“Well, if I have to ask the Court to transfer the title, my pack would suffer because it would take longer until I’d be able to set up a mining operation. We need to start sooner rather than later because we’re in bad shape and need the gold to buy food and other necessities,” whined Josiah.
Slate was disgusted with Josiah’s tone of voice and his pathetic attempt to manipulate him by using hunger as aweapon. “Alpha, I can’t make this decision myself. The only option is for me to bring it up to the Board and ask them to approve your request.”
“I appreciate that, Mr. Valentin. If you need anything else from me about the request, please let me know,” Josiah said.
“I’ll do that,” said Slate and hung up the phone. He had a strong urge to take a shower to wash off the filth that Josiah had contaminated him with.
~/~/~/~/~
Announcing at dinner there’d be a full moon pack run the next night, Jackson decreed attendance mandatory. He invited Oracle and Maximus to join them. “I know it’ll be a treat for Steel to have the chance to run with you again,” he told them.
Oracle looked at Maximus who gave a slight nod, and answered, “Thank you, Jackson. We have not had a run in our wolves for some time now—it will be a treat to do it with Steel.”
“I was also going to invite Slate, but he hasn’t arrived yet. Do you know when he’ll be joining us?” asked Jackson.
Steel answered, “I spoke with him this afternoon and his trip has been delayed because of a crisis in Mexico. As soon as it gets resolved, he’ll be coming.”
“Oh, was that before or after I saw you this afternoon?” teased Jackson.
A faint pink blush washed over Steel’s face, and he decided no answer was the best answer. Shit, Jackson’s question brought up the image of his mate on his knees sucking Steel’s brains out through his cock. His blush grew deeper and it wasn’t helped when his matesurreptitiously placed his hand on Steel’s groin, giving it a squeeze. Steel was rendered speechless as his cock hardened in response to Jackson’s touch.
Maximus broke the silence. “Colton, I understand you’re in charge of outfitting the hospital downstairs.”
“Well, not in charge actually, I’m assisting Dr. Wallace,” replied Colton.
“Ian is a good man,” said Maximus, “in fact, one of the best. Jackson couldn’t be in better hands. When is he going to arrive?”
“I think in another two months. In the meantime, Steel has ordered the equipment and I’ll set it up when it comes so everything will be ready for the doctor,” Colton answered.
Steel heard only half of what his father and Colton were discussing but he owed his father a debt of gratitude for diverting attention away from him. Jackson removed his hand but Steel was left with very tight pants; his hard-on refusing to go down. Someone was speaking but it wasn’t until Jackson nudged him that Steel realized he’d been asked a question. “I’m sorry. What was that?”
“I asked if you knew when the ultrasound machine would be arriving?” said Colton.
“Ahhh… in two days,” Steel managed to say, deciding his mate would pay tonight for wreaking havoc on his cock.
Colton turned to Jackson. “How about we schedule your first ultrasound for Friday then?
“Will you be able to see my nephew?” asked Dakota.
“Maybe the baby will be your niece,” smirked Cody.
“Yourniece too, you know,” retorted Dakota.
“Actually, the baby will beours, no matter what it turns out to be,” Logan said. Then turning to Colton, “Will you be able to determine the pup’s sex this Friday?”
Colton thought for a moment. “Maybe. This is my first Dire Wolf pregnancy so I can’t give you an answer until I see what stage the baby’s development is at,” he replied.
“I’m putting 40 bucks on it being a boy,” called Zane from the end of the table.
“Forty on a girl,” responded Carson.
Listening to his brothers shouting out their bets on the sex of his pup made Jackson happy that they’d all accepted his pregnancy. And it seemed they were just as excited about having a new Blackwood Pack member.
~/~/~/~/~
Gazing from their bedroom window at the clear, darkening sky, Jackson contemplated the view. He loved the way Steel’s house was oriented. The views were spectacular and at night, in bed, he and Steel were bathed in moonlight. He looked forward to the run tonight which, hopefully, would include mating with Steel in their wolf forms. That would be the height of pleasure as their wolves could fully express their animal instincts.
Moving his hand to his belly, absentmindedly caressing his pup, Jackson was sure his morning sickness was over and his overwhelming tiredness had subsided. He was looking forward to seeing his baby on Friday during the first ultrasound session. Jackson was so deep in thought, he never heard Steel enter.
