“It was stupid…I was stupid. I let my anger control me instead of putting Theo and our cub first. When Mac wouldn’t tell me why Theo was so upset…dammit, I’m his mate, the father of his cub and…”
“You thought he was treating you like a child,” Smokey murmured, finally understanding the situation.
Nodding, Norm lowered his eyes, refusing to meet Smokey’s. Looking back, he’d acted rashly and hadn’t put Theo and their cub’s welfare above his own. And even though he regretted it now, the damage was done. Mac was no longer Theo’s doctor and Norm was at a loss as to how to fix his fuck-up.
Studying the man who stood before him, Smokey noticed things he hadn’t seen before, causing his heart to ache. The heavy burden Norm was carrying had come with a high price: dark circles under his eyes, worry lines etched into his forehead and, most telling of all, his slumping shoulders.
He could see how hard Norm was striving to be everything he thought Theo needed and, in that moment, he realized his mate’s full strength and resolve. Though still a teenager, Norm had already survived so much more than Smokey, or anyone he knew had faced at that age. Yet, somehow Norm still courageously continued to fight against the odds to make sure Theo would come to no harm.
From everything he’d seen, and from what Jackson told him, Norm possessed a selflessness that was awe-inspiring. Always putting the needs and welfare of Theo first, no matter the cost to himself. Smokey could count on one hand the people that could even come close to matching Norm’s bravery and indomitable spirit—which was a sad reflection on the world as a whole. Sending a prayer up to the gods, he vowed to be worthy of the gift the Fates had given him.
Cupping Norm’s chin, Smokey lifted it until their eyes locked on each other. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Eagle Feather…no one has the right to treat you any way other than to respect the brave man you are. I would have fired Mac also if he’d withheld critical information from me about you or Theo.”
His mate’s words ringing true to him, Norm’s worries began to ease. After firing Mac, he had second guessed himself, sure no one would understand. But Smokey did and that meant everything to him—giving Norm the confidence and boost he needed. “Thank you…I appreciate it…why are you calling me Eagle Feather? And what are we going to do about a doctor for Theo? He needs one and the only other one is Ian but he just gave birth to…”
“Shh, Eagle Feather,” Smokey murmured, rubbing his thumb softly over Norm’s soft stubble. “I know Mac understands why you did it and, unless I’ve misjudged him, all will be forgiven and he’ll be happy to be Theo’s doctor again. And if he isn’t, then I’ll find someone who will.”
Norm’s eyes searched Smokey’s face. Satisfied with what he saw there, he said, “Okay…his office is right around the corner.” Whirling around, he headed towards Mac’s office, feeling hopeful that everything might actually turn out right for once.
~/~/~/~/~
Picking at the edge of the blanket, Theo kept his eyes down, waiting for Jackson to speak. He wished Norm had stayed with him because he was sure the conversation would be unpleasant, especially considering how he’d acted during his previous meeting with Jackson. Finally when he couldn’t tolerate the silence anymore, he peered up through his thick lashes at his Alpha.
“There you are,” Jackson murmured, smiling softly. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine…really good. Can I go back to the kitchen now?”
“Before we address that, let’s talk about Smokey.”
“Smokey’s my…our mate…pooh bear’s and mine,” Theo replied. “Is that a problem for you? For the pack? I know he’s a grizzly but he won’t hurt anyone.”
“How do you know that?”
Shrugging, Theo said, “I just do.”
“Hmm…the last time we talked, you made me promise not to tell anyone he was your mate. Have you changed your mind?”
Theo’s head jerked up, the bear in his eyes glowing. “That was before I knew he was pooh bear’s mate too.”
“Why does that matter? The Fates gave you Smokey, yet you rejected him…”
“Because I didn’t want to hurt pooh bear!”
“And you thought that would be okay even after Norm found out you decided to keep Smokey a secret?”
“Yes…no…why are you twisting my words?” Theo cried out. “I love pooh bear!” He brushed his eyes in an effort to keep tears from falling. “After everything Norm did for me, I would do anything not to hurt him. And finding out the Fates decided Smokey was my mate, I knew in my heart what that would do to him. And I don’t care what you think or say, I would do it again to protect him from any more pain.”
“I get it, Theo, but what worries me is how will Smokey fit into your relationship with Norm…a relationship which is already so tight, that when Norm found out about Smokey being his mate, he reacted the same way in order to protect you. Where does that leave Smokey? You and Norm have been through a lot and you both came through it together, which by itself creates a strong bond. Smokey wasn’t part of it, so there will always be a place in the current relationship that excludes him. How would you feel if it were you instead of Smokey? If Smokey and Norm had a relationship before they met you?”
Stunned, Theo stared at Jackson, then as the words began to sink in, tears began to flow. He never meant to hurt anyone, especially Smokey but Jackson was right—he had. A whimper followed by several loud sobs escaped from Theo’s mouth before he covered it with his hand in an effort to stop more from filling the room. When he got himself under control and wiped the tears from his eyes, he said in a small voice, “I don’t know what you want me to do…I can’t change history…”
“Hey,” Jackson said softly, grasping Theo’s hand, “the reason I’m bringing this up is to make sure you understand what Smokey must feel…coming into a relationship that has already been through so much. Of course you can’t change what happened to you and Norm, but if you are going to accept Smokey as your third mate, then the relationship between you and Norm must be put in the past so you, Norm, and Smokey can start fresh and build new memories together.”
“I’m not sure I can do that,” Theo murmured. “I owe Norm so much.”
“That…right there…Theo, believe me when I say Norm feels the same way about you. Whether you believe it or not, you saved Norm…you gave him a reason to survive Arald’s cruelty…and trust me, Norm needed that, maybe even more than you needed Norm’s support.”
Giving an inelegant snort, Theo shook his head. “Sorry…that’s just not true. I wanted to give up and die and if it weren’t for pooh bear…”
