Chapter 76 The journey to Stoneclaw territory 1

Chapter 76: Chapter 76 The journey to Stoneclaw territory 1

Talia’s POV

The rest of the week passed in a blur of study and preparation.

Every day, I woke up before dawn and walked to Kaelen’s study. Every night, I fell asleep at his desk, with my head resting on a pile of notes, and he carried me back to our room.

The bridge between us seemed to thin further, as we grew closer in those days.

He was patient with me, explaining things I did not understand without making me feel stupid. When I stumbled over my words during practice negotiations, he did not laugh. He just gently said, "Try again."

I learned quickly. I memorized facts about the Stoneclaw Pack, their history, their territory, and their Alpha. I practiced my arguments until I could say them in my sleep.

One evening, after a long session, I asked him about his childhood.

He was quiet for a moment. Then he told me about his father, about growing up as the Alpha’s heir, and about the weight of expectations.

"It was lonely," he said. "I did not have friends then, because I had responsibilities at a young age. Until Jax, Silas, and Cain came along."

I thought about my own childhood. I remembered the storage room, the hunger, and the cold.

Some nights, the cold was so bad I could not feel my fingers. I would press them against my stomach and wait for feeling to return, and it always did. But the memory of the numbness never left, just like the memory of my mother’s voice, and just like the memory of the fire.

"I did not have friends either," I said. "Except Piper."

He looked at me. "Tell me about your mother."

So I did.

I told him about the fire, about her voice, and about the way she looked at me before she went back into the flames.

He did not offer empty comfort, and he did not say it would be okay. He just listened.

And sometimes, that was enough.

The fire crackled in the hearth, and the shadows danced on the walls. I watched Kaelen’s face in the flickering light, and I saw something I had not noticed before. There was softness, and concern, and maybe even care.

"Do you think I am ready?" I asked.

He was quiet for a moment. "I think you have been ready for a long time, but you just did not know it."

I wanted to believe him. "What if I fail?" I asked.

"Then you try again." He leaned back in his chair. "That is what surviving means. You do not stop."

I nodded, and stored his words in my memory.

The week of preparation was over, and the morning of the journey arrived before I was ready.

I woke up before dawn and before Kaelen for the first time, with my heart pounding, and my hands shaking. Today, we would leave for Stoneclaw territory, and today, I would face Alpha Stone.

I climbed out of bed, moved to the bathroom, took a quick shower and dressed in comfortable traveling clothes that I had arranged yesterday. I wore navy blue jeans, black boots, and a warm jacket, with fabric that was soft and easy to move in.

Kaelen was already awake when I stepped out of the bathroom. He was standing by the window, watching the darkness outside.

"I see you are ready," he said.

"Yes, I am," I answered. "Are you?" I asked.

"Yes. I quickly used the study bathroom when I woke up, and I saw you headed for this one. That way we can both be ready."

I smiled softly and nodded gratefully.

"It is time," he said.

I nodded again, and we walked to the entrance together.

When we stepped outside the pack house, Jax, Silas, and Cain were already there, and a car was waiting, with its engine humming softly.

I stopped and turned to look at Kaelen. "We are not taking the car," I said.

Kaelen turned to look at me. "What?"

"We are going to negotiate peace, not to show off our wealth." My voice was steady. "The Stoneclaw Pack is struggling, and if we arrive in a fancy car, they will see us as enemies showing off, not as allies seeking peace."

Kaelen’s jaw tightened. "The car is faster."

"Faster does not mean better," I said.

He opened his mouth to argue, but a voice spoke from behind us.

"She is right."

We turned, and Alpha Aldric was standing in the doorway, with his arms crossed, and his gray eyes sharp.

"Talia is wise," he said. "You can still go fast with our fastest horses."

Kaelen looked at his grandfather, then at me. Then he nodded. "Get the carts," he said.

Carts were brought, and horses were harnessed. The animals were indeed strong and fast-looking, and their coats gleamed in the faint morning light.

I watched the horses as they stomped their feet and tossed their heads. They were restless, and eager to run, and I understood the feeling.

Jax climbed into the first cart with Silas and grinned at me. "Nervous?"

"Not at all," I lied.

He laughed. "You are a terrible liar, Luna."

I barely smiled, but I did not answer.