Hillary walked down the side walk of Port Angeles making her way towards the next shop. With one hand on her lower back and the other rubbing gently over her growing bump, she stopped to catch her breath. Paul stepped beside her in concern, but she waved it off. At six and a half months pregnant, she tired easily. Today Paul along with Embry and Quil were her travel buddies for the day. Jacob and the rest of the imprints were busy and she needed to pick up a few last minute things for the wedding.
It was less than one week before the wedding, the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend. The streets were busy with business. Hillary grinned and continued walking. There was a baby shop just ahead that she wanted to stop in while they were in town. She knew that the guys had better things to do with their time, but the pack was taking her protection and that of her child very seriously.
Hillary was walking when she felt the guys stiffen beside her. Paul started vibrating and growling lowly. She was immediately surrounded protectively when a voice startled her from her confusion.
"Why do you smell like my sun?" a voice of tinkling bells inquired.
Hillary tried to look around the trembling frame of Paul, but was blocked and held protectively by Embry and Quil. Looking up at them she found their normally carefree visages hardened and furious. Embry shook his head at her and she looked down, pulling her phone from her pocket.
"Mother, what are you doing?" a soft voice interrupted.
"Why does it smell like wet dog?" a pixie like voice asked.
"Move!" Paul snarled. "You were told to leave the area and never return!"
"No, I won't move!" the first voice replied hotly. "Why does she smell like my Jacob?"
Hillary instantly knew who these people, if they could be called that were. She knew who the woman demanding answers was. This was Isabella fucking Swan, well Cullen now she supposed. Just when she thought that life was easy and going well, she just had to come crawling back out of her fucking crypt to make their lives miserable again.
Before she could continue her train of thought her phone rang. Looking down she realized that it was Jake. It dawned on her that he must be feeling her distress.
"Hillary!" his voice demanded on the phone. "Is everything alright?"
"Hello, love," she said softly. "We've run into some old enemies of yours in Port Angeles and one in particular is demanding to know why I smell like you."
"Son of a bitch!" he snarled. "Cullens!"
"Right in one," Hillary snorted into the phone. "I'm guessing that you're on your way with the rest of the pack?"
"We'll be there," he said firmly. "Stay safe Hillary. I love you."
"I love you too," she replied as he hung up the phone.
Hillary tucked her phone back into the pocket of her maternity jeans and looked around. She realized that Bella was hissing viciously, being held back by her family. Paul, Embry, and Quil were still standing in formation around her to protect her.
"Why is Jacob calling you?" Bella snarled. "He hated you! He promised me he would never imprint, that he would fight it for me!"
"Do you even hear yourself?" Hillary asked viciously. "You're a married woman with a child and you're still panting after another like some bitch in heat. Did you really think that you could string them both along forever? That you could have your cake and eat it too? How selfish can you be?"
Bella lunged, but was held back by her family. Her daughter stood in front of her mother looking at the scene sadly. Hillary peaked around Paul and saw that her entire family had shown up.
"He's mine!" Bella snarled. "I won't let you have him. I'll ruin you, end you!"
Hillary looked around and realized that they were drawing unwanted attention. The wolves beside her shifted uncomfortably. She nudged them towards the road to cross and they reluctantly followed.
"Where do you think you're going?" Bella demanded.
"Do you really think continuing this conversation out in the open like this is wise?" Hillary asked. "You're drawing far too much attention behaving like the spoiled little bitch that you are. You're going to expose everyone here, so get over yourself. I don't owe you a damn thing other than a one way ticket to a fucking flame thrower. Stay away from me and mine"
The Cullens paused and looked at her. Carlisle noticed she was pregnant and swallowed nervously. He tugged at Bella and his face became a mask of the stern leader. He was speaking so lowly and quickly that no human ears could hear his words.
With his distraction, Hillary and her protectors had crossed to the other side of the street and waited. Hillary felt them before they arrived. Turning, she immediately found herself swept up into Jacob's arms. The rest of the pack had arrived with their chests heaving from the run.
"Jacob!" Bella shouted.
"Leave!" he snarled. "You were all told to leave and stay away."
"She's keeping you from me, I know she is," Bella pleaded.
"She is doing nothing," he replied coldly. "I want nothing to do with you. You and your kind have done nothing but ruin other people's lives."
"Jacob, how can you say that?" Bella asked in shock. "We were friends. Carlisle is a doctor."
Jacob cut her off, "And how many lives were ruined by your family's need to pretend to be something they're not? How many of us have had to give everything up because of you? You're cold, selfish, and manipulative."
"We meant no harm coming here today," Carlisle said with his hands up in a submissive manner. "We will leave and not bother you any longer."
"No!" Bella shouted. "I want to come home!"
"Home?" Jacob asked harshly. "You have no home here. You have no family here. You do not belong here. You know what your presence here means? The agreement we had was broken the day she joined your family. By all rights we should keep up our end of the agreement. You have until the end of the hour to leave this state and not return, ever. Or we will see it as another insult and breach of contract. As such we will take care of the situation by any means necessary and hunt down the guilty parties."
"Understood," Edward said holding Bella and his daughter to his side. "We will leave and not come back. You have my word."
"Your word obviously doesn't mean shit because you're here today," Paul snarled. "Bella threatened Hillary!"
"What?" Jacob asked in an eerily calm voice.
"She threatened Hillary, Jake," Embry said tightly. "We can't do anything about it because of where we are and we were out-numbered."
"We will leave," Carlisle said in a panic. "We will go now and not return."
"You were already not supposed to return!" Jacob thundered. "As Alpha and future chief I'm tell you now that the next time we see any of you or your kind we will end you. From this day forward all bets are off and its open season. I suggest you leave while you still can."
"Jacob, please," Bella begged.
"Listen corpse bride," Hillary said tiredly, "he's not interested. What part of no or go away do you not understand? You should really listen and leave."
"No one asked you!" Bella retorted.
"What are you five?" Hillary asked rolling her eyes.
The Cullens dragged Bella away, but her daughter paused and turned around. She whispered, "I'm sorry," before running to catch up to her family. The pack stood tensely while they watched them leave and then saw their vehicles quickly leaving the area.
"Jared, Seth, follow them to make sure they don't head back towards La Push," Jacob said against the skin of Hillary's neck. "Paul and Quil can you please pick up the last of whatever Hillary was here to get. I need to get her home."
Jake stood on the sidewalk holding his mate against his larger frame. He dropped one hand down on the swell of her bump and felt his child move within. He swallowed the lump in his throat and fought down the fear and fury that he was feeling.
"Come on Jake," Hillary said touching his face. "Take us home. Little one is kicking up a storm and mama's back is sore."
He leaned down and swept her up into his arms, carrying her back to where they had hastily parked the trucks. They had broken several speeding and vehicle laws on their race to reach Port Angeles. They had left Brady and Collin behind to patrol and protect the tribe. They could have run faster, but it was in the middle of the day and it would be risky.
Jacob had never felt such terror. Even holding her in his arms he trembled with the fear for her and their child that he felt. He couldn't lose them, wouldn't lose them. Nodding to the pack they climbed into their vehicles and started to make their way back. Hillary was buckled into the seat beside him, pressed tightly to his side. Embry sat beside her, quietly scanning their surroundings on high alert.
His phone rang and he answered it. The panicked voice of Collin was near hysterical in his ear. Swear softly he tromped on the gas and held Hillary to his side. Fucking Cullens. Damn them to Hell and back. Collin was calling to tell him that two more boys had phased. The Cullens weren't even on tribal land, but apparently they were close enough to cause Ryan and Will to phase. The boys were sixteen, close in age to Collin and Brady where were trying to calm them down.
Pulling to the side of the road Jake asked Embry to phase and run back to try to help the boys. He couldn't leave Hillary alone. While he had wanted everyone to stick together in pairs, he couldn't leave his pregnant mate to drive back alone. Pulling the truck back on the road he floored it and sped off towards La Push.
He only slowed down and breathed a sigh of relief when he crossed their border. Hillary had fallen asleep on the ride as he had gently rubbed her side in small soothing circles. He could feel her fatigue and knew that today was far too much stress for her and the baby.
Looking down at her he felt tears sting his eyes. He could have lost them today and he wasn't there. He might not have made it in time. Rest his large hot hand on her bump he felt their child move. His stubborn offspring had not cooperated during their last ultrasound, so it would be a surprise a birth.
Hillary unbuckled and let Jake lift her from the truck and carry her into their home. He walked in the door and gently laid her on the couch before going outside to phase and check in with Embry and the new wolves. His head was immediately met with the panicked voices of two teenage boys that were confused. It took them hours to get them calmed down and in the mean time they had been joined by the rest of the pack. When they finally calmed them down enough to phase back night had fallen.
Hillary had napped for a while and woke to find Leah sitting in the kitchen. She stretched and made her way into the kitchen to begin cooking. Leah helped and they began preparing a large feast. The dual ovens were put to good use with pounds of chicken baking. She chopped vegetables and scrubbed potatoes, but she was tiring.
Leah gently pushed her to one of the stools and took over finishing the meal. Emily and Kim knocked and came in to help as well. They brought trays of desserts and other dishes to help. Sam came in behind them carrying more food as well. Apparently Jared had called when he briefly phased back to tell them what had happened.
"How are you feeling, Hillary?" Kim asked softly. Their friendship still wasn't the same and she wasn't sure how to fix it.
"Tired, but alright," she answered honestly. "Today was a bit of a wakeup call. It was terrifying, but I got to face my fears and to face her. Hopefully they listen and stay away for good. Those poor boys phasing doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling."
"They'll be fine," Sam assured her. "If they need the extra hand I can step in, but they seem to be doing just fine."
Just as the food was finishing Jake entered the house and made his way immediately to Hillary. With one hand on her bump and the other fisted in her hair, he kissed her deeply, uncaring of their audience. Wolf whistles and cat calls drew their attention back to the present.
"How are you doing?" he asked gently.
"We're fine," she assured him with a smile.
Looking over his shoulder she saw the rest of the pack entering the house with the newest brothers of their pack. Ryan and Will looked uncomfortable and unsure of themselves. They were flanked by senior members of the pack who were ready to intervene if they lost control.
"Hello," Hillary said warmly, "Welcome to the family. Our home is yours, so if you ever need anything come on over." She said rubbing her belly in soothing circles.
"Thanks," Ryan said not meeting her eyes.
"Thank you," Will said quietly.
Hillary was led to a chair in the dining room and had a plate brought to her. The other imprints grabbed their food and then the pack converged on the meal. Luckily they had a large dining room table to fit most everyone and the over flow sat in the kitchen at the counter. It was a lively meal. When it was done the pack picked up and everyone sat around the table talking.
"What will be done about the Cullens?" Sam asked Jake.
"It's open season," Jake said firmly. "Not only did they return, but Isabella Cullen threatened Hillary and my child. Any sighting of them should be assumed to be hostile and dealt with in the same manner that we deal with any other leech."
"Here, here!" Paul said with Rachel sitting on his lap.
"You're alright Hillary?" Rachel asked, taking her hand.
"I'm fine," Hillary said with a laugh. "I'm just glad I had the guys with me. She sniffed me out and kept asking why I smelled like Jake and wouldn't leave. Seriously, she was unstable and unbalanced as a human, who the Hell thought it was a good idea to turn her?"
Paul snorted, "Cullen. Seriously Jake, what were you thinking?"
Jake growled in warning glancing down at Hillary fervently. Hillary just pressed further into his side and shook her head. Now seeing Isabella Cullen she could see that she was attractive, in a non-human corpse sort of way.
"Enough, Paul," Hillary chided. "Let's all agree that he was temporarily braindead and move on."
The pack chuckled, including Jake who dropped a kiss on her brow. His hand flexed on her hips and he looked down at her with a heated look in his eyes. She grinned up at him and stuck her tongue out.
"Is everything ready for the wedding?" Rachel asked with a chuckle.
"Yeah, today is the last of everything," Hillary replied with a relieved smile. "Simple, low-key, just family and friends present sort of event. That's all we wanted for our wedding. Seriously I could have just as easily went to the town hall and been happy. At the end of the day we'll be married and that's all that matters to me."
Jake smiled down at her and nodded in agreement. "We are doing a traditional ceremony mixed with a Christian ceremony on the beach. So far the forecast looks promising, but if not the meeting house will suffice." He told them with a grin.
"I thought that you wanted a big extravagant wedding, Hillary," Kim said cautiously. "That's what we used to talk about when we were younger."
"Kim, we haven't been close in a very long time. Even before I left you were constantly with Jared. I get it because of the imprint." Hillary said rolling her eyes. "We haven't been good friends in a very long time and I do appreciate that in your own way you tried to be there for me before I left for Hawaii. I've changed and grown up, everyone usually does. Can you imagine now progressing from your thirteen year old self and wanting the exact same things? I'm happy, Kim. I'm happy with my choices and my life, so please accept that."
"Sorry," Kim whispered tearfully.
"It's fine, but you really need to let it go Kim. We aren't the same people." Hillary told her.
Soon after the discussion, everyone piled into the family room and spare rooms of the house to sleep for the night. It was an inherent need in the pack to be close. After the events of the day they needed closeness. There was a threat to their Alpha female and the pup, the child of the Alpha pair. It had shaken the pack. Also with the phasing of two new pack members, they needed the closeness and bonding.
Hillary was carried up to their room by Jake later that evening and laid gently on their bed. He went and filled their large tub and came back to help her strip of her clothing. Hillary looped her arms around his neck and let him carry her into the bathroom. He stepped into the tub and sat down carefully with her in front of him.
"I was terrified today," Jake said hoarsely as he rested his hand on her stomach. "I thought that I was going to lose you."
"Jake," she said with an ache in her voice.
Turning to straddle him in the tub, she giggled as her stomach got in the way. Lifting her hands she brushed the tears away from his eyes and leaned in to kiss him. He groaned against her lips and ran his hands gently, lovingly over her body. He carefully lifted her and slid her down over him. They groaned as her body took him in, gripping him.
It was gentle, smooth, and easy. Hillary held him close as they rode wave after gentle wave of their peak together. Jake clung to her, nipping and laving the sting away with his tongue and mouth. When they were done, he stood carefully and drained their tub. He turned on the shower and began to carefully wash his tired mate as she returned the favor. When they were done he toweled them off and carried Hillary to their bed and climbed in behind her.
The days following the incident in Port Angeles as Hillary had begun referring to it as flew by. Before everyone knew it the day of the wedding had arrived. Hillary had her mother and Alani at her house to help her get ready. Jake had gone home to get ready at his father's house. Alani had arrived a few days ago and was immediately swept into the waiting arms of Embry. He had her hold up in his apartment for the better part of two days before emerging. She was here for good, and the pack couldn't have been happier.
Hillary was dressed in her simple, but classic chiffon gown. Her hair was in curls that cascaded down her back. She opted to forgo a veil and instead wore simple hair clips that had been in her family for generations. Alani looked phenomenal in her coral dress. Little Claire stood nearby in her flower girl dress. She and Quil were recent additions to the wedding party. After a long discussion, Hillary and Jake decided that they just didn't feel right not including Quil.
Hillary was helped down the stairs and led to the waiting car. Her father helped her from the car and down the beach where the ceremony site was already set up. The arbor had ribbons and flowers serving as their altar with the ocean as their backdrop. There were simple benches on either side of the aisle filled with all of their family and friends.
The sun was trying to peak through the clouds, but it was a dry day. It was a beautiful day. Jack held his daughter on one side, while Jane held her on the other as they made their way down the aisle. Alani had already made it to the altar and stood to the side.
Hillary raised her eyes and met Jake's and everything else dropped away. His eyes held so much love and promise in them that it took her breath away. Her eyes stung with tears as she walked towards the man that she loved more than life itself. He looked handsome in his simple khaki pants and white button up shirt. Embry and Quil stood beside him dressed similarly.
Finally stopping before Jake, Hillary had her hand placed in his as her parents kissed her cheeks and stepped away. They stood before Billy as he performed their wedding ceremony. Sooner than they thought they were pronounced man and wife. Jake cupped her chin gently and kissed her deeply. They pulled back to the cheers and wolf whistles of their family and friends.
Jake lifted her and spun her around and kissed her again with a laugh. Taking her hand in his own he led her back down the aisle and started walking towards the small table with refreshments set up to hold people over until the reception at their home. Quil, Claire, Embry, and Alani joined them as they quickly snacked and were led off for photos.
After what seemed like forever, they were led back towards the group before heading home for the party. Sue Clearwater and Leah had left to go make sure everything was set up. Emily and Kim left to join them to help as much as they could.
Hillary and Jake spent the rest of the day and late into the night laughing, eating, and drinking with their friends and family. A small dancefloor had been set up in their back yard and music was played. They shared their first dance to Rascal Flatts "God Blessed the Broken Road," as they had tears in their eyes, swaying to the music. It was everything that they could have wanted or hoped for and more.
Alani stood off to the side with a soft smile on her face watching her best friend and her new husband. Warm arms looped around her waist and she leaned back into Embry's chest. He kissed the side of her neck sending shivers down her spine.
"You look beautiful," he whispered against her skin.
"I love you, Embry," she said with a sigh.
He whirled her around to face him and pulled her flush against his chest. His eyes were blazing with so much emotion and promise. He searched her gaze before slanted his mouth on hers, leaving her pliant and breathless.
"I love you more than you will ever know Alani," he murmured against her lips.
Laughter nearby drew them apart and they found Quil heading their way with a smirk. Embry rolled his eyes at his pack brother and clasped him on the shoulder. Their friendship was just as strong if not stronger than ever, but it had changed with time. Almost all of his pack mates were imprinted. They were all close, but they grew as people individually and in their relationships.
Jake had talked at length with Hillary about having Quil stand up with him as well. It was an easy decision for them. The four of them had been really good friends since they were kids. Despite growing apart for a while in high school, when she came back from Hawaii they slowly settled back into their relationship of friends. It had taken time, but they had fallen back into their old habits.
Hillary laughed throatily as Jake spun her on the dance floor and pulled her against him. They enjoyed themselves for another song before Hillary begged off. Jake could see his wife, wow that gave him a thrill, was tiring. He led her to one of the covered chairs and helped her to ease into it. He sat beside her and pulled her aching feet up into his lap.
Hillary sighed and smiled at him. Looking around their yard, she could see their family and friends mingling. The crowd had started thinning out now as it was getting later in the evening. Claire had left with her parents an hour ago and many of the other younger or older generations had left.
Soon it was just the pack and members of the council and elders remaining. Hillary was helped into the house by Jake to change into a comfortable pair of yoga pants and a baggy sweatshirt of Jake's. Alani had changed as well. Jake and the others had shucked their shirts off and hanging around the large fire that the pack had lit in their backyard.
Hillary leaned against Jake and sighed in content. Glancing down at her left hand she saw her engagement ring and simple wedding band wink in the light of the fire. Jake being a shape shifter would be unable to wear a wedding band, but would be getting a ring tattooed on his ring finger in the coming days.
Jake wrapped his arm around Hillary's shoulder and held her against his larger frame. He reached over with his other hand and pressed it reverently to her stomach to feel their child move. In his world all was right. He couldn't be happier, than he was at this moment in time. He was looking forward to fatherhood, but today, right this moment he was the happiest man alive.
Looking down at Hillary he found that she was drifting to sleep. Her breathing soon evened out and he lifted her into his lap. Jake sat there for a while longer looking into the flames of the fire holding his wife. She was his wife, Hillary was his wife. His wolf purred, knowing that his mate was now officially and irrevocably his. Sure he had marked her and claimed her, but now the whole world would know that she was his.
Turning his head towards Embry he nodded. Jake carefully lifted Hillary and stood from his chair. The crowd looked over at him and he told them quietly that he was turning in for the night. Embry let him know that they would be picking up and leaving soon and to not worry about it. The pack was under strict orders to leave them alone for the next few days unless there was an emergency.
Jake made his way into the house and up the stairs to their bedroom. He stripped her down and tucked her into their bed naked. Kicking out of his own clothes, he grabbed them and brought them to the hamper before padding softly across the hall. He entered the room that would serve as the nursery of their child. It was painted in a soft green color and decorated with forest murals. It was soft and enchanting and in his mind perfect. The furniture was set up and supplies were slowly filling the room.
He and the pack had spent weeks slowly carving and making the furniture for his child. The crib and rocking chair were made by hand. Each wolf of the pack had been carefully carved into the pieces serving as protectors of the future of their pack and tribe. Jake ran his hands over the pieces and swallowed thickly.
Life had taken him through many trials, but he thanked God for everything that led him to where he was right now. He knew that they had a rocky start, but he loved Hillary with every fiber of his being and would spend the rest of their lives showing her just how much she meant to him. He didn't deserve her, he never did, but he would sure as Hell try.
Walking back into his room he heard the soft even breathing of his little mate, his wife. He climbed into the bed behind her and cradled her against his body. He relished in the feel of her soft skin against his own. With a sigh she burrowed further into his embrace, causing a shiver of need to run down his spine. Jake stamped down the lust and simply held his exhausted wife in his arms. It had been a long day and he took comfort in just holding her and his child in his arms. Below his hand their child stirred, kicking against his large palm.
He murmured in his native tongue to his child and nuzzled against the mark on Hillary's shoulder. He felt her body shudder against him and grinned, kissing her gently. Closing his eyes he let himself drift off to sleep knowing that his brothers would watch over their house and land.
Hillary woke the next morning feeling Jake run his hand over her stomach gently. She murmured sleepily and pressed more fully into Jake's frame. He groaned and pressed against her urgently and nipped into her shoulder. She felt his hands run down her body and he nudged her legs apart with his larger thigh. Holding her thigh in place he pressed forward with his hips and slid into her warm heat with a hiss.
Hillary looped her arm back around his neck, turning her head to kiss him softly. They rocked against each other gently, slowly, drawing out the experience. Jake ran his hands over her body, caressing and savoring the feel of her. His hands came to rest on her stomach before they went to her hips as their rhythm spurned on and toppled over the edge.
"I love you Hillary," Jake said against her shoulder, kissing the mark.
"I love you Jake," she replied softly.
They showered and dressed before going down stairs to get something to eat for breakfast. Jake glanced outside and realized that Embry had been true to his word and their yard was already picked up. He could see that their kitchen was put back together as well. The refrigerator was stock full of food and meals prepared for them by Sue and Emily.
For the next few days the pack would be converging at Sam and Emily's house like old times. With Hillary being so far into her pregnancy and with the issue of the Cullens, Jake didn't feel comfortable taking a honeymoon away from La Push. He promised Hillary fervently that he would take her somewhere, anywhere she wanted to go at a later date. She rolled her eyes and told him that it didn't matter to her and that they could always go to Hawaii for a week later.
For reasons unknown to the pack or elders, three more wolves phased in the days and weeks after Jake and Hillary were married. All of them were ranging from the ages of seventeen through fifteen. These young men were confused and angry. Jake and Hillary had to cut their time short because the pack needed Jake. Sam was temporarily helping and sure the other members of the pack could help, but Liam was worse than Paul when he had phased and his anger took Jake's Alpha command to calm.
Hillary was now nearing the end of her seventh month of pregnancy and feeling extremely uncomfortable. Her small bump had finally popped and now there was no denying that she was pregnant. She felt huge, even though Jake couldn't keep his hands off of her and told her daily that she had never been more beautiful to him. It was a sentiment that the pack echoed as they constantly rubbed her tummy and kissed her brow. She glowed with the life that she was carrying.
Hillary was accompanied by her ever present guard as she left for the grocery store. Seth assured her that he could have gone himself, but stopped when she pinned him with a look. Ryan climbed in the back of the car with them as they left. After the incident in Port Angeles Jake thought that she needed at least two pack members with her when she went anywhere. She tried to protest but he wasn't willing to risk it.
They pulled into the grocery store in Forks and Seth helped her out of the car. Hillary grabbed a shopping cart and handed her list to Ryan. Between the three of them they filled three shopping carts of food. Hillary pushed the lighter of the carts and was gently brushed aside as the boys loaded the car. She saw them tense and immediately was pressed into the car, blocked by the snarling visage of the normally calm Seth.
Ryan trembled violently but ran around the car and jumped into the driver's seat. Seth slipped into the back seat and pulled out his phone. Hillary buckled in for the race back to La Push.
"Jake!" Seth snarled into the phone. "Leeches in Forks. No we're on our way now, but they might be trailing us. Yeah you might want to hurry; we've got Hillary with us."
The phone was closed with a click and Seth turned to look out the window. He glanced behind them and saw a pale blur race beside the car. In the distance he heard howls sounding. They were getting closer and closer as Ryan was pushing the car to its limit towards the border of La Push.
Beside the car the large frame of Jared burst through the trees followed by the forms of Embry and Paul snarling and gnashing their teeth. They lunged forward at Ryan drove past and tackled a pale form to the ground. Three other wolves came from the other side of the road and tackled another pale form. They dragged them further into the woods, tearing them apart.
Additional howls rang out as Seth swore viciously. A third pale form was following them and the pack was racing towards their car. Hillary breathed deeply trying to remain calm. It wouldn't do to tell the poor boys that she was having contractions. It was far too soon, but there was nothing she could do to stop them now.
Closer and closer they raced to La Push and the howls became silent. Seth answered his phone ten minutes later as they were pulling onto the road near Jake and Hillary's house. He was speaking to Jake who told them that Collin and Brady were at the house waiting and the rest of the pack would be there soon.
Brady and Colling bundled her from the car into the house swiftly while Seth and Ryan grabbed the food and went to patrol around the house. Hillary hissed as she stood holding the counter and tried to calm down. The searing pain in her back radiated down her legs and took her breath away. Breathing through it she ignored the panicked looks of the young men at her side.
When the next contraction gripped her she bit back a moan of pain and whimpered. It was too soon. She was just now at thirty three weeks, give or take. It was too soon, but she couldn't stop this. She needed Jake, she thought as she fought back tears.
"Call Leah," she rasped and she gripped the counter with white knuckles. "Get Leah and Sue here now!"
Colling ran for the phone and dialed. Brady hovered at her side, unsure of what to do to help her. He caught her as he legs gave out from pain from the next contraction and cringed when he felt the splash of fluid that rushed down Hillary's legs.
"Fuck!" Brady said in shock. "Hillary, mama, tell me what to do. What can I do to help?"
Hillary sobbed as the pain grew with each contraction. Her legs trembled with the force of the next contraction and so moan in pain, gripping Brady's arm tightly. It was too soon. It was going too fast.
Meanwhile Jake stumbled mid-run as he felt Hillary's pain and distress. He whimpered in his mind over the pack link and sped up with the pack trying to keep up. Something was wrong with Hillary.
Leah ran into the house trembling with barely controlled rage and stopped short seeing Hillary double over. She could smell the embryonic fluid and blood coming from the Alpha female and knew immediately that she could now stop this labor. She began barking orders to the younger pack members and prayed her mother would get there soon.
Hillary whimpered as the pain tore through her lower abdomen. She felt Leah reach her side and lead her to the family room. Blankets, pillows, and towels were brought from the linen closet. Leah helped Hillary strip from the waist down and pulled an oversized t-shirt over her head for her. Leah carefully checked her friend and realized there really was no going back; she was already over five centimeters dilated and in full blown labor now.
The sound of a car approaching and rapid feet had them all on edge. Sue Clearwater rushed in the room with a medical bag and took in the sight of Hillary with wide eyes. She immediately went into nurse mode. She gave out orders to the boys and Leah. Brady and Collin ran around getting all the supplies she needed and hovered in the kitchen waiting.
Jake and the pack arrived to hear the keening sound of Hillary in pain. Jake phased and raced into the house looking around wildly. His head snapped to the sight of his wife in their family room in labor. Swearing softly he dropped to her side and held her hand.
"It's too soon," he said hoarsely.
"Your child is too impatient it would seem Alpha," Sue said comfortingly. "She was dilated two at her least check and this afternoon sent her into full blown labor."
"Jake," Hillary said through gritted teeth. "It hurts."
Jake swallowed thickly and blinked back tears. "I know baby," he said softly. "I'm so sorry."
"We can't move her," Sue said softly. "With the threat and her already laboring this quickly, it wouldn't be smart to move her now. She's already at seven and closing in on eight."
Hillary whimpered as the next contraction rocked through her body. She ignored the fact that the entire pack was peeking into the room anxiously. She ignored the fact that she was in her family room and not a hospital. However, she could not ignore the contractions that were getting stronger. She knew that she was not going to be able to take anything for the pain now, not at home.
"Breathe through it honey," Sue said wiping her brow. "I know that it hurts, but you need to stay strong. Your little one will be here before the end of today, so keep your strength."
Hillary laughed softly and then groaned as the next contraction gripped her hard. She held Jake and Leah's hands tightly and breathed through it. Once it was over she panted and looked up into Jake's tear filled eyes. He looked so lost and helpless.
"Did you get the fuckers?" Hillary snarled, startling everyone in the room. "Tell me you got them!"
"They're gone," Jake said with a choked laugh. "There were three of them and they're all gone, love."
Hillary nodded and then groaned in pain. It went on for hours this way until right around seven p.m., eight hours after returning home, Sue said that she was ready to push. Hillary was exhausted, but nodded in determination. The pack hovered nearby; taking turns to patrol around the area to make sure their Alpha couple was safe while they were so vulnerable.
Hillary bore down and pushed as hard as she could. Contraction after contraction she pushed and panted. She didn't even talk to anyone, just focusing on bringing her child into the world. Sue praised her while Leah and Jake helped her and held her. Jake kissed her brow and Leah sobbed right along with her.
Finally almost an hour later the pressure dropped and Sue announce the head was almost out. She had Hillary wait through the next contraction to clear the baby's nose and mouth and make sure that the cord wasn't around its neck. On the next contraction, Sue caught the baby and the child's wail filled the room.
Jake was crying unashamedly as his son was passed into his arms. Leah helped Sue clean Hillary up and deliver the afterbirth. Jake held his son in awe and leaned over to kiss his wife tenderly. Hillary accepted her son into her arms and kissed his head. He had a head full of dark locks and dark brown eyes. Leah helped prop Hillary up and sat beside her.
"What's his name?" Leah asked softly.
Jake looked at Hillary and smiled softly before replying, "His name is Caleb Jacob Black."
Hillary was helped to the bathroom by Leah and Sue as Jake cradled his son. Jake brought him to each of the pack members to meet them and for them to scent him. This baby was the first pack baby and would be protected at all costs.
Hillary was cleaned up, dressed in a large button up shirt, and led to the recliner in the living room. Leah and Sue cleaned up the mess from the birth and prepared dinner for the pack. Jake handed her Caleb and she brought him to her breast to feed their new son. He latched immediately and began to greedily suckle causing Jake to laugh.
"Hungry little pup," he said softly, running a finger over the soft hair on his son's head.
Hillary beamed up at him tiredly. "He's perfect," she said softly. "I love you Jake."
"And I you Hillary," Jake rasped thickly. "He is perfect. Thank you, Hillary. Thank you for loving me, for choosing me. Thank you for our son."
Hillary laughed softly, wincing slightly in discomfort. "We did well," she said with pride.
"You did amazing." He said in awe. "I've never seen anything like it."
The pack murmured in agreement, coming to lounge in the living room now that it had been cleaned up. They were cautious because it was a tense experience for all of them. It was something they would never forget. For many of them it was eye opening to see life brought into the world. Many of them were young men who didn't know anything about babies, but seeing their Alpha's child born was a life altering experience.
"Leah, Embry please come here," Jake said meeting Hillary's eye as their son finished eating.
The pair stepped forward and crouched beside Hillary's seat. The looked down at the small child in her arms and smiled softly. Jake grinned at Hillary and then his pack mates.
"We would like you to be Caleb's godparents," Hillary said softly.
Leah burst into tears and nodded, surprising her pack mates. In the months since she and Hillary had become friends, they began to see a different side to their pack sister. They knew her fears of never having children of her own and felt her pain of the past, but Hillary was who she had really connected with.
Embry choked back his own tears and nodded to his best friend. Jake clapped him on the shoulder and smiled at a tearful Leah.
The pack stayed for the evening, needing to be near their Alpha and the new pup. Hillary yawned widely and dozed off in the chair. There were many willing hands to help throughout the night. After seeing Hillary go through that much pain, that much fight, they wouldn't leave her alone. She had elevated to another level in their eyes. It was a long quiet night with only the little squalls of the baby waking them off and on throughout the night. It was a content pack that slept beside one another.