I waited outside in the frigid cold, fidgeting with the ruined cuffs of my sleeves. It was one of the few pieces of clothing I owned that was splashed with colour. I didn't know why he needed to speak with me. The unknown did wonders to my anxiety levels.

The time for the Full Moon was approaching again and I could remember the last time Jude and I were under the Full Moon sky. The memory seemed only distant now. If I hadn't been there that day, I'd say I had imagined the whole exchange.

I heard the door open and close to the nursery before I scented him near. He appeared a scant second later, quiet. He seemed deep in his brooding as he reclined against the outside of the nursery.

The silence was something I eventually had come to associate with Jude. He didn't appear uncomfortable with the lack of words between us but there was something bugging him. He was tense as if bracing himself for something.

"Is there something you need-"

"-Your needing is close." He interrupted, clenching his jaw which he hid under a calloused palm.

I flushed crimson red, "W-what?" I spluttered. I knew what he said but I was mortified beyond belief. It reminded me of having the sex talk with Ma.

"Your needing is close. You need to be isolated from the rest of the Pack before the first wave hits. It'll cause a frenzy in the Pack, especially among the males wolves that don't have a mate."

My cheeks brightened, "Why are we discussing this?"

"I didn't take you as someone shy."

"I'm not." I immediately replied. It's just that I would rather not discuss my needing with anyone, especially him.

The needing phase happened after a mating pair had been chosen by the Moon Goddess. It was a time where the female became so lost in sexual need, it was almost painful. It was also a time that the females were highly fertile. Hence, the role of the mate was to alleviate the sexual need until the frenzy was over. It never lasted for more than a week and usually both mates would be tired and hungry after the phase ceased.

"I have a cabin just beyond the borders that is securely protected. It'll be an ideal location for you during that time." He said, robotically.

"Right."

His eyes burned when they studied me. "I'll be there with you." He stated.

"I'll be fine by myself." I protested.

"You'll need to be serviced."

"Serviced?" I repeated, feeling suddenly tiny under his probing stare.

"Things will happen during those times. You'll need me." He clarified while he held my gaze.

"For what?"

His gaze narrowed, "Contact. Our wolves thrive on skin-to-skin contact. Your needing will be over faster when I'm with you."

"But we're not together like that." I defended.

He smiled, albeit bitterly, "Your wolf will only want my touch even if you don't. It'll be worse if another male serviced you. Don't worry, this needing phase will slowly fade when your wolf realises that the bond between us is nothing but dead."

I didn't miss the way his eye twitched when he spoke about someone else touching me. It was only a small move, and I would've missed it if I had blinked.

"When do you want me to go?"

"As soon as possible. I'd prefer it if your needing doesn't affect my Pack. The females are protective of their males."

"I don't know about this. It seems so rushed and I-I..."

He waited but my throat constricted, closing off the rest of my words.

Jude approached me, almost as if wary that I would tuck tail and run. I didn't blame him. I was probably exuding all kinds of nervous energy.

"I'm just uncertain about a lot of things. That's all."

Jude studied me intently under that gunmetal gaze. With a sigh, he took my arm, rubbing his thumb along the skin there. "I can't help you if you don't want my touch Aella."

I followed the path his thumb made along my skin, eliciting small goosebumps. I followed it like a entranced puppet. His thumb paused and I glanced up, catching his steady gaze.

"Do you want my help Aella?"

Something inside me shuddered as this man offered his assistance. I was surprised, confused but relieved. The emotion made my spine lose its tension as I felt my head move. I was nodding. I was agreeing to this idea, despite the warring, unamed emotions that swirled and twisted in my chest.

"That- that would be kind of you." I softly admitted, purposely avoiding his gaze.

I felt his gaze trained on my profile but I didn't dare look up. I was ashamed that I had crumbled but I needed his help.

I nodded again, suddenly nervous. I really didn't know what to think about the needing. Ma prep talked me about it several times, which was uncomfortable. The needing only came to those who were paired as mates. After the Full Moon, a few weeks later the female would become.... super horny. I all but had forgotten about that titbit. It freaked me out, especially if Jude was going to witness the whole thing.

I wasn't a sexy person even if I tried to be.

I clutched my belly, suddenly feeling nauseous.

"I think I'm going to be sick." I wobbled on my feet.

A firm hand caught my hip, delaying my fall "Careful."

"I'm going to go into my needing." I whispered, horrified. "Holy crap, do you know what to do? What if I'm forever horny? What if my wolf isn't satisfied?" I babbled.

Maybe later I'd feel embarrassed about my rant but right now my head was filled with disturbing thoughts of myself demanding Jude to do something stupid for me.

I didn't want to be a creeper that was so wrapped up in their sexual need that I demanded sex like some kind of demented nymphomaniac.

Surprisingly, Jude did answer, "Rest assured, your wolf will be satisfied."

That sounded like a definite promise.

Crap.

"Err, right."

"Tomorrow morning Alexei and Jamison will escort you to the cabin. They'll be at your door at 9.00am sharp." He announced.

"What about my training?"

Her raised an arrogant brow that seemed to say, 'Were you not listening to me?'

"Training? You need to be distanced from every available man in this Pack. The needing scent you'll emit will be distracting. If an unmated wolf scents you, you'll be sought out. Your training doesn't matter right now. I already gave Seamus prior notice. Don't worry, he doesn't know about us. He assumes that we'll be doing work to track down the poisoned changelings. No one other than you and I know about this situation between us."

Still, I didn't feel assured. However, the fingers on my hip tightened as if he knew my thoughts. I forgot he was touching me. Was it sad that I was trying so hard not to sway into his arms and just purr like a kitty?

"Tomorrow." He dropped his hand from my body, leaving the spot warm.

Before he left, I called his name. He paused but didn't look over his shoulder. I took in the his stiff shoulders, knowing I was the reason he didn't want to linger behind with me but I forced my lips to move. "Thank you."

Jude didn't reply. He simply remained standing in front of me for another protracted second before he left just as quietly as he arrived.

***

I was packed by the time Alexei and Jamison promptly arrived at my doorstep. It was a miracle I managed to shower and get dressed after I trained my ass off on the training grounds just hours earlier.

"I'm coming." I called out, zipping my duffel bag up and shrugging the strap over my right shoulder. I tucked my pillow under my left arm and greeted the two Elite Syndicate Enforcers.

"Here, let me carry that." Alexei surprised me by grabbing my bag and swinging it effortlessly on his broad shoulder.

"Eh, thanks." I blinked up at him.

He did that cool head nod thing that dudes do and moved out of the way. Jamison, on the other hand, glanced at the remaining thing in my hand and didn't bother offering a hand. He just silently trailed after Alexei down the steps with his hands tucked inside his pockets.

No pleasant hello or how are you.

A typical Jamison greeting.

The thought just made me shake my head in amusement.

The other Recruits in the complex peered outside their bedroom doors to see why two of the E.S Enforcers were leading me out like a convicted criminal. They never visited our residence, and it caused a buzz of whispers among the crowd.

I spotted Pen who looked unkempt in her sleep clothes. Her hair resembled a bird's nest, and her face was partially swollen from sleep. Her right cheek was pink, marked by the outline of her hand she must've slept on. She caught sight of me and ran to my side with concern in her eyes. "Where are you going? Are you in trouble?" She asked softly so no one could hear.

"I'll be okay." I said, squeezing her hand.

"Something doesn't feel right Aella. If something is going on, you know...you can tell me right?" She offered, hesitantly. "You don't have to tell me though!" She quickly back-pedalled, "It's not like I'm D.Phil." She laughed nervously.

"I'll tell you everything when I get back. I'll only be gone for a few days, no more than a week." I promised.

I stiffened slightly at my unexpected response. The words had slipped out of nowhere, but I didn't want to take it back. I quickly realised I wanted to have at least one friend in my life.

Pen appeared equally shocked. I realised she had noticed my distance before. So, when she smiled, I returned one.

***

The first wave of my needing came when I was in the shower.

My body pulsed with foreign heat as I hunched over with pain, hugging my waist. It had been two days since Alexei and Jamison dropped me off. They were a quiet pair. I knew they were curious as to why the Alpha wanted me far away and tucked into a cabin near the borderlines, but they stayed their tongues.

My knees buckled when I suddenly felt the abrupt pressure between my legs increase. I knew I couldn't withstand this phase while standing, so I quickly switched off the shower and stumbled to the bed.

I barely made it as I hit my knees against the lower bed frame where I face-planted the sheets.

My body was trembling. All my erogenous zones were tingling with the need to be touched.

The needing scent was potent as it filled the cabin, it smelt of fresh roses.

I groaned again when another pulse ravaged my body. I clenched my fists around the covers and breathed deep, trying to calm my hormones.

I needed something.

I felt my wolf become restless. She was brooding and sexually bothered. The sensation was unfamiliar to the both of us. It was more overwhelming than lust. I ran a tender hand from between my breasts, down to my belly button where my hips lifted from the bed at the soft caress. It felt good. I knew what I had to do. I didn't know why I was hesitating. I wasn't naive. I've touched myself several times and the experience had always been mediocre at best. Hence, why I never really bothered until now.

It was throbbing and squeezing my thighs together wasn't softening the building heat.

I closed my eyes and spread my legs while my feet pressed into the covers. The cool air brushed against my skin, causing a small moment of relief to course through me until the throbbing returned.

I didn't get far since the door flung open, rattling the whole cabin.

Jude stood at the door, breathing hard and gloriously naked. He must've run in his wolf form before he arrived. I didn't notice much of his undressed state because my body arched again as another wave of heat rolled through my body. This time, I couldn't stifle the groan that fell from my lips. Instead, it came out like a strangled whimper.

I heard the door slam shut. I felt the air shift and the bed depress on my side. Then I scented him- pine and frost, mixed with earth and fresh sweat as he rolled onto his side, facing me.

In another situation, I'd be balking at the fact we were both naked and, in a bed together but another tremulous pulse travelled through my body, cutting off my musings.

When my body settled again, I felt him take in a deep breath. I stiffened and turned so I could see him. He too was breathing hard as his gaze held mine. Not once did his gaze drop below my collarbone. His eyes were different. They looked stormy and worried despite the undisguised desire burning in the grey depths.

"Jude." I croaked.

He closed his eyes for a second. "What do you need? Tell me and I'll make it go away." He said in a rough whisper.

I wiggled my hips and clenched my thighs together to ease the pressure. His nostrils flared as his eyes darkened into thunderclouds. He too was straining against something.

Self-control?

I bit my lip and stared at the ceiling hopelessly. I was vulnerable. I needed this feeling to go away since it was almost painful. I didn't want Jude to see me like this and I didn't want him to think I was using him although it would be that way.

I whimpered when another pulse came. I arched off the bed, clinging to the sheets in desperation. Sweat pricked along my neck as the heat became almost unbearable.

"Aella. Show me now." He demanded, straining to keep his hands to himself.

I made a split-second choice right then. I didn't dwell on what regrets would stem from this. I couldn't. My thoughts were consumed with Jude. The man who still cared enough to help me through this phase despite my cold rejection. Even if he found this burdensome, he still came.

In truth, I needed this.

I needed him, despite what I thought.

I needed Jude and he needed me.

The sudden, deep relief that came from the realisation was one I hadn't remotely expected.

My muscles eased.

"Tinkerbell." He said raggedly.

I didn't know why he called me Tinkerbell but the name was spoken on a soft exhale. I remembered that he had whispered the same name to me under the full moon.

When another pulse consumed my body, I shuddered quietly, gritting my teeth.

"Tell me." Jude commanded in my ear.

I realised I squeezed my eyes shut as the sensation overtook my body but when I opened my eyes, Jude was there, looking down at me with more worry than desire in his expression. His long strands of hair fell across his eyes, shielding the beautiful shade of grey from me. I didn't think when I toyed with one loose lock of hair against his cheek. I gently tucked the strand behind his ear, committing his features into memory.

"Tell me what to do." He urged.

I knew as we held each other's gazes that he'd do anything I asked if I told him.

I cupped his cheek, feeling the heat spread between my breasts. "Kiss me."