Ch.37- Lock and Key
"Hello? Earth to Jaclyn, you still haven't answered Jayy's question."Chase remarks, grabbing my attention away from the tsunami of my thoughts. My eye sight coming back into focus since it seemed like I was just staring at one point on the wall in front of me. Glancing over to Chase, I notice him standing by the couch where Mitch and Isaac are sitting, staring outside the window. Chase's body language reads that he seems like he is cool, calm, and collected, but the Chase I know is pissed off inside since Chase is very passionate in his own emotions; I don't know what's worse, seeing this calm facade or seeing him when he's really pissed off. His facade is only display for the Pack since everyone else in the band has seen him pissed off on multiple occasions.
"Chase does have a point, as hard as it is to agree with him, you haven't answered Jayy's question. Although here's another question, how the fu-hell do you know that information?" Mitchael questions as well as I see him smirking while Chase keeps staring out the window, trying not to be fazed by Mitch's comment. Isaac rolls his eyes, obviously used to their jabs at each other, while the rest of us try to hold back laughter, but there are sly smiles around the room.
"Those two actually agreeing on something? Somebody pinch me because hell must have frozen over."Hilliary retorts, laughing causing the tense atmosphere to dissipate into the air as a few Pack members join in.
"Shut up."Abigail scolds, elbowing her in the side, causing Hiliary to cough from having the wind knocked out of her briefly as she glares at Abby; both Collin and Brady snickering at their girlfriends.
"She still hasn't answered my question either, like what happened to my parents."Scarlett remarks a well, putting her two cents in as I now notice that I have the attention of everyone around me.
My heart is telling me that it is time I told them what I know and what I don't know, even if I don't have permission from the Elders. The key that I have to the journal is also hidden as well. I take a couple of deep breaths and then I continue talking once more.
"For starters, please understand that I didn't mean to betray any of you, but I did things out of love and to protect you. To answer Scarlett's question, I don't want to be the barrier of bad new, but your parents were killed by the Volturi right in front of my parents, your cousins, and both of us. The reason why you don't recall your childhood memories as vividly is because that one memory was traumatizing to the point where your mind activated the repression defense mechanism, which caused you to block the memory and not have access to it until you were ready." I answer her, trying not to grimace as I explain to her, watching her reaction. Her blue-green eyes widen in shock an I hear gasps echo around the room.
"Y-You're lying..."She stutters out, frozen in her mixed emotions. I shake my head from side to side.
"I'm not, I've never lied to you since I met you in Seattle. After your parents death, the Cullen's put you up for adoption in Seattle to protect you from the Volturi going after you."I continue explaining, hating the fact that I know I'm hurting her in telling her this.
"So you knew about me before we met?" She demands, thinking I would betray her that harshly, which I don't blame her for thinking that; it's like it is only the two of us in the living room due to how quiet everyone else is. I pull the corner of my lip into my mouth and bite on it as I contemplate the best answer to give her.
"The answer would be a yes and a no. When we first met at Summer School and I began getting to know you, I felt this strange feeling like you were familiar to me, and I had seen you somewhere before. You weren't the only one whose mind was trauma-induced, mine was as well. My mind pushed most of my memories to the farthest parts of my brain, so it felt like the events that went on were a dream. Although when I mentioned you to the Cullen's, they told me the truth; it's also how they got into contact with you and how they kept tabs on. If you don't believe me, phone or see your cousins yourself."I explain and the see her walk out of the living room, Embry trailing after her like the whipped puppy that he is when she's around; he hasn't even asked her out yet and he's wrapped around her little finger, struck by Cupid's arrow.
"Why did the Volturi murder Scar's parents?" Connor asks, after a paused quiet moment, his accent showing in his voice.
"They didn't believe it to be right for a hybrid to be born is one of the reasons. The other reason is because Scar's mother was a part of the Volturi guard, but when she fell in love with Scar's father she never returned to Italy. A few members of the Volturi guard came looking for her, found her with a wolf, and they were sentenced to be killed with the Cullen's coven as the main witnesses. Carlisle made a deal with the Volturi that Scar would be put up for adoption so she wouldn't be a threat to them and wouldn't know about this world. He promised Scar's parents that he would keep their only daughter safe since he couldn't save them from their fate." I reply back to his inquiry, relaxing a bit more in my seat, trying to remain calm so I don't hyperventilate, but if I did that then at least I know where my anxiety level lies and if the people closest to me genuinely care.
"You still haven't answered Mitch's and Jayy's questions. We deserve to know the secrets that you hold deep inside because you shouldn't have to bare them on your own."Olivia says, and as much as I want to give her a glare that would put her six feet under, I know she's correct.
"Hey, let's try not to push Jaclyn too hard, she's already told us a lot so far."Seth comments, making me smile since I've always considered him to be a brother as well as a best friend. I give him a small head nod towards him in gratitude.
"Thanks Seth, but it's quite alright. The reason that I know the knowledge that I know is because the Elders' and my mother kept this journal of every event that they've been around for, so it's been used as a guideline as to not make the same past mistakes happen again. It's filled with all sorts of information, but the Elders never wanted it to fall into the wrong hands. My mother read me different stories from the journal as well as other books so I knew where it was put for safe keeping. This journal has a lock on it with a key to it and I've hidden both, only I know where both of them are located." I explain, answering Mitch's question.
"Well thanks for answering my question, but you haven't answered Jayy's question yet."Mitch comments impatiently and my smile almost falters. Before I begin talking again, Embry and Scar come back in, sitting back in their seats since Embry pulls Scar onto his lap with an arm wrapped around her waist. Scar's eyes are red rimmed from shredded tears; with or without make up, I can tell when she's cried.
"To answer Jayy's question, it's sort of a mixed answer, considering I haven't read the journal in a long time so I only can remember bits and pieces here and there. I know that there was mentions of other supernatural beings other then werewolves and vampires but I don't remember which ones are mentioned. The Elders' and my mother told me not to read it the last time I tried to read it." I say and notice the confusion and understanding looks on their faces, making me let out a breath of relief.
"Anyways since that question is finally solved, whose all going to Bella's and Edward's wedding?"Jared asks, and from looking around the room, I know that only a couple of the wolves will show up at the wedding as guests, while the rest of the pack will either be on patrol or have other plans of their own.
"Well, I'm going with Jake's dad as well as my mom since the three of us have been invited as guests plus Sam allowed me to in case Jake makes an appearance."Seth answers and smiles at his imprint, having an idea that she's going as well since the band has likely been invited to go as well.
"The band and I are going since we got invitations courtesy of Scar being their baby cousin plus the fact that we get to perform a couple of songs." Jayy answers on behalf of the band. My eyes catch Jayy's and I realize that even if I didn't get an invitation, I still could have gone with them. I feel my eyes roaming around the room and it almost feels like people are awaiting my reply, but before I can even get a word out, someone else speaks ahead of me so I don't get any input.
"Jaclyn, babe, can I talk to you in the kitchen privately? Please, beauty."Paul states, not really asking for my permission or letting me off the hook. I sweetly smile at him the best that I can as we both stand up from our spots.
"Ohh, don't screw on the kitchen table, we eat off of that. If you do, use a condom."Mitch bursts out with just as Paul and I have our backs to all of them. I merely roll my eyes as Paul sends a death glare towards him, causing the rest of the group to laugh, easing away any tension that was floating in the air.
"It wouldn't be the first time that someone has used that or any kitchen table for extra curricular activities."I throw back to him over my shoulder just as fast as Mitch's remark. After a few minutes, I don't hear a retort from him and hear the others laughing or questioning him instead.
Paul and I walk to the far side of the kitchen, close to the back door, even though we both know that the only group of people in the living room who won't be able to hear us with super hearing are the ones who have the genetic engineering of a human being. As we lock gazes with each other, I try not to melt like puddy in his hands.
"I'm going Paul, whether you like it or not." I announce before he can even speak first to change my mind, doing what he did to me in the living room. He narrows his eyes at me, a look of determination on his face.
"You aren't going, it won't be safe with so many vampires around and you won't be safe." He argues against my point and I know that my face matches his, but in stubbornness instead of determination.
"I will be going because I will be extra back up for Seth, in case Jake makes a scene and I'll be able to knock some sense into him, I always have. I made mud pies with Bella as well as Jake; I'm practically family to the Cullens' and grew up with them. Plus the band needs me to perform with them, I'm one of their main singers, Paul. You can't take that away from me no matter how protective you become." I snap back at him, just as quick as his response time was towards me. I can vividly see Paul begin to shake from anger as I keep my cool, already knowing whose more of a hot head out of us. Although fighting fire with fire wouldn't be a good idea anyways, with fire someone can get burnt.
"It sounds like the hot heads are at it again guys! May be you two should find a way to go cool off."I hear what sounds like Chase holler from the living room, hearing the eye roll in his voice as I huff in annoyance, realizing that our voices are likely louder then we would have liked.
"That's like the kettle calling the pot black, since you're pretty temperamental too." I shoot back, the corners of my lips attempting to pull up into a smirk, despite Paul's and I's conversation. Chase doesn't comment back because he knows I'm right and I have a feeling that Jasper would love to teach him more self control since Jayy hasn't made much for progress. Looking at Paul, I see that his trembling has seized and his chest rises as well as falls with deep, slow, even breaths to help him calm down.
"Alright, since I don't want you going to that wedding and you want to go to it, let's make a deal." Paul asserts, catching my attention plus my surprise as the living room falls quiet, considering Paul has never been one to compromise or make deals. I wonder if I'm slowly changing him for the better, but at the same time you shouldn't try to change someone you love, although it is on his own accord.
"I'm listening." I state, all ears open to what he has in mind and if it will be beneficial for both parties involved, hoping that it's not really a deal with the devil in disguised.
"If you agree to going on our first date as a couple then I won't stop you from going to that wedding." Paul delivers, a sliver of regret in his voice at the fact of what he's offering. I hold back a Cheshire cat grin as I maul over the deal that I'm more then willing to agree to.
"I agree on those terms, but when is our date going to be?" I question him, curious to know when so I can be ready for our first date as a couple. I hear the front door slam shut and can only assume that a few pack members just went to patrol the area. Paul's face breaks into a huge grin, like a child in a candy store as he hears my answer.
"How about three days from now, so that would be the twenty-seventh, which is this Wednesday?" He adds and my face adds a smirk to its features as I think about my next reply. It dawns on me that Bella's wedding is only a couple of weeks away.
"Oh, I'll have to check my schedule and see if I'm free on that particular day...hmm that day looks free, but things can change." I deliver, my sarcastic nature showing as I try to mess with him, which only results in him rolling his eyes and giving me one of his laughs, making my heart give a butterfly flutter. It's then that I take note of the distance between myself and him has grown smaller and smaller as we've talked. I try not to let the close proximity make me nervous or cloud my judgment as his scent washes over me, like a sprinkle of rain on a hot summer day.
"Just be ready on that day or the deal is off. Although I do know a few people that would be more then willing to help enforce our little compromise goes according to plan." He tells me, a seductive tone to his voice, teasing me in a way that makes my heart race, making me catch my breath.
It's like I'm going back to being a girly girl, back when I fist had a huge crush on him, dreaming of our first date; the thoughts alone make my knees shake in anticipation. Before I can say a single syllable, he swoops his lips towards mine, giving me an extremely passionate, heated kiss surprising me to the point where I don't have enough time to react as he already pulls away, making me question if it happened. The only evidence that it happened is the wink that Paul sends me as he leaves the kitchen to go sit back down in the living room, leaving me in a stunned state, feet frozen to the floor as my mind spins from the quick sign of affection. After a good five minutes or more, I unlock from my frozen state, shaking my head to hopefully snap myself back to my normal self so that everything is back in place instead of making me feel scattered brained, then I walk back into the living room. Eyes watch my movements as I walk back to my seat, and I try not to let my cheeks become too red in colour as I can almost feel the heat of embarrassment and shyness trying to come out. Looking around the room, I see the one once full living room has dwindled down to a few members here and there as I sit down on my seat. There are only a couple of imprints, pack members, and some of my summer school friends left; the amount left surprising me a tiny bit. I move my tongue around my mouth to water it as I think of a question to ask that will may be move the centre of attention off of me.
"So, where did everyone else go? I know I heard the front door, but I didn't think that many people left, just for a few to go on patrol." I inquire, making eye contact with everyone left in the room as Paul inches closer to me, wrapping one of his arms around my waist to pull me closer to him; I take deep breaths so that my heart doesn't sky rocket too much.
"Well, yes, some members of the pack went on patrol, plus Chase decided to tag along as well, saying something about wanting to get some fresh air. Most of everyone else went home since there is school tomorrow plus I think some of your summer friends went to unpack their places." Sam mentions, and the remaining people except the people that live in Sam's place leave out the front door, waving our way as we wave back, and I remain silent, understanding why the group all went home; Paul's radiator heat a sign of comfort that I've missed.
""Now since it's mainly just us, I was curious to know why our fathers got into a disagreement and how the Pack at the time could have two leaders?" Sam confronts me as we both make eye contact with each other. I thought the Elders would have clued Sam in on how there could be more then one Alpha, but I guess that must have slipped their old minds.
"Our fathers had an argument about whether or not Scar's parents should stay on the land with the Volturi's bounty on their heads. My father was actually wanting them to stay on the land and was willing to protect them at our home, but your father, Levi, didn't want that at all. He said that our people weren't safe, despite the fact that the Pack was strong, so the Pack was divided in the first time in history that I can recall, other then when the first Pack was alive; so when the situation was solved the Pack became one again without my father being a part of it anymore. The reason why there can be two or more Alphas at one time is because the Pack is capable of being divided if need be. One Beta can take over a Pack as an Alpha if the Alpha chosen isn't ready for the responsibility, hence why you took over for Jacob since he i the rightful Alpha when it boils down to the genetics of Pack ranking; Uley's have always been Betas before Alphas." I explain and I can tell that the Elder didn't tell Sam the absolute truth because his eye widen just a fraction in surprise. Breaking eye contact with Sam, I glance at the wall just behind him and Emily, noticing that the clock on the wall reads nine at night, causing me to yawn out of being tired as I rub my eyes in an almost dazed way.
"So Paul, are you spending the night?" Emily inquires, a smile on her face and a spark in her eye since she likely knows the answer, wanting to change the topic to possibly going to bed as well.
"If that's alright with you and Sam. I don't necessarily want to go back to dealing with staying at my house with my father."Paul comments back, the tone in her voice filled with disgust towards his father and I know just how he feels. Sam and Emily have the same soft spot for me as they do for Paul.
"Sure, you can sleep on the couch." Sam states seriously, but after seeing the look that Paul and I give each other with our smiles faltering, one glance at Emily and they both share a laugh.
"He's joking, just no monkey business you two. Good night."Emily comments, laughter in her voice as they turn their backs towards us, heading to bed hand in hand, all lovey dovey. I give a laugh of my own as Paul squeezes my waist in an attempt to calm down as he gives a sigh of relief.
As Paul's grip loosens ever so slightly, I take the opportunity as it arises, moving out of his grasp that was starting to make me melt and dash forward out of his reach. Looking behind me I can tell that he didn't like my little action as he stands up, stretching enough to show off his toned muscles; the action by itself causing so much of a distraction that I just about am forgetting what I was going to do. I ogle the masterpiece that is the man I fell in love with time and time again throughout our lives, our eyes connect and he gives me his signature smirk. That smirk makes me shake my head, breaking eye contact with him as I start heading to my bedroom. Lifting my feet up the stairs, I notice the less weight I seem to have on them as I zoom up the stairs, likely due to all of the secrets that I opened up about to get off my chest, making my breathing easier as well. I reach my bedroom, grab my pajamas, and go into my bathroom where I lock the door behind me to have a shower in peach after the day I had.
The hot water cascading on my tense muscles feels relaxing, reminding me of the level that my anxiety tends to remain on, despite the fact that I don't always show it in the situation put in front of me. I calm my breathing, letting the shower liquefy the tension in my body and after what feels like an eternity, I climb out of the shower once I'm done getting cleaned up, and change into my night clothes. Going into my room I notice that Paul has made himself at home as he lays on my bed, staring up at the ceiling to see the stars through the skylight window. My eyes scan the room, making sure that every single object is in it's proper, respectable place, since my bedroom is the only spot where there isn't complete utter chaos. Walking further into my room, I do an once over of my bookshelf, where the journal is hidden neatly in plain view and the key to it is lost, to the stranger's eye, within one of my jewellery boxes. If my memory serves me correctly the golden-silver key is like any other necklace with a fake lock on it, and the journal is leather bounded with the pages worn out beyond their years; the journal is hidden within a totally different book to hide it's true identity.
One of the Elders gave me the key in an envelop with a letter from my mother inside a few days after her funeral. People knew that if I was given the letter any earlier, or even the day of the funeral, I wouldn't be able to hand the grief very well, but to be honest that wouldn't have mattered anyways. I was lucky that my father was out at the bar when the Elder dropped it off; I believe that it was Billy Black that gave me that letter, but I can't quite remember since I was dealing with a lot back then. Normally I would b wearing the key necklace out of keeping it safe and in memory of my mother, but as it nears closer to the date of her death, it just pains me as a reminder of the fate she foresaw as well as the guilt of not being able to save her from death's greedy claws. I close my eyes tightly and then reopen them again, as if the simple motion would keep the memories from escaping in tear form, then breathe out a deep sigh as I end up plopping myself down on the comfy bed next to Paul, my face turned away from his in case my vulnerability shows itself.
Inside the urging, sensational instinct to curl myself into a tight curled up ball shape, like an armadillo, rises but I know if I cave into it that more questions would appear, where no amount of energy I have left would be able to keep me from lying to the one person that I don't want to keep lying to. Similar to the armadillo's shell protecting itself from predators, I've built multiple defensive barriers within my mind to keep my inner core self safe from all harm. As my exhausted body sinks into the mattress of the bed, as if it is quick sand trying to swallow me whole, my consciousness wonders further into my mind as I feel myself slipping into my own little world created within my imagination. My eyelids flutter open and close, similar to a butterfly's wings, as I visualize myself within my mind's eye, Paul's quiet snores a sweet lullaby to my ears.