intrepidity

Aurora was screaming.

That was all Aiden processed before reaching for the gun on his nightstand. His movements were swift, automatic—the years of training, of survival, kicking in before his mind could even process the fear clawing at his chest.

Across the mansion, doors were flung open. Heavy footsteps pounded against the hardwood, a chorus of safeties clicking off as his brothers followed suit, weapons in hand.

They moved as one, no words needed. Because if someone was in Aurora's room—if someone had dared to touch their baby sister—

They wouldn't be leaving alive.

Aiden reached her first, slamming the door open, gun raised—

Only to freeze.

There was no intruder. No threat.

Just Aurora.

Huddled in the middle of her bed, tangled in blankets, sobbing into her hands as her small body shook.

Alec, right behind him, cursed under his breath, lowering his gun immediately. "Oh, sweetheart..." His voice softened instantly, the doctor in him taking over.

Elias was the first to move, shoving his own gun into the back of his waistband before climbing onto the bed. "Aurora, baby," he whispered, pressing a hand against her back, feeling the tremors wracking through her. "It's okay. It's just us."

One by one, the others entered—quickly, quietly. Atlas, Roman, Marcus, Antonio.

Their sharp, predatory eyes scanned the room one last time before they tucked their weapons away—Aiden discreetly slipping his into the bedside drawer, Alec tucking his into the waistband of his sweats. Roman and Marcus turned their backs briefly, subtly sliding theirs under their hoodies.

Aurora had no idea. She didn't need to know.

All she needed to see was them.

But then she curled up even smaller, and that's when they noticed—

The damp spot on the sheets.

Her breath hitched, hands gripping the blankets as if she could somehow make it disappear. "I—I'm sorry," she choked out, voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to—"

"Shh, baby, it's okay," Elias was the first to hush her, sitting on the edge of her bed, brushing damp strands of hair from her forehead.

Her lip wobbled. "I made a mess..."

Marcus, normally stiff and awkward, scoffed. "And? Who cares?"

Antonio crossed his arms. "Tch. It's just sheets."

"You're our baby sister," Roman added, firm but quiet. "Nothing you do could ever make us mad at you."

Atlas, sitting on the bed, pulled her into his chest without a second thought, damp pajamas and all. "We were just scared, Rory."

Aurora hiccupped, pressing her face into his shoulder. "I—I had a nightmare..."

Aiden, still crouched beside the bed, finally spoke.

"There's nothing to fear anymore." His voice was steady, unshakable. "Not in this house. Not with us."

Aurora sniffled. "But the bed—"

Alec, ever the doctor, hushed her immediately. "That's nothing, lovebug. We'll get you fresh sheets, and you can take a warm bath, okay?" He gently rubbed circles into her back. "Would that feel better?"

She nodded against Atlas's shoulder.

"See?" Elias gave her a soft smile. "Easy fix."

"I'll get the bath ready," Roman murmured, already heading toward the bathroom.