Epilogue: Part 1 of 2
"Anything?"-Jacob asked when Brady came through the kitchen door from patrol.
"Nope. Nothing as usual."-he grumbled. He sat at the island and fiddled with a danish from the pastry dish. His head was in his hand with his eyes cast down sadly.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you missed leeches lurking around."-Jacob observed before taking the fish out of the pan.
"I kinda do."-Brady mumbled.
"Kinda do what?"-Collin asked as the pack made their way into the kitchen. Quil snatched the danish from Brady's hand and swallowed it in two bites before getting the hiccups.
"If you ate like a human you wouldn't get the hiccups all the time."-Embry said with an eyeroll.
"Wo-rth- i-t."-Quil hiccupped. Jared tossed him a bottle of water while laughing.
"What were you two talking about?"-Embry asked while helping Jacob grab some plates and set the table.
"Brady said he loves leeches."-Jacob said over his shoulder. The pack looked at him disgustedly.
"No I didn't!"-Brady shouted. Jacob laughed.
"Sounded like it to me. Lunch!"-Jacob exclaimed, calling the rest in to eat. He made fish and French fries, lots of fish and French fries. Since Jacob became the only alpha over one pack, he makes sure they all eat breakfast lunch and dinner together unless they're off with their families. He wants to make sure they stay bonded and united.
"What I said was I miss having them around. You've got to admit it's pretty uneventful with barely any vampires around to kill. We barely patrol two at a time anymore. What's the use in being a wolf if you can't wolf out? I'm bored."-Brady whined, plopping his head on the island. Jacob rolled his eyes.
"I can agree with that."-Jared said while dumping the fries into two large bowls and placing them on the lazy Susan.
"But no vampires is a good thing."-Jacob frowned confused.
"I can agree with that."-Jared nodded again while grabbing tea from the fridge. Quil looked at him wanting him to shut up.
"I'm glad nobody's dead but it's still boring."-Brady mumbled. Collin laughed and pat him on the back as if to console him.
"Oh give me a break."-Embry rolled his eyes.
Since the day they came back to La Push, all things vampire has slowed down. The more weeks went by the less vampires ventured into the peninsula. With the Cullens gone, there wasn't a need for vampires to come by either as a threat to overthrow their coven or for a visit. Month after month there have been less vampires and with vampires being solitary they usually traveled alone so if there was any action typically only one wolf was needed. It wasn't until recently that Jacob decided the pack was running themselves ragged for no reason and finally felt more comfortable with the idea of the Cullens not being a threat. So, now only two wolves patrol a day for six hour shifts apiece: late at night into dawn and late afternoon. Even when cloudy, vampires only come out during the day if they're desperate.
"I can always send you to Italy if it'll make your life more exciting."-Jared shrugged. Brady's eyes widened.
"No no boring is fine!"-he said quickly and grabbed a plate. He might miss killing vampires but there was no way he wanted to face the Vultori after the way Carlisle described them.
Jacob had figured the best way to integrate the packs was to keep Jared as the beta and he was right. After witnessing one alpha kill an imprint and almost kill a pack member and the other alpha break his imprint, lose his imprint and almost die saving a pack member, the tension between the packs disappeared almost immediately. They had seen too much for there to be grudges and mistrust among them and they needed a leader. However, Sam's pack felt out of place or took time getting used to Jacob being in charge. With Jared as his second in command, it had helped Sam's pack feel more welcome and like they belonged. Jacob giving Jared the orders for them to follow warmed them to taking orders from Jacob himself. Now everything comes directly from Jacob with the pack's obedience and Jared has proven himself to be a loyal and useful beta.
"Where are those two?"-Jacob asked while looking out of the window. The only two culprits who had yet to show up were Leah and Paul. So that could only mean one thing.
"Arguing in the woods somewhere."-Seth said with a mouth full of fries.
"Why?"-Jacob asked wearily.
Believe it or not, Paul and Leah both have cooled down over the last year and even care about each other without being ashamed of it. After what they've lived through it would be hard to go back to the way they were even if they tried. But that doesn't change the fact that by nature Paul is temperamental and a sore loser. So, the two wolves still get into it from time to time but nothing serious like it was in the past.
"Paul got mad Leah scored a touchdown on him and Leah got mad at Paul for tackling her in the end zone after scoring a touchdown, busting her knee."-Seth explained.
"Should I be getting angry?"-Jacob asked over his shoulder with an eyebrow raised.
"No. She's already healed. She jumped back up and started kicking him. He tackled too hard for a normal girl not wolf Leah."-Embry butted in. Jacob nodded and turned away from the window.
"So where were they last?"-he sighed, hiding a smile. He hates Paul so he lives vicariously through Leah whenever she assaults him since Rachel won't let him do it himself. He's still pissed Paul kept the imprint.
"They were on the front lawn when the game ended before we came in here."-Collin said, reaching to take Leah's plate Jacob made for her since she wasn't eating it. Jacob cut his eyes at him and he smiled and slid her plate back before trying to take Paul's instead. Jacob let him.
"Let me go get these two."-he mumbled and went out the front door. He walked across the huge lawn and garden to the cabin where their scents and shouting lead him.
With the Cullens gone, Jacob decided the entire pack should live together to make it easier on them and make it safer for La Push and Forks with them all at the ready together and to make it easier on their families. It was expensive and stressful living with a wolf. Their parents happily agreed and had full access of the property if they ever needed anything. Everyone lived on the spacious property with the exception of Jared who recently moved out after he married Kim and soon Paul who's marrying Rachel in a few months. Marrying young wasn't unheard of amongst their tribe.
Jacob took the master suit in the mansion and the other wolves ran to claim their rooms, but he gave Leah Edward and Bella's cabin since she's the only girl in the pack. That was the excuse he gave but they knew it was mostly because he liked her. Some of the wolves protested, Paul Collin and Quil, but in the end Jacob made it an order and Leah was given the cabin all to herself. They scrubbed the place from top to bottom and opened all its doors and windows for a month in order to get the smell out before they moved in.
The Cullens left everything behind including jewelry and credit and debit cards whose accounts were full and still active, so they tossed everything and completely redid the property. They used the money to hire Quileute's to do the work they couldn't do themselves which gave a boost to the reservation's economics. It added to their resumes and portfolios which in turn garnered them more work off the reservation. The people no longer looked down on or questioned the pack for being secretive and running around with no clothes on with one girl in the mix. They're respected, especially Jacob who has really grown over the year.
The wolves suspect the Cullens left these things behind on purpose and know full well that the cards are still being used. There was no hesitation to sell the jewelry they didn't want and use the cards; they felt it was the least the Cullens could do for them. For once in their lives the pack was finally living comfortably as well as many others in La Push; Jacob gave one of the accounts to his father to use for the reservation. It literally pays to be a wolf.
As he reached the cabin Jacob heard a smack and knew Leah must've dealt Paul a good one.
"You little!"-Paul grumbled reaching for her.
"Think twice Paul."-Jacob said, walking into the living room.
"Hit him Jacob hit him!"-Leah cheered, rushing over to him.
"Hey I wasn't going to hit her."-Paul defended with his hands up.
"Oh…"-Jacob lifted an eyebrow.
"I was just going to shake her a little."-he smiled at her evilly.
"Woman beater."-Leah mumbled.
"Don't call me that!"-Paul said offended.
"Well you are!"-Leah exclaimed.
"How?"-he shouted.
"You threw me on the ground!"-she huffed.
"I tackled you. We were playing football and I tackled you."-he said defensively.
"I already scored a touchdown you can't tackle me after the fact."-she said stepping in his face.
"There's no way you got that touchdown without cheating."-he accused.
"Oh so you're a woman beater and a sore loser."-she scoffed.
"Don't call me that!"-he shouted. And the shouting match started all over again. Jacob leaned against the wall thoroughly entertained looking back and forth between the two.
"Can I ask a question?"-he finally said.
"What?"-both wolves shouted at him.
"How did you two end up here?"-he asked with an amused expression.
"He's a sore loser, a woman beater and a peeping Tom."-Leah said, popping out her hip.
"What?"-Paul squeaked.
"I told you guys I was going to take a quick shower before lunch and you followed me here. What else were you planning on doing other than being a peeping Tom?"-she asked with her arms crossed.
"Oh oooooh Clearwater. Ugggh!"-Paul seethed, not able to speak.
"See."-Leah said to Jacob, waving her hand in Paul's direction.
"I'm not a pervert-"
"Ha!"-Jacob scoffed but Paul continued.
"I just wasn't going to let you get away with cheating."-Paul pointed his finger in her face. She slapped it away and pointed hers in his face.
"I didn't cheat!"-she shouted. He slapped her finger away and pointed his back in her face again.
"Oh yes you did!"-Paul laughed tauntingly and they started accusing each other and pointing and slapping each other's fingers.
Jacob was openly laughing at them when Jared burst through the front door followed by the rest of the pack.
"Jacob!"-he called and sped through the front room over to him. The three wolves stopped what they were doing and rushed over to the pack.
"What is it?"-Paul asked urgently.
"Leeches?"-Jacob asked, moving to take off his shorts.
"No it's Emily."-Jared breathed.
"Emily? What happened to Emily?"-Leah asked confused.
"Didn't she go see Sam today? Isn't she with him now?"-Jacob asked. Jared nodded.
"She just called freaking out. She told Sam about being able to break the imprint. She told him that yours really did break and about Quil breaking his and Paul and me being able to choose to keep ours."-he explained.
"Oh my God."-Paul said, pulling his hair and began pacing. Jacob's chest started heaving, and his fist were balled tightly. Leah swallowed and walked up behind him with her hand on his shoulder.
"What happened?"-he asked in his deep alpha voice. There was more, there was clearly more to the story.
"Well…"-Jared hesitated. The only time he heard Jacob use that voice was the day he broke his imprint. Alpha Jacob was downright terrifying.
"Spit it out!"-Jacob said through clenched teeth.
"When she told him he spazzed. I mean went full psycho. And he…he phased."-Jared mumbled the last part.
"What!"-the three wolves shouted.
"Wait wait wait wait. What do you mean went psycho and phased?"-Jacob growled, shaking.
"Oh my God. Oh my God."-Leah cried repeatedly. She shook her head back and forth so much she got dizzy. She paced in a circle crying. All of the wolves were suffering from some sort of PTSD from the night of the incident and have been talking through their issues, but Leah doesn't really talk about it. No matter how much they try she won't talk about that night. Jacob has caught her crying over it a few times or she flat out comes to him and cries on his shoulder occasionally, but other than that they feel like she's a ticking time bomb if she doesn't talk to them or deal with her emotions.
"Calm down Lee."-Paul said. He grabbed her arm to get her to stop pacing in a circle but she kept shaking her head crying. "Shhh. It's alright."-he soothed hugging her. It got her to stop shaking her head but she kept crying on his shoulder. Jacob looked over at her wanting to comfort her but he knew he had to focus on Jared.
"When she called she was screaming and we couldn't really understand her but what we got is that Sam started breaking things with his bare hands that he shouldn't be breaking in front of normal people and then he phased."-Embry explained.
"In front of outsiders?"-Jacob asked wide eyed.
"Yeah."-Seth nodded grimly.
"Is he still phased?"-Jacob asked while grabbing the house phone.
"Yeah it just happened. He had just phased when I answered the phone."-Jared said. The pack anxiously waited for orders and kept glancing at an increasingly hysterical Leah. Seth went over to her and hugged her. Paul started pacing the floor again.
"What are we going to do?"-Brady asked in a small voice. He thought he wanted action but he forgot not all action comes from vampires. He desperately wants it to go back to being boring like it was just two minutes ago.
"Jasper where are you?"-Jacob asked the moment he picked up. Forget formalities.
"Illinois."-he said confused. Neither the wolves nor vampires have heard from or tried communicating with each other and Jacob's tone let him know it wasn't happening now just to catch up on old times.
"Is Carlisle with you?"-Jacob asked.
"Yes. We all live together again."-he said as Carlisle floated next to him having heard Jacob.
"Jacob my friend what's wrong? What do you need?"-he asked taking the phone.
"It's Sam. Meet me at the asylum. Both of you. Please."-Jacob said, adding please at the end because this wasn't their fault and he needed their help.
"Consider us there."-Carlisle said before hanging up.
"I get Carlisle but why Jasper?"-Quil asked confused.
"I'll need him."-Jacob said shortly. He ran out the door and the pack followed behind him. "No! I'm going alone."-he shouted.
"Absolutely not! We're a pack and this is serious pack business we go together. You won't be able to handle Sam alone in his state."-Quil said, shaking his head.
"No! I can handle him alone. I'm the alpha."-Jacob ordered and turned and started running again.
"You couldn't handle him alone last time."-Embry called. Jacob stopped and stomped back over to them. "I'm right and you know it. You need us."-Embry said looking down, not trying to challenge Jacob, just offer insight.
"That was different. I…feel I have to go alone."-Jacob said with less hostility, seeing his pack just wanted to help.
"With me."-Leah said and made for the trees but Jacob grabbed her arm and yanked her back in a flash.
"Are you crazy? Absolutely not!"-he shouted incredulously.
"Jacob, I have to go. He's acting like that because of me."-she tried getting out of his hold but his hand was steel.
"Exactly. He's acting like that because of you. Only God knows what he'll do if he sees you."-Jacob heaved.
"I might be able to calm him down or distract him while you grab him."-she reasoned.
"No. I won't allow it."-Jacob growled.
"You can't go alone. Bu-"
"No! The last time he acted like this I almost lost you. He threw you in a fire just to prove a point Leah. I won't have you near him. I can't have you in the same room as him. I don't trust him and he'd end up hurting you the most if anything goes wrong."-Jacob cried. He hugged her to him and squeezed her tight. She hugged him back, crying into his shoulder. He pulled her head back and kissed her on the lips quickly. "You stay here."-he alpha ordered. It's the first time he's used it and he's glad he can.
"Be careful."-she cried, too upset to be angry. He nodded.
"I will."-he agreed and paused looking at the pack then Leah, seeing their worry and relented. "Jared you're with me. Embry you're in charge over the property and Forks. Paul you're in charge of La Push; go and take two wolves with you. Y'all need to be ready just in case Sam breaks out and makes it here before we get there."-Jacob ordered. They looked relieved that Jared was going and everyone fell into place. Paul rushed to La Push with Quil and Brady flanking him.
Jacob and Jared darted off, stripping and phasing as they went. Leah watched them leave with a heavy heart and her head pounding before Embry gently got her inside and took the remaining wolves to run guard around the property and Forks. He himself also guarded the cabin. If Sam breaks through and comes for Leah, her scent is strongest here and Embry would be her last line of defense. It's obvious Leah isn't really in a position to fight right now let alone against Sam.
Jacob and Jared ran like the speed of light for thirty-two miles in wolf form to get to the asylum where Sam was being held. The council placed him there to ensure he wasn't too close to La Push but not too far for his imprint to visit him daily. There was loud white noise and ringing and they couldn't see anything clearly and figured it was Sam's perspective. Jacob tried communicating with him but he wasn't responding or in his right mind.
When they got to the building there was no guard at the front post or armed security. That wasn't a good sign. When they were at the door to the solid building they could hear screaming upstairs and smelled the stench of vampire. Jacob went in first and much like he did with Leah and Paul, he followed the screams and scents until he found them.
It truly was a mad house. Some of the patients were trying to climb up the walls as well as doctors, nurses and staff. People were hiding anywhere they could fit and running in the halls or trying to get out of the secured building. Some of the other patients were trying to get to Sam so they could pet him or just stood standing still as if nothing was happening. They spotted Jasper trying to gain control of Sam without killing him and Carlisle was trying to keep the mental patients who wanted to pet Sam away, while also blocking the gun fire security was shooting at wolf Sam. Both men were moving at vampire speed.
Without needing to communicate, Jared ran to help Carlisle while Jacob went to help Jasper.
"Sam!"-Jacob called and his head spun around to look at him. Immediately Sam started growling at him but stopped to sniff the air.
"Jacob he's even angrier."-Jasper warned in confusion. Sam continued to sniff the air wildly and realization dawned on Jacob.
"Leah's scent is on me. Crap!"-he hissed. Jasper nodded understanding.
Jared was dealing with security so that gave Carlisle the freedom to get all the patients, nurses and everyone else out of the area at vampire speed and lock them all on the same floor to deal with them later. Sam was trying his best to get his teeth into Jacob's neck but Jacob and Jasper were double teaming him and trying their best not to hurt him. If they didn't care about hurting or killing him he would've been handled by now.
"Sam calm down."-Jacob shouted when he bit Jasper's hand off.
Sam turned and leapt at him. Jacob ran at him, phasing midair to meet him. They clashed and mauled each other with Jacob trying to get Sam to calm down, but now that he was back in his head he could see Sam wasn't in his right mind just like the night of the incident. Sam is completely insane. Jacob was winning but Sam wouldn't stop no matter how battered he was. Jacob spotted Jasper waiting for an opportunity to pounce, so he ran straight for him. With his figure being so huge blocking Sam's view, Jacob suddenly ran to the left so Sam smashed into Jasper. While Jasper had him pinned down Jacob phased back.
"Stop!"-he alpha commanded four times. Eventually Sam succumbed to the command and stopped fighting Jasper but continued growling. "Phase back now."-Jacob ordered. Sam phased back and was bloody and wounded all over but continued growling. "Sam calm down."-Jacob ordered and threw Jasper a look. Jasper nodded and tried harder to release calm onto Sam. With Sam not being able to do anything else because of the alpha commands it worked. He calmed down and came back to his right mind. Carlisle and Jared had successfully gotten all the humans to another floor and was guarding the door inside the recreation room where Sam is.
Slowly Jacob approached him, cautiously putting his hands in the air. Sam was face down and his body was still shaking.
"He's not angry."-Jasper informed him while he reattached his hand. Jacob looked up at him confused.
"Then why is he shaking?"-he asked.
"He's devastated and regretful."-Jasper explained just as the smell of salt hit Jacob's nose.
"Sam?"-Jacob called before bending down in front of him. A sob ripped through the air as Sam lost control of his tears. "Sam."-Jacob sighed sadly at the man before him.
All four men watched Sam sob uncontrollably, faced down into the floor. Jacob sat down next to him and put his hand on his back.
"Calm down."-Jacob pat him on the back and he slowly sat up but refused to meet his eyes. It was the first time the two have seen each other in a little over a year. Sam could feel that Jacob was the true and only alpha and that made him feel even lesser than.
"I was right Jacob. I was right. I was right."-Sam croaked.
"I know."-Jacob nodded, looking off at nothing.
"I could've broken it that night. It really was breaking. I was so close and I didn't even know it.'-Sam cried.
"I know."-Jacob nodded again.
"I could've broken it and gone back to Leah and asked her to forgive me and take me back."-he continued. Jacob didn't say anything. Sam cried for a long while and they let him. Jasper went with Carlisle to where they put the humans and Carlisle tended to their wounds with Jasper's assistance. It wasn't easy because they were moving at vampire speed which caused fear amongst most of them to escalate to the point Jasper could barely control them. Some of them were completely unphased making Carlisle and Jasper wonder if it was because of their conditions or if they had seen vampires before. It's hard to tell with mental patients.
"I'm sorry Jacob."-Sam mumbled after he calmed down.
"I know."-Jacob nodded.
"I really am sorry. For everything. Your father, your imprint, the trouble I've caused. I'm so sorry. To all of you."-Sam said, finally looking Jacob in the face, and Jared. They were silent for a while.
"I'm sorry you had to go through everything alone, you had to be the guinea pig and that we took you for granted."-Jacob decided to amend, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Me too."-Jared added. Sam nodded and stared off with an almost zombie like expression.
"Come on get off the floor. That's no place for a wolf."-Jacob said as he stood. He extended his hand to Sam and that seemed to break him all over again.
"I don't deserve your sympathy. I've hurt so many people."-he cried from the floor.
"They're be alright. Physically."-Jared chimed in.
"But I've hurt so many others. I turned into a wolf, I had to do most things alone. I imprinted and I lost Leah. I should've just accepted it and made the best of it and none of this would've happened. Taha Aki chose this for me and I should've just accepted it."-he whimpered.
"We all fought our changes and you didn't know you had a choice in imprinting. No wolf ever has. You need to deal with it so you can move on. That's why you're here."-Jacob sighed.
"I know."-Sam nodded but began sobbing again anyway. "I can't believe what I've done. I can't believe my life."-he sobbed for an hour before Jasper came back in and Jacob asked him to make Sam exhausted until he went to sleep. Once he was out Jacob carried him to the medical ward on the fifth floor and placed him in a bed.
"Sam you're forbidden to ever phase again for the rest of your life or use your inhuman strength to hurt anyone who isn't a legit threat. You're no longer a protector."-Jacob ordered. He and Jared were devastated. In all the history of the phasing no wolf has ever been banned from phasing or stripped of their honor. This was yet another somber moment for this generation's pack. Their entry into the book of legends will never be forgotten and shared at bonfires as legends themselves.
"He's asleep will it still work?"-Jasper asked, peeking at Sam around Jacob's form.
"It'll work. His wolf has received the message and that's what matters most."-Jacob nodded confidently and they went back to check on the humans on the eleventh floor.
"What's wrong with them?"-Jared asked. Some of the people, patients, looked ok but others looked strangely confused.
"For a moment, in order to calm them down Jasper put them to sleep as we tended to them and in hopes they would awaken and think it was all a dream. It worked for some but the more…mental patients immediately talked about the big black wolf and 'speed humans', so the others knew it couldn't have been a dream."-Carlisle explained.
"I tried to avoid it which is why I first put them to sleep, but I had to make them all confused..."-Jasper added, but Jacob could hear something wasn't being said.
"In short?'-he asked the two vampires.
"Everybody in this building is now mentally ill. It was the only way to protect both of our species' secrets from being exposed and the humans themselves. The staff is just as mentally ill as the patients now."-Carlisle said glumly.
"Was that really necessary?"-Jared asked astounded. Jacob scrubbed a hand down his face.
"They'll do more harm to themselves and us if they know what they saw is real. Who's going to believe mental patients when they say big black and russet human wolves tore the place apart and 'speed humans' were with them?"-Jasper pointed out.
"Dang."-Jacob sighed looking to the ceiling with his hands on his hips.
"I know."-Jasper nodded. It really was the only way. He's learned that the severely mentally ill aren't bound by his powers as well as other. They're not in their right mind so Jasper mixing up their emotions won't really help them. They'll still be mental once he releases them. Those who weren't mentally ill were rouge and dangerous in their reactions. He had no choice.
"How did you do it?"-Jared asked.
"He overwhelmed them with fear and then confusion to the point they have no understanding of what's reality and what's not. Even though he's not using his powers anymore, an emotional onslaught such as this cannot be reversed so easily. The effects will be pretty much permanent."-Carlisle explained.
Jacob punched a deep hole in the wall and the three men jumped.
"Where's Emily?"-he growled at Jared.
"We separated her. She's secured in the security booth on the third floor."-he said gritting his teeth.
Jacob turned and stomped out of the room towards the elevator. When it came they all got on.
"Jacob, I know you're angry but calm down."-Carlisle said. Jacob was shaking so bad the elevator was rattling wildly and the lights were flickering. Jasper isn't a fan of messing with the wolves' emotions but he engulfed the elevator in relaxation. Jacob's shaking slowed down until there was nothing. He took several deep breaths when the doors opened. He looked at Jasper over his shoulder and nodded his thanks; Jasper nodded in kind.
They went up the hall and rounded the corner to see Emily in the security booth sobbing. Just the sight of her pissed Jacob off and he started growling but was able to keep his shaking under control this time. He burst through the door so hard it fell off its hinges and slammed into the back wall cracking it. Emily jumped up screaming in horror before she realized it was him.
"Jacob thank goodness you camel"-she sobbed.
"Sit down."-Jared ordered and she complied nervously.
"Talk."-Was all Jacob could get out.
"We were just talking and I brought up how you and Leah were getting closer and how she now accepts that the imprint broke and how I think you two will go out soon. Sam got angry and demanded I tell him what I was talking about. So, I told him everything."-she admitted.
"Why would you tell him that?"-Jacob growled in his alpha voice. Jared wearily looked at Jasper and Carlisle. Emily looked to Jared as if for help but he crossed his arms.
"I thought you told him already. You were supposed to come and order him not to phase so I thought you had already told him about imprinting. The council asked you to order him."-she defended herself.
"It's only been a little over a year he wasn't ready yet!"-Jacob shouted. She jumped.
"I didn't know."-she cried honestly.
"Even if you didn't know why would you mention us?"-Jacob shouted, getting in her face. She tried to back away and cried into her hands. "Sam was defeated when he got here. He was never going to phase before I saw him even the council could tell. He's only been here a year I wanted to make sure he received a lot of therapy and was capable of seeing me before I showed up. Just seeing me triggered him! I also knew he'd ask me about my imprint. He was not ready. Don't you think we would've told you I ordered him had I done it? I was coming to see him in a few months!"-Jacob shouted shaking furiously. Emily coward in her seat, crying her apologies.
Jasper was learning that an infuriated alpha wolf is the most difficult creature to manipulate emotion onto. It was hard to do it in the elevator, but this felt impossible. Either his powers were just barely working on Jacob or Jacob had a lot of self-control since he hasn't phased yet.
"Jacob I'm sorry."-she cried.
"You know, I've blamed the Cullens for a lot but you're responsible for all of this. Your face."- she flinched but he continued. "My father being paralyzed, Leah breaking her hand, these people now being mentally ill. Leah almost dying and Nessie's death! I used to think, you know she didn't know the imprint could break either. They told him not to fight it so why would she and the book of legends says they all end up together either way so she was just going with it. Yeah that's true but you still handled it poorly. You still could've tried harder to be his friend instead of his lover or given him more time to break and move on from Leah. I held Edward and Bella responsible for their choices. The Cullens and myself for our choices, Sam for his choices and my great something grandfather for creating the treaty. But never have I actually realized your choice caused a lot of pain too. I even defended you against Leah. I'm done making excuses for you."-Jacob growled.
"I really am sorry for everything I've done. I always thought I was doing the right thing. I never wanted to hurt anyone. I'm sorry."-she hiccupped and turned to the Cullens "I'm sorry. To all of you."-she sobbed earnestly. Jasper was shocked. He was glad he wasn't human because he'd be crying if he was. He didn't realize he was still affected by the loss of his family members but hearing Emily's apology made him realize just how wrong he was and that he missed them dearly. It was an apology he didn't know he needed or was even owed.
"Thank you."-Carlisle said, holding her hand. She gasped at his temperature before jumping into his arms to hug him.
"I'm sorry."-she cried.
"So am I."-Carlisle apologized. His family was the reason Sam phased in the first place.
"Let's go."-Jared ordered after a moment.
"Go see if you can get an Uber, Lyft or cab to take her home."-Jacob ordered. Jared nodded and ushered her out while Jacob turned to the vampires. "I owe you guys an a-"
"Not necessary."-Carlisle cut him off. He meant it.
"No. I've blamed you guys for everything a-"
"Unnecessary. And a lot of what you said was true."-Jasper cut him off this time.
"I'm sorry for Rosalie, Emmett, Edward and Renesme. That I do owe you."-he said wiping away a tear. He held out his hand.
"Thank you."-Carlisle smiled shaking it. Jasper was becoming overwhelmed by his own emotions. He's used to emotion coming to him not from him unless Alice is involved.
"Thank you. Both of you. I couldn't have done this without your help."-he extended his hand to Jasper.
"My pleasure. It's been a while since I had some action anyway."-he smirked.
"You sound like Brady."-Jacob said with a chuckle. Just then Jared came back.
"She's all set; an uber came right away. We'll drive her car back."-he said jiggling the keys. Jacob nodded and turned back to the Cullens.
"Go on we've got it. This place will be cleaned by the time you get home. I'll volunteer here for the next couple of years. It's in everyone's best interest that I do so and I haven't used that medical degree in ages. It'll be my pleasure."-Carlisle smiled.
"Thank you."-Jacob smiled. He and Jared went to the parking lot to Emily's car. She was in no position to drive and Jacob didn't trust being in a car with her at the moment. He knew he'd calm down and someday he would eventually forgive her. Afterall she was thrown into this world too and if he was going to forgive Sam why not Emily. But, right now forgiving her was almost impossible and the furthest thing from his mind.
"Don't be strangers."-Carlisle smiled, standing in the door of the facility as Jacob drove onto the street.
"If you ever need us again just call."-Jasper nodded.
"Ditto."-Jacob nodded to them and drove off. In a flash he saw them disappear back into the building.
They dropped off Emily's car at her and Sam's house when they got back to the reservation. Jacob dismissed Jared so he ran home to Kim meanwhile Jacob updated Paul and dismissed them before going back home. He checked in with Embry and told him what happened and dismissed them before bypassing the mansion heading straight for the cottage.
"Jacob is that you?"-Leah called recognizing the sound of his gait before smelling him. She hurried out if her room and rushed downstairs. He rushed to her and pulled her into a spine snapping hug. He breathed her in over and over again much like he did the day he saw her in Sam's yard. She held on tightly and did the same.
"Go out with me."-he blurted out.
"What?"-she asked confused. Now was a random time to be asking this but he didn't care. He's taken things slowly this past year and given her space to accept that she broke his imprint and he wanted to be with her and would never imprint again. Just because they may have all the time in the world doesn't mean they should waste any. After dealing with Sam, Jacob was full of adrenaline and determination. Life seemed so fleeting now.
He pulled back to look at her.
"Go out with me."-he said again, looking her in the eyes. She looked at him long and hard before answering.
"You're paying."-she smiled and he kissed her urgently and she kissed him back just the same.
Hope you like! I've never written a prologue or epilogue before. I don't usually do those because I feel depending on the way you end a story it completes the story for the reader while also allowing them to imagine the future for its characters. But, this idea came to me almost immediately after I posted the last chapter but I didn't feel like writing it. Since I already had the idea I decided to grant the requests for an epilogue. I think I'm going to finish Holiday in Handcuffs next…finally. The faves, follows and reviews were much loved.
The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few…so I need you to read then I need you to review…or I'll delay your shipping even if you paid for express. Over a week ago I ordered an (expensive) Christmas gift and they offered guaranteed shipping before Christmas but after I paid it said my item would ship AFTER Christmas "due to high volume". Like ugh! They know after a certain number of orders if they can legitimately offer guaranteed shipping and yet they're STILL offering it anyway. It's theft at this point. I'm hoping they still ship it in time for Christmas. If not they're giving me a shipping refund! Unfortunately the other gift I would've gotten from somewhere else had I known is now out of stock! Ba humbug! Happy Hanukkah!