Rejection and Redeemed

Chapter 49

CHAPTER 49

L unch had been eaten and Fran had gone off to work. Robbie pulled Jacob into the smaller lounge to talk to him.

“As I said earlier I’ve had all your results back , and apart from your lungs, everything is now healed. I’ll do monthly checks, to make sure they are not getting worse. I’m hoping for a slight improvement, but they will never be a hundred percent.”

Jacob nodded. “Yeah. I can cope with that. It’s just a slight readjustment, and seriously, if that’s the extent of my issues, I’m fine with that.”

“It means you can never be an Alpha of a pack, though.”

“I really have no issue with that. I never wanted to be one anyway. I know I thought about it after my Dad died, but I’m glad it never happened. Fran’s place is here. There’s no way I’d move him away from a job he loves or his family.”

“You’re a good man, Jacob Bishop,” Robbie said, smiling at him.

Jacob blushed. “I’m not sure I am, but thanks. Did you find out how that shifter didn’t poison himself with silver?”

Robbie nodded. “Yeah, he had a special coating at the base of his nails stopping any silver from getting into his system through his quicks. It’s something I’ve never seen before. The hospital researchers have been looking into it for me. It would seem that a long time ago, when shifters tried coating their nails with silver before, most of them died from silver poisoning. We’re trying to find where that special coating came from.”

Jacob grinned. “Gotta love researchers.”

Robbie laughed. “Indeed.”

“Fancy coming outside and shifting with me?”

Robbie stood up. “Yep. Let’s go and have some fun for a bit.”

Jacob stood and followed Robbie out of the room and then outside. They both stripped off and, mindful of the current restrictions, played around the front of the castle. Jacob had to slow down and stop a few times, but nothing could stop his enjoyment of being in his now silver wolf form.

Later that afternoon Jacob was resting in his and Fran’s room. Well, he was sat on the sofa, researching more information on his father’s bank accounts. What kind of person had this many accounts? One seemed to be payments from pack members. Jacob never knew people had to pay to live in a pack. He should probably ask Berni how much he owed. There also didn’t seem to be a set payment amount. Everyone paid differently. Jacob wondered if it was tied into their earnings. Darren Harrington paid three thousand pounds a month, and that wasn’t including the other larger payments he was making to the other account.

He made a note of everything to flag to Berni.

A banging on the bedroom door pulled Jacob from his thoughts. Before he could say anything, the door opened and Joe, Finn, and Ezzy entered.

“Hey,” he said to them. “What’s up?”

“We thought we would go shifting with you,” Finn announced, flopping in the chair opposite Jacob.

Joe sat by Jacob and Ezzy took the other chair.

“I’ve already sifted for today. Robbie and I shifted after he finished updating me on my health.”

“How were your results?” Joe asked, sitting forward.

“Apart from my lungs, I’m good. He thinks I might have a bit of an improvement, but they’ll always be rubbish,” Jacob told them.

“Bummer. If you’ve already shifted, how about I show you and Joe some of the secret passages?” Ezzy offered.

“Yes! So, so yes,” Jacob enthused, shutting his laptop and standing up.

“I’m in,” Joe added, also standing.

“I guess I could come,” Finn commented.

“Like you’d miss out on a castle adventure,” Ezzy said to him.

“True. We need a night for ghost hunting,” Finn said standing up.

Ezzy laughed. “Those ghosts are around day and night.”

“Seriously?” Joe asked in surprise.

“Yep, pretty sure it’s the same for all ghosts. Our ones run amok all the time.”

“In that case, lead us to adventures, Ezzy,” Jacob said, grinning.

Fran walked to the nurses’ station and sighed. It was a busy shift, and two nurses had phoned in sick. There was no way he would be home in time for dinner. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and messaged Jacob.

Hey babe, will be late tonight. We’re rushed off our feet. No idea what time I’ll be home, don’t wait up. Love you x

He didn’t have long to wait for a reply.

Hi sweetheart. I’ll wait up for you. Will you eat at the hospital or shall I ask Clairmont to have food ready for you? Love you too xxxx

Fran smiled as he read the message.

I’ll grab something here. Hope you’re resting. xx

He saw Jacob was replying.

OK. Had a fun afternoon. Shifted with Robbie then Finn, Joe, and I had an adventure with Ezzy, looking for priest holes and secret passages and ghosts. Don’t worry, took lots of breaks. Xx

Fran could imagine the fun they had.

Hope you saved some priest holes and secret passages for me to show you. Chat later babe, xx

He was still smiling when Robbie walked past the nurses' station, pausing when he saw Fran.

“You look happy, cuz, considering you’re two nurses down.”

“Just warning Jacob I’d be late home. Apparently, the band of brothers have been looking at priest holes and secret passages.”

“Band of brothers?” Robbie asked, grinning.

“Yeah, Clairmont nicknamed them. He started with trouble tribe, but changed it to band of brothers.”

“I would have stuck with trouble tribe,” Robbie said.

Fran laughed. “I heard you and Jacob shifted earlier.”

Robbie nodded. “We did and we had fun. I must say I like Jacob. I would have tried to like him for your sake, but I actually do like him.”

“Thanks. I’m glad you really do. Jacob said Joe and his parents helped him a lot.”

“Then I can’t wait to meet them tomorrow. I’ll be home when Cresswell turns up to support Jacob,” Robbie told him.

“Thanks. Depending on arrival times I might be there, or here.”

Just then both Robbie and Fran were paged and rushed off.