Her One and Only

Family Secrets

My eyes open to find Nyght still totally unconscious beside me. And I wake with gratitude knowing I had no X-rated dreams in such close quarters. The living room is silent, telling me her family is still asleep too.

I have to go to the pack training grounds today, to help keep the illusion that Nyght's family is visiting her in Japan. It was her father's idea, and it was brilliant.

Alex has been lurking around the field where we train. It's open to pack members, so I can't just tell him to leave, but it's been bothering me. Not only is he just an uneasy presence, I don't like how closely he is watching us.

I know he's not looking for tips on his form, some of the guys have confessed that he never did any training while he was "working" there. He just stared off into the distance, or studied the training guide I made.

He's an odd one.

I slip some clothes out of my dresser, and duck into the hall toward the direction of the bathroom. I was right, everyone is still asleep. To be fair, training starts at seven in the morning, and I wake up at six.

I exit the bathroom and sneak toward the door to put my shoes on, trying to do everything silently. The floor creaks and groans and I am forced to realize my house is not nearly as quiet as I remember.

As I'm about to open the door and make my escape, Aries appears behind me.

"Heading to work?"

I nod.

"Be careful. Some of the guys were telling me about that 'Alex' before I left. He seems to think Nyght rejecting him is your fault. Said something like you made her think he's a homophone? I don't know, but for whatever real reason, he is pretty pissed off."

I stifle a laugh.

"Thanks, Aries. I appreciate you looking out."

He gives me a thumbs up, and then lays back down on his air mattress.

It seems like her whole family is just comprised of sweet, well-meaning people. I didn't know that existed.

______

Nyght's POV

I wake up to an empty bed, no Miles anywhere. But gods does she smell amazing.

I still need to know what she wears.

I let out a long yawn, and change out of my pajamas.

My day-wear and night-wear aren't much different, but it's nice to be in a sweater rather than a t-shirt this time of year.

I slip out of the room quietly, just in case everyone is still asleep.

As my head peers around the corner, I see everyone sitting together in the living room chatting quietly.

"Good morning, Ny!" Miya exclaims.

I have always been the latest riser in my family. Beauty sleep or something, I don't know.

"Good morning everyone, anyone want coffee?" the question precedes another big yawn.

Everyone nods and I start the pot.

"I saw Miles leave this morning." Aries blurts.

"She said she was going in for daily training. I warned her about Alex."

My moms both snap their heads in his direction.

"About Alex what?" I question.

"About how the word around the pack is that he's angry at her for convincing you to reject him. I told her I thought that was unlikely, but he really seems to blame her."

Of course he does.

"I don't think he would take accountability in front of a jury of witnesses."

Miya laughs.

"I missed your roasts, Ny."

"Do you know anything more, Aries?"

He shakes his head, "No, just that."

I nod.

At least Miles knows...

I bring the fresh pot over with a few mugs and pour for everyone. We all stay and sip together in the living room, catching up some more and just talking about family. We did this a lot back when I lived in the pack house, mornings were always the best time for everyone to check in with each other. In big families it can be hard to get everyone into one place for any amount of time, but breakfast was a pretty surefire way to keep us wrangled.

Throughout the conversation I can't help but think about Miles and if she's okay. I know Alex isn't terribly bright, I just worry about any damage his hurt ego could inflict. Miles is incredibly strong, but sneak attacks can get anyone. I can feel Noctis getting worked up by the thought of it all. If Alex did anything to hurt Miles I'm not sure I'd be able to hold back from hauling ass into the pack house and dragging him back out.

"Nyght?"

Miya's voice pulls me from my thoughts.

"Yeah? What? Sorry, I-"

"No, you're okay. What's wrong? You look upset." All the eyes in the room are fixed on me.

"Oh, uh. Just worried about Miles, I guess." I don't know how to say I'm fantasizing about violence right now.

"I do have a question, though." I add. "Do wolves ever like, become protective of friends?"

They all share glances of confusion.

"I don't believe they do," Momma starts, "I've only heard of them protecting family and mates."

I nod.

Weird.

Mom looks at me, examining my face. "Has your wolf been... Protective?"

I nod carefully.

"Yes, but I'm sure it's nothing. I think it's just out of gratitude and admiration."

Aries and Miya look at each other, lie they have an inside joke I don't understand.

"What?"

Everyone shakes their heads.

"Nothing, dearest. I'm sure we'll all understand in time." Momma smiles.

I guess.

______

Miles POV

The drive home without Nyght always drags by. She's an excellent passenger deejay. Trees on trees pass by me, the fading blue sky changing overhead.

I'm nervous for when Nyght's family leaves. I'll be alone with her again. Not that I don't want that, but I don't know how much longer I can stand being near her without being able to touch her. Having her in my house is like constantly having the most delicious cake just sitting in your fridge and trying not to eat it. I want to eat it.

The thought of sinking my teeth into her neck plagues my mind all day. Our dream plays on repeat every waking moment. I mean, if we really did share the dream, of course.

But of course, she is straight. And has a mate.

"Who cares?"

Lumen. Please.

I'm already haunted by my own desire for her, Lumen just makes it all worse.

"Four more days."

The yearning concludes as I pull into the gravel driveway and park outside the cottage.

I walk inside to find them all still sitting on the couches, just talking and enjoying each others company. Nyght waves me over to where she is sitting, and pats the space beside her excitedly.

You wouldn't know we were just friends by how we interact. She always wants me at her side.

I plop down, and listen politely to the conversation.

"All I'm saying is, I don't think Alex is your last chance."

Oh, great! We're discussing her prospects! Her male prospects.

"And all I'm saying is that, even if he is, I really don't mind."

I perk up at her response.

"I mean, I've been so happy out here with Miles. Maybe I don't need a mate. Maybe I'll be a happy spinster!"

Aries laughs.

"You need a mate."

We all look toward him, Miya a bit more aggressively.

"Says the guy who is also meatless, okay." Nyght shoots back.

"I-" he hesitates.

Miya's eyes widen.

Nyght stares suspiciously at her brother.

"What, Aries?"

His eyes dart around the room for an excuse.

Miya sighs.

"I cannot believe this is happening now."

Nyght's focus snaps in her direction.

Miya cringes, "Okay. Aries, tell her."

We all turn to Nyght's older brother.

He shakes his head.

"Dad said to wait, but I guess it's my fault it slipped and I need to just--rip the band-aid off."

He breathes in deeply, avoiding Nyght glaring in his direction.

"So, Miya turned twenty-one back in February. Obviously you know that, Nyght. You were there."

She nods, still cautiously squinting.

"What you don't know, is that the next morning after she had transformed and everything..."

"Oh my gods, Aries, just spit it out." she demands.

"Miya and I are mates. I found her on the Circle the next morning, and it just happened. We've been together ever since."

The silence in the room is deafening.

Nyght's suspicious glare turns into a wide-eyed masque of disbelief.

"I was so worried you would think I wasn't good enough for him, and then when I finally got the courage to tell you your dad broke the news about the rogues and. We all just decided it was best if we kept it from you for a while longer. To let you focus on being safe and hidden.

"You 'all'?" Nyght interjects.

"Who else knows?"

Aries looks down.

"Outside of the family, no one."

She nods.

"So all of you kept this from me?"

They all nod.

"The only one here who didn't know is Miles."

Nyght looks at me.

"At least there's someone in this room I can fully trust."

My heart pounds. I never thought hiding my feelings would feel so dishonest, but it seems Nyght really values vulnerability and the truth.

The others look to the floor in shame.

"I really wanted to tell you, Ny. Honest. I just couldn't take the thought of my best friend telling me I wasn't good enough for her big brother.."

Nyght scoffs.

"It's like you forgot who I am. Could you really not trust me, or did it just feel easier to keep me in the dark? To let me think you both understood what it was like to have no mate?"

They both fall silent.

"Whatever, I would never be upset with you falling for my brother. However, I am upset that you created a fake relationship and lied to everyone but me about it. That's f*cked up, Miya."

The hurt is clear on Miya's face.

"And Aries, are you serious? Clearly you know your baby sister well enough to know I would not have cared. I mean, again, I wouldn't care now, but let's see. What month is it? Yeah, it's November. February to f*cking November."

She stands up.

"I need to be alone for a minute. I'll be on the patio." She walks off.

✨🌙☀️✨