Caden pinned Ten with a glare. “Put everything back where it came from. Now. And if you break so much as a glass, you’re going to be in more trouble than you ever thought possible.”
“But I won’t—”
“Now, Ten.”
Things slowed, then hung in the air once more. They settled back into their spots, and you would be hard pressed to tell they’d been moved at all.
Caden’s mind was awhirl. He tried to think of the best way to handle the situation. He could be tough on Ten, insist that he curb his abilities, but what good would that do? Ten was alone and frightened, and what kind of parent would compound that? Instead, he thought about what his mother did when Caden was afraid. Without saying anything, he opened his arms. At first, Ten simply stared at him, but then took a few tentative steps closer.
“I get it now, and I’m sorry. I’m not saying you shouldn’t interact with people your age, but you’ve never had anyone who cared, did you? How often have you been hugged or been told you were loved?”
“Mr. Martin… Dad. He used to kiss my forehead when he thought I was asleep. When I was younger, I used to dream that he was my father and that he would love me and want to keep me. We’d be a normal family with all the good and bad things that go along with it. But Dad was too afraid of being whole. That didn’t change until the day I sensed you. You’d just moved to Millinocket, and in you, I’d found the half of Dad that was missing.”
Caden guided them to the couch, where they sat down, Ten still holding on tight. A wet spot was forming on Caden’s shirt where Ten’s tears had been absorbed.
“I thought I could tell Dad that you were meant for him, but he resisted everything I said. Then when he met you, he finally understood. His race lost itself over the centuries. The lycans used to be artists and thinkers. Yeah, they were a little rowdy, but it was all about family for them. Nothing was more important than your mate or children. Now? They’re not like that at all. You wouldn’t know looking at them that some of the greatest works in museums had come from the hands of a lycan, some of the most beautiful songs were composed by them. Now? It’s all about war, death, destruction. It’s so sad that they lost their way.”
Caden rubbed Ten’s back, wanting to give him the touch he obviously needed. Sanctuary might be a refuge, but it seemed that they had very few people who could interact with kids.
“Once Dad found you, everything was finally unfolding the way my visions said it would. You both found love, and then you included me. You don’t know what it was like, hearing the two of you talking about adopting me. Of finally giving me a home. It’s all down to you. You’re the crux of it all. The linchpin, if you will. Without you, there is no family. Without you, there will be no life.”
“Everyone keeps saying that, but I don’t understand. I’m not anyone special, just a guy with a green thumb.”
Ten pulled away, staring incredulously. “No, you’re much more. Do you want me to show you?”
The urge was there to say yes, to have all the secrets revealed, but instead, Caden smiled. “No, I don’t. I know you’re aware of so many things and, judging by what you did, you’re a lot more powerful than I thought, but you’re still a boy. My son. And right now, that’s the only thing that’s important to me.” He grinned at Ten. “And you know what that means, right?”
Ten frowned. “You’re going to punish me.”
“Yeah, I am. Tonight after dinner, you’re doing the dishes. By hand. No cheating and using your abilities. In fact, maybe you ought not use your abilities for a week. Learn what it’s like to be a normal kid. Maybe that will help you bond with others your own age.”
“But I’m not—”
“You are. You’re a very gifted boy, but you’re still a boy.” He thought for a moment. “Don’t you have any girls you like?”
Ten’s nose wrinkled. “Uh, no.”
“That’s fine. Sometimes it won’t happen until you’re older.”
“But I already know the person I’m going to be with. He’s….” Ten stopped.
“He? You’re going to be with a guy?”
Ten’s cheeks pinked. “Yes. He’s going to be good and decent and patient.”
“What’s his name?”
“Michael Cosh. He hasn’t arrived in Sanctuary yet, but when he does, we’ll meet and fall in love.”
It all sounded so… clinical to Caden.
“You do know that love is all about emotions, right? Those things you’re trying to convince me you don’t have? How will you know it’s love?”
“Because…. Just because.”
Caden leaned back against the couch. “You have nothing to base it on. How do you think I knew I was in love with Quade? It was thanks to Gary and Chris. My disappointments and the hurt I suffered led me to know what love was like. You need to experience life if you ever expect to understand love.”
“But I can—”
“Read my mind? Let’s try an experiment. I want you to look into my thoughts and tell me what you see.”
Ten reached out and touched Caden’s temple. “You’re thinking about Dad. How you like his smile, the way he laughs. You like the way his eyes crinkle when he’s happy.”
“All that’s right. Now tell me, how does it make you feel?”
“What do you mean?” Ten sat back. “How is it supposed to make me feel?”
“Now you’ve answered both our questions. Without going out with people your own age, you won’t understand the intensity of a first crush, or the heartbreak that goes along with it. Knowing a feeling and having experienced it are two entirely different things.”
Ten’s lips pressed together. “But I’m going to marry Michael. Why would I want to go out with anyone else?”
“Are you sure about that? You told me you saw potential futures. You told your father that you don’t see a future for any of us. So how do you know for sure that Michael will even come into your life? There’s nothing wrong with meeting other people, even if Michael does show up. You can have friends to hang out with, if nothing else. I have Matt and Kieran, even though I’m with Quade.”
When Ten pursed his lips, Caden hoped he’d gotten through to him.
“Well, I do like Uncles Matt and Kieran. I suppose there are worse things than having friends.”
Caden reached out and cuffed Ten gently on the side of his head. “Friends aren’t a punishment. They’re a family you’re building for yourself. Some will go, some will stay, but through it all, friends are people you can pin your hopes and dreams on.”
“Okay. I’ll see about meeting some other kids.” Ten glared at Caden. “But if I don’t like it, I’m blaming you.”
“Fair enough. Now let’s discuss dinner.”
With Ten chattering about what he wanted, Caden thought they’d overcome a hurdle. He figured when Quade got home, he’d be proud of both of them.
And if he wasn’t? Screw it. Caden was proud enough for both of them.
Chapter 19