Caged In

and the beginning

Cage

Healing the a$$ whooping I received from my father for going to jail sucks, and the broken heart and sadness I now feel is hard. Not a broken heart because of my feelings towards Lucy. Any feelings I had for her turned into hate the moment she picked someone she just met over me. I can't love someone who would so easily belittle me, and dragged my family into it as well. She basically proved that I am worthless to her, which sucks because of the situation we are now both stuck in. My dad forced me to fight him and train and let's just say that my old man can still throw a mean punch. I wonder what will happen when he finds out the big news.

The reason I feel heartbroken and extremely sad is that Lucy got in contact with me earlier and told me she is pregnant. This is the last thing I need right now. I have so much going for me, and although a kid won't necessarily ruin your life, it's actually quite the opposite for me. The thought that my child will be raised in two homes, away from me most of the time, is what's really hard for me to accept. I always thought that I would only have children with the woman I decided to marry. I want to raise children in a home like the one I was raised in. A husband and a wife making babies from their love. Not this way, but it is what it is now. I can't change anything.

Yes, my parents will probably be disappointed. With everything going on with my sister, this is the last thing they need. Today there is a small party for my cousin Austyn, and I plan on letting the whole family know. Maybe the news won't be as dramatic with an audience. Maybe I am overthinking it. I will just have to wait and see. I wish I could tell someone about it, but my best friend Cooper left on some werewolf business. Their lives change once they turn 18. He was 17 when he left to train, and from what I was told, I won't hear from him until he returns. He left to some place that is like a convent for werewolves. I don't think they can even go out unless the place allows it. Cooper and his dad, Valen have talked about it to me and my dad before. It actually sounds pretty f*ck!ng cool. I wish we got opportunities like that. I would take advantage of everything if I had that chance. Ultimately, it is to help you grow and become the best version of yourself. I guess in my world, those opportunities come with a name attached. James Thomas. My father is very well known and either well liked, or well-hated. There is no in between. I do get some help sometimes. People give me discounts or free things when they find out who I am or who I am related to. I get sponsor ships, and I think the hiring process to become a firefighter was easier, because they have known me my whole life. I was a junior firefighter and, well, yeah. Its self explanatory. I did not get any special help for college though. I am not as smart as my sister is, and I didn't do as good as I should have in high school, so I am taking classes at the local community college. I am currently working towards getting certified as an EMT. I am in my best physical condition.

I arrive to the party. I feel bad that I missed my cousin's event, but I am going through so much right now. I had so much to think about. I had to get my mind right before approaching my family with this news. I know I am going to need their help. They are understanding, so although I am nervous, I am also excited. I love kids. My little nephew Tyler is so much fun. I have helped take care of him before and my sister has her best friend who has a huge family with lots of kids, so we have always been surrounded by babies and young kids, and they have called me the baby whisperer before, because kids love me. They have even been passed to me just so I can rock them to sleep. I guess these big arms can be used for something other than punching and putting fires out.

My cousin Austyn gives a speech that I honestly was half ass listening to. I feel so bad about it too, but not that bad, because I am sure that whatever she said is all that will be talked about until she gets up to something else. The last couple of years have been big for Austyn, and she makes her business everyone's business. Maybe that is just the way this family works. The Nosey Reynolds is what the family should be called. I am so nervous, but I pull my cousin to the side and explain my situation and ask her if I can make the announcement right now, since everyone is here. I would rather they all hear it from me. This way no-one will talk about it later. Who am I kidding? Of course, they will talk about it later, but this way everyone knows about it at the same time.

Austyn encourages me to tell everyone. At least she seems happy about it. I grab the mic and begin talking. "Since the whole family is gathered, I guess I have something to tell you all too. Today, I was informed by my ex-girlfriend that she is pregnant, and that the baby is mine," I announce. My cousin smiles brightly and that helps take some of the edge off. I know the situation is not ideal, but a baby is a blessing. I just hope my family thinks of it this way too.

I take a quick glance at dad, and he does not look happy. "Really son. Not you too, Cage," dad tells me. He looks disappointed, but he doesn't say anything else. I already know we will talk about it later. He might throw me back into training, and he will surely kick my a$$. My aunties all seem excited though. Then mom pulls me off to the side. She seems to be more understanding. If she is also disappointed, she does not show it. She smiles at me like she always has. She tells me I need to step up and be @ man. She brings up my sister Rae's situation and tells me she understands that I won't be able to help her the way I had promised I would, but she is wrong. Having a child won't change anything. I promise my mother that I will always be here, and help my sister. She will never be alone. She will always have her big brother. Mom gives me a squeeze and leaves to whisper with dad. I feel a little bummed out, even though I did expect this.

I am just hanging out by myself. I throw some rocks into the lake. I take a sip of some of my grandpa's famous punch that my parents would prefer I not drink. Everyone who drinks it gets really messed up, but I only have 1 cup, and I, of course, snuck it away. My dad would flip if he found out. He doesn't drink, and he doesn't want us to either. I need it though. Maybe this will clear my head.

All of a sudden, I am nearly attacked by Austyn. "Hey Cage, why don't you come spend a couple of weeks with us at the pack house. You can even jump from one pack house to the other. Tyler loves you so much, and this way, you could think about what you want to do. Get a little experience with having a kid around all the time. Having a baby is a big responsibility, but you are already broken up, so I am sure you really need to think about all of your options. Plus, uncle James looks scary mad right now," she whisper yells to me. "I heard that," I hear dad say. "You see what I mean," Austyn whispers and I just laugh. "I would actually love that. I need a breather. Dad isn't mad. He has a lot going on, and I should have been more responsible. I mean, I thought I was. I always wore protection, but I guess things happen for a reason," I tell her. She gives me a sad smile, then leaves to play with her son when he comes over and throws a ball at her.

I actually appreciate this offer so much. I do need to get my mind off things. Maybe Zeus and Valen will allow me to join their training. This will be good for me. I love going over there. I love watching them shift into their werewolves. I love how hard they train. I loved watching the way they pushed Cooper to train. This could really benefit me career wise. The more prepared I am, the better.

I leave the party and head inside and pack a bag. My phone vibrates and I check it to find a message from Lucy. She wants to know what I thought of everything. She even threw out the idea of us possibly working things out and getting back together. I just don't know what to do. I do not feel like I can forgive her and go back. The disrespect was too much for me to handle.

I wait around while the party winds down, and when Austyn is ready to leave, I say bye to my parents and tell dad we will talk tomorrow. He pulls me to the side and tells me he will never be disappointed in anything I do, because he knows that ultimately I will make the correct choice. He talks to me about being a dad, and he tells me I have his and mom's support all the way. The only kicker is that I need to tell Rae that I will be a father myself. Ouch. That one hurts.

"So, tonight, we are staying at Black River, Catalina's pack. They are having a festival they started having a couple of years ago. It is the Black River festival, and we want to take Tyler. Right now is the perfect time, because they will be releasing flowers into the river and it lights up. I hear it is so cool, but have never got to experience it, so we are going straight there. Are you ready?" Austyn asks. Her excitement flows through me. I nod.

As soon as we arrive, we are let inside. We cross the gates, and Zeus turns around and looks at me with wide eyes. "Oh sh!t," is all he says. Some men come to the car and talk to him, and I notice two of them keep glancing at me in the back seat. Eventually, they end their conversation, and we drive all the way to the parking lot. We get off, and I notice so many people around. There are booths set up. Some bounce houses and activities for little kids to do. There's a fire going, and people dancing around. There are food stands and I know my mother's pastries anywhere. I am sure Catalina had her make a big batch for this event. Catalina is my mother's best friend, and biggest customer. She loves her pastries.

"Okay Cage, ignore the looks you are getting. There's a reason behind that, but eventually the right person will explain it to you," Zeus tells me. At that moment, Catalina and Valen walk over to greet us. Both sporting huge smiles on their faces. "Hello, son. It's been a while since we last saw you. How have you been?" Valen asks me. "I am alright. Austyn and Zeus invited me. I hope that is okay," I say, knowing it is, but I am always polite. "Of course it is, it's actually great that you came today. The river show should be starting soon. Why don't you walk that way and get a good spot so you can watch it. We will be there soon," Catalina tells me. I know when someone is trying to get rid of me, so I nod and walk towards the river. I have been here before. I don't come here, at least not as much as Valen's pack, because Valen's park is literally down the street from the farm, but I know where the river is at, so I make my way over there.

People stare and whisper. Someone bows to me, but I am not even a werewolf. All of a sudden I hear a soft voice. "Cage," I watch Ava walk out of the forest. I haven't seen her in a long time. I swear she is hotter than she was the last time I saw her. She looks so happy. She gives me a hug and I won't lie and say that there's no reaction. My body feels her and loves everything about her, but I am not a creep, so I keep it together. "I was invited here," I blurt out. I could punch myself. Why did I just say that? "Well, I am glad you were invited Cage, I just can't believe this. I have to tell you something," she says. "What is it?" I ask. What would she have to tell me? "Did you get weird looks from anyone here?" she asks me and I nod. Almost everyone gave me a look, but sometimes I think werewolves don't like humans. I sometimes get funny looks in Valen's pack, although it's mostly the men I beat up when they are not in their wolf forms that look at me like they hate me. "Well, that is because you are my mate. My wolf just claimed you as ours. I am 18 now, and so are you, and you are my mate. You were made for me. I can't believe this. I am the luckiest girl alive," she says and throws herself at me again.

I try to process what she just said. Austyn has talked to me about having a werewolf mate before, and she swears it's the best thing in the world. She claims it's the best thing to ever happen to her. She says they love hard, and their world revolves around you. They will do everything in their power to make you happy and feel loved, so I feel excited to be chosen as Ava's mate. I get to experience that kind of love. Although what Austyn described sounds a lot like the relationships on the farm, and I always expected to be tight with the person I decide to spend the rest of my life with, this just takes it up a notch. This is great, or it can be. I guess it will all depend on what she says after I tell her my truth. She goes on and on about how she wants me to move here and be with her and take over the pack. "I am going to be a firefighter," I tell her. She smiles brightly. "I knew you would. You have that super hero gene inside of you. You are going to be amazing at it, and you can also be the Alpha here. An Alpha in uniform. Mmm, you will be the hottest person in this pack. I will have to fight all the she wolves off," she tells me. I love how she is automatically really happy for me. She doesn't put me down, instead she encourages me. I start feeling great, but she suddenly grabs my shoulders and comes in for a kiss. I suddenly feel guilty and I pull away. The hurt in her eyes makes me feel terrible, but I have to be honest with her before she gets her hopes up. The weird thing though, is that I suddenly want to be her mate. It seems like something clicked with her words, and I suddenly want it all. Her and my baby, but can I actually have it?

F*ck, this is the best thing that could have ever happened to me, but now I have to tell her that I am expecting a child with my ex. I doubt she will feel the same after. I hear wolves are really possessive, so she might not want anything to do with me after this if she has to share me with anyone. I see the way werewolves look at their partners. Ava and Cooper's parents love each other so much. Their dad is so possessive of their mom, same as Zeus and other couples I know.

"Before you make any decisions, Ava, there is actually something you need to know," I say. She smiles and waves her hand, encouraging me to talk. "The reason I am here is actually because I am trying to get my head straight. Today, my ex-girlfriend told me she is pregnant and that the baby is mine," I say. I watch her face fall. "Oh," she says. "Yeah, so I am trying to wrap my mind around this. I am going to be a father, and now you tell me that I am your mate, and I love the idea, but it feels wrong to drag you into this," I tell her. "She is your ex though, right?" she asks me. I nod. "She wants to get back together, but I am done. She actually talked really badly about my parents, well my father, and she belittled me. I am done with her, but the baby," I say. She puts her hand up to get me to stop talking. "I understand Cage. I am not asking you to accept me, but maybe we can get to know each other while you navigate fatherhood. My wolf still wants you. We both agree that you becoming a dad is not a deal breaker. Anything that comes from you, we will love," she tells me. I can't believe her words. Clearly, I am dreaming. There is no way the hottest chick on the planet is standing here saying this to me. She is accepting me and all of my baggage. "Are you for real?" I ask her. She nods. "Wow, how the f*ck did I get so lucky?" I ask her. She shrugs. "So, what do you think?" she asks me. "Well, first off, I want to talk to your parents." I tell her. I am not excited about that, but I want to be open and honest to those around me. "Sure, no problem. Whenever you are ready, we can do so, Cage. Maybe after the river show. I am so excited to begin this new chapter of my life. It will all work out. The moon goddess makes no mistakes," she says. I have no clue what she is talking about, but one thing is for sure, it has to all work out. I want it all, and I am taking it. I know that I will talk to her parents and tell them that I accept being her mate and I will talk to Lucy, and make it clear that I will take responsibility for my baby, but I will not be getting back in a relationship with her. I stand on what I said when I ended things. Plus, we don't need to welcome a baby into chaos and resentment. I agree with Avalena. I want to start my new chapter in life with those who support me and are genuinely happy for me. I suddenly feel excited for my life and this is just the beginning.