Chapter 0211

His lips brush against my knuckles, sending a shiver down my spine. "Thank you." His gaze locks onto mine, intense and unreadable.

"For what?"

"For not giving up on me. I won't fail you."

I squeeze his hand in response. "Training went better than expected. I could barely stand afterward, but Valeria felt stronger. Maybe that's how she finally recognized you as our mate."

Sebastian nods. "Makes sense. You're going back tomorrow?"

"Same time. Oh, and Evelyn mentioned someone named Oberon is visiting next weekend. He's bringing his son Finnian to document my story."

"The Fae King and Prince. They're historians of Guardian lineage. Oberon will be fascinated by you."

"I've never met a Fae before. What are they like?"

His grip tightens around my fingers. "From what Adrian and Evelyn say, he's fair but cunning. He was mated to a Guardian centuries ago, so he'll favor Valeria. But don't get any ideas." A low growl rumbles in his chest. "You're mine."

"And apparently, I'm your Guardian too." I tilt my head. "Did you know that?"

His eyes flicker toward me before returning to the road. "Logical assumption. Evelyn is Adrian's Guardian and mate. The pattern fits."

We pull into a charming district lined with boutique shops. Sebastian parks and helps me down, his hand never leaving mine as we approach a clothing store. "This is neutral territory between Nightshade and Blackthorn packs. Humans frequent the nearby towns too. My corporate office is in the city—I'll take you there soon."

My pulse jumps when he says "our pack lands." This man doesn't do anything halfway.

The shopkeeper's annoyed expression vanishes when Sebastian enters. "Alpha! What an honor. How may I assist you?" She blatantly ignores my presence.

+15 BONDS

Valeria snarls in my mind, bristling at the disrespect. The woman pales when my eyes flash gold. "Guardian. My deepest apologies." She bares her throat. "I didn't realize our packs had another Guardian."

"Beatrice. This is Seraphina, my mate and a Guardian."

Her gaze darts to my unmarked neck. "Your... mate?"

"Yes. We need a wardrobe for her. Can you help?"

Sebastian turns to me while the woman continues addressing only him. "Want to browse first?"

"Please."

"Feel free to look around," Beatrice tells Sebastian. "Let me know if you need anything."

We explore the racks together, selecting jeans, blouses, and delicate nightwear. Sebastian insists on approving every outfit I try on. By checkout, we've amassed workout gear, casual wear, and silk pajamas.

"Good start," he says, adding scented lotions to the pile. Beatrice rings us up while flirting shamelessly. Sebastian doesn't even glance her way.

Bag in hand, he offers me his arm. "Hungry?"

"Starved."