<h4>Chapter 354: Draven’s Sinister n</h4>


    <strong>Evaline:</strong>


    Dinner had stretched longer than I expected, and for once, I didn’t mind.


    With the house so close to the Academy, practically behind it, my friends agreed to stay for dinner on my insistence. At first, I worried they might feel awkward around the brothers, but my fears melted away when I saw how easily the evening unfolded.


    Kyros and Draven somehow ended up deep in conversation aboutbat training methods, while Mallory had somehow managed to rope Kieran into a debate about how to take care of a newborn properly.


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    I couldn’t decide if she was brave or reckless to challenge him so boldly, but to my surprise, he looked more amused than irritated, his sharp features softened by the faintest smirk.


    Meanwhile, Rowan had naturally gravitated toward Oscar. It made sense - Rowan had been working under him for a while now, and the ease between them was undeniable. Their conversation flowed seamlessly, as if they had known each other for years rather than months. Watching them, I felt a swell of warmth inside me.


    These were the two halves of my life - my mates and my friends. To see them merging without tension, to watch the edges of fear and formality blur into something morefortable, it was more than I could have hoped for.


    I leaned back in my chair, cradling my ss of water, and just let myself soak in the moment.


    But of course, peace neversted long in my life.


    By the time dessert was cleared away and my friends had finally stood up to head back to the Academy, promising to return tomorrow for a "baby-naming game" Mallory and Kyros had plotted, I thought I might finally get some quiet. Tomorrow’s event was already giving me butterflies - half nerves, half excitement - but I couldn’t deny how sweet it felt to have them so invested in my son’s future.


    But the moment the door closed behind Rowan, and I turned to face the living room, I realized quiet was thest thing on my agenda tonight.


    Because I was surrounded.


    Draven stood to my left with a dangerous glint in his eyes that screamed trouble. Oscar loomed to my right, wearing the exact same expression - mischief sharpened to a point. They didn’t even try to hide it.


    I crossed my arms and gave them both a look. "What are you two up to?"


    Draven smirked first, stepping closer until his shadow mingled with mine. "Oh, nothing sinister. Just... nning for the night."


    I arched an eyebrow. "The night?"


    "Yes." He tilted his head, utterly shameless. "We need to decide sleeping arrangements."


    Oscar chuckled, low and smooth, like this was all some grand joke. I wasn’t sure whether to be amused or worried.


    Draven, clearly pleased by my wary expression, leaned down until his breath tickled my ear. "See, we can’t all pile in with you... not yet, at least. The baby needs space. So, I have devised a n."


    He rocked back on his heels and folded his arms, clearly proud of himself. "Four brothers. Four nights. Each one of us gets a turn sleeping with you. On the fifth and sixth nights, we pair up. Two brothers with you. And the seventh day..." His grin widened, downright wicked. "...that’s your choice. You can sleep alone, or invite someone. Or..." He let the word hang, his eyes glinting, "...all of us."


    Heat rushed to my cheeks before I could stop it. "Draven!"


    "What?" he asked innocently, though his tone was anything but.


    Oscarughed outright this time, his eyes dancing as he added, "Don’t look at me. He’s the one putting it into a schedule. I just agreed it was fair."


    Despite Draven’s cheekiness, there wasn’t really anything wrong with the idea. I did need someone with me to help during the nights. Madam Elira had kindly offered to keep the baby in the nursery with her, but I wanted him with me, at least for these first few months. I needed to breastfeed him, to wake up at the first sound he made. Keeping him close wasn’t just about practicality... it was instinct.


    Thankfully, none of my mates had objected to that. And truthfully, Draven’s n did make sense.


    "Fine," I muttered, trying to sound exasperated even as I fought a smile. "But how do you n to decide the order? Draw straws? Rock, paper, scissors?"


    Oscar’s grin turned sharp. "A game, of course."


    I groaned. Of course.


    The next ten minutes were filled withughter, a deck of cards, and far too much smugmentary. I sat off to the side, rocking the baby’s crib gently with one hand while watching the chaos unfold. River yed his hand with ruthless precision. Draven cheated shamelessly, only for Oscar to call him out every time, and Kieran sat among them with the calmest expression of all.


    Which is why I nearly choked when Draven suddenly announced, "Winner of first round - Kieran!"


    My head snapped up. "What?"


    Kieran blinked, clearly just as surprised as I was, but Draven was already grinning like he had orchestrated the whole thing. "That’s right, darling. Tonight, you’ll be sleeping with our esteemed professor here."


    I gawked at him. Of all four of them, it had to be him. My heart lurched in my chest, and heat pooled under my skin. Kieran - who I had only just found as my mate. The thought of sharing a bed with him tonight, of being so close when we hadn’t yet had a moment alone since the truth came out...


    I narrowed my eyes, suspicion prickling. "You rigged it."


    Draven ced a hand dramatically over his heart. "Darling, I’m offended you would think me capable of such underhanded tactics."


    Oscar coughed. "You are being overdramatic, little brother."


    I groaned again, burying my face in my hands.


    When I finally peeked through my fingers, it was to find Kieran watching me, his eyes unreadable but his lips tilted with the faintest, tentative smile. Something in my chest fluttered violently, half nerves, half anticipation.


    And I couldn’t help but think... of all the nights, of all the possibilities, maybe this was exactly the one I needed most. Or did I?