Then, in the silence Decebel heard her.

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  Chapter

  Thirty-One

  Jen could feel something warm and sticky running into her eyes. She reached up to wipe it away and a sharp pain pulled a gasp out of her. It was pitch black. She couldn't even see her hand in front of her face.

  “Crap,” she growled. She realized then, that she'd probably broken her arm. She moved experimentally and felt a stabbing pain in her side. Jennifer thought for a second, trying to remember what little she could from ER.

  Okay, pain in the side, hard to breath. Probably broke a rib, maybe punctured a lung. Excellent.

  She rolled to the side and was able to raise her other arm to her head. She felt a gaping wound, one that was pouring blood down her face and into her eyes. She tried to apply pressure, knowing she needed to try to stop the flow. She was weak, and getting weaker.

  “Have you any idea how long I’ve waited for you?”

  Abruptly, Jen sat up and nearly screamed from the pain that ripped through her body. Not possible, she thought.

  “I did not just hear that,” she spoke into the darkness. She closed her eyes and waited to see if she would hear more of the voice that she needed to hear as much as she needed air to breathe. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breathing was shallow, and despite the cold, she could feel sweat trickle down her neck.

  “I’ve only just found you, and now, I’m losing you.”

  She let out a slow breath, savoring the sound in her mind. Finally, she thought as tears streamed down her cold cheeks, mingling with the blood that continued to flow. Finally.

  “Decebel?” she sent, hesitantly.

  “Jennifer?” Decebel’s voice was urgent, firm.

  “You can hear me?” she asked him, still unable to believe that they were speaking through their thoughts. She had dreamed, wished, hoped, and longed for this to happen.

  “Bloody hell. Yes, I can hear you. Where are you? What happened?”

  “I don’t know where I am,” she told him, trying to remember what had happened. “It’s dark ... and cold. The ground feels like rocks and dirt.”

  “Jennifer, what happened?” he asked her, again.

  “It’s Marianna, Decebel. She made some sort of deal with Thad. Decebel –” her voice grew stronger as she began to remember what happened, Marianna pushing her into a hole in the earth. Pouring urine on her, now that was something Jen could honestly say she would have never had happen her life. My, how her expectation of life had suddenly changed. “Fane and Jacque, they’re in danger. Thad wants them all dead. You have to protect them.”

  “I have to find you,” Decebel insisted.

  “No! You have to protect them. If something happens to Fane, Jacque will die. The same with Vasile and Alina. Decebel, you have to make sure they are safe,” Jen pleaded.

  “I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU TO DIE!” he roared at her through their bond. “Do

  not ask this of me, Jennifer. I will not lose you. I can’t.” The last came out as a near whisper.

  “Decebel, we aren’t bonded. If something happens to me, you can go on and have a life. Jacque can’t. If Fane dies, she goes with him. That’s not acceptable. I will not take her life for mine, do you hear me?”

  Tears streamed relentlessly down her face as she tried to make him understand that she wouldn’t be able to live with herself if something happened to Jacque or Sally.

  “Bonded or not, Jennifer, you are my mate. What you ask goes against everything I am. I cannot put others in front of your wellbeing. You ask for a river to reverse its flow, and the fires of hell to freeze over. It isn’t possible.”

  Decebel’s voice was becoming more and more of a growl as he tried to make her understand that as her mate, he would not abandon her.

  “I understand. This is hard for me, too. I love you, Decebel. I’ve loved you from the moment I met you. I love you bossy, mad, gentle, affectionate ... I love you any way you come to me. I want us to have a chance, and I have to believe that the fates aren’t so cruel as to only give us this one. I have to believe that if we aren’t together in this life, then in the next.”

  Jen tried hard to make her voice strong. She wasn’t going to pretend that the idea of never seeing Decebel again didn’t hurt worse than any pain she had ever experienced. She would rather be back in that burning car, feeling her flesh be seared, than think, there was no chance to be with him. “If I have to, then I will believe enough for the both of us. But Decebel, if you come for me, I will never forgive you, mate or not. If you love me, clichéd as that is, you will protect those I love. And, if this life is over for me, then live for both of us, and I will wait for you. I will see you again; I will kiss you, I will touch you, I will love you, Decebel. If not on this side, then on the other.”

  * * *

  Decebel’s shoulders shook at the force of emotion that rolled through him. Not since his sister had died had he felt such grief. Only this was worse, a thousand times worse. Jennifer didn’t get it. Though they weren’t yet bonded by blood, their connection was strong. Already he felt his soul tearing in two at knowing there was a possibility he would lose his mate.

  “How can you ask this of me? Please, Jennifer. Don’t.”

  "Too late," he heard her whisper.

  Decebel took a deep breath. He hated himself for it, but he relented, knowing she would accept nothing less.

  “I love you. I will keep them safe, but I will come for you. You will live do you hear me? You will live. LIVE! Pentru mine, iubitule. Te rog traiesc (For me, baby. Please live).”

  “It's so cold... Decebel? Take care of those I love. That means you.”

  Decebel felt her growing weaker, could feel her mind shutting down. He felt so helpless. Once again, he was unable to save the one he loved. He squeezed his eyes shut and fell to the floor. Their bond had finally opened, and for a few brief moments, he had felt her. Felt all of her. Now, there was only darkness.

  He momentarily gave himself over to the wolf that pushed and snarled to come forward. His eyes glowed, his claws extended digging into the carpet as he felt the pain pour over him. His canines lengthened as he tilted his head back and howled.

  Standing, he shook with rage, wrenched the door open, and walked out into the hall. He caught a scent that nearly made him phase. Marianna, he thought. Welcome home, pack mate.

  Decebel took off at a run, following her scent. It led him straight to the room where his Alpha and his mate laid at death's door. The wolves in the adjoining suite separated as Decebel stormed through. He ripped the door from its hinges as he pulled it open.

  Fane, Skender, Boain, and Sorin all came forward, snarling, preparing to defend their Alpha. When they realized it was Decebel and saw the look in his eyes, they all backed down and bared their necks. His eyes scanned the room and fell on his prey.

  Marianna stood next to Sally, tears streaming down her cheeks. He walked over to her slowly, letting her watch her fate come near.

  Decebel grabbed her around the throat and lifted her from the floor, her back against the wall.

  "WHERE. IS. SHE!" he growled, into her face.

  Marianna squeezed her eyes shut, as she tried to fight the compulsion in her Beta's voice.

  * * *

  Marianna knew if she told Decebel what he wanted to know, Thad's wolves would tear her limb from limb. She knew, because that's exactly what Thad had told her would happen. She didn't know why she had come back. She should've just left, but she thought that would make her look guilty. It obviously hadn't mattered.

  She knew Decebel would kill her, but he would be merciful and make it quick. Thad would torture her. She bit her lip until it started to bleed, struggling to breathe as her Beta's hand tightened.

  "Answer me, Marianna."

  "I can't, Beta. He'll kill me," she whispered.

  "You are already dead. You were dead the moment you hurt my mate, the moment you dared to touch what is mine. You were dead the moment you agreed to lead her to her death "

  "You won't torture me. Please." Marianna opened her eyes and looked into Decebel's. "I just wanted to be with him. Vasile wouldn’t let me."

  Decebel's eyes widened as her words sunk in. "You did this for a human? For a man who is nothing to you?"

  "I LOVE HIM. He is something to me." Marianna shook with her pain and grief.

  "If you will not speak, then I have no further use for you," Decebel told her calmly.

  Marianna nodded, accepting the fate she had chosen. She looked into Decebel's eyes once more, knowing it was the last thing she would ever see.

  "Let it be known this day Marianna broke pack law and hurt one of her own. She attempted to murder my mate, and betrayed her Alpha. That is why she dies this day," Decebel looked at the female he had watched grow from just a pup." Decebel's eyes softened, briefly, "This is not easy for me. We cannot allow betrayal in the pack. A pack is only as strong as the loyalty that holds it together. "

  "I'm sorry."

  He jerked his hand sharply to the side, breaking her neck, before she could continue. He wouldn't drag her death out and he didn't want to hear her excuses. Not while his mate lay dying.

  "Is everything okay? I thought I heard -"

  Decebel turned at the sound of Thad's voice. Thad's eyes widened in shock as he looked from Decebel to the crumpled body at his feet. In that moment, he knew he'd been found out. As Decebel snarled and lunged, Thad phased in mid air and ran straight for the glass window, throwing himself through it.

  * * *

  Decebel stopped mid-stride when power wrapped around him.

  "Decebel, come to me."

  Decebel felt his Alpha's power surrounding him, offering him strength and comfort. He tried to fight it, but even in Vasile's weakened state, he was strong. He turned, legs moving without his permission. He approached Vasile's bedside and lowered himself on one knee.

  "Alpha." Decebel bared his neck, as he trembled for control.

  "Open yourself to me," Vasile instructed.

  Vasile and Decebel had done this only one other time. It was an ability only an Alpha and Beta shared, a way to pass on the memories if the other should fall. Decebel closed his eyes and forced his breathing to calm. Vasile placed his hand on Decebel's forehead and watched the images and sounds that poured from his Beta's mind into his own.

  The room was silent as the rest of the pack looked on, frozen by the events that had just unfolded, that they didn’t yet understand.

  * * *

  When it was done, Vasile opened his eyes and met Decebel's.

  "She is alive."

  "Only just." Decebel's voice was barely above a whisper.

  "You can hear her thoughts?" Vasile's lips curved ever so slightly, happy that his Beta's bond with his mate had finally formed.

  "I did. But now, it's silent, dark."

  "That could mean she is unconscious."

  Decebel nodded, unable to even consider the alternative.

  "We will find her, Beta," Vasile told him, firmly.

  Decebel stood. His wolf was still at the forefront, unable to rest, unable to think about anything, but finding their mate.

  "If..." Decebel had to clear his throat before he could continue. "If she dies, you will have to kill me."

  Vasile nodded once, then added, "She will not die."

  Decebel closed his eyes. "How can you be so sure?"

  Vasile chuckled lightly. "No one as fierce, as Jennifer Adams, will go quietly into the night."

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  Epilogue

  Decebel gathered rope, flashlights, and water. Costin was waiting along with Fane, Skender, and Sorin.

  "Thad's pack bailed with him," Fane announced.

  Decebel growled. "We will deal with him once Jennifer is safe."

  "Vasile and Alina are under guard. They should be safe enough here, for now." Sorin's words were torn apart as screams erupted from down the hall.

  The five males took off at a run towards the shouts and screams. Crina was running towards them.

  "FIRE! They've set the mansion on fire."

  Decebel kept moving toward the rooms that now had smoke billowing from them.

  "Crina make sure Sally and Cynthia get out." Decebel said, still running. Then he turned to the males running alongside him. "Go through the rooms make sure everyone is out," he yelled, over the roar of the flames. The fire was engulfing everything in its path quickly, too quickly, as if something gave it power.

  More screams filled the mansion and, once the upper rooms had been checked, they tore through the rest of the house.

  "Get everyone out now! Fane, you come with me. We'll get Vasile and Alina."

  Decebel was running while shouting his commands. He snarled, as flames crawled like demons from hell up the walls.

  "Something about this is wrong, Beta," Fane spoke Decebel's thoughts aloud.

  "Magic," Decebel muttered. "Dark magic."

  * * *

  Jen struggled to breathe, fading in and out of consciousness. She tried moving at one point, but the pain was so great that she had passed out. Something had just awoken her – a noise, maybe. It was dark, and so cold.

  She heard scuffling far above her. An animal? A person?

  "Hello?" Her voice was hoarse. "Please help me."

  "What is your name?"

  Jen heard the female voice some from somewhere up above, and nearly sobbed at the sound.

  "I'm Jen."

  "Hello, Jen." The voice was so soothing and comforting. It made her want to curl up in a ball and sleep. "My name is Rachel…"

  * * *

  Read on for the first chapter of the next book in the Grey Wolves Series, Out of the Dark.

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  Acknowledgments

  It’s been almost ten years since I first sat down during my lunch hour working as a nurse at gastroenterologist clinic and began penning Prince of Wolves. At that time, I was simply a reader who loved paranormal romance and wanted to tell my own story about the Romanian prince of a werewolf pack and his fiery true mate. I had no idea that book would set me on a path that would eventually change my life. Throughout this decade-long journey, countless people have walked alongside me. I wish I could thank them all by name, but I’m sure I would leave some one out and I don’t want to do that. So, I’ll thank them by category. The members will know who they are. Is that a cop-out? Probably, but I truly cherish every relationship I’ve formed throughout this journey, those still going strong many years later and those that have fizzled with the passage of time, and I’m terribly sensitive to hurting the feelings of others. Please, allow me this indulgence.

  I would be remiss if I didn’t begin with thanking God first for blessing me beyond measure with a creative spirit. Apart from Him, I am nothing.

  I also want to thank my husband for all his support. Without him, the Grey Wolves series would never had turned into an eleven-book (and counting) series with multiple spin-offs and novellas, not to mention the other books I’ve penned with his help and editorial support. I like to remind him that at least he's never bored being married to me.

  Thank you to all my editors, current and past, copy, content, and developmental. None of these books would have happened without you.

  Thank you to ARC readers, Beta readers and reviewers. I cannot express my thanks for all your feedback and help.

  Thank you to various street teams and reader groups that have taken their time to, not only read my book, but promote it as well.

  Thank you to Quinn’s Pack. I’m so honored someone would be interested enough in my writings to join such a group. I’m more grateful to you than you can possibly guess.

  Finally, most importantly, thank you to everyone who has taken a chance on an unknown, self-published author and plopped down their hard-earned money to purchase one of my books, and then spent their valuable time to read it. I don’t take that for granted for one second.

  * * *

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  Out of the Dark

  What do you do when your Alpha was nearly assassinated and is now out of commission; you've killed a pack member; your mate is dying and beyond your reach; and the house you are standing in has gone up in flames – all in the last two hours?

  Yeah, Decebel thought. Hell if I know either.

  As the mansion burned and smoke filled the spaces that the flames had not, Decebel and the other males in his pack continued to search around the premises, making sure that no one was left inside.

  Decebel and Fane finally reached the suite where they'd last seen Vasile and Alina. Much to their relief, the Alpha and his mate were gone. Hopefully, that meant they'd gotten to safety. Decebel looked into the adjoining room. The dining table still rested there, perfectly set, food half-eaten, glasses half-filled. Only the two glasses spilled on the floor were out of place – Vasile's and Alina's – surrounded by the poison that had almost killed them.

  Just goes to show that there's never a dull moment in the life of a Canis lupus.

  "I can't smell anyone, but that doesn't mean anything. The fire and smoke would cover any scent," Decebel told Fane.

  "We need to get out. Now." Fane urged his Beta.

  "Is your mate safe?" Decebel responded.

  Fane nodded. "She says Vasile and Alina are safe as well. It appears that all of our pack made it out, as well as Jacque’s father. And she says to tell you that if we don't get our furry butts out of here right now she will personally…," Fane paused and, cringing, shook his head, "it's better if you didn't know. I say we just heed her warning and get out."

  Fane and Decebel took off at a run, heading for the front door of the mansion, which was quickly becoming a death trap. The flames burned ever hotter, melting plaster, scorching beams and consuming anything else in its path. Several times the two had to jump over flames and duck under falling boards.