Jacque looked over at him and grinned. As soon as he saw what she had planned, he quickly started in her direction. But she was faster than him.

Jacque stood, climbed up on her chair, and spoke as loudly as she could without yelling. “I would like it to be known, just to make it very clear so that no one has any questions; that Jen and Decebel aren’t the only ones with an awesome sex life. Okay people?  She may talk about it a lot, but Fane totally rocks my world. So, yeah, there you have it.”

A loud “WHOOP!” was hollered out, and Jacque turned to see Costin giving her a ‘thumbs up’ and an exaggerated wink. Jacque beamed at him and then took her seat next to her friends.

Jen was laughing so hard that she was falling out of chair. Sally was laughing too, but trying to help Jen back into her chair at the same time. Decebel’s face was lowered so that his chin was tucked in and his shoulders shook with laughter. Fane, who had finally reached his mate, was not laughing.

He leaned down next to her ear and whispered calmly. “Was that really necessary, love?”

Jacque shrugged her shoulders and looked up at him innocently. “Now you don’t have to wonder if I think our sex life is worthy of public discussion.”

Fane rolled his eyes and started to speak, but was interrupted by someone clearing their throat. He looked up to see his father, standing with his arms crossed staring straight at the little group.

Vasile cleared his throat from the front of the room and glared back at the girls.

"Are you three finished?" he asked.

"Yes, Alpha," they all answered in unison.

Sally, sweet Sally, followed with a whispered, "Whatever you say, Alpha," in the nasal voice the quote was known for.

That's when they found themselves slid apart from one other with a mate in between each of them.

"Good. Let's get started." Vasile was quiet for a moment, seeming to rethink what he wanted to say. His gave a single nod and began.

"Decebel has become Alpha to the Serbian pack. Therefore my Beta position must be filled. Based on recent events, the spot will not be filled per normal protocol." A low rumble rippled across the room, but abruptly stopped when Vasile growled.

"Gavril and Rachel have been found and brought back to us. Gavril is a dominant and dominant enough to be an Alpha. However, he doesn't want that position and he is more dominant at this point than those available for the Beta position. Normally the spot would go to Sorin. Sorin has agreed to the decision and declined requesting a challenge as is his right. Gavril will be my Beta, Sorin my third, Skender my fourth. Rachel will be the Romanian pack Healer."

Sally gasped and Costin laid a hand gently on her shoulder from where he stood beside her. Sally knew that meant she would be going to the Serbian pack. Her reaction was echoed by Jacque and Jen.

Jacque started to stand, but Fane's hand on her shoulder held her in place.

"Listen before you act," she heard Fane's voice advise her. Realizing that others would be looking to her and her friends' reactions on how to react to this situation themselves, she quickly put on the best poker face she could – which she knew sucked.

Vasile went on. "Peri will continue to work with Rachel and Sally, training them in things the healers used to know. That is where my pack stands. Alina is your Luna and Alpha female, Jacque is in line for that position. You will respect their places in the pack."

"As you say, Alpha," the room responded.

"Now Decebel will address you."

"You come with me, baby."  he told Jennifer, who looked up at him, confused. "Where I go, you go. Remember?"

"I didn't know you meant that quite so literally," Jen told him as she stood and took his hand.

He led her to the front of the room and kept her hand in his when they turned to face everyone.

"I am the Alpha of the Serbian pack. By pack law I have taken this position because I killed your previous Alpha and proved my strength. I let you know the last time I spoke with you that I would be picking my first four and that it wouldn't be done traditionally. As you know, once the wolves are picked you may challenge said choices. Are we clear so far?"

"Yes, Alpha," the Serbian pack answered.

"Costin will be my Beta."

The gasps that were heard that time seemed to occur in surround sound..

Jen's hand tightened on Decebel's. He glanced at her once and she saw the “don't question me” look. She knew they needed to always appear as a united pair so she bit her tongue.

"Costin's proclaimed mate, Sally, though unbonded, will be the Serbian pack healer. My third will be Drake, who was fifth in the former pack, and my fourth will be Seraph, who is a dominant of the former Serbian pack and has proven himself faithful." Decebel paused and looked around the room, making eye contact with the most dominant in his new pack. One by one, their eyes fell to the floor in submission. "If any of you have a problem with this and want to challenge, please come forward now."

The room was silent. Jen held her breath, waiting to see if any would defy their new Alpha.

"What now?" Jen asked through their bond.

"Now we try to unite a broken pack, train a new Beta, encourage a new healer, support a new mate bond, and find the evil witch,"  Decebel responded.

"Oh, gee," Jen muttered under her breath. "Is that all?"

Chapter 4

“Humans think that the Fae are little, happy, winged beings that flitter around, causing mischief. If they truly knew the power we wielded simply by existing, they would tremble in their beds in an attempt to hide from us. Heaven help them if we ever decide to use that power against them.” ~Perizada of the Fae