Disclaimer: All characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer but the plot is all mine!
A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who reads this story and the kind reviews you have left. Special thanks to Twin68 …hang on in there I'm not finished with Sam or Leah! Please continue to share your thoughts I'm always happy to read any PM's if you want to contact me privately…! Sarahmicaela you are star! I so enjoy our on line chats…long may they keep going you so get me xx
And now the story continues...
Chapter 35: Wolf's out of the bag…
Sam had no idea what had gone down on the boundary line earlier that day. He had eagerly taken up Emily's request to be driven to the Makah rez so she could visit her mother and pick up Claire who had at last enrolled into the La Push Rez School and was returning to live with them for a while.
The reason for Sam's eagerness…?
Leah of course…..
Sam knew she had returned to the Rez and was looking for him but he was in no mood to meet her , to listen to her whining on about how unfair life was, how badly he had treated her …same old…same old …so when Emily asked he went…easier option.
There was a pack meeting tonight Sam thought and he would have to face Leah… if she had the guts to attend of course what with Lahote bound to be there. He shook his head as he waited in the car for Emily and Claire. Lahote would no doubt be angry… even with Bella's calming influence the volatile wolf could still not be trusted and Leah would use that against him.
He let out a deep sigh. He was tied of all this bullshit… tired of trying to keep a pack of oversized, oversexed teenagers under control. This was not the life he had envisioned for himself. Tied to the Rez with a wife he had not chosen and a child on the way…man he was only just 22 himself.
He looked at his hands that tightly gripped the steering wheel; the russet skin stretched across his knuckles was almost white. His inner wolf snarled within. He wanted to remain as Alpha but the man he'd had enough. He cricked his neck reigning the wolf back in as his thoughts drifted back to Leah. He needed to put her straight once and for all.
He caught Emily's eye as she emerged from her mother's house and he opened the car door.
"Now you take good care of my girl you hear me Samuel Uley" her mother called as she waited by her open front door "You're not too big for me to tan your hide". Sam winced a little before he turned to face his mother in law with a smile slapped on his handsome face. There was no love lost between the two…
"No need to ask Mrs Young" he smoothly replied "I always have Emily's best interests at heart; you know how much I love her". Mrs Young ran her dark eyes over his face she knew nothing about the wolf but always suspected there was more to Sam Uley than meets the eye. She also knew the whole sorry tale of love and heartbreak….Sam and Leah…then Emily, that was the rub…
She sighed to herself. He had moved on so quickly from Leah that she feared he would do the same to her daughter. One minute he was getting engaged to Leah the next Emily was moving in despite her protests to do otherwise. Her eyes flickered to Emily who was busy gazing at Sam adoringly like she always did and that right there was why she feared for her daughter's heart. The girl was totally besotted and in love with the guy. What If he left her too because someone else caught his eye…someone pretty… Mrs Young swallowed thickly.
Besides with those ugly scars who would take her if Sam gave her up. She shook her head. She still could not get over it. How on earth did her sensible beautiful Emily, bright and sweet become so foolish she had gotten close to a bear, close enough to almost be killed when it attacked her? Something didn't add up. She took in a deep breath as her eyes tracked to Sam again. The way he looked at Emily… like he owed her.
She closed her eyes for a second before placing a smile back upon her lips, taking small comfort from the fact that now heavily pregnant and married maybe Sam would stay with Emily. She prayed every night to the Great Spirts that he would stay…unlike his own father who had left his mother just after Sam had been born.
"Now you take it easy my girl" she called out to Emily who turned to give her mother a huge hug "From the looks of you I'd say you have only days to go…"
"Hush now Mom!" Emily smiled "I've got a couple of weeks yet it's just a large baby that's all." Her hand drifted up and softly stroked her swollen abdomen.
"Come on…" said Sam as he grabbed her bag and Claire's large suitcase "I want to get home before dark" But already the dark clouds were gathering as the sun began to set. Sam sniffed the air. Another storm was coming he needed to get the girls back to La Push and soon.
000
Paul held Bella's long hair back as she threw up loudly "You ok now baby?" he murmured stroking her hair back from her damp brow, a little worried he had exhausted her from their last round of torrid lovemaking.
"Yeah…" Bella managed to reply "I must have eaten something or maybe I've got stomach flu" She sighed loudly then rinsed her mouth clean before turning to face Paul. "I...I need to go lie down…I really don't feel well." Paul said nothing as he swiftly picked his little mate up and carried her back to their room. Having laid her on the bed he hovered close by not knowing what to do next
"Shall I call Sue?" He asked
"No...please don't" Bella replied her eyelids closing "I'll be fine I'm sure I just need to sleep it off."
Paul waited until her breathing evened out. Deep down he was furious with Cullen he felt sure this was all his doing pressuring Bella at the meeting earlier that day. He bent down to softly kiss her and was struck by the slight change to her aroma. Must be the illness he reasoned with himself. She had a high temperature too…if she was no better before he left for the pack meeting he would call Sue he wasn't taking no for an answer.
000
As thunder rolled in the distance Leah was angry even before she arrived at the clearing for the pack meeting. Sam had managed to avoid her all day. She could hear the other wolves in her mind, they were not happy that she had returned…not happy at all...in fact they had refused to talk to her. Not one of them had answered her thoughts.
She burst through the trees where the wolves were standing and a feral growl left Jacobs lips his eyes were narrowed and menacing. Leah skidded to a halt…the dynamics had changed during her absence…
Black had changed….
Alpha!
Her own wolf bared its neck but the woman fought against it...
"Stand over there Leah!" Jacob barked out his order and try as she might the Alpha tones rolled over her forcing submission. She looked up from her cowering position straight into the livid eyes of Paul Lahote, who like her had just that minute arrived.
A snarl ripped through the clearing as Paul saw Leah for the first time since she had falsely accused him of assaulting her.
"Paul!" Barked Jacob. The silver wolf stopped in his tracks, fur bristling as he fought the desire to rip Leah apart. Jacob looked between the two. "Fuck!" he thought to himself carefully shielding the thoughts from the others. Not for one moment did he think Leah would have the nerve to turn up.
The thoughts of each wolf rippled through the pack mind as Sam approached. He burst through the trees and raced to stand in front of Jacob.
"You fucking liar!" He growled as he replayed the conversation from the other night "I don't have any intention to be Alpha at the moment Sam" Jacob had told him.
Sam growled again "Pretending to be loyal while all the time you and your girls planned to overthrow me" He threw a dark look at Embry and Quil who stood either side of Jake. They both snarled in response but Jakes growl silenced them.
Sam's wolf was furious and the snarling showed it. "Couldn't wait eh Black to sneak in…hoping we don't have to fight..." He roared as his lips pulled back showing huge canines…
"I don't have to fight for anything" growled Jacob in reply "I have just finally come into what is rightfully mine" he huffed a little "What I was born to do Sam."
Sam growled loudly he drew back and looked ready to pounce when Jacobs's voice rang through the air
"You will cede to me Sam Uley!" he roared with the deep bass of the Alpha timbre. Sam struggled with all his might as he felt for the first time the power of the true Alpha.
"We will not bow to you Black!" He ground out between gritted canines as he fought to stand. With lightning speed Jacob fell upon him rolling the black wolf to the ground. Before Sam could react Jake had the soft flesh of his throat in his mouth, drawing blood.
"Obey me Uley or I will end it!" Jacob growled as he shook Sam a little and tightened his grip. Sam fought to breathe his eyes rolling slightly as the combined weight of the Alpha order and the pain in his wind pipe made his body sag. "Obey me!" Jacob growled again before letting Sam drop to the floor where he shivered as he regained his breath. Eyes full of hatred he looked up at Jacob.
"Don't start anything you have no hope of finishing!" growled Jacob as he stepped back "You have a pup on the way do not force me to leave him fatherless" Jacobs eyes lazered into Sam before he turned back to the waiting pack.
"We start afresh!" he growled "Paul you're my second." Paul nodded slightly taken a back at what had just happened but a feeling of renewed hope washed through him. At last Jacob had taken back what was rightfully his. Jacob grinned a toothy wolf smile at him before turning his gaze back to Sam and Leah. "You two can run the first patrol tonight" he barked "Sort out your shit or I will"
Jacob turned to face the rest of the pack again "War is coming…" he growled "And we will be ready….all of us!" The pack raised their muzzles to the sky and howled as one…
On her bed Bella's eyes snapped open in response….on the night stand her cell buzzed…
000
Bella reached across and snagged her cell. Two messages, one from Sue Clearwater the other from Alice.
Bella we need to meet alone...Edward can't be trusted…I could not tell you with him at the treaty line. Text me please Alice xx
Bella furrowed her brow. She knew something was wrong this morning it was so unlike Alice to say so little her usual enthusiasm was missing. But and it was a big but she had been caught up in Edwards thrall at the time and it took all her strength just to fight that. She sighed loudly no way on earth was Paul going to let her go to meet Alice especially alone…but…Alice would not ask unless it was important.
Whilst she wrestled with that thought she opened the second text from Sue
Paul asked me to drop by and see you. I hear you are unwell. I'll be with you by six o clock.
Bella glanced at the time it was five to six and she sat up with a start. The room began to spin "Whoa steady girl" she moaned "Head rush". As she lay quietly on the bed her head settled and with a deep breath she slowly raised herself up and sat on the edge of the huge bed. Another deep steadying breath and she stood up. Thankfully the dizziness had stopped and just in time too. A loud knock sounded from the back door.
Bella walked to the kitchen and let Sue in. "Hi Sue" she smiled "Come in." Sue ran her eyes over the small girl who looked even paler than usual. She knew what had happened that morning but waited for Bella.
"I hear you are not feeling too good" Sue smiled warmly at her "Paul said you were sick then went to bed. He called me because you had a raised temperature." Bella looked back at Sue damn wolf senses she thought to herself as a small smile appeared on Sues lips. "I can examine you if you want…" she smiled again "It might help put Pauls mind to rest…" she paused "I know how they can be I've seen Sam with Emily at the baby clinic"
"Hmm maybe that's a good idea" Bella conceded "Anything to stop Paul from being so protective". Both women knew why he was being over protective but neither voiced it.
Ten minutes later Sue gave her verdict "You have a slightly raised temperature but nothing to worry about." She smiled again at Bella "Maybe you need to rest a little, get an early night or two" as she appraised the dark circles under Bella's eyes. Then she looked a little serious "You could be pregnant Bella"
Bella looked stunned "No...no I take my pill as regular as clockwork Sue besides…" She didn't want to say what Sue most likely already knew "We aren't ready for babies" then added "Not just yet" a little too defiantly. Sue snapped her medical bag shut.
"We know the shot seems to stop pregnancies Bella but since you had to come off and gone on the oral pill well…" she sighed "There is a chance it will fail against supernatural swimmers, given Emily fell pregnant whilst taking the oral pill". Sue laughed as she took in Bella's face "Maybe get Paul to wrap it?" Bella's cheeks burned bright red this was a conversation she really did not want with Sue "Unless he already does…" Sue smiled again. Damn thought Bella she knows how he feels about babies.
Bella rose from her chair "Um well thanks Sue" she smiled "I'm relieved and grateful you popped in". Sue took that as her cue to leave.
"I look after the imprints at the Rez clinic…" she sighed a little "Your needs are different to other girls in my care, especially when it comes to contraceptives. Look I know it might feel awkward but please come and see me I can help Bella." Bella nodded. "Take a pregnancy test too just to be sure"
"Thanks Sue"
"Any time" she laughed then glanced at her watch "Hey I need to get going I'm being taken out to dinner tonight."
"Anyone we know?" Bella smiled in reply
"Maybe…" Sue laughed again before closing the back door behind her. Bella didn't ponder too long on Sues mystery date…she had dinner to start herself, one very hungry wolf to feed.
000
As she stood in front of the oven stirring her casserole and added more herbs Bella couldn't help but think about what Sue had said. There was no way she could be pregnant, surely? She had all the symptoms of that time of the month. Her breasts were tender and she had an ache in her tummy. Yep it would be here in a day or so bang on time like it always was as she glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall. She sighed a little no babies this month and then her mind wandered back to the night of Sam and Emily's wedding….her breath hitched as she remembered how she had heard Leah call Paul out…and he did not deny it...Babies were not on the agenda…ever.
Bella had just switched off the potatoes when the back door banged open and Paul rushed in sweeping her off her feet. The wolf was near the surface she could clearly see him in Pauls' eyes that were still yellow and lupine. She rubbed her face along his firm jaw in that way that appeased the wolf in all of them. Paul rumbled his approval.
"Bella" he whispered kissing her sweetly on the lips "How are you feeling?"
"A little better" she smiled up at him drinking in those beautiful eyes that had now returned to ethereal hazel. She took a deep breath
"Sue came by…" Bella whispered in his ear as her tongue tickled his skin
"Good" he growled in return shivering at her touch.
"She asked me if I might be pregnant…" Bella laughed…Paul did not. He pulled her round to face him his eyes serious.
"Are you?" He sharply asked "It's not a laughing matter Bella"
"Umm…no…"she muttered "At least I don't think I am"
"Don't think you are?" he growled "You are taking the pill right?" he ground out between clenched teeth
"Y...yes…" Bella replied looking into his cold eyes. She tried to get down off his body but he refused to relax his grip
"Hush…" he whispered seeing the distress on her face. He didn't want this conversation…not yet…not ever…"We are just not ready sweetheart."
"I know you don't want a baby Paul." Bella looked him straight in the eye as she spoke and Paul knew he was screwed the imprint would not allow him to lie and he waited for what he knew would come next.
"Answer me Paul…" Bella demanded he could hear her frantic heart beat as she waited for the inevitable
Paul closed his eyes and sighed "Yes it true Bella…" he whispered "I don't want a baby…not now or ever". He relaxed his hold on her and she slipped down to the floor. He could feel her pulling away from him, the imprint snapped hard.
"Why not Paul?" she asked her voice full of hurt. He opened his eyes and looked at her. Those warm cinnamon brown eyes bored down into his soul and she wrung her little hands biting hard into that poor bottom lip. He reached out a finger to gently ease the lip away.
"Because I will never be a good father." he sighed "Because I don't know how to be one. My own child hood was full of hurt and pain. That's all I know Bella and I'm not bringing a child into this world to suffer how I did."
"But you are not your father Paul!" she cried "I have seen you change, you are so full of love!" She reached out a small white hand to cup his jaw "Please Paul, please rethink for me?"
The snap of the imprint cut deep into Pauls heart he could deny his imprint nothing…nothing but this.
"No Bella!" he replied as he pulled back "My father's genes will not be passed on…the Lahote line stops with me." He turned away from her so she could not see the pain that crossed his face but on this he would not be shifted. His anger against his father had deep roots...
He turned back and watched her face crestfallen as she backed away from him. Full of love how little you know me Bella he thought but anger oh he knew all about fucking anger…a gift from his father…it still lurked in his soul despite Bella's care, a part of him that refused to heal… his damaged self...He closed his eyes and sighed He could have easily killed Leah tonight…how could he trust himself with a child?
He watched Bella leave the kitchen …"Not good enough for her" he whispered "Never was…" he shook his head as his shoulders slumped, how he bitterly regretted marking her… ruining her chances of conceiving a child she so clearly wanted with someone more deserving…dark thoughts once more entered Paul's mind as his old demons returned to claim his soul…Leah…
Bella said no more as she ran for the bedroom. Her head began to spin. She loved him with all her heart she truly did. She could wait… maybe one day he would listen….she could show him how wrong he was…but the tears began to fall…and then seeing her cell she sent another text
"Alice… name the place and time…I'll come" x
000
Leah and Sam ran the Rez border as Jacob had ordered neither spoke. There was no need. Sam's reign had come to an end he couldn't help Leah any more.
"Don't fucking pity me bitch" Sam growled at the small grey wolf that ran beside him "If it weren't for you and that stunt you pulled with Lahote I'd still be Alpha."
"In your fucking dreams!" Leah barked "You felt it we all did it was only a matter of time before Jake took back what was his all along." There was silence once again as their claws bit deep into the wet earth of the forest. "We could all feel it Sam especially after he imprinted." Sam glanced at her but said nothing
"After all…" she barked a sarcastic laugh "That's what the great Imprinting gift is all about…breeding …a fucking breeding program and no way would Jake breed unless he was Alpha his wolf would not allow it."
Sam knew she was right that's why he had challenged Jacob the other day. He felt the Alpha rising he was just banking on that sunny nature of Jakes, that he would not want to be Alpha…ever. He huffed loudly. Of course the fucking wolf spirits had other ideas and gave him Claire…bingo new Alpha rising.
"I agree" Leah barked out. Sam glanced at her in shock
"You're not Alpha anymore!" she growled "It's open season in your mind now Sam." He shut her up for a few moments as he let intimate scenes with Emily flow across his mind.
"Fuck you Uley you certainly know how to treat a girl" She sneered
"Stay out of my fucking mind then Leah!" He growled in return
Leah took off she was faster than Sam and she'd had enough listening to him wallowing in self-pity and to think she once loved the guy that he was her world? She almost skidded to a halt as it hit her…once loved him… she realised in that moment that she had finally fallen out of love with Sam
"About fucking time" he growled in her head "I haven't loved you in ages Leah….I don't even care for you …not for the shrew you have become."
The realisation hit her hard and this time she stopped and Sam almost ran into her. "I'm a free woman" she thought
"Yeah right" growled Sam "To do as you please Leah…well apart from leave the Rez that is."
Leah looked at him…truly looked at this sad man that Sam had become. Yes he was in wolf form but underneath lurked a sad trapped Sam…
It was like an epiphany …Sam was not in charge of his destiny, he did not willingly leave her he just wasn't strong enough to say no to the imprint…all his hopes to go to college gone…now he was trapped with a young wife and baby. It wasn't even his choice...
Magic and Monsters that's how Jake had once described it…
She took in a deep breath that was not going to be her…
The patrol was over and as Jared and Quil phased in Leah headed for home. She was gonna leave…give up the wolf…go get that life she had once dreamed about. Her house was just in sight when Lahote stepped out from behind some trees. He was furious and Leah was startled by the ferocity of his anger.
Thunder boomed overhead…the storm had rolled back in from the sea…
"Paul…" she murmured before changing back into human form. Paul followed suit. Neither noticed the others nudity they were just focused on each other's next move. Like pieces in a game of chess each studied the moves their opponent could make…and waited. They stood close to the edge of the Clearwater's garden…
For a fleeting moment the lightening illuminated their bodies against the darkness of the forest…
Paul looked deadly in the eerie light, his eyes flat and hard as they bored into Leah. Darkness returned and lupine senses reached out, Leah knew she was in deep trouble…
"I'm pleased for you Paul" Leah began "That Jake chose you as his second."
"As if I'd fucking care what you think?" Paul spat back he moved a pace closer his hands balled into huge fists.
Another roll of thunder crashed high above in the deep blackness of the night sky…
"How's Bella?" Leah edged buying time…then seeing his eyes turn lupine wished she hadn't asked.
Lightening crackled above, charging the already electrified air…
"None of your fucking business." Paul growled again large pointed canines showing.
Leah decided maybe she was better off in wolf form and quickly phased as she ran across the lawn towards the house.
Lightening flashed again across the sky illuminating the garden…and then…
"What the fuck!" came a voice from the kitchen as a mug smashed in the sink. Leah froze in the middle of the lawn as she realised who had spoken. There standing at the window with his hand in his hair was none other than Charlie Swan. Paul stepped back into the shadows and phased to run to Jacob….things were about to get a little messy.
Hearing the commotion Sue appeared in the kitchen her eyes quickly darting to her daughter before returning to Charlie's ashen face
"Since when has your daughter been a fucking Ware wolf? Moaned Charlie before he crashed down onto the floor in a daze…..
A/N: Hurrah Jake finally took control …I mean Sam was never gonna take Leah to task was he?…Oh dear Paul has got it all so so wrong…Bella maybe about to make a huge mistake…and Charlie Swan seeing Leah phase ? Well to use that well known quote from New Moon "The Wolf's out of the bag now!
Till next time xxxx