The Burning Claw
Page 100

Once they were all in Vasile’s office, the Alpha turned to everyone in the room. He looked tired as if the fate of their pack and of the rest of the world balanced precariously on his shoulders.
“Everyone needs to get some sleep and process what we witnessed today. Lean on your mate for comfort. The Great Luna gave us our true mates for such a time as this. We’ve had to watch one of our own be violated mentally and physically. We’ve had to see her mate deteriorate as the darkness and grief consumed him. We’ve watched that same male get his justice in a most violent manner. We’ve also watched the reunion of those mates and the incredible pain that they are both feeling. They have a very long road ahead of them. They are going to need the support of their pack, or maybe I should say packs.” He glanced at Decebel who bent his head slightly forward.
“We will meet back here tomorrow evening at seven,” Vasile said with finality.
The room began to disperse and Peri watched as Decebel pulled Jen close, tears already streaming down her face. Jacque was in a similar position with Fane and he was whispering to her, his own face one of torment. Even Cypher, the king, looked subdued. He was no doubt going to find his own mate, who was somewhere in the mansion babysitting Slate. Peri was just about to flash when she saw Alina rush into the room. The female Alpha stopped the minute she saw her mate. The only way to describe the look in her eyes was utter, complete, intense, love. She pulled herself together and walked to her mate as the controlled and regal Alpha female that she was.
As soon as she was before him, Vasile was on his knees. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed his forehead into her stomach. Alina folded herself over him. Peri’s breath caught at the incredible devotion she could feel pouring off of each of them.
Sally’s ordeal had really shaken Vasile up. She knew every male was imaging what they would have done had it been their mate. Being so close to tragedy often causes people to realize what they have and how precious it is.
She flashed, leaving the Alphas to their private moment. She reappeared in the suite she shared with Lucian. Peri hadn’t been standing there for longer than ten seconds when a massive form swooped in lifting her off her feet. She was lying on her back in a matter of moments with her mate over her.
Lucian looked down at her with a hunger that took her breath away. She understood exactly how he felt.
“You know that I try to be understanding and give you your space, but female I cannot go a week without seeing you. The turmoil I was feeling inside of you today was driving me mad. You were in so much pain and you still are.”
“Lucian, it was awful. I’ve never seen such pain in two people’s eyes. I honestly don’t know if Sally can handle this. I’m scared it’s going to eat her alive until there is nothing left but a shell.” Peri closed her eyes as tears slipped down her cheeks.
“I can’t fix this,” Lucian growled. “And that is unbelievably frustrating. I can’t fix it, but I can make you forget for just a little while,” he finished his words in a whisper next to her ear.
She shivered at his warm breath and confident touch.
“Let me take care of you, beloved mate. Let me bathe you, feed you, and then love you.” He said all of that while pressing kisses to the mark he had put upon her.
“I’m all yours, wolf. Do your worst,” Peri told him. She thanked the Great Luna as her mate took care of her that night. Peri had never wanted a mate or a significant other. She’d have been a fool if she had not accepted Lucian as hers.
“I would have followed you around until you gave in,” Lucian teased, having heard her thoughts.
“I don’t doubt you for a minute.”
 
 
“Shhh, baby. You’re scaring me,” Decebel whispered against his mate’s hair. She was curled up in his lap, weeping, and had been for a half hour. She was killing him. He understood what she was feeling, he could feel it pulsing through their bond. And he also felt nearly the same way. “Though I hurt for Sally and Costin, all my wolf and I can think is what if that had been our mate?” He pulled her closer and moved her hair over her shoulder so that he could press his lips to her neck. He sighed. Her skin against his was what he and his wolf craved.
“Dec, you didn’t feel her as we held her in that bar. She shook so violently that I thought she might be having a seizure. Something broke in her when she realized that Costin was going to know about what she and Jericho did. I know Sally. She will want to take full responsibility for everything that happened.” She shuddered in his arms as her eyes become unfocused. She was remembering. “Nobody can handle that kind of guilt. Why?” she yelled suddenly.
Jennifer pulled out of his arms and began pacing as she ranted. “WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE HER? Out of all of us it should have been ME!” she roared.
Decebel was on his feet towering over her in a heartbeat. “Never say that again. Costin is young. Sixty years without your mate is hard but two centuries without you, I would have lost it, Jennifer. There would have been a hell of a lot more deaths I can promise you that. I know you’re hurting for your friend, but never wish something like that on yourself. Think about me.” He slammed his hand against his chest. “Think about our daughter.”
Her shoulders fell as the fight left her. “It’s just… it’s—” She stumbled over her words. “It’s Sally. Sweet, forgiving, gentle Sally. It sucks. It sucks so freaking much.”
“Vasile asked me if I would have you check on her. Would that help?” he asked her tentatively.
Jennifer’s forehead scrunched together as she bit her bottom lip. Finally, she nodded.
Jen made a stop at Jacque’s room and had to pull rank on Fane in order to let Jacque leave with her. It just didn’t feel right going without the third part of the trio.
“You holding it together?” she asked Jacque.
“I’m sick. I’m sick and no I’m not. It’s Sally, Jen. The look on her face when she realized she had a mate and that mate was not Jericho…I never want to see such anguish, guilt, and despair on her face ever again.”
When they reached the door to the Miklos suite, Jen held up her hand to knock but stopped when she heard Costin’s voice. She motioned Jacque to come closer.
“I want you, I adore you, I love you. You’re mine and I’m yours.” Costin’s voice was tender and genuine.