Zack frowned again, sitting back in his chair. “What do you mean?”
Gabe smiled and moved over to prop his hip on Zack’s desk. “Baby, you know how much trouble I had with it. If it’s even more intense, God help his poor mate. ”
Zack ran a hand down Gabe’s leg. “Yes, you’re so abused. ”
Gabe smiled. “What is this bloodlust thing anyway? You never mentioned it before. ”
“Supposedly it’s a bond that’s absolutely unbreakable, and compels the mated couple to be together. The two feed from each other, and the wolf’s mate actually becomes a shape-shifter. ”
Gabe raised his eyebrows and Zack nodded. “Pretty incredible, but together they become an alpha pair and rule the pack as a unit. ”
“Oh, I’d like that. You mean the wolf can’t boss his mate around,because they’re both alphas? Shit, this I have to see. ”
“Apparently, Cade has only just met his mate and is still in the process of forming the bond. It will take time for him to become a shifter. But yes, it should be fascinating to watch as it develops. This kind of thing is really rare. ”
“When will you take Cade to look for land?”
“As soon as possible. I know he’s anxious to start building, and the weather will get too bad in a few more months. If we don’t start soon, they won’t be able to build before spring. ” Still rubbing Gabe’s leg absently, he gazed out the window next to his desk. “The leaves are already turning a little. ”
“Do you think they can find a building spot nearby?”
“I don’t know about around here. Pack lands are more extensive in North Carolina. ” He smiled up at Gabe. “How would you fancy a visit with Nicky while Marco and I help Cade find some land?”
Gabe grinned. Nicky, the North Carolina alpha’s mate, was his best friend and partner in crime. Nicky was yin to his yang, and he wished they lived closer. “I’d love it. I haven’t seen him or Rory since Tucker’s mating ceremony. ”
“Yes, when the two of you got in that fight, and Marco and I had to separate you. ”
“Just a love spat,” he said, chuckling. “Besides, Nicky started it. And I totally won. ”
The sound of motorcycles coming down the long dirt road onto the property had both Gabe and Zack turning toward the window. Gabe jumped up in excitement. “Oh my God, they’re on choppers. How fucking cool is that?”
Gabe turned and started out of the room to go downstairs, pulling Zack with him. They went down the big central staircase and out onto the front porch, arriving about the same time the big motorcycle in front of the riders pulled up. There were two people on the bike, and the one in front pulled off his helmet to reveal a handsome man who looked to Gabe to be in his late twenties. Gabe immediately noticed a strong family resemblance to his mate, whom Gabe had long thought to be the handsomest man he’d ever seen.
This man gave them a charming little crooked smile and levered his leg off the bike to step forward and give Zack a big bear hug. They began to speak to each other in rapid French, as Gabe raised one eyebrow. He had no idea Zack spoke French, especially so fluently. The person on the back of the bike hopped off and removed his helmet and Gabe did a double-take. A beautiful young boy stood there, a little travel-stained, with purplish shadows under his blue eyes. His longish blond hair fell over in his face, and he pushed it back impatiently with a slightly feminine gesture. He noticed Gabe’s intent stare and smiled at him, as if not quite sure of his welcome.
Before Gabe could speak to him, the man who must have been Zack’s cousin, Cade, turned to him and held out a hand. Immediately the young boy took it and stepped up beside him, his eyes shining as he gazed up at Cade.
“This is my mate—Jax. ”
Both Gabe and Zack looked at them with surprise, but Zack wasthe first to speak. “Your mate?” he asked, his voice sounding a little shocked. “Good Lord, Cade, do his parents know he’s missing?”
* * * *
Jax felt the hot blush stain his cheeks as he ducked his head and moved back a step behind Cade. He didn’t know exactly how Cade would react to what Zack said, and so far, his reactions to most things had not been totally predictable. To his relief, Zack only laughed.
“Jax is nineteen,” he said, but the big man Cade had called Zack looked at him in disbelief. “Bullshit,” he murmured, just barely loud enough for Jax to hear.
Cade huffed out a laugh. “I know—he looks much younger, but I checked his ID. Don’t worry. The police won’t be showing up at your door. ”
“Thank Christ,” he muttered. Stepping forward, Zack held out a hand to Jax. He didn’t shake Jax’s hand, just held it warmly between his. “It’s very nice to meet you, Jax. ” He turned to an exotically handsome young man standing next to him. “This is my mate, Gabe. Close your mouth, darling. ”
Gabe shot his mate a dirty look and came toward him, pulling Jax in for a hug. He smelled as good as he looked, a faint scent of leather and expensive cologne.
The older boy instantly fascinated Jax. He looked to be in his early twenties, with black hair and blue eyes fringed with impossibly long lashes. Eyeliner rimmed his eyes, and one gold ring adorned his left ear. It matched a heavy gold collar-style necklace around his throat. He wore a green T-shirt with a logo in red letters across the front that read One Man Wolf Pack, with a
picture of a cartoon wolf wearing sunglasses. Other than the fact he didn’t have any visible tattoos, he reminded Jax of a British rocker, with his heavy black combat boots and tight, ripped jeans. He was everything Jax aspired to be. Jax totally expected him to have a Brit accent, but when he spoke, his voice instead had a twang that Jax immediately recognized. “It’s nice to meet you, Jax. ”
“You’re from Alabama,” Jax said. He thumped his chest lightly. “Me too. From Piedmont. ” The handsome young man widened his eyes in surprise. “No shit. I’m from Centre,” he said, naming a town only about twenty miles north of Jax’s home town.