The Ascendant Shadow

Chapter 17: A Balance of Hearts

Valentina's POV:

I felt arms tightening around me, making me groan softly in protest. What the hell? I slowly opened my eyes, blinking as I tried to adjust to the dim light of the room. The first thing I saw was Chris, his face just inches from mine, his arm securely wrapped around my waist. His other arm was tucked beneath my head, like he had curled himself around me while we slept. His mouth was slightly open as he breathed softly, his features relaxed in sleep. My gaze lingered on him longer than I intended. Chris had this raw, rugged beauty that always caught me off guard—the way his sharp jawline softened when he was asleep, making him look almost boyish. For a moment, I was captivated, until the fog of confusion crept back in. How the hell did I end up so close to him?

The last thing I remembered was falling asleep on top of Ron.

That thought made my confusion deepen even more, and I turned my head slightly. I suddenly felt the warmth of another body pressed firmly against my back, the slow, deep breaths tickling the back of my neck. I glanced down and saw an arm draped across my chest, holding me tightly. The tattoos were a dead giveaway—it was Xander.

Xander had always been intense, and even in his sleep, his presence was overpowering. The weight of his arm was heavy, grounding me in a way I hadn't expected. His scent—dark and a little smoky, mixed with something uniquely him—filled the space around us. I couldn't help the way my heartbeat quickened with the knowledge that he was so close. There was something about Xander that always pulled me in, a gravitational force that made it impossible to ignore him. His touch was possessive even in sleep, as if he needed to keep me near him. My body responded to that closeness, a slow warmth spreading through me.

Before I could process any more of that feeling, Jason's voice broke the silence, making me jump slightly. "You okay?" he asked softly, and I turned my head again, only to see him standing by the bathroom door, shirtless.

My breath hitched at the sight of him, and I tried to play it off, but there was no denying the effect he had on me. Jason had this calm, steady energy that made me feel safe, but seeing him like this, his skin gleaming under the soft light, was something else entirely. His physique was lean but defined, like he was built for both strength and grace. The way he looked at me, his eyes full of warmth and understanding, made something stir deep inside me. 

I nodded slightly in response to his question, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks. Jason chuckled softly before crossing the room toward me, his movements smooth and controlled. He carefully began to untangle me from Xander and Chris's grasp, his hands brushing against my skin lightly as he worked. Every touch sent a shiver down my spine, but Jason was so gentle and deliberate that it felt like he was taking care of me, not just freeing me.

Once I was free, I slid out of bed, glancing back at the guys as I did. Ron was sprawled out across half of the bed, his arm thrown lazily over his face, completely out of it. He had this carefree way of sleeping, like he was completely at peace with the world. And yet, even unconscious, Ron had that easy charm about him, that mischievous grin that never seemed to fade. His carefree attitude was something I admired—and envied—about him. Ron was always the easiest to be around, the one who could make me laugh even in the most tense situations.

Then there was Chris, still curled up where I had been moments before. His features were relaxed now, but there was a quiet intensity to him, even in sleep. He had this way of being blunt, sometimes too much so, but it never felt like an act with Chris. He was raw, real, and unfiltered, and that honesty was something I found myself drawn to, even when he frustrated me.

And Xander... The way his body molded against mine, his hold so firm and unyielding, it made my pulse race. Xander had always been a mystery—so dark, so intense, and yet fiercely protective. The fact that he was holding onto me, even in sleep, spoke volumes about how deep his feelings ran, even if he wouldn't admit it. It was that unpredictability, that fire beneath the surface, that both drew me in and kept me on edge.