Chapter 68 CHAPTER 68

Chapter 68 CHAPTER 68
Celia's POV

I sat there in the dark for hours, back against the cold rock, Jasper’s big wolf body curled beside me. Night had fallen thick and heavy around us. The only light came from the moon slipping through the trees. My eyes burned from staring at him, waiting. He hadn’t moved in so long. His breathing was steady but slow, and every minute that passed made my chest tighter.

“Come on, Jasper… wake up,” I whispered, voice cracking. My hand rested on his warm fur, fingers stroking slowly without thinking. I was so damn tired. My body ached from running, from feeding him my blood, from worrying. But I couldn’t sleep. What if he never woke up? What if I was stuck out here alone with his dead body?

Tears stung my eyes again. “You idiot. Don’t you dare leave me here.”

Then his wolf form shivered. Fur rippled. Bones cracked softly. He shifted back to human, naked and sweaty, eyes fluttering open. Those dark brown eyes found mine, hazy at first, then clear.

Relief hit me so hard my shoulders shook. I burst into tears before I could stop myself. “You scared the shit out of me!” I cried, hitting his chest lightly with my fist. “I thought you were dead! You lay there for hours not moving and I… I didn’t know if you’d wake up!”

Jasper groaned softly but reached up, his big hand cupping the back of my neck. He pulled me closer even though it clearly hurt him. “Hey… shh, baby. I’m here. I’m okay. Look at me.”

I buried my face in his neck, sobbing like a kid. His skin smelled like sweat and blood and him, and it made everything worse and better at the same time. “You asshole… you really scared me.”

He rubbed my back in slow circles, voice low and rough. “I’m sorry, Celia. I’m right here. You saved me. Breathe, okay? Just breathe with me.”

His arms wrapped around me tighter, pulling my body against his bare chest. Even weak, he felt so strong. My tears soaked his skin but he didn’t care. He kept whispering soft things in my ear, calling me baby, stroking my hair. The mate bond hummed between us, warm and electric. I hated how good it felt. How safe.

After a minute I pulled back, wiping my face with the back of my hand. “Don’t ever do that again. I mean it.”

Jasper gave me a weak smile, thumb brushing a tear off my cheek. “Thank you, Celia. For saving my life. You didn’t have to do any of that… the herbs, your blood… everything. I owe you.”

I looked away, cheeks burning. Deep down I was so happy he was alive it scared me. But I wasn’t ready to admit that. “I only did it because I didn’t want to carry your heavy dead body all the way home,” I muttered. “That’s all. Don’t make it weird.”

He chuckled softly, then winced from the pain. “Sure. That’s why you cried like that when I woke up.”

“Shut up.” I poked his chest again, lighter this time. Inside, relief flooded me like warm honey. He was alive. Breathing. Teasing me. The herbs must’ve been really good. Or maybe my blood helped more than I thought. Either way, he was here.

Jasper shifted a little, pulling me closer again so my head rested on his shoulder. His hand slid down my back, stopping just above my ass. Even hurt, his touch felt teasing, possessive. Heat spread through my belly. My nipples tightened against his chest.

“We need to stay in the woods for the night,” he said quietly, voice serious but soft. “It’s too dark. We’ll get lost if we try to move now. The others will find us by morning. Just rest, baby. I’ve got you.”

I nodded against his shoulder, too tired to argue. His body heat wrapped around me like a blanket. I was still scared, still angry at everything, but right now, lying here with him alive and holding me… it didn’t feel so bad.
I shivered hard as the night got colder. The wind cut through the trees like knives. Jasper’s wolf form was warm, but even he looked shaky now.

“We should move,” he said, voice rough. “There’s a small cave not far. Better than staying out here in the open.”

I helped him up, letting him lean on me even though he was heavy. We stumbled through the dark until we found it — a little cave with dry ground and walls that blocked most of the wind. Jasper used some dry sticks and rocks to start a small fire. The flames crackled low, throwing orange light on the walls. It helped, but not enough.

I sat close to the fire, hugging my knees. Then the cold hit me all at once. My teeth started chattering. My whole body shook.

Jasper noticed right away. He moved behind me slowly, still weak, and wrapped his arms around me from the back. His bare chest pressed against my back, hot and solid. I wanted to push him away. I really did. But it felt… good. Too good. His warmth sank into my skin and I stayed quiet, letting him hold me.

“You’re freezing, baby,” he murmured against my ear. His breath was warm. “Just relax. I’ve got you.”

I bit my lip, heart racing. Part of me still hated him, but another part melted into his touch. His big hands rubbed slow circles on my arms. I could feel every inch of him behind me, hard muscle, fever-hot skin.

“You know,” he said softly, “you’re a good person after all. You saved my life even though you hate me. You could’ve left me there to die, but you didn’t. That means something, Celia.”

His words made my chest tight. I didn’t want to hear that. Not from him.

“Don’t talk about that,” I whispered, voice shaky. “Just… stop.”

But the cold got worse. My body wouldn’t stop trembling. I pressed back against him without thinking, chasing his heat.

Jasper’s arms tightened. “You’re still freezing. The only way I can help is to warm you up with my body. Skin to skin. I’ve got a fever anyway… I can share it.”

I froze. My face burned. “You’re serious?”

“I’m not trying anything,” he said, but his voice dropped low and teasing. “Unless you want me to.”

I hated how much I wanted it. My nipples were already hard, aching. Heat pooled between my legs even though I was mad at myself for it. “Fine,” I muttered. “Only because I’m freezing.”

I pulled off my outer clothes quick — jeans, top — until I was just in my bra and panties. Jasper turned me gently so we faced each other. His eyes darkened as they moved over my body. He was still mostly naked, only a torn piece of cloth around his waist.

“Come here,” he said, voice rough.

I crawled into his arms. Our bodies pressed together tight. Skin on skin. His fever heat burned into me, chasing away the cold. I wrapped my arms around his neck, legs tangling with his. He felt so big, so warm. My breasts pushed against his chest, nipples rubbing with every breath.

“Better?” he asked, lips brushing my temple.

“Yeah…” I breathed. But it wasn’t just the warmth. It was him. His scent, his strength, the way his hands slid down my back and rested on my waist. I looked up at him. Our faces were so close.

His eyes dropped to my mouth. “Celia…”

I didn’t think. I just leaned in. Our lips crashed together, hungry and desperate. He groaned into my mouth, one hand sliding into my hair, tilting my head so he could kiss me deeper. His tongue teased mine, hot and bold. I kissed him back just as hard, fingers digging into his shoulders.

The kiss turned messy, passionate. Wet sounds filled the small cave. His free hand gripped my ass, pulling me harder against him. I could feel how hard he was, pressing between my legs. Heat exploded inside me. I moaned against his lips, grinding against him without meaning to.

“Fuck, baby,” he growled between kisses, voice thick. “You taste so good.”

I shivered, not from cold anymore. My body was on fire. I kissed him again, deeper, losing myself in the feel of his mouth, his hands, his fever-hot skin against mine.