“Come in, Perizada,” she heard, Vasile tell her. He must have heard the groan. She grasped the handle and pushed on the latch.

  Decebel, Fane, Costin, Adam, Sorin, Gavril, Alina, and Vasile’s eyes landed on her and then shifted to Cyn who was standing behind her.

  “Glad to see the gang’s all here. That will keep me from having to repeat myself, which as you all know, I loathe doing.” Peri walked farther into the room. Cyn moved to stand next to her and Vasile, Decebel, and the males who had been sitting moved to stand in front of Alina.

  Alina growled behind them. “Move.”

  “Peri, who have you brought to visit us without announcement?” Vasile asked, coolly.

  “Vasile meet Cyn. Cyn, meet Vasile,” Peri motioned between the two of them. “Cyn is one of the Fae Guardians. She has been with the Warlock King and Lilly while they’ve been on their little adventure.”

  Vasile met Cyn’s gaze and waited. Cyn knew that it was a dominance thing with wolves so she dropped her eyes.

  Peri raised a brow at the Alpha. “You done now?”

  Vasile lifted a lip at her, flashing long canines before he told her to proceed.

  “The Warlock King, Lilly, the Elf Prince, and their warriors are about thirty miles from here in the forest.”

  “What?” Decebel growled as he took a step towards her.

  “Peace wolf,” Peri snapped. “They aren’t coming to attack you. They are coming to help.” Peri explained everything that Cyn had told her, trying to keep it as short and exact as possible.

  “So he still plans to open the veil?” Vasile asked, unnecessarily.

  “He made a blood oath. It’s not like he really has a choice,” Cyn pointed out.

  “The point is,” Peri interrupted, “that they want to help. They are bringing more warm bodies to assist us in fighting Desdemona.”

  “They are unknown males around our females,” Costin snarled.

  “Speaking of said females,” she met Costin’s stare. “Where are your oh so precious mates?”

  Costin looked away. Obviously, unhappy about the question.

  “They’re in the kitchen drinking hot chocolate,” Fane shot back.

  Peri laughed. “So, let me guess, you’re upset because they wanted a break from the rooms you have no doubt kept them locked up in for the past twenty-four hours, or,” she laughed even harder, “you’re just jealous of the mugs they are sipping the beverage from.”

  All of the males had the sense, to act somewhat guilty at their overbearing behavior, but none of them contradicted her.

  “Are you quite finished, Peri,” Adam spoke up for the first time.

  “Oh I could go on for hours; you males just make it too easy. But alas, the blasted men who have come to take your women’s virtue, if there is any left after the interesting night I’m sure you all had, are waiting for Vasile’s approval before they arrive.”

  “Who said it was the males taking the virtue?” A familiar voice chirped from behind Peri. Jen and the entourage of females filed into the room. The faces of the males changed instantly from irritated to worshipful. Peri shook her head at them. She would never understand the bond between mates unless the Great Luna had her way. Peri cringed at that thought.

  “Jennifer, I thought I told you that I wanted you to go back to our room,” Decebel said, as he crossed the room to her.

  “You did,” Jen waved to Peri with a wicked grin.

  “Then why are you here?” He asked.

  “Because you told me to go back to our room, duh.” The girls all snickered at her while the men scowled. Jen ignored them and turned to face Peri and Cyn as Decebel wrapped his arms around her from behind and pulled her against his chest. Each of the mated pairs was in similar poses across the room.

  “So Peri fairy,” Jacque smiled. “What’s the news that has our men so riled up about?”

  “The Warlock King and the Elf Prince are waiting for permission to approach the mansion,” Peri explained.

  Jacque tried to push away from Fane as she took a step towards the Fae, “Cypher is out there? That means my mom is out there too, right?”

  Peri nodded.

  Jacque whipped around, slapping Fane in the face with her wild hair to face Vasile. “Why have you not said they could come? That’s my mom out there, Vasile.”

  “I know that,” Vasile told her patiently. “But, I cannot act rashly, I always must weigh the danger a situation poses to the pack.”

  “Give me a break, Vasile. There are like sixty or so dominant males in this mansion at this very moment, they must be much more dangerous than the men my mom are with.”

  “And, you know this, how?” He asked.

  “Vasile,” Alina’s warning came from where she still sat shielded from view. “She is your daughter-in-law first, pack second.”

  Vasile stepped aside so that Alina could be seen. She stood next to Vasile and relaxed into his touch when he tucked her under his arm.

  “Peri,” Vasile turned to her. “You can bring them here. They are to go to the gathering room and stay there. No wandering about.”

  Cyn was gone before Peri could answer.

  “Where’d she go?” Sally asked.

  “To tell them,” Peri shrugged.

  ***

  Peri flashed next to Cyn only moments after Cyn arrived, standing before Cypher and Thalion.

  “Well hello, handsomes,” Peri smiled at the two males.

  Lilly stepped from around Cypher who had pulled her protectively behind him when Peri had arrived.

  “You must be Lilly,” Peri stepped forward and held out her hand.

  Lilly reached forward to shake it and Cypher snaked an arm around her waist attempting to pull her back.

  “Cypher,” Lilly said his name in a clipped fashion and he backed off only slightly.

  “You have one of those too, I see,” Peri motioned to Cypher.

  “Too?” Lilly frowned.

  “Your daughter has, what she and her friends call, OBBHMs.”

  Lilly laughed. “And pray tell, what does that acronym stand for.”

  “Overbearing butt head mates.”

  “Then yes, I have one of those too,” Lilly laughed as Cypher narrowed his eyes at her.

  Peri stepped back so that she could address both men. “Vasile has agreed to let you come to the mansion. But, before we go, I need to fill you in on pack etiquette.”

  “We already know some of it,” Cypher told her.

  “Not with these males you don’t,” Peri countered. “These males take protective to a whole new solar system, so listen up and maybe we will all live until Mona kills us.”

  Lilly grinned. “I like you. You are a breath of fresh air.”

  “You haven’t known her long enough yet to declare that. Just give it time,” Cyn smirked.

  Peri snapped her fingers closed in front of Cyn’s face, making it clear that she wanted Cyn to shut her trap. Cyn laughed and stepped back.

  “The most important thing with this group of males is do not, under any circumstances, for any reason, touch any of their mates. On a good day, they are touchy when it comes to other men being present around them, but they’ve been through some tough stuff the past several days so they are really on edge right now.”

  “Is my daughter okay?” Lilly asked, suddenly alarmed.

  “She’s fine, and I’m sure she will gladly fill you in on their adventures,” Peri assured. “Next, don’t hold their stare. It’s all right to meet their eyes for about five seconds. After that, avert your gaze. You don’t have to drop it and indicate submission, just look over their shoulder or off to the side to show that you aren’t going to challenge them. Even if the man in them knows that you aren’t there for a challenge, the wolf will see it differently and right now their wolves are winning the control battle more often than not.”

  “These men sound very unstable,” Thalion pointed out.

  “They are unstable. They’re werewolves, what about that would make you think they are stable?” Peri shook her head at the Prince. “Oh and please, for the love of little furry things everywhere, do not point out to them that they are unstable.” She stared at Thalion for a second more. “Actually it’s probably better if you don’t speak at all.”

  Thalion looked taken aback. “Why?” He asked, genuinely confused.

  “Because you have not been around the Canis lupus and so your questions might sound like you think them to be barbaric animals.”

  “Aren’t they?”

  Peri’s jaw clenched. “See, that is why it would be better if you kept your royal trap shut.”

  Cypher stepped in before Thalion could argue further.

  “Is there anything else we should know? So far everything you have said, I understand because I myself, am that way with Lilly.”

  “Don’t be offended if they growl at you. They basically growl at anything that isn’t their mate, and even at them sometimes. Oh,” Peri clapped her hands, “I almost forgot the most important rule of all. Steer clear of the tall, leggy, blonde. She is trouble with a capital PITA. Her mate is Decebel; he is the Alpha of the Serbian pack, and he’s deadly when it comes to her. She likes to get him all riled up so if you see her coming, turn and run the other way. Oh, and she’s pregnant, so, that basically means if you look at her Decebel will kill you.”

  “This just sounds like it’s going to be so much fun,” Lilly said, cheerily.

  “Oh, they are a real barrel of laughs, and by laughs, I mean make you want to set your hair on fire while pulling your own teeth out.”

  “That good, huh?” Cypher smiled. “I think I’m going to like these wolves.”

  “Let’s just get this over with,” Peri huffed as she headed in the direction of the mansion.

  Chapter 19

  “When you are young, life seems so big and full of possibilities. Those possibilities seem endless and limitless and you are fearless. As I look into the faces of my mate, my son, and my pack, I see possibilities, all of them endless and limitless, but for the first time in my life, I am fearful of those possibilities.” ~Vasile

  “Costin, please come here,” Sally asked him for the eighth time. He had been pacing since they had returned to their room after Peri had told them the Warlock King and the Elf Prince were coming. All of the males were restless, and upon Peri’s departure, had snapped their mates up, despite their protests and hauled them off to their respective rooms. Sally, Jen, and Jacque had been texting each other, updating one another on the status of their mates and Sally tried to keep from laughing when they had all said the exact same thing.

  Sally txt: ur men pacing, growling, snarling?

  Jen txt: all of the above

  Jacque txt: all of the above

  Sally txt: Suggestions?

  Jen txt: tried get n naked, no go, so I’m out of ideas

  Jacque txt: lol, haven’t tried that one, hold on…

  Sally txt: Way TMI Jac

  Jen txt: U know u want 2 try it

  Sally txt: who says I havn’t?

  Jen txt: Hells bells! Did he take the bait?

  Sally txt: I was being sarcastic Jen. U know better.

  Jen txt: good point

  Jacque txt: holy crap, he didn’t even blink

  Sally/Jen/Jac all txt: we’re so screwed

  Jen txt: Unfortunately not n a good way

  Sally/Jac txt: ROFLMBO

  The texting had gone on for nearly forty-five minutes when Costin had finally acknowledged her.

  “What are you laughing about?” He asked as he sat down beside her. She could tell he was still keyed up, but he was trying to get it under control for her.

  “Nothing,” Sally told him attempting to look innocent and failing miserably.

  Costin held out his hand. “Let me see your phone, Sally mine.”

  Sally shook her head.

  “Sally,” Costin growled.

  “I was texting with Jen and Jacque,” she tried to sound nonchalant.

  “Then why can’t I see it?”

  Sally tried to think of something that would keep Costin from really being interested in reading the text. “We were talking about Jen giving birth, you know with all the fluids and blood and how her girly bits will look afterward,” Sally cringed at her own words because truthfully it was not something that she would have discussed with anyone let alone her mate.

  Costin’s face never changed. He continued to hold his hand out waiting for her to hand over her phone.

  “Doesn’t that gross you out even a little?” She asked, perplexed by his non-reaction.

  “It’s a baby, what’s gross about that? I won’t be grossed out when you are giving birth to our baby.”

  “Uh, yeah, but that will be me, I’m talking about Jen.”

  Costin shrugged. “I don’t know. All I can think about is what a miracle it is that she is pregnant and how exciting it is for them.”

  Sally slapped the phone in his hand with a groan. She threw her body back on his bead and dropped her arm over her eye. “Of all the men in the world, I would get the one who is not bothered in the slightest by female fluids or girly bits.”

  Costin laughed. “One day, I’ll explain it to you.”

  “Please don’t,” Sally squeaked.

  Costin was quiet and she knew that he was reading the texts. She wanted to crawl into a hole, but nothing could be done about it now.

  “You got naked and I missed it?” he asked as he turned back to look at her.

  Sally didn’t respond but could feel her face getting warmer by the second as the blood rushed up. She felt the bed shift as he lay down beside her. He took her arm and gently removed it from her face so that he could look at her, but she kept eyes were closed. Costin laughed.

  “Look at me, Sally.”

  Sally shook her head again, squeezing her eyes shut even tighter.

  Costin leaned forward and she felt his body press against her side. She felt his lips against her ear and the warmth of his breath against her neck as he spoke.

  “If I had known that all I had to do to get you naked was pace around the room like a rabid dog I would have done it a long time ago,” he teased.

  Sally tried to push him away as she attempted to roll away from him at the same time.

  “No, you don’t,” he teased her as he wrapped an arm around her middle and pulled her to him.

  Stupid werewolf strength, she thought.

  “I’m sorry I ignored you,” he finally told her. “I wasn’t trying to do it purposefully. I’m just trying to figure out the most efficient ways to protect you if the need arises. My wolf is extremely unhappy about males we don’t know coming here where you are and I’m not much better than he is.”

  Sally finally opened her eyes and turned her head to look at him. She reached up and brushed his hair out of his eyes. Costin leaned into her touch and she smiled.

  “No one is going to hurt me, or anyone else. You worry needlessly.”

  “You can’t know that,” he argued.

  “And, you can’t know that something will happen, so why stress over it? Don’t we have enough to stress over?”

  Costin stared into her big, brown eyes and wished that he could put her in a bubble away from all danger, but she was a healer, and it was in her blood to be with those who needed her. And, with an imminent battle on the horizon, there were going to be many who would need her. His job as her mate was to make sure she could do what the Great Luna intended her to. He had to trust that she knew what she was doing when he put Sally in his care.

  “What are you thinking about?” Sally asked, him as his silence grew.

  “How proud and blessed I am to get to be your mate.”

  Sally grinned and it was one of those smiles that made his heart dance.

  “Funny, that’s exactly how I feel about you,” she turned on her side so she could face him and his hand slipped under her shirt. His fingers trailed softly along her back and he smiled at her as he watched her eyes glaze over.

  “Sally.”

  “Hmm,” she responded huskily.

  “I need to ask you something.” Costin had not planned on doing this now. He had planned on waiting until the time was right when the atmosphere was romantic and sexy. He had wanted to show her just how much she meant to him and how he wanted to shout from the mountains that she was his. But, sometimes life did not give us the perfect moments that we've longed for and so we had to turn a small part of the messed up moments into cherished ones.

  “Stop touching me if you want me to think clearly,” she teased him as her lips turned up in a sultry smile.

  “Maybe I don’t want you to think clearly when I ask you this.”

  Sally’s eyes snapped open as she heard the worry in his voice.

  “What’s wrong Costin? Are you okay, is everything okay?” Sally didn’t like it when she felt the confidence he carried, so casually slip, it made her feel inadequate as a mate when he felt unsure about her.

  “Nothing is wrong, beautiful. I just wasn’t planning this, but I feel like it’s the right time.”

  “Okay,” Sally said cautiously. She started to sit up but Costin stopped her with his hand on her hip.

  “Stay here with me,” he told her, softly. He moved closer to her and raised himself up on one elbow so he could look down at her. She rolled to her back and placed her right hand on his chest, over his heart. She felt his heart beat quicken and frowned when she realized how hard it was beating.

  “Costin?” She asked, nervously.

  “I love you,” he told her. He released her hip and brushed the wispy hairs from her face. “I never imagined anyone as amazing as you could ever be mine. But, now that you are, I will never let go. You are mine Sally and I am every bit as much yours. I will forsake all others for you. I will die for you, kill for you, and live for you. You’ve accepted me as your mate, you’ve let me claim you through the Blood Rites, you have my markings, and you bear my bite on your incredibly sexy neck. Now, I would ask that you accept me as your husband and wear my ring.”