ONE HUNDRED AND TWO

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Ace sat beside me, my head resting on his chest while he caressed my hair. Was he angry at me or not? I couldn't tell, but I knew that he wanted me at that moment as much as I wanted him.

Perhaps afterward, we would face that reality. Just like Derek's obsession, was the severed mate bond having an effect on him too? I wouldn't mind if that was the case, because I craved to be close to him too.

Our fingers stayed intertwined as the full moon shimmered in the sky. With Amy's sudden activeness, I felt alive for the first time in a while. Although her wolf couldn't reach Dylan or rebound with him, I knew she was happy to be near him at least.

We both knew what we wanted despite our wrong choices, and I was certain the moon goddess knew this too. This wasn't how it was supposed to be but with Ace and I, it was different. It was rare for mates to desire each other after a break-up but that wasn't our case. Even though it might be temporary, I wanted to experience it too for as long as I could.

Being in his arms, the soft breeze washing our skin and our wolves fully active under the full moon, was the best feeling ever.

I had missed him terribly and forgotten for a split second what I had done.

"That explains it. I would hate me too if I was in her shoes," Ace breathed out. "But she's your grandmother, I wouldn't want her to hate me."

"She doesn't hate you, she just.. she needs some time to accept you, not just as the Alpha whose pack took the life of her child but as you. I'm sure that if she gives you a chance and gets to know you, she will love you," I encouraged.

Just like I did, I added in my mind. Just like I still do, and probably will for the rest of my life.

"Like you do?" He asked, as though reading my mind. I started to get off his chest out of guilt but he pinned me back on it softly, his fingers fiddling with mine.

"What? You don't love me anymore?" He sounded disappointed.

"Ace.." my voice trailed.

I felt him smile, "it's fine. I know I was away for so long, and that might have tampered with your feelings for me or made you have doubts. I understand those feelings, I can wait."

Hearing him utter those words almost made me break down again. How could he still be so soft with me?

"Are you going to kill me in my sleep?" I couldn't help but ask.

He laughed, "Why would I do that?"

"Because I betrayed you, Ace. I know there is no way you haven't heard about everything that I did. I joined forces with Ryker and abandoned the pack. Did you not feel it when I broke up with you?" I poured out my concerns. "It's even scarier seeing you act like you don't care. So just be mean, shout at me, hit me, and demand an explanation. Don't hold back."

He scoffed, "For starters, yes, I indeed felt the breakup. It hurt like crazy. I wish I never get to experience that again."

I pursed my lips, unsure of Ace's true thoughts. "Your members.." the memory stung my chest, "they lost their lives because of me. I promised to protect them."

"Tell me, babe, at what point did you give in? What did Ryker threaten you with that eventually broke you and made you do what he wanted?" He asked, "I know what that scheming bastard is capable of, so I believe it must have been a lot for you to handle all by yourself."

The tears flowed from my eyes, and I sobbed, Ace's embrace comforting me.

He trusted me. Without me even having to defend myself and explain things to him, Ace already believed me. Even when I had a block of doubt within, Ace's trust in me was solid.

"I'm sorry.." I cried, "I should have fought for us more. I should have protected the warriors, but that bastard.. he killed them after promising not to."

"So, that was it," Ace nodded, rubbing my skin. "You gave in to save the warriors?"

"But I couldn't save them, Ace. I tried, but.. I watched them die in the end. I'm sorry," I sobbed.

"It's not your fault, blame it all on Ryker, that son of a bitch. I wish I could kill him again."

I sniffed, bawling my eyes at the memory. Ace pulled me off him gently and made me face him, he was smiling as he wiped the tears off my face.

"I've told you before, and I will say it again, you are the bravest woman I know, and I am proud of you."

"Oh Ace," I fell into his arms. "Thank you for believing me, and for everything."

"Thank you, too. Thank you for not giving up on me, and for fighting for me. Thank you for taking this path to save my life and redeem the pack. Thank you for still being here," we disengaged from the hug, our eyes locking. "I missed you so fuckin much I thought I'd go crazy from it," he breathed out, pressing his forehead on mine while gazing at me with a mixture of hunger and fascination.

The air stilled in anticipation as I whispered the words back to him, my eyes shining with tears. He leaned in, teasing me. His lips brushed mine and hesitated, as though he was planning a more conventional way to express how much he longed for me. As though this was too good to be true.

I leaned, covering the distance, and our lips locked in a tender yet starving kiss.

The sparks in my stomach grew, igniting a fire that had been smoldering for a long time.

In no time, the flame exploded, and soon we were kissing passionately under the moonlight, making up, as best as we could, for all the time we spent apart, not being able to touch each other.

Our lips moved in perfect sync as we savored the taste and feel of each other, our hands pulling our bodies to one another as though we weren't close enough.

Ace's hand cupped my face, his fingers tracing the bulb of my cheeks while mine wrapped around his neck. The kiss deepened and our tongues entwined, tasting every corner of ourselves.

"I love you so much, Ellen. You have no idea," Ace whispered into my mouth, lifting me from my seat and placing me on his thighs; our lips still in perfect sync.

"Less talking, more kissing," I whispered back, my breath hot and longing.

I felt his smile as he gripped my waist, grinding me against him while our tongues danced on each other.

Sensually, he answered, "Yes, ma'am."