"Is she okay?" Tatum asked, catching me off-guard.

I gasped, turning to the source of the sound.

"Have you been out here the whole time?" I asked, bewildered. The man looked like he hadn't slept in years. He was shirtless, with only ragged shorts on and his hair wind-swept. He must have just shifted into his human skin nearby.

"I couldn't sleep." He replied.

"It's 5.00am."

The man just shrugged, glancing off into the distance. "How could I sleep when she's right there?" He asked softly.

I hesitated on the porch, swinging my attention to the path that led to the field where the oval was and to the man riddled with hopelessness and fatigue. I still wasn't sure how to act around Tatum and I was beginning to acknowledge that maybe he didn't know what to do with me either.

"Do you want to join me?"

He blinked out of his haze and focused in on the fighting skins I had slipped on earlier. After the long talk with Ma and sleeping into the early hours of the morning, I felt lighter. Unencumbered.

Tatum offered a nod and began to follow me to the oval.

"This is a nice place."

"Not many people come here, predominantly just Pen and I when the mood hits." I opted for the thick ropes attached to thick steel rings. "Jude has joined me on a few occasions."

I hid my laughter under my palm when Tatum automatically tensed at the mention of the man. It was no secret that he wasn't a big fan of Jude, but he didn't say anything. Their relationship was fragile at best and if you asked, they'd probably claim their connection was non-existent.

"Let me know if he decides to be cute."

This time, I laughed. It was a full-on belly laugh that made my stomach-ache. His scowl reluctantly transformed into a small grin when he faced me, taking the ends of the ropes.

We went through a couple of sets until we were sweating bullets. We managed to snake our way towards the targets, and I handed him two of my throwing stars. He inspected the metal, flipping it in his palm under his intense scrutiny. Surprise filled his expression when his sight lingered on them a second longer. "I designed these." He brushed a thumb over the eye symbol, engraved on it.

Surprise took hold of me as I examined the workmanship of my stars. They were slightly scratched from use, but they still held its deathly carved points and slimness that allowed it to sail rapidly through the air without resistance.

Despite their age, they worked perfectly well and have never missed a target I wanted.

"Ma gave them to me. She taught me most of what I know. I have a few stars I fashioned myself that I also keep on me."

A mysterious but almost melancholy expression overwhelmed his features as he swiped a calloused finger across the metal. "She was a quick learner. Always eager to have me on my ass after each spar we had."

"You taught her to fight?" I did a poor job of hiding my surprise.

"She was already a natural. I don't think I had ever seen any one move the way your Ma does.....but then again, you're very skilled. Better than she....or I am, if I'm being frank." Tatum caught the shocked expression on my face. A warm flush spread across my cheeks. The compliment was something I didn't expect.

"You'll be the best Enforcer the Elite Syndicate will ever have." He proclaimed assuredly.

The flush on my face grew, "You have too much confidence in me."

"You don't have enough child." He tilted his head as his gaze swept across my face. Something flickered in his expression. I shifted self-consciously where I stood, feeling his gaze linger.

Was I what he expected?

Did he like what he saw?

Was I enough?

A painful lump lodged in my throat as I squashed my doubts into a tight, unyielding ball. The thoughts were poison and I had to focus my gaze on the tip of my combat boots to reorganise my thoughts. I couldn't allow myself to think that I was less. Self-pity was not something Aella Spades did.

She was stronger than this.

"What are you thinking of?" Tatum's voice abruptly pierced through my endless musings.

"Things that don't matter." I smiled, feeling the truth of the words settle.

Tatum nodded although I knew I had lost him with my reply. Maybe it was out of politeness that he didn't pry but then again, politeness was not something I associated with Tatum.

"Let's go for a run." I figured we both needed some time to run away for a bit and savour the clean air.

Tatum didn't hesitate as he shot a smirk my way before ripping into his wolf. A thunderous growl left his lips as he playfully circled around me, waiting. His wolf carried the same dominance he had in his human flesh but there was a certain cheekiness to him now as endless pools of brown reflected back. He nipped the air near my legs, almost egging me on to hurry and shed my human skin.

He was almost as big as Jude's wolf but he lacked the stone cold hardness of my mate who preferred to be closed off to the world than have anyone catch a glimpse of what he hid behind those thick, unbreakable shields.

I closed my eyes and let my wolf rise.

The experience was cathartic as I eased into a steady pace behind Tatum. It had been a while since I had let my wolf take the reins. I felt bad for neglecting her for too long. I vowed that I would let her out more.

Tatum drew closer and closer to the borderline of the Pack. A few metres more and we would have been out of the Territory. Hence, we would be fair game to anyone or anything that encountered us on our path.

Tatum halted at the very edge of the Territory line. He glanced back at me and his gaze implored me to follow him.

My wolf measured the big wolf. We were at a small turmoil. I still didn't trust him but I didn't sense danger from him to hurt me. Trusting in that, I followed him across the borderline. I was sure someone would have detected the breach but before they could get to us, I wanted to see more.

Tatum picked up speed and I was amazed by how fast he shot through the trees without delay. He almost appeared as if he was flying along the mulch and fallen tree trunks.

My wolf howled aloud as a burst of happiness spread in her bosom.

It was an incredible feeling witnessing the rising sun.

Tatum dodged left and raced through a narrow space where it had suddenly become pitch black. We barely fit through it as we both raced to the end. A brilliant light shocked our eyes as we treaded into an open space where it was just a long field of dandelions.

My wolf sneezed, stumbling back a step or two. Tatum howled, prowling to a spot and collapsing into a big heap. He rolled onto his back and his tongue rolled out as he fully relaxed under the warm rays of the sun.

My wolf faced the warmth, turning her snout so the light would warm her cheeks. She huffed and we both ambled where Tatum took rest, relishing in the tawny rays.

Tranquillity resided here and my mind immediately sought calm.

My wolf rested her paws beneath her chin as she studied The Eye.

It was the closest we'd ever seen him to being disarmed and vulnerable.

A pretty butterfly landed on his dark snout. Tatum pawed at the delicate insect but didn't hurt it. The butterfly just fluttered onto his forehead before leaping off, sailing with the current of the wind. We watched as it flew beyond the swaying dandelions.

I didn't know how long we stayed there but by the time the sun was at its highest peak, Tatum sprang to his paws, nudging his snout into my side. My wolf and I reluctantly leaped onto our feet despite the tiredness in our limbs.

We retraced our trek back to the Pack, but Tatum drew to an abrupt halt, I barely caught myself in time from colliding into him. Tatum tugged on something planted at the base of a tree with his jaw, throwing the material towards me. I realized it was a large shirt, wrinkled from too much exposure from the sun. Someone must have left it behind and forgot about it. Tatum felt around the earth until he found more clothing items. He scavenged another plain tee and canvas shorts. He snapped up a pair of leggings and flung it towards me. I took the clothes between my teeth and felt the warm tingles of the transformation spread across my skin until I was all human limbs. I swiftly donned the items and appeared the same time Tatum came into view, wearing the clothes he pilfered.

Ears perked; I scanned our surroundings.

It was then that I sensed them. Tatum paused mid-step; his body unexpectedly tense. I surveyed the bushes, taking note of how still and quiet it had suddenly become. "You feel them?"

"There's more than one of them."

The first changeling appeared, prowling out from between two thorny bushes.

"There's too many of them." I took in the changelings. I counted at least ten. Saliva hung from their gaping mouths as they slowly surrounded us. Heart pounding, I tried to ease my erratic breathing. I thought about the wind, about how quiet and brutal it could be. I felt her caress across my cheeks. I wouldn't let these changelings hurt me.

"Don't let them bite you." Tatum warned.

The changelings didn't hesitate when they split, leaping towards us with deadly precision. Their howls cut through the air, and I was shocked by the current of noise they unleashed, startling the flock of birds in the trees.

Tatum rolled pass me with four changelings caught in a roll with him.

I focused on the two changelings at my feet. I drowned out the rapid flashbacks of the last time I'd been attacked. I thought about the steady current of a river and how it flowed steadily but surely.

Their jaws took swipes, trying to latch onto my flesh but I kept moving, knowing that it would be harder for them to take me down if I was constantly moving. I ducked as two wolves lunged. They smacked into each other with whines, losing their footing. The other wolves aimed for my legs. One managed to hook their teeth along my shirt. I braced myself for a sting as I moved myself between another two. I felt their hot breath brush against my clothes, tearing it.

"Aella! To your left!" Tatum grunted, smashing the changeling nearest to him in the skull. A sickening crack echoed through the trees.

I ducked again, barely missing the attack of a changeling that had been quietly hiding in the green shrubbery.

However, I found myself careening into the mulch as one of the changelings unceremoniously shoved me to the ground. Fierce, hot stings ripped into my arms, forcing a groan from my lips as I clenched my eyes shut. I tried to ignore the pain and found my feet, but another weight crushed me to the ground. Warm pain shot up my legs as claws sank into my skin in quick, sharp attacks.

My vision blurred as I rolled onto my back. I caught a lucid glance of Tatum yelling, slamming two changelings into a thick trunk where it violently shook.

I clenched my jaw and shoved the deranged changeling from me. Five circled, as they greedily took me in, bleeding and dizzy. It was a wonder I was still on my feet.

"Use this!" Tatum yelled, tossing something. It hit the tree behind me, splitting bark. I blindly reached up, yanking out the blade from the tree. It was a thin dagger with a curved hilt. An eye symbol decorated the edge. I palmed the leather end, focusing on the rise and fall of my chest.

My limbs felt as if they were engulfed in flames from where they managed to cut me, but I tried to ignore the pain as I took in the changelings. Two changelings lunged but I ran forward, slicing the sharp blade across their necks. They gurgled, choking on blood.

My foot work was slower than usual. Focusing my vision, I cupped the dagger in hand. Three of them lunged. I managed to slice the blade across the air, tearing through flesh and bone from the changelings that lunged for me from the sides. They instantly dropped like dead weights. They didn't even have a chance to whimper. I had a split second before the third one swiped out their claws.

I wasn't quick enough as a sharp burning sensation ran up along the arm I used to block the attack from cutting along my neck. Breathing hard, I forced the changeling off, ignoring how much it hurt to move even an inch. I could feel the venom running in my blood stream, spreading.

The changeling lurched forward but I managed to block its claws and cross my dagger across its chest, digging the sharp point into its thick flesh. It squealed and I winced, pulling my dagger out from its limp form. The changeling landed with a hollow thump at my feet, the life gone from its red orbs.

I heard bones shattering. I rotated on my heels to find Tatum dusting off his chest as he pressed his boots into the skull of the changeling. He crushed him without remorse. I diverted my gaze and focused on the blue sky.

Blood dripped from my fingertips, but I didn't care. I couldn't move or feel it now as I watched Tatum drag his gaze to mine. Thin scratches decorated his arms, but they were not from any of the changelings.

I was relieved that he hadn't been severely injured as he raced towards me. I felt my knees buckle but I didn't fall. Firm hands caught me just in time, holding me up. He cursed and I suddenly found myself slung unceremoniously in his arms, his erratic heartbeat right at my ear as he speared through the trees in a blur.

I knew the exact moment we crossed over back to Pack Territory.

Jude was there, cursing. Tatum jostled me into his arms, explaining what had happened. Disorientated, I tried to keep up with their conversation, but I could only snatch up disjointed sentences.

I closed my eyes for a brief moment, trying to not feel the pain that had become a throbbing hum.

Familiar silk sheets slid beneath me, and I shuddered when another wave of pain rushed through me.

"Aella, can you hear me?"

I nodded, clenching my jaw. A pounding headache was thrumming at the base of my skull, spreading towards my ears and temples.

For some reason, the pain wasn't as painful as last time.

"How much pain are you feeling?" Jude demanded. I felt his gaze scouting out the open wounds along my body, assessing and trying to figure out what to do.

"It hurts but I think I'm good." I squeezed the reply out.

Jude grunted in response, but I knew he was still worried. "Where's the Pack healer-"

"They're here." Seamus moved to the side. "Make her sleep." I almost smiled at the absurdity of this familiar scene playing in front of my eyes. Seamus looked less than impressed as he appraised the wounds. "The examinations have been postponed for now until-"

"Let them do their examination." Jude interceded.

Seamus blinked in surprise, "Ok."

"How's it looking?" Jude asked.

"You say these wounds were inflicted by the red eyed changelings?"

"Yes, why?"

"It looks like her wounds are healing."

"What?"

"Yes, it seems so. Take a look."

Silence filled the room as I sensed eyes staring at my wounds.

I was too surprised to say anything.

Jude shattered the silence with stern orders for the Pack healer to see if the rest of me was fine. When he assured everything was fine, Jude stole his place next to the bed beside me.

I opened my mouth, but Jude shook his head, his lips tightening as he settled his gaze on me, "I'm going to put you over my knee once you're healed." His voice carried promise but immense relief. His fists were rigid balls at his sides as he took me in, but he couldn't hide how relieved he was.

I gulped, feeling his palpable ire under his concern. I felt his hands brush over my temples and along my arms. He paused at the open wounds, scowling. "You shouldn't have left the Pack's Territory Aella." His anger was thick, along with his worry. The two emotions didn't mix well since he couldn't even look at me in the face without the vein in his temple pulsating.

"Jude." I whispered.

"Just not tonight Aella." He sighed, exhausted. "Sleep. You're stable for now and I can't feel anything dangerous down the bond. It's a fucking miracle that you're not dead now. I don't know how but something has changed. Either you, or the changelings. The Pack healer will investigate."

My eyelids felt heavy as they dragged down like weights. My apology faded when I succumbed to the black, hearing nothing but my steady breathing.