Shifting Tides.
*********I do not own any of the rights of the characters. No copyright intended. *******
PLEASE DO NOT READ ME IF YOU NOT AT LEAST EIGHTEEN YEARS PLUS. THIS STORY CONTAINS PROFANITY, VIOLENCE AND ADULT SITUATIONS. SO IF THIS OFFENDS YOU SHOULD STOP READING NOW.
Chapter Seven.
SAM POV:
"The baby's father is Angela's dad, Sam!" What the fuck!
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Jacob shook his head resolutely. That fucking bitch! It wasn't enough for her to ruin my life she now had to go and fuck up the bond of the pack. No wonder she'd been working tirelessly to strengthen our pack bond. Did she even feel even the slightest bit of guilt that she'd fucked one of her friend's fathers?
"Sam, this is going be a shit storm soon." I looked at him as though to continue. "Angela's parents are coming here, they got home from their vacation last night and as soon as they're sorted they'll be here. You need to be able to control yourself, Sam."
I glared at him. "Control myself. Are you on drugs or something Jacob? I'm going to make this bastard pay, he can take care of Emily and her brat, I'm not responsible and if you tell me to calm down any more, I'm going to take you into the woods and beat you to within an inch of your life for what you did to Bella." I must have been speaking louder than I thought because when I looked around I could see the looks the pack were giving me, looks of confusion. Well crap! I couldn't interrupt the party, it wouldn't be fair on Angela, and this wasn't her fault.
"Pack meeting after the party. And no, you don't get to know what it's about. Oh! No imprints!" I watched as the pack subtly nodded their heads in agreement. Only they could hear me. Thank god for extra sensitive hearing. Now all I had to do was explain to them how I'd come to getting myself into this shit storm.
The time dragged, as the party slowly ebbed on. Playing happy families with the bitch was a gut wrencher, I didn't want to be here, but I had to be here. I needed to break this fucking imprint, it would be the last thing I'd do, and if Jacob didn't help me out against his father, I was going to break the little fucker's neck.
I was stood by Jacob and Angela with Emily when I heard a car pulling up outside their house, I saw Jacob stiffen. Oh, I see! The baby daddy is here, oh this was going to be fun, I think I'd like to see them both squirm just for the hell of it, hell I might as well have some fun while dealing with this shit storm.
I stood, anxiously waiting for this crowning moment and Jake looked like he was suffering from Tourette's with the nervous facial tics and the odd muttered curse under his breath. If I could I would have been rubbing my hands together in glee, waiting for that unlucky fucker to step into the backyard.
I could hear two sets of steps making their way around the side of the house to where we all resided in the yard. I watched smugly as he made his way towards where Angela and Jake stood, he couldn't yet see Emily because her back was to them. This was going to be fun, I kept watching Emily, and she had no fucking clue. Well, not until Angela screamed out in joy.
"Mom! Dad!" I saw from the corner of my eye Angela run to greet her parents, but my attention was still on Emily. Her eyes widened and she looked to me and I could see her swallow what must have been her panic. Caught you out now, haven't I bitch. As soon as I saw her reaction, I knew what I had to do. Fuck Billy and his lack of help, I'd be going to Old Quil, if anyone knew how to break an imprint it would be him. But before I did any of that, Emily needed to be ousted. Oh, I wouldn't do it now. I wouldn't ruin someone else's day just for that bitch. I've waited this long, what harm is a few more days.
When Angela approached our group with her Father and Mother in tow, the air suddenly turned thick. I think the shock of seeing Emily as pregnant as she was, gave Angela's father a shock he wasn't expecting. So much so, that I thought he was about to keel over. Angela made the introductions and the fucking gall of the pair, playing on thick about how it was nice to meet each other. Well I suppose it does make a nice change being fully clothed from fucking one another.
As the evening progressed, the tension was still there but only the pack members could sense it, you could see them every once and while looking over to where I stood, expecting me to flip out or something of that nature. No, she didn't deserve any more attention that all the unwarranted attention she has been getting from every Tom, Dick and Harry. Things would be changing and after the pack meeting tonight I will finally be taking control of where my destiny lies and hopefully too much damage hasn't occurred that I'm not able to fix it, to be able to be with the woman I love and my son.
They would be my main focus, why it's taken me this long I have no clue, but I could feel my spirit trying to break free of its bonds, it just needed a bit of help and with my brothers and Leah by my side, I could take on the world.
With only a few party stragglers left, I decided it was time. I made my way to the tree line and became invisible from within the trees, when I was far enough in, I took off my cut offs and phased, howling a message to my pack and the start of this meeting. We all congregated in a clearing a couple of miles within the forest. My mind was blank to them until they had all settled ready to hear what I had to say. It was time. I opened my mind.
I ran through everything that had occurred with me and Emily, I had to make sure I got that across first. To say they were angry would be an understatement and thank god they were willing to help me in anything I needed to break the imprint and now for the kicker. I opened my mind deeper to thoughts of Bella and my son; I knew there would be a few shocked minds, but surprisingly everyone was really receptive to the idea of Bella being my mate and bearing my pup. I think it had more to do with the wolves being at ease, knowing that the alpha was finally mated and had a new pup on the way. At least I wouldn't have to worry about that.
The only thing I had to worry about in this instance is Leah, especially when she lunged towards Jacob and ready for the kill. Granted, I really didn't want to stop her, but I needed Jacobs help and for that I needed him well, we could all beat the shit out of him later, but for now I needed him in top form.
"Everyone, phase" I yelled out through our mind link and before Leah could make contact, everyone was human again. But, then again, when has that ever stopped Leah. The impact from her ramming into Jake's body reverberated around the clearing, while taking them both down to the ground. Jacob never fought back, giving Leah the upper hand, while craning above him, giving her the leverage she needed to drive her fist into his face over and over again.
I must admit it gave me joy watching her beat his ass. But I had to stop her, because of the role Jake played in helping me with my situation. I walked towards where Jake was getting the beating of his life and grabbed Leah's arms and hauled her off him, accidently on purpose my foot made contact with his ribs, which was made even more satisfying by the grunt sound that escaped from his mouth. I know I shouldn't have, but it wouldn't be right to pass up a golden opportunity like that.
I let Leah go and she spun round on a snarl to face me. "What the fuck, Sam? He deserves to die for what he did to Bella and you know it!" She was just starting to piss me off. I closed the distance between us and looked down upon her.
"I know what he did, and trust me on this that Jacob will be getting his, he knows this, but I need his help. Breaking my fucking imprint is the main thing for me at the moment because without breaking it I lose the woman I love and need like air and the son I already adore. So, please until Jake has fulfilled his duties you will back off!" I turned to the rest of my pack. "This goes for every single one of you. Jake will be left alone until what needs to be is done, and then after that, have at it. It's open season on him." I stared at Jake as I mentioned the last part, if he thought for one minute he'd get away with the shit he pulled on Bella then he had another thing coming.
I put my cut offs back on and made my way to the edge of the tree line, still in hiding, hoping for the love of god that the bitch Emily had gone home. To my relief, the only ones who were left were the Elders. Good. Just who I needed! I heard the rest of my pack joining me and as one in our pack formation we made our way towards them. They turned to look at us and my eyes remained on Billy, that traitorous bastard. I think he could tell I meant business by the way his eyes widened and he struggled to swallow the fear that had seemed to lodge in this throat.
"What is the meaning of this meeting Samuel?" Old Quil started. Now or never I suppose.
"I have mated with someone that is not my imprint and it is my wish as well as my wolf's wishes to be broken from the imprint. I sought out help for this from Billy, but he has so far, gone against my wishes. After everything I've sacrificed for this tribe, this is the only thing I have ever requested help for, from you, the Elders." I just addressed Old Quil, who seemed to look a little perplexed.
"Samuel, if I may ask. What about the child that has been conceived within this imprint?"
"Emily's child is not mine, I informed Billy of such matters and still he refused. Three reasons as to why I know this child is not mine. One, the scent of her body has not taken on that of mine, since she is meant to be carrying my pup. Two, we all know that this wolf pack's first born pups are always male; this child is a daughter to Emily. And finally, three, the scent that Emily now carries around is that of another imprints father. The one and only, Reverend John Weber!" All of the Elders were shocked at this information, even good old Billy boy.
"Okay, Samuel. At this bit of information I'm going to grant you what you need to access the power to break an imprint. But first I need to know who your mate is?" I looked towards Sue, when Old Quil finished. Once she knew, that would mean Charlie would know and that could more than likely lead to a cap in my ass from our friendly town chief.
"Bella Swan is my mate and the future mother of my son and the packs first pup." Sue's hand shot up to grasp at her throat, as if that information was difficult to swallow, yeah well try living it, lady. But soon enough, that shock turned into fury.
"How could you Sam? She's told everyone that she doesn't know who the father is. If only you knew how disappointed her father is with her, why did you let her go through this by herself Sam?" Oh, now she's just gone and tested the wrong buttons.
"How could I? I'll tell you how could I, because of your fucking vindictive niece, that's why. She found out that Bella and I had been together and that she was pregnant. Do you really think I wanted to be with Emily, especially after everything that has gone on? Hell no! She treats this imprint as hers to rule and own, she's forced me to do things against my will, and does that sound like proper love to you, Sue? I wanted to stand up and shout from the roof tops and declare my love for Bella, but I can't because the spirits dictate that I have to comply with my imprints wants and needs. Anyway, you're one too talk. Every single one of this tribe and her friends and family has been treating her as if she's the local pariah. What's up with that then Sue? What about Bella's baby shower and all the gifts and excitement for the up and coming arrival? She's had nothing and I've had to sit back and watch her go through this all alone, knowing there was nothing I could do." I stopped as my throat became restricted and the tears flowed down my face. Knowing what Bella has been through; hurt me to my very core.
I had to turn away from them all, I'd let them see too much of me and I refused them to see that part of me. They'd taken everything else from me but I vowed that this part of me would be only available to the one person I craved the most, Bella.
"Samuel?" I turned at the sound of Old Quils voice. "You have sacrificed enough of yourself; I will gladly share the information with you about how you break your bonds of imprinting, but to do this you will need to be assisted by your pack willingly." As soon as Old Quil uttered those last words I could feel my pack step forward and each of them placed a hand on me, each of them having contact with a piece of me and willingly share the mutual feeling of piece whenever we were one. I knew that we'd all have a bond from now until the end of time, us as one would never die.
I felt lighter knowing that I had them at my back, especially now when I needed them the most. They would be my strength to carry me forward on my journey to break this god forsaken imprint.
Old Quil signal for us to follow him and as we did we left Billy and Sue in our wake, no doubt still in shock from all they had heard, even Billy. Considering the size of us as a pack, we strode in silence towards Old Quil's home, where hopefully my future would await me.
"You wait here, I'll be right back." He told us, what he had in store, I had no clue.
No longer than five minutes later did he emerge from his home carrying with him a leather satchel which he held close to him as though it contained the secrets of the universe. He walked straight towards me and came to a stop. I looked down upon this withered man and saw within him the inner strength and magic of the tribal shaman, that has been handed down to him from generations of his family, that will always leave a legacy upon our tribe, especially us as the wolf pack.
"Samuel, I hand this over into your care to help you fight with your spirit to finally be free of your bonds of imprinting and to be able to finally claim your rightful mate. This will be a hard journey, as good things in life are never given freely, or easily. You have the choice of three wolves to accompany you, but among these must be the next alpha and the next chosen beta, the beta has to be your choice and the new alpha has no choice in this matter, because at this moment you know what is best for this pack and the strengths and weaknesses of which each possess. Breaking your imprint bond will break you of your alpha chains." He turned towards Jacob. "Jacob Ephraim Black, it is now time to follow the path of your destiny to which was given to you from birth. Grasp firmly Jacob, as you will need to prove yourself to your alpha and you new beta." He turned back round to me. "Samuel, it's time to choose the beta, choose wisely, you'll know who, just follow your animal instincts." At that last bit of information he handed me the satchel and turned and retreated into his home.
I turned towards the pack. Looking over each of them, until I came to rest on the one that just felt right, and I knew deep down that they would be absolutely perfect for this new role.
"I choose Leah."
She whipped her head up to look at me and I nodded my confirmation in her direction, no one muttered any disapproval of my decision, they all knew deep down that she was the best person for this job and oh boy would she be able to keep Jake in check. I smirked as I looked towards Jacob.
"Now, for the third wolf on my journey." Without taking my stare away, from Jake. I chose my final wolf. "I pick Paul." I knew that if I was going to be fighting this with anyone I'd want to be fighting it with my strongest member. I turned back towards the rest of the pack. "The usual patrols for everyone else. No slacking and no informing the other imprints, of what has occurred here tonight. Until I'm back and free of the imprint, this stays between us and the elders." Each of my wolves muttered agreements.
I turned back towards the forest; I knew the exact place where my journey would begin. I could do this, I would do this. As I strode into the covering of the trees, I took with me my thoughts and love for Bella and my son. They would help pull me through. I needed them now more than ever.
BELLA POV:
These last five days had flown by. My head was still somewhere in the vicinity of my ass the way it felt all muddled with everything that had happened in this short time. After I got off the phone with Collin, I rang my lawyers and took the contracts to them to look over and verify everything for. Everything added up. They were legit and what they were offering me was the chance of a life time. A place to start a new, and to leave all the hurt and betrayal behind me. This would be mine and Blake's new chance of life.
I was finally spreading my wings and opening a new Sweet Swan Salvation, when I first named my store little did I know the meanings those words would come to mean to me. This move would be my salvation, and boy did I need it.
I walked around the now empty apartment in contemplation; this area would soon be filled back up with love and laughter once my new duty manager took over the reins. Her and her fiancée would fill this place with life again; because boy did it need it.
My last few days here, were filled with trying to get everything in order, I'd called my dad over and over again, with no luck in any contact, not even Sue I could get a hold of, I refused to speak to Billy since I'm sure he'd be pleased to see me go, I mean why wouldn't he since he'd told Jake to ban me from even stepping foot in La Push ever again. He had all the chances to help me and Sam and obviously his priorities lay with his tribe and that's something that Billy would never change about himself. Stubborn old bastard!
With nowhere else to turn, I finally resorted to leaving messages and just hope someone would hear them. The way fate had been kicking my ass recently, I doubted that. Just to play it safe I wrote all of the people that played a part in my life a good letter, well, all excluding Renee.
They were all hard to write down and tell them all the truth as to what has really been going on with me and Sam, they deserved that at least. The hardest letter by far, was the one I had to write that came from my broken heart. The heart that belonged, to Sam. I told him all about my plans in San Francisco and what a good opportunity this would be for me and Blake, letting him know that I'd already named our son was hard, plus informing him that his son would never be a Uley, as I didn't want him to feel as though I'd forced him to take the name of the man that looked him over and tossed him aside. It was a harsh thing to say to him but it's the truth and how I felt.
I decided that I shouldn't dwell on the past as I had the now and the future to live in. I rubbed my hand over my bulging stomach and felt my son kick to my touch. He always made me smile; he was my reason to be now, the only thing in my life that I could guarantee on.
I turned from the now empty room and made my way down my apartment steps and stepped out the door shut it tightly behind me. I made my way into my first baby, my pride and joy. My store! I talked to all the staff and wished them well and they wished me the same. I handed over the keys to Amanda hugging her and wishing her all the luck in the world. They all asked me when they'd see me again, and honestly, that was something I myself didn't even know the answer too.
Without looking behind, I stepped into my car and closed the door and cocooned myself in silence. This was it. With a deep exhale to rid myself of any tension, I looked forward and just started to drive. Filling my mind, with thoughts of my new home. Yes a home and no longer an apartment. All my belongings had gone on ahead with the movers, so that when I did get there, things should be in order. Order was good for me at this moment, considering how muddled my brain was with everything.
Even in my muddled mind, I could see where we were heading for and I just had to pull over and stop. I got out of my car and stood by the door and just stared. It summed up everything and made me smile in the turmoil of life that I was dealing with.
You are now leaving Forks!
Yes! Yes I am.
I got back in the car, shut the door and turned on the radio and started to drive. I never looked back again.
Two days later.
SAM POV:
My eyes opened for the first time in seven days, the light of the day blinded me, as I tried to blink into focus and too make sense of all that had occurred on my journey. Nothing that I sacrificed on my quest did I regret. I took all the choices given to me with open arms. I was ready for this; I was ready for my chains to become unbound by a destiny that I never wanted. My destiny was now mine for the taken and it was now me who got to decide where that path took.
This path was one that I chose to take without my wolf.
The only way to become unbound from the imprint is to give up the wolf. I was shocked at first when the guides on our spirit journey informed us of this little titbit, but I had to fight my wolf to finally be free to be who I needed to be.
It turned out to be the hardest and most long fought out battle of my life, but I strived towards the finish line of defeating the wolf in dominance I had one thing that ruled my mind and that one thing gave me the strength that I never knew I possessed. The love I had for Bella and our son.
So now just laying here without the wolf dictating my mind was a strange sensation. I never thought I'd become human again this soon, but needs must. He'll always be with me though, he's just dormant. But neither of us was ruled by the imprint destiny any longer. Once I beat him back we both felt the imprint chains break and we felt freer than we have done in a long time.
Jacob was now Alpha, he took some beating too, and those ancient spirits didn't take to kindly to him raising his hand to a pregnant woman. Those spirits reminded me of Leah in some way, her loyalty and feistiness, among other things that made Leah who she was. We would all be different from this journey, even Paul, even though his job in all of this was to stand guard, what he saw had to have changed him, hell, how could it not when you're in the presence of such ancient and pure spirits.
Leah and Paul helped me to my feet; none of us spoke as we made our slow trek home. Yeah I'm not moving as fluid or graceful any longer, but I didn't care, as I had my freedom. We seemed to be walking for hours, well it certainly felt like it. I saw Jake up ahead of us as he brushed passed the last few trees before he went out into the open. I finally had a bit more energy, so I made Paul and Leah let me go. I wanted to walk out of that treeline as the man I was to become.
No sooner had I stepped out of the tree line, I heard a crack sound in the air, followed by a load of people shouting. It was then that I felt something warm trickle down my arm. My hand swept it up and I just stared at it. It was blood. I looked down and the now painful sensation and saw that it was my blood. Why the fuck was I bleeding? And why the fuck is it starting to go dark, it's too early for that?
My legs suddenly gave way, and I ended up sprawled on the ground, just losing this small amount of blood sapped all my remaining energy out of me. I could still hear people shouting, but the sound became tinnier.
I looked above me as a felt a shadow loom over me. Charlie Swan and he had his gun in his hands. Oh great! Just great, the day I finally become loose of my bounds, I get shot. What fucking luck. He was talking at me; I couldn't really hear him as the pain made my focus on things hard.
"This is for Bella, you fucker!"
The last thing I saw was the butt of his gun coming towards me.
Everything was black.
Hey everyone!
I'm soooooo sorry for the delay, but I've had a lot to deal with in my personal life. I separated from my husband and had to make sure the kids were settled with the situations, so as hopefully you can understand, they took priority.
Thank you so much for your patience and your kind encouraging words from the last chapter and all the messages left to me, I can't guarantee when the next update will be, as my kids still have some bad days and they have to take precedence.
But one thing I can guarantee you is that I will always finish my stories, they just might take longer to do so.
I really hoped you enjoyed this chapter and it took a totally different turn to what I originally set out to write, but hey that's the way it happens sometimes, these stories write themselves, I'm just the vessel that allows it to flow.
Again, sincere apologies!