Chapter 10
Ian went upstairs to find Jackson, to make his apologies sooner than later. He followed his nose, soon finding himself in front of a beautifully finished wooden door. He knocked, waiting for permission to enter.
“Come in,” called Jackson.
Entering, Ian saw Jackson sitting at a desk with Steel next to him. He walked over, standing and waiting for permission to speak. Keeping his wolf under tight control, Ian was not about to muck up this apology. He thought about what excuses he could make for his rude behavior but rejected them all. Instinctively he knew honesty was the best choice with this Alpha. Oracle was right. Jackson was a fierce leader and one from whom he wanted approval.Huh? Where did that thought come from?Ian was a loner for a reason. He never allowed anything or anyone to come before his love of medicine.
Jackson studied Dr. Wallace intently before speaking. “Dr. Wallace, did you find the hospital and Colton’s file?”
“Yes, I did. Thank you.”
“What do you want to see me about, then?”
Shit, Jackson wasn’t making this easy. “I want to apologize for my very rude remarks before. You’re right, I overstepped my bounds and for that, I’m very sorry. I guarantee you, Alpha, it will not happen again.”
Jackson searched Ian’s face before saying, “Have a seat, Dr. Wallace.”
Ian sat down while exhaling a sigh of relief. Thank goodness Jackson accepted his apology. Otherwise, how would he explain this to Colton—oops, no, Oracle, explain to Oracle.
“Why don’t you tell me the reason for your apprehensions?” Jackson asked.
Shit, time to be truthful. He could only hope Jackson would understand. “Ever since my wolf heard Colton’s voice he’s been unsettled, to say the least. When I landed, my wolf warned me that Colton was in danger,” Ian paused while Jackson glanced at Steel, “I was trying to calm my wolf but after he heard about the attacks, I lost control.”
“Dr. Wallace, I trust my wolf implicitly and rely on him to alert me about any danger I, my mate, my unborn pup or my brothers might be in. Do you trust yours?”
“Yes, but since I’ve never met Colton, why is my wolf behaving this way? I can’t get him to calm down. All I can say is I’m sorry and it won’t happen again.”
Steel spoke up. “Dr. Wallace, do you know how I met Jackson?” And after seeing Ian shake his head, he continued, “I saw him at the side of a dirt road, naked, trying to hitch a ride. At first sight, in a closed truck, my wolf knew he was my mate. But my mind overrode my wolf and refused to accept the fact…all because I couldn’t scent him. So, the moral of the story is trust your wolf.”
“I agree,” said Jackson. “I think Colton is your mate which is why you’re finding it so hard to control your wolf. Have a talk with Oracle. If I’m right, then I need to pay attention to whatever your wolf is feeling about Colton.”
Ian was stunned.A mate? No, no way! I can’t have a mate!He didn’t care what his wolf wanted, they had a deal—no mate and his wolf knew it.What the fuck?He wasn’t giving up his life for anyone.No siree, thank you very much. He would just reject his mate, yeah, he could do that. Jumping up, Ian felt a shift start, and fought hiswolf for control before he was able to force his wolf back. But it seemed Steel wasn’t taking any chances because Ian was standing in Jackson’s office facing a Dire Wolf. Ian was stunned.What just happened?The huge, snarling jaws of Steel’s Dire Wolf should have his wolf cowering but the fool still wanted to shift.
Ian felt a cool breeze as the door to Jackson’s study opened. Oracle walked over to him, standing between him and her son. Ignoring Steel’s snarling and growling and his attempt to nudge her out of the way, she placed her hand on Ian’s arm, instantly calming the wolf inside of him. Ian’s wolf sat, no longer out of control.
Oracle turned, “Steel shift now. Your mate is not in danger.”
Hearing his mother’s voice, Steel shifted. “What are you doing? Don’t you know he was out of control? You could’ve been hurt,” he raged. “Ian didn’t have control of his wolf. He was threatening my mate and unborn pup. I want him out of here today! I mean it. Fuck second chances! GET OUT! I mean it! GET OUT NOW!”
Jackson walked over to his mate, placing his hand on Steel’s arm, and said quietly, “Stand down now. Come sit with me and let’s hear what Oracle has to say. If Ian is Colton’s mate, then we owe it to my brother to resolve this…for his well-being.”
Steel was shaking with anger over Ian’s actions. He would never let this man near his mate until he could control his wolf. Shit, just thinking about what could happen caused his wolf to surge forward again and the only thing stopping him was his mate’s hand on him. Slowly, Jackson’s soothing scent calmed Steel and his wolf.
Jackson handed his mate a pair of sweatpants and waited while he got dressed. Then leading Steel back to his desk,Jackson sat down, pulling his mate to the seat next to him. Looking at Oracle, he said “I think Ian should sit down so we can find out what this is all about. I agree with my mate…if there’s a danger to our pup, he must go.”
Oracle nodded, turning to Ian, “Sit Ian. Everything will be all right, but you need to gain control of your wolf.”
Ian examined his wolf’s feelings and discovered the love his wolf felt for Colton. He also felt his wolf’s worry and concern about the danger their mate was in.Shit. Fuck. My wolf is right. Coltonwasin danger and Ian felt the pain of that knowledge course through his body. Whining in distress about his mate being in danger, his wolf stayed on alert, refusing to allow Ian to reject his mate. Ian mentally sighed. It seems he had to accept his mate or fight his wolf until one of them gave up. Ian blinked first. Giving his wolf the assurances he needed about taking Colton as their mate, his wolf finally relaxed.
“Dr. Wallace, please sit down so I can resolve this issue,” Jackson said in his Alpha voice. Ian tilted his head in respect. Jackson motioned Oracle toward one of the chairs in front of his desk. “Please tell me if he is Colton’s mate.”
“Yes, he is. Both Ian and Colton feel the mating pull.”
“I assume they are fated mates and Colton will come into his power, whatever that is, when he claims Ian. Is that correct?”
“Yes, but I can’t tell you what that power will be.”
“I understand.”
