Chapter 187 Lilith POV

Chapter 187 Lilith POV
I wrap my arms around myself, trying to keep warm. Dragon pulls my sweater from our beach bag and helps me put it on. He has been over-attentive, protective, and possessive. We have two months left, and our pup will be here, we still haven’t picked a name. The night is clear, not a single cloud in sight, the waves crashing gently on the beach.

We are sitting on the beach, lanterns around us illuminating the sand. The fire crackles between us all. Nova has her head in Rage’s lap as she scrolls on her phone, Ares is wrapped in his embrace. Rose sits in Matt’s lap, and he makes her look even smaller. Jenna is lying between Frankie’s legs, his arms braced on the sand behind him. They are looking up at the stars. Lacy and Lucas are facing each other, whispering about something. Then there is Caden and Teresa, proudly sporting their mate marks. We were all ecstatic when she texted us pictures the morning after. He wasted no time asking, even though he isn’t a man of many words.

Teal is sitting next to Liam, giving him seductive looks. She has been obsessed ever since she heard his horror story. Calypso is asleep in his arms, making him look softer, kinder. Not that we’ve known him as anything else, he has been nothing but good to me. I’ve never feared him, but then again, I don’t fear anyone. Even my fear toward Dragon was brief.

Dragon’s hand slips beneath my sweater, landing on my bare belly. He caresses me gently, his head tucking into the crook of my neck.

"Is that better? Are you warmer now?" he asks, placing soft kisses along my neck. I’ve been colder than usual lately.

"She’s fine, man! Relax!" Lucas laughs.

Dragon scowls at him and kicks sand their way. Soft laughter ripples through our small circle. I love the way Dragon fusses over me—every minute of every day since I told him. Even if, at times, it feels overwhelming. The last year felt like a lifetime, full of mistakes, words we couldn’t take back. But we made it through the worst of it. That’s behind us now.

I slip my hand into his, and he kisses my neck again. I love his scent. It took a week for it to fully surface after he took the oath and left being a Rogue behind. Dragon smells of tiare flower, sandalwood, and sea salt. Dimitri would have smelled the same...maybe slightly different.

"You’re all laughing at me now," Dragon says, rubbing my belly, "but just wait until you get to this point. I’ll be the one laughing."

The guys quiet down instantly, silence dropping over us like a weight. My eyes dart between them, we all know Lucas will be the worst. Maybe Matt after him. My gaze lingers on Lucas, and his eyes meet mine. He’s still such a hornball. He bites his bottom lip, his gaze dragging over my body.

"Lilith? Do you want to take a walk with me?" Ares asks.

All eyes shift to her. Dragon grips my hand tighter. There’s something in her expression—something serious. I pat his hand and stand.

"I’ve got her," she says with a small smile toward Dragon. He nods.

Ares takes my hand, and we walk to where the water meets the sand. The cool water soothes my sore feet. I wonder how much worse it will get as I grow bigger. Two more months, I chant silently.

"How did you deal with having two mates?" she asks once we’re out of earshot. "The sharing, I mean. Was it awkward?"

"I never overthought it," I admit. "The first time we were together, I let them lead. It just...felt natural."

"Hmmm."

"What’s wrong, Ares? Are you having second thoughts?"

"I just.." she exhales, her composure cracking. "I stress about being with Rage and Nova together. I’m not as experienced as the rest of you. I hadn’t even kissed anyone before him—and we just had sex for the first time this morning..." Her words begin to tumble out. "I feel like I might not be enough. Like she casts a shadow I can’t step out of. What if...what if she’s his favorite?"

There it is.

I take a steady breath and place my hands on her shoulders. "I can’t answer that for him," I say gently. "But yes—there can be favorites. Even when each person brings something different. It’s also possible he loves you both equally. And just because you feel this way now doesn’t mean you always will. A year from now, this might not even matter."

"You think so?"

She’s so perceptive, so intelligent—and yet here she is, doubting herself over something so human. It hurts to see. I know Nova would feel the same way; they’ve always been close. Closer than Rose and I were at their age.

"I know so," I say, offering her a reassuring smile. "But you should talk to them. Both of them."

"Ugh...I know," she groans softly. "I’m just scared."

"Take my hands," I say after a pause. "Look through my memories. Slowly. See what it was like for me, all my doubts."

She hesitates only briefly before placing her hands over mine. I feel her move through my memories, careful, precise, deliberate. She lingers where it matters most, absorbing everything.

When she pulls away, I feel drained, heavier than before. She steadies me as we walk back toward the group, until she suddenly stops.

"Did you have a favorite?" she asks quietly. "I’m sorry! I know Dimitri is gone, and I don’t want to hurt you… but did you prefer one over the other?"

I look at her.

I can’t answer that.

I made a promise—to myself. I would never say it out loud.

I loved them both. I always will.

Dragon’s voice cuts in, startling us.

"She’ll never say it out loud," he grins, slinging an arm around me, "but she’s always preferred my vanilla ass." He winks at Ares.

She shoves his shoulder. "You are...were a porn star. That is not vanilla."

"That’s just acting, little sis."