“So why does he want to meet me? He already knows everything there is to know about me,” Cain mumbled.
“Simple…he does not believe it tells your whole story.”
“He’s a fucking fool,” Cain growled.
“Maybe, but I agree with his assessment. Your record is merely a history of one part of your life but it certainly does not give any information regarding what drove you to commit those crimes.”
Throwing off his blanket, Cain abruptly sat up, finding Oracle’s eyes with his. “Fuck! How the hell are you shifters still alive? You wouldn’t stand a chance in the real world with that kinda shit. Let me save you the trouble of figuring me out. I’m bad…evil inside and out…go ahead, read every fucking file they have on me starting when I was young. My parents knew that and dropped me in a park before they disappeared forever…and every fucking foster home I was in claimed the same thing before they kicked me out.”
Rising, Cain pushed past Oracle, heading to the far side of the cell. Frustrated, he raised his hands and slammed them against the concrete wall in front of him. Leaving them there, he dropped his head to his chest, fighting back tears that threatened to fall. He already knew the outcome of the meeting with the Alpha, so why subject himself to the man’s contempt? He’d had enough of that throughout his life and sure as hell didn’t need any more now.
Chapter 15
After hearing the despair in Cain’s voice, Oracle hesitated at first, but then her deep well of compassion drove her to help ease his pain. Walking softly over to him, she murmured, “Do not let your past decide your future. You claim to be evil but the Fates see something else in you…and they are never wrong…so believe them until you can see it in yourself. Life is never easy, not for anyone. We are given trials to overcome. You must fight for this life…the one you deserve…the one that you want.”
“I can’t…” murmured Cain, unable to look at the woman.
“Yes, you can…forget everything in your past and concentrate on the future that awaits you. I know you can do it because you are strong…far stronger than you think…so take the risk…meet with Jackson…take the first step toward achieving the life you should have had all along.”
Falling silent, Oracle waited for Cain to decide. It would be hard to take that first step, especially for someone like him whom no one had ever believed in and, because he didn’t believe in himself, made it all the harder. Seeing him standing dejectedly against the wall, his head bowed in despair, had nearly moved her to tears. The Fates were right—Cain had goodness in him.
For the first time in her life as an Oracle, she wished she could be more than just the voice of the Fates, but it was forbidden. She’d been close to crossing that line when she’d rubbed his back, offering him the comfort he’d desperately sought but failed to find throughout his life.
Oracle rarely questioned the Fates, but Cain was an exception and she was hard-pressed to figure out why. And if the Fates were forcing him to take that first step as a test, she hopedhe’d not only pass, but would do so with flying colors. Fighting her urge to help Cain make his decision, Oracle knew there was nothing more she could say or do. Now it was up to him—and she could only pray that he would make the right choice.
~/~/~/~/~
By the time they had arrived at the meadow, Smokey felt like he’d gone fifteen rounds with Ghost. During one of their missions for the agency, he’d discovered they had something in common—a love of boxing. For him, it started in his childhood when his grandfather taught him the sport as a means to control his anger. Not only did it help, but boxing also gave him valuable fighting skills that came in handy when he joined the agency. The praise he received from his instructors helped mitigate some of the shitty treatment Reeve Nicolet had dished out to him.
But his confidence in his boxing skills suffered a setback the first time he stepped into the ring with Ghost. After only three rounds, he found himself flat on his back, staring up at a smirking opponent. Grasping Ghost’s extended hand, Smokey got up, shaking his head to clear the ringing in it and found out his friend had spent years boxing with some of the greats. Seizing the opportunity that had suddenly presented itself, he asked Ghost to train him—and train him, Ghost did. Time after time, he’d limp out of the ring, collapsing on the nearest bench. And that’s exactly how he felt now, after trying to keep the peace between Galen and Eamon along with answering more questions than he could ever remember being asked.
Standing at the edge of the woods, Smokey watched his two charges whoop and holler, running in the tall meadow grass.Where the fuck do they get all their energy? I walked the same path they did and right about now a nap sounds really good.Sighing, he slowly trailed behind Galen and Eamon, realizing there was more to being a parent than he’d originally thought.
Smokey was so deep in thought, he didn’t see Theo come up beside him until he felt his mate’s hand on his arm. Stopping, he turned slightly, waiting for him to speak.
Smiling gently, Theo said, “I’m so proud of you.”
“Proud? Of me?” Smokey asked, sure his mate was joking.
Rising up on his toes, Theo brushed his lips against Smokey’s before whispering, “Yeah…you’re gonna make a great dad to our cub.”
Smokey’s eyes widened in surprise. “But…but…Galen and Eamon…”
“Love you,” Theo murmured. “I saw how you were so patient with their endless questions…simply amazing. Our cub is certain to win the daddy lottery with you and Norm. I couldn’t have picked two more perfect choices.”
Smokey had a hard time believing his mate, but after searching Theo’s face, he found nothing other than pride shining in his eyes. Finally accepting his mate’s praise, Smokey’s lips twitched before breaking into a broad grin. “Thanks, Shining Star…I appreciate it.”
“No thanks are necessary,” Theo replied. “I only told the truth.” Then turning his gaze to the meadow, he chuckled as Danny removed his clothes and shifted with Jake and Jessica following quickly.
Looking over his shoulder, Smokey groaned as Danny’s wolf headed for Galen, nipping at his heels. “Oh hell, someone better tell Galen about Alphas.”
“You want to?” asked Theo, smirking.
Shaking his head vigorously, Smokey muttered, “No way…let Jackson do it…or maybe Carson should.”
“Or maybe this is something the two of them should sort out by themselves,” Theo said, smiling. “C’mon, let’s round up the puppy pack…they need to eat and you need your surprise.”
Surprise?Watching Theo walk away, he yelled, “But I thought this was my surprise.”
