Chapter 55

Grace turned to walk away but stopped. Could she really leave things this shattered?

She turned to face the son she ruined and stared into his pained eyes. She then looked at William and wondered if Jacob would have been like him, bubbly, chatty and not afraid to be himself. Maybe he would have been a flirt, maybe he would have been extremely talkative or loved to make friends and be social.

She took that opportunity away from him. Maybe nobody will see who he truly is because it's so deeply buried with all the stress and the anxiety.

"I just want you to know that-"

"I don't care," Jacob felt a little numb. "Just leave." He turned and walked past Nathan and Kayla. He avoided everyone's eyes and took Hunter's hand. He didn't stop, he didn't look up, he kept going and his mate happily followed.

Everyone watched them climb up the broken steps and into the house. A low grumble of thunder was present in the sky as Grace sniffed back her shame, embarrassment and guilt before turning to leave. It was clear that whatever she said would not be heard until the atmosphere was calm once more.

When Jacob grew closer to the bedroom, Hunter turned him around.

"It's not just your mum's fault, I'm to blame too. I was the one who made you think that you were going crazy for a year. I-"

"She has done that to me all my life though Hunter," Jacob said quietly. "She used to yell at me and tell me I was annoying for being too loud when I was little, even if I was trying to be quiet. She said people got sick of hearing my voice and that I should be seen, not heard."

Hunter felt his grip loosen on his hand.

"Yes, you didn't help and maybe made me worse but it was my mum who told me I wasn't strong enough to cope and that people didn't want to be friends with someone like me. She knew exactly what she was doing and that was to break me so I wasn't fit to be a God."

Grace used to yell at him when he became too boisterous and made him feel unwanted. Then later on in the day, she would shower him with love so he didn't see it as abuse, he thought she just snapped for being stressed therefore he would do all he could to please her and if that meant growing shy and quiet, then so be it.

She used to tell him that he could never go around to friends houses or play with them on the street. She would tell him that they said mean things behind his back and she would hug him and tell him that he was perfect. But of course, that's when the trust issues started. She told him that he can not trust anyone because he would never be good enough in other peoples eyes.

He was little when this all started and the memories were gone but the effects of her words would always be visible. She never loved him enough to let him grow and be himself. She was too worried about wanting a perfect family and one that wasn't involved with werewolves. That is why she abandoned her brother. She was ashamed because it wasn't normal, it wasn't up to her standards of perfect living.

"What you did to me was cruel," Jacob whispered. "But I forgive you. You were only scared and I know how bad you feel. Mum did it for years and years without a second thought. That's what hurts the most."

"I feel like I've seen more of the real you within this past week than what I did in a whole year because you're away from her bullying. My pack really look up to you. Jonah wouldn't stop talking about your electricity and you should have seen the excitement on Ricky's face when the thunder hit. You're going to be a huge role model to so many werewolves, you're meant to be in this world. Your mum failed at ruining you Jacob, you're proving it by how well you're handing the power."

Jacob ran a hand through his hair and took a big breath. He didn't want to cave in and break down but he was finding it very hard to keep back.

"Come on," Hunter could feel his stress and pulled him into the bedroom. He shut the door, leaving the tense atmosphere outside. Jacob sat on the end of his bed and dropped his head in his hands. He felt too many mixed emotions. He felt bad for his mum but hated what she had done. He felt sorrow for his dad and his brother because their relationship won't be the same with her ever again.

Just then, he felt warm fur brush against his legs. He quickly moved his hands to see Hunter in his wolf form rubbing himself against him.

"Change into your wolf." He thought in his head.

Jacob sighed and sat back knowing that if he didn't change on the bed, his pup form wouldn't be able to climb up. Hunter watched as he changed but got lost inside his t-shirt.

He climbed on the bed and pulled him out of it. Jacob liked being in his wolf form but sometimes, he felt a little too small and vulnerable.

Hunter curled up around him and watched him bury his little body into his fur. He started licking his head as Jacob closed his eyes. It was odd being a wolf because he felt traits that are not possessed by his godly form. He liked being stroked and licked by Hunter. If he thought that in his other form then Hunter would probably jump on him there and then.

* * * * *

When morning rolled around, William and Scott had slept on the couches in Margo and Anthony's home, not really wanting to face Grace.

It was half eight in the morning when they were woken up by the sweet smell of bacon. William rolled over and very nearly fell off the couch. He quickly placed his hand on the floor but it hit something warm instead.

His tired eyes peeled open to see Sam staring up at him. It wasn't his intentions to stay over but he couldn't be bothered to go home.

"Morning," He smiled and waited patiently for William to remove his hand from his chest.

"Oh," He lifted it up when Sam glanced at it. "Sorry."

"It's okay," He chuckled and slowly pulled himself up. He pushed William's legs off the couch and sat down. "The floor was not as comfortable as it looked." William saw him rub his neck. "But oh well." He turned and watched Anthony flip the bacon. "That smells so good."

William glanced at his dad who was tiredly rubbing his eyes. He felt really bad for him. He was so depressed last night that he didn't talk to anyone about what happened, he completely changed the subject. But that is how Scott coped.

Nathan and Kayla went home. It didn't feel right being there after an argument but they were coming back today when things were a little less tense.

"Do you want to see if your brother and Hunter are awake?" Sam asked and jumped off the couch. After he woke in the morning, he was automatically full of energy.

"But we're not allowed in their room."

"We can open Hunter's door but we can't enter."

William watched him walk over and decided to follow. He had a bit of a headache from the broken sleep but it felt good to be up early on a weekend for a change.

Sam slowly pushed the door open to see Hunter and Jacob still in their wolf form. Hunter was sprawled out across the bed with Jacob snug under his arm and his head pressed against his chin. He looked very small against the big wolf.

"Um... why is Jacob a puppy?" William questioned.

"I dunno," Sam shrugged. "But I think it suits him. And I think purple suits Hunter too. I love how they have matching marks. They are my relationship goals. What are your relationship goals? I hardly think it's Alisha unless you like being threatened every day of your life." Sam's mind was scattered in the morning. It took him an hour or two to stop the words from just flowing out of his mouth. "I want a mate."

William shook his head with a smile. He barely had time to process what Sam was talking about.

"When do you find yours?"

"I don't know. It could be in two months, it could be in twenty years. Or I might never find one. Sometimes I think it's unfair but if I don't get one, I haven't earned it. I'd like to know what I need to do to earn one but that doesn't come with a textbook like Jacob's powers, unfortunately. I could-"

"Sam," Hunter grumbled. They both looked up to see him in his human form, cuddling the little pup. "Shut up."

Sam pursed his lips and quickly shut the door. He nervously laughed it off before walking over to Anthony. He picked up some bacon and watched the birds land on the field through the window. His wolf traits really liked chasing birds.

"Sure Sam, help yourself," Anthony's tone was sarcastic as he gently nudged him out of his way. They have known him for many, many years and were very happy when Hunter chose him to be is Beta wolf. He was incredibly loyal, fun, hard working and not afraid to protect his alpha in any situation.

He felt like part of the family and they wouldn't have it any other way.

"William, go give this coffee to your dad," Margo beamed and handed it to him. "Would you like one?"

"I'm okay thank you."

Scott had just managed to sit up when a big cup was forced into his hands. William sat next to him and watched him closely.

"Are you okay, dad?"

Scott turned and decided whether he should put on a brave face or not. This was his child and he needed to be there for him, not the other way around.

"I am yes. I feel better after sleeping. How are you this morning?" He patted his son's knee and sipped the coffee and hoped it would wake him up a bit more.

"I'm okay too I guess. Do you think we'll see mum today?"

"I don't know. I think it's best to meet Nathan properly so we know his side of the story first," He rubbed his temples and sat back against the cushions. "I can't believe she has a brother."

"I can't believe I have an uncle. Does he have any kids?"

"He does," Flora interrupted and slowly sat on the opposite couch. "But he is the alpha of the rival pack that had Alisha as the beta wolf."

"What?" William frowned. "Really?"

"Yes but he has apologised to Hunter and most of what Alisha did was not ordered by her Alpha," Margo sat down next to her mother. "He is going to try and build a friendship with Vic."

"Hopefully," Anthony mumbled. "That kid has always been jealous of him."

"Well he can grow up, no boy will cause my grandson any trouble," Flora said proudly. She then turned to Anthony with a questioning frown. "Are you announcing their relationship at the city meeting today?"

"I am," He crossed his arms and curled his eyebrows into a frown. "I also have to announce that he's Jacota which means bringing him with me so he can show his power, otherwise people will think I'm mad."

"He should be okay if Hunter is with him," Scott added. "I've seen small bursts of confidence within him when they are together."

"Me too," Margo smiled and crossed her legs. She was going to do her morning yoga soon and was planning on forcing Jacob into joining her. It was a calming morning ritual and he might enjoy the peaceful hour outside to do nothing other than think to himself and ease his tense body. "He has a beautiful soul and I'm more than sure everyone will see it too."

"And if they don't?" Scott asked.

"Scott, Jacob may not be aware of this yet but he is our leader. He's royalty to all of the werewolves in the united kingdom. People like me who are in charge of cities will be seen as wolves who simply work for him. I'll be viewed as nothing when he stands next to me in this hall today and I'm more than okay with that."

"Maybe after today, we should start looking for the other Gods. They need to be reunited after the lunar cycle," Flora suggested.

"Maybe not reunited, but aware that each other exist. We don't know how much the other God's know about themselves or if they know more than us."

"What more could they possibly know?" Sam asked.

"Well, the God's have been brought back for a reason and that's a pretty big unanswered question."