Chapter 10: Chase

A/N: Sorry that this chapter took so long to get out and that it's a bit shorter than the last few. I've been pretty busy and my birthday was a couple days ago so I was doing a few (safe) things for it! Hope y'all enjoy the chapter!

*Song: Not really the song for the chapter, but the song that Ben is singing is called "Silence is golden but duct tape is silver" and it's by Against All Authority

Ben spent the next week in and out of Sam and Emily's house. Most days he would either help Emily around the house and kitchen, read, or work on pieces for his show. The wolves would show up throughout the days for lunch and rest before heading back out and he usually used the opportunity to hang out with them and learn anything he could about Jacob and the pack. He'd been gone for so long and had missed so much, he longed to catch up. He'd been upset though, since that day in the bathroom Jake hadn't come back up around the house. Seth assured him it was because he'd been busy with pack and rez business, but he feared the man was avoiding him after their...talk.

Today he was pulling weeds and tidying the garden for Emily while she ran around inside. He was happy to do the work since she'd gotten to the point in her pregnancy that it was just too difficult on her body and Sam was too busy running patrols and taking care of wolf things. Turning the volume up on his phone he hummed along to the music playing through his headphones as he tossed several more weeds into the pile next to him. He loved the quiet of the forest, but he missed going to live shows and the noises of city nightlife. Leah had already been planning out what they'd be doing when he got back in a couple weeks, he looked forward to it.

Wiping his wrist across his sweaty forehead he shoved the pile into a bucket. Getting to his feet he headed for the compost bin around the back of the house. He smiled as the next song came on, the song blasting through his brain. He danced the rest of the way, clunky boots kicking up mud as he jumped around. "Out of control and you've shivered my timbers, I'm all fucked up! The Moon's just a sliver, yea, silence is golden but duct tape is silver like the lining of the clouds that conceal the killers!"

He turned the corner, the song quickly dying on his lips and his feet slowing to a walk. He could feel his face warming up as several pairs of eyes stared him down from across the yard. Jacob, Sam, Seth, and Paul stood near the tree line in a semi-circle talking among themselves in what looked like a meeting. He averted his eyes and moved for the compost bin, he just wanted to finish quickly so he could get back out of their line of sight. Pulling the top off the metal bin and setting it to the side he poured the content of the bucket in. The scent of earth and musky decomposition wafted up towards his face making him scrunch his nose. Replacing the top he turned back around to make his escape and ran straight into a wall of muscle.

"Shit!" He jumped back and put his hand over his racing heart, "Fucking A Paul!" He tugged off his headphones, allowing them to fall around his neck. The man grinned down at him and Ben couldn't help but glower at his pleased look. "You think it's funny nearly giving me a heart attack?" Paul shrugged, "I think you'll be ok Swan, besides I tried calling your name but your music was so loud you couldn't hear me. So technically it's your own fault."

Ben rolled his eyes and glared up at him, "That's it, I'm buying all of you bells to wear around your fat necks." The man laughed, "Try it and I'll stick you in a tree." They stared each other down, and then Ben decided it was time to break out the big guns. "That's it Paul, you've forced my hand." Sticking out his bottom lip and putting on his best puppy dog face he turned for the open back door, "Emily! Paul is being mean to me, I don't think he should get-" A big hand wrapped around his mouth and he was pulled back, "Hey! Don't tattle on me to mom! Ouch!" He pulled his hand back and Ben scrambled away with a grin.

"He bit me!" The man looked shocked at him, "When was the last time you washed your hands Lahote? I might need to get a shot! Besides you're the one that put your hand around my teeth, so technically it's your own fault." He gave the wolf a toothy smirk, arms crossed over his chest. Paul lowered himself to a crouch, "That's it boy, you're going in a tree." Ben's eyes widened, feet getting ready to run. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me." Paul inched forward and Ben thought to do the only thing he could, he threw the bucket that still hung in his hand square at the wolf and took off for the back door. "No point in running Swan! Just accept your fate!" He turned to look over his shoulder and saw the man gaining on him quickly, but he obviously wasn't using his full speed. He shrieked a laugh, and then saw something else move out of the corner of his eye. Jacob looked absolutely pissed and was making his way quickly towards them. Shit.

"You're going to get in so much trouble, Lahote!" He could feel the man closing in on him, hot breath sliding down his neck. Suddenly he was in the air, feet being pulled from the ground at impossible speeds. He let out a yelp, his head spinning from the overwhelming rush. Then just as abruptly he ground to a halt and his stomach dropped uneasily. Trying to find stability he looked around himself. Paul clutched him in the crook of his forearm, arm wrapped under his thighs so he was balanced against his side. The man's face looked hard and he followed his gaze to what he was staring at.

Jacob stood only a few feet away, body a mess of flexed rippling muscles that looked like they would pull away from his bones at any moment. He let out a growl and it sent a chill up Ben's spine. He shuddered under the anger of those rage filled eyes and felt Paul tighten his hold reflexively. The two wolves stared at each other down, "Mine." The word roared from Jacob's chest, echoing through the trees. The tension in the air was thick and he felt suffocated under it.

"Paul, put me down." The man didn't break eye contact with the angry alpha for even a moment as he slowly allowed him to slide from his grip. He took in a breath of air to try and prepare himself, then he inched forward. "Jacob." The wolf didn't look at him, canines appealing under razed lips. He knew if he couldn't calm him down soon, there would be an all out brawl in the yard. He tried to lace his words with a sweet tone as he spoke again, "Jake, look at me."

Those black eyes finally flicked to him and he put his arms out in front of him, he tried to look as welcoming as possible as he approached him. "Hey, it's alright Jake. Look I'm ok." He willed himself closer, trying to close the distance and distract him from the wolf behind him. "I'm right here." Everything seemed to be holding its breath as he came within a foot of the man, he wondered just how close to phasing he was. "I'm here, Jake." Finally he was no more than a few inches from him, he smiled up at him even as his heart seemed to be trying to pound out of his ribs. Strange enough, he wasn't scared that Jacob would hurt him, he mostly feared what he would do if he got his hands on Paull.

The man leaned down and Ben closed his eyes, instinctively turning his head to the side so he could bare his neck. He could hear him sniffing the air around his skin, it made him blush and he loathed his body for having such an instant reaction to him even in a situation like this.

His eyes shot open as Jacob closed the distance between them. He ran his nose over Ben's jaw, guiding a trail of heat over his skin with every centimeter he brushed. The touch was so gentle and yet so intense, he wanted to melt into him. Jacob's chest rumbled with a pur and he couldn't help the grin and laugh that crossed his lips. "See, everything is ok."

The heat retreated as Jacob righted his posture but it didn't hurt this time like it had in the past. Their eyes met again and Ben tried to give him a reassuring smile. The man didn't return it, but the lines around his eyes seemed to soften ever so slightly.

Without looking away Jacob bellowed an order, "Paul get your ass going, you have patrols to run." No reply came but he heard leaves rustle as the wolf took off. Those eyes studied him for a moment longer, darting over his face like they were taking inventory. "Don't let them chase you in front of me, it irritates the wolf." Ben nodded at him in understanding, "Ok, Jake."

The man seemed to hesitate but then he rested a hand on top of his head gently, "Go inside." His hand fell away as he turned back towards where Sam and Seth still stood, and he longed to reach out for it but he knew it wasn't the right time. Instead, he turned for the backdoor, hopped up the steps, and went to find Emily.

…

"Don't move for just another sec." Ben peaked over his canvas at Emily who stood in the middle of her living room. She was draped in a purple cloth that fell off her shoulders and slid down her curves where it pooled at the floor. Long dark hair cascading around her face and arms, the dark color contrasting beautifully with the cloth. Her long elegant fingers caressed her swollen stomach lovingly where it peaked out from beneath the fabric along with one of her bare legs. She looked absolutely ethereal, he hoped he could capture the likeness. Ben had asked her to pose for a painting and she'd happily agreed to do it. If the piece came out the way he hoped it would, he hoped to display it in the upcoming show.

"I've never posed for something like this before, I'm sorry if I'm not the best model." She smiled timidly and it was the first time Ben had ever seen her look unsure of herself. "Don't be silly, you're doing great. I'm just really glad you're letting me paint you." Emily really was a gorgeous person but besides that she had a likeness he desperately wanted to capture in a painting. "You don't think viewers will be...caught off guard?" He peered back up at her, finding her eyes from beneath the shadows of her hair. Emily always acted like she didn't mind her scars, but he could see how vulnerable she felt being on nearly full display. His eyes traveled down her face to the long marks on her arm and hand.

He smiled at her, "Scars or no scars you are one of the most beautiful people I've ever seen, Emily. If someone is put off by this painting, they can get the hell out of my gallery." He brushed on another stoke on the canvas and then looked at her again. She ran her scarred hand over her tummy, "People tend to look at me with pity, ya' know? They see my scars and think of them as a disfigurement, but I don't think of them like that." Her posture straightened and she raised her chin, "I'm going to be the hottest MILF at all the PTA meetings." They stared at each other for a moment, and then the house filled with hysterical laughter.

Ben set the brush down in the container of mineral spirits and slapped at his face, his cheeks hurting from his smile. "You sure are and I can't wait to see it." He stood up and tossed his paint towel over his shoulder. "Alright, let's take a break. I think I punctured an organ." Taking her hand he helped her out of the cloth so she could get back into her clothes and then plopped down on the sofa. He couldn't help but think about Leah, Her and Emily really were so alike. Even their humor and ability to make him laugh was similar.

"What's on your mind." Emily sat down next to him carefully, one hand on her stomach while she used one of his to help her down. He looked over her face and then ran a hand through his hair, "Not sure if you wanna know." She shifted her weight so she was leaning one elbow over the couch and using her hand to prop up her head. "Try me." It was the second time he'd heard that today and he hoped this time would go a little better.

"I was just thinking about how similar you and Leah are." He rolled his head to the side so he could meet her eyes, she looked like she was torn between bittersweet emotions. Wiping a hand at her face she sniffled, "You know, I envy you. You're so close to her and got to spend so much time with her over the years. I miss her everyday. It's the only regret I have when it comes to my relationship with Sam."

He hesitated but then reached a hand out to take her free one. "She'd kill me if she ever found out I told you, because she's such a proud person but she misses you too." She squeezed his hand and sniffed a laugh. "She always was so hardheaded, even with her own feelings. What an absolute wolf." They both laughed again, but it was laced with upset. "Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to call her."

They sat like that for a while, just enjoying each other's comfortable silence. He knew he could only do so much to help them make up, this was their problem and he couldn't fix it for them even though he wanted to. He knew they could get there though, they both had so much love for the other still.

"When y'all do finally make up and you're no longer prego, you're definitely joining us for midnight margaritas and karaoke."