CHAPTER FORTY FOUR

I woke up a little after ten.

Geez, they really let me sleep in.

Those two had taken to spoiling me lately, and I knew it was because of the pregnancy. We no longer trained as often. It wasn't mandatory, anyway.

Rory and Anthony assured us that we wouldn't be entering a traditional war with the Sire King. I guess it wasn't his style. That just made me nervous as to what was his style, though.

Was he an assassin, or something? Did he hire hitmen to take people out?

They didn't entertain my guesses but said that we would know if he made a move. All I knew was that the guy was intimidating and sadistic, which didn't rub me the right way. I wasn't prepared to handle personal attacks like that.

I heaved myself off the bed.

I felt huge. My feet were swollen and my hips were constantly sore. I looked more like I was 7 months pregnant instead of 5, and it wasn't pleasant.

Rory, of course, went out and bought me a whole array of maternity clothes, even though I explained that they wouldn't be used for very long.

I waddled my way to the dressing room, lifting Bastion's T-shirt over my head. I preferred those for comfort over other more form-fitted nighties. It may not have been sexy, but I didn't need to be. The men couldn't keep their hands off of me anyway.

My point was proven when Bas entered the room behind me.

"Mm, there's my sexy lady."

I scoffed, tracing my belly. "Yea, sure. I swear I get bigger by the day."

He chuckled, his hands snaking around to palm my breasts. "There are some benefits to that."

Both he and Rory had shown appreciation for my increasing cup size. It did make me feel good that even if I didn't find myself sexy, they sure did. His eyes made contact with mine in the mirror, and he pulled me back flush against him.

He was dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a blue and black flannel with the sleeves rolled up. His hands that were previously supporting my chest slid down, landing atop my belly in near worship.

"Would you like to feel them move?" I offered. His eyes widened.

"Are they awake?" I nodded. "Sure." He looked hesitant but excited.

I laid my hands over his, forcing them deeper into my flesh. He flinched, and I assured him that it wouldn't hurt them. That's when they jumped, making him jump, his eyes aglow with admiration and awe.

"Oh shit." He whispered, turning me so his face was at eye level with our babies. "Hey there, little guys. Behave in there. Don't go kicking your mommy's kidneys, or anything." I laughed at his scolding, but the way he said mommy warmed my heart beyond comparison.

He reached out one more time to run his hand down to my belly button before standing and giving me a soft kiss. "Get dressed for outside."

I cocked my head. "Where are we going?"

The two had made it very clear that they didn't want me traveling into the city, for safety reasons.

"The garden," he admitted, watching my reaction closely. Oh. That was even stranger than if he took me into town. Bastion hated the garden.

"You... you want to come with me? To see James?"

He shrugged, plopping onto the white bench in the center of the room. "I thought a picnic would be nice. I made us some sandwiches. Packed some lemonade."

My heart swelled at his thoughtful gesture, and I bounded to him, straddling his legs and throwing my arms over his shoulders. He growled in satisfaction.

"You're still naked, Aria," he reminded me, gripping my ass with one hand and bringing his other to trace over the royal seal on my sternum. The sensation of the touch ignited my desire, and I let out a small moan. "We can fuck here, or maybe the garden," he mused, his black eyes half-lidded as he licked his lip.

"We can't have sex in the garden. People would see," I scolded him, gyrating my hips over his hard erection. He chuckled, pulling me closer until my stomach hit his abs.

"If they don't like it, they can look away."

I knew he was teasing, but it made my face flush all the same. I bit onto his earlobe in sweet punishment, making him groan. I had learned all of the little acts of pain that really got him going, and I loved the control it gave me.

"Get on all fours. Now," he commanded, a hint of Dorian breaking through. I had made a deal a while ago that anytime Dorian was released, Sella could be too. It kept them both happy.

My eyes turned black as my wolf came to the forefront, my voice also altering slightly.

"Yes, mate," she responded in submission.

She climbed off Bastion, breaking the electrifying contact of his swollen dick on our sweet spot. Then, she quickly used the bench to kneel onto the bearskin rug lining the floor.

Dorian was patient, not wanting to push her and accidentally hurt the babies. As soon as she got into position, he delivered a painful smack to our ass. But it felt good. Sella loved being dominated by his wolf, and so did I.

She let out a deep growl from her chest, already dripping wet for him. I heard him unzip his pants and looked up into the mirrors surrounding us. Goddess, he looked hot, lifting the front of his shirt with his bottom lip between his teeth.

Slowly, he guided the tip of his cock into our opening, a low groan escaping as he sheathed himself. It was amazing. I was so sensitive down there that I could feel every twitch and swell of his dick.

"Fuck me, Dorian," Sella begged, her rear end rocking slightly in anticipation.

"Beg me," was his only response. Dorian really loved his control.

"Please fuck me, Dorian."

"What do you want, Sella? Tell me." He delivered another sharp slap to our ass, jolting us forward slightly.

"I want your cock. I want you to make me howl," she said with shaky breaths.

He growled at her words, moving his extended claws to grip our hair and shoulder, so as not to hurt the babies.

Then, Dorian started.

It was a lot like when I had first met Bastion at the ceremony: rough, passionate, aggressive. But we loved it. It was so hot that we didn't even mind the pain of our hair being pulled or the digging of his claws into our flesh.

He pounded into us messily, his hips making solid impact with our ass in every thrust, surrounding the room with the sound of skin slapping skin.

"Dorian! Goddess, yes! F*** me harder!" He complied eagerly, and I got a little worried we wouldn't be able to hold ourselves up.

"F***. I can feel you tightening on my c***, Sella. Come on me. Right now." His ferocious command made Sella tremble, and she gave in with her all.

I was glad that I couldn't smell Rory nearby, because our two wolves let out a long string of pleasurable howls. Though I wasn't in control, I could still feel the overwhelming sensations of our orgasm, and I melted into the rug.

Bastion returned. I could tell by his voice.

"Baby, that was incredible." He was still panting, as was I.

"Mm," was all I could say. I was so sated, so tired. But I couldn't sleep when I had a picnic to attend.

I slowly crawled to sit, and Bastion helped by hooking his arm around my waist to lift me.

"Shower?" I asked, still exhausted. He nodded before swinging me into the air to cradle me against his chest.

"I can walk." I pretend-pouted.

"So can I." He winked at me, his dimples flashing through.

This man was truly incredible.

He brought me into the massive shower that could probably fit fifteen people and pressed the button on the wall for the top head. It immediately started raining down warm droplets of water on me, effectively dousing me from head to toe.

I was surprised when Bas stripped down to join me.

"Let me help." He commanded softly.

I smiled, handing over my loofah. It was nice to not have to bend down and try to do it myself.

Our babies were dancing in my tummy as their daddy cleaned me up.

He even offered to shave my legs for me, which I happily accepted. I had been complaining about doing it for days now. It took him a while, but I didn't mind. The shower had a built-in seat I could use while he worked.

Not long after that, he helped me up and out, wrapping one fluffy towel around my body and the other around my head. I had to redo it, of course, but the gesture was appreciated.

"Need help getting dressed, baby?" He offered on the way to the dressing room. I shook my head.

"No, I'm okay. You can get our basket and blanket ready while I dress. I'm starving," I admitted.

I had missed breakfast and could eat a horse. He smirked.

"I'll pack you three."

"I love you so much."

He chuckled again, giving me a quick peck on the lips and heading to the kitchen.

Where was Rory?

It was rare for him not to pay me a morning visit.

Figuring he was busy with work, I got dressed. I chose some fleece maternity leggings and an oversized knit sweater, green to match my eyes. Then, I brushed my teeth and hair, drying it thoroughly so I wouldn't get sick.

Now to join my love.