Chapter 13
"Samuel Uley, the Alpha of La Push pack, are you telling us that you've kept important information from us for over a month? That one of your shapeshifters has imprinted, and he hasn't told the imprint about it?" Old Quil boomed in the council hall.
"And above all, he's imprinted on my daughter. How dare he think he's above all of you. That MY daughter isn't good enough for him?!" Billy Black continued. He was fuming.
Sam shifted uncomfortably on his seat and glanced at Jared, sitting next to him. He had asked him to come to this meeting as he was his beta. The elders weren't going to like this.
"It's not that. Paul claims that Isabella Swan is his chosen mate..."
The elders all gasped.
"...and doesn't want to cause any false expectations since he will not accept the imprint," Sam said, grimacing. He knew how incredible it sounded to the elders.
"His chosen mate? Not accepting the imprint. What is this sacrilege?" Old Quil asked and continued, "How can he not accept it? Isn't he in pain? Isn't he naturally gravitating towards his imprint? I don't understand this; how can he have an intimate relationship with a woman who isn't his imprint?"
"Yes, that is what I would like to know, too," Harry Clearwater piped up just as he stepped into the hall, "do any of you elders know how that can be possible?"
"Ah, elder Clearwater, you decided to grace us with your presence tonight. How noble of you," Old Quil spat.
No love lost there; Sam chuckled in his mind. He found it interesting how these two didn't get along. Wondering what the cause for such animosity was.
"Yes, this is an issue that I find very interesting. We do, don't we, dear?" Harry said to his wife, who sat amongst the other elders. "I like the idea that someone is challenging our old ways, not accepting all as written. Have you read anything about a shapeshifter who chooses and claims his own mate? Wondering what it says in the missing journal."
Missing journal, what missing journal? Sam and Jared glanced at each other.
"ENOUGH!" Old Quil boomed as he slammed his hand on the table. The glasses on the table tingled, and one dropped to the floor, shattering into tiny pieces.
"Shapeshifters don't choose their own mates. In ALL former packs, mates have been found by imprinting. Imprints make the wolves stronger, and they are essential for the pack's happiness and survival. We cannot have one stray wolf ignoring our ways, thinking he's above us. What do you know of this imprint?" Old Quil asked Sam.
"What I've seen in Paul's mind and what he has told me is like an imprint that hasn't gone through, if you know what I mean. It is like Paul's wolf is blocking it. It isn't just the man who doesn't want the imprint but also the wolf is unwilling to accept her. When he saw Rachel Black for the first time since he phased, he recognized something in her eyes, but it didn't cause the same effects on him as on the rest of us," Sam told the elders. He wondered if they knew that Paul and Rachel had their shared short history, not a very pleasant one. Billy Black, for sure, wouldn't be happy to know about that. He wouldn't want him as his daughter's mate if he did.
"He can also be more private than all of us. He can shield his memories and private moments better than the rest of us. But the wolf has lost his need to bite Bella," Sam told them. He noticed that Old Quil and Billy Black glanced at each other. What was that all about? Was there something they knew but hadn't shared with them?
"Thank you for telling us," Old Quil said.
"Well, it is important that you know all there is to know," Sam said. But he was starting to wonder had they'd been told everything in return.
But Sam hoped that the elders would know how to help Paul accept his destiny as an imprinted shapeshifter. His attitude and behavior had started to cause problems between the pack members. Some thought that it was okay for Paul to try to fight for his love, and some felt that he should accept the imprint. The atmosphere in the pack was tense at its best.
"How is Rachel feeling? Hasn't she felt anything out of the ordinary?" Old Quil asked Billy Black.
"She hasn't said anything. But she had made changes in her plans. When she came for a visit, she was supposed to stay only for a week or two and then leave for Seattle to work for her friend's saloon, but now she decided to stay here instead and look for work. Maybe she's feeling the pull somehow," Billy Black told them.
"Right," Old Quil stated. "This situation has gone out of control. Alpha, you let young-Lahote know that if he hasn't told Rachel Black that she is his imprint by the end of this week, the elders will do the honors for him."
Sam had expected as much. He nodded his head and left the room with Jared.
"Shit will hit the fan after we tell Paul this," Jared whispered when they left the meeting.
He nodded.
"But he knows this was going to happen at some point. There really isn't any other way. He's not going to tell her, and someone has to. As we heard, Rachel is feeling the pull. We ask them to come tomorrow night to the pack meeting."
"Do you think they will?" Jared asked.
"I don't give him a chance. He cannot continue to bury his head in the sand."
"You gotta love Carson, don't you?" Bella said, laughing, and reached to grab a handful of popcorn over Paul's lap.
Paul grabbed her hand and wolfed down the popcorn, making a mess with the ones that didn't reach his huge mouth.
"Meh, he's old and cranky. How many more episodes are left?" Paul asked, pretending he hated watching Downton Abbey with her. But she knew better; he loved it almost as much as she did.
"This is only just the third season. There are many, many more to see. Isn't that lovely?"
"I know what I would rather like to see."
"Oh, you mean there is something more interesting than Carson checking that all is good with lady Mary."
"I can think of something," Paul said and pulled her lips to his and kissed the socks out of her. It was all it took. The tv and popcorn were forgotten. They tore the clothes off each other and couldn't get them off soon enough.
"Fuck baby, I want you so bad," Paul moaned. Bella pushed him against the back of the couch and licked and nipped his nipples as her other hand grabbed his large erection. She kissed her way to his cock and licked the top making his eyes turn into his head and mouth open into a loud groan.
"Yes, baby!"
Bella knelt between his knees and popped the head into her mouth. She started to suck. Bella wasn't very good at this but was getting better every time. Not that Paul had ever complained, and she was so very eager to learn.
He wound his hands on her hair and moved his hips, making it impossibly hot. Him fucking her mouth made her wild.
"Oh baby, yes... ah ... "
A long howl split the air.
Their movements froze.
"Oh fuck," Paul groaned.
"Fuck, fuck, FUCK! I have to go and check what that's all about. It sounds like there's some kind of an emergency. If I don't come back, I'm needed out there. Don't go anywhere, okay, baby. Stay inside."
Paul leaned down and kissed her.
"Okay. Please stay safe," Bella got up from the floor and wrapped the blanket from the couch around her. She followed Paul to the back door, and after one last kiss, he vanished into the forest. She locked the door behind him.
This was the first time Paul had to leave like this, and she was terrified, not for her own safety; she knew people were safe on the reservation, but for Paul.
She went back to the living room and pulled on her clothes. She went to the kitchen to put the kettle on. She needed something warm to drink.
Someone knocked on the door.
First, she thought not to answer it, but she went to see who it was.
It was Johana.
"Johana, what are you doing here?"
"I heard from Seth that you are with Paul, so I thought you might like to have some company while the men are running after god knows what. Other imprints are in Emily's place. We are always told to go there in the moment like this."
Oh wow, yet another subtle way to tell her that she wasn't part of them. Not that she wanted to be there, but still.
"Come in. I was just about to have some tea. Would you like some?" Bella moved aside and motioned Johana to come in.
"Yes, sure."
Johana followed her to the kitchen.
"I heard what that bitch Milly did to you and Paul," Johana said, looking uncomfortable. "I just want to let you know that I don't think as others do. Well, me and Seth and Embry, we all think that Paul has every right to try to fight the imprint."
"Oh, that is nice to hear. I hope it doesn't cause too much drama between the pack members."
"Well, actually it does, but we are all entitled to think the way we do, and we cannot always agree on all things."
"Yes, but still, I hate to be the reason to cause problems between you and others."
"I think that the main problem is that you have made us all think about imprinting, and I feel that some of us are more confident about our relationships than others. For Seth and me, there is no confusion. We know how we feel about each other."
"It is not our purpose to cause confusion, but I can understand how that might happen. But your feelings are your own, and we don't question them. But it feels bad when ours are questioned constantly," Bella said as she poured hot water into two mugs and took tea bags from the cupboard. She motioned Johana to go and sit by the dining table.
"What I feel about your relationship is amazing that you fight to stay together. But I don't understand how you can do it. The pull is strong, and it is very hard to ignore."
"But that's the thing: Paul doesn't feel the pull. Not like the other wolves feel it anyway. He hates Rachel and doesn't want anything to do with her. It is ridiculous to expect that he should suddenly fall in love with her as it has happened to the rest of you."
"What if she had been someone else, someone he hadn't known before, someone nice?"
That was the question she'd been thinking a lot about. The truth was that she didn't know. Paul had told her that it didn't matter who the imprint was. He loved her and only ever would love her.
"We'll never know the answer for that. Paul thinks that it doesn't matter; it makes it only easier if this gets nasty, as it most likely will. Someone nice might have let Paul go, denied him, and set him free, but Rachel is too selfish. She wants Paul. That is what Paul thinks, at least."
Bella wasn't sure was she oversharing, but it felt good to talk with someone about the situation.
"What do you think about imprinting? I'm just curious," Johana asked and sipped her tea.
"I must say that I don't understand imprinting, but I guess I'm not supposed to. What I think about is that most likely it is the way to show you the perfect mate. Since we live in a world where the supernatural exists, why not supernatural relationships. But I think it doesn't take away the possibility that some other person can be perfect. It is totally absurd to think that there is just one right person for every human or even every shapeshifter. I think that something happens when the imprint takes place, something must change to make two people perfect for each other. They both change to become perfect for one another. Otherwise, it just doesn't make sense. What are the odds that you'll ever meet the only one meant for you? The world is a pretty big place for that to happen. Maybe I kill the magic thinking like this, but that's what I've got," she smiled at Johana. "What Paul and I have is something amazing and beautiful. We both feel that we belong together. It's not an imprint, but it is … it is us."
Johana wiped a single tear from her cheek. "I think you might be right. At least it is as good as any other explanation I've heard."
Bella smiled and drank from her tea.
"Do you want to dance?" she asked.
"Excuse me?"
"I hate this waiting. What it is that you imprints do when you wait?"
"We chat, and we make food for the boys."
Bella snorted. "Well, cooking will not happen here. Besides, Paul has already made our dinner. But I can't just sit and wait. Let's dance."
Bella went to look for her phone and found Paul's speaker.
"What kind of music do you like?"
"Um... all sorts," Johana said. "Would you like to play me something?"
"I'm too nervous for that now. I need to move. But I'll play some other time. Please, let's dance."
Johana looked like she wasn't sure if she'd gone mad, but she didn't care. She opened her "party list" on Spotify, and the first song was Kylie Minogue's Can't get you out of my mind. One of her colleagues in Seattle had introduced the song to her after one long and frustrating rehearsal, and they had let their hair down for a bit. It had been great fun.
Loud music filled the living room, and both girls started to move.
"La la la la la la..."
They jumped and sang, well, more like shouted.
"Don't leave me locked in your heart. Set me free! Feel the need in me!"
Boy, it felt good, and it took her mind out of her fear.
Another song started.
"Is this Ed Sheeran?" Johana asked.
"Yes, it's Photograph but some sort of dance mix. I love this. Listen!"
Bella spread her arms wide open and started to jump around as she was flying. Johana followed her, and they laughed and danced.
"Oh, I love this one!" Johana shouted when the next song started. It was Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars.
"Me too!" Bella shouted, and they danced.
Bella lost track of time, as she hoped she would. Johana was excellent company, and after they stopped dancing, Bella offered her the possibility to go to the shower since they were all sweaty. While Johana was in the shower, she took Paul's casserole out of the oven and carried it to the table with the salad and some bread. Paul wouldn't mind if they started without him. There was no way of knowing when he'll be back.
Bella and Johana ate dinner, and after that, they both started to feel sleepy. They went to the living room and watched some tv, but they both fell asleep since the next thing she knew was Paul lifting her into his arms.
She mumbled something unintelligible.
"Shhh, let's go to bed."
"Where's Johana?" she managed to form a sentence.
"She left with Seth. He was a little pissed at her since he hadn't first known where she was."
"Oh, she wanted to keep me company," Bella yawned.
"That was nice of her," Paul chuckled.
"What happened tonight?"
"Three nomads. We took them down, but one of them was a handful. Let's talk more in the morning."
Bella sighed. Paul was back home safe. Bella fell back asleep before her head reached the pillow.
"Paul, I need to talk to you," Sam came to Paul right after entering the garden where the pack was hanging out. It was a nice and warm night in early May.
"Not now, Sam," Paul said with annoyance.
"Yes, now, Paul," Sam said with a voice Bella hadn't heard before. So, this was his alpha mode.
"Baby, I need to talk with Sam for a second. I'll be back soon," Paul told her and kissed her temple.
"Okay, I'll wait for you here," Bella said, looking around the garden. All of the pack seemed to be in the garden except Jacob. And she didn't see Milly. That was a relief. If she was honest, she really didn't want to see her.
Embry and Quil were playing a card game with Colin and Brady. Katie and Claire were there watching the game.
Johana and Seth were sitting by the fire built on the fireplace.
"Hi Bella," Johana waved at her.
"Hey, Johana and Seth. How are you two?" Bella asked and sat next to them.
"Good. You two had fun last night?" Seth asked, grinning.
"Oh yeah, Johana was so kind to come to keep me company. I would have gone mad worrying about Paul."
"So, Sam wanted to see Paul?" Johana asked.
"Yes..." Bella answered
"He's telling Paul that he has to tell Rachel about the imprinting," Kim surprised her as she and Jared came to sit by the fire.
"Oh, is he?" Bella asked like she didn't know. She and Paul had had their suspicions.
"Yes. But why are you here?" Kim asked.
Bella was taken aback by Kim's hostility.
"Kim, don't start," Johana said.
"What do you mean? I'm with Paul," Bella asked.
"But you're not his imprint. Rachel is." Kim said.
Now that was just rude. Everybody knew the situation. Why the hell they just couldn't let it be. She and Paul would deal with it their own way.
"So what? Paul has chosen not to be with his imprint but with me. Sam asked us to pop in for a while today, and we came. Not staying long, so don't worry."
"You know as well as I do that eventually, he'll end up with Rachel. They are destined to be together, like Jared and me," Kim said, wrapping her arm around Jared's waist, who nuzzled her neck.
"Please, Kim, this is hardly necessary," Seth said.
"Seth, you know, as we all do, that Kim is right. This shit has gone too long already. We are all getting affected by this. So, Bella, you should just leave and make it easier for everyone. It isn't anything personal. Please believe me; it is just how things are," Jared said.
Bella couldn't believe what she was hearing. Kim and Jared had been so friendly to her last time they were together. But now, they were acting like she was some kind of disease.
"What's up with you two? We all know that this situation isn't ideal, but you should accept that we've chosen to be together no matter what. It shouldn't concern you at all."
"But it does. You are why Paul keeps away from his destined mate, and it will affect us all when he is going to gets weaker because of his denial. We don't want anything to do with a pale face who doesn't respect our heritage and our spirits."
"Kim, shut up! You are not talking for all of us. We disagree with you," Johana shouted.
"Me neither," Embry piped up from the game. They had all stopped playing now. Embry's imprint Katie visibly disagreed with Embry; she looked at her wolf with a surprised expression. Oh boy, they had caused a lot of havoc for the pack.
"Do you really mean that, Kim? Doesn't it matter what Paul wants, what he feels?"
"Sorry, Bella, but Paul doesn't know what he wants. He had been in love with you so long that he thinks he doesn't want Rachel, but all he had to do is give her a chance, and you'll be an only distant memory," Jared said.
"He had fun with her once, and he didn't want anything to do with her afterward," Bella told them. Why were they so adamant about getting Paul to be with Rachel. Personal or not, this was starting to upset her, although she had promised herself not to let them get to her.
"She wasn't his imprint then," Jared said. "Imprinting changes everything."
"What the fuck are you talking about, Cameron?!" Paul shouted. He had just come back from his talk with Sam, and he looked vivid.
"I'm just telling your bird here that she should understand what is best for her and fly away," Jared challenged Paul.
Bella gasped. What has gone into him?
"I fucking kill you!" Paul stormed towards Jared.
"STOP IT, both of you!" Sam's alpha timber echoed in the backyard. Paul's movements stopped abruptly, but his facial expression didn't change.
"Jared and Paul, you come with me! Bella, you should leave and wait for Paul in the car," Sam said. "No offense, but it causes only problems that you are here."
"You asked us to come," Bella said.
"Yes, but it was clearly a misjudgment. I'm sorry, Bella, I truly am. Go and wait for Paul. He'll be with you soon."
"NO, you don't order her around, Sam. If she leaves, I'll leave too," Paul said. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to his chest. He nuzzled her hair and kissed the top of her head.
"No, Paul, you should stay and talk with them. I'll go and wait for you in the car. Maybe we can grab something to eat at the bar after you've finished here," She didn't want to stay here. And there she had thought these people were still her friends, despite everything. Well, apart from Seth and Johana and maybe Embry, she had thought wrong.
"No, Bella, I don't want to stay here without you," Paul said and leaned down to kiss her. Then he lifted her chin, so she had to look at him in the eyes.
"I love you, Bella. These people here or any fucking old spirit isn't going to change that. You must have trust in us, trust in me. I. Won't. Let. You. Go. Ever. If I've known these people I thought to be my friends, our friends would be acting like this; we would never come here."
"I know, Paul. You don't have to worry about me not trusting you, us."
"I love you, baby," he said and kissed her again.
"I love you, Paul," she whispered back.
"Paul, NOW!" Sam shouted.
Paul had no choice but to follow Sam.
"I'll wait for you at the car," Bella said after him and turned to leave.
She felt someone grabbing her arm. She winced; the grip was hard enough to leave bruises for sure.
It was Kim.
Bella pulled her arm free.
"Bella, as an old friend, I tell you that it is best for you just to leave Paul alone, forget all about him. He belongs to Rachel and no one else. You are not fit to be with the spirit warrior; you can't even have children."
WOW, that was low. Kim shouldn't have said something so personal in front of everyone. Kim knew this because they'd been friends when Bella got her diagnosis. But then Bella realized what this was all about.
"Enough already! You are just afraid, Kim," Bella punctuated her name with loathing. She was no friend of hers, "if Paul can fight the imprint and break it, you can't be sure of Jared. I still remember you telling me how you were in love with him for years before he even noticed you. You can't know for sure if he loves you for you or just because of the imprint. I, however, don't have ever to doubt Paul. He loves me for ME."
"You bitch!" Kim shouted and slapped her.
The slap stung, but she didn't feel the need to slap her back, to see the doubt in Kim's eyes was all she needed.
She could not help but sneer at her. She hated to behave this way, it wasn't who she was, but Kim left her no choice.
She decided to ignore Kim and talked to Johana and Seth.
"I'm sorry, Johana and Seth; I don't want to be disrespectful about your relationship or anybody else's. But it's hard when you are not extending the same courtesy to us."
"It's all right, Bella. We understand you," Johana said, and Seth pulled her under his arm and smiled at her. She smiled back and left the garden.
AN:
Well it didn't take long to get this one finished after all. I'm astonished actually. And it is thanks to you my dear readers. Your comments gives me ideas and hints what it is that you want to know. And if some of you readers think that this just doesn't make any sense, that's fine, I understand you. But I promise that you'lle get to the bottom of things (as Carson says) after it is finished. I hope at least. :)
I hope you like this chapter. Let me know if you did or didn't.