Avenging Luna
Chapter 169: MindLink

Chapter 169: MindLink

Chase POV:

As we lay there, gazing into each other’s eyes like teenagers drunk on their first crush, something strange and unfamiliar washed over me. It was like a door in my mind creaked open, a faint breeze carrying the presence of something—someone—else. The sensation was almost indescribable, and I wasn’t sure if I was imagining it.

Then, I heard her voice.

"It’s called a mind link."

Leila’s voice resonated in my head, clear as a bell, but her lips never moved. The realization startled me, and my reaction made her chuckle, her mouth curving in a way that made my chest tighten.

"Do it again," I said quickly, wanting to hear it again, wanting to confirm that I wasn’t losing my grip on reality.

She smirked at me, clearly enjoying my surprise. And then, her voice filled my head once more. "You are my mate," she said through the link, her voice echoing softly, like ripples in water. But as I looked at her, I noticed the faint blush creeping across her cheeks, the way she seemed suddenly shy about the admission.

"So, this is how you wolves communicate?" I asked aloud, and she nodded, the blush still tinting her face.

"Yeah," she said, smirking again, her confidence returning. "No need for cell phones."

Her playful tone made me grin, but curiosity tugged at me. "How is it possible?" I asked, needing to understand the strange connection we now shared.

Her hand moved to the spot on my neck where she had marked me, her touch sending a shockwave of heat through my body. I groaned involuntarily, my reaction undeniable. The connection between us was more than emotional—it was physical, electric, and entirely consuming.

"I think the mark gives us the ability to mind link," she said softly, her voice carrying a mix of certainty and awe.

"Can I also talk to you through it?" I asked, my curiosity deepening.

She nodded. "You can, but it takes a little focus at first. Just think about what you want to tell me—focus on me—and try to send it without saying it out loud."

I nodded, eager to try. Closing my eyes, I concentrated on her, on what I wanted her to hear. The words formed clearly in my mind, and I pictured myself saying them to her: "I love you."

The moment I thought the words, her gasp was audible, her eyes wide with shock as she looked at me. "Did you hear it?" I asked, my own voice laced with nervous anticipation.

She nodded, her cheeks flushing even deeper now. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

"I meant what I said," I told her softly, holding her gaze. "I love you, Lei." The nickname—one I had been saving for her—slipped out naturally, as if it had always been hers.

She smiled faintly, but her eyes dropped, avoiding mine. "Chase, I’m sorry, I can’t—"

"Shh," I interrupted gently, placing a finger on her lips before she could finish. "Me saying that I love you doesn’t mean you have to say it back. It’s not a condition, Leila. I said it because it’s how I feel, not because I expect anything in return."

Her eyes flickered up to mine, uncertainty mingling with something I couldn’t quite place.

"I just want you to know how I feel," I continued. "When you’re ready—if you’re ever ready—you’ll tell me. Or you won’t. It doesn’t matter. Just... let me say it. Let me feel it."

She opened her mouth as if to protest, but I leaned in and kissed her, silencing her words.

"I love you," I murmured again, this time through the mind link.

Her lips curved into a smile against mine, and though she didn’t say the words, I could feel her emotions through the kiss. It was enough—more than enough. She might not be ready to say it back, but her actions, her presence, her warmth—all of it told me what I needed to know. She was mine, and I was hers.

Her smile lingered on her lips as we pulled away, and though her words were absent, her eyes spoke volumes. There was something in her gaze—soft yet unyielding, guarded yet filled with promise. I didn’t press her further; I didn’t need to. The fact that she was here with me, letting me in, was enough.

I brushed a strand of hair from her face, letting my fingers linger against her cheek. Her warmth seeped into me, grounding me in the moment. "You’re incredible, you know that?" I whispered.

Her blush deepened, and she swatted at me lightly, trying to deflect the compliment. "Don’t get too used to me being nice, Chase," she teased, her voice light, but her lips quirked into a smile.

"Too late," I shot back, grinning at her. "I’m already used to it. Besides, I think you’re nicer than you let on."

She rolled her eyes, but her smile gave her away. "Let’s not make this a habit," she said, her voice teasing, but there was no real bite to her words.

I laughed softly, pulling her closer so she rested against my chest. For a while, neither of us spoke, the silence comfortable and soothing. My fingers absentmindedly traced patterns on her back, and her breathing slowed, matching mine. The world outside faded, leaving just us in the quiet sanctuary we’d created.

But the stillness couldn’t last forever.

"You know," I began, my voice breaking the silence, "this mind link thing is going to be a problem."

Her head tilted up to look at me, an eyebrow raised. "Oh? How so?"

"Because now I have no excuse to not answer you when you’re trying to reach me," I said with a mock-serious expression. "What if I need some peace and quiet? Some Chase time?"

She smirked, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Oh, don’t worry. I’ll make sure to interrupt all your ’Chase time.’ Especially when you’re doing something important. Or embarrassing."

I groaned dramatically, making her laugh. Her laughter was light, musical, and I realized it was a sound I wanted to hear every day for the rest of my life.

"Leila," I said, my tone softening. Her laughter faded as she met my gaze, something unspoken passing between us. "Thank you."

She frowned slightly, confusion flickering across her face. "For what?"

"For letting me in," I said simply. "For trusting me. For... being you."

Her lips parted, but no words came. Instead, she cupped my face in her hands, her touch featherlight. Her eyes searched mine, as if she were trying to decipher the sincerity of my words, but whatever she found seemed to satisfy her. She leaned in, her lips brushing mine in a kiss that was gentle but filled with an intensity that made my heart race.

When she pulled back, her expression was softer, more vulnerable. "You’re impossible, you know that?" she murmured.

"Yeah, but you like me anyway," I replied, grinning.

She laughed again, shaking her head, and nestled closer to me, her body fitting perfectly against mine. I held her tightly, my heart full in a way I hadn’t thought possible.

For the first time in a long time, everything felt right.

I groaned, the sound guttural and filled with frustration, as the knock came again—this time louder, more urgent. Seriously? Couldn’t whoever it was have waited another five minutes? Or, you know, forever?

"You should answer it," Leila said, her voice steady but her expression soft with understanding.

I tilted my head back against the couch, exhaling deeply as if that would somehow purge the frustration bubbling inside me. "Do I have to?" I muttered, not bothering to hide the irritation in my tone.

She smiled faintly, her fingers brushing lightly over my forearm. "Yes, Chase. You do."

Another knock—this one firm and insistent—cut off any retort I might have had. Whoever was on the other side of that door clearly didn’t care that they were intruding on what might have been the most perfect moment of my life.

Reluctantly, I untangled myself from Leila, the loss of her warmth immediately sending a pang of annoyance through me as I put on my short. I padded over to the door, dragging my feet like a rebellious teenager. Whoever was out there had better have a damn good reason for ruining this.

When I yanked the door open, ready to unleash a string of complaints, my frustration evaporated in an instant. My brother, Damon, stood there. But he wasn’t his usual cocky, mischievous self. His smirk was nowhere to be found, replaced by a grim expression that instantly put me on edge.

"Shit," I muttered under my breath, my stomach sinking. Damon didn’t do serious unless it was bad—really bad.

I took a step back to let him in, my mind already racing.

"What’s going on?" I asked, my voice low and sharp.

Damon glanced over flicking past me to Leila, who was still on the bed covering herself with the bed sheet, her arms crossed as she studied him. The weight of his silence was suffocating, the air in the room growing heavier with each passing second.

Finally, he spoke, his voice strained and uncharacteristically quiet.

"Chase... There’s something you need to know."

And just like that, the perfect moment was gone.