Page 130 of Forbidden Moon
Chapter 49
THE FOLLOWING WEEK
RJ felt a little guilty having a day off when Jonah was working. It often happened, given his wonky schedule, and he struggled to fill the hours by himself. Today, however, gave him the perfect opportunity to visit Katrine and Mandy for a little chat. Pulling in, he found few cars in front of the building—probably due to the oppressive July heat and humidity.
A friendly jingle of bells greeted him as he slipped inside the air-conditioned shop, only to find the ladies buried behind a stack of boxes. They both looked up with smiles, and it seemed unlikely they’d be free to talk. Mandy gave him a quick hug.
“RJ! What brings you here today?”
“I stopped in to chat, but it looks like you’re in the middle of a project.”
Katrine came out from behind the counter with a handful of mailing labels.
“These are the last of the prints for the gallery opening next month. The museum gift shop expects to sell a boatload, though I can’t imagine they’ll need this many! How about giving us a hand, and then we’ll take a break.”
Between the three of them, the job didn’t take nearly as long, and they were soon relaxing in the break room with iced tea and a plate full of cookies. RJ wasn’t exactly sure how to broach such a personal subject with people he didn’t know very well, so he started talking.
“I spoke to Doctor Follett the other day about Jonah and I starting a family. She explained why we can’t have children together and suggested I ask about your experience with an honor mate.”
Both ladies stopped eating, looked at one another, and joined hands. Mandy got them started.
“Let me say this first—don’t think for one minute Jonah would trade you for a shifter mate because he wouldn’t. He’s so in love with you it wouldn’t even cross his mind. Any disappointment he feels about not bearing his own children hasnothingto do with you. Right?”
RJ looked down and sighed.
“I hear what you’re saying, but I feel like I’m cheating him out of something important—even if I never knew such a thing was possible. I think we both want kids someday, and I need to know what our options are. Are the two of you happy with your choice?”
Though Katrine’s eyes teared up, she held it together.
“Our Honor Mate was a wonderful man, and we are so thankful for our girls. For us, it was the best way to have a family, and it might be for you and Jonah, too. You have more options than we did. A male shifter can impregnate Jonah, or either of you could mate with a woman. A Triad Mate is also possible, where all three of you contribute to the genetic mix.”
RJ frowned.
“That sounds awkward! How do we raise the children as ours when another person, probably someone we know, is involved?”
Mandy jumped back in, having expected RJ’s concern.
“This may be hard for you to understand, but Lunamakesit possible. The Honor or Triad Mate won’t have any special attachment to you or the children, and the kids would only recognize you and Jonah as their parents. If Ryan was alive, there wouldn’t be any awkwardness at all, even living in the same pack.”
Katrine added her own thoughts.
“You should talk to Jack and William. Their Triad mate is right here with us, and the twins only see her as another packmate, not their mother. It’s an amazing thing, and it means same-sex couples can raise a family without hurt feelings or divided loyalties.”
RJ shook his head slowly, knowing full-well humans could probably never achieve something like it on their own.
“It does sound amazing and almost too good to be true. Personally, the idea makes me uncomfortable, but I’d do it for Jonah if he wanted.”
Mandy reached out to clasp his hand.
“And that’s what makes youperfectfor him. There’s no rush. You’re freshly mated and have plenty of time to decide what you want to do. Besides, the whole pack will support you when the time comes, and I can tell you from personal experience—it makes all the difference in the world.”
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