I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT WHAT SO EVER! STEPHANIE MYER RIGHTFULLY GETS ALL THE CREDIT! I OWN NOTHING!

Alright everybody. I am officially back! I apologize deeply for such a long hiatus! I had absolutely NO plans to be gone for so long. But so much has happened in the almost year we've been apart. All of which ranging from moving three separate times, some major family drama, a house fire, losing my laptop in said house fire, and finally getting Microsoft Word on my brand new laptop. It's been one hell of an almost year! But I am officially back! And now I do think I shall update as regularly as possible, thank goodness!

During my long almost year of being gone, I want to thank each and every single one of you for continuing to read and review and favorite both me and my stories. Every time I got a message from a new reader, whether it be a review or a simple alert, you guys made me want nothing more than to write and finish my stories. So thank you so much!

Now I just hope that I haven't lost my touch during my hiatus XD ENJOY AND THANK YOU!

Chapter 9

Ultimatum

They just…stared. I couldn't help but fidget as brown and grey eyes just stared into mine. I was vividly aware of the fact that all the packs were gathered around us, watching the spectacle. I twitched nervously.

"Well, don't just stand there gawking at me. Say something."

Sam was the first one to break out of his trance, shaking his head slightly as he took a step forward.

"I—I'm sorry, Jake," he rumbled. "I think I heard you wrong. I thought I heard you say that you accepted both of us as mates."

"I did," I replied as I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to ignore the curious stares that we were getting

Sam shook his head, his brows set in a deep furrow. "That's just not possible. No submissive has ever taken on two dominates before."

I shook my head and took a step closer to him. "Yes, there have been some cases of submissives taking on multiple dominates. It's very rare, but it does happen."

"But I highly doubt that the dominates chosen were two Alphas."

Paul finally broke out of his own trance and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"For once, I agree with Uley. Even if you did accept us as your mates, there would be no way we could accept each other."

Sam nodded in agreement.

"Lahote is right. Our wolves would crash—"

"More than they already do," Paul interjected.

"—and we would tear each other apart for even touching you."

"Yeah," Paul replied. He had an arrogant smirk on his face, which was undeniably sexy. "Not that Uley could do that to me anyways,"

I rolled my eyes as Sam's brown eyes went dark, now taking a step in Paul's direction with fists clenched.

"You know from personal experience that I can. But I'm more than willing to show you again."

Paul scoffed and rolled his eyes. "I would just love to see you try."

"Oh my god, would you two just quit bickering for, like, two seconds?"

I pushed myself in between the two bristling Alphas, placing my hands on both their chests. Immediately, I felt two warm hands encircle both my wrists. I tried to compose myself enough to calm them down when I felt twin growls vibrate through my palms.

"You two have got to stop this. It's getting so old."

I squeaked as a muscled arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me into a hard body. My breathing stilled as two arms now encircled me in a tight embrace. I bit my lip to suppress a groan as Paul pressed his warm lips against my cheek, skimming over to my ear. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Paul smirk haughtily at Sam, who was now trembling in anger.

"Get your filthy hands off him right now, Lahote."

I hear a deep chuckle before a nose was pressed firmly into my thick hair, nuzzling=ng it softly.

"I don't think I want to, Uley," Paul grinned.

Instantly, the sound of ripping clothing filled the tense air. Where Sam was standing there was now a snarling black wolf. Its dark brown eyes were staring us down as its front claws dug into the sand. Sam was a beautiful sight to behold when he phased. He exuded strength and authority without even trying. He was born to be an Alpha. I couldn't help but quiver at the mere thought of his power.

"Oh, c'mon, Uley." Paul muttered, so relaxed for a guy who was staring a snarling wolf in the face. "I hope you don't honestly believe you're intimidating me with this show." He rolled his eyes and pulled me in closer to him. "And besides. You wouldn't dare attack me when Jake is so close to me, now would you?" I closed my eyes as he pressed his lips to my cheek.

Before I knew it, a loud growl vibrated my eardrums and a second later, I was yanked violently backwards. My eyes popped open as I landed harshly on my back and I was staring into the pinks and reds of the sky as the sun was lowering itself into the horizon. I turned quickly around onto my stomach to find Sam now standing behind us, a piece of torn fabric dangling from his jaws. A few feet away from me lay Paul, also on his stomach. I was able to make out the anger in Paul's sharp face, his grey eyes dark and focused solely on Sam. I laid there, helpless, as Paul phased. Silver fur spilled out seemingly everywhere as an equally large wolf snarled at Sam. He lunged at him, snapping at midnight fur with sharp teeth. I watched weakly as the two Alphas collided, rolling around and crashing into tables. Everybody rushed to get out of their way. Dominates quickly ushered their mates away as the Alphas made their way to the surrounding tree line on the beach.

"Oh my god! Jake, are you alright?"

I glanced over my shoulder as Quil helped me to my feet. I looked back to where Sam and Paul disappeared to. I could hear their growls in the distance.

"I'm alright," I muttered as Quil continued to fuss over me.

"I'll go get them," I heard. I looked back to see Joshua marching his way to the tress. Before he could get too far, Jared stepped into his way. He pressed a hand into my Beta's chest, pushing him slightly away.

"No, I've got this," Jared muttered. "Your Alpha has done enough damage as it is."

"What the fuck dos that mean?"

I rolled my eyes and groaned as Jared and Joshua stepped up to each other with clenched fists.

"It was your Alpha who attacked Paul first," Jared said, a scowl on his face.

"Only because Paul provoked him," Josh countered. "And used Jake as human shield."

"Paul wound never endanger his mate's life. Unlike Uley, who just lunged and attacked without any second thoughts."

Before the two Betas had the chance to rip into one another, Embry and Quil slipped between them. I watched as Embry curled himself around Jared, placing a delicate hand on his chest. I was amazed as Jared started to calm down. Immediately, he placed an arm on Embry's hip and took a step back, pulling Embry along with him. Quil was trying to calm down Joshua. He had both hands splayed over the Beta's quivering chest and was trying to shove him back. I was surprised to see Josh even let him.

"You two need to calm down," Quil muttered as soon as he had Josh a respectable distance from Jared. "You guys are not going to go get them anyways. Jacob is." He smacked Josh on the chest when he growled and glared up at him. "And no ifs, ands, or buts about it."

I stifled a giggle as I started to make my way to the tree line, but before I could take two steps away from the group, a large hand gripped my arm gently, but firmly. I turned to find a slight scowl on Josh's face, his eyes piercing.

"I don't think that a good idea, Jacob. Sam and Paul could seriously hurt you and I don't feel like getting my ass ripped because you're hurt—"

He was rudely interrupted as Quil slapped him across the cheek. He turned shocked eyes to my best friend, who was glaring at him, a pout on his face.

"No objections," Quil reiterated. When Josh opened his mouth, no doubt to reprimand Quil, my friend placed his hand on his mouth, silencing him. "No," he said firmly. He then turned to me and said, "Go, Jake. Before they rip each other apart."

I nodded and made my way again to the trees. I tugged at my clothes as soon as I was sure no one could see me and phased. I could still hear them in the distance. I rushed to them as fast as I could. Images were flashing through my head, all of them from Sam's mind. A multitude of thoughts rushed through my mind's eyes, ranging from Paul holding me to images of Paul's mangled and broken body in so many ways. It made my stomach twist painfully and my legs go faster. I tried to communicate with Sam, trying to ease him out of his anger, but his mind was shut out, only focused on causing Paul pain.

Suddenly, there was a loud snap and a yelp of pain filled the otherwise still air. My pace instantly picked up, a trickle of fear and panic crept down my spine.

I burst into the clearing where the sound originated from, and the sight before me made me halt in my tracks.

Their fur was matted with blood and dirt. The clearing itself looked like a tornado touched down. There were clumps of dirt and grass all over the place. I spotted Sam standing right in the middle of it all. His body was heaving massive breaths. His legs were shaking terribly and at his front paws was a small pool of blood, growing steadily larger. It was indistinguishable as the blood streamed down his midnight pelt. He had claw marks down his face from Paul. Most of them were healing over as I stood there. He looked absolutely horrible. But what really had my heart skipping a beat was what laid before Sam's paws.

There was a thick tree limb right in the center of the clearing. It was so thick that I wouldn't be able to wrap my arms completely around it. It was broken in two halves, and right in the middle where the two pieces should have connected, was Paul's battered body.

He was heaving harshly for breath like Sam, but unlike my Alpha, I could very clearly see the damage done to him. His beautiful silver fur was red with blood. I could see where Sam's claws raked down his flank, pulling out fur and flesh as it went.

He was lying perfectly still, if not for the harsh pants he released. Tiny whimpers of pain escaped him, even though I knew he was trying to stifle them. I suddenly realized that the snapping sound I had heard earlier was Paul's body smashing into the tree limb and snapping it clean in half.

With a mighty growl, Sam suddenly lunged at Paul, mouth open as he aimed for his throat, but I was quicker.

No! I shouted as I rushed at him and head butting him in the side. He flew a few feet away, obviously not prepared for my attack. He instantly flipped back over onto his feet and stared at me with wide eyes. I am not going to let you kill him, Sam. There's no need for this fighting to continue.

Sam shook his mighty head as he got back onto all fours. He staggered a bit, but when I went to help him, he shook his head viscously and growled. I stopped in my tracks and stared. I was shocked that Sam refused my touch. A shiver slid down my spine as his dark eyes met mine. They were scorching with anger, but even though he was seething with anger and mistrust, I could still make out the look a wolf gave its mate. A complete look of adoration and love, of protection. It gave me hope that he hasn't turned his back on me completely.

I watched him as he took in the sight of me standing protectively in fro of Paul.

I can't understand why you would throw away what we have for this thing, Sam spat angrily as clawed at the ground.

I sighed, exasperated. Sam, could you calm yourself down for two fucking seconds and listen to me?

There's no need for me to listen. It's obvious that you want to be with him. It just seems to me that you're not even going to try and see what I could give you. What he can't!

I couldn't help but growl. You don't listen for shit, I muttered, mostly to myself. You're so focused on me not being with Paul that you're not hearing me say I want to be with you, too.

At that, he just stared at me. His growling had ceased, but his lips were still pulled back to reveal sharp teeth. Hesitantly, I crept to him, wanting nothing more at that moment than to placate him. When I was close enough, I slowly touched my nose to his cheek. I felt a thrill go through me as he released a sigh and leaned into my touch. I nuzzled into him, loving his warmth against my fur.

Immediately, he began to growl, but before I could pull away in fear, he turned his full attention back to Paul, who was currently looking up at us with unfathomable eyes.

You keep your filthy thoughts off of him, Sam's voice snarled in my head. I quickly jumped back to my feet and inched away from him, confusion clouding my mind. Sam huffed angrily and snapped his jaws. I don't give two fucks about that. I can easily break your body over another tree anytime I want to.

Understanding filled my brain as I realized what was going on. Sam and Paul were talking. I couldn't hear anything Paul was saying because I wasn't part of his pack. Only the Alphas can communicate between packs.

Sam, I muttered softly. As if I were the enemy, he turned blazing eyes onto me, causing me to take another step back. Shook myself to clear my head before beginning. Please, Sam. I want to talk to both of you before you guys go at each other's throats again. I need to sit you both down and we all need to talk about this.

Sam eyed me for a second before huffing and making his way to the trees again. I watched slightly in anger as he bypassed Paul like he wasn't even there, like he wasn't in pain. I shook my head and walked over to the other Alpha. He was looking up at me with large eyes tinged with hurt. I whimpered with him as I saw how battered his body was. He raised his head to meet min and I gave him a tentative lick to his nose. He released a deep and happy rumble at the action.

C'mon, hothead, I muttered to him, even though he couldn't hear me. Let's get you up.

Jacob! Sam's irate voice screeched in my ear. Even Paul perked up as if he could hear how angry my Alpha was. Let's go!

I rolled my eyes. Bossy bastard. I glanced down to fin Paul struggling to get to his feet and I immediately went to his side. I leaned my flank against his, easing him to his feet. He stumbled a bit before regaining his footing. He released a deep breath and slowly made his way to where Sam disappeared to. He was limping horribly and there was a deep gash in his back left leg where it took the brunt of the impact from the tree. I gave him my shoulder to lean on and together we crept slowly out of the clearing. I could easily feel Sam's irritation, but I ignored it, focused on only getting Paul to my house, where undoubtedly Sam was already waiting for us.

I glanced up as Paul released another huff and I found him staring at me with soft eyes. He reached back and gave my nose a lick, another rumble of affection vibrating through him and into me. I glanced down as I felt heat flush my cheeks, and I was thankful for my dark fur.

~/\~/\~

I was so thankful when we reached my house, so happy to see the dark windows, signifying that my father was long asleep.

A flash of black caught my eye and I saw Sam phase right at my front porch, in all his naked glory. I have seen him undressed numerous times, with us being in the same pack and all, but now it seemed more intimate, more…arousing. He had such a strong and powerful body, with thick lines of muscles cut into his body and rippling with every slight motion of movement. He was so beautiful in his own right and took my breath away. I wondered, not for the first time, why I ever fought with him to begin with.

I felt Paul shift beside me and I glanced over to find him already phased. My mouth went dry as I see him with no clothes on for the first time. I almost stumbled myself as I saw just how beautiful his body was. He was muscular all around, just like Sam. I could vividly see the deep 'V' cutting into his waistline. And where the view was usually cut off with the grey waistband of his boxers and jeans, there was…nothing.

Positively.

Absolutely.

Nothing from obscuring my view of his…

My eyes went wide as I took in the sight of his cock. It looked so thick and long. It looked so fucking delicious. My mind was suddenly filled with images of Paul and I rolling around and clean, crisp sheets, dirtying them up with our sweat and other bodily fluids. Images of him leading a blazing trail of kisses all over my body, my hands reaching out and grasping his thick cock, guiding it and aiming it at my—

I shook my head vigorously to clear it. I needed to settle my hormones down and talk to these two. There was no way I could do that with my mind filled with images of Paul and I tangled together in a heated embrace.

I walked slowly away from him, needing to gain some space between us before phasing. I couldn't look behind me, for I knew that I was giving Paul a gracious view of my ass. I could feel his heavy gaze on me as I quickly ran inside to get a pair of sweatpants. Grabbing another pair I made my way back outside, bypassing Sam as I went. He was leaning against the kitchen counter with his thick arms crossed at his chest. He had a glass of water clenched firmly in his hand. He was dressed in a pair of basketball shorts, no doubt from my own room. His eyes were adverted from mine and I refrained from saying anything to him. Everything will come out soon enough.

I made my way back out to my front yard with the pants in tow. I made sure to keep my eyes firmly on Paul's face when I saw him. He had his hand on his left him, his face screwed into a pained grimace. With no hesitations, I rushed over to him. I placed one hand on his shoulder and the other on his cheek, trying to ease his pain away. I felt one hand curl around my waist and pulled me in close, but his other hand stayed on his hip, trying to stave off the pain I was sure was radiating through his body.

"C'mon, Paul," I whispered softly. "Let's get you off your feet and off your bad leg."

"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied, his voice and controlled. "I feel fine."

I scoffed incredulously, but didn't reply. Instead, I wrapped one of his arms around my neck and leaned his weight against mine. Together, we made our way back to the front porch's steps. With a groan, he eased himself down and plopped none too gracefully on the hard wood.

"Good god," he groaned as he leaned back to lay flat on the porch, both hands now pressing against his hip. "I think he fractured my hip," he groaned softly.

"I thought you said you were fine." I muttered in slight amusement as I sat next to him, averting my eyes from where they so wanted to stray to. I held the sweatpants up and started to pull one of his muscular legs through one of the pant legs, being especially careful of his left one.

"I am," he said. I glanced up at his face to find one arm covering his eyes, his jaw muscles clenching in releasing. As soon as he had the pants on, I leaned back on an elbow and ran my fingers ever so softly on his cheek. He lifted his arm off his eyes and gazed at me, his grey eyes soft as he regarded me. He smoothed a hand over my cheek, brushing his them just under my eye in a soft caress. Without meaning to, I lean in closer to him, our eyes never leaving each other.

"Thank you," Paul whispered softly.

"For what?" I asked, voice breathless.

"For helping me when I needed it. For getting me dressed when I couldn't do it myself." He gave me a smoldering, arrogant smirk that sent my heart fluttering. "Even though I knew you enjoyed the show."

"Are we going to get this shit done and over with or can I go home and go to bed?

I gruff voice broke me from my trance from my front door. Sam was leaning against the doorframe, his brows furrowed and his lip curled up into a slight snarl. I bit my lip and got back to my feet, not wanting Sam to leave when we've gotten this far.

As soon as he saw me moving, he retreated back into the house, heading to my room. With a muffled groan, Paul pulled himself up, using me and the railing to stabilize him. I wrapped his arm around my neck and together we made our way to my room. Sam was leaning against the far wall when we made it to my room. I avoided his eyes as I helped ease Paul onto my bed, settling him so that his weight was off his left side.

"Thank you, baby boy," Paul whispered softly as he shoved pillows behind his back so that he could be sitting up.

I heard Sam scoff.

I turned to him, my own brows furrowed. "Okay, that kind of attitude isn't going to help a damn thing," I told him, my own anger brewing inside.

Sam gave me a level stare, his expression not giving away anything. "I do apologize, Jake, but I seem to be having a hard time being calm in the presence of a complete jackass who doesn't seem to mind encroaching on my territory."

"Oh my god, do you hear yourself, Sam," I muttered incredulously. "The Sam I know doesn't talk like this. You sound like a jealous asshole right now."

His eyes flashed at that, but I refused to back down. Enough was enough. I took a deep breath in and tried to calm myself down and aimed for a different approach.

"Sam," I began, my voice soft. "Please, I need you to listen to me. Don't talk, just listen." I turned to Paul, who was watching us curiously on the bed, one hand laying carelessly across his stomach. "I was talking to Seth and Luka today while everyone was at the beach."

"Seth and Luka?" Paul questioned, his curiosity deepening.

I nodded and continued. "They told me how the beginning of their relationship began. How rocky and unstable it was. Seth told me how much he hated Luka, how he wanted nothing more than to get away from him. Then he told me he gave Luka an ultimatum. It was either change his ways and treat him right or he wasn't getting a mate."

I gauged both their reactions. Waiting for one of them to respond. Sam was the first one.

"I don't know what that story has anything to do with us. I treat you like a prince. And Lahote…" he clenched his first suddenly, his eyes screwed shut. "Treats you fine as well. From what I can see."

"Oh, don't worry, Uley. I treat Jacob like you wouldn't believe."

"This is what I'm talking about!" I interrupted before another fight could spew out of control. "This rivalry that you both have going on right now. I'm so sick of it. And that's why I'm making an ultimatum of my own."

I took in a deep breath, waiting a moment to collect myself, because honestly, I was getting nervous, anxious to see what the outcome was going to be at the end of this.

"I know that you guys treat me like a mate should. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about how you guys treat each other."

"What?" Paul said, his breath hitching. Sam's expression was completely blank and I wondered what was going through his head.

"You two have got to treat each other with respect. Or to at least be in the same room as one another without wanting to rip each other's head off. I've only been subjected to this rivalry for a short time and its already driving me up a fucking wall!" I gripped my hands into my hair, just about ready to rip it out of its root at the sheer thought of their fighting.

"Either you guys fix whatever needs to be fixed or neither of you are getting me. Because I can't deal with this anymore."

My voice broke at the last word, tears threatening to spill over/

"Oh, Jacob," I heard Sam coo. He moved away from the wall and came over to me with arms open. I fell into them easily, wanting nothing more than to be held. The tears finally fell as soon as I rested my head against his chest, his hands holding me close to him as he let me cry. "I know you would want nothing more than for us to stop fighting, but I don't think that years of hatred is going to vanish like that."

I sniffled and swiped at my eyes to get rid of my tears. "Then at least try. I'm not asking that all the fighting will end tomorrow. I know that's not going to happen. Just promise me you'll try to get along." I sniffled again. "For me."

"I promise," Paul quickly said. I peeked over my shoulder at him on the bed. His face was scowling, an unhappy frown on his normally handsome face. "For you, baby, I will try and get along with, Uley. Just please, baby. Please stop crying. I don't like it."

I sniffed again and nodded at him, accepting his promise. A warm callused hand gripped my chin and lifted my gaze to meet stormy brown. Our gazes remained locked as he lowered his head until his lips were just barely above mine. Without even asking, he kissed my lips in a gentle caress. It wasn't deep and passionate. It barely felt like a butterfly's wings beating against my skin, but it was exactly what I needed. Immediately, I felt my frayed nerves calm and my tears stop. It was almost like magic. It was exactly the same effect my hand on his chest did to me. It cooled me down and helped me think clearly. If I didn't know what Embry was talking about before, I sure did now. I needed him, and Paul, just as much as they needed me.

"Is this what you truly want, Jake?" Sam's husky voice whispered into my ear. I whimpered at the sound, at the feeling of it sliding all over my body to pull deep into my stomach making me warm enough to shiver.

"I do," I replied, not doubting for a second that this is how it should be. How it should always be.

Sam leaned in for another quick kiss before saying, "I promise."

I sighed and curled myself tighter into his embrace, settling myself firmly into him and sighed. I knew from the on that this was going to be an adventure for sure. I just hoped I was strong enough for the ride.

Thank you again for not giving up on me! And please tell me if I lost my mojo or not! I really hop I didn't! But I will be proud to pronounce that the next chapter will have our first official lemon in it! I'M SO EXCITED!

THANK YOU AND REVIEW!