I'm kind of at a road block, so I'm going to not update after this for a while so I can get something going that is better! Any ideas are welcome!
Chapter 7
*Kayla*
I woke up the next morning tucked safely against Paul's chest. My whole body was sore when I shifted very slightly and I couldn't help but suck in a huge breath. Instantly, Paul was awake and he leaned back from me so that he could see me.
"Sore," I murmured pushing myself up.
"You did a lot of healing yesterday," he replied gently, moving some hair from my face.
"Guess that would do it," I muttered.
Sighing softly, Paul swung his legs off the bed and got up. He left the room, and I listened as he went to rummage around in the kitchen while I carefully got to my feet. I was hungry, and I wanted a nice cup of coffee. I was sure he was getting that all ready, since he knew me so well. Grabbing one of his hoodies that was in my closet, I put it on and went to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and my hair before getting a good look at myself. I was pale, and there were circles under my eyes. Bottom line was I looked awful. Leaving my hair down, I walked in to the dining room and jumped when I saw Sam sitting at the table with Emily.
My friend got up instantly and came over to give me a hug. I returned it, and moved back after a moment so that I could see her.
"I'm fine. I just need to eat something," I smiled at her.
"Everyone was worried," she said gently as we sat down.
"Well, I'm still breathing, so no need to," I replied. "Any news on Bella or that wench?"
Sam knew I was talking about the leech from last night. "Nothing on either of them," he rumbled. "She hasn't come back on to our territory and Jake said he hasn't heard a damn thing from Bella."
I sighed and leaned back against my chair and turned my attention to Paul. He was putting coffee on and making something. It was odd to see him be so attentive, I was used to him giving me a rude come back and leaving it at that.
"So what happened last night?" Sam asked suddenly, pulling me from my thoughts.
Turning my head I looked at him for a moment as I processed his question. "I left...and came home. I wanted some peace and quiet and she showed up. I wasn't' exactly taken by surprise of the attack, it was more of how aggressive she was that caught me off guard. Usually they don't attack a pack, I've never seen that. I didn't think she'd go as far as she did. By the time it got so bad, I was past calling for help..."
Sam nodded his head quietly, "I said last night I won't let it happen again. I'll give you and Paul a couple days without having to do patrols...and we can go from there."
I shook my head, "Don't keep me stuck here. Or Paul either. It won't do us any good. Once I feel better I'll be fine. We can still run patrol or do something."
Paul came over with a cup of coffee for me and some toast and eggs. He pulled the chair up beside me and sat down, a hard look on his face.
"I can't sit here and do nothing while that wench is still out there," he growled. "I refuse to stay here, and I also refuse to be without Kayla."
Sam growled a sound that rumbled in his chest. Paul looked down immediately, not wanting to fight him and I started eating to amuse myself. I was trying to figure out the best way to do things, but wasn't having much success.
"It doesn't matter. All we can do is make sure she doesn't come back for now and to also wait until Jacob hears from Bella. Because if she comes back, I bet you she's going to be bringing the Cullen's back with her," I pointed out.
"Yea that's going to screw things up real bad," Paul muttered.
"If the Cullen's return, we can no longer protect Bella in our wolf forms. Simple as that," Sam said firmly.
"I don't know why we are anyway," I snorted. "After all we've done for her, and she's going to go back to those leeches? Please, I'd leave her to it then."
Sam looked at me flatly, and I felt myself sink in my chair a little. I couldn't help the smile that appeared though because he knew I was right.
"It's just common sense..." I offered and he shook his head while Emily laughed.
"She does have a point there," Emily sighed wrapping her hands around Sam's arm affectionately.
"Maybe, but how would Jake feel if we said that?" Sam looked at me.
"I'll try my best not to think of it," I promised taking a drink of coffee. "And if it slips, you can protect me."
Sam snorted a little bit and brought Emily to her feet when he got up as well. "Dinner will be at our house. I'd like the whole pack there. As for today, try to relax. If we need you, you'll know."
Watching them walk out of the house, I looked over at Paul for a moment who was staring at the table so hard I was waiting for it to break. I picked up my empty plate and rose to my feet to go put it in the sink.
"I have some work to do," I said quietly. "I think you should go back and take a nap. I'll only be a little bit."
Paul looked at me then, tearing his eyes from the table. He rose to his feet stiffly and walked over to me. I let him wrap his arms around me, pulling me close. Laying my head on his chest, I inhaled his scent and felt myself relax. Paul did the same.
"I'll let you even be in your wolf form so you can stay in the room," I offered. "If that will make you more comfortable."
"It will."
He went to the center of the living room and stripped before phasing. It was one of the most controlled transformations I had ever seen him do. He didn't break anything in the house, and when he shook out his fur, he looked over at me. I let him lay as close as he could get when I started working and I was glad to throw myself in to something I had to really focus on.
Paul stayed with me till I was done, and only turned human when I announced that I wanted to go get some things for dinner tonight. It turned out to be a really quiet day for us both, which was obviously needed. I baked a few pies for tonight, and packed them up so that I could go get ready. Throwing on a new pair of clothes, I left my hair down and pulled on a long sweater.
Walking back out, I saw Paul had grabbed the food and was waiting for me, so we left and made the short trip to the house. For the first time, I was actually slightly nervous leaving my home, and thankfully Paul wrapped an arm around me. He held the door open for me when we got to the place and I snatched the pies from him so I could go put them where Emily wanted me too.
Leah came around the corner when I was coming out of the kitchen and we both stopped short. She looked at me for a moment, and I moved out of her way politely. She snorted and went to move forward and in the process move me more out of her way. We had never got on as children, so this was no surprise. As her shoulder touched mine, I felt myself snarl loudly.
"Don't, touch me," I said flatly.
Leah paused in surprise and then looked at me. I glanced at her for a long moment, and this time I felt my own dominance surface. I was tired of her pushing me around every time I saw her. She did that to a lot of the pack so it was no surprise.
"Sorry," she offered finally.
Taking the apology, I walked back through the house and out the back door. Paul was starting the fire, and I watched him for a long moment and felt myself smile. In just a few short weeks we had become so close to each other. Feeling my gaze, he glanced back at me after the flames got started.
"Dinner is ready!" Emily called from the house.
I instantly jumped out of the way when all the boys headed inside. There was no way I was joining in that, I'd rather wait till everyone was done. Sitting in a chair, I stared at the fire for a moment and noticed that Sam had a close eye on me from inside the house. I listened to everyone file back out, and I jumped when someone handed me a plate. Glancing up, I raised my brow at Leah but took the plate from her.
"Peace offering," she said slowly.
I nodded, "Accepted."
She smiled at me, and then walked off as Paul joined us. It was a comfortable night and for the first time, we didn't have to patrol.
