Free Just One Drop by Quinn Loftis Page A

you," Jen said matter of factly. "Okay." She looked back at Alina and Vasile. "So have I covered the basics?"
    "It's really not as uncivilized as you are picturing it, Jen," Alina told her gently. "It's like a social gathering. They will divide you into groups, as there are quite a large number of people. In the evenings everyone will gather in the great hall for dinner and dancing. But during the day you will be told where you are to be. A group of unmated females will be meeting in various locations on the estate with unmated males. There will be Alphas and mated pairs present at all times. You will never be alone with an unmated male unless you find your true mate. From Jacque and what you have been learning about the pack in tutoring, you know that there are distinct signs when you find your true mate."
    Jen couldn't help her gaze drifting over to where Decebel stood. When their eyes met, Jen felt chills run over her body at the intensity of his stare. Alina's voice drew her attention back.
    "You will receive an itinerary once we arrive."
    "Tonight at the pack meeting," Vasile continued for Alina, "you will meet some other unmated females who will be attending as well. I think you, Jacque, and Sally should spend some time with them and get to know them. We want you to feel safe, Jen. No one will force you to do anything, and if you happen to meet your mate don't panic, okay?"
    "Alpha," Jen smiled ruefully, "when have you ever known me to panic around yummy werewolves?"
    A growl resonated through the room.
    "Oh, stick a cork in it, B," Jen snarled at Decebel.
    Vasile cocked his head to the side as he looked at Jen. "B?"
    "Yeah. Ya know, for Beta. Although, I like it because I could also be calling him the technical term for a female dog and he wouldn't know it. So really, calling him B totally works to my advantage," Jen explained in all seriousness.
    Everyone turned when a quick burst of laughter came from the right side of the room. When Sorin saw everyone turn their eyes on him, he quickly began coughing. Holding up his hands, he finally composed himself. "Pardon me, Alpha. I seemed to have swallowed wrong."
    "You have to be careful while swallowing smart ass comments, Sorin," Jen teased. "They tend to have a choking effect."
    Sorin winked at Jen, who refused to look at the ominous wolf in the room currently staring a hole in her head.
    Jen looked back to Vasile. "Okay, so the moral of the story is find a mate, don't panic, and try to avoid any male pissing contests…literally." Jen winked at Decebel as she said this and he lifted his lip in a snarl.
    "That sounds about right," Vasile agreed. "I think today you should just go about the rest of your day as usual. Try not to worry about The Gathering."
    Jen snorted. "Yeah, I'll get right on that."
     
     
    Thad, the Alpha of the Serbia pack, held a cell phone to his ear as he listened to his contact.
    "There is to be a pack meeting tonight announcing The Gathering," the voice on the other end told him.
    "Will the three Americans be in attendance?" Thad asked.
    "Yes."
    "I expect you to befriend them, earn their trust." Thad paused. "I'm still working out the details of the plan, but as soon as I have figured it out I will be in contact. Remember, don't contact me. I will be in touch with you."
    "Yes, Alpha." Then his contact disconnected the call.
    Thad sat down in his office chair, looking out over the mountains of his territory. All he had to do was be patient and let his quarry come to him. The Gathering was a month away, he had plenty of time to finalize the plan. Once everything is said and done, I will have taken down the most powerful Alpha in a century.
     
     
    Decebel knocked on the door to the pack infirmary. Remembering Jennifer's words, he grinned and waited for Dr. Steele to invite him. Wouldn't Jennifer be proud of me? he thought.
    "Come on in," he heard Cynthia Steele yell through the door.
    Decebel turned the knob and pushed the door open, sticking his