"No daddy!"

I stifled the laughter bubbling in my throat, watching my little girl cross her arms defiantly. Jude sat across the table from her, his hand still extended with a spoonful of mashed potatoes. "I promise I didn't cook it this time. You won't feel sick." Jude assured the raven-haired girl with bright, clear eyes that matched his own. She was swathed in her pink overalls and baby blue rain boots she vowed to never take off. The piggy tails I styled in the morning were now limp, with the blue bows unravelling but she painted a pretty picture as she scrutinised the food again before reluctantly leaning over, gulping the whole thing down.

"See?"

Haven nodded solemnly, "Yeah, my tummy doesn't feel sick."

"She really won't let you live that down." I chuckled, kissing his cheek. He sighed but quickly caught my cheek and angled our lips for a deep kiss. It didn't matter how often I felt his lips. I always could drown into his embrace, forgetting everything else. That is, until Haven fake gagged, covering her mouth. "Ewwww."

"Are they doing it again?" A boy rounded the corner, narrowing his azure eyes with suspicion.

Haven kicked her short legs, "I want to go down. Please daddy!"

Jude lifted her off her chair, kissing her cherub cheek and letting her run off to her big brother who swept her up. He placed her on his hip like he always did.

Silas was all Jude. Dark hair. A strong build despite still being a kid and he was just as quiet and observant. The only thing he inherited from me was my eyes and maybe an unhealthy dose of stubbornness which never failed to make Jude bang his head against the wall when our boy decided to be an ass about something.

"Come here son."

Silas came to stand beside Jude, gazing up at him. Jude pulled the boy towards him, kissing his forehead and sweeping his hair off his eyes. "You need a haircut. Maybe Jamison can do it?"

"No daddy!" Haven retorted.

'No daddy' was probably her two most used words. It was starting to get on my nerves but Jude softened each time she said daddy. He was daddy to her and the fact that a little human could call him that made him weak in the knees. It was apparent in the way the corner of his lips tilted up.

"I'll ask him when I see him." Silas said.

"Thanks son."

Silas nodded and made his way to me, leaning into my side. "Hey mum." His voice softened noticeably. From my peripheral, Jude shook his head despite the small grin he couldn't hide. He found it amusing that his tough-as-nails son loved his Ma so profoundly, he didn't care that he probably looked like a softie in front of his friends.

"Hey baby." I brushed my fingers through his hair. He was getting taller, and it was both heart-breaking and amazing. I still pictured how small he had been when he came into the world, crying his lungs out, demanding all the attention in the room. His cries had come to an abrupt halt when Jude held him to his bare chest after the Pack healer had cleaned him. The immense adoration set in Jude's face had me in tears as our son opened his eyes to the world for the first time and gazed at his father with big, curious eyes.

"He has your eyes babe." Jude whispered in awe as he cuddled Silas in his arms. He looked so tiny laying along the length of Jude's arm. He looked so fragile and vulnerable, I loved him already.

I heard the front door open and Ma appeared, wearing a bright yellow sun dress only she could pull off. "How are my babies?" She cooed, sweeping Silas into a hug. He went into her arms albeit reluctantly as Haven began to squirm. Ma took the wiggling toddler, smothering her chubby cheeks with a rain of kisses. Haven squealed before erupting into a fit of giggles. My gaze shot to Jude who looked on with a tender expression.

"Darling, we forgot to grab Haven's car seat." Another pair of footsteps entered the house.

Tatum appeared, hands on his tapered waist. He took in the people in the room with that scrutiny that missed nothing. He acknowledged Jude with his typical nod that Jude promptly returned. His gaze settled on me next. He didn't hesitate to cuddle me in his big arms.

Yes, cuddles. "Missed you kid."

"Missed you too dad."

When he released me, he pulled Silas into one of his cuddles. If there was anyone else that Silas adored, it was his grandad. He willingly took Tatum's hug and they whispered amongst themselves as they usually did. Tatum turned to Ma and the love spilling from them both made me happy for them.

Haven was still squirming around but as soon as she spotted Tatum, she lunged for him without delay. Tatum swiftly picked her up before she face planted the ground. Haven had a knack of knowing that her Pops would catch her. She grew quiet in his arms as she peeked up at him from thick, sooty lashes.

"Hey kiddo." He whispered reverently.

"Pops." She beamed up at him, fisting his crisp collar.

I could see Tatum melting into a puddle as he pressed a kiss on the soft spot of her head. He whispered something to her which made her eyes sparkle with glee as she clung tightly to him with her little legs wrapped around his waist.

"We have a car seat." Jude had disappeared at some point and returned with the device in his hand.

"Thank you." Ma reached to take it, but my mate shook his head, going out the door with it.

Ma shot me a knowing look.

Alpha men.

Tatum and Haven trailed behind us, still wrapped up in their own little world. Jude made quick work of settling the car seat into the back. Tatum deftly tucked Haven into the seat, distracting her with jokes as he snapped the belts in place. Silas hopped in beside Haven and ruffled her dark hair with a grin.

"Be good for Pops and Granny." I waved at my kids.

"We'll behave." Silas promised solemnly. I hid my grin. This kid. He was definitely Jude's offspring. Everything he did was so serious and efficient; I was slightly worried. The only thing that made me breathe at ease was the fact that Pops would slowly usher out the kid in Silas during the weekend.

"Bye Mama!" Haven waved enthusiastically from the window as the car began to reverse out of the driveway.

"Don't be too wild for Pops." I yelled out.

Haven rolled her eyes, something I've been trying to stop since she picked it up from Kian one afternoon when he volunteered to babysit the kids.

"Ok Mama." She grumbled then brightened when she blew kisses to her daddy. You had to love kids and their short attention span.

Never in my entire life would I imagine Jude pretend to catch kisses, pocketing them on his person. Haven's giggles filled the air, growing faint as my parents waved one last time before leaving.

I felt Jude's arm slide around my waist, his fingers slipping beneath the hem of my shirt to caress the skin there. "How long do you think before they drive them crazy?"

"An hour."

Jude laughed into the nape of my neck, his scruff tickling me. "Babe. That's too long. They'll call in thirty minutes."

We're both wrong, Tatum calls in ten minutes.

***

"All borders are clear."

"Thank fuck, I'm wiped." Kian groaned, wiping the thin layer of perspiration that had gathered on his forehead.

"You've been pretty slow lately." Pen smacked his arm.

"It's Irene, she's been hassling me. I honestly didn't think she would try to keep contact with me."

"And that is why we don't dip our wicks into places that are questionable." Pen piped up.

Kian groaned, swiping his palms over his face in patent regret. "I was wasted. Really wasted. I could've banged a man and not know who I was screwing."

Pen only raised a perfectly shaped brow, "Sure you were."

"Shut up, at least I'm not banging a pompous ass."

Pen pursed her lips, "Leave Alexei alone. At least he can find my clit! It's bloody fantastic!"

Kian blocked his ears, powerwalking away. "Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP!" He whined, blocking his ears. "That's disgusting."

"Well then." I blinked, adjusting the collar of my fighting gear that snagged on my body like glue. I needed a deep bath and a long slumber into the next century. My muscles ached and my feet.... I could feel the heal of my feet growing tender from walking endless slopes and trekking scents throughout the terrain.

"He's so annoying." Pen muttered but there was a miniscule smile etched upon lips.

It was incredible that we all were here, kicking ass and fulfilling our dreams and aspirations. Sure, our beginnings were rough. We'd endured many things and often bit down the agonies of hardship we faced training, fighting, and protecting our Pack.

Yet, we still stood. Together, nonetheless.

A mismatched trio of teens who managed to fight their way to the top.

Yeah, this was the gold at the end of the rainbow.

"Alexei is waiting for me. He promised to make me fettuccini." She rocked on her boots, elated by the idea.

"I'll see you tomorrow." I leaned in for hug. Despite our dirty selves, she pulled me into a tight embrace.

"I never thought I would be this happy." She whispered for the umpteenth time since we managed to escape the Weeping Forest.

Per usual, I gave her my response. "You deserve everything."

She crushed me closer. I couldn't help but remember the girl who had been scouted to join the Elite Syndicate.

If only she knew that when she stepped into the Shadow Hunters Pack, she'd be blessed by the Moon Goddess.

***

Since the kids were still reaping havoc for Ma and Tatum, our home Jude had built near the Pack house was dead silent. It was strange not hearing Haven's endless blubbering and Silas's fingers tapping against a keyboard or piano.

I couldn't sense Jude in the house either.

I headed towards the bathroom and stripped out of my gear. My slim belt of weapons clanked against the tiles. I moaned in relief as I got rid of my boots and untangled my hair from the tight braids I fashioned in the morning.

I twisted the faucet until a hiss and rattle echoed through the pipes. Warm water hissed out in a steady spurt. On the shelf, I grabbed the vanilla scented body wash. As I slid myself into the warm water, I sighed in relief, feeling my muscles go lax. I began soaping up my body, hissing when some water slid into some cuts, I gathered from spending too much time sparring.

My eyelids grew heavy as exhaustion finally settled in.

I was startled awake when I sensed Jude in the bedroom, on the opposite side of the door. The water had cooled significantly, and my fingers were pruned. I slowly rose from the water and moved to the dry mat, folding a towel around my body, and drying off. I quickly shaved and moisturised before curling the towel around my body, holding it in place with a knot between my breasts.

By then, I didn't hear anything as I pushed the door open.

I left the bathroom, amused by the sight of Jude sleeping on the bed sprawled like a starfish. I noticed he must've used one of the kid's showers to freshen up since he smelt like their fruity shampoo and the man himself did a poor job at drying himself since beads of water still clung to his skin.

He must've been exhausted since he was dead asleep to the world.

I grabbed another clean towel and caught the droplets sliding down his chest.

He didn't move an inch as I dabbed his hair dry and tucked him in under the covers. I finished drying my tangled locks, running my fingers through the knots. When I was done, I slid under the sheets, switching the lamp off. Even in his sleep, Jude rolled towards me. His heat enveloped my body as he wrapped his arms around me, pressing me in close to his chest. His lips found my cheek before he lost himself to sleep.

I clung onto his arms and met sleep not long after.

I was awakened as my pillow shifted. I blinked away the fogginess in my brain until I was aware of what was moving beneath my cheek.

Jude.

It was still dark outside, but I could see the outline of his face as he pressed a knee between my thighs.

How did I get in this position?

"Jude-"

His head dipped. His lips captured the rest of my words.

I melted, gripping his shoulders as he shifted his hips until they were firmly positioned between my thighs. His lips were still pillowy soft as he nipped my bottom lip with skill. Just as I made a move to deepen the kiss, Jude disconnected, dropping his forehead against mine as our lips skimmed each other teasingly.

"Never thought I'd have everything." He whispered against my lips.

I pressed soft kisses along his jaw, cheek, nose...anywhere I could put my lips on. He shivered under my touch as he nudged my sensitive spot between my thighs.

"Never thought I'd have my own Tinkerbell."

"Jude." I croaked with love.

"Never thought I'd have my own family."

He was killing me.

I nipped at his lips and said the words before he could. "Heart and Soul Jude Slater. Heart and Soul."

His eyes flashed as he shifted his hips again, making me moan.

His words were rough when he sealed them against my lips with a vow.

"Heart and Soul Aella Slater."