Chapter 9 is here! I debated over this chapter so much, but in the end I decided to stick with it. Last chapter many of you said you were annoyed with Jake and Ness. I just couldn't see it. I wasn't annoyed with them at all, but I did try to address that in this chapter. Sadly, I have no witty comments to put here today as I am sick and don't really feel up to being my witty self.

*Disclaimer*

Please Enjoy!

RPOV

As soon as we made it to the cabin, Jacob sat me down on the couch while he built up the fire and went into the kitchen. A few minutes later, the rich scent of hot chocolate filled the air. Coming around the couch, he handed me a mug before crouching down in front of me.

"Thanks." I took a sip as he just watched me. "Some alpha female I am, huh?" I said with a bitter laugh.

"Ness,-"

"You know, I just feel so...fucking helpless."

Reaching forward, he cupped my hands where they were wrapped around the mug. His hands were bloody and bruised, knuckles swollen, but healing.

"Ness, look at me."

I knew the tone in his voice so I met his eyes to avoid making him give me an order.

His dark eyes were stern and serious. "I scared myself back there. Not at the time, but now that I'm thinking about it. Nessie, baby, I was so out of control that I almost hit you, and I knew it. But at the moment, it hadn't phased me in the least. I didn't even process it."

Hearing the remorse in his voice, I had to ask. "What made you lose it like that? I've never seen you so angry."

He scrubbed a hand down his face tiredly. "It was just...everything. I mean, for months everybody has been preaching at me things that I've witnessed and it didn't affect me, or at least I thought it didn't. Like, it didn't anger me like it should. And then today when Caden told me about the rapes and murders, I just flipped. I mean, everybody had the same reasons for accepting Walker's actions. I guess it just took a little more of a push to get me on the same rage. But I'm so there." He took the mug out of my hands to set it on the table so he could grip my hands. "Nessie, I know I've said this before and I didn't act on it. But now, I am ready to be alpha, to do whatever it takes to make you safe, to make our future children safe." A disgusted, angry look took over his expression. "When I went in there, and he talked about you, I ripped his still-beating heart out of his chest."

He wouldn't meet my eyes though he didn't look remorseful about his confession. Reaching forward, I stroked his cheek, making him look at me.

"And that's ok, Jacob. Don't you get it?" I asked, repeating Shelby's words. "I love you. And better late than never that you're finally seeing that this war is very different than the one that didn't happen the first time around after my birth. This one is actually being fought, and violence is the necessity." Swallowing hard, I scooted forward on the couch so that my knees were between his. "Jacob, when Tristan put you in that hospital bed, I vowed to the pack that his death was the only acceptable outcome of this. He very nearly took you from me, and that is unforgivable. No leniency, no choices. Just death. Whether it's by your hand, mine, or someone else's, he will die. Period. I've already accepted that there will more than likely be casualties before this is over."

Staring at me in awe, he stroked my hair back from my cheek. "You've been so much more of an alpha than I have. I've been so fucking blind to everything. The wolf was with me the entire time I was in that cell. In the shower, after he settled, I was still ok. No regrets. No thinking it into the ground. I'd gone with my instinct, and it felt good."

I smiled but not like I was happy. "I don't know how much of an alpha I am after today. I felt so helpless. I wanted to do something, but I was paralyzed. Not with fear, just, I don't know how to explain it."

He nodded. "Seeing a loved one that angry, seeing that kind of rage is paralyzing because you don't know what to do. You've never seen them like that and you don't know how to help. But there was nothing you could have done. I was so far gone that I doubt even you could have gotten through to me."

"You sound like you know from experience."

"A long time ago, I put your mom in your position. I was so angry, and so close to phasing near her, that Edward had to pull her back. Seth had to push me into the woods before I hurt her."

I gripped his hand, twisting his wedding band. "When was that?"

"Your parents' wedding during my dance with her."

I frowned. "I thought you weren't at the wedding."

"I wasn't. I managed to show up during the 'reception' and we danced in the woods. I wasn't really all that clean so I didn't want to scandalize all the pretty bloodsuckers."

Laughing, I rolled my eyes. And then I got serious. "Hey, are we good? No hysterics or anything? I'm ok with the violence. It was just hard seeing you like that."

He brought one of his hands up to trace my lips with his fingertips. "Yeah, we're good." Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to mine. "What do you say we head back down to the house? I gotta get started on that wall and Esme's making dinner. I also gotta talk to Carlisle about that appointment."

"Are you sure? We could just hang out up here."

"Baby, you need time with your family. I can't keep whisking you away."

I gave him a purposely confused pout. "But I thought that's what Prince Charming does, whisks his woman away?"

He laughed, giving me the first Jacob-y grin I'd seen in a while. "I'll whisk you away after dinner. The whole night will be ours. Walker's going take up patrols. I'll talk to him about it at the house. But to do that we gotta get to the house."

Grinning, I leaned forward to press my lips to his. "Mmm, can't wait for dessert."

"Me either," he said with a growl against my lips.

"I love you, husband."

"Love you, too, wife."

I'm sure my grin almost broke my face.

WalkerPOV

Christa was tucked into my side, smiling through her lip between her teeth.

"What?" I asked with my own smile. Seeing her glow just made me happy.

She shook her head. "Nothing. I've just never been in love before, nor been loved back, romantically speaking. It's just...weird."

I laughed. "Well, then you better get used to it. I'll be loving on you every chance I get."

Playfully, I dove under her hair to nip at her neck, growling against her skin. She giggled, pushing against my chest. I gripped her wrist to hold her hand against me while I sucked on her skin. Her head fell back with a groan as she stepped flush against my body.

Above us, a throat cleared. Christa pulled away with a flush and I let her go with a smug grin. Her breathing was erratic, eyes unfocused. And I did that to her.

"Well, you two look cozy," Jacob said from his front porch.

Nessie was nestled under his massive arm. It must have been a thing with the males to tuck their females close to them to protect them. Her arms were wrapped around his waist, head on his chest. She was smiling softly, love pouring off of her. I'd never seen her look so content.

Christa was mirroring her alpha female, arms wrapping around my waist as the alpha couple moved down the stairs in perfect sync. Leaning over, I kissed her hair. It was curlier than Nessie's. Compared to Christa's, Nessie's curls were more like waves.

Once down the stairs, Jacob held out his hand. I shook it.

"I'm glad you guys could...reconcile."

I grinned. "Me, too. Edward told me what you did. We stopped by the house. From what I hear, the bastard deserved it."

After Christa and I had made love, we'd taken a shower together. It was hard to believe that all this was happening in one day. I'd tortured a man right after breakfast, Jacob following after lunch. And yet, here we were with our women still by our sides.

"Come to check on us?" Nessie asked.

I shrugged. "Just wanted to make sure our alpha was still sane."

Jacob squeezed Nessie's shoulders and rubbed her arm. "You know, I think for once my eyes are open and clear. Even clear of my distractions." He squeezed Nessie again. "No offense."

She smiled up at him. "None taken. I'm glad."

"Esme said dinner was almost ready," Christa said. "We should get down there."

Two wolves walked out from the trees. I didn't recognize them. When I tensed, Christa rubbed her hand up my side. "It's ok. It's Derek and Adam. They followed us up here."

As the two giants approached Jacob, their heads were lowered, tails tucked down, bellies to the ground, and eyes rolled up to their alpha. They rubbed over his and Nessie's legs. Nessie reached down to run her fingers through their fur as they passed her.

"Come on, guys. Let's go."

Together, we all walked down to the Cullen house. The weather was steadily getting colder. Thanksgiving wasn't far away, and Christmas would soon follow. Christa broke away from me but kept her arm around my waist so she could talk to Nessie.

"Have you talked to Emily lately? I know you had Leila and Henry last night."

Ness shook her head. "No, Sam dropped her off. It's been a while since all the girls hung out. We seriously need a week long girls' day after this mess is over."

"Isn't that the truth. I still have Christmas shopping to do. Morgan is the hardest to shop for. And this one?" she added, jerking her head in my direction. "Absolutely no idea."

Chuckling, I kissed her hair. "I don't need anything. I've got all I want."

"Same goes for me," Jacob said.

Nessie mock glared at her husband. "Don't you even dare think about it. I have to get you something."

Jacob rolled his eyes. "You already married me. What else could I possibly want?"

"Don't act like you haven't found her something, Jake," Christa said giving him "the eyebrow".

Nessie grinned. "You did, huh?"

"You'll never find it," he teased.

She giggled. "You're probably right because you gave it to someone else to watch over it. I know you. And knowing you, it's either my dad or Aunt Alice."

"Try both," Christa said.

One of the wolves yipped playfully.

"Hush, you," Jacob replied. "And let's get off this topic."

I shrugged. "How do you guys do holidays anyway? I mean the pack and the Cullens? You're all one big family, right?"

Nessie shrugged. "Kind of. Some of the wolves are more comfortable around the rez with their families. Those wolves that don't have anybody else are always welcome at the Cullen house. Since we always have the pack going through the big house, there's always food and clothing. But the family is always together for the holidays. You, Tricia, and your parents are welcome. If you wanna go see them, though, you can, Walker. We won't keep you from your family."

Somehow, she'd known what I was thinking. I really wanted to reintroduce Christa to Mom and Dad. They'd gotten off on the wrong foot, and I really believed they'd like her. Plus, it would prove to them that I was still around. Of course, if Embry were to go with Tricia that would be an interesting Thanksgiving dinner to say the least.

"She's right, man. Besides, from what I hear you had a rocky go of it when you left."

Christa huffed beside me, her expression stiff.

I chuckled. "My dad was a jerk and Christa didn't put up with it."

"Shocker," Jacob said sarcastically.

We all laughed.

He looked at Ness. "I was thinking that maybe we could invite the family to our place for Thanksgiving. You know, fresh scenery and all. Besides, we have a little more room, more open spaces. All the women in the kitchen while us guys make a mess and watch some game or other."

She gave him a look. "I don't know about that last part, but I could definitely see us hosting it. It would be fun. I'll talk to Esme and Mom about it." Leaning forward, she smiled at us. "The two of you would be welcome to stop in." She lifted her eyes to mine. "I offer every year to Christa, but she always declines."

Before I could answer, Christa jumped in. "Well," she said, squeezing my waist, "I think things will be different from now on."

She didn't need to say it, but we all knew it. Morgan was back in her life as her best friend. And now she had me. I was back, and not planning on going anywhere for a very long time.

I hugged her tighter to me. "Yeah, we'll stop in. Wouldn't miss it."

The rest of the walk was more idle chit-chat. Derek and Adam remained alert, eyes and ears roaming the woods. Every time a breeze came by, they lifted their muzzles to the wind.

Dinner was indeed ready by the time we made it into the house. Caden, Ethan, and Beau had more maps strewn over the table. This time when I met Ethan's and Beau's eyes, there was a level of respect. That respect also transferred over to Jacob as they shook hands.

It seemed as though being able to rip a man apart and keep your sanity got people's attention. The more respect I got, the more I redeemed myself, but I wouldn't be going around hurting people.

I didn't want anyone but my enemies to fear me.

Emmett and Jasper were also leaning on the table. Lucy, the thirteen year old that Tristan had infected, stayed close to Ethan who seemed to be protective over her. He always watched closely when people got too close to her.

"I was just going over the last time we visited up north," Caden said. "Though we're going further than the Makah reservation, I'm thinking it might be good to travel toward them, around them. Let the chief know that we haven't forgotten about him."

Jacob turned to Carlisle. "Have you gotten in contact with the Denalis?"

Carlisle shook his head. "All their phones are going to voicemail, even Garrett's." Then his eyes came to me. "You seem to be healed up. Except for the bite mark."

I cleared my throat. "Yeah, uh, I'm feeling pretty good."

"Good. We'll need you with us."

"Me?"

Jacob nodded. "Yeah, I want you up there when we go."

That kind of surprised me. I'd already run away once because my feelings had gotten hurt. They didn't think I'd run now. And Jake wanted me up there.

I nodded. "Sounds good."

"Also," he continued, looking to Nessie. "I want you, Shelby, and the other women down at the rez. That includes Christa, Morgan, and the other females. Someone will need to stay here to guard the prisoners."

"I'll do that," Rosalie said as she brought in some trays of food. She shrugged when we all looked at her. "I gotta ready the cars for winter anyway."

Jacob nodded. "Done."

Outside, howls rose up into the afternoon. All of us in the dining room shared a look just before the front door burst open. A moment later, Adam was in the doorway in human form.

His chest heaved as if he'd run a long way to get here. He probably had. After we'd come into the house, he and Derek had melted back into the woods to finish their patrols.

"What is it, Adam?" Jacob demanded.

Instead of looking at his alpha, he looked to me. "We have a serious problem."

Without another word, he turned around to head back outside. I shared a look with Jacob.

Nessie shrugged. "Might as well follow him."

We all trooped out the door. Christa and I went first. As soon as I stepped out, I froze, recognizing the person standing in the middle of the clearing. While everybody filed out on the porch behind me, Christa gripped my hand and gave me a questioning glance.

"Hello, Walker."

Everybody turned to me. I didn't pay any attention to them. Instead, my wolf snarled and growled in my head.

She just crossed her arms and stared at me. I had to give it to her, she didn't even flinch at how badly she was outnumbered. But then again, her pack was probably in the woods surrounded by Jacob's.

Jacob stepped up on my other side. "Who is she, Walker?"

I swallowed hard, memories surfacing. "Bianca."

She grinned. "Nice to see you, too."

I growled. "Leave. Get off this property and don't come back."

The smile slipped. "I can't do that."

"And why is that?"

For a long moment, it looked like she was trying to decide what to say.

And then Caden stepped up on the other side of Christa.

Bianca's eyes widened.

"Hello, Bianca."

"Caden," she whispered. "So, it's true? You're really not with Tristan anymore?"

He shook his head. "I'm not."

A sad realization came over her expression as her gaze came back to me. "Edmund was wrong."

I just glared at her.

"Speaking of," Caden continued, "where is your paranoid pack leader?"

"Dead."

Out of my peripheral vision, I saw Caden's head snap around to look at me. I was frozen with shock.

Bianca stepped forward, imploring. "That's why I'm here."

"And why is that exactly?" Jacob asked.

Caden's eyes were still on me. "Walker's responsible for his death."

"What?" Christa demanded.

"That's the only reason she'd be here. She's not stepping up to take pack leader. She's here to recruit the man that killed the previous one." He looked back to her. "Isn't that right? The pack voted, and they want the wolf that killed Edmund."

She stepped forward. Adam, now back in wolf form, and Derek moved in front of her. Glaring at them, she growled out, "I didn't defeat him in a challenge, therefore, the pack voted what to do as per custom."

"And which way did you vote?" Caden demanded.

Her gaze moved between me and the other male. "My vote was the deciding vote. Again, as per custom."

Caden raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"Walker's our new pack leader."

"The hell I am."

Caden came to stand in front of me. "Sorry, mate, but you really don't have a choice if you want to keep breathing."

Christa stepped up into Caden's space. "Was that a threat?" she growled out.

"Merely a truth." He looked at me once more. "If you don't take the role as pack leader, it is within the rights of the pack to kill you. You killed their leader and ran off. Technically, it's in their right to kill you now. So be happy they haven't come to kill you. They outnumber Jacob's pack by a lot. If you don't take this role, you're leaving them defenseless. Bianca was smart to not step in. She's female and cannot hold up to the challenges. It's not sexist. Males are just the stronger sex even as werewolves. As pack leader, she'd be challenged too much to allow herself proper time to heal before the next challenger approached. She'd die and the pack would be even more defenseless. Our wolves are not like Jacob's. In our world, there are dominants and there are submissives, remember? The submissives rely on the dominants to take care of them. If Bianca dies trying to protect them, they will become anyone's victims to do with as they please. You are a dominant male, an alpha. I have seen you fight. You can handle the challenges."

Christa gripped my hand hard.

"What about Christa?" I asked Caden.

Before he could answer, there was murmur in the crowd on the porch. Caden moved aside so that I could see that Bianca's pack had emerged from the woods surrounded by Jacob's pack. It was a huge pack of about a hundred wolves. There were a few that I recognized from the cave they'd tortured me in. Some of those that I recognized would not meet my eyes as they stood before me. The rest just glared at me. The wolf in me snapped and snarled, wanting to punish them.

"She isn't one of us. I can smell that from here," Bianca said. "However, I see that she is your mate and still a werewolf. And you spoke of her frequently in your sleep, spoke of how much you love her." Beside me Christa looked up in surprise. I didn't meet her eyes. "I am willing to allow the female to remain yours. She will not be held to our laws and customs. And any who try to challenge her will be forced to challenge me."

"That seems too easy. Why did you vote for me?"

The smile she gave was sad. "You forget that I liked you from the beginning, Walker. I watched over after they were done each night. Though Edmund couldn't force me to join the torture, I still took care of you and made sure that there were a limited number of wolves involved. You see, the pack was torn, rather unevenly, between me and Edmund. My followers were forbidden to touch you. Edmund couldn't go against my direct orders even though he was pack leader. They were more scared of me than of Edmund, and so they did as I ordered. I never once believed that you were one of Tristan's, but Edmund wouldn't hear of it. At one time, he was an excellent leader, but then one day, he just snapped and nearly slaughtered all of our people. That's the day I became second in command. I beat him in a fight. Ever since then, I had to walk on glass just to keep him calm. He wouldn't let any of our wolves transfer to a different pack. Make no mistake, Edmund was lethal, very dangerous, and loved to hurt for no reason. Not one outside challenger could defeat him. We're glad he's dead. And we want the wolf who managed to kill him to be our leader."

I squeezed Christa to my side. "But I didn't mean to kill him. I was trying to escape."

Bianca's smile was much less sad. "And that's okay. We understand it wasn't a proper challenge. However, we justify it by saying he challenged your trustworthiness and your freedom."

Warily, I stepped to the railing of the porch and looked out over the hundred or so wolves. Christa stood just behind me, her hand on my back.

"How many of you voted in my favor?"

Almost the entire pack, including Bianca, raised their hands. The few who didn't were ones who had tortured me. Some of the wolves who had helped had raised their hands even though they couldn't meet my eyes.

Overcome with emotion about these strangers choosing me, I cleared my throat. "You don't even know me."

Bianca shrugged. "I know enough. You and I talked before Edmund had shown up. Do you not realize that you have 'alpha' written across your forehead? You're aura screams it. An alpha always comes with the proper ways of things. Sometimes though, that sense of authority gets skewed, like with Edmund or Tristan. I believe you can lead us, and that's enough for them." She motioned to the wolves behind her. "But remember, I was the last vote, not the first. They chose on their own."

I shook my head. "I can't leave Forks. There's business to take care of."

"If you're talking about Tristan, that's fine. We'll stay. He's screwed this pack over so many times anyway."

"What about after we deal with him?"

Another wolf stepped forward, a male who was old enough to be my dad. "I own some land just outside of Forks. We can set up camp there."

Bianca grinned. "Actually, we wouldn't need camp. I inherited my family's wealth when my mother died and have been saving it for an occasion to use it properly. If you're serious about us, I'll use it to build a small village on Roderick's land. Of course, if he's ok with that."

He smiled at her.

"Wait, wait, wait. Did you just make plans to move up here?"

Bianca shrugged. "In the future, yes. I think you missed the part where I said 'if you're serious about us'. Look, we know that you don't know us and that we're a visiting pack. We can make camp in the woods until the Tristan thing is over. We can make a trial run of it, I suppose you could say. We're your pack, the decision's been made. It's up to you to accept it."

Turning my back on them, I surveyed my family on the porch. Everybody was staring at me, but all I could see was Christa. Reaching up, I stroked her cheek with my thumb.

"What do you think?"

She leaned into my touch, pressing her body against mine. "I think it's sudden and scary. However, a trial run is a good deal. Maybe something good will come out of this. And they're not trying to separate us. I'm not an alpha female and I'd have to learn, but I think I have a couple good examples."

"So you think we should do this? And I say 'we' because I couldn't do this without you."

Her expression melted. "Of course we'd do it together. Don't you remember when I said I'm yours forever? Where you go, I follow."

The wolf in me purred that we managed to have this sweet, strong woman in our lives. Her lips met mine with a gentle kiss.

I raised my eyes to Jacob and Caden. "What do you two think?"

Caden shrugged. "It would give us a lot more wolves on our side."

"That's true," Jacob conceded. "We can use all we can get. You really think he can do it? That it's a good idea?"

"They won't go against him. They voted. There are only certain times when the pack is a democracy and that's one of them." He looked at me. "You must have made quite an impression on them. However, they will need to understand that Jacob is alpha male of this land."

I nodded. "Oh yeah. I follow Jacob."

"But you're the boss of these wolves. They will look to you to lead them."

Taking a deep breath and gripping Christa's hand, I turned around to face the pack. "Ok, we'll go with the flow. There is a clearing east of here that's next to a river. Set up camp there. I'll come check on you soon so that we can discuss a few things."

Smiles broke out and the few kids of the pack cheered. Those that hadn't voted for me just stood there, apart from the others. I memorized their faces. We'd be having a chat later.

As they all trooped out behind Roderick, Bianca stayed just long enough to smile and nod at me. "Thank you. You saved us from Edmund. We're grateful."

I glowered at the wolves that weren't on my side. "Not all of you."

She nodded seriously. "They can be dealt with."

"Absolutely."

She saluted me. "See ya later, pack leader."

JPOV

This was turning out to be the longest day in the history of long ass days. Once my wolves escorted the new wolves away from the house, we all flooded back inside. My stomach rumbled as the scent of enchiladas hit my nose. They'd been brought out before we'd all gone inside but I was too preoccupied with the planning to think about food. Now, I was thinking about food.

The maps had been moved from the table and Esme was standing there with her arms crossed and toe tapping on the floor. I traded glances with Nessie.

"Sit down and eat," Esme ordered. "I'll not have you working on empty stomachs. That goes for you as well, Walker. You're in shock and need to eat and drink."

"Yes, ma'am," the new pack leader said as he sat down next to his mate who was already piling food onto a plate for him.

"And don't call me 'ma'am'. Makes me sound old."

We all laughed as food was passed around.

"So, Walker, how do you feel about all this?" I asked as I passed one of the pans to Ness.

"Weird," was his quick response. "I never expected to be in charge of anything, ever. So I'm not quite sure how to go about this. It seemed so easy that, bam, I'm leader and they're all accepting of Christa and me."

"It's the hope you represent to them,"Caden said around a mouthful of food.

"What do you mean?"

Caden took a sip of sweet tea. "You remember how I told you that our packs are run on fear?"

Walker nodded.

"Well, that pack has run on fear for a long time. The fear that their pack leader might snap. What I meant before was the kind of fear that keeps people in line from doing things they're not supposed to do. But according to Bianca, Edmund was far past that with just attacking random, innocent members of the pack." He pointed his fork at Walker. "You clearly made an impression on them, and they want to see if you'll live up to it." He leaned forward onto his elbows. "Tell me something, what were they like when you were visiting them?"

Walker chewed, thinking about his answer. No doubt he had to sort through all the crap that had been done to him to get to the other side of things.

"At first, they were very skittish around me. Especially the women and children. But after I sat down around the bonfire with them, they seemed to loosen up. Even the kids came up to me, offering their food."

What sounded like a fork clanged over a plate. We all looked over at Caden who was staring at Walker with his mouth hanging open.

"They did what?" he demanded even though he'd heard. He shook his head. "Did Bianca see that?"

Walker looked confused, his eyebrows meeting his hairline. "Uh, yeah. She had the same shocked look on her face that you do."

"Cubs offering their food to a male is a sign of great trust, and shouldn't be taken lightly."

"So what does that mean for Walker?" Christa asked.

Caden grinned. "It means that if the cubs trust him, then the rest of the pack does. Children, no matter the species, have always been sensitive to the truth, the very nature of the world. Take imaginary friends for example. Not all of them are imaginary."

We all stared at him. Nessie cleared her throat beside me and wiped her mouth with a napkin.

"Are you talking about ghosts?" she asked.

Caden smiled at her. "Indeed, I am. But my point is, children are very good at interpreting what adults stop believing in. Trust is one of those things."

"So that's why they all voted for me."

Caden nodded.

An idea occurred to me from what Caden said earlier. "Since there are a significant amount of them, you think they'd be willing to run patrols, and go up to Denali?"

Walker shrugged. "I'm their pack leader." He looked to Caden. "They have to follow my orders, right?"

The other wolf nodded.

"Ok, I have a question," Leah chimed in. She'd been quiet for a while. "If the pack leader is equivalent to Jacob's alpha male, why would Bianca as second in command have any power over the pack?"

Caden smiled at her with pride. "Good question, luv. It's the fear factor. But also, she said the pack was torn, meaning she has followers. Not all packs are like that. When the pack is no longer trusting the pack leader, they turn to the next in line. That would be Bianca. If the scales get uneven out of the pack leader's favor, the next in line can take over the pack until he or she can find a replacement or take the responsibility themselves. A lot of seconds in command like to stay where they are. Bianca was always one of those."

Unfortunately, that made a certain amount of sense. "So, the pack is fully on Walker's side?"

Caden shrugged and shook his head at the same time. "Not necessarily. They're completely on Bianca's, but they're waiting for Walker to prove himself. And then, they'll decide."

"Peachy. I'll talk to Bianca when we go out there. We're planning to go up near the Makah rez just to pass through, and then go up to Denali, right?"

I nodded. "That's the plan. Just wanna let the chief know that I'm still aware of him. No stopping, just a pass through. Then we'll move upward. If Tristan is still in Denali, we'll have more than enough wolves to overtake him. If not, we'll at least know where he isn't. I'm going to have Sam, Edward, and Carlisle start monitoring the news stations over the country just to see if anything comes up, maybe even globally."

"Great." He wiped his mouth with a napkin and turned to Christa. "You ready to go?"

She nodded. "Yeah, sure."

They stood up.

"If you'll excuse us," Walker said before looking to Esme. "The food was wonderful. Thank you."

She smiled warmly as they headed out the door.

I copied them and stood up. "Carlisle, I need a word if you don't mind."

For a moment, he looked surprised. And then he looked at Nessie. "Sure. Up in my office?"

His office was sound-proof so it made sense. "Yeah. That'd be great."

I followed him up the stairs after giving Nessie a kiss. She gave me a thumbs-up.

"So," Carlisle said as he closed the door behind us. "I assume this has something to do with my granddaughter's tests? Though you're her husband, I really can't give you any information."

"That's not why I'm here. Nessie already told me that you didn't find anything wrong with her, so don't worry about doctor/patient confidentiality." Clearing my throat, I put my hands on my hips, and couldn't meet his eyes. "I'm actually here to ask you to...perform your tests on me. It'll make me and her both feel better."

Carlisle looked as if he were trying not to smile. "You do know what those tests involve, correct?"

A flush crept up my neck. "I can guess. You're not checking the equipment. You're checking the juice."

Carlisle's not-smile grew. "An apt description if a little crude." He went around me to dig into his desk. He pulled out some gloves, a syringe, a cup with a lid, and a tube. "Let me take some blood. You can collect the other sample at home, but it must be brought to me after while it's still...warm. A hot shower would increase your body heat and keep the sample warmer longer."

I nodded, really hoping nobody was hearing this conversation. He took my wrist to stretch out my arm and tapped for a vein. "I'll take the shower now. I promised Ness a night at home with no interruptions."

"Ah, well, the faster I get it, the faster I can give you answers."

And then he stabbed me with the needle. Soon the tube was full of my blood, and then he handed me the cup.

I remembered this when I was a kid and was sick. Peeing in a cup. Only this time it would be white, not yellow. Not to mention, I now had to do something I hadn't done since Nessie and I first made love. I wasn't even sure that I could do it, but I made a promise to my wife, so I'd damn sure try.

RPOV

This had been a long day, and I was exhausted. Nevertheless, I helped my mom and Esme clean up the food while Jacob was talking to Carlisle.

"So, Jacob made a suggestion today that I agree with," I said as I put leftovers in various containers.

"And what is that, honey?" Mom asked.

"We think that we should host Thanksgiving at our place. It's a little more spacious up there, and since the family keeps growing, we might need that space."

She smiled at me. "That's a great idea. What do you think, Esme? Think we could get everything together up there?"

"Absolutely. I think it's a fantastic idea. I'll get with Alice and Rosalie. Any plans for Christmas?"

I shook my head. "Probably Christmas Eve at home. Visit on Christmas day. I figured Jacob and I could spend our first Christmas as a married couple together. It seems logical to start traditions now anyway."

Mom nodded. "Sounds good. Exciting, isn't it? To have a special someone to have personal space on holidays? To start a life together?"

My heart warmed as I thought of Christmas Eve cuddled up with Jacob, lights shining, candles glowing warmly as the fire crackles in the fireplace. If it snowed, it would be perfect.

"It really is, Mom. I love him so much. I just don't know what to get him. Christa told on him saying that he's already got mine, or at least picked it out."

She shrugged. "Jacob has always been that way. He never needs nor wants anything." She stroked my hair. "Don't worry, honey. You'll think of something."

I sighed as I packed up the rice Esme had made and put it in the refrigerator. "Maybe I can talk to Billy or Rachel."

As I closed the door to the fridge, I felt hands land on my shoulder. Turning around, I found my husband smiling at me. His hair was wet, shirt sticking to him in patches. He'd taken another shower?

He leaned down to kiss me. "I told you I don't want anything, baby."

I slumped. "I know, but still. I gotta find you something. Guilt is a wonderful motivator. As is love."

He laughed, hugging me to him. "Alright, let's just agree to disagree. What do you say we go home? Dessert is waiting." His eyebrows wiggled at me.

Giggling, I wrapped my arms around his waist. "I say that sounds amazing."

After we said our goodbyes and thank yous, we made it up to the house with Adam and Derek escorting us. Once we made it there, we said goodnight to the boys and locked ourselves in. While Jacob put up our portion of the leftovers, I went downstairs to light the candles and change. I had an idea all day of what I wanted to wear for Jacob's "dessert".

Shrugging out of my clothes, I slipped into a black thong and grey teddy. Once I was dressed, I unwrapped my hair from the braid I had it in letting it cascade down my back and over my shoulders. Coming out of the closet, I looked at the bed. I wasn't really feeling the bed tonight, so I built up the fire before stretching out on the carpet in front of it. On my side, I put my elbow down and rested my head in my palm, leisurely drawing circles on my bare thigh with my finger.

I was staring into the fire, lip between my teeth, when I felt eyes on me. Looking down toward my feet, I found Jacob breathing hard, his eyes searing with heat. He was wearing only his jeans as he knelt down at my feet.

Gripping my thighs, he rolled me onto my stomach and then stopped touching me. I tried to look over my shoulder, but he growled at me. A moment later, those heavy hands ran over the backs of my legs, over my bare ass, and under the slip of the teddy to roam my back. As he moved, he stretched out on top of me. He'd shed his jeans and his hot erection nestled between the cheeks of my ass to tease me before he backed up again.

Slowly, he bunched up the teddy around my upper chest so that it was more like a tube top, leaving my lower body nearly bare. Those hot lips followed his hands down my body, down my spine. There were two dimples in my lower back that he played his tongue over. While his mouth worked me over, his hands massaged my backside, two of his fingers dipping between my thighs. A heavy growl rumbled out of him when he found me wanting and wet.

Pushing my hands into the carpet, I arched my hips and backed up into his fingers which were just lightly playing over me. My breathing was starting to get heavy, a pleasant pressure building inside me.

And then his fingers left me. I whimpered a little until I felt him grip the thong and start to slide it off. With his legs straddling mine, it took some work for him to inch them down, but he managed. Once they were off, he leaned back over me and bit the back off my thigh, just under the cheek. And then his tongue flicked out to soothe the sting before doing the same to the other side.

"Jacob," I sighed.

He growled. "Spread a little," he commanded in a low bass. "Arch up a little more."

I did as he ordered, wriggling my legs apart and raising my pelvis off the floor. His knees scooted up a little more, closer to my hips. And then I felt the head of him at my entrance.

"Yes, Jacob," I sighed again.

Again, he growled as he thrust into me. No foreplay, so entering slowly. He just shoved all of himself inside of me. Clawing at the carpet, I let out a shout as he moved. Reaching down his gripped my ass, fingers digging into flesh.

"Ness," he growled out.

I gasped as he threw some extra power into the thrust, his hips slapping into me. He used his grip on me to use as a handle to pull me harder against him. His erection hit hard at the end of me, but at this angle, he hit that spot deep inside me that just thrummed for the stroke.

The pressure was slowly building inside me the way it usually did that kind of deep stroke. But then he stopped. Not pulling out, he gripped my hips and pulled up. When I got to my hands and knees, Jacob pressed a hand to the top of my shoulders and pushed down, pushing my face back into the carpet.

"Yeah, that's it," Jacob growled. "That angle is so tight."

He was right. We'd never made love this way before. The angle was different and tighter, his girth pressing on the walls inside me. Luckily, I was so wet. Otherwise it would have hurt.

Smoothing his hands over my back, he started to move again, slower this time. Deep slide in. Pulling out until just the tip of him was inside me. The torture was killer and amped up the anticipation. When I tried to push myself against him for more friction, he growled, gripped my ass, and forced me to stop. His grip on me made my eyes roll as he did another of those deep, slow thrusts.

"Oh, god, Jacob."

Leaning over me, he smoothed one hand over my back, around my side, and up to grip my breast. Apparently, feeling my pearled nipple was his undoing because he brought the other hand around to grip my other breast and thrust hard and fast into me once, twice, three times. I clawed at the carpet, gasping at the pleasure coursing through me. His fingers pinched my nipples as his thrusts became harder but not as deep at the new angle.

Jacob's breath was hot in my ear as he took me, the constant growl vibrating down my spine from where his chest was plastered to my back.

Although I was loving this new position, my body started to shake with his weight. Apparently, he felt it, because he gripped my breasts hard and pulled me up so that I was still against his chest, but no longer on the floor. Once hand snaked down to the apex of my thighs, fingers playing over the folds. I convulsed as his fingers brushed over that bundle of nerves.

He didn't like me moving. The wolf wanted me submissive. That was clear only when Jacob's teeth set into the top of my spine at my neck. Instantly, my body still as that growl shot straight into my spine, heat flowing over me, goosebumps popping up on my skin even though we were in front of the fire.

I was immobilized as Jacob hammered into me, his fingers playing over my breasts and stomach. When I started grunting, whimpering, and moaning, he stuck his fingers into my mouth, no doubt to shut me was fine. I just sucked and nibbled on his fingers.

The growl deepened, his thrusts becoming erratic. One of my hands reached back to dig into his neck while the other traveled down my body to meet his at my core. I pressed his fingers harder against mine and moved my hips to create a delicious dance of flesh. The pressure in me was getting tight, my skin shrinking over my frame.

"So close," Jacob rumbled over my skin before biting down on me again.

"Mhm," I mumbled around his fingers.

My breathing was getting thrown off as my body wanted to buck. Just about two more thrusts and I'd break apart.

One. My body tightened up.

Two. Lightning struck and I screamed around Jacob's fingers in my mouth.

Three. He growled harder against me and froze inside me as I felt him jerk.

My body milked him over and over, his hot seed spilling deep into me. My ass was pressed into his hips, feeling the muscles tensed and hard. Which just fueled me even more.

My eyes rolled again as white spots flitted over my vision.

And then we were sated. Jacob fell forward, taking me with him. Throwing out an arm, he wrapped the other around my waist and caught us. He rolled so that he fell to the floor, my body cradled in the crook of his.

"You didn't bleed me this time," he managed to croak out.

I laughed, which was odd since he was still inside me. Hissing, he withdrew, making me writhe.

"Sorry," I said.

"Don't be. I'm good. Are you ok? I think I was the one to bleed you."

I felt him part the hair at my neck so he could examine his handiwork.

"Yeah, you're bleeding."

I shrugged and moved my head until he let go for my hair to move back over my neck. "I'm fine. I like it."

"Good." He kissed my temple. "I like it, too."

We were on our sides, my back to Jake's chest. I arched my hips back into him. "Mmm, I like the new you."

He laughed. "I follow my instincts now instead of worrying over everything. I think the wolf is the greatest asset now."

"He really is. He takes what he wants and trusts me when I say I'm alright. I think I can handle that."

His arms squeezed me. "I think you like the wolf more than me."

I set my nails into his arms. "Never. I love you. He just helps you to not overthink things. He helps you to just feel."

His warm lips kissed my shoulder. "Yeah. I like just feeling. It's nice."

Grinning, I stared at the fire. "It sure is."

ChristaPOV

After dinner, Walker and I had walked through the woods to find camp almost completely set up. Esme had met us outside with enough extra food to feed an army. Bianca met us at the edge of the trees.

"Hey, guys." She held her hand out to me. "I'm Bianca. It's nice to meet you."

I took her hand. "Christa. Nice to meet you, too. Is everyone comfortable? Anybody need anything?"

She smiled. "I think we're ok."

"Well, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. We'll get it for you."

"Thanks." She looked at Walker in a serious way. "Thank you."

He looked surprised. "For what?"

"This. Giving us a chance." Turning around, she looked at her people. The kids were all running around, playing at the edge of the water and throwing mud at each other. "You have no idea what it means to them, to me."

"Edmund was bad, wasn't he?"

She nodded. "Yeah, he was getting worse. He was against Tristan, but-,"

"But?" Walker urged.

"But when he went after little Haleigh, I knew something was really off inside his head."

She nodded her head toward a little girl with braids, being chased by an older boy.

Anger clouded Walker's features. "He went after her? How?"

Bianca sighed. "One day, she was playing with Marco and ran out into the path in front of Edmund. He was so angry, when a few years ago, he'd have just smiled and chased her himself. But he raised his hand to her. One of the older boys, Xavier, stepped in the way to take the blow." She pointed. "That's him over there. It wasn't just one blow he took. It was full on beating before his mother ran to me."

We looked over to where she pointed. He was only a year or so younger than Walker, in his late teens. Scars dribbled over his neck and collarbones where the shirt opened up. His sandy hair fell into his green eyes in the haircut that was popular with boys nowadays. Those eyes watched the smaller children play as if he were prepared to protect them at a moments notice.

"You give us hope, Walker. Hope that all dominants aren't crazy. What gave us that hope was when the children approached you. They never did that to Edmund, even when he was 'sane'."

Walker turned to her and gripped her hand. "Bianca, I can't promise you the world, but I can promise that I will do my best by you and them. Killing Edmund was an accident, but my conscience can't leave you unprotected. I'll do what I can. But you also have to understand that Jacob is my alpha. I look to him for guidance. And right now, he and his pack needs us."

Bianca studied him for a long moment before bringing his hand up to her face where she rubbed it against his skin. I couldn't help my growl.

Startled, she looked at me. "Oh, I'm sorry. It's not like that. This is just our version of a hug. Contact is very important to us." She looked up at him. "I don't have eyes for you. I don't exactly play for your team anyway."

I choked on air. "You're gay?"

She nodded. "Yeah. And I have a mate." Her eyes went back to Walker, worry clouding them. "That's ok, isn't it?"

He nodded, still in a little bit of shock. "Yeah, that's fine. Why wouldn't it be?"

Bianca wouldn't meet our eyes. "A lot of pack leaders won't let same sex couples be together because it doesn't create offspring. They want the pack to grow. Edmund was one of those. He never knew about Angelica."

At the name, a woman appeared beside Bianca, lacing her fingers with the other woman's. She was beautiful with bright red hair and amethyst eyes. Freckles were sprinkled over her cheeks and across her nose.

"Hi," she said in meek voice.

"Hi. I'm Christa."

"Angelica."

Walker and I shared a look. Walker wrapped his arm around my waist to pull me toward him.

"You're letting me have my mate. I can only return the favor. Jacob has a couple of wolves, Derek and Adam, who are madly in love, so I understand."

Angelica rested her head on Bianca's shoulder. Bianca kissed her mate's forehead.

"Thank you," she whispered. "Already you've helped us. Now, come on. Come meet your new pack."

Sharing a glance with Walker, we both took deep breaths. Angelica took my hand and, with a shy smile, pulled me forward. Taking Walker's hand, I pulled him with me.

The rest of the night, we met new people, laughed around the fire, and shared food with the children. Haleigh had even given me her doll to protect as she went to sit with Xavier by the fire so he could help her with s'mores.

Angelica leaned into me. "You're wonderful with children. And let me tell you, she never lets anyone hold that doll. It's all she really has left of her family."

"What happened to them?" I asked.

"Tristan happened. They'd gotten permission to transfer to our pack. On their way to us, they'd gotten intercepted. Tristan had wanted a go at the female. The male had protected her. One day, the older boys were hunting and found what was left of the parents. Haleigh was hiding in the shrubs, clinging to that doll for all she was worth. So again, she really likes you. Nobody else holds that doll but her."

Sorrow overtook me as I watched the little girl giggle and cuddle up to Xavier. Staring down at the doll, I brushed its hair with my fingers. That was when I decided I, like Walker, would do my best by these people. They were the only family Haleigh had.

I'd make sure it stayed intact.

As Nessie had declared, Tristan was a dead man walking.

Yeah, so, what do we think? Personally, I love the whole Walker a pack leader thing. And I like Bianca and Angelica. Please review? I love hearing what you have to say, good or bad. Also, if any questions, let me know. I'll be happy to answer. xoxoxoxo