Before Jen could respond, Decebel's lips were on hers. He did not start slowly or gently. This kiss was full of passion, built-up desire, and longing. He groaned and lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist. He lowered them to the pallet and laid her on her back.

As he pulled back from the kiss, Jen growled at him. She opened her eyes and smiled at the desire she saw smoldering in his.

"Baby, your eyes are glowing," Decebel told her as he leaned down and began placing small kisses on her face, her neck, and collarbones. Every so often he would swirl his tongue across her skin and chuckle when it drew a gasp from her. He began to slowly undress her, never taking his eyes from hers, and while he made love to her for the first time he told her in every language he knew just what she meant to him. Soft whispers against her ear, murmured words on her skin as he kissed her. Jen had never felt more loved or treasured in her life.

"Will always be like that?" Jen asked him sometime later. The firelight danced across Decebel's face as he lay on his back. Jen was propped up on her elbow, watching him.

He rolled over to his side, mirroring her posture, and ran a finger down where his markings adorned her skin. She shivered.

"I hope so. I hope you always respond to me just like this."

Jen's brow drew together as she looked into his eyes. "Why tonight?"

"If it goes badly tomorrow, I want to go knowing you were mine in every way." He grinned sheepishly. "Kind of selfish of me, right?"

Jen laughed and Decebel loved the glow that seem to stroke over her bare skin.

"Well, if this is what I get when you're being selfish, then by all means." Jen's smiled, then her brow drew together in thought.

"Can I ask you a question, Dec?"

"Anything," he told her as he tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Does it bother you that you didn't have a choice when it came to me?"

Decebel frowned at her. "What do you mean I didn't have a choice?"

"I mean as your mate. I mean, the signs are there, the pull is there, and there is really nothing you can do about it. You're just stuck with me."

Decebel drew her closer to his body. "Jennifer, when I was created my perfect counterpart was created as well. The one woman who could complete everything in me that is incomplete. There was no need for a choice because you are perfect for me. I don’t want you to doubt what I feel for you because we are fated to be together. What I feel is real and true and stronger than anything I have ever felt before. I wouldn't change us, change you, for anything in the world." He tipped her chin up to look into her eyes. "I love you, Jennifer, all of you."

Jen smiled up at her mate, understanding what he meant about feeling complete. For the first time in her life she felt whole.

"I wouldn't change you either. I love you,Decebel." Jen's face was full of vulnerability when she pressed her lips to his. As she pulled back, she laughed and her eyes widened when she saw the images Decebel was sharing with her through their bond.

"Let me show you how I love you," he whispered to her as he continued to send images her way.

"Are those promises?" she asked as she ducked her head and looked up at him through lowered lashes.

He nodded and rolled her on her back. He spent the rest of the night fulfilling the images he had shared.

Chapter 30

27 days post-curse

"All I'm saying is that we should really consider buying stock in Frontline. I mean, it makes sense. Think of how many of us turn furry. The potential for fleas is astronomical." Jen was going on and on while they sat in the upstairs bedroom they shared in the tavern. Jen and Jacque were sprawled across one bed, while Sally laid on her stomach, propped up on her elbows in an adjacent one.

"Jen, I'm going to say this really slow so that you will understand me," Jacque began, but was interrupted by Sally.

"No, don't say it slow. That won't help. What you need to do is add a reference to sex and some profanity. Then she will totally get you."

"Good call, Vern." Jacque gave Sally a fist bump and turned back to Jen. "Listen up, you flea-obsessed bitch. First of all, we are in Romania where it is freaking cold, there are no fleas. Second of all, Decebel would not want to roll in the sheets with you if you smelled like Frontline. Let go of the fleas, Jen, embrace a flealess attitude. Damn."

Sally was cracking up. Jen sat there, looking at Jacque with her head cocked to the side.

"Well, alright then, Jac. Tell me how you really feel. And, seriously, don't hold back on my account." Jen rolled her eyes.

"See? Told you she'd get it," Sally said in between giggles.

"Jacque, Jen and Sally," Vasile hollered from down stairs. "Meeting room, now."

The three girls jumped up and hurried down the stairs. Jen pulled out her phone and saw that it was already late afternoon and would be getting dark soon.

As they entered the meeting room, the girls saw Fane, Decebel, and Costin standing behind three empty chairs close to where Vasile stood. They walked quickly to the chairs and took their seats.

Jen felt Decebel's breath on her neck as he leaned down to whisper in her ear, "It's almost time."

A chill rolled through her at the thought that within a couple of hours they would be on a field, battling for their lives and the lives of Sally and Rachel. Thinking of Rachel, Jen realized she hadn't seen much of her in the past few days. Sally had mentioned a couple times that Peri had them studying spells, but also that they weren't allowed to discuss them. Vasile's deep voice pulled her from her thoughts.