I honestly have no excuse for the insane length of time between updates, seriously six weeks is WAY too long, especially after promising this chap wouldn't take so long to be posted...oopsie!
Anyway I'm here now so...enjoy!
Chapter Three
By Mcvities22
Flashback(Sam's POV):
"LEAH!" I can't help but raise my voice as I near her location, I've long since transformed back to being human – she doesn't need the entire pack hearing what I'm about to say. "Leah we need to talk."
"About?" Spinning round I can see she's standing behind me – If I didn't know her I'd say she was worried.
"This has got to stop. No!" I hold up a hand to stop her interruptions. "Let me talk. I know becoming a wolf isn't easy, believe me I know...it wasn't exactly the future any of us had planned, but it happened and like it or not you're going to have to learn to accept it. As for me and you...I can't apologise enough for what happened, I know I should have handled things differently and if I could go back and change the way we ended then I would. But I can't do that, now I'm not expecting you to forgive me but I do expect you to respect me as your alpha."
She nods her head – whilst still avoiding looking me in the eyes – and makes to leave before I stop her. That was me being a friend, now I have to be her alpha.
"You're behaviour over the last few days has been appalling. You ignored direct advice about getting involved one on one with a new born and as a result Jake got hurt...badly! And today you tried to attack a fellow member of this pack and you would have succeeded if Seth hadn't have intervened. I don't know what Jared said to set you off and I don't want to know, I'll be having words with him later. Clearly you're not having an easy time of late and I appreciate that, but with Bella becoming leech and the threat of new borns still lurking we all need to work as a team. If you're going to continue acting this way then you are going to become a danger to the pack. Do you understand? I can't have you wandering round here if you're mind isn't on your job, someone could get hurt if we're not paying attention."
Once again she nods and leaves, this time I just haven't the heart to stop her.
End Flashback:
I can't help feeling bad for Leah; life hasn't been easy for her of late. First her dad passing away, then becoming a wolf...she's had it rough for sure but that doesn't excuse her behaviour. Seth's been through the same as her and he's handled it so why can she? As her friend and ex-boyfriend I feel for her I really do but as alpha I've got to look out for my pack and ultimately that's where my responsibilities lie. My job is to lead this pack...I just hope someone can get through to Leah.
Carlise POV:
"I'm not saying we should do it this instance but I think waiting for that length of time is a bad decision." I know he loves her but can't he see what I'm talking about?
"Bella wants to wait for a year, so that's what we're going to do!" Apparently not!
"Look Edward, if it were just about Bella then I would happily let her wait for as long as she wanted too. But that's just it...this isn't just about what you and Bella want. The volturie are NOT happy with you and Bella as it is but they've allowed her transformation, delaying any longer than is necessary puts a lot of lives at risk, including those of your brothers' and sisters'...I understand Bella's decision to wait a year but you have to understand the danger that poses." He still looks stubborn and ready to argue but I know what I'm saying is right. "Look, if the volturie were to come after us we would not be able to fight them off alone, and heaven knows the Quileute pack will not be too keen to help us after the situation with Jacob."
"Jacob got hurt because he was stupid..." He doesn't get any further before I speak up.
"Don't you dare even think of finishing that sentence! Jacob almost died because he was fighting for Bella – the woman you love – regardless of his feelings for doing so he was fighting for her. He and the pack could have ignored our pleas and allowed Bella and ourselves to be slaughtered but instead they all risked their own lives to help us. They are ignoring the treaty to allow Bella and yourself to be together so if I were you I would think very carefully about what you say."
He gives me a sheepish expression; clearly realising he's said too much before turning away and heading upstairs. He's right in wanting to give Bella time and if we had time I would be all for it, but I have to think of the rest of my family and what's best for them, not just what Bella wants.
Jacob POV:
"I'm telling you that's what Jared said!" I glanced at Quil before we gave Embry a pair of doubtful expressions. "It's true! Oh fine...you can doubt me all you want but the fact remains that I'm right and eventually you'll see that."
I couldn't help but laugh as I watched the pout covering his face, soon enough Quil joined in followed only moments later by Embry. This is what I miss; laughing, having fun...I miss the way things were before they got so damn complicated. Before Bella came into my life I was happy and fun, now I'm so wrapped up in her that I've been ignoring my friends.
"So how's Claire?" Quil's face brightened slightly as he told me about his imprint, it had been tough when it had first happened. Claire was only two years old and needless to say some of the pack were a little weirded out, thankfully things have settled down. Quil is like Claire's older brother and at the moment her favourite person in the world.
"...all in all she's as happy as a two year old can be. So, you find your imprint Embry?" Embry merely shook his head as he gazed out of the window, obviously something out there was interesting.
"Hey...you heard from Bella at all?" And just like that there's the reason for their visit. Ever since she chose that freaking leech it's all anyone ever talks about...although I guess they are just worried.
"Nope. She made her decision so I just have to deal with it." I can feel a distinct shift in the atmosphere and from the look I'm getting from Quil he knows I don't want to talk about it...Embry on the other hand is just as oblivious as ever.
"That's good...well I mean it isn't good that she chose him but you're dealing with it...not that I ever doubted you would...no, I know you're cool but..." Upon seeing the twin pair of confused looks he was getting he quickly stopped. "I'll shut up now."
"No please continue, I'm actually keen to see how you dig yourself out of this one." He tries to stutter a comeback but in the end settles for punching Quil on the arm. Quil being Quil takes this as a challenge and within an instant their wrestling on the floor. I can't hold back the laugh that escapes me as Embry lets out a squeal – yes a squeal – and for the first time in ages I actually feel as though things are going to be okay.
Somewhere across the reservation...
Damn this girl is boring...has she really spent the last twenty minutes talking about math homework! When the hell is she going to get off the phone...oh finally! I honestly thought it would never end.
Creeping forward slowly I almost laugh allowed – thankfully I don't – as she wanders right past me completely oblivious to what's going to happen. I follow her for a few more minutes before she realises that something's not right. The scream she lets out as I sink my teeth into her sends chills right down my spine.
Emmett's POV:
"Hey, you seen this?" Jasper sticks something under my eyes, which go wide as I read the article in front of me.
Vicious Murder In Forest Sends Town Into Panic
Late last night the body of a young girl was found on the outskirts of the forest, so far no details have been released by the police other than the fact that the young girl was murdered. An eye witness we spoke to at the scene told us this:
"It was horrible...blood everywhere, the poor girl...whoever did this is some kind of sicko alright!"
It is unknown who the young girl was or why she was out in the forest but speculation mounts...
I push the paper away from me as Jasper speaks up. "Newborns." As much as I want to deny it unfortunately I think he may be right.
"What do we do?" I glanced over to Carlisle who merely shared a look with Jasper, I hated it when they did this.
"You two head out and see what you can find BUT stick to our territory, leave the pack be." Edward scoffs slightly, which earns him a frightful look from Carlisle. It's strange to see Carlisle angry; in the whole time I've been with him I've only ever seen him truly angry once – I can't help but shudder at the memory.
"What if we track a newborn to their territory?" I can't help but ask, when it comes to these things it's always best to completely cover all the bases...just in case Carlisle changes his mind, unfortunately this time he's set...was worth a try.
"It that case you leave it to the wolves, I think they've proved that their more than capable of dealing with them." Edward scoffs once again but quickly leaves the room after a look from all three of us. Okay, I know he isn't exactly fond of the pack...not like I'm going invite them to a sleepover any time soon either...but even he has to admit they helped us out a bunch. I'd never dare to repeat this but we couldn't have done this without their help. As Carlisle stalks of after Edward, no doubt to try and reason with him, Jasper sends me a worried look. I don't need to read minds to know what he's thinking, we can only hope that things will settle down soon.
Paul's POV:
Man I wish I could just tell him...it'd be easier than spending so much time worrying about it. But right now's not the right time; he needs to get over her first.
"Hey Paul." I can't help but notice how happier he seems today, it seems strange to see him smiling. "What?" Apparently I was staring.
"Oh nothing...good news?" He merely smiles and ushers me inside, I'm greeted by Billy who looks as though he's lost a couple of years today, over the last week he 's definitely aged at least twenty years...if not more...hell I think we all have. "Hey Billy, what's up with smiley over there?"
Punching me on the arm Jake merely smiled before replying. "I am OFFICIALLY off house arrest!"
"Carlisle cleared you?" I have to admit I'm more than a little surprised, I thought he wouldn't be cleared for a while yet.
"No!" Billy gave Jake an exasperated look before turning his tired eyes to me. "He HAS NOT been cleared. Carlisle said he was mending, meaning he's not even going to think about phasing for at least another week!"
"Duly noted, now let's get out of here!" He waved goodbye to Billy before dragging me outside.
"Want to enlighten me as to where we're going?" I said once he stopped yanking me along.
"Anywhere! I have been stuck in that house for a week now, I need to get out of here!" I couldn't help but chuckle as he all but flew through the forest.
Jacob's POV:
"Say it." He sends me a confused look as we continue to walk. "Whatever it is you're thinking about...say it."
"Oh...um...it doesn't matter." He seems flustered, almost as if he's embarrassed to have been caught spacing out.
"If it didn't matter you wouldn't be thinking about it." He sighs before sitting on the beach, after a moments hesitation I join him. He stares out of the ocean for a few minutes before finally speaking.
"I'm just thinking about you...and Bella. I know she hurt you and I know you're still in love with her, that's not going to change anytime soon. I just don't want...I'm just worried I guess." His words shock me, while it's true we've sort of become friends over the last week he's still Paul Lahote. He's still the same hot headed wolf he's always been.
"You're right." He gazes at me, tilting his head to one side – something I can't help but smile at. "She did hurt me and I am still in love with her, that's not going to change anytime soon. But you left something out. I'm also angry at her. When she was depressed and hurt after he left I was there for her, I was her friend. She knew I was falling in love with her and instead of telling me that she would never really feel the same way she let me think that there was something there. She let me believe the feeling was mutual. Then she takes off without a moment's notice to save him, then when she comes back she just expects me to be happy for them both. Throughout all of this she only ever thought of what it was doing to her, of what me being angry and hating him was doing to her. She never once thought of how hard it was for me to see them together; she never thought of how difficult it was..."
I look out at the ocean. The suns setting now, casting an orange glow over the horizon. It's incredible to watch. Just to sit there and watch how beautiful it is. It can really take your breath away. Sitting here, just watching this, I can actually feel the parts of myself slowly pulling back together. It's as if some sort of force is trying it's best to reconnect the dots. An arm lands around my shoulders, its owner gives me a small smile before turning his own eyes back to the orange glow. We sit here for a few more minutes before I feel Paul stand.
"Come on pup. Your dad will getting worried if we don't get back soon." He pulls me up quickly and I can't help but sway as I stand. "You okay?" I try to mumble out that I'm fine but the words won't come, all of a sudden my brains forgotten how to form words. All of a sudden something's happened, my legs go weak, I go cold all over and the world tilts sideways. Before everything goes dark I hear Paul's desperate voice calling out to me.
Ooh, so will Jake get over Bella? Is he going to be okay? Will Carlisle get Edward to see sense? And who killed that girl? Well...review and maybe I'll let you know...Bye bye!
