Avenging Luna
Chapter 131: Imprint On My Mate’s Pup

Chapter 131: Imprint On My Mate’s Pup

Leila POV:

What the hell do I do?

I stood there in the hallway, every nerve on edge as I waited for my baby—and for my doom. The cheerful chatter of the restaurant seemed far away, muffled by the pounding of my heart in my ears. My hands trembled slightly, and I clenched them into fists to steady myself.

Why? Why did he have to come back into my life now, of all times? Just when I’d found peace, a semblance of serenity in this quiet life I’d built for myself and Ash.

Half of me felt... relief. A dangerous, treacherous relief that warmed my chest and softened my resolve. Mate. Chase was here. Layla was practically purring, her happiness at his presence flooding through me like a tidal wave.

But the other half of me felt like the walls were closing in, and doom had come knocking on my door.

I had worked so hard to escape this—to escape him. And now, here he was, casually walking into my carefully rebuilt life as if the last three years hadn’t happened. As if he hadn’t spent all that time searching for me while I’d been doing everything in my power to stay hidden.

My wolf’s happiness clashed violently with my own panic, and it left me feeling disoriented, torn between two halves of myself.

I leaned back against the wall, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves. What was he even doing here? How had he found me? The witches’ wards they gave me were supposed to keep me safe, hidden from anyone who might come looking.

Layla’s voice in my mind was a whisper, smug yet soothing. Because he’s our mate. You can’t run from fate forever.

I gritted my teeth. Fate. Stupid, cruel fate.

The minutes dragged on, every second feeling like an eternity, until finally, I saw them coming back.

Ash was walking ahead, chatting animatedly and grinning ear to ear. His little hand still clung to Chase’s much larger one, and something about the sight made my heart clench. Chase looked... different. Softer, almost, as he listened to whatever story Ash was telling with rapt attention.

And then his eyes met mine.

That cocky smirk returned, but this time, there was something else in his gaze—something warmer, more intense. My breath hitched, and I felt like a deer caught in headlights.

What now, Leila? What the hell do I do now?

I was doomed. Truly, utterly doomed.

Standing there, staring at the vampire who I’d been running from for three years—and my son, who now seemed to think Chase was the greatest thing since sliced bread—I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or just run away all over again.

"Thank you for accompanying my son," I said as firmly as I could, mustering what little control I had over the situation. "I think we should take our leave now." I motioned for Ash to come to me, hoping my no-nonsense tone would do the trick.

But the little brat just grinned at me, that cheeky smile that told me he was up to no good.

"Uncle Chase here told me he’d buy me ice cream and teach me how to roller skate as a present for my birthday. Isn’t he great?"

I blinked. My jaw might’ve even dropped. Uncle Chase? Just two minutes. I gave a vampire two minutes with my son, and now the kid was calling him "uncle" and singing his praises.

"Ashton, come to me right now," I said, my voice sharper this time. "And he isn’t your uncle."

Ash’s cheeks flushed red. He knew I only used his full name when I was really mad. But the little pup still had the audacity to duck behind Chase, whispering just loud enough for me to hear, "Ooh boy, Mom’s mad."

Chase crouched slightly, smirking at Ash like they were sharing some grand conspiracy. "C’mon, Uncle Chase, be a man and defend me. We’re both men... charm her a little," Ash whispered, thinking I wouldn’t hear him.

My eyebrow twitched.

"Ashton..." I started again, trying to keep my patience intact. "I won’t call you again."

Chase, who had been gazing at Ash with a soft, almost endearing look that I couldn’t quite decipher, turned his attention back to me. His smug smile widened. "The kid is right, you know. It’s his birthday, and it’s the one day a child gets what he wants."

Ash nodded furiously, as if Chase had just imparted some profound life lesson.

I crossed my arms and glared at Chase. "I can’t believe you. I give you a few minutes with him, and you turn him against me?"

Chase had the decency to drop his smug expression. His face softened, and for the first time, I saw something genuine in his eyes. "Leila," he said, his tone low and almost pleading. "I don’t want a repeat of what happened. I’m not ready to lose you for another three years. Just... calm down. Let me fulfill the promise I made to the kid, and then we can talk. About us."

Those last two words made my heart stutter. My wolf whimpered softly in agreement. Mate.

Before I could even begin to form a reply, Ash peeked out from behind Chase, his wide, puppy-dog eyes tugging at every heartstring I had. "Please, Mummy? You don’t even know how to skate. Maybe he can teach you, too? And you did promise me ice cream... only this time, he’ll buy it, and you can use the money for something else for me."

I groaned internally. The little brat had me wrapped around his finger, and he knew it.

Chase raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips. "Looks like the kid’s got a point."

"Fine," I said through gritted teeth. "But just this once."

Ash cheered, and Chase’s smile turned victorious. My heart raced. I had a feeling this was only the beginning of my doom.

Chase POV:

I don’t know what prompted me to leave the hotel where I was lounging. Restless and uneasy, I decided to step out, hoping that maybe a change of scenery would help settle the turmoil inside me. I wandered until I came across a small, charming restaurant. It had a cozy vibe, the kind that might’ve calmed me on any other day. But not today.

Today, I was too close to her—my beloved. I could feel it. The bond tugged at me, pulling me in a direction I couldn’t fully comprehend. My appetite was nonexistent; eating was merely an excuse to pass the time, to think of my next move.

I sat at a table, ordered something I didn’t even bother to register, and glanced around the place. That’s when I saw her.

At first, it was just a glimpse—someone with dark hair, her build, her walk. She was holding the hand of a little boy. They were heading toward the bathrooms. My heart stuttered, and instinct took over.

It had to be her. It was her. I wasn’t a fool to dismiss the bond within me that tugged harder in her direction. The bond flared to life, tugging at me, urging me to follow. I couldn’t scent her, likely because of the damn witches’ masking magic, but I wasn’t stupid enough to ignore what I felt. I just knew it was her.

Years of hunting rogues and enemies had honed my instincts. My instincts had kept me alive for centuries, both as a vampire and as a hunter. They wouldn’t fail me now. This wasn’t a coincidence; this was fate.

Excusing myself from my table, I rose and followed them, careful not to alarm her. I didn’t know what I’d say, but I couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.

When I caught up, I found her standing in the hallway, struggling with what seemed like a dilemma. She was glancing between the doors to the ladies’ and men’s restrooms, clearly unsure where to take the little boy. The little boy beside her tugged at her hand impatiently, his small voice chattering about needing to go.

My eyes flicked to him. He was the little baby Lucy had been carrying the last time I saw her. Only, he wasn’t a baby anymore. He was walking, talking—albeit in that slightly garbled way young kids do.

And then, something hit me like a freight train.

The boy had her features—her dark hair, her skin tone, her lips, and her eyes. He was hers through and through. His resemblance to her was undeniable, but it wasn’t just that. The moment I saw him, a wave of emotion surged through me, stronger than anything I’d ever felt.

It wasn’t just the natural protectiveness I felt toward my beloved. It was something deeper, something primal.

I had imprinted on him.

Imprinting—something that was common for regular vampires but unheard of for a royal like me. Regular vampires imprinted on royals, their king or queen, as a sign of loyalty. It was a bond that forged devotion and allowed for an almost telepathic connection. But for a royal to imprint on someone else? Unthinkable.

Yet here I was, staring at a wolf pup, and the bond was already forged.

If Ash was ever in trouble, I would feel his pain as if it were my own. He could summon me with nothing more than a thought, and I’d find him no matter where he was. Just as my father’s subjects could locate him in times of need, I could now do the same to Ash.

Whenever he needed me, I would be compelled to come. I could find him anywhere, at any time, so long as he summoned me. The bond forged through this imprint was absolute.

A thousand emotions coursed through me. Relief that the boy was hers and not anyone else’s. Awe at how much he resembled her. Determination to protect him at all costs. And a deep, profound sense of responsibility.

The realization left me momentarily stunned. But I knew better than to reveal this to Leila—not yet. She’d barely let me near her, let alone her son. Telling her that I was now bound to her child would only make her think I was some kind of stalker, someone creeping around her child.

So, I hid it.

Masking my emotions with the practiced ease of a royal, I put on my best smug smile and stepped forward. "I can take him for you, mate," I said, letting my voice drip with a casual confidence I didn’t fully feel.

She turned to me, and for the first time in three years, our eyes met.

The shock in her face was evident. She didn’t think I’d find her. She didn’t think I’d still be looking. But she should’ve known better. Did she really think she could hide from me forever?

"Chase," she said, her voice a mixture of surprise and panic.

Her reaction was exactly what I expected. She was already building walls, trying to protect herself and the little boy she loved so fiercely. But I wasn’t here to hurt her.

Before she could argue, the little boy—Ash—interrupted. "Mom, hurry up! I’m pressed! Let the handsome man take me to pee!"

I chuckled softly at his bluntness, and something in my chest tightened again. How had she managed to raise someone so... wonderful?

Leila’s eyes snapped to mine, narrowing with suspicion. "One hair of his head goes missing, or if I hear a squeak, and I’ll have your dead heart in my hands within minutes," she growled, her protective instincts in full force.

I couldn’t help but smile, knowing she meant every word. "Don’t worry, love," I said smoothly, "you already have it."

Ash tugged at my hand, urging me to move. "C’mon, handsome man! Let’s go do what men do."

That nickname—handsome man—sent a wave of pride through me.

As I walked him to the restroom, I glanced back at Leila. Her expression was a mixture of worry, anger, and something softer she tried desperately to hide.

I’d found her. And I wasn’t letting her go this time.