Chapter 216 The team

Chapter 216: Chapter 216 The team

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. It was a new day, and everything felt different after the night before. The grief was still there, but it was quieter now, like a wound that was finally beginning to heal.

And I woke to find Kaelen already awake beside me. He was propped up on one elbow, watching me with those gray eyes that saw everything.

I could see the love in his gaze, and the quiet concern that he tried to hide behind his calm expression. He had stayed with me all night, holding my hand and letting me cry, and I did not know how I would ever thank him.

"Good morning," he said.

"Good morning," I replied.

He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my face.

His fingers lingered on my skin for just a moment longer than necessary, and I felt the warmth of his touch seep into me. It was a small gesture, but it meant everything.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

I thought about it for a moment. The grief was still there, but it no longer felt like it was crushing me. It was a part of me now, woven into the fabric of who I was, but it did not control me.

"Better," I said. "I feel lighter."

He smiled. "That is good. Now, we have to prepare for the day ahead, starting with the meeting we have this morning."

“A meeting?” I asked.

“Yes baby. We need to discuss as a team, so everyone knows their roles, and plays it well. And we also need to conclude on some issues together.” He explained. “Come on, it is time to shower.”

Kaelen stretched out his hand, and I took it.

We climbed out of bed and walked to the bathroom together. The water was warm, and the steam filled the room as we showered.

I closed my eyes and let the heat soak into my muscles, washing away the last traces of exhaustion. It felt good to be clean, and to feel the water running over my skin and carrying away the weight of the day before.

He washed my back, and I washed his, and we did not speak. Because we did not need to.

When we came out, wrapped in towels, a tray of food was already waiting for us on the desk. Kaelen had mind-linked Stephanie before we even got out of bed.

We dressed quickly and sat at the desk together.

The smell of fresh bread and eggs filled the room, and I felt my stomach growl in response. I had not realized how hungry I was until I saw the food in front of me.

The food was warm and delicious, and I ate until I was full. Kaelen watched me the whole time, making sure I ate every bite.

I could feel his eyes on me, warm and steady, and I knew he was making sure I was taking care of myself. He always did that, and always put my needs before his own.

When we finished, he took my hand. "It is time to finalize the mission team."

I nodded, and we walked to the war room together.

The hallways were quiet, and our footsteps echoed on the stone floors. The pack house was still waking up around us, and I could feel the weight of the morning settling on my shoulders.

Jax, Silas, Cain, and Piper were already there when we arrived. They stood around the table where the map of the Ashen Lands was spread out.

I could see the lines of exhaustion on their faces, and the weight of the journey ahead reflected in their eyes. They had been training for days, preparing for this moment, and I could see that they were ready.

The room was filled with quiet tension.

The map on the table seemed to glow in the dim light, with its dark regions, and unfamiliar symbols stretching out before us like a challenge, and I could feel the weight of every line and marking, pressing into my mind, and reminding me that this piece of paper held the key to everything I had ever wanted, and everything I had ever feared.

And as I looked at each of them, I felt a swell of gratitude rise in my chest, so strong that it almost brought tears to my eyes. I was grateful to have these wolves, my pack, and my family, who were willing to follow me into the unknown.

I was thankful for Jax, with his fierce loyalty and sharp humor, Silas, with his calm steadiness, Cain, with his quiet strength, and Piper, with her unwavering love.

Each of them had walked into my life at different moments, and each of them had seen me at my worst, and had chosen to stay.

And now they were standing in this room with their lives on the line for a mission that was not theirs, for a mother they had never met, and for a future that was not guaranteed, simply because they believed in me.

They had all chosen to stand beside me.

They had not hesitated, and they had not questioned. They had simply said yes, and I knew that I would spend the rest of my life trying to be worthy of that trust.

And I did not know how I would ever repay them.

Kaelen walked to the head of the table.

I watched him move, and I felt a surge of pride. He was my mate, my partner, and my equal. And together, we would face whatever came our way.

When Kaelen spoke, his voice was calm and steady. "We have decided to move with a smaller group, so the warriors will stay behind. The reason is that, a smaller team is less likely to be detected."

Jax nodded. "We figured as much."

Silas said, "It makes sense. We can move faster with fewer people too."

The logic was sound, and I could see the approval in their eyes. They understood the risks, and they were willing to take them.

Cain said nothing, he just nodded once.

Piper stepped forward. "So, who is going?"

Kaelen looked at each of them. "Talia, Jax, Silas, Cain, Piper, and myself. Just six of us."

The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. It was going to be the six of us, against an army. It seemed impossible, but I knew that we were not just six wolves. We were a pack, a family, and we would fight for each other.

The room was silent for a moment. No one questioned the plan, and no one backed out.

I looked around the room, and I saw the determination in their faces. They were not afraid, they were ready.

There was no hesitation in their eyes, and no flicker of doubt or second-guessing, just the quiet, unshakeable resolve of wolves who had made their choice, and would see it through to the end, no matter what horrors awaited us in the Ashen Lands. And that steady certainty in their gazes, gave me more strength than any weapon, or spell ever could.

I felt the tears prick at my eyes again, grateful that I was not alone.

I thought about how far I had come, since I left Cresswood, and in that moment, i had renewed hope for the future.

I looked at the faces of the wolves around me. We were just Six against an army, but I did not feel afraid.

I felt ready.