Peri thought back to the conversation she’d had with the four girls after they’d burned Ludcarab’s castle to the ground. Sharing what their sister had been through was one of the most difficult things she’d ever done. They wanted to see Kara so badly, but it wasn’t her choice to make. “They’re hurting. Those girls are as close as these three musketeers.” She motioned to Jen, Jacque, and Sally. “It’s going to take time.”
“On a cheerful note,” Jen said, “Bethany and Titus’s future baby momma are doing great.”
Sally raised a brow at her blonde friend. “You really want to go there, Virginia? Because from what I hear, your daughter’s baby daddy is T-eerrific.”
Jen laughed. “That was a terrible comeback. But also kind of genius with the whole T thing. What is with the T names? But seriously”—her smile fell, and she pointed a finger at Sally—“do not bring up he-who-must-not-be-named.”
“I have to agree with my mate,” Decebel spoke up, looking thoroughly annoyed. “She wasn’t supposed to meet her mate for a couple of centuries.”
Chuckles broke out around the room. Peri had to admit it was hilarious to see how much Decebel was bothered by the news of Torion and the prophecy that the boy would one day be his son-in-law. Peri had already decided she would be Torion’s ally. He was going to need it to deal with his future in-laws. And it was going to be a blast to teach him the many varied ways to annoy Jen.
The room grew quiet as everyone seemed to sink into their own thoughts. None of them appeared ready to call it a night. Maybe, like Peri, they needed the comfort of just being in the same room. Words weren’t needed. Just the mere presence of the people she loved was enough to help Peri cope with all they’d been through.
The silence was broken by a knock on the door.
“Don’t answer it,” Jen said. “Let’s just pretend all is right in the world and we’re a normal group of couples with normal problems, like who’s going to be DD for the night.”
Lucian released Peri’s waist and walked over to the door. He glanced at Fane, and their alpha nodded. Her mate pulled the door open, and everyone suddenly became alert.
She saw Fane stand and set Jacque down on the couch next to Slate. “Boain?” He stepped toward the male who’d been missing for a very long time. Though she’d heard he’d shown up at the challenges for Fane’s position, their former pack mate had then disappeared again.
“Where have you been?” Fane asked.
“I found my mate.” Boain dropped his eyes. “She was among the rogues. But that’s not why I’m here.”
Fane crossed his arms in front of his chest and tilted his head.
“After the challenges, I left with my mate.”
“Why?” Fane’s eyes narrowed.
“Because Vasile sent me out as a scout after he found out the vampires were rising again. But while I was on that mission, I found Lorna, my female. She didn’t want to remain with the rogues. Her parents had forced her to stay. Even if she had left, as a lone female wolf, unmated, without a pack, she wouldn’t have been safe. But once we bonded, she had a choice. She chose me, and we’ve been tracking Order members, mostly vampires.” He paused and shifted on his feet. Peri imagined if his mate wasn’t here with him, then she was somewhere close, and he was antsy to get back to her. “We tracked one to Wyoming. We found Alston.”
“I told you not to answer the door,” Jen sang out. “But I’ll forgive you.” She rolled off the love seat onto her feet and stealthily pulled two daggers from sheaths on both legs. She spun them expertly in her hands and grinned. “Because now it’s my turn to chop someone up.”
“Decebel,” Fane said, not taking his eyes off Boain. “Take the knives from your mate.”
“On it,” Decebel answered.
“You’re not staying, are you?” Fane asked.
Boain shook his head. “I’m a good hunter, Fane. And Lorna, she’s not had the best experience when it comes to a pack. I think we can still help, but we need to be on our own.”
Fane held out his hand to the other wolf, and Boain clasped the alpha’s forearm. “If you need us, you call.”
Boain nodded. “I offer the same. Look for Alston in the Black Hills mountain range.” Then he turned and left, shutting the door behind him.
Peri felt her power rising as the information Boain had just delivered sank in. They knew where Alston was. The hunt was back on. “I say let her keep her blades.” Peri snapped her fingers and her robes disappeared, replaced by black cargo pants and a black shirt. She pulled her long hair up and tied it into a ponytail. Then she smiled at Jen. “I figure we can do a lot of bonding on a road trip.”
Jen’s lips pursed. “I’m with you on letting me keep my blades. But you can flash. We don’t need a road trip.”
“I didn’t say it would be a long road trip. Consider it like speed dating. But speed reconciliation instead.”
“If it means I get to take out some Order members, consider us good. You messed up. You know you acted like a jackass. We’ll pretend you’ve groveled and, boom, all is right in the realm of the vaginas.”
“Raise your hand if you knew that somewhere in that statement she was bound to work that word in,” Jacque said as she raised her hand.
Jen gave it a high five. “Don’t be jealous, Red. Even if you have to be all responsible and proper as the she-alpha, your membership in The Vagina Society hasn’t been revoked.”
