Rejection and Redeemed

Chapter 32

CHAPTER 32

N early an hour later, the others came back, Robbie and Christine with them.

“How is he?” Joe asked, rushing to the bedside.

“Sleeping peacefully,” Fran replied, with a gentle smile and relief in his voice.

“Thank goodness,” Joe replied. “We have food for you and Emory. I’ll stay with Jake while you eat. We also brought a large pot of coffee with us.”

“I’m all for the coffee,” Fran said, gently untangling himself from Jacob and settling him down.

Jacob was lying in his favourite spot in the Bishop pack woods. His wolf was lying next to him, his head on Jacob’s chest. Jacob was stroking him and playing with his ears while looking up through the trees to the blue sky above. Jacob had been shocked when he joined his wolf here, as his wolf was now a stunning silver colour.

“Look at you, handsome. I wonder if you’ll stay this colour, or change back to your original brown? Whatever happens, I love you. I can’t believe the Alpha commanded me to sleep and rest and it worked. I really thought I was about to take my final breath.”

His wolf gave a low moan.

“I know, my friend, you feel as bad as I do, probably worse, if the silver fur is anything to go by. Just rest while I do my thinking. Don’t try and talk, just rest. What kind of beast puts silver on their claws?”

An angry growl emanated from his wolf.

“I know, right? Can you believe the Alpha cut his paws off while the wolf was still alive? Crazy right?”

His wolf huffed.

Jacob shook his head, a goofy smile on his face. “How amazing is Fran?”

A tired, happy bark was his wolf’s reply

“We’re going to have an amazing life together, well, if we survive.”

His wolf growled. We’ll survive and live a happy, fulfilled life.

“Rest, no talking, remember, save your energy,” Jacob gently reprimanded, while scratching his wolf behind his ear.

You should be saving yours as well.

“I am, I’m lying here while my body rests and hopefully doesn’t die on me. Can you imagine what my father would have done if I’d been poisoned in his pack? I doubt I would have had any of the care I’m getting now. I’d probably have ended up dying alone and forgotten.”

His wolf growled again. You wouldn’t have been alone.

“You know what I mean. He would have shouted at me, told me I was useless and then left me alone, probably only checking on me once a day, if that.”

That life is over now.

Jacob nodded, sighing happily and closed his eyes. “Yeah.”

Sleep, rest, we need to get back to our mate.

“You really do need to rest your mind, my darling.”

Jacob turned his head and saw his mother standing next to him. She looked as beautiful as he remembered, with her long, wavy, light-brown hair, trim figure, and wearing her favourite dark blue maxi dress.

“Mum,” he cried out happily, tears filling his eyes. He sat up, dislodging his wolf in the process, who huffed and laid his head down on his paws.

His mum dropped down beside Jacob, wrapping her arms around him. “My strong, brave boy.”

“Not at the moment I’m not,” he whispered, sniffing. A tear fell down his cheek as he hugged her back.

“You are, my darling, never forget that.”

Jacob cried in her arms. She didn’t stop him, just held him and muttered calming words. Finally, he stopped crying and pulled back. He wiped his face with his hands. “Sorry, mum.”

“My sweet boy, there is nothing to apologise for. You needed the release only crying could give you. You’ve been through a lot.”

“Wait, did I actually die? Am I dead? Is that why you’re here?” Jacob asked quickly in horror.

His mother gave a gentle laugh. “No, my darling. Your body is finally resting. That was a good idea your friend had, getting the Alpha to command you to sleep. It saved your life. As we speak your blood pressure is lowering and your pulse is stabilising. You’ll survive this, but it’ll take time before you’re healed.”

“Yeah, the doctor said my insides were damaged. He’s hoping shifting might help fix some of my issues.”

“And he would be right. You’ll have a few limitations, but nothing that will stop you living your life, your happy life, with your wonderful Fran.”

“He is amazing, isn’t he? The perfect mate. Much better than Finn and I would have been. Although, if you see the fates, have a chat with them, there must have been a better way for Finn and I to have met Robbie and Fran.”

“I will indeed. Now you can decide what to do with the rest of your life,” his mother said.

“That’s easy, finish my studies, have a life with Fran, and not be an Alpha of any pack.”

“Not being one hundred percent fit would rule you out of that anyway. I know you never wanted to be an Alpha and your father gave you no choice in the matter, but you will be happy in your new pack.”

Jacob nodded. “I really will be.”

“When you wake up the silver will be all out of your system.”

“Really? I thought it was supposed to take forty-eight hours,” Jacob replied in surprise.

“Up to forty-eight hours, but I promise all the silver is now gone.”

“That’s good news. I miss you, Mum, so much.”

His mum gathered him close again and hugged him. “I know you do, darling, but I’m always with you, in your heart and watching over you.”

Jacob wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back.

“Do you think Jake’s alright? He’s been asleep for hours,” Joe asked generally.

The friends were gathered around Jacob’s bed. Fran was sat holding his hand, and they were all just chatting.

“Yes,” Robbie replied. “His vitals are steady, his body needs the sleep. He’ll awaken soon.”

“Thank goodness,” Finn said, sighing in relief.

The bedroom door opened and Clairmont walked in and over to the bed. “How is Jacob, my lord?”

“Sleeping peacefully, and holding steady,” Robbie told him.

“That is good news.”

“Are you rested, Clairmont?” Finn asked the butler.

“I am indeed, Fintan. I came to inform you all that dinner is ready. His Grace asked me to let you know.”

“We’ll come now,” Ezzy replied.

“I’ll stay with Jacob,” Fran said, to no one’s surprise.

“I’ll stay as well,” Christine added. “I’ll eat when you all come back.”

“I will be bringing dinner up for Francis, I can bring yours up at the same time.”

“Perfect, thanks, Clairmont,” she replied.

Robbie stood up. “I don’t envision any problems, but ring me if something crops up.”

“Will do, Cuz,” Fran replied.

“I will be back momentarily with your dinners,” Clairmont said, leaving the room last.

Christine moved closer to the bed and sat on the side of it, opposite Fran. Noting the dark shadows under his eyes, his rumpled clothes and messy hair. “How are you holding up, sweetie?”

Fran sighed, a deep from-the-depth-of-his-soul sigh. “Dealing. Glad he’s resting and sleeping, worried about the damage that has already been done and worried that when he’s better he’ll go back to not liking me.” He whispered the last part.

“Oh sweetie, that will never happen. I bet you anything this will bring you closer together.”

“You think?” Fran asked hopefully.

“I don’t think, I know.”

Fran laughed.

“Aubrey told me they’ve asked you to move into the castle. Are you going to?”

“I’d love to, but I need to see what Jacob wants. I have a house, so I’ll see where he feels more comfortable.”

“We can live here,” Jacob said softly.

Fran gasped. “You’re awake.”

Jacob opened his eyes a crack. “I think so. My eyes don’t seem to want to open fully though.” He replied, his voice gritty and weak.

Fran gently stroked his pale face. “Then go back to sleep and the next time you wake up they’ll open fully, and you’ll feel better.”

“Okay, mate,” Jacob said and promptly fell asleep again.

“Well, that sounded hopeful,” Christine said, smiling at Fran. “And not just because he called you ‘mate’ either.”

“Yeah,” Fran said, looking at the monitor. “His readings are nearly back to normal.”

“I get the feeling this night shift will be easier than last night.”

Jacob woke up to the sounds of Christine reading a story. He lay there, eyes closed listening for a while.

“The Witchfinder General?” he asked.

“You’re awake,” Finn exclaimed.

Jacob opened his eyes and the first face he saw was Fran’s. Frans eyes showed concern and care, but also tiredness. “Hey,” he said softly.

Fran smiled at him. “Hey yourself. How’re you feeling?”

Jacob thought for a moment. “Still a little sore, but well rested.”

“Shall I help you sit up?” Fran asked.

“Please.”

Fran helped Jacob sit up and Joe piled the pillows behind his back. Fran sitting next to him on the bed, shoulders touching and linking his hand with Jacob.

Jacob leaned into Fran and looked around. “Hi.”

“Welcome back,” Robbie said.

“Thanks. But now I really need to pee.”

“Everyone out, I’ll call you back in in a few minutes,” Robbie said.

Fran went to leave with the others but Jacob didn’t let go of his hand. “Stay?” he asked, smiling gently.

Fran grinned. “You only want me to stay because you dropped the last bottle,” he teased.

“Busted,” Jacob grinned.

Robbie walked back to the bed and handed Jacob the bottle. “I’ll be by the window.”

“So will I,” Fran said, helping Jacob move to the edge of the bed.

“Thanks.”

Jacob made use of the bottle, without being sick or dropping it. He put the lid on and sorted himself out. “All done and no mess.”

Fran and Robbie laughed and walked back to the bedside.

Robbie took the bottle from him and walked off to the bathroom while Fran helped him settle back.

Robbie walked back with a washcloth and towel, a toothbrush covered in toothpaste, and a glass.

He handed the first towel to Jacob who washed his hand and ran the cloth over his face and neck, before drying himself. Next, he cleaned his teeth. “Thanks for that. My mouth feels normal now. What are the chances that I can have a shower?” Jacob asked hopefully.

“Not today, but all being well you can tomorrow. I want to get some grab rails in the shower and a seat. Also, a walker that you’ll probably need for a while. I also want to take some more bloods and run some other tests just for reassurance that the silver is now all gone.,” Robbie replied.

“It is. All the silver is now out of my body,” Jacob announced.

Fran and Robbie stared at him.

“How could you possibly know that?” Fran asked.

“My mum told me,” he said simply.

“That’s good to know,” Fran replied, looking confused and dying of curiosity but not asking any questions yet. He had a feeling Jacob didn’t want to talk about talking to his mum just yet. He had no idea how he knew that, but he did.

Robbie looked at Fran in surprise, but Fran shook his head. So Robbie didn’t say anything.

“I’m also surprisingly hungry. How about food?”

“I can get Laura to make you some chicken soup. If you can keep that down we’ll see about something else. You’re still not out of the forty-eight hours yet,” Robbie reminded him.

“I know, mum said it was up to forty-eight hours, but apart from the pain from being sick, I actually don’t feel too bad.”

“And we want you to keep getting better,” Robbie cautioned.

“Yeah, I get that.”

“Now let me take some bloods, do some checks and we can let the others back in.”