Sighing, Sawyer muttered, “It’s complicated.”
“Complicated because your mate is a dual shifter?”
“Partially…but more because I haven’t claimed him.”
“Why not?”
“It’s…”
“I know…complicated. Do you intend to claim him?”
“Yes, dammit. I was going to do it tonight but then Alex fell asleep and I couldn’t wake him. He’s in bed now but I’m worried Mac. Why is he so exhausted? Do you think he’s ill?”
“Whoa…let’s not go there yet. Tell me, does he have a fever?”
“No.”
“Is he shivering?”
“No.”
“Is his breathing labored?”
“No…everything is normal except how tired he is.”
“What did you do today?”
After describing their day, Sawyer said, “Mac, I’m telling you, everything was great until we got in the car. Then he curled up and fell into a deep sleep. I tried several times to wake him but all he did was mumble something, then rolled himself into a tighter ball.”
“My educated guess is your mate isn’t used to strenuous exercise, which would explain his fatigue.”
“But he’s a shifter!”
“So what? Look at Quin…he’s a shifter but I’d bet anything he’d be out like a light if he spent the afternoon swimming.”
“Quin’s an Omega!”
“I’m pretty sure Alex is, too. Which leads me back to him being a dual shifter. Jackson asked me to research it when I told him there was only one other documented case in history. That dual shifter was an Omega. Now I can’t be sure until I examine him but it would help explain Alex’s lack of stamina.”
Stunned, Sawyer whispered, “A male Omega who’s a dual shifter? Oh my gods, do you know how rare he is? How in the world will I ever be able to protect him? Oh, shit…I’m a failure as a mate just like I am at everything else.Fuck…what am I supposed to do?”
Chapter 22
“Sawyer, listen to me,” ordered Mac. “You aren’t a failure so stop with that shit. As for your mate, my recommendation is to claim him as soon as you can. Then bring him back here. Trust me, it’s the safest place for Alex.”
Frowning, Sawyer asked, “Why? What makes it any better than our home back east? Well, except for Jackson’s weird Alpha power shit he has going on.”
“I can’t tell you…at least not right now. But Hunter and Jackson will explain everything to you just as soon as you call them.”
“Explain what?”
“Ugggh! I can’t tell you. They aren’t my secrets. Please call Jackson right now. He’ll conference Hunt in.”
“I don’t understand. What does Hunter have to do with Jackson’s pack other than he mated a member. Oh. My. Gods. That’s it, isn’t it? Hunter is leaving us and joining the Blackwood Pack. What’s going to happen to the rest of us? Does Mase know? They have a business together…is Hunt giving it up or is Mase? And what about Quin? Hunt’s gonna leave him unprotected? Have you agreed to this? Why would you do that to Quin? Honestly, Mac, I can’t believe you could do that.”
“Will you stop with the fucking questions! You got it all wrong. Please call Jackson…he’ll help you protect your mate. Isn’t that what you’re worried about?” asked Mac. When his brother didn’t answer, he knew something else was causing his usually laid-back brother to freak out. “Sawyer, what can Alex shift into?”
Rubbing his hand over his face, Sawyer inhaled deeply before exhaling slowly. It was just like his twin to see through his freak-out. “A fire fox and a fire dragon.”
