Page 32 of Forbidden Moon
“... so I already know you’ve been keeping it from Ben. I want to thank you for that, but I’m worried it’s going to cause problems between you.”
Evan shook his head and smiled at his considerate brother-in-law.
“Don’t worry about it. Ben might be angry for a while, but once he understands I did it for you, I think we’ll be fine. You have enough on your plate as it is, and Ben needs to learn that you’re a grown man with your own life to live. Besides, it’s not like youaskedLuna for a human mate!”
Jonah’s dramatic sigh eloquently expressed his feelings on the matter without saying a word, and they both started laughing.
“Maybe Luna got tired of all my whining about not having a mate! I never expected a human, but now I can’t imagine anyone else.”
Evan’s face softened, clearly understanding the dramatic effect a new mate can have on someone.
“So, tell me all about him, and don’t leave anything out!”
Jonah’s face reddened as he told Evan what little he knew about the man and their first date scheduled for later tonight. He also showed Evan his photo, pleased at the reaction.
“The two of you will certainly make a handsome pair! I’ll do my best to keep a lid on things, but a secret like this won’t last. As I see it, you’ll probably want to introduce him to all of us once Ben knows what’s going on. How about if we invite the two of you for dinner at our place to start. Sound like a good plan?”
Reluctantly, Jonah nodded in agreement.
“I hadn’t thought that far ahead, though it would be good for him to see how I live and meet everyone before I tell him I’m a shifter. I wish I knew how he’s going to react.”
Evan’s scent and body language told Jonah he’d already been reflecting on the issue.
“About that... there’s no fool-proof way to reveal the truth to a human, mate or not. I think it would be best if the two of you were on packlands when you do it in case things go sideways. If it does, you know Jack and I will be there to help pick up the pieces. This is another reason I want to give the two of you some time alone first. The longer he’s with you, the stronger his attraction and need tostaywith you will be. All the memories I have of other mixed couples showed the same pattern, so we know it works.”
Not for the first time, Jonah resented the lack of a true mating bond. Shifters weren’tsupposedto struggle to attract and keep their mates.
“You’re probably right. On the one hand, I want to tell RJ everything, and on the other, I want to enjoy being with him and put off the big reveal until it’s absolutely necessary.”
Evan gave him a crooked smile.
“I get it, honestly. What Luna is asking of you isn’t easy, and I know you were expecting the traditional rituals when your mate arrived. All you can do is keep your chin up and figure it out as you go along. But, listen, there’s one other thing we need to talk about, and then I have to get home. I assume you and RJ will be intimate sooner or later. Do you realize it will probably trigger your heat?”
Jonah nodded. Everyone knew out-of-season heats could be brought on by extreme stress or meeting one’s mate. Unfortunately, he didn’t have any idea how to prevent it.
“In a way, I’m surprised it hasn’t happened already. My wolf keeps pushing to claim him, but how would I explain it to RJ? Even if he already knew I was a shifter, he doesn’t understand what Omegas are or how needy we can be during a heat. What am I supposed to do?”
Evan raised a placating hand.
“I only brought it up so you can prepare ahead of time. Once the pheromones take over, you won’t be able to think clearly. If you’re out somewhere, see if you can get yourself home, or call, and we’ll pick you up. If nothing else, tell RJ you aren’t feeling well and askhimto bring you home.
“We’ll make sure you’re taken care ofanddeal with your mate. What I’m saying is that we can get you through it and either explain away the heat or take advantage of the circumstances to reveal your true nature. It could be a blessing in disguise.”
Jonah considered Evan’s advice, realizing it was probably the best they could do. Having a plan to fall back on eased the worry a little bit. Hopefully, it wouldn’t happen tonight!
“Thanks, Evan. I’m grateful for all your help and support. I just want to settle down with my mate and forget about all this sneaking around.”
Evan rose to hug him.
“We’re not there quite yet, but as Jack said, you aren’t alone. We’re all in this together, including Ben. Count on it.”
Before Evan collected Evie to return home, he asked Jonah for RJ’s phone number and a description of his truck. As soon as he learned RJ’s address, Jonah promised to pass it along as well. Evan turned and winked at his brother-in-law as they were leaving the office, giving him a thumbs up. Jonah waved and went back to work in a feeble attempt to distract him from daydreaming about his mate. It lasted all of five minutes.
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DOMINIC’S CRAZY WORKschedule included mornings, afternoons, and nights “depending on the needs of the business.” Retail grocery was a thankless, low-paying job, and his employer wasn’t interested in work-life balance for grunts like him. However, today’s seven to three-thirty shift gave him more time to himself before reporting for work again tomorrow.
The only bad thing about it was walking home during the hottest part of the day, leaving him sweating like a racehorse after only a few blocks in full sun. Assuming the water hadn’t been turned off again, he’d jump in the shower the minute he arrived. The fleeting glimpses he got of the second floor on his way up and down the stairs revealed significant changes. All the warped and peeling apartment doors were gone, along with the old carpets, kitchens, and bathrooms.
