Jen was unable to respond because her mate had, oh so helpfully, placed his hand over her mouth.
“We will talk to all the pack members in both packs, obviously, before making a final decision,” Vasile continued. “But the choice will ultimately rest with Decebel and myself. This is not a democracy, as you know, because such arraignments do not work with wolves. So whatever we decide will be obeyed by all. However, rest assured, any decision we make will be for the good of both packs.”
Everyone in the room, except Peri, Alina and Decebel, tilted their heads back bearing their necks. Though Jen didn’t have to as an Alpha female, she did it out of respect for Alina.
“Moving on. As you all know, Bethany and Drake have been spending time together as a newly mated pair. They are doing well. I’ve called and spoken to Drake a few times and they are making a lot of progress. Eventually, they will join our group.” He took a step forward and Peri noticed how tired he looked.
“I realize that it seems that we are facing yet another threat not just to our own survival but to all of mankind as well. We do not know how deep the tentacles of the Burning Claw reach into the supernatural world.
“Tentacles,” Jen snorted. “Good one, V.”
Vasile shook his head at her. “I aim to please.”
“I think I just threw up in my mouth,” Peri gagged. “Could we refrain from using Jen’s quotes for our own benefit? All it does is grow that already large head of hers, and she can’t manage the thing as it is.”
Vasile rubbed his forehead and then his chin before ignoring Peri and continuing. “The organization is shrouded in secrecy, but make no mistake, they are very real and they are very dangerous. But despite that looming threat, let us rejoice today. One who was lost to us has been returned—a gypsy healer no less. And that is no small thing. Further, we have removed four members of the Order. And that is a start. We will continue to search for and destroy vampire covens where we can find them. We know that they are mixed up with the Order somehow.
“And now, let us turn our attention to another happy union. Cyn and Thalion,” he said, turning to the elf and the fae who were standing together holding hands, “congratulations on your mating. You have done something historic, and I hope that your union will be the beginning of a period of peace and cooperation between elves and fae. We will need the combined strength of your races if we are to face the threat that the Order presents. We wolves will assist you in whatever way we can as you take back the throne from your father. I have no doubt that you will be victorious.” Thalion bowed his head in appreciation and acknowledgment.
“Peri,” he turned to her. “We must find Alston quickly. He needs to be tried for his crimes. He purposely endangered the life of another supernatural being. He kidnapped a gypsy healer. He’s conspiring with traitors, and who knows what else. We need to bring him down but we need him alive.”
Peri nodded. “That won’t be easy, because as I’m sure you know, he’s one of the few supernaturals in existence whose power rivals my own.”
“You will have the aid of the wolves. And I’m sure that I’m not speaking out of turn here when I say that you will also have help from the elves and the warlocks.”
“That means he will get the ass kicking of a lifetime,” Peri responded as a wolfish grin crept across her face.
“Oh, oh, can I help? Pick me, pick me,” Jen said bouncing up and down in Decebel’s lap.
Jacque shook her head at her best friend. “Jen, sometimes I’m just not sure about your sanity.”
“What’s not to be sure about? I am surely insane. Boom. End of story. Now can we talk about me helping Peri castrate Alston.” All of the males in the room flinched, which only made Jen laugh.
“I never said I was going to castrate him,” Peri pointed out.
Jen threw her arms in the air. “Oh come on! When a thousand-year-old fae kidnaps a barely adult girl, especially one as sweet as Sally, he deserves to be castrated and then fed his own boy parts.”
Wadim whistled. “You are simply diabolical.”
“Can I get a t-shirt that says that,” she asked him with a smile, which made her mate smack her thigh.
“Behave,” Decebel growled.
“Okay, final order of business.” Vasile spoke up to cut off all conversation. “I didn’t want to read this today, but unfortunately the world can’t wait on us to take a respite. Our attack on Jericho and his rogue pack did not go unnoticed. We received a letter from the Order.”
“What?” was the general consensus around the room.
“Dearest wolves, fae, elves, and warlocks,” he read. “You are being watched. Don’t consider your recent acquisition as a victory. We will get what we want. If you don’t comply, then we will start attacking humans openly. Entire towns will be wiped out. The vampires are hungry. You, have after all, kicked them out of their homes. We want the healer, and we will get her or innocent people will die. Hope this finds you well, Sincerely, TOBC.”
“Well, I wish they’d been a little clearer on what they wanted exactly,” Jen said dryly.
“They want me,” Sally’s small voice broke Peri’s heart.
“They can’t have you,” Costin, Vasile, Decebel and Fane all spoke at the same time.
“What’s the plan, V?” Jen asked.
Vasile motioned to everyone in the room. “That’s why we’re here: to come up with a way to take the Order down. As you now know, time is of the essence.”
