Chapter 46: Chapter 46

JASMINE

I had no idea how long I’d been out, but when I woke up, the moonlight was gently filtering through the curtains. It bathed the room in a soft, ethereal glow. Erik was still there, his body heat enveloping me, his arm thrown over my waist in a protective gesture.

I felt a smile tug at my lips, a sense of safety and contentment washing over me—something I hadn’t felt in a long time.

But then I heard it—the faint sound of hushed voices. My eyes snapped open, and I realized Erik wasn’t next to me anymore. He was already up, standing by the door, his voice a low rumble as he spoke to someone outside.

Slowly, I sat up, pulling the covers closer to me. That’s when I saw him—Sebastian. He was just outside the door, his face etched with worry, his eyes flicking between Erik and me.

His intense blue eyes met mine, causing my breath to hitch. He was still in his uniform, his shirt half unbuttoned, revealing the hard muscles underneath—his emotions palpable.

“What’s happening?” I asked, my voice still thick with sleep.

Erik turned to me, his eyes softening. “Some of my men need me. I’ll be back soon, okay?” He hesitated, clearly conflicted about leaving.

I nodded, a twinge of worry creeping in, but I trusted him. He was a warrior; this was his calling. “Stay safe.”

He came over, planting a gentle kiss on my forehead, his fingers lightly brushing my hair. “Always. You too.”

He got dressed swiftly, with the practiced ease of a seasoned soldier. Then, with one last glance, he was gone—leaving me alone with Sebastian.

Sebastian stepped into the room, his gaze lingering on the spot Erik had just left. There was a heaviness in his eyes, something unspoken, something that had been there since his pack was attacked.

“I brought something for your leg—and a potion for the pain,” he said, his voice soft, hesitant, a stark contrast to his usual confidence.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my heart warming at the sight of him. His quiet strength was always so comforting.

He moved across the room and sat next to me, placing a small vial and a jar of ointment on the bedside table. He dipped his fingers into the ointment, and with gentle care, he pulled back the blanket to reveal the bruise on my leg.

His eyes darkened, his jaw clenching at the sight of the injury. “I should’ve been there,” he murmured, his voice barely a whisper as he started applying the ointment, his touch warm, soothing.

“Sebastian,” I said softly, covering his hand with mine. “You couldn’t have known. You were fighting your own battle.”

He looked at me, his face raw with guilt. “I hate seeing you hurt. It’s killing me inside, knowing I couldn’t protect you.”

I uncapped the potion he’d brought and drank it. The warm liquid spread through me, easing the ache in my muscles. When I handed the vial back to him, I saw something in his eyes, something deeper than words.

“Sebastian…,” I whispered, sensing his silent torment.

He set the vial aside and took my hand, his thumb gently stroking my knuckles. The tenderness of his touch made my heart flutter.

“You don’t know what it was like,” he started, his voice breaking. “Knowing you were in danger, that you could’ve been taken from us…from me. I couldn’t stand it.”

His confession made my chest tighten, and I squeezed his hand. “But I’m here, Sebastian. You didn’t lose me.”

His eyes softened, and in the next moment, he pulled me into his arms, holding me as if he could shield me from the world. I nestled into his embrace, resting my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

“I should’ve put a protection spell on you. I don’t know how I didn’t think of it sooner,” he said, his voice heavy with regret. “The thought of a world without you terrifies me, Jasmine.”

I lifted my head to look at him, my heart aching for him. “You’re not a wizard, Seb. The spell would’ve drained you, especially after what you faced. I don’t want you to hurt yourself for me.”

“Jasmine, you’re my everything,” he murmured, his lips grazing the crown of my head. “You mean more to me than the pack, even more than my own existence.” His voice wavered as he confessed, “I’ve been in love with you longer than I could ever admit. Now that we’re bonded, now that you’re truly mine…I’ll never let you go.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, touched by the depth of his words. I could sense his love, his fear—all of it flooding into me.

“I love you too, Sebastian. I always have.”

His lips found mine in a gentle, lingering kiss, one that spoke of love, not desperation. His hands cupped my face, and the world disappeared as we lost ourselves in each other. When we finally broke apart, our foreheads touched, our breaths intermingling in the space between us.

“I’ll always keep you safe,” he vowed, his voice thick with emotion. “No matter what.”

“I know,” I whispered back, planting a soft kiss on his lips. The warmth of his body, the security of his hold, grounded me in ways I hadn’t known I needed.

Sebastian murmured a spell in Latin. “Et custodiat te in vita mea,” he said as his fingers traced my forehead. I watched in wonder as beams of magic flowed from his heart and fingers, glowing faintly.

“What’s happening, Seb?” I asked, my voice filled with awe.

He smiled gently. “It’s a spell. Before your life force depletes, mine will.”

I gasped. “Sebastian…why?”

“I promised to protect you, Jasmine. Now, we’re linked in a way that even death can’t break.”

Tears streamed down my face, but before I could utter a word, I kissed him. Hard. My hands cradled his face, pulling him closer, wanting him to feel everything I couldn’t express. His hands slid to my waist, drawing me against him, and somewhere in the midst of our kiss, the sheet slipped from my body, leaving me exposed to him.

Sebastian pulled away for a moment, his breath ragged as he looked at me, his eyes brimming with adoration. Sebastian’s gaze swept over my body, his blue eyes heavy with desire and reverence. He exhaled slowly, his chest rising and falling as if he were struggling to maintain control. I could feel the tension vibrating beneath his skin, mirroring the fire building within me.

“You’re perfect,” he whispered, his voice husky and low, as if the words were drawn from his very soul. His hand traced the curve of my waist, his fingertips barely touching my skin, sparking warmth wherever he touched. My breath hitched, anticipation coiling within me.

I drew him back to me, my fingers weaving through his hair, guiding his lips back to mine. This kiss was different—passionate, insistent, filled with the pent-up desire that had been simmering between us for too long.

His tongue explored my mouth, entwining with mine in a heated dance. His hands gripped my hips, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us.

I could feel his arousal pressing against my thigh through his pants, sending a thrill of excitement through me, a testament to how I affected him. My body reacted instinctively, arching toward him, craving more of him—all of him.

Sebastian groaned softly against my lips. Without another word, he shifted us, laying me back on the bed as he hovered above me.

I felt the warmth of his skin beneath my hands as I ran them over his chest, pushing his unbuttoned shirt the rest of the way off. It was just us, and he was giving me everything.

His muscles tensed under my touch, strong and warm, and I couldn’t resist pressing myself harder against him, my desire for him intensifying with each passing second.

He broke the kiss. His lips trailed down my neck, leaving a path of warmth as he pressed open-mouthed kisses along my collarbone, then lower, until his mouth hovered over my breast.

His breath was hot against my skin, and my fingers dug into his shoulders, grounding myself as the sensations overwhelmed me.

“Sebastian…,” I whispered, my voice breathless, pleading.

He groaned in response, his mouth closing around my nipple, his tongue teasing and swirling until a gasp escaped my lips. The pleasure was intense, electric, spreading through me like wildfire.

I could feel the pulse of my heartbeat between my legs, yearning for him, needing him.

His fingers slipped between us, finding the damp warmth at my center. I gasped as he touched me, his thumb circling that tender spot, teasing me until my body shook, my hips moving on their own, craving more of his touch.

“I need you,” I murmured, my voice barely a whisper, but I knew he heard me. His eyes met mine, dark with longing, and in that moment, I knew he needed me just as much.

His gaze never left mine as he positioned himself between my thighs. The weight of him, the heat of his body against mine, sent a thrill of anticipation coursing through me.

He kissed me again, his lips soft yet insistent, and then I felt him, the tip of him pressing against my entrance, teasing me. My breath hitched, my body arched toward him, desperate for the connection, for the pleasure I knew was imminent.

With a slow, deliberate motion, he pushed inside me, filling me completely. The sensation was overwhelming, the perfect blend of pleasure and pressure as he stretched me, claimed me.

We both moaned simultaneously, the sound mingling in the air between us.

He paused for a moment, his forehead resting against mine, our breaths mingling as we both savored the moment—the intensity of it.

“I love you,” he whispered, his voice hoarse, raw with emotion.

“I love you,” I echoed, my voice trembling with the same emotion. I cradled his face in my hands, pulling him closer until our lips met in a slow, tender kiss—sealing the words between us.

Then he began to move, slow at first—every thrust measured, controlled—as if he was savoring every moment, every inch of our connection. My body responded to his, moving with him, matching his rhythm, the pleasure building inside me with every stroke.

“Sebastian…” I moaned his name, my fingers digging into his back as he quickened the pace, his thrusts growing harder, deeper—pushing me closer to the brink.

The heat between us was unbearable, my body trembling as the pleasure built, coiling tighter and tighter until I felt like I was going to shatter.

“I’ve got you,” he whispered, his voice rough, his breath hot against my ear. His hand slipped between us again, his fingers finding that sensitive spot—and it was all I needed.

The world exploded around me, pleasure crashing through me in waves—my body shaking with the force of it.

Sebastian followed me over the edge, his own release shuddering through him as he buried himself deep inside me—his body trembling against mine.

For a long moment, we stayed like that, our bodies entwined, our breaths heavy, hearts pounding in unison.

Then, slowly, Sebastian lowered himself beside me, pulling me into his arms, his fingers brushing through my hair as we lay there in the quiet aftermath of our lovemaking.

“I’ll never let anything happen to you,” he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to my temple.

“I know,” I whispered back, my heart swelling with love and gratitude. “And I’ll never let you go.”

We stayed like that, wrapped in each other’s arms, knowing that no matter what came next, we would face it together—stronger, united, and more in love than ever before.