Chapter 49: Chapter 49

JASMINE

I found myself meandering through the hushed corridors, the dim glow from the lights doing little to soothe the restless energy bubbling within me. My body was crying out for rest, but my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts that refused to settle. Erik and Sebastian had been absent all day, their time consumed by helping their men return to their respective packs.

Erik was busy ensuring some of his army stayed behind to bolster our defenses, while Sebastian was preoccupied with his magicians, making sure they safely returned to Wolfheart Pack. I missed them both.

I was in Aaron’s room, and the emptiness of it made my heart ache. I tried to lie down, but my mind was a spinning top. Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Erik and Sebastian walked in. The sight of them eased the knot in my chest.

“Long day?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Erik responded with a weary chuckle, sitting on the bed and reaching for me. “You could say that,” he murmured, his voice heavy with fatigue as he kissed my forehead.

Sebastian moved to my other side, planting a kiss on the top of my head. They both looked worn out. They began to undress, pulling on some of Aaron’s clothes to get comfortable. Within minutes, they were both on either side of me in bed.

I nestled between them, their warmth enveloping me. Erik’s arm snaked around my waist, pulling me closer, while Sebastian’s hand gently brushed a stray lock of hair from my face. They moved closer, sandwiching me between them without a care if they touched each other in the process. They just wanted me to feel surrounded.

I couldn’t help but think this had something to do with Aaron’s absence.

“He asked you to do this?” I whispered, the heat of their bodies making my heart race.

“Kind of,” Sebastian admitted, his hands circling my waist as he pressed his body closer.

“He’s worried about you too, wants you to feel okay,” Erik murmured against my neck.

“I just… I worry about him. Have you talked to him?” I asked, trying to focus on Sebastian’s sleepy blue eyes.

“We just left the library. He’s staying a bit longer,” Erik said, his lips brushing my neck and sending shivers down my spine.

“He’s not sleeping,” I murmured. A soft moan escaped my lips as I closed my eyes, their touch comforting rather than sexual.

“Just rest, angel. Don’t worry about him,” Sebastian whispered, his thumb gently caressing my cheek.

“Your guards were tailing me on my run again,” I said. I turned slightly to look at Erik, who smirked.

“You know they’re not going to leave you alone, right?” Erik said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

I smiled, resting my head on Erik’s chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing. “I guess I’m stuck with them,” I teased, though I didn’t really mind. It was their way of keeping me safe, and I couldn’t fault them for that.

We lay there in silence, their presence wrapping me in a peace I hadn’t felt all day. The weight of their bodies, their warmth, made me feel secure—grounded in a way I couldn’t put into words. For a few moments, I allowed myself to drift off, lulled by their steady breathing.

But then, as if jolted awake, my eyes fluttered open. The comfort was still there, but something was missing. Aaron. I couldn’t sleep without him. His absence was a dull ache, pulling me from the edge of sleep.

Moonlight streamed through the tall windows as I slipped out of bed. Erik and Sebastian were both fast asleep, their arms heavy with the warmth that had earlier been comforting. But I couldn’t be there without Aaron.

The thought of him, alone in the library, likely overworking himself again, wouldn’t leave me. He hadn’t come to bed, not last night and now tonight. Worry gnawed at me. He didn’t know when to stop, when to rest.

I draped a silk robe over my nightgown, the fabric whispering against my skin as I quietly navigated the halls. The robe wasn’t thick enough to ward off the slight chill, but I didn’t care. The soft sway of the nightgown against my legs was a reminder of my scant attire—a thought that made me bite my lip as I neared the library.

The heavy door creaked open, revealing Aaron just as I’d pictured him: hunched over a stack of ancient texts, his brow creased in deep thought, fatigue etched into his face. Seeing him there, surrounded by books, lost in his thoughts yet visibly worn out, caused a pang in my heart.

“Aaron,” I murmured, stepping into the room.

His head jerked up, surprise flickering in his eyes. I watched as his gaze swept over me, a hard swallow following before it was replaced by a familiar look—worry.

“Jasmine, why are you here? It’s late. You should be in bed.”

I made my way across the room, a smile tugging at my lips. “I could say the same about you.” I paused at the edge of the table, my fingers lightly tracing the weathered surface. “You didn’t sleep last night, and it’s already past midnight.”

Aaron’s eyes, usually so sharp and focused, were clouded with fatigue and frustration. He was pushing himself too hard.

He sighed, leaning back in his chair, the toll of the day—and likely the one before—visible in his slumped shoulders. “I know, but look.” He pointed to the large, leather-bound book in front of him. “I found it. The cipher we’ve been looking for. It’s the key to decoding that old book we found in the council library.”

My heart fluttered, a wave of excitement washing over me despite the late hour. ~He found it. That book must hold some answers.~ “Aaron, that’s amazing!” I reached for the book, my enthusiasm bubbling over, but then I noticed the dark circles under his eyes. His exhaustion was palpable, overshadowing even his excitement about the discovery.

As I leaned over the table, I felt my nightgown slide up, revealing more of my body. Aaron’s hands found my hips and my ass, sending a jolt of electricity through me. ~God, I’ve missed his touch.~

“Aaron,” I said, my voice softer now, my hand resting on his shoulder. “You need to rest. You won’t be at your best tomorrow if you keep going like this.”

He shook his head, that familiar stubbornness flashing in his eyes. “I can still get more done tonight. I’m so close.”

I sighed, moving behind his chair to gently knead his shoulders. His muscles were tense under my fingers, but I could feel them relax slightly at my touch. The weight of his responsibilities was heavy on him. “You’re always pushing yourself, but you’ll be more effective tomorrow if you rest now.”

He didn’t respond. His hands still clutched the edge of the table as if it could tether him to his work.

That’s when I made my decision.

Without a second thought, I climbed onto his lap, my legs straddling him, effectively blocking his view of the books.

Aaron blinked, his eyes widening, and I could feel the warmth of his body through the thin fabric of my nightgown.

“Jasmine,” he said, his voice a low, almost cautionary growl. “What are you doing?”