Bella scooped Ian up as the rest of the pack came near her. "Where Sam?" Emily asked anxiously "Everyone come on over here." Bella ordered
, "who put you in charge?" Jared asked
"don't start," Bella growled. Jared immediately shut his mouth. Everyone followed Bella's orders and gathered around one of the logs closest to the fire. "firs off. Sam is fine. He, Jacob and Paul had to go for a run. Secondly, everyone just needs to take a breath. Everything is ok. Those of you who were going to go on patrol soon, don't. Paul, Sam, and Jacob have it taken care of. For now, everyone needs to relax and enjoy the bonfire. We don't want to cause suspicion to the families. Jared, if they not back in two hours, ill send you to check on them. Ok, alright dismissed."
The pack scattered except the imprints. Emily did not look happy. "Bella as much a were all glad, you're here what exactly are you doing?" she asked
"I'm doing my job, Emily. Right now, both alpha's and beta are in the woods going through a tornado of emotions. I am here to do my job which to make sure the pack stays in one piece. Now ladies as imprints you can help distract the parents. Talk to them, offer them more. Just make sure no one goes asking about Jacob, Paul or sam."
Emily didn't bother to put up a fight. Bella was right they needed to not draw attention to themselves.
Leah came over brushed forearms with Bella. It was a wolf thing to constantly be touching it other. Bella didn't say anything, she wanted Leah to speak first. "seeing mom move on it is hard but I'm happy for her. what made me so upset was the fact that everyone around me was happy. Mom and Charlie, you and Paul. And now this marking thing. Seeing that cuff on your wrist. It made me think about sam. He had made a cuff for me too and then he imprinted on Emily and I was pushed away. For so long Bella. I had no clue what was going on and now being inside his head, seeing them all the time. Its a relief to be in Jacob's pack. I'm sorry I was so mean to you before. I think you're going to make a great stepsister."
Bella smiled and grabbed Leah's hand. " hey Bella why is Casey here? I thought Jacob broke the imprint." Leah asked
"he did but Jacob and Sam have yet to tell the elders. If they tell them now, it will cause all kinds of chaos, but Jacob wants to wait until he and Sam do the transfer before, they tell the elders. When the transfer is finished then they'll tell the elders. We'll be on a united front. So, no matter what the elders say, nothing can stop the pack from doing what they want. Which means the elders can't force Jacob and Casey together."
Leah nodded. "hey Leah?"
"yeah Bella."
"give someone else a chance before you choose sam."
Leah chocked on her drink. "w-what?"
"you heard me. Date a few people before you choose sam. Look, lets be real. Now that you both know about marking and being able to choose who you want to be with, it makes you want to be with each other go to where you guys picked up right?" Bella asked
Leah swallowed and looked away
"exactly. But think about it, Leah. Sam and Emily have built a life. You can't expect him to just drop Emily for you. And even if he does. You guys will have a lot of work ahead of you. All I'm saying is give some other guy a chance. Maybe someone who's not a wolf..."
Leah blushed. Could she really find someone else and someone who wasn't in the pack?
Suddenly, Bella stiffened. "Bella? What's wrong?" Leah asked. Feeling that something was wrong, the pack drew closer. Bella's eyes were closed, and she was breathing heavily. A howl was sounded. "go. You guys go" Bella ordered as she opened her eyes. The whole pack took off. Something was going on.
"what's going on?" Billy asked, "Is it a cold one?" one of the parents asked. Bella stood and shook her head. It defiantly wasn't a cold one. "Bella." Someone called. Bella looked around. No one was talking to her. she hears it again, a little less muffled. "bells" "Jacob?" Bella thought. Was he in her head? "just barely. Look, Bella, there's a shield -I "the connection was cut off. It was like a static radio going in and out. "Bella lift your shield." she heard Jacob command. But she didn't know how. Ok, obviously Jacob was trying to contact her, and some shield was blocking it. She had to relax. Mentally, she had to relax. And once she did she could hear very clearly.
"its about time. Look, Bella, these changes I was telling you about are getting ready to take effect. Sam's pretty upset about the whole marking and he refuses to phase. He wants me to take over the pack. Like right now. so, I need you to gather the elders and tell the parents to go home. The pack won't be home tonight. Tell the imprints to go home too. Can you handle that?"
Bella nodded, not that he could see it. They cut the connection and Bella was dizzy. As soon as it went away, she went to find billy. He wasn't far. Her mind slips to paul. It seemed like nothing was ever easy for them. Before this month was over she was gonna be his wife. No, doubt about it.