Chapter 16: Chapter 16

JASMINE

Reality returned to me in pieces. Initially, it was just the weightiness of my body, as if I were being pulled down into the depths of the ocean. Then, the soft rhythm of someone’s breath, close and steady, tethered me, like a lifeline drawing me back to the surface.

Everything was a blur, and I struggled to understand where I was. As I blinked through the fog, I felt the light pressure of someone’s hand in mine. Aaron.

His familiar scent washed over me, laced with the sharp, underlying tang of fatigue. I was lying in a massive bed in a room at the Wolfheart pack house. His grip on my hand tightened as my eyes fully opened, and I saw him sitting there, looking worn out, as if he hadn’t slept in days.

There was a vulnerability in his slumped shoulders, and his gaze met mine with a gentleness I hadn’t seen before.

“Aaron…” My voice came out raspy, my throat parched.

His eyes welled up with emotion, and for a moment, he didn’t say anything—just looked at me as if he couldn’t believe I was awake.

Then, his lips moved, and his voice broke as he finally said, “I was so scared, I thought I lost you. I’m so sorry, Jasmine. I—I didn’t mean any of it. I swear.”

I took a shaky breath, my chest heavy with the memory of his words. The pain was still there, just beneath the surface.

“You hurt me,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. “Everything you said—it cut deep. It felt like you wanted to break us apart, to push me away.”

He swallowed hard, his eyes shimmering. “I was scared. I thought…if I wasn’t enough for you, if this—everything we have—wasn’t right, maybe rejecting you would save us both from more pain.”

“Aaron…” My heart ached as I saw the torment on his face. He had always been the steady one, the one with all the answers, but this time he had been lost too.

“I was wrong,” he murmured, his voice rough with regret. “I thought I was protecting you, but I was only protecting myself—from losing you. But rejecting you for love… It wouldn’t work; it never would. I see, I feel that now.”

I reached up, caressing his face gently, feeling the warmth of his skin. “I forgive you,” I whispered, the words heavy with the truth of my feelings. “But Aaron, I need you to trust that I can make my own choices. I need all of you.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, pressing his forehead to mine. “I will. I promise. I’ll be better for you, Jasmine, for us.”

There was a moment of silence between us, and then the door creaked open, shattering the tranquility. Erik walked in, a cup of coffee in his hands, his eyes scanning the room before landing on us.

He didn’t say anything at first, just smiled softly at the sight of me awake. “I see you’re finally back with us,” he said, his tone light, but there was relief in his eyes. “I thought I’d bring you some coffee, Aaron. You’ve been here long enough.”

Aaron looked at Erik, then back at me. There was a subtle change in him, a sense of relief as if he could finally let go of the burden he’d been carrying.

“Thanks, Erik,” Aaron said, standing up and squeezing my hand one last time before letting go. “I’ll go for a walk. Clear my head.”

As he left the room, the tension dissipated, but a sense of peace washed over me. Erik moved closer, setting the coffee aside, and sat on the edge of the bed.

“You know, he didn’t leave your side for a single moment,” Erik said softly. “You were out for the entire day, and he stayed right here, watching over you.”

I nodded, guilt and gratitude mingling in my chest. “I know… I could feel him.”

Erik smiled and brushed a strand of hair away from my face. “And now? How do you feel?”

“Weak,” I confessed, my body still heavy with exhaustion, but I managed a small smile. “But I’ll be fine.”

Erik nodded, his expression serious but gentle. He lay down beside me, wrapping an arm around me. “You’re always stronger than you think, Minnie.”

“You’re not going to be mad at me? For running?” I asked sincerely, fearing his response.

“I don’t think you’re in need of a lesson right now. If I were in your position, he’d be your mate just as much as you’re mine and I’m yours. You’d do the same for me, and I’d do even more for you.” He looked at me with understanding.

“I would.”

As he held me close, the world seemed a little less chaotic, a little more right. His presence beside me helped calm the storm of emotions raging within me.

But as I lay there, my thoughts kept drifting back to the one person who was still absent from this room. I felt weak, my body heavy and sinking deeper into the bed. Erik’s arm around me was a comforting presence, his warmth seeping into my side.

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to shut out the emotional turmoil of everything that had transpired. But just as sleep began to claim me, the soft creak of the door pulled me back.

My heart fluttered. Philip entered the room, his face a blend of sternness and worry, and behind him, leaning slightly on his father for support, was Sebastian.

My eyes widened, and I couldn’t properly articulate the relief I felt at seeing him. My heart was filled with love, peace, and intense relief. He was okay.

His intense blue eyes conveyed his love for me, but also his exhaustion. “Sebastian,” I whispered.

Philip sighed as he helped his son into the room. “I told him he should rest in his room, but he insisted. He said he needed to see you.”

Sebastian’s steps were shaky, but his determination was evident. His blue eyes, though tired, locked onto my face with an intensity that made my heart clench.

He moved toward me, breaking away from Philip’s hold as he steadied himself, refusing to show any signs of weakness. Erik slowly sat up, making room for him, but still stayed close to me.

Sebastian’s voice was hoarse but filled with relief. “I couldn’t stay away.”

I tried to sit up to greet him, but my body wouldn’t comply. I felt Erik’s hand gently press down on my arm, keeping me in place.

“Stay still,” Erik murmured. “You need to rest.”

Sebastian reached the side of the bed, kneeling slightly as his fingers brushed against mine. The touch sent a shiver through me, and tears welled up in my eyes.

He was alive. He was here. And despite the toll the spell had taken on me, seeing him, strong enough to stand, filled me with an overwhelming sense of relief.

“I’m okay,” he said softly, his voice shaking slightly. “Thanks to you. I could never thank you enough.”

I smiled weakly, tears streaming down my face. “I thought I lost you,” I whispered.

Sebastian shook his head, his eyes filled with unspoken emotions. “You’ll never lose me. Not now. Not ever.”

Philip cleared his throat, glancing between us. “He shouldn’t stay long. He still needs to rest.”

Sebastian sighed and hesitated, reluctant to leave me, but he nodded. “I’ll be back,” he promised, brushing his lips over my knuckles before slowly standing up.

His eyes lingered on me as Philip guided him toward the door. Once they were gone, I felt my body slump against the bed, the emotional strain leaving me drained.

Erik slid back beside me, his arms gently wrapping around me again, his chest solid and reassuring against my back, and only then did I feel safe again.

“You should sleep,” Erik whispered into my hair, sending chills down my spine. “You’ve been through enough.”

I let out a small sigh, my eyelids drooping as exhaustion overtook me. Erik’s presence was steady, grounding me amidst the chaotic whirlwind of everything that had happened.

I drifted off. I wasn’t sure for how long, but at some point, the sound of the door opening made me slowly open my eyes. The soft creak of the door pulled me back to consciousness. It was quieter this time, almost hesitant.

My eyes fluttered open, just in time to see Aaron slip into the room, his face softened with the weight of what we’d just been through.

He paused when he saw me awake, his eyes flicking between me and Erik. There was no tension, just a silent understanding passing between them.

Aaron’s gaze locked onto mine without saying a word, and I felt a wave of reassurance wash over me. He stood at the door, hesitating whether to enter or not, perhaps waiting for permission, perhaps because Erik was lying down with me. Perhaps Aaron thought there would be no room for him. On the contrary, he was the one I needed the most.

I gently rapped twice on the vacant side of the bed, a silent invitation for him to join me.

Aaron responded with a tender smile, then ambled over to the bed and eased himself onto my side.

The mattress gave a slight dip under his weight as he nestled next to me. His arm draped over my waist in a gentle embrace, his fingers lightly grazing my skin.

With a sigh, I finally allowed my eyes to close, inhaling the comforting blend of scents from both Erik and Aaron. Erik was on one side, Aaron on the other, their presence a soothing balm.

The room was hushed, yet the air was thick with unspoken promises. The warmth of their bodies enveloped me—a cocoon of safety and reassurance.

Aaron was back with us. Erik hadn’t strayed from my side. And Sebastian was still alive.

For the first time since the spell, I allowed myself to succumb to sleep, secure in the knowledge of what lay ahead.

I wasn’t alone. It was us—the four of us—together.