Page 42 of Rejection and Redeemed
“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, alongwith 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.
