Chapter 270 The plan

Chapter 270: Chapter 270 The plan

Talia’s POV

Cain spoke, and his voice was low. "I will continue to scout the perimeter, and find the weak points."

Kaelen looked at him. "Good. We need every advantage we can get."

I looked at the group, and I felt the hope rising in my chest. We had a plan, and we had each other. And we would not stop until we found my mother.

The plan was set, but it meant splitting up.

Jax, Silas, Piper and Cain would create the distraction at the front gate. While me and Kaelen would find another way in.

Piper looked at me. "Talia, I do not want to leave you."

I took her hand. "You are not leaving me, Piper. You are helping me."

Piper shook her head. "What if something happens to you?"

I squeezed her hand. "Nothing will happen to me, Piper. I promise."

Piper’s eyes filled with tears. "Talia..."

I pulled her into a hug. "We will see each other again, Piper. I know we will."

Jax walked over. "Piper, we need to go."

Piper pulled back and looked at me. "Be careful, Talia."

I nodded. "You too, Piper."

Jax looked at Kaelen. "Alpha, we will draw them away, while you find that entrance."

Kaelen nodded. "We will."

Soon dusk had fallen, and the gray sky had turned to darkness.

We stood at the cave entrance. Jax, Silas, and Cain were ready, while Piper was beside Jax, with her hand in his.

Kaelen looked at them. "Wait for our signal. When you hear the howl, create the distraction."

Jax nodded. "We will, Alpha."

Silas spoke. "Be careful, Alpha."

Kaelen nodded. "You too."

I looked at Piper. "Piper..."

She hugged me. "I will see you soon, Talia."

I hugged her back. "I know you will."

Jax squeezed my shoulder. "We will see you inside, Luna."

I nodded. "Be safe, Jax."

He grinned. "I always am, Luna."

Kaelen took my hand. "It is time."

I looked at the group one last time. "Thank you. All of you."

Piper smiled. "We are with you, Talia."

Jax grinned. "Always, Luna."

Silas nodded. "Until the end."

Cain did not speak. He just nodded once.

Kaelen squeezed my hand. "Together, Talia."

I squeezed his hand. "Together, Kaelen."

Then we walked into the darkness.

The cold air hit my face the moment we stepped outside. The silver dust was thick in the air, and I could taste it on my tongue. I pulled my cloak tighter.

Kaelen walked beside me, with his hand wrapped around mine. His breathing was shallow, and I could see the welts on his neck despite the cloth. But he did not complain.

"Kaelen," I said. "Are you okay?"

He looked at me. "I am fine, Talia."

"Your breathing is shallow," I said.

"It will pass," he replied.

I shook my head. "Kaelen..."

He squeezed my hand. "Focus, Talia. We need to find that entrance."

I looked ahead. The fortress was somewhere in the darkness, hidden by the gray sky, but I could feel it. I could feel my mother.

"Which way?" Kaelen asked.

I closed my eyes and touched my pendant. It was cold and heavy, but I felt a pulse. It was very faint, but it was there.

"That way," I said, pointing north.

Kaelen nodded. "Then we go that way."

We walked in silence. The only sounds were our footsteps on the ash-covered ground and the whisper of the cold wind. The darkness was thick, and I could barely see two steps ahead.

Kaelen’s hand was warm in mine. "Talia, stay close."

"I am right here, Kaelen."

We walked for what felt like hours. The ground was uneven, and I stumbled more than once. But Kaelen caught me each time, with his grip steady.

I stopped walking. "Kaelen, wait."

He stopped. "What is it?"

I looked around. The darkness was thick, and I could not see anything, but I felt something like a pull.

"There is something here," I said.

He looked at me. "What do you mean?"

I touched my pendant again. The pulse was stronger now. "My pendant. It is pulling me."

Kaelen looked around. "Where?"

I pointed to the left. "There."

We walked toward the pull. The ground sloped downward, and I could hear the sound of dripping water.

Kaelen’s voice was low. "Talia, look."

I looked ahead, and I saw it.

There was a deep opening in the earth. It looked narrow and dark, and it was hidden behind a curtain of dead vines. It was barely visible, but I could feel the pull coming from it.

"Kaelen," I said. "This is it."

He looked at it. "Are you sure?"

I touched my pendant. The pulse was stronger now. "I am sure."

He squeezed my hand. "Then we go."

I took a breath, and I stepped toward the opening to see it better, even as the darkness swallowed us.