"Will whoever is your bio dad affect our imprint?" He reworded my question.

I bit my lip and nodded, too scared to restate my fear.

"Bella. I will be whatever you want me to be, forever. Whoever your father is has no effect on what we become." Sam kissed the top of my head.

For the first time since the party, I took a truly deep breath, breathing out all my fear. I trusted Sam. He would not lie to me. I was starting to love this man in ways I never experienced before. Breathing him in once more, I brought his lips to mine, losing myself in the sensation.

Chapter 21: Limbo

As Always Happy Reading

I felt my head touch the pillow. Sam never left my side. His warmth was the only thing I clung to as I dreamed. When I woke, I was still tangled in his embrace. Sam's body was protectively placed across mine. His arms and legs protected me from the dangers of the outside world. I knew Sam would use his own body to save mine. Even in sleep, he pinned me safely between his muscular form and the embracing comfort of the mattress.

His face looked younger in sleep. Sam was a beautiful man, eyelashes kissing his cheeks as he dreamed. His mouth slightly opened, allowing sounds of deep sleep to slowly escape. If the windows had been closed, I would have followed him peacefully back to unconsciousness.

The windows, however, let in a stream of unfiltered sunlight. It glistened off the water and projected itself into the room. The light almost danced with the reflection of the water. I did not want to break this moment. I felt myself fully awake as the sun crossed further and further into our secluded room. A yawn I was trying to stifle escaped my lips.

My body followed the yawn. Stretching under Sam, his body moved to accommodate my waking squirm. When I had finished my stretch, I felt his lips on my temple. Sam kissed down the side of my face, each kiss telling me that I was his.

Sam rolled us so he could gain access to my lips. I felt him linger against them before giving me the passionate good morning kiss I wanted. In this moment, it was like the entire world melted away. As it melted, the boulders of problems rolled down the mountain with the world.

A lifetime in our own personal world would have been too short. I understood Sam's growl as three sharp knocks sounded against the bedroom door. I giggled, completely relaxed and entranced by the man holding me.

Sam disconnected our bodies with painful slowness. I could feel and see his hesitation to do so. The last time he had to do something for the pack, he found me crying on the cliff. Pain from that memory shocked my heart. A night in my imprints arms had almost dulled the pain, yet the memory of it still held a sharp knife.

I could tell Sam felt the stab of memory through the bond. He leaned over and kissed me hard, almost like a desperate plea for me to stay in his bed, mixed with a silent promise that he would return to me as soon as he could.

Sam stood quickly, pulling his shorts on before he answered the door. I watched from the bed as the man who had been kissing me faded into the Alpha of the pack. Subtle changes occurred - his eyes hardened slightly, he stood taller. The biggest change was the power that radiated from him, the same one that would often dance with mine sucked in around his form. The power ready to attack whomever threatened the tribe.

He opened the door slightly. Not an invitation to whomever knocked to come in, but enough to get the information.

"Really, Sam?" I could hear Jacob ask from the other side of the door.

"What do you want, Jacob?" There was a hardness in Sam's voice that had not been there before. At least, not when addressing his friends.

"What the hell happened last night? The council wants to know." Jacob sounded more professional as he spoke. I wonder if he knew he was showing his hand by changing his tone.

"What do they want to know?" I could hear Sam controlling his anger as he spoke. Last night had not just taken a toll on me, but on him as well. I wanted to go to him. Remembering the kiss and silent request, I stayed where I was.

"They want a council meeting today" Jacob's tone had gone from one of friendship, to simply informing.

"About?" Annoyance sounded in Sam's voice. He could tell that Jacob was not telling him the truth.

"Embry's lineage"

"Just Embry's?" Sam raised an eyebrow.

"Who else?" Jacob asked.

Sam simply shook his head. If the council did not know, he would not show his hand. The bond between us told me to stay quiet on this subject.

"What time?" The bond told me that Sam was ready to end this pointless conversation.

"Noon. So in about a half hour" Jacob sounded apologetic towards this response. It did not give Sam a lot of time to prepare.

"Okay. I will be there" Sam shut the door. Walking over to me, he held out his hands. "We slept in" He flashed me a devious smile.

"I think we both needed it." I took his hands. Sam pulled me from the bed, cradling me against his chest as we walked into the shower. Tossing our pj's over the top of the shower, Sam started the hot stream of water over our bodies. I felt a need for this water to cover me deep in my soul. It was almost a ravenous need. Sam held me as I took in the warmth of both him and the shower. He slowly worked shampoo into my hair, pulling out debris that I hitchhiked back in my hair from the night before.

"Why do they want to talk about Embry's lineage now?" I asked. The discussion on who Embry's father was had always been one of mystery and debate.

"Probably want to discuss not taking old men's words at face value" Sam smiled.

"So, they want to formally request that a paternity test is done?" I asked.

"Exactly" Sam smiled down at me. "How did I get so lucky to have a smart imprint?"

"Not smart. I just listened to you suggest it yesterday" I smiled up at him. His short hair clung to his temples.

"I want to run something by you" Sam sounded more serious. I felt the soap rinsing from my hair, sending little bubbles down my spine.

"Anything," I smiled at him. I wanted to break the seriousness that I felt between us. It was almost like Sam was hesitant to tell me something. I wanted him to feel ready to tell me anything.

"I was thinking. Instead of agreeing or asking the council to do the test on Embry, I, well..." Sam struggled to find the right words. He licked his lips nervously. Almost like the idea did not want to escape the safety of his head.

Wrapping my arms around his neck I pulled his lips to mine. "Love, you can tell me anything"

"I want an updated lineage chart. So every member of the pack, and the imprints, would do a test to see what bloodline they come from. I was thinking about having it displayed on one of the walls downstairs. Each new wolf that joins us would be tested and added. That way, no one would be left in the dark about how they are connected to magic." Sam spoke fast.

I processed his words for a moment, thinking about how the temporary fear of the test would be no match to the confidence of having visual proof to the linkage. Then it clicked. Charlie might not have magic in his blood. If I do, that would still not be my main connection to tribal magic. My magic comes through Sam. He is the source of my connection.

"Sam," I said with a heavy sigh.

"Yes, my love?"

"Regardless of if I have magic in my blood, you are my connection" I smiled at him. His responding smile lit my soul on fire. The only thing that I could think of doing was kissing him again.

Sam broke our series of shower kisses. His internal clock was practically blaring at him that he needed to go, or he would be late to council. I kissed him once more. Dressing quickly in jeans and a t-shirt, I watched from the big windows as his bike disappeared around the curve.

I couldn't bring myself to leave the window. It was like my light had disappeared as Sam left. I was focused on sending good, happy thoughts through the bond. Sam was going to be dealing with too much in that meeting. I did not want to distract him.

A knock sounded against the door. I focused on happy thoughts as I nervously walked to the door.

Opening it, I found a sad looking Kyle.

"Hey honey" I wrapped my arms around him. Holding him as tears leaked from his eyes.

"They… actually… sniff…. they … Bella … They …. *sob*…. left me" Kyle choked out in between sobs.

I pulled Kyle into the room, shutting the door behind us. The rest of the pack did not need to listen to the tears of its youngest member. Sitting against the headboard, Kyle cried as I held him. The dark circles under his eyes told me that he had not had any sleep the night before. He smelled slightly of wolf and rain, the same smell Leah had after her patrol. When Kyle's breathing became normal again, I kissed the top of his head.

"I have an idea" I spoke softly as I combed my fingers through his hair.

"What's that?" Kyle sniffled.

"I am going to get up. Run you a hot bath. You are going to have a chance to get clean and feel refreshed. Then I am going to tuck you in." I spoke softly, not wanting to spook the young wolf.

"But it's afternoon, and I should be at my house, '' Kyle weakly protested.

"Your empty house?" I asked.

"Well. Yeah. Everyone else decided I wasn't good enough." I could hear Kyle trying to be strong as he spoke.

"Live here," I told him.

"What?" Kyle scrunched his eyebrows together.

"You are going to take a bath, I am going to tuck you in. When Sam comes home, he can help you move in" I could hear the plea in my voice.

"Bella, I - " Kyle started.

"No. We will talk when Sam gets back. For now, I am pouring you a bath." I ordered him. I watched as he sat straight up. Almost like he was at attention, ignoring that I walked into the bathroom.

I quickly picked up the pj's strewn across the space. Plugging the tub, I filled it with hot water. Searching the space I found a bathbomb. It smelled like sandalwood. Popping it in, I watched as the water was transformed into a beautiful shade of blue. Stopping the filling water, I touched the basin. It was too hot for me, but for a wolf whose body was naturally hotter, it should be perfect.

"Do you have a change of clothing in your locker?" I asked Kyle.

"Yeah. I will go grab those." Kyle sprung from the bed. Running down the stairs.

I looked at the disheveled sheets. Between Kyle and I a thin layer of forest floor seemed to cling to them. I started popping the corners of the fitted sheet when Kyle walked back upstairs.

"Let me carry those to the laundry room for you. Please" Kyle looked like he really wanted to help.

I nodded, following him into a room that I had assumed to be a closet before Kyle opened the door, revealing an industrial sized washer and dryer.

"Thanks Kyle. Go enjoy the bath before it gets cold." I ran my fingers through his hair. He might be a supernatural wolf, but he was still short enough for me to reach the top of his head.

"Thanks Bella" Kyle walked back into the master bedroom. I heard the bathroom door close with a click.

I made quick work separating the bedding into two loads. The washer was massive. After I added in everything I was going to put into the first load, it still looked like it had space that needed to be filled. I tossed in the second load before putting soap and scent beads into the wash. That made me genuinely smile. Sam had actually purchased scent beads. They smelled of fresh ocean air, which definitely fit the aesthetic of the house.

Walking back into the master bedroom, I grabbed a hoodie from Sam. Not wanting to put a bra on today, I needed something that covered my nipples a bit better than the t-shirt.

There was humming coming from the bathroom. It sounded like Kyle was actually relaxing.

My stomach was begging for food. I knew from my little experience with the wolves that they would never be full. I was pleasantly surprised to find the house empty. I wasn't sure if I could hide how I was feeling from any of my new friends. Secrets are something that I learned how to keep. Yet they are not something that I liked to hide.

I quickly made myself a grilled cheese, heating up some tomato soup to go with it. I could hear the pipes draining water above me as I finished making Kyle's third full grilled cheese sandwich.

"I feel so much better," Kyle announced as he walked down the stairs.

"I am glad" I smiled at him "would you like to join me for lunch? Please say yes, I made way too much food for me" I admitted.

Kyle laughed. Sitting next to me on the island, he started dipping his grilled cheese into his soup. I did the same, enjoying my one sandwich as he gobbled down three. I could see the light returning to his eyes. Kyle was still tired, but he looked more like the boy he was when I first met him.

I stood, reaching for the dishes.

"Let me" Kyle grabbed the dishes before I could. He loaded them into the dishwasher. A small smile played on his lips. "So, what do you want to do this afternoon?" he asked.

I smiled. "Come on. You are going for a nap. We can do things when your eyes don't have such thick bags under them."

"Okay" Kyle did not protest.

I guided him to the first bedroom, simply because he looked dead on his feet. Opening the door, I found the room to be in pristine condition. Kyle pulled some sleeping pants out of the dresser. He walked into the bathroom, changing quickly. I pulled back the covers as he walked into the room.

"No one has tucked me in since I was a little kid," Kyle commented.

"I always saw people get tucked in, in the movies. It seemed nice." I told him.

Kyle's eyes glowed with something he did not say out loud. He simply climbed under the covers and let me tuck him in.

"Are you comfortable? I haven't done this before" I admitted.

"Comfy as a bug in a rug. Thanks Bella" Kyle smiled.

I kissed him on his forehead "Sleep tight. Try to get enough rest." I told him.

Kyle yawned "Will do. Thanks again"

I nodded, leaving the room and shutting the door behind me. I flipped the wash to the dryer before going back downstairs to wait for Sam. I hoped he would not mind me inviting Kyle to live with us. If he said no, then I would move in with Kyle. Sam and I are both old enough to live on our own, Kyle is not. I would do anything to keep that responsibility off his supernatural young shoulders.

Authors Note: Please blow up the reviews! I cant wait to hear what you think about this chapter! What do you think the council meeting is about? Will Sam accept Kyle into the house?