“I will, but let’s wait until you talk with Steel’s mother,” Mystia replied. It wasn’t the response Jackson expected but before he could ask her why, Steel drove up and parked in front of the porch. Jackson felt his wolf panting, eager to claim his mate.
Steel looked at the group gathered on the porch waiting to greet him and his parents. Jackson was standing in front of six men—three looked alike, the others were of varying heights and ages. He could see the family resemblance between Jackson and the six men and wondered who they were.
He slowly got out of the car, inhaled deeply, but again could not scent his mate—the protection spell must still be in place—but the scent of another wolf was in the air—that of an old wolf standing next to a witch.
He glanced at his mother but she showed no concern. However, his wolf fought back a growl, upset at a strange wolf near Jackson.Who’s that wolf standing next to my mate?He opened the door, helping his mother out, then,taking her hand, led her over to his mate as his father followed.
Jackson stood on the front porch with the other Blackwood Pack members watching them get out of the Range Rover. He figured the man and woman were Steel’s parents and as he eyed them, he could see where Steel’s good looks came from.
The woman was stunningly beautiful and though she appeared to be old, her body was tight, her face unlined, and the only indication of her age was the long silver hair falling in layers around her face, highlighting sculptured cheekbones and soft lips. Her ice-green eyes were like lasers that could latch onto prey with pinpoint accuracy. She walked with uncommon grace in her loose and floaty light-green dress.
The man with her was beyond handsome; his salt and pepper hair was long on the top and short around the sides. His face sported a small, very short beard matching his hair color, while beautiful deep blue eyes, a straight patrician nose and high cheekbones set off his wide lips. He was taller than the woman but shorter than Steel, and Jackson could see his muscles rippling beneath a pale grey sweater he wore under his open blue sports coat.
Jackson shivered as Steel and the couple approached him and his brothers. He didn’t know who Steel’s mother was but a powerful force radiated from her, encompassing all within her sight.
“Mother, Father, this is Jackson,” Steel said, looking Jackson over from head to toe.Yup, I’m one lucky fucker to get a mate this gorgeous. Our babies will be beautiful. He envisioned seeing both of them surrounded by a family of pups scampering around their feet. Then back to reality—finishing the introductions, “Jackson, this is Oracle and Maximus Valentin, my parents.”
Jackson stepped forward, “Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Valentin, to the Blackwood Pack. These are my brothers—Logan, Cody, Colton, Carson, Dakota, Zane and our surrogate parents, Jimmy and Mystia Blackwood.” Reaching out to shake Maximus Valentin’s hand, he felt the strength the man possessed.
“Call me Maximus.”
Steel’s mother nodded to each of Jackson’s brothers, then stepped forward to grasp Mystia’s hand, pulling her into a hug and whispering in her ear, “This has been a long time in the making, hasn’t it? I am so grateful you and your husband watched over and protected Jackson.”
Stepping back, Mystia dipped her head in deference to the Oracle, saying, “Yes, but it was meant to be. It is a great honor to meet you.”
Once again, as it did on the first day he met Steel, the scent of oranges, cloves, and bourbon reached Jackson’s nose, causing his blood to respond, rushing to the part of him that wanted his mate. Fuck, his mate was hot and so beautiful he couldn’t think of anything else except to claim him now.
Somewhere in the haze of his desire, he heard Mystia calling him. He shook his head, trying to clear it, slowly realizing she was trying to get him to take Steel’s mother to his study for ‘the talk’. Hell, that was the last thing he wanted to do when his mate was so close and willing to be claimed. Then he felt Logan’s hand on his back pushing him toward the house, and he abruptly came back to the present, allowing his twin to guide him.
Steel entered his mate’s home and could immediately feel warmth and love reflected in the way the house was decorated. Following Jackson into a big room filled with comfortable chairs and couches—all dotted with colorful pillows—Steel immediately felt at home.
He claimed a chair while his father sat down on a couch and Jackson’s brothers scattered around the room. Steel wasn’t sure what was going to happen next but he was eager to have the meet-and-greet move ahead quickly so he could get to the fuck-and-bite part of the evening.
Jackson turned to Steel’s mother, pointing to a doorway leading to a hall. “We can talk in my study where it’s private, if that’s okay.” He was curious about what he would hear but he was more eager to speak with Steel alone so he could warn him of the trouble facing him if Jackson claimed him. Yet, manners dictated he delay that urge and speak to Mrs. Valentin first as Mystia asked him to do.
Mrs. Valentin walked through the doorway and down the hall until she reached Jackson’s study. He was nonplussed as to how she knew which door his study lay behind, but said nothing. He followed her into the room, motioning toward the loveseat while he sat down in a chair kitty-corner from her.
Jackson began. “Mrs. Valentin, I’m at a disadvantage because while Mystia told me you needed to speak with me, I have no idea about what, although I think your son and husband know since they didn’t seem surprised when I invited you to my study.”
“Please, call me Oracle,” she said warmly.
“Are you an Oracle?” he asked.
“Yes, I am, and I am also Steel’s mother so first let me speak as a mother. Have you been told anything about Steel by Mystia?” Oracle asked.
“No, she only told me you needed to speak to me first,” Jackson replied.
“Steel is one of the last four Dire Wolves on earth; the other three are his brother and his parents.”
Jackson gasped, a look of incredulity crossing his face.
“So, you know what a Dire Wolf is?”
“Yes, but they don’t exist anymore—they’ve been extinct for hundreds of years,” Jackson exclaimed.
“Well, that’s a myth circulated for centuries in order to save the last of the Dire Wolves. After my sons were born, we left our home and moved to Scandinavia to protect them. It allowed us to be isolated should any wolf packs attempt to seize the Dire Treasure. My sons grew to be fine young men, were educated at top universities, traveled the world, and eventually managed the family businesses.
“After many years, Steel felt the need to take a mate which happens when Dire Wolves begin theirtoirchighperiod. So, he moved here to search for one. I’m delighted he finally found you. You are a very special wolf.”
