Page 10 of Rejection and Redeemed
It was a happy party that sat down for dinner. There were Berni and Aubrey, Ezzy, Emory, Robbie, Finn, Frank, Christine, and himself. Talk while they ate was just general, with the brothers ribbing each other and their mates joining in.
If anyone noticed that Fran wasn’t his usual happy self, no one commented, although Frank shot him a few confused looks every now and then.
Once dinner was finished, Berni spoke up. “As lovely as this has been having everyone for dinner, there were some things we wanted to discuss.”
“What’s up, Dad?” Ezzy said.
“Nothing serious,” Berni replied, smiling at him. “I spoke with Frank earlier and he is moving back into the castle. I realised with the problems we had with the Bishop pack, that there were too few people living here. Frank is moving in and taking over a couple of rooms. It’s something I should have thought about before. I need my beta and brother living closer.”
Robbie laughed. “You just want a two pronged attack on mum about raising the drawbridge, don’t you?”
Berni and Frank laughed and Aubrey turned a fake stern look into her husband. “The answer is still no.”
“One day,” he muttered. He looked at Fran. “We’d like you to move in as well. We can give you a set of rooms of your own as well.”
Fran was shocked for a moment. “Thank you for the offer. Can I let you know later what my answer is?”
Surprised looks were sent Fran’s way, but Berni smiled at him. “Of course, I know you have your own house to think about.”
“Thanks,” Fran said, sending him a smile.
“Now onto other news. I heard from Alpha Cresswell earlier. He is the new Alpha of the Bishop pack,” Berni said.
“How did he get on?” Christine asked him. “I imagine it wasn’t all smooth sailing.”
“No indeed,” Berni replied. “It would seem he and Jacob Bishop clashed from the get-go. It resulted in Jacob attacking Cresswell.”
“What?” Fintan exclaimed, before Fran could make a sound. “Was Jacob hurt?”
“Nothing a few shifts won’t heal. He’s been banished from the former Bishop pack and has been registered as a lone wolf and an outcast,” Berni informed them.
Shocked silence filled the room.
Fran went still. That was the worst possible thing to happen to a wolf. It was basically a death sentence.
“Oh no. I don’t want him as a mate,” Finn said. Grabbing Robbie’s hand, “but that is a bit harsh.”
“If he had attacked me, I might have done the same thing. But Cresswell did say they got off on the wrong foot, which was his fault, but Jacob met him with anger and was spoiling for a fight,” Berni said.
“It must’ve been hard for Jacob. I mean, his father was only killed yesterday and not even a day later a new Alpha turns up and takes over everything that Jacob thought was his. I would be more than angry if that happened to me,” Ezzy said.
“You know that’s how new Alpha’s work. Apart from the restitution that’s due from the Bishop pack, everything is transferred to the new Alpha,” Frank said.
“Still harsh though. The new Alpha could have at least given Jacob time to grieve before he threw his weight around,” Fintan said.
“Well, what’s done is done. Jacob was escorted to the pack boundary and from there, who knows where he went,” Berni finished.
Fran was trying not to panic. Jacob was out there somewhere, alone and an outcast. The ramifications of that were more than just not being able to join another pack. Being an outcast meant if he came across any other wolves, they were allowed to attack him, potentially kill him. It would be rare to find a pack that would accept an outcast. Fran had to find him. He didn’t care that Jacob was in love with Fintan, Fran just wanted him safe. He jumped to his feet. “Sorry, I’ve got to go.” And before anyone could say anything, Fran rushed out of the room and the castle and ran to his car.
He heard his cousin call his name as he opened his car door, but didn’t stop or acknowledge him. He jumped in and burned rubber as he sped out of the castle grounds as quickly as he could. He had no idea where Jacob could be, but he would drive the roads from the Bishop pack to here and hope beyond hope he found him first.
CHAPTER 5
Robert made his way back into the dining room, everyone was where they had been when Fran rushed out. Silence had descended.
“Do you know where he’s gone?” Frank asked him.
Robbie shook his head. “No.”
