head, his jaw clenched tight. “I don’t care. I’m not leaving. I’d build her a damn doghouse every day of the week if that’s what she needs.”
“I’m staying, too,” Fane joined in.
“Of course you are,” Vasile said, sounding resigned.
“They can stay with us,” Dillon offered.
Dillon glanced at Vasile and then looked at Decebel and Fane. “You both agree to be under my leadership?”
“Yes,” Decebel and Fane said in unison.
Vasile let out a tired sigh as he met Decebel’s eyes and then Fane’s. “I will allow you to stay because I understand, but I am ordering you both to go to the Colorado pack. You cannot stay here. You will wind up doing something impetuous.”
Decebel’s wolf wanted to lash out at Vasile, but the man kept him from doing so. “I will agree to that. We need to figure out a plan. I cannot stand the idea of my mate and pup in the enemy’s hands.”
Vasile gave a sharp nod and then turned to Fane. “Are you going to be alright?”
Fane’s eyes had not stopped glowing with the presence of his wolf. “I won’t do anything stupid. I know that’s what you’re really asking.”
“Your history doesn’t exactly instill confidence,” Cyn pointed out.
“Filling in on Peri’s role of smart-ass comments?” Fane growled at the fae.
“Simply reminding you to keep your beast in check. There is too much riding on this for you or Decebel to go feral,” Cyn responded calmly.
Decebel met the warrior fae’s eyes and gave her a sharp nod. He agreed and would fight his wolf’s need to go after their mate and child.
“Chris,” Vasile said as he looked at Sally’s father, who was staring at the compound as if he could will himself inside of it. “Are you going back to the sprite realm to be with your wife, or do you feel the need to stay close and go with Dillon’s pack?”
Chris finally looked away from the compound and turned to Vasile. “I imagine Cindy is already aware of what has happened,” he said. He must have been talking about the seer sprites. They didn’t interfere, but they saw the future. “But I need to be with her. Sally has her mate with her and she’s strong.”
“That she is.” Vasile nodded. “Very well. We will see you soon.”
Vasile gave his son a brief hug and then placed his hand on Vale’s arm. The rest of the wolves in Vasile’s pack moved to Riven, Nissa, Cyn, and the other fae warriors who held out their arms.
“Fae warriors who aren’t transporting Vasile’s wolves,” Nissa said, her voice loud enough that it would carry across the battlefield, “please work with the other leaders to get everyone where they need to go. I think it would be wise to be training while you wait to hear from Vasile.” She flashed, with the others right behind her.
Decebel turned to look at the large building that Dylan said headquartered the Order of the Burning Claw. He sought out Jen through their bond. It was weak but still there. “Are you alright?”
“I have Thia back, so I’m not going on a killing spree. They’ve got us locked up in a room. They’ve separated us.”
Decebel closed his eyes as the words and emotions of his female washed over him. He hated being separated from her and Thia. It was going to be the greatest test of his self-control to keep from going after them until Vasile gave the order. “I love you, baby. I’ll be coming for you both. Very soon.”
Chapter 3
“There is nothing that can prepare you for the sight of your child in the arms of someone who is willing to harm them. It is in that moment that you realize what violence you are truly capable of.” ~Fane
“Wolf-man?”
The second Fane heard his mate’s voice fill his mind, he took in a deep breath. It was as if he hadn’t breathed from the moment she’d shown up on that battlefield. “Jacquelyn, are you alright? How is our son?” He was desperate to know that they hadn’t been harmed. He’d been so angry on the battlefield, and focused on controlling his wolf, that he hadn’t even tried to use their bond. That just proved to him how seriously out of control he’d been.
“We’re fine,” she said quickly, no doubt feeling his wild emotions. “Slate and I are in a room by ourselves. I’m assuming