Chapter 397 The Prayer

Chapter 397: Chapter 397 The Prayer

Talia’s POV

I reached to my side and pulled the dagger from where I had tucked it into my belt. The silver blade caught the firelight, and the black leather handle gleamed.

"Grandfather Aldric gave this to me tonight," I said. "Before I came up here."

Kaelen’s eyes widened. He reached out and touched the blade gently. "This was my grandmother’s."

"I know," I said. "He told me. He said she carried it into every battle she ever fought, and that she never lost."

Kaelen was quiet for a moment. His fingers traced the worn leather of the handle.

"He gave this to you?" he asked softly.

I nodded. "He said it belongs to the women of this family now. He said I am the strongest one he has ever known."

Kaelen looked at me, and his eyes were bright. "He is right."

I shook my head. "I do not feel strong."

He stepped closer and closed my fingers around the handle. "That is what makes you strong."

I looked down at the dagger. The weight of it felt different now. It was not just a weapon, it was a promise, a legacy, and a piece of his family that was now mine.

"I will carry it tomorrow," I said. "I will carry it for him, for your grandmother, and for you."

Kaelen leaned forward and pressed his lips to my forehead.

"Then I know we will win," he whispered.

I did not know what to say, so I just squeezed his hand.

The silence that followed was not uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence that comes between two people who do not need words.

But there was something I needed to say. Something I had been holding in since the moment I stepped onto this balcony.

"I am scared," I admitted.

Kaelen turned to face me. "I am scared too."

My brows furrowed together. "What are you scared of?" I asked.

He reached up and cupped my face in his hands. "Losing you."

My eyes filled with tears. "I am scared of losing you too."

He pulled me closer. "You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Talia."

I looked up at him. "You are the reason I learned to trust."

He kissed me. It was gentle at first, then it was deeper. His hands moved to my waist, and he pulled me closer. I felt his heartbeat against my chest, strong and steady. I melted into him, and for a moment, the war faded away.

I did not want the moment to end. I wanted to stay here, in his arms, where nothing could touch us.

We pulled back, gasping for air, and out of breathless.

Kaelen pressed his lips to my forehead. "You are not alone," he whispered.

I closed my eyes and let his words wash over me.

Then he took my hand in his. "Let us pray," he said. "Together."

I nodded, and I bowed my head.

Kaelen spoke first.

"Moon Goddess, we come before you tonight. We ask for your protection over the wolves who will fight tomorrow. Shield them from harm, and give them strength."

His voice did not waver, and each word landed on my skin like a stone dropped into still water.

He paused, and I could feel the weight of his prayer.

"We ask for your protection over those who will stay behind. The young, the old, the wounded. Keep them safe."

He paused for a moment, then he continued.

"Grant us courage, grant us wisdom, and grant us the strength to do what must be done."

Kaelen squeezed my hand. “Say a prayer, Luna.”

I opened one of my eyes half way and glanced at him. Then I smiled, took a deep breath, and I spoke.

"Moon Goddess, I ask for victory. Not for glory, but for peace. Let us end this war so that our children can grow up without fear."

I felt Kaelen’s hand tighten around mine.

"I ask for peace for the fallen. May they find rest in your embrace."

I paused, because I had to force each of the words I just said past the tightness in my throat.

"I ask for healing for the living. May they find the strength to carry on."

I thought of my mother, I thought of Piper, and I thought of Aldric.

"I ask for protection over my mother, Seraphina. She has suffered enough. Please keep her safe."

I thought of Kaelen.

"I ask for protection over Kaelen. He is my heart. Please bring him home to me."

Kaelen squeezed my hand. And together, we spoke the final words.

"Let good prevail over evil. Let light triumph over darkness. And let love conquer hate. We ask this in your name, Moon Goddess."

Neither of us spoke for a moment after that. The prayer hung in the air between us, waiting to be carried up to the stars.

The weight on my chest eased greatly. The fear was still there, but it was softer now.

Kaelen turned to me, and he pulled me into his arms.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too," I whispered.

We held each other tight. I pressed my face into his chest, and I listened to the steady rhythm of his heart. I did not want to let go.

"We need to go and rest," he said softly. "Everything is in order for the battle journey tomorrow."

I nodded against his chest, but I did not want to move.

He pulled back and took my hand.

"Come," he said. "Let us go inside."

We turned to leave the balcony.

But just then, a loud shout echoed from the allied camp below.

I froze, and Kaelen stopped beside me.

Another shout broke out. Followed by another.

Then chaos broke out.

Wolves were running, and fires were spreading.

The sound of fighting rose from the valley.

I looked at Kaelen and saw that his jaw was clenched, and his eyes had gone hard. The man who had held me moments before was gone, replaced by the Alpha.

We both immediately knew that something was wrong.