Disclaimer: All characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer but the plot is all mine!
Summary: Sequel to In The Arms Of The Angel – Bella and Paul are happily married and life is bliss. It's been a quiet few years for the pack since the Cullen's departure but a dark storm is coming to La Push two worlds will collide with devastating results. Will their world crash and burn in the struggle for survival?
The peace and family life that the pack had got used to was about to change. The cycle appeared to be starting up again. Two more young Quileute boys had recently phased and another was showing all the signs…despite the Cullen's having left La Push for good something was coming and the Great Spirits were preparing…
But this time the Wolf pack of La Push had more to lose…the stakes were most definitely higher failure wasn't an option…even if it meant their lives would be sacrificed…
I know it's been a long time coming… fingers crossed you like where we are going…. oxoxo
Chapter 1- Married bliss
Four years had passed since Edward and Alice had been destroyed and the Cullen's banished from La Push for ever. Four peaceful uneventful years except for the birth of children and couples saying "I do". Normality had returned to La Push for the resident wolf pack who lived there.
Well as normal as life can be for a group of young men and one woman who changed into massive wolves that's is...
Bella Lahote had everything she could ever have wished for and once thought she had lost...a home, a loving husband, children. She looked in the mirror at the young woman reflected there and taking a deep breath she reached out in front of her...this was it...but was she ready?
"Mommy, mommy please can I come in?" Lily–Rose shouted her little fist hammering at the bathroom door. Bella took a deep breath
"In a moment baby…" she replied "Mommy just needs to do something and I'll be out"
"Levi is here and he wants to come in too mommy" That's when the screaming began as her two year old son tried the door handle in vain. Bella stood in the bathroom with the door firmly locked as she stared at the small piece of plastic she held in her hand. There was no denying it now…two dark lines…
Positive…Pregnant …
Bella sighed they had been so careful too having found that the shot did not agree with her. She narrowed her eyes no wonder Paul had made himself scarce. He knew she was doing the test that morning and no doubt he already knew the result thanks to that lupine nose of his. She sighed loudly and no doubt the rest of the pack did too she thought.
Placing a hand over her stomach she caught her reflection in the mirror. Dear lord she thought they were gonna have three kids under 5. Levi was still a baby…Quickly stowing the result away she turned and unlocked the door and young Levi practically threw himself into her arms his little chest heaving as small sobs escaped with each breath. Bella rolled her eyes they had been happily playing in their room whilst she cleaned but somehow like all children they instinctively knew when she had locked the bathroom door…
"Shhh…" she whispered "Silly boy Mommy wasn't gone." Two large hazel eyes looked into hers, as Levi stuck his bottom lip out and shook his head. He was a perfect mini me of Paul, not a speck of Bella could be seen. He was simply gorgeous and Bella hugged him tight
"Mama gone" he whimpered as he held his toy wolf out. Bella kissed both Levi and the toy wolf
"Mama is sorry" Bella smiled "Come on lets go get some lunch and maybe that daddy of yours might dare to put in an appearance." Levi nodded enthusiastically he loved his food. She held out her hand to Lily-Rose who stood quietly to one side "You ready for lunch too princess?" Bella enquired the small girl nodded and together they descended the stairs…
The children were busy eating when Paul appeared. He pressed that warm firm body of his against her back and nuzzled her neck. Bella tilted her head in lupine surrender and he placed a kiss upon his mark chuckling low before spinning her round so he could kiss her lips. They kept it sweet in front of the children. Bella was happy for them to see how much their parents loved each other but nothing overtly physical…that was for private time when the children were out or fast asleep.
"Love you" he whispered as Bella sighed in return
"Love you too"
"Papa!" Lily-Rose screeched looking at her mommy with big eyes a pleading look on her face
"You may get down" Bella sighed as Lily-Rose scrambled down and ran into Pauls waiting arms he spun her around as her giggles filled the air. Levi whined desperately from his high chair wanting to join his sister his little hands opening and closing at the air his eyes fixed on his daddy. Paul quickly picked him up and both children hung onto the huge shape shifter as he nuzzled each child in turn.
"Papa is purring!" Lily-Rose squealed again as a low rumble came from Pauls chest. Bella rolled her eyes before turning to put some dishes in the washer.
"So he is…" she laughed "Papa is happy"
"So…" she heard his low voice rumble and she shivered in response. God he had a sexy voice she thought no wonder she was pregnant yet again. She turned to face him. Levi was busy slobbering big wet kisses down his jaw as Lily-Rose chattered on about her morning. His beautiful hazel eyes captured hers as he tilted his head in that lupine way they all had.
"You know the result…" Bella replied she couldn't help but feel this baby was a little too soon after Levi .She frowned a little as she turned away again then added "So why ask?" Almost mechanically she began to wipe down the kitchen counter. Warm arms encircled her pulling her into his embrace.
"I only knew for sure a couple of days or so ago" he hugged her closer "You had missed your period…and…well…" he sighed loudly "I'm sorry…" he looked as guilty as a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"For what? " Bella huffed relaxing into his body relishing those hot kisses of his that he placed upon her neck. "Take's two to tango Lahote" she smiled up at him "And we like to tango a lot…" she frowned again "Though I can't understand why our contraception failed we are usually so careful…and you know my fertile time" Paul looked guilty "What's wrong?" she sighed "Come on spill…"
"It's my fault because I was kinda expecting it and…" He sighed again his eyes trained on the ceiling "I know when it happened…" She blinked in surprise then blinked again "It was the night of Jacob and Claire's house warming party and well Old Quil's moonshine…a wolfs downfall." He didn't have to add anything further and he started to back off towards the door. Bella said nothing but her eyes were narrowing her small hands on her hips.
"I couldn't help it baby …" He pleaded "Come on Bella we agreed we were gonna add to our little brood and …well you smelt so fertile baby and the wolf…"
"You didn't…" she sighed annoyed at herself…she couldn't quite remember but damn now she thought about it she'd trusted a wolf with contraception? Bella closed her eyes…not in front of the children she thought…as she took a deep breath
"Yep didn't wrap it…" He smiled at her with that smile he kept only for her "Both of us were a little worse for wear I recall…" he had opened the door to the back yard and she could clearly hear Jacobs deep voice calling from outside
"But not drunk enough to stop you performing Lahote!" she huffed as she picked up a wet towel. "And I don't remember agreeing to a third baby either…" she snapped as she caught him with the towel across that pert behind of his"
He laughed as he ran through the door "You were happy to go for it at the time baby…you could have said no…".
"I take it she's found out…" Jacob winced up at Paul as Bella's voice screeched…
"Lahote get your furry backside back in this kitchen…"
Paul just shrugged. "She'll come around and we were planning to have a third really we were" He smiled at Jacob who just shook his head in response as both phased smoothly into the wolf and took off into the forest.
"So that means all the imprints apart from Claire are pregnant again" Jacob looked at his Beta with worried eyes "At least I can thank the spirits that Claire is away from the Rez studying. But what with the increased leech activity lately I've got to admit it I'm a bit concerned Paul"
"We should still keep the detail from the imprints" Paul growled "Until we know for certain that the two new pups and the other young boy showing all the signs are the last to join the pack" Jacob nodded.
The cycle was starting again. They hadn't voiced it but both wolves felt something bad was coming to La Push. Jacob and Paul picked up speed as they ran towards the pack meeting place deep in the forest.
000
The pack had grown over the last four years and their number now stood at fifteen. They stood bumping each other in that lupine way of greeting, the need to reconnect with each wolf. All eyes snapped to Jacob as he leapt into the clearing he growled loudly sharp teeth snapping as he sought their attention. Paul skidded to a halt at his alpha's side.
"Report" Jacob barked loudly looking meaningfully at Quil who promptly padded forward turning to face the pack.
"There have been further incursions onto our lands by the cold ones" he snarled then glanced at Jacob before carrying on "We are used to the occasional nomad but this is the third night running that a patrol has encountered the stench of leech close to La Push" Snapping and snarling filled the air the pack incensed that these undead creatures defiled their sacred land
"Enough!" Jacob Growled "Quil carry on" The chocolate coloured wolf nodded in response
"Embry and I were heading home after a relatively quiet night when we picked up their trail about a quarter of a mile out from la Push." A collective shudder passed through the pack psyche…
That close to home…
"You heard right" Embry added "Just a quarter of a mile out and there was more than one" He glanced around the pack all eyes were riveted on him "But the trail was hours old and despite a thorough search they had disappeared"
"The sea?" Paul asked his head cocked to one side. Embry nodded
"The trail ended at the beach…" he sighed. Paul nodded fucking parasites he thought they swam like fish…wolves tended to sink…like stones
"What we can't understand" Embry growled "Is how the fuck we didn't smell them early on. Quil and I both passed First Beach on our way out to the north of the rez at the start of the patrol"
"And what about this morning's patrol?" Jake growled eyeing Colin and Brady "Anything unusual?"
"Nothing to report Jake" Colin replied "We took in First Beach like we always do at the start of a patrol. There was a slight lingering smell of leech but it was hours old and Quil filled us in when we changed shifts so we knew we would smell it." Brady nodded his huge head in agreement with his cousin
"Which brings me to the conclusion" Jacob growled "That we need to step up patrols starting from tonight" A collective growl filled the air. "Paul " he snapped "I know I don't have to tell you but make sure the new pups get some experience especially with the scent of leech lingering at First Beach they will be better able to control the wolf when they meet the fuckers for real" The younger wolves yipped with excitement at their Alphas words
Paul nodded that was exactly what he had in mind. The driving need to hunt and tear apart vampire was all consuming for the both the man and the wolf. Inexperienced pups could put the whole pack in danger if they couldn't control their wolf or take orders. He huffed a little he would patrol himself tonight it would be a good chance to school the pups besides if he were honest with himself Bella needed some time to cool down he'd make it up to her in the morning she'd be ready by then to make a little peace…
A sudden howl filled the air full of agony and fear. All lupine heads turned to where the sound originated…
"Fuck…" Paul gasped as Jakes eyes snapped to his "New wolf!" The Alpha nodded then sighed another young boy whose innocent childhood was about to abruptly end
"I'm on it Chief" Sam growled as he turned for the direction of the pitiful howl
"Me too" Jared yipped following the black wolf into the depths of the forest. The poor soul who had phased was running at full speed towards the Cullen treaty boundary line and the two wolves needed to head them off before they crossed.
"Keep me informed" Jacob added through their link. Even though he had dissolved the treaty when the pack had disposed of Edward and Alice nomadic vampires were drawn to the old Cullen Mansion and it was not the place for a young inexperienced wolf to be alone. "Get them to phase back and let me know who…"
Jacob shrugged his huge shoulder More distressed parents to handle he thought what with them and the Elders it was getting difficult to juggle who knew what and how much. He turned once again to face the pack… "Lets continue" He growled "I have other things to do than stand in a clearing all day."
.
000
An hour or so later after sorting out the extra patrols the pack split up some to rest and others to seek comfort from their imprints and pups. Paul and Jacob agreed they would run to First Beach… they wanted to smell the leeches for themselves without the distraction of the young pups too.
Jacob stood on the cliffs above First Beach watching the waves lazily lap the shore with Paul beside him. The sea was relatively calm for once but out on the horizon dark clouds were gathering and the wind was starting to pick up. Large sea birds screamed loudly over head as if in warning of what was to come
"Looks like a storm is coming" Jacob huffed as his eyes raked over Paul "Better get the pups down here pretty sharpish before the rain washes the scent away." Paul nodded his huge head and swished his tail in reply.
"I'll bring them down as soon as were finished here" Paul replied "Maybe if Embry comes too we can cover off a few tactics. They need to know what to expect besides I'm on night patrol anyways so I can go straight from here"
"Thought you said Bella was ok about the pregnancy?" Jake huffed his lips drawn back as he revealed a wolfy grin he couldn't resist a poke at Paul who was so obviously avoiding going home
Paul sighed "You know my little wife" he grimaced "She'll take a while to simmer down" he rolled his eyes "Just better if I take the pups and not go home for a while" Jacob yipped loudly big bad assed Lahote scared of a woman half his size he thought
"Why do it Paul?" he snickered again "Why get her pregnant so soon after Levi the least you could have done was ask man"
"Honestly Jake…" he sighed in reply "We have been discussing adding to our little brood…"
"Yeah but not so soon Paul…"Jacob snapped "You know women need a break in between" he closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath then he shook his huge head a little to once again look his Beta in the eye "And to think when you first got together you weren't willing to give her one baby" he huffed again "I mean what the fuck…you after your own pack or something?" Paul sighed and looked up at his Alpha who was barely containing the laughter that was bubbling up from his huge chest
"I ought to Alpha order you to stay home tonight just for the sheer hell of it and maybe next time you'll wrap it" Jake snickered "Nothing like an imprint on the warpath…especially when that imprint happens to be Bells". Jacob bumped his seconds shoulder "Come on lets go down to the beach I wanna smell that stench for myself".
The two wolves picked their way down the steep cliff pathway picking up speed as they hit the stony beach. Half way along both of them came to an abrupt stop the smell of death and rotting flesh was strong
"More than one Jake…" Paul growled "The stench is so strong I'd say they returned after Embry and Quil left" Jacob nodded his agreement as his eyes scanned the beach and the woods beyond.
"Let's run the boundary" Jake suggested "See how they got onto the beach in the first place". Paul yipped excitedly and the two wolves raced off. Not long after both wolves returned to the spot by the shore where the strong smell of vampire still lingered. Paul shook his huge head and huffed loudly
"I can't make any sense of this Jake" he growled "They did not come onto the beach from the forest that's for sure." Jacob paced his wolf agitated… they were missing something he just knew it…. "I'd say" continued Paul "They came out of the water only explanation unless they flew." Jacob eyed him doubtfully
"I fucking hope not that's all we need flying vamps!" He chuffed his huge tail swished in agitation
"Well in legend they usually fly as bats" Paul snickered as Jacob rolled his eyes. "All the best Dracula films have him flapping about as a bat" The joke eased the tense atmosphere for a few seconds…
"I agree with you…" Jake went on ignoring the Dracula reference. "They came out of the water no other possible explanation" Paul nodded in agreement
"What bothers me most of all" growled Paul "Is none of the patrols have seen anything. By all accounts there was nothing here when Quil and Embry started the patrol last night…you heard them confirm that"
"Nor when they came back in the early hours and caught the stench on the wind" huffed Jake he looked thoughtful as he added "Colin and Brady's patrol later this morning…nothing… they confirmed it at the meeting" Jakes eyes narrowed as he hissed "The next patrol isn't until later this afternoon just before sun set…"
"Precisely" Paul growled "Yet we come here in between patrols and the stench is what less than an hour old by my reckoning?" Jacob nodded
"Which means only one thing…" Jacob pulled his lips back to reveal sharp teeth as a long snarl escaped from his throat "They fucking know when we patrol…" Paul nodded then sighed
"Yep" Paul clawed the ground in agitation "And that's bad news Jake very bad news…"
A/N So its started...join me again soon?
Till next time ...
Oxoxo