Crina smiled. "Mate Fest?"
"It seemed so much more twenty first century than The Gathering."
Crina nudged Mariana. "I told you they would be cool, didn't I?"
Mariana smiled. "Yeah, boss. You told me." She looked at Jen conspiratorially. "She said anyone who could get Decebel all in a tizzy the way you do has to be cool."
Jen didn't just laugh at that, she cackled. "He makes it too easy."
Crina smiled with her and added, "Just so you know, I don't know what is between you two, but neither I nor Mariana have designs on him."
Jen sobered and looked at both girls. It hadn't dawned on her until that moment that there might be others in the pack who had an interest in Decebel. Before she could stop herself, she let out a low growl. Jen watched Mariana's and Crina's eyes get big and heard Sally's intake of breath, but before she could turn, a strong arm came around her waist and pulled her away.
"What the -" she started, but was cut short when a woman in the far corner hollered:
"Grab a partner!"
Jen was turned abruptly and found herself face to face with Decebel.
"Hello, Jennifer." He grinned unrepentantly.
"Decebel, so nice to see you. It's been what, three weeks since you've graced me with your presence?"
"Ahh, yes. About that – please forgive me for my absence. I've been working out your security detail."
"My what?" Jen asked cautiously.
Decebel took Jennifer's left hand and placed it on his shoulder, took her right hand in his left, then wrapped his free arm around her waist, drawing her close.
"Your security detail," he told her again, now much closer to her ear. "Vasile has placed me in charge of your security while at The Gathering, so I have been back and forth between here and Transylvania working out the kinks."
Jen made an “oh” motion with her mouth but said nothing else. She was actually in a small state of shock after not seeing Decebel for days on end. To suddenly have him here in front of her, this close, was a bit overwhelming. Although there was no way in Hades she would ever 'fess up to it.
They danced in silence for several moments before Jen blurted, "You're a really good dancer."
Decebel chuckled. "You didn't think that something that walked on four legs would be able to waltz?"
Jennifer grinned at him. Decebel could almost see the thoughts form in her mind.
"Actually, when in your four legged form, waltzing would be rather similar to you in your two legged form. Only, you wouldn't need a partner because you'd already have plenty of legs." Jen couldn't help the giggles that bubbled out at her own little joke. Decebel growled at her, but it was only half-hearted.
Their banter was cut off by another shout. "Switch!"
"Beta, may I cut in?" Costin, the wolf from the bar, stood next to a now frozen Jen and Decebel.
Decebel abruptly let go of Jennifer. "Of course." He nodded to the other wolf and walked off without a backward glance.
Jen watched as Decebel walked away and then looked at Costin.
"What crawled up his knickers?" she wondered out loud as she once again assumed the dancing stance.
"Aw, he's just a little sore that I stepped in. He doesn't share his things well."
Jen glared at Costin. "I am not one of his things," she ground out.
Costin chuckled but covered it quickly with a cough. "Of course you're not."
The rest of the lesson was spent switching partners periodically. All the while, Decebel kept his eyes glued on Jen and whomever she happened to be dancing with.