Chapter 9 - Evil Oleanders
Paul wasn't keen on the idea of having to go to Dr. Leech for help, but he knew Carlisle would be the only one who could help her the fastest. For a vampire Carlisle was an original. His family was definitely unique, they only drank animal blood and never killed humans. Carlisle and Esme Cullen had five adopted kids, Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, Alice and Edward. A few years ago Edward found a mate in the form of Jacob Black's best friend Bella Swan. Bella married Edward knowing what he was. She ended up getting pregnant on their honeymoon and as a result almost...well actually died giving birth to a half vampire half human baby, because the baby was tearing apart her insides.
Rather than bite her and void the treaty his family had with the Quileute wolf pack, Edward injected his venom in her to save her life. Since he didn't bite her technically they hadn't violated the treaty. They'd actually become allies in helping slow down the vampire attacks in Washington.
As soon as Paul handed Melinda's unconscious body over to Emmett he had to back away from the house and phase. He couldn't stop himself the sickeningly sweet smell of Emmett infiltrated his nose and his body betrayed him like it always would around a vampire. Paul paced back and forth outside of the Cullen's as he watched Emily and Kim pulled up in Sam's truck and Ananda pulled up in the rabbit; as Sam, Jared and Jake came out of the tree line.
Jared looked over at Paul as they locked eyes. Jared knew Paul wouldn't be able to keep his wolf side at bay when he got too close to the Cullen's, "C'mon Paul. If you want to be there for her you have to control yourself." Paul grumbled audibly, no one knew him like Jared. Jared watched as Kim's frowning face came into view as Jared matched her frown as he walked up to her and brushed a kiss to her forehead.
Jared laced his fingers with Kim's as he lead her to the house, he stopped and looked back at the silvery / dark grey wolf who was his best friend, "Paul stop being stubborn and phase back." Paul grumbled again as he went to the trees and phased back pulling on his shorts and sneakers. Paul chuckled when he stepped out of the trees and Emily held up a t-shirt for him. Paul leaned over and kissed her cheek as he pulled the t-shirt over his head and smoothed it over his chest, "Thanks Em."
Emily giggled as she ruffled Paul's hair, "I like you better when you're not being stubborn Paul." Paul smirked as he watched Sam wrapped his arm around her waist, Sam crocked his head towards the front door, "Go on. Were gonna stay out here with Jake and Ananda for a minute." Paul nodded as he jogged to the front door and slowly disappeared into the house.
Ananda could see the anger in his eyes and his body heat was rising, so she knew he was having a hard time with going into the Cullen house. She cupped Jake's face as she brushed her lips against his softly, "Calm down Jake. We don't have to go inside if you don't want to. I know you don't want to see..." "Don't say it." Jake's rough voice cut her off before she could say Bella's name.
Ananda frowned as she felt Jake's fingers grip her hips tightly through her jeans, "Jake we can leave if you want to. I know...I know it still hurts."
Jake hated that it still hurt him to see Bella as a leech, especially since he had Ananda. He loved her so much. He loved her more than anything in the world. She understood everything he'd been through and still agreed to marry him. Jake frowned as he looked down at Ananda who smiled softly at him, "Let's go home. Please." Ananda nodded as she rubbed her nose against Jake's and he kissed her lips softly after which he led her over to the rabbit and they left. Jake knew no one would get their nose out of joint if he left.
Paul was leaning against the wall as he stared at the closed door which Emmett said Melinda was behind. Carlisle was still checking her out and running a few blood tests. His onyx eyes were practically eating a hole in the door. He could almost not stand the smell of vampire in the air. At one point he had to talk himself into not phasing and tearing them all apart.
Melinda was more important than his hatred of the vampire's who seemed to be watching him with their golden eyes. They knew his breathing was labored and they could definitely tell he was battling his inner wolf voice screaming for him to phase.
Emily walked over and touched his arm, she could feel the slight hum of vibration just under his skin. He was doing a wonderful job of controlling his inner wolf, "You're doing fine Paul. Melinda will be okay. If anyone can help her Carlisle can." Paul just nodded, he knew he couldn't open his mouth or he would say something to get himself into trouble. Just when Paul was about to lose faith and go outside to phase for a minute, the door opened and Carlisle walked out.
A frown marred his flawless marble skin, "She's stable finally." Paul pushed off the wall as he watched Carlisle walk over and stop in front of him, "What is going on with Mel doc?" Carlisle made a face which no one could read, "Apparently over the last few months Melinda was being poisoned. Slowly. I'm not sure how or who, but the poisoning is from Oleander flowers. They are highly poisonous and the whole thing, flowers, leaves, stems, twigs and even roots are full of poison. They smell wonderful but anyone who handles them has to either wear disposable gloves or wash their hands thoroughly."
Paul growled, "She's a candle maker for Christ sake, who would poison her?" Carlisle shook his head, "I'm afraid I don't know. Oleander poisoning is actually quite common because people don't realize just how poisonous the beautiful flower is."
Paul sighed heavily, "You wouldn't by any chance happen to know what it would look like do you?" He didn't want to believe it. He just couldn't believe it. Carlisle nodded at the question and then watched as Alice walked over with a book of the most poisonous flowers in the United States. As soon as Paul saw the pink flower staring back at him he began to shake from head to toe.
"I'm going to fuckin kill her." His voice was low and completely full of truth.
Jared walked over and gripped Paul's shoulder, "What is it bro?" Kim started to walk over to Paul, when Jared held his arm out to stop her, Paul growled as his eyes narrowed to slits, "Rachel...She's been..." It was almost too much for him to have to think about; let alone say it out loud. "Rachel has been growing these outside the back door of my damn house." Rachel had been the culprit behind it the whole time. She was poisoning Melinda the whole damn time.
Paul couldn't handle it anymore as he tore through the Cullen house and phased as soon as he made it out the front door.
Jared pulled Kim around to face him, "Stay here with Emily, Sam and I have to stop him. Call Jake and tell him what's going on. If he doesn't want his sister to be murdered he'll meet us at their father's house." Kim nodded as Emily grabbed her hand and they watched as Sam and Jared both left phasing as soon as they got outside and immediately followed Paul.
Emily thanked Esme for handing her their house phone as she dialed Jake's cell phone number. Jake finally answered around the fourth ring. Emily sighed with relief, "Jake listen. Rachel has been poisoning Melinda. Paul just found out and went a little...Well he went a little wolf as you can only imagine. He's really pissed off. I think he might do something he may regret later, you need to go to your dad's house and get Rachel protected. Sam and Jared will only be able to hold him off for so long."
Jake growled, "SHE WHAT?" Jake breathed deeply as he looked at Ananda, "You stay here. I don't want you in the middle of this. I'll be home as soon as I can." Ananda nodded as she watched him leave, secretly hoping Paul got to Rachel before Jake did.
