But Oracle interrupted. “Oh hush, both of you. This is important, Steel. You’re in yourtoirchighperiod and only have a limited window of time to claim Jackson. Now, where does he live?”
Oh shit, Steel now realized he’d never found out exactly where Jackson lived because he was too busy thinking of fucking his ass. Well, now that he knew Jackson was his mate, he could find him and wouldn’t have to face his father’s laughter over his screw-up.
“I’m going to shower before I drive over to his place. How long are you two going to be staying?” he asked, hoping they would be leaving soon so he could get on with claiming his mate without his parents overseeing it.Jeez, how weird would that be?
His mother ignored the question and answered instead, “Great, we’ll wait down here for you so we can go meet this young man who is to be your mate.”
That did it.Steel was happy his parents came and that Oracle solved the mystery about Jackson but he was dammed if his parents were going to be hanging around while he fucked and claimed his mate.No, No, No! No parents involved, thank you very much.And just as Steel was opening his mouth to protest, his mother stoppedhim, by saying, “Sweetie, you do realize when you met Jackson, he could smell you, knew you were a wolf, and also his mate? So, even ifyoucouldn’t tell he was your mate, why didn’thesay something to you? You are fated mates. He felt the mating pull at full force—what’s more, if he doesn’t claim you soon, he will start to feel pain and his wolf will force a shift just so he can hunt for you.”
Steel felt fear run though his body at the thought of his mate in pain; his wolf awoke and started pacing back and forth in his head demanding that they find their mate. The same as yesterday when he sensed his mate was in danger.
His protectiveness was consuming him, leaving him no choice but to find Jackson and claim him. When he thought about the rest of what his mother said, and that his mate had rejected him, a pain settled in his heart. He rubbed his chest, trying to ease the discomfort. Then suddenly, he jumped up and headed for the door, knowing he had to find his mate today.
It puzzled him that Jackson, knowing who Steel was, rejected him but he would find him and convince him this was a blessed mating decreed by the Fates and was not to be denied. Just as he reached the door, he felt his father’s hand on his shoulder, holding him in place. Steel turned and snarled at him, warning him to let go.
Maximus’ Alpha voice commanded. “Stop, Steel, listen to your mother—she has more you must know before you claim your mate.”
Steel fought the demand of his Alpha but eventually backed down. He looked at his father, shaking his head, “You don’t understand. I must go to him. He’s in trouble. I sensed it yesterday and my wolf knows it. I don’t know what danger he’s in but I know he is and that’s good enough for me. Please don’t stop me.”
Oracle came up, stroking Steel’s arm, soothing him so he could listen to what else she had to say. “Steel, you know you and your brother are the chosen ones to carry on our species. We are the last of the Dire Wolves to roam the earth and after many appeals to the Fates they agreed we should not perish. And in keeping that promise, they picked another threatened species to become your mate—the Timber Wolf. Our species are alike, and because time has not been kind to either, we are both on the brink of extinction.”
Oracle continued solemnly. “Your mate is special and the Fates looked a long time to find a wolf who had the ability to bear pups. So, it is important that you claim him when you are in yourtoirchighperiod because during the act of claiming, you will impregnate your mate with the seed of a Dire Wolf.”
“I know all this, Mother,” said an exasperated Steel, “but you haven’t explained what else I have to know before I claim him.”
“Your mate does not know he can bear pups. He is the Alpha of his pack and before you claim him, he has to know what will happen—all of it. And you will need me there to help answer your mate’s questions. Trust me, once he understands everything, your father and I will leave before you claim him.” Oracle then broke into a wide smile as she saw the tension fade from her son’s face.
Chapter 8
After changing his clothes so he looked more respectable, Steel felt ready to claim his mate. Settling his parents in the back seat of his black Range Rover, he started the car and headed for the gas station where he’d dropped Jackson off. He hoped someone there could tell him where Jackson lived—if he could convince them to tell him. No, hewouldconvince them; his mate needed him now.Wow! My mate! Mine! The man I will love forever, the man I will have a family with, and the man I will protect forever because he is the other half of my heart.
Steel stepped on the gas, ignoring the speed limit—his wolf was snarling and pacing, telling him their mate was in pain. This time he concurred with his wolf because Jackson’s pain was tangible; he figured it must be because even though he hadn’t scented him yet, he now knew for certain Jackson was his mate.
Shit!He was so distracted and upset yesterday he hadn’t trusted his instincts. Jackson had been within his grasp.Why wasn’t I more forceful in demanding to take Jackson directly to his home yesterday? Why didn’t I ask for Jackson’s phone number, or get his last name? Shit! Shit! Shit!Deciding it didn’t help to dwell on that line of thinking, he focused on his driving so he and his parents would arrive safely at Jimmy’s.
~/~/~/~/~
Jackson sat in his favorite club chair, listening to the concerns of his brothers as they threw questions at Mystia. He was still trying to deal with the hurt and disappointment he’d seen on Logan’s face when she announced he’d met his fated mate.
He knew how it would affect Logan; they were twins, well, fraternal twins, not that it mattered because they told each other everything. It was Logan who comforted Jackson after thetense episodes with his father. And Jackson protected his brother from the bullies who attacked him because he was small. Jackson snorted—not that his brother was small anymore, no, that’s for sure—Logan was six inches taller and much wider than Jackson now.
But size never mattered between them because they’d always been so close and Jackson worried his decision might ruin that. Yup, he certainly needed to sit down with Logan and hash out any negative feelings. Jackson’s mind tuned back to the conversation, and realized he’d been asked a question.Huh? What did I miss?“Say again?” he mumbled, coming out of his reverie.
Zane’s eyes narrowed, looking at Jackson. “I asked what was going to happen to our pack if you are claimed. How do we fit into your new life?” Then, gesturing to all of his brothers, “If you leave our home here, do we have to leave too?”
“I know everyone’s concerned about what this’ll mean but the claiming is not a done deal. Mystia told me I have a choice, and before I claim Steel, we’ll be discussing those issues first. I didn’t tell any of you about meeting my mate because I knew everyone would be upset, seeing this is the first time in the last few years we’ve had a moment to catch our breath,” Jackson said. “I want to take this one step at a time.”
During the silence that followed, he looked at his brothers and was overcome with great affection. When he’d regained control of his emotions he continued, “According to Mystia, Steel will be arriving shortly. After I have a chance to talk with him about myresponsibilities and hear what he has to say, then, and only then, will I make a decision as to the claiming.”
As he finished speaking, a cacophony of excited voices rose up, all clamoring to be heard at once. Finally, Logan’s rose above the others. “What do you mean you have a choice? Mystia said you’d be in pain if you didn’t claim your mate soon. It looks like you don’t really have a choice,” he said, as the rest of the brothers nodded their heads in agreement.
Jackson wondered how the pain would stop if he didn’t claim his mate, but figured there was an option Mystia knew about but wasn’t going to share with him right now. He absentmindedly rubbed his chest, trying to relieve the pain that only seemed to grow worse all afternoon.
“Look,” he said, becoming slightly angry. “All I know, is Mystia said I have a choice and I believe her. She also told me Steel’s mother would explain more to me. So, let’s wait to see what she has to say before anyone goes off the deep end. I swear, you’ll all be kept safe, no matter what.”
Logan looked hard at Jackson, sensing his change of mood. If he was reading it right, Jackson was in pain which would mean Mystia was accurate about that much concerning the mating. “Okay guys,” he said, “I think it’s time for a break. I don’t think Jackson can tell us anymore until he has a chance to talk to Steel.
“In the meantime, as I understand it, we’re going to have three more guests for dinner, so Dakota, I’ll leave that up to you. Cody and Colton, please prepare two guest rooms for the Valentins in case they stay overnight. I want to talk to Jackson about some accounting matters concerning the pack so we’ll be in his study.”
