Chapter 8: Chapter 8

JASMINE

“Jasmine,” my mom’s voice echoed through the door, unmistakable and familiar. I exhaled, letting my forehead rest against Sebastian’s, our faces so close that our breaths mingled.

He gently nudged me back, just enough to plant a soft kiss on my forehead. The sensation of his lips against my skin sent a jolt of electricity through me, stronger than anything I’d felt before. Everything was heightened now that we knew we were mates.

But those tender kisses on my forehead, something he’d always done, still held the same significance—love, warmth, and care. “I think it’s good for you two to talk,” Sebastian murmured, his lips brushing my forehead before he pulled back slightly.

His eyes met mine, a sweet smile playing on his lips. “I need to head back to my pack to grab some stuff. I’ll be back before it gets dark.”

The thought of being away from him made my heart clench. “Don’t miss me too much,” he said, his gaze locked with mine. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

But it was too late—I was already missing him. I held his hands close to my face, running my thumb over his in a silent farewell before he stood and opened the door.

“Mrs. Aurum,” he greeted my mom, and I saw her smile in response.

“You know you can call me Jacqueline, Sebastian,” my mom replied warmly.

With each step he took away from me, I felt our connection stretch thin. “Sebastian,” I called out to him. He turned instantly, and the sight of his blue eyes was like a soothing balm.

“Thank you,” I whispered, and he nodded with a smile before stepping out the door. My mom came in and took the spot next to me where Sebastian had been sitting.

His lingering scent was a bittersweet reminder of his absence. She picked up a slice of bread and started eating with me. “I’ve settled them all in the front rooms,” she started.

“Aaron is in room three, Sebastian in four, and Erik in five.” I was relieved that she was concerned about their comfort, but I was expecting questions, inquiries about my feelings or how things would work.

At the very least, I thought she’d be curious about my situation. But no, she spoke casually, without a hint of worry. So much so that I felt compelled to ask.

“Aren’t you going to ask anything? About how I feel, or what it’s going to be like? Aren’t you going to ask if I’m going to choose one of them?” I looked into her warm brown eyes, finding comfort in their familiar glow.

She smiled, a gentle, knowing smile, before patting her lap and pushing the tray aside. Without a second thought, I lay down, and she started playing with my hair.

“I’m not your father, Jasmine. I don’t need to ask you to know how you feel. I know you’re thrilled to have the three loves of your life as mates, but you’re also scared of what that means. You want it to work out with all four of you, but you’re afraid it won’t.”

Her words were soft, but they hit me hard. She knew me so well, voicing my thoughts and fears.

“No, you won’t choose just one of them. You never would,” she added.

She was right. In the silence that followed, I let the truth sink in. I wanted all three of them. My three mates.

“But how can I make this work?” The question had been haunting me, but my mom didn’t even blink.

“It’s never happened before and—”

“Just because something hasn’t happened before doesn’t mean it can’t be done. And if anyone can do it, it’s you, Jasmine,” my mom said, her words carrying a weight that settled deep within me.

I stayed with her a little longer before changing and going for a run. Exercise always helped me clear my head. Now that I knew what I wanted—to make it work—I had to figure out how.

Then there was the political aspect. It wasn’t just about me and my three mates. They were three alphas from different packs, and our parents would surely freak out at the idea of merging them.

But my mates made it clear in the meeting—they didn’t care much about their opinions. Still, it could lead to a political war.

“One step at a time,” Sebastian’s words echoed in my mind. We’d take it one day at a time.

At the end of my run, I stopped by the guard gym to train before showering. But before I reached the pack house, I felt something pulling me toward the guard. I knew it wasn’t just something. There was a presence.

I stepped into the guard headquarters, immediately struck by how effortlessly the Bellator guards had meshed with our own. Even though they had just arrived today, they moved as one, as if they had been part of us for ages.

Entering the gym, my world froze. Erik was there. Clad in loose shorts and a form-fitting tank top that accentuated his muscles, his presence washed over me like a tidal wave.

I couldn’t suppress the sigh that slipped from my lips as I watched beads of sweat trickle down his face, one poised just above his lip. I found myself wondering what it would taste like against my own.

He sensed me too. His eyes met mine and held me captive, trapping me in a gaze that made it impossible to look elsewhere.

“Hey,” Erik said softly, slinging a towel over his shoulder as he approached.

“Hey,” I responded, moving closer. “I don’t want to disturb your workout.”

“I was just wrapping up,” he replied, leaning nonchalantly against the wall in front of me. His scent, a blend of sea and mint, surrounded me, making it difficult to concentrate on anything but him.

“Alpha.” The voice of one of the guards shattered the moment, and Erik and I turned simultaneously, responding in unison.

“Yes.”

Our synchronized answer took us both by surprise, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. Erik joined in, his deep laughter warming the space between us.

Being my father’s only daughter and a future luna, I had always been trained like any future alpha, especially since the Clair Trofenholl Law allowed me to assume control of a pack if necessary.

So, it wasn’t out of the ordinary for the guards to address me as alpha too.

“Which alpha?” Erik inquired, a hint of amusement still present in his voice.

“Alpha Bellator, we just need your signature,” one of his guards replied, extending a clipboard. Erik signed it with a swift stroke, and the guard departed.

“I apologize for having to bring your guard here,” I began, feeling the need to justify. “I didn’t even think it was necessary, but…”

“Never say sorry for that, Minnie,” Erik interjected, moving closer. His voice was gentle yet firm. “My guard and I will always do everything to protect you. And, if you’re wondering, they were thrilled to come here. There was actually a scuffle among them to be chosen. Your pack apparently has a reputation for having the most beautiful women.”

His comment made me burst into laughter. “Oh, really? Is that our reputation?”

“It certainly lives up to it,” he replied, his gaze intensifying as it rested on me.

In that moment, the air between us was electric. I yearned to close the gap, to just step forward and release the tension simmering between us. But despite everything feeling so natural, there was still this odd sense of uncertainty.

As if I had to constantly restrain myself, unsure of how to behave around him, despite how much I yearned to just…let go. Erik’s eyes stayed fixed on mine, and I could feel the intensity of his gaze, as if he was pulling me closer without even moving.

My heart pounded, my breaths shallow as the air around us thickened with unspoken longing. He reached out, his fingers gently pushing a strand of hair from my face. The heat of his touch sent tingles down my skin.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself, but the way his thumb lingered on my cheek made my resolve waver.

“You look tired,” he murmured, his voice low and velvety, so close I could almost feel it against my lips.

“I’m fine,” I countered, though my body betrayed me, leaning into his touch.

For a moment, we both remained still. The space between us seemed to shrink without either of us moving forward. Erik’s hand slowly traced down to my jaw, his thumb gently caressing my skin, sending shivers through me.

I felt him lean in, just enough that I could feel the warmth of his breath mixing with mine. Our lips were so close, I could almost taste the moment before it happened—until he halted.

His lips hovered just inches from mine, eyes scanning my face for a sign, a permission I wasn’t sure I could grant. The anticipation was nearly unbearable.

But then, with a soft sigh, he pulled back slightly, his hand falling from my face. “I don’t want to rush you,” Erik said, his voice sincere, though the tension between us was palpable. “When the time is right, we’ll know.”

I could feel the pang in my chest as he stepped back, the moment slipping through my fingers. It left me gasping for breath, my heart still pounding with the memory of how close we had been.

Erik swiftly retrieved the water bottle he had left behind. He handed it to me without uttering a word, our hands brushing in the process. It was a simple act, but the touch, the proximity—it felt like a silent reassurance that he was always there, patiently waiting, ready when I was.

“Hydrate yourself, Minnie,” he softly suggested, the pet name flowing from his lips like a tender touch. “You’ve been pushing yourself.”

I accepted the bottle, unable to disregard the way my heartbeat accelerated from that minor contact. Erik took a step back, his face now wearing a gentler expression, the fervor from earlier replaced by a softer emotion.

“I think I need to freshen up,” he winked at me. “I wouldn’t want to distract you while I’m here.”

I couldn’t help but smile, knowing he was absolutely right—training with him around would be a challenge. As he turned to leave, I found myself watching him, the electric charge between us still palpable.

It felt like a promise—unspoken, yet unmistakable.