Chapter 6

• Katherine’s POV
• I lay back against the hospital bed, feeling the steady beat of my heart in my chest. The white walls of the room felt oddly soothing, the soft scent of antiseptic and fresh linens surrounding me. I had healed faster than expected, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for it. But there was another reason I felt lighter—Michael. He stood next to me, checking my cast and bandages, and his hands moved with such careful attention that I couldn't help but notice how warm his touch was, how tender.
• “You’re healing faster than I expected,” Michael said, his voice low and approving as he adjusted the bandage on my arm.
• I smiled, glancing up at him. “I’ve always healed quickly.” I was trying to ignore the little flutter in my stomach every time his fingers brushed against my skin.
• “Lucky for you,” he replied, his lips curving up into a small smile. He kept his gaze on my arm, but his eyes held something soft, something comforting.
• There was a quiet moment between us. I swallowed, trying to distract myself. "I’ve been thinking about my mate bonds," I started, my voice a little quieter than usual. "I feel different ones? You’re my mate, but so are Alpha Jason and Alpha James. Why? Is this possible? "
• The handsome doctor paused for a moment, his gaze shifting from my arm to my face. “You have four mate bonds,” he said, the words carrying a weight that sank deep into me.
• Four. My heart raced in my chest, but the shock didn’t feel like fear. It was excitement, like I’d won some impossible prize. "Four?" I whispered, a grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. "I never thought I was destined for a mate at all. I thought I was... mateless. Everyone has always called me that." The words tasted strange on my tongue, but they felt right now.
• Michael seemed surprised by my reaction. “Most wolves would panic. They wouldn’t know what to do with themselves. But you... You’re different, Katherine.”
• I blinked up at him, my pulse quickening at his words. “I’ve always felt like something was missing. I guess I never realized I was meant to have four mates.”
• The air between us seemed to thicken with every word. I shifted slightly, trying to ignore the heat rising in my cheeks. This was so much, so fast. But there was no fear, just curiosity, just... hope.
• He adjusted my bandage again, his touch gentle, but this time, when his fingers brushed against my skin, I gasped softly. The feeling of his touch was electric.
• “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. His hand hovered near my arm as if unsure of its next move.
• I shook my head, a soft laugh escaping me. “No, you didn’t hurt me.” My smile was small, but it felt like the first real smile I’d had in days. “Your hands are just cold.”
• His eyes softened. “Sorry about that,” he muttered, clearly a little flustered. But when I took his hands in mine, trying to warm them with my breath, I could feel his heart rate increase, just slightly. His gaze locked onto mine, his eyes full of something I couldn’t name.
• I blew on his hands, gently, my breath warm against his cold skin. The moment stretched out, and I could feel the connection between us deepen with every passing second. He didn’t look away, his eyes fixed on me as if I was the only thing in the world worth seeing. His voice was barely above a whisper.
• “You’re beautiful,” he said, his words like a quiet spell, his gaze intense and searching. I felt as if he was seeing me—really seeing me—in a way no one ever had.
• My breath caught in my throat. It was so unexpected, yet it made my chest swell with warmth. I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I didn’t. Instead, I leaned in.
• His lips brushed mine, slow and tentative at first, as if asking for permission. But once I kissed him back, everything fell into place. There was no rush, no pressure, just the warmth of his lips and the electric buzz of the mate bond swirling between us. I felt it, every single part of it, deep inside me, pulling me toward him like gravity.
• Oh goddess, this is what it feels to have a mate.
• I didn’t want to pull away. But before I could deepen the kiss, the door to the room opened, and I froze.
• Jason and James walked in, their eyes immediately locking on us. I pulled back quickly, my face flushing with heat. Michael stepped away just as quickly, a sheepish look on his face.
• “I’ll, uh, prepare the paperwork for your discharge,” Michael said, his voice gruff as he turned toward the door. He gave me one last look before he disappeared down the hallway.
• Jason and James stood silently in the doorway, their eyes flicking between us. Jason’s gaze was unreadable, but I could see the edge of something in his eyes. James was more relaxed, a soft smile on his lips, though I could tell he wasn’t exactly pleased to have walked in on that moment.
• “I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” James said, his voice light and teasing.
• I shot him a look, trying to push back the emotions bubbling inside me. "I—" But I stopped myself, not sure what to say.
• Jason cleared his throat, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Are you ready to leave?" His voice was calm, but there was a tension there, something I couldn’t quite place.
• I nodded, feeling a rush of emotions all at once. "Yeah, I think I’m ready."
• —
• “My name is Katherine, by the way,” I said, my voice warm and friendly as I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I extended my hand toward the twins—Alpha James and Alpha Jason—offering them a handshake.
• The two Alphas exchanged a glance before both of them reached out, their hands strong but gentle as they shook mine. There was something about their touch—something reassuring and grounding—that made me feel at ease. The tension from earlier seemed to melt away, replaced by an unspoken connection that ran deeper than anything I could have anticipated.
• Just as the handshake ended, the door to my room swung open again, and Michael stepped inside. “Katherine,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. “Your parents are here.”
• My eyes lit up at the mention of my parents. I hadn’t seen them since everything had started unraveling. The idea of finally seeing my mother again made my heart flutter with anticipation. My gaze flickered over to the twins—Jason and James—but I could already feel their protective energy surrounding me.
• Michael stepped aside as I slowly eased myself onto the bed, still adjusting to the weight of the cast on my leg. James and Jason were immediately at my side, helping me settle more comfortably against the pillows. I glanced up at them, grateful for their silent support, and they both gave me small, reassuring smiles.
• The door opened once again, and my heart skipped a beat as I saw my parents walk in. My mother, looking as elegant as ever, and my father, stern and unyielding, walked in side by side, with my younger sister, Clara, trailing behind them. They stopped just inside the room, and I saw them immediately bowing in respect when they saw the two Alpha twins standing beside me.
• “Alpha James, Alpha Jason,” my father said with a sharp nod. “We are honored by your presence.”
• My father was acting like they were celebrities. I could feel the tension in the air shift. My parents’ eyes darted between the two Alphas and me, noticing how close they were—how much they seemed to be watching over me. It wasn’t just that they were close; it was the way they stood as if they would block anyone from coming near me, protectively, fiercely.
• My father’s gaze hardened as it landed on me. “Katherine,” he began, his voice filled with authority. “What were you thinking, running from the wedding? Wendal has been looking for you—he’s a good man, Katherine. He’s willing to take you back and make you his second wife. What did you think you were doing?”
• I could feel the heat rising in my chest as I held my father’s gaze, trying to keep my voice steady. “I don’t want to be his second wife,” I said firmly, the words slipping from my lips before I could stop them. The thought of being with Wendal in that way—especially after everything he’d put me through—was unthinkable.
• My father’s brow furrowed, but before he could respond, I saw the looks on Jason and James’ faces. There was a brief flash of something unreadable in their eyes, but they didn’t say anything. They simply stood there, their posture as protective as ever.
• I swallowed hard, finally deciding to break the uncomfortable silence. “Mom, Dad, these are my mates,” I said, my voice steady as I introduced Alpha James and Alpha Jason. My parents exchanged a look, clearly startled by the revelation. They had known I was meant to have a mate, but never in a million years would they have expected this.
• I glanced back at Jason and James, their expressions unreadable, but there was something in the way they were standing that made my heart flutter. My gaze flickered to my mother and father, waiting for their reaction.
• Clara, my younger sister, looked between the three of us with wide eyes, clearly taken aback by the situation. But she didn’t say anything, her expression caught somewhere between confusion and curiosity.
• My father was the first to speak, his voice sharp. “Two mates?” he asked, as though he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “How did this happen? Oh! The moon goddess has shown favor to my family! ”
• “Well,” my mother said softly, stepping forward with a smile, though it was strained. “It seems you’ve found your place here, Katherine. I always knew you weren’t some baren mateless wolf.”
• My mother's words stung a little, but I let them wash away. Michael was outside talking to a nurse, I wanted to introduce him, but it felt like he was distancing himself for some reason. I let my parents believe I only have two mates, I wanted to figure this out on my own first.
• The room settled into an awkward silence as my parents exchanged more glances, unsure of how to proceed. I felt the tension between my father and the Alphas, like an invisible battle for control that no one was willing to openly fight, but that would always be simmering beneath the surface.
• “I’m glad to see you’re healing well, Katherine,” my mother said finally, her voice softening. “But we need to talk about what comes next.”
• I looked around the room, feeling everyone’s gaze on me. Tradition had it that I couldn’t stay at my parent's home after I’d found my mate. Besides, given my father had already given me off to Alpha Wendal, I remained unwelcomed in his home even if none of this didn’t happen.
• “So when’s the wedding?’’ My father asked, in excitement. His question didn't just shock me, Alpha Jason and James were looking at me like they’d heard him wrong.
• Oh, Goddess! This was going to be a long day.