"I'm Alexander," the man said in introduction to them.
He was tall, well-muscled, and dark.
Short black hair and brown eyes that studied Carlisle and Edward with caution as well as curiosity.
"But you may call me Alex."
"I'm Edward. This is my adopted-father, Carlisle. You spoke to him on the phone."
"Yes. I must admit to being curious as to why you wished to speak to me. We don't get many visitors way out here. My Mate is resting now. You can meet him later when he wakens, if you're still here."
"Of course. May we sit? My father told me that he didn't explain why we needed to speak with you."
Alexander nodded, motioning for them to follow him around the back of the small cabin to an out-door table and chairs, each of the three taking one.
"I was surprised that you were able to locate us," Alex said calmly.
"We try to keep a pretty low-profile because of what we are, and because of our relationship."
"My father is very determined. Especially when it involves me and my siblings."
"I see that. So tell me, why have you come?"
"We need information," Carlisle said bluntly.
"About you and your Mate."
"Oh?" he said, his voice slightly-suspicious now.
"And why is that?"
"Because I need to know to help mine," Edward explained, his golden eyes softening as he thought of Jake sleeping in the back-seat of his Volvo at the moment.
"I'm with a shifter. Like you."
"Really? I have never heard of another couple like us, but then, the world is large. What is his second-shape?"
"Wolf. His pack disowned him for loving me."
"I'm sorry for him. Did he have much time to bond with them before the break?"
"No. He was human when we fell in love."
"Well that's a blessing at least. My Jason never had that to deal with. He was solitary before we met."
"A solitary-wolf?" Edward inquired curiously.
"That's unusual."
"Yes, that would be, but no. Jason is not a wolf. He is a mountain-lion. He was completely-wild before we became involved with each other. I won't insult him by saying that I have tamed him, but he is much calmer now. More secure, you could say. However, he still will not eat human-food. We hunt together when he gets hungry."
"Mountain-lion?" Carlisle asked, curiosity clear on his face.
"Yes."
"Wow."
"When you do meet him, I ask you not to stare."
"Why would we stare?" Edward asked, looking perplexed.
"Jason is unique. He is very beautiful, but he doesen't see it that way. When people stare, it makes him nervous. When he's nervous he usually reacts violently. He's much stronger then he looks."
"Okay. No staring. Anything else?"
"He doesen't like to be touched by anyone but me. Even just handshakes freak him out. Apart from the secrecy and feeding-issue, that's another reason that we live so far out from Fork's. To many people make him nervous."
"Oh. Alright."
"Is your Mate like that?"
"Jacob? No. Not at all. He's more aggressive then I am most of the time. I think that it has something to do with the fact that he was supposed to be Alpha once he'd joined the pack. After he imprinted on me… Well, all that became impossible. Most of his so-called brothers couldn't accept us, so they exiled him."
"Did he accompany you here?"
"Yes. He fell asleep in the car on the way here."
"Is that normal for him? Sleeping a lot, I mean?"
"No, not really. Now that you mention it, he has been more tired lately then usual."
"Just tired?"
"Well… No. He's also more… Needy lately. He always has been, but it's more of a necessity then a want now. Do you know something that I don't about this?"
"Maybe. Has his scent recently changed? Become… Softer somehow?"
"Yes, it has. Should we be worried?"
"I wouldn't think so, no. You like children, right?"
"Uh, yeah. I don't see the connection."
"If it's the same as what happened to my Jason, then your Jacob is in heat."
"Heat?" Carlisle spoke up, looking curious.
"Yes, heat. Like an animal. Basically, he's very fertile right now, which is also why he's more needy then usual. It's nature's way of continuing the blood-lines."
"So," Edward said, looking stunned.
"Jake is going to have a child? My child?"
"Most likely children, as in more then one, but yes."
"I'm… This is… Wow. We haven't… Much… Could he be already?"
"It's a large possibility. I wouldn't be surprised if it happened the first time that you were together after his scent changed. It's a very powerful thing. It will eventually change back. It varies each time."
"You mean that this will happen again?"
"Repeatedly, yes. Every year during the Mating-Season for wolves. That doesen't mean that you have to have them every year, either. We do have a lot of children, but not that many. We've been together for sixty years this year."