Chapter 31: Chapter 31

JASMINE

I slipped into something cozy after my shower, Erik’s lingering touch still radiating warmth on my skin. It was as if his fiery essence clung to me, but now, the atmosphere had shifted. The moment I detected Aaron’s familiar scent before he even entered the room, my heart found its rhythm.

His presence was always a soothing balm, even amidst the chaos. As he walked into the room, his lips formed a smile that never failed to turn me into a puddle. He always looked at me like I was his universe, and I couldn’t help but mirror his smile.

“Ready to eat?” he asked, his gaze briefly shifting over my shoulder to Erik, who was still getting dressed. “Dinner’s ready.”

But I hesitated, my fingers clutching the hem of my dress. “Are you sure it’s wise to have dinner together after…well, everything?” I looked into his eyes, seeking reassurance.

Aaron’s smile remained, but it softened. He closed the gap between us, his hands cradling my face in a gesture so gentle it made my heart ache. His thumbs stroked my cheeks, grounding me with the warmth of his touch.

“Absolutely,” he said with quiet certainty. “We’re all alphas, Jasmine. Being an alpha isn’t just about leading—it’s a lifestyle. There’s no off switch. Even so, the conflicts that arise are political, not personal. Even if we disagree, we’re still family. We don’t stop being family just because politics get messy.”

I blinked, my mind spinning. His composure and wisdom in moments like this always took me by surprise.

He continued, his voice steady. “Even if we argue, we’re still family. Even if Theodore disagrees, he’s still my father, and”—his smile broadened, his eyes twinkling with mischief—“technically, your father-in-law.”

Despite the heaviness in my heart, I couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

Aaron’s gaze briefly flickered to Sebastian and Erik, who were silently observing us. “There will be times when we four won’t agree. As hard as it may be, we need to learn to disagree without damaging our relationships. That’s the essence of leadership. But we have to learn to separate that from our personal relationships. We’re a family now, the four of us. A team. Mates. We have to be able to disagree without letting it tear us apart.”

They nodded in agreement.

I let his words sink in, absorbing the weight of his message. He was right, of course. We couldn’t afford to let our disagreements weaken us. Not with so much at stake.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded, feeling a bit lighter. “You’re right. Let’s go.”

The dining hall was buzzing with the familiar scents of our families gathered together. As we walked in, I felt a sense of unity despite the underlying tensions. Theodore was as stoic as ever, his presence heavy, but there was a different energy tonight—like our bonds were strengthening despite everything.

Our families, united as one.

We took our seats, and I found myself next to Sebastian. His hand instinctively found mine under the table, his thumb gently stroking my knuckles in a way that only he could. It was a simple touch, but it grounded me in the moment.

I tried to engage in the conversation around me, but my thoughts kept wandering. I found myself envisioning a future that seemed uncertain—one where we, the four of us, were truly one pack, one family. The idea of having children together—pups—crossed my mind, and an unbidden question surfaced.

Who would be the father?

I must have tensed up because they all felt it through our bond. Sebastian’s hand squeezed mine gently, pulling me back to the present. He whispered in my ear, “What’s on your mind, Angel?”

His soft, affectionate tone made my stomach flutter. He always knew when something was off, and trying to hide it seemed pointless. I glanced around the table, feeling the weight of Erik’s and Aaron’s gazes on me, and felt a blush creeping up my neck.

“Nothing,” I mumbled, trying to brush it off. But Sebastian’s intense gaze wouldn’t let me off the hook so easily.

“Jazzy,” he whispered, using the nickname that always made my heart flutter. “You know you don’t have to hide anything from me.”

I chewed on my lip, feeling the heat of embarrassment creep up my cheeks. I knew I couldn’t hide it from him any longer. Taking a deep, shaky breath, I confessed in a barely audible whisper, “I was wondering, when we have puppies, how will I know who the father is?”

As soon as the words slipped out, I was filled with regret. I wished I could snatch them back, but Sebastian’s reaction was swift. He almost choked on his wine. I had to suppress a giggle at his wide-eyed surprise.

Aaron and Erik both swiveled their heads toward him, and I could feel my cheeks flaming with embarrassment. But Sebastian quickly dismissed them with a wave of his hand, shaking his head as if to say, I’ve got this.

Once their focus returned to their own conversation, he leaned in closer, his breath warm against my ear. “Would it matter to you? Knowing who the father is?”

His question took me by surprise. “No, of course not,” I replied without hesitation.

“Would you love them any less?” His voice was soft, but his words held a certain gravity.

“Never,” I whispered, shaking my head at the mere suggestion.

“Then the same applies to us.” His smile was gentle, his eyes filled with that familiar affection. “We’ve already discussed it, you know. The three of us.”

My eyes widened, and I had to fight the urge to bombard him with questions. “Wait… When did you guys talk about this?”

Sebastian chuckled, taking another sip of his wine. “Maybe one day, Angel. Maybe one day we’ll tell you everything.”

I sighed, a quiet laugh escaping my lips as the tension dissipated. Sebastian always had a knack for simplifying things.

The rest of the dinner was filled with light-hearted chatter, and by the time we were done, I was beat. My body was pleasantly tired, and all I wanted was to fall into bed. I slipped into a nightgown and headed straight to bed, not needing to ask for permission this time. One by one, they joined me, each finding their spot next to me in our shared bed.

And I couldn’t decide who was the most handsome or the most attractive.

Sebastian was the first to join me, wearing only a black T-shirt and boxers that showcased his toned legs. He curled up behind me, his face nestled in my neck, his strong arms enveloping me as if he could protect me from the world. His muscular chest pressed against my back, and our bodies fit together perfectly, as if we were made for each other.

Then came Aaron, clad only in gray sweatpants, his chiseled abs and chest making me sigh. His tousled brown hair and piercing eyes enveloped me. He lay in front of me, holding my hands in his and kissing my knuckles before moving one hand to caress my face, then my waist.

His eyes held a unique glow of devotion.

Lastly, Erik joined us, wearing only shorts, his sculpted muscles reminding me of our earlier bath together. His warm hands wrapped around my hips, and he leaned against me, resting his face near my belly, grounding me even more.

Surrounded by them, I felt secure—complete.

Each of them settled around me in their own way, and everything seemed to fit just right.

I fell asleep quickly, perhaps due to the day’s exhaustion, but soon I found myself in a dream—or perhaps a vision.

I saw the Temple of the Moon, and a woman with silver hair inside, then the ancient library that I had discovered earlier.

Then I saw what looked like webs and dark clouds, and I felt myself being pulled out and woke up gasping.

I woke up with a start, sitting up abruptly. The bed shifted as they stirred around me, but none of them woke, and even there, surrounded by love, I couldn’t sleep.

The thoughts of our impossible union of the packs haunted me, and the fact that Theodore was still against it made it impossible for me to fall back asleep.

I got up and walked over to the small sofa near the window. The open curtains revealed the still full moon—a symbol of fertility.

Our Goddess, so near, so present.

The sight usually comforted me, but tonight, it only added to the heaviness in my chest.

I didn’t notice Aaron approach until he was right behind me. His voice was a soft murmur, full of concern.

“What’s on your mind, my queen?”

I sighed, leaning into his warmth.

“Just…everything.”