His words broke the wall inside of her that was holding her emotions back and suddenly she was on her knees. Her arms were wrapped around her midsection as if that would somehow hold her together. “I miss you. I miss you so much that sometimes I wonder if I will be able to take in another breath.” Alina felt his arms wrap around her, felt his lips on her neck, and his breath on her skin, and though it was only in her mind, she grabbed onto it like the lifeline it was. He rarely used their bond for touch because he still felt she was too young, but he must have seen just how much agony she was in and he knew what she needed.

“When you cannot breath, I will breath for both of us.”

She knew what he was really saying was that if her faith and hope were waning, then he would have enough for the both of them. For that night, that is what she needed—for him to be her Alpha and her mate―to protect her not only from the outside enemies but also from herself. It would not be the last time that he would have to shelter her, because for all the strength she possessed, she had an equal amount of love and compassion. Though those things could be assets, they could also strip a person until every weakness was laid bare. So she would wrap herself in his care and security, because for now she did not see the chasm growing any smaller. She did not see their foe collapsing under their strength, not yet.

Romanian Proverb # 16

Omul întelept face ce poate, nu ce vrea.

If we can't do as we would, we must do as we can.

Three years after exile.

She is turning nineteen today, Vasile thought. Another birthday that he could not hold her, another year gone, lost because of the greed of one man. For three years he and his warriors had been thwarting, battling, and killing the wolves and sometimes other creatures that Emilian paid to pursue them. He had not sought out the help of Anghel or any others because this was his fight, not a species-wide battle. Vasile was tired of running. He was done with being separated from his mate and his wolf was barely under his control. It was time. He would begin seeking out those in his pack that were not loyal to Emilian, and then he would start exploiting the weakening Alpha’s paranoia. He knew they would have to be cautious because Emilian no longer had any control over the most dominant males in the pack, and they were beginning to realize just how much freedom their beasts had. He would also have to be careful who he approached to join him in the fight because of those same dominants. Their growing urge to rule might cause them to reveal Vasile and his warriors before it was time.

He stood high up on a mountain that looked down into the territory where the villages of his pack lay. He imagined he could see Alina doing the wash, talking with Sisily, laughing with her mother. His eyes closed as he pictured her face as she turned at the sound of his voice. Her face lit up as she ran to him throwing herself in his arms and finally he was holding her. Warmth seeped intohim from her body heating his blood that had grown so cold over the years. Her touch, and hers alone, chased away the darkness, filling him up inside with peace and love. A limb cracking behind him snapped him out of his day dream and his eyes opened. Soon, beloved, but not soon enough, he thought as he turned away from the villages and saw his warriors waiting on him.

“I do not know about you three, but I am tired of sleeping on the ground, eating raw rabbits, and constantly looking over my shoulder.” His eyes narrowed and he knew they were glowing with his wolf. “I want back what is mine.”

“Finally,” Ion muttered drawing a chuckle from the others.

“Now we get to kill him?” Nicu asked as his claws emerged from his very human hands.

Vasile smiled a wolfish grin. “Feeling bloodthirsty?”

The warrior shrugged and then scratched his head with his long, sharp claws. “I do not know what would give you that idea.”

“Could not possibly be the glowing eyes or sharp nails,” Alin said dryly.

“If you all are done,” Vasile said as he motioned towards the side of the mountain they had climbed up. “Let’s finish this.”

Romanian Proverb #17

Pui migdale în nasul porcului si el spune cã e o ghindã.

Honey is not for the ass's mouth.

Four long years after exile.

“When was the last time you heard from your brother?” Alina asked Sisily as they sat with their feet dangling in the river at their usual spot. The water was cool, bringing them a measure of relief from the hot summer day.

“It has been over a month,” Sisily admitted.

“Same for me as well, which is strange since he is usually the one who helps with the weekly questioning, and of course, he comes by my house to check and see how I am,” Alina said as she rolled her eyes. “All he is really doing is trying to see if he can tell if I am mated with Vasile.”

“Maybe he is trying to smell him on you. Maybe he thinks you are seeing Vasile secretly,” Sisily said in a dreamy voice, her romantic notions of danger and intrigue getting the better of her.

“If only,” Alina sighed.

“It is getting more painful, isn’t it?” Sisily asked.

Alina nodded but did not look at her friend.

“Is there something wrong other than you missing Vasile?”

Alina never was good at hiding things, especially not from her closest friend. She leaned over so close that her mouth touched Sisily’s ear and whispered as softly as she could. “I got my markings.” Alina was ready for Sisily’s reaction and slapped a hand over her mouth pulling her close. “You have to act normal,” she whispered quickly. “If Emilian finds out I am as good as dead.”