Chapter 47: Chapter 47

JASMINE

I stirred awake, cocooned in the warmth of Sebastian’s arms, his heartbeat a comforting rhythm beneath my ear. The first light of dawn was sneaking through the curtains, bathing the room in a soft, serene glow. For a fleeting moment, everything felt tranquil—secure.

But I knew this calm was temporary. Even with Sebastian’s presence, it wasn’t enough. Without Erik and Aaron, it felt like a puzzle with missing pieces.

It felt wrong. Gently, I extricated myself from Sebastian’s hold, donning a robe as I moved toward the window. The Scire estate sprawled out before me, still bearing the scars of destruction, but signs of reconstruction were evident.

Workers were busy hauling bricks and timber, striving to restore the pack to its former glory. The burden of all that had transpired weighed heavily on me—the battles, the alliances, the impending threats. And above all…Aaron.

He hadn’t joined us in bed last night. He was likely holed up in the Scire library, engrossed in ancient texts, seeking a way to safeguard us. Once Aaron set his mind on something, particularly when it involved those he cherished, he’d push himself to the brink.

After freshening up and dressing, I joined Sebastian and Erik in the dining room, where breakfast was already served.

“Is everything all right with your troops?” I asked Erik in a low voice.

He simply smiled, nodded, and planted a kiss on my forehead before Sebastian pulled out a chair for me.

The dining table was grand, but it felt too expansive for just us. The betas and Camille had already had their meal, and only Theodore was left, sipping his coffee while perusing scrolls. But Aaron’s chair was conspicuously vacant.

“He’s still in the library? He didn’t come to his room last night?” I asked, struggling to keep the worry from seeping into my voice.

Theodore looked up. “We spent the entire night discussing with the scholars. He’s barricaded himself in the library, poring over every book and scroll he can get his hands on.”

I sighed, admiring Aaron’s commitment but fretting over how hard he was driving himself. “I’ll take him some food.”

Theodore arranged for a breakfast tray, and I left the dining room, setting off to find Aaron.

The library door was slightly open when I got there, and I slipped in silently. The familiar scent of aged parchment and ink filled the room, a reminder of the countless hours I’d spent with Aaron here. He was hunched over a stack of books, his fingers tracing symbols as he jotted down notes.

He looked worn out—and it tore at my heart.

“Aaron…,” I murmured, moving closer.

He looked up, his weary eyes softening at my sight. “Jasmine.” He put down his pen, rubbing his eyes. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“I thought you might be hungry, so I brought you something.” I set the tray on a nearby table and stood beside him, surveying the chaos of books, scrolls, and notes strewn everywhere. “How long have you been at this?”

“Not long enough,” he grumbled, attempting to sound casual. “There’s something I’m overlooking—something I can’t quite grasp.”

I reached out, lightly touching his arm. “You need to rest, Aaron. You’re wearing yourself thin.”

“I can’t rest,” he replied, his voice strained but resolute. “Not when we’re this close. We’re almost there.”

“I missed you in bed last night,” I confessed softly, releasing a quiet sigh.

Aaron’s lips twisted into a playful grin. “The other two didn’t keep you entertained?” His tone was teasing, light, but his eyes were warm.

“You know it’s not the same,” I whispered, my voice earnest. “I need you too… I missed you.”

Without another word, Aaron drew me into his arms, holding me close, and I sank into the comforting solidity of his embrace.

I’m not sure how long we stayed like that, wrapped in each other’s arms, but eventually, I gently pushed against his shoulders, creating a small gap between us. Cradling his face in my hands, my thumb traced his jawline tenderly.

His eyes fluttered shut, and he leaned into my touch, as if he’d been yearning for it as much as I had.

“I’m proud of you,” I whispered, my voice soft but firm. “I know you’d go to any lengths for those you love, for your people, for our people. I’ve always admired your intellect, your wisdom, and everything else about you. But you don’t have to shoulder this burden alone, Aaron. Let me take care of you too.”

His brown eyes fluttered open, and I was instantly drawn in. They held a depth I hadn’t seen in a while, something raw and vulnerable. He slowly reached up, taking my hand in his and holding it tight, as if he needed the connection more than he’d ever let on.

“I’m not sure if I ever expressed how much it meant…seeing you defend my pack,” he started, his voice low and raw. “Everything you did—it wasn’t just for me. You saved my people, my home.”

“Our people,” I gently corrected him, a smile playing on my lips. “Our pack.”

He looked away, a shadow passing over his face. “The council will never accept that. They’re scared of what we could become if we’re united.”

His words sent a shiver down my spine, the weight of his fear settling in. “They won’t have a choice if we stand together. They’ll have to accept it.”

“This could ignite a war with the council,” he cautioned, concern lacing his voice. “I don’t want to pull you into that.”

“I’m not scared of war,” I declared firmly.

“I know you’re not,” he sighed, his hand gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “And that terrifies me. I can’t lose you, Jasmine. I couldn’t breathe on the journey here, not because of the pack…but because I was terrified for you.”

His eyes were a whirlpool of emotions—love, fear, desperation. It took my breath away. “But when I saw you, standing tall, fighting for my people…our people…I was in awe. You were a fierce warrior.”

He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me, gently at first, but filled with the weight of our shared experiences.

“I love you,” I murmured against his lips. “I’d fight for you a million times over.”

His kiss deepened, more urgent, claiming me in a way that sent a rush of heat coursing through my veins. But just as I was about to lose myself in him, my gaze flicked to the scattered papers on the table behind him. Something felt…off.

It was his notes. Names.

~Thom Sirago.~

~Math Rigos.~

~Gisa Morth.~

A strange unease settled in my chest as I pulled back slightly, my brows furrowing. “Aaron…” My voice was softer than I intended, my fingers reaching for the papers. “What are these?”

He frowned, pushing aside some old books to reveal even more notes. “They’re the names of counselors—ones who advised the alphas over the centuries. These, in specifics, are of the alphas who slowly split our packs. I think they were behind key decisions that slowly drove the packs apart. I’ve been tracing their families to see where they are now.”

I nodded absentmindedly, my eyes glued to the names. Something about them gnawed at me. They felt familiar, but in a way I couldn’t place.

~Thom Sirago.~

~Math Rigos.~

~Gisa Morth.~

I picked up a pen, my hand moving almost of its own accord as I wrote the names down again, staring at them, willing the answer to come. There was something there, something I couldn’t quite grasp.

The letters. The letters were the same, but… in a different order.

A realization slowly crept in, and my stomach twisted with a mixture of disbelief and dread. They weren’t just names. They were anagrams.

I swallowed hard, my heart now pounding in my ears as the pieces clicked into place. “Aaron,” I whispered, my voice barely audible, “these names… They’re not real. They’re anagrams.” My throat felt tight as I scribbled out the letters again, rearranging them frantically.

My breath hitched as the truth revealed itself on the page before me.

~Morgathis.~

“They spell Morgathis,” I whispered, my heart sinking. “These names… They’re all anagrams of Morgathis.”

His breath hitched as he looked at the names again. “Morgathis? You mean she’s been—”

“Yes,” I interrupted. “It’s been her all along. She’s been behind everything. For centuries. She’s been manipulating the packs, dividing them.”

Aaron’s face drained of color as the realization sank in. “This changes everything. She’s far older, far more dangerous than we thought.”

“And the Silverclaw betrayal,” I added, my mind racing. “It wasn’t just for books, the professors, and the university. It was to destroy any chance of uniting the Scire. It was part of her plan.”

Aaron’s grip on my hand tightened, his voice filled with determination. “The Moon Goddess didn’t pair us up for nothing. We’re the ones who can put an end to this.”

“We need to let the others in on it,” I voiced, a sense of urgency welling up within me. “They have to be informed.”

He gave a nod of agreement, but his feet were planted firmly on the ground. “Go ahead, fill them in. I’ll continue digging. We need to gather as much intel as we can. Just, Jasmine…” Aaron’s voice was laced with a hint of despair. “Morgathis seems to be more formidable than we initially thought, almost like she was the antithesis of the Moon Goddess,” he finished, causing my heart to plummet.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure. “Well, aren’t we fortunate to have the Moon Goddess on our team,” I retorted, attempting to sound hopeful. But the reality was, all I had was faith—nothing more.

I was reluctant to leave him, but I knew he wouldn’t be leaving the library anytime soon. “Please, have something to eat,” I softly implored.

A smile graced his lips as he leaned in to kiss me, first on my lips and then on my forehead. “I love you.”

“I love you,” I echoed back.