Moments That Make Us:
Basic Instincts
Author Note:
Just a quick note before you start reading this chapter, take Sam in this chapter with a pinch of salt. Yes, he feels guilty and full of remorse but at the same time, he feels compelled to listen to the bloody Elders and their out-dated and frankly ridiculous laws in a way Jacob simply won't entertain. Guess there really are perks to being the True Alpha of the pack ;)
I own nothing except my crazy ideas and the determination to complete them. Now feel free to read.
Lyle's' POV (Mysterious Wolf)
Seth was completely right when he said Sam was gonna have his head. Sam had luckily been taken aback by how protective his instincts were towards Bella and before he could recover from his shock to give a scathing lecture and punishment, Jacob had phased in.
Although Bella had only been back in the area for a few hours, it was already easier to be around their Alpha but quite frankly, he'd simply never been so happy to see Jacob as in that moment. If anyone would understand this entire situation then it would Jacob as this concerned his imprint.
What's the problem Sam? - Jacob
Lyle here was seen by Bella - Sam
Jacob fell silent, his mind separating from the pack mind as it frequently did when he no longer wished to hear anyone. The rest of the pack fell silent, their collective breath held as they anticipated what Jacob's next move might be.
Sam might be across the clearing from him but he could practically taste Sam's fury that was directed towards this direction. Whether it was for him personally or Jacob was something entirely unknown but he had a feeling Sam would have it out for him.
Leave Sam to me. I'll take care of him - Jacob
Jacob's voice inside his head was accompanied by a sharp flash of pain across his mind and he collapsed under the overwhelming feeling of Jacob's fury. Howling loudly and hitting his head against his paws as he tried desperately to push away the foreign emotions.
He felt Jacob's regret flash across his mind as Jacob pulled back the traces of his fury that had brought Lyle to his knees. He looked up and stared at his Alpha in mutual shock as it registered to both that Lyle had sensed a different faint emotion from Jacob that was equally foreign to both of them..
Even without knowing it, she makes it easier - Jacob
Why don't you go to her? - Lyle
Jacob didn't respond but instead a memory of a blinding and gorgeous smile filtered through his mind as an 18 year old Bella Swan appeared in his mind. Accompanying Bella in this memory was a 17 year old Jacob who was nothing like the Alpha he knew.
Running rampant through the memory was love. It filled his senses and his mind as he watched a younger Bella Swan through the eyes of Jacob. She seemed so carefree and loving although her pain was clear to see.
The memory was ripped away and replaced by another round of anger as Jacob shut down emotionally again. He felt honoured to have seen part of Jacob's precious memories, to have seen how he was before this life took what it did from him.
It wasn't this life. It was Sam. - Jacob
His senses were suddenly overwhelmed with a dark hatred and bitterness that seeped from the darkest corners of Jacob's mind. He tried desperately to keep his thoughts to himself as he instinctively reacted to Jacob's emotions by whining and pressing his paws into his snout.
He'd always wondered how Jacob could forgive Sam and allow him to be Beta of the pack in his stead.
I do what's best for this pack. That's my duty as Alpha but it doesn't mean I forgive and I certainly haven't forgiven him. I might see the regret and remorse in his actions and words but they're meaningless when measured to the pain I live with - Jacob
With that comment, Jacob's presence left his mind and both rejoined the Pack mind.
You cannot punish Lyle for being seen by an imprint - Jacob
What if she tells Charlie about what she saw? The rules still stand in place - Sam
Jacob chuckled a humourless laugh that radiated throughout the pack mind before responding.
I am going to overlook the mere suggestion that my imprint would endanger our very existence. I assure you that Bella can and will keep our secret. Discussion over - Jacob
Without leaving time for a silent Sam to respond, Jacob left the pack mind and Lyle released a breath that he'd unknowingly been holding.
Are you okay? - Seth
Sam simply sighed and gave as much of a wolfish shrug you can give.
I wish we all had the faith he has in her. Let's hope she doesn't decide to let Charlie know what she saw. - Sam
Utter silence filled the pack mind for a few tense moments before some of the more senior wolves spoke up.
I trust that our Alpha knows his imprint - Leah
Look, I don't think Bella would have changed that much over the years. She's always been unnerving loyal to those around her. I don't think she'd say anything to Charlie. Even if she's been gone years, she wouldn't want to worry her Dad like that - Embry
I may not have liked her back then but she kept the Cullen's secret even when they left her the way they did. I trust in Jacob's trust in her - Paul.
With those comments lingering, Sam phased out followed by Paul and Jared. Leah sighed loudly and glanced over at Lyle and Seth.
Want to explain the overprotective instincts for Jacob's imprint? - Leah questioned.
I don't know, okay? She looked at me briefly and the wolf was protective. I've never even met her. She feels like family, okay? - Lyle
Look, who are we to question the kid? If Jacob finds no issue with his overprotective instincts then I'm not going to stand around, dissecting everything. - Embry
Seth and Embry left the pack mind, leaving him and Leah alone. Lyle swallowed loudly, pushing back on the nervousness he always felt around the she-wolf when alone in her presence as he waited for her to speak.
I'm not trying to give you a hard-time, really I'm not and I'm certainly not trying to be Sam. Look, if you ever repeat my next comments to anyone, I will slice your throat from ear to ear. We in agreement? - Leah
Yeah, totally. Not ever gonna say anything ever. Like for reals. You're pretty scary at times - Lyle
That was me being nice. Now listen up, okay? You're not the only one who feels protective towards Bella in a way beyond Pack. I've had more time to hide certain things from the others - Leah
You feel the same? What does it mean? I've never even met her! - Lyle
I feel similiar, okay? I'm overprotective of her as well but my wolf recognises her as distant family - Leah
Distant family? I thought she was from Forks? - Lyle
The wolf views her how it views Emily who is my cousin. Jacob has always known; I could never hide that from him. - Leah
Leah focused on her own protective instincts towards Bella and pushed them towards Lyle who shook his big shaggy head.
It doesn't feel like that. I feel more connected to her than I should do - Lyle
Look, maybe, it's one of those things that we should just lock into a box within our minds and never speak about. I can't tell you why you feel the way you do because I still don't understand myself. Last time I checked, I certainly do not have any more cousins - Leah.
Is Jacob really not bothered by it? - Lyle
You would not be standing here with me if he'd taken offence to you - Leah
With that last comment reverberating around his head, Leah turned and took off into the treeline.