Her One and Only

Nyght Guard

Nyght POV

“What is taking her so long?” I tap my nails against the car door anxiously.

I took the long wait to hijack Mile’s stereo and blast my own music for a change. She doesn’t typically play music, but when she does it’s fairly calm and low-key. Personally, I like rock.

Just as a song is ending, she steps out of her house and locks the door.

“Finally.”

She opens the door and sits down.

“I see you took no time getting comfortable in ol’ Betsy, here” she says.

“She has a name?”

“All trucks should have a name, Nyght. It’s an unspoken rule!”

“It’s not so unspoken now” I laugh.

We stay pretty silent through the drive to the pack house. One thing I love about being around Miles is how comfortable our silence is. There’s never any pressure to say something between us.

I find myself gazing out the window, watching all of the ever-greens fly by…

“We’re here!”

I snap back to reality.

That was the fastest drive… ever.

Just as I go to get out of the truck, I glance over at Miles, she’s fidgeting with her clothes and hair again. She takes pieces of hair and places them strategically, rarely leaving anything in it’s place for more than a moment. Her green eyes have an intense gleam to them, right now. They’re normally quite soft, but something is causing her stress. Of course, if I was assigned to guard the pack Alpha’s daughter I’d be pretty stressed too…

She turns toward me.

“You ready?” she smiles.

I nod and we get out.

___________________

“Now I’m sure there’s little question as to why I’ve brought you two here today,” my father states.

“But I know you’re concerned for the deeper meaning.”

He sits down and takes a deep, long breath.

“As you both know, our pack has been small, unknown, and peaceful, for as long as we’ve been in the Americas. But recently, something has changed. We’ve had six accounts of rogue sightings in the past week alone. That’s more than we’ve had in the last ten years.”

I hear Miles gulp.

“Now, Miles, I’m sure that’s stressful to hear, being the Captain, but there’s something unique about these sightings.”

He pauses.

An omega pack member brings a file to my father, and he continues.

“Every rogue we’ve seen was seemingly nonviolent. Small, scrawny, pale… Not like your typical wall of muscle you see in rogues.”

“So this shouldn’t be a concern?” Miles questions.

“Maybe it seems that way, but so many sightings in so little time raises the idea that these boys might be scouts for something... bigger.”

I watch the expression on Miles’ face change. Her jaw clenches, revealing her strong face shape.

“Scouting for..what?” she asks.

“That’s the concern,” he replies.

“So what does this all have to do with Miles and I?”

My dad turns to me.

“This all started on your birthday, Nyght. Your mothers and I are concerned this might have something to do with you being of age.”

I pause for a moment, letting the words seep into my thoughts. What would a bunch of rogues want with me?

Miles breaks my train of thought.

“What more can we do to protect Nyght?” she asks.

My father turns to her and studies her face for a moment. I’m not sure what he’s thinking, but I can tell he’s debating heavily on something.

“The reason I assigned you to protect her is because you are our strongest warrior. I’ve never seen a wakai josei with such strength and drive. You have a fire behind your eyes, and you two have become so close in so little time. I trust no one more than you to keep my eldest daughter safe.”

I watched his words sink into Miles. I could watch her process them, and with every word that fell out of my father’s mouth, I could feel her strength grow a bit more.

“I do understand I am the strongest, but why not her mate? And why not keep me as captain and him on Nyght duty?”

I watch my father almost smirk, and then fix his face.

“Him? His position is just to keep him out of the way so we can figure everything out and not spread word of rogues.”

“So how am I supposed to prepare our men for said rogues? If I can’t tell them-”

“You must not tell them. Right now we don’t know who is friend and who is foe. Nyght’s life could be in danger, and we must not share what little information we have.”

“Sir, with all due respect, I alone cannot protect Nyght.”

“I know, and that’s why I suggested the training. If you are protecting Nyght, and she herself can hold her own…. Well, I will be shiawasena otoko, a happy man.”

I smile.

“Alright. Assuming that was all you had for us, I would really like to lay down and think about things. Are we clear to leave, father?”

He nods.

“Your mothers have kindly packed up your things, we all thought it’d be nice for you to have a home away from home while all of this is sorted out.”

He offers a comforting smile and I find myself wrapping him in a hug.

“They’re upstairs in your room waiting for you, if you’d like to go chat with them for a few minutes. Miles, I’d like to discuss some details regarding the rogues with you.”

I nod, smile in Miles' direction, and make my way to my old room in the pack house.

__

“Moms!”

I forgot how much I missed being around them! It’s only been a few days, but up until my birthday we spent so much time together. My younger sisters, Jilly and Alexi, are still elementary school age, which made time with my moms ever more important to them.

I find myself wrapped in the world’s tightest hug, I think they broke the world record, and do my best to reciprocate.

The hug ends, and I sit down on my now empty mattress. “Your sisters are going to have a hard time without you, Nyght.” Mom (Marianna) smiles at me. I feel a tear slide down my cheek. Momma (Alanis) wipes it away, and they wrap me in a hug once more.

Wolves don’t usually move far from home, especially not if you’re in the Alpha’s immediate family. Wolves are extremely “clingy” as humans like to put it. We love very hard, whether it be platonic, romantic, or familial. My family is especially clingy, we’ve always been super close like that.

“If you don’t come visit us when this has all blown over I’m gonna be so mad at you, Nyghtie.”

“Why wouldn’t I come back, momma?”

She looks to Mom, seemingly for back up.

“Maybe you’d have so much fun out there with Miles you won’t miss us..” Mom says.

“Exactly!” Momma chimes in, relief soaking her voice.

“I have to come home, my mate is here.”

They look at eachother and stare for a moment.

“What? I feel like everyone is a part of some inside joke I don’t understand right now..”

Momma stops me.

“Nothing, honey. You’ll know soon enough.”

“You guys are starting to sound like my wolf,” I laugh.

“What do you mean?” mom asks.

“Noctis has been super weird with me lately. Every time I bring up Alex she gets all cryptic and angry. The only time she’s calm is when I’m with Miles.”

They look at eachother again.

“I think some wolves take time to get used to being mated.” Momma replies.

I study her face, and accept her answer.

“Alright, baby. We should get you going to safety. We packed all of your things, including your stuffed animals. We’re having one of your Father’s omegas bring whatever you can’t fit in Miles' truck to you first thing in the morning. She told us she happened to have a spare room, which is just lovely. Remember, we’re just a call away, and no matter what your father says you can always come spend the night here. Miles and Alex should have the guard ship-shape very soon, and once we’re sure of your safety you’re welcome to come back permanently.” Mom hugs me as momma finishes her final statement.

“Here, I made this for you.” Mom hands me a small stuffed dog, hand sewn with a floral pattern. It smells like the perfume they both wear. I hug it tightly to attempt to mask my tears.

“I love you both so much.”

We group hug, and they walk me back down to the pack dining hall.

Miles POV

“So they only come when she’s here? How do we know that they won’t follow us to my house?” I question.

“I can count on you to ask the most important questions. I was careful to make sure no one knows where Nyght is staying. I told a few people she’ll be visiting family out in Japan for a few weeks, and others I just reminded them to mind their own. I trust you two will keep a low profile, especially Nyght. I know how much she loves going out, and I need you to be sure she doesn’t come here frequently.”

I let his words sink in a moment.

“Does anyone know where she will be?”

“Only immediate family and extremely close friends. Not even Alex knows,” he replies.

I feel my blood simmer at the thought of Alex coming near my home. My safe place. No douchebags allowed.

“Good. And what is the plan if someone finds out?”

He blinks in response.

“Gods, I hadn’t thought of that.”

“I guess we’ll burn that bridge when we get to it.”

He laughs.

“In my defense, I’ve only had about twenty four hours to prepare.”

We both chuckle.

“So if Alex doesn’t know, does that mean you don’t approve?” I ask.

I watch him calculate his response.

“I’m not sure I can trust him, yet. And, I know Nyght isn’t either. Not to mention, he hasn’t done a great job of earning my trust. I gave him his current job to keep him busy, and so you can stay focused on keeping my Nyght safe. He’s never been the brightest, and I know I can’t trust him with sensitive information like this. But, I do know I can trust you.”

I smile, and turn to see Night and her moms coming into the kitchen.

“Ready to go?” she asks.

I nod and look to her father.

“I trust you will protect my daughter with your life,” he extends his hand.

I look him in the eyes, hoping to give some assurance.

“I will do everything in my mortal power to keep Nyght Tsuki safe, Sir.” I grab is outstretched hand and shake it once.

He smiles, nods, and turns to Nyght.

“My eldest daughter… I love you dearly, do you know? You are my pride and joy, my most fearsome child, and I trust no one more to keep you safe than yourself. Miles is just the muscle. You, my dear, are the driving force in your own protection. You and Noctis are a force stronger than any I’ve ever known.” He kisses her forehead and holds her close.

I look to her mothers, who are holding hands, waiting for their moment with their eldest daughter.

By the conversation I had with her father, Nyght could be in serious danger. He didn’t mention much to her besides the scouts sent to watch her, but he went in far more detail with me. There’s been more than just sightings. Nearby packs have been attacked, in what seems to be an attempt at an overthrow. He said that the only reason a few rogues would attempt to overthrow an entire pack, is if they’re trying to gain close ground to a potential target. He said the moment they caught wind of a nearby attack he realized he needed to find someone to keep Nyght safe, as she’s the eldest daughter with Alpha blood.

“Dad.. I’m scared.”

Hearing her voice shake made me cringe. Anytime I hear pain in her voice it takes every atom in my body to not come to her side, she’s such a pure soul.

He caresses the back of her head and shushes her softly.

“Everything will be okay, my darling.”

✨🌙☀️✨