Disclaimer: Nothing is mine.
A/N: Thanks for the lovely reviews :) I'm glad you all enjoyed it! Pfew, I can't believe we made it past the 600 you guys! That's like brilliant :O Anyways, on with the story. I'm sad to say that there is only one chapter left! On a brighter note, there is a sequel. But... the catch. It will be up when I'm done with my exams! So, you guys have to wait till the end of May for that. But since we still have this chapter and another one left, I'm sure you guys have enough to lessen the thirst for Oh Jules :P So here is the next chapter and enjoy :) And like always, review :) Because they are love! And this story needs some love!
Until I Wrap Myself Inside Your Arms I Cannot Rest
It was easier to see him leave than I thought it would be. Then again, he had to leave, whether by choice or not. This was a responsibility. One you couldn't walk away from and that he knew. So did I. It didn't make things easier though. In fact, I was pretty damn sure that this responsibility made things more complicated. Now I can say how women felt when their loved ones were sent to war. Technically this was a war. Between two uncanny things yes, but still a war. The risks were the same, either come back dead or not coming back at all. Paul hadn't reassured me that he was going to come back alive. And even though I tried to convince myself of the fact that he was coming back with everything intact, the chances were quite slim that he was returning in one piece.
He just signed his death sentence.
My stomach churned and I closed my eyes. I was still in the bathroom, clutching Paul's shirt. I buried my face in it and his scent washed over me. Just like that, my stomach eased down a bit and I took a deep breath, holding his shirt in front of my face all the time. I loved Paul's scent. It soothed me down and right now I wanted to tone down my anxiety. It was easier to do it if I had something that came the closest to Paul. His shirt was all I had right now. Next to his car that was parked in front of Emily's house. I doubted I could sit in Paul's car, it would encourage me to go to him and I doubt that a stunt like that wouldn't be punished. I shivered, the thought of vampires scared me.
Especially because they used to be in stories. Stories that were distanced from reality. But I suppose that theory has left the world. At least, in my world.
A knock pulled me out of my inner drabbles and I looked up from my position on the floor. Kim was standing on the threshold and before I knew it she walked over to me and sat down. She didn't say anything nor did she give me any recognition of the whole situation, instead she stayed with me and at some point I had drooped my head to her shoulder. Her physical presence being a comfort.
"I-I'm scared." She confessed. The silence that had engulfed us was long gone now she had spoken. I hated her voice. Small and fragile. It only reminded me of the fact that I was just as bad as she was right now.
"Me too." I responded. I pulled myself back to a sitting position and glanced at the brunette next to me. Her eyes were filled with tears not yet shed. I felt a lump grow in my throat.
Don't cry. You're not going to cry. I chanted in my head. It was easier thought than done though. Sometimes it took for someone else to express pain for you to break. And I was going to break if Kim kept doing this. The fragile act I mean. For I didn't want anyone else to prove to myself that I was a wreck.
Suddenly I heard the front door slam shut and a flutter of anticipation bubbled up inside of me. It couldn't possibly be, could it? It has only been two hours. Before I knew it I was up on my feet and running down the stairs to the living room. My chest was heaving up and down as I came to a stop and saw that it was Summer who had slammed the door. I was shocked to say, but there was a glimmer of disappointment as that little bubble of hope was burst and I let out a shaky breath that could've been seen as relieve. But it was nothing close to that.
"Summer." I was still trying to catch my breath. I heard Kim descend the stairs. As she asked the question that I was trying to vocalize.
"Summer? What are you doing here?" Kim sounded somewhat pulled together now and as I eyed the green-eyed girl in front of me I realized that she looked anything but pulled together. In fact, Summer had tears running down her cheeks. And I knew how she felt, because besides Seth being in battle so was Brady. She didn't know he was pulled back at the last moment though.
"Brady is in the garden." I blurted out and Summer turned to me. There was relief in her eyes, something she couldn't vocalize. She nodded though. "So he's fine."
"Seth's not." She mumbled and she dragged her body to the couch and collapsed. Kim and I followed her example and I sat down next to her as Kim sat down on the other side.
"How's Emily doing?" Summer asked. I shrugged. I hadn't really seen her that much.
"Don't know." I muttered. "She's with Brady in the garden. Collin is in the front yard. They're keeping an eye on us and keeping tabs on the battle."
"I hate this." Summer spoke up. "I hate the fact that Seth and I fight because both of us can't come to one mutual agreement." I closed my eyes and both Kim and I inched closer to Summer. "Worst of all. I hate the fact he's right ninety nine percent of the time."
Kim snorted.
"And don't tell him that." Summer warned. "He'd never let me hear the end of it."
"Don't worry." Kim responded dryly. "Your fights are far too amusing for us to take that away." Now I snorted.
"Don't you start." Summer warned. "You and Paul fight almost as much as Seth and I." I frowned. No we didn't.
"We don't." I muttered.
"Yeah, you do." Kim agreed. "Just because Seth and Summer fight more in the open and you and Paul don't, doesn't mean that your fights are less frequent."
"Thanks." I responded sarcastically. "You guys really know how to cheer a person up." Kim and Summer both grimaced and I realized I had put my foot in my mouth. They were trying to distract themselves and I wasn't really helping them.
"Sorry." I apologized. I sighed as Summer shrugged. "I think I'm going to get some fresh air." Somehow everything was so stuffy here. I got up and moved to the front door. The fresh air hit me in the face and the temperature dropped. I closed the door behind me and moved to the other side of the porch. I saw the dark form of Collin and he appeared in view. His eyes stood intelligent and I knew that this thirteen year old was brighter than he let on.
"Hey." I murmured and I ascended the three-step and sat down next to Collin's form. He was warm and I inched closer to his hot fur. I knew he wouldn't be that good of a company when it came to talking but at least this was better than nothing.
Collin wasn't paying much attention to me though. In fact, his eyes were more focused on something in the distance. I tried following his gaze but I didn't see much but trees. I suppose that he was keeping an eye on the battle. I blinked and turned my eyes to Collin. The battle. Of course! He is able to see and feel the battle since the pack was able to read each other's thoughts.
"How are they doing?" I demanded. "Who is winning? Is someone hurt?" I looked at him as I moved to my knees and I peered into the dark eyes that gave away that this was Collin. He blinked once and I frowned. What did that mean?
"Is that a yes? Is someone hurt?" I took a shaky breath and tears blurred my vision. Someone was hurt, oh God! Who could it be? Seth? Jacob? Jared? Maybe even... Paul!
Suddenly Collin nudged me on the shoulder with his nose. I looked at him startled. He shook his head.
"No one's hurt?" I specified and he nodded. I put my hand on my chest and nodded. "That's a relief." He gave me a loopy grin and nodded. I smiled somewhat weak. In a situation like this it was hard to really laugh and be genuine about it.
"How are they doing? Are they winning?" I demanded, going to my other question. I was fully crouching in front of him now. He rolled his eyes and the only vibe I was getting off Collin was that he wasn't taking me seriously. So I reacted with the only emotion I was familiar right now. Annoyance.
"Damnitt Collin! I know you can't talk but can you at least give me some indication how things are going?" I snapped. Collin looked at me. "Fine! Blink once for yes, twice for no." I was using my last options. He barked. Mocking me no doubt.
"Alright, so again. Are they alright?" Collin blinked once.
"That's a relief. Now, are we winning?" Collin blinked three times.
"What does that mean?" I demanded incredulously. "We only discussed blinking once and twice. Three times? What the hell is that supposed to be mean?" Collin gave me an exasperated look when suddenly he howled. And no it wasn't a simple howl because he saw the freaking moon. That wasn't even possible because it was like eleven in the morning. No it was an earthshaking, glass shattering, heartbreaking howl. I let out a shriek and stumbled to my backside. I wanted to something, soothe him but I didn't know how.
Collin was on his front paws, digging his face in to the damp earth as he let out sharp howls that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Panic flooded through me and I felt my eyes blur again. Suddenly Emily shot through the front door, behind her was Brady. He was in cut off shorts and he was glancing at Collin with a panicked expression.
"What's wrong with him?" I cried out.
"Someone got hurt." Emily said. There was no emotion in her face. And I felt the blood leave mine as I looked at the dark wolf in front of me. Someone got hurt, and the reason he was crying out was because he felt himself. I felt a bile rise at the back of my throat.
"Who?" I whispered. I glanced at Brady.
"I phased back when I felt it." He responded. "It's not good."
"WHO IS IT?" I shrieked.
Brady looked at Collin. I was trembling now and I put my shaky hand in front of my mouth. Please don't let it be Paul, please. Please. Suddenly Collin phased back. I ignored the fact he was naked and Brady rushed to his friend. Emily was right behind him. Collin was gasping.
"It's Jake. It's not good." My heart stopped.
It wasn't Paul.
I jumped to my feet and ran to Paul's car. I was hoping he had left the keys in the car. I plopped down in the driver's seat and saw that the keys were indeed dangling beneath the steering wheel. I let out a shaky breath and started the car. I saw Kim and Summer on the porch, looking incredulous. I could've asked if they wanted to come but that I was on this adrenaline high. I wasn't even sure whether they would be going to Billy's but since I had a feeling that, that would be the right place for Jake to go, I had no other choice but abide to that feeling.
It was less than a four minute drive and the second I switched off the engine I ran out of the car, slamming the door a bit too hard. Knowing that if Paul saw it he would've bitten my head off. But I didn't care about that, so I ran to the small cottage and knocked on the door. I heard Billy's wheelchair as he wheeled himself to the front door and the second he opened the door I could see that he knew something was wrong. Even though I was a complete stranger to him. He knew I was an imprint. That would've been enough. For now.
"It's Jake." I gasped. His eyes widened and his skin paled when suddenly I heard screams. Loud screams, a voice shouting profanities and as I turned around I saw four half naked men carry someone. There were several other people behind them. The pack. I yelped when someone pulled me inside. I turned around and saw a pale, dark haired, with blue eyes look outside. He had an horrified expression and by the car outside I realized that this was Chief Swan. I gulped. Surely he wasn't clued in on the secret.
"What is going on, kid?" I shivered.
The pack moved inside as Jacob's screams reverberated through the room. Quil, Embry, Sam and Paul were carrying him and Chief Swan pulled me out of the way, hiding me from their view as they moved past us. I wasn't sure what to do as my eyes blurred with the tears that were threatening to fall when Seth and Jared moved into the house.
"Seth!" I cried out and I moved to his way burying my face in his chest.
"Jules!" Seth cried out surprised. It took him a second to respond to my embrace and another to ask questions. "How did you know? How did you get here?"
"Collin." I mumbled. "I took Paul's car." I said with a shaky breath. I looked at Jared and let go of Seth and gave the other boy a hug. I knew I needed it, but I knew he did too.
"So everything went well? It's over." I asked as I pulled away.
Both Jared and Seth nodded. "Let's go outside though." Jared said when Jake screamed again. I flinched and looked with wide eyes at Jared who cringed and took me by the arm.
"He has a weak stomach." Seth joked. Trying to lighten the air. Which didn't really work though. I still felt anxious. Knots were in my stomach mostly because the one person I was dying to see hadn't come to me. I went along with Jared when he said to go outside but I was still waiting for the real blow when I'd see Paul. I knew he wasn't hurt as extremely like Jake but he couldn't be perfect. That was impossible right. This is a war. And in a war on both sides there are casualties. Don't take me wrong, I'm relieved he is alright. But somehow I just can't get my mind wrapped around the fact that he's alive and well.
"He's alright." Jared mumbled as both of stood in front of Paul's car. I looked over at him. My eyes portraying confusion. "Paul, I mean." He clarified. "He's fine." I gave him a weak smile. Now I wanted nothing more but to see Paul myself.
"I'm gonna go to Jake now. You stay here." Jared said as he moved back inside the cottage. I leant against the car when the door closed shut behind him. If there was anything worse than waiting, it was the anxiety that waiting brought with itself. Like now, the only thing on my mind is Paul. It's like a mantra. It keeps repeating itself and my heart is fluttering while my hands are clammy with sweat.
"Jules!" I looked up and saw Paul. To my surprise I started crying. Not shedding a few tears, no sobbing full out and it didn't help for Paul's own worry that he was showing on his face. He was holding me in a few strides. My arms wrapped around his neck as I cried loudly. He was murmuring words, words I couldn't comprehend. I felt his warm hands on my back as they held me close to him. I felt his mouth on my skin as he kissed my forehead.
"I thought you were going to die." I sobbed. Closing my eyes by the thoughts as I trembled. "And when Collin howled. I-I t-thought..."
"Baby, don't cry. I'm fine. See?" He said as I had pulled away and was now running my fingers through his hair. He was sweating, I didn't mind though. His rough, calloused fingers gently wiped away the tears beneath my eyes. I pushed myself on my toes and pressed my lips against his.
I was demanding. I wanted nothing more but to have him, completely. Right now, right here. He ran his hand through my hair before settling on the small of my back. His hands eventually slipping beneath my shirt as his hands rubbed circles on my skin. I was still crying though but that didn't stop me from deepening the kiss. My hand ran from his chest to his biceps and I dug my nails into them. I heard his throaty groan and I was somewhat satisfied I was able to arouse such a feeling. His hips dug into mine and I felt the pit of my stomach tighten in pleasure. I gasped and pulled away, his lips leaving a trail from my jaw to my the base of throat.
Slowly he pulled away and I wrapped my arms around his neck, hoping he would keep me up since my knees were like jelly. His face was still buried in the crook of my neck and suddenly he put his hands on the back of my thighs and lifted me up. I yelped as he put me on the hood of his car. I looked at him, trying to find some imperfections caused by the fight. But his skin wasn't blemished at all. In fact, it was flawless and I sighed. I grabbed the back of his neck and kissed his forehead.
"I love you." I whispered. My fingers were caressing his face. I drew a path from his eyes to his jaw. From his nose to his lips. From his forehead to his hair.
"I know." He murmured. "I know." I moved closer to him, craving his embrace.
A/N: And? How was it? Let me know in a review :)
P.S This chapter was inspired by Howl by Florence and the Machine. Good song! Very appropriate as well :P