The Alpha Female

JacobxBella

Rated M

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or the franchise, as it belongs to Steph Meyers

The Alpha Female

Chapter 30

Charlie whistled as he put his house key into the doorknob, turning it and unlocking the door to his home. Feeling the bolt give, he took the key out of the keyhole and turned the knob, pushing the front door open. The moment he stepped inside, he stopped and stared at the scene in front of him with wide eyes. Sitting against the wall in the foyer was his daughter and she looked rough, as if she had been in a fight. And judging from the rest of the scene in front of him, that seemed to definitely be the case. He could tell that his staircase, where a beheaded body was lying on, was destroyed. And there just three feet in front of him was the head of Edward fucking Cullen.

Quickly closing the door behind him and locking it, he asked, "Kiddo, what happened?"

Bella looked up at Charlie almost dazedly before whispering, "I killed Edward."

Nodding slowly the police chief replied, "I can see that. What…what happened? Did he hurt you? What about the baby?"

Bella's eyes widened at the mention of the baby and she placed a hand on her stomach before saying, "I don't know. I…I haven't moved from this spot for the past three hours. But…my stomach did start hurting about half an hour ago."

Alarmed at hearing that, Charlie hurried to his daughter and helped her to stand up from her seated position against the wall. The moment she was standing, Bella leant heavily against her father, her hair falling in her face as the hand resting on her stomach clenched, a sharp pain running through her stomach. Charlie looked at Bella concern and helped walk her to the living room saying, "You should have called me, kiddo. You should have called me, if not Jacob."

"I'm sorry," Bella said softly as Charlie helped her sit on the couch. Looking back towards Edward's body she continued saying, "And I'm sorry about the stairs. My room doesn't look much better either."

"Don't worry about it. Right now, we need to take care of his body. I've got a body bag in my trunk. Let me go get it and we can put him in it. Then we'll go to La Push."

Bella looked at her father with a frown. "Why do you have a body bag in your trunk?"

Charlie waved off her question and went back outside, returning not too long later with the large black bag in hand. After closing the door behind him, walked over to the broken staircase and grabbed Edward's body, maneuvering it into the bag before turning to grab Edward's head. He remembered Billy telling him that the head needed to stay disconnected from the body in order for the vampire to not reconnect it and start moving around again. Getting an idea, he went upstairs, carefully stepping over the broken stairs, and headed to his room. He came back down two minutes later with a bowling ball bag in hand, the sight of it surprising Bella.

"You bowl?" she couldn't help but ask.

"It was something I attempted to get into about a year before you moved here," Charlie replied, taking the bowling ball out of the bag and putting Edward's head in it. After zipping up that bag, as well as the body bag, Charlie looked at his daughter and said, "Let's get to La Push, and let's get you to Sue. Maybe she can do something."

Bella nodded and slowly stood from the couch and made her way to where her father was. She grabbed the bowling ball bag while he grabbed the body bag, and the two of them quickly left their house and made it to the police cruiser. They put both bags in the trunk, all the while making sure no one saw them do that before closing it and getting inside the cruiser. Backing out of the driveway, Charlie floored it towards La Push, all the while glancing at his daughter who was beginning to look a bit paler than usual.

Sam and Leah were out patrolling, neither of them speaking to each other. Though things were at least a bit better between them—Leah no longer punishing him and the Pack with memories of their time together due to her bitterness over the Imprint—things were still tense between them. After making their third lap around the perimeters of their land, Sam stopped and decided to speak.

"Leah," Sam said looking at the small grey wolf that Leah was.

Leah turned to look back at the black wolf and asked, "What is it?"

"I know you normally don't want to talk, especially after everything that has happened, but I want to speak about it, especially now that we're alone."

Leah's wolfy eyebrows furrowed down over her eyes, her immediately not liking the turn of where the conversation was going to go. She knew what Sam wanted to talk about, and he was right, she didn't want to speak about it. It still hurt to think about, let alone talk about it. But now that they were alone, she supposed the time had come to talk about it all. Not only that, but perhaps she would get some closure so she could finally move on and get over it, so her heart could finally heal properly.

Releasing a huff (the equivalent of a sigh), Leah nodded her large head and sat down on her haunches. Giving Sam her undivided attention, Leah said, "Alright, let's talk."

Sam was surprised to that Leah had agreed, expecting her to resist and maybe even run away. Deciding to not lose the opportunity, Sam too sat on his haunches while looking down at the female Shifter. He looked her in her eyes for a moment before closing them to gather his thoughts, all the while grateful that Leah was being considerate to not delve into his mind when she very well could have. Taking a breath, he opened them and began speaking.

"Leah, I want to apologize to you. Not only about the whole Imprinting thing, but for everything. You understand that I was the first to phase and I couldn't tell you about it. But you have to believe that I wanted nothing more than to tell you everything at the time. But in me following what Old Quil said and not telling you anything, I only ended up distancing myself from you and thus hurting you in the process. And then I completely broke your heart when I Imprinted on your cousin and broke up with you because of it."

"Sam, it's okay. You don't have to explain yourself, I understand what happened," Leah said, though her heart clenched in her chest.

Sam could see rehashing everything was painful for Leah, despite the fact that she was willing to listen. But he had to get this out, he just had to. "No, I do. I have to explain myself. I have no excuse for not doing so before and not doing so now. Leah, leaving you hurt me just as much as it hurt you, but I couldn't fight the Imprint. I was being pulled to Emily, but I also felt loyalty to you as well. It was tearing me apart and I became more irritable about it."

"Not that we have much choice being oversized wolves, having short tempers and all," Leah replied. "Me worst of all."

"Yeah, you're real feisty. It was one of the things that I loved about you. And I'll admit, I still love it."

The two of them sat there staring at each other for a while before Leah broke eye contact, looking off to the side before making a rumbling sound from her throat, as if clearing it. She then indicated for Sam to continue, to which he did.

"Anyway, because of the Imprint with Emily and me being drawn to her, I began attempting to court her. However, Emily wasn't accepting of the Imprint, even though I could feel her affections for me as well. She was being considerate of you, Leah. She wouldn't accept me because of what I meant to you and what you meant to her, what you still mean. She finally accepted it after the…incident. But things were still strained between us, especially after you found out that not only were we together, but living together as well. It wasn't fair that you had to find out about that and not hear the real reason, but we couldn't say anything, no matter how badly I wanted to. And I got madder about it because Jacob was able to tell Bella what was going on, or rather give enough information for her to figure it out on her own, while I couldn't even do that."

"But Bella's situation is different."

"Maybe, but like you she didn't know about that wolves. She figured it out from the lack of information Jacob gave her. I should have done the same thing, even if I was told not to. All I did was cause more unnecessary heartbreak for you, and inner turmoil for myself. And for that, I'm sorry Leah. I know that nothing will change or go back to how things were for us, but I'd really love it you would allow me to be your friend again."

Leah wasn't sure what to say, only able to take in Sam's words. She could tell that they were heartfelt, could feel his sincerity in his words, feel it in her heart. Yes, she still loved Sam, and it was obvious that he still loved her. But with how things were now, they would never again be together romantically. But she also knew that time went on, and as time went on, wounds healed. Her heart would heal, she would heal; they both would. But in order for that to happen, they both had to be on the same page in order to fully move on. And Sam was doing that by extending his hand in friendship once again. And if she could get her closure with Sam, she could later get it with Emily.

Making a decision, Leah stood up and stepped up to Sam, looking him in his eyes. Taking a deep breath she said, "Sam, I was very upset about everything, and I made that abundantly clear to everyone, not just you. I felt betrayed by the two people that I cared about most in the world that wasn't my immediate family. I had our future planned out and everything, only to have it shatter and burn before my eyes, and I had no idea why. And when I did eventually find out everything and my role as well, it made me the bitter bitch that I am. I planned to make your life hell for as long as I could, rebuffing any attempts Emily made to extend an olive branch. And that was wrong of me."

Sam shook his large wolf head. "But it's understandable why you did."

"But I shouldn't have. I should have spoken about it with you like the adults we're supposed to be, but I couldn't even do that right. Sam, I'm a mess, I'll admit that. My whole life has been through a tailspin throughout this entire year, and my way of coping with it was anger, anger I directed towards you and everyone else around us. For that, I'm sorry. But I have been getting better about things now, trying not to get so angry with a lot of things." Leah let out a few huffs, her version of a wolfish chuckle. "Believe it or not, I've taken to yoga and mediation to find inner peace, and I think it's been working."

"Yoga?"

"Bella suggested it in a talk we had not long after we found out she was pregnant. We've…come to an understanding and seem to get along well. She even considers me a friend, something I'm not good at doing. But anyway, in doing yoga and meditation, I've found some peace within myself to begin to move on and heal, but I know it will only get better when I mend the relationships I have broken, or the ones that broke me. And as a start, I accept your apology and I hope you can accept mine and that we can move past this and be friends again. I…I miss having you in my life the way we used to be."

Sam stood up off his haunches and nuzzled his large wolf head against Leah's before replying, "Me too, and of course I forgive you. I know we still have a ways to go, but one step at a time right?"

"Right. And…and tell Emily that if her offer still stands, I'd like to come to dinner next week."

Sam stepped back and nodded, glad that they were finally able to talk and clear the air a bit between them. He then suggested that they go on about their patrol, having taken long enough of a break. However, as the two of them started their patrol again, their noses picked up on a familiar scent. Stopping they looked at each other and had the same exact thought: Paul.

Taking off running, Sam moved in the direction of Paul's scent, Leah running in stride with him. Before long they came across Paul who had stopped in his walk, a backpack on his back and a duffle bag thrown over his shoulder. He looked at the big black wolf and small grey ones, knowing that it was Sam and Leah in front of him. Swallowing hardly, Paul said hesitantly, "Hi guys."

Jacob and Billy had been having a talk on their porch, both carving wood together, when Leah stepped out of the woods wearing a sports bra, tank top, and cotton shorts. Frowning at her sudden appearance, particularly at her wary expression, Jacob stood up and asked, "What's the matter, Leah? What's wrong?"

Leah stopped a few feet from the porch and said with her hands raised in a placating way, "Jake, don't freak out."

"Why would I do that?"

The female Shifter said nothing, only turned to face the woods and whistled. Jacob and Billy turned their attention to the woods as well, both of their eyes widening in shock to see not only Sam step into view, but Paul as well. As Paul drew nearer with Sam, Jacob was instantly overcome with rage. Dropping his knife and wood piece, he stepped off the porch and began to stalk over towards Paul. Seeing this and the rage radiating off of his Alpha, Sam stepped between them and said, "Jacob, stop."

"The hell I will," Jacob growled out. "That traitor shouldn't even be here. I'm going to kill him."

"As we all do, but we can't."

"And why the hell not?!" Turning to face Paul Jacob asked, "What the fuck are you doing back here?!"

Paul opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by Leah who said, "Because he's got some valuable information that you need to hear."

"I don't want to hear a damn thing he has to say!"

"Jacob please, be reasonable," Sam interjected.

Jacob glared at Sam. "Don't tell me to be reasonable, Sam! There isn't a damn thing he has to say that will make me listen to him!"

"Victoria has destroyed her army," Paul finally spoke up, effectively shutting Jacob up. With all eyes trained on him, Paul swallowed and said, "I overheard Victoria, Cullen, and another vampire talking about how she destroyed the newborn army because I let her know that we knew about it. Because of this, she currently has no plan but wants to take out the Pack first before getting to Bella."

Jacob stood still taking in what was said. This…certainly was a turn of events. Because of Paul telling the redhead about what they knew, she had to dispose of her plan and thus didn't have another one. It actually was good on their part, he had to admit to himself. But that still didn't explain why Paul had returned. Actually, it did. He now knew Victoria had only been using him and he was come back with his tail tucked between his legs. In fact, he already looked sufficiently cowed considering Jacob had yet to rip his head off.

Before he had more time to dwell on it, Charlie's police cruiser suddenly raced up towards their house, the four Shifters quickly stepping back from the oncoming car. Charlie slammed on the brakes before he hit the porch and soon got out of the cruiser. He went to the trunk of his car and opened it, taking out a bowling ball bag and a body bag before throwing them on the ground. He then walked to the passenger side of the car and opened the door, helping a very faint and battered looking Bella out of the police cruiser.

Seeing the state of his girlfriend, Jacob hurried over to her and took her from Charlie crying, "Bella!"

Blearily opening her eyes, she tried to smile up at him and said barely audible, "Jake."

Bella soon fainted after, going completely limp in Jacob's arms. Picking her up he looked at Charlie frantic and asked, "What happened to her?"

"Cullen paid her an unexpected visit while I was gone from the house," Charlie answered, a grim expression on his face. "They had a fight and practically destroyed the house; he got Bella pretty good, too. I'm worried about her and the baby."

Jacob was positively seething by this point. He was shaking almost violently, but the only thing keeping him from phasing in rage was the brunette he loved in his arms. He couldn't believe that cold son of a bitch had physically hurt Bella, and while she was pregnant! Now Bella was hurt and their baby was probably hurt as well. What if Bella was going through a miscarriage? They couldn't lose their baby, not because of that leech.

Turning to face Billy he said, "Dad, call Sue. Tell her to be at the clinic and that it's an emergency concerning Bella and the baby."

As Billy rolled back inside his home to do as his son said, Leah walked over to Jacob and took Bella from him saying, "I'm going to go ahead to the clinic with Bella and meet mom there."

"I'll go with you," Charlie said before he got back inside his car, Leah climbing in the back Bella. Soon they were pulling away from the little red house and down the road to the clinic, Leah giving directions along the way.

Watching the police cruiser leave from sight, Jacob turned back to Sam and said through gritted teeth, "I want that asshole found. I'm going to kill him and watch his ashes burn for what he's done to Bella."

Paul, who had taken to looking inside the bags that Charlie dropped on the ground, stood up and said, "You won't have to look far."

Stepping back, Paul gestured towards the bags, indicating for Sam and Jacob to take a look at what was inside. The two of them did and were surprised to find the head of Edward Cullen in the small bag, and his body in the large one. As they stared in shock at what was before them, Paul said, "It looks like Bella reigned victorious in their fight. She took his head clean off."

Jacob, despite his shock at the beheaded vampire in front of him and the knowledge that Bella had done it, blinked before nodding and going to pick up the bag with Edward's head. Looking at the two of them he said, "We're burning him now. Sam, get the body bag. Paul, grab some matches. And after this, I'm going to the clinic to be with Bella. But best believe when I get back, you and I are going to have a long chat."

Paul stared at Jacob, taking in the fact that he was now indeed the Alpha he was meant to be. Knowing he had no reason to refuse and that the fate he was bound to meet was probably death, he simply nodded and walked into the Black home to get some matches. But he also understood that though Jacob was accepting him being there to burn Cullen, he knew that he wasn't accepted back into the Pack. And if he were Jacob, he wouldn't accept himself back in either.