Chapter 58: Chapter 58

JASMINE

I made my way back to the forge, taking a moment to gather my thoughts before sharing Aaron’s idea with Erik and Sebastian. Erik’s face lit up like a Christmas tree, a wide grin spreading across his face as he pulled me into his arms.

“That’s a fantastic idea,” he said, his voice filled with a mix of thrill and pride. “We don’t need to wait for anyone’s approval to become stronger.”

He planted a soft kiss on my forehead, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Although, it does seem like something the council might not be too thrilled about.”

Sebastian let out a hearty laugh, crossing his arms and giving me a teasing look. “So, it’s a bit rebellious too? I’m liking this more and more.”

He shot a playful glance at Aaron, his grin growing wider. “But marking all at once… That’s usually quite an intense experience.”

A blush crept up my cheeks as I glanced between the three of them. “You don’t say,” I muttered, trying to keep my nerves in check. “This is… It’s a big step for me, and I won’t lie—I’m a bit scared.”

Aaron gave my shoulder a comforting squeeze, his smile reassuring. “We won’t rush you, Jasmine. We’ll go at your pace.”

He shot a glance at Erik and Sebastian. His look conveyed his message loud and clear.

Sebastian’s demeanor softened as he stepped closer, taking my other hand. “Remember, it’s only as complicated as we make it,” he said, winking at me. “Plus, think about it—once it’s done, you’ll be marked by three very protective alphas. What’s there to be scared of?”

“Exactly, Minnie,” Erik chimed in, smirking as he nudged me gently. “It’ll be just you, surrounded by your three mates, all eager to prove their loyalty.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, feeling some of my tension dissolve. “Okay, okay. I get that you’re trying to lighten the mood, but remember, you’re not the ones about to be marked three times in a row.”

Erik let out a laugh, his thumb gently brushing my bottom lip, his eyes filled with warmth. “Fair point. But we’ll do everything we can to make sure you’re comfortable.”

He shot Aaron and Sebastian a mock-serious look. “No crazy alpha moves, got it?”

Aaron rolled his eyes, chuckling. “We’ll keep our inner wolves on their best behavior—for the most part.”

Sebastian’s voice turned serious, his gaze intense as he looked at me. “Jasmine, this is more than just a ritual for us. It’s our promise to protect you, to stand by you. And if you’re willing to mark us in return, that means the world.”

A wave of emotion washed over me—love, excitement, and nerves all tangled together. “I want this. I want us.”

I took a deep breath, meeting each of their eyes in turn. “Let’s do it.”

Erik’s grin was back in full force, and he gave me a quick wink. “Well then, lead the way, Dream girl.”

We all exchanged a look, feeling the gravity of the moment—understanding what it meant and the strength it would give us before the battle. This wasn’t just a ritual; it was our bond, our unity. And in that moment, all my fears faded, replaced with a sense of belonging and power I’d never felt before.

Sebastian nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “I just wish we could have enjoyed our Moon Ball more. All we had were doubts and those tense reunions.”

He chuckled, though a hint of regret lingered in his eyes.

Erik’s smile turned mischievous. “Then let’s have our own Moon Ball,” he suggested, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Tonight, just us. We’ll celebrate, mark each other, and be together. Tomorrow, we go to war as one.”

We all agreed, a spark of excitement cutting through the tension that had filled the day. Just as we finalized our plan, the master blacksmith lifted the completed dagger with a look of awe. It was stunning, its blade shimmering with the power of Seraphium and the protection of every symbol we’d etched.

The master blacksmith handed it to me. As I held the weapon, I could feel its weight, its purpose, and its energy—a piece of us all bound together.

Tonight, we would become one. And tomorrow, we would face our destiny as ~Wolscibella~.

Erik had arranged for a dress to be brought from my pack, which wasn’t too far away. It wasn’t an exact replica of the one my wolf had shredded in her desperate search for our mates, but it would suffice.

I found myself in one of Erik’s guest rooms, getting ready for what seemed like our final tranquil moments before the impending storm. Tonight, I would dance with each of them, and we would mark each other as mates.

In less than a fortnight, my life had taken a turn I could never have anticipated. I could barely recall the world before this change. Just a few days ago, I had been preparing for the council’s Moon Ball, unsure if I would even see them, let alone know which one would be my mate.

Now, I had the three most perfect men I could ever dream of by my side, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Tonight was our final night together before we took on Silverclaw, where the witches and Morgathis awaited us. Tonight, we would mark each other, bonding our souls so deeply that even death might find it hard to separate us.

It was Aaron who suggested we do it all together, in a unified marking. “As soon as one mark is placed, the bond will ache for the other two,” he’d said, his voice filled with reverence and conviction.

They all agreed. And they accepted. I was astounded by my good fortune. My heart felt like it was about to explode with joy.

I finished arranging my hair into a loose bun, applied a touch of eyeliner to accentuate my green eyes, and slipped into the midnight-blue dress they’d brought. It was strapless, leaving my neck and shoulders bare for the marks they would place on me tonight.

When I was finally ready, I made my way down the stairs, finding them by the bar, each holding a glass of whiskey. They turned in unison, and their expressions made me glow. They were all dressed as they had been at the ball. Sebastian was in a sharp tuxedo, Erik in his dress uniform, and Aaron in a tailored suit and coat. They looked stunning.

Erik was the first to approach, offering me a glass of champagne. “Champagne for special occasions,” he said, handing it to me.

“To our new pack,” Sebastian proposed, raising his glass.

Aaron completed the toast. “To Wolscibella.”

The name caught in my throat. It was a symbol of unity, but also a reminder of the council’s disapproval.

Sebastian reached for my hand. “Don’t worry about it, angel,” he said, his voice soothing.

Aaron nodded, his gaze steady on mine. “We’ve got this, Queen. We’ll make it work.”

“One day at a time, dream girl,” Erik reassured me, pulling me close. “Tomorrow, we face Morgathis, and after that, the council can try all they want to stop Wolscibella. They won’t succeed.”

Taking a deep breath, I felt a wave of calm wash over me. “If you’re already reading my mind like this, what’ll happen after the mark? I won’t be able to hide anything from you,” I joked, taking a sip of champagne.

“Angel, you never could,” Sebastian teased, his smile warm and familiar.

“Speaking of the mark…you planned this, didn’t you?” Erik asked, his voice low as he stepped closer, tracing a finger along the exposed curve of my shoulder. “Leaving the spot where we’ll mark you all…uncovered like that?”

I tried to keep my voice steady. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Aaron laughed. “You’re a terrible liar, my queen,” he said, his hand now resting on my shoulder. “But we love your choice.”

Sebastian’s voice was soft, thoughtful. “So how would you like us to mark you, Jazzy?” His tone was gentle, respecting my decision.

My wolf stirred, responding to their presence. I could feel her as my eyes shifted, her instincts and mine merging, strengthening each other.

“I want Erik first,” I said, my voice firm. “Right here.” I touched my neck. “He was my first.”

Erik’s wolf flashed in his eyes, and he exhaled, steadying himself.

“Then Sebastian,” I continued, meeting his gaze. “Just below, near my shoulder, closer to my heart. His mark will blend with Erik’s, anchoring our connection.”

Sebastian’s eyes softened, and he smiled.

“And last, Aaron,” I said, feeling him step behind me. “His mark should touch theirs but rest close to my neck, where our bond will reach my mind, where it surfaces.”

“Perfect,” Aaron murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

I was completely enveloped by them, their bodies close to mine, their eyes radiating warmth as they met mine. Our emotions were heightened, our instincts on high alert, and I barely noticed the cook’s announcement that dinner was ready from the kitchen.

The moment was shattered when Erik cleared his throat. “Before we sit down, we have something for you.”

Each of them retrieved a small box from the counter and formed a semi-circle around me.

“We wanted to create something special,” Sebastian began, “a token of what you mean to us.”

Aaron picked up where Sebastian left off, his voice soft. “We know how much the Aurum value jewelry. No one crafts it quite like your people, but we’ve put a bit of ourselves into each piece.”

Erik handed me the first box. “I made this entirely on my own, using a blend of gold, rhodium, and copper. Each piece has a unique color balance.”

He opened the box to reveal a stunning bracelet, a blend of gold, bronze, and rhodium, which gave it a rose-gold hue, indicating a higher percentage of copper, with tiny rubies embedded in it. “The red represents the Bellators, and I melted down the tip of my sword to make it. It’s a piece of me—a promise that I’ll always be there to protect you.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as he fastened the bracelet around my wrist. My heart was overflowing with love. I cradled his face, pulling him close, and kissed him with all the gratitude I felt.

Sebastian was next, revealing a silver-toned necklace, likely with a higher rhodium content, and a breathtaking blue sapphire at its center. “I created this sapphire with magic. The blue represents Wolfheart.”

He took the necklace out of the box, and I turned to let him put it on me. “To remind you I’m always here,” he finished, pressing his index finger to my chest where the pendant now lay.

I met Sebastian’s blue gaze and kissed him with the same gentleness as their gesture, the weight of the sapphire anchoring me in his love.

Finally, Aaron presented his gift—gold earrings set with emeralds. “I chose green for Scire, and because they match your eyes,” he said, gently wiping a tear from my cheek. “They’re close to your mind, a reminder that no matter where I am, I’ll be in your thoughts.”

I removed my earrings and put his on, then pulled him in for a kiss.

When I pulled back, Erik dropped to one knee, and Aaron and Sebastian followed suit, each lowering themselves before me with serious expressions. They held a single small box between them, their fingers intertwined around it as if they each wanted to be the one to present it.

My heart pounded as they opened the box, revealing a ring with three interlocking bands—one in each of their metals. Gold, copper, and rhodium twisted together, their colors blending into perfect harmony, just like us.

Erik locked eyes with me, his voice quiet but firm, heavy with emotion. “We don’t know what tomorrow brings, Jasmine. But we wanted to ask you to marry us, to face life with us.” His words were simple, but they carried a weight that made my heart swell.

This wasn’t just a proposal; it was a pledge that, regardless of the battles or fate that awaited us, they were mine as much as I was theirs.

Sebastian’s hand moved slightly, his fingers brushing mine as he added, “To be our best friend.” His eyes held the quiet strength he always showed me, the gentle compassion that made him my rock. I knew that with him, I’d always have a safe haven, a shoulder to lean on, and a soul that understood me even in silence.

Aaron’s voice joined them, his steady presence anchoring the moment. “Our Alpha Luna.” His words echoed in my heart. As an alpha daughter, I’d been trained to lead, to be fierce and strong. But Aaron reminded me that I wasn’t doing it alone. With him, I had a partner who respected my strength and wanted me to stand beside him, as his equal.

Then Erik lifted his gaze to mine once more, his voice soft and full of devotion. “Our mate.” That word reverberated between us, carrying all the weight of the bond we shared and the love that had brought us here. Mate wasn’t just a title; it was a promise, a merging of souls.

My heart was hammering in my chest, a symphony of emotions—love, gratitude, and a joy so profound it was nearly too much to bear. I stood on the precipice of battle, the future a murky unknown, but one thing was crystal clear: these three men were ready to stride into that future with me. They saw me not just as their mate, but as their equal, their partner, their forever.

My vision blurred with unshed tears, and I found the strength to whisper, “Of course I do. I want this, I want us—forever.”