Jacque bit back her laugh. She swore one day those two would wind up rolling around on the floor, shedding their clothing in front of everyone who happened to be in the room at the time.

  “I’d prefer if you weren’t around when that happens.” Fane was obviously listening in on her thoughts. “It’s bad enough that you see males nude when they phase back to human form, even if it is only for a few seconds before our fae manifest clothing for them.”

  Jacque didn’t respond. She knew that if she continued to engage him, it would only encourage him to keep flirting with her. And yes, she considered his possessive words as flirtation because it was hot. Sue her.

  “Why were you hurt, Drake?” This time, Bethany’s words didn’t just sound angry. Jacque heard worry and pain as well. “What if I went off somewhere without telling you and you realized I’d been injured? How would you feel if I kept the bond shut so you wouldn’t know what I was doing?”

  “Perfectly valid questions,” Crina said.

  Jacque watched Adam grab Crina’s waist and attempt to pull her to him. But she snatched one of those hands and jerked it to her mouth before chomping down on it.

  “Fu—” Adam slammed his mouth shut before he could finish the vulgar word. He shook his hand and then examined the teeth marks, which were oozing bright red blood. After a moment, he sucked in a breath. “You know that turnabout is fair play, little wolf,” he said. The fae’s voice was practically a purr.

  Crina rolled her eyes, but Jacque saw a gleam in them. Good grief. We are laughably weak when it comes to our mates.

  “We can’t help it if you’re so blinded by desire that you can’t stay mad, beloved,” Fane murmured through their bond. His voice slid over her like silk, kissing her skin much like his lips often did when they were in bed.

  “Damn fur butts,” she bit out.

  Bethany crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Drake. “I’m waiting for an answer, mate.” The last word was so sharp that he flinched, making Jacque wonder if the ire Bethany was sending him through their bond was strong enough for Drake to feel a physical slap.

  “You weren’t being reasonable,” he finally answered. “We have a baby, Bethy.” Drake’s voice softened. “She needs her mother. Who is going to feed her?” He pointed at his mate’s chest, which elicited a chorus of chuckles and snorts from everyone else in the room. Drake’s eyes widened when he realized what he’d done. He glanced around, glowering at every one of them. The other males were smart enough to look at their own mates and pretend they hadn’t heard.

  “Phst.” Bethany blew out. “You know I can pump milk for Hope, so don’t you dare try to use that excuse. What else have you got?” She made a motion with her hand, encouraging him to continue. There was a part of Jacque that wanted to shake her head at him and mouth ”don’t do it.” But she wasn’t about to help him weasel out of this. He deserved a thorough ass-chewing, and Jacque wanted to see him get it. The rest of the males deserved to be chastised as well, but they would have to wait their turns.

  Drake stood up, towering over his smaller mate, but she didn’t step back. Bethany knew, just like Jacque and the other females, that their mates would never hurt them. “I love you more than anything on this earth,” he said. “Just the thought of you being injured because of me drove me crazy. I know you’re strong. I have no doubt you are brave. And I consider you my equal.” He pinched the bridge of his nose as he shook his head. “But you are not a warrior, Bethy. You’re young, not only as a human, but as a wolf as well. You haven’t been trained to fight.” She opened her mouth, presumably to argue, but Drake kept going. “And I realize you survived the vampires, which proves how resilient you are, but that’s not the same as physically fighting someone. I would be a foolish mate if I let you run off into a battle that could cause you to lose your life or be captured again.”

  Jacque’s mind immediately jumped to Sally and Kara. Both of them had endured horrific experiences at the hands of the Order. And as Drake pointed out, Bethany had already endured captivity by possibly the most vile of the supernaturals—the vamps. The alpha swallowed down the guilt she suddenly felt because of how she had acted toward her mate. She knew Fane always had her best interest at heart. She understood he wasn’t trying to clip her wings. But knowing it and being okay with it were two different things.

  Drake cupped Bethany’s face in his hands and leaned down so that their lips nearly touched. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was leaving. That was inconsiderate of me. I won’t ever do that to you again. But I cannot allow you to go with me to Alston’s stronghold, especially not after what we faced today. Please don’t ask it of me.”

  Bethany seemed to deflate against him, resting her forehead on his chest. Her body shook gently, and Jacque understood the female’s pain and frustration. “You’re right.” Bethany breathed out. “I just hate being separated from you. This is the second time you’ve been injured, Drake.” Her body trembled as if her own words caused her physical pain.

  Drake sat back down and pulled his mate with him until she sat across his lap with her feet resting on the couch cushion. Bethany stayed pressed against him with her head down. Drake lowered his own head until his lips were near her ear. Jacque watched as he spoke to her so softly that the rest of the room, even with their superior wolf hearing, couldn’t decipher it. Bethany’s hand fisted in his shirt, and she nodded. Drake pressed his lips tenderly to her temple and briefly closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath.

  “Alston’s stronghold is built into the mountains.” Fane spoke up when it appeared Drake and Bethany were done. “We were engaged by his elves and fae while scouting it. Drake and Sorin, as you know, suffered minor wounds.”

  “We are quite aware, Alpha,” Elle snapped.

  Sorin moved so quickly that Elle didn’t have time to evade his hands as he wrapped them around her waist and pulled her to him. He turned her to face him. Sorin’s usually impassive face was anything but. His eyes, like many of the other males, glowed with his wolf. Sorin’s mouth was pulled back, and his sharp canines were on display. His body seemed to vibrate with emotion, and Jacque wasn’t sure if it was rage or desperation.

  “We will discuss this in private,” he whispered, his voice incongruent with the fierce look on his handsome face.

  “I’ve got stuff to do after this meeting,” Elle said. “Fane isn’t the only leader I answer to.”

  Sorin snarled. “Peri can wait.”

  Elle lifted her hand, but Sorin shook his head. “Don’t.”

  The female fae froze, seeming to consider his command. Several tense seconds passed before she dropped her hand and then pushed at his arms so that she could turn and face the room.

  “My apologies, Fane,” Elle said, though the tone of her voice held no contrition.

  Jacque’s mate didn’t acknowledge the irritation in the fae’s voice. Instead, Fane simply nodded and continued addressing the group. “Some of our allies, including the sprites, djinn, and fae, will join our attack tomorrow.” Then his eyes moved around the room, meeting the gaze of each of the women, including Jacque’s. “The decision of whether the females will join the battle will be up to each individual mated pair. But as for your female alpha…” He paused, turned to look at her, then sighed. ”Jacquelyn will accompany me.”

  Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. Fane reached up and pushed at her chin to close it. She didn’t miss the humor that lit up his eyes. What a punk.

  “Bloody hell, Alpha,” Decebel muttered.

  Jacque looked back at the rest of the room. Costin rubbed his forehead as if he’d suddenly been stricken with a terrible headache. Wadim stared daggers at his alpha. Adam, of course, smirked like a deranged maniac. Drake closed his eyes as if he was sending up a prayer to the Great Luna. Jacque wondered if he was praying for the goddess to strike his alpha with lightning. Sorin dropped his arms from around Elle and headed for the door, his back ramrod straight. Before he opened it, Fane said, “We will meet in the morning to discuss our strategy, and we will leave at dusk.”

  One by one, the couples filed from the room. Costin paused at the door and looked over his shoulder at Fane. “Do you know what you’re doing?”

  Fane’s answer to his third came with a rumble of authority. “I know how to choose my battles. This one would drive a wedge between me and my female, and it wouldn’t be worth it. I cannot tell you what is right for you and Sally.”

  “But you can keep them from coming with us.” Costin growled. “You have the right as alpha to do that. Why would you put us in this situation?”

  Fane shook his head. “Just because I have the power to do something doesn’t mean I should. My authority does not supersede your mate bond. Perhaps instead of ordering the females to stay, I order them to fight. I certainly have the power to do it. I can even provide justifications. I could claim we needed every able-bodied warrior for battle. But that would be tantamount to disrespecting your mate bond. That would mean overruling your authority over your family. No, Costin, you are the head of your household. Ultimately, you will be the one that answers to the Great Luna for the decisions you make for your mate and children.”

  Costin snarled, snapping his teeth together. Jacque saw Sally’s hand reach back through the door and grab the front of Costin’s shirt. “Let’s go, dimple-boy.” Her voice was surprisingly gentle, considering how annoyed she’d been earlier. “We have things to discuss.”

  “I’d rather do other things,” he mumbled.

  “And I’d like to not have morning sickness that refuses to confine itself to only morning hours, but we don’t always get what we want.”

  Costin grumbled something about hormonal females, which was followed by a grunt. No doubt Sally had delivered a well-placed elbow. Jacque grinned at the sound.

  Fane stared at his mate, taking in the beauty that still took his breath away every time she walked into a room. His hands itched to touch her, a constant need. Every beat of his heart was for her. Every breath he took gave him life to live for her, his fiery redhead who always kept him on his toes.

  “What changed your mind?” Jacquelyn turned back to look at him. Her green eyes drank him in, and he felt her attraction to him. He remembered the first time she’d looked at him with desire and how he’d fought the need to take her, bite her, and make her his right then and there. At the time, he couldn’t do it. He had no right to, not until she agreed. But now? Now he had every right, and he exercised that right as often as he could.

  She raised a brow at him. “Your right?”

  He stepped closer until the toes of their shoes touched. He reached a hand up and slid it around her neck until he gripped her under her hair. “Yes.” Fane let his need flow through their bond. A good battle always made his hunger for her grow to an intensity that demanded satiation. “Just as you have the right to take me. And I encourage that taking wherever, whenever, and however you’d like. All you need to do is tell me.”

  She tilted her head in a wolf-like gesture. “Not ask you?”

  His lips turned up slightly at the mischief that danced in her eyes. “You do not need my permission to seduce me, Luna. I’m quite willing to do your bidding.”

  She threw her head back and laughed. He didn’t give up the opportunity to dart forward and nip her neck. Then he let his tongue run against her skin. “Hmm. I love the way you taste.”

  “Hold up, Alpha.” She pushed him back. “You haven’t answered my question. Why have you decided to let me come with you?”

  “Just what I told Costin.” He pulled her closer, his hand gripping the back of her neck firmly. His other hand lingered on her hip and then slipped under her shirt. Her skin was soft as silk against his palm. He wanted to bite her there as well. “Some things are not worth fighting over. I always want you with me. If it was up to me, you’d never leave my sight.”

  “Yes.” She chuckled. “I know. You’ve done that before. It gets rather awkward when I need to use the restroom.”

  He shrugged. “We’re mates. There’s nothing we don’t know about one another.”

  She smacked his shoulder. He didn’t care as long as she touched him. “That is something that should be private. It’s not a couple activity, Fane.”

  He smiled at her. She was so cute when she got embarrassed. Once upon a time, she got shy when he undressed her. Thankfully, his beautiful mate had gotten over that little quirk. Now, she had no problem stripping in front of him. But sometimes, he missed that time in their lives where they were figuring each other out, working hard to become comfortable with one other, becoming one.

  But he wouldn’t be opposed if she decided to strip in front of him now. Unfortunately, he could tell by her narrowed eyes she wasn’t going to indulge his fantasy until he offered her more of an explanation. “If you’re with me, I can protect you. I will know exactly where you are and what you’re doing. And as you mentioned before, regardless of where you are, if I am in a dangerous situation, so are you.”

  “What about the possibility of me getting kidnapped?” She ran her hands up his chest. “You were quite adamant about keeping me from a situation where that might happen.”

  “I won’t lie…” His eyes closed as her hands ran up his neck and into his hair, her fingers wrapping around the strands and giving them a sharp tug. “I still don’t like it. But I’m able to compromise.” Fane pulled her tightly against him, maybe a little too roughly, but she didn’t complain.

  Her forehead wrinkled as her brow rose. “And what do I have to give up for you to make this compromise?”

  “A year of foot massages.” He was unable to keep the smile from his face.

  Her hands stopped tugging at his hair. “Foot massages? That’s all?”

  He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers, then ran his tongue across them. “With a happy ending, of course.”

  She laughed again, causing her body to rub against his in a way he found painfully delicious. “Of course.”

  “You can start now.” He pulled her arms down and joined their hands, leading her to the door. “Rachel and Gavril have Slate for another couple of hours. That might be long enough.”

  Jacquelyn snorted. “If you think I’m massaging your feet for two hours, you’re out of your wolfy mind.”

  “Obviously I don’t think that.” He chuckled. “Ten minutes should suffice. But for the other part… Well, you know how I like delayed gratification.”

  He felt her embarrassment through their bond and knew if he turned to look at her, she’d be blushing a lovely shade of red.

  Chapter

  Four

  “Sometimes being the male in a supernatural relationship is like being the captain of a ship in the dead of night without a compass. You’re just floating along aimlessly through the fog, hoping you don’t crash into an unseen object. In this analogy, that object would be any projectile my mate might decide to throw at me.” ~Sorin

  The blade flew from her hand the second she stepped out of the sprite stronghold. Elle walked backward, pulling another blade from the opposite thigh sheath and flinging it with as much fury as she had the first.

  Sorin slapped the first one away with inhuman speed and then dodged the next, continuing to move toward her. His eyes shined brightly with his beast, and his canines remained extended. He’d managed to keep the rest of himself from phasing, but Elle knew he was struggling. She could feel him through their bond, wrestling with his control. Too damn bad. She would not keep her own emotions in check. Elle was furious, and Sorin had brought that fury on himself.

  “I’m a warrior, Sorin.” Elle’s voice shook with the rage coursing through her. She used her magic to manifest two more blades and threw them in quick succession. Later—much later—she might look back and consider whether throwing sharp objects at her mate was the smartest thing she’d ever done. But that was later, and this was now. “I’ve been fighting for longer than you have existed. It’s in my blood, built into my supernatural DNA. You cannot ask me to change.”

  Sorin snarled and circled toward her, knowing that coming straight at her might earn him a blade between the eyes. “I know exactly what you are, female.” His voice was guttural with his wolf. “I do not doubt your ability. You know this. You are being emotional and irrational.”

  Oh no, he didn’t. Elle reached back over her shoulders and pulled out two short swords. She tossed them on the ground and then backed up. “Pick them up,” she snapped and then manifested two more for herself.

  “You will stay here with the other females. Guarding our home is just as important as fighting a battle.” Sorin’s words to Elle this morning echoed through her head. Who in the hell does he think he is? Ever since he’d made his oh-so-foolish declaration to her, Elle’s hands had been twitching, eager to cross blades with her mate. And it’s not that she didn’t agree with him. But Elle had always been in the action of battle. It was what she was raised to be. Not a guard, though there was no less pride in that position. But this was also personal. Alston was a high fae. A person she’d trusted for centuries. She needed to be there when he was brought to his knees. She needed to see the light fade from his eyes.

  Sorin crouched, never taking his eyes off of her. He might be dumb, but he wasn’t an idiot. Slowly, he picked up the swords. Sorin rose and rotated his wrists, deftly spinning the blades. Elle wouldn’t lie to herself and say it didn’t turn her on that her mate knew how to expertly wield a weapon. It was a good thing, too, or she’d be worried about actually hurting him. As it was, he would—hopefully—only end up with a few minor slashes.

  “There is no need for this, Elle.” Sorin’s voice had lost a little of its harshness, but his wolf was still evident. “We need to discuss the situation … like adults.”

  “This”—she whipped her short swords around in circles—“is me discussing it like an adult.” Her lips turned up in a smile that was anything but happy. “Sometimes it’s necessary for me to remind you just exactly who you are bonded to, mate.” She bit out the last word, her teeth snapping together much like his wolf’s did when he was angry.