Fane imagined wrapping his arms around her and pressing his lips to hers. He heard her sigh and knew she felt him.
“Where are you?”she asked.“I’m assuming you guys aren’t just hanging outside the compound. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if you were.”
“I’m with your father’s pack, as is Decebel. We refused to leave the continent. My father and the rest of the pack returned to the Keep to check on the others. And the other supernaturals also returned to their people. They are going to be reconvening as soon as possible to plan a rescue mission,”he said.“My father would not let me stay outside the compound,”he added sullenly.
She laughed and the sound soothed him.“Your father is wise.”
“He is.”Now that his mind was clear, and his wolf was somewhat calm because he could still communicate through the bond, he understood his father’s reasons. Vasile hadn’t held his position as alpha of the largest pack in the world because he acted on a whim. He planned, he waited, he watched. Like any good hunter.
“My mom?”Jacquelyn asked suddenly, as if she’d just remembered that her mother had been fighting alongside him and the others.
“She is fine. Cypher has done well in training her. Not to mention she has her own powers considering she is a sprite.”
“And everyone else?”
“As far as I know there were no casualties on our side,”he assured her.
“Thank the Great Luna for that.”
Fane felt alarm through the bond and went still.“What’s wrong, Luna?”
“There’s someone coming in the room.”Fane imagined she probably didn’t even realize she was whispering, as if whoever was entering could hear her.
“Let me see.”Fane wanted to look through her eyes. He didn’t want to distract her, but he wanted to see the face of one of her captors. His wolf would remember and would hunt him down.
A moment later, Fane was no longer looking out the window of the Colorado pack mansion. Instead, he was staring at a door that was opening. In walked a man—judging by his pale skin, a vampire. He held a bag full of baby supplies.
“For the mutt,” the vampire sneered.
His mate didn’t respond. She simply watched as the male placed the bag on the floor next to a bassinet. Fane found it odd that Alston had provided such things for them. At least they weren’t in a damn dungeon surrounded by rats. As soon as the vampire left, Jacquelyn shut down that part of their bond, and he was looking out the window again.
“That’s unexpected.”She said what he’d been thinking.
“He probably believes if he keeps you happy, you’re more likely to comply with what he wants,”Fane said.
“Well, I’m not going to refuse the stuff. Slate needs more than I can give him. All I can do is feed him. One diaper isn’t going to last long.”
She sounded relieved. Of course, she’d been worried about how she was going to take care of their child. Fane hadn’t even made it that far in his worry. He had been stuck on them not getting hurt.
“Slate’s asleep.”
“You sound tired. You should get some rest. Keep the bond open, all of the way, Jacquelyn,”he warned. She had a habit of trying to protect him by shutting the bond down when she thought something might upset him.
“I will,”she promised.“Are you going to be alright?”
She’d seen him in the past when she’d been hurt. He hadn’t taken it well, even when it had only been the vivid imagination of the In Between. But for her, he would keep himself in control. He would be what she needed him to be, what Slate needed him to be.“I will be. I will see you soon.”
“Of that I have no doubt, my love.”
* * *
“I really hopeJen hasn’t done anything stupid,” Sally said as she paced the room. It wasn’t a cell, which was nice, but it wasn’t anything more than four walls, a door, a bed, and a bedside table.
“I think we would know it if she had,” Costin said. “Nothing Jen does is ever quiet.”
“Good point.” Sally stopped and stared at one of the walls. On a whim, she reached up her fist and knocked. A moment later there was a return knock. Her head turned as she grinned at Costin. “They’ve put us in a room next to each other.”
“How do you know that’s Jacque or Jen?” he asked as he sat with Titus in his arms. Their son was sound asleep, for which she was thankful. He’d been through an ordeal and needed an escape. Sleep was a great escape.
