"Boys, I need a break for just a sec. How about another shot?"

  The wolves across from her had their eyes glued to her frame as she arched and stretched. They all nodded in unison, but didn't speak. Jen smirked at Crina, who simply chuckled as she poured another round of shots.

  While Jen continued to stretch, she leaned towards Marianna. She got close to her ear and whispered, "The cavalry is on the way."

  Marianna gave a slight nod of her head and smiled at the males, as they tipped their shots back.

  Jen glanced down at her half-clad body. Man, that was close, she thought.

  As the gym door clanged open and her ears were met with ominous silence, she knew she had spoken too soon.

  * * *

  Decebel and Costin arrived at the gym door and Decebel had a sense of déjà vu.

  "If my mate is on the other side of that door..." he muttered the unfinished threat.

  Several wolves had gathered and were looking in through the window. There was a murmur across the crowd of, "Are they naked?" along with giggles and laughter.

  The Beta snarled and the crowd parted like the red sea. Decebel slowly stepped forward, and when he got to the window, he had to dig his claws into the palms of his hands to keep from phasing at what he saw. All the wolves around him fell to their knees as his power poured over them.

  He turned back to the crowd. "Everyone return to their rooms. Now." His calm tone did not hide the rage inside him. Without a word, the wolves rose and left quickly.

  Decebel looked down at Costin, who was still on his knees.

  "Stand," he told him, gruffly. "You knew she was going to do this? You knew how I would feel about it and you let her do it anyway?" His eyes were glowing and he was fighting with each breath to keep his wolf from striking out at the pup before him.

  "I take full responsibility," Costin told him, firmly.

  "I will deal with you when I'm done with her." Decebel dismissed him.

  He roughly pulled the gym door open and walked in. The scent of fear hit his nose as the four naked males turned and met his glowing eyes.

  * * *

  "Aww-kward," Jennifer sang, as she watched Decebel storm in. She stood up, leaving the circle of naked males and half-naked females.

  Decebel looked at Jennifer long enough to see that she was wearing tiny pieces of fabric that barely covered her essentials. Then he had to look away. He shook and fought for control, but nearly lost it when he noticed that his female pack mates weren't wearing much more. By the time his eyes landed on the males again, he was sure there was a puddle of blood on the floor from his claws digging into his hands.

  Decebel was seeing red at this point.

  "Phase to your wolves!" he snarled at them.

  He waited and when nothing happened, he took large menacing steps forward. "You dare defy me as you sit naked in a room with my mate?"

  Damion growled, but lowered his eyes. "We can't phase. We've tried."

  Decebel's eyes shot up to Jennifer's.

  She shrugged innocently, biting her bottom lip. "Oops."

  Now standing, Marianna and Crina backed slowly away as Decebel moved toward Jen.

  "What did you do?" he asked her.

  She glanced over at the Serbian males, then back at Decebel. "Do we have to do this here, in front of them?"

  "Costin," Decebel called.

  "Yes, Beta?"

  "Please make sure these males get back to their rooms safely. As soon as Crina and Marianna are clothed, take them to their rooms as well."

  Crina and Marianna had their clothes on before he finished speaking.

  Decebel turned back to Damion. "If you lay a hand on my pack mate, I will rip you limb from limb. I hope that this experience has taught you not to mess with our females."

  Jen smirked, but quickly wiped it clean when Decebel glared at her.

  "You have my word we won't retaliate," Damion growled out.

  Decebel nodded once and motioned for Costin to take the group out. He let out a slow breath. When Jen started to speak, he held up a hand to stop her.

  "Get dressed, please." His voice was tight, his eyes narrowed.

  Jen grabbed her shirt and slid it over her head, then slipped her shoes on.

  "Let's go," he told her. Gently, but firmly, he took her hand.

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  Chapter

  Twenty-Eight

  Decebel opened the door to Jennifer's room and motioned for her to enter. He hadn't spoken since the gym. He didn't trust himself. Not to mention, his wolf was making him bite his tongue because, although he was angry, he wouldn't allow Decebel to hurt Jennifer with his words.

  Once inside, she walked over to the bed and slumped down. Her shoulders rolled over in defeat. He hated seeing her that way, but couldn't rid himself of the image of her barely dressed in front of those naked males.

  "Why?" he asked her, his voice raspy as he tried to keep his wolf in check.

  Jennifer looked up at him, no tears in her eyes, just simple resolve.

  "They needed to learn not to mess with me and mine."

  Decebel growled. "It's my job to protect you and defend your virtue."

  "The hell it is!" She growled back. "It my virtue, Decebel. The key word is MY! I'm not going to sit back like some little obedient mate when someone takes a shot at me. Or you, for that matter."

  Decebel snarled.

  Jennifer stood up and walked towards him, but he turned away. He was too angry for her touch. His back did not deter her.

  "I'm sorry that I kept this from you," she told him, as she wrapped her arms around from behind. "I'm sorry that I hurt you. I'm sorry that I worried you. If it's any consolation, this will probably be the last time I take my clothes off in public."

  Decebel's chest rumbled. "Probably?" he growled.

  She smiled, as she rubbed her face against his back. "Well, I'm not putting my dream of being a Vegas show girl on the back burner just yet."

  * * *

  Jen waited while Decebel's wolf slowly calmed down as she held him close. Finally, he turned to face her. He placed his hands on either side of her face, pushing stray strands of blonde hair out of the way. He ran his thumb gently along her bottom lip and Jen felt her breath catch.

  "I've needed you, and missed you," Decebel whispered.

  Jen didn't speak. She couldn't as he held her mesmerized by his glowing amber eyes. He leaned forward and inhaled deeply. Her eyes fell shut as his chest rumbled and he growled.

  Then his lips were on hers. Gentle at first, but then he slipped his tongue through her lips and Jen gasped at the contact. Decebel started backing her up until Jen felt the bed against the back of her legs. He laid her back onto the bed, covering her body with his, never breaking the kiss. Jen's hands came up of their own accord and she ran her fingers through his hair, sighing at the softness.

  Decebel pressed her more firmly into the mattress and she felt his hand on her calf. Slowly he ran his hand up to the back of her thigh, pulling her body closer until his hand cupped her bottom.

  Jennifer groaned at the feel of his hand on her, not that she'd never had a guy put their hand on her butt, but this felt different. It was so much more intimate, and possessive. Decebel trailed kisses from her cheeks, down her neck, up to her collarbone, as Jen tried to catch her breath.

  When he nipped her, she gasped. The sound pushed through the fog of desire that had clouded Decebel's mind. He pulled back and looked into her eyes, gently caressing her face with his fingertips.

  "We should stop," he whispered, as he traced her red, moist lips in a trance-like state.

  "Uh-uh," Jen muttered.

  "Jennifer," Decebel growled. "Tell me to stop."

  Jen closed her eyes in order to escape his soul-searing amber gaze. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  Clearing her throat, she was finally able to speak. "Decebel, I want you to stop." She opened one eye to peek at him. "How was that?"

  A smile threatened to cross his face. "Almost convincing."

  A thought hit Jen's mind as she considered what he was asking her to stop him from doing.

  "Are you a virgin?"

  Decebel shook his head and chuckled. "You're quite blunt, aren't you?"

  Jen cocked an eyebrow at him.

  "Jennifer, I'm 125 years old," he told her, as if that explained it all.

  "That's not an answer," she growled. Then another thought hit her. "Should I be creeped out that you are so old?"

  "If you want to break it down to a science, Canis lupus actually age one year to a human's six. I'm more like twenty in 'your years,' in a sense. If anyone should be creeped out it should be Jacque. Fane is only three."

  That made Jen laugh. "Oh, that is just too rich. Definitely going to have to hold that one over her head." Then she got serious. "Okay, so twenty I can handle. Now, Captain Evader, answer the first question."

  "No."

  Jen looked taken aback. "No. You are refusing to answer?"

  Decebel growled. "No, the answer to the question is no."

  Jen just stared at him, not really sure how to respond. She knew she shouldn't be shocked, but she couldn’t keep from feeling the hurt that flashed across her heart at his answer.

  "Are you okay?" Decebel asked gently.

  "When was the last time?" she asked him, quietly

  Decebel groaned. "Do you really want to do this?"

  "When, Decebel?"

  He tilted her head back up to look at him when she tried to shy away.

  "It's been five years."

  Jen's mouth fell open. “Oh.” Her eyes moved to the ceiling.

  Decebel caressed her cheek softly. “Are you okay?”

  After a moment, she sucked a breath in through her teeth. “Well, I never thought I'd date such a loser... Five years?” Her eyes met his now, her mouth pulled up into a mocking smile. “I really overestimated your sexiness.”

  He rolled off of her and threw an arm over his face. “You are exasperating, woman.”

  “That's what you like about me.”

  Decebel grumbled, noncommittally.

  "So ... does that mean you aren't mad at me anymore?" Jen asked, hopefully.

  He lifted his lip in a snarl, and she could see his canines were still descended.

  "I'll take that as a 'not a chance in hell.' Good to know."

  Then, randomly: "Did Matty," Decebel snarled the name, "touch you?"

  She laughed. "You're seriously still hung up on that?"

  When he didn't answer, she huffed and rolled her eyes. "We kissed, but that's it. And, I only did it to keep him occupied, so Sally could make a break for it."

  Decebel took her by surprise when he was over her once more, his mouth covering hers.

  Suddenly, the door to Jen's room flew open, and Decebel rolled off of Jen with a howl of pain and rage.

  Jen sat up and saw a very panicked looking Costin in her doorway. She felt a sharp tug inside her, almost like a pulled ligament, but she wasn't in near the pain that Costin and Decebel obviously were.

  Decebel snarled as he forced himself to his feet.

  "What's happened to him?" he gritted through his teeth.

  Costin shook his head, visibly fighting through his own pain. "He collapsed at the dinner he's having with the other Alphas. Alina fell next to him." The wolf's eyes were becoming wilder the more he talked.

  Decebel grabbed Jen's hand and headed towards Costin.

  "Where's Fane?"

  "He's on his way with Jacque to the suite..." he gasped “...where the dinner is,” Costin explained as they headed towards the stairs.

  Jen stopped when two doors opened and Crina, Marianna, and Sally came into the hall.

  Crina and Marianna were doubled over in pain.

  Decebel snarled again, catching himself on the stair railing. Jen let go of his hand and ran over to help the girls.

  "What's happened?" Crina cringed.

  "Vasile has fallen," Decebel told them, still struggling in pain. "Jennifer, you and the other females need to get in a room and lock the door."

  Jen looked him in the eye. "No, I'm going with you. We all are going with you." When he started to interrupt, she cut him off. "Sally might be able to help."

  Decebel narrowed his eyes. "How?"

  "She's a gypsy healer. She can heal werewolves."

  Costin and Decebel's heads both snapped around to look at Sally, their mouths dropped open. Sally looked as if she wanted to crawl into a hole.

  "How do you know this?" Decebel asked.

  Sally started with, “It hasn't been conf -”, but Jen spoke over her.

  "She identified the herb that keeps wolves from phasing without looking it up. She just knew it. Cynthia said that's only a gift, gypsy healers have, and that there hasn't been one in a pack in over a century."

  Decebel couldn't believe what he was hearing. What were the odds that a half blood, a dormant, and a gypsy healer would end up best friends and all in the same pack? The fates really had their hands in the Romanian Pack.

  "Fine, let's go,” he conceded. “But, I don't want you out of my sight."

  Jen nodded once, and then began helping Crina forward. Sally and Marianna followed as Costin led the way.

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  Chapter

  Twenty-Nine

  Two hours into dinner, Thad was finally ready to pass out the drinks. The attendees brought out two trays. He walked over and began handing them out. The last glass, he handed to Vasile.

  Thad raised his drink. "I want to toast to a new era for our species. Our time is now. Hopefully many of our pack members will find their mates and we will be able to bear pups once again. To each of you."

  A ripple of agreement flowed through the room as they each took a drink from their glasses. Thad kept an eye on Vasile to make sure the Alpha drank enough of the wine to be effective. When he saw him drain it, he had to school the smile that flashed across his face.

  * * *

  Vasile looked over at his mate and smiled. "You look beautiful, Mina."

  Alina blushed. "Still the charmer, my Alpha."

  "Alw -," Vasile tried to finish the sentence, but he suddenly felt a tightening in his chest and was finding it difficult to breathe.

  "Vasile." Alina's voice was worried as she pulled her mate's face up to look at her. She gasped when she saw the wolf staring back at her.

  "Poison," the wolf told her, and his eyes rolled back in his head as he collapsed.

  Alina only had a moment to realize what had just happened before she herself couldn't breathe. It was like something was crushing her chest, bearing down on her. Everything went dark and she, too, fell to the floor.

  Gasps and hollers broke throughout the room as Victor hurried to the fallen Alpha's side.

  "There is a pulse, but it's weak." Victor looked at Thad. "Quick, find the doctor Vasile brought with his pack."

  Thad nodded once, and then turned to whisper in his pack member's ear, who then hurried out of the room.

  Thad looked back to where Vasile and Alina lay motionless. He had to force himself into action so as to appear to care. He helped Victor and Dillon lift the Alpha and carry him into the adjoining suite. Dragomir picked up Alina's limp form and laid her gently beside her mate.

  Agnes and Adrianna both had tears running down their cheeks as they looked on. The group watched as Vasile and Alina's forms began to convulse.

  "Somebody help them," Agnes sobbed. Dragomir wrapped his mate in his arms and whispered gently to her.

  Dillon, who had backed up to the door, was nearly knocked over when Fane, Decebel, Sorin, Cynthia, and a slew of females came rushing into the room.

  * * *

  Jen came to an abrupt stop when she saw Vasile and Alina lying on the large bed, their bodies convulsing. Her hand covered her mouth, as her eyes filled with tears. Sally pulled away from Marianna – some invisible force pulled her towards the bed.

  As Sally got closer, Fane turned and snarled, but Cynthia pushed him out of the way.

  "Let her through," Cynthia growled.

  The entire room plunged into silence as Sally, in a trance-like state, approached the bed. She climbed up beside Vasile and placed her hand over his heart. His body calmed immediately.

  "What the..." Murmurs wound through the room as mouths dropped open and eyebrows rose.

  Sally leaned over Vasile and placed her forehead against his. She closed her eyes and her breathing became deep and slow, as if she had fallen into a deep sleep.

  “I guess we have confirmation,” Jen whispered, in Cynthia's direction.

  * * *

  "What is she doing?" Fane growled at the doctor, as he watched Sally.

  "She's a healer," Cynthia said, in awe. "The first gypsy healer in over a century. In our pack."

  Those old enough to understand the significance of her words lowered themselves to one knee.

  Jen tugged on Decebel's sleeve. His eyes were glowing and she could see sweat had broken across his brow. "Why are they kneeling?"

  "It is a great honor to be in the presence of a healer. Other packs will kneel out of respect."

  After what felt like forever, Sally finally sat up. She turned to Decebel.

  "His body has been poisoned with an herb. It's common in these parts. Moonseed." Her eyes were unfocused as she spoke.

  "How? Who would do this?" Decebel snarled as he looked around the room. He wondered if he looked hard enough he'd be able to see their guilt.

  "That doesn't matter right now," Sally continued in a low voice. "He needs the antidote. He is fading fast, and Alina even faster. He needs wolfsbane. It will counteract the poison."

  Marianna stepped forward. "I know what wolfsbane looks like. I can go get some, it grows on the mountainside."

  Jen looked at Jacque and Fane, and saw the horror and fear in their eyes. She was so sick of people hurting those she loved. Decebel walked up to the bed as Sally climbed down to allow him closer. While he was distracted, Jen slid over to Marianna.