Page 109 of Rejection and Redeemed

“Nothing would surprise me with that pack,” Robbie said.

“Indeed. Anyway, I have an hour left then I'm off. I’ll catch up with you both later,” Fran said, walking away.

“I’ll talk to Laura when I get back about a belated birthday cake for Jacob and maybe a birthday dinner,” Robbie said.

“That’s a good idea. We can ask Joe about presents for Jacob as well, give him a belated birthday,” Emory suggested.

“Yep, we can.”

Jacob was sittingin his and Fran’s bedroom. After they had fun shifting, Jacob retreated back to their room to rest and wait for Fran to come home.

As soon as he saw Fran he would apologise and tell him he didn’t mean to insult him, of course, Fran could look after himself.

He thought it was typical that he’d managed to mess things up already. Fran could do so much better than him, but now that they had mated, Fran was stuck with him.

He could hear his father telling him what a screw-up he was and how he would fail at being a mate, just as he was a failure at being an Alpha heir.

“Well, the joke’s on you, Dad. I couldn’t lead a pack now even if I wanted to, which I don’t. And I can be a good mate, thank you very much. I just need to remember Fran is older than me and can look after himself,” he said out loud.

He sighed and let his head fall back against the back of the sofa. He couldn’t believe Cresswell would be here in a couple of days and that he had to stand outside and welcome him. Atleast he was bringing his mother’s furniture with him, so for that alone Jacob would be nice to him.

He was just about to pick his laptop up when the door opened. He looked and saw Fran walking in carrying a shopping bag and smiling.

“Hey, babe,” Fran said happily.

Jacob got to his feet and smiled at him. “Welcome home, sweetheart. How was your afternoon?”

“Better now I’ve seen you,” Fran admitted and pulled Jacob into a kiss.

Not being stupid, Jacob kissed him back and wrapped his arms around Fran. He felt something settle inside of him.

Slowly they pulled back.

“I’m sorry about earlier,” Jacob said quickly. “I know you’re older than me and can look after yourself, I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. I’ll remember for the future.”

“No, babe. It’s me who should apologise. You were just looking out for me and my well-being. I didn’t mean to shut you down or stop you from wanting to care for me. As an apology, I brought presents and something for the both of us.”

“You did?”

Fran nodded and pulled out of Jacob’s arms, picking up the bag he dropped when he kissed Jacob. “I did. Hold your hands out.”

Jacob did as instructed and Fran pulled out two lunch boxes and put them in Jacob’s hands.

“I got one each, so you can have lunch as well,” Fran said, as Jacob grinned.

In his hands were an Iron Man lunchbox and a Dr Who lunchbox.

“I love them,” Jacob told him truthfully. “I’m keeping the Iron Man one.”

Fran grinned. “That one was for you anyway. I also brought you these,” he put his hand inside the bag and pulled out a cookbook and a grow-your-own herbs set. “I thought we could cook together and try out the recipes in here.”

Jacob smiled. “That sounds perfect,” he said.

“I really am sorry about earlier. I’ve spent years thinking about my mate and on our first proper day I mess up.”

Jacob put the gifts down and took both of Fran’s hands. “You didn’t mess anything up. It was just a miscommunication. I’m sorry to say everyone picked up on how I was feeling at lunch. I told them I messed up and how, and your dad said, it was just a misunderstanding.” Jacob suddenly grinned. “Now, I’m sure I promised you that I would strip you naked and make love to you when you got home from work.”

“Actually, I think it was making love until we both forget our names,” Fran pointed out with a grin and playful eyebrow wiggle.