Chapter 4
“Hi Zane,” David said shyly, lowering his eyes, afraid to see what his mate thought of his appearance which was so unlike the heavily-muscled shifters standing in front of him.
He wondered if his mate ever saw an Italian wolf before and, even if Zane had, David doubted it looked anything close to the likes of him.
Staring at his mate, Zane loved the tats his mate had on his face that only enhanced his light, sky-blue eyes, high cheek bones, classical Roman nose, and luscious lips—moist and parted, waiting for him to kiss them.
David was slender and sleek, with a gracefulness to his movements that prompted Zane’s mind to generate images of sex positions his mate could do with such a body.
Shit! Zane’s wolf was pushing forward, wanting Zane to touch their mate.
Holding out his hand, he said, “Hi David, am I happy to find you.”
David glanced at the hand before grasping it, after which a brilliant electrical charge swirled around their hands, and shot up, wrapping around their arms until David felt it burrow deep into his heart.
Looking at his mate, he saw the shock he felt reflected on Zane’s face.
Lowering his eyes to stare at their still connected hands, David continued to gaze transfixed at the beam of energy as it melted into their bodies binding them together.
Stunned at what was happening to them, Zane, wondered if it was a preview of the gift the Fates would bestow on him once he claimed his mate.
He glanced at Logan, who’d observed the light dancing along Zane and his mate’s arms but saw no alarm on his brother’s face.
He knows what this is! I bet his spirit told him.
Unwilling to say anything about his brother’s spirit in front of the manager, Zane turned his eyes back to David, wondering what he thought of it.
When the light and the sensation faded, David released Zane’s hand, unsure about what he should do next.
A quick glance at Morgan’s face told him his boss was worried and probably wouldn’t leave now even if David wanted him to.
Shifting his eyes back to Zane, he zeroed in on his mate’s lower lip, now being nervously chewed, realizing his mate was leaving it up to him to decide what to do next.
Stepping forward, he reached up and freed Zane’s lower lip from the attack it was under, then gently rubbed away the teeth marks.
“There, that’s better,” David said, grasping Zane’s hand, as he led him over to the couch.
“You don’t mind if we talk in here, do you?
” he asked, sitting down and patting the place next to him.
Zane quickly claimed the spot and sat sideways, facing his mate. “No, it’s fine,” Zane said, adding, “David, I’d like you to meet one of my brothers, Logan.”
“Hi, Logan,” David said. “Are you staying also?”
Logan shook his head. “No, if it’s all right with everyone, I’ll head back to my mate.”
“That’s fine, bro,” Zane said, “I’ll be here…with my mate.”
“Fine, but let me know if you’re going to leave, okay?” asked Logan.
“Yup,” Zane said, gazing at his mate. “Go have dinner with everyone. I’ll be fine.”
Logan turned to the manager. “Thanks for everything. You know where I’ll be if you need me.”
Morgan looked at David and Zane, then said, “David, do you mind if I go take care of Logan and his party? Will you be okay?”
Dragging his eyes away from Zane’s face, David looked up at Morgan and said softly, “Go ahead, I’m safe with my mate.”
Morgan nodded, then ushered Logan out of the break room closing the door behind them. Once they were down the hall, Morgan grabbed Logan’s arm and wheeled him around to face him. “Would you mind telling me what the fuck happened in there?”
Logan looked at the hand gripping him, then at Morgan and, raising his eyebrow, questioned Morgan’s action with only a look.
Dropping his hand quickly, Morgan realized his actions could be misconstrued.
He wasn’t looking for a fight—just some answers to questions he had about the energy exchange between Zane and David.
“I’m sorry, Logan. It’s just I’m worried about what I saw when they shook hands.
Do you know what that was? And, is David in danger? ”
Logan stared over Morgan’s shoulder at the door to the breakroom, then said, “I’m not sure what it was, but I think it had to do with David’s ability to disappear. But then, you know more about that than I do.”
“No, I don’t. In fact, I know very little except he has the ability to disappear at will. The only other person that knows this, other than you and your party is my friend at the High Council.”
“Franklin Royd?” asked Logan. “Lizzie told us about it. I assume it was he you called to ask about the Blackwood Pack?”
“Yes. He told me David would be safe with your pack. Is that right?”
“Yes. David is now a full member of the pack even if he chooses not to claim Zane as his mate.”
“You give Fated Mates choices?”
“Yes, the Alpha is adamant about respecting individual rights and personal decisions about how a member wants to live his life.”
“How often does that happen? When a Fated Mate won’t be claimed?”
“So far…never. But that’s not the point. My Alpha believes everyone should have a choice and the freedom not to do something is very important to every shifter, especially regarding Fated Mates, which is a forever decision.”
“Franklin was right about this alpha,” Morgan mumbled to himself, shaking his head as he remembered so many sad stories through the years from shifters who were forced into accepting their Fated Mates even though they hated each other.
“By the way, Anna also knows David can disappear,” said Logan.
“Huh? Oh, right. I’ll talk to her about it later, but you don’t have to worry about her saying anything. I know her parents and Anna keeps everything to herself,” Morgan said. “Come on, your group has waited long enough for their dinner.”
~/~/~/~/~
Jackson loved his mate’s blow jobs and this one wasn’t any different—tongue, suck, hands, balls—Steel did it all with just the right touch and pressure covering every part of his cock.
And the cherry on top was when he could kiss his mate afterward and taste himself while being hugged by Steel’s heavily muscled arms. Resting his head against his mate’s chest, Jackson was soothed by the scent of his mate and the sound of his beating heart—a heart filled with love for him and their son, Daniel.
Sleepy after his powerful orgasm, he closed his eyes and dozed off.
Steel gazed lovingly down at his sleeping mate, appreciating these times they had together which were sometimes hard to find when the pack was in crisis mode.
Fuck! Now I can see another one with Zane’s mate.
We definitely need more enforcers. He didn’t know who or what David was, but what he did know was he was rarer than all their gifts put together and that thought led Steel to think what gift the Fates would give Zane.
Fuck! My mother knows what the gift is but… yeah, no sense going there.
Thinking over what Jackson said about a legend or possibility of a myth, Steel was sure either his father or Mystia would know or, if they didn’t, he had no doubt they could find out, but if his father had read it, he would recall it—maybe not the details—but at least enough to point them in the right direction.
That was the thing he wished he’d inherited from his father—a photographic memory—though it seemed even that had limitations, like the time his father couldn’t remember what was unique about Daniel’s fur.
After seeing Carson, Maximus was on his way to Jackson’s study when his wife sent him a mind message to meet her in their suite.
Now striding across the great room, he would stop in to see Oracle first before heading to find out what Jackson wanted.
Just the thought of seeing his gorgeous mate had Maximus quickening his step, eager to kiss and hug Oracle again.
“Hi darling,” Maximus called out as he entered their suite.
“In here, honey,” Oracle said.
Maximus entered their bedroom where he found his wife, leaning over the bed, her back to him as she packed her suitcase.
“Another trip…hmm, where to this time?” Maximus asked, tip-toeing quietly up behind her, enveloping her in a hug while planting a bunch of quick kisses along the back of her neck until he felt her shiver.
Turning around in her husband’s arms until she faced him, Oracle said, “To Scotland, dear. Zane has found his Fated Mate. It’ll just be a short trip.”
“So, another brother bites the dust, huh?” That leaves only Carson.”
“Yes, at least for now.”
“I’ll give Daniel lots and lots of love and kisses from you while you are gone but they’ll be a poor substitute for yours, so hurry back.”
“You are so sweet, my love, thank you. I do not want to miss seeing what he does next.”
“Finish packing, and I’ll let Steel know so he can make the arrangements.”
“That is perfect. After I am finished, you will find me saying good bye to Daniel.”
Maximus smiled at Oracle, then bent down and kissed the lips he loved, because no matter how long they’d been together each kiss was just like the first. Finally, he slowly gentled the kiss until their lips were barely touching.
“I love you more and more each day,” Maximus crooned, sneaking another quick kiss before letting Oracle go.
“I’ll go get everything ready for you, darling.
” Then after smooching her lightly again, he left the bedroom.
Oracle resumed packing, smiling to herself as she still felt her husband’s kisses on her lips, thanking the Fates again for giving her Maximus as her mate.
Being an Oracle was trying at times, but he had a special way about him that smoothed out the lows and accentuated the highs, making it much easier for her.
All in all, Oracle considered herself blessed.
Whistling, Maximus quickly reached Jackson’s study.
Knocking on the door, he waited till he heard Steel call out “Just a moment.” Chuckling, he had a very good idea what was happening, and he couldn’t blame them for taking the opportunity when it arose.
After all, it had been the same with Oracle when their sons were young, and their work took up so much of their time.
Steel unlocked the door and opened it for his father. Fortunately, they were dressed and all evidence of what they’d been up to had been swallowed. “Hi, Dad, come in, Jackson has something to ask you.”
Maximus entered and sat down. “Son, your mother has to leave…can you arrange her flight?”
“Already on it, Dad. Robert is finalizing the flight plans right now,” Steel answered.
“Oh, so Zane called you, huh?” asked Maximus.
“No, Logan called me and told me about Zane,” Jackson said. “His mate’s name is David, an Italian Wolf, with a very unique ability. I was hoping you could tell us more about it and who David is.”
“I’ll try. What ability does he have?” asked Maximus.
“Logan said David can disappear…like poof! One minute he’s there and the next minute gone,” Jackson said.
“Have you ever heard a wolf shifter doing that?” asked Steel.
“Hmmm.” Maximus thought before responding. “I remember hearing about it a very long time ago. Tell me, does David have markings of any kind…especially on his face?”
Jackson glanced at Steel and shrugged, then said, “I don’t know. Logan didn’t say anything. Is it important? I can call him back and ask him.”
“Please, but what would be better yet, is if he could take a picture so I can see exactly what they look like,” Maximus said.
“Okay, I’ll do that now,” said Jackson.
“Good, in the meantime, Oracle is spending some time with Daniel before leaving, so if that’s all for now, I’ll join her,” Maximus said and, after Jackson nodded, he rose and left.
“I think Dad has a pretty good idea about David,” Steel said,
“Yup,” said Jackson. Giving his mate a quick kiss, he rose, pulling his phone from his pocket and called his brother.
~/~/~/~/~
After Morgan closed the door, silence surrounded David as he thought about what to say.
The whole Fated Mate thing threw him for a loop since he’d been told by the High Priestess, he’d never have one because of what he was.
Well, that just shows how much she knows!
But there was no sense denying it as his wolf was still prancing up a storm and howling his mating call and that felt so strange as his wolf rarely made his presence known.
Time stretched on and he felt confused his mate hadn’t said anything yet. What was he waiting for?
Zane watched as his mate looked around the room, then at the floor, then at the ceiling, and then at his nervous hands, picking at something on the couch.
He wished he had Kota’s empath ability to feel emotions because it would certainly help him figure out what David was waiting for.
Looking closely at his mate, Zane noticed the rigidity of David’s body; his mate didn’t know what to do and was probably waiting for him to say or do something.
“Hey, do you want me to tell you about myself?” he asked.
David gratefully smiled at his mate, then said softly, “That’d be great.”
“Hmmm, well, I’m the youngest of my brothers…
well not the youngest originally…but the youngest now and I have six other brothers.
The oldest, Jackson, is also my Alpha and we live in California.
You met Logan, he’s mated to Kieran. Oh, Logan is the twin of Jackson, then there’s Cody, Colton and Carson…
triplets…Colton is upstairs with his mate Ian.
Then Dakota is next…he’s only two years older than me and the one I’m closest to.
I call him Kota for short and you’ll meet him because he’s upstairs too, with his mate Slate, Steel’s brother who is mated to Jackson. A bit confusing, huh?”
“No, I got it. Go ahead, tell me more,” said David.
“Uhmm, let’s see. Oh yes, I’m a major geek.
I have my own computer lab set up at home.
Right now, I’m beta testing a program for my nephew…
oh shit, I forgot to tell you about my nephews and niece.
Daniel…that’s who I originally designed the program for…
he’s the son of Jackson and Steel, and then there’s Jake and Jessica…
Cody and Dylon’s pups. They’re twins but obviously not identical. ”
Giggling, David said, “Well, I’m relieved to hear that.”
Transfixed at the musical sound of his mate’s giggles, Zane grinned. The melancholy look had finally left David’s face.