“We aim to please, Peri fairy.”

Peri snorted. “Judging from the look of your expanding belly, I would say you must be succeeding.”

Jacque spewed the water she had been drinking out of her mouth as laughter bubbled up.

Jen patted her rounding stomach and grinned over at her mate. “What do you think B? How’s my aim?”

“Jen,” Jacque was still laughing as she tried to talk, “your aim is not the one you should be worried about.”

Jen paused as she thought about Jacque’s words and then a wicked, wicked grin spread across her face. “Good call, Jacque. Alright, I’ll revise my question,” she looked back over to Decebel. “B, how’s your aim?”

The room erupted into laughter. Decebel bared his teeth at his mate. “I would say it’s spot on Jennifer,” he growled through their bond.

“Dec says it’s…,”

“Jennifer,” Decebel interrupted her and she was laughing too hard to continue.

“Can we please get back to the matter at hand?” Vasile asked as he rubbed his forehead. The group gathered around Vasile had been chosen months ago, chosen to lead, and chosen to stand as examples to each of the races. Vasile had called this meeting to discuss what could be done about their mutual enemy. The only ones not present were Sally and Costin. Decebel had told his second that he thought it best that he stay away for now. Costin had not been happy about it, but then he could not defy his alpha.

“Well, in this case, no news is not good news,” Peri said as her eyes met Vasile’s.

“I’ve been trying to go through the archives to see if we have any information on this Reyaz character,” Wadim spoke up from where he sat on the floor.

“Have you come up with anything useful?” Decebel asked.

“Not much, just that he’s the warlock king’s brother and that they had a falling-out. But the records don’t go into the history as to why.”

“It’s obvious what we need to do then,” Peri glanced around the room.

“Please tell me it has something to do with eating,” Jen muttered.

Decebel placed his hand on the back of Jen’s neck from where he stood behind her.

“I’m not going to let you starve, Jennifer,” he teased her.

“You know I get cranky when I’m hungry.”

“When are you not cranky, baby?”

“Not the point, B.” She reached back and smacked his hand away, but he just chuckled and put it right back where it had been.

“As important as your appetite being satisfied is to all of us Jen, it’s not quite the top priority,” Peri’s voice was gentle as if she was talking to a child.

“It should be. That’s all I’m saying.”

“Noted,” Peri nodded. “What I was going to say before the pregnant woman enlightened us with her needs, and surprisingly enough they were not carnal in nature, is that we need to get Cypher over here to explain just why his brother is…,”

“Mad cow disease crazy?” Jacque interrupted.

Peri grinned. “That’s one way to put it.”

“MCDC,” Jen piped in, “awesome acronym, sounds like a band.”

The room let out a collective groan as they all looked at Jen.

“Jen, get a clue and read Wadim’s shirt.” Jacque told her dryly.

Jen glanced over at Wadim who, oh so helpfully, pulled his shirt out so that she could read it.

In black bold letters it said, “No really, I’m a werewolf and you’re a human, which essentially translates into a steak with legs.”

“Are you implying that Wadim’s going to eat me, cause I don’t know how Dec would feel about that.”

Decebel rubbed his face as he let out an exasperated breath. “Jen, Jacque, hush. Wadim, quit encouraging them with your stupid grin.”

“I will get in touch with the warlock,” Vasile continued as if the banter between Jen and Jacque hadn’t taken place.

“I think I should go, Alpha,” Peri spoke up. “It will be quicker and I want to check out what’s going on in his forest. From what I’m hearing from some of the warlocks I’ve spoken with, there seems to be a lot of turbulence in the air.”

“Fine, do it quickly. Tell him I’ll expect him tomorrow.”

Peri nodded at him and then was gone.

“I so wish I could do that,” Jacque said looking longingly at the spot Peri had just occupied.

“As for the rest of you,” Vasile stood as he addressed the group, “I know it’s easy to get complacent as we wait to see what our enemy has planned, but you must not let this happen. Females, you need to be training for combat, except Jen,”

Jen snarled at him, but Vasile just kept going. “The healers need to continue to learn and do whatever it is they can to prepare to help the injured, wolves and fae alike. Decebel, it would be helpful if you would stay in touch with the Alphas that have returned to their packs. We need to continue to build the relationships that we have started; we must stay united. Males, I have asked Thalion, prince of the elves, and Adam to train with you. We are strong and fast, but they are faster. It may well be that we need to learn a few new fighting techniques ourselves. They will also be teaching you archery. We need to be prepared to fight back in whatever form the attack comes.”

All of the males nodded and murmured their agreement.

“Alright, we will meet again tomorrow when Cypher gets here.”

“This means I get to eat now right?” Jen smiled as she stood up.

“Oh my goodness, someone get the girl some food so she’ll shut up.”

“I heard that, Jacque.”

“I meant for you to hear it, you dork,” Jacque told her.

Jen looked over at Fane who was standing just behind Jacque. His eyes seemed dull, no longer the bright blue they had once been and his lips were tight.

“Fane, you need to control your woman.”

Jacque’s head snapped up as her eyes collided with her friends. They were wide and were giving Jen the what the hell glare.

Jen shrugged. “It’s time he got his head out of his butt and joined the rest of us back here in the living.”

Fane didn’t growl; he didn’t even acknowledge Jen’s words. He just placed his hand on the back of Jacque’s back and began to guide her from the room. Jacque continued to glare at Jen until she stomped past her.