Reading Between the Lines

Chapter 10: Facing the Facts

OH MY GOD! I gasp in shock as I continue staring at him in awe. Aarav, still a wolf (I still can't believe I'm saying this) continues gripping my hand.

"Take your time. I know that this is nothing like you're used to," he assures me nonchalantly, acting as if this is the most normal thing ever.

How are you so casual about this? You just turned into a mythological animal, and you're talking me through my head. Wait, how are you talking me through my head?

Time to bring my back my archaic werewolf knowledge. Sure, some of it may be very inaccurate and sexist, but it at least covers the basics.

Wait. This must be mindlinking! Of course! In books, werewolves talk to each other through thoughts whenever they're not in human form. I remember thinking it was so cool and wishing humans could have it too. You know how much easier it would be if we could just read each other's minds?

"I'm surprised you know what mindlinking is." That confirms it.

"I read a lot of werewolf books," I clarify as he laughs in my head. "I don't know whether to be impressed or insulted by that. But good for you! Most people think they're going crazy when they hear mindlinking," he applauds me in my head while I roll my eyes at him playfully.

"But, yeah. I'm a lycan. The werewolf you know has evolved. That's all you need to know," he clarifies while I say "HUH?" out loud.

"How? Just, how? You're not supposed to exist. You guys are just pure mythology! How are they suddenly a thing?"

"This is what I was trying to tell you before in my office. The world is not as normal as you think it is. It's pretty wack," he clarifies and I nod my head in response. Just then, I feel a sharp pain in my head.

As much as mindlinking is super cool, I didn't think it would be such a massive headache, though. Literally and figuratively. Great, as if my previous headache wasn't bad before. Now I have double the migraine.

"Shit, did I give you a headache?" he asks in concern while he notices me massaging my forehead.

"A little. It's okay, I kinda expected it. After all, telepathy isn't very common where I'm from."

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. Mindlinking is the only way I can communicate with you in this form, but I forgot that you're not used to it," he apologizes while I swat my hand to say it isn't a big deal.

"Okay, let me shift back and we can go back to my office. I'll explain everything there." SHIT, he's shifting?!

I've been through some things, but I am not seeing anyone naked today.

"Uh, what are you doing?" he questions in a suspicious tone as I turn around and cover my eyes.

"If you're shifting, then I want to turn around. I'm not going to see anything that shouldn't be seen," I justify while Aarav cackles in my head.

"Fine, if you say so."

After about 2 seconds of noises and blitzing, I turn around and see Aarav in front of me, back as a human being.

But wait...

WHY IS HE STILL WEARING CLOTHES?!

I'm gonna act like I didn't just say that.

But even then, how? I thought shifting rips your clothes, so werewolves have to get an extra change of clothes when they change back. How is he still fully clothed as if nothing ever happened?

I knew those books were a lie.

"Um-" I blurt out while he cackles again.

"I went behind a tree. Did you think I'd be fully naked?" he jokes to me while he buttons up his open shirt, exposing all of his tattoos very clearly. Damn, he's ripped.