Chapter 12

Sam

Having Bella back in my life again was incredible. I felt a renewed sense of purpose as I divided my time between work, patrols and my imprint. I'd forgo a few hours of sleep in order to see her and, without fail, she'd tell me I was too skinny and cook me a feast fit for a king. Somehow, she'd become accustomed to the colossal amount of food I ate without issue and I'd never been healthier since I'd first phased.

Jared and Paul were jealous. They both wanted someone in their lives, I knew, despite neither of them saying anything directly to me. The council had forbidden relationships outside of an imprint as my pack were still so young and without the control they would need to be around a human for any extended period of time. With Paul's temper, he was constantly exploding and I hadn't let him go back to school yet for fear he could hurt someone. Instead, I kept his grades up by negotiating an at-home program for the classes he couldn't attend at school. Despite his protests, he was doing well.

Jared, on the other hand, was far too preoccupied with his patrols and with minding Bella at school to worry too much about meeting someone. I'd met Bella's friend Kim when I'd picked her up from school a few times and, since Bella had mentioned her crush to me, I'd noticed the way Kim looked at Jared who was completely oblivious to her attention. What he lacked in his understanding of women, however, he made up for in keen skill and focus as a wolf. We'd been searching for traces of the vamp that had shown up months before and Jared had found the faintest four-day-old trail a few weeks back – the only clue we'd had since we'd last seen the vamp.

For some reason, the vamp was sticking around but he was quick and calculating; a combination that kept my senses on edge. Whenever I wasn't with her, I made sure someone was keeping Bella's location in his patrol route. With the vamp hanging around, I'd started noticing some changes in Quil Ataera – the grandson of Old Quil – as his temper started flaring in a normally subdued teen. His grandfather had regrettably asked me to keep an eye on him and I'd been working those duties into my day-to-day patrols. I didn't want another wolf to join our ranks; Jared and Paul were already suffering enough with their lives being torn apart and it broke me to consider the same thing happening to another kid on my Res. Quil was sixteen, barely, and had his whole life ahead of him.

Bella kept me sane. The stresses of being Chief were enough without the added Alpha responsibilities and I knew Bella could tell I was exhausted. She was so gentle and careful when she was around me, always making sure I was comfortable and fed and would just lay in my arms and let me hold her. When I was touching her, I relished I her emotions. She was happy, content and comfortable with me. I often detected a little bit of guilt or anxiety but it would fade as soon as it appeared and I put it down to my seemingly faulty imprint instincts.

As much as she took care of me, I tried desperately to do the same for my woman. She was still dangerously thin, despite the few pounds she had gained back since she'd forgiven me. I was worried but when I mentioned it to her, she simply said that she was still recovering from the accident and that her appetite would be back soon enough. I appreciated that she made a point of eating while I was around but was terrified to push the issue in case I hurt her and lost her again.

I was dragged from my reverie by the sound of chuckles in my head that I quickly recognized as Paul's.
Getting a little sentimental there, Alpha? Paul was snickering but behind the sarcasm I could sense a worry I didn't understand.
Something bothering you, Paul? He replied in the negative while his mind immediately went to my memory of Bella from the day before, focusing on how thin she looked in the jeans and tight fitting sweater she wore.
I know, she's thin. I'm worried too but she just tells me her appetite hasn't been the same since her accident.

She's not just thin, Alpha, she looks sick. She looks like… never mind. But I did mind. His head filled with memories of his sister, Anna, when he'd seen her last – anorexic, depressed and battered by her asshole boyfriend. The memories were raw and I could feel the anger bubbling just below the surface as Paul's mind filled with feelings of complete uselessness. He couldn't protect his sister; she didn't want protecting. She'd visited a few months before he'd phased and, when he'd tried to help her, she'd run from the Res and Paul hadn't seen her since. The look of complete terror in her eyes when Paul had told her that he knew what her boyfriend – Malakai – was doing was enough to burn a hole in my own heart.

I know how hard it was to see Anna go through that, Paul. But my Bella is fine. I'm always around to keep her safe.

But what about when you're not, Sam? With that, Paul took off running to start his patrol, deliberately keeping his mind as blank as possible but his final thought echoing in my mind.

As I waited out the front of the Res' school for my imprint, Paul's words were repeating in my mind and I couldn't shake the uneasiness that had settled in my stomach. More than ever, I wished that I could feel Bella's emotions when we weren't touching, when I wasn't around to keep her safe. If someone were hurting her, I'd know about it in a second if I could feel them. But who could it be? No one was around her at school that was any sort of threat – Jared ensured that. Charlie was never home. Kim adored her.

I heard the bell and waited, leaning against my truck, for my mate to walk out and into my arms. When she did come out of the building, I saw her eyes searching for me and the huge smile that graced her face when she caught mine warmed my heart and unfurled the knots in my stomach immediately. Until I noticed the kid walking next to her. He was tall with a young face but the look of adoration he held as he spoke to my woman made me growl loud enough for the sophomores walking beside me to look twice. Brady – Kim's kid brother. We'd never met but I knew every face on my Res.

As she walked up to me, Bella signed his name so I could introduce myself. One more glance at the goofy smile Brady had on his face as he stared at my Bella – he hadn't even noticed me – and my wolf's possessiveness flared. As soon as she was within reach, I pulled my Bella flush against my body, wrapped one arm around her waist to tether her to me and lost the other one in her hair as I kissed her. I kissed her hungrily, possessively, losing myself in the taste of her lips and the warmth that encompassed my heart as her feelings flowed over me. She was surprised, excited, happy and I reveled in being able to make her feel that way.

I heard the Brady kid clear his throat before I growled low and deepened the kiss, my tongue exploring every inch of Bella's mouth as if I'd been starved of her taste. My wolf was delighted in the exchange; he was excited by the possessive display coupled with the perfect feeling of having Bella in my arms. After what felt like an age, I pulled away and chuckled at the dazed smile Bella wore on her face. Clearly, I'd affected her.

I tucked her into my side, my heart skipping a beat as it always did when she wrapped her arms around my waist and buried her face in my chest.
"Brady, I'm Sam – Bella's boyfriend. Nice to meet you," I held out a hand for him to shake and mentally cursed myself for squeezing a little too hard when he took it.
"Nice to meet you, Chief Uley." He seemed wary and I could detect the fear in his scent, despite his efforts to outwardly hide it.
"Thanks for walking my Bella out, Brady. I'm sure I'll see you around." I smirked at him as he noticed the emphasis in my tone when I mentioned Bella. He understood my message clearly, nodding as he started to walk away.
"Catch you later, Bella!" He called, waving too enthusiastically. I growled again before I turned to face my woman, sheepishly hoping she wasn't mad with me.

You could have been a little more subtle, Sam. She had laughter in her eyes as she signed, smiling cheekily at me. You've scared him half to death.

"I can't help it, Angel. He was drooling as he was staring at you." I helped her into the truck before I jogged around to my side and jumped in. I don't know what you're talking about. He was not drooling! He's Kim's brother. She was oblivious and it was adorable that she had no idea just how much attention she garnered from the male's on the Res and in Forks.
"Trust me, darling, he was staring. I know he's Kim's brother but he's also a teenage boy and you're the most beautiful woman in the world." She was blushing and hid her face in my side. I kissed the top of her head and dropped the issue so she didn't get more embarrassed as I headed to Bella's house.

When we arrived, the sun was peaking through the clouds and as Bella stepped out of the car, she smiled and stared up into the sky.
"Do you miss the heat of Arizona?" I wondered out loud, walking over to take her into my arms and kiss her gently on the head.
Yes and no. Mostly, I think I associate the weather there with the happiness I had with my family. I miss what the heat represents for me.

Her emotions were raw as she thought about her mother and stepfather and I felt her pull my arms just a little tighter around herself as she contemplated for a few moments before the emotions were gone and she was pulling me inside by the hand.

Are you okay with pasta? I'm making chicken and pesto. I nodded vehemently before making my way over to the sink to wash my hands.
"How can I help, chef?" She froze and turned to me with a look of confusion on her face. "I can't have you always cooking for me and never letting me lend a hand. Can I do something?" She was about to shake her head no when I insisted, "Please?" After a few moments, she nodded her head slowly as the confused look remained.
You can cut the chicken. Small chunks please. Not too big. I kissed her gently before taking the chicken from her hands and pulling out a chopping board and a knife to start with my task.

I deliberately took my time, chopping slowly so I had to stay in Bella's proximity as she made the pesto and put the pasta on to boil – the smell of basil and garlic filling the kitchen and mixing with her own scent of freesia. The combination of smells – my imprint and her cooking – sent me into sensory overload and I wanted to drink it in. She cooked in silence, careful and calculating in her task. Despite my efforts to make her smile by stealing kisses or tickling her, that barrier would only break temporarily and her smile would be replaced with a serious look after a few minutes.

Once I'd finished with my task, she let me brown off the chicken in a pan, under her careful watch, with some oil and garlic as she strained the pasta and mixed in the pesto. A generous amount was portioned into a dish for her father to take to work with him the next day– he was working the overnight shift - while the rest she piled high on one plate for me and only spooned a small amount onto a second for herself.

Once we'd sat down to eat – chicken newly mixed in with the pasta – I deliberately scooped some of my serving onto her plate. Her reaction was instant as my stomach jerked in fear.
Why are you putting more food on my plate? Even when signing, I knew when she was angry. Her hands shook as her eyebrows knit together.

"I just think you could use a little more, that's all. To see if your appetite has improved and you could eat it." I'd never been so scared as in that moment, terrified she was going to hate me. But then she surprised me.

Okay, I'll try to eat it. Thank you. She didn't look impressed but she didn't look upset anymore, sliding her hand into mine as she waited for me to eat. And so I did, delighting in every mouthful while carefully watching to make sure that she finished everything on her plate.

When we'd finished eating, I brought up the bonfire that the council was hosting next week. "Hey, Bella?" She stopped and looked up at me, waiting. "Every few months we have a bonfire on the Res. It's a celebratory thing we do and there's lots of food, music and dancing. We retell the legends and there's a ceremony for any new members of the tribe." She was looking at my expectantly, not sure what I was going to say next. I shook off my nerves and continued, "Anyway. What I wanted to ask was if you would come? With me? Please? You're a member of my tribe and I want to officially acknowledge that. So will you?" I was rambling but couldn't help it. This bonfire would mean Bella was officially accepting her place with the tribe, with me.

That sounds wonderful, Sam. When is it? The relief I felt was enormous. She seemed genuinely excited.

"Next Friday. Does that work? I know it's hard for you to get out a lot at night." She paused for a moment, seemingly deciding something, before she nodded in the affirmative.

I'll be there. What time?

"How about I pick you up from school? You can get changed at my house and we can go down together?" I was pushing it, but any second I got to spend with my imprint was a second I was going to take.

Much to my surprise, she agreed. My heart pounded in my chest as I realized she'd accepted this. She'd accepted me. She'd accepted our tribe. All that was left was for her to accept my wolf.

After dinner was done and Bella had washed the dishes – she refused to let me help – we were sitting in the lounge room and she was snuggled in my lap. I was stroking her hair while we watched a movie I hadn't been paying attention to when I noticed a small red line, a healing two-inch long gash, along the back of her head. The area around it was bruised and purple and couldn't have been more than a few days old. Paul's words rung in my ears as I registered that someone may have hurt my imprint. The wound looked painful and she would have been hit pretty hard to cause it.

"Bella, what's this on your head? How'd you get hurt?" She froze immediately and leapt from my arms. I missed her warmth immediately – she'd been so warm lately, even by my standards – but she looked terrified. Her eyes were wide and frantic as her hand moved to her head, exactly where the wound was. For a moment she shook, staring at me from my vantage point on the couch. I was scared to move in case she ran, just like Paul's sister did.

"Bella. Is someone hurting you?" I struggled to keep the shaking out of my voice as my vision blurred with anger and tears. My imprint was hurt and I wasn't there to stop it. "Bella? Baby you can talk to me…" I trailed off as I noticed her hands shaking when she started to sign. No one hurt me, Sam. I hit my head on the basin in the bathroom the other day. I slipped and fell after I had a shower. I must have forgotten about it. She tried for a smile as she finished but I could tell she was hiding something.

Just as I was about to broach the subject further, I heard a wolf howl that I immediately recognized as Jared, who was on patrol tonight.
"Okay baby. But you need to take care of it, yeah? It looks sore." She nodded, letting out a deep breath she'd been holding.
"I'm so sorry, Angel. I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow?" She nodded, smiling again as I took her face in my hands and kissed her gently, lovingly. "I'll text you later."

Bella

After Sam had noticed the cut on my head, I'd been avoiding him. We'd text everyday and he'd still been driving me to and from school most days but I hadn't cooked him dinner since that Monday night. It was Thursday of the week of the bonfire and I was increasingly nervous. Charlie had still been working overnights but I was most excited because he was away for a conference for the weekend and I was going to have three days without him in the house. Come Friday morning, I wouldn't have to see him again until Monday night. Since moving to Forks, this was going to be the most Charlie-free time I'd had.

The only issue was that Charlie knew it, too. He'd been taking every opportunity he could to remind me that, even if he wasn't here, he could leave me with plenty of physical reminders of my downfalls. Forgetting a dish in the sink? He smashed the dish over my head. Missing a spot when I vacuumed the rug? He shoved me into the vacuum. Dropped a glass while taking it to the sink? He threw me into the broken shards on the floor. He'd been so angry that he'd put a fist through a wall and I found myself being grateful that it was upstairs so that no one could see the evidence of my mistakes.

The more that Charlie punished me, the more I had to reduce my visits with Sam. I couldn't risk him seeing any more injuries and putting two and two together. Charlie was less diligent, leaving marks on my skin in more and more obvious places. I'd taken to wearing thick scarves to hide bruises on my neck, sweaters to hide the cuts on my arms and long pants to hide the bruises I'd been left with. My sudden need to wear additional layers had coincided with colder weather setting in so Sam hadn't questioned it.

The longer I lived with Charlie, the more desperate I'd become to leave. He'd broken me and we both knew it. The more mistakes I made, the more punishment Charlie served up, the more I hated myself and the more I hated him. The cloud of self-loathing I was blanketed in had begun to extend to Charlie, building inside me. I knew I needed to get out but, until I was eighteen, I was trapped. Thirty-four more days. I could never tell anyone – Charlie was Chief of Police. He was a well-respected member of the community. No one would believe his mute daughter, traumatised by the death of her mother and stepfather, over Charlie. He reminded me every day as he was beating me, the words echoing in my mind long after he'd left me collapsed on the floor somewhere.

As I left the house, shrouded in layers of clothes, I tried to hide my limp. My left side had been weaker since the accident and Charlie had been paying particular attention to that for the past week, making it difficult to get around without it being obvious. I was driving myself today because I was going to Kim's after school to finish working on a Biology project we had together. Sam had been texting me non-stop all morning but my wrist was sprained, making it hard to respond.

Hey Angel. When are you heading off to school? Do you have time for breakfast? - Sam xx I thought about it for a minute, almost replying in the negative, before deciding I'd push the boundaries only a little further and have breakfast with him. Charlie wouldn't know; he was in bed asleep.

I'm leaving now. Meet me at the diner on the Res in 20 minutes? - Bella x

Be there in 15. - Sam xx

I smiled, excited at the prospect of seeing him but nervousness bubbled in my stomach as a cramp radiated up my left thigh. I'd have to remember to favor my right side so Sam wouldn't notice.

Twenty minutes later I was pulling into the diner and, sure enough, Sam was leaning against his shiny, black truck and throwing me a smile that put Adonis to shame. I barely had a chance to put my car in park before he'd extracted me from the driver's seat and was kissing me. My legs wrapped gently around his waist as he pressed me against my driver's door, enveloping me in his arms and his heat. After a few moments, I pulled away and could feel the heat rushing to my cheeks.

Sam! People are here! I admonished him, swatting at his chest until he set me on my feet again, ignoring the pain as I put pressure on my leg.
"I don't care if people are here. I will kiss my woman wherever I damn well please and they just need to get used to it." He was smug, his eyes smiling, but I heard the seriousness in his tone.

Come on! I want pancakes! I pulled his hand towards the diner, silently cursing the man for the near-permanent blush he kept on my cheeks.

As soon as we came into the diner Sue Clearwater appeared, seating us in a both by a window and taking our orders.
"I take it you're coming to the bonfire tomorrow night, Bella dear?" Sue inquired, smiling brightly at me. I nodded as Sam squeezed my hand across the table. "That's great! Wait until you hear Sam tell the legends. There is nothing quite as impressive as our Chief reciting tales of the tribe's history." Sue seemed genuine, looking at Sam with a respect in her eyes that I appreciated. It was news to me that Sam would be the one reciting the legends, renewing my excitement for the bonfire.

"Well, I'll get those pancakes for you. Coffee?" She gestured to our cups and we both nodded before Sue walked away humming.
"She loves you, Angel. Everyone on the Res is so excited that you're back. And that you want to immerse yourself in our culture, your culture." He was so happy it was contagious and I simply listened to him talk about the bonfire. The council would be there, any new members of the tribe, Jared and a few other people I'd get to meet.

As our pancakes arrived, I signed to Sam, I'm a bit nervous about tomorrow night. He scooted closer to me, dipping his head to whisper to me.
"What are you nervous about, Angel?"
I don't know. I guess it's a lot – I'm an outsider coming into the tribe. And I'm the Chief's girlfriend.

Sam grabbed both of my hands, kissing the knuckles of each, before responding. "Darling. You're not an outsider. You were born into this tribe. You're one of us. Think of it as a celebration of your homecoming." He turned my hands over and kissed each of my palms, so softly I almost didn't feel it but scalding my skin with the sensation as he pulled away. "And as for you being the Chief's girlfriend… You're much more than that, Bella. You're everything to me. You're the reason I spend my days smiling, the reason I can function on a few hours sleep, the reason I get up every day. Bella… I love you. I've loved you from the moment I met you."

I'd been listening so intently, I hadn't noticed the tears running down my face at Sam's admission. No one had ever spoken so sweetly to me before. No one had ever made me feel the way that Sam made me feel before. With shaky hands, I signed the only words I could, I love you, too. Pancakes forgotten, Sam took my face in his hands, first kissing away the tears on my cheeks before pressing his lips against mine in a gesture so gentle my heart ached. For a moment, I could forget all about Charlie and my mother and Phil and just focus on Sam and how damn much I loved him.