The next morning I stir as the light streams in the window, groaning as I try to shut my eyes tighter. I feel movement behind me and a strong arm wraps around my waist. I have a minor moment of panic until I remembered I had snuck into Eli's room. I relax into his hold, closing my eyes and trying to drift off to sleep. Until I heard heavy footsteps down the hall and the door creak open.

"E, Dad wants to know-" Jude cuts off when he sees me in Eli's bed. I keep my eyes closed, trying to pretend this isn't happening. Eli groans a little and sits up.

"Know what?" He asks and Jude clears his throat.

"About patrol. I'll handle it. You went last night." Jude says and Eli goes to get up.

"It's alright. It's my job I can go." He says.

"No. Stay. I got it." Jude says, closing the door behind him. Eli sighs and lays back down, snuggling into my back and tucking his face into my neck.

"Does he feel mad?" Eli asks. I reach out to my bond with Jude. I mostly try to ignore it, but I can't pretend it's not there.

"No. Just sad. A little jealous." I say and Eli nods.

"I'd be jealous too if I couldn't wake up to you and he could." He says quietly and I sigh, rolling over and snuggling closer to him.

"Am I keeping you from your duties?" I ask and he shakes his head, smiling at me.

"Nope. I was running a little late this morning, but I will just run training while Jude does patrol." He says and a yawn slips out before I close my eyes and nuzzle my face back into his bare chest. His wolf purrs at the touch and he runs his fingers through my hair again.

"It is hot as hell in here, baby. How can you stand not sleeping with air flow?" He asks incredulously and I giggle, shaking my head.

"Get a fan, Eli. Or I'll sleep in my own room." I say and he growls a little, pulling me close to his chest.

"No. I like you in here. I knew you couldn't stay away." He says with a smug smile.

"I guess not." I murmur, running my fingers through his hair. His leans into my touch, closing his eyes as if he's savoring the feeling. He leans down to catch my lips in a sweet kiss that has me heating up before he pulls away to smile at me.

"I love being able to do that now." He says, kissing down my jaw and neck.

"Can Jude feel it?" I ask curiously, not wanting to make things worse between them. But Eli just shrugs and continues to press kisses against my skin.

"I doubt it. If you have him blocked." He says and I nod.

"I do." I say, my voice breathless as he moves lower, his lips moving across my collar bone. He pulls away suddenly and stands up, smiling smugly at me.

"Gotta get ready for training." He says cheerfully and I growl a little at him, making him laugh. "You wanna shower with me?" He asks and I tilt my head back to laugh.

"No. I'll get ready in my own room and join you." I say and he rolls his eyes.

"I told you to take a day off." He says and I scoff at him.

"You're my mate. Not my Alpha." I say sternly and he chuckles again, pulling me in for a hug.

"I just don't want you to get overwhelmed. A lot has happened in the last couple of days. If you need some time to work through it all, no one would blame you." He says sweetly and his concern for me has my heart pattering with affection for him.

"I appreciate that. But what I really need is to kick some ass. That'll make me feel better." I say and Eli lets out a belly laugh that warms me to my soul.

"Ok, sunshine. Go get ready." He says, smacking my ass playfully making me squeak as I exit his room. He laughs again and heads into his bathroom, not closing the door. I almost watch as he strips naked but decide not to start something I'm not sure I'm ready to finish.

We meet in the kitchen, grabbing a light breakfast before leaving the house, walking hand in hand to the training field. He tells me some of the changes he and Jude have made since they've started taking over more responsibilities for the pack. Before we didn't start training until sixteen, but they've lowered it to fourteen but keep it strictly defense until the young ones shift. He seems so excited about everything and I feel pride flow through me for him. He must feel it because he gives me a warm smile and kisses me gently just as we reach the field. I look around and squeal in excitement when I see my best friend, Jenna. I go to run to her, but Eli pulls me back into his chest.

"You're just gonna run off without saying good bye?" Eli teases and I roll my eyes, standing on tiptoe to kiss him.

"May I go now, Alpha?" I ask cheekily and he laughs, setting me loose.

"Don't disrupt my training with your chatting please, baby." He says and I nod.

"Yes, Alpha!" I call behind me making him roll his eyes as I dash off to my friend, pulling her into a tight hug when I reach her.

"Holy shit! You and Eli?" She asks and I nod excitedly.

"Yeah. I just found out when I came home a couple days ago. That's why I haven't been to see you." I say guiltily, but she just laughs.

"I don't blame you. What about Jude? Did you get both?" She asks and I stiffen at the question. I hadn't even thought how to explain this to people. Luckily Eli saved me from having to answer, calling everyone to attention to start the training session. I let out a sigh of relief and Eli must feel it because he gives me a subtle nod.

We go for a jog to warm up which feels amazing. My wolf has been begging to be let loose and I tell myself to ask Eli to go for a run with me later. Jenna and I square up to spar, her taking me down easily. I get frustrated after the first couple of times, growling at myself when I get up out of the dirt.

"Ugh. I'm so out of practice." I say, annoyed with myself.

"Yeah, but you're smart as hell." Jenna says with a cocky smile that has me laughing.

"Some Luna you'll be." I hear sneered from behind me. I turn to see Corinne standing a few feet away, her arms crossed over her chest and a hard look on her face. My wolf whines in my mind at seeing her, but I just roll my eyes and look away.

"Go away, Corinne. No one cares what you have to say." Jenna says, scowling at her sister.

"Shut up, you little bitch I wasn't talking to you." Corinne replies, ice dripping from every word. I always wanted a sister growing up, but these two made me grateful for Sean.

"I'm a bitch? You're the one no one can stand. Why don't you run off with your imaginary boyfriend." Jenna mocks and Corinne huffs out a laugh as my heart begins to hammer hard in my chest.

"He's not so imaginary. Isn't that right, Natalie?" Corinne asks with a smug grin that I want to smack off her face.

I go to reply when I hear a fierce snarl from the other side of the field. I turn and see Jude, sweaty and topless and clearly furious. He starts walking over toward us, his hands clenched into fists and a scowl on his face, his angry glare pinned on Corinne. He comes to stand behind me, his front nearly touching my back.

"Leave. Now." Jude says and Corinne's eyes widen in shock before they turn angry.

"Why should I?" She asks and Jude growls again, letting his aura out.

Everyone but me and Eli bares their neck in submission and I can feel Jude nearly trembling with rage behind me. I reach out to grab his arm, hoping to calm him to keep him from doing something stupid. It's no secret that Jude is the more irrational twin, prone to angry outbursts that can turn violent. I feel him relax slightly under my touch, his breathing beginning to slow. I take a step back until I'm flush with his body. His arm wraps around my waist and pulls me closer and I can feel his heart rate begin to slow. I'm angry as hell at him, but I know it's important to show us as united in front of the pack.

"I've told you countless times to keep your bullshit out of training. If you can't handle keeping your mouth shut than you can go the fuck home." Jude says and Corinne lets out a humorless laugh.

"You weren't telling me to go home when I was in your bed." She says cruelly.

I hear the pack gasp at her words and I feel my heart break all over again. Jude lets out another angry snarl and Eli comes to stand next to me as well, his face hard as he looks at Corinne. I can tell he wants to put her in her place, but he must know that Jude needs to handle this.

"That's disgusting and pathetic. You're lucky I don't rip your tongue from your mouth for saying that. I won't tell you again. Leave." Jude says and Corinne looks around, but no one comes to her defense.

She looks back at me, her eyes darkening in anger. I smile at her as Jude leans down to tuck his face in my neck, breathing in my scent to calm himself down. Corinne turns on her heel, stomping off the field like a toddler throwing a fit. I let out a breath of relief and look around, but everyone seems to be watching her, not me.

'They don't believe her.' Jude links, resting his forehead against my temple.

'It doesn't matter.' I say back, sadness rippling through me. Jude sighs and kisses my cheek before stepping back.

"Come on, sunshine. Enough training for today." Eli says, grabbing my hand and leading me home.