Chapter 195 Telling Piper 1

Chapter 195: Chapter 195 Telling Piper 1

Talia’s POV

The morning light filtered through the window, soft and pale.

I blinked against the brightness, feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. But even the golden light could not chase away the shadows that had settled in my heart.

I lay in Kaelen’s arms, with my head resting on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. But the weight of everything I had learned was still heavy on my chest.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the dark region on that map, the strange symbols that Grandfather Aldric had traced with trembling fingers, and the hollow look in his eyes when he told me my mother might already be dead.

It pressed down on me like a stone, making it hard to breathe, hard to think, and hard to do anything except lie there and stare at the ceiling.

Kaelen stirred beside me, and his arm tightened around my waist.

I felt the warmth of his body seep into mine, and for a moment, I let myself pretend that everything was normal. That we were just two wolves waking up to a peaceful day.

And then, I felt his lips press against the top of my head.

"You are awake," he said.

"I could not sleep," I admitted.

He pulled back and looked at me. "We are supposed to train today."

I really did not feel like training today, and I did not want to push it.

I shook my head. "I do not feel like it."

My voice came out quieter than I intended, and I could see the concern flicker in his eyes. He knew me too well to believe that I was fine.

"I want to spend time with Piper instead." I said.

He tilted his head. "Piper? Who is that?"

"She is my best friend from Cresswood," I said. "She is the one who came to warn me about Vivienne’s plan at Mooncrest Hall. She risked everything to make sure I was safe, and she traveled for days just to find me. You have seen her before." I looked at him. “She had walked through dangerous territory, slept in the cold, and risked being caught by Vivienne’s spies or rogue wolves, all for me.”

Kaelen’s eyes softened. "I respect that kind of friend."

I smiled. "She is the only family I have from Cresswood."

The words hung in the air between us, and I felt the weight of them settle on my chest. I had lost my mother, my father had never been there, and Piper was all I had left.

The thought of her being confined to the servants’ quarters, so close, yet so far from the life I was building here, had disturbed me every single day since she arrived. because she deserved more than a shared room at the Servant quarters, and a life spent on the margins of a pack, just because it was not her own.

Kaelen was quiet for a moment. "Why is she staying in the servants’ quarters?"

I looked down at my hands. “I could not bear the thought of losing her too. She was the only person who had ever stood by me, and the only one who had never given up on me.” I closed my eyes. "I was scared she would be sent back to Cresswood.”

“Where is her family?” Kaelen asked.

“She is an orphan. Both her parents died when she was young." I replied. “Her parents, who were members of Cresswood pack, had died when she was young, and she had been forced to fend for herself ever since. She had survived just like I had.” Tears filled my eyes at the memories of how Piper had suffered. "She has no one else, and I could not let her be thrown out."

Kaelen reached up and cupped my face. "If she wants to stay in Blackmoor Valley, then she can move to one of the rooms on the first floor of the pack house. That way, she can be close to you."

My eyes widened. "Really?"

He nodded. "But only if you agree to eat something."

I laughed, and I felt the tears fall from my eyes, and roll down my cheeks. "You are bribing me with food?"

"I am taking care of you," he said. "There is a difference."

I leaned up and kissed him.

His lips were warm and soft, and I felt the love radiating from him. He was always taking care of me, making sure I was happy, and always putting me first.

"Thank you." I said honestly.

He kissed my forehead in response.

I closed my eyes and let myself savor the moment. I took in the warmth of his lips, the safety of his arms, and the love that surrounded me.

"I will mind-link Stephanie to bring you something." He said.

I nodded, and climbed out of bed and walked to the bathroom to shower. The water was warm, and I stood under the spray for a long time.

The water was warm, and the steam filled the room, making everything feel soft and hazy. I closed my eyes and let my mind wander, while letting the water wash away the last traces of sleep.

When I came out, still wrapped in a towel, a tray of food was already on the desk. There was warm bread, eggs, and a cup of tea.

I could smell the food before I even saw it, warm and inviting. My stomach growled, and I realized I was hungrier than I had thought.

I dressed quickly and sat at the desk.

The bread was still warm, and the eggs were perfectly cooked. I took a bite, and I felt the warmth spread through my body.