Avenging Luna
Chapter 161: After Vengeance

Chapter 161: After Vengeance

Chase’s POV:

The moment I saw the castle come into view, an odd sensation rippled through me. Relief, maybe? Or perhaps it was anticipation. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d missed this place until now. Not the cold stone walls or the grand halls—those were just structures—but the people within. No, the person within.

Leila. And Ash too, of course. That kid had somehow warmed his way into my dead, frozen heart without me noticing. They’d both made this castle feel alive, a sanctuary of sorts, even for someone like me.

I’d been gone for weeks, carrying out my plans to erase the stain of the Blood Moon Pack from existence. It was dirty work, the kind of thing that required precision, patience, and a level of ruthlessness that I hadn’t tapped into in a while. But it was done now, and the world was better for it. Safer—for Leila especially.

She didn’t know yet, of course. I hadn’t told her what I was doing or why. She might never know the full truth. Some burdens are meant to be carried alone, and this one? This one was mine. The fewer people who knew, the less chance there was of anyone linking the pack’s destruction to me or to vampires in general. I wasn’t about to risk sparking a war between wolves and my kind.

As I stepped through the castle gates, I was greeted by the familiar sounds of home: the faint echoes of voices, the distant hum of movement, the subtle creaks of an ancient structure settling into itself. But one sound stood out above the rest—a child’s laughter.

Ash.

The sound brought a smile to my lips. It was light and carefree, a stark contrast to the darkness I’d just left behind. I followed the sound, letting it guide me like a beacon, until I reached the main hall.

There he was, the little rascal, running circles around one of the guards, who looked utterly bewildered. When Ash spotted me, his face lit up like the sun breaking through a storm.

"Uncle Chase!" he yelled, barreling toward me at full speed.

I braced myself just in time for the impact as he launched himself at me, wrapping his tiny arms around my waist. For a moment, I just stood there, stunned by the sheer warmth of his welcome. Then I placed a hand on his head, ruffling his hair.

"Miss me, kid?" I asked, my voice softer than I intended.

"Duh!" he replied, looking up at me with a grin that was missing a front tooth. "You were gone forever!"

"Two weeks isn’t forever," I said, though it certainly felt like it.

"To me, it is!" he countered, crossing his arms in a mock pout.

Before I could respond, another voice cut through the air, sending a jolt through me.

"You’re back."

Leila.

I turned to find her standing at the entrance to the hall, her expression unreadable. Her eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. She looked... different. Softer, maybe. There was a lightness to her that hadn’t been there before.

"Leila," I said, her name tasting like a prayer on my tongue.

She moved toward me, her steps slow at first, then faster, until she was standing right in front of me. And then, to my utter shock, she threw her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug.

For a moment, I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. I wasn’t used to this—Leila’s touched, being welcomed. But then my arms moved on their own, wrapping around her slender frame. She fit perfectly against me, her warmth seeping into my cold body like a balm.

"You’re really back," she murmured, her voice muffled against my chest.

"I am," I replied, my voice thick with emotions I couldn’t name.

She pulled back just enough to look up at me, her eyes searching mine. "I didn’t think you’d be gone this long."

"Neither did I," I admitted. "But I’m here now."

She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. And for a moment, I wanted nothing more than to kiss her, to close the distance between us and claim her as mine. But then I glanced down and saw Ash watching us with wide, curious eyes.

Not the time, I reminded myself.

So instead, I settled for resting my forehead against hers for a brief moment before stepping back.

"Come on," she said, her voice lighter now. "Ash and I were about to eat. You can join us."

"Lead the way," I said, gesturing for her to go ahead.

Dinner was a chaotic, noisy affair, mostly thanks to Ash. The kid had a million things to say, all of them spilling out at once as he animatedly recounted everything he and Leila had done while I was gone.

"And then mommy let me stay up late, but only because I promised to eat all my vegetables, and I did, but carrots are still gross, and I think she only let me stay up because she was reading a boring book and didn’t notice the time, but don’t tell her I said that!"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Your secret’s safe with me, kid."

Leila shot me a mock glare from across the table. "Don’t encourage him."

"What can I say? I’m a sucker for a good story," I replied, smirking.

Her lips twitched, and for a moment, I thought she might actually smile.

The rest of the meal passed in a blur of laughter and warmth, the kind that seeped into your bones and made you forget, if only for a little while, about all the darkness in the world.

By the time Ash had finished his meal, he was practically bouncing in his seat.

"Can I go play now?" he asked, looking between me and Leila.

"Only if you promise not to cause any trouble," she said, arching an eyebrow.

"I promise!" he said, already halfway out of his chair.

Once he was gone, the room fell silent, leaving just me and Leila.

She looked at me, her expression softer now. "It’s good to have you back."

"It’s good to be back," I replied, meaning every word.

For a moment, we just sat there, the silence between us comfortable. And for the first time in weeks, I felt like I could breathe again.

I didn’t tell her about the Blood Moon Pack. Not yet. That conversation would come in time, when the scars of her past didn’t feel so fresh. For now, I was content to simply be here, in this moment, with her.

And as I watched her across the table, a thought struck me—a realization that sent a jolt through me.

This was home. She was home. And I would do whatever it took to protect that. To protect her. Always.

After the meal, as Ash darted off to find Damon, his infectious laughter echoing through the halls, I turned my attention to Leila. She was tidying up Ash mess at the table, though her eyes were distant, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.

"Leila," I called softly, drawing her gaze to mine. Her brows raised slightly in question.

"Come with me," I said, my voice leaving no room for argument but still gentle enough not to alarm her.

"To where?" she asked, her tone guarded as always, though I noticed a hint of curiosity flicker in her eyes.

"My chambers," I replied simply.

That gave her pause. She hesitated, glancing in the direction Ash had gone, then back at me. "And what about Ash?"

"Damon’s with him," I said, offering her a small smirk. "He’ll be fine. Damon’s good at keeping an eye on him, even if he won’t admit it."

Leila snorted at that, shaking her head. "Damon and children. That’s a sight."

"You’d be surprised," I replied, gesturing toward the hallway. "Shall we?"

After a moment, she nodded, brushing her hands down the front of her dress as if to steady herself. I led the way, keeping my pace slow so she wouldn’t feel rushed. The walk through the winding halls was quiet, the only sounds the faint hum of the castle around us. I could feel her presence close behind me, a warmth that contrasted sharply with my naturally cold body.

When we reached my chambers, I pushed the door open and stepped aside to let her enter first. She hesitated briefly before walking in, her gaze sweeping over the space.

"This feels... fitting," she murmured, her tone neutral but edged with something I couldn’t quite place.

The room was exactly as I’d left it—spacious but stark, its dark tones and heavy furniture more functional than inviting. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across the stone walls.

"It’s not much," I admitted, closing the door behind us. "But it serves its purpose."

Leila turned to face me, her arms crossed over her chest. "And why, exactly, did you bring me here?"

I stepped closer, keeping my movements measured. "Because I wanted to talk to you without interruptions. Without Ash or Damon or anyone else around."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion clouding her expression. "About what?"

There it was—that guarded edge, the walls she always kept firmly in place. I couldn’t blame her for it, not after everything she’d been through. But tonight, I needed her to let those walls down, even if only a little.

"About us," I said, my voice quiet but firm.

Her posture stiffened at that, her arms tightening around herself like a shield. "What about us?"

I took another step closer, stopping when there was only a breath of space between us. "Leila, I’ve been gone for weeks. And not a day went by when I didn’t think about you. About Ash. About this... thing between us that we keep dancing around."

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, she looked like she might bolt. But then she squared her shoulders, her gaze locking onto mine. "And what exactly is ’this thing,’ Chase? Because I don’t know if I can do this—whatever it is you think we’re doing."

I reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face. She flinched slightly at the contact but didn’t pull away. Progress.

"It’s not about what I think we’re doing," I said softly. "It’s about what we already are. Whether you want to admit it or not, Leila, you’ve become a part of my life. More than that—you’ve become my life. You and Ash."

Her eyes softened, but there was still a flicker of doubt there. "Chase... I’ve spent my entire life trying to survive. I don’t know how to be... this. How to let someone in. The last time I did it didn’t end well."

"Then let me show you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

For a long moment, she just stared at me, her expression a storm of emotions I couldn’t quite decipher. Then, to my utter relief, she took a tentative step closer, her hands coming to rest lightly on my chest.

"I don’t know if I can promise you anything," she admitted, her voice trembling.

"You don’t have to," I replied, cupping her face gently in my hands. "Just let me be here for you. For Ash. That’s all I ask."

She closed her eyes, leaning into my touch. "You make it sound so simple."

"Because it is," I said, a small smile tugging at my lips.

Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, I thought she might smile back. But then she stepped back, wrapping her arms around herself once more.

"I should check on Ash," she said, her tone neutral but her eyes betraying her inner turmoil.

I didn’t stop her. I knew this was as much as she could give right now, and I wasn’t about to push her further.

"All right," I said, stepping aside to let her pass. "But Leila?"

She paused at the door, glancing back at me.

"I’m not going anywhere," I said, my voice firm. "No matter how long it takes."

She held my gaze for a moment, then nodded slightly before slipping out of the room.

As the door closed behind her, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. Progress, I told myself. Slow, but steady.

And for the first time in weeks, I felt a glimmer of hope.