Wrapping his arms around Jackson, Steel pulled him back against his chest.
“I love you,” Jackson murmured, turning his head for a kiss.
Gently kissing his mate, hugging him tighter to him as one hand moved down to their pup, Steel asked, “How are you feeling, babe?”
“Funny, I was just thinking about how good I felt—no more barfing, more energy, I think my pregnancy has turned a page,” replied Jackson.
“Well, I have a present for you since you’ve passed the pain-in-the-ass stage.”
“Really?” Jackson’s face lit up with a sweet smile. “I love getting presents. That was my favorite thing about the Long Night Moon Festival. In fact, I always bought myself a gift and wrapped it just to make sure there was one for me to open.”
“You didnotdo that. You’re just making it up, right?” Steel asked, grinning.
“No, really! When I bought gifts for my family, I always bought one for myself. And then I would wrap and unwrap it several times before we all opened our presents. I really miss it now that my parents and younger siblings are gone,” he said sadly.
“I’m sorry babe,” Steel whispered in Jackson’s ear. “But I promise we’ll make new traditions with our pup and families so you can replace the sad ones with happy ones.”
Turning around in his mate’s arms, Jackson snuggled into his chest. The sound of Steel’s strong and steady heart beat made him relax. Secure in his mate’s arms, he played with Steel’s nipple, “So, what’s my present?”
“Ummm, babe, I recommend you stop that or we won’t make it to the run tonight,” Steel groaned.
“Party pooper,” giggled Jackson, removing his fingers.
“Ahhh, later babe, I promise,” Steel smirked, continuing, “since you’re feeling better, I want to take you on a babymoon.”
Jackson couldn’t believe it.A babymoon!He’d dreamt about it but wasn’t sure how his mate would feel. Time away for just the two of them and no day-to-day worries or problems to interfere.What a treat!
Raising his head, he grabbed Steel’s face, planting a loud, lip-smacking kiss on his startled mate.
“I take it you approve,” Steel chuckled, while Jackson kissed him all over his face and neck.
“Hell, yes!”
“We have to go soon, because once you start showing more, it will be hard to explain to humans.”
“Oh, where are we going?” Jackson asked, pausing his kissing assault.
“That,mo chroí,is a surprise.”
Chapter 29
Once outside, Jackson and Steel saw the large, deep-yellow, full moon hanging low in the dark sky. “My parents have shifted and are waiting for us in the woods,” said Steel.
This news pleased Jackson as he didn’t think he was ready to see his mother-in-law naked just yet or vice versa. He giggled at his modesty but really, he knew he just wasn’t ready.
Steel nudged him, “What’s so funny?”
“I’ll tell you later, babe,” answered Jackson standing on the top step, looking down at his brothers who had gathered below.
“Okay, guys, Steel’s going to lead us tonight since he knows the land. So, let’s have some fun,” Jackson said, joining his brothers. “Start shifting.”
One by one, the brothers shifted; Jackson was the last. Steel gasped as he saw seven snow white wolves looking at him, all as large as the biggest Alpha he ever met. White wolves! Seven of them! All from the same pack! What were the odds? Steel didn’t even want to figure that one out—even one white wolf was such a rarity that a wolf could live a very long life and never see one. Steel’s eyes narrowed and knew he’d be having a conversation about this with his mother. Suddenly, Jackson’s wolf pressed its nose into his hand, whining and wondering why he hadn’t shifted. Steel knelt down, scratching him behind the ears, and rubbed its nose. “Your wolf is so beautiful, babe,” Steel murmured to his lover before shifting.
A massive wolf, with black tipped silver-grey fur, emerged, prompting Jackson to step back along with his brothers at the display before them. Whining at thepresence of this massive wolf, Jackson’s brothers nervously scuffed their paws on the ground. Acting quickly to quell his brothers’ concerns, Jackson confronted Steel, demanding his submission by grabbing his snout in his teeth and dragging it toward the ground.
At first, Steel’s wolf resisted but then quickly acquiesced, exposing his neck in submission. Jackson let go, licked his mate and then howled. Joining in, his brothers and Steel sang the song of wolves, echoing through the trees and rising to the moon.
Suddenly, Steel took off, running toward a special place in his forest. Following quickly, Jackson and the rest of his brothers tagged along behind him. Steel saw his parents standing at the side of the trail as he ran past and they joined the pack. Onward, up the mountain, Steel led the pack, the sounds of the forest stilling as the wolves ran through it.
