“Why does she want to talk to me?” Jackson asked.
“Let her tell you. Now let’s join your brothers so I can explain what is about to happen and reassure them they are not in any danger.”
Chapter 7
Pushing back from the kitchen island after he finished breakfast with his parents, Steel began to clear the dishes. “Why don’t you guys go into the great room and I’ll join you in a minute.” He brought the dishes over to the stainless-steel sink and loaded them into the dishwasher. Then he put the rest of the food away and wiped off the counters and the island.
He knew he was delaying but couldn’t figure out why. He had a feeling his whole life was about to change yet he didn’t feel any apprehension—which was strange since, as a rule, he hated change. Knowing he wasn’t going to get any answers standing where he was, he headed to the great room to hear what his parents had to say.
“Come, Steel, we have to talk,” Oracle said, sitting down next to his father on the stark, black, modern sofa. Steel sat down across from his parents in his favorite well-worn black leather chair. He scrutinized them, wondering why they came to see him if it was about the tattoo. Why couldn’t she email him with the information? It was now obvious his motherdidknow what it meant and how it would affect him. At last, he would have some answers. He sat silently, waiting for his mother to speak, but didn’t have to wait long.
Oracle spoke in measured tones, watching Steel closely. “I received your email with the picture of the tattoo last night but before I tell you what it means, can you tell me how you obtained a picture of it?”
He resisted the urge to squirm which he had done as a child when his mother had caught him and his brother Slate causing trouble; no matter how they’d tried to hide their shenanigans, she always knew what they’d done.Thinking about what he would say, he hoped it would provide a clue to the mystery of his freaking hard-ons and the heating of his blood.After all, that was what I was trying to find the answer to yesterday, right?
Steel took a deep breath before starting his story, “Yesterday, uhmmm, was it yesterday, uhmmm, yep, yesterday, I was returning home from yet another meeting with a potential mate. He was a timber wolf but that didn’t work out, so I headed home. When I was almost there I came across a naked man, hitchhiking on the shortcut I take.”
He continued, “My body and wolf immediately reacted to him even while I was in the truck with the windows up. I thought chance had led me to my mate but when I rolled down my window, I discovered he was human. And that wasn’t who you told me would be my mate.
“Anyway,” Steel resumed, after pausing, “I gave him a ride to a gas station and when he got out, I snapped the picture of the tattoo he had on his chest right over his heart. I felt it was important to me but even with my research last night, I couldn’t find anything. So, I sent it to you before I went to bed, hoping you might know what it meant.”
“Why was the man naked?” asked Oracle.
“He told me he stopped to help someone, got knocked out, and they stole his clothes and car,” replied Steel. “All he had was some old ripped pants he was holding in front of him.”
“What was your body’s reaction when you first saw him?” Oracle inquired.
“Mother! I don’t discuss these things with you. Je-e-ez!!!” sputtered Steel as his face grew pink. While wolves were pretty open about sex, he never was,especially with his mother.Did she really think I would be describing how hard my cock became just thinking about Jackson? Oh crap, not a good line of thought.He burrowed down in his chair, trying to hide his erection.
His father chuckled as his mother said, “Oh, get over it. I don’t need exact descriptions but surely you can tell me in general terms. Wait, I have a better way. When you saw this man… does this man have a name?”
“Jackson.”
“Jackson who?”
Steel looked sheepishly at his mother, mumbling, “I forgot to get his last name.”
His father roared with laughter and finally said, “There you go, Oracle, that should tell you everything you need to know about his reaction to the young man.”
“Well, never mind,” his mother pressed on, leaning forward, “we can find that out later. Now just tell me—in general terms—how you felt when you first saw Jackson.”
Steel sighed.Could I be any more embarrassed than talking to my Mom about the sexual reaction I had when I saw Jackson?He tried to gather his thoughts so he could generalize what he was thinking that first moment. Steel’s face was growing redder by the minute because just thinking about it caused his cock to twitch in his jeans and he knew his parents would soon smell his arousal if he didn’t do something fast. “My temperature rose, my blood heated up, and I got an erection. Is that enough information for you?”
“Yes, and how did your wolf react?” Oracle quizzed on; she could barely hold back her elation.
“My wolf wanted to claim him immediately but I stopped him since Jackson was human. I figured he wasn’t my mate. So, I couldn’t allow my wolf to claim him since I’m in mytoirchighperiod. I did listen to you, Mom, even if you thought I didn't, when you warned me claiming someone other than my mate would have disastrous consequences. I understand my responsibilities and even though I also wanted what my wolf did, I controlled both of us.”
Oracle smiled gently, glancing at her husband before speaking. “The reason you couldn’t smell Jackson is because the tattoo is a protection spell cast by a witch. The spell masked his scent, and the fact that he’s a shifter—the wolf who is going to be your mate. The reason your wolf felt a mating pull is he smelled Jackson’s arousal which carries a faint scent of him and that is what led your wolf to demand his mate.”
Steel was dumbfounded. He had his mate within his grasp and let him go. This would explain why his wolf was going crazy yesterday. But wait, maybe his mother was wrong—his wolf was curled up sleeping right now which was a blessed relief from constantly fighting him yesterday. But it just didn’t follow; if Jacksonwashis mate, his wolf shouldn’t be so laid back now.
“I think you’re wrong about Jackson being my mate, Mother,” he said, with a puzzled look. “Ever since I woke up today, my wolf is calm and relaxed. Even my reactions have gotten milder, which should be the opposite if Jackson were my mate.”
His mother smiled. “Based on your knowledge, I understand you think I may be wrong, but your wolf is relaxed because he knew I was coming to sort everything out and get you and your mate together. Your physical reactions are driven by your wolf so if he is calm, yourbody reactions will be calm—well, to a degree, since I did catch the scent of your arousal several times today,” Oracle said, with just a hint of a grin. His father, though, snorted with laughter as Steel glared at both of them.
“Stop doing that. Can’t a guy have some privacy? Honestly, Dad, can’t you get Mom under control—and yourself as well?” Steel pleaded, while the blood once again rushed to his cheeks as his father continued to laugh.
“Honey,” his father said, “I think…”
