Chapter 181

Chapter 186
Natalie POV


I walked closer, trying to process the crowd, when a familiar voice boomed across the space like thunder.

"NATALIE!"

Jackson's voice cut through the morning air like a blade, and I looked up to see him running down the castle steps, his long legs taking them three at a time. People stepped aside as he barreled toward me, his face a mixture of relief, joy, and something that looked like barely contained panic.

Before I could react, he reached me and swept me up in his arms, his hands gripping me so tightly I could feel his fingers pressing into my ribs. He spun me around as he held me tight against his chest, and the familiar scent of him—pine and leather and something uniquely Jackson, something that spoke of home and safety—washed over me like a wave.

"Thank God," he murmured against my hair, his voice rough with emotion as he set me down but kept his hands on my face, his thumbs brushing over my cheekbones with infinite gentleness. "Thank God you're okay."

He kissed me then, soft and desperate, his lips warm against mine, tasting faintly of coffee and worry. I let myself sink into it for a moment, feeling the familiar spark of our mate bond flare to life, before pulling back to look at him.

"I'm okay," I whispered, reaching up to touch his cheek, feeling the rough stubble that suggested he hadn't shaved in days. "I'm home."

Before either of us could say more, I heard familiar voices calling my name, the sound carrying across the courtyard like music. My mother appeared first, her face a mask of controlled relief, her usual perfect composure cracked just enough to show the worry beneath. She was followed by my three fathers, their identical faces wearing identical expressions of concern and love, and then Jasmine and Caroline, both looking like they'd been crying.

They surrounded us in a rush of embraces and questions, and I found myself passed from one set of arms to another, each hug carrying its own unique scent and warmth.

When I reached Caroline, I hesitated for just a moment—Leo was standing right behind her, watching with wary eyes that held a mixture of guilt and wariness. But I realized I didn't care about him anymore. Whatever hurt he'd caused felt distant now, overshadowed by everything else that had happened. I hugged Caroline briefly, noting how she relaxed with relief, her body sagging against mine as if she'd been holding her breath for days.

"Where have you been?" my mother asked, her voice carefully controlled but her eyes blazing with worry and barely restrained fury. "What happened? We know you escaped from Magnus. Where were you all this time?"

I looked around at all their expectant faces, at the crowd of strangers who had apparently come to help search for me, their eyes full of curiosity and concern. The weight of their attention felt overwhelming, pressing down on me like a physical force.

"It's a long story," I said quietly, my voice hoarse from exhaustion. "Honestly, I don't really want to talk about it right now. I just really need a shower and some sleep."

My mother studied my face for a long moment, her enhanced senses no doubt picking up traces of foreign scents and the exhaustion that clung to me like a second skin. Then she nodded, understanding flickering in her eyes.

"Jackson, take her inside," she said, her voice carrying the unmistakable tone of royal command. "These people came from far away to help search for you," she added, gesturing to the crowd with a sweep of her arm. "They've been here for days."

I looked around at all the unfamiliar faces, feeling a pang of guilt twist in my stomach. These people had dropped everything, left their own families and responsibilities, to help find me. "Tell them not to leave. I do want to meet them before they go. Just... not right now."

"They'll understand," Edward said gently, his voice warm with paternal love. "We'll be up soon."

Jackson took my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine with practiced ease, and led me toward the castle. I let him guide me through the familiar halls, my feet automatically following the path I'd walked thousands of times before. The stone walls seemed to close in around me, the tapestries and paintings that had once felt like home now seeming foreign and ostentatious.

When we reached my door, I paused, my hand on the ornate brass handle. Something felt strange about being here, like I didn't quite belong in this space anymore, like I wasn't worthy of all this luxury after what I'd seen and done. The silk curtains, the mahogany furniture, the Persian rugs—it all seemed excessive compared to the simple beauty of Nathan's village.

The thought of Nathan's simple cabin flashed through my mind unbidden, and despite everything, it made me smile slightly—a small, sad curve of my lips that held more pain than joy.

"I knew you'd be happy to be back," Jackson said, misreading my expression, his own face brightening with relief.

"Yeah," I said softly, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue. "Of course."

I opened the door and stepped inside, immediately noticing Draco's great head poking through the window, his golden eyes fixed on me with intense focus. I walked over and patted his snout, feeling the familiar warmth of his scales under my palm as I let him sniff me to confirm I was unharmed. His nostrils flared as he processed the various scents clinging to my clothes and skin, and I saw recognition flicker in his ancient eyes before he withdrew back to his perch on the castle roof with a satisfied rumble.

Standing at the window, I looked down at the crowd in the courtyard below, all these people who had dropped everything to help find me. From this height, they looked like colorful dots scattered across the stone, their voices carrying up to me in an indistinct murmur. The sight should have warmed my heart, but instead it just made me feel more displaced, more uncertain about where I belonged.

"Natalie," Jackson said from behind me, and something in his tone—a new tension, a sharp edge—made me turn around.

His expression had changed, become more serious, more focused. His nostrils flared slightly, and I saw his hands clench into fists at his sides. "You smell like another wolf."

I felt my stomach drop like a stone, my heart beginning to race as panic flooded my system. Of course I did. Nathan's scent would still be all over me, marking me as clearly as if I wore a sign announcing what we'd shared.

"Yes," I said carefully, trying to keep my voice steady. "I really need that shower."

"Yeah," Jackson said, his voice tight with barely controlled emotion. "You should wash that wolf's scent off."

I looked up at him slowly, seeing the tension in his jaw, the way his shoulders had gone rigid, the dangerous glint in his dark eyes. The mate bond between us was making him react to Nathan's scent on my skin, and I could see him struggling to maintain control, his wolf probably clawing at his insides with jealousy and possessiveness.

"Yes," I said quietly, my throat dry. "I think we should talk about that first."

"No," Jackson said firmly, shaking his head so hard his hair fell into his eyes. "Shower first. Then we'll talk."

I nodded, grateful for the reprieve even as I dreaded the conversation to come, and headed toward the bathroom.