The Alpha King And His Chosen Luna novel Chapter 226

< A moment to rest

A moment to rest

(Isla)

The office felt strangely quiet after everyone stopped talking. Caius stood beside me, but my thoughts refused to leave the vision behind. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him falling all over again. I hated that I couldn’t stop it from replaying in my mind.

I let my gaze wander across the shelves lining the walls. Books, maps, and records filled every space they always had. Before today, I would have thought the journal was no different

from the rest. Now I knew better.

‘You’re thinking too much,’ Vaela said.

‘I can’t help it.’

‘Fear won’t change what comes next.'”

I knew she was right. Even so, I couldn’t get rid of the feeling that something was still missing. The vision had answered one question while creating a dozen more. Somewhere inside those missing pieces was the truth.

Caius slipped his hand into mine again.

“Come with me.”

“Where?”

“Away from this office.”

I studied him for a moment before nodding. Staying here would only pull my thoughts back to the journal. I needed to clear my mind before tomorrow arrived. If I couldn’t find peace, I could at least find a moment to breathe.

We left the office together, and Raith stayed behind to guard the cabinet. I knew Caius had given the order because he trusted no one else with the journal. That alone told me how dangerous he believed it had become. Whatever waited inside those pages had already begun changing our lives.

As we walked through the pack house, wolves greeted us with respectful bows before continuing with their work. None of them knew what tomorrow would bring. I tightened my hold on Caius’s hand without thinking. Before another sunrise, the Eastern Council would stand inside Wraithbone, and I had a feeling nothing would ever be the same again.

Caius led me through the pack house without letting go of my hand, Neither of us said much.

< A moment to rest

We didn’t need to. The bond carried everything words couldn’t.

He brought me back to our quarters before opening the door. I stepped inside while he followed behind me. The familiar space felt calmer than the office had. Some of the weight on my chest eased the moment I crossed the threshold.

‘Rest,’ Vaela said.

‘I know.’

‘You need it.’

She wasn’t wrong. The vision had taken more out of me than I wanted to admit. Even standing felt harder than it had earlier.

Caius waited until I sat down before speaking.

“I’ve already asked Dena to have one of the servants bring you something to eat.”

“You didn’t have to.”

“I did.”

I looked up at him. There wasn’t a trace of doubt in his expression. Sera had told me to take it

easy, and Caius had every intention of making sure I listened.

“I’ll eat,” I said.

“I know you will.”

His answer made the corner of my mouth lift into a small smile. Even after everything that had happened today, he still found a way to make me feel safe. For a little while, I let myself stop thinking about tomorrow.

A soft knock sounded at the door a few minutes later. One of the servants stepped inside carrying a tray before placing it on the table. Fresh bread, sliced fruit, warm tea, and a bowl of soup filled the tray. After offering a respectful bow, the servant quietly left us alone again.

Caius looked at me.

“Eat.”

I picked up the spoon without arguing. If I wanted the strength to face tomorrow, I knew I had to start by listening today.

The soup was warm, and I forced myself to finish most of it before setting the bowl aside. Caius didn’t rush me or remind me to eat more. He simply stayed beside me, watching with

A moment to rest

quiet patience. Somehow, his presence made even the smallest task feel easier.

“Better?” he asked.

“A little.”

“That’s enough for today.”

I looked at him and nodded. For the first time since touching the journal, I finally allowed myself to believe rest was exactly what I needed.

Caius stepped closer and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. His touch was gentle, as though he thought I might still break if he wasn’t careful. I reached for his hand before he could pull away. I wasn’t ready to let go of the one thing that made everything else seem less frightening.

“You should sleep,” he said.

“I will.”

He nodded once, and together we walked toward our bedroom.

The moment I lay down, I felt the mattress give beneath me. My body welcomed the chance to stop moving after everything the day had demanded. Caius pulled the blanket over me before sitting on the edge of the bed. He rested one hand over mine and stayed there without saying a word.

“You don’t have to stay.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify