“Will you two boys stop bickering like toddlers,” Ellie said in exasperation. “If you’d hold your tongues I could possibly get this finished before lunch.”
Jacy snorted as Rafe held up his hands in defeat. “Go on, Mother.”
“As I was saying.” Ellie’s face sobered, her tone as serious as Rafe had ever heard it. “There are old legends that speak of such a thing. Where a Wolf’s Hunger takes over control and . . .”
Rafe sat forward, spearing his mom with a glare. “You know these so-called legends to be true? Or are they just stories with nothing to back them up?”
“Don’t use that tone with me. I know you’re upset about what’s going on inside you, but I’m certain that I have the answer. That’s if you’d stop interrupting.”
Jacy interceded, ever the peacemaker. “Hey, you two, come on, let’s all calm down.”
“I’m perfectly calm,” Rafe lied as he sat back, crossing his arms.
“Darling.” Ellie tilted her head, staring hard at him. “I can feel it inside you. It’s gnawing away at you and you have to listen to me or you’ll end up going insane.”
Jacy couldn’t help himself. “As in really insane? Or is that just a euphemism?”
Ellie threw her hands up in the air, exhaling loudly in exasperation. “Right! That’s enough. I don’t want either of you to say one more word until I’ve finished.”
She looked at Jacy who ran his fingers across his lips as if zipping them, Rafe merely nodded. “All right. The legend has been spot on so far, with the hunger that’s inside you, and your beast being more and more in control. Am I right or am I right?”
Jacy nodded but Rafe didn’t respond, refusing to admit to anything so Ellie sighed, carrying on. “I know I’m right, Son, you don’t have to say one word. I’m your mother and I can sense things that others can’t.”
“Will you just spit it out?” Rafe ground out, the hunger inside him taking hold again.
“You have to go and find someone,” his mom whispered.
“What are you talking about? Find who?” Rafe blurted out, annoyance at his mother’s cryptic words.
“She’ll be somewhere near, Son, but you need to go and seek her out. She . . .”
“She who?” Rafe shook his head. “Mom, you’re rambling.”
Ellie looked at Jacy then back at her son, her face defiant as she dropped the bombshell. “Your mate. The hunger is a sign your mate is near and she needs you.”
Jacy looked dumbstruck as Rafe jumped up, his chair toppling over as he glowered down at his mom. “Don’t be so stupid. I don’t want a mate. I don’t need a mate.”
His mother looked up at him, determination in her eyes. “Son, you may not want one but you do need one and if you don’t find her soon, you’ll be lost to the hunger for goodness knows how long. I’ve heard that it can actually drive a man insane. So please, listen to me and go and find her.”
Rafe shook his head, denial running through him like hot lava. “You’re wrong.”
Jacy stood and looked about to say something so Rafe about turned and left, heading back to the forest to unleash his Wolf.
Jacy stared open-mouthed as Rafe disappeared. “Ellie, are you sure about this?”
“Yes,” Ellie rose, wringing her hands with worry. “Jacy Runningwolf, you are Beta of this Pack and it’s your duty to make that hard-headed son of mine see sense. If you don’t, I fear for him, and the Pack.”
“How can you be so sure though?” Jacy prodded.
“I just am,” Ellie scowled at the Beta. “I mean it. It’s your responsibility to get him to go and find his mate. If he doesn’t then he’ll be no use to anyone and we might lose him forever to his beast.”
“That serious, huh?” Jacy asked quietly.
“Yes,” Ellie replied, her face white with worry. “Please, go and try to talk some sense into him.”
“I’ll do my best,” Jacy headed out, pausing at the door to look at his Alpha’s tense mother. “I’ll have to make a quick stop to get Levi to take over for me and I’ll let Ali know too. She’s always wanted more responsibility and this is as good a time as any.”
“Thank you,” Ellie said with relief.
“I’ll make him see sense if it’s the last thing I do.” Jacy stopped, running a hand through his hair. “And with the mood he’s in it very well might be the last thing I do.”
“He has to see sense,” Ellie said firmly. “He is Alpha and the Pack needs him. I’m sure that he’ll know that when the time comes.”
“I just hope that he realizes it before ripping my head off.” Jacy said, shrugging. “I’ve got a feeling this isn’t going to be easy.”
“Nothing that’s worth a damn is ever easy,” Ellie said firmly. “Wait, how’s your father? I know you went to see him last week but I’ve not had the chance to ask you.”
Jacy shook his head sadly. “Still mad at Mom for not marrying him and he hasn’t got passed the fact I’m Wolf.”
Ellie’s eyes softened. “Your mother did the right thing, honey. Your father wasn’t her mate and things would’ve ended badly. She could never have lived with him and, well, if he doesn’t accept you for what you are . . .”
“You mean not a full-blood Native American,” Jacy answered angrily.
“There’s that plus the fact you’re Wolf,” Ellie replied fondly. “But look how far you’ve come within the Pack. You’re Beta and that’s something to be proud of.”
“I am proud of being Rafe’s Beta but my father doesn’t seem to understand.”
“I’m sorry, honey.” Ellie walked over, patting Jacy’s shoulder. “You belong here, with the Pack, and your mom loves you, no matter what.”
“I know.” Jacy nodded, his eyes still sad.
“You’ve got an important mission to do right now.” Ellie
