I soothed her with a large hand down her back and clung to her as she hugged me tightly. "What's the matter then, Red?" I asked, my voice taut with emotion as I tried to keep it contained. Tremors wiggled down my arms and forced my fingers to strain every few seconds before I would force them to relax all over again. The clock started in just a few minutes and I knew I had to get back to work but this was more important to me.
Bella was always more important to me.
"How do I tell Paul I can't be his best friend anymore?" She whispered painfully. Sniffling against me, she pulled away enough to wipe her face on her shoulder before pressing herself back into my body.
Blowing a frustrated breath from between my lips, I closed my eyes and hugged her tightly. It was a dilemma for sure. Does she continue to be his friend and he continues to be in love with her or does she cut ties with him and potentially damage the inner workings with the pack? Bella is mine; what I consider to be my mate. And since I'm the Alpha of the Quileute werewolves, that makes her the Alpha female even if she doesn't turn into a giant wolf. It was a hard question but I had a harder one for her.
"Do you think you have to stop being his friend because of me or are you going to because it makes you uncomfortable that he's in love with you." Spitting the words out was harder than I thought and I glared into the distance while her face was pressed against me.
"Ugh." She said, pulling away and wiping her face again. "I don't know."
I nodded, knowing it was a hard question. "I'll be home when you get home from work. Try not to stress too much, alright? I love you." I said as I kissed her lips, unable to resist licking the seam of them, coaxing her to open so I could deepen it. She moaned quietly against my mouth and I pulled her closer to me. Brushing my lips against hers, I smiled as I spoke. "Don't do anything because it might make things easier for me. Do what you want to do for you. I'd follow you to the ends of the earth." My words were whispered with reverence and I could see in her eyes the love she held for me.
"I love you too, Sam. I'll see you tonight." She squeezed my hand in hers before completely letting go and starting down the road. I watched her, ready to turn back to the job when she spun suddenly, her cheeks flaming. "I'd follow you too. Don't think I wouldn't." The words were barely spoken louder than a whisper but the soft, warm wind carried them to my sensitive ears and I smiled widely, feeling more confident about our relationship than ever before.