Hey, hey, my Lovelies!
So, this chapter is...VERY important, you could say :D
Shout out to TeamCullen1600 and JonnyFleetxdxd! They're awesome :D
Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN TWILIGHT! UNFORTUNATELY...D:
Without further ado...Enjoy!
Chapter 36
Wolf
Billie's Point of View
(The few weeks after she was taken)
Time was a no show in this god forsaken place, the days and nights blurring together until I could no longer decipher between the two. This room, wherever it was, held no room for luxuries. It was what it was – a dungeon, a prison, isolation. The air was stale, the entire room void of light. Any windows that did line the blank, grey walls were blacked out, only allowing errant rays of sunlight through at certain points in the day. It was like they shone through to tease me, taunt me with memories of the outside, of freedom.
There was a bed, well if you could call it that. It was more like something you'd find in overnight jail cells where hammered people sleep off their drunkenness – a hard slab with a thin blanket and a hardly there pillow to keep you warm. Ha, hardly. My God, I was so cold, so, so cold. All I had on was my dress from the wedding and th room was freezing like...well, like a freezer, I guess. The thin blanket was practically glued to my shoulders in my attempt to fend off the chill but it didn't do much good.
As the days dragged on, I could feel my body succumbing to the fatigue it constantly battled with. All I seemed to be able to do is sleep. I'd be lucky if I was even able to stay awake for more than four hours at a time. I was just so, so tired.
I heard voices all the time, laughter and footsteps passing outside my door but they never stopped or came in, at least not whilst I was awake. Some times I wake up to a mouth-watering aroma filling the entire room and see delicious looking gourmet food sitting on a tin tray just inside the room door. It certainly wasn't food that was fit for a prisoner such as I but hell, I wasn't complaining or anything. It tasted freaking fantastic!
They didn't feed me all that much or that often, perhaps that's why it was such quality food but anyway, the deficiency had begun to take its toll on my body, especially its appearance. My body was scarily thin all over. My arms were like thin branches and my legs drawn and ugly. My face was a lot more angular, my plump, soft cheeks given away for sharper, rougher ones. My ribs were what bothered me the most. One bad fall and I doubt it would even take that to break one. They seemed so fragile. I was scared for myself. I had plenty of water though, which was essentially all that mattered. I doubted that they'd give me bathroom breaks so it was all as well that I had my own small toilet in the corner of the room.
I was unbelievably bored out of my mind here. There was absolutely nothing to do and in desperate attempts to amuse myself, I'd resorted to counting how many footsteps passed my door until I fell asleep. Another failed attempt had been me counting the dingy ceiling tiles above but I never got every far, to be honest. I even tried to hand brush my hair but that was a lost cause after my fingers became depressingly stuck through the first stroke.
I didn't know how long I've been here. I lost track after the first week. The days became monotonous and therefore, became unworthy of keeping track of. After that seventh day, I gave myself over to my thoughts, my terrified, maniacal thoughts...
I couldn't even imagine what my family was going through right now but my heart bled for them in what ever it was. I cried for all of them – my Dyl, my Harry, Mom and Dad, my aunts, uncles and cousin...My Paul.
Oh my God, my Paul...that name never failed to get my heart racing erratically within my chest, burning desire, love and passion throughout my body for him but it also ached helplessly, painfully. I called out to him, my hearts calls out to him every second but my soul...that is the loudest in its pleas for his presence, his love, for everything about him. Every moment I spent away from my imprint, the more it hurts, physically, emotionally and mentally. I felt like I'd go insane without him by my side and it didn't help that I was constantly in danger of thinking about him, 24/7 because when I thought about him...it just gets worse.
I missed his warmth, his touch, his scent. I missed his ability to make me laugh and feel happier, no matter the situation or mood I was previously in. I missed his kiss, his sweet, charming words and his irrevocable, unconditional love that he showed with the gentlest of caresses and the sweetest of gestures. I missed his smile, the flare of his nostrils when he's irritated or angry at one of his brothers and even the fact that I was the only person who seemed to be able to calm him down completely, quickly.
I just fucking missed him.
Where the hell was he? Wasn't he supposed to have rescued me by now? Was he even searching? Yes, he was, I knew it and I knew him. I had faith in the love he holds for me and I knew that he'd never give up on his search for me, not when he could feel I was still alive, of which I was certain because I could still feel the torrent of his emotions through the bond of the imprint. He was so anxious, worried and terrified for me. I hated that I sat here, helpless to ease all that he feels in his heart. But he'd come; I knew it.
Being here though, dwelling in this hell hole, I still couldn't bring myself to regret my actions at Leah's wedding reception. I had to do something to help and even though I hadn't expected to see my little brother the one in peril, thought I did the best I could to get him out of it. I needed to save Dyl and that's exactly what I'd accomplished. He was home and safe; sure, he was bound to be upset, sad and lonely but he was safe and that was all that mattered. His safety was my 100% first priority and I felt proud that I was able to pull through and prove that was the case.
I knew that he had to be angry with me; in fact, I knew they all had to be...especially Paul. I just knew that he was beating himself up over my kidnap, believing that he should have done more to protect and keep me safe. He probably hated himself and it hurt my heart to think he thought so lowly of himself
Metallic screeches of bolts unlocking brought me out of my masochistic daydreams and I felt my body tense against the cold, hard cement floor. This had never happened before. They didn't come in whilst I was awake. Surely, they knew I was? I stiffly lifted my head slightly to look at the thick, metal door keeping me from the outside world. I groaned, gingerly moving to sit up whilst twisting and stretching my ridged, sore limbs. They were so unyielding and popped when I was able to move them that mere millimetre. I'd been laid in the same position for such a long time, there was no surprise I could barely move at all. My thin, bony body ached and painfully sore at points where the bones were much more prominent.
I tensed further, my back becoming ramrod straight as the door opened slowly but I gasped, wrenching my gaze away from the door and my eyes slammed shut as a painfully bright light infiltrated the room, making it extremely hard to keep my eyes open even a millimetre for the shortest time. Squinting my eyes in an effort to adjust, I gasped as black silhouettes danced in front of the light, making their features blind to me but it was quite obvious that they were men. Judging by their size, it wouldn't surprise me if they were wolf-men. I began to panic and scramble away from the advancing silhouettes, whimpering as my muscles and bones strained with the effort. It hurt so much that I was shaking, badly.
"Aw, you poor baby." a deep, mocking voice crooned from the light as the black shadow crouched down in front of me. I whimpered again, trying to place as much space between us as possible but I was already backed up against a wall. I didn't recognise the voice and whereas part of me was happy and relieved that it wasn't Omar or Tyrone in front of me right now, the voice that had replaced them seemed ever more dangerous and sinister. The thoughts of what this man could do to me had me wrapping my bony arms around me, whimpering in fear and panic as I tried to mould myself with the wall behind me. A dark laugh startled me, making me bite my lip until I tasted blood.
"Oh, don't be afraid of me, Pretty Lady. After all, I'm going to be the one to keep you company for the rest of our lives. I'm going to be the lucky son of a bitch that gets to keep you warm at night, wrapped tightly in my arms..." the voice was getting nearer and nearer until I felt his sick, disgusting breath fan across my face. I turned my face away from it, holding my breath. I whimpered and closed my eyes as his fingertips trailed sickly down the side of my cheek, over my jaw and skimming over my neck until they stopped at the hem of my dress.
He palmed my breast too hard, causing me to cry out. Mistaking it as something sickly different, he chuckled, humming in appreciation. I tried feebly to bat his hand away from me but it was like hitting a brick wall; he was just to strong and my desperate pleas fell on his deaf ears. His right hand continued to palm my breast as his other picked up the trail he left off, skimming over my right breast and stomach. I felt bile gush into my mouth as his grubby hand cupped my centre through my dress and panties, making me shudder and shake my head. I pressed myself further against the wall as I felt his lips brush against my ear.
"...and better yet, Pretty Lady...I'm gonna be the one and only who is going to satisfy. Your. Every. Need." he whispered huskily, puckering his lips against my ear.
I gasped in utter mortification, pushing his hand away from me as hard as I could but he was just too damn strong. Disgusted and horrified, I let out a strangled cry, silently begging my family to find me, to save me from this horrible fate and this sick, sadistic, perverted man who seemed to be under the illusion that I was his.
Present time...4th July...
Jake's Point of View
Paul opened his eyes this morning.
Yeah, that's right, you heard me. Paul opened his eyes this morning. Sam, Jared, Craig and I were sitting at his bedside, just because we didn't want the poor guy to be alone day in day out, and having a whispered conversation as to not disturb him. Well, that was if he even realised we were here. We weren't so sure these days. He was so out of it. But anyway, we were talking and Paul suddenly calls out Billie's name.
Now, this wasn't unusual; in fact, this was very usual. He did this every hour or so without fail, so we didn't even bat an eyelid or a passing glance because if we did, we knew we'd catch a glimpse of the heart wrenching expression that always accompanied the exclamation. But when he groaned, which was highly unusual, all our heads had snapped over to him, our eyes widening exponentially. Imagine our shock when we saw his eyelids fluttering against the harsh light in the room, his head flitting this way and that.
None of us moved for a second, overcome by total shock as we watched Paul struggle to open his eyes, or even lift his hand to shield himself from it. This was something every single one of us, including the imprints, had been hoping and dreaming for these last few months and here it was, happening right before our eyes. When we did thaw out, Craig darted for the curtains, yanking them shut so hard and fast that I thought he was going to rip them from the wall altogether. Relief coursed through me as the act seemed to dim the light greatly, helping our brother's eye dilemma. Sam and I sprung to his side, unsure of what to do with this situation.
"Oh my God, Paul, Man, are you alright?" Jared exclaimed, panicked. Paul groaned again, his eyes glazed over as they slide open, unfocused despite the more reasonable light in the room.
"Holy fucking shit!" Craig exclaimed, shaking his head he stood a little off, by the window, utterly helpless in the situation. Paul groaned again, louder.
"Billie..." he croaked, his voice raspy and hoarse from the months of disuse. He tried to sit up on his shaky arms but both Sam and I rested a hand on each of his shoulders, gently pushing him back down to the bed. It didn't take much.
"Paul, talk to us. What's going on?" Sam demanded, freaked the fuck out.
But Paul didn't reply. A steady stream of his imprint's name was the only thing escaping his mouth and he was trembling violently, though not in a I'm-about-to-phase way. It was like he was fitting out. His eyes flashed all around the room, never fixing solidly on anything as his head thrashed this way and that more frantically. The light pressure I felt against my hand suggested he was trying to fight against our hold on him but he was entirely too weak for that. It was the creepiest thing I'd ever seen in my life. The fact that this was Paul made it all the more worse.
"what the fuck?" Embry bellowed as he crashed into the room, probably hearing our ruckus. His eyes were wide, searching the room for danger but they grew wider at the sight of our brother.
"Call Carlisle. Now!" I yelled with my alpha tone tingeing every word. Embry nodded, gone like a flash of light and I could hear his hurried, clipped conversation a few seconds later from downstairs.
Meanwhile, Sam, Jared, Craig and did our best to restrain Paul's thrashing body. Sam and I at his head, pinning his shoulders to the bed whilst preventing his arms from flailing around and then Jared and Craig at his feet, pinning his hips and feet. His head continued in its thrashing and he was still desperately crying out Billie's name, each one rising in pitch and volume.
It didn't take Carlisle long to get to Paul's house, having been in the area to check on Dyl. Horse tranquillizers were the only things that put us out enough and for a long period of time without fail and that's exactly what he did as soon as he burst into the room. When they kicked in, the guys and I were able to let go of his limp body, sighing with relief. Carlisle checked over his vitals, stating that they were fine and that he'd just reacted badly to something he was probably dreaming. Well, really, Dr. Fang? I would have never have guessed that he reacted badly to anything. Hell, that was Paul on his happiest day! Idiot. Edward, who I hadn't realised come in after his father, just chuckled at my thoughts, shaking his head.
"What the fuck just happened?" Craig exclaimed, bend double with his hands propped on his knees whilst he regained his breath. His face was bright red, just like the rest of us.
"I have no freaking idea whatsoever but that was fucking weird." Jared huffed, eyeing Paul warily as if he was suddenly going to spring up and slaughter everyone before we had a chance to blink.
"You...You don't think he senses something of Billie, do you? That she's being...hurt or something?" Craig asked, paling and swallowing hard against the thought. I felt the colour drain from my face at his words and my realisation that that could very well be his problem; I just didn't want to accept that at all.
"it...could be a possibility, I suppose." I mumbled, begrudgingly. "But let's hope it was nothing of the sort. The only reason why we know she's alive is because of Alice's visions and Paul's still hanging in there, however weak he might be."
"You're right, Jake. I know that. I was stupid to even say-"
Craig was cut off by two urgent, shrill howls piercing the air outside. Two howls we instantly recognised as the present patrollers, Jennie and Brady. We all glanced at each other before bounding out the bedroom milliseconds on each other's heels. I knew Paul was out for the count so he was safe and these howls didn't sound like a joke; it was the real thing. The four of us burst out the back door, barely sparing the few wolf girls that were in the kitchen a side glance, before exploding out of our skins. Tendrils and scraps of our shorts fell around us.
"Fuck, that was my last pair!" Craig whined and I would have laughed if it weren't for the chaos that was the pack mind.
The entire mind was overrun by orders of attack, shouts of warning and murmured questions of confusion and shock. It took me a minute to focus but when I did, I took charge. "Shut up, all of you. Jennie, Brady, explain." I ordered, sprinting towards where they were running.
"We've got wolves. Not as many as last time, not nearly as many but a fair few." Jennie explained, t-boning a little grey wolf that was darting by her.
"It's weird though. None of it makes sense." Brady continued, perplexed. "They're chasing another wolf but they don't seem to want to harm it, just catch it. The wolf's running for its life but that's not the weird part...there are two children on the back of the black, white and brown one, very young children."
"Children? Are you sure?" I asked, shocked. He nodded.
"Positive. They're young. The oldest of them is a young boy, no older than five. There's a littler girl secured to his chest by some sort of straps." Jennie supplied.
"Alright guys, they've become our main priority. This is no place for children. Get them to safety. If that's not possible, keep the wolf carrying them protected at all times. Keep those wolves away from it. Jennie, Leah, see if you can't...contain it or something. The rest of you...kill some fucking wolf." I growled, having already picked up several scents that had been here on Leah's wedding day.
Growls and roars coursed through the pack mind along with howls of battle and my brothers and I pounced on the nearest wolf to us. Jared helped me take down a large fucker that put up quite the fight but was soon silenced as I was able to lock my teeth over his throat, effectively cutting off his air supply and suffocating him whilst Jared subdued the rest of his body until he went completely limp under us.
We never stopped, tearing through every wolf who crossed our paths, using the pack mind to keep tabs on where our brothers were so that we didn't accidentally rip the throat out of one of our own. I almost panicked actually because I had taken a small grey wolf with black spots on his back down and instantly thought it was Embry. I was only relieved from my tormented thoughts when Embry's thoughts coursed through my mind, reassuring me that it wasn't him I'd just brutally brutalised.
Through Leah and Jennie's minds, I tried to get a clear view of the wolf carrying the children on its back but despite that, it was fucking fast and proved difficult for the girls to pinpoint with their eyes. The wolf might as well not have them on its back the speed it was going; he rivalled Leah's speed and truly believed that he could out run her in a race. Leah growled at this but remained focused on her task.
From what I did see of the wolf, he was an expert at dodging and weaving through the thick undergrowth of the La Push forest. The children on her back swayed this way and that and I truly feared for them. That little girl couldn't be more than 18 months old and whereas she was strapped to the boy, the boy wasn't strapped to the wolf and therefore could easily slip off completely.
"He's not stopping and shows no indication that he even knows we're leading him to a secluded cave across the beach. We're going to corner it and try calm him down. Seems panicked, instinctual right now so we need to be careful, not for our sakes but the kids'." Leah informed me, sprinting close to the wolf's right hind leg, but trying not to be too aggressive either.
The little girl was crying, judging by her bright red, soaking wet face but the boy seemed calmed, collected and focused on doing everything he can to stay atop the wolf, moving with the wolf's body when it turned and whatnot. The wolf himself was dead set on what was going on ahead of it, oblivious of what he was running into, a place they were closing in on, fast.
"We've nearly cornered it but there doesn't seem to be anymore wolves on his trail." Leah announced.
"It doesn't matter; do not let your guard down. We all know how slippery the fuckers can be." I ordered, finally being able to stop and access the whole situation thoroughly.
Most of us were able to do the same but Brady and Philip were still taking down a medium sized red wolf, who was showing that he wasn't going down without a fight. They managed to pin him beneath them both but Brady was too close to the wolf's jaw without realising it and got bit. He yelped, springing back as he shook his head. Philip almost lost his grasp on him but Craig was right in there, tearing the wolf's throat out with a growl. With a yelping gasp, the wolf, and what I believed to be the last of them, were dead but like I told Lee and Jen, I wasn't about to fall into a false sense of security and drop my guard.
"Quil, Em, Seth. All clear?" I asked, keeping my eyes alert as I scanned the surrounding forest. It was quiet as of now but that might change in a second.
"Yeah, no change here." They confirmed. I nodded.
"Collin, Steven, Del?"
"Clear."
"Nothing here either." Bree announced before I was able to ask and Dunc, Andrew, Sam and Jared all put in their own confirmations. I nodded satisfied.
"Any injuries?" I asked, hesitantly.
"Brady is. That red wolf bit him harder than we expected." Craig announced, standing over a passed out Brady just a few miles out. I sighed.
"Any one else?"
My leg's pretty mashed up but I can still walk and stuff." Steven informed me. "Bree's worse off though. She can't put weight on her right hind leg."
I frowned. "Bree?"
"I'm alright, Jake. Really." she assured me, not liking the spotlight on her, ever. I sighed and nodded but that didn't stop Delvin from storming over to her side, allowing her to lean on him, which she so obviously needed. Sometimes I forget that those two imprinted.
"Fuck! Jake get your ass here now! He's getting defensive of the kids when we try to approach him." Leah shouted, slightly panicked as the wolf snapped, snarled and growled at Jennie, who took a cautious step back.
My legs carried me before I could consciously take note of it with the others close behind me. I could see the girls through their minds as well as the wolf. I panicked for a minute because I couldn't see the children but relaxed slightly when I realised that they could still hear the little girl's wails. They must have been behind the wolf. They weren't going to get anywhere like this.
"Girls, fall back a little, give him some space but don't leave gaps for him to escape. Take submissive, harmless poses. We're nearly there." I ordered, their scents getting stronger the closer we got. There was something off though. Not with Leah's or Jennie's but the wolf's. It seemed...familiar somehow. It was sweet but that could have very well be because of the children But still very weird.
"I know what you're saying, Jake. It is weird, familiar but I can't quite put my finger on it." Seth agreed, thoughtfully.
"Guys, get your freaking old butts here!" Jennie shouted.
We ended all conversation and stormed the cave that they were currently residing in. the cries of the young girl echoed off the hollow walls, temporarily stunning us, what with our sensitive ears but they weren't the only sounds that caught our attention. Leah was right when she said th wolf was being defensive. He was snapping and growling to his heart's content, a warning clear as day in his eyes...those vaguely familiar eyes, I must say. I peered around the cave, happy that the girls were doing what I had told them, that they were lying at either side of the cave entrance. Not allowing him to escape but looking harmless at the same time.
"Line the walls and look harmless." I ordered the others whilst I turned my attention to the wolf pressed up near the back of the cave, children behind him.
He had suddenly become docile, eyeing the Pack as he moved further back into the children, forcing them into a cubbyhole in the cave wall before growling once. I thought it was directed towards us but I was surprised when the young boy nodded, pulling the little girl closer to his chest before turning his back to us so that she was protected between the boy's chest and the stone wall of the cave. The wolf then surprised us all further by sitting down directly in front of them, effectively boxing them in whilst his eyes remained trained on us, unblinkingly.
"What's he doing? Doesn't he see the huge pack of wolves facing him right now?" Quil asked, thoroughly confused.
"He's protecting...uh, his young? Do you think they're his?" Jennie asked, thoughtfully. I shrugged.
"Whatever he's doing, he doesn't look willing to attack unless we threaten the children." I mused. "I'm going to phase."
I didn't give them time to reply as I felt my form shifting to that of my two legged. I heard the wolf give a startled whine and it had dropped into a laying position, his paws tightly over his eyes. I frowned in confusion but also amusement as I slipped my shorts on some shorts that Seth threw to me, having shredded mine, but it didn't uncover its eyes for a short time.
"Alright...uh, I'm decent." I announced, ignoring my pack's sniggers as I watched the wolf uncover his eyes, cautiously. He then huffed indignantly, sitting back up. "I'm sorry. I should have given you, um, more warning, I guess...I'm Jacob Black, the Alpha of the La Push Wolf Pack. Could you possibly phase so that we could talk, face to face?"
The wolf growled his answer which was so obviously a no. I sighed, wiping my face with one hand as I tried to figure something out, a way to communicate with this wolf.
"Okay, fine." I replied, unsure of how to proceed.
"Please Mister, just let us go." a small male voice asked from behind the now growling wolf. My brow raised, not having expected to hear the boy speak to me at all. He then spoke directly to the wolf, his eyes reproachful as the wolf growled in warning. "Well you're not going to phase and talk to him and he seems too nice to just let him stand there, looking like a lunatic as he speaks to himself." I would have laughed at that, but I was still too shocked to react in any way, shape or form. Who was this kid?
The wolf huffed as if he knew the kids was right but wasn't at all happy about it.
"Don't worry, I won't move or say anything I'm not supposed to but can I at least see him? It's kinda rude, you know?" the boy asked, uncertainly. The wolf growled lowly but dropped down into a laying position, that still covered the boy's entire body from the waist down. "Hello, I'm Jack Mevrin. What's your name?"
I was momentarily stunned speechless by the fact that he was speaking to me whilst looking at me with his deep, bright blue eyes as well as his profound, flawless manners, especially for a five year old. But I caught myself, grinning brightly as I replied, "I'm Jacob Black but you can call me Jake, Jack."
He giggled. "We have similar names. That's funny." he laughed, his cheeks reddening whilst the wolf just rolled its eyes. This entire situation was bizarre.
"It certainly is, Buddy. And what's this Little Beauty's name?" I asked, eyeing the small child still strapped to his chest. He was still half turned towards the wall, only looking over his shoulder to peer at me but I could see her profile.
She had stopped crying now that things had considerably calmed down and was now nonchalantly peering around Jack at us whilst docilely playing with the fur at the scruff of the wolf's neck. Her ministrations seemed to calm the wolf further, which eased a lot of the tension in the room.
"This is Ellie May. She's only one and a half." Jack informed me, snuggling the girl closer as he smiled down at her briefly. It was obvious in the boy's eyes that he cared for her a lot. But then, for all I knew, she was his little sister, though they didn't look anything alike.
Jack had dark brown hair with a cheeky smile that spread across his whole face. His skin was fair, obviously not Native American but he had tinges of it here and there. His eyes were blue and seemed to be the only thing he shared in common with the blonde haired little girl he cuddled. She was truly a sweetie-pie. Her curls and ringlets fell to her shoulders and they reminded me so much of Nessie's when she was that age.
Her cheeks had a permanent red shine to them, making her look delicate and precious but also cheek and mischievous. Her lips were the richest red I'd ever seen and were shaped like a bow. The one thing that truly struck me though, despite them being the same colour as Jack's, was that her eyes were such a striking shade of blue, they almost seemed inhuman. I was so mesmerized by this little girl and if it weren't for the fact that I'd imprinted on Ness already, I'd say I'd just done exactly that.
Shaking myself from my thoughts, I smiled at him again, "Okay, Jack and how old are you?" I asked, friendly. He grinned proudly.
"I'm four and three quarters." he answered, clear and proud of it. I chuckled, grinning but he was a little younger than I'd expected, not by much but still.
"So what brings you here all the way in La Push? Any ideas?" I asked, crouching down so I was more to his level. Jack worried his bottom lip, glancing cautiously at the wolf, who nodded his head.
"We were running from bad people. They chased us a long way but you made them go away...Thanks." he tagged on, as if it was an after thought. I chuckled and nodded.
"That's alright, Buddy. Couldn't let them get you or your sister, could we?" I said, smiling. He smiled too but then shook his head.
"Ellie's not my little sister but she's like one, I guess." he replied, looking down at the little girl who was currently peering curiously at my brothers behind me and with avid interest actually. With one glance behind me, I could tell that my brothers were just as captivated by this little girl as I was. I smirked, looking back at the boy.
It was then that I noticed the dark markings on his arms and neck. My mind chose a moment not to register what they truly were, as if in denial but with a few more seconds of observation, there was no mistaking the bruising, of which looked fresh, just a few days but maybe not even that. I felt my fists clenching in that very second and a vicious growl escaped my lips without my permission, causing my brothers and sisters to jump behind me as well as Jack to yelp in surprise. The wolf growled, his teeth bared as if in warning. I held my hands up in surrender and that soon quietened the wolf but Jack continued to stare at me with side eyes.
"Why did you growl, Jake?" he asked, nervously. I swallowed thickly, glancing at his bruising and barely suppressing another growl.
Through gritted teeth, I asked, "Jack, Buddy, what's going on with your neck?" I tried act cool and kind but the sight of it roused more reaction out of me than I had expected. Jack looked confused for a second before his eyes widened in realisation. The wolf growled, as if reprimanding me.
Again, Jack waited for the nod from his wolf before answering me. "Mommy and Daddy are bad people...they hurt me." he whispered, paying close attention to Ellie's hair. She was still looking at the wolves behind me, more specifically Jennie, who I had to admit was the most beautiful out of the wolves here, barring this new one. "But Be-Be helped me get away from them so it's okay now."
"Did...Did they hurt Ellie May, Jack?" I asked, even more infuriated with that thought. His eyes widened as he shook his head faster than before.
"No! No, Be-Be wouldn't let Ellie anywhere near my house! She didn't like me going home but once, Daddy dragged me back." he protested, clutching to Ellie, who wriggled to loosen his grip slightly. He did.
"Jack...who is this Be-Be? Where is she? Do you think I'll get to meet her, maybe?" I asked, curious about this figure, this woman who was the key to their escape. Did they leave her behind? Did the wolf plan to go back for her?
Jack giggled. "Silly, Jake. Be-Be's right here. She's the wolf." he told me, patting the wolf on his-er her head.
My eyebrows disappeared into my hairline as I considered his words. This wolf, who I'd assumed was a he, is really a she? That shouldn't have surprised me considering I had two sisters and a niece sitting right behind me in their wolf forms but it did somehow and I'm not sure why. Lee, Jen and Bree's heads sprang up from the floor where they laid, their eyes erect with interest as they too heard his words and were now listening intently.
"This wolf is female? This is Be-Be?" I asked, surprised. He nodded.
"Yeah. She's my bog sister but Ellie loves her like a momma." jack informed me, which Ellie then felt the to reiterate with, "Mamamamamamama..."
"See." Jack giggled.
"Jack..." I trailed off, unsure of how to voice the bizarre, out of this world, far-fetched ideas swimming around my head. I mean, it was possible considering all angles but could we really be that lucky? It would also explain a ton of other unexplainable things that has gone on these last few months as well.
"Yeah, Jake?"
"What...What is Be-Be's real name?" I asked, hesitantly. My brothers shifted behind me, mostly confused by my question but some also curious and maybe even thinking on the same brainwave as me.
"Her name's-"
Jack was cut off by a low but fierce growl from the wolf laying in front of him and the she-wolf, a.k.a Be-Be, rose to her feet, turning to look at him. He looked confused for a minute until she nuzzled at his back. I frowned for a minute until I saw a blue backpack I hadn't even realised that was strapped to his back. Jack nodded and the wolf laid down, her back still to us (which showed an unprecedented amount of trust on her part). Jack then sat Ellie in between the wolf's front paws before slipping the pack from his back and unzipping it.
While he rifled through it for a second, his face scrunched up in concentration, I watched as Ellie shuffled closer to the wolf's chest, using her head and fur to hoist herself up onto her chubby little legs. She then leisurely began to play with her muzzle, giggling as the wolf licked and nipped lightly at her hands. I grinned at the scene before me; it was like witnessing a wolf and her cub at their most intimate but then, I guess it was like that since Jack had said Ellie looked up to this wolf as a mother and by the looks of it, it didn't matter what form she was in, wolf or human. We turned back to Jack as he exclaimed in victory, pulling out a blue maxi dress (I blame Nessie and Alice for me knowing the name of it) and offering it to the wolf. She carefully reached forwards, taking the dress delicately into her teeth whilst taking extra care and caution not to catch Jack's fingers. He then picked Ellie back up so that the wolf could rise to her feet.
We watched with apt attention as Be-Be trotted off to a pillar near the kids but not to close. She was completely hidden from view and we all felt the shift in the air. I could hear our hearts beating with avid anticipation for some reason and our eyes were glued to the place where this human Be-Be was going to appear. She didn't for a short while but when she did...
I gasped deeply, recognising the long black hair, even with it being saturated with twigs and leaves. Her skin was a little darker than I remembered and her body was...older, you could say. As with the others, her transformation has aged her to her prime, freezing her that way until she stops phasing. But her eyes, they had aged also. They held secrets, sorrows, wisdom and regretfully, pain. What had happened? What had she been through for these last five or so months? How was any of this possible?
My brothers and sister were whining and practically falling over each other in their relief and excitement but however much it hurt, they didn't get any closer to our best friend, daughter, niece. She didn't say anything at all and we watched with wide eyes as she walked over to the two children, kissing Jack on the top of his head as he gently handed Ellie over. She cuddled the baby to her chest, closing her eyes briefly and inhaling as Jack wrapped his arms around her right thigh, looking at us with his soulful eyes.
Finally, Billie looked over at me, her violet eyes soft as she let her lips curve into a small smile. Her eyes scanned the rest of us, lingering on her father, Uncle Sam, Jennie and Uncle Embry slightly longer than everyone else. "Hello, Jacob." Her voice was like a shock to my system and I gasped again, shaking my head in disbelief.
"B-Billie? What-How?" I spluttered, perplexed and stunned at the sight before me. She sighed.
"I know that I owe you guys so answers and explanations and I will explain, I promise, but these guys haven't eaten since yesterday morning." she replied, pulling the children closer to her, protectively. My eyes widened with disbelief at her words and I nodded.
"of course, let's go." I agreed, frowning.
The guys behind me whined louder, more desperate, the closer she came to us and Seth crept closer, whimpering as he nuzzled her neck. I saw tears fill up her eyes as she looked at the sandy wolf. Her hand reached up and raked through the fur at his cheek.
"Hey Daddy...I missed you." she whispered, sadly. He whimpered loudly, which was echoed all around us as he leaned into her touch.
"Be-Be, I'm really hungry." Jack murmured, tiredly. We all looked down at him, worried. I cocked an eyebrow at Billie and she nodded, knowing what I was trying to ask.
"Hey, jack, you wanna come up here, Buddy?" I offered, opening my arms for him. He peered up at Billie in question and she nodded, encouragingly. He grinned, jumping as I lifted him into my arms and pulled him close. Instantly, he burrowed into my warm, his eyes closing. I chuckled and Billie beamed at me. It momentarily stunned me before I beamed right back at her. "Let's go."
Billie nodded, tucking Ellie's head under her chin before setting off out the cave at a brisk jog, gradually getting faster as she built up momentum. Rain had begun to fall whilst we'd took refuge in the cave but it didn't deter her, just as having the kids on her back didn't either. She sped up to a sprint as the rain picked up, obviously not wanting the little girl in her arms in it for a second longer than she could spare. The wolves were sprinting behind us, eager to get home and embrace our niece, to hear everything she has to say and is willing to share, and just revel in her appearance, however unexpected it may be. None of us could believe it. I could see them all staring at Billie as if she was about to disappear any second.
We've been running for ten or so minutes and the rain had let up significantly. We were all soaked to the bone but Billie had stopped briefly to pull a huge jacket from the back pack on Jack's shoulders and wrapped it around him before plucking out another for Ellie so they were both relatively dry. We all skidded to a halt as Billie stopped in the woofs behind a house we knew all too well, especially in the last five or so months. My heart ached with the inevitability of her seeing Paul as he is right now.
I stepped closer to her, hesitantly placing a hand on her shoulder and squeezing lightly. She glanced at me with her brows furrowed but all I could offer her silent question was a small smile. "Come on, Billie."
She frowned deeper, worriedly. "What is it, Jacob? What's wrong with Paul?" she asked, alarmed as she took a step towards the house. My hand on her shoulder became a restraint as Seth and Embry stepped in front of her in their wolf forms. There was no changing the fact that she was going to see him eventually, but right now just wasn't the time. "What's going on?"
"Honey, it's not very wise to go in there right now. You're going to want to give him your full attention but you can't do that with these children in such conditions. Just come with us, eat something and put the kids to sleep and then...we'll bring you over to see him." I suggested, pulling on her shoulder slightly.
She didn't answer for a time, simply looking at the house with a frown on her face and worry clear as day in her eyes. I knew that if I could hear his erratic heartbeat, harsh panting and the endless stream of her name coming from his lips then I knew that Billie could too, thanks to her new wolfy senses. I sighed.
"Come on, Sweetie." I encouraged. She shook her head, adamantly.
"No, why is he breathing like that? Why is his heart so fast? He's calling for me; I should go to him." she said; her voice growing in pitch with every sentence as she began to panic.
"Baby Girl, he's not doing too well right now. Your absence has been very hard on him but now you're here, things are going to get a whole lot better for him." Sam explained, coming up beside us and hugging her as tightly as he could get away with without crushing Ellie.
"I want to see him. I need to see him. It's been so long. It hurts so much. Please?" she whimpered, dead set on getting to Paul but we stopped her again.
"Lea-Rae, baby Girl, come with me." Seth encouraged, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and leading her stiff, slightly fighting body away from the house.
"But-"
"No Sweetie, later, please? Let's get these kids inside and warm before we do anything else, huh?" he cut her off, pleadingly. I peered down at Jack, seeing that he was asleep and I pulled him tighter to my chest.
"O-Okay." she mumbled hesitantly, still glancing over her shoulder at the out as Seth led her away.
"Jake, I think we should take them to my house." he suggested, looking down at his daughter in distress and obviously wanting her close to home. I nodded silently, also watching her.
Now that the initial shock of her return had almost vanished, my head was cleared and I was now able to look at her in more detail. She seemed no better off than Paul,physically, and seemed to be fuelled simply by the fact that she had two children to care for. Her bones were prominent beneath her skin. Her skin did look darker beneath the dirt and slight bruising from God knows what but it also looked dry and unhealthy. She looked ill, just like Paul and that's when I knew that the separation between them effected her just as much as it did him, her wolf.
"Mel's gonna freak." I murmured. Seth chuckled.
"Oh yeah, we got our baby girl back." he cheered quietly as he kissed Billie's forehead tenderly. She closed her eyes, leaning into his touch before smiling up at him, brightly but tiredly. "But all the other girls are gonna freak too, and then there's Anna and Dyl."
"Oh, how are they? I've been so worried for them, for all of you. Please tell me they're okay." Billie pleaded, looking desperate and it was very tempting to lie to her. The only thing stopping us was the fact that she was going to find out eventually. Might as well tell her.
"Anna took it hard; Dyl took it harder. We'll talk later. Let us take care of you, Billie and these kids." Seth told her. She sighed but nodded, gnawing at her lip and I knew that he mind was still on her little brother and best friend.
Seth's house seemed empty as we came out the tree line into his back garden but I could hear Dyl's fitful sleeping on the second floor, along with the theme tune to Thomas the Tank Engine from Harry's bedroom. I heard a radio playing softly in the kitchen and Mel humming along, pausing to sniffle every few seconds or so.
"She's crying again." Seth mumbled, unhappily.
"I'm so sorry." Billie sighed, shamed. Seth kissed the top of her head in comfort as Sam rubbed her back softly.
"No, no, it's alright, Lea-Rae. It's not your fault." he soothed, gently.
"It is though, isn't it? I disobeyed Paul; I came back to help and put myself in danger. It's all my fault." She almost cried, shaking her head.
"Later, Lea-Rae. Let's get you inside, okay?" he told her. She sighed deeply, nodding as she allowed him to pull her towards the back porch. Ellie whimpered and stirred in her arms but soon calmed again after Billie cooed at her.
"Would you like me to take her?" Sam offered, gently.
The grip she had on the sleeping baby girl tightened as a low growl escaped her chest. I could practically feel the waves of protectiveness flowing straight off her body. "No, I got her." she snapped, eyes flashing with anger and distrust. Whoa, okay, what the hell was that? She deflated as soon as the words came out of her mouth, sighing defeated and remorseful as she shook her head. "I'm sorry. I'm just-"
"Extremely protective of her." Seth finished, cutting her off gently. She swallowed hard and nodded but anyone could see the protectiveness and love that she held for this little girl shining in her eyes. It was mesmerising. "Even more so than Jack, dare I say."
"Oh, I'm very protective of him too. I love them both with everything that I have but...she's everything to me, or at least a big part of my everything. She's...what kept me sane the entire time I was there. If it wasn't for her...i would have lost the will to carry on months ago." she whispered, burying her face in Ellie's hair and inhaling deeply.
Her words were deep and stunned the lot of us into silence. This one little blonde girl meant so much to my niece that she was her lifeline? A sudden but strong sense of pride, love and gratitude coursed through me for this little girl and I couldn't wait to meet her properly. She kept our Billie alive and I knew one person on this entire reservation who was going to be the most grateful of all. As if agreeing with me and my thoughts and feelings, my brothers and sisters whined around me, stepping closer to our niece, almost instinctively. Seth beamed at her, nodding as he kissed the little girl's forehead. That simple act seemed so much bigger for Billie because we could see the love shining brighter in her eyes as she looked at him, beaming.
Without another word, she made her way up the back porch steps, huddling the baby from the rain until she was under cover. Mel was in the kitchen, making coffee and she didn't know what was about to happen, whatsoever. My heart hammered in anticipation of how this was going to go down but anything could happen right now. She heard the back door creak open but didn't bother turning around from her task. She sighed, not even attempting to cease her tears.
"Hey Seth. Dyl's sleeping; he didn't eat much for dinner and Harry's watching Thomas in his room. He should drop right off any time now. Is everything in the all clear or do you have to go back out? Do you want coffee?"she asked lowly, her voice betraying the tiredness she tried to hide with her posture. We glanced around at each other, the other wolves having phased back human already and Seth was about to speak but Billie beat him to it...
"Mommy..." she whispered, a single tear cascading down her right cheek.
Mel gasped, her hand clutching her chest with surprise as she spun around from the counter. The cup of black coffee fell from her hand and smashed on the ceramic tiling of her kitchen floor, splattering the hot liquid everywhere when her eyes fell upon her eldest child, her only daughter, who had been missing for best part of six months, standing in the back doorway with a sleeping 18 month old baby girl in her arms.
"Billie?" Mel breathed in utter disbelief. Her eyes were wide like saucers, her whole body trembling with shock.
"hi, Mommy." she cried, walking further into the room. Mel's hands drew up to her gaping mouth, her head shaking in denial and shock.
"I'm dreaming." she stated, adamantly believing that she was.
"No Baby, you're not. This is real. This is our baby girl." Seth murmured, quiet but happily.
"It's true, Mom. I'm here. I'm alive and safe." She added with tears streaking down her face. She rushed up to an armchair that was sitting in a corner, laying Ellie down gently and making sure she was secure before turning to face her mother once again.
"Baby Girl...Sweetie, you're really here?" she asked, shell shocked. Billie nodded, slowly.
And then they were running, straight into each other's arms as they cried their eyes out and heart wrenching sobs escaped their mouths. They embraced rightly, clawing and clutching at each other as they dropped to their knees in the middle of the kitchen. The guys shifted behind me and I could smell the salt in the air that didn't just belong to the two wailing girls in front of us. I felt something wet fall across my cheek and brushed my fingers across it, capturing a tear in it's fall.
"Oh my God, Baby Girl. I've missed you so much! I was so worried. I can't believe you're here, Lea-Rae. My Baby." Mel sobbed, hiccuping.
"Mommy, I was so scared! It was so horrible! Hey hurt me! They kept me in this dingy room with no warmth and hardly any food! I was so scared!"
"Shh, it's okay. You're home now. Nothing, no on will ever touch you ever again." Mel vowed, grabbing her face in her trembling hands and making her look her in the eyes, intensely. "We will protect you, Baby Girl. Daddy and I will protect you now."
"Mom...I'm a wolf now." Billie whispered lowly, bowing her head as if she was ashamed of that fact. We'd have to get to the bottom of that later, but then, there was so much that we needed to get to the bottom of. Mel's eyes grew ten fold as she shook her head, murmuring silent pleas under her breath for it not to be true. We all knew that, even though she accepted the fact that Seth was a wolf, she feared for her boys to become like him and now, when she least expected it, her daughter was the very thing she never wanted for any of her children.
"H-How?"
"Mom had the gene through her, Sam and Embry's Daddy and my Dad had it as well, through his Daddy." She sniffled, wiping at her eyes and nose.. Mel sighed, nodding as she knew that once it happened, there was no separating the wolf from the human. It stayed with each of us for life, even after we stop phasing.
"I love you no matter what. I'm just so glad that you're home; I don't care that you brought another side of you with you. I love you, Baby Girl." Mel cried, happily as she embrace her again, tightly.
"Momma, why you shouting?" Little Harry's tired voice asked from the kitchen doorway. None of us had even heard him come down, too captivated and entranced by the scene happening before us. I suddenly froze, unsuspecting of how Harry was going to take his big sister's sudden reappearance.
Billie shot to her feet faster than what I was used to seeing her moving, stumbling over the kitchen until she was stood directly in front of Harry's little body. He looked up at her...and just stared. She smiled brightly, though tears still shoved their way out of her eyes and after a solid minute of staring, she giggled, getting down on her knees and opening her arms wide for the young boy.
"Hey Harry, Baby Brother." She whispered strained but happily as she beamed at him hopefully. Harry thawed after only a second, letting out a cry of his own as he launched himself straight into his big sister's arms. He wasn't crying, no, he was giggling hysterically with an enchanting, 100 watt smile across his face that spread throughout the whole room. I beamed at seeing him more animated now than I have these past six months.
Billie's arms wrapped around the boy tightly as she climbed effortlessly to her feet. She spun him around in a tight circle, causing him to laugh louder than before and clutch to her just as tightly. Mel was silently sobbing with happiness in Seth's chest and his face shone everything that his wife was feeling. I could see Billie inhaling Harry's scent, committing it to memory so that she'd never forget it. We never everybody's scents off by heart. Everyone's.
"Billie, I missed you so much! Where did you go? I had no one to draw with! It's not as fun as it is with you and then I got the new Thomas DVDs and you weren't hear to watch them with me!" Harry gushed a thousand words a minute and I doubt if it weren't for her super hearing, she'd have missed every single one of them. "And momma was so sad! You know that I hate it when she's sad because it makes me sad too! And Dyl wasn't playing with me anymore because he missed you too much and Daddy was out searching for you all the time so he was never home! I'm glad you're home though! I missed you!"
"Baby, I'm sorry I went away. I didn't want to leave you, Dyl, Mom or Dad, I promise. I'll draw with you first thing tomorrow, okay? And we'll watched them Thomas DVDs, all of them." she promised, sincerely as she rocked him back and forth. "And I'm so sorry for making Mommy sad. I know you don't like it because I hate it too. I'm so sorry."
"No, Billie, it's not your fault. It's that bad man's!" he contradicted, shaking his head faster than what I thought was really healthy. She sighed heavily and we could all see that she didn't share his sentiments but she wasn't able to tell him that.
"Okay, if you say so, Buddy." She agreed, reluctantly.
"He's right." I told her, sternly. She nodded, shrugging and again we knew she didn't believe me.
"Where's Dyl? Is he alright?" she asked, very worried as she set Harry back down on his feet and peered into the living room for a glimpse of her biggest little brother.
"Oh, well...Honey, Dyl's sleeping. He didn't take all of this very well." Seth told her, delicately. He was hesitant to go into anymore depth though. She frowned, deeply, eyeing us all warily as if she knew that we were holding something back. And of course, technically we were.
"What's wrong with him?"
"Do you remember how sick he got the last few times he was worried about you?" She nodded, swallowing hard. "Well, he's worse than that, Sweetie. He's been very sick and even spent some time in hospital." Mel explained, anxious of how she was going to react to the information of her oldest brother being so ill. Billie's face drained of any and all colour and looked like she was about to be sick.
"B-But he's alright...I mean, he'll be alright...right? He's getting better?"
"He will now you're home, Sweetie." Sam assured her but received the opposite effect of what we were all hoping for. She grimaced, looking away as her eyes closed in shame. Tears fell mercilessly from her eyes once again.
"This is all my fault! I did this. Me! I'm a fuck up of a sister." She cried, yanking her hair hard with both her hands in frustration and weakness as her body shook slightly with anger.
"No! Don't you even dare think any of those things!" Mel bellowed angrily as she glared at Billie.
It startled the lot of us because shouting really wasn't her forte. She left that to Kim, Rachel and a couple other wolf girls. She, Vi, Emily, Susie, Claire and Bree were the passive, easy going ones that let their kids play in the mud, or paint the walls or eat candy at eight o'clock at night because they say and I quote: 'Oh for heaven's sake, let them get muddy, they're washable. Let them draw on the walls, they're washable too and if not, just paint over them. If they want cotton candy, let them because they're only kids once and I'll gladly stay up half the night with them so that they can have a fulfilling childhood.' Yeah, seriously, they've all pretty much said that and yes, it all happened and Mel really did stay up until three o'clock in the morning with Dyl after he ate a whole treat sized bag of M&Ms at nine o'clock at night.
I was snapped out of my thoughts as Mel's shouting continued, "This is not your fault! It's that sick bastard's so don't let me hear you say that again! As for the other, you've been the greatest big sister those boys, and even some of the others kids if not all of them, could ever have, want or dream of. You do everything for them without complaining or expecting anything back from them and they look up to you as their idol! They love you with everything they have and it literally makes them sick to lose you! You could never be a fuck up of a sister...
"Being a big sister is one of the best things you excel in. Another being a best friend and daughter and a well valued confidant so don't put yourself down like that. We love you for who you are and you best not change one single aspect of who you are...or I'll kick you ass." Mel's voice became tenderer and loving as she gently pried Billie's hands from her hair to hold them tightly in hers. Billie chuckled slightly at her end comment but otherwise looked apprehensive of her mother's words.
There was a tense silence in which both women continued to cry quietly between them. I was still cradling Jack to my chest and he was still fast on. I heard a few sniffles behind me and knew that some of the guys had succumbed to their tears at this emotional scene. Me, I had started crying long ago.
"I love you, Mom. You're the greatest. You know exactly what to say and I love it." Billie whispered. Mel giggled.
"I try." she quipped, making both of them laugh.
Then the atmosphere shifted again as a shrill, heart moving cry penetrated the silence, snapping all our attention to Ellie, who was now sitting up in the armchair, her face bright red as she wailed. We could all see the confusion and fear shining in her eyes. Billie darted to her in less than a second, scooping her up before sitting back down in the chair. She sat her in her lap, pulling her close as she shushed and cooed into her ear, coaxing her to calm down because she was there now. Well now, her exact words were, 'Shh, Baby, Mama's here now'. Yeah, shocked us too. Not only did the baby think of Billie as her mom but so did she. The little girl calmed instantly, making us question her intentions. Of course, they were proved right as Billie laughed out loud, shaking her head at Ellie with her mouth open in shock and amusement.
"You little sneak! You just wanted some attention!" she laughed, tickling Ellie's side. She giggled hysterically.
"Mama, no! Mama, sop!" she screamed, wriggling in her lap. Billie just continued to laugh and tickle and we watched in awe until Mel leaned into me.
"Did that little girl just call my daughter 'mama'?" she asked, shocked. I nodded with a hummed affirmation. "And who is that little boy? Does he think of her as a mom too?"
"That's Jack and no, he doesn't. More of a sister but he came with them both." I whispered back, still watching the duo with a small, awed smile on my face but saw her nod out of my peripheral.
"Mama me hungwy." Ellie moaned, rubbing her tummy exaggeratedly as she pouted. Billie frowned but Mel answered.
"Do you want some mash an beans, Little One?" Ellie clapped her hands, cheering loudly as her head bobbed like a Churchill dog. "Does she like that? It appears so."
Billie nodded. "Yeah, Mom. Thank you. Neither of them have eaten since yesterday morning, like I told Jacob." she informed us and Mel was off like a shot, her face marred with a frowned so deep I was afraid they'd cause permanent wrinkles on her young face. She looked appalled at that information and was obviously on a mission to set that right.
"Should I cook Jack some?" Mel called from behind a cupboard.
"No, trust me, he'll be out until tomorrow morning. Once he's out, a freight train could pass through and he'd sleep through it. He's worse than Jacob." Billie called back, her eyes still on the little angle in her arms, who was now playing with the tips of Billie's hair. "Thanks though, Mom."
"Yeah, sure but I'm doing you some. You look..."
"I know, Mom, you can say it. I look freaking awful but I've had no choice in that. Please, do me some. I'm hungry too." Billie agreed and our hearts broke at her words. "Oh, bangers too?"
Mel chuckled. "Banger, mash and beans coming right up."
"You could do Ellie one but you'll have to cut it up really good. Mix it in with her mash, she likes that." Billie informed her, smiling at Ellie.
"Honey, surely you don't forget that I've raised two babies of my own, right?" Mel teased. Billie chuckled, rolling her eyes before yawning tiredly. Embry stepped forwards and Billie tensed slightly, gripping Ellie closer. Oh yeah, she's a momma wolf.
"Honey, why don't you give her to me so that you can go clean up ready for dinner? I'm sure you'll feel a bit better after a shower or bath and some clean, comfortable clothes on." he offered, hesitantly holding out his arms for the baby. Billie eyed them warily. "You know I'll never hurt you or her. I promise."
Billie nodded slowly, smiling up at her Uncle as she stood and handed the baby over. She fussed slightly , being away from Billie but Embry calmed her down again, which seemed to placate Billie into relaxation and she nodded. "Thanks Uncle Embry."
He kissed her forehead. "Welcome home, Billie." he breathed with relief, inhaling her scent now that he was so close to her. Both Seth and Sam had done the same and I wasn't going to lie and say that I didn't do it either. Billie smiled and left the room, glancing back at Jack and Ellie briefly before heading up the stairs.
"Go take Jack to Dyl's room, Jake. Dyl fell asleep in Billie's room again." Mel instructed lightly, smiling at the sleeping boy resting against my chest. I nodded.
I entered Dyl's room and settled Jack into his half made bed. He curled up into the pillows instantly on his side, a small smile on his face. I smiled and watched him for a second before making my way out the room. I didn't know whether he was afraid of the dark or anything so I left the bedroom door open a touch, just enough for some light to filter in and ebb his fear, if it existed. Leaving the room, I noticed a figure standing in Billie's doorway, frozen. It was her. Then I remembered that Dyl had fallen asleep in her bed again. I approached her carefully, biting my lip as I peered over her shoulder at the sleeping boy. He didn't look any better. Billie's eyes never left him but I saw her lips move out the corner of my eye.
"He looks...barely there at all." she whispered, creakily. I laid a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently.
"He's had it rough and don't apologise, it's not your fault." I commanded, knowing that's exactly what she was going to do. She sighed.
"I hope he'll get better."
"He will. Now you're home. He's missed you." I murmured, fondly.
"I missed him too. I hope you're right." She sighed, smiling back at me. Oh, how we've all missed that smile.
"You go ahead and take that shower or whatever before I eat all your bangers and mash." I teased, pushing her shoulder gently. She chuckled quietly.
"Thanks, Jake."
"For what?"
"Helping me and the kids with those wolves. Carrying Jack home. Making me smile and feel better. Take your pick." she answered, nonchalantly but I could see the sincerity shining in her eyes.
"You're welcome, Billie." I replied, grinning. "Now shower...you stink."
"Hey, you Old Dog!"
"I'm not old, I'm experienced."
"is that what they call it these days? Okay then, experienced old dog." She mocked, entering her room quietly.
I smiled after her, thinking how much she's brightened the house in only a few minutes of being back. She was something else. My heart clenched again at the thought of her heartache not being over, that she was still to do the inevitable.
She was going to see Paul, whether it was today, tomorrow or the next...she would eventually.
Yay! Billie's back! And yes, she is a wolf but those who voted no, don't worry. Being a wolf isn't going to be a major part of her life. You'll see in the next chapter if you chose to stay as she talks to Jake about it. And of course, Paul and Billie are reunited next chapter as well but I don't know how Paul's going to be feeling or if he's even going to be awake when she's there, he hasn't told me how to write it yet :/
There's a picture of Billie's wolf as well as a banner that I made myself because I was bored :D They're on my PhotoBucket, and the link is on my profile (Characters link under A Wolf's Embrace) :D
I hope you enjoyed it and hopefully enough to leave me a little review! Thanks!
Love,
MrsWolfPack
x