Chapter 65

"I don't think it's a good idea for the boys to be in college," Anthony rubbed his eyes and drank his coffee. It was almost half seven in the morning and he was debating taking Hunter out of college. It wasn't compulsory because he was eighteen. Jacob's eighteenth birthday is approaching quickly and if they're receiving missions, they have to fulfil them instead of staying in education.

"I don't either," Margo sighed. Hunter never talks about what he's learning and it'll end up being too stressful for them.

"Shall we just not wake them up for college today? If Hunter's tutor calls again I'll tell her that he's not coming back. She can't do anything about it."

Margo nodded while her mother entered through the front door. She is a very early riser and spent the past hour walking around the edge of the forest.

"Flora, I don't mean to sound rude but when are you going home?" Anthony asked rather sheepishly.

Flora stopped and allowed a gentle chuckle to escape her lips.

"Well, deary I can go whenever you're sick of me. I only intended to stay until the end of the lunar cycle."

"It's always lovely to see you mum but we have our hands full at the minute," Margo got up and wrapped her arms around her. "You're welcome to visit as much as you want when we move back into our old home, now that it'll be much bigger."

"I know love, it can get crowded very quickly in this house. One extra person is enough." Flora kissed her daughters cheeks. She had already packed her things. "Your father is missing me. He's missing you too but he'll visit in a few weeks."

Margo smiled and hugged her.

"I don't want you to be part of all this werewolf Hunting nonsense anyway."

"It's alright, young Jacob will sort it out. It is his mission after all. And my clever grandson will guide him in the right direction. They will work well as a team," Flora stood back and picked up her bag. "Right, I'm going to set off now."

"Would you like any food or tea before you go?" Anthony questioned after getting up to give her a hug.

"No, I'm okay. And don't worry about me on my travels, I may be old but I can put up a mean fight."

"I don't doubt that," He chuckled.

"And I know Hunter will be sad he didn't see me leave but I'll be back in a few weeks." Flora had a twinkle in her eye and Margo knew she would most likely spend her time travelling around the country with her dad. She's a free spirit and loves to be outside, experiencing new places.

"I'll tell them both you said bye."

"Okay, I love you all. See you soon!"

When she was gone, Anthony put his arms around his wife and pulled her against his chest. She hugged him back and closed her eyes.

"I can't wait to move back into our old house."

"I know," Anthony breathed out a content sigh. "But we should keep this home for a little getaway if life gets too much. I've learned to love it and I know Hunter has too."

Margo lifted her head and looked up into his eyes.

"I want Scott to live with us. He's a lovely man and I adore William. I can't bear the thought of them struggling. I know William can get a job to support him but we have an opportunity for them to live better. I think they'd like living with people instead of being alone in a house that's most likely full of memories about Grace."

Just then, Jacob landed on the floor and narrowly missed hitting his head against the table. Margo jumped and clung onto Anthony while Jacob spat out water and wiped wet hair from his face. He was gasping for air, soaking wet and looking a little confused.

"Jacob! Are you alright?" Anthony ran over and helped him up. "Where on earth have you been?"

"U-Um," He coughed and shook from the cold. "I woke up and Hunter was having a horrible dream about drowning. I accidentally transported into a lake because I was thinking about water."

Margo tried to ignore the fact that her son was most likely dreaming about that horrible day all those years ago.

"Aw you poor thing," Her eyes examined his wet clothes until Hunter's bedroom door opened and her son popped his head out with messy bed hair and distressed eyes.

"What's going on?" He croaked and frowned at Jacob. "What happened to you?"

"I teleported into some water."

Hunter's face went a little serious, knowing it was his fault because of his nightmare.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just a bit cold," He whispered.

"Come on, you need a shower." Hunter lightly pulled him towards the bathroom.

"I need to talk to him about my parents," Anthony thought to Margo. "It's about time I knew how he was really feeling."

When they reached the bathroom, Hunter also entered and shut the door behind him. Jacob turned with a questioning frown.

"What? I need a shower too."

"B-But-" Jacob stuttered, making him smile. He placed his hands on his shoulders.

"It's okay, we're saving water."

Jacob's cheeks flamed bright pink and his eyes darted around the small room, trying to avoid Hunter's intense stare.

"U-Um, I-" He trailed off, not really knowing what to say. Hunter watched him with a very calm and gentle approach.

"Our relationship is never going to move forwards if you're too scared to do anything. It's only a shower but a huge milestone for us." Hunter moved his hands down to the bottom of his wet t-shirt and casually tugged on it. "There's really nothing to worry about." He lifted his t-shirt and allowed his warm fingers to soak up his cold skin.

Jacob shuddered at the touch of his fingers brushing against his stomach.

He knew he needed to get over the fear of embarrassment and his self-hate. Hunter likes him just the way he is, he could feel it. But does he like himself enough to strip away is protective walls? No, he doesn't.

"Remember," Hunters voice was quiet, almost like he was worried he'd scare him. "We're good enough for each other."

Jacob's heart believed him but his head didn't. However, he was right that nothing would ever happen between them if he was too afraid. He needed to step up, get over his fears and allow someone to love him because he deserved it.

It was about time he had faith not only in others but within himself too.

He stepped back from Hunter and peeled his wet t-shirt from his body. He pulled it over his head and dropped it to the ground.

Hunter wanted to show his pride but he stayed calm and pulled his t-shirt off too. Jacob's cheeks were now a deep shade of red as he watched Hunter pull off his shorts and chuck them in the laundry basket.

He was naked and Jacob envied his confidence. His feelings and expression didn't alter one bit because to him, there was no issue in other people seeing his raw form.

Jacob's fingers hesitated at his waistline. Hunter has already seen him naked, there was absolutely nothing for him to stress about. So he took a deep breath and pulled off his pyjama bottoms.

Hunter stayed completely still, except his eyes were not afraid to wander. He enjoyed what he saw and wasn't ashamed to admit it, yet he knew couldn't smother Jacob with compliments, he'd get too shy and uncomfortable so he acted completely normal and stepped into the shower.

"Do you like hot showers?" He asked and started fiddling with the handles.

"Yes," Jacob whispered and very slowly followed. His heart was pumping through his chest and he was very alert. He felt like a million eyes were on him.

The shower then turned on and poor Hunter was the victim of ice cold water hitting his head. He let out a little cry and jumped out of the way.

This seemed to soften his mate's tense body who reached up and twisted it to warm water.

"I'm definitely awake now," Hunter chuckled and tenderly pushed Jacob underneath the sprinkling water. "I'm sorry that you heard my dream this morning."

Jacob dodged eye contact like the plague and avoided looking down as the warm water hugged his cold skin.

"You have that dream often," He mumbled.

"I know," Hunter sighed but he didn't want to talk about it right now so he grabbed a bottle of shampoo and squeezed some onto Jacob's hair who froze when he started rubbing it in. "I would offer for you to wash me in return but I don't think we're quite at that stage yet," He grinned with a cheeky twinkle in his eyes.

Jacob closed his own and tried so hard not to feel immensely awkward.

Hunter was stepping closer. He almost couldn't believe that he was showering with Jacob. He has come such a long way in a short amount of time. He was so happy that he could trust him like this.

"We haven't had our morning hug and kiss yet," He declared in his thoughts.

Now, Jacob's heart was really thumping in his chest and Hunter felt a huge wave of nerves pass through him.

His soapy hands lowered down the back of his neck and linked around his shoulders. He was slow while he very softly pushed their bodies together.

Jacob's eyes remained shut but he could feel every outline of Hunter touching him. He couldn't suppress the shiver of pleasure which invaded his spine.

"Don't hide your affection. Just let it flow freely, there's nobody here judging you and you know I like making you feel this way." Hunter's deep and silky voice was soothing Jacob's mind.

He took a breath and relaxed into him. He loosely wrapped his arms around his back and rested his head on his shoulder. His soapy hair got all over the side of Hunter's face but he didn't mind.

"Are you proud of yourself?" Hunter thought.

Jacob slowly nodded. He thought it would take him months to build the courage although, Hunter has always been very open with how he feels and that is what he needed. He always wished he could read peoples minds so he knew what they were thinking. Even if he couldn't read Hunter's thoughts, he'd still know how he was feeling because he's truthful about it.

"I'm sorry I'm so closed off. It's hard for me to express-"

"You don't have to explain yourself. We're all different, I understand." Hunter pulled his head back to see his eyes still shut but the shampoo was running down his face. He gave him a kiss and received one back immediately.

"Um," Jacob said out loud. "I taste soap."

Hunter chuckled and pushed him back under the running water. His eyes lowered and explored every perfect inch of him. He couldn't believe that he was so self-conscious of such a wonderful body.

Jacob took a breath and opened his eyes to see the werewolf's gaze shoot back up. Hunter grinned, oozing out his confidence.

"Are you warmer now?"

"Yes." Jacob moved and allowed his mate to share the warmth of the water. The shower was small and only just squeezed them both in.

Hunter was careful not to touch him in delicate places with his hands, he wasn't sure if his flustered cheeks could take it or not.

"So, what are we doing today?" Hunter asked and squeezed shampoo onto Jacob's hands, expecting him to wash his hair in return.

"Questioning my grandparents."

"Are we just gonna barge into their home?"

"I don't think we have to force it. We don't know how much they know about us so it could be like a visit or something. They've met you already."

"Good idea. But I think it's best if my pack and dads pack wait close by in case something happens." Hunter knew he didn't really need a backup because Jacob's powers are much stronger than a simple werewolf.

"Okay," Jacob watched him put his head under the water and took the opportunity to glance down. His pupils dilated and he pursed his lips together. He instantly took his gaze back to Hunter's face because his innocent mind was too pure to continue.

One day soon, he won't be so clueless with his affection and he won't be so embarrassed. It was getting through this stage that was hard for him, yet he was already completing the first phase to loving himself.

He was letting someone else peek through the walls of his insecurities and witness his authentic image. Eventually, Hunter will knock them to the ground and set him free.

He could not wait for that day and now, he knew it would unmistakably come.