Chapter 266 Finding a way together

Chapter 266: Chapter 266 Finding a way together

Talia’s POV

Kaelen reached for my hand, and his fingers were warm through the cloth. "Then I will die trying to save your mother, Talia."

I felt the tears spill down my cheeks. "Kaelen..."

He pulled me into his arms, with his voice low and fierce. "I promised you, Talia. I promised I would be with you every step of the way."

I pressed my face into his chest. "I do not want to lose you, Kaelen."

He pressed his lips to my forehead. "You will not lose me, Talia. I am not going anywhere."

I pulled back and looked at him. "Promise me, Kaelen."

He looked into my eyes, with his gray eyes steady. "I promise, Talia. I will not leave you."

I nodded, and I let myself believe him.

Piper’s voice came from the main cave. "Talia? Alpha? Are you okay?"

I looked at Kaelen, and I wiped my tears. "We are coming, Piper."

Kaelen took my hand. "Together, Talia."

I squeezed his hand. "Together, Kaelen."

We walked back to the group. Everyone was watching us, and their faces were filled with concern.

Piper stood. "Is everything okay, Talia?"

I nodded, and my voice was steady. "Everything is fine, Piper."

Jax looked at Kaelen. "Alpha, are you sure you are okay?"

Kaelen’s voice was firm. "I am fine, Jax."

Silas spoke from the shadows. "Alpha, if you cannot go inside the fortress, we will find another way."

Kaelen shook his head. "I am going inside, Silas."

Silas’s voice was careful. "Alpha, the silver..."

"I know what the silver does, Silas," Kaelen said with a firm voice. "I have known my whole life."

Piper stepped forward. "Alpha Kaelen, if you go inside, you could..."

"I could die," Kaelen finished. "I know, Piper, thank you."

Jax’s voice was quiet. "Then why are you going, Alpha?"

Kaelen looked at me, and his gray eyes were soft. "Because she is my mate, Jax. And I will not let her face this alone."

I felt the tears prick at my eyes again. "Kaelen..."

He squeezed my hand. "I made you a promise, Talia. I am keeping it."

Cain spoke from the entrance, with his voice low. "Then we find a way to protect you from the silver, Alpha."

Kaelen looked at Cain. "How, Cain?"

Cain shook his head. "I do not know yet, Alpha. But I will find a way."

Jax nodded. "Cain is right, Alpha. We will figure something out."

Piper’s voice was determined. "We are not letting you go in there unprotected, Alpha Kaelen."

Silas nodded. "We will find a way, Alpha."

I looked at all of them, and I felt the love in my chest. They were not giving up. None of them were giving up.

Kaelen looked at me, and his voice became softer. "See, Talia? We are not alone."

I squeezed his hand. "I know, Kaelen."

Jax grinned, his voice lighter. "Besides, we have come this far. So we are not stopping now."

Piper nodded. "Jax is right, Talia. We are going to find your mother."

Silas stood. "We rest tonight. Tomorrow, we move toward the fortress."

Cain nodded. "I will take first watch."

Kaelen looked at me. "Rest, Talia. You need your strength."

I nodded, and I let him lead me back to the wall. I sat down, and he sat beside me.

Piper sat across from us, with her voice soft. "Talia, are you really okay?"

I looked at her, and I tried to smile. "I am scared, Piper. But I am not giving up."

She reached over and squeezed my hand. "That is my best friend."

Jax leaned against the wall, with his voice flat. "Two more days. And then a fortress made of silver. This is going to be fun."

Piper shook her head. "Jax, stop complaining."

Jax sighed. "I am not complaining, Piper. I am just stating the facts."

Piper rolled her eyes. "You are still complaining, Jax."

"I am expressing my feelings," Jax said.

"You are still complaining," Piper repeated.

Jax threw his hands up. "Fine. I am complaining. Happy now, Piper?"

Piper smiled. "Very happy, Jax."

I laughed, and the sound carried through the cave. It was a small thing, but it felt important. It felt like hope.

Kaelen held me close, with his voice soft. "Rest, Talia. I will watch over you."

I closed my eyes, and I let myself rest.

Somewhere out there, my mother was waiting. And tomorrow, we would continue walking toward her.

I gripped my pendant, and I whispered into the darkness. "I am coming, Mother. I am coming."