric was soft and stretchy, unlike anything I had worn before.

I held them against my body, and they looked like they would show every curve of my body.

My face burned hot and red, as I looked at myself in the mirror.

Once I finished checking the bag, and arranging the new items in the wardrobe, I walked out of the room and into the garden, with a book in my hand.

The sun was warm on my face, and the flowers were blooming in neat rows along the stone paths. The fountain bubbled in the center, and the water sparkled in the morning light.

I sat on the stone bench and opened the book Kaelen had given me. The one about the history of werewolf magic. I tried to read, but the words blurred together.

My mind kept wandering to the trial, to Serena, and to the person I would have to protect.

’What if I was not strong enough? What if I froze? What if someone got hurt because of me?’

I closed the book and set it on the bench beside me, then I stared at the fountain, watching the water ripple and swirl.

A bird landed on the edge of the fountain, dipping its beak into the water. It was small and brown, with bright eyes and quick movements.

I watched it for a long time, admiring how free it was with no trials, no enemies, and no weight pressing down on its chest.

It flew away after a few minutes, disappearing into the trees, and I wished I could follow it.

But I had responsibilities now, and people were counting on me.