AVA
I 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
7 years ago…AVAI was a nobody, or at least that’s what they told me.They told me I was a nobody and therefore worthless; I deserved to be bullied, because being bullied would make me stronger, more resilient. I know now that it was bullshit, but when you say that to a kid time and time again, they start to believe it.All day everyday, the heirs to the pack, both the Alpha and Beta twins, and even a lot of the girls my own age made a point of making my life miserable. To begin with, it was just verbal, but in my early teens, it became physical too. I had scars all over my back and the tops of my legs that would never heal properly because they were from before I shifted for the first time.Considering I shifted for the first time early... that says all you need to know.I got my wolf early, but they didn’t know that. I never smelled like a wolf because my wolf, Artemis, could hide her scent. Even before they can shift, wolves have a distinctive smell that identifies them; all wolve
AVAThe first Monday in June was always an interesting one at school. It was the first day of the formal summer training season. The weather was warm enough that everyone was expected to train outdoors, and all indoor training was put on the backburner unless absolutely necessary. It was never necessary.I stood in front of the mirror in the changing rooms at school, yanking my curly brown hair into a rough bun to keep it out of the way during my training session with Beta Alexander. Normally my green eyes sparkled with excitement at training with the Beta, but today, not so much.At lunch time, I was cornered in the cafeteria, my lunch dumped straight over my head. I could have taken down the people responsible easily enough, but the Beta and I had determined that I needed to keep what I was capable of under wraps just until I was ready for it to become public knowledge.My wolf was special, and once that knowledge was out, there was no turning back. Artemis was a beautiful black wol
AVAI hated the lessons I had on Tuesdays. Double maths, biology and geography was torturous. Fortunately, today was different. Mr Jones, our maths teacher, jolted me out of my thoughts. “Class, we have a new student joining us today. This is Isabella, she has transferred here from a pack in Wales, and will be finishing her schooling with us. I hope you will all welcome Isabella.”I glanced around the room, suddenly realising the only empty seat was next to me. She sat down, more graceful than I could ever hope to achieve, holding out her hand to shake mine. “Isabella, call me Izzie,” she smiled.“Ava,” I smiled back.She was tall, slim. The exact opposite of me. She had that kind of figure everyone thinks they want. It wasn't just me that noticed either. Leo, our future Delta, turned to stare at her, no embarrassment at all. I shook my head, suppressing a giggle, before pointing him out to Izzie. “You've already got an admirer,” I laughed. She giggled, before retorting back at m
AVAI woke up bright and early the next day, looking forward to what the day would bring. Artemis was excited to show off in training. Even though we wouldn’t be shifting because very few people knew that I could, she was still looking forward to putting everyone in their place if needed.It was going to be a good day!I was up early enough that I headed over to the training ground, planning to let Artemis out for a run. Beta Alexander was already at the training ground when I got there, which is surprising since it was 5am… I was expecting to be the only one.“Ava? What are you doing here at this time in the morning?”“Artemis is feeling cooped up, she needs to run before school today.”Beta Alexander nodded. “Want me to run with you? I’m going to be letting Kieran run too.”“Go for it, Beta,” I smiled, before ducking into one of the little shacks to shift.I trotted back out just minutes later, shaking my fur out. Beta Alexander was still standing in the middle of the training groun
AVAAt the end of training, I walked back over to where the twins, Leo and Isabella were all waiting for me.“That was amazing!” Isabella squealed, throwing her arms around me. “Now I see why you were training on your own!”I grinned in response, “thanks guys.”“Now I know why dad comes home looking like his ego has been hurt some nights, Ava,” Oscar, one of the Beta’s sons, laughed. Callum, his twin, just nodded in agreement.“Yeah… I would apologise for that, but I’m not going to.”“Are you joining us for dinner at the pack house tonight, Ava?” Oscar asked.I very rarely did, but perhaps now I could? It would just mean I had to get through an evening of comments and questions about how I knocked Beta Alexander on his backside…“Sure, why not,” I smiled. “I just need to shower and change, so I’ll meet you there in an hour?”“Sounds like a plan,” Oscar replied, pulling me into a hug. Callum looked jealous, right up until he joined the hug from behind.The Alpha twins looked left out,
NOAHHow we never truly noticed Ava before is beyond me.She’s stunning, both inside and out, and she’s unbelievably strong too. She has an air of having been through more than most people our age, and yet coming out stronger.I’m drawn to her in a way I would never have expected, especially since my 18th birthday is still a couple months away. What is even stranger still is that I know Theo, and even Oscar and Callum feel the same.All four of us cannot and do not want to keep our hands off her, and that’s just unexpected. Sure, Theo and I have shared girls in the past, and I knew Oscar and Callum had, but all four of us? That just sounded like a problem waiting to happen.When she challenged the four of us, all of our faces dropped. We all were very aware that if she could take down the Beta, she’d easily take down the four of us. We’d have to try to overwhelm her with numbers, but that would never work either.She was still smirking as she leaned back against Oscar and Callum’s che
AVAI got suspicious looks from my parents when I got home, but I guess that’s to be expected when your daughter rocks up late at night with her own clothes bundled under her arm just wearing a t-shirt that smells of one of the Alpha heirs.I did explain that we’d been to the lake after dinner and I’d just gotten wet, but they definitely didn’t believe that was all that happened.Fortunately, they just let me head to bed without asking awkward questions.Once I’d showered and changed, I flopped down in bed with a giggle as I thought about the night’s events, before my thoughts were disrupted by the sound of my phone pinging with the creation of a group chat with all four of the boys.The FiveCallum: I had a great time tonight, little one, and I know you did too.Oscar: I’m going to go to sleep thinking about how you feel in my arms.Noah: I hope you’re still wearing my t-shirt, Princess.Ava: Of course, I put it back on after my shower and everything. My parents did look at me funny
AVAThe FiveNoah: Good morning, Princess.Callum: We’re going to the club tonight, little one. Care to join us after you show us all up in training again?Ava: I wouldn’t miss it for the world.Noah: Good, you promised Theo and I an Ava sandwich.I snorted when I read that, my coffee coming out of my nose.Theo: And we plan to hold you to that promise.Ava: Of course, boys. You two can dance with me first.Theo: I call being in front.Noah: No fair!Ava: Tell you what. You two spar this afternoon, whoever wins, goes in front.Oscar: Or, the four of us spar, the winner is in front, the runner up behind.Ava: Maybe next time. You and Callum had me in between you last night, it's Theo and Noah’s turn.Artemis purring in my head distracted me from the chat. “I could go for all four of them fighting over me.”“Of course you could,” I retorted. “Not helpful, Artemis.”School blurred past, and before long, we were at the training ground. I was standing next to Beta Alexander, waiting for ev
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
AVAThree days after the coronation, my Kings and I went to one of the Crown’s countryside properties to celebrate on our own. It was needed. With everything that happened in between us arresting Elijah and the coronation itself, we all needed to just unwind for a little while.We spent five perfect days enjoying each other’s company, swimming, relaxing by the lake, and just celebrating everything in our own way.We’d been through a lot in the last six months, and it was time we took the time to reflect, celebrate, and breathe a sigh of relief.The following weeks and months after we came back were chaotic.Of course, we had brief glimmers of normalcy when Theo and Oscar turned 18. We had to have a ball that the Kingdom could attend, but after, we hosted a party just for family and friends, and I spoiled the two of them rotten.My 18th birthday followed six weeks after theirs, and after the huge fuss that was my birthday for the Kingdo