Chapter 70: CHAPTER 70

JASPER'S POV

I woke up with Celia still curled against my chest, her bare skin warm and soft. Last night replayed in my head like a dirty movie — her moans, the way she came so hard she passed out, my cock buried deep inside her over and over. My dick twitched just thinking about it. But when she stirred and opened her eyes, the heat turned cold fast.

She pushed away from me like I burned her, grabbing her clothes and yanking them on. “What happened last night was just survival, Jasper. Nothing more. Don’t you dare think it meant shit to me.”

Her voice was sharp, eyes flashing with anger. I sat up slow, my side still aching a little, and watched her. Even pissed off, she looked fucking beautiful — messy hair, flushed cheeks, bite marks on her neck that I put there. My chest tightened. I was falling for her hard. Real hard.

“Celia, baby—”

“Don’t ‘baby’ me!” She spun around, pointing a finger at my face. “You exhausted me. You fucked me like a damn animal until I passed out. You only think about yourself, like always. Selfish asshole.”

The words stung, but they also made me want her again. I stood up, naked, not hiding how hard I still was for her. “I’m sorry. I lost control. You felt too good, and the fever… the bond… I couldn’t stop. But I’m not sorry it happened. You saved my life, Celia. That means something to me.”

She laughed, bitter. “Saved your life? Yeah, and you thanked me by pounding me half to death. Just… keep your mouth shut about it. It was survival. That’s all.”

I wanted to tell her I was falling for her. That I’d do anything to earn her forgiveness. That using the fact she saved me was my new plan — slow, steady, show her I’ve changed. But she wasn’t ready to hear it. Not yet. So I nodded. “Okay. Secret stays here. But I’m gonna prove I’m different. Starting now.”

We started walking through the forest. Sunlight filtered through the trees. I stayed close, my hand brushing hers every few steps on purpose. She’d glare but didn’t pull away completely. Every time her hip bumped mine, memories flashed — her legs wrapped around me, her tight pussy squeezing my cock, her crying my name. Fuck. I was gone for this girl.

“Stop looking at me like that,” she muttered, cheeks pink.

“Like what?” I teased, voice low. “Like I still taste you on my tongue? Like I remember how you begged for more even when you were tired?”

“Jasper!” She shoved my arm, but I caught her hand and held it for a second. Her pulse raced under my fingers. She was affected too, no matter what she said.

We kept moving. After almost an hour, voices echoed ahead. My brothers and a bunch of warriors crashed through the bushes, relief all over their faces.

“Jasper! Celia!” Xavier shouted, running up first. He pulled me into a rough hug, then checked Celia over. “You two okay? We searched all night.”

Kaiden grinned but eyed us suspiciously. “You look… rough. What the hell happened out there?”

Zaxer stepped closer, sniffing the air. “Yeah. You two smell like each other. A lot.”

I kept my face straight, even though my heart pounded. “Nothing much. Rogue poison hit me hard. Celia saved my ass with some herbs and her blood. We hid in a cave, waited for morning. That’s it.”

Ryker raised an eyebrow. “That’s it? You were alone all night and nothing happened?”

I shrugged, forcing a casual laugh. “We were too busy surviving. No time for anything else.” Lie. Big fucking lie. But I wasn’t telling them I’d fucked our mate until she passed out. Not yet.

They didn’t look convinced. Xavier stared at the marks on Celia’s neck. Kaiden smirked like he knew. But they let it go for now.

“Rogues are gone for now,” Xavier said. “We killed most, but some got away. Still no idea where they came from.”

I nodded, but my eyes kept drifting back to Celia. She walked a little ahead with the warriors, pretending I didn’t exist. My chest felt full and heavy. I was falling for her bad. She saved my life. I’d use that. I’d earn her trust slow, show her I’ve changed. No more bullying. No more hurting her. Just me proving I’m hers.

Even if it killed me to keep last night a secret for now.

Xavier drove, jaw tight. He glanced at us in the mirror. “Those rogues weren’t random. We took down a few and found marks on them. Tattoos. They’re part of something bigger. Some organization. This wasn’t a lucky attack. They came for Celia specifically.”

My stomach dropped. I looked at her. She went still, fingers twisting in her lap. “They want her pendant,” I said quietly. “Or her power. The Moonwolf thing.”

Kaiden leaned forward from the other seat. “Yeah. Coordinated. Professional. This shit’s not over. Someone’s pulling strings.”

Celia didn’t say anything, but I saw her shoulders tense. I wanted to pull her onto my lap right there and tell her I’d kill every last one of them for her. Instead I just brushed my knee against hers. She didn’t move away. Small win.

We pulled up to the mansion. Mom and Alpha Hale rushed out the second the cars stopped. Mom hugged Celia so tight I thought she’d break her. “Thank God you’re both okay! I was losing my mind.”

Alpha Hale clapped me on the back, eyes serious. “Good job keeping her safe, son. We were ready to tear the whole forest apart.”

Inside, everyone gathered in the big living room. Servants brought water and blankets. Celia sat on the couch looking exhausted but still so fucking pretty with those little bite marks peeking from her collar. I couldn’t stop staring. I kept remembering how she felt under me, tight and wet and moaning my name until she passed out. I wanted her again. Right now. But I kept my face calm.

Xavier spoke up first. “The rogues aren’t lone wolves. They’re organized. Someone’s targeting Celia on purpose.”

Alpha Hale’s face got hard. He looked at Celia, then at all of us. “Then she stays here. On the estate. No going back to the academy until we know exactly who’s behind this and we shut it down. Full protection. You boys take turns watching her. No mistakes.”

Celia stood up fast. “What? I can’t just stay locked up here—”

“It’s not up for discussion,” Alpha Hale said firmly. “You’re family now. And you’re in danger. You stay where we can protect you.”

I felt a rush of relief mixed with something hotter. She’d be here. With us. Every day. I could start proving myself. Slow touches, teasing words, showing her I’ve changed. Starting with keeping her safe.

Mom touched Celia’s arm gently. “Please, honey. Just until it’s safe.”

Celia looked pissed but nodded once, eyes flicking to me for a second. I gave her a small smile. She turned away fast, cheeks a little pink. Good. She remembered last night too.

Later, when everyone started to head to their rooms, I caught her in the hallway. I stepped close, voice low so only she could hear.

“Guess you’re stuck with me now, baby,” I murmured, letting my fingers brush her waist. “All day. All night. Under the same roof. I’ll keep you safe… and warm if you get cold again.”

Her breath hitched. She glared up at me, but her nipples were hard under her shirt. “Don’t start, Jasper. Last night was a mistake. Survival. Nothing else.”

I leaned in closer, lips almost touching her ear. “Keep telling yourself that. But I remember how you came for me. Three times. Screaming my name. You can lie to everyone else… but I know the truth.”

She shoved my chest, but not hard. “Asshole.”

I grinned, stepping back. “Your asshole now. Get some rest, Celia. You’re gonna need it.”