Rejection and Redeemed

Chapter 56

CHAPTER 56

I t was nearly lunchtime before everyone gathered in the library to get stuck doing the research.

They all had fun seeing the secret passages and looking at priest holes. They hadn’t yet found the missing ones, despite trying practically every large picture they came across.

“It’s so ingenious how well they’re all hidden,” Morty commented.

“Before we get lost in all this, shall we go and have a talk, Jacob?” Samantha asked.

Jacob nodded. “Yep, we can do that.” He looked at the others. “We’ll be back.” And offering his arm to Samantha, they walked off. “Shall we go outside?” he suggested.

“Let’s.” Samantha nodded. “Wait—” she suddenly said. “Are you okay to walk outside? Do you need a rest?”

“I’ll be okay if we walk slowly,” Jacob replied. While having fun exploring, Jacob had to sit several times because of his breathing. He was learning to accept his limitations without frustration. He knew it would get easier in time, he just had to be patient.

He looked at Samantha. She would make a good and caring Alpha Mate for the Cresswell pack, something the pack desperately needed.

“The pack will be lucky to have you and your husband,” Jacob said to her.

Samantha smiled at him. “Thank you, Jacob, that means a lot coming from you.”

As they talked, they walked out of the front door and down the steps, and then towards the gardens.

“When I packed up your house and all your belongings, the only thing I didn’t pack were your father’s clothes. I thought you might not want them, so I donated them all to charity.”

Jacob laughed. “That’s perfect. He would have hated that. Thank you.”

“So, my great whatever was a silver wolf, a ghost wolf. He, like you, nearly died. His demise nearly came from a freak accident. It’s been lost through time what that accident was, only that he nearly died and when he was healed his wolf was silver,” Samantha told him. “He was then held in high regard in his pack as he could foresee attacks, stop killings, and solve the unsolvable.”

“But I can see only a few seconds before something happens,” he pointed out.

“I think you’ll find, given time, you’ll be able to see longer than that,” a voice said from behind them.

“Shaman,” Jacob said respectfully. “Samantha Cresswell, Alpha Mate of the Cresswell pack, this is the Pullman pack shaman.”

“Ryan Daws,” he replied. “It’s lovely to meet you, Alpha Mate. Forgive me for intruding on your conversation.”

“Not at all,” Samantha said. “I was just telling Jacob everything I knew about ghost wolves. I had an ancestor who was one.”

“Yes, Ralph Miners. I was informed when I spoke with the fates.”

“So cool,” Jacob said again. “I don’t suppose the fates told you why they made me a ghost wolf? I mean there must be someone better out there to have given this gift to than me.”

“They found you worthy of such a gift, Jacob,” the Shaman said. “Despite everything your father did to you, put you through, and tried to turn you into, you survived and have become a fine young man. The fates knew that if you became Alpha of your home pack, you would have ignored your father’s teachings and led the pack in a fair and just manner. It might have taken you a few years to undo your father’s teachings, but you would have done it. But they also knew you would never be truly happy. Here, in the Pullman pack, you and Robbie will do great things.”

Jacob was confused. “Me and Robbie?”

The Shaman smiled. “Yes. I’ll leave him to tell you. I’m also here to offer you an apology. I have one for Fintan as well and will pass that on to him when we meet. The Fates are sorry for everything you both went through on your journey to the Pullman pack. They knew that you and Fintan would make terrible mates, but needed a way for you both to find your way here to your true mates. Indeed, your mother was rather vocal on the subject.”

Jacob laughed. “I can imagine. When you next speak to the fates would you thank them for giving me Fran? He’s my everything.”

“I will indeed. As for your ghost wolf abilities, you will learn to control them and to see more of the events you need to. Work with your wolf, meditate together, trust in your instincts, and if you need any help, just message me.”

“I will do, thank you, shaman.”

“Call me Ryan.”

“Thanks, Ryan.”

Ryan looked at Samantha. “Archer will be fine, Samantha. Now that Nidal is no longer in the pack, you have nothing to fear from his influence.”

“Thank goodness. He’s a good boy and I’d never want to ban him from having anything to do with a packmate, but Nidal gave off bad vibes and I didn’t want my son tainted.”

“He’ll be fine now,” the shaman assured her. “Now I need to go. Be well, the both of you.”

“Thanks,” they both said together and watched Ryan walk away.

“I’m glad your son will be safe from Nidal’s influence. Did you know my father paid him to pretend to be my friend so he could spy on me?”

“Your friend Joe mentioned that when we arrived. Now neither of us have to deal with him anymore.”

“Thank goodness. Shall we go back inside, it must be just about lunchtime?”

“Yes. I don’t know about you, but adventures always make me hungry,” Samantha replied with a laugh.

Lunch had been eaten and everyone decamped to the library. Robbie was about to leave for work and was walking to the door with Finn.

“Robbie, do you have a second?” Jacob asked, joining them.

Robbie smiled at him. “Sure, what’s up?”

“I saw the shaman earlier. He said something weird. He said you and I would do great things together. Any idea what he meant?”

“Yep,” Robbie said grinning.

“Are you gonna tell me?” Jacob asked with a smile.

Robbie laughed. “I was going to wait, but I think at this point you’re the only one who doesn’t know.”

“Know what?” he queried.

“You’re going to love this,” Finn said.

Jacob looked back at Robbie.

“I’m making you Beta. Once I become Alpha of this pack, you’ll be my second,” Robbie told him.

Jacob’s mouth fell open for a moment before he said, “Did you lose a bet?”

Robbie and Finn burst out laughing.

“No, Jacob. I think you’ll make the perfect second for me. But we can talk more about this later as if I don’t leave now I’ll be late for work.”

“Okay, have a good day,” he said, still stunned.

Robbie kissed Finn goodbye and, still laughing, left the castle.

Finn looked at Jacob and nudged his shoulder. “He’s right, you know. Everyone thinks you’ll be a good second for him.”

“But I’m an Alpha wolf. I’m not sure they can be a second of a pack.”

“Why not? You’re an Alpha wolf who doesn’t want to lead a pack. Being second to the strongest wolf in the land is perfect for you.”

“That’s true. It’s just wow, you know? Also, the Shaman had an apology from the fates for the both of us. They knew we’d be terrible mates, but that we needed to both find our way here. Ryan will give you your apology when he sees you.”

Finn took Jacob’s arm and they started walking to the library. “Still could have chosen a nicer way to do it.”

“They really could have. Apparently, my mum gave them grief over it.”

Finn looked shocked for a moment. “Good for your mum.”