Chapter 265 The Argument

Chapter 265: Chapter 265 The Argument

Talia’s POV

The news hung in the air like a blanket for the rest of the night.

Silver walls. Silver cages. Silver everywhere.

I watched Kaelen’s hands, and they were trembling. It was little, and barely noticeable, but I saw it. His fingers were shaking against his thighs, and his jaw was clenched so tight I could see the muscles straining.

Piper noticed too. "Alpha Kaelen, are you okay?"

Kaelen forced a nod, with his voice tight. "I am fine, Piper."

Jax frowned, and his voice was filled with concern. "You do not look fine, Alpha."

Kaelen stood abruptly, but his movements were stiff. "I need air."

He walked to the cave entrance and stood there, with his back to us. His shoulders were tense, and I could see the tremor running through his body.

I stood up, even with my legs that were weak, and I walked to him.

I reached Kaelen and touched his arm. He flinched, and I felt my heart break.

"Kaelen," I said softly. "Come with me."

He looked at me, and I saw the conflict in his eyes. He did not want to be seen as weak.

"Kaelen," I said again. "Please."

He nodded, and I led him to a small alcove at the side of the cave. It was not much, just a dark recess in the stone, but it gave us privacy.

Piper watched us go, and her voice was soft. "Talia, is everything okay?"

I looked back at her. "We need a moment, Piper."

Jax opened his mouth, but Silas shook his head. "Leave them alone, Jax."

I pulled Kaelen into the alcove, and I looked up at him.

"Kaelen," I said. "Talk to me."

He looked at me, and I saw the fear in his eyes. He was trying to hide it, but I knew him too well.

"Talia," he said. "We need to talk."

I nodded. "I know, Kaelen."

"The fortress is made of silver," he said. "Everything is made of silver."

I reached for his hand, but he pulled away. "Kaelen..."

He shook his head, with his voice sharp. "You do not understand, Talia. Silver is not just an allergy for me, it is a weakness. It makes me weak, and it makes me vulnerable."

I looked at him. "I know what it does to you, Kaelen."

"Do you?" He looked at me, his gray eyes fierce. "I keep thinking that If I go in there, I could die, Talia. I could be useless, and I could even get us all killed."

I shook my head. "You are not useless, Kaelen."

He laughed, but there was no humor in it. "How am I not? I cannot even touch the walls without my skin burning. What good am I inside a fortress made of silver?"

I stepped closer to him, and I reached for his hand again. This time, he did not pull away.

"Kaelen," I said. "You do not have to come inside."

He looked at me, and his gray eyes were wide. "What, Talia?"

I took a breath, and I forced myself to say the words. "You do not have to come inside the fortress, Kaelen."

His jaw tightened. "I am not letting you go in there alone, Talia."

"Kaelen," I said. "Listen to me."

"No, Talia," he said. "I am not listening to this."

"Kaelen, please," I said. "You heard Silas. The entire fortress is made of silver. It will kill you. You have just said it yourself too, and it is okay to be scared. Blackmoor valley needs their leader, Kaelen. Shadowfang pack needs their Alpha."

Kaelen shook his head, with his voice fierce. "I do not care, Talia."

I felt the tears prick at my eyes. "I care, Kaelen. I cannot lose you."

He stepped closer to me, and his hands came up and cupped my face. "You will not lose me, Talia."

I shook my head. "You cannot promise that, Kaelen."

He pressed his forehead to mine. "I can, Talia. I am not staying behind. I am going with you."

I pulled away. "Kaelen, you are being stubborn."

"So are you," he said. "That is why we are mates."

I laughed, but it was hollow. "Kaelen..."

"Talia," he said. "I am coming with you. That is final."

I looked at him, and I saw the determination in his eyes, and I knew that he was not going to change his mind.

"Kaelen," I said. "If you come inside, you could die."