Royal's Belonging

First Cuddles

Anastasia’s POV

         I have no idea how long I slept before jolting awake. I let out a scream as four men burst through my door looking for danger. I soon recognize them as my masters.

         “Sweetheart,” Dom starts, “What happened, are you ok?” They all look at me with varying degrees of concern visible on their faces. Wait, why are they here? That’s when I realize I am crying from the nightmare I just had.

         “We heard you screaming, crying, and thrashing around.” Alexei explains seeing I am still confused as to why they were in my room. “You all head back to bed,” He directs looking at the others, “I’ll make sure her wounds are ok and get her back to sleep.” They nod and head out the door. Nic pauses, briefly looking back at me before exiting, closing the door behind him.

         “Ssshhh, you’re ok little one,” Alexei comforts, “You’re safe now, no one will hurt you.” That’s when I notice I am shaking and silent tears are still running down my face. He walks over and sits on the bed next to me. With gentle yet firm movements he pulls me to lay partially in his lap with my head resting on his chest.

         Pulling up the thin shirt I was wearing, he checks my back. Satisfied I didn’t injure myself further he drops my shirt back down. I snuggle closer into his comforting embrace and breath in his scent.

         He starts to slowly rocks me while softly playing with my hair. Soon enough I am calm and start to feel sleepy. As I am dozing off I feel him shift me, laying my down in my pile of blankets. When he moves to stand and leave, I reach out and tough his arm.

         “Stay? Pwease?” I mumble quietly.

         “Of course, little one. I’m right here, sleep now.” With that, he lays down next to me and gently tugs me till I am nestled against his chest. I feel his slow breathing and steady heartbeat lulling me to sleep.

Nicholai POV

         Screaming. I rush out of bed and follow the sound. Soon I hear three sets of near silent feet behind me: my brothers. I reach Anastasia’s room and burst in, my brothers on my heels. We scan the room recognizing it is an invisible threat. She is having a nightmare. We sigh in relief as she jolts upright screaming as she sees us in her doorway.

         s**t, her back. I mind link them, seeing them nod slightly, she probably hurt herself. Whether from thrashing around or sitting up so quickly.

         “Sweetheart,” Dom asks, “What happened, are you ok?” We all scan her, looking for distress or signs of a panic attack as she is shaking and quietly crying.

         “We heard you screaming, crying, and thrashing around.” Alexei explains seeing she looks confused as to why we were all in her room. “You all head back to bed,” Alec tells us, “I’ll make sure her wounds are ok and get her back to sleep.” We nod and head out the door. I pause, briefly looking back at Alec and Anna before exiting, closing the door behind me.

         I take a deep breath before heading back to my room. What very few know is the terrible nightmares that used to plague me. I still get them on a rare occasion, but it is terrible to watch someone else have to experience one. I’ll have to talk to her to see if I can help I think to myself.

Alec POV

         As the others leave her room I cautiously move to sit next to her, trying not to startle her. I tug her towards my chest till her left side is laying across my stomach and chest. I lift her shirt to check her back but luckily nothing looks too badly disturbed from her thrashing. Dropping her shirt, I shift her to lay more comfortably in my arms. I smile slightly when I feel her trying to snuggle further into my chest.

         Once she seems content, I start to rock us and stroke her hair, hoping to calm her down. I drift off into my thoughts for a little while before realizing that her shaking stopped and her breathing was calmer. Thinking she was asleep, I shift her till she is laying in her mess of fuzzy blankets.

         Moving to stand and leave, I feel a hesitant touch on my arm. I look down to see her bleary eyes looking at me and her hand reached out to my arm.

         “Stay? Pwease?” She mumbled sleepily. Is she a little or just tired? I think to myself. She looks so cute and innocent, I can’t possibly leave her.

         “Of course, little one. I’m right here, sleep now.” I tell her, shifting some blankets to make room to lay down. Unable to resist temptation, I pull her towards me. I am pleasantly surprised once again as she nestles into my side, resting her head and arm on my chest. More content than I have ever been before, I fall asleep with my mate safe in my arms.