Chapter 48: Wedding Planning Part 2
Paul's POV:
I ran out from the back door and phased. I noticed that Jacob, Jared, and Quil were phased as well. When I phased, I was able to pinpoint where the others were at, so I ran toward them. As a mated wolf, not only they are not able to read my mind, but they also don't notice whenever I would be listening on to their conversations through the pack link. It's convenient. I can snoop in whenever I want to without anyone noticing. Well, the only one who would notice is Jacob as Alpha.
When is Sam coming back? -Jared
I..gave him 3 days to go on spirit walk. It's more than enough time for him because he already been on a spirit walk before. He won't need to spend that much time. Is there a problem? -Jacob.
Jacob felt that I got inside to the pack link, but he didn't comment on it. I am pretty sure he asked that question to ask me as well since it was Sam, me and Jared who were together in the beginning. Jacob was growling through the pack link, challenging us to see if we are going to retaliate.
No! Not that at all,Alpha...It's just that, he left in a middle of work. We are almost done with finishing our quota by our employer Jason. We are finishing our quota than anticipated as Brady and Collin have been helping us around…so Jason proposed that he'll give us another $3,000 bonus each if me, Paul, and Sam finish everything by the end of the week, and another contract for all 5 five us for another project that he has for us... -Jared
Fuck me. I was planning to finish my quota by working just 3 more hours a day, so the last few days before the pups be born, I'll be able to be with Ale. Then once she is put to bedrest by 30 weeks, I'll be there to take care of her. I trust Seth, he is submissive as a wolf, but this is my mate. It is one thing for him to look out for her, but be there while she is at bed rest? Fuck that. I am not letting Seth to be that close to my and I didn't want her to go through the end of her pregnancy on her own. I would have to work a 15 hour shift a day to make it, and I won't be able to spend time with my mate at all before and after the wedding. If I still gotta do patrol, I would not see her at all only literally once she gives birth, I would be there. Then, I would personally only get 2-3 hours a sleep a day if I get lucky.
My wolf spirit hollered viciously No! Unacceptable. Mates needs us now more than ever!
Jacob better thinks of something as my patience is growing very thin.
And why you didn't tell me this sooner, Jared? – Jacob
I'm sorry, Alpha. I just got the phone call from Jason just today. I was able to grab Sam this morning before he took off, but because he was in extreme pain, he only said, let Paul figure it out and he'll deal with it once he comes back- Jared
Let me figure it out? Oh, I am definitely gonna make Sam pick up my work for the next few days the moment he comes back. He knows better than to pull a shit stunt like that. I don't care he is in extreme pain. My mate is gonna give birth soon and I have to be there for her.
I see…I didn't take that into consideration. Sorry, Jared. You're okay with that Paul? – Jacob
No it's not Alpha. - me
Did something happen to Ale? -Jacob. He knew that today I would go have my appointment with Sue. I could feel his curiosity of why I am pissed as fuck with these news.
No, we just got back from the appointment with Sue. She's fine. Just that the pups are growing more quicker now that I claimed her again. Sue said that she'll be about 35 weeks pregnant by the end of next week, and she'll have to be put on bedrest once she is 30 weeks along. I was planning to wrap up my quota before she must be placed on bedrest, so I'll be there to take care of her as her pregnancy is ending real damn soon -Paul
Oh Shit, Paul. You scared me. I still am not used to not feeling you come to the packmind ...You're ready for the pups? And what do you think we should do, Paul and Jacob? - Jared
My wolf spirit exclaimed Yes. I cannot wait for the pups to be born. If the spirits allow us, I want to get her full and round with our seed again! I want to see our pups running around with our mate pregnant.
As much I agree with my wolf spirit, having three is already overwhelming Ale. Thankfully, everyone's wolf spirit is only heard by them. Through the pack mind, we don't hear them. There are times that my wolf spirit cussed at Sam and Jake, and if they have heard what my wolf spirit had said about them, I would've gotten my tail ripped off by Sam long time ago.
Yeah- me
Sigh. How about this, Paul. I'll get Brady and Collin to help you out after they get out of school in the evening for few hours until you guys finish your quota from Jason, and I relieve you from patrol until further notice. How does that sound?- Jacob
Hm..Brady and Collin are still pretty new with how we do things in my business, so with their help and to finish .. they won't be able to get much done without me and Jared constantly supervising them since they are still in high school…We were planning to do our public wedding ceremony before Ale gets put to bedrest as well. I won't be able to do it, Jacob- me
I see..I'll talk to their principal and see if they can get a half-day for the reminder of the week and they'll make up school work for the next three Saturdays for Saturday school.I'll join with them and Quil for Saturday school either way. Me and Quil are studying for our GED. I am pretty sure, the principal won't mind. He is close to my dad. How does that sound?- Jacob
Sigh. I think if I take a 15-hour shift for the next two days and do this. It'll be fine.- Me.
Okay. Thanks for accommodating, Paul. I know how much you wanted to be there for your mate. For those two days, I'll send Seth to watch over Ale. Probably this is why my wolf spirit told Seth to stay close to the peacemaker..I don't know..But regarding patrol, I don't think I'll need another week for me to figure out a better patrol schedule. I already spoke to Leah about it. There will be changes to the pack patrol - Jacob.
Jacob gave a loud alpha howl. The howl rang across the quiet forest as it echoes across the reservation. Not even within 2 minutes, everyone besides Brady and Collin showed up. They were still in school.
What is it, Jake? You know I am in a middle of class in Seattle -Leah
Yeah, me too- Seth
Something the matter? -Embry
"I have an announcement to make. From now on, I will be assigning only one wolf to look after the whole rez at a time. We are no longer have three wolves to be patrolling every day. It is unnecessary and ineffective use of our manpower. It only wears us down, then it would lead to careless mistakes that we cannot make for the well-being of our people -" Jacob
How is that any better..Alpha? That is a lot of pressure for one person- Jared
Jacob snapped his jaw at Jared for interrupting him, and Jared barred his neck in submission. He growledas he said if you had let me finish Jared. I would've asked you this question. Since the Cullens have left, do you guys feel any anxiousness with your wolf spirit?
No…-everyone
What does that mean?- Seth.
Our wolf spirit warns us ahead of time when they feel a cold-one approaching the tribe. That is why when the Cullens were still here, our wolf spirit was constantly on edge with them being next door even when they know that they are not our enemy. For the Cullens to settle in this area, it brought stray cold ones to inspect this land out of curiosity. Now that they are gone, our wolf spirit is at ease not only because the Cullens are gone, they don't sense any cold ones lurking around here.- Jacob
So, you are saying that when we are on duty to look over the tribe for that month, our wolf spirit would let us know ahead of time to go on patrol. Even when it is our turn to look over the tribe, we don't have to patrol or phase unless our wolf spirit tells us?- Embry
That's right, Embry -Jacob.
Ohh – everyone
For that reason, even when we are not phasing, we need to be united with our wolf spirit. We need to interact our wolf spirit every so often in the spirit world to continue to have a strong bond with our wolf spirit. Our wolf spirits are our comrade. Yes, at times the wolf spirit may disagree with us due to thinking with animal instincts as we are a human being. You need to be patient with your wolf spirit and discern accordingly when you need to listen to your wolf spirit without question. – Jacob
Thanks Alpha/Jake -everyone.
Alright, I'll take the first month then next month, it'll be Quil's turn. Everyone is dismissed- Jacob
Wait- me
What is it?-Jacob.
I need to speak to Jacob and Jared for a minute. Leah, Ale wants to see you later on today. Whenever you can, stop by at my place- me
Kay- Leah
Also, can you be on standby. After I ask Jacob and Jared. Can you come back to the pack mind?- me
Fine. I have 10 minutes left before my professor counts me absent for leaving class early- Leah
We all felt everyone but Jacob and Jared leaving the pack mind, so I immediately asked.
I asked Ale to marry me. She accepted it- I said with my tail wagging happily.
Congrats, Paul- Jared
Can you be my best man, Jared?- me
Of course, man. I'm honored. When you're going to have the wedding?- Jared
I don't know yet. Probably in 3 to 4 days. I need to ask Old Quil to officiate the wedding- me
What? so soon!- Jared
Yeah. Sue said she gotta be in bed rest in 5 days, and I want to marry her before the pups are born..-me
I get it. I would do the same if I was in your shoes- Jared
Thanks, Jar.. and Jacob, can you walk Ale down the aisle as our Alpha?...she got no one to walk her down, Jake -me
Really?..Wow..I did not expect this at all. I'll be honored to walk her down- Jacob
Thanks, Jake..It means a lot to me because.. she doesn't have family to be there for her, and she deserves the best man- me
Of course. She did so much for me, the pack, and the tribe. Not just as the peacemaker, for simply being her. If it wasn't for her, we would've been cursed by Meyer's magic- Jacob
Yes..- Jared and me
Maybe this is another reason why the spirits showed me glimpses of her taste of wedding when I saw quickly glimpses of her life before she got here.. They wanted us to give her the wedding that she deserves- Jacob
Jacob proceeds to show me quickly of all the memories that the spirits showed him.
Fuck. Both me and Jared grew quiet. My mate had a hard life before she got here. I know she told me briefly her mental health problems and her family problems. It is one thing to be told and it was another thing to witness it. I saw how much of a hard worker that she was in college. I am so proud of her that she was able to get her master's degree at a young age, but I am even more happy for her when I saw the honor cords and master gown that she wore in her graduation. I even got to see her close friends Chelsea and Angie. (A/N: I changed the names from who they were introduced in the first chapter)
We need to treat mate well, my wolf spirit whispered.
Yes. I have a better idea of how to decorate the forest that would surprise her for the forest wedding that she wanted. We'll surprise her.
YES! my wolf spirit howled excitedly.
Get, Leah to come back, Alpha-Me
Leah phased back to the pack mind
Took you guys long enough. I thought you forgot about me, Jake- Leah
Sorry.. We got caught up with our discussion- Jacob.
He proceeds to show her the conversation that we had.
So, what you want me to do, Paul?- Leah
After you see her later today, can you take Ale to get her wedding dress? I am asking you because as Alpha female, you keep your thoughts to yourself like Alpha Jacob. I won't accidently see the wedding dress, and I want to be surprised. - me
I would but, I have evening class for my lab classes in Seattle for the next two days. I have midterms coming up...- Leah
Actually, I am working close to Seattle. This will work out for me. You can take Ale to Seattle during the morning and afternoon with her car. I can get Seth to run to Seattle and drive her back to my house. She won't be too far for me and my wolf spirit. If it wasn't for that, we wouldn't have been comfortable enough with Ale leaving the reservation. – me
Kay. I can do that. Do whatever you guys need to , Go ask Old Quil and let me know the date. I do my part, and I see you guys later. I really have to go now- Leah
We felt Leah leave the pack mind.
Aight. Imma go talk to Old Quil. Thanks..- Paul
No problem- Jared and Jacob.
They left the pack mind, and I was the only one left phased. I ran toward Quil's house. I went from the back, so the locals won't catch sight of me. Oddly, Old Quil was already sitting by a chair..waiting for me?
He was simply sitting there with his eyes closed. When I got closer, he opened his eyes and said, "hello young Paul. Took you long enough to find me."
I tilted my head confusion and just shook my head. That weird old man. I never get what is up with him. I turned back to the forest, phased back to my human form and walked toward him. I gave him a short bow, and gave my greeting, "hello, Old Quil. You were waiting for me?"
He nodded his head. "I know that you asked the peacemaker hand in marriage."
Feeling bold, I asked as politely as I can without coming off as rude, "how?"
He gave a knowing smile, "I have been waiting for you to come to see me regarding the marriage of our peacemaker. I have been making my own personal preparations..and Sue called."
Of course. Elders talk like old housewives. Well, Sue was a housewife, but still.
He got up and said without looking back at me, "come inside."
I followed behind him carefully. Quil popped his head out from his room, and said "Hey!"
Old Quil told him, "Child, put on your headphones or whatever you kids call them today. I need to speak with Paul for few minutes."
Quil whined, "fine" and closed the door.
I followed him to his room. He had two shelves worth of books even older than him. It also smelled like sage and other herbs that I cannot make out. He sat down in his rocking chair with a blanket on his lap. He placed his smoking pipe to his mouth. He hands motioned me to sit across from him in a simple black chair. I sat down, obediently.
He started off saying solemnly, "...I have much to apologize to this generation's pack. I and the other elders did not lead you guys like you have deserved. ..Thankfully, the spirits blessed us with the peacemaker, and we were able to get our paths fixed. We are without doubt in debt to the peacemaker. Thus, the other Elders and I have been discussing what we can do to show our appreciation to the peacemaker. I have been going on long spirit walks with the spirits, and I got inspired with something."
He asked me, " your mate is partially blind, am I correct?"
I said unsurely, "Y-yes?"
Why is he asking? I felt my wolf spirit started dancing around happily in the back of my mind and when I asked what's up, he wouldn't respond. He simply said, Just listen to the shaman!
Old Quil said, "I have discussed with the spirits, and I found a way for our peacemaker to receive her vision again..This will be our wedding gift from me."
I frozed. No way!
I asked desperately, "How?"
He said, " your saliva has healing properties, right?"
I tilted my head in confusion. How did he know that?
He said, "I may be old, but I am not slow. I know that the reason your mate isn't showing stretch marks in her abdomen is because you have been licking her. Also, the fact that the offspring's placenta got thicken miraculously? I know you also added something else in there."
He arched his eyebrow at me, and I stood there like a deer in headlight.
Oh the shaman knows. He knows! my wolf spirit exclaimed.
He gave a deep chuckle, and said "Sue has been discussing with me of the peacemaker's development in her pregnancy as it is the first in our generation. She was confiding in me for suggestions to help our peacemaker to deliver the pups well. I have been informing her to ask your wolf spirit for input. ..I hope that is acceptable for you and your wolf spirit. "
Shaman is wise. Listen to him very carefully to the next thing he would say my wolf spirit said mysteriously.
I shook my head, "it's fine. I understand. I appreciate.. the help."
It was still difficult for me to speak politely to an elder. Sam tried to beat it into me, but I was too much of a stubborn asswhole back them.
He asked, "she is carrying your offspring, right?"
I nodded eagerly. Okay, where is going with this?
He continued, "Then with her already been blessed by the spirits as the peacemaker and through the fertility claim, she shows high acceptance to the spirit warrior's blood. For three days, you need to claim her once daily through intercourse and inject your blood in her through the claim mark before it closes from the healing properties of the saliva. On the third day, after you claim her through intercourse, with blood and saliva still in your tongue, lick her across the eyes. I ensure you, she won't feel pain due to the injected spirit warrior's blood that you have been injecting in her system nor it would harm the offsprings. After this ritual, she will be able to see properly again."
I stood there in shock. Overwhelmed by emotions, I wept silently with few tears falling down my cheek. I quickly wiped them away and turn my head away from Old Quil. I still was not comfortable showing my vulnerability. I was feeling the happiness and gratitude both for me and my wolf spirit to Old Quil and the spirits. Old Quil simply stared at me with a small smile.
I said, "Thank you Elder Old Quil. This means so much for me and my mate..I can't express my..our gratitude. I have one favor to ask of you.."
He replied, "Yes?"
I said, "Can you officiate our wedding?"
He gave a warm smile, "Of course. We can do it in three days so that the ritual can be completed on the same day of the wedding."
I nodded. I didn't know what else to say. There was a long pause between us.
He smiled gently, "I know…your mating bond with the peacemaker has made you a better man."
I nodded with a soft smile, "Yes.."
He hummed and said, "compared to you from few months ago, you wouldn't have showed a glimpse of your ..vulnerability to your pack much less to a Elder. The peacemaker…and the pups made you obetter spirit warrior and human". H said the last part as a statement than as a question.
Eh, he got a point, so I nodded slowly, "that is true.."
Yes, that is true, my wolf spirit agreed.
He hummed. He puffed another smoke form his smoking pipe and said, "Alright. It would be best if you return to your mate. I can't keep young Quil waiting ,or else he would accidently ears drop our conversation.
Hah. If he did, I'll beat him until he forgets the memory. He won't spill this surprise to my mate if he values his life. I listened closely with my supernatural ears. I could hear Quil across the house muttering words to himself as he was studying for his GED. I nodded and said my goodbye to Old Quil. I faced toward Quil's room to his front door and sniffed. I didn't smell anything that indicated that he was guilty of something or excited about something.
Good.
I head toward the back door and phased to return to my lovely mate.
Author's Note:
So, how was it to have a whole chapter all in Paul's POV? It took a bit, and I am surprised with myself of how long I made it to be. I was expecting to be at 1,500 words, but I made it passing 3,000 words.
I am excited for what Leah is going to say when Ale asks her to be her bridesmaid in the next chapter. The chapter after that, we will see them going shopping for the wedding! I have been doing a lot of research on maternity wedding dresses and lingerie so that you guys can visually see what Ale is going to wear for her wedding with your imagination.
As always, reviews are very much appreciated.