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The warm caress of someone’s exhale brushes against my chest. The gust of air leaves a chill against my bare skin. We chose to spend most of yesterday wrapped up in each other’s embrace rather than bothering to put on a scrap of clothing.
I let loose a soft moan at the thought as lips lower onto my collarbone in a soft caress. My eyes flutter open to Kyros’ light brown curls before me, his head bent, as he feathers teasing kisses along my sensitive skin, ratcheting up my desire.
Adrian must wake up from the sounds as I feel his thick cock pressed against my ass, already hard and ready. He rocks his hips against me, and I suppress the groan that begs to slip out as memories of yesterday flit through my mind.
My skin heats with every teasing touch, skimming my curves, trailing over my thighs, hips, and breasts. So close to where I crave them, but not close enough. Adrian kisses down the curve of my neck, and I can’t hold back the moan of pleasure any longer.
“Olivia?” A gruff voice sounds from the other side of the door. I barely even have time to be shocked before my surly mate just barges into the room. The door is violently thrown open, the wood crashing back against the wall in his haste.
Maximus’ imposing figure takes up the entire doorway as he glowers down at us. I clap a hand over my mouth to suppress the laugh, but judging by Maximus’ narrowed gaze moving to rest on me, I didn’t do a very good job.
“That’s enough, you two, get up and get ready,” Maximus grumbles. Kyros gives me a lingering kiss before parting too soon and hopping out of bed. Adrian’s fingers tip my chin in his direction so he can do the same. His tongue plunders my mouth as he kisses me deeply.
He slips away at the sound of Maximus’ throat clearing, and I let out a groan of frustration. This morning was turning out so well before mister grumpy pants interrupted us. I’m about to accuse him of just that when he interrupts me.
“As for you, princess, next time, I better get an invitation,” Maximus growls, his heated gaze roving over my naked form. I barely notice Kyros and Adrian slipping out the door, my eyes glued to Maximus’ glittering emerald green ones.
My skin heats once more as images flash through my mind. Then, without another word, Maximus turns on his heel, stalking from the room. He gives a last glance over his shoulder as he closes the door, and the hunger I see there sends a jolt of heat straight to my core.
The haze of lust that had clouded my mind since yesterday clears as they shut the door behind them, plunging me into the dark, icy embrace of reality.
* * *
I takethe stairs two at a time, anxious energy thrumming through every nerve as I focus firmly on the trial today. My sneakers squeak against the hardwood stairs and my ponytail bounces around me. I opted to wear my training clothes, a loose-fitting racerback shirt, and shorts, for the mobility they offer.
I don’t even notice my four mates waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs until I reach the last one. Kyros clutches a familiar dagger in his palm, and my mind searches for where I’ve seen it before.
“What’s going on?” I ask hesitantly, warily assessing my four mates. All of them are clad with multiple long blades strapped along their chests and backs, as though we’re about to step into battle, but to be fair, we actually may very well be.
“Oh, these?” Mateo asks, glancing at the weaponry strapped to his brothers, his own, of course, a regular staple. “Just thought we’d dress up for the occasion.” He attempts to keep a straight face, but I don’t miss the slight quiver of his lips as he tries to suppress his smirk. The blaze of battle lust is clear on his face.
I huff out a breath, feigning annoyance, but that only causes his smirk to grow.
“Come now, little mate.” He strides over to me, draping an arm over my shoulder and pulling me closer to Kyros. Tingles run over my body at the contact, my chest warming at the intimate, easy way he touches me. “You should know what that is.”
My brow furrows, and I look from him to the blade in Kyros’ hand.
“Well it has to do with the plan I mentioned yesterday,” Kyros says sheepishly, his free hand moving to rub at the back of his neck. “Mates are a form of family, and there are a few recorded cases of others performing the blood ritual to create a familial tie. So if you’re open to it, we could perform the ritual, and we’ll be able to communicate through our thoughts since your powers are unlocked.” Kyros watches me hesitantly, assessing my reaction.
I glance around at my other men, hiding the wave of elation that washes over me with his words, needing to make sure the others are actually on board with this. That they haven’t simply agreed because it will keep me safe, but because they genuinely want that level of intimacy.
Adrian watches me warmly, secure in our connection to one another after professing our feelings. He knows they are mine, just as much as I’m theirs. He doesn’t hide the excitement sparkling in his crystal blue eyes.
Maximus feigns nonchalance, but I can see the hint of fear in his emerald green orbs, now hard as steel. That look causes me to chew on my bottom lip, eager to put his mind at ease, but there’s still my fourth mate to consider.
I tilt my head up to find Mateo’s gaze already on me, a broad smile on his face. He cocks a brow in challenge, as though he’s daring me to take that leap, that next step in cementing our connection.
My heart flutters in my chest with excitement, that they want this too, that they want to include me in their connection and tie our lives together in such an irrevocable way.
A broad smile spreads across my face, and I make sure to hold each of their gazes, letting them see the pure joy rushing through me at the last layer of distance between us to come crashing down. With this, there will be no more separation. They will be welcoming me into their fold as their equal and their partner.
“What are you waiting for?” I ask through a giggle, tears pricking at the overwhelming emotions crashing through me. “Slice me up,” I declare, extending my hand eagerly. The tension that had been growing in the air seems to dissipate immediately at those words.
Maximus’ shoulders slump in relief, the movement so subtle I’m sure I wouldn’t have noticed if I hadn’t been watching for it. Mateo squeezes my shoulder, pulling me against his body, and Adrian gives me a reassuring smile.
Kyros looks visibly relieved, his smile broadening to match mine as he steps forward, holding the dagger aloft. “Let’s begin.”
* * *
