Chapter 61 One big happy family

One big happy family

Avalyn

My eyes fluttered open and I saw a blurry figure in front of me.

"Ava!" Nik said and rushed to my side. I opened my eyes and smiled lazily at him. I had a good sleep. My thoughts are still not coherent.

"What time is it?" I mumbled and rolled around. I haven't slept in, in so long.

"Nine am." He replied. All the morning's events registered in my mind. Nik's weird behavior, the morning glories, Max's exorcism. Oh god. I need to get up. I need to check upon him. "It's the next day Ava. You've been asleep for almost thirty hours now." His face was blank but his eyes were filled with worry and the small crease between his brows meant he was stressed too.

"I feel good now," I replied, the laziness evident in my tone. "A bit hungry." I got off the bed and realized I was in my pajama shorts and a T-shirt of Nik's.

Smiling at the thought of him changing me in my sleep, I walked to him and pecked his cheek.

"Let's go get you some breakfast." He caressed my cheek with his thumb.

My eyes widened. "You'll make breakfast?" Does he even know how to cook?

His eyes softened. "Ya, I'll make you breakfast."

We both walked to the kitchen, me more energetically at the thought of him making me something. This will be a first for both of us. Usually, it was me who cooked breakfast for him every morning, now it will be him cooking breakfast for me.

I settled on one of the high stools and placed my elbows on the counter, my hands supporting my chin.

"Do you need anything, Alpha, Luna?" Irina quickly came in.

"No. You can leave," Nik dismissed her before turning to me.

"What do you like for breakfast?" A tint of pink covered his cheeks. His skin was tanned so it wasn't very visible but I caught it. Is he embarrassed to cook?

I bit my lip. Yes, he is my mate but he is still an Alpha. My Alpha. He shouldn't have to cook for me. For anyone, really. "Maybe I should just make it myself of asking Irina—"

"No." He said immediately. "I'm not embarrassed to cook for you. I'm embarrassed to not know my mate's favorite breakfast dish."

Oh.

A small smile appeared on my lips. He is so adorable. "I like a cup of cold coffee and egg toast or pancakes. But let's just do cold coffee and waffles today?" Those were easy. And we had a ready waffle mix anyways. Something told me that Nik using the stove would be a recipe for disaster.

"Sure. You'll have to walk me through, Love. I don't know shit about cooking." He snorted.

"Fine..." so we spent the rest of the morning like that. With me telling him what to do and him moving around the kitchen in a pink apron with red hearts on it. It was a sight to see. It couldn't crack the eggs just right, which resulted in five eggs splattered on the counter and the floor.

His ego took a hit when I took over and cracked the eggs in a single shot. It was funny to see him grumble, cursing the 'damn fucking asshat eggs'. He whisked the final batter and then poured some in the waffle makers.

The cold coffee was easy so I didn't have to guide him much and he made a couple of more waffles on the side.

"Nutella?" He asked. He removed the Nutella jar after I nodded and smeared it over the last waffle. After he was done, he shifted them on a clean plate and placed them in front of me along with the cup of cold coffee.

"This is more work than training. I can't believe you do this every day." He released a breath.

I chuckled. "Thank you." And then sipped the cold coffee. It was better than what I usually make somehow. The waffles too. But I think it was because Nik made it for me. Everything is better when he is involved.

"I would like to say anytime, but I don't want to lie." He chuckled. "So I'll just say sometimes."

"I'm okay with that." I smiled as I devoured my breakfast. It had taken him almost an hour and a half to make it and I was proud of him.

"Now that's a sight to see." Dimitri entered, a flash going off from his cell phone. He clicked a picture of Nik in the apron.

I choked back a laugh at Nik's expression. "You fucking dick! Delete it." He growled, chasing Dimitri around the kitchen. It was so nice to see Nik living his life like this. He has too much on his plate. Sometimes, he needs to sit back and relax with his family. Everyone here clearly loves him. He doesn't remember that often enough.

I laughed at the brothers as I got off the stool and placed my plate in the sink.

"Avalyn! Save me from the big bad Alpha." Dimitri clutched my shoulders, hiding behind me as Nik stood was in front of me. I'm sure it's a funny sight. I'm five four and both the men are a good few inches over six. A good head taller than me. I fail to see how I will be able to protect Dimitri from Nik.

"If anyone sees that picture the—"

"You know we are bound by blood right? She will protect me. You can't kill me." Dimitri smirked.

"But I can still do a fist construction of your face if you don't take your hands off her." He grumbled.

"Oops." Dimitri took his hands from my shoulders and laughed. "Twenty-five fucking years and I finally catch you in a compromising position. No way in hell I'm giving up this picture."

A smile tugged on Nik's face. "Max is here. We can team up against you, as always. Don't forget about that."

Dimitri's smile faltered. "I can take him."

"We will see about that." Max entered the kitchen. Only in boxers. I covered my face with my hands and my cheeks heated up.

"Wear some clothes you dumbass," Nik growled, pulling me in his chest and covering my face.

"I'll faint if I don't have blood right now," Max grumbled. "Where are the fucking slaves?" He groaned.

"Irina!" Nik snapped and Irina scrambled in the kitchen.

"Here." I saw Nat throw a pair of shorts towards Max.

Nik released me which meant he was decent now. Max had his fangs in Irina's neck and Dimitri was hugging Nat. I hugged her after they broke off.

"How are you doing?" I asked her.

"Better than before." She replied, smiling softly as she eyed Max. "Thank you so much, Avalyn. I don't think I'll ever be able to repay my debt to you."

"No debts here, Nat. We are family." The greatest gift all of these guys have given me is my just being here. Being family. And that's something I won't ever be able to repay.

She only smiled at that.

"And next time something happens, I want you to contact me immediately. You didn't have to suffer for one whole week." Nik frowned and then hugged her too.

"Thanks. Andrei offered but I didn't want to take you from your responsibilities." She shrugged.

"There won't be the next time." Max pulled Nat towards him and hugged her from behind, kissing her hair.

"Are you okay now?" I asked him.

"I feel fine. Just woke up. You?" He asked.

"I feel fine and I just woke up too." I smiled at him.

He just gave me wide smile in return and then looked at everyone else. "How that I've regained my strength, I've got some serious making up to do." He announced winking at us. His smile widened as he picked Natalia up and easily put her over her shoulder as if she weight nothing more than a pillow.

"Max!" She squealed and then slapped his ass which resulted in her receiving two hard slaps on the ass as Max exited the kitchen.

He paused at the doorway. "Avalyn?" He turned his head to look at me.

My eyebrows raised in question.

"Thank you." He said after a beat, respect clear in his words.

I gave him a nod. The respect was mutual. Max is strong—to go through all that he had been through. And he is a good man.

After Max and Nat left, Dimitri winked and threw a flying kiss towards Nik who was still wearing the with apron little hearts and then continued making flirty expressions.

In a second, Nik threw the apron on the floor. "I want this burned," he pointed at the apron and then he pointed at Dimitri's face, "and I'm going to have nightmares about that," which made Dimitri pout.

Nik rolled his eyes at Dimitri's dramatics and held my hand, tugging me outside.

"Are you feeling better now?" He asked me.

"Yes. Very." I smiled at him. "I wanted to ask you, what happened at the balcony?" He had told me 'Punishment is supposed to be something you don't enjoy, Love' and then looked like he was deeply troubled. I just know that something is not right.

I know something is bothering him. And I need to know what.

His eyes hardened at that and the light air around him disappeared, replaced by stress.

"Nothing you should be worried about right now." He replied, his body rigid.

"We talked about you not hiding things from me anymore." My eyes lowered. I thought we were past that, that he understood where I'm coming from.

"I just need you to trust me, Avalyn. I will tell you when the time is right." He placed a finger below my chin, motioning me to look up at him.

I'm hurt. I thought that I'm stronger now. And he could see it. I won't crumble under pressure. I can deal with anything thrown my way. And I need him to believe in me.

"Trust goes both ways, Nik. And you don't trust me." I bit my lip.

His hold on my chin tightened and he tipped my head up. "Look at me." He silently commanded.

My eyes snapped at his.

"Look me in the eye and repeat what you just said." His grey eyes glittered.

I couldn't say it.

I know it's not true.

He trusts me. I know he does.

"Just as I thought." His voice was ice cold. "Don't ever say that I don't trust you."

I managed to give him a short nod.

"All you need to know is that I will tell you when the time is right." His voice softened. "Just let this go. Please."

"Alright." I conceded. If he needs time, I will give him time.

"I love you." He whispered. "Always remember that."

"And I love you." I pecked his lips.

****

"Nikolai has changed," Nat told me.

It was afternoon and we were laying on the outdoor loungers by the pool. The sun had come out nice today and we decided to get some tan.

"What?"

"He smiles more." She raised her sunglasses and turned on her stomach, supporting her upper part up with her elbows. "And he sits back and enjoys life now."

"What do you mean?" I asked, my cheeks warming.

"You've changed him Avalyn. He's better now. Happier." She smiled.

"He's the one who changed me." A smile grew on my face at the thought of Nikolai. "I've gotten a whole new life because of him." If it weren't for him, I would be locked away in a room, used as a slave all my life. Broken, alone, and miserable. Be it either for Emilio or someone else.

I will forever be indebted to him. He owns me. Heart, body, and soul. And I never want it to change.

"You both are perfect for each other."

"And so are you and Max." I winked at her.

"We are getting there." She turned on her back again. "Max is a dick most of the time. But he's my dick. Literally and figuratively." We both broke into giggles at that.

One moment we were laughing and the other, I saw Nat fly in the pool in front of us. Before I could even comprehend what just happened, I was drowning in the water as well.

I splashed my hands and rose, spluttering water out of my mouth, only to see Max laughing a loud, booming laugh.

"You—" Nat started but Max immediately turned, showing us Vanessa who was hanging on his back like a monkey, laughing.

"You—you annoying piece of—of stinking crap!" Nat shrieked, shoving her drenched hair out of her face. I put all my hair behind my ears too.

"I see you haven't been working on your vocabulary like I asked you to. Two minutes in the corner!" He scolded her playfully.

"We are going to get you back," I warned him. Max is one of the most laid-back people I have met. And it is easy to get comfortable with him.

"We will see about that." He smirked.

"Again." Nessa giggled when Nat got out of the water, making Natalia's eyes widen.

"Be prepared to remain celibate for your entire life if you do that." She pointed her finger at him. "And you," she pointed at Vanessa, "you will not be invited to our girl's night tonight!" Nessa's eyes widened.

"I can't deny my favorite girl." Max pouted and Nat visibly relaxed.

It was short-lived since Max zipped up to her and threw her in the water again, laughing along with Vanessa. "My favorite girl, I meant Vanessa." He laughed harder. "And don't worry, Van. I'll invite you to boy's night. It's much more fun anyway."

Vanessa's smile brightened at that. "Yay!" She giggled.

"I hate you," Nat growled but made no move to get out of the water. It was useless right now.

'Freeze Max' Dimitri mind-linked me. I saw him standing just behind the corner of the house, giving me a wicked grin.

I grinned back and froze him. Nessa froze with him too.

"What the hell!" Max said when he realized he couldn't move. His eyes fell on me and he realized it was my doing when he saw my silver hair. I grinned at him and got out of the water, Nat following me.

"This is cheating!" Max ground.

"Let's throw him in the water." Nat offered.

"No. I have a much better idea." Dimitri grinned and handed us markers. "Man, I'm on a streak today. First Nikolai and now Max. All my childhood dreams are coming true."

"If pranking these men were your dreams, I'm sorry for you." Nat snorted, taking a marker from him.

"Ah...sweet revenge." She extended her claws and tore his t-shirt and then pulled all the tatters away.

I took two and then unfroze a terrified-looking Nessa and set her down from Max's back.

"You can draw anything you want on him, baby." I offered her a marker.

"Thanks." She grinned, quickly changing teams.

"Hey! You were supposed to be on my side." Max complained.

"I like drawing." She giggled and started drawing something on his leg. Max rolled his eyes but smiled anyway.

"You would feel sorry for Dimitri if you would have seen him when we were kids." Max laughed. At this point, all four of us were making our masterpieces on Max. And instead of complaining, Max took it like a champ.

"And this is exactly for that. You and Nikolai used to gang up on me and use me as your ragdoll to pull pranks on." Dimitri's eyes gleamed with revenge.

"Do you both want to know the worst prank we pulled on him?" Max asked, his eyes wicked.

"Shut up," Dimitri grumbled.

"Oh no. Tell us." I laughed.

"Yes, I want to know too." Nat grinned at Dimitri.

"We are supposed to get back at Max!" Dimitri grounded but we ignored him.

"So Kol, Dimitri, and I were playing outside and we all had to go to the bathroom." Max started.

"Shut up." Dimitri hissed and slapped his hand on Max's mouth. Who in turn licked his hand, resulting in Dimitri taking his hand away and wiping it on Max's body.

"Can't you shut his trap too?" He asked me.

"No, I'm pretty sure they want to hear this." Max grinned. "And we didn't want to come back to the house that takes up too much time. So I got this genius idea and I said let's just go right now, in our pants." He laughed and Dimitri groaned.

Nat and I burst out laughing.

"Kol quickly caught up and said that it was a great idea and said that he would go too. Dimitri was like what do you mean—"

"Let's not forget that both these as—butts were older than me. They could have said anything and I would be like 'that sounds awesome. They practically took advantage of me!" Dimitri added.

"Excuses-excuses." Max rolled his eyes. "So coming back to my awesome diabolical prank, then Dimitri was all like '? In our pants?'" Max said in a high-pitched pre-pubescent voice, mimicking Dimitri's childhood voice which made us laugh harder.

Dimitri slapped Max's ass. "I don't sound like that!"

"Babe, Queen D is hitting on me!" Max complained.

"Queen D?" Nat choked.

"He has always been a huge drama queen and we used to call him that when we were young. Don't you know?" He asked.

Nat shook her head. Nat came into their lives after Viktoria and it just wasn't the same. The boys were forced to grow up and face the reality of life.

"Well, we did," Max said lightly. "And we said 'yes, in our pants' so he went 'no, I don't wanna' and started to make prissy excuses, I was like 'I'm going, I'm going. Are you going or not?' and then Kol was like 'yeah, be a man, let's do it and then Dimitri said 'alright I'm going.' And then he started to go." Max laughed.

"And then when he was like halfway through wetting his pants, getting warm and cozy, he realized we didn't go. Kol and I were full-blown laughing at that time and we said together that 'we didn't go'."

"Oh my god!" Nat and I said together, doubling over as we laughed hysterically.

"If you two would have been in my position, you would have done it too." Dimitri cried out. "Those two were the reincarnation of Satan. And they could communicate without even talking. We didn't have our wolves then so there was no mind-link too!"

"Oh wait. It gets worse." Max cracked up and Dimitri groaned again, stomping his foot.

"What can be worse than that?" Nat snorted.

"So Dimitri, in his soaking pants was standing in his self-created piss pool, and Sofiya and a friend of hers, who was his crush at that time that I think is important to mention, came in and saw us. Sofiya straight out denied being related to him and the girl never talked to him again." He laughed, us joining him.

"But I got you both grounded for a month," Dimitri said smugly.

"Ya. And we used to sneak out every night." Nik walked to us, his eyes crinkling with laughter. "And Dimitri was called Mr. Piss Pants in the school for the entire grade year."All of us burst out laughing at that again.

"They ruined my childhood." Dimitri sighed, resigned at this point.

"And the best part was that we were too old." Nik chuckled.

"Wait what? How old were you?" I looked at the men.

"He was like nine or ten." Nik laughed, motioning towards Dimitri whose cheeks had turned pink.

We burst out laughing again. "You were too old." Nat laughed at him.

"Ya but Nikolai is two years older than me and Max two years older than him. So I had to get influenced by my elder brothers alright! And I didn't piss my pants. They made me!" Dimitri exclaimed.

We all laughed at that.

Dimitri rolled his eyes before snapping pictures of Max. Most of his body was filled with drawings. The most prominent one was the huge penis Dimitri had drawn on Max's face.

Max is a huge guy and can easily intimidate anyone with just a look. But him glaring at Dimitri in a photographer mode right now had no effect. It is hard to take him seriously when his body was filled with absurd drawings. Nat had written "Talia' s bitch', "Talia's property' 'At Talia's service' and many such crazy things all over this chest and abs. I had helped Nessa draw flowers and pretty much anything she wanted. Dimitri had drawn dicks all over his body.

"Are you done?" Nik asked Dimitri who was still snapping pictures.

"Yes." He nodded and put his phone aside.

"Good. Because I have a fifteen-year-old prank I need to get back at him for." Nik said and threw Max in the pool.

I unfroze him so he could swim to the top. I didn't want him to drown. We all laughed at that and then jumped in the pool. Andrei and Mikhail soon joined the party too.

I'm happy that despite the ugliness, Nik had a relatively good childhood. He was loved. And he was free. He had people to call family and a place to call home. I'm happy that he had people to take care of him after Viktoria. He wasn't all alone.

I watched everyone splash each other with water and tried to drown each other with a smile on my face.

This is a true family.