I heard Aella pacing the room as I rolled onto my back, opening my eyes. The morning rays assaulted my vision as I tried to fight the fatigue still weighing me down.

Sleep had been difficult to find.

Alexei and I had returned to the cabin hours after we were supposed to be back. We had laughed and made out against almost every tree that led towards the cabin. It was impossible keeping my hands to myself, especially when he coerced me with those dark, mahogany eyes that burned with every stroke of his hand against my skin. It didn't help that he suddenly couldn't help himself from pawing my butt each time I turned my back on him. I enjoyed it far too much and Alexei had no qualms about it, stealing a butt squeeze when the urge rolled over him.

When I returned to the room, Aella had already been fast asleep, her face squished into the pillow as she slept like a starfish over the covers. I didn't know how she wasn't freezing her ass off. After drowsily changing into my own sleepwear, I joined her. She immediately turned over, her limbs tugging me close like a handsy octopus.

Now that it was the morning, the memories of last night were clouding my thoughts in a thick fog.

Aella parked her butt on the edge of the bed, peering down at me with a knowing smirk. "You smell like Alexei." She whispered with a sly look in her face, "What were you two busy doing last night?" She crooked her head to the side, resembling a creepy but lethargic porcelain doll.

I reached for the pillow beside my head, slapping it over her unsuspecting face. She squawked as I pummelled another hit against her face. She managed to fight the object from my hand, slapping it over my face with a righteous bellow. I gasped, sitting up and attempting to steal the pillow from her fist.

Bitch was going down.

A hesitant knock sounded at the door. "Are you guys awake in there?" Jamison's voice trailed over our pillow squabble.

"Yeah, we're good." Aella huffed with a laugh, successfully lobbying another hit to my head before rolling off the bed. I noticed she was already dressed in her combat gear and her long, flowing hair had been tied into an intricate braid that draped over her shoulder. "We'll be out in a few minutes." She called out to the Enforcer.

Jamison mumbled something incoherent before his footsteps faded from the closed door.

I slipped off the bed, finding balance on my feet.

Aella laughed under her breath as she took in my dazed, sleepy state. "You okay over there? Need me to get Alexei to perform mouth-to-mouth on you?" She teased.

I barely caught myself from nodding like an idiot. Instead, I waved my hand, moving to the bathroom. "Ignore me. As you can see, I'm finding it hard to locate my brain this morning."

Aella laughed, "I'll be in the lounge with the men. Take your time." She left, closing the door behind her.

Considering, I hadn't seen the bathroom from the last visit, I completely missed the fact that it was tiny, I could barely move around without hitting a limb against something. There was only a glass cubicle where the showerhead sprouted from the stained tiles, with a toilet and sink within reach. Nothing fancy. I twisted the knobs, cringing when the pipes squeaked loudly. Ice cold water gushed down, soaking the smooth floors. I fiddled with the knobs until the water warmed up. I stripped out of my sleeping clothes and hopped in, relaxing immediately once the hot water cascaded down my skin, soaking my hair.

There were little bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash sitting on the edge of the sink. I grabbed the items, washing my hair first before applying a liberal amount of the mint scented body wash along my skin.

***

Alexei's gaze felt like a forbidden stroke of fire as they sought me from across the room. I had taken more time than usual getting ready. I wasn't sure if it was the nervous flutters playing ping pong in my belly making me want to delay seeing Alexei, or if I simply was trapped in my own gooey feelings for the man, I lost track of time.

My lips tingled from the memory of our last, heated kiss that happened outside the door of the cabin. I had expected Aella or Jamison to pull the door open and find us but once we entered the cabin, both of them had already been sleeping. Jamison had taken nest on the lounge seat and Aella was sprawled on the single bed.

Alexei's eyes darkened, as if reading my wayward thoughts.

He had stolen the seat at the table facing the room. I was certain the position had been strategic on his end. His impish grin only confirmed my thoughts.

Jamison had maps sprawled on the table, covering almost every inch of the wooden surface. Aella stood behind him, pointing to the red stars scribbled on the papers. "You said it was here you saw the changelings last?" She tapped a finger against a particular spot.

Jamison nodded grimly, "Three of them."

"Hmm, we'll definitely scout around there. I'm sure if we look close enough, we'll find something."

Jamison nodded just as his gaze shifted, meeting mine across the room.

He opened his mouth to speak but the words died in his throat as his nose flared. His gaze instantly shot to Alexei, seeking confirmation.

I froze, forgetting that Alexei's distinct smell had gotten stronger on my body, mingling with my own scent.

Jamison blinked, his gaze still bouncing between Alexei and I. His focus finally settled on Alexei, "I'm not sure if I should be congratulating you both or do the sign of the cross over my chest."

Aella smacked his shoulder, "Hey, that was rude."

I ignored him, finding a seat across from him. His gaze burned hot as I stole his mug of coffee, taking a sip. "This tastes like ass." I grimaced, swallowing the bitter taste. I wasn't a fan of the hot beverage if there was no milk or sugar.

His dark brow arched in response. "Have experience in that?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." I grinned, pushing his mug back across the table. He took an intentionally long sip of the hot liquid, shielding a smirk behind the ceramic.

"Let us know when you're done with the foreplay so I can finish explaining our task." Jamison muttered, flicking the map with emphasis.

I winced, turning my attention to Jamison who was already smartly dressed in his E.S suit. "Sorry Captain, I'm all ears now." I rotated on my chair so I wouldn't be distracted by a certain dark-haired male.

"Carry on." Alexei voiced from across the table, his baritone tickling the nape of my neck where I knew he was looking at, rather than the other Enforcer.

Jamison rolled his shoulders, making the material covering his collarbone tense over the jutting bone. "Thank you. Now, we'll have Aella in the front the group as we sweep along the side of the mountains since she has a better sense at knowing if they're close. I'll be at the back, keeping watch. Alexei and Pen will comb through the terrain between, on different sides. As it is daylight, the changelings shouldn't be an issue but remain alert. They're unpredictable. Pen, do you have your phone on you?"

I fished out my device from the inner lining of my jacket, sliding it onto his opened palm. "Just click to the app and it'll open automatically."

Jamison managed to get the tracker on the screen in less than a few seconds. We leaned close as we studied the blinking red dot on the map. Jamison pointed to the bottom right of the screen that was miles away from our target, "That there is where we're currently stationed. From the looks of it, the changeling is at least nineteen and half miles North-East on this map."

"If we take the truck, that would be about thirty minutes travel time. Walking will require a little over six hours." Alexei pointed out.

"But in our wolf forms, we could make it in a shorter length of time compared to using the truck or simply walking." Aella suggested.

Jamison agreed, studying the map. "You're right. We need to count on it not moving until we get there."

"Then we'll use of wolf forms." Aella declared, "It's the best option."

As Jamison and Aella fed ideas back and forth, I shifted awkwardly on my seat, drowning out their words.

I had known using our wolves had been a possibility but foolishly, I thought I would be able to avoid it.

I had been wrong.

"Is there any chance we can go separately? You and Jamison can go first. You will be just as good as the tracking device we have on the changeling. We'll come behind in the truck." Alexei offered.

"The terrain is too difficult to manoeuvre the truck in. It's too bumpy and there are no roads along the way." Aella countered with reason.

I cleared my throat, gaining her attention. I appreciated Alexei wanting to make the mission easier on me, but it was unnecessary.

I couldn't hide my weakness any longer. I didn't know how long I had planned to hide my inability to shift with control but at this stage, I couldn't hide it for much longer. This was a serious mission. My inability to shift could potentially be the reason we fail.

"I can't change into my wolf on command." I admitted.

Aella's eyes widened; her blue-green hues bright with confusion. "W-what?"

"I don't have a good control over her. She only comes out when she wants. Alexei has been helping me but there's almost like a block or barrier keeping me from changing into my wolf. Ever since I came to this Pack at the beginning of my training, I had only morphed three times in total. Once as a trainee and twice after with months in-between each shift except the last. I had only been partially in control for the first shift. The others, I barely have a recollection of what happened when I did."

I felt Alexei's shock from across the table. He hadn't known the severity of it until now.

The last time I had shifted had been on the night of the Full Moon. Before that, I had shifted when we had come to the mountains the first time. Before that, it had been during my training period when we had been doing the scouting activity to trek scents. That day had been pure torture for both human and animal. It had taken all my concentration to control my wolf, I barely paid attention to the activity at hand.

"Does Jude know?" Aella asked, rounding the table to approach me. The genuine concern in her voice made guilt twist low in my belly.

"No one knows aside from Alexei and Jamison." I replied.

"I only suspected." Jamison added.

Yet, he hadn't told anyone.

I wanted to kiss his grouchy face, but the thought was less appealing with Alexei sitting too close to me. I could barely remember anyone else in the room.

"Ok, we'll follow Alexei's plan." Aella stated.

"No, that's stupid. Go with the original plan. I'll just stay here. It'll only slow the process. I don't want to get in the way. I'll remain behind and keep fort." Even in my own ears, I sounded pathetic. I was only going to hinder them if I tagged along. I was a big girl. I could stay back in the cabin and wait.

"Pen." Aella frowned, "We can still go together."

"Don't. You know I'm making sense. You all go. I'm fine here. Please."

"Ok." Alexei responded. "We'll go."

I pasted a big smile on my face, ignoring the sting in my chest. I knew I couldn't go but I was grateful that they were willing to drag me along, even if it was simply to appease my feelings. "Thank you."

The trio prepared their last-minute arrangements as I watched them check their things. I had handed my phone to Jamison who slid it into a little bag that carried medical supplies.

When they were ready, they gathered at the door. I joined them, wishing them well.

Jamison and Aella darted off first, shifting into their wolves in a blur of colours. They swiped up their identical little black bags between their teeth, waiting at the crest of trees for Alexei.

"What are you waiting for?" I asked him as he lingered at the doorway.

His gaze darted along my expression. "Don't cause too much trouble while we're gone."

"You expect too many things from me Alexei." I teased.

His eyes softened, "Keep safe. We'll be back soon."

"Don't worry about me, I'm capable of taking care of myself."

"I know. I just want to say the words in case you didn't know how much I treasure your safety Penelope."

"You're starting to sound as if you work for Hallmark now."

Alexei laughed, "Go back inside."

"Make sure to kick some ass while you're out there." I hollered as Alexei leaped off the stairs, seamlessly shifting mid-air.

He was a complete show-off as he released a wolf call that made the trees quiver nearby.