Rejection and Redeemed

Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22

F ran stroked the side of Jacob’s face. It seemed only telling him he was safe, settled something inside of him.

Fran had been fast asleep when Jacob had started to get restless and muttering. Even with his wolf hearing, he couldn’t make out what Jacob said.

Poor Jacob, Fran thought. He couldn’t imagine having Bishop for a father. He would happily share his dad with Jacob. Fran loved his father. His mother had died in childbirth, they weren’t true mates, but fell in love and married anyway, which is why his father was still alive, and he had been the best dad. Fran just wished he would find his true mate. If that ever happened, Fran was sure his father would dote on them, love the hell out of them, and spoil them rotten. Fran longed for the day his father walked in with his mate at his side.

Fran studied Jacob. He was quite handsome, with his shortish dark brown hair and classical features. Fran looked but couldn’t see much of his father in his appearance. Jacob must take after his mother. His build was bigger than Fran’s, which wasn’t really surprising considering he was, or had been, an Alpha heir.

He wondered what Jacob would do now. Would he want to be an Alpha in another pack? Would Fran really leave his family behind and go with Jacob, no matter how much he’d love Jacob?

Fran pushed those thoughts aside. There was no point in worrying about them now, he had to believe that everything would work out as it was meant to.

Fran settled back down, scooting closer to Jacob’s side, hoping that if Jacob could feel Fran beside him, his dreams would be better.

Jacob woke up the next morning to see sunlight filtering through the closed curtains. Looking at the time, he was surprised to see it was just coming up to six am. He had unexpectedly slept through the night. He turned his head and found Fran sleeping close to him, their hands still joined.

He moved his head and lightly kissed the top of Fran’s.

He was still looking at Fran when the door quietly opened and Joe poked his head around the door.

Jacob smiled carefully and waved him in.

Joe came in, quietly closing the door behind him. He walked to the other side of the bed, sitting on the side of it.

“You look like crap,” Joe informed him softly, frowning a little.

Jacob snorted out a silent laugh, then groaned a little.

“Sorry,” Joe muttered, looking repentant.

“At least I look how I feel, so that’s a positive,” Jacob told him. “How did you sleep?”

“Not bad considering it’s a new bed and new place.”

“I know you don’t like change much. You could have stayed in the Cresswell pack, you know.”

Joe shook his head. “Nope, not without you. Truthfully, I didn’t like pack life there, I only stayed because of our friendship. I couldn’t leave you alone with Nidel and the others. I’m glad we’re both here though. I mean, everyone has heard of Alpha Pullman, even before he came to the pack. Just never thought I’d meet him or be offered a place here.”

“You’re surprised, think how I feel. But he seems decent like an Alpha should be,” he replied softly.

Joe touched his arm. “Anyway, enough about that. We need to look at online colleges or something, you promised your mum you’d stay in education and pass all your exams. My parents made me promise the same when I left. We can search for them together if you want.”

Jacob nodded. “Yeah, Finn can join us, he needs to find one as well.”

Joe looked at the sleeping Fran. “You got him to rest then.”

Jacob nodded. “Yeah, he wouldn’t leave me here alone, so I made him sleep on the bed.”

Just then Fran moved and sighed, before opening his eyes and smiling at Jacob. “You’re awake.” He slowly sat up, moving the blanket off himself. “How are you feeling?”

“Sore, but strangely well rested,” Jacob replied.

Fran saw Joe seated on the side of the bed. “Morning, Joe, thanks for covering me last night.”

“No problem, Jacob didn’t want you to get cold. How did you sleep?”

“Not bad actually,” Fran said, breaking out into a yawn. “Sorry.”

“Joe is here, why don’t you go off and get some more sleep?” Jacob suggested.

“I’ll not leave his side,” Joe assured him.

Fran shook his head. “I don’t need any more sleep, but I will go and have a shower. I’m sure either Ezzy or Finn won’t mind lending me some clothes. But before that, Jacob, do you need anything?”

“I need the loo,” Jacob told him.

“Do you want to try for the bathroom or use the bottle?” Fran asked.

“As much as I hate it, the bottle would be best,” he admitted.

Fran stood up. “Okay, Joe if you don’t mind, can you step outside for a moment, I’ll call you back in once Jacob is sorted.”

Joe nodded and stood up. “I’ll be right outside the door.”

“Thanks, Joe,” Jacob said to his retreating back.

“Firstly, let me help you sit up,” Fran said, helping him move and gently sit up, putting more pillows behind him. He then went and opened the curtains, before opening a cupboard to look for the bottles. Luckily, he found one and, picking it up, walked over to Jacob who had moved to the side of the bed. He unscrewed the lid and put it next to Jacob, handing him the bottle. “I’ll be over by the window looking outside, call if you need me.”

Jacob smiled. “That’s what Robbie did.”

“Great minds,” Fran said, turning away and walking to the window to look out at the garden.

Jacob did his business, screwed the lid on and sorted himself out. “All done. I’d kill for a shower.”

Fran walked over and took the bottle from Jacob. “Pretty sure you can’t have one yet, but we can check. If not, I could always give you a sponge bath.”

“Somehow I don’t think that will have the same effect as standing under running water.”

Fran grinned. “It won’t, but it will be fun for me. Let me get rid of this, then I’ll be back.”

Jacob settled back against the pillows as Fran walked into the bathroom. He heard Fran flush the toilet, soon he was back with a washcloth and towel. Handing the wet one to Jacob. “There is soap on there as well.”

“Thanks,” Jacob said, wiping his hands and then running it over his face, before handing the washcloth back to Fran, who passed him the towel so he could dry his hands and face. “Thanks, Fran,” he said, passing it back.

“You’re welcome.”

It didn’t take Fran long to take everything back to the bathroom and open the door for Joe to come back in.