Page 40 of Ascendant Moon
“Nightly exposure to the moon is important, and it’s helpful to have an Omega or the person’s mate nearby the rest of the time. Also, try to keep the fever down, but when it breaks the transformation will be complete. The person will be very hungry, so it’s best to feed them before taking the next step. We always have an Alpha command the first shift, but after that, they shouldn’t have any trouble doing it on their own. Helping them adapt to their new senses and abilities is the responsibility of their mate.”
The room was unusually quiet now that the procedure had been explained. While Donna pondered it from a medical perspectiveand made a mental checklist of questions, Evan’s mind took a different bunny trail.
“I’m afraid Nick will have another surprise to consider when he learns that if Gray is turned, he can carry their pups. I’m beginning to see what Luna might have in mind for those two.”
Perplexed, Dante glanced at Sergio and got nothing but a raised brow.
“What are you talking about, Evan?”
Jack interjected his own thoughts before Evan could respond.
“Just as we were unaware that humans could be safely turned, your pack did not know that male Omegas can bear children by becoming a Change Mate. I informed Hector before leaving León, but neither Evan nor I have shared this information with Sergio. Forgive us, friends, as the last few days have been rather chaotic. Allow me to explain.”
Jack slipped into teaching mode with a bare-bones description of Change, Honor, and Triad Mates, and the family choices it gave to same-sex couples. Male Omegas had the additional option of having pups sired by their own mate. Dante and Sergio were awed by the new knowledge, and delighted for Nick and Gray. When the two began chuckling, Dante let them in on the private joke.
“Nick is an independent sort and kind of feisty. I seriously doubt he’s ever imagined himself pregnant. If Gray told him about it, that would have been an interesting conversation!”
Chapter 22
That same day, before lunch (Wednesday)
Though Jack had planned to request a bit of Gray’s time, it became unnecessary when Luna provided a vision of the young man coming to see him. To make things easier, William took the twins for a walk so the two could converse without distraction. Less than five minutes passed before Jack answered a tentative knock on the door. Gray looked relieved to see him.
“Come in, dear friend. William and the twins just stepped out, so we have the house to ourselves.”
Gray sat in William’s recliner, facing Jack on the loveseat. He was clearly nervous, and Jack spared him an awkward segue into the conversation.
“Luna warned me that you would be coming by with an important question about being turned. Tell me what you think of the idea.”
Gray gave him a wide-eyed chuckle and blushed.
“Nick explained it to me on Sunday, and I asked him for some time to think about it. Grandfather was very encouraging and said it was my decision. I’m thinking I should, but I don’t know what to expect—I mean how things will be different. I don’t want to regret it later.”
Jack took a peek inside Gray’s mind and found no major conflicts or emotional battles going on.
“Before I answer the question, tell me why you might agree to being turned.”
Gray leaned forward in the chair, happy to share his thoughts with someone who wouldn’t pressure him either way.
“Mostly, I want to be a proper mate for Nick. If I’m a shifter, we can have a permanent bond and a family. He wants me no matter what I decide, but I really think we’d both be happier if we were the same. It looks like Luna had this in mind all the time, but maybe that’s just my imagination.”
Jack was impressed. He hadn’t expected such a mature and reasonable response from one so young and unfamiliar with his world. So much the better.
“If you take Nick and Luna out of the picture, do you have any personal reasons for wanting this?”
The blush returned, though Gray answered honestly.
“Yes. I admire the abilities you have, your love for one another, and the strength of your packs. There’s nothing like it in the human world. Grandfather said that Gray Feather probably would have wanted what I’m being offered, and that maybe this was my destiny—to bring my people and yours together. It would be hard, maybe even wrong, to turn away from all of that.”
Jack couldn’t fault a single thing he’d said, and his respect for Gray grew stronger. Now it was time to answer his questions.
“Allow me to remind you that you need not make a decision immediately. A turning is possible whenever you are ready. Now, having said that, you must understand that becoming a shifter will mean changing the way you interact with all humans, including family. They must never know that we exist, no matter how much you may wish to tell them. Your loved ones will notice changes in you, and you must hide your lupine abilities by any means necessary.
“RJ is an inspiring example of how to adapt to our world, and you could learn much from him. The only issue he and Jonah face is that of wanting a family. They do not yet know that RJ can be safely turned, nor do more than a few at Gladstone. I, myself, was unaware until my trip to Mexico. Luna knew it would be an issue for you and Nick, and now we must incorporate that knowledge into our interaction with the human world.
“You must understand that once your decision becomes known, it will affect Gladstone and eventually every shifter pack in existence. I regret that this may color your decision, but the situation must be handled carefully.”
Gray understood what Jack was saying, but it hadn’t changed his mind about what to do.
