Wadim was speechless. The Great Luna wanted him to share the most important information in the history of their kind. This would forever alter the course of their species. And he had been complaining about being bored. Guess that would teach him to complain.

  “I trust you to do this, Wadim. You have proven to be a very accurate and truthful keeper. I know that you will tell all that I have imparted to you. Do this as soon as you awaken. Tell my wolves how very proud I am of you all.”

  Wadim felt his eyes grow heavy and close against his will. Seconds later he sat up in his bed with a gasp, alone in his dark room. He rubbed his eyes, trying to clear the sleep and looked around to see if he really was back in his room. He pinched his arm.

  “Ow,” he grumbled, but quickly forgot the pain as the Great Luna’s words filled his mind.

  He jumped up, making a beeline to his computer. After pulling up a blank document, he began to type everything she had told him. Once he was finished, he picked up the phone and dialed Vasile’s cell number.

  “Vasile,” the Alpha's deep voice rumbled.

  “We need to talk,” Wadim panted breathlessly.

  “Pack your things. You will go with us to the Serbian pack’s mansion. We have a meeting tonight.”

  Wadim hung up and realized that he must have slept the whole night even though it only felt like a short time. Shaking his head to clear it, he began to pack. His mind was racing over the possibilities and the consequences of the Great Luna’s decree.

  He smiled to himself when he thought of the poor wolf who would be the first paired with a Fae.

  This is what happens when you complain about being bored, he thought to himself. He pulled the strap of his bag over his shoulder and grabbed the flash drive upon which he had saved the documentation of the Great Luna’s words. As he began to climb the stairs he muttered under his breath, "Just sitting around, minding my own business, whining about archiving, and then BAM, 'your species will be able to mate with a totally different species. Oh, and by the way, Wadim, it’s your responsibility to relay this information'. That'll teach me to complain.”

  Chapter 8

  “Once you’ve been to one bonding ceremony, you’ve been to them all. The Blood Rites, however, are a whole 'nother bag of tricks…literally, if you’re creative. I’m just saying.” ~Jen

  “Where are you, my Alpha?” Alina spoke to her mate, who had a far-off look in his eyes. They were waiting for the others to arrive in the meeting room of the Serbian mansion. Vasile and Alina had shown up just before dusk and the others in Vasile’s pack were getting settled in the rooms that Jen and Decebel had prepared for them.

  “I’m just wondering if we will ever see days of peace in my time as Alpha. Will we ever have grandchildren dancing around our feet? Will I hold you at night and not worry if we will be fighting for our lives the next day?” Vasile pulled Alina into his arms. She laid her head on his chest as he stroked her hair lovingly.

  “All you can do is what is right. Fight the evil and the ones who would use it to devastate the weak with those who are pure of heart and have the will to stand against it. You lead them, you give them your strength, and you trust that not one of us will rest until good prevails.” Alina pulled back to look in his eyes. “We might not see days of peace, or play with our grandchildren.” She choked back on her words as she spoke of the little ones. “We might never go to sleep knowing that we will wake up and open our door to a bright morning. And that’s okay, because I have loved and been loved by you. I have fought by your side, I have borne your child, I have laughed, cried, hurt, rejoiced, and mourned with you. Those things are my peace.”

  Vasile placed his hands on either side of his mate’s face and gently pulled her toward him. Their lips touched, and even after two centuries, the passion that started as embers burned bright and strong. She wrapped her arms around his neck and stood up on her tiptoes to get closer. Vasile growled softly and Alina laughed lightly as she pulled away. He looked into her eyes and saw the man she believed him to be. A man can go to his grave with pride when he has seen in his woman’s eyes that he is her hero, her lover, her friend, and her confidant.

  ***

  Jen, Jacque, Sally, Rachel, Crina, and Cynthia all sat around the coffee table in one of the many sitting rooms. Each held a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

  “Do we know if Peri has been able to get Legolas’ brothers and sisters to join our cause?” Jen asked as she took a sip of her hot chocolate, cringing as it stung her tongue.

  Crina and Cynthia, who had also been taking sips of their drinks, immediately began choking as they laughed at Jen’s words. Rachel was smiling, beginning to understand some of Jen’s humor, even if she didn’t understand the reference.

  “Jen, just because they are Fae doesn’t mean they are anything like the Lord of the Rings characters,” Sally pointed out. "Not to mention, Legolas was an elf."

  Jen shrugged. “Yeah, but it’s so much more fun to refer to them as Legolas' cousins or baby’s daddy than just calling them Fae.”

  Jacque nodded. “She does have a point.”

  Cynthia was shaking her head. Once again, the three girls were trading banter like the world wasn’t coming to an end.

  “To answer your question,” Sally said, “Peri told me during one of our little…”

  “Potions classes?” Jen blurted.

  “Harry Potter!” Jacque yelled out.

  “Point.” Jen nodded at Jacque.

  “Seriously? You guys are going to play 'what’s it from?' now?” Sally asked. She crossed her arms across her chest, attempting to look intimidating.

  “What is ‘what’s it from’?” Rachel asked.

  Jacque piped in. “It’s a game where we just have normal conversations like usual. But then throughout the day we throw movie quotes out that are appropriate for the topic. To get a point you have to be the first one to call out what movie or television show it’s from. It’s a very mature game for very mature women.”

  “I’m afraid this game isn’t going to make a whole lot of sense to you considering you've been living on fig trees for decades and your only form of entertainment was injuring your werewolf husband so that you could use your healing skills.”

  Everyone but Rachel gasped at Jen’s bluntness. Rachel was laughing. She had told Jen about how Gavril would purposefully injure himself just so she would have something to do.

  “I’m just saying,” Jen spouted at the outraged faces.

  “Anyway, Rachel,” Jacque continued, “that is the game.”

  “Perhaps I will just listen then. I’m sure Jen will say something that, though I may not understand, I will still find amusing.”

  Cynthia laughed. "That’s an easy thing to do. Jen only has to open her mouth and you’re just about guaranteed to laugh, and despite the brashness, she probably means no harm.”

  “She’s really very short on charm!” Jacque hollered just as Sally and Jen yelled, “The Princess Bride!”

  "Good one, Doc." Jen grinned at Cynthia.

  "Okay, seriously," Sally said, collecting herself. "Peri said the council isn't going to lift a finger to help us out."

  Rachel snorted. "That's no surprise."

  "What do you mean?" Crina asked.

  Rachel leaned forward and set her cup on the table. "The Fae are the most powerful of all the supernaturals and, at one time, they were the disciplinarians of our realm."

  "Like the police of the sups?" Jacque asked.

  Rachel stared at Jacque blankly.

  "Rach, just go with it," Jen encouraged.

  "Okay then, yes, like the police," Rachel agreed. "After the purge of the witches they retreated beyond their Veil and have had very little to do with this world. Especially since the absence of healers. So, it doesn't surprise me that they don't want to get involved. They live in peace, safe in their world."

  "Yeah, well, what happens when this world is brought to its knees and the death and destruction brought on by Mona comes knocking on their door?" Sally asked. "What is Peri going to do?"

  "She hasn't really come out and said it in so many words, but I think Elle and Adam are going to be helping out again." Sally noticed Crina's shoulders stiffen when she mentioned the Fae. Maybe she didn't like them, Sally thought.

  "Sally mine, we're getting ready to meet." Sally jumped at the sound of Costin's voice and let out a yelp.

  Jen jumped up at that. "Bloody hell, Sally. Are you okay?"

  Sally blushed. "I forgot to mention something," she muttered.

  Jen's head snapped around to Jacque. "I told you she was holding out on us. Didn't I tell you she was holding out on us?"

  "Yeah, yeah. You told me. Now sit down and zip it so we can grill her for information."

  "I'm just saying – I knew she was acting weird. But does anyone listen to Jen? Nooooo, of course not. It's not like I'm brilliant or anything."

  "Jen."

  "What!" Jen snapped.

  "Sit it and shut it." Jacque pointed to Jen's seat. "Now," she growled, pinning Sally with her emerald eyes. "Spill it healer."

  "Well, I was going to tell you guys last night but then the meeting and Peri and then…" Sally stammered.

  "Blah, blah, blah. Sally, get to the point." Jen made an impatient motion with her hand.

  "Costin and I can hear each other's thoughts," Sally blurted out.

  "Shut up!" Jacque grinned.

  "That's what I'm talking about. It all starts with the mind talk and next thing you know you're rolling around getting wrapped up in the sheets like a burrito." Jen was up, doing a little dance as she spoke. She stopped when she realized everyone was staring at her. "What?" Her forehead wrinkled.

  Crina, Cynthia, and Rachel were shaking their heads with small smiles on their faces. Sally was covering her face in embarrassment and Jacque was rolling her eyes.

  "Jen," Jacque started.

  Jen held up her hands. "I know, I know. Always with the ‘don't talk about sex, Jen', ‘keep your clothes on, Jen', ‘be a boring square, Jen'."

  "Did you hear me, baby?"

  Sally jumped again. "Oh, crap, I forgot he spoke to me." She stood and walked away, turning her back on her friends. "Yes, I heard you. Sorry, I was distracted by the girls."

  "Hmm, I must not be doing something right if your friends distract you better than I do. Guess I'll have to remedy that." She heard Costin chuckle in her mind and felt warm breath over her neck.

  She shivered. "Was that you?"

  "Yes, Sally mine, that was me. Now, are you coming to the meeting room or do I need to come and carry you over? Which would be completely fine with me."

  Sally giggled. "We are on our way."

  "Fine, have it your way. No worries, love. I will find another way to get you in my arms."

  Sally was blushing when she walked back over to the others.

  "Um, Sally, you do realize that we can't hear you talk to him, right? You don't have to walk away for privacy like you're on a cell phone."

  Sally's blush deepened. "But if I try to talk to him while I'm in front of you guys you will tell me that I look constipated."

  The room erupted into chuckles.

  "Oh, Sally girl, I wouldn't say you look constipated," Jen placated.

  "Oh, okay." Sally smiled.

  "For all I know you might look like you have gas, or maybe you look like you are in the throes of -"

  "Jen!" Jacque cut her off, trying very hard not to laugh. When the others lost their composure, Jacque gave in herself.

  Sally tried to give them a stern glare, but she was too giddy to be upset. A wide grin spread across her face as she thought about Costin.

  "Jennifer, Costin said you all were on your way." Jen heard her mate’s voice.

  "We're heading that way. We had girl things to discuss. Tell Costin not to get his tail in a twist, his little healer will be there in a sec."

  "Costin isn't the one asking, baby. I'm asking. And what girl things?"

  "Oh, well, in that case I won't tell you not to get your tail in a twist because I think your tail stays in a perpetual state of twisted-ness. And none of your business."

  She heard Decebel growl at her. She laughed. "Love you, my furry fur ball."

  "Promise me you will never call me that out loud, in front of anyone."

  "Now baby, you know I can't make a promise like that. You're bound to piss me off at some point and I need all the ammunition I can muster."

  "Just get your butts in here." He was growling again which only made her grin bigger.

  "Now, now, I will not stand for you talking about other chickadees' bums."

  "Jennifer," he warned.

  "Fine, jeez," she relented.

  "Come on, girlies. Decebel’s yapping in my ear about getting all our butts to the meeting room."

  "I don't know how you put up with his bossiness," Crina commented on their way out the door.

  Jen snickered.

  "If he was easy, compliant, and tolerant of her, she would turn him into a wolf rug and walk all over him," Jacque explained.

  "Seriously," Jen added. "I can't French kiss a rug. Well I could, but then people would think I'd passed from mildly demented into full-blown off her rocker."

  Sally cut a sideways glance at Jacque and raised her eyebrows. Jacque gave a slight nod in agreement with Sally's unspoken skepticism.

  "Sally, Jacque, I will not hesitate to put super glue on your toilets, so wipe the smirks off your lovely faces."

  Crina, Cynthia, and Rachel listened to the girls' banter, shaking their heads and laughing when Jen made a typical Jen statement.

  As they walked, Jacque reached out to Fane. “Hey, wolf-man, I’m feeling a little left out here. All the other men are jumping all over their mates to get their butts to the meeting room.”

  Jacque heard him chuckle and then he sent her a mental image of the two of them.

  “I will be happy to jump all over you. However, I assure you it will be for a much different reason.”

  Jacque laughed out loud and received knowing looks from the others.

  “Have I told you lately that I love you?” Jacque asked.

  “Yes, but I never get tired of hearing it. Now hurry up and get your butt in this meeting room,” Fane teased.

  Jacque grinned to herself and somehow, even after the bonding and marriage, she still got butterflies at the idea of walking into a room knowing she was going to see Fane’s all-too-handsome face.

  When they finally arrived at the meeting, the heaviness that cloaked the room brought their laughter and easy banter to an end.

  ***

  The girls walked into the quiet room. The men were sitting in a circle. There were empty seats next to Decebel, Fane, Costin, and Gavril. Each mated female made their way to their respective places while Cynthia and Crina took the empty seats next to Sorin and Drake. Vasile and Alina sat near the front of the room with Peri sitting to their left.

  Jacque saw Wadim next to Sorin and smiled.

  "Hey, history boy," she teased. Fane growled and she elbowed him as she continued to talk to Wadim. "So, you're being dragged into this mess too?"

  "How could I possibly miss the end of the world as we know it?"

  Decebel and Vasile snarled at Wadim’s words.

  "Not appropriate, Wadim," Vasile warned.

  "My apologies, Alpha. I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed by the information I need to share with you," Wadim told him.

  "Let's get started," Peri interjected.

  Vasile stood and began to walk slowly around the circle as he spoke.

  "Decebel and I, along with our Betas, Gavril, and Costin, have been discussing how we should proceed. We have decided that we cannot wait for Desdemona to strike first. It would be better to be on the offensive instead of the defensive. This means we need to be taking steps forward to figure out Mona's plan and how we can keep that plan from bearing fruit." He paused, waiting to see if anyone had anything to say at this point. When nobody spoke up, he continued.

  "Based on the information Peri has been gathering, we think it would be beneficial to send out two groups to two locations that are opposite one another in the country. We might be able to pick something up inadvertently just by being in the right place. For example, Peri and Decebel were able to get Costin a job at a bar in Ruse, which is right on the border of Bulgaria, close to the forest where we think Mona was headed. This bar is frequented by supernatural beings.

  “Sally will join him, along with Jen, Decebel, Sorin, Cynthia, and Drake. And thanks to Perizada, Elle will be joining you as well. The other group will include me, Alina, Fane, Jacque, Crina, Rachel, Gavril, and Adam, again thanks to Peri’s help. Skender will stay behind and take care of my pack and Decebel will appoint someone in his place while we are gone. Our group will be heading deep into the Carpathian Mountains, in the area close to the bridge above the In Between.” Vasile stopped pacing. “Now, at one time there were tribes of pixies…"

  "Whoa, hold the heck up," Jen interrupted. Decebel placed his hand on her thigh, which she ignored.

  "Pixies? Seriously? Okay, right here, right now, give us a list of all the non-human beings that inhabit this great planet but live in secret all up in our Kool-Aid."

  Sally and Jacque were nodding their heads in agreement.

  Decebel rolled his eyes and waited to see how Vasile would respond to his mate’s outburst. He probably should have put duct tape on her mouth before the meeting began, but she tended to make things more interesting.