“You’re mine, beloved,” he forced himself to say through their bond. It was weak, but he knew she’d still hear him. “Even if you do not call me yours, you will always be mine.” The wolf turned and ran full speed at the window. His body hit the glass, and it shattered as he flew through it without slowing. He fell to the ground from the second-story window and didn’t so much as stumble when his paws hit the ground. Every instinct in him told him to turn around, but he forced himself to keep running. He had to get through the veil and hope she wasn’t thinking clearly enough to close it. As he hit the tree line, a fae form appeared at least a hundred yards in front of him. It wasn’t his mate.

  Lucian kept running, straight toward Adam. When he got close, the fae grabbed Lucian’s fur and flashed them from the fae realm.

  Chapter

  Five

  “It isn’t enough that a diabolical organization is attempting to take over the world, and we are the only ones who can stop it. It isn’t enough that the woods surrounding our home are crawling with rogue wolves waiting like creepers who want to see Fane in his wolf briefs. It isn’t enough that our loved ones have been murdered. Nope. All that stuff was just too easy to handle. What we really need is one of our most powerful allies, not to mention a precious friend, to lose her damn mind. It’s like the rotten cherry on top of a shit-filled pie. Yes, the cussing—as we call it in Texas—is necessary ... dammit.” ~Jen

  * * *

  “Where the hell did Adam just go?” Jen stood along with the rest of the pack at the bottom of the mansion’s front steps. They stared into the darkness of the surrounding forest and waited … and waited … and waited some more. Jen wanted so much to phase, to hunt, to kill something, anything. She could tell by the tension in the air that her pack mates felt the same, but they all knew this wasn’t their fight. And that made the waiting all the worse.

  “Something is wrong with Peri,” Elle said. The strain in the fae’s voice caused Jen to turn and see that Elle’s jaw was clenched. Sorin had his arm wrapped around her as if she needed his help to stay on her feet.

  Jen’s hands fisted, and her claws attempted to make an appearance. The wolf was pushing to get free. “We all know there’s something wrong with the nutjob high fae, but we have immediate problems. Adam has hightailed it out of dodge at the exact moment when we’ve got enough wolves howling at us that it sounds like movie theater surround sound.”

  “He’s helping Lucian,” Crina spoke up, her face having gone ashen.

  “I thought there was something wrong with Peri, not Lucian.” Jen held up a hand and then added, “Wait, scratch that. If something is wrong with Peri, then naturally something is also wrong with her mate. So what has the old bat done?”

  “Her power,” Elle said. “It’s changing. She’s cold. I don’t know how else to describe it.”

  “She’s attempting to separate herself from the pack bonds,” Fane snapped, his voice rough.

  A moment later, Adam reappeared, his hand gripping the fur of a huge white wolf. Jen could tell it was Lucian, mostly because he was the only enormous white wolf she knew. Come to think of it, Lucian was the only solid white wolf she knew, enormous or not. Lucian phased as Adam made a motion with his hand, and from one breath to the next Lucian went from unclothed to wearing a pair of sweatpants. It was a testament to the complete and utter grief Jen saw in his eyes that she didn’t even notice his nakedness. The man’s face was gaunt as if he’d aged thirty years in the short time since they’d last seen him. Which was just a few hours ago. What the hell has Peri done?

  Lucian didn’t look at any of them. Instead, he turned at the sound of the howling. When he finally glanced at Fane, Jen saw that Lucian had managed to school his face. Now, he simply looked like a blank slate. But out of that passive expression, his wolf eyes glowed. Whether because of grief, or because of the implied challenge of the incessant howling, Jen wasn’t sure.

  “What has happened?” Fane asked his uncle.

  Lucian shook his head. “There’s no time to discuss it,” Lucian said, tone clipped.

  Fane nodded, but his eyes were troubled, and Jen could see the anxiety caused by Lucian’s words. After a few moments, Fane turned to Jacque and pressed a kiss to her lips, then said, “Stay.” It was a command to them all, and Jen couldn’t have disobeyed if she wanted to. The alpha took a step into the forest.

  Decebel gently put a hand on Jen’s stomach and pushed her back and to the side so that half of her body was protected by his much larger form. She heard the sound of paws on the ground. Jen squinted and stared, using her wolf’s night vision to amplify her sight. She saw a single wolf, so black that it nearly blended in with the night, running straight at them.

  “None of you are to interfere,” Fane said.

  This alpha command was even stronger than the first. They wouldn't be able to offer him any help.

  “He won’t need it,” Decebel assured her through their bond.

  Adam and Elle both lifted their hands and began to speak in their language. Jen saw a shimmering web grow from their palms. Slowly, it took shape as a wall, growing taller and then rounding out until it was half a dome. They continued to weave their spell until the magic completely encased Fane. The wolf who’d been running passed right through it.

  “Was that supposed to let the wolf through?” Jen asked Elle.

  “It will keep the other wolves from attempting to attack Fane while he is fighting this one,” Elle explained.

  “Ahh, keep things fair just in case they attempt to fight dirty.” Jen nodded. She caught movement from the corner of her eye and saw Jacque shifting from one foot to the other. The alpha female’s back was ramrod straight, and her eyes were glowing. Sally pushed past her mate and stood on their redheaded best friend’s side. Jen pushed behind Decebel and moved until she was on Jacque’s other side.

  “He’s got this, Red,” she whispered under her breath. “He’s going to wipe the floor with this wolf and every single one that comes after him.”

  * * *

  Jacque bit her lip and raised her chin. “I know. I just wish I was out there kicking ass with him, at his side where I belong.” Her voice wasn’t just her own. Jacque’s wolf was nearly as irritated as the human. They knew their mate had to prove his ability without any help. He had to show the other wolves, and supernaturals that he was dominant, strong, and capable of leading and controlling the packs, not just his own, but all of them.

  The wolf who stood across from Fane began to phase to his human form. This meant he wanted to speak, though he might want to fight afterward.

  Jen and Sally had both slipped one of their hands into each of hers and squeezed. Knowing she wasn’t alone almost brought tears to Jacque’s eyes. But she could shed no tears now. Now, she must be as strong as her husband.

  “You will never be alone, mate,” Fane’s wolf said into her mind. “You are mine and I am yours.”

  "You can tell me that later when you’re done fighting these jerks, wolf. Pay attention to your opponent,” Jaque’s wolf replied before the human part of her could even think of words to respond. And the human part of her knew the wolf was right. She didn’t want his wolf or the man paying attention to her. Their complete attention needed to stay on the one who was foolish enough to stand against her male. She could still feel Fane in her mind, but Jacque could tell he was now fully focused on his opponent. The wolf stood less than twenty feet away and was no longer in his wolf skin but now stood naked in his human form.

  “Well, if nothing else at least we’re getting a good view,” Jen muttered. There were multiple female snickers followed by an equal number of male growls. Leave it to Jen to lighten the moment if only for a second. Jen leaned close to her, placing her mouth right next to Jacque’s. “You’re welcome.”

  Jacque’s lips turned up into a small smile. She tilted her head in thanks and then gave her full attention back to Fane and his challenger.

  * * *

  Fane watched the man across from him attempt to meet his gaze. But every time the challenger’s eyes locked with Fane’s, they dropped after less than a heartbeat. Whoever this male was, he couldn’t be the most dominant wolf among the ranks of the rogue packs. If he was, then the outlaws didn’t have a chance in hell. “Why have they sent you?” Fane asked, breaking the silence between them.

  “I’m the leader—” the man started, but Fane snarled, cutting off the words.

  “Do not lie to me.” Fane took a step forward, and the intruder took a step back. “My least dominant male can hold my eyes longer than you. No offense, as every wolf is necessary in a pack, no matter how dominant, but you are no alpha.”

  The male looked past Fane to the supernaturals, most of them wolves, gathered at his back. “I told my alpha I would challenge you first.”

  “Do you want to die?” Fane asked.

  The wolf shook his head. “My name is Atlas Callahan.”

  “I am Fane Lupei, alpha of the Romanian pack. Which you already know. What is it you want Atlas Callahan of the rogue packs?”

  “Your parents were legends,” the wolf said, taking Fane by surprise. “My parents spoke about them as if they were invincible. Vasile Lupei, the greatest alpha that ever ruled, and his mate with a heart made to love even the most unlovable.”

  Fane’s wolf growled low in his chest. What was this man playing at? Was he trying to distract him with emotions? Did he honestly think that he would let his guard down by speaking of his dead parents?

  “No one is invincible, not even supernaturals,” Fane responded.

  “I suppose not,” Atlas said. Fane thought he detected a note of sadness in the man’s voice.

  “I’m confused,” Jen’s voice came from behind Fane. “Is this dude here to fight, or is this some sort of messed up counseling session?”

  “I’ll ask you again, Atlas Callahan.” Fane pushed his power into his voice. “Why are you here?”

  “I’m loyal to my alpha—he’s a good man—but this you should know. If you’re anything like your parents, the great Vasile and Alina that my mother told me about, then I wanted to warn you to be prepared for what’s coming. My alpha and twenty other pack alphas plan to challenge you. And some of their betas as well.”

  Fane took a deep breath and let it out slowly. This was unexpected. “Thank you for the warning,” he finally answered. “You can let your alpha and the others know that I will be ready for them. Each of them. And I’m growing tired of waiting.”

  Atlas gave a nod and then turned to go, but before he took a step, he looked back over his shoulder, met Fane’s eyes once again, and then dropped his gaze. “Boain asked me to tell you that he will be coming back soon.” Then the wolf phased and ran back in the direction he’d come.

  “Did he just say Boain?” Decebel growled.

  Fane glanced back at him. “He did.” Fane was just as confused as his beta. The last time Vasile had spoken of Boain, it was to tell Fane that he’d gone to see his family. Once upon a time, they’d been members of the Romanian pack, but they’d relocated. Vasile had not gone into the details. He’d told Fane that it was Boain’s story to tell, and that was all he’d say about it. So, why the hell was Boain with the rogue packs?

  “Alpha.” Costin’s voice growled a warning.

  Fane’s head snapped back around to the forest, and this time the wolf who was running toward them wasn’t alone. He was flanked on either side by two large Canis lupus already in wolf form. Fane didn’t bother taking off his clothes. He simply phased, letting them rip to shreds. He was done talking. His wolf pushed forward, and his claws flexed into the ground and dug deep. He shook his fur and lifted his lips, letting his enormous fangs show as he snarled.

  “If you get even so much as a scratch on you, you’re sleeping on the couch.” He heard Jacquelyn’s voice in his mind before she closed the bond enough that he wouldn’t be distracted by her reactions during the fight. He knew this was going to be hard for her to watch. But she was strong, and she knew this was necessary. There was no other way to show the other packs that he was strong enough to be an alpha … the alpha.

  When the wolves reached the boundary that Elle and Adam had put in place, the leader, a large grey wolf with white-tipped ears, slid through, but the other two bounced off with a thud. The sight of them landing on their haunches would have been amusing if Fane hadn’t had to focus on the massive beast barreling straight toward him. Obviously, this one had no intention of engaging in a civil conversation.

  The wolf lunged. Fane hunched down and then rolled under the flying beast, feeling the slight rake of the other wolf’s claws over the back of his fur.

  Fane flipped to his feet and whipped around, keeping his eyes on his opponent. The wolf stepped right, and Fane moved left. They circled for a brief moment before Fane rushed forward. He feigned right and then ducked his head low while throwing his body to the left. His teeth latched onto the other wolf’s front right leg, and Fane bit down hard. There was a loud crunch followed by a high-pitched keening sound. Before the wolf had time to make any counter maneuvers, Fane released him and sprinted away, circling just inside the perimeter of magic that kept others out.

  The grey wolf limped but didn’t fall. His eyes glowed light green as they narrowed on the Romanian alpha. Fane lifted his muzzle and snapped his teeth together, taunting his foe. The wolf made another attempt to run at him, but his damaged leg wouldn’t take that much abuse, and he collapsed after one step. Fane didn’t move. He waited to see if the wolf would stay down. He didn’t. When he tried to stand again, this time the injured leg wouldn’t bear him. The wolf had to lift it off the ground and stand on his three good legs. Fane stepped closer now. The wolf tried to meet his gaze, but he was only able to hold it for five seconds before he had to drop his eyes.

  Fane took another step toward the wolf. He kept himself ready, knowing that an injured wolf was the most unpredictable kind. As soon as he was less than a foot away, the wolf whipped his head out, but Fane wasn’t surprised. He pulled his head back, and when his opponent's jaws closed on empty air, Fane dove, grabbing the other wolf’s muzzle and clamping it shut. He locked his jaw down tight and dug his paws into the ground. The wolf attempted to dislodge him by violently shaking his head, all the while attempting to stay standing on his three good feet. Fane didn’t budge. He simply leaned back into his hind legs, bracing himself against the small amount of resistance that was given. After a good minute, the other wolf finally stopped struggling and slowly lowered himself to his stomach.

  Fane released the wolf only to then latch onto the wolf’s throat. He clamped down hard enough to taste blood, but no more. Then he waited. If the wolf wanted to live, he had to submit. He had to roll over and show Fane his most vulnerable parts. The wolf didn’t move. He simply laid there. Fane clamped down a little tighter, but still the wolf refused to roll over.

  “Submit, dammit!” Fane snarled in his head, despite the fact that the other wolf could not hear him. He didn’t want to kill the challenger, but he would have to if the beast did not admit defeat. Fane waited another minute and then released the wolf. He stepped back and then phased to his human form, though his wolf was still firmly in control. “Submit or die,” his wolf growled.

  The other wolf lifted his eyes, though his head remained on the ground. Still, he didn’t move.

  “If you do not show me your stomach, I will kill you.” Fane was breathing hard, not out of exhaustion, as the fight had been ridiculously short, but because he didn’t want to have to kill this wolf. He didn’t want blood on his hands. This was a fellow Canis lupus. This was a creation of the Great Luna. This was someone who should be on their side in the fight against evil. Despite all this, Fane would sully himself and take this wolf’s life if it meant keeping his pack safe.

  The wolves that had approached with the challenger stood outside the magical boundary, pacing and snarling. Fane glanced up at them, keeping part of his attention on the wolf on the ground. “Do you want him to die?” Fane asked them. “I will not show mercy. Not to a dominant wolf who refuses to admit when he has been defeated.” The wolves' muzzles pulled back, revealing impressive teeth as saliva dripped from their mouths. Fane shook his head. As he was turning back to the wolf in front of him, the beast sprang up in the blink of an eye, but Fane’s reflexes were like lightning. He grabbed the wolf by the throat and jerked his wrist violently, snapping the wolf’s neck. He held the still form for a moment and then slowly lowered his dead opponent to the ground.

  Fane released him and then laid his hand on the beast’s head. “It didn’t have to be this way,” he said softly. “Great Luna, I know this is my place, but this is not what I want to have to do.” Fane prayed silently, “Please prick their hearts to remember that they are yours. Help them see that I want to be on their side. I want to stand beside them in battle, not over them in death.”

  He stood back up and then turned to the dead wolf’s two pack members. “You may collect your alpha.” He took twenty steps back, holding out his hands toward their dead leader, giving them space so they knew he wouldn’t attack them. The two wolves stepped through the magical boundary, Adam and Elle obviously having granted them entry. As soon as they were standing next to their alpha, they phased. Neither male said a word, nor did they look at Fane. They simply leaned down and hoisted the huge animal into their arms and began carrying him away. “Send the next,” Fane said. “And tell them if they submit, I will not kill them. The pointless deaths of our kind brings me no joy.”

  The men didn’t respond or look back. Fane felt material cover his body. He turned to the two fae, and Adam gave him a nod. Fane tilted his head forward in silent thanks, then turned back to the forest where the last four wolves had emerged. He didn’t have to wait long before another wolf appeared.