Fane pulled Jacquelyn into his lap and wrapped his arms around her, trying to control her shaking. She was in shock – as was he.
"Who would do this, Fane?"
"I don't know, love. My father is very powerful, and with power comes enemies. I just didn't think there were any among us."
Jacque left Fane and walked to the bed, climbing up next to Alina. She took her hand and held it to her heart. Tears down her cheeks as she watched the woman she had come to think of as a mother struggle for every breath.
"She's the sweetest woman I've ever met, Fane. So selfless and loving.” Jacque couldn't stop the sob that forced its way from her chest. She leaned down over Alina and prayed for her to be spared, for them both to be spared.
Fane slid his arms around her. A single tear escaped down his cheek, for his parents and for his mate. So many deaths in the past months, so many lives wasted. And now more would be taken. Either his parents' or the one guilty of attempted murder.
Sally and Cynthia entered the room and Decebel closed the door behind them, shutting out the others. Sally walked quietly to the bed and climbed up next to her Alpha, for as his pack healer, he truly was her Alpha. Tears threatened to spill over as she thought about how she'd felt the poison in his system when pressing her hand to him earlier. It was slow, seeping into his cells, killing, destroying.
She pulled the vials from her pocket and tuned the room out as she unscrewed the lids. Placing a hand behind Vasile's head, she leaned forward and pressed the vial to his lips. Just as before, the words she needed to say flowed through her mind and out her mouth. She whispered close to his ear as she held the vial to his mouth, waiting to pour until his lips parted.
"Alpha mine, hear my voice. I am Sally, gypsy healer to the Romanian pack. I call on your wolf. Come forward and take care of the man who houses your spirit and protects your pack. Come forth, Alpha wolf, and trust that what I give you is to heal and not to harm."
Sally watched as Vasile's lips parted, and she was able to tip the antidote into his mouth. She quickly poured the second vial and watched him swallow, close his mouth, and become still again.
Once again, she leaned forward and placed her forehead to his. She closed her eyes and slowed her breathing. She felt the wolf stirring beneath the man, hurting, afraid and angry. He feared for his mate, unable to feel her.
Sally whispered into his mind. She is here beside you, Alpha. No harm will come to her if you will fight. Fight the poison, let the healing liquid move throughout your body. If you are healed, she will be.
The wolf settled slightly. Sally could feel the Wolfsbane moving, seeking out the poison, almost as if it were a living being.
Rest now, Alpha. You are protected, you are loved. Sally pulled back and climbed down from the bed. She felt her body sag, not realizing how draining the healing had been. She looked at Decebel. "It's working. I don't know how long it will take until he wakes. They need to be protected and guarded."
"There will be no less than four wolves with them at all times. We will rotate in shifts so that everyone will get time to rest." Decebel turned to Fane. "I assume you want to stay?"
Fane nodded as he held his mate.
Decebel turned to the other pack members. "Skender, Boain, Sorin, you will take first watch with Fane. I have to figure out where the hell my mate is." He turned to Sally. "Come," he commanded gruffly.
Sally straightened, gathering her strength she followed the Beta out.
"Where is she?" Decebel asked her once they were in the hall, away from prying ears.
"She went with me and Marianna into the woods to find the Wolfsbane. We split up and I made it back first. I figured they would be right behind me," Sally explained quickly. She watched the Beta struggle to control his wolf.
"I'm going to check her room. Will you please get Cynthia and Crina and look for her as well?"
Not waiting for her answer, Decebel turned and quickly walked in the direction of Jennifer's room.
Decebel knew before he opened the door that Jennifer wasn't in her room. He entered anyway, needing her scent to surround him. He walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge.
Only hours ago he had lain in this bed, holding her, kissing her, showing her how much he loved her and wanted her. How had this day gotten so screwed up so quickly? He felt his chest tighten as darkness seeped in. His Alpha was sick and the pack was weaker for it, his mate was missing, and his wolf was on the verge of rage.
Decebel's hands shook as he took Jennifer's pillow and pulled it to his face. He pulled in a deep breath and took a small amount of comfort from the warm vanilla and cinnamon that seeped into his very being.
His mind wandered to a time long ago when his heart had been held by another woman, young and full of life and spunk just like his mate. Cosmina had been a joy to all around her and he had lost her. He hadn't thought his heart would ever heal from the loss of his sister. But then he'd met Jennifer, his mate. She filled the hole in him and poured life where death had slowly begun to take over. Now he didn't know where she was, didn't know if she was okay.
Decebel's heart broke and his wolf pushed forward as a mournful howl poured from the very depths of his soul. As he took slow breaths, trying to calm his wolf and pull himself together, he could feel his wolf reaching, seeking the bond between them that had yet to truly solidify. His shoulders slumped.
“Have you any idea how long I’ve waited for you?” His mind reached of its own accord.
“I’ve only just found you and now I’m losing you.”
Then in the silence Decebel heard her.
Chapter 31
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 h
er 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 well being. 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.”
"To 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 and 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. 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." Decebe'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 the 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."
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."