Everyone was already seated and Steel noticed the dining room possessed the same warm and cozy feeling as the den. The soft cream walls, wide-planked dark-colored pine floor, colorful rag rugs, and bright red dining roomchairs were warm and inviting. Two empty chairs at the head of the long wooden table beckoned to him and his mate.
Zane called out, “Come on, if I don’t eat soon, I’ll begin to shrink.” Looking at Jackson, he saw his brother’s death stare. “Sorry everyone, just happy Jackson’s back,” muttered Zane, embarrassed for being called for his lack of manners.
Steel and Jackson sat down. Dakota had outdone himself; the table was laden with enough food to feed twice the number of people there. After surveying all the delicacies, Jackson turned to his brother. “Thank you, Dakota, the food looks absolutely delicious. Dig in everyone!”
Steel kept a careful eye on the food Jackson was placing on his dish, making sure his mate was eating enough after a very emotionally tumultuous day. He was pleased his mate was not skimping on what he ate. Steel knew as the pregnancy progressed it would take a toll on his mate’s body and he wanted to make sure Jackson had all the sustenance necessary for the task ahead—giving birth to a Dire Wolf was not going to be easy.
Talk was scarce at the table but Steel couldn’t tell if that was normal or if everyone was feeling the tension emanating from his mate. Either way, best to get this part of the evening over so his mate could finally find the answers he was seeking about his brothers’ feelings.
Jackson felt Steel’s hand on his thigh as a sign of support. He was nervous about the upcoming pack meeting even though he knew Logan would support him, but the others… well, he just didn’t know.
Dammit, heshouldknow his brothers better but his Alpha responsibilities had been focused on their survival for so long he’d let that slip. He knew his brothers werestill dealing with the tragedy but they’d all come a long way since those dark and fear-filled days. He ticked his brothers’ names off in his head, cataloging their possible reactions when dealing with something new.
Cody was the oldest triplet. He was level-headed and thought things out before making any decisions. He’d be okay with Jackson’s mating and pregnancy. Colton was the next born and most reserved but was also the most caring about the well-being of the family, which made sense since he was studying to be a nurse.
Carson was the youngest triplet who took the most risks, always trying to outdo Cody and Colton—Zane was like that, too. Carson had a good heart but usually bragged about his Alpha abilities instead of keeping some of them concealed as any experienced Alpha leader would do.
No sense in telling your enemies everything about you—it just makes you easier to defeat.Hmmm.Jackson suddenly realized what his father tried to teach him had sunk in more than he’d thought. Jackson felt if Cody and Colton were okay with everything, then Carson would fall into line.
After the triplets, Dakota was the next. Steady and quiet, he always loved spending time in the kitchen with their Mom, cooking and baking up a storm. No wonder he’d chosen culinary school. And by the taste of the food he’d whipped up tonight, he’d have made a damn fine chef. Jackson hoped Steel could figure a way for his brothers to resume their education. How would Dakota feel about Jackson’s situation? Not a clue. And what about Zane?
Zane was the youngest and usually acted like it. He was the unknown in Jackson’s band of brothers. He would be the protester. He knew in Zane’s book, an Alpha could only be an Alpha and nothing else. If Jackson thought Carson was a little too Alpha, well, it was a definiteunderstatement when it came to Zane who believed too much Alpha still wasn’t enough. He was pretty sure the first objection would come from Zane.
Steel heard the running commentary in his mate’s head which prepared him for the pack meeting with at least some background on the brothers’ personalities. His role would be strictly as support, never to appear as exerting power over his mate and, by extension, over the pack.
But that didn’t mean he’d tolerate any disrespect of his mate.Nope, I draw the line there.He hoped Jackson would invite Mystia and his parents to the pack meeting—as they’d be able to answer questions he or Jackson couldn’t.
Jackson was so deep into his thoughts, he was startled to realize everyone had finished dinner, waiting for him to announce what was next.Damn, I need to get my head in the game because right now I’m looking like a clueless asshole.“Carson and Zane, clear the dishes. Cody and Colton, put away the leftover food. I need to talk to Logan for a few minutes and when everything’s finished, the pack meeting will begin in the den, say in about fifteen minutes.”
Steel pulled his mate’s chair back and Jackson stood up. Looking at Mystia, Oracle, and Maximus, he said, “I would appreciate it if the three of you attend the pack meeting; I might need the benefit of your knowledge.”
After they agreed he left them and led Steel and Logan to his study. Jackson sat down at his desk and Steel pulled up a chair, sitting next to him. Logan took a seat across the desk, examining Jackson’s face. “You look happy, bro, maybe even glowing.”
Jackson lit up with the brightest smile Logan ever saw on his brother’s face.Fuck, if that’s how it feels to be mated, then sign me up. Logan continued, “I take it you want totell me about some decisions you and Steel made about the pack.”
“Yes,” said Jackson, “I intend to remain Alpha of the Blackwood Pack for the immediate future. I hope I can count on your support.” He saw Logan nodding his agreement, so he continued, “You know about me being an Alpha/Omega hybrid but I didn’t get a chance to ask your thoughts on it.”
Logan remembered how twin lances of envy and jealousy pierced his heart when Oracle told him his twin could have children. He wanted that—to have a baby with his fated mate, a family of his own, something he never contemplated as a possibility since he’d realized he was gay. Now he had hope, even though Oracle couldn’t tell him if he possessed the same ability. What the Fates planned for him would only be revealed when he found his fated mate.
Logan snapped back to reality, replying with a broad smile, “Honestly bro, I think the pup is the greatest thing ever to happen to this family. I can’t wait to greet our newest member—and I think he’ll give us all hope life will get better.”
Jackson could feel the truthfulness of Logan’s feelings. “Thanks, I really appreciate your support. At dinner, I was trying to figure out how our brothers would react and Carson and Zane concern me the most. What do you think?”
“Yup, those two will be the most problematic. Our other brothers will be okay with it and probably think it’s cool—I mean, think about it, Jackson, it’s simply amazing this can happen.”
Pausing for a few seconds, Logan continued, “Look, I know all of us suffered with guilt at surviving the massacre when our parents and siblings weren’t as lucky.So, with this news about your ability to bring new life into our world, I like to think the Fates saved all of us for a reason. As difficult as it was to have gone through the pain, I think we’ll survive because the Fates have a special purpose for us and we’ll all find happiness.”
“You’ve said what I’ve been thinking,” smiled Jackson. “As I said before, I’ll continue to be the Alpha of the Blackwood Pack. Steel’s priority is to find a solution to the Silver Point Pack issue, preferably without any fighting. So, I’ll need a room next to my study set up as an office for him.” Looking at his mate he asked, “What do you need in it? If you tell Logan, he can arrange to get any computer and office equipment you want.”
“Thanks, babe,” Steel said and turning to Logan, asked, “let’s meet some time tomorrow to discuss the office and what I need, okay?”
“Sure, mid-morning all right?”
“If you don’t mind, how about early afternoon, since I need to speak with my father in the morning,” countered Steel.
“That’s fine,” said Logan.
“Anything else can wait until tomorrow,” said Jackson. “It’s time to start the pack meeting.”
