"Stand down." Jamison ordered.

I barely recognised the guy until Jamison barked out his name, "Ace, stand down!"

The teen was ridiculously cocky. He leaned a hip against the door frame, grinning, "Well, what a surprise. I didn't think I would see all your ugly faces again. I didn't realise we were expecting company, pardon me for not rolling out the red carpet." He drawled.

Solkolov's voice entered my thoughts in that instant.

Bennett has been subdued for now but not for long.

Tatum's men were keeping watch over him, as well as putting surveillance around the Pack House.

Thank you. We have her. We'll meet back at the car in twenty.

Ok. We'll be ready.

When his voice faded, I brought my attention back to the ex-Recruit. Now that I remembered, he had been sent home because rather than trying to be an ally during one of his examinations, he instead ventured to be the bad guy. It was foolish considering E.S Enforcers had resilient bonds, sometimes even stronger than that of a family's bond. There was no room for people like him who wouldn't sacrifice for their brethren. He had been out to get blood, whether it was friend or foe and it had costed him.

His gaze sought mine and I couldn't help but relish in the fact that he seemed to hesitate. I kept my expression even as I made a point in eyeing him down. I didn't need to say anything for him to feel uneasy.

"We rather not let blood spill. We are here for her. If you stand in the way of that, I won't be responsible for what happens next if you do not comply."

"I-I'm not scared of you."

He was patently embarrassed that his voice stuttered. It was amusing he had the balls to continue as if he hadn't been minutes away from pissing himself. "I don't think so. She belongs here."

"What the fuck did you do to her?" Tatum seethed, running his hands over Allison's face. I had the urge to look her over too to see if she was physically injured but I could only see that she appeared tired and lucid. She wasn't even conscious of the whole thing happening around her either. She was completely dead weight in Tatum's arms.

"Not anything that she didn't deserve."

"I'm going to fucking kill you." Tatum growled, flexing his jaw.

"Go. I'll deal with him." I said, breathing deep and letting the output of air take away the blinding rage hidden in my veins. The weight of the chains along my arms felt familiar. Their sturdiness kept me at bay for now, despite how much I wanted to slice his head off. Whether his life would be slain all heaped upon his next word.

Mercifully, Tatum took Allison away. If she hadn't been in his arms, there was no doubt that he would've had Ace on the ground, bleeding to death.

I warned Solkolov of Tatum leaving and ordered he ensured that all his men would follow, after I was done with Ace.

His reply was prompt. I invested all my attention back to Ace.

There would be no use of my chains, or even my wolf form.

My bare hands would suffice.

"I'll take it from here." I informed Jamison. He didn't argue. All he did was take place near the fireplace, leaning against the wooden accents and crossing his arms as if just settling in for a long movie.

His nonchalance pissed off Ace who was now glaring daggers. "You both have belittled my abilities." He snarled; his ego evidently bruised.

I didn't comment, saving my words for something more worthwhile. I was here for Aella. I was infuriated on her behalf that this sick Pack would do this to the one person she worshipped. They probably stuffed something down her throat because her scent had been wrong and metallic to the taste in the air. There was also a strange hint of lemon on her clothes that I couldn't pinpoint.

"Last chance. Stand down." I let my words travel along the length of the room. The promise of death was unmistakable in my tone.

He barely flinched but his posture changed.

He wanted to fight.

I sighed and rubbed the stubble along my jawline, contemplating the distance between us. "You should've just stood down."

Ace smirked, flexing his jaw.

He made the first move.

I made the last.

It was a mercy leaving him with his lungs still working. Soon, someone would find him but when that happened, we'd be long gone by then.

Everything was a blur by the time Jamison, and I arrived at the car. Solkolov had already been standing near the back seat, with the car's door ajar behind him. His expression eased once he caught sight of us before he slipped inside the vehicle. I took the wheel and Jamison hopped into the passenger's side, slamming the door. I checked the rear-view mirror, seeing Tatum with Allison half slouching on him. His fingers trembled as they fluttered over her hollow cheeks. My hands tightened on the wheel as I reversed and sped out of there.

I had to remind myself that revenge wouldn't happen just yet.

Tatum would want to have a part and I was sure my feisty mate would like to take a swing too.

***

I was surprised when Kian and Pen ran towards me, their expressions tight with something indecipherable.

"Something is happening." Pen was the first to speak, "We just got informed by Seamus that all Recruits are to report to the Pack house now. Everyone is making their way there now."

"Let's go." I nodded, following their hasty steps.

The lounge area was filled with the last of the Recruits who had made it this far. It was startling to see that there were only six of us left.

Just how many had gone home already after the trekking test?

Casey was perched on the arm of an over-stuffed chair. Beside her, a guy whose name I didn't know and another guy who suspiciously looked as if he was seconds from falling asleep, sat on the loveseat. Kian, Pen, and I occupied the opposite sofa, facing them. Seamus and the other men of Jude's inner circle stood off to the side like looming statues. They remained unmoving as Seamus looked over us with cool calculation. His gaze levelled on mine for a second longer and I wondered what it was that he was thinking about. The man was always scheming but he was also Jude's other pair of eyes and ears for the Pack when he wasn't around.

"Before we start, I want to know something." Casey began, flicking her hair over her dainty shoulder.

"Go on. We don't have much time before we start." Seamus sighed.

"Yeah, well...isn't this even fair if she's still in the run to be part of the E.S? She's basically already in the Pack. She's the fucking Luna. How are we supposed to compete with that? It's not fair. She's slumming it with the Alpha, so she could be getting benefits without anyone of us knowing. She needs to be dismissed or this isn't a fair go for either of us here that are willing to get there without having connections." She finished her tirade by throwing me a meaningful glance that went noticed by every single person in the room.

"What was your name again? Camille?" Seamus pretended to ponder the name.

"It's Casey." She huffed, annoyed.

Seamus nodded like he got it but even I could tell he was more irritated by the reply. "Casey....hmmm, I think someone is jealous."

I choked on a snort. Casey on the other hand was seething, her teeth gleaming, "Excuse me? Jealous?"

"Everyone present in this room is on the same footing. No one would be here if they hadn't earned their own spot. If you think someone shouldn't be here, you may settle it with a quick spar."

When Casey didn't reply, he smiled, albeit scarily. "Now that that is settled, let's begin."

Alexei stepped forward and the room fell into shock upon hearing his words.

"The first section of the trials have passed. Congratulations. You've made it."

No one uttered a single word. I didn't think anyone was prepared for how nonchalant he sounded.

Alexei cast a long, solemn look across the room. "Every E.S Enforcer who has successfully made it in the Pack under Alpha Slater have survived the Weeping Forest, the last stage of the recruitment. Those who pass, immediately gain entry into the Elite Syndicate."

I searched Seamus's expression, but he gave nothing away. Alexei on the other hand stood quietly, reading the room with a critical eye. "Huh, I don't think they know what the Weeping Forest is." He muttered, giving Seamus an indecipherable glance. It did nothing to alleviate the befuddlement in the room.

Kian suddenly took in a sharp breath, his fists clenching, "You've got be fucking with me." He hissed, eyes ablaze with disbelief.

If I wasn't wrong, his expression reflected horror at the possible thought.

"What is it?" Pen asked warily, "Have you heard of it before Kian?"

Kian flexed his jaw, his glare riveted on both men. "The Weeping Forest is a death trap. Chances of you dying there is greater than the chance of you leaving."

"I didn't come here to fucking die." Casey stood, crossing her arms in defiance.

"Feel free to leave." Seamus gestured to the door, "We don't need you if this is your first response to possible danger. All the examinations we've had so far have been to brush up on skills you should have had already. If you don't want to go, we're not going to force you. Just pack your bags and leave. We're trying to build a force that doesn't flee at the mere mention of death."

"You're actually deluded."

Seamus shrugged, completely unaffected as he adjusted his frames upon the bridge of his nose.

"People actually die there?" Pen blurted; her brows pinched in worry.

"I don't think dying really is the thing we should be worrying about in there." Kian remarked, sending shivers down my spine. "I never heard of this being part of the whole recruitment process."

"Let's just say you're the second lot who got to do this. Alpha Slater was the one who added this into the recruitment."

"You're kidding." Kian growled, shaking his head. "Don't you guys have morals or some shit? Are you really expecting us to come out of that place alive and sane?"

"Again, if you're feeling incompetent. Don't bother. We'll send you on your way back to your Packs." Alexei said, earning a scoff from one of the dudes on the couch.

"Tomorrow you'll be escorted to the place. You will not be allowed to take anything with you other than the clothing we will provide you. If there are no questions, let's break."

Again no one said anything despite the rising tension.

"Well, I'll see you bright and early tomorrow." He promptly left with the E.S Enforcers following on his heel.

***

"I don't think I can do it." Pen admitted. We found a quiet place on Pack grounds that overlooked the endless green fields.

I nodded along, thinking back to what Seamus and Alexei had revealed. They weren't even remotely affected by our disbelief. Maybe it was the way they had trained to be Elite Syndicate Enforcers. Seamus had always been somewhat stoic in all his dealings, but the man didn't even flinch when he spoke of what would inevitably be our last task.

They had admitted that the addition of the Weeping Forest was a new challenge, established by Jude.

Why would he do this?

Our lives would be at risk. We could die in there.

And for what?

I still had Ma....my throat bobbed painfully. I still had Ma. There was no way that I could leave her. She was waiting for me.

I blinked the tears away, willing my thoughts to go silent. Pen sniffed beside me, her hands trembling upon her knees she pressed against her cheek. We didn't speak but I knew inside our minds, we were nothing but twisted nerves and helplessness.

Our trek home was nothing but weighted silence. When Pen made a beeline towards the Recruit's complex, I watched her pink highlights sway in the breeze. She may have not known it, but the way she moved was different now. She had embraced the image of an Enforcer from the way she moved seamlessly in brisk strides to the calculative glint in her eye when she took in her surroundings. She gave me a small wave and smile that made the lump in my throat grow bigger before she disappeared behind her door.

Jude's room was dark, but I felt comfort in knowing that this was his space. His scent was a faint cologne in the air, and seeing his books stacked haphazardly on his shelves tugged on my heart.

His wide bed was still perfectly made from the morning. The clothes he had worn for the mating ceremony hung in the closet, the brilliance of the white sash glowing in the dark. His crown sat on his tallest shelf, untouched and shiny, a symbol of the heavy responsibilities he bore on his shoulders.

I flicked on the lampshade and sighed, flopping on my back onto his sheets and stacked pillows.

I didn't think I could find sleep tonight.

"What's wrong?"

I jolted up from the bed, placing my hand over the erratic pounding of my heart. I'd been too tired to check my surroundings, I failed to sense the presence tucked in the corner.

Jude stepped away from the shadows, his eyes concerned. "What is it?" He demanded, rounding the bed when those eyes read the fatigue on my face.

My breathing eased as I took in his calm state. Relief swept me up as I scrambled off the bed and jumped into his arms before he could utter another word. A small exhale left his lips as he took my weight. His arms didn't hesitate to slip over my shoulders until his temple kissed the side of my head.

"Seamus told us about the Weeping Forest."

He went completely still against me.

"It sounds kind of scary." I admitted, burying my face closer to him, "They said that you added it in into the recruitment trials."

"Aella." He exhaled.

I sank into his arms, "You really did add it." The confirmation made something twist in my stomach.

"I needed to add it. I couldn't let just anyone become part of my Enforcers if they couldn't handle it. I need men and women who are strong physically but also mentally and emotionally. If I have my Enforcers bailing out at the first sense of danger or even if the likelihood of death is there, I can't have them running away. Their first instinct should be to protect, not flee."

I understood. It's why the Shadow Hunters had excellent protection. The men and women that defended and fought for them were made of tough shit. They didn't squirm at the sight of danger, nor did they let their emotions control them. They were steady and they sacrificed their lives day in and day out just so their Pack could live in harmony and keep smiling.

The unfiltered bliss in the little ones in the Pack was proof enough that Jude hadn't let anything touch their innocence.

"We will go there tomorrow."

"You don't need to go. You're my mate. You're also the Luna of our Pack."

I laughed softly, enjoying how he was beginning to get riled up. "If I'm your mate and the Luna of this Pack, that's more reason to go. I can't be weak Jude. I need to show them that I'll sacrifice my life for them." And you, I mentioned quietly in my head.

"Fuck." He hissed, tilting my head so we were looking right at each other. His grey eyes glimmered with unspoken emotion, "Heart and soul Aella. Heart and soul." He said huskily. The emotion is his gaze startled me by their intensity.

Our gaze abruptly shifted when Jamison flung the door open.

"I didn't hear you knock Jamison." Jude growled.

"Oh, pardon me, let me do this again." The man replied wryly, backing out the doorway.

"Don't bother. You're here already. What is it?"

His usually blank face was alert. "She's up."

"Ok, we'll be there soon." Jamison left. Jude helped me stand, noticing my questioning look, "It's Allison. We have her here. She's awake."

My heart pounded loudly, "Where is she?" I dashed for the door; fear lodged into my throat.

"One of the guest rooms."

Jude halted abruptly, his face contorting into worry. I tapped my foot impatiently. I knew he was talking to someone in the Pack through the link since he always had that same look of concentration when someone spoke with him in his head.

When his expression eased, he started moving again, pulling the door open, "We need to hurry. She's fighting Tatum, and no one wants to intervene."