Chapter 26
Two hours later, Jonah fought to keep his eyes open as they drove over bumpy roads into the part of the forest where Zev had built their home. “I’m so damn tired. Working a triple shift in the hospital has nothing on this day.” He leaned his head against the window and wondered when he’d managed to gain ten pounds in each eyelid. They were too heavy to keep open, so he gave up and closed his eyes. A large, strong hand squeezed his knee, then rubbed up and down his thigh.
“Emotional upheaval can take its toll. You’ve had a lot dumped on you in a short time, Blondie. Especially today. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I am. I really am.” Jonah nodded. “It’s a lot, but then it isn’t, you know? My dad will be fine in a few days. They’ll monitor him, pump him full of fluids, and make him rest, and then he’ll be back to normal. It sounds like there’s finally going to be justice for my mother. And I’m here with you. Not just for a couple of stolen days, but for good.” He scooted closer to the driver’s seat and rested his head on Zev’s shoulder. “So, yeah, I’m okay.”
They completed the drive in comfortable silence, and Jonah even managed to drift off. He woke up when he heard Zev growl.
“Shit. Will this fuckin’ day never end?”
Jonah sat up quickly and looked around. “What?” They’d pulled into their driveway, right next to an unfamiliar truck. “Whose truck is that?”
“My father’s.” Zev sighed. “I was hoping to do this after we rested and figured out everything with your mother and all that, but I guess there’s no time like the present. Ready to meet the family, Blondie?”
“Oh, come on. It’s not that bad. I’ve met your dad lots of times. We don’t need to tell him anything’s going on between us right now.” After a dozen years feeling resentful that Zev hadn’t told his family about the nature of their relationship, Jonah surprised himself with his own suggestion. “He knows we’re friends, so it shouldn’t be a total shock to see me here.”
“Doesn’t work that way,” Zev said as he shook his head. “We’re true mates. I told you about the scents. Ours have joined together. My dad’ll know who you are to me as soon as he smells us.” He took Jonah’s hand in his. “Besides, I won’t hide you, Blondie. I’ve hated doing it all these years, but I had to. Now that we have proof of what we are to each other, I’m done pretending. I’ll never deny you again, Jonah. Not ever.”
Okay, yeah, that was romantic as hell, and it made Jonah’s heart flutter. Not that he’d ever admit to having a fluttering anything. Even if it did feel good.
“Yeah, I forgot about that scent thing. But none of those guys today seemed to notice, so maybe he won’t either.”
“Those guys today were distracted by everything that was going on. They were too overwhelmed by their own fear to notice our scent. Besides, my dad’s a hell of a lot stronger wolf than those pathetic haters.”
Gregory Hassick stepped out of his truck and looked at Zev through the windshield. He tilted his head, twitched his nose, and a look of confusion washed over his face.
“Time’s up, Blondie.” Zev sighed. “Let’s do this thing.”
They got out of the car and walked over to Gregory.
“Jonah, you remember my father, Gregory Hassick. Dad, this is…”
“Your true mate.” Gregory’s voice shook.
“That’s right. This is Jonah Marvel.” Zev put his arm around Jonah’s waist and pulled him close. “We’ve had a long day, Dad. I don’t think either of us has the strength to have this conversation outside. Come on in and we can sit and talk for a few minutes.” Zev walked to the front door, never releasing his grip on Jonah.
Once they got inside, both men flopped on the sofa, remaining close together. Jonah briefly considered sitting in a chair so Zev’s father wouldn’t be made uncomfortable by their show of affection, but he dismissed the idea right away. Why should they hide their feelings for each other? If Zev wasn’t worried, Jonah sure as hell wasn’t going to push the issue. He needed Zev’s touch and comfort more than ever.
It took Gregory a couple of minutes to walk into the house, and when he did, he headed straight for the kitchen.
“I’m getting a drink. You boys need anything?” His booming voice drifted over.
Jonah shook his head, and Zev responded for both of them.
“No, thanks. We’re good, Dad.”
Zev’s comments that shifters believed their kind couldn’t be gay had made Jonah realize they certainly weren’t the most tolerant bunch around. He scoffed internally at the understatement. Shifters had killed his mother because she was sleeping with a human. Knowing their Alpha was gay had to rank even higher on their “oh, no fuckin’ way” list. Thinking about whether Zev would be uncomfortable with essentially being outed to his entire community, Jonah nuzzled into Zev’s neck, enjoying the feeling of the strong arms that immediately wrapped around him.
“It’s amazing how your dad knew about us before we’d even said a word. This whole joined-scent thing is going to complicate things, isn’t it?”
Zev combed his fingers through Jonah’s hair and massaged his scalp.
“I think it’ll make things easier, actually. It’s irrefutable proof that you’re my mate. There’s no way for them to hide from it or deny it.”
“No, there’s no denying it.” Gregory’s voice interrupted their conversation. The large man walked over and sat in the armchair, looking down at the glass he held in his hand and swirling liquid that looked like Scotch. “He’s a male and he’s a human and he’s the Alpha’s mate. Mind telling me how in the hell that’s possible?”
“We’re still trying to figure some of this out. But, frankly, it doesn’t matter. Jonah’s mine and I’m his. Folks are just gonna have to deal.” Zev’s voice was tight. “I’m too tired to have my soul questioned, Dad. And that’s who he is to me. He’s my true mate, which means he’s the other half of my soul.”
Gregory threw his head back and emptied the glass into his mouth, swallowing the gold-colored liquid in one gulp. He set the glass down on a side table and got up.
“Well, I’d say that’s just about right.” He walked over to Jonah and held his hand out. Jonah took it and they shook. “Welcome to the family, Jonah.” Gregory turned toward his son. “I need a night to rest on this, and then we’ll celebrate. Finding your true mate is a blessing, and your family will share your joy.” His voice lowered as he finished speaking. “We’ll adjust, Zev. It might take a little time, but we’ll adjust.”
He had begun walking out of the room when he seemed to remember something. “Oh, with all of this true-mate excitement, I almost forgot the reason I dropped by. Your mother tells me that Toby asked her to get the grandkids, and that when she got to the house, Lori was gone and Toby was a mess. Care to fill me in?”
Zev sighed and rubbed his hands over his eyes. “Yeah, I will, but not right now, okay? Lori’s fine. Toby’s fine. The kids are fine. But it’s a long, complicated story and we’re beat.”
Gregory nodded, raised his hand in a silent wave, and then left. Jonah and Zev stayed on the couch, their hands clasped together.
“That went better than I thought it would, given all your warnings over the years,” Jonah said.
“Well, now that we’ve tied together and completed the mating bond, there’s no way for him to keep burying his head in the sand.” Zev shrugged. “Gay is unheard of in our community, Blondie, and so is mating with humans. But the bond between true mates is revered. He smelled that bond and knew he’d have to set everything else aside.”
Jonah nodded in understanding. Sure, there were still a lot of questions left unanswered, but so many things he’d wondered about over the years made sense now. Zev’s unwillingness to have intercourse had seemed like an old-fashioned notion, but now Jonah realized that sex would have included the tying that a wolf shared with his mate, an act that changed them both forever. Waiting had been in turn frustrating and physically debilitating, but they were both better for it.
Zev was the respected leader of his pack and the head of what was an increasingly successful family business. And Jonah had gotten his medical degree and seen a world outside their small town. With his urge to experience new places and meet new people sated, Jonah felt right coming home to Etzgadol and settling down. Especially now that he realized there was a wolf living inside him.
“Your dad seemed as confused about me being human as he was about me being a guy. Why didn’t you tell him that I’m a shifter too? Maybe it would’ve helped make him feel better.”
Zev dropped his head onto Jonah’s shoulder. “Yeah, it’ll make him feel more comfortable about our mating, but it’ll also raise a lot of questions that we can’t answer. And right now, I’m not in the mood to get into it. Besides, whether he feels comfortable or not isn’t going to change a thing. I meant what I said, Blondie—you’re mine. Being with you comes above everything and everyone else.”
Jonah rubbed his cheek over Zev’s head and squeezed his hand.
“I feel the same way. But being together and putting each other first doesn’t mean we have to forget other people, especially family. Your dad seems like a good guy, Pup. He was really great tonight.”
“Yeah, he was,” Zev agreed. He squeezed Jonah’s hand, stood, and pulled Jonah off the couch too. “You hungry?”
Jonah nodded. They walked into the kitchen and quickly made sandwiches, then stood at the counter as they ate.
When they finished, Zev took their dishes to the sink and then tugged Jonah into an embrace. “’S bed time. Tomorrow’s another busy day, and we need to get some rest.”
After a quick stop in the bathroom, they stripped off their clothes and crawled into bed, immediately finding their way into each other’s arms.
“Mmm. You smell so good, Pup.” Jonah sniffed and nuzzled Zev’s neck. It wasn’t long before the nuzzling turned to licking and sucking. “Taste good too.”
“I would have sworn I was too tired to get it up, but you’re a potent aphrodisiac.” He rolled on top of Jonah, pinned his wrists to the bed, and moved his neck out of reach of Jonah’s mouth.
“Why’d you move away?” Jonah whimpered at the loss and looked at Zev in confusion.
“’Cause you were poking a bear there, Blondie.”
“I thought you were a wolf.” Jonah smirked.
“Very funny. I know you’re too tired to get into anything tonight, but if you keep kissing me and moaning like that, I won’t be able to hold myself back from ravishing you.”
“You never have to hold back those kinds of instincts, Pup.” Jonah arched his back and pushed his hard cock against Zev’s hip. “I promise that I’m right there with you. But if you’re worried about me overexerting myself, I’m happy to just lie back and let you do all the work.” He wiggled a little, settling himself on the bed. “All right. I’ll stay right here and you come on up. I want to taste you.”
Zev cocked one eyebrow. “You sure you’re up for this? I know it’s been a really long day.”
“I think I already proved that I was up. Quit being an old lady and come shove that thick dick down my throat. And no holding back, Pup. If I’m still able to talk when you’re done, then you didn’t do it right. Got it?”
A smile spread over Zev’s face. “I adore you.”
“Because of my charming wit?” Jonah joked.
“Among other things.” He dropped a soft kiss onto Jonah’s lips. “You’re strong, smart, handsome, and funny as hell.”
“Uh-huh. That’s nice. Now fuck my mouth.”
“Yes, sir,” Zev said with a laugh. He released his grip on Jonah’s wrists, straddled his body, and knee-walked up the bed until he knelt over Jonah’s chest.
Jonah raised his head, tried to catch a swipe of Zev’s dick with his tongue, and then grumbled when he couldn’t reach. He flung one hand up and smacked Zev’s ass.
“Hey! What was that for?”
“Seems like you forgot who’s in charge of this operation. Stop teasing me and get that dick over here.”
“Oh, I know who’s in charge, Blondie.”
Before Jonah could argue or come up with another smart remark, Zev followed his instructions. One more step forward put Zev’s knees on either side of Jonah’s head. He threaded his fingers through Jonah’s hair, cupped the back of his head, and then slowly slipped his dick into Jonah’s waiting mouth.
“Oh, damn. Feels good.”
Jonah worked Zev with his tongue, swiping back and forth over his glans and then sucking hard, all the while moaning and whimpering, his arousal too high to keep inside.
“Those noises make me crazy.” Zev pumped his hips until his balls rested on Jonah’s chin. “Your mouth is amazing, Blondie. I swear you were made to suck my cock.” He pulled out so Jonah could get some air into his lungs, then plunged back in. “Can’t be gentle.” He increased his pace, plowing into Jonah’s mouth. “It’s too good.” His motions became progressively more brutal as he pushed himself deep into Jonah’s throat, pulled out, and then drove back in again. “Is this what you wanted?” he asked in a rough voice as his hips snapped, his cock moving in and out even faster. “You like this, Blondie? Like feeling me take you?”
A muffled shout was Jonah’s only response.
“I can feel that noise. Damn, Blondie.” Zev pushed deep inside Jonah’s mouth, held his head still, and shot down his throat. He shook for several long moments before moving off Jonah and sitting down on the bed.
Jonah lay on his back, gasping for air.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I, Blondie?” He pulled Jonah’s head onto his lap and swiped his thumbs over Jonah’s cheeks. “You’re crying.”
Jonah opened his mouth but only a rough sound came out. He shook his head and cleared his throat. “That’s exactly what I asked for, Pup.” His voice sounded like it was being dragged over gravel, but he managed to smile. “And I think this confirms how much I liked it.” He pointed at his cum-coated belly.
“I aim to please.” Zev grinned and rubbed his thumb over Jonah’s mouth. “No more talking, ’kay? I think your throat’s a little sensitive right now.”
Jonah closed his eyes and sighed contentedly. “That was fuckin’ awesome. Glad I’ve got a man who can deliver the goods.”