Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
F ran was sat in the staff room, yawning his head off. They had arrived back home last night, and he didn’t get much sleep when he finally got to bed.
All he could think about was how the fates had shafted him on the mate front. He shook his head. He couldn’t believe that Jacob Bishop, the man who had caused Fintan all those problems, was his fated mate.
He didn’t understand it. He tried to be a good person, he was a nurse dammit — even when he wasn’t working, he tried to be a nice person — and this is how the fates repaid him, by giving him Jacob Bishop as a mate. The man was trying to find a way to rebond with Fintan. Not that that would do any good as Finn was true mated to his cousin Robert, but even so, that stung.
He wondered how Jacob would get on when the new Alpha showed up today. His uncle Berni already had the largest pack in England, he had no need to add to it, so he had contacted the Council, told them what happened, and asked them to send a Council-approved Alpha to take over the pack. They said they had the very person and that he would be at the pack this morning.
He felt sorry for Jacob, it wouldn’t be easy watching someone else take his father’s place, especially as Jacob was the Alpha heir. To lose his father and pack on the same day would be heart-breaking. He just hoped Jacob didn’t do anything stupid, like challenge the new Alpha.
He had heard of Romsey Cresswell. He was a fair man and would make a brilliant Alpha, especially for a pack like the Bishop pack, whose previous Alpha had been brutal. But that still didn’t help the fact that Jacob Bishop was his fated mate.
He had been overjoyed when he had smelt his mate yesterday at the Bishop pack, and he couldn’t wait to meet him, that was until he realised his mate was Jacob. Then the bottom fell out of his world. He saw Jacob kiss Fintan and say that should kickstart their mating bond again. Every schoolboy knew that once a mate bond was broken it could never be re-established, but there Jacob was trying his hardest to get the bond to retake, not even caring that Fintan had a new fated mate.
Fran sighed and took a sip of his coffee.
“That was a deep sigh. Penny for your thoughts?” James, one of the doctors, asked him as he walked in and made straight for the coffee pot. He grabbed a cup and poured himself a drink.
“They’re not worth paying for. I’m just having a pity party. Ignore me, normal service will be resumed momentarily,” Fran said, shooting him a quick smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
James looked at him in concern. “This isn’t like you. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Fran shook his head. “Thank you for the offer, but no, there’s nothing anyone can do to help.”
James put his cup down on the table and sat. “I’ve been told I’m very easy to talk to.”
Fran laughed at that. “So I’ve heard, and not just from Matty.”
James grinned. “Yeah, but Matty has to say that. He’s married to me.”
“The patients think so as well,” Fran said to him.
It was true, the patients loved James, mind you, they loved all the staff that worked here, that was one reason why Fran enjoyed working in this hospital — it was pack run, and they knew most of the people who came in.
“Thanks. I can’t wait for Dr Emory to start officially. What a stroke of luck that he mated your cousin and moved here.”
“I know, the stars were all aligned. Robbie has been wanting Emory to come and work here for years. I wonder what he’ll do now that he doesn’t have to chase after him anymore.”
“Who’s chasing after who?” Robbie said, walking in smiling at the two of them.
“You. We’re wondering what you’ll do now that you don’t have to keep chasing after Emory to come and work here,” Fran told his cousin.
Robbie laughed and grabbed a coffee, then walked over to join them at the table. “I don’t know, I’ve not had time to think about it.”
“How’s Fintan? Did everything go alright yesterday?” James looked at Fran. “Sorry, I should have asked earlier.”
Fran waved his apology away, as Robbie sighed.
“It went as well as expected. Dad and Bishop fought, Bishop lost, and not wanting another pack, Dad contacted the Council to send a council-appointed Alpha to take over the pack. And that idiot, Jacob Bishop, decided to kiss Finn to try and kickstart the mating bond again.”
James’s mouth dropped open. He stared at Robbie, thankfully missing Fran squirming in his seat. “Seriously?”
“Oh yeah, needless to say, it didn’t happen. I mean, what kind of idiot thinks that you can re-establish a mating bond?”
Not wanting to hear his mate called any more names, Fran stood up and said, “My break is over, I’ll see you two later.” And before either man could say anything, Fran was gone.
Robbie looked after him with a concerned look on his face. He turned to James. “Is Fran all right?”
James shook his head. “I don’t think so, but I have no idea what’s wrong.”
“I’ll grab some time with him later and find out,” Robbie assured his colleague.
Fran decided the best way to stop thinking about Jacob was to throw himself into work. He walked round the hospital, stopping by all the patients to see how they were doing and having a chat with them, while doing all his checks.
He remembered meeting Fintan for the first time. He had decided as soon as he saw the poor bruised, injured man that they would be friends. They had even had a shopping trip together, along with Ezzy, his cousin and Robbie's younger brother. They would need another trip soon as wolves from the Bishop pack trashed all of Fintan’s new clothes when they came looking for him.
He shook his head, what a waste, but Fran loved shopping, so it was no hardship to go again.
He walked into one of the patient rooms and saw that the old lady was awake. “Afternoon Rose, and how are you feeling today?” he said, smiling at her.
“Fran, it’s always so lovely to see you. You brighten my day, and not just because of your lovely blue hair.”
Fran smiled at her and sat himself down on the side of her bed before holding her hand. “That’s very nice of you to say so. You brighten my day as well.”
Rose was an elderly wolf, nearing the end of her life. She had never met her mate, but bonded with another wolf when she was younger and fell deeply in love with him. Since they never had any children, she had basically adopted the whole village as her children. Her husband died years ago and she had no other family. Fran made it his mission to visit every day and sit and chat with her. Even before she came into the hospital, Fran would visit with her, hear her stories, and just spend time with her.
Medically, there was nothing more they could do for Rose, it was just making her last days on this plane happy.
Rose smiled. “Such a lovely young man. But now, tell your auntie Rose what’s bothering you. You’re trying to show your usual happy self, but there’s sadness in your eyes. You can go and shut the door and tell me all about it, that way no one will hear us talking,” she said gently, laying her other hand on his arm.
Fran’s smile fell off his face and he sighed. “It would be nice to talk to someone who could offer me some insight. Hang on while I shut the door.” Fran got up, closed the door, and came back to sit beside Rose.
“Now, tell me what has you sad,” she said, gently settling her hand on his.
“I’m not sure how much you know about Fintan Fitzwilliam,” Fran began.
“Oh my dear, I know everything, no one can talk of anything else. I’m so glad he and our dear Robert are fated mates. I heard you were all going back to his home pack yesterday, but I’ve not heard how that went.”
“It went as well as can be expected. Uncle Berni ended up killing Alpha Bishop and Jacob Bishop decided he wanted Fintan as his mate after all and kissed Fintan in the hopes of re-establishing the mating bond.”
“Well, what a silly thing to try, once broken the mating bond can never be fixed,” Rose told him.
Fran nodded. “I know. Anyway, it was while we were there that I discovered my mate.”
Rose smiled and grabbed his hand. “But that’s wonderful news. Where is he? It is a he, isn’t it?”
Fran nodded. “Yeah, it’s a he, but I’ve not brought him back here.”
“Does he not want to leave? Oh dear. Are you thinking of moving to the Bishop pack? I’m not sure what your family will think about that.”
Fran shook his head. “No, I’m not planning on moving away from here, but I can’t have my mate either.”
Rose looked at him confused for a moment, then understanding showed on her face. “Oh my dear, I’m so sorry. It’s Jacob Bishop isn’t it? He’s your mate.”
Fran nodded, his eyes misting. “Now you know why I can never mate with him. I can’t have him come here and live where Fintan is. If I have to hazard a guess, I would say he was in love with Finn. I mean, he must be if he wanted to re-establish the mating link.”
“That’s only because he doesn’t know you, dear,” Rose said, softly. “Once he gets to know you, he’ll have no choice but to fall in love with you.”
Fran patted her arm. “Thank you, lovely, that’s nice of you to say so.”
“Well, it’s the truth. Now, we need to think of a way that the two of you can be together.”
Fran smiled at her. “The only way we could be together is to leave this pack, leave my job, my friends and family, and move somewhere new,” he said, his heart heavy. “And that would break my heart.”
“The fates have a way of sorting everything out, you’ll see. You and your young man will be together soon and living happily ever after.”
Fran smiled sadly. “You’re such a romantic, Rose.”
Rose laughed. “I know, I always have been.”
Just then the door opened, and Robbie walked in carrying a chart. He pulled up short when he saw Fran sat talking to Rose.
“Hello Rose, Fran. Do you want me to come back later?”
Fran shook his head and stood up, quickly wiping his face with his hands. “Nope, Miss Rose and I were just talking nonsense.” He leant down and kissed her cheek. “Thank you,” he said, smiling at her.
She patted his cheek. “It will all work out, you’ll see.”
Fran nodded and with a pat to Robbie’s shoulder, he walked out.
Rose shook her head sadly.
“Everything alright, Rose?” Robbie asked her gently, walking to the side of her bed.
“I’m still dying, Robbie. But I’m not worried about me, I’m worried about our Fran.”
“Something’s troubling him. I’ve not had time to talk to him yet to find out what’s wrong,” Robbie told her.
“I fear that he might get his heart broken, and if that happens, I’m not sure he’ll ever recover. I tried to be positive, but my heart hurts for him and what he’ll have to go through.”
Robbie looked confused. “Fran’s not seeing anyone at the moment. Has he met someone?”
Rose stared at him. “It’s not my secret to tell, just please watch out for him. The coming few weeks will be a trial for him.”
“I will, Rose, never fear. I’ll look after him,” Robbie assured her.
“And just keep an open mind,” Rose cautioned him.
“I will,” Robbie promised. He would always have his cousin’s back, come hell or high water.