NOTES | Alpha Order | Inner Wolf | 'Talking in Mind Link'

Chapter Thirteen | What Are You

.

"So Lovely what would you like to do?" James questioned. A smile played on his lips as he watched her inspect everything. "Do I live up to expectation?"

Loveless grinned. "Its . . . passable." She winked.

"Good to know, Vic will like it then." James laughed. He set the dinner bag on the table and let her dig in. "So you liked your b-day present?"

Loveless spazzed. Her eyes widened as she squealed. She jumped up and down before hugging the life out of James.

"Glad Darlin'." James smiled and wrapped his arms around her. Cloaking her in a warm protective shield.

Loveless grinned and leaned against him. "You always gave the best hugs."

James smiled and tightned his grip. "Well Lovely, it's not like you go around hugging strange men . . . so how would you know?"

She cackled. "You have got to meet Eric! You'd get along so well!"

"Friends?" James smiled. He released her a few seconds later. A bright smile bore on his lips as he listened to her talk animatedly about her new friends. I'm glad you've found friends, my Princess.

"I wanna watch a movie." She grinned cutely. Her dark blue eyes shined brightly.

James rolled his eyes. He knew what movie she wanted to watch. Knew all to well. It was her favorite movie. She loved it above all else. Or was it the spandex wearing male she liked? His eyes narrowed as his head cocked to the side in thought. Huh? "Top shelf by the flat-screen Lovely."

Loveless smiled.

"But!" James exclaimed.

Loveless paused. A pout already forming on her lips. She knew the sound of that pause. She whined cutely and stomped her feet.

James watched in amusement. "Nope."

"I don't wanna~" She whined.

He shook his head. "Homework must be done first."

Loveless growled. "Fun RUIN-ER!" She huffed but listened to him. As she always did. It wasn't like she had a lot. It was only 115 pages in Bio II with four questions at the end. Not difficult, and lucky for her - James had already taught her about the subject. So, it wasn't long before they were on the couch curled up together and watched Labyrinth.

"How?" Loveless sniffled. "Why is she so stupid?" She shook her head. "He could give her everything!"

James heaved a dramatic sigh and shook his head. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. "She was naive, Lovely."

"But still! How stupid can she be?" Loveless questioned.

James shook his head. "Lovely, you've seen this movie like 50 times! You know what happens."

Buzz. Buzz.

Both perked up at the sound of a vibrating phone.

"Yours or mine?"

"Both." James replied while handing Loveless her phone.

Her nose scrunched. "They want me home before dark." Loveless frowned. She had been told 12 originally. What changed?

James arched an eyebrow. "Bit overly protective."

She rolled her eyes. "Them and their stupid things that go bump in the night."

James frowned. "What do you mean?"

Loveless shrugged. "Native crap. They believe in werewolves and cold one."

James's jaw tensed for a split second. "What do you mean cold ones?"

"Vampires. But that is just fairy-tales. Stupid ones at that." Loveless waved it off. "Who texted you?"

James smirked. "Vic."

She squealed. "When?"

"Vicki will be here tomorrow morning." James sent a sly smirk towards Loveless. "Technically Vic arrives tonight. Which means if your a good girl . .. we could bring you to school."

Loveless's eyes lit up. The dark blue depths turning buttery and bright with excitement. "Chincha!? Chincha, Chincha, Chincha?" She exclaimed with glee.

James chuckled. Glad I could make you smile, Princess. "Deh, we really can."

"YES!" Loveless literally vibrated with happiness. She paused momentarily. "What about you?"

James cocked his head to the side. "What'cha mean?"

"Don't you have schooling?"

James smirked. "You really think the School Board System cares if the James Saintclaire misses a couple days?"

Loveless rolled her eyes. "You're not that special."

"True, but I'm damn near close." James smirked.

She scoffed. "As if."

James chuckled. "Grab your stuff honey, I'll bring you home."

. .

Paul growled softly. Where is she!? The wolf inside of him snarled.

Sam heaved a small sigh and shook his head. "Paul its 8:30." He glanced at the alpha. "We texted her five minutes ago."

"I know." Paul shifted in his seat. "I just don't like her with him."

Jared squeezed Paul's shoulder. "Just breath man, It feels like this because the imprint hasn't been solidified. But it will. It will be just fine."

Paul squirmed in his seat. "I know." He heaved a small sigh. "It just hurts." He whispered.

Jared nodded. "We know man. I almost kills me when Kim goes to visit her relatives in Florida."

Sam smiled. "Emily leaves to go get groceries . . . I get antsy as hell." He chuckled as Emily rolled her eyes. "It's part of the wolf side of the imprint." Sam shrugged. "The human side is understanding she needs 'me' time too." Sam beamed as Emily gave him an approving look.

Paul nodded. "I know but. . ."

"Just relax boss." Jacob smiled. "Puppy whipped." He muttered under his breath.

Emily smacked him on the back of the head. "I can't wait till you get an imprint. We'll see who's Puppy Whipped." Not even inhuman hearing could touch that of a mother's hearing.

The others snickered.

Jacob pouted lightly.

"Seth are you staying for dinner?" Sam questioned with a furrow of his brows. "Is Sue okay with that?"

Seth bobbed his head. "Emily invited me." He grinned impishly. "Since Nicole likes me. Em wanted me to be here when she got back."

Jacob rolled his eyes. "Suck up!"

Seth stuck his tongue out. "You're just upset that she actually likes me."

Jacob scoffed. "Didn't we explain it earlier!? She tolerates you."

"Sure, sure." Seth shrugged and continued to grin impishly. "Well hey . . . it's not like I got a door in the nose."

The others snickered.

Jacob pouted. "Em they're being mean to me!"

Emily smirked. "Weren't you just being mean to your Alpha? It's called karma honey." She spoke softly as if he were a five year old.

Jacob scowled. Everyone was against him. EVERYONE.

Paul snapped up. "She's here!" A smile broke out on his lips.

"Paul sit back down!" Emily exclaimed with a giggle. "You want to look sweet, loving, and safe. Not obsessive, creepy, and overbearing."

Paul pouted light but sat back down in the chair. His ears tweaking slightly as he tried to listen to the conversation outside.

.

James kept the engine running as he parked on the gravel drive-way. "Well doesn't this seem stepford-y wives." He chuckled at Loveless's clearly not amused scowl. He grinned widely. James groaned as he stretched. Arm leaning over the back of the seat. He wiggled his eyebrows and squeezed her shoulder.

Loveless heaved a sigh and leaned into his warm, comforting touch. "I don't wanna go in." She whispered.

James cooed tauntingly. "Honey it's okay."

Loveless pouted and shoved him slightly.

"Can I meet your brother?" James murmured softly.

"Totally up to you." Loveless shrugged.

James smiled. "So is that your approval?" He smirked. He wanted to meet Samuel Uley. Wanted to look him in the eye before he crushed his heart further. Wanted to warn him about the Good Doctor too.

She heaved a sigh and nodded. "Come on. . ." She dragged out as if it was the most difficult question to answer.

"Jeez," James smiled. "Never a dull moment with you Princess. Never."

Loveless giggled. "You haven't called me that in a while."

"Vic gets jealous." James winked.

She snorted. "Puh-lease!"

James smiled brightly. "I missed you Loveless."

She looked up at the male beside her. Her cheeks tinted a soft pink. "I missed you too James."

"Now, Come on, darlin' I wanna meet the fam." He smiled that perfect crooked 'Saintclaire' grin. His Texan twang lacing his deep timber.

Loveless rolled her eyes. She stepped out of the car and let the other drag her up the stairs of the porch and towards the front door.

"You gonna knock, darlin'?"

She heaved a dramatic sigh and turned the knob. "I don't have to knock." She rolled her eyes at the smirk on James's lips. "Loser."

"Nicole?" Emily questioned.

"Yes . . . I have company." Loveless shrugged at the look James sent her.

"Oh!" Emily smiled brightly as she rounded the corner. "Are you staying for dinner."

James lips pursed slightly. "Would it be to much trouble?"

Emily shook her head as an elated smile slid on her scared face. "I insist." She moved forward and held out her free hand. The other holding her trusty spatula. "My name is Emily Uley. Come meet the others!" She twisted around "Sam!"

James chuckled. He slung his arm around Loveless's shoulders. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Oh~ She likes me."

Loveless scoffed. "Whatever." She snapped.

James laughed softly and steered her in the direction Emily had gone. He smiled sweetly as Loveless nuzzled into his side.

"You are always so warm." She murmured.

James grinned. It's the fire in me Princess . . . I'm sorry you will never feel the fire yourself, even if you wield it. He squeezed her shoulder and came to a stop. His dark eyes raked over the five hulking men in the kitchen.

Emily twisted back towards James. Her eyes widened as she stared at Loveless coiled against his side. "Oh! This is Sam, Jared, Jacob, Seth and Paul."

James smiled brightly. "Hello. I'm James Saintclaire." His eyes lingered over the males. "Sam? Samuel Uley?"

Sam smiled and stepped forward. He held his hand out. "It's nice to meet you."

James shrugged. "Yes, it usually is." He flashed a million dollar smile.

Loveless scoffed and back handed his stomach. "Be nice."

"Hey Nicole!" Seth chimed cutely.

The edges of her lips curled upward. "Hi Seth."

"What would you like for dinner?" Emily questioned the guest.

James glanced down at Loveless. "Anything is fine. Huge steak fan . . . and apple pie."

Loveless rolled her eyes.

"You like apple pie too?"

James nodded, "big fan."

Emily nodded. "Then y'all can have a set in the living room and chat while I get to work." She smiled brightly and began to bustle around. Shewing the others out of the kitchen.

Loveless sighed. "I'm gonna go get a shower." She whispered to James. "You'll be fine?"

James gave his signature cocky smirk and nodded. "Take your time, Darlin'." His dark vivid green eyes followed her up the stairs until she had disappeared. He turned back to the five hulking males in the living room with him.

"You can sit anywhere!" Emily called from the kitchen.

Sam smiled brightly at his imprints happiness.

"She seems like a character." James murmured softly

Jared nodded. "She is. And she's always had the ability to whip our dear Sam into shape."

James sat down in the love seat. "I suggest you ask me now." He got situated and crossed his left leg over his right knee. His hands folded over his lap. Looking as royally aristocratic has his actual blood line was. "Nicole, she won't be happy if you wait." His eyes lingered on the biggest male before looking at Samuel again.

Sam frowned. "Why did you say her name like that?"

"Samuel," James taunted before snorting. "We both know I don't have to use her middle name."

Sam flinched as if he had been physically hit. "How bad?" Voice hoarse as he spoke out in a whisper.

James stared at the male in front of him. His lips pursed in thought. His dark green hunter eyes boring deep into Sam's soul. "We both know you don't want the answer to that."

"What are you to her?" Paul questioned. Breaking the rising tension in the room.

"I'm her protector. Even when it should have been someone else." His green eyes darkened, blackening cruelly. His voice was hard and fierce.

Paul frowned. He didn't like that answer.

"Are you staying long?" Jared questioned - keeping a level head.

James shrugged. "As long as she needs me."

"We can do that." Seth frowned. "We can protect her."

James snorted. "Is that what you were doing when you called her a liar, Samuel? Protecting her?" His head cocked to the side.

Sam flinched once more and began to fidget. His eyes are unnerving.

"That's what I thought." James replied. "Now," he glanced at the ones still in the room. "I understand how it works." He could feel the emotional connections. And not just with Sam and Emily towards Loveless.

What works? Sam frowned. He was confused.

"And, while I don't feel safe leaving my Princess here with a bunch of animals." He sneered the word. "I am far more angry about the Good Doctor."

The pack froze. Had Bella been right?

Paul shifted. His eyes narrowed. "What are you?"

"The Good Doctor?"

So what did you think?