POV Seraphina

The messenger, Rei, led me through the vast corridors of the headquarters, his footsteps echoing in the still atmosphere. We walked in silence for a while, and though his demeanor was professional and distant, I could feel the gravity of the situation. I was acutely aware of the importance of this meeting—the Council was waiting for me, and this summons marked a significant step in my role as a Shadowhunter.

After a few minutes of navigating the winding hallways, Rei opened a large, heavy door and stepped aside. The room beyond was impressive. The walls were made of dark wood, adorned with golden embellishments. A long table dominated the center of the room, surrounded by tall chairs occupied by members of the Council. Their gazes were firm and piercing—their presence almost suffocating before I had even stepped inside.

“Seraphina Moore,” Rei announced in his calm, steady voice as he closed the door behind us. “The Council awaits you.”

I stepped into the room, my heart beating faster, though I forced myself to remain composed. The doors closed behind me, and the messenger stood respectfully to the side without another word.

The members of the Council regarded me with a mixture of curiosity and expectation. At the head of the table sat an older man, his face lined with years of experience, though his eyes still sparkled with sharp intelligence. Beside him were two women, their gazes just as penetrating as his. One of the men seated next to them appeared younger but no less attentive.

The man at the head of the table rose slowly, a gentle yet unmistakable smile on his lips. “Seraphina Moore, it is an honor to have you here today. We have heard much about you.”

I offered a slight bow, as was customary, though inside, I felt the nervous energy of an untested newcomer. “It is an honor to stand before you,” I replied calmly.

“You have already accomplished great deeds in the past, Seraphina. Your missions have impressed not only us but also other groups of Shadowhunters,” the older man continued, and I could feel the tension in the room building.

“Thank you. I am simply doing what is expected,” I said.

The woman beside him nodded approvingly. “And yet, what you do is more than just expected. You have shown the ability to make difficult decisions and the courage to take on responsibility.” Her voice was calm but firm.

I nodded, trying to avoid appearing defensive. This was not the moment to show weakness.

“You have repeatedly proven yourself—not just on the battlefield but also in how you have integrated into the Nephilim community. Your combat skills are impressive, and your determination is unparalleled.”

The woman beside him, her silver eyes sharp as a blade, also nodded in agreement. “Not only have you fulfilled your duties admirably, but you have also made the right decisions in difficult situations. That is no small feat, Seraphina.”

“Not many manage to distinguish themselves in this way,” added one of the younger Council members. “You have established yourself as one of the most exceptional Shadowhunters of recent years. And the request you submitted has, of course, been thoroughly reviewed. We have deliberated extensively on what it means to witness a bond like yours with Jasper Whitlock.”

I resisted the urge to frown as his surname was mentioned again. Jasper Whitlock. It was clear they were both surprised and intrigued by the connection between us. “Such a bond as the one between you and Jasper is rare. And we are not only impressed by your deeds but also by the depth of this connection.”

Another older man with long white hair and a stricter expression added, “It is a bond that is taken very seriously within our community. A bond of this nature can only form in rare cases and requires immense responsibility, both from you and from him. This decision is not taken lightly.”

I nodded, feeling an inexplicable weight settle on my shoulders. It was clear that their evaluation of my relationship with Jasper was as thorough as their assessment of my own responsibilities as a Shadowhunter.

“And yet,” said the older man with graying temples, “in your case, we see extraordinary potential. You have proven yourself to be a valuable member of our community, and we are therefore prepared to act in your favor. If you continue to uphold your responsibilities and prove yourself, nothing will stand in your way.”

I took a deep breath, trying to conceal the tension building inside me. “Thank you. I will do my best not to betray the trust you have placed in me.”

The woman with the silver eyes placed a hand on the table. “It is also our hope that you succeed, Seraphina. But we must ensure that Jasper Whitlock shares the same principles. His intentions must also be examined. Such a bond is not without consequences, and we must ensure that he proves himself in the same way you have.”

My heart skipped a beat. Of course. The Council would scrutinize not only me but also Jasper.

“He will prove himself,” I said calmly, though inside, I knew that Jasper would be able to navigate this formal environment easily.

“We shall see,” the older man said with a barely perceptible smile. “If he presents himself positively, if his intentions are pure, and if he shares your values, then nothing will stand in the way of furthering the bond between you.”

I nodded, though I knew this trial would be a challenge for both of us. But I trusted Jasper. I knew he was capable of proving himself.

“Thank you,” I finally said, my voice steadier now as I turned to the Council members. “I will do everything in my power to prove that you can rely on us.” 

“We expect nothing less from you, Seraphina Moore,” replied the man with the silver-streaked hair. “We will continue to observe your actions closely. You are a valuable member of this community, and we trust that you will always strive to do what is best for us and for yourself.” 

I gave a slight bow, sensing the recognition in their eyes. It was a good feeling, but I knew that the real challenge lay ahead—for both Jasper and me. 

The door behind me closed quietly, the faint sound of the locking mechanism lingering in my mind. Rei quickly disappeared into the corridors, and the room that had overwhelmed me moments ago now seemed like a distant memory. Yet the news roiling within me left no space for calm. 

Before I could take another step, Jasper appeared at my side, and I immediately felt the air between us thrum with energy. His golden eyes, fixed on me, carried a mix of concern and impatience. 

“How did it go?” he asked quietly, his voice slightly rough, as though he was holding himself back. “What did the Council say?” 

I felt his question strike deeper than I’d anticipated. Without looking away from him, I could sense the tension in his stance, matching every word he uttered. It was as though he sought something in my presence, hoping my expression would betray the answer. And even though I wasn’t wearing my necklace, I felt that my emotions were confusing him. They flickered within me like rays of light—relief tangled with caution, hope intertwined with contemplation. 

He studied me more intently, as if trying to read the unspoken from my face. And while I felt as though his gaze was about to tear me apart in his restless search, I knew he was trying to understand my feelings. But it was hard to express something so profound and decisive. 

I stepped closer to him, gently placed my hands on his face, and pulled him to me. In that moment, the world around us seemed to fade away. Without a word, I leaned in and kissed him passionately, as if I could dissolve all doubts between us in that one gesture. 

His hands gripped me immediately, and I felt his tension melt into the kiss. When our lips met, all uncertainties between us transformed into a single, powerful emotion that echoed in both of us. He kissed me hungrily, as if he sought the answers to all his questions within me. And as our bodies drew closer, I felt him lift me effortlessly and carry me to the large bed. 

The room blurred around us as he gently laid me on the soft, cool sheets. Our eyes met, and I could see the relief and love shining in his gaze. But there was also a lingering thoughtfulness as he simply looked at me, as if searching for the words in my expression. 

“Darlin',” he said softly, his voice steady again, “please, tell me what the Council said.” 

I took a deep breath, feeling my heartbeat slow. The room around us was now filled with warmth, and I knew it was time to share the good news I had received. “They received me with respect, Jas. They acknowledged my contributions and are willing to act in my favor—as long as I continue to uphold my responsibilities and prove myself.” 

He exhaled, his shoulders relaxing slightly, as if a weight had been lifted from them. But then I continued, sharing the second piece of equally important information. 

“But… you will also need to appear before them. The Council will scrutinize you as well to ensure that you share my values and intentions. If you present yourself positively, nothing will stand in our way.” 

Jasper stared at me for a moment before a relieved smile spread across his face. “I understand. And I’ll face the Council without hesitation if it means staying with you.” 

He placed a hand on my cheek, his touch gentle yet full of love and affection. “This means everything to me, Phina. That we’ve come this far… I won’t let anything hold us back now.” 

I met his gaze, gratitude and determination mirrored in my eyes. “We’ve come this far together, Jasper. And we’ll take the next steps together, too.” 

He leaned in, kissing me again, this time softly and tenderly, as if to hold onto the relief that flowed between us. And as he held me in his arms, I knew that together, we were stronger than anything that could ever threaten us. 

POV Jasper

The night had draped itself over the world with a soft, almost mystical quality. Moonlight streamed through the large window of the room, bathing everything in a silver glow that felt tangible. The room was silent, save for our breathing, and the gentle hum of the night outside crept in. It was a night that stole one’s breath away, and I knew this moment would be unforgettable for both of us. 

But beneath the calm, something else stirred within me. A fire, flickering and then roaring to life with an intensity that captivated me. I felt the dark presence of the Major crawling to the surface of my mind. 

I had never let him take control rather easily. But tonight was different. I was different. 

My thoughts swirled as I lay on the bed beside Seraphina, her presence drawing me closer with every passing second. She had told me everything the Council had said, and I knew we were on the right path—a path that would unite us forever. But now, in this moment, it wasn’t the Council that consumed me. It was something else entirely. 

Seraphina was mine. No one could deny it any longer. She belonged to me, and in this moment, the Major knew it just as well as I did. We had already won. I wouldn’t let anyone take her from me—not after everything we’d been through, not after years of solitude. She was mine, and I would not share her. 

I turned to her, watching as her chest rose and fell softly, her eyes almost closed as though she were slipping into sleep. But I knew she wasn’t asleep. I felt it—the way she sensed the change in me, the dark shift spreading within me. 

With a swift motion, I pulled her gently closer, her soft hair brushing against my skin as I cupped her face in my hands. “You are mine,” I whispered, the words so soft they lingered in the air like a ghost. “No one can take you from me.” 

Her eyes slowly opened, meeting mine. Her blue gaze, which had so often calmed me, now reflected curiosity and a hint of a frown as she felt the intensity of my gaze. But she knew. She knew what this moment meant. 

“Jas…” Her voice was quiet, but it resonated in the stillness of the night. I let my fingers trail along her cheeks, the warmth of her skin grounding me even as the fire within burned brighter. “I’m here with you. Always.” 

Her words steadied me, allowing me to focus on her fully. But the Major… he had other plans. The part of me that he embodied didn’t just want to be with her. He wanted her to know that she was his. That she was mine—completely and utterly. 

“You’re mine,” I repeated, my voice low and rough. “You’ll never belong to anyone else. Not now, not ever. Only me.” 

She seemed to understand what was happening within me. Her eyes reflected awareness, but also something else—a spark of desire, a flicker of heat. Something primal spread within her, echoing my own. She would obey me. She had to. 

My lips found hers, hard and passionate, as though I could brand her with every kiss, reminding her that she belonged only to me. That we were a unit no one could break. 

“I’ll never share you,” I murmured between kisses. “And you’ll never belong to anyone else. Not as long as I breathe.” 

She melted into the kiss, her arms wrapping around me, and I felt her desire grow. She knew this was the moment I would claim her in a way no one else could. And deep down, I knew I was the only one who could truly understand her. The only one who could grasp her essence. 

The Major roared in triumph and lust within me. And as our bodies entwined, I felt the weight of the words I had spoken echo in the stillness of the night—she was mine. And nothing would ever take her from me again.

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