All Chapters of Bullied By My Four Mates: Chapter 171 - Chapter 180

I considered sugarcoating it—telling him she was fine, handling everything with her usual grace. But we'd never lied to each other, and I wouldn't start now. "She's trying to stay strong," I said honestly. "For the kingdom, for Oscar and Callum, for herself. She's thrown herself into the festival preparations like a wolf possessed. But..." I hesitated, remembering the look in her eyes when I'd said goodbye, the brave smile that hadn't quite reached them. "She's struggling, Theo. Not sleeping well. Pushing herself too hard. Missing you more than she'll admit." Theo closed his eyes briefly, pain flickering across his features. "Christmas is in five days," he said, the words barely audible. "I promised her we'd all be together. I promised..." "I know. We all did." The guilt weighed on me too—the image of Ava alone (not alone, I reminded myself, she still had Oscar and Callum, but it wasn't the same) at Christmas, putting on a brave face whil

I stood on the palace steps between Callum and Ava, watching breath fog in the crisp evening air as hundreds of our people gathered in the courtyard below. Their faces turned up toward us, expectant and eager despite the hardships of winter—families huddled together for warmth, pups perched on their parents' shoulders for a better view, elders wrapped in extra layers against the cold. The air crackled with anticipation, scented with pine and cinnamon from the enormous wreaths flanking the palace entrance. Beside me, Ava looked every inch the queen in her emerald gown and silver crown, her posture perfect, her expression serene. Only those who knew her best would notice the slight tightness around her eyes, the barely perceptible tension in her shoulders. Only her kings would recognise the effort it took to smile when half her heart was stranded in the northern territories.*She's hurting,* Dionysus observed, his presence restless within me. *They all are. Artemis misses her

I woke to silence and empty spaces. My arm stretched across the cool sheets where Oscar should have been, my leg extended into the void Callum had left. The morning light filtered through the curtains, painting the abandoned half of our enormous bed in soft gold. They must have risen early, eager to tackle the day's festival preparations, leaving me to sleep in after last night's opening ceremonies. I should have been grateful for the respite, but the absence of their bodies—and the continued void where Theo and Noah should have been—made the bed feel less like a sanctuary and more like an island adrift in a too-large ocean."Good morning to you too," I murmured to the emptiness, pushing myself up against the headboard.*They let us sleep,* Artemis observed, her presence stretching lazily within me like a cat in a patch of sunlight. *Oscar left his scent on your pillow deliberately.*I smiled despite myself, bringing Oscar's pillow to my face and inhaling

I pressed my hand to my stomach for the hundredth time that day, marvelling at the secret life growing beneath my palm. The office around me was still, a pocket of quiet in a palace overflowing with Christmas Eve preparations. Artemis stirred contentedly within me, a warm presence wrapped protectively around the tiny spark we both cherished. Six weeks. Six weeks of miraculous change happening within my body, unnoticed by the kings who shared my bed, my throne, my life. I withdrew my hand quickly as footsteps approached my door, guilt flashing through me at the deception. Just a little longer. Just until we were all together.The footsteps passed, and I exhaled slowly, returning to the small boxes arranged on my desk. Four identical mahogany containers, each lined with velvet and awaiting the pieces of the puzzle I'd spent the morning crafting. The secret felt like a living thing inside me, separate from the actual life growing in my womb – a wild, joyful beast clawing to br

I wished I shared her confidence. The meal progressed through multiple courses – roast venison with winter vegetables, poached fish in a delicate sauce, a selection of cheeses from every territory in the kingdom. I ate sparingly of each, using conversation to distract from my unusually modest appetite.At precisely ten o'clock, the orchestra positioned in the corner began to play, the lilting notes of a traditional wolf dance filling the hall. Oscar was on his feet immediately, extending his hand to me with a theatrical bow."My Queen," he said, eyes sparkling with mischief, "would you do me the honour?"I allowed him to lead me to the center of the floor, where other couples were already forming for the dance. His hand rested lightly at my waist, the other clasping mine as we began the familiar steps."You've been quiet tonight," he observed, his voice low enough that only I could hear. "Are you still feeling unwell?""Just missing Theo