Chapter 36

Stunned, Cain blurted out, "Are you for real? Who the fuck does that for a person they don't even know?"

"It appears I do," Jackson said, dryly.

"Yeah, I get that, man…but, are you fucking crazy?"

"Not that I know."

Shaking his head, Cain muttered, "This has gotta be a trick. Shit like this just don't happen to me."

"Well, it has…that is, if you agree to my rules, it will," Jackson replied. "And make sure to leave your smart-ass attitude in this cell because I won't tolerate it in my pack."

"What are the rules?"

"I expect you to be polite to every member of my pack…like you are with me right now…and no fighting. If you have a problem with another member, you bring it to me and I'll handle it. You will also obey the hierarchy in my pack. As Alpha, my word is law, followed by Steel, who is my mate and holds the position in the pack as Alpha-Mate."

"What if I screw up…then what happens?"

"It depends on the circumstances…for instance, if you fight with another member and I decide you're at fault, you can expect to be punished. And before you ask, I don't believe in physical punishment."

"What if I'm not at fault?"

"Then the other person would be punished."

"Even if he's a shifter?"

"Of course…my rules apply to every pack member…no one's exempt."

"You said I have to contribute, what does that mean?"

"Each member has a job in addition to regular chores. Since you enjoy working with plants, I'll assign you to help Theo. He's just started a garden and could use some help."

Everything Cain had heard so far wasn't even close to what the guys who sent him to the auction told him about wolf shifters. If only a fraction of what Jackson said was true, then Oracle was right—he was one lucky fucker. But that was the catch. All he had to go on was Jackson's word. "What if I get there and decide it's not for me?"

"You will be sent back here," Jackson said. "Cain, you always have a choice. That's a simple fact of life. But when you give the power of choice to other people, that's when bad shit can happen…like when you tried to buy shifters. I doubt it was your idea, so that means someone made that decision for you, and I suspect it wasn't the first time it happened."

"I don't have much of a choice right now, do I? I either agree to go to your pack or face death…that is, if I'm lucky according to Oracle."

"Digging yourself out of the shithole you're in won't be easy, but if you're successful, the reward will be worth it—a new life, free of the past to weigh you down. The choice is yours. Are you willing to take the chance the Fates have given you?"

Cain looked down at the floor in an effort to avert his eyes from Jackson, who'd seen through his bullshit. During his time in foster homes, he'd learned it was always better if someone else made decisions since they'd be punished more severely if caught. The trouble was that he'd continued that behavior into adulthood. Look where that got me…paying for someone else's decision. Raising his eyes until they met Jackson's, Cain said, "I'm not sure I know how to do that…make my own choices, I mean."

"You did when you agreed to see me," Jackson replied.

"Yeah…but I really didn't have a choice, did I?"

"You keep saying that, but you're wrong. You decided by yourself to take a step that could have life altering consequences for you. Was it hard? Sure. But the more choices you make on your own in life, the easier it becomes."

"I guess," Cain muttered, doubtfully. Then, remembering one of Jackson's questions, he asked, "What's with the question about kids?"

"My pack also has members who are children. Right now, there are seven who are wolf shifters—we call them pups—and three who are magic users…you'd call them witches or warlocks. Children are protected above everyone else in a Wolf pack, but you will not be obligated to put your life on the line for them. However, you should know if you hurt one of them, you won't have to worry about your future anymore because I'll have you executed. Understand?"

Cain's eyes grew round. "Can they turn me into a frog…the kids with magic?"

"No, they're too young. Just a word of warning however, their brother is the most powerful witch in our world and, if you harm one of his brothers, you'll wish that all he does is turn you into a frog…at least then you'll be alive. Have I made myself clear about what will happen if you harm one of the children in my pack?"

"Clear as glass. I don't want to be a frog."

"Any other questions?" asked Jackson, chuckling.

"I don't think so…" Cain muttered. "But what if…"

"Let me put it this way…if you have doubts about whether you should or shouldn't do something, come see me first."

"Okay…I can do that."

"Good. After everything I've told you, it's time for you to make a choice…do you want to join my pack or not?"

Startled, Cain thought it was a trick question. Oracle told him Jackson would decide his fate but now it appeared it was up to him. Shaking his head slightly, he said, "It's not up to me."

"It is up to you Cain. In order for us to work together, you have to be a willing partner and that can't happen if I treat you as if you have no rights. I need to know that you, yourself, choose this opportunity to gain your life back and get rid of all the baggage you're currently saddled with."

"Does this mean you've decided I can join your pack?"

"No, it means I need to know if you want to join my pack, because if your answer is no, then the matter is closed and there's no decision I have to make."

"And if I say yes? Then what happens?"

"Then I go back to my pack and think over our conversation and talk to my mate before I decide. When I do, I'll tell Oracle and she'll handle the rest."

"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 I can promise 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, emotionally exhausted. 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's death. 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

"I'm all ears," Kahn said, smiling.

"Last night, I checked the real estate listings and found a condo with three bedrooms, two and a half baths, and close to your condo. I made an appointment to see it this morning and would love it if you went with me."

"Of course I'll go…uhm…but Mom…I don't mean to be nosey, but you do know San Francisco is super expensive. And based on what Reeve said, I don't think you'd be able to access any of Josiah's bank accounts. I wish I had the money to give you…"

"Stop right there, sweety. While I appreciate the thought, I don't need your money. Maybe you don't know this, but my parents left the bulk of their estate to me in a trust…enough to buy the condo and live comfortably for a very long time."

"No I didn't," Kahn murmured. "Would CeCe and Suzie live with you?"

"Yes, until they choose to leave. They'll each have access to their own trust funds when they reach 21."

"What about shifting? You can't do it in the city. And have you checked out what schools are close by for them to attend?"

"Where do you go to shift?" his mom asked.

"Out to the land where the cabin is."

"Then, that's where we'll go. And I've decided the girls will be home schooled by me."

Staring at his mother, Kahn wondered where this version of her had been hiding all these years. Decisive, assertive—attributes he would never have used to describe her before. Sure, there were times where she stood up to Josiah, but never face-to-face, like the time she arranged for him to go to college. It was all done behind his back. However, it appeared Josiah's death had liberated his mother in a way he never expected and he liked it. Slowly, a smile broke out on his face. "Okay…then let's go and find you a home."