Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

J acob kept out of the Alpha’s way for the rest of the day, going through the upstairs of the house and collecting anything and everything he could that belonged to his parents, including his mother’s jewellery, his grandfather’s watch, and other sentimental things. If he had time he could have packed up his father’s clothes and sold them, but with only four days, he didn’t have that luxury.

Around mid-afternoon he heard the front door close and, looking out of his bedroom window, he saw Cresswell walking down the path, heading off somewhere. Knowing he might not have long, Jacob dashed downstairs with his bags and an empty holdall and went round the lounge and dining room collecting family pictures and mementos, and anything else he wanted to keep, before loading them into the car.

He left another bag on the dining room table and walked into his father’s office. His father had always kept this room locked, but it would seem Cresswell hadn’t found the keys yet— which was fortunate for Jacob. He went in and grabbed some items he wanted, and spying the folder Romsey wouldn’t give him, he walked over to it to have a look inside. It was his father’s bank statements; Jacob’s eyes bugged out of his head when he saw the amount of money in just one of these accounts. How had his father gotten so rich? And now all of this money was going to be split between Cresswell and Alpha Pullman, how was that fair?

Grabbing a piece of paper, Jacob wrote down the bank details of all the accounts he found in there. He then decided to take photos of the statements, so he could look at them later. Then he closed the folder. He knew where his father kept a bank card and emergency credit card and went to the bookshelf. After finding the fake book, he pulled it out and opened it. Inside, however, instead of seeing two cards, he saw lots, and a piece of paper with all the pin numbers on and passwords. He quickly grabbed these and shoved them in his pocket before putting the book back.

He was just turning away from the bookshelf when he heard the front door open. He hurried to the items he had collected and picked them up, just as Cresswell walked into the room.

“Jacob,” Cresswell said.

“What?” Jacob replied, not even bothering to be nice to the man.

“Why are you in here?”

“What does it look like?” he asked, holding up everything. “Collecting items I want to keep before you take over my house.”

“Can we not at least be civil to each other? I do understand this is hard for you.”

Jacob snorted. “If you really understood, you wouldn’t move into this house. There are plenty of others in the pack you could live in. If the house is already occupied, you can just tell them to get out.”

“That’s not how Alphas do things, we don’t go around kicking people out of their houses so we can live there.”

“Well that’s what you’re doing to me, isn’t it?”

“That’s not the same.”

“Really, Alpha. ” Jacob sneered the word. “Tell me how this is any different than you kicking another family out of their house.”

Cresswell stalked into the room and stood close to Jacob, towering over him. “Because this is not your house. Your name is not on the deeds. This was your father’s house.”

“Whatever,” Jacob said rudely, pushing by Cresswell and heading out.

“That’s the last time you disrespect me, Jacob. If you do it again there will be consequences,” Cresswell warned him.

Jacob ignored him and put the items he collected into the bag before carrying it outside and placing it in the boot of his car. He then grabbed the cards and piece of paper and put them in the pocket of his college bag, all the while knowing Cresswell was watching him from the study window. Thankfully from that angle he couldn’t see everything.

Jacob slammed the boot of his car and walked back into the house and up the stairs to his room. He stayed there until he was hungry.

The kitchen was quiet when Jacob walked in. He thanked his lucky stars that Romsey was hulled up in his father’s study.

Not wanting to be in the kitchen longer than he had to, Jacob made himself a sandwich and was just finishing eating it when Romsey walked into the kitchen.

“Is there anything to eat?” Cresswell asked conversationally.

“Obviously,” Jacob said, picking up his plate and taking it to the sink. Next to the sink was the heavy cast iron frying pan.

The Alpha sighed and walked further into the kitchen, towards the fridge. He opened the door and looked inside.

Without thinking about what he was doing, Jacob picked up the frying pan and swung it at Cresswell, hitting him on the side of the head and sending him crashing into the fridge.

Cresswell roared in anger and, turning to Jacob, shifted into his wolf—his large grey wolf, much larger than his father’s had been or even his own.

Jacob was suddenly in fear for his life, but he couldn’t let this Alpha get away with taking everything. He had started this and would find a way to finish it. He shifted into his smaller wolf and stood his ground.

Cresswell growled low and deadly, his eyes set on Jacob.

Jacob growled and launched himself at Cresswell.

The two wolves crashed together and went tumbling, knocking over anything that was in their way. Cresswell pushed Jacob off easily enough and stood up, baring his teeth.

Jacob jumped up and ran back at Cresswell, leaping at him, trying to get on his back.

Jacob managed to get on his back, but Cresswell quickly knocked him off, swinging round and taking a bite out of Jacobs front leg. Jacob howled and moved back. Angry and in pain now, he growled and went for Cresswell again.

The Alpha easily moved out of the way and, having enough, pounced on Jacob’s back, pushing him to the floor and biting into his neck, adding more pressure when Jacob resisted, which he did for a few moments more, before he submitted, collapsing fully to the floor.

Cresswell growled into his neck one last time and then let go, just as the front door crashed open and some pack members came running in.

Cresswell quickly shifted. “Stand fast,” he said, making them stop in the doorway.

Jacob’s wolf lay there panting.

“Shift back, Jacob, now,” Cresswell demanded, and not being able to resist the Alpha power, he did. He slowly pushed himself up, his front arm still bleeding from the bite.

“What did you hope to accomplish by that move? I wanted to do this in a nice, gentle way, but you pushed me the whole time. Fine, you want me to be the bad guy? Then let me be the bad guy. You, Jacob Bishop, are banished from the Cresswell pack and lands, formally known as the Bishop pack. You have ten minutes to dress and leave or a hunt will be called on you.”

Gasps were heard from the door. Jacob looked over and saw Joe and Nidel there. Joe stepped forward to help him.

“Did I tell you you could help him?” Cresswell demanded.

Joe stopped moving and looked from Jacob to Cresswell. “No, Alpha.”

“You are not to offer assistance to him. He is now an outcast, which will be noted on the Council website. If anyone offers him assistance, they too will be cast out. Do I make myself clear?” He said, looking at everyone.

“Yes, Alpha,” they all answered as one and turned to leave. Nidel shot Jacob a mocking look, but Joe looked devastated. He stayed where he was, not looking at the Alpha, obviously debating whether he should help Jacob or not.

Jacob shook his head, slowly getting to his feet, holding his arm. “Don’t, Joe, you still need to live here.”

Joe nodded. “I’m sorry, Jake.”

Jacob shot him a small quick smile. “It’s all good,” he said gently to his friend. “You should go.”

Joe nodded, his eyes misting. “Stay safe.” And without looking at Cresswell, Joe left.

Jacob turned on his heels to leave the kitchen.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Cresswell demanded.

“You gave me ten minutes to leave, my time is not up yet, I’m going to my room to dress,” Jacob said.

Cresswell sighed. “Fine, but hurry up. You only have six minutes left.”

Jacob ignored him and walked out and up the stairs to his room. Not only did his arm hurt, but he ached everywhere. He didn’t have time to shift and heal, so he carefully pulled out some clothes and wrapped a strip of cloth around his arm to stop the flow of blood. He then threw on jeans, a top, and hoodie. After looking to see if he had forgotten anything, he filled his final bag with a few more things and with a last look around he walked out of his bedroom for the final time, and down the stairs.

Cresswell was standing by the front door, now dressed, his arms crossed over his chest. He looked at Jacob with anger, hurt, and, yes, disappointment in his eyes. “This could have gone so differently.”

“It could have,” Jacob agreed. “If only you had shown some manners.”

Cresswell growled out angrily and grabbed Jacob by the throat, slamming him up against the wall, hard enough to leave a crack. Jacob groaned and dropped his bag.

“If I ever see you again, I will kill you, do you understand? Your anger and hate are misplaced, but it is your lack of respect that gets me angry. I am an Alpha. You were an Alpha heir — you should have respected my position. However, I’m thankful I have been appointed Alpha of this pack. Now maybe it can be led in a fair and decent way, which it wouldn’t have been if you had taken over. When I contact the Council, I will name you an outcast and lone wolf. You’ll never be allowed in another pack. You’ll have to find somewhere with no pack to live out the rest of your pitiful days.”

Cresswell turned, still holding Jacob by the throat, and opened the front door. He threw Jacob out and he hit the ground with a thud and a groan. Then Cresswell threw his bag after him, which hit Jacob in the side.

“Go. I’ll make sure you’re followed to the pack borders so you don’t stop on the way. Don’t come back.” And with that Cresswell turned his back on Jacob and walked back inside, slamming the front door closed.

Jacob slowly pushed himself up. He could feel eyes watching him, but no one came over to help him, too afraid the new Alpha would keep his word and kick them out of the pack as well.

Jacob got to his feet, picking up his bag and putting his other hand to his neck and rubbing it as he walked slowly to his car and got in. He threw the bag on the passenger seat. Thankfully his keys were already in the ignition. Putting his seatbelt on, he started the car and with a final quick glance at his house, he drove away, aware that the new Alpha and most of the pack were watching him go.

True to the Alpha’s word, a car followed Jacob all the way to the pack borders, making sure he didn’t stop.

Now all Jacob had to do was figure out where he could go.

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