Getting out of bed with Natalie was one of the hardest things I've done, but one of us needed to run patrol and I didn't know how she'd feel waking up alone with me. I sigh and run off from the group to sit and relax for a minute.

They both put a block up against me and I'm not an idiot to what they're doing. I could feel hints of Eli's excitement, but Natalie kept a lock on her emotions. I'm grateful for her doing that, making an effort not to hurt me. But it really didn't bother me. If anything I'm happy for them, exploring this side of their relationship.

I know Natalie is still hurt by what I did, but I feel like she's coming around a little more. In the time after she about short circuited Corinne's mind, her block wasn't up at all and I could feel how conflicted her feelings are. I think if I give her a little more time and space she will be able to forgive me. My wolf is hopeful as well. We want her so much, and now that we know she's gifted there's no way we could ever reject her. She needs both of our protection. A wolf's life span is long and if I need to spend a few months or years earning back her trust then I will. Nothing in this life is worth throwing away a mate bond by rejection.

I get up and head back to the house now that Eli's block is down. I didn't want to ruin a special moment between them. I sneak in the house and try to stay quiet, but nearly run into Natalie as she walks down the stairs. She lets out a squeak of surprise and nearly falls, so I grab her around her waist to keep her upright. She smells like her shampoo and I know she showered already and my heart warms that she's trying to hide her intimate moment with Eli to spare my feelings.

"Hey, Jude. How was patrol?" She asks and I shrug, pulling off my shirt to throw it in the laundry room since it's sticky with sweat.

"Fine. Nothing exciting. You feeling better?" I ask, trying to keep the sly smirk off my face. She narrows her eyes at me and then turns to go to the refrigerator.

"Yes. I had a nice nap." She says and I snort, unable to hold back the laughter. Her mouth gapes before she narrows her eyes at me again and struts over to me, poking me in my chest.

"What are you laughing about?" She asks and I shrug.

"Nothing. You just have exciting naps is all." I say and she gasps at my words.

"You couldn't feel anything. I blocked you." She says and I shrug.

"I'm not stupid, Nat. Besides, Eli's blocks aren't as good." I say and her face falls.

"I'm sorry." She murmurs and I shake my head, gripping her chin and lifting her eyes to look at me.

"You have nothing to be sorry for." I say honestly, letting her feel it through our bond.

"You're not mad?" She asks and I shake my head.

"Of course not. I want you to want him." I say gently and she sighs, her eyes dropping to my chest and flashing black for a moment before she shakes her head, pushing her wolf back until they flash to green. I can't help my smug smile that she is attracted to me.

"Could you put a shirt on?" She huffs and I laugh a little, running my fingers along her jaw.

"Why? You could take yours off and we'd match." I say and she snorts out a laugh, shaking her head.

I back away from her, still chuckling, and go to the fridge to get her a bottle of water. I grab one for myself and pull out a chair for her to sit in, not wanting her to leave yet.

"You hungry? I could cook." I offer and she nods, her eyes brightening.

"Yes please. Eli and I are terrible in the kitchen." She says and I chuckle, kissing her head before going back to the fridge.

"What do you want? Probably not chicken, you already had that today." I say cheekily and she looks at me confused.

"No I had a sandwich for lunch. I'm pretty sure it was ham not-" When she catches my joke she gasps again and grabs an apple from the fruit bowl and chucks it at me. I catch it, laughing wildly as she crosses her arms in front of her chest.

"You're ridiculous." She mutters.

"You're cute when you're frazzled." I say, walking up close to her and threading my fingers through her hair. She leans into my touch, closing her eyes and clearly enjoying the connection.

"I didn't have, um, that today..." She says quietly.

"What?" I ask confused, continuing to rub her scalp making her groan a little.

"The uh, chicken. I didn't have the chicken today. At least not the whole chicken." She clarifies. I can't help the small laugh that slips out.

"Mmmm... So just the leg then?" I ask quietly and she giggles a little.

"Yeah. Just the leg." She says and I lean forward, pressing a kiss to her neck, right where I want to mark her.

"It's okay to eat the whole chicken, baby." I whisper and her body shivers at my touch. As much as she tries to deny it, our bond is just as strong for her as it is for me.

"I'm not ready for that yet." She says, sighing and I nod, kissing up her neck to her jaw.

"There's no rush. No one will tell you what to do." I say firmly and her eyes open, softening as she looks up at me.

"Thank you, Jude." She says quietly, reaching up to cup my face in her hands. The way she's looking at me I'd swear she wants me to kiss her, but I don't. She will need to ask before I do anything like that, I don't want to press her boundaries.

"Tell me what you want for dinner, sunshine." I say and it breaks the spell, her nodding and letting go of me.

"Burgers. With that special cheese you put on them!" She says excitedly, groaning at the thought making me laugh.

To my intense delight she stays in the kitchen with me while I cook, talking about her last few weeks at school, things she's been working on in training. I don't miss the way her eyes eat me up hungrily and I decide not to wear a shirt more often. I need all the help I can get for her to give me another chance.

Just as dinner is about done, Eli walks down the stairs yawning and freshly showered, his eyes nearly bugging out of his head when he sees us both in the kitchen. But he doesn't say anything, just gives Natalie a kiss and starts setting the table. We go to sit down and Eli puts Natalie at the head of the table, one of us on either side of her.

Exactly how it should be.

Just as we about finish eating, Eli clears his throat to gain our attention.

"Listen, sunshine. We need to talk about this gift of yours." He says sternly and I can tell he's still a little upset she hadn't told him. She must too because she shrinks in a little on herself. I reach out to hold her hand, and she doesn't push me away.

"What about it?" She asks and I can tell she's getting defensive by her tone.

'Tread lightly.' I link Eli, not wanting to piss her off.

"Dad is right. You should practice it. You never know when we may need it. But you did the right thing not telling anyone. I think we should keep it between us." He says and Natalie nods, letting out a heavy breath.

"How do I practice it then?" She asks and Eli shrugs.

"Just use it on my dad. He seemed to enjoy it." Eli says teasingly making Natalie giggle.

"He did not appreciate it." She says and I laugh as well, threading our fingers together.

"Do it subtly. I'm sure your parents wouldn't mind you practicing on them as well. But I don't want you passing out every time you use it. You need to build up your strength. I want to train you with Jude as well, if that's okay with you. Your dad is a bit... lenient with you." Eli says with a grin and Natalie snorts.

"He will always think of me as his little girl." She says and I nod in agreement.

"Yes he will. And while we will never hurt you, we want you to be able to defend yourself. With more than just your gift." I say and she nods, looking at me with wide eyes.

"You're both going to train me?" She asks and we nod. She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.

"Fine. But you need to wear shirts." She says firmly, making us both laugh.