A Loss Of Their Mate Bond

Keira's pov

"I don't feel ready for this. I might have made a mistake," I say.

They all raise their eyebrows, looking quite bewildered.

"You don't mean that . . . marrying us was a mistake, right?" Angel Fenris questions.

I don't know how to apologise for this without hurting them. I am failing them in the worst way possible.

"I don't think I was ready to be your queen. I am utterly terrified of . . . "

"Sex?" Conrad questions. He doesn't sound as angry as I had expected. "It's fine to be shy the first time. You should know that you're absolutely beautiful, Keira. And making love isn't an immoral thing between married couples."

"You can touch us too if you like. Would you feel more confident if we got naked?" Garren asks with a smirk.

I am their mate and should be flattered. But I am still overwhelmed by indescribable fear.

"I don't think my instincts are working well," I say. "Can I get a glass of water?"

"Sure. We can also hold ourselves tonight. Wait for the moment that you're totally ready," Fenris suggests.

His brothers nod in agreement and I smile appreciatively. I am so glad that they are giving me more time even though I doubt I will be feeling different tomorrow. Nevertheless I leave the room to get a glass of water, hoping the little break from the room might clear my mind and I will be able to embrace this night confidently like every other bride.

* * * * * *

Angel Conrad's POV

"I don't understand. How can our own mate be terrified of sleeping with us?" Gallen questions in frustration.

"Judging from her actions it's clearly the first time she was about to have actual sex. You didn't expect her to excitedly strip for us like Lyna, did you?" I point.

"I didn't. But she should have been aroused because of our mate bond." Fenris argues. "What if she doesn't feel it?"

"I am sure she does, otherwise she wouldn't have married us," I respond. "Don't forget we didn't deserve her in the first place."

It worries me that situations pressured her to forgive us sooner than her heart was ready to. We didn't have much time to simply hang out and learn to like each other's company. It might take a lot longer than a day for our mate to actually feel comfortable stripping off her clothes in our presence.

"We should give ourselves a few days, see if we can find ways to make desire the act of making love with us," I suggest.

"You mean teach her how pleasurable it is?" Garren asks. "There are enough sensual texts in our library. Perhaps reading some may make her gain more interest in the act."

"You have my vote. Though I think getting naked and asking her for massage would have better results," Fenris says.

I really like his idea. But I am more afraid of scaring away our mate than I am interested in finding out how she would react to his idea.

She walks back into the room after several minutes with a smile but having fixed her nightgown where I had unbuttoned it.

"Can I still sleep by your side?" she nervously asks.

Garren responds by picking her up and carrying her to the big bed. We join them and take turns cuddling with her beautiful figure.

* * * * * *

Keira's Pov

I wake up sandwiched between two of my husbands, Conrad and Garren. The warmth is too enticing to leave, but my heart throbs with panic as I realize that I can neither smell their scents or feel our mate bond.

Garren kisses my cheek and neck as he wakes, his arm pulling me against his chest. His brows furrow in what appears to be confusion. He leans in again and inhales, a look of apprehension crossing his face.

"I . . . can't smell your scent," he says with a panicked voice that wakes his brothers.

"You have to speak so loud?" Fenris questions, ribbing his sleepy eyes.

"Why would I stay quiet when I have lost the ability to smell our mate?" Garren asks in panic.

"She is right beside you, idiot," Conrad snorts in annoyance before he too gets a puzzled look on his face.

"Did you do that spell again?" he asks with eyes full of worry.

I shake my head. "I can not smell your scents either. And as you well know I didn't do anything to mess with our mate bond." I answer.