Page 122 of Forbidden Moon
Jonah scented RJ’s nerves as they made their way to the meadow. He’d already explained pack runs and how they worked, yet RJ harbored doubts about participating. Once Jonah assured his mate it was one of those essential shifter things that couldn’t be missed, his mate went along. Jonah squeezed his hand, giving him an extra burst of calming scent.
“I’ll be with you the whole time and answer any questions you have. This run is a celebration of our safety and freedom. It’s supposed to be fun and relaxing, and no one will say anything to make you uncomfortable.”
RJ sighed deeply.
“I hear you, Jo, but I’ll be too slow to keep up with everyone, and then the whole naked thing...”
They arrived at the meadow before Jonah could respond, greeting those nearby while they waited for Ben, Evan, and the kids.
“Look, you aren’t shifting and so won’t need to take off your clothes. Believe me, you havenothingto be ashamed of. You’re hot, sexy, and beautiful—naked or not. Nobody pays attention anyway. We’ve seen it all a hundred times!”
Nolan and Garrett chose that moment to streak past them, sans clothing, laughing at some private joke. RJ certainly got an eyeful, as both men were half-hard and all over each other. What surprised him even more—no one seemed to care outside of a few catcalls and whistles.
Jonah rolled his eyes and grabbed RJ’s chin, forcing him to focus on his face.
“Don’t mind those two; they’re just excited and happy about the run. They don’t normally strip until it’s time to go. Ben usually has a few things to say first, and then we get naked and shift together.”
RJ shook his head.
“That’s not it, Jo. I don’t want anyone looking atyou.No one should get to see you without clothes except me! You’re MINE.”
NowJonah understood. RJ was feeling protective of his mate, and wanted to shield him from casual glances. Sweet, though not entirely practical. Someday he’d have to accept nudity as part and parcel of pack life. He leaned in to kiss RJ and then gave him a fierce hug.
“You’re doing exactly what a mate is supposed to do, and I love you all the more for it. If it helps, I’ll hide behind you so nobody sees.”
RJ reluctantly accepted the compromise.
“Fair enough, Jo, but don’t let anybody touch you when you’re naked because Ireallywon’t like it!”
Jonah winked at him.
“Deal! Remember now—everyone will want to scent both of us once they shift. Most of their wolves haven’t properly greeted you yet, and they’ll do it with their noses. Both of our scents are changing, so people will be curious about it, even the children.”
Ben and his family arrived and surrounded the pair. Evie patted RJ’s arm, asking to be picked up.
“Papa says you and Uncle Jonah are coming with us tonight! Don’t worry, RJ; we won’t let you get lost in the woods.”
Evie sensed RJ’s unease and remained in his arms, her calming scent doing more than her words to make him comfortable. He looked up when Ben began speaking.
“It’s been too long since our last run. Tonight we celebrate our freedom and honor those who died to protect it. Nolan and Garrett will be leading the main group, while a few of us will be taking it a little slower. I want to officially welcome RJ to the pack and hope he will join us often. Be sure to say hello before we take off. Afterward, we have plenty of food waiting in the packhouse. Let’s go!”
Jonah led RJ over to the changing area at the edge of the meadow, where people draped their clothes and shoes over a group of smooth horizontal beams of varying heights. In deference to his mate, Jonah stripped quickly in RJ’s shadow and shifted. Once he was in wolf form, the man visibly relaxed and kept his eyes discretely downcast to prevent seeing more than he could handle.
Soon the pair were surrounded by wolves, all jostling to get a good whiff of their pack Omega and his new mate. RJ’s human eyesight hadn’t yet begun to change, so the only differences he could detect were the size and coat color. The primarily black one must be Jack, and the white ones were Evan, Evie, Derek, and Dawson. Ben’s wolf was noticeably larger than everyone else’s, and RJ found the powerful creature intimidating.
Some zipped in closer for a quick whiff while others lingered. A few licked RJ’s hand or Jonah’s face before moving away to congregate behind two wolves waiting at the edge of the forest. He jumped when Ben let go a mighty howl, joined by scores of others, and so it began.
Dressed in his usual jogging clothes, RJ trotted alongside Jonah and behind Ben, Evan, and the kids. He knew they were moving slower for his sake, and it warmed his heart knowing they wanted him to experience pack life in every way possible. They mainly stuck to established paths, veering off into the trees on occasion before rejoining the group. Howls and high-pitched yips pierced the warm night air under the soft glow of a partial moon.
Jonah kept his ears open for RJ’s heartbeat and breathing, alerting the others when they needed to head back. Ben turned them around, using a different route to the packhouse before RJ exhausted himself. He and Jonah went home for a shower and then joined the others when they returned. It was crowded and noisy; the air filled with the scents of delicious foods. People sat to eat or carried their plates from group to group as they conversed.
RJ discovered that in this setting, his packmates seemed like people anywhere. Food, conversation, and family tied them together with common bonds. Between bites of a yummy meat and cheese sandwich, RJ leaned down to kiss Jonah’s cheek.
“I never believed I would have this, you know. Not only you but the big extended family. We have something special here.”
Jonah’s eyes twinkled as he finished chewing.
“We do. It’s kind of a package deal, whether you want it or not!”
