11

Word Count: 1951

~Sienna

My bare feet pad against the cool hardwood floor as I make my way downstairs.

It's been some time since I've slipped from bed and headed to the kitchen. After all these years, it's still my comfort place and has nothing to do with the food.

Although that is a bonus.

I stop short at the doorway, seeing a figure rustling through the refrigerator. Upon hearing me enter, she glances over her shoulder, giving me a crooked smile.

"I was wondering if you would come down here."

"Diane, what are you doing up?" I rest my hand on my chest, a little spooked seeing her here. It's much past midnight at this point.

She closes the door, holding a handful of cubed cheese in her hand. "I could ask you the same thing."

"Restless. You know how I get." The kitchen is cold against my bare arms as I hoist myself up to sit on one of the counters, letting my feet dangle.

All the drama with the girls arriving and Onyx misbehaving has brought back my insomnia. I figured coming down here would be more productive than tangling myself in my sheets as I toss and turn.

"I assumed this would be stressing you out," Diane notes, popping a piece of cheese in her mouth.

Diane basically raised me. She's only ten years older than me, but after my mother died, she had no problem assuming responsibility for me.

I owe her everything.

"I'm sorry I haven't visited in a bit..." The last time I saw her was a week ago. I brought her lavender from the garden, knowing it's her favourite flower and scent. She crushes it down and uses it as perfume from time to time.

"You're a busy girl. What with this latest announcement and your new title." Her face erupts into a smile as she wanders closer.

I shake my head so my sleep-tangled hair falls down my back. "He's just doing that so I can stay here, safe."

"So you're not pregnant?" She glances down at my stomach.

"What? No!" Mortification stains my cheeks a deep red.

"I'm sorry, it just seemed like a totally random announcement." She shrugs innocently, the movement barely disrupting her sleek black hair. "I figured you two were hiding the impending birth of a bastard."

I glower at her. She knows very well that Onyx and I's relationship is strictly platonic. That doesn't stop her from making crude remarks whenever she can.

"You know me better than that."

"I know how he is with you." She wiggles her brows suggestively. "It's not a stretch to assume."

Onyx has never pressed the bounds of his friendship with me and is nothing but respectful. Diane clearly sees something between us that isn't there.

"Go sleep, you seem to need it," I grumble.

She winks. "You too, girl."

"Goodnight." I give her a little wave as she walks out, wrapping her dressing down around herself tightly.

As she leaves, Kayn walks in through the opposite door, yawning.

"Seems like this is the place to be tonight," he observes.

His hair is mussed from sleep, and his eyes are drowsy. I swallow thickly, noting his pyjama pants and lack of shirt. His skin is beautiful, dotted with plenty of dark brown freckles I notice even in the dim lighting.

"Everything alright?"

His eyes glisten as he walks to the sink. "Why wouldn't it be?"

"It's late, and you're still awake."

"I usually sleep late. It's an old habit." He shrugs casually, filling a glass.

I watch him quietly. Something about being alone in a room with him at night is strangely intimate. Kayn is beautiful, and I would be at peace if I could just gaze at him uninterrupted.

"Do you need something?"

"I was hoping for some ice for my water." He holds the glass up.

"It's down there." I gesture to the ice bin in the corner. He flips the lid open and scoops some ice into his cup.

"Thanks."

I kick my feet around, my hands gripping the cold edge of the counter I sit on.

"So, why are you up?" He asks, swirling his water around, the ice clinking against the glass.

"I'm just stressed, trying to sort out activities for Onyx to do with the girls," I admit, smoothing my hands down my thighs.

It's hard to anticipate what everyone wants. Onyx would rather walk into a pit of lava than go on any of these dates. All the girls seem to have different ideas of fun as well.

Kayn frowns, looking at me over the rim of the glass he sips from. "I thought you weren't his mother's assistant anymore."

"I like to help out."

"Let me guess, you feel less guilty about running off if you find someone to fill your place." He leans against the opposite counter, watching me.

I exhale through my nose, not expecting to hear that.

"It's many things, but honestly, that's a part of it." I look down at my hands, shame eating into any chance of getting sleep tonight. "The thought of leaving makes me feel so guilty."

"It shouldn't. You have a right to live your own life."

"I know," I whisper.

The problem is that I haven't shared so many unspoken feelings with Onyx.

Part of me wishes I could stay here forever, in this bubble. Onyx wouldn't have a wife, I wouldn't have a husband, and we would just enjoy life together.

Another, darker part of me wishes it were me he wanted to marry. That he could marry me.

"Can I be honest with you, Sienna?" Kayn's voice cuts through my inner monologue.

I nod, jumping off the counter, approaching the fridge. Opening the door, I squint past the light, picking up the bottle of milk.

"I would hope so." I pour some into a glass before resuming my position on the counter, giving Kayn a chance to build up the courage to utter whatever he has gathering in that pretty head of his.

"I think you're very beautiful, and my intentions in asking you to visit my village weren't entirely innocent..." I scratches below his ear, looking sheepish.

"Oh?"

"I was wondering if you wanted me to bring up that meal I offered the other day, tomorrow." His confidence is clearly wavering at the obvious apprehension on my face.

"Of course. That sounds good," I force myself to say.

It's not that I don't want to have a date with Kayn, because I most definitely do. It's just another part of me feels bad about commanding attention away from what is supposed to be a process in which Onyx finds a wife.

I mean, it seems unfair that I'm having so much success when he isn't.

"But if your heart is with Onyx, I don't want-"

Kayn breaks off as a shadowy figure wanders into the kitchen, head bent, hair mussed. It's Onyx because of course it is.

He glances up at us, darkness playing in his expression as he makes note of me sitting on the counter, Kayn standing in front of me.

"Don't stop in my account," he mutters.

I throw my hands up. "Are the cooks not preparing enough food or something? Why is everyone here?"

"I just needed an ice pack." Onyx digs into the ice box, tugging one out. "Helps me sleep."

When Onyx is tense he gets neck pain and can't sleep. Usually, an ice pack helps.

"Of course," I murmur.

He places it on the back of his neck and lets out a rough breath. I lower my gaze to where I pick at the skin around my fingernails, trying to banish the image of his bare torso flexing slightly under the moonlight.

Kayn shifts from foot to foot, not even looking at his Alpha.

Onyx's eyes narrow on my glass. "That milk should be heated."

"Huh?"

"Warm milk. It will put you straight to sleep," he reminds me, keeping the pack pressed tightly against his skin.

I exhale slowly. "Good point."

He takes one more look between Kayn and I, looking like he wants to say something but ultimately decides against it.

"Goodnight."

When he's gone, Kayn pulls a face in my direction. "That was weird."

"What was?"

"How did he know your milk was cold?" He asks.

"He knows I only like cold milk, but he also knows warm milk is better at putting me to sleep," I explain. It's a debate we still readily have to this day, as he knows insomnia haunts me.

Kayn is silent for a moment as I set my glass down, pulling a saucepan out and placing it onto the stove so I can heat my milk.

"He knows you really well, huh?" He says lowly, shaking his head. "You'd think an Alpha would have more important things on his mind."

I frown at his tone.

"I'm important to him..."

"Oh. I know, I was just saying-"

"It's fine," I cut him off. "He's really smart. He has enough room in his mind for everything he needs to. It's why he's such a great Alpha."

I stir the milk, watching the gas flames lick the bottom of the pot. It doesn't take long for it to heat, just enough to be pleasantly warm, before I pour it into a mug.

"It's getting late. We should probably consider getting some sleep, huh?" Kayn says through a yawn, sensing he's pushed the conversation a little too far now.

I don't need to be protective over Onyx. He can look after himself.

"Oh yeah." I take a sip from my mug, not enjoying the temperature much. "I've planned for Onyx and your sister to go on a river walk tomorrow morning."

Kayn's mouth curves up. "Did I not tell you? She hates rivers."

"What? Who hates rivers?"

"I'm joking. That will be fine." He nudges me as I brush past me, following me to the door. "Although, don't be surprised if he throws himself into the river just to be rid of her."

I shake my head, laughing under my breath. I can already tell her and Onyx will clash, but perhaps their similarities will guide them into a relationship that actually works.

I mean, I'm not actually crazy enough to believe that, but it's a nice thought.

"He's more likely to throw her into the river, actually."

"Funny." He smirks. "If only."

"I've accounted for it going poorly. In fact, I've accounted for everything," I assure him.

It's important this goes well. Thankfully, I know everything Onyx likes, so I can set up situations that will make him more inclined to give this a real chance.

"Well done. I suppose I'll see you tomorrow night, in your room." He adds the last part with a devious smile that has my heart fluttering.

"Oh, right," I tuck my hair behind my ear. "See you then."

"Night Sienna."

"Goodnight."

I watch him go before I bathe in the silence. Whatever is growing between Kayn and I could be real.

Smiling against the rim of my cup, I take one last gulp before I return to the kitchen to wash it out. Feeling of excitement and anticipation chase me up to the bedroom.

All I need now is to let go of the stupid crush I have on Onyx.

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~Midika 💜🐼