AVAI was still sore the next morning when I got up for my run with Alex. At least this time he knew I was there from the beginning, so he even had a cup of coffee waiting for me.I took it gladly. “This is why you’re my favourite, Alex,” I sighed contently as I sipped the coffee.“I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that, Princess,” Callum had suddenly appeared behind me, Oscar just behind him.I turned and smirked in their direction. “Are you two joining us for training this morning?”They both nodded. “Theo and Noah are meeting us at the training ground too, and Izzie and Leo might be, depending on what time Leo wakes up.”I rolled my eyes, before turning back to Alex. “Shall we run to the training grounds, Alex?”He raised one eyebrow. “All fours or by foot?”“Mmmm…” I pretended to think about it. “All fours.”“That’s not fair!” Callum shouted.“All’s fair in love and war.” I stood, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips before turning to leave the room, winking at Oscar on my way past.A
THEOSeeing Ava like that broke my heart. It made the Alpha in me want to wrap her up and protect her, despite the fact I knew she was more than capable of defending herself, and that she was already a much stronger Alpha than I’d ever be.I could see the same pained expression on everyone else’s faces as we waited for the doctor to finish cleaning out the bite on Ava’s arm and discharge her. By the time it was done, every other bruise and cut on her body had healed. Even her ribs were well on the way to being healed; according to the doctor, they probably would be within 24 hours.Once Ava was discharged and dressed, we all headed off to Beta Alex’s room. He was in worse shape than Ava, he didn’t heal as well.“Fuck, Alex,” Ava whispered, sitting on his bed next to him. “I heal better than you, why did you jump into that?! You could have just picked them off from the outside, you didn’t need to jump right into the middle of the bundle.”“I couldn’t leave you to do it on your own, Ava
AVAI winced at Callum’s voice. I knew the situation couldn’t be avoided, we had to talk about it sooner or later. But that didn’t mean I wanted to.I let my eyes fall closed as I sat back in my chair.“You’ve now all seen the scars on my back and my legs,” I started, voice low. “Since I’ve had my wolf since I was thirteen, I assume you’ve all put two and two together to say that the scars are from before I had Artemis.”They all nodded.“I came here as an orphan when I was nine, as you all know. Even then, Artemis was protecting us by hiding her scent. Even before you shift for the first time, all werewolves smell like werewolves, it’s just less distinctive. Because Artemis can shield our scent, it was like I didn’t have one. That led to people assuming that actually my adoptive parents had taken in a human or a cursed child. I was bullied incessantly for that, and it’s not like Artemis or I could do anything about it because I couldn’t talk to her until I was thirteen.”I stood, wal
AVAI hated the look of pity on people’s faces, and that was exactly what was currently staring at me.Pity.They didn’t need to pity me. I just needed people that would have my back and be on my side now and in the future. “That’s enough of the pity, people,” I said, my voice exasperated. “Pity won’t change the past. I need you all to have my back now and in the future.”They all snapped out of it, like they’d been in a trance.“Wait Ava…” Izzie started. “You’re a Lycan?”I nodded. “I’m heir to the Eclipse Mountain pack.”Her mouth fell open. “But you can run as a wolf?”I nodded.“The Legend of the Alpha Queen?”“You’ve heard it, Izzie?”“I grew up with it as a bedtime story.”“Have you got Lycan heritage?”“My maternal great, great, great grandma was Lycan, but there hasn’t been enough Lycan DNA in my family to have a baby born as a Lycan in a long time now,” Izzie replied. “They all grew up with the more positive Legends being told as bedtime stories, and I grew up on the Legend
AVAOnce Jacob and Alex had left, Leo and Izzie quickly excused themselves too with dirty smirks on their faces.“What now, Ava?” Theo asked.“I could go for a swim. Want to come?”“You’re meant to be taking it easy, Ava, swimming isn’t easy,” Callum’s voice was angry.“Swimming is low impact. I’m not talking intensive lengths, I’m talking relaxing in the lake.” I paused for a moment to talk to Artemis. “How are my ribs looking?”“All healed, Ava,” she was skipping around excitedly.“Oh Artemis, I love you!”“Awww, Ava,” she smirked.I turned my attention back to Callum. “Artemis says my ribs are healed, I’m all good to go.”“Ava, the doctor said 24 hours.”“He said until I’m healed, Callum.”His face said he wasn’t going to give.“Fine, would it make you feel better if I get doc to x-ray my chest?”He nodded.“Fine, come along you lot.” I rolled my eyes.Callum insisted on driving, so we reached the pack hospital in no time at all.“Alpha Ava, are you okay?” the doctor called out.“I
AVABy the time we’d all wrapped up round one, it was late. We made our way back to the Beta’s house since Callum and Oscar have the biggest bedroom, not expecting that all of the pack’s senior wolves would be sitting in their living room having drinks when we walked in.“Ava!” Alex called out, face amused. “Why don’t you join us for a drink?”I growled at him through the mind link, making him snort.“Come on Ava,” Jacob added. “One drink for our young Alpha.”I rolled my eyes. “Fine. Alex, if I’m hungover for our run tomorrow, it’s your fault and I will not hold back when we spar next after your ribs have healed.” I gladly took the rum Jacob was offering me, still scowling at Alex when I sat down in between him and Jacob.“How are you feeling now, Alpha Ava?” the pack gamma, Jamie, asked.“All good, Gamma Jamie. Ribs are healed and everything. Confirmed healed too since this lot,” I motioned over my shoulder to the twins, “wouldn’t let me swim without an x-ray, so I got an x-ray.”Th
AVAI woke up sweating a couple hours later. Callum was hot, really hot.“Artemis…” a new voice whispered. “Help me.”My eyes snapped open, trying to identify the voice. Callum? Surely not. His birthday was still months away.I rolled over to face him, to see sweat pouring down his face, his face contorted in pain.“Callum,” I stroked his hair reassuringly. “It’s okay, I’m here with you.”I nudged Oscar awake. “Oscar, get me a clean flannel and a bowl of cool water.”“What?”“Now, Oscar.”He turned the light on, running down the stairs.“Callum,” I whispered. “You’re okay, I’m here with you. Your wolf is coming early, but I’ll help you through it, okay?”He whimpered. Oh this was awful to watch.“Ava…” he groaned, grabbing my hand, his eyes flying open.His wolf’s eyes were bright green, a beautiful colour, but the pain in them was awful to see.Once I had the cool water, I damped the flannel, using it to wipe Callum’s head, cooling him down. “I’m here with you, I promise,” I whisper
CALLUMI woke up dripping with sweat and in agony to the sound of another voice in my head. It was awful, uncomfortable, and just really unpleasant. If Ava hadn’t been there to help me through it, I don’t know what would have happened.When I shifted, it was like there was a string tying me to Ava. I didn’t want to be away from her. I don’t think it was a mate bond, we were both too young to recognise our mates. But… there was definitely something there. I planned to talk to my dad in the now I could through the mindlink.When Ares told me he wanted to hunt for Artemis, I wasn’t sure what to think, and I definitely didn’t think he’d go for a deer. Artemis insisted on sharing the deer with him, and he practically melted, rolling around in my head with happiness.Ava and I made love as the sun rose, before shifting back to run to the training ground.I wanted to meet Lloyd.Somehow, despite our distractions, Ava and I beat my dad and Alpha Jacob to the training ground, so we settled dow
CALLUMThe aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of pine from the surrounding forest. I watched as Ava cradled her mug, her green eyes sparkling with a lightness I haven't seen in weeks. The weight of her crown seemed to have lifted, if only temporarily."I can't believe we have to leave today," Ava sighed, her curly brown hair still tousled from sleep. "This getaway has been exactly what we needed."I nodded, feeling a pang of regret that our time here is coming to an end. "It has. You needed this, little one. A chance to just be Ava, not Queen Avelina."Oscar chimed in, his tone playful. "Yeah, no royal duties, no political manoeuvring. Just us, the beach, and s'mores by the campfire."Theo snorted, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "Don't forget the skinny dipping."Noah nearly choked on his coffee, laughing. "How could we forget? I still have sand in places I'd rather not mention.
AVAI dug my toes into the warm sand, relishing the sensation as I looked out over the sparkling ocean. The rhythmic crash of waves provided a soothing backdrop to our little beach paradise. Noah's strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me close."Penny for your thoughts, my queen?" he murmured, his breath tickling my ear.I leaned into him, savouring his warmth. "Just thinking how perfect this moment is. All of us together, away from the pressures of the Kingdom."Theo approached, his blue eyes twinkling as he handed me a fruity cocktail. "Careful, or you might get used to this life of leisure."I laughed, taking a sip. The sweet, tangy flavor danced on my tongue. "Don't tempt me. I might just abdicate and become a beach bum."Oscar's voice rang out from where he and Callum were setting up a volleyball net. "As if you could ever abandon your duty, Ava. It's too ingrained in you."His words, though teasing, held
AVAThe flames of our bonfire danced against the night sky, casting shadows across the sand. I leaned back, feeling the warmth of Callum and Theo supporting me as Noah and Oscar stretched out across my legs. The ocean's rhythmic waves provided a soothing backdrop to our quiet evening."Look, a shooting star!" I exclaimed, pointing upward.As the streak of light arced across the heavens, I closed my eyes and made a silent wish. Please, let there be a way for me to have a child of my own. To have a family with these four incredible men I love."What did you wish for, love?" Noah asked, a teasing lilt to his voice.I opened my eyes and smiled mysteriously. "You know I can't tell you that. It won't come true."
AVAThe sizzle of bacon filled the air as I stood over the hob, wielding a spatula like a scepter. It had been a long time since I'd cooked anything myself, and the familiar domesticity warms me more than the heat from the stove."How's it coming along, love?" Noah's deep voice rumbled against my ear as his arms encircled my waist. His lips brushed my neck, sending a delightful shiver down my spine.I leaned into his embrace, savouring the moment. "Mmm, perfectly crispy. Though I might burn it if you keep distracting me like that."Noah chuckled, his chest vibrating against my back. "We can't have that, can we?" He gave me a final squeeze before moving away to pour coffee.I returned my focus to the bacon, flipping each strip with practiced ease. The aroma was intoxicating, reminding me of lazy Sunday mornings from my childhood. Before my world expanded to include four incredible mates and an entire kingdom."I vote we make this a weekly tradition," Theo piped up, sliding past me with
AVAI stared at my four mates in disbelief, my mind struggling to process their words. "A week away? But I can't possibly…"Callum's warm eyes met mine, gold flecks shimmering as he stepped closer. "Ava, love, we've arranged everything. Michael's agreed to cover your duties.""But the kingdom…" I protested weakly, even as a part of me yearned for escape.Oscar's playful smirk cut through my objections. "It’s sorted, I promise. Jeremiah and the Queen's Guard are on board too. They'll be coming along to keep us safe and sound."I felt a gentle brush against my mind;Theo, working to reassure me. His deep voice rumbled, "We've packed your things. You don't need to worry about anything."
THEOThe weight of silence hung heavy in Callum's office, broken only by the occasional creak of leather as we shifted in our seats. My eyes drifted from face to face; Callum's furrowed brow, Noah's clenched jaw, and Oscar's distant gaze. The air was thick with unspoken worry, all of us grappling with the same gut-wrenching concern.Ava."We can't go on like this," I finally said, my voice rough with emotion. "Ava's struggling, and we're all feeling it. We need to do something."Noah leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Agreed. But what? We've tried everything the healers suggested."I ran a hand through my hair, frustration building. We're supposed to protect her, to make everything right. But how do we shield her from h
AVAThe empty cot loomed before us, a stark reminder of my failure. Noah's hand trembled as he reached for a tiny onesie, his blue eyes glistening with unshed tears. Oscar stood frozen, his usual warmth replaced by a hollow emptiness. Theo's jaw clenched, his protective instincts rendered useless. And Callum... Callum's anguish hit me like a physical blow through our mental link.I wanted to scream, to rage against the unfairness of it all. But my voice was trapped, suffocated by the weight of our grief. The nursery, once a symbol of hope, now mocked us with its cheerful yellows and greens. Stuffed animals looked back at us with lifeless button eyes, their plushy arms forever waiting for the embrace of children who would never exist."Ava! Ava, wake up!"Callum's voice cut through the nightmare, dragging me back to consciousness. I bolted upright, gasping for air, my cheeks wet with tears. His strong arms encircled me, his scent grounding me in reality."Shh, it's okay," he murmured,
Two Weeks Ago…AVAI gazed out over the balcony, the cool night breeze ruffling my curls as I took in the twinkling lights of the city below. So much had changed in just a few months."Quite a view, isn't it?" Noah's voice came from behind me as he wrapped his arms around my waist. I leaned back against his solid chest, savouring his warmth."It's breathtaking," I murmured. "I still can't believe this is real sometimes."Theo appeared at my other side, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "Believe it, my queen. We've all worked hard to get here. You especially."I reached out to squeeze his hand, feeling a surge of pride and affection. "We certainly have."
Note from Katherine JaynaraWelcome back to the My Four Mates universe <3 Four Kings for Christmas is a festive short set a couple of months after the end of Bullied By My Four Mates. We see Ava and her mates deal with new problems in the Kingdom whilst maneuvering around the issue of Ava's infertility.Much love from me to you this festive season.CHAPTER 1: GROWING PAINSTwo Months Ago…AVAMy heart pounded like a war drum as I stood in the council chamber, my crown feeling heavy. The advisors' voices blend into a cacophony of worry, each word hammering home the gravity of the situation the Kingdom was in."The northern region grows restless, Your Majesty," Lord Falkirk says, his face creased with concern. "Reports of dissent are spreading like wildfire."I force my expression to stay neutral, even a