*Bella's POV*
Emily and I hit off quickly after we started talking in the diner. Neither Jake or Sam could get a word in edgewise, to even ask questions.
"Em, how do you like being a mother?" I asked her because I wanted to know how her experiences were different from mine.
"Well, I enjoy it most of the time, although sometimes, I just need a break." She replied biting into her cheeseburger.
"I totally get that and feel that way sometimes too."
I enjoyed the light conversation that flowed through the rest of dinner. JJ started to fuss a bit in his car seat, Jake picked him up and held him close. JJ didn't seem to calm down.
"I'll take him, Jake," I said to him.
"No, I got it." He replied in a snotty tone.
I pulled my arms back in towards me. I didn't know what to do. I know he is just trying to help but would he take JJ from me. Is it possible he could just walk back in and take him from me? I mean JJ is the future alpha of the pack, he is the next chief of the tribe. Can I really walk away from my child if they wanted me too? No, I would take JJ and never return to this place. I can't have my only son taken from me. JJ continued to fuss in Jake's arms.
Jake looked at me and smiled, "I guess he wants his mom. "
The relief I felt as Jake handed JJ to me was something I had not felt in a long time. Jake looped his arm around my shoulders and smiled down at us. It seemed like forever just sitting here in the happiness.
Emily was the first to speak again, "I guess it's time for us to part ways. Don't be a stranger Bella you are welcome at our house anytime, regardless of what the other pack members think. We will back Jake and you 100%. Even though Sam isn't beta anymore."
I looked at her curiously. Sam isn't beta any more than who is. Jake must have noticed the wheels in my head turning.
"I'll tell you in the car Bella." I smiled at him. Being home was good. After packing up the children and hugging goodbye to Emily. I loaded JJ in the car and got into the front passenger seat. I watched Jake fold himself into my tiny car and mutter to himself. Fuck this we should get something more significant. I smiled to myself. Why yes, we will Jake. Why yes, we will.
"Sam stepped down as my Beta when Jadelynn was born. He didn't want to have as much pack responsibilities due to having a newborn and someone needed to be there for Emily since her family no longer talks to her. You know why."
I smiled that is an excellent reason why Sam would step down. Jake could never do that, but at least the Beta could run the pack if I needed anything. I wonder who the new Beta is.
"It's Embry."
"Huh?" I asked. That came out of nowhere.
"You asked me who the new beta was and it is Embry."
"Jake, I didn't ask that out loud."
"Um. Well, I heard it loud and clear." He laughed.
The rest of the car ride was short and quiet. I just listened to the soft sound of the radio and the tires on the pavement. We finally pulled up to the familiar house that would soon become my permanent home. I pulled JJ out of his car seat, went into the master bedroom where JJ would be sleeping for the night. I put on his PJs, fed him one last time before laying him down to sleep. I looked at him in his bed before changing my clothes and laying down in the bed I had once occupied the night before. I heard Jake moving around in the kitchen and my eyes closed.
I wasn't sure how long it had been since I had fallen asleep, but I woke up to yelling. I got out of bed moving closer to the bedroom door.
I hear Jake yelling in a low tone as trying not to wake us up. "IT IS MY CHOICE I AM THE ALPHA, AND I GET TO CHOOSE WHO GETS TO BE HERE AND WHO GETS TO STAY."
Another voice I think is Embry's says, "IT'S OUR PACK. IT ISN'T ALL ABOUT YOU ALL THE TIME. YOU JUST CAN'T BRING HER HERE WITHOUT LETTING ANYONE KNOW. HOW ARE YOU SURE IT'S YOUR CHILD? HOW ARE YOU SURE? HE COULD BE ANOTHER MAN'S. SHE COULD HAVE SLEPT AROUND. YOU DON'T KNOW SHIT. GET A PATERNITY TEST DONE. I DON'T GIVE A FUCK. I WON'T BELIEVE IT UNTIL I SEE IT WITH MY OWN TWO EYES."
I heard JJ start to move in his pack n play. I picked him up and walked towards the shouting. I was right. It was Embry standing in the kitchen with his back to me, while Jake stood to face me. The look on his face told me that I shouldn't be out here.
"YOU WANT TO SEE FOR YOURSELF EMBRY?" I said with venom in my voice.
"THIS IS JACOB JAXON BLACK, AND IN CASE YOU WANTED TO KNOW JAKE IS THE ONLY MAN I SLEPT WITH. LOOK FOR YOURSELF AND TELL ME THIS ISN'T HIS SON."
Embry moved closer to JJ and me. Then without even thinking about it, Embry put his head down and bowed to the floor. I looked at him and then back at Jake.
"I am sorry, Bella. I can feel it." Embry whispered so softly I almost didn't catch all the words.
"What?" I asked.
"I feel he is my alpha's son. I feel that he is a part of this tribe and this is where he needs to be. He will be the leader of this tribe one day, and I have disrespected him. I am sorry about my hesitation, but you appeared out of the blue with…" I cut him off.
"I get Embry. Here you may hold him." I handed him to Embry careful as he was placed in Embry's arms I heard a sigh of relief and a small snore from JJ.
"Welcome to the pack, my little friend. Welcome to the pack." Embry said with a small.
"Would you like to be his godfather?" I asked Embry.
"I can't-do that Bella." He said.
"And why not?"
"Because I just met him."
"Well, that makes no difference. Uncle Embry." I smiled at him one last time as he handed JJ back to me. "I am going to lay JJ down, don't leave before I come back. Okay?"
"Okay. Bella."
I laid JJ down quickly and walked back into the kitchen where they were both standing again.
"I know you want answers Embry, but I don't want to have to tell the story more than once. In about a week's time, I will let Jake hold a pack meeting, and we will all be together and there you will all hear the story. But for now, I want you to know that I don't plan on leaving. This is JJ's home as much as it is mine. I can't take him away from his family. I just need some time to adjust JJ to living here and getting things settled before I wanted to announce JJ to the pack. I am not hiding him. I am just trying to prepare myself for the backlash that will come with the pack. Sam, Emily, Billy, Charlie, Jake and you all know. I just want to hold off a bit longer. Don't be mad at Jake. He did as I asked him to do. I made a choice I did what is best for JJ."
"I understand Bella. I am not happy about this one bit, but Jake already alpha order me while you were gone, so I have no choice in the matter." I reached out to him and gave him a hug. He embraced the hug and let go after a few moments.
"Well boys, I am going back to bed. I don't know what time it is or how long I was asleep, but I am tired, and JJ will be up in a few hours. Goodnight." I looked at Jake, and he smiled at me.
"You should shower first Bella," Embry whispered in my ear.
"Um. Why?"
"Jake's wolf doesn't like you smelling like another."
"Well, that's only if Mr. Black decides to join me," I said with a smile and wink heading towards the master bedroom.
"Well, you heard the lady, Embry. Be on your way now. I have a fine young lady to be in the shower with."
