Hello my loves. How are we all? Sorry for the delay in posting, it's been a rather busy week and I've been having fun posting my other fic Neighbourhood Nice Off.
Gemini, my one shot for the Bodice Rippers contest, has been nominated for the top 12 completed fics for June. I feel so honoured to be nominated.
Normal disclaimers apply.
The trek back home seemed to take twice as long. Emmett -who was still unconscious- was draped over the backs of two soldier wolves, who had to work together to keep from dropping him.
We also had to keep stopping for Edward to take frequent breaks. Being severely malnourished and dehydrated meant he got tired quicker than the rest of us. I offered to carry him but he flat out refused. Stubborn man.
We were almost to our border when two russet wolves blocked our path and a third tried to drag Emmett away. Jasper tackled the single one away from Emmett, while Felix and the other soldiers fought away the two blocking our path.
The one pinned under Jasper shifted to reveal a young woman. "Please!" She cried from under his fur. "Please don't take our Alpha."
Jasper released the naked woman and quickly averted his eyes, but kept his ears pricked for any change in her sincere tone. She scrambled to her feet, not caring that she was standing in front of several strangers with no clothes on. "Please."
I felt for her. I really did. Her pack has just out from under the rule of an evil asshole and now it looked like I was taking away their new Alpha. I shifted and used Jasper's body as a cover. Now we were no longer in battle I didn't feel quite as confident being naked around all of these wolves. "What's your name?" I asked, taking in her looks and build. She was roughly five foot eight. Skinny. Long, dark hair. Couldn't have been much older than myself.
"I'm Leah. Leah Clearwater." She replied, before launching into her story. "Ex-Alpha Black killed my parents for disobeying his orders. Mated couples here are only allowed one child and my parents had two. My little brother was kept a secret for as long as possible but they were found out. My parents were butchered on the spot and Black took my brother. I was punished too. They took away my ability to bear children before I even understood what it meant. I was just a child. I was sent to live in the barracks after that where I was beaten, abused and trained for ten years before I escaped four years ago. I felt it when Alpha Black was no more. It was like a huge oppressing weight had been lifted and I could finally breathe again. Our new Alpha comes with a promise to be a light to many here. We can feel his nature. He's warm and kind. A beacon of hope for all of us. Please. Please don't take that away." Leah begged me again, refusing to break eye contact with me.
I felt sick at what she had told us. I knew Billy Black was a sadistic son of a bitch, but to enforce such a rule on his own people. I'm glad he's dead.
"Leah, my name is Bella Swan. I am the granddaughter of our packs Alpha, and Emmett here is my cousin." I motioned to Emmett's unconscious form. "His father is our packs physician. He can heal him much better there. He is still regarded as a part of our pack."
"We can heal him here."
"I'm sorry, but no. I don't trust that you can." I shook my head at her.
"You can't leave us Alpha-less. The pack will fall into disarray."
There was a shift of movement behind me and I was surprised to hear Felix say "I'll stay behind Bella. Get Emmett home and healed. I'll watch over everything until he can return." He walked forward and stood near Leah. "Tell your grandfather everything that has happened this evening Bella and send for Heidi. I can imagine that many people here could do with her help."
"Leah this is our packs beta, Felix. He will hold Emmett's place until he is well enough to return. You can trust him."
Leah nodded and shifted back, the other russet wolves going to stand with her and Felix, who had also shifted back into his wolf form. Our three spare soldiers followed Felix, Leah and the other two back down the hill.
Once my paws hit the ground I led the remainder of my group back home. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when we finally stepped foot on Shadow Wolf soil. We were home. We called out with our minds to anyone who could hear us and in an instant it was a hive of activity. At once a dozen voices started bombarding us with questions.
*Where's Davis?*
*What's happened to Robbie?*
*Why isn't Harvey with them?*
They must be the soldiers that stayed behind with Felix.
*Why can't I get a read on Emmett? What has happened?*
*Bella, listen to me.* Marcus' voice drowned out everyone else's. *There are a few cars waiting on the road nearest to where you are located. Get everyone to those vehicles and they will bring you all straight here. Carlisle is on standby to assist with the casualties. I want to see you as soon as you're back. I need to know everything while it's still fresh in your mind.*
*I understand sir. I will see you soon.* I relayed his message to the rest of my group and we unsteadily made our way to the road Marcus told us about. Just like he said there would be, three blacked out Sedans were waiting for us. Each driver held out a robe for us to put on once we had shifted back into our human forms.
We had to lay the back seats flat to be able to get Emmett in. I rode with him and kept stroking his fur all the way to the pack house.
When we got back the building was a buzz. Rosalie, Carlisle and Esme all rushed out to see their mate and son. Marcus ordered for four of his guards to carry Emmett through on a wide stretcher while he and the other three followed after them, my uncle already in doctor mode.
Jasper and Edward climbed out of the second car. Alice was at Jazz's side in and instant and Edward was whisked away to the medical wing. The other two soldiers got out of the third vehicle and were both greeted by their mates. I felt a pang of emptiness when no one ran out of the pack house to greet me. No one seemed as ecstatic about my return. When I realised I was standing outside in the early morning hours by myself I slowly made my way to my grandfathers office.
The room was empty as I sat down heavily in the chair usually reserved for me. Marcus was obviously still checking on Emmett and Edward. I was on the verge of falling asleep when the door finally opened and he walked in. I was pulled out of my seat and into his embrace.
"Oh my child. I'm so glad you're safe." He said, holding me tight.
Tears sprang to my eyes as the events of the last twelve hours sunk in and I was soon sobbing into my grandfathers pristine suit. He continued to hold and soothe me until I had calmed enough to be let go.
"Sit down sweetheart." He ordered, taking the seat next to me instead of the one behind his desk. Once I had done as he asked the questions started and didn't stop until I had told him every last little detail that had transpired on Black land. So many emotions flittered across his face. Anger, betrayal, sadness, contempt, joy and above all else, pride. "I'm so, so proud of you Bella. You've proven to me that when I step down you're going to thrive in the role of Alpha." He said, patting my knee. "Now go and rest. I'll send Heidi on to Felix for you. It would appear I have some calls to make." Marcus dismissed me and I tiredly climbed the stairs to my room, tripping on more than one step along the way. Once in my bedroom I stripped and fell onto my mattress, asleep before my head even hit the pillow.
000
The next morning -or what I thought was the next morning, turns out I slept for just over twenty four hours- I rose early and went to check on Emmett. I declined Marta's offers to make me some breakfast and grabbed a banana instead, eating it on the way to my cousins room.
Emmett has finally shifted out of his wolf form and was lying in a regular bed, while Carlisle dozed in the chair next to him. I breathed a sigh of relief that Esme wasn't here.
Not wanting to wake my uncle, I sat on the end of Em's bed and picked up Carlisle's discarded clipboard. I couldn't understand half of the jargon he had written, but I was able to pick out words such as severe blood loss and exhaustion. I replaced the clipboard and revelled in the peacefulness of Emmett's room. It was a nice change after the hectic events of late. I picked up his hand and gave his fingers a squeeze, getting zero response in return.
A hand suddenly landing on my shoulder makes me let out a squeal of fright and has me spinning in my seat. Carlisle is awake and has his hands held up in defence.
"I'm sorry Bella. I didn't mean to startle you." He apologised."
"It's alright. I just didn't realise you were awake." I reply, willing my heart to calm down. "How's he doing?" I ask, nodding to a still sleeping Emmett.
"He's improving by the hour. Should hopefully see him wake sometime today."
"That's good."
"It is. Bella what hap-" He was cut off as the door burst open and Esme, Alice and Rosalie walked in.
"What are you doing in here?" Esme fumed, striding over and ripping my hand away from Emmett's. "Haven't you already done enough damage to my family? Not only have you made it so that half of the pack is shunning my daughter, you almost get my son killed on some rescue mission for your new toy."
"I didn't ask Emmett to come on that mission, Marcus and Felix did. And if your daughter wasn't such a stuck up brat who always has to have her own way then maybe she wouldn't be shunned." I snapped back, pulling my arm out of her grasp. "I'm glad Emmett got his compassion from his father because he sure as shit didn't inherit any from you!"
"Why you little -" Esme went to slap me but I saw what was coming and ducked before catching her arm and pinning it behind her back. "LET GO OF ME!"
"RELEASE MY MOTHER!" Alice screeched, hitting her back with her tiny fists.
"WILL YOU FUCKING HARPIES SHUT UP! WHAT'S A MAN GOT TO DO TO GET SOME PEACE AROUND HERE?!" Emmett yelled from his bed. Rose rushed to his side as he struggled to sit up. "Bella why are you holding my mom like that?" He asked, rubbing a hand down his face.
I let go of Esme and she glared at me while rubbing her elbow before going to the other side of Emmett's bed. Her hands started stroking his face and hair, before attempting to fluff up his pillows while he was still using them.
"Mom stop." He said, moving her hands out of the way but she wouldn't listen, continuing to fuss over him. "Mom. Stop." He said again, but it fell on deaf ears. "FOR GOD SAKE WOMAN, I SAID STOP!" He yelled.
Esme stepped back, startled by her son's outburst. Her hands falling limply by her sides.
"Son, I think you should apologise to your mother." Carlisle stepped in.
"No. I don't think I will. She needs to learn how to listen." He growled.
"Emmett you can't talk to our parents like that." Alice gasped, putting her hands over her mouth.
"Get out." He sighed, pointing to the door.
"What?! I'm your twin. I have every right to be in here. If anyone should leave it should be her!" Alice jutted her chin in my direction.
"RIGHT THAT'S IT. YOU, YOU AND YOU LEAVE." He shouted, pointing to his parents and sister. "Bella, Rosie, you can both stay in here."
"That's not fair! Why does she get to stay?"
"Because Bella knows what happened to me the other night and I intend to find out, without you lot giving her the third degree. Now get out." He replied, pointing to the door once more.
Reluctantly Esme, Carlisle and Alice left, leaving us in peace. I knew they would be listening right outside the door, but at least it gave us the illusion of privacy.
"Rosie my love, get up here." Emmett patted the space on the bed next to him and the blonde happily obliged.
"You had us so worried Emmy-bear." She said, snuggling into his side.
"I'm alright babe. It'll take more than a few rival wolves to take me down." He kissed the top of her head before looking back at me. "So Bells, what happened?"
"You saved my life Emmett." I said, giving him the most straight forward answers. "Billy black had me pinned by the throat and was going to rape me but you got him away from me. You killed him Em. You killed the Alpha of a rival pack. You know what that means, don't you?" He looked at me blankly, just blinking his blue eyes. "Emmett, you're the new Alpha of the Black Pack."
The room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Rosalie and I both jumped when Emmett burst out laughing. "Yeah, yeah. Nice try Bells. What really happened?"
"I mean it Em. That is what really happened. If you don't believe me you can ask Jasper or either one of the two soldiers that helped carry you home. I would say you could ask Felix, but he's currently filling in for you on Black land."
His grin dropped from his face. "You're serious, aren't you?"
"As a heart attack."
"I don't want to be an Alpha. I'm not cut out for it. I don't want to leave this pack."
"Emmy, maybe you should take your time to think about it. You might feel differently tomorrow." Rosalie said, placing a hand on his cheek and making him look at her.
"No Rosie. If I become their Alpha then that means you'll have to leave everything behind too. Your school work. Your internship. I won't do that to you Rosie. I refuse to put anyone before you. You're my world." He cradled her face in his hands and kissed her so sweetly I felt like I was intruding on their moment.
"Thank you Emmett." Rosalie blushed, ducking her head down. "You'd really give up a title for me?"
"I'd give up anything for you babe. I mean it."
"NO!" The door burst open as Esme and Alice charged in. "You can't give it up Emmett. Just think of all the power you could wield. It would get us all out of this stupid place." Alice cried, begging her brother to reconsider.
"Alice is right. You earned that title and power. Don't just throw it away. You can do great things with it Emmett." Esme agreed with her daughter.
"I'm not going to change my mind, and even if I did, I wouldn't take you with me. Not until you've cleaned up your messes here and changed your attitudes towards others. Now, if I'm not mistaken, I told you to leave."
Esme and Alice stood here gaping like fish out of water.
A throat cleared from behind us and we turned to see Marcus standing in the doorway. "I believe the young man gave you both an order." He stepped aside as the two women huffed and left the room once more.
"Alpha. What are you doing here sir?" Emmett asked, sitting up straighter in bed.
"Well first of all, this is my house and I can go where I want. Second, I heard you were awake and wanted to come and check to see if you're okay with my own two eyes." Marcus smiled as he came further into the room and sat in the chair Carlisle was sleeping in earlier. "I take it Bella has told you what happened?"
"Yes sir."
"And how do you feel about that?"
"I don't want it sir. I never in my life dreamed I would ever be an Alpha. How do I make it go away?"
"You can't make it go away son, but there are two ways you can relinquish the role. One being death."
Emmett gulped. "And the other?"
"The other is being bested in combat. It's not nice. It's bloody. It's painful. And you will probably wish for death."
"Oh great! I get a choice between dying or wishing for it. This fucking sucks balls." He sighed, running his hands down his face. "Is there no other option? Can't I just surrender the role?"
"It doesn't work like that I'm afraid son." Marcus said with a sympathetic look.
"Wait," I interrupted. "Does that mean I have to defeat you in combat when I take over as Alpha?"
Marcus' eyes slid over to me. "Yes."
"I can't beat up my grandfather!"
"You can Bella, and you will. By the time you turn twenty one your wolf will be salivating for it. In combat we let the wolves take the reins. Our human selves will have no control over them during that time."
"Can we merge the two packs?" Emmett asked, his eyes flicking between me and my grandfather. "Bella and I can rule side by side. She'll be in charge of the Shadows and I'll be in charge of the Blacks. Would that work?"
Marcus thought for a moment. "I'm not sure, but I think you might be on to something. Leave it with me Emmett." Marcus patted my cousin's leg and rose from his chair before leaving the room.
"I'm going to let you get some rest Em. I'll see you later."
"Sure thing Bells and thank you, for telling me the truth."
"You're welcome." I left the room just as Rose straddled Emmett's lap and they began a heated make out session.
000
Visiting Edward was easier and harder at the same time. He had no screaming relatives trying to slap me or kick me out, instead he just sat in a chair and stared out of the window. He didn't speak. He didn't even acknowledge my presence. I sat with him quietly, offering my friendship like I did the last time he was here.
Day after day for the best part of a week it was the same thing, until one day I was ten minutes late due to training with Jasper and I found Edward pacing his room like a caged animal. As soon as he spotted me I was crushed to his chest in an almost uncomfortable hug while he mumbled under his breath. It took me a while before I could understand what he was saying.
"I'm sorry. Please don't leave me. I'm sorry. Please don't leave."
"I'm not going anywhere. I'm here Edward. I'm here." I held him tighter if it was at all possible.
"I don't know what's a dream or what's reality any more." He said to the top of my head as he rest his cheek on it. "Help me Bella." His tears dripped onto my scalp and I had the most overwhelming urge to claim him as mine. I wanted Edward in any and every way possible. I'd never felt anything like it before in my life. My protective side roared to the surface and pushed him behind me when I heard someone come into the room. I spun on my heel and shifted as I went, my wolf snarling at the sudden intrusion.
My dad stood there with his hands up in defence with a woman who I didn't recognise at all standing beside him.
Strips of my shredded clothing slowly floated to the ground as Edward uttered a single word. "Mom."
So do we think Emmett is going to change his mind? Will the two packs merge to become one? What does Edwards mother want?
All will be revealed in time. *insert evil snicker here*
Much love x