I wasn't sure if I was going to laugh or cry.

Ma stood tucked into the corner of the room, her hair a tangled mess around her shoulders and her right cheek red from where she must've slept on judging by the imprints of her fingers. Her gown was wrinkled, and her eyes were coloured pink like she hadn't closed her eyes in a while.

I didn't think I had ever seen Tatum look so crestfallen standing on the opposite side of the room. His chest moved with rapid breaths. There were E.S Enforcers on standby beside him, taking in the scene with caution.

"Ma?" I moved warily into the room on quiet feet.

Her gaze immediately found mine and she rushed into my arms in a blur of colours. Her familiar scent of lilies instantly brought me comfort and relief. "Baby." She lifted her palms to cup my cheeks. I tilted my head so that we were eye to eye. The relief that settled into her expression caused a pang in my heart. "How are you?" She asked softly, wiping my cheeks. I realised I must've let a few errant tears escape. She didn't make a comment on it, but her expression became tender, "I'm okay Aella."

"Tatum." Jude's voice rang across the room.

Tatum didn't take his eyes of Ma. If I was being completely honest, he looked like he was two seconds from collapsing to his knees.

Ma perked up when Jude slipped beside me, his hand extending towards Ma, "Hello Allison, my name is Jude Slater. Pleasure to meet you."

Ma stalled for a second, her eyes zeroed in on the other big palm Jude had comfortably latched on the curve of my hip. Her lips parted in surprise, but no words left her mouth as she slowly slid her hand into Jude's large one. They shook once. Ma blinked out of her daze and shot me a peculiar look which I returned with a sheepish one. Her expression practically screamed for me to explain myself. I knew she wanted to know why there was a big, scary changeling holding me possessively. Her nostrils flared in understanding, taking in the bonding scent. She didn't speak a word, but I knew that she wanted to talk very soon, rather than later. Her manners were the only thing restraining her from spilling out an endless flow of questions.

"I see you've come into contact with Tatum."

At this, Ma stiffened, refusing to look behind her, "Unfortunately. Do you have another spare room I can occupy please?"

Jude didn't hesitate and asked one of the E.S Enforcers standing near the door to find another empty room for her.

"Follow him, he'll show you another room."

"Thank you." She whispered, her features suddenly falling with exhaustion.

"I'll come up in a bit." I spoke up. Ma pulled me into another hug with a quick peck to the cheek, "I'll be waiting Sweets."

Jude and I watched as she left quietly on fragile legs. Tatum at this point took the cue not to go after her. He looked more than dejected with how the events had turned out. Some of his men that pooled into the room read the sullen atmosphere and disguised their worry for their leader.

"Tatum, I don't think it is wise for you to be so close to her too soon." Jude advised.

For once, Tatum didn't combat Jude's words. He nodded and left, his men filing out behind him in silence.

After a signal from Jude, the E.S Enforcers departed too.

"I'm sorry they messed up the room." I winced at the damage.

"We have other rooms." Jude shrugged, "I'm sure one of the Pack members will see to it."

"I've never seen him look like that before." I admitted pensively, thinking about Tatum.

"They both need time."

"I think it'll be better if I stay with Ma tonight. It'll be a good chance to speak with her too about you."

This seemed to surprise him in a good way since his lips formed a small, somewhat timid smile. "Only tonight then." He emphasised.

"Jude, what if she needs me? I'm not sure one night is enough time."

"What if I needed you?" He asked with heat in his gaze, "Only tonight, then you're back in my bed."

"We'll see."

His eyes flashed but he didn't refute me either.

"Careful my sweet little fairy, I bite." He nipped my ear, then the nape of my neck before blowing a raspberry there.

My body folded into itself as a giggle escaped my lips. I bit my traitorous tongue. Jude did a shitty job at hiding his matching smile. However, his eyes become warm when he took me in.

"Go." Jude gestured his head to the doorway.

I moved towards it but stalled, "You won't be out, will you?" I asked. Jude was a workaholic, and he probably didn't even know it. He would do anything for his Pack, to the point he would lose sleep over it. Sometimes, I forgot that the man walked with the weight of the Pack on his shoulders, but he never complained. For as much as he was protective of his people, he loved them too with something immeasurable I'd never seen before. It was why I worried for him.

"Not tonight." His answer brought sweet relief.

"Good, you need sleep. You have some dark circles under your eyes." I gestured to his face, despite there being none, visible.

"Go Aella or I'll have you over my lap." A mischievous glint appeared in his gaze.

I stuck my tongue out. He raised an amused brow.

"Night sugar plum. Don't miss me too much." I blew him a kiss. He smirked, crossing his arms, "I'll see you in my bed tomorrow night Aella. No buts."

A shiver travelled down my spine.

I took a step towards the door but paused, glancing back. Jude raised a questioning brow, his gaze curious. I'm not sure why the image of him standing there by himself bothered me so much. Maybe it was because he looked too comfortable standing in the dark, almost as if it was his friend.

"I forgot something." I grinned.

"What is it?" He immediately scanned the room, alert.

My legs ate up the gap between us. On reflex, Jude held my thighs as I wrapped my legs around his waist, sliding my arms around his neck. In the next second, I was kissing the hell out of him.

He stiffened in surprise but immediately responded, his tongue delving between my lips with a hungry growl.

I was caught up in a daze as his scent fell around me. No place else felt safer than his arms. His hair tickled my skin and the scruff on his jaw rubbed deliciously against me. It was a stark contrast from his soft lips.

I didn't know how long we breathed each other in or how long our lips were caught in an inferno of passion. It was only when Jude pulled back, I was taken out of the daze. A harsh exhale escaped his lips as he watched me beneath obsidian lashes. His lips danced across mine once...twice...and once more before he reluctantly eased me down onto my feet. His hands clenched at his sides with self-restraint as he gazed down at me.

I took a few steps back, sucking on my lip that tasted like him. His gaze caught the movement. I was secretly thrilled that his chest flared in response.

"Glad you're back." I said. Humour flickered across his expression, mingled with lust and something else warmer.

"Go now Aella. I'm barely holding myself back from locking that door and keeping you here with me."

I licked my lips, sending a saucy wink his way as I sauntered to the door. "Tomorrow night." I confirmed.

His lips slowly curled, sending hot tendrils to my belly. "Go."

This time, I obeyed.

***

"Who was that man beside you?"

Of course, Ma would ask about Jude before I had the chance to settle in. A soft smile was etched on her fine features as she stroked the vacant spot beside her. Other than the fact that she appeared as if she just finished fighting an ongoing war, she looked nothing less than perfect amongst the plump pillows and thick covers. She tugged the blanket over and I didn't waste time getting in. Her familiar scent instantly wrapped me up, I immediately felt like I was at home. It reminded me of the times when we snuggled down together, sharing one pillow.

My memories suddenly filled with the quiet, sweet moments when I was a little girl, where she'd wrap me in her fierce embrace, whispering stories. Ma wasn't very good at stories, but we did have fun making up stories to our pleasure, whether it was from cranky ogres to delicate fairies.

Tonight, I had a feeling that she was just bone weary and apparently, Jude was going to be our story tonight.

"He's my mate."

"My little girl managed to bag the Alpha of the Shadow Hunters, huh?"

"Ma, don't." I grumbled, sinking into the covers.

"Does he treat you well?"

I nodded against her chest, listening to the steady pace of her heart in my ear, "Yeah."

"He's handsome." The amusement in her tone made me chuckle.

"He's hot."

Ma laughed.

"Don't tell him that, it might go to his head." I joked.

"Oh Sweets, I'm happy for you." She combed my hair, "But I would like to have a word with him though if you don't mind. I want to introduce myself."

Translation- she wanted to cross-examine him.

"I'll let Jude know."

I wasn't going to.

After some silence, I finally managed to address the big white elephant in the room, "You okay Ma?"

"You already know." She sighed, holding me tightly. "I didn't think I'd ever see him again Aella."

"What happened?" It was a question I kept close to my heart since I was a child. It was always there but I never did let my words find voice until now.

"That's something I don't really know either. One day he had been there and then he just left. Disappeared without a note or explanation. I was so blind-sided; I didn't even want to believe that he left me without so much as a goodbye. I didn't even know I was pregnant until a month later after he had left. I waited for him, but he never showed up. When he left, I think I wanted him there for you more rather than for me. It was the only reason I waited for so long until I couldn't."

"And Alpha Bennett?"

"He hated me. I never quite understood that man. Things became ugly when he realised I was carrying you."

The injustice Ma faced made me furious on her behalf. I barely tolerated Alpha Bennett.

He didn't deserve Ma. He had always been passive aggressive. It was a nightmare living with him in the same Pack.

It was a shame that these things were only emphasised when I landed here in Jude's Pack. Despite the rumours that travelled from the Packs, the Shadow Hunters were always illuminated in a dangerous light, but their familial bond was stronger than anything I had ever seen or experienced. The fact that Jude was adored by his Pack spoke volumes more than what rumours could do.

"I didn't know he was an assassin." I said.

"I didn't know either until he came back to me one day with his clothes soaked in blood. He barely could even hold himself upright when he came knocking on my door. The idiot had the nerve to say, 'Hey Allie,' Ugh, I wanted to kick his ass so bad back then but then he fainted from the blood loss. That's how he broke his nose, but he always tells everyone that it was from a fight he had with a Rogue."

"You loved him."

She didn't agree or disagree with my statement as she ran her hands absently along my hair.

"Will you talk to him?"

"I can't avoid him for too long. Your father is persistent and annoying." Her words sounded harsh, but her tone was light.

"He loves you."

"I know." Ma confessed, sighing against my forehead. "I'm just not quite ready to face him just yet but I'll talk with him tomorrow."

"I only want the best for you." I whispered into the dark, holding the sheets tightly.

She moved closer and I closed my eyes. Sleep drew me in, and I felt something soft brush my cheek. It was soft and fleeting, then words were spoken against my skin quietly like a secret. I couldn't decipher the tender words when sleep finally tugged me the rest of the way until I was lulled into her soothing embrace.