Chapter 5
After Slate was settled in, Oracle left and headed for the kitchen, looking for Dakota.
Thinking back on her discussion with her son, she decided to talk to Maximus about hiring a personal assistant or maybe two, to help with all of Slate’s duties.
It was time; Dire Enterprises had grown far beyond what she and Maximus had ever envisioned when they started it so long ago.
A large part of the credit went to their sons who had taken a medium-sized company and made it into a billion-dollar one.
A private smile graced her face as she reflected with pride on her two very smart sons. Offering a small prayer of thanks to the Fates, she quietly entered the kitchen and spied Dakota removing freshly-baked bread from the wall oven. Taking a seat at the island, Oracle waited.
The kitchen door slammed against the wall. “Hey, sorry I’m late, Kota,” Zane said quickly, “I was showing Jackson what I found. Oh, hi Oracle. Can I get you something?”
“No thanks, I am waiting to speak to Dakota,” answered Oracle.
Setting the loaves on the kitchen counter, Dakota kept his back to Slate’s mother, worried she’d be able to see his turmoil. Taking a moment to calm his emotions so he’d give nothing away, he turned and said, “Hi Oracle. You want to see me?”
“Yes,” answered Oracle. “Would you please take some lunch to Slate? He is taking a nap and, by how tired he looked, will sleep through lunch time. So I was hoping you could make him something that will keep so he can eat when he wakes.”
Dakota was not prepared for the feelings that rushed through him when he learned his mate wasn’t all right. What’s wrong with my mate? Why is he sleeping in the middle of the day? Fuck! Ian and Colton aren’t here! Just when I need them. Shit! Calm down. Find out more. “Is your son sick?”
“No, nothing like that. He is just exhausted from working too hard. I am glad he will be here for a few days so he can rest up. Regarding his lunch, maybe sandwiches and whatever else you think would be good. I left the door unlocked so you can go right in without disturbing him.”
“Sure, I can do that. Uhm, which bedroom is he in?” Please not the one next to mine.
“It’s the yellow one.”
Shit! “No problem. It’ll be about 20 minutes, okay?”
“Perfect. Thank you. See you boys at lunch. Now for a little cuddle time with my grandpup.”
Leaning against the counter, Dakota watched as Oracle left his kitchen.
Nothing in her manner indicated she knew her son was his Fated Mate.
Sighing deeply, the tension of the morning weighing heavily on him, he closed his eyes, hoping when he opened them, the nightmare would be over. When did my life become so complicated?
“Hey bro, are you all right?” Zane asked. Something was going on but he didn’t know what it was. The tension in the air was thick and Dakota was acting weird towards Oracle, who seemed… I don’t know but Oracle wasn’t acting as herself, that’s for damn sure.
Dakota opened his eyes. Seeing the concern etched on Zane’s face, he forced himself to smile.
Searching around for something he could say to assure his brother, Dakota said, “Yeah, I’m fine.
I’m just thinking about our uncle’s complaint.
Earlier you said you were showing Jackson what you found… was it good?”
“Good? It was perfect! I was able to find video of us in Las Vegas! I gave it to Jackson and I’m sure he’ll tell you,” Zane said excitedly.
“Wow! That is fantastic! Thanks, bro. One less worry for all of us. Hey did you hear from Kieran? Is everything okay between him and Logan?”
“Yup, according to the text I got, they patched things up and now both are very happy. I haven’t heard anything since they got to Scotland but I figure they’re busy sightseeing with Miss L, Theo, and Norman.
Maybe I should’ve gone too. When Theo and Norman said they wanted to travel because they hadn’t been anywhere, they might as well have been describing me. ”
Dakota asked, “Why didn’t you go? I’m sure Jackson would have agreed.”
“Because I didn’t think of it right away. Then Jackson wanted me to find proof we were in Vegas and I still haven’t been successful with the other stuff I’m working on.”
“Bro, go now, even if it’s only for a week, it will do you good.”
“I don’t know,” Zane said, sounding frustrated. “I mean, I still have a shit load of work to do for Jackson. Dammit! It’s driving me crazy because I can’t figure it out. I go round and round in circles cause no matter what I try, all I end up doing is chasing ghosts.”
“Maybe that’s exactly why you should go. Clear your mind…get a new perspective…maybe when you aren’t thinking so hard about it, your brain will find the answer.”
“Maybe…” Zane said, thinking about Dakota’s points.
His brother was right about one thing—clearing his mind always helped him see what he had missed.
Quickly going through what he still was working on, Zane came to the conclusion everything could wait for a week.
After lunch, he would line up his arguments as to why his brother should let him go to Scotland and have them ready to present at their two o’clock meeting.
Looking up at Dakota, Zane said, “Thanks, I’ll ask Jackson this afternoon. So what do you want me to do?”
“Actually, would you mind helping me with dinner instead?”
“Okay. Do you want me to take Slate his lunch? Have you met him? Colton and Cody speak highly of him so I’m really looking forward to meeting him. Did you see him? Is he as tall as Steel?”
“No, I haven’t seen him. Now shoo. I’ll see you later. Don’t forget to talk to Jackson. I think it would do you some good.”
“I won’t. See you at lunch.”
Dakota waited until Zane left before letting out a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness Slate wouldn’t be at lunch so he had some time to figure out how to avoid him until he was gone.
Turning back to the bread, he removed it from the pans and set it on a wire rack to cool.
He pulled the roast beef out of the refrigerator and after slicing it, proceeded to make the sandwiches, but his mind was focused on the body sleeping in the yellow bedroom.
Snorting to himself, he knew there wasn’t a chance in hell he’d ever allow Zane to deliver Slate’s lunch. That right belonged to him.
Finally, when everything was ready, he pulled the cart out of the pantry and placed the rare roast beef sandwiches on a platter along with some side dishes, a thermos of coffee and a special dessert he whipped up for his mate.
At the last minute he added a vase filled with wild flowers.
Stepping back, Dakota surveyed it and nodded his approval.
After removing his apron, he wheeled the cart out of the kitchen, headed for Slate’s room.
~/~/~/~/~
Looking up from the reports he was reading, Maximus smiled as his mate entered their sitting room. “Hello, darling, what did our wild child have to say?”
Oracle leaned down and kissed her mate gently at first but as she felt his arm go around her neck, pulling her tighter, deepened the kiss.
It didn’t take long before Maximus had her sitting on his lap, while he was giving her sweet kisses all along her neck.
No matter how long she lived, Oracle knew she would never get enough of his kisses but she had to talk to her mate about their ‘wild child’.
Finally moving away from Maximus’s wicked lips, she looked at her mate and said, “I love you so much, darling. Thank you for giving me two wonderful sons.”
Bemused, Maximus gazed at her. “My pleasure and I mean that in every sense of the word. I also owe you a ‘thank you’ for giving them to me. You know it wasn’t one sided,” Maximus said, chuckling. “Now, why don’t you tell me what’s bothering you and let’s see what I can do to fix it.”
Sighing, Oracle said, “Slate is in toirchigh…”
“That’s wonderful!”
“No it is not. He came here to ask me how he can end it early because according to him, he does not have the time for his Fated Mate.”
“What? It’s impossible to end it early unless he gets his mate pregnant.”
“I know but I did not want to tell him that because he looked exhausted. He listed all the reasons why this was not the right time for him to mate.”
“What were his reasons?”
“All work related. When I asked him that question, do you know he never included himself in the list of reasons? I am worried about him, Maximus. Not just him, but Steel too. I think the company should hire some personal assistants for both of them. I know Steel wants to spend more time with Daniel and he is also acting as Jackson’s Second. ”
“Hmmm.” Maximus considered his mate’s suggestion and agreed. The company had grown too large for the three of them to manage alone. “Carson is ready to take on more responsibility. I’ve been impressed with his mind and his work. He has a natural flair for the business world.”
“Slate wanted him to handle the grant end of things.”
“Good idea. I can help bring him up to speed and since I’m here, we can review the applications together.
I’ll talk to our sons while Slate is here and see what their opinions are about getting some help,” Maximus said, giving Oracle a quick kiss.
“Now, fess up, you know who Slate’s mate is, don’t you? ”
Smiling, Oracle nodded but said nothing.
“Oh, so that’s how you’re playing this. Okay, let’s see how fast I can guess it. Mmmm, is it someone we know?”
She nodded again.
Maximus grinned. “One of Jackson’s brothers?”
Oracle nodded again.
“There are three left…Zane is all wrong for him. Carson has the same intensity regarding business so that match might work…each would understand the other mate’s goals…like Ian and Colton…hmmm…no, no all wrong. So that leaves Dakota!”
Oracle giggled. “Yes, Slate is meant for Dakota and I think it is a perfect match.”
“Does Slate know?”
“No, not yet, but Dakota knows and he is fighting it.”
“Why?”
“He believes our son wants to be free of any ties, including a mate.”
“I can understand that, but I think Dakota is misjudging Slate.”
Oracle smiled at Maximus. “Yes, I agree, but Slate cultivates that impression. It will take someone special to dig beneath that bravado to find the true man.”
Maximus grinned. “You think Dakota will be able to do that, don’t you?”
Laughing softly, Oracle answered, “Yes, I do. Dakota is a nurturer and is exactly what Slate needs.”
Chuckling, Maximus said, “Life is never dull with you. I suppose you’re helping them along.”
“Of course,” Oracle said with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “What kind of mother would I be if I stood by and watched my son become unhappier?”
“Uh-huh. That’s quite noble of you but are you sure the possibility of another grandpup isn’t part of it?”
“Moi?” Oracle threw back her head in laughter. Her mate knew her so well. “It might be a teeny, tiny part of it. I am not getting any younger.”
“Bah! You look just like you did when I first met you…absolutely beautiful. I still remember the day I first saw you. I fell in love instantly and knew the Fates had given me the perfect mate.”
Oracle melted at her mate’s words. She also remembered that day; she knew in an instant she’d met the man of her dreams and the one who could make them all come true. Leaning against his chest, Oracle sighed, so very happy to be in his arms as Maximus started kissing her everywhere again.
~/~/~/~/~
Rolling the cart down the hallway, Dakota’s nose picked up his mate’s scent of orange blossom, allspice, and whiskey, causing his dick to harden instantly.
Shit, there is no way I can avoid him for even one day much less several.
What the fuck am I going to do? Stopping to rearrange his cock so he could at least walk without pain, Dakota was praying his mate was asleep because he’d have a hard time explaining his arousal.
Resuming his journey, he renewed his prayers to the Fates to please find someone else for Slate even though every time he thought of another in the arms of his mate, his stomach did a flip-flop and his heart hurt.
After reaching Slate’s bedroom door, Dakota paused, listening to see if he could hear his mate.
Not a sound. Taking a deep breath, he held it for a few moments before exhaling quietly—hopefully, his mate’s body would be under the covers with his face buried in a pillow.
Turning the doorknob carefully, Dakota quietly opened it and peeked inside.
Relief flooded him as he saw Slate sleeping.
He rolled the cart in and over to the small table in the corner and placed everything on it.
Just as he finished, he heard his mate groan and turn over, tossing aside the covers.
Dakota froze. Remaining still, he called on his wolf’s hearing to see if his mate had awakened.
When all he heard was the even breathing of someone asleep, Dakota grabbed his cart, eager to get out of there before Slate woke up.
Turning around, he glanced quickly at the bed, checking to make sure he hadn’t been discovered.
Oh, no! Oh, my gods! Dakota couldn’t tear his eyes away from Slate’s nude body.
Leaving the cart where it was, he was drawn to his mate’s body like a moth to a flame.
Standing next to the bed, Dakota’s eyes stared at Slate’s face, taking in the sheer, wild beauty of it before they traveled down to the naked muscled chest. His mouth watered at the thought of licking every inch of it.
Softly moaning, Dakota forced his eyes lower, seeking his mate’s cock. Oh my gods!
Hard, long and thick, it softly trembled as if it knew the hole it was meant for was close by.
Reaching out, wanting to touch the silky smooth cock, Dakota was trying to remember how to breathe.
Nothing had ever prepared him for this as he reluctantly pulled his hand back.
Looking further down his mate’s delicious body, Dakota’s eyes followed long, heavily muscled legs that seemed to go on forever.
Whimpering at the sexy pictures of being fucked by his mate that flooded his mind, Dakota came, unaided, in his pants, unable to stop his orgasm.
When his cum cooled against his skin, Dakota’s brain started to function again. Oh shit! I need to leave before anyone finds me here. Wanting one last look at his mate’s face, Dakota raised his eyes. A pair of gorgeous, dark brown eyes stared back at him.