Jen's hands left his face and traveled to his strong shoulders and then back up to his neck, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him close. Jen pictured them in her mind, showing him how she saw him, and how he made her feel. She pictured what she longed for as his mate and wife, and nearly grinned when she felt a low growl in his chest.

  "That's just mean, Jennifer," he spoke into her mind with a groan.

  "I'm just being honest. I need you, Decebel. Don't you need me?" Decebel heard the fear of rejection in her voice.

  "Need you, want you, more than anything." Even through their bond Jen could tell he was breathless.

  Decebel broke the kiss and began placing lighter ones along her jawline down to her neck. Jen pulled her head back, giving him better access. Decebel growled in response to her submission. He kissed the mark at the bottom of her neck and continued kissing down her collarbone and across the swell of her breast. Jen held her breath at the feeling of his lips and warm breath on her skin.

  "Jennifer," he whispered against her skin. "Breathe, baby."

  A gasp escaped her lungs, feeling Decebel slowly raise her shirt and begin kissing her along her right side where the markings that matched his climbed from her hip to under her arm.

  Decebel chuckled when he heard her whimper as he gently nipped her skin with his teeth.

  Then, much to her frustration, he pulled her shirt back down and raised himself on his forearms to look down at her.

  "I love you. I want to make love to you. But I'm not about to do it in a tavern full of Canis lupus, in a room with multiple single beds. I can assure you that I'm suffering more than you by waiting, but I won't have my mate's first time be anything less than perfect."

  "How can I be upset with you when you say something like that to me?" she pouted.

  Decebel leaned down and kissed her slowly. When he pulled back, he grinned at her. "You can't."

  "Dec," the tremble in her voice had him looking into her mind, "I love being in your arms. I'm so happy I'm your mate, your wife. I love you."

  Decebel ran his thumb gently across her well-kissed lips and whispered through their bond, "You are mine, as I am yours."

  Jen nipped his lips with her teeth, bringing a rumble from his chest. "Don't you forget it."

  The following day Jen and Jacque sat on one of the couches in the meeting room, watching as Vasile talked to the top males in their pack. The Tavern was abuzz with preparations. Some of the pack members were helping Nicolae prepare food for the coming packs, others helped wash dishes that had been dirtied from breakfast.

  "I really feel like I should be up making myself useful," Jen said as she watched the others scurrying around.

  "Yes, well, that would kind of be hard for you to do since your mate won't let you out of his sight," Jacque pointed out.

  “There is that," Jen agreed dryly.

  "Speaking of, how are you two?"

  Jen's eyes lit up as she looked over at Decebel, who was standing in a way that kept her in his line of sight while he discussed something with Sorin.

  "We're good. He's bossy, possessive, and broody." Jen grinned as she saw Decebel raise a single eyebrow and look up at her. She knew he would hear her. "But I wouldn't change a thing about him." She tore her eyes from her mate and looked at Jacque. "I've never felt so treasured, you know?"

  "Completely understand," Jacque said as she grinned at her friend.

  Jen and Jacque jumped up when they heard loud voices coming from the other room. Both girls began moving in the direction of the noise, but were brought up short when Decebel and Fane were suddenly in front of them. The doors to the meeting room opened and they recognized Dragomir, the Hungary Alpha, walk in followed by members of his pack. Right behind them was Victor, Alpha of the Bulgarian pack, and his pack members, and then Dillon, the Colorado pack Alpha, with his pack, pulling up the rear.

  Jacque stepped around Fane and made her way over to her dad.

  "Hey," she said, smiling.

  "Hey yourself." Dillon smiled back and pulled her into a hug. "You okay?"

  Jacque stepped back from him and felt Fane wrap an arm around her from behind.

  "I'm good. It's been a rough few weeks, but we're all in one piece."

  Dillon looked past Jacque at Fane. "Good to see you, Fane."

  "Dillon." Fane nodded in acknowledgment and added, "We appreciate your assistance."

  "I will always come if my daughter is in danger." Dillon smiled once more at Jacque and then made his way to Vasile and the other Alphas.

  Jen and Decebel stepped up next to Jacque and Fane.

  Jen nudged Jacque. "You seen Sally?"

  "She's working with Rachel and Peri again."

  "Let's hope that fairy has some tricks up her sleeve. I have a feeling we're going to need them," Jen muttered, then nearly jumped when she heard Peri's voice from behind her.

  "Oh, I've got more than tricks, mate of Decebel. I've got legends come to life."

  Peri made her way quickly to the front and pushed through the other Alphas, ignoring their snarls.

  "Vasile, we need to talk. Now."

  Vasile looked at the others. "I apologize, gentlemen. If you will please give me just a few moments."

  The three Alphas muttered their consents and turned to clear out of the room.

  Vasile then addressed his wolves. "Romanian pack, if you would please step into the other room for a few moments. Thank you all for your help and patience."

  The area began to empty. Peri turned to see who still remained and rolled her eyes when she saw all the ones who had been with her across the Veil.

  "I suppose nothing I can say will get you lot out of here."

  Decebel stepped forward. "If this has to do with any of us in this room, then we stay."

  Sally and Rachel entered the room. The look on Sally's face told them something was up.

  "You okay, Sal?" Jen asked, her eyebrows raised in question.

  Sally swallowed with some difficulty before she spoke. "It's just a lot to take in."

  Peri looked at each person in the room, pausing briefly on their faces before she spoke.

  "Desdemona -"

  "I thought we weren't supposed to speak her name." Jen interrupted.

  Peri frowned at her. "At this point it's not a concern." She waited, watching Jen to see if she had a response. Naturally, she did.

  "I see. Okay then, you may proceed."

  Peri snorted and rolled her eyes. "Desdemona," she began again, "is not going to play fair. Sally, Rachel, and I have been seeking out her intentions and what we have found is disturbing. Just like she used the animals in the forest to attack, she is amassing an army of animals to do her bidding. She is more powerful than I imagined if she can control so many at once. Wolves, bears, birds, wild boar, lynx, foxes, deer, and anything else she can get to obey her." Peri turned to look at Vasile. "You know what I'm going to ask of you."

  "Their mates will never agree," Vasile told her, and the glint in his eyes said that he himself did not agree either.

  "Wait, wait, wait. Let's call a timeout on the clock." Jen took a step forward, which was matched by Decebel, who stood behind her with a hand on her hip. "This has to do with us, as in myself and Jacque, doesn’t it?"

  Peri nodded.

  "What exactly is it we won't agree to?" Decebel spoke over Jen's head.

  Peri squared her shoulders as she looked Decebel in the eye. "Your mates must join the battle."

  Decebel and Fane both snarled at the same time.

  "They cannot fight. They are human – the wolves would tear them apart.," Fane growled at the Fae. His blue eyes glowed dangerously.

  "You are incorrect, prince," Peri challenged. "They are not fully human."

  "What are you saying?" Decebel asked as his hand tightened on his mate.

  "I'm saying that your mates also have Canis lupus blood in them. They have a wolf inside, a wolf that can be drawn out."

  Jen's breathing sped up and she felt her chest tighten. She looked over at Jacque, who had an identical deer in the headlights look.

  "Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Jen asked apprehensively.

  Peri nodded as she moved to stand in front of the two girls. "I'm saying you can phase."

  Chapter 29

  "Come again?" Jen and Jacque both said in unison as their eyes widened.

  "It sounded like you said that we could phase. So, for clarification purposes, are you saying Jacque and I are able to turn furry? Complete with tail, pointy teeth, glowing eyes, and fleas?" Jen tapped her lips with nervous fingers.

  Peri chuckled at Jen's description. "I'm not sure about the fleas, but yes."

  "Alpha, is this true?" Decebel addressed Vasile.

  "Yes."

  "How? How can this be possible? I'm over a century old and I've never heard of such a thing." Decebel's eyes narrowed at Peri.

  "In all those years have you been around a dormant?" Peri asked simply.

  "No."

  "Then why would you need to know? Some things are better left untouched until such a time as they are needed. We need every resource we can utilize."

  "What makes you think we would let them fight even if they could phase?"

  Jen's head whipped around and looked up at her mate, then down at Jacque. "Did I hear him correctly?"

  "If you mean, did he just imply that he can control your actions by telling you what you can and cannot do? Then yes, Watson, you heard him correctly." Jacque cocked an eyebrow at Fane, who was growling at her.

  "Do we really have to go over this again?" Jen asked Decebel in an exasperated manner.

  "I've told you, Jennifer, I will not allow you to be put in danger." Decebel's voice was calm and reasonable, which only ticked Jen off more.

  "Would you keep Cynthia or Crina from fighting?" Jen had pulled out of his grasp and was glaring at him with her hands on her hips, chin jutted out defiantly.

  "That's different."

  "The hell it is," Jen snarled. She turned to look at Alina. "Are you going to fight?"

  Alina nodded as she took Vasile's hand, indicating that where her mate went, she followed.

  Jen looked back at Decebel. "I'm your mate, I stand by your side. Not behind you, not in front of you. Where you go, I go. Do what you have to in order to get over it. Throw your hissy fit, snarl your teeth, glare at me with your freaky glowing eyes – if absolutely necessary, punch a hole in the wall – but you will deal with this and get over it. You cannot put me in a bubble unless your goal is to suffocate me. Got it?" Jen was toe-to-toe with her mate, looking straight into his amber eyes.

  Decebel growled and then shocked her by gripping the back of her neck and kissing her roughly. When he pulled back, he wasn't any less agitated or angry, but there was resignation in his eyes. "If anything happens to you..."

  "Chillax, man. If I kick the bucket, so do you. So, no worries about you tearing the world apart or Vasile having to kill you," Jen interrupted.

  "Man, you have a way with words," Jacque muttered to her mouthy friend.

  "Just telling it like it is, Jac. No need to sugarcoat it." Jen turned back around to face Peri, stepping back so that she was pressed against Decebel's chest and stomach.

  "What do we have to do?" Jacque asked. Fane had tried arguing with her through their bond, but Jacque had shut him right down. Fane wasn't quite as stubborn as Decebel, so he relented more quickly, but he was still angry.

  "Under the light of the full moon, your mates will pour passion vine-infused water over you. The pull of the moon is powerful; I can amplify it and call on the Great Luna. The passion vine will absorb into your pores and call upon the passion of your wolf. The last part is the blood of your mate, which your wolf will recognize and be drawn to. All three combined with a little Fae magic and your wolves will surface."

  "And when exactly is the next full moon?" Jen asked Peri.

  Peri smiled mischievously. "Wouldn't you know? It just happens to be tonight."

  Jen felt Decebel tense behind her. She figured that, like herself, he hadn't expected it to be so soon.

  Sally stepped up to her two best friends and smiled gentle. "You guys are going to be okay. And I will admit, I'm slightly jealous."

  "Don't worry, I'll share my fleas with you. No need for me to be stingy," Jen teased.

  Cynthia, Crina, and Alina had come over and each hugged Jacque and Jen.

  "You two are going to be kick ass she-wolves." Crina grinned.

  "Is there any other kind?" Jen asked, cocking her a single eyebrow.

  "Not in our pack," Cynthia piped in.

  Night fell over the Tavern and the moon boldly lit the sky. Jen and Jacque said their farewells as they headed out the door with Peri, Fane, and Decebel.

  Jacque had spoken with her father and he was about as receptive as Fane and Decebel had been. She gently reminded him that she was an adult and it was her choice. He hadn't said anything more, but his face remained in a permanent scowl.

  Peri led them out into a clearing near the opening of the woods. She had told them she would be cloaking them so the witch would not disturb the ritual if she happened to be seeking them out. Which she most likely was.

  Jacque and Jen both wore a simple pullover shift, but – thanks to Fae magic – were being protected from the cold.

  Peri directed Fane and Decebel to stand with their backs to each other to give their mates privacy from the other male. The girls each stood in front of their mate and waited for Peri to tell them what to do next. They watched as the fairy closed her eyes. Her lips began moving with silent words. The air around her began to shimmer and in each of her hands a large basin of water appeared. The water had a purple tint to it.

  Peri handed Fane a basin and then handed Decebel a basin.

  "Remove your shifts," Peri told Jen and Jacque. "Then, males, you will pour the potion over your mate. The potion will last until all of her has been covered."

  Jen pulled the shift over her head and, though it was the first time she had been truly naked in front of her mate, she boldly looked him in the eyes.

  Decebel's lips lifted in a crooked smile. "You're beautiful," he told her through their bond and without hesitation began to pour the passion vine potion over her.

  Jen had expected it to be cold, but the water was surprisingly warm. It flowed over her head and down her face to her shoulders, arms, chest, and back – all the way to her toes. Her skin felt like tiny pins were pricking it all over. Jen watched her skin begin to shimmer and felt something in her pushing. Just like when she had completed the Blood Rites, she could feel her wolf, only it was much stronger. The water finally stopped flowing and she looked up at Decebel.

  Peri then instructed them to take the blood of their mate.

  Decebel stepped close to Jen and leaned down so she was able to reach his neck. She kissed him once on the lips and then down his jaw to the same place she had bitten him during their bonding. The stirring in her was getting frantic and she was beginning to feel restless, like she couldn't stand still. Her teeth lengthened and her mouth opened.

  When she sunk her teeth into Decebel's flesh, she let out a low moan as his sweet blood hit her mouth. Decebel wrapped his arms around her small waist.

  "I will never tire of you taking from me what you need," he whispered breathlessly in her mind.

  Jen swallowed several large gulps and somehow instinctively knew when to pull back. Decebel's eyes were closed and his lips slightly parted.

  "D-d-decebel..." Jen's voice was unsteady as she looked to her mate for help.

  Decebel opened his eyes, which had begun to glow amber. The glow intensified as Decebel looked into the glowing blue eyes of his mate. A low growl emitted from his chest as his own canines lengthened. Then Decebel's wolf pushed forward, seeking his mate.

  "Mate," Jen heard Decebel's wolf boom into her mind.

  Jen let out a soft whine and backed away from Decebel. She shuddered as something deep inside her, something primal, reached out.

  "Jen, don't fight it," she heard Peri say, but her voice sounded far away.

  Decebel stepped toward Jen and growled again. He was calling to her, calling to his mate.

  Jen closed her glowing eyes and felt a coldness flow over her from head to toe. For a moment, she felt like she was floating – then she landed on the hard ground. On four legs.

  Jen's eyes snapped open at the realization. Her vision was so clear and her hearing was beyond amplified – she could hear animals scurry, birds' wings flapping, voices coming from the Tavern, and a heartbeat that sounded familiar. She felt a nudge in her side and turned her head to see Decebel in his huge wolf form.

  "Bloody hell, Dec. I'm a wolf." Jen was relieved that she could still feel him in her mind.

  "You're a beautiful wolf. You have a white star shape on your muzzle."

  Decebel gave her what must've been the wolf version of a smile. Jen took a step back.

  "Okay, don't ever do that again. That was creepy.”

  Decebel chuckled in her mind.

  "How do you feel?" he asked her as he rubbed his head against her neck.

  "Amazing. I can't even describe it. I just want to run and kill someth- Okay, that's a little disturbing."

  A black wolf and a smaller grey one – who had emerald eyes that looked like they were lined in kohl – stepped in front of them.

  Jen realized it was Fane and Jacque. She stepped toward Jacque and nudged her, then leaned down on her front paws, sticking her butt in the air and wagging her tail. She wanted to play. Jacque mimicked her pose and took off to the right when Jen pounced. Decebel and Fane sped off after their mates, flanking them on either side in protection. They ran through the snow, dodging under bushes and fallen trees. Jen relished the wind blowing through her fur and the cold air rushing into her lungs. The only thing that came even close to this exhilaration was kissing Decebel.

  "I guess I'll have to try harder if I'm going to be competing with you wanting to be in your wolf form running instead of kissing your mate," Decebel teased, having heard her thought.