14

Victor, Alpha of the Bulgaria pack, stood at the front of the room. Raising his voice so everyone could hear, he announced, "If everyone would please take their seats so we can get started. The quicker we get the business over with the sooner we eat."
A group of males at a table to his left all beat on the table and gave loud whoops at the mention of food.
Victor motioned for them to quiet down and waited a few more moments to allow everyone to get seated.
Jen went to reach for her chair at the table that had a sign in the center with elegant script that said Romanian Grey Wolves Pack. Before she could pull it, another hand reached past her and quickly slid the chair out.
"Allow me."
Jen turned abruptly, caught off guard by Damion's sudden appearance.
"I'm sorry, Jen. I did not mean to start you."
Jen couldn't help the grin. "You mean startle me."
"Oh. Um, yes. Startle you," Damion repeated. He backed up just a step and, without shame, looked her up and down.
Well, Jen thought, let's not be shy then. She knew what he saw. The black top she picked out was off the shoulder on one side, so one arm and half her back were left completely bare. It was encrusted with crystal rhinestones, which began at the top and continued on down, growing sparser as they went. The other arm was sleeved and came to her hand at a point and had a loophole for her middle finger to slip in. Her hair was up in a twist, beset by crystal rhinestone dangly earrings. She wore her, and her best friends', signature low-rise Lucky Brand jeans and there was a hint of flesh revealed when she moved. Black, high heel boots completed her ensemble.
"You look stunning," he told her as he took her by the hand and lifted it to turn her in a circle. "Let me get the whole effect."
Jen couldn't stop the blush that she knew was rising clear from her bare shoulder to the tips of her ears. When she was facing him again Damion grinned, and it was one of those easygoing grins that you can't help but smile back at. So, she did.
Then, as if just remembering what he was doing, he motioned to her chair. "Please, have a seat. I just wanted to come by and make sure you were okay after this afternoon's -" he paused, and Jen beat him to it.
"Disaster?" she offered.
"Exactly. Your Beta was very upset."
Jen snorted. "Understatement. I'm fine. No matter his temper, B would never hurt me."
"B?"
"Yeah. It's not for what you might think, although I am tempted at times. B for Beta," Jen told him with a wink.
Damion grinned and pushed her chair in as she sat down. He leaned over her shoulder, too close for her comfort. "Save me a dance tonight, won't you?"
Jen was so tense at his nearness that she finally just nodded to get him to move back. He straightened up and walked away just as Decebel arrived.
"What did he want?" he asked Jen, then looked at her for the first time. His eyes glowed immediately. Score one for the little man, Jen thought. Decebel recovered quickly. "What are you wearing?"
"Let's deal with both of these absurd questions one at a time, fur ball, because they each deserve equal amounts of grief. First, Damion asked me to marry him and have his babies. Lots and lots of babies," Jen told him with a completely straight face.
Sally nearly choked on the gum she'd been chewing and Costin, who was standing next to Decebel, began to cough.
Decebel growled.
"I'm considering it," Jen addressed Sally. "I mean, what do you think, Sal? It's not like I've had any other offers and who knows if I will ever find my true mate. Gosh, if I can even have a true mate, that is."
Sally was trying desperately to keep a straight face. "Well, you don't want to rush these things, Jen. After all, you are only eighteen."
Jen tapped her chin as if to really think about it. "That is true. But if I hook up with Damion now, just think of all the little flea catchers we could make together. Think about how some would have my blonde hair and his – OWWWW!" Jen yelled.
Her head snapped around to look at who had pinched her. To her utter surprise it was Alina, and there was a gleam in her eyes Jen had never seen.
"Jen, tone it down just a little, okay?" Jen knew this was her Luna speaking, not Fane's mother. It was her first glimpse at Alina really putting her foot down.
Jen nodded and turned to look at Decebel. The smug look on his face erased all chance of toning it down. "And second, I'm wearing what was hung in my closet. Which was bought and paid for by this pack, and I look awesome. So, unless the words that are fixing to come out of your mouth are, Jen, you look awesome, or Daaang girl, you are hot – I would even accept, I like your shirt, Jen – unless it's along those lines, I strongly suggest you just keep that muzzle of yours closed."
She turned back towards the table, looking anywhere but at Decebel, who had taken a seat next to her. She could feel the anger pulsing from him; it was nearly tangible. She wondered if anyone else was picking up his vibes as strongly. Whatever, she thought, I'm done dealing with him for today. Jen decided right then that she was going to have fun tonight, and that was that.
Jen maneuvered to look at the front of the room along with everyone else, when a tall, lean man began to speak.
"On behalf of the other Alphas who helped arrange this historic meeting, I want to say thank you to everyone for coming. My name is Victor. I am Alpha to the Bulgaria Pack. My mate is Adrianna." He indicated a tall slender woman who stood briefly from her seat and gave a small wave.
"As your Alphas have told you, the purpose of this Gathering is to allow unmated Canis lupus the opportunity to meet others whom they otherwise might have never met. Let's face it, the odds are stacked against us when it comes to finding our true mates. Some have been looking for centuries, to no avail. It is our sincerest hope that many of you will indeed find your true mates among those here." Victor paused as another man walked up to the front. "I want to introduce you to Thad. He is the Alpha to the Serbia Pack, and the mastermind behind The Gathering."
Thad thanked Victor and turned to address the room.
"We understand that we took a risk in bringing so many unmated males and putting them in such a confined area with females. Rest assured we have taken measures to protect everyone and those who do fight will request a proper challenge. The challenges made will not be to the death, but to submission. We did not come here to lose pack members. Make no mistake, there will be severe consequences for those who do not control themselves and their wolf." Thad looked over to Victor's mate and motioned for her to join him. "Now I will turn it over to our event coordinator, Adrianna."
The tall she-wolf made her way to the front and Jen noticed how graceful she was as she walked, so feminine. She was very pretty with long, dark chocolate hair, thin lips, and big brown eyes.
Jen realized she was able to see Adrianna way too well for the distance at which she was sitting. This is getting weirder and weirder, she thought. Going to have to have another chat with Cynthia.
"Tonight, will be one of three nights that we meet as a complete group. On the other nights, each pack will have its own meal in a designated location. If you are so blessed and meet your true mate and want to have a dinner alone, you may request one via the drop box at the entrance to this room. Simply write your request, the time you wish to eat, and where. It will be arranged.
Now, your Alphas have each been given an itinerary with your specific schedule on it. Please follow the schedule. We have arranged it so that every female and male will have a chance to meet in one of the group settings. If this seems a little too planned for you, I will tell you there is a method to our madness. You see, an idle, unmated male werewolf is a potential problem. So, we have attempted to avoid the problem altogether by ensuring there is something for you all to do at all times. If you are not having a group activity then you will be with your pack.
Tonight's festivities are simple – we will dine together as one big family. Then the room will be cleared for dancing and mingling.
Those are all the announcements for now, so without further ado, dinner is served." As she announced dinner, women and men carrying trays of food were suddenly bustling about the room, setting down dishes and drinks on tables.
Jen looked over at Sally. "I'm having serious Hogwarts Deja vu."
"I'm so with you."
The room settled down into quiet murmurs as people began filling their plates with food. As Jen reached for the salad bowl at the same time Decebel did, their hands touched. Jen jerked hers away so fast that she dropped the bowl. Thanks to werewolf reflexes, Decebel caught it before it spilled all over the table. Jen never even looked his direction. She was angry. So angry, in fact, that she didn't understand why she was sitting next to him.
She looked at Sally and waited until she caught her eye. Then she motioned between them with a small hand movement. Sally knew Jen very well and understood instantly what she wanted.
Sally nodded “okay,” because she also knew that Jen was a major hothead. She might do something she would regret if she continued to sit next to Decebel while obviously angry with him.
Jen stood up and grabbed her plate. Decebel started to say something, but Alina once again stepped in. She placed a hand on Decebel, drawing his attention, and simply shook her head. Decebel growled but let Jen pass without engaging her.
Sally stood as well and walked around, swapping chairs with Jen.
"So, how does everyone like their rooms?" Jacque asked, trying to smooth over the tense moment.
"Our room's great. Isn't it, Mariana?" Crina piped in.
Mariana nodded and swallowed the bite she had just taken before she answered, "Oh, definitely great."
"Excellent," Jacque said awkwardly.

The rest of the meal was carried out in near silence with only minute amounts of small talk here and there. When the plates were cleared from the tables, they were all directed to stand on the edges of the room while most of the tables were folded up and removed with most of the chairs.
Jacque grabbed Fane's hand and looked at Jen and Sally. "I've got to run over and say hi to Dillon and meet his mate."
"You want us to come?" Jen asked.
Jacque shook her head. "No, I got this." This was something she needed to do on her own…well, on her own with Fane.
She found them in the same corner they had occupied earlier, standing and watching just as the Romanian pack had been.
"Hey, Jacque." Dillon's face brightened as he pulled her into an awkward hug.
"Hi, um, Dad," Jacque fumbled.
Jacque's hand tightened on Fane's as Dillon pulled his mate over to his side.
"Easy, love. You don’t have to be besties," Fane soothed through their bond.
"Did you just say besties?" she asked incredulously.
"Luna, I'm surrounded by three teenage girls. What do you really expect?"
"Huh, guess I shouldn't be surprised." She shrugged inwardly.
Fane chuckled.
Jacque brought her attention back to her father and his mate when Dillon introduced Tanya.
"Jacque, this is Tanya Jacobs, my mate and Luna of our pack."
Jacque smiled with what she hoped was a friendly smile. "It's nice to meet you, Tanya."
Tanya's smile was warm and genuine. "Dillon has told me a lot about you,"
"Don't believe everything, it's not nearly as bad as it sounds," Jacque joked.
They all laughed, albeit a bit nervously.
"Well, it looks like they're going to have some dancing so we won't keep you, but I hope that we can get to know one another," Tanya told her.
"That sounds nice," Jacque said truthfully. "I'm sure we can have lunch or something."
"Great," Tanya responded with another warm smile.
Jacque and Fane headed back to where their pack waited.
"Well, that wasn't as bad as you thought, was it?" Fane asked as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close.
"She was nicer than I expected," she admitted.
"You want me there when you have lunch with her?"
Jacque grinned up at him. "Always my protector."
Fane's face grew serious. "Always, love."

Once the room had been arranged so that there was room to dance, they watched as a new table was rolled in with stereo equipment on it.
"We're fixing to jam." Crina smiled.
"What exactly do you think they are going to let us jam to?" Sally asked.
Jen caught Costin's eye and waved him over. She wasn't taking chances with the music. "Hey, see if they will let you provide the music," she told him.
"I didn't bring any music, Jen."
Jen held up her iPhone, shaking it from side to side. "Gotcha covered, my furry friend."
Costin winced at the nickname, but smiled as he took her phone. "I'll hook us up." They both laughed at him using the slang she had taught them earlier that day, when all hell broke loose. Who knew teaching slang to foreign werewolves could be detrimental to your health? Jen shrugged to herself.
"So, ladies." Jen turned towards the group of girls spreading her arms wide, and in one of those amazing moments when things line up perfectly, she said, "Let's dance," just as the music started pounding through the subs. Jen grinned. "Yeah, I'm that good."
Sally and Crina were the first to step up. Crina took off onto the open floor, arms in the air, body moving to the beat as Jason Derulo's voice blasted through the speakers. Sally squealed, "I love this song!" and headed to the dance floor, swinging her hips. Jen gave a short nod to Jacque, who kissed Fane and then headed towards her.
"Mariana." Jen motioned. "Come on, chick, we're going to bring the house down."
Mariana laughed. "Alright, you're on."
All three girls headed to where Sally and Crina were dancing and more guys and girls joined in.
They all danced and laughed and danced some more. Jen couldn't remember when she'd had so much fun. Costin turned out to be an amazing dancer and was nearly always in the middle of the bunch, breaking it down.
The next song came on and Jen froze. Sally and Jacque's heads snapped around as Katy Perry's voice filled the room – to be specific, Katy Perry's “ET” filled the room. Jen's two best friends looked at her as they, too, stopped moving. Everyone else was still swaying with the beat like a sea tossing with the wind. Jen watched as Sally and Jacque's eyes got wider and wider.
"Damn," Jen muttered under her breath just as strong arms came around her and she felt warm breath against her neck.
"I believe this is our song," Decebel purred in her ear. Jen swore at any moment she was going to be a puddle on the floor and Jacque would have to sop her up with some Bounty paper towels. Why she thought specifically of Bounty paper towels, she had no idea. She was trying really hard to focus on anything but Decebel's warmth against her. To her complete mortification he began to move…with the beat. Sally and Jacque's jaws dropped.
Jen mouthed, "Save me," to her two best friends, but evil traitors that they were, they both started dancing and completely ignored her plea. Oh, those two heifers are going down, she promised herself.
After a few moments, Jen decided she could either look goofy standing stiff while Decebel danced or she could throw caution to the wind and bring it.
Mind made up, Jen turned in his arms and began to sway with the music. She smiled to herself; she always liked throwing caution to the wind. She raised her arms in the air as she swayed and moved. Decebel had his hands on her hips, moving with her, and being the gentleman that he was, he left room between their bodies. Which, Jen kept telling herself, she was glad about it…until she looked over and saw the wolf-princess and her fur ball dancing close, very close. Stupid mated, married ginger, she thought, but chuckled all the same at how happy Jacque and Fane were. When the song ended Decebel stopped, but didn't let go of her.
They stood like that, looking at each other. Jen had no idea how long they would have continued it but Damion showed up, requesting that dance he had asked her to save. As Decebel reluctantly stepped away Jen thought, Well, if we just sort of dance together but not touch, it should be okay. Yeah, that idea flew out the door, nearly smacking her in the face on its way, when a slow song came on. She groaned inwardly, and groaned again when she realized what song it was. “Fall for You,” by Second Hand Serenade.
Damion pulled her quickly into his arms as Decebel backed away, never turning or taking his eyes off of them.
Jen finally pulled her eyes away from Decebel when Damion spoke.
"You're an amazing dancer."
Jen smiled, hoping it looked genuine. "Thanks. I love to dance. To just let go and lose yourself in the music," she was rambling. Well, anyone would ramble if they were in the arms of a werewolf while the werewolf you wanted to be with stared daggers at you. Who am I kidding? Jen thought. No one else is dealing with wanting a werewolf. Nope, other girls my age are swooning after the jocks, or the artsy guys who play in bands, normal guys.
She looked over at Decebel again when Damion turned them. She watched his strong jaw tense and his chest flex as he crossed his arms. But who wants normal when you can have that? She grinned at her thoughts. That smile was wiped off her face quickly as Jen watched another female walk up to Decebel. She was standing much too close for Jen's liking. Just then, Damion turned them again and she lost them briefly. When she had them in her sights again, she watched as Decebel led the girl by the hand to the dance floor. Jen was beginning to see red. She hadn't realized she'd stopped dancing until Damion spoke.
"Jen, are you alright?
Jen couldn't take her eyes off of Decebel as she watched him take the brunette in his arms. She felt like she had been punched in the stomach. She was trying to breathe but she couldn't seem to get any air in.
"Jen?" Damion's voice was beginning to sound worried.
"Damion, what's wrong?" Jen heard Sally's voice but still could not respond. Decebel must have felt her stare because his head snapped up and their eyes locked. Jen didn't want him to see her jealousy or the hurt inside at seeing another in his arms. She knew she didn't have a right to be mad. She had been dancing with a guy, after all, but that didn't matter at the moment. Her better judgment was out on a coffee break.
"Jen!" Jacque snapped her fingers in front of her face.
Sally followed Jen's stare and shook her head. "This is not good, Jacque, so not good."
Finally, Jen pulled her eyes away from the offending sight.
"I think I'm going to call it a night."
"Jen, don't let him ruin your evening," Jacque pleaded.
"I'm not, Jac, really. I'm just tired." Jen's excuse was weak at best, but there was no way she could stay here and watch Decebel dance with other girls. Nope, not happening, she told herself. Before her friends or Damion could stop her, she turned and quickly left the dance floor, making a beeline for the exit.