Marianna walked in to find Jen, Jacque, Crina, and Costin all on the floor with paper spread out, holding markers. The only word she saw just at a glance was party.

She held up a piece of paper she had been holding and smiled. "Got the names."

Jen jumped up. "I knew you could do it!"

Marianna grinned, glad to have been helpful in some way. She was surprised at how much the Americans had started to grow on her. She felt a sadness settle over her at that thought, but quickly shook it off as Jen read the names out loud.

"So, Costin. You’re a guy,"

"I'm glad you noticed." Costin grinned.

Jen rolled her eyes. "Do you know who these guys are? Other than Damion and Adrian, we met them already."

He growled. "They're all Serbian pack. Damion is the Beta. Vilim is the wolf who..." Costin paused uncomfortably.

"Got a handful," Jen added helpfully.

"You do have a way with words, Jen. I know what all of them look like."

"Perfect," Jen breathed out. "Now, to invite them out to play."

"That shouldn't be hard," Costin told her. "They're always together."

"We could talk to them at breakfast tomorrow," Crina offered.

"Good call, she-wolf," Jen praised, then looked down at the floor. "I think we've got enough fliers. Let's call it a night."

They all let out a collective breath.

"Oh, come on. Y'all act like I've just made you sign your souls over or something."

"Might as well have," Jacque muttered.

"I heard that, Jacque Pierce. Oh, and remember not to let your fur ball slip in and pick your brain, or our plan will go to sh -"

"I've got this, Jen," Jacque interrupted as she headed to the door.

Jen held up her hands and took a step back. "Alright, I know when to back off."

"Since when?" Sally's mouth quirked up at her.

Jen gave her the finger and started gathering up the scattered fliers. Everyone filed out one by one, muttering good nights.

Costin was pulling the door closed when he stopped and turned back to Jen.

"Hey, I wanted to let you know that I scoped the outside parameter of the mansion, and even found a wheelbarrow in one of the work buildings." He grinned. "I found kerosene as well. We're going to light up the night, little dormant."

Jen laughed, "Man, when you go in, you go all in, don't you?"

"I figure I'm probably going to die for helping you girls out, might as well go out with a bang."

"A wolf after my own heart," she teased. "Thanks, Costin. Really. Decebel is going to be mad."

"Understatement," Costin added quickly.

"Of the millennium," sheagreed. "But whether he's my mate or not, I don't take crap from anyone. I defend myself and those I love when I can. He'll throw a major hissy fit and beat his chest, but eventually he will understand why I had to do this."

His face was serious, his voice thick with emotion. "He's blessed to have such a mate, and Alpha in every sense of the word."

Jen grinned and winked. "Bet your hot, furry ass I am."

Costin chuckled as he shut the door.

Jacque opened the door to her and Fane's room to find him lying across their bed, reading.

"You've been quiet today," he said, referring to their bond.

Jacque hated the idea of lying to Fane, even if it was a lie of omission.

"Just been with Jen and the girls. You know she's mentally exhausting. I missed you." Jacque climbed onto the bed and stretched out next to him. Hoping to distract him, she coyly added, "In more than one way."

Fane chuckled. "You won't get off the hook that easy, Luna."

Jacque nuzzled his neck as he continued to look at his book. Her hands began rubbing his back, moving up to his neck, then running through his thick dark hair.

Fane let out a deep rumble in his chest.

"Jacquelyn," he warned.

"Yes, mate?" she asked innocently.

Fane shut the book with a snap and set it aside. He rolled onto his side, propping himself up on one arm, effectively evading her roaming hands. Jacque frowned at him.

"I will admit that I am new to relationships, and obviously new to being mated. However, I've seen enough American television to understand that women think they can distract a man with sex when they are trying to avoid something."

Jacque knew her face was turning red because she could feel the heat creeping up her neck.

"So, as I spent most of the day in a semi-state of shock from the direction your thoughts have been going, which is normally not something you are super comfortable with, I came to the conclusion that you must not want me to know something." Fane narrowed his eyes. He wasn't angry, but he was slightly annoyed. "Is my assessment of the situation accurate, Jacquelyn?"

Jacque groaned and rolled onto her back, throwing her arm across her eyes.

"Luna, what's going on?" Fane asked matter of factly.

She took a deep breath and let it out. "I can't tell you."

He growled."We are keeping secrets so soon?"

Jacque's head whipped over to look at him. He saw the gleam in her emerald eyes and knew he had succeeded in ticking her off.

"It's not really my secret to tell, Fane. I'm not trying to be sneaky." Okay, that wasn’t absolutely true. But still, she thought. "I promised not to tell you."