90. Sleepover Party

90. Sleepover Party
Cindy

I glanced around excitedly at the faces around me. Antonio’s expression told me that he was just as amused as I was. 

Reiss and Glen sat on the floor with blankets and pillows surrounding us. Their faces were kept as stoic as possible. I giggled behind my hand.

Who knew that something as simple as a sleepover would make them so uncomfortable?

We were all in our sleepwear. Of course, Glen had to borrow something from Reiss’ closet. That might be why he’s so stiff with Reiss’ scent sticking to his body. Even after being washed, an Alpha’s scent wasn’t that easy to get rid of.

The storm raged outside, but inside it was warm. Antonio held up his head with his right fist.

“We have just spent time in each other’s presence several hours before. Is there a reason for this strange atmosphere?”

He came right out and asked them. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Glen answered first. “I just…”

“What do you do during a sleepover?” Reiss asked. “Was there someone I was expected to bring? I gave all the board games my parents had to the packhouse but if you need me to I can go and get them.”

I shook my head. “You don’t need to do all that. Besides, it’s not like we’re having a party. Antonio, can you do the honors?”

With a nod, he snapped his fingers. The lights went out, but in their place were the glowing orbs that I had only seen once before. 

They provided a light that was more warm and less bright. It’s as if there were a dozen candles floating in the air, their glow waning and waxing. 

“We’ll be spending a lot of time together,” I said. “To me, it doesn’t matter how we do it, but I realized it might not be the same for you guys. You might want someone more as my mates and boyfriend. Maybe you have different expectations, or hopes or dreams that you want me to be a part of. Before we fall asleep, now is the time.”

They shared looks. In all honesty, I wasn’t sure that it would work. They were holding back, I could tell. The question is, why? Were they afraid of how I would react? Sure I’m not used to this kind of arrangement, but they should know by now that I won’t bite their heads off just for expressing themselves.

Glen drew in some air through his teeth. He spoke first.

“I guess, I have thought about something. Remember when we used to share the same bed as kids when either of us came over to the other’s house? I wanted to do something like that again or become a little more intimate.” 

His voice lowered the more he explained but gradually regained its strength.

“But I didn’t want to step in front of the other guys and make them feel like I wanted to monopolize you. Besides, I wanted to get to know everyone else first after all this is over before I decided what I wanted to do.”

“Hey, I get it.” Reiss placed a heavy hand on Glen’s shoulder. “I’ve been holding myself back for the longest times, albeit for different reasons.”

I looked away, wondering how long he had been “holding himself back” and what he would do if he wasn’t. 

“I don’t mind if you want to spend time with her alone. Even if I’m jealous, honestly it doesn’t bother me. You seem to know a lot more about her than I do and I have a lot to learn about her still. Whether it comes to dates or sleeping together alone, all you have to do is let me know. It’s not up to me, it’s up to Cindy. I for one don’t mind if she prefers we spend time together like this. But just like you said, I don’t want anyone to feel left out or at a loss.”

They shared a look of understanding, allowing the tension in the air to disburse. Antonio smiled.

“I like that you two think about each other. I think it’s admirable. I’ve seen Alphas go after each other’s throat for the littlest things so I mean what I say.”

Reiss gave him an appreciative smile. “Thanks Antonio.”

“I’m curious, what was going through your mind that was so bad you had to hold yourself back?”

The seemingly innocent question was contrasted by his sly smile. I blushed but hid it behind a brave facade and bumped his shoulder.

“Don’t ask him that,” I whispered harshly. 

Glen leaned back, bracing himself on his elbows. It’s as if he was waiting on Reiss’ answer too. “Don’t be shy,” Glen teased him. “We’re all men here.”

He turned away when I glared at him.

When I turned back and looked at Reiss, he was staring right at me. I didn’t stiffen or shy away. After all, why would I need to? I’d be gazing into his eyes for the rest of our lives together.

“The thoughts running through my mind,” he said. “Are things I would rather do to you a thousand times over than by myself in bed. When I tell you that my hands aren’t clean, I’m not talking about blood.”
_________

Raindrops beat against the windows. Antonio’s lights had faded and shrunk, their appearance resembling fireflies lazily floating above us.

Antonio’s soft sighs began when he drifted into a deep slumber, my feet resting on his chest as they had fallen from his hands. Glen held me from behind, his arms tightly wrapped around my torso as he buried his face against my spine. 

Reiss’ chest rose and fell with every breath he took. My head was on his shoulder, close enough to hear his heartbeat. 

Gentle fingers combed through my hair, fingertips softly tickling my scalp. 

“I feel as if I don't wanna sleep at all,” he muttered. “Are you waiting on me?”

I thought for a moment then shook my head. “No, I'm just thinking about tomorrow, that's why I can't sleep.”

“Hm.” He glanced downwards. We had all fallen asleep on the floor, the bed not big enough to hold all four of us without at least one of us falling off the mattress in the middle of the night. “You know that we care about you, right? I think I can speak for all of us when I say no matter what the Council decides, we'll always make sure you're taken care of.”

“I've never really planned on having someone take care of me,” I said. “I just wanted to have a place to belong. Where I don't have to constantly compare myself to others based on what I can and can't do. It was exhausting. But it's me being different that led me here, so I can't really complain, can I?”

He kissed the top of my head. “And I couldn't be happier for it.”

“Me neither,” I admitted. “It feels surreal. I don't want to disappoint you, any of you. I don't know how to be a Luna but-”

He shut me up with a quick kiss that hardly lasted two seconds and pulled away.

He then kissed my forehead. 

“You being a good Luna is the least of my worries.” He smiled. “I already know you're a good person.”