Chapter 19
It was mid-morning before Jackson and Steel awoke and, after having a round of shower sex, they headed for the dining room, hoping to find some leftovers for breakfast. When Dakota heard them, he peeked in from the kitchen. “I have breakfast ready for you, so sit down and I’ll bring it in.”
Surprised, Jackson stared and said, “You don’t have to wait on us, we can get it ourselves.’
“Shut up, bro. This is my mating gift, so stop the shit.”
Jackson’s face broke into a wide smile. “Okay, then. Thanks.”
Dakota retreated to the kitchen as Steel took Jackson by the hand, leading him to the table. “That was nice of Dakota,” said Steel in a very low voice.
“That’s the way Dakota is. I really hope he can finish culinary school.”
“I know sweetheart, and I promise I’ll find a way for him to do so,” murmured Steel, bringing Jackson’s hand to his lips for a kiss.
Dakota came bustling in, loaded with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, toast, and hash browns.
After setting the heavy tray down in front of them, he went back to the kitchen, bringing in orange juice and a cup of coffee for each.
Turning to Steel, he said, “I know what Jackson likes for his breakfast, but I’m not sure if you like the same stuff, so if you want something else, let me know and I can whip it up in a minute. ”
Steel kept heaping his plate with the amazing food before him and, looking up at Dakota, said, “Thanks, but this is great. I’m willing to cook for Jackson but my food never turns out as good as this. You are a master of the kitchen.”
Dakota’s cheeks became rosy, soaking up the praise from his brother’s mate. “Thanks,” he mumbled, “just call if you need anything,” and scurried back to the kitchen. Steel was puzzled that his compliment embarrassed Dakota.
Jackson, reading Steel’s thoughts, explained, “It’s because our father always put Dakota down for the time he spent with our mother in the kitchen.
‘That was women’s work’,” Jackson growled, parroting his father.
“I convinced my grandparents to release part of my trust fund early so I could pay for him to go to cooking school.”
Steel smiled warmly at his mate, “You are the best brother. Did your father know?”
Jackson faltered for a second, then said softly, “Initially no. But then Zane accidently slipped up when we were home for the Long Night Moon Festival. My father went ballistic, saying so many hurtful things to Dakota that I packed up the car and took him with me to our grandparents for the rest of our vacation. We never spoke about it, but I know it still weighs heavily on his mind—the hostility he got from our father that night. Poor Zane. After seeing father’s reaction, he couldn’t apologize enough. ”
Learning about the careless remark from Zane that caused the problem for Dakota, Steel had second thoughts about forgiving Zane for the comment about his mate at yesterday’s pack meeting.
Jackson is not an ‘abomination’ and Zane better correct his way of thinking fast or I’ll do it for him. Zane is a brat, that is for sure.
Suddenly, Steel heard Jackson talking, “Zane can be a brat but he really doesn’t mean any harm. He’s suffered the most from the massacre, but he’s getting there. I’m sure he’s sorry about what he said yesterday, so for me, babe, give him a chance.”
Steel sighed, nodding. “You’re too kind, but I love you all the more for it.”
“Are you still going to meet your father this morning, well, late morning?” Jackson asked.
“No, I’ll speak to him this afternoon.”
As they finished eating, Logan arrived and joined them at the table, “Oracle and Maximus went to visit Mystia but should be back shortly. I cleared the room next to your office and put in a desk and chair but Steel needs to tell me what else he wants. Zane is eager to talk to you both and Jimmy heard about a Silver Point pack member a couple of towns away from us but doesn’t know anything else.
He said he’ll nose around for more information. ”
Jackson thought for a moment. “Tell Zane I’ll be in my office in ten minutes—he can meet with us then. Afterward, Steel can meet with you and I’ll call Jimmy about Silver Point. Thanks for the update. How are our brothers this morning? Any fallout from yesterday’s meeting?”
“No one said anything this morning so I think everything’s cool,” Logan smirked. “Well, as cool as it can be when you find out your Alpha is going to have a baby.”
Jackson’s cheeks turned pink. “Funny, funny. Let’s start the day.”
Logan watched Steel lean over and kiss Jackson.
Then he gave him another one after they’d gotten up and, with his arm wrapped around his mate’s waist, they sauntered out of the dining room.
Logan felt alone again as he watched them go, wanting what his twin had for himself with every fiber of his being.
He could only hope it would happen soon.
Yeah, like that’s going to happen—not with me hiding away here with only my brothers for company.
If I’m ever going to have a chance at being as happy as Jackson, I need to get out and meet people.
No way around it. Hmmm, but how? Need to think about it and come up with a plan.
He was still thinking about it as he left to find Zane.
~/~/~/~/~
Zane stood outside Jackson’s office, nervously wiping his hands on his jeans.
He was pretty sure Jackson would forgive him but he was not so sure about Steel.
There were butterflies in his stomach because he knew Steel was in full protective mode towards his mate and was probably pissed off at him for hurting Jackson.
Shit, how stupid I am for not thinking before speaking. Isn’t that what my mother always tried to teach me? Zane snorted to himself. It seems I haven’t learned that lesson yet. Well, here goes nothing. Raising his hand, he knocked.
“Come in,” called Jackson.
Zane entered. His brother and Steel were at Jackson’s desk, looking at a computer screen.
As he approached them, Jackson smiled. “Have a seat, Zane, I’ll be with you in a sec.
” Pointing at the screen, he said to Steel, “These are the boundaries of the Fox River Pack land and over here are the Silver Point Pack lands. As you can see, they aren’t adjoining but still relatively close.
” Jackson then asked Steel through their mind link if he was ready to hear what Zane had to say.
Steel replied he was, so Jackson turned to Zane.
“Logan told me this morning you wanted to see us.”
Looking at Jackson and Steel, he saw nothing but calmness in their faces while waiting for him to speak.
He looked down at his hands in his lap, thinking about all his brother had done for him since the day he was born and felt a new wave of shame washing over him.
“I’m really sorry, Jackson. I acted like a jerk yesterday and I’m even sorrier I called you a name. ”
As he looked up at Jackson, he could feel tears welling up in his eyes but ignoring them, he went on, “I have no excuse for my actions and I’ll accept any punishment you give me.
” Before Jackson could respond, Zane turned to Steel.
“I’m very sorry I disrespected your mate like that and I promise I’ll never do it again. ”
Jackson felt sympathy for his youngest brother and knew he regretted his actions but though he was proud of him for apologizing, he, as Alpha, couldn’t allow Zane’s conduct to go unpunished or his brother would never learn to control his anger.
“Thank you, Zane,” he said. “I accept your apology and consider the matter closed. I know this pregnancy was a shock to you, as it was to me, but your behavior yesterday was out of line and a punishment will be given. As soon as I decide what it is, I’ll let you know.”
Steel squeezed Jackson’s hand, then spoke.
“Zane, I accept your apology this time, but make no mistake about my position. In the future, I will not tolerate any disrespect toward my mate or my child. I consider Jackson and our pup to be the greatest gifts from the Fates I could ever receive and I expect you to accept it in the spirit the Fates intended. Jackson is going to need all our support as he goes through this pregnancy and my goal is to make it as stress-free as possible, so I hope I can count on you.”
Zane nodded. “Yes, I now feel that way, too. I’m sorry I didn’t think before speaking yesterday but I’m really looking forward to being an uncle.
I miss my younger siblings terribly and the Fates have seen fit to give me a nephew to love.
So yes, count me in—whatever you need done for Jackson, I’ll do. ”
“Thanks, I’ll take you up on that some time,” Steel said, smiling at Zane before leaning over to kiss Jackson. “I’ll leave you both now and go find Logan so I can get my office set up.”
Zane watched his brother’s face, realizing he’d never seen him this happy.
He now understood what Logan meant yesterday—about being envious of Jackson’s mating.
Then it hit Zane. Shit, I’m also jealous of what Jackson has.
Hell, I just have to trust Logan was right about someone special being out there waiting for me. The sooner the better.
Jackson shifted his eyes from Steel to Zane as his mate left the room. “One more thing before you go, bro. In the next day or so, please tell Steel all you know about our father’s dealings with Silver Point. Resolving our problem with that pack is top priority for all of us.”
Zane stood up, nodding. “Sure thing, I’ve been thinking about what I know that could help Steel find a solution. I don’t like living this way.”
“None of us do,” said Jackson, as Zane headed for the door.
~/~/~/~/~
Steel sat in his office a week later, looking at his father seated across from him.
“Here’s the background of the two packs involved in this dispute.
Jackson’s grandfather, Nathan, was the Alpha of the Fox River Pack.
He had two sons, Josiah, the eldest, and Striker, Jackson’s father.
Josiah challenged Nathan and lost, so he left the Fox River Pack and formed the Silver Point Pack.
“After Nathan died, Striker assumed the title of Alpha of the Fox River Pack, met his fated mate and they had 13 children who include Jackson and his brothers. Meanwhile, Josiah, the Alpha of Silver Point Pack never met his fated mate but did mate with a woman so he’d have heirs.
The Silver Point Pack had less territory than the Fox River Pack but there were no outward signs of trouble between the two. ”
Maximus pondered Steel’s information. “Have we had any dealings with either pack?”
“I asked Slate to search our records but I haven’t heard anything yet. Jackson and I feel the massacre had something to do with the Fox River Pack lands but just what, I haven’t been able to figure out. I’m going to head out to look at the land Silver Point wants so badly. Like to join me?”
Maximus nodded, getting up. “First, let me tell your mother where we’re going, then I’ll meet you out front in a few.”
Steel smirked. “Yup, I gotta do that with my mate, too.”
~/~/~/~/~
Jackson looked up from his computer as Steel entered his office. “How’s it going, babe? Anything you need?”
Steel walked over, and standing behind his mate, started massaging his neck. “Your muscles are tight. What have you been doing?”
“I’m trying to figure a way my brothers can resume their education, because sitting around waiting for death to come knocking at the door isn’t doing them any good.
They need to feel this nightmare will eventually end and I want them to focus on their future—which means continuing their classes,” Jackson said, slumping back in his chair.
“Got it. Maybe I can help but let me think about it. It would help if I could find a solution to the Silver Point problem sooner than later. Regarding that, I just came in to tell you Dad and I are going to look at the Fox River Pack lands. I told him we thought the massacre occurred because Silver Point wanted the land so Dad’s going to try to figure out why someone would kill for it.
We’ll be home before nightfall,” Steel said, bending down and nibbling at his mate’s ear.
Jackson turned toward him and Steel took the opportunity to kiss those full red lips he loved so much.
Hearing Jackson moan, he deepened the kiss, his tongue seeking entry to his mate’s mouth.
As Jackson’s lips parted, Steel thrust his tongue deep inside his mouth needing to explore every part of it before tongue-dueling with his mate.
Steel’s cock grew hard, desperate for his mate’s touch, groaning at the pain of it being confined by his jeans.
Jackson was consumed by his mate’s assault on his mouth.
Reaching down, Steel palmed Jackson’s dick through his jeans.
Oh, my gods, he needed his mate to take him right now because all thoughts of work were out the window.
Off in the distance he heard a door open and a very embarrassed voice say, “So sorry, I’ll come back. ”
Steel pulled away and Jackson whimpered at the loss of his mate’s mouth. He looked up with dazed eyes, slowly realizing Steel was talking to Maximus who had a twinkle in his eye. Jackson felt a full body flush hit him, starting at his toes and ending up at his now very red cheeks.
As Jackson tuned in to them, he realized Maximus wanted a map of the Fox River Pack land to take with them. “Sure, I can give you one,” said Jackson, reaching to open a drawer. “Is there anything else?”
“No, see you out front, Steel,” said Maximus.
Steel grinned down at Jackson. “See you later, babe,” he said, leaning over to kiss his mate.
“Just a quick one this time or your father will be back wondering what’s taking you so long,” Jackson insisted.
Steel began to object but Jackson interrupted. “To make up for the short kiss, keep this thought in your head—tonight you can decide what we do,” he said, pushing Steel toward the door.
“Hey, that’s not fair. I’m going to be hard all day and what am I going to tell Dad if he asks about it?” whined Steel.
“Awww, don’t worry, I think your father will know why you have a hard-on and if he doesn’t, tell him your mate is torturing you,” laughed Jackson.