Jen’s breath came out in pants, and her heart pounded painfully in her chest. If she’d been fully human and her body weaker, she might have been worried that she’d have a heart attack or a stroke in her uncontrolled state. “How dare he?” She seethed. “After all this time, he still thinks it’s okay to givemeorders? As if I am some less-dominant wolf that will simply submit?”
“He’s just worried, Jen,” Sally said gently. “You know he doesn’t mean to make you feel beneath him.”
She laughed humorlessly. “Well, he sucks at it. I not only feel beneath him, but I feel like a damn damsel in distress that needs to hide behind her man while he fights my battles for me.”
“This isn’t justyourbattle,” Jacque pointed out. “It’s all of ours. And our mates are terrified we won’t win this one.”
Jen gasped. “Why? We haven’t failed yet.”
Sally tilted her head and pursed her lips. “Umm, that’s not entirely true.”
“Low blow, Sal,” Jen bit out. She knew Sally was talking about the battle at the Deep Keep, and it was a dagger in her heart to be reminded of Vasile and Alina.
She shrugged. “The truth hurts, Jen. But facts are facts.”
Jen put her hands on her waist and tapped her foot while she stared down her friends. “Are you telling me that you’re okay with your mates telling—no—commandingyou to stay behind?”
Sally pointed to her stomach. “I can’t really argue. I understand why Costin wants me well out of harm’s way. Not to mention, what if we don’t stay and something happens here?”
“The sprites are powerful, and the fae, elves,anddjinn will leave warriors here to protect this place,” Jen said.
“But they are not the mothers of our children.” Sally’s voice was gentle as if she knew she needed to be careful with the wild animal in front of her.
Jacque’s lips turned up in a wicked smile. “Jen, you’ve known me for a very long time. Do you honestly think I’m going to let Fane go after Alston without me? Though I do agree with Sally. And I think there are some females”—she glanced at Sally meaningfully—“that do need to say here.”
Jen blew out a breath, and her claws receded from her fingers. “I don’t know. You’re the alpha female now. I figure you have to be all responsible and crap. Set the example and whatever. Blah, blah, blah.”
“Probably. But…” Jacque drew the word out for several moments. “I enjoy being a rebel. Makes me feel all badass.”
Jen smiled despite her anger. “Good to know I’m not the only one reverting to my seventeen-year-old self.”
“We can’t be reasonable all the time,” Jacque offered. “That would make it too easy on our men. We have to keep them on their toes. It keeps things from getting mundane.”
Jen looked at Sally. “What about you?” She pointed at her friend’s stomach. “You mentioned that you understand Costin’s concern, and I agree with him. But you know I’d also have your back if you want to be a rebel.”
Sally tapped her chin for a moment. “I haven’t decided. Part of me feels like I would be a terrible mom to go headlong into danger while pregnant. Another part of me wants to shrug and remind myself that if Costin goes, then I’m in danger anyway. You know, the whole ‘he dies, I die’ thing.”
Jen threw her hands in the air. “That’s what I said.”
“How did Decebel respond?” Jacque asked.
“He said there were worse things than dying.”
Sally leaned against the wall beside the door and folded her arms across her body. “He’s not wrong.”
“Nobody asked you, preggo,” Jen muttered.
Jacque motioned toward the door. “We’ve got time to be pissed about it. Fane’s leading a hunt to scout Alston’s new compound before planning our next move. He doesn’t want to go in blind. In the meantime, why don’t we go eat? You’re less grouchy when you have a full belly.”
Jen huffed. “Nothing is going to make me less grouchy.”
“Regardless, you can’t beat the crap out of your mate if you don’t keep up your strength.”
“That is a much better argument.” Jen strode toward them as Sally opened the door.
“Where’s your hellion?” Jacque asked.
“Decebel took her to Rachel this morning before I woke up.” Jen rolled her eyes. “And I foolishly thought it was so we could have some momma-daddy time. But nope. It was so he could lay down the law.”
