A.N.: I really thank all of you for reviewing. All your reviews have been the foundation that have built all my passion for this fic!
Also it must be said that for those who were hoping for a more calm romantic story, I hope I disappoint! Because after this chapter, stuff is about to go down. That said, buckle your seatbelts...
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 35
Sam POV
Dust kicks up, spraying out in a clockwise pattern with such fury that Sam feels the need to issue a silent apology to the nutrients surely disturbed from the first layer of soil. Jared slams a wolfen paw down on Black's muzzle, flattening the wolf's jaw even more into the forest Earth.
In one agile movement, Black leaps to his haunches flinging Jared off. His reddish fur standing on end, he swivels around to face Jared again.
Evading Jared's tackle at the last millisecond, the flexible spine of the wolf turns in on itself so quickly that Black is now behind Jared.
Black dives atop him from the back, sinking his teeth into Jared's jaw and forcing him down to the dusty clearing.
This particular area that Sam chose for the challenge has none of the residual thick underbrush like the rest of their terrain. The bare, uncommonly dry clearing of Earth is parched by the sporadic bouts of hot sun they'd had in August, exposed to the sky by a circle of towering redwoods. He'd also chosen the least risky time to put Black in his place. The brightest time of the day, just before noon. Still, Quil is running the perimeter of the woods.
Rising slowly, Black releases Jared after his whine of surrender. He glances with a smug wolfen glare at Sam.
Sam smiles. But it's a mirthless, lethal grin.
He is watching the pyramid-like battle play out not as a wolf like the others, but as a man. Depending on how this goes, he'll phase out to accept Black's challenge. But first Black has to go through the chain of wolves that link directly to Sam.
Black's confidence grows further from having bested Embry a few minutes before he'd defeated Jared. He does have very good reflexes for a wolf who'd been the newest phased.
But good reflexes only got you so far, Sam knows.
Paul steps into the clearing next, his low growl echoing through the trees around them.
The dance begins again. Seeming to enjoy the challenge now, Black prematurely moves in for the figurative kill.
But Paul anticipates that, drawing in to antagonize him before pulling away. Normally so outrightly aggressive, Paul uses a cat and mouse tactic, mercilessly playing with the prey before pouncing.
Growing accustomed to Paul's constant retreat, Black lingers a little too long, not moving quite back when Paul retreats again. That millisecond is all it takes before Paul darts forward with unexpected ferocity, grasping Black's ear with a tug so the wolf tumbles down.
Paul is on him before he touches the ground, his canines already clamped around Black's twitching muzzle.
It takes long, interminable minutes, Black's scrunched up wolfen snout inhaling perhaps a mountain of Earth before he completely surrenders.
Sam unfolds his arms, signalling for them to phase back.
"But this isn't finished!" Black says as soon as he's able to speak again. His face is bloodied and bruised from the numerous bites he'd sustained battling the rest of the pack.
"Last I checked, you were eating dirt and surrendering." Paul snaps, advancing towards Black again.
"I'll hear him out." Sam says lowly."The challenge was you fight the pack in ascending order and only if you defeated them all then you would challenge me. But I'm all ears. Do you want to do this right now? Because I wouldn't object."
"On another condition. Let's do this man to man. No wolf."
Embry, Jared and Paul's laughter drown out whatever else Black was going to say.
"Fucking pussy." Paul snarls.
Without another word, Sam stalks to Black, his balled up hand shooting out like a bullet before Black can comprehend that Sam's already started the challenge on Black's terms. Man to man it is.
The force of his fist propels Black a few feet away where his bare back thuds down, lifting up another cloud of dust. Scrambling from where he lay, Black swipes at the blood already crusting on his lower lip.
With a growling roar, Black rushes at him.
Sam lifts both forearms barring the impact of Black's bid for ambush. Clawed hands grappling at Sam, Black's entire body trembles with the furor of the wolf within him.
"I can promise you I will phase first. And I don't think you will recover from those scars." Sam whispers. Black swings a fist. Sam darts his head back, his swift wolfen impulses still in effect even when human. The whoosh of air brushes his skin from where Black's fist had missed.
Deliberately loosening his hold on Black, he's a bit disappointed when Black falls for the trick, knocking him down into the dirt with a sock punch to the gut. Black dives forward, hands reaching in an attempt to get a chokehold around his neck but Sam knees him in his abdomen. Black tumbles over and Sam, deciding not to prolong this any longer, braces his forearm against Black's throat, pressing hard on his wind pipe. He lingers just beneath the threshold of strength flexing in his bare arm, only giving Black narrow room for a limited intake of air. If he passes that threshold, Black would lose consciousness.
Gurgling and spitting, Black's already swollen eyes are now mere darkened slits.
"Alright, Black. You got that of your system? You good now or you still got some frustration to let loose? I could do this all day but we have patrol."
Black could barely move his head. Negative. Sam lifts his elbow, allowing him to rasp in a scratchy breath.
"I give in." He whispers hoarsely, grasping the skin at his throat, marbled with discoloration from the dominant weight of Sam's arm.
Sam immediately moves off him. Then the memory of Bella's bandaged wrist replays itself. Turning back around abruptly, he grabs Black's wrist before he can rise off the ground. He bends it right back until he hears a satisfying snap.
Black bellows, the ragged sound echoing through the trees above them.
"That's for hurting Bella."
"She punched me! And her wrist didn't even get broken!" Black shouts, trailing off with a series of muttered curses.
"If she'd gotten seriously injured, a broken wrist would have been the least of your worries, Jacob." Sam says. "As it is, you have actually moved up in rank where the pack's hierarchy is concerned because you overcame both Embry and Jared's challenges."
Black wipes a dirt caked palm against his glistening brow, glancing towards the edge of the large clearing where the others stand.
Embry gives a salute to Black but Jared is rubbing his bruised jaw and looks particularly displeased.
Sam extends a hand towards Black. He stares at it for a moment then allows Sam to hoist him to his feet.
He is still so angry at Black for what he said to Bella and for putting her in danger. But the wolf instinct insists on viewing Black as a pup to nurture. It's a maddening contradiction.
"You've got a bright future as alpha. But until then, I suggest you grow up and let me do my job." Sam steps closer to Black, his voice deepening even lower, closer to that dangerous wolf pitch.
"And get it through your thick skull that Bella is my mate. Disrespect her again and I will guarantee you won't ever phase into your wolf again."
He'd felt the exact moment when she wasn't in Forks anymore. Sam leans his head back against the cold tile, the hot water running over his skin like tiny feet, beating away the trails of dirt.
He isn't big on this phone thing. If he so much as texts her, he would be making a detour to Seattle. He clenches his fingers around the bar of soap, the slippery hardness crumbling and melting against his palm like squeezing a bar of room temperature chocolate.
If he is this worked up because of a couple hours absence, what would he do if one day, she decides to leave the Rez for good?
Jared had left with her just about an hour ago. He should be with her. But there's somewhere he needs to be.
Charlie opens the door, a look of surprise making him regard Sam for a moment.
"Hi, I wasn't sure you'd be in. Would you be able to talk now?"
"Uh, sure. Come on in." Charlie says.
"Thanks." The place seems lack lustre without a certain brown haired girl with large doe eyes. But then so did his house at the Rez. Their house.
"Why don't you have a seat. Was just catching up on some games I missed. Wanna beer?"
Sam doesn't usually drink but not wanting to be impolite, he nods agreeably. "Sure, thank you."
Charlie gets a couple cans from the kitchen, tossing one to Sam. The cold can condenses into liquid beads in the palm of his hand. He can't recall the last time he'd drank alcohol, not since before he phased. He'd had no particular desire to prove Paul's insistence that it'd take a truckload of liquor to minimally affect their metabolism.
"Dammit, those Red Stripes wouldn't be bringing home the trophy this time. If I was a betting man, I'd be beat."
"Not really familiar with the score."
"Not your thing, eh?"
"I don't really watch T.V. When I get home from patrol, I usually read until I knock out."
"I still don't think I'm ready to see that wolf phase even if Jake already showed me." Charlie says suddenly.
"Black was wrong to show you that so abruptly without warning."
"Yeah. Thought I'd have a heart attack there." Charlie clears his throat. "I feel like I should somewhat apologize. I had the wrong idea about the pack. What with that hiker being found dead, first thing I thought was that it was one of the wolves. "
"Understandable. You didn't know. When I first changed I thought myself a monster as well. No one can hold it against you for jumping to that conclusion."
"How long Bella's known about you and the pack?
"Shortly after I found her lost in the woods. She wasn't scared one bit if you must know. She's really good with weird."
"Maybe too good." Charlie mutters.
"She's brave and special and strong." She's everything he hadn't known he'd needed.
"I can't dispute that. Though from what Billy's told me about that Cullen boy and his family..." Charlie takes a swig of his beer, shaking his head. "I can't believe that I didn't suspect one thing about them. Being in the police force so long, you'd think I'd notice something off, right?"
"I wouldn't feel bad about it. They had a lot of practice at fooling people to their real nature. Everything about them draws you in."
"I almost lost her didn't I?"
Obviously Bella had not told her father about Edward's visit. Sam curbs his tongue for now.
"I trust this wouldn't go on record Chief, but I will make every attempt to end his existence if he should come near her again."
Charlie looks him straight in the eye for a beat. Then taking a slow sip of his beer, he nods. "Off the record and off the charts."
They look at the game for a bit while Sam gathers his bearings.
"Charlie." Sam says, getting back his attention. "The reason I really came here today is more of a traditional one. I wanted to request your blessing to ask Bella to be my wife."
Charlie's eyes widen and he coughs, spluttering a bit while he pats his chest, striving to regain his normal breath.
"Wow, that was fast. You're pretty young yourself. You sure you want to settle now?"
"I don't consider what I share with Bella settling. I'll admit that I grew up really fast. At the Rez, in some circumstances, it's not a place where babies are cuddled into adulthood. Don't get me wrong, the Rez can be a beautiful place for a family. But like anywhere, there are the ugly parts that not everyone will see. I've made mistakes but I will try my best to keep her happy."
"Funny how you say that you grew up fast. I think in some ways the same can be said of my girl. Now I just got her back for one year and there you go taking her from me so soon."
"I don't think that would be possible Charlie. To take her from you. You fill a place in her heart no one else can."
Charlie glances away with a stiff nod, swigging at his beer again.
"My Bells, she's so nurturing. Can't blame you for wanting to spend the rest of your life with her. I just don't want her to repeat her mother and my mistakes. Ours was a whirlwind romance, you know. We eloped. She got pregnant with Bella shortly after but this small town life...she felt cooped up. She couldn't stand being here after Bella was born and pretty soon she couldn't stand me. I was new to the service then, pulled long hours. Trying to build a life not even noticing that she was slipping further and further away from me. Renee had always been like a bird, she needed to spread her wings. Before I knew what was happening, she packed up, taking my baby and leaving. I'm ashamed to say that I didn't see Bella often. Only for the occasional holiday visit when she came to Forks. I should have made more of an effort but I let the unresolved issues with her mother come between building a strong relationship with my child."
"At least you didn't leave. You really tried." Sam says softly. "And I understand what you're saying. About being cautious that we're rushing into things. Believe me, I know about generational rife, that wariness of repeating your parents' mistakes. I have no doubt Bella and I will face our share of challenges. But we've got to face our own life without worrying what happened before us. I know I will never abandon her." Sam falls silent. That other question, that same fear he'd always had surfaces again.
He has to wonder if he's just as volatile as Joshua was. Except he's at the other end of the spectrum. Where his father had hardly been around his mother and resented her for being tied to him, would Sam be too controlling, too possessive? Would he crowd her, never give her space?
Just what would he do if she ever wants to leave the Rez? To leave him? He isn't Charlie.
He wouldn't let her go.
Just the mere idea nudges the wolf to fierce awareness. Rifling a hand through his hair, Sam averts his eyes, knowing his wolf is showing.
His wolf's control when it comes to Bella is something he still has to battle. That could be a potential wedge between them. Then he remembers her suggestion. That she spends time with him when phased. The sound of her voice even from a memory propels him to shove the wolf back in its place.
"Bella has always been more mature than her age." Charlie says. "And like any parent I want her to be happy. You may not know it but I've been aware of you ever since you were a young child. I know you kept to yourself a lot as you grew older. Never saw or heard of you getting into trouble like some of the other kids. You have my full blessing to ask her. The Rez being so close by to Forks may have contributed to my agreement on this matter."
Sam chuckles. "I'm going to ask her to marry me." Despite his worries about his wolf instincts, speaking that thought aloud affords him a feeling of intoxication no amount of liquor could induce. He laughs again, this time a full, deep laugh.
Charlie raises his beer. "For what it's worth you sound really happy about this."
Then he holds up a hand. "Hold on, before I forget. I'd always been meaning to give Bella this. You guys would be seriously tickled. Give me a sec."
Charlie heads up the stairs. He returns shortly after with a creased photo, handing it to Sam.
Sam stares down at the faded black and white picture. There's a beaming woman's profile in the photo, the cheerfulness of her face turned towards the camera not dimmed by the lack of colour in the photo. The woman's stomach is full and round in obvious pregnancy. By her side is a little boy, his tuft of dark hair wild, his face turned to the camera but his eyes riveted on the laughing pregnant woman's tummy. The boy is standing on tip toes, a small hand reaching towards her belly.
"Is this Bella's mom?" Sam asks. They share the same compelling smile.
"Yes it is." Charlie says. "Don't you recognize that little boy?''
Sam blinks, staring back at the picture. Tiny electric pangs branch out within his chest like internal goose bumps.
"Good God. That's me."
"Yep." Charlie says. "That was just a few hours before Bella made her first appearance. I remember that day well. We'd driven down to First Beach meeting up with Billy and Jake's mom Sarah. You were there on the beach with your mother and you escaped her clutches. She was calling after you. But you ran straight to Renee. I was taking some pictures of her right then and captured that one. Forgot about it for a long time until I was clearing out Bella's old nursery when I found out she'd be coming to stay with me in Forks. I discovered it in a box of some other stuff she hadn't taken with her when she left."
Even then, even from when he couldn't remember, he'd known that she is his. To his shock, his eyes sting slightly. He rapidly blinks, the black and white images of Bella's laughing mom and his three year old self sharpening back to clarity again.
"What a coincidence, eh?" Charlie says.
Even as a shape shifter, Sam says the one thing he never thought he would. "Or fate."
Bella POV
"Here's to not allowing the ol' regular homo sapiens male to get the best of us." Renee quips.
Bella smiles widely at that, lifting her glass and clinking it against her mother's own.
According to Renee, this downtown cafe is one of the trendier spots. True to form, she had actually booked a yoga class which they'd just returned from, strolling from the studio which is walking distance from the bustling cafe.
The class had been a small one, only three other ladies. Bella was grateful she'd packed a change of clothes. They'd showered and changed at the studio after their session.
Bella had surprisingly enjoyed the class. The last time she'd gone with Renee, the only pose she could have done without wincing was ironically the Mountain pose. Yeah, you just stood still with your feet together, hands at your sides, minimal effort.
But this time she'd attempted more difficult poses, her body smoothly flowing into the various contortions with no discomfort. It was as if she'd been moving on auto pilot, her reflexes racing ahead of her usual caution.
"Give or take, a man is seventy eight point eight percent water." Renee says, glancing out at the sidewalk from the large window they are seated next to. "I say have a glass of Perrier instead. Lord knows if I'd done that, I'd have had a lot less failed relationships."
Mom looks as radiant as ever, lit from within with the same easy charisma she'd always had. Bella used to wish she'd had just a fraction of her mother's outgoing warmth. Especially when as a young child just saying hello to another child felt like the hardest feat in the world.
Right now, Renee's gaze is uncharacteristically pensive. There is a far away look in her eyes as if she's seeing something with a mind's vision. Bella had always secretly coveted her mother's lively eyes. They are like a clear azure sky on a cloudless day.
"Charlie would never believe it but I did love him in my own way. When I left Forks, I was like a restless butterfly flitting from flower to flower. Maybe after all this time I was trying to recapture what I felt that day I looked into his eyes for the first time on First Beach. It was always my nature to chase stuff. Guess I was never strong enough or had the discipline or patience to stick to something. Now with Phil, I think I've finally learned that consistent stability is better than chasing after the kind of excitement that doesn't last."
"You and Phil are great together, mom. You both love to explore new places."
"We do, don't we? But enough about that." She says. "Tell me about Sam."
"Well, he is really a nature sort, he was born at the Rez and grew up there. He loves the forest. He studied environmental law. And he, um, leads the local community patrol that protects the environs from hazards and pollution." Bella giggles. Her explanation isn't so far-fetched from what he really does. "He has a lot of responsibility."
Setting her glass down, that enlivening smile that had always reassured Bella suffuses her mother's face.
"You look different." Renee says. "Even more beautiful. You're not the skinny girl who left Cali a year ago. You've filled out, you've even got some new definition, you held that crow pose longer than I did and I've been doing yoga for a while. And your skin is glowing. Sam must not be keeping his hands off you!"
"Mom..." Bella protests.
"Oh, alright I'll stop there." A look of mischief still radiating in her sky blue eyes, Renee blows out a breath, fanning her fingers in an exaggerated gesture. "But those Rez guys! I remember them well. If your father hadn't swept me off my feet, I might have spent more time down there. Leave it to my woman-child to tame one of those wild, beautiful specimens."
It is amazing to her how her mom could hit so close to the mark without ever fully realizing it.
"So what do you guys plan to do before you start college? Are you two going to travel, get out of the Rez for a bit?"
"Actually, we're staying at the Rez indefinitely."
"But Bella, you're still so agonizingly young to be stuck there."
"Sam works there and I love it there, Mom. I love the open spaces, the fresh air and how the trees are just a few steps away."
"I just want you to make sure you're making the right choices for you, sweetheart. Sometimes I wonder how life would have been if I'd stayed in Forks. If I'd given you the benefit of a united home with Charlie. God knows, I know I'm not the world's best mother. When my mom came to visit, just a little while before she died, she saw you making sandwiches for lunch. You were four. I'd never forget her telling me I would have made a fun big sister but was an irresponsible mother. I forced you to be more mature too soon. If you'd had the stability of both parents..."
Bella places her hand over Renee's squeezing it comfortingly.
"Mom, you did what you thought was best. I won't deny that I wished I'd had dad in my life sooner. But it doesn't matter now. After all, I didn't turn out so bad now, did I?"
"No, not by a long shot."
"I'm so glad I got to see you, mom."
"Me too, sweetie. I've really missed you. It can get lonely out on the road when Phil's busy coaching."
Bella looks out at the brimming city from the large glass window, alive with bubbling activity like an overflowing glass of champagne. It is a hub filled with people and the bustling sounds of a faster paced life. She is happy to see Renee but a sense of claustrophobia shrouds her from just looking at the surrounding buildings. All cities remind her of an intricate network of gilded cages, lacking the vibrant freedom of the woods.
Turning back to Renee, she smiles. "Maybe an early dinner would be nice."
"Good idea. I'm starting to get a little buzzed from this wine. Certainly an appetite opener."
Bella had barely touched hers. But she is starving.
Renee brows shoot skyward when Bella orders a medium rare steak.
"Bella! I didn't know you started eating meat."
"Yeah. It's a recent thing. I don't know, I just crave it."
Renee is silent, contemplative for a moment.
"You know, the only time I really craved meat was when I was pregnant with you."
Bella reaches for her wine glass taking a large gulp.
It feels as if there's not enough oxygen to breathe. That would explain her constant hunger and cravings. Heat blankets her skin.
"I think I could be pregnant." Bella blurts without thinking.
Renee immediately reaches for her glass as well, draining it.
"Seems like just the other day when I could hold all of you in my arms." Renee whispers in a lost voice. "Eighteen years later and it has come full circle. The Rez has claimed you again. I can't believe you're about to make me a grandmother so young."
"Hey, I'm still not sure. I have to find out for certain. And it's hardly likely because I'm on the pill. Would you be disappointed if I am pregnant?" Bella asks softly.
"Oh, sweetie, if you were any other typical eighteen year old, I might have been. But if you are really pregnant and this is what you want then disappointed is the last thing I feel. I was no where near your level headedness when I was your age. You're steady. Not flighty or easily distracted. You won't make my mistakes."
Renee rifles through her bag for a moment, pulling out a small picture. "But never mind that. You were and still are my biggest blessing."
Bella takes the proffered picture staring down at an infant version of herself. She's all chubby pink cheeks and wispy pale brown hair that hadn't darkened to the deep auburn brown yet. Renee is cradling her in the photo, that big bright smile on her face.
"I carry that one with me when I'm on the road with Phil."
"But you said the Rez claimed me again. What do you mean by that, mom?"
"Neither Charlie nor I ever did tell you about the night you were born, did we?" Renee stares down into the remnants of her wine glass. Then she looks up holding Bella's gaze.
"It was a night of thunder and lightening, one of Forks' dark moods again. I swear it's always raining in that place! Charlie was so frightened when our own little storm hit two weeks before the due date. The nurse said that the water bag should normally break around two, even three weeks after the due date. But you were in such a hurry! We'd just been returning to Forks after visiting some of his friends at First Beach and your father panicked, turning into the hospital at the Rez." Renee laughs softly. "He almost crashed through the gates. He thought Forks was too far. I wanted to go to Forks, after all I'd been attending the prenatal clinic there. But the pain hit and I didn't care if I was at the side of the road at that point. I think it was just a couple hours after I heard your sweet voice for the first time."
"So I was born at the Rez? I never even knew that."
Bella hands her back the photo but Renee encloses her fingers around the small picture in Bella's palm.
"I want you to keep it. I have another stashed away. One with Charlie." Renee laughs. "I think he invented the selfie...well groupie since he held the camera and managed to get all three of us in the shot. Not that it was that long ago."
After dinner, they stroll arm in arm, Bella listening as Renee excitedly window shops.
Surprisingly, the time speeds by and it's time to head back. Renee squeezes Bella tightly to her.
"Update me asap. I wanna be the first one to know if you are pregnant."
"You're so different, mom. Just so you know, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love you."
"I love you too, Bella. Hopefully we'll see each other soon again. And I have to meet Sam!"
"So a little bun rising in the oven, eh?" Jared says casually.
Bella is driving the last stretch of highway that would lead them into Forks. The evening's golden rays slash through the windows, the last batch of light escaping the endlessly hovering clouds before the sun begins its descent.
"I can't believe you were listening in." Bella wants to be affronted but Jared is sporting such a huge grin that she just can't be.
"Hey, like it's my fault I have super hearing?"
"And super healing." Bella adds, glancing pointedly at his face.
On the way to Seattle, Jared had some bruises around his jaw, the kind that would last for days. When she'd tentatively asked him about it, he'd shrugged, saying it wasn't serious. Now just a mere few hours later there is no sign of the mottled dark blue splotches.
"There were a lot of other people conversing around us." Bella says, biting her lip to hold back a smile. "I'm sure you could have tuned us out."
"What's the fun in that? By the way, never would have thought you were that flexible."
"How did you get inside that studio? It's a women only establishment!"
Jared winks. "I've got my ways. Remember that nice sunny window."
"Oh my...Jared that window is two storeys high!"
"Super agility comes with the package as well." Jared winks at her. "But then you know that. And that small street below was pretty quiet and away from the main street. Plus I had to scope things out properly, make sure the place was safe."
A spontaneous giggle escapes her. "Despite the wholly inappropriate spy thing going on, I really appreciate you going with me. Though as we can see it was unnecessary."
The Forks sign whooshes past as she turns onto the main road. It's not too long before they're back on the thickly wooded street annexed to the busier main thoroughfare.
"You heading straight to Sam's?" Jared asks.
Bella doesn't get a chance to respond. She tightens her fingers on the wheel until her knuckles turn white, stomping down on the brakes reflexively. A large shadowy shape flashes across the road. The thundering pound of her heart seems louder than the sudden screech of tires.
The car comes to a stop after she lurched forward, snapped back into her seat by the belt.
"Did you see that?" Bella gasps. If she had then he certainly did.
Jared appears just as shocked as she is. "That was a wolf."
"Why would one of the pack just run across the road like that?" The wolf had moved fast as if terrified of something.
"That wasn't one of our pack. I think we got a new wolf. I've gotta go after him, make sure he doesn't accidently reveal himself to anyone else. Go straight to Sam's. I'm gonna phase and alert him.
Jared is already out the door, slamming it back behind him. All she sees is a glimpse of his bare back, already stripped of his shirt disappearing into the section of trees where this new wolf went.
With shaky fingers, Bella tears her eyes away from the trees, guiding the car away a little quicker than she usually drives, moving south towards the Rez.
Jake POV
Still adorned with the forest floor that clung to him like a third skin, Jake stomps forward through the trees, emerging onto Second Beach. The salty wind whips the wet dirt dry, the same way it would evaporate tears escaping the eyes. He'd been running for hours in his wolf, not even bothering to go back home until he'd finally phased back human, untying his ragged shorts before jogging to the beach.
After the challenge went down, Paul and Embry had relieved Quil of patrol while Jared went with her to Seattle. In just an hour, he would be due to patrol with Sam of all the wolves. He still didn't think he was going home first, he couldn't handle the thought of looking into his father's eyes and being forced to admit, yeah, you were right. He isn't ready to handle the role of alpha.
He ignores the feel of numerous gazes on him from the small group of folk huddled on the sand. Wearing just his torn shorts which is also creased with mud, he must look a sight, not that he cares right now.
Walking to the edge of water, he sinks to his knees.
The bitter taste of defeat coating the back of his throat is more painful than the already fading contusions. His wolf instinct is strangely silent, all the aggressiveness Jake had put into the challenge of fighting the pack only lingering in his human mind.
Okay, so maybe he didn't feel to acknowledge that he'd wanted to win that challenge solely out of ego and pride. To show Sam up.
But despite everything, Sam did really guide him on how to properly control his wolf during the first few weeks he'd phased and even when they'd patrolled together after Jake had hastily announced he wanted to challenge him for alpha. If he didn't want Jake to be alpha, he wouldn't have spent so much time training him to handle his wolf better.
Jake might have actually liked Sam if he didn't like Bella more.
He rubs a muddy hand on his jaw. A small brief grin unwittingly creases his face. Like the rest of the pack, he'd been impressed that she'd managed to knock him down.
Jake takes a deep breath. She is Sam's mate. Even his wolf instinct recognized his alpha and Bella's connection when Jake hadn't wanted to.
"Hello there? Are you alright?"
Jake swings his head around like the wounded beast he really is, resenting the intrusion into his reverie.
"I'm fine!" He snarls.
The girl takes a hasty step back. The expression in her eyes is an odd mix of concern and fear. Jake forces his rancor back, looking back out at the choppy grey water.
"I'm sorry if I bothered you. You just looked as if something bad happened to you."
"Yeah." Jake snorts a dry bark. "It's no big deal. I brought it all on myself." He glances at the girl again.
She's shrouded in layers of clothes to combat the chill of the wind that the presence of September brings. Her dark hair is restrained in a ponytail, large light hazel eyes magnified even more behind crystal clear specs.
There's a couple of guys and two other girls from the group on the sand just a few feet away, all looking at him warily. When they see him glance over his shoulder back at them, they turn away quickly. But not before one of them frantically signals the girl standing over him.
"Don't be concerned about me." Jake says, his voice still involuntarily gruff. "Your friends are concerned for you. You should go back to them."
"I hope that whatever you're going through that everything will work out." She says softly.
"Thanks." Jake says abruptly.
A particularly rough wave crashes ashore lashing at his bare chest. Take your best shot, Jake thinks.
The wind picks up more speed with the surging of the water. With a little squeal, the girl jumps away from the swift current. She's not fast enough, the sand laced water drenches her sneakers.
The wind ruffles her hair, blowing her scent to him like a kiss.
Jake slowly rises from his perch on the water logged sand. As the current is pulled back with unstoppable momentum by the pull of the ocean beyond, he takes a step towards the girl.
She looks up at him. Whatever she sees on his face makes her gasp softly.
"What's your name?" He asks. His voice has gentled somewhat. He just wants her to be at ease with him.
"I'm Angela." The wind blows a loud whistle above her whisper but he still hears her of course.
Then other sounds, a series of sharp screams, join the chorus of the wind.
Her group of friends are running towards them frantically looking over their shoulders behind them at the border of trees leading deeper into the woods.
Jake's eyes widen. His entire body freezes.
Standing just at the edge of trees is half a dozen wolves. And none of them are part of the pack. Moving instinctively, Jake grabs Angela, shoving her behind him.
The wolves are howling, moving about haphazardly. They pay no mind to Angela's fleeing group of friends.
Not taking his eyes off these new wolves, he says, "Angela I want you to leave now with your friends."
Sensing her still standing close behind him, he spares her a quick look. She's frozen where she stands, the water swirling unnoticed around her feet now, wide eyes on the large wolves.
"Please. You have to go now."
"Come with us! They look dangerous!"
Jake almost smiles. "Don't worry about me. Go now, please."
The new wolves look in their direction.
Angela's friends reach them. They surround her tugging at her to leave with them.
They drag her away just as the tall dark frame of Sam's wolf emerges from the trees. With relief, Jake notes that the wolves all turn to Sam. Obviously they can hear him.
Jake runs to the trees where Sam is leading the wolves into the cover of the forest.
Once he's well away from the beach area, he shoves his pants off, smoothly diving into his wolf, airborne for a moment within the change then landing back on the forest floor on four paws.
Working together with Sam, they corral the wolves, leading them ever deeper into the trees far away from any dwelling or area with people nearby. It isn't too long before Quil joins them, already phased into his wolf, his confusion added to the newest wolves' turmoil.
Sam instructs Paul and Embry to keep on the patrol borders.
Then Jared emerges from the western trail, yet another new wolf trotting before him.
Their minds are a mass of chaos, shock and fright. They wouldn't stop howling and Sam intones words of comfort to the new wolves.
Jake finds himself following his lead, trying his best to restore some measure of calm to the newest pack members. He, Sam and Jared share the simultaneous thought almost at the same moment.
How did all these wolves manage to phase at once?
Jared, where is Bella? Sam intones through the mind link.
She's heading to your place at the Rez now.
They all see how the new wolf had run across the road when Jared and Bella had been returning.
I don't know why so many has phased but we have to make sure there are no others out there. Sam thinks.
A howl goes up, miles from where Sam, Jared, Quil and himself stand around the wolves. It was Paul. Embry's howl joins in. This isn't just any regular howl like when Jake would whine on patrol to get the guys to 'shut up'. It's the extreme crisis alert serious bullshit howl.
A coded howl he'd never heard since he'd phased.
As one, they all see what Paul and Embry have encountered.
Sam's car overturned just inside the tree line bordering the road. The front windshield is a jagged outline, the rest of it a glistening heap of glittering dust sparkling around the underbrush. The entire driver's door had been ripped off and cast aside.
And there is no sign of Bella anywhere...