Page 109 of Forbidden Moon
Jonah whimpered as RJ traced the outline of his hard-on with deft fingers. At this rate, he’d never get the chance to explainanything.
“Ahhh... stop Rascal... oh, feels good... ughn... you naughty man!”
Already breathless, Jonah wiggled out of RJ’s grasp and scooted over.
“No fair! I can’t answer the question if you keep doing that!”
RJ’s wicked grin meant he knewexactlywhat he was doing and did it anyway. Instead of behaving, he pulled Jonah closer and kissed him hard. Several minutes later, they surfaced for air and went back to snuggling. Jonah picked up the conversation once more.
“As I was saying,one of the reasons I smell good to you, and everyone else, is because I am an Omega. If you think about it, you enjoy Evie Rae’s scent in the same way because she is too. There are also Alphas like Ben and his twin boys, Betas like most of the shifters here, and Deltas like William and Dr. Follett. Follow so far?”
RJ understood the words, though he didn’t recall noticing any unique scents except for Jonah and Evie.
“OK, I believe you, but I wouldn’t have known unless you told me.”
“As soon as your sense of smell begins to change, you’ll notice a lot of things! Your eyesight will also improve, along with your hearing. Let me know if you notice anything. Anyway, each type of shifter has a role to play in our society, and in some ways, it mirrors natural wolves. Alphas lead, defend, and make decisions for the pack. Betas are the most common type who serve and protect. Finally, deltas guide and assist in more specialized roles such as doctors, lawyers, historians, and judges.
“The Omegas promote balance and peace. We are fewer in number, smaller than Betas, and can calm others with our scent. Omegas are either male or female, have regular heats, and are bisexual.”
Jonah stopped talking, having said more than he intended. There were some things he didn’t want to discuss with RJ until they’d lived together for a while. He gave his mate some time to process, watching closely and monitoring his scent. Jonah sensed he was about to ask a question.
“Your scent sort of grounds me, and I figured it was because I liked you. So, when people are upset, they come to you for comfort?”
“Yes, but more often, their scent gives them away, and I seek them out. I can also project my scent to influence larger groups when it’s needed. After a while, you’ll get used to it and may have to be patient while I do my thing. It’s a great privilege and responsibility though not always convenient.”
RJ nodded, a small smile on his face.
“The world could use more people with a skill like that. You might have to explain what’s happening or tell me what to do, but I get it. Not to change the subject, but what’s going on with Evan and Jack? They seem to have some kind of weird powers I don’t understand at all.”
Jonah wasn’t surprised he’d noticed, given how busy Evan and Jack were of late. Coupled with overheard bits of conversation and RJ’s keen mind, he must have been wondering what it all meant.
“Evan and Jack are part of a tiny sub-set of Deltas who have unique gifts and abilities. They are called True Elders. Someday, you need to ask them how they ended up here. They live longer than any other type of shifter and have a fantastic memory. True Elders serve the community as historians, bridging the gap between generations and reminding us of our history and practices.
“They always know if someone is telling the truth, and they can influence people’s minds in certain ways. We didn’t even know they existed until a few years ago, and there are only three of them. Everet lives in Alaska, and no one here has met him except Jack and William. There are other things, but you should ask one of them about what they can do. They love to teach.”
RJ looked overwhelmed by the influx of information, and Jonah decided to offer him a distraction. He kissed his mate lightly on the cheek and stood up to take off his clothes. RJ’s body responded as it always did, though Jonah had something else in mind. He put some space between them and explained.
“I want you to spend time with my wolf, so I’m going to shift. He won’t hurt you, ever, but hewillwant to chase you if you get him excited. You were going to go for a run anyway, so why don’t I go with you? I can understand and respond to anything you say, so tell me if you want me to shift back. All right?”
Eyes wide and a bit nervous, RJ nodded from his place on the sofa.
Jonah got down on all fours and summoned his wolf. The shift happened faster than RJ expected, accompanied by disturbing sounds of stretching flesh and bones snapping into place. He could barely follow the stages of transformation before it was complete. Jonah’s wolf stood before him, a beautiful specimen and larger than a natural wolf. He sat on the living room floor with his head cocked and ears forward, watching his mate expectantly.
RJ kept up a silent litany of self-talk about Jonah still being inside the beast. He wasn’t used to the process by any means, and it made him uneasy. He forced himself to get up and approach his mate, moving slowly. Jonah wagged his tail and yipped at him as if to say, “come here and pet me”, so he did. Down on his knees, RJ reached out to slide his hand down Jonah’s chest and up under his chin. The wolf began to pant lightly, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth.
RJ laughed and proceeded to stroke more of Jonah’s fur, finding the spots he particularly liked. The wolf lay down and rolled over, begging for a belly scratch. RJ complied. When he got within range, Jonah licked the side of his face, leaving a trail of slobber.
“No fair! I can’t lick you back, now can I?”
Jonah gave him a friendly growl and stood up to whine at the closed front door. RJ got the message and quickly changed into a pair of running shorts and shoes. They left the house side by side and were greeted with waves and smiles by those who spotted them. RJ let Jonah direct him to one of the abandoned logging roads in the interior, close to the central complex. He began to run, and Jonah trotted alongside to keep him company.
RJ didn’t yet realize the importance shifters placed on a run through the woods, nor how happy it made his mate. Little by little, they would find ways to adapt and share like all the other mated couples here, even if their solution might look a bit odd. Doing things together made the difference, and Jonah’s wolf ran proudly with his head held high.
