Chapter 71 A Lil’ Get Together
Malia's POV
I open my eyes to sunlight shining in through the windows and the wonderful fact that I don’t have anything I need to do today. Not exams to study for, not papers to turn in, not a single responsibility.
Pure bliss, freedom bliss.
Aiden is already up, lying on his elbow watching me with that soft look he gets sometimes that actually makes my heart ache.
"Morning," he whispers, bending down to kiss my forehead. "How you get any sleep?"
"Like the dead." I stretch luxuriously, my body still not used to the fact that the muscles which have been tight for weeks are finally loosening up. "What time is it?"
"It’s almost noon," she says. “You slept for fourteen hours.”
"Fourteen?" I snap upright. "Why didn’t you wake me up?"
“Because you needed it. ” He pulls me back down to his chest. “And because watching you sleep is surprisingly entertaining. “You talk, sometimes. Something about dancing penguins and treaty violations.”
I moan, burying my face against his shoulder. “Tell me I didn’t say anything stupid.”
“Nothing too incriminating.” I can feel his smile. "Although you did mutter my name a couple of times."
Heat rushed up my cheeks. “Stop looking so smug about it.”
“I can’t help it. My girlfriend dreams about me. Oh, I’m allowed to be smug.”
I swipe at his chest, but I’m smiling. This—lazy mornings with Aiden, teasing and affection and no pressure—this is exactly what I needed.
We lie there for a while longer, tangled together, until my stomach growls loudly enough to make us both laugh.
“Come on,” Aiden says as he lets go of me reluctantly. “Let’s get you fed. Then I want to speak with you about something.”
Motivated by my curiosity, I go with him to the kitchen where Cian is busy with breakfast. Rowan is lounging on the couch browsing through his phone, but when we come in, he looks up and smiles.
"The zombie wakes up," he jokes. "We began to wonder if you were going to sleep through the whole weekend."
“Funny." I take the plate of eggs and toast offered by Cian. "I could certainly go back to sleep right now."
"No more sleeping," says Aiden as he plops down next to me at the counter. "We have plans to attend to."
"Plans?"
He and his brothers exchange glances, and Something passes between them—some silent communication I don’t know to what extent.
"We want to celebrate," Rowan says, seating himself up straighter. "Exams are over, you survived your first midterm week at Mooncrest, and really we could all use a little stress relief."
"A celebration could be very nice," I say carefully. "What were you thinking?"
“Nothing too wild,” Cian reassures me. ” Just a little get-together here at the suite . Food, movies, chill. Chill.”
“That sounds perfect, actually. " A wave of relief crashes over me. The idea of me going to some huge party right now just makes me want to go sleep instead. But a quiet night with the three brothers would be wonderful.
"Good." Aiden takes a breath, and I notice he seems almost... nervous? "And we were thinking—your friends should come too."
I blink at him. “My friends?”
“July and Freddy.” He says it as if it’s nothing, but I can tell he’s tense. “They’ve been there for you for all the things. They need to be a part of the celebration.”
I put down my fork and look at him in real disbelief. “You want to invite July and Freddy here? To the suite?”
“Why do you sound so surprised?” Rowan asks, though his grin says he already knows.
“Because this suite is sacred Moonfall ground,” I say slowly. “I’ve never literally never seen anyone here that’s not pack or family. You‘re known for being really private in here.”
“Things change.” Aiden shrugs as if to say “what can you do,” but he’s not quite meeting my eyes.
“They’re important to you. When you say that makes them important to us. Besides, they were good to you. They protected you when we couldn’t. They need to be recognized.”
Warmth swells up in my chest and I’m just overwhelmed. This — I’m inviting my friends into their private sanctuary, this is just huge. It’s Aiden’s way of saying that he can be himself in all facets of my life and not just the ones that his heart beat doesn’t — hasn’t ever stopped beating in.
“Are you sure?” I ask quietly. “You don’t need to do this for me.”
“We want to.” Cian’s gray eyes are sincere. “It’s been incredible watching you create this found family with July and Freddy It’d be great to make them — officially — part of our space.”
"Plus," Rowan adds with a grin, "July is terrifying in the best way. I want to see her grill Aiden some more. It's entertaining.”
Aiden gives him a look that isn't remotely warm. “She is quite scary for a small person.”
"She's going to love this." I'm already pulling out my phone, excitement building. "She's been dying to see the inside of the suite. She has theories about what it looks like."
“Theories?” Cian looks amused.
"She thinks you have a wall of weapons. And possibly a throne.”
All three brothers laugh at that.
“Sorry to disappoint,” says Rowan. "No throne. Although we could get one, if it would make her happy."
I'm already typing out a message to July: Want to come to the Moonfall suite tonight? Celebration for surviving exams. The brothers are hosting.
Typical July only type in bold letters when she's either excited or anxious.
Her response is nearly instant: ARE YOU SERIOUS?????
Me: Completely serious. They want you and Freddy there.
Julia: MALIA I'M GOING TO SCREAM!
Me: Please do not. Just say yes.
Julia: YES. OF COURSE. YES. WHAT DO I WEAR? WHAT DO I BRING? IS THERE A DRESS CODE FOR SACRED MOONFALL TERRITORY?
I show the messages to Aiden, who looks both amused and slightly alarmed by July’s enthusiasm.
"Tell her casual," he says. “And she doesn’t need to bring anything. We're taking care of everything."
I relay the information, and July's response is a string of excited emojis followed by: Freddy says he’s in too. What time?
“Seven?” Aiden suggests, looking at his brother's for confirmation. They nod.
Me: Seven o'clock.
July: Can't wait. This is huge, Mal. You know that, right? The Moonfall brothers don’t just invite random person into their space.
Me: I know. Which is why it means so much.
Julia: I’m going to hug Aiden when I see him. Tell him to get ready.
I laugh and show that message to Aiden, who actually looks worried.
“She's kidding,” I tell him. “Probably.”
“Great,” he mutters, but the hint of a smile is on his lips.
—---------
We spend the rest of the afternoon getting ready for the evening.
Rowan assumes command of the food situation, placing orders at three different eateries so there’s an adequate selection.
"We don't know what Freddy likes," he says when I question how much food is too much. "It's nice to have choices."
Cian rearranges the living room furniture for better seating — a few chairs are moved, pillows fluffed, the room feels a bit more inviting, and a little less like a sterile pack meeting room.
Aiden is interested in the entertainment. Keep asking for my opinion on what July and Freddy would want to watch.
“They’re not that hard to please,” I tell him. "Any movie will do."
“I want them to have a good time.” He’s frowning at his laptop as if it has offended him personally.
I go to stand behind him and take him in my arms, pressing my hands to the planes of his shoulders. “Why is this so important to you?”
He was silent for a few seconds, and then sighed. "Because a friend can be as much a stranger’s family as as he can be yours. And I want them to know that I respect that. That I'm not trying to take you away from the people who matter to you."
I press a kiss to his temple, feeling touched by the acknowledgement. "They already know that. But thank you. For this. For caring about the people I care about."
"Always." He turns his head and kisses me properly. "Now help me decide between action or comedy films."
By the time it's half past six, the suite is perfect. The living room is warm and welcoming, the coffee table piled high with drinks and snacks, and the food is scheduled to arrive at seven-fifteen.
There's a nervous energy in the room—Rowan is on his third pillow, Cian re-stacked the same coasters three times, and Aiden is pacing.
"Do you see how ridiculous we're all acting, as if we're hosting the Alpha Council?" I watch with humor. "It's only July, and Freddy."
"We know," Rowan says, but then he straightens another pillow anyway.
"We're looking to make a good show of things," Cian adds.
At 7:00 on the dot, there is a knock at the door.
The three brothers all look at me suddenly, and I get the impression that they want me to answer it. To receive my friends in their home.
I open the door and there stand July and Freddy, both a little nervous and more than a little excited. “Welcome,” I say with a smile, “to the sacred Moonfall territory.”
July immediately pulls me into a hug. "Just so awesome. I can't believe we're really here."
"Come in, come in." I step aside as they come in, and they enter tentatively, their eyes wide around the room.
"Wow, girl." Freddy says, looking around. "This is... really nice. Like, actually nice. Not in an intimidating way.”
"Were you expecting intimidating?" Rowan asks, emerging from the kitchen with drinks.
"Maybe a little," Freddy admits. "You have a reputation,"
"Fair enough." Rowan pours them both a drink. "We're working on being less intimidating."
"How's that going?" July inquires, taking a sip of her drink.
"Still in progress," Cian says blandly, causing everyone to laugh.
The initial awkwardness melts away close to immediately. July and Freddy settle on the couch, and conversation flows easily. Rowan tells a story about a botched greenhouse disaster that has us all laughing. Cian surprises Freddy by knowing deep trivia about his most beloved video game.
Even Aiden loosens up, trading good-natured barbs with July about proper pack protocol.
The food is served, and we scatter it over the coffee table—an obscene amount of Chinese, Italian and Thai dishes that has Freddy’s eyes going wide.
“You guys really went all out,” he says as he piles his plate high.
"We wanted options," says Rowan, grinning.
We eat and we talk and we laugh and I know that's what family is. Not the pack bonds or humanitarian bonding blood ties, but What this is–that is: chosen family sitting around a table, comfortable and happy, celebrating small victories.
July catches my eye across the table and mouths, This is perfect.
I nod, brimming with happiness. She's right. It is perfect.
And seeing Aiden laugh at one of Freddy's jokes, Rowan and July argue the merits of different plant species, watching Cian laugh at something silly—this is more than I ever hoped for.
“Movie time?” Rowan suggests when we have finished eating.
“Absolutely,” July agrees. “But I get to veto anything scary. I have nightmares.”
“Noted,” Aiden says gravely, tapping through options. “So how do we do about comedy?”
The night lies before me, bright and warm and promising, and I know my two worlds — the brothers I’m bonded to and the friends I chose — are finally coming together.
And it feels like home.