“Fair enough,” Dakota said. “Okay, here goes. That summer…after our family was killed…I almost didn’t make it. The pain I felt at losing my mother was crippling. Many days I couldn’t see how I could go on because I was lost in the maelstrom of all of my brothers’ emotions, always very strong, as each tried to put himself back together again. It was as if the spokes of the wheel were broken into many small pieces and I couldn’t see how it could ever be rebuilt so that we were one again. Each of my brothers fought to rebuild their lives, each progressing in his own way. My life was a never ending cycle of grief, anger, hatred, and sadness as my brothers worked their way through their emotions. I had no quietness to deal with my own grief and anger at what had happened to me and, finally had sunk so low, I decided to shift and live out the rest of my life as a wolf.”
“What stopped you?” asked Slate, his voice thick and unsteady.
“Not ‘what’ but ‘who’. I was making breakfast when suddenly I couldn’t remember what I was supposed to do. My mind was a blank and I remember looking at the spatula I was holding, wondering what it was. Then the dam broke…I collapsed and began to cry for my mother, for my siblings, and for my fucked-up life. When the tears finally stopped, I realized I had nothing left of me anymore; instead I’d been consumed by the emotions of everyone else. So as the sky lightened, I got up, looked off into the forest and that’s when I decided to shift and leave my brothers.
“I was so absorbed in myself, I never heard Logan approach me from behind. Just as I began my shift, he grabbed me, stopping it. I was furious and I bit his hand, trying to make him let go. But he wouldn’t. He just held on and he kept saying he loved me, over and over again.” Dakota looked skyward again and tears fell silently down his cheeks as he remembered that moment; then suddenly he was lifted up and found himself sitting on Slate’s lap, sheltered in his mate’s large arms. Nestling into Slate’s chest, Dakota’s tears finally stopped. Together they sat while the forest sounds became quieter as evening began to fall. Finally Dakota sat up and looked at his mate. “Logan saved me. I don’t know how he knew what I needed, but he did. The love he sent me renewed my spirit and gave me new strength so I could begin to block out the emotions of others again. It took me a long time to reclaim my life, but I did.
“As I’ve gotten older, I’m better at blocking out strong negative emotions when I need to but it’s a delicate balance…one that can quickly fall apart if I’m swamped with too many of them. It’s why I stay in the kitchen so much…not many visitors…so I can keep some distance between me and everyone else. And of course, Steel’s house makes it even easier because it’s so big. So, now you know everything, probably more than you wanted to, but it’s important you know what a fucking mess your mate is.”
Slate knew he’d finally heard everything, but if his mate thought it would scare him off, Dakota was wrong—very wrong. The only thing that changed was Slate’s new admiration for his mate for being able to survive, and even thrive, with such a heavy burden. He studied Dakota, seeing the slight stoop of his shoulders poised to protect him from what he thought Slate might say. Smiling, Slate did the only thing he knew that would convince his mate of his intentions. Closing his eyes, he told his wolf what they needed to do and, in unison, their hearts were opened and love poured out, filling every part of their bodies. Slate knew Dakota and his wolf would feel their love for him, so he waited to see what his mate would do.
Sitting there, sure that Slate would reject him for being weak, Dakota wondered if shifting and remaining a wolf would stop the pain Slate would have to endure if they didn’t mate. He knew Jackson would strongly oppose it but ultimately it was Dakota’s decision and he felt it might be best for all. Of the two of them, Slate was more valuable because he helped so many shifters and all Dakota did was cook—and surely someone else could do that.
While he was pondering what to tell his brothers, the first wave of love from his mate hit him so hard, he gasped insurprise. Then more and more followed, filling his heart, soul, mind and body until Dakota swore he was floating among the moon and stars. Never before had every bit of darkness been driven from his body…never before had Dakota experienced so much pure love…never before had he known the joy of being loved so completely.
Turning to Slate, he searched his face and when he found what he was looking for, Dakota leaned forward until their lips were a hair’s breadth apart. He paused for a moment to savor wallowing in the brightness of love, then closed the distance until his lips met Slate’s. The taste and flavor of his mate forced a groan from deep within Dakota’s chest, which was quickly swallowed by Slate. Dakota knew in that instant, he would never stop needing Slate.
Chapter 12
The sounds of the forest faded as Dakota lost himself in the pleasure of kissing his mate’s soft but firm lips—that was, until the sound of his growling stomach broke the spell. Breaking off the kiss, an embarrassed Dakota said, “Uhm, sorry, I haven’t eaten since this morning.”
“Babe, mine has been growling too; I haven’t eaten since last night. Didn’t you hear it?”
Dakota shook his head. “I guess I was a little preoccupied,” he said, shyly. Glancing around the glen, he realized how late it was. “Holy shit! I have to get home and make dinner!” Dakota said, stumbling, as he tried to get up.
“Whoa! Trust me…my mother has made dinner for everyone, well, except for us.”
“But Jackson will worry why I’m staying out so late. I never told anyone where I was going.”
Grabbing Dakota’s hand, he pulled him back down beside him. “No he won’t, because I told him where you were and he knows I was headed out to find you.”
“Did you tell him we’re mates?”
“Yes, do you have a problem with that?”
Sighing, Dakota shook his head. “Not really. It would’ve come out sooner or later anyway.”
The resignation in Dakota’s voice wasn’t reassuring but Slate decided to not worry about it right now; instead he wanted to get his mate back to the house and then, feed him. “Why don’t we head back and I’ll makeyousomething for dinner.”
Dakota’s face brightened. “That’s right, Colton told me you like to cook. Okay, do you want to shift and run back or walk back?”
“I’d prefer to walk back with you in the moonlight, if that’s all right.”
Dakota thought it over and decided he really did want to spend more time with his mate. He knew they needed to talk about having pups and all of that, but right now, he just wanted a moonlight stroll with Slate. “That’s fine, I’d rather do that too,” he said, rising to his feet again, and offering his mate a hand.
Grabbing it, Slate rose, and slinging the empty backpack over his shoulder, led Dakota down the mountain on the dirt path he’d followed when he was searching for him. “I’m hoping you know the way back.”
“Yup…just follow this path until you get to a fork, then take the one to the right and it’ll lead us back to the house.”
Walking in silence for a few minutes, Slate wished they were already mated so at least he could know what his mate was thinking, but he knew it would take some time before that happened because of the promise he made to his mother.
“Was Jackson angry I left?” asked Dakota, worrying about what he would find at home.
Slate stopped, turned around so he was facing Dakota, then grasping his other hand, he looked intently at his mate. “Not at all. Please stop worrying about it. I told Jackson you were my Fated Mate and I wanted to claim you, but I told you I won’t do that until you agree, okay?”
Dakota stared at his mate’s face, loving how the moonlight highlighted Slate’s features. Nodding slowly,he felt his worry disappear as his body was flooded with his mate’s love. Smiling in response, he said, “You know when you do that, it makes it so easy for me to forget everything except you.”
Growling his approval, Slate said, “Good, now let’s go so I can show off my cooking skills.”
