Page 137 of Forbidden Moon
“Not sure. No pain, but...wow.”
RJ gestured to his shorts.
“I’m all sticky. Did you, uhhh...”
“Me, too. It’s all your fault, and can we please do it again?”
RJ ran fingertips over the bite, causing Jonah to tremble, and came away with only a bit of saliva.
“I don’t understand. You said the mating bite wouldn’t do anything.”
“I didn’t think it would, but I guess I was wrong. Maybe it will work for me too. I’m going to try it later!”
High on endorphins from the incredible orgasm, RJ took both of Jonah’s hands in his and returned to the original question.
“I thought you might say no. I mean, nobody here wears rings, so I didn’t know if marriage wasn’t a shifter thing or what.”
Jonah shook his head and kissed RJ tenderly.
“I was trying to ask you the same thing, so you already know how I feel. Rings and other jewelry are a problem because they can get lost or cause harm when we shift. Nearly all the couples in the pack are married, but it’s more of a formality for us. What would you like to do?”
Having thought about it for days, RJ had an answer.
“If you don’t object, I’d like a formal ceremony. I want people to know you’re mine and celebrate with us.”
Jonah lay his head on RJ’s shoulder.
“You can have anything you want, Rascal. Anything. By the time we’re through, no one will doubt we belong together.”
####
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, Window Rock Arizona
It was late afternoon when Katrine, Mandy, Jack, and William arrived at the tiny local airport, less than a mile from the museum. As promised, Walter arrived to collect the weary travelers and bring them to their nearby hotel to check in, drop off luggage, and freshen up. Knowing his friends were famished and eager for anything other than airport food, he brought them to his own home for a hearty meal.
Due to his position at the museum, Walter chose to live in Window Rock, the Navajo Nation’s capital. While it appeared much like any other small community, conditions here were drastically different than elsewhere on the reservation. The Navajo faced high unemployment, homelessness, sub-standard housing, and chronic health issues. Walter lived simply, enabling him to offer his immediate family some financial assistance. He ushered his friends inside the modest ranch-style home where his wife and another familiar face were waiting.
“Friends, this is my wife, Tayen. Her name means “a new moon”, and you already know my grandson, Gray Claw.”
Tayen stepped forward with a wide smile to shake hands. She was plainly dressed, long hair woven into a single braid, and exuded a scent of pleased curiosity. Her movements and soft voice bespoke an air of quiet strength and understated intelligence. She approached Katrine and Mandy first.
“Welcome to our home. You are a gifted artist, Katrine, and your portrait of Gray Feather honors us. Walter tells me you own a successful shop back home and have two beautiful daughters. Someday, I would enjoy visiting your family in Michigan.”
She then shifted her attention to Jack and William.
“Ah, the famous Mr. Eby! Walter has spoken highly of you and William, and I am delighted to meet you at last. I understand your twins make life interesting.”
The massive understatement provoked smiles and laughter, as intended. Gray also came up to greet them all before Tayen ushered everyone into the dining room for supper. Time flew by amid abundant food and shared stories, providing an enjoyable evening for the quartet of visitors. When it came time to return to the hotel, Walter filled them in on the scheduled activities for the next two days.
Before bed, both couples checked in with their sitters to see how the kids were faring. Grandma and Grandpa Wynn, Ryan’s parents, eagerly agreed to care for the girls while their moms were gone. It wasn’t going to be a picnic, as the two were walking, talking, and shifting on their own now. Fortunately, the day went by without incident, and the girls enjoyed being spoiled rotten.
The twins were being watched by Jonah and RJ—temporarily relocated to Ben’s spare bedroom in case they needed backup. While they weren’t yet shifting, theyhadreached the awkward stage between cute and catastrophe. Marie remained compliant for the most part, but Kiah required a firm hand to deal with his Alpha personality. Following good reports, both sets of parents settled in for a restful night.
####
THE NEXT MORNING
The taxi pulled up to a nondescript door at the back of the museum building marked “employees only”. Before Katrine and the others extricated themselves from the vehicle, Gray held the door open and motioned them inside. The receiving area, hardly befitting important guests, was preferable over the front entrance—now choked by a growing crowd and jostling members of the press. Gray explained.
