Fane smiled and winked. "I knew that would do it."

Jacque growled and tackled him to the bed. "So you think if you prick my pride I will be less likely to evade the confrontation I so badly want to avoid?"

Fane nodded. "That about sums it up."

"How well you know me already, pesky flea ball."

"Again with the fleas." He growled and tickled her. Jacque squealed, unsuccessfully trying to fight him off. He finally relented and pulled her close.

"All will be well, Luna," he whispered.

"I know," she agreed, "but there's always a variable that isn't accounted for, ready to throw things off kilter. Then all is no longer well."

"Ahh, love. Where did such pessimism come from?"

"I guess Jen's worry is rubbing off on me. I just wish she and Decebel would fish or cut bait."

"Fish or cut bait? I'm not familiar with this," Fane told her, his brow furrowed.

"It means get on with it or move on. It's so obvious they are meant to be together,"

"He can't claim her without mating signs. She has to participate in The Gathering," Fane warned her.

"Then there will be a blood bath," Jacque told him somberly. "Because the first man brave enough to lay a finger on Jen is going to see firsthand what happens when another touches a mate. Signs or no, Decebel's wolf has claimed Jen. And Jen's wolf, what little there may be, has claimed Dec. Not to mention her heart."

Both fell silent as they thought about the consequences that were sure to come. But like a speeding train without brakes, nothing short of a miracle could stop them.

Chapter 12

"Do you think it was wise of you to make Decebel her protector?" Alina asked her mate.

Vasile continued to stare at the road as he drove towards the site of The Gathering.

He knew it was a gamble placing Jen in Decebel's care. "I don't know," he admitted. "I guess I'm trying to force him into action. Maybe if he sees others pursuing her he will get over this fear and make a move. Or I could just be setting up some poor wolf's demise."

Alina watched him carefully while he spoke, noticing the faint lines that ran along his skin. Even after two centuries her mate was still unbelievably handsome, but it seemed the stress of life was catching up with him.

"Sometimes dominant wolves have to be pushed over the edge when they won't jump on their own. Why do you think that is?" Alina's tone was teasing.

Vasile's lips lifted slightly. "Even us dominants have to have one flaw, Luna, otherwise it wouldn't be fair."

Alina laughed and shook her head at her mate's forever cockiness.

"I spy something green," Sally announced.

"Trees," Crina hollered, while Mariana called out,"Grass,"

"Nope," Sally answered.

"What's the point of this game again?" Crina asked.

"Mindless entertainment," Jen announced. “It's what Americans are known for."

Fane and Decebel laughed at Jen's words.

Vasile had devised the riding assignments, and so Jen, Jacque, and Sally had been paired with Crina and Mariana as well as Decebel and Fane. One big, happy family, Jen thought as she looked around the cab of the Hummer. She was really glad that Crina and Mariana had turned out to be cool. It would have sucked big time had they turned out to be ninnies.

"Anymore guesses?" Sally asked.

"I think we've had enough of I Spy, Sal," Jacque told her.

Sally's face fell briefly, but perked up when she said, "Okay, how about -"

Before she could finish, Jen cut her off. "How about we discuss the plans for when we arrive at this little 'meet your baby daddy' festival."

The entire vehicle erupted in laughter at Jen's slang. Jen blushed ferociously when Dec gave her a heart-stopping grin.

"How do you all keep from peeing on yourselves when she's around?" Crina asked, wiping the tears that had welled up in her eyes.

"No doubt, it's tough," Jacque told her. "And sometimes it's wise to bring a change of clothes if you're going to be around her for any extended period of time."

After the laughing and bantering finally died down, Fane addressed Jen's earlier question.

"I think tonight there is a large gathering with all the packs to lay out the ground rules and purpose behind The Gathering," Fane explained. "There will be lots of mated pairs all around and Alphas to keep the males in check."

"I feel like I should wear a raincoat or something," Jen only halfway joked.

Crina laughed. "I take it you're afraid someone's going to hike a leg?"

Jen grinned. "I knew from the moment I heard you take on Vasile I would like you."

Decebel rolled his eyes. "Great, now we're really outnumbered."

"Don't you forget it, bucko." Jen tossed a crumpled piece of paper but he caught it before it hit him.

"You do like to push your luck don't you, Jennifer?" he asked her.

"Push it, or just give it a great big shove. Whatever gets the job done." She winked at him and then slid down into her seat. "I'm going to try and catch some Zs before we get there. I have a feeling I'm going to need my wits about me."

"That could be a problem, Jen. You have to have -" Sally started.

"Not another word, Sally." Jen's words were followed by snickers from the other girls, and then the vehicle fell silent.