“Do you have enough energy to walk to lunch? I must say, considering you were mated last night, you don’t seem very happy,” Joe pointed out, taking Jacob’s arm and leading him to the smaller dining room.
They walked in and saw Finn, Ezzy, and Frank already at the table.
“Sorry we’re late,” Jacob said.
“You’re not late. Welcome to the family, Jacob,” Frank said.
“Thanks,” Jacob said with a small smile.
Lunch was already on the table, so a few moments were spent putting food on plates.
“I must say, Jacob, considering you’re newly mated, you don’t seem very happy,” Finn pointed out, unknowingly echoing Joe’s words. “Did something go wrong with last night?”
Jacob shook his head. “No, last night was lovely. It’s just, I know Fran is older than me, but I didn’t realise that would mean I couldn’t look after him.
“What do you mean?” Frank asked. “The age difference shouldn’t matter.”
“I know I was taught differently, but I always hoped that I would have a mate I could care about and that I could do whatever it took to keep them happy and pampered. I was worried about Fran not having time for lunch today. He said he would eat at the hospital and I said that when our kitchen was up and running, I would make Fran lunch every day. He didn’t like that idea and told me he’d been looking after himself a long time,” he explained.
“I’m sure he didn’t mean you couldn’t look after him. The hospital really does have nice food,” Ezzy said.
Jacob gave a sad smile. “Ignore me, I’m sure I’ll get the hang of being a mate soon enough.”
“There’s nothing to get the hang of. You’re already a good mate,” Frank assured him. “It sounds like miscommunication to me.”
Jacob looked at him, hope in his eye. “You think?”
Frank nodded and smiled at him. “I really do. Chat with him when he gets back from the hospital.”
“Will do.”
“Before that, we can go outside and shift,” Ezzy suggested.
“That’ll be good. Each shift makes me stronger,” Jacob said.
“Frank, I heard from my parents as I came downstairs,” Joe announced. “They want to come the day after tomorrow if that’s okay. They wanted to come tomorrow, but there’s the funeral we’re all going to.”
“They could still come tomorrow. Rose’s funeral is tomorrow morning,” Frank replied just as the door opened and Berni walked in, smiling.
“Good, lunch is still going on. Hello boys, Frankie. Congratulations, Jacob.”
“Thanks.”
Dishes were passed to Berni so he could fill his plate.
“Jacob, Alpha Cresswell has asked permission to come and visit. He wants to bring your mother’s furniture and update me on what’s been found. I would like you by my side when he arrives.”
“I’m not sure he’ll be pleased to see me again, but I can be there.”
“You’ll be fine. We’ll all be outside with you,” Berni reassured him, picking up his cutlery. “He’ll be here the day after tomorrow.”
“I can put my parents off, they were coming then as well,” Joe told him, finishing his dinner.
“Don’t do that. I can’t wait to meet them.”
“Annfield and Morty are lovely. They, along with Joe, are pretty much why I’m not a total screw-up,” Jacob said, with a wry smile.
“You’re not a screw-up,” Finn said adamantly.
