“Free will is a gift and a curse. It is a gift to the one to whom it is given. They then have the right to choose their thoughts, actions, and beliefs. It is a curse to the one, like me, who grants it. I have to watch when the ones I have gifted with free will make decisions that I know are harmful and dangerous. And though I can direct and guide, I cannot force, and sometimes when you love someone so completely, you desperately want to force.”
~The Great Luna
She was being called again and there was a jolt of joy inside of her that brightened her spirit at knowing her children called upon her. Creator and created working together as it should be.
“I did not expect you,” The Great Luna stated not unkindly to her guest.
Perizada bowed low before standing back up. “It is an honor to be in your presence Luna.”
“The honor is mine, Perizada. You have ministered to my wolves so long now, and still you do not grow weary.”
Peri laughed. “I wouldn’t go that far. Your wolves frequently make me weary.”
The Great Luna smiled as she walked slowly around the yard.
“This is the home of Lilly.” It was a statement but Peri nodded her agreement anyway. “How is she doing?”
Peri glanced at the house and then back to the goddess. “She’s very resilient.”
The Great Luna nodded her head. “She will have to continue to be so, for there is much more in store for her that will require not only resilience, but strength and bravery. Now,” she turned and faced Peri directly, “what troubles you High Fae?”
Peri let out a deep breath and rubbed her forehead. “Decebel has to be the most devoted mate I’ve known in all my centuries. His love for Jen is at times sickening. You know his plan?”
“I do.”
“And you approve?”
“There is no greater show of love than to sacrifice oneself.”
Peri growled in frustration. “There has to be another way.”
“Are you offering your life in place of the child’s?” The Great Luna’s voice was not condescending or expectant. It was simply a question.
“Is that what you would have of me?” Peri asked, her voice a whisper.
“I would have you do what you were put here to do, Peri. You have always been an ambassador of sorts to the wolves. You offer your wisdom and council when needed. You serve when needed, but the sacrifice in this case is not yours to give.”
“Isn’t it,” Peri asked desperately. “I am the one who snatched Jen from the hands of the Fates. Shouldn’t it be my life and not the child’s that they take?”
“It is not your time, Perizada.”
Peri watched as The Great Luna began to fade. “Wait,” she yelled, “what do I do?”
“You be there for her. When the time comes that she needs you most, don’t let her down.”
“I miss you,” Fane whispered into his mate’s mind. It had been two weeks since the females had left. Two weeks since his father had decided to go and confront the warlock Reyaz. Two weeks since Costin and he had ripped into one another. Two weeks away from his mate and it felt as though he hadn’t touched her in two years.
“I miss you too,” her voice was a caress against his wolf’s fur. His ache for her was a physical pain, not just because of the bond between them, but because he truly hated to be without her. She was the brightest part of his life, and especially now, during these dark times, he needed her light more than ever.
“You seem better,” Jacque told him, “more in control.”
“I am.”
“The fight helped?” he nearly laughed at the skepticism in her voice. How can a man explain to a woman that sometimes you needed to hit something, or in his case someone, for things to be right?
“I wish I understood it myself, Luna, but yes it helped. I’m sorry that I hurt you. I love you more than anything. I want you here with me, where you belong.” Fane imagined he probably sounded a little like a petulant child, but he didn’t care. He wanted his woman.
“Are you going to stomp your foot?” Her laughter warmed the cold dark places inside of him and he couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his face.
“Will it make you get on a plane and get your cute butt back here?”
She laughed again. Oh how he missed seeing the smile that came with that laugh.
“No, but it would be funny to watch. Stop worrying about me and help your father. We are completely safe here. We’ve been shopping and listening to Jen whine about how big her butt is getting.”
“Sounds fun,” he told her dryly. “And both of those things are things you can do here.”
“Fane.”
“What?”
“Soon.”
Fane growled. “Not soon enough.” He sent her an image of him kissing her, letting her feel through their bond the need he had for her. He heard her breath catch and smiled to himself.
“You’re not playing fair,” she told him breathlessly.
“I never said I would love. I play for keeps.”
“Oh boy.”
He laughed out loud at her words and couldn’t help teasing her just a little more before he told her goodnight.
“Hello?” The question in Costin’s voice made Sally smile.
“Hey,” she said cheerfully.
“Sally mine, why are you calling me on the phone?”
She felt the heat of her blush work up her cheeks as she realized just how stupid her idea had been. But she wanted to hear his voice, not just in her mind. She wanted to hear it physically too. She didn’t even know if that made sense, but regardless she had picked up the phone and dialed his cell, something she had never done before.
“Don’t be embarrassed, brown eyes. I know what you mean. It is different to hear someone in your mind than with your ears. I get it,” he told her gently.
“You do?”
“Yeah, I do.”
She smiled as she leaned back against the couch. It was very late and everyone was asleep. She hadn’t been able to sleep. All she had been able to do was think about Costin, about his hazel eyes, his dimple, his warm sure hands, and confident swagger. Her mate, her husband, and she missed him like crazy.
“Is it supposed to hurt?” she asked him.
“Our bond, our wolves, demand that we stay close. We are one soul with two halves, and they don’t want to be a part. I’m sorry you’re hurting. I don’t want that for you.” She could feel his fingers on her face and she closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation she knew was only there because he was sharing it with her through their bond.
“Why did it take you so long to contact me after your fight with Fane?” she finally asked the question that had been bothering her for the past two weeks. They had talked through their bond daily since the fight, but she hadn’t brought it up. Something in her had told her it wasn’t the right time. But for some reason, now felt right.
“I needed to deal with my emotions before I opened up to you. Violence is not something I want to share with you and sometimes after a fight, our control can be a little testy.”
Sally leaned forward. “What aren’t you telling me Costin?” she paused and thought about it for a second. “Wait, if I had been there, would you have felt out of control?” She waited for his answer and when it didn’t come she snarled, “Answer me.”
“Yes, if you had been here things would have been different.”
“Then why did you let me leave?” Sally’s heart hurt knowing now. From what Costin was sharing through their bond, he had been engulfed in rage after his fight with Fane.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“Don’t be, Sally mine. It wasn’t your fault. We knew the risks we were taking when we sent you ladies off.”
“Stupid,” she grumbled.
“Probably,” he laughed. “I miss you, brown eyes.”
Sally’s skin heated as she heard the simmer of passion in his deep voice. She knew that tone. She knew before he even sent her the thought that he was planning on turning her skin fifteen shades of red.
He chuckled. “My sweet innocent Sally,” he murmured to her.
“Not so innocent,” she told him boldly.
Costin purred to her through the phone, “Come home and prove it.”
“How are you feeling?” Decebel asked as he listened to Jennifer breath through the phone.
“I’m going on four and a half months pregnant, Dec. I’m feeling fat. How are you feeling?” She didn’t hide the frustration or hurt in her voice.
“I feel lonely baby,” he told her honestly. Every day was becoming more and more painful. Breathing was becoming more of a burden than a necessity and he’d considered giving it up more than once.
“Does that mean you miss me?” she asked.
“More than anything.”
“Good.”
He chuckled at her tone and fought the urge to reach through the phone and pull her to him, if such a thing were possible.
“I’m tired B,” she told him gently. “I love you.”
“Okay baby, I’ll let you get some sleep.”
She snickered, “I don’t think you’ve ever said those words to me.”
Decebel grinned to himself. She was right. “And you like that I haven’t,” he flirted. He shouldn’t be flirting, he shouldn’t be doing anything to strengthen the bond, but he missed her and the pain from it was beginning to drive him mad.
“You are correct, my hot mate; I love that you have never let me sleep. But you’re way over there and I’m way over here, so your incredible hands can’t keep me awake tonight.”
“Wanna bet,” SHUT UP! he thought to himself. What on earth am I doing? I’m flirting with my woman that’s what, he snarled to himself, and I’m freaking talking to myself. Decebel let out an exasperated sigh.
“As soon as you’re home, you won’t be getting any sleep for a while,” he told her suggestively.
She let out an unladylike snort. “That’s just because I’ll have a crumb catcher keeping me awake.”
“Is that my new bedroom nickname?”
This brought a full laugh from her and his wolf wanted to roll around in the joy of hearing their mate so carefree.
“That was a good one, Dec.,” she let out a sigh as the laughter died down. “I really do miss you,” she told him softly.
“I know baby, I know.”
“Night B,” she finally said after several seconds of silence.
“Night baby.”
“You’re going to find Reyaz tomorrow?” Alina asked her mate.
Vasile let out a slow deep breath and she felt his exhaustion through their bond.
“I want to see him face to face one more time.”
“You do remember he killed you right?” She was trying to remain patient with her mate, but she was beginning to feel a little desperate at the idea of him essentially going to see his murderer.
“He has no grudge against me, Mina. I was simply meant to be an example,” he reassured her.
“Exactly, you were meant to be, but you didn’t die. He might take that as a challenge.”
“Luna,” he whispered to her, “you know that I cannot sit around and wait for him to decide to do something. I do not want us or any of our allies having to live looking over their shoulders, wondering when he is going to finally rear his ugly head.”
Alina knew this. She knew that they had to do something, but she also knew that Reyaz had already made a move of sorts when he had shown himself outside of Lilly’s house. She had kept that little tidbit from Vasile, and would continue to do so until she felt it absolutely necessary that she tell him.
“Just be careful please,” she finally said. “I love you Vasile.”
“And I’m a better man because of it.” He pushed his love through their bond, wrapping her in his scent and warmth. “I love you Mina, be safe.”
Lilly jumped when her phone began to vibrate on her night stand. She knew who it would be and she had to rub her palms, which has suddenly developed over active sweat glands, on her thighs before she picked up the phone.
“Hello,” she said calmly, though she felt anything but.
“Little one,” Cypher’s deep voice reached through the phone and she swore she could feel his caress on her face. She hadn’t heard from him in over a week and it had taken everything inside her not to pick up the phone and call him. She had spoken with Alina about it and more than once berated herself for acting like a teenager running to her friend to ask advice about a guy she liked, well, more than liked actually. She had told Alina that she didn’t want to come across as the needy girlfriend. Alina had pointed out that she was a mate, not a girlfriend, and that carried a lot more weight and rights. She still didn’t call him.
“Cypher,” she responded.
“How are you doing?”
She sat down on the bed and folded her legs up as she thought about his question. How was she? Tired and somewhat lonely because she missed him, but overall she was alright.
“I’m good,” she answered honestly.
“Oh?” She heard disappointment in his voice and it nearly made her laugh. He thought she didn’t miss him. Stupid man.
“I’m good under the circumstances, Cypher. I would rather be with you. Does that make you feel better?”
“Much,” he told her, his voice dropping to a deep grow. “I miss you like crazy,” he admitted. “I want you here with me. I need you to believe that. I only wanted you to go back because I thought you would be safer there.”
“I know,” she told him. “I get it, but I wish you would have discussed it with me, instead of just telling me what to do. I’m an adult, Cypher. I can decide for myself what danger I want to put myself in.”
He laughed. “Female, you are my mate. When it comes to any danger and you, I will always be the one making the decisions.”
Lilly rolled her eyes. “You’re a Neanderthal.”
“Maybe,” he agreed, “but I love you and don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Lilly felt her stomach jump into her throat at his declaration. He had no idea what those words meant to her, and she didn’t feel like over the phone was the way to explain it.
“I love you too, Cypher,” she told him softly.
“Good, stay safe, and,” he paused, “stay away from any males.”
She laughed. “No one is going to hurt me here, Cypher.”
He growled. “I’m not worried about them hurting you. I’m worried about you moving on.”
“Are you going to come for me, when you feel it’s safe?” she asked.
“Yes,” there was no hesitation in his answer, “and if another man is in the picture, Lilly, I’m not the type to just walk away. You should know that now. You are mine. I will not give you up.”
Lilly let out a loud sigh. “My daughter is so right about you Alpha males—bossy, and possessive. Thankfully you don’t have fur, so I think I have one less worry than she does.”
Cypher chuckled. “I have to admit that I’m happy that I don’t have fur. But she is right; we are very, very possessive. I’ll let you get some rest. I needed to hear your voice. I love you,” he told her again.
“I love you too, night.” Lilly hung up and felt her heart lighten just a tad. She refused to give into the urge to jump up and down and squeal. She decided that would be a little too ridiculous. She missed him, but she felt better about where they were in their relationship. He wanted her, and for now that was enough.