“I’m trying to figure a way my brothers can resume their education, because sitting around waiting for death to come knocking at the door isn’t doing them any good. They need to feel this nightmare will eventually end and I want them to focus on their future—which means continuing their classes,” Jackson said, slumping back in his chair.
“Got it. Maybe I can help but let me think about it. It would help if I could find a solution to the Silver Point problem sooner than later. Regarding that, I just came in to tell you Dad and I are going to look at the Fox River Pack lands. I told him we thought the massacre occurred because Silver Point wanted the land so Dad’s going to try to figure out why someone would kill for it. We’ll be home before nightfall,” Steel said, bending down and nibbling at his mate’s ear.
Jackson turned toward him and Steel took the opportunity to kiss those full red lips he loved so much. Hearing Jackson moan, he deepened the kiss, his tongue seeking entry to his mate’s mouth. As Jackson’s lips parted, Steel thrust his tongue deep inside his mouth needing to explore every part of it before tongue-dueling with his mate. Steel’s cock grew hard, desperate for his mate’s touch, groaning at the pain of it being confined by his jeans.
Jackson was consumed by his mate’s assault on his mouth. Reaching down, Steel palmed Jackson’s dick through his jeans.Oh, my gods, he needed his mate to take him right now because all thoughts of work were out the window. Off in the distance he heard a door open and a very embarrassed voice say, “So sorry, I’ll come back.”
Steel pulled away and Jackson whimpered at the loss of his mate’s mouth. He looked up with dazed eyes, slowly realizing Steel was talking to Maximus who had atwinkle in his eye. Jackson felt a full body flush hit him, starting at his toes and ending up at his now very red cheeks.
As Jackson tuned in to them, he realized Maximus wanted a map of the Fox River Pack land to take with them. “Sure, I can give you one,” said Jackson, reaching to open a drawer. “Is there anything else?”
“No, see you out front, Steel,” said Maximus.
Steel grinned down at Jackson. “See you later, babe,” he said, leaning over to kiss his mate.
“Just a quick one this time or your father will be back wondering what’s taking you so long,” Jackson insisted.
Steel began to object but Jackson interrupted. “To make up for the short kiss, keep this thought in your head—tonight you can decide what we do,” he said, pushing Steel toward the door.
“Hey, that’s not fair. I’m going to be hard all day and what am I going to tell Dad if he asks about it?” whined Steel.
“Awww, don’t worry, I think your father will know why you have a hard-on and if he doesn’t, tell him your mate is torturing you,” laughed Jackson.
Chapter 20
Driving to the Fox River Pack lands, Maximus noticed his son was grinning—and that was something new as Steel had always been a serious man. Maximus was curious if he was drawing the right conclusion about the reason for his son’s change in demeanor. “Well son, how are you and Jackson getting along? Are you happy with your mate?” he inquired. “Jackson seems like a good person and he does look nice, but I think some of his brothers are even better looking.”
Steel’s jaw dropped, glaring at his father. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Jackson is the most beautiful person I’ve ever met. Are you trying to piss me off—because you’re succeeding,” snarled Steel. “He’s perfect for me and is beyond good—kind, generous, charitable, loving, and fair-minded. He would give the shirt off his back if someone needed it.”
Steel was getting worked up. “Look at how he handled Zane at the pack meeting. His response was measured and thoughtful, taking into account Zane’s issues. What more can a pack want in a leader? Just the fact that he would sacrifice his own happiness for his pack tells you what kind of man he is. Why are you dissing my mate, Dad?”
Steel could hardly control his wolf during this tirade. He meant it when he told Jackson and Zane he wouldn’t allow anyone to disrespect his mate and that included his parents.
Maximus placed his hand on Steel’s forearm. “I meant no disrespect son. I was trying, in a rather foolish way, to see if your mate was responsible for the never-ending grin you wear these days. Do you love him already?”
“Yes, I do,” said Steel, calming down. “So much it scares me sometimes when I think of him giving birth and all the complications that can occur. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost him. He’s my world, Dad,” Steel murmured, as his mind went to a dark place.
“Steel, stop, right now. Nothing’s going to happen—don’t let fear rule your mind. Be strong for your mate and everything will work out in the end,” Maximus said in a firm voice.
“Sorry. You’re right,” Steel said, unwilling to discuss his fears anymore and, changing the subject, announced, “Here’s our turn. Do you see it on the map?”
“Yes, turn here,” directed Maximus, “and then drive another two miles and we’ll be at the edge of the pack lands.”
After fifteen minutes of driving, Steel pulled off the dirt road into a clearing. Leaving the pickup truck, they looked around to get their bearings in relation to the map they held. Steel lifted his head and sniffed, murmuring, “We’ve got company—a wolf. He’s close. Be careful. Jackson told me the land was deserted but… Let’s move to the south of him so he won’t catch our scent.”
Maximus nodded, turning south, leading the way through the forest. While he was hiking, Steel looked around, trying to figure out what was so valuable about this land but, so far, he could see nothing more than old growth forest with plenty of wildlife. He knew from the map the Fox River land had a number of fields and it included a few foothills of the Western Mountains along the Fox River that the pack was named after. He waited to ask his father what he thought until they could find out more about the wolf who was trespassing.
Steel saw Maximus raise his right hand, signaling he was stopping and then his dad pointed at someone standingabout seventy-five feet upwind from them. Steel looked at the wolf and let out a small gasp—there in front of them was the man from his last date before he’d found Jackson. “I know him, Dad,” he whispered. Steel grabbed his father’s arm, leading him some distance away before telling him who the wolf was.
“Why is he on this land?” asked Maximus.
“I don’t know but I’m going to find out,” replied Steel. “I’ll lead this time, Dad.”
Maximus grabbed Steel’s arm. “Don’t disclose the real reason we are here.”
Nodding, Steel turned and hiked back to the wolf, making noise so they’d be heard. When they were within eyesight, the wolf turned to them with a guarded look on his face but then smiled when he saw Steel. “What a surprise,” he said, “and a very pleasant one at that.”
“Hi Khan, thisisa surprise. I didn’t expect to see anyone out here,” Steel said, stopping in front of him.
