Chapter 21: The lahote family and messy business.
Jenna lahote sat next to her brother, Malcolm as they waited on Emily Uley. The young woman had called them saying it was urgent that she spoke to them. Jenna had no idea what about but if the Alpha's imprint made a request that had to abide by it. Oh yes, Jenna lahote knew all about the spirit wolves and the cold ones. She knew they had a responsibility to guard and protect the tribe. But why the alpha's imprint wanted to talk to her and Malcolm was beyond her. She could think of one reason though…Paul.
Jenna gripped her coffee cup hard. Paul. Tawny's son. She shook her head and glanced at her brother. How in the world did Malcolm allow such a skank to get her claws into him? That woman was a witch and the child she bore was just the same. She was glad Malcolm divorced her unfortunately he had to bring his brood with him.
"So… I'm going to assume the alpha's mate is going to talk to us about tawny's son." Jenna sneered.
"Whatever." Malcolm said as he chugged his beer burped and quickly asked the waitress for another one.
"Malcolm! Can you please stop drinking for crying out loud! The alpha's-"
"No one cares about the alpha or his imprint, Jenna. Or about that stupid kid. You just keep giving me the beers and ill keep my mouth shut!"
Jenna looked at their brother with heated eyes. If only she were a wolf.
"Sorry, I'm late. The pack kept me busy." A tired voice said
Jenna's went huge as she took in the Alpha's imprint.
Emily Uley look haggard and as if she hadn't slept in weeks. Dark circles were under her eyes, her hair was unbrushed and looked as if she hadn't washed it in weeks.
"my lord. Are you alright?" Jenna asked
"oh, don't worry about me Miss Lahote. Good evening Mr. Lahote."
Malcolm only nodded as he drank his beer.
"Well what can we do for you dear?" Jenna asked
"Well…it concerns Paul."
Emily cringed at how Jenna's face turned murderous. She immediately finished her sentence
"and Sam. Well, the whole pack really but its Pauls's behavior. It's affecting Sam's which is affecting the packs."
"I see and why haven't you gone to the Elders?" Jenna asked suspiciously.
Emily played with the hem of her shirt.
"Well, from the tribal records, the Lahote's have always been the keepers of all the ancient traditions…"
"yes…that is correct…go on." Jenna urged as she sat up to her full height
"And well, I was reading in the archives and…and I found an old tradition that had to do with that alpha's imprint."
"for crying out loud spit it out, girl!" Malcolm hissed
Emily jumped at the harshness of his voice but continued her request.
"I want to fulfill the pack binding ceremony with Paul!"
Jenna and Malcolm gasped at her request.
"why in the world would you want to do that Emily?"
Emily sighed and gave the duo her saddest smile.
"I didn't want to say this and its why I didn't go to the Elders first, but Paul has been so….so unstable, Sam's alpha orders aren't working and even some the pack are starting to follow him! it's scary. We need to control his wolf. He's one of our best fighters. And with the recent vampire sightings, we need his head in the game. But there's another issue. Paul has been seeing this girl you've probably heard of her…. Bella swan."
Jenna chocked on her coffee.
"The pale face who has joined herself to Vampires?!" Jenna whispered harshly.
"yes. That's the one." Emily confirmed.
"well no wonder the pack is going crazy. The little girl is obviously a spy sent from the cod ones to distract us from our game! We need to talk to the elders."
"wait! We should talk to old quill first…He might be…more reasonable. Chief black and elder clearwater have a…soft spot for Bella swan and, may not want to hear us out."
Jenna nodded.
"I see. I will go through our ancient texts and then get back to you in a few days. But for now, just focus on Sam and the other pack members…Malcolm will handle Paul."
Once Emily left Jenna turned to her brother.
"Jenna. There is no way in hell I am talking to that brat."
Jenna smiled.
"oh yes you are brother. Because …. if you don't…. your so well-hidden secret Will be told and ill be the one to do so." She hissed.
"you wouldn't…" he questioned coldly.
"oh, I assure you brother I would….and everything our tribe once thought was true…. will come crumbling down….and it will be all of your Fault. You don't want that now do you?"
Malcolm didn't say a word.
"That's what I thought. Now Here's what you're going to do…."
….
Bella laughed as Paul laid his head on her stomach.
"His heartbeat is so fast…. I could listen to it all day." He chuckled.
"of course, you would honey." Bella laughed.
"it makes us happy to see you laughing baby."
Bella felt the blush creep over her cheeks.
"I mean it honey. You've been so stressed out and your smile has gotten dimmer and dimmer. It just feels so good to see it back."
Bella ran her fingers through Pauls's hair and said " I have been stressed out honey. I worry about everything so much…I didn't realize taking a cruise to the Bahamas would be so relaxing."
Paul sighed as he scooped her up.
"Well, Mrs. lahote, only the finest in life for you."
"mmhmm…I just wish we could stay like this forever." Bella sighed
"ME too honey. Me too."
And as Bella slowly fell asleep, Paul was able to meditate to the sound of her heartbeat plus his child's.
However, something caught his attention. In their cabin…. was another heartbeat.
Unfortunately, Paul didn't get time to bask in this new revelation because his phone rang and on the caller ID …was his father.
Paul saw red.