Vasile frowned at her while Costin continued to let out low rumbles from his chest unable to completely leash his wolf.
“Why Costin?” Vasile asked.
Sally felt her face begin to heat with the flood of embarrassment at having to discuss such intimate details with Vasile, whether false or not, especially with her mate right at her back.
“When Jacque was under Desdemona’s spell, one of the things she experienced was being intimate with another male,” Sally explained hesitantly and hoped that Vasile would not ask for details.
“What do you mean?”
She groaned inwardly. Of course he would ask. Why on earth would he make this easy for me?
“Answer him, Sally mine.” She heard Costin’s voice in her mind and the irritation and anger behind it. She didn’t think he was angry with her, not exactly anyways.
“Okay,” she began, “as a male, one of your biggest fears is not being able to save your mate from something horrible like torture or rape, right?”
Vasile nodded as he watched the healer closely.
“Other than having her taken unwillingly, in various ways, how else would you fear her being taken?” Sally’s jaw tensed as she waited for realization to hit Vasile. She saw the moment he understood as his eyes widened. “Every man, be he wolf or human, fears his woman turning to another man willingly.” Vasile’s eyes jumped back to Costin.
“Under the curse, Jacque allowed you to have her,” he said as he watched Costin’s eyes begin to glow. Costin was holding onto his temper by a thread. He couldn’t stand the idea of Sally thinking he had been with Fane’s mate, even though he hadn’t. He also didn’t like the idea of Fane thinking that Costin would ever consider looking at Jacque, even though Fane knew it wasn’t real. It hadn’t really happened. But Fane was young, and with youth came insecurities.
“Fane saw what happened through Jacque’s eyes—he saw her enjoy being with another male. That is very hard for any male. Of course Jacque was sick with disgust and despair once the curse was lifted. She wants to be touched by another male like she wants to be boiled alive in acid.” Sally was trying to be as frank as possible because she could feel her mate growing more and more furious. “For now Costin and Fane need to steer clear of one another, at least until Fane can come to terms with his emotions. If you interfere right now, he will feel like you are protecting Jacque from him. That would make him feel like you were going to take her, and we all know how well Fane handles his mate being taken from him.”
Vasile waited several heartbeats before he finally nodded.
“Alright,” he whispered softly, “you protect your wolves.”
“As is my right, Alpha,” Sally reminded him.
“Yes, yes it is. But it is my right to discipline them when needed. Do not wait to tell me until it’s too late, Sally. Do not wait until your mate is in a fight for something that never happened.”
The warning in Vasile’s voice made the hairs on the back of Costin’s neck rise and he bit back the growl that rose in his chest. He wrapped a protective arm around his mate and pulled her close to him.
“Relax, Costin. I am not threatening your mate, I am warning her. But I am threatening my son.” Vasile shook his head wearily and retreated back to his desk. “You both are dismissed. Sally, thank you,” he paused, “for speaking with him.”
Sally gave a slight bow of her head before following Costin from the room.
Vasile sat in the chair behind his desk. The aged leather wrinkled and groaned beneath his weight. His heart was heavy with the burdens their pack had so recently endured, but he knew that there were more to come. A new threat had risen, just as an old one had fallen. Now in the midst of that threat, Vasile also had to worry about his only son. He had known that Fane wasn’t coping well in the aftermath of Mona’s spell, but there had been too much going on for him to address it. Now that he considered it, he wondered if he had fallen short as an Alpha and father for not making the time.
“As usual, you take on blame that is not yours to bear.” He heard Alina’s words in his mind. He smiled to himself as he reached out to her.
“Isn’t it? I am his Alpha, his father. Is it not my place to make sure that he is well?” he asked her.
“He is a grown man and he is mated. It is her place to care for him first. Should she not be able to handle it, then it is her job to come to you. Do not add to your already heavy load my love. For even you, as strong as you may be, can be crushed.”
He chuckled out loud at her chastisement and took pleasure in knowing that she was the only one who could ever get away with it.
“How did I ever deserve to have you as my mate, Mina?” he asked her gently.
He felt her hand brush the back of his neck and her lips against his own.
“When I figure it out, I’ll let you know,” she teased.
Vasile growled at her cheekiness. “I swear I’m going to have to limit her time with those girls and that damn fae as well.”
“Were you ever going to tell me what you saw?” Costin asked Sally as they headed to the pack healer’s room. She had been working with Rachel on different herbal remedies, going through the archives of their people and relearning all that the gypsy healers once used to tend the wolves.
“I think there is some sort-of healer/wolf confidentiality that Fane is entitled to,” Sally told him with thinned lips.
“Did you really have to go see him alone? I don’t like you being with a male by yourself, especially an unpredictable one.”
Sally huffed. “Fane would never hurt me, Costin, and he’s mated. You are going to have to curb your possessive instincts in order for me to do my job.”
“No, you are going to have to learn to let me in. We are a team. It’s my job to protect the healer and I can’t protect you if you don’t let me near you.” Costin’s voice was becoming more and more gravelly with each word.
“Why are you so cranky?” Sally asked as she pushed open the door to the healer’s study. Shelves filled with plants, herbs, and odd looking stones lined the walls. Books were scattered across the two tables that ran the length of the room.
“How do you feel about it?” Costin asked quietly.
Sally knew what he was asking. He wanted to know if she was angry about what Jacque experienced. But how could she be angry when she had experienced something very similar?
“How are you not losing it like Fane over what I experienced?” she countered. “Why aren’t any of the other males killing each other over what their mates felt while under the curse? You have to know that all of you males fear us going to other men. So we all went through that same thing.” She walked over to him and looked up into his hazel eyes—eyes that shown with such love that when they gazed upon her, it took her breath away.
“I know you want no other than me. I know that you would never touch another male and because I know that, deep in my soul, I have let go of what happened under the curse. You showed me the night we were bonded that there is nothing that could ever take your love from me. So what do I have to be upset about?”
Costin reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear and Sally leaned into his touch. He leaned down until their foreheads touched and inhaled her scent through slow deep breaths.
“Thank you,” he whispered softly. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. It was his favorite place to be—wrapped around his mate, protecting her, loving her, and reminding her that she was his.
“I love you,” she told him gently.
He grinned at her flashing his dimple. “What’s not to love?”
Sally rolled her eyes as she pulled back from him and he reluctantly let her slip away.
“I swear you and Jen were separated at birth,” she grumbled as she turned to open up one of the healing books.
“So what are we doing today?” he asked as he rubbed his hands together like an eager child.
“A tonic,” she told him as she flipped the pages.
> “A tonic for what?”
“Overbearing, jealous, obnoxious, yet hot, werewolves.”
Costin let out a laugh that filled the room and flooded Sally’s heart with joy.
“Will it affect my good looks?” he asked her playfully.
“Oh, yes perfect,” she muttered to herself ignoring his question.
“What’s perfect?” he asked as he leaned over her shoulder to see what she was doing.
“You just reminded me that I forgot to add something to shrink your ego.”
He put his hands on her hips and leaned down to her ear.
“As long as we aren’t shrinking body parts love, then it’s all good.”
Sally leaned her head back against him and closed her eyes with a huff. “I can’t win.”
Costin chuckled low and she felt his warm breath against her neck.
She finally leaned forward and pushed him away. “Alright Romeo back up. I’ve got work to do.”
“Work away, gypsy lady. I’ll just sit over hear and supervise.”
Sally blushed but refused to comment, knowing she would only encourage his teasing, which would only lead to her becoming a pile of goo at his feet begging for his attention. Yeah Sal, that would be so dignifying, she thought to herself.
Chapter 2
“Waiting sucks. I can’t think of a time where waiting is fun. Wait, I take that back, but if I get into that Dec will have an aneurysm. But those of you grinning, and you know who you are, know what I’m talking about. But I digress. Right now we’re sitting here twiddling our thumbs while we wait for this psycho warlock to go all crazy on us. I mean, seriously people, there is only so much hot chocolate I can drink. All I’m saying is I’m pregnant, bored, and ready to kick some warlock ass. Can I get an amen?” ~Jen
“Jacque, it’s been two months. If this dude doesn’t make a move soon, I’ll be too big to kick him in his baby making parts and that just won’t be cool,” Jen grumbled as she slumped down on the couch in the library of the Romanian mansion. She had been travelling back and forth between the Serbian and Romanian packs, mainly because she hated being away from Jacque and Sally. Since Sally was working with Rachel and Peri, Jen was stuck by herself at the Serbian pack mansion. Of course, there were pack members in and out all of the time talking to Decebel, but it wasn’t the same as having her girls with her. Not to mention, she was so emotional these days that most people could hardly stand her. She alternated between gushing about how glad she was to know her friends or raging because she couldn’t control her emotions. Each passing hour was a toss-up.
“This is one of those rare instances when you say making a move and you don’t mean a guy going for the bases,” Jacque told her best friend with a quick glance and then turned back to the book she had been reading.
“We all know that I don’t have to complain about Dec not making a move. My man has plenty of moves. But if I tried to kick him in his baby making parts, he would just get more excited.”
Sally laughed. “When you first told me you were interested in Decebel, I honestly thought that there was no way you two would ever work. But man, you are both such freaks, I honestly don’t think anyone else could put up with either of you.”
“Or keep up with us.” Jen winked.
“Ugh,” Jacque groaned, “Jen please. The more your little baby bump shows, the weirder it is for you to talk about your sex life with your mate. I mean, seriously, we just don’t need the mental image.”
“Speaking of sex lives,” Jen pointed at Jacque, “how are you and your fur ball?”
Jacque’s head fell back against the chair as she closed her eyes. She blocked her thoughts from Fane, despite the fact that she would hear about it from him later. But she didn’t need him listening in right now, and she knew he would be.
“He talked to me after Sally went and spoke with him.”
“That was all your father-in-law,” Sally interrupted quickly.
“I told you I was cool with it, Sally, and I meant it. Fane knew I was at my breaking point.”
“Sooo,” Jen prompted her to answer her previous question.
“He’s still distant, but he’s trying. I’m just at a loss as to what to do to help him.” She looked down at her hands and bit her lip to keep from crying. She hated crying.
“It’s just going to take time, Jacque,” Sally told her gently.
“How much more time? He still won’t go anywhere near Costin.” Jacque’s eyes narrowed as she felt the familiar spark of anger ignite in her. She and Fane hadn’t even known each other a full year yet and so she had never seen him like this, so angry and almost out of control.
“Vasile is going to step in before too much longer,” Sally warned but tried to soften the harsh-sounding words.
“Maybe he and Costin just need to have a go at it and get it out of their systems,” Jen suggested.
Jacque’s eyes snapped over to Jen and fear flashed in the emerald orbs quickly and was gone just as fast. “They would kill each other, Jen.”
“Naw, not if there were Alphas there to keep things in check. You know how guys are, Jac. Sometimes they just need to get it beat out of them.” Jen threw her head back and laughed. “There I go again. I swear I need a notebook for all the awesome innuendos I come up with.”
Sally coughed and Jacque shook her head at her nympho friend.
“Okay,” Jen continued, “I’m serious. They need to just beat the living crap out of each other and then they will be able to move past this.”
“I’m not about to suggest that to Fane,” Jacque shook her head. “I honestly don’t know if he could stop himself from doing something he would later regret, when he…,” she paused and took in a shaky breath, “if he ever gets back to normal.”
Like an indolent cat stretched out for an afternoon nap, Reyaz sat lazily on a large tree branch. He leaned back against the trunk of the ancient tree with his legs stretched out in front of him and his hands behind his head. Though his body gave the appearance of being languid, his eyes were ever watchful and vigilant.
For two months he had roamed the Balkan Mountains, observing his brother’s kingdom and listening for any information of what the supernatural world was planning now that he had revealed himself. But that was not all he observed. He also had paid special attention to the human woman his brother had taken a shine to, and, if he wasn’t mistaken, planned on taking for his mate.
His upper lip lifted in a snarl as he thought about his brother having something that he did not, something that had been ripped from his hands so very long ago. Yet the wound left behind was as raw and bloody as it had been the day she died. Thea, his love, his reason for living, was gone and it was Cypher’s fault that she was no longer by his side. In truth, he should be glad that his brother had found a mate, because now he had something to take from him. Something that would be equal what Reyaz had lost.
The leaves rustled in the trees and the entire forest shuttered with awareness of his malice, but he ignored it and continued his waiting and watching. His time was coming, and when it finally did, he would rain down his fury in an eruption of destruction unlike anything the supernaturals had ever seen. And he would destroy anyone who got in his way.
Lilly Pierce stood in what was known as the throne room of the warlock castle. The castle itself was built into the mountains, hidden from any who didn’t know exactly where to seek it. She watched as Cypher paced around the large chair that sat at the front of the great room. He had been restless for weeks, and though they were still getting to know one another, she was beginning to understand the responsibility he had to his people and the passion he felt for them. He wanted what was best for them. He wanted them safe. But most of all, he wanted to know that they had a future in this world. That wasn’t the only thing bothering him, however. Lilly could tell he struggling with something else, but she didn’t feel as if she had a right to ask him about it. They hadn’t discussed moving forward in their relationship, and even though he cla
imed that she was his mate, he had yet to pursue anything more with her. They spent time together. He was affection towards her and she could tell that he cared deeply for her, but something was holding him back and now she was unsure as to where she stood with him.
She hadn’t decided how long she would stay at Cypher’s mansion. Jacque and the girls had wanted her to stay with them and she had for a few days after Desdemona’s death. But Cypher had needed to get back to his people, and she had felt at the time that she needed to be with him. It was weird to think of her daughter as a grown woman with a husband and no longer needing Lilly’s constant guidance. Her first instinct had been to stay at the Romanian mansion, but she knew deep inside it wasn’t where she belonged.
Now she didn’t really know where she belonged. After everything that had happened, after everything she had experienced with Cypher, she couldn’t imagine going back to her life as a bookstore owner and single middle-aged female with a grown daughter and a broken past. She wanted more. She needed more and she thought that more had been here with Cypher.
“Lilly.” The deep voice made her stomach clench in anticipation just as it had been doing for the past few months. Cypher held his hand out to her, beckoning her to come to him.
She walked slowly across the room towards him and nearly melted under his heated gaze. Good grief, Lilly, what are you seventeen? He’s a man, not a freaking Greek god. She silently chastised herself, even as she thought that Cypher probably resembled exactly what a Greek god might look like. The closer she got to him, the shakier her breathing became. Once again she wanted to kick herself for acting like an infatuated adolescent, but then, why shouldn’t she be affected by him? He was incredibly handsome, strong, caring, and surprisingly gentle for such a large man. There would have to be something seriously wrong with her if she wasn’t affected by him at least in some way. Well at least I’m not defective, she shrugged inwardly, deciding it was okay for her to swoon like a school girl…sort of.