“Okay…how soon?” asked Cain, worried about how long the High Council would wait before they handed down his sentence.
“I don’t know, but Icanpromise that you’ll be held here until this is resolved.”
Nodding, Cain stood up and held out his hand. “I want to join your pack...if you’ll have me.”
Taking his hand, Jackson tugged Cain to his chest, wrapping his arms around him in a hug. “Stay strong, don’t give up,” he whispered, before releasing him.
The simple gesture by Jackson startled Cain before he melted into the warmth of Jackson’s arms. The last time he could remember someone hugging him was when his parents left him in a park and a lady found him at night, waiting for them to return. After he realized they were never coming back, he felt he was unworthy of affection and from then on, avoided physical contact with others. Because Jackson hadn’t asked for permission, Cain had no time to put up his shield, but he suddenly realized he no longer wanted to. Overcome with emotion, he quickly brushed a lone tear away, lest Jackson would think him weak.
Seeing the tear Cain tried to hide, Jackson smiled softly. “Is there anything you need or want…other than to be released from custody?”
Nodding, Cain whispered, “Books...about gardening…I…I want to be ready in case you agree to let me join your pack.”
“Consider it done.” Then knocking on the cell door, Jackson waited as it slowly clanked open. Before leaving, he looked back at Cain. “If you change your mind, ask to speak to Frank Royd. He knows how to reach me.”
“Okay…but I won’t change my mind.” Cain waited until his cell door shut before he sank down onto his bunk, emotionallyexhausted. It was now out of his hands and the only thing he had left was hope. When Oracle first showed up, he was sure it was another ploy to gain information, but it wasn’t. She’d given him an opportunity he couldn’t believe was real…at first. But as he’d found out today, it was, and he wanted to seize it and hang on for dear life, but it wasn’t up to him. Once again, his life depended on someone else, but he vowed it would never happen again if Jackson said ‘yes’ because from then on, his choices would be his and his, alone.
~/~/~/~/~
Unpacking his bag, Kahn smiled to himself, hoping Reeve would get back soon. It was amazing how quickly he’d begun to miss him. He was also surprised at how extraordinarily happy he was that the Fates had deemed him worthy to be Reeve’s mate. It did a lot to boost his confidence after years of enduring his father’s disapproval of him.
Kahn left his room and headed downstairs to begin his day. First on his list was the question of Josiah’s remains, and that was definitely not going to be a pleasant conversation. When he reached the last step, his nose twitched at the smell of bacon cooking and he hurried to the kitchen stopping short of the open door when he saw his mother at the stove. “Mom? I thought you’d still be in bed.”
Looking over her shoulder, she said, “Sit down, sweetie. Breakfast will be ready in a jiff.”
Moving slowly over to the island, Kahn sat down and studied his mother. The contrast between her behavior today and yesterday was as different as night and day and the only reason that made any sense was that his mother was in denial about Josiah’sdeath. Groaning inwardly, he was sure that was bound to make his day three times harder than he thought it’d be.
Setting a heaping plateful of scrambled eggs and bacon in front of her son, she asked, “Would you like a glass of orange juice along with your coffee?”
“Just coffee,” Kahn mumbled, staring at the amount of food in front of him. His mother knew he wasn’t a big breakfast person, usually making do with just toast, but obviously, she’d forgotten that.
“Eat, Kahn. We have a busy day ahead of us,” his mother said, handing him a mug of coffee.
Picking up his fork, Kahn obeyed his mother, picking at the food on his plate. When he could no longer contain himself, he asked, “What are you doing? Yesterday, you checked out of what was happening, but this morning…?”
“I know, baby,” his mother said, softly. “And I’m sorry I left you to deal with your sisters alone.”
“It wasn’t a problem,” Kahn assured her.
Rolling her eyes, she replied, “Right! Dealing with two girls who think they’re divas isn’t easy, but you were so good with them yesterday…never losing your temper, not even when they threw unfair accusations at you. But that kind of behavior stops today. The blame for your father’s death rests solely with him and no one else. It’s time your sisters learn that.”
“Mom, about yesterday…”
“I know. You probably wondered if I’d lost my mind, but I assure you, I didn’t…I was mourning the life I shared with my husband, but finally realized that life had ceased to exist a long time ago.The man I married wasn’t the type of man who would kill his brother and innocent children. The man who did that I didn’t know at all.
“Late last night, I decided I wouldn’t waste another day on grieving because he doesn’t deserve it. I never would have divorced your father but, you know, our home wasn’t a happy one…not for me or your sisters and certainly not for you. Josiah’s death has given me the freedom to chart my own course for the first time since I married him. And first on my list is finding a home for us.”
“I’m not accepting the Alpha position,” Kahn said. “And even if I did, I don’t think it would be a good place for you to live.”
“No surprise there,” she said, smiling. “I’d thought about moving back, mainly for your sisters, but in the end, I came to the same conclusion—too much bad history. It’s better if we start fresh.”
“I’d love to have you move in with me. The condo has plenty of room for all of us.”
“Thank you, baby…but no. I think it’s best if I have my own place.”
Frowning slightly, Kahn shook his head. “Mom, it’s not safe out there for you without a pack. If you stayed with me, you’d at least have an Alpha in the house.”
“I’m aware of the dangers but I have an idea I wanted to run past you to see what you thought
