NALINA ROMIREZ

"That's the ugliest color I've ever seen", I said, disgust evident on my face.

Avan, Jay, and I were out shopping for my babies. After the ultrasound, Hannah confirmed that I'm having a boy and a girl. Everyone was over the moon especially Mykel.

Currently, Jay was holding up a moss green onesie with white polka dots. The color was depressing and the pattern made it worst.

"Yeah, I agree", he replied before putting it back down.

"I'm going to grab some baby bottles and pacifiers, I'll be right back", Avan said before dashing off to the back of the store. He was excited about being an uncle. What's even more exciting is that he'll have both a niece and a nephew.

"This is so cute!", I exclaimed, my hands holding up a pair of blue mittens. They were decorated with mini dinosaurs.

Jay agreed. "It really is."

We spent the next few hours picking and choosing whatever catches our eyes. We bought onesies, Sleepers, swaddles, mittens, bibs, pampers, bottles and pacifiers. We also added some cute hats and thin socks.

We left the store with a total of ten shopping bags.

"I'm starving", Avan said as we made our way down the street.

"You're always hungry", Jay teased, earning a playful slap from Avan.

"So? Food has to be eaten. It's essential for life", Avan replied as he held his head high as if he was doing a speech.

"I can't disagree on that", Jay said next, a smile playing on his lips.

"We can eat here", I pitched in pointing to a small diner.

We all entered and was immediately met with stares. The place wasn't crowded but the looks from the people made me a bit uncomfortable.

"Let's sit at the back", Jay said and we all made our way to the back of the diner. I exhaled in relief as I sat down, my sore feet finally thanking me.

"The menu looks good", Avan said as he scanned through the small menu on the table.

"I want some loaded fries", he said before handing it to me. My eyes landed on a cheeseburger and I licked my lips hungrily. What can I say, you can't go wrong with a good burger.

I handed the menu over to Jay before waving a waiter over. I didn't expect to do that but no one was coming to take our order and I was hungry.

"A pleasant good day to everyone. My name is Kyle and I'll be waiter. May I take your order", he said, a charming smile playing on his lips.

"I would like a loaded fries with lots of cheese please", Avan said and Kyle scribbled it down on his notepad.

"I'll take a cheeseburger with lettuce and no tomatoes please", I told him my order next.

Jay turned to Kyle. "And for me, a tuna sandwich with less onions please."

"No problem, your orders will be ready in the next few minutes."

We thanked him before he walked away.

"Tonight's a full moon. What do you think we should do?" Avan asked before resting his back against the couch.

"Well, Dezin and I were planning to see an outside movie," Jay said as a blush stained his cheeks. He scratched the back of his neck and avoided eye contact, clearly flustered.

"And Mykel and I were planning to camp out at the edge of the cliff," I added with a small smile.

"Oh," he said. His smile faded just a little, but then he nodded. "That sounds nice. You guys should go."

I looked at him more closely. "You sure? We didn't mean to leave you out."

Avan gave a small smile. "It's okay. I figured everyone had stuff going on. I'm just gonna watch a movie in my room, maybe make some popcorn. Nothing fancy, but it sounds good to me."

Jay looked a little guilty. "You don't have to be alone, though."

"I know," Avan said calmly. "But I don't mind. Really. You two should enjoy your night. I'll be here tomorrow to hear all about it."

That made me smile. He really meant it.

Our food hadn't come yet, but the conversation didn't start back up.

Avan looked relaxed. Peaceful, even.

We all just sat there, letting the moment settle around us like warm light.

No need to fill the silence.

>

Mykel slid off me and I exhaled deeply.

After about ten minutes of passionate love making, we were finally done. We were currently in our tent at the edge of the cliff. A smile played on my lips as he gazed down at me.

"What is it?", I asked, my hands reaching up to caress his cheek.

"I'm just thinking back to when I first told you that you were my mate. I couldn't even read the expressions on your face", he answered before releasing a small laugh.

I grinned. "I was stunned. I had no idea what that meant for me at the time."

"And look at us now. One big, happy family. One that I wouldn't trade for anything", he replied before pressing his lips unto mine. After a few seconds we finally pulled away.

He pulled the covers off him and reached for his shorts. "Let's go see the moon."

I jumped up and pulled on my clothes. It was almost midnight and the moon will be at its highest peak. I couldn't wait to see it from this angle. Once I was fully dressed, Mykel took my hand and we made our way outside the tent.

There it was- a glowing bundle of light, full and round as it illuminated the sky. And then came the howls. I gripped Mykel's hand tighter as a strange calm settled over me, a quiet joy blooming in my chest beneath the moon's silver gaze.

A slight shuffle was heard coming towards us. Mykel turned around instantly and pushed me behind him. It was a wolf but I sighed in relief once I figured out who it was.

"It's not good to sneak up on people Clyde", Mykel said, a hint of playfulness in his voice.

Clyde shifted before making his way over towards us.

"I wasn't sneaking. I just wanted to see the moon and this is the best angle", he replied, taking a stance at the definite edge of the cliff.

"You're right, this is the best angle", Mykel said before reaching down and capturing my lips. I kissed him back deeply, my hands tangling in his hair.

"Show-off", I heard Clyde mutter and I broke away from Mykel.

"You know, instead of hurting yourself by listening to us make out, you could be making out with your crush", I teased and his shoulders tensed up.

He turned slowly and looked at us. "I don't have a crush."

I hummed quietly.

"Don't play dumb Clyde. We all see the way you look at Hannah. And I can't blame you, she is a beautiful woman," Mykel said to him, and I watched as his jaw ticked.

Bingo!.

Clyde turned around, refusing to protest against our observations. Mykel and I silently laughed. Honestly, they looked good together. Hannah didn't have a mate and neither did Clyde.

You're not denying it," I said, just loud enough.

Clyde sighed. "Because there's nothing to deny."

"Sure,"Mykel muttered with a grin. "And I heard the moon gives relationship tips if you stare long enough."

Clyde's lips twitched, like he was fighting a smile.

We let the silence settle again, the wind tugging gently at our clothes.

"She'd say yes, you know," I added, softer this time.

Clyde didn't answer, but he didn't scoff either. Just stood there, shoulders relaxed, gaze steady on the moon.

That was enough.

"LINA!"

My ears snapped to attention at the sound of my name.

"Did you hear that?", I asked Mykel and he nodded quickly. I didn't know who it was but I got my answer when Avan emerged from the trees.

"Avan, what happened?" I asked, panic tightening my chest as I wrapped my arms around him.

Mykel and Clyde immediately went on full alert, their eyes scanning the surroundings.

"Lina, there's something- oh god am so tired!", he said, completely out of breath.

"Deep breaths. Inhale, exhale", I told him, trying my best to calm him down.

His breathing became steady and that's when I noticed the tears in his eyes. "I-it's Javai. He said that-

"-Who's there?", Clyde shouted, my eyes landing on a figure lurking in the woods.

"It's me", the voice answered before Javai came into view.

I felt Avan tensed as he took a stance behind me. I had no idea what happened between the two of them. It had to be something unpleasant considering how scared Avan was.

"What did you do to him?", I asked, my eyes glaring daggers at Javai.

"H-He said I'm his mate", Avan whispered, but I heard everything clearly.

"WHAT!?", we all said in unison

Javai stepped forward, his eyes flashing between black and gold.

"He's my mate. I have no idea how...but he is...And his smell, his scent, it's so intoxicating."

I had no idea what to say. Avan was shaking, his fingers digging holes in my arms.

"They are second chance mates."

It was Clyde who spoke and we all looked at him.

"What does that mean?", Mykel asked as he crossed him arms.

"It means they both lost their first mates. And when that happens, sometimes, very rarely- the Moon Goddess grants a second chance. A second mate. It's not something that happens often. Most supernatural beings go their whole lives never getting that chance again. But for some reason she chose to bless the two of you."

I bit my bottom lip."Why thou?."

Clyde shrugged. "Maybe it's because they both been through so much, shattered, broken, but still standing. They're like two missing pieces of the same puzzle. Alone, you don't quite fit anywhere. But together they make sense. You were meant to find each other."

Everyone was listening to Clyde. A part of me was scared for Avan but the other was buzzing with excitement. I didn't know much but him and Javai had a platonic bond.

"Avan, what do you want?" I asked softly, my voice gentle as I looked straight into his eyes. He looked confused and lost, like his mind was far away in a place I couldn't reach. His face was full of worry and doubt.

After a long pause, he finally spoke quietly, "I want…to take things slow. I don't want to rush into anything." His eyes didn't meet mine; instead, they looked over at Javai. I could tell he was unsure and scared.

Javai's voice was gentle as he spoke. "I'm willing to take those baby steps with you. I want you, Avan. I really do." There was honesty in his words that made my lips curl into a small, sad smile.

"Go to him. Take things slow and see where it leads. I want you to be happy,"My voice was steady, but inside, my heart ached as I watched Avan sigh, a long breath that seemed to carry all his doubts away.

He stepped away from me and slowly moved towards Javai. When they were close enough, Javai pulled him into a quiet, tight embrace, resting his face against his neck.

Maybe this was Avan's chance to be happy again, to find something real without rushing or fear.

This night had certainly been eventful.

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