You are mine, Isabella Swan. Forever.
By LilyAurora
Chapter 38
o-o-o-o-o
Everyone besides, Jared and Quil were at Sam's when we arrive. Emily is in the kitchen pulling out a huge chocolate cake from the oven, when I walk through the door.
"Thought I'd try something other than muffins." She calls out, over her shoulder. "Apparently the boys were getting fed up of them. Even with the recipe book I bought when we went to Port Angeles."
I laugh despite the serious look on her face.
"So, what brings you here Bella?" She asks wiping her hands on a kitchen towel.
"Just thought I'd bring this back." I tell her, sliding the folder across the table.
"What did you think?" She asks.
"I like it. It's a good, thought out plan. Dad looked it over as well. I hope you don't mind?"
"No, not at all."
"Good. Dad also said that he would go guarantor on the loans, if you couldn't get a grant."
"What?" She asks spinning around to face me.
I smile at her, nodding.
"Really? Oh my god! Really?" She shouts, practically dancing on the spot.
"Yes." I laugh. "He thinks it's a good business venture. Plus it's something we're both interested in."
"We are, oh god Bella. I can't believe it. You're dad is amazing. Did you tell him that?"
"I did actually." I laugh as she claps her hands.
"Oh god, I can't believe this is happening." She beams.
"Well it is. All we need to do is find the right location."
"Actually, I think I found the right place. It just needs some work." She tells me sheepishly.
"Where?"
"The old diner near the community centre."
"Really? Why are they selling?"
"Moving or something, Sam didn't get the details. They don't have any children here so they're selling up, moving somewhere warmer."
"Well that's good. The costs will be a lot cheaper than if we had to build from scratch. At least we can just refurbish instead. Upgrade the appliances that need changing."
"Everything then. Have you not seen it in there? It's very... old-fashioned." Emily explains.
"Bit of hard work won't kill us." I giggle at the face she's pulling. "Plus, we can get the pack to do a lot of the work. We can supervise."
"Oh, I like that idea." Emily smiles.
We chat for a while longer, discussing possible themes, colours schemes etc. Even menu ideas. I leave Emily fussing over her chocolate cake, with a promise to sit down and draw out some plans once the full moon has come and gone. I make my way back to Paul. Finding him sprawled across one of the many chairs, squeezed into Sam's living room.
He pulls me onto his lap, arms wrapping around my body, as he kisses my neck in greeting.
"Hey babe."
"Hey yourself." I smile twisting to kiss his lips.
"We were just asking Embry, if he's heard off Quil?" Paul explains.
"Oh. Have you?" I ask Embry.
"No, nothing. I don't want to risk going there in-case I run into old Quil. That's the last thing I need at the moment. It's already hard enough at home. Mom keeps crying."
"I'm sure everything will be fine." Jake tells him. Angela, tucked into his side.
"Maybe. Who knows. We both know how stubborn he can be when he puts his mind too it."
"Give him a few days to calm down. He just needs to wrap his head around it. Anyone would."
Embry sighs defeated. "Yeah, you're right I know you are. I just want to speak to him. To get him to understand, I don't care who my father is. Or that he's my brother. All that matters is we stay friends."
"Just give him some time." Sam tells him. "He'll come around. Trust me."
Embry nods his thanks. Falling quiet as the others talk around him. We all try to pull him into conversations but he just smiles before lapsing back into his thoughts. Leah sat worriedly next to him.
Sam clears his throat. "It's not a topic of conversation I want to bring up..."
"But you will anyway." Paul adds.
"But have you both prepared for the full moon?" He continues ignoring Paul.
Paul squeezes my side, as I nod.
"Yeah, Leah's explained everything to me."
"Paul?"
"I've chosen my colours." He tells them.
"Which one's?" I look at Leah, as Jake asks his question.
"Both." He tells them.
"I thought you might." Sam stands as he paces around the small room. "I'm not happy about this Paul... no let me finish." He stops Paul, as he tries to cut in. "I'm not happy, that old Quil has done this to us. We are a pack, and to be forced into performing this age-old ritual is... disgusting. The thought of having to strike you, while you stand there defenceless. Makes me sick."
The others nod in agreement.
"Do the younger one's have to take part?" I ask panicked.
Sam shakes his head. "No. They are under sixteen. It's not allowed. Even if old Quil tried to push it, there is no way the council would approve."
"Good." I relaxed a little at hearing this. The thought of the younger one's, having to physically try to hurt Paul made my stomach churn.
"I'm going to head home." Embry announced standing.
"You want me to come with you?" Leah asks looking up at him.
Embry cups her face gentle, fingers tracing her skin softly. "No, I need to speak to mom. Get things sorted."
"OK. I'll see you tomorrow?" She leans into his touch, eyes closing as he kisses her head. Walking towards the front door, sending us all a wave as he leaves.
"Is he OK?" I ask Leah. Who shakes her head.
"No, it's hit him harder than he's admitting. I don't think it's who his father is that's upsetting him It's how Quil reacted. After all these years, Embry feels, betrayed I guess. He thought Quil would believe him, but it seems his grandfather managed to dig his claws in pretty deep."
"I can't wait for Billy to put that old bastard in his place." Paul snarls from behind me. "He's caused so much fucking upset."
"We all agree with you Paul. None of us think what he's done is right, or acceptable, but dad has to do this right." Jake adds.
"I know. It's just frustrating is all. I mean, Jesus how can someone, take such a sick satisfaction by controlling people? If what Embry's mom told him is right, then he's been hiding secrets for what? Sixteen years? To think he's just stood by and watched, only stepping in if things haven't gone his way."
"We know babe." I tell him. "None of us disagree, but Jake's right. It has to be done correctly or he's going to get away with everything."
"This fucking sucks." Paul growls out. I rub soothing circles into his arms, trying to calm him.
"Sam?" Emily calls out as she walks into the room, eyes flicking over everyone there.
"What's the matter?" Sam asks moving towards his imprint.
"Who's arguing out back?" She asks genuinely confused.
"No one. The only person who left is Embry..."
"Oh god." Leah's jumping to her feet. The rest of us trailing behind her.
As we make our way through the house, we're met with the rigid figures of Embry and Quil, arguing near the tree line. Both boys stand a few feet apart.
"I don't care Quil. You should have believed me, when I told you." Embry shouts, fists clenched at his sides. Jaw working as he bites down his anger.
Leah moves to step forward but Jake stops her, shaking his head.
"Fuck sake Em, my head was all over the place." Quil explains. "What did you expect me to do?"
"Not to act like a fucking idiot for starters. All my life you've known me, Quil. All of it, but you didn't believe me."
Quil has the decency to look ashamed."Grandfather said..."
"I don't care what he has to fucking say." Embry roars. "He's done enough damage around here." He shouts, arm motioning towards us all.
"Embry." Quil, growls out, hands raking through his hair as he moves forward slightly. "I came here to apologise. To tell you I understand what you did. Why you went to Paul first. Told Leah. I was angry OK. I admit it, I was jealous. We've always done everything together. Like brothers." He adds softly. "Then I find out that we are? I was so fucking happy... I can't even explain to you how I felt."
"Then why were you so mad." Embry asks. "You acted like you didn't care. Didn't want us to be."
Quil sags on the spot. You can see his whole body just, deflate. "Grandfather. He... shit, he said some pretty nasty things. About you're mom, and you. Saying you knew all along. That you had always know. Tiffany had gotten herself pregnant on purpose, seduce my father because she was after his money."
"Mom didn't even know your dad was married, Quil." Embry adds softly.
"I know, I get that now. I've grown up with your mom Em, I love her just as much as my own. But when you have your grandfather. Your own flesh and blood whispering in your ear, it's difficult to believe otherwise."
"So what made you see sense?"
Quil shrugs. "I know you. I trust you Em. You wouldn't lie to me, not about this. When I left, I confronted grandfather about what you said. Paying your mom to leave?"
Embry nods.
"Yeah? What did he say, denied it I bet." Paul spat out. He had to just get his two cents worth in.
Quil shook his head. "He just shrugged his shoulders and said he was protecting the family."
"Jesus Christ." Sam breathes out.
"I always knew, he liked to get his own way, little things, subtle. How he would manipulate mom. Say things, you know. How she should be grateful that she was allowed to stay on the Rez. That she had the shop, things like that. I thought he was just a bitter old man, taking out his anger about losing his son, but now I know different. It was his way of controlling her."
"Quil." Embry moves towards his brother. Wow, his brother.
"You were right, you know. I was jealous. Jealous that Leah knew before me, that you confided something so important to her and not me."
"You're an idiot." Embry laughs, pulling Quil into a fierce hug.
"Yeah I know." He replies the words muffled against Embry's shoulder.
"I am sorry." Embry tells him honestly.
"Yeah me too. I'm sorry I was such a fucking ass hole."
"Nothing unusual there." Jake calls out. Laughing as they both flip him off.
"Where's Jared?" Quil asks, looking between us. Once he and Embry separate.
Paul and I share a look.
"He had some stuff to sort out."
Sam raises and eyebrow at the pair of us.
"What stuff?" He asks.
Paul rolls his eyes. "With Kim, OK. It's not for me to say. When he gets back, ask him yourself."
"Oh I will." Sam grumbles, as he walks back into the house. Everyone heads there separate ways, now the drama is over.
"Do you think Jared, is going to tell Kim everything?" I ask Paul.
He shrugs. "I don't know, he should. I mean, it would be easier if she did know, then maybe things would be a little easier."
"I wonder if she could break the imprint her end."
"What do you mean?"
"Well if what Jared told us is true and Kim, holds all the control in the relationship, then wouldn't it make sense that she is the key to the imprint staying strong? It's her want of him that keeps him there's. If it was up to him, he would leave, or break things off with her, but he can't because she won't let him."
"Holy fuck." Paul laughs. "That's... yeah I think you could be right. It makes sense, doesn't it? She is the one in-control. Unlike us, where it was my wolf, he was the one in-control when I marked you. Same with Jake. His wolf felt connected to Angela."
"Where Embry just loves Leah." I add.
"Sam and Emily, she wanted him just as much, so she allowed the imprint to take control, to strengthen. Like Billy said, she could have turned him down, but didn't. Sam believed he had to do what was right, and Emily didn't know she had a choice."
This was good. This could help Jared.
"We need to find Jared." Paul says, taking my hand as he starts tugging me in a different direction than his house. "He needs to know this now." He's practically running through the woods, dragging me along with him.
We reach Jared's house, only to find no one home,
"Kim's?" I ask. Paul nods, spinning me around and heading back the way we came.
"You better rub my feet tonight." I tell him seriously.
Paul rolls his eyes. "I am not touching them." He teases, lifting my hand, so he can kiss my fingers.
"You say that now, but we both know you're lying." Paul just laughs as he leads me through more tangled bushes and dense trees.
"How do you even know where you're going?" I ask looking around. "Everything looks the same."
"Remind me to play hide and seek with you sometime." He adds cheekily.
"You are not funny." I tell him around my laughter.
"Says the one laughing." He smirks at me from over his shoulder.
I choose to ignore him. Just as we finally break through the trees, appearing in-front of a few houses.
"Kim lives in the dark green one." He tells me pointing to her house. Where Jared is sat on the steps next to Kim. She's smaller than I remember. Or maybe it's the way she's curled in on herself.
"What's she like?" I ask Paul.
He looks surprised by my question. "Quiet. Not the kind of girl I would have ever pictured Jared with. But she seems nice enough. I don't really know her. None of us do, she tends to keep her space, preferring to be alone with Jared, than with the rest of the pack."
"Isn't that, difficult?"
"It can be. I mean we've always interacted even before we all began to phase, so having him missing the majority of the time is, weird." He frowns.
"Well maybe they've come to some sort of mutual agreement." I say, as I watch Jared stand. His back to us.
"Yeah, then we can go to the gay clubs in Port Angeles. Work my charm. Lord knows he's going to need all the help he can get." Paul adds with a laugh as Jared throws him a glare. You can practically hear the fuck you.
We wait a while longer, Paul doing his best not to listen in on the conversation, but failing miserably. His head tilts more and more to the side, something I find absolutely hilarious.
"What are you laughing at?" He asks.
I shake my head refusing to tell him. Just as he straightens up to say something, but his attention is pulled back to Jared and Kim.
"What? What is it?"
"Shhh. I think... OK wow." He says, explaining absolutely nothing.
"What?" Paul tell me?" I grumble. Tugging at his arm
"No, Jared's coming over. He'll tell us."
True to his word, we watched as Jared leaned forward, giving Kim a long hard hug before walking towards us. Kim disappearing into her house without as much as a backwards glance.
"What are you two doing here?"
"We came to tell you something, but it seems like you already have it covered."
"What does he have covered?" I ask.
"Did you tell her?" Paul asks him, ignoring my pleas.
Jared shrugs. "I told her the truth. She deserves to know"
"What? That you like dick?" Paul smirks.
"Oh my God!" I groan, hands slapping at Paul.
"What? Why are you hitting me?" He cries out dodging my hands.
Jared just laughs. "It's OK Bella. I'm used to him by now. And yes Paul, that's what I told her. Well in a more, gentle, subtle way."
"How can you gently tell someone you like dick?"
"How did she take it?" I ask, glaring at Paul, who has this glint in his eye, lord knows what he was about to say. "She seemed OK? I mean, she didn't hit you or anything."
Jared smiles. "She was better than I expected. Once I explained that I wasn't attracted to her in that sense any longer, she said she knew something was wrong, she could feel the distance growing between us. She felt guilty knowing she was the reason I wasn't happy but I told her it wasn't her fault, it was the imprint. It confines you, restricts you on acting on any impulses, I couldn't go and kiss some hot guy if I wanted too because the imprint doesn't allow me too."
"I bet she found that a relief, knowing you haven't cheated on her?"
Jared nods. "Yeah, she did actually."
"So what did she say?" Paul asks eagerly.
"She wants us to stay friends, since we still have to keep in contact because of the imprint."
"You said yes?"
"Of course I did." He rolls his eyes at Paul. "It's more than what I could do for her, but she needs some space to wrap her head around everything."
"That's a good thing though, it's for the best if she takes some time. I know I'd be the same. Just needing that space to concentrate on yourself."
"Yeah, she said she never felt as if she ever fitted in with us. She's so shy and sitting around with a house full of hormonal teenagers who turn into wolves might have been a little too much for her."
"I agree. She seems very shy." I add.
"She is." He explains.
"So does this mean you're not imprinted any more?" Paul voices.
"I don't know. I don't think so." Jared smiles a little. Just the tiniest of movements.
"Does it feel different?"
"Honestly? I just… I feel more relaxed, like a weights been lifted off my shoulders. I couldn't keep lying to her or myself about everything. This way we can both be happy, and Kim's not stuck here with me. She can go to college, do everything she wants to do. She never really understood that she was trapped here with me. That college wasn't really an option for us." He explains.
"Good. I'm so fucking happy dude." Paul tells him slapping him hard on the back.
"Me too."
"Doesn't it seem a little, I don't know simple to you?" I ask them both.
"What do you mean?" Paul replies as Jared looks between us.
"Well, their imprint is possibly over. And all he had to do was speak to her? It just seems a little easy."
"Maybe it is babe. Maybe everything can be easy. It's only difficult because we've been told it is. None of us have tried anything other than what we were told to do. It's possible the imprint is easy to break. All it takes is both parties agreeable. An amicable split if you like, and then wham it's over."
"Yeah, maybe."
"I'm right. I know I am. Maybe Jared and Kim imprinted because she was what he needed at the time. She's quiet, shy and Jared's... not." Paul laughs at Jared's expression. "Isn't it possible she was what he needed at the time? Just like Sam needed Emily. Someone who could take care of a pack. God knows Leah can't boil an egg."
"That actually makes sense." I say agreeing with him.
"Of course it does. And it gives us another thing old Quil has kept from us as a pack."
"I really don't like him." Jared growls.
"Yeah you and me both." Paul tells him. Leading us back to his house.