Yeah, well, that's what you get for being something that rhymes with stick, Jen thought angrily. "Can you not get that through your thick skull?" She threw his words back in his face.
Decebel felt like she had slapped him, and realized how his words must have made her feel.
"Jennifer..." He took a step towards her, his voice much gentler.
Jen held her hand up to hold him off. "Save it. I'm not ready to hear how you didn't mean to hurt me and blah blah, boo hoo. Okay? I just want to chill out before this thing tonight."
Jen walked to the door, pulled it open, and waited.
Decebel stood there for a moment, still completely shocked that she was kicking him out. Finally he shook his head and made to leave. As he walked through the door he heard her mutter, "It'd be nice if you could try not to pee around my door." Then she slammed it shut. Decebel heard the lock click in place.
Jen leaned her back against the door and slid to the floor. She drew her knees up and looked around the room. It was very elegantly done in candlelight and sage. It had a calming effect – well, when there wasn't a raging werewolf standing in the middle of it.
She closed her eyes as she leaned her head back. "Well, this has started out splendidly. Fall in one little lap and all goes to hell in a hand basket" she said to no one.
Jen jumped when there was a knock at her door. She rolled her eyes and growled, "Go away, fur ball. I told you I'm done."
"Jen, it's Cynthia. I think we need to talk."
Jen's eyes popped open and she stood up. "I think you read my mind."
Chapter 13
Thad answered the knock on his suite door and wasn't surprised to see his contact on the other side.
"You have news for me?"
"Can I please come in? I'd rather not be seen in the hall."
Thad stepped back so she could enter.
"I've decided that if someone spots us I will simply lead them to believe there might be a bond going on between us. That will explain any rendezvous." She shut the door behind her. "Now, Jen is under Decebel's protection and it's serious. Jen claims there are no mating signs but Decebel acts as if she is his mate."
"Well, you will just have to make sure to earn the Americans trust. That way when you finally lead them to their demise no one will be suspicious of them being with you. Does your sidekick suspect anything?"
"No."
"Good," Thad walked over to the wet bar and poured himself a drink. He didn't offer one to his guest. "I have a plan to get Vasile alone. I can't take the chance of Fane or Alina being there. I'm thinking that once the girls are out of the picture and Fane's mate is dead, I will give the appearance of wanting to help Vasile, gain more of his trust. Then it should be easy enough to take him out. It would make things easier if Jen and Decebel were bonded – take out one, the other falls. Got to love how the fates worked that one out."
Thad took a sip of his drink and, with a nod, dismissed the contact. "You know what I want you to do. Don't disappoint me."
"Yes, Alpha," she answered and turned to go.
Thad dialed his Beta as soon as the door closed. "Damion, report."
"Decebel's mated, no doubt. No male would react that strongly unless it was family or a mate."
"Hmm. Well, he might be easy enough to deal with. If Jen is suddenly missing, Decebel would probably remove himself from the equation," Thad thought out loud.
"What would you like me to do, Alpha?"
"Unfortunately you are going to, as the American's say, take one for the team. Continue to pursue Jen. Let's shake Vasile's Beta up a bit and keep him distracted."
"As you say," Damion responded and ended the call.
Thad checked his watch for the time and saw that it was getting close to the first gathering. He still needed to shower and dress.
"Planning the downfall of a pack is more time consuming than one might think." He chuckled to himself as he headed for the shower.