A/N: Hey ya'll! I'm back! My apologies for taking forever to update but I'll be honest, my drive for this story is at a blank. I have come to the point where I don't know where to go with it anymore so I am hoping to end this story soon! Maybe another 5 chapters if I'm lucky! Anyways, here's another chapter and I'm working on the next one. Hope to have it out soon! Until then my readers...
Samuel POV:
It was decided that after Christmas together the Cullen's and Whitlock's along with Carlie's great grandfather, Douglas, would all be heading out to speak to the different clans around the world. There would not be much time until February came along and the family wanted everyone to be kept safe. Elle would be staying with me and the pack along with Lucas. Cassie knew of many clans from her travels and thought it best if she spoke to them personally since most of them are not technology savvy. L.J. would be staying with his father which the little guy is absolutely ecstatic about but from the looks of things, Justin was the one hyperventilating. And I have to say, it's quite amusing!
"What if I fuck up, what if he gets hurt and Cassie comes back… She's gonna murder me and then my daughter will be fatherless, what if the kid runs away because I'm a horrible father to be around… Fuck!"
I can see my imprint snickering in the background, trying to keep her laughs to herself but failing terribly. Jake steps in before the poor guy explodes, "Justin… Brother, you need to calm down. Take a deep breath, okay. Now, why are you overthinking this? Lucas is your son. Were you not there for Carlie growing up? Helping change diapers, playing tag in the yard? If you can be an exceptional uncle, why can't you be an amazing father? Think on that before you have an early heart attack yeah."
Oh man, that did it.
"HAHAHAHAHA! OH GOD! My best guy friend has to give his imprints ex husband a pep talk! Dear Lord, this family sure is special!" Jake gives Elle a mock glare to knock that shit off.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry Jus but Jake's right. Your amazing. That little boy of yours loves you and he gets along with Leah when she's not crying her eyes out. Plus Sam and I will be here. Just cause Cassie and Jake are leaving doesn't mean your going to fail."
The guy looks a little more relieved now that he's looking at it from a better stand point. This is the time he gets to have his own son all for himself. The boy is aging faster than normal and there is no doubt that when Cassie and Jake return the kid will look to be at least 6 years old.
"Thanks Jake. You really are a good man you know that." Clapping his hand onto my betas shoulder, Justin gives it a light squeeze before exiting the room.
"So Jake, how's Cassie faring regarding L.J.?"
All my second in command can do is shake his head and rub a hand down his face.
"She's a total wreck Bells. I don't know, I mean this is her idea. She wants her boy to have a strong bond with Justin that L.J has with me but she's scared. Scared that Lucas will forget her, that he'll love Justin more than he could ever love us. That L.J would rather have Leah as his mother than her. The list goes on and on. All I can do is comfort her and listen."
Seeing the seriousness of it all my imprint gets up and heads to where Cassie is most likely wallowing in her sorrows.
"Everything and everyone will be fine Jake. You take care of your girl and I'll keep your pup and our family safe."
Watching a genuine small cross over his face, it's nice to see my pack brother so happy even in this time of worry.
Christmas came and went. I took the girls, Charlie, and Jasper out to our favorite spot on the reservation as a family camping trip. Charlie had a blast even though he wasn't too keen on riding a wolf to the campground. Carlie and Jasper got a kick out of it. Kept giving Charlie hell for enjoying the wonderful wolf mobile. I kept silent of course not wanting to rile up my own boss.
The days flew by as New Year's came and gone. I have to admit that it was too quiet with everyone gone from Elle's house. She went into a mini sad mode after their departure and I offered to stay at her place if she needed. Obviously she had other plans. Instead she packed up a suitcase of stuff and temporarily moved in until the family came back.
I have to say that spending every single night beside my imprint, the woman I truly belong with, I can't help but be so eternally grateful. Sure I had Emily before but now I know the difference. This feeling of completeness, it's indescribable. Knowing that when I get home, my girl will be there. We can cook dinner together, read, go for runs together. Not having to worry about what time she'll have to got home or needing to do some errand for a family member. Wow, I sound really selfish right now! You get what I'm saying right? I love this feeling of happiness, true happiness.
Walking into the house I smell the deliciousness of pot roast, mashed potatoes, and green beans. My girl finished before I could even help her with anything.
"Babe, that smells absolutely amazing!"
Looking around the kitchen I notice she's nowhere to be seen. Listening carefully, "blaahhp… ugh I hate this shit. Blaahpp…" Taking the stairs two at a time, I walk in the bathroom and pull her hair away from her face as I gently rub her back in soothing circles. Why is so sick? This has been going on for a week already? She needs rest and hopefully a visit to the doctor within the next two days.
"You okay sweetheart? Did you eat something bad again today? I mean the stomach flu has been going around but is it normal for you to get this sick?"
Peering down at her pale face, she just strugs her shoulders in answer. Man she looks really exhausted.
"Come, lets wash you up. You go ahead and lie down, rest a bit so I can make you some chicken soup with crackers. Maybe that'll help settle your stomach a bit."
Seeing a gentle smile gracing her features, we both strip down and step into the shower. Holding her closely, I wash her hair and body as best as I can. Drying her off, we walk into the room where I put one of my oversized shirts on her and tuck her into bed. Kissing her forehead, she's knocked out before I shut the door to my room.
I just finished off Elle's chicken noodle soup when I heard two loud howls in the distance. Looking up quickly, I listen intently to see if Elle has stirred at all. Knowing she's still knocked out I turn off the stove and head out the back door. Stripping out of my sweatpants I transform within seconds.
Listening to the frantic voices of my pack, I give one command as silence engulfs me. Then I ask the only question that I need answered. "What happened?" Watching the rapid scene play before me, I suddenly realized that things just got excessively more difficult.
Bella/Belle POV:
Waking up from a nightmare I look out the window and all I see is darkness. I must have crashed out for a good amount of time. I call for Sam only to realize that I can't hear his heartbeat let alone any movement in the house. Knowing something is some what off I slowly get out of bed and put on some sweatpants. Descending down the stairs took a little more time than I planned out since I still feel queasiness in my stomach.
My instincts are telling me something isn't quite right. Hearing a whine coming from the back yard I go straight to the location, my only focus is on finding my imprint! "Samuel? Is everyone alright." I put on some black snow boots before stepping out into the night. Going down the back patio stairs, I see four massive wolves surrounding a white wolf who I distinctively know by heart. I quickly sprint towards the pack knowing that sometihng bad happened to Justin, if not the guys wouldn't be trying to give him wolfy support.
"What's wrong? What happened!?" I ask even though I know it is highly unlikely I'll receive an answer.
Watching as my brother quickly transforms back to his human body, only to barely catch his whimpering form in my arms. Rocking him back and forth I hear only snips of what he's saying before the others three wolves stride away. Samuel changes back swiftly and helps me take Justin into the house. I am pleadingly looking towards Sam when he shakes his head giving me a sign of not to ask any questions in front of Justin.
Understanding what is being asked of me, we take my brother into the house and down the hall into the guest room. All I can do is hold his body close to me as I rock him like you would to a new born child, rubbing soothing motions up and down his back. After an hour he finally falls into a deep slumber.
Coming out of the room I quietly shut the door and head straight to my Samuel. No beating around the bush, something bad happened and I'm going to find out what exactlyit is. "Samuel, what happened?"
Taking in his posture, he's on the sofa with his head in his hands. I can smell salty wetness so I know now, someone is hurt!
"Babe, come here. You're gonna have to sit down for this." he says in a hoarsed voice.
Walking up to him, I take a seat in his lap and put my arms around his neck comfortably. Peering into his eyes, I see distress, deep sadness, and hopelessness.
"Tonight, I had Quil and Collin on patrol. Everything seemed to be going fine, until about 45 minutes ago. They got caught in a crossfire. Someone from the Volturi guard was here Elle. They got through long enough to do a little damage and take some people. That leech Jane and her brother were a decoy for the other three." The Volturi are here? That can't be, Carlie would have told us! We would have been prepared for this if not!
Taking in his words I'm trying to think of what could make my brother this helpless. Was it L.J.? Or oh God! Leah!?
"I'm not sure who exactly the other two were but they got close enough. Sue was on her way to drop off Billy at home so she's safe. Leah wasn't feeling too good tonight so she stayed home however, Justin and L.J. They were on their way out from your dad's place when they got attacked." No! Please tell my Lucas did not get hurt! Fuck NO! He's not here, that can only mean one thing! They took Lucas!
"Elle, they took Lucas… but that's not all babe. Not only did they capture Lucas. They have your dad as well. FUCK! Those mother fucking leeches took Charlie and Leah too!" Feeling the tears streaming down my face I feel Sam wiping them away as fast as I'm shedding them. My heart is tearing up inside. I hear his sorry for the sudden outburst but that is not what I am focused on right now. No, what I want to know is why Carlie didn't see this! Wouldn't she have warned us if she did? And most importantly, what the fuck are we to do now?!