“New?” asked Maximus.
“Yeah,” Jackson replied. “According to my mate, he was the good son who…”
“Let’s not get sidetracked,” Steel grumbled. “Mom, go ahead…and tell us the rest.”
Oracle smiled briefly before returning to the serious matter still before her. She understood her son and Jackson’s concerns because they’d also been expressed by Frank. After sharing themwith the Fates, they had modified their original edict. She could only hope Jackson would agree. “Your…”
“Wait,” Jackson interrupted. “Sorry Oracle…I know Steel said we wouldn’t ask any more questions, but I have to know…have you met and spoken to Foster?”
“Yes, I have,” Oracle said. “Why do you ask?”
Tapping the folder, Jackson said, “I know what’s in here, and on face value, it doesn’t paint a very good picture of the man. But these things can be deceiving. A mistake made young can be used to dig a grave for someone if it’s used maliciously. Everything in this folder doesn’t really tell me what kind of man Foster is, especially since I haven’t met him. But you have, so I would like to hear your opinion of him.”
“Hmm…” Oracle thought for a moment, then began. “I know Cain Foster has had a tough life and, before you ask me, I do not know his story but I know this…life has not been kind to him. Whatever good has happened in his life is far overshadowed by the bad. Is he a bad person? His file would indicate he is, but I believe it is more a case of him trying to survive in a world that had seen nothing worthwhile in him so it kicked him out and he has been trying to survive in any way he can, ever since.
“Cain made one wrong decision when he was young,” Oracle continued, “and without anyone to guide or protect him, the bad decisions multiplied until he is where he is today. I did not see hope in his eyes, but I did see a wounded animal, desperate for someone…anyone to love him. That is something he has never experienced in his life.
“I cannot forget he was caught trying to buy a shifter, but that action might be the only ticket he will ever have to right his life. Does he see that? No, I don’t believe he does…or maybe hecan’t allow himself to hope that it does…but I do believe he will help you and the Blackwood Pack find and eliminate the human threat to our world.”
Oracle took a deep breath, her message delivered. Now it was up to Jackson.
Chapter 11
If Jackson thought it would be easier for him to make a decision after Oracle answered his question, he now realized how wrong that assumption had been. Nothing she had said quieted his fears. In fact, all it had done was to raise new doubts. Sighing, he tried to keep his frustration in check before saying, “Thanks…I have some more questions but before I ask them, please finish telling us the rest.”
Nodding, Oracle said, “The Fates do not want any harm to come to the Blackwood Pack, so they have included a number of safeguards. First, before Cain Foster is released into your custody, he will be implanted with a device that will pinpoint his location at all times. It cannot be removed or disabled by him or anyone else without your explicit permission. That device will allow you to place limits on where he can go. In addition, your Alpha Power can be used to control him. So, for example, if he decides to use one of the pups as a hostage in order to gain his freedom, you will be able to prevent that by immobilizing him.”
“My power? On a human?” asked Jackson, shaking his head.
“Yes, and not only on Cain but also on any other human who poses a threat to our world. The gods and Fates felt it necessary in order to resolve this problem as quickly as possible.”
“Whoa,” exclaimed Steel. “They aren’t kidding around!”
“No they are not,” Oracle confirmed. “The Fates and the gods are willing to do everything possible to guarantee the success of this mission…and the safety of your pack.”
Rocking back in his chair, Jackson glanced at his mate before returning his gaze to Oracle. “That’s good to know…but I’m still concerned about how much of my time this will take up.You referred to him as a wounded animal and that makes him unpredictable, which worries me.”
“Maybe that was a poor choice of words,” Oracle replied. “Cain puts on a tough front, mostly because it was how he learned to survive in a violent world, but I believe it is a front he uses as protection.”
“Contrary to what his file states?” asked Steel.
“Yes,” Oracle answered. “I do not know what led him to believe that buying a shifter was a good idea, but when he found himself locked up in a shifter jail, he panicked and has been trying to find a way out ever since. My instinct tells me—and the Fates and the gods assured me—that Cain has good in him.”
“Maybe…that has yet to be seen,” Jackson murmured, rubbing his chin while his mind was busy processing everything Oracle had said. “How long will Foster be here?”
“For as long as it takes for you to find and eradicate the humans threatening our world,” Oracle replied.
“That could be a while, especially since Dylon, Glenn, and Zane have been working on finding out who they are for some time…without much luck, I might add. But I guess that’s why Foster was picked to help us,” Jackson said.
“Yes, he has a unique skill set,” Oracle confirmed.
Jackson turned to Steel. “Any questions? Or are you satisfied with the protections the Fates have given us?”
“Hmm…it does sound okay,” Steel said slowly. Then, looking at his mother, he asked, “But what if Jackson finds out it’s not enough to keep Foster under control…or maybe Foster decides not to cooperate, then what?”
“To answer your second question, if Cain reneges on his part of the deal, then he will go back to the Council and face the consequences of his crimes,” Oracle replied. “As to the first part, if added restraints are required, I will contact the Fates and inform them of the situation. However, I cannot promise that they will respond in a positive manner.”
“Of course,” Jackson murmured. He knew the Fates were asking a lot of him and his pack and, while it might seem unfair to impose such a burden on them, it made perfect sense, especially since he’d already given the order to find and neutralize any humans who were infiltrating their world. The only difference was the addition of Cain Foster to their team. And that was the crux of the matter. Could he, in good conscience, invite someone into their pack who might pose a physical risk to all of them? And along with that question was his trust in the Fates—was it still unwavering as always? A decision had to be made, but before Jackson could make it, he felt there was one more piece of the puzzle he had to have before that happened. “I want to meet with Foster before I give you my answer. How soon can you arrange it?”
