Jacque’s lips turned up in a small smile. Her female pack members were becoming blood-thirsty mates. She knew the pride was evident on her face. Jacque’s smile widened as she thought of Alina and how proudshewould be that the women had stood their ground. She’d never forget the time that Alina had forbidden Vasile from touching her and given him the single-finger salute. It was something that would go down in the history books as one of Jacque’s top-ten favorite moments in her life.Damn, I miss my mother-in-law.
“I miss her as well, Luna.”Fane’s voice infiltrated her mind. She felt his caress on her face. She wished it was his actual hand so she could bite him.“Quit standing there staring at the door and come inside. I might just indulge your desire.”
“I don’t want to bite you out of desire, fur butt.”She growled at him.“I want to bite you because you’re being all alpha-bossy with me. Passing out ultimatums like they’re Halloween candy, expecting us to gobble them up gratefully.”
“Mate, get your beautiful backside in here. Now!” Fane’s voice was loud enough that they could hear it through the closed door.
“Wow.” Jen blew out a breath. “Alpha man sounds pissed. It’s kinda hot.”
“I’m too ticked off to be annoyed with your comment, Thelma.” Jacque gripped the doorknob. “But later, I make no promises. I might have to wipe the floor with you for gettingkindaturned on by my man’s pissy-ness.”
“Noted, Red,” Jen said. “I’m itching for a good fight, so don’t let me down.”
“Jennifer!” Decebel’s voice boomed from inside the room.
“Geez.” Crina huffed. “What has put them all in such crappy moods? Even Adam is feeling a little grumpy.”
“Mm-hmm,” Zara agreed. “Wadim’s not his usual perky self, either. He’s rarely irritated with me.”
“That’s because he’s still enamored with your relatively new ta-tas.” Jen said. “If I was a man, I wouldn’t be irritated with you, either. Otherwise, you might restrict access to those beauties.”
“Can we please just get this over with?” Elle snapped. “I’m in the mood to spar, and Sorin is an excellent opponent when he’s vexed with me.”
Jen turned to look at the fae. “Sometimes I forget you’re old as dirt. Until you use words like vexed. I like it. It expands my vocabulary, which, if I do say so myself, is already extensive.” Jen held up her hand for a high-five. Elle looked at it and then back at the she-wolf. Jacque’s blonde friend shrugged and high-fived herself.
With a resigned sigh, Jacque opened the door and stalked into the room. She somehow managed to keep from stomping her feet, but only just. Her eyes immediately found Fane’s. There was a slight glow to the bright blue orbs. She wasn’t surprised, considering his mood. His wolf often surfaced when they were frustrated with her.
Jacque walked over to Fane and lifted up on her toes so she could reach his lips. She placed a chaste kiss on them, but backed up quickly before he could grab her and deepen it. She could feel his need to put her in her place, so to speak, by seducing her. Sometimes she humored him and allowed it. Not this time. This time, she had to stand her ground.
“What the hell happened?” Jacque whipped around when she heard Bethany’s angry voice. The woman stood in front of Drake, who sat on the arm of the couch. His shoulders were relaxed, but his jaw was clenched, betraying his nonchalant appearance.
“What are you talking about, female?” His eyes roamed over her, but not at all sexually. He looked as if he was searching for anything out of place, such as an injury. And though she had felt his pain when he’d been injured, she didn’t actually have the cut arm, and Peri had helped ease the pain. Despite the lack of blood or actual injury, Bethany cursed like a sailor the entire time.
“I’m talking about the fact that my arm felt like it was being cut off while you were gone.” She stepped closer and poked a finger in his chest.
Jen raised a finger. “I’d like to add to her grievance that none of you mentioned you were leaving on your little field trip. You just up and disappeared.” She looked pointedly at Adam.
“I was just following orders,” Adam motioned at Fane who simply shrugged, looking completely unrepentant.
Then Jen looked back at Bethany. “Carry on, you’re doing great.”
Decebel reached for Jen, but she slapped at his hand and gave him a look that would have sent a less dominant wolf to cower in the corner. Her man just smirked at her and winked.
Jacque bit back her laugh. She swore one day those two would wind up rolling around on the floor, shedding their clothing in front of everyone who happened to be in the room at the time.
“I’d prefer if you weren’t around when that happens.”Fane was obviously listening in on her thoughts.“It’s bad enough that you see males nude when they phase back to human form, even if it is only for a few seconds before our fae manifest clothing for them.”
Jacque didn’t respond. She knew that if she continued to engage him, it would only encourage him to keep flirting with her. And yes, she considered his possessive words as flirtation because it was hot. Sue her.
“Why were you hurt, Drake?” This time, Bethany’s words didn’t just sound angry. Jacque heard worry and pain as well. “What if I went off somewhere without telling you and you realized I’d been injured? How would you feel if I kept the bond shut so you wouldn’t know what I was doing?”
“Perfectly valid questions,” Crina said.
Jacque watched Adam grab Crina’s waist and attempt to pull her to him. But she snatched one of those hands and jerked it to her mouth before chomping down on it.
“Fu—” Adam slammed his mouth shut before he could finish the vulgar word. He shook his hand and then examined the teeth marks, which were oozing bright red blood. After a moment, he sucked in a breath. “You know that turnabout is fair play, little wolf,” he said. The fae’s voice was practically a purr.
Crina rolled her eyes, but Jacque saw a gleam in them.Good grief.We are laughably weak when it comes to our mates.
