2 Weeks Later

Jana stood in the middle of the tent looking around, her eyes taking in all the small gaps that could make a good hiding place. The room was so bare that such little nooks were impossible to find, this room wouldn't be the place. Heaving a sigh she ran from the room, feet slapping on the ground as she lightly jogged around the camp.

The inhabitants gave her weird looks, some even openly snarling at her but during this past week she had gotten used to their disdain. The antagonistic relationship between her and the wolves was something that needed to be sorted out but she was biding her time. She was waiting for that moment when they would full out challenge her instead of making comments or doing petty things.

She was more than what she had been acting like, she wasn't some young child who acted first and thought second. She was a grown woman and she wouldn't let them make her become any less.

Even the small amount of humans who resided inside this camp were no better. They walk untied in their hatred towards her. She was the enemy but she had no recollection of what she had done.

She didn't care either, whether they were friendly or hostile pack members she was staying. They couldn't scare her off. She wasn't their prey. 

Stopping in the middle of the camp she looked left and right thinking which way should she go. The infirmary where there were loads of places or to the forest where there were even more hiding places but also a lot of dangers.

It was a no brainer, turning left she jogged to the infirmary. Pushing the massive tent flaps out of her way she tiptoed into the room. Walking on the balls of her feet as she breathed as lightly as she could. A soft giggle came from the back of the room, in one of the cabinets that had been left slightly ajar.

"Hmm, I wonder where she can be" she said aloud, finger on her chin as she tapped it. Another loud giggle slipped forward before it was quickly smothered by what must be a hand. Jana knew where she was hiding but she kept the little girl waiting, flipping over bed sheet after bed sheet as she exclaimed her surprise when it was empty.

"Well she can't be in here" she called aloud body turing to the door as she counted from ten in her head. 9... She called as her feet crunched on the grass within the tent. 8... Head twisting around to see if the little girl had broken yet.

7... A sigh leaving her lip as she committed herself to actually leaving. This girl played hardball. 6... At the number 6 she heard a loud bang and little feet pattering in her direction. A cacophony of giggles as a small body charged into her legs.

"Here I am" called the little voice, her arms in the air and long blonde hair waving around. Jana span around, looking above the little girls arms.

"Where are you" she called, her hands framing her eyes as she tried to look for the little girl who obviously stood by her feet.

The little girl chortled in mirth as she jumped up and down arms waving, "I'm here, nana. I'm here" she giggled hands reaching out and pulling on Jana's clothes. Jana's hands flew to her mouth as she finally looked down at the little girl. Her eyes wide in mock surprise, pretending to be shocked.

"There you are" she laughed bending down to pick the little girl up, her small fingers clinging to Jana's neck as she grinned wide.

"You couldn't find me Nana" she laughed, poking her little tongue out as she rubbed in her win. Playing hide and seek was one of Zosia's favourite games of the day, she never tired of hiding and she always believed Jana when she acted surprised to find her.

"I know, you are so good at hiding, angel."

Jana always found that her voice climbed high when she spoke to the little bundle in her arms. To others it sounded dumb but to her it was natural. It had become natural for her over these two weeks to speak to Zosia like this when they were playing.

The two weeks since her fight and truce with Simeon had been one of her best yet and it was all because of this little girl. All of her initial anger had depleted the moment she looked into Zosia's little greenish amber orbs. The little girl had opened her mouth and Jana had been sold. There was no going back. She took to the little girl as if she were her own and Zosia seemed to like her.

Zo was a friendly child even though she was a lot weaker than the other children. Jana had found it odd that a child born of two wolves, which was an anomaly, had been so fragile. She had wanted to ask Simeon about it but their truce was fragile, she didn't want to rock the boat when it had only begun steering.

"Is it dinner time? My stomach is all rumbly and Tata always says we gotta feed the monster before it gets mad" she nodded her head earnestly as she patted at her small stomach.

"We can eat as soon as Tata comes to find us, ok."

"But what if Tata can't find us cos I hide so well" her little nose was scrunched up as she shouted her fear to Jana. Her hands flapping about in distress.

"Who won't I find" questioned Simeon, his body leaning against a poll as his deep black eyes took in the sight of Jana and Zosia.

"Tata" she called her hands stretching as she beckoned him over towards her. Body reaching so she could climb up into his wide embrace.

"You're too old to be carried around Zosia" even though his hands still wrapped around her. Deep down he would mourn the day he couldn't carry her around like his little baby.

"But you say I'm your little baby and babies get carried around" she interjected, her bottom lip sticking out in a pout.

"She's got you there Simeon" laughed Jana, head lolling back as she chuckled at the dumfounded man.

"Hmm, it seems she does" he chided giving Zosia the side eye, seeing his daughter in a different light. She was a smart little thing, sassy too. She clearly got it from her mother.

They headed to dinner which was the usual, some sort of game that they had hunted with rice or vegetables. The only difference was that instead of sitting around the fire and being sociable many couples had retreated to their rooms, taking their food with them. They had been doing this a lot in the past couple of days.

Everyone was preparing for the eventuality that the warriors would be leaving to the unknown. There  other halves left alone to console their children. Waiting for news.

It was a vicious cycle that they lived in, the warriors returned made passionate love to their partners and spent time with their families. They rejuvenated to only go back out there and risk their lives again, all for the sake of vengeance. Did they love their revenge more than their family?

It was hard to say because the way they treated their families from the small glimpse she saw, it seemed that there was nothing above their family. So how could they go and risk it all, flirt across that big red line.

"So when will you be leaving" questioned Jana her hand reaching out to stroke a stray hair of Zosia's as the little girl slept in her fathers arms. The night was still young but to her it was time for bed. this night she would be sleeping in their tent in her fathers bed and not in the tent with her aunty Sonja.

Jana almost asked if he wanted her to leave the tent for the night but Simeon had been adamant in the past days that she stay with him. They had separate beds now but they still shared a place to stay. She thought it was because he needed her close to assuage the tempest that was the beast beneath his skin. It was just a thought though, maybe there was another reason.

Like for appearances sake they should share domains. She didn't know and Simeon hadn't been a fountain of answers so she would likely never know.

"Tomorrow morning, we have procrastinated long enough" his words were cold but she could see how badly he didn't want to leave, he would miss more weeks of his little daughter growing and perhaps one day she would just sop caring about whether he left or stayed. it was a harsh reality that they lived in.

"How does Zosia feel about you going?"

"She's fine with it."

"Isn't that sad?" she asked tentatively, not wanting to start an argument but genuinely curious about how he could leave his daughter so easily.

"The fact that she is so used to you leaving she's become fine with it."

"Yes it is sad but there are much more important things to be sad about in the world, than a girl who has become used to her absent father."

"Does it not upset you?" She questioned incredulously, forehead scrunching in annoyance at his blasé attitude.

"Ttt, are you trying to provoke me? Can i not have one night with you where we won't be arguing." His face was turning red as he tried to tamp down his climbing anger.

"One night to remember, in case.." He heaved a deep sigh, his nostrils flaring in annoyance.

His unspoken words rang in her ears. Every time he left this camp his return became more and more uncertain. He could die and the only memory she would have of her mate was their brief loving amidst a week of constant fighting and ignoring each other.

The bond deserved more but their ship had sailed.

"I'm not trying to pick an argument I just... I really care about Zosia and I just wanted to know... I won't ask anything more."

And she didn't, she made her way into the tent and headed over to her sleeping bag. When Simeon was busy placing Zosia into bed she stripped her clothes and got beneath her sheets.

Her eyes flickering close to the sound of their soft breathing.

//--//

Jana woke to shuffling around her bed, light foot steps crunching in the carpet near her head. Her eyes remained closed even as she felt the body bearing close and closer towards her. A large figure leaning over.

Her fingers dug under her pillow as each finger wrapped around the handle of her silver blade. Her breathing still steady as she gripped the blade in preparation of an attack.

"Shhh, Tata. You'll wake her" Zosia's quiet whispers not so quiet in the late night. She heard Simeon's deep grunt of reply which was followed by more shushing noises by his daughter. The little girl was comical, so funny that Jana nearly broke her pretend slumber with laughter.

Simeon's body leant further over her, his head close to her ear as he nuzzled into her skin. His hands clinging to her waist as his head found a cradle in her shoulder

"I know you're awake."

His warm breath tingled down her skin causing bumps to rise all over her body. Even in places he couldn't see, she was affected by him. One word had her fluttering under him.

More shushes came from his bed and Jana couldn't help the snort that flew from her mouth. That girl was so bossy.

"Zo, you've woken her up" his words were still hushed but they carried to his disgruntl d daughter.

"No I didn't, your big breathing did!"

She wasn't holding back, her voice was so loud that if Jana had been sleeping she would have definitely been awoken.

Rolling onto her back, she pushed Simeon from where he sat. His body too close to hers for her own comfort.

He moved ever so slightly and when she tried to push him again his body was as hard and unbending as a brick wall. Tutting her teeth she pushed up from her position forcing him to move with her though it was still way too close to her.

His laugh echoed in the night at her mumbled reprimand, the words had been beneath her breath but he had heard it clearly.

Yes, he always had to be difficult. It seemed he was just difficult by nature.

"Well I'm awake now" she grumbled, wiping the sleep from her face. Clearly displeased that they had disturbed her sleep.

"What was it you needed?"

"I wanted to sleep next to you, but I want to sleep next to Tata as well so I asked Tata to bring you with us." Zosia's big green eyes stared at her earnestly, her lip sticking out in a pout.

"Sorry baby but I don't think your tata's bed is big enough."

Which was true. The make shift beds were large enough for the 6ft plus male in height but in width it just about fit him and her laying side by side.

Even though Zosia was less than half a person she still took up space, space that the bed wouldn't be able to take.

"Well we could bring dem together" her voice so hopeful.

Jana hated tonne the beater of bad news but Simeon seemed content to follow along with his daughters hasty plans.

"It's too late at night to be pulling things about Zo," Jana replied as Simeon's eyes didn't move from Jana's face. A sly grin slid across his face as he climbed to his feet and turned to face his daughter.

"But you can sleep on my chest and Jana can sleep next to me, that way we all fit in one bed." A wide grin stretching across his face as he basked in his triumph.

Jana knew before Zo spoke what the answer would be. Heaving a deep sigh she climbed to her feet with a deep grumble.

"Tata, you are smart" grinned the little girl.

"So smart," huffed Jana as she wrapped her blanket around her body and made her way into his bed.

Zosia climbed out of her blankets and waited for Simeon to get in before she lay on top of her father. Her hand stretched out to touch Jana but when she only grasped air she twisted around on his body so she lay facing Jana.

"Come closer nana, Tata won't bite," she mumbled her eyes already drooping closed.

Her hands kept clenching and unclenching around thin air until Jana reluctantly slid across the bed and placed herself in Simeon's side.

As Zosia's hand slid around Jana's waist, a small sigh of contentment fell from her little pouting lips. Her face scrunched up against Simeon's wide, strong chest.

"Come closer, pójdźka. I don't bite" his warm breath tickling against her closed eyes. His face nuzzled into her hair as he inhaled her scent deeply. His heart slowing down as he took in the smell of his mate, something to remember her by.

"Piss off Simeon," she growled eyes still shut as she flipped him her middle finger.

The black abyss rocked over her mind as his deep chuckle resounded in her mind. Lulling her to sleep, and what a good sleep it was.