(This chapter is the reason the story has it's rating (M), you've been warned )
The return from Hawaii was bittersweet for Hillary, Jacob, and Embry. Not long after they returned home, they were all immediately swamped with work and thrown back into the grueling pace of meeting deadlines before the Christmas holiday. Hillary spent most of her days working with the tribal elders getting the online business finalized selling authentic handcrafted native wares. She helped push through the paperwork and insurance issues and it would be up and running before the New Year.
In her evenings she spent at the house Jake and the pack were pushing to finish the remodeling and restoration of the house. Most of the rooms were redone, but there were some last minute cosmetic things that Hillary and Jake would have to do one their own. They had refinished all of the floors, opened up walls, added built-ins, re-done the bathrooms and kitchen. All in all the house looked nearly finished. In the little spare time that they had Hillary and Jake were making trips to furnish their home little by little.
Embry talked to Alani nearly daily. For him the separation was difficult, but he counted down the days until he would see her again, until she would be moving to La Push. Even though their relationship was long distance, it was quickly developing into a very deep and meaningful connection. Alani had admitted to Hillary that she was quickly falling for the quiet and shy man that was her wolf.
Jacob had made sure that he checked in with Hillary regularly. The scare of her going to Hawaii without him seemed to have gotten his head on straight. Since he had given her the promise bracelet, he had taken to kissing her wrist every time that he saw her. He took her out to dinner and spent as much time with her as possible. He wouldn't lose her again, couldn't lose her again and he told Hillary as much.
It had been amazing to Hillary just how quickly the past three weeks had gone. In just a few short days it would be Christmas, the first Christmas since she had returned home. So much had changed since she came home from Hawaii. She and Jake had reconnected on a much deeper level than they had ever. Their ties of friendship had steadily rekindled over the months since she had been home. However, there was a distinct change. It started subtly at first, but over time the less than platonic feelings they had for one another grew stronger by day, especially since Hawaii. He could send her heart racing just entering a room or catching her eye with one of his heated looks.
Hillary shook herself from her thoughts of how quickly time was passing as she was juggling grocery bags and her purse trying to get the door of her soon to be home open. She could see that the lights were off, so Jake was probably still at the garage. After struggling to balance her purchases, she finally got the door open and made her way into the kitchen.
She put the groceries down on the island in the center of the remodeled kitchen and began putting away the groceries that she wouldn't need for dinner. Pulling out a large stock pot, she put it on the burner and began to boil water for pasta. Turning towards her right she preheated the double ovens she had installed. She decided that if she would be feeding a pack of wolves, she'd need the right equipment to do so.
For dinner she planned on making pasta, meatballs, fresh bread and a salad, not that any of the boys ever ate much of it. Chuckling to herself she flicked on the radio and began making the meatballs and putting them on the trays. She washed her hands and began making the dough for fresh bread while the water was slowly coming to a boil.
Hillary turned and bit back a scream to find Jake leaning against the arched opening to the kitchen. He had clearly recently cleaned up from work judging by the damp hair and fresh set of clothing. He pushed from the arch and padded across the kitchen almost stalking towards her with a heated look in his eyes. Caging her in against the counter he leaned down and captured her lips with his own, growling softly.
"Do you have any idea how good it is to come home to you?" he asked gruffly. "I could get used to this, Hillary."
"So could I," she said softly playing with the hair on the back of his neck.
"Move in," he said suddenly. "No, just hear me out. You can have your own room until we're ready, but move in Hillary. This is your home too."
Hillary looked up at him and a slow smile spread across her face. She nodded with a grin and laughing when he lifted her and spun her around. Setting her down slowly, she slid down the front of his body causing them both to groan. Jake tugged her against him and kissed her again deeply, nipping at her bottom lip.
Hillary jolted back when the timer for the oven went off. She tossed the oven mitts a Jake and turned to stir the pasta and sauce on the stove. Jake pulled the meatballs from the oven and looked at her in question. She had made four cookie sheets full of them and four loaves of fresh bread, plus six boxes of pasta.
"Well I figured it wouldn't just be us for dinner tonight," she said with a shrug. "Besides, the pack comes here, so left overs won't go to waste."
Jake dropped a kiss on her brow and poured the large stock pot of pasta into the colander to strain out the water. By the time she had mixed in the sauce and grated the parmesan cheese, members of the pack were arriving. Embry and Quil were first, followed by Seth, Brady and Collin. Leah was spending the evening with her mom and Paul and Jared were eating with their imprints, per usual. Sam had been spending more and more time with Emily at home recently. He would soon stop phasing.
Hillary gaged the amount of food she made against the six large shape shifting wolves in her kitchen and nodded. She concluded that it should be enough, but next time she'd make a loaf of bread for each. Turning to grab the plates, she was gently nudged away by Embry, who passed her to Quil. She was gently pushed into one of the chairs of their newly acquired dining room set and Jake brought her a plate. She wasn't quite sure what to think of it.
"What you said at the bonfire really stuck with us," Quil murmured, answering her unasked question.
"We don't ever want any of the imprints to feel like that they have to do anything for us," Seth said softly. "Just being there for whatever pack mate, just existing is enough. We shouldn't expect to be fed and waited on."
"I didn't mean it like that guys," Hillary said sternly. "I don't mind cooking and I love doing something to give back for everything that you do. I just couldn't do it for three meals a day; it's a lot of work."
"We know Hillary," Jake said sitting beside her with his own plate. "But they're right. It was that way with Emily because that's how she let it be and wanted it to be. You, however, have a full time job. It wouldn't be right to expect you to do that and then come feed the masses every day for every meal."
"I still didn't mean what I said that night to upset any of you," she argued. "I don't want any of you to think that you're a burden, ever. I was cooking dinner anyways, I just had to make a bit extra."
"All the same Hillary," Embry said, "we don't mind helping. I know for a fact you made most of this from scratch or by hand." He pointed to the fresh loaves of bread.
Hillary shrugged with a grin and began eating. Everyone else ate and laughed. It had been a busy three weeks for all of them. They only had a few more days to push through before most of them were off until the New Year. They were sitting around laughing when there was a knock at the front door.
Hillary stood and went to answer the door with Jake following closely behind. It wasn't often people knocked; most people visiting their rather remote home were pack or family members. Hillary opened the door and squealed. Alani grinned and opened her arms. Hillary threw her arms around her and pulled her into the house. By now the rest of the pack had come to see what the commotion was.
"When did you get here?" Hillary demanded hugging her friend. "I thought your flight wasn't until tomorrow and I was going to get you then?"
"What?" asked a shocked Embry who had pushed forward to stand beside his imprint. "I thought you weren't coming until spring break?"
"Merry Christmas," Alani said with a grin. "Hillary's gift to both of us was to fly me out."
Embry tugged Alani against his larger frame and kissed her deeply. The pack wolf whistled and cheered him on. Embry was the shy quiet one, so it was amusing to them to see this side of him. They pulled back blushing at the pack.
"Thank you," Embry said to Hillary.
Jake looked down at Hillary who laughed. She winked and tugged Alani's bags into the foyer. Glancing at Jake she looked down at the bags.
"Well," she looked at him, "I hope you don't mind two females invading your space suddenly. I'll have to get my stuff from my parents' house, but we can do that in the morning."
"You're moving in?" Quil asked.
"Yeah," she said smiling up at Jake. "I guess I'm moving in for Christmas."
"Really?" Jake asked running his large hand over her hair. "You're certain?"
"Yes," she replied looking him in the eye.
Hillary tugged Alani out of Embry's arms and gave her a tour of the house. They laughed and joked as they went. The pack hung back and let the girls talk. Embry hauled her bags up to the spare guest room, while the others were packing up left overs and cleaning up after dinner.
"Hillary," Alani said sitting on the guest bed. "This is exactly the house you said you've always wanted."
"I know," she answered softly. "I don't know how he knew, but this is the home I always imagined that I would have."
They left the room and went down to the large family room to join the rest of the group. Jake had purchased a large screen television for the room and Hillary had picked out the very large sectional and reading chairs. She and Alani moved towards their imprints and crawled into their laps as they watched Quil and Seth play whatever game console they had hooked up. Hillary had often played with them when they were younger, but hadn't in years.
"Are you staying tonight?" Jake murmured into her ear.
Hillary nodded tiredly, lulled by the steady thud of his heart beat. His warmth enveloped her and she felt safe and at peace. She heard him talking to someone on the phone and passed the phone to Alani. She tried to retain hold of her consciousness, but she drifted.
Sometime later she found herself tucked into the large California King sized bed in the master bedroom. The pillow and blankets had the same woodsy smell that Jake had. Feeling around she realized she was in the bed alone. Sighing she stretched tiredly and padded softly from the bed towards the dresser. She was uncomfortable in her dress slacks and blouse. Tugging off her work clothes, she pulled on one of Jake's t-shirts which fell to her knees.
Placing her dirty clothes on the chair in the corner of the room, she quietly made her way back down stairs to find Embry and Jake sprawled out on the sectional. Jake's head lifted as she came into the room and he sat up as she came closer. Her breath caught in her thought when she saw the look in his eye as he drank in the sight of her in his clothes.
"I thought you were sleeping," his voice rumbled in his chest.
Embry chuckled wickedly, knowing exactly what his pack mate was thinking. He stretched and pecked Hillary on the cheek, ignoring Jakes growl as he made his way out the back to take over on patrol.
"I was asleep, but I woke up disoriented," Hillary said softly. "I should call my parents to let them know I'm here."
"I already did," Jake said giving her a heated look. "You should be in bed, Hillary."
His voice was wreaking havoc on her system. Heat was pooling in her belly and butterflies were fluttering. She was sure that he could hear her heart pounding in her chest as she watched his eyes grow darker and his breathing become labored.
"Jake," she whispered hoarsely.
Jake reached out and tugged her into his lap. He just held her there as his limbs trembled with years of pent up need. He wouldn't rush her now. Breathing her in, his heart pounded in sync with hers as they sat in silence.
"You should head back up to bed, Hillary," Jake said softly against her ear, his hot breath fanning her neck.
"I'm not kicking you out of your bed or room, Jake," she said in exasperation. "Come to bed."
His entire body stilled at her words. Not quite sure he heard her right, he looked down at her. She met his gaze with a soft smile.
"Jake, come up to our room and go to bed," she said firmly.
"Our room?" he asked thickly. "You're sure."
"Our room," she nodded. "We're both tired and the bed is massive, Jacob. I trust you."
He swallowed thickly and stood with her in his arms. He dropped a kiss on her brow and walked towards the stairs up to the master bedroom. Walking quietly so as not to wake Alani in the room down the hall, he entered the master bedroom and flicked on the light. He deposited Hillary gently on the bed and sat beside her.
She reached over and took his larger hand into her own. He looked over at her and watched her carefully before lifting his other hand to cup her cheek. She realized that he was nervous and scared. Lifting on her knees she reached over and wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek.
"Jake, I want to start our life her together," she said softly. "I don't want or need a separate bedroom. Sure, it will take time for us to adjust and get to know each other, but I want this to work."
"It's not too soon?" he asked carefully. "I don't want you to feel rushed or like you have to do anything."
"Hush you silly man," she said and she drew him to lie back beside her. "Just because we're going to live together doesn't mean we're going to jump into anything. We'll let things progress at their own pace and go from there."
"I just want you to be happy, Hillary," he said quietly. "I'll do whatever it is that you want or need me to, but I need you to be happy."
"Jake," she murmured against his side, "can't you see that I am? If I wasn't happy I wouldn't be here. This is what I want, what I need to be happy."
He pulled them both more fully up on the bed and to the pillows. Hillary moved to snuggle against his side as Jake pulled a light blanket up over them. She grinned realizing that he left the majority of the other blankets at the bottom of the bed. She giggled a little, knowing that he didn't really need the blankets at all, but was using one for her benefit.
Sighing softly, she drifted asleep with his arms around her middle. He was pressed against her, holding her firmly but gently against his chest. She slept more soundly than she had in a very long time that night, they both had.
Hillary woke up shivering. Rolling over she found the imprint of Jake on his pillow, but he wasn't in the bed. Yawning widely, she stretched and dug in his dresser to grab a pair of his sweat pants. She went into the master bathroom and turned on the shower. She realized she would just have to make do with his soaps and shampoo as well as his clothing until she got to her parents' house to start packing and moving.
Fifteen minutes later she was showered and dressed in just his shirt and sweats. She walked softly down the stairs to the kitchen to start making breakfast. Glancing at the clock she realized that it was still only six in the morning. Shrugging she started pulling out the cartons of eggs to make breakfast.
Jake entered the house and could tell immediately that Hillary was up. He walked into the kitchen from checking in with the pack and stopped in his tracks. She was still wearing his clothes, but now her hair was damp. His heart lurched seeing her here, before he could stop himself he crossed her room and stepped behind her. With his warm hands on her hips he tugged her back and nipped at the junction of her neck and shoulder before soothing it with a kiss. His chuckled rumbled deeply in his chest when she squeaked and then groaned in reaction. His shirt had slid low exposing one shoulder to which he pressed his lips to.
"Good morning," he rasped against her shoulder.
"Good morning," she replied turning to kiss him. "How much should I make?"
"Just worry about you and Alani," he replied. "The elders want you take the rest of this week for the move and to spend time with your friends and family. I think you should, Hillary. You're tired."
"I had already planned on taking today," she answered. "I guess taking the last two days as well won't hurt."
He stood with his arms around her and breathed her in. His scent was all over her now. He hadn't claimed or marked her yet, but contact and his bath products now masked most of her scent. It was alluring, almost more than seeing her in his clothes. He hands flexed on her hips as he came to the realization that she was only wearing his clothes at the moment.
"When you're done eating we should go to your parents' house and start getting your things to bring here," he said hoarsely. "Not that I don't love seeing you in my clothes, but damn Hillary. You're killing me here."
She chuckled throatily and turned in his arms after shutting off the burner. Running her hands up over his muscled chest, she wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him down for a deep kiss. She playfully nipped at his bottom lip and gasped when he tugged her flush against him. There was no masking the effect she was having on him, or the shiver that ran down her spine in response.
"You're playing with fire," he murmured against her lips when he pulled back.
"But it's a good burn," she gasped as he found the spot on the crook of her neck again.
Hillary sagged against him in response and pressed her chest against him, molding her body to his. His arms banded around her tiny waist as he stepped away from the hot stove and backed her up against the counter. With her arms firmly around his neck her reached down and tugged the back of her thighs up around his waist, cupping her bottom in his large hot hands. His nose brushed hers as he turned to kiss her firmly and deeply. They lost themselves in one another.
"Holy shit!" Seth said startling them apart.
Hillary blurrily glanced over Jake's shoulder to find most of the pack staring with wide eyes. She looked back to find Jake staring down at her with a smirk. She smacked him playfully.
"So much for super wolfie hearing, Jake," she scolded causing him and the pack to laugh.
Hillary nudged him to move, but he stood firmly in place. She glanced up at him but realized that he was trying to compose himself and control his body's reaction. Snorting softly, she slid from the counter, though she wasn't sure how she ended up there. Looking at the expectant pack and the eggs in the pan she rolled her eyes and started pulling out more food. Jake went to protest, but she waved him off.
Alani came down the stairs half awake, not realizing that she was walking into the kitchen with most of the pack there. Hillary probably should have warned her friend the night before about them. She and Alani were used to warm humid nights in Hawaii therefore most of their night clothes were more suited for that climate. Alani stumbled into the kitchen in a small pair of sleep shorts and a tank top. She saw the pack and glanced over to Hillary who was smirking.
"You could have warned me," Alani accused her.
"Hey at least you have your own clothes," Hillary said laughing. "I had to borrow."
"Hillary, I have clothes in my bag that will fit you," Alani said slyly.
"Right like I was going to stumble into your room at one in the morning and ask for something to wear," Hillary snorted. "I just raided Jake's dresser."
"You still could have warned me," Alani scowled.
"At least it's the cotton ones. Embry, Kim, and Jared invaded my room the day after I got home and I was wearing the satin one you got me," Hillary said causing Jake to make a choking sound from behind her.
Quil winked playfully, "Yeah we all got an eyeful of that Hillary."
Jake growled at him and glanced down at Hillary swallowing largely, remembering exactly what she was talking about. Swearing softly, he ran a hand roughly through his hair and tried to control his thoughts. She was killing him, first in his clothes, and now with the image of her with all that bare skin and satin.
Hillary flushed deeply and turned to continue making breakfast. Alani stepped to help her. They worked in tandem to get a heaping pile of breakfast to dole out to the pack. Hillary and Alani took plates first, and then it was every man or wolf for themselves.
After breakfast Hillary and Alani were playfully shoved towards the stairs as younger members of the pack were on clean up duty. The girls quickly changed and met with the pack back in the family room. Hillary and Alani would be going to Hillary's parents' house to start pack and the pack would be helping to move her in. She already spent most of her time at the house now, she usually only slept at home. Her parents hadn't put up a fight when she told them on the phone, which she found odd and slightly suspicious, but she counted her blessings.
Over the course of the next three days leading up to Christmas, Hillary was packed, moved, and unpacked into the house she now called home with Jacob Black. She promised to spend Christmas morning with her parents when she got up in the morning. She had also driven with Rachel to pick up Rebecca and Michael from the airport. It was great to see them again and even more wonderful to watch the tearful and heartfelt family reunion. Billy had tears of joy to have all of his children under the same roof, even if it was just for a visit.
Alani split her time between Hillary and Embry. Embry was over the moon that she was here and spent every moment that he could with her. He kept thanking Hillary for her gift, saying that he wasn't sure how he could properly thank her.
Hillary laughed quietly to herself, tucking the gifts she had bought the pack under the tree in the family room. She had gone to a leather craftsman on the south border of La Push and ordered leather straps with small pouches to be crafted with the same tribal symbol that they all had tattooed on their shoulders. She figured they could carry it with them and use it to strap their clothing on their legs when they ran. She had brought back gifts from Hawaii for her parents. For Jake however she had started putting together a scrapbook for him with the help of his family and pack. It was hard to keep the secret and she hoped that he liked it.
It was Christmas Eve and Alani was staying with Embry for the night. Jake was due back from patrol any time now. She had steak in the oven and seasoned potatoes and vegetables. She knew it was one of his favorites. Putting the oven on warm, she turned to make sure she had everything packed to bring to her parents' house in the morning. She baked a couple of pies to bring to their house, a few to bring to the Uleys', and a couple to bring to Jake's family.
Padding quietly to the family room she sat in one of the over-stuffed reading chairs looking at the Christmas lights in silence. There was always something peaceful and soothing about watching the lights. Even as a child she would sit below the tree. Their tree was a mix of ornaments from their childhood, one that were given to them by their parents, and some they bought together.
Looking around she realized that they had made this their home. Reaching to grab her cup of eggnog off of the table she sipped the sugary drink and sighed. She had missed Christmases in La Push. A thin layer of snow blanketed the ground and it was cold. Before the New Year they were set to get another foot of snow.
The back door opened and Jake entered the house. He found the kitchen empty, but his stomach rumbled appreciatively at the smell of dinner. He walked into the family room and found Hillary sitting quietly. His breath caught as he watched the lights of the tree reflect in her eyes and the peaceful look settle on her face. She took his breath away time and again. He loved her with every fiber of his being and he knew that tonight would be the night.
Clearing his throat he walked towards Hillary and drew her up for a kiss. He led her to the dining room and went to plate the food that she had prepared for them. She smiled in thanks as he handed her the plate he grabbed her. They chatted quietly eating and laughing together. Jake reached over and held her hand as they ate.
When they were done they cleaned up from the meal together and retreated to the living room. Jake went upstairs to shower and change and came back fidgety. Hillary tugged him on the couch beside her and snuggled in as he turned towards her. She noticed his posture and looked at him in confusion.
"What's wrong?" she asked. "Jake is everything okay?"
"It's fine," he mumbled sliding off of the couch to sit on the ottoman in font of Hillary.
Hillary looked at him and was worried. He never looked to unsure of himself and never looked this nervous before. She hadn't seen him look this nervous since he begged her to talk to him that day on the beach. Sitting forward on the couch she positioned herself in front of him, looking up at him in confusion. She watched as he swallowed thickly, drawing himself together.
"Hillary," he began earnestly, "you know that you are my entire world. You're it for me. I love you with every fiber of my being. I can't live my life without you. I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am that you came back home, came back to me." He paused and drew a ragged breath. Not taking his eyes off of her he dropped to his knees before her and drew a black velvet box from his pocket. "I don't need anything else in this world, but you. I will spend the rest of my life loving you. Will you marry me Hilary? Will you let me spend the rest of our lives loving you?"
Hillary had tears pouring down her cheeks and she laughed and threw herself into his arms. She choked and couldn't find the words, but nodded into his chest. She felt him kiss her while drawing her left hand up and something cool slide onto her ring finger. She drew back and looked down at the golden band with the solitaire diamond winking in the lights.
"I love you, Jacob Ephraim Black," she murmured against his lips.
Jake lost himself in her, pulling her flush against him and kissed her with everything that he had leaving them both breathless. Standing he lifted her in his arms and made his way towards the stairs and up to their bedroom, kissing her and murmuring to her along the way.
They fumbled with each other's clothing as they made their way to the bed, kissing and caressing along the way. By the time they made it to the bed they were both trembling with need and love. They were kneeling in the center of their bed stroking, touching, kissing anywhere they could reach.
Jake groaned and hissed as she ran her hands over him and nipped. Hillary whimpered and sighed as he touched her. She sighed his name as her breath caught when his hands went lower and his mouth followed. Jake swore as her hands mimicked his, his eyes rolled back when she found him, exploring and caressing him. His breath hitched and he pulled her hands away before it finished before it had even started. He fought for control, he felt the wolf in him rise and the urge to claim and mark his mate swamped him. He urged his hands to be gentle, he wouldn't mess this up for either of them. Focusing on the woman in front of him, he followed his instincts.
Hillary saw stars as he brought her to her first peak and urged her to her second before she found herself on her back with him rising above her. She ran her hands over his chest and shoulders as she cradled him between her smooth, trembling thighs. He locked his hands with hers, lacing their fingers together as he nudged forward gently. He caught her lips with his own as he sank into her warm heat fully and groaned against her lips at the feeling.
Hillary tensed and held his hands tightly. She was staring at him and she saw his stomach muscle tense and flex as he held still, waiting for her to adjust to him. Experimentally she shifted her hips and she saw him tremble and his eyes shoot to hers. There she found such a look of love, her breath caught. She leaned up and met his lips for a kiss as he began to move. She sighed into his mouth as she let the sensations shocking her body take over.
Jake's eyes nearly rolled into the back of his head when she moved. He fought the urge to thrust as he waited for her to let him know that she was ready. When he caught her eye he moved, they moved together. He swore his heart stuttered when she looked at him with such a look of love. He never thought that he would get to see that look from her. He still didn't think that he deserved such a look from her, but he would spend the rest of their loves trying.
Their movements picked up in pace as they were racing towards something they couldn't quite grasp yet. Hillary felt her stomach tighten and heat pooling and she lifted her legs and locked them around Jake's waist. He shifted deeper with the move causing both of them to groan. Jake swore and tried to fight his wolf, but the instinct to mark his mate was strong. He felt her body begin to tremble as he felt his own body begin to tighten. Dropping his head to the crook of her shoulder he felt her breath hitch as he nuzzled and nipped. When he sank his teeth in it sent them both tumbling over the edge.
Sometime later they were curled up in the tangled bed sheets wrapped around one another. Jake looked down at his drowsy mate and winced slightly at the bruised mark on her shoulder. It was slightly scabbed and might scar, but there was nothing that he could do about that now, he just hoped that she wasn't mad at him. Looking her over her noticed she had some slight discomfort. He extracted himself from her and padded to the bathroom to run a bath for her. When he was certain the bath was full enough and warm enough he walked over to the bed and scooped her up in his arms.
"Jake!" she exclaimed in shock. "What are you doing?"
"You should soak so you aren't too sore," he admitted softly.
"We need sleep," she said tiredly.
"We will," he said with a grin, "after you soak."
Hillary laughed and kissed his jaw as he carried her into the waiting bath. One of the things she had wanted upgraded was a large soaking tub in the master bath, something that she realized she was very grateful for. Jacob stepped into the tub with her in his arms and sank down. He sat back with her between his legs and situated her to gently ease her into the water.
Hillary leaned back against his chest and looked down at the ring that winked in the light of the bathroom. Jacob lifted her hand and gently kissed the ring there. He grabbed a wash cloth and poured some of her bath wash onto it and lathered it over her skin with such care that tears stung her eyes.
"I love you, Jake," she murmured tiredly. "More than I think you know."
He dropped a kiss to the top of her head as he gently washed his mate. Thanking the spirits and his ancestors and all of the gods for the blessing of his mate, he rinsed her and gently lifted her from the tub. Standing her carefully on the bathmat, he drained the tub and wrapped her in a fluffy towel to dry her off. Once she was dry he carefully lifted her again and carried her to the bed and gently laid her on the mattress before climbing in behind her. They both drifted off to sleep quickly.
Christmas morning dawned with a snow storm that had started in the early hours of the morning. Jake pulled Hillary closer to his chest and cradled her against him snuggly. Looking down at her features, he traced each of them closely, committing them to memory. He dropped a kiss on her brow and inhaled her scent deeply. He knew that they would have to get up soon. Despite the storm they needed to visit their families and the pack.
"Love," he murmured against her temple. "Hillary, we need to get up soon."
"Hmm," she mumbled and burrowed into his chest.
"We need to get up Hillary," he said softly. "Believe me there is nothing I would love more, than to spend the rest of our lives in bed together, but we really need to go. We are supposed to be at your parents' house in an hour."
Hillary blinked up at him and blushed. Her heart raced as everything from last night came back to her. Glancing down at her left hand on his chest, her new ring winked in the low light of their room. Jake drew her hand up and kissed it, before repeating the action and drawing her right wrist up and kissing where his bracelet rested.
"Good morning," she whispered softly. "Merry Christmas, Jake."
"Merry Christmas, Hillary," he replied nuzzling the mark on her shoulder.
"We really need to get up," she groaned.
Sighing and pouting playfully, he drew her up and pressed her naked chest to his own. He kissed her deeply before drawing back with a wink. He got out of bed and made his way to the master bath bare as the day he was born with no shame. Hillary stretched and winced slightly.
She scooted off the bed and dug in her dresser for clothes to wear for the day. A black pair of leggings with a deep wine colored tunic sweater and black leg warmers were quickly tugged on before Jake came out of the bathroom. She caught sight of a the love bites and a couple of bruises from when things got a bit intense and didn't want to see them just yet. Hillary knew that he would be upset and worried that he had hurt her or been too rough and really didn't want their relationship to back track.
Jake entered back into their room and walked over to his own dresser to grab clothes. Throwing on dark jeans and a long sleeve button up he glanced over at her with a smile. Pulling her to his chest gently, he leaned down and kissed her deeply.
"Hi," he whispered, smiling at her.
"Hi," she replied. "We should go before they come searching for us."
Jake led her back down stairs and threw together something to eat quickly. Hillary was putting the presents to bring with them in large tote bags. They ate in a comfortable, companionable silence in the kitchen, stealing glances at one another and holding hands. Hillary picked up the kitchen while Jake brought their presents and the pies out to Hillary's car.
Jake came back in to find Hillary in the family room smiling holding out two packages to him. He crossed the room and pulled out a small package from under the tree for her. She tried to protest, holding her left hand up, but he wouldn't hear any of it. Rolling her eyes, she accepted the small package with a smile.
Jake was touched to find the scrapbook. He hadn't seen some of the photos in there before and was touched that she had gone to such trouble to make this for him. When he opened the leather strap and pouch from her he grinned and winked.
Hillary opened the small box with trembling hands. Her engagement ring was already too much, he didn't need to give her more! She couldn't help the gasp that she let out when she finally opened the gift. It was a small hand carved wooden trinket box. When she opened it, inside was a delicate necklace with a teardrop diamond winking in the light of their Christmas tree.
"Jake!" she gasped. "This is too much! Did you carve this box? It's beautiful. My ring was more than enough, thank you!"
"Yeah I carved the box. The necklace was mom's so it didn't cost anything," he said mistily. "Dad wanted me to give it you. He gave it to mom for their first Christmas together."
"Oh, Jacob," she said wrapping her arms around him and kissing him softly. "Thank you."
They kissed for a little while longer before Jacob bundled her up and ushered her to the car. They made their way to her parents' house first. He mother was thrilled at their engagement and her father was stoic and resigned. Her grandmother nodded with a wrinkly grin. They ate a light brunch before making their way to Billy's.
At the Black residence it was a joyful affair. They were thrilled at Jake and Hillary's engagement, but theirs wasn't the only good news. Rebecca and Michael announced that they were expecting their first child, sending Billy over the moon with joy. Rachel and Paul grinned good naturedly, waving off the joking comments of marriage and children. Neither were in a rush, but both were thrilled for their family.
Their last stop of the day was the Uleys'. Hillary was passed from pack member to pack member and given hugs and kisses. Alani winked and grinned at her friend and held up her wrist showing Hillary a very similar, yet unique bracelet. Embry hovered at her side, subconsciously touching her frequently as if to make sure that she was still there. Hillary smiled in the kitchen with the other imprints as they prepared the meal for dinner. Emily was beaming happily and hugged both Alani and Hillary often as she bustled around her kitchen.
The only damper on the day was Leah's attitude. She sat in the living room in the corner brooding. She refused to go into the kitchen and be with the imprints. As far as she was concerned wolfing out and imprinting had ruined her life. It was hard for her to be around the others, especially when they were all so happy and content with their lives.
Hillary watched Leah carefully and quietly throughout the evening. Her heart hurt for the older girl. Leah put on a smile and thanked Hillary for her gift when she opened it. She had gotten her a little extra something in the pouch. She had made the lone she wolf a friendship bracelet that she had spent hours weaving and selecting specific beads and charms for. Leah had gone so far as to hug the younger girl causing the room to go silent.
Hillary shrugged and watched in concern as Leah left shortly after. Emily sat tearfully beside Sam, who looked like he had been sucker punched. Glancing to her side she saw that Jake was watching the door in concern. When he went to leave, she waved him off and moved to follow Leah outside.
"You didn't have to come out here," Leah said tiredly. "Go back inside before you catch cold."
"I'm fine," Hillary said coming to stand beside her.
"I'm fine," Leah said sharply.
"Out of everyone I think you can be honest with me," Hillary said softly. "You aren't fine and I honestly can't blame you for it. You're in pain and even though you try to hide it and push everyone away, Leah it won't make it go away."
"I just want to leave," Leah whispered hoarsely. "I would have gotten over it if I could have left like I had planned. Now I'm stuck here like some pathetic ex-girlfriend that can't let go. It hurts."
Hillary carefully wrapped her arms around the taller girl and felt her tremble. She could feel the hot tears on her shoulder as Leah finally let the flood gates open. She tried to console her, but eventually just kept telling her to let it all out and that it would be alright.
"I swear to you, Leah, I will help any way that I can," she told her strongly. "This is destroying you and I won't let this happen any longer. If you want to leave, then we will figure something out."
"Thank you," Leah whispered hoarsely. "No one else understands."
Hillary snorted, "They're men and their perfect imprints. Of course they wouldn't understand what you're going through. I'm not defending him or her, but they did try to fight it and you and I both know that. But it is unfair of anyone to expect you to have to witness the life that you were promised being lived out by someone else, even if it was out of their control."
Leah sighed and nodded. She knew what Hillary said was true. Deep down she always knew, but it didn't make it any easier. It also didn't make it easier with Sam constantly in her head. It didn't help seeing them together in person, or in his memories. It didn't help that Emily for all she tried, went along pretending they were best friends and nothing had changed, when everything had changed. Hillary was right. Emily was living the life that she and Sam had planned and she just needed to get away.
Jake stepped out onto the porch quietly. The whole pack heard the entire conversation and even though Emily couldn't hear it, she could tell by Sam's reaction what was being said. She stood and went to their room silently and closed the door, leaving Sam and the rest of the pack to eavesdrop. Most of them felt ashamed. They all gave Leah a hard time and even though she was a bitch, she had a reason for it.
Sam looked ill. He had never wanted to hurt Leah. Part of him still and always would love her. Leah being a wolf just made it all harder. No one knew that Leah had been planning to leave until they heard her talking the Hillary. Hot tears stung his eyes when he realized that she was stuck and he was still hurting her even if he couldn't control it. He dropped his head into his hands as he watched Jake go outside.
"Hey," Jake said softly. "Why don't you stop by our house later, Leah? We can try to figure something out. Don't get defensive, please."
"I don't want pity," she snapped.
"I don't pity you," he said sharply; every bit the Alpha that he was. "I want to help because I'm your Alpha and when someone in the pack hurts, we all do. You didn't ask for this. None of us asked for this. But I can try to make this right to you somehow, Leah. I saw the pain I cause Hillary, and while it's not the same, I don't want to see someone else I care about go through that."
Leah nodded and swallowed thickly. "I need to run, but I will stop by later," she said. "For what it's worth Jacob, I think you're a great Alpha. Thank you."
Jake and Hillary stood on the porch and watched her jog into the woods. He pulled her against him to ward off the chill of the night. It had stopped snowing around lunch time but it was cold. Running his hands up and down her spine he tried to warm her up.
"She hurts so much, Jake," Hillary said tearfully. "We have to do something, please. Can we at least try to convince the Council and Elders to let her go to college, even part time? She could phase less and spend some time away from here. She needs to heal."
"I know love," he murmured against her temple. "I'll talk to dad and see what we can do. You're right. This is something that should have been done long before now and unfair to her."
Hillary nodded into his chest and breathed in his scent. Sighing she pulled back to look up at him. She thanked the spirits, ancestors, and gods that she had him. Standing on her toes she reached up to kiss him. She danced out of his arms with a laugh when he went to deepen the kiss and went back into the house with him following.
The rest of the pack looked at her with sad expressions. She looked at them sternly and tried to stop herself from glaring at Sam. With her hands on her hips she looked at the pack and their imprints.
"You will listen to me carefully because I'm only going to tell you once," she said firmly. "You will be respectful and kind to Leah. I've witnessed how you talk to and treat her and I'm ashamed and appalled. You will apologize and you will be on your best behavior or so help me, I will have new fur throw rugs in my house. Do you hear me?" she hissed at them viciously.
Turning and glaring at the imprints she paused before addressing them. "You should have had her back and been on her side," she glared at them. "You will be kind to her. Imprinting is a blessing and a gift, I get that, but for once put yourself in her fucking shoes and get over yourselves. Sure she hasn't been sunshine and daisies, but do any of you really blame her?"
Emily cringed, but hung her head. Kim stared at Hillary with wide eyes. Rachel winked and nodded, at least she tried to talk to and get along with Leah. Claire wasn't present and there weren't any other imprints present as of yet.
"We all know my story," Hillary snarled. "I was a rejected imprint and I left so he could be happy with the person that he said he loved." Hillary glared at Emily especially, ignoring Sam's snarl and Jake's whimper. "There had to have been a better way of going about this, you know it and I know it. In the three years since I was gone I would have thought that you would have owned up and made peace with her by now. I guess I expected too much from you. I love you Emily, but I'm not really sure that I like you very much at the moment. You're a good person, but what you've done is pretty shitty."
She turned to find Sam trembling violently, trying to control himself. Jake and Paul stood and dragged him out of the house before he could phase or hurt anyone. Hillary looked around the room and found that no one would meet her eye. Goodness this wasn't how she had hoped this day was going to go. She heard the violent snarls and yips coming from the woods behind the house.
Hillary walked to the kitchen and grabbed her pie pans and walked back to the front room. She started packing up her and Jake's things as the others watched her in silence. Alani stood and began helping her in silence. She could feel her friend's curious glance and nodded towards the door. The pair walked to the car as Hillary gave her the abridged version of what happened. Alani looked towards the woods and then the house with a scowl.
Hillary laughed and threw her arm around her friend as they walked back to the house. She was glad there was someone else that was on team Leah's side. Embry, being Jake's Beta would listen to his Alpha and his mate. He met them at the door carrying the rest of their things and told them to wait while he started the cars to warm them up. One by one the pack walked up to her and mumbled apologies before leaving to head home. Hillary watched as Emily sat on the couch staring vacantly at the wall with tears running down her cheek. She felt a twist of guilt, but brushed it aside for the moment. She knew all the well the pain Leah was feeling and hoped that she could help her move past it.
Jake and Paul emerged from the woods tugging on their clothes. Sam was yanking up cut off shorts as he raced into the house ignoring Hillary and Alani on his way to Emily's side. He pulled her up into his arms and quietly walked down the hallway with her cradled against his chest. Jake ushered Hillary to her car, while Embry pulled Alani to his truck. Paul gave Rachel a piggy back to his truck and they all left to their homes for the night.
Hillary sat beside Jake and fidgeted in her seat. She really hadn't meant to go off on everyone tonight. However, seeing Leah so broken and vulnerable brought up everything that she felt and went through. Jake reached across the seat and snagged her hand in his own, spinning her engagement ring around on her finger.
"I'm sorry," he said hoarsely.
"Don't apologize, Jake," she said urgently. "Tonight had nothing to do with you or us. I'm sorry that I brought it up, but I couldn't stand seeing her like that anymore. Someone needed to say something on her behalf."
"I'm glad that you did," he said softly. "I should have said something sooner."
They spent the rest of their short car ride in silence. When they reached home, they grabbed their bags of presents and went into the house. Hillary brought everything into the family room and turned on a Christmas movie on the television. She padded up the stairs to tug on pajamas for the night as she heard Jake talking on the phone downstairs. Throwing her hair in a messy bun she went down stairs to find Leah standing awkwardly in the kitchen with Jake.
Hillary crossed the room and pulled her into a hug and tugged her into the family room. Jake brought in bowls of popcorn and other snacks and brought Hillary a throw blanket. Leah sighed and eventually relaxed sitting curled up next to Hillary. Jake sat on Hillary's other side and they sat in silence watching the movie.
"Thank you," Leah said softly. "I know I'm not the easiest person and I'll be the first to admit I'm a bitch."
"Leah, please stop," Hillary said. "We'll figure something out and work through this. I promise you, that everything will be alright. Maybe not today or even this year, but some day it will be alright and you will be okay."
Leah nodded, closing her eyes. Drawing a deep breath, she met the eyes of Jacob Black, her Alpha. He nodded to her solemnly.
"I spoke with dad early," he said surely. "The elders will discuss an idea that Hillary proposed and let us know. Hillary wants you to be able to go to college, even part time and be able to phase less. I agree and so does dad."
Leah shocked them both when she threw her arms around Hillary in a tight hug and burst into tears. She incoherently thanked them and babbled as she let Hillary rock her from side to side. Jake watched helplessly as a girl who was like his sister was comforted by his mate. He really didn't do well with crying women.
"So, Leah," Hillary said drawing back, "have you given thought to what you want to do?"
"I always wanted to go into nursing or healing like mom," she said shyly. "I don't want to get my hopes up, but I want to do something meaningful."
Hillary nodded with an encouraging grin, "Well you already do something meaningful, but I think it's wonderful."
Jake smiled and nodded as well. "We can talk to them tomorrow or the day after." He told them. "Dad is contacting them tomorrow morning and we can go from there."
Leah thanked them and left to go talk to her mother. She hugged Hillary and Jake one more time before leaving the house smiling. Hillary sighed and leaned back against Jakes chest.
"I love you," he whispered against the skin of her neck.
"I love you too, Jake," she said leaning back and looping her arms back around his neck.
He flicked off the television and scooped her up in his arms. Today had been a rollercoaster for them, but he couldn't be more proud of Hillary for how she stepped up as Alpha female and defended the lone she-wolf of the pack. He nipped the mark he gave her playfully and a growl rumbled in his chest went she gave a nip of her own against his chest. They raced up the stairs laughing and panting. All in all it was a great end to a wonderful Christmas together.
