“Elle contacted me,” Cyn continued. “She mentioned that the first male you faced told you some numbers about how many wanted to challenge you. And now, four days later, those numbers have been exceeded.”

  “I’m glad I’m not the only one who caught that little detail.” Jacque felt her irritation from earlier return in full force.

  “Thalion and some of his warriors are out scouting the mountains now,” Cyn continued. “I was with them for a little while, but once I’d seen enough, I left him to continue to gather info so I could make you aware of what is going on.”

  When the fae paused, Jacque wanted to shake her. What is with these people who don’t just spill their guts? Was it too much to ask for a person to just spit it out? First, Lucian and his ‘there’s no time to talk about my nutcase mate,’ and now Cyn, who wasn’t talkative on a good day.

  “Luna.” Fane’s soothing voice filled her mind. “Are you all right?”

  “Aside from becoming a neurotic psycho who wants to strangle every person who doesn’t give me the answers to my questions the second I want them, I’m excellent. Thanks for asking. And you quit worrying about me. Focus on the task at hand.” She felt his lips against her neck despite the fact that he was standing a good twenty feet away. Gotta love the mate bond.

  “What did you find out?” Fane asked much more calmly than Jacque would have. His eyes continued to stay focused on the woods, waiting for the next inevitable imbecile with a death wish. Sometimes it was five minutes in between challenges, and sometimes it was half an hour. She’d figured out that a longer duration between challenges generally meant a much less dominant male was forthcoming. She assumed they were giving themselves longer pep talks before facing off with her mate.

  “The male lied, or he didn’t know that your woods are infested with rogue wolves,” Cyn explained. “Some of which aren’t even affiliated with a rogue pack. They’re loners.”

  “How have they survived without a pack?” Jacque tried to digest the new information, mainly the fact that her mate was probably going to have to fight a lot more than they originally thought. “Without a pack, it seems the darkness in them would grow faster.”

  “It would, considering pack is part of what helps an unmated male keep control, namely, the alpha,” Lucian said. Jacque turned to look at the tall, blond male who’d said little in the past three days. He appeared unaffected by anything going on, though a closer inspection revealed to Jacque a clenched jaw and dark circles under the man’s eyes.

  “If the darkness hasn’t driven them feral yet, they must be relatively young,” Elle offered.

  There was another long howl, and Jacque felt Fane’s wolf stir. “We will have to talk about what this means later.” Fane tilted his head from side to side, causing it to pop. “It appears my next challenger is ready.”

  “Please remain beside Lucian,” his beast told Jacque through their bond. “I know you can take care of yourself, but it would make it easier for me to concentrate. And I can feel your wolf getting restless.”

  “I wouldn’t do anything to put you in danger.” Jacque tried to keep the irritation out of her voice.

  “I know that, Luna,” Fane assured her. “I also know that you are just as protective of me as I am of you.”

  He wasn’t wrong, so she just kept her trap shut and watched as a large wolf came trotting toward them across the expanse of field between the forest and the challenge circle. As he got closer, she noticed his eyes were not on Fane, but on her.

  Jacque met the wolf’s eyes and stared him down as he stepped through the circle boundary. He paid no attention to her mate, but instead continued walking toward her. She heard Fane’s snarl. Jacque didn’t move her eyes away; she didn’t even feel the need to drop them. This wolf was not more dominant than her, which meant that her mate wasn’t even going to break a sweat with him. He was all bark and no bite.

  The rogue wolf suddenly lunged at Jacque, but her mate was wicked fast. Fane barreled into the side of the wolf before he was even within spitting distance. The challenger went flying.

  “Are the others hiding out there even watching?” Jacque asked no one in particular. “If so, you’d think they’d be jumping on the ‘hey let’s not be the next one to get our ass kicked’ train.” Cyn, Lucian, Adam, Crina, Sorin, and Elle stood by Jacque, silently watching their alpha hand the challenger’s butt to him. On the other side of Jacque stood Wadim, Zara, Costin, Drake, and a handful of other pack members. Bethany, Sally, and Rachel were sequestered away in the archives. Gavril stood guard there, and Elle and Adam had put protective wards over the room. Fane requested that much of the pack stay on the backside of the mansion, continuing to train, unless needed. When Jacque asked him why, he’d said that it made a statement to his opponents that he was willing to stand before them without the full force of his pack present. He wasn’t afraid to fight on his own, and he was confident in his fighting ability.

  “Hmm,” Lucian grunted. It was pretty much his response to everything since he’d returned to the pack mansion three days prior. All he’d done was train and patrol the borders of the perimeter that the fae had put in place, which kept the rogues from flooding through the grounds.

  They were all worried about Fane’s uncle, but it was impossible to help him if he wouldn’t tell them what was wrong. And good luck getting Peri to talk, considering she hadn’t been to the mansion in days. She’d been communicating with Jacque and Fane via text as she transported Decebel and Jen to the other packs. Anytime Jacque asked her about her and Lucian, the high fae simply ignored the question. Which wasn’t like her either. The Peri that Jacque knew would have told Jacque to mind her own damn business, or stick it where the sun didn’t shine. She would never simply ignore something that was sure to piss her off.

  “Please tell Fane that Thalion and I will meet with you all tonight,” Cyn said. “I am going to make sure that all the lone rogues mind the boundaries.”

  Jacque nodded. “Thank you, Cyn. We appreciate your and Thalion’s help, along with the other elves.”

  The fae simply bowed her head and then vanished.

  “Do you submit?” Fane’s deep timbre caused Jacque to turn back to the matter at hand. Her mate had the other wolf by the throat.

  The man had phased from his wolf form back to a human. He was glaring up at Fane as if her mate had somehow personally offended him. “You’ll never survive all of us,” the man growled.

  “Do you submit?” Fane asked again, more slowly this time.

  After several tense moments, Jacque let out a relieved breath when the man finally nodded. Fane released him, and the wolf turned his head, fully exposing his vulnerable neck to her mate.

  Fane stepped back and reached out his hand. “What’s your name?” he asked, pulling the rogue to his feet.

  “Callon,” he answered. “Didn’t you hear me? You will not survive the number of wolves who are waiting to challenge you.” Trousers suddenly appeared on Callon’s bare form. Jacque hid a smirk behind her hand. Adam wasn’t putting clothes on the naked males for their own benefit. It had only taken one comment from Crina about one of the challenger’s physiques to ensure Adam was ready with fae magic as soon as they phased back.

  “We prefer males to be clothed around our mates,” Fane said at the surprised look on the wolf’s face. “And yes, I heard you. But it’s not your concern whether or not I’ll survive all those waiting to challenge me. Your only concern should be to decide whose side you’re on. Because you’re either with us or you’re against us.”

  Before the man could answer, Jacque saw another wolf trotting toward them from the forest. Apparently, the next challenger was sick of waiting. “Maybe if we offer them cookies, they’ll drop the whole challenge thing,” Jacque mumbled. Lucian grunted next to her.

  “I knew you’d agree with me,” she said, even though she had no idea what the crap his freaking grunt meant.

  “You know where to find us when you make your decision,” Fane told Callon and then motioned behind him. “I have a new guest to deal with.”

  Callon frowned. “And you’ll just let me join your pack, even though I challenged you?”

  “Give your loyalty to the Great Luna. Give your loyalty to the Romanian wolves. Give your loyalty to defeating evil in this world, and then yes, you will be a member of the Romanian pack. We will welcome you with open arms.” Fane held out his arms, and Jacque wanted to shout at him to lower them because it gave her the impression he was making himself a bigger target for someone hiding in the woods with a bow and arrow or, worse, a gun. Though her mate and the rest of the pack believed the wolves would stick to the challenge etiquette, she was still nervous. There was no honor among thieves. And those who were challenging Fane were essentially attempting to steal the place rightfully given to him by their Creator.

  Callon appeared to be thinking Fane’s words over before finally nodding. He glanced at those standing behind Fane lined up in front of the pack mansion. Then he turned and headed off at a trot back toward the forest.

  Jacque’s eyes left the male’s retreating form to look at her mate. His glowing blue eyes were focused on the next wolf who’d come to take his turn. Cut off one head and another grows back. Jacque looked at the newcomer who was stepping into the circle encased with the fae magic. He was big—bigger than any of the previous males Fane had fought. Still, though, he was not as large as her mate. The wolf’s fur was motley grey and black, and his white-socked feet might have been cute if it wasn’t for the soulless eyes that glared daggers at Fane. The wolf attempted to hold her mate’s eyes with his own but had to drop them after ten seconds. Jacque knew because she counted. It was also the longest any of the males had been able to hold Fane’s gaze. She knew that because she’d counted with the others, too.

  “Is it just me, or does this one just seem creepier than the others?” Crina whispered, stepping up beside Jacque. “The first guy was all bark and no bite. But this one … he’s—”

  “Soulless?” Adam said.

  Jacque grunted. “So I’m not imagining the emptiness in his eyes.” An ice-cold chill slid down her spine. This wolf was evil.

  Chapter

  Eleven

  “Evil comes in many forms, but it all seeks the same thing. To take what doesn’t belong to it, to destroy anything good, and to kill anything with life. Because life represents hope, possibility, and joy. But it doesn’t matter what form the evil takes when it comes before you. All that matters is that you stand fast and remember that you might be the only thing standing between that evil and what it wants.” ~Fane

  Death stared at Fane from within the large wolf’s eyes. But that wasn’t the only thing the dark orbs held. Fane could see not only the need to kill, but the enjoyment that this beast took in the act. He thirsted for it. Fane could feel the hate radiating from the wolf as it began to circle. “He must die,” Fane’s wolf told him. “Yes,” Fane agreed. This was not a wolf who would submit.

  “Why are you here?” Fane asked the wolf even as he watched the way the beast's feet moved and his body leaned, watching to see if he was preparing to launch himself. “You don’t really want leadership of my pack. You seek something more.”

  The wolf lifted his lips, revealing large, sharp teeth. He growled low, and saliva dripped from his muzzle.

  “Is he feral?” Drake’s voice came from behind Fane, but he didn’t dare take any attention off his foe.

  “What do you want?” Fane asked, infusing his voice with alpha power. The wolf took a step back and snapped his teeth as he lowered his body. “He isn’t more dominant than us,” Fane’s wolf said, sounding very pleased and also very bloodthirsty. The wolf didn’t like this evil being so close to his mate, pup, and pack. He wanted it dead—now.

  “Phase,” Fane commanded. He took a calculated step toward the wolf. “Stop hiding behind your beast and answer my questions.” As Fane had expected, his words annoyed the wolf. It stomped its paws and dug its claws into the ground. The foam at its mouth continued to grow and froth as he gnashed his teeth at Fane. “I will not fight you until you state your reason for challenging me,” Fane continued. “You aren’t here because you want to lead.” The wolf made to jump, setting back on his haunches and lowering his chest. Fane narrowed his eyes and pulled on his power. “PHASE,” he snapped, forcing every ounce of his command into his voice. A split second later, where a pissed-off wolf had stood, now stood a pissed-off naked male. Less than two heartbeats after the phase, the male was wearing pants, courtesy of Adam.

  The male’s brow drew low. He glanced at his legs as if trying to figure out how they were now those of a human. He’d obviously never run across anyone strong enough to force him to phase, which meant he was extremely dominant. He recovered quickly, though, and his hands fisted at his sides. The vein on the left side of his neck popped out as his jaw clenched. Fane wondered how he still had any teeth in his head.

  “I am here to challenge you,” the male finally spoke. “Just like all of the males waiting.”

  “That’s not the only reason,” Fane said. “What is your name?”

  “What the hell does it matter what my name is?”

  “I prefer to know the name of the wolf that I am going to kill,” Fane answered. It wasn’t meant to be a taunt. It was simply a fact. Fane knew he could not let this wolf live. There was a darkness in him that couldn’t be left to roam this world. Call it intuition, or perhaps the Great Luna was giving him a sixth sense. But Fane could practically see the blood of the lives this one had taken staining the male’s hands.

  “Fane Lupei.” The male laughed as he said his name. “You surprise me. Your father didn’t have a sense of humor. But you? You’re just full of laughs.”

  Fane didn’t respond to the goading as the wolf no doubt wanted him to. He simply stared him in the eyes and watched as the male attempted to hold his gaze, failing each time.

  “My name is Doru, son of Emilian.” He said the name of his sire as if it should mean something to Fane. But Fane was drawing a blank.

  “Bloody hell.” Wadim’s voice barked from behind him, and then Fane heard his mate’s voice in his mind.

  “I know who his father is,” she said, her voice full of trepidation. “Your mom mentioned him when she told us about her history with Vasile. Emilian was the wolf who tried to take over the Eastern Romanian pack when your grandparents died. Vasile killed him. She never mentioned that there was a son.”

  “Which means they probably didn’t know,” Fane told her. Wadim, being their historian, would know exactly who Emilian was. Apparently, the fact that there was a son had not been recorded. “It seems rogue packs have been around for a very long time.”

  “I’m going to go out on a limb and take a guess that you’re here to avenge your father’s death,” Fane said. Doru’s brow rose a minute amount, but it was enough to tell Fane that the wolf hadn’t expected Fane to know the identity of his sire. Not that he had, but thankfully he had people in his pack that were in the know.

  “No,” Doru denied. “My father was weak. He had to weaken his opponent just to face him. I am here to bring respect back to my family name. It is the only reason that I even mention the coward.”

  “Must be embarrassing having such a man as your flesh and blood, as your sire,” Fane goaded. He wanted to make the already angry male enraged. Emotional wolves made mistakes. Fane’s father had taught him that. No matter what Doru said, he was no better than his father, Emilian, who was controlled by his emotions. Decades upon decades of biding his time to strike had built up inside of Doru. The feelings were so strong he was unable to contain the emotions from his face. His wolf was barely holding on to its sanity, which also meant he didn’t have a true mate. “If you want to restore respect, why didn’t you challenge my father?” Fane asked. “Why wait until he is gone? It’s no secret that those who have showed up to challenge me believe that I am weaker than my sire. If you believe the same thing, how will this restore your name?”

  Doru’s eyes narrowed and glowed. Though they remained black, a slight reddish hue permeated the orbs. “I don’t agree with the other challengers. Just as I am stronger than my father, I expect the offspring of the great Vasile Lupei to also be stronger than his sire. Not to mention, you’ve been blessed by the Great Luna. Defeating you will prove that she is not as powerful as she wants us to believe. I choose my own destiny. I make my own way.” He slammed his fist against his chest. “Some goddess who thinks she knows what is best for me will never control me. How can she? Is she a wolf? Has she walked in our skin? Has she lived with our struggles?” With every word, the wolf’s anger grew. “Your death will make it clear to all supernaturals that her will means nothing.”