POV Seraphina

I sat in the large, elegantly furnished room that had been assigned to Jasper and me, staring expectantly at the phone in my hand. The chill of the room couldn’t drive away the warmth that burned within me. It felt strange to be here, away from home, yet at the same time, it somehow felt right. Maybe because I had considered this building my home for many years?

As I thought, I heard Alice’s cheerful voice on the other end of the line. We hadn’t had the chance to talk in-depth for a while, and I was curious about everything that had been going on with them. Especially with Edward and Bella. I had heard there had been some tension between them, and Alice immediately began sharing the details.

"So, Edward has finally realized he can't live without Bella," Alice told me, a hint of relief in her voice. "He struggled with it for a long time, but now, after everything that’s happened, he knows he can’t give her up. It wasn’t easy, but they found a way back to each other."

I listened intently and could almost imagine Edward, so often trapped in his own world, slowly finding the courage to face his feelings. Bella must have made an incredible sacrifice, and I could almost feel her confusion and struggle in my own veins. I had always known Edward and Bella were meant to be together, and it reassured me to know they had found their way.

"This is good," I said quietly, though my thoughts were more focused on my own situation at that moment. "I'm happy for them."

Alice seemed to notice my subdued mood and quickly changed the topic. "And what about you? How are things with you and Jasper?"

I sat up straight as the thought of Jasper made my heart race. It hadn't been long since I spoke with the council, and of course, I wanted to tell her everything new.

"The council seems to support me," I began, speaking slowly and thoughtfully. "I know they are behind my wish to be with Jasper. He's currently in front of the council, speaking. I know it all depends on how they decide."

It was a strange mix of fear and hope that overcame me when I thought about how everything lay in the hands of the council. I had made my decision about what I wanted, but the path was still filled with many unknowns.

"What do you see for the future, Alice?" I asked, the question burning on my lips. "Can you tell me what will happen?"

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before Alice responded with a soft sigh. "I'm sorry, Seraphina, but it's all so blurry. I can't see anything clear. It's like your and Jasper's future... is shrouded in fog. I wish I could tell you more, but right now, I can't do anything."

Her words cast a shadow over me, and I felt the tightness in my chest. The uncertainty was hard to bear, but I knew Alice had no answers for me. She always had a good sense of the future, but sometimes even she was overwhelmed by the mysteries of fate.

"Thanks anyway, Alice," I said, even though I wasn't sure if the relief I was seeking would ever come. "I just have to wait. Jasper will convince the council, I know it."

"I'm sure he will," Alice replied with a reassuring smile I could almost feel through the phone. "He's as determined as you, Seraphina. You'll find a way."

"I hope so," I murmured, my thoughts with Jasper. In that moment, I felt closer to him than ever. Yet even though my heart beat for him, I knew that we couldn't just continue as we had before. Our future didn't depend solely on us. And the thought that the council would ultimately make the decision about our fate gnawed at me.

"I'll call you again soon," I said finally, trying to banish the worry from my voice. "Take care of yourselves, and tell Edward I look forward to seeing him soon."

"I will. And you take care too, Seraphina. I'm sure everything will be fine. Everything will work out."

With one last smile, I hung up, the sound of Alice’s calming voice still in my ears.

No sooner had I placed the phone on the table than it vibrated again. The name of my brother, Micah, appeared on the screen, and I couldn't help but smile. I answered the call, and as soon as he spoke, I heard his familiar, almost playful accusatory tone: "Seraphina, you really are a master at avoiding things, aren't you?"

"I've had a lot to do," I replied, laughing as I sat down on the sofa and let my gaze wander to the window. "But I haven’t forgotten about you guys, I promise."

"Still, you've only sent short messages since you left. Is everything alright?" Micah asked, and I heard Aaron laughing in the background. "I hope you're not keeping us completely in the dark."

"I'm fine," I said, trying to keep my voice as calm as possible, even though the topic on my mind was far from simple. "The council is thankfully on my side, and Jasper is speaking right now. I hope it’s going well for him."

"Jasper will handle it, don’t worry," Aaron reassured me. "I have a feeling he's making a good impression, especially considering how determined he's always been to be with you. The council can’t have missed that."

I could almost picture the two of them exchanging looks, reassured but still curious. It was so typical of them to always think of me and worry – but I knew they were always there for me.

"I hope you're right," I replied, my voice softer than I intended. "It all feels so... heavy, but I trust him. I hope the council sees it the same way."

"He will," Micah said with firm conviction. "And if they make things difficult for him, you'll sort it out. You’ve done everything right."

I sighed and sank deeper into the sofa. "I hope so. But I just have to wait and see how it turns out."

"You’re not alone," Aaron suddenly said, and I could hear the seriousness in his voice. "We're always with you, no matter what happens."

I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling closer to both of them. Their support gave me strength.

"Thank you," I whispered, and for a moment, I was just still, lost in thoughts of them and of Jasper.

"By the way," Aaron said after a brief pause, his voice sounding a bit mischievous, "do you know what happened between Edward and Bella?"

"Oh, not really, but Alice told me a little. Did you guys hear about it too?" I asked, laughing, imagining the two of them arguing excitedly over the latest news from the Cullen world.

"Of course," Micah answered dryly. "What a drama series, but apparently, it’s finally come to an end. Edward and Bella are now officially a couple."

I could practically hear Aaron's broad grin. "Yeah, it took a while, but now they've finally got it. After all the issues they had, they can finally be together."

I shook my head, unable to help but laugh. "Well, at least it’s a happy ending for them."

"Yeah," Aaron said. "They're officially together now. You could almost cut the tension in the air, but now it seems like they’ve found their peace."

Edward and Bella – they just belong together, that was always clear, even when they sometimes didn’t admit it themselves.

It was strange to talk about the Cullens and their problems while I was stuck in a situation that was making me feel uncertain. Yet the thought that even Bella and Edward had managed to find their way gave me hope.

"Well," Micah said after a pause, "I guess that brings me back to you and Jasper. We know you're the right one for him. And he’s the right one for you."

"I hope so," I whispered. "I really hope we can get through this."

"And we will," Aaron said firmly. "You and Jasper. You belong together."

In that moment, I felt incredibly grateful to have them. They were always there to support me, even when life got difficult. And while I lost myself for a moment in thoughts of the Cullens and their story, I knew one thing: Even though the road was still long and uncertain, I had something to build on – the love that brought me to Jasper and the support of my family.

"Thank you both," I finally said, my voice stronger now. "I’ll keep you updated."

"Take care of yourself," Micah replied. "We’re always here for you."

With one last smile, I hung up and stared thoughtfully at the phone screen. Time would tell how everything would unfold. But with this support behind me and the hope for a future with Jasper, I could face anything.

POV Jasper

I stood before the massive doors of the Council building, and with each breath, the air seemed to grow heavier. My heart hammered in my chest, as though it could burst at any moment. It was a feeling I didn’t know – nervousness, tension, the awareness that everything I had ever wanted could depend on this moment. It wasn’t the first time I’d been in a situation that challenged me, not the first time I had to fight against something or someone. But this battle was different. It wasn’t the fight against an army or a threat. It was the fight for the future of Seraphina and me.

I could see her face in my mind. Her eyes, filled with strength yet so vulnerable. Her smile, which had always brought light to my darkest hours. I had held onto all of that, all the moments she had given me, all the love we shared. But now, in this moment, it felt like everything could break in an instant. The Council would judge us, and everything we had would lie in their hands.

“Jasper,” I heard Rei say beside me, his voice calm and measured, as always. “They’re waiting for you.”

I nodded, trying to shake off the nervousness. The doors opened, and I stepped inside. The room was cool, dim, and full of eyes that scrutinized me as though I were an adversary. The Council sat high in their chairs, their faces marked by an impenetrable aloofness that almost physically hurt. But I had no time to let their presence intimidate me. This was my moment. I had no choice but to stand my ground.

The chairman, a man whose eyes were so sharp and penetrating, it felt as though they could pierce the soul, lifted his gaze and locked onto mine. "Jasper," he began in a voice that was calm and controlled, yet carried an inevitable sharpness. "We have thoroughly examined you and your actions. We know who you are and under what circumstances you have come here."

"I understand," I replied, holding his gaze. "I have nothing to hide. Everything I say is the truth."

"Good," the chairman continued. "Then prove to us that you are worthy of standing by Seraphina's side."

The tension inside me grew as he spoke. So this was it, the moment I had to prove myself. I knew I had to prove myself not only for me, but for her – for Seraphina. She was the reason I was here. I had to make sure she trusted me, that she knew how deep my feelings for her were.

"I'll be honest," I began, my voice firmer than I had expected. "I’ve been alone for a long time. For many years, I searched for my soulmate, for the one person who would understand me, who would love me without judgment. I never believed I would find her."

I let the words settle and closed my eyes briefly as memories of those many years of loneliness spread through me. The countless nights where I thought nothing else but knowing there was someone out there who was meant for me. But then, I met her.

"And then I met Seraphina. When she stood before me, I knew right away she was the one. She was everything I had ever hoped for – strong, independent, yet so vulnerable. I fell in love with her without realizing it, without being able to control it. It was more than love; it was the knowledge that she was my counterpart, that she was the one I was meant to share my life with."

The words now flowed like a stream that could no longer be stopped. "I would do anything for her. I would protect her, honor her, never leave her. She is my life. And I will never stop fighting for her – not only as a warrior but as the man who loves her."

I could feel the air around me grow heavier as I felt the Council’s eyes on me. Their expressions were impassive, their eyes cold and vigilant, but I could sense that my words had made an impact. I had spoken the truth. My love for Seraphina was not just a feeling; it was everything I was.

"I won’t allow anything to happen to her," I added, my voice firmer. "Seraphina is all I have. And I will do whatever it takes to protect her. If you believe that I’m not capable of standing by her, then put me to whatever test you deem necessary. I will pass it. But I will never stop fighting for her."

The room was still for a moment, until the rustling of the Council members' clothing filled the air as they murmured among themselves. I waited, feeling as though I were on a tightrope, where the slightest breeze could send me tumbling into the abyss. And yet, I remained calm, as calm as I could. I had said everything. Now it was up to them.

The chairman finally looked up and met my gaze. His expression remained stern, but there was something in his eyes that gave me hope.

"You’ve made your intentions clear, Jasper," he said at last. "Your words are convincing. But there is one more question we must ask you."

I felt a new weight settle on my chest as the chairman continued.

"How do you see the future you wish to share with Seraphina?"

The thought of a future without her created an emptiness inside me that nothing could fill. I couldn’t imagine a life without her. "I’ve thought about it," I began, my voice steady but firm. "I’m a vampire, I will live forever. But Seraphina... she is mortal. She will grow older, she will eventually die, and I will remain here. Without her... without her, I cannot imagine a life."

The words that had often swirled in my mind now came out. "That’s why I ask for your consent to turn Seraphina into a vampire. Only then could we spend eternity together. Only then could I ensure that she stays by my side, that I never have to lose her."

The silence that followed was like a blow. But I knew this was the only way, the only wish I had. I couldn’t lose her, not now. Not after everything we had shared.

The chairman looked at me, his expression unchanged. "We’ve consulted among ourselves. We are willing to grant your request, but only under one condition," he finally said.

I could feel my hope building. "What condition?"

"Seraphina Moore must agree."

A huge weight lifted off my heart. It was now up to her. I would ask her, convince her that this was the only right path. And I knew she would believe me. She knew how much I loved her, how far I was willing to go for her.

"Thank you," I said quietly, my voice soft with gratitude. "I’ll speak to her immediately. I will ensure that she makes the decision we both need."

The chairman nodded slowly. "Good. We expect you to report her decision to us soon."

I left the room with a sense of relief, but also with a new determination. It was now up to Seraphina, and I would do everything to make sure she stayed with me – forever.

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Sorry for the late update. I unexpectedly got the flu and it hit me really bad 🥲

But I'm back now and hope you like this new chapter ✨️