CALLUMIt broke my heart more than I ever thought possible to hear what Ava went through. It's disgusting that arranged political marriages are still even an acceptable thing in any pack, regardless of whether it's run as a monarchy or not.Absolutely despicable that people would put their children through that.I'm sure there are genuinely happy marriages that come out of that arrangement, and I know Ava's biological parents were happy despite being in an arranged marriage… but I couldn't put my child through that. Absolutely never.I'd lock up anyone who tried to force someone into that and throw away the key. The fact that someone is trying to force Ava… well. I would come down on them like a tonne of bricks.The room was deathly silent once Ava finished telling her story. I walked around the table towards her, sitting on the desk in front of her. I pulled her into my arms, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “He won’t take you away from us, little one,” I whispered. “I promise you th
NOAHAs soon as I heard Ava thought she knew where Theo was… I couldn’t help but get my hopes up. I know I needed not to; I needed to be prepared for the worst, but I couldn’t help it.Theo is my twin. My other half.We’ve been together our entire lives.Him being missing… is pain beyond belief.Between that and my parents… well. Without Ava, I’d be a mess.As soon as the plan was in place, we got ready to go. Our trackers and the first group of Lycans sprinted off in advance, finding the best route for us to get through. All being well, the run from Blood Moon to where we believed Matthew’s camp would be should only be a couple of hours. I needed my brother back; but I was very aware of how little time we had.The first hour went swimmingly, but we didn’t expect that it would be for the full trip. And that was why when I saw Ava stop and shift back with her eyes glazed over… I couldn’t help but panic.AVAThe first time the Moon Goddess came to me… I was asleep. The second, I was sp
THEOI wasn’t sure what it was, but something told me that this was finally going to be over soon. It felt like a positive thing, but at the same time… I was exhausted.I’d fought for so long.I just needed it to be over, one way or another… and I was starting to lose the ability to care which way it went.AVAOnce we got the go ahead to move, we met our trackers in the forest half a mile out from the bunker. “A train is due in ten minutes, Your Highness,” one of the warriors stated. “Our best bet is to move in when the train is coming past. The noise will cover our movements, and fewer guards patrol this area when trains pass too.”“Perfect. Everyone, be ready to move.”And we did.The door was completely unguarded when we reached it, making slipping in easy. “Callum, I need two warriors to stand guard at the main door and take out any wolves that are hovering around.”“On it, my Queen.”I shifted when we came through the door, choosing to move through the complex as a Lycan rather t
AVA“Your Highness,” one of the warriors suddenly mindlinked. We were still on the way back to the Blood Moon territory; but fortunately, we weren’t that far away. We could get Theo settled in the pack hospital, and then all go after his parents.“What’s happening, Jeremiah?” Jeremiah was one of the oldest Lycans that would go on to form part of my Queen’s Guard when I officially took over on my birthday.“We’ve got eyes on the Alpha and Luna.”I almost squealed with excitement. “You’ve found them?”“Yes,” he replied, voice low. “They’re at the bottom of a cave network. From here, we don’t believe there are any rogues throughout the rest of the complex, but we can’t be sure until we get in there.”“Thanks, Jeremiah. We’re taking Theo home; we’re driving because he’s in no state to run, and we’ll be back at the pack grounds within twenty minutes. As soon as he’s settled, we’ll head your way. Can you send me a GPS location?”“Of course, Your Highness,” he replied. Within seconds, my pho
NOAHI cried when Ava told me she’d found my parents.It had been too long since my mum, dad and brother had all been home. None of them were out of the woods yet; they all had physical injuries that they needed to recover from and who knows what kind of mental demons they would have picked up.For now, I could just be excited to see them all again.Goddess, I missed them.AVAOscar, Callum and I jumped in the car to drive Jacob and Amelia back to the packhouse. I had wanted to run so Artemis and I could clear our heads so we could work out a plan for tomorrow, but Callum would have insisted on coming with us… which would have made it impossible.He’d never agree to what I’m planning. But unfortunately for him… there was absolutely no way I was going to let my Kings put themselves in harm’s way when it could be avoided.I groaned inwardly. It was going to suck, trying to sneak away from them and go after the Rogue King on my own, but it needed to be done.I let my eyes fall closed, ac
23 hours until the moon is fullAVAIt was past midnight by the time we’d gotten back, gotten everyone settled and I had a chance to make sure everyone was okay. I needed to somehow sleep so I was at my physical best, but sleep was definitely going to evade me…Who would manage to sleep when the hours were ticking down like this? The moon would be at its peak in the sky at midnight. Which meant I had 23 hours until I’d be face-to-face with Elijah. Twenty. Three. Hours.I’d told Callum and Oscar that I wanted to try to get some sleep, so they’d joined me in their room. Noah was spending the night with Theo and his parents. We’d managed to arrange a room big enough that the family could be together.Callum and Oscar were snoring away on either side of me, but I couldn’t sleep. I was staring at the ceiling, my mind was blank. Both Artemis and I were trying to force my mind to let us sleep… but that wasn’t exactly going to plan.In the end, I dug out my phone, and pulled the map back up t
20 hours until the moon is fullAVAThe sun would set at about 7pm, so five hours before the moon peaked. In fifteen hours… I needed to be at that clearing, ready to confront Elijah. If what Artemis and I had put together was true, the Rogue King was planning to attempt to force the mark on me when the moon peaked…So at that point he planned to either have me restrained, unconscious or force me into a situation where I had to agree to him marking me.Being in the direct light of a full moon could make mate bonds stronger, so that just meant I’d have to make sure that one way or another, one of my Kings was there. From my conversation with Selene… it had to be Callum and/or Oscar.She specifically talked about my protector and lover… so did she mean it had to be Oscar?It was incredibly unlikely Theo would wake up in time to help, and if he did, he wouldn’t be well yet. Noah needed to be here, not just for his family, but because if it came down to it, the Lycan warriors would turn to
15 hours until the moon is fullAVAI sent Callum and Oscar off to make sure safe rooms were set up and ready to go for the night. We’d agreed that everyone would be in safe houses and the hospital would be locked down from two hours before sunset, and everyone would stay in those safe rooms until everything blows over, so probably tomorrow.The rest of the pack warriors were getting involved too, making sure that the safe houses were stocked, and that they were ready to protect the borders. It was a big job… but I will admit that I had a second motive to get Callum and Oscar to do it.Yes, I trusted them to pull it off. But, I also needed them out of earshot so I could get everything arranged with Jeremiah.“Take a seat, Jeremiah,” I motioned when Oscar and Callum left. We’d even moved the other warrior outside the office. This was need to know.“Before I start, Jeremiah, I need to ask you a question.”“Of course, my Queen. What do you need?”“What I am about to tell you needs to be
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