Her Mates

33

The morning sunlight spilled through the sheer curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. I stirred, nestled against the warmth of my mates, their bodies tangled together in a way that made her heart swell. The events of the past few weeks had drawn us closer, erasing the walls I had built around herself. It still surprised me how natural it felt to wake up surrounded by them, as if they had always belonged to each other.

My fingers brushed over Dorian's arm, his grip tightening around her waist as he nuzzled into my neck, inhaling deeply. Juri was on my other side, his arm draped protectively over my stomach, while Emilia was at the foot of the bed, one leg casually slung over my ankle. Zac and Hunter had already slipped out earlier, likely handling pack business, but their presence still lingered in the scent clinging to the sheets.

I let out a contented sigh, shifting slightly. Dorian hummed against my skin, his voice husky from sleep. "Stay a little longer."

I smiled, tempted. But today, I had plans. I hadn't spent much time with Claire and Benji recently, and guilt tugged at me. They had been her closest friends when I moved her and before everything had changed, and I missed them.

"I can't," I whispered, pressing a soft kiss to his jaw before slipping out of his embrace. Juri groaned as I moved, blinking up at me with tired eyes.

"You're escaping us?" he murmured, his fingers ghosting over my wrist. "That's cruel, little star."

I laughed, swatting at him playfully before standing. "I need to see my friends. You'll survive a few hours without me."

Emilia stretched like a cat, smirking. "Barely."

I felt their gazes on me as she dressed, slipping into a pair of jeans and a fitted sweater. When I turned back, Dorian's expression was unreadable, but there was a softness there that made my stomach flip. He wanted me to himself. They all did. The pull between us was impossible to ignore. But I needed balance, and I wouldn't let myself lose the people who had been there for me before everything changed.

After a quick breakfast, I left the house and headed toward the café where she had agreed to meet Claire and Benji. The moment I stepped inside, Claire beamed and waved me over. Benji was already sipping on an iced coffee, his usual mischievous grin in place.

"There she is!" Claire said, pulling me into a tight hug before sliding into the booth beside me. "We were beginning to think you'd been kidnapped."

I  rolled my eyes. "Not kidnapped, just... preoccupied."

Benji wiggled his eyebrows. "Oh, we know. You're basically the talk of the school."

I stiffened. "What do you mean?"

Claire shot Benji a warning look before sighing. "There have been rumors, Mae. Stupid ones. But they're spreading."

I exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. "Let me guess—Lena?"

"Of course Lena," Benji confirmed. "She's been saying you don't deserve the bond, that they'll get bored of you, that they're only with you because of fate, not choice."

I clenched her jaw. I knew I shouldn't let it get to me, but it struck a nerve. I had struggled with those same insecurities—wondering if their love for me was real or just a result of destiny forcing us together.

Claire leaned in, squeezing my hand. "You know none of that is true, right?"

I hesitated before nodding. "I know. But it still pisses me off."

Benji sighed dramatically. "Just say the word and we'll destroy her. I'm talking full-scale social sabotage."

I laughed despite herself. "Tempting."

Before I could dwell on it further, a commotion at the entrance caught her attention. I turned just as Lena walked in, flanked by her usual group of admirers. The moment our eyes met, Lena smirked.

"Oh look, the little Luna with her friends," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. "Slumming it today, Maeve?"

My blood boiled. I was about to retort when Benji beat me to it. "Lena, sweetheart, you should really get that jealousy checked out. It's embarrassing."

Lena's smirk faltered, but she recovered quickly. "Jealous? Hardly. Just watching the inevitable downfall."

Before I could respond, the café door swung open again, and Dorian and Hunter walked in, their presence like a force of nature. The air grew thick with tension as they stalked toward our table, their eyes locking onto Lena with pure disdain.

Hunter spoke first, his voice smooth but lethal. "I'd watch what you say, Lena. You've been testing our patience."

Lena paled slightly but didn't back down. "Just speaking the truth."

Dorian stepped closer, his mere presence making Lena shift uncomfortably. "Careful. Your version of the truth could cost you."

I had never felt so fiercely protected. I stood, placing a hand on Dorian's arm, silently telling him I had this under control. He exhaled slowly, his gaze softening as he looked at me, but the threat in his stance remained.

Lena scoffed. "Enjoy it while it lasts, Maeve." Then she turned and strode out of the café, her entourage trailing behind her.

I sank back into my seat, my heart still racing. Dorian and Hunter sat beside me, flanking me protectively. I could feel the tension radiating off them.

Hunter smirked. "We should've let Benji handle it."

Benji grinned. "I was ready."

Dorian ran a hand through his hair, exhaling. "She's going to keep pushing."

I nodded. "I know. But she won't win."

I wasn't the same girl who let people walk all over me. I had something worth fighting for now, and I wasn't going to let anyone tear it apart.

But as I sat there, surrounded by the people I loved, a small voice in the back of my mind whispered that this was only the beginning of stress.