When the laughter died down, Jackson said, “Dakota and Slate, I’d like to see you after breakfast.”
“Okay,” Dakota answered. “Do you know when Oracle will be back? We want to speak to her as soon as possible.”
“She said ‘lunch’, so it should be soon,” Jackson said.
Nodding, Dakota could feel his brother’s worry about his mating and the gift he would get, but one thing Dakota was sure of—he wanted to be with Slate forever. And while he knew it wouldn’t be easy having a Dire Wolf pup, his love and trust in Slate would help him through it. Dakota was also sure Jackson would want to question him without Slate present but he wouldn’t agree to that. He’d spent his life keeping his curse secret and now that his mate knew about it, there would be no future secrets between them. The relief and freedom he felt yesterday after he told Slate everything, made him realize how heavy his burden had been. But no more would that be part of his life.
Slate was watching Dakota as his mate looked down and frowned. Not pleased with it, he reached out for his mate’s hand, relieved when he felt Dakota take it. He wasn’t sure what emotion Dakota felt, but he knew just the thing to make his mate smile.
Suddenly, Dakota felt his mate’s overwhelming love relaxing him and he was grateful for it. Looking at Slate, Dakota smiled, grateful his mate was protecting him from his curse. Wanting more, he turned to Jackson and, while keeping his eyes on his mate, said, “I have something to do in the kitchen before the meeting. How about we see you in your study in fifteen minutes?”
“Sure, see you then,” Jackson said, as he watched Dakota get up, pulling Slate with him. Keeping his eyes on them, he was pleased with what he saw—the closeness, the heat in their eyes, and their private bubble keeping them unaware of anyone else. Smirking, he could guess what ‘thing’ Dakota had to do and fifteen minutes sounded about right.
Slate was bemused as his mate pulled him through the kitchen and into a small hallway, stopping in front of a door. When Dakota opened it, Slate saw a small bathroom that had just enough room for the two of them. Once inside, Dakota locked the door, flipped on the light, then got down on his knees. Looking up at Slate, he said, “I wanted to do this the very first time I saw you naked in your bed.” Unsnapping his mate’s jeans, Dakota pulled them down, moaning as the object he was seeking bounced out, already hard and leaking. Grasping Slate’s cock at the base, Dakota whimpered, then leaned forward as his tongue flicked the tip before wrapping his lips around it and sucking it in.
Holy shit!Looking down at his cock disappearing into his mate’s mouth was the sexiest thing Slate ever saw. Weaving his hands through Dakota’s soft curly hair, Slate used it to steady his suddenly very weak legs as the pleasure from his mate’s mouth and tongue washed through him. Trying to keep his hips still, Slate let Dakota keep control while he let his need build towards what he knew would be a fantastic orgasm. His decision not to thrust his cock down Dakota’s throat had the effect of keeping him on the edge, prolonging his anticipation and making his cock harder. He was now the one whimpering and moaning as his need rose slowly, until he couldn’t take it anymore and begged Dakota to finish him off.
His mate was ready and Dakota lowered one hand to Slate’s balls, enjoying how heavy they were as he gently fondled them. While listening to more begging, Dakota’s other hand landed on Slate’s ass, kneading the beautiful globes before sliding his fingers down the crack until he found his mate’s hole. Using one finger to press againstthe bundle of nerves guarding it, Dakota used another to press against Slate’s taint, putting pressure on his prostate. In seconds, Dakota was swallowing his mate’s cum while listening to Slate shout his name.
His heart pounding, his lungs gasping for air, Slate was in danger of collapsing and he grabbed the sink behind his mate in an effort to remain standing.Holy fuck! Nobody ever gave me a blow job like that!His glazed eyes stared down at his mate who was busy licking his cock clean. Needing his mate, Slate took Dakota by the arm, pulled him up, then leaned down until his lips nearly touched his mate’s. Then, slowly extending his tongue, Slate licked them, moaning as he tasted himself, before kissing the lips that coddled his cock.
Chapter 18
When Dakota and Slate finally made it to his brother’s study, Oracle had already arrived. Dakota felt Slate flood him with love as his mate grasped his hand while they sat down. Hoping for a short meeting, Dakota said, “Jackson, anything you want to say to me will be said in the presence of my mate.”
Nodding in approval, Jackson replied, “Fair enough. I’ll assume you’ve agreed to be claimed by Slate.”
“Yes, and I will be claiming him, also.”
Jackson glanced at Slate, then said to Dakota, “I’m happy for you, bro. The reason I wanted to see you was to make sure you know what would happen if you do.” Jackson paused as he saw the look on his brother’s face. “Hear me out Dakota. I always felt you had a plan for your life…and while it might have included a mate…it certainly didn’t include pups. And unless I’m wrong about your gift from the Fates, pups will be part of your future once you mate with Slate.”
Dakota was silent for a moment before he said, “You’re right. I admit my plan didn’t allow for a mate or pups but it’s changed, in large part, due to my mate.” Shaking his head as he saw Jackson begin to object, he continued, “Not for the reason you think…but because I realized yesterday my ‘plan’ had changed…or maybe ‘evolved’ would be a better way to put it. You, and maybe Logan, know why long ago I’d decided never to mate, so I can see why you’d question my position now, but times have changed and I’ve changed. Owning a restaurant isn’t that important to me anymore but having a mate who knows what I am and accepts me…that’s what really matters to me.”
“What about pups? I always thought it was something you never wanted.”
“That’s true. Even though Oracle hasn’t confirmed what will be my gift, I don’t have to be a genius to figure it out. Before my mate told me what he wanted, he asked me whether I wanted them. That’s why he’s perfect for me. Slate gave me a choice about having pups regardless of what the Fates intended. And by doing that, he also gave me control of my world, something I’ve struggled with for most of my life. After gaining that freedom, I concluded I have the chance to be the right kind of parent to my pups…a father who accepts and loves them for who they are, not what I think they should be. So yeah, my ‘plan’ has been up-ended and I now have a new one in place…one that includes a mate and pups.”
“I’m happy for you, bro,” smiled Jackson. “Congratulations to the both of you. Oh, and Dakota, thanks for helping out this morning, but this is your time with your mate, so go enjoy it. Don’t worry. Between my mate’s and Oracle’s cooking skills, we’ll survive”
“Yeah, but will my kitchen?” Dakota muttered.
Chuckling, Jackson said, “I promise you, it will survive.”
“It better!” Dakota said, then asked Oracle, “Slate told me you wanted to speak to me before we claimed each other. I already know about my ability to have pups, so is there anything else?”
“Yes, about your gifts the Fates are bestowing on you.”
“You mean my ability to have pups?”
“Yes, you are the second Alpha/Omega hybrid the Fates have created. But there is a second gift.”
“Another gift? I don’t understand,” said Dakota, confused.
“The Fates have two gifts for you. Would you like me to tell you about the second gift in private or do you want your mate to be present?” Oracle asked.
Dakota replied, “When I told my mate what I am, it was the best decision I ever made because I realized the toll it had taken on me keeping it secret. I don’t…no, make that I won’t…go back to living that way anymore. So I want him present.”
“Wait a minute,” Jackson said, “I’m missing something here. Dakota, What do you mean when you say, ‘what you are’. What exactly are you?”
