Her Mates

21

The dim glow of candlelight flickered across the room, casting long, dancing shadows on the stone walls. The air was thick with the scent of aged wine and something more primal—desire, barely restrained. I sat curled in an oversized chair, my fingers tracing the rim of my glass, the deep red liquid within swirling with each nervous movement. The others were scattered around the room, their presence a constant hum beneath my skin. Juri lounged against the far wall, his muscular frame draped in dark silk that clung to his broad shoulders. His golden eyes gleamed in the low light, watching me with an intensity that made my breath catch. "You're quiet, little wolf," he murmured, his voice smooth, velvety, but beneath it, something darker lurked, something that sent a shiver down my spine. "What's on your mind?"

I hesitated, my tongue darting out to wet my lips. The moment the tip touched the soft flesh, Juri's gaze flicked to the movement, his pupils dilating. His fingers flexed against his thigh, as if he was holding himself back from reaching for me. The sight of his restraint, the way his knuckles whitened with the effort, sent a pulse of heat straight to my core. I could feel myself growing wetter, my body responding to the unspoken promise in his eyes.

Emilia saved me from my spiraling thoughts, her voice a soft purr as she stepped closer, her fingers brushing lightly over my arm. "Maybe she's just waiting," she mused, her touch sending a jolt through me. I shivered, my skin prickling with awareness. Her touch was electric, her presence a warm, intoxicating blend of sweetness and sin. She was all curves and softness, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, framing a face that could make angels weep. But it was her eyes that held me captive—deep, knowing, filled with a hunger that matched my own.

Zac, ever the observer, tilted his head, his sharp gaze missing nothing. His voice was lower than usual, a rough edge to it that made my stomach flutter. "Waiting for what?" he asked, his fingers tapping idly against the armrest of his chair. He was all lean muscle and controlled power, his presence a constant, steady thrum in the background. But there was nothing passive about the way he watched me now, his eyes dark with curiosity and something far more dangerous.

Emilia's lips curled into a small, secretive smile, her fingers still tracing idle patterns on my skin. "For one of us to make a move," she said, her voice a whisper that seemed to echo in the suddenly silent room. The weight of their attention pressed against me, pinning me in place. It wasn't fear that held me captive—it was desire, raw and unfiltered. I wanted this. I wanted them. And I was so tired of pretending otherwise.

My gaze flicked to Dorian, the most restrained of them all. He stood near the fireplace, his back ramrod straight, his hands clenched at his sides. His dark eyes burned with a fire he tried so hard to contain, the cracks in his self-control becoming more apparent with each passing second. I could see the way his chest rose and fell with each breath, the way his jaw clenched as he fought to maintain his composure. Slowly, deliberately, I turned to face him fully, my heart pounding in my chest. I reached for him, my fingers skimming over the hard planes of his chest, feeling the heat of him through the thin fabric of his shirt. His breath hitched, a sharp, indrawn gasp that sent a thrill through me. "Dorian," I whispered, my voice barely audible. His name was a prayer on my lips, a plea.

His eyes darkened, his hands coming up to cover mine, pressing them more firmly against his chest. I could feel the rapid beat of his heart beneath my palm, the way his body trembled with the effort of holding back. "Maeve," he growled, my name a warning and a promise all at once. I could see the battle raging within him, the way his control frayed with each passing second. And I wanted to be the one to unravel him completely.

I stepped closer, my body pressing against his, feeling the hard length of him against my stomach. His hands came up to cup my face, his thumbs brushing over my cheeks, his touch gentle despite the storm I could see brewing in his eyes. "You don't know what you're asking for," he murmured, his voice rough, his breath hot against my lips.

I arched into him, my breasts pressing against his chest, my nipples hardening at the contact. "I know exactly what I'm asking for," I whispered back, my voice steady despite the way my heart raced. "I want you. All of you." His eyes flared with heat, his hands tightening on my face before he crashed his lips down on mine. The kiss was brutal, punishing, his tongue sweeping into my mouth, claiming me in a way that made my knees weak. I moaned into his mouth, my hands coming up to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer, needing more.

Behind me, I could hear the others moving, their presence a constant, intoxicating hum. Juri's hands came to rest on my hips, his touch possessive, his fingers digging into my flesh. "Fuck, you're perfect," he growled, his voice rough, his breath hot against my ear. His lips trailed down the side of my neck, his teeth grazing over my pulse point, sending a jolt of pleasure through me.

Emilia's hands joined his, her touch softer, more teasing. She traced the curve of my waist, her fingers dipping beneath the hem of my dress, her touch sending a shiver through me. "So responsive," she murmured, her voice a soft purr. "I wonder how wet you are for us, little wolf." Her fingers trailed higher, her touch feather-light, teasing, driving me mad with need.

Zac's hands came to rest on my shoulders, his touch steady, grounding. But there was nothing passive about the way he held me, his grip firm, possessive. "Let's find out," he murmured, his voice a dark promise. His fingers trailed down my spine, his touch sending a shiver through me, his hands coming to rest on the hem of my dress.

Dorian pulled back, his eyes dark with desire, his chest rising and falling with each harsh breath. "You're sure about this?" he asked, his voice rough, his hands coming up to cup my face once more. I could see the battle still raging within him, the way he fought to maintain his control. But I could also see the way his resolve crumbled, the way his need for me overrode his restraint.

I nodded, my voice steady despite the way my heart raced. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life." His eyes flared with heat, his hands tightening on my face before he nodded, his voice a rough growl. "Then take what you want, little wolf. Take all of us." And with that, he sealed his lips to mine once more, his kiss a promise of the pleasure to come. Behind me, I could feel the others moving, their hands trailing over my body, their touches sending sparks of pleasure through me. Juri's hands gripped my hips, his fingers digging into my flesh as he pulled me back against him, his hard length pressing against my ass. Emilia's hands trailed up my stomach, her fingers dipping beneath the cups of my bra, her touch sending a jolt of pleasure through me as she pinched my nipples, rolling the tight buds between her fingers.

Zac's hands came to rest on my shoulders, his touch steady, grounding. But there was nothing passive about the way he held me, his grip firm, possessive. "You're ours now, little wolf," he murmured, his voice a dark promise. His fingers trailed down my spine, his touch sending a shiver through me, his hands coming to rest on the hem of my dress. And as Dorian's lips claimed mine, as the others' hands trailed over my body, I knew that there was no going back. I was theirs, completely and utterly. And I wouldn't have it any other way