8

"I love you too, mom," Jacque spoke into her cell phone as she snuggled into Fane's embrace. "Things are good here. The tutor keeps us busy and we are learning all sorts of things."
"How is Jen doing?" Lilly asked her.
"She's okay, just a little confused about things. It will all come out in the wash."
Lilly chuckled, "My forever optimist," Jacque could hear her mother's smile through the phone.
"I'll let you go, I just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you and miss you so much," Lilly choked back tears.
"I miss you too. I'm happy, I want you to know that," Jacque reassured her.
"I know, and that's what I want for you. Be happy, live a wonderful life with Fane."
"Will you come see me soon?" Jacque asked hopefully.
"We'll see about this summer maybe."
"Okay, love you."
"Love you too Jacque, very much. Bye," Jacque hit the end button on her phone and closed her eyes briefly. She loved talking to her mom but sometimes it made her heart feel so heavy.
"I love you Jacquelyn. I know it was a lot to ask you to come here," Fane told her gently.
" I don't regret coming Fane," Jacque turned to look into his eyes, "I want to be with you. I just miss her, and that's okay."
He kissed her forehead gently and breathed her scent deep into his lungs.
"What do you think is going on with Decebel?"
Fane was quiet for a moment. "I don't really understand it, but he treats Jen as if she's his mate. All the signs are there. I think he's probably worse because he doesn't understand it either."
Jacque thought about that. She felt bad for both Jen and Decebel. She knew that Jen was head over heels for the wolf, and couldn't imagine what it would be like to love Fane but not be able to be with him. Jacque prayed for both their sakes' that whatever it was that was going on would work itself out quickly.
"Are you okay, love?" Fane asked her gently.
Jacque turned so she could look into Fane's eyes. "I just hate seeing Jen hurt. And Decebel, for that matter," she told him honestly.
"You're a good friend, Luna, but this is something that they are going to have to work out on their own."
"If they don't kill each other first," Jacque added, only half joking.
Fane chuckled. "There is that possibility. And its chances have actually greatly increased."
Jacque watched his eyes as they clouded over in thought.
"Hey, wolf-man." She traced his lips with the tip of her finger, drawing his attention. "What is it? What's going on?"
Fane leaned down and kissed her gently before he answered.
"In the meeting I attended with the other Alphas, we learned they have decided it's in the best interest of our species that we bring back an old tradition," he explained.
Jacque pushed herself up into a sitting position, turning so she could see Fane's face clearly. "Why am I getting 'this sucks' vibes from you, babe?"
"Well, love, essentially because although it could be beneficial, in light of the situation between Jen and Decebel it is more likely to be detrimental…to one of them. I'm taking bets on Decebel since Jen seems to have quite the mean streak."
Jacque grinned briefly at that.
"So, what's this tradition?" she asked.
"Over a century ago several packs used to have an event called The Gathering,"
"Ooo, sounds very Stephen King-ish," Jacque interrupted.
Fane smiled at his mate and her never ending commentary.
"The Gathering was brought about for unmated pack members to come and meet in hopes of finding their true mate. It was written into pack law that if a pack was invited the Alpha could not decline or it would be considered an act against the species."
"Bloody hell," Jacque muttered, staring off into nothing as she thought about how this would affect her best friend.
"Does Jen have to go even though she isn't full blooded?"
"Unfortunately, the four Alphas involved have decided that since my mate isn't full blooded it proves that any person with any wolf blood in their genetics must attend because they are possible true mates." Fane took a deep breath and let it out before he continued. "The good news is my parents have to go, and you and Sally can go and act as Jen's help. Naturally, where you go, I go, so I will attend as well. There will also be some other mated pack members that will help with security."
"Security?" Jacque asked, confused.
"It's not really the best idea to put a bunch of unmated males together, particularly when there will be unmated females up for grabs," Fane explained.
"Ahh, that's a valid point. So why are they thinking this is a good idea?"
"They feel it's worth the risk since so many Canis lupus aren't finding their mates." Fane wrapped his hand around Jacquelyn's wrist and tugged her to him, pulling her into the curve of his body. She laid her head on his chest as she continued to think about this new development. Fane continued, "The mated pairs will help keep the unmated in line. There will be a pack meeting tomorrow night,"
"What exactly did you mean by Sally and I being Jen's help?" Jacque interrupted.
"Well, a century ago they called them ladies in waiting. They were basically there to help prepare the unmated female for the event by helping her dress, fixing her hair. That was when clothes for women were a little more elaborate. But the Alphas figure it would help the unmated females be at ease if they had a few friends with them."
"So, you're telling me that, essentially, we are going to be Jen's servants?" Jen asked dubiously.
"For lack of a better term," Fane agreed reluctantly.
"For the sake of my sanity and future friendship with that nympho, do not tell her that. Can you imagine how she would take that and run a stinking marathon with it?"
Fane chuckled. "We will be delicate on how we broach the subject."
"Of course, she may be too preoccupied with the whole unmated males checking her out thing to really care about having a servant," Jacque added. "Man, if Decebel wasn't in the picture she would be in her idea of heaven – a bunch of hot werewolves checking her out."
"Love, you forget I'm the only wolf you are supposed to refer to as hot," Fane teased.
Jacque snuggled closer. "It goes without saying, wolf-man, you are the hottest of them all."
Fane growled. "Prove it," he challenged.
Jacque leaned back to look into his eyes and saw the desire that filled them.
"Now?" she asked, surprised by the abrupt change in subject.
"We can't solve Jen and Decebel's problem tonight, love, nor can we change whether or not The Gathering will take place. What we can do is love one another. What I plan to do is forget about all others but you, Luna. For the rest of the night you will forget all others but me."
Jacque smiled slyly at her mate. "Bossy much?" she teased.
"I want you," he said simply, not attempting to gloss over his demand.
"And so, you shall have me," Jacque whispered as she clicked the bedside lamp off, leaving only the moon to light their room.

"So, for clarification purposes..." Jen sat in the media room on one of the overstuffed couches the following morning. Jacque sat on the floor, leaning against a chair that Sally occupied. Vasile and Alina sat opposite Jen on another couch while Sorin and Decebel both stood on either side of the room, propped against the wall. "Because I have a teeny, tiny amount of werewolf blood in me I have to go to what essentially amounts to a mating dance and let other unmated wolves sniff me?"
Sally snorted with laughter. "Sorry, got a visual."
"Nice." Jacque high fived her.
Jen glared at her two best friends. "If you two are done with your little moment could we please focus on this upcoming disaster?"
"Sorry, Jen. Don't mind us. By all means, continue freaking out." Sally waved Jen on.
"Thank you," Jen said matter-of-factly. "Okay." She looked back at Alina and Vasile. "So, have I covered the basics?"
"It's really not as uncivilized as you are picturing it, Jen," Alina told her gently. "It's like a social gathering. They will divide you into groups, as there are quite a large number of people. In the evenings everyone will gather in the great hall for dinner and dancing. But during the day you will be told where you are to be. A group of unmated females will be meeting in various locations on the estate with unmated males. There will be Alphas and mated pairs present at all times. You will never be alone with an unmated male unless you find your true mate. From Jacque and what you have been learning about the pack in tutoring, you know that there are distinct signs when you find your true mate."
Jen couldn't help her gaze drifting over to where Decebel stood. When their eyes met, Jen felt chills run over her body at the intensity of his stare. Alina's voice drew her attention back.
"You will receive an itinerary once we arrive."
"Tonight, at the pack meeting," Vasile continued for Alina, "you will meet some other unmated females who will be attending as well. I think you, Jacque, and Sally should spend some time with them and get to know them. We want you to feel safe, Jen. No one will force you to do anything, and if you happen to meet your mate don't panic, okay?"
"Alpha," Jen smiled ruefully, "when have you ever known me to panic around yummy werewolves?"
A growl resonated through the room.
"Oh, stick a cork in it, B," Jen snarled at Decebel.
Vasile cocked his head to the side as he looked at Jen. "B?"
"Yeah. Ya know, for Beta. Although, I like it because I could also be calling him the technical term for a female dog and he wouldn't know it. So really, calling him B totally works to my advantage," Jen explained in all seriousness.
Everyone turned when a quick burst of laughter came from the right side of the room. When Sorin saw everyone turn their eyes on him, he quickly began coughing. Holding up his hands, he finally composed himself. "Pardon me, Alpha. I seemed to have swallowed wrong."
"You have to be careful while swallowing smart ass comments, Sorin," Jen teased. "They tend to have a choking effect."
Sorin winked at Jen, who refused to look at the ominous wolf in the room currently staring a hole in her head.
Jen looked back to Vasile. "Okay, so the moral of the story is find a mate, don't panic, and try to avoid any male pissing contests…literally." Jen winked at Decebel as she said this and he lifted his lip in a snarl.
"That sounds about right," Vasile agreed. "I think today you should just go about the rest of your day as usual. Try not to worry about The Gathering."
Jen snorted. "Yeah, I'll get right on that."


Thad, the Alpha of the Serbia pack, held a cell phone to his ear as he listened to his contact.
"There is to be a pack meeting tonight announcing The Gathering," the voice on the other end told him.
"Will the three Americans be in attendance?" Thad asked.
"Yes."
"I expect you to befriend them, earn their trust." Thad paused. "I'm still working out the details of the plan, but as soon as I have figured it out, I will be in contact. Remember, don't contact me. I will be in touch with you."
"Yes, Alpha." Then his contact disconnected the call.
Thad sat down in his office chair, looking out over the mountains of his territory. All he had to do was be patient and let his quarry come to him. The Gathering was a month away, he had plenty of time to finalize the plan. Once everything is said and done, I will have taken down the most powerful Alpha in a century.

Decebel knocked on the door to the pack infirmary. Remembering Jennifer's words, he grinned and waited for Dr. Steele to invite him. Wouldn't Jennifer be proud of me? he thought.
"Come on in," he heard Cynthia Steele yell through the door.
Decebel turned the knob and pushed the door open, sticking his head in before walking through. "Is this a bad time, Cynthia?"
"Decebel, hey." Cynthia took her glasses off and set down the book she had been studying. "No, not at all." She waved him in.
Decebel closed the door behind him and stepped into the area that was used to treat their pack. The room consisted of several large hospital beds along one wall and across from those, two surgery areas that were separated by partitions. Cynthia had a desk immediately to the right of the door with several file cabinets behind her. There was also a lab area set up with various machines, microscopes, and sharp looking objects that Decebel preferred to stay away from.
Part of Cynthia's punishment for her part in the kidnapping of Jacque was serving the Romanian pack as the on-site physician. Vasile, at Jacque's pleading, had spared Cynthia physical punishment, but Vasile had stripped Cynthia of her career. She would practice medicine for the pack and in turn the pack would provide her with lodging, food, the essentials – but until Vasile decided she would not be paid and her freedom was very limited.
"What can I do for you?" she asked him.
Decebel took a chair on the opposite side of her desk. Once seated he looked straight at Cynthia, who quickly averted her gaze. "I need to know what you know about dormant wolves."
"I don't know that much," she told him.
"Then I need you to find out about them. Find out if there is any documentation of their mating tendencies and the occurrences that have gone along with them." Decebel leaned forward, elbows on his knees, hands clasped in front of him.
"What's going on, Decebel?" Cynthia asked, her brow furrowed in question.
He let out a frustrated breath. "I thought I would have time to deal with whatever it is that's going on between Jennifer and I, but now with this gathering..."
"Oh, yeah. Vasile told me about that," she said, nodding her head. "He wants me to go in case there are injuries during the inevitable fights between the unmated males."
Decebel nodded. "We'll be lucky if there aren't any casualties, to be honest."
"So, this thing between you and Jen..." she prompted.
"I don’t know what it is. There are no mating signs other than the urging of my wolf and how I react in her presence," Decebel explained. The frustration he had been feeling was evident in the way his body tensed as he talked. "I can't hear her thoughts. My markings haven't changed – yet the idea of another male near her makes me crazy. She's all I think about. Her scent has become a part of me, and I have a ridiculous urge to make sure she has my scent on her."
Cynthia watched him as he spoke, observing the way his eyes began to glow as he talked about Jen. There was something going on, that was for certain.
"Everything you're describing indicates you have found your true mate," Cynthia told him. "I'll look into the pack archives and see if there is any documentation on dormant wolves. She may be your mate and it may take something major to create the bond, just like it took something traumatic to bring out the wolf genetics in her. Or she may just not be your mate."
Decebel growled, not liking the doctor even suggesting that Jennifer didn't belong to him. Yeah, I'm in trouble. This gathering was going to prove to be the ultimate test in self-control for him and his wolf.
Decebel stood. "Thank you. I really appreciate your help." Before he reached the door, he turned and added, "And your discretion."
Cynthia was completely surprised the dominant wolf had come to her. That alone proved that Jen was really getting under his skin. She turned to her laptop and pulled up the database for the history of packs the world over. Amongst the thousands of files surely there was something documented on a dormant. She began searching through files – opening, skimming, and closing, over and over. Yeah, she thought, this is going to be fun.