A/N: A quick thank you to everyone who added this story in their alerts and/or added it to their favorite list. It truly means a lot to me.
Chapter 23- Seriously now?
Jake's POV-
"Hey Lee…I mean…Doc," I was quick to change my words mid-sentence, the realization that the man was treating Paul and so deserved an ounce of respect- even if it was minimal- hitting hard. Now, I wasn't about to start referring to the bloodsucker as Dr. Carlisle Cullen- I wasn't that very good also, but 'Doc' was reasonable enough. Not too polite, and neither heavily offensive. Suited me just fine!
"Yes, Jacob?" The leech responded, not looking up from the work demanding his attention, a raised eyebrow informing me that he was still listening to what I had to say.
"Will…Paul be alright? You know, no lasting injuries?"
While Paul was indeed a shape-shifter blessed with supernatural healing, the very same supernatural healing that had let us down big time at this difficult moment, there was no guarantee whether he would recover fully or not. It seemed unlikely if the current condition was anything to go by.
Dr. Fang sighed, offering me an apologetic look. "It is too early to say, but we may be heading towards months of physiotherapy and discomfort. Paul may even require to see a therapist, of course hiding the supernatural bits. Injuries of this kind don't come without the added trauma. Now, the fact that he is a shape-shifter may change things, but like I said, I have no definite answers to provide at this point of time. Why, are you close?"
Apparently, it was my time to sigh, as I pondered over that question, deciding how best to answer it.
"Well, not really,"
I ran a hand through my hair, continuing at the look of mild interest visible in his shining bright golden eyes.
"He was always the bully- the bad guy- the one who did not care about anyone or anything. You know, 'the kind'? Anyhow, it was hard to respect the man, considering all what I just said." I let out a chuckle, masquerading it as a cough at the sudden realization that the leech did not appear the least bit amused by my words. His loss!
"What changed then?"
I shrugged, noticing and appreciating the fact that the bloodsucker was a multi-tasker, his hands concentratedly occupied in stitching the extremely wide gash on Paul's thigh, not even looking up as he conversed with me.
Well, you do give credit where it is due!
"He is pack." I stated, shrugging. "He is a brother now. And if that was not enough, he is important to Bella. If something happens to him…it will hurt her. I can't let that happen."
He nodded his head, looking up for a brief second, curiosity visible in his eyes. "You care about her."
"Yes. I do."
It wasn't a brain teaser by any which angle.
"Huh." He mumbled to himself. "She did not reciprocate your feelings."
It wasn't a question.
I glared at the man. What was it to him?
How did this affect his life in any which way?
It did not, as simple as that!
"I would have thought she would have been happy to be with you. You seem to be the quintessential 'good boy'- the kind that Bella generally went for. Edward fell into the same category, at the borderline, if not more. Anyhow, the Bella that I had been familiar with did not consort with the questionable ones, if what you are saying is true. She preferred to be safe; Had she not been of that kind, Alice had seen a future wherein Jasper and Bella ended up being together, the two of them abandoning their mates and choosing one another. Of course, no one but her and I is privy to this knowledge. And now you. So, you see where my confusion lays."
Jasper and Bella?
Saw a future?
Abandoning their mates?
What?
"Look buddy," I gave him my best no-nonsense tone, a scowl accompanied. "I don't care who thinks what- or 'sees what'. Paul has imprinted on Bella. And they are going to be together. That is final!"
He stared at me for a few long minutes, most probably contemplating everything under the sun, finally sighing and looking away, his hands once again focused on treating Paul.
"Imprinting? Isn't that the shape-shifter equivalent of mating?"
He looked nervous all of a sudden, for some strange, unclear reason.
"Yes. It is."
"Huh."
A slight nod.
"So, she is his mate?"
"Yes. Exactly."
What was the man up to?
Why was he asking such weird questions?
"What…what would happen per se…if Bella were to leave Paul and choose another?"
"Nothing." I stated, my voice calm and confident. "For that situation will never arise. Paul will love Bella the most; she will never want for another."
"Still." He insisted. "When Edward hears of this, I can assure you that he is not going to be a very happy man. He may even decide to fight for her?"
"Is that a threat?" I took a step ahead in his direction.
Was he threatening me?
Was he threatening the pack?
We wouldn't hesitate in showing him his worth, were it to be one.
"No. No." He immediately threw his hands up in defense. The coward! "I am just suggesting a possibility. Edward will definitely not be glad to know of Bella's current relationship status. He will be livid, in fact."
"Well, that is not my headache now, is it?" I narrowed my eyes in response. "He is your son. You need to make sure that he does not cross the line drawn. For if he does, the consequences will not be in your favor. Let me be the first to assure you that." I stared at the man, not an inch of fear prevalent in my body language.
I was the damn alpha of this pack. And no one was even thinking of harming an imprint in my presence.
That was a given.
"I understand." He whispered, nodding his head like the good little obedient puppy that he was.
"Good that you do. We will not have a problem then." I forced a smile onto my face. "Now, if you don't mind," I pointed towards Paul, silently indicating that the time for chit-chat had now come to an end, it being the time to go back to business, the alpha timbre still heavy in my tone.
He let out a sigh, nodding his head in agreement, peaceful silence wafting through the room, as I settled on the arm chair next to the bed, waiting and watching the bloodsucker do the given job.
He was good at his work; I would give him that!
He didn't even flinch once while cleaning the leftover blood- so that's a plus in my eyes.
He almost pretended to be more human than vamp, strangely so, the rotten dead rat smell emitted from him not letting me relax completely.
He seemed pretty harmless otherwise.
Was he even capable of fighting?
Was he even capable of protecting himself?
I somehow doubted it.
He looked weak enough to go and surrender in a fight for life…
"Paul should be alright with time." The bloodsucker let out a sigh, turning to look at me. "I will be monitoring him for a while but he is now out of danger. Still, I would advise that…."
"Why would you want to be that when you could be this?" A loud shout reached my ears, garnering my instant attention, the ongoing conversation quick to become background noise. The voice- that had just spoken- was familiar though. It was the mama leech talking. "Oh, you will love being a vampire, Bella! I just know it. It is so much fun. And you would make the perfect vampire!"
Was she crazy?
What was she talking about?
"Esme, I am truly touched that you think so…but I really don't want to…."
"You will change your mind once you wake up with Edward by your side." Mama leech almost sounded happy declaring such a clearly questionable statement. "I will see you in three days."
What the hell?
What was she talking about?
She wasn't about to do what I think she was about to do…right?
No!
That can't be happening!
I rushed out, the bloodsucker two steps ahead of me, haste evident in his eyes and gait.
Good. He would end this mess that his wife had created, restraining the senseless woman, as he added some much-needed sense in her.
He was a sensible man.
He would end this bullshit.
He was concerned about the treaty.
Hadn't he drafted it himself?
Yes.
He would control his wife, taking her far away from here- never to return again….
"I am sorry."
What?
"Edward and Bella are meant to be. They should be together. Paul may never wake up from this…and if he does…" The bloodsucker shrugged, giving me one last look, grabbing his wife with one hand and a fainted Bella with the other, as he ran out of there like a bat out of hell, my jaw dropped open as my mind strained to think as fast as his actions.
One thing I was sure of though, I had made a big mistake in underestimating the man.
I had assumed him to be the joker on the side, never once thinking that in a game of cards the Joker was the most important card.