CHAPTER 260: BACK TO NORMAL

Zane~

Natalie was awake.

Really awake.

Right here in my arms—warm, alive, breathing. And every second she stayed there, pressed against my chest, fingers clutching my shirt like I might disappear, I felt something deep inside me unwind.

Red, purred with satisfaction—a low, thunderous rumble in my soul. It was like he’d been caged for too long, pacing in the dark, and now finally... finally, peace.

I lowered my head slightly, breathing her in. Vanilla and honey. That familiar scent that always made my pulse stumble. Her presence was a balm—soothing the cracks I didn’t even realize I’d been carrying.

A quiet hum echoed in the back of my mind—the residual pulse of our shared bond. Jasmine’s energy, wild and bright, weaving between us like threads of light.

"Red," I whispered inwardly, seeking him through the bond.

"She’s okay," he answered with a grin in his voice, feral and proud. "And we’re never putting her through any form of stress ever again."

For once, I didn’t argue.

Because for what felt like centuries, things didn’t feel like they were spiraling. Shadow was gone—locked in whatever celestial prison the Moon Goddess and the god of light had slammed shut. Alex was safe. Natalie was here.

And me?

I was... something else now.

Not just Zane. Not just that broken prince who was once forced to hide his identity in order to protect his life.

No.

I was now The Night Alpha.

Whatever the hell that really meant.

Natalie stirred slightly and looked up at me. Her blue eyes—piercing and clear—searched my face, then darted past me, alert.

"Fox," she said suddenly, her voice tight with worry, "where’s Griffin? Is he okay?"

Fox, who had been inspecting the charred edges of his shirt like they were the true tragedy of the evening, heaved a dramatic sigh.

"Oh, sure," he muttered. "Don’t mind me. Just your unpaid, underappreciated, emotionally scarred bodyguard and part-time errand boy. No big deal."

Natalie narrowed her eyes.

"You are not an errand boy. Don’t even start with that."

A ghost of a smirk curled his lips. "Relax, little moon. I’m messing with you." His voice softened, rare warmth slipping into his tone—one only Natalie could coax out of him. "I know you love me."

She rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched like she couldn’t quite hide the smile.

Fox finally straightened, brushing imaginary lint off his scorched sleeve. "Griffin’s fine, if you’re worried. The moment our favorite magical Alpha over there—" he nodded toward me, "—did his whole ’resurrection’ thing, Griffin sprang back to life too. Like some kind of supernatural alarm clock."

Natalie’s shoulders slumped in relief, her grip on me loosening slightly.

"He’s in his room," Fox added. "Said he didn’t want to interrupt your whole reunited soulmates vibe." He wiggled his fingers dramatically. "Very respectful. Ten points to Gryffin-dor."

I snorted, letting my fingers drift through Natalie’s hair absentmindedly.

"Smartest thing he’s ever done," I murmured to Red.

"I still don’t like him," Red grumbled.

"Neither do I."

But what really surprised me—what pleased me, in a dark little corner of my heart—was that Natalie didn’t budge. Didn’t flinch. Didn’t go running off to see him. She just stayed close, her eyes still on me like I was the only thing in her world right now.

And gods help me, I wanted to keep it that way.

I tugged her closer again, gently tilting her chin up. "I almost lost you," I whispered, brushing her lower lip with my thumb. "Never again."

"Then kiss me like you mean it, Night Alpha," she smirked.

So I did.

Our mouths collided with the heat of months lost, of fear turned to flame. Her fingers tangled into my hair, mine gripped her waist like a lifeline. Her kiss was wild, like Jasmine herself was tasting me through Natalie—and I gave it all right back. I kissed her like she was the only truth I’d ever known. Like I needed her breath in my lungs to survive.

"Natalie," I murmured against her lips.

"Zane," she breathed, eyes half-lidded, voice breathless. "Don’t stop."

And I wouldn’t have. I swear I wouldn’t have.

If not for him.

"Ahem."

Sebastian.

He cleared his throat like an old man interrupting prom night.

I pulled back with a growl I didn’t bother to hide. "What?"

But something was off.

Sebastian wasn’t smiling. Not his usual smug grin. No sarcastic twinkle in his eyes.

He looked... worried.

"Are you okay?" I asked, brushing Natalie’s hair off her shoulder.

Sebastian gave a weak shrug. "Yeah. Just... thinking." He turned to Natalie, voice lower. "What are you going to do about Kalmia?"

Natalie blinked, clearly caught off guard. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean."

She stiffened slightly, then nodded. "She won’t hide forever. I’ll find her. And when I do—" her voice dropped, "—she’ll wish she stayed buried."

Sebastian nodded slowly, but his brows stayed furrowed, like something gnawed at his thoughts.

I narrowed my eyes. "Seb... is something wrong?"

"No."

Liar.

Sebastian pushed off the wall with a heavy breath, his boots echoing slightly as he stepped toward us.

"Look," he said, voice low and rough around the edges, "I’m glad you two made it out. Really. But I’ve got my own mess to clean up. Just wanted to check in before I disappear for a bit."

He clapped a hand on my shoulder—classic Sebastian. But this time, there was no sarcastic grin, no side-eyed joke. Just the weight of unspoken things pressing between us.

He turned for the door.

"Wait," Fox said sharply, his voice slicing clean the tension between us.

Sebastian froze mid-step.

Fox folded his arms, eyes narrowed. "Aren’t you going to tell them about Kalmia’s threats?"

Every muscle in my body went rigid.

I caught Sebastian’s arm before he could bolt. "What threats?"

Sebastian’s jaw tightened. "Fox, seriously?"

Fox didn’t even blink. "Stop pretending everything’s fine. They need to know."

Natalie stepped up beside me, her expression cold steel. "Sebastian. Start talking. Now."

He dragged a hand down his face and muttered, "It’s not a big deal—"

Fox scoffed. Loudly. "Not a big deal? She gave you a deadline, Seb."

Sebastian flinched.

Fox stepped closer, his voice like a slow-moving storm. "Kalmia told him—if he doesn’t hand over his blood willingly within four days, she’s going to wipe out his entire life. His Coven. Everything. She said she’ll track down Cassandra and kill her too."

The room dropped several degrees in an instant.

Natalie’s fists clenched at her sides. "She what?" she growled.

I could feel the fury bubbling inside me like a shaken bottle about to burst. "And you weren’t going to tell us?"

Sebastian lifted both hands in a lame gesture of peace. "I had it under control—"

"Clearly not!" Natalie snapped, her voice sharp as glass. "That psycho demon is threatening your mate! Again!"

"I can handle it," Sebastian muttered, jaw clenched.

I stepped forward, eyes locked on his. "You’re not doing this alone. You know I always got your back."

A quiet sigh pulled our attention toward the door.

It was Jacob.

He stepped into view like he’d been waiting in the wings, watching for the right moment to enter. His brown eyes were steady, unreadable, but locked on Sebastian with laser focus.

"I won’t let her touch you," Jacob said quietly. "Not your Coven. Not Cassandra. Not anyone."

Sebastian sighed, rolling his eyes. "Damn, Jacob... I thought you ghosted me. I called you. Mind-linked. Even yelled out your damn name into the wind a dozen times but go no reply, so I decided, if worse comes to play, I’d handle it myself."

"I heard," Jacob said with a small nod. "I’m sorry. I was... occupied. But I’m here now. And I’m not letting Kalmia get away with this."

Fox let out a low whistle. "About time."

Jacob moved closer and placed a firm hand on Sebastian’s shoulder. "You’re not fighting her alone. I’ll come with you. I’ll seal the Coven with full protection. No dark magic, no hexes, no tricks. She won’t even be able to breathe near you without me knowing."

Sebastian’s voice wavered, just barely. "Thank you."

Jacob offered a small smile. "Let’s move."

"See you later guys." Sebastian said to us and then, in a flicker of silvery-white light, they vanished. Just like that.

Natalie let out a long, exhausted breath and rubbed her temples. "Gods... I hate that woman."

"Same," I muttered, still seething inside. "But at least now Sebastian’s got backup."

I turned to her again, brushing my fingers against her cheek, needing to anchor myself to something real.

"Let’s head back to the palace," I said softly. "I just want to get you and Alex home. Somewhere peaceful. Somewhere we’re all together."

Her eyes softened at my words—but she hesitated.

"I want that too," she said softly. "But before we go... I need to see Griffin."

My heart skipped.

I knew it. I knew it.

She noticed my silence and added, "I have to talk to him. Just a few minutes. There are things I need to say."

I nodded stiffly, trying not to let the jealousy poison my tone. "Right. Okay. Let’s make it quick."

She leaned forward, kissed the corner of my mouth with a smirk. "Don’t worry, Zane. You’re the only one who gets me forever."

Red howled in approval.

And I couldn’t help but smile.

Even as I watched her walk toward the door.