The Nightfall Mates

36

By the time everyone had finally wrangled themselves upright, Aspen was curled lazily between Rae and Del on the couch, tail thumping like he’d personally ensured no one slept past sunrise. Trey and Elijah were shaking their heads, still amused, while Will watched Remi glare at the dog with a mix of exasperation and fondness.

Rae sighed, running a hand through her hair, muttering, “I swear… he’s going to be the death of me before breakfast.”

Del nudged her with an elbow, laughing. “At least he’s consistent. Can’t say he doesn’t love us.”

Remi groaned, stretching, “I think he’s personally offended if we sleep past sunrise.”

Trey smirked at Elijah. “We’re never going to get a peaceful morning with him around, are we?”

Elijah ruffled Aspen’s fur, smirking. “Not a chance. But honestly… I kind of like it.”

Will chuckled quietly, watching Remi. “He does have a way of making sure no one sleeps too long.”

Just as everyone began settling themselves, Rae’s phone buzzed. She glanced at it and smiled. Momma Anna had texted: “Breakfast and coffee are ready! Come on down to the shack.”

The chaos of the morning faded slightly as everyone groaned, stretched, and prepared to head down, knowing that Aspen’s tail thumping would be the soundtrack to their morning at the shack.

By the time everyone was dressed, Aspen was already bounding ahead, tail high, leading the charge toward the shack like a furry general. The girls, still rubbing sleep from their eyes, went straight for the coffee, inhaling the rich aroma like it was a survival necessity.

Papi Sam shook his head with a grin as he sipped his own cup. “That little troublemaker woke you all up, didn’t he?” he teased, nodding toward Aspen. The dog barked happily in response, clearly proud of his work.

Momma Anna appeared moments later, carrying platters piled high with breakfast—biscuits, fried eggs, spicy sausage, and steaming cornbread. Her gaze swept over the boys first, then shifted to the girls. She paused, a knowing smirk on her face as she noticed the marks on Rae, Del, and Remi from the night before.

“Well, boys,” she said, wagging a finger at Trey, Elijah, and Will, “y’all aren’t as sneaky as you think. Didn’t even try hiding your mischief, huh?”

The boys laughed nervously, some glancing at each other, while the girls exchanged amused, slightly embarrassed looks. Breakfast was served, and the teasing—and warmth of family and pack—filled the room before a single bite was taken.

The smell of fresh biscuits and sausage filled the shack, warmth radiating through the open windows as laughter began to ripple around the table. Momma Anna poured coffee for everyone, her sharp eyes still glinting with mischief.

“So,” she said, sliding the pot back onto the counter, “who’s gonna tell me which one of you started it?”

Del nearly choked on her biscuit. “Started what?” she asked innocently, though her flushed cheeks betrayed her.

“Oh, don’t play dumb with me, chère,” Momma Anna said with a smirk. “You girls been walking around glowing like lightning bugs at dusk.”

Remi hid her face behind her coffee mug, muttering, “I regret nothing.”

Will leaned toward her, grinning. “That’s because you started it.”

“I did not!” Remi protested, elbowing him lightly. “You kissed me first!”

“That’s debatable,” Will teased back.

Across the table, Trey had leaned an arm over the back of Rae’s chair, still half-grinning as Papi Sam chuckled from his seat. “I think she’s right, son,” Papi said, eyes twinkling. “You Carter boys think you slick, but these girls? They’re trouble in pretty packaging.”

Rae smirked. “You’re just figuring that out?”

Trey laughed. “Nah, I knew from the first time you yelled at me.”

“That was fair,” Elijah cut in, pointing a fork at him. “She had good reason.”

Del nudged Elijah’s shoulder. “And yet you still thought it was smart to flirt with me after I flipped a kayak yesterday?”

He grinned. “Wouldn’t be me if I didn’t.”

Papi chuckled again and switched to Cajun, looking right at Rae. “Dis boy got no sense, cher, but at least he’s brave. You gon’ keep him in line or what?”

Rae smirked and answered in Cajun without missing a beat, her tone teasing and melodic. “If he don’t learn, I’ll let Aspen handle him.”

Trey looked between them, frowning. “I feel like I should be worried right now.”

Papi and Rae both burst out laughing, but before either could continue, Momma Anna waved a spoon at them. “Alright, you two! Quit talkin’ about people in Cajun like you’re plotting somethin’. Last time y’all did that, my kitchen ended up covered in glitter and flour!”

Rae held up her hands, feigning innocence. “That was Del’s fault!”

Del gasped. “Liar! That was your idea, and you know it!”

Remi was laughing so hard she nearly spilled her coffee. Will reached over to steady her cup while Trey and Elijah tried to hide their grins.

Momma Anna sighed dramatically but couldn’t stop smiling. “Lord help me, y’all are somethin’ else. I can’t take you anywhere without chaos following.”

Rae grinned over her mug, her eyes warm and mischievous. “Yeah, but you wouldn’t trade us.”

Momma Anna chuckled, shaking her head. “Not for all the peace and quiet in the world, bébé.”

The shack filled again with laughter, coffee cups clinking, Aspen curled by the door with a content sigh—home, chaos, and comfort all wrapped into one perfect morning.