18

Fane was back in his human form as soon as he heard Jacquelyn’s pain-filled scream. He rushed to her side just as she lost consciousness. Taking in the bruises on her face and the teeth marks on her neck, he nearly lost his barely contained control. He reached for her body, pulling her up into his arms, and stood. He turned to look at his father who was still in his wolf form. “No matter Dr. Steele’s part in this, right now we need her. We need to know how to fix my Luna.”
Vasile gave a small snort and Fane took that to mean that his father would not take any action towards the doctor…yet.


As Fane, Decebel, and the five wolves approached the vehicle his gaze locked with Lilly’s. She rushed forward as tears ran down her cheeks, sinking to the ground as Fane lowered Jacquelyn’s body. He helped Lilly lay Jacquelyn’s head in her lap and then quickly took a pair of sweatpants his mother was handing out for each of the wolves to put on.
“Okay, girls. They are all decent,” Alina announced.
Jen and Sally came around from the other side of the vehicle and rushed to Jacquelyn’s side. Both girls were crying as they looked their friend over, making sure she was really alive and really here. It took everything in Fane to keep from taking her from Lilly and holding her close to him so he could assure himself and his wolf that she was safe.
Fane turned to his father as Vasile approached. “We need Dr. Steele awake.”
“I will force her to phase once we are back at the hotel. Then she can tell us what we need to do to make Jacque well.”
Fane watched as one of the wolves that had phased back and was now wearing a pair of sweats approached Lilly. Fane couldn’t help the low growl that came from his chest. Dillon Jacobs looked up at the sound of the growl. “She’s my daughter, too.”
“I understand that. Do not touch her while you check on her. I know that you want to make sure she is okay, but no male is to touch her.” Fane’s voice was lethal as he issued the order.
Dillon nodded in acknowledgment of Fane’s request as he knelt down next to Lilly.

Vasile gave everyone a few more minutes before he announced they needed to be getting back to the hotel.
“Dillon,” Vasile said, turning to face the other Alpha. “You may come back to the hotel but I would ask that your other wolves stay away. Fane will not be comfortable with other wolves around Jacque right now. As it is, he is on the verge of losing it.”
Dillon agreed to this and told him that he would meet them at the hotel after he dropped his wolves off.
Fane went over to Lilly and knelt down. “Can I take her, Lilly?”
Lilly watched as Fane shook with the need to be close to his mate. Lilly gently lifted Jacque’s head so Fane could slip his arm underneath it, and his other arm came under her knees as he stood up with her. He carried her to the SUV, not waiting for anyone else, and climbed in with her in his lap. He looked down at her face, brushing hair away from her once-pale cheek now marred with a bruise, and reached for her mind.
“ Meu inimă, can you hear me?” Fane continued to run his fingers across her cheek as he waited for her response.
“It hurts, Fane.” Jacquelyn’s voice was soft in his mind.
“We are going to make you better. Can you open your eyes for me, love?”
He watched as slowly her eyes began to flutter and then open. He sheltered her with his large body, not wanting anyone else to see she was awake, needing a few moments of her all to himself. He leaned forward and kissed her lips gently and whispered, “Don’t move right now, just let me look at you.”
“Someone would have to pry me from your arms, Fane,” she whispered back with a small smile, which quickly turned to a grimace as her body throbbed.
Fane’s heart clenched as he watched pain fill her eyes, hating that he could do nothing for her.
“Just rest, my love.”
Jacquelyn closed her eyes and Fane pulled her close to his body, sharing his heat with her.
Just as they had arrived at the woods in silence, their trip back to the hotel was just as quiet.


Alina laid a blanket over Cynthia Steele’s wolf form lying on one of the hotel beds. Vasile, Fane, and Lilly stood over her as they watched her begin to phase back to her human skin. Jen and Sally sat on the other bed next to Jacque’s supine form and Decebel leaned against the back wall, his arms folded over his chest, looking even more ominous if that were possible.
Cynthia blinked several times as her eyes opened. She didn’t know where she was, she just knew she was no longer in the woods, and she was alive.
“Cynthia Steele, we need your help,” she heard a voice say to her.
She began to sit up. Her arm and leg that had been broken healed during her phase but they remained stiff and still ached. She felt the warm fabric against her skin. Realizing it was a blanket that covered her very bare self, she clutched it to her as she sat up fully to look at the room full of faces staring holes into her. She began to recognize the faces and then everything that had happened came rushing in.
“Where is Jacque? Is she okay? Is Logan still alive?” Questions flowed from her mouth like water from a faucet as her eyes darted from person to person.
It was Fane who answered her. “Jacque is alive but in severe pain. Please tell me how to heal her.”
“She needs blood,” Cynthia told him.
“She has already had blood.” Fane’s voice was deadly. “Logan forced his blood on her, she is not better.”
“Not just anyone’s blood, Fane. She needs your blood, the blood of her mate.”
Fane stepped towards the bed as hope began to inch its way into his heart.
“You’re sure?” he asked.
“Scientifically, no, I’m not. But Fane, we are werewolves, science cannot explain us. In my gut I know it is your blood she needs. I don’t think one bite will do it since she has gone so long and her body has slowly been attacking itself. She will probably have to bite you several times over the period of a few days.”
Fane turned to his mother. “Get her some clothes, please.”
Alina brought Cynthia some sweatpants and a shirt and all the males stepped out of the room. Lilly and Alina helped Cynthia dress. Although her broken bones had mended when she phased, her body was still very stiff and sore. Nobody spoke as Cynthia dressed. Alina opened the doors and let the wolves back in. Fane walked over to Jacquelyn’s side and stared down at her in silence. Everybody in the room waited, watching to see what he would do. Fane made a decision.
“Everyone, please leave,” he requested without ever taking his eyes off of his mate. “She wouldn’t want anyone to watch this.”
Without a word, the room emptied and as soon as Fane heard the click of the door he sat down next to Jacquelyn on the bed.
“Luna, can you wake for me?”
Jacquelyn turned her head in the direction of Fane’s voice. Her eyes opened. “Am I really here? Are you really with me?”
“Yes and yes,” he answered as he lay on his side next to her.
She reached her hand to touch his face but pulled back in pain. Fane gently caressed her face as he turned her face to look at him.
“Dr. Steele says you need my blood, that you will have to bite me several times in order to fully heal.” Fane paused before he continued. “Do you think you can handle biting me or would it be too much since you were forced before?” His voice got softer and softer as he spoke, his eye lids shadowed his eyes and his lips were held in a tight line.
“Fane, I didn’t bite Logan. He bit himself and poured his blood into my mouth. Biting you will be weird but not because of Logan.” Her mouth turned upwards as she tried to reassure him but she must not have succeeded because he still looked stricken.
“Fane, tell me what to do. Unless,” she said, looking away from him as her voice quivered, “unless you don’t want me to bite you.”
Fane growled. “Why would I not want my mate to bite me, to take my blood?”
Jacque shivered at the anger she heard in his voice. “Because I’ve had his blood, because he tainted me,” she sobbed out.
Fane began to wrap his arms around her but as his hands touched her back she cried out in pain.
Fanes eyebrows rose as he jerked his arms away. “What is it? Where are you hurt, love?”
Jacquelyn’s eyes fell as her lips trembled. “He clawed my back when he saw my markings,” she whispered.
Fane gently tugged her forward so that she was lying on her stomach. He began to raise the hem of her shirt. “I will be gentle,” he told her, his voice tight and strained. As he continued to pull her shirt up, revealing more and more of her skin, he finally saw the angry red slashes that marred her beautiful body. They sliced from her neck to below her bra. Fane couldn’t stop the low growl that rumbled in his chest at the sight of his beautiful mate’s precious skin so angrily torn.
“His death was too merciful for the pain he caused you.” His voice trembled, exposing the depth of his hurt for her. Fane leaned forward and gently kissed her injured back and neck. Pulling back and lowering her, shirt he helped her lay back on her side.
“I want you to take my blood. I am your mate. You will take my blood so you can get better and then you will take it so we can complete the Blood Rites.”
Fane tilted his head back, bearing his neck to Jacque. “Your instincts should help you out, love. Just close your eyes and bite.”
Jacque looked at Fane’s neck, his beautiful smooth skin and the markings that ran across it. She couldn’t believe she was going to do this, but she was in so much pain that she no longer cared. She did as Fane told her and closed her eyes. She scooted closer to him, leaning forward and gently touching her lips to Fane’s neck. She kissed him once before parting her lips and pressing her mouth down. As her teeth began to apply pressure to his skin, to her surprise, she felt her incisors lengthen and then she was able to pierce his skin with almost no resistance.
She squeezed her eyes tight as the taste of Fane’s blood hit her tongue. Instead of thr metallic taste she had been expecting there was almost a spicy quality to Fane’s blood. She felt him pull her tighter against him and she tightened her mouth as she continued to swallow his blood. It should have grossed and freaked her out, but instead it felt right.


Fane closed his eyes as he felt Jacquelyn’s mouth on his neck. His body stiffened briefly as he felt her teeth sink into his flesh. He couldn’t describe the feelings stirring inside at the pull of her mouth if he wanted to do. It was something so private and special between mates. He let her continue to take in his blood for several minutes. When he thought she had gotten enough for this time he reached into her mind. The thoughts he found there gave him pause before he finally spoke to her.
“Love, it is enough for now. You may stop.”
Jacque slowly pulled her mouth away from Fane’s neck. She blinked several times as Fane’s face slowly came into focus. His breath caught as he saw Jacquelyn’s teeth. He lifted her upper lip to look at the incisors that had lengthened. “Interesting,” he muttered. As he pulled his hand away he watched them retract.
“That was,” Jacque paused as she swallowed and caught her breath, “intense.”
Fane grinned at her, rubbing his hands up and down her back. “That’s putting it mildly, Luna.”
She looked into his eyes, enjoying being so close to him, once again being able to touch him, smell him, and taste him. “Will it always be like that?”
Fane cocked his head to the side at her. “I don’t know, but you are welcome to find out anytime you want.” He grinned and was encouraged to see a little smile on her lips.
“How are you feeling? Any better yet?”
“The pain has actually dulled quite a bit. It’s still there but it’s not keeping me from breathing.”
“Do you think you can move?” he asked her gently.
“As long as you aren’t asking me to run through the woods from a crazed wolf,” she teased. Fane didn’t find it funny as he growled at her.
“I’m ready to take you home, to Romania. I want to be bonded to you, Jacquelyn. I want to complete the Blood Rites. If you are up to it, we were going to fly out tonight.”
“What about my mom? Jen and Sally?”
“They are coming with us. My mother and your mother somehow convinced their parents. Do you think you can travel, Luna?” Fane was really hoping she would say yes. He wanted out of this country. It seemed like only bad things happened to Jacquelyn here. He wanted her home with him, where she belonged.
“I’m ready to be bonded to you, too. Let’s do this.” Jacque winked at him and he felt that wink all the way to his soul.
Fane stood up and began to go towards the door.”Wait, where are you going?” Jacque asked him. He turned to look at her face and saw panic in her eyes. He realized then that his brave, sarcastic, fierce Luna had not walked away from this unscathed.
“I’m just going to let everyone back in to tell them we are going.” He sat back down on the bed next to her and took her hand. “What is it, Jacquelyn?”
She hesitated but then looked him in the eyes with her chin held up. “I hate to be weak and to feel helpless, and I refuse to always be this needy, but right now the idea of you where I can’t see you terrifies me. If that makes me pathetic then so be it.” Fane could tell it took so much of her to admit her fear to him.
“None of what you just told me could ever make you pathetic and if you think that then you are going to think I’m completely psycho, because I’m never letting you out of my sight again, nor will another male ever be close enough to touch you.”
Jacque couldn’t stop the small laugh that escaped her lips.
“Why do you find this funny?” Fane asked, truly confused by her response.
“You can’t very well keep every male away from me forever.”
“Yes I can. I am the next Alpha in line. I’m the prince of the Romanian Grey wolves. If I say they are to stay fifty feet away from you at all times then that is what they will do.”
Mischief glimmered in Jacquelyn’s eyes. “Fifty feet? Are you sure that’s enough? Maybe you should make it, I don’t know, several hundred feet. That may be more reasonable.”
“Are you making fun of me, Luna?” Fane asked with a low growl.
“Why yes, Fane, I am. However could you tell?”
Fane glowered at her as she smiled innocently, then surprised her by kissing her on the nose. “I’m glad to see that you haven’t lost your sense of humor.”
“Wolf-man, if you keep making outrageous statements like that then my sense of humor will only improve because I will have you to make fun of.”
Fane stood and walked again towards the motel room door and as he pulled it open he said, loud enough for everyone to hear, “So glad I could be of service to you, Jacquelyn.”
Jacque turned bright red as everyone filed in, their eyes darting between the two.
“Is that what they’re calling it these days?” Jen asked. She looked at Sally. “That’s what I’ve been doing wrong. I haven’t been saying I wanted to be serviced.”
Every male in the room coughed to cover up laughs as Sally swatted Jen’s arm.
“I’m just saying, you learn something new every day,” she said, winking at Jacque.
Fane shook his head, a smile on his face simply because his Luna was smiling.
Vasile was the first to recompose himself as he looked at Jacque. “How are you feeling?”
“A little better. I was telling Fane the pain is bearable.”
“So you think you can travel? It’s a long flight to Romania,” Vasile told her.
“Yeah, I’m good. I’m ready to get off this continent. I’m convinced it has something against me.”
Fane looked at Cynthia, who stood off to the side looking like she wanted to crawl in a hole. “Do you think it is okay for her to travel?”
Cynthia looked at Jacque and then at Fane. “If she says she feels up to it then, yes. If she begins to hurt badly again you will just need to give her more of your blood.”
Jacque blushed as Fane looked at her with a wicked grin.
Jen looked between the two and then at Sally. “Do you see that fine wolf grinning wickedly at our best friend?”
Sally looked apprehensively at Jen. “Yes,” she answered cautiously.
“I thought I told you I wanted one. Where is he?” Jen asked dryly.
“And I thought I asked if you wanted fries or tots with that and you said you preferred whipped cream. Much as it pains me to tell you this,” Sally took Jen by the shoulders and looked into her eyes in all seriousness, “and you might want to brace yourself, apparently wolves don’t do whipped cream. They all said it makes their hair sticky.”
Jen grinned at Sally as the entire room erupted into laughter, holding out her fist for her to bump. “Niiiiiice.”
Vasile turned to Fane still grinning, obviously enjoying the lightheartedness after so many days of worry and fear. “Get them ready to go, Sorin has the plane waiting.”
Fane nodded, still smiling. “As you say, Alpha.”


***

Jen and Sally boarded the private plane Vasile had charted. Jen whistled while Sally’s jaw dropped open at the sight of such luxury.
“Sally, I take it back. I don’t just want a wolf and whipped cream. I want a rich wolf with whipped cream.
“Ok, let me just write that down for you since you seem to think I’m your personal assistant,” Sally responded, her tone clipped.
“You ever noticed how assistant starts with ass? Do you think that’s a coincidence?” Jen shrugged her shoulders as she raised her eyebrows at Sally.

“Oh, how I’ve missed my two snarky best friends,” Jacque quipped as she boarded the plane, closely followed by Fane.
Jacque had begun to follow Jen and Sally when she felt Fane tug her hand. She turned back to look at him.
“Let me check the plane before you and your friends go exploring.” He gave her hand a quick squeeze and then walked towards the back of the plane. Jacque noticed that there was a small hall that was blocked off from the front of the plane.
“This thing is huge. Where do you think that goes?” Sally asked pointing in the direction Fane had disappeared down.
“I don’t know, but I intend to find out,” Jacque said to her friends with a wink.
The three girls sat down on a plush seat that ran the length of one side of the plane. On the opposite side of the plane were bucket style seats, two to a row. Each set of two faced opposite another and there was a small table in between each set. Jacque counted three sets. To the right of her on the wall that separated the back of the plane from them was a large flat screen television and below that was a bar with various drinks in the glass case.
Fane came and stood next to Jacque, apparently finished with his inspection. Jacque, Jen, and Sally watched as the others began to board the plane. Alina and Lilly took one set of the bucket seats while Sorin and Vasile sat across from them. Jacque had to pinch Sally when she started laughing because Boain had attempted to sit on the bench seat next to Jen, and Decebel snarled something in Romanian at the poor wolf, causing him to pale and jump up so fast it looked like he had been stabbed in the butt with a hot poker. Jen acted as if she didn’t notice.
Cynthia sat next to Skender across from the now trembling Boain and the frowning Decebel. Fane reached down and grabbed Jacque’s hand, tugging at her as he indicated the bucket seats for them to sit in. Jacque stood up, motioned to Jen and Sally to join them in the seats across from each other.
With everyone safely buckled in, the plane began its journey down the runway, picking up speed until finally Jacque felt her stomach drop as the plane’s wheels left the ground. As the plane rose higher into the sky Jacque felt like she was finally getting away from the nightmare that she had been living this past month. That is until the pain ripped through her again.
She leaned forward in her seat, arms wrapped around her middle as she laid her head on the table in front of her. She heard startled voices but could not make them out. Not with the sound of blood rushing in her ears as she tried not to scream out. She thought that since she had taken Fane’s blood that she was better, but Cynthia was right when she said it would take more than one time. She felt someone undo her seat belt and then strong arms were around her lifting her. She curled her body into the strength that she knew had to be Fane.
Jacque didn’t open her eyes until she felt him laying her down on a soft surface. She didn’t bother looking around, the only thing she wanted to see were Fane’s eyes. She watched him as he stretched out beside her never taking his eyes from hers.
“You need more blood, Luna,” he told her gently.
Jacque watched as he unbuttoned the first three buttons on his black shirt and pushed the collar back to expose his throat. As the pain continued to course through her body she barely registered that her canines had lengthened the moment Fane bared his throat to her.
Fane gently wrapped his hand around the nape of her neck and guided her mouth to his skin. This time Jacque didn’t hesitate. As soon as her teeth met his flesh she pierced it without a thought. Once again Fane’s spicy essence poured into her as she closed her eyes and welcomed his healing blood.

Fane pulled Jacquelyn close, sheltering her with his body as she took what he offered.
He whispered in her ear using his native language, telling her how much she meant to him and how he could never imagine a life without her. And when he told her he loved her he felt her body tremble in his arms. She pulled back this time on her own and Fane saw the tear tracks down her cheeks.
“Why do you cry, love?” he asked her gently.
“I knew you would come for me, but I didn’t know if I would be the same person when you found me.”
Fane watched as she moved forward and he felt her tongue run across where she had just bitten him. As she pulled back he saw that her cheeks were tinged a soft red and as he ran his fingertips across her face he felt the heat on her skin.
“Sorry, there was, um, some blood.” She let her words trail off.
Fane chuckled as he wiped away the evidence of her tears. “You don’t have to be embarrassed, Luna. You can run your tongue across my neck anytime. I assure you I will never object.” He laughed as she swatted at him, but was glad he had gotten a smile out of her.
“How are you feeling now? Has the pain lessened?” he asked in a much more serious tone.
Jacque took a deep breath and let it out slow. She closed her eyes, concentrating on her body. She could still feel a dull ache but it was even better than after the first time he had given her his blood.
“I feel much better,” she told him honestly. Her brow furrowed when she asked, “Fane, will this affect the Blood Rites since I’ve taken your blood?”
“No, Luna. Because I have not taken your blood, the Rites are not complete yet.”
Jacque nodded her understanding. She rolled onto her back and for the first time looked around at her surroundings. She realized they were in a small but luxurious room. There was soft overhead lighting along the edge of the room. They were lying on a queen sized bed that almost completely filled the space.
“Is this the back of the plane?” she asked him.
Fane nodded. “This is the only cabin on the plane. I came back here when we first boarded to make sure it was ready should I need to give you blood again.”
Jacque’s face once again took on the rosy red coloring. “I suppose they,” she indicated with a nod in the direction of the front of the plane, “all know why we came back here.”
“Well, I’m sure they are assuming it’s because you needed my blood, but we could give them a reason to believe it was for something else,” Fane teased as he started tickling her and she couldn’t hold back the soft laughter that came pouring out of her.


Jen and Sally sat tensely in their seats as the wondered if Jacque was okay. She had been so pale when Fane had carried her off. Alina kept trying to reassure them that Fane would take care of her. Still, they couldn’t help worrying. About the time the plane hit cruising altitude they all heard a gentle giggling from the direction Fane had carried Jacque. Jen rolled her eyes as she unclipped her seatbelt.
“Oh, for crying out loud,” she said as she stood up. “If Jacque gets to get her freak on at 80,000 feet, I’m at least going to get my game on.” She turned to look at the other wolves. “Skender, Sorin, Boain,” but was interrupted before she could finish.
Decebel stood up, nearly ripping the seatbelt before he remembered to unbuckle it. “Jennifer,” his voice was deathly soft, “what the bloody hell do you mean to get your game on with three of my pack mates?”
Jen had to slap Sally on the back as she started coughing at Decebel’s words.
“Well, when you put it like that it does sound pretty bad. But those were your words, Sparky, not mine.” She turned to Alina, ignoring the daggers that Decebel was glaring at her. “Do you have a deck of cards on this ride?”
Alina’s eyes crinkled as she smiled. “I bet we could find some.” She unbuckled her seat belt and started going through various compartments that didn’t look like compartments until she started hitting buttons that made them open. Finally, after a few moments Alina held up a deck of cards triumphantly. “We’re in business,” she said, smiling at Jen.
Jen took the deck as she looked at Sally. “You in?”
“Always.”
“Okay, boys. Let’s see what you got,” Jen taunted as she sat down on the bench seat across from the others.
The three wolves looked tentatively at Decebel.
“Oh, for crying out loud, Dec. Tell them you won’t beat them if they play cards with the two humans.” Jen glared at him.
Decebel had not taken his eyes off of Jen since she had declared she wanted to get her game on. Finally he relented and turned to his pack mates, who all cringed under his scrutiny.
“No touching,” he said,as he sat back rigidly, angled so he could watch every move of the game.
The three wolves joined Jen and Sally. Uncertain of where to sit they all sat right on the floor in front of the bench seat Jen and Sally occupied.
“So are we playing hold ‘em?” Skender asked Jen.
Sally snorted as Jen continued to deal the cards. “Hold ‘em’s for sissies,” Jen teased with a wink. “We’re playing something a little less civilized.”
“What would that be…exactly?” Sorin asked his eyebrows raised and his lips slightly down cast.
“Strip poker, of course,” Jen said innocently while all three wolves coughed into their hands. “But remember,” she added with a wicked look directed at the brooding wolf sitting behind the other wolves, “no touching.”
The low sound that rumbled from Decebel’s chest had the other wolves cringing. “Jennifer,” Decebel growled in warning.
“Fine. Strip poker is out, go fish is in.” Jen glared at Decebel. “Who invited you to this party, anyways? Can’t your invitation be revoked?”
“That only works with vampires, Jennifer.” His eyes narrowed.
“Well, it would be a little more convenient if some things were universal in the supernatural world,” she snapped.
“Some things are universal. For instance, there isn’t a being in existence that couldn’t possibly want to take a bite out of your mouthy hide.” Decebel winked at her as she sat in mid-shuffle, her mouth dropped open. Sally reached over and pushed Jen’s chin up, effectively snapping her mouth closed.
“Jen, how ‘bout I just take over the shuffling, k?” Sally cautiously took the deck of cards from her while Jen continued to glare at Decebel.


Fane lay next to a sleeping Jacquelyn as the quiet hum of the plane engine hummed like a lullaby and noticed how much she seemed to have improved after taking his blood twice. The bruise on her cheek had faded to the soft green color they get just before they disappear. He hadn’t looked at her back again to see if the claw marks had begun to heal. Fane didn’t know if she would have scars or not since she was only half Canis Lupis.
She looked beautiful lying next to him. He gently picked up a lock of her hair and brought it to his face. The soft strands against his skin were like silk and the scent he breathed in from them was like little piece of heaven to him. He couldn’t begin to express his thankfulness and joy at having her back with him.
The plane gave a jerk as it ran into turbulence, the disturbance causing Jacquelyn to stir. Fane watched as her eyes fluttered open and then collided with his own. His breath was drawn from his lungs at the softness and love that he saw reflected in Jacquelyn’s beautiful emerald eyes. He saw her eyebrows draw together as a questioned formed on her pink lips.
“Why did your parents only have one child?” she asked him.
Fane took a deep breath as he thought about her question. “They tried to have more but my mother kept losing the pregnancies.”
“Oh, Fane, I’m sorry. That must have been hard for her.” Jacquelyn took his hand and brought it to her lips as she gently kissed his palm.
“You should know, just in case in the future you want to try, it is difficult for our kind to conceive. We don’t know why, but it’s not common for mates to have more than one or two children.”
“Maybe Cynthia could help,” she told him as her eyes brightened.
Fane smiled at her forever optimism, but then his eyes narrowed. “Cynthia has a lot to answer for.”
“Oh, Fane.” Fane watched as Jacquelyn’s face softened. “I know what she did was wrong but I understand that she was hurt and angry. She got me out of there and she could have died fighting Logan so that I could get away. Please don’t hurt her.”
He tilted her chin up so he could look into her eyes. “You really forgive her, even after all you endured?”
Jacquelyn nodded as she searched his face.”I forgive her,” she said simply.
Fane closed his eyes briefly and pressed his lips gently to hers. “I will discuss it with my father.”
He watched her lips turn up and her eyes lighten. “Thank you, wolf-man.”
He inclined his head to her, never taking his eyes from hers.
“Jacquelyn, how did things go with your father? I didn’t listen in on your conversation with him when you parted ways.” Fane’s eyes softened and his mouth turned up in a reassuring smile.
“It was okay. He really felt like he needed to get home and talk to his mate about everything. Apparently she doesn’t know a thing about me. I’m glad I got to meet him. I’m glad that I know he cares about me but he isn’t who I need right now. The time for me to have a father has passed, Fane, and Dillon understands that. He is happy for us and that means a lot to me, but it’s my mate that I need now.”
Fane leaned forward and kissed her forehead gently as her words seeped into his heart.
“Can I ask you a question?” she asked when he pulled back.
“I could deny you nothing, Luna. Perhaps you will allow me to look at the marks on your back to see if they are healing as quickly as the bruise on your face while you satisfy your curiosity,” he bartered.
She rolled onto her stomach and let him pull her shirt up so he could examine her skin.
“Do you ever wonder if the Canis Lupis want a king or Alpha? Do you think that they have ever wanted to be, like, a democracy?”
Fane chuckled as he ran his fingers lightly across the claw marks that were now red slashes, the skin already closed.
“Where did this question come from?” he asked as he pulled her shirt back down.
She rolled back onto her side, her eyes down cast sheepishly. “I’m just really scared that your pack isn’t going to want me as their female Alpha. What if they would rather be a democracy than have a half-breed as a leader?”
“There are flaws in your logic, my love.” Fane relaxed on his back, his arms folded behind his head. “First, Canis Lupis, like our cousins the natural wolves, thrive under the leadership of an Alpha. Because of our violent and dominating nature we need the leadership and direction of one that is stronger and more in control than each of us. Without an Alpha there would be chaos and anarchy. We aren’t human, Jacquelyn, not even you. We would not survive if we tried to live as humans do. The pack will respect you and follow your leadership. You are strong and that is what they look for in a leader. This also explains why a democracy wouldn’t work, why Canis Lupis could not elect a leader. Wolves only follow the strong. The leader has to prove he can lead. His strength cannot be based on others’ opinions. He has to be able to demonstrate that he is the most dominant and most capable to care for the pack. The female Alpha, by nature’s design, comes into this position naturally because she is mated to the Alpha. You were chosen by fate to be my Luna and because of that it proves you are strong enough to lead, strong enough to take control when others would try to bring disarray into the pack.”

Jacque was quiet for a few minutes after Fane had finished talking. She thought about what she had gone through since meeting Fane and wondered if it was fate’s way of showing her that she was indeed strong enough to lead, to take control. After all, she had survived two psychotic Alphas and although she hadn’t walked away unscathed, she remained whole. She was still Fane’s mate, she was still strong. She looked down at Fane who was patiently waiting for her response. His eyes softened as they met hers and she couldn’t help but let her eyes wander on his beautiful face. They traced over the markings that flowed across his neck and disappeared under his shirt and then met his eyes once again.
“I can do this. I’m not saying that I’m not scared, but I got this. As long as you are by my side, wolf-man, I’m game.”
Jacque curled up next to Fane, content to be in his arms and continued to think about her future, about their future. She wasn’t going to worry, she was going to trust Fane and herself and she would give it her all and be the best mate and Alpha female when her time came.
“You will be amazing, Luna, never doubt that.” She heard Fane’s voice and the love he poured into his words in her mind.
“I wouldn’t dare,” she replied confidently. His response was a gentle squeeze and low chuckle under his breath.