Chapter Eight
"Hey Sam."
My wolf perked up at the sound of our Alpha's greeting. We had fought our way through London traffic and were now holed up in Billy's hotel suite around my cell on speaker.
"Hey, Jake. Is Quil with you?" I replied. I heard minor shuffling and Old Quil spoke up.
"I'm here, Samuel. May I ask what required my input at time of the morning?" Billy chuckled at that.
"Quil, it's just after 9am there you lazy bastard." He turned serious and paused to collect his thoughts.
"What's up Dad?" Jacob asked. Going with Billy's direct approach from earlier, I dived in.
"I Imprinted."
Silence. Then,
"Right… we know." Jacob replied, slowly. I sighed (I was doing a lot of that lately).
"No, I mean, I Imprinted, again. On someone here in London." There was more silence.
"What?-"
"Are you sure?-"
Both Quil and Jacob speaking over each other.
"He's sure," Billy answered. "Both myself and Sue witnessed it." There was more silence. I could literally see my call plan bleed money and jumped in again to try and speed this up a little.
"Quil, is there anything in the histories about two Imprints for one wolf?" I could hear the desperation in my tone. I heard more shifting from the speaker.
"Nothing even hinting to it." I knew that would be the answer but to hear it confirmed was a blow.
"I didn't know this was even possible…" said Jacob, clearly reeling from the information.
"Well, you and your friends poof into huge dogs at will, I think anything new we can take in our stride, no…?" Quil stated.
He had a point. However…
"We do not 'poof'." I grumbled, earning a twitch of Billy's lips. Yeah, lap it up old man. I rubbed my face trying to focus on this.
"Jake, I'm going to need you to drop the Order. Give me a fighting chance of being able to get back home." I pleaded.
"That strong?" He asked quietly. I nodded to myself.
"Yeah, it's as strong as Emily, maybe more so as it's not sealed yet." I added.
"Sam mentioned it wasn't quite the same as his Imprint with Emily." Sue said, speaking for the first time.
"Yes, he said it was more like she was Pack." Billy added. I nodded my agreement. Best share every single detail if it could help.
"What's she like?" Jacob asked.
"Physically? She's around five-five, five-six, blue eyes, brunette, shoulder length hair, lovely smile…" I felt myself smile as I remembered her laughing at lunch…focus Sam. "She's the new member for the plant project, she's the one managing the Office set up in PA. She's due to move to the old Whitefeather house in a few weeks. Her names Kate."
"Hmm…"
"Spit it out Quil." Billy said, shifting in his seat.
"It's interesting." Gahhh! I wanted to reach into my cell and strangle him. Get on with it!
"The way the Spirits are working here…" I couldn't stop my eye roll. Spirits this, Spirits that. I knew I should have more belief in them, after all I did 'poof' into a large dog as Quil so elegantly put it; I probably should have more faith in the unknown.
"I take it she is British?
"Yes."
"Then they have constructed this set of circumstances in order to get her to La Push." he stated with conviction. It seem like a stretch but, he had a point. Why would I Imprint on someone five thousand miles away from home? I didn't think the Spirits were that sadistic to test an Imprint bond with that kind of distance.
"I also assume she is also not of any Tribal descent?"
Our three heads shot up, we hadn't even considered it.
"No, she's caucasian." I replied. She was the first in our Pack, but previous Packs…?
"She would be the first Pale Faced human Imprint." Quil said, stressing the human part and confirming my thoughts. He then fell silent.
"What does this mean Quil?" Sue asked.
"Honestly Sue, I do not know. She is special to the Pack, to the Tribe, for these reasons alone, but why this has come around, I cannot say."
My phone beeped and I glanced down at the screen seeing my alarm alert flashing.
"Jake, Quil, we have to go soon, we're meeting her and Marc Evans for dinner shortly. Could you do me a favour and get the Whitefeather place in the patrol rotation, and send Jared round there to check it out. It needs to be safe…" I trailed off. Jacob, understanding the needs of an Imprint, and an unbonded one at that, spoke up.
"Done, and done, don't worry Sam, I'll have it sorted." He was quiet for a beat. "I've removed the Order, how d'you feel?" He asked.
I felt it lift. My wolf went ballistic in my mind as the balance between my two Imprints and the pull home to ancestral lands tipped over. I gasped and clutched my chest as the pain hit, ears ringing and vision darkening from the onslaught. My wolf fighting tooth and nail, knowing the distances involved when we would separate from Kate, wanting to find her and drag her with us.
"SAM! You are to come home to La Push tomorrow!" Jacob shouted down the phone. I felt a snap in my mind as the wolf was chained by the new command and I was able to crawl back onto my chair that I hadn't realised I'd fallen from. I choked in a breath as Sue flitted around me wanting to help.
"Sam, talk to me buddy, what happened?" Jacob implored. I sucked in another breath, then another, trying to reset. Holy fuck.
"The bond, my wolf he…" I swallowed, starting again. "Your Order was keeping a balance between Emily and home, and Kate. When you removed it, my wolf, he realised we would be leaving her and just went bat shit." I closed my eyes, rubbing my chest.
"The second Order take?" He asked. "Do I need to change it?"
"No, I think, I think it's OK?" God I hoped it was OK, otherwise there's no way I wasn't getting thrown off our flight tomorrow if he went batshit again. "Can you keep your phone on you tonight, just in case we need you to modify the order?"
"Sure thing." He replied. I closed my eyes in relief.
Ever since we had merged the two Packs back together, after the non-battle with the Volturi, Jacob's power ramped up, increasing exponentially when he accepted his heritage. It meant that unlike when I was Alpha, he just had to think a command and we would just know on an instinctual level, regardless of distance or if we were phased or not. There were some interesting times not too long after he took full Alpha where his control wasn't down, and a stray thought often had Paul doing something ridiculous as Jacob's idle musings translated into real life Orders.
As his control increased, he could issue Orders with such subtlety, we could all be hopping on one foot without a word, but at different frequencies. Not that we tested the theory. At all.
"Ok." Jacob's voice brought me back. "Call me if you need anything between now and getting home, I'll speak to Jared in a bit… do you want me to speak to Emily…?" He asked tentatively.
"No, I'll speak to her when I get home. I need time to figure this out…" I said. Fuck I'd not even considered how Emily would take this. The Imprint gave those involved a guarantee, or, at least that's what we all thought. Even though the Imprint with Kate was different, it shat all over that guarantee. I knew in my heart Emily was it for me, but trying to explain that to her...oh god, what a mess.
"Ok, well, call me for anything? Brandon will be picking you up tomorrow from Sea-Tac, send him a text when your flight lands so he can pull the van round to arrivals."
"Sure thing, Son." Billy replied.
"I'll have another look through the histories, Sam." Quil added.
"Thank you Quil."
We finished the call and remained in silence for a few moments to digest it all. I was still rubbing my chest, the pain bone deep. Sue threw me a sympathetic look and Billy patted my arm.
"Well, we should get ready, the car will be here soon to collect us." I just nodded and said that I would meet them down by reception. I walked out and crossed the hall to my own room, barely registering opening the door. I made it to the bed and just flopped onto it.
What a fucking day.
I took a brief shower and still managed to beat Billy and Sue to reception. Still feeling off from my wolf's freak out from Jacob's Order removal, I paced the hotel lobby not caring at the attention I was drawing. I'd be out of this City tomorrow anyway. My wolf lurched at the thought of leaving Kate but then he quelled under the pressure of the Alpha Order kicking in. God, I hoped this didn't keep happening, I was feeling slightly sick with the ebb and flow of the Order working against my wolf. I was feeling sorry for him. Although he was an ancient Spirit Warrior, he was still an animal, driven by instinct, battling with human nuances.
I heard the elevator ding from across the lobby and turned as I heard Sue and Billy. It was a warm evening, so we moved to wait outside. I barely engaged them both as we waited for transport, my mood sullen and I couldn't find the energy to drag myself out of it. Fuck it, it had been a crazy day, I couldn't be expected to just get over it so quickly.
I was brought out of my thoughts by black taxi pulling in just past where we stood. Marc and Kate stepped out and made their way to us as the driver got out too to assemble the wheelchair ramp.
"Sam!" Kate called, a wide smile graced her face and my dark mood just vanished. Before I could react, she'd practically skipped over to me and threw her arms around my waist.
That scent.
My arms encircled her without thought and for the second time that day, everything in me stilled in peace and contentment. I both felt and heard Kate sigh as the bond settled with contact. I'd noticed she was wearing the same pant suit, but had removed her jacket in the warm air. She was wearing a white sleeveless blouse which exposed parts of her shoulders and I shifted my arms so that my own bare arms would make contact with her skin.
Oh God, heaven. The bond both settled and flared at the contact. Home, my wolf whispered in my mind.
"You OK honey?" I whispered in her ear, giving her a little squeeze. I felt her nod her head against my chest.
"Am now."
I was amazed she was this receptive to me so quickly, but I suppose the Imprint magic was just that strong it was overriding any reserve she might have. I was struggling to fight it, and I knew what to expect. She had no chance.
I was brought back to earth with Billy calling my attention. We reluctantly parted and I noticed Marc was watching us again. His expression was less hostile than before, more worried, and confused.
The driver got Billy loaded quickly and we all piled in.
"The Builder's Arms, Kensington, please mate." Marc called out to the driver. We pulled off from the curb and Kate turned to look at me from her place next to me.
"Everything OK back home?" She asked. Ah yeah, I forgot I'd mentioned I'd be calling. I smiled.
"Yeah, all OK. I asked a couple of friends if they could take another look at your new place, make sure it will be ready for when you arrive." How could I ask her if she could come over early without sounding like a complete stalker?
"That's good, thank you." She replied. "It looks lovely from the pictures I saw, I really can't wait to see it."
"I remember you said you liked the wrap around porch," she nodded "yeah it's lovely, perfect in the summer. We do get some good weather, but the rain can surprise you, at least with the porch you can stay outside and keep dry." I had visions of Emily and Kate sitting together reading, enjoying each other's company on that porch and both me and my wolf felt a sudden shudder of completeness that took me by surprise. God I wanted that so much, both my girls together.
"Will I need to buy anything for the house? I was told it's furnished but not the finer points."
"It has everything you would need, but we can make a list of anything you want to add and do a little shopping trip." Sue said, smiling at Kate.
"That would be great, thanks Sue."
We made idle chatter as the driver, or Cabbie as Marc called him, wound his way round the rat run that was central London. Soon, we were pulling up outside the Builders Arm's. Marc paid the driver as I helped Billy out, and soon we were walking in. It wasn't quite the dark, tiny, crowded place I was expecting, but I suppose not everything you see on TV is real.
"We were thinking to avoid the proper traditional pubs, they were built before wheelchairs were invented, and I don't think you wanted him wedged behind a bar all night." Kate interrupted my thoughts, gesturing to Billy who was virtually salivating at the beer on tap.
"I'm sure he wouldn't have minded to be honest." I replied, followed her to a free table with enough room for us all. It was tucked in a corner by a window. A member of the bar staff came out of nowhere and helped Kate arrange the table to accommodate Billy's chair.
Sue, Kate and myself settled in, I offered to get drinks, but Sue waved me off and stepped off to help Marc control Billy at the bar, I mean, help Marc with the drinks. Kate waved her off saying Marc knew her drink, and I just said to let Billy chose for me.
"Alone at last!" Kate said smiling. She quickly blush. "Shit, sorry, that sounded wrong!" I had to laugh at her, she was like a younger sister I'd never had.
"Tut, tut, swearing in front of your guests, what would Marc say eh?" I joked. She laughed at that.
"He'd tell you to get used to it, as it will rapidly get worse the more I drink". A drunk Kate, that could be entertaining.
"What time is your flight tomorrow?" She asked, fiddling with a cardboard beer mat on the table.
"12:40, but I think we're planning to get to the airport around nine to check in." She nodded at this.
"Heathrow I take it?"
"Yeah."
"Would you mind if I see you off?" She asked looking uncertain. "Sorry, I know we just met today, but I just want to, you know…" She looked around the room, avoiding eye contact out of embarrassment.
"I'd like that." I said quietly with sincerity, bring her eyes back to mine.
"Sorry, I'm not usually this clingy, it's been a stressful week and I guess it's manifesting in insanity." She laughed again with no humour.
"It's fine, Kate honest. If you hadn't said anything I'd probably ask you myself anyway."
Her eyes darted between mine and she chewed her lower lip, steeling herself by the looks of it.
"What is this?" She asked, pinning me to the spot. I could play dumb, joke it off, but the Imprint wouldn't let me lie to her. I wanted to put her at ease, rather than let her continue to think she was going mad.
"It's… complicated, and I can't explain it here." I looked around, seeing we were far enough away from the other patrons. "I will explain it to you however, I promise you that." I stated.
"When?"
"When you get to the States." She frowned at that. "Sorry, I know it's three weeks away, but I'd rather explain everything at once and we just don't have the time." She nodded, and flicked the edge of the beer mat.
"Can Marc know?"
"No." She raised her head quickly at my tone, and I grimaced in apology. "You'll understand once I tell you the reasons why. Remember when Billy said you were now a member of our Tribe?" she nodded, "This is one of those rights. It's a Tribal thing, and you are one of a handful of outsiders that will have the honor to know."
She sat back in her chair at my declaration, digesting my words, before slowly nodding again.
"OK, thank you, I feel privileged you are trusting me with this information, whatever it is."
I reached across and stilled her hand on the beer mat. "Thank you for understanding." I got caught in her eyes again, and was brought out of my musing by Marc setting a very heavily loaded tray of drinks on the table. There were at least ten smaller, half filled, half sized pint glasses dotted between the full sized pints.
"Are there Hobbits joining us?" I raised an eyebrow at Billy, knowing he had something to do with this. He actually rubbed his hands in glee and I caught Sue's eye roll behind him as she scooted past Billy and set five menus on the table.
"They do beer sampling," Marc supplied "You get quarter pint of the drinks on tap, so you can see what you like."
"It would have been rude not to try some fine English ales whilst we are here." Billy declared, not taking his eyes off the tray as he unloaded all the samples in a line in front of him. Marc shared out the rest of the drinks, reeling them off as he did.
"For the lovely Sue, a nice Rosé. For the esteemed Mr. Uley, a Broadway Boss lager. And for the football hooligan in the corner, a Stella."
Kate flicked him the bird making me bark out a laugh, Marc just grinned at her, setting his own beer down, and returned the tray to the bar.
"I think a little toast is in order." Billy said as Marc returned. He picked up one of his glasses and raised it, we all copied him.
"To new beginnings and new friendships. May the Spirits bless this project and its people."
'Cheers' rang out and we saluted and sipped. Billy puckering slightly at his beer.
"Oh, that's good."
"So, what's with the hooligan comment?" I asked, taking another swig of my lager, enjoying the flavor. Kate groaned and Marc chuckled with an evil grin on his face.
"Oh yes, our Kate is a right troublemaker. Starting fights, breaking windows-"
"You make it sound like-"
"What, that you're a hooligan? Keep up Kate, we've covered that." She flicked the beer mat at him and he smoothly ducked it.
"Ignore him, it wasn't like how he's making it sound." She protested.
"But, there's some truth to it I take it?" I asked her innocently
"It's was one time." She huffed, and the table broke out in laughter.
"OK, OK, I have to hear this." Billy said, now on his third sample. Kate groaned again and slumped back in her seat covering her face.
"Well, it was a few years ago, Missy here came out with us for an after work drink one night. She got completed hammered on Stella. She started a brawl in the pub we were in, then when we got kicked up, she broke a window with a football in anger."
"Oh, shut it Marc, it wasn't like that at all-"
"It was-"
"Context Marc, it's all about the context." She sat up.
"Here's what actually happened. We were in the pub, I had been drinking Stella but wasn't drunk." She flung a dirty look at Marc who just grinned. "I was ordering more drinks at the bar when someone pinched my arse. I turned to see who it was and guy pointed out this other guy next to me. He denied it but the first guy was adamant. The accused's girlfriend then made an appearance, it all got out of control and a fight broke out around me. Everyone got kicked out. Then, on the way home, there was a football in the middle of the road, so I kicked it and it hit a window of a house and broke it. I freaked out and ran away. I did go back the next day and apologise and gave them money to get it replaced."
She finished and stuck her tongue out at Marc.
"Keep telling yourself that sweetheart." He winked at her and we laughed again at her huff. "Come on, let's take a look at the menu, I'm hungry." He declared, whipping them off the table and handing them round. We soon had our preferences down, and Marc and Kate went up to the bar together to order. I watched as he kept poking her in the ribs saying 'hooligan, hooligan' as she tried to slap him off laughing. It was nice to see both of them so relaxed.
I was brought back to the table by Billy smacking his lips. He'd had already finished his sixth sample.
"Slow down old man, I'm not carrying you out of here if you pass out."
"It's a good thing I've got wheels then, isn't it." He remarked, not skipping a beat in between mouthfuls. I snorted and took another drink myself.
"How are you holding up?" Sue asked gently. I sat back in the booth and mirrored Kate by playing with a beer mat.
"OK at the moment. The real test will be tomorrow. She's offered to come see us off at the airport tomorrow." I added. I shifted in my seat. "She knows there's something going on and asked me outright what it is. I promised I would tell her everything once she is in La Push." I stared at Billy, daring him to try and forbid me as Chief even though he had no reason to. He held my gaze.
"Good. She needs to know."
I nodded. "She also asked if Marc could be told, I told her no. But, he knows something is going on. I'm worried he might do something stupid in trying to protect Kate. You see how he is with her." We all looked back up to the bar area. They were hip checking each other, laughing as Marc nearly lost his balance.
"We'll keep an eye on him. He will be mostly in La Push on site, so as long as the Pack keep the reins on any abnormal behavior, it should be OK." Billy said.
We stayed in silence after that, nursing our drinks watching the two at the bar.
Kate
We came back from the bar with the table number. I set it at the end for the wait staff to see clearly. As I sat I felt my phone vibrate and apologised as I brought it out to check.
There was a text from my Dad confirming tomorrow. Shit, I'd actually forgotten about the meeting with Barry in all the excitement of today.
"What's your flight number?" I asked Sam. He looked at Sue who reeled it off for me.
"You still OK for tomorrow?" He asked, looking worried.
"Yeah, it's good." I waved my phone at him "Just my Dad texting me, it's a good thing actually, I just needed to check the time I'm meeting him tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Marc asked. I sighed.
"Yeah, he's set up a meeting with Barry to go through the house stuff. Oh!" I exclaimed. I hadn't had a chance to speak to Marc about the conversation with Dad.
"I didn't get a chance to tell you, my Dad is going to buy out Richard's half of the house and then we'll rent it out. The income will keep paying off the mortgage, and I'll still get to keep the house." I smiled, pleased.
"Oh, wow, that's amazing Kate, I know you love that place." Marc replied, happy for me.
"Who's Richard?" Sue asked, looking between us.
"Kate's idiot of an ex." Marc said, before I could reply. I frowned at him and he just shrugged. "They'd find out eventually I reckon." He said.
"Oh, I do love a bit of gossip, do tell?" Billy said with such an innocent look on his face, I couldn't help but chuckle. I took a breath. What the hell. If we were going to be family, as he said, they would find out eventually.
"He cheated on me." I stated. Saying it outloud took me back to that moment I walked in the bedroom and I was almost overwhelmed by the sudden grief that swamped me. I felt a very warm hand rest on my hand on my leg, and I saw Sam looking on with sympathy.
"Do you need me to kill him? I can be out of the country tomorrow." He dead panned, and his dry humour and warmth of contact helped me push the grief back down. I laugh a little weakly.
"No, but thank you. I've already had offers to bump him off, you'll have to get in line behind my Dad." I replied.
"Yeah, I wouldn't mess with Stu, that's for sure." Marc added.
"Oh, why's that?" Sue asked.
"He's Ex-Army. Special Forces." I said. "He had Richard scurrying from the house yesterday with just a few words. It was...amusing." I buried my smile at the memory in my drink. Sam shift next to me.
"Remind me not to get on your bad side." He joked, then turned a little serious. "Yesterday?"
I nodded, swallowing my drink. "It happened last Wednesday. He came round yesterday to collect his stuff." I reported.
"I'm sorry Kate. With this new job for you too, I guess it's been a trying week?" Billy gave me a kind smile. I smiled back, feeling better that someone other than Marc had acknowledged the added stress. And having more than just Marc and Dad knowing! A problem shared is a problem halved. I actually felt better for just speaking up about it. I squared my shoulders and smiled at the group.
"Ah well, fuck him." I announced. Sam and Sue both snorted their drinks, and Billy smiled in bemusement at my language. "Shit, sorry." I said, then hunched in my seat feeling the heat rising in my cheeks from my blunder. It was too easy to let my guard down with these people.
Marc just sipped his pint looking amused at my gaff.
"Is her language always this colorful?" Asked Billy, holding in a smile.
"Yeah, you get used to it." He replied.
"I can't wait to see how bad it gets when she's drunk." Sam grinned. He made a point at looking at my still mostly full glass.
I groaned again and hid my face in my hands, earning laughter from the table. Bastards!
Sam
I had the best evening in forever. Good company, good food, and plenty of drink. I think Kate was two degrees past drunk at this point, but the opportunity to test the 'How drunk can Kate get before cursing makes up 95% of her speech' theory was too good to pass up. Marc was only too happy to accommodate us in the spirit of building a strong working relationship. That and the fact this was all going on expenses. It would have been rude not to.
She almost tripped as we left the pub, and I caught her before she face planted.
"Shit, who put that there. God damn pavements jumping out at me." she muttered. "Sorry, sorry, I'm fine." She stood, hands out as though waiting for the world to stop moving, before tugging down her blouse, and making to march off to follow Sue who was pushing a very drunk Billy down the street.
She veered a little to the right but managed to correct herself and then was surprisingly stable as she caught them up.
Marc had clearly noticed my surprise at this. "Yeah, she's no light weight. Get a kebab in her and she'll be good for another few hours. She makes me so proud." He sniffed and pretended to wipe a tear from his eye.
I laughed at their behavior, shaking my head. The drinking culture was definitely something to get used to. They were practically functioning alcoholics.
We fell into step together, following a little behind them. Kate had caught Sue up, and had taken control of Billy's chair. She was now pushing him at a run, making...car or aeroplane noises? Billy was shouting out directions which she was following badly. Oh look, she's crashed him into a street light. Both of them were now doubled over laughing.
We made up the distance, Sue was just smiling shaking her head at Billy. Both him and Kate had tears rolling down their cheeks.
"Told you, bloody street thingys jump out of nowhere." She gasped.
"OK, maybe the two inebriates should be separated for the good of the local populous." Marc declared, earning him boos from both drunks in question. This set them both off laughing again, and Sue took it upon herself to take back control of Billy's chair, earning her boos as well.
Kate was staggering around again, and I held out a hand to her. She took it and I brought her under my arm, mainly to satisfy the Imprint, but to also stop her walking into traffic. Who said chivalry was dead eh?
"Hmmm…" She loosed a hum of contentment, and if she wasn't just that little bit too short, I would have rested my head on top of her. As it was I just pulled her in closer and she wrapped her arm around my waist in response.
I glanced back at Marc, and I could see he was watching how we were wrapped around each other. He's head bobbed up and he saw me looking at him. I smiled and rolled my eyes at their antics. He smiled back, it was wistful. I hope this Imprint wouldn't change their friendship.
"Should we order a cab?" I asked him, trying to keep him engaged.
"Na, it's fine, it's just the fresh air, when it first hits it knocks their socks off. Best we let them walk it off… well, Kate anyway." He huffed a laugh. "Besides, I don't think a cab will take the fare if they think they'd be cleaning vomit off the seats later."
He'd matched his pace with us and was at Kate's otherside. She came out of her drunken Imprint haze and pulled him closer, swinging her free arm around his waist. His smile then was full of affection for her then and I couldn't help my own smile at how these two had their own special bond together. My mood dipped a little then in concern.
As I walked I mulled over everything that I discovered today. Not only had Kate had her five year relationship break down, quite dramatically by the sounds of it, but this new job had come about on the same day. There was also the Imprint she was unknowingly dealing with. I frowned at the thought that it might be the reason she was now drunk off her ass in the arms of someone she had only met twelve hours ago. I didn't like the idea of her using drink to combat stress and vowed to watch and step in if it got out of hand. My wolf kindly reminded me at that point that for three weeks we wouldn't be able to watch her. I swallowed at the thought, feeling that seasickness again as the Order took hold. I looked over her head at Marc. He was in his own little world, frowning at his own thoughts. He would be with us in a couple of weeks, leaving her on her own for a week.
I tried to be reasonable, to tell myself it was just a single week, but it would be the last week of three before we saw each other again. The separation would only get worse as time went on, and I was worried she would not have her support network around her at that critical moment.
My mind tossed around the problem, not coming up with any practical solution, and I just ended up riling my wolf up. Short of getting her to come over earlier, we were screwed.
"My feet hurt, why are we walking all the way?" Moaned Kate.
"It's 'cause you can't be trusted not to barf up in the back of a cab, Kate." Replied Marc.
"I'm fine, honest. The walks helped." She looked up at me about to say something when she got lost looking at me. I smiled, she was pretty adorable, even when drunk.
"How tall are you?" She asked out of nowhere.
"Six-seven." I replied.
"Wow, that's like, really tall." She replied. Yup, adorable and observant.
"Na, you're just short." I replied, ruffling her hair.
"Gerooff!" She shouted, trying to protect her head. She had no chance of escaping my hold however.
"Careful Sam. Don't excite her too much, she might throw up on your shoes."
"I'm not a dog, Marc." She huffed.
We had reached Sue and Billy at this point, and we continued on walking, shooting the shit about minor details of the project.
"Kate, where's your phone, honey?" I asked her. She pulled out of her bag and handed it to me after unlocking it without question. I added my number in her contacts, and rang myself. "Do you have email?"
"I'll send you her info." Marc said. "I doubt Drunk McGee here can spell her name, let alone reel off an email address."
"Why are you so mean Marc." She whined. He just smiled benevolently down at her.
We continued walked in comfortable silence. Marc informing me our hotel was about two miles away. In the interest of sobering Kate and Billy we decided to remain on foot, enjoying the City at night. Kate was becoming more coherent and was able to join in our discussion of the various landmarks we passed. Billy was out for the count at this point.
We arrived at the hotel on the Embankment and Marc offered to assist Sue getting Billy up to his suite. We let them move ahead to the elevators and I called out to Sue that I would get Billy ready for bed when I got to our floor. Sue waved 'bye' to Kate who returning it with a sleepy smile.
Once they were out of sight she turned, still under my arm at my side to rest her head on my chest.
"Sorry for being such a lightweight. I've ruined the evening." She apologized. Apart from the obvious tiredness and the smell of booze, you'd be hard pressed to tell she'd drunk a man thirty years her senior under the table. I was both impressed and horrified at the amount she could knock back.
"I don't usually drink this much, well, not in a long time," she continued rambling. "It's been nice to relax and enjoy the company, you know?" She looked up at me and I could feel and echo of her embarrassment through the bond. I didn't want her to feel that way, but I didn't like the amount she drank. Bad week or not, I did not want her using it as a crutch.
"It's cool, but you can enjoy yourself without all the drink though, right?" I admonished gently. I felt guilty for not putting a stop on the amount of drinks being bought for both Kate and Billy, but they were both adults. We could point it out to them, but it's down to them to help themselves.
She nodded and squared her shoulders, then gave me a salute. OK, not as sober as I thought. She could hide it well. "Yes Sir, sorry sir." She added. She did look remorseful however, so I let it go.
"So, you'll meet us at Heathrow tomorrow?" I checked for the upteenth time. Saying goodbye here was hard enough, and I could feel my wolf ramping up already. I needed every last second with her.
Nope!" She grinned widely. "I spoke to Marc when you were at the bar earlier, I'll be picking you up here tomorrow morning at eight."
That was unexpected and completely welcome and I pulled her properly in front of me for a hug. "That's just awesome, honey, thank you." I spoke into her hair. We remained in a hug for a long moment, neither wanting to break the moment. I was brought out of my little world of Kate when Marc appeared in my line of vision. I took another deep breath, snorting in her tainted scent and mentally bracing myself, broke contact.
She smiled up at me, the lazy haze of the bond slowly ebbing away and I could see the stress return around her eyes. She put on a brave face however, and stepped back just as Marc stepped up beside her.
"Thanks for letting us take you all out tonight, Sam. Please pass my apologies on to Billy, he'll have a hell of a hangover tomorrow." Marc chuckled shaking my hand. I shook my head with a laugh.
"I'm sure he'll think it was worth while." I turned serious. "Thanks for having us over. It's been a very interesting trip." I couldn't help my eyes flick to Kate, and Marc smiled a little tightly as he watched me.
"I'll wait for you out front Kate. Sam, it was a pleasure." Marc smiled warmly at us both and walked towards the exit.
"Can I call you, once I'm back home?" I asked, mindful of our dwindling time left. She nodded and patted her bag.
"You have my number. If Marc or I forget, just remind one of us for my email details."
We trailed off into silence, not knowing how to end this.
"Any chance you can smuggling me in your luggage-"
"Can you make it sooner-?"
We both paused and laughed quietly. She chewed her lip. "I'll have to see, I think my Dad can handle the house without me, but there's VISAs we're waiting on and work you know."
"It's fine, it's just three weeks right? We can talk and email whenever you want. You'll probably be sick of me even before you get to Washington." I joked weakly. Hold it together Sam. She ducked her head and hummed in agreement.
"I better go…" She turned to look at Marc through the window of the lobby, then turned back to me, eyes glassy. Ah fuck.
"C'mere." I gathered into my arms and held her tightly. She hiccuped a quiet sob, but kept it together. "I'll see you tomorrow, here at eight OK?" I said into her hair. I felt her nod and with one final squeeze I let her go and stepped towards the elevators. I turned to face her once I was inside the car and she lifted a hand to wave.
As soon as the doors closed I leaned back against the elevator wall and rubbed both hands down my face. I pulled my cell out of my pocket to check the time. Only seven and a half hours before I'd see her again. I could do this.
I could.
Kate
I watched as the lift doors closed on Sam, feeling a lurch in my chest. I took a few resetting breaths then turned purposely back towards the entrance. Marc was slowly pacing the pavement, hands shoved deep in his trouser pockets. His head snapped up as he heard me come out the building and he chuck a weary smile my way.
I began to walk up the road, Marc falling into step next to me and he flung an arm over my shoulders.
"Everything OK in there?" He asked. It was a loaded question and in typical Marc style, he was letting me take the lead on how much to tell him. I was bone tired however, and felt completely sober now. I just wanted to go home so I left it at the logistics, knowing Marc would take the hint.
"Yeah, it's cool. Thanks for organising the cab for tomorrow. I've let Sam know I'll be here at eight for them."
Marc nodded and twisted his arm to pat me on the hand in acknowledgement. "No worries. Night bus or cab home?" He enquired. I quirked an eyebrow.
"Who's paying?" I asked. He grinned and pulled his company Amex from inside his pocket.
"Taxi it is then!"
It was after one by the time I flopped into bed. I set the alarm on my phone, then, set another two just in case. I made sure I had a bottle of water next to my bed, and after downing another pint of water with preemptive painkillers, I fell into an exhausted sleep.
It barely felt like I'd closed my eyes when my alarms pulled me from my much needed slumber. Although I had nodded off quickly, I was plagued with dreams of running through London where large redwoods covered the roads. Sam made an appearance at the end, but he just stood in amongst the trees next to huge black dog and said nothing. I'm not sure if the dream would have progressed when my alarms kicked into life.
My hangover was present, but not as bad as I was expecting, and my current self thanked my past self for the water and drugs.
After showering I dressed in my more tailored casual clothes of dark skinny jeans and a loose brightly patterned t shirt. Forgoing my usual low heels for work, I slipped my feet into a pair of comfortable flat trainers. I pulled my still damp hair into a high ponytail and then made my way to the kitchen. Nothing was appealing at this time of the morning, but I choked down some dry toast and more paracetamol knowing it was needed. It wasn't long after seven when I heard the cabbie pull up outside. I grabbed my stuff and waved my keys at him to show I'd seen him. Front door locked, I jumped in the cab and we pulled away.
There wasn't much traffic on the road given it was a Saturday, so we made good time back to Embankment. I reminded the cabbie we'd be going to Heathrow after and he confirmed he would wait in the nearby rank for us.
I headed into the lobby, and seeing that no one was down yet, I made myself comfortable in sight of the lifts. I did a quick check of their flight number; it was a little too early for any delays to be posted yet, but I did find out what terminal we needed to drop them off at.
A large group of tourists had filled the lobby as I was on my phone and I watched them idly as they organised themselves, finally leaving to get on a waiting tour bus on the other side of the road to the hotel. I turned my head back after the bus pulled off to find Sam walking towards me. I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face at seeing him. I must have looked like an idiot, but I couldn't find it in myself to care as the tension in my shoulders eased.
Without a word I was pulled into another one of his amazing hugs and I laughed at him.
"Hello to you too!" He chuckled in response then released me.
"Did you sleep well?" He asked, eyes roaming my face, probably noticing the matching luggage set under my eyes.
"Yes, thank you. And you?" I noticed movement behind him and saw Sue approaching with a very grumpy looking Billy.
"Yeah, great thanks. Better than Billy by any means." He replied with a smile, voice increasing in volume to meet Billy's ears. Billy shot him a dirty look before turning to me with a nicer smile.
"Kate, my dear, lovely to see you. You look better than I feel." He held out his hand and knowing the protocol now, I stepped forward and allowed him to take my hands in his.
"Oh, don't let this fool you." I gestured up and down myself. "It's all down to drugs and concealer. I'll be finding a dark corner to crawl into later, don't you worry." I replied with a weary smile. Only half joking.
Sue step up at that moment and I turned into her offered embrace. "Good morning sweetie. Ignore the grouch, he's just bitter he's getting old." She joked as she released me. I laughed and turned back to Billy.
"If you let me know what beers you liked, I'll see if I can get some brought over with me." I offered.
"Thank you Kate. See, someone likes me." He said to Sam who just rolled his eyes, clearly used to this.
"Have you got all your stuff?" I noticed a pile of luggage stacked up behind the group and Sue nodded. "OK, the taxi is just outside, we should make a move." I moved to help and between Sam and myself, managed all the luggage as Sue pushed Billy out the door.
It wasn't long before we were all in the taxi and pulling off from the curb.
"What terminal love?" The cabbie asked.
"Three, please mate." I called back, settling myself back into the chair. I was sitting next to Sam and we spent a pleasant hour talking and making fun of Billy's hangover on the way to the airport.
We found a decent space at departures and I darted off to grab a luggage trolley as Sam helped Billy out of the cab and Sue started to unload the bags. Soon we were moving to the check in area and I scanned the boards for their flight number.
"OK, check in is open for you guys." I tipped my head in the direction of the British Airways desks. Billy had cheered up on the drive here and again reached for my hands, pulling me into an embrace as I reached him.
"We look forward to seeing you soon Kate." He kissed my cheek and released me into Sue's hug. She rocked us side to side and also kissed my cheek when we pulled back.
"I'll rope the girls back home into seeing what you'd need for the house ready for our shopping trip." She reminded me. I thanked her quietly. I wasn't use to having someone look out for me in this manner, and it was lovely to be mothered again.
With smiles and a wave, they left us and ambled towards the check in desks, leaving Sam and the luggage with me.
"So, guess this is goodbye." I said, feeling a lump in my throat. Sam didn't say a word but pulled me into a hug. I've never had so many hugs in my life than I've had in the last 24 hours. It was a sad thought.
"Not goodbye, but see you very soon." He replied quietly.
"Text me when you land safely OK?" I asked, pulling back to look at his face.
"Will do." His eyes flicked around my face once more before he placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. "See you soon Kate."
We stood apart and I immediately felt bereft. Sam pushed the luggage ahead, looking back as he caught up with Sue and Billy. I waved my fingers at him and once he'd waved back, I turned and left the building.
I walked with purpose back to the waiting cab, and after confirming my drop off point slumped back in the seat closing my eyes trying to put a lid on my whirling emotions. It wasn't normal to feel like this but until Sam shared his Tribe secret, I could do nothing more but ride the crazy train for the next three weeks.
I was brought out of my spirling thoughts as my phone beeped. I pulled it out of my bag and saw a text from Sam.
"See you soon, hooligan"
I smiled.
Three weeks. I could do this.
Sam
I fired off a text to Kate as we were checked in quickly. Our business class tickets and Billy's chair giving us priority through most of the airport until we found ourselves in the airline's business lounge with a couple of hours to spare until we were due to take off. Sue and Billy kept throwing looks of concern my way, but they resisted hounding me to engage with them so I ignored them. My mood had plummeted again as the pull of the Kate's Imprint on my wolf battled against the Alpha Order, making me feel like shit. Sue's mention of getting something to eat before we boarded wasn't helping my nausea, so for the first time in my life, I declined food and took off to walk the terminal, hoping the action would take my mind off everything.
It didn't work.
If anything, it was worse. The increasingly busy gates coupled with the gag inducing smells of the duty free shops forced me back to the relatively peaceful business lounge and back under Billy's watchful eye.
He summed enough courage after 40 minutes to wheel himself over to the little bubble I'd holed myself in. Most other passengers in the lounge were heeding their instincts and avoiding the surly giant in the corner, giving me wide berth.
"Sam. Do you need to speak to Jacob before we board?" He dived straight in. I guess asking me how I was, was a pointless exercise.
I opened myself fully to my wolf to see, fighting my roiling stomach as his feelings washed over me, threatening to drag me under. Battling past the physical sensations, I could tell that the Order was strong and holding fast and my wolf was stressed knowing that he couldn't win and instead of accepting the Order, the Imprint demanded he fight. It was exhausting, even for a few seconds exposure and it took everything in me to add my own will power to the Order to push down against him.
Billy waited patiently as I fought my internal battle. I shook my head to the negative once I'd gain back some semblance of control, not willing to risk opening my mouth just yet in case I vomited all over the carpet.
I spent the rest of the time shoring up my mental walls and before I knew it, our flight was called for boarding. My wolf had a freak out as we entered the enclosed space of the plane, and I left Sue to deal with Billy with the help of the crew. I should have felt ashamed but I just didn't have the bandwidth to deal with anything else and sat in my seat closing my eyes. I could hear low voices and I sent a thanks to Billy for covering for me, claiming an acute fear of flying. One brave steward asked if I was OK and I could only nod my head.
15 minutes later we were pushing back from the gate, the sensation of moving adding to my already unsettled stomach. I opened my eyes and looked out the window, focusing on the scenery to counter the added motion sickness. It worked for a bit. It seemed like we were trundling along forever but eventually we turned and stopped. A few moments of stillness before the engines kicked in and we hurtling down the runway and towards home.
As the nose of the 747 lifted, sending us upwards, my wolf gave one last desperate lurch and I grabbed my chest as pain flared, my other hand gripping the arm rest, breaking it from the chair.
"Breathe, Sam." I heard Billy whisper from the seat across from me. I realised I'd held my breath and sucked in a rattling lungful of air.
Again.
Again.
The action of just breathing somehow helped and I forgot everything around me as I focused on the basic task.
This was going to be a long flight.