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FOUR KINGS FOR CHRISTMAS - Chapter 19: I’m Always Strong Enough
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2025-01-17 02:00:04AVA
I couldn't bear it anymore. The pain of feeling Oscar slipping away was too much. With a surge of desperate strength, I pushed against Theo's chest. "Let me go," I choked out, my voice barely above a whisper.
Theo's arms loosened, surprise flashing across his face. I took advantage of his momentary hesitation and scrambled away, my legs giving out as I reached Oscar's side. I collapsed to my knees, my hand finding his.
"Oscar," I whispered, squeezing his fingers. They felt so cold. Too cold. "Don't you dare leave me."
I could feel our bond stretching, thinning like a gossamer thread about to snap. Panic clawed at my throat. This couldn't be happening. Not after everything we'd been through.
"Ava," Callum's deep voice c
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Bullied By My Four Mates Four Kings and a Christmas Miracle - #19: Ava
I woke to the gentle press of bodies on either side, warmth bleeding into my skin like watercolours on parchment—present, comforting, yet somehow insufficient. My eyes remained closed as I catalogued the sensations: Callum's steady breathing against my neck, Oscar's arm draped possessively across my waist, their familiar scents mingling in the air around me. But the bed felt cavernous, hollow spaces where two more bodies should have been. Noah and Theo's absence was a physical ache, as tangible as a bruise beneath my ribs. Three days until Christmas, and my kings were still battling snow and ice in the northern territories while I lay here, safe and warm and incomplete.*They should be here,* Artemis whined, stirring restlessly in my mind. Her longing for Hermes and Hephaestus resonated through our shared consciousness, amplifying my own. *Festival starts tonight. They promised.*"I know," I whispered, the words barely disturbing the quiet of the morning.
Bullied By My Four Mates Four Kings and a Christmas Miracle - #18: Noah
I considered sugarcoating it—telling him she was fine, handling everything with her usual grace. But we'd never lied to each other, and I wouldn't start now. "She's trying to stay strong," I said honestly. "For the kingdom, for Oscar and Callum, for herself. She's thrown herself into the festival preparations like a wolf possessed. But..." I hesitated, remembering the look in her eyes when I'd said goodbye, the brave smile that hadn't quite reached them. "She's struggling, Theo. Not sleeping well. Pushing herself too hard. Missing you more than she'll admit." Theo closed his eyes briefly, pain flickering across his features. "Christmas is in five days," he said, the words barely audible. "I promised her we'd all be together. I promised..." "I know. We all did." The guilt weighed on me too—the image of Ava alone (not alone, I reminded myself, she still had Oscar and Callum, but it wasn't the same) at Christmas, putting on a brave face whil
Bullied By My Four Mates Four Kings and a Christmas Miracle - #17: Noah
That final mile took nearly thirty minutes to navigate. The road had all but disappeared beneath the drifts, requiring us to advance in short bursts, clearing paths with shovels and brute strength before returning to the vehicles to move them forward another hundred yards. By the time Silver Ridge's community centre finally materialised—a large stone building glowing with the yellow light of emergency generators—thirteen hours had passed since we'd left the palace.I stepped from the vehicle on legs stiff from tension and inactivity, the cold air slapping my face like an open palm. Around me, the other drivers emerged, stretching and muttering curses at the weather. Joseph approached, his face grim beneath his hood."Made it by the skin of our teeth," he said, glancing back at the buried road. "Getting out again will be another matter entirely.""Let's worry about that after we've helped these people," I replied, already scanning the building for signs of
Bullied By My Four Mates Four Kings and a Christmas Miracle - #16: Noah
I gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles whitened, leaning forward as if those few extra inches might help me see through the wall of white before me. The windshield wipers fought a losing battle against the snow, each swipe clearing only moments of visibility before the relentless flakes reclaimed their territory. What should have been a three-hour drive had already stretched to nine, and I was barely two-thirds of the way to Silver Ridge. Hephaestus stirred restlessly in my mind, his concern mingling with mine as I navigated another treacherous curve. *We should have run,* he grumbled. *Paws find purchase where wheels cannot.* I didn't bother arguing—we both knew the supplies strapped to the roof and packed into every available inch of the SUV were the only reason we hadn't shifted and sprinted north the moment we left Ava's side. The radio crackled with static, the signal fading in and out as we climbed higher into the mountains. Behind me, three more vehicle
Bullied By My Four Mates Four Kings and a Christmas Miracle - #15: Ava
Oscar, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke up. "I should come too. I can help with the medical team."I turned to him, surprised. Oscar's skills lay more in diplomacy and morale than emergency response. His suggestion was born of loyalty, not practicality."No," I said firmly, reaching for his hand. "I need you here." *I need someone here,* I didn't say.Theo echoed my sentiment through the phone. "Oscar, you're more valuable at the palace right now. The festival preparations can't stop just because we're dealing with this crisis. Our people need that hope, that normalcy."Oscar nodded reluctantly, squeezing my fingers. I could read the relief in his eyes—not because he didn't want to help, but because the thought of leaving me with only Callum during the Christmas season had clearly troubled him.We spent the next several minutes discussing details—exactly what supplies were needed, which wolves should join the expedit
Bullied By My Four Mates Four Kings and a Christmas Miracle - #14: Ava
I stared down at the elaborate meal plans spread across my desk, but the carefully written lists of traditional dishes and seating arrangements had begun to blur before my eyes. Oscar's animated voice filled the office as he argued with Callum about whether we needed three different types of dessert for the Christmas feast, but even his enthusiasm couldn't fully lift the weight that had settled in my chest. Five days until Christmas, and Theo was still in the northern territories. I traced my finger over the empty chair where he should have been sitting, participating in this planning, teasing Oscar about his sweet tooth, steadying us all with his practical suggestions."Ava, you can't possibly side with Callum on this," Oscar said, drawing me back to the present. His blonde hair caught the afternoon light streaming through the windows, giving him an almost angelic glow that belied the devilish grin on his face. "Three desserts is the absolute minimum for a proper Christmas
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