Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4
C locking off time came and Fran was looking forward to going home and resting. He had updated Tracy, the nurse taking over from him, and was now changing out of his teal scrubs, and into his jeans and a t-shirt when his phone dinged. He grabbed it and looked at the message and groaned. It was from his uncle, saying that they were having a family dinner tonight and to be at the castle for seven.
He was wondering if he could get out of it, when moments later a second message came through, this one from Finn, saying he was looking forward to seeing Fran and they could arrange their next shopping trip.
Fran leant his head against his locker door and sighed, knowing he didn’t really have a choice. He sent a message back to both Berni and Finn that he would be there.
Once the message was sent, he banged his head on his locker door.
He heard the door behind him open and then close, and turning, saw Robbie standing there, looking at him in concern.
“Cuz, tell me what’s wrong,” Robbie said gently.
Fran’s eyes filled with tears, and he shook his head. “I can’t, not yet.”
Robbie walked over and pulled him into a hug. Fran leant against him for a moment, wrapping his arms around Robbie and soaking in his cousin’s support.
“Whatever it is, I’m here if you need me,” Robbie told him.
Fran pulled away and shook his head, a tear falling down his cheek. He quickly brushed it away. “But that’s just the thing — when you find out, you won’t be. I’m not sure any of the family will be.”
“Fran ...” Robbie started to say.
“I can’t, Rob, please. I have to go; I’ll see you at the castle later.” And with that Fran rushed out of the locker room, leaving an upset Robbie behind.
Fran hurried to his car, ignoring everyone for the first time ever, but if he spoke again at that moment he would cry, and he couldn’t do that. He had to get his defences up, so that no one at the castle noticed.
He snorted to himself, like his family wouldn’t notice. Well, he would have to try. He could always blame it on being tired.
Fran arrived at the castle a few minutes before seven. Clairmont opened the door to him before he had even reached the first step.
“Hey, Clairmont,” Fran greeted, walking up them.
The butler stared at him. “Francis, are you well?” he asked in concern.
“Yeah, just tired,” Fran told him. Not really a lie, he was tired.
“Your roots need doing,” Clairmont told him, as Fran walked into the large hall.
Fran gasped and put his hands on the top of his head. “Oh no, you did not just say that. Take that back, you evil, evil man.”
Clairmont laughed. He didn’t know what was wrong with Francis, but at least now he could be outraged instead of sad.
“Who’s evil?” Ezzy said, running down the stairs and joining them.
“Him,” Fran said with a pout, pointing at Clairmont.
Ezzy laughed. “Well, we know that, but what has he done now?”
Fran went to tell him and stopped. “I can’t, it’s just too traumatic,”
Clairmont laughed and led the way to the dining room.
“Oh come on now, you have to tell me,” Ezzy begged both of them.
“He said, he implied .. No, I can’t say it,” Fran said, walking into the room and turning his back on Clairmont.
“Franny,” Franks said, pulling his son into a hug. He pulled away and looked at Fran. “Your roots need doing.”
Clairmont burst out laughing. “That’s what I said,”
Everyone in the room chuckled. “That’s it, I’m going home,” he announced, dramatically turning round and heading for the door. But before he got there, Finn and Robbie walked in.
“Fran,” Finn said, smiling wide when he saw him, pulling him into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here, we can arrange our shopping trip.”
Fran hugged him back, loving the contact with him, wondering how long he would have it for.
The first time he had seen Finn, he had declared they would be friends. Apparently, Ezzy had done the same thing, which might seem strange to some people but not to this family. And besides, with working as much as Fran did, he didn’t have too many close friends. He sighed. Once they found out who his mate is he might not even have close ones anymore.
With a final pat on the back, Fran pulled away.
“Dinner is ready,” Clairmont announced.
They all took their places at the table, with Emory rushing in, full of apologies for running late.
It was a happy party that sat down for dinner. There were Berni and Aubrey, Ezzy, Emory, Robbie, Finn, Frank, Christine, and himself. Talk while they ate was just general, with the brothers ribbing each other and their mates joining in.
If anyone noticed that Fran wasn’t his usual happy self, no one commented, although Frank shot him a few confused looks every now and then.
Once dinner was finished, Berni spoke up. “As lovely as this has been having everyone for dinner, there were some things we wanted to discuss.”
“What’s up, Dad?” Ezzy said.
“Nothing serious,” Berni replied, smiling at him. “I spoke with Frank earlier and he is moving back into the castle. I realised with the problems we had with the Bishop pack, that there were too few people living here. Frank is moving in and taking over a couple of rooms. It’s something I should have thought about before. I need my beta and brother living closer.”
Robbie laughed. “You just want a two pronged attack on mum about raising the drawbridge, don’t you?”
Berni and Frank laughed and Aubrey turned a fake stern look into her husband. “The answer is still no.”
“One day,” he muttered. He looked at Fran. “We’d like you to move in as well. We can give you a set of rooms of your own as well.”
Fran was shocked for a moment. “Thank you for the offer. Can I let you know later what my answer is?”
Surprised looks were sent Fran’s way, but Berni smiled at him. “Of course, I know you have your own house to think about.”
“Thanks,” Fran said, sending him a smile.
“Now onto other news. I heard from Alpha Cresswell earlier. He is the new Alpha of the Bishop pack,” Berni said.
“How did he get on?” Christine asked him. “I imagine it wasn’t all smooth sailing.”
“No indeed,” Berni replied. “It would seem he and Jacob Bishop clashed from the get-go. It resulted in Jacob attacking Cresswell.”
“What?” Fintan exclaimed, before Fran could make a sound. “Was Jacob hurt?”
“Nothing a few shifts won’t heal. He’s been banished from the former Bishop pack and has been registered as a lone wolf and an outcast,” Berni informed them.
Shocked silence filled the room.
Fran went still. That was the worst possible thing to happen to a wolf. It was basically a death sentence.
“Oh no. I don’t want him as a mate,” Finn said. Grabbing Robbie’s hand, “but that is a bit harsh.”
“If he had attacked me, I might have done the same thing. But Cresswell did say they got off on the wrong foot, which was his fault, but Jacob met him with anger and was spoiling for a fight,” Berni said.
“It must’ve been hard for Jacob. I mean, his father was only killed yesterday and not even a day later a new Alpha turns up and takes over everything that Jacob thought was his. I would be more than angry if that happened to me,” Ezzy said.
“You know that’s how new Alpha’s work. Apart from the restitution that’s due from the Bishop pack, everything is transferred to the new Alpha,” Frank said.
“Still harsh though. The new Alpha could have at least given Jacob time to grieve before he threw his weight around,” Fintan said.
“Well, what’s done is done. Jacob was escorted to the pack boundary and from there, who knows where he went,” Berni finished.
Fran was trying not to panic. Jacob was out there somewhere, alone and an outcast. The ramifications of that were more than just not being able to join another pack. Being an outcast meant if he came across any other wolves, they were allowed to attack him, potentially kill him. It would be rare to find a pack that would accept an outcast. Fran had to find him. He didn’t care that Jacob was in love with Fintan, Fran just wanted him safe. He jumped to his feet. “Sorry, I’ve got to go.” And before anyone could say anything, Fran rushed out of the room and the castle and ran to his car.
He heard his cousin call his name as he opened his car door, but didn’t stop or acknowledge him. He jumped in and burned rubber as he sped out of the castle grounds as quickly as he could. He had no idea where Jacob could be, but he would drive the roads from the Bishop pack to here and hope beyond hope he found him first.