“Maybe.”He pictured his hand running across her cheek. A lovely blush stained her fair skin.
“Okay,” Peri glanced between the two of them. “I’m pretty sure, based on the look on both of your faces, that you two are no longer thinking about vampires, psychotic high fae, and battle plans.”
“Perhaps we should take our leave.” Humor filled Lucian’s voice.
Jacquelyn held Fane’s attention so completely that he didn’t care if Peri and his uncle left the room or not.
“That’s not okay.”Jacquelyn laughed.“I’m not into public displays of sexy time.”
“Then perhaps we should find somewhere to be alone.”He turned to her and pulled his mate closer.
She shook her head.“Nope. I need to meet with the girls, Thadrick, and Jezebel to discuss our meeting with Cain.”
Fane pressed his forehead to hers. He knew she was right. They needed to ensure they had a plan in place if things went sideways. The possibility that they were walking into a trap loomed ominous.
“Hey.” She pulled back and lifted his chin. “We’re going to be fine. You have treated me as your equal, and I appreciate that. I am the female alpha of this pack, Fane. I cannot stand in your shadow.”
“I know. I just wish we could have a time of peace. Like Peri said, we take out one enemy and there’s another right behind it.”
“That’s what it means to stand on the side of good. Your dad pointed that out so many times,” she reminded him. “We ask the Great Luna to give us strength, and we do the best we can.”
“What happens when our best isn’t good enough and innocent people continue to die?” Fane’s stomach twisted at the thought. He never wanted the vulnerable to be harmed because of their inaction or inability.
“We’re not perfect, Fane.” She reached up and cupped his face. “No matter what supernatural powers we have, we are notallpowerful. And if you constantly put the pressure of the entire safety of humanity on your shoulders, it will eventually crush you.” Jacquelyn leaned in and pressed her lips to his—the whisper of a kiss. “Don’t do that. Your father didn’t do that. Your mother didn’t do that. And we will endeavor to be the leaders they were because they were damn good at it.”
“When did you get so wise?” he asked playfully, his lips turning up.
“I was born this way, babe. You got lucky in the mate department.”
He laughed, but it died quickly as he looked at her and pulled her tighter against his body. “I am extremely blessed to have you as my true mate.”
“I’m equally blessed, Fane. I love you.”
“In this life and in the next.” He captured her lips with his own, pouring every ounce of his love into the kiss. “And by the way”—he pulled back, smiled, and let her feel the desire pooling in his blood—“you have an hour before your ambassador group will be ready to meet. That’s plenty of time forsexy time,as you like to call it.”
“Then by all means.” His Luna blushed. “Lead the way, my alpha.”
Chapter 8
“Let it be known that going into a dangerous situation without having a girl powwow is inadvisable. It is absolutely necessary for the sanity of all involved that we take the opportunity to get out some of the tension by roasting one another to the point of laughing hysterically. Or, at the very least, getting in some good sexual innuendos just in case we die. Priorities people. Get some. And yes, I mean that in a couple different ways.” ~Jen
“I thought you weren’t doing any more chapter headings.” ~Sally
“I decided it would be rude of me to keep my genius from the peeps.” ~Jen
“Not to mention you get to show them how humble you are.” ~Jacque
“Why am I friends with you haters? You people don’t deserve me.” ~Jen
Jen rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. “There’s a good chance we’re all going to die tonight. And for some reason, we are in here hanging out, dipping our cookies in milk, instead of with our men, dipping their—”
“Quick, Bethany, cram this in her mouth.” Jacque tossed an Oreo to Bethany, who then shoved the cookie straight into Jen’s open lips.
“Nice.” Sally held up both her hands. Jacque high-fived the right one, and Crina high-fived the left one. The girls, Thad, and Jezebel were gathered in Fane and Jacque’s room. The djinn and his mate were merely watching the girls, though Jacque noticed they looked a little unsure of what to do with themselves. They’d been offered cookies, to which they’d politely declined, earning them glares from the girls as if refusing to partake was sacrilegious.
“You had an hour with him. Wasn’t that long enough?” Zara asked.
“Have you seen my mate?” Jen issued a muted growl. “It’s never long enough. And I’m talking about the length of time we spend together, not the length of—”
