Sam's POV
We were all sitting around the fire in Billy's backyard with the council. Billy had called a meeting to fill us all in on what happened with Bella while he was at her house earlier.
First, he filled the council in on what Jacob witnessed. "So I was at Charlie's earlier and I did get to see Bella. I agree with Jacob. Something very strange is going on."
"You're sure, Billy?" I asked. It wasn't that I thought Bella was the kind of person that would lie to mess with Jacob, but the alternative was so out there and also very scary. We'd never dealt with something like this.
"Yeah, positive. I spoke to Charlie and to Bella. Whatever this thing is, it's got her so scared that she's not sleeping. She had huge bags under her eyes. Charlie said she was crying at night. Then when we were alone, I noticed she was shaking," Billy said.
"Oh God. Did she say anything, Dad?" Jacob asked.
Billy shook his head. "I tried to get her to talk to me, but she wouldn't. I didn't really expect much. For one, I didn't treat her well the last time we spoke, and for another, she probably didn't think I'd believe anything she might tell me. But something else did happen to confirm my belief that something's going on. I grabbed her arm as she went to leave and she just froze there for a couple of minutes. It was like she was in a daze. When she came out of it, she was even more afraid. She pulled away and ran upstairs."
"What do you think this is, Billy?" Old Quil asked.
"I honestly don't know. I've never heard of something like this happening," Billy said.
"What's it matter. This isn't our problem. There are no leeches involved here," Paul said.
Jacob growled at him in response.
"Jacob, calm yourself," I ordered.
"Maybe it does," Jared said, gaining everyone's attention. "This happened just a few months after the leeches left. Maybe they did something to cause it."
"I've never heard of a leech that could possess someone," Embry said.
"We can't pretend to know everything about leeches. We don't know what they can and can't do," Jared said.
"Okay, we need to do something whether the leeches are involved or not," Jacob said firmly. He was determined to free Bella from whatever this was. Not that I blamed him. He was in love with the girl.
"Jacob's right. Whatever this is, leech or not, we can't allow it to invade human bodies. We have to stop it," I said.
"Agreed. This is dangerous, but how do we proceed," Old Quil asked.
"I can only see one option. We get Bella and we force whatever is doing this to her out. We find out what the hell it wants," I said.
"You can't be serious?" Jacob asked in disbelief.
"Sam, Bella is already scared to death. I'm not going to allow you to frighten her further," Billy said.
"I'm not exactly keen on it either, Billy, but what's the alternative," I asked. The idea of terrorizing an eighteen-year-old girl was not appealing to me, but something had to be done.
"Are you prepared for what might be unleashed?" Old Quil asked.
"It's already sort of been unleashed. We have to deal with it now before completely takes her over," Jared said.
Billy sighed. "She doesn't deserve this. She's been through enough."
"I don't intend to torture her or anything, Billy. I just wanna talk to whatever it is that's inside of her," I said.
"Be careful. I don't want her traumatized any more than necessary," Billy said.
I nodded.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
The next morning, I waited outside of Forks High school waiting for Bella to get out. I planned to get her to come with me the second she showed up in the parking lot for school. I thought of waiting until this afternoon when she got out, but I wasn't keen on unleashing this thing on a bunch of innocent kids inside for another day. I didn't know what I was dealing with. Also, it would be more crowded all at once in the afternoon. I wanted to attract as little attention as possible.
I was sitting in my truck for about fifteen minutes before I saw Bella's own truck pull up. I watched her pull into a space not too far away before getting out of my truck and going to meet her. I got over to her just as she got out.
Not noticing me, Bella bumped right into my chest. She looked up at me in surprise. "S…Sam?"
Without a word, I grabbed her by the arm and started pulling her towards my truck. I felt her try to pull out of my grasp, but I was much stronger than her.
"What are you doing? Let me go!" Bella yelled.
I was grateful that there wasn't anyone around at the moment. I had a cover story if there was, but I was glad I didn't have to use it. "I can't do that, Bella. You're coming with me."
Bella continued to try to fight me as we reached my truck. I got her in with ease and then went to the other side and got in. I immediately started the truck and drove away.
"What is going on? Why are you doing this?" Bella asked. I could hear the fear in her voice.
"Calm down, Bella. I'm trying to help you," I told her. I didn't want her to fear me. I took no pleasure in it at all, but I had to find out what was going on before Bella had a bigger reason to be afraid.
"By kidnapping me?" Bella asked.
I didn't answer. I just kept driving.
"Where are we going?" Bella asked after about five minutes.
"My place," I said. I'd had Emily go over to Sue's for the day. I wouldn't have her there when this went down. I didn't know how dangerous it was and I wouldn't have my imprint put at risk.
I was driving for a good ten to fifteen minutes before pulling into mine and Emily's driveway. I stopped the car and got out before going over to Bella's side of the car and helping her out. I immediately led her inside and into the living room where the rest of the Pack was waited.
"Jacob? What's going on?" Bella asked in a desperate voice when she saw him.
"I'm sorry, Bella. I didn't want this to have to happen like this, but it was Sam's call. Besides, I can't honestly say that he's wrong to do it like this," Jacob said.
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
"We're talking about what happened the other day at the beach," I said.
Bella's eyes widened in fear. "N…nothing happened."
"Yes, it did, Bells. I was standing right there, remember? Something took control of you and I know you know that. I saw your face. We wanna figure out what it is and stop it," Jacob told her.
Bella shook her head wildly and tried to bypass me to get to the door. "I have to go."
"No, I don't think so," I said as I pulled her back and grabbed her by the shoulders and looking her right in the eye. "Listen to me, whatever you are. Come out and tell us what the hell you want!"
Bella's eyes widened in fear. "No, stop! Don't!"
"It's okay, Bella. We won't let it hurt you," Jacob promised.
"Come out! Come out now!" I yelled as shook her gently.
Bella's eyes soon went from fear filled to extremely hard. "Boy, you best get your hands off me before you lose them."
I couldn't deny being slightly startled by the change in demeanor, even though it was what I was trying for. I slowly removed my hands from her shoulder, but regarded her carefully. "What are you? What do you want with this girl?"
"Don't you go demanding anything of me, Samuel Uley. You're the last one I'll be taking that kind of thing from."
Jacob came forward and pulled on Bella's arm, forcing the thing invading her body to turn to him. "What do you want with Bella?! Leave her the hell alone!"
"You'd best watch that tone with me, Boy. Show some respect or I'll teach you some," It said threateningly
The next thing I knew, I heard a growl. I looked over to see that it was Paul. "How dare you talk to us like that, you little…?"
"It's in your best interests to end that sentence right there, little boy. I don't take lip," It said.
Paul began to shake, indicating that he would phase.
"Paul, calm down," I told him. The last thing we needed was him phasing. First of all, he could hurt Bella, and second, I didn't need whatever this was knowing what we were.
"Shush, Samuel. I'll deal with you in a minute," the thing said, taking me aback. No one had threatened to 'deal with me', since I was fifteen. I couldn't help the apprehension I felt from hearing it now
It took several steps towards Paul. "You simmer yourself down now before I take you over my knee. You're not gonna wolf out on me."
We all gasped in shock. This thing knew what we were. It knew we were wolves and it wasn't at all afraid. That worried me a little. It meant that it might be stronger than us.
"H…how do you know what we are?" Jared asked.
"Not for you to know yet. You'll learn eventually, if you stop acting like a bunch disrespectful little children."
Embry tentatively raised his hand. "Um, could you just please tell us who you are and why you're in Bella's body?"
"A boy with some manners," It said slightly impressed. "What's your name, Young man? I've got all this lovely girl's memories, but with hers and mine, it's gets a little hard sometimes."
"Embry Call," he said.
"Well, Embry, I'm afraid I can't answer your questions just yet. You're not ready for the information and neither is Bella," it said.
"We'll decide what we're ready for," I practically growled.
It turned and glared at me. "You're wearing out my patience, Boy, and out of everyone here, you're the last one who wants to do that."
"Why's that?" I asked irritably.
Before I could get an answer, Jacob interrupted. "Leave, Bella alone! You're scaring the hell out of her!"
"First of all, Boy, don't you use that language with me. Second, I'm not the one who kidnapped her and started screaming in her face. It just so happens you boys forced my presence both times. I was perfectly content staying dormant until she was ready," it said.
"Ready for what?" Embry asked.
"You'll find out when you're meant to," It said before turning back to me and walking towards me. "You. You asked me a question that I will answer. Why is it that you want to get on my bad side the least? Because, Samuel Uley, you are mine to deal with. And make no mistake about it, Boy. You push me too far and I will deal with you."
I didn't know why, but those words sent a shiver down my spine. I was Alpha of a wolf pack, but this thing's last words intimidated the crap out of me. I wondered what the hell it meant by that.
The next thing I knew, Bella's demeanor changed again and she was back to being afraid. "Oh, God! Why did you have to do that?!"
Jacob stepped forward and put his arms around Bella. "It's gonna be okay, Bella. We're gonna fix this, I promise."
Bella latched onto him and cried in his arms.