Chapter 41: Chapter 41

JASMINE

My hands trembled as I hung up the phone with Aaron. My heart was hammering in my chest, a sense of dread washing over me at the thought of his people—our people—in danger. The Scire Pack was under attack.

In my heart and in my mind, there was no distinction between us. We were one. Fear clouded my thoughts for a moment. Aaron, Erik, and Sebastian were all far away, out of reach.

But then the fog lifted, replaced by a wave of determination. The responsibility was mine now. I stood taller, my jaw set, the weight of the situation clear.

I wouldn’t stand by and wait. It was time to take action. I was born to be an alpha, to lead.

This was my moment. My mind was racing, trying to figure out the next steps. I was at Bellator, and I needed to speak with Ragnar and Camille.

It was midnight. I didn’t want to disturb them, but I had no choice. I hesitated before knocking on their bedroom door.

A chill ran down my spine at the thought of waking them, unsure of their reaction. But soon, Ragnar opened the door, his blond hair tousled, his honey-colored eyes puffy.

He looked just like Erik when I’d woken him up in the middle of the night once. It tugged at my heartstrings for a moment.

“Jasmine, is everything okay? What happened?” he asked.

“Yes… No. Aaron called. Scire is under attack, and they need help,” I said.

I didn’t need to elaborate. Ragnar’s eyes widened, and I saw Camille getting up behind him.

“Erik took a troop with him, but we have more. I’ll get in touch with Trevor and prepare the men,” Ragnar said, already springing into action.

My thoughts shifted to the next step. “I’ll call my father and Philip. We need all the help we can get.” Ragnar nodded.

He rushed past me, heading for the guard headquarters. Camille, already slipping into a robe, gave my shoulder a comforting squeeze before following him.

I reached for my phone and tried calling Aaron, but there was no answer. Erik—nothing. Sebastian—nothing.

The next number I dialed was my father’s. “Jasmine?” My father’s sleepy voice answered.

“Dad, the Scire Pack is under attack. I’m at Bellator, and Ragnar is sending soldiers, but we’re closer. If we can send our men, they’ll get there faster.”

There was a heavy silence for a few seconds, and I feared he was weighing the decision. But then he said, “These witch attacks are getting out of control. Of course, daughter. I’ll send a troop immediately.”

Relief washed over me. “Thank you, Father. And please, the iron for Bellator. Their blacksmiths need to be ready for whatever comes next.”

“We’re already on it.” He paused, and I could hear him hold his breath before speaking again. “Jasmine… honey, be careful.”

His words were heavy, laden with the weight of everything unsaid: ~I can’t lose you too.~

“You too.” I hung up quickly, no time to dwell.

My mind raced ahead. Theodore was a strong alpha, but without Aaron there and with the witches involved… It was different.

With the unification of the guards, soldiers who used to patrol our pack borders had been reassigned to the outer perimeters, reinforcing the defense. But it wasn’t enough.

We needed magic. That was Philip’s job. I called him next.

“Jasmine?” Philip answered on the first ring, his voice alert.

“Witches are attacking Scire. I need your mages—potions, spells, anything to give us an edge. We’re running out of time.”

Philip didn’t hesitate. “I’ll send them right away.”

He paused for a second, and I knew what he was going to ask. My chest tightened, but I had to be honest. “Any news from them?”

“No,” I said, the weight of the truth hitting me. “Aaron just called to say they were under attack, and I haven’t been able to reach any of them since.”

There was a silence on the other end. After Sebastian’s attack, Philip hated the thought of sending his son into another war zone.

But he said quietly, “Tell Sebastian to call me when you hear from him.”

“Will do. Thanks, Philip.”

Hanging up, I felt the pain of separation from my mates, but there was no time to wallow. They needed me to lead.

Each phone call, each plan, made my determination grow. It was time for me to step up. Their absence wasn’t a weakness, but a source of strength.

Their power flowed through me, fueling my resolve. I held the necklace my mother had given me, a precious artifact from Aurum, made from the purest silver and gold.

Aurum was known for its high-quality jewelry, but ours was special. It was our family’s legacy. I clutched the moon-shaped pendant, silently pleading for strength and wisdom from my ancestors and the Goddess.

I headed to the guard barracks to get a uniform. Once, it felt odd to step into Erik’s world, but now it felt…right.

As I entered, the guards, Erik’s people, looked at me with respect. It was unexpected. Their gazes, their bows—just like they did for Erik—caught me off guard.

Emotion welled up in my throat, but I forced it down. I dismissed them, trying to mimic Erik’s gesture.

The pride that swelled in my chest was unexpected, but I welcomed it. I got dressed—boots, holsters, sword at my side—prepared for the worst battle.

I wasn’t alone. My mates were with me, even if they weren’t physically present. Ragnar informed me that the soldiers were ready, lined up waiting for me.

I thanked him and said one last sentence before heading to Scire. “May the Goddess be with you,” I said.

As we journeyed toward Scire, my wolf was ready, her fury pulsing through me. Time seemed to stretch, my thoughts flickering between the impending battle and my companions, wishing they were here.

When we reached Scire, the sight was breathtaking. Fire consumed the horizon. Smoke filled the sky, thick and suffocating.

Magic clashed with steel, lighting the air with deadly energy. My heart pounded as I directed the Bellator soldiers into the battle, their swords joining the Scire and Aurum forces.

The sight of Scire brought a sick feeling to my stomach. Flames danced along the horizon, the thick smoke choked the air, and destruction was everywhere. This was Aaron’s home. His history. His people. And they were being ripped apart. Anger simmered beneath my skin, mingling with the fear that was always lurking.

I couldn’t let them die. Not like this. Not while I still had the strength to fight for them, for him.

When I entered, I saw a true horror. The Scire were known for their wisdom and knowledge, and even though they had soldiers and even magic, it wasn’t their strong suit. I saw the universities under attack, magic and swords filling the air.

Without a word, the Bellator soldiers sprang into action. My heart lifted when I saw the soldiers of my pack already in action. The Bellator joined them and the remaining Scire soldiers. This sparked something inside me. The feeling of unity wasn’t just between us; it was between them too.

I drew my sword, and using all my years of alpha training, I used everything I had learned. I tried to dodge the spells. I tried to stay safe as I promised Aaron, but the battle was fierce.

Suddenly, a sight took my breath away. Theodore, standing still, defenseless, looked at me with wide eyes. He looked around and saw the tide of the battle slowly turning in our favor.

“Did you coordinate all of this?” he asked, his voice trembling as he took in the combined forces of our packs.

“You needed us,” I replied, wiping sweat from my forehead.

Just then, a dark spell hit my leg, sending searing pain through me. But before I could react, a Wolfheart mage took down the witch who cast it.

Hobbling, I pressed on, still directing the soldiers when I felt a powerful pull in my chest—strong and urgent. I paused to look around, and I saw the tide of the battle slowly turning. We were slowly regaining control.

Slowly, we were winning. The scene was heartbreaking, but I remained standing, limping as I assessed the survivors and coordinated the troops. I was helping a guard to his feet when I felt a strong squeeze in my chest. I paused for a moment to identify it. The feeling was good, but it tugged at my chest and lifted my face, making me look up to see my three companions standing in front of me. A wave of despair and relief washed over me, mingled with something even more profound. Their eyes were riveted on me, and I could sense their sigh of relief through our bond.

They were just as relieved to see me unharmed as I was to see them. They gazed at me, their eyes wide with astonishment, perhaps questioning the reality of my presence. Their eyes mirrored the same relief, the same fear I felt.

Through our connection, I could feel their emotions—shock, worry, and something more. Love. Before I could utter a word, they were all over me. I wasn’t sure who got to me first, but the warmth of their touch grounded me, tethering me to the present.

I was enveloped, lifted from the ground, their arms encircling me like a safety rope.

“You’re okay,” Aaron exhaled, his voice trembling.

Erik’s eyes roved over me, his jaw tightening when he spotted the injury on my leg. “Your leg.”

“I’m fine,” I managed to whisper, despite the throbbing pain. “You’re here.”

“Shhh, dream girl, let me handle this.” Erik’s deep voice resonated as he hoisted me up effortlessly, his arms constricting around me.

I wanted to object, but I couldn’t. Not now. For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to melt into their embrace.