♦ ♦ ♦

Everett looked after me last night, attending to my every last need. He makes me feel so loved, wanted and cherished. I'll never take for granted his kindness. Even if he says that aftercare isn't anything to praise, I still praise him.

He ran me a bubble bath, gave me the most delicious back massage and then cooked us dinner with chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. And in between that I had a bucket full of kisses, cuddles and words of endearment.

It's safe to say that what we did in the woods was a new experience but it gave me a wicked thrill. I ran and I ran, looking over my shoulder waiting for his presence. But because I trust him with my entire life, I let go and submitted.

My body thrived off every damn second and I still get wet thinking about it.

I think primal play is now going to be a part of our new routine and that sends goosebumps across my skin with anticipation and excitement.

This morning I'm greeted to kisses across my shoulder blades as Everett tugs me into his warm body. I pry my eyes open and smile, the comfort of our own bed brings me so much happiness. "Morning, angel." He grumbles, his hot breath fanning my bare skin.

"Morning," I whisper, clutching onto his hand.

I stare down at our fingers as they clasp together tightly.

"How are you feeling?"

"Good," I nod. "Loved."

He smiles against my back and kisses me again. "As you should every day, my angel."

I twist in his hold and glance up at his handsome sleepy face, his blonde locks have now fallen across his forehead. My fingers raise to brush them from his eyes gently and I lean forward to press a kiss to his chin.

"Are you going out today?" I question, remembering something he told me a few days ago.

Everett nods. "Yeah. Sibling day, remember? Fran's idea. I was shocked to be honest but I know it'll do us some good being together. We bicker too much and I know Milo needs some time out of the house."

I nod, dragging my fingers over his broad shoulder. "Sounds good. I hope you all have a good time."

"What are you going to do today?"

My shoulders raise only to fall. "A me day, I think."

"Mmm hmm," he pecks my lips. "What will that consist of?"

"Making myself some yummy food, practice my archery and wash my hair. It's hair wash day."

He chuckles gently. "Such an important day."

"It is," I press a hand against his chest. "What time are you leaving?"

"Soon, we agreed to go out early so we can get back early." His blue eyes flick across the bridge of my nose and down to my lips. "I'm going to miss you."

My eyes roll playfully. "You're so whipped."

"Agreed," he nods with confidence. "But at least I can admit it."

The smile that grows across my lips has Everett grinning back. "You're my best friend," I whisper against his mouth, kissing the corner of it delicately.

"You're my best friend too." He clutches me tighter. "You are my everything."

My eyes flutter shut at his words and I enjoy these few moments before he leaves to spend a well needed day with his siblings.

♦ ♦ ♦

I stand in the kitchen with my damp hair resting over my shoulder. It's been a few hours since the three of them left and I've enjoyed every second of my own company. I used to hate being by myself for so many years, probably because I hated who I was. But now I love to be by myself and have time to do things I want to do. It's therapeutic.

My fingers use a knife to cut through a banana that I peeled, along with some strawberries leftover from last night. I'm going to make the yummiest smoothie known to man–I haven't had many smoothies so it won't be hard to beat my own expectations.

Just as I put them into the blender along with some greek yogurt, the front door opens and I spot one of the guards walking directly to me. "Luna," he bows his head. "There is a man at the door asking for Milo."

I crease my brows. "Who is it?"

"He said his name is Nate."

My feet slide around the counter and I walk towards the gate with the guard. I can spot Nate from a mile away considering how tall he is but he seems out of place and distressed. I frown at his presence, surely he'd know that Milo was busy today.

"Nate?" I call out as the guard opens the door.

His brown eyes gravitate to mine. "Hi, Reign," he says quietly. "Is Milo here?"

I shake my head and clutch my cardigan closer to my body. "No, he's out with Fran and Everett. Was he meant to meet you today?"

Nate glances away and presses a hand to his forehead, cursing under his breath. "No, I–" he cuts himself off. "Sorry. I shouldn't have come."

My heart sinks in my chest at the tone of his voice. Something is wrong and he came here to find comfort in Milo and that has my blood heating with promise for their relationship. I know how patient Milo has been, he's wanted his trust for ages.

"Don't be silly," I step closer. "Come inside. Milo should be back soon."

He looks apprehensive. "Are you sure? I don't want to disturb you."

"Not at all," I shake my head in protest. "I was just making myself a smoothie. Nothing that interesting."

Nate hesitates for a second before he nods. "Okay. Thank you."

I offer him a smile to prove that I don't bite and we head inside, away from the cold air. Once we're in the kitchen I instruct him to sit in one of the stools, returning to my smoothie and making sure that there is enough for two.

Milo. Nate's here. I shoot through the mindlink to give him a warning.

What?! His response is immediate. Why?

I don't know. He seems unsettled. Asked for you. I told him to come in and that we'll wait for you to come back.

I'm heading back now. Don't let him leave, Reign. Please.

I'll try my hardest.

Love you.

Love you too.

I glance back at Nate who is staring down at the counter, his hands clasped together. That's when I notice that his fingers are trembling slightly and I frown.

"Are you okay, Nate?"

"Mmm?" His brown eyes snap to mine and then he clears his throat. "Yeah," he nods but he can't even convince himself. "I just–I needed to get out of the house for a little bit."

I nod in response and pour him a glass of the smoothie. "I understand the feeling."

"No," his voice is gravelly. "You don't."

My lips part as I sit beside him with my own glass, pressing over the smoothie towards him but he doesn't glance down at it. "Well," I say lightly. "If I don't understand then I'll be willing to listen so you could help me understand."

Nate turns to me slowly, eyes hooded like he's struggling to configure his own thoughts. I definitely know that feeling, not knowing what to think or what to feel. It's isolating and extremely frustrating.

"Sometimes I just feel like whatever I do, it's not good enough," he glances away from my eyes as if they're too much for him. "That I can never make people happy with my choices. It's exhausting and no one ever asks me what I'm feeling, what I really want to do. I make decisions to benefit others, not myself."

I pick up my glass and take a sip of my smoothie, silently commanding him to carry on.

"And I can't escape it. They expect so much of me but I don't know if I'll be ready," he sighs. I'm not entirely sure what he's talking about but I presume it's something to do with his pack, possibly his family. "And I don't even know why I'm telling you this. I'm sorry for showing up unexpectedly."

He stands from the stool and I lean out to him but I don't touch him. "Stay, please. Honestly. Milo will be back soon and he'll be really pleased to see you."

Nate searches my eyes for the honesty in them which is gleaming through, clear as day.

"I realise that you're probably struggling with your own stuff that's going on," I say cautiously. "But Milo struggles too."

I watch as he tilts his head slowly at my words. "He does?"

So I nod in response. "You should give Milo a chance to prove to you how amazing he is. He's been trying so hard to put things right and he only ever means well. I trust him with my entire life and he's helped me feel not so alone with my own mental health, as much as his."

Nate's throat bobs. "Is there something wrong with Milo?"

"No," I shake my head. It's not my place to say anything. "I think that you two just need to talk. Trust won't happen if you don't talk."

He nods and sits back down on the stool. "Trust isn't easy for me."

I slant my lips to the side. "Trust wasn't easy for me either," I admit. "It took me months upon months to trust Everett but now I wouldn't ever look back. He's given me so much. Never have I experienced happiness like this. But not just because of Everett, because of Milo and Fran. They've all done their part to make me feel welcome and I love them all dearly."

Nate closes his lips, jaw tensing as he ponders for a moment. "I want to let go but something inside me is telling me to be cautious."

"Taking your time isn't a crime," I say slowly. "But when you take that final leap, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner because I'd be lost without Milo in my life. He isn't someone you can just replace and once you get to know him, you'll see him the way that I do. The way that we all do."

"Thank you," he says gratefully. "For bringing me in."

"Don't thank me," I shake my head. "That's what we do, we support and look out for one another. I'm sure Milo is running down here as we speak."

Nate's eyes flick between mine. "You said that I was here?"

"Yeah. He really wants to see you, Nate." His throat clenches for a moment. "And I know you came here because you really wanted to see him too."

His expression softens as if I can see straight through his soul. "Maybe I don't want to admit it to myself but you're right."

The corners of my lips begin to turn. "Are you hungry?" I offer.

"No," he says quietly. "I'm not sure if I can eat right now."

"Well you're welcome to that smoothie if you want it," I point to the glass beside him.

His eyes fall upon it for the first time and he offers me a warming smile. "Thank you," he says before wrapping his hand around it and bringing it up to his lips to take a small sip. "I really am appreciative of this."

"I know," I say softly. "But if you're Milo's mate then you're family."

Nate's gaze begins to warm and his shoulders relax a tiny bit. Just as he opens his mouth to say something else, the front door to the house opens and we turn to find Milo walking towards us. His eyes glued to Nate's as if he's in shock that he's here.

"Hi," Milo swallows, drinking in his mate but also checking to make sure that he's not hurt. "Are you okay?"

He nods after a few moments. Their eyes don't look anywhere else but each other. "I didn't mean to turn up unannounced."

"You can turn up unannounced whenever you want," Milo breathes out with a jagged breath.

I can't help the tug at my lips with the connection between the two of them. Even I can see the bond reaching out for them to do something, for them to blend into one another. It's been months since they met and I could imagine the torture they've both been through.

"Do–" Milo cuts himself off, his eyes almost falling out of his head as he admires Nate all over again. "Do you want to go for a walk?"

Nate nods immediately. "Please. I'd like that."

And when Nate hops off the counter, following Milo's lead. I glance over my shoulder once as they step outside onto the patio, facing each other. Milo's eyes are full of concern and Nate lowers his head, mumbling something.

Milo pulls him into a hug and Nate doesn't protest, he accepts it. My heart melts inside my chest and I turn away to give them the privacy that they need. I pray to the Moon Goddess that this works out for them this time. I know they deserve it.

♦ ♦ ♦

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Author's Note

Milo and Nate, ugh I fucking love them so much🥹🥹🥹🥹

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