Chapter 44: Chapter 44

JASMINE

Erik’s fingers were interlaced with mine, drawing tiny circles on my skin. It was a quiet reassurance that he was here, that they were all here. He leaned closer, his voice a gentle murmur in my ear.

“You’re stronger than you believe, Minnie. But remember, you don’t always have to be.”

His words, tinged with vulnerability, took me by surprise. Erik had always been the one to ignite my passion, to envelop me and set my soul ablaze. But now, there was a softness in him, a depth in his gaze as he looked at me.

It was as if he was finally letting me see that beneath his fiery exterior, he cared just as deeply as anyone else. Maybe even more.

Sebastian, the constant, steady presence in our lives, kissed my temple, his breath warm against my skin.

“When I heard what you did…” His voice trailed off, choked with emotion. “Jasmine, I don’t know if I’ve ever been prouder—or more scared.”

I adjusted my position to meet his gaze, and the raw emotion there left me breathless. I knew he was accustomed to hiding his feelings, to guarding his heart.

But now, in this moment, all his defenses were down, and I realized how much we all meant to each other.

“I had to do it,” I whispered, my eyes darting between them. “For the pack. For all of you. I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.”

Aaron’s grip on me tightened, his frown suggesting he was replaying the events in his mind.

“I don’t think any of us doubted your ability to handle this. You’re…you’re incredible, Jasmine. But I never want you to be in a situation like this again, where you feel like you have to face it alone.”

“I won’t,” I assured him, my voice soft but firm. “I understand that now. But you need to realize—I wasn’t alone. I felt you, all of you. Every step of the way.”

Erik’s thumb brushed my cheek, his touch gentle despite the strength in his hand.

“And we felt you too. That’s why we can’t stop worrying. It’s like…if something happened to you, I don’t think any of us could bear it.”

His words reverberated in the room, and I felt the gravity of his statement deep in my chest. The bond we shared was more than just a connection of hearts.

It was primal; it was in our blood and bones. The thought of losing any of them was unthinkable, and now I saw they felt the same.

For a while, none of us spoke. The silence stretched, comfortable yet heavy with the things we had left unsaid for too long.

But finally, it was Aaron who broke it, his voice softer than before.

“When I saw you out there…leading the pack, commanding them… It was like watching you become who you were truly meant to be. You’re not just our mate anymore, Jasmine. You’re the future of all of us.”

His words struck me like a bolt of lightning, a surge of pride and responsibility welling up inside me. I had known for a while that this moment was coming—that our packs would need to unite, that the witches’ attacks would force us into a new reality.

But hearing Aaron say it so clearly, so confidently, was overwhelming.

“Aaron.” Theodore’s voice interrupted our moment as he appeared in the doorway of the infirmary. His eyes locked onto mine immediately, and I saw him struggling to find the right words.

What happened next was something I never anticipated. Aaron released me and walked toward his father, wrapping his arms around him in a tight hug.

The Scire were always reserved, perhaps the most restrained family I’d ever known—rational, intellectual, concealing their emotions behind stoic façades.

Theodore was the epitome of that, an untouchable alpha who never showed affection. But right now, they weren’t two alphas of a pack. They were just a father and his son.

Theodore stood there, frozen for a moment, before he returned Aaron’s hug just as tightly.

The sight was too touching. I felt the tears prickling at the back of my eyes, and before I could stop it, one trickled down my cheek.

Erik, always in tune with my emotions, tightened his hold on me, while Sebastian did the same on the other side. Erik gently wiped the tear from my cheek, his eyes never leaving mine.

“I was afraid I would never see you again.” Theodore’s confession was raw, devoid of his usual composure and control.

“Aaron, I was worried you wouldn’t make it in time,” he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. He pulled back just enough to meet his father’s gaze.

“But we did it, Dad. We retrieved the books. We brought back the teachers.”

Theodore’s eyes wandered over to us, his emotions painted vividly on his face, causing my breath to hitch.

“You,” he began, his voice heavy as he looked at Erik and Sebastian, then at me. His next words were choked with emotion. “You all accomplished what I couldn’t… You restored my pack’s honor.”

Then, Theodore’s gaze settled on me, his eyes filled with something I never thought I’d see—gratitude and compassion.

“And you, Jasmine,” he said, moving closer to my bedside, his voice shaking with emotion. “You defended my pack as if it were your own.”

He knelt beside my bed, and my heart fluttered. Theodore Scire, the unflappable alpha, bowed before me. I pressed my lips together to hold back the tears, but they escaped anyway.

“And now it’s yours too,” he said, lowering his head in a solemn bow. The gravity of his words and the gesture was too much, and my tears flowed freely.

“Theodore,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

“For the council, this isn’t possible yet,” he continued, looking back up at me. “But you have my blessing to unite.”

His words soothed my soul.

“Thank you,” I managed to say, my voice thick with emotion. “That means everything.”

Theodore nodded, then turned to Aaron, who quickly wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

“Show me what you brought back, son,” Theodore said, his voice lighter now.

Aaron smiled, glancing at me as if unsure whether to leave. I gave him a small nod and smile.

“Go on, I’ll see you when you get back.”

“Go to my room,” Aaron instructed, as if the only place he could be sure I was safe was in his room. I nodded in agreement.

Aaron leaned in and kissed me gently before following his father out the door.

But just before leaving, Theodore stopped and looked back at me one last time.

“Thank you, Jasmine. Take care.”

The door closed behind them, and Sebastian suddenly stumbled back, his legs giving out.

“Seb, are you okay?” I asked, reaching out to steady him.

“I just used a lot of magic today,” he admitted, trying to regain his balance.

“Erik, find a mage for him.” My thumb gently brushed against Sebastian’s cheek.

Erik nodded and rushed off to find help.

“No need, Angel,” Sebastian protested, but I could feel his magic weakening.

“No arguments,” I replied with a smile.

Erik soon returned with a Wolfheart mage, who quickly assessed the situation.

“Let’s go, Alpha,” the mage said, guiding Sebastian toward the door.

Sebastian paused just long enough to kiss me softly on the lips. “I’ll see you soon,” he murmured.

“Sooner than you think,” I replied, smiling as I remembered something. “When I spoke to your father, he asked for you to call him as soon as you arrive.”

Sebastian just nodded as he left with the mage.

Now, it was just me and Erik.

Without hesitation, Erik pulled me into his arms, holding me tighter than I expected. His grip was protective, almost desperate, as he pressed my face against his chest.

“I was so afraid of losing you,” he whispered into my hair, his voice trembling.