Jude was ticklish.

I didn't know how long I slept, pressed firmly against his side. My ear heard the strong rhythm of his heart and my hand roamed up and down his torso. His abs twitched under my touch, but he still hadn't opened a single eye.

I didn't blame him. We only managed to fall asleep an hour ago when Jude managed to wrangle out another toe-curling orgasm from yours truly. We barely made it to the shower to wash up before we collapsed on the bed in a tangle of drowsy limbs. Sleep had come quick but an hour later, I found myself studying the sharp angles of his face.

He had abnormally thick and long lashes. It made him look softer. He appeared more innocent this way, lost in sleep and languid from hours spent upon his silk sheets.

His prickly scruff rubbed against my temple as he shifted closer to me. The arm he had around my waist tightened briefly before easing off. His breaths evened out as he continued to sleep away while I took in everything about him.

My fingers caressed along a pinkish mark in the middle of his chest. He had a few more scattered on his thighs, chest, and neck. Love bites. I'd hadn't realised that I had marked him as much as he did with me. His whiskers had left marks along my body. My inner thighs still carried them from when he french-kissed the hell out of my pussy.

I clenched my thighs at the thought and traced the defined lines of his abs, trying to ignore the lingering pool of desire in my belly.

I watched my fingers dance across his side, towards his armpit. He twitched. I slid my hand over his shoulder and down his arm. He twitched again. Hiding a grin, I trailed a line down his bicep.

Jude's eyes snapped open. They found mine in a heartbeat. His hand grasped my hand to his chest, to halt their mischief. "What are you doing?" His voice was rough from sleep but velvety all the same.

"You're ticklish." I grinned, "Do your men know this titbit?"

"No." He replied, "And you won't be telling them either."

"Oh really." I sat up, clutching the sheets close to my chest. This only directed Jude's attention to drop to the said sheet. I snapped my fingers, catching his heated gaze. "Eyes up here Alpha."

"I recall you saying something similar like that to me around the same time we met." He mused, "Who would've thought...." His words trailed off and I raised an expectant brow, "Who would've thought what?"

His sinful lips lifted at the corners, " Who would've thought that I'd end up having you in my bed looking the way you do."

"And how is that?"

"Like you've been thoroughly fucked right."

I groaned, covering my face. His raspy laugh sounded so out of place; it was his only saving grace from my desire to slap him upside the head. He shifted and before I could retort, his lips seduced mine.

It was a tender but sensual kiss where he pressed chaste pecks at the corner of my cupid's bow. The slip of his tongue against mine stirred up yearning for his touch and taste, I was butter under his roaming hands.

"On your stomach. Hands and knees." He suddenly instructed. My pussy throbbed.

I complied, turning onto my stomach, and anchoring up on my knees and hands. I stole a glance over my shoulder to find Jude devouring the sight of the delicate curves of my body.

I felt him behind me, the head of his cock sliding along my drenched slit. I rocked back and forth until he gripped my hips, rolling his hips as he sank into me with one long thrust.

I barely caught my breath as he rocked into me, stealing another orgasm.

I slumped into the bed, trembling but moaning as Jude slammed into me, gripping my ass as he worked out another orgasm. I sank into him just as his fingers reached down and strummed my clit.

Fuck, he knew how to work his fingers.

It wasn't long before another release found me.

Jude shuddered, pulling me close as he drew another few more thrusts. Wetness coated my inner thighs, but Jude ruffled through the bedside table, taking a few wipes to clean up the mess. I would've been embarrassed but I was comfortable in Jude's hands. He cleaned himself too before sighing in content.

I was sore and tired by the time Jude sprawled onto his back, tugging me to his side. He placed the side of my cheek against his chest and raised his fingers against mine, tapping out a song he could only hear. His other hand slid up and down my spine, drawing patterns that lulled me into the beginnings of a deep sleep.

"I had visions of you...of us on the night of the Full Moon. " Jude's voice caressed my temple, pulling me away from sleep.

Curious, I peered up at him from beneath my lashes. There was a pensive look set in his face as he continued moving his fingertips along my skin. "What did you see?"

"Us in front of a sunset....and some other things." He replied vaguely.

"Wait, why do you have that look on your face?" I questioned, examining the soft grin on his face as he watched me with a certain intensity Jude could only ever pull off. It was like he was taking his time tracing my features until they were firmly planted in his head. "Okay, you're freaking me out Jude." I gathered the sheets beneath my arms and sat up. His hands fell off me as he sat up too, folding his arms behind his head. He didn't utter another word but glanced out the opened curtains with a relaxed sigh. If anything, he looked completely at ease. Peaceful. Content.

"Now you have to tell me what's whirling around your head." I demanded, palming his cheek. His grey eyes sparkled with mirth and for a second, I was entirely shocked by the look.

"Why are you looking at me that way?"

The words hung in the air, but I knew I didn't need to ask. I knew, deep inside under layers of doubt, uncertainty, and hope that Jude felt the same way I did for him.

"Heart and Soul." He whispered, his lips pulling into the softest of smiles.

"I want to hear the words, Alpha." I leaned towards him. His lips parted and I waited with my heart pounding noisily against my ribcage.

I gasped, erupting into giggles as Jude rolled over me, pressing little kisses on my neck and collarbone. I lightly smacked his butt, but he pulled back, leaving cold air. His hands gripped the sheets on either side of my head as his thighs clamped down on my hips, keeping me in place under his playful gaze. "I love you."

His confession took root in my heart.

The tip of his nose brushed against mine as he repeated the three words along my cheeks, jaw and finally my lips.

"Love you too." I sighed as his lips settled on mine.

***

"Again." Jude commanded.

I ran towards him again and aimed a kick for his stomach. He clucked his tongue, catching my foot between two sturdy hands, bringing me close until our noses brushed lightly. "Babe. Stop aiming for my balls."

I laughed, wiggling my foot until he dropped it. "I wasn't aiming there."

He made an unconvinced noise and resumed his defensive stance. Now, he was asking for a strike to the balls with way he was grinning. He knew I had been bluffing the last five minutes since we started sparring.

"Any minute now babe." He chuckled, swiping his lips, and narrowing his gaze in challenge.

"Sweet talking won't get you anywhere Alpha."

"Mmm, just like last night when I fuc-"

"Jude!" I screeched, scanning the perimeter. No kids were present but there were a few E.S Enforcers roaming the field. They paid no heed to Jude and I. They were focused with their own duties.

"I didn't think you were the shy type." He crossed his arms, making his muscles flex unintentionally. Oh Goddess, why did he have to be infuriatingly hot.

"I'm not shy." I hissed, "I rather not air out our bedroom business to the to the whole of the Pack."

"They already know what we do behind closed doors Aella." Amusement dripped from his tone.

"Well, I hope they think I'm whopping your ass."

"Now they will." He said, his gaze sliding to the left of my shoulder. I tensed when Tatum appeared, his expression immovable as his attention flicked back and forth between Jude and I.

"Jude." He greeted sternly.

"Tatum." My mate replied with a slight nod.

I inwardly shook my head as they both eyed each other warily. From my point of view, the tension between the two had decreased but there was still a precautionary vibe they both exuded in spades. It wasn't like I was expecting them to suddenly be friends by this point, but they did tolerate each other, which was enough for now.

"I wanted to speak with Aella." Tatum finally spoke.

"No." Jude immediately responded as I said 'yes'.

Exasperated, I shot Jude a certain look.

"I'll give you five minutes Tatum." Jude reluctantly left but not before throwing me a heated glance.

"Hey." I greeted.

Today, he was dressed in a long black coat with a blue silk shirt buttoned beneath to the collar. He had on a pair of pressed dress pants and shiny leather loafers. His expression was soft as he watched me closely. I didn't know what to make of the hidden emotion swirling behind his eyes.

"Are you okay?" I asked, worried something was amiss.

"I hope you know how proud I am of you." He began, his voice suspiciously raspy.

"Tatum."

"You make me proud kid. Really proud. I love you." He said with a rare tender smile. Maybe it was the light but even his eyes seemed a little bit wet from where I was peering up at him.

I was more than shocked by his confession. It wasn't something I was expecting yet I felt myself believing those words.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. If I had known about you or had an inkling I had left something beautiful behind, I would've searched for you. I did you wrong and I did my Allison wrong, but I won't walk away this time. I want to be in your life Aella if you'd let me. Call me if you need anything and I'll come to you." He unfolded a crisp strip of paper from the breast pocket of his shirt, scribbled with slanted digits. "I mean it Aella. Anything. I'll come to you."

"You're leaving." Something in me ached from the revelation.

Tatum nodded stiffly. "I have a mission I need to deal with. I have been gone for too long."

Because of me. I was the reason.

"Does Ma know?" I asked.

Something shuttered across his face. Pain. Anguish. Regret....

She didn't know.

Tatum's throat bobbed with emotion. "I have something to give to you." He reached within his coat, pulling out a reasonably sized double axe. The metal gleamed under the sunlight as he flipped it flat onto his palms. He then extended it to me. "This is yours. I made it. I've been meaning to give it to you earlier but I didn't have the time."

"It's a double axe." I reached out, taking the weapon from his grip.

"Aella, the Amazonian, she had one like this. I wanted you to have the same. I wanted you to remember how strong you are."

I noted the hilt was engraved with the eye symbol too. "Thank you." I circled my fist on the end, my voice thick with emotion. "It's beautiful."

Tatum nodded, "I love you kid but I must go now."

I didn't know what came over me, but I suddenly found myself wrapping my arms around him. He shuddered from shock. I wondered if I had been too hasty embracing him, but I was suddenly gifted with a tight hug. His body trembled as he held me close for a few minutes. I felt his chin set on the crown my head. Another squeeze and inhale and then he was letting me go.

"Call me." He said roughly.

***

He was leaving. I just knew it.

He was done waiting.

I think I was too. It had been a struggle to keep myself hidden away. It was cowardly and I hated it. It felt my insides were being ripped apart.

From my bedroom window, I watched Tatum and his men approach the crest of the trees that would eventually lead him away from me.

My heart stuttered as a rush of emotions tumbled through me, one after the other.

My hand quivered against the lacey curtain that blurred me from the outside.

Why did I feel like this?

I pressed my forehead against the cool glass, closing my eyes and remembering a time that was much happier than this.

Sadness like no other settled on me like a dark, heavy cloud.

This was déjà vu all over again except I knew that if Tatum was going to cross that border, I wouldn't be able to get another chance. Maybe this was the only chance I needed. As much as I thought that I didn't need Tatum in my life, it was irrefutable that I still had strong feelings for the man himself.

My eyes opened and I looked below me.

Tatum was gone.

I trembled, feeling my eyes sting. I stood there, just staring at the empty spot below he just vacated.

No. I couldn't just stay here and watch him leave.

Determination rose in my blood.

Panic erupted through me as I yanked the curtain closed and ran to the door.

I needed to see him and be brave. I needed to tell him something I should've said the moment he stepped back into my life.

I pulled the door open and stumbled back seeing Tatum standing at the threshold.

I opened my mouth to speak but the words crumbled up and faded.

I was confused.

But relieved.

I was relieved to the point that I could collapse.

"No. Not a single word Allison. Let me bloody speak for once." He stepped into my room, slamming the door shut behind him and locking it. He stood imposingly at the door, determined yet different.

I didn't remember him being so tall and so.... regretful.

"I-"

"I'm so fucking sorry." His words had me clamping my lips tightly. Those big shoulders of his trembled under the morose weight of his apology. "God, I'm so sorry Allison."

"Tatum-"

"I was a fool. I shouldn't have left you like that."

"I was so angry at you." I whispered, watching his body slowly crumble. "I thought I hated you, but I couldn't really. I was just so sad and furious. I wanted to erase you."

His hands covered his face as his chest heaved with long, painful breaths.

"But I couldn't stop worrying about you either. I always thought of you. Was he okay? Was he sleeping? Was he alone? Was he safe? Did he eat? I never heard a word from you, but I wanted to know if you were still alive and breathing. When I had Aella, I didn't have much time to think about anything else, but I wished you could've seen her grow up. She's my world and she reminds me of you. I guess that's why I didn't feel as angry and melancholic when the years passed. I just became Aella's mum."

"You lost yourself a bit." He added.

I nodded but I showed him in my expression that I was okay now. Healed. Better.

"She's incredible." Tatum agreed, removing his hands from his face. His eyes were noticeably pink, and I fought the urge to hug him in the circle of my arms. I was still hurt. "You did that."

I flushed, feeling my cheeks warm up from the softly spoken praise. "Thanks." If there was anything that I was proud of in my life, it was Aella.

"I'll keep saying sorry until you can forgive me Allie."

My knees wobbled hearing his name for me. I felt like I was still a teen, high on love with Tatum's younger voice chasing me through the trees.

"Allie God, you have to know how sorry I am. You need to know. I-I couldn't leave without saying that. I owe it to you and Aella." His voice hitched as an almost unnoticeable tremor rippled through his body.

Tatum had been my happiness at one point- a bright, magnificent star that propelled out of nowhere and landed in front of me like a mystery. He'd been reckless back then and had an affinity for making me laugh until my chest ached.

We'd been so happy.

But so tragically young.

I had a choice right here, standing in front of the man who had been my greatest protector. I could choose to be happy and frankly, Tatum did make me happy if I dispersed of the negative emotions taking a toll on my shoulders like crushing boulders. It would take a while to fully pull myself from those painful memories, but I wanted him.

I was always weak-kneed for Tatum and the idiot knew it back then.

Now, he looked like a man bereft of everything. I was certain he thought that I would kick him out and demand he never come back. He thought himself irredeemable.

I also knew he wouldn't force me to let him in.

I took one hesitant step forward, followed by another and another until I was standing in front of him. His familiar scent greeted me. I slightly bent my knees and grasped his arms that shook when I touched him. His head snapped up and those dark brown eyes pinned me down with unfiltered, raw emotion.

I cupped his cheek, feeling the short bristles of his scruff along his jaw. He shivered under my touch, but his gaze never once strayed from mine as he slowly rose to his full height, where he towered a head taller than me. "How long Tatum?" I asked, searching his murky orbs intently.

The question startled him. I hadn't asked him the question in a very long time. Anguish made him squeeze his eyes shut. When he managed to control his emotions, those endless pools of brown reflected hope.

His rough hands held my wrist tightly as he leaned further into my touch. His eyes shone with hope and an eternal covenant of love. "Forever Darling. Forever."

His familiar reply softened a place inside me, leaving tranquillity.

There still was a journey ahead in trying to dim the hurt and pain suffered but this determination to have Tatum by my side conquered any other emotion battling within me.

Feeling his hot breath against my palm, I finally eased into him, wrapping an arm around his waist, and just falling into his embrace. A hiss escaped his lungs as he buried his face into the hollow of my neck, inhaling deep. "Love me forever darling Allie."

His nickname for me only made me squeeze him tightly. "Only if you do the same."