When I woke up the next morning, I found myself squished between Slater and Rhett.
Slater’s arm was draped over my waist while Rhett’s hand cupped my left breast and hooked an ankle around my calf.
For a disorienting heartbeat, I thought I was still in the garden, but then the familiar setting of Kael’s room came into view. I tried to move, but the boys moved in closer, and I could only sigh. I didn’t know how Rhett ended up on my bed.
Still, I was thankful that my clothes were still on my body. I lay there for a few seconds before slowly untangling myself from their sleeping forms and slipping out of bed.
Slater mumbled something that sounded like ’mine’ and scooted toward the warm dent I’d left, holding Rhett, who rolled onto his back and continued sleeping.
I stared at both boys fondly before sprinting towards the bathroom. My bladder was bursting.
Without thinking to knock, I opened the door and immediately froze.
Kael stood at the sink, leaning toward the mirror, completely naked. Not dressed in his briefs. Like, birth suit naked. He was leaning against the sink’s counter, guiding an electric razor along his jawline.
I’ve seen Kael shirtless many times, but nothing prepared me for seeing him in his birth suit. His body was a beauty to behold.
His chest was broad and muscular, dusted with black hair that disappeared towards the lower part of his body. Lean, well-defined torso tapered down to a lean waist.
His stomach had those curved lines that I’d seen men die for whenever they go to the gym to work out. Kael had all six of them. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NovᴇlFir(e).nᴇt
My eyes couldn’t help but travel lower, taking in his length.
Though it was in a flaccid state, it was long and thick. It jutted out from his body like a proud flagpole, drawing my eye to it. The head of his length was a darker shade of pink than the rest of him, and why was it moist, or was it my lust-laden brain that made that up?
The electric razor paused as our eyes met in the mirror. I must have looked like a startled deer because one corner of his mouth curled with amusement.
His length twitched slightly as he took a deep breath and turned to face me, showing me everything without any attempt at modesty. I could feel my face burning red with embarrassment.
"Hey," he said, as if barging in on him was the most normal thing in the world. He switched off the razor, giving me his attention now.
"I-I’m sorry," I stammered, making an awkward half-turn. "I didn’t know someone was—"
"It’s fine," he nodded, cutting in, not bothering to cover himself and not flustered in the slightest. He turned back to the mirror and continued shaving. "I’m almost done. Do you need the sink or...?"
If not for how desperately I needed to pee right now, I wanted to walk out of the toilet and act like I hadn’t seen anything.
"Just—uh—just the toilet." I squeaked.
My eyes darted to his lower body again, and I felt myself blushing again as the almost flaccid member seemed erect now.
Was I imagining things?
"Go ahead," he nodded.
I swallowed hard, entering the bathroom and closing the door gently. I slid past him, careful not to let our skin brush. Even that close, there was something warm and inviting in him that made me want to throw caution to the wind and hug him. After all, we were mates.
I put down the toilet seat, conscious that a completely naked man was just within my reach. My eyes kept flashing to his massive length, heightening my arousal. I tried to focus on peeing, but found it challenging.
Every time I caught sight of him through the divide, I felt this strange, sweet sensation pooling low in my belly, making my breathing uneven.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, straining when Rhyme’s voice filtered into my mind.
Imagine him inside us, she purred.
My core clenched at the thought of it, and warmth spread through me. I bit my lip to stifle the moan.
I knew coming in here was a bad idea, but something about being this close to a naked Kael was intoxicating. Even though my bladder was threatening to explode, the ache between my legs was getting stronger. I could feel myself getting wet with anticipation.
Another moan escaped my lips, and I heard the electric razor stop buzzing.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Yes," I called out hastily, finally managing to pee.
When I finally emerged from the toilet area, I saw that he had put on a pair of black boxer briefs and was washing his face at the sink. He looked even more handsome with the clean shave he’d given himself.
Why didn’t he wear his briefs in the first place? I grumbled in my mind and made to walk past him towards the door when he reached out and gently tugged my hand, pulling me back to him.
"Good morning, beautiful," he murmured.
He pulled me into his chest, resting his chin on top of my head, one arm banding around my middle while the other hand smoothed up and down my spine. I could still catch the scent of his soap mingled with his own.
We stood there for several minutes until I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my cheek.
When he finally released me, there was a soft smile on his lips. "I needed that," he said quietly.
I was expecting him to kiss me, to take advantage of our closeness and the fact that we were alone, but instead he stepped back.
"What do you want for breakfast? Tell me and I’ll make it for you."
"I don’t know anything," I replied, confused by his restraint.
"Good. I brought some toiletries for you, and Slater picked out your clothes earlier while you were still sleeping. Now that you’re in the bathroom, why don’t you take a bath? By the time you’re done, breakfast will be ready."
He flashed me another smile and turned to leave, just like that.
I heard Rhyme hiss within my mind. Seriously? He’s just going to leave like that?
When the door closed behind him, I turned back to the mirror and heard Rhyme still whining in my ears.
Is that the way to greet his mate? Not even a good morning kiss! I told you yesterday you were too harsh.
"He was being modest, Rhyme," I sighed, rolling my eyes. "You can’t have favourites among them. It’ll only make the boys compete with each other more than they already do, and don’t you think having three mates is too much for us to handle?"
"I’ve always liked Kael," I heard her sigh wistfully. "He’s tough and strong and mysterious and speak for yourself, Charis. They’re all my mates and I love them in my own way. When are you going to accept the bond?"
I shut her off, reaching for the new electric toothbrush on the counter. As much as I hated to admit it, even to myself, Kael was my favourite, too. There was something about his quiet strength —the way he took care of people without making a big show of it —that drew me to him more than the others.
Additionally, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be with three men at the same time. I loved them, honestly. Last night, before I dozed off, I tried to pick between all three, but anytime I tried to let go of one person, I felt an ache in my chest.
The truth was, I needed three of them. Somehow, they all had different roles to play in my life, but accepting the mate bond came with a lot of responsibilities.
The thought of trying to satisfy all three of them scared and excited me at the same time. Additionally, I wasn’t sure if we would be able to keep it under wraps when we finally accept our bonds.
But I couldn’t let Rhyme know that. She’d wanted me to accept the bond last night.
As I started brushing my teeth, I caught sight of myself in the mirror. My hair was longer now; it had grown to the nape of my neck, and I had to give it a cut. My face looked different too—more mature somehow, with a subtle glow that hadn’t been there before the transformation. Even my eyes seemed brighter.
I knew I looked different, and I felt different. Bolder and had more clarity.
Something had changed in me last night, and it wasn’t just the ability to shift into my wolf form. I felt more connected to the world and more aware of the energy that flowed through and around me.
I’d wanted to ask Rhyme about the Direwolf, Shadewolf debate I’d heard the boys talking about, but I wasn’t ready to handle that reality either.
So for now, I just wanted to focus on getting through this week with my needy mates.