Chapter 154 The warning 2

Chapter 154: Chapter 154 The warning 2

Talia’s POV

The pack house was quieter now.

Most wolves were resting and saving their strength for tomorrow, but it looked like no one was asleep. Torches flickered in the windows, and guards patrolled the walls.

But Kaelen did not go to our room.

He walked to the Eastern Terrace instead, and I followed beside him.

The terrace overlooked the valley. The mountains stood dark against the night sky, and the stars were hidden behind clouds. The wind was cold, and it whipped through my hair.

Guards stood at the edges of the terrace, watching the darkness. Scouts came and went, bringing reports, and Kaelen listened to each one, gave orders, and sent them on their way.

Some brought good news: the army was still a day away. Others brought bad: Viktor had split his forces, and he was coming from two directions now. Kaelen listened to each report with the same cold face, but I felt his hand tighten around mine every time a scout spoke of more enemies, more weapons, and more reasons to be afraid.

I stood beside him at the railing.

"You should rest," I said.

"I cannot." His voice was low. "Not while they are out there."

I looked out at the valley. Somewhere beyond the mountains, Viktor was marching toward us. His army was gathering, and his wolves were sharpening their claws.

And through it all, I knew Vivienne was smiling.

"We have done everything we can," I said.

"It does not feel like enough," he replied.

"It never does," I whispered.

He was quiet for a moment, then his hand found mine. His fingers were cold, but his grip was firm. ℯℯ𝑙.

"Stay close to me tomorrow," he said.

"I will." I smiled at him.

"If the battle turns bad, I want you to go to the safe room immediately," he instructed.

I shook my head. "I am not hiding."

"Talia..." he called.

"I am not hiding," I said again. "I did not survive Vivienne and the trials and the rogues just to hide in a safe room while my pack fights."

He stared at me for a long moment, and his gray eyes searched my face.

"You are stubborn," he said.

"I learned from the best," I smiled brightly.

His lip twitched. It was not a smile, but it was close.

The hours passed. The wind grew colder, and the clouds thickened. The torches flickered, and the shadows danced on the stone walls.

Kaelen did not leave the terrace, and neither did I.

Scouts came and went, but each report was the same. The army was still marching, and they looked like they would be here by morning.

Cain joined us at midnight. His face was hard, but his voice was steady.

"The warriors are in position," he said. "The east wall is guarded, the west forest is watched, and the safe rooms are full."

Kaelen nodded. "Good."

"What about the north gate?" Cain asked.

"Weak defenses," Kaelen said. "But Viktor does not know that. So for now, we will keep it that way."

Cain nodded and left.

Kaelen turned back to the railing. I stood beside him.

"Are you scared?" I asked.

He was quiet for a moment. Then he said, "Yes."

I had heard him say it once before, last night, in our room. But hearing it again, here on the terrace with the enemy marching toward us, felt different.

"I am scared too," I said.

He pulled me closer, and his arm wrapped around my waist.

"We will get through this," he said.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"Because we have survived everything else." He looked out at the valley. "And because I will not let anything happen to you."

I wanted to believe him, and I wanted to trust his words. But the fear was still there, cold and heavy in my chest.

Dawn came slow, creeping over the mountains like a pale hand reaching across the valley.

The clouds were thick, and the light was gray. The wind had stopped, and the world was silent.

Too silent.

Kaelen’s hand tightened around mine. "They are coming," he said.

I looked out at the valley. The trees were still, and the shadows were deep. But somewhere out there, Viktor was moving.

I took a breath and steadied myself.

Lyra stirred in my chest. "We are ready," she said.

"I know," I whispered.

Kaelen turned to me. His gray eyes were hard, but his voice was soft.

"Stay close to me," he said.

"I will," I replied.

He kissed my forehead. Then he turned to face the valley.

I stood beside him, with my hand in his, and I waited.

The battle was coming, and I knew that nothing would ever be the same.