“Congratulations to the two of you,” Berni said, smiling at them both. “Knowing Clairmont, he has set breakfast up somewhere private just for the two of you, go and get to know each other.”
“Breakfast together sounds lovely, but I’m here to help look after Jake as well as Fran,” Joe said reluctantly, still holding Frank’s hand.
“I’ll bring you back later to sit with your friend. I’d never keep the two of you apart,” Frank promised.
“Go, Joe. Eat lots of bacon, you can have my share,” Jacob told him.
Joe grinned at him. “Okay, I’ll be back later.” He looked at Frank. “Shall we go?”
Frank laughed. “Let’s. See you all later.” And with that, Frank led Joe out of the bedroom.
There was silence for a few moments before Fran broke it. “Finally, Dad’s found his mate. I was hoping he would one day.”
“You don’t mind if his mate is Joe?” Jacob asked.
Fran shook his head. “No, from what I’ve seen of Joe, he seems nice. Plus, he’s your best friend. As long as he doesn’t hurt my dad, it’s all good.”
“How old is Joe?” Berni asked him.
“Nineteen, he’s twenty in a few months,” Jacob replied. “Joe always dreamed of having an older mate. I bet the next time we see him, love hearts will be coming out of his eyes.”
“Most probably,” Berni said. “How are you feeling today Jacob? If you don’t mind me saying, you look terrible.”
“Way to make someone feel better, Dad,” Robbie told him with a laugh.
Berni grimaced. “Sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it. At least I look as bad as I feel.”
“I was just about to check on Jacob’s stomach. While I do that, why don’t you all go down to breakfast,” Robbie suggested.
“Oh, but—” Fran started to say before being cut off by his uncle.
“Excellent idea, come along Franny, Finn,” the Alpha said.
“I’ll be back as soon as I’ve eaten,” Fran promised Jacob.
“Pretty sure I’ll still be here, just laying around doing nothing,” Jacob replied.
“It’s not doing nothing Jacob, you’re resting and trying to heal,” Berni put in. “Come along, you two, I’m hungry.” And with that, he ushered Fran and Finn out of the room.
Jacob sighed when the door closed behind them.
“That was a deep sigh there, Jacob,” Robbie commented.
“Yeah,” he said. “I might be injured, but this is the most relaxed I’ve ever been, and the longest I’ve been without having abuse shouted at me, or a beating.”
Robbie touched his shoulder. “Those days are past, Jacob, you really are safe here.”
Jacob nodded. “I know, thank you.”
“Now, let me look at your stomach. “
“While you do that, can I ask you something?” Jacob pulled his top up.
“You can,” Robbie replied, putting some gloves on before pulling the dressing away.
“So, when Cresswell told me my home was no longer mine and I needed to leave, I suggested to him that he leave me living in my house and he could kick another family out of their house and live there instead. He said, Alphas didn’t kick people out of their houses, but that’s what he was doing to me. And you all judged me when you first met me, but when I did that, I was told I was wrong. How come there are rules in place that don’t seem to apply to me?”
