The next morning, sunlight streamed through the large windows of Lydia's room in the royal wing of the palace. Jacob stirred awake, a lazy smile spreading across his face as memories of the previous wild night flooded back.
He turned his head. Lydia lay beside him, her expression peaceful in sleep.
Jacob propped himself up on one elbow and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Good morning, beautiful."
Lydia's eyes fluttered open. She smiled sleepily. "Good morning."
Jacob leaned down and kissed her softly. "How about we take a shower together? Save water and all that."
Lydia raised an eyebrow. "Save water? That's your excuse?"
"It's a valid environmental concern."
She laughed and pushed him lightly. "Fine. But no funny business. I'm tired after what you put me through last night."
"Of course," Jacob said with mock seriousness. "No funny business."
---
An hour later—after a shower that definitely involved some funny business—Jacob and Lydia made their way to the dining room. It was empty.
Jacob sighed. "Looks like we slept in."
They had a quiet breakfast together, just the two of them, before heading to their private living room in the royal wing.
Inside, they found Melissa, Allison, Malia, Kitty, and Saphira already gathered. Melissa and Allison were curled up on one couch, looking through a shopping catalogue and murmuring excitedly. Malia sat on another couch, holding Kitty in her lap as they watched a rodeo show on the massive screen. Saphira was nestled beside them, her tiny tail swishing as she watched the horses on screen with bright, curious eyes.
Jacob kissed each of his wives in turn—Melissa, Allison, then Malia—before settling next to Malia and wrapping an arm around her. Kitty immediately climbed onto his lap instead, purring.
Jacob glanced at the screen. Cowboys on bucking broncos, bulls trying to throw their riders, the crowd roaring. "I didn't know you liked watching the rodeo."
Malia turned to him, her eyes gleaming. "It looks fun. Can you take me there sometime? I want to see it in person."
Jacob pulled out his phone and did a quick search. His eyes lit up. "Actually, there's one happening right now. Rodeo Houston. It's a huge event—lasts two to three weeks. They've got everything: bull riding, concerts, carnival rides, even a barbecue competition."
Malia's eyes widened. "Barbecue?"
Jacob scrolled further. "Yeah, and get this—right now they're having the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. Over two hundred teams competing. Live music. All the barbecue you can eat."
Allison looked up from her catalogue, interest piqued. "What else does it have?"
Jacob read from his phone. "A carnival with rollercoasters and a giant Ferris wheel. A food trail with all kinds of unique stuff—funnel cakes, turkey legs, fried everything. And shopping. Lots of shopping. Western wear, custom boots, hats, jewelry."
Lydia's eyes sparkled. "Shopping?"
Melissa nodded approvingly. "That sounds fun."
Allison grinned. "Can we all go?"
Jacob looked around at his wives' eager faces and laughed. "Alright, alright. We'll skip school this week and all go together."
Melissa asked, "Can we take Scott?"
"Sure," Jacob said. "Anyone who wants to come is welcome." He stood up. "I'll tell Cogman to book us a hotel and get passes. Then I'll fly to Houston so I can teleport everyone there. I don't feel like driving all that way."
Malia jumped up. "I'm flying with you!"
Jacob smiled. "Alright. Let's go."
---
After a quick word with Cogman, Jacob and Malia teleported outside. They shifted, unfurling their wings, and channeled their lightning abilities. In an instant, they transformed into twin blue blurs and shot into the sky.
The flight from Beacon Hills to Houston took less than twenty minutes at their speed. They landed in a secluded spot on the outskirts of the city.
Malia grinned. "That was a nice flight! Can we look around before bringing the others?"
Jacob checked the time. "Sure."
They spent the next few hours exploring the Rodeo grounds—walking through the carnival, enjoying a few rides, and buying snacks.
Finally, Jacob found a quiet, hidden spot and sent a telepathic message to Allison: [Are you guys ready?]
Allison's voice came back instantly. [We've been ready for a long time now.]
Jacob replied, [Sorry about that. Malia wanted to have some fun.] Then he opened a portal to Serendell.
One by one, they stepped through: Allison, Melissa, Lydia, Kitty, Cogman, Stiles, Scott, Natalie, Chris, and Victoria.
Stiles looked at Jacob. "Hey, can you grab Erica and Tracy? They're waiting outside your mansion in Beacon Hills."
Jacob nodded and vanished.
He reappeared in front of his mansion, where Erica and Tracy stood waiting. Without ceremony, he grabbed their shoulders and teleported back to Houston.
Both girls stumbled slightly, looking dazed from the sudden journey.
Stiles caught Erica. "Thanks, man."
Scott caught Tracy. "Yeah, thanks."
Jacob waved it off. "No problem. Stiles, I'll bring your dad tonight."
Stiles grinned. "Awesome."
Cogman stepped forward. "I've booked us a block of rooms at a hotel near the Rodeo grounds. If you'll follow me, we can check in and get settled before the fun begins."
They followed him through the streets of Houston, ready for a week of rodeo, barbecue, and fun.
---
The next week in Houston was pure magic.
Jacob made sure every one of his wives had the time of their lives. He took each of them on a private date, one per day. Some days were carnival nights with cotton candy and Ferris wheel kisses. Others were quiet dinners at fancy restaurants or slow walks through the Western shopping districts, where he bought them whatever caught their eyes.
---
Victoria and Chris rediscovered their spark. They spent their days wandering through the carnival hand in hand, laughing like teenagers. Chris even won Victoria a giant stuffed bull at one of the game booths—a feat that required three attempts and a lot of muttered cursing.
---
Jacob brought Noah to Houston every night after his shift ended and teleported him back to Beacon Hills each morning before work. By the third night, Natalie and Noah finally made their relationship official. Everyone celebrated with them.
---
Stiles and Erica were inseparable. They rode every rollercoaster, won prizes at the carnival games, and ate enough barbecue to feed a small army. Erica laughed more in that week than she had in her entire life.
Scott and Tracy were more subdued but no less happy. They walked through the Western village, tried on ridiculous cowboy hats, and took countless photos. They went on double dates with Stiles and Erica, and Stiles even convinced them to try line dancing—which ended with him making a fool of himself and making everyone there laugh so hard they cried.
---
Even Cogman enjoyed himself, though in his own unique way.
He watched the rodeo shows with a serene smile, but his eyes lit up whenever someone got hurt—a cowboy thrown from a bull, a bull breaking loose and charging at the clowns, a horse going wild and biting the handlers. He clapped politely every time.
During one particularly violent bull-riding accident, Cogman actually cheered.
Melissa sighed beside him. "Cogman. People are injured."
Cogman's smile didn't waver. "Yes, my lady. It's wonderful."
Melissa just shook her head and ignored him, just like Jacob and the others had learned to do.
---
The week flew by in a blur of laughter, food, and joy. Too soon, it was over.
They returned to Beacon Hills.
Jacob and his family were now in Serendell, happy and content, gathered in their private living room. Everyone sprawled across couches, content sighs filling the space.
Allison stretched like a cat. "That week was amazing."
Jacob nodded, hugging Lydia closer. "Yeah. That was definitely fun."
They talked for a while, reliving favorite moments.
Melissa laughed along with them, but she noticed the way Jacob kept glancing at her. He was giving her teasing looks, winking at her whenever their eyes met.
Melissa's cheeks flushed. She knew that look.
'I better go to bed,' she thought. 'That handsome little pervert is giving me some very dangerous looks.'
She stood abruptly. "I'm going to bed. Goodnight, everyone."
She was halfway to the door when Jacob appeared beside her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Not so fast," he murmured. "I'm sleeping with you tonight."
Melissa's heart skipped. She stammered, "I—I'm not ready yet. You know that."
Jacob's expression softened. He brushed a strand of hair from her face. "I know. Don't worry. I'm just going to sleep next to you. That's all."
Melissa searched his eyes. "Are you sure?"
Jacob smiled. "Well… maybe make out for a bit. But I promise I'll stop when you say so."
Melissa blushed deeply, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Alright."
Jacob teleported them to her room.
---
Melissa changed into her nightclothes in the bathroom, taking deep breaths to calm her racing heart. When she emerged, Jacob was already in bed—sweatpants, no shirt, leaning against the headboard and smirking like an idiot.
Melissa's eyes traced the lines of his chest, his shoulders, his arms. 'This is bad,' she thought. 'That little idiot is way too hot. I don't know if I can resist tonight.'
She walked to the bed, turned off the light, and slipped under the covers. "Goodnight, Jay."
"Not so fast."
He turned her toward him and kissed her—deep, slow, thorough. Melissa's hands found his chest, then his shoulders, then his hair. She was breathless when he finally released her.
Jacob lay back and pulled her close, guiding her head to rest on his chest. "Don't worry. I'm in no hurry. I'll wait until you're ready."
Melissa's heart swelled. She looked up at him, eyes soft. "Thank you."
Then she kissed him.
It was gentler this time, but no less passionate. When they finally broke apart, she settled her head back on his chest with a contented smile.
Jacob smiled too, his hand moving slowly through her hair. Soon, they both fell asleep, wrapped in each other's warmth.
---
The next morning, Jacob woke up and found Melissa already awake and wearing a suit.
He glanced at her groggily. "Where are you going?"
Melissa smiled. "I need to go to the hospital. Today is my first day as the owner, so I need to be there."
Jacob blinked. "Okay, but isn't it too early?"
"It's 8 a.m. in the outside world."
Jacob pulled the covers up. "Okay, then I'm going back to sleep."
Melissa snatched the covers away.
She kissed him. "Get up. You need to go to school. And by the way, I'm taking Cogman with me, so you and the girls have to drive yourselves." She straightened and headed for the door. "See you later!"
Jacob sat up, rubbing his eyes. 'System, sign in.'
[Daily Sign-In Successful. Rewards Obtained:
- 7000 coins
- Apple Pie x50
- Onions – 100 kg]
Jacob stared at the list. 'Apple pie is nice, I guess. Onions? What am I supposed to do with a hundred kilos of onions?'
Another screen appeared.
[Reminder: Monthly Sign-In Available.]
Jacob's eyes lit up. 'Already been another month?' He rubbed his hands together in anticipation. 'System, monthly sign-in.'
To be continued… 😊