Chapter 143 The third trial 1

Chapter 143: Chapter 143 The third trial 1

Talia’s POV

The morning of the trial arrived, and I woke before dawn.

I lay in bed for a moment, staring at the ceiling. My heart was pounding, and my hands were already shaking, because today was the day of the third trial: The Trial of the Wolf.

The ceiling blurred above me.

I blinked once, then twice, because my eyes would not focus. Everything felt like a dream, and like I was watching myself from far away. But the fear was real, and it sat on my chest like a stone that was heavy, cold, and unmoving.

I pressed my hand against my heart and tried to breathe.

Kaelen was still asleep beside me, and his breathing was slow and even. I did not wake him, I just climbed out of bed and walked to the bathroom.

The water was warm when I stepped into the shower. I stood under the spray for a long time, letting it wash away the last traces of sleep. The steam filled the room, and the heat seeped into my muscles, loosening the knots in my shoulders. But it did not loosen the knot in my chest.

I dried myself and dressed in comfortable jeans and a free, soft, bright yellow top. It was nothing fancy, and I did not want to wear anything that would make me feel more nervous than I already was.

Kaelen was awake now, and he headed to the bathroom.

A servant brought breakfast, and I sat at the desk and ate slowly, even though my stomach was full of knots. The oatmeal was warm, and the bread was soft. But the food tasted like punishment to me, and I could barely swallow.

Kaelen came out of the bathroom. His hair was damp, and his jaw was smooth, and he was already dressed in dark pants and a black shirt. He sat on the edge of the bed and watched me eat.

"Grandfather just mind-linked me," he said. "He wants us to come to the field."

I set my spoon down, as my hands were shaking.

"The field?" I asked.

"The Gathering Hall is too small," he said. "And everyone needs to see."

I touched the necklace around my neck, and the charm was warm against my skin. But today, it comes off, in front of everyone.

Kaelen stood up and walked to me. Then he took my hands and held them steady.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

I took a breath. "No. But I will do it anyway."

He kissed my forehead. "That is enough."

As we were about to step out of the room, he turned to look at me. "You forgot to take off your necklace. You said that you won’t be able to shift with it on."

I nodded. "I did not forget to take it off. I just planned to do so in front of the whole pack. Because if I went out with my real face, there would be doubts and whispers. But if I take it off in front of everyone, then there will be no accusations or doubt later."

Kaelen stared at me with something like awe and respect, then he nodded. "That is a very wise decision, and that is a lot of courage too, Talia. I did not even think about that, or what it cost you. You surprise me every time with your quick thinking." He kissed my lips and my forehead, before stepping back.

"Now, go and show everyone what their Luna is made of," he said with a smile.

I nodded, and we walked out into the hallway, and down to the field together.

The path was lined with wolves, and they stood on both sides, watching and whispering. Some bowed as we passed, some nodded, and some just stared.

I kept my head high and my eyes straight ahead. Kaelen walked beside me, with his shoulder brushing mine. His presence was warm and steady, and I leaned into it without thinking.

The field was packed when we arrived, as wolves filled the space from end to end. Their bodies were pressed together, and their voices buzzed like flies. Alpha Aldric stood at the front, with his gray hair combed back, and his face stern.

I looked around the crowd, and I saw Jax and Silas and Cain standing near the front. I saw Nora standing with the other servants, and I saw Piper, hidden in the back, with her eyes wide with worry.

And then I saw Serena.

She was standing near the front, with her arms crossed, and her face calm. But her eyes were wide, and she looked shocked, like she had not expected me to make it this far.

I turned to look in another direction, and I did not look at her again.

Kaelen stopped at the edge of the field. He turned to face me, and his gray eyes were soft. "I will be right here," he said.

I nodded, then I walked to the center of the field alone.

Every eye was on me. The whispers started, soft at first, then they became louder.

"She cannot shift," a male voice said from the crowd.

"She will fail," a female voice added.

"She is weak," another voice said.

I kept my head high, because I had heard worse, and I had survived worse.

I reached up and touched the clasp of my necklace. The silver chain was cool against my fingers, and the charm was warm.

I looked at Kaelen, and he nodded, and walked up to me.