“No one said anything this morning so I think everything’s cool,” Logan smirked. “Well, as cool as it can be when you find out your Alpha is going to have a baby.”
Jackson’s cheeks turned pink. “Funny, funny. Let’s start the day.”
Logan watched Steel lean over and kiss Jackson. Then he gave him another one after they’d gotten up and, with hisarm wrapped around his mate’s waist, they sauntered out of the dining room. Logan felt alone again as he watched them go, wanting what his twin had for himself with every fiber of his being.
He could only hope it would happen soon.Yeah, like that’s going to happen—not with me hiding away here with only my brothers for company. If I’m ever going to have a chance at being as happy as Jackson, I need to get out and meet people. No way around it. Hmmm, but how? Need to think about it and come up with a plan.He was still thinking about it as he left to find Zane.
~/~/~/~/~
Zane stood outside Jackson’s office, nervously wiping his hands on his jeans. He was pretty sure Jackson would forgive him but he was not so sure about Steel. There were butterflies in his stomach because he knew Steel was in full protective mode towards his mate and was probably pissed off at him for hurting Jackson.
Shit, how stupid I am for not thinking before speaking. Isn’t that what my mother always tried to teach me?Zane snorted to himself.It seems I haven’t learned that lesson yet. Well, here goes nothing. Raising his hand, he knocked.
“Come in,” called Jackson.
Zane entered. His brother and Steel were at Jackson’s desk, looking at a computer screen. As he approached them, Jackson smiled. “Have a seat, Zane, I’ll be with you in a sec.” Pointing at the screen, he said to Steel, “These are the boundaries of the Fox River Pack land and over here are the Silver Point Pack lands. As you can see, they aren’t adjoining but still relatively close.” Jackson then asked Steel through their mind link if he was ready to hear what Zane had to say. Steel replied he was, soJackson turned to Zane. “Logan told me this morning you wanted to see us.”
Looking at Jackson and Steel, he saw nothing but calmness in their faces while waiting for him to speak. He looked down at his hands in his lap, thinking about all his brother had done for him since the day he was born and felt a new wave of shame washing over him. “I’m really sorry, Jackson. I acted like a jerk yesterday and I’m even sorrier I called you a name.”
As he looked up at Jackson, he could feel tears welling up in his eyes but ignoring them, he went on, “I have no excuse for my actions and I’ll accept any punishment you give me.” Before Jackson could respond, Zane turned to Steel. “I’m very sorry I disrespected your mate like that and I promise I’ll never do it again.”
Jackson felt sympathy for his youngest brother and knew he regretted his actions but though he was proud of him for apologizing, he, as Alpha, couldn’t allow Zane’s conduct to go unpunished or his brother would never learn to control his anger.
“Thank you, Zane,” he said. “I accept your apology and consider the matter closed. I know this pregnancy was a shock to you, as it was to me, but your behavior yesterday was out of line and a punishment will be given. As soon as I decide what it is, I’ll let you know.”
Steel squeezed Jackson’s hand, then spoke. “Zane, I accept your apology this time, but make no mistake about my position. In the future, I will not tolerate any disrespect toward my mate or my child. I consider Jackson and our pup to be the greatest gifts from the Fates I could ever receive and I expect you to accept it in the spirit the Fates intended. Jackson is going to need all our support as he goes through this pregnancy and my goal isto make it as stress-free as possible, so I hope I can count on you.”
Zane nodded. “Yes, I now feel that way, too. I’m sorry I didn’t think before speaking yesterday but I’m really looking forward to being an uncle. I miss my younger siblings terribly and the Fates have seen fit to give me a nephew to love. So yes, count me in—whatever you need done for Jackson, I’ll do.”
“Thanks, I’ll take you up on that some time,” Steel said, smiling at Zane before leaning over to kiss Jackson. “I’ll leave you both now and go find Logan so I can get my office set up.”
Zane watched his brother’s face, realizing he’d never seen him this happy. He now understood what Logan meant yesterday—about being envious of Jackson’s mating. Then it hit Zane.Shit, I’m also jealous of what Jackson has. Hell, I just have to trust Logan was right about someone special being out there waiting for me. The sooner the better.
Jackson shifted his eyes from Steel to Zane as his mate left the room. “One more thing before you go, bro. In the next day or so, please tell Steel all you know about our father’s dealings with Silver Point. Resolving our problem with that pack is top priority for all of us.”
Zane stood up, nodding. “Sure thing, I’ve been thinking about what I know that could help Steel find a solution. I don’t like living this way.”
“None of us do,” said Jackson, as Zane headed for the door.
~/~/~/~/~
Steel sat in his office a week later, looking at his father seated across from him. “Here’s the background of the two packs involved in this dispute. Jackson’sgrandfather, Nathan, was the Alpha of the Fox River Pack. He had two sons, Josiah, the eldest, and Striker, Jackson’s father. Josiah challenged Nathan and lost, so he left the Fox River Pack and formed the Silver Point Pack.
“After Nathan died, Striker assumed the title of Alpha of the Fox River Pack, met his fated mate and they had 13 children who include Jackson and his brothers. Meanwhile, Josiah, the Alpha of Silver Point Pack never met his fated mate but did mate with a woman so he’d have heirs. The Silver Point Pack had less territory than the Fox River Pack but there were no outward signs of trouble between the two.”
Maximus pondered Steel’s information. “Have we had any dealings with either pack?”
“I asked Slate to search our records but I haven’t heard anything yet. Jackson and I feel the massacre had something to do with the Fox River Pack lands but just what, I haven’t been able to figure out. I’m going to head out to look at the land Silver Point wants so badly. Like to join me?”
Maximus nodded, getting up. “First, let me tell your mother where we’re going, then I’ll meet you out front in a few.”
Steel smirked. “Yup, I gotta do that with my mate, too.”
~/~/~/~/~
Jackson looked up from his computer as Steel entered his office. “How’s it going, babe? Anything you need?”
Steel walked over, and standing behind his mate, started massaging his neck. “Your muscles are tight. What have you been doing?”
