Disclaimer: I own nothing from Twilight.
Chapter Two: If anyone else can do it so can I
Life is a complex and difficult experience especially if you're me: Bella Swan. A few hours ago I found out that my best fried, Jacob Black, is my soul mate. From here to the end of time he and I will be bound together and to be honest I don't mind at all. I was left by a man who I gave all my heart to, he shattered it and Jacob came and fixed me. I'm not saying I'll be a hundred percent right away but at the rate I'm going now I'll be whole again in no time at all.
Jacob wants me to meet his pack, something I'm not sure of but if it makes him happy I'll do it. Right now he is leading me through the forest, towards Sam's house, which we drove to rather quickly. I have a lot of questions, despite my nervousness, but I also have a mouthful to say to Sam. I don't care what is happening to any of the boys but you don't just take them away from their friends and family; I know it's dangerous, but the least people deserve is a phone call, an excuse, anything that will keep them safe without having to emotionally harm them.
Jacob must have sensed my anger and anxiety building because he held my hand tighter and said, "It'll be fine, I'll make sure everything goes alright"
"It's okay I'm nervous but I'm mad at Sam still, he's still getting yelled at, werewolf or no werewolf. I guess I should yell at you too but I'm a worried about how this will all blow over".
"It will be fine because I'll be there every step of the way but please just don't stare at Emily," warned Jacob pleadingly, "she's really nice and doesn't need any grief"
"Okay…I promise to mind my manners but why would I stare? If you like her Jake I have no doubt she's a nice person and I wont have a reason to stair"
"You'll see when you meet her" murmured Jacob. By the tone of his voice it's clear that whatever happened to Emily is was a touchy subject. I may be upset but that is no excuse for rudeness on my part.
As I walked closely to Jake's side I say the trees thinning and I could somewhat make out the shape of a small house. It is like the other homes in La Push; however, this house is much more personalized by its small garden, fresh paint, and its personal floral design. As we reached the front door my heart was thumping loud in my ears until I looked up at Jake's smiling face. He opened the door and pulled me inside with him.
I looked around the house and was greeted by the Sam and the others; I fought the urge to scowl, but the broad smile on his face kept me in check.
"I see you took the news well, Bella". Sam's grin and approval of what I now share with Jake made my anger lessen, but I'm still not happy, okay I'm over the moon but hi's still getting a talking to, not now but later.
"This is all new to the two of us" said Jake with a smile, "were going to take it slow and get used to everything. Like dad says there's no point in rushing a good thing".
I studied the house; it is warm and inviting, filled with love and care this home gives of a sense of rightness and natural acceptance, like Jake. I watched as Sam made his way into the tiny kitchen, he quickly walked out with a woman who I assumed is Emily. Her head was turned from us as she giggled at Sam whispering into her ears; she turned to greet us and I was floored. She is breathtakingly beautiful despite the marks the martyr her face. One side of her face is pulled into a grimace by an ugly set of scars that run from her temple to the corner of her mouth. I could say the scars make Emily look ugly but that is a lie, she is beautiful.
"Em, this is Bella Swan". By the way Sam looks at her I can see the love in his eyes; she is the center of his world, and the dearest thing in his heart.
Emily stepped forward and extended her hand to me; I took notice that there are more scars along her arm, what caused this to her.
"Bella, nice to meet you, I've heard a lot about you from Jake" said Emily as she smiled warmly and shook hands with me.
"It's nice to meet you too, Emily, I hope that we can be friends". I smiled at her and she smiled back, I don't know why but I get the feeling that we're going to be great friends.
"Well I brought Bella to introduce her to the pack" said Jake tensely, "but I brought her here because she might have questions and I figured who better to answer them than you Emily".
I smiled at Jake, he is always thinking ahead to make sure I get what I need. We looked at each other, he smiled reassuringly and then he looked at Emily.
"I'd be happy to answer any questions" said Emily, "I might not now everything but I can answer the basics. While you're here you're both welcome to stay for lunch and dinner".
I looked around and noticed the other boys, I thought they were big before, but up-close I can see that all of them are giants compared to Emily and me. I looked at all of them and stopped at the two closes to us, I blinked my eyes trying to remember were I could have met them.
"Hey Embry, Hi Quil" I said as I waved to the two.
"Hey Bella" said Embry shyly.
"Guess Jake finally bagged you hu Bella" said Quil with a smile.
"What makes you think I didn't bag him?"
Everyone burst out laughing at my comment and I felt the tension in the house fade away. Soon enough Emily introduced me to everyone. Jared is nice and friendly, Paul is hot-headed and harsh, Seth is just a sweet hear, Sam seems nice enough, and both Embry and Quil haven't changed personality wise since their 'phasing'. After an hour I entered the kitchen and decided to help Emily make lunch. Sam and Jake sat at the kitchen table and both talked amongst themselves. The rest of the guys left to patrol once our lunch was over and now it was just Jake, Sam, Emily, and me.
"I'm sure that the main thing you want to know right now is: why this is happening now?" said Emily with a sad smile.
We both turned around, Sam and Jake looking at us intently, I could feel myself blush. Emily laughed at my reaction while Sam chuckled a bit.
"Well yeah actually, I want to know why my boyfriend turns into a giant wolf". Wow, hasn't been twenty-four hours and I'm calling Jake my boyfriend.
Sam stood up and let out a deep sigh; being a werewolf must take its toll, because at this moment Sam looks like he's gone through hell and back. Emily left my side at the stove and went over to the fridge and pulled some sodas and two pies. I took the soda she offered and got ready for a serious conversation, hopefully this wont be so bad.
"Our people are said to be descended from wolves," said Sam with a powerful and calming voice "it all began generations ago, but for all intensive purposes we're here to defend our land and tribe"
"Defend them from what? What can be so threatening that you'd need a pack of werewolves to defend yourself?" After those questions left my lips I thought back to the other mythical creatures I've met in my lifetime, I already knew the answer but just didn't realize it.
"The last time a pack formed was during my grandfathers' generation. It began then with the arrival of the Cullen's."
"The Cullen's" I whispered. Of course, despite their human appearance the Cullen's are monsters; whether they hunt animals or not they can very easily eradicate all of Forks and La Push.
"Our grandfathers' pack came across them in the forest seventy years ago. They said they were different from others of their kind, and in an effort to not start a fight we made a treaty. Back then there were only three in the pack while the Cullen's had five. They promised to stay off Quileute land, and we promised to keep their secret".
Judging by his anger I can tell Sam hates the Cullen's; I can't blame him, if they didn't exist he'd be normal but he has Emily so I can assume not all things are bad. I sat next Jake, reached over to take his hand in my own; the heat of his touch made the sting of Sam reminding e of the Cullen's fade, Jake is really my saving grace.
"To be honest" said Sam drawing my attention, "the return of the Cullen's begun the formation of a new pack."
"They're gone now," I said weakly, "they have been for months". Why should I even bother to defend them; they abandoned me, I don't owe them anything.
"I know they left Bells" said Jake sadly, "but the change was set in motion when they returned to Forks. None of us were old change back then but we are now".
I want to defend the Cullen's, I want to justify their existence but I can't because no matter how you look at they only cause harm. Their very existence is unnatural, they've condemned the guys of the pack to live dangerous lives, they brought James into my life, they've nearly killed me a few times, now that I look back I could never be just Bella with then, and worst of all they abandoned me. The Cullen's were made to do harm; as much as it hurts to admit that it's the truth.
"I guess them leaving was for the best". I thought that saying that would hurt but it didn't, it's the truth, with them gone everyone can be normal again.
I snapped out of my own thinking, remembering why I had agreed to come to Sam's in the first place. I needed some answers and I'd gotten them, its best I go home, I don't need to impose on them.
"I should go now…it don't have anymore question for now" my voice trailed off and I was about to get up.
Jake seemed to realize what I was getting up and reached for my hand again; it felt really good to have him hold my hand. I looked at Emily and she met my eyes and smiled at me.
"Why don't you stay for dinner" said Emily happily, "you can call your dad and tell him your staying over on our request. It's been a long day and this is a lot to take in and I know a good dinner will make you feel better".
"Are you sure Emily? I don't want to intrude".
"I think it's a good idea" said Jake smiling happily.
"Alright". I nodded, unsure of how to feel.
Emily just smiled happily, "That's wonderful Bella, now you can meet the rest of the girls"
I guess Emily and I aren't the only imprints; wait what if I now one of the other girls, wow this is confusing.
"Alright Bella you and Jake can go in the living room. I'll call Billy that way he can inform your dad about you're staying for dinner". Emily smiled and I couldn't help but feel my heart thump in approval.
-Break
Emily called Billy and apparently my dad is thrilled that I'm getting out of the house. I could definitely understand why, after the Cullen's left my world fell apart and I pushed everyone away. My dad has to be happy I'm picking up some semblance of a social life. The pack just came back and I took some time to look outside; it's already night, but it's surprisingly warm for tonight. Emily being the kind and loving soul she is made a huge dinner for everyone and I didn't have the heart to turn down her food. That is why I'm here eating a piece of steak, mashed-potatoes, corn, and a piece of apple pie.
"I think this is the most I've eaten in a long time". I looked at Jake and he just smiled.
As weird as this entire day has been, I feel good, this is the start of something wonderful. "Do you think Emily would show me house she cocks her steaks?" I asked Jake, in an attempted to make conversation.
Jacob laughed, "Probably, you just make sure not to hurt yourself"
I glared at him, and he shrugged. I may be clumsy but I can handle myself in a kitchen.
"What are you doing tomorrow?" asked Jake.
"Coming to see" I said with a smile, "you have three weeks of time to make up for"
Jake lowered his head, that's right he needs to know I haven't forgotten that.
"Well, you can come over early but then I have none patrol with Paul; we can spend all morning together, and then you can come to Emily's or stay at my place"
That sounds perfect to be honest, "That's great Jake it will be good for us to go back to normal"
"Yeah, it will be like old times" said Jake with a smile, "I work on the garage and you be my handy assistant".
"I'd like that; I've missed you the past three weeks. I know it wasn't your choice but it was hard when you weren't there and I just want us to you know …. ". Jake and I are sitting on the counter by the kitchen, thus it was easy for him to hug me and make me feel better.
Jake and I turned our heads as we heard some one knocking at the door. I looked around to see everyone freeze; I even felt Jake tense up, the only one moving was Paul. Out of everyone in the pack Paul is the most ill-tempered and certainly not some you can imagine as your best friend. I watched as Paul reached the door in a hurry and opened it; I looked at the person standing at the door, and I was mesmerized.
Standing there is a tall Quileute girl; her skin was flawless, her figure perfect, and her face the epitome of natural beauty. Her body is toned like that of an athlete and her facial features are both sharp and elegant; this girl is like a Quileute version of Rosaline. All this time, Paul and she just looked at each other, she reached for his hand and a smile spread on the girls face. I watched in amazement as Paul looked at her, his dark eyes which I've only seen full of anger are full of only love for this girl.
"Hey what's wrong?" asked Paul with concern.
"I need to talk, I know it's late but I need to talk to you. I'm having a hard time right know, I'm not interrupting anything am I" said the girl a hushed tone.
"No, let's talk outside" said Paul as he closed the door.
"Jake" I began, my curiosity in a frenzy.
I turned my head as I watched Sam and Jacob exchanged a knowing look; Sam nodded his head, and Jake turned to me.
"I know your wondering what that was about" said Jake tensely.
I nodded and Jake looked me directly in the eyes.
"That was Leah Clearwater Seth's sister, Paul's imprint, and Sam's ex-fiancé".
For a few minutes I was in shock. I felt like the world stopped for a few minutes. Jacob shot me a look, his eyes pleading that I respond.
"I didn't see that coming" I whispered.
"Neither did Leah" said Jake, "they were in love and making plans but then Sam phased, his phasing strained their relationship but Leah tried to make it work. For a while the two were going strong until …"
"Until Sam imprinted only" I said quietly.
"Yeah" said Jake sadly, "Sam couldn't resist and Leah was heartbroken; Leah hated them both, and Sam and Emily were pained by they guilt. Leah was depressed and withering away until Paul phased; it just happened, the two locked eyes and Paul's made it his life's mission to be there for Leah no matter what".
"Does she know?" Surely Leah must know why Sam left her now.
"Not yet" said Jake, "Paul and her are together now; it was hard for him, she's the love of his life now but she loved our Alpha. Paul wants to tell her but his letting her adjust, you know, first they were friends, now there dating, and I'm sure Paul will probably marry her".
"I think that's wonderful; my position isn't all that different form Leah's". When I said that Jake smiled at me, his eyes just like Paul's were earlier: full of love.
I looked out the window by us and saw Leah happily laughing and talking to Paul. There love is all the proof I need; if someone like Leah can move forward and find some semblance of wholeness so can I.
-End Chapter
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