Chap 9
Last Time:
"Jake? Sam?" I asked. The russet wolf nudged my stomach and the black wolf licked my face.
"Jake is the russet one right?" I asked. When the russet wolf nodded, I turned to the other "so, you're Sam."
Both wolves turned to one another before walking back into the woods. Sam and Jake emerged as humans again and took their seats.
I took a deep breath and turned back to my father.
"WHAT KIND OF FUCKED UP BULLSHIT IS THIS?" I yelled at him.
NOW
"Well?" I said as I stared around the circle.
"Bella, many years ago your great grandfather Ephraim Black was granted the gift of shape shifting in order to protect the people of La Push from the Cold Ones. The gene has been passed on through the males of every generation. It is activated whenever the inner wolf feels like the tribe is in danger from the Cold Ones." Dad explained.
"What the fuck is a 'Cold One'?" I asked.
"Language Bella. The Cold Ones are vampires." Dad said.
"Oh as if werewolves wasn't enough. There's VAMPIRES as well." I exclaimed.
"You actually know a few of them." Jake said.
I swung and looked at him. "Who." I asked.
"The Cullens Bella. The Cullens are vampires." Uncle Billy said.
"Say what? The Cullens?" I asked.
The boys all nodded and I slumped forward with my head in my hands.
"Ok this is seriously weird." I said as I looked up again.
"There is more." Dad said.
"As if this couldn't get anymore insane." I whispered before locking eyes with dad.
"Wolves have this thing called imprinting." Dad started,
"Which is?" I interrupted.
"I was getting to that. Imprinting is fate's way of finding or you your perfect match. The one person that is perfectly compatible with you in every way. The one person you would do anything for, be anything for. They are more than the other half of your soul; they are the essence of your soul. They make you a better person. They give you strength and comfort and provide you with a sense of peace. When they are away from you, your heart aches. They are your everything. A wolf will do anything to keep their imprint happy, safe and protected." Dad said.
"Ok then." I said.
"Well so far, two people have imprinted. Jared and Sam." Uncle Billy said.
"Ok so I assume Kim is Jared's 'imprint' but who is Sam's?" I asked as I looked at Sam.
"You are Bella." Dad said.
"Crazy man says what?" I said. I could tell the look on my face was one of extreme shock.
"I imprinted on you Bella. When you first came into the house I knew you were the one." Sam said with an adoring look at me.
"Ok this is seriously fucked up. Not only do I find out that my friends and family can turn into horse sized fucking wolves but I also find out that I must have pissed fate off in a past life." I said as I stood up. "I'm going home. Maybe I'll wake up and this will all just be one of my nightmares."
Sam and Jake stood up and made to grab my arms. I slapped their hands away and said "No. I need to get out of here."
I ran up the path and towards the main road. I ran all the way home, not stopping once. I ran upstairs to my bedroom and locked the door. I threw myself onto my bed and screamed into my pillow.
I picked up my phone and dialled a familiar number.
"Hello?" The person on the other line said.
"Hey. How long will it take for you to get here?" I asked.
--- Sam POV – Bonfire ---
After Jake and I emerged from the forest back in human form, we all anxiously waited for Bella's reaction. When she yelled, we all flinched. Now came the scary part – the chief was telling her about imprinting.
After Bella had interrupted, Charlie continued "I was getting to that. Imprinting is fate's way of finding or you your perfect match. The one person that is perfectly compatible with you in every way. The one person you would do anything for, be anything for. They are more than the other half of your soul; they are the essence of your soul. They make you a better person. They give you strength and comfort and provide you with a sense of peace. When they are away from you, your heart aches. They are your everything. A wolf will do anything to keep their imprint happy, safe and protected."
Now came the part that I was dreading.
"Well so far, two people have imprinted. Jared and Sam." Billy said.
"Ok so I assume Kim is Jared's 'imprint' but who is Sam's?" Bella asked before she looked at me.
"You are Bella." Dad said.
"Crazy man says what?" Bella said. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped.
"I imprinted on you Bella. When you first came into the house I knew you were the one." I said. I couldn't keep the adoring look of my face knowing that I had finally told her.
"Ok this is seriously fucked up. Not only do I find out that my friends and family can turn into horse sized fucking wolves but I also find out that I must have pissed fate off in a past life." She said and my heart fell. She stood up and I felt my heart start to break "I'm going home. Maybe I'll wake up and this will all just be one of my nightmares."
I stood up to try and keep her with us. She slapped my hand away and glared at me. "No. I need to get out of here."
I felt lost as I watched her run up the path. I felt my legs go weak and I sat back down on the log. Kim walked over to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
"It hurts." I whispered. Kim pulled me closer and kissed my head. Sue came over and ran a hand up and down my back.
"I know. She'll come around soon." Sue said. "It was probably a big shock to her system. I remember when Harry told me. I fainted and then didn't speak to him for two weeks. I came around though."
"It was also probably hard considering what has just happened with Adam." Kim said and I looked at her.
"Of course she'd feel overwhelmed. Here I am saying that I would never do anything to hurt her just after her boyfriend, who had promised her the same thing, did in fact hurt her. I am so stupid." I said as I dropped my head to Kim's shoulder and sobbed.
"What happened with Adam?" Charlie asked.
"He cheated on her and when Bella rang him the other day; he was in the middle of doing the deed with some chick." Kim said.
"Son of a bitch." Jake said. "I'm gunna kill him."
"No, just leave it be. Jake, she doesn't need you acting all protective now." Sue said.
"She's probably never going to talk to me again." I whispered as I started my pity party again.
"She will. That's the thing you boys don't realise. Learning that there is a guy who will practically die to keep you happy, who will anything and everything for you is quite scary. Also learning that you have no choice because you will eventually fall for him anyway is very intimidating. Bella has had a pretty crazy time since she arrived here and she just needs to get used to it. I'll go and have a talk to her later after she has had some time to think. I know what she is going through." Kim said.
We decided to pack up after that and head back to Billy's. When we got there, I looked forlornly at Bella's window. The curtains moved and I hoped that I could get a small glimpse of her. My heart fell that little bit more when I didn't.
"Come on Sam." Sue said before she directed me into the house. We were all sitting in the living room when we heard some cars coming down the street. Jake moved to the window and had a look.
"What are they doing there so late" Jake asked. We all walked over to him and had a look. Carlos and the rest of Bella's friends hopped out of their cars and walked up to the front door. The front door open and Bella walked out. She looked so small in a pair of long grey sweatpants, a basketball jersey with her name on the back (I assumed it was from her old school) and UGG boots. Her long brown hair was braided in two braids. She ran over to Carlos and threw herself into his arms. I growled as he lifted her off the ground and kissed her forehead.
Bella walked behind him and hugged the other boys before she jumped onto Carlos' back. She whispered something in his ear and he replied before the group walked inside.
I walked away from the window and slumped down onto the couch. Harry silently turned the game on but my mind wasn't on it. All I could think about was the fact that the girl I would be devoted to for all eternity was in the house next to us and she wouldn't even speak to me.
"Sam, everything will work out fine." Kim said from beside me.
"I'm just going to head home and check on Bella. I'll be back in a few minutes." Charlie said. He headed towards the front door and was about to open it when it swung open.
Bella walked in with an overnight bag slung over her shoulder. Her pillow was tucked under her arm and she also was carrying a teddy bear. She looked extremely fragile and small. She hadn't gotten changed and it looked like she had tear tracks running down her face.
"Dad, I'm staying over at Carlos' house tonight. I'll call you tomorrow." Bella said. The way she said it left no room for argument.
She quickly kissed him on the cheek and without sparing any of us a glance, she walked back outside and hopped into Carlos' car. I watched helplessly as the car drove away.
--- Bella POV ---
I hung up from my phone call with Carlos and lay back down on my bed to think. I had so many things running through my head.
Sam is a werewolf
He would be my anything and everything
He would die to keep me happy
MY FUCKING FAMILY CAN TURN INTO BIG ASS DOGS!
I shook the thoughts from my head and quickly got changed and braided my hair to keep it off my face. When I was dressed in some comfortable clothes, I grabbed my favourite teddy bear, pulled my knees up to my chest and cried. My life had been so simple in Phoenix. Sure I hated Phil but at least with him I knew what was coming.
I heard a car stop out the front of the house. I moved the curtains slightly and noticed Sam staring up at my window. I shut the curtains and walked back over to my bed.
Once again I heard the sound of cars. I moved my curtains and noticed Carlos and the boys pull up. I ran downstairs and opened the door.
"Hey gorgeous." Carlos said before I threw myself into his arms. I moved around him and hugged the boys before I jumped onto Carlos' back.
"Would your mum mind if I stayed the night at your place?" I asked him. I really didn't want to spend the night with dad and the pack. I needed to get away from them for some time to get my thoughts together.
"It'll be cool. She loves you." He replied before he started walking into my house. Carlos placed me on my bed and sat beside me.
"Ok so you will need clothes for tomorrow Bells? Anything else?" Nick asked me. BJ pulled an overnight bag from my cupboard and placed it on my bed.
"I've got to get my toiletries and my things for school tomorrow but that's it." I replied.
"We'll pack you some clothes. What do you want to wear?" James asked me.
"I got it." I said. Still holding my teddy bear, I went over to my drawers and pulled out a pair of black tracksuit pants, a grey tank top and my long sleeve basketball jersey that had my name across the back. I grabbed some underwear from the drawers and threw them in before heading into my bathroom. I grabbed my shampoo, conditioner, body wash, make up, hairbrush and hair ties and walked back to my room. I threw them in the bag and after grabbing all the things I would need for school zipped it up. I sat down next to Carlos again and cuddled into his side.
"What happened gorgeous?" He whispered. I couldn't hold it in. I cried for what seems like hours. I told him about Adam and what he had done to me. I didn't tell them about Sam because even though I was pissed off, I knew they didn't want people to know.
"Say the word Bells and we'll fly to Phoenix and kill him for you." Alex said. I laughed softly and shook my head.
"Come on. Let's go." Damien said. I stood up and grabbed my bag, pillow and teddy bear. I walked downstairs and shut the door behind me.
"I'm just gunna go and tell dad where I'm going. Give me five minutes." I said. Carlos nodded and walked over to his car.
I walked up the path to Uncle Billy's and opened the door. Dad was standing in the hallway and I could see everyone else in the living room. I probably looked absolutely feral with my running make up and tear tracks but I really didn't care. I hugged my teddy to my side for comfort and looked dad in the eye.
"Dad, I'm staying over at Carlos' house tonight. I'll call you tomorrow." I said. I looked him in the eye and dared him to refute my statement. When he didn't I leant up and kissed him quickly before spinning on my heel and walking outside. I hopped into Carlos' car and we sped off to his place.
--- Paul POV ---
I jumped out of Jake's car the morning after the bonfire. What a shit night that was. After Bella had gone with Carlos, Sam walked outside and phased. Jared followed him and phased as well.
"Poor Sam." Kim said. We all nodded and flinched when we heard the gut wrenching howl of our alpha.
We waited for two hours until Jake and I stood up.
"We'll go find out where they are." I said. Charlie and Billy nodded and Jake and I walked outside.
We quickly stripped off and phased. I was hit full force by pain.
Shit! Jared where are you guys? I called through our mind link.
We are standing in the trees surrounding Carlos' place. Sam said that he needed to see Bella. Jared replied before he showed Jake and I a mental map of how to get there.
Jake and I started running and soon we came to a stop just behind our brothers. Sam was lying on the ground with his head resting on his paws. He was whimpering softly and staring through some shrubs. Jared was lying next to him until he heard us.
How long has he been like this? Jake asked as we looked at Sam.
Since we got here two hours ago. Jared replied. I slowly walked to the other side of Sam whilst Jake hung back. Sure he was beta, but Sam, Jared and I had been pack brothers longer. I lay down on the other side of Sam and followed his gaze. Bella was sitting on the back porch with the boys. There was a TV and they were watching a movie. Bella was sitting in Carlos' lap on a loveseat couch. She was curled up into a small ball and Carlos had his arms wrapped around her. His head was resting on hers whilst they laughed at whatever was on the screen.
Sam? I asked him. He didn't even acknowledge me. He just whimpered again. This one was a little louder and I watched as Bella turned to look into the woods. Sam's ears pricked up but dropped again when she shook her head and looked back to the TV screen.
Come on Sam. Let's head back. Jared said as the boys and Bella all started to go to sleep. Sam shook his head and we got the first coherent thought from him.
Not until she has fallen asleep. I need to know she is safe.
We nodded and lay back down and watched. At around 1 am, Bella stood up and walked out into the backyard. Sam's eyes followed her whilst she sat on a swing set. Sam stood up, careful to not make a noise. We followed him as he walked over to where he was still hidden but he could still clearly see Bella. He lay back down and rested his head on his paws again. We watched as Bella put her head in her hands and her body began to shake. Sam whimpered in his mind and soon his thoughts were full of images of him going over to Bella and holding her whilst she cried.
"If anyone up there is listening," Bella said through her sobs. She looked up to the sky and tears glistened down her cheeks. "Please help me. Tell me what to do. I'm so confused."
Jake whimpered slightly as well as Bella cried.
We stayed a little bit longer until Bella walked back up onto the porch and sat back on Carlos' lap. His eyes opened a little but when Bella whispered something to him, they shut. Bella cuddled into him and fell asleep.
Sam stood up and Jared, Jake and I all followed our alpha back to Billy's. We all phased back and got changed. The lights were still on and we could hear voices inside.
We walked in and the pack still awake but no Elders. Seth, Colin and Brady were all asleep on the floor, Kim was asleep on the lounge and Quil and Embry were talking to Billy and Charlie.
"You boys should get some sleep. You've got school and work tomorrow." Charlie said before he helped Billy upstairs.
We all lay on the floor with the exception of Jared who slipped in behind Kim and soon we were all asleep.
That brings me to now. I had gotten out of the car and walked over to our usual table where Kim, Jared, Colin and Brady already were. Quil, Embry, Jake and I took our seats and waited.
"Where's Bella?" Jake asked.
"I texted her this morning but I haven't gotten a reply." Kim said. Just as she finished her sentence, Carlos' car pulled up. Bella hopped out of the front seat with her bag on her shoulder. Her friends all hopped out as well and the group walked over to another table. When they sat down I watched as Bella lifted her head and looked at our table. She looked at Brady and Colin before nodding her head and turning back to her conversation with Carlos.
Jake sighed and we headed off to our classes as the bell rang.
Soon lunch came around and we didn't expect Bella to sit with us. We were shocked when she took a quick detour from heading over to Carlos to see us.
"Hey. Can one of you give this to Sam?" She asked as she held out an envelope.
"Sure Bells." Jake said as he took the envelope from Bella's hand. She smiled at us before walking back to the other table. Jake slipped the envelope into his bag and continued eating.
After school had finished we all hopped into our cars and drove over to Sam's place. When we arrived we walked in without knocking. Sam was sitting on the lounge drinking a beer and watching the TV.
"Hey Sammy." Kim said as we walked in.
"Hey." Was Sam's short reply.
"What time did you finish work?" Jared asked.
"Chief let me go home at lunch time. I just have paperwork to catch up on." Sam said.
"Oh Sam. Here. This is for you." Jake said as he pulled Bella's letter out of his bag. Sam took it and looked at it questionably.
"It's from Bella." Colin clarified and Sam all but tore the envelope in half to get to the letter. He pulled it out and we all watched with baited breath whilst he read it.
--- Sam POV ---
When Jake handed me the letter, I was confused. There was no address on the front, only my name written in cursive handwriting.
When Colin told me that it was from Bella I tried to keep my excitement in check as I tore the envelope open. I looked at Bella's beautiful handwriting and absorbed the letter.
Dear Sam
I want to apologise for last night. I probably could have reacted in a more civilised manner but you need to look at it from my point of view. I was extremely shocked out that you were not only a werewolf, which up until now I never knew existed, but also that you would be devoted to me for all eternity.
I really want to talk to you. Can you come over to my house? Say at about 7:30 tonight. Dad is working late and at the moment I really only want to deal with one wolf at the moment lol.
Hope to see you tonight. Tell Jake that I expect a lift to school tomorrow and tell the boys (and Kim) to save me a spot at lunch.
Love Bella.
I sighed when I finished reading the letter.
"Well? What did she say?" Colin asked anxiously. I wanted to question the relationship between him, Bella and Brady but I was too damn happy.
"She apologises for what she said, she wants to talk to me, Jake you need to give her a lift to school and she told me to tell you guys to save her a seat at the lunch table tomorrow." I said.
The boys (and Kim) all got comfortable and we watched some movies. At about 5 o'clock the phone in my kitchen started to ring. I got up from my spot and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Sam, its Charlie." He sounded panicked and I got feel my own anxiety rise.
"What's wrong Charlie?" I asked. I heard the movie stop in the other room and soon everyone had entered my kitchen.
"Is Bella at your place?" He asked.
"No. Isn't she at home?" I asked. My anxiety was now spilling out of every pore of my body and the boys seemed to notice.
"No. Her friends came by and dropped off her things. They said that she decided to walk home so that she could clear her head. It shouldn't take her two hours to get home. I'm really worried." Charlie said.
"Don't worry Charlie. We'll find her." I replied before I put the phone back into its cradle.
"Guys come on. Bella's missing, we gotta find her." I said. I ran outside followed by the boys. We all phased and I turned to the boys.
Ok boys split up. Bella's been missing for two hours and I want her found I growled as my worry and fear flooded through my body. We all split up and headed in different directions. All I could think about was finding Bella.
--- Bella POV ---
After school ended I decided to go for a walk.
"Come on Bells. Let's go." Carlos said.
"You guys go on. Can you drop my stuff off at my place? I just want to take a walk and clear my head a little." I said.
"Sure honey. Call me later." Carlos said as he pressed a kiss to my forehead. I waved as they drove away before walking into the woods. I hiked towards the cliffs and sat down to think.
I don't know how long I sat there for but I soon heard a twig snap. I spun around quickly but couldn't see anything. I decided to walk home. I stood up and started to walk. I could feel someone's eyes on me so I sped up. I broke into a run when I saw something move in the trees.
I made it to a clearing just in time to feel something hard collide with my body.
I groaned in pain as I skidded across the ground. I crashed into a tree and rolled over. I carefully got up on all fours and crab walked away. I couldn't see anything and I was really confused.
"Well, well, well what have we here? A pretty little girl with nowhere to go." A menacing voice from above me said. I gulped and looked up into a pair of blood red eyes.
Here you guys go. This will probably be the last chapter that I update for the next two weeks. I will be in Canberra and I will have no internet access. I will take my computer and type whenever I can but I won't be able to update. I hope this chapter sustains you (even though I seem to like leaving all my wonderful readers and reviewers hanging – this just makes sure that you actually keep reading lol). I promise to update my other stories soon as well. Most of them have chapters half written or almost done. I just have to get around to finishing them.
Thanks so much to mauralee88 for the wonderful description of imprinting.
