Page 65 of Forbidden Moon
“This is amazing, Oscar, though I should have known Alpha Sheppard would come through for us. While I’d love to hear how we’re going to utilize all of this, first thing’s first. Let’s get everyone fed and figure out where you’re going to bed down tonight. Afterward, the four of us can meet together for a quick brief while the men unload all the equipment. Once everyone is familiar with the grounds, we’ll get this party started.”
####
THEY WERE SUPPOSEDto eat lunch in the packhouse starting today, but Evan and Lance decided to keep the kids at home. Ben, of course, ate with their guests—hands full afterward with meetings and plans. A simple picnic on the living room floor, followed by storytime, kept the children from getting underfoot and spared Evie the overwhelming task of trying to soothe frayed nerves and comfort the jangled emotions of the pack.
The plan worked, for the most part, until the topic of Jonah came up. They missed him terribly and wanted to know what he and RJ weredoingall by themselves and why they didn’t come over for a visit. As a True Elder and a father, Evan couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do a little teaching. Lance looked relieved to be off the hook.
“Well, after Jonah met RJ, they wanted to spend a lot of time together. Because Jonah is an Omega and RJ is his mate, his body went into heat. That means he and RJ need lots of private time in the bedroom until the heat is all done. It should end soon, maybe by tomorrow, and then Jonah can come for a visit.”
While Evie and the twins were thinking this over, Marco blurted out an announcement.
“I heard Uncle Nolan say they are having sex!”
Lance cleared his throat, rolling his eyes when Evan looked over at him. He needed another word with Nolan about speaking freely when the kids were close by.
“That’s right, Marco. Do you understand what it means?”
As he often did, Max answered for him.
“I think it’s when they kiss and take off their clothes and make funny noises like Daddy and Papa do after we go to bed.”
Evan blushed, stifled a laugh, and allowed Lance to answer.
“Well, yes, that’s part of it. Jonah and RJ are in love, and the heat gives them a chance to spend some time alone pleasing each other with nobody else around to bother them. When you get older, you’ll want to do the same with your mates.”
Evie bounced with excitement.
“I’m an Omega! Will I have heats too?”
Evan decided to give Lance a break and take this one.
“You will when you get older and your body begins to change. Heats usually happen in the winter, and your wolf will warn you ahead of time. When you meet your mate someday, they will help you just like RJ is doing for Uncle Jonah.”
Evie continued.
“Is RJ the big secret he couldn’t tell us? Why he stayed away?”
Evan nodded, noting that all the kids were keenly interested in the answer.
“Yes, it is. Meeting your mate is exciting, and Jonah wanted to spend lots of time with him. He still loves and misses all of you, but he needs to be with RJ right now. Remember, RJ thinks all of us are human like him, so you must keep our secret when they come over for supper.”
Derek frowned
“So we can’t shift if he’s here?”
Evan and Lance both shook their head.
“No shifting around RJ until Jonah tells him about us. Be careful not to growl or scent him too much either. He won’t understand.”
Quiet and disgruntled until now, Dawson finally spoke up.
“That’s no fun. Being a shifter is way better than a human!”
Evan raised an eyebrow but chose not to reply. Considering all the trouble brewing, humans currently enjoyed the upper hand. He wasn’t even going to try and explain.
####
MEANWHILE, ALONG THEnorthwest border
