My Taboo Harem!

By the time breakfast began surrendering its final plates, the long table had divided itself into two distinct camps.

The younger women were preparing for the little trip with all the restraint of children who had just been informed that the adults had temporarily misplaced authority. Excitement passed between them in quick smiles, unfinished whispers and increasingly suspicious glances toward the doors. Maddie had already begun reorganizing plans no one remembered placing her in charge of. Yuki and Amber were debating something with the intensity of diplomats attempting to prevent a small but stylish war. Catrina looked torn between nervousness and delight, while even Sienna appeared to possess a quiet anticipation she would undoubtedly deny if confronted.

Melissa had no intention of joining them, neither did Mother, Roxanne, Patricia.

The decision had been remarkably easy.

They had exchanged only a few glances before reaching the same conclusion: the younger bloods could enjoy their adventure, while the more mature women remained behind and spent the day together.

No elaborate planning, formal invitation or the need to pretend they had chosen the quieter option out of responsibility.

They simply wanted one another’s company.

After everything that had happened, the thought of sitting somewhere comfortable, talking without interruption and learning more about the women now woven into Phei’s increasingly complicated life felt almost luxurious.

Roxanne had welcomed the idea immediately. Patricia’s expression had softened with genuine relief, as though someone had finally offered her an afternoon that did not involve business, political disasters or family secrets sharpening knives beneath the table while Diana agreed with a measured nod, though the warmth in her eyes betrayed how much the invitation pleased her.

Mother had smiled most brightly of all.

The mature women in Phei’s life were rarely gathered without the younger ones turning the room into something affectionate, loud and impossible to supervise. There was comfort in that chaos, certainly, but there was another kind of comfort in these mature women of similar experience sitting together without needing to perform strength every second; they saw themselves as the elders and supporting foundations of the young bloods.

Then Maya raised her hand:

She did it quietly from her seat, her pale fingers lifting into the air with such solemn politeness that Melissa nearly laughed before the girl had even spoken.

"May I stay with you too?"

Every face turned toward her.

Maya’s silver hair rested softly over her shoulders, and although her expression remained composed, there was the faintest uncertainty in her eyes. She looked as though she had prepared a longer explanation, lost courage somewhere around the fourth sentence, and decided a raised hand might survive the journey better.

Mother’s face warmed instantly:

"Of course, honey."

Melissa smiled at the same time. "You never have to ask."

The uncertainty disappeared from Maya’s expression, replaced by that gentle little brightness she carried whenever affection reached her before she had time to defend herself from it.

"Thank you," she said. "I thought perhaps this was specifically a gathering for just you guys, and while I am capable of maturity, I have been informed that my habit of overexplaining small emotional concerns may weaken the evidence. Still, I can sit quietly if necessary. I cannot promise complete silence because complete silence for several hours sounds unhealthy, but I can attempt moderation."

Roxanne laughed softly.

Patricia covered her smile with the rim of her cup.

"You are already invited," Melissa assured her. "No application speech required."

"That is fortunate. I had not prepared references."

Maya occupied a special place inside Melissa’s heart.

It had happened quietly, the way many of the most dangerous affections did:

Maya had never demanded attention or competed for importance and she had simply entered their lives with her strange moonlit tenderness, her gentle rambling and her ability to soothe Phei without diminishing anything he felt.

After her own daughters, Maya had gradually become Melissa’s favourite among Phei’s women.

She would never announce such a ranking aloud:

That was how household wars began, and Melissa had survived too much to be murdered over emotional mathematics before lunch.

Still, the truth remained.

Mother adored Maya just much more openly.

Maya was her favourite, with Maddie following closely behind, though Maddie’s position was probably maintained through a mixture of love, shamelessness and the kind of relentless affection capable of wearing down fortified structures.

Adriana joined the group soon afterward.

She came over carrying her coffee, graceful and composed, as though she had merely wandered into the group by coincidence rather than spent several minutes considering whether she belonged there yet.

"I have nothing urgent planned," she said. "Unless the invitation is limited."

Mother immediately made space for her even though she personally didnt know the woman.

"Nonsense. Sit with us."

Adriana hesitated for only a moment before accepting.

Melissa watched her settle into the group with a faint, private amusement.

Recent developments between Adriana and Phei had changed something.

Melissa’s friend had not openly declared herself part of his growing household, but denial had begun losing its dignity. There was a new awareness in the way she watched him, a warmth beneath her usual sharpness and the unmistakable composure of someone attempting to behave normally after crossing a line she had secretly wanted to cross for far too long.

Melissa knew Amber’s mother would become one of them soon.

’Perhaps she already has.’

The thought was strange enough that Adriana herself probably avoided examining it too closely. A Castellano woman, a mother, a mature beauty with an established life and enough pride to make negotiations exhausting, now sitting among Phei’s women and quietly accepting that her future might have taken an unexpected turn toward a certain amethyst-eyed Dragon.

’Life has developed an indecent sense of humour.’

The Goddess joined them as well after exchanging a final few words with Phei, her presence carrying that serene authority which made the room adjust itself around her without anyone consciously moving.

With that, the group was complete:

Mother.

Melissa.

Roxanne.

Patricia.

Maya.

Adriana.

And the Goddess.

An unusual gathering, but a welcome one.

Dravenna, predictably, shared none of their enthusiasm for remaining behind.

Melissa had known she would not before the Jade Dragoness even rose from her chair.

Dravenna had plans.

Whatever those plans were, they had nothing or everything to do with spending the afternoon playing with the younger women or pretending she had suddenly discovered an interest in harmless recreation.

The woman had dressed with intention.

Her grey cropped sports top left her toned stomach bare, the open hoodie doing nothing to soften the deliberate temptation of the outfit. Her joggers sat low against her hips, while every movement drew attention to the long, powerful legs she carried with far too much confidence.

Then there were her jade eyes that had remained fixed upon Phei often enough to make ignorance impossible.

Melissa had also noticed what Dravenna believed no one else had seen beneath the table. The slow extension of one leg. The subtle movement of her foot. The quiet little invasion of Phei’s space while the Jade Dragoness continued eating as though her lower body had not begun an entirely separate conversation.

Dravenna had always been talented at appearing innocent while committing crimes against peace.

Melissa knew her too well to be fooled.

Whatever the woman intended, it involved Phei.

That much was obvious.

Strangely, Melissa had no desire to interfere.

Once, she might have.

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