Chapter 171: Emotional Growth
CALEB POV
I grabbed the bridge of light with both hands and pulled myself through before anyone could stop me.
"Caleb, no!" Aiden shouted behind me, but it was too late. I was already tumbling through worlds, chasing after Lily.
I landed hard in the whirling space where she stood with the original Guardian. Both women turned to stare at me in shock.
"How did you—" the Guardian began.
"Mate bond," I said, getting to my feet. "It works both ways, remember? If Lily’s here, then part of me is too."
Lily’s face lit up with joy and relief. "Caleb! But you shouldn’t be here. It’s dangerous."
"Everywhere you go is dangerous," I pointed out. "That’s never stopped me from following you before."
The Guardian looked between us with interest. "Fascinating. The bond survived dimensional travel. That’s... unusual."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Most mystical connections break when exposed to the Heart of Reality," she stated. "The pure energy here dissolves artificial bonds, leaving only what’s genuinely real."
I felt a chill of fear. "Are you saying our mate bond isn’t real?"