Page 125 of Forbidden Moon
“In the fall, I’m transferring to the University of Michigan in Lansing to pursue a degree in genetics. I want to start my own lab and study the shifter genome. We don’t know anything about our DNA, and I want to discover what makes us different from humans.”
RJ was more than impressed.
“Wow. It sounds like fascinating work. I bet your parents are proud of you.”
“They are, and Alpha Sheppard has already offered to help me set up the lab once I have my degree. I’m really excited!”
The three of them continued talking as they gathered with the others for more afternoon fun with traditional games such as three-legged races, ring-toss, and a scavenger hunt for the kids. Right before dark, the kitchen staff served cold watermelon slices. Afterward, everyone gathered in the meadow to watch the annual fireworks display on Little Bay de Noc, clearly seen above the forest canopy. Couples canoodled in the dark, illuminated by colorful bursts of light in the warm evening sky, while the kids ran around with glow-sticks, wearing themselves out.
As the festivities ended, a renewed energy lifted spirits and soothed away the stress they’d been carrying for so long. People hugged and bade their packmates goodnight, making their way home. Because Saturday was Lance’s day off, Jonah and RJ followed Ben and Evan home to help put the kids to bed. While the birthday boy and his mate retired to their bedroom, Jonah began the wet and wild job of overseeing bath time for his niece and nephews. One after another, Jonah washed, and RJ dried before sending them to put on jammies.
As a group, they all convened in the kids’ bedroom—an ample open space with six semi-private alcoves. Each child had their own bed, dresser, and nightstand, enclosed within half-wall partitions. Soon, Ben planned to divide the area into private bedrooms. A plush, round rug lay in the center, used for playtime, stories, or group naps.
With RJ as the designated reader, they flopped down together to listen to a new book sent to them by Grandma Reid, Evan’s mother. When all was quiet, RJ began reading Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne. At first, they laughed at the idea of a boy with a talking teddy bear but soon grew quiet as the adventures unfolded. The twins loved the crabby, bossy rabbit, while the triplets favored the more cerebral Owl. Evie, of course, chose poor old Eeyore as her favorite because he was so sad.
RJ read until the children started to yawn, closing the book with a promise to return and finish another time. After teeth brushing and a final trip to the bathroom, all six shifted into wolf form—snuggling together in the center of the rug to sleep. Enchanted, RJ watched them settle down and then made a discreet exit with Jonah to their own home.
RJ took his mate’s hand on the way back, pleased with the wonderful day they’d shared. He hadn’t spent much time interacting with little ones, though Jonah seemed like such a natural with them.
“I can see why the kids love you so much. I think you’d make a terrific dad.”
Jonah flinched but said nothing. By the time they reached the front porch, RJ could tell something was wrong and hurried inside to find out why.
“What is it, Jo? Did I say something wrong? Are you angry with me?”
Jonah wasn’t ready to talk about having children, convinced RJ wouldn’t understand the concept of Change Mates. He’d probably blame himself for not being able to give Jonah the babies he desperately wanted, and it made no sense to upset his fantastic mate over something out of their control.
“I’m not angry, Rascal, and you didn’t do anything wrong. Let’s not talk about it tonight, all right?”
RJ acquiesced, certain Jonah was keeping something from him. Was there a physical problem he didn’t know about? Had Jonah changed his mind about having children? Did he feel pressured to start a family too soon? Something didn’t add up, and RJ was determined to find out why.
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AFTER THE FIREWORKS, Jack and William took the twins home and put them to bed. Being the first day of the full moon, Jack eagerly anticipated contacting Hezekiah and met the two-person security detail on the way to the secluded glade. When they reached the moon-drenched area, the team split up to circle the perimeter and left the True Elder undisturbed. He spread a heavy blanket over the long, soft grass and lay down, gazing up at a brilliant summer moon.
Luna’s powerful essence sent prickles of recognition through both mind and body, raising hairs and heightening senses. While other shifters could feel it, Jack shared a certain kinship with Luna which consistently stirred and guided him in both forms. Almost as if the moon-force shared space within his body, alongside his human and wolf selves. Even Jack could not adequately describe it to his mate or anyone else, beyond a certainty of ethereal presence and power—present yet not always actively communicating.
Jack closed his eyes, activated the connection used for teaching dreams, and called for his mentor.
“Hezekiah?”
Jack’s childhood home and yard replaced the swirling mists around him, looking every bit as it did at the age of five. Hezekiah appeared from behind the simple cabin, looking exactly the same and wearing a welcoming smile.
“Jack! It seems we parted only moments ago, and yet here you are!”
They hugged and scented one another in the age-old manner of shifter greetings before making their way to the stand of pine trees near the woodshed. Hezekiah waved Jack over to his weatherworn tree stump, placing his arm across Jack’s shoulder.
“Show me what has transpired at Gladstone, my brother.”
With eyes closed, the teaching dream began.
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HEZEKIAH OPENED HISeyes and remained uncharacteristically quiet. Jack understood how difficult it must be for the man to comprehend the recent attack and the technological advances that made it possible in the first place. The packs of Hezekiah’s era were smaller, dispersed much more widely, and did not enjoy the cooperation and communication options available to modern-day shifters.
Jack’s memories of the aftermath, the deaths, the law enforcement involvement and the upcoming memorial service gave his mentor a complete picture of the danger Gladstone faced and how they dealt with it.
“Forgive me, brother, if I have overwhelmed you. Our lives are intertwined with humans in ways neither you nor I could have anticipated, and keeping our true nature a secret is most challenging. It is my opinion that Luna may be leading us to make other changes in our interaction with humans.”
