Chapter 20

"He's not awake." Hunter rested his elbow on the table and his chin on his palm. His eyes were dull, but he felt pleasantly surprised that his parents were okay with his mate.

"What time does he start college?" Margo asked.

"Eleven." It wasn't even nine in the morning, but Jacob was usually awake by now.

"Okay, We'll pick him up outside college and take him here."

Hunter didn't like the sound of that. Jacob was very timid and he struggled to meet new people. They would overwhelm him for sure. "Are you certain that this is the best thing to do?"

"Well it's not like your methods of doing things have worked so far has it?" Anthony watched his son scowl in his direction.

"I know I fuc-"

"Don't you dare swear in this house," Margo hushed. "And yes, it is best if we attempt to settle things for your mate. He needs to know how important this is."

* * * * *

Jacob was woken up at ten in the morning. He surprised himself for sleeping in so late. Jacob knew the bond might have something to do with it. Now that he knew he wasn't going insane with the voice in his head, he somehow managed to relax at night. There was something oddly comforting about Hunter's subconscious thoughts, lingering in the back of his mind. Jacob didn't feel so alone.

When he was up and dressed, he sat down for breakfast and tried hard to ignore the unbearable throbbing in his chest.

"Good morning," Hunter's voice boomed in his head, almost making him jump.

"Morning," Jacob replied.

"I have a bit of a problem."

Jacob stopped chewing and frowned. Scott was sitting opposite, watching him from over the top of his coffee cup. "What is it?"

"My parents know about you. But it's fine, they don't hate me. Well actually... they hate me for keeping it a secret from you for half a year."

"I hate you for that too."

"I know, and I'm sorry, but they now want you to ditch college and come to mine so they can talk to you about it."

Jacob put down his toast and crossed his arms. He stared at the table, engrossing himself into the conversation. "I can't ditch college."

"You might have to. They're very persistent. Don't worry, nobody will know."

Jacob glanced at his dad who smiled.

"Are you okay, son? We need to go in five minutes," Scott said.

Jacob nodded. "How?" he replied to Hunter.

"Well, when you go to college, tell your brother that you're going to the toilet. Wait until after the bell and then come outside, I'll be waiting for you."

Jacob knew that would work because William would have gone to class and his dad would have gone to work. "Fine." His nerves tickled his insides when he thought about meeting Hunter's parents.

"Don't stress about them, I won't let them interrogate you."

That didn't help. Jacob picked his toast back up and thought about what he would be missing in college.

"How're you feeling today? I feel horrible."

"Me too." Jacob's head felt like it was going to explode. His skin even felt sore and sensitive like he was getting a fever.

"We'll be together soon."

"Come on then," Scott interrupted a conversation he couldn't hear and shouted on William as Jacob stood up, looking around for his shoes.

* * * * *

Hunter sat in the truck with his dad. They were parked outside the college, watching and waiting for his mate to arrive.

"What's his name?" Anthony asked. trying to get his head around the fact that they were looking for another man.

"Jacob." Hunter felt a little awkward. He needed to be proud of his mate and he was, it was just unusual to be in a position with his dad where they were finally looking for the person he was going to spend the rest of his life with.

"How old is he?"

"Seventeen."

"What does he study-"

"There he is!" Hunter's eyes found Jacob immediately and his heart jumped up his throat. He had such a strong urge to run up to him and kiss his face off.

"Where?" Anthony questioned, his eyes skimming through the many students.

"Look, him in the jeans and the black hoody." Hunter pointed him out.

Anthony was surprised. Jacob was big built and tall. He was handsome but lacked confidence. His head was down as he nervously gripped his bag straps.

"You like your men muscular huh?" Anthony smirked and nudged Hunter's shoulder when a light coat of blush covered his cheeks. Making jokes was the only way for them both to stay comfortable.

"Yes." Hunter was looking at Jacob with a longing for affection. "I'm not even gonna deny it." He did like muscle and Jacob's masculinity. He liked how he had a masculine smell and a deep voice. Although, he loved his gentle nature, his quiet personality, and his innocence.

"There's nothing to deny or be ashamed of," Anthony said. "It's unusual to see you looking at another guy like that but you can't help who you're attracted to. Love is not a choice."

Hunter smiled. He felt suddenly very thankful to have such understanding parents. "I'm in the green truck, wait for me outside college soon."

Jacob turned towards the truck, spotting Hunter and someone else watching him from the front seats. He quickly diverted his gaze and followed the rush of students as they piled into the building.

"He looks quite, I don't know, shy?" Anthony said and tapped gently on the steering wheel.

"He is. Actually, he's very shy so don't expect to get a conversation out of him."

"Is he just like that with new people?"

Hunter shook his head and took a big breath to ease the pain in his body. "It's just who he is. He's really, really quiet. But don't point it out or he'll probably have a meltdown."

Anthony raised his eyebrows. "Really? He's that fragile?" He wondered why his boisterous, loud and dominant minded son was paired with someone so quiet and timid. But like he said, Hunter can't help who he falls in love with. He doesn't have the right to question the power of lunar love. They're together for a reason, just like every mate who are brought together through their magnificent bond.

"To be honest, I haven't helped. He has gotten a lot worse."

Anthony then turned and smacked him on the side of the head. Hunter flinched but it wasn't hard enough to really hurt. "You're going to make it up to him. You were not there for him when he needed you the most. What kind of mate are you?"

Hunter understood that his dad would be like this for a while. Anthony could be stern when he felt strongly about something. "A bad one."

"Damn straight you are," Anthony muttered.

Hunter was about to roll his eyes until the college doors opened and his mate walked out, alone. Jacob glanced around the car park. It was virtually empty. Nobody was around and it was the perfect moment for them to re-connect their bond.

"Stay there, I'm coming over," Hunter thought. He scrambled out of the truck while Anthony watched.

Jacob turned and his eyes grew bright with excitement. He had to touch the werewolf.

Hunter's sprinted over and his smile grew wide when he got close enough to grab Jacob's hoody and pull him into his chest. Jacob didn't protest and wrapped his arms around him too. He buried his head into his shoulder and breathed deeply, catching his scent of fresh grass, bacon, and toothpaste.

Hunter rested his face in his hair. Jacob's scent and warmth filled him with instant pleasure. "Feeling better?"

Jacob nodded against the fabric of his t-shirt. His headache was going and his body stopped tensing.

"I can't describe how much I missed you." Hunter wanted the moment to last forever.

Anthony had tilted his head and watched with a little smile. He didn't think it would look so... normal to see his son embracing a guy with such tenderness. He wanted to curse himself for thinking that way. Why wouldn't it look normal? It was just two people falling in love.

Jacob missed Hunter too, though, he wasn't ready to admit it out loud.

"Come on, let's go back to mine before someone spots us."

Jacob pulled away and followed Hunter to the green truck. He avoided looking at Hunter's dad because he was already nervous.

Hunter opened the door and climbed in the back. His mate followed as Anthony turned and watched him. "Hello." His voice made Jacob jump. "I'm Anthony, Hunter's dad. It's great to meet you."

Jacob tried to smile, but couldn't get words out, knowing he would choke, stutter, and embarrass himself. As Anthony stared for a moment longer, Jacob noticed how he had the same majestic grey eyes as Hunter and the same black hair.

* * * * *

When they arrived outside Hunter's family home, Margo was sitting on the wooden steps, excited to meet her son's mate.

Jacob climbed out of the vehicle and waited for Hunter. He didn't know why he agreed to do something so terrifying. He wasn't a peoples person, and meeting Hunter's parents was like throwing himself head first into a tank of sharks.

"Don't worry, just be yourself."

"That's what I'm worried about."

Hunter watched his hands fiddling with the ends of his hoody sleeves. "You're my mate, they'll like you no matter what." Hunter guided him to his mother who grinned.

"Hello!" She beamed and held Jacob's hands. Her glossy eyes examine him. Instantly, she felt that he was the right person for her son. Jacob could tame Hunter and be the one person to give him orders that he would truly listen to. "I'm Margo, it's lovely to meet you. What's your name?"

"Um, Jacob," he whispered before she squeezed his hand.

"Why don't you come on inside and I'll make some tea."

Everyone made their way through the wooden door until Jacob stopped. He bent down to take off his shoes. Hunter hovered behind him and crossed his arms with a funny frown. "I told you last time, you don't have to do that."

And just like last time, Jacob ignored him and placed them neatly out of the way. He felt better about being in the house now that it was no longer new to him.

Hunter followed Jacob to the table and they all sat down. Jacob pulled his sleeves over his hands and sat quietly and as still as he could, hoping to blend into the background, but he was unfortunately the centre of attention.

"Right, now that you're here Jacob," Anthony spoke, "on behalf of my son, I want to apologise. He shouldn't have connected with you the way that he did. It should have been a great and exciting experience instead of what you got. Also, he should have told you who he was when you first heard his voice in your head. I'm so sorry that he put you through such a rough time."

Jacob could see Hunter glaring at his dad. He could also feel his guilt.

The werewolf turned to his mate, his eyes full of sorrow. "I am sorry. I know you can feel it but that's not good enough. I messed up and it hurt you and I won't forgive myself until you can forgive me."

Jacob was able to keep eye contact with him. He felt different and so did Hunter. Their bond was patchy because Jacob didn't trust him and that's not how it was supposed to be. Feeling Hunter's sadness was a good sign.

"You did mess up," he mumbled, "but I get it, you were afraid of the outcome like I am now."

"I was." Hunter moved his chair closer so their shoulders brushed against one another. "You don't need to be afraid. I'm going to help you through it like I should've done in the beginning."

Jacob's arm felt fuzzy and warm. "Um, I-I know, thank you."

Anthony and Margo couldn't believe they were looking at their son's mate; human, male and almost the polar opposite. They were excited and ready for someone special to be in their son's life.

"Jacob, we're sorry for making you skip college but it's really important that you know about the roles of being an Alpha's mate. You are very important to our son and his pack."

Jacob felt Hunter lean against him.

"You don't have to do anything or say anything, once they are finished explaining, we can sit in my room and talk openly about it, okay?"

Jacob liked that idea. He felt anxious in the eyes of his parents. "Okay."

Hunter looked down to his mates lap, wanting to take his hand.

Jacob could hear his thoughts and shoved his hands into his pockets, regretting it almost immediately. He wanted to hold Hunter's hand too.