Strong hands steadied Visena on the uneven ground. Twigs crunched underfoot as she found her balance. "Ouch, Gideon," she muttered, rubbing the spot on her forehead that had just rebounded from his pecks.

His narrowing eyes and half-smile had her heart pounding.

"Were you following me, little Fae?"

Visena peeked out from beneath her raised arm with a coy smile. "Why yes, I was. Why did you run away?"

"Are you saying you wanted to see me naked?" His grin only grew wider, and Visena chuckled.

"And if I did?"

Gideon scoffed and started to walk back to the pack. "I don't think I'll ever get used to the bluntness of the Fae."

Jogging to catch up, Visena asked, "What else do you know about my kind?" She looked up at his olive eyes with curiosity. It was strange learning about herself from another person, but she didn't mind learning it from him.

"Well." Gideon exhaled deeply, deciding how to word his following sentence. "Fae are notoriously curious, mischievous, honest to a fault, confident and beautiful."

"That sounds about right." Visena nodded in complete seriousness, almost jumping out of her skin when a full laugh rang in her ears. She blushed, a tad embarrassed.

"That does pretty much describe you, doesn't it?" His hooded eyes lingered on her face but turned hard as they exited the forest. "Head home, everyone. Training will start at seven sharp tomorrow morning, so rest up."

Many curious eyes peered between Gideon and Visena before their bodies retreated into their homes. Prim ran over with Eve in tow, shooting a beaming smile at Gideon while tugging Visena's hands. "Can we take her to her room, Alpha?"

He barely said a word before Prim dragged her through the main house doors, chatting animately.

"This is the leader's Packhouse. Alpha is on the top level. Liam and Jed are on the next floor down. Orion and I share a room up these stairs through the first door on the left, and the one further down is Eve's. I think Alpha said you will sleep in the spare room on his floor."

Her curiosity was thoroughly piqued. "Why do you all share a house when everyone else gets their own?"

Prim spoke again. "Well, usually you get your own place when you find your mate, but I wanted to stay close to Eve, and it's just easier when we need to hold meetings and stuff, you know?"

"And we're all close too," Eve added.

"We've known each other since we were kids and trained together. We worked our asses off to get where we are now, and we stick together. We're a family."

The sentiment was sweet to Visena, even if she didn't entirely understand it. She didn't remember her family besides a few brief flashes of her mother's voice. I need to ask Gideon for advice about finding her. Any other family members were unknown to her.

After an audible sigh, the two women glanced at one another as if noticing her change in mood.

"Are you okay, Visena?" Prim asked with a worried expression as they crossed into the kitchen area.

The space was open-plan and tidy, and the scent of a stew lingered from a pot on the stove. Visena's mouth filled with saliva as she turned to the redhead.

"Can I watch you train tomorrow?"

Eve's mouth twitched, and her eyes narrowed, but Prim appeared none the wiser about the change in conversation.

"Yes, absolutely. Do you want something to eat?"

Visena's growling stomach answered Prim as they rounded the counter, and a blush heated her cheeks.

"Help yourself to anything at all. I'll be back soon." Prim bounded out the door, but Eve sat at the breakfast bar with some strawberries.

It felt odd raiding their pantries and fridge, especially when a suspicious set of eyes stared holes into her back. Eventually, she gathered herself a bowl of different items, left the stew, and sat next to Eve.

The heavily tattooed woman still held a look of scrutiny in her eyes.

"Just ask." Visena sighed.

"What were you thinking about earlier?"

She certainly doesn't have to be asked twice.

Visena wasn't sure what to say at first but decided honesty was the best policy.

"When Janna left, she said, my mother would suffer because of me. I think that means they must be torturing her. Which also means she must still be alive right now. So maybe I can get to her, and she can tell me about my past."

Eve appeared surprised by her forthrightness. "Alpha might help you with this, though you need to be sure about her location. Our pack witch could do a locator spell, but she isn't the friendliest. And even if she's in Malum, and we try to rescue her, we'll be painting a target on our backs."

A long pause lingered between the women as they chewed on their assorted fruits. Visena could sense Eve didn't want to interfere in her problems, and she didn't blame her. If her memories returned, she could figure out what to do without their help. But, in her current state, the Fae was drawing blanks.

Eve sighed, glancing at Visena through her dark bangs. "Listen, I want to help you, alright, but messing with other packs' business is frowned upon by the Council. And besides, Alpha Zeir is a monster. He doesn't care about any pack besides his own, and even then... Well, he would kill his wolves if they went against him. "

Visena looked into her bowl and gnawed on her bottom lip.

"And if we went, you'd have to stay behind. Then our pack would be split trying to free your mother and protect you since he seems desperate to have you, and we don't know why. It's just very messy."

Visena decided to meet Eve's eyes then. "How would you recognise her if I wasn't there?"

"What does she look like?"

Visena threw her hands in the air. "I don't know! But I'm sure I would recognise her if I saw her..."

"That's a big if..."

The Fae grumbled before finishing the contents of her bowl when spice and earth caressed her nostrils. Her slumped shoulders instinctively straightened as she looked for the scent's owner. Liam sauntered in first, with Gideon close behind. When his eyes met hers, she smiled wide.

"Care to join us?"

He returned her smile, much to Liam's surprise. He shot them both a confused look before saddling up next to Eve, brows wiggling. "Move over, E. Daddy's here."

Eve gagged while Visena snickered. He stole a few strawberries from Eve's bowl and smirked as Gideon sat next to Visena. She wanted to lean into him, feeling his body heat crossing the distance and inviting her closer. Breathing deeply, the Fae inhaled the deliciousness before sighing loudly.

"Where do I sleep again?"

She was looking at Eve, but it was an open question that Gideon fell for. "I'll show you."

Visena had to force her lids to stop from fluttering shut. Why do I feel so strongly about this man? Strangely, everything about the Alpha felt safe. No butterflies gnawed in her belly around him; instead, a warm, soothing sensation caressed her mind, body and soul. If she didn't know any better, she would have assumed they did know each other.

Visena rubbed her temples, tired of thinking, as she followed Gideon up a million flights of stairs before reaching a white door. "This is your room."

Peeking behind him, Visena saw a black door at the end of the hall. "That's my room." He answered her silent question.

She cracked open the white one and smiled at the decor. It was minimal. The bed was to the left, with storage underneath and a tall cupboard. "Prim has ordered you some more clothes to fill those," he commented over her shoulder. Opposite the bed, there was a large window seat overlooking the forest. It was breathtaking from that angle. She sighed dreamily.

"If you ever need anything, just knock."

Visena's eyebrows rose as she turned to face Gideon, their eyes magnetising each other.

Both of them cleared their throat simultaneously, and she stifled a laugh. "You are most kind. I'll be sure to take you up on that."

His lips parted slightly before taking the bottom lip between his teeth. He turned on his heel and walked out the door, only looking over his shoulder to see her still smirking. His cheekbones coloured slightly to her delight, and he closed the door behind him.

~~~~

Thanks for reading!

I hope you liked the awkward cuteness between those lovebirds. ;)

Let me know what you think.

Love you all!!!

Byeeeee xxx