Her Mates

18

The warmth of the bed wrapped around me like a cocoon, the scent of my mates lingering on the sheets. My body was still pleasantly sore from the night before, a reminder of the way they had worshiped me, cherished me. As I stirred, the familiar weight of an arm tightened around my waist. Juri. His face was nestled against my shoulder, his breath slow and steady. Across from me, Emilia's bare legs tangled with mine, her soft sigh melting into the morning stillness. Zac was at the foot of the bed, one arm draped lazily over my ankle, his lips slightly parted in sleep.

For a moment, I just basked in it—the peacefulness, the intimacy. My mates. My pack.

But the world didn't stop for moments like these, and as much as I wanted to stay, I knew we had things to do. School, work, life. With a reluctant sigh, I started to move. Juri grumbled, his grip tightening for a second before he let out a low groan and released me. Emilia stretched, rubbing her eyes with a sleepy smile.

"Morning, Star," she murmured, voice husky. My stomach flipped at the nickname. Star. As if I was something luminous, something guiding.

"Morning," I whispered back.

One by one, we pulled ourselves from the comfort of the bed, moving into the morning routine. Showers, clothes, breakfast. Hunter and Damon were already downstairs when I arrived, the scent of coffee thick in the air. Dorian was leaned against the counter, watching them with his usual quiet intensity.

"Sleep well, sweetheart?" Damon asked, his smirk teasing, but there was something warm in his gaze.

"Like a dream," I said, meeting his eyes just long enough to let the memory of last night linger between us before turning away.

We ate quickly, the house buzzing with the energy of a new day. The ease of it all, the way we moved around each other, made my chest ache in a way I couldn't quite name. I was starting to feel like I belonged. Truly belonged.

And then, school.

Claire and Benjy were waiting for me by my locker, both of them eyeing me like I had something to confess. Which, I supposed, I did.

"Well, well, look who finally decided to show up," Claire teased, leaning against the lockers with a knowing grin. "Have a fun night?"

I rolled my eyes, shoving my books inside before shutting it with a click. "Not talking about this here."

Benjy smirked. "That's not a no."

Before I could retaliate, the hall quieted. I recognized that kind of silence instantly—one that signaled trouble.

And then I heard my name.

"Maeve."

I turned, already bracing myself.

Mira stood in the middle of the hall, arms crossed, her usual posse behind her like a shield. Her expression was a perfect mix of condescension and curiosity, her lips curled just enough to let me know this wasn't a friendly interaction.

"I heard some interesting things about you," she said, tilting her head like she was studying me. "Seems like you've been keeping busy."

I felt Benjy shift beside me, the tension in his body matching the annoyance flaring in my own.

"What's your point?" I asked, keeping my voice even.

She took a slow step closer, her smirk widening. "Just wondering how many more you're planning to collect. Or maybe it's not about the number at all—maybe you just like keeping them entertained."

A hot flash of anger shot through me, but before I could react, a growl rumbled from behind me. A familiar presence moved in, stepping beside me so naturally that it felt like they had always belonged there.

Dorian.

His expression was unreadable, but the weight of his presence was enough to make Mira falter for just a second. Just long enough to see the shift in her confidence.

"I'd be careful with what you say next," he said, voice low and calm—dangerously calm. "Unless, of course, you want to continue this conversation somewhere more... private."

Mira swallowed, and I could practically see the calculations running through her mind. She wasn't stupid. She knew when she'd pushed too far.

With a forced scoff, she took a step back. "Whatever. It's not like I care."

She turned on her heel, her posse following like trained dogs.

The moment she was gone, Dorian looked down at me. "You okay, little flame?"

Little flame. The nickname sent a strange warmth curling through my chest.

I nodded. "Yeah. Thanks for that."

His lips quirked. "Always."

The rest of the school day passed without much incident, though the tension lingered. By the time I got home, I was exhausted, both physically and mentally. But I wasn't alone.

The house was filled with the scent of dinner, the sounds of my mates moving around the kitchen. Emilia caught my eye as I walked in, her lips curving into a small smile. Hunter leaned against the counter, arms crossed, while Juri set the table.

"Rough day?" Zac asked, coming up behind me to press a lingering kiss to my temple.

I sighed, leaning into him just for a second. "You could say that."

Dinner was warm, lively. Filled with laughter and teasing. And as the night stretched on, I felt it again—that pull, that simmering tension. The unspoken promise of something more.

And I knew.

Tonight, things were going to change again.