Chapter 25

Sam:

It had been a week since I had met the group of ex-Cullens and a week since I'd found out about Bella's hospital admission. She seemed to be doing well; getting stronger each day.

From what Bella had told me and based on what I could overhear from the doctors and nurses, Bella was a very strange case. She'd come in with extreme flu-like symptoms and yet everything scientifically seemed fine. Bloodwork and scans couldn't back up any diagnosis they could think of. Mental health was the next option, but Bella didn't quite fit the bill for anything except situational depression… certainly nothing that would have caused all this.

I was glad that she'd been feeling better, but I had a feeling in my gut, just an instinct, that she wasn't out of the woods permanently. I wanted to talk to her about it, but it seemed we never had enough time alone. When we did, well, it was like the shower incident all over again. Not that I minded one bit.

I was excited. She was finally being released and would just have follow up appointments with both the in-house psychiatrist and the MD. It felt like it was taking forever for all the paperwork to get done so that I could take her home.

Her dad had police business that needed him there to attend to since he'd recently missed quite a lot of work with Bella sick. Since our chat, it would be a stretch to say that he liked me, but he seemed to trust me well enough to know I'd take care of his daughter for now. If it weren't for the imprinting bullshit, I'd happily take care of her for the rest of our lives… which makes me uncomfortable, honestly. I shouldn't be feeling this way about anyone in such a short amount of time without imprinting. I fully recognize that I am not a "hit it and quit it" sort of man, but I'd never lost my shit over someone like this before either. Bella was just different than any other woman, any other person, I'd ever met.

It was like I had said her name out loud, because as soon as I'd thought it, she looked over at me from across the room and smiled. There was still evidence of the dark circles that had been under her eyes before and her skin was pale (even for her). She looked thin, too thin, her cheekbones seemed to jut out just a bit more than normal and I could see her collarbone a little more clearly. Despite all that, her smile still lit up the room and I couldn't help but smile right back.

"Sam?" I guess I had missed something while lost in thought. She'd made her way to me and was clearly waiting for me to respond, but being this close to her, I could see the pretty splash of freckles across the bridge of her nose. I stood up and smiled, I hoped that she hadn't actually asked me anything important. The only answer she got was another small smile and an outstretched hand. I guess it was enough for her though, because she took my hand and led me out of the lobby.

The whole way out of the hospital I watched her ass. I couldn't help it. She glanced back at me a few times and smirked, she knew exactly what I was doing too. It was sexy as hell. I preferred her with her usual curves, but I could fix that. Hopefully her appetite had returned to normal, otherwise I might have a fight on my hands… most women liked when they lost weight.

I opened the door for her and helped her maneuver into the truck, but I could tell she wasn't quite back to herself yet, she still seemed a little weak. As soon as she was settled in the seat I made a quick stride to the driver's seat and we were off.

Lush forest blurred by through the window and I made a mental note to check in with the guys after we've eaten. I hadn't neglected my duties as alpha of the pack, but it was easy to say that I had been distracted this past week. Along that thought, I also made a note to check in at work, as I had definitely been distracted from that as well. I had a job lined up with the Ateara's and another side job with old Mrs. Thomas. That woman had a never-ending "to do" list.

"Where are we going?" I was brought back from my train of thought as we passed by the turn to the Swan house. We had also passed the turn off to LaPush.

"I'm taking you out to eat." I told her. "I was planning on Port Angeles, but if you don't feel up for it, we can eat in town. I don't mind turning this rig around."

"Oh, no, Port Angeles is perfect. I'd actually really like to go to the bookstore while we are there, if you don't mind." She blushed, deep red.

This woman was crazy. I don't know why she would be so embarrassed to tell me what she wants to do, I'd do pretty much whatever she wanted.

"Sounds like a plan." I said and gave her a small nod. Her responding smile blew me away. The smallest things could make her happy. After what her dad had told me about her last relationship, it made sense. I'd tear that leach apart if I ever saw him again. Given the fact that he'd shown up at the hospital at some point was a dead giveaway that I definitely would be seeing more of him.

I glanced at Bella who was just looking out the window, taking in the scenery of Crescent Lake, and wondered if she could remember anything yet. If she did, she hadn't mentioned it. I was waiting for her to come to me with it, but I had made sure to be around more often and the guys had added the Forks hospital to the patrol route. The blonde, the fighter, and the burly one all hung around too. Thankfully they had given Bella and I some space, but that may just be because I smelled just as bad to them as they did to me. eIther way, we wouldn't be caught off guard by Edward Cullen again.

I pulled up into a parking spot outside Downriggers, one of the seafood restaurants in town. And helped her hop down from the passenger side.

"This work, or you want to walk down the street and see what else there is?" I asked.

"I love seafood, so this is great!" The wind blew and tussled her hair. Her scent floated around me and my wolf was content.

Once we got inside, the waitress sat us down quickly in a booth by a window that faced the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

"My name is Brandi." The waitress spoke in a sultry voice, trying to get my attention. Unfortunately for her, I was not interested whatsoever. "What can I start you off with to drink?" Brandi stared at me, not acknowledging Bella at all.

"Well, ladies first…" I gestured towards Bella, who just blushed and ordered her drink. Brandi scribbled it down and then took note that I wanted water. Then she was brave enough, and stupid enough, to touch my arm with her hand, as she let us know she'd be back right quick. I felt smug when I realized that Bella had noticed and was scowling at the waitress's back. It didn't take long for her to get our drinks and return to take our order.

Once we'd finished with that, Brandi brushed her hand on my arm again and my muscle twitched in irritation at the touch. Bella also seemed irritated if her frown and flush was any indicator. I was at least enjoying her reactions. Despite her annoyance, Bella kept quiet about it.

While our food was being prepared, Brandi was kept busy with other patrons and Bella and I had a while to ourselves. It was quiet between us for a little while, we were both seemingly lost in our own thoughts, but eventually Bella was the one to break the silence.

"I still can't remember what happened while Edward was at the hospital. I don't feel good about whatever it is that happened though." She finally brought up.

"Hm." I wasn't sure what to say. I had no idea what had happened either. Her body had been completely shrouded in his vile stench, so I could imagine what he was trying to do. My hands started trembling in my anger, I felt the need to phase to protect her. She gently placed a tiny hand on my humongous one and steadied my shaking. I had to remind myself that she wasn't in any immediate danger.

"Do you know what happened?" She asked me, obviously having noticed my reaction.

"No. I don't know for sure, but whatever his intentions were, they weren't good." I answered honestly, then added, "I also don't think that's the last time we will hear from him unfortunately."

Bella just gave a small nod in response, then looked out the window, back in her own thoughts for the moment. When she did finally look back towards me, she looked apprehensive but I supposed she'd made up her mind because then she said something I definitely hadn't been expecting.

"There's a wolf that came to me in a dream." She whispered softly, trying not to be heard by the other people near us. "The wolf showed me that Edward is dangerous and I think he is somehow responsible for me being sick."

I couldn't explain why, but I believed her instantly. I knew what she was saying to be true. I didn't say anything, just waited for her to continue on.

"There's more… that's pertinent to you…" her cheeks turned red as she blushed once again, then continued shyly, "I think somehow you're the one who will be able to… you know, save me from Edward… God, I feel like such a damsel in distress."

I was amazed at how she managed to have a sense of humor in the midst of the current drama.

"Oh, you're no damsel. You've got some fire in you." I told her. I gave her a sideways grin and she gave me another one of those smiles that made my heart skip a beat.

Brandi took that moment to reappear and I had to contain my laughter at the look on Bella's face. She set my food down in front of me and practically tossed Bella's plate down in front of her. I turned, about to say something when Bella did it first.

"Excuse me? Is that how you treat all your customers?" She said, frowning.

Brandi just looked back at her all wide eyed and played stupid, muttering something that at least sounded like an apology. Bella rolled her eyes, and scoffed. It was fucking cute, though I don't think she realized it.

I was starved, as per usual, so I dug in and watched to make sure Bella was eating enough too. The wolf in me and the man wanted to assure that she was taken care of.

"Do you know how long it's been since I've actually gotten to enjoy what I'm eating?" She asked, rolling her eyes in a totally different way this time, and my mind immediately went to less innocent places.

I gave her a smile around the large bite I had just taken to hide what had crossed my mind. Something told me I hadn't gotten away with it though when she smirked and raised an eyebrow.

"Here's your check, babe" Brandi said, interrupting our little moment. She set the bill down then had the audacity to gently touch my jaw. I was too shocked to say anything and I could see Bella across from me with her jaw hanging open. She bent down so we were eye to eye. "Want to have me for desert?"

"Hey, bitch! Time to get your slutty paws off my man." I held in my amusement at Bella's comment and the giddiness at the fact that she called me her man, and grabbed the waitress's arm. My giant hand wrapped around her whole arm and I squeezed just hard enough to hurt her, but not hard enough to cause her any real harm.

"Absolutely not. You need to respect other women and respect people's fucking personal space." I growled low in my throat to scare her and she pulled back with fearful eyes. She scurried off in a rush.

Bella must have enjoyed my growl as much as I had enjoyed her calling me her man, because her scent changed and the air became charged. It was time to get out of here.

As soon as we made our exit, I pushed her up against the passenger side of the truck and grabbed both of her hands in one of mine. I used me knee to prop her up so that she could wrap her legs around my waist. She didn't disappoint, she wrapped around me as tightly as she could and grabbed at my hair with her slim fingers, and pulled me to her.

I put everything I could into the kiss and pushed my hips into her without consciously deciding to.

"I couldn't stand her touching you." She pouted. I grabbed her chin and kissed her again, more softly this time.

"You called me your man." I stated, but it came out almost like a question.

"I hope that's okay…" she blushed, I smiled.

"Hell yeah." I whispered, then bent down to pull her into another lusty kiss. My hand snaked up into her long, soft hair and she moaned into my mouth. All thoughts of a potential future imprint left me and we stayed as we were, entwined, for what felt like hours.

Author's Note:

FINALLY!

Happy reading!

~ Dahlia