Chapter 20
CHAPTER 20
J acob was sitting up chatting to Finn, Ezzy, and Robert.
“This room needs a TV,” Ezzy suddenly announced.
“I don’t really watch TV,” Jacob replied.
“Why not?” Robbie asked. “Not that I watch much of it.”
“If I wasn’t at college I was having Alpha lessons, doing homework, or out with my group.”
“You need to join us when we have film nights,” Ezzy said.
“Thanks, I’d like that,” Jacob replied. “I don’t suppose anyone knows what happened to my phone, do they?”
“Yep,” Robbie said, standing up and walking to the dressing table. “I found it and plugged it in for you. It’s fully charged, but I did put it on silent though. You really should lock your phone, you know.”
He walked back to the bed and handed it to Jacob.
“Thanks, and as for locking my phone, there was no point. My father went through my phone weekly.”
Finn gasped. “Why would he do that?”
“To make sure I was behaving like a proper Alpha heir.”
“So he checked your phone?” Robbie asked, looking and sounding confused.
Jacob sighed. “My father taught me from a young age that an Alpha had no time for weakness. That if someone was sick or injured it was because they were weak and therefore of no consequence. He saw me texting one day, years ago, and asked me who I was texting. I told him a pack member was sick and I was checking up on them. He hit the roof, spent about an hour shouting at me, and then beat me to make sure I remembered what he told me. He then checked my phone weekly.”
“God, I’m so glad your father is dead now,” Ezzy said.
“Me too,” Jacob admitted. He looked at his phone and saw missed calls and text messages from Joe. “Joe’s been trying to get hold of me. I told him not to contact me. Cresswell said anyone contacting me would be thrown out of the pack.”
Before anyone could reply, the bedroom door opened and Fran walked in.
“You’re back,” Jacob said happily, looking at Fran. The smile fell off his face. “You look like you need rest.”
“I’ll have some later. But first, there’s someone to see you.” Fran moved out the way and Joe walked forward.
“Joe!” Jacob exclaimed, his hand flying to hold his stomach as he moved. “What are you doing here? You can’t be here,” he said urgently.
Joe rushed to the side of the bed, ignoring Jacob’s protests. “Thank goodness you’re okay. Well, Fran told me you were injured, but dude, you’re in a castle.”
Jacob smiled. “The only part of the castle I’ve seen is this room. Joe, what’s wrong?”
“I couldn’t stay in the Cresswell Pack without you. I couldn’t leave you an outcast or a lone wolf. So I told my folks I was leaving. Funnily enough they weren’t surprised, helped me pack, and told me to keep in contact. I looked for you at a couple of hotels in a no man’s land and found your scent at one of them. I spoke to the receptionist who said you had checked out, along with the Pullman family. So I came this way looking for you. I met Fran as I passed the hospital. Now I’ve found you though, I need to find somewhere around here to stay.”
“Joe ...” Jacob started to say.
“You’ll stay here, young man,” Berni interrupted, walking into the room.
Joe jumped and looked surprised to see there were others in the room. “Umm, hello.”
“Finally noticed us, did you?” Ezzy commented with a laugh.
“Sorry,” Joe muttered, blushing a little.
“Think nothing of it, you were concerned about your friend. And just so you know, Jacob is no longer a lone wolf or an outcast, he’s a member of my pack,” Berni said. “You can stay here and join my pack. I apologise for not being available when you arrived.”
“Oh no, your butler man said you were busy. Sorry if I pulled you away from work.”
Berni gave him a reassuring smile. “You didn’t. Now let me introduce you around. My sons, Robert and Ezmond. You might already know Fintan and my nephew Fran you know.”
Joe smiled at them.
Clairmont chose that moment to walk through the door carrying a large tray of refreshments.
“Thanks, Clairmont, you’re the best,” Ezzy said to him, jumping up so the tray could be put on the bed.
“Of course I am,” the butler replied, making everyone laugh.
“Clairmont, Joe here will be moving into the castle. Can you have a room prepared for him?” Berni asked.
“It’s already being seen to, Your Grace.”
“You’re the best.” Berni echoed his son’s words with a grin. He looked at Jacob. “How are you feeling?”
“Still in pain, and now I have burning pain all the way down my stomach.”
“I should have Jacob’s blood results back tomorrow. I have literally tested for everything I can think of. I also checked Uncle Frank, but he’s fine.”
“Thank goodness,” Fran said in relief, glad his father had no issues.
“Is Uncle Emory still at the hospital?” Finn asked.
“Yeah, he was still in surgery when I left.”
“I’ll wait up for him,” Ezzy said. “Hey, Clairmont, any chance of having some sandwiches or something for when Emory gets home?”
“I’ll have Laura make him something and leave it in the fridge. Now Mr Buchann, have you eaten?
Joe’s stomach chose that moment to rumble. Joe’s hand flew to his stomach. “Sorry, I’ve not eaten since lunchtime, and please call me Joe.”
“I’ll bring you something to eat,” Clairmont said.
“I’m fine with having some of these snacks, but thanks for the offer.”
“Give in now, Joe, Clairmont always gets his way,” Berni told him.
“It’s true, he does,” Fran agreed.
“Then thanks, but only if it’s no trouble.”
“I’ll be back in a little while,” the butler said, turning and leaving the room.
“Did you contact the hospital, Dad?” Robbie asked.
“I did. A coach of football supporters crashed after one of the tyres blew,” he replied. “Thankfully, they didn’t need any of this equipment.”
“There were a lot of broken bones, lacerations, and a few issues only surgery could fix,” Fran added, tiredly.
“Fran, sit down,” Jacob said softly to him.
Fran nodded and moved to the chair he sat in before. He automatically held his hand out to take Jacob’s. He realised what he had done when Jacob took it and gently squeezed his fingers.
“You should go to bed and rest,” Jacob whispered.
“I’ll go later. I’m too tired to move now,” Fran replied.
Joe looked from Jacob to Fran and back again, smiling. “You’ve found another mate?”
“I did,” Jacob replied without the slightest hesitation. “Finn found a new mate as well in Robbie.”
Joe gave Finn a shy smile. “Congratulations.”
“Wait,” Ezzy said suddenly. “Are you one of the people who gave Finn a hard time?”
“No,” Finn said before Joe could. “Joe never did anything to me, except ignore me.”
“Sorry,” Joe said, looking him in the eye.
“It’s all good and everything turned out for the best. Well, not Jacob getting hurt, but everything else anyway.”
“Joe, does Cresswell know you’ve left the pack?” Berni asked suddenly.
“I emailed him and told him I was leaving and why. He wished me well.”
Berni nodded.
Just then Aubrey and Christine walked into the room.
“Jacob Bishop, Joe Buchann, this is my wife Aubrey, and you might already know Christine,” Berni introduced.
“I’m so sorry I’ve not met you until now, Jacob. I’ve been rushed off my feet. Hello, Joe, welcome to our home.”
“Hello Alpha mate, Mrs Fitzwilliams,” both Jacob and Joe said at the same time.
“Call me Aubrey dears.”
“And call me Christine,” she said, walking to Finn and slipping an arm around him before dropping a kiss on his head.
Finn smiled at her and leant into her side.
“Now I hope everyone is making you both feel welcome,” Aubrey said and, without waiting for an answer, looked at Robbie. “How is Jacob’s healing going?”
“Badly,” Jacob replied before Robbie.
“Jacob has a complication with his wound, I’m waiting on test results to see what it is,” Robbie told her.
“Just as well this bed is comfy then, isn’t it? Plus, the food is much better here. Now don’t rush your healing, whatever you need we can bring in here, so you don’t get bored,” Aubrey said.
“Thank you, Alpha mate. I’m sleeping a lot at the moment and have everything I need.”
“It’s Aubrey, dear,” she said, patting his arm. “But it’s very late, I’m too old to be up this late.”
“You’re not old, Mum,” Robbie reassured her, just as Ezzy said, “Yep, so old, ancient in fact.”
“Just for that, dear, I’ll instruct Laura to make you liver and bacon for the next week.”
Ezzy pretended to gag as the others laughed. “Did I say old? I meant spring chicken. Mummy, you wouldn’t be so cruel would you?”
“Sorry, darling, being so old my hearing is going and I didn’t hear a word you said. Night everyone.” And with that Aubrey sailed out of the room.
“Damn, Ez, liver and bacon is harsh,” Robbie said, shaking his head.
Clairmont walked in carrying another tray. “Master Joe, Francis, I have proper food for the both of you.” He walked to the table and put the tray down. “Make sure you eat. If you need anything else, just call me.”
“Thanks, Clairmont, we’ll be fine with all this if you want to get off to bed,” Fran told him.
“I’ll be up for a while. Master Joe, if you follow me, I can show you where your room is, your dinner will stay hot.”
“Thank you.” Joe smiled at the others and left with the butler.
“I’ll leave you alone now as well and see you at breakfast,” Berni said, walking out.
“If you all want to go off to bed, you can, you know,” Jacob said to them.
“We will in a bit.” Robbie picked up a biscuit from the plate and ate it.
“I can’t believe Joe left and came looking for me,” Jacob whispered.
“He’s your friend, a real friend,” Fran said to him.
“If anyone called Nidel turns up, don’t let him in,” Jacob cautioned.
Finn shuddered. “If he comes near me, I’ll shift into my wolf and bite him.”
“I’ll hold him down for you,” Joe said, walking back into the bedroom.
“How much was he sucking up to the new Alpha?” Jacob asked him.
Joe shook his head. “So much, especially when he found out Cresswell has a son the same age as us. Nidel has offered to show him around and look after him.”
“Typical,” Jacob said.
“He was beyond happy that you’d been kicked out,” Joe told him.
“Why? Surely he would have been upset if Jacob was no longer there,” Christine reasoned.
“No idea, but he was. I stayed out of his way. I didn’t even tell him I was leaving.”
“Joe, eat your dinner before it gets cold,” Robbie ordered. “What about you, Fran?”
Joe walked to the table and took the covers off both plates. “There’s a plate of sandwiches or chicken pie.”
“Sandwiches for me please,” Fran replied.
Joe carried the plate over for Fran. “Here. Does anyone mind if I sit over there and eat?”
“Nope, go for it,” Ezzy replied.
“Right, I need to get to bed as I’m at the hospital tomorrow. Jacob, Fran, if you need me just phone,” Robbie told them.
“Thanks, Robbie,” Jacob said, smiling shyly at him.
Robbie stood, touched his shoulder and nodded.
“I’ll come with you,” Finn said, patting Jacob’s leg. “I’ll come back and sit with you tomorrow. Night everyone,” Finn said.
“I’ll be going as well,” Christine added.
After a round of goodnights, the three of them left.
“Fran, you should eat,” Jacob said softly to him, looking concerned and unconsciously rubbing his thumb over the back of Fran’s hand.
Fran smiled at him. “Honestly, I’m not that hungry. More tired than hungry.”
“You can go to bed if you want, Cuz, I’ll stay and keep Jacob company,” Ezzy offered.
Fran shook his head. “Nope, I’m good here.”
“Fran ...” Jacob started to protest.
“Give it up Jacob, looks like your mate is planning to stay a while,” Joe said, walking back over, grinning at them.
“Oh I like you,” Ezzy said. “You can join our ghost hunt and our hunt for the missing secret passages and priest holes.”
“So there really are ghosts here? Awesome sauce and secret passages and priest holes, there must be a lot of them in this castle,” Joe replied, happily.
“When Jacob is better we’ll have fun showing the ones we know and looking for the missing ones,” Fran told him.
“How did you like your room?” Ezzy asked Joe.
Joe grinned again and sat on the side of Jacob’s bed, sitting so he could see the others. “It’s amazing and massive, like seriously huge. Also—” He suddenly paused.
“What’s wrong?” Jacob asked him.
“It’s nothing, ignore me,” Joe said, blushing a little.
“If you’re sure,” Ezzy said, a little uncertain.
Joe nodded but didn’t reply.
Just then Ezzy’s phone pinged. He picked it up and looked at the message smiling. “Emory’s on his way home. I’m going to go down and meet him. I’ll see you all tomorrow.” And with that, he jumped up and walked out of the room.
“Your Fran has fallen asleep,” Joe said gently, so as not to wake him up.
Jacob looked at Fran, who was indeed asleep. His head resting on the back of the chair. “Good. Can you check the wardrobe and see if there’s a blanket so you can cover him? It’s that door there.” He pointed to the wardrobe.
“Yep.” Joe jumped up and walked over to and into the wardrobe. He walked back out with a blanket, shaking it out. “That wardrobe is massive.”
“Pretty sure all the wardrobes here are.”
Joe gently covered Fran up, before walking around the bed and sitting on the side again.
“What’s really up, Joe?” Jacob asked.
“I really was worried about you.”
“Yeah, I get that, but what were you going to say earlier?”
Joe sighed. “It’s nothing nasty. I keep smelling an amazing scent since I’ve been here.”
Jacob looked startled but then grinned. “You think your mate might be here?”
Joe shrugged. “Maybe, I mean my wolf is really happy at the moment and keeps rolling around. It’s silly, but I’ve always had this dream that my mate will be someone older, who will dote on me. What are the chances of that ever happening?”
“Probably quite high. Remember, the fates give you someone who they think will be perfect for you.” His eyes dropped to Fran, who was still sleeping.
“I love the blue hair,” Joe commented looking at Fran as well.
Jacob smiled. “Me too. His wolf has tufts of blue hair when he shifts.”
Joe’s mouth fell open. “Seriously?”
Jacob nodded. “Yeah, looks really cute,” he said, breaking out into a massive yawn.
“You need sleep. Do you want me to help settle you down?”
Jacob shook his head. “I’ll sleep like this for a bit. I don’t want to move and wake Fran. You should go off to bed.”
“Are you sure? I can stay here in case you need anything.”
Jacob shook his head. “Nope, it’s late. Off you go and enjoy your new bed.”
Joe grinned. “I bet it’s totally comfy. Okay, I’ll go and come back and see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks for coming, Joe,” Jacob said, looking at him.
Joe stood up and huffed. “Like I would leave you on your own. We’ve been friends since we were babies, there’s no way I’d abandon you when you were in trouble. Night, Jake.”
“Night Joe.”
Joe left the room with a final grin.