Page 27 of Forbidden Moon
Robyn’s teasing took the edge off of his nerves long enough to describe the encounter with his mate. Her eyes grew wide, scent revealing surprise and admiration.
“Wow! Two hours alone together, and you walked away with only a hug.I’m impressed. By the way, since he asked you out as I predicted, you owe me ten bucks!”
Jonah protested with a shake of his head.
“No way! I never accepted that bet. Go extort somebody else.”
They finished their supper in short order, remaining seated at the table for further discussion. Robyn’s face and scent revealed her genuine concern.
“As I see it, you’ve got less than twenty-four hours to learn about human matesanddating, all while trying to keep an enormous secret from the pack and its Alpha. What are you going to do?”
Jonah grimaced at the stark reality of his situation.
“First, I’m going to talk to Jack. He agreed to come over as soon as I text him, though he doesn’t know what for.”
Robyn considered this, an index finger tapping against the tabletop.
“Good move. Jack knows practically everything, and he’ll be honest with you. I’d love to stay for that conversation, but you can fill me in later. Until the news breaks, I’m going to play dumb and avoid Ben and Evan. I usually get the best gossip, so if I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”
Jonah thanked Robyn for supper and walked her to the door. She gave him a hug and one final encouragement.
“I thought being a Triad Mate was tough, but Luna’s asking an awful lot from my best friend. Remember—whatever you need, I’m here for you.”
####
RJ FINISHED CLEANINGup the kitchen and settled in the living room—mind focused on Jonah. He needed to talk tosomebodyabout the new man in his life, yet didn’t have any friends here or back in Kalamazoo who might understand. Actually, therewasone person. On the coffee table, he’d placed a framed photo of his Ma. Taken before she got sick, it captured the warm, vibrant woman he remembered so well. They were overdue for a conversation anyway.
“Hey, Ma. I met someone special today. I know, I know! It surprised me too. Like you always said, the best things seem to turn up out of nowhere. Anyway, we’ve got a date tomorrow night, and I can’t wait to find out more about him. His name is Jonah Blair. He’s handsome, intelligent, and we clicked right away. Oh, and he’s white. It doesn’t make any difference to me, and I know you wouldn’t care either.
“I’ve never felt this way about someone I hardly know, so you probably think I’m rushing things. He’s... I don’t know, different in a way I can’t describe. Mysterious, confident, and vulnerable all mixed together. I didn’t want to leave him today, and he’s all I can think about. Pretty sure he feels the same way, too. Kinda like it was with you and dad. I have to admit it scares me a little. Wish me luck, Ma—I don’t want to screw this up.”
####
NERVOUS AND UNCERTAIN, Jonah welcomed Jack and joined him in the living room. While he considered how to get started, Jack neatly solved the problem for him.
“I believe I know what troubles you, my friend. You have met your human mate and are worried about how to proceed.”
Jonah gaped at the True Elder.
“How did you know? Robyn promised she wouldn’t tell anybody! Now Ben’s going to find out, and he might... “
Jack only smiled at his confusion, interrupting to reassure the agitated Omega.
“Calmly, Jonah. Your secret is safe. Luna has gifted both Evan and Everet with dreams which foretold of your situation. Evan shared them with me, but not with Ben.”
Jonah’s anger replaced his momentary relief.
“What?! Why didn’t he tell me? I have a right to know about my own mate, especially since he’s a human!”
Jack understood his frustration and cut off further protest with more details.
“You have struggled greatly in the last year, and Evan only wanted to spare you additional pain. You must understand that dreams rarely reveal everything we wish to know. Only three things were evident: your mate is human, you will experience temporary heartache, and you have a future together.
“This comes at a time when humans threaten to reveal our existence to the world, and tensions are high. As Alpha of this pack, Ben is responsible for our safety. Introducing a human to a world of shifters under these circumstances is... less than ideal.”
Jonah wasn’t quite sure he understood.
“So, Ben knows and is afraid my mate will spill the beans? You said Evan didn’t tell him anything!”
