WARNING: Thanks to certain potty-mouthed individuals of the Pack, contains pretty strong language.
XXXXXXXXX
Chapter X, pt II
Sam's pov:
Screw this ! I've had it. I know I said I'd back off ... that I'd give Paul space ... but this ? This is driving me crazy. How much fucking time does he need to cool off anyway ? He's had four days, for Christ's sake. Knowing my luck and how wilful Paul can be, I'll probably end up with one foot in the grave before he decides to put me out of my misery. But I can't do this anymore. I have to see him. Shit ! I need to see him ... I can see now how junkies get so antsy as they wait for their next fix. Paul's like my drug. I need him ... I want him ...and if I don't get to see him soon, I'll go mad. I swear Jay thinks I'm already halfway to the nut house as it is ... but if I have to stay away from Paul much longer, I'll end up committed.
Not knowing if he's ok, is seriously freaking me out. I can't help worrying about him. Especially now ... when I know I'm his imprint. That I claimed him as my mate and he's also my submissive. It's weird, but I've got this inexplicable, overwhelming need to take care of Paul. To protect him. To keep him safe. Always ... But what's stranger is this niggling feeling in my gut. An odd sensation I've felt for the past couple of minutes that something's off. That something doesn't feel right ...
That Paul needs me ... That he's in trouble. And with that horrible, sinking feeling consuming me, I reach a swift decision. Fuck this ! Paul's had plenty of time 'n' space ... I need to see him and I'm damn well going to, whether he wants to see me or not ...
XXXXX
I'm the first to 'fess up that it takes a helluva lot to scare me, so when that hinky gut feeling I had intensified rather than lessened as I drew closer to the Lahote's, I began to quietly freak out before tearing off in the direction of my mate's home. The scent of fear hung heavy in the air and as I neared the house I could smell blood. Fresh blood. Some of it belonged to Raine, yet most of it, to my horror, was my mate's. But what finally made me race up to the house and bust the door down was the tone of Paul's mom's voice as she yelled at her husband. It was full of fear and something completely unexpected ... rage. And all her pent-up fury was directed at Frank.
"No ! For the love of God, Frank ... STOP ! You'll kill him ! "
I barrelled into the kitchen and froze. Frank Lahote loomed over his son's prone, battered body which lay between him and his cornered wife. Both of them were so preoccupied by the other, they'd failed to notice my arrival. I glanced at Raine and what I saw made my skin crawl. If there was one thing I despised, it was men who beat up their wives and I firmly believed that anyone who struck a woman deserved all the crap that he got ... and then some. Despite the torn plaid shirt and her dishevelled, bloody, battered and bruised appearance, there was no denying that Raine Lahote was still a lovely looking woman. Doe-eyed, with sleek, raven hair that cascaded past slim shoulders, a slender frame which possessed generous curves and long, toned legs combined with an oval-shaped face with high cheekbones and full, kissable lips which tended to curve into a shy smile ... My Paul's mom was a definite beauty and it was all too clear to me from which side of the family he'd inherited his strikingly handsome features. When it came to how attractive my mate was, there was no denying that he was his mother's son, as he possessed none of his bastard of a father's "attributes."
Whereas Paul, in my eyes, was sheer physical perfection, Frank Lahote's features - which could've been considered handsome in the past - were coarse and puffy thanks to his excessive drinking. He was of average height, yet towered menacingly over his tiny wife. Dwarfing her with his bulk and making her seem even more fragile in comparison. What used to be a toned body had gone to seed and he carried a beer gut, as well as a massive chip on his shoulder that continuously fuelled his bad attitude and unreasonable behaviour.
Frank suddenly drew back his hand and there was a sharp crack of his palm connecting sharply with Raine's delicate face. "Shut up ! You dare tell me what to do again, woman and you'll regret it. Don't even think I care about that little fucker, 'cause I don't. Never did. Didn't want the ungrateful little bastard in the first place. You should've got rid of him right from the start. As far as I'm concerned he's a mistake. Always was ... always will be. That little shit's no son of mine !"
Shocked by his words and uncaring attitude, I found it hard to understand how a man could be so callous, so cruel to his own flesh and blood. To his own son. Hell ! My old man was no saint, after all he'd fucked off for good just a couple of days after I was born, so maybe I'd been lucky that I hadn't had a home life like Paul ... and since I'd first phased, I'd always seen Jacob's dad, Billy, as a father figure. As someone I could turn to for help and guidance. Someone who'd become a good role model that I respected and who'd been willing to take me under his wing. In fact, Billy was the closest I had to a father and I loved him for it.
I saw tears well in Raine's soft, dark eyes and she struggled to hold them back. Then unexpectedly, she drew herself to her full height of barely five feet and glared defiantly at her bullying husband. "A mistake ? You dare call him a fucking mistake ? He's my son, Frank. My boy ... My precious, beautiful boy. If there's one single mistake here right now, it's you. You were the worst mistake I ever did. I should've listened to my family and friends when they told me you were nothing but bad news ... Nothing but trouble. A waste of space. But I was stupid and naive ... I loved you, you bastard. I loved you ! But not anymore. Not after what you've just done. This is the last time, Frank. The last time you EVER lay a finger on either Paul or me again. We've both put up with your shit for far too long and I want you gone from here. Now- Aaagh !"
Raine's face suddenly contorted with pain as Frank grabbed her slender, injured wrist and began to crush the bones against each other. "What did I tell you, you stupid bitch ? You don't get to tell me what to do ... or kick me out of my own home- "
I suddenly had enough. Before I realized what was happening, I had Frank Lahote by the throat, his back pressed against the wall and his feet dangling above the floor. Slowly, I began to squeeze and felt a sense of satisfaction as he began to splutter and claw against my hand in an attempt to free himself. Fascinated, I saw his face turn red and his eyes began to bulge in terror as I tightened my grip. The smell of fear radiated off him and I felt my lips curve into a cold, malicious smile. Good ! He deserved to know what fear felt like. To be on the receiving end of physical pain. To actually feel what his poor, defenceless wife had to put up with over the years. The suffering he'd put my mate through ... and that's what made my gaze drift to Paul. And what I saw made my blood run cold ...
Earlier, my view of Paul had been obscured by his father. He''d stood between us, effectively blocking him from my eyes. But now, as I pinned the older man against the wall and rendered him incapable of anything, I was able to turn my head to look at my Beta. My heart lurched. He lay sprawled upon the tiled floor. Unmoving and for a wolf, looked deathly pale. In fact, his pallor appeared even more marked by the streak of scarlet which seeped from a nasty gash on his right temple ... and that's what made me lose it and had my inner wolf baying for blood. Or, more specifically, Frank Lahote's ... The beast in me demanded release. That it be set free from its cage to wreak vengeance. It craved retribution ... not for itself, but for its mate. And nothing less would satisfy or appease it. Consumed by anger, I turned my attention back to the one person I held solely responsible for Paul's condition. The one I blamed for my mate's incapacity and his mother's injuries.
Narrowing my eyes, I glared at Frank then slammed him against the wall. There was a resounding thud as his skull connected with the hard surface. Yet I felt no guilt or remorse for my actions. Hell ! I was being easy on him considering what he'd done. If anything, I was far too lenient with him. Something which he'd never been with either Raine or Paul. With a furious snarl, I pinned him once more against the wall, this time instead of using my hand to hold him in place, I used my forearm ... pressing it tightly against his windpipe. Revelling in the sight of him turning purple as he began to choke; enjoying the sound of his limbs flailing against the wall as he struggled - and failed - to break free of my hold.
"D'ya wanna know what you are, little man ?" I snarled, fighting to keep my temper in check. "You're nothing but trash. Just a weak, pathetic, bully. A fucking coward who gets off on making someone more vulnerable suffer. That doesn't make you a man ... It makes you less than human." I leant forward and looked down at his struggling figure with icy contempt. "You don't deserve Raine, or Paul for that matter and for the life of me, I don't understand why they put up with your fucking lazy, ignorant, good-for-nothing ass for as long as they did. 'Cause they sure as hell don't need crap like you in their lives !"
He glared at me. It was a look filled with fear, hatred and anger. One that I returned impassively, before smirking coldly at him, knowing that I was scaring the crap out of him and that he was unable to handle it.
"How does it feel, Frank ? To be on the receiving end for once ? To be powerless ? To have no control over someone else ? To be scared shitless ? Well, that's exactly how you've made your family feel for the last twenty years, you psychotic fuck. Doesn't feel so good when you're the victim, does it ?" Then without warning, I withdrew my arm and he began to slide down the wall. And that's when I gave into the craving to hurt him. Lashing out, I sucker punched him. Revelling in the feeling of my fist contacting his soft underbelly, just beneath his rib cage. The force of the blow instantly led to a "whoosh" of air being expelled from his mouth and lungs, before he fell in a pathetic heap at my feet. A little voice in my head kept nagging at me to finish him off ... to yield to the compulsion to hurt him as badly as he'd hurt both Paul and his mother. And I swear to God I would have, except for one thing. The feel of Raine's small hand lightly resting on my forearm.
I looked down and saw her slowly shake her head. Her dark brown eyes, so similar to her son's, were anxious as they met mine. ""No ... please don't, Sam. The bastard's not worth it. Leave him be- "
At first, I couldn't quite believe what I was hearing. After all Frank Lahote had put them both through, for all these years, Raine wanted me to back off ? To not make him bleed ? To not make him suffer ? When he deserved to feel all the pain she and Paul had to endure for so long ...
"What ? You're shitting me, right ?" I asked, my worried gaze falling upon my mate's prone body. "Seriously ?"
"Seriously, Sam," she replied softly. "You need to drop this ... let it go. I'd hate to see you get into any trouble over me. Over us ... Please ? All I want - all I need - is to see him out of my house. This is my home. Mine and Paul's. It was never his in the first place. I just want him out of our lives ... for good !"
"But ... Fuck ! It's not right, Raine. Look what he's done to the pair of you, for crying out loud. Don't you want some kind of payback at least ?"
She slowly shook her head and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "No ... All I want is him gone. I don't want to see or hear about anything that concerns him ever again. Not after what he's done today ... Not after ... Damnit ! He crossed the line this time ... went too far. I'll never ever forgive him for hurting my son like this. For making my Paul bleed. I don't care what the hell he does to me ... but my boy's off limits. He doesn't deserve any of this shit. None of it ... and I blame myself. If I'd been a better mother, been a stronger person, this would never have happened. Should've kicked Frank out the first time he ever hit me ... but I didn't 'cause I'm weak and stupid. But no more. This ends as of now." Raine glared furiously at her husband who was still coughing, spluttering and rubbing at his throat. "What I want - what I'd like - is to see him dead, or failing that, gone ..."
Raine must've caught the calculating look in my eyes as I glared furiously at her husband as she hastily added, with a rare glint of dark humour in her eyes, "But I'll settle for him being gone, Sam. Away from La Push and Forks. I just want Paul to be happy. For us both to have a normal life ... and the only way we can do that, is if he leaves ... permanently."
"That can be arranged ..." I replied quietly, the calculating gleam in my eyes turning predatory. "If that's what you both want."
"So long as my son's safe and well and doesn't have to worry about me all the time ... I'm happy." Reaching for a clean cloth, Raine dropped to her knees and cautiously raised her son's head to rest it on her lap, then carefully began to swab the blood away from his temple. I saw her bite her lip, then tears began to fall down her cheeks as she softly murmured, "My son ... my poor, beautiful, precious boy. I'm so sorry ... so very sorry. I should never have let things go this far, Paul. Should've looked after you ... put you first. You didn't deserve any of this. It was my job to take care of you, not ... " Raine raised a tear-stained face and met my gaze warily. "Did you know that he's been looking out for me since he was thirteen ? Every time Frank got home loaded and used me as a goddamn punchbag, Paul's defended me ... taken care of me. I've lost count how often he's seen me cry ... the times he's had to clean me up or take me to A & E ... and how often he's tried to persuade me to leave that bastard ... Never mind how many times he got beaten up trying to keep me safe. No child should have to do that ... to have to take on the responsibilites of an adult. Thanks to us, my Paul never got a chance to enjoy being a kid ... he lost his innocence far too young and I'll never forgive myself for that. Never !"
Despite hearing all the love and pride for her son in Raine's soft-spoken voice, I couldn't help noting the underlying guilt in it as well. Guilt and belief that she'd let Paul down for so many years. Yet deep down, I knew it hadn't been Raine's fault and she wasn't to blame for living in fear of her husband ... And I couldn't hold that against her, not when I'd finally seen Frank Lahote's handiwork first hand ... Even so, it wasn't enough to prevent my jealous inner wolf from snarling softly as I watched her do what I desperately craved to do myself - hold my mate in my arms, to protect and care for him ... and never let him go. What genuinely blew me away was how quickly my wolf had become so possessive of Paul and how eagerly it accepted the imprint; of how it couldn't stand anyone other than me touching Paul and barely tolerated his mother doing so ... even if she did have prior claim on him.
Suddenly, I was distracted by the sound of Frank struggling to his feet. His bloodshot eyes were narrowed with fear and hatred and were fixed warily on me.
"You still here ?" I drawled, stalking forward to close the gap between us. I was rewarded by the sight of him stumbling as he hastily backed away from me. "You heard the lady ... she wants you out of her house- "
"It ain't hers- " he snapped only for me to cut him off.
"She wants you gone ... for good. So, you gonna leave, or are you gonna be a dumb fuck and make me throw you out ?" Despite me wanting to see him go, part of me wanted him to resist. For him to stay so that I had a legitimate excuse to kick the crap out of him for what he did to Paul. Holding his gaze, I stared him down. Daring him to resist. To put up a fight.
"You wouldn't ... you don't have the balls for it," he stated, full of bravado, yet I could tell he was quaking with fear.
"Nope ? You sure you wanna find out ?" I snarled, intent on psyching him out. I moved closer and rolled my tense shoulders as I did so. "C'mon, little man ... just do it. Gimme a good excuse ... Go on, try me. Or are you too much of a coward when it comes to hitting men ?"
Suddenly, he lashed out wildly, missed me altogether and began to sway unsteadily. I grabbed him by the scruff, twisting the collar of his shirt and drawing him close as I bent down to whisper in his ear.
"Pathetic," I taunted. "Just pathetic ... Now, you're going to do exactly what your wife tells you. Leave. And don't come back. If I ever hear that you've set foot in La Push, on our land again ... come anywhere near or try to make contact with either Raine or Paul again, you'll regret it, you miserable piece of shit. Y'hear me ? I'll make you wish you'd never been born."
"You threatening me, Uley ?"
"Believe me, that ain't no threat ... it's a promise. And I always keep my promises, little man ..." I growled, keeping a firm grasp on his collar and shoving him roughly through the kitchen door in front of me.
"Sam ?" I turned at the sound of Raine's voice to look at her. "Where are you going ?"
"Just taking out the trash, 's all. Didn't think you'd want it cluttering up the place ... I'll be back once I've got rid of it," I promised with an evil grin. She nodded absently before returning her attention to her son and seeing her do that made me want to offload a certain dirtbag from the Res and get back to my mate. ASAP ...
XXXXX
Once I'd escorted a rebellious, mouthy Frank off the Res, I tore back to the Lahote's and found a tearful Raine pleading for her dazed son to come round. She had his head in her lap and was gently stroking his face with a trembling, uninjured hand.
"P-Paul ... sweetheart, c'mon ... Open your eyes for me ... please, just ... just don't go to sleep, 'k ? Keep your eyes open, please ?"
"Raine ? What's wrong ?" I immediately fell to my knees beside her, my gaze flickering briefly over injuries before darting to the person whose welfare had become my only priority. Suddenly, I was struck by another overwhelming need to take care of him ... to protect him ... love him. And I couldn't help feeling jealous of the way Raine tended him. The way her small, delicate hands caressed his bronzed skin familiarly and with so much affection. I groaned inwardly at the thought of being jealous of my mate's own mother ... of how she freely got to touch, feel and hold him. Maybe I was being a dumb jerk, an irrational fool, but I just couldn't help it. Just like Paul couldn't help imprinting on me and unwittingly drawing out my protective streak.
"He needs to stay awake, Sam ... we can't let him fall asleep. He could have concussion ... I-I don't know what to do ... he just keeps drifting on and off-" Anxiety cloaked Raine's voice and her face etched with worry.
My eyes were instantly drawn to the wound on his temple. It looked deep and stood out lividly against the unnatural paleness of his skin. Seeing him so unusually still and frail made my heart lurch. He looked slight and helpless, so unlike our bold, brash, fiery Beta ... So unlike the Paul we knew, respected and liked. What was far worse, he was nothing like the wolf and man I needed, wanted ... and loved. And there was nothing I longed for more than to see the old spirited, passionate Paul. The one that constantly challenged and kept me on my toes. The one I was falling for.
The good thing about having a cool, logical mind is that it doesn't take long to find a solution to a problem and thankfully, I'd been blessed with one. After mulling it over, I came up with a plan which I could only hope would work.
"I need you to call Sue or Leah Clearwater ... Ask them to come over. They both know how to deal with head injuries ... Besides, I'd feel happier if Sue got to check you over ... your old man really did a number on you, Raine. Some of those bruises look nasty," I replied quietly, avoiding looking at her discoloured throat and concentrating on the way she carefully cradled her injured wrist.
"I'm ok, Sam ... I'm more worried about my son- "
"Raine, right now Paul would want you to take care of yourself ... to put yourself firs- "
"I can't do that ... He's my son. He needs me."
"Your son needs to know you're ok. He's gonna want that more than anything, 'cause he loves you. You know he does." Seeing she was about to protest further, I knelt down at Paul's side and carefully began to lift him up so that I could carry him through to the living room couch. "Trust me, Raine, I've got this. Let me take care of Paul, while you get help. Please ... ?"
Raine quickly realized that there was no way in hell I was prepared to back down on either score; then tying her thick raven hair back, she gave a brief nod of acknowledgement before hurrying down the hallway to call the Clearwater's. Once she disappeared from sight, my attention instantly returned to my mate.
In a heartbeat, Paul was all I could see, hear, feel and more importantly, think of. I couldn't help revelling in the feel of him in my arms. Despite the drastic change in his body - that he was so much smaller, slighter and lighter than he used to be - he was perfect in my eyes ... and it felt so right to hold him, as if he'd been created for just that purpose. I carried my precious cargo with the utmost care. His dark head nestled perfectly in the crook of my shoulder and somehow, incredibly, his lithe body pressed itself even closer to mine as it unknowingly sought warmth, comfort and protection. My arms instinctively tightened around him as I sat on the couch. I drew him onto my lap, settling him comfortably against me and before I realized what I'd done, I leant down and brushed my lips against the top of his head.
His scent captivated me. For some unknown reason, its subtle freshness had always calmed and soothed me. But now ? Now there was an underlying hint of sweetness that combined perfectly with the spiciness which reminded me of ocean spray, cool breezes and warm, sandy beaches. I found it intoxicating. It inflamed my senses, turned me on and had my body clenching with need and want. Just being so close to Paul, feeling his taut thighs against mine, the perfect curve of his butt and his muscular body resting on top of me, had a painfully hard and aroused "little Sam" yearning to feel skin against skin. His against mine. To have him writhing on top of me in desperate need ... craving my touch ... mine alone ... as those sinewy thighs snaked around my hips and he wrapped his arms around my torso and clinged wantonly to me.
Swallowing hard, I licked my dry lips and tried to steady my breathing as I gave myself a sharp mental slap upside the head. This was bad ... Here I was, finally with my mate as I'd hoped for, only for him to be injured and probably concussed and all I could think of was taking advantage of him when he was so vulnerable. I was a bad, selfish man and an equally bad, lustful wolf. And God, did I want him ... Badly. Yet I daren't ... not when Paul clearly wasn't himself and in no fit state to return the favour.
I gently ran the back of my fingers from his temple and across his cheek and inhaled deeply, savouring his clean, seductive scent. Paul moaned softly and astonishingly, nestled even closer to me.
"C'mon, bro ... Stay with me here, y'hear me ? Don't close your eyes, I'm begging you ... You got banged up pretty bad and chances are you've got concussion, so you need to stay awake, 'k ? I know you're pretty pissed with me right now, but you gotta do this, Paul ... If not for you or me, do it for your mom 'cause she's worried sick about you ..."
I was so caught up in Paul and in trying to get him to stay awake, that I failed to notice his mother standing in the doorway. It was only when she pointedly cleared her throat to gain my attention that I finally became aware of her presence.
"So ... You're the one," Raine stated bluntly, her speculative gaze firmly fixed on me as she studied the way I carefully held her son and the way I was absently stroking his hair.
"Uh ... I-I'm the w-what ?" I replied uneasily, noting how intently she was watching me and instantly aware that as the words left my lips, I was so busted ...
Raine raised a sceptical eyebrow and sighed heavily. "I may have been naive when it came to my husband, Sam, but don't make the mistake of playing me for a fool ... Like I said, maybe I was a bit green, but I sure ain't blind. I know my son and he's changed ... and I reckon that's down to you. I know my Paul cares for you. Deeply. He probably loves you ... Hell ! I'd bet my last cent that he loves you- "
"Raine- "
"No, let me finish ! I'd even go as far as to say that he's in love with you, despite you being his imprint."
My hand froze and hovered over Paul's head and my stricken gaze immediately clashed with Raine's shrewd, dark eyes. "How did you kno- ?"
She shrugged. "I've always known about imprinting ... ever since my mom told me dad had imprinted on her. They never hid anything from me."
"But- "
"Listen, I don't care if you're Paul's imprint. I don't give a damn about that. But what I do care about is him. That he's happy. What you need to know, Sam, is ... Shit ! My boy's not had an easy life. Especially these last couple of years. He's had it tough and he deserves to be happy. All I ask is that you don't hurt him ... he's suffered enough."
I worried my lower lip before giving her an honest reply. "I'm not going to lie to you, Raine and make promises that I can't keep ... I do care about your son. What I feel for Paul is freakin' intense and I honestly think - no, I know - I'm falling for him. So, the last thing I want to do is hurt him. Like you said, Paul's been through enough. All I can do is try my damnedest not to hurt him."
"Then I guess that's all I can ask," she replied with a ghost of a smile on her lips. A rare smile which finally reached and lit up her eyes. She looked as if she was about to say more, but the sudden knocking at the door distracted the pair of us. It also announced the arrival of the Clearwaters and any chance I had of finding out what Raine had been about to say was now long gone ...