POV Seraphina 

The dusk settled over the forest, bathing the clearing in a warm, golden glow. I pulled my coat tighter around my shoulders as Jasper stood silently beside me, his posture betraying the tension he felt. This farewell wasn’t easy for him either. 

The Cullens had gathered in the front yard, each one touched in their own way by the gravity of the moment. It was a quiet scene, heavy with the weight of goodbye. 

Alice was the first to approach me. Her face, usually so vibrant and full of anticipation, was shadowed by melancholy. Her delicate hands gripped my arms tightly. "Seraphina, we’re going to miss you," she said softly, her voice like a fragile chime. "But I have a feeling you’ll come back—and that you’ll bring good news." 

"I hope so," I replied with a faint smile, though we both knew how uncertain that hope was. 

Rosalie stepped up beside Alice, crossing her arms over her chest, but her eyes were soft, almost wistful. "I don’t say this often, but... I’ll miss you. You’re tougher than I ever expected." She hesitated before adding, "Make sure you both come back safe. And bring some peace with you, if you can. There’s already enough chaos here." 

"I’ll try," I promised, my words sounding firmer than I felt. 

Meanwhile, Jasper turned to Edward, who stood apart, staring into the distance. The usually composed vampire looked tense, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his coat. Jasper placed a hand on his shoulder. "You’re stronger than you think, Edward. Bella’s worth it. I hope you find your way—together." 

Edward nodded almost imperceptibly, his eyes heavy with unspoken thoughts. "Thank you, Jasper. Take care of her," he said quietly, casting a brief glance in my direction. 

A soft rustling in the bushes announced the arrival of Aaron and Micah. The two Shadowhunters, ever watchful, had a rare softness in their expressions as they approached. 

"Seraphina," Aaron said warmly, his voice steady with determination. "Not many would do what you’re doing. If anyone can manage this, it’s you. But don’t forget—stay strong and don’t let anything break you." 

Micah nodded in agreement, his gaze briefly resting on Jasper. "We’ll be waiting. Hopefully, you’ll be back soon—and bring good answers with you." 

"I’ll do my best," I said, embracing Aaron briefly, then Micah. 

The moment of farewell had come. Jasper and I cast one last look at the Cullens’ house before getting into my car. Jasper slid into the driver’s seat next to me, his golden eyes meeting mine with a soft, reassuring gaze. I reached for his hand, squeezing it gently to convey my belief in our success. His expression softened. 

"Our first journey together," I remarked, and he seemed to reflect on the thought for a moment. 

"Let’s make this first journey a great success," he replied, and I nodded firmly in agreement. 

Our family grew smaller as the distance between us and Forks increased. The road ahead was full of possibilities—and full of hope. Deep down, I knew this wouldn’t be my last visit to Forks. 

Night fell like a velvety blanket over the road, and the world around us grew quiet and mysterious. Jasper sat focused at the wheel, a faint shadow of a smile playing on his lips as he began to share his stories—tales so incredible I could scarcely imagine what it must have been like to live them. 

"You know, Darlin’," he began, his voice warm and steady, "a vampire’s life is a bit like walking through history—sometimes fascinating, sometimes brutal, but always intense. You become a silent witness to events that change the world." 

"Like what?" I asked, curious, my eyes fixed on him as I leaned back in my seat. 

He smiled, a thoughtful, almost melancholic smile. "I was in Europe during the French Revolution. I stood on the streets of Paris, hearing the crowd chant ‘liberty’ and witnessing the spark that changed an entire nation. It was... chaotic. Fear and anger were everywhere, but so was this unshakable belief that something new, something better, could be born." 

"And how did you feel about it?" I asked softly. 

Jasper hesitated for a moment. "I hadn’t been a vampire for long. Everything was new to me then—the intensity of the emotions I felt was overwhelming. It was hard to distinguish between my own despair and the feelings of the people around me. But amidst the chaos, I saw something beautiful: hope. It showed me that humanity, despite all its flaws, always strives for something greater." 

He paused, his golden eyes flicking to me briefly before continuing. "A few decades later, I was in America during the Industrial Revolution. I stood in New York City, watching the first skyscrapers rise, hearing the hammering and sawing, feeling the energy of a city reinventing itself. People were full of ambition and determination to change the world. But they were also driven by greed and power. It was... both fascinating and unsettling." 

"And did you ever intervene? In history?" 

He chuckled softly, a dark, rough sound. "Not often. But there were moments when I couldn’t help myself. Once, during the Great Plague in London, I remember a family living on the outskirts of the city. They were desperate, but also incredibly brave. The father wouldn’t let his children starve. I helped them—secretly, of course. A few coins here, some food there. It wasn’t much, but it felt... right." 

I looked at him in surprise. "You helped them? But why? I thought you vampires aren't allowed to do so." 

He smiled, a shy, almost tender smile. "Because back then, I still believed I could do some good. And maybe because I wanted to remember what it felt like to be human." 

Silence filled the car for a moment before he spoke again. "But there were darker times, Phina. Times when I was drawn into wars. I stood on the front lines, both in the American Civil War and later, when Europe was engulfed in flames. World War II was especially harrowing. The despair, the fear... It was as if the world was falling apart." 

I could hear the weight in his voice and placed my hand over his. "How did you cope with it?" 

He squeezed my hand gently, his eyes briefly meeting mine. "It wasn’t easy. But I learned that even in the darkest moments, small sparks of hope can shine through. It’s those moments that have shaped me the most. Like the boy who rescued a dog from a bomb crater, or the woman who shared her bread despite the hunger." 

"You’ve seen so much," I whispered, awestruck. 

He nodded slowly. "I have. But you know, Darlin’, despite all the horrors, I’ve seen beauty too. I’ve watched the first rays of sunlight over the pyramids of Giza, witnessed the invention of electric light, and seen countless lovers find each other throughout the centuries." 

His words filled the car with a mix of melancholy and hope. Finally, he said quietly, "And now I’m here—with you. Maybe this is the greatest adventure of all." 

I swallowed hard, overwhelmed by the depth of his words, and squeezed his hand. "Thank you for sharing that with me, Jasper. I never thought I’d meet someone like you." 

He smiled, warm and reassuring. "And I never thought I’d find someone like you, Phina. But you know what? I’m glad we’re on this journey—together." 

The darkness around us seemed less oppressive, the road ahead more open, as we continued onward—together, ready for whatever lay ahead.

The car rolled onto the expansive grounds dominated by the Shadowhunter headquarters. The ancient, imposing fortress rose out of the mist like a silent sentinel, its tall towers bathed in silver moonlight. Jasper parked the car with calm precision, but I could feel the tension coursing through him.

The air within the headquarters carried a mix of cool authority and familiar nostalgia as we stepped into the wide courtyard adorned with shadow runes. The massive stone walls, threaded with fine veins of seraphim steel, seemed to glow faintly in the darkness. Jasper stayed close by my side, his posture relaxed, but I sensed the underlying vigilance that never left him.

We had barely taken a few steps when a loud, familiar voice called out, “Seraphina!”

I looked up to see Alex striding toward me with his usual exuberance. His face was lit with a broad grin, and before I could say anything, he pulled me into a firm hug.

“Alex,” I said, laughing as I patted his shoulder. “It’s good to see you.”

“Good? That’s an understatement!” he exclaimed, letting me go and looking me up and down. “You’ve been gone so long, I thought I’d never see you again.”

“I had my reasons,” I replied evasively, though my tone remained warm.

Alex nodded in understanding, then turned his attention to Jasper, who had stepped back slightly, his golden eyes cool but polite. “And who’s this? A new recruit?”

I cleared my throat and stepped closer to Jasper. “This is Jasper. He’s my boyfriend,” I said firmly, placing a hand on Jasper’s arm.

Alex raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking between the two of us. “Boyfriend, huh? Well, it’s nice to meet you, Jasper.”

He extended his hand, and after a moment’s hesitation, Jasper shook it. “Likewise,” he said curtly, his voice deep and measured.

Alex lowered his hand, a slight smile on his lips, before turning back to me. “A boyfriend, huh? You know, you could’ve told me about this earlier.”

“There wasn’t an opportunity,” I said with a smile, though I felt the tension emanating from Jasper beside me.

“Well, Seraphina, it’s good to have you back,” Alex said as we started walking toward the main entrance together. “The last few missions haven’t been nearly as successful without you. And, frankly, a bit dull.”

“I doubt they were ever dull,” I replied lightly, but Alex shook his head.

“Oh, believe me. No one else has your knack for solving problems before they even begin. Not to mention your timing.”

As Alex spoke, I cast a quick glance at Jasper. His jaw was tight, and his hands were buried deep in the pockets of his coat—a sure sign that he was holding himself back.

I tried to steer the conversation in another direction. “Alex, tell me what’s changed here while I was away. Any new developments?”

“A few,” he said, launching into an explanation of the latest advancements in rune techniques. But despite his words, I could feel Jasper’s gaze on me—heavy, piercing, and filled with a quiet possessiveness I couldn’t ignore.

When we finally reached the entrance to the headquarters, Alex stopped and turned to me. “It’s really good to have you back, Seraphina. It feels... right.”

I gave him a faint smile, grateful for his words, but I sensed Jasper shift subtly behind me. His gaze seemed to cut right through Alex, and I knew I’d have to talk to him later.

Alex nodded to both of us. “I’ll let you settle in for now. But, Sera, we need to talk soon. There’s a lot to catch up on.”

“Of course,” I replied before he turned and walked away.

Once we were alone, I took a deep breath and turned to Jasper. “Everything okay?” I asked cautiously.

His eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, the space between us felt smaller as the energy around him intensified. “Your ‘friend’ seems quite... familiar with you,” he said quietly, but the undertone in his voice was unmistakable.

I stepped closer, placing a hand on his chest and meeting his gaze directly. “Jas, Alex is a colleague and an old friend. That’s all. You’re the one who matters to me. No one else.”

His gaze softened, though the intensity remained. “Darlin’, I know what you feel. But I’m not a man who shares. Not even in thought.”

“You don’t have to,” I said softly, my fingers playing with the fabric of his coat. “I’m yours. Completely.”

His eyes roamed my face, and for a moment, the tension seemed to ebb away. “I hope so, Seraphina. Because I have no intention of ever letting you go.”

The passion in his words sent a shiver through me, but I knew that with him, I could face anything—even the shadow of jealousy that clung to him like a dark cloud.

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A new chapter and finally things get going! :)
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