AVA“AVA!” Callum shouted, his hands on my shoulders, shaking me. “Fuck, she's not breathing.” He sounded really far away.I felt Oscar and Noah drop to their knees beside me, each of them holding one of my hands, Callum’s hand stroking my hair.“Come back to us, Ava,” Callum whispered, tears in his eyes. “Please, come back to us.”I suddenly snapped awake, sitting up so quickly I headbutted Callum in the face.“Ava! You're okay!” He flung his arms around my neck, not even caring that blood was streaming down his face from where my head collided with his nose.“Fuck,” I whispered, voice hoarse. “Water, please,” I mumbled.Noah and Oscar helped me sit up whilst Callum grabbed me a bottle of water. Apparently we were back at the training ground.I sipped it slowly, soothing my sore throat.“What happened?” I whispered.“You blacked out, Ava. You suddenly stopped, your eyes clouded over, and you collapsed. You screamed as if you were in pain, and stopped breathing.”I rubbed my chest; th
AVAOnly two trains ran through Matthew's territory at that time, none in ours and only one in Eclipse Mountain. Much more workable!“What next, my Queen?” Oscar asked.“Well, my King. We go for a run.”He raised one eyebrow. “To where?”“Eclipse Mountain,” I smiled.The room was silent as if I'd said something unexpected. “We can tackle the one train route in Eclipse Mountain quickly. They are also fiercely loyal to me and so are loyal to you all, which means they'll lend me warriors to speed up the process of checking Matthew's territory.”“Ava… why not use our warriors?” Noah asked.I met his eyes, my face stony. “Because we've got a leak.”Their mouths all fell open.“How do you know?” Oscar asked.“Matthew knows things he shouldn't know. They must have an insider here, and until I know who, I don't trust anyone.”“Alright then,” Noah replied. “We go to Eclipse Mountain. When do we leave?”I pulled out my phone, checking the time. “It's a five hour run with no breaks to Eclipse M
Two days until the full moonAVAI woke up in a tangle of sated bodies, but it wasn't right. It wasn't right without Theo. I still felt like something was missing.We all went for a run before breakfast, which definitely wasn’t as relaxing as normal, thanks to the security escort Michael had insisted upon… and by the time we returned to our suite, the room had already been made up and handmaidens must have picked our outfits for the day… including my heels and tiara.I groaned when I saw the ‘casual wear’ that had been laid out for us. The men had dark blue chinos with black formal shoes and shirts, each in a different colour, whilst I had a blue chiffon cocktail style summer dress with black heels. Fortunately the tiara laid out with the outfit was a delicate one, as close to casual as it's possible to be… but it's still a tiara.“You look amazing, my Queen,” Callum smiled, taking my hand and spinning me around. “This royalty thing suits you.”I rolled my eyes.“He's right, Ava,” Osc
AVAThe run back to Blood Moon was faster this time, we managed it in only four hours. But that will be because part way back, I felt Theo being tortured. There’s nothing like the feeling of your mate being tortured to help you somehow run even faster.We set up my twelve warriors in one of the guest houses, one nicely close to the pack house in case we needed the backup quickly. I’d agreed with Callum, who was essentially my head of the Queen’s Guard, that I’d have two warriors tailing me at all times, not including him.I could deal with that.With everything that was going on, being tailed by two warriors is hardly a concern. I was planning on insisting each of my mates had a tail too once my Queen’s Guard was fully in place. They wouldn’t like it either, but they’d have to learn to deal with it.Until they didn’t, I’d keep knocking them on their asses in training.Of course, we hadn’t told Jacob and Alex yet that I’d brought twelve Lycan warriors back with us from our adventures,
AVATo summarise, it’s two days before the full moon. And it’s not early in the day either, it’s nearly 11pm.According to the Moon Goddess, Selene, that’s when shit is going to get serious.There are two psychopaths that want to forcibly mark me. One is the Rogue King, the other is the brother of the Beta female of a pack that’s not even that close to ours. They both believe that if they forcibly mark me, any future pups of ours would be all-powerful, help them take over the world… and whatever else power hungry psychopaths want.They’ve heard the legends of the Alpha Queen, and most likely interpreted it wrong.I’m still missing one of my fated mates. He's been captured by the power-hungry psychopath who wants to forcibly mark me and is being kept somewhere in a basement near a train line. We’ve still got about fifteen miles of train line to search, and it’s in a territory we’ve got to sneak into so we don’t immediately start a war.At the same time, our pack’s Alpha has been kidna
One day before the full moonAVAWe searched the territory for hours. Callum, Alex and I plus our warriors finished first and drew a blank, so we all pushed out to help Noah, Oscar and their teams search the forests.By the time we finished, we’d been going for six hours and it was the middle of the night. On the day before the full moon. My stress levels were through the roof already, and I knew that was only going to get worse.But not just for me.Noah’s parents were missing, his brother was missing. He needed me that night, and I didn’t have any issue with that whatsoever.We might not have had long to rest in between problems to solve, but I’d give him whatever I could. As soon as we reached the bedroom I had set up in the packhouse, we stripped off and fell straight into bed, wrapped in each other’s arms.“I love you, Avelina Wroblewski,” he whispered in my ear.“And I love you, Noah William Hughes.”His smile was like a kid on Christmas. His hands moved until he cupped my face
AVAI managed to get a whole three hours of sleep before I was up and out again. The first job of the day was interrogating our friend Julian Stanley. We needed to know what he was doing and why the bloody hell he was doing it.Was he just acting on behalf of the Rogue King like he claimed? Or is he actually a third psychopath that I’d need to worry about? That’s the question.I burst into the interrogation room in the basement, Callum hot on my heels. I’d already had security move Julian from his cell to the interrogation room; his hands were bound with silver cuffs to the table in front of him, and his ankles were shackled to the chair legs.Callum had found a witch to remove the spells he was using, so instead of seeing a replica of Jacob, we were now seeing him for who he is. He wasn’t as tall as he was pretending to be, or as muscled, so all of his clothes were now hanging off him. His mousy brown hair looked like it hadn’t been washed, and his face looked like it had an argument
AVAI couldn’t believe it.We actually had a lead on Theo’s location.For the first time in days, I had hope.I turned to sprint from the office, motioning for the guards to move him back to his cell as I went.“Noah, Oscar, my office,” I shouted through the link I had with my mates, Callum was only a foot behind me as I ran. “Callum, round up the Guard. Theo, if you can hear me, we're coming for you, I promise.”“You know he probably can't hear you,” Callum replied, out loud, his voice quiet, almost delicate.“I know,” I replied. “But I have to keep trying.”Oscar and Noah met us at the door to my office, also evidently having run. I couldn't help the smile that started to appear around my face at the thought that we were going to get him. We were going to get the missing piece of my soul.“Ava, is it true? You know where he is?” Noah’s voice was frantic as we all sat down.“We have a good idea,” I replied. I was trying not to get either my or Noah’s hopes up, but it was hard and I c
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