Chapter 58 - Surprised by Three Mates

April POV

“April?” Klaus’s voice broke me out of my trance and I looked at him.

“What?” I asked. His eyes shifted downwards where I’d been sitting. I followed his gaze when I noticed the couch around me was scorched and black.

“I-i didn't even realize.” I jumped up quickly and inspected the couch further. Yep. Definitely ruined.

“You were on fire. And when you snapped it off, it.. it just went away.” He said. I furrowed my brows. I didn’t know. I’ve been having these blank episodes since I came back to life. They’ve just not been like this.

“Are you okay?” He asked. He pulled me against him and kissed my forehead.

“Y-yeah. I’m okay. I think I’m going to go get cleaned up.. and tell Alexei about the couch.” I said. I pressed my face into his chest and took a deep breath.

“Okay. I’m gonna go ahead and get working on this couch. I don’t think this is fixable.” he chuckled. He tilted my head up and gave me a soft smile.

“Thank you. We may as well just throw the d*mn thing out.” I sighed.

“Yeah.. had I not come in here.. the couch might be burnt to a crisp right now.” He teased.

“Good timing.” I smiled.

“Oh, hey. Did Alastair talk to you about tonight?” Klaus asked. I looked at him curiously and shook my head.

“No.. what’s tonight?” I asked.

“Oh..well. Just something special since it’s Christmas Eve.” He said. Christmas? Eve? What? That’s already here?

“I..”

“Just ask the guys about it. I’m not sure what I’m allowed to tell you and what I’m not.” He said as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Okay. I love you.” I kissed him one last time before heading upstairs to find my other mates.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

“Alexei..” I called out as I opened the bedroom door.

“Yes, love?” His voice called from the bathroom.

“I.. may have accidentally burned the living h*ll out of the couch in the main hall,” I said. I walked into the bathroom and saw him. He was leaning over the sink shaving his face.

“Okay, did you want to pick out a new one? I always hated that couch anyways.” He said.

“He’s not upset..” Iris said.

“No.. I mean.. it is JUST a couch.” I giggled. I didn’t expect him to be angry or upset at all.. it wasn’t a reaction that even crossed my mind.

“It doesn’t matter to me. Oh, and Klaus told me to ask you and Alastair about tonight.. where’s Alastair?” I asked.

“He’s finishing up on preparing tonight. You have until 7 before it’s ready.” He said. I’m curious as to what my mates have planned. And I need to get them gifts..

“Okay,” I said. I wrapped my arms around him and rested my head on his back.

“You okay?” He asked. He stopped shaving and turned his head toward me.

“Yeah. Just a lot on my mind.” I said.

“Tell me about it.” He said.

“It’s nothing of importance really. I'm going to text Wren and see if she wants to run out with me for a bit.” I said. I have several hours before 7, so I have time to get them gifts. I just don’t know what to get them.

“Lingerie,” Iris said.

“That’s not a bad idea.” I smiled.

“Okay, be careful. Call if you need us.” He kissed me. When he pulled back he had an amused smile on his face.

“What?” I asked. He wiped my chin with his thumb and held it in front of me.

“Got my shaving cream on you.” He said.

••••••••••••••••••••••••

“Oh, that’s so sweet! Any idea what they planned?” Wren asked. I handed the cashier my items and shook my head.

“Absolutely no idea. You know.. I even forgot it was Christmas Eve. How horrible is that? I had to get their gifts literally at the last minute because I’ve been so busy with other stuff.” I said. I was really upset with myself. But.. I’ve also had so much happen, it’s understandable that I’d forgotten.

“Girl, I forgot Baylard’s birthday last year. When I realized.. I laid him and that was his gift. He was very, very grateful.” She smirked.

“That’s also what the outfit is for.” I smiled. I had gotten a red baby doll gown, with white fluff on the bottom. Very Christmas-themed lingerie. Iris even talked me into placing a Christmas bow on my.. c**chie. Wren laughed so hard she almost peed when I told her.

“You have to tell me how the bow works out. That’s the most amazing idea ever. I don’t even see why you even bothered getting gifts.. sex is gift enough.” She giggled.

“You’re right, it is,” I said.

“That’ll be $652.43.” The cashier said. I nodded my head with a smile and swiped the card.

The cashier handed me my receipt.

“Have a good day, ladies. Thank you for shopping!” The cashier said.

“Thank you!” Wren and I said in unison as we walked out.

“Have the books helped any?” She asked.

“Goddess, yes. I’ve found out so much. Thank you for the books. Alexei wanted to read through them one more time before we gave them back.” I said.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not using them, I’ve already read them. You can keep them or if you still want to give them back when you’re done you can.” She said. I nodded my head.

“So.. are you guys staying?” She asked.

“We actually haven’t decided yet. Though.. I really do like it here.” I replied.

“I hope you guys do. I really enjoy having a girl around. I mean I have friends at home.. but I feel like they’re afraid to be themselves around me because I’m a lords mate.” She said.

“I will never be anything but myself. It’s exhausting to do otherwise.” I chuckled.

“Good. It is exhausting. For me too, I can’t be myself when others aren’t being themselves.” She said. One of the guards we had brought with us opened the trunk and took the bags from us. The guards are so quiet, I almost forgot they were here.

“Well, you don’t have to with me, as you’ve come to realize.” I smiled.

“We have to do this again sometime! This was so fun.” Wren said. She climbed into the car and I followed. The guards piled in and we began our journey back to the palace.

“It really was. I haven’t had this much fun in a while.” I said.

“We can do it as often or little as you want.” She said.

The rest of the ride home we chatted about boys and clothes. I really enjoy her company, she even reminds me of Charlie some.

“I’ll see you later, girl! Have a fun night.” She winked at me.

“Thanks, you too. And merry Christmas!” I said as I walked away.

“Merry Christmas!” She yelled back before she pulled out of the drive.

I walked towards the front door, followed by the guards with the bags. When I got to the door, one of the guards slowly opened it and poked his head in.

“Coast is clear, Princess.” He said. I almost squealed excitedly. I didn’t get a ton of gifts.. just a few that called to me.

“Okay, good. Sneak them into the main hall for me. And could you put them in the little bench thingy that opens?” I whispered.

“Yes, I can do that.” He said. He held the door open for me and I ran inside to find my mates.

“You’re back!” Klaus said from the dining room as I was passing it. I opened the door and saw all of my mates dressed in tuxedos, sitting at the empty table.

“Yes. What are you guys doing?” I asked.

“We were just waiting for you,” Alastair said.

“In the dining room?” I asked.

They all looked at each other before nodding their heads.

“I was already in here. They just joined.” Klaus said. I nodded my head.

“I’m going to go get ready. I assume from the tux’s that I need to dress nice.” I said.

“You could dress like a hobo and I would still find you the most s*xy woman alive,” Alastair said. I rolled my eyes and smiled.

“No way I’ll be dressing like a hobo tonight.” I turned around and walked out.

••••••••••••••••••••••••

“Gods you look amazing,” Alexei said.

“Careful, you’ll start drooling.” I smiled.

“Maybe we should just stay here..” Klaus said. He wiggled his eyebrows.

“She just spent all that time getting ready. I think she’d kill us.” Alastair said.

“Yes.. yes I would,” I replied. I grabbed my purse and stood up.

“You look good in every color,” Klaus said. I’m wearing a long sleeve, emerald green dress, it stops mid-thigh. The neckline is very low, it dips between my br*asts. Just the perfect amount of s*xy, in my opinion.

“Anyone want to tell me what we’re doing?” I asked. They all stayed silent.

“Dinner, for sure,” Alexei smirked. I rolled my eyes.

“I figured that much,” I said. He chuckled and pulled me against him.

“Dinner.. a walk.. then we can come back and watch Christmas movies for the rest of the night in the matching pajamas Alastair got,” Alexei said.

“Matching pajamas?” I almost couldn’t contain my excitement.

“Yes. With fuzzy socks.” Alastair said.

“Better hurry up guys, from the looks of it.. if we don’t get out now, she’ll keep us here.” Klaus joked.

“Hey, I’d be happy with just the pajamas and movies.” I giggled.