Page 36 of Ascendant Moon
“Thank you, Grandfather. I asked Nick for time to think about it, but even if he doesn’t turn me, I want to be his mate. Being with him feels right, though I’m not sure I can explain it.”
They spoke briefly about Walter’s health and other family matters before Gray ended the call with a promise to keep his grandfather informed. Having the man’s support would make his decision easier, and yet it sharpened his fear that the cancer would deprive him of that support when he needed it the most.
Chapter 20
Tuesday, 1 a.m.
Sergio awakened with a groan as the newlymate lovemaking next door roused him from a sound sleep for the second night in a row. In the other bedroom, he heard Dante making similar disgruntled noises. While they were happy for Nick and Gray, being in such close proximity during the action made them extraordinarily horny and frustrated. Dante got up to use the bathroom, irritated growls and pheromones trailing after him. On his way back, he mumbled a warning about taking care of business, and the unmistakable grunts of a keyed-up Alpha stroking one out reached his sensitive ears.
Tempted to do the same, Sergio instead lay back to wait this one out. Now that he was awake, his True Elder brain got busy reshuffling all the new memories he’d gained on Monday morning. Evan’s teaching dreams were not only informative, but the man’s style and personality were totally different from Hector’s or Jack’s. Transferred memories were like moving black and white copies from one brain to another, yet each contained nuances of feeling and interpretation from the brother who shared them.
Personal experiences were especially vibrant, almost allowing the receiver to relive the moment themselves. Though Evan was younger than Sergio, he’d led a fascinating life thus far, and the events since his arrival at Gladstone weaved powerful tales of love, loss, and discovery. With only one session completed, he knew there was a great deal more to learn. Evan had focused primarily on the practice of influencing minds, whether human or shifter—a skill he must master before Luna sent them out on their own.
At length, Sergio’s nose and ears informed him that the nocturnal entertainment had, for the moment, ceased. He found a comfortable position, hugged the extra pillow to his chest, and drifted off to sleep.
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About two hours later…
It began as all of Luna’s dreams did, with thick, impenetrable clouds of roiling fog. They swiftly thinned to reveal a desert landscape, with shadowy structures and fences in the background. Animals grazed in nearby pastures—shaggy goats and sheep if Sergio guessed correctly.
The scene then changed to a convivial meal with him, Dante, Nick, and Gray around the table, but there were others present, including children. Mates and pups? It seemed so, and while they all shared dark hair, facial features were indistinct.
The dream changed once more, this time to a night scene with Luna shining overhead. A thriving pack of Lobo shifters played, hunted, and mated beneath the moon’s beams, seemingly happy with each other and their lot in life.
The thick, heavy mists returned, blotting out the pleasant scene and ending the dream as quickly as it came. Sergio’s eyes popped open and he replayed it over and over, looking for missed details. Had Luna just given him a glimpse of their future? The urge to wake Dante and tell him about it was very strong, but Sergio knew he couldn’t do that yet. No, he’d wait until this morning’s teaching session, and ask Evan for his opinion and whether he should share it with his friends.
Hector had warned him that Luna’s dreams were best pondered before revealing anything. Some weren’t meant to be shared,while others were confusing or lacked desired details—and even True Elders could make mistakes interpreting them. But, if he understood this one correctly, Luna intended to make their dreams come true with mates, pups, work to do, and a home where their wolves could thrive. But where? When?
Sergio was too excited now to sleep, eager for the day to start and to get his questions answered.
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Nick awoke tangled up in Gray, nose planted at the juncture of neck and shoulder where a mating bite would normally go. He and his wolf wanted that desperately, but it would be wrong to push his mate for something only Gray could decide. They hadn’t talked about it since Sunday, though his mate gave the impression of seriously considering being turned. Nick had been honest when he told Gray he wanted him either way, but he’d feel more secure about their relationship if they were permanently bound together.
The man was a study in contradictions: young in age yet old in thought, tentative to initiate intimacy but an eager student, accepting of Nick’s gregarious nature, though a loner at heart. He was also kind, unassuming, gentle, generous, and incredibly mature. Physically, Nick adored every inch of the striking human in his arms—acres of lickable skin, hairy in the right places, a luscious package, sexy voice, and a scent that drove him wild. And whatreallyturned Nick’s crank was the fact that he’d been Gray’s first, and no one else would ever get to touch him.
All worked up, Nick began to lick and kiss Gray’s neck, rough whiskers rasping against his warm tongue. Ooh, the taste of his man got the blood pumping, and he nibbled on an earlobe until Gray woke up with broken, sleepy moans. Nick shivered atthe erotic noises, his morning wood now hard as concrete and aching for some action. He whispered a suggestion in Gray’s ear, and they swiftly changed positions to enjoy a morning sixty-nine. It was sweet torture to have his dick worked over by Gray’s hot mouth while simultaneously concentrating on his mate’s perfect cock. They kept at it, though, interrupted by periodic pauses when the sensations were simply too distracting.
Without enhanced shifter senses, Gray actually had the advantage over him. That might change soon, but for now he had an easier time remaining focused. Nick flinched in surprise, however, when Gray reached between them to tweak his sensitive nipples—sending him into orbit with a blast of hot jizz. Not to be outdone, he forced himself to finish the job and began to growl while sucking hard on Gray’s glans. The pressure and vibration were too much, and Gray’s orgasm filled Nick’s greedy mouth.
Breathing hard, Gray again surprised Nick by turning to straddle him and share snowball kisses. Nick’s taste buds went crazy with their combined flavors and he growled with delight as they made out. Gray had a way of expressing himself with lips instead of words, and he wrapped muscled arms around the quiet man to pull him closer. Eventually, he’d learn how to read his mate without him saying anything at all, and he looked forward to the challenge. Just another thing to love he supposed.
Hmm… could he love Gray already? Did he? Yes, and yes again. It might frighten the man if he said so, for humans needed to build up to it over time. That particular declaration could wait a while, and Nick realized that they were still practically strangers. Maybe after breakfast they could talk and get to know one another better. It might even help Gray decide about beingturned, and Nick certainly wanted to help him do that any way he could.
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“… so Hezekiah Matson was like Gray Feather’s best friend, and the journals he left behind for Jack were kept by your family until he met your grandfather, Walter? Wow, Gray, that’s a fantastic story! The Diné have had a direct connection to shifters for like two hundred years, and nobody but your family even knew about it!”
Following breakfast, Nick and Gray had settled in the living room to talk, and one of Nick’s questions led to the unique history of Gray’s family.
“I didn’t even know until a few weeks ago when Jack and William came to visit my grandfather in New Mexico. He was afraid that if the doctors couldn’t help him, the connection would be broken, so he asked Jack to reveal their secret. I don’t know for sure, but if Luna is the one behind all this, I guess having a shifter mate is part of the plan. It’s not something I ever expected!”
Nick pulled Gray into his arms, drinking in his scent.
“I don’t care whose idea it was, just that you’re mine now. I can’t imagine being with anyone else.”
Tender, feeling-filled kisses followed, and Nick had a difficult time releasing his mate so they could continue their talk. Gray appreciated Nick’s honest declaration, and agreed wholeheartedly with the sentiment.
