Page 22 of Lost Mate

Peter snorted. “You have so much to learn.”

“We’ve been trying to save the world from hunters,” Ross pointed out. “Learning wolf lore has been low down on the list of priorities.”

Peter gave him a serene smile. “It will happen.”

Dylan gave a sigh and Ross put an arm around him. One thing at a time. First, he needed to find out about his mate.

Chapter Seven

As they drove away from the yard toward the road, Ross felt Dylan relax for the first time since he’d been stupid enough to propose the plan to him.

“Come here?” he asked, holding out his arm.

Dylan hesitated, then he shifted over in the seat and snuggled against him. Ross didn’t hide his own sigh of relief as he inhaled his mate’s scent. Even if Dylan hadn’t opened the link between them, at least he was in Ross’s arms again.

“I’m not angry with you,” Dylan said after a few moments.

“You’re not?”

“Well, yeah, I am. But you didn’t know what you were asking.”

“I had an idea,” Ross admitted. “That’s why I said no.”

“None of you know anything about wolves,” Dylan insisted.

Ross squeezed Dylan’s shoulders. “That’s true. And we haven’t had time to breathe since Joe made the call to the Cavalry. Eli’s a good boss. He is,” he protested as Dylan gave him a skeptical look. “You just don’t remember. But he likes everything organized and under his control. You don’t remember but the Cavalry is designed to take on short-term missions, not ones that turn into international genocide of a species we didn’t know existed.” He felt Dylan shiver. “I’m sorry. I should have been more tactful.”

“I have to know the truth.” Dylan burrowed closer to Ross as if he needed the comfort. “My head is empty. It’s as if my world only started five days ago when I knew I had to get here.”

Ross wanted to say they’d fix him, but he couldn’t promise that, and he wouldn’t lie to his mate. He knew nothing about amnesia, especially in wolves.

They reached the highway, the clouds of dust dissipating as they drove away from Sapphire Ranch. Joe had insisted on a separate entrance to the office so that strangers didn’t go near the ranch house, and everyone thought that was a sensible move.

“What’s the story about Owen?” Dylan asked. “He’s not like Cal and Milo. He’s wilder, more wolfy.”

“He was exiled from Cal’s family’s pack years ago. He’s been a lone wolf ever since.”

“Poor guy. That had to be hard.”

Ross turned onto the track leading to the Cavalry office. “He struggles being part of a pack, even a new one like ours.”

“Which was why he threatened to leave so easily,” Dylan said.

“He could turn wolf and never be a human again.”

“But he’s mated to a human.”

Ross sighed. “I think if Owen leaves, Zeke will go with him. I know he wants to become a shifter.”

Dylan raised his head. “Do you want to become a wolf?”

While waiting for his mate to appear, Ross had had a long time to think about it and so he didn’t hesitate when he said, “Yes, but not immediately. I want to get to know you and our differences first of all.”

“Huh. I’d like that.” Dylan laid his head on Ross’s chest. “What about the others?”

“I think Joe will turn if only to keep the pack together. He’s struggling with his father returning with Peter, both of them alpha wolves.”

“He’s a strong alpha for sure,” Dylan said.

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