Big girls don't cry
22. Progress

Aleida’s POV

Yesterday was just as I had hoped it would be. We had fun, and it actually felt like we were a couple for the first time, which we are. My men genuinely are amazing... So, why can’t I let go of the feeling that something is about to ruin everything? The feeling has been deep within me for quite some time, actually. I just can’t figure out what or who it is, even if my life depends on it; I can’t talk to anyone about it either; they’ll just increase the protection around me and make it all more significant than it is. No, thank you, it’s the pack members who need the protection and not me. I can protect myself, my mates, and my pack just fine. As both Killian and Henry say every day, I’m a warrior. I’ve had to fight for my survival ever since I was a child; why should I stop now? Even though I haven’t shifted yet, I can take care of myself. With a deep sigh, I sit up in bed and rub the sleep away from my eyes. I can see the sun’s rays through the blinds, and just such a simple thing makes my mood get better. In my good mood, I get up from the bed and walk out into the bathroom connected to my bedroom. I start the shower and throw my dirty pj’s together with my underwear in the laundry basket. My reflection shows my whole body in its natural splendor. Not to brag, but I really have a nice body nowadays. Big butt, big boobs, and curves to die for. There’s not much to complain about! Once upon a time, I hated my body and myself. I’m still sorry about all the scars that adorn my body; today, I can wear them with pride. My scars tell my history and don’t allow my imperfections to define who I am as a person. I stand under the warm water jets, wash my hair, scrub my body rapidly and rinse off all the foam; I don’t know why I feel so impatient. It’s probably my mates that make me want to hurry to see them. We don’t sleep together yet; they don’t think I’m ready for it, but they’re close enough. They’ve got one room each on the sides of my bedroom. It’s close enough for me to feel their scents and them mine. It may seem strange that we take it at such a slow pace, considering that most mates fulfill the mating process within the first days they spend together. But if we look at my story, it’s not very strange at all. Most people who find their mate are practically assembled with them, especially in the first period. You can compare it with the “new love” period that humans have with their loved ones. However, we’re not an ordinary couple, especially not since we’re three instead of two. Every time I bring it up with them and ask how the pack members react, they just counter that I get double love. How can I argue with that? A smile plays on my features when I drown in my thoughts, and I wrap my hair in a towel before walking up to the closet. I pull out a pair of torn jeans, a knitted sweater, underwear, and a couple of comfortable slippers. I dress up and take one last look in the body mirror before walking out the door. The smell of bacon tickles my senses, and I almost moan by the scent; I love bacon, or yes, all the meat, really. Me and meat have an immortal relationship that no one can break. I skip down the stairs and land with a thump on the living room floor. Kian sits in the kitchen with a newspaper in his hand while Miliano fry bacon at the stove. None of them notice me, which amazes me; they should feel my scent already when I walk out of my bedroom. They must be focusing a lot if they don’t notice their mate standing a couple of meters away. I sneak up to Kian and kiss him lovingly on his head. Immediately afterward, I put my arms around Miliano’s waist and hug him.

“Good morning to you too, baby girl,” Miliano says and reaches down to kiss my cheek.

I turn to Kian, who still isn’t noticing me, even though I kiss him. For goddess sake! I sigh loudly at him, and Miliano laughs behind me, making me playfully smack him on his arm, making him laugh even more. It doesn’t even help when I clear my throat in the hope of my dear mate noticing me. No reaction at all. In the end, my patience disappears, and I snatch the newspaper away from him, which I then throw away into the living room. It’s only now that he notices me and looks at me with his eyes closed. I give him a stern look with my arms crossed over my chest and slowly stomp with one foot on the floor, waiting for an explanation.

“Uhm... Hey, lepa,” he says with a horrified expression.

“Oh, brother, aren’t you in trouble now!” Miliano exclaims between his laughs, and Kian looks confused.

“I’ve kissed you and tried to make you react; since you didn’t, there’s no morning kiss for you,” I say and huff before walking up to the coffee maker.

I can feel an arm snaking around my waist while I’m filling my cup with hot black coffee.

“Please, lepa, I’m really sorry. Pretty please, can I have one of those amazing kisses of yours?” Kian asks and pouts.

“Nah, uh, if you don’t acknowledge your mate when she walks into the same room as you and kisses you, then you don’t deserve a kiss,” I state calmly, laughing inside my head.

“Ouch!” Miliano snickers while putting three plates on the table.

“Zip it, baby brother!” Kian growls.

Miliano and I laugh at Kian, who put his arms over his chest like a disgruntled little boy who has lost his right to watch tv. I sit opposite them and look out the window next to me. Miliano pushes his brother; at first, he looks pissed off before he also gazes at me. I turn to them with a perplexed look.

“What?” I ask, still chewing my bacon, which makes them chuckle lowly at me.

“The sun makes you look like an angel. You have a temporary halo over your head,” Kian says, smiling.

“And that smile makes you even more beautiful; I didn’t even know it was possible!” Miliano continues.

“Well, dear gentlemen. We have something to clear up here and now... The devil doesn’t smile; she smirks,” I answer, smirking, and walk up to the sink to put my plate down. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Damn, you’re boiling hot right now,” Kian suddenly says, and I see his eyes change color.

It frightens me a little bit. I’ve seen what can happen if someone’s wolf takes over.

“Hey, Kian, relax. You are scaring her,” Miliano says in a scolding tone.

Kian shakes his head, and his eye color goes back to normal. He looks worried at me when he moves towards me, but I’m backing away unconsciously. Kian’s eyes show me a “sorry” look. With slow steps, I walk towards him and lean my forehead against his. He releases a breath that it seems that he keeps inside before lifting me and put me on his lap. I crawl into his lap and almost feel like a little child. His heartbeat calms me, and the sparks flutter all over my body. Miliano holds my hand in his, and I giggle a little that he so obviously feels left out. I reach out for him and puts my lips against his. Kian huffs again, really annoyed that he doesn’t get a morning kiss.

“Aw, baby, you feeling left out?” I coo at him while he continues to pout and nod his head but suddenly smiles big at me. “What?”

“You called me baby,” Kian states proudly.

“Yeah, so?” I ask, not understanding a thing.

“You never give us nicknames; this makes both me and my wolf purr,” he answers, nuzzling my neck to prove a point and breath in my scent before he puts me in Miliano’s lap. “I got to go; I’ll see you later, lepa. Milo, you’re in charge of keeping her safe and alive.”

“Yes, sir!” Miliano answers and salutes his brother, making me do an internal facepalm while Kian smirks and walks out the front door.

“Looks like it’s just you and me for the day, baby girl; what do you want to do?” Miliano asks me and caresses my cheek, and I tap my cheek, thinking.

“How about going to the grocery store?” I ask, and he looks at me with a strange look.

“The grocery store, really? You can choose which store you want, and you choose that? Most girls would choose Gucci or some shit.”

“Well, first of all, it so happens that I like the grocery store. Secondly, you shouldn’t think about other girls. Finally, I was thinking of baking today.”

“Oh, you like baking?” he asks with interest.

“Yeah,” I answer, smiling. “I used to do it a lot with my mom.”

“You don’t talk about her or your dad much,” he points out in a soft voice.

“No, I guess I don’t.”

“What was she like?” he asks, and my face immediately lights up when the memory of my mom pops up into my mind.

“She was a stunning woman. She was such a person that you only meet once in a lifetime. Her laughter always spread in the room you were in; her movements against your skin could make the pain inside you disappear in thin air. She could make you feel good when you really felt like shit,” I answer, and he wipes away a tear from my cheek that I didn’t know had fallen. “I miss her so fucking much, Milo! I need my mother with me. I need my dad with me the day I marry you; the intention was that he would hand me over. My mother would be there planning our baby shower when we have children. They would have liked you so much. The love they already felt back then for my future mate, if they had known that I would have two, they would be overjoyed. They would; they would...”

My small sobs now turn into a heavy crying war. My tears can’t stop the flow; no matter how much Miliano wipes them off, new tears come all the time.

“Shh, it’s going to be okay, baby girl. We’re here, I’m here for you, always,” he says; the words and the comfort of his body calm me. “What do you say about a movie day? We can go to the supermarket tomorrow, how does that sound? You pick a movie, and I’ll make popcorns,” he says and rises from the chair while I silently nod at his suggestion.

In the living room, I close the blinds and pick out a couple of movies. I’ve already lined up the film I want to see today on the living room table. With a blanket over me, I crawl into the soft couch. Miliano comes back into the living room with a big bowl of popcorn and laughs when he sees my movie choices.

“It looks like we’re going to have a “Saw” marathon,” he states, and I nod.

“Is that okay?” I ask, uncertain of my choice.

“I love those movies but never had anyone to watch them with; this is perfect,” he answers, kisses my forehead, and starts the movie.

I sit leaning against him with my legs in his lap and my head against his shoulder with his arm around me. Into half the movie, I look up at my mate; he’s sexy as sin. His eyes focus on the film, but I notice that he reacts when I touch him. I put my hand on his thigh, and he stiffens. Since he doesn’t say anything, I move my hand higher and higher until my hand touches his crotch. That’s the last thing I have to do for him to lay me on my back and position himself above me. I kiss him and feel his tongue move towards my lower lip. I open my mouth and massage his tongue with mine, I pull off his shirt, and he rubs his dick against my lower abdomen. Miliano moans in my ear when I kiss him on his neck, where I’ll later mark him. Now it’s his turn to rip off my shirt. Suddenly the door opens.

“Hey, is someone... Oh dear, moon goddess!” Nathan shouts in terror.

“What do you...? Oh my god! Stop it, euw!” Jason exclaims with the same horror our big brother feels.

My brothers and the betas are standing there, staring at me. Miliano growls loudly at them and shields me with his body. I quickly put on my shirt again; I must be looking flushed. Oh god, this is embarrassing.

“What were you thinking!? She’s seventeen!” Nathan yells at Miliano.

“Yeah, so? She’s my mate!” Miliano growls back.

“She’s still my sister!” Nathan growls in a threatening manner.

I don’t know what happens, but as soon as I see Nathan take a step towards my mate, I growl a terrifying growl towards him. Right after that, I end up looking at the others. I growled, I really growled! For a person to roar in such a way, you either need to shift at least once or be close to turning shortly. All of them just stare at me with open mouths. Right then, Kian comes running in, breathless.

“Whom the hell growled like that and made the whole packhouse vibrate!?”

Oh shit...

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