Chapter 0368

I rush to Isolde, pulling her into my embrace. "Easy, love. He was provoking you on purpose. I'm safe." Her chest rises and falls rapidly.

"Damn it, Seraphina! I warned you never to put yourself between me and danger again." Sebastian grabs her, his hands instinctively cradling her stomach to shield their unborn child.

"Her power can't harm me, Sebastian, but it could destroy you," she says, then turns to Isolde.

"Like Evelyn's power didn't nearly kill you?" Sebastian snaps at Seraphina.

"That was different—I wasn't prepared then. I am now." She meets his glare before refocusing on Isolde.

"Victor's right, Isolde. Sebastian didn't mean it. He did the same to me—pushed me to anger so I could access my Guardian strength." I can see Sebastian willing her to unleash it, but she holds back.

Isolde studies Sebastian. "We're family now," he says firmly. "I would never hurt my own. What I did to Victor was unforgivable, but you and he are part of my pack. I won't harm him again."

As Isolde relaxes against me, her breathing steadying, Seraphina finally lowers her arms and lets Sebastian pull her aside. "We'll discuss this later," he growls before facing Isolde again.

"Did you feel it? That surge of power—can you control it now?" he demands.

She steps away from me, rolling her shoulders. "I feel it." Turning to me, her eyes gleam. "And it's overwhelming."

Seraphina nods. "It is. But we'll help you master it—teach you how to channel it using our combined strengths." She gestures between herself and Evelyn.

"What exactly did you do just now?" I ask, intrigued by how she and Sebastian remained unaffected when both Adrian and I were thrown back. Thankfully, Evelyn had been seated.

"Evelyn can project raw force, like Isolde just did. I can direct it—shape its path. When we work together, I can guide her power too. So if I wanted to strike you without touching Isolde, even if she's right beside you, I could."

"Prove it," I challenge, fascinated by this ability I've never witnessed before.

Sebastian arches a brow. "You sure about that? My mate hits harder than you'd expect."

"Just a demonstration—and you're certain Isolde won't feel it?" I step closer to her.

"Absolutely. Ready?" Seraphina asks.

"Hit me."

The next second, I'm on the ground, gasping like I've been gut-punched.

"Damn. Impressive," I wheeze, noting Isolde stands completely unharmed.

She helps me up, then grins at Seraphina. "Alright. Let's begin."