Sally jaw dropped open at Costin's words, which only made the wolf in front of her stretch a wide grin across his face.

"I already told you, Sally. You are mine. Once you get that major detail into that sharp mind of yours, the rest will be child's play."

Sally didn't know what to say. She stood there, looking into the most beautiful hazel eyes she had ever seen, and wanted to pinch herself to make sure she was awake. She was his. That's what he had said –she was his. Sally's head cocked to the side as she considered that thought. Her eyes narrowed as she continued to look at Costin's too-beautiful face.

"If I'm yours," she paused and licked her lips nervously, "that means -"

Costin wrapped an arm around her wais,t pulling a gasp from her as he wrapped the hand that had been cupping her face around the nape of her neck possessively. He pressed his forehead to hers and smiled when her breaths quickened.

"You're mine, beautiful healer, which means I'm yours," Costin told her firmly.

Sally tried to slow her breathing, but feeling him so close, the intensity and the confidence in his words – it was all overwhelming.

"Oh boy," she finally got out.

"Oh, sweet Sally mine, now that is an understatement."

Epilogue

Jen watched Decebel as he spoke to the Serbian pack. The confidence he wore like the most comfortable pair of jeans was intoxicating. She should be paying attention to what he was saying, but her man was hot and that was distracting.

"I can hear you, you know?" She heard the smile in his voice as he spoke through their bond.

"Like it's news to you. You know I drool over you on a regular basis." Jen rolled her eyes when he looked up at her from where he stood. She froze when his eyes began to glow.

"Decebel, you can't look at me like that in public."

"Why not? You're mine. Do you need a reminder?" He raised a single eyebrow at her in challenge.

Instead of answering, she turned and walked away, knowing it would drive him crazy. She made a beeline for the room they had claimed in the new mansion that the Serbian pack – her pack – had taken up residence in. It had been only two weeks since the battle, or WWF, as she and Jacque were calling it – Wars with Fur Balls. One thing she had learned, the fur balls didn't play when stuff needed to get done. Things had been moving quickly since it was decided that Decebel would be Alpha of the Serbian pack. They had decided a fresh start was needed and sold the previous pack mansion. They bought a new one on some land that was much closer to the Romanian pack, which was something Jen had pushed for. So far everyone had been very nice. A little timid, but the vibes that Jen was getting were those of relief. It was like the Serbian pack had been starved for affection and safety, and constantly drenchedin fear. They had not respected Thad, they had followed him only out of fear, or at least the surviving wolves had.

Decebel had made it very clear that he was their Alpha and he would protect them, provide for them when they needed, and teach them to thrive. Jen was still nervous, but excited at the same time. Rachel had been over helping Jen meet the other females and get things settled. It was still up in the air who Decebel's Beta would be and which healer would come to their pack. So many decisions to be made, so many difficult things ahead of them. But, as Jen walked down the long corridor toward the room Decebel and she had claimed, the only thing she could think of was her mate and how much she needed to be in his arms.

She'd nearly made it to the door when a strong arm swept her off her feet. She let out a breathless laugh as Decebel swung their door open and slammed it behind him. He tossed her on their king-sized bed and let out a low growl when she bounced up onto her hands and knees, ready to jump away.

"Jennifer," he growled in warning.

"Yes, Alpha?" Jen's words dripped with sweetness.

"Don't make me chase you."

"Ahh, but you love the chase."

He moved slowly toward the bed and Jen saw something in his eyes that gave her pause.

"Not tonight, baby. Tonight I need you right now."

Jen walked on her knees to the edge of the bed, meeting him there. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her tight.

"All you have to do is tell me. Whatever you need, Dec, it's yours." Jen leaned forward and kissed him gently on the lips. She could see the worry in the lines on his face and the stress that tensed his muscles.

"I just need you, Jennifer. Always you." He kissed her possessively, firmly letting her know she was his and he was hers.

"All yours, my love," Jen whispered in his mind.

"Thank you, Jennifer. Thank you for loving me."

Jen pulled back, startled by his words.

"Like it's a hardship," she teased, then sobered. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, Dec. Never doubt that. Never doubt my love for you."

"You have no idea how much you mean to me. How much joy you have brought to my life." He stepped back from her and walked to the bedside table. Pulling open a drawer, he looked over his shoulder at her. "I have something for you."

Jen smiled. "For me?" she asked brightly.

He nodded. He pulled out a small, white velvet box. Jen's breath caught.

"I wasn't exactly prepared when we bonded and married, so I didn't have this to give you. You wear my marks on your skin, you bear my bite on your beautiful neck. Now I would ask you to wear one more thing to show the world you are mind."