Chapter 39: Chapter 39

AARON

Walking away from Jasmine was like ripping my heart out. I knew it would be painful, but I hadn’t anticipated the depth of the anguish that would consume me. It wasn’t just missing her—it was a despair that swallowed me whole.

Every moment away from her was like a slow, torturous death, as if a part of me was being ripped apart, piece by piece. I could feel it in my chest, a constant tightness, a tugging sensation, as if the mate bond itself was screaming at me to return to her.

This was nothing like when we were dating and spent time apart. Back then, it was hard, but now? Now, it was unbearable.

Every moment away was a reminder that she wasn’t just someone I loved—she was my life force, the rhythm that kept my heart beating. I could see that Erik and Sebastian felt the same, even if they didn’t voice it.

It was there in their eyes, in the silent glances we exchanged as we embarked on our journey to Silverclaw. No words were needed. We all understood.

It was painful, but we had to keep moving. We had to stay strong—for her. I had no choice but to go to Silverclaw to retrieve the books, but they had a choice.

They could have stayed behind, stayed close to Jasmine while I went. But they didn’t. They chose to stand with me. We were a team now, not just in battle, but in everything.

For her. We were bound together, not just by destiny, but by our love for her.

Each of us was ready to fight, to sacrifice, for Jasmine. The journey was tense, not because of any hostility between us, but because of the unspoken words that hung in the air.

I had known Sebastian and Erik for years. We had been best friends for years, but we had never been this close. Now, we were brothers—not just in battle, but in the complexity of being her mates, loving her, and making this all work.

It made me respect them even more—both of them. We shared a bond now that went beyond anything I could’ve imagined.

As dusk descended, we arrived at the gates of Silverclaw. The dark stone walls towered over us, cold and unwelcoming—much like the pack itself. I stepped forward, resolute, but my heart was already heavy.

I knew this wouldn’t be easy. “I’m Aaron Scire. This is Sebastian Wolfheart and Erik Bellator,” I announced, my voice as steady as I could make it. “We’ve come to speak with Alpha Lucian.”

The guard scrutinized us, his brows furrowing as if assessing us. “Do you have a meeting scheduled?” he asked, his tone almost derisive.

“No,” I responded, striving to keep my cool. “But it won’t be necessary. Tell him I wish to discuss the agreement my father made with him. We want to resolve this before we’re forced to take any other action.”

The guard exchanged a glance with his companion before nodding. “I’ll let him know.”

Minutes ticked by, feeling like an eternity, but finally, the gates creaked open.

“Your men stay out here,” the guard said, gesturing to the Bellator soldiers behind us.

I clenched my jaw. Leaving our soldiers behind felt like we were surrendering a vital weapon, but Erik stepped forward, unfazed.

“All right,” he said smoothly. “Troops, take position. Any movement—wait for my signal.”

The soldiers lined up, ready for action if needed. It was a strategic move, one of subtle intimidation. If Silverclaw thought they could outmaneuver us, they were wrong.

As we entered the pack’s territory, the atmosphere changed drastically. Everything felt…off. The air was colder and heavier. It was like stepping into a forgotten world, untouched by the warmth of the outside world.

Silverclaw had always been a reclusive pack, keeping to themselves, and it showed in the eerie stillness of their land. My blood boiled the moment we passed the university.

The architecture was identical to ours—my father’s design. It stood out, a stark contrast in this frozen, backward place. He had given them so much, and yet they had repaid him with nothing but betrayal.

Seeing it there, a monument to his trust, made my stomach churn. We reached the pack house, and the guard led us into a grand hall.

The heavy oak doors creaked open, and there he was—Lucian. Lucian, the alpha of Silverclaw, was a towering figure. His dark beard was streaked with gray, and his long hair cascaded over his broad shoulders.

He was more sorcerer than wolf, his aura pulsating with an ancient, dangerous power. He broke the silence, his voice cold and echoing in the cavernous chamber. “No need for formalities. What brings you here?”

Before I could muster a response, Erik stepped up. His voice was steady, resolute. “We’ll cut to the chase. We’re here for the books.”

I shot him a grateful nod, then turned my attention back to Lucian. “The books my father donated to your university—they still belong to the Scire. You didn’t uphold your end of the bargain, and now we need them back.”

Lucian’s lips twisted into a smirk. His laughter reverberated around the room. “And why should I give them to you? They’re mine now.”

I felt a surge of anger, but I forced myself to remain composed. “Because those books hold the key to defeating a shared enemy. The witches have returned, and if we don’t band together, we’re all doomed.”

Lucian’s face remained impassive, but the room seemed to darken, the air growing colder. He stroked his beard, mulling over my words. “Witches, you say?” His voice was low, thoughtful. “And what makes you think they’re our enemy?”

My heart seized. The room fell silent. It was as if time itself had paused. A wave of fear washed over me, my stomach twisting into knots.

Had we just walked into a trap? Had we been wrong to trust Silverclaw? Then it hit me, like a sucker punch to the gut—Lucian wasn’t just indifferent to the witches. He was in league with them.

In that moment, my promise to Jasmine echoed in my mind, the words I had vowed to her before leaving: “I promise.” I had promised her I would return.

But now, standing before Lucian, the weight of his betrayal pressing down on me, I wasn’t sure if I had lied.