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
9 hours before the moon is fullAVABy 3pm, most of the pack was ready to go. Oscar and Callum had the safe houses ready, and they were now helping set up patrols around the pack house. Once that was done, they were getting the hospital ready to go into lockdown.Busy, busy…I sunk down into my chair, sighing as I tried to work out how to tell Callum and Oscar what they needed to know. I thought back over what the Moon Goddess had told me. Don’t trust the spoken word… What does that even mean?! Does that just mean I’m being listened to?I felt a strange warmth at that thought. Instinct said Selene was agreeing with me. So I was right to be suspicious.Before going any further, I opened a link to Jeremiah. “I need my office swept for bugs, as soon as possible please, Jeremiah. Both audio and visual.”“Fuck,” he swore. “Apologies for my language, my Queen,” he added quickly.“It’s fine, Jeremiah, ‘fuck’ covers it. When can you make it happen? I don’t want to write this letter if I migh
8 hours until the moon is fullAVAJeremiah picked up the envelope as planned, and within what felt like no time at all, it was time for me to get going. Now, just to help Jeremiah with his distraction… whatever that was going to be.“Hey Jeremiah,” I called through the mindlink, trying to sound lighthearted in case Oscar was listening. “I beat my half-mile record.”I could feel something in the back of my mind, like another presence. Oscar. He was definitely listening.Jeremiah snorted through the link, evidently having put two and two together. “Well done, my Queen. Once this is all over, we’ll race.”I smirked, slamming the link shut, before standing to leave my office and the pack house.We’d already dealt with the Lycan warriors I had guarding me; they’d stay in position until Jeremiah called for them later. Commanding this lot had been a mess, but I needed to get out of the pack grounds alone.“I’m proud of you, my child,” Selene whispered through my mind. “This has been hard, I
Seven hours until the moon is fullCALLUMOscar and I were going out of our minds. Ava had somehow gotten around us and slipped out of the pack territory on her own. She’d hidden her scent very well, so we didn’t even have a clue which direction she’d gone in.We knew she would be looking for the Rogue King, but she hadn’t told us where he would be.“Ava has been linking Jeremiah a lot today,” Oscar said, voice stressed. “Even before that, she was talking to him in her office for a good while.”“What did they link about?”“Most of it didn’t make sense, I assume because she knew that I’d listen in.”“What did she say?”“First she said she’d set a new personal best over half a mile, and then a while later, over a mile. He challenged her to race once this has all blown over.”“Okay, yeah. That was in code. She hates running.”“Yup. But what is it code for? Who knows.”“I also heard her saying something about sage and wolfsbane, but either she was too far away for me to hear the entire co
6 hours until the moon is fullOSCARBy the time 6pm rolled around, Callum and I were bored out of our minds. Everything was sorted, we were literally just waiting for the moment that Ava had decided was the right one for Jeremiah to tell us what the hell was going on.At twenty past, Jeremiah’s eyes glazed over as someone linked him. I jumped in; Ava.“Jeremiah, tell them now,” she started, even in a link, her voice sounded stressed. “Give them the letter and the prophecies. I’ve found Elijah. Don’t bring wolves.”“Don’t bring wolves, my Queen?”“Rogue Lycans.”“Fuck,” I growled, out loud. “She’s found him, Callum. She’s found Elijah. He has rogue Lycans with him.”Jeremiah’s eyes cleared as he passed us over the envelope, and Callum ripped it open.My heart sank as I started reading the letter, and the look on Callum’s face said he felt the same. I was about to start reading it out loud when Jeremiah stopped me. “My Kings, the Queen was very clear that not everything she’s given you
5 hours until the full moonAVAAt 7pm on the dot, I burst into the clearing to see Elijah waiting for me, just as expected. I shifted back, standing opposite him, not really caring that I was naked.I dropped my guard, making sure that my scent would be all over this clearing if anything were to happen.“Oh, Avelina,” he drawled. “You really did grow up to be a beauty, didn’t you?”I didn't answer, instead, I just stood and watched him. The longer I silently watched him, the more agitated he got.“Avelina,” Selene whispered in my mind. “From here on, I'm limited on how much I can help you, my child. As soon as you truly confront him, you're on your own, I cannot interfere.”“Selene… What should I do? How do I… win this?”“Avelina… There are no true winners tonight. You live, as do your mates. But sacrifices will have to be made before the night is over.”“What sacrifices?”“Your lover will have to make a choice, Avelina. A choice that will cut him deeply for the rest of his life.”“O
4 hours until the moon is fullAVAI woke up freezing cold and wet. At some point whilst I was unconscious, someone had pulled clothes on me, so at least I wasn’t naked.I could hear Elijah talking to someone near me, and decided that my best chance of survival was to pretend to still be asleep.“Artemis, are you okay?”She didn’t respond.“Artemis!” I shouted in my mind.Fuck, why can’t I talk to Artemis?I heard footsteps walking towards me, and felt someone kneel by my side, just before fingertips stroked my cheek. “Soon, my dear, you will be mine,” Elijah drawled. His fingers moved to my neck, scratching the three marks on my neck. “These will be gone, and you’ll be bonded to me. I will control you. Together, we’ll rule Eclipse Mountain. We will reinstate the old ways, where the Lycans hunt werewolves without retribution. Together, we’ll remake the world.”I fought to stay still, to keep my body limp and my breathing even, even though his touch made me want to be violently sick.
OSCAR“Selene said I’d know when to go to Ava, that time is now, Callum. We need to move.”“She said the same to me, Oscar. I don’t think it’s time yet.”I stared at him.Then it clicked.“Our times are different,” I whispered. “Maybe I’m meant to go now and I go straight to Ava, but you come later? What did your prophecy say?”His mouth fell open like he’d just had an epiphany. “I take the long road. I must have to deal with the rogues. ‘Her protector walks the weary road, bearing the weight of the heavy load… with every step, a challenge new, obstacles that block his view.’” He met my eyes, his still wide. “I know what I need to do. You go straight to Ava. You are her strength, you help her keep going, no matter what he puts her through.”“What do you do?”“I take out his army.”My mouth fell open.“‘And when the final hour draws near, when all is lost and ruled by fear, he’ll rise above, through blood and flame, to save her soul, to speak her name.’”Fuck, that meant we had to spli
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