Page 135 of Forbidden Moon
Jonah’s eye’s widened with concern.
“What? I never said anything like that! I even changed the subject when it came up. I know what having a human mate means, and yes, I’m disappointed, butnot in him! Is that why he’s been talking to people when I’m not around?”
Robyn shook her head.
“From what I’ve heard, he’s been asking about other ways to have a family. This is all new to him, and I think he wants to understand the options so you can talk about it someday.”
Jonah quickly put the pieces together, and it made much more sense now. Somehow, he had to convince RJ he didn’t feel cheated with a human mate and loved him with all his heart. He looked up at a worried Robyn.
“I’ve got to fix this and make sure RJ knows how I feel.”
Robyn cocked her head.
“That won’t be easy. You need to think like a human again, and the best one to help with that is...”
Matching smiles blurted out the name together.
“ROBERT!”
Chapter 51
AFEW DAYS LATER, SHORTLYbefore sunset
Now off the beaten path, Jonah led his mate through dense foliage at the southwest corner of Schaawe Lake. He hadn’t told RJ where they were going—only that it was a surprise, and the man played along without pestering him for information. In one sense, it didn’t matter because they both loved the outdoors, enjoyed each other’s company, and delighted in exploring the vast packlands. While there trulywassomething he wanted to show RJ, he had an ulterior motive for dragging him out here.
Fortunately, his mate’s human sense of smell didn’t detect Jonah’s nerves. On the other hand, RJ gave off a similar aroma Jonah couldn’t explain. Unfamiliar surroundings? The excitement of discovering something new? Jonah wasn’t sure, but he set those thoughts aside as they neared the intended location. Senses already on alert, he caught a flash of movement ahead and signaled RJ to be quiet.
Jonah pointed. An enormous old tree had fallen sometime in the past, revealing a sheltered hollow beneath—the perfect den for a family of wolves. Delighted, RJ squeezed Jonah’s hand as he observed a mated pair and their six offspring prepare for the evening hunt. He’d never seen natural wolves in the wild before, and it thrilled him to get this close without provoking a dangerous reaction. Jonah leaned over to whisper in his ear.
“I’m going to pay them a visit in wolf form. Step out where they can see you when I do, and then don’t move or speak. They won’t attack, so don’t worry.”
RJ worried anyway, though not for himself, as Jonah hurriedly stripped and shifted—rubbing up against his mate’s legs to make him smell less threatening. As they stepped out together, the wolves braced for danger, falling behind their snarling Alpha. Jonah slowly approached, drenching the air with his calming scent until tails began to wag. Fascinated, RJ watched him greet the others with playful yips, licks, and body rubs—almost as if a long-lost cousin showed up for a visit.
RJ quietly observed in the muggy summer air as the sun began to set and the forest came alive around him. Jonah mainly interacted with the full-grown pups—engaging in mock fights with the nipping of ears and tails. After a few minutes of such play, the Alpha began leading them away from the den, presumably to begin their hunt for supper. Jonah let them go, returning to his mate’s side until the family disappeared into the trees. RJ crouched down to stroke the thick ruff around Jonah’s face and scratch behind his ears, receiving a long, wet lick up the side of his face in return.
Jonah backed away slightly and shifted.
“What do you think?”
RJ pulled him close, nose to nose.
“I think you’re the sexiest man I’ve ever seen and that I’m overdressed.”
Jonah swatted him on the butt.
