There were only three of us.

I spied Pen stretched out on the ground, fighting for breath. Blood stained her temples as I turned her over. She groaned, palming her cheek. "Shit Aella. A bit gentler with my body." She cracked her eyes open.

"Sorry, I'm just so relieved." A sob tickled my throat.

"Fuck, I think one of my ribs is cracked. Is there a hot healer around here?"

"I could help you out." Kian limped towards us, holding his shoulder. Beads of perspiration made his face shine as he hobbled over, wincing when he moved.

"I don't know why I'm pleased as hell to see you too emo." Pen laughed but groaned when the pain kicked in. "Someone just knock me out and wake me up when I resemble Angelina Jolie or something."

"You're passable." Kian joked but winced in pain when he shifted his shoulder.

"Where are we?" I asked. Our surroundings were just.... empty. The air shimmered ominously a foot away and Kian limped towards it, "I think this is our way out."

"Or maybe it's another death trap." Pen reluctantly got up with my help. I assisted her towards the shimmering air.

"I don't think the others made it."

A sudden wave of grief and sorrow punched me in the gut, I faltered mid-step. Although I hadn't been a fan of Casey, I had admired her firm diligence. I had hoped in some sort of miracle that we would all make it through the forest but that wasn't real life.

Casey was gone. The other two guys weren't here either.

We were lucky and it was only dawning on us in that moment as we stood quietly on heavy feet.

"Fuck. Shit. Motherfucker!" Kian groaned, holding his head with both hands.

"I can't believe we did it." Pen whispered, her tone thick with emotion. "I think we made it." Her voice cracked with emotion.

I glanced at our scuffed-up boots tainted with dirt. We had worked hard for this. I felt the relief in Pen's body as she gave the rest of her weight to my side. My throat felt dry, and my eyes watered just as everything else sank in.

We made it.

We did it.

The victory and pride I felt came out of nowhere, filling my lungs with air.

"Aella." Pen peered up with me with a wobbly smile. "I get to stay here." The hope and excitement had me holding her to my side tightly. "I have a home now." She added with a hoarse whisper, it made it hard for me to not feel weak at the knees.

"You earned it Pen. You earned it all." Happiness like no other wrapped around me.

"Holy shit, my old man is going to shit himself." Kian blurted, throwing us a wide-eyed look.

At that, Pen and I erupted into loud laughter. My cheeks ached and my body and mind felt as if I had been through a human-sized grater, but I was content. Pen, Kian and I shuffled closer to the shimmering spot and we all shared glances and small grins.

No one bothered to say anything because us being there together was enough.

It was a damn miracle.

Kian took my right hand while Pen took my left.

Together, we stepped through the shimmering air.

***

As we cleared the space, we were met with rows of Elite Syndicate Enforcers.

Jude stood in the front of the Enforcers, his seven main men behind him and the rest sprawled behind them all in neat, concise rows.

Seamus stood beside Jude, a barely there smirk adorning his lips.

My gaze rested on my mate.

His expression was carefully hidden away as he approached us all. He looked at us in the eye and then nodded, "You have accomplished something not many have the heart or determination for."

"Hell yeah." Pen agreed.

Some of the Enforcers let out some laughter. I was half-expecting Seamus to turn around and order them to shut up but the man himself was occupied with his tablet.

"You all should be proud."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked anywhere else but him. If I held his stare, I'd probably degenerate into a blubbering mess of tears and embarrassment.

"We welcome you three officially to the Elite Syndicate." Jude continued. "Tonight we will have a ceremony to celebrate this victory owed to you."

"Thank you." Pen was the first to speak. I was still battling with the emotions rushing through me. It was still difficult for me to comprehend it all.

If anything, I wanted those thick, firm arms around me, embracing me into his warmth but after I had left things with him, I wasn't sure that was okay. I knew Jude was still angry, but he was an expert at concealing the specific emotions from his face in public. He was all Alpha right now, the famed leader of the Shadow Hunters Pack.

"I'll allow you all to have some rest before the ceremony begins."

We all nodded in unison.

"I'll have an E.S Enforcer wake you up when everything is prepared."

"Alpha, we have a meeting in ten minutes." Seamus appeared beside Jude, tapping away on the device cradled in his palm, "We need to leave now if we're going to make it on time."

"We'll go now." Jude affirmed. His gaze caught mine for a split-second before he was gone, walking away. I wanted to follow him, but I knew I couldn't. Not yet at least. There were too many people watching me here.

"I need a shower." Kian was the first to leave. He saluted us goodbye before disappearing quickly. Pen left next, hugging me with haste before pouncing off as if she hadn't been limping with pain just a few minutes ago. The E.S Enforcers that had gathered slowly disintegrated into smaller groups until there were only a few of them. Jude's seven men weren't there either. They must've left in a hurry too.

I made my way to the Pack House, aiming for Ma's assigned room. When I got there, she immediately dragged me into her arms. "Thank the Goddess you're here and alive." She breathed deep, stroking my hair. "Why the hell didn't you tell me that you had gone to the Weeping Forest? I had only known you left when Jude came to inform me." She tilted my head side to side, looking for injury. Considering I had some time to heal, the damage didn't look as bad, but any sight of blood made Ma go into overprotective-freakishly-scary-mode.

"Jude came here?" I asked, surprised.

Ma nodded, patting my sides and hips. "As soon as you left. He came right to me. He was worried for you Sweets. You should've seen his face. If he could, I'm more than positive he would have dragged you back home. I was close to doing it myself, but I knew you wanted this badly. You put so much hard work into this, now look at your fruits darling. You've reaped so much good already."

"Thank you." I caught her hands before she could start doing a pat-down along my legs. "You're right, I did want this so badly but I'm such an idiot Ma." I felt pressure build behind my nose. My eyes began to sting when I thought about the last conversation I had with Jude, "I keep forgetting that I have another person in my corner. I keep stuffing up and I'm just so angry with myself Ma."

"What are you talking about Sweets?"

"Jude. He only spoke the truth though. I haven't been a good mate Ma."

The confession made me weak and vulnerable.

Why had I gotten it all wrong?

"Don't over think it, Aella. Maybe some space will help but not too much space. You two are still at the very beginning of this journey. There's still lots of chances and time to get it right."

"You're so wise." I chuckled into her shoulder. Her hand stroked my back, "Your Grandma was wise. Some of the things she has said to me have managed to stick."

"I love you." I whispered.

"Love you too Aella."

***

The ceremony was small and intimate with only the Elite Syndicate Enforcers present. They were all dressed impeccably in their fighting skins, each stretch of material highlighting their toned body parts.

I counted about thirty Enforcers, knowing many more were out guarding the border.

"What did you get? Wait, is that even edible?" Kian asked, sniffing the green concoction in my hand.

"It's jello...I think." I was only half-listening when the serving man had held it out for me. I was too busy trying to catch Jude amongst the crowd. It was difficult to pin the man down.

"He's with Seamus." Kian sighed, taking a sip of his drink.

"Am I that obvious?" I chuckled.

"You were ten seconds away from drooling actually."

"Great."

"And getting a bit desperate."

I nudged him in the side.

We watched the crowd quietly. It was bittersweet to recognise that despite how intimidating the Shadow Hunters appeared to the rest of the Territories, the spirit of family and unity was deeply rooted to their core.

"It's different here." Kian voiced my thoughts. "I actually like it here."

We both laughed.

"I'm not sure what my old man is going to do. He might want to stay back since he's the Beta, but we'll see."

"He'll be proud of you."

"Weird. I think the only time he felt anything akin to that for me was when I was scouted."

"You underestimate yourself too much Kian. I know what you can do."

He winked, "Don't tell anyone."

Pen joined our duo, swathed in the same black-on-black skins Jamison handed us for the ceremony. The clothing was tight and elastic, fitting around our limbs like second skin. Black ribbons decorated our wrists and ankles. Seamus had requested that our feet be bare.

Pen had her locks drawn up into an effortlessly perfect bun with some tendrils escaping the ribbon she used to maintain the shape. She even added a tinge of ruby gloss to add colour to the feminine curve of her lips.

Kian on the other hand looked the same as always but he did do something to his hair. It was glossy and combed like a preppy rich kid, highlighting the sharp slashes of his cheekbones.

Who would've thought that the Rogue, Emo, and the Outcast would make it this far?

When the ceremony began, it wasn't long or formal as I had imagined. Jude of course was in the centre of the congregation of Enforcers, holding a leather-bound book between his palms. He too was dressed in black clothes that did nothing to hide his athletic build.

"This book contains the codes that the Elite Syndicate live and breathe by. The pledges taken by the successful Recruits will be added into our history."

Hums of agreement rose in acknowledgement.

"Penelope Rivers, Kian Montgomery and Aella Spades. We welcome you to the Elite Syndicate."

Cheers replaced the hums.

"Do you each pledge your life to protect and keep safe the people of the Shadow Hunters?"

I didn't need to think as the words rolled through the air.

"Yes." It was a resounding yes echoed with promise and sincerity.

"The Moon Goddess shines on each of you with approval. To new beginnings!" Jude's voice sailed through the cheers that erupted. It was deafening hearing the cheers resonate across the Enforcers.

When the cheers faded, Pen immediately pulled me into a tight embrace. It only lasted a second before she pounced on Kian who barely managed to keep his feet on the solid ground from her surprise attack.

I laughed freely, feeling something warm leak from the corner of my eye. I quickly dabbed the moisture away and froze when I caught Jude watching me with an intensity I was familiar with. His dark brows crinkled with concern.

"Jude." I called out; my voice hoarse.

Heclosed his eyes and regarded me with a wave of unspoken emotions. "Ourbedroom Aella. I'll come to you."