“How about doing laundry for an extra six months?”
Carson groaned. “Okay, whatever you want.”
Cody burst out laughing. “Just teasing you, but I do have a request.”
“What?”
“Dylon and I will be making a series of short trips and it would help if you did the laundry during the time we’re gone.”
Carson gave a bigger smile this time. “Sure, I can do that. Where are you going? Does Jackson know this?”
“Yes, he does and we have his blessing. We’ll be leaving for Tajikistan in another day. After we get back, I’ll explain everything.”
“You will be safe, won’t you? Are you going to be with Slate?”
“Yes, to both questions. So, we’re good?”
“Yup, and thank you also, Dylon. I’m really curious about what you guys are doing with Slate but I’ll be patient. Is he coming back with you?”
“I don’t know, but we have to go and get ready for our trip. See you at dinner.” Cody and Dylon stood, along with Carson who then walked over to his brother. “Luv you, man. Be safe,” Carson whispered as he hugged Cody.
“I will. Luv you too, bro,” Cody murmured back as he returned the hug.
Stepping back, Cody took Dylon’s hand and left Carson’s office. Walking down the hallway, Cody said to his mate, “We have a few hours free. Fancy checking out our wolves and taking them for a run? We won’t be able to do it over there.”
“Thought you’d never ask,ma moitié.”
They headed for the front door and when they were in the woods, Cody stripped and shifted first. Dylon stared, his jaw slack at the amazing sight before him. Cody’s wolf was now half white and half gray with liquid silver eyes. The sight nearly brought him to his knees at the sheer beauty. Stripping and shifting, Dylon’s wolf matched Cody’s—they were mirror images of each other except for the eyes.
Cody’s wolf looked at his mate and barked a short greeting. They were one now and he could feel Dylon’s wolf inside him. Raising his snout to the sky, Cody’s wolf howled, loud and long, inviting his mate to join him.
Accepting, Dylon answered and their voices howled together for the first time since they became one. Breaking off their song, Dylon dug his front paws into the soft floor of the forest, with Cody’s wolf at his heels, bounding up the mountain path. Up the mountain and down, changing directions and chasing some prey, they played like pups for the afternoon, stopping only to drink at mountain streams they came across.
Finally ending at their favorite waterfall, they drank deeply of cold water before flopping down on the mossy bank. Cody laid his wolf’s head against Dylon’s wolf, soaking up the sunshine filtering through the trees and listening to the sounds of the forest before he dozed off.
Dylon waited until his mate was asleep and then spent some time planning how to save the shifters in Tajikistan. He knew how dangerous it was going to be, but he was determined not to fail his mate. With his new powers, Dylon now had the link that had been missing before their meeting with Oracle.
Chapter 33
Jackson was sitting on a tree stump, waiting for Cody and Dylon’s wolves to return to the pack house. Curious about how they’d look, he waited outside for them. At his feet, Daniel’s wolf was exploring, stumbling over tree roots before turning and attacking this fierce new enemy. Spotting them through the trees, he rose. As his brother and his mate entered the clearing, a low whistle left Jackson’s lips. Striking in their looks, there would be no mistaking these wolves were unique—making them prime targets.Thank goodness for the gifts the gods gave them.
Cody shifted, and while pulling on his jeans, he asked, “What’s up? Why the welcoming committee?”
“I wanted to see your wolves but also tell Dylon his parents would be returning tonight instead of tomorrow,” Jackson said, as he watched Daniel charge Dylon’s wolf in a series of attacks.
Cody followed Jackson’s gaze and smiled. “Look at Daniel being a badass.”
“Must get that from Steel,” Jackson chuckled.
“I don’t know, you’re getting pretty Alpha yourself. I don’t think Zane or Carson would question your ability to lead this pack anymore.”
“No, I guess you’re right,” Jackson said, smiling at his pup who was now climbing all over Dylon’s reclining wolf, taking small bites of the thick fur. “So, bro, everything cool with Zane and Carson? Did you and Dylon accept their apologies?”
“Everything’s fine. Zane is doing some research for me about the packs at the peace conference and Carsonagreed to do the laundry any time Dylon and I are gone after his six month punishment is up.”
“Fuck! Maybe you should do the negotiating at the conference instead of Slate.”
“No way. Carson had a lot of guilt he needed to get rid of, so it worked out fine. Now, let’s have it. Why did you really come out here?”
