HIDDEN HOWL

Chapter Eleven: The Safe Space

TRINITY

I sat on the edge of my bed, the only sound in the room the quiet sniffles that seemed to come from deep within my chest.

My hands clutched the soft blankets around me, but it didn’t bring any comfort. I was suffocating here, trapped in this grand, empty castle, surrounded by walls that weren’t just made of stone, but of expectations. Regret wrapped around me like a second skin, and the weight of it bore down on my shoulders.

I had been foolish to return.

Foolish to think I could step back into this life as if it hadn’t changed. The city had felt like freedom—clean air, new opportunities, people who didn’t see me as some weakling or embarrassment.

But here I was. Back at the Crimson Moon Pack. Back for the Ascension Ceremony, a ridiculous event I never even wanted to be a part of.

And look at where it got me.

I regretted it the moment I stepped foot back in this place . Every corridor, every room seemed to echo with the weight of my past here, suffocating me further. I could hear my own thoughts, but they didn’t comfort me. They only reminded me how out of place I felt.

I haven't stepped out of my room in days. What was the point since I couldn't leave the palace? The thought of bumping into any of the triplets terrified me in more ways than one.

Tears started to spill out of my eyes, unbidden and unstoppable. I tried to wipe them away, but they kept coming, as if some dam inside me had broken. I hated this. Hated how vulnerable I felt.

I needed to escape, if only for a moment. My legs pushed me up from the bed before I even realized what I was doing. I bolted out of the room, my feet carrying me down the hall, my breath ragged, my mind a whirlwind of frustration and despair.

I needed air. I needed to be anywhere but here.

I could barely see where I was going. It was no wonder I collided into something.

Or someone.

A sharp intake of breath filled the air, followed by a low grunt. I stumbled back, looking up to see none other than Liam, standing before me with his hands raised slightly, as if to steady me. His face softened when he saw my tear-streaked cheeks, and for a moment, all I could do was stare at him.

His dark gray eyes locked with mine, and something flickered there—something deep, something… undeniable. A spark.

"Trinity?" The surprise in his voice was genuine. "Trinity, what—" he started, his words faltering.

My lips still trembled as I quickly wiped at my face.

"I’m fine," I lied.

He took a step forward, his hand reaching out toward me as if it were by impulse.

"You don’t have to lie to me," he said softly, his tone gentle. "What happened?"

Liam was always the gentle one out of the triplets. He was always so calm and collected… he hardly bullied me like the others did.

But that didn't mean he liked me back when we were younger. He still kept his distance.

Until now.

"It’s nothing," I whispered.

A groan took over his features and I could tell that he was getting frustrated.

I expected him to yell at me, demand an explanation…. But he didn't.

Instead he said, "It’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it. But I do have a suggestion that can take your mind off of everything. Just for a little while. What do you say?”

I wanted to resist. I wanted to turn away and bury myself in the shadows of my room again, but there was something in his voice, something that made me hesitate, something that made me… curious. And before I could second-guess myself, I found myself nodding, following him down the corridor.

We walked in silence, my mind still a storm, but I didn’t protest. Liam seemed to know where he was going, and I didn’t have the energy to question him.

He led me to a large door, it's dark wood polished and worn with age. He pushed it open, revealing a large room bathed in soft, warm light. The space inside was tranquil, serene—mats scattered across the floor, candles flickering gently in the corners, and a soft scent of incense in the air.

“This is my safe space,” Liam said, his voice low, reverent. “I come here to meditate. To clear my mind.”

I stepped inside, taking in the room, and for the first time since returning, I felt a flicker of peace. It wasn’t much, but it was something. I turned to Liam, a question on the tip of my tongue.

“Would you… would you show me?” I asked in a low tone. “How you meditate.”

He smiled at me which expressed that this is an understanding smile, and motioned for me to sit on one of the mats. “Of course. It’s not hard. You just have to focus on your breath.”

I nodded, following his instructions. We sat across from each other, legs crossed, and he closed his eyes. His presence was steady, calm, and it made the space feel more expansive somehow.

“Close your eyes,” Liam continued, his voice a gentle guide. “Take a deep breath in… hold it… now let it out slowly. Let the tension go.”

I tried to follow his instructions, my breath coming in uneven intervals, my mind drifting between fragments of memories, thoughts, worries. But Liam’s voice remained steady, anchoring me. Slowly, the chaos inside me began to still.

His hand brushed mine as we adjusted our positions, and I felt a jolt run through me. It was simple, innocent—just a touch, but it was enough to send a wave of warmth flooding my chest. I glanced up, meeting his eyes again.

There it was again—the spark.

My pulse quickened, and I couldn’t tear my gaze away. He looked at me as if he understood—understood everything I wasn’t saying.

His face moved closer, and just as I felt his breath on my lips, a loud, sharp voice broke the silence.

“What the hell is going on here?”