Chapter Sixteen.

The hot water cascades over me, soothing my aching muscles. I scrub my face under the water and just as I was just starting to feel refreshed the soft creak of the bathroom door catches my attention.

I turn, startled, and let out a small squeal as Callum steps in, completely naked. His face shifted from concern to amused smugness in an instant.

“I just came to check on you, sweet girl,” he said, his tone light and teasing, his eyes glinting with that familiar mischievousness. He leans casually against the doorframe for a moment, completely at ease, as if this were the most natural thing in the world.

My cheeks flush instantly, the warmth of the water suddenly feeling like nothing compared to the heat crawling up my neck. “C-Callum,” I stammered, turning away slightly to shield myself, though the shower’s misty glass offered little cover.

“What?” he asked innocently, stepping closer. His voice softened, the teasing edge giving way to something gentler. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. You passed out earlier, and… well, I was just making sure you woke up.. okay, "

“I’m fine,” I managed, the words rushing out too quickly to sound convincing. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, only to catch the faint furrow of his brow.

“Are you sure? Were we right in assuming you've finished your heat?” he pressed, stepping closer until he was just outside the shower. The concern in his gaze made my heart skip a beat.

I nodded, my voice steadier now. “Yup, I think... really, I’m fine. Just… needed a moment to recharge.”

He hummed thoughtfully, crossing his arms over his chest. “Good. But you should know, passing out after one orgasm? That’s something we might have to work on.” His smirk returned, playful and disarming.

I gaped at him, torn between mortification and amusement.

"I'll try and do better next time." I snarked.

He chuckled.

"See that you do," he responds with a wink as he turns and goes out the way he came.

Stepping out of the shower, I shuffle quietly back into Micah’s room, the warmth of the water still clinging to my skin. My gaze immediately falls on the nest. Elias has rolled over into my spot, lying on his back, naked as the day he was born. Micah’s arms are wrapped tightly around his middle, his head tucked into Elias’s neck like he belongs there. The sight is almost sweet, if not for how utterly exposed it all feels.

Callum is nowhere to be seen, likely up and about somewhere in the house. And Theo... oh.

Theo is awake, propped up on one elbow behind Micah. His sleepy gaze locks onto me the moment I enter, watching me from beneath tousled hair. My heart stutters, and I freeze mid-step.

I quickly avert my eyes, heat rising to my cheeks as I silently pray he’ll go back to sleep. Keeping my movements quiet, I skirt around the nest to grab some clothes from my bag. But his stare doesn’t waver.

When I glance back at him, he’s still watching. Silently. Intently. My nervous attempt at a tight-lipped smile is met with a faint curve of his lips. He runs a hand down his face, his palm brushing against his stubbled jaw in a way that’s far too casual for how flustered I feel.

The tension in the air is palpable, and I can’t take it. Scooping up my clothes, I make a beeline for the bathroom.

Jesus, am I finished with my heat?

I think as I close the door behind me, leaning against it to catch my breath. My skin feels hot again, the memory of Theo’s gaze burning into me. Or do these guys just make me feel like this all the time?

I tug on my clothes, quickly running a brush through my hair. After a minute of wrestling with it, I give up, pulling it into a messy bun that will have to do. With a sigh, I step back into the room, careful not to disturb anything as I hunt for my phone amidst the wreckage.

The nest is quieter now. Theo is gone, leaving only Micah and Elias tangled together, looking so peaceful and adorable that I can’t help myself—I snap a quick picture. It’s the kind of moment I’d frame if it didn’t feel like an invasion of their privacy.

Phone in hand, I head downstairs, the smell of sizzling bacon drawing me into the kitchen like a siren call. Callum is at the stove, dressed casually but somehow still effortlessly put together, flipping bacon and eggs.

The scent makes my mouth water, but my focus zeroes in on the coffee pot. I pour myself a mug and take a grateful sip before attempting conversation. “Sooo... how did you sleep?” I ask, wincing internally at how awkward I sound.

Callum glances over his shoulder, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Mmm, like a baby wrapped around the hottest girl I’ve ever seen,” he teases, his tone low and playful.

My face burns as he turns to me fully, his eyes smoldering as he bites his lower lip. It’s ridiculously unfair how attractive he is. My hand jerks in response, and I spill a small splash of coffee on the counter. “Graceful,” I mutter under my breath, trying to mop up the mess.

Before I can recover, Theo strides into the room, freshly showered, dressed in a sharp suit that fits him like a second skin. His golden hair is slicked back into a man bun, emphasizing the sharp angles of his jawline.

Without a word, he moves toward me, his presence overwhelming as he corners me against the counter. My breath hitches as his intense gaze locks onto mine, holding me completely captive.

I’m frozen, staring up into those impossibly perfect eyes, when he smirks, leaning in even closer. My heart races, but instead of saying anything, he reaches past me, grabbing a mug from the shelf behind my head.

His proximity, his scent, the teasing glint in his eyes—it’s all too much. I gape at him as he pulls back, his smirk widening.

“Well, good morning,” he says smoothly, his velvet voice drying out my mouth, leaving me gaping like fish out of water.  He just takes a sip of his coffee as if he didn’t just short-circuit my entire brain.

Desperate for backup, I glance at Callum, silently pleading for him to intervene. But it only makes things worse—Callum takes one look at my face and bursts out laughing, his shoulders shaking with mirth.

Theo joins in, his rich, deep laugh reverberating through the kitchen. They’re both laughing at me now, and I’ve never felt more mortified.

“Great,” I mutter under my breath, slipping out of the kitchen as quickly as possible. My cheeks burn as I plop down at the table, gripping my coffee cup like a lifeline.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. Just brush it off, Ivy. Act like nothing happened, I tell myself.

The morning unfolds with a comforting rhythm. We share breakfast together, the kitchen filled with warm conversation and the occasional bout of laughter as we talk about our plans for the day.

Elias is the first to join us, his tousled hair and sleepy grin making him look unfairly perfect for someone who just rolled out of bed. His cheeky wink as he greets me with a “Good morning” sends heat pooling in my core, last night’s memories searing vividly in my mind.

Micah follows soon after, shy and utterly adorable as he shuffles into the room, his eyes still heavy with sleep. I can’t resist pulling him in for a kiss, his lips soft and warm against mine.

The others erupt in mock outrage. “Hey, where’s mine?” Callum teases, leaning in to steal a kiss of his own. Elias is quick to follow, his smirk as irresistible as his lips. Even Theo, ever composed, brushes his lips against mine with a quiet intensity that makes my knees wobble.

As they prepare to leave, Theo pauses in the doorway, his sharp gaze meeting mine. “We need to talk,” he states, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Everyone needs to be home for dinner tonight at six.”

I nod, but the pit in my stomach tightens. I know exactly what this is about, and the thought of that conversation leaves my nerves on edge.

Once the house is empty and the quiet settles around me, I find myself at a loss. With no work scheduled today, the silence feels stifling. I grab my purse and phone, heading to the bus stop before I can overthink it.

I need distraction, something to ground me before tonight. I hope Morgan’s home, I think as I climb onto the bus. Or at least will be soon.

The city rushes past the window, but all I can think about is the twisting knot of nerves building in my chest. Tonight feels like a turning point, one I hope I am ready for.