Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas that deviate from Stephanie Meyers.
A/N: Thank you for giving my story a chance. I enjoy and encourage constructive criticism and all praise. All I ask are no flames. Also, I do not have a Beta so all mistakes are mine. I've tried to go through and catch as much grammatical errors as possible. If there is anything glaring wrong, please let me know. Thanks!
Alpha Female
Chapter 2
"Sam I'm going," I turned to walk into my place to pack a bag.
"No you are not Paul," I could tell he was using his Alpha voice but it wasn't affecting me at all now.
The reason why Sam was trying to order me around was because Jared and I just found out our tribal legends are true. Some of the men in the tribe are able to phase into a horse sized wolf. My first phase was when Bella's mom told me I couldn't talk to her for two weeks and that Bella may not be coming back. I was angrier than I had ever been. Instinctually I knew I had to get out of my house and as soon as I was in my yard I phased and shredded my clothes in the process. Sam had been the first to phase about six months ago and that made him Alpha. The Alpha has a certain power in which to order us about so we can work as a team seamlessly. He used the Alpha order to get me to calm down initially but now it's not working. All I know, is I have to get to Bella.
"Billy, why isn't this working?" I heard Sam ask our Tribal Chief. The chief and the council of Elders had shown up shortly after Sam to help me learn to phase. It took thinking of spending time with Bella and I was suddenly human again, naked in my front yard. Every time I got upset I would think of the same memory that helped me change back and I would calm down. When I thought about her bitch of a mother, though, I would quickly phase back into a wolf.
"I don't know," Billy sounded as confused as I felt.
"Sam if you are really worried then just come with," I hollered as I was throwing some clothes into my duffel bag.
"We can't leave the reservation," Sam argued. "We are meant to be here to protect it."
"Well I can't do that until Bella is safe," I growled and headed towards my car.
"Sam, go with him," Billy urged. "He will need your guidance and it'll only be a couple weeks."
"You mean day's right?" Sam corrected.
"No, Renee is going to force Bella to stay the full two weeks and from what I'm seeing Paul won't leave without Bella," Billy sighed. "Paul I'll tell Charlie you are driving Bella back instead of her flying. Make sure you guys call when you leave Renee's and throughout the drive back."
"Will do," I waved. Sam had hopped in and we took off. I made a brief stop at his place and gave him five minutes to pack otherwise I was leaving him. He must have believed me as he was back in four.
Most of the drive was in silence. I would stop for gas and we'd grab some more snacks. As wolves our metabolism was quite a bit higher than normal and we had to consume large amounts of calories each day just to keep our energy up.
"What is with this Bella?" Sam asked about halfway through. "Is she one of your girls?"
"No she's not," I sighed. "She's way too good for me. We've been friends since kindergarten. She's the youngest in our grade and I've always been protective of her. She's also very maternal with our group of friends."
"You know you are supposed to stay away from anyone who isn't a wolf, elder, or imprint, right?" Sam started.
"I will not be staying away from Bella or any of our friends for that matter," I growled. I felt myself start to shake and thought about Bella and me riding on my motorcycle a few days before she left. She felt so good pressed against my back with her arms wrapped around my waist. I calmed almost instantly.
"That's why," Sam said. "If you get angry you could phase and you can't be doing that around people who don't know. The secret is the most important thing now."
"Sam, shut up," I glared at him for a second before returning my attention to the road. I didn't care what he said I would never stop spending time with Bella. She's my best friend and the one I knew I could always count on. My mom left the year before I met Bella and my dad's been in jail for the past couple years. I've been couchsurfing between all my friends. I feel the most relaxed when I stay with Bella and her dad but I only do it for a couple nights at a time. I never want to overstay my welcome, especially at Bella's. I don't think I would be able to survive having Bella leave me. I think that's part of the reason I sleep around. I don't want to risk my heart.
It had been a couple days since my call with Paul. Renee had never found out, at least not that I know of. I was playing nice with Renee and trying to keep from vomiting every time Ray and Scott were around. I swear Renee acted as if we were double dating. Scott kept touching me any chance he got. I wonder if he realized I wasn't legal or if he even cared.
We were sitting down to dinner. Renee had ordered Chinese for all four of us. I was eating while Renee chattered on. Ray and Scott seemed to know how to keep her happy so I tried my best to ignore them.
"Who could that be?" Renee asked when the doorbell chimed.
"I'll get it," I jumped up.
"No I will," Scott followed behind me. "You never know who it could be."
When I opened the door all I could see was Paul. Our eyes met and he pulled me into his arms.
"Who, the fuck, are you?" Scott demanded as he pulled me away from Paul. I noticed some guy standing behind Paul put his hand on his shoulder as if to calm him down.
"He's my boyfriend," I screamed at Scott. I didn't care if it wasn't true. "I've been telling you I have a boyfriend and you wouldn't leave me alone so he here is." I quickly darted around the stunned Scott and moved back to Paul.
"You may want to move away," the guy with Paul said to me. Paul just gripped me tighter so I shook my head and stayed right where I was.
"What the hell is going on?" Ray demanded walking up with Renee right behind him.
"Sam, Paul?" Renee asked. I learned the name of the guy with Paul but wondered how my mom would know Sam. "The last time I saw you boys was years ago. Look how you've grown." I swear she was flirting with them.
"Maybe we should go inside?" Sam suggested.
"Yes, yes," Renee quickly agreed inviting Sam and Paul in. "Bella you shouldn't drape yourself all over a guy, they really don't like it."
"She's fine," Paul growled out while holding me even tighter. I'm thinking too much tighter and he'll squeeze me apart but I loved having his arms around me so I wasn't going to complain.
"Now why are you boys here?" Renee asked once we were all in the living room. Ray and Scott stood behind Renee's chair almost like her bodyguard. I'm thinking they just wanted in her pants and had decided to keep quiet until they knew what they needed to do.
"Obviously with how you told Paul I wasn't coming home he was worried and decided to come check on me, especially when you wouldn't let me call him," I tried to steer the conversation so she wouldn't find out about my call the other night.
"Well as you can see she's fine," Renee started to dismiss the boys. "You can just go back to Washington."
"Mom they just drove for two days," I glared. "They can stay here for a while and visit with me. Besides you said you already had plans with Ray."
"But you were supposed to come too," Renee whined.
"No," I was firm. "I've told you I don't enjoy riding around on a motorcycle with Scott."
"But you've gotten a lot better," Scott interjected. I could feel Paul start to shake so I tried rubbing his arm to soothe him. It seemed to work as he calmed down.
"No I'm just trying to hang on for dear life so I don't die," I snorted. "Mom why don't you just go out like you planned. I'll keep Paul and Sam company and then tomorrow we can all discuss our plans."
"Fine," she huffed. "Let's at least finish dinner."
"I'll go make something for Paul and Sam," I offered. "We didn't order enough for two extra."
Sam and I followed Bella into the kitchen but I couldn't keep my hands off of her. When she first opened the door and our eyes met it was like the whole world vanished and she was the only reason for me being alive and breathing. I remembered Billy telling us about imprinting and how that's the Spirits way of pointing out our Soul Mate to us. Honestly, I am thrilled Bella is my imprint; I just hope she feels the same way.
"Paul, are you feeling better?" I was brought out of my thoughts by Bella's soft voice. "I'll make you boys a couple sandwiches before starting on some chicken noodle soup."
"Baby B, I'm fine," I smiled. "But I won't say no to your soup, or anything you make. Sam once you've tasted Bella's food you'll never want food from anyone else."
"Well just sit down and relax," she was moving around the kitchen and I loved watching her this way. She was in her element. "I don't want whatever you had to come back."
I did as directed but never took my eyes off her. She set a platter of sandwiches on the table and individual plates for Sam and I then quickly set about making the soup from scratch. My mouth was already watering just thinking about her soup. Bella made soup many times throughout the year because it's cold more often than not and it was easy to make a big batch of soup for all our friends.
"Wow you guys must have been hungry," Bella smiled when she saw the platter empty after turning the soup on simmer. "Did you guys want more? The soup will take about a half hour before its ready."
"No I'll be good until the soup's ready," Sam smiled at my girl and I growled lightly under my breath. "It smells wonderful."
"I'm good too," I got up and walked towards Bella. I could hear her mom and those guys heading towards the kitchen. Wolf senses are great for somethings.
"Bella, what are you making?" Renee demanded. She seemed upset about something.
"Some soup for the guys," she answered while stirring the soup. I could see the lack of respect Bella had for her mom but really couldn't blame her.
"Why don't you ever cook for me, Ray, and Scott?" Renee pouted.
"Bella you really should be nicer to your mom," Ray interjected. Sam and I both growled causing Ray and Scott to look at us. I could smell their fear when they really looked at us, me with an arm around Bella and Sam standing directly behind her. My Wolf preened at the smell.
"We haven't really been home enough for me to make a meal," Bella completely ignored Ray. "You've dragged me all over Phoenix and most nights when we get home I just want to relax. Now since Paul and Sam drove for two days, the least I can do is make them a hot meal."
"Well we are heading out," Renee switched topics. It's like she didn't care what Bella had just said. "We don't have any extra room here so they'll have to find a hotel or head back tonight."
"No, they can stay in my room," Bella glared at her mom. "I'm sure they won't mind sharing my bed and I can bunk down on the floor with the pillows and blankets."
"We'll bunk on the floor," Sam's voice rumbled startling Renee, Ray, and Scott but surprisingly Bella didn't seem to be fazed by Sam suddenly speaking, she just kept stirring the soup.
"Whatever," Renee shook her head while walking away. Ray and Scott stayed a moment longer and appeared to be trying to intimidate Sam and me but it wasn't working. Bella had turned to put some soup into bowls for us and wasn't even paying attention.
As Bella moved to put the bowls on the table for us, Sam and I shadowed her since Renee's boy toys were still standing in the kitchen. I was slightly confused as to why Sam was being overprotective as he had never met her before. I knew my over protectiveness stemmed from our long friendship with the imprint driving it even more.
Bella was kind enough to feed me and Paul and I have to admit she really is one of the best cooks. The sandwiches were amazing and the soup smelled delicious. As the Alpha of the pack I normally have a sixth sense when it comes to the wolves. I started heading to Paul's place right before his first phase. I also knew Paul had imprinted when Bella opened the door. The weird thing is my Wolf respected Bella on a level I didn't understand. I felt more protective of her than I did over anybody and felt the same need to stay with Bella and make sure she got back to Washington ok that Paul has been telling me about since his phone call with Bella.
I know I shocked Renee when I said we'd sleep on the floor. I'm sure she thought Paul and I would gladly stay at a hotel or even go back home at her request but our connection to Bella overrode everything else. I know I didn't imprint on Bella as my Wolf instincts let me know that Paul did, but the feelings that Bella is invoking in me are the same as Billy described we would feel for our imprint.
"Please sit and eat," Bella told me and Paul after setting the soup on the table. Neither Paul nor I had strayed too far from Bella while those other two guys were in the kitchen. Something felt off and I didn't trust them. I didn't want to sit until they left and Paul looked to be in the same boat but we couldn't really tell Bella that so we both slowly sat down. My focus remained on the two guys as Bella moved back to start cleaning up.
"Aren't you going to eat some?" I asked. I hoped she would get a bowl for herself and sit with us.
"No I'm full from the Chinese earlier," Bella glanced over and smiled at me. I instantly smiled back. I also noticed the glare sent to me from Paul and quietly chuckled at that.
"Scott, go away," both Paul and I snapped our heads up. Paul was too busy glaring at me and I had been paying attention to Paul's jealousy so neither of us noticed when Scott moved to Bella. My Wolf was pissed when we noticed Scott's arm around Bella. Both Paul and I started to shake and I knew we were about to phase.
"Are you ok?" Bella asked both of us when we had jumped up. She also used that moment to move towards us and away from Scott. It helped a little but not very much. I was starting to worry about Bella being to close if we phased in her kitchen. "Why don't you leave?" Bella turned to Ray and Scott when neither Paul nor I answered. We were both growling lowly which must have caused Renee's two friends to realize they were really low on the food chain at the moment and left. We heard one leave out the front door while another headed upstairs toward Renee.
"Baby B," Paul sighed and wrapped his arms around her. He was still shaking slightly as was I but had started to calm down.
"I'm fine," Bella soothed. I was surprised when she reached over and touched my arm as well. "Are you two ok? Are you getting sick? You're shaking really bad and both are excessively hot to the touch."
"We're ok," I smiled and was calming down. I had noticed how her touch helped clam me the same it did for Paul. "We should all talk though when your mom leaves tonight."
Bella nodded and other than a startled squeak when Paul pulled her down to sit on his lap while he finished eating, she didn't say anything else.
I was glad Paul and Sam had scared off Scott and Ray finally. Those two were really creeping me out and when Scott came over and put his arm around my waist it made me extremely uncomfortable. While I felt ten times better when Paul wrapped his arms around me, I was worried about him being sick. I had seen him shaking and his temperature seemed excessively high. I felt a need to comfort Sam as well and when I touched his arm he appeared to have the same fever my Paul had.
Renee came in to let us know they were leaving and refrained from making any comments about me sitting on Paul's lap. While this was somewhat normal, as all the boys back home were known to pull me onto a lap, it felt as if there was something more. I never cared back home as they were my family. Other than Leah, all of my close friends were guys and even Leah knew they were my boys.
It started in Kindergarten with Jared and Paul. I was a quiet kid and mostly kept to myself. On the first day, Paul saw one of the other girls picking on me and stopped her. From that day on, he was always by my side. Of course, where Paul went there was Jared and he started playing with me as well and kept the bullies away. Over the years, my dad made me play with Jacob Black since he was best friends with his dad and with Jake, Quil and Embry were always around. Paul and Jared would join almost daily as they had appointed themselves as my protectors. Along with Jake was Leah Clearwater when her dad would join ours. She was fine to hang out with but Paul and Jared didn't trust her right away. She was in our class and hadn't done anything when the other girls would pick on me. I was the youngest in our grade and possibly should have waited another year before starting school but my mom wanted me out of the house as soon as possible so she wouldn't have to watch me all day long.
When Leah's brother Seth was born, Sue would bring him around and show him off to my mom along with Brady and Collin's moms. Those three were all born within a six month time span. I loved watching and playing with the babies. Sue saw how I would take care of them and Paul and Jared would do anything to help me so she let us play with the babies as much as we wanted. Leah was a little jealous and that caused a number of problems and I think she's still jealous of the attention all the boys pay to me.
"Baby B?" Paul questioned as I had been lost in my memories for a while.
"I'm good, just thinking about how we met," I smiled and the grin on his face was instantaneous.
"Those were good times," Paul kept smiling. I just shook my head as I'm sure he was remembering the time we spent together and nothing about how I was picked on.
"Now that your mom is gone, we need to talk," Sam broke the spell between Paul and me.
"Sure what's up?" I tried to be upbeat but I was nervous. I was scared they were going to leave me here.
"There's no easy way to tell you so we'll jump right in," Sam started. Paul seemed as nervous as I am for that matter, Sam seemed nervous too.
"You remember the tribe legends?" Paul asked. When I nodded he continued. "They are true."
"Right, so you are telling me people can change into wolves?" I know my voice was full of disbelief.
"Yes, and Paul and I are the first two since Billy's grandfather," Sam continued. I didn't know what to think. I've grown up learning the legends since I lived on the reservation but having Sam and Paul tell me they were true was a little mind boggling. I knew Paul would never outright lie to me but at the same time all the boys were known to play pranks.
"How do I know this is true?" I questioned. "I want to believe you but it seems so out there. People changing into wolves? It's the stuff of fairy tales."
"We can show you," Paul stated.
"Ok," I agreed. With that, Paul set me down as he stood up before grabbing my hand to lead me out back. My mom's backyard was fenced in and we had no close neighbors so I figured it was pretty private for watching two giant native boys change into wolves.
"If we don't strip our clothes shred when we phase," Sam said at my shocked look. "Stay on the porch please."
I nodded and the next thing I knew they were shaking much like earlier but harder and faster. Before I could say anything there were two huge, horse sized wolves in my backyard. Sam was a sleek midnight black wolf and slightly bigger than Paul's wolf. Paul was a gorgeous silver wolf.
I couldn't help myself as I moved towards them. I was drawn to Paul, but felt I needed to show respect to Sam first. I moved and stood in front of Sam and let his Wolf take in my scent. After a minute his Wolf bowed his head and knew it was the wolf's way of showing me respect. I smiled and patted his head much like I would for a regular dog.
I moved over to Paul and felt the same sensation as earlier when I looked into Human Paul's eyes when they first arrived. I felt safe, loved, and protected. I knew I would always be safe with my Paul. Wolf Paul inhaled my scent much as Sam did before laying his head on my shoulder. I got the sense this was the Wolf's way of hugging me.
Both wolves moved away from me a bit and shifted back into humans. I was never once scared seeing them shift or as wolves. I quickly looked away though so they could have a bit of privacy while pulling their clothes back on.
"You ok Baby B?" Paul murmured in my ear while wrapping his arms around me.
"Yeah, I am," I smiled content for the moment having my Paul hold me.
"There's more," Paul said and again he was nervous. "Let's go sit back down."
Again, Paul led me into the living room with Sam walking behind. As I was slightly behind Paul I felt the boys were trying to protect me by keeping me in the middle.
"There's another legend about imprinting, do you remember hearing about that one?" Paul started looking right at me.
"A little," I said. "Isn't that about soul mates?"
"It is," Sam sounded as if he was praising me. "Imprinting is when the Wolf sees his mate for the first time after the first phase. Once we imprint, it's said we will be anything our imprint needs. Friend, lover, brother, anything. We are unable to betray our imprint in anyway."
"Ok," I know I sounded confused but I was also getting worried now. Were they going to tell me they had imprinted and couldn't stay around?
"Baby B I imprinted," Paul blurted out. He looked a little panicked.
"Who's the lucky girl?" I was trying to be positive. "I can't wait to meet her, or do I already know her?"
"It's you," Paul looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
"What?"
"I imprinted on you," Paul reiterated. "Please don't be mad. We have no control over who we imprint on. I know I've always been a player but I promise I'll stop and do anything to make you happy. I will never look at another girl, you are everything for me."
"And I'll make sure he keeps his promise," Sam growled out. He sounded like he wanted to be pissed and happy at the same time.
"I'm not mad," I was still trying to wrap my head around everything. "Paul, I've always liked you as more than a friend but I never wanted to be one of the many. I believe you when you say you are going to change. You've always kept you word with me and until you prove me wrong I'll always believe in you."
"Thank you," Paul breathed before crushing me in a hug.
"I assume the increase of safety I've been feeling about Paul is due to the imprint?"
"Yes, but what do you mean increase?" Sam was now the confused one.
"I've always felt safe with Paul," I smiled at him. "He's always been one of my protectors along with Jared, Jake, Embry, Quil, even Seth, Brady, and Collin as they got older. I've even felt it with you since you've been here Sam."
"What?" Paul demanded. I could see a little jealousy rearing its head.
"I get the same feelings from him as I do from Jared," I tried to explain. "It's like I know he'll protect me, almost like an older brother but at the same time there's a different level of respect I would give him. Almost like he's the patriarch."
"Well that makes a little sense," Sam said after Paul had started to relax through my ramblings. "I'm the Alpha of the pack, so I basically am the patriarch. The weird thing is I also felt a strong bond towards you."
"Excuse me? I don't care if you are the Alpha," Paul started yelling and shaking.
"You need to calm down," Sam's voice carried a ring of authority.
"Calm down? I don't think so," Paul was up in Sam's face now and they were both yelling and shaking.
"Please," I said barely above a whisper. "Please calm down both of you. I don't want anybody hurt."
"Baby B, I'm sorry," Paul instantly had me in his arms. "I'd never be able to hurt you."
"I'm sorry Bella," Sam said as well.
"Please don't fight about this," I said as they sat down. "Paul you are my imprint and I feel that deep in my soul. The bond with Sam is something entirely different. Maybe it's because you imprinted on me so it ties me to the other's in the pack. Doesn't the legend say how the imprints are protected by all the wolves as they are the most important to the pack? Maybe a bond is formed with each wolf to ensure the human mate of a wolf is always protected even if her wolf can't be there?"
"That's actually how I'm feeling," Sam agreed quickly. "I feel bound to Bella as if I'm meant to protect her. Like she is important to the pack."
I woke the next morning to an empty bed. Since my mom wasn't home at bedtime, Paul had snuggled with me and Sam bunked down on the floor. I rolled over and saw Paul sleeping on the floor between my bed and the window. Sam was between my bed and the door. I got up quietly so I didn't disturb the guys. I really had to pee and I figured I'd start breakfast for everyone.
After I made my way to the kitchen, I pulled out eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancake ingredients. I knew my boys would be hungry, and while Paul has been one of my boys for as long as I can remember Sam became one of my boys when Paul imprinted on me yesterday. I didn't know if Renee would have a friend but figured Sam and Paul would make sure none of the food went to waste.
I decided Chili would be a good idea for tonight. It was something that was easily multiplied so I could ensure my boys were well fed. I also knew I needed to hit the grocery store if I was going to feed them for the rest of my two weeks down here. I'm only on day four so I had ten more days to go and based on Renee's ramblings from when I arrived she's not going to let me leave a minute earlier than she has to.
"Morning smells good," I jumped when I felt a hand slide along my back. I knew it wasn't either of my wolves but was surprised to see it was Scott.
"Thanks," I tried to move away but wasn't able to go far since I had to keep the food from burning. "Why don't you sit? It'll be ready soon."
"Maybe I can help," Scott leaned in closer putting his arms around me in an attempt to take over the stirring but keep me from moving.
"Get away from her," I heard Paul growl out. I turned and saw Paul and Sam were both shaking and looked as if they were ready to murder Scott.
"NOW!" Sam demanded when Scott didn't move. That caused Scott to jump back. Paul immediately came to me and wrapped me in his arms. Sam shifted enough for Scott to leave the kitchen before making his way to me as well.
"Are you ok?" Sam's eyes were looking me over much as Paul's had done just a minute ago, checking for any injuries I may have received from Scott.
"I'm fine," I sighed and leaned into Paul. His growling had finally died down but he had his arms firmly wrapped around me. I managed to pull the food off the stove before any of it burned. "Sit and eat," I bade my wolves.
They both sat at the table and Paul pulled me onto his lap. He didn't want me far especially after finding Scott cornering me when he walked into the Kitchen.