Dakota’s scent had faded, but Slate was able to find it though it was slow going; each time he lost it, he had to backtrack until he found it again. He persisted until he found his mate, sleeping in a small mountain cave. Not wanting to disturb him, Slate lay down near the entrance, hoping when Dakota awoke they could talk about what drove him to run away. For now, he and his wolf were grateful their mate was safe. Resting his head between his paws, Slate’s exhaustion finally caught up with him and he fell into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter 8
Jackson and Steel were greeted by a barrage of questions as they walked into the great room. Taking his son from Oracle, Jackson sat down, looked around, and was glad to see everyone there.
“What the fuck is happening?”
“Dakota’s not in the kitchen.”
“Was that Slate? Why did he shift in the house?”
“Jackson, what’s going on?”
“The food is ready in the kitchen but I can’t find Kota.”
Holding up his hand and then, when everyone fell silent, Jackson began. “I just found out Dakota is Slate’s Fated Mate, so he will not be cooking for us for a while. Zane, you said lunch is already prepared?”
“Yeah, I can serve it.”
“I can help,” offered Cody.
“I will prepare the meals in the meantime,” Oracle said.
“Thanks. Carson and Zane, you have clean up duty,” said Jackson. “Oracle, after lunch, please meet me in my study.”
“I can help you with lunch, Zane,” offered Steel.
“Babe, that’s a good idea. In fact, let’s all go help,” Jackson said, rising and handing his son to Maximus. “If you don’t mind…”
“Not at all,” said Maximus as he cuddled his grandpup—his very special grandpup. Looking at Daniel, he wondered if this would be the right time. Making the decision to go ahead, Maximus hoped it would help breakthe tension over the news of Dakota and Slate’s mating. It was pure luck he had found what he was looking for.
Ever since Daniel’s wolf first appeared, Maximus had been trying to find the significance of his color combination. It was a chance comment made to Mystia that finally gave him the answer. Maximus hadn’t told anyone yet but right now seemed like the perfect time to give Dakota’s brothers something else to talk about. When the great room was empty except for Oracle, Dylon and the twins, Maximus set Daniel down on the floor and growled softly, “Time to shift and show everyone what you can do. Shift.”
Daniel grinned up at his grandfather, then did as ordered and when he was done, gasps were heard from Dylon and Oracle. Before them was a midnight black pup with glowing silver eyes. Giving a wolfy grin, Daniel scampered off, looking for imaginary prey to hunt.
Oracle smiled. “So you remembered what was special about Daniel’s wolf.”
Chuckling, Maximus said, “Mystia helped me because I had read it in one of her books.”
Dylon kept staring at the black pup, still finding it hard to believe even though the proof was in front of his eyes.Cody has to see this.Sending a message through their mind link, he told Cody he needed him right away and to bring everyone else.
Cody told Jackson that Dylon wanted everyone to join him back in the great room but had no idea why; he then headed to the great room as the others followed—all wondering what was going on. “Babe, we’re here, what’s the matter?” asked Cody.
No one had noticed the midnight black pup yet so when Dylon pointed, Cody gasped, “Who is that?”
“Wow, look at Jake! Or maybe it’s Jessica,” exclaimed Zane.
“Dumbass,” Carson responded, “Jake and Jessica are with Dylon.”
Jackson stared at the pup, then shouted, “Oh my gods, babe, it’s Daniel! Why is his fur black? What happened to his silver fur?”
Steel growled, “Dad, what happened to my son? Last I knew he had silver fur.”
Maximus held up a finger, then called to Daniel, “Shift again.”
Before everyone, Daniel’s wolf sat down, closing his eyes and then in rippling waves, the black fur turned white. Once he was done, Daniel’s wolf opened his silver glowing eyes and got up, padding over to his fathers.
Steel scooped him up, then turned to his father. “Daniel’s ability to change his fur color is related to his unique wolf coloring, right?”
