Chapter 167
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When Lana finally managed to get rid of Greg, Tony, and Frank, who took almost all of her pastries with them, the kitchen suddenly became somehow surprisingly quiet. Here everyone was already getting used to the unexpected visits of the boss. Workers were not so surprised anymore to discover the chief of security, who was guarding the oven in the morning like a dog, catching the smell of fresh sweets. Life slowly entered its course. Only Lana continued to shiver at a time and look around, waiting for the next danger to jump out of nowhere.
"Why are you frozen like a statue? Already exhausted?" - Anita yelled, pulling Lana out of her daydream. The girl took a deep breath, as if coming to the surface and turned to her colleague.
"Well no. Just after all this fuss over last days, the silence begins to unnerve me a little. It's as if everything just can't be so good, and it seems like the next trouble just waiting around the corner." - honestly answered Lana, starting to remove ingredients from her desk.
Anita laughed and shook her head.
" Oh, girl. Such is life. Enjoy the peace and quiet while you can. Some people suffer from boredom so much that they begin to look for trouble on their arse themselves. But you are one of those people who attracts them like a magnet. I feel that you won't let us be bored for a long time."
Lana shook her head, but never found what to say. It really was worth enjoying the little moments, and they would surely figure it out later as the trouble come their way.
Hands themselves stretched to two cups. Lana made coffee as if on autopilot still mussing over something in her head. She got out two cakes, which she managed to hide for Frank. Anita, meanwhile, had time to finish the cleaning and disappeared into Mrs. Bright's office.
Lana looked around the kitchen, but all the workers went on a break, and the room was empty. She had no other choice but to go out in search of at least someone.
A small park adjoined the building of the corporation. The weather was hot, and the sun was shining as if it was already summer time. After a short walk, Lana noticed a bench in the shade of a big tree and immediately went there. But once she came close, it turned out that this place was already occupied by someone else.
The girl hesitated, deciding how to proceed, and already wanted to go look for another venue for a break, but the silhouette of this man seemed strangely familiar to her. She succumbed to curiosity and took a step forward, peering into the shadow hiding the stranger on the bench. The gravel crunched under her boots, and the man on the bench moved.
" Well, what are you standing here for, girl? I missed your company so much. Come on." - She heard a soft, husky, male voice. Lana beamed in surprise.
"Mr. Blair! "- She exclaimed, with a quick step approaching the familiar old man. - "How are you here? It was so long since I've seen you the last time!"
The old man squinted slyly and patted the bench, inviting the girl to sit down.
"How did you find me? You don't look very surprised by our meeting." - With suspicion peering into the calm face of the old man, asked Lana. He just grinned slightly and shook his head.
" I always knew where you were, girl." - He finally said mysteriously.
"Then why didn't you come earlier?" - Lana asked uncomprehendingly. Something strange was in this old man. Something elusive, as if Lana had known him for a long time but couldn't even remember his first name.
"You had to make an independent decision." - The old man answered vaguely. - "Only when a person comes to some ideas with his own mind, and accept them with all his heart, he begins to fight for them in full force. Not many can take the blows of fate and stand in the pouring rain, but only a few can go against a hurricane, despite fear and pain, fight for their own happiness and the happiness of their loved ones. You have come a long way, Lana. Your lesson was hard, but you passed all the trials of fate with honor. You have learned to appreciate not only your loved ones but also yourself. You found your voice and was able to say no. You believed in yourself and your strength. And rightfully became Alpha-female, mother, and protector of her pack."
Lana's eyes widened when she heard the old man's last sentence. Thousands of questions spun in her head, but the keen gaze of bright yellow eyes interrupted all thoughts. Lana shuddered, feeling like the abyss of ages was looking at her from the eyes of this man. The goosebumps started running along her back, and the girl felt an unbearable need to lower her head, recognizing the other party's strength.
But the old man at that moment smiled broadly with his toothless mouth and the feeling quickly disappeared. The man rose and extended his wrinkled hand to her.
"Let's go," - he suddenly said in a strong voice, and Lana's body moved on its own. - "And don't forget my treats. With your buns can only match the taste of homemade bread, which was baked by my Diana. But that was thousands of years ago. Although the treacherous Moon did not allow me to forget this taste even now."
The girl complied with the old man's request and obediently followed him without even knowing where he was leading her. But something inside suggested that she was doing the right thing.
***
Greg parked his car but hesitated before getting out. Lana sent a message that she will be late. For Greg, it was like a sign. He has long postponed this conversation. But now it seems the time has come.
The children returned home, and they lived together for several days. But he kept feeling that something was wrong. As if those two were still tiptoeing around the house and could not relax. At first glance, everything was fine, but sometimes Greg felt that Vicky was biting her tongue, afraid to say too much. She was smiling, but as if not wholly and her laugh was a little quieter than it should be. And Nicky appeared only when he was needed, to cook something or help around.
With a sigh, Greg got out of the car and headed for the porch, mentally turning over the words he wanted to say to the children. But once he went into the kitchen, all the prepared phrases flew out of his head.
Nicky stood at the stove as usual preparing dinner. His tall figure clad in black clothes and a pink apron looked so strange and yet so typical in this setting that Greg's lips stretched into a smile.
"Would you like to get drunk with me?" - Flew from his mouth. It was not what he wanted to say at all. But, oh well...
The blade fell from Nicky's hands, and he turned sharply. On his face was written genuine astonishment. He probably heard Greg come in, but he did not expect such a start at all.
"Are you old enough to drink alcohol? I just thought ..." - Tried to explain Greg somehow, but for some reason, the words did not want to come together. Therefore, he simply took a pack of beer from the refrigerator and nodded toward the veranda. - "Let's go."
Nicky watched Greg's back till it disappeared over the corner. He was still puzzled, but the curiosity took over. The guy put the apron down and turned off the stove followed after.
He found Greg on the steps of the veranda. One can of beer was already open in his hands, and the second one lay near as if waiting for Nicky. The guy had no choice but to follow the example and sit down beside him. The first sip made Nicky wince.
"That's disgusting!" - Nicky gasped, with difficulty swallowing bitter liquid. His sensitive wolf's tongue almost made him gag. Greg raised his eyebrows in surprise.
" Don't tell me, you're trying the beer for the first time? How old are you really?"- He asked jokingly, peering into the guy's face.
" The father constantly drank. Sometimes he smelled of alcohol so much that you could feel him coming closer over a mile." - Nicky answered simply. His face had not changed, but his eyes seemed to flare with hatred, staring at the tin cans.
Greg sighed, scratched his head, he wanted to start this conversation quite differently, but there was no choice.
"I guess you know that it is not about alcohol at all, right?" - Greg said finally gathering his courage. - "There are a lot of things around us that can become a poison if you get too carried away. Alcohol itself is just a drink. There is not much evil in it. But for the one who decides that he can drown all his problems in a glass, it just one of many ways. There is also gambling, drugs, women, fighting, you name it. If a person determined he could draw himself in a shallow puddle."
" I know." - Niki nodded, putting the can down. - "But sometimes it is easier to blame an inanimate object for changing a person, rather than admitting that this person has become so on his own. That he chose to be this way."
Both men were silent for a while. Greg diligently tried to find the right words in his head. But Nicky beat him.
"How did he die?" - He asked quietly the question, which Greg was most afraid of.
"Nicholas," - Greg began, taking a sip for coverage. - "I would really like to tell you that he was sorry. That in his last moments he realized that he had lost, destroyed with his own hands. But ... Not all stories end beautifully like in a fairy tale. The creature that I met on the island was no longer human or werewolf. It was just a lost soul, entangled in a rotten mind. The blame for his death lies with me. And you can ..."
" No, Greg." - Nicky interrupted him, staring at the man as if trying to open his mind and show the truth of his words. - "I will not blame you for his death. He was dead a long time ago. Like a zombie that no longer live but still move around. You just finished his torment, and for that I thank you. That should have been Me. I ..."
"Stop it." - Gregory cut him off, squeezing the guy's shoulder with his hand. - "It makes no sense to look back. I also thought a few times before. What if you could turn back time? What if Lana and I had met earlier? And every time I felt scared. After all, if everything happened differently, then I would never have met you and Vicky. Even if I am not your father, I still want to be there for you. I want to see how Vicky grows up, I want to help you find your way in life, I want the pride that I feel looking at both of you to be mine by right. You are already a part of my life. But the decision to let me in belongs only to you. And I will respect any of your answers. But even if you decide that you do not need me, that you are old enough and can handle it yourself. Just know that I will always be here for you. Because I do care. I've been waiting for your mother for thirteen years. I am ready to wait for you as long as you need. And if I accept a person, I take him completely. All my friends have rather disgusting personalities after all. You won't be able to beat them in that field anyway."
Greg drained his beer in one gulp and rose, headed for the door to the house, deciding to give the guy some time to think. But Nicky's voice stopped him at the very threshold.
"I didn't like the beer at all." - Nicky said quietly without even turning, although it didn't escape from Greg how tense were his shoulders and how much the guy dug his fingers into the step on which he was sitting. - "But Mr. Acardo told me that you and your friends often play poker. And ... I never tried to play, but maybe ... "
The guy hesitated, not knowing how to continue. Greg barely restrained a smile and answered thoughtfully.
"I will allow you to come with me, and I can even teach you a couple of tricks, but on one condition."
"What?" - Asked Nicky, turning. His gaze was still uncertain, but something new appeared in it. Greg paused, with surprise recognizing in this look the boy with whom he so often played in the past. These sparks of lively intelligence, excitement and boyish enthusiasm transformed Nicky's face as if brightening the gloomy sky.
" If you help me make those assholes cry, of course!" - Said Greg, winking at Nicky, already preparing a devilish plan in his head.
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When Lana finally managed to get rid of Greg, Tony, and Frank, who took almost all of her pastries with them, the kitchen suddenly became somehow surprisingly quiet. Here everyone was already getting used to the unexpected visits of the boss. Workers were not so surprised anymore to discover the chief of security, who was guarding the oven in the morning like a dog, catching the smell of fresh sweets. Life slowly entered its course. Only Lana continued to shiver at a time and look around, waiting for the next danger to jump out of nowhere.
"Why are you frozen like a statue? Already exhausted?" - Anita yelled, pulling Lana out of her daydream. The girl took a deep breath, as if coming to the surface and turned to her colleague.
"Well no. Just after all this fuss over last days, the silence begins to unnerve me a little. It's as if everything just can't be so good, and it seems like the next trouble just waiting around the corner." - honestly answered Lana, starting to remove ingredients from her desk.
Anita laughed and shook her head.
" Oh, girl. Such is life. Enjoy the peace and quiet while you can. Some people suffer from boredom so much that they begin to look for trouble on their arse themselves. But you are one of those people who attracts them like a magnet. I feel that you won't let us be bored for a long time."
Lana shook her head, but never found what to say. It really was worth enjoying the little moments, and they would surely figure it out later as the trouble come their way.
Hands themselves stretched to two cups. Lana made coffee as if on autopilot still mussing over something in her head. She got out two cakes, which she managed to hide for Frank. Anita, meanwhile, had time to finish the cleaning and disappeared into Mrs. Bright's office.
Lana looked around the kitchen, but all the workers went on a break, and the room was empty. She had no other choice but to go out in search of at least someone.
A small park adjoined the building of the corporation. The weather was hot, and the sun was shining as if it was already summer time. After a short walk, Lana noticed a bench in the shade of a big tree and immediately went there. But once she came close, it turned out that this place was already occupied by someone else.
The girl hesitated, deciding how to proceed, and already wanted to go look for another venue for a break, but the silhouette of this man seemed strangely familiar to her. She succumbed to curiosity and took a step forward, peering into the shadow hiding the stranger on the bench. The gravel crunched under her boots, and the man on the bench moved.
" Well, what are you standing here for, girl? I missed your company so much. Come on." - She heard a soft, husky, male voice. Lana beamed in surprise.
"Mr. Blair! "- She exclaimed, with a quick step approaching the familiar old man. - "How are you here? It was so long since I've seen you the last time!"
The old man squinted slyly and patted the bench, inviting the girl to sit down.
"How did you find me? You don't look very surprised by our meeting." - With suspicion peering into the calm face of the old man, asked Lana. He just grinned slightly and shook his head.
" I always knew where you were, girl." - He finally said mysteriously.
"Then why didn't you come earlier?" - Lana asked uncomprehendingly. Something strange was in this old man. Something elusive, as if Lana had known him for a long time but couldn't even remember his first name.
"You had to make an independent decision." - The old man answered vaguely. - "Only when a person comes to some ideas with his own mind, and accept them with all his heart, he begins to fight for them in full force. Not many can take the blows of fate and stand in the pouring rain, but only a few can go against a hurricane, despite fear and pain, fight for their own happiness and the happiness of their loved ones. You have come a long way, Lana. Your lesson was hard, but you passed all the trials of fate with honor. You have learned to appreciate not only your loved ones but also yourself. You found your voice and was able to say no. You believed in yourself and your strength. And rightfully became Alpha-female, mother, and protector of her pack."
Lana's eyes widened when she heard the old man's last sentence. Thousands of questions spun in her head, but the keen gaze of bright yellow eyes interrupted all thoughts. Lana shuddered, feeling like the abyss of ages was looking at her from the eyes of this man. The goosebumps started running along her back, and the girl felt an unbearable need to lower her head, recognizing the other party's strength.
But the old man at that moment smiled broadly with his toothless mouth and the feeling quickly disappeared. The man rose and extended his wrinkled hand to her.
"Let's go," - he suddenly said in a strong voice, and Lana's body moved on its own. - "And don't forget my treats. With your buns can only match the taste of homemade bread, which was baked by my Diana. But that was thousands of years ago. Although the treacherous Moon did not allow me to forget this taste even now."
The girl complied with the old man's request and obediently followed him without even knowing where he was leading her. But something inside suggested that she was doing the right thing.
***
Greg parked his car but hesitated before getting out. Lana sent a message that she will be late. For Greg, it was like a sign. He has long postponed this conversation. But now it seems the time has come.
The children returned home, and they lived together for several days. But he kept feeling that something was wrong. As if those two were still tiptoeing around the house and could not relax. At first glance, everything was fine, but sometimes Greg felt that Vicky was biting her tongue, afraid to say too much. She was smiling, but as if not wholly and her laugh was a little quieter than it should be. And Nicky appeared only when he was needed, to cook something or help around.
With a sigh, Greg got out of the car and headed for the porch, mentally turning over the words he wanted to say to the children. But once he went into the kitchen, all the prepared phrases flew out of his head.
Nicky stood at the stove as usual preparing dinner. His tall figure clad in black clothes and a pink apron looked so strange and yet so typical in this setting that Greg's lips stretched into a smile.
"Would you like to get drunk with me?" - Flew from his mouth. It was not what he wanted to say at all. But, oh well...
The blade fell from Nicky's hands, and he turned sharply. On his face was written genuine astonishment. He probably heard Greg come in, but he did not expect such a start at all.
"Are you old enough to drink alcohol? I just thought ..." - Tried to explain Greg somehow, but for some reason, the words did not want to come together. Therefore, he simply took a pack of beer from the refrigerator and nodded toward the veranda. - "Let's go."
Nicky watched Greg's back till it disappeared over the corner. He was still puzzled, but the curiosity took over. The guy put the apron down and turned off the stove followed after.
He found Greg on the steps of the veranda. One can of beer was already open in his hands, and the second one lay near as if waiting for Nicky. The guy had no choice but to follow the example and sit down beside him. The first sip made Nicky wince.
"That's disgusting!" - Nicky gasped, with difficulty swallowing bitter liquid. His sensitive wolf's tongue almost made him gag. Greg raised his eyebrows in surprise.
" Don't tell me, you're trying the beer for the first time? How old are you really?"- He asked jokingly, peering into the guy's face.
" The father constantly drank. Sometimes he smelled of alcohol so much that you could feel him coming closer over a mile." - Nicky answered simply. His face had not changed, but his eyes seemed to flare with hatred, staring at the tin cans.
Greg sighed, scratched his head, he wanted to start this conversation quite differently, but there was no choice.
"I guess you know that it is not about alcohol at all, right?" - Greg said finally gathering his courage. - "There are a lot of things around us that can become a poison if you get too carried away. Alcohol itself is just a drink. There is not much evil in it. But for the one who decides that he can drown all his problems in a glass, it just one of many ways. There is also gambling, drugs, women, fighting, you name it. If a person determined he could draw himself in a shallow puddle."
" I know." - Niki nodded, putting the can down. - "But sometimes it is easier to blame an inanimate object for changing a person, rather than admitting that this person has become so on his own. That he chose to be this way."
Both men were silent for a while. Greg diligently tried to find the right words in his head. But Nicky beat him.
"How did he die?" - He asked quietly the question, which Greg was most afraid of.
"Nicholas," - Greg began, taking a sip for coverage. - "I would really like to tell you that he was sorry. That in his last moments he realized that he had lost, destroyed with his own hands. But ... Not all stories end beautifully like in a fairy tale. The creature that I met on the island was no longer human or werewolf. It was just a lost soul, entangled in a rotten mind. The blame for his death lies with me. And you can ..."
" No, Greg." - Nicky interrupted him, staring at the man as if trying to open his mind and show the truth of his words. - "I will not blame you for his death. He was dead a long time ago. Like a zombie that no longer live but still move around. You just finished his torment, and for that I thank you. That should have been Me. I ..."
"Stop it." - Gregory cut him off, squeezing the guy's shoulder with his hand. - "It makes no sense to look back. I also thought a few times before. What if you could turn back time? What if Lana and I had met earlier? And every time I felt scared. After all, if everything happened differently, then I would never have met you and Vicky. Even if I am not your father, I still want to be there for you. I want to see how Vicky grows up, I want to help you find your way in life, I want the pride that I feel looking at both of you to be mine by right. You are already a part of my life. But the decision to let me in belongs only to you. And I will respect any of your answers. But even if you decide that you do not need me, that you are old enough and can handle it yourself. Just know that I will always be here for you. Because I do care. I've been waiting for your mother for thirteen years. I am ready to wait for you as long as you need. And if I accept a person, I take him completely. All my friends have rather disgusting personalities after all. You won't be able to beat them in that field anyway."
Greg drained his beer in one gulp and rose, headed for the door to the house, deciding to give the guy some time to think. But Nicky's voice stopped him at the very threshold.
"I didn't like the beer at all." - Nicky said quietly without even turning, although it didn't escape from Greg how tense were his shoulders and how much the guy dug his fingers into the step on which he was sitting. - "But Mr. Acardo told me that you and your friends often play poker. And ... I never tried to play, but maybe ... "
The guy hesitated, not knowing how to continue. Greg barely restrained a smile and answered thoughtfully.
"I will allow you to come with me, and I can even teach you a couple of tricks, but on one condition."
"What?" - Asked Nicky, turning. His gaze was still uncertain, but something new appeared in it. Greg paused, with surprise recognizing in this look the boy with whom he so often played in the past. These sparks of lively intelligence, excitement and boyish enthusiasm transformed Nicky's face as if brightening the gloomy sky.
" If you help me make those assholes cry, of course!" - Said Greg, winking at Nicky, already preparing a devilish plan in his head.
When Lana finally managed to get rid of Greg, Tony, and Frank, who took almost all of her pastries with them, the kitchen suddenly became somehow surprisingly quiet. Here everyone was already getting used to the unexpected visits of the boss. Workers were not so surprised anymore to discover the chief of security, who was guarding the oven in the morning like a dog, catching the smell of fresh sweets. Life slowly entered its course. Only Lana continued to shiver at a time and look around, waiting for the next danger to jump out of nowhere."Why are you frozen like a statue? Already exhausted?" - Anita yelled, pulling Lana out of her daydream. The girl took a deep breath, as if coming to the surface and turned to her colleague."Well no. Just after all this fuss over last days, the silence begins to unnerve me a little. It's as if everything just can't be so good, and it seems like the next trouble just waiting around the corner." - honestly answered Lana, starting to remove ingredients from her desk. Anita laughed and shook her head." Oh, girl. Such is life. Enjoy the peace and quiet while you can. Some people suffer from boredom so much that they begin to look for trouble on their arse themselves. But you are one of those people who attracts them like a magnet. I feel that you won't let us be bored for a long time."Lana shook her head, but never found what to say. It really was worth enjoying the little moments, and they would surely figure it out later as the trouble come their way.Hands themselves stretched to two cups. Lana made coffee as if on autopilot still mussing over something in her head. She got out two cakes, which she managed to hide for Frank. Anita, meanwhile, had time to finish the cleaning and disappeared into Mrs. Bright's office.Lana looked around the kitchen, but all the workers went on a break, and the room was empty. She had no other choice but to go out in search of at least someone. A small park adjoined the building of the corporation. The weather was hot, and the sun was shining as if it was already summer time. After a short walk, Lana noticed a bench in the shade of a big tree and immediately went there. But once she came close, it turned out that this place was already occupied by someone else. The girl hesitated, deciding how to proceed, and already wanted to go look for another venue for a break, but the silhouette of this man seemed strangely familiar to her. She succumbed to curiosity and took a step forward, peering into the shadow hiding the stranger on the bench. The gravel crunched under her boots, and the man on the bench moved." Well, what are you standing here for, girl? I missed your company so much. Come on." - She heard a soft, husky, male voice. Lana beamed in surprise."Mr. Blair! "- She exclaimed, with a quick step approaching the familiar old man. - "How are you here? It was so long since I've seen you the last time!"The old man squinted slyly and patted the bench, inviting the girl to sit down. "How did you find me? You don't look very surprised by our meeting." - With suspicion peering into the calm face of the old man, asked Lana. He just grinned slightly and shook his head." I always knew where you were, girl." - He finally said mysteriously. "Then why didn't you come earlier?" - Lana asked uncomprehendingly. Something strange was in this old man. Something elusive, as if Lana had known him for a long time but couldn't even remember his first name. "You had to make an independent decision." - The old man answered vaguely. - "Only when a person comes to some ideas with his own mind, and accept them with all his heart, he begins to fight for them in full force. Not many can take the blows of fate and stand in the pouring rain, but only a few can go against a hurricane, despite fear and pain, fight for their own happiness and the happiness of their loved ones. You have come a long way, Lana. Your lesson was hard, but you passed all the trials of fate with honor. You have learned to appreciate not only your loved ones but also yourself. You found your voice and was able to say no. You believed in yourself and your strength. And rightfully became Alpha-female, mother, and protector of her pack." Lana's eyes widened when she heard the old man's last sentence. Thousands of questions spun in her head, but the keen gaze of bright yellow eyes interrupted all thoughts. Lana shuddered, feeling like the abyss of ages was looking at her from the eyes of this man. The goosebumps started running along her back, and the girl felt an unbearable need to lower her head, recognizing the other party's strength. But the old man at that moment smiled broadly with his toothless mouth and the feeling quickly disappeared. The man rose and extended his wrinkled hand to her. "Let's go," - he suddenly said in a strong voice, and Lana's body moved on its own. - "And don't forget my treats. With your buns can only match the taste of homemade bread, which was baked by my Diana. But that was thousands of years ago. Although the treacherous Moon did not allow me to forget this taste even now."The girl complied with the old man's request and obediently followed him without even knowing where he was leading her. But something inside suggested that she was doing the right thing. ***Greg parked his car but hesitated before getting out. Lana sent a message that she will be late. For Greg, it was like a sign. He has long postponed this conversation. But now it seems the time has come.The children returned home, and they lived together for several days. But he kept feeling that something was wrong. As if those two were still tiptoeing around the house and could not relax. At first glance, everything was fine, but sometimes Greg felt that Vicky was biting her tongue, afraid to say too much. She was smiling, but as if not wholly and her laugh was a little quieter than it should be. And Nicky appeared only when he was needed, to cook something or help around. With a sigh, Greg got out of the car and headed for the porch, mentally turning over the words he wanted to say to the children. But once he went into the kitchen, all the prepared phrases flew out of his head. Nicky stood at the stove as usual preparing dinner. His tall figure clad in black clothes and a pink apron looked so strange and yet so typical in this setting that Greg's lips stretched into a smile."Would you like to get drunk with me?" - Flew from his mouth. It was not what he wanted to say at all. But, oh well...The blade fell from Nicky's hands, and he turned sharply. On his face was written genuine astonishment. He probably heard Greg come in, but he did not expect such a start at all."Are you old enough to drink alcohol? I just thought ..." - Tried to explain Greg somehow, but for some reason, the words did not want to come together. Therefore, he simply took a pack of beer from the refrigerator and nodded toward the veranda. - "Let's go."Nicky watched Greg's back till it disappeared over the corner. He was still puzzled, but the curiosity took over. The guy put the apron down and turned off the stove followed after. He found Greg on the steps of the veranda. One can of beer was already open in his hands, and the second one lay near as if waiting for Nicky. The guy had no choice but to follow the example and sit down beside him. The first sip made Nicky wince."That's disgusting!" - Nicky gasped, with difficulty swallowing bitter liquid. His sensitive wolf's tongue almost made him gag. Greg raised his eyebrows in surprise." Don't tell me, you're trying the beer for the first time? How old are you really?"- He asked jokingly, peering into the guy's face." The father constantly drank. Sometimes he smelled of alcohol so much that you could feel him coming closer over a mile." - Nicky answered simply. His face had not changed, but his eyes seemed to flare with hatred, staring at the tin cans.Greg sighed, scratched his head, he wanted to start this conversation quite differently, but there was no choice."I guess you know that it is not about alcohol at all, right?" - Greg said finally gathering his courage. - "There are a lot of things around us that can become a poison if you get too carried away. Alcohol itself is just a drink. There is not much evil in it. But for the one who decides that he can drown all his problems in a glass, it just one of many ways. There is also gambling, drugs, women, fighting, you name it. If a person determined he could draw himself in a shallow puddle."" I know." - Niki nodded, putting the can down. - "But sometimes it is easier to blame an inanimate object for changing a person, rather than admitting that this person has become so on his own. That he chose to be this way." Both men were silent for a while. Greg diligently tried to find the right words in his head. But Nicky beat him."How did he die?" - He asked quietly the question, which Greg was most afraid of."Nicholas," - Greg began, taking a sip for coverage. - "I would really like to tell you that he was sorry. That in his last moments he realized that he had lost, destroyed with his own hands. But ... Not all stories end beautifully like in a fairy tale. The creature that I met on the island was no longer human or werewolf. It was just a lost soul, entangled in a rotten mind. The blame for his death lies with me. And you can ..."" No, Greg." - Nicky interrupted him, staring at the man as if trying to open his mind and show the truth of his words. - "I will not blame you for his death. He was dead a long time ago. Like a zombie that no longer live but still move around. You just finished his torment, and for that I thank you. That should have been Me. I ...""Stop it." - Gregory cut him off, squeezing the guy's shoulder with his hand. - "It makes no sense to look back. I also thought a few times before. What if you could turn back time? What if Lana and I had met earlier? And every time I felt scared. After all, if everything happened differently, then I would never have met you and Vicky. Even if I am not your father, I still want to be there for you. I want to see how Vicky grows up, I want to help you find your way in life, I want the pride that I feel looking at both of you to be mine by right. You are already a part of my life. But the decision to let me in belongs only to you. And I will respect any of your answers. But even if you decide that you do not need me, that you are old enough and can handle it yourself. Just know that I will always be here for you. Because I do care. I've been waiting for your mother for thirteen years. I am ready to wait for you as long as you need. And if I accept a person, I take him completely. All my friends have rather disgusting personalities after all. You won't be able to beat them in that field anyway." Greg drained his beer in one gulp and rose, headed for the door to the house, deciding to give the guy some time to think. But Nicky's voice stopped him at the very threshold."I didn't like the beer at all." - Nicky said quietly without even turning, although it didn't escape from Greg how tense were his shoulders and how much the guy dug his fingers into the step on which he was sitting. - "But Mr. Acardo told me that you and your friends often play poker. And ... I never tried to play, but maybe ... "The guy hesitated, not knowing how to continue. Greg barely restrained a smile and answered thoughtfully."I will allow you to come with me, and I can even teach you a couple of tricks, but on one condition.""What?" - Asked Nicky, turning. His gaze was still uncertain, but something new appeared in it. Greg paused, with surprise recognizing in this look the boy with whom he so often played in the past. These sparks of lively intelligence, excitement and boyish enthusiasm transformed Nicky's face as if brightening the gloomy sky." If you help me make those assholes cry, of course!" - Said Greg, winking at Nicky, already preparing a devilish plan in his head.
