Page 17 of Eternal Mate

A warmth spread through my chest, and I reached out to cup his cheek. If he was sentimental, I might as well get on board. "No matter what comes our way, we'll face it together. Side by side, always."

My promise had him clinging to me, pulling me closer, and snuggling down beneath the sheets. I let him, tucking my head under his chin and letting out a deep sigh.

As we tread down the dimly-lit hallway the next day, the air felt heavy with uncertainty, our footsteps echoing in the silence.

We hadn't heard anything since the last meeting Sariel had run off for, and it was beginning to make me nervous. It was too quiet, especially considering the way things had gone before. Peace meant people were plotting, and I wasn't a fan of waiting around to find out what their next move would be.

The door to Auren and Ashe's apartment swung open before we passed it, and both men stalked out, hand-in-hand.

It gave Sariel pause, that instant wave of eagerness making me smirk.

Auren looked exhausted, with dark rings around his uncovered eyes and a sickly tint to his skin. He'd never been particularly healthy looking to begin with, but now he resembled a corpse more than a man—not that Sariel seemed to care. He was basically bouncing on his toes, waiting for them to see us.

Ashe's face lit up with a genuine smile when he spotted us. "Hey, you two. How are you holding up?"

Sariel's eyes darted to Auren. I could tell he's trying to restrain himself. "Trying to make sense of it all, I guess," he replied, his voice tinged with weariness when Auren didn’t even look up.

I squeezed his hand, noting that Ashe was doing the same to Auren, though it looked way more aggressive. The other man didn't even flinch.

I spoke up, my voice carrying a gentle lilt. "Auren, you seem... more like yourself."

Except not really. He looked beaten and tired. He hadn't even put on his signature aviators before letting his mate drag him out, but it seemed rude to point that out to him when he was putting in some effort.

More effort than we'd seen since we arrived here, anyway.

Auren gave us a half-smile, glancing between me and his brother. "Yeah… Ashe is helping me get back on track. I'll be up and running again soon."

The promise didn’t go unnoticed. Sariel could practically burst apart with how excited he was to see some progress in his brother’s mental health.

At least he was aiming to get better, even if he wasn't quite there yet.

Ashe nodded, his eyes gleaming. "Absolutely. Just give it a little more time."

"We were going for a walk outside," I blurted when the ensuing silence dragged on. "Do you guys want to come with us?"

Ashe and Auren shared a quick look before the former nodded slowly, and the four of us fell into step together.

The fresh air outside was a welcome change from the stifling atmosphere within the apartment building. We walked in comfortable silence, the sound of our footsteps creating a rhythmic melody on the pavement. As we strolled along the quiet streets, a sense of calm settled over us, offering a brief respite from the chaos that had consumed our lives.

The world around us seemed to fade into the background as we focused on the present moment. The warm sunlight streamed through the gaps between the empty buildings, casting a golden glow on everything it touched, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers.

As we walked, conversation flowed freely between us, a mixture of lighthearted banter and genuine concerns. We shared stories, laughter, and dreams for a future that felt uncertain but still held promise.

"So, Sariel, have you thought about what you want to do once all of this is over?" Auren asked, and my mate nearly jumped for joy. It was just small talk, but considering no one but Ashe had heard the sound of Auren’s voice in days, it was a welcome relief.

Sariel paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the treeline.

"I have," he replied, a brilliant smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I think I want to paint—maybe even open my own gallery one day."

Ashe glanced at Sariel with a fond expression. I wasn’t sure what the odd look that crossed Sariel’s face meant, but it looked like a mixture of pained and happy.

"That sounds incredible," he said. "I've seen the beauty you create with your drawings and paintings. The world deserves to see it too."

What the hell? I giggled when Sariel winced, looking flustered. "Thank you."

Auren turned his attention to me, his eyes filled with curiosity. "And what about you? Any dreams you're nurturing?"

I chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through me at his question. "Well, ever since I was a child, I've been captivated by stories. I've always wanted to write my own someday."

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