Chapter 22 Mind-linking

Io

"Well, congratulations, Kiaria, Io, on your engagement. Well," Winston paused and took his briefcase, "I need to go back to the office for a few minor things. I'll be home before dinner, honey." He kissed Sakura on her cheek then extended his hand for a handshake. I grabbed his hand and happily we shook hands. "So where are you guys off to now?"

"I need to do some shopping, Dad," Kiaria answered. "Io's parents will be arriving tonight and I was thinking I need a business suit. Oh, and something pink. There's a party happening on campus and since Io promised he'd come with me, I decided I'd go and check it out."

"Your parents are coming in tonight?" Sakura asked.

"Yes, to go over the details of the wedding. They will be staying at our hotel, The Moonlight Palace. I have already given orders to my assistant and staff to have their rooms ready. Since tomorrow is a free day for Kiaria, I have invited her to stay with us at the hotel. You are invited to join her. I have already prepared one of our suites for her if she and you would like a complimentary stay," I told them.

"Well, you decide, honey. I really need to get going. Just call me and tell me whatever you guys decide. Thanks, Io." Winston waved a goodbye and exited the bistro. I looked at the two ladies in front of me, hoping they would say yes.

"I'll think about it. It's still early anyway. You guys go and do your shopping before it gets dark. Meet me here and we'll go to Moonlight Palace when Io's parents arrive. If we're too tired to drive home, then we can stay at the hotel," Sakura answered. "Since you're off to go shopping, buy me and your father some pajamas. We'll just drive home to change tomorrow morning before work. Do you need some money, Kiaria?" Kiaria was about to answer, but I answered for her.

"She doesn't need money, Sakura. I'll handle everything." Sakura raised her eyebrows, doubtful.

"Are you sure?"

"Whatever is mine is hers, remember? Don't think of it as 'providing' for her. Think that everything is hers. Even the shirt on my back," I said.

"I don't know, Io. I want Kiaria to be responsible for herself. Anyway, you kids have fun. I'll tell your father to meet us here." Sakura ushered us out while Kiaria waved goodbye to her mother. Marcus was waiting for us at the entrance.

"Congratulations Luna, Alpha! All is well I see," he said.

"I still have to meet his parents though," Kiaria said, pouting. Marcus chuckled at her reaction.

"Luna, you have nothing to worry about. Since you are Alpha Io's fated mate, you are already considered as a daughter to them. They already love you without even meeting you," he said, reassuringly. I smiled at Marcus. He knew what to say to make Kiaria feel at ease.

"You don't say. So there's absolutely nothing to worry about then?" Kiaria asked while I unlocked the car and opened the doors.

"Nothing, Luna," Marcus answered her and then he turned to me. "Alpha, I have already sent a few cars to pick them up and the men at the airport. The men will call me once they are at the hotel."

I helped Kiaria enter the car and closed her door. "Good. I need you to keep watch at all times. I have a strange feeling we are being watched," I told him through mind-link.

"Yes, Alpha. There is a familiar Mercedes-Benz which seems to be parked in the vicinity, both at the hotel and here," he answered through mind-link. He nudged his head at the direction of the car. The car seemed familiar, like I've seen it before.

"Have you seen who's driving it?" I asked through mind-link while walking to the driver's side of the car.

"A young woman with blonde hair. I thought maybe she was an old girlfriend of yours," he replied. "But she looks too young to be a girlfriend. Maybe a friend of Kiaria's?"

"Ah, I remember now. The blonde from Kiaria's university." Why in the world would she be following us? "Keep an eye on her. It could just be coincidence. Oh, there she is now. Coming out with bags filled with party favors." Marcus discreetly looked over his shoulder to glance at the blonde woman.

"False alarm. I forgot this is a small town," Marcus said. He walked over to his car and opened the door. "Most probably a coincidence." I nodded my head agreeing with him and entered the car.

"What took you so long?" Kiaria asked. "It didn't look like you two were talking. You guys were just standing, looking around."

I turned on the ignition of the car, backed out of the parking lot and drove into traffic. "To answer your question, Marcus and I were mind-linking. Wolves of the same pack can speak with each other through their minds because they are linked by one, the Alpha," I explained.

"Kind of like telepathy?" Kiaria asked, surprised.

"Yes," I answered. "However, my pack and I, we can't mind-link with other wolves from other packs unless there is an explicit need to do so. For example, allies in battle."

"Ooookay. So you and I?" Kiaria pointed at me and herself with her fingers. "We can mind-link? Being fated mates and all that? And how do you mind-link?" I smiled at her enthusiasm.

"Of course, we can. I guess. I'm not sure if we have to be formally mated before we can mind-link each other. But no harm in trying. Let me try and mind-link with you first so we can see if we can established a connection," I said.

"No. I want to do this on my own. So if ever I would like to mind-link with another, like Marcus there behind us, I can establish a connection,"she explained.

"You want to mind-link with Marcus?" I asked. She nodded her head.

"He's, uhm, very comforting. Like a big brother," she replied. I nodded my head. She trusted Marcus. That's nice to hear.

"Okay then. Well, don't feel bad if at first there is no connection. Maybe we do need to be mated first before we can mind-link. So take a deep breath." I saw her inhale and exhale. "First, you have to free your mind."

________________

Kiaria

Free my mind. That didn't seem too complicated.

"Kiaria, concentrate. Free your mind," Selene said. "When your mind is clear, picture Io in your mind then say something just like how you would say something to me."

"How can I free my mind when you keep speaking to me?" I asked. Selene barked, playing with me.

"Calm yourself. Then picture Io in your mind then say something to him," Selene further instructed. "But do as I say with you eyes open not closed."

I drowned out the noise, the moving car, even Io beside me who was still instructing me. I pictured myself infront of a the beautiful waterfall my dad and I used to go to when I was a little girl. That place was so peaceful and so serene. Whenever I was there, I felt there were no problems and the world was this magical place where everyone was happy. I felt my body relax then I pictured Io in my mind, his cute lazy smile I had begin to love and said to him in my mind, "I want some pizza."

"You want some pizza?" Io said, but he didn't say it outloud. I heard it in my mind.

"Neat! You can hear me," I said back through mind-link. I looked at a boutique that we had just passed and instantly thought,"There must be something there I can buy."

"Say no more, I just need to park." Oops, he could still hear my thoughts.

"Yes, I can. You have to end the mind-link process by pushing me out your mind or simply blinking your eyes to end the conversation. Like pushing the "end call button" on you phone," he said through mind-link.

I blinked twiced and everything came into focus. Ah, that's how you do it.

"Good job, my little wolf. Even without formally mating, you and I can now mind-link. Uhm, before you try and mind-link with Marcus, let's park the car first. He might get surprised and you know, accidentally hit someone with his car," Io said. I smiled at him.

"Sure. So can we try it before we enter the boutique?" I asked.

"I love your enthusiasm. Sure," he answered. "There. He has already parked beside us. Go on and try it."

I quietly sat, focused on mind-linking with Marcus, and asked Marcus," Do you think I need to wear a business suit when I meet Io's parents?"

"Luna! You have now established a link with me. Luna, there is no need to impress. You yourself are impressive enough," Marcus said. I smiled. I blinked twice ending our conversation.

"So? How did it go?" Io asked.

"He says I don't have to buy a business suit," I answered. Io smiled at me.

"Just wear what makes you comfortable," Io said, opening his car door. Marcus opened mine and bowed low as I exited.

"No need to bow so much, Marcus. It makes me look like a princess," I said. He smiled.

"But you are a queen, my Luna. And bowing gives me pleasure," he said. I giggled. "Many more will bow to you, Luna. It is fitting for your stature."

"Okay. Okay. Enough of that before it goes to my head," I told him. "I hope you're also a good stylist because I don't know a thing about dressing up."

"Don't worry, Kiaria. I'm sure the store owner won't mind dressing someone as beautiful as you," Io said. I felt my heart melt. He thought I was beautiful.

I wrapped my arm into his and all three of us went inside.

He was right. The store owner didn't mind dressing me up.