Her Mates

16

The morning light filtered through the heavy curtains, casting soft golden hues across the room. The warmth of the blankets clung to my skin as I slowly began to stir, the faint scent of my mates lingering in the air. I didn't want to open my eyes just yet, enjoying the quiet serenity that surrounded me.

I could feel the weight of an arm across my waist. Juri's body was pressed against mine, warm and solid, his breath even and steady as he slept soundly. His face was relaxed, and for a moment, I could forget about everything else in the world, lost in the peacefulness of the moment.

But that tranquility was fleeting. The moment I moved slightly, I became acutely aware of the weight of other bodies around me. Dorian's hand rested just above my shoulder, his long fingers barely brushing my skin. Hunter's arm was tangled around my legs, while Zac lay on his stomach beside me, his head resting on the pillow near my chest. They were all here, still close to me, protecting me even in sleep.

I tried not to think about the night before, the weight of the kiss, the heat of the moment that had ignited between us. I had never been one for a fast-paced, whirlwind romance, but this? This was something else entirely. The pull I felt for each of them, the deep connection, the way they made me feel... it was overwhelming. And yet, for the first time in a long time, I felt grounded.

I shifted, careful not to wake anyone. The slight rustling of the sheets caused Juri to stir. His arm tightened around my waist, pulling me closer, and his warm breath brushed against my neck. I couldn't help but smile at the way he instinctively held me.

"Morning, Zvezda," he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep, but the edge of amusement in his tone was clear.

"Morning," I whispered back, my heart racing just a little at the closeness.

There was a soft chuckle from behind me. Zac's voice rumbled low, sleepy but with that signature teasing edge. "You two look cozy," he said, shifting slightly, his arm around my waist shifting with him.

I giggled softly, rolling my eyes. "It's early. Can you all just go back to sleep?"

But that was wishful thinking. The moment Zac opened his eyes fully, Dorian followed suit, a lazy smile playing on his lips as he stretched, causing the muscles in his arms to ripple under the soft light.

"Alright, alright," Dorian drawled, his voice deep and gravelly from sleep. "Time to start the day." His hand slid from my shoulder to my hair, gently tucking a strand behind my ear. "But don't think we're done with last night, Maeve."

I felt my cheeks flush at the memory. The kiss, the unspoken promises... It was almost too much to handle in the light of day. But I didn't pull away. Not from Dorian, not from any of them. Something about this—about all of us—felt right, even if it was complicated.

The moment broke when Hunter groaned from beside me, his eyes flicking open, a gruff sound escaping him. "If I don't get coffee soon, I might actually kill someone."

Emilia's voice sounded from the doorway, light and teasing. "You'd better hurry then, big guy. You know how Maeve gets if she's late for school."

I couldn't help but laugh, the tension in the air lifting for just a moment. "Don't worry," I muttered. "I don't think anyone wants to deal with me on a caffeine-deprived morning."

Hunter grinned at me, rubbing his face. "Good. So we're all on the same page."

After a few more moments of stretching and groaning, the room came to life as my mates began to get ready for the day. Each of them moved like they had a purpose, no wasted motion. They were accustomed to this routine, their every step coordinated like a dance. And I was swept along with them, unable to resist.