Her Mates

26

Morning came slowly, golden sunlight slipping through the curtains in soft streaks. My body ached in the most delicious way, a reminder of the night before—the whispered confessions, the heat, the way their hands had traced over every inch of me like they never wanted to let go.

I stirred against the warmth of Dorian's chest, his arm still draped over my waist, possessive even in sleep. His breathing was slow and even, but I could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest against my back. Hunter was on my other side, his arm tucked beneath his head, his dark hair tousled, lips slightly parted as he slept.

The bed smelled like them—like spice and cedarwood, leather and warmth. Like home.

I smiled softly, stretching just enough to shift without waking them. That's when I felt a different weight—a hand, warm and steady, sliding up my thigh beneath the sheets.

I inhaled sharply, heat sparking in my belly as Zac's lips brushed against the back of my shoulder. "Morning, little troublemaker," he murmured, voice thick with sleep.

A shiver ran through me at the nickname. It was one he'd given me early on, always teasing, always playful. But now, after last night, it felt different.

I turned my head slightly, meeting his gaze—mischief danced in his golden-brown eyes, his smirk lazy and utterly confident. "Morning," I whispered, voice still heavy with sleep.

His fingers traced soft patterns against my hip, his touch light but knowing. "Sleep well?"

A soft chuckle rumbled behind me—Dorian was awake. "I'd say she did," he murmured, his voice deeper, raspier than usual. His hand slid up my side, fingers grazing the curve of my ribs before settling at my waist.

I swallowed, my body caught between the heat of them, the slow, teasing touches that sent my pulse racing. Hunter shifted beside me, exhaling a deep sigh before blinking his eyes open. His gaze flickered between us, his brow lifting slightly.

"Well, this is a sight," he mused, his voice thick with amusement.

Zac grinned. "Jealous?"

Hunter snorted but didn't answer, instead reaching out to brush his fingers over my wrist, his touch lingering, possessive.

The moment stretched, the tension between us all still thrumming beneath the surface. I felt wanted, completely and utterly. But before anything else could happen, a knock sounded at the door, followed by Claire's voice.

"Maeve? You planning on getting up sometime today, or are you staying in bed with your harem?"

I groaned, burying my face against Dorian's chest as the others chuckled. "She just had to ruin the moment."

Hunter smirked, pressing a quick kiss to my temple before rolling out of bed. "Come on, sweetheart. If we don't get up now, we'll never leave this room."

As tempting as that sounded, I knew he was right.

After a shower and a rushed breakfast filled with teasing glances and lingering touches, we piled into the car and headed to school. Claire rode up front with Hunter, while I sat in the back between Dorian and Zac, the air between us still thick with unspoken things.

As soon as we arrived at the school parking lot, I noticed the shift in the atmosphere. Whispers followed us as we walked inside—eyes flickering toward me, toward them.

I had known there would be talk. After all, it wasn't exactly normal to have four mates. But this felt different.

Emilia leaned in, her voice low. "Something's up."

Before I could ask what she meant, someone stepped directly into our path.

Lena.

She was standing there, arms crossed, her sharp green eyes full of something cruel.

"Well, well," she drawled, gaze flicking over me before landing on the guys. "Looks like someone enjoyed their night."

I stiffened, but before I could respond, Hunter stepped forward, his posture all easy confidence but with a clear warning in his eyes. "Something you need, Lena?"

She ignored him, her gaze snapping back to me. "You must be so proud of yourself. Snagging five mates? That's a new record." Her voice was all honey and venom.

I clenched my fists. "Do you have a point, or are you just bored?"

Her lips curled into a smirk. "Oh, I definitely have a point." She glanced over her shoulder, where a few of her usual groupies stood watching, clearly eating up every second of this. "See, people are starting to wonder if maybe your 'mates' aren't as loyal as they seem."

Something in me went cold. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Lena feigned a sympathetic look. "Oh, Maeve. You didn't really think they were only with you, did you?"

My stomach twisted, but before I could react, Hunter let out a sharp laugh.

"Wow," he said, shaking his head. "That's the best you've got?"

Dorian stepped closer to me, his presence grounding. "You can stop now, Lena." His voice was calm, but I could hear the quiet steel in it.

Lena's smirk didn't waver, but there was something flickering in her expression—annoyance, maybe, that they weren't taking her bait.

She shrugged. "Just thought you should know what people are saying. Wouldn't want you to get too comfortable." With that, she spun on her heel and sauntered away, her little entourage following.

I exhaled slowly, tension still coiling in my chest.

Emilia was the first to break the silence. "That girl needs to be thrown into a pit."

Zac draped an arm over my shoulder, his usual playful energy back. "Ignore her, little troublemaker. She's just pissed she doesn't have what you do."

I wanted to let it go, but her words lingered.

Dorian must have sensed it, because he reached for my hand, his fingers lacing with mine. "You know she's lying, right?"

I looked at him, at all of them, and nodded.

But I wasn't sure if I fully believed it.

Later that night, after dinner, I found myself curled up on the couch with Claire. The guys had gone upstairs, giving us a moment alone.

She nudged my shoulder. "You okay?"

I hesitated. "I know I shouldn't let it get to me, but... part of me wonders if she does know something I don't."

Claire sighed, running a hand through her dark curls. "Maeve, listen to me. Those guys? They're obsessed with you. And yeah, they've all been close for a long time, but that doesn't mean they don't want you—only you."

I chewed my lip. "It's just... this is all so new. I don't want to be the one who ends up getting hurt."

Claire's gaze softened. "Then make them prove it to you."

I frowned. "How?"

She smirked. "You'll figure it out."

And with that, she stood, stretching before heading toward the stairs.

I sat there for a long moment, thinking.

I would figure it out.

But I had a feeling that whatever happened next... it was going to change everything.