The Alpha Female

JacobxBella

Rated M

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

Author's Note: I hope everyone had a nice Easter, Passover, or whatever it is that you celebrate. I also hope that you all are staying safe right now. Here is the next chapter of this installment and I hope you all enjoy it, as well as stay tuned for more to come. Thanks so much for continuing to read and review as well. XOXO, SehunsBae37.

The Alpha Female

Chapter 31

Jacob, Sam, and Paul all stood staring at the burning pile that was Edward Cullen, purple smoke rising from it into the sky, a sickly sweet stench filling the air. Just for a moment, Jacob felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Cullen was finally gone, one threat to him and Bella that was fully eradicated, and by his honey herself. However, that didn't mean that their other threat wasn't still out there. The redhead and her accomplice still needed taking care of, and they would be soon. But he couldn't think about that right now. Right now, he had to get to the clinic; Bella and their baby's lives were at stake.

Turning to the two Shifters with him he said, "I'm gone to the clinic. I need to know what's happening with Bella and the baby. Sam, tell everyone else about Cullen's death. And Paul…"

Jacob looked as if he was struggling to keep his anger with the traitor at bay, his mouth tight with keeping in what he wanted to say and his fists clenching. Paul, knowing he needed to give Jacob a chance to calm down—if only a little—nodded and said, "I'm going to go home for the time being, if that's alright. I'll come back when you're ready. I won't run off, I swear."

Deciding that was fair for the time being, Jacob nodded and ran back to his house, climbing in his Rabbit and starting the car, quickly pulling away from his home and down the road.

Sam and Paul watched him leave until he was out of sight before Sam said, "Go home, Paul. All you can do now is wait."

Paul nodded and tightened his hold on his bag duffle bag and book bag before turning and walking towards his home, a note of shame in his step. Sam let out a sigh before walking into the woods, intent on phasing and calling the rest of the Pack together for the turn of events that have happened.

Bella's eyes slowly opened as she came back to the world of wakefulness. Blinking, she looked up into a white ceiling for a moment before looking to the side to see Sue and Charlie talking quietly with each other. Looking to the other side, she saw Leah staring longingly at a poster on the wall of a woman with her newborn, a sad look on her face. Shifting a little on the small bed she said, "Leah."

The sound of her voice drew Leah's attention, as well as Charlie and Sue's. Smiling at her she said, "Glad to have you back with us."

"How long was I out?"

"Not too long. We got you here about fifteen minutes ago. Charlie told us what you did to your vampire. Badass, Swan."

Bella smiled slightly before turning to look at Sue and Charlie who had stepped up to her. Sue placed a hand on her forehead before asking, "How are you feeling, Bella?"

The brunette shrugged before answering, "Okay, I guess." Realizing the setting she was in she asked with a hint of fear in her voice, "Is my baby okay?"

Sue opened her mouth to answer but was interrupted when the door to the room opened and Jacob strode inside. Seeing that Bella was awake, he walked over to her and bent down to kiss her lips before saying, "I'm so glad you're alright. You gave me quite the scare, honey."

"I'm sorry," Bella replied, a sweet smile on her lips.

Jacob smiled in return and kissed her forehead before turning his attention to Sue. "Is she okay? Is our baby okay?"

"I was just about to tell Bella the verdict, but it's good that you're here too," Sue replied. When the young couple were giving her their undivided attention, she began to speak again. "I performed an ultrasound on Bella while she was still unconscious and measured the baby's heartrate and such, as well as monitored Bella's blood pressure. Bella's was rather low when she was brought here, but I imagine it was really high earlier during her confrontation with Edward. The baby's a little high as well, but as Bella began to stabilize, the baby did too."

"So it's okay?" Bella asked.

"The baby is just fine. And believe it or not, it looks like it's almost at the point to be able to tell what sex it could be."

Bella's eyes widened as she looked at Jacob, his eyes equally wide. Charlie had a look of shock on his face before he shook it off saying, "That shouldn't be possible."

Sue nodded her head in agreement. "You're right, it shouldn't be. However, this baby is growing a little quicker than a normal one. After all, Bella is only a month pregnant but looks like she's about to end her first trimester. Billy already suggested this to Bella and Jacob and me as well, but Bella could be ready to birth her baby at six months or less."

"Holy shit," Charlie said, looking a little lightheaded.

Leah chuckled before declaring, "I call dibs on being its godmother."

Jacob laughed before saying, "Bella and our baby is alright, that's good. Nothing to worry about anymore."

"Not so fast, Jacob," Sue said, a grave look on her face. "There is still more I need to say."

Bella felt her stomach drop for a moment before asking, "What is it?"

Sue took a deep breath before speaking. "Because of the state you and your baby were in when you were brought here, I have to tell you that you can't get into another state like that again. It was dangerous for both you and the baby. The amount of damage that you took because of Edward was critical for you, and possibly damn near fateful for your baby. Thank the gods that you're both fine right now. But Bella, listen to me. You can't involve yourself in another fight again, no matter what. If you do, you could lose your baby for real next time."

The atmosphere turned tense at Sue's words as Jacob and Bella took that in. Leah and Charlie already knew because Sue had told them beforehand, not long before Bella had woken up. Bella looked up at Jacob before turning to look at Sue.

"But I can't just sit and do nothing. Victoria is still out there, and I need to be there to help the Pack take her out," Bella protested.

"I'm sorry Bella, but I have no choice but to put you on bed-rest for the rest of your pregnancy. You can move around if you like, even take your exams and attend your graduation, but it is critical to yours and your baby's health to rest the rest of the time you are pregnant, as well as not get into any more fights, no matter how noble the cause."

"Sue!"

"I mean it, Bella. I'm not budging on this."

"Jake!" Bella cried turning to her boyfriend. Jacob had a contemplative look on his face, him obviously thinking over Sue's words. Grabbing his hand Bella said, "Jake, you and the Pack need me. You need my help."

Leah stood and looked at the brunette before saying, "That may be true, but for now, it's best that you stay still Bella. Cullen did a number on you and your baby could have paid the price for it. There is no way I'm going to put you or the little Alpha's life in danger."

Charlie nodded and said, "I agree, I don't want to see you battered and bruised like this again, kiddo. Listen to Sue, it's for yours and the baby's own good."

Bella shook her head, not believing her dad and Leah were against her. She understood where they were coming from and that it was for her and her baby's well-being, but she was a part of the Pack too, and they needed all the help they could get. Victoria was more cunning than Edward ever was and they would need her help to stop her. Turning to look at Jacob once more she said softly, "Jake, please."

Jacob gave her a sad look before saying, "I won't put the safety of you and the baby in danger just because I want the redhead gone as much as you do. Protecting my lands and tribe from Cold Ones are a priority of mine and the Pack's, especially with me being Alpha. But above all else, you are my first priority; you and our child. I can't let you fight alongside me while still pregnant, especially if fighting is detrimental to you both. I'm sorry Bella, but I agree with Sue. You have to stay on bed-rest."

Huffing in frustration and defeat, Bella crossed her arms and said, "Fine."

Charlie and Jacob looked at each other with almost amused expressions on their faces. Sue placed her hand on Bella's shoulder and said, "I know you don't like it, but you'll thank me for it later, I promise."

"And don't worry, we can handle this," Leah inputted.

Nodding reluctantly, Bella said, "I guess so. Can I leave now?"

"Yes, you can," Sue said before turning to turn off the ultrasound machine and such.

Jacob helped Bella off the bed and held her hand as they left the room, Leah, Charlie, and Sue following after them. Once they exited the clinic, Charlie told Bella he was headed home to look at the extent of the damage she and Edward had caused before deciding to call someone to come fix it tomorrow. Hugging him 'goodbye' Bella watched him get in his police cruiser and drive away to head out of La Push and back to Forks. Once Charlie was gone, Sue walked over to her own car and told Leah that she was headed home and to try and not be late for dinner.

When Sue had driven away, Jacob turned to Leah and asked her to go to Paul's house to tell him to go to the Black home, as he was ready to speak to him now. Leah nodded and ran down the road, presumably towards Paul's home. As she ran off, Jacob helped Bella into his car, then got into the driver's seat himself. He started the car and pulled away from the clinic, driving them back to his house. Along the way, Bella stared out the window quietly, still miffed about the fact that she couldn't participate in fighting Victoria and taking her down. It was just as much her fight as it was the Pack's, but she also understood why Sue and Jacob said 'no'. She was pregnant and it wouldn't do to put her child's life at stake, especially when she could have easily miscarried tonight because of her fight with Edward, the fight she had started. Oh well, she supposed she'd leave it for now. No use in trying to change her boyfriend's mind anyway right now.

Speaking of said boyfriend, Bella turned to look at him and asked, "What are you going to do with Paul? What are you going to say?"

Jacob's hand clenched on the steering wheel before saying, "I guess I'll hear him out on his reason's why, not that it's not already obvious."

"Then what? Are you still going to kill him like you said you were going to?"

"I want to, but…" Jacob looked at Bella, seeing her questioning gaze before turning back to the road. Before long, he pulled up in front of the little red house that was his home, cutting off the car. Sighing he continued. "…but I also know that you don't want me to, that you think it's not right."

"Because it's not, because it's not you to kill your brother."

"But he's committed treason, Bella. He's committed against you, me, and the Pack. He teamed up with the redhead to get back at you and me, and for what? Because his overinflated ego got bruised? It's not enough to just banish him for what he did." Jacob's anger was rising to the surface, his chest heaving as he took deep breaths to calm himself.

Bella could understand Jacob's point of view, but she also knew that above it all—above his anger and need to do what was right—he was hurt because of what Paul did. Despite the many times they fought, Paul and Jacob were brothers brought together by fate. It was hard to imagine any member of the Pack turning on them as a whole, rather than just one to another. And for Jacob, not only had Paul turned his back on and betrayed the Pack, but he had done it to Jacob personally, because of the woman that he loved. It was personal to Jacob and that was why it hurt him more than anyone else.

Turning in her seat, Bella reached over and cupped Jacob's face softly saying, "Look at me."

When brown eyes met her own, Bella began speaking. "I know you're hurting. I know you're hurting because of Paul, and that you want nothing more than to end his life. I know you also took a vote on whether to punish him by death or banishment. But you know something else? You will continue to hurt if you do either of these things, because it will continue to weigh on your heart. It's already heavy because of this, don't make it worse. Despite everything that he's done, Paul is your brother and you love him. The entire Pack is your family and you guys are a unit. I'm sure they're hurting too, knowing a decision has to be made about Pauls' misdeeds, and it weighs on you knowing you have to be the one to dish it out. And even though I know it's hard for you to do right now, you need to forgive him, Jake."

Jacob's eyes widened and he scoffed before turning his head. Bella tightened her grip on his face and turned his head to look back at her. Looking into his eyes she said firmly, "You need to forgive him, Jacob. It doesn't have to be now or any time in the near future, but you have to do it. And don't do it for me, do it for yourself. I know I shouldn't, but I've already forgiven Paul and you need to do the same. I don't want this weighing heavy on your heart, it's too pure for that. And Paul has obviously realized his wrongdoings, or else he wouldn't have come back. Just…just think about what I've said before making any final decisions."

Silence flowed between them for a moment before Jacob finally sighed. Wrapping his arms around Bella, he hugged her close and leant his head against her own as she snuggled into his warmth. Sighing once again he whispered, "I'll try. I know it won't be easy, but I'll try."

Bella smiled and nodded, content in the fact that Jacob would at least consider her words. Once their moment was over, they climbed out of the Rabbit and headed up the steps to go inside to wait for Paul. However, they didn't need to wait long because they could hear footsteps coming up behind them. Turning, they saw Paul waiting at the bottom of the porch almost anxiously. Looking at each other, Bella placed a hand on Jacob's arm before nodding her head towards Paul, silently telling him to go talk with him. Jacob nodded and stepped down off the porch, beckoning Paul to follow him. As the two of them walked off towards the garage, Billy rolled out onto the porch with Bella.

He watched the two young men enter the garage before asking, "You think he'll make the right decision?"

"I hope so, Billy," Bella answered before turning to face the wise man. "Because I know if he doesn't, it will tear him apart."

Paul waited quietly as Jacob moved around his garage, picking up discarded tools and placing them where they needed to go. After about two minutes of complete silence, Jacob finally turned to look at him saying, "I hope you know that was you did was beyond fucked up. You put the lives of not only Bella, but the whole damn Pack in jeopardy because of your selfish bullshit reasons."

Nodding Paul replied, "I know."

"Quite frankly, you don't even deserve to be in my presence. I honestly should kill you right now."

"I know."

"We already took a vote on what to do with you because of the treason you committed, and the unanimous vote was for your death. However, the only reason you stand here alive right now is the very reason why you turned on us in the first place."

Paul blinked in surprise before saying, "You mean Bella."

Jacob nodded. "Yes, Bella. For whatever reason, she's vouching for you, even though you don't deserve it, and she has more reason that the rest of us to do away with you, and yet she's imploring me to extend an olive branch. I don't know what I want to do with you now, seeing as killing you would be more than enough and banishing you wouldn't be enough. But…but I won't make that decision right now. I want to, but I won't; I can't. The redhead and her partner are still out there and I doubt they know Cullen is dead. I'm sure when she does find out, she'll be pissed upon finding out another wrench has been thrown in her plans, whatever those are."

Stepping up to Paul and looking him right in his eyes, Jacob spoke firmly. "You are back in the Pack for the time being, and only because I say so because we need all the help we can get, but that doesn't mean you are officially reinstated. I won't make any decisions on your sentence right now but rest assured that when those leeches are taken down, I will make my decision. So, for now, enjoy being in limbo."

Jacob walked away from him back to his workbench, grabbing tools to work on an old engine that was next to the bench. Paul stood staring at Jacob, finding himself a bit relieved with Jacob's decision for now. He wasn't in the clear, but he wasn't a dead man quite yet. Turning to leave, Paul headed for the door of the garage and opened it to step out. He stopped though and turned to look back at Jacob once more.

"Thank you, Jacob."

"Don't thank me, thank Bella. Like I said, she's the reason you are alive right now," Jacob replied without turning to face him.

Paul nodded and stepped out of garage, closing the door behind him as he did. He walked with his hands in his pockets back towards the road, walking by the Black house as he did. He stopped momentarily when he saw Bella step out of the house and onto the porch. The two of them stared at each other before Paul gave Bella a small imperceptible smile and nodded at her. Bella gave him a small smile in return and nodded as well, watching as he continued on his way into the darkness of the night.