Page 24 of Hidden Nature

“Coffee first,” Elias stated as he kissed me on the cheek and headed downstairs.

Flicking my gaze up to Rath, I shrugged. “They are acting totally normal. I thought they would be all relaxed and peaceful after a healing sleep.”

“Clearly, you had an incredibly specific memory of how they woke up and your magic gave you what you asked for,” Rath answered with a chuckle. “Let’s head downstairs. They’ll be along shortly.”

fourteen

Elias was shuffling around the kitchen gathering items to make coffee when Rath and I entered. A presence came up behind me, but the scent of warm, fresh, clean laundry told me it was Lane who settled his hands on my hips.

Leaning down, he kissed me on the cheek before murmuring into my ear, “What sounds good for breakfast?”

“I’m really not a picky eater, so if there is something that sounds good to you, I’ll happily eat it,” I assured him.

He gave me a look like he didn’t really believe me but nodded all the same, heading for the refrigerator and pulling out supplies. Soon the aroma of coffee filled the air and there was something about it that made me feel at peace. Here I was in my home with my mates, living life together as if the world wasn’t out to get me, settling something in my soul. It was as if they refused to let anything ruin our life together. Something I never thought I’d have was now sitting right in front of me—a family.

The rest of the guys showed up moments later, all dressed in jeans and T-shirts for the day. Mason went right over and started to help Lane with breakfast while the others gathered around the island. A coffee cup was set before me, and it had a swirl of whipped cream on top, making me smile.

“What’s this?” I asked Elias.

“It’s nothing fancy, just my version of a poor man’s mocha,” Elias said, heading back to pour himself a cup.

Realization dawned on me that he served me first, but my wolf was more enamored with the fact he remembered we liked sweet treats. Tentatively I took a sip, and the taste of chocolate swirled around my tongue, making me hum with happiness. The contrast of the cool whipped cream and the hot coffee, paired with the creamy chocolate and milk, made for the perfect combination.

“Thank you, Elias, this is amazing,” I told him with a wide smile.

Elias’s lips twitched in his version of a smile. It seemed his shocking personality changed from yesterday now that he was more settled now that we were mated.

The biggest difference was that I could now catch a glimpse of his true emotions hidden under all his gruffness, and he was extremely pleased that I was enjoying his offering. Even his wolf was puffed up that he had provided something tasty for his mate.

Lane and Mason ended up making a massive batch of cheesy eggs, bacon, and toast, keeping it simple. Everything was brought to the table and Zander made sure to pile a plate full of food before setting it in front of me.

“While I admire the fact you seem to be so willing to serve our mate, I have the feeling there is something I’m missing,” Rath interjected.

“It’s an omega thing. They either have to be gifted food or go last. We’ve found it’s easier to just provide for Finley first. Then we don’t have to worry about making sure there is some left for her,” Colt explained. “It also seems to go better when one of us alpha’s gift the meal to her as well, instead of one of the others. If we’re not here, then they can, but to be honest, it makes our wolves feel like better mates knowing we cared for our mate, so we are happy to do it.”

“That makes sense,” Rath mused, then turned to look at me. “Have you noticed anything changing now that you’ve come into your elf nature?”

I nodded with a mouth full of food that I quickly swallowed. “The biggest thing is that my wolf isn’t in charge of my emotions and body as much. My magic seems to settle her if she gets upset about something and allows me to push past her hang-ups. Alpha’s being around is the biggest trigger to my wolf being stronger. When I was just on my own with you, Rath, I didn’t have as much trouble. The moment I’m back around wolves or even just an alpha, it seems to strengthen that part of me too.”

“Interesting,” Noah mused. “Do you think it’s because you still have to obey every order an alpha gives you?”

Pausing a moment to look at all of them, I considered whether this was something I should keep to myself. Then I shook my head, realizing that was my assassin brain talking. These men were not to be feared or second-guessed. Letting them know I could break an order would be wise.

“Actually, it seems that isn’t the case anymore,” I shared, looking down at my plate.

When nobody spoke, I looked up at them, and it was as if they were waiting for me to continue. They didn’t seem bothered by the fact they didn’t have power over me or that the order Cole had given me yesterday might not stick.

“I still feel the pressure to give in to your demands, but I also know that if I really wanted to, I could break them,” I continued. “While it feels better to submit to you all as mates and alphas, I now have the option to fight back and stand my ground.”

Colt flashed me a smile which surprised me. He was the one that I was worried about being the most upset about this knowledge since he wouldn’t have the ability to keep me safe the way he wanted to.

“Little one, I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear you’ve gained back some of your autonomy. I’m sure as we work through situations, there will be even more balance between your wolf and elf natures,” Colt assured me before his face shifted into a more somber tone. “Would you be up to telling us more about what happened after you rescued the supers and left the house?”

I set my fork down, knowing I wasn’t going to be able to eat as I walked them through this. So much of it I didn’t understand myself, and that alone scared me. “Rath got shot during the altercation with Blakley.”

“Multiple shots to the chest,” Rath added. “I knew I was bleeding out, and if something didn’t happen right away, I would have died, but I had a gut feeling that Finley could save me.” The others looked confused after Rath shared this information. “I knew she was my mate when we locked eyes, but she hadn’t claimed me at this point.”

“Are you saying that Finley saved you?” Noah pressed.