She had alot of explaining to do. luckily they still let her get cleaned up, but now she was sitting on a brown suede couch waiting. News had spread very quickly among the pack that a stranger knew the tribal protector secrets. Rayna picked at her fingers as she sat. Emily brought her a plate of food but the thought of it made her stomach turn. What was she going to say to Billy and Sam? How could she tell them that she was from a place where she knew everything, where they were works of fiction? Would that break the universe or something? Rayna gave up from cleaning under the same nail for the umteenth time when a knock sounded at the door. Her heart lept out of her chest as Sam came from the kitchen to open it.
"Hello, Billy, thank you for coming out so late," Sam's deep voice hummed. Rayna snuck a look at the elder. He was everything she expected. She watched as he nodded his head in greeting and quickly whispered something to Sam who shook his head. Billy's wheel chair rolled through the door pushed by Jacob. Rayna couldn't help herself as she watched his arm muscles bulge. That familiar heat started to spread through her again, this time her mind wondered to more unsavory things. Jacob looked at her as well a slight trimble buckled through his hands.
"Rayna," Sam called gently. She took the implied que and stood from her seat. The massive long sleeve shirt fell to her pale thighs as she walked toward the visitors. A blush spread across her feckled face as she caught Jacob watching her. She stopped infront of Billy and clasped her hands together.
"Rayna, this is Billy Black, he is the chief." Sam introduced. Rayna lifted her hand to the elder and briskly shook his hand.
"We would like to talk to you if that is, okay?" Billy asked as he motioned to the couch.
"Sure," Rayna said as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and turned around to sit back in her spot. She watched as Jacob carefully chose a spot far from her, Sam sat closer and Billy sat infront of her. They talked for a long time, Billy mostly leading, he asked questions about who she was and where she was from. She told them about the lake accident, about her home in Alabama, and how she had no idea how she had got to Washington. They seemed to dance around what they wanted to ask her, though. About two hours in Rayna sighed deeply,
"Billy," she statement rather frankly, "please just ask me what you came here too. What do I know and how do I know it." A cold chill ran through her as the anticipation had built to a peak. She chanced a look at Jacob who seemed to fight with himself. It was like an annoying itch crawling under her skin. To not have contact but be so close to him was maddening. Jacob's indifference to it was the most aggrivating.
"Okay then, go a head tell us," Billy simply said as he leaded forward. Everyone could feel the tension in the room Rayna crossed her arms, her eyes finally held Jacob's as disappointment spilled from them
"I know EVERYTHING," Rayna emphasized, "I know there are vampires and shape shifters. I know about the Cullens and the old tribal stories. I know all of you." Rayna blurted out. As she caught her breath she. She felt her face become wet. "I am better that Alice. I can tell you what is going to happen before she even know it." Billy's eye brows had shot up and each man's back straightened. With anger in her voice she rounded on Jacob, "I know you imprinted on me and I can tell you are fighting it." Jacob stiffened and stood from his seat.
"I don't want it." Jacob said as guilt leaked from his voice, "I am made for only one person. If you truely know "everything" you would know that I can't offer you anything," he spat. Rayna rose from her spot and stood toe to toe with Jacob. A tremble was starting in his hands, it didn't go unnoticed by Sam as he got ready to spring into action should Jacob turn.
"Bella, isn't going to choose you, Jacob. She is going to marry Edward," Rayna stated, "I don't want anything from you, anyway,
Black," her words tasted like acid in her mouth. Rayna dared to get closer and placed her hands on Jacob's chest she connected with his eyes, "If I'm such a burden you should have left me to drown, you could have at least done me that favor." Jacob shook uncontrollably and stormed out the door. The room went deathly silent. Rayne just stood there tear stains down her face.
"Billy," Rayna said softly, " I want only to help you and the pack in anyway possible, but if you two can excuse me I want to go lay down." Both men nodded silently in approval as Rayna retreated to the small room she had woke up in and threw herself on the bed. Lonliness, regret, and anger started to creep in along with tears and frustration. She knew these feelings weren't her. She didn't understand why she chose to confront Jacob about what he was doing. They didn't knew each other from Adam... She knew the imprint was to blame. She cried into her pillow until sleep over took her. Rayna tossed and turned all night as faint dreams teased her. She yearned for something tangable to hold too. Jacob's smell filled her senses in her sleep for a while it calmed her down until she started sleep deeply.
This had to have been late morning when she woke up. Her leg were tangled in the covers and her mouth and throat were so dry. Carefully, she untangled herself, wiped the sleep from her eyes and patted into the kitchen. On the table was a hastily written note from Emily. She stated that she had ran to town and there was muffins in the microwave and fresh coffe to brew in the coffee pot. Rayna pushed her curls out of the way, went and pushed the button on the coffee maker. In the quiet she heard the door open and assumed it was Emily. The heavy foot steps didnt register as she busied herself with warming the huge muffin left for her.
"Thanks for the coffee and muffin, Emily," Rayna thanked mindlessly.
"Don't thank me," a deep voice chuckled. Rayne swung her head around to look at the stranger. In front of her was a tall lean muscular man in drawstring shorts.
"Who are you?" Rayna almost shrieked.
"Paul Lahote, who are you?" He answered a smile growing on his face.
"I'm Rayna," she said as she watched his eyes roam her body.
"You're a lot better looking than what I thought." Paul smirked.
Rayna huffed and turned back to her muffin,
"I wish I could say the same," she commented in an off hand manner. Her fingers worked to unwrap her breakfast as a hand started to snake up her hip and under her shirt.
"Hey, what do you think your doing?" Rayna said as she pulled away from his touch. She stared at him square in the eye.
"Well, I just figured if Black didn't want a piece of you I could have it. You looked so good just standing there. I wanted my chance," Paul replied just as off handed. The words stung her a bit but she hardened her eyes.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not that kind of girl." Rayna enforced, "I won't throw myself at your feet. I not like any girl you are used too." Paul flashed a crooked smile at her and backed away.
"I can tell, but that won't deter me."
Rayna reached for a mug from the dish drainer and poured her some coffee. Paul pulled a seat out for her at the table, but Rayne looked at him and turned her nose up with a smile. she walked right past him and into the livingroom.
"Damn, you really are stubborn," Paul laughed. He followed her into the livingroom like a dog in heat. Rayna's legs were curled up under her as she sat and picked at her meal. Paul strolled up to the couch and plopped right by her. Silence filled the room so with a glance Paul reached across her and grabbed the TV remote. The softs sounds of Price is Right filled the air between them.
"Has anyone ever told you that you're an ass?" Rayna hissed as she got up from her seat Paul took a prime opportunity and smacked her butt.
"Maybe just a few times," Paul answered. Rayna shook her head and walked to the kitchen. Naturally Paul followed and quickly set to work drying the dishes the red head washed.
"You know I won't be able to be in a relationship with you, right?" Rayna informed as she dried her hands.
"Why are you in a rush to label it?" his eyes gleamed, "I'm not looking for a relationship, Hot Lips. I am looking for a non committed friend situation." Pauls white teeth shined like a hungry wolf. Rayne raised an eye brow and rolled her eyes. Suddenly the front door opened, and in walked Emily with bags upon bags. Paul rushed to help her as Rayna ran to close the door behind them.
"Oh, Thank you, Paul," she huffed as she walked to the kitchen, "Jacob is looking for you its almost time for your patrol." A light bulb went off in Rayna mind as a wicked smile pulled at the man's lips. Paul was using here to get at Jacob.
"Well then, I guess I had better be going," he said in jest. Rayna was so mad at his scheme that she picked up the nearest thing, which was a wooden spoon, and flung it at his head. Of course, Paul dodged it with ease as he laughed his way out the door.
"I can't believe him," Rayna mumbled. This wasn't going to end well. Emily was busy unpacking groceries that she missed the whole thing. The red head sighed and turned back to help her new acquaintance. As they got done Emily pulled out two more bags and handed them to her.
"It not much, but I got you some clothes and a pair of boots." Rayna fingered through the full bags with gratitude, "Do you like them?" Emily asked anxiously. "I got them at the local consignment shop. I hope it fits." Rayna smiled huge as she gave her friend a hug. She thanked Emily and excused her self to try it on.
