Note | Alpha Order | Inner Wolf | 'Talking in Mind Link'
Chapter Sixteen | Not Answers
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Paul hissed out a breath as he placed the phone to his ear. A flinch rolled though his body at the sharp ringing that filled his ears. Paul really didn't like phones. His lips curled at the sound of the leech's voice. "Dr. Cullen, can we talk in person?"
"Oh? Of course." Carlisle was the spoke gently, his voice much softer as he realized he was talking to one of the wolves. He had long ago come to the summarization that the wolf's ears hurt when they spoke loudly or too fast. "Please, we would be happy to have you." Carlisle spoke politely. "Jared, Sam and Jacob will be joining you . . . Yes?"
Paul breathed out slowly. His wolf didn't like them not even when it was necessary. "Yes, we will be there soon." His jaw clamped shut as he shoved the phone into his pocket. "Let's go." He glanced at Emily. Asking the unasked question.
"Of course," She smirked. "I would be happy to look at you all naked." A cackle fell from her lips at the reactions she received. Emily rolled her eyes and moved to grab the Jerry-Sling bags they used when traveling in wolf form. She had been traumatized the first time Paul and the others had shown up on her and Sam's porch naked. That was a no! Especially if her little cousins were over.
Sam rolled his eyes as he moved towards the grass outside. The others all following. His dark eyes simmered as they locked on Emily's. A dark edge lurking in the chocolate depths as he unbuttoned his jeans. Sam smirked as he listened to the ticking of her heart. His wolf keened at the thought. He licked his lips as the jeans fell to the ground. Sam sent Emily a wink before letting his eyes fall shut.
The shaking started. It always started first. It was what gave the wolf an inclination that it needed to rise to the surface. Their temperature was next. In human form they rested at a sold 99.9 or 100. But as the wolf surged forward - so did their heat, 108.5 degrees. Their vision clouded last - right before the change. Everything shifted, all clear and bright colors. Then suddenly everything seemed to dull. And then the shift.
Paul snarled as he landed on all fours. He pushed his should as he arched his back in a deep stretch. No, not like a dog would Emily.
"Okay boys," Emily smiled as she stood before them. She had collected their clothes and placed it inside of each of their own Jerry-Sling bags. She held Sam's back out, smiled as he carefully placed the strap between his teeth. She repeated the process. "Okay, stay calm and take deep breaths. Think calm thoughts. Don't let them rile you up."
Paul snorted.
"Hush," Emily's eyes twinkled as she wrapped her arms around Sam's furry neck. "Love you," She whispered. "I'll have food waiting when you return." She ran her fingers through Sam's fur once before moving back towards the porch. She watched them go with a smile before returning inside the house.
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Paul growled low in his throat as he dropped the bag Emily insisted they have. He shook once.
It moved backwards. The return shift. The vision clouded over as the light seeped in. A chill curled around the spine as the temperature dropped. Their gums always hurt as the wolf gave one last feral snap. And then it was done. Knees shoved against wet dirt as the body trembled. Lungs heaved as they returned to human size. Hunched over, almost in a fetal position as the human sucked in oxygen roughly. The return always left them breathless.
Paul was the first to stand. His body stiff as he breathed in the acidic scent of Leech. He yanked at the zipper, forcing it down. Paul pulled on his cut-off shorts. He forced a breath out through his nose as he glanced at the others. He moved towards the porch and towards the glass door.
Carlisle smiled as he opened the door. "Hello," voice soft as goose feathers. "Please come in." He pushed the door wide open and moved back, giving the wolves a wide birth. "What can I help you with?"
"JAKEY!" Bella squealed.
Jacob held back a groan and forced a smile. "Isabella." He'd long ago stopped calling her Bella. Jacob had hoped that would give her signs of their separated friendship - it hadn't.
"Bella, Jakey." She floated somewhat gracefully - she was picking up pointers from the Leeches apparently. "It's been a while."
Not long enough.
Edward's brows furrowed. "Jacob."
"Edward." Jacob rolled his eyes and waved him off. And if there was sass in his voice . . . His alpha wasn't going to correct him.
"This is about your new visitor?" Carlisle questions.
Paul sneered. "More than one."
"Oh," Carlisle frowned. "Visitors?" He moved much like a human would as he sat on the couch. Carlisle had also learned the quick movements put the wolves on edge.
Paul nodded. "Whatever they are, they are the same. They smell the same." His brows furrowed as he looked at Edward. Get Bella out of here. He waited, head cocked to the side. A slow smirk edged across his lips. "We will continue this in the study Doctor." He sneered the title. Doctors didn't seem to do Loveless any good - Paul doubted this one would be different.
Carlisle smiled and moved easily through the house. He waited until they were all situated before closing the door. "This is Devon - You know Jasper and Edward."He eased down into the leather chair behind the large desk. "Please, continue."
"They smell like fresh air, burning wood, and power." Paul frowned as his tongue rubbed across the roof of his mouth. He could still taste it.
"Devon." Carlisle called out.
"Yes," Devon answered. "They are here about . . . James, was it?" His brows furrowed as his mind flitted back to the diner.
Paul nodded.
"Where you able to sense anything?" Jared questioned.
Devon shook his head. "He's cut off, much like Nicole, but it's different." His lips pursed before he continued. "I can't read Bella's mind - period. However, I can sense her emotions, like Jasper does. I can feel her connections to those around her." Devon's brows furrowed as he paused. "I can't tell if they are unconsciously blocking, if they are that powerful, or if it's me."
"How could it be you?" Sam asked.
Devon shot the others a mirthless grin. "I am strong with my twin. Much like the twins: Alex and Jane. Separately they are dangerous, but together it's practically unfathomable. The same with my twin and I." Devon explained.
"And your twin?" Paul probed for info.
"He's not a true vegan like I am." Devon explained.
Paul nodded. "So what can you sense?"
"Power. Unfathomable power." Devon's brows furrowed slightly. "There's also a connection between James and Nicole." He shook his head. "I can't read it though."
Paul's jaw flexed. "Why not?"
"She's like Bella." Edward answered for the others.
The pack held in a snort and eye roll. She was nothing like Isabella "Just Bella" Swan. "Like her how?" Paul held back a growl. His imprint was nothing like the Bella Bitch.
Edward's lip curled back in a silent warning. "I can't read her mind." Edward supplied.
That's cause you're weak. Paul's lips curled into a slight smirk.
Devon nodded. "I can't get a read on her emotions either - neither could Jasper. Whatever they are . . . they are powerful. But I can't tell if Nicole is one of them, or if James is just that powerful - that he's masking her." He made a show of moving his hands up and down - pretending to way out the options. Devon left one hand up higher. "My money is on James being just that powerful."
Paul rolled his shoulders as tension mounted. "What do we do?"
"I will tell you one thing." Devon licked his lips as he spoke before Carlisle. "They James is more powerful without the other than My twin and I together." His eyes were narrowed as he forced the words out. He didn't like admitting that. It made vampires the prey not the predator.
Carlisle pursed his lips in thought. "They don't pose a threat." He chuckled softly as a few snorts and growls answered him. "Okay, they haven't posed a threat . . . yet. So we can not take action."
Paul stood. "As helpful as this was . . . we are leaving." The other three stood and followed their alpha.
"You're not going to stay for a little while Jakey?" Bella batted her eyes, a hopeful gleam filling them.
Jacob shook his head. "Nope." He popped the 'p' before following the others out.
Bella frowned.
Rosalie rolled her eyes. Great, now she's going to pout.
Jasper smirked and sent Rosalie a an emotional wave of calm.
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"Well, that was the most unhelpful conversation yet." Paul snarled angrily.
Jared flinched. "Boss . . ."
"If you tell me to calm down . . ." Paul left the threat open. He heaved a sigh and dropped onto the love-seat by himself.
Sam continued into the kitchen, grabbing two six-packs of beer before joining the others in the living room.
"Thanks." He mumbled as he took the proffered beer. Jared took place on the couch followed by Sam.
Jacob heaved a small sigh before dropping to the floor. "All that did was leave us with more questions."
"I wonder what they are?" Sam questioned.
Paul growled. "I want to know why they are so attached to Nicole."
"I want to know what they are!" Jared stated with a frown. "Not even the Cullens know."
Sam nodded. "Which leads to the question, just how powerful are they?" His arms opened, tightening a few seconds after Emily sat down on his laps. "Devon looked scared."
"And why do they call Nicole princess?" Jared asked.
"There is something there." Emily stated. Her brows furrowed in thought. "He was so democratic, business like, but with her . . . there was a sweetness, a love." She shook her head. "She's definitely held up higher than everyone else."
Paul gripped the beer bottle tighter.
Sam tightened his grip on Emily, his wolf instincts screaming protection.
"I not going to hurt Emmy, okay Sam." Paul shook his head and breathed out deeply.
Sam replied. "I know, but you also know it's the basic wolf instinct."
"I do."
"So what do we do?" Seth questioned as he munched on a muffin. He had stayed to help Emily cook.
Paul stared at he younger wolf. "You need to go to in school." His brows furrowed. "You should have went to school this morning." Paul shook his head. "You didn't come with us - so you have no excuse." He smirked at the younger. "And we both know your guise of helping Emily cook is a lie."
Seth pouted. "Why?" He wasn't a fan of school in the slightest.
"You dumb as dirt and you need to learn." Paul smirked. He laughed as the younger growled playfully. "Come on Seth. You're smart . . . smart enough to make something of yourself. So go to school and don't end up like Jacob over here."
"HEY!" Jacob protested.
Paul smiled as he watched Seth nod before heading out of the house.
"You'd be a good father." Emily smirked.
Paul averted his eyes and downed the rest of his beer in one go.
Sam chuckled. "Children still scare you?"
"That's not funny!" Paul snapped.
"Yeah . . . it was."
Paul glared. "No it wasn't. It . . ." He groaned before muttering, "it was painful."
The guys snickered.
"All you had to do was jump! Spread your legs a little and jump." Sam laughed. "It's a game."
Paul snapped his teeth at Jared. "I wasn't watched the damn kid!" He shook his head and twisted the cap of another beer bottle. He shifted in his seat momentarily - the painful memory surfacing. He rested it against his most sensitive organ. "I didn't think the damn kid was that tall either."
"Kids - they grow like weeds." Jared grinned.
Paul winced, "let's talk about something else.
So what did you think?
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Also remember this story is RATED M FOR A REASON - IT IS ADULT THEMED ANYTHING GOES.