TWENTY ONE
TWENTY ONE
"Sorry, ladies, weekend training calls. It’s an early night for us—light and done," Jade said as the five guys turned around in sync, gently herding us toward the lit path before anyone else could jump in with an argument.
"Damn, that was harsh," Leo muttered under his breath before we even stepped past the tree line. "Don’t get me wrong, the two-girl body shot was a highlight. We are one hundred percent revisiting that. But, seriously, did anyone else feel the entire night just take a nosedive once the crowd got too big?"
"One, you are never—ever—taking a shot off my sister. Over my dead body," Milo shot back, his tone firm. "And two, yeah. I don’t think it’s ever felt that off before."
I could tell they were talking in code. I was smart enough to know exactly who that code was referring to—even if I didn’t yet understand the why behind it.
The twins gave us a quick wave from the back patio, promising they’d drive us all to training the next morning. That in itself felt like a new chapter, because for once, it actually seemed like I was included in that plan. Still, we’d see if that held up come sunrise.
Once we made it to the front of the packhouse, Milo, Leo, Selena, and I veered toward our side of the building, while Ethan broke off and headed toward his own house on the opposite end.
He turned just before disappearing around the corner and called out, “6 a.m. sharp. No one better be late—no matter how long it takes some people to say goodnight.”
I laughed out loud at the implication, and then again when I caught the expression on Leo’s face.
At the end of our sidewalk, I hugged Selena goodnight. She and Leo kept walking toward her place, their quiet conversation fading into the night.
When Milo and I got home, he paused to shrug off his jacket by the door, while I headed straight for the kitchen in search of something—anything—to eat. All I’d had was soda and water, and I was starving. The kitchen was dim, the only light coming from the soft yellow glow above the sink.
“Where the hell have you been!”
I jumped nearly a foot in the air, letting out a startled scream at the gravelly voice cutting through the silence. Milo rushed in instantly, grabbing my shoulders and pulling me behind him like a human shield, eyes darting around to assess the threat.
He relaxed slightly when he spotted our father sitting at the rectangular kitchen table, an empty tumbler in front of him.
As my pulse slowed back to something resembling normal, I pushed gently around Milo, stepping forward to face the man responsible for that outburst. I fought the urge to roll my eyes, though it was a battle.
“After school, I gave the new girl, Selena, a tour. Then we hung out with Milo and the guys,” I said calmly. “Sorry I lost track of time. Once we realized it was late—and we have training in the morning—we all headed home to sleep.”
My dad’s eyes didn’t move from me, but his next words were aimed at Milo. “Is that true, son?”
The way he ignored me and sought confirmation from my brother made my wolf stir in irritation. My hands clenched at my sides, fists tight as I held back a growl.
I’d never stepped out of line, always the obedient beta daughter, always the pristine image he paraded around. And yet, to him, I was invisible.
“Yes, sir. She’s been with us the entire evening. It was the annual back-to-school bonfire,” Milo replied simply, his tone neutral.
"And you're really planning on training in the morning?" Dad asked—still refusing to look at me.
“I train every day,” I snapped, the bitterness slipping into my voice. “Delta Nolan gives you weekly updates, doesn’t he?” I turned and walked out of the kitchen, heading for the stairs. I already knew what would come next—the scrape of his chair legs, his temper flaring at my so-called ‘attitude.’ Little girls weren’t supposed to speak out. They were meant to nod, smile, and stay silent.
But I didn’t make it far before Milo’s voice stopped him.
“Leave her alone.”
The words were low but firm. A quiet wall of protection.
“She’s the one who convinced all of us to take training more seriously. After what she showed us this morning, we all realized it’s time we stepped up. Aria’s going to guide us through it. She knows the layout and system better than any of us.”
There was a pause. Then our father said, “We’ve been trying to get you boys into weekend training for years. Why the sudden change?”
“I guess she’s just better at getting through to us than you are.” Milo’s voice was cool, unaffected. “Anyway, it’s late. If I want to function tomorrow, I need sleep.”
I heard his boots hit the steps behind me, steady and deliberate. When he caught up, he slung an arm across my shoulder and kissed the side of my head.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I can’t pretend this is okay anymore. It never was. I should’ve spoken up a long time ago. I get why you push so hard—why you train like your life depends on it. But you don’t have to do it all alone anymore.”
He walked me to my bedroom door, his presence warm and reassuring. Before heading to his own room across the hall, he kissed my forehead.
“You’re not alone, Aria. Not anymore.”
And for once, I let myself believe it.