Page 133 of Forbidden Moon
“Not entirely, no. I was unsuccessful with William, and the contact with Evan was limited to a disembodied voice. We were able to have a brief discussion but nothing more. I can, of course, share memories with both Evan and Hezekiah through teaching dreams but no direct contact. It seems Luna wishes to limit Afterworld access only to a living True Elder and his mentor.”
Everet began combing unruly locks off his forehead, a clear tell he was about to ask another question of Jack.
“There are so few of us now, and it concerns me. It seems our people are in greater need of True Elders to guide them, yet where are they? Are we to be the last of the buffalo?”
Evan growled, and Jack placed a calming hand on his arm before answering.
“We understand and share your concern, brother, but I do not believe Luna intends for us to be the last True Elders. The purge of natural wolves disrupted the balance our people have enjoyed throughout our long history. If there are more among us, we must wait for Luna to reveal them. They may be scattered far and wide, in hiding, or like you and Owen, unaware of their unique gifts.
“If there truly are no more at the moment, I believe we should expect to be fostering newborns soon. In which case, we must share the burden of teaching them as they grow. Alpha Sheppard is taking more aggressive steps to find and nurture the True Elders among us and educate expectant parents. Fortunately, the Mexico and Canada councils are equally concerned and doing the same with their people. I remain convinced there is at least one more on the North American continent, though my dreams of late have not included any further information.”
Everet recalled Jack’s memories on the subject, and the dreams were frustratingly unclear. An indistinct presence, cold climate, and a lot of movement or travel. Not enough to hazard much of a guess or provide a lead worth pursuing. He resolved to do what he could here in Alaska.
“I will be meeting with Alpha Roykirk to discuss what our packs can do, and I welcome your suggestions. I also intend to speak at the national conference next month on the subject. I can only hope Luna will reward our efforts by revealing the whereabouts of our brothers, if they exist.”
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RJ FINISHED THE LASTmile of his run, sweating profusely in the summer heat—glad the old logging roads were well-shaded. He found the insulated water bottle where he’d left it and drank heavily to quench his thirst. Using the shirt hanging limply from the waistband of his shorts, he mopped up the perspiration and continued his cool-down walk towards the central complex. It amazed him how abruptly his life changed after meeting Jonah, moving to the Preserve, and being welcomed into a large, loving family—to say nothing of the whole shifter thing.
Though he’d been advised twice not to worry about the issue of Jonah bearing children, it still bothered him. Among all the astonishing things shifters could do, he’d never imagined a man having babies! It certainly explained how Ben and Evan were the parents of six kids, so he knew it was a real thing. Why then couldn’t his wonderful mate have the same opportunity?
Jonah deserved someone who gave him everything he wanted, and through no fault of his own, RJ fell short. He hadn’t mentioned any of this to his mate, knowing it would upset him. Keeping it all bottled up wasn’t wise either, but he couldn’t risk Jonah hearing about it. Given shifters’ natural curiosity and excellent hearing, secrets among pack members were few and far between.
Movement on the road ahead revealed Jack, William, and the twins out for a walk. They waved and waited for him to catch up. Jack noticed the worry and frustration in RJ’s scent, greeting him with a concerned look.
“What troubles you, my friend?”
He’d wanted to talk to them anyway, so RJ figured he might as well do it now while they had some privacy.
“Do you mind if I ask about your family? I know what a Triad Mate is and wondered how it worked out for the two of you.”
More perceptive than RJ realized, Jack chose to answer the question first and deal with the true reason for his distress later. As they walked, he and William explained how their unusual mating took place, the issues they faced through and after the pregnancy, and their present relationship with Robyn. RJ realized it wasn’t quite as bizarre as he’d imagined, though a three-way genetic mix wasn’t yet possible with human medicine.
The idea of having sex with a strange woman disturbed him. Allowing his mate to be intimate with someone else didn’t sit well with him either. Sure, RJ understood both Honor and Triad Mates were akin to using surrogates in the human world, but the process was much more clinical and far less personal. He’d leave the decision to Jonah, but was it the only option? His frustration bubbled to the surface, causing him to blurt out the question he’d been pondering for some time.
“Can’t you just make me a shifter instead?”
Alarmed, William let loose a rumbling growl even as the color drained from his face. An amber-eyed Jack snarled, clearly disturbed by the question. Afraid and confused, RJ backed away, unprepared for their intense reaction.
“What’s wrong? Why are you angry?”
Both Kiah and Marie began to fuss, unsure why their fathers were upset. It took some reassuring to calm them down before Jack spoke.
“Forgive my vehemence, but you have managed to shock an old man. Turning a human isforbiddenand for good reason! What has disturbed you so, to make such a request?”
RJ hadn’t meant to anger his friends, and it seemed Jack wasn’t going to explain anything until he admitted what was bothering him.
“Jonah is upset because he and I can’t have kids. It’s not fair to deny him children because of me! He deserves better than a human mate. I thought if you changed me, I could give Jonah what he wants. Why is that a bad thing?”
William reached over to give a jittery RJ a one-armed hug, eyes misty.
“Only a worthy mate would say such things. I commend your love and devotion to Jonah, but you do not yet understand why your request cannot be granted.”
Confused, RJ pressed for more information.
“So you can’t do it, or it’s not allowed?”
Jack took a calming breath, trying to answer honestly without frightening RJ unduly.
