Chapter Nine

Sam

"Yo Sam! You look like shit!"

I barely registered Brandon as I walked up to the van and climbed in.

Get home.

"Brandon! Jacob." Billy handed his cell to Brandon who looked confused as I passed by him. I saw him lift the phone and with another glance at me he walked a few feet away, listening intently to whatever Jacob was saying.

The flight was… hard, to put it mildly. As soon as the seat belt sign flashed off, I leapt from my seat and towards the nearest bathroom.

It's not fun throwing up in an airplane bathroom when you are six foot seven.

Billy begged off the crew with the flying phobia excuse which allowed me time to get myself under control. Sue ended up sneaking a call to Jacob not long after take off to amend the Order. I'm not sure how he'd managed it but my wolf was pretty much catatonic from his binding and it left me reeling.

I dropped my head into my hands as Brandon returned Billy's cell, and with another confused glance my way, helped get Billy and the luggage loaded in the van. Sue climbed in and said nothing as she clicked on her seat belt. Billy was up front with Brandon and without another word, he pulled out into traffic.

Get home.

Traffic was slow getting out of Seattle, adding to my distress. I couldn't blame the wolf for this however, it was all human and my knee bounced out my stress as Brandon navigated the van south.

Forty painful minutes later we were on the outskirts of Tacoma, and I couldn't sit still any longer.

"Pull over."

"Dude, we're not there yet-" Brandon scoffed.

"Pull over pup!"

"Brandon, take this exit." Billy interjected and Brandon obeyed, pulling off the I5. I saw a sign for Nisqually Wildlife Refuge and pointed at the sign.

"There."

Get home.

He sighed and drove as instructed. We hit a tree lined track and I pointed to the side of the road. He complied, and as the van slowed to a stop I had already pulled off my shoes and shirt and was working on my fly.

"Be safe, Sam." Billy said quietly. I didn't respond and phased before the sliding door had hit the end of the runner.

Get home.

I let the Order and instinct take complete hold, and just ran.

Kate

Lunch with Dad and Barry was very productive. Barry already had the paperwork pulled together and just needed me to double check and to sign it. There was a second set of documents for Dad and Richard to sign. As much as Dad wanted to threaten Richard with a few broken limbs in exchange for a cheaper sale, I managed to persuade him to pay proper market value. I didn't fancy a visit from the tax man later down the line.

I passed them Richard's contact details, and both promised to keep me out of the process as much as possible. I was eternally grateful and Barry just laughed and said it was worth it for the fees that Richard would have to cough up. We parted ways soon afterwards and it left me and Dad alone.

"'You OK Poppet? You're looking a bit rough 'round the edges." Dad said, barely bothering to hide his bemusement. I just rolled my eyes.

"Yes, thanks for your concern Dad." I poked a bit of limp lettuce on my plate, not feeling hungry. "Just a late night entertaining some clients, you know."

"Better start reeling that behaviour in Kate, you ain't getting any younger." He had the cheek to wink at me.

"Yes, thanks again Dad. Would you also like to pass judgement on my clothes while you're at it?" I asked, a little harsher than I would normally talk to him.

He raised his brows. I pushed back from the table and rubbed my face.

"Sorry, Dad. It's been a crap week." He nodded.

"Anything I can help with?" He asked. I laughed at that.

"Jesus Dad, I think you've done enough. I can't begin to thank you enough for the house, I can't tell you how much of a load it is off my shoulders. With work and everything…" I chewed my lip as everything started crashing in on me again. Deep breaths Kate.

"I'm your Dad, it's what I'm here for Poppet." I just nodded, fighting the tears I could feel brewing.

"How's work going?" He asked giving me a distraction of sorts. I gave him a run down of the week, leaving out everything about Sam. I couldn't explain it to myself, let alone my very practical and sensible father, so I concentrated on the actual job. By the time I'd finished I had Dad smiling; my excitement infectious.

My excitement didn't stop me yawning every five minutes however. The bone tiredness from the past couple of days was catching up to me, and it felt like my hangover was back with a vengeance. Maybe my Dad had a point on toning down the night life. I clearly wasn't used to it anymore. I wouldn't tell him that though.

We finished lunch, and promising to keep me updated on the house, we parted ways. I was home in twenty minutes, dragging my feet through the door. Closing and locking it behind me I rested my head against the cool wood, taking stock of myself and the sudden quietness of the house.

I turned and walked into the kitchen, discarding my bag on the counter. It was strange to walk into the house now and not be faced with the usual mess and clutter from Richard. I scanned the room, feeling at a loose end, like I should be doing something, but other than a food shop, the rest of my day was my own. It was a novel experience. I wondered briefly what I could do, but everything seemed to be too much effort. I decided that I'd take a short nap, so I made my way up stairs.

My head had barely touched my pillow when I passed out, dreaming of a large black dog, caged in a cargo hold of a plane.

Jacob

I felt it the moment he phased. Even from the hundred plus miles away, the suddenness of his appearance coupled with his angst was like a bomb going off in the Pack mind. I felt it hit the other phased Wolves and their rising distress at the anguish emanating from their Brother.

I phased in.

'Sam, shit are you OK?'
'What the hell was that?'
What's going on-?'

'Everyone out.'

I laced a little power behind the command forcing them to phase out, adding in a little apology to Embry and Colin who were miles from home. It would be a long walk back for them. Chris was closer so I wasn't worried about our youngest pup.

I said nothing to Sam. Get home, get home, get home was on repeat, neither man or beast registering my presence. I was shocked seeing how he was reacting. I mean, yeah I knew it was bad, my Dad calling me minutes ago to report Sam abandoning them outside of Tacoma, but this…

Given Sam, my Beta, was the strongest wolf in the Pack after me, I dread to think how any of the others would have coped. If at all. My mind flashing nightmare scenarios of an out of control phase on a flight and I shuddered in suppressed horror.

I studied Sam and his wolf as they ran at full chat back to La Push. I could see my Order was hamstringing the wolf, but I honestly didn't know if removing it would be a good or bad thing for either of them right now. I decided to leave it on as it was getting him here at least, but changing it slightly to take off the urgency. I felt Sam slow slightly, and I felt a little better that at least his body wouldn't kill itself from exhaustion on the run back.

Sam was lost in his misery and even my few attempts at engaging him were useless. The balance between the Imprints was tipping back and forth between Emily and this Kate girl, it was making me feel sick just watching it. I wanted to see the moment of Imprint but right now, even letting that thought out into the pack mind didn't cause an automatic recall from Sam. He wasn't there.

I'll be honest, it freaked me the fuck out.

I phased back out, keeping an Order on to stop anyone else from phasing in, and I quickly fired off a text to my Dad letting him I was monitoring Sam, before phasing in again and looping my way to Sam and Emily's place. I knew Sam was heading here, at least he could have the comfort of one of his Imprints. Although I'd promised not to speak to Emily about Kate, I needed to give her warning that Sam was coming back and he wasn't himself.

As I appeared behind their house, I got the first signs of life outside of motion from Sam. The get home mantra interspaced with thoughts of Emily. Progress perhaps?

'I'm with Emily, I'll keep her safe, Sam.' I laced my words with the surety of Alpha and I felt a faint lessening of the stress surrounding him. I tested freeing the Order on him slightly, and even though it allowed the wolf some freedom to continue his freak out, it allowed Sam to function, even if it was just to do battle with him.

'Thank you.'

I mentally nodded at him, thankful myself he was finally able to respond. I signaled that I was about to phase out, and let him see Emily walking out onto their back porch smiling at my wolf.

A frisson of want and need shivered through the link and my wolf winced at his Brother's distress. I sent him another burst of Alpha mojo power then phased out in the tree line of their backyard.

"Jake!" Emily called out, still smiling. "Have you heard from Sam? He was going to text me when they landed."

I made my way across the grass after throwing on my shorts, and her smile faded as she saw my grim expression.

"Jake, what's wrong?" I could smell her anxiety increase as I stepped onto the porch, and I gathered her into my arms, taking a big sniff of her extra sweet Imprint scent.

Oh.

"He's on his way, shouldn't be more than an hour.'" I replied. She relaxed slightly but was still tense.

"What aren't you telling me?" She asked, pushing out of my hold. I stepped to the side and pulled open the screen door behind her shoulder.

"Come inside and I'll explain what I can." Her eyes darted between mine, before she turned and walked back in to the house. Emily made an automatic beeline for the fridge and started pulling out tupperwares full of leftovers. She turned back to face me, behind the main bench and grabbed a loaf of bread off to the side and started to construct a sandwich. Given the size of it, I expect it was for me.

"Spit it out Jake." We were all old pros at bad news, but it still didn't make it any easier.

"Lemme explain what I know first before you jump in OK?" She stilled in her work and nodded, giving me her full attention.

"Sam Imprinted again on someone in London." She dropped the knife she was holding and her mouth dropped open. I held up a hand before she could speak. "It's not the same as your Imprint, nothing changes there, he said it's like she's a sister, like Pack. But, it's strong and the distance is making his wolf crazy right now. He knows you are here and safe, so he's directing his worry to her because she's so far away."

I watched and Emily's eyes unfocused to the middle distance and I could practically taste her insecurity in the air.

"But… there's never been… this has never happened before…"

"I know, we know. Old Quil is looking into the histories just in case we've missed anything over the years."

"When did it happen." She asked weakly. I walked to her side of the bench and pulled over a stool, guiding her into it.

"Yesterday." Racking my brains with the time difference.

"Oh."

"Emily, look at me honey. It doesn't change anything for you. Especially now." I flicked my eyes deliberately down to where her hands had rested on her lower belly.

"...how?"

"Your scent, it's different. Plus it's an Alpha thing." I smiled. I was genuinely pleased for them both, if a bit surprised. The timing could be really good, or really bad.

"He doesn't know yet. I'm only a few days late, but the tests were positive…" she trailed off with a hiccup.

"C'mere honey." I pulled her to her feet and into a trademark Jacob hug, if I was somewhat more gentle with her now. I let out a quiet rumble in my chest and I could feel her relax as the touch of Pack and Alpha settled her down.

I rocked us back and forth as she collected herself, and mulled over the past day. What a fucking mess. A second Imprint for a wolf, and the first Pack cub. Why now? A near decade has passed without a sniff of a pregnancy. God, we all knew they'd been trying, it was driving the mated Wolves nuts that after sealing their bonds there was no progeny. Along with my unsealed Imprint with Nessie, it threw a lot of shade on the whole breeding program theory. Was it just a coincidence? I mentally shook my head, no, if I'd learnt anything over these years, nothing was a coincidence around here.

"Do you know anything about her?" Emily asked, bring me back from my worry.

"Not much to be honest. The wolf has him riled up so much he couldn't share his thoughts."

We were silent for a beat.

"I need to get him to calm down to get him to share his memories, and I'll need you to help me Em. He's in a state of shock right now. It's pretty bad. I've got him strung up with a real strong Order and I don't know what will happen once I remove it."

I felt her fear and quickly moved to calm her.

"He's in control, and I will be here OK? It's not like when he first Imprinted on you."

I felt her nod against my chest. I let out a long sigh, not sure exactly how to play this with an Imprint, a pregnant Imprint at that, in the vicinity. As much as I trusted Sam, his wolf was an unknown right now and I contemplated getting a couple more Wolves over to help control him if something went wrong.

Because if it did go wrong, Emily would be in the line of fire.

Sam

I paced the treeline. I could see Emily, Mate, inside. I could smell him. Alpha. Movement caught my eye as the back door opened and I froze. Jacob stepped out, Emily behind. I didn't like him in between us.

"She's safe, Sam." He called quietly. Calmly. I resumed my pacing, channeling the overwhelming emotions of my wolf into motion. The less strangling chokehold of the Order was at least letting me deal with him, even if I was making no progress.

Jacob stepped off the porch, and I froze again, a growl and whimper falling from my maw before I could contain it. Having another male, a powerful Alpha wolf, by my mate was sending my wolf in a spiral of rage, fear and confusion. Jacob paused at my loss of control, but continued down to the grass and walked in a loose easy gait to where I was. I felt marginally better that he was away from Emily, and I felt a wash of peace blanket me as he got closer and his scent hit my nose. Alpha, Pack. Home.

I let out another whine, and continued pacing back and forth.

"Can't phase eh?" Jake said, stopping just past the first tree. I stopped and huffed in frustration and hung my head, shame welling up at my lack of control in front of my Alpha. I should be past this, I wasn't a pup. My anger surged and another growl slipped out. Jake raised an eyebrow at my turmoil, clearly feeling it with his woowoo senses. Or the fact it was blatantly obvious from how I was acting.

"You need a hand?" He asked, maintaining eye contact. I assessed my wolf, trying a phase. He lashed out and I winced. So be it.

I nodded at Jacob, then braced myself.

"Phase, Sam."

I yelled as the Order pulled me into my human skin, not feeling that level of pain of phasing since my very first. My vision narrowed for a moment, and I found myself on my back on the ground with Jake standing over me with a hand held down to me.

"Give me a minute." I rasped.

I saw him frown, then he stepped back before lowering himself to sit on a nearby log.

It took a long minute for my vision to clear, and I could feel a stabbing pain through my head. I swallowed and sucked in a number of deep breaths, waiting for the pain to subside enough so I could move.

"Sorry."

"Take your time, Sam."

I closed my eyes, I needed to reset before seeing Emily. The thought of her had my anxiety flare up again and I turned my head to locate her, still waiting patiently on the porch.

"She's OK, just worried." Jake said, seeing where my eyes were. I nodded and turned my head to watch the trees above.

"I had to tell her, give her a chance to absorb it so she can help you." He said quietly. I assumed that would be the case.

"What she say?" I said, barely audible. I heard Jake shift.

"She knows it's different, but I guess you'll need to get your shit together to prove it to her." He replied. Oh, very subtle oh great Alpha. I snorted at his piss poor attempt at reverse psychology, knowing full well it was more the humour he was aiming for than anything else. His point hit home however and I closed my eyes in a final attempt to reset. I opened them about to get up when I found Jacob standing back in the same spot, hand out again. I took it this time with a chagrin twitch of my lips.

He slapped my shoulder as I found my feet, and kept his arm around me as we started the walk back to the house.

"Are you going to be OK if I remove the Order?" He asked quietly in my ear, applying a heavy pressure on my back that was just short of causing me to fall again. "Because if you're not, I will take you down, understand?" I wasn't surprised at the coldness of his tone given the unstable wolf near an Imprint, but it didn't stop both my wolf and I from cowering away from him and the implied threat.

I looked up at Emily, almost hopping from one foot to another, wisely waiting for permission. I could now smell her scent from this distance, the wind bringing mouthfuls of her deliciousness, the untainted ambrosia straight from the source, rather than remanances from Jake's skin.

I could never hurt her, never again.

I nodded with conviction at Jacob, and turned to look at him. His eyes roamed my face before softening slightly.

"Em, Sam's home honey."

The words had barely left his mouth when I turned to see her flying down the steps. Her face tight with worry, but relief shone through. I felt our bond snap as the Order lifted, the now tiny distance between us too great and I staggered the last few feet towards her as she fell into my arms.

Oh Em.

I sunk to my knees, bringing her with me, inhaling greedily, snuffling like my wolf, trying to bring her inside myself.

"Ssh, ssh, Sam. I'm here, it's OK baby, you're home, you're home…" I felt her hands fluttering over my chest, my arms, face, making contact constantly, all while reiterating her words.

I only realised I was crying when she wiped the tears from my cheeks. Her face shone with shared pain, and for the first time in forever, I let go, spilling the pain and helplessness of myself and my wolf into the hands of the woman we love.

Jacob

I stepped back when they collided, giving them a measure of privacy. I didn't show it, the Alpha within not letting me, but it shook me to my core watching my former Alpha, my Beta, Spirit Warrior of La Push razed to his knees in front of his Imprint.

I needed to give them time to reconnect, but would have to get Sam phased with me at some point soon to assess this new Imprint. I was not looking forward to it, but I needed to get a hold on it so it didn't infect the rest of the Pack.

The guys and Leah would need to be told too. I racked my brain trying to figure out the best way. There were so many variables to consider, each wolf would react differently, and I needed to contain the fall out as not to fuck Sam up further.

Three weeks. I balked at the thought of having to Order Sam for that length of time for something like this. Before the Kate Imprint he was complaining of the pull of Emily sending his wolf up the wall, hence the need of my original Order to keep him in London to finish the trip. Now, a 10 hour plane ride showed how badly he reacted to my second order, it was clearly not a good idea to bind his wolf like that again.

I rubbed the back of my neck, watching Sam break down from the stress of everything. I hoped that now he was home, with Emily and her news, it might give him a fighting chance of maintaining his sanity until Kate arrived.

Kate. What the fuck were we going to do once she did turn up? What was so special about this girl that the Spirits set this all in motion, all at the expense of our longest serving wolf? Had we not given enough of our lives to this unwanted heritage over the years? I couldn't help the creeping feeling that something was brewing and the pieces were slowly being set on the chessboard.

After Emily had calmed Sam enough so he could move, we went back into the house. I pulled out my cell from my shorts and fired off a text to my Dad letting him know Sam was home, simultaneously releasing the rest of the Pack to phase. I heard a faint howl not long after, Quil confirming the shifts were back on. I hated to postpone the patrols, but I couldn't risk the whole Pack going under along with Sam.

Emily set Sam at the kitchen bench and she floated round to the fridge. I could see him about to get back up and follow, the need to be close overriding all sense, so I slapped a heavy hand on his shoulder and pushed him back in the chair.

I felt all the fight go out of him as he slumped in the chair, elbows on the table and head in hands. Emily flicked her eyes to me, chewing her lip in worry. I threw her a weary half smile, trying to play down the moment. Inside my wolf was reeling, but it was a game I'd long learnt how to play. Shoring up each wolf and the Imprints in subtle ways, being strong when they couldn't.

We were silent as Emily prepped more sandwich before placing overflowing plates in front of us. I prodded Sam to take one first and only took a bite of my own once he had started his. Like a switch had been flipped, he worked his way through the plate like a starved man. I frowned, knowing from my Dad's earlier call that he'd refused breakfast in London, and had thrown up since. How he'd managed to run from Tacoma without fuel going on twelve plus hours? It boggled my mind, knowing the gnawing hunger that plagued our every moment.

"What happened Sam?"

Emily surprised me by taking the lead on this. I guess she had a vested interest in knowing the details. I sat back in my seat, palming my coffee Emily has set in front of me, watching this play out.

"I Imprinted again." He couldn't look at her as he spoke. "I'm sorry Em."

She barked a harsh laugh at him, causing both our heads to shoot up.

"Right, like you had any choice in this." She swiped our empty plates from the bench and abruptly dumped them in the sink before turning back to us. "As Leah took great pleasure in constantly reminding me at the start, no wolf has any control on who they Imprint on. So don't you start blaming yourself for this now Sam."

She leant forward, leaning on the counter, eyes blazing as they stared into Sam's.

"I don't know what the fuck is going on here, but we're going to get through it together OK?" She stated. I hid my smile in my mug, and she turned her gaze to mine.

"Don't you have some mangy dogs to order about Jacob?"

Oookay.

Taking a hint I stood, throwing back the rest of my drink. I slapped Sam's shoulder as I passed.

"I need to let the rest of the Pack know. I'll be back in a couple of hours, OK?"

He nodded in understanding, and firing a last smile at Emily, I left out the back and walked into the woods.

I walked back to my Dad's place on two legs, needing some time to think. I was trusting Emily to work this out with Sam. I needed him calm enough to revisit his memories to have a clue what we were dealing with.

I also needed to gather the Pack. I could feel their worry in my bones from their brief exposure to Sam earlier and I wanted to nip it in the bud before the Pack rumour mill got into full swing. I blew out a long breath, needing to settle myself and my own wolf first.

I needed my own Imprint.

I pulled my cell from my shorts, slowing as I dialed the Cullen's number.

"Hello?"

"Oh, hey Bells, it's Jake. Is Ness around?"

"Hang on, I'll call her." There was a beat of silence.

"She's just finishing up something. How are you Jake?"

Million dollar question. I was talking to the dead girl I still loved, dealing with the supernatural compulsion of needing some kind of contact with her daughter, who happen to be a half breed vampire, my natural enemy, who didn't seem bothered about our being soul mates. Oh, who also is only thirteen years old but had the body of someone twice her age, whilst dealing with the absolute mind fuck of Sam's second Imprint and all it entails.

"I'm good."

"That's good to hear."

More silence. When did our friendship get so awkward?

Oh yeah, right when she became one of the undead. I leant forward against a nearby tree, slowly banging my forehead on the bark.

"Well, I've some news. We're coming to visit Sue and Charlie in a couple of weeks for the Summer, maybe we can catch up?"

I held in the groan. So much for their staying in Alaska. 'We're not aging Jake, we need to move Jake, you understand we won't see you Jake'. They popped down for Summer after school let out like clockwork. Their presence, although brief, often triggered an uptick of ticks (haha) in the area after. It was why our Pack hadn't been able to even consider stop phasing, and our numbers increasing just as steadily. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place with it. I hated them coming, but on the other hand…

"Oh, will Ness be coming?" Please say yes… it would save me a trip.

"Oh, I'm not sure, you'll have to ask her. Oh, here she is. Bye Jake." She jumped off the phone before I could respond. I heard faint talking as a hand covered the mic, but couldn't quite make out what was said. It was apparent as Ness spoke however.

"Hi Jake, what's up?" she sighed.

"Hi Ness, sorry to bother you. I just erm, needed to hear your voice." Smooth Jake, real smooth. I really regressed when I spoke to either Bella or Ness.

"Yeah, fine thanks. Look I was kinda in the middle of something, can I call you back?" I could hear the impatiences in her tone and I felt a flare of anger at being held hostage to this child. The Imprint gave a stab of rebuke at the thought, but I squashed it down, tired of this game we played.

The Pack just assumed it was my Alpha status that allowed me to go so long without seeing Nessie, but I wasn't so sure. I honestly had no clue what the Imprint was trying to achieve in our case. There was no mating imperative, God, even the thought of sleeping with her turned my stomach. I couldn't get past the fact that I saw her born, and changed her diapers. She was a child for fuck sake, and most times had the attitude of a spoilt preteen.

Rose, in one of her temper tantrums, let it slip that Ness was infertile due to her hybrid nature, so there was no point in my wolf even trying. Ness was obviously upset at Rose, but as all hell broke loose with Bella and Eddy shouting at Blondie, all I could feel was relief in that moment.

We'd so far managed to work out a phone call here and there was enough to satisfy the bond. Sucks for me as it seems it was only for my benefit. Bella, in a rare moment of not being the selfish teenager that she is, actually made sure that Ness kept up the contact, even if she couldn't make Ness enjoy my calls.

Her reluctance however did mean I had more contact with the rest of the Cullen's than I ever wanted. Why I couldn't just have Ness's cell number… well I knew why. She hated me, pure and simple. Her mind poisoned by Rose the bitch, and encouraged subtly by Eddy as to not see me anything more than a stray dog that needed a little attention on occasion, but you'd never let in the house.

"Yeah, sure, call me back when you can. Bye Ness."

I ended the call, knowing full well she wouldn't. The Imprint reset for all purposes, the bond settled.

It's just a shame my rage bubbled up in its place. The tree I was leaning on had no chance as I took my anger out on it. I wondered if I could just go cold turkey. Would it break the Imprint? It flared again at the thought and I rubbed my chest against the pain. I took a deep breath. This wasn't the time for this, there were other problems on my plate that were more pressing, calling my attention.

I checked my cell, it telling me a mere eight minutes had passed since I'd walked out of Sam's place. I sucked in another breath, and put on my Alpha mask and set off again for Dad's.

Fuck the Cullens, fuck the Imprint, and fuck Ness.

I sent a group whatsapp message to the Pack, telling them to meet at Dad's at 1pm. I sent the compulsion to attend via Alpha Order, holding off those wolves on patrol, and felt the gentle flutters in my head as it took hold in their minds. With nothing better to do with my time, I set off on a Patrol of our boarders. Quil was curious on what the summons was about, but wisely didn't ask. I kept my thoughts on lock down, and used the scents and sights around me to give me distance from everything going on.

I felt the moment Brandon drove onto Tribal lands, and I phased back near Dad's. I propped myself on the ramp at the front of the house waiting for the van to appear. Not long later, Brandon was pulling in the drive and soon I had Dad out and his luggage in the house.

Brandon looked concerned as he helped, and I pulled him aside before he got back in the van. He would have heard my exchanged with Dad on the drive back so he knew more than the rest of the Pack, but still not the whole story.

"I've called the Pack for a meeting a little bit. Can you join Leah on Patrol, I'll update you both afterwards?"

He nodded. "Is Sam OK?" He asked, stress lacing his tone from his exposure to the volatile wolf. For all his cockiness, it was easy to forget he was only just 17.

"He's fine." I smiled, bracing my hand across the back of his neck, the touch soothing him and his wolf. "I'll explain it all later. Now, can you drop Sue off, and leave the van at the Council offices, I'll come get you and Leah when we're done."

I gave him a final squeeze of my hand and sent him on his way. Another wolf shored up for the moment. Once that was done, I turned to my Dad, turning his chair to push him up the ramp.

"Tell me everything."

I sat on the steps of the back porch of my Dad's place, chewing over everything he had told me. I still wanted to see it for myself from Sam, but it gave me enough to go on at least, and would make it easier to deal with the Pack.

I sensed the moment 1pm rolled around as the Pack appeared just behind the tree line in various states of being phased.

I decided for practical reasons to meet them in the forest. My Dad's place was too small to accommodate us all, and gave us room for any potential freak outs.

I stood and moved to the trees. Seeing me not moving to undress, those as wolves moved to give themselves room to phase, pulling on shorts. Except Paul. The man has no shame.

"Everything OK Jake?" Embry asked.

I was about to answer when I felt another wolf approach. It took a few moments for the rest of the Pack to sense him, and there was a few surprised faces to see Sam emerge from the trees.

"All good?" I asked. He nodded. I could feel the subtle confidence radiating from him and sent up a silent prayer of thanks for Emily.

"Do you want to take this?" I asked him. Him taking charge of this meeting would help give the wolf an illusion of control. He set his shoulders and I took a step back.

"I Imprinted again, on someone in London."

There was silence before uproar.

"What-"
"That's not-"
"Are you sure-"
"Emily-"
"Bullshi-"

"Quiet"

They settled and Sam nodded at me.

"It's true, you'll see it in my thoughts soon enough I expect."

"What does this mean for Emily?" Seth.

"She's still my Imprint, my wife, nothing has changed at all." He stressed. "Kate is… She's different. She's like a sister, like Pack. It's as strong as Emily, but it's strong in other ways."

I watched the guys as they processed this.

"Can, can you show us?" Colin asked, flicking eyes to me as well. Toby, Evan and Liam all nodding their agreement, but staying mute.

"Jake?" Sam asked. I stepped forward slightly. They were still looking dubious, mainly as I expected it went against everything that had been drummed into us about Imprinting. I considered the two on Patrol, and sent them a quick Order to phase out.

"OK." There was movement as everyone stepped back, then the air was thick with the magic of the phase.

I gave a mental prod to Sam, and we were taken back to his memories.

The thick humid air of the City in summer, stale air conditioning, waiting in a reception area and an unusual scent. We could sense Sam's pull to come home buffering against my original Order, and the fixation of his wolf on the scent as it increased in concentration down a bland corridor.

Then, eyes making contact with the girl, Kate, and the absolute surety of an Imprint happening. Even though it was a memory, and not even mine, the strength of the Imprint was breathtaking and I had to remind myself that it was Sam's memory.

We watched as Sam battled with confusion, then finally, he made contact with her during a break. Her laughing, her wit, her scent… I felt my wolf whine in want… I just wanted to roll around in it. I could feel the rest of the Pack also caught in the moment, it was like they'd all been hypnotised, such was the power behind Sam's thoughts.

We moved on, contact lost as they called myself and Old Quil that evening, the rising desolation, his wolf pulling, increasing frantic at the distance, then, calm again, as she bounded out of a vehicle and straight into his arms. Home. I couldn't contain the shudder down my shine at the absolute contentment emanating from Sam and his wolf. My own, saving the memory and playing it on loop even as we continued to watch.

The evening progressing, her increasing drunkenness which was incredibly cute, but striking worry into Sam, and now the Pack, at her consumption. We all agreed on his decision to monitor her when she finally came home to us.

We watched her interaction with her friend, Marc. Sam's consideration of the man echoing throughout the Pack mind. He was good for her, although I couldn't help the spike of jealousy at their easy friendship, something that made Embry turned to look at me.

The feeling of incompletion was back as the night ended and goodbyes where made. The wolf rattling Sam's cage, not understanding why she was leaving them in this strange place. It was a long night for Sam.

The next morning, the peace and contentment was back as we watched her from the reception desk as Billy checked us out. She was sitting in a chair, watching the busy lobby. Her dark wash jeans both slimming and accentuating her silhouette as her bright print shirt added a splash of colour. She was a natural beauty, even if she looked tired and stressed. Her hair scooped back showing off the delicate arches of her neck and allowing her natural scent to perfume the surrounding air. Her eyes lit up as we walked towards her and her returning smile was like seeing the Sun for the first time.

The last hour in her company was bittersweet. The wolf again not understand why we were leaving her, bucking Sam's control at a level I'd only seen in the new pups at first phase. My own wolf was agitated and I could feel the Pack around me responding in kind. It took all my Alpha control to slam the lid on my own spirling emotions as Sam continued, unable to stop playback as it reached its crescendo. The final goodbye pushed me to my limits and then, watching Sam's descent into insanity on the flight and run back, pushed me past them.

I phased out, staggering on my feet as the kaleidoscope of thought and feeling battered me from all sides. I felt the air shift around me as the others phased human too. No one said anything for a moment, and I braced myself against a nearby tree trying to regain some composure. I mentally released Leah and Brandon, feeling them phase back in as little 'pops' in my mind.

"Well, I guess I've lost twenty bucks then." Paul piped up, looking a bit sick.

"What the fuck are you going on about now, Lahote?" Quil asked, looking dazed from it all.

"Well, I always had Jake pinned as gay, but by the way he was checking out our girl, I'd say that's no longer the case." He said, the joke falling flat as he himself was still reeling.

I pinned him with a glare, but had no heat in it. Embry was watching me again and I raised an eyebrow. He gave me an apologetic half smile and dipped his head.

"You weren't kidding when you said it was strong." Quil stated. A murmur of agreement circled the group.

"Are all Imprints that strong?" Toby asked. "I mean, I've seen your memories of your Imprints in the past, but that felt way more."

"You can tell it's not like Emily though. It's bizarre." Jared added.

"Down right fucking crazy if you ask me." Paul flung his hands in the air to make his point. "What the fuck guys? Seriously? Is this something we all have to now worry about?" His anger was rising in his confusion. I couldn't blame him.

"Old Quil is checking the histories again to see if there's a mention of double Imprints. I'm doubting he will find anything if I'm honest. We'll just have to treat this as something new-"

"You mean some new way for the great Spirits to fuck with us?" Paul added. I ignore the interruption, his frustration and fear warranted at this point.

"Yeah, pretty much." I said quietly. That shut him up.

"It feels like it was me. Did anyone else get that?" Chris asked quietly eyes darting around, looking like he'd wish he'd never spoken as the rest of the Pack eyeballed him. "I mean, it was like it was me, right there, Imprinting on Kate. I know it was Sam, but it felt that strong…" He tailed off, embarrassed.

"Yeah, me too." Seth replied.

"And me." Jared added quietly. I caught Paul's eye and he gave me a quick nod too. Fuck me.

"So, what now?" Quil asked, eyeing Sam. I saw the rest of the Pack follow suit and Sam shift slightly under the scrutiny.

"I can't be bound like that again." Sam said. For the first time since I knew him I saw actual fear in his eyes. I nodded.

"Jared, we'll need you to swap roles with Sam on the plant project. We'll keep Sam as the main contact for the moment, but you'll have to be available to step in when needed." When Sam goes crazy. "Sam, will the distraction technique work?"

He pondered it for a moment. "Honestly, I'm not sure. It worked on the way back for Emily, but I've not really tried it for Kate yet."

I nodded. "OK, we'll have to try it. The Whitefeather place she'll be moving into, I'll pull you from patrol rotation to concentrate on making the old place better. Jared started a list, but I reckon you might want to start from the beginning yourself."

"I think I might need to take some patrols." Sam added, surprising me. "I'm not sure why, but my wolf is het up on making sure she's safe, more so than Emily right now and I don't think it's from getting a splinter from an old house."

OK, that was new.

"Wait, you can tell that?" Paul asked, bewildered.

We could usually tell what our Imprints needed on an emotional level, but from a practical standpoint…

Sam shrugged his shoulders, not offering any more. I guess he didn't get it himself. It did beg the question, what did she need to be made safe from? I got the sense of something big coming our way again.

"When is she due here?" Colin asked.

"Three weeks today."

There was silence at that as the Pack realised what Sam was facing. He looked drained standing there and I knew this was only the calm period for him.

"Sam, get home to Emily. You are out of Pack rotation and Council duties until further notice. If you need to run patrol, do so, but I won't add you into the rota. Stick to sorting out the house and being with Emily for now."

Sam nodded and then turned towards home. I felt the change in air pressure as he phased just out of sight.

There was silence until he was out of hearing range.

"This is bad, isn't it?" Embry asked.

I nodded and dropped my head, sensing the others shift uncomfortably in their places.

"It's not just Sam I'm worried about." I added. "Emily of course, but she's being a fucking trooper about it all already… But I'm worried about Kate. You can see from Sam's memories that she's feeling the bond strongly. Marc, her friend is the one heading up the building of the new plant. He's due here in a couple of weeks, so she's going to be on her own for a week, thousands of miles from her Imprint, and an unsealed Imprint at that."

I went silent then as eyes gradually drifted to where Paul stood. I saw him close his eyes tightly in remembered agony and he swallowed heavily. The Pack was silent as they remembered the Paul and Rachel saga, and now Sam...

"There's one thing I don't understand." Seth said slowly. "He said it wasn't like Emily, so how would the bond be sealed? 'Cause I wasn't getting any of those kinda feeling from Sam, just the whole 'She's Pack' vibe."

I saw Embry look my way again, and I was about to tell him to spit whatever he was thinking out, when a howl rent the air. Then another.

Brandon and Leah. Trouble.

The howls had barely finished before we had all phased. I shifted through their memories and their current view of trees rushing by, seeing two leeches being chased down by the north end of the Rez.

'Leah, Brandon, stay on them! Colin, Brady, head south, keep the Rez protected. Jared, Tobs, Evan, coast. Seth, Liam, southwest, keep the boundary with Col and Brady. Paul, with me!'

They shot off to their designated areas, wolves taking over human thought making it easier for me to direct the hunt on instinct rather than 'talking' it out in the Pack mind. I felt Sam still phased and sent the instruction to stay home, protect Emily which his wolf accepted.

We saw the leeches break for the tree tops as Leah gained on them. Soon, the rocky ground worked in their favour as Leah was forced to fall back, losing ground as the terrain forced her to take indirect routes. Realising their fortune, the ticks got cocky, slowing in their monkey swings through the canopies to start hurling broken tree limbs at my wolves. By this time, however, Paul and I had made it past their position and phased human to await our prey.

It wasn't long before they realized their mistake. The scent of water strong as they headed towards the bank of Dickey Lake. They sped their escape in the direction of the water when Brandon and Leah adjusted their positions to herd them out into the open. They made little noise as they hit the water, Leah and Brandon pacing the far shore line, snarling at the two laughing bloodsuckers swimming to the other side.

Their laughter died when myself and Paul phased out of the marshy bank, the surprise of our appearance doubled with the energy of the phase at such close quarters. It was mere moments before they were ripped into twitching body parts and only further seconds later before they were being reduced to nothing more than purple plumes of smoke.

"That's eighteen in the past two months." Paul murmured as we watched the flames die off in the boggy embankment. I hummed my agreement and threw my senses out to the rest of the Pack. Everyone was phased still, including Sam who was watching intently from the treeline of his house.

"You'd think that once word got 'round than no leech made it out of here alive they'd stop coming." He added. His eyes darted to mine and I could see he was fishing for more.

"I don't think it's coincidence." I muttered, turning to scan the lake. "I think there's more going on here but I don't know what exactly."

"You think it might have something to do with Sam?" He asked. I turned my head back to him.

"What makes you think that?" Paul was a complete dick back in the early days, but time and being Imprinted had molded the man into an Alpha's wet dream. His battle acumen was unparalleled in the Pack, and he could see strategies better than I could. Just a shame his personality was a bit… lacking.

"As you said, coincidence." He sniffed. "I dunno, something ain't sitting right with me you know. Sam's Imprint is mega strong, it makes me wonder how the rest of us will react to her once she's here. Sam might be ultra possessive about her, you saw how he reacted when Billy mentioned meeting one of us. Maybe she's like Bella and a leech magnet."

He shrugged and moved closer to the dwindling flames and seeing the last of the leeches gone, kicked the wet mud over the pile to completely extinguish it.

I mulled it over. Was she an Imprint because she needed protection? If so, why Sam and not one of the unimprinted wolves? I shook my head at that. It might have been any wolf that made the trip. Sam was the sensible choice as Beta and his position on the Council. It made me wonder if the Spirits had again set this in motion to get him specifically, or would anyone of us have done the job?

That also begged the question why wasn't Bella an Imprint? If anyone needed protecting it was that girl.

Why was it so strong? An Imprint was absolute in its nature, forever binding two souls together, regardless of how it developed after. So why was this so strong that it felt like we'd all succumb to it through a memory?

I hung my head. I felt like I was just going around in circles with this all.

"I guess we'll have to wait and see." I said finally. "I'll put half the Pack on patrol to do a sweep, get Bran and Leah in so I can talk to them. Can you sort out routes? We'll keep double patrols on as a precaution."

Paul nodded, knowing the drill after an invasion. I nodded myself in reply then phased on the fly heading back to Dad's, reaching out to Leah and Brandon to join me. Brandon was freaking out a little having been exposed to the rest of the Pack's memories of Sam during the hunt, but thankfully the chase itself had taken some of the focus off so it wasn't as bad as it could be. Leah was her usual self. I could feel her confusion but she was patiently waiting for my update.

As I looped back to Dad's I halved the wolves phased, sending those back to work where necessary. Another thing to worry about. With this recent upswing in leech activity it made it difficult to balance patrols to allow the Pack to continue with their lives. Luckily a number of the Pack worked at our Auto repair garage myself, Embry and Quil had set up after leaving school. It was harder for Sam, Jared and a few of the younger pups as they often worked jobs outside of the Rez and it was only because of their enhanced abilities could they speed through their jobs keeping them on schedule, without raising suspicions of why they were barely on site.

I groaned in my mind as I considered the influx of outsiders we would soon see on the Rez with the construction of the new manufacturing plant. Not to mention having Marc Evans under our feet. We'd all picked up on his perceptiveness through Sam, and his close relationship with Kate. She was part of the Pack now, and our sudden involvement in her life is likely to catch his attention. We'd have to be ultra careful around him.

I made it back to outside Dad's finding Leah and Brandon waiting. I chuffed at them and they both stepped back to phase. I prepared myself to relive Sam's memories once more.

Let's get this shitshow on the road again.