Jen wasn't really vain, but she did appreciate the attributes God had given her. Long, shapely legs, a small waist, and a large bust. Admittedly she was glad for being ample in that area, but there was the annoying problem of guys often talking to her chest instead of her face. Sometimes she thought they really expected them to respond, seriously. She had long, thick blonde hair – although blonde wouldn't have been her first pick – and bright blue eyes. She was often mistaken for a dumb blonde, but sometimes it was better to let people underestimate her.
Jen glanced at the clock on her phone and took a deep breath. Decebel would be here any minute, or at least he should be. Unfortunately there was that tiny voice – that most of the time she was able to tell, “bite me” – trying to tell her that he'd probably changed his mind. He'd probably lain in bed last night cursing himself for reacting in the heat of the moment and making a commitment that was beyond what he wanted.
He wouldn't do that, she told the voice.
Are you positive? it responded.
Jen shook her head. What the – I'm arguing with my subconscious. Stop, Jennifer. Just stop. She took a couple deep breaths and felt a little more grounded. "Okay, I got this. No problem," she said to the empty room…then nearly jumped out of her skin when there was a knock at the door. "Yeah, you are all over it, Wonder Woman," she muttered sarcastically as she went to open the door.
She held her breath as she pulled it open. No matter how she tried to prepare herself, she was always affected by his presence – the sheer size of him, the level of intensity always in his amber eyes when he looked at her. Okay, so “affected” was putting it mildly.
They both stood there looking at each other. Jen got the distinct feeling that he too had expected her to bail. Decebel was going to learn that Jen didn't bail. Once she was in, she was in for the long haul.
"Can I come in?" Decebel finally asked, breaking the intense moment.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry," Jen fumbled. And then, as he walked into her room she realized it.
"You knocked," she said. The words almost sounded like an accusation instead of an observation.
Decebel turned to look at her, a small grin on his ruggedly handsome face, "Are you disappointed?"
"Yes. No. I mean, it just caught me off guard," she finally admitted. Although she had given Decebel a hard time about the knocking, she found now that she'd felt special. Yes, you heard right, she thought. Ridiculous as it sounded, him barging in made her feel like he just couldn’t wait to see her, or check on her. The urgency in him every time he just waltzed in uninvited was a rush of adrenaline to her. She hoped he couldn't see through the poker face she had perfected – not.
"I don't like knocking," Decebel told her, sounding like the dominant he was. "I shouldn't have to knock on your door."
Jen felt a smile threatening to morph her face. "You shouldn't have to?" It didn't go unnoticed by her that he'd just given her a way to maintain her pride but still get what she wanted. Smart wolf. "If that's how you feel, then why did you?" she challenged.
"I thought I would try it out, see if I liked the fit." He cocked an eyebrow at her.
"You were test driving the knocking concept." Jen kept a straight face as she spoke. She felt very proud of herself for that.
"That's a good way to put it," he agreed. "I'm returning it to the dealership. I wasn't impressed with the outcome."
Jen laughed. "The outcome? So you didn't like how I answered the door?"
Decebel chuckled with her. "I prefer the annoyed look you give me when I come in uninvited."
"Well, I suppose on your next entrance you will get full compensation for having wasted your time on an unsuccessful test drive. I will be sure to be doubly annoyed."
Decebel grinned at her playfulness. It was that grin that made Jen realize that only with her did he ever look like that. Only with her did he let down the hard outer exterior.
"You're the only one who makes me feel like this," Decebel told her, having once again guessed correctly at the direction of her thoughts.
"Tell me again why we need to have that mental connection thing, because you already know what I'm thinking most of the time."
"Your face is very expressive. I would never choose you as a poker partner." Decebel laughed at the glare she sent his way. But his wolf was pacing inside, tired of the bantering, ready to move onto the scent marking. His eyes must have started to glow because she swallowed hard.
"I'm sure your partners in crime will be arriving any minute. Come here, Jennifer," Decebel's voice was a growl. He was trying to tone down the possessive gleam in his eyes, but judging how she looked like she was ready to bolt, he was unsuccessful.
"I would never hurt you," he tried to reassure her.
Jen mentally slapped herself at her reaction to Decebel's possessive demeanor. It's Decebel, dimwit, she admonished. He would die before he hurt you. Sufficiently scolded, she pulled her shoulders back confidently and walked over to stand in front of him.
Jen knew this was probably the only time he would touch her today, and she was going to savor it and burn it into her memory. Once they were out of her room, under the scrutiny of the Alphas, they wouldn't be able to show serious interest in one another. It was bad enough that they'd already brought attention to themselves to the extent at which they had in less than twenty four hours. You would never be able to accuse Jen or Decebel of being subtle – it definitely wasn't either one's middle name.
He gently wrapped his large hand around the nape of Jennifer's neck. He watched in fascination as her eyes fluttered closed, as if she relished the feel of his skin on hers. He pulled her close. Her arms wrapped around him and she laid her head on his chest as if she had done it a thousand times. Decebel growled deeply, his wolf was basking in his mate's touch.
Mate, Decebel thought. Every fiber in him said she was, and yet a small part of him still worried that the lack of mating signs was confirmation that she did not belong to him. He felt a howl of rage welling up in his throat at the thought of her being another's. He had to get a leash on his wolf.
He laid his cheek against the top of her head and blew gently into her hair. Jennifer shuddered in his arms, making him pull her tighter. After standing that way for what felt like seconds, although he knew it was longer, he pulled back enough to lean down and placed his nose on her neck, the sensitive place where it met her shoulder. He took a deep breath and again blew out gently. This time Jennifer's knee's nearly buckled and had his arms not been around her, she probably would've fallen to the floor.
Decebel smiled to himself as he continued to breathe close to her neck. It was taking every ounce of control left in him to keep from biting her, even just nipping her. Showing her where she would wear his mark. He kissed her neck gently and when he heard a breathy moan come from her, he quickly stepped away. He kept his hands on her arms until he knew she was steady on her feet.
Jen stood there, dazed as Decebel abruptly stepped away from her. Did I do something wrong? she wondered. She looked at Decebel and saw that his breathing had quickened. His jaw was tense and his eyes were brighter than she had ever seen them.
"Are you okay?" she asked him tentatively, afraid she'd startle him.
"I just need a moment." His voice was rough.
"Did – did I do something wrong?" Jen stammered out her worry. She suddenly couldn’t stop rubbing her hands down her jeans. They weren't clammy or sweaty, but she felt like she needed to do something with them.
"No, beautiful. You didn't do anything wrong. You did, however, do something right. Very, very right." Decebel let out a deep breath as he ran his hands through his hair.
"Then what's wrong?" she asked, cocking her head to the side and folding her arms across her chest, effectively drawing Decebel's eyes to her now pushed up breasts.
Decebel's head snapped away just as quickly as his eyes had landed on her. He cleared his throat, unmistakably uncomfortable and embarrassed by his actions. Jen couldn't help the smile she
felt inside at his obvious attraction to her. Well, a girl likes to know, she thought defensively.
"It's not that there is something wrong. It's just...well, you see..." Decebel was seriously flustered.
That's a first.
"I'm attracted to you," he finally blurted out.
"Well, I hope so," Jen shot back.
"I'm not saying that's bad, Jennifer. I'm saying it's intense and...when you make sounds like you just did -"
Jen's hand flew to her mouth. A muffled, "What sound?" came around her hand.
"The moan," he said matter of factly. "Baby, you can't make sounds like that. It's like handing a man an invitation to a banquet made just for him."
Although Jen heard all his words, she was stuck on the “baby” endearment.
"Did you just call me baby?" she asked him sweetly.
"Jennifer, did you hear what I said?"
"Yeah, but did you call me baby?"
Decebel stared at her and confusion filled his expression. "Yes. Is that a problem?"
Jen shook her head. "No, I kinda like it," she admitted shamelessly. "I just never pinned you for the baby type."
"I have a feeling there's quite a bit about me that will change because of you," he confessed.
"Huh. Well, I like it. Don't stop." She winked at him.
Decebel chuckled and shook his head, once again running his hands through his hair. "You're going to be the death of me, Jennifer Adams."
"So will I see you today?" she asked.
"Yes. I will be in all the groups you are in. It was arranged beforehand since I've been assigned to keep you safe."
"But is it safe? I mean, for you to be with me?"
Decebel didn't look at her when he answered. “For you."
Jen didn't respond and he walked back over to her. Reaching up, he stroked her cheek and promised, "I will try to keep it together."
"I don't like seeing you with anyone else either. I'll be trying to hold it together just as much as you."
"We are quite the pair, are we not?" he said, grinning.
Jen smiled back.
There was a knock at the door and Decebel automatically stepped in front of Jen. She pushed around him.
"Chillax, wolf. It's probably the girls."
Decebel followed close behind and before she could open the door, asked, "Who is it?"
They both heard giggles on the other side. Jen rolled her eyes and pulled the door open. Jacque, Sally, Crina, and Marianna all stopped and wiped the grins off their faces.
"Ladies." Jen eyeballed them sternly.
"Jen, I would like it noted that I did not participate in the giggling." Fane spoke from behind the pack of hyenas at Jen's door.
"Noted, fur ball," Jen acknowledged.
Jacque smiled sweetly. "We came to see if you were ready to go down for breakfast."
"Yeah, sure ya did." Jen felt Decebel's hand on her lower back and she relaxed, allowing her annoyance to fade. "Let's do this," she relented with a smile.
"Let's get our grub on, ladies," Jacque spouted as the group headed downstairs.
"Jacque, I thought we discussed not using that saying," Jen reminded her.
"No," Jacque responded. "You talked about me not using it and I ignored you."
"Good to know you value my opinion," Jen muttered.
"Most ardently, Jen." Jacque's response brought a snort from Jen.
The room they were to eat in was much smaller than the large ballroom they had been in the night before, but it was every bit as nice.
They all took their seats and Jacque sat on Jen's left side and Sally on her right. When Jacque noticed that Decebel sat across from Jen, not beside her, she looked at Jen, brow furrowed. Her eyes plainly said, “What gives?”
Jen leaned over and whispered close to Jacque's ear. "We have to keep things on the DL."
"Got it."
Vasile and Alina soon arrived and the other pack members slowly ambled in. Jen nodded at Cynthia when she showed up. She'd apparently arrived late last night after all the drama. Jen guessed that she and Decebel were going to have to fill her in on what they'd decided last night.
Dorin and Cami arrived and smiled at Jen. She returned with a smile of her own and watched as Anton and Delia acknowledged her. Once the entire pack was present, Vasile motioned for the meal to be served.
Breakfast consisted of ham, bacon, some sort of bread that was supposed to be a biscuit, eggs, and pancakes if you wanted them. Most of it was spent in silence as everyone concentrated on eating.
Vasile finally addressed them. "Each of you knows what you are to do today. Represent us well." His eyes landed on Decebel and Jen tried really hard not to snicker. Jacque, Sally, Crina, and Marianna weren't so successful. Decebel glowered at them and they immediately shut up.
"I don’t really understand the point of these activities," Crina said, adding quotations when to activities. "I mean come on, Alpha. The TFFs are going to be working on self defense with the males from the Serbia pack. What is that?"
"The TFFs?" Vasile asked before addressing her question.
"Yeah, as in The Fabulous Five." She motioned to herself, Sally, Jen, Jacque, and Marianna.
Decebel, Fane, Costin, and even Sorin coughed their laughs into their hands. Crina shot them a look that promised retribution if they didn't cease and desist.
Vasile smiled at the name she'd derived for the group, and at the friendship that had grown. It meant that there was camaraderie, which was vital to a healthy pack. He knew that a pack with vehement females carrying petty jealousies could be ripped apart.
"Crina, as silly or ridiculous as it seems, these activities are designed to keep from having idle wolves with nothing to focus on but beating the competition for a mate. We can't very well stick you all in a room and allow the males free reign."
"Talk about a 'mate fest'," Jen joked.
Sally and Jacque grinned.
"I so did not need that visual, Jen," Sally admonished although the smile never left her face.
"Oh, come on. You know you all were thinking it," Jen whined.
Costin smiled and winked at her. "Guilty as charged."
Decebel shook his head at the young wolf. Was I ever that goofy? he asked himself, then answered his own question. No, definitely not.
Vasile continued, ignoring the banter among them. "The point today is that you will get to meet other males but your time will also be put to good use. You all need to learn self defense and we've killed two birds with one stone."
When no one else objected, he went on. "If you are so blessed to find your true mate, I would ask that you come speak with Alina and I immediately. This setting is quite different from ours, and the pair will be required to prove their mate status."
"What kind of proof?" Decebel asked, an undercurrent of something very dangerous in his tone.
"The most obvious would be the markings." At Vasile's words, several of the unmated males – including Costin and Decebel – spoke up.
"You can't be serious," Decebel growled. "How dare the Alphas ask us to parade our mate in front of them like she's a piece of meat. And to ask to see what should be for her mate's eyes only – they cross the line, Alpha."
Alina touched her mate's arm and Vasile looked over. "You would never have allowed them to see my marks."
Vasile was silent as he observed the faces of his pack. The males were all tense, ready to react at a moment's notice. Even the mated males were appalled at the idea of anyone seeing a female's markings. He took a deep breath. This gathering was truly going to test his leadership and the loyalty of his pack.
"I'm not saying I agree with it, nor am I saying I would force you to comply. That is why I ask that you come to Alina and I first."
"Why can't they just have one tell what the other is thinking?" Marianna asked.
"Because they claim that the pair could simply plan beforehand what they would say, therefore making it appear that they have a mental connection when they do not
," Vasile explained.
Sally raised her hand to speak. Vasile smiled at her warmly. "Sally, you have a question?"
"Um, yeah. Why would someone pretend to be true mates?"
"You know of our longevity. You have seen the extent some males would go to have a mate through what Jacque experienced." Vasile paused and Sally nodded her agreement.
"There are females who are just as desperate for a mate. There are some who think that if they both consent then they should be allowed to be together, regardless of the consequences. What they don't understand, or don't remember because they have been alone for so long, is that no one on this earth, human or Canis lupis can fill the hole inside them. No one, no matter how you may love them, can give you the other half of your soul. And should you choose to take one who is not your true mate and your true mate comes along, there is nothing that can stop you from going to them. You will walk away from any life you have built, children you have sired, and person you have married without so much as a glance back. It is our job as Alphas to protect our pack. As a parent guides his child, so an Alpha guides his pack. The Alphas that have brought us all together want to make sure that no one makes the mistake of thinking they can find what they are looking for in someone who does not truly belong to them. That is why they insist on proof."
The room was quiet when he finished speaking. Vasile knew that understanding the why of it didn't necessarily make it any easier to accept. His pack would just have to trust him.
Decebel looked across the table at Jennifer, imagining her with his markings. Then the thought of another seeing them. Quite simply that just wasn't going to happen. He would be dead before anyone saw Jennifer's back.