There was an eerie silence after Xaden’s question was sharp enough to slice through bone.
Where is Jasmine?
No one spoke.
No one moved.
The air shifted, thick with something unspoken.
Erik averted his gaze. Nanny Nia’s fingers wrung themselves in front of her.
Even Loren, usually blunt and unbothered, suddenly found something fascinating in the herbs inside his bag.
Xaden’s brows furrowed, confusion settling into a slow burn across his chest.
What the hell was going on?
But before he could press further, the doors burst open with a gust of perfume and hurried footsteps.
"Xaden!"
It was his sister, Anna.
And he felt guilt wash over him that he had completely forgotten his own sister and only remembered Jasmine.
She ran to him, a blur of gold curls and velvet sleeves.
Her arms threw themselves around his neck before anyone could react.
"Gods, you’re alive," she breathed, her voice cracking. "I thought I’d lost you—"
Xaden hesitated, then allowed his arms to circle her slowly.
She trembled in his embrace, her hands clinging tighter than necessary.
He hadn’t expected to feel relief from seeing her—but he did. Just a little. The familiarity of her, the history. His sister.
She reminded him of the past the he had barely survived.
The family that he had only had for a few years before being snatched from him.
Anna was his sister and his blood.
"I’m glad you’re alright too," he said softly, pulling back just enough to see her face. "You were worried."
"Of course I was. You’re my brother and you are the only thing I care about in this world. I would die if anything ever happened to you."
Her eyes glistened, and she smiled tightly, the kind of smile that tried to hide too many things.
He brought her forehead towards his lips and gave her a kiss.
"I’m here Anna." He promised.
The room watched them. Still silent. Still stiff.
Then came a lighter knock on the door.
It creaked open and Fiona stepped inside, her expression gentle but composed.
She moved carefully, respectfully, but with a kind of warmth that didn’t need words.
"Xaden," she said, her voice quiet with concern.
He looked toward her, and something inside him softened further.
She stepped closer, opening her arms slightly, and—
Anna didn’t move. Didn’t let go.
Her grip on him tightened just enough. Her body remained pressed to his, anchoring him. Blocking the space between him and Fiona without saying a word.
Fiona faltered.
She hesitated, then dropped her arms, lowering her gaze like she hadn’t even tried.
Xaden’s brows drew slightly, but he didn’t comment.
"It’s good to see that you are back." Fiona gently said. "We were all worried for you."
"It’s good to be back Fiona. It’s good to see you." Xaden said through the hug, Anna still held unto.
And then—
Another sound. Smaller. Softer.
Xaden turned to the door.
Was that Jasmine?
He was disappointed but yet taken aback when he saw Erik walk to the door.
In came with Damian standing with a Kire and a small boy of the age of eleven.
A boy that Xaden had only seen once in his life.
And for a split second Xaden’s assumed that he was imagining see the little boy the same way he had hallucinated Jasmine.
"Alpha?" came a timid voice.
He whispered, "Marro...?"
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