Chapter 35: Chapter 35

JASMINE

A heavy sense of dread hung over me, pressing down on my chest with each breath I took. As we geared up to head to the Bellator Pack, a stifling tension filled the air. My heart was burdened with fear—an irrational yet inescapable worry.

The thought of the three people I loved most stepping into danger was almost too much to bear. I had complete faith in them. I knew they were strong, competent, and united.

Erik and Sebastian wouldn’t let Aaron even think about going alone—they made that clear. We were no longer just individuals; we were a team, bound by more than destiny. Friendship, loyalty, and something much deeper now bound us together—a mate bond.

Yet, the silent packing and the long, quiet journey to the Bellator Pack did nothing to soothe my nerves. The atmosphere in the car felt heavy, as if the weight of what was to come was pressing down on us all.

My stomach twisted with unease, but I kept it to myself, watching the passing landscape through the window, trying to distract myself from the impending separation. As we crossed into the Bellator Pack’s territory, the tension changed, but it didn’t fade.

It morphed. The vast hills and fortress-like structure of Erik’s territory were awe-inspiring, but it was Erik’s transformation that took my breath away. The moment we crossed the boundary, he became someone else—an alpha in every sense of the word.

His posture was authoritative; his aura radiated power. It drew me to him like a magnet. Seeing him like this stirred something primal within me—a pull I could barely resist.

The guards of Bellator bowed as we approached, sensing his power and acknowledging their leader. We stepped out of the car, and Ragnar and Camille’s car pulled up right in front.

The presence of the alphas was palpable, but it was clear that Erik’s was even more potent. Ragnar had already completed Erik’s training, and even without formally taking over the pack, it was already his.

We all knew that the orders came from him. Ragnar was practically retired, merely supporting his son, who already led the pack with a firm hand. The pack members gathered, disciplined and ready, their respect for him evident in every move they made.

Erik stepped forward, taking the lead, and I couldn’t help but admire him. His voice rang out with the unshakeable confidence of a true alpha.

“Prepare the soldiers. We move toward Silverclaw later today.”

His words rippled through the pack like a royal decree. The shift in energy was immediate; every wolf stood taller, straighter, as if energized by his presence alone.

“We will need the best smiths to begin work immediately. The best iron will come from Aurum, and we will need weapons.”

His words about my pack made my heart flutter. The soldiers moved without hesitation, following orders immediately, efficient and loyal, their gazes full of respect and trust.

I could feel the pulse of his leadership; the Bellator was powerful and ruthless not because of the strength of their pack or their army, but because of Erik himself, who united them all. It was impossible not to be in awe of him at this moment.

This was Erik, not just my mate, but a born leader. He turned to us, his eyes softer when they met mine, but the intensity in them was still undeniable.

“Everything will be ready when we return. We’ll be prepared for whatever comes,” he said.

His promise did little to quell the storm inside me, but I nodded, forcing a smile. Aaron and Sebastian followed him into the pack house like two halves of a whole.

Seeing them together like this, united and driven, filled my chest with pride—and fear. The three of them were an unstoppable force together, but the thought of them stepping into danger without me sent shivers down my spine.

Inside Erik’s office, the strategy session began. He pulled out an old map of the Silverclaw territory, spreading it across the table.

Aaron was already leaning over it, his sharp mind working through possibilities and outcomes, while Sebastian stood behind them, offering insights on the magical threats we might face. The three of them were deep in conversation, but my mind wandered, the worry gnawing at me.

I found myself annoyed with this constant insecurity. I wasn’t always like this; I was strong and independent.

But after discovering my three mates, I found three of my greatest strengths and my greatest weaknesses. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what would happen to me if something happened to them.

To any of them. Erik’s guard uniforms were now being worn by the trio.

I had to admit, the holsters that were Erik’s signature look, which made him even more attractive and intimidating, looked equally good on Aaron and Sebastian. They were breathtaking.

I watched them, my heart heavy. They looked amazing—strong, determined, and ready for anything.

I yearned to be there with them, fighting by their side, contributing to the strategy. But this time, I had to stay behind.

This wasn’t just a mission for soldiers and weapons; it was a delicate dance that required careful planning, and I couldn’t be part of it. Seeing them united, as one, made my chest tighten.

The thought of them being away from me for an unknown period was hard to bear. I was perched on a couch in the corner, gazing out the window.

Occasionally, my eyes drifted to the three of them at the table. I longed to be there, strategizing and planning missions.

I had done the training, and I loved it. But for this mission, every decision would be made without me.

It was a hard pill to swallow, and I had chosen not to participate. The room felt too large, the distance between me and my mates too great.

My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts about what could go wrong, and the fear was suffocating. I tried to calm myself by looking out the window, but my gaze kept returning to them.

Aaron’s eyes found mine, his soft brown gaze filled with worry. He said something to Erik, who looked at me and nodded.

They both then turned to Sebastian, who, without a word, got up and walked toward me. His intense blue eyes met mine, instantly grounding me.

“Come, my angel,” he whispered, his voice a soothing antidote to my frayed nerves. “You need a break from this.”

He wrapped his arms around me, and I glanced back at Aaron and Erik. I mouthed a silent “thank you,” and they both smiled gently before returning to their discussion.

Sebastian led me to another room, one with a large, comfortable sofa. He lay down and pulled me against his chest.

I melted into his embrace, my tension dissolving with each passing second. His hands drew soothing circles on my arms, his warmth pulling me out of my worry spiral.

In his arms, the weight of everything—the council’s disapproval, Theodore’s resistance, the witches, and the danger my three mates faced—seemed to fade away. In this moment, nothing else mattered.

“I can feel your worry,” Sebastian murmured, his lips brushing against my hair.

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them back. “I hate that I’m always worried…always crying. I was supposed to be the tough one. But the thought of something happening to any of you—” My voice faltered. “I don’t think I can handle it. I feel like I should go with you.”

Sebastian chuckled softly, the sound resonating through his chest. “No, my angel. You won’t be going. We couldn’t focus with you there, and you know that. We’re stronger together, Jasmine. Nothing will happen to us. And when we come back, we’ll face whatever comes next, just like always—together.”

His words were comforting, but it was his steady, unwavering presence that truly calmed the storm inside me. I rested my head against his chest, the rhythm of his heartbeat grounding me.

The tension in my body slowly unraveled as his familiar scent enveloped me, quieting my fears.

“I’m not strong without you,” I whispered, my voice shaky.

He laughed again, his chest rumbling beneath me. “You’re the strongest of us all,” he said, his voice soft as he kissed my forehead. “You always were.”

For a moment, the outside world faded away. It was just the two of us, wrapped in each other’s warmth.

And for the first time since the plan was set in motion, I felt a glimmer of peace.