Lizzie was astounded by how fast everything seemed to move after their discussion. But now everything was in jeopardy because someone took Frank to use as a bargaining chip. That someone would dare do that fueled her anger until it was a roaring flame. Rising from the chair, Lizzie brushed the whisps of hair off her face, squared her shoulders, and said to the empty room: “You hold on Frank, because I will not give up until you are back with me.”
~/~/~/~/~
On her way out of the kitchen, Sofia saw Jackson walking toward his study. It was a perfect opportunity to talk to him about Cain. Sticking her head back into the kitchen she asked Steel, “Do you need me right now?”
Looking over his shoulder, Steel smiled and replied, “Nope…just making a list of what we’re short of while the roast is cooking.”
“Okay,” Sophia said. “Don’t forget to check the list Dakota keeps in the pantry. I think Theo put a number of items on it a couple of days ago.” As she left, she heard Steel yell his thanks to her.
Hurrying to the Alpha’s study, Sofia thought about Cain and how much he reminded her of David before Zane came into his life. Her son had changed so much, but there were times he would once again become the frightened boy of his youth. Thankfully, Zane would quickly pick up on it and give David the positive support he needed to forget what was troubling him. But Cain had no one to do that. Knocking on the open door, Sofia stood in the doorway, waiting for permission to enter.
Looking up, Jackson smiled. “Sofia, come in…what can I help you with?”
Sofia walked into the room, stopping in front of Jackson’s desk. “It’s about Cain…he told me about his life and how he ended up here…at the Blackwood Pack.”
“I see…and do you have a problem with it?” Jackson asked, softly.
It took a moment before Sofia understood what the Alpha meant before she quickly shook her head and said, “No…not withwhohe is, but more withwhathe is.”
Frowning slightly, Jackson said, “I’m not sure I understand what you mean…is your issue with his background or the fact he’s a human?”
“Oh goodness, I’m messing this all up,” Sofia murmured, wringing her hands in distress.
“Hey…take it easy…why don’t we start from the beginning. When did you meet Cain?”
“The Alpha Mate sent me up to his room with his lunch.”
“Okay, then what happened?”
“Cain opened the door, then asked if I would eat with him since there was so much food. I told him I was human and he was surprised, so I told him how I ended up here. Then I asked him the same question and he told me his story…all of it.”
“And are you okay with his past?” asked Jackson, softly.
“Oh yes…well, not really, but it’s because he didn’t really have a chance, did he, Alpha? After he lost his only friend, there wasn’t anyone who cared for him…like I did for my David when he was kept a prisoner all those years. Cain had no one to love him, no one he could trust, no one to comfort him when life got too hard…he was all alone. I’m amazed he turned out as good as he did. Now he has a real chance to find love and happiness but I’m afraid he won’t.”
“Why not?” asked Jackson.
“Because even though he’s here, he’s still alone, and, from what I gathered, there are lots of things he doesn’t really understand…like he didn’t even know how to use the computer to order some clothes. I know that sounds strange because, after all, he’s not that old, but I don’t think he had anyone to help him learn about it. His friend, Sarge, was an old man and I doubt he knew much about computers and such. All he taught Cain was how to survive living on the streets.”
Taking a deep breath, Sofia said, “What I’m trying to say is, after Cain tells you the information you need, would you please let Zane teach him about computers, so when he leaves us he’ll at least have a skill so he can get a job?”
Chapter 33
Jackson didn’t answer right away; his mind was on what Sofia had said about Cain’s background. Somehow, she’d gotten him to open up and tell her about a part of his life that wasn’t in the file he’d read. Whether Cain knew it or not, he’d made his first friend in the Blackwood Pack…one who had taken up his cause. What Sofia didn’t know was that her appraisal of Cain had confirmed Jackson’s opinion that the man had good inside of him.
“Alpha,” Sofia said, tentatively, “I’m sorry if…”
“I really appreciate you telling me about his lack of computer skills,” Jackson said, “I’ll arrange for Zane to give him some lessons.”
“Like he did for David?” asked Sofia hopefully.
“Yes…is there anything else you think he needs help with?”
“Well…” Sofia thought for a moment, then said, “Mind you, it’s only my impression, but I think he’s afraid you’re going to kick him out once he gives you the information you need about the humans and then he’ll be on his own again.”
“Whether or not he leaves will be up to him,” Jackson replied. “I won’t force him to stay in a wolfpack if he doesn’t want to nor will I insist that he leave.”
“I don’t think he knows what he really wants,” Sofia said. “Ever since his parents abandoned him, Cain has been told what to do, where he was going to live, and even what clothes he had to wear. When I asked him what his favorite color was, he didn’t have one. And when I asked him what kind of underwear he preferred,his answer was the ones they gave him in prison. Isn’t that the saddest thing you ever heard? Luckily, I had bought some briefs for David but hadn’t given them to him yet, so I gave them to Cain, along with a bunch of t-shirts, jeans, and some jackets, so at least he had something to wear other than that awful medical uniform he had on.”
