Page 47 of Bound to Four Alphas

She stuck her tongue out at him, giving Selena one last smile before leaving and closing the doors behind her.

Elian groaned. “Bloody hell, I forgot howtalkativeshe is.”

“I like her,” replied Selena. “You never mentioned her?”

He rolled his eyes, “She’s younger than me. A lot younger. We don’t share a mother, and Phaendar was ridiculous about keeping her safe and shielded as she grew up. When she was little, we were very close. I used to sneak her out of the palace and take her to the sweet shop, or the theater, or the library, which as you can imagine, was her favorite place in the world. After a few years, our father put a stop to it. Blamed my …wildways. Didn’t want any of my mischief rubbing off on her.”

“You? Mischievous?” Selena teased, poking him in the side. “I can’t believe it.”

The others were already undressing, sliding into the hot water with hisses of appreciation. The bath was more like the size of a small pond, with steps leading down to the bottom, and bottles and potions of all sorts lining the edges.

“Partly, I think he didn’t want us becoming allies as she became a female grown, old enough to hold her own in court. Two willful children teamed up against him would not have been easy to handle.”

Selena helped him shrug out of his clothes, keeping her eyes resolutely on his face despite his teasing wink. She sucked in a breath as he spun her around and started working on the lacing at the back of her dress, loosening the fastenings until the dress pooled to the floor at her feet, leaving her skin bare to the cold air.

She turned slowly, considering his words. “That sounds like a lonely way to grow up,” she said carefully, her hands cupping her stomach instinctively. “I hope that’s not what you thinkthis onewill grow up experiencing?”

“Not a chance!” called Ronan, his muscular arms splayed out on the rim of the bath behind him, head thrown back, “Our little pup will grow with the other children, as is right! They’ll tumble and play together and learn how to be loyal. That’s how it was with my siblings.”

“You have siblings?” Selena peered around Elian’s naked body with a raised eyebrow. He looked at her incredulously.

“Of course I do. Dozens, it sometimes seems like. Some full, some half, some adopted, what does it matter?”

Elian rolled his eyes, muttering something no doubt insulting under his breath as he slipped into the water. Selena squeaked as her shield was gone, and quickly followed him in, where he pulled her against his chest.

Magical beings seemed altogether much more comfortable with nudity than humans, as she was coming to learn. They certainly had no issues baring their skin in front of each other, or her, and often teased her for her bashfulness.

“What about you?” she turned to Kaelen, who was furiously scrubbing his arms.

He stopped, his eyes unfocusing, his jaw setting. “No. I don’t.”

She swallowed but nodded. It seemed lack of family had plagued him for decades. Her heart squeezed, and she half-swam over to nestle into his side. He didn’t say anything, just dropped a kiss on the top of her head, but she saw a slight wetness in his eyes.

“I know this wasn’t planned,” she said to the males, casting her eyes downwards as she cradled the soft swell of her lower stomach. “ I’m sorry if any of you… if this wasn’t what you wanted.”

Kaelen’s arms tightened as he looked down at her in horror. “Omega, I think I can speak for everyone here when I say the babe you carry is the greatest gift any of us could possibly hope for. The only regret I have is that your safety, and the safety of the child, is at risk.”

There were murmurs of assent from the others as Kaelen pulled her in closer, his own hands drifting lower to cup her stomach. She felt the heat rising in her cheeks as a smile broke free across her face. There was plenty to discuss, to prepare for, but that could wait. For now, she just wanted to enjoy their company.

Even if she was having to concentrate very hard on not letting her thoughts slip into dangerous territory. She was suddenly aware of every inch of wet skin pressed against her, the heat radiating from Kaelen’s powerful body, his huge hands resting on her stomach.

He chuckled, lowering his head to her ear. “There will be time for such things, Omega.”

Her face was definitely on fire.

Ronan’s booming laughter sent ripples skipping over the water.

“So about your father not letting us in,” she said to Elian, forcing her voice into a somewhat measured tone. “Why do you think that is?”

Elian stretched, blond curls damp from the water sticking to his neck, golden skin vibrant against the marble. “Phaendar has at least ten reasons for everything he does. I have no doubt that he’ll summon us to him in his own time. We’ll get our explanation then.”

“Arrogant bloody Fae,” Ronan grunted.

“At least we don’t live in tents,” Elian countered, eyes narrowing playfully.

Ronan was unfazed. “Your mother certainly didn’t complain when I showed hermytent.”

Kaelen laughed low in his chest, sending pleasant vibrations rippling over her skin, and even she couldn’t stifle a giggle when Malek cocked his head inquisitively.

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