POV Jasper

The shadows of the fortress cast long, ominous lines on the ground as I stood next to Seraphina, watching the man approach her with unrestrained enthusiasm. His voice echoed through the courtyard, filled with a familiarity that immediately put me on edge. Every fiber of my being tensed as he pulled her into an embrace that lasted far too long.

Alex.

I scrutinized his every move. The way he looked at her, as though she belonged to him. The way his hands lingered on her shoulders before he finally let her go. A feeling I hadn't experienced so intensely in a long time surged within me: possession.

Seraphina. My Seraphina.

I tried to suppress the rising darkness, but the Major-the part of me I rarely allowed to surface-regarded the situation with dangerous curiosity.

"He's too close," a voice growled inside me. "He thinks he has a right on her."

"He's just a friend," I murmured inwardly, as if trying to convince myself. But the Major wasn't easily placated.

"A friend? Is that what you see? Look at how he speaks to her. Look at how he looks at her."

My hands curled into fists in the pockets of my coat. My breathing deepened, my senses sharpened. I felt the beast within me stir, the cold logic of the Major seeping into my thoughts.

When Seraphina introduced me as her "boyfriend," I forced myself to remain composed. I managed a curt nod, though every instinct screamed to make it clear to Alex that he could never look at her like that. Never speak to her as if she owed him anything.

When I shook his hand, his grip was firm, almost challenging. Mine, perhaps unintentionally, was a touch too strong-a silent warning I couldn't resist giving.

"He's testing you. He thinks he can provoke you."

"He's not worth it," I thought, but my teeth were already grinding together.

As he spoke with Seraphina, I kept my eyes on him, analyzing every glance, every subtle gesture. The Major in me evaluated him as an enemy encroaching on something that was mine.

"You should make it clear who protects her. Who loves her."

"Seraphina is not a possession," I tried to remind myself, but the words sounded hollow against the overwhelming presence of the Major in my head.

When Alex mentioned that he missed her, something inside me coiled tightly. My hands twitched, itching to grab him by the collar and tell him to stay away from her. But Seraphina's voice, soft and warm, broke through the storm in my mind.

"Jasper is my boyfriend."

Her words were an anchor. I looked at her, watching as she placed a hand on my chest, her touch grounding me.

"Look at her," the Major whispered, this time with less malice. "She's yours. But you need to ensure she doesn't forget."

When Alex finally left us alone, I remained silent. I didn't want to let the anger that still burned like a wildfire consume me. But Seraphina turned to me, her eyes searching mine, and I knew she could sense my inner turmoil.

"Everything okay?" she asked gently.

I paused, battling the Major, who still whispered that I needed to stake my claim. Finally, I exhaled deeply and met her gaze. "Your 'friend' seems quite... familiar with you," I said, my voice calm but tinged with an unmistakable edge.

She stepped closer, placing a hand on my chest, and the warmth of her touch soothed the chaos within. "Jasper, Alex is a colleague and an old friend. That's all. You're the one who matters to me. No one else."

Her words made the darkness within me recede, though the Major lingered, watching, waiting. I leaned closer to her, my voice low but firm. "Darlin', I believe you. But I'm going to have to remind you later just how much you mean to me. Not because I doubt it-but because I need to make sure you never forget."

Her eyes widened, and I knew she could feel the storm still brewing inside me. Yet she held my gaze, and her words extinguished the last embers of my anger.

"I'm yours, Jas. Completely."

In that moment, I knew the Major was right. She was mine, and I would do whatever it took to make sure she always remembered that.

POV Seraphina

The cool stone walls of the headquarters seemed to echo the sound of Jasper's and my footsteps as we made our way to the room we'd been assigned. The tension from my encounter with Alex still lingered in the air, and I decided to break it.

"You know," I began, casting Jasper a quick glance, "the last time I was here, my mission was anything but simple."

Jasper looked at me, his golden eyes sharp and attentive, though a faint shadow of darkness still lingered in his gaze. "Tell me, Darlin'. I want to know everything."

I smiled faintly and continued, "It was about a swarm of demons that had settled near London. No one could figure out why they were so organized. Demons are usually chaotic, you know? But these... they had a leader."

"And what did you do?" Jasper asked, his voice calm, though I could see him trying to relax.

"I went to London and staged an attack-alone. The leader, a prince of Hell, underestimated me because I seemed to be by myself. But in reality, I had a group of Shadowhunters hidden, ready to ambush him from all sides. We wiped them out."

Jasper gave a faint smile. "That sounds like you. Clever, strong, and... brave to the point of madness."

I laughed softly. "Madness is part of the job, I'd say."

As we walked, we passed a few Shadowhunters who gave us quick glances, then began whispering to each other as soon as we passed. I noticed it immediately, though I couldn't catch their words.

My heart skipped a beat.

What if they were talking about Jasper? Or me? Had Alex said something?

I was preparing for the worst when a young girl stepped out from the group. She looked barely sixteen, her face a mix of determination and innocence.

"Excuse me... Seraphina Moore?" she asked cautiously, her wide eyes filled with admiration.

I stopped, surprised, and gave her a gentle smile. "Yes? Can I help you?"

She nodded eagerly, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I just wanted to say... you're my role model. I've heard so much about your missions-how you fought the prince of Hell, how you took down the Shadow Clan in Paris..."

I blinked, caught off guard by her words. It was rare for anyone to speak to me with such open admiration, and for a moment, I didn't know what to say.

"You're truly incredible," she continued, her voice brimming with awe. "I want to be as strong and successful as you. You're the reason I wanted to become an even better Shadowhunter."

Jasper stood silently beside me, his presence steady and reassuring, though I felt his gaze on me, watching how I would respond.

Finally, I smiled, leaning down slightly to place a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You know," I began softly, "it's not always easy. There are many battles-not just with demons but with yourself. But if you have the will and the courage, you can achieve anything. Strength doesn't mean never being afraid. It means continuing despite the fear."

Her eyes lit up, and I could see how much those words encouraged her. "Thank you. I'll do my best."

"I know you will," I said with a warm smile. "And if you ever need help, I'll be here."

The girl nodded eagerly, said her goodbyes, and hurried back to her group.

I looked at Jasper, who was watching me with a mix of pride and affection. "What?" I asked softly.

He shook his head, a warm smile playing on his lips. "Nothing, Darlin'. Just... you have a way of inspiring people. And of reminding me why I'll never let you go."

I blushed slightly, but his smile dissolved any lingering uncertainty within me. We continued on our way, and with each step, the shadows of the past seemed to lighten.

The room was larger and more elegant than I remembered. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes from Nephilim history-angels locked in epic battles with demons and runes engraved in gold and silver. A soft, warm light spilled from a stylish lamp in the corner, making the space feel cozy and inviting.

The centerpiece of the room was a large double bed, adorned with a thick, plush blanket and several pillows in muted gray and blue tones. The bed looked inviting, almost too luxurious for a Shadowhunter headquarters. The dark wooden bedposts were intricately decorated with carvings of runes, and I couldn't resist deciphering the meaning of a few of them.

Near the window stood a polished mahogany desk, already equipped with writing materials and a lamp. A large window, draped with heavy dark blue curtains, offered a view of the headquarters' courtyard, where the shadows of other Shadowhunters flitted by.

Opposite the bed was a wide wardrobe with an angel intricately etched onto its doors. Beside it was a bookshelf, already filled with old, valuable tomes-likely on topics any Shadowhunter should know: demonology, runes, and strategic warfare.

Jasper stood at the edge of the room, his gaze lingering on the bed with a faint smile. "Well, Darlin', it seems they want to treat you better here than I would've expected."

I shook my head and chuckled softly. "This isn't the room I had before. It's much... bigger. And more elegant."

"Maybe a reward for all your achievements," he suggested, opening a bag and starting to unpack his few belongings.

I could barely bring myself to start unpacking, overwhelmed by the unexpected grandeur of the room. But before I could place a single item in its spot, there was a knock at the door.

Jasper was quicker than I was. With a fluid motion, he strode to the door and opened it slightly. A man wearing the official colors of the Council stood there-a messenger. He was tall, with sharp features and a formal posture that left no doubt he was here on the highest authority of the Shadowhunter circle.

"Seraphina Moore?" he asked, his gaze shifting from Jasper to me.

"Yes?" I replied, setting my blade aside and stepping forward.

"The Council requests your presence. You are expected."

The words hit me like a blow. I had known I would eventually have to face the Council, but I hadn't expected it to be so soon. I hadn't even settled in yet, and already, I was being summoned.

"I'm coming with her," Jasper declared immediately, his tone resolute.

But the messenger-who introduced himself as Rei-shook his head. "I'm afraid that won't be possible. The Council has explicitly summoned only Seraphina Moore. It is a matter of Shadowhunter honor and duty to attend such an audience alone. Mr. Whitlock will have an opportunity to speak before the Council at a later time."

Jasper's jaw tightened, and I could see the dissatisfaction in his posture. His golden eyes fixed on Rei, as if he could drive the messenger away with his gaze alone. "I'm not letting her go alone," he said, his voice low but full of resolve.

I stepped to his side, placing a hand on his arm and feeling the tension beneath my fingers. "Jasper, it's okay," I said soothingly, though my own nerves were roiling inside me. "This is a Shadowhunter tradition. I have to do this."

He looked at me, and for a moment, I thought he might argue. But finally, he gave a curt nod, though his stance remained stiff. "Fine, Darlin'. But you promise me you'll tell me everything later."

I gave him a faint smile. "Of course. I promise."

With those words, I turned to Rei. "I'm ready."

Rei gave a formal nod and stepped back to make room for me. I turned back to Jasper once more, seeing the concern etched in his eyes before I closed the door behind me.

The hallway was silent, our footsteps echoing softly. My heart beat faster than usual, the prospect of meeting the Council leaving me little room to breathe.

But I knew there was no turning back.

This was my duty. My responsibility.

And as I left Jasper behind in that small room, I could still feel the weight of his gaze on me, even as I disappeared around the corner.

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