Chapter 68 Kaelen’s new respect 1

Chapter 68: Chapter 68 Kaelen’s new respect 1

Talia’s POV

The hallway was still busy when we left the hall.

Wolves rushed past us in hurried steps, all whispering about what had happened, and trying to get to their own rooms. Servants rushed by with armfuls of linens and empty trays, and voices echoed off the stone walls, as doors slammed shut up and down the corridor.

Kaelen walked beside me, with his hand still holding mine.

His palm was warm against my skin, and I had not realized he was still holding my hand until now, because I was lost in thought, as I replayed the whole day’s events in my head. I looked down at our intertwined fingers, then back up at his face.

He was not looking at me. His gray eyes were fixed ahead, scanning, watching, and assessing the crowd, in a constant alert mood.

I wondered if he was looking for threats, for more enemies, and for anyone else who might try to hurt me.

After what happened with Vivienne, I would not blame him.

Wolves pushed past us, with their shoulders brushing against mine. Kaelen pulled me closer, with his arm wrapping around my waist.

"Stay close," he said, in a low and quiet voice.

I did not argue.

We walked through the chaos together, and for the first time all night, I felt safe.

Then he stopped walking, and I stopped too.

I looked at him, wanting to ask why we had stopped, but I noticed his eyes had lost focus, and he was staring at something I could not see.

His eyes were unfocused, and distant, but he was not looking at me or at anyone in the hallway.

I had seen this look before on Celeste, on the guards, and on the servants of Cresswood. It was the mind-link, and pack communication.

One of the maids at Cresswood had explained it to me once, and I always wondered why I could not do it. But I did not let it bother me then, as I had no trusted person to ask.

I waited. My heart was pounding as I wondered what was happening. Was something wrong? Was someone else planning to hurt me?

Kaelen’s jaw tightened, and his free hand clenched into a fist.

Then, just as suddenly as it started, his eyes cleared.

He blinked, looked away, and he looked back at me, as his gray eyes became soft.

"What was that?" I asked. "Your eyes went... strange."

"I was mindlinking someone," he said.

"Who?" I asked.

He smiled just a little. "Be patient. You will see."

Jax appeared around the corner, and two servants followed behind him.

They walked past us and went straight into my room.

"What are they doing?" I asked.

"They are moving your things to my room," he answered.

I watched as Jax instructed the servants to carry my things down the hallway. They had my bag, my dresses, my brush, and everything I had brought with me.

"I do not understand," I said. "Why now? Why tonight?"

Kaelen turned to face me, and his gray eyes were serious. "Because after what happened, I am not letting you out of my sight."

"But my room is right there, and I am not going anywhere," I argued.

"You are not safe alone," he replied.

"I have guards," I said, pointing at them a few paces behind us.

"Guards can be distracted, and guards can be bought." His voice was hard. "I will not take that risk."

I stared at him. "You really think someone else will try to hurt me?"

"I think Vivienne had allies, I know Celeste is still here, and I know your father stood there and said nothing while his wife confessed to murder." He stepped closer. "So yes. I think someone else will try to hurt you, and I will be there when they try."

I looked at him for a moment, then I nodded, because I knew that I could not argue with him, and he was right to be on guard.

"Where are they taking my things?" I asked.

Kaelen looked at me. "I just told you that you are moving into my room."

I stared at him. "Why?"

"Because I need to be sure you are safe, Talia." His voice was calm and final. "After tonight, I am not letting you out of my sight."

I did not argue or ask anymore questions.

We walked behind the servants to his room. The servants set my things down, and when they were done arranging it all, they left.

Jax lingered at the door. He looked at Kaelen, then at me, then back at Kaelen with a mischievous smile on his face.

"You guys are about to hit it tonight, right?" he said, smiling and winking at Kaelen.

My face became hot, as it burned from embarrassment.

Kaelen glared at him. "I am sure you have better things to do now, Jax."

"The pack will talk," Jax said, laughing.

"Let them talk," Kaelen said nonchalantly.

Jax shrugged. "It is your decision. Enjoy." He closed the door behind him.

I looked at Kaelen. "What will the pack say?"

"That I am sharing a room with my mate. That is nothing new," Kaelen said, taking off his shirt.

"But we are not..." I trailed off.

He raised an eyebrow. "Not what?"

I looked away. "Nothing."

The fire crackled, the room was warm, and I could feel his eyes on me, but I did not look up.

The room was larger than the one I had moved from, and the bed was big enough for four people.

Kaelen turned to look at me.

"I know you did that," he said.

"Did what?" I asked.