Chapter 185 The mated pair 1

Chapter 185: Chapter 185 The mated pair 1

Talia’s POV

The morning light filtered through the window, soft and golden.

I blinked against the brightness, feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. It was a new day, and everything felt different, lighter, and brighter, like the world itself was celebrating with us.

I lay in Kaelen’s arms, with my head resting on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. The mark on my neck was still tender, but the pain had faded, and it was now replaced by a warmth that spread through my entire body.

I touched it and smiled softly.

The mark was still tender beneath my fingers, but it no longer hurt. It felt like a part of me now, like it had always been there, just waiting to be awakened.

Last night had changed everything, and we were bonded now. We were truly, and completely bonded. I could also now feel him in a way I never had before.

It was like a new sense had opened up inside me, like a connection that went beyond words and touched something deeper. I could feel the beat of his heart as if it were my own.

I could feel his emotions, his thoughts, and his love. It was all so overwhelming and beautiful.

Kaelen stirred beside me. His arm tightened around my waist, and I felt his lips press against the top of my head.

"Good morning," he said.

"Good morning," I replied, tilting my head up to look at him.

His gray eyes were soft, and he smiled down at me. He reached up and touched the mark on my neck, with his thumb brushing over the tender skin.

"Does it hurt?" he asked.

"A little," I admitted. "But it is a good pain."

He smiled brightly, kissed me softly, and I melted into his touch.

I did not want the moment to end. I wanted to stay here forever, wrapped in his arms, and I just wanted to keep feeling the warmth of his love surrounding me.

Then his eyes lost focus. I had seen that look before, when he was mind-linking someone.

I waited, watching his face change, the way his jaw tightened, and the way his breathing slowed.

Then suddenly, I heard a voice that sounded like Grandfather Aldric’s voice, talking. It was not coming from outside the room, it was coming from inside my head, and it was clear and strong, like he was standing right beside me.

"The pack should know," I heard him say. "Gather them in the hall. They need to see their Alpha and Luna bonded."

I heard Kaelen respond. "Yes, Grandfather. I will tell Talia."

The voices faded, and I blinked, trying to understand what had just happened.

When Kaelen’s eyes cleared, he looked at me.

His expression was soft, but I could see the excitement hidden beneath the calm. He was happier than I had ever seen him.

"Grandfather says we should gather the pack in the Gathering Hall. He wants to announce that we are bonded."

I nodded. "I heard him."

Kaelen blinked. "What?"

I frowned, because I was sure I had not imagined it. I had heard Aldric’s voice, clear and strong, as if he was standing right beside me.

"I heard his voice... in my head. And I heard you telling him that we had completed the bond." I said slowly.

He stared at me for a moment, and then a slow smile spread across his face.

"I forgot," he said. "We are bonded now. So you can hear the pack’s mind-link."

I had always wondered what it would feel like to be truly connected to the pack. But now I knew. It was like being wrapped in a warm blanket of belonging.

My eyes widened. "I can?"

"Yes." He reached up and cupped my face. "You are part of the pack in a way you were not before. So now, you can hear them. All of them. And you could hear my conversation with Grandfather, because I did not block you out."

I felt the tears prick at my eyes.

I had waited so long for this moment, and I had fought so hard to earn my place. And now, it was finally mine.

I was truly part of the pack now. Not just as the Alpha’s mate, but as a wolf who belonged.

"I will mind-link Cain," he said. "I will tell him to gather the pack."

I watched his eyes lose focus again, and I knew he was speaking to Cain.

When his eyes cleared, he smiled at me.

I could see the love in his eyes, the pride, and the joy. He was proud of me, and he was happy that I was his.

"It is done." He said.

"How did you do that?" I asked, my eyes still wide with wonder. "How did you speak to him without saying a word out loud?"

Kaelen smiled. "I focused on his presence, and I pushed my thoughts toward him. It is like sending a message through the air, but it travels through the pack bond instead."

"Can I do it too?" I asked.

He nodded. "Close your eyes. Now, think of someone you want to speak to. Picture them in your mind, then push your thoughts toward them."

Kaelen tilted his head, and looked at me. “Did you not use the pack mind link at Cresswood?”

I shook my head, as a sad smile crossed my face.

“that is okay, Talia. You are part of this pack, and you are the Luna. So you can mind link who you want to speak with here, without any fear." He moved me closer to himself, kissed my forehead, and smiled.

I smiled back. “Thank you.” Then I closed my eyes and reached out with my mind. I focused on the kitchen, and on Nora’s familiar presence.

I pictured her in the kitchen, with her hands busy with the morning tasks. Then I pushed my thoughts toward her.

"Nora?" I called.