Mythical Link ▸ Link Neal {Book One}

126

Terra pulled away from Chase, Chase wearing a befuddled expression on his face. She blinked back another round of tears, looping her arms under his arms and pulling him close. His eyes widened, the ghost of a smile creasing his lips. He brought his arms up and around her, locking her in by holding his wrist.

"It's going to be okay, Terra. I know you didn't mean it." He heard her sniffle and when she pulled back to look into his face, he could see the red puffiness around her eyes.

"You're not mad at me?" She asked, her voice brittle like sodden wood.

Chase simply shook his head. "Link told all of us what happened and he said you didn't have control both times it happened. I can't be mad at you for something that isn't your fault."

Terra broke away from him, and his arms were left hanging in midair. Her facial expression had melted from despair to inquisitive. "Why are you here?"

Chase bit his lip, lowering his eyes as his arms fell flat to his sides. When he looked into her eyes again, he could see in her eyes that she was putting her wall up. She nearly killed her childhood friend two times, so it was natural she was going to be wary. Especially now since she was a werewolf that didn't have any control of her abilities. She really didn't want to hurt anybody else on accident.

"We fixed up Link's house and we're throwing a little surprise party for him to welcome him home. He's been through hell and we thought this nice little diversion would be appreciated," Chase said, his voice holding the ounce of hope that she would join him in coming to the party. "Drew suggested that we find you and have you come to the party, since you're friends with Link. We know you're scared, but you don't need to be. We want to help you learn control."

Terra was adamantly shaking her head, taking a step back. She nearly tripped on the ledge that led through her front door.

"I can't. Chase, you need to leave," her tone was firm and she turned on her heel to walk back inside.

Chase jutted forward and took her by the wrist, a pleading look in his eyes. "Terra please! You've been hiding in your house since Tessa died, and you can't keep yourself holed up like this. This is not what she would have wanted."

Terra whipped her head around to look at him, her eyes pooling with tears again. She collapsed and Chase caught her in his arms, pulling her head to his chest as she sobbed. He rubbed her back in circular motions, feeling his own eyes tear up as her wailing cracked and splintered their way into his heart.

"It's going to be okay. I know it hurts, trust me, I know. Tessa wouldn't want to see you like this, that I can promise. She'd want you to come to this party for your friend and be there for Link," as he spoke, he took her by the face, her lips trembling as the ugly tears trailed her cheeks. "Link needs you now more than ever. He needs all of his friends. Please Terra."

Terra blinked several times, her parted lips soaked with the tears. She stared into space for a few seconds, sobs quaking her body. He could tell that she was contemplating his plea, and he wanted with everything in his being for her to say yes and go with him. She brought her palm up to her eyes and wiped the tears away, sniffling.

"O-Okay," she stammered, avoiding eye contact with Chase.

Chase smiled warmly and he hugged her tight to his chest again.

"Come on. Let's go to Link's and gorge on junk food while we laugh and have a good time."

She looked up at him with the hint of a smile and he helped her up to her feet, leading her to his car.

Lifting Jackson was not an easy task for Rhett. His back was still sore from falling over the couch, and as he crouched to lift him into his arms, his back cracked and he bared his teeth. Link could see the sheer pain in Rhett's eyes and he held his hand out to touch Rhett's shoulder.