Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

My Thoughts:

What is a guaranteed way to cause the wolf inside the man to completely lose it and force dominance? Attempt to harm his mate, heck, for that matter, just touch his mate…and that is what Fane saw just as Jacque slammed the wall up in her mind, Lucas lunging after Jacque.

At that point, Fane’s wolf didn’t care about rules, or protocol, he simply wanted to rip Lucas’ throat out and be done with it. Now I would have been all for that, but we would have missed out on some gut wrenching moments, so no complaining about this now.

Fortunately, Fane was able to rein things in by hearing Sara moving around downstairs. Granted he wasn’t able to be 100% in control, but it was better than the wolf running amuck through the streets of Coldspring.

I suspect what truly kept Fane’s head in the game at this point was the knowledge that Lucas had violated the challenge rules, in doing so; Fane would now be able to be with Jacque during the remaining two days before the challenge. As long as Jacque wasn’t hurt, this was actually a good thing.

Ok so here is my rant for this chapter begins:

::soapbox::

The rules state that if one of the challengers is the “true mate” and the other challenger attempts to cause the female physical harm (I’m going to just ignore the fact that it specifically says physical harm nothing about emotional…) that instead of being banned from seeing his mate before the challenge, he is allowed to stay with her and protect her.  Ah, hello?! Does anyone else feel that there is something just hugely wrong here??? I mean seriously, if the challenger is capable of causing harm to the female before they are mated, what makes you think he won’t hurt her once they are?! Why on earth would anyone ever think it was ok to allow it to continue? I mean if Fane had violated his part of the agreement, by seeing her before the challenge, he would have forfeited her forever. However, Lucas attempts physical harm and he simply has to deal with Fane getting to spend the next two days with her before the challenge?!  WTH?!

Then, as if that isn’t enough to just make your blood boil, when Fane lands in front of Lucas the first thing Lucas says is:

“If you touch me you forfeit the challenge.”

Seriously?!  You touched Jacque and all you have to do is just suck it up and let her actual mate stay with her for two days, Fane even just touches you (and doesn’t rip you to shreds as he really wants to do) and he forfeits?! Again I say WTH?!

::endsoapbox::

Now Fane is in the street spouting Romanian to the man in front of him, wanting nothing more than to turn said man into coleslaw and what does he do, looks over and sees the red marks on Jacque’s arms. Oh so not a good thing.

…his wolf won. Three words but so much meaning to them; Fane saw the marks on Jacque’s arms and the man checked out. The wolf took over and that was it. It could have ended so much worse for a lot of people here.

Enter Sorin! Lucas didn’t know Sorin was in the house, so that must have been a bit of a surprise. However, Sorin kept Fane’s head together and his teeth off of Lucas.

Lucas doesn’t necessarily agree that he violated the charges, but marks are marks and Sorin explains that it doesn’t really matter what Lucas thinks, reality is what it is. So Lucas grabs his guys and leaves.

I have to laugh at Jacque; she gives Fane grief about telling her to go inside while he is in wolf form. Sometimes our girls just don’t know when to shut up and roll with it. You would think she would be more focused on the fact that Fane was now able to be with her. 

It is funny though; Jacque is all independent and knows her place in the world until it comes to intimacy. Then she is shy and uncomfortable. I love how she blushes every time she has talk about the bonding ceremony, or how she enters her bed room with her eyes shielded to give Fane clothes. It is very sweet that she has this shy, innocent girlie side to her.

Now we begin to really see the irrational guilt that the males have. Fane feels guilty as he looks over the bruises on Jacque’s arms. He feels guilty because he failed to protect her. Forget the fact that he was not able to be there because of challenge rules. He knows his job is to protect her, but I’m sorry it isn’t possible to protect her 24/7 unless you never let her out of your sight. This, btw, will never be the case with Jacque, or any of the girls for that matter.

Fane is thankful when he sees that Jacque doesn’t judge him, condemn him, or even become angry with him because he wasn’t there. That she is actually understanding and the voice of reason by pointing out the rules being in the way of him being with her. This happens a few times in the series. Irrational guilt followed by doubt followed by apologies. Not just with the males, but a lot of it is the males. Makes me wonder, do we spend a fraction of that time being concerned about our own relationships? Do we admit when we have short comings even when there are real circumstances preventing us from doing what we believe to be our best? Do we tell the person we are sorry, even if it appears we are being irrational in our guilt? Yeah, I know – random side bar…I digress.

Favorite Lines:

Sometimes life just threw you a bone when you needed one.

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“Oh crap, he’s talking in Romanian. That means he’s pissed doesn’t it? They always talk in their native tongue in the movies when they’re fixing to kick somebody’s a-“

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He knew he needed to calm down but when he glanced over and saw the red marks on Jacquelyn’s arms, his wolf won.

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“Oh right, sorry. I just get so carried away. I’m good, carry on.”

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“What you think does not play into what simply is. It is time for you to take your pack and leave.”

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“You gotta be kidding me. You’re bossy even when you’re in wolf form.”

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“EWWWW! You have GOT to stop kissing me in public. Really, it’s getting out of hand,”

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“No touching while you’re standing in nothing but a blanket,” she told him, trying to sound firm but not able to wipe the grin off her face.

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I’m a wolf, not a dog, love. And if I don’t get to pee on you, then you most certainly do not get to pee on me.” Fane teased her.

Things We Learned:

• Fane was able to see Lucas lunge at Jacque before she managed to get the wall up
• Lucas touching Jacque, in a threatening way, violated the challenge rules
• Because of the violation, Fane will now be able to stay with Jacque
• If Fane touches Lucas before the challenge, Fane forfeits
• Male Canis Lupis feel irrational guilt when it comes to the protection of their mates

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 20

Chapter 20

My Thoughts:

Warning – I’m very passionate about this chapter LOL

Ah Lucas, I’m assuming that he is mentally unstable – because he is one of the reasons I just want to pull my hair out and say “WTH?!” If someone is not your true mate, the darkness cannot be taken away just because you want it to be. So why, why, why does he feel he has the right to challenge Fane? I realize that at this point he hasn’t seen Jacque’s marks, but come on! He has obviously seen her, obviously been close enough to her to figure out that she is Canis Lupis – and there are no signs of her being his mate! What other reason could he have for challenging Fane than he is mentally unstable?

Alas I am getting ahead of myself, at this moment Fane is just calling him – but I know what this is leading up to and it pisses me off! :breathe:

Don’t you love it when Lucas tells Fane that he is not sanctioned to be there?! Lucas hasn’t gone through the proper channels to register his pack, but he is giving protocol lessons to the Prince of the Romanian Wolves?? Puhlease!

When Fane beautifully puts Lucas in his place, Lucas has the audacity to ask Fane if he can prove she is his mate…well duh and then the SOB challenges Fane for bonding rites.

Ok – so now I’m at the proper moment for my rant…WHY?! Let’s say, just for the sake of argument, that Lucas had of won – well first that would have been a really crappy story line on QL’s part, but put that aside, would he really want to attempt to bond (don’t even think of mating) with someone who was not his true mate after watching him kill her mate?! Jacque would have killed him. Even if he did go through with the ceremony, they wouldn’t have bonded – it isn’t how it works, he wouldn’t have erased the knowledge from her very being that he was not meant to touch her. She would kill him, and until the moment she did she would hate him. Did he think he would get past that?

Ok – I’m going to move past this now, but it will come up again in Blood Rites, so just giving you fair warning now.

I love how Fane thinks about how is Alpha will be livid but Jacquelyn will be even angrier – now just how angry is it once you moved beyond livid?  Would this be the Bill Cosby definition of a conniption? Well this is what I imagined – Jacque having a conniption – have that picture in your mind and think about it for just a moment.  Doesn’t that sound like a fun time?

Fane, to his credit, immediately starts planning on getting Jacque and her mother out of the country.

Lucas explains that he will have guards outside of Jacque’s house to make sure Fane doesn’t do anything stupid, like get her out of the country. He will have them there in an hour, so Fane has that time to speak with Jacque for the last time until the challenge. 

During this discussion, Jacque has figured out that something is going on and she is beginning to freak just a little. Fane has assured her that he will come explain things, and she gives him 5 minutes. That had to be a very long 5 minutes for her…knowing that something had his emotions going haywire, but not knowing exactly what. She also has no idea that someone can challenge him, to the death, for her – imagine if she did realize this danger was out there just how freaked out she would have been at this moment?!

Ok So Fane has ended the call, made it to Jacque’s and told her to gather everyone while he grabs Sorin. Sorin is already on his way to meet him and asks Fane if he has called his father. This is one in tuned body guard. He was aware there was an Alpha calling worthy event taking place. Immediately you like this guy (if you didn’t already).

The little gesture that Jacque makes of getting up and moving to be with Fane as he is about to explain what is happening was very heartwarming. It is as if instinctively she knows how to be an Alpha’s mate.

I love that Fane puts a plan in place to get Jacque and Lilly out of the country if he should lose. I also love that Jacque will not acknowledge that this is even a possibility. Her declaration is sweet and one you feel to your very core.

I also love that Jacque can maintain some sense of herself through all of this. As Fane shows her how he feels about her through his kiss, in front of everyone she is shocked by the public display. I love this about all of the girls, regardless of the situation, they are who they are.

Favorite Lines:

“There is no record of your pack. Therefore, I do not have to seek permission to be here. As for the female you are referring to, unless you can prove that she is indeed your mate, you have no claim on her.” (IN YOUR FACE)

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“You can’t third something you dork, you can just say ‘aye’ to show you are in agreement.” Sally informed her.

Things We Learned:

• Lucas Steele is the Alpha of the Coldspring Pack, and he has claimed Jacque
• Lucas challenges Fane for Bonding Ceremony rites
• Fane will call his Alpha to come – requiring 2 days
• Lucas will have his men guard Jacque during the 2 days waiting for Vasile to arrive
• Lucas will be visiting Jacque’s house to introduce himself and explain his position
• Fane’s wolf is beyond angry
• Sorin is intuitive
• Jacque trusts Fane
• The challenge is a fight to the death
• Fane is putting a contingency plan in place in case he loses
• Fane has to obey the rules of the challenge or forfeit and lose her
• Jacque solidifies that she is not a fan of PDA

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 17

Chapter 17

My Thoughts:

After Fane and Jacque finish admitting to one another that they think the other is hot; things start to fall into place. Now Jacque is caught off guard by Sorin standing in the house and later on by her two best friends being there. I’m guessing that she was so caught up in her thoughts from all that was happening and the hotness of Fane that she didn’t notice 3 cars in front of her house. Granted, QL doesn’t tell us the cars are there, but in previous statements we know the girls drove there in their car, and we know that Sorin was renting a car when he got to the airport. So there were 2 possibly 3 cars…but I digress.

Now I read somewhere that someone didn’t like all the internal dialog that takes place, I’ve also read that some people do not like the amount of dialog period that take place in TGWS…I personally love it. My family is a chatty bunch, we tend to say what we are thinking, and I know that I have a lot of internal dialog, so to me this is normal. It is also, IMHO some of the funniest internal dialog, also reminding me of my family.

I must give Lilly props for being completely open and honest with her daughter over not wanting to tell her the truth about her heritage. She could have said she was waiting until she was 18 or a number of other things; instead she just says:

“Actually, no. I wasn’t planning on telling you as long as it never affected you. I figured there was no reason to add confusion to the pain of your father leaving.”

Considering what she has just been told, Jacque responds pretty well. She of course has to learn what the realities of being a werewolf actually is since what she knows is all fairytale.  Here is where she finds out that Jennifer and Sally are still there at the request of Lilly. Again, props to Lilly for thinking ahead and having her daughter’s support system there and ready to help Jacque process the information that just turned her world upside down.

Once Jacque gets the information processing, it dawns on her that Fane has referred to her as his mate. Now I’m not entirely sure why at this point Fane looks deflated, well I mean it is explained that the thought of her not wanting him is more than he can bear but I’m not sure why he went straight to that conclusion. Is it just the insecurity that comes with being 17 years old? Is it that he is concerned that this is just too much new information to process for her, that not being from his world she is automatically going to reject his way of life and do what she wants? I would think that a lot of thoughts went swirling through Jacque’s mind as she was processing everything and trying to suss out how she felt, I’m sure there were probably a few thoughts that scared Fane.

Unfortunately for Jacque the one thing she asks for is the one thing she cannot have. Isn’t that always the case? She wants some time to sort through things and really get a grasp on what she is feeling. Fane has to tell her the rest of what is going on and that is where QL decided to leave us…

Favorite Lines:

“I guess I’m as good as can be expected. Don’t be alarmed if I freak out or have a meltdown, it will pass,” she told him with only a small amount of teasing in her voice.

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Jacque closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing. In and out, in and out. Whatever it is, whatever he tells you, you will not cower in a corner and shake like a frightened puppy, she told herself firmly. No, but I make no promises that I won’t pass out from shock. There is no shame in passing out, it’s simply the brain’s way of saying 'hold the stink up, I need to process this mess'. Jacque smiled at her monologue, wondering if other people talked to themselves like that. Probably not, but everyone’s got something, right?

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“Fane, you can’t possibly be embarrassed by thinking I’m hot. I practically drool all over you every time I see you. I should be the one embarrassed,” she confessed to him.

“Are you?” Fane asked.

“I guess maybe I should be, but throw me a bone, you are freaking hot. I can’t change that so I’m embracing it.”

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Okay, Jacque thought, I’m fixing to have a two-year-old moment.

“MOM!” Jacque yelled, “WHO IN KING ARTHUR’S NAME IS THIS MAN IN OUR HOUSE, WHAT THE CRAP DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU AREN’T TELLING ME, AND FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS THAT KEEP US SANE WHAT HELL IS GOING ON!”

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“Well, that’s a crappy deal. Here you have a dad who can turn into this cool wolf thingy and you can’t even get a sexy, bushy tail,” Jen said as she and Sally walked into the living room.

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“Every page-turning word. I wanted to pop some popcorn. I figured there might be some tense moments and you know I eat when I’m tense, but goody two shoes here wouldn’t let me,” Jen said irritably.

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“We know, sweetie. But see, since it was Jacque finding out it was her dad who gets hairy, not yours, I didn’t really care if you were tense.”

  

Things We Learned:

• Jacque was actually freaked out by the events that took place in the park
• The idea of Fane leaving causes Jacque actual pain
• Sorin has arrived
• Lilly never planned to tell Jacque the truth about her father
• Jacque realizes that her mom still loves her father
• Although Lilly was originally angry when Fane first arrived, she has come to terms with it
• Jacque gets sarcastic when she is freaked out (and under many other circumstances)
• Jennifer eats when she is tense
• Jacque finds out that her dad left because he found his true mate, and never found out about her
• The thought of life without Fane makes it hard for Jacque to breathe

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

My Thoughts:

Previously we found out that Fane’s  markings stung when the car drove by as he was entering Jacque’s house. Here we are told that there were two Canis Lupis in the car. Steve, the salesman, and another that we have not yet met.

Although we know that someone has claimed Jacque, at least at the beginning of this chapter, Fane doesn’t understand what they want with her. It may be that at this point he thinks that because she had no mating signs that someone just claimed the right to get to know her. At this point Fane doesn’t appear to suspect that he is going to be challenged for bonding rites. If he had of suspected it, I imagine that he would have already had Lilly and Jacque on a plane back to Romania.

Fane calls his father to seek advice. He knows that the Coldspring Alpha wants him out, and Fane wants to know what his father/Alpha thinks is the best course of action. Vasile has decided to send Sorin back to Texas in order to show the Coldspring pack that Fane is not alone. He has told Fane to protect Lilly and Jacque but to not do anything without a reason.  Then Vasile kind of drops a few bombs on Fane. Sorin will be staying with Lilly, which makes Fane slightly uncomfortable because Sorin is an unmated male, but he trusts Sorin and the protection is needed. Fane learns that Lilly knows what is going on but has not shared with Jacque. He is starting to truly understand that someone really means to bond with his true mate.

Vasile explains that what was once taught about true mates is no longer remembered by some, and that is why they think that bonding with any female will work. Now I’m not sure if this is an indication that the werewolf education just really where the subject of mates/bonding is concerned or if the darkness that takes over causes them to forget, or just be that stupid. It seems to me that fighting to the death for someone who cannot possibly live up to your expectations is a bit much, so there has to be something that clouds their judgment. So is it that they forget because of the darkness, or because they are not taught?

The conversation with his father over, Fane reaches out to Jacque. After discovering she’s not a morning person, he tells her when he will pick her up and that they will be playing putt-putt.

Favorite Lines:

“…What they don’t know, because they don’t remember what our ancestors have taught, is there is only one mate for each. Only one,” his father emphasized.

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“Oh, my bad. It’s moved up to still-too-freaking early,” Jacquelyn responded.

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“I was thinking that golf game Americans play that has all the different obstacles,” Fane answered.

Things We Learned:

• Fane runs (of course he does)
• Werewolves are stealthy
• Canis Lupis can run longer distances than humans, even in human form
• Canis Lupis do not have to work out (and yes I hate them just a little for that)
• Canis Lupis all have muscular physiques, some are leaner than others
• Jacque still dreams about Trent, but not in a way that shows she still is interested in him
• Fane and his wolf both are unhappy about the idea of Trent hurting Jacque
• Canis Lupis can run faster than humans, even in human form
• There were 2 Canis Lupis in the car that passed Jacque’s house the night before
• Vasile has not ordered Fane to leave yet
• Vasile is sending Sorin back
• Sorin will be staying at Jacque’s house
• Vasile has spoken with Lilly
• Jacque is half Grey
• Jacque’s father is a Grey
• Jacque’s parents were together a long time, never married
• Jacque’s father told Lilly about being Grey because she had a special gift and knew there was something different about him
• Jacque’s father came home one day, packed his stuff and left
• Jacque’s father has been located and he has a mate
• Lilly knows who Fane is
• Lilly never told Jacque about who/what her father was or what she is
• Fane is supposed to let Lilly be the one to explain things to Jacque
• Jacque is not a morning person
• Fane is going to take Jacque to play putt-putt for their date

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

 Basically this starts out as chapter 1 from the male’s perspective. Fane is in his limo feeling unsettled. He made the choice to come to the US because of something telling him to do so, but that knowledge does not help him to be too overly confident about it at first.

After his pep talk to himself, he gets out and speaks to the limo driver, Sorin, who actually escorted Fane all the way from home. Sorin has been Fane’s guard since Fane was a child and is not extremely keen on the idea of leaving his charge alone in a strange country.

As Sorin is saying his good-byes to Fane, Fane hears Jacque in his mind. This causes him to bring his wolf forward in what they call “phasing” so he can see where the though originated from. He searches her mind for her name and reaches out to her. He realizes he is heard due to the look that crosses Jacque’s face.

Fane realizes that this has to be his mate, and for the first time finds out what it is like to be out of sync with his wolf. Fane realizes that he has to go about meeting her in proper fashion whereas the wolf wants to go right then and there and claim her. Gaining control over his wolf, he goes to knock on the door, reaching out one last time to Jacque by saying “Soon.”

After the meet-and-greet is over, the Henrys show Fane to his room (which Fane considers his “territory” – which is a wolf thing). He gets settled in and calls it a night.

 My Thoughts:

There is a lot of information packed into this chapter. In just a few pages we learn quite a bit about werewolves, and some about the Henrys.

Favorite Points:

 When Sorin hugged Fane, it was a way to comfort him as well as show love because touch is extremely important to wolves.

A werewolf does not change from one form to the other, they “phase”. Changing implies that they are two separate entities entirely, wolf is wolf, and man is man. In fact, they come together with their talents and help each other out.

 Favorite Lines:

       His wolf growled possessively, and he took several deep breaths to keep from phasing. (No, not necessarily a funny line, but it brings a great picture to mind of the internal struggle that was taking place)

Things We Learned: 

• Fane is the name of the foreign exchange student
• Fane is about to be a senior in high school
• Fane belongs to a family of werewolves, Grey wolves (Canius Lupis)
• As we are told Fane belongs to “specifically Grey wolves” we learn there must be more than one type of werewolf (confirmed a few paragraphs down with the wording “all the breeds of wolves”
• Fane is the son of the Pack’s Alpha and is the Prince of the Romanian Greys
• Fane Lupei means “Crown Wolf”
• Fane chose to be a foreign exchange student because he “felt a pull, like a moth to a flame, to come the US” – specifically Coldspring, Texas
• Canis Lupis hold territories all over the world
• Wolves are extremely territorial
• No wolves have a territorial claim registered on Coldspring
• Sorin is the “Guard to the Prince”
• Fane is 6’2
• Sorin is 5’9 (5 inches shorter than Fane)
• Wolves take comfort in touch
• A Grey wolf has good eyesight, but their hearing is better
• A Grey wolf has the best night vision of all the breeds of wolves
• Jacque has emerald green eyes
• Grey wolves can only hear the thoughts of their mate
• Male wolves are possessive
• A wolf’s mate carries a certain scent that only he would recognize
• Mates can “feel” each other through their mental bond
• Female mates to Alphas are also Alphas – they also called “Luna” because like the moon, they have a pull over many things
• Wolves think of areas as “territories” i.e. Fane’s room is his territory