After Sally and Costin had left, both Vasile and Decebel had agreed it was time to call it a night. Jen and Jacque had been helping clean upm, but just as Jen was carrying empty cups toward the trash, Decebel told her to park her cute butt and not move. So she had dragged Jacque with her to a table and parked it.
"I don't know, probably not long. Why?"
Jen shrugged her shoulders. "Oh, no reason."
Jacque's head slowly turned to look at Jen. "What do you have up your sleeve?"
"I'm just trying to calculate how much time it would take me to undress, phase, and go hide in the woods." Jen leaned in close to Jacque, whispering her words.
"Are you blocking your thoughts from him?" Jacque whispered back.
Jen nodded. "I'm giving him the impression that I'm pouting and that's why I'm blocking them."
"Do you honestly believe he doesn't think you are plotting some escape plan?" Jacque looked back to where Decebel, Vasile, Fane, Gavril, and Sorin had gathered around the young wolf, who was adamantly shaking his head. Jacque called on her newly-found wolf skills and used the hyper-sensitive hearing.
"I don't know why I touched her. I honestly wasn't challenging Costin. I didn't even know she was mated!" Jacque heard the guy tell them.
"She isn't mated yet," Decebel explained. "That is why Costin reacted so strongly. You could challenge him for her. Let me strongly advise against that." Decebel's voice was gruff but not harsh.
"Alpha," the young wolf looked up at Decebel, "I honestly don't know why I touched her. I was walking by and glanced at her and then I was touching her."
Jacque watched Decebel turn to Vasile and then Gavril, "Do you think this has anything to with her being a healer? Are wolves drawn to healers? And, if so, could the fact that she and her mate have the mate signs but aren't bonded essentially paint a target on her back?"
"How would this make her a target?" Jacque heard Sorin ask. She smiled to herself and mentally thanked him for taking the words out of her mouth.
Decebel answered, "As long as Sally isn't bonded to Costin he can be challenged for her. If there is any dissension in my pack that I haven't weeded out, they could use Sally as a way to attempt to kill one of our dominants, not to mention take one of our healers. Unbonded mates are a disaster. The males are unpredictable and violent."
"They have the mate signs, why not have them do the bond as quickly as possible?" Gavril offered.
"Have you discussed with Costin his place in your pack?" Vasile asked Decebel.
"Yes." Decebel nodded.
Jacque perked up at this information. This was news to her.
"Wolf-man, you holding out on me?" she sent Fane the thought through their bond.
Fane had become so accustomed to having Jacque in his thoughts that he never indicated in any outward way that she was talking to him.
"I just found out today and was commanded by our Alpha to keep it between the ones you see standing here."
"That sucks," Jacque whined and turned back to fill Jen in. She tried to slap her hand over her mouth before the "hell fire," slipped out but her arm was not quick enough. She whipped her head around in time to see Decebel's eyes snap over at the sound of her voice. He looked at her and then at the empty seat next to her and chills ran across her skin as Decebel's eyes began to glow and a very wicked grin spread across his face.
Jacque shuddered. She knew that look. That was the look of a wolf getting ready to hunt.
"Do you think you should stall Decebel and let Jen get a little more of a head start on him?" Jacque asked Fane.
This time she saw him visibly shaking his head as he answered, "When are you females going to get it through your heads that you don't get in the way of a male and his mate? Especially an Alpha."
"Scared?" Jacque taunted.
Fane slowly turned and looked at her from across the room. Jacque could see the blue glow in his eyes.
"What is with all the glowing eyes tonight?"
"You know why our eyes glow," Fane responded. "You've challenged me, love. That is why my eyes are glowing."
"Challenged you? When?" Jacque's voice squeaked out.
"I must now prove to you that I am not scared of the Serbian Alpha."
Jacque's chair crashed to the floor as she stood up abruptly.
"I was just teasing, Fane. I know you aren't scared of him. Don't do anything stupid."
She watched as Fane cocked his head to the side, a motion Jacque had seen him make in his wolf form.
"Now you think that it would be stupid of me to attempt to prove I am not scared of him because why? Because you don't think I could hold my own against him?" Fane's voice was thick with accusation.
Jacque stomped her foot, something that she hated doing, but somehow Fane managed to elicit the reaction on a regular basis. "Fane, stop. I know you are brave and can take on any wolf who challenges you. I know that you can go all 'I can kick your butt with one paw tied behind my flanks' on your enemy. You've already proved it many times over." She was pleading with him, and through their bond she let him feel the truth in her words.
Jacque watched as Fane's grim face turned into a brilliant smile.
"A paw tied behind my flanks?" he asked incredulously."I don't know whether to be flattered that you think I am so capable or laugh at the imagery your words evoke. In any case, I think they are done here. You ready to go to bed?"
Jacque watched her mate walk toward her. Her jaw dropped open at his playfulness.
When he got close she crossed her arms across her chest and glared.
"You were playing me, weren't you? You were never going to challenge Decebel," she accused.
Fane laughed. "I may be paw-tying awesome love, but he just became pack Alpha and is mated. I'm not stupid."
Jacque huffed.
Fane took her hand and began to lead her from the room. They stopped abruptly when they heard a low snarl and then a loud howl. Decebel had phased right there in the gathering room. Jacque looked over her shoulder at the massive grey wolf with his four white paws. She felt the pull in her as her wolf responded to the Alpha. As the howl died, Decebel's head snapped down and his gaze landed right where Fane and Jacque were standing. Decebel began to move toward them at a fast pace. Fane quickly pulled Jacque to the side just as Decebel passed them. They heard another snarl as Decebel pushed open the mansion doors and took off into the night.
"He must get exhausted being mated to Jen." Jacque chuckled.
"Decebel was a stone before Jen came along. No life was in his eyes. She has brought that back to him. Everything about her is exactly what he needs. Just as everything you are is exactly what I need."
Jacque stopped and pulled Fane's head down to kiss him passionately.
When she pulled back she looked deeply into his eyes. "I don't know how you do it, wolf-man, but you always manage to say what I need to hear."
Fane winked and tugged her to keep moving. "I have a book."
Jacque laughed. "Naturally," she said, and rolled her eyes.
~
Sally stepped aside and Costin walked into her room. Her nervousness was obvious, but he didn't sense any fear of him. Nerves he could deal with; he didn't think he could handle her being afraid of him. He moved slowly, not wanting to upset her more.
Costin looked around for a place to sit. The queen size bed had a simple wooden headboard and a silver bedspread on it. It was against the wall in the middle of the room. There was a tall chest of drawers opposite the bed and on the wall to the left was a roll top desk and chair. He made his way to that chair and took a seat facing Sally.
She stood there looking at him, not with accusation, but with simple curiosity.
"I feel like there's something you want to talk with me about," Costin prompted.
Sally let out a breath and her shoulders slumped. She walked over to her bed and climbed up, sitting Indian style facing him. Her elbows were propped on her knees and her chin rested in her hands.
She d
rummed her fingers lightly against her cheeks as she considered how to begin. Then everything just came pouring out.
"I'm just not ready. I mean, I understand that we are connected by this whole mate thing, with the mate signs and what not. But I'm not – I just can't..." She was flustered, but paused as she watched a enthralling grin spread across Costin's face, revealing the cute dimple. That smile was disarming.
"Why are grinning at me?" she asked as she let her hands drop from her face and fall helplessly onto her lap.
"Are you scared of me?" he asked her gently.
Sally shook her head.
"Do you think I would ever hurt you intentionally?"
Again she shook her head.
"Do you believe I want what's best for you and that I will protect you with my life? Do you trust that I will hold you above all others and live to see that you have joy in your life? That I will hold you when you cry, laugh with you when you laugh, and honor you as my mate? Do you believe these things?"
"Yes, Costin. I see the way Jacque and Fane are – and Decebel and Jen. I get it. But that's the problem. You're intense. The whole mating thing is freaking overwhelming." Sally stood up and began to pace back and forth. "I...I've never even had a boyfriend. I've only kissed one guy and it was nothing to swoon about. Can't you see how this would be pretty drastic for me?"
She stopped and looked at him when she heard a low growl.
"You've kissed someone?"
Sally tried to hold back the snort of laughter that bubbled out. "Of course. I'm eighteen, Costin. Only having kissed one guy by eighteen is pretty darn conservative."
"I don't want to know about this guy." Costin frowned. "He won't hold a candle to my kisses anyway."
And the hundred watt smile is back, she thought to herself.
"Sally mine, sit down. Relax."
Sally was doing what he told her before she even realized it. She narrowed her eyes at him as she sat down.
"Why are you wolves so bossy?"
Costin stood up and walked over to her. He crouched down so he was eye level. Sally started to scoot back to put some space between them, but Costin stopped her by putting his hands on her waist. She froze. She didn't really know how to react to his touch. It made her nervous, but it also made her feel something she never had- desired.
"To keep our mates safe. To keep the pack safe," Costin answered, and gentleness laced his voice.
"How is telling me to sit down keeping me safe?"
"You were working yourself up into an unnecessary frenzy which could have led to a panic attack, thereby causing you to pass out and fall and hit your head." Costin smiled; triumph danced in his eyes.
Sally rolled her eyes and giggled. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard, Costin. Stretching it a little, don't you think?"
"Maybe a little bit," he conceded with a laugh.
Costin regained his serious tone, but his expression was softer.
"I won't force you into anything, Sally. I know this is all different to you. I've known all my life that I had one perfect mate out there for me. And when I look at you I'm in awe of what I've been given." Sally blushed as he paused. "I won't leave you unprotected, and allowing other males around you is something that neither I nor my wolf will be able to handle. Besides," he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief, "how could you not want to be around all this?"
Sally let out a snort. "You've been around Jen way too much."
"I don't know, she's quite educational."
"Yeah, I don’t think I really want you to be educated by her." Sally looked down and noticed she had begun fidgeting with Costin's sleeve. She found comfort in being free to touch him, so she pushed away any worry that maybe he didn't want her to. She raised her eyes to look into his hazel ones. "So, what are you saying exactly?"
"I'm saying let's talk and spend time together. Let me help you fall in love with me," Costin answered.
Sally's breath came out in a short gasp at the word “love”. She hadn't really considered if Costin loved her. She knew it would be easy for her to fall in love with him – she was already halfway there.
"Do you love me?" she asked cautiously.
Costin leaned forward and kissed her gently on her forehead. "Sally mine, you were made for me. I loved you before I knew you and love you more now. Yes, I love you. And you will love me."
"No self esteem issues, I see," Sally teased.
Costin smiled and leaned his forehead against hers. "It's late, my love. I should go."
Sally nodded her head against his, but made no move to back away. She grinned when he did first, then was caught by surprise when he leaned in quickly and touched his lips to hers.
He laughed at her shocked look and jumped back when she attempted to swat his arm.
"Your innocence is refreshing," he told her as he backed away, toward the door.
"Well, I'm so glad that my lack of experience is such a thrill for you." Sally narrowed her eyes at the grinning wolf.
"Ah, Sally, sweet Sally. Everything about you is a thrill for me." He chuckled as he watched her face turn red and blew her a kiss as he closed the door behind him.
Sally flung herself back on her bed, letting out a long breath. Then she began to giggle, unable to contain her joy. She had been worried he would demand she complete the bond the way Decebel had, but instead he had been understanding, playful, incredibly sweet, and yes, sexy. Darn those wolves and their appeal. Despite their bossiness, Sally thought to herself.
"How could I not fall in love with him?" she asked. And at the tail end of her words her bedroom door flew open and closed just as fast.
Jen bent over, panting as she looked up at Sally.
"Hey, girl. Who are we falling in love with?" Jen asked breathlessly.
"Jen, what's wrong?" Sally paused and then decided on a better question. "What have you done now?"
Jen stood up and, seeming to have caught her breath, spoke quickly.
"First off, I've changed my mind. I don't want you to name your first born after me -"
Sally interrupted, "Thank goodness for that."
"- I want you to name your entire freaking litter after me," Jen growled. "Do you know what I've been through? " Her arms were flinging around as she glared at Sally. "I did that little strip tease to try and keep things from escalating with the rest of the pack. Decebel was beyond pissed. I had to sneak out of the gathering room and make a run for it. I've been running through the freaking forest trying to throw him off by changing back and forth so I could place my clothes, which I carried in my freaking muzzle – CARRIED IN MY MUZZLE, SALLY! – and place them in different areas to throw off him off my scent."
Jen went over to Sally's window and seemed to be judging the danger of using it as an exit.
"Jen, he isn't going to hurt you." Sally said gently to her agitated friend. An agitated Jen was never a good thing.
Jen's swung around, piercing Sally with her blue eyes. "There are worse things than being hurt, Sally Morgan. You just wait until you are mated. Bossy, overbearing, controlling, possessive, mega hot, tasty, sexy -"
"Uh, Jen, I get it," Sally cut in before Jen could get even more explicit.
"What I'm saying, my little wall flower, is desire becomes your enemy when your mate is being a butt head, which Decebel is – in mega, super-sized butt head way. Do ya feel me? You see where I'm going with this or do I have to sit you down and have the birds and the bees conversation?"
"No, I'm good." Sally held up her hands to halt Jen's line of conversation. "Why exactly did you come to my room?" She looked at Jen and then at her door, just waiting for it to be flung off its hinges.
"I figured he wouldn't come here because he would think you and Costin were getting your groove on." Jen looked around, noticing for the first time that Costin was not there. "Speaking of the yummy, dimpled, endowed wolf, where is he?"
"He went back to his room. We talked. It was good."
Jen put her hands on her hips and pinned
Sally with the famous “you're going to spit it out or I'm going to rip it out of you”.
"You talked? Sally," she cleared her throat, "you have a mate. A guaranteed husband. A sure thing. Not to mention, he's hot, funny, sweet, and he has a dimple. You talked?" This time, Jen's voice was skeptical.
Before Sally could defend herself, her door opened slowly, calculatingly.
"I know you weren't describing me, Jennifer. So who is this male that has caught your eye so descriptively? Please do tell so I can rip him to pieces." Decebel's power filled the room and Sally took an involuntary step away from the very angry Alpha.
Jen watched her mate cautiously. He was angry. Really angry. His eyes were glowing, revealing that his wolf was at the wheel. She knew that was her fault because she'd challenged him by running. She needed to calm him down, however, for the first time wasn't sure how to go about doing it. Usually her humor and sarcasm came to the rescue, but at the moment she felt like if she spoke at all he would go feral. Not that he would hurt her.
She opened her mind to him slowly. She had been blocking him in order to hide from him, not to hurt him. That's when she saw the flash in his eyes that showed her the feelings below the anger. With that knowledge she knew what to do.
"I was trying to help Sally, not hurt you. I wouldn't have taken off any more clothing than what I had. Everything was covered, Dec. Baby, please. You're scaring Sally."
Decebel took a slow step forward, but Jen held her ground. He was hers, she was his equal and she would not back down.
"Do you understand how crazy you make me?" Decebel's voice was a growl in her mind.
"I imagine it's close or surpasses how crazy you make me," Jen answered his question, though she knew it was rhetorical.
Decebel shook his head and rubbed his hand down his face, trying to regain control.
"I love your spirit, but I'm designed to protect, possess, and my wolf doesn't understand your need to constantly push the boundaries. I need one thing, Jennifer, one thing that I won't compromise on. I think we've already discussed this, but I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt that you didn't understand."
Jen snorted a laugh as she spoke out loud. "Gee, thanks. So kind of you to just toss it off as me being a dumb ass."